Arvanya is pleased to hear the familiar sounds of the Skald tongue. Her friend, the animal trainer Yeosef, was Ulfen born and taught her a surprising amount of vocabulary. Her brain backpedals now in an attempt to comprehend the familiar sounds, as it has been quite some time since she has had occasion to use it.
"A dancing hut?" Arvanya asks incredulously. She laughs softly. "Pardon me, but sound like bad dream! What dis Ba-ba-ya-ga has to do with missing noble woman? We should focus on fey, I think. They are real enough, even if magical. And if they are real, they can be hunted, eh?"
Evelina enjoys Yuln's tale far more than she probably should, given the circumstances. Her overactive imagination immediately start running wild with various possibilities. "What if that's why it snowin' all of a sudden? Maybe she's gonna attack Taldor like she did those other kingdoms...I wonder why she'd want Lady Argentea though?" Evelina's eyes widen and she begins talking very fast, "Maybe the queen wants her as an heir...but Lady Argentea didn't want none of it, so she had to kidnap her. But now she's gonna use her witch magic to brainwash her into some kind of psycho ice queen lady!"
Realizing that she got a little carried away, Evelina turns a little pink in the cheeks and breaks eye contact, "But, um...I guess Arvanya is probably right. We should focus on the fey for right now..."
As Freyja requests aid from the councilwoman, Evelina considers her own travel supplies, as well as Yuln's cold weather related injuries. Suddenly feeling fearful of the road ahead she moves towards the pair and puts her hand on Freyja's shoulder in support. "Aye, we want to do whatever it takes to help the lady...but the weather is mighty dangerous out there. Even just some blankets and warm clothes could make a real difference."
"I am called Blaze Oriel, Master Frimbocket. Fare thee well!" She bows and takes her leave.
Still convinced she would only hinder the group's efforts at this first meeting, Blaze waited outside the shop and tried to listen to some of what was being said. She couldn't hear most of it, but when the name of Baba Yaga comes through, a cold chill runs down her spine all the way to the tip of her tail. I knew this would come down to witches! And not just any witch, the Queen of all Witches! Blaze tries to calm herself and think logically about what this might all mean.
I am afraid retracing our steps may be necessary - Isker will likely be our best chance at cold-forged iron here, unless you have another cold iron blade hidden in your back pocket, Mr. Yuln. She winks jocularly at the soldier, then continues on. Vivialla's general store is likely our best chance at cold weather supplies, but as the councilwoman has said, we are at the time of year when, for winter things, supply and demand are a big problem. If there is nothing, perhaps I can be of some help - I brought some furs and such with me to trade. Perhaps some will be of use to us.
Yuln's face frowns a bit after Arnavya's comment. "Hun, morre a nightmarre... I know ya southerrn folks might see dis as just a silly tale but I assurre ya dat no Ulfen frrom Hagrreach vould laugh frrom Baba Yaga... ya might be rright and perrhaps de Queen has noting to do vith any of dis or de lady but forr me, unnaturral cold means Vite Vitches..."
You notice a mixture of discomfort and doubt when Councilwoman Ionna answers you. "I'm not sure if we can actually help you... even if it pains me to say this but Lady Argentea is not a resident of Heldren so I'm not allowed to neither use the resources from the town council to equip you nor force our shopkeepers to give away their hard earned goods." She looks to the Tessaraea with uncertainty and finds understanding in her face. "Perhaps we can lend you the gear you need... if you are able to rescue the lady, I believe she'll be glad enough to reward you so you would then be able to pay our shopkeepers back."
Freyja responds to Ionna. We will take what aid you offer Ionna, be it a loan or gift and we will be grateful for it. But you have to realize that Heldren is threatened. The weather is unnaturally cold for midsummer. It even snowed in the Border Wood. When in memory has that happened this time of year? Someone steals from Dansby's fields. This is made more serious since much of his crop has died from the frosts. Talking white stags walk your forests and a giant white weasel was spotted on the High Ridge. Dryden Kepp is missing and bandits, or worse, act without pause a stone's throw from the town. Consider all of this before you decide Heldren is not involved.
"Is true, if we can return safely this Lady Argentea, and investigate the cause of these mysteries, Heldren will only benefit." Arvanya does her best to appear reassuring, though she knows she lacks Freyja's natural charm.
Leaving the talking to others, Astrid sets off about her trading with little but a half-grunted "general store" to the others. First stop is her tent - she'd done much of her buying and selling already, but several furs still lay on the ground outside, drying in the cool air. A bear pelt catches her eye; she had found the creature newly dead of some illness, but while the meat had been no good, she had gotten the hide off in one neat piece, even keeping the head mostly intact. She can't help a small, private chuckle as she measures its size against her height and girth, finding it a near-perfect match for an improvised coat. I only hope they get the joke, too...when they find out.
And find out her secret the others would, she knew. She kept the change at bay when she was in town, but in the woods...in the woods, going without her second skin felt like being naked. There was nothing for it but to hope that the others wouldn't run. If so, I suppose I track the Lady on my own.
Hefting the remainder of her furs to her shoulder, she treks back into the square, hoping to barter for anything of any use against the chill and keeping an eye out for her other surprise companions.
The Councilwoman thinks for a couple moments, still unsure. "Alright, I'll see what I can do... give me an hour to talk to the other council members and to the shopkeepers to see what we can supply you in this task." Councilwoman Ionna soon leaves you behind, almost running to be able to arrange everything in such short amount of time.
********************************
About forty minutes later the councilwoman meets you in the town square, followed by a couple other citizens from Heldren. Besides her there is a single pony with saddlebags and a heavy load, carrying a tent and enough firewood and trail rations for 5 days. "It looks like we were able to provide far more than I have expected... Sophia is lending you her single pony, Shiny, and Isker, Vivialla, and Tessaraea all contributed in the for of the necessary gear for this rescue mission!" The councilwoman steps forward showing you five sets of cold-weather clothes and cleats, five cold iron daggers, two cold iron longspears, 2 quivers of cold iron arrows, and 5 vials of alchemist's fire. "I hope this is enough to bring Lady Argentea back alive."
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Astrid drops into a surprisingly formal bow. We thank you - indeed, all of Heldren, it seems - for your generosity. And we shall not fail in our charge. The speech seems...familiar, somehow, despite being far more stilted and ceremonious than your average hunter. Taking the longspear in hand, she tests the balance. It will serve, and if the cold-forged iron burns the creatures it will prove more valuable than Father's sword. She takes a quiver of arrows as well, slinging it over her shoulder and accepting the folded coat with the cleats sitting atop.
As everyone prepares to leave, Astrid sets a large, loose bundle atop Evelina's heap - a bear pelt, the head still attached with empty eyes staring up at the flighty girl. Warmer than just a coat, Astrid comments brusquely, her sudden dignified manner transformed back to the usual brusque aloofness. Throw it on over top of everything - it'll help.
Arvanya gingerly steps toward the pony, placing her hand on her muzzle and whispering softly into her ear. "Shiny," she says. "You are young and unsure, but I know you will be good friend."
Placing a gentle kiss on the pony's head, she carefully selects one of the cold iron arrows from its quiver. She runs her fingers gently down its shaft, through its ink-black fletching and across the barrel tapering of the arrowhead.
"Such gifts these are. Astrid is right. We will not fail. How could we?"
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Evelina immediately dives for the clothing, all the while loudly professing her heartfelt gratitude. She takes quite some time going through the bundle, occasionally remarking, "Oh, wait! Can I trade you for that?" as the others reach for clothes. Once she has put together an acceptable outfit, she finally turns her attention to what's left of the weapons. Grabbing one of the daggers, she spins it around a few times before tossing it upwards and catching it in her other hand. Tossing it back to her main hand, she slashes it through the air once, before giving a nod of approval. "Yeah, that'll do in a pinch..."
She is cheerfully adding the dagger to the top of her pile, when she finds herself staring into the empty eyes of a dead bear. Wide eyed and arms looking ready to buckle under the weight, she looks up at Astrid with a slightly pained look. "You mean, wear this over all my other clothes!?!" she whines. But before she can protest further, her eyes land on Yuln, his blackened nose and his stump of a leg. The obstinance in her voice and demeanor dissipates, as she replies, "Alright then...and thanks. That's real thoughtful of you..." Changing into her winter wear and pulling the fur over top, she steals a glance at her reflection in window. Pulling the bear's head over her own, she lifts her arms and goes "Grrrr!". Letting out a laugh at the unconvincing display, she thinks to herself, This thing is actually kind of cute...
Returning to the pile of clothing, she begins going through it once more. "For Blaze..." she explains as she puts aside an outfit that she thinks would suit the mysterious woman. Once she has added the additional clothes to her stack, she remarks, "Speaking of which, we should really go find her...and then get going..." Thanking the councilwoman profusely once more, she begins heading for the door.
Blaze watches all of this from the sidelines, a look of confusion on her face. She follows Astrid to the store and finds that people don't look at her so closely when she accompanies these women who have won the town's confidence. She buys a proper backpack, looking forward to decorating it herself. She also buys three square yards of leather material to work with while they are away. And a whetstone, sewing needle and two winter blankets.
She gazes at Freyja and the others in wonderment when she sees what all they have been provided with. Is this the way the world treats you when you look like that? She knew that many things were easier for those with attractive looks, but somehow she felt certain there was more than a pretty face and fine words at work here.
She removes one of the new winter blankets and stuffs it into the pony's saddle bags, winking at Arvanya as she does so. "Shiny must keep warm too."
Blaze smiles as she looks through the clothes Evelina has set aside for her. Her artistic eye does not miss the careful selection of tones. Nothing that would look too bright next to her blue-grey skin and small details of red and yellow that coordinated with her hair and eyes. "You look good in fur. It is like you paint with clothes, little bear."
She accepts a cold iron dagger as well, but waves away the alchemist's fire. "Better not... it might not be safe."
She bows in thanks, but leaves the words to the others, not wanting to taint their reputation by association with her.
You also remember that many confound 'witches' (humanoids who practice witchcraft) and 'hags' (magical monstrous humanoids).
Councilwoman Ionna, as well as the other residents present, wish you luck in your mission as you finally leave the town behind. It is still fairly early in the morning . The attack on Lady Argentea's caravan took place approximately 6 miles south of Heldren. Between hustling and walking, you are able to reach the location indicated by Yuln with ease after 2 hours. Retracing his trail, you come across the remains of the noblewoman's escort on the fringes of the Border Wood.
This close to the unnatural weather of the Border Wood, the temperature has dropped considerably, hovering just above freezing, and a light dusting of snow covers the ground. The road ahead is littered with debris and the corpses of slain humans and horses. A carriage stands in the roadway, its team of horses missing or cut free, while another overturned carriage lies sprawled and broken next to the tree line. To the south, more bodies have fallen around what appears to be a statue of ice. A snowy trail leads deeper into the forest.
The decorative chasings on the expensive standing carriage bear the marks of Taldan heraldry, as well as damage from the many arrows fired in the battle that took place here. A spear has been wedged between the handles of the carriage doors to hold them closed.
The overturned carriage seems to have been thoroughly looted and two woman, probably Lady Argentea's handmaidens, lie dead inside. There are a couple chests and boxes strewn across the ground containing some spare clothing, including three courtier's outfits.
The remains of the Taldan captain tasked with escorting Lady Argentea from Zimar back to Oppara stand here as a gruesome statue, his slain body mostly encased in ice. Unfortunately, the captain's body is no longer intact, as pieces were carved away of him that now lie in blocks of slowly melting ice at his feet. The frozen captain still wears his breastplate, emblazoned with Taldan heraldry, and one of the chunks of ice contains the captain's arm, still grasping his well crafted longsword.
At the edge of the massacre site, an obvious trail leads between a copse of trees and over a snowy plain toward the Border Wood.
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Blaze is hard pressed to imagine what the winter witches might want with the noblewoman, but one possibility occurs to her. "I need to ask the wounded guard a question, will one of you come with me? I don't want to... worry him." She asks her new friends. She had nearly said 'frighten' but she felt that might be insulting.
She did her best to soften her voice and made sure to keep her hood up when she spoke to him. "Excuse me sir, I was hoping you might tell me... I do not mean any offence, but is it possible the Lady Argentea may have been adopted? Does she have eyes that are two different colors?"
She hoped the answer to both questions would be no, a yes here would complicate things quite a bit.
Evelina tries to casually play off Blaze's compliment. "Nah, this ain't art...I just like clothes and...well...there's nothing special 'bout that..." However, anyone with eyes can see that she is beaming with pride that her selections were liked.
When Blaze asks someone to come with her, Evelina is quick to say, "Sure!", oblivious to the reason for the request, but more than happy to tag along.
Trudging through the snow in heavy furs proves to be physically grueling and more than a little awkward. However, Evelina's joy at finally being on her first adventure has her bounding through the snow with seemingly irrepressible energy. She remains talkative as ever, yammering on about this and that, despite her voice being breathy from the cold weather and physical exertion.
"...then someone said they smelled smoke. That's when I realized..." Suddenly Evelina lets out a gasp, as her eyes fall upon the gruesome scene. For the first time since they left Heldren, she allows the forest to fall silent. Never before being witness to such violence, all her earlier joy vanishes and the only noise she makes is to quietly mutter, "Gods above..." as they move through the attack site.
As they move through the debris, Evelina curiously eyes the overturned carriage. However, she only manages to take a few steps towards it, before her entire body tenses and she begins to back away. With one arm she pulls the bear furs off and gently lays them on top of Shiny. With her other hand she reaches for the rapier at her waist. "There's something in there...", she whispers to her companions.
Yuln appeared to be almost sleeping when Blaze and Evelina entered the apothecary, probably because he was feeling that his 'mission' was fulfilled and that he could now rest and recover since others were moving towards rescuing the lady. He slowly opens his eyes before answering in a drowsy voice. "I know noting about any adoption... hell, I've been guarding her for not more dan a couple yearrs, but I'm prretty surre she has two grreen eyes... matching eyes..." He then falls asleep quickly, possibly under the effects of some powerful drugs.
As the party draws close, Astrid begins to assess the site of the attack from afar, noting the trail into the wood. They've made my job simple...almost too simple. But the overturned carriage - that's where to start, to try and guess at some answers. Oblivious to the still-standing cart, she makes her way to the wreck and begins to sift through it...and its grisly contents. Ice...tiny bits of ice, and needles...what else would tiny winter faeries use? she muses softly aloud, beginning to extract the bodies.
And then Evelina sounds her warning, and Astrid jumps to attention, her longspear springing to the ready. What is it? Where? Her gaze follows Evelina's own, landing on the barricaded carriage doors. Ah...so something was made captive, then. But I wonder if it was one of the Lady's people, or something else? Cautiously, she edges forward, preparing to knock on the closed doors with her spear haft. Shall we find out?
Blaze smiles, relieved by the answers. "This is good. Green is a lucky color. Sleep well, brave soul, and heal."
~~~
She did not really feel the need for such warm clothing, but since the effort had been made, Blaze decides to change soon after they are out of sight of the village. She chooses a copse of trees for some coverage and strips off her scroll-worked leather armor and the gauzy draping she typically wore beneath it. Anyone who happened to look would see her back and torso were covered in much larger, more obvious scales than the rest of her body. They were the same color as the rest of her skin, a dusky blueish grey. It would also be apparent that she had more extensive burn scars than those that are usually visible as well as several more piercings, some in especially sensitive areas.
When she comes back, freshly outfitted, she loads a few heavier items into her spare sack and stuffs them into one of Shiny's saddle bags. It felt oddly ceremonial, as if she were making a physical commitment to the quest and these new companions. She had never before kept her belongings anywhere but close to hand, not since long ago when she lived in a house for what still seemed too short a time.
She said little along the journey, but listened closely to Evelina's stories. The swords-woman had a way about her that seemed to pass the time easily and buoyed up the spirits of those around her. Her cheerful voice had become a welcome soundtrack to their journey to the extent that when she stopped short Blaze looked around in annoyance for what had shocked her to silence.
But annoyance melts into grim acceptance of what she sees. She notices the missing armor and weapons from the dead and frowns, "It does not bode well that they take their armament. They would only do this to arm forces of their own." She nods upon seeing the captain's armor and weapon are still here. It would be no problem to free them when she set her mind to it. "Let's gather up anything of value before we open it. Things tend to get ruined in my wake. It might be a good idea to tether Shiny, as well."
She signals to hold a moment and once the items are gathered and the pony secured, she takes a position a good 10 feet from the blocked door of the carriage and pushes up her sleeves away from her bare hands. She made no move to reach for a weapon, though she did look to each of her new friends in turn as she spoke. "Do not be alarmed. You wanted to know my skill-set... I am about to show you."
Blaze extended her hands palms up and made a pulling motion, inward and upward, and the air around her swirled in response. In a circle surrounding her about 20 feet out, glowing motes like sparks appeared in midair and spiraled in toward her, infusing into her with a sound like a great rush of flame. The surrounding air is left feeling somehow colder than before. Thus instilled, she nods her readiness. "Open it, and then step back."
Despite the frigid weather, the grizzly scene burns itself into Arvanya's memory, refusing to leave her even after she shuts her eyes against it. Yuln's stories about wicked witches stalking the woods suddenly seem less ridiculous. "Who would do such thing?"
With her bow drawn and a cold iron arrow nocked, she tiptoes closer toward the barricaded carriage door. She gestures to Auryel, who crouches low and approaches near Astrid's side.
Normally in situations such as these she would try to remain as silent as possible, lest she and Auryel spook their prey. But at this moment, she feels less like the hunter and more like, well...
"You there!" she calls as loudly as she can. "Who are you? Are you hurt?"
_________
Turning back to Astrid, Evelina explains, "In the carriage. It sounds like something is...uh...shufflin' in there..."
As the others begin to circle the carriage and Blaze instructs her to open the door, she nervously replies, "R...right then...". Moving slowly to the door, she tries to remain calm, but her heart is beating fast as she reaches out to place her hand on the spear wedging the door shut. Hands shaking, she grips it tight as she waits, hoping that some scared human voice calls out to answer Arvanya's question.
Blaze took only a couple seconds to release the dead captain's breastplate and his sword from the 'ice statue' and the block of ice that once was his arm, even if the smell of burnt flesh can be noticed. She then made sure that Shiny was held tightly on a tree across the road.
There was no human answer to Arvanya's question so at Blaze's signal, Evelina removed the spear that was shutting the caravan doors closed and quickly moved back, just in time as three caravan guards stumble hungrily from the inside, no longer alive and in control of their impulses. The three zombies shows signs of cuts from swords and small arrows, and are quickly engulfed by Blaze's flames, enhancing the already present smell of burnt flesh, even if one of them was somehow protected by the other two.
Paying little attention to their new wounds, the zombies stumble forward, eager to claim the lives of the living.
________________________________
Arvanya - up
Auryel - up
Blaze - up
Astrid - up
Evelina - up
Freyja - up
Zombie#1 [7 dmg; wounded (-2)]
Zombie#2 [3 dmg; grazed (-1)]
Zombie#3 [7 dmg; wounded (-2)]
"Woah!" Evelina exclaims as she raises her buckler to protect herself from the heat of the backdraft. Eyes widening as the corpses shamble out, she takes a deep breath. This is it...what you wanted all this time. So do it! "Gyaaah!" she cries out as she flies forward with her rapier towards the nearest zombie.
With a deep, almost animalistic snarl, Astrid lunges forward - but not straight into an attack. Instead, she runs wide of the group, ending up opposite Evelina with a spear's length between her and the shambling undead as she stabs out viciously. Ordinarily, Astrid was a solitary hunter...but it seemed fate had thrown her into a pack of sorts, and she'd seen packs of wolves or feral dogs work to surround their prey and bring it down a hundred times. But...how can you kill what has already died?
Blaze is surprised to see reanimated corpses... having expected winter fey. But the fire would consume them all the same. She gathers power again, the bright motes like sparks swirling into her in a roaring rush, suffusing her with the might of the flame. The fan of flames erupts out from her hands, burning the group of undead again.
Between Blaze's show of fireworks and the undead zombies lurching from the coach, Arvanya cannot hold the shot--her hand relaxes of its own accord. Horror-stricken, she watches as it flies through the air, though thankfully it sails directly toward the nearest zombie.
"Auryel, ucide!" she cries, commanding her friend into battle. The wolf rushes to Evelina's side, biting and pulling at the zombie's leg. In the meantime, Arvanya draws another, normal arrow, aiming now for the zombie's head.
____
Freja also takes a cold iron spear, cold iron dagger, cleats and alchemist fire. As she already has cold weather berea she secures a set of cold weather gear to the pony in hopes that any they free may need them. She also adds her own spear to the pony's load. Speaking loudly she addresses the town You have our thanks. I know we are not well known to you but we go forth to do what needs to be done and will not let you down. I hope we can return this loan in a short amount of time. And with that she turns and checking her gear one last time she departs.
Freyja claims the masterwork blade at least for now, pulling it from its sheath and cutting the air. This is masterfully balanced. she says appreciatively.
As the group is beset Freyja calls out a warning in horror. What foul magic has changed these men into undead?!?. She then begins to sing. He voice is cutting and uplifting. She sings of the glory of battle and the feeling of doing what you know is right. She stands ready to enter battle but does not yet want to step between Blaze's fire and the enemy.
In quick succession, Arvanya sends two arrows towards the zombie but they just pierces them, giving little evidence if they hit anything 'vital' to the undead. Auryel doesn't think twice before gnawing at the undead, a task that many animals would refrain from and quickly fells one of the undead... no blood is spilled though, probably because either of the cold or the blood was already coagulated.
Blaze sends another gush of fire at the zombies that burn once more without a scream of pain and soon after Astrid pierces another one with her new spear, dropping it to the ground even if a slashing weapon would probably be more effective.
Evelina skewers the remaining zombie in front of her but he pays little attention to his new small hole. Unmoved by both her attack and Freyja's song, the zombie slams at the small girl but she is able to parry its attack and even counter attack by creating another whole into the zombie, even if it still stands.
________________________________
Arvanya - up
Auryel - up
Blaze - up
Astrid - up
Evelina - up
Freyja - up
Zombie#2 [8 dmg; wounded (-2)]
With only one undead remaining, Blaze decides to use her unaltered kinetic blast. She winds up, looking as if she is about to hurl something at the creature and suddenly a small ball of fire appears in her hand and then flies toward her target, trailing a flaming tail like a small comet as she releases the pitch.
Kinetic Blast (Sp)
At 1st level, a kineticist gains a kinetic blast wild talent of her choice. This kinetic blast must be a simple blast that matches her element.
As a standard action, the kineticist can unleash a kinetic blast at a single target up to a range of 30 feet. She must have at least one hand free to aim the blast (or one prehensile appendage, if she doesn't have hands). All damage from a kinetic blast is treated as magic for the purpose of bypassing damage reduction. Kinetic blasts count as a type of weapon for the purpose of feats such as Weapon Focus. The kineticist is never considered to be wielding or gripping the kinetic blast (regardless of effects from form infusions; see Infusion), and she can't use Vital Strike feats with kinetic blasts. Even the weakest kinetic blast involves a sizable mass of elemental matter or energy, so kinetic blasts always deal full damage to swarms of any size (though only area blasts deal extra damage to swarms). A readied kinetic blast can be used to counterspell any spell of equal or lower level that shares its descriptor. A kinetic blast that deals energy damage of any type (including force) has the corresponding descriptor.
Fire Blast
Element(s) fire; Type simple blast (Sp); Level —; Burn 0
Blast Type: energy; Damage fire
You unleash a gout of flickering fire to burn a single foe.
When the zombie comes slamming towards Evelina, she falls back on childhood instincts of playful sparring matches with friends and evading schoolyard bullies. Ducking low, she kicks the creature hard in the stomach. Taking advantage of its momentary stagger, she plunges her rapier into the creatures shoulder, but is alarmed to see it continue shambling towards her, seemingly unfazed by her blows.
However, just as fear is starting to take root, she sees a ball of fire fly past her head and towards the creature. Spinning around with a jump and grinning at Blaze, she shouts, "Wow! That was amazing! Are you a wizard!?!"
Blaze hits the last zombie with her fire blast and it also falls into the ground burning slightly.
However, just as fear is starting to take root, she sees a ball of fire fly past her head and towards the creature. Spinning around with a jump and grinning at Blaze, she shouts, "Wow! That was amazing! Are you a wizard!?!"
Blaze's eyebrows rise and her eyes widen as her mouth drops open in a clear expression of shock at these words.
"Of course not!" She vehemently denies the charge of wizardry with a stricken look on her face as if she had been accused of some horrifying crime. "I... I am but a humble vessel for the holy fire. I am blessed with the power of the flamess." She bows her head reverently as she says this and seeing confusion on the others faces at her extreme reaction, she moves up to the carriage to inspect it's contents.She reaches inside and withdraws with a small jewelry box. After a quick look, she hands the box to Evelina, not meeting her eye. "Valuabless... probably belong to the missing noblewoman."
She had no eye for jewelry, probably from never having owned such. Wanting to be busy, she walked over to the pony and stroked her neck and then checked the saddlebags. Speaking to the open air, albeit in Freyja's direction, she asked. "What about the dead? Do we bury them in the snow and return for them later? Or should we make a pyre?" She knew that funeral customs varied from people to people
Oh! I'm sorry! I..uh..I didn't mean anything by it, I swear!" Evelina says apologetically. "I just don't know much about magic...and...I'm sorry..." Seeing Blaze not look her in the eyes, she looks down at the ground guiltily. Now you've done it. You've gone and offended her! Why do you always have to open your mouth!
Walking away sheepishly and feeling the biting cold once more, she returns to Shiny to reclaim the bear furs. Wandering a little aimlessly, she spots Auryel. Figuring she can probably talk to him without worrying about saying something dumb, she wanders his way and quietly murmurs, "You were great too, buddy. I'm glad you're here." Looking around at the scene surrounding them, she sadly adds, "I just wish we had been here earlier...maybe we could have saved some of them...maybe Yuln would still have his leg...I don't know..."
Feeling a box handed to her by a still distant Blaze, Evelina remarks, "Oh. Uh..."
"They are very pretty. I haven't seen much like this before though, so I don't really know." Her voice lacking the enthusiasm it would normally have for such things, she tries to smile at Blaze, "You are probably right, though. They must belong to Lady Argentea..."
Burying them in the snow might work...but there's more chance someone comes across an unpleasant surprise later, if the sudden chill reverses. Astrid considers the now-unmoving dead somberly. A pyre would be best - fastest, and we need the time we can get to make sure the living stay as such. Blaze...you say what you do is not magic. Does that mean your flames are not limited like a wizard's arcane energies? Would you be able to conjure enough flames to burn them quickly?
As the last zombie falls Freyja stops her song but her words hang with you for the next couple rounds. Eying the valuables Freyja admits They are pretty, but I have no eye for such things. Return them to the lady if we are successful. Or sell them to an honest merchant, if one can be found. is her advise. As to the bodies, they are not from the town so there is no reason to return them there. The cold preserves them where they lay. If someone wishes to say last words then let us do so. Otherwise I say we move on. My concern is with the living and I've no wish to mark our coming with a plume of black smoke.
Their deeds were their eulogies, Astrid replies frankly. They died to keep their charge safe, pushing on even when their foe proved the greater. What more could be said of their valor? If we cannot burn them, let us return them to the cart and make some warning to passers-by, so no one of soft spirit happens upon them; then, let us go.
The flames of Blaze's magic reflect in Auryel's pupils as Arvanya kneels beside him and stares, dumbfounded. She is reminded of the fire dancers in the circus, though Blaze is obviously much more than a performer. "Fire in flesh," she murmurs in wonderment. "Whatever you are, you are welcome blessing." She notes Blaze's affinity toward Shiny and suddenly feels guilty for fearing her, for being reluctant to speak to her. She pulls her arrow free from the zombie's ribcabe, then approaches gently with a smile. "You are very brave, and talented."
She smiles again when Evelina plays with Auryel. It suddenly strikes her that the wolf and the flame-dancer have something in common. Both are feared unnecessarily.
"Freyja is right. Smoke may alert enemies of our presence. Astrid's idea is a good one."
After dragging the bodies, both of the dead and the undead, back into the standing carriage, Astrid is able to quickly write a note to affix near the carriage's door, warning those not to be curious. Blaze then moves towards Shiny and guides him back to the group, ready to move forward.
Astrid leads the group, followed by Evelina, Freyja, Arvanya and Auryel, and finnaly Blaze bringing Shiny. As soon as they pass inside the tree line where the pocket winter begins, however, the weather proves much worse, with temperatures below freezing and falling snow, reducing the visibility ahead. About 6 inches of snow covers the ground, making it more difficult to move quickly.
As it enters the full expanse of the Border Wood, the trail passes through a small clearing among the taller trees before continuing uphill and out of sight. A large chest lies half-buried in the snow, apparently dropped or discarded by those who hastily passed this way.
Wait, Astrid orders roughly, throwing a hand into the air and edging forward cautiously. Don't go after that chest - there's something there, hidden beneath the snow and brush... Carefully, she makes her way ahead, staring intently at several points along the ground, then swinging her gaze to the treetops.
A deadfall, she finally pronounces, and that chest is the bait. There's a rope strung along the ground here, hidden by the snow. It leads to a log in the treetops - see it, there? She points to a long timber hanging high among the forest's canopy, lost in the foliage. It's set so that if it's triggered, it'll come through right where that chest is - taking out anyone by it or anywhere on the trail behind a good way. We'll just need to go wide, stay out of that clearing altogether - don't take the bait and we're golden.
Suddenly she smiles, showing a mouthful of slightly crooked, somewhat overlarge teeth. But it does mean some good - we're on the right path, and if they're taking the time to set up tricks like this, we may be catching them up.
Freyja pauses to put on her cleats before advancing into the snowy area. These will not help in the snow alone but we may come upon frozen ground or even a pond. I will be ready.
As the group spots the chest Freyja looks skeptically at it. Do they take us for fools? They cannot hide their trail so they litter it with diversions?
A good call Astrid. We must stay true to our mission and not let ourselves be diverted. Since we know we are on the right path it matters little what is in the box. She considers for a moment before adding But others may come behind us and they may not have eyes as keen as yours. Perhaps a log could be thrown at the chest to trigger the trap?
Investigating the contents of the jewelry box as Freyja talks, Evelina can't help but think, Sell this stuff? I'm sure such beautiful pieces were important to her. She gently closes the box and gives Freyja a determined look. "We'll give 'em back...when we find her!", she remarks, putting the box carefully into Shiny's saddlebag.
As the other begin moving the bodies, Evelina feels torn. One half of her feels guilty that they are not showing the brave men their due respect, while another half feels relieved that she won't have to see bodies burning upon a pyre...which in turn makes her feel even guiltier. Unsure what to say, she just remains silent through the whole process.
Evelina remains uncharacteristically quiet for next stretch of the travels, as she tries to stay out of trouble and her mind swirls with zombies, dead guards and kidnapped noblewomen. However, she does occasionally steal a glaze at Blaze, trying to figure out if the woman is still upset with her. She is so preoccupied with her own thoughts that when Astrid halts and sticks out her arm, Evelina slams straight into it. "Oof"
Listening to Astrid's explanation, she asks, "So we are catching up? How long ago do you think they were here?"
Leaving the lure-chest behind, you continue to follow southwest along the easy trail. The snow becomes increasingly deep in this part of the forest, where a windswept gully carves a path through a tree-covered ridge. A soft cascade of snow falls from an overhead branch, hissing softly as it strikes the ground. Because of the deep snowdrifts in the gully, the snow-covered ground is even more difficult to cross at this point.
Suddenly, from the snow-covered gully, a big reptilian creature pounces from its camouflaged spot and bites at Auryel, painting his fur and the snow with warm blood. It quickly also tries to rake and grab the wolf with its claws but Auryel manages to escape a dire and precocious end. This white-scaled serpentine creature has the head of a ferocious dragon and two relatively small forearms that end in tiny claws.
________________________________
Evelina - up
Freyja - up
Tatzlwyrm
Blaze
Astrid
Arvanya
Auryel
Astrid looks carefully over the clearing, then lets out a long sigh. Though she'd felt uncomfortable, almost blind the entire way in, she'd hoped to avoid bringing it up as long as possible...but there was only one way to be certain. Give me a moment...and forgive some strangeness.
And then, Astrid turns to scour the clearing, and the strangeness begins. The already tall and bulky woman grows even bigger, a new hunch pronounced as she stoops down to examine the trail. Her hand on the snow grows even wider, straining against her new gloves until long, heavy fingernails rip through the fingertips. Patches of coarse hair begin to appear suddenly, sticking up from beneath her coat collar.
And after several moments, when she stands (shoulders still hunched) and turns back to the others, her face is the most changed of anything. Her already heavy nose and thick lips have pushed out even farther, the bones beneath reshaped and her lower face protruding nearly three inches forward; her amber irises now take up nearly her entire eye, and the dark pupils seem to faintly reflect the pale white light of the snowy forest.
The even-more-solid warrior twitches her gaze back and forth a few more times, nostrils flaring, before speaking, her words slightly thick and even deeper in tone. Someone of my blood bore a lycanthrope's gift - we know not who or how long ago. But the blood is in me, too, and I can call upon it. I can smell their scent on the air - they passed...
Freyja is taken aback by the change and is in fact pulling her longsword when Astrid speaks. Still it takes a moment for the bard that this is not some baleful effect. Astrid? Are you still in there? At the warpriest's explanation some color returns to Freyja's face but she asks A lycanthrope? Isn't that a curse and not a gift. And how can this be with the sun high in the sky even if it hidden in the blowing snow?
Unsure what the creature is, Frejya certainly recognizes it as a threat. Pulling her spear she advances 5' to one side hoping to eventually flank the creature and begins to sing.
Evelina takes few steps back from Astrid's transformation. Now thoroughly dwarfed by the woman and unsure what is happening, she stands tense and on guard. When Astrid finally speaks, Evelina's grip relaxes slightly on the weapon she didn't even realize she was touching.
"Lycanthrope?" Evelina considers, "So you're like...what? Part werewolf?" She looks Astrid up and down. Hair. Fingers like claw. Yeah, I can see it. Laughing nervously, she straightens the bear furs she is wear. "I suppose we match then..."
Evelina is just turning around to ask Arvanya a question, when she sees the creature leap out of hiding and tear into Auryel. "No! Look out!" she shouts as her eyes widen in horror. Not wanting to wait another second, she pushes through the deep snow, pulls out her rapier and dives at the creature.
Arvanya's mouth drops open at the site of Astrid's fangs, snout, and claws. She reaches reflexively for the scruff of Auryel's neck but, once again, is surprised to find the wolf completely at ease. It is uncanny that he can sense the nature of others. She moves closer to Astrid's hulking form, her boots crunching loudly in the snow. "Lycanthropy, yes...my mama used to speak of this. Creatures with moonlight in their blood and stardust in their eyes. But you change as you will, not by the presence of Mother Moon?" She considers this a moment, begins to ask a question, but stops herself, only nodding silently in seeming acceptance.
"It is destiny." she says with finality, as she slings her bow over her back and marches resolutely into the woods.
Astrid notices the smell of men, horses and even a different scent that resembles 'nature and freshness'. The scent of the men is still strong which suggests that there are many of them. It appears that they passed more than twelve hours ago but definitely less than twenty-four...
Evelina draws her rapier and moves towards the creature but the heavy snow impedes her to reach it. Once more Freyja starts to sing, lifting the moral of the group. Not slowed by the snow, the creature attacks Auryel once more but this time the wolf dodges quickly from the attack.
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Evelina
Freyja
Tatzlwyrm
Blaze - up
Astrid - up
Arvanya - up
Auryel - up
Round 2
Evelina - up
Freyja - up
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Blaze realizes she has acted rashly, letting emotion flare up when asked a simple harmless question. "It iss well, Evelina. I do not hold such casterss in high regard. You meant no slight, I see thiss now." Still she has retreated into a more reserved state, sensing from her words that the girl must hold witches and wizards in much higher regard than she and feeling more alone again. But she does return Arvanya's smile with a grateful nod.
Blaze...you say what you do is not magic. Does that mean your flames are not limited like a wizard's arcane energies? Would you be able to conjure enough flames to burn them quickly?
"I do not know if it iss magic or not. But I do not compact with creaturess or spiritss as witchess do. Nor do I study arcane writingss like a wizard. There wass a time when I knew nothing save darknesss, cold and pain. Then I saw Fire and it wass love at first sight. The blessed light and warmth kindled my heart and stirred in me the will to be free. And when my opportunity came, Fire spoke to me and gave me meanss to escape. Since that day, Fire hass been my constant companion. It alwayss comess to my call, but I am a weak vessel still. If I reach beyond my grasp, I burn." She says this last part with a tone of shame, touching the malformed flesh at her throat.
Blaze does not want to simply leave the chest untouched. People might happen along and meet their end simply because they are more curious than they are observant. She expects that a shift of the snow will trigger the trap, so she positions herself 15 feet from the trap and makes the pulling motion again as she gathers power. The sparks bloom out of the air and spin as if caught in a vortex that Blaze herself is the eye of, until they all flow into her. Suffused with power, she releases another fan of flames, directed at the snow beneath the chest.
The strange looking tiefling reacts most positively to Astrid's change. She stares for a moment and then her mouth drops open in a smiling laugh. "Hah! And I wass thinking you smelled of the wild because you have been living rough like me. But wild runss in your blood, then. Seemss we have a little bear and a big one as well!"
Blaze gasps as the wyrm tears into the wolf.
She stumbles back away from the wyrm, making little headway in the deep snow.
Once she has some breathing room, she leans back, a ball of fire appearing in her hand and she hurls it at the dragon-like creature.
If you have a base attack bonus of +1 or higher, you may draw a weapon as a free action combined with a regular move. If you have the Two-Weapon Fighting feat, you can draw two light or one-handed weapons in the time it would normally take you to draw one.
Swashbuckler's are full BAB classes, so she has the necessary +1 to draw as a free action along with her move. I think she is the only one of us that can do this at level 1, though.