"Charitable of you, Damiano. A bit misplaced, I feel, since the Ice Witches are not known to release their slaves easily. I don't care one way or another, honestly."
Dom shrugs, having no strong feelings about the creature's fate. "Sad that these fairies have bound themselves to their icy masters. I'd just as soon set them free, but then they would attack us again. They're pawns, like the bandits were."
Dom returns his attentions to the security of their building. "Let's rest and recover through the night, and return the following day."
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Tacey stabs the thing to be done with it.
Nasty witch-ness en't somethin' I'd wish on anyone.
Tacey ends the nasty little thing and you rest peacefully, regaining your strength. Where to next?
Glad for the rest, Dom recovers from some of his wounds.
He also makes sure to gather Lady Argenta's jewels and signet ring, and returns them to the Lady.
"Alright, we've got a long trip ahead. Everyone make sure they've got what they need. We'll escort Lady Argenta back to Heldren and tell them what we've learned of the threats we face. If we're lucky, by the time we're back, the town smith will have managed to forge some more cold iron, and I'll have proper use of my falcata again." He looks upon his tiny sword with a measure of disappointment.
"O' equal concern ta mees, is tha blue creature that lurks. If tha is brings the cold weea should deal wit dem. Wees wanna stop the winter commin, til it's proper time." Eianar replies to Dom, his face worried that the natural order of things has been disturbed.
"Tha an some of us are still quite weak from tha priest an his killing presence. I as some o Gozreh's healing, ayes can asks fur 3 blessings tday, taint much but will 'elp. But if ayes does tha, all me blessing fur tha day is gone." He states matter of factly, though there is concern in his voice he won't be much use in a fight without his magic. "Soos, ayes be still weak from de fight, who else is still 'urting." He asks his companions.
"Injuries are easily enough repaired. Come over here, I will fix you up, Einar."
Erland touches the druid and cures him of HP (Healing Hex used)
"Anyone else hurt? Lady?"
"Yes, still a bit bruised I am afraid. But we should make haste. Or else I'll take my chances getting back by myself if you would rather investigate this threat further. Oh, and do keep these baubles for yourselves. They are of little worth compared to my ransom and although some of you are a little uncouth you seem to be a capable enough set of heroes. You deserve your prize."
"Okay, then. Speak up in the future, if you're in pain. I have magic, but am not a mind reader, Lady."
Erland cures the (annoying) noble of HP from healing hex.
-Posted with Wayfinder
- Domitian
- Ingrit
- Damiano
"All right, ya lot! Like I told Your Worshipfulness over here, if you're hurt, speak up! I can patch you up, easy enough, if I know you're hurt. If you stay quiet, I can't do much for ya!"
Erland lays his hands on the members of the team, scolding them as he does.
"Wees 'ave ta come back 'ere soon, once wees done taking tha Lady ome." grumbles Eianar. "Les go soon." ..
.. "Tanks Erland, makes us feels lots bettr"
"Thank you, Erland. Your healing gifts are truly astounding! Okay, can we get the horses prepped for cold weather travel? That'll help us move quickly back to Heldren. Perhaps we'll have time to return here before nightfall."
"Thanks Einar." Ingrit says quietly as she considers how best to prepare the horses for the journey.
The horses will be fine as long as you keep moving. You return back to Heldren without incident and with the lady, being hailed as heroes.
The councilors listen to your story with great concern and beseech you to go investigate the wintry threat more. Lady Argentea will go to summon reinforcements. She hints that there may be some honorific titles in this for you. Elder Safander can take care of your remaining wounds, while the cold iron weapons you ordered are ready and Dom's falcata returns to its proper sixe.
Tacey awkwardly hides and shifts her feet during all the conferencing, waiting to get back out into the countryside. Once the party has left the council she is a touch more talkative, however.
Seems our best shot's looking for that portal, hey? The one the fairy mentioned?
"Nah, jus tha, but riddin tha land o' any ice creatures this side. Winter an its slaves mus be sent bac ta winter, all int s'right place." Eianar reminds Tacey and the others.
I seriously doubt that the creature brought winter with it. If it were capable of that, that powerful, we wouldn't have the slightest chance of killing something like that. The idea that the portal is responsible for the weather makes more sense to me." Ingrit says after a few minutes of consideration.
If there is such a creature we have the best chance of finding it by finding the portal anyway.
"I think Tacey is correct. If we find the source of this unnatural cold, we should be able to locate the creatures as well. In a worst case scenario, if we get the cold away, summer's heat will drive the icy foes on its own."
Nobody in Heldren has a CLW Wand for sale, but you could send for one if you think you can spare the time. Do you want to wait or to set off as soon as possible?
"We don't know where the portal is, but we do know there's a troll and witch guarding a bridge to . . . something. I'd say our next step is to confront them to get some answers."
* * *
Although Dom's falcata returns to normal size, Dom still seems to be a little concerned about its reliability. Learning that the cold-iron falcata was now ready, Dom decides to sell his old blade, which helps slightly in covering the cost of the new blade.
He's also interested in buying some tents or something to help them should they need to sleep outdoors.
Tacey goes and sells her old armor, and buys some cold-weather gear.
"Aye, e'en tho wees gonna find it 'ard wit nah proper curing magic, ayes tink wees gotta gah an find the portal quick like. Wees can doos our shoppin when wees get back or wherever tha portal leads us." Eianar says, hoping that by being quick they can remove the threats, before it gets even stronger. "Sees if deys got some scripts of healing words." he suggests as he points towards the local holy place.
"As Eianar suggests, let's see if we can arrange to have a healing wand brought to this town. We have funds enough for it, after selling the items we've claimed. But in the meantime, we should return to the lodge and confront the troll and witch in the vicinity."
"Yes, a wand of curing will be most useful. As to the weather, perhaps some standard outdoors equipment will suffice. The cold doesn't really affect me very much, but I know how unpleasant it can be for most folks."
I aggree we could risk go see this portal. But a troll is not an adversary to make light of. I am afraid we should be as prepared as possible before facing him
"Fire and arrows, seems like we should have plenty of those. None of us want to go toe-to-toe with a creature like that. But burning it from afar and plugging it with arrows or bolts seems like a grand ifea."
"Sounds as good a plan as any." Ingrit says with a shrug
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Makes sense I guess.
"If wees needs fire, le's go buy some." Eianar says agreeing to the plan, "Can we each ta'e two or tree o dem alchemy fires, should do tha trick."
"If not, I can brew up some on my own. We do have several each, now, at the least."
It so happens that Tessarea Willowbark is just as afraid of trolls as you and has brewed a sizeable stash of alchemist's fire, so go ahead and buy as many as you like. Are you then ready to set out?
"Ayes take tree o dem chemy fires me loverly and a five o flasks o oil, afore aye goes. Tank yous very much Tessarea," he says as he hands over 60 gold pieces and a few silver.
"A sound investment, my good Einar. I hope we do not need to use them all."
Erland has a new backpack, stuffed and strapped with winter gear, as well as a bunch of cordage and some thin wooden slats.
"Maybe someone good at crating can help me with snowshoes. They didn't have any made and ready, but with these materials it should be workable to fashion some."
Ohoho, don' look at me. Dad always said "orcs melt snow with the blood of their foes." O' course, he was about as much of a raiding savage as your cat, so what did he know?
Tacey shakes her head to stave off her tangential tendencies.
If you're worried 'bout gettin' yer feet wet, maybe we oughta build you a sled?
"Wet feet don't bother me so much as falling through a 10 foot snowdrift. Moving across deep snow ain't easy, ya know."
While Tacey speaks, Fiske winds his way through Erland's legs and meows at the statement that cats aren't savage raiding killing machines.
Ingrit purchases a couple more bottles of alchemists fire herself in preparation for facing the troll.
Dom purchases a large tent (holds up to 4 people) and 4 winter blankets, to help his allies or other people they encounter to stay warm. He also buys some firewood.
"Everyone have what they need?"
"Ready ta face tha winter agin" Eianar says stoically
I am ready too
"I'm good."
What's your marching order? I take it you are still traveling by foot?
"Out into the snow, now. Let's go find some giant ice monsters and poke 'em, eh?"