Upon waking up the magus checks again if everyone is safe then quickly falls back on his blanket. "I can't imagine what was in our heads. Taking out the whole army of the fey and closing the portal. Look at us, barely standing on our own legs, freezing here in this land forsaken by gods.
Hearing the sounds outside, Easlis yelled from inside the igloo making no attempt to get out and be caught off guard while squeezing through the very tight entrance: "Came to finish us up, have you? You blasted feys! "
[ooc]0 level spells: Detect magic, Brand, Light, Spark
Waking in the morning, Porablum drank her potion to heal some of her wounds, then used some of her magic to heal Hjorleaf and Brominate somewhat.
At the sound of the horse, Porablum whispers, "What kind of fey do you think rides a horse?"
a deep, booming, but somewhat scratchy voice replies to Easlis in common:
Who is there? More agents of the witches or citizens of the South? if you are with the witches prepare to fight. if not, please come out so we may speak
Porablum, curious, begins moving towards the exit to the igloo, talking as she goes. "Well, we don't know about any witches, but we do know that we were helping the nearby Taldan village of Heldren. Also, it's really not supposed to be winter right now, because yesterday I was walking down a sunny road with no snow but then I started chasing a butterfly and somehow ended up in the snow and I don't know what happened. Do you know how it started snowing in summer, mister?"
Brominate listens very closely at the patterns of the creature's speech, trying to detect its sincerity or a lack thereof.
As he comes to...Hjorleaf looks around as the smile on his face fades.
Sitting up very quickly he looks for his weapon and the troll...the big human calms slighlty when he see his current situation.
*In Skald*No, no, nononooo...damn. The mead..it was glorious, the boar was huge...I mean there was meat for days. Fights all over the place. The maids...oh man I will miss the maids...one day.
He starts to stand and sees that he will not be able to make it to his full height inside the igloo. He instead looks at his companions.
It seems I am not yet for that journey. Today was not my day to die.
Thank you little Nisse.
He nods at Porablum when she heals him.
Hearing the others talking to someone outside, Hjorleaf grips his ax and looks around the igloo.
Did anyone happen to pick up my throwing axes?
Upon hearing the response from outside Easlis's ears perked up and his mood and composure changed completely. "Witches?" His attention was drawn to Poramblum for a second who was just finishing casting her healing spell. He kept staring at her questioningly, trying to piece together the events from the past days. Could it be?
"Hjorleaf, you crazy Ulfren! What were you thinking trying to take down a troll in hand to hand combat? Seeing that he's preparing to fight, Easlis continued: "Oh, so you wish to see the maids one more time? We're not in the best position for a fight. Anyway, glad to see you're back to your old self."
Hjorleaf frowns at Easlis as he continues to look around for his weapons.
What was I thinking...I do not know, umm...maybe kill the f~~~ing thing...
He turns his body to face the half elf fully.
...what else do you think I was trying to do?...sneaking off to share some alone time. No, I was trying to f@@@ing kill it before it killed us. If you have not notice it is a little hard to see out there. Up close and personal was the best option.
He shakes his head still gripping his ax and once again looks around for his weapons.
Just because we are not in the best position for a fight does not mean you do not prepare yourself for a fight. Where are my throwing axes...?
Porablum peers out of the igloo. there is a massive black stallion standing just 10 feet from the entrance. on top of it is a large man, his features hidden by heavy play armor, and a full helm with ram's horns. all of the metal is blackened.
It is fortunate I have found you, and not more of the queen's minions. A band of the south, fighting against the winter... I think fate has smiled on me. I need your help. there is much to discuss and... so very little time... I do indeed know how this winter was brought on your land. more importantly, I know how to fix it.
"Really? That's great, mister knight, sir. There are a lot of animals here who don't really know how to survive in snow, so fixing it would be great. How can we help you fix it? Oh, and what's your name? Mine's Porablum Flapzit."
The gnome emerges from the igloo as she asks, stumbling a bit in the still-deep snow. The knight is incredibly intimidating, but he didn't seem hostile, so it should be alright to come out and talk to him.
In Skald: "Don't worry. There'll be chance enough to get there later, I imagine. Seems there always is."
"I didn't go looking for your axes, no, but I found these while retrieving arrows. Want them?" Grimgisli holds up the throwing axes in question.
In Taldane: "Well, let's go meet our new companion, or enemy, or whatever he proves himself to be." And in the direction of the person outside the igloo "And why do you assume we have to either be with the fae or from the South?"
Brominate scuttles out after Porablum.
the rider gazes down from his horse at Porablum.
My name. people don't often ask me for that anymore... with that, the armor and cloak around the intimidating rider seem to fade, or maybe melt off of him. it is obvious now that the armor was at least partially illusory. in the place of a scary black rider is an old man with a bald head and whispy white beard. he continues by saying:
Once, I was called Illarion Matveius. Now I am known in most places as Black Midnight. I am Baba Yaga's black rider, one of three harbingers of the Witch Queen's return.
The man lowers himself from his horse, obviously in pain. he barely stays on his feet as he hits the ground. Seconds later the horse vanishes much like the armor.
He looks towards Grim.
My friend, I do not believe you understand the full extent of what is going on here. a war has been started, one that many still do not realize is coming. this land is being invaded by the witches and their Fey allies. you are standing on their beachhead as it were. any person standing here right now must either be a soldier in their army, or must have killed many such soldiers and prevailed.
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"Doesn't mean we're Southerners, though." Grimgisli looks insulted by the thought.
Crawling out of the igloo and standing up, Hjorleaf looks amused as Grimgisli speaks.
Oh did you not know...all us southerns look alike.
Looking around the area.
Looks like we are in the right spot then. This being the beachhead and all. Close the portal and be done with it.
"Nice to meet you, Illarion. You look like you're hurt. If you'd like, I could try to heal some of your wounds. Can you help us close the portal? Who are the witches?"
My apologies young man, I meant no disrespect. it was a more polite way of saying 'not of Irrisen'. the word the fey would normally use is much less... flattering. but we are short on time, we should focus on the issue at hand.
He nods to Porablum
Yes, my lady. closing the portal is important. he coughs painfully. My time is short, and there is much to explain. your magic cannot heal what has been done to me. a shard of ice has been pressed into my heart. for a fey, this will transform me into a winter-touched, completely under the control of the witch who created the ice. i must see my mission completed before that happens.
I am sorry, this must be confusing. let me try to fill in some details. as i said i am one of three heralds of Baba Yaga. she is the mother of all witches on Golarion, the first ruler of Irrisen, and one of the most powerful beings in the world. when she captured Irrisen, she placed one of her daughters on the throne. every 100 years since, she has returned from her travels to replace the seated queen with another one of her daughters. each time she returns, the three riders herald her coming.
This time, something went wrong. We have come to do our part, but Baba Yaga is overdue. that has never happened before. the current queen, Elvana is resisting. she has done something to prevent Baba Yaga from removing her from the throne. now she is hunting the riders. she may have killed my brother and sister already, and i am as good as dead already.
but you're wondering what this has to do with you and this portal. Irrisen is a land of eternal winter. it never stops snowing there. Elvana has decided it is time to expand her borders. this is not the only portal in Golarion. they have opened in every region. forces of the witches are establishing footholds to expand Irrisen's influence and bring all the world into an eternal winter.
you can close this portal, but it will not end the threat. Elvana must be stopped. Baba Yaga must be found, as she is the only one powerful enough to stop her out of control daughter
Walking around in circles the half-elf clearly seems agitated but had not interrupted the old man until he finished telling his story.
"I am not liking what I'm hearing. Like it's not bad enough that we're having to fight through the worst the fey have to offer, now you're telling us all is in vain? Why should we trust you? How do we know if Baba Yaga is not behind all of this or if you are really working for her and not changed allegiances?"
Grimgisli looks to Hjorleaf. In Skald: "Been a long time since I was home. Not sure I'm ready to go back. Doesn't sound like we have much choice, though, does it?"
in Skald: We go home and take care of business. Then drink and eat and...well the maidens...will be very happy to see us. How can you not be ready for that...Come let us get this over with.
"Oh, no, portals everywhere? But there are so many animals and plants that don't know how to deal with snow! The cold temperatures could kill them! Doesn't this Elvanna lady know that? This is terrible for so many creatures. Guys, we have to do something about this! It's so much more important than just Heldren. You'll help me fix this, right?" Porablum looked to the taller people, the humans and the elf, a pleading look in her eyes.
"You bet, Plum. So, we close the portal from the other side? One way ticket to Irrisen? Well, why not! Heldren was growing boring anyway!"
With a reckless smirk, Brominate heads back towards the cave he had discovered yesterday. He calls back over his shoulder,
"By the by, there's a cave over here with a couple bearskin rugs and other potential treasures. The rugs would be great to keep out the cold! Thank you, old man, for your aid!"
Brominate would stop by the corpse of the troll to see if he might find a key.
The rider tries to respond to all of you together
the little one is right, this is much larger than one town. many lives are in danger.
This portal is indeed being held from the other side. pass through and disrupt the focus of the spell and this one portal will close. but there are many others, and nothing keeping the witches from opening a new one in this same place.
To Grim he says: There is always a choice. you can go home and try to defend it against the fey. you coud surrender and fight for your invaders. or you can listen to my plan and aid in ending Elvana's scheme.
"you are right, you have no reason to trust me blindly. unfortunately there is no one else here willing to answer your questions. and no, i do not believe it is in vain. Baba Yaga is a crafty woman, and she always had a backup plan. if something went wrong, the three riders were meant to meet her in a hidden fortress known as Artrosia. it is a very remote and well guarded keep.
Baba Yaga has a special method of travelling large distances. she has a hut that stands on chicken legs, and can travel between worlds. unfortunately, Queen Elvana has captured this hut, and has it chained and on display in her capital of Whitethrone.
If you are willing to help me, here is what must be done. you must travel to Whitethrone, steal the Dancing Hut, and escape with it to Artrosia. there you may meet my brother and sister, or possibly even Baba Yaga herself. then perhaps you will find a way to stop this eternal winter.
The hut will open for any of Baba Yaga's riders. unfortunately, I am no longer fit to be one, as this shard of ice will soon corrupt my mind. I will pass my mantle on to you. if one of you wears my cloak, they should be able to enter the hut. it will mean my death, but I believe my time is through.
I know it is not much to go on, but it is the best I can offer.
Porablum listened to Illarion tell her what needed to be done, with her eyes wide as saucers. It was so amazing and fantastical, what he described. A hut on chicken legs that could travel to other worlds? How incredible! Desna had surely blessed her with these abilities for just this moment. Still, this was going to be very dangerous. They would have to be really careful not to get hurt too badly. But it was worth it - after all, the fate of the world was at stake!
Once he finished, Porablum said, "If that's the best we've got, then that's what we'll do. We're ready. Right, guys?"
Porablum looks at the others, a questioning look on her face.
Easlis seemed frozen in place, his eyes unfocused staring at the forest around them as his mind seemed preoccupied with some deep thoughts.
"I have not seen Irrisen for such a long time. It's a shame to hear that it has become such a dangerous place. I... am ready. We'll do want we must to see that all the portals are closed but if you want a quick escape out of your misery you'd better do it fighting for what you believe."
Not wanting to leave Brominate alone Easlis follows him heading towards the cave but after a couple of feet, he stops and turns around. "I have one more question: in our way here we stumbled upon a house that looks just like the Dancing Hut. It was inhabited by an evil doll. Know anything about it?"
Easlis would listen to the response and would hurry to catch up the rogue. Once out of earshot: "Why am I feeling we're being dragged into something completely over our heads. All of this seems so unreal. The veiled knight, Baba Yaga being pushed around by the current queen, us trying to steal a bloody house on chicken legs from under her nose! And, on top of that, the Porablum girl starts speaking in riddles during the battle. Do you think she could be a witch?"
What else comes with the mantle? Will be forever in her service once one of us places it across our shoulders?
Hjorleaf seems concerned with the offered cloak.
the old man seems unconcerned as two of the 5 people wander off during the discussion. before Easlis walks away, the man answers him
Yes, that is a Watchful Hut. a sentry of sorts set by the witches all along the Irrisen border. if you passed one on this side of the portal, it means they have claimed this land as an extension of Irrisen. they have already become more than a scouting force, they seek to lay claim to this land.
To Hjorleaf the man says
You will not be held in service by this action. I made a choice to serve baba Yaga and was anointed by the Great Witch herself. that ceremony bound me to this role which I will only be free of in my own death. but without Baba Yaga's blessing, the cloak will not have the same power. it will grant you some small powers and will allow you to take on the appearance of the Black Rider which may open doors for you with the Great Witch's allies. But it will not be binding to you, and could even be passed between willing members of your party as situations warrant.
Should you be successful in helping Baba Yaga remove her rebellious daughter, she may be willing to make one of you the next Black Midnight, as that post will be vacant... but that will be your choice if offered.
The hunter shrugs. "If one of us needs to have it, then one of us should take it. I don't care who. I will wear it if no one wants it, or let it pass if someone else does."
What the hell...I can always use another cloak.
he turns to the others.
So are we going to do this then?
"Of course we are! It's important that we do it in order to save animals and people and the whole world. This must be the reason Desna blessed me with the powers she did."
Porablum is clearly all gung ho about doing this to save the world.
"I don't. No. ...I don' know. That seems to be the only thing I'm certain of, last few days. There is so much we don't know. As far as 'Plum', I mean.. if she's a witch, so what? She ain't 'Team Elvana,' which makes her alright with me. I doubt she's a spy. I doubt she's got a dishonest bone in her body."
He gestures towards the crates and barrels.
"See what's in them there, while I see if this handy key I found on the dead and dandy troll's corpse fits this chest."
He tosses the key playfully in the air, catches it, and attempts to use the key.
He offhandedly adds, "Hey 'Ease', you think these bear-rugs would come in handy?"
"Yes, it's unlikely that Elvana had sent someone to infiltrate into our ranks. She had faced the troll after all and provided healing..." Easlis replied somewhat unsure on his assumptions but unwilling to fully let go of them.
He starts checking the crates for anything that would be of use in their journey pausing from time to time to check on Brominate which seemed to be in a jovial mood. Assuming that their original owner was likely killed, he handles the containers roughly.
"Not for their original purpose, but they could be the base for some warm coats if we manage to find a tanner. It would give the Ulfen something to do on our way to Irissen. "
With that settled, and the team needing to be getting on their way . . .. "Anybody know what those two are doing?"
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Hjorleaf does not miss a beat and responds with disdain in his voice.
...if current events are any indication...one is off on his own and will show up at the end.
He turns to look in the direction they went.
...and the other...trying to get him to see the error of his ways.
the cave that Brominate and Easlis have moved to contains enough foodstuffs to feed 2 or 3 people for a month. much of it looks like it may have come from livestock and crops taken from Heldren or the surrounding area, but at least half of it is rations likely brought over from the other side fo the portal.
the key Brominate found does indeed fit the lock, which opens easily. the chest contains:
4 potions
4 blue quartz gems
a variety of gems an jewelry worth a total of 1650 gp
2,757 gp in loose coin
_________________________
Meanwhile at the igloo
the old man nods as the group agrees to attempt the quest he has laid out for them.
I hope that our meeting was indeed fated, and that you will be able to succeed where I have failed. be on your guard, you are entering a land full of intrigue and magic. the mantle of the black rider will open some doors, but will firmly shut others. be careful who you reveal yourselves to.
With that, he removes the cloak from his shoulders, speaks a few words in a rhyming cadence in Sylvan, then passes the cloak to Porablum.
Your enthusiasm will serve you well, my lady. try not to lose it in the troubles ahead of you.
once he no longer holds the cloak, the man looks even weaker than he did before. he gasps in pain, and blood can now be seen running from a deep wound in his chest, stainign his shirt. blood trickles from his mouth. he pulls a bag close to himself and dumps it out. inside was a thick braid of white-blond hair and a plaque mask. Take these with you. you'll need them....in the hut.... then the light fades from his eyes and he dies.
Porablum reaches out and closes Illarion's eyes, saying a benison, "May Desna grant you safe journey to your final rest."
Holding up the far too large cloak, she looks at Hjorleaf and says, "It looks pretty warm. We should probably give it to one of the guys who doesn't have a proper cloak."
Brominate enlists Easlis' helps to haul the loot back towards the party. He hides nothing and keeps nothing for himself.
"Some potions; don' know what kind, though. Some money, though I'm unsure how much use it'll be to us in irresen. Are we likely to find anyone there who won' want to kill us right off?"
"If we disguise ourselves well enough, maybe. I'm sure there are merchants who will sell to anyone, too." Frowning at the potions, she says, "I don't really know how to identify magic items. Do any of you?"
Returning to the group and seeing the hooded man dead, Easlis looks surprised, eye wide, at the corpse then at Porablum who was holding his cape. After a couple of seconds of silence he speaks in the Common tongue : "I've only been gone for a couple of minutes and you've already guided the knight to the other side. We found some food supplies in a cave not far from here we should stock on some provisions before we head out. Let me see those potions. "
Watching as the man gives his cloak away, Hjorleaf stands still as he is not sure what will happen next. Seeing him get weaker brings the large man right up to the side of Illarion and allows him to lean against his side.
You do not go into the afterlife alone. Know that you were armed for that journey. Your rewards are there waiting for you.
He lowers him down as the man gets weaker and weaker. Hjorlef pulls forth a dagger and places it in Illarion's hand.
As the last words are spoken and just before the life leaves his body.
May your horn be always full, your plate never empty and your bed ever warm.
He lays him down and watches as Portablum comes forward.
He looks at Grimgisli
Let us not count a merchants. We may find some we may not. We should stock up on what supplies we have right here and now before leaving.
"Hjorleaf has the way of it. It seems we are to prepare for a trek across hostile lands. There will be friendly people, but the land itself will not be.
Take what we need, what we can use, not what we think we will be able to trade. What you need will be heavier than you want, anyway." He moves towards the supply cache and helps the others go through and pick out what to take or leave.
The food, obviously. Furs enough to cover the need for warmth. He will recommend taking the gems and jewelry, but won't argue either way if others start taking the coin.
Easlis easily identifies the potions as all the same thing: potions of Feather Step.
the group rifles through the supplies in the cave, taking what they think they can carry and leaving some behind.
in a rare respite, the snow lessens slightly, though it is still falling at a steady pace. through the snow, you can now see the portal you have been working to reach. two rows of massive icicles surround a swirling vortex. snow is blowing out of the vortex into the clearing, and through the center of the spinning circle you see more snow-covered land, but it appears to be a completely different place.
Porablum looks around, then shrugs and puts on Illarion’s cloak before going to search the troll with Grimgisli.
Hjorleaf watches as Grimgisli heads to the cave and then turns to Porablum.
Illarion gave you the cloak...it would appear that he wanted you to have it.
With that said he moves to the troll and starts to remove items of note from the corpse.
As final preparations are nearly done, Brominate speaks up,
"That was, uh, actually, really beautiful, Hjorleaf; what you did and said for the old man. Thank you. ... I don't really know why I'm thanking you, but it stands all the same. Good to know there's a kind soul within that foul-mouthed body of yours." With a wink, he turns and addresses the party, "Gonna make sure there's no more trolls or scary horsemen servants, or bandits, or flying faeries or sentient snaggle-toothed boots from planet Yantri, waiting to kill us. Easlis take these scrolls, please. I can't use them. I was told this one is for Endure Elements, which will surely continue to come in handy, and I think the other two are...I dunno. I think they make weapons magical or something, briefly... Thanks. Alrighty, be back soon. Or dead. Life sure is full of surprises, innit?"
the troll's body has a small pouch holding 48 gold and a small mirror. he is also carrying a magical large boar spear.
the spear instantly resizes to the appropriate size for you to use
nothing else is moving by the portal. you can see that it is clearly a doorway into another location, and the way looks clear as far as you can see looking through the doorway.
after the conversation with the Rider, Bazikian finally speaks up.
This has all been a bit more than we expected hasn't it? I am terribly sorry, but I just don't think I can continue on with you. travelling all the way to Irrisen in order to aid an incredibly evil witch who's family wants to rule the world? count me out