Not at all - it's the least we can do, if you can accept another night in such close quarters. Beaming, Sylgja ushers everyone back inside; Orm and Mjoli spring up from where they'd been sitting next to their caretaker, whooping at your return. You won, you won - I bet you smasheded the troll! Mjoli cheers, grabbing up a poker from next to the fire. Gamely, he pantomimes the fight (far more dramatically than reality had the kindness to make it), struggling to lift the heavy iron rod. Finngarth follows behind everyone else, and Sylgja sits him down in a chair next to the fire, draping a blanket over his shoulders.
The night passes once again in warmth and comfort. A fire is kindled, dinner is cooked (this meal more ample than last night's, with Sylgja having more notice), and everyone settles in to rest after the day's exertions. As the party drifts toward rest, Sylgja and Finngarth retire to their bed in the cabin's corner, pulled close to one another; their soft speech sends everyone to sleep, the words not quite understandable but clearly full of affection and eagerness.
The night passes to day, and as everyone rises, Sylgja greets everyone with a cauldron of warm cooked grain and berries. Morning preparations continue, and Finngarth approaches Madison with a leather-wrapped bundle; while it still seems difficult for him to focus on what happens around him, there is some improvement in his mental faculties. Take this, he offers, unwrapping the bundle to reveal a well-oiled bear trap that gleams with reflected firelight...and yet, the firelight doesn't explain the sharp white gleam along the edges of its metal teeth. Least we can do. It's more use to you. The bears aren't so canny here.
Even without having the need to sleep, it was good to curl up indoors with a fire.
The dwarf got up and stretched and went over to see the wizard.
He carefully rinsed and washed some more gunk that had gathered overnight. He smiled while wiggling two fat fingers in front of Matthew, "Well, how many fingers do I have?"
-------------
Matt had spent much of the evening in meditation - trying to focus on his connection with Maggie, and understand what they could do together with it. Having her deliver touch spells for him would be a great boon, though he would have to be careful not to put her in danger. That night he slept fitfully, worried about his eyes. If this turned out to be a permanent affliction, then he would be of little use in their mission.
When dawn finally came, though it remained dark for the wizard, he could barely restrain himself while Martok doctored his eyes again. He gripped Maddy's hand tightly as the dwarf rinsed s the last of the blood and pus and gunk was carefully rinsed out, light began to filter into his eyes. He blinked several times, wincing at the light, and slowly the room came into focus.
Eyes watering, Matt said, "Well, hopefully you have ten. But I can see two of them in front of me right now." He wiped his cheeks, and looked around. He closed one eye, then the other. Finally he slumped back, relaxing completely, releasing tension he hadn't been aware of. "You have my gratitude, Martok. Thank you."
Evelina grins at the boys excitement. Walking over to them, she smiles and says, "Oh, smash it we did! 'Cept it weren't no troll no. That'd been too easy! It was actually this magic fungus that tried to control Finngarth to attack us! It was like...um..." She looks around the room for the nearest person. Approaching Cithembi, she quickly signs to him, 'Play along', before tossing a blanket over his head. Turning back to the kids, she explains, "So he was stumblin' around confused, as we had 'ta fight the spores around 'im...but we couldn't him or we'd hurt him! It was hard...but..." With a flourish, she uses her rapier to whip the blanket off of Cithembi. "In the end we destroyed the thing...and got Finngarth home unharmed!"
Evelina slept better than she had for a few days. Despite it being small and cramped, the little house felt like it was full of love and warmth. In the morning she woke up well rested and in good cheer. "Aw man...Guess we can't pull faces at you all day long any more..." She says, teasingly to Matt with a big smile. To the others, she asks, "So I guess its back on the road, huh?"
Take this, he offers, unwrapping the bundle to reveal a well-oiled bear trap that gleams with reflected firelight...and yet, the firelight doesn't explain the sharp white gleam along the edges of its metal teeth. Least we can do. It's more use to you. The bears aren't so canny here.
Maddy stands awkwardly before Finngarth as he offers such a beautiful trap. She could tell that such an item was valuable in many ways but she didn't want to insult him or Sylgja by out-rightly refusing it. "Are you sure? You and Sylgja have already been so kind to welcome us into your home - to feed and shelter us. You've already been so generous..."
Maddy sighs in relief as Martok clears up Matty's sight. She claps the dwarf on the back in gratitude. "Thanks, Martok! We knew you could do it."
"Now that everyone's healthy, we should probably get going. I'm sure that Sylgja and Finngarth would rather be alone."
Cithembi happily plays along with Evelina, making odd grunts and growls that sound nothing like Finngarth in his fungus-controlled state but might have a distant relationship to something a grumpy lion might make.
******
Cithembi is ecstatic when Matthew's vision finally clears. "Friend, it is good to see you seeing again!" he declares. "Now we should be ready to continue, yes?"
Back on the road sounded like an everyday thing for the herder but truth be told, he was starting to like sleeping inside.
He smiled back when Matt got his eyes back and stated, "Yeah, I guess we continue on towards Whitehearth, right?"
Evelina nods cheerily at Martok. "Yup. We told Nadya we'd take her to Whitehearth...So to Whitehearth we go!" The young woman seemed to be in better spirits than she had been for a few days.
Matt was intrigued by the bear trap when they showed it to him the next morning. He could immediately think of some things they could use it for, and none of them included trapping bears. He added his thanks to the others.
It was a relief to be able to study his spellbook properly. When he tucked it away, he rose, and thanked their hosts. "We are grateful for your hospitality. May you live many long years together in happiness."
He then moved with the others out the door, ready for a full day of travel.
"I believe you mean Whitethrone, friends," Cithembi says, with a bit of a grin.
With a final round of grateful farewells, Sylgja and Finngarth help to reload the sleds, and the party sets off once more to rejoin the road. Though a few travelers pass the other way, the road is mostly clear, and those you do meet seem plenty content to look to the ground and pass in silence. Near midafternoon, you crest a small hill and see, off to the south of the trail about half a mile, a circle of tents about the size to fit a human child comfortably. Most of the party looks to the distance at the tiny camp, but Freyja suddenly tenses - and before she has a chance to speak, three goblins sitting astride dirty grey wolves appear from behind the rise, barreling over the hill toward the party!
----------
Surprise Round
Freyja - up
Goblin outriders
Sipping forward and presenting her sword towards the charging enemy Freyja begins a song to bolster her companions.
Freyja barely has time to begin a rousing battle hymn before the goblins are upon the party. Whooping and shouting, they kick their wolf mounts to full speed and barrel past, taking swipes at Evelina, Freyja, and Madison as they rush past. Madison's armor stops the cobbled-together blade, but Evelina and Freyja aren't so lucky - the jagged edges find their exposed arms and tear jagged cuts. A few feet past the party, the trio wheel around, ready to make another charge!
----------
Round 1
Cithembi - up
Evelina - up
Freyja - up
Madison - up
Martok - up
Matthew - up
Goblin riders
Unaware that they were under assault, Evelina turned to see why Freyja had started to sing a battle song. Suddenly she let out a shriek, as she felt something tear into her arm. Spinning around and trying to orient herself, she spotted the wolf rider. "Oi!" She yelled as she ran angrily after it, her almost supernatural speed becoming for evident than ever before, as she appeared to keep pace with the wolf. "You're gonna pay for that!" Catching up, she struck at the goblin rider.
Wolves! Every shepherds nightmare. And goblins. Every dwarf's delight.
The dwarf shepherd got closer to the goblin riders and unleashed a cone of flames from his ten wiggly fingers.
"Let's rally around the sleds and the children!"
---------------
HP 49/49
AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14
Conditions: n/a
Melee (+1 spear): +4 = +1(magic) +3(base)
Melee Damage (+1 spear): 1d8+1, x2
5/5 mythic pool, 4/4 touch of flame, 2/2 channel energy
Spell used: burning hands
Matt spun around, trying to keep his eyes on the goblins. As they turned, ready for another pass, he put his back to the sleds, trying to stay behind Maddy. With the goblins moving as quickly as they were, and his friends already joining the fray, he decided to stick with as safe a spell as he could. Drawing his hand back as if he were about to throw a ball, he cried, "Nerais nairraira!" He threw his hand forward, and two motes of energy flew unerringly towards the goblin furthest from Evelina.
At Freyja's warning in the form of song, Maddy unleashes her greatsword and is ready to attack as the goblins come back for another pass. She keeps her body between them and Matty as well as Nadya's family. As the mounted goblin comes within reach, Maddy makes a vicious swing.
** spoiler omitted **
Freyja barely has time to begin a rousing battle hymn before the goblins are upon the party. Whooping and shouting, they kick their wolf mounts to full speed and barrel past, taking swipes at Evelina, Freyja, and Madison as they rush past. Madison's armor stops the cobbled-together blade, but Evelina and Freyja aren't so lucky - the jagged edges find their exposed arms and tear jagged cuts. A few feet past the party, the trio wheel around, ready to make another charge!
The bard moves to defend other party members and readies to attack.
Evelina's goblin: 19/19
Evelina's wolf: 13/13
Freyja's goblin: 19/19, -3, -7, -12 = -3/19
Freyja's wolf: 13/13, -3 = 10/13
Madison's goblin: 19/19, -7, -14 = -2/19
Madison's wolf: 13/13, -7 = 6/13
Though Evelina is undoubtedly quick, her speed affects her aim - she is unable to focus in on a weak point in the goblin's armor, and the goblin merely cackles in return. Kicking his mount savagely to goad it into biting at Evelina, the rider matches his mount's bite with a slash of his blade; the blade goes far wide as the wolf twists and turns, but the maneuvering gets the jaws into range to tear at Evelina's leg. Then, clearly underestimating their opponent, the pair sprint away and make a quick about face to turn back toward the party .
Attempting to avoid Evelina, Martok maneuvers in position to aim a fiery blast at the other two riders; the pair that had accosted Freyja turn about in time to avoid the worst of it, but Madison's foes aren't so luck. Matthew, seeing one of the riders avoid Martok's fire, elects to send his missile of energy toward the less injured rider, and it darts unerringly to splash across the goblin's chest. The pair, enraged by the magical assault, turn their mounts and charge once more for the party - but Madison and Freyja are ready for them. The two swords flash in unison, and suddenly both wolves are riderless.
----------
Round 2
Cithembi - up
Evelina - up
Freyja - up
Madison - up
Martok - up
Matthew - up
Goblin riders
Cithembi, unable to hear what is going on, was caught completely by surprise when the goblins attacked. Finally he recovers enough to react, and hurls his spear at the remaining goblin.
Evelina lets out another yelp as the wolf's teeth sinks into her leg. However, still she runs after the creature, Her first few steps show the slightest sign of a limp as she adjusts to the injury, but the wound is not deep and she quickly regains her full stride. Charging forward, she moves in to flank the wolf attacking, Freyja.
Still staying close to the sled and children, Martok wills forth his power to knock out one of the wolves and hopefully give its rider a nasty fall.
He turned for a second and addressing the kids, [b]"You all watch this..."[b]
------------
HP 49/49
AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14
Conditions: n/a
Melee (+1 spear): +4 = +1(magic) +3(base)
Melee Damage (+1 spear): 1d8+1, x2
5/5 mythic pool, 4/4 touch of flame, 2/2 channel energy
Spell used: burning hands
Still singing to inspire courage Freyja readies to attack any enemy that closes on her.
Matt cocked his arm back again, but this time as if throwing a javelin instead of a ball. He cried out "Sphlonsuruk sphuaur!", and a jagged wooden spear appeared in his hand, glowing faintly with a greenish light. He hurled it at and it flew straight and true, striking them in the shoulder.
Maddy didn't move far from her brother or Nadya's family. Rather she waits for the goblins and wolves to come to her. As soon as they came within reach, Maddy cuts them down with her blade.
Martok's charm fails to affect the wolf, but Evelina's sword is far more effective against the canine, and Cithembi and Matthew's spears find their marks in its rider. Injured and limping, the goblin and wolf elect to withdraw, running away into the distance, and the riderless wolves follow suit. The two goblins that fell carry possessions that are mostly cobbled together, as most goblins' possessions are, but the dogslicers have clearly had time and effort put into their construction, and they have a wealth of flasks and sticky paper bags on hand.
- two potions of bull's strength
- four potions of cure light wounds
- eight flasks of alchemist's fire
- four tanglefoot bags
- two Small sets of studded leather armor
- two Small heavy wooden shields
- two masterwork dogslicers
- two shortbows and 40 masterwork arrows
- fourteen tindertwigs
The lone remaining goblin retreats to the north, while the empty camp remains to the south. And, of course, the road lies ahead - there is time to gain perhaps a couple more miles of travel before needing to stop, but the camp in the distance would provide an area that's already cleared and ready for a night's habitation.
Martok's face scrounged when his magic failed to take hold, "Huh, wonder what happened."
He then turned back to the sleds and kids and made sure everyone was OK, "I think we ought to get moving. I don't like the looks of an abandoned camp to set up for the night. it probably stink of goblin." He scrounged his face at the kids this time, "And that's even worst than dwarf."
------------
We must at least examine the camp Martok, though we do not have to stay there. She heals her wound before asking Who else needs healing
These goblins had a reasonable amount of loot. Lets split it up now. I could use a potion Bull's Strength and a few alchemicals.
When Freya asks if anyone is hurt, Evelina looks at the cut in her arm and the bite marks in her leg. "Um...A little bit..." She replies as she tests the injuries, "But not so bad I can't keep moving..."
As for where to go Evelina kind of shrugged. "If you want to take a look at it first, I don't see the harm..."
Nonsense Evelina. I insist that you let me at least close that wound.
Cithembi looks things over. "I could take two of the flasks of alchemist's fire to replace those I've used."
Matt took one alchemists fire for himself, and a few tindertwigs - it never hurt to have that sort of thing on hand. He left the potions for the front line fighters, he would hopefully not need them. "Yes, let's make sure there's nobody there that needs help, and then we can move on if there's still enough light."
Evelina gives Freyja a nod of gratitude as her wounds almost entirely close. Rapier still drawn, she begins heading up the hill. "C'mon. Let's check it out!"
With Nadya, Kashka, and the kids electing to keep the sled and dogs on the road until the camp is more thoroughly explored, the six of you approach the distant circle of tents. No one emerges to contest your approach. The tent walls are stained and filthy, with a long gash cut in the side of one, and packets of food and bottles of various liquids are scattered around the insides of all the tents. It doesn't take much searching to discover that all the food is spoiled; the bottles, however, are still sealed, and the labels suggest that they contain various types of liquor. The collection looks valuable, likely a big score for the bandit goblins.
Martok kicked away some stuff and moved away others with his long spear, "Junk, spoiled food, junk, stinky stuff, junk, and more junk."
He asked, "Do we really want to bring the children here?"
He was about to turn away when he spotted to torc, "OK, this may been worth the trip down here. Can one of you make good use of this?"
The dwarf picked up the bottle and brought to the wizard, "How are those eyes of yours? This is strange; any ideas?"
Freyja barely notices the scattered bottles. Good eyes there Martok. I totally would have missed that. Many of these bottles are still filled with some valuable spirits. We should take them too.
With the others looking in the tents, Cithembi looks at the tracks. Was this a goblin camp, or a camp the goblins had raided? And if the goblins had raided it, were there survivors who had escaped?
Matt moved over to where Martok held the strange liquids. Holding his hands over his eyes for a moment, he murmured, "Nadasd nerais." His eyes now capable of detecting magic, he examined the two strange bottles, trying to determine if they're potions of some sort.
Evelina turns up her nose at the spoiled liquor. "Ew". The necklace Martok is holding she observes with a shrug. "It's kinda cool...but it looks kinda heavy...If someone wants it go for it...or we could just sell it..."
Scoping out the area she asks the others, "So...make camp? Or push on?"
Maddy, Maggie and Matt agreed; they didn't like it here. "Let's push on," he said.
"Perhaps we should ask Nadya if there is a good place to camp further on, friends?" Cithembi suggests.
None of the bottled liquids are magical in any way. It seems the camp is the typical goblin fare - formerly nice things turned to rot and ruin by poor handling, except for the necklace. In mutual agreement, the party tromps back to the road, Cithembi skipping lightly across the snow's surface.
Nadya suggests a cave a mile and a half ahead as a good place to rest for the night. It gets used too often by travelers to have any animals take up in it, and it's not deep enough for a bear or something looking to den anyway. But it saves time on the shelter - one less wall we have to build ourselves. Taking her advice, the party continues on to find the cave much as she had described, low on drafts and on wildlife. A fire is stoked, a shelter is built, and everyone does what they will to settle in for the night.
The dwarf slowly chewed on some dried jerky, eeking out every last bit of flavor from the piece of venison. His lack of need for food and sleep still did not keep him from enjoying them. If anything, it accentuated their pleasure.
But it was clear that no sleep would be had tonight, not while they slept pretty much in the open and with non-combatants under his care.
He spoke like he would entertain no argument, "I will keep watch while you all sleep. If one of you wants to join me that's fine but you should all rest."
"That is fine with me, friend," Cithembi says with a grin.
He looks over to Nadya's children. "Perhaps another story before sleep?" he suggests, grinning wider.
Freyja listen to Cithembi's supra and then sings the children a lullaby to help get them to sleep. Later she goes and sits by Matt. I am glad you have your sight back. I was worried about you.
Evelina looked as eager as the children to listen to a story, sitting cross legged and quiet. However, once the story ended and they began dozing off, she looked around the camp for something else to do, still not quite tired enough to sleep.
Stretching out, she looked to the others, "Anyone wanna do a little sparring?" she asked hopefully, "Them goblins got me twice today...So, I think my dodgin' is getting a bit sloppy..."
Matt smiled wearily at Freyja. "Thanks. I was worried too. In fact, I barely slept; I could only keep thinking about what life would be like if I stayed blind. I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep."
Though it was still relatively early, he rolled himself up close to the children, and soothed by their soft breathing, soon fell asleep.
A story! A story! Orm and Mjoli seem excited at the prospect, and even Kashka smiles slightly as she rolls out a mat of furs on the ground.
----------
With tales let loose into the Irrisen night, everyone lays down to sleep, tucking blankets close against the draft. Except Martok - the shepherd sits ever watchful at the tent's door, guarding his flock. As the hours pass and the stars wheel in their stately dance along the snow-carpeted landscape, the night remains near-silent, and the dwarf's keen eyes tell him all is calm ahead.
, nope, nada
The dwarf keeps his watch and is glad everyone is resting. The snow-covered trails are not easy on the bones.
Cithembi smiled widely at Orm and Mjoli's enthusiasm, and soon he again falls into the throes of storytelling.
"And this the leopard soon found, for while he walked upright, he could not make tools or fire. Hunting was even harder than before, for he was slower than he once was, but the Leopard was stubborn, and found ways to live."
"Then one day he saw something that made him very angry. The small not-deer trotted out into his view."
"'I am not a man!' the Leopard growled. 'I may stand on two legs, but life is even harder now! I cannot make weapons or fire, and I am slower!'"
"'That is why I came,' the not-deer said. 'I promised to help you become a man, and I will keep my promise. You need another guide to help you. There is a wise old spirit in the mountain who will tell you what more you need. He never descends from the mountaintop, so he loves the red tree-fruits that grow at the mountain's base.'"
"And then the not-deer sprinted away. The Leopard, enraged, tried to follow, but could not catch it on two legs. Grumbling, he decided to follow its instructions and go to the mountain."
"You see," Cithembi interjected for a moment, "In the old times of the stories, there was only one Mountain, and so the Leopard knew just where to go. He came to the base of the mountain, and found the red tree-fruit. He picked some of it, and then started to climb the mountain."
"Up and up he climbed, over rocks and cliffs. As he climbed, the Leopard realized something--here was something that was easier standing on two legs! He had been good at climbing before, but he was even better now. But even so the climb was long and hard, and near the top he found this strange, cold, white thing. He was very cold and tired, but he kept climbing until he reached the very top."
"'I smell some lovely fruit,' a great voice boomed. 'Who has brought me such delicious fruit?'"
"'I am Leopard, and I wish to be a man.'"
"The spirit of the mountain appeared, like a great blue bear looking hungrily at the fruit. 'I cannot do that, but I can teach you how to have thumbs. These men use to make tools and fire.'"
"'Tell me how, and I will give you the fruit,' Leopard said."
"'You must go take the bark of the stretchy-tree, and wrap it around your smallest claws on your fore-paws,' the spirit said. 'Use it to stretch your toe every day for a month, and then you will have thumbs.'"
"And so Leopard gave the mountain spirit his fruit, and then climbed back down. He searched many days for the stretchy-tree, until at last he found one. He stripped some bark from it and, struggling and straining, managed to wrap it around his smallest claw."
"And then, for a month, he stretched it. Slowly his toe split from the others, until at last, it was a thumb!"
He waggled his thumbs, then yawned. "Well, that is enough for tonight, I think. Time for sleep!"