[GM Arcadius Blue] On The Fourth Day, We Kill Them All (Inactive)

Game Master B S 207

Havark understands the frustration and turns and shoots a look at Tyv but lets it go and continues on as there are more important things.

I was just going to ask for the supplies from the Jarl assuming he could arrange it but either way is fine by me. Havark would take Tyv's suggesting on this... Yes this is a great game, lots of fun. Havark is a unique personality to play. It is hard sometimes to come up with how to be rude, like when meeting the witch :) Good GM, good game. Though you can certainly see based on our other game that I can't "Hack" the boards dice roller and Havark is so far blessed ;)

Yeah, the interactions between Tyv and Havark are a lot of fun watch: two very different characters with two very different approaches, but it happens in a way that they compliment another instead of causing undue friction - which is where the magic happens.

As far as Ásvaldr arranging for the supplies, he's in Viezla watching over his children at the moment. There's a possibility he'd pay for the supplies if approached in the right way, but considering what they are is tools for a witch to use for more witchcraft, you'd have something of a hill to argue up.

"Here!" Ásdís suddenly grabs Fanna by the arm. She cries in protest, but Ásdís responds with a silencing glare before explaining, "Oh, no fussing: you need to know what to buy." She scribbles down the Vetrdís's arm for a few moments: the last symbol written was unidentifiable, but upon completion, it dispersed across the rest of words running down from Fanna's wrist, instantly drying the ink. The color of the script also changed to an icy blue. She releases Fanna and stares at the maiden for another moment. "Begone, now." Ásdís whirls and turns to go back into her home.

Silent for most of the journey home, Fanna politely nods at Tyv's comments but doesn't really listen. At one point, he catches her remarking under her breath, "What a horrible woman."
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Fanna, Havark, and Tyv return to the village, where the morning games are more than halfway completed. When walking south along the east side of Lake Ætla , they see directly ahead in the first field that the longsword melee is entering another round, while across the lake, strange, inhuman whines are heard coming from the group of folk playing some-kind of physical contact, score keeping game across the flat land there.

Standing near the melee event is Lady Thordís: she sees the three coming, and leaves the crowd to approach them. She greets them by addressing their quizzical looks while she fishes for something in her coat's pocket. "Tickling the Brat, it's called. The whines you hear are the infant trolls, covered in grease and used to score points. Look, I... Havark, I owe you my life, so I have something to show you. It was given to me by Varghoss." She hands the tiefling a note.

Havark clutches the note crumpling it up a bit. He stares blankly for a moment and looks to Thordis.

"Where is he?"

He states with the undertone of that of Havark now has business with him.

"I should have left you to die if you carried these words of betrayal here among my clan. Tell me now where Varghoss is and reclaim a bit of your honor you have thrown away."

He hands the note to Tyv.

"Tyv you will need to watch Fana, I have business with Varghoss. Take this to Jarl Ásvaldr, let him know I go to confront this treacherous fool he will not see the fourth day."

Tyv scans the note quickly then places a hand on Havark's arm. Havark, pause a moment. This is the fuel we need to dismantle Ranuflr. If you go off to confront Varghoss, you may defeat him and salve your honour, but his death may not be enough to stop the plans he has put in motion. More likely though, everyone will see it as just another violent thrust by Asvaldr's mad dog Havarark - a clumsy attempt by the Jarl to avoid his own holmganga. I say again, pause a moment and use that razor will of yours to cut Ranulfr the blow it deserves for this treachery.

He turns to Thordis. What else can you tell us? What are the details of this assault? What other clans are in on this? Will you speak before the council on this matter? How are the frights involved?

Okay, so Tyv wouldn't actually fire off a barrage of questions quite like that, but in the interests of keeping things moving, well, there they are.

"Honor? Funny if you think that is what this is about. Unless the Jarl was challenged this morning in our absense then he will be avoiding nothing. You take this to him. I leave it to you. My duty is to protect our Jarl. I will throw a wrench in his plan with this confrontation. I'm still waiting Thordis. Where is he?"

"No, Havark, you should leave!" she pleads, angry that her point is so misconstrued. "Forsake that foolish clan and spare yourselves - you are not of true Hávardr blood, yes? You need not pay for Ásvaldr's mistakes. Varghoss's personal guard alone numbers half that of the entire Hávardr clan, and Ránulfr brought many allies to the Þing. Slaying him will not spare Hávardr from its fate, and I tell you this so you may keep your life, not encourage a quick death. Search for him yourself if you must."

What else can you tell us?

"That your friend is a fool, running to a fool's death."

What are the details of this assault?

"As you see in the note. It will a brutal and decisive victory for Ránulfr and their allies."

What other clans are in on this?

"I know there are others, but the others at the meeting between myself and Varghoss were the leaders of the Kyösti, Guðríðr, and Arnbjörg clans."

Will you speak before the council on this matter?

"Forfeit the land in this arrangment, and the lives of myself and my clansfolk? I think not"

How are the frights involved?

"Hávardr treachery, is it not? I remember the symbols well as that risen corpse stood over me."

"Honor? Funny if you think that is what this is about. Unless the Jarl was challenged this morning in our absense then he will be avoiding nothing. You take this to him. I leave it to you. My duty is to protect our Jarl. I will throw a wrench in his plan with this confrontation. I'm still waiting Thordis. Where is he?"

I find very little about this funny, which is unusual for me. Varghoss challenged Asvalrdr at the council meeting yesterday. The fourth-day holmganga is already set. Everything in this note has already come to pass - except for the everybody dying part. Your charging off to confront Varghoss, with no proof of anything I might add, serves no purpose except to further distract from this dawn assault.

"That your friend is a fool, running to a fool's death."

That much we agree on.

"Hávardr treachery, is it not? I remember the symbols well as that risen corpse stood over me."

Hmm, so Varghoss' plotting and the Frights' presence here may not be linked after all. Havark that is something to consider. Even if you save the Jarl from this Ranulfr plot, The frights may still win the day. Let us warn the Jarl of what we know - let him react as he sees fit, but then we must return to Asdis and prepare for the ritual. If the northmen disrupt the Spring's kiss with their feud, then the only winner will be Boreas.[/b]

my left hand is a bit disabled this morning. I will reply later when I can type a bit better.

Sorry ended up leaving work to take care of my wife. She did something to her back, she will be fine though.

"So the Jarl has already been challenged. He didn't say..." He thinks as he hears the two talking back and fourth.

"So you wish me to abandon my oath just because you think it is a lost already Thordis? You are a coward. The frights show your true nature. Show me I am not correct and stand now with us. Yes the frights bear the Hávardr clan mark. They are souls of Hávardr long past and being controlled by someone. Tyv may be correct, if we can not stand together what makes you think your clan will not be the next target. Let's go Tyv I think your right. We need a plan and to get this information to the Jarl."

Ugh, sounds rough. Glad you're back on your feet (fingers?) today.

Thordís sneered as she began walking away. "Misplaced arrogance is Hávardr's folly, down to their last man. Ránulfr rises, Andetag, and you've enough sense to see it. Save yourself."

It is, of course, not impossible to change Thordís's mind, but she arrived at the Þing already an ally of Ránulfr. If you'd want to engage in Diplomacy, it'd be a high DC, and you'd need either magic or significant leverage to even attempt it.

Fanna spots Nord on the far side of the crowd watching the melee, and Ásvaldr stands next to him with his children - except Hákon, who is resting with the other participants before the next round of the fight. The three push their way through throng of spectators and tell what they've learned to the jarl, showing him the note.

"So. Your task is known now to be possible and more urgent, but nothing else changes. To flee would mean Hávardr is broken anyway." He gestures to Havark with his flagon of ale and says gravely, "Come storm or shadow, we stand."

Did you have anything else for the jarl, or to do in Viezla at the moment? Were you going to see if he'll pay for the supplies that Ásdís requested? Otherwise, we'll move along with bringing the corpse and supplies back to Ásdís hut.

Havark will pay for the supplies with what he has won.

Havark nods.

"We will return as quickly as possible. Be safe. Now we know of the treachery and will not be caught off guard."

Tyv may have stuff, but Havark does what the Jarl ask of him.

That may be true Lady Thordis, but Boreas my yet rise above all, and then it matters not what side of these squabbles you and I take. Right now Havardr are the only ones with the sense to oppose him, so it is with them I shall stand.
Hail Mary Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

After the Jarl speaks, Tyv asks, Would you like any of your children to accompany us? Asdis seems harmless enough, and we could always use another sword arm or sharp pair of eyes, he lies.

As they ready to leave he skips over to Nord. Hey, wanna meet a witch?

Thordís did not look back as Tyv called his warning out to her.

-

Eyvindr, ever eager, leaps at the chance, "Yeah! Let's go!" Ásvaldr's youngest two remained shy and said nothing, while his elder children shake their heads - though Dalla considers it for a moment. Ásvaldr nods approvingly to Havark, and to his son.

Tyv's casual approach to Fanna's grandfather is met with the elder's lost temper. "You broughd my Famma do a widch? FAD'S why you made me sday behimd? Well nod fis dime, mo chamce. I'm comim' wiff."

Perception checks again, please. If someone wants to make an effort to relax any of the NPCs, you can give Diplomacy a try. Feel free to be creative and try something else too, but limit cheering up one NPC per player. :-P

Havark is not socially aware enough to realize they are upset. He is used to the silence when people are not shouting things at him :)

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15 +2 if a creature

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

While Tyv is aware of everyone else's moods, he is too capricious and self-centred to really care. If others are not providing him with entertainment, then they aren't of much interest to him,

Bringing along travelling companions proves not to be as much fun as Tyv had hoped, so he spends most of the journey with the one member of their entourage that isn't giving him attitude, and rides on the sled with the fright-corpse, trying in vain to see the secrets of its soul.

"Conditions are worse then when we came this morning. It is not my doing. The Jarl needs things done in a swift manner, yet we allow ourselves to be burdened. Here are your things now do what you say you can as time is short."

She ignores Havark's response as she shoos Tyv off of the sled, and begins by unpacking the writing materials, verifying its contents. "I have not survived these years alone by being a slouch, and will work as swiftly as the hours allow. I've already discovered the basic truths of the ritual while you were away." Pulling the fright off with a big huff, she continues, "There is need to prevent the curse from affecting the ritual's performance by warding the area; I have a scroll you may purchase if the means otherwise elude you. A basic understanding of magic will also be required, and finally, so will a trained voice: one that understands timbre, cadence, projection, and resonance. When I have captured the ritual's essence, I will send for you. Until then, begone from here!" She disappears into her home and slams the door.

"Pleasemd for a widch," grumbles Nord.

OOC, Ásdís just informed you that you will need to use a magic circle against evil, consecrate, or similar spell/effect to begin the ritual. From there, it will require Spellcraft checks as well as Perfomance (act, oratory, or singing) checks to pull off successfully.

Are we expected to supply said skills etc exclusively or can we enlist allies?

Yeah, that thought is that you'd enlist allies. Given that I know neither of you two have the required Perform skills at bare minimum (nor does the third player, and I'm pretty certain he's still at least a few weeks off before being ready to join anyway >.>), you can try to see if you know some NPCs who would, or go gather information around Viezla to find a rando to help you out.

Havark watches on not approving of the witch's words.

"So we just wait now. You could have told us of this before we returned to the village. We have no time for your games with the village on the eve of an attack. I swear to Wotan I will cut the enemy down by the tens of men, a hundred even before I see my clan fall. Come Tyv it seems we need go fetch a bard now."

Havark is pissed and even less good company on the return then his usual cheery self.

Well, Fanna can sing right?

Already inside, working away, there is no response to Havark's angry shouting. At Tyv's suggestion, Fanna clears her throat and gives it a try, "La la la lehhhhh..."

"Wow..." responds Eyvindr, who is obviously enamored with Fanna by the sound... but to the non-pubescent, it's fairly obvious she's not up to the task. Nord jumps in quickly to spare his granddaughter's feelings.

"Erhm, well, dom'd you meed Famma for amoffer pard of dhe ridual, for dhe kiss? I'm dhe keeper of dhe sagas in Drífa, amd I bed I could hamdle id. Amd I'm comim' wiff do dhe dower amyway!" His empty grin warns that, even if with the talent for it, he may not have the teeth for it.

Tyv winces at Fanna's creative key choice. Ah, that's, uh lovely yes, but...oh Nord! You're right - oratory is definitely the away to go here!

Once returned the the thing, Tyve gets to work...

Gather info to find someone with better perform than Nord: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Gather info to locate/barter for dentures: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Gather info to locate/barter for scroll: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Gather info to find someone with better spellcraft than Havark: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Sorry I went out of town on Thursday morning, I don't think I posted I was leaving.

"Fine, fine. Whatever we need to do to get this done. Come stick close we are on the eve of attack and tensions will be high. Do what you can Tyv we will stay together and see this through."

Well you were both out for the same period, so I didn't stress the couple days away. :-) Glad you're feeling better, Tyv.

I'm assuming this tasks are in order of priority, Tyv? If that was incorrect, let me know. You're arriving back in Viezla at about 1 P.M., so depending on what I roll for the time-keeping on your tasks below, it may very well stretch far past when Ásdís will contact you. Also, you say your sticking with Tyv, Havark, you're welcome to roll to try and aid on these checks.
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Better Perform than Nord (at least +3/+7): DC 13/17 | Hours: 1d4 ⇒ 4: 5 PM

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Setting to work right as they get to Viezla, Havark & Tyv try desperately to find someone who may be a better fit for the vocal part in their ritual. What they find instead, is a collection of buffoons who fancy themselves as bards, skalds, or thyles: none are so capable as Nord even without his teeth until the last, a dwarven boy named Vebjørn. He carries a tune well enough, but even by dwarven standards, he has an exceptional gravel to his song that he struggles with. He does not seem to know well enough to ask for compensation for the help, either. If Havark fails or doesn't attempt the Aid Another (DC 10), then Vebjørn has Perform (singing) +3. If he succeeds, then it's Perform (singing) +5. In either outcome, that is less than Nord's +6 with dentures, but better than his +2 without.

Certainly, the others jarls themselves have more capable men at their disposal, but true bards live for the þing - no chance they'd give up their cushy work for true danger in some forgotten tower. The sun begins to cast long shadows as Havark and Tyv pause to eat, and decide what their next step is.

Given how long that took, I imagine you'll want to decide if you want to spend the time looking for dentures or skip it not before I move you ahead.

Aid Gather info: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Aid Gather info: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Aid Gather info: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Aid Gather info: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"I say we go with the boy here, we wasted far too much time listening to these drunken oafs."

urk! What exactly is our timetable here? Yeah the list I posted was in order of operations, but I hadn't considered the time it would take. I doubt Tyv has the attention span for four hours of anything. :>

Agreed, Tyv says glumly. Lets secure that scroll next, then see what we can do about finding a sage knowledgeable in spell craft. If there's still time after that I'll swing by the market and see if I can find some dentures for Nord.

I mean, you don't know exactly when Ásdís will be done, but it's the third day, so Ránulfr attacks at dawn tomorrow. She knows the timetable and well... the metagame isn't going to be a dick like that. :-P Anyway, I had already rolled the rest of these times and stuck them in the spoiler above, so here we go. Also, narrating for you two the realization that now, without Glówen, you are without any UMD ranks with which to use a scroll - either spell would require Tyv to possess the Fate sphere to use it. Didn't realize it myself until today, and immediately had an "oh s@&#" moment.

Potion (Magic Circle): DC 22 | Hours: 1d4 ⇒ 1: 6 PM

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

As they eat, it occurs to Havark ask Tyv if he's sure he can utilize the magic required to ward the area. A blank stare and a small shrug tells him all he needs to know, and it is decided that they will instead search for an elixir to provide the protective enchantment.

Fortunately, it was fairly easy to find the merchant who brought a wide variety of potions to the Þing. The deep tone of his skin and well-trimmed mustache easily mark him as a traveler from somewhere south. "These have been going fast, you see - you expect to sell a few of the wards against Boreas's might in the north, of course. Many people only get access to this magic at gatherings like this, but these attacks! Worked up quite a worry among the locals." He produces a vial. "I have one left to sell you, but I've got a proposition. See, a crevasse in my here path hid beneath fresh powder and opened up beneath me. I was unscathed, but my blade let loose and dropped into the icy black beneath. That steel at your side, youth - give me that, and the potion's yours." For the potion of magic circle against the North Wind, the price is either 750 gp or Bárðr's longsword.

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Better Spellcraft than Havark (at least +5): DC 20 | Hours: 1d4 ⇒ 3: 9 PM

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Havark and Tyv next set about the task of finding a proper student of magic manipulation while the gibbous moon begins its climb into the sky, opposite the purple-red glow of a sun already set. They leave the bear-on-man pit fights at Fisherman's Square, finding no candidates, and move to try the Main Hall instead. They are stopped, far from the others, by a high-pitched, hollow voice. "Ásdís has completed her research, and waits for you on the outskirts of town. Follow." Turning to the source, they see a short humanoid with bat-like wings and small horns protruding above its brow. Most notably, though, its body seems composed wholly of ice.

Havark simply nods and awaits Tyv to trade the blade or haggle a different deal.

Later:

At sight of the Mephit Havark first moves to put himself between it and Fana, but soon lets down his guard as it speaks. He takes the girl by the hand and follows the creature.

"Come we and witch have wasted enough time. Let us end this."

Tyv looks genuinely heart-broken as he sullenly hands over his trophy to the foreign merchant. His eyes follow the blade wistfully until it disappears from sight into the merchants tent.

Tyv lets out a long, forlorn sigh. He unstoppers the elixir, gives its contents a sniff and wrinkles his nose.NOT a good trade, he complains, as they walk away.

He distracts himself from the loss of his treasured bladeby talking with the young dwarf Vebjorn - or rather talking at him, and by the time the icey familiar finds them Badr's blade is long forgotten. He gathers their entourage - Fanna, Nord, Eyvindr and Vebjorn - and eagerly sets out for the ritual.

Also mentioned earlier that Vebjørn was a boy - I meant to say a young man. Dwarven equivalent of 18 years old.

The mephit mentions that his name is Fiidulmamid once the six are gathered, and leads them forth. Vebjørn nods amicably at Tyv's chatter and offers simple acknowledgements, but the words seem to pass through the dwarf's ears - the lad seems none too bright.

Standing on the far side of a nearby ridge, then, is Ásdís. She carves the same rune into a few rocks, tallow dripping from her hand as she does, and once they begin to cast their soft lights, she tosses them to the group's perimeter. "Let us begin. First, the required runes." She offers up a stylus to Havark, and carefully, repeatedly, shows him what must be carved into the ice surrounding the frozen Vetrdís.

She teaches the runes required for the ritual to Havark. It will consist of two DC 15 Spellcraft checks, each taking three minutes that cannot be interrupted. Every time two checks are failed during the course of an attempt, you will need to start from scratch at +1 DC.

"The dwarf is unfamiliar. Is he to learn incantation, then?" Ásdís asks, before looking to Nord, Fanna, and Eyvindr. "What role do they play then? Is it..." she pauses, leveling a quizzical look at each, "Are they the best Hávardr could recruit for an escort? How the mighty have fallen..."

Since we are not being distracted I should be able to take 10 while doing it correct?

Havark watches carefully. He learns the symbols then calls on the power of the animals spirits to sharpen his mind before taking to carving the ruins.

Animal Affinity for Int, for a +6 to spell craft for 4mins, Taking 10 for result of 16

Ásdís sees Havark take towards trying the ritual in earnest and interrupts him. "Hmm? No no, you cannot break the curse here, fishskin. It's power is focused and amplified through the Vetrdís. Only by working the magic through her can you hope to break its power."

Each Spellcraft check takes 3 minutes, so it will take a total of 6 minutes. That said, yes; as long as you are not distracted, you will be able to take 10. Also, sorry if the confusion comes from my end, but the kiss at the ritual's end is for not for a vetrdís, but the vetrdís - the commander frozen in the tower. While I've been kinda amused that you guys have been lugging Fanna around everywhere (hence Ásdís is bringing it up), I realize now that more than you merely misunderstood that you needed her help, I didn't make it clear WHERE you were breaking the curse.

My bad. :-D

That is fine, I can use animal affinity again between the two assuming a one round pause between the two checks is alright. I'm still confused by what you just wrote. Who is getting kissed and who is doing the kissing? So Fana is not part of the ritual?

Ohhhh. The vetrdis, not a vetrdis. So, we have to go back to the ice tower then. Or at least me, Havark and Vebjorn here have to go. And yeah, maybe an escort would have been a good idea.

Tyv scratches his head as he works through the time table, and realizes that their chances of finding the tower again, conducting the ritual and making it back to the thing before Ranulfr's dawn attack were getting slimmer and slimmer. So, Eyvindr, Fanna and Nord, you guys should probably just wait here for us. No sense in traipsing all the way back to Viezla tonight - I'm sure Asdis would be happy for the company. Or wait, Tyv looks over to the witch. Are you coming with us to the tower?

This time, Ásdís came to you guys, so you're still within about a 5-10 minute walk of Viezla. :-P

"If I meant to do that, I wouldn't waste the beating of my heart teaching you a ritual I'd well perform myself." Ásdís replies flatly. "No, the bones you brought me have many secrets to share about their master - I've only begun probing their contents. Whispers suggest that you two are watched closely by the Norns. They will have already decided how your efforts will transpire; my presence has no bearing on that outcome." Continuing without emotional affect, she looks to the dwarf. They seem to achieve a wide berth from the others without either moving much (is it a trick of the light, or Ásdís's doing?), and she fills the rest of the hour teaching him the incantation.

Too long have the bleak winds of malice embraced you

Too long wed to winter by shackles of ice
Too long kissed by cruelty of cold that encased you
Abandoned by hope to your dark sacrifice

I pledge you the warmth of the song of my essence
Take all of my fire to hold deep inside
I kiss you to kindle your lost luminescence
As one we shall cast desolation aside

Performing the incantation will require Vebjørn to succeed at a DC 18 Perform (sing) check - and the DC will increase by 1 for each failed attempt.

Ásdís gathers her candles and signals to Fiidulmamid. "Should you succeed, forget not that we have a common enemy. I'm certain I would make good use of your talents again. Until then." Funny that - wasn't it Tyv & Havark that sought her out?

Alright, if you've got nothing further before heading back to the glacier, one of you can roll a Survival check for me please. The other is welcome to assist.

Can nord assist verbjorn with the incantation?

Nope.

Would there be horses here? If so we should probably ask the Jarl for a few and ride hard leaving the others here, This would cut our travel time in half or more

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

" I agree the others should stay as they will only slow us down."

Sure, the Jarl has a couple you can use if you want to swing by Hávardr hall. Based on the result of your Survival check (whether or not Tyv aids), I'll need two more Survival checks to avoid hazards on the journey.

Tyv follows Havark along, offering help where he can but generally content to follow the other's lead.

Aid another 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Aid another 3: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Yes we would swing through and grab horses then leaving those that don't need to travel now that we understand what we need to do.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

They near where they had left the tower after twenty minutes of riding, but as the towers top was so aligned with the top of the glacier, it is not easy thing to spot in the half-dark. While scanning the area for their next step, Havark feels a familiar twinge when he spots a fright floating from the north across the glacier about 130 feet from their position. It doesn't seem to have spotted the group yet, though: it is not headed directly towards them (though undoubtedly in their general direction), and it is not moving with any urgency. Overcoming the initial fear of laying eyes upon the emaciated corpse, Havark realizes he's the only one to have seen it.

What do you do?

Sorry, should have posted this bit before but I forgot...

Tyv makes one more attempt to get those he cares about to stay with the witch.

Asdis, surely some company for one night is not something you would be adverse to. Nord is a wonderful cook, and you heard yourself what a lovely singer Fanna is. He leaned in and whispered to her in a more urgent tone.You know what they face at Havardr hall tomorrow - I would be grateful if they sheltered here until my return. Conversely, should they die come the morn without me there to gather their souls, it would be you who owe me. What would be fair payment do you think, for three pure souls?

Oh, sure. Knowing your motivation to get them to stay with the witch also helps. :-P Fanna and Nord will be willing to go with her, but Evyindr will need to be talked into abandoning his family in their most dire hour...

Ásdís places her hands on Tyv's shoulders. "They will have none of my food. They will not disturb me for any reason, and they will pester neither Fiidulmamid nor Ekko. If they can abide by these conditions, it will be as if they don't exist, and nothing is owed. If they fail, well..." She pulls Tyv near in a manner suggesting seduction and continues, "... then it is they who owe the debt, Ýrr." She laughs and pushes the Prince of Dolls further from her again, and performs a mocking curtsey. "In either case, their souls are protected as my own until you return."

Does Eyvindr even know about the attack?

Yeah - the children were nearby when you guys gave the note the Ásvaldr. I guessed I assumed they were a part of the conversation. In either case, Ásvaldr makes a point to entrust his children with serious matters and involve them in governance (as much as they can handle), and he would sit down and explain it to all of them before letting Eyvindr go anywhere.

Sorry, I though I posted here, I see now I did not. Lets get back to it.

Havark points the creature out to the group.

"It has only seen me. Take cover. I will move forward and alert it. It may not be able to resist attacking one on his own. I will deal with it swiftly."

Assuming the group goes with the plan Havark will draw up his hood and start to move forward making calls for help when he puts a bit of distance between him and the others.

Tyv nods in agreement and pulls the dwarven boy down to the tundra with him. Be silent now, and don't look. Tyv keeps his eyes focused on Havark.