"Well! It sounds like you have something in mind you want me to do. I do love traveling. Tell me all about it. I just might agree to go!" she says with a smile while looking at Vedic.
"It is a treasure hunt, of sorts." he says, pointing to the map on the table. "I believe that somewhere up this pass is a "shadow nook", a... dark place, tucked away out of sight. A cave perhaps. Somewhere inside it is a relic I have long sought. A key made of black metal that will open a door that many things are hidden behind, including the harpoon this one seeks."
The pass is thick with ice and snow. Someone with wings could anchor rope points and help get past the places that make the pass unassailable. I can offer a substantial reward to any group who brings me the key."
Thorgar grunts and steps forward,
"I didn't follow half of what you said, but if your coin is good I'll go - assuming you need muscle. But what if you reasoning is wrong? I don't want us risking our life for nothing, we should paid for our trouble in case you are sending us on a wild goose chase. I don't mean to be disrespectul, I just can't follow your reasoning, and that map hardly fills me with confidence. Speaking of which what do you think is substantial?"
"I offer five hundred gold crowns for the key. If I am wrong, which is doubtful, and you return empty handed, I will pay fifty for a detailed map of the area."
"Five hundred is enough to get me moving. Hope you are right elf, but either way I'll not be sorry to be on my way." Thorgar says, slamming a fist into his palm and smiling visciously.
"I've everything I need, when do we leave. I say save the introductions we'll have plenty of time while we are moving, there isn't so much daylight up here that we can afford to waste it." Sosaying the big man retrieves a well used pack from beneath the chair he had been occupying previously and slings it over one shoulder.
The sound of the barbarian's meaty strike snaps Haaken's head up, and straightens his posture. "As a leaf rides the wind, a man may choose his Wyrd.", Haaken's voice resonates.
"Would the wind carry this leaf with you?", he asks, his eyes focusing on the strange group next to him.
You are an awfully big leaf...but do join us please. Only person I know that pass wind is Thorgi here.
"Be nice little one." Raven gently chides.
Thorgar glances around at his prospective new companions and lets out a booming,
"Ha! Well we already make for a pretty far fetched tale, might as well have an adventure the skalds can get their teeth into. Come then, before a talking bear, and a gillman show up to complete the set. Even in hundreds coin only goes so far."
With that the barbarian strides over to the door and yanks it open, glancing out to the horizon and sucking in a bracing breath of cold air.
"I am named Haaken, but as much a leaf as any other.", Haaken says returning Thordan's bow.
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And I am Thordan here! I am on a very very important mission here. And that big hairy man there is my new friend who is seeking death. His name is Thorgar but I call him Thorgi because he says I can call him that but don't really tell anyone about because I think he doesn't thinks it's quite manly. Anyway I glad you can join us Haaken the leaf
Thordan rushed behind Thorgar and imitates him breathing in the cold air.
Haaken turns to Raven and asks,"Shall we share our dinner with Thorgar and Thordan on the road, Lady Angel?", smiling at her new title.
"Well, I am happy to share the table. As to my food, that all goes to me." she says with a smirk.
"Four. A meaningful number." the elf smiles. "There are things to know before you leave.
While you are in the 'shadow nook', eat nothing, not even what you bring yourself, and avoid mirrors. The stories indicate both would be mistakes."
Passing the map all the way across the table, he points to the bar of music he has added to one corner.
"Somewhere inside will be a door or chest that can only be opened by this music."
"I believe making any other sound in the chamber where that door or chest lies will be very dangerous. I do not have a description of the room, or the locked object that should be inside it, besides the phrase "harp of everwinter". I hope that will be enough to let you recognize it when you see it."
"I would recommend bringing cold-weather clothing and equipment, plenty of rope and climbing tools, and light sources. If you have horses, have them stabled. They will not make the climb."
"Yes, that is the chord. Remember, no other sound. Only that."
Thorgar glances down at the rat, and shakes his head,
"I'm pretty sure I'm still asleep having met you lot, so not snoring'll be tough, but I'll do my best. I leave the music and such to you lot, I'll pick up a few pitons and some more rope and catch you up. I don't want to have to explain you all."
The barbarian stomps off and catches up to the group a few minutes later, moving with surprising speed.
"Good luck. I will prepare for your return with the key." The elf said with a gleam in his eye.
"Then the way to many things will be unlocked to us."
After a short shopping trip and some arrangements to stable their horses while they were away, the unlikely group headed out.
Frostbark sat at an intersection of a number of mountain passes, many of which were snowed in this time of year. Warning signs half buried in snow dotted the intersections to the main road warning travelers to turn back during the cold seasons.
One of the signs they ignored.
Frostwood pass led through a copse of evergreens that had grown up around a small stream that ran down from the mountains. A handful of log cabins breathed smoke from their chimneys marking where the local woodcutters and trappers made their homes. A burly bearded man stared at them as they passed, rubbing his eyes and looking again before shaking his head and going back to chopping firewood.
As they neared the edge of the snow-blanketed wood the road became more and more untraveled. Soon they were simply trudging through snow and guessing where the road was.
Then suddenly, as they pushed through a particularly deep drift, Thordan simply vanished into the snow with a muffled yelp...
Muttering darkly to himself Thorgar draws his sword and uses a foot to kick away the snow in search of the rodent. He's probably just found a hole, but there are dark things this close to Irrisen..
Haaken advances gingerly towards Thordan's voice, using his quarterstaff as a probe to find the edge of the opening. "Remain calm, Thordan, we're coming!"
Raven jumps down in the hole with Thordan.
"Grab on." she says.
Once Thordan has latched on:
Raven spreads her wings majestically, and she takes off.
She flys up about 100' and then circles around. With the loud flapping of wings, she sets down next to the group and puts the little guy down.
"Don't say I never did anything for you." she says with a sly smile.
"Normally it hurts to fly like that. Former injury flares up when I try to ascend. It seemed to be ok this time." she says while stretching a bit.
"Here is one that fell out. Treasure it well."
As the pair land they find the others looking into the pit that had swallowed Thorgar.
It was just a sink hole. Nothing more than an embarrassing inconvenience to a man, but to the small ratkin, it had been a greater danger.
Thorgar stares up at the winged woman with the rat clinging onto her and thinks of owls. But he has to admit the feat is impressive, it must be wonderful to be able to fly, the number of times I wish I could have flown away...
"Are you two done arsing about?" he asks gruffly, "I am not in the mood to scrape up rat pancakes."
Thorgar stares up at the winged woman with the rat clinging onto her and thinks of owls. But he has to admit the feat is impressive, it must be wonderful to be able to fly, the number of times I wish I could have flown away...
"Are you two done arsing about?" he asks gruffly, "I am not in the mood to scrape up rat pancakes."
"We are all unhurt fortunately. Shall we press on?"
"Aye, like I said before there isn't so much daylight we can afford to waste it," Thorgar grumps, sheathing his sword and continueing to slog on through the snow.
"Names Thorgar by the way, don't want that spread around too much, not a criminal or anything, but I was a named man back in the day and I don't want to be remembered."
The snow thinned as the group made its way into the trees. The evergreens were close enough together that their canopy created an impressive barrier against the snow. In many places the ground was actually visible. The density of the trees also served to cut the wind, making the inside of the wood a welcome comfort after the sharp cold of the open road.
The comparative warmth had melted some of the snow and caused it to re-freeze at night, coating the trunks and many of the branches of the trees with veins of ice and creating impressive icicles.
As comfortable as it was, after a few minutes it also became quite dark. It took their eyes a few minutes to adjust after the bright white they had become used to. The daylight was all but blocked out here, and it was getting later in the day. Soon they were going to need to provide their own light.
The combination of the dying daylight, the shadows and the ice gave the wood an etherial feeling. The the branches above them sparkled faintly like they were made of stars.
The path was fairly clear, used frequently when the pass was open. It had obviously been at least a few months since it had seen anything more than a lone trapper travel it's length.
The wood is very quiet. You can make out every sound you and the others make very clearly.
You notice what Thorgar notices, plus you see what appears to be strands of gossamer strung between the branches in the upper levels of the trees. It's difficult to see because of the dim light, but your darkvision helps you see further than the others.
Thorgar draws his greatsword casting about the ice gilden gloom warily, and saying in a quiet voice,
"I do not like this, it is too quiet, forests are not this dead. I want to hear life before we camp, there is wrongness here. Any of you have light?"
"Unfortunately, no. I never had a reason to have a torch or similar."
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Thorgi! I can help.
Thordan draws out his scimitar and touch it while squeaking. The blade as if heated started to turn orange white and light rays began to shoot forth from the blade itself piercing the darkness.
Thordan stretch out his left hand and squeaks as the snowflakes around him shifted a little outlining an invisible force pulsated from him.
Thorgi! I can see in the darkness. My mama always asked me to catch rodents in the carrot field and by furry paws it is sure dark at night.
"Better, now let's move we'll want to make camp soon so look out for any likely shelter. I say we'll need a fire and a watch to, I don't suppose your magic'll last through the night will it rat?"
Thorgar shrugs,
"Be a mouse then, but be a mouse looking for shelter. I'd prefer to be as close to warm and dry as I can get come morning."
"Look and see." Haaken points to the gossamer threads stringing through the upper reaches of the canopy. It is a strange thing. Does anyone know the meaning?"