I can say that we have...been formally introduced to a few members of the bad guard who would tell you how much bad we are...if they still could. Yes Yes. But no fear Ringeirr we are good guys
He said with a toothy grin patting Miles neck affectionately.
Allie finally detached herself from Zses. Standing at him and her sisters sides, she painted, with fire, a small butterfly in briliant oranges, reds, and blues that fluttered to the mans left shoulder before disappearing.
"I don't take orders very well. Im also not afraid of these thugs..."
Seeing Allie stand up, Zses tries to do the same...without much success. Staying on the snowy ground, he tries to focus while he replies to Ringeirr.
"Yeah, we have no intention to stop someone that's trying to bring food to starving people." the witch manages to say, nodding.
Uh...was everyone always so blurry? Ouch...
Seeing Zses swagging on his feet, Vashti chants softly in Celestial and entreats her Goddess for relief from his wounds.
"So ... you'll continue to help? ..." Ringeirr gets a pensive look, before his eyes light up with excitement. "Your presence could be the last component! We might just have a chance at taking back the capitol!"
If by "take the capitol" you mean "roast the witches", I'm game.
Percy starts doing yo-yo tricks with her flame ball.
"Taking all of Whitethrone?" Neverhome simply asks with an arched eyebrow.
We? Have you an army of mice in your pockets or... are their others somewhere that are seeking help. While Overthrowing a city seems a wonderful idea that ...seems to half coincide with our goals yes yes, It might be best to meet and plan and see with your friends before assuming we can overthrow the yoke of an entire country of magic.
He said carefully glancing at everyone. The man surely couldnt be talking about some revolution to overthrow the witchs could he? maybe they could be a great help in stopping the witches plan for a world of winter, but he didnt want to get his hopes up.
"friend hobbes do you think you can get our little furry friend here to hold still so i can measure her? the pecking of those birds made me realize she is... sadly lacking defenses and we have plenty of leather to work on barding.
does having a certain amount of ranks in craft leatherworking add any bonuses to the craft armor check since its leather barding? Just curious :)
"If that is where this leads, then so be it. A reckoning is coming to Whitethrone."
"You get more amazing by the second Gorgeous." Hobbes puts his arm around Percy and gives her a peck on the cheek before turning to Silence. "Yea, I can try, Whiskers. I'm in for taking on Whitethrone if everyone else is."
"Hey, the cat wants to make armor for you. So sit still so he can measure you, yea?"
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Hila snorts a response.
"Alright, if the cat wants to pay tribute with armor, I'll allow it."
Before sitting perfectly still, snout in the air.
He blinked at the pups snort and sudden strange way of sitting more than amused by it. He wondered what she was thinking as he moved closely, taking some of the leather harness strips and wrapping them about her. He was only going to focus on her flanks, back and chest, Since she was so low to the ground her belly should be mostly clear. Sastified he wouldnt butcher it too badly he carefully reached forward and tousled her ears before turning away torwards the Slaygon to get some of the work done.
It seemed to the Felinerai that they had a guide to the city and no longer really needed someone scouting so far ahead... Besides he had seen how badly the poor pup was with those falcons attacking her that he felt bad. Getting fur ripped and tufted like that wasnt good at all no no no.
One they are under way, Percy climbs up beside silence and lends a helping hand with the armor.
Feeling his strength coming back...and his arm...and his legs, Zses pulls himself up. "Thanks Vashti!" he grins, before turning serious and addressing Ringeirr.
"I agree with everyone: we'll help you how we can. However, we have things to do in Whitethrone, ourselves." the witch says as much as the caravaneer that to the others: it was best not to tell him what they had to do, but retrieving the hut was the priority.
"Yes, all of Whitethrone. When Elvanna took over, she replaced the entire guard. There's several hundred of us! If we just had a way to get that damn dragon out of the way, we'd kick those Winter Guard cronies' asses!"
"Dragon? What dragon?"
"The white dragon, Logrivich. He's the head of the Winter Guard. He lives in the clock tower above the orphanage."
"So if a group of ragtag adventurer's happened to uh, go to the clock tower and kill this flying lizard, you could take the city back?" Hobbes says looking around to the party.
"Oh, of course! We can't take on a dragon, but the Winter Guard is something we can handle." Ringeirr seems extremely sure of this.
I've always wanted a dragon cloak. Percy's ball of fire suddenly flares.
When Ringeirr brought up the dragon something clicked off inside Neverhome's head. He had never interacted with a true dragon, let alone see one, but just knowing of this creature's existence... irritated him.
The serpent may be greedy but the dragon flies freely
A small river cuts across the path, heading south toward the cliffs that overlook Glacier Lake. A stone bridge crosses the river, seemingly constructed with horse, wagon, and caravan traffic in mind. The bridge is well-maintained, and the snow has been cleared from its span. Four-foot-high stone railings run along both sides of the bridge, topped at either end by iron spikes upon which clean and meticulously-polished skulls have been carefully impaled and turned as if to observe the traffic. A white-painted signpost greets travelers approaching from the east.
"Whitethrone: a half-mile ahead. Business license required; apply at the city gates. Warning: you may be stopped for inspection without cause."
The river is 20ft wide and at least 15ft deep, so fording will be difficult if you choose to avoid the bridge.
"So how do we wanna deal with an inspection?"
The closer they got to the city proper the more nervous he seemed to get.
Friend Ringeirr are there... my kind of people in the city? or well have they been through the city before?"
He asked as he dug into on of Charger's saddlebags promptly removing his Kabuto (helm) from it. He hadnt bothered to wear it in some time, its slightly annoyed his ears ability to move, and it certainly hid some of his expressiveness. He frowned as he pulled out the Somen Mempo (face mask) It had been designed funnily enough to look like some demonic hound, out of amusement and its ironic nature but again, he disliked hiding his features as necessary as it may be, He did wait to attach it to the helm though for Ringeirr's response. Though he added on of the heavy fur cloaks reaching down to tuck his tail into the front of his belt.
He also moved to mount Mule.
Zses ponders for a moment, staring at the sign, before asking Ringeirr "If we're accompanying you, do we need a license, too? Are there some items in particular that could get us in trouble?" the witch pauses for a moment, before turning to the party "I think that those Winter Guard armor will definitely get us in trouble. Better throw them away, or something."
Allie looked at Zses. "Zses, we can put them in that compartment in the Slaygon. The one that can hold anything, and its hidden remember? I'm sure something like those armor sets will be useful to the resistance."
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"But how hidden is that compartment? We don't want to be found with it at the gate if they do an in-depth search." The elf shakes his head.
Any particulars in safely getting into the city? Ered grips the hilt of his sword.
Ringeirr looks incredulously at Silence. "Others like you? Buddy, you're the first awakened animal that I've ever seen! Well, aside from the Winter Wolves, of course..."
In response to Zses' question, he thinks for a minute. "Hmmm.... That's a bit of a problem, you see.... I try to keep a low profile in the city, as the Winter Guard don't appreciate my connections. To be honest, I was planning on sneaking in, but my entrance can't handle an unexpected influx of so many people - let alone your wagon. What I can do is go on ahead and meet with one of my contacts. He can write up some papers declaring you 'stilyagi' and subsequent retinue. You'll still need to find your way into the city, but those documents will let you get around without too many difficulties."
"What are Stilyagi?"
"I don't really know." Zses shakes his head.
"Ered, Lyosha, Sigrun? You're from around here: any idea of what those are?"
"Basically, locals that speak and dress strangely for shock value. We'd be them and foreigners they've invited in to tell them more about the world outside of Whitethrone. Our best bet might be to enter through the Fish Camps." the elf speaks then looks to the local man.
"What are Mirror Men?"
"The queen's newest creation - faceless constructs who can be used as a scrying focus. They're supposedly able to see through invisibility and can telepathically communicate with a distant master. That's all we've been able to determine; they're very difficult to destroy, and any attempt will bring the guards within a matter of minutes."
His nose wrinkled behind the mask.
Fishcamps? I will be on my best behavior yes yes.
He said brusquely a smirk on his face unseen behind the armored helms mask.
I suppose you cant get much more foreign looking than I am, perhaps one of you should be the local yes yes?
As soon as you step onto the bridge, three large green-skinned humanoids crawl up from underneath. They're gilled and have webbed hands and feet. Based on their physical similarities, they're probably blood relatives. They look you up and down, then grunt in broken Common, "Papers, please."
Ringeirr nervously hands them some documentation, and they take it and scan it quickly (and upside-down). "Not in order! You pay bridge tax. Two horses or one small one." They point at the Gnome twins.
"I can't read either but even I can tell when paper is upside down." Neverhome growls at the creatures.
"No deal. Just let us through fins."
Allie took a step back. " oh you wouldn't want me. I'm far too fire and spicy for your tastes. I think you would much rather fair with my sister. She's a lot less fiery and more smokey." Allie winks at Percy, clearly playing.
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Percy smirks and puts on an exaggerated air. Me?! Why no, I'm not at all what you need. Take my boy Hobbes, here. He may be a bit surly right now, but sprinkle a dash of brine on him and I know he'll taste wonderful. He's also organic! I'm full of civilization and party burnt.
She holds up her hands to block her face and winks at Hobbes.
"Nope, I'm too sour for most folks." Hobbes then gives Percy a quick peck on the cheek. "Yep, smokey and not too fiery just like Allie said." He says licking his lips.
"But you should really take the kid here." Hobbes says pointing at Neverhome. "A lotta lean muscle, his vitals are all pre-tenderized, and you don't gotta worry about a lotta mushy brains to throw away."
Neverhome just rolls his eyes before crooking his thumb at Hila. "Nyet. Take Winter Wolf. You know how spoiled and well fed they are. No one will miss her either."
"Why is the young fur-less pointing to me? Look, if you want something to eat, eat the cat. He's full of fish and milk and you can make a coat out of him after."
Hila barks and nods to Silence.
why would your masters have a tax that includes beasts if burden and merchants? There is no money to be made that way. Move aside, we have business in the city. Or do I have to ride forward and ask the Winter guard about taxes?
He was nervous, and he was certainly not sacrificing horses, or anyone else to these monsters.