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Edward knocks on the door jamb.. not to hard he doesn't want anything to fall off.
When the door is opened Edwards smile is genuine and gleaming of his perfect teeth. Greetings mam. I'm sorry for bothering you at this late hour, but my associates and I have a few questions for you, if you could spare some time.
Edward knocks softly. Some moments later, the door opens with a loud creak to reveal an old human woman with piercing eyes. She stands silently in the doorway as Edward speaks, and after.
Kappi holds out the council woman's writ to the midwife. Please grandmother, its important. Though a young punk by all means, when Kappi says the word "grandmother" he speaks it with the reverence given those who have lived long enough to attain such age.
Davosh turns his head sideways in thought for a moment, "My friend speaks truly. I am not gifted with a silver tongue, but we are here on a matter of importance. We are seeking the cause of the freakishly cold weather by the wood. A witness places fey in the area. We're woefully short on cold iron. Do you have anything you can do to help us save Heldren and its people?" Liska adds a bark that sounds suspiciously like the word "help".
As Kappi presents the writ, the woman never seems to move her gaze from Kappi's eyes to read it. After a long while, she says in a croaking voice, I know why you are here.
Her eyes then dart to Davosh. I do not have cold iron. These fey can be fought with fire, however. And you...you have asked for other things from Councilwoman Teppen. I do not have these several things, but perhaps Madam Steranus' general store may be of service to you tomorrow. As for what I do have...
She produces a grimy, dust-covered glass jar with three tiny pouches barely visible inside. Powders to fuel your casting, warlock. May Erastil — or whomever you revere — bless your quest. And come see me again should you succeed; we would have much to discuss. She shuts the door.
"It is appreciated. I know that there is a destiny waiting for me and my new.....friends. You shall see me again ere this business is done. Thank you. I need to sleep and spend time with Liska. Tomorrow we shall head out."
While gruff and terse, Davosh knows when it's time to be polite. He exits with a bow. Liska give sher customary figure 8 between the legs.
"Gentlemen, tomorrow we begin in earnest."
To the inn then.
Vojtek turns and walks to the inn. He organizes a watch rotation and takes the first shift.
11-12: Kappi
12-1: Davosh & Liska
1-2: Edward
2-3: Ali
3-4: Vojtek
4-5: Kappi
5-6: Davosh & Liska
6-7: Edward
7-8: Ali
9 Hours, each watches for 2, 7 hours sleep each.
In the morning the group will break their fast and head to the general store.
I have not.
Edward cast CLW on Yuln.
Not I
It is between 9 and 10 when you make it back to the Silver Stoat. The tavern is much less populated now, though a handful of hangers-on huddle about the bar.
As soon as Kale sees you, she quiets the stragglers and nods. Have these folk out o' here in a while, gents and lady. Feel free to make ye comfortable as ye can near the fireplace.
At first feeling too excited to go to sleep, Kappi none the less goes into the kitchen and the cook helps him get a drink from the cool crock of milk. He finds a comfortable spot near the fire and to his surprise quickly falls asleep.
If needed here are perception rolls for Kappis watches
Before walking into the inn, Edward makes sure to wrap the new sword so as not to show off it's fine workmanship.
Davosh please wake me 15 min before my shifts so I can properly wake up. Good night lady, gents
With this Edward turns in, and during his watch he keeps an eye out, and listens to see if any of his new friends talk in their sleep.
So the party beds down for the night near the hearth. True to his word, Menander locks the door promptly at midnight after Kale herds the few stragglers out the door, then the Stoat is dark shortly thereafter except for the red glow from the dying fire.
first light, I'd expect...
Agreed. First light. If I haven't already done so, I want to try to score some winter clothes.
By morning, Vojtek found himself uncovered and shirtless, lying near the wall furthest from the fire yet covered in sweat. He slept poorly because of the unaccustomed heat and stuffiness of the Stoat. Immediately upon waking he was on his feet and getting his few possessions gathered together. Before long he was ready to depart.
Once he was ready he took some time to wash his face and splashed water on the back of his neck and behind his ears. He dried his hands by running them through his hair.
Vojtek eats some of the food the innkeepers put out and takes some fruit from the basket for later. He walks out the front door of the inn and breathes deep the cool morning air.
Kappi is ready to go shortly after he wakes.
Everyone is up and getting ready at first light. Everyone except Edward, that is, who snores away as his companions rise one by one.
He doesn't sleep in long, though, as Menander scuttles out of the kitchen with a mop and bucket, tossing the water in the latter in the vicinity of the fireplace and catching Edward full in the face. As the Oracle sits bolt upright sputtering, Kale giggles a little as she brings out a plate filled with venison and sweetmeats and a bowl of grapes, apples, and olives.
Menander winks at Ali mischievously as he starts to mop right where Edward had been sleeping. Hafta make sure that fire's out — can't be too careful, y'know.
Ali grins back. Oh, certainly! Those human faces can be quite flammable!
A frustrated barbarian face pokes into the inn upon hearing the commotion. We must make haste, the woods await us! Everyone to Madam Steranus' general store before snow drifts cover you as you wallow in place here.
C'mon Kappi. Vojtek and Kappi head over to the general store without waiting.
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Sitting up and sputtering from his impromptu bath Edward takes a look around and sees the smirks and slight smiles. Being the object of a practical joke isn't fun, but it seems to bring them together.
He stands up and gives Menander a wet sloppy hug. Thank you for the restful nights sleep and good breakfast.
Edward gets a wry grin and looks at all of them pointedly. I will make sure to speak to Wayfinder during my morning prayers and tell her about all of your deeds and ask for blessings for all of you
He grabs some breakfast, then sets himself in quiet contemplation and prayer.
"I suggest we all dress for the cold. It's not far from here, and I don't suspect an extra layer will hurt us that much. Once we hit the preternaturally cold area, I'll set Liska lose. She'll blend in well, and if she senses something scary, I'll feel it."
Like most places in Heldren, the general store opens early and closes near sundown. Your request for blankets and cold weather outfits is met with some surprise, as it is late Arodus and thus still mid summer in Taldor, but the pile of furs Madam Steranus has left from a few years back remains in good shape and the blankets thick and comfortable.
Do the writs get us a discount or a freebie?
Kappi already bought some cold weather gear as soon as he heard about the unatural winter. But he does buy an extra blanket.
Do the writs get us a discount or a freebie?
No. Just wondering if maybe she made an arrangement on our behalf.
To the woods!
We are advancing constantly in the correct direction.
It is overcast as you step outside, and a blanket of fog obscures anything more than about a half a mile away. On a sunny day, the fog would likely burn off by mid-morning, but it may linger some time with the sun obscured.
The Border Wood reaches west and south of Heldren; Yuln indicated the site of the attack on Lady Argentea Malassene's caravan was some six miles on the road heading south of town, where it runs closest to the edge of the tree line.
As you approach the forest along the road, the fog grows thicker and the temperature gets noticeably cooler. Cresting a small hill, a blast of cold hits and you catch the first whiff of decay in the air, rising from a grisly scene of debris littered with corpses of slain humans and horses, all covered with a light dusting of snow on the ground.
A carriage stands in the roadway, its team of horses missing or cut free, while another overturned carriage lies sprawled and broken nearly at the forest's edge. Further along, more bodies have fallen around what appears to be a statue of ice. A snowy trail leads deeper into the Border Wood.
Spear in hand Kappi moves forward to check the area. He first checks the carriages to make sure nobody is hiding in them. He then checks out the frozen statue.
Perception
I cast Mage Armor.
Davosh casts mage armor on himself as the party approaches the site of Lady Argentea's abduction. Kappi motions for silence as he moves up to the overturned carriage.
Inside, Kappi finds the beaten and bloodied remains of two female humans. Their clothing indicates they are not royalty, but neither are they commoners. Kappi seems to recall something about noble houses...handmaidens?
The two women both have looks of shock and horror upon their faces. Strewn about the carriage are shards of wood, broken chests and boxes that once contained clothing carelessly tossed about.
Davosh looks at the scene like an an Abadaran counting money. If he's disturbed, he doesn't show it.
"Hmmmm. Interesting. Kappi, would you be so kind as to thoroughly check the area? The corpses worry me, Vojtek would you object to making sure they've met their maker? If winter has come where it's not welcomed, then perhaps life - undeath - has come where it's not welcomed either."
The warlock then casts a Detect Magic and scans the area. He also has Liska help Kappi by delivering a Guidance spell.
Vojtek looks uncertainly at Davosh. If he is expected to desecrate the bodies, he is loath to do so. The suggestion of undeath certainly unsettles him though, so he draws his Greatsword and nudges the corpses with his foot. He fervently hopes there is no stirring from the obviously dead handmaidens.
The young Varisian's customary smile is gone as he is clearly saddened by the dead ravaged bodies of women. Yet, he simply shakes his head silently and keeps working. Things happen and there isnt much he can do about it. One little rock can stop a river after all.
Kappi checks out the statue and area around the carriages.
Perception
After giving the area a quick once over Kappi goes back and takes 20 on the statue.
Perception
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Edward seeing everyone prepare for battle pulls out his sling and loads a rock. He also looks around his traveling friends, and trusts that Ali and Davosh can keep out of trouble.
Since Kappi is heading forward Edward concentrates for a moment on him.
Cast
You see a faint light emerge from Edward and go to Kappi surround him like a bubble just off the skin, and then it seems to drift just below the skin. Kappi don't get to far from me I'd say about 200' or so if you get injured I will be able to help.
Ali also takes out and loads her sling, keeping an eye around the area.
Kappi steps from the carriage toward the ice statue. A closer examination reveals it to be a gruesomely slain human male frozen in place, the body mostly encased in ice. The body bears some breastplate armor emblazoned with Taldan heraldry, while other pieces of his body have been carved away and now lie in blocks of slowly melting ice at his feet; one of the chunks of ice contains an arm grasping a longsword.
Kappi is sure to check the statues sword (and any other fallen weapons) to see if it is cold iron.
It looks clear everybody. He calls back to the others.
I neglected to mention, the corpses on the ground and in the first carriage do not move when Vojtek nudges them.
Kappi gingerly picks up the chunk of ice containing the arm and sword. The blade appears to be normal steel, though it is quite well made.
Any other weapons lying around, encased in ice or otherwise?
Some of the clothing near the overturned carriage appears salvageable and may have some value. All other visible items about the site are broken, torn, or otherwise not especially useful.
Let us check the other carriage. Can anyone check for tracks? Clues to our erstwhile noble's path?" Davosh clearly doesn't feel the sense of urgency, and looks as if he's going to take his sweet ol' time searching.