Kjolmar seems sluggish, gulping in the thin mountain air hungrily. It seems unusual, given the rugged appearance of the Mountain Dwarf, yet you would guess he hasn't been acclimated to this altitude in a while.
Quodak seems a bit cold a few hours in, but he's handling it rather well.
Moredrel is showing the strain. Shivering and frostbit from the start, he's breathing hard near after a couple of hours. Stopping frequently to try to catch his breath.
By the end of the day's march, Quodak seems to be colder, but still doing reasonably well. Between the wounds he received while fighting the elemental, and the cold, he won't last a terribly long time, though. He is shivering, and his feet are beginning to show a tinge of blue.
Fort Saves: - save
- fail
- fail
- fail
Non-lethal: - 6 non-lethal taken.
After trudging along for a few hours and getting chilled to the limit of his endurance, Krathok looks around for a place to rest...
Perception:
Assuming I'm not wearing the cloak of endure elements and instead gave it to some of the smaller people. Decide amongst yourselves who has it.
DC15
Survival (for bonus)
Fort for cold
Fort for Altitude
DC16
Survival (for bonus)
Fort for cold
Fort for Altitude
DC17
Survival (for bonus)
Fort for cold
Fort for Altitude
DC18
Survival (for bonus)
Fort for cold
Fort for Altitude
DC19
Survival (for bonus)
Fort for cold
Fort for Altitude
Not including potential bonuses from survival
Failed 6 cold saves for Nonlethal damage
Orion has 17/36 HP and is fatigued
Fairly prominent in the gear on the yaks are the pieces of a large sturdy tent disassembled for easy travel. There is also a curious perforated metal object filled with coals, which is presumably for warmth, as well as some other objects which are likely cookware.
When investigated, the supplies include food in the form of particularly unappetizing looking jerky, hard, crumbly yak butter and some sort of coarse flour. There is also a hard brick of black tea. The last saddlebag is the most puzzling as it contains an iron helmet and a torc in the shape of a stylized griffon made of an even stranger metal. Both are decorated with motifs similar to those on the iron hammer you found on the body in the cave.
Kjolmar recognizes the items, and explains to the group that they're the basic trappings of a nomadic dwarven family's set-up. Though he's not a nomadic dwarf himself, Kjolmar will set up the tent.
When the tent's set up, Kjolmar sets up the brazier in the center and (assuming we were provided something to burn in it) lights it up to warm the tent. He takes the iron helmet and flips it, then boils some water to make tea. As he does so he moves to allow everyone into the yurt (likely small for the rest as it's dwarven-sized) and, once the tea is made, tells them a tale of his ancestors through the collective.
He tells the tale of Sindri Greyhelm, also known as Sindri the Tall, who stood eye to eye with the orcs and could lift twice his considerable weight. He tells the tale of how Sindri brought low a mighty giant with a fiery beard by uprooting a massive tree and beating him with it. As he tells the tale, Kjolmar says certain words out loud in Dwarven for emphasis, and stares intently into the fire.
When the tale is through Kjolmar gets quiet, evidently lost in his own thoughts.
Kjolmar is able to quickly set up the tent, instructing his fellow party members to help, you are inside and a little bit cramped together, but out of the wind and cold within about 45 minutes.
Not that he needs it, but Orion will try and help set up the tent.
survival
"Strange." Orion says plainly looking at the odd dwarven goods.
Kjolmar explains to everyone that the torc and helmet are likely sacred relics, as they bear runes which might suggest such. He tries to decipher the runes, and if he can't, he asks Moredrel if he can (as Kjolmar knows him as one who studies magic).
Krathok shrugs at the mention of the relics, instead warming himself within the yurt.
Prominently on both the helmet and torc are the same characters from the Iron Peak flags:
The full inscription on the helmet says:
The full inscription on the torc says:
Moredrel will gladly examine the sacred objects (and had been planning to do so from the initial description).
He will also see if he can decipher the runes or anything else about them
:: I wonder why these were given to us? Unless they're standard equipment for the average nomad family? ::
Edit: Written before that last posting.
Moredrel will gladly examine the sacred objects (and had been planning to do so from the initial description).
He will also see if he can decipher the runes or anything else about them
:: I wonder why these were given to us? Unless they're standard equipment for the average nomad family? ::
Edit: Written before that last posting.
"The cleric seemed interested in us, but I don't know why. If he packed our bags he probably put that stuff in on purpose. What purpose I have no idea. "
I haven't the foggiest idea of why we'd be given these, but it's likely not for us, as much as for Kjolmar.
::Well, I weren't given instructin's on what to do with 'em. Per'aps he gave us 'em to deliver?:: Kjolmar doubts that's the reason, even though he offers it as a suggestion. After all, the priest would likely have told them about it if they were. Kjolmar delicately inspects the helm as he talks, but doesn't put it on. He goes back to his cup of tea after a while, setting the helm down and forgetting about it for the moment.
:: These are old. They may have been kept as relics for centuries. They probably belonged to famous ancestors of the clan. The runes may show that, but I can't tell what they represent. ::
:: Until we find out more about them, I'd be very careful about who we show them too. If someone thinks we stole them, we could be in a lot of trouble. ::
Krathok gestures with his meaty hands for the helmet I have and see? and if given over takes a close look, turning it over in his hands.
Then almost on an impulse, he pops the helmet on his head - grinning wide with nascent tusks visible.
"They're definitely both magic and strong magic at that. Too strong for me to tell what they can do. There's a hint that they might be intelligent."
As he realizes Krathok's tried the helmet on:
"Krathok! They could be dangerous."
When nothing seems to happen, he'll cast Detect Magic again to observe more closely:
"They don't seem to have done anything. Do you feel any different?"
"Hmmm. If they're intelligent, can you try to contact then mentally? "
Kjolmar, rather worn out by the long series of events of the day, goes promptly to sleep.
At Moredrel's question Krathok shrugs Still feel normal... head warmer though...
Orion yawns loudly,
"If you're going to play with that thing just do it quietly."
Then rolls over and curls up in his own wings like a blanket to sleep.
Quodak, too, goes to sleep.
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"Why would you help me, Spirit? Your people seem to be extremely distrustful of me. It's understandable given my lineage, but the question remains."
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He pauses, trying to gauge whether the presence is listening.
"What powers of the south? The dragons?"
You awaken to find the tent colder than the previous night, but still warm, having retained heat remarkably well. Quodak wakes with the dwarven helm close at hand, which is odd, because it was next to Krathok when you went to sleep. In its former position lies the torc, and the iron hammer salvaged from the cave several days ago has rearranged itself in a prominent position near Orion.
Outside, the sun is behind thick clouds, bathing the already grey landscape in steely light. The glacier towards which you were directed looms on the horizon, not more than half a days journey away.
Krathok looks at the torc... confused at how it arrived next to him before remembering his dream. Brow furrowed, he puts the torc on under his clothes. Apart from this he does not proffer any thoughts on his dream without prompting or suggestions from another.