Most of Heldren's buildings are constructed of lumber. Several farms lie outside the village itself, providing food for its residents and for trade with nearby villages.
Like in most peasant communities in southern Taldor, the people of Heldren mostly keep to themselves. Far from the politics of Oppara and ever-watchful for Qadiran aggression, Heldren goes on as it always has, as a relatively small and unimportant hamlet of farmers, herders, and woodcutters.
Gondork wails away the days at the local tavern, waiting for a job opportunity to come up. The patron is getting sick of him, and frankly, he's been getting pretty fed up with his own unemployed status as well. Luckily for him, nobody's been brave enough to tell him to swing it, so for now he'll keep drinking himself into a ruse on a tab that'll probably never get paid.
A depressed drunk in fearsome full plate, of an indescribable feral and innately orcish mein, looks bored as his drunk gaze lingers on Kale's rump as she makes her way back to the bar. The refugee from Belkzen, intimidating nonetheless, takes a swig of the Stoat's Three Devil Ale ( made with imported Chellish hops ).
Kindly keep your bedroll in the corner during the day Mister Ramcleft She nudges the roll with her foot as she passes by it, crumpled up close to the fireplace. With no real Inn in the village, and coin running thin, Gondork returns his foggy mind to thinking of what to do next.
A chill wind, for such a strong sunny day, cuts past the clock tower overlooking the town square as a trade wagon bound for Zimar in the east rumbles through the village. A ratchet and clank occasionally heard as someone works on the clock, as the worker covers his ears, and the clock tolls once sonorously. Children laugh and chase eachother past the large statue, as tall as the tavern, of a beautiful woman, hands up, face saluting the clear sunny sky, in the center of town. The kids run past the few carts in from the farms up north selling produce.
A startled cry from a young village woman, as she composes herself and delicately kneels to pick up the bread and vegetables back in her basket blindly as her full attention is on the black coifed traveller coming down the road into town from Zimar, obviously from further south in Qadir by his dress. But clearly coming into town alone, holding his head high, and his weapons sheathed.
A slow pall falls over the village as they warily watch the stranger. Kale comes around the bar to stand in the Silver Stout's door, hand on hip, as she sees why Old Davigen stopped fidgeting with the clock tower on his hanging bench.
The wagon falters slightly easing out of town past the strange man, the horses catching an odd scent and nickering, but the teamster keeps the wagon moving smoothly out of town.
The Silver Stoat is otherwise pretty full for a sunny afternoon just after the one in the afternoon. Villagers start to buzz, wondering aloud in hushed tones to eachother as Kale returns to the bar. Strange things have been happening of late. Just yesterday a strange red skinned man arrived from Oppara, claiming to be investigating rumors of farmers crops freezing and dying overnight in the middle of summer, and Elder Natharen let him stay overnight in the temple! The sleepy village has rarely seen such excitement, or concern.
The Hunter eyes the empty fireplace, as if pondering how soon it might need to be lit for warmth, though the peak of summer chirps and clangs outside, and continues his tale. We were out in the woods three days ago, when the flurries from the sky turned into a stronger snowfall. We felt eyes on us in the camp, like the stag feels when the wolf stalks him. Old Deadeye blessed us, though, and we broke camp and grabbed what we could. By the time we were heading back, there was a layer of snow on the ground!
Gondork suspiciously eyes the caravan as it passes through town before turning to the people in the tavern.
Might have some work for me te do..
Snow, you say? A little early in the year for that, don't ya think..?
The summer air stirs the common room. Everyone dressed in clothes to stay cool and toil in the summer heat. But the uncertainty in their faces says they've all seen odd signs of unnatural cold lately. But they snub you, muttering about strange magic, or the work of Qadiran agents, wary of outsiders.
You do recall an old codger saying over dinner in the common room last night that someone keeps stealing from his fields. His farm is the closest one to the woods, he was drinking and deep in his cups because he said frost had killed what wasn't stolen from his crops. He's not around today, but you're pretty sure Kale called him Dansby.
He's a grumpy old gray haired farmer with gnarled hands you were surprised could still work a plow, though he still seems stout. You'd chatted with him while drunk about his younger days when he was a soldier of Taldor, twenty or thirty years ago. He still carries an air of competence, and his clothes were all well maintained when you saw him, though it had been odd that he wore a cloak on such a warm day.
Gondork picks up his backpack, gives his last gold coins to the bartender and heads out.
Now, where to find this Dansby fella? If he doesn't need some hands at his farm for this early winter, I might be able to scare away the schoolboys that keep stealing his mushrooms... What have I become, a scarecrow..?
Hey Kale, Where's ...::hic:: Dansby's place? I wanna go check on him, hasn't been around to buy me a drink. Besides, he might have a place by his fire instead of here.
Kale looks up from wiping down the bar and serving up some Devil's ale to a villager His farm is out by the Border Wood. about half an hour down the road. Just before you hit the wood, if you take the south road, you should see his ranch. Hold up a sec and I'll give you some soup to take with you, in case he's not feeling well.
She packs a crock of soup, and gives you a basket to leave with him. Adds a few chunks of bread and some meat and dives a dour smirk to you as you collect it.
Heading out into the square, the odd man with a black scarf around his head walks down the square the other way, glancing up at buildings, the clock tower, the statue, taking things in with quiet contemplation as he walks. The wrinkles around his eyes seem odd, you're not sure, but it looks like he's even got kohl smeared across his eyes under the black scarf. The two farmers hawking their produce by the statue of the Lady watch warily, unsure of what to make of the Qadiran. The wind rustles the fliers on the notice board outside the large town hall across the town square.
A woman passes by a window in the two story house on the corner, and the coiffed mans eyes linger on the large temple next to the two story building, the wooden gingerbread filigree more elaborate than the other buildings, arrows and arcing bows repeat in the elaborate woodcraft, with a beautiful eve of forested scenes with stags and nature.
you stop and peruse. It mostly seems like some news, a help wanted ad at the smithy, and a few posts of goods for sale.
- Horses for hire or sale.
- Carriage for hire. See Sophia at the Livery Stable.
- Help Wanted: Sawmill laborers needed for cutting timber and harvesting wood. See Alexius or Lycio at the Mill.
- Help Wanted: Assistant smith with experience wanted. See Isker.
An austere wisp of a woman in her middle years steps out of the Temple of Erastil, walking a pace ahead while talking to a stout red skinned man.
I appreciate an agent of the clergy investigating the claims. If the frosts continue, they could ruin harvests and when winter does actually come, it would be tough times indeed. She says while walking and talking, making small gestures with her hands, that only seem to move from her wrists. Its as if the rigidity of her posture extends just as far as her forearm, leaving her hands to flail about silently while she talks, emphasizing points.
Old Man Dansby lives just south, about twenty minutes. Its the last path on the road before it stops before the Border Wood. He was the first to report his crops ruined by frost a few nights ago.
Across the square, a vibrant young woman with her red tresses done in braids and a pleasantly falling blue dress steps out of the smithy with an incidental poise and grace that announces she's a beauty, without really ever trying too much. She begins walking across the street when the councilwoman notices her and flags her down.
Xanthippe, have you seen Arwyn? I'd like it if she could take this gentleman down to Dnasby's farm to inspect the damages. He was checking on bandit activity in the north and heard about our unseasonable cold snap.
Gondork's ears twitch at the mention of Dansby, and his armor clunks as he patiently turns his head to listen while inspecting the notice board.
Seshiro haggles a bit for a bit of produce for a few coppers, gesturing at this and that, holding up a few coin in his palm.
She went to see Dryden, I think. Tilting her head softly as if her thoughts might flow more easily from one side of her head to the other. She shakes her head, her braided pigtails trailing along. But I haven't seen her today. She steps into the Silver Stoat, a few boys in the tavern calling out her name in greeting and inviting her to have a drink with them.
Ionnia turns to the Vaultkeeper, Well, a guide would have been nice, but Dryden's cabin is by the wood anyway, just before a pond in the Border Wood. Maybe you'll run into her on her way back. Her name is Arwyn, you can't miss her, she's a slender snowborn girl with blue hair. She's one of the village hunters, and can direct you anywhere you've need to investigate. Please, let me know what you find. We'd like to be able to save as much of the crops as we can. Its a long way to go before harvest time, and we need to save as much of it as we can.
The Border Wood has been strange of late, in the last week, during the height of Summer, six inches of snow fell. Beyond unseasonable, it reminds you of the eldritch cold your mother speaks of sometimes. Curious and a bit of a gossip, this villiage just brings it out in people, you've gone to speak to Dryden Kepp, one of the village's most esteemed Hunters, to compare notes about the odd weather. His cabin by Wishbone Creek is abuzz with activity today. four of the Ester's kids from a nearby farm managed to rig some skates, and are having fun skating on the surface of the frozen creek while Dryden passes you a mug of hot cider with a bit of his favorite brandy splashed in for flavor.
You brush your blue hair back and accept the warm brandy and cider, blowing on it and enjoying the heat as you sit on the steps in front of his cabin, cleared of the snow, as warm breeze mixes with a strange chill in the air.
It was huge, I swear! He goes on, returning to his story, I came over the ridge and saw it plain as day, a giant white beast! it looked just like a weasel, blown up the size of a great big bear! He sipps his steaming mug and you wonder how much brandy he put in his own. Temple and Cid already told you about the sighting, you thought it was a joke, but here he is, still going on about it. You thought it was a joke, from the way Temple and Cid were laughing at Dryden's tale.
I'll show 'em. Its real I swear.
Just as you're about to ask him what he's going to do about it, Ester's youngest, Billy, cries out on the pond, and all of the kids start shouting bloody murder. You both jump up and look at the ruckus. Immediately you gasp, part of the ice wasn't frozen solid, and the other three were on a more solid patch. Two of the kids are running towards you shouting for help while the other just stands on the shaky ice screaming Billy! Billy! at the top of his lungs at a cracked patch of frozen creek that's opened up.
Gondork adresses Caladan, as he seems a bit put off by being surrounded by women.
You! Red-skinned man! Mind if I tag along? I was heading to Dansby's farm to help out, but don't know the way. Name's Gondork, by the way. I'm a mercenary from all the way north. Jobless, sadly, at the moment. You'd think a priest of Abadar such as yourself would mean a blessing on my current status of unemployment, don't you think?
He concludes with a smile that reminds of a grinning coyote, probably ment to be a kind gesture.
Seshiro, go meet the stranger in black. He has the answers you seek...
Seshiro walks over to the stranger and greets him, with slightly elongated and sharp s-es in his speech, each word ending on an s flowing into the next word.
"Sssalutationsss ssstranger, I sssee you come from the ssouth asss well. What'sss your reasson for visssiting? There'sss not much sssightssseeing, I'm afraid. I'm a traveller myssself, on my way to seek a cure. There'sss thisss-"
Don't tell him about me, that's our little secret...
Seshiro shakes his head, as if to clear it of a thought.
"I could give you a tour if you want. I wasss on the verge of leaving, myssself, but I can hardly leave a fellow countryman in a sstrange cccity alone, right?"
Seshiro holds out a clawed hand from under his robes to shake the other man's hand.
I'm Ionna Teppen, councilwoman for Heldren. It seems it is you who are new to these streets, stranger she slips in and grasps your clawed hand, shaking it firmly as she addresses you.
Are you looking for a priest? you mention looking for a cure? perhaps Elder Natharen can offer you some assistance? She looks, trying to assess you a bit, and making a small gesture with just her hands, towards the temple of Erastil that she and Caladan had just come from moments before
Let me take you over to him... , Caladan, see if Gondork will be of any help down by Dansby's farm?
As soon as Ionna shakes Seshiro's hand, a voice pops in her head:
Burn, they're all going to burn. I shall be the last one standing...
Sipping at the mug of cider+, Arwyn was about to ask how Dryden was going to do that when she heard the ruckus. Putting down the mug, she stood up to see the kids running.
"The ice! I think one fell through!" She shouted as she started running towards the ice opening.She paused only to drop her pack and bow at the shore; "Don't get too close!" She warned the child, then jumped into the opening in the ice.
rolls:
Without hesitation Arwyn leaps through the opening into the frozen waters. In two hearbeats you find the boy, who started sinking languorously a step or two before you reached the frozen creekbed. You swim up with him to the opening and launch him out of the water onto the ice, climbing out yourself, dripping wet, a small frost already forming on the studs of your leathers.He's not moving. He's not breathing. As Dryden comes up to you both with a bearskin rug, he drags the boy back on the ice a bit and breathes into his mouth, and pumps the child's chest. He vomits up icy water, and breathing return to his shivering body. dragging the boy onto the bearskin and picking him up.
Come, we've got to get you both inside before you freeze to death. You two, run and fetch your mother, Owen, into the cabin and stoke the fire, put some water in the kettle over the fire. Come on Arwyn. Blue hair and ice for flesh or not, I 'magine you be better off dry and inside right now. the surprisingly strong hunter stomps off to the cabin, Billy wrapped in the black fur, but breathing. You do feel a little drained by the cold. Its rare that it bothers you, but you pick up your stuff and join them in the cabin.
Inside, as Owen stokes the fire, and the cabin starts to warm up again for you, Billy, still unconscious, muttering no.... take me with you...
Ionnia's hand grips Seshiro's with a feverish vigor, her lips moving silently before she regains her composure and steps back a bit, brushes her hand over her hair and regains her composure. Yes, let... lets get you to Elder Natheren. Maybe he or his wife will be able to help you...
Caladan and Gondork watch as Ionnia leads Seshiro into the temple. Giving eachother a funny look, shrug, and start walking south along the road.
Stepping into the temple after Ionnia, Seshiro sees several shrines around the perimeter of the interior, one in the center a bit larger than the others. A woman with several gold chains adorning her head, and a fine pale red silk scarf with gold and crimson embroidery draped around her head and neck tends some candles and mirrors by one of the shrines, looking back up from her duties. A middleaged man with airy green robes trimmed in a light deer pelt by the collar smiles as Ionnia walks in
Was there something else Councilor?
I'm afraid there might be Elder, could you have a look? This is... Sesshiro ? I was wondering if you could have a look at him, or if you or Zaarida might be able to help him. He appears to be from Qadira She gestures minutely with her fingers at his veils , barely moving her arms.
Elder Natharen comes over, and gestures broadly to one of the seats around the open outer area. Please, have a seat, rest. Tell me, what ails you ? He doesn't disturb your plethora of veils, but you can see him looking intently, wondering what they're hiding.
He regarded the people with him for a brief moment as Seshiro was guided into the temple. Shaking his for a moment before looking back to Gondork and giving him a grimace.
"Let's hope she will be okay in there..."
He regarded his surroundings briefly before turning into a brisk walk once more.
"I am Caladan by the way, never seen you around this place, new?"
Nice to meet you, Caladan. New? Yes. I walked into town a couple of days ago, looking for something to alleviate my boredom. It seems Dansby found the sweet spot.
Tell the truth and they'll just laugh at you, just like every other time. No, tell them what they want to hear...
"Thank you for ssseeing me. I've been plagued with an... affliction. Ever since I can remember, I've been hearing this voice in my head-"
Fool...
"This voice isss telling me things. They're rarely dessstructive, but it grows more insistent if I don't listen to it. I've been roaming Golarion to find a cure, but ssso far, no one has managed to cure me. Moreover, my very touch seems to ssscare people."
With that, he holds out his hand again.
The truth is sometimes hard to stomach, child....
"The voice also told me to pick up clerical duties, healing those in need, so I doubt it's mean-spirited-"
That's hardly something I would do. Or is it?...
"Anyway, sometimes people get confused when I touch them and attack me. Sometimes when they attack, I disappear and reappear somewhere else, as if I were a figment of my own imagination. People shun me, because of my looks, because of my very touch, because they're afraid of my... abilities. I've been branded as a witch multiple times, and there's countless villages in which I'm no longer welcome. I just want this to end, so I can live a normal life."
That can be arranged, if you'd just listen to me...
Stashing her equipment by the wall, Arwyn moved over to the fire.
Shivering, she quickly stripped off her shirt.
"Don't look!" She called out, opening it up to dry in front of the fire.
Shaking her hair out first, she looked worried over at Billy.
"I don't understand; the cold doesn't affect me! But I'm shivering. This isn't natural." She said, rubbing her arms.
Aye, ye've some tolerance for the cold, but this is beyond normal. Once his mother comes we should get him to town, have Elder Natheren make sure he's alright. Dryden stokes the fire, checks on Billy, and refills your soup.
A short silence later, mesmirized by the fire, Arwyn jolts as Billy's mother comes clunking, rushing up the stairs to the cabin. Billy! oh thank the lady of graves you're alive! She shouts at his shut eyed unconscious outline, tucked under the dry sheets and bear skin.
It'll be alright Ester, I just wanted you to see he's alright so you don't worry as much. We'll take him to Elder Natheren now. Arwyn, get the litter ready
In short order, Arwyn and Dryden set out for town as Ester takes her other three back to the farm before heading to the temple, leathers mostly dry and a warm cloak you set out.
Elder Natharen Safander doesn't flinch from the visions that course through eyes. He holds onto your clawed hand and gently pats it. I think you're a bit touched. By who or what I can't say just yet. I can't speak to that, rest though. Where are you travelling to?
Passing a few crude farm signs, you think you're getting close. The road bends a bit to the east, but something alarming brings you to a halt for a second, something odd in the road a few hundred feet ahead, it looks like a dead body on the road.
Getting closer, you see it looks like a burly ulfen man's body. pale blond hair in several braids, his beard braided in silver clips. He's badly bruised, parts of his skin exposed and purple, nearly black. a pool of blood underneath him, its very clear that he came from off the road, leaving quite a trail leading southwest off the road.
closer up, about thirty feet away, you think you can still see his chest rise and fall. he's alive!
Up ahead on the road, more of a trail this section you were taking to get to Farmer Dansby's , you see a slender blue haired young woman in a bear skin cloak, hauling a litter behind her, the other end carried by a taller, bulkier man with a deep brown bear, bows strapped to their backs, some wounded animal on the litter between them.
Seshiro is clearly confused at the display of affection after the touch.
"Er, I'm not sssure, I don't have a clear destination in mind. I've been travelling for most of my life, trying to find someone who can make the voice stop."
Don't trust the man. Anyone who isn't afraid of the visions clearly has something to hide...
Rest. Have some food, you must be hungry and if you've travelled far, your are overdue. Relax and I'll get some meditation aids. Maybe when you've had some time to center yourself we can work out who it is that's touching your mind so. The source of the voices.
"Thank you, Father. It's pretty difficult to get some mental rest when someone has free access to your brainspace."
Oh, catty, are we? I like that...
Father Brood, this man is still alive! What do you think we should do? Call for aid from Heldren?
The man in steel then spots the bearded man, and waves.
I hope he's not one of those grumpy farmers with a grudge against mercenaries...
You there! Come help! Someone is badly wounded here!
"Down!" Hissed Arwyn to Dryden.
Setting her end of the litter down carefully, Arwyn took her bow in hand and cautiously approached the body. She was cautious, and perfectly prepared to render aid or to fend off an ambush.
"What happened here?" She barked at Gondork suspiciously.
She looked around at the scene, trying to puzzle out what happened by the tracks present.
Dryden sets his end of the litter down, about fifty ft back from the body, takes out his bow and loosely knocks an arrow, watching around warily and standing guard by the litter.
The woods are quiet around here, but not preternaturally quiet. there's some bird song, and from the state of the body and the wounds he's been like this for a while, possibly a day. Dryden and Arwyn wouldn't have passed him coming this way since they'd have just gone a direct route through the wood.
He's alive, but clearly unconscious.
We should get him to town little blue Dryden says, approaching Arwyn. Elder Safander can tend him and we can find out what the heck's going on.
I don't recognize you two. Who are you ? , says Dryden, looking at Caladan and Gondork before cursorily scanning the woodline again. Bow knocked loosely, but directed generally at the forest.
I am Gondork, newly appointed town guard, it seems. I am a mercenary from Belzken trying my fortune in the south. We were on our way to Dansby's farm when we found this man lying here. Shall we take him to the temple of Erastil and save further introductions for later? It'd be a waste to have him breathe his last while we are chatting away. He'll probably want me to beat someone up when he wakes up, seeing how they messed him up and all.. are there any bandits active around here that you know of?
Fine yes. Lend a hand and load him onto the litter with the boy, he nearly drowned in a frozen creek, we were just taking him to the Temple too. Arwyn, go with Billy and keep an eye on them. New town guard my arse. And let Ionnia know, she'll want this news. You lot go ahead, I'm going to follow this trail he motions to the blood And see where he came from. There's some bandit activities, but the High Sentinels usually keep them in check. Go on. I'll catch up and meet you in town. With that, he stalks off quietly into the woods. A few feet in and you lose track of him.
With the three of you hauling the litter, you make good time hustling back to the town, and into the temple.
The door opens with a rushed bang as they carry the litter over the some pews. Seshiro awakens with a startle to the commotion. Black haired Zaarida rushes to the back to get Natheren with a quick glance at Arwyn.
Elder Safander comes out, his airy green robes trimmed with deerskin. Taller than Arwyn, and clearly older, his ears and eyes still have a little look of an elfborn, but a darker shade than Arwyn's pale white skin.
[Dryden]:
I checked out the carnage the Ulfen crawled out of half a mile off the road. Dead horses and people. Two wrecked carriages, i counted a dozen dead that i could see. It looks like he's one of the lucky survivors. The bodies looked like needles and ice shards killed most of them. They were all stripped of armor and weapons though.
Ionnia, this is serious. They were fancy wagons, with Taldan heraldry.
[Councilor Ionnia]: ::gasp:: Nobility?
[Dryden]: Aye. Fancy stuff. I didn't get too close. I just took a quick sweep. It doesn't look like bandits did this. This is something else. I'm at a loss.
Elder Safaren washes his hands in a basin, and comes over, having finished tending Billy and the Ulfen man.
[Elder Safander]
the Ulfen man is stable. I've done what I can for him now, but he's got serious frostbite and might lose his nose, fingers, and some toes. Despite my best efforts he'll need at least a week to recuperate. I've healed what I can. But the cold damage is extensive.
Billy is okay, Ester can take him home, I'll stop by tomorrow their farm to check in on him.
Take it easy on the Ulfen, his name is . He seems coherent enough that a few of you can ask him questions as long as you don't make his condition worse. He needs rest.
[Councilor Ionnia]:
Lady Argentea, a Taldan noble, came through a few weeks ago with two carriages and nearly a dozen guards, on her way to Zimar to meet her betrothed. talking more to Caladan, and Gondork, Seshiro overhears it, being nearby, while Arwyn and Dryden listen . We're a small village. We can marshal a decent militia to protect the town when needed, but this is beyond that. We're not talking about Qaidran invaders or bandit army that I can prepare the people for. I want to know what's causing this unnatural cold, and that may be beyond us.
Gondork if you need food and shelter, I'll hire you provisionally if you will look into this.
Caladan, this may be bigger than a few frozen crops. No doubt your superiors would consider it prudent to get to the source of this before it impacts trade and taxes us more.
then turning to Arwyn and Dryden Arwyn, you know the woods well, would you go with them? Dryden, the other hunters, we need to alert them. There'll be a lot to discuss Starday at the town hall meeting.
[Elder Safander]:
Seshiro may be of some use as well Councilor. I was still hoping to ascertain the source, but I will be busy tending to the village if there's trouble, and he seems to know a little about healing. I suspect he's been chosen by a deity, and might be able to serve as a healer.
[Councilor Ionnia]:
Well, lets see what Yuln Oerstag's story is.
Elder Safander checks on Ester and Billy. Yuln is in a cot with several blankets over him, propped up on some pillows were Zaarida is delicately spooning a little broth and soup for him, her black hair and pale red head scarf a contrast to the hulking ulfen form. Though he seems more deflated, with his nose a very black shade of violet, looking pale and bruised deeply all over, though his cuts have healed.
Dryden, it seems odd to me that whatever this was would strip them of weapons and armor... if it wasnt bandits, then why would they have done that?
Gondork pauses for a moment, contemplating the situation before turning to councellor Ionnia:
What? Oh yes, sorry. That would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Dryden, it seems odd to me that whatever this was would strip them of weapons and armor... if it wasnt bandits, then why would they have done that?
[Dryden]:
Well, I don't know how many bandits you know that kill with needles and ice shards. Most I know of use swords, axes, and bows.::edit::
Maybe bandits found the site before we did. You can have a look at the site yourself. I didn't give it a close inspection.
<Soft laughter and snickering from the voice.>
"I'd love to be of assistance. It's the least I could do for taking care of me, and I see these people need your help more than me. I can wait. But what deity would be so cruel to pester me such?"
<The snickering erupts into full-blown laughter.>
"No, I refuse to believe this a a deity's doing, there must be something else. A curse or somesuch, or some sort of mental illness. At least, that's what others have told me."
[Elder Safander]:
I've heard tale of some gods who curse their oracles, whose gifts are too much to bear, but who suffer and persevere for the divine power flowing through them. Have you been touched in this way? is some god or curse blessing you with power as well besides your touch and removing you from harm?
"I have no idea. I have met sssome of these "oraclesss", and their tale differs greatly from mine, though I do agree there are many similarities. Most of them had a specific event that triggered their powers, but mine suddenly appeared. Besides, if a deity called out for me, why hide his/her name and purpose from me?"
<Snorts of laughter>
[Elder Safander]:
I would be wary... your path is clouded without knowing the source of your power, and who's tenets you stand to violate or be cut off. If it isn't a deity, but some other power, I fear it may just be using you as its pawn. Do not let its values take over your own. If it is a deity, you shall know it by its sign that you work miracles under. he pulls a golden bow of Old Deadeye from his robes.
Is there a sign that you work your miracles through? A holy symbol, sacred to these voices inside your head?
"Well, I do know that sssometimes my magic fails when I'm not wearing my headdressss, but those are common from where I'm from, ssso I hadn't really thought about it much."
Seshiro produces a ring of veils from his backpack and shows it to the group.
"These are my spares, one for each day of the week. I tend to lose them when they're just in my backpack, so I've tied them in a loop so they won't just fly away in a breeze."
A portrait of Yuln Oerstag as he rests in the cot, the small cadre of curious onlookers. As Ester and her husband and children carry Billy back to their farm and wave goodbye, the only other person in the Temple is Zaarida, who shuts the door and returns to tending the small shrines within.
[Councilor Ionnia]:
Mister Oerstag. I'm Councilor Ionnia Teppen of Heldren. You're in a temple here to Erastil, Elder Safander has tended as best he can to your wounds. But I must say we found you in an odd condition. Can you do anything to elaborate on what happened to you ?
[Yuln Oerstag]:
Aye Councilor, I remember you from when we passed through. I'm a guard for Lady Argentea Malassene's Caravan. We were waylayed by bandits and strange wintry creatures. Lady Argentea was carried off. I managed to slay my attacker, but got disoriented and only found my way back to the road before I collapsed. I recognized some of the creatures. My people, the Ulfen, speak of the winter-touched all the time, but I never expected to meet them this far south.
Arwyn smiled and waived goodbye to Billy as he was carted away by his family.
Arwyn, you know the woods well, would you go with them?
"Yes of course Ionnia. Councillor! Sorry." She replied, reddening at the mistake in formality.
She looked over Gondork, Caladan and Seshiro doubtfully....strange wintry creatures...winter-touched...
Eagerly Arwyn stepped forward.
"Winter-touched? My mother told me fairy-tales of such creatures. What did they look like?" She asked eagerly.
[Yuln Oerstag]:
Aye, fey creatures who have sworn themselves to the White Witches of Irrisen, those who stole our lands from the Ulfen during the Winter War. Tiny sprites no taller than the length of a man's forearm he tries to stretch out his harm to demonstrate. wincing in pain for his effort.
Legends say they have taken a sliver of ice into their hearts, and their touch bears the harsh bite of winter.
Gondork seems amused by Arwyn's reluctance and steps forward, giving her and Seshiro a firm handshake, before giving the Ulfen man a firm nod.
Greetings. I am Gondork of Belzken. Councillor Ionnia asked me to help in whatever way I can in this situation. I am a warrior of sorts, blessed by my ancestors.
He then recomposes himself, as to seem more impressive.
Yurn, have you any clue as to why these creatures attacked you? Why would this noble woman be of any concern to these creatures?
Bet it's some poltical feud going on, those usually offer the best fights!
Gondork seems lost in thought, a strange smirk on his face, as if remembering something.
The sound of that ice trolls' face cracking under my flail was intensely satisfying... too bad he had company and I had to run. Bet I was to only one who got away, hah!