Kobad still sits by the fire. listening to the warriors argue.
part of him does not care what happens to the bandit, but he is not much better shape. owuld this newcommer treat him the same? He has not been the most usefull in thier journey so far. managing to burn everything except the enemy.
Kobad gets more comfortable and soon starts to drift to sleep the fatigue starting to take its toll.
"What would killing this man accomplish? Little and less. Perhaps we should hear what the Lady has to say regarding his fate. It was she his group intended to capture, and so to the victim should the criminal's fate be handed. I think that killing him is a waste, when his reformation is still a possibility. And he may die of his illness. I unfortunately have no experience with this disease."
Without taking his eyes off Droguk and the bandit, Thrymr responds to Nelosse "Why does the killing need purpose beyond itself?... It would raise my spirits"
"Save your bloodlust for an actual enemy. This man has done no harm to us. We shall do no harm to him."
"Nei harm to you... but he's one and the same that killed the Lady's men and locked us in the cellar... he's done harm to me"
Droguk as you look the man over it seems that this illness resembles one you are familiar with. You believe he's been infected with the Chillbane Shakes, a less lethal version of the Chillbane Fever which is endemic to Irrisen. It's very odd to find a case this far south in anyone who hasn't recently been to the north.
Fort Save:
"Killing just to feel good is a wicked thing. Killing to protect, killing in war, killing to survive. Even killing those who obstruct your pursuit of a goal, such as those we killed on our way to rescue the Lady. But killing for pleasure? I say you will not kill him for that."
Noticing a familiar sign of the sickness, Droguk turns back to the others. "Your 'spirits' are of little importance, Ulfen. And I stand with Landwarden and Priestess. No harm shall come to him," he states plainly. Moving on to the ailment, "This man's sickness is an odd one. He possesses Chillbane Shakes which normally affects those of the north."
"Chillbane Shakes? My, that's a curious sickness for one this far south. Of course, we've also run into fey creatures native to the north recently...and the ice-breather we've heard tale of, too. How are they getting here? Certainly they aren't walking all the way from Irrisen."
At the mention of the "ice breather" the man speaks up. "Oh that Izoze thing...wwwouldn't s'prise me none she brought this on the way she was always lookin' at us like we was jjust tomorrows lambs. <cough> Never did like Rhokars deal none <cough>. Guess'in we didn't have much choice though." he trails off.
Thrymr spits to one side before snorting derisively "Aye, a fecking fey creature would be nice to talk to eh? Best ask scars fer brains here what he did with the one he found... let the bastard go didn't you? - what lies did it need to spin? - or were you stupid enough to take it at it's word?"
He takes a step back, not backing down - but instead leaving you with the man that you've adopted into your care "Sentiment won't get you far if the cold hearted bastards get hold of you... best you learn that early." Holding up his left hand and waggling his three surviving fingers. With that he leaves the room.
Droguk is about to speak until Thrymr begins his rant. Turning his attention toward him, Droguk waits until he finishes and watches him leave the room. As he does, Droguk turns his attention back to the others. "Who is this 'Izoze' you speak of?"
"Don't rightly know...some kinda <cough> bat fey or sumthin'. She's the one comes n' tells Rhokar what Teb wants. Maybe some kinda second in command or somethin' <cough>" The man pulls the blankets tighter about himself to ward off a chill only he feels.
"Is she here? At the lodge? Where?"
Seeming to have lost focus the man is almost surprised by the follow up question, "<cough>What?<cough> Eh...oh no she don't care for the heat...or us I `magine. Only shows up t'talk with Rhokar or when we go raidin'. Just as well that think gives me the creeps."
"Teb? The tiny fey creature used that name. Who is Teb?"
"`e's the one in charge of em. The fey I mean...and us too I guess once Rhokar signed on. Never seen `im myself. That Izozes and Rhokars always spoutin' something `bout how "Teb says this" and "Teb says that". <cough> Somewhere over the bridge far's I know."
By this point the man is drifting in and out of sleep, rousing only when spoken to.
Watching the bandit barely able to remain conscious, "Can you fix him, Priestess?" he asks, before remembering the locked chests. "The chests. Maybe they might contain items to help fight off the sickness. One of you remain here, or both; I care not which. I do not trust the Ulfen. If he enters, make it known." Droguk then moves back into the main room, ignoring Thryrmr as he's lost upon the task at hand. Grabbing the keys, he attempts to open the chests they drug out from the other rooms.
Trying the keys you find that one fits the lock on the maple chest. Opening it you find a gold ingot engraved with a seal, a spyglass, a silver lady's ring, three shards of gemstones, a fine pair of leather riding boots, a silver dagger and a leather portfolio containing several pieces of parchment with writing on them. Looking them over you can't understand the language they are written in.
None of the keys fit the second chest.
When you take the silver dagger out of the chest you notice a well concealed compartment in it's hilt. Sliding it open you see that it contains a small amount of slightly brown colored liquid.
Kobad has managed to doze off sitting by the warm fireplace.
Droguk closes the compartment, placing the dagger within the chest and drags it in the other room with the sick bandit. Opening it, he retrieves the parchment and the dagger. "Can either of you read this?" he hands the parchment to Nelosse. "And this tiny blade contains a foul liquid within. I do not know what it is. Landwarden?" he hands the dagger to him. "The keys do not fit the other chest. It is probable I will have to smash it open," he contemplates. Droguk immediately turns and retrieves the other chest, dragging it into the bedroom also. Before attempting to open it, he moves over back near the bandit. "Sick one, do you know of another key that opens this chest?" He gives him a shake and repeats the question if the bandit is non-responsive initially.
Cyrus takes the dagger from Droguk, sliding open the hidden compartment and taking a quick sniff of the liquid, examining it in the dagger to see if he can determine what it is.
Thrymr's gone back out into the snow, where he sits and looks over what is left of Rokhar.
"Unfortunately, my Goddess has not granted me any spells today that would help this man. I am sorry." Nelossë moves out to the main room and helps Droguk to examine the items from the chest.
"Tha' looks like Ten-pennys chest. She'd have the key. You'd know her, half-orc tha' joined <cough> up recently. Good thing for us, pretty much tha' only one who was watchin' out for thos' of us got sick."
The cloak is known as a Cloak of the Yeti. It provides it's wearer near absolute protection from the cold as well as some defense against attacks. Further by pulling up the hood the wearer is granted some of the creatures fearsome appearance. Additionally three of the vials from upstairs contain Oil of Magic Weapon. The scrolls from upstairs and the chest are carry the aura of magic about them though you can't discern its type. Beyond these items you can sense a weak magical aura from inside the still unopened chest.
Nelossë takes the cloak and wraps it about the Sorcerer. "This should help shield you from the cold, friend. And perhaps protect you from harm, as well. It is a Cloak of the Yeti, and it grants you some of the powers of that creature. A fearsome aspect, if you shadow your face so, and resistance to both cold and danger." She pulls the hood over his head, adjusting it so he knows how that portion works.
After helping Kobad, she holds up three of the vials. "These grant a certain degree of magical enhancement to weapons for a short time. Your blade or arrow will strike truer, and with more force, than it might otherwise. Alas, I cannot identify the scrolls. Perhaps on the morrow, the Goddess will grant me a spell that will let me read them."
Kobad wakens to accept the cloak. smiling to her in thanks.
he then retuns to the fire remaining silent.
After a bit longer by the fire. and Nel has returned the scrolls to the table. Kobad wraps the clock around him feeling its effect and goes to take a seat at the table.
he grabs the scrolls and takes yet another look at them.
he closes his eyes and mutters some words and his hands seem to glow with a magical fire.
he then places them on the scrolls but the they are not consumed by the fire.
he then reads the words on them
"We saw a half-orc fleeing from the lodge shortly before we felled Rhokar. Safe to assume she's long gone by now, though. Regardless, we'd better find ourselves some curatives soon, since so many of us have been exposed to this Chillbane bug. It would be wishful thinking indeed to believe that none of us will have been infected."
"Either way, we still have one more enemy that needs taking care of. You...bandit." he says, getting the sick man's attention. "Is this Izoze still here? Where would she be quartered? If she is working with, or in charge of, these brigands then she needs to be brought down as quickly as possible. We stopped this group, but nothing is stopping her from gathering another flock."
His piece said, Cyrus turns his attention to the foul liquid in the hilt of the dagger.
Kobad after sitting and reading through the scrolls and book you identify the following spells : Scroll of Endure Elements, 2x Scroll of Magic Weapon, Scroll of Unseen Servant, 3x Scrolls of Lesser Animate Dead. The book contains the spells alarm, chill touch, expeditious retreat, feather fall, identify, locate object and ray of enfeeblement.
While the sorcerer reads through the various scrolls the sick bandit responds to Cyrus, "Glad ta hear she got away. <cough> Did right by us even havin' just joined up." He pauses a minute, his mind seeming to drift a bit. "Izoze ain't here far as I know. Comes from across the bridge when she got an errand for us. <cough> No idea what's over there though, only Rhokar was allowed that way...and not often."
As Kobad is reading through the scrolls, Nelossë turns and pulls Droguk aside. "Earlier you mentioned a small fey creature. We've heard of several by name now. Izoze, Teb. Did you find one of them upstairs, or a subordinate of one of them?"
Kobad finishes his research of the arcane writings.
He then looks among his companions, recalling each of thier skill sets.
Kobad slides the scrolls and book into his pack.
As Kobad is reading through the scrolls, Nelossë turns and pulls Droguk aside. "Earlier you mentioned a small fey creature. We've heard of several by name now. Izoze, Teb. Did you find one of them upstairs, or a subordinate of one of them?"
"Yes. There was the tiny demon creature upstairs. It answers to the one named 'Teb'. It was imprisoned within a cage; I let it out. As the sick one in the room, I will not destroy one who has no means of defense. When we find this 'Teb', we will find the tiny demon creature also and we will end it on the field of battle. Is there a problem?" he asks simply.
"You might have consulted us regarding the creature. There may have been more questions that we might have asked it, especially in light of the information we have gained from this one." Nelossë gestures to the sick man. "It may have been ill advised to release the creature. Now whatever enemy we face in trying to track down the source of this unnatural snow will likely be warned against us. While I admire your attempts to increase your diplomatic talents, we can not assume that any one person will be able to gather all the information we may need to defeat our enemy. Please wait before releasing a foe next time, caged or not. Thank you for not killing it without cause, at least."
With the lodge secured you all have a chance to finally relax your guard a bit. The respite and warm fire gives those inclined a chance to reflect on recent events. Though it's only been a few days it seems weeks or longer since you first set out from Heldren. The thought of summer just a few miles away has almost become stranger than the constant cold and snow around you. As you work sore muscles and inspect recent wounds you can't help but feel a bit of pride for the action you have taken on behalf of the community. It may be that you've sought adventure for some time or perhaps you were just swept up in the moment but regardless you have accomplished tasks you would not have considered even a few days ago.
Looking about you at your fellows you feel a sense of comradary blooming. You have all faced the challenges of whatever fell curse afflicts the land and so far your combined strength has met that challenge. You hope, and begin to believe, that it will continue to do so.
"You might have consulted us regarding the creature. There may have been more questions that we might have asked it, especially in light of the information we have gained from this one." Nelossë gestures to the sick man. "It may have been ill advised to release the creature. Now whatever enemy we face in trying to track down the source of this unnatural snow will likely be warned against us. While I admire your attempts to increase your diplomatic talents, we can not assume that any one person will be able to gather all the information we may need to defeat our enemy. Please wait before releasing a foe next time, caged or not. Thank you for not killing it without cause, at least."
Droguk looks at her through narrowed eyes, contemplating all she has said. "The half-orc woman has already warned them against us. Even if not, let the tiny demon creature warn. It will do them no good," he states with conviction. "But I shall heed your words in the event I encounter a like situation in the future," he nods.
Cyrus draws in a breath, staring at the fire in the hearth intensely. He is clearly considering carefully everything that has happened recently before he approaches the others with his thoughts. When finally he emerges from his mind, he brings his thoughts to the forefront at the group's next sit-down.
"Seems like we've done pretty well for ourselves to get as far as we have...we could've easily been killed at any point on this path. Even so, though, I think this whole thing is far from over. Whatever is causing this bleedin' cold, we still don't know, and that was one of the reasons we got hired by Heldren in the first place."
"Even more than that, the immediate threats still aren't entirely dealt with. Whatever this Izoze thing is, it needs to be finished off. Gods only know what she can still manage to do. And that ain't even the end of it...we know that Izoze is only a flunky in this chain, too. Somebody's pullin' the strings on this disaster and unless we find out who...seems like things will only keep gettin' worse."
Kobad finishes putting the arcane stuff away. He turns to face the fire. as it looks like it is slowly dieing he tosses in another log and ignites it more with a bolt of fire from his fist.
This cold had best be delt with quickly, before it spreads any further. Crops will die, people will starve. Besides I doubt my father will survive the cold. I fear, that I will be without him upon my return.
Kobad remains silenyt after this stareing into the newly stoked fire. pulling his fathers scimitar from its sheath reminising of days past.
The Qadirian military markings upon its blade.
this is the blade of a Qadirian officer, possibly cavalry
Thrymr keeps to himself and avoids the overhot great hall for the biting wind and chill of the outside. It is only after the others lick their wounds and warm themselves through that he re-enters. Pulling his beard into a rudimentary downward line with his four fingered hand Thrymr stands, propped against the wall with a sour look upon his face.
Cyrus looks to Thrymr as he re-enters the main room. "And what say you? You've no history with us or claim to our goals...not at present, anyway. I, for one, would welcome another blade to our cadre. You wanna go find the bastards who started this and put 'em in the ground?"
Thrymr grunts, then chuckles with slight derision "Make up your mind kort skägg, you want blood on your sword or not." making contrast between his protection of the sick bandit and his bloodthirst now. "Rokhar has paid, but he was in service to another... I'll make a ladder of their bones until I've had my hämnd... If you're for killing, then we're walking abreast." tone gravelly as he continues "But I don't give a feck if they're naked of arms and half-way through a sh1te... I ain't checking my blow."
Droguk turns his attention to the commotion of the Ulfen walking in, observes his actions and then turns back to the fire in front of him, thinking nothing more of the pouting warrior. Knowing they're losing time, Droguk queries the sorcerer. "Fireborn, how do you fare?" he asks as he just now notices the white cloak and looks at it curiously. "Does that cloak you wear protect you from winter's bite greater than the hides?"
Droguk turns his attention to the commotion of the Ulfen walking in, observes his actions and then turns back to the fire in front of him, thinking nothing more of the pouting warrior. Knowing they're losing time, Droguk queries the sorcerer. "Fireborn, how do you fare?" he asks as he just now notices the white cloak and looks at it curiously. "Does that cloak you wear protect you from winter's bite greater than the hides?"
Kobad looks at the warrior
Much better. And yes this cloak seems to posses magical properties to protect from the cold.
He looks back at the sword. We should not delay too long here. perhaps one nigt then continue on. I fear for the survival of the town.
"Then that's where you and I differ. I will happily cross blades with a foe and I'm not going to back down from a fight. But I'm not going to draw blood on someone who is no threat to me. Regardless, whoever put these people up to what they're doing are clearly evil people who mean ill for this entire region of Taldor at the very least. " he responds to Thrymr, not bothering to look in his direction.
"And as Sigmundar was fond of saying...'Vissa människor behöver bara döda.'"
"Some people just need killing."
He then turns his attention to Kobad and expresses his agreement. "One night to let us recover from the day's trials. Tomorrow we'll try and figure out who is pulling the strings on this. I'll take first watch while you all rest."
Smirking with a touch of malevolence "Aye then, best ye keep a red handed hjärtlösa jävel to follow through when you soft hands lose the heart to do what's needed... just because a man drops his sword doesn't mean he doesn't deserve to die."
Cyrus snorts at the reply. He seems about to answer once more, but then checks himself. "Bah. Whatever. Agree to disagree, then. We agree that whoever started this thing needs to be brought down, and that's enough for me."
As the group settles in and discusses their next steps Lady Argentea speaks up. "I am heartened to see that courage remains in these lands. Despite your considerable skills I am sure the road before you will be difficult and carry you to many dangers yet you face it without fear. I thank you for what you have done for me personally but all the more for what you do for Taldor. Kogar and I shall depart after first light and make all haste back to Heldren. From there I shall continue on to my own lands where I might raise man-at-arms to help see to this threat. I believe, however, that this threat is best met quickly and so it is your efforts that my hopes rest upon." With that she retires to one of the rooms for the night. Kogar takes up a formal guard position outside the doorway.
LAter in the evening Kobad goes to see the Lady Argentea (waking her if need be, but hoefully not). He speaks to her quietly.
When you get back to Heldren. tell my father what is happeneong, tell him I am alright and will be home soon. I only hope that he has survived up till now. At least knowing I am doing well will raise his spirits. Kogar knows the place.
she hands her the book of spells from the wizard. This book contains magic spells, if anything it should provide enough coin to buy better furs for the cold. Give this to him, or even better sell it and give him the coin