"You have some charming relatives....." Taya quips.
The magus spends an arcane pool point to activate Spell Dance
She moves past Frjya, drawing her rapier, and raises the blade to engage the troll.
(fighting defensively)
If the troll swings at her, she will spend a Panache point for Parry and Riposte.
"You have some charming relatives....." Taya quips.
The magus spends an arcane pool point to activate Spell Dance
She moves past Frjya, drawing her rapier, and raises the blade to engage the troll.
(fighting defensively)
If the troll swings at her, she will spend a Panache point for Parry and Riposte.
"Apparently we've outlived our usefulness..." Freyr deadpans as they enter the courtyard and the newly added troll seems to decide that they look tasty. "Well, at the very least we're prepared." He draws a vial of volatile oil from his belt and hurls it at the troll.
"Actually I don't remember this creature being here..." Frjya said as she began to channel her magic through her being, covering her body in magical protection.
Kleora was startled by the sudden charge of the ice troll but she didn't stay in place. Quickly moving to one side to get out of the path of it's charge she turned and lashed out with her mind at the creature's in hopes of helping to bring it down!
Tayanalla quips about the family before failing to connect with her rapier. Freyr goes for some flame and hurls oil at the troll singing it and pausing its healing.
Frjya prepares for battle while Kleor attacks the trolls mind. Amazingly the trolls mind is almost, but not quite, strong enough to fight off some of the effects but instead it grabs its head in pain as it swings its battleax. The headache must have been severe as the ax is poorly swung.
Bold may act
Round 2
Freyr, Frjya, Tayanalla, Kleor
TROLL!!!
Day 4 - 2:30pm
-5 Degrees
20” Snow -[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Combat Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 24/25 - AC: 17/15/12 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 18/18 - AC: 18/14/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 10/10 - AC: 12/12/10 Status:
Frjya HP: 12/12 - AC: 16/14/12 Status: MAGE ARMOR________________________________
TROLL: HP/ 44/45 - AC: 18/14/14
Page 32
Taya ducks the troll and focuses on keeping it occupied while the others attack from range.
(fighting defensively)
Frjya held up her hand, two fingers pointing at the troll. "You will learn your mistake." She told it before she called upon magic and a beam shot from her fingers towards the troll.
Freyr considers his options for a moment then draws and hurls his second flask of alchemical fire, attempting to keep the troll from recovering from the flames as long as possible. "Just keep up the pressure, trolls aren't the smartest foes. Be quick and careful and we'll take him." The words are both louder and more encouraging than just about anything Freyr has actually said out loud in mixed company so far.
Angered by the stubborn resistance of the troll Kleora sent another burst into it's mind to try and harm it.
Tayanalla misses as does Frjya with her spell. Freyr considers before tossing some flaming liquid at the troll. This causes a scream of pain from the creature.
Kelora focuses her mind and causes the most damage that has been done to the troll so far as he blinks in pain from the mental attack.
Between the fire and the mental attack the troll goes into a rage dropping its ax and attacking with tooth and claw at Tayanall who is closest.
It is fortunate that only one claw manages to connect for such an attack could have caused serious damage, even death.
Bold may act
Round 3
Freyr, Frjya, Tayanalla, Kleor
TROLL!!!
Day 4 - 2:30pm
-5 Degrees
20” Snow -[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Combat Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 24/25 - AC: 17/15/12 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 8/18 - AC: 18/14/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 10/10 - AC: 12/12/10 Status:
Frjya HP: 12/12 - AC: 16/14/12 Status: MAGE ARMOR________________________________
TROLL: HP: 29/45 - AC: 18/14/14
Page 32
Taya keeps dancing with the troll, trying to keep it busy while her companions damage it.
(fighting defensively)
Then she rolls backwards to stand next to Freyr. "Watch the claws!" she exclaims.
"Noted." Freyr raises his blade, ready to intercept the troll as it advances on them.
"Lets try something else as well." Frjya said before she reached her arm out and snapped her fingers.
[ooc] Sitting with Kleora. [/oooc]
Kleora decided to attack the creature's mind one last time before she reverted to her cross bow and slammed it's mind full of sensations again. Once she was done with her spell she drew her heavy crossbow and prepared to fire.
Tayanalla misses her attack but manages to dance back to get clear of the troll. The trolls mind would have been weak against Frjya's spell had it not simply been to robust of a foe. Kleora does find purchase with her mental attack.
The troll, enraged, steps it but catches a sword to the abdomen which does substantial damage. Still, the troll is in the fight and attacks Freyr with teeth and claw. Two attacks hit but the troll is clearly on its last legs.
Bold may act
Round 4
Freyr, Frjya, Tayanalla, Kleor
TROLL!!!
Day 4 - 2:30pm
-5 Degrees
20” Snow -[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Combat Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 9/29 - AC: 17/15/12 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 8/18 - AC: 18/14/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 10/10 - AC: 12/12/10 Status:
Frjya HP: 12/12 - AC: 16/14/12 Status: MAGE ARMOR________________________________
TROLL: HP: 10/45 - AC: 18/14/14
Page 32
At this point Frjya's eyes narrowed, and gleamed with a hint of darkness from a winter's night.
Freyr grits his teeth as fangs and claws tear his flesh to shreds, leaving him with deep, bleeding wounds. "I hate trolls," he grumbles, bracing his hands around the hilt of his sword and raising it for a powerful killing blow.
Taya stabs at the troll.
Kleora took aim with her crossbow and pulled the trigger sending a bolt leaping out at the large creature.
With some final attacks the combined blades of Freyr and Tayanalla are too much for the troll and it slumps to the floor. You make sure it is not regenerating it is dies as its blood freezes around it.
Frjya and Freyr you both know the troll is new but it would be too large to be comfortable in the tower proper. You can quickly see that she had made her home in one of the vacant kennels and the gnawed dog bones tell you what happened to the remaining dogs. A search does reveal a sack with 500gp which would have been her payment.
Frjya shook her head as the troll which fell and in their harsh land, froze. "They could have moved the dogs at the very least." She said, rather angered by the waste of life. Though this was neither the time or place for this.
"Let us get inside. There is still more to do." Frjya told the group as she motioned for them to follow her to the doors of the tower proper.
"Who would feed the dogs to a troll."
"Now I know for certain these are bad people."
"Before we go inside, do we have any healing magic?"
"Someone who doesn't care," Freyr adds as he digs the tip of his sword into the ground, keeping himself from dropping to a knee with his injuries wearing on him. "You'll find that it's an exceptionally common attitude in these parts."
"It is less that they fed the dogs to the troll, and more likely that they just didn't care when it did." Frjya explained. "Few people step in when they see something wrong. Unless it effects them. Even then the fight isn't strong. They know... there is little they can do against those above them." As Frjya spoke they could tell it wasn't from pride. Even with the fact that she was counted among those above. "You saw how ever the guard captain responded to me when I showed him who I was. There wasn't anything he could do. I hate the fact I had to force him to do something like that, especially when he had other orders... but there was little choice."
Freyr lets his sister take over the explanation while he downs several potions from his bag.
Before you can move out a guard that both Freyr and Frjya recognize as old Bjorn come out of the suddenly opening ice gate to the west. You can see that he has minor injuries as well as a full backpack and snowshows.
He sees you and stops.
"Best get out of here fast until your relatives are back to sort this. Radosek Pavril knows about the Black Rider, scrying on you he was at some point. In town too."
He looks behind him and quickly is moving to leave the tower.
"Your good as dead here."
Frjya, upon seeing Bjorn, and hearing what he has to say, stood the elder man. With a gentle touch she placed her hand upon his forehead.
"Go." She told him softly. "Take as many that will follow you. But I am here to take the Pale Tower and cast down Radosek. It would be best if you get as many as you can away." Frjya said before she looked to the doors to the Pale Tower. "I'll not leave him to hurt anyone while I draw breath."
"I could use a little of that healing myself." Taya says to Frjya.
"Of course, though remember it won't work again till tomorrow." Frjya said before she reached out and healed Tayanalla's wounds as best as she could.
Bjorn nods.
"Tis' madness, I am use to madness living in the ice and snow but.... this all seems wrong. I will bring those I can and I hope the bird's don't chase up."
He stops realzing what you said.
"Your going forward? Good luck to you, you have been good to an old man."
With that he turns to head out. The siblings know that there are mirrors in this room as in most all others so there is a chance your actions have been witnessed.
You would be passingly aware that several large mirrors hang within the
tower’s rooms and hallways, useful tools for Nazhena and
Radosek to spy upon their minions or guests with the
Irriseni mirror sight spell. Radosek always keeps one of these
spells prepared each day to take advantage of them.
You can see into the nest room and steamy air fills this inner gallery, emanating in lazy wisps from a bubbling pool recessed into the floor of a raised dais surrounded by six pillars of ice. Four foggy mirrors hang from the walls near ice sculptures of helmeted pike-wielding warriors.
You would know that the bottom floor of the Pale Tower is fed by a hot
spring percolating up from the icy plain on which Nazhena’s mother built her home. The denizens of the tower often use it for bathing, as the surrounding ice is magically treated to resist melting from the water’s
ambient temperature.
There is a hint of movement in the room but from where you are you cannot see what it is in the steam.
Water elemental
"These mirrors are our enemy" Frjya said as they enter the room. "Here in Irrisen mirrors are used for spying. It is such a common thing that you will find them in every room of almost every place." She explained as they moved through the area. "If Radosek has truly chosen to turn against the Royal family, the we maybe able to turn the whole tower against him. For if we die, Radosek will be punished, there is no question there. My mother may not love my brother and me but we are her children, so any attack against us is an attack against her. She will not allow such a front to her power and bloodline. Blood is everything in Irrisen. Only a Elvanna can stand against another Elvanna and not both die. If those who remain in this tower follow Radosek, they too will lose their lives. If we bring that up to them, we maybe able to turn them to our side."
When the movement began Frjya gave a small sigh. "I almost forgot about the water elementals" She muttered. "Calm!" Frjya declared to them "I Frjya Elvanna seek safe passage for myself, my brother, and those with us. Stand down and let us pass, and I assure you that no harm will come to you."
"Unless Nazhena decides that we're too much trouble and covers for him," Freyr adds with a grunt. "It's no secret that she likes him more than either of us." He comes up short as Frjya calls a stop to the group as they pass the baths. It seemed... almost too calm. It put him on edge to see the sheer lack of guards coming after them. "Careful sister. They may not be so friendly."
"Wouldn't matter in the end." Frjya reminded him. "Mother left us in their care. If they don't return us to her alive and well, she isn't going to be happy. With Nazhena gone it falls to Radosek to keep us safe. If he fails, he dies. You know that. Nazhena maybe spared, but remember her Elvanna blood comes from her father, not her mother. Nazhena is a Vasilliovna, with Elvanna blood. She'd likely live but wouldn't likely have anything to her name if she backed Radosek."
"I have to try. I'd rather not fight more than we have to."
The water elemental flows back into the pool. Between what had been said and the fact that you carry no flame it does not see a threat to the tower.
From the steam of the room a voice can be heard and just barely a shape can be seen in a far mirror.
"Little 'princess' there are plans within plans. Send your friends away, excepting your brother of course, and we can talk. The guards will leave you be of course once it is just you and your brother. Your cloak of safety is very thin."
Frjya looked back to Tayanalla and Kleora, she locked eyes with them then looked back to the shape in the far mirror.
"If all you wish to do is talk, then why can't my friends listen?" Frjya asked with a raised eyebrow. "They offer no threat if you don't plan to attack us." She added as she stood tall and kept her eyes upon the mirror. "Surely they could wait right here in this room while we speak elsewhere? After all they are not as use to the cold as we."
Taya looks over to meet eyes with Kleora and raises an eyebrow in question as if to say "What do you think?"
"It is as I figured. Know the times have changed as has power, Baba Yaga is gone. This is not a negotiation. Do as you wish but what you do will tell the tale for all time."
With that the presence in the mirror is gone leaving you to decide what to do.
Those that have been here before know that to the north and south the small rooms are privies. At the ends of the hall are teleports to get around the tower and to the west is guards rooms. The teleporters will take you to a dining hall with the phrase “A gathering within the hall, take one, take us all.”.
Kleora listened to what was said with interest and understood what was being said to them. Send the "minions away and leave them all separated so they could more easily be disposed of. That Frjya and Freyr recognized this and refused said good things about them. She looked to Tayanalla when the elf caught her gaze and indicated she wasn't leaving the relatively comfortable room with a slight shake of her head.
When the voice in the mirror disappeared Kleora looked to the siblings and said, "It seems something more is happening and a change of authority is happening. I suspect that your protections won't hold up for much longer if that is the case." Given that this was there homeland she asked, "So what do you feel we should do next?"
"More than you know." Frjya sighed. "It would hold with common folk but those who know of our quest will try and stop us no matter our birth." She explained. "With grandmother gone that means mother has total power... but Radosek knows about the Black Rider, and thus knows we are a threat."
Frjya looked at the mirror once more before she signed, "We must still take the Pale Tower. There is no other choice." She answered as she walked them to the teleporter. "Please, gather here." Frjya motioned to what she stood upon.
"Ok, let's go."
Gathering up the group Frjya activates the teleporter. For those that have have never done this before it must be an unusual experience. In a flash your bodies are encased in ice and you are firmly held, unable to move. The world flashes out of focus and then back into focus as the ice vanishes and you find yourself in a new room, cold but unhurt.
Dining Hall
A crescent-shaped dining table occupies this Y-shaped chamber, while two large mirrors on the north and south walls create the illusion of an even larger space. Twenty feet overhead, an immense chandelier of ice crystals hangs from the ceiling. To the east, rounded steps access a short hallway, flanked by twin ice sculptures of dryads holding ice-carved tree limbs, creating an elaborate archway. Translucent, glasslike double doors are set in the hall’s north and south walls. To the west, two alcoves stand between three windows providing an amazing view of the wintry landscape outside the tower.
As the ice disappears you here the laughter of two winter-touched atomies who are flitting about to music played by a familiar figure. Mierul Ardelain, who you met on your travels, singing and dancing slowly on the stage. As you appear the song changes into to what seems to be inspiring the atomies as they whirl towards you shrieking.
"Ohhhh! 'Royal' blood so tasty. Should have left little princess black rider!"
Bold may act
Round 1
Freyr, Frjya, Tayanalla, Kleor
Red, Blue, Mierul
Day 4 - 2:30pm
-5 Degrees
20” Snow -[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Combat Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 29/29 - AC: 17/15/12 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 18/18 - AC: 18/14/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 10/10 - AC: 12/12/10 Status:
Frjya HP: 12/12 - AC: 16/14/12 Status: MAGE ARMOR________________________________
Red
Blue
Mierul Ardelain
Taya activates Spell Dance as a swift action.
She jumps to the surface of the crescent table.
Then she moves forward and falls into a guard stance, readying a thrust for the first Atomie that comes in reach.
If she is attacked, she will spend a panache point on Opportune Parry and Riposte.
When they stepped into the teleporter Kloera wasn't quite sure what to expect. The flashes of light and sudden feeling of dislocation as they ended up in what appeared to be a dining room threw her off a bit but as soon as she heard the voice of the bard from the night before she knew they were in trouble and so she did the only thing she could think of at the time, ducked down to use the tables and chairs as cover and lashed out with her mind at the nearest atomie.
"You have once chance to rethink your end." Frjya said as she narrowed her eyes at one of the atomies.
"Somehow, I'm not surprised," Freyr mutters as they catch sight of the bard. It seemed that the cold fey had one particular mistress after all. He shifts forward around the table, drawing his blade as he moves and raising it to intercept the fey as they approach.
As the red fey feels its resolve weakened Mierul Ardelain responds to Frjya working her response into her performance.
"Little princess missed the change. Thinks to use her mothers name. No protection there for you. Run on off now or turn blue."
It is clear that she was at a loss for a final word and just stuck with blue even though it made little sense.
Tayanalla's rapier misses its mark on the red as it approaches but it does grab its head at Kleora's attack.
Blue and red advance and Freyr's swing goes wide.
The red atomie strikes at Tayanalla with its blade and she is a microsecond too slow to parry and strike back. Little damage is done but you feel cold seep into your bones.
The other atomie screeches. "Get them Jir and we will be well rewarded!" As it stabs Freyr in the cheek.
The bard continues her performance but pauses o unleash a hellish screem at Frjya.
Bold may act
Round 1
Freyr, Frjya, Tayanalla, Kleor
Red, Blue, Mierul
Day 4 - 2:30pm
-5 Degrees
20” Snow -[u] Stat Tracker [/u]
Global Combat Condition: NONE |Freyr HP: 27/29 - AC: 17/15/12 Status:
Tayanalla HP: 17/18 - AC: 18/14/14 Status:
Kleora HP: 10/10 - AC: 12/12/10 Status:
Frjya HP: 12/12 - AC: 16/14/12 Status: MAGE ARMOR________________________________
Red HP: 2/9 AC: 17/17/14 -2 on saves
Blue HP: 9/9 AC: 17/17/14
Mierul Ardelain HP: 29/29 AC: 16/13/13