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Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight knows that fey will lie as often as they breathe, but that most must abide by a deal that has been accepted. He doesn't care if he kills the thing, though it would burn prettily.
"You little sprite. You must promise to never hurt me or my friends, nor tell other fey things where we are so they attack us instead. Me know you little evil b%$~@, but you must keep promise. So, you make promise, and tell us what we know, and we let you live. You no make promise, you burn like you friends."
Ishbaad misses the content of the conversation in the other language, but doesn't miss the tone. He bristles at the sprite's reaction to Aoife, and the resulting hit on her innocence. She only wanted to help, yet this evil creature only wished her death.
This won't be the last time she encounters that harsh lesson. She is strong enough to travel the world in search of her father, but can she handle the burden on her heart, and her innocence? Time will tell.
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Coramus merely stands aside, letting the others negotiate with the detestable little cretin. He remains alerted, though, ready to coat the sprite with acid should it try anything funny. Or anything violent.
"What is this talk of a deal? What could this creature know about? If others were here, there would be remnants of a battle just like we saw before. Alas, I only see decorations of evil littering this landscape. Creature, you will die, either this day by our hands, or some day in the near future as more Southerners as you say come to investigate why this region is in the grips of weather. I say give the creature nothing, as we owe it nothing. If it chooses to share information that we deem worthy, mayhaps we spare its life today. Regardless I refuse to let this creature have any sort of power over me, or mine actions."
Numa chooses to ignore Jorvik and instead focuses on Kuragin - who has displayed a familiar accent, and she now eyes his too-thin clothes curiously - "I will leave here and never return to my allies. If you are after them, either they will die or you will die. I will not take part in the battle either way. I can tell you much about their numbers and powers, also where they are! I also have treasure that you will never find without my help - I can't use it anyway, but I think witches like this one here can. I will tell you all about my former allies, and where the treasure is if you let me go."
"Okay, deal. I promise to tell. You promise to free," Numa screws up her face and whispers to herself, "Doesn't matter anymore."
"We came here from Irrisen, through the winter portal," Numa describes where it is. Kuragin and Jorvik can verify the location, "Forces are led by a troll called Teb Knotten, but we don't hang out with them. We're part of Izoze's crew. Izoze is our boss, a winter elemental demon. We met up with a bandit called Rohkar or some other stupid human name. He convinced us to spare his life in return for helping with kidnapping some silly noblewoman. The men we fought had cold-forged steel, so he was actually useful, for a human. Do you like the cold?"
Numa seems to find it difficult to concentrate on a single thread of conversation. "Izoze is staying at some human Lodge in the hills. We kicked out and killed the silly defenders to a man." From her further descriptions, the companions realize that Numa is referring to the High Sentinel Lodge. "But we four stay here to kill crows. Crows killed the man who is frozen on the ground over there... but we hunted them down and killed every last one - and made decorations for our new lair.
"Oh, and that is where the treasure is," she says, pointing to a low-hanging branch covered in fetishes, "No, not that one - that one. That crow-trophy. Yes, the feathers are actually wrapped around a wand. Izoze wanted it, but we stole it. Wand of healing, he said it was. We couldn't use it, though, so we made it into a pretty decoration." The companions wonder what kind of evil mind would consider the wand with a twisted and contorted crow's body wrapped around it to be 'pretty'.
"Oh, you want numbers? Fine. About a dozen silly humans and human-like things hang around the lodge. Izoze mostly likes to hang around with other elemental demons, and other sprites don't like human buildings anyway. Silly, disgusting creatures living in dead carved wood when trees are fine. If you have a house for a home, does it grow and get bigger? I might start living in a sapling, and in a few years it becomes a mighty forest-topping tree. Do your huts become mansions? Pathetic."
Numa stands up and presents the knot in her ropes to the companions. "Untie me now and let me go. That was the deal. Promises were made."
Coramus' brow furrows as he assimilates the information provided. The fact that the creatures were from Irrisen did not sit well with the man, but they didn't seem to be looking for him or Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight. He stands in the snow, occasionally shifting around to keep his blood warm.
When the sprite is done, the wizard nods to his goblin companion. "Release her, I say. She has honored her word, the devilish little creature. Next time don't come back unless there are young, lively women about, fiend!"
Ishbaad purses his lips, the cold momentarily abated by his rushing blood from the brief combat.
"I can think of no more use for this wicked sprite." He shakes his head, uncomfortable with letting the pretty little liar go.
"Know in your cold little heart that I will not hesitate to hunt you down and visit your evil back upon you tenfold should I find out you have betrayed us to your former masters. Also know that our current agreement holds nothing if I find out you have accosted the good, peaceful people of this, or any area in the south. In fact, you should return to your homelands. I will not hesitate to find an excuse to end your pitiful life in the righteous, purifying fire of Iomedae."
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"Ok, you go. " Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight cuts he bindings, allowing her she-fey to go. "we go find your boss, and no tell you told us nuthin'. But, we see you again, may. We make you dead. Me no want to make you dead, but you will burn pretty.so you go now, and never see Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight again. "
Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight looks at the crow fetish, and decides he likes it. He leaves the wand in it as he pockets it
He thinks for a moment, and then goes to Jorvik and uses the wand.
"Zhou feel better now, jadwiga? Me good goblin. Never hurt good jadwiga. You reward Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight nice when you can, right"
Feeling the euphoric glow of healing magic, Jorvik looks down at the blue goblin. "Many thanks Ice melts Quietly in the Sunlight. One day you and I will have to sit and talk about your name. If my assumptions are correct, it is a rousing ballad filled with adventure and intrigue. For now, I am most appreciative for you consideration of my condition."
Jorvik pulls the hair down to make sure it is covering his ears.
"Hmmmm, yes, a most pleasant find. Shall we continue on towards this Hunting Lodge? I fear for this Lady's safety." Coramus starts heading in the direction of the camp once everyone gets ready to go once again.
Kuragin watches the sprite fly away, wondering if they made a good choice. "Trolls, Ice demons... I wonder if we are taking more than we signed up for..? Let us rescue the lady, and hope we avoid these more dangerous creatures. "
As Numa flies off towards the center of the forest, the companions clear the area. The wand is the only magical item they find. The sprite was right: without detect magic, there is no way they would have found it amongst all the other fetishes.
Not wanting to let the cold set in, the adventurers get moving again and follow the obvious trail left by the bandits. It meanders about through the the snow-covered woods. Something crosses the path, and Jorvik calls the party to halt so they may examine things further.
A narrow game trail winds its way through the trees and undergrowth here. Hoofprints mark the underlying snow, leading in both directions.
Coramus inspects the prints with only mild interest. Game in the woods is nothing worth worrying about, in the wizard's opinion. He glances about, trying to see if any tracks beyond the hoofprints are around.
"With Ice trolls and Ice demons about, you would think that the game would have fled the area. Not to mention the unnatural snow for this time... What would an animal be doing to have already worn a path in the snow?" Ishbaad wonders out loud.
He stoops down to inspect the tracks and the surrounding snow, branches, and other locations where there might be clues.
Her mind filled with images of terrifying trolls and ancient, winter demons, Aoife walks along the trail with the others unable to focus. When the tracks appear, leading in each direction, the youth watches the wizened old man scan the area then she crouches, mimicking his action.
"Ishy," she begins, looking over the fresh depressions in the snow and turning to her guardian. "What sort of tracks do trolls make? Or, demons..."
The companions follow the tracks a little way. As they near a tree, a magnificent white stag steps out from behind it. The muscles on its back cause its pure white fur to ripple and shed the snow from its hide. It paws curiously at the ground for a moment, and then regards the strange group standing before it.
"Brave adventurers," it says suddenly, shocking all who are viewing it, "I am the Stag of the Winter Wood. This is my domain. Tell me, what brings you here, travelling to the heart of the forest? What business have you that causes your footsteps to part my snow beneath your feet?"
The stag seems impassive as it requests this information, even going so far as to part some of the snow covering the grass in order to obtain a little nibble while the adventurers formulate a response.
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"Oooooh!" The little blue goblins eyes grow huge as he sees the magnificent stag, and hears him speak. He moves up next to Jorvik, seemingly taking some comfort from the proximity of the half-elf.
Stag of the Winter Wood, we just innocent adventurers trying to save nobly woman. She was captured by bandits who were aided by nasty fey creatures. Me hopes you take no offense to that, me no think you nasty, but me think you might be fey. We good goblins and longshanks, we want to save nobly woman from nasty fate. Please let good goblin pass, me be careful. Me like snow! Me is Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight, and me think you have very nice name, and are very pretty stag. Not like nasty horse at all!"
Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight tries to be as nice, and non-threatening, as he can be. He doesn't even reach for his bombs, or his liquid fire.
Ishbaad worries suddenly, though does his best not to show it, when Aoife asks the relatively innocent question, suddenly mindful that the tracks might not be game at all. He breaths an audible sigh of relief however when the stag steps out.
"Aye, it is as our goblin friend suggests. We come in search of a group of bandits, lead by an ice troll and ice demon who have kidnapped a noble woman of the area. It was only a few weeks ago, and there was no snow in this area. How have you come to claim this wintry portion of the south as your own? And what are you going to do should this unnatural phenomenon suddenly stop, and go back to normal?"
Seeing the stag appear before him, Jorvik inhales sharply.
Magnificent. This creature is what legends are made from.
Slightly bowing his head, Jorvik turns towards the stag.
"Noble beast, we are a humble band of adventures, and we offer offers our apologies. We were, and apparently still are, ignorant of these magical happenings. We humbly request you accept our most sincerest apologies for any infraction we might have caused in your realm.
My companions speak true, we are on a most noble of quests. One to rescue a fair maiden, and return her to her rightful home. We have recently learned of the Ice Troll and Ice Demon that also inhabit these woods. Have you seen them? Are they here with your leave? Can you aid us in our quest?"
There is a long pause as the Stag of the Winter Wood ponders your answers and questions. At last, it raises its head again to regard the group. "I do not take offense. As with all things, there is the good and there is the evil. Fey are no different. You are an interesting goblin with an interesting name. Ice does indeed melt quietly in the sunlight, but Winter reclaims it. Sometimes, they work together to forge weapons. Look up to the tree." The companions can all see the icicles forming on the upper branches, where the sun has melted the snow and the drops have cooled to ice again before they could touch the ground. As though to accentuate the stag's point, a gentle breeze blows through the branches and sets them off jingling musically like chimes.
"You are indeed on a noble quest, then, if it is to save a poor woman from bandits, trolls and ice demons," the stag continues, "And the bandits have come this way, though they were too many for me - even without this troll and ice demon you mention. I also did not see the woman.
"Which brings me to my claim on these woods. Such a mortal thing to say: claim," the Winter stag paws at the ground with its hoof, looking for more grass, once it has had a nibble it resumes, "These winter woods are mine because they are under my protection. It saddens me that I could not protect that woman, but she was taken into these woods and not accosted within them. My powers are finite. This unusual Winter has indeed caused me to awaken early this year, but if... when... it recedes, I will sleep once more until the seasons bring fresh snows.
"Now, back to these intruders," the Stag snorts and taps at the ground with his hooves, "They are not here with my leave. I do have aid I can give to thee, but I wish to know first if you are worthy and will not squander my gifts or be killed using them. Please, tell me about yourselves and by what means you will topple these bandits and creatures of the dark."
Coramus looks at the others in bewilderment. Why were they talking with supper? He allowed that a talking stag was certainly a novelty, but they had a woman to rescue.
"We are just a group who happened to hear of the noblewoman's abduction and felt a duty to find her. We shall topple these bandits and creatures through might of arms and sorcery. Please step aside, good stag, so we can be on our way. Join us if you like, but time is of the essence!" He keeps his voice neutral, careful to not be insulting, but talks in a firm tone.
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"Me be good goblin hero... we find bad humans, bad trolls, bad everything. Make them go away. Me be very careful and not burn down forest... me like forest! Maybe me use other talents, get big, and beat up bad guys in melee?" Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight is practically bouncing in excitement from the possibility of being approved of by the Stag of the Winter Wood.
"Me can be good weapon, like icicle good weapon. Me very sharp in head!"
Jorvik strides boldly up to the stag, rubs some snow away with his foot so that the stag can continue to graze. He places both hands on either side of his face, and in a graceful, sweeping motion pulls the hair back from his face, and hooks it behind his ears, for the first time clearly displaying his pointed ears.
In a high, clear voice he begins. "Noble beast, I am Jorvik the Bloodspeaker, son of Harcartha, descendant of Baba Yaga, bastard. My life was the only gift that I have been given in this harsh cruel world. Abandoned by my unknown, uncaring father, scorned by my kin, homeless, practically friendless. I made . I made . I am a . I have battled the fey, downed the great mammoth, and braved the cruel elements of the Hoarwood Forest.
This," and he pulls his hammer off his back "Is Frostweaver, bludgeoner of evil. I have come to right the wrongs, to speak for the weak, and to bring back balance. If you give me a gift, I will take it. If you aid us, I will welcome it. If you judge us unworthy" he begins to laugh, a great throaty laugh, "Well no matter. I still have a troll to kill, and a demon to send back to the abyss." With this he bows.
Ishbaad nods at the eloquent words Jorvik speaks to the noble beast.
No wonder he hid his ears. A lifetime of scorn and hatred simply for who he is... Perhaps Iomedae has lead him here for this reason. It is time to stop being afraid of who he is...
Stepping forward, Ishbaad places a hand on Jorvik's shoulder,
and addresses the Stag.
"While I submit only to the judgement of Iomedae, I will not turn away her gifts, no matter how she chooses to deliver them." He favors the stag with his trademark, calming smile.
"If you need evidence of our worthiness of your gifts, I am afraid we have naught to offer but the blood of an ice wyrm, a few wretched undead, and a handful of evil sprites, all of whom thought that attacking us in our journey through the snow would be a good idea."
Behind Ishbaad, the child stands with an impassive posture, eyeing the majestic and beautiful stag. She knows she does not look like belongs standing amidst great warriors and that she cannot speak as eloquently as some of their number, and so holds her tongue for the moment. Aoife knew she would be hard pressed to convince this guardian of the winter woods that she was worthy of receiving its gifts, let alone that she was worthy to even journey through its domain.
However, as small as she was, there was an unmovable quality about Aoife and a challenging look in her eyes that seemed the dare the guardian to try and stop her from passing.
I will find my father at any cost, she thinks to herself, staring at the stag. No one will stop me. Not trolls or winter demons, not even the guardian of the winter woods...
"You are indeed capable warriors, then," the stag says, actually shying away from Jorvik a little as he approaches, "Very well. I will bestow upon you the Blessing of the Winter Wood. I would have all of you approach and place a hand on my antlers." There is a long pause. With much ceremony, the stag lowers his head to the ground to allow the adventurers to touch his magnificent crown.
As everyone steps forwards to receive their blessing, Aoife and Ishbaad notice that the stag isn't bowing it's head so much as eating some more grass. Its behavior towards Jorvik was also a little odd - why would a mystical fey stag be skittish near someone it is engaged in conversation with?
Too late for the others, but enough for them to get ready, the pair do what they can to prevent what happens next...
... unfortunately, they aren't as fast to act as some.
Out of nowhere, a scantily clad winged and blue-skinned creature appears, and stabs Coramus in the side.
While her attack is supernaturally cold, it does not last and the wizard shakes it off. The needle has left quite the sting, though.
The stag sees everyone going for its horns and, with a frightened look in its eyes, gores Jorvik.
Taken by surprise as he is, Jorvik can do nothing as he watches the antlers pierce his chest.
She exhales in shock at the sprite appearing before them and carnage which develops in the blink of an eye. "Nooooo!" she shouts entirely too late to save anyone, her eyes widen in horror at the thought of letting everyone down. Angry at herself, a string of inaudible curses pass her lips as she springs forward, moving rapidly through the snow. If her father had been here and heard any of what she said under her breath, she would have been more afraid of him than these creatures for the expletives she muttered. A few steps later and Aoife has drawn her greatsword, stepping quickly behind the blue-skinned creature.
Ishbaad reacts quickly, much like Aoife. Instead of shock and disappointment however, he is filled with wrath.
Veins suddenly begin to bulge around his temples, and his eyes darken with the righteous anger that boils up within him. He lets out a mighty roar that threatens to shake the snow from the boughs of the trees around him.
"Iomedae, through my arm, strike down this fiend!" he half growls, half yells.
Ishbaad lunges forward, the tip of his spear angling towards the wicked trickster.
for
As Ishbaad's spear is about to split her spine, the fairy-like fey dodges to the side, laughing all the while.
"Stupid town folk!" she giggles, "Thanks for letting me know all about you. Can't you tell the difference between a regular animal and a forest spirit? Fawfina got you good! Just like I got that human child! Ha ha ha ha ha!"
She then proceeds to make an excellent impression of a deer, and the stag turns its attention on Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight .
Once more, the tiny weapon stabs into the wizard and cold threatens to overcome him, but he finds his inner reserve of warmth. Unfortunately, though, the wound begins to spurt blood and he begins to feel faint.
The little fey then ducks and weaves past Ishbaad's madly stabbing spear to lose herself amongst the icicles in the trees
The stag then simultaneously tramples and gores the party alchemist - the one who boasted of fire (though being careful 'not to burn down forest').
In its panicked attack, the stag only manages a single glancing blow with its hoof.
After suffering the grievous gore wounds from the magnificent animals rack, and the disturbing emotional wounds of being mocked once again, Jorvik stumbles backward . He quickly regains his composure has his blood begins to boil over.
Inhaling sharply, coughing a bloody bubble, Jorvik begins to speak .
Affected allies gain a +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution and a +1 morale bonus on Will saving throws, but also take a –1 penalty to AC. While under the effects of inspired rage
He echoes the prodding of the goddess of my heart..
Ishbaad feels the tingling sensation of adrenaline begin to rush into his veins. His eyes begin to burn red with righteous wrath, and he accepts the rush, a greater rush than he has ever felt, inspired by Jorvik's words.
"You will not escape, vile sorceress!"
Realizing he can't do much about the sprite while it is hidden among the trees, he decides to do something about the stag that is wrecking his companions. He moves his powerful, if slow, legs through the thick snow to stand next to Aoife. Within the rage, he still finds an opportunity to teach the young girl.
"Watch my strike. Not all blows need to kill..."
His longspear plunges forward towards the antlers of the magnificent creature.
for
As the evil creature shifts out of her reach, the youth swings wildly but is caught off guard by the exceedingly quick movement of the fey.
After the fey disappears from Aoife's sight, she hears the rousing words of Jorvik thudding her ears, drawing up within her a now familiar surge of rage and strength. She lets the anger of letting the fey escape her grasp bubble up and redirects her attention towards the stag. A few quick steps through the rolling drifts of snow and Aoife draws back on her greatsword with all the power and wrath she can muster.
As her feet come to a skidding stop, the youth draws the blade in an arc around her small body but slips on an unseen layer of ice and falters before the blow can find its mark.
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The wizard withdraws from the stag, holding his side. "Treacherous stag! How dare you hide that little b!%##! I will wear your rack upon my head as a trophy, assuming I don't bleed to death!"
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Jorvik's singing voice isn't so sublime as some may imagine. Tuneful, for sure, but rather than being filled with joy at a lovely melody, most seem to feel anger - rage even!
As the wizard withdraws to safer ground, the stag once more lashes out at him with those magnificent, deadly antlers.
Luck is with Coramus this day however, as he manages to staunch the bleeding and find relative safety away from the combat.
Aoife tries to swing at the deer, but she is not used to the way beasts move and the poor girl swings high and the stag easily ducks the blow.
Ishbaad has much better luck, stabbing the beast right through a gap in its antlers to draw copious amounts of blood on its skull. The stag half-bleats half-moans in pain. The true voice of the Winter Stag is heard at last.
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Ice Melts Quietly in Sunlight is confused by this turn of events. He backs off from the stag, hoping that his agility will allow him to avoid being hit. He draws the wand of curing, taking position behind Ishbaad, and uses the wand on his mentor.
"Boss, bad stag not kill you, me heal you! Then, if friends step back, me can bomb him!"
"Hrm, I thought there was something odd about the stag..." But fooled I was like everyone else
Stepping away from the stag's antlers, Kuragin calls out for his mysterious patron, and hexes the majestic animal into slumber.
"Sleep now, beast. Our grudge is not with you"