Though reluctant to interact with the young boy at first, in fear of not alerting the rest of the village, the half-elf subsided and told him a story of his travels in the south and even showed him a few magic tricks before excusing himself.
Paying no heed to the actions of the others Easlis repeats the incantation of some of the spells from his spellbook.
Before going to bed he assured\s that all the windows and the door have been locked and that the sword, as well as the newly acquired bow, were by his side.
"I don't know. Not going to break a mother's heart until I do. Neither should you."
I know better than to not tell the truth to a woman...especially any Ulfen women. They will find out one way or another. But...We do not know if what we know is true or not. Until we know for certain...we should just keep quiet about it.
The group talks among themselves and decides now is not the time to speak of any theories of possible misfortune that could have befallen the girl. they enjoy a nice meal with NAdya and her son, and find blankets already set up for them to sleep the night.
the morning dawns cold, but clear. it does not look like another storm is coming today.
do you start towards the tower now, or is there other work to be done first?
the group heads out on foot, making use of a new batch of snowshoes. they are odd to use at first, but within the first hour everyone has figured out how to make a decent pace using the new tools.
as midday approaches, Grim spots a group of people coming down the road riding dogsleds, heading in the direction of the town of Waldsby. they are far enough away still that Grim doesn't think the party has been spotted.
you manage a bit of a look at the group and see that they are all wearing a matching uniform. they also seem to be armored, but it is hard to tell with the bulky jackets they are wearing. they seem to be military of some sort.
Brominate is still stressing too much over Nadya's daughter, not to mention his own, to think too much about figures in the distance.
Porablum squints into the distance at the marching figures, then says, "Those people look like they might be some sort of military group - their coats all seem to match. They look like they might be wearing armor underneath, too, but it's hard to tell because of the coats. They do look unusually bulky. Should we try to hide from them?"
"Yes, hide." Grimgisli will attempt to obscure their snowshoe tracks before hiding himself.
Brominate practically fades into the snow itself
Porablum attempts to hide, following Grim's instructions.
She remembers to take her bright hat off so it doesn't completely give her away.
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"Hide? What for?" Easlis shouted over the noise made by the wind. The magus reluctantly took a couple of clumsy steps from the main road not bothering to cover the footprints nor the dead tree branches on which he just stepped on.
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Hearing the words, Hjorleaf does not argue but does what is sensible and hides as best as he can.
His big frame is just to much to hide with. He tries to duck down behind some trees.
as the sleds approach, several of the guards spot Hjorleaf and Easlis.
the man in the front of the caravan holds up a fist and the sleds slow to a stop. the man calls out to you in a forceful voice
You there! show yourselves and give your names. and you hiding behind them, I see you too! why are you hiding from a Pale Tower sergeant?
the 5 men behind the speaker step off of their sleds and hold longbows at the ready
Easlis comes out of the forest with his hands up high, twigs snapping under his feet as he makes his way calmy towards the archers. He smiles mischievously and whispers to Hjorleaf "Remember what I said before we got in the sled? Let's just hope it doesn't come to that."
He speaks in Skald to the sergeant:
"Oh, so you were from the Pale tower? You'll have to excuse us, the land around here seem to be awfully dangerous. If you come from the Pale tower you should know Mierul, blue skin, two horns, can't miss her."
Porablum doesn't understand what the man is saying, but he obviously saw at least some of them, so she decides to take the approach of shyly hiding behind Hjorleaf, like a child scared by a stranger.
Brominate emerges from the snow, and joins Porablum, as if he were going to comfort her. However, he then actually kneels before her.
"Black Rider's cloak. Put it on." he whispers quickly.
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Who is hiding.
in Skald
All of you come out from behind there, now! what are you doing on this road? We are looking for a very dangerous fugitive, and anyone who may be connected to him. keep acting so defensive and I just might have reason to assume you're all in league with him and kill you right here.
"Maybe we would have been less inclined to be so defensively if your men would stop pointing the arrows in our direction." Easlis protested while continuing to narrow the distance between the Pale tower militia and him. "As mentioned earlier we stumbled upon Mierul, not long ago. Do you think we would be having this conversation if she thought we were in league with your fugitive?!
As a matter of fact, we're actually going in the direction of the Pale Tower. And if the man you speak of is so dangerous as to need so many of you to apprehend him I begin to question if we don't need an escort. What do you think master Hjorleaf?"
Hjorleaf stands a little taller as his name is mentioned, stalks determinedly towards the half elf. Wanting to scream at the magus for his mistake, it is obvious that he is very upset with what the southerner said.
...and there goes any chance of getting out of this alive. F$&@ing stupid southerner. Go back home with your damn dress...Why would you say any of our names...YOU STUPID F@@@!!!!
He decides to try a route that may work but he fears the damage is done.
For a released thrall you are still unsure of yourself. Do not stand on the merits of others. Do not drop their names in hopes of making yourself seem more important. She has important business to do and she would not like it that your presume to use her name for your benefit.
He walks off towards the group but only a few steps. Making himself a large target for the archers in hopes that the others would be spared the first wave of arrows. They then can flee or avenge his death.
I do not presume to tell you what to do as it is not my right but your men are being very aggressive and I would not like it at all if a misunderstanding caused an arrow or...five to be prematurely released. It is cold and hands start to get stiff...misunderstandings can be fatal.
The large man keeps his axe down low but the blade does not touch the ground. It instead sits on top of his snowshoe encased boot waiting to be put to use if he should survive this encounter.
I lived a good life and if this is how it should end...so be it. I will make sure to curse that f+~*ing half elf all the way to my reward.
Brominate rises slowly, hands straight up in the air. He carefully approaches until he stands next to Hjorleaf. He speaks loud enough so all could easily hear him.
in *Skald*
"There's no use trying to get around it, Racra. I am called Goodbrandt. This man next to me is Racra Hjorleaf. The talkative half-elf is Pimren. We were on special assignment for the Queen. I apologize for the deceit. The Queen has many enemies. However, our handler awaits us at the Pale Tower, for our report. We do not wish to keep you from your duty, nor do we wish to be late. For our sakes, and of course, the sakes of you and your men, may we pass?"
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in Skald:
We do indeed know of Mierul. in fact she reported that she encountered a suspicious group of foreigners who's stories didn't add up. But I see now that she didn't inquire deeply enough and had no idea you might be in Elvanna's employ. I apologize for troubling you, but I'm sure you understand we can't be too careful in these times.
with that he waves his men down and they stow their weapons.
assuming that no one in the group intervenes at this point, the man gives an informal salute and his men get back on their sleds and continue in the direction of Waldsby, leaving you free to continue your trek towards the Pale Tower.
Porablum exhales in relief as the soldiers march away. "Thank you, Brom. That could have gone much worse. Is everyone okay?"
After waiting for the militiamen to get out of earshot Easlis exclaims:
"That was a close call. Thank you Brominate. Wait till I get my hands on Mierul, she'll definitely see what suspicious behaviour looks like."
After the enemy moves along, Grim comes out of his hiding spot. "Amazing nobody got shot. Get moving before they double back."
"Agreed. Let's go."
"Oh. And Easlis? Try to refrain from opening your mouth too much when hostiles are present. No offence. I'd just rather not die today."
the group trudges forward through the snow once the soldiers pass out of view.
nothing else out of the ordinary happens during the trip, but you start to see just how cold it can be this far north. even now in the summer months the cold is relentless, and gives a taste of what could happen to Heldren if the portal is not closed.
up ahead you see the Pale Tower. the tower appears to be built entirely out of ice, and looks like a giant three-pronged icicle sticking up out of the ground. it is surrounded by a 20-foot tall smooth wall of ice with battlements built into the top of it. you can see there are several humanoid figures walking back and forth on top of the wall.
Gazing at the tall wall ahead of them and at the ice tower Easlis whistled in amazement.
"There is no way we would pass unnoticed if we get any closer during the daylight. As for climbing the wall, even with the grappling hook, it's still no easy feat. Maybe there is a way to reason with the guards... "
"Let's save that direct approach as a last resort."
Brominate stands and contemplates for a moment.
"I ain't too keen on it, but I figure we simply don't know enough. I could... carefully scout the perimeter and report back. But I also know it'll only get colder tonight. Whatever we decide, time is not on our side."
Porablum looks at the huge wall, then looks at the others and says, "Could we pretend that we're here to deliver supplies to the Tower to get past?"
"You think they're likely to believe that it takes five people to deliver supplies? Also, what supplies? We don't have enough of anything ."
"We could.......surrender."
"Y'know, just to get inside. Or pledge our 'undying loyalty' to the Elvanna or whoever. Or!!" Brominate kneels down to be at Porablum's height,
"what about this?"
He holds the trim of the Black Rider's cloak in his hands.
"The cloak marks us as her enemies, I believe. Either we justify trying to have an audience, or we have to sneak in. Too many guards to do that while it is light. Or we throw ourselves into wave after wave of her guards until we are all dead. It has the benefit of being both simple and quick, but I don't think it meets our goals."
Grimgisli has the right of it, we sneak in.
Porablum looks at the cloak, then looks at Easlis. "Easlis, can you tell if the cloak has any special powers that might help?"
"I doubt that it would present magical properties that would ensure our safe and stealthy transportation in the tower but let me give it a closer look."
He takes the corner of the cloak in his hand feeling the fabric.
"It would be very risky to reveal our trump card at this stage. They are searching for the rider and they know he is dangerous. There's no way to catch them off guard if we reveal the cloak or the fact that we can cast magic."
Easlis examines the cloak and finds that it is a unique item that has several powers woven together:
At will Alter self - to look like the black rider
Darkvision - 60ft
Cold aura - turn on/off as a free action, creatures within 5' take 1d6 cold damage at the start of their turn every round.
Grants a +4 armor bonus to AC as long as the Alter Self effect is active
Seeing a glimmer of light appearing on the cloak the half-elf smiles: "It should correct your vision. At least during the night." Easlis continues to examine the cloak and for a fraction of a second it changes its colour and Easlis jumps back unnerved. He examines his gloves and then with a serious voice he mutters "This is not it's true form. It is much more powerful, and very dangerous to those around you. I reckon you should have been able to handle the group we just encountered all by yourself. "
"If we're sneakin' in..." Brom starts rummaging through his pack, "those of us who are... stealth averse, might use these."
He describes the two potions he procures from his pack as being potions of invisibility and pass without trace.
"I also got a potion of spider climb that might prove useful for scaling that wall."
"So it won't turn us invisible, then. I'm not too good at sneaking. Plus this deep snow makes it really hard for me to move quickly. I have short legs, after all!"
Porablum considers a moment. "Hjorleaf, Easlis, you're both quicker than I am and better at getting into weapons reach in order to be effective. One of you two should wear the cloak to take advantage of its abilities."
Are you sure you want to part with such a valuable item? If so then I will take it for now...
But I like my cloak. I don't agree with the exchange. Easlis says jokingly. "Miss Blum, out of all of us here you are the last to be suspected of wielding this powerful artefact. And though I have thought differently at first, you would be the last to use it to further his own interests."
If we can find a blind spot, or at least a less guarded spot, of the wall, someone can use the spiderclimb potion and our various ropes so we can all climb over.
"If you think that would be the best route to take..." the half-elf clears the snow off a fallen tree and sits on it. He then takes off his backpack searches through it.
"Here's the rope and the grappling hook. I can help you with some mist if you'll give me time to rest awhile. I don't know about spiderclimb potion but seeing that wall, I could use some ale."