Having been in many storms, Berrin knows the very smell of the weather and feels it in a way that city residents can't understand. The blue sky stretches out before him, its sun brightly shining on the snow. The cold air presses against his cheeks, though Jemini's magic holds any discomfort away. It will slowly warm up, melting the snow, over the next day or two. There won't be any more snowfall or rain.
Zander smiles to the others at Verik's remark and replies, "Maybe you should stick to writing up laws Verik, we've got things covered out here. It looks like the worst of the storm is passed so we'd best set out and continue exploring while we've still got the weather on our side."
Moving to the cave mouth and beginning to take down the tent flaps, Zander replies, "I see no reason not to finish. It will be a little slow moving with the snow on the ground, but the clear weather will hold."
Berrin raises an eyebrow at Verik's questions but only shakes his head and heads inside to brush down Bessie. "It would be a waste not to finish maping this area since were here and theres nothing pressing us to hurry on." he says as he strokes the horse down.
"Don't doubt so much Verik - all three of our best nature survivalists agree that the bad weather front is gone for at least a couple of days. Well done boys!" Jemini examines the clouds herself and although she has the sense to see that there's no immediate threat of cold downpours, she's still baffled by this incredible insight into the nature of the environment that Berrin, Taisper and Zander display.
After stretching a bit and enjoying the early morning sun Jemini spends enough time in contemplation to regain her magic - and casts one more endure elements on Verik. "Now don't say no - this will help you feel more comfortable and (all considered) also more civilized. And trust me, we like you best when you are not feeling miserable," she adds with a smirk.
Jemini grins at Verik's response, and adds, "Well, that just adds incentive for us to get some blankets for them next time we are at Oleg's."
She takes a second look at Wildflower, then asks with concern, "Do we have food reserves for the horses? With the snow and being cooped up in the cave there hasn't been much for them to eat. And this snow doesn't look like it will clear up all that fast."
"The snow should clear in the next day or two." Berrin replies. "And, no. We don't have any feed for them. I must admitt I have little experience with animal handling or riding so I don't know how they'll fare if the feed grows low for them."
'If we cannot feed them well, riding them will make them ragged. whcih mosdt animals never really recover from. If it looks like they'll start going hungry we'll have to stop riding them, and that will slow us down more. So let's get these mountains mapped and head down to lower climes, I'd suggest splitting up and some of us taking the horses to safety, but the Stolen Lands are far too dangerous for us to do that.' Tandlara says as she pats Avansatra's nose with a gentle hand. The horses heavy breathes create small walls of steam in the frigid air, but Tandlara can barely feel it behind Jemini's magic.
Jemini nuzzles Wildflower, "Poor gi-- boy, we'll have to get you something nice soon." She looks to where the mountains recede into hills. "I would feel better if we don't push the horses to map the mountains before getting to some place with grass for them. They've not really eaten since our break for lunch yesterday."
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Verik looks guiltily back to Virtue, "I doubt a day without food can do any real harm, lets break out some of the dried fruit rubbish from a few days of trail rations so they have something to fill their bellies. Then we can have a couple of folks seek out game while the rest of us explore, or worse case scenario we can go without for a day or two before returning to Svetlana's cooking."
"hmmmm - okay, let's let the horses decide if they're happy with our trail rations. If they eat those, then we keep exploring - and we can let Svetlana know that her rations are even good enough to keep a horse going."
The horses gladly and ravenously eat the offerred rations, barely pausing between large bites. The mountain's sparse vegetation has done little for them. Berrin's horse looks at him accusingly, staring at him in an unnerving manner, until it gets its fill. The others happily scarf down the food, ready for further exploration.
"Somtimes I feel as if that horse is smarter than it lets on." Berrin mutters to Jemini as it eats. "I swear it's looking at me in a funny way."
"It might just be because Tandlara snuck a twig of fresh leaves into your hair that it is eyeing hungrily," Jemini suggests at Berrin. "Let's get this ride on the road! ...proverbially speaking..."
Tandlara is happy to see her horse fed, and smiles widely as the large white gelding eats joyfully. After the horses are fed and the party ready she mounts up with the rest.
'Another day of adventure! And snow. Hope we don't get horribly maimed by bears or yeti. I'd rather prefer to die horrifically in a cosier region.'
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Verik smiles, "You have endure elements, shouldn't that mean this qualifies as cosy? Personally I would prefer to die horrifically at about one hundred and seven, surrounded by grandchildren and friends - well no the grandchildren really should not see me die horribly, they can come in when I have been cleaned up a bit. Or perhaps it would be character building...? What is a yeti by the way? "
"At 107... - well given that you are eager to remain celibate until at least 30, it is safe to guess that your grandchildren would be around 50 to 60 years old. I'd hope that all the character building would be done by then. Or are you planning to marry an elf? Half-elven offspring might wait a bit longer, so could have quite young children aged 30 or so. Tandlara? How do you feel about, well, you and Verik?"
'Hmm.,' She ponders aloud. 'He has potential, certainly. Perhaps with some rigorous learning he would make a fine mate. It would have to be rigorous though,' she looks at Verik with a straight face and a look of calculating appraisal.
'Very rigorous.'
The snow-covered mountains, while beautiful, are not remarkably interesting for extended exploration. While Zander's map is frequently updated with the ravines and peaks, things are not particularly interesting.
Until they spot the procession below them from the top of a cliff.
Two dozen riders flank four central figures in two columns. The riders look to be skeletal humanoids in plate armor, long icicles coming down from every point. They ride atop horned beasts, undead and ice-covered equine creatures with massive icy horns. Each rider has a similar helm with long horns covered in icicles. In their hands, they hold vicious looking glaives out in formation, pointing outwards from the central figure. The sight is a true horror, like a scene out of a nightmare someone would have as they slowly freeze to death in a blizzard.
The sight of the terrible horsemen is nothing compared to the figures they escort.
The first is a huge satyr with the torso of a very muscular man. His massive horns emerge from a helm, curving around his head with razor-sharp points. In one behemoth hand, he wields a bow that appears as if it would take the strength of a titan to effectively use. Each of the arrows in his quiver looks as if it could pierce straight through a castle wall.
To his right, a giant with bluish-white skin and four muscular arms shakes the ground with each step. In each hand, he wields an axe larger than a man and sharp enough to fell any tree in Kyonin with a single chop. The pelt of some beast several times larger than a bear adorns his back, with a great beard and bronze helm covering his head.
To the left of the horned figure is a blue dragon, its wings proudly in the air. At least a wyrm, if its size is anything to go by, the dragon's scales seem to shift between black and blue. Its powerful muscles ripple as it walks, clearly arrogant in its power and "nobility".
The final of the four figures is small in comparison, but holds far more attention and terrible power. Clearly a member of the fey, she radiates power in a way that cannot be described in the terms of mortals. Beautiful and transfixing, the slight nymph with skin tinged more with blue than green commands the attention of the entire group. Moving with unearthly grace, the fey queen leaves not a trace of her passing. The very air appears frozen in her presence, as if afraid to grant any warmth or shelter in front of her.
The nymph holds out a hand and speaks to the entourage, in a terrible voice made of hundreds of other voices. "Winter must retreat, as it must every year, but this land will be ours soon. The icy grip will take hold." Her voice is as cold as the air, icy and devoid of feeling. When she drops her hand, the procession moves forward. They slowly slip from view, as if passing into a patch of mist unseen by the eye. After a minute, it is gone, and the six mortal adventurers let out a collective breath they did not know they were holding.
Image of Riders
Image of Frost Giant (Imagine +2 arms)
Image of Dragon (Imagine black/blue scales)
Image of Fey Queen
Jemini whispers, horror hoarse in her voice, "What have we just witnessed?"
Hearing Jemini's question, Zander realizes his mouth is still hanging open and closes it before responding in a dry whisper, "I... I have no idea. Maybe it had something to do with the Equinox tonight?"
Berrin stands transfixed as he watches the proceedings, unable to move a muscle in his awe his mind is compleatley blank as he is unable to tear his eyes away untill the procession disapears into the mist.
Stirring at Jemini's whisper Berrin shudders as he replies, suddenly cold to the bone despite Jemini's protective magic. "I eh.. I.. um.. I have no idea. Let's get out of here before they return." he finally manages. "Come on! Let's go!"
"Good plan Berrin. Let's get out of here." says Zander as he reins his horse into a turn next to Berrin's, sparing a last look back down at the snow-covered valley below with a shiver.
'I hope we don't run into that bunch anytime soon...'
Tandlara watches with rapt attention the scene unfolding below. A fey! A great one, I haven't seen such since I was a mere child. Will you know who my Patron is? Something stops her from calling out however, whether is the wariness of her companions, or some small voice in her head. Her mind is decided when she feels panic in the link from Riddleskin as he rolls himself up to be as small as possible.
She watches for a long time even after they dissappear. Maybe we will meet again faerie queen. Maybe I will get to ask you my questions in time. I am in no rush, I will be in this land for a long, long time. Now I know I'm in the right place.
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Verik smiles, his ears and cheeks turning pink, and bows to Tandlara, "I have always considered myself a man of learning. I am just not sure I shall be covering the required subjects..."
"Hellfire, save matches, f%*! a duck and see what hatches..." Verik breathes wonderingly. "Yes let's get out of here, I think they are gone, but frankly that's a group I do not want to take the slightest chance of bumping into!"
Taisper watches with the others as the procession of wint'ry fey horrors move past beneath them. He narrows his eyes as he focuses on their auras, most of which are unsurprisingly chaotic and evil - a riot of dark colors surrounds each, mostly shades of crimson and black, with some grey licking the edges. They are Judged. But they are beyond me. Taisper stops his train of thought, then, and steals a glance at Jemini. ...but...maybe...I would have to Hesitate? The frogs looked evil but let us go. But these are undead and fey. But that one is ...so powerful. He ceases to read the auraus of the creatures and shifts to focus on the nymph's magic, nearly getting knocked out of his saddle by the overwhelming magical strength radiating out from her person.
"Unf." He recoils physically and shakes his head, clearing it. "Ouch." The magical fey queen speaks, then, and Taisper listens very carefully. So they want these lands. Our lands. Possibly as soon as spring. I have so much to do. I am not strong enough yet to fight these. From here on out Exercises will be doubled. Focus training will be doubled. Lawgiver, I will be equal to this ta- He stops himself again. But maybe...would she be an ally? Would...would she talk to Jemini and Verik about laws and schools and things? He watches as the grim parade moves out of view, eyeing the giant's huge axes dubiously, and is the last to leave their vantage point, having to nudge his horse to a bit quicker speed to catch up. I...they...they are Judged. What is wrong with me. In the wastes I did not hesitate. Now I have to ask the Others before Judgment is Carried Out. Who is the Judge? Is it this community around me? It is not. It is the Master and it is the Lawgiver. And therefore, it is me. Taisper looks miserably at Verik's back, he can't make out what the cleric is saying but it sounds colorful. a f-...a fu-...a...where did he learn to talk like that anyway? Didn't auntie tell him it's wrong?
Taisper looks at the trees and the sun, the swirled banks of snow untouched by their footprints. Such...order, really. There are patterns. The inquisitor cannot make them out but can intuit that they are there, dancing just beneath the surface of things. There are numbers and distributions and the purity of curves and forms. There are six of them. Two three times. Symmetry. The Keeper is everywhere, cataloguing and arranging and guiding. Even here, in what many consider the chaos and tumult of pure nature, even here is his hand, guiding all things. All things are well. He sighs and speaks a benediction then, and steels himself for what might come from what he is about to ask. don't ever forget who said that who said UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY NEVER AGAIN NEVER BACK who said that you know
Coming up behind the group, Taisper calls out "So, everybody, if they...um...those things and creatures back there...if we encountered them, and if they challenged us kinda like you know, like the frogs...would you tell me to Hesitate?"
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Verik quirks a brow, "Taisper I would tell you to run. Those things are beyond us. But if they were not... I would tell you to hesitate if they were lying unconscious and helpless before you, yes. Unless you have a reasonable belief that by doing so you will remove your chance, or certain knowledge that the rest of us would condemn them to. The undead of course have no right to be in this world, their time is passed no matter what their behavior.
When you fight in a group your actions reflect upon the whole group, so the decision is not yours alone. And if these thing truly are some sort of manifestation of winter, the consequences of killing them could be dire. If you have the choice to wait, without a reasonable chance of danger, and to give a matter as great as ending a life consideration then you should always take it.
It is a matter of judgment, and remember if we are there you can listen to or ask us. We are not fools. If we fought a giant and a fey who might have healing powers and managed to down the giant then I would not stay your hand, or my own for that matter, for fear he would be healed and rise to hurt my comrades. But if the giant were downed alone, and we knew as little of him as we now do then holding back to discuss the matter would be appropriate."
Taisper frowns and looks briefly panicked. "Fools? I didn't say you were fools. Or that anyone was. I...I don't think I even implied it. But I'm not asking what you'd say if they were unconscious and helpless; you've already made that pretty clear, everyone has. I'm asking if we met them like with the frogs earlier."
Zander, overhearing the conversation, rides up alongside Taisper and chimes in, his tone friendly, "Here's how I look at it; if I meet an opponent that is dangerous to me, then I will be dangerous to them. If they look like they're going to attack me, I ready myself to attack them. If they attack me and try to kill me, I react with equal force. Sometimes I might attack preemptively if I know what they're about, like the bandits at the camp, but that's just a matter of knowledge and instinct. Does that help?"
Taisper looks with relief at Zander as the archer rides up. He nods at his advice. "That does make sense. It makes sense in my heart, but sometimes my head, it..well...here's another question. What if you knew ahead of time that someone was evil; I mean really actually evil. No order, no respect for law. If they weren't undead and they approached like those frogs did, and if you didn't know whether they were evil or not, you'd Hesitate, right? But let's say you did know. That they were just evil. Would that make any difference to you guys? Would you still...maybe, would you try to be allies with them? Or if they fought and you beat them, would you put them in a jail?"
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Verik sighs, "Well for the most part I agree with Zander's words. But I cannot really give you a simple answer Taisper, you might know a frog is evil, or their whole party, but does that mean their whole society is? Because if we attack and kill them we will probably end up fighting their whole community or at least earning their enemity. I think you would have to acknowledge that there are normal people, shopkeepers, dock workers, etc., who are evil. We cannot kill someone for simply being evil, we have to know they have committed some crime.
Life is valuable, sacred, so we should never take it lightly."
Zander ponders the question for a second before responding, "I think this would fall into the same category as the bandits in the camp did in a way, but I suppose for me it would also come into play what kind of a threat they posed. I mean, if I had some sort of sixth sense where I could tell if someone was evil or not, I don't think that I would walk down the street and kill every evil person I saw... But if I was threatened by someone I knew to be a totally horrible creature I wouldn't hestiate in putting an arrow through their skull. But then again even if I wasn't being personally threatened, but I knew this person was a threat to someone else, I would step in and stop them and if they resisted, I'd respond with equal force, like I was talking about before. Am I making sense? I'm not always great at articulating this kind of thing."
"As for jailing all of our enemies, I don't think that's the best way. I think jailtime might be a fine punishment for minor offenses, but criminals who kill or rape or things like that just deserve to die in the end."
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"I agree with you on jail, barring majorly extenuating circumstances there are some crimes that should carry a death penalty. Though if there is doubt I think employing truth magics would be appropriate. Additionally we have to recognize that we simply do not have the facilities to imprison many. For minor crimes we might look at forced labor, especially since we will have a great many things to build..."
Taisper listens to both men and furrows his brow, thinking. "But Verik, how do you know their society wouldn't thank us for ridding them of an evil maybe they didn't have the courage or means to deal with? Why do you assume they'd be mad and come after us? And...and I don't think 'normal' people are evil. I'm sure there are evil people who think they're normal, but I don't think it works the other way. Evil is evil. And a crime by whose standards? Their society's, or ours?" Knowing Verik's hair trigger on these kinds of questions, Taisper is careful to ask this in an unchallenging tone. His goal is not to antagonize, but to figure out, to make sense of the differences and grey areas in his head. He can't understand how people can be so willing to assume innocence in all cases, especially those where one is dealing with a known evil, and the gulf between his thinking and some of the others' is beginning to alarm him significantly .
To Zander he says "Yeah that's...that's pretty much what I'm thinking. It's similar to what they taught us in Hunting School. Not exactly the same, but similar. And...I definitely agree with you both on prisons. I've seen what happens when jails get too full and it's not good."
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"Well normal was a poor word choice, but there are people who are evil and yet who do nothing to deserve death, they might be cowards, or constrained by rules, or society... If they have never done anything wrong you cannot kill them because you can see their true nature. As to whose laws apply, well its a little muddled again, but off the top of my head I would say there are certain things I would act against in any society - were I able - and certain things which which I would say are the societies prerogative. Its finding where to draw the line that is tough.
Take the frogman, it is reasonable for him to defend his land, it would not have been reasonable for him - I assume it was a him - to attack us without warning. If we were in their village - no idea if they have settlements - and we saw them preparing to kill a human I would ask the cause. If it were something unreasonable I would act, if it was reasonable - if they had Orlivanch for example - I would not. But it is very hard to apply general rules to situations which tend to be unrelentingly specific more often than not. I am sorry I cannot be clearer, but..." Verik shrugs.
Jemini finally, after an extended silence, voices herself again. "Taisper. Sometimes it is hard to decide what the right cause of action is. For example, the procession we saw" she shudders again, "perhaps we should've challenged them - however futile our efforts might have been - for all we know this could have been the last chance for this realm to rid themselves of them. But, right now, I am thankful that we didn't. I hope that when the time comes for us to face such as those, that the gods themselves would appear to us in dream, omen or person - to bless and guide us."
"Thanks Verik. I think I'm seeing that." Taisper smiles at his cousin. "I'm...seeing a lot of things lately, I suppose." He turns to Jemini then and gives a short, resigned laugh. "Hard to decide? That's for sure. That's. For. Sure..." Then he goes silent.
...but it sure didn't used to be.
Jemini broods again for a bit, before speaking up again. This time on the procedure for handling more mundanely evil, "Mindless evil and chaos can generally be assaulted without hesitation; but as soon as interaction on a deeper level is possible there is often reason for pause. As a rule of thumb I will hunt and destroy undead, devils and demons; but every once in a while you may run into an intelligent undead - say a vampire - who approaches you with a request or a proposition; perhaps a devil attempts to tempt you with something. Sometimes a clearly evil creature harbors knowledge that is important for your cause. Whatever the reason, sometimes it is necessary to at least listen to what is put on the table." Jemini's eyes go a bit distant, as if she observes something few others can see. "You don't have to like dealing with such creatures - and sometimes even their sweetest temptations will not prevent you from slaying them - but on some occasions it is prudent to (as it were) make a deal with a devil." Jemini's eyes harden, "But when you do, you have to be certain that you doing so to serve the cause of good and justice."
Taisper lets his horse fall back and brings up the rear of the group. He keeps a watch out, but it's clear he's a bit distracted and is still mulling things over. His gaze returns to the snowdrifts and pines and rocks passing by all around. I can feel the Keeper in my heart and head. No less than ever before. Stronger in some ways. But now it's so crowded. There are too many other things.
Leading the prosession away from the site Berrin is quiet and alert as he can be. Clapping Bessie regularly on the neck and giving cooing sounds, Berrin worries that the horse might be frightened after the sight, though in truth he does it more to calm himself.
Listening only half-heartedly to the discussion Berrin is in no mood to pipe in. He just hoped than when it got serious Taisper wouldn't hesitate at the cost of his or any of the others lives. Such things had happened before. An unexperienced soldier suddenly struck with a concience and unable to deliver a killing blow only to have that same soldier, who would otherwise be dead, get up and kill either a friend or the unfortunate himself.
With a sigh he pats Bessies neck and keeps a lookout.
Tandlara has heard many legends of the fey, as the woodland elves keep a wary eye on their capricious cousins. Despite the elven appreciation of freedom, the fey are a mischievous nuisance at best and a dangerous tempest of chaos at worst. There are many that it might be, from the Frost Queen to the Winter Witch. There are many that claim to rule the cold winter, but the hierarchy of the fey is fluid at best. It certainly was not one of the Eldest, which would never leave the First World. She will have to do more research, but one thing is clear: the danger the fey queen poses is great, especially if she has set her mind to the conquering of the area.
"Speaking of insurmountable odds. Perhaps we should agree to some form of combat tactic when we find ourselves outmatched. Yes?"
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"Like how we run away?" Verik asks, "I mean generally speaking if we are over matched I would try to get anyone down, but still breathing back on their feet, and those with least harm would need to hold up whatever foe we faced until we could all flee. Better to stya as a unit than allow ourselves to be picked off one by one... A gloomy subject."
Jemini nods, "Unfortunately the subject matter is very case specific; so I guess forming a generalized tactic is out of the question."
Tandlara stays queit during the discussions that ensue as they continue on their path through the snowed in mountains, winding their way back to the forests and plains below.
Winter Witch? Maybe. Frost Queen? Seems more fitting. Could be anything, the fey defy categorisation. This is bad, and yet. I need to know more, what is it that makes this land so tied to the First World. Is there a way to get there from here?
She remains queit for much of the day, lost in deep contemplation over the fey and the portentous events that have jsut occured.