Galstak will accompany Luminarion and Morphet. He too will cast Shield of Faith first time things look to be heading to conflict, but not before.
"Come Kaiden and Spectrum; better to stick togther."
Aksum follows as well, quietly warming up his throat in case the occasion calls for a song.
Spectrum says nothing, but falls in stride next to Galstak letting him lead the way.
The scout/guard sees you approach as you take no stealthy precautions he ignores your warm welcome and replies. "You walk the land of the elk uninvited travelers state your business with Lennart or be on your way our tribe has trouble enough as is, or perhaps we can come to a deal between our people." He speaks in a low tone and is straight to the point.
Aksum plucks his krar and sings a short ballad, telling of their quest and what they had encountered so far. "We had hoped to seek news from your tribe, and advice and direction regarding our task."
The man looks quite intrigued by your story though it is hard to see on his vacant face."You come from the Great Hall then I would not suppose you know anything of the curse on these lands then." The man says but is interrupted by Gregers. "Cursed?" Gregers says in a quite low tone. "Then I suppose you know nothing more than us. Tell me what can you offer to our tribe and I will see how I can assist you." Offers the man.
Luminarion makes sure that his Holy symbol of Sarenrae is visible and says, "We really don't want much more than simple passage through your lands and advice on our journey. If it will help, I have some skill as a healer if any of your people are in need."
"We seek shelter from this snowstorm. We are hoping you can provide it for the night. If so, perhaps we can provide the answers you seek."
"Our shaman Lennart can offer you the advice you seek though I am not sure how my people will take to visitors. Our tribe has been through...troubles as of late." He pauses for a long while but then continues. "A moment if you will." He turns his head to face in the settlement and gestures a man within the settlement with some strange hand gesture the man then runs off into a nearby tent out of your sight. The guard turns back to you and simply says. "Now if you'll come with me." The man turns and begins slowly walking into the small barbarian settlement waiting for you to follow.
The ma is still unaware of Curvlks presence.
Khalil starts to get an uneasy feeling as the barbarians begin signaling back and forth. As the others move towards the tent, he will slip towards the back of the group and possibly under cover while trying to scan the camp for any signs that other warriors may be gathering or planning an ambush.
The tribesmen and children eye you cautiously and all have a frighted look on their face as you make your way through their settlement. It is very small and few are outside their tents at this time and with the storm. You are lead to a large elaborate tent and your escort then stops to speak with you. "I take you no further Lennart wishes to speak with you alone I know no what he needs but he awaits you in his tent." He then points at the tent and leaves to go back to his duty.
Galstack will enter the tent, not only curious to see this Lennart, but also to finally be out of the storm and cold. He does keep a hand on his axe handle though and is cautious as he enters.
Perception:
Luminarion remains in his place towards the front of the group and follows along into the tent. He also tries to see what he can of his surroundings.
Seeing the people seem to pose no real threat, Khalil will slip over to one of the little girls and quietly offer a smile and some jerky, dried fruit, and biscuit from his ration pack. He'll take three marbles from his pouch and roll them across his palms and then hand those over as well making them seem to disappear and reappear through a little simple slight of hand. He'll then carefully follow the others into the tent.
Kaiden remains silent trying not to draw attention to himself.
Morphet will follow Galstack into the tent, wanting to hear what the shaman has to say
You all enter the large distinctive tent it enters into a large dim lit room. Although the tent is abnormally large it is next to empty save for the Large tree stump taking from the ground in the middle of the room and the various hammocks lining the wall most of which are currently housing the ill. Inside the "wall" are a distinctive purple shade and a large cauldron sits at the far end of the Large stump which is only b 2 or three feet high at least a dozen chairs also sit on the large tree stump. As you enter a man wearing distinctive hides an and leather tends to the ill he turns to face you as soon as you enter. "So you are the ones I heard of well allow me to introduce myself I am Lennart and as you probably already know the only remaining shaman within our tribe. Please come in make yourselves at home." He says to you he makes his way over. "The man outside said you wished to speak to us. What about?" Says Egil trying to get some words out of the Human. "You come from the Great Hall no? I was hoping you would have some information, some answers for me but perhaps I have pushed my luck no?" Gregers steps forward speak loud and firmly to the Shaman."How did you even know of our arrival let alone were we are from." The shaman chuckles. "I have been following your groups progress for a long while especially you Gregers son of Berkthgar." Gregers mouth fall agape as the shaman speaks. "Now your just scarring me." He mutters quietly to himself. "I am sure you have many question which we shall discus in just a moment please sit make yourself comfortable I will be with you in just a moment." Lennart says to you before returning to the aid of the ill you could all swear you heard another chuckle as he walks back over to work. As soon as Lennart is far from hearing range Gregers whispers to you all. "I don't like this not one bit but we cannot leave now I believe this Lennart was it may have some of the answers we seek.." Gregers stays with the whole of the group still wary of the shaman.
Listening to the exchange between the shaman and Gregers, Khalil can't help but wonder what the shaman knows, and how it came to be that he is the last shaman of his tribe. Seeing the hammocks filled with the sick, he grabs a small cloth from his pocket and holds it over his mouth and nose to keep the spirits of the ill from entering his body. He then steps over and tries to discover what they might be suffering from.
Luminarion also looks over some of the sick people.
The word of the shaman strike a cord in Galstak and he follows the him over to his patients.
"You seem to know of us shaman, yet we know nothing of you. Since you know of us and our journey from the Great Hall, you must also know our mission. Do not play mind games with us, our journey has been long and arduous. We are tired and cold and this wears our patience thin."
Lennart looks up from his work turning his attention to Galstak momentarily. "I fear you know little of your mission to begin with young barbarian you are touched with a strange power boy one that lead you here in the first place no? Now if you will give me a moment I must care to the ill and I will see to your question very soon." The man then begins to get back to treating the patient. "A moment of your time shaman but, what is it that ills these people it is unlike anything I have ever seen." Gregers asks interrupting him once again. "Patience your question will be answered momentarily please take a seat these people are in enough pain." Gregers still wanders aimlessly through the large room questions running through he says Egil and his friend make up on to the stump and find themselves a seat,
"May we help you administer aid to your people?"
Although the Shaman may think he surprises Galstak with his knowledge of his backgroud, Glastak is not taken aback. Having a similar ability makes him actually understand the Shaman a little bit.
He reconsiders his tact and leaves the man to tend to his sick. He is not sure whether to offer his healing powers to the Shaman or not.
He heads over to the fire shedding is heavy cloak to allow the warmth to soak into his body.
Luminarion watches what the shaman is doing. Then he shrugs his shoulders. He says: "I do not yet have the ability to directly cure disease through prayer. But there is something I can do which may help somewhat, and for the sake of these people here I will try it."
Luminarion holds forth his Holy symbol and in a loud voice says,"May the light of Sarenrae heal you all."
"I appreciate the offer Luminarion but I fear you will be of little help to these poor people." Says Lennart in response to Luminarion. It would appear that your channel did little to nothing for the people they look just as bad as before perhaps their pain is from something else.
After just a few more moments Lennart walks from the last patients side and up to the large stump and seats himself into a large regal looking chair at the head of them all. "Please everyone come and seat yourself we must talk." Says Lennart shortly after seating himself. Gregers begins slow advance to the seat cautiously taking seat near the back and waving you all over.
Luminarion moves up and takes a seat.
Morphet will take a seat and wait patiently
With a slight shake of the head and shrug Khalil acknowledges that he can't really offer any help to these people. At the shaman's invitation, he'll join the others and sit to hear what the old man has to say.
Kaiden is standing by wondering what to make of all this.
Galstak will move near Kaiden. "Come Kaiden, let us sit and hear what the shamen has to say."
He will then move to take a seat.
Kaiden takes Galstak's advice, and makes himself comfortable.
After all seat themselves Lennart clears his throat and begins to speak. "You have all traveled far to reach the Land of Song for riches fame or whatever be your reason, but that is not what is important. Your task to go to The Valley of Sleeping Jarls to slay some mysterious benevolence than none even know exists. This evil is far greater than you know to great. I am one of few with...a unique power one that has been passed through the Land of Song for generations. However it was long ago forgotten to exist and now is but a legend not even the Jarls know off..."
Gregers suddenly butts in blurting out. "What are trying to say why did you wish to speak with us stop with your games and tell us your purpose." Lennart chuckles softly before responding. "Gregers have you ever heard the name Her Dark Majesty per chance." Gregers thinks a moment to try to recall what he knows but can grasp at nothing. "No, but if it is vital to our task please continue." Lennart nods. "Very well.
It all started a long long time ago few centuries now I would say, Anyway it was during Hjalmar's rule over Yngvars hall all of those years ago, back in those days the clans had many enemy's. Hjalmar was a great ruler he led his people to battle in honor and protected his land until the day he fell, But there was one who did not approve of Hjalmar's rule one from deep in the Tevara peaks were Clan Brandholm once stood. Brandholm was once part of the clans of The Land of Song until his power thirsty daughter assassinated him and took rule over Brandholm. Her name was Branwhin or it was, Branwhin despised Hjalmar and thought that our lands should be ruled by the powerful and rich. She desecrated our name and Brandholm was thus removed from the Clans." Egil speaks up as Lennart pauses for a breather. "Aye've never 'erd 'o Brandholm and I've been living here for over three centuries now." "Please sir Dwarf allow me to finish the tale."
After he once again gets everyone's attention he continues his story. "Branwhin was enraged as her town was thrown out by the Clans and in her anger she plotted against them. Hjalmar knew of the Jarls assassination and the blame was immediately placed on Branwhin she was arrested for her crimes and brought to Yngvars hall for her trial and proper execution. However those who were noble and honorable to Brandholm stood up and led a rebellion on Yngvars hall and against Hjalmar. Hjalmar was furious when he heard that the people of Brandholm had allied themselves with the other enemy clans and united them into one army of 10000 strong. With the new threat to worry about Hjalmar had put Branwhin on delay, that was the biggest mistake he could ever had made.
Hjalmar knew that the blood thirsty Clans of the north would surely take this opportunity to take siege of the throne and all of the clans, This meant war. Preperations were made in the days to weeks to come all in preparation for the enemy's siege. Hjalmar took the secret weapon of the clans from the vault that had kept it safe all of these years. The horns of the north." "The horns are all but lost to us now..." Says Egil quietly to you. "The horns were 4 in total the horn of the East, North, South, and west Each with it's own unique power.
It was a massacre but Hjalmar was unaware of the true intention of this battle, the escape of Branwhin. In the midst of battle few guards were in the town and Branwhin made her escape but not without a little warning, a few dead and the loss of the Jarls daughter should do the trick. Branwhin killed the Jarls only daughter in cold blood then made her escape, unnoticed. Yngvars hall would not have held for much longer but it was at this moment when all hope was lost that the enemies retreated. Hjalmar was lost in thought as to why the enemy fled but it was no matter and a great celebration was held this day. But in the midst of celebration was when Hjalmar found his daughter dead on the floor and the note on which one word was written in a dripping red "Ink" Branwhin.
Hjalmar could not believe what had happened he could not believe that this battle was but a rouse, but he could not break the peoples spirits not today. Branwhin returned to Brandholm and resumed her place of power as a dark overlord which came to be known as most as Her Dark Majesty. Many who had once served Branwhin had fled the town or died trying she had but an ounce of sanity left within her. Those who remained in the village were but puppets to her any who opposed her died and even the Clans that had helped her escape now steer clear of her. Branwhin was tired of dealing with people and eventually she killed every last standing person in her town, she decided they would do her better in Undeath.
The town once known as Brandholm was now a ruin and a brooding palace. Branwhin needed more power should she wish the takeover of Yngvars hall she used all of the dark powers she had learned to gather dark cronies and monsters from the north, but this still was not enough for Branwhin she ordered her minions to build her a palace fitting for herself over the ruins of Brandholm. Her "palace" was a large dark and brooding tower that reached up higher than the mountain and looked over all of The Land of Song. Over time Branwhin changed not just in heart but now she was beginning to look...infernal. She took this as a sign and contacted a powerful devil of the lower planes by the name of Baalzephon. They made several dark deals within the tower and eventually Baalzephon offered several abashi henchmen to assist Branwhin as well as several other of his henchmen.
Hjalmar and surrounding clans saw the horror than was arising in the north how the once blue sky was now several shades of red the Jarls met under great secrecy and devised a plan to stop the evil benevolence that was arising in the north. Plans were made for battle and to the surprise of the Clans a messenger arrived at Yngvars hall one from the Clans of the north stating they wish to aid in bring down this new threat and so The south and northern tribes put aside all differences and allied in this coming fight. Hjalmar and seven of the other Jarls made plans for there siege on the Black Towen which is the name the Clans gave it.
Hjalmar and th other Jarls wer to head into th tower itself and slay the witch within a few days the battle was brought to Branwhin. The battle was large and both sides were equaled except for on thing, The horns of the Northlands. Hjalmar, Giri, Egil, and Hallakire took a horn at hand a blew at the same time the power of the horns alone was strong but that was when the true power of the north lands was discovered. At that moment suddenly an army of spectre warriors appeared from nowhere cutting down the enemy ranks quickly. Hjalmar and the other Jarls took this as their cue and charged into the Black Towen headstrong to find and slay Branwhin.
They made way throw the tower floor after floor demon after demon and three of the Jarls had already fallen by the time they reached Branwhins chamber room were a brutal and final battle was had between Branwhin and the Jarls. Branwhin was not about to fight them on their own and too the Jarls surprise the most powerful generals of her legion stood with her. Metal sounded on metal as battle was fought magic to magic as spells were cast until only two stood Hjalmar and Branwhin. Both wounded and both dry on spells they fought blade to blade until Hjalmar fell flat to the ground as blood seeped from him at an uncontrollable rate Branwhin had almost driven her dark blade through his heart till to his surprise a small dagger drove into her back one that could only belong to Giri who he thought dead.
Before Branwhin could retaliate Hjalmar grasped his axe and drove it through her gut. Her lifeless body fell to the ground as the tower suddenly began to quake and rumble, the tower was collapsing! Hjalmar told Giri to go without him and after a short dispute he did just that. Only seconds after Giri escaped the tower it collapsed on Hjalmar, his body was never recovered. That night they gave him last rights and praised his spirit and the god that led him for saving there land."
Lennart breaks from his long story and Gregers and Egil look lost in thought. "And I take it you believe that Her Dark Majesty returns in the Valley of sleeping Jarls." Asks Gregers after Lennarts silence. "It is not that at all Gregers for she is dead." Gregers looks confused and finally askes."Than why, why tell us this." Lennart chuckles lightly again. "Though she may be dead that does not mean her followers are young one. The Valley of Sleeping Jarls holds all of our fallen including Hjalmar himself." Gregers clenches his fist and looks quite frustrated. "You told us his body was never recovered." "True but his soul still rests within. You have no doubt seen that these lands grow different than usual in the past days and you have no doubt heard rumors. Even I do not know what it is that lay in wait for you in The Valley of Sleeping Jarls but I sure know someone or...thing that can tell us." Says Lennart. "An just what might that be." Asks Egil. "A giant with a pumpkin for a head should let us in on a thing or two." Says Lennart with a big smile on his face. "But we can talk about such things in the morning know I think it is best that you rest it is getting late."
Luminarion says, "That was quite a tale. However, we have run into others who have told us of the giant with the pumpkin head and had figured we were probably going to have to deal with him anyway. I thank you for your offer of hospitality and I and my traveling companions will likely take you up on it."
Khalil listens intently to the shaman's tale. After taking a few moments to ponder all he has heard he decides to go ahead and ask the old man a few questions. "Lennart, you say Branwhin is dead, and that her followers are likely the cause of these recent troubles. Is this what has happened to your tribe?" He gestures towards the sick around the tent, "Are these people suffering from some curse caused by Branwhin's spawn, perhaps this pumpkin-headed devil we've already heard rumors of? Oh, and what became of the horns of power? Were they lost in the battle or have they disappeared since?"
Before Lennart can answer Khalil Egil butts in with a response. "The horns were stolen from the vaults of Yngvars hall themselves but a few months afore yer arrival. There was...no trace of the thief and no one recalled anyone entering said vault that day. Not long after the horns disappearance the Jarl was suddenly plagued with a horrible sickness." Egil stops and looks to the ill within the tent. "Very similar to what ills these people I would say, strange that is." Lennart nods at Egils observation. "It is true what the dwarf says the horns disappear not long ago and since than this unowned evil has arose in the valley it would appear whatever it may be has somehow warded me of scying on the Valley I am old and my tribe is to weak to investigate let alone face this horror for much longer. A large group of ..abomantion roams our lands it scares off all wildlife kills our land and reaps upon any who roam at night. I have but glimpsed at the monstrosity that leads them a pumpkin-headed devil some call it but it no doubt is a vessel of the greater evil in the north. With it travels at least three dozen undead fiends and a cart of spoils witch contains mostly of bodys. This beast is intelligent unlike the rest of those in it's "patrol" if we can capture whatever it is we may be able to get the answers we seek. If you would be so caring as to aid me in this."
Hearing the request, Kaiden still does not speak, but a smile appears on his face that says yes better than any words ever could.
Luminarion replies, "Capturing or killing this beast would seem to be in all our interests. I would be willing to help you do that."
"This would seem to be the correct course of action." Galstak adds sitting back and finally comfortable out of the cold.
"Soooo...we can likely assume that the horns are in the hands of these followers of Branwhin and they are being used to cause this plague, disrupt the weather, raise undead minions and generally cause all kinds of trouble." Khalil frowns while thinking to himself, If I had a gold coin for every time I've heard of some supreme magic gadget falling into the wrong hands...the dang things should all be melted down into scrap.
Breathing a heavy sigh he remembers the little girls face when they arrive in the camp and says, "I'll help deal with this gourd devil, if only because fruit shouldn't run around killing people. Do you know where the creature was last seen?"
Gregers Egil and unimportant fighter NPC nod in agreement that it is best to aid the tribe. After Lennart sees everyone is keen on the idea he speaks again. "I do not believe that our enemy in this could be using the horns, only one worthy at heart can use it's divine magics. I am grateful you will help me in this task it is a great aid to my tribe the devil seems to always bring the body's to The Three Horn Mountain a few hours west of here, but now in this storm would not be the wisest of times to travel." After that Lennart stands from his chair and gives a slight bow. "Your aid is most helpful in these dark times travelers now if you would excuse me I must treat to the ill." He slowly makes his way back over to the hammocks but suddenly stops to turn around and carefully scans your party before giving a light chuckle. "I fail to notice your goblin friend among your ranks I would hate to think him out freezing in the cold." He then makes way to the ill and begins treatments once more.
Curvlk stoically shakes off the cold and considers what course of action would be best.
Morphet Agrees with helping the tribe, he came here to help and these folks look like a good place to start. And Yes any information on where we would find this beast be very helpful
As Lennart mentions Curvlk, Khalil will step out of the tent and wave in the general direction of where the little goblin might be hiding. Hoping the goblin sees that all is well, Khalil will wait and if Curvlk doesn't show he'll try to search him out in case something has happened.
Galstak yawns and then realizes how tired he is. Fighting the winter storm has drained him. He stands and says "Then it is agreed, we seek this pumpkin-headed creature and smash its gourd. For now though, we all should get some sleep for the journey tomorrow will be harrowing."
Galstak will ask for directions to the tents that have been set up for them and excuse himself.
Curvlk makes out his companion waving him on through the frost, and does his best to approach with out notice. The goblin's stealth quickly falls away when it becomes apparent that his friends have managed to procure shelter from the biting chill around him. As he entered the tent, he ran into Galstak. "Pardon me, my friend! What news do you have?"Curvlk rumbled at his companions.
Galstak will fill Curvlk in with everthing that was said by Lennart.
"Looks like we will be hunting ol' Pumpkinhead, starting tomorrow."
Morphet tells Curvlk "We're hunting Mean Veggies tomorrow...Wanna Help?" Smiling...
"And it has friends too..."
"I never fought a demon before. Good times, good times", says Kaiden with a big grin on his face.