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Haakon stands his ground at the approaching Bison as Lucrezia attempts to impede their progress with vines
It seems that Lucrezia's obstacle did work at thinning the herd some, but there were simply too many for them to be stopped altogether.
Bolger managed to get to high ground while Ulfric failed to get behind a rock fully and Teric fell off the gorge's side when he tried to scale it.
As the herd tramples past you and perhaps partially maims at least one of you you see a group of Snowmask Barbarians at the end of the gorge staring to see what state you are in.
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Ulfric feels the breath leave his lungs in a sudden rush as a rampaging bison crashes into him and causing him to stumble. Looking across the Canyon he spies the members of the SNowmask Clan and lets out a roar, positive energy focusing into his free hand and uickly sealing his wounds.
"Da my friends! We have trouble coming our way!"
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Teric casts a protective spell and then looks towards Haakon. "Well, it appears they're waiting for us to arrive. Shall we not keep them waiting?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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With his wounds healed and those of his allies tended too, Ulfric bods at Teric's suggestion, noting the Snowmask seem unwilling to attack them, maybe we can get this mistaken identity fixed the Skald thinks bitterly as he starts to move forwards.
Snow crunching under foot, Ulfric moves forwards slowly beckoning for his fellows to follow. His shield his raised but his axe is held low.
"Now!" The Ulfen begins in Hallit, the language of the Kellid peoples and hopefully the one spoken by the Snowmask. We are here to stop traitors from attacking and stealing from a great Ulfen hero! We do not mean to fight the Snowmask this day or any other!"
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The Kellid grunts approvingly at Ulfric "Come Now. My name is Hilya and we have much to discuss. You don't smell like the others"
You are brought to a camp of tents surrounding a grand looking permanent structure - a mead hall - made of masonry distinctive from the rest of the Kellid dwellings.
Inside this grand hall, dozens of Kellid men, women, and children scurry to and fro, passing food and drink around an enormous central hearth. Long, low benches ring the fire, and a handful of elderly Kellids, decked out in ornate white furs sit on the other side of the flames from the building’s entrance.
A young woman with one leg, walking with the aid of a crutch,greets Hiryla in Hallit, and then turns to the door and speaks in perfect Common. “Welcome to the North,” she says with a broad grin and a handshake. “My name is Teyma.”
She explains that the Snowmask Clan has skirmished with a group of travelers out of Irrisen many times in the last few days as the intruders have come farther and farther into their lands. Initially, they attempted to talk with these outsiders, but they were attacked, and fought back and we thought that you were with them.
"So what we want to know...is why your two groups have intruded on our lands"
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Teric bows to Teyma, noting her youth as a leader when there are several older men and women around. "I am Teric Cain. We are, in fact, after those men who attacked you. They are traitors from our tribe, and call themselves the 'Shadow Lodge.' We believe they seek the Keep of the Huscarl King. What can you tell us about that place? And can you help us catch them?"
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She nods appreciatively at Teric and Haakon "There sounds like there is a great tale here. I believe you and I want to help you so let me tell you what needs done - the Elders need to be convinced of your story and as I am sure you well know Haakon of Trollheim there is but one way to tell a story here in the North - via epic. Tell the epic of your clan and your foes. I will allow you some time to construct the Epic version of your tale and to nominate one of you to deliver said tale. You will know you have succeeded if they respond in kind."
She leaves you "I will be back in a few minutes once I have cleared way for you to perform please be ready at that time."
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Ulfric affixes his axe to his belt, willingly accompanying the members of the snowmask tribe to their base encampment, trying to engage them in conversation with a futile effort. At Teyma's introduction the young Ulfen smiles broadly and gives her a bow.
"Well met! It is as they say, the Shadow Lodge have recently attempted to bring ruin to our Own home of Trollheim in the Land of the Linnorm Kings using traitors and foul magic. We have tracked them far and have found their destination is here. The traitors must be put down like dogs! Now they seek to desecrate the Keep of our Ancestors, it will not stand!"
Ulfric gets more passionate as he speaks, feeling a fire build inside him.
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Ulfric spends very little time writing but does ponder the tale he is about to spin, the ancient traditions of the Ulfen Skalds meaning that every adventure and trial he had suffered a lived through was etched into his memory like a grand Tome. He does however, welcome the input of his worthy companions.
Once the Mammoth Lords are ready and the hall has quietened, Ulfric leaps to his feet, his great Frost wolf pelt hanging around his shoulders to match the belt of White Dragonhide around his waist. He makes sure the tale is spun in Hallit, the Mammoth Lords Local tongue, promising to tell his companions the words later.
”Honoured Hosts, Brave Warriors, Greetings from the Trollheim Clan of the people of the Ulfen, Blood of the Huscarl King, I have seen your histories of the man daubed on the walls, and I must say they are a beauty.
You have asked to hear our tale and it is my honour and privilege to spin for you all here today. Though our trials and tasks are many, I will keep to those that have led us on this path. Many months ago now, we were tasked by our bond of brotherhood, the Pathfinder Society, to help our kinsman in recent discoveries he had made, discoveries most foul!”
The Ulfen lets his introduction sink in for a moment, taking a deep swig of ale, spilling as much down his neck as he drinks.
”Our Kinsman we found abducted, his house was a burnt wreck, the signs pointing to the hated Witches of Irrisen and a Traitor among our own Blood, the Blood of Kings! Fastaxe, may a curse lay upon his Shade, had sided with witches and Goblin spawn to bring our Trollheim to their knees but as true souls we fought back and our home stands proud today and our foes crushed beneath our boots!”
He takes a breath and then holds up his mug in toast, making sure that his next words are in the common tongue for his allies to hear.
”FOR TROLLHEIM AND MY STAUNCH BROTHERS AND SISTERS!”
With a swig he continues his tale.
”Our tale takes us deeper, from our home we learned that Fastaxe was in league with the Witches or Irrisen and it was there they had taken our captured Kinsman at the behest of traitors within our brotherhood, our tale was just beginning it would appear. We tracked these traitors to their lair in the heart of corruption, Whitethrone the seat of the foul Witches. Assaulting their lair, like Heroes of old we tore out the corruption in our ranks, goblinoids and even their captured pet. A scaled monster, by the name Aralantryx – an evil fiend of a White Dragon. The fight was fierce with the Drake but, being true Warriors we were triumphant against the foe, forging our Kindred bond in the beast’s blood!”
Another pause and another swig of ale, using the breath to draw in his audience in with another toast to his companions, once more in the common tongue.
”TO OUR KINDRED! THE BOND OF THE WHITE DRAGON!”
Rotating his shoulders and refilling his tankard, Ulfric addresses his audience once more, uncaring at the time it has taken to relive his adventures of the past few months, knowing that the experiences would change him for the better.
”Now Brave Warriors, we come to the recent times, once we had defeated the foul Dragon and had rescued our Kinsman, we had found that the treacherous dogs in the Society had left in force to invade your Land and crack open the Keep of the Huscarl King, our blood and to steal a weapon stored beneath it. Their purpose is to use the hidden weapon to strike a fierce blow to our Society, a feat we must stop and have travelled here to do so.
Your Land has thrown trials at us, weather, Dinosaurs and most recently a rampaging herd! Here we stand and none of us have failed a single hurdle. We will break the backs of these treacherous dogs and ensure the Weapon will do no harm!”
With a long Pause, Ulfric hops down from his elevated position and sits down next to his Blood-Brother.
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The Elders listen to your story and nod sagely before whispering to Teyma before she responds
"The elders thank you for the story of your Clan. They are impressed at what you have been through and have chosen to share with you the story of our clan"
One of the elders, an older woman, stands to begin the tale, telling it in Kellid, with Teyma translating into common for the benefit of the party
“This is the story that the elders told me when I was a child. Once, a great warrior came to our lands from the South, though his blood and his beard were of the West, in the land where the first dragons hunt and kill. With gold and magic this warrior built a stone keep at the base of a mighty mountain. During this time he came to us, in peace, and invited us to his hearth with gifts of furs. Humbly he asked the elders of our clan if he could hunt with them and share in our ways.
Quickly he proved himself a friend to all, sharing in our customs and sharing his with us.
“By the time the last stone was laid in his keep, he had hunted with the elders many times, and made many kills. His axe, sheathed in fire, had protected us from the white wolves and the yetis, just as we too had used our food and furs to keep him warm against the deepest colds. When his banner was raised, the elders were guests in his hall, and some of his own house had already merged their blood with our own. For years the king and our elders prospered, and we
learned of crafts, weapons, and ways different from those that came before.
“Then the white wyrms came. For beneath the keep, in the iced caverns below, the dragons had bred. For years their eggs slept and waited. When they hatched, they plagued the king and his new house, but he fought them back with the strength of his arm and the fire of his axe, and the battle was nearly won. But when a matriarch of the white returned to tend her brood, she was furious at the king and threw herself on the keep in madness. In the season of the longest nights, still the sun set and rose again before the battle was decided. The King struck the wyrm down, even though his armor and his beard were white with the ice of her breath. Our elders made trophies and talismans from what remained of the beast, and helped
rebuild the crumbled tower.
“The mammoths crossed the plains ten times, three times over before the great king passed, and still the dragons were kept at bay. When the hour of his dying came, the great and generous Huscarl King gave all within his castle to those that had served and befriended his house, save for his mighty axe. With this, the elders buried him, and as we raise a mound of stones over the dead when the earth is too cold to dig, so did the elders bring the mountain down atop our king. Ever since have we held vigil over his tomb and what lies within. We remember his lessons, his ways that bled into the ways of the elders to become our ways. And we remember his beard, first white with frost, then with age, as it symbolizes what he protected us from and what he stood watch against.”
As the elder finishes an awe washed over the gathered clansmen. Teyma then continues to speak with you.
And now you wish to go to this keep, this home of our ancestors where this drama took place... the elders indicate that they are sympathetic to your clan in this conflict but don't wish to see further bloodshed in the Keep of the Huscarl King.... but I think your epic won them over. They are offering to have several braves escort you to the keep, if you will take their help.
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Ulfric listens to the Elders tale with rapt attention, enjoying the differing styles of the Mammoth Lords Lorekeepers from his own, more energetic style. With the tale finishes, Ulfric raises his tankard in salute and applauds mightily in genuine appreciation.
When Teyma approaches the Ulfen nods and smiles, offering her his hand to seal the deal between them.
Da! Of course! It would be our honour to fight alongside you and to rid your lands from our treacherous bretheren. Let us drink to the coming conflict for tomorrow we are baptised in the blood of our enemies!"
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Teric smiles. "Good work, Ulfric. With these extra men, we can track down the Shadow Lodge and end their threat forever." He bows to Teyma, then give her a wink. "We would be honored to have your men fight alongside us. Whatever it is they wish to steal from you, we will help protect. And afterwards, perhaps we can talk of trade and the relics you have here."
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You head off from the encampment to the Keep of the Huscarl King with your newfound allies.
The bones of two ancient stone watchtowers rise from the ground like sentries set to guard the entrance to Ranulf’s Keep. Snow and ice still cover their base, making them inaccessible, but they mark the edge of the Huscarl’s Keep, just visible in the distance.
Several of the warriors were up ahead scouting and come back, signaling to Teric and Ulfric Up ahead, 5 outsiders, they saw your approach, waiting to ambush ahead. What happens next is your call.
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Ulfric shakes his head to free his hair from his eyes and grips his drawn axe tightly, a grin of relish on his face. He has the good grace to keep his voice low but is obviously keen for a fight with the shadow lodge.
"I am bot one for skulking, as my Brother will tell you, but Bolger here may wish to get out of sight and ambush the ambushers."
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Giving Bolger and the SNowmask scouts plenty of time to get into position, Ulfric stalks forwards, the harsh light reflecting off his armour and bared axe blade. With a deep, Ulfen curse he shouts at the Shadow Lodge traitors, drawing their attention towards him and allowing Bolger a distraction.
"Whoresons! Cowards! Face a true son of Trollheim on this harsh plain and I will see you to your afterlife!
For the Kindred of the White Dragon!"
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Upon Haakon's declaration, the Snowmask Warriors begin to move in to attack
ROUND 1
Bolger
Snowmask Red
Snowmask Green
Snowmask Blue (Blessed)
Snowmask Pink (Blessed)
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Shadow Lodge Agent Red
Shadow Lodge Agent Green
Shadow Lodge Agent Blue
Shadow Lodge Agent Pink
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Teric (Blessed)
Haakon (Blessed)
---
Melkorka
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Ulfric (Bless)
Lucrezia (Bless)
The Agents are surprised at your presence and are slow to react as Bolger and the Snowmasks execute their plan.
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The Snowmasks move in, attacking the Shadow Lodge agents.
Two of them attempt to strike the leader, one missing and one connecting.
The two others hit the two of the Shadow Agents following up on the work done by bolger.
Bolger
Snowmask Red
Snowmask Green
Snowmask Blue (Blessed)
Snowmask Pink (Blessed)
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Shadow Lodge Agent Red (-19)
Shadow Lodge Agent Green (-14)
Shadow Lodge Agent Blue
Shadow Lodge Agent Pink (-10)
---
Teric (Blessed)
Haakon (Blessed)
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Melkorka (-12)
---
Ulfric (Bless)
Lucrezia (Bless)
The Shadow Agents strike back at Bolger and the barbarians.
One attacks agaist Bolger
While another strikes at the other Snowmasks
The Blue Snowmask gets taken down by the blade of the Shadow Agent
Bolger
Snowmask Red (-8)
Snowmask Green
Snowmask Pink (Blessed)
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Shadow Lodge Agent Red (-19)
Shadow Lodge Agent Green (-14)
Shadow Lodge Agent Blue
Shadow Lodge Agent Pink (-10)
---
Teric (Blessed)
Haakon (Blessed)
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Melkorka (-12)
---
Ulfric (Bless)
Lucrezia (Bless)
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The agent manages to cover his ears and take only some damage from the shriek but still falls to the ground in pain.
Haakon slams his shield into the leader of the group, smashing her face with a glancing blow.
Bolger
Snowmask Red (-8)
Snowmask Green
Snowmask Pink (Blessed)
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Shadow Lodge Agent Green (-14)
Shadow Lodge Agent Blue
Shadow Lodge Agent Pink (-10)
---
Teric (Blessed)
Haakon (Blessed)
---
Melkorka (-19)
---
Ulfric (Bless)
Lucrezia (Bless)
Melkorka's eyes lit with rage as she slammed the Axe into Haakon, with almost divine accuracy.
Bolger
Snowmask Red (-8)
Snowmask Green
Snowmask Pink (Blessed)
---
Shadow Lodge Agent Green (-14)
Shadow Lodge Agent Blue
Shadow Lodge Agent Pink (-10)
---
Teric (Blessed)
Haakon (Blessed) (-25)
---
Melkorka (-19)
---
Ulfric (Bless)
Lucrezia (Bless)
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Ulfric roars in approval as his Jarl smashes teeth from the Shadow Lodge leader, but visibly winces at the damage she returns, eyeing the axe she wields with great interest. Darting forwards through the snow, Ulfric finds himself at the side of Teric and nods to his brother in arms.
Throwing back his head, he begins a tale of great valour and foul foes, traitors in the midst of a brotherhood who deserve to be quashed.
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Bolger
Snowmask Red (-8)
Snowmask Green
Snowmask Pink (Blessed)
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Shadow Lodge Agent Green (-18)
Shadow Lodge Agent Blue
Shadow Lodge Agent Pink (-10)
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Teric (Blessed)
Haakon (Blessed) (-25)
---
Melkorka (-28)
---
Ulfric (Bless)
Lucrezia (Bless)
One of them misses but the other cracks Melkorka across the head, while his friend attacks one of the Shadow Lodge Agents, knocking him over.
Bolger
Snowmask Red (-8)
Snowmask Green
Snowmask Pink (Blessed)
---
Shadow Lodge Agent Blue
Shadow Lodge Agent Pink (-10)
---
Teric (Blessed)
Haakon (Blessed) (-25)
---
Melkorka (-28)
---
Ulfric (Bless)
Lucrezia (Bless)
One of the agents runs for Bolger while the other attacks one of the snowmasks
Bolger (-6)
Snowmask Red (-8)
Snowmask Green
Snowmask Pink (Blessed)
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Shadow Lodge Agent Blue
Shadow Lodge Agent Pink (-10)
---
Teric (Blessed)
Haakon (Blessed) (-25)
---
Melkorka (-28)
---
Ulfric (Bless)
Lucrezia (Bless)