Jetro: She points to the bear trap hanging on the wall. I insist that you take it for everything that you have done for us. We don't use it as you can see. Finngarth finds it cruel to use as a trapped creature is in pain until he checks next on the trap. We discovered it here when we moved out here. I don't know why the old owners left it. Perhaps they didn't know exactly what it was. Regardless it is yours.
Beck: She looks you over again and then to Helgash. I don't know what it is exactly but it covers your whole person. His is focused solely on the ring that he is wearing. Again, I do not know the details of his curse either.
Xanxan: Finngarth looks at you, looks at his wife and shrugs his shoulders. Moving to escort you he leads you to a chair with a foot stool. Have a seat there as you seem quite put out form the long day. Rest now and try not to worry about anything. Turning back away from Xanxan he looks at the group wondering if this is Xanxan's normal behavior but does not let his lips voice the question out loud.
"Beck, I'm not sure what curse affects you, but Helgash's curse seems to cause him physical harm, so I suggest she uncurse the ring and we worry about you later as we have limited healing ... unless you object, of course, my friend."
Well thank you then, gift accepted.
"Well, o'course we needs ta get that ring off. No wonder the ring were left behind, bloody thing..." he says accidentally making an insensitive pun. "Hopefully mine ain't as bad as Gash's cause that's terrible!"
Beck frowns and gives a little pout. "I don' 'member gettin' a curse... *grumble*mumble*grumble* sigh..." he plops down on the ground and crosses his arms. He glances over at Helgash, and shakes it off. "But you, mate, we all count on yea, an' needs yea in top shape eh? So lets get tha' thing off o' yea," Beck adds, cause he really does thing Helgash needs his curse removed more than his needs removing, even though he's a little grumpy about having one.
Sylvia takes Helgash over and puts on a pair of gloves so she does not have to touch his skin. Meditating for a bit she closes her eyes concentrating on the ring. After nothing happens for an hour Helgash is ready to inquire what is going on. As he breaks contact he see that is hand is free of the ring and it now rests in her gloved hand. For everyone else through it seems like it just took 6 seconds.
Beck frowns and gives a little pout. "I don' 'member gettin' a curse... *grumble*mumble*grumble* sigh..." he plops down on the ground and crosses his arms. He glances over at Helgash, and shakes it off. "But you, mate, we all count on yea, an' needs yea in top shape eh? So lets get tha' thing off o' yea," Beck adds, cause he really does thing Helgash needs his curse removed more than his needs removing, even though he's a little grumpy about having one.
"I don't know how you have come to be in this situation friend Beck, and I extend my apologies for having befallen such curse myself. Had it not happened, and we would be taking care of you - as it should be" - he puts his arm on Beck's shoulder - "I will not forget this, believe me" - he adds, his eyes flaring up momentarily.
Sylvia takes Helgash over and puts on a pair of gloves so she does not have to touch his skin. Meditating for a bit she closes her eyes concentrating on the ring. After nothing happens for an hour Helgash is ready to inquire what is going on. As he breaks contact he see that is hand is free of the ring and it now rests in her gloved hand. For everyone else through it seems like it just took 6 seconds.
"I have no words to thank you Lady Sylgja - you have taken us into your household, and now... You have given from yourself to remove the burden of this dastardly incantation from me" - he stands up and bows low - "You have my gratitude, and I will step in your name if ever you need me to. Aiding someone you do not know reveals a kindness which is not common, and if ever your honor is blemished in my presence, I will not let it by" - the tiefling adds - "I can only assume the incantation was powerful, as it took your concentration for thus long"
Sylvia looks at you curiously. I thnk you for the kind words. I am not used to such eloquence directed towards me but I think you are mistaken somehow. It was quite the simple task to remove the ring. Why it hardly took 10 seconds. Once I touched the ring it slid easily off. There was hardly any concentration to it at all. she gives you a small devious smile and leaves it alone at that.
Your not sure Helgash but you think what she is more than just a simple Huldra.
"Are you sure you are well, warrior? She had that devilish thing off your finger in the space of a breath."
Turning to the huldra, "I'm not so good with words. Thank you for your aid."
Thank you very much.
Helgash stares at Sylvia for a few moments - "10 seconds..? I could have sworn it..." - his words are cut short by her smile, and Duardlara's words.
"Are you sure you are well, warrior? She had that devilish thing off your finger in the space of a breath."
"A breath..?" - he ponders further, convinced that the magic at work surpasses his ability to understand it, deciding to drop the subject for the time being - "Yes, I am well Miss Frostborn. Thank you for your concern" - he smiles.
At the huldra, he adds - "I will not embelish my words with more than what is needed - thank you again"
Then turning to Beck, the tiefling finishes - "I have not forgotten"
In the morning the group heads out once more. As you leave Sylgja and Finngarth give you a basket of food that will provide enough food for the day so you won't have to hunt as you travel. This will greatly increase your speed and quicken you on your journey to Whitethrone. As she hands the food to Beck she touches your hand briefly. This is to help you on your way as well and for returning my husband to me. Part of me wishes to never see you again and stay in the solitude we enjoy yet I will not look unfavorably upon a second meeting if it does happen. Who knows what the fates have in store for us.
The day goes quickly and the party makes excellent time. Come late afternoon early evening a peculiar sight meets your eyes as you round a small hill. There, 400 yards away, you see the rays of the sun striking a verdant cornucopia of green vegetation. from the looks of it the size of the area is at least a mile in diameter maybe more. Trees are in full summer foliage while flowers are n bloom and the sounds of birdsongs fill the air. Peering through the trees from this distance you can make out the large form of 2 tremendous elk standing in a small clearing in the center of the trees. The clearing is only about 100ft wide.
You have heard of druids creating havens like this in almost every clime. how long they last though depends on the difference from the natural clime to that of the 1 created. This radical of a change must have happened within a few days and will not last the rest of the week unless it is redone.
Duardlara stops short. "Is it real?"
Jetro looks suspicous. I don't know, mighty strange if you ask me.
"Not so much strange as surprisin'. Druids can make the climate change like this, 'tho it only lasts for a li'l while, week or so. Like as not only a couple days old too, but this kinda magic's beyond me by a long-shot an' i got no notion ta go steppin on a body like that's toes..." Beck says. He glances around looking for signs of the potential owner of the area, considering the place.
"This is so unnatural for this clime, but welcome just the same... if it's not an illusion of some kind."
Well if druids have made it they might not want visitors, so we better be careful.
Xanxan slept heavily during the night, but when he awoke he seemed a bit more of his old self, though he was still quiet during the trip. " I think," he says, looking at the summer area, "That it's wonderful."
Beck the elk just stand there in the clearing but you see no other sign of larger life. Birds, squirrels and such but nothing bigger that you can see.
If you are careful you could probably skirt the clearing they are in and head to a different spot that is still in the affected area of the warm weather. There is 2 hours of daylight still.
I'd rather head around, but will back ya up if you want to head in.
"As much as I like the cooler climate, there is a limit and I'd welcome a bit of warmth and greenery. I will leave it up to the rest of you however if you want to go in or not... I must say though, that we should try to avoid the two large creatures there, as they may not be friendly or welcoming... they certainly don't seem afraid of us."
Skirting the main clearing where the towering elks stand and watch you, the group does not startle them and moves off to find their own haven for the night. 100yards farther on you see another smaller clearing that looks like it should do well for the night. Just as you are about to sit down and start your nightly rituals 3 wolves rush out of the foliage and attack the nearest party member
Only two of them can charge in while the last moves around to threaten.
charge attack +9 each for +4 each
2 trip attempts as well +9 each
Venja gets hit hard by both wolves as they grab onwith their jaws and wrench the frail witch to the ground. Blood starts to spurt from her wounds as she has taken 17 damage and is prone on the ground.
"Help? Venja cries out in surprise, almost unconscious from the damage.
HP 39/39
AC 18
Spells in effect:
Jetro curses and 5'steps back to unleash an arrow on a wolf gnawing Venja
These are worgs as evidenced by their tactics and skill. On a successful bite they get a free trip attempt. Plus 1 question for every 5 above the DC.
Jetro your arrow sinks deep but not enough to find a vital organ (no crit confirmation) as the 'wolf' howls out in pain.
Venja lets out a groan and goes limp, letting her eyes flutter closed, hoping the wolves will fall for her bluff and go for standing targets.
Duardlara steps back, as well, drawing her rapier even as she is weaving a spell with her other hand.
As Venja is hit, the life link between Helgash and her companion immediately flares, making sure she recovers somewhat from the brutal assault.
The mighty tiefling presses forward with a roar, defending his friend - "Stand back DOGS - we are not your meal, lest you wish to be fed with steel!" - launching himself at the closest wolf.
"Back off!" Beck shouts, pulling out his blade. "Git 'em Sheelah!" he adds, giving her the Flank command!
Sheelah takes a quick move and attacks,
for
for
for
Xanxan will try to flank a wolf on Venja and stab stab stab....
but he'll settle for stab.
Venja, worgs are pack animals much like wolves but much smarter. They generally go for the weakest in a group hoping for easier prey.
sense motive can't make it at a +2.
Venja, already at the mercy of the beasts collapses from the damage done and does not move at all as the 3 of them stand over her. aEveryone thinks she is unconscious at least except Helgash who knows she lives as the lifelink is transferring the wounds to him.
Helgash targets the worg that Jetro hit with the arrow, the worg slumps down whimpering but is not out yet.
Beck even aided by the luck from Sylgja earlier cant bring his weapon around as he stares in shock at the carnage of the worgs on Venja. Her apparent death was too much for him to take. Sheelah steps up though and easily rips into one of the worgs hitting with both her bite and a claw attack. The worg growls at her threatening to take its attack on her next.
Lara steps back and shields herself before willing to join the sudden fray so she oes not end up like Venja.
Xanxan nimbly steps to the side of the injured worg flanking with Helgash and buries his blade in to the side dealing enough damage to the lung to put it out of its misery.
The two remaining worgs flee from the combat as 1 is injured and another is not moving on the ground. The move quickly off to nurse their wounds and seek easier prey as they were not expecting such a brutal retaliation.
Hearing the worgs move off... Venja opens one eye slowly and peers around to confirm her suspicions. Once she is sure the worgs have indeed left, she opens her other eye and sits up,brushing off her clothes absently. "Thank you my friends for coming to my aid and you especially Beck, for healing me. She hugs all in turn. I am so grateful to you all. I'm sorry if I scared you, but playing dead seemed my best bet under the circumstances, since I was fallen at their mercy anyway. I can't even heal myself, since all my daily healing today is reserved for others."
Well we better have double watches. There might be more of their pack out there wanting payback.
It was a good thing that Jetro mentioned the double watch tonight as twice creatures were spotted by various members of the party as all sorts of life sought out the warmth of the druid's glade. Each time the animals slunk away from the bonfire and the watchers as they did not want to test the strength of the group as the remains of a worg could be smelled and seen.
When you wake up you can tell that the area of summer has shrunk already by about 100ft as the eternal winter of Irrisen encroaches on it.
Well that isn't surprising. Jetro notes as he starts some coffee. Everyone eat up, we got quite the hike ahead of us. Jetro throws some oats into a pot for porridge.
"I'm just glad you're okay, Venja," The gnome said to her gently.
He also nodded at the suggestion of double watches and spent part of his watch salvaging the fur of his fallen foe.
Well that isn't surprising. Jetro notes as he starts some coffee. Everyone eat up, we got quite the hike ahead of us. Jetro throws some oats into a pot for porridge.
The gnome eats heatedly despite his small size, as if stocking up for a very long winter.
The next day goes by with the group making steady progress to the northeast. Night comes and watches are set but this time there is no intrusion in their respite as the animals stay away from them and their fire. the morning dawns crisp and cold and still letting those of you with survival know that it might be uncomfortably cold that night.
You see a group of 6 falcons about 200 feet ahead that are swirling around in the air doing some amazing tricks in the sky. It does not appear that they are hunting but more overlapping each other. Looking down you can just make out a few faint specks on the ground below and past the falcons.
"Oh Wow, that's amazing!" Beck exclaims, rather out of the blue. "Didja see that? daaaaaamn! criminey, there's roundabouts six falcons out there wingin around like nuthin-else. I'm guessin that there on the ground are their masters. See em?" Beck adds, pointing to the birds, and then down to the ground below them.
So some falconers got themselves killed? Hmmm..Best keep an eye out.
"Well, I dont' think they look dead, that'd be strange. But they over there, can't see em too well. DUnno if they be friend or foe tho, in this dangerous country."
Venja notices the falcons, and the spots on the ground below them, wondering if they are, like Beck says, falconers... or something or someone else.
"Maybe someone good at sneaking could get a closer look at who or what might be there."
"Oh, I don't see them..." the gnome sighs in disappointment.
but at Venja's comment, he smiles, and says, "Oh, I can try. Point the way." And with that, he sneaks towards the goal.
Following the directions of the group Xanxn makes his way ahead of the others to spy out what is going on in front of them. he carefully picks his way across the terrain using the low mounds and sparse tree cover to hide his approach from those on the ground.
He is able to get quite close to the group without the watchful eyes of the falcons above him noticing. At least he believes they haven't noticed him. As he get closer and within earshot he can hear the group talking. He catches some of the words but not all of them. The words he can hear is "searching for, party ahead, pale tower, southeast" along with a ?low growling sound?.
You figure that they have spotted the group behind you but have not noticed you yet. If you hurry you could possibly alert the others but would more than likely be noticed yourself. Otherwise you could go back halfway and wait for the 2 groups to meet and have the element of surprise. there is about 2 miles between the groups at the moment.
Jetro waits nervously.
When Xan doesn't return for a while, longer than she expected, Venja will suggest, "Perhaps we should try to catch up with him... it might be all clear, or he might have run into trouble. We could do our best to be sneaky like he is, but alas, I'm afraid despite the color of my clothing matching the environment, sneakiness is not my forte."
She does her best to be sneaky around the party for a moment,
and steps right down on a brittle branch with a loud crack.
"See?"
No way I can be quiet in my armor
Xanxan the group is composed of 6 falconers and another individual in a long cloak that you can't quite make out as his back is to you.
They are barbed in the regalia of the winter witches. These in particular of the winter witch Nahzena.