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Myth frowns. "I usually prefer the direct approach when in a race...but all of you know these lands better than I...I'd like to take a quick look around before giving an opinion..."
He studies the approach to the canyon, as well as into the canyon as far as he can see, wary and alert, looking for signs of traps, hidden foes, and tracks...
"I could also attempt to scout further into the canyon, if you wish...I think I could conceal myself fairly well..."
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Lia stares at Myth for a moment with one eyebrow arched. Then, softly, she address the half-elf in as thoughtful a way as she can.
"If you are going to scout, then scout from where you would attack from and not where you would want your targets to be. As a skilled archer, where would you prefer to be? Down in the canyon, or up above?"
Her large silver eyes, still unblinking, seem to greatly desire his answer...
Before entering the canyon, you all look around the mouth of the canyon. The canyon itself is 10-15ft wide and about 50ft high on either side. There are humanoid tracks that, go only a few feet into the gorge, before turning around and heading back in to the open plains. Your group also unearths the remains of a large saber-toothed tiger, partly eaten by scavengers.
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Myth smiles and bows. "As you already know m'lady, I'd prefer to be above, especially if there be targets below...however, I don't think that's the plan of our would be ambushers...
"If you look there," Myth points to the humanoids leading the mammoths and bison he spotted, "I think they may have something else planned for us...maybe stampede that herd into us once we're in the canyon perhaps? Seeing this, I think we should avoid the gorge and skirt around it..."
Analia studies the map and determines that if your party treks south for two hours there should be another wider gorge. She is proved correct and eventually you skirt around the Hazardous canyon and travel through a much wider and safer route. By the late afternoon you're back on track but, you've lost several hours in your pursuit. You press on for about an hour more and start to think about setting up camp. The terrain in this area has become much more hilly and the winds are fierce near the ridges of crested slopes.
As you begin to un-pack your things, several of you spot a large group of approaching men. They walk with a steady gate and all appear armed. They appear to be Kellid warriors. Two smaller groups break off from the main group heading to the North and south of your positions. They make no effort to conceal their presence.
A dozen Kellid warriors with painted faces stand vigilant in the center of the route. Although they are armed with axes and round, Ulfen-styled shields, their weapons are not drawn. At the head, a tall and powerfully-built figure with piercing eyes steps forward. As he approaches, his hands are held palm up until he is close enough for words. “I am Hiryla,” he says in broken Common, his words flowing with a strange cadence that suggests that he is speaking words that were given to him by another to say. “You come with me… We must talk.”
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Craggark grunts and follows.
I guess my ideas about the canyon weren't so dumb after all.
Don't get cocky, idiot.
"I won't get cocky!" Craggark says out loud to no one.
He then falls in line, looking sheepish.
Jamir falls in step next to the brawler as they follow the Kellids. "Who are you and what have you done with my friend Craggark?"
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Craggark grunts and follows.
"I won't get cocky!" Craggark says out loud to no one.He then falls in line, looking sheepish.
Lia looks up at her frostkin's comment and then over to Torvald at his reply.
"Don't worry sweet man. We know we can count on you."Turning to face the advancing men, she walks forward with Jawhar, trying her best to mimic his actions.
Remember, be diplomatic! Be diplomatic!
"Hello! Great respect to you. So you speak our language? We can help you speak it better if you understand me at all."
After Jawhar agrees to follow the war party, The two flanking groups congregate on the sides of your group and about half the main group splits off and takes up the the rear of the entourage creating an effective circle of warriors around you. Their pace is brisk, something just short of a jog. Your able to keep up for a little while but, soon they Kellids slow down when, they see that your kind, can obviously not keep up with them. Analia uses the opportunity to talk to Hiryla.
"Hello! Great respect to you. So you speak our language? We can help you speak it better if you understand me at all."
Hiryla looks at Analia with askance, then nods in acceptance. I will take your magic, we have Shaman that use similar magic. He slows down but does not break stride while talking. I am taking your group to our camp. He says mater of fact. We've been watching you for quite some time. Hirlay turns to look at Analia's reaction to that last statement. Seeing she is not surprised, he continues;When we reach camp, I will call council of the elders, to determine if you are enemies of the Snowmask people or not.
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”We have heard of how your clan enjoys exchanging tales of warrior prowess and great achievements. We hope your council of elders is prepared for our story-telling skills. We will not disappoint.” Craggark veritably growls at the Snowmask leader.
I hope we will not disappoint, Craggark thinks, plumbing his brain for legends to tell.
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Lia's eyes widen and her face lights up!
"Ooohh! We fought a twisted giant goblin recently, bigger than even Craggark here! And then there was the dragon we fought! It was incredibly dangerous but we survived and killed it! Oh the stories we can tell! You are brilliant my love! Absolutely brilliant!" she gushes!
The look on her face is expectant, and she seems enraptured to hear the tales from Craggark's perspective.
I can't wait till we get to the elders. I suppose we could tell stories about the Shadow lodge too...it might actually help warn the clan. Ooh... I bet Myth has some wonderful stories to tell as well. He seems so worldly.
After about an hour’s travel east, you all spot plumes of smoke over a low rise. You follow Hiryla over the hill and see the Kellid camp at the base on the other side. Unlike the fur and hide tents common among the nomadic northerners, this village is composed of small, round houses and low, long buildings built of stone with thatched roofs. The rectangular, round-topped buildings number almost 20 in all, gathered around a central, circular building that is larger and grander than the rest.
Hiryla, leads you into the large central building. Inside this grand hall, dozens of Kellid men, women, and children scurry to and fro, passing food and drink around an enormous central hearth. Long, low benches ring the fire, and a handful of elderly Kellids, decked out in ornate white furs sit on the other side of the flames from the building’s entrance. A young woman with one leg, walking with the aid of a crutch, greets Hiryla in Hallit, and then turns to the door and speaks in perfect Common. “Welcome to the North,” she says with a broad grin and a handshake. “My name is Teyma.”
Teyma tells the you that the Snowmask Clan has skirmished with a group of travelers out of Irrisen many times in the last few days as the intruders have come farther and farther into their lands. Initially, they attempted to talk with these outsiders, but they were attacked, and fought back. Now that the your group has agreed to talk, Hiryla and the elders want to know why two companies of foreigners have come into their land along the same route in such a short time.
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Excitedly, Lia begins to tell the tale of the Shadowlodge agents and their nefarious plans.
"It has been a harrowing adventure so far, but let me start from the beginning..."
With animated hand and facial expressions, not to mention quite a lot of pacing as she tells the tale, Lia explains how it all started, leaving very little untold.
"...and then we faced the Dragon. It was a white dragon, and thankfully it was just a youngling, but it was fierce. It flew over our heads from within a mist of frost and it's terrible breath washed over us. We barely had time to get out of the way!" she says with a ray of frost cast at the ground for dramatic effect as she mentions the dragon's breath.
"It was truly frightening, but we knew we had to stay strong and fight, and so we did. With bravery, fire and muscle, we lured the creature from it's vantage within the mists above and down to the icy floor of the cavern. There we surrounded the beast, and though its attacks were incredibly fast and deadly, we managed to finally bring it down!" She then goes on to detail the individual heroics of the members during the fight.
"That's when we discovered that the Shadowlodge agent, Melkorka Skur, found out about Jedrek's shard and it's possible location. In order to garner favor and gain privilege she proposed a mission to retrieve the relic and use it as a weapon to battle Pathfinders. I have no doubt they will use it on anyone else as well, as you have already learned from your own experience with them."
Her tale complete, the little pale Snowcaster sits down, seemingly content. She looks to her friends faces, smiling, and finally, with deliberate effort, blinks.
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When Lia finishes, Myth rises and bows.
"I might also add that we came across a site where some of your tribe had fought these Shadow Lodge agents...our companion Jawhar was able to heal and save one of your severely wounded warriors...
"Unfortunately, we were forced to fight one of your war parties who attacked us, probably thinking we were in league with the Shadow Lodge agents your tribe has been skirmishing...sadly, we could not save the brave leader of the party, but we were able to heal and release the others...
We wish you no harm and mean no disrespect in entering your lands...we wish only to stop the Shadow Lodge..."
He bows again and sits...
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Jawhar's face twists in disgust and anger. "The Shadow Lodge."
He spits in the snow at his feet. "At every turn, they have done their best to turn people against us. Pretending to be Pathfinders, they raided peaceful villages, destroying the family of a once noble warrior and twisting his mind against us.
In Trollheim, they planted members inside of gatherings to incite the locals against us, forcing us to defend ourselves against groups of innocent citizens.
They abducted and enslaved our elders, they send evil goblins against us at every turn, rather than face us themselves.
They fear us, and thus they run and hide. They attack you, to turn you against us, like they did in Trollheim, hoping that you will kill us for them.
The Shadow Lodge MUST be stopped. The wisdom of our elders has shown us the path to what they seek, and we finally have a step to get in front of them.
Please, let us pass through your lands. Allow us to protect the Keep of the Huscarl King and prevent them from using Jadrek's Shard for evil purposes. When they have been destroyed, we will leave your land and speak of your people with great pride."
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"They were led originally by a foul Chelaxian priestess of the Prince of Darkness, named Runa White. She used the powers granted to her by the God of Hell to murder brave men and women of the Trollheim city guard, and corrupted many others. Despite her mastery of the dark arts, we fought her and her minions to the death, but that victory was only the first step on the trail of the Shadow Lodge."
Jamir realizes that he has hopped on to one of the benches and is pacing back and forth, slashing at the air with his rapier to illustrate the final battle with the Asmodean and slides his blade gracefully back into its sheath.
"They must be stopped. And we are the ones best-suited to stop them."
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Torvald hesitantly attempts to bolster his companions' persuasion, hoping he doesn't spoil things. "We've been fighting these Shadow Lodge bastards for months now, felling them at every turn, but there are always more. Their agents have wreaked destruction across the entire north, from here to the Land of the Linnorm Kings. They appear to believe that Jadrek's Shard is powerful enough to turn the tide. We intend to prove them wrong and end this once and for all."
As your group finishes speaking, one of the elders, her face painted white like those of Hiryla and the other warriors, stands from the bench. With no other cue the room falls silent as she speaks. Her words have a strength and resonance belied by her withered frame.
“This is the story that the elders told me when I was a child. Once, a great warrior came to our lands from the South, though his blood and his beard were of the West, in the land where the first dragons hunt and kill. With gold and magic this warrior built a stone keep at the base of a mighty mountain. During this time he came to us, in peace, and invited us to his hearth with gifts of furs. Humbly he asked the elders of our clan if he could hunt with them and share in our ways. Quickly he proved himself a friend to all, sharing in our customs and sharing his with us.
“By the time the last stone was laid in his keep, he had hunted with the elders many times, and made many kills. His axe, sheathed in fire, had protected us from the white wolves and the yetis, just as we too had used our food and furs to keep him warm against the deepest colds. When his banner was raised, the elders were guests in his hall, and some of his own house had already merged their blood with our own.
For years the king and our elders prospered, and we learned of crafts, weapons, and ways different from those that came before. “Then the white wyrms came. For beneath the keep, in the iced caverns below, the dragons had bred. For years their eggs slept and waited. When they hatched, they plagued the king and his new house, but he fought them back with the strength of hisarm and the fire of his axe, and the battle was nearly won. But when a matriarch of the white returned to tend her brood, she was furious at the king and threw herself on the keep in madness. In the season of the longest nights, still the sun set and rose again before the battle was decided. The King struck the wyrm down, even though his armor and his beard were white with the ice of her breath. Our elders made trophies and talismans from what remained of the beast, and helped rebuild the crumbled tower.
“The mammoths crossed the plains ten times, three times over before the great king passed, and still the dragons were kept at bay. When the hour of his dying came, the great and generous Huscarl King gave all within his castle to those that had served and befriended his house, save for his mighty axe. With this, the elders buried him, and as we raise a mound of stones over the dead when the earth is too cold to dig, so did the elders bring the mountain down atop our king. Ever since have we held vigil over his tomb and what lies within. We remember his lessons, his ways that bled into the ways of the elders to become our ways. And we remember his beard, first white with frost, then with age, as it symbolizes what he protected us from and what he stood watch against.”
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"I am Craggark Frostkin, of the Miusunnit. My mother is Irikh Stonyfish, speaker of our people and keeper of the Ice Peppers. I am also a Pathfinder, and proud of my colleagues. We are a strange people to you - some of us from the frozen north -" Here, he gestures to Lia and himself, "- and others from places far away from the tundra. We all quest for one purpose: to bring down those that would bring down all of us. The Shadow Lodge, they would destroy and pillage in order to gain glory and wealth. They seek this mighty axe of your Huscarl King, not in a means to do honour to his name and hunt great wyrms with it - no, but to sell it for gold and political favours and dark magicks. By all that's snow and white, they had made use of a white wyrm to guard their lair in Whitethrone! They are not worthy."
He takes a breath.
"And neither are we."
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The half-orc continues after taking the temperature of the room.
”We are not of the Snowmask. We can speak of benevolent aims and honouring legends that are lost. We can speak of saving this axe from falling into villainous hands and being used for ruin. And yet, we seek this artefact for our own purposes, so we are truly not worthy. But we are honest, yes, and we are honourable. So, with that in mind, I pledge this to you - my fellow frozen land fellows: if you help us in our quest, if you allow us to pass freely through your lands, to reach this Jedrek’s Shard and secure it by defeating the threat of the Shadow Lodge, then I will not rest until I bear it back to you, those who are truly worthy of wielding it, back to your lands, back to the Snowmask.”
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Touch of Glory #2 on Craggark for +2
"Yes, esteemed Elders, Craggark speaks truly. We do not seek to steal your history or legacy. The holy weapon of your ancestors should remain with the Snowmask or be left in the cairn.
If the Shadow Lodge manage to excavate the axe, it will be returned to you, or may I never know sun and warmth again.
Once the Shadow Lodge have been dealt with, we will return the axe and leave your lands. We are a soft people, from warm lands. Your land is beautiful, but the land itself is too harsh for us to survive for long.
With your help, we will be able to leave even faster.
Scout for us. Tell us where the Shadow Lodge are and their numbers.
Guide us. Show us the quickest route to get to the Shadow Lodge.
If any of your warriors feel a need to exact vengeance upon the Shadow Lodge for the death of your clan members, we will welcome them during our struggle."
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Myth rises and bows. "Honored Chief, elders...I stand in agreement with my comrades. Jedrek's Shard should not be sullied by those of the Shadow Lodge...it should remain here, with the honorable Snowmask clan, its rightful guardians...
"Any assistance you could provide would be appreciated...especially, as Jawhar has mentioned, in scouts and guides...and we would be honored to fight by your side, if you so wish it...
"Thank you for hearing us."
Myth bows deeply, hands clasped, and sits.
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"We want nothing more than to prevent the Shadowlodge and it's vile members from ever getting their hands on Jedrek's Shard. Since hearing your tale of how your elders buried the shard with your king and then brought the mountain down to bury his keep, we would help you do that as well, if you let us. We understand that you don't seek the weapon for yourselves and only want it to rest with your king." Lia says in a rush of words.
Alas the speed of her words are too much and she fails to help much at all.
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Jamir leaps from the bench onto the long table. "Our common enemy seeks a powerful weapon to use for their own evil ends. They will stop at nothing to achieve their goal, and will murder anyone who stands in their way, without passion, honor, or regret. Help us reach the ancient keep of your Huscarl King ahead of the Shadow Lodge! We will prevent them from stealing Jedrek's Shard and put an end to the trail of terror they are blazing across your lands!"
Your group is welcomed in to the huts of the Snowmask clan for the night. You are told that the Shadowlodge agents have already made their way up the mountain and are probably at the ruins of the keep already. However, you are assured that their scouts have assured them that none of the foreigners have left the ruins. Furthermore, there is only one way in and out of the canyon, cut by an ancient glacier. The Snowmask people, will show you which way to go in the morning.
Sometime after everyone else has gone to bed, Chief Hiryla comes by with a skin full of strong kumis and offers Craggark and Jamir a draw, as you get ready, to turn in for the night. Hiryla takes a long pull on the skin himself and wipes his mouth as he says, I envy you, tomorrow you'll see battle. It's what we warriors are born to do. His common is broken but, you get his meaning. Hiryla looks to the east. Presumably, the direction of the ruins of the Huscarl King. We offered peace they gave us steel... He lets whatever else he was thinking trail off. Hiryla looks at you both and smiles. He even pats Craggark's shoulder.
Hiryla caps his skin of kumis and says cryptically as he departs. *sigh* I suppose it's best that foreigners should deal with each other ...no offense...May your blade be warm and wet tomorrow... Hiryla staggers off in to the night without another word.
In the morning you wake up early. There are several elders, Hiryla, and a few Snowmask scouts, standing outside your yurts. We will watch your pack animal while you battle the invaders Pathfinders. If you are slain, we will care for it and use it accordingly. Not eating it until it is old and in age. says Temya. Hiryla looks a long time eastward before speaking. Another elder clears his throat, snapping Hiryla out of his reverie. Yes...well then, I suppose that's it. My scouts will lead you to the canyon. We've seen signal smoke, from an advanced scout, indicating that, the ones you seek are packing up about to leave. If you start up the canyon now, you may encounter them by mid-day. Hiryla looks one more time to the east. Well, I guess, there's nothing else to say; good luck..Gorum's hand be with you!
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Jamir solemnly accepts the skin of kumis from Chief Hiryla, and takes a swig of the harsh liquor.
"I thank you, Chief. Under other circumstances, it would be an honor to join with your warriors in following you into battle. But it seems as though under these circumstances, we are better off keeping our strike force small, so that we may be more nimble in responding to whatever threatens the peace of these plains."
Jamir bows to the chief, and passes the skin of kumis to Craggark.
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After his morning prayers and his typical breakfast of yoghurt and coffee, Jawhar finds that he has a large amount of nervous energy.
Seeing the apparent approach of the culmination of their adventures fills him equally with dread and wonder.
He decides to run through his scimitar exercises to work through some of that energy, sending his sword through sweeping arcs with occasional spinning flourishes.
He starts thinking back on their previous battles and starts to realize just how many of their fights he has been unconscious or otherwise incapacitated for. It is not a stream of thought that provides him with much confidence for the coming day.
Completing his exercizes, he realizes that he might gain more serenity from prayer.
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Later, as the group is being sent off, Jawhar thanks all of the elders for their hospitatilty and the lessons they have learned.
Turning to Hiryla, he attempts to make a joke. "I don't suppose you have had much opportunity to watch southerners battle each other before.
Maybe you should come along and watch how we deal with these interlopers. Maybe you will learn a few things to help you deal with the next group of interlopers."
Chuckling to himself, he checks the straps on his breastplate again and prepares to set off.
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Upon seeing the chief approach his companions and offer them a drink, Myth eavesdrops on their conversation...
...eying the chief, he thinks, He respects Craggark and Jamir as they are frontline warriors like him...he wants to join this fight... The sniper remains silent for now as he was not 'invited' to partake...
In the morning, upon hearing the chief's briefing, Myth nods, pondering. "Since there's only one way out for them, perhaps we should set an ambush?"
Recalling the chief's mood from last night, Myth bows and offers. "Excuse me, Chief. If it be allowed, would you do us the honor of fighting these foul miscreants alongside us?"
Hiryla looks towards the elders, who remain motionless. It is not our custom to band with foreigners or interfere in their fights. But, these shadow.....lodge Hiryla speaks the word with some difficulty having never heard it before your group introduced him to the word. yes these shadow people...they show no respect for our people or our lands and now they defile our ancient and sacred lands. I thought my place was with my people. But, I have forgotten the traditions of our forefathers who once swore allegiance to an outsider a foreigner. We fought for the Huscarl King long ago. Now we will fight along side the Pathfinders to reclaim his glory....I will go with you Pathfinders and we will set wrongs to the right! Hiryla then looks to the the warriors an elders gathered and says something in Hallit that causes everyone to cheer.
Your group, now 5 stronger immediately departs. You wind your way up a wide canyon for several hours. Snow drifts surround you but there is a well trodden path that cuts through the center of the canyon. A scout runs back from a far forward position and speaks to Hiryla in Hallit. The scout returns to formation with the other 3 Snowmask warriors about 20ft out in front of your own group , after speaking with Hiryla. The chieftain turns to you and says. It won't be long now. My scout says they have driven away the advanced scouts and are only 5 minutes up the canyon. Unfortunately, it seems they have spotted my scout. They have a spell caster so, I would like to move upon them quickly before she can prepare too much or they can set up an ambush. They are aware of us so an ambush is unlikely to work on them. Let us move and engage! Gorum will decide who is worthy of the shard!