"No, you'reNadya PetskaNazhena Vasilliovna, White Witch of Irrisen, you kidnapped me because I made a joke and it was overheard. "
It was later that night, after the encounter with the phantom girl by the raised hut told you to run, that you were attacked by a doll that looked oddly matched to the phantom girl you had seen earlier that day. The phantom girl was a young, shivering Ulfen girl. Seeing the locket, you realize the phantom looks very much like Nadya's daughter Thora. The doll had blonde hair like the girl, but in little braids. Both with similar style light blue dresses. the doll was much smaller than the phantom girl.
Caladan had claimed that it was a human soul, bound via the blue sapphire that was one of the doll's eyes. A soul bound to a gem. Animating the doll, an arcane construction.
You realize part of the problem with the talkativeness of the guards is that they don't seem to be able to speak much Taldane (common), as they're cooking you hear them talking more to themselves in Skald.
Nadya's speech is accented, but clearly she must speak Skald, and knows a lot of Taldane from being a trader.
As the stew is doled out and everyone digs in to eat, soaking their hard tack bread and enjoying the warmth of the bowls, the howl of the wind masks the approaching footfalls, until a luminous blue skinned woman, with hooved feet similar to Caladan's round the lean to's wall, and breaks through the snow into the firelight.
Sudden, though not hostile, the movements startle you. She lowers her hood, and you can see the horns atop her head. she's nothing in her hands, and holds them up in front of her clearly to demonstrate that she means no harm.
"Stay your blades travelers. "
"Could you by chance offer a fellow traveller a warm meal, and some shelter from this storm? ", she asks, though the cloak she wears doesn't seem to offer much protection, and the cold doesn't seem to be bothering her all that much. her opal necklace bounces on its chain in the wind.
"I'm Mierul Ardelain, a travelling minstrel, and able to sing for my supper, play a dulcet lute to drown the howling wind, or spin you some tales of years gone by.", though play on what, you wonder, for she carries no sword, nor instrument, only a light crossbow unloaded, on her back, and a a few pouches at her waist, wearing a fine blue dress underneath the white cloak she wears.
"Of course, please have a seat, I'll make you a bowl of stew.", Nadya says, and busies herself getting another bowl and ladling some of the stew into it with some bread.
Meriul sits well away from the fire though, eating the stew while her eyes slowly pass over Nadya and her guards, seeming to study them, before beginning to caress your outlandish group with her eyes.
Gondork just sits there, aghast and perplexes, halfway through a spoonful of soup as it trickles down his chin back into the bowl.
"Dinner AND a show! And here I thought we were in the middle of nowhere."
Ten-Penny quickly says between the spoonfuls of stew.
with a little flourish, a typical lute appears in her hands from nowhere, which she begins playing for you.
hearing common spoken, she excuses herself "Taldor then? Not a problem. Do you know the story of the mother of all witches, travellers? Wherever you hail from, tell me, is it the south? I'm sure they don't tell you this story before bed"
, and she plucks ger lute gently as she talks and inquires.
"These are friends from Koppucek, helping me to Waldsby with supplies for The Pale Tower. A few hired muscle from the south, they work cheap. ", says Nadya, keeping talking in taldane,
Arwyn is it? What brings you this far north? Giacomo mentioned that you have business with the Winter Witches?
Arwyn looked up from eating.
"What? Oh. Well, we're hoping to consult with them about a matter they are known to be experts in." She said evasively."Do you have any children? , she asks of Arwyn
Arwyn choked and sputtered.
"What? No! Just how old do you think I am?" She asked, wide eyed."What do you do?", she asks to each of you / the group, after talking a little about her supply business.
"Oh, well, I am a Guide and Ranger by training..." She explained.
Arwyn studied the unusual newcomer with interest.
Her eyes harden, just for a moment, then she feigns disinterest.
"Do you know the story of the mother of all witches, travellers?"
"No, can't say as I have..." She answered.
"These are friends from Koppucek, helping me to Waldsby with supplies for The Pale Tower. A few hired muscle from the south, they work cheap. "
Arwyn just nodded.
"Yes," Giacomo adds to Nadya's speech, "there has been increased bandit activity where we came from, we offered our services to Nadya's team so the goods would arrive safely. Wouldn't want to disappoint a Winter Witch, right?"
"What? No! Just how old do you think I am?" She asked, wide eyed.
"Well, i'm only 27. "
Gondork just sits there, deep in thought.
Another coincidence... Shyvana veil us.
Her eyes pass over you, and she shrugs her shoulders.
She sings severl old and entertaining yarns of Baba Yaga, and the three riders.
"Like the black rider of old, I happen to be looking for a rider of a black horse, who wears a black cloak. Have any of you seen such a man this night or any other?
"We have not"
nadya answers for all of you.
She tells another tale, of baba yaga's dancing hut, and of the powerful winter witch that erected the pale tower and subjugated this land, and her daughter, Nazhena Vasilliovna, who rules there now.
she finishes her supper, plays another dirgish lute ballad
and compliments the chef. "I thank you then for your generosity around the hearth. Safe travels to you. "
With that, she pulls up her hood and and walks off into the night, the storm has dyed down a bit.
"That was a close one. Probably a spy for the winter witches. They're everywhere in these lands. I was half scared to hear that she would be looking for you. Its good she had her eyes elsewhere. You don't want to attract attention in Irrisen as a foreigner. "
"We can't travel more tonight, so rest up. We can keep watch in pairs if you like. one of my men, and one of yours, five shifts. Sound acceptable? , Nadya asks, after dinner is done.
you talk into the evening, and sleep well through until morning. You're about twenty minutes into your journey to Waldsby when Nadya spots a murder of ravens, and calls for a halt. She barks some instructions in skald, and the men take white tarps , unfurl them, and throw them over the dogsleds, before motioning you to join one of the riders under the tarp.
The murder of crows settle around where they spotted some of you, tearing the tarp apart.
let me know if these #'s are correct.
i took stealth + armor check penalty from your sheets.
+5 cirucmstance bonus from the tarp.
stealth
spotted
spotted
spotted
Round 1:
[26: Ten Penny], [16: Gondork], [15: Arwyn], [13: Swarm], [12: Giacomo], [4: Caladan]
check your initiatives if i have the right #s
initiative checks
"The birds serve the pale tower. They've spotted us. We must stop them from getting away." , says Nadya.
"That was a Forlarren. They're children of the unholy union between a fiend and a nymph. Typically evil fey. Cold iron burns them, but their skin turns away other metals, barely scratching their skin.
"They aren't normally immune to the cold, but her blue skin, and demeanor could mean that she's a winter-touched fey, having accepted an icy sliver into her heart by a ceremony with a Winter Witch." She reported to her companions.
Arwyn fired twice in quick succession at point blank range.
for a possible piercing damage.
for a possible piercing damage.
for a possible extra piercing damage.
"Guys, I got a good look at Nadya's locket. I think I recognised one of the children. Remember that ghostly figure by that weird watchtower a few days ago? I think that was her. I don't know how, but I got the feeling her soul was what animated the doll that attacked us the next day. Should we tell Nadya? On the one hand, it might cause her grief, but on the other hand, maybe she'll help us defeat the Witches."
Giacomo nods. "So should we see anything like her again, we know to use cold iron. Good to know, thanks."
Ten-Penny uses both her short swords to quickly slash twice in a twirling fashion, hoping to catch more crows in her blender-like movement.
for
for
for potential extra damage on top.
Gondork frowns at what Arwyn tells him, then glances at Caladan and smirking.
Well, we've got out own ugly 'un. I'm not so worried about this bard, I think we fooled her!
...Sivanah be praised!
Then when Giacomo tells him about the child, he seems very shocked.
A child? Mercy of the gods...
Considering how much I hate being tricked myself, I would have liked to know as well. But we don't want her going on a bloodthirsty rampage, not yet. We should tell her when we arrive in Waldsby in my opinion.
When the ravens draw close, the sturdy half-orc grabs his greataxe once more and stands up. In the midst of the swarm he flails about wildly, hoping to catch as many ravens in his tiresome display.
the slashes manage to cut down a few birds, the swarm of them goes into a flurry on the dogs, ten penny, and gondork. Gondork cruelly has his eyes raked out by the swarm of ravens.
* blinded days
* blinded days
Round 1:
[26: Ten Penny], [16: Gondork], [15: Arwyn], [13: Swarm], [12: Giacomo], [12: Nadya], [4: Caladan], [1: Guards]
Round 2:
[23: Ten Penny], [16: Gondork], [15: Arwyn] ,[13: Swarm], [12: Giacomo], [12: Nadya], [4: Caladan], [1: Guards]
ten-penny: 6dmg
gondrok: miss
arwyn: 6dmg
swarm: 6 dmg to gondork, ten penny, sled c dogs
fires an arrow, but it goes wide, missing the birds.
the guards near the swarm break out their spears and try skewering birds in the swarm. one slashes and cuts down a few ravens.
Round 1:
[26: Ten Penny], [16: Gondork], [15: Arwyn], [13: Swarm], [12: Giacomo], [12: Nadya], [4: Caladan], [1: Guards]
Round 2:
[23: Ten Penny], [16: Gondork], [15: Arwyn] ,[13: Swarm], [12: Giacomo], [12: Nadya], [4: Caladan], [1: Guards]
round 1
ten-penny: 6dmg
gondrok: miss
arwyn: 6dmg
swarm: 6 dmg to gondork, ten penny, sled c dogs
giacomo: tbd
nadya: miss
caladan: miss
guards: 4 dmg
Again, Arwyn fired twice in quick succession at point blank range.
for a possible piercing damage.
for a possible piercing damage.
Giacomo moves a little out of the way, then shoots an arrow into one swarm, since the weapons seemed to work fine.
"Guys, if you move out a bit I can throw alchemical items at them, that might hurt them more than just arrows!"
Ten-Penny keeps spinning, slicing birds left and right
for
for
She then hears Giacomo shout for the rest to move away.
“That might actually be a good idea…”
She then 5ft stepsout of the swarm
Gondork panics when one eye sees the other eye flying away in a raven's beak. He screams at the top of his lungs, veins visibly strained on his neck and face. Frothing saliva drips from his chins as he frantically waves around his axe with no strength behind it.
you lash out, managing to slice a few birds
One of arwyn's shots connects
You've cut and slashed enough of the birds, that the rest collectively back off. they disperse, flying away off in all directions, though watching, you can see which direction they fly off in
"That's the direction of the pale tower. They'll be reporting spotting us to the Winter Witches. We need to hurry to get back to Waldsby quickly and lay low." Says Nadya.
for
Ten-Penny quickly sheats her blades, and turns to Nadya.
"That is a problem... How long does it take for us to reach Waldsby if we move now? And are there any major obstacles allong the way there?"
She then gives Gondork a worrying look.
"Also, I think Gondork needs more than a simple bandage..."
"Its not something that we can fix here. Gondork, get on my sled, I'll give you some ropes to hang on to. "
"We're about an hour away. it'll take twenty minutes as the crow flies to reach the tower, It'll take guards two to three hours to reach the town."
"I don't know what you are running from. If you're friends with this Black Rider they're after. But you saved us, its the least I can do to help try and save you. "
After the swarm disperses, Gondork drops on all fours, panting. He growls as Nadya takes a look at the other eye.
...What gave us away? I expected no further trouble from the bard...?
"Birds like these act as their eyes and ears. They harass any foreigners. Even us locals usually try and hide from them rather than chance an encounter. They send them out from the tower when they're looking for someone. "
"Hey Gondork, come over here, that eye looks nasty..."
Giacomo casts Guidance on himself before attempting to fondle Gondork's eye.
Giacomo recoils from Gondork as he tries to save Gondork's eye.
"Ew! I'm sorry, Gondork, I don't think I can do it. I'm not trained well enough for this. I can set bones and other minor stuff, but this is outside of my area of expertise."
fort saves:
fort saves:
fort saves:
fort saves:
fort saves:
fort saves:
fort saves:
fort saves:
Finally you make it to Waldsby on the northeastern fringes of the Hoarwood Forrest. Once in the village, you draw plenty of attention from the locals. Nadya greets those residents concerned for her safety, but many of the villagers stare and point at you foreigners, whispering concernedly and leading their children away. Others seem intrigued, hoping you've brought new wares from the south to trade, and not yet realizing that you aren't merchants. Nadya does her best to lead you past the throng to her hope, a stout unassuming cabin on the edge of town.
Her men unload the dogsleds and see the dogs into their kennels alongside the house. She brings you inside.
Giacomo, decidedly blue in the face, rushes towards the fireplace and tries to ignite it with shaking hands.
"G-g-g-g-Gondork, c-c-could you h-h-"
His speech is incredibily hard to understand, as if his tongue is a lump of ice in his mouth.
Two twins are sitting by a table near the fire, while an elderly woman stirs a cauldron over the fire spreading the inviting smell of some vegetable and thin chicken soup.
"These are my boys, Orm and Mjoli. Kashka looks after them for me while i'm away." she says in common, before switching to skald addressing them, " Thank you Kashka. Boys, these are our guests. Fetch them some hot food."
She turns to you five in Taldane again "Stay put, they'll fetch you some hot food and a bed to sleep in. I've must deliver my food shipment to the fortified storehouse on the other side of the village and make arrangements to help you blend in. I'll be back within an hour "
the small cabin is immaculately clean on the inside. Orm and Mjoli help Kashka, setting the table for a meal with you and doling out the soup for you
Your hearts fall as you see the small girl's bed, lovingly adorned with almost gingerbread-like wood carvings around its headboard.
After Giacomo's warmed up a bit, he joins the children in whatever they're doing, trying to comfort them even though they don't know why. Giacomo tries to sneak in a hug every now and then, hoping he won't scare off the children.
they're cute. a bit standoffish. but you have their mother's stamp of approval. so after having their soup you join them playing little games with wooden soldiers. its cute. they even set a small "plate" and leave it on the windowsill. its a broken wooden spoon, with a bit of broth and a carrot.
Nadya returns shortly with a collection of winter clothing, urging you to put on the more common peasant garb of Waldsby to avoid drawing attention to yourselves.
She thanks Kashka, hugs her and sends her home with a small bag of private provisions. Once all alone, she turns to you all.
"Is there anything else you need? We can go into town, there's a general store. I don't know what business you have with the Winter Witch, if you say you need their expertise, then its best to meet the guards from the Pale Tower when they come into town... But whatever you've come for If you need to buy anything around town, I can introduce you and translate for you."
"There is a priest of Pharasma in town. He's tolerated, to administer to the dead. Worship is outlawed in Irrisen. But functionally, some are tolerated in many places, in minor functions. I don't think he'll be able to heal your friends eye though."
"Nadya, who is that statue of in the town square? We have a similar looking one back in our town."