Reign of Winter (Inactive)

Game Master Just a Mort

Execution

Mr. Whiskers is puzzled at first when Einar grows, then pales slightly as Einar mauls the helpless Marcian. "Perhaps next time Einar, we could with just chopping off their head." he says shakily. That level of brutality really isn't called for. I wish Einar would realize that.

Much later, speaking privately with Einar

"Einar, I would very much appreciate it if you quit using rat as a pejorative. It is even worse when you then look at me and tell me I'm not supposed to be offended. Although my people have some physical similarities with the small creatures, we are not the same."

"I expect that sort of treatment from others, but not from my friends."

At the discussion with Ringerr

Looking to Nadya, he says "I do not think the one female in our group would make a convincing Winter Witch, so that option is out."

"Sounds like Stilyagi, so we need one person to be the foreign guest or Jadwiga clan member. The rest would be either guards or foreigners traveling with said noble, correct?"

Looking to Ringerr "So how much is it going to complicate matters that there is a bounty out for our group? Any suggestions on what we could do to avoid matching the description they would be working off?" He rattles off the description given by the Winter Guard.

Need the NPC to know what they are working against! This would be a bad surprise if we didn't tell them.

"I have been working on a spell that should help a little with disguises, but have no real experience with such things."

With Ringerr

"You guys sure don't do things by halves, do you." Ringerr sighs. "What you COULD do is to wrap your shawl around your face, and make sure your hood is pulled up. And wear gloves."He looks at Einar's horns and fiddles with them. "We'll need to do something about that, as well.Put them under a helmet, or a hat, and we'll probably need to do something about his skin colour.Unless he's pretending to be a young ice troll." Ringerr muses.

Ringerr stares at Mr Whiskers. "Could you change the colour of your fur as well? Else we'll probably have to ask some of my friends here for a loan of their cosmetics."

"Or you could just play up the bounty bit, if someone is disguised magically as a winter witch, since none of you look the part. Have a few pretend to be winter guards, winter wolves and ice trolls and the rest, the string of prisoners."

"The winter witches are known to bring live creatures to their homes to fuel magical workings. I've seen the results afterwards. Wasn't pretty. Looked as if their lives were sucked out of them."

Earlier
’Hardcore, I like that.’ Einar gives a nod to Ringerr’s compliment. Then following the head-carrying man out of the building. h\He enjoys the celebrations particularly enjoying the Lobster Thermidor and the Clam chowder, having several servings more than of the rice, salad or salmon.

the festivities
During the festivities, Einar sits beside his friend Mister Whiskers. Between bites he discusses the earlier events. ”You are right, biting the man was too visceral,” Taking another bite. ’Even my father would not have approved, he would have used a sword.’ Chewing the salmon and swallowing. ”I don’t know if it’s being in the north again, or just speaking Skald all the time, but it reminds me I used to be a Jarls son, I have been throwing my weight around unnecessarily.”

’Pejorative, hhhmmmm’ Nodding in understanding as his friend explains about the use of the term rat. Savoring a piece of lobster before he answers, shaking his head. ”I was thinking more about describing the personality of the man, than about your people and the pride you take in who and what you are. I know your people are no more rats than mine are monkeys.” Then he looks at his skin, ”Or I am a demon. But in the heat of the moment I was not considering how you felt, but even then knowing it felt wrong I thought I should apologize. You are right to expect more from you friends. I cannot promise that I will always say the right thing.” He holds his mug up to his friend, in a toast, ”Or even do the right thing all the time. But I can promise that I will have your back when we are in the thick of it. That’s what ‘sword brothers’ do.” Then laughing and drinking his adult beverage ? ’Not that either one of us use swords much, but you know what I mean.”

the house
Later at the house when the party is speaking to Ringerr about the costumes and Mister whiskers recommends being Jadwiga clan members Einar chimes in: ”I would be able to pass for traveling foreigner” As Ringerr talks about costumes and Einars horn he holds up the ushanka and points to the hood of his cloak and asks, ’Won’t either of these cover them well enough?”

No alcohol! Remember HSE policy about no drinking on boats! And the rest of the village has work tomorrow, even if you don't!

I mean, yeah, I know about the grog ration, but they're not pirates here!

Ringerr inspects both the result when Einar puts his hood up and the Ushanka. "The Ushanka is better. Still have two little bumps when you try to hood up, you know. And Ushanka with hood look a little suspicious. People generally use one, or the other."

”You’ll want to bring your friends along with you, right?” He eyes Vernai and Geist. ”I think it would be better if I temporarily took the load of your dogs, and borrowed a sled for them to pull. We should be able to carry more load that way, and also get to conceal the animals among all the dog feed. Let me go make some arrangements.” He leaves the house and comes back an hour later with a dog sled.

"I intend to load the Mantis and the Tiger on the dogsled, with the supplies then cover them up with a tarp with airholes to keep them secured." He explains to the party.

"If you have anything that you think might help as a disguise, tell me about it, so I can add it to our plans. Feel free to ask me anything you want to know about the city. I'll try my best to answer."

Mr. Whiskers discusses with Ringerr various ideas for smuggling the group in.

Anyone in the group who wants to be can participate. He would want other's contributions.

"Do you have samples of real papers? I might be able to cobble something together that works -- or at least well enough to get us past the first gate. I would need a set of authentic documents so I know what they should look like."

Looking at Einar's horns, he asks "Would the Jadwiga be interested in Ifriti? If we change Einar's skin tone to red, we might be able to pass him off as one. Is it likely to be a problem if he can't speak Ignan?"

"How long would it take to get through the checkpoint from the time they would see us until we can get out of sight? Can we do it in less than an hour? If so, I can use magic to disguise some of us."

"How young are some of the Winter Witches? Would a young one about my size be allowed out with an appropriate escort, perhaps including a Winter Wolf? I'm trying to decide if going bold is better than pretending to be a gnome."

"Yeah I don't really keep papers much...you know my line doesn't really believe in papers," He starts rummaging through his possessions, then pulls out a crumpled wad of paper. "Ah-ha! There we are. I was trying to pretend to be transporting slaves that I smuggled out of the city." Then he hands the crumpled paper with a red seal on it to Mr Whiskers. "Of course, I wouldn't use that if I were you, its long expired."

"NO ifrits. I recommend undines, water elementals and ice elementals. They distrust anything to do with fire. The Jadwiga often have ice and water elementals as their porters. I've seen their strings go down the street."

"Winter witches can be as young as 17, but they're usually a foot or two feet taller then you are. I'd say for magical disguises as winter witches," He gestures at Nadya, Ziva and Crummock and Einar,"They have the best chance of impersonating one, height wise.

"Please don't put a magical disguise on me, the last time someone did that, I broke out in rashes. I think I'm allergic."

"Sorcerers can be younger, but do not receive much respect. I think it has to do with the occasional iceballs that blow lamposts down when they get upset."

"Gnomes are actually quite well respected, as they make some rather useful inventions. Winter witches seem to recognize fellow artificers. But ice trolls and Winter Wolves look down on them."

Mr. Whiskers smooths out the paper and examines it. Knowing that witches run things, he decides to check it with Detect Magic -- to see if anything is hidden.

When Ringerr responds about Ifrits, Mr. Whiskers is a little surprised but nods his understanding. "In that case, I'll spend some time going through my books to see if there are other types that might have horns. Is not knowing the appropriate elemental language likely to be a problem? Sounds like it could be for water or ice."

"No one expects an elemental to speak. Doubt they'd make good conversationalists. They're expected to carry goods. Well unless those trained for butler service, then they usually speak Skald, and are trained to speak common." Ringerr answers.

Mr Whisker's detect magic
The red seal not really a wax seal, but actually an arcane mark.

Think those elementals as R2D2, or C3PO from star wars. I mean you can speak to C3PO, but I don't think anyone really tries to speak to R2D2.

Mr. Whiskers digs around in his spell component pouch and pulls out a prism. He casts Read Magic just to make certain there are no hidden runes on the seal.

"I could use some paper that matches this!" he calls out to Ringerr. "I would not be able to attempt to duplicate the seal until tomorrow anyways though."

Elementals

"So we are going for one of the worker class elementals." Mr. Whiskers nods as he says this. "Could work!"

No hidden runes

"Yeah, Kari probably has some writing supplies she can pass you. If you want to impersonate a winter witch, you'll need to ice a mark on the paper, below the seal, as a display of your arcane prowess. I saw such papers before." He mentions.

"Gnome seems slightly safer. Although no one would dare question a Winter Witch, I expect they would report it up the chain of command."

So, we have Einar getting set as some sort of Icy elemental. Mr. Whiskers as a gnome. Gnomes love animals so him having a pet Lemming should make the disguise more believable.

The dogs go with the sled, as does Geist and many of our supplies.

Crummock, what do you plan to do?

would an elemental be wearing armor or the cloak?

Einar, keeps watch at the door, occasionally listening to the plans Mister Whiskers and Ringerr's conversation, occasionally going into the kitchen getting leftovers and more grape juice. Winking at Nadya as he carries the plate and flagon from the kitchen. "I actually like grape juice more than I do wine, nothing better than sweet grape juice, if you don't have mead that is."

It blends into your icy skin, cos magic

Crummock looks thoughtful.

"Well, we also have this Rimepelt, which would probably be useful for infiltrating the city; what do ye think, Ringerr?"

Also, who wants the Ring of Protection +1...?

if one of you two can use it then do so, If not Einar will take it,

Watching out the window, Einar asks, "The Rimpelt that makes someone look like a winter wolf, would that be beneficial for what we are doing? I know you said the Howlings lets them take human form and that's where your contact is, but what do the winterwolves do here?" Then going to the kitchen and getting the last of the lobster he asks. "If I pretend to be an elemental will my breastplate be recognizable or should I put on the chain shirt we found?"

Mr Whiskers took the last one. Realistically, it goes to you or me. Also, with Ziva leaving, you should keep the Ushanka.

Crummock scratches his chin.

"Well, the one we encountered seemed to be leading the humans... so it stands to reason that they have some 'pull' in the local hierarchy. Could be useful to stop too many people asking questions..."

With Einar

"Sorry, no mead here. It's alcoholic. Would you like some more grape juice?" Barett offers.

"If you can forge your own documents there's no need to go to Mortin. I can drop off the goods and we can head to the Shrine of the everbloom." Ringerr replies.

Ringerr hastens to assure Einar, "Oh the last time I was under a magical disguise it covered everything."He explains, The winter wolves are guards of the district. They usually take human form, since only in the howlings they can do so. I suspect some do it so they can get a proper drink. Imagine trying to get an ale without hands, lapping it out of a dog bowl!"

With Crummock

"You should have told me you had a Rimepelt earlier! Winter wolves in human form are above reproach for being armed, though this holds true only in the Howlings. It won't stop mirror men inspections though."He cautions.

"If a winterwolf in human form or otherwise wishes to see the forged documents, let them. Same goes for icetrolls. They're not very good at spotting fakes. Mirror men, however, are a different story. They're pretty sharp."

Crummock go ahead and keep the ring, that will put you @ 20 if we are going in a gate that is guarded by whitewolves you take the fur so you can talk to them.

Accepting another glass of juice from Barett Einar frowns at him, "So once were in the city and have forged documents will I need to remain looking like an elemental or can I look a little bit more like myself?"

"Aren't you going to forge your own documents? I wouldn't drop the disguise till you get to the shrine of everbloom."

So we have 1 gnome, 1 winterwolf and 1 ice elemental. So who is the noble? The wolf?

Einar looks at Barett, "So we only need to keep the disguises until we get to the shrine? The wolf cloak only works for a short time right?"

"Aye, the cloak only be workin' for aboot two hours. That should be enough time, right?"

Its Ringerr

"2 hours is enough time to get to the Shrine of the Everbloom. From there, there's a network of subterranean tunnels we can use to get to most places in the city." He replies.

Please think of a story on how a winterwolf, gnome and ice elemental end up pushing a cart of fish into Whitethrone. Or Ringerr can put fish in the bag of holding.

How about, the winterwolf and his bonded servants have just picked up his latest tithe for 'protection' from the fish-camps, and he is taking it back to his place in Whitethrone, to restock the larder his servants use?

Gnomes aren't so good for servants angle. They're treated favorably by Winterwitches for their inventiveness. Try halflings. They give good massages. Its those dextrous fingers and their delicate touch.

Unless your gnome is your appraiser to make sure you didn't get cheated.

"Have you thought of a cover story to tell the guards?" Ringerr asks the party.

More papers

Winterwolf: These papers identify the bearer as a winterwolf. These documents carry no restrictions on armor, weapons, or magic items. A successful DC 20 Linguistics check reveals that these documents are fakes.

Requirements to produce- DC 20 knowledge local,DC 20 knowledge nature, DC 20 Linguistics check + arcane mark spell + 1h work.

Appraiser: These papers identify the bearer as an appraiser. These documents allow magic items, but do not allow weapons or armor. A successful DC 20 Linguistics check reveals that these documents are fakes.

Requirements to produce- DC 20 knowledge local,DC 20 appraise, DC 20 Linguistics check + arcane mark spell + 1h work.

Scratching at his chin, Mr. Whiskers asks "How valued is alchemy? Gnomes like to tinker with that from what I recall. As for the fish, I've heard that fish oil works well for soothe syrup. If the wolf is planning a big party, that could be useful."

Above assumes fish oil can be used in soothe syrup. Now the wolf should decide why it is having a party. New cub? Impressive kill?

Its Ringerr

"2 hours is enough time to get to the Shrine of the Everbloom. From there, there's a network of subterranean tunnels we can use to get to most places in the city." He replies.

Mr. Whiskers looks a little uncomfortable at that. "Two hours? My spells would not last that long...unless there is some way to get a very particular magical item."

"I can make my disguise spells last up to an hour and a half with extreme effort. They would normally only last slightly less than an hour."

10 min/level x (5+1 CL) = 60 minutes. Spell Tinkerer gives +50% duration, so 90 minutes. That requires expending two arcane reservoir per spell. Metamagic extend rod would take care of that problem.

Ringerr scratches his head. "Alchemy is...not as prized as artificing. Most Winter Witches are pretty decent at it (hello, cauldron hex?)so they don't really need much help."

"Nadya, could you go get me a drink?" Once Nadya has left the room, Ringerr looks at Mr Whiskers conspiratorially and whispers, "That being said, alchemists can make quite the fortune selling...recreational drugs on the Black Market. You just need to know the right people."

"Don't really need 2 unless something really holds us up. 50 min should be enough time." Ringerr reassures Mr Whiskers.

More papers unlocked

Alchemist: These papers identify the bearer as an alchemist These documents allow anything up to studded leather armor(your apron), any magic items, alchemical supplies and a dagger. A successful DC 20 Linguistics check reveals that these documents are fakes.

Requirements to produce- DC 20 knowledge local,DC 20 craft alchemy + DC 20 Linguistics check + arcane mark spell + 1h work.

Mr. Whiskers looks relieved to hear that his spell will last long enough.

At mention of other alchemical products, he nods and then asks "Are the wolves happy, always having to go to a Winter Witch? I imagine many of them have better things to do than mix a tonic for some Winter Wolf who went too far celebrating the night before."

Looking to Crummock, he asks "Do you have any ideas for how you will disguise yourself? Will you want me to cast a magical disguise over you as well, or do you have other ways of doing it?"

Crummock gomna rimepelt it.

"You couldn't get a winter witch to bother with that kind of menial stuff. They'd probably scold the winter wolf in question for it."

Looks to Crummock "So, can you sell the idea of wanting a gnome for their recreational alchemical abilities?"

Crummock shrugs.

"I be thinkin' that I can do it... surely there be a Winter Wolf version o' catnip..."

Einar, finishing the last of the left over Lobster Thermador smiles a toothy grin. "Hells, Crummock can talk a beast into doing what ever he wants looking like that." He points at Crummock with his wooden spoon. "Just think what he can get them to do if he looks and smells like one of them."

He taps his breastplate with the spoon, "Should I put on the frost forged chain shirt, in case the spell wears off?" Smiling wider so his fangs show, "It's not like I'm worried about carrying weapons."

The party stays in Ringerr’s house for the night. The very next day, Ringerr finds a warm fish pie laid on the doorstep, with a note saying for the “Kinslayer” from Barett. The party has a delicious catfish pie for breakfast.

He brings Mr Whiskers to Kari's general store and purchases the required blank papers. Mr Whiskers holdes up in Ringerr's house for the day, making the forged documents, with Crummock and Einar guiding him.

Einar aid knowledge nobility: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

For lunch, Ringerr and Nadya purchase smoked salmon sandwiches from the local inn, the Leaping Trout. Ringerr is slightly apologetic on the lunch, informing the party that most fishermen pack their own lunches and don't usually return till sunset.

For dinner, the party is invited to Erik's house. His wife, Esmarella has laid a wide banquet for the party in thanks for rescuing Erik from the villainous Marcian. The dinner consists of Seafood Paella, Tomato salad,Barcalao Al Pil-pil, Almejas la Marinera,sizzling garlic prawns, seafood soup then serves the party Tarta de Santiago for desert, and serves the party a Horchata each.

No alcoholic drinks available!

The next morning the party lazes around,(or retcon what you want to do)while Mr Whiskers remains busy scribing scrolls. Ringerr finds a crab and cheddar quinche left on the door step, from Barett.
Nadya and Ringerr get the party fried fish sandwiches from the Leaping Trout. Daniel invites the party to his house, where he and his wife, Alessandra have laid out quite the spread for the party. The dinner consists of crab bisque,fish cakes, steamed mussels in tomato and garlic broth, Gnocchi with shrimp, pesto and asparagus,salad, baked trout with lemon and dill, a ricotta pie and lemonade.

No alcoholic drinks available!

On the third morning, Ringerr finds a seafood pizza laid on the doorstep, from Barett. He also finds two parcels, one addressed to “the Kinslayer”, and one addressed to Crummock. In the parcel addressed to Einar, there is a bottle of Garum and 100 gp. In the parcel addressed to Crummock there are 100 gold pieces and two cracked dusty rose prisms with a note attached, reading, ”I found some lucky stones. I hope they’ll bring luck to you. Thank you so much for your help – Barrett”

Ziva decides to retire in the fishcamps. As she makes her decision, she feels something leave her, leaving her weakened, yet feeling strangely liberated at the same time.

With Crummock’s help, Ringerr hitches Acapella, Tempo and Opus and the two Boreal wolves to the newly acquired dogsled. Nadya and Hatch get onto the dogsled as well. He then coaxes Geist up, and covers them up together with the party rations, with a tarp. He cuts a few airholes in the tarp in inconspicuous places. Apa follows behind the party.

The party sets forth for White Throne. Before White Throne comes into view, Ringerr cautions the party one more time, "Remember, we do not want to draw attention to ourselves, whether we have papers or not. Getting into fights, or having bodies show up in the street will draw unwanted attention." Mr Whiskers sets about magically disguising the party, while Ringerr tries to help out, pointing out things which Mr Whiskers missed out.

disguise aid Einar: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
disguise aid Crummock: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
disguise aid Mr Whiskers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

He then wraps all his armor and weapons(as well as any which the party has given him) in an oiled sack and hides it among the fish in the fishcart.

Crummock activates his rimepelt, transforming into a white haired, blue eyed human.

The walls of White Throne tower 30 feet high, and have the appearance of giant sharpened femurs fused together, though closer inspection reveals only smooth stonework the colour of bleached bone. Massive skills of the same bone-white stone top the walls, staring with blank gazes outward from the city in all directions. A rough road of frozen mud, churned and trampled from all the traffic of countless feet, leads through an opening in the wall, which appears to have been deliberately unfinished rather than sundered.

There is a guardpost, being manned by a tall woman with shoulder length silver hair, fair skin and bright blue eyes. When she sees Crummock, she speaks apologetically, "Sorry, you know the drill. Either you produce papers, or I'll need to inspect all your cargo."She gestures at the fishcart(which Ringerr is pushing) and the dogsled."Can't allow contraband items like weapons, magic items, the like to go into the city without permits you know."

hey GM Mort, I will post more in a few minutes, but do you need a knowledge nobility roll for Einar?
knowledge: Nobility: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

He did it in this post, Einar. Third line. Fortunately it is the same results since both rolls were successes!

Edit to add: Looks like I cast the spell three times. I've applied Spell Tinkerer to each, increasing the duration by 50%. So the spell duration is 1 hour 15 minutes. Since it could cause other questions, I did not cast Mage Armor in spite of going into something dangerous.

I saw the post but it was +2 not +4 so I wasn't sure

The last three days
’To bad we agreed to find out what happened to the Baba Yaga. If we stayed here protecting people we would eat like kings, wouldn’t even need to worry about extortion.’ Seeing the Fish pie left by Barrett, smiles, cutting it with his Kunia he offers the smaller pieces to his friends, saving the largest piece for himself.

After breakfast Einar tries to help his friend Mister Whiskers with the information about the nobility, apologizing. ”I learned all this stuff when I was a kid, but it didn’t seem important at the time. I hope it will help.” see earlier roll

Smiling as he stuffs down the smoked salmon sandwiches. ”Where I am from we eat breakfast before the day starts and dinner once the work is done. Just the two meals. I don’t know what your sorry for, you have us eating like Hobbits Halflings.”

As they eat dinner, Einar eats his fill, especially impressed with the beverage and prawns. ”My compliments to the chef, Esmarella the garlic Prawns are amazing, and the Horchata is almost as sweat as my mothers Mead.”

’It will be a shame when Barrett feels no longer obligated to me, his cooking is amazing, maybe he should spend the twenty gold pieces opening a diner instead of fishing.’ Enjoying his quiche as he keeps watch while Mister Whisker works on the documents. When luch is served he asks Ringer. ”Is there a pell or post I can work at, or do you need some wood chopped? If need to do something to work off all this food you are feeding us!”

’It seems like years since I have enjoyed the bounty of the sea as much as I have these couple of days. The cooking has been very eclectic, it must be because this is such an important trading hub/.’ finishing off the crab bisque and the steamed mussels he politely asks ”May I have as second piece of ricotta pie, I have never had anything like it before.”

the third morning, Smiling at both the pizza and the fermented garnish, Einar nods at the money. Turning to Ringerr and Mister Whiskers he asks ”Do you have an extra piece of paper and quill that I can send a note to Ringerr?” Using the scrap paper he sends a note written in the skald runes ”Ringerr, It has been a pleasure doing business with you. It seems your luck has changed. If you find any more stones I would be interested in purchasing them from you at a mutual profit! ‘Kinslayer’

ealier
Placing his Taldan Breastplate in the sled with his weapons, he borrows the frost forged chain shirt wearing it so he was withing the law. Then putting his hat and cloak back on he asks Mister Whiskers. ”Is there makeup we can put on my face to look more human?”
not sure what we need to do so he has a ‘double layer’ costume like Mister Whiskers.

hey Mort, thanks for showing us a picture of what Crummock looks like, I’m so glad it’s him not Einar. I was expecting this.’

’I wish I had a good mirror to look in, but that would really be counter productive since the witches can see the images. Trusting to his friends word that he looks different enough, he follows ‘white haired’ Crummock, head bowed carrying the load he is given, as they approach the guardpost.

When Mr. Whiskers is not busy with pen and quill, his time was filled with working on the makeup and props to be used in the disguises.

Even during the meals, he is nervously thinking over the details of what is to come. Distractedly, he gives Einar a quill and piece of paper when asked, only replying "Please do it at a different table. I don't want any of my work moved right now."

Finally on the day they are to move out he is ready! I hope I'm ready for this. I've never attempted anything like this.

He has chosen a nice green and purple tint for his hair. He had based it on a gnome he had seen in Kaer Maga. He had some empty vials as well as any alchemical items he had except alchemist fire. Taking the warning Ringerr had given, he made sure that all the alchemist fire was hidden away with the weapons. He also made sure to partially scale a couple of the fishes, so that the smell of the fish and some of the oil would be evident on him.

Making the makeup for Einar had been a little challenging as well, since he wanted a blue tint but needed it to be much lighter -- more of a sky blue than the deep blue of his normal skin. It helped that he was going to wear the frost-forged armor.

Covering it with the magical glamer would make much of that work seem wasted, but he didn't mind. He knew that his spell would only last so long, the disguise underneath would last all day and help if anyone had to shake hands or do something else that the glamer didn't cover.

He follows along behind Crummock, craning his head here and there. He allows more of his natural curiosity to flow, like he thinks a gnome would. Always looking, always curious, but still wanting to stay out of the way. He would occasionally allow himself to mumble something in gnome, keeping his thoughts to what he saw and the likely alchemical properties of such.

When asked about papers he fumbles in his apron and brings them out, handing them to Crummock so that 'the Winter Wolf' could hand them to the guard as one set. He then steps back a step so that he isn't in Crummock's (or anyone else's) way.

Earlier:

Crummock settles down to enjoy the bounty of (surprisingly tasty) food available at the Camp, whilst Mr Whiskers does his forging and scribing.

When the package arrives for Einar, he can barely suppress a smile, but he is genuinely surprised when the package for him arrives.

Ah, Barrett. I hope that fate be kinder to ye in the future...

When the time comes to put Geist in the sled, he gives the tiger a comforting pat, with a gentle reminder to "Aros".

He then spends time checking over the dogs and wolves, adjusting their harnesses to more evenly distribute the weight, and giving them friendly pats.

Now:

Crummock sighs, and rolls his eyes theatrically.

"Come on, it's been a long day; do we really have to go through with that? Do I *look* like I don't belong here?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32.

Of course, if that doesn't work, he will simply shrug, and hand the papers over.

Last three days.

Esmarella smiles at Einar's compliment, "The best compliment to a cook is to see that everyone is enjoying her food."

Ringerr brings Einar around the town with the fishcart, and gets Einar to help him load the fish cart. Ringerr personally inspects, and pays for all the purchases.

Alessandra is all too happy to pass Einar another slice of the ricotta pie. She even encourages him to take one pie home for himself.

Einar is given a rice powder and told to mix it with milk to make a paste and leave it for quarter of an hour before washing it off by Ringerr. He is told to do it for both nights he is in the Fishcamps. He is also handed over a large box of foundation, which Ringerr has purchased from the Fishcamps.

Now in Whitethrone

"Yeah that's true."She eyes Crummock speculatively. "It's been a long day for me too. Stuck down here the whole day, yelling the same old stuff to everyone. Geesh." She motions for the party to pass.

As the party passes, she makes a motion for Crummock to step away from the others for a private word.

Crummock nods sympathetically.

"Aye, you certainly have my sympathy; it must be truly mind-numbing..."

Once the conversation is over, Crummock vigorously 'drives' the cart forward, intending to get out of the area whilst his luck holds.

Note that since this whole place is snowy, we're looking at -4 perception and -4 to ranged attacks, and everywhere is DT

The streets of the Howlings wind back and forth crookedly, and are lined with wooden houses covered in intricate and detailed woodwork. The houses are painted a clean white, or light pastel colours. The rooftops are steeply pitched to allow heavy snow to slide off. Covered alleyways run between some closely adjacent buildings, sheltering ground floor entrances from the elements. In other places. open-air bridges or crosswalks join buildings together at their upper levels. Snowdrifts lie heaped between houses, but the streets are shoveled and brushed clean. There is little sign of domestic animals, but handcarts are parked outside some residences.

Ringerr gestures to the party to move into a deserted alleyway, where he reclaims his gear from the fishcart.

Party may do that too.

As the party moves to leave the alley they hear a voice. "Leave the fishcart, longshanks, get out of here!" Looking up, they see a blue goblin holding a bomb, ready to lob at the party.

Crummock may intimidate to prevent a combat from happening

Crummock snarls at the goblin.

"Feck off ye little gob-s&##e, or I'll be spreading your entrails from one end o' the Howlings to the other!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18.

has enough time passed from when we could "recover our gear" and being jumped by the little blue guy to change armor?

After passing through the gate and into town, Einar keeps a keen eye out tuning when he hears the threatening goblin, He steps up beside the goblin showing his teeth. "Actually what he means is we scatter your entrails."

aid another: intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 oh well