There is an arrow there neither of us fired
Hardly surprising given the way Asvig's men died out on the road when captured.
Its said their members have almost supernatural abilities in stealth, disappearing without a trace. The captain looks around nervously, They say they have people everywhere.
Yes, that seems to be our experience with them so far.
Asvig doesn't wish to risk using his own men here in the city. Too many questions might be asked. He will continue to us proxies and paid assassins most likely so that he has deniability.
We may have to deal with him more directly at some point.
So far this woman seems to be our only lead, we should find her before that trail dies too. She looks meaningfully at the others.
We will just have to be prepared. With that a brief radiance surrounds her before dimming.
She tends to Draeven's wounds.
Ok, let's get to the jail.
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Kalsgard | Rimerunners Guild | Amber Quarter
Weary of another attack the group returns to the guardhouse in the Ice Quarter; Draeven leading the way. The big man just rounds the corner when a Varki woman wearing a fur parka and thin eye visor made of animal bone passes in the opposite direction. Although she pays little attention to the group, Draeven recognizes her as the woman from the guardhouse.
She tends to Draeven's wounds.
Excuse me miss? Excuse me, but do you know a guide by the name of Ulf Gormundr? We are in need of a guide and hear he is the best.
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Kalsgard | Rimerunners Guild | Amber Quarter
The woman turns with a mixture of shock and the kind of annoyance commonly seen in those suffering from a hangover upon her face, Sheesh, don't be a torklurarpok! She squints and puts a hand to her head but quickly adds, Yeah I know him - I'm his pikattar! And I know he's the best, you don't have to shout it. I ain't seen him for a week. And if that orksingolerpok Asvig gets his way you ain't ever going to see him. The varki woman's eyes well up but she quickly gets control of herself, eyeing Draeven a second time. Deciding somehow he can be trusted, she holds up both her hands shoulder width apart in traditional Varki greeting; knife edge facing the big man as though about to give him a hug, Name’s Uksahkka. Weren't you the takuminartok asking about Ulf last night?
At Draeven's nod Uksahkka opens up, Word got around twelve days ago that Asvig was looking for a new trade route through the Grungir Forest and that he wanted Ulf to do it. My Ulf may be on the outs with the Rimerunners, but everyone knows Ulf's piktauyoriyauyok. So he goes out to Asvig's to deal and start the senneksorpok, yeah? Well, he doesn't come back! Uksahkka rolls her eyes and shakes her head, I told him not to go, that Asvig's head is sunakasuitok! You know I was out there yesterday? The liar says my Ulf never showed! Says Ulf's a washout! Then the Orksingolerpok has his men throw me off! She hugs her arms about herself and makes to conceal a bruise on her cheek with a lock of hair.
Since you know all languages :)
Uksahkka isn't swearing but she is name calling; referring to Asvig as fat and empty headed. Senneksorpok refers to preparations, a person with piktauyoriyauyok is reputable, torklurarpok has something to do with talking loudly. Although seemingly out of context, takuminartok's equivalent is work of art, or something nice to look at.
Perhaps we can help each other out. We need a guide, and this Asvig has been trying to kill us since before we reached the city. Seems it is time for us to pay him a visit and see if they have Ulf and figure out just what their interest in us is. Where would we find him?
Did Asvig's men do that to you? Rennyn inquires of the bruise.
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Kalsgard | Rimerunners Guild | Amber Quarter
Uksahkka nods with the blush of embarrassment tinting her face, If you're not in his circle, you might as well be his thrall.
It seems that many people know who Asvig is and where he resides. His reputation for being a bully and wielding a lot of influence is becoming well established. The group has no difficulty in learning the address from Fyn, Alison, Uksahkka or anyone at the last bar Draeven visited. All that remains is deciding when and with whom to pay him a visit.
Perhaps we should get Spivey to get us some answers to some of our most pressing questions. And then after she can maybe do a little scouting of Asvig's before we try and see if secure Ulf's release.
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Kalsgard | Rimerunners Guild | Amber Quarter
Returning to 221 Johnas Street the others are understandably concerned. An assassination attempt on anyone is not something to be taken lightly but everyone is pleased Draeven managed to come away with his life.
At Rennyn's request Spivey prepares a spot in Fynn's library. Communing with the Goddess is a solem act and as the Lyrakien lights the gold speckled stick of incense upon the small alter she'd erected, her expression is serious. The tiny woman kneels before the smoldering stick, her eyes closed and hands clasped together. Raising her face to the heavens she begins, Resplendent Mother, Goddess of fortune accept our sacrifice on to yours. Made of earthly means by mortal hands we offer this to you and humbly pray. Spivey bows before the alter and her movement stirs the line of silver smoke rising from the alter. Her prayer continues in a similar fashion, invoking images of the Resplendent Goddess' grandeur as Spivey's tiny body sways in tune with the spiraling smoke. The ceremony lasts for several long minutes when at last a silvery beam of moon light appears, bathing the alter and her devote follower...
Is the man we seek Ulf Gormundr alive?
Will the Rimerunners Guild act in our best interests if we were to utilize their services?
Does Asvig act against us at the request or command of another or others?
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Kalsgard | Rimerunners Guild | Amber Quarter
Spivey's eyes glaze and flutter. Speaking in a voice unlike anything you've heard uttered from her lips before, she, or rather the goddess, replies immediately to your first question, Yes.
For the second question there is a noticeable pause then the word, Unclear, resonates.
To the third question the voice responds, Yes. Although the answers were clear and unquestionable, just what the voice sounds like slips from your memory almost as soon as it is finished speaking.
Is Ulf Gormundr at Asvig's farm?
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Kalsgard | Rimerunners Guild | Amber Quarter
The unearthly voice responds, Yes.
Fenra whispers to Rennyn, Do you want to ask about the raven? Or if there are any more assassins waiting for us in town, or if our planned route is the best one to take?
Does the one, or does those, that command or request that Asvig Longthews act against us do so in person?
Is there a less dangerous route for us to take to Minkai as compared to crossing the Crown of the World?
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Kalsgard | Rimerunners Guild | Amber Quarter
The lyrakien responds, Yes. and No. then her head rolls back and her eyes clear, sparkling back to life.
Whoa! That was a trip! What did I say? You know I usually have trouble remembering, it's like Divine amnesia or something like that. But what's even weirder with sessions like these is the binal nature. It's like I have one conversation with my goddess and then a completely separate conversation which takes place between those asking and the goddess responding. Spivey puts her finger to her cheek and thinks about this for a moment then yawns, No. Can't remember anything. But I know she loves me! I can feel it! Spivey sighs contently, I did well. Say, I'm really tired. Do you mind if I lie down for a while? With that Spivey curls up on the table and is soon in a deep sleep.
Yes you did very well!
Uh... sure?
Looks like we need to pay Asvig a visit. The sooner the better. Can you show us the way Uksahkka?
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Kalsgard | Rimerunners Guild | Amber Quarter
Uksahkka's face blanches, You kidding? After the beating I got? The girl shakes her head no but rolls her eyes towards the ceiling as the internal argument within sees love trumping common sense, Because Ulf's life is at stake, I'll get you there, but there's no way I'm stepping one foot on Asvig's property. The varki woman sizes up the lean physique's of Jeryn, Kenan and Rennyn compared to Draeven's bulk, I sure hope you guys know what you're doing. Either she has no doubts concerning Fenra's capabilities or is just presuming the fair oracle won't be going.
Sensing the possibility of violence on the horizon Koya raises up her hands in defeat, I'm too old for this, and bows out vowing to patch the group up in the unlikely event that they should need it. Amieko too looks hesitant to join, I should probably be keeping a low profile. Sandru left with Shalelu prior to the Spivey's casting to deliver the group's wagon's to one of Fynn's warehouses where they will be out of sight. Later in the day a master carpenter from the Oak Quarter will pay the caravan a visit to 'upgrade' Sandru's rides.
Fenra is ready to go. Just before they approach the farm she will call forth her cloak of many stars.
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Kalsgard | Rimerunners Guild |Asvig's Farm
Taking only the essentials the group travel's south, leaving the thick city walls of Kalsgard behind. Two hours on foot, one by horse, the party passes a few merchant carts along the way heading in either direction. Some are covered, most are of the open variety, and driven by a mixture of farmers or merchants plying their goods. All have an assortment of armed escorts appropriate to the value of the cargo.
Asvig's farm is in an area of lightly forested and marshy hills. Uksahkka refuses to leave the main road stating she's seen enough of Asvig's farm to last her a long time. Proceeding the short distance down the drive Fenra is able to recognize the layout immediately. Like many of the steadings in the area, Asvig’s farm is fairly large. A fortified house of sod and stone commands the center of the property and is a place where the landowner and his retainers can gather for common defense against the dangers of the wild. There are several sheds and outbuildings for mounts, tools, and animals surrounding this. Some are occupied by labourers and guards, of which there are at least a dozen visible, but none seem to be of any particular interest. A ring of short wooden posts driven into the ground surrounds the farm and its outbuildings, spaced every 30 feet at a distance of 60 feet from the farmhouse. The road to the farmhouse passes between two of these posts. These “animal posts” are topped with fancifully carved lion heads that are obviously the work of a woodcarver who had never actually seen a lion before (as would be the case for most Ulfen artisans). The craftsmanship, however, is of good quality, and gold and red paint highlights the seams and creases in the wood. In addition, runes have been carved
running down the length of each post.
Two guards wearing Asvig's lion's head armbands stand here, neither look ready to admit unannounced guests, Halt! Who are you and what business do you have trespassing?
You recognize the runes on the posts as being related to conjuration magic.
In the dirt just between the posts, you notice the smudged remains of runes recently drawn then hurriedly erased.
Scanning the farm from a distance Draeven grunts, Don't think we are going to be able to get close enough to surprise anyone. We either go and ask Asvig nicely to turn over Ulf and explain why he sent his men against us, or we wait for dark.
I hope nothing untoward happens to Ulf in the mean time.
Perhaps one of us could go back and borrow Ameiko's magic hat. With that and one of these, it might be easier to get in and look around, Draeven offers as he pulls a lion armband from his satchel.
Maybe one of us could even go in sooner than dark with those.
I think Draeven is best suited to wait here and surreptitiously observe the farm. Perhaps the rest of us should go back and retrieve the items as a group of lurkers is more likely to attract attention.
Perhaps Kenan and I stay, while you three go get the hat?
Fenra shrugs, Let's get on with it, the day is wearing on. Just don't get caught.
The group departs for Fynn's apartments, leaving Draeven and Kenan behind to keep tabs on Asvig's activities. Settling in amidst some foliage the pair observes the guards. During this interval, Asvig's men receive several groups, each time issuing challenge demanding to know their business before stepping to the side between the posts to permit entry. Some are hauling covered wagons similar to the ones pasted earlier in the day, another had escorted a modest group of young women. A few of the wagon's, having unloaded their cargo, depart and there is no sign of the women; presumably they have stayed. The overall impression is Asvig is preparing for a large feast and between the two warriors, you count at least 20 of Asvig's men in attendance.
Using only one roll as I envision Draeven and Kenan not moving throughout the time they are posting watch.
Draeven is content to wait and watch until the others return.
Draeven and Kenan sit and watch.
As the trio makes their way back to retrieve the hat a friendly gold dragon shows up and offers its assistance in dealing with these pesky northerners. It gives us one of every magic item in existence (except those pesky cursed ones of course) and offers to come to Asvig's farm to assist us.
With all this stuff and a dragon, who needs the hat? Let's go back right away! says Rennyn. The group, and dragon, promptly turn back and head to the farm.