The trail continues through a narrow pass 50 ft beyond the clearing with the hut in it. It descends south and east into an icy valley. An unusual pattern of lines is scratched into the fresh snow covering and barely discernible in the falling snow. Looking closer you see that it is actually words written in common. Turn back before winter devours you. Suddenly a blast of cold air containing ice and snow erupt from the area dealing cold damage to those present. (reflex DC 14 for half)
Venja backs away from the gem and Variel, staying with Aneira until Variel is done smashing the gem.
Aneira notes Venja's movement to her side, and she acknowledges her friend's presence with a gentle nod.
Gabryjel sees the strange gust of cold wind and feels the bite of it slam into him...
Gabryjel shakes his head and sighs.
Pulling himself to his feet he continues to advance forward.
Coming to the ice breath, Gabryjel turns to look at Beck and Sheelah.
"Yo, chief - It looked like I just stepped in something... want to head back and tell the others what's up?"
While Beck considers his plans, Gabryjel will continue up the path, I guess...
Editing
Beck lets Gabe walk off and take a look around along the way, waiting for the others to sunder the Gem.
"Welp, yer the learned one, and if releasing that poor scaired girl can be done by breakin the gem, then i'm for it. Trappin soul is about as twisted and animatin' corpses. Perverse and wretched majiks if I ever heard o any," Beck says.
Once that is done, Beck says "We shouldn't be too far, aught be able t arrive by nightfall" and will walk with the others, slightly spread out, along the path looking around for where Gabe got off to.
for traveling
survival to aid in cold
Perception for threats
Given that there is clearly a trap, it's likely that there may be enemies.
Sighing a little, he will simply wait for the rest of his companions to advance to that point.
Xanxan actually tags behind folks for a bit, he was curious about the eye being broken
As Beck motioned that he would do the task of destroying the gem Variel went to stand closer to Anee putting his arm around her to both support her and protect her should something happen. The rest of the group separated themselves a bit in a semicircle around Beck but giving him 15ft to work. Venja was on the other side of Anee between Anee and Xanxan. All eyes were focused on Beck with muscle tightly wound ready to react.
Granting himself a moment of calm, Beck raised the miner's pick up and brought it down with both hands onto the gem. The force of the blow transferred onto the point of the pick shattered the sapphire gem into dozens of small shards. After the peal of the pick on the stone there was nothing but silence. The wind stopped blowing and the snow seemed frozen in mid air not moving. It started with Sheelah who heard it first a high pitched eerie wail that sent shivers down the spine. It rose in intensity until nothing else existed. Just when the cacophony reached the point to rupture eardrums and cause bleeding it stopped. It was replaced with flashes of light coming form the individual shards. White, blue, and every shade there of came together centering on the doll. The brightness made it difficult to really see what was gong on but it looked like the form of a little girl slowly crawling its way out of the doll. Once freed it stood up straight and lifted its arms to the sky. Slowly it floated up rotating all the while. As it rotated, it seemed to be looking at each of you. In your head you can hear the soft musical voice of the girl Thank you for freeing me. My soul will be at peace and not enslaved any longer. Good bye.
With that the spirit emitted a dazzling bright light. When you open your eyes again nothing remains of the spirit or the doll but a pile of powder where the doll rested. Even the shards of the gem had disappeared. Looking around you even the ice boulders had disappeared leaving the clearing open but for the hut.
GAbe as you look down into the valley it seems as if the world has disappeared beneath the brush of the gods for everything you can see below is white save for the next 100ft of trail in front of you. Even the shapes of the trees and contours of the land seem to have been erased in the snowfall that has descended here. To make matters worse you can feel a sharp cold wind blowing out from the valley causing you to pull your firs tighter. Clearly somewhere in the valley is the portal and its strength is increasing.
Aneira saw the vision, the spectre of the girl, Thora, through the brightness of the light, and in her head heard her musical voice affirm she was free and moving on. Be free, little one. Goodbye.
Aneira turned in Variel's embrace and smiled up at him. "It is done. And we are not hurt. I was not driven mad with fear."
Across to Beck, she softly called forth, "Well done on breaking the gem and spell, Beck."
Xanxan smiles widely as the soul is freed, "Why that was even prettier than the gem itself." Then he realizes he's far behind Gabe, and hastens to catch up. "Sorry, sorry..."
With the portal so close and their objective so near, Gabryjel is prepared to advance.
However, something concerns him.
If he had indeed stepped into a trap, that would suggest that there are likely more bandits about, much like the one's who trapped the trail on the way to the cabin earlier.
Likely there are more bandits afoot... Or maybe a pack of dark cultists worshiping some Old Gods aligned to the everlasting ice and snow...
The thought of Frost Giants prickles in his mind, and he damns the fact that he left Mjölnir behind.
Hell yeah, Mjölnir'd be damn handy now...
He debates waiting for his companions or continuing to advance, but for now he decides to wait a short while longer.
He frowns at the damage he endured, and considers his path in life.
Perhaps it would be wiser if I put aside the bow and took up sorcery or some other path... Well, we'll see what happens in time...
"A'ight mates, lets get a move on an' see what Gaby's seed, eh?" beck says with a smile.
to Venja, he adds as they set off, "You were right on the money about the gem, real good instincts there. We definitely did some good with breakin it," with a smile of admiration.
He'll hustle to the front with Xanxan to catch up with gabe and keep an eye for traps.
As the party eventually moves up to him Gabryjel glances up from his place in the trees - nearly obfuscated by the damnable snow.
Leaning against a tree branch he gives them a wry smile.
"You sure you had enough guys to bust open the jewel, or whatever the hell it was?" he says with a little rolling of his eyes.
As Beck advances toward him, he whispers quietly.
"Look, I got pinched by some sort of magical trap. It's not bad, but I've been better," he says indicating his arms where the skin looks somewhat grayish from the icy blast of cold air which needled his flesh.
"Point is - that weren't no gods-damned dead-fall, you know?"
"It were some kind of magic thing, I'd warrant."
He quickly describes the trap in as much detail as he can to the others, hoping that they may be able to decipher the meaning of the trap and so guess what it was.
Then he continues with his theory...
"We already met that rat-basterd at the cabin who was using all kinds of witchery to make Walker's and such, right? Well, what if this is more of the same? I mean, why put traps out here if they ain't got nothing to guard? And if it's more of the same, than there's good chance that we may see more witchcraft before this day's done."
He glances at the snow.
"Meantime, the snow's coming thick - that mean's we either got bad luck, or we're getting closer to bigger problems, you know?"
"Magic traps, extra snow... just saying - be careful is all..."
At which point Gabryjel will move to his position in the back of the party and let the others advance in standard marching order.
Aneira moves forward in the heavy snow, down the trail, in her usual position toward the rear of the line. She has her light crossbow loaded and ready. She nods at Gabe when he moves to his place at the back of the line. "Are you alright?" she enquires of him, quietly.
She will attempt to provide any aid to those closer to the front -- being watchful for any signs, threats or tracks.
"Are you alright?" she enquires of him, quietly.
"Meh, it's little painful, but not too bad."
"If you got anything to patch it up, I won't turn it down. But no pressure, you know? It's up to you..."
He considers things for a bit, watching her by him at the place in line.
"So... I hear you destroyed the gem?"
He seems to consider this for a bit, as if trying to puzzle it out.
"Don't get me wrong; if it was one of my friends or someone I know... yeah, I'd do what I can to help out, sure."
"But we didn't even know who that dame was. I mean, hell... did you really think it was worth it?" he says sincerely, not trying to be sarcastic or get a rise out of her. It's as if he legitimately is curious to know why she did it.
While it is true that Gabryjel will risk his very life for his companions and allies, the idea of risking himself or his possessions for unknown people seems a bit hard for him to accept.
Still, he's a soldier who's seen a lot of battle and lived in the wild for a long time. Such a lifestyle has made him far more cynical and reserved with his mercy and generosity to strangers; and far more protective and generous with the few people he calls "friends".
He does not have many friends; but of the few friends he has, he will fight for the death for them, if necessary. Indeed, even now - as before when he was wounded - he deliberately avoids taking healing from an ally, unless it can be spared - so as to make sure his friends are have healing first, if they need it more.
This girl was not a friend to him; indeed, he did not know her - the money from the gem could have fed him and his companions for a month.
At this point he merely wants to understand Aneira better, and try to figure out what is prompting her to be so generous and merciful to strangers.
Such kindness to strangers seems almost like a foreign concept to him; but it's clear he is willing to learn, if she is willing to teach...
Aneira gently lowers her crossbow and examines Gabe's wounds.
She answers his question as best as she can as she examines him. Her voice is steady and there is no ire or condemnation -- just simple, honest explanation.
"There was something in Thora's voice. She was afraid and wanted to go home. If I had a child, and it was lost to me, and I discovered a piece of her soul was trapped in a construct, I would want to release it. The gemstone was worth a lot of gold, I realise, but I could not live with myself knowing I valued gold over a child's soul finding its final resting place and peace. It was worth the risk to me, Gabe. I hope you can understand. Trapped spirits can be dangerous and now this doll construct cannot hurt any other traveller either. I would like to find the creator and deal with him or her directly." Aneira's voice is low, even as the wind picks up and blows harder.
Gabryjel glances at Aneira, curious to know her reasons.
When she speaks, he listens to her intently.
"There was something in Thora's voice. She was afraid and wanted to go home. If I had a child, and it was lost to me, and I discovered a piece of her soul was trapped in a construct, I would want to release it. The gemstone was worth a lot of gold, I realise, but I could not live with myself knowing I valued gold over a child's soul finding its final resting place and peace. It was worth the risk to me, Gabe. I hope you can understand.”
Gabryjel's mind tacks back to the issue with the deer that Aneira had saved earlier, and now concern for a child.
He regards her for a moment, saying nothing, just thinking about what she said.
She seems to have a tenderness about her; a need to take care of innocents, from children to animals…
Hell, and based on what she said I honestly believe she’d risk herself for some kid that she doesn’t even know… but I get it, I think… she’s just… nice…
Gabryjel thinks on that for a bit.
Being nice like that can get you killed… still, I can’t fault her for doing what she believes in…
He nods at her decision, not disputing it any further.
”Gabe, do you really want some healing now or can you wait? So tell me what you want, please, and I will do it.”
He rubs his chin absently and considers her request for healing.
”Nah, skip it for now, I guess,” he says after a moment, grinning a little at the sudden directness of her comment.
”I reckon that if Beck or Whitestorm get in a rough-and-tumble up ahead, they’ll likely need it more than I will.”
”Besides, I’ll likely be in the back with a bow. There’s a good chance I won’t even get hit…” he says with a look that suggests that he doubts that very much.
As they each look at the thick snowfall for a bit he wonders a little about the whole scene with the doll in general. He considers things for a while, not worried about the treasure now as much as he is considering the implications of such a creature.
”You know, whoever made that thing… if they got the witchcraft to do that, there’s no telling what they could do next?”
”I mean, we saw the guy back there making undead – you think there could be a connection? And if so; what’s the plan?”
”Trapped spirits can be dangerous and now this doll construct cannot hurt any other traveller either.”
Gabryjel’s eyes widen.
”So smashing the gem means it’s busted as a threat from the future?”
”Nice…” he says with a slow nod.
I would like to find the creator and deal with him or her directly." Aneira's voice is low, even as the wind picks up and blows harder.
Gabrjyel’s eyes now narrow in sudden understanding.
”You talking vendetta, eh?”
He looks at her.
”Yeah – that I get real good,” he says hefting his bow.
”Tell you what; when we meet those basterds that did that to the girl, the kill’s yours if you want it,” he says in a sincere voice, clear that he will do what he can to help Aneira find peace with dealing with the scum who did that to the girl.
However, it’s not clear if his concern is motivated in bringing justice to criminals, or if it’s simply trying to help a friend.
Upon the destruction of the gem and the freeing of the soul, Variel turns immediately to Anee to see what the effect of the action might have been. Even though his arm was around her he still want sure wha the state of her mind was going to be. It was with a relieved heart that the terror in her eyes was completely gone. Are you ok Anee? For real, I don't want to you to try and be brave for me. If so then that is the best news I have heard in the last day. Giving her a kiss Variel felt some of the tension in his own body dissipate as he held her. It was still a minute or so before he was able to fully acknowledge to himself though that she was ok.
Turning to the others that stood in the semi circle around Beck, Thank you my friends for standing with us. I appreciate it more than I can tell you. Indeed Venja I heard your offer to repay the cost of the gem but I do not need it nor would I want you to. Freeing the girl's soul and relieving the scare on Anee is all the payment I need.
Beck, I owe you one for doing that deed for me so I could stand next to my wife. How are you doing? You were the closest to the doll when that took place. Any lasting effects on you at all?
As the group nears the entrance to the valley where GAbe is waiting all can see the bleak landscape before them. Clearly this is what was in store for their homes should they not figure out someway to close the portal and stop the winter from persisting.
The snowfall here is so thick that the way forward is almost impossible. Xanxan would be completely covered with no one able to see him should he decide to jump into a pile of snow and hide there. It is only through the tiring work of those in the lead that break a path through the snow for the others to follow that any progress can be made. To make matters worse the temperature is dropping as you make your way down. The blowing snow limits the vision to only 100 feet in front of you the entire time you are traveling. Based on the map Beck is certain that another 30 minutes of travel in this weather will bring them to the end of the trail.
DC 19
DC 20
Variel shivers in the drop in temperature but still manages to take his turn clearing the snow ahead for the group to continue on. Wrapping the winter cloak around him tighter to keep his teeth from chattering he looks back. Anyone else want to take a break and start a fire to warm up for a bit before continuing on if a fire can even be started in this weather?
Upon the destruction of the gem and the freeing of the soul, Variel turns immediately to Anee to see what the effect of the action might have been.
As Variel moves through the others, Gabryjel watches for a bit, and then he notices that there is not yet any answers at this time, at least, not yet...
After he watches Variel talk, he cocks his head to the side, watching the elf, listening to him talk to the others.
He spits to the leeward casually, cleaning out his mouth.
”You know, I got a question, too,” he says pausing to rub his forehead with the back of his hand.
”I asked earlier – based on what I saw regarding the trap – what do you reckon it is?” he says casually, watching the elf with a somewhat tired expression.
”I asked any who’s a caster – you’re a caster.”
”No disrespect, but you got plenty of time to talk to the others - you reckon you can figure out an answer on something I asked you, too?” he says with worn out voice as the snow comes down hard on them.
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As Variel marches along with the group he thinks back to what GAbe asked him about the trap. The problem was two fold. First he did not see the trap itself that was set off so engrossed in the doll was he and second the magic had dissipated by the time he got there. It was almost impossible to tell what the source or cause of the trap was. Based on the description though, he responds to Gabe, By what you are telling me it was a magical trap. Now it is hard to determine how strong of a trap it was without seeing it and identifying it as the trap was going off. I am sorry GAbe but I do not have a good answer for you right now.
Anyone else want to take a break and start a fire to warm up for a bit before continuing on if a fire can even be started in this weather?
"We got a thing to do. The longer we wait - the worse we'll be, right?"
"If it were done - 'twas best done quickly, right?" he says watching the elf, curious to see what they'll do next.
By what you are telling me it was a magical trap. Now it is hard to determine how strong of a trap it was without seeing it and identifying it as the trap was going off. I am sorry GAbe but I do not have a good answer for you right now.
He nods.
"Bad luck, then," he says with a shrug.
"But we saw the one earlier - he who made the dead walk," he adds.
"The snows are magic-made; and the necromancer, and the Fey we saw - and now the magic trap?"
"I think we're getting closer to dark things; but what they are, I don't know."
"Whatever we do - we should be cautious," he says with a weary voice.
"We ready to push on, then?" he adds, wondering what will happen.
"Lord, I'm going to get swallowed in all that snow. Mind if I ride Sheelah?" At mention of traps, he looks more than a little embarrassed under his yeti cloak, "On second thought, I can keep trying. All this magic, I'm not really prepared well for it."
"As for going on, I don't know. I see Gabe's point. It seems to be that even if we could start a fire, we could freeze to death while trying to. Maybe speed is best?"
"As for going on, I don't know. I see Gabe's point. It seems to be that even if we could start a fire, we could freeze to death while trying to. Maybe speed is best?"
Gabryjel looks over at Xanxan and nods.
"If there were any chance of the fire fixing us up; yeah - maybe."
"But when it comes to magic... I don't know."
He looks at Xanxan thoughtfully.
"I envy you of the magic protection you have."
"It's something I'll need to look into in the future, I suppose," he says, then he looks down the path again, frowning at the snow.
"I am honestly alright, Variel. Having Thora's spirit freed to find rest and peace has removed any remnant of bad feeling or terror from within me. More so, having you, husband, by my side, and our friends supporting me in case I was afflicted once more, made me feel secure." She returned his kiss, and nestled in his embrace a little while longer before they let go of each other, readying to follow Gabe along the winter trail.
************
As she walked along the trail and the cold's bite became suddenly noticeable (which was most unusual for Aneira), she pulled out her cold weather gear and wrapped her thick winter coat about her petite frame and placed her woollen hat over her hair.
With the deep snow along the trail, Aneira likes the idea of starting a fire but agrees that it was probably not wise at this point on the trail. But what if the closer they drew to the portal, the colder and deeper the snow became? Would they survive it? She and Venja had an advantage the others did not , but even then, the weather seemed menacing and prevalent.
Aneira likes the idea of starting a fire but agrees that it was probably not wise at this point on the trail.
Gabryjel grunts at her sentiment.
"Fair thoughts; but you said nothing on vendetta," he adds with a dry grin.
He looks up the wind and snow, feeling a great weariness in his bones and raises his bow high and laughs contemptuously.
""
He turns and spits into the snow, then he looks up at Aneira again.
"I wish I had that spell this morning; but as it is now..."
"No - save your magic; and the healing, too, I think."
"I will not ask you to use your magic on me yet - I reckon there's darkness ahead."
He squints down the trail and frowns.
"When I've bled today, I may ask for healing... but until then, others may need it more, I think."
He frowns, considering what they spoke of before, and what he had told her before.
"We both have things that weigh on our hearts, ma'am - I can't place my healing over others yet, much as I wish I could," he says with a nod to her.
"I envy you of the magic protection you have."
"Well, gosh, now I don't feel guilty at all" the gnome sighs and moves forward while Gabe makes a distraction by yelling.
The gnome sighs and moves forward while Gabe makes a distraction by yelling.
Gabryjel looks at Xanxan and nods at the gnome, watching him slip into the gray of the snow.
He knocks and arrow on his bow and follows the gnome; but given the massive amount of difficulties that the weather is provided, he does not fear that an enemy will see him.
Instead, he follows Xanxan five feet behind him.
”I mean, we saw the guy back there making undead – you think there could be a connection? And if so, what’s the plan?”
Aneira grew thoughtful at the question. "Honestly, Gabe, I do not know. These individual events do not seem random, so I believe there is a connection of some kind. Perhaps once we find the portal, we may have more answers."
"You talking vendetta, eh?”
”Tell you what; when we meet those basterds that did that to the girl, the kill’s yours if you want it,” he says in a sincere voice.
The wind grew stronger and visibility worsened and Aneira reconsidered using her crossbow in such conditions. She stowed the crossbow on her shoulder and drew the light mace from her belt, ready in case of attack. She had pondered Gabe's question and was ready to answer him.
"Not a vendetta, for I had no particular deep connection to the child to support such a blood grudge. Yet, I would see no other child suffer a similar fate. If I can stop the creator of these dolls, then I will sleep better at night, Gabe. I do not have to be the one to end the creator's life -- I would simply see our group succeed in shutting the portal, removing the taint of evil and punishing the culprits."
She continued to trudge through the deep snow behind Variel and the others.
"No - save your magic; and the healing, too, I think."
When conversation returned to spells and healing, Aneira looked back at Gabe for a moment and added, "If you need healing, I will aid you, if I am able. Do not think I shall leave you to suffer or die in this frigid woodland. I would do all that I can for any of you, for my duty is to heal."
Becks's saves
non-lethal cold
to help others with the cold
Sheelah's Saves
"Well, even half hour in this weather is gonna be killer, so I'd be willing to take a break at this point. I bet i can find a spot out the snow to get a fire up right nice and cozy." Beck says through the shivers. "I-i-fffff the b-both o' us, G-g-g-gaby an m-me are showin down, may be good ta take a break, an try get to th-th-the end o' the l-l-line afore the c-c-cold sets in again."
If we break, the fire'll stay lit for three hours, and we'll still be able to make it to the end of the trail before sundown, right Var?
Gabryjel considers her words a moment.
Not vendetta but justice - a fine distinction, but one I can understand well enough...
"If you need healing, I will aid you, if I am able. Do not think I shall leave you to suffer or die in this frigid woodland. I would do all that I can for any of you, for my duty is to heal."
He stares hard at her for a moment, thinking, but saying nothing on what is in his mind.
After a moment he nods his head.
"You are my friend ma'am; I count you as such, though I have few friends," he says slowly.
"I will bleed for you, if I must - though I do not seek death."
"You are my friend; if you want the chief casters's head - it's yours if I can make it so," he says emphatically.
"If you are happy with mere justice and good deeds alone." he says watching her eyes carefully, as if studying her intent, then satisfied with what he sees "know that such concerns make no difference to me either way. As for me, I don't really care about such high ideals that much."
"But as I said, you're my friend; you told me what's important to you and asked for help... that's good enough for me."
"I will not forget your friendship; and I shall remain true to you," he says with a nod.