As Indras puts his gloves back on, Argen sidles up close to him again. He puts his hood back on.
"Not exactly the devil, I'm just cursed it seems."
He smiles as he sees the Ulfen man open his eyes.
"I'm not sent by anyone, this new cold and strange happenings affect us all. I'm looking for the answers to these mysteries, better to be prepared for what's coming, I intend to live."
"Yuln, my name is Indras. What has happened to you and your travel companions on the road? Who attacked you and where precisely?"
Charlotte agrees with Gaandik, and sits down at their table. She nods to Prophet, and Gaandik. "My name's Charlotte. Lady Greystone, if you want to be proper, but I think there are more important things right now."
She smiles as the kobold clambers up onto a chair. "A miner? Curious. Tell me, have you seen anything strange in the dark depths of late?"
"Unless you count that creepy outcropping of rock that reminds me of an orc. Nothing moving down there but me."
Gaandik explains: "If the noble guard was attacked, these forces could be dangerous."
He looks at Drazheek with concern: "You may want to stay close to town until we straighten out this mess."
Gaandik explains: "If the noble guard was attacked, these forces could be dangerous."
He looks at Drazheek with concern: "You may want to stay close to town until we straighten out this mess."I assume Drazheek's magical talents are not obvious. No wizard robe and pointy hat :-)
"I can help! I see magic. I make it do useful things."
Gaandik turns to the kobold with much more interest:
"Well, that is very useful. I wouldn't be surprised if at least some magic is not at work here. Shall we head to the apothecary at first light and speak to the guard? I think if we are all there each with our unique backgrounds and perspectives, we can get the most information from him."
'Intriguing,' Charlotte thinks, looking at the little kobold with her eyes glittering. 'It may be that there's more to everyone here than meets the eye.'
She nods at Gaandik's plan. "It may be overwhelming for him to see so many faces at once asking questions," she pointed out. "However, we also need to move quickly, the trail will only be getting colder."
'Like everything else around here.' She knew that everyone was thinking it, and that it didn't need to be said.
"I think that Charlotte is right, it may be overwhelming, but I don't see that we have many options. We should get started at first light tomorrow." The man downs the last swallow of his ale.
"By the way, my name is Grayson Thornwarden, and though you can probably tell yourself, I'm a woodsman and a trapper by trade, and a follower of Erastil as well."
"Yuln, my name is Indras. What has happened to you and your travel companions on the road? Who attacked you and where precisely?"
Yuln paused for a moment before speaking, taking in what he could tell about the tiefling. "We were traveling by caravan, maybe about six miles south from here when we were attacked. We thought they were just bandits at first—outlaws who hide like wolves in the forest. They were no match for us. But then came the cold fey of the north. They appeared among us and the battle turned quickly. My people speak of the winter-touched all the time, but I never expected to meet them this far south." The Ulfen explains.
"The Winter-touched? So far south is indeed odd, perhaps that is also the source of the cold we're experiencing."
He looks to the old man in the clerical robes.
"I guess you should call the other village councilors now, tell them Yuln is recuperating."
He turns back to the Ulfen guard.
"I've heard a rumour that a Lady Argentea Malassene was with your group, but taken hostage. Did you happen to see in which direction she was taken off to? They might have a camp nearby that might give us more information."
"As I've said to our priestly friend, call me Prophet," Stigr says, smiling at the kobold. "A magician, you say? Seems you're a man of many talents." He glances around. "As are we all, I'm sure. Except for Lady Greystone, who is, after all, a lady of many talents."
"Yuln has been recuperating, he was merely sleeping to help recover faster, you are not the only one in this town with magical ways of helping people recover." The man in clerical robes states, adding, "For you see I am Elder Safander, Cleric of Erastil." The elderly man introduces himself.
The Ulfen speaks now, quite unsure of what Indras intended to use the information for. "Into the forest, back through the ice and snow. Beyond that, I don’t know. I followed as far as I could, but the winter-touched were too many and too hard to fend off in the snow alone. I barely escaped, and rode to seek help here."
Gaandik smiles as the ranger speaks:
"Two comrades from Erastil, how fortunate."
He makes a casual gesture to the kobold and Charlotte:
"Do you have a divine patron or diety? If not, I am sure we have the experts here to help you find your way to a worthy patron, do we not? Wouldn't want to be caught without one with the events that seem to shaping the world these days."
Gaandik laughs and resumes his second plate of venison. He checks on his two dogs outside, bringing them some scraps and returns.
"It looks like it may be two dog night if they will let me bring my dogs in."
Charlotte smiles, and says "Not quite" before pulling a necklace out from beneath her shirt, display a pendant of a gear with a single tooth, "I believe in knowledge and invention, you may find it rather difficult to convert me into thinking otherwise."
"The dragons are all I need." Drazheek says as he caresses a white scale.
"They help and guide me when the time is right. Anyways, what about these plans we were talking about?"
Indras rolls with his eyes at the clerics comment.
Of course I find another priest of Erastil, what did I do to deserve this?
"Well met Elder Safander, as you have probably heard, my name is Indras. Cursed before I was born they say, I've been living at the Border Wood for the last years since I was chased away from my hometown."
He looks at Yuln again.
"Thank you for the information Yuln, I'll see what can be seen there. If I come across your Lady Argentea, I'll help her get out."
He checks his weapons and cloak before he turns and leaves, at the door he gives them both a quick nod and disappears into the cold evening again.
I'll go alone if I can, these fey need to be investigated. The company of those other three in the tavern could be of use, but I doubt they'd like me and vice versa. We'll see.
He quickly makes his way to the Silver Stoat again, throwing the door open and shaking off the cold of his cloak. He makes his way to the bar for the second time this day.
"I'd like a room for tonight Kale, that was fairly obvious right? I've got a possible long way to go tomorrow."
He looks on to Gaandik, Stigr and Grayson, seeing that they are now joined by a kobold and a woman.
"Still talking religion are you? Are you still planning on a trip to the site of that attack on the caravan?"
"You're welcome to stay the night." Kale replies to Indras, pointing over by the fireplace. "There should be plenty of room on the floor, just don't linger too long." She adds with a smile.
"You could also stay at my camp," Stigr offers, somewhat hesitantly. "It's a little cold, but I can get a fire going, and I've got some salted meat on hand for a mite of food if you like. Only have a bedroll and some natural cover, though."
"I will stay in the mine tonight. Tomorrow I will come and eat breakfast and be ready to go."
Gaandik nods to the man of Erastil. "Thank you. I would like to see your camp. Probably better for my dogs, they can roll up with me. We can meet here for breakfast and head to the apothecary at first light."
"Very well." Stigr smiles and nods, and checks out the window of the tavern. "we may want to head out before long."
Drazheek finishes his meal, hops off the chair, and makes his way to the door. When he gets there he mutters a few words in draconic and steps out.
Charlotte nods a thanks to Prophet and stands up. "I'm sure your camp will be more than adequate for us."
She thinks for a second before mumbling, "It may be best we start getting used to the cold now."
After wishing the kobold a good night, she waits for Prophet to get up, and when he does she starts moving towards the exit, saying, "I dare say that with all of the excitement tomorrow will bring, I shall not be getting much sleep tonight."
Stigr nods to Drazheek and, after the meal is finished by all, stands up to give another short blessing from Erastil. He then nods to the group and heads outside, leading the way to his camp.
"The cold here is something," he says, drawing his cloak a little tighter to him, "but I was raised far in the north--as you can probably tell, I'm of Ulfen descent. There is where you get some real winters. Even so, that it's this cold in summer doesn't bode well." He frowns and glances up into the sky. Why won't you speak to me, Erastil? Surely I've served well... He closes his eyes and shakes his head at his blasphemous thoughts. You'll share what needs sharing.
"The excitement, yes. That and the cold, the wind, the hard ground, the sounds of nature... Or are you used to life in the wilds?"
Gaandik introduces his new friends to his guard dogs: Nakor and Shormond.
"The cold does not bother me much either. Let us camp and be on our way."
"To be honest, I'm typically better prepared, with mules and tents. Sometimes a caravan," Charlotte confessed quietly. "But usually my expeditions are considerably longer and more involved. I once spent more than a year at a dig site in Osirion. This ought to be a quaint little excursion in comparison."
"What of you gentlemen?"
Indras smirks at the talk of preparations by all the others in the tavern.
"I doubt Yuln Oerstag will tell you much more than what he told me, gents and lady. Elder Safander will probably not let a large group as yours talk with Yuln, even though he is feeling better."
He calls out to Gaandik, Stigr, Charlotte and Grayson.
Indras unpacks his bedroll out of his backpack and makes up his bed close to the fireplace, in front of the simmering heat.
"Though I think you're reaction will be the same as Elder Safander's, my offer to travel together to the site still stands."
He says to the group intent on staying the night at Stigr's camp
"I will retire here as well. The fire, and a night out of the elements will suit me well. I will see you in the morning, new friends."
Grayson lays out a blanket and tucks his cloak into a neat bundle to be used as his pillow on the hard floor of the Tavern. After making his spot near the fire as comfortable as possible, Grayson settles down for the night.
We shall see what we find in the morning. Hopefully we can put these folks fear to rest.
The next morning, it seems a little cooler then the day before. Meeting back up at the Stout before heading off to the apothecary, our ragtag group of 'heroes' finds a elven woman rather then an old man at the apothecary this time.
"I suppose you are here to see the northerner," The elf begins, sizing up the party. "I am Tessaraea Willowbark, the apothecary. If you're looking for Elder Safander, he is praying at the temple of Erastil." She adds, guessing that is not the case however, she invites the group in. "I'm sorry, I don't have much to entertain, I've been busy with my work lately." She points to the alchemy table where she had seemingly been trying to concoct something that would help Yuln Oerstag recover from his frostbite.
Yuln Oerstag wrapped in bandages, his nose, fingers, and toes have taken on a black hue from serious frostbite, now seeing the group, sits up in his bed and looks them over. "I suppose this is the group that will be going to rescue the Lady Argentea," The northerner begins, taking in a deep breathe. "Would that I could go with you," he says. "My ancestors would ridicule my lack of valor for fleeing rather than fighting to the end. But I faced enemies that even the greatest warriors in the Linnorm Kingdoms have faltered against, though I think I slew at least one of them before they dragged Lady Argentea away."
"None here doubt your bravery, sir." Charlotte said reassuringly. "Please, take your time and tell us as much as you can of what happened."
"We will probably face the same enemies. Yuln, if you were leading, what would you do?"
The cleric truly values his input.
Stigr stays near the back of the group as they enter the apothecary, sorry to hear that Elder Safander is away. I'd hoped to confer with him on what Old Deadeye might be saying...
The Ulfen stands and looks with some pity upon his countryman. Would that I were a finer healer... Stigr remains quiet as the others speak to the wounded northerner, wondering what he could say, and whether this man might recognize him.
"I would bring an army, at least thrice your size." Yuln answers with a grin. "But we have no such option. The bandits we were able to handle, they were nothing before us, but when the cold fey of the north came, the battle turned on us quickly. My people speak of the winter-touched all the time, but I never expected them this far south." The man's attitude turned darker now. "If the Lady Argentea were not still in the forest, I would recommend burning the whole thing down."
Drazheek waits outside the door for the rest. "Too crowded in there." he thinks.
Turning over some ore in his hand he examines and plays with it.
"So, these winter-touched--do they fear fiery brands and torches? How much magic do they wield?" Gaandik asked.
"Aye, that they do, and cold iron, like me sword here." He indicates the longsword lying beside the bed. "If the sword could help you rescue Lady Argentea, take it, it is doing me little good beside my bedside." He does not care to part with his sword, but he knows that it will do much more to rescue Lady Argentea in the hands of these then his own. "As far as how much magic they wield, I cannot say, I only know that it is less then that of the White Witches of Irrisen that they serve. There were no White Witches that I could see during the battle, but the winter-touched only act when the White Witches decree."
Gaandik smiles at the recuperating warrior:
"We will move to avenge you this very day. I thank you for lending your sword to us. I will make every effort to return it with tales of honor and valor. We will follow the trail immediately."
Gaandik turns to the others:
"We may want to see if we can purchase cold iron weapons and ammunition in town before leaving. If anyone wishes, they may use this sword, as I use divine magic first. But if pressed, I can fight. Any other questions for this brave warrior before we depart?"
As Gaandik and the others exit the room, Stigr bows his head before making his decision and walking over to the resting Ulfen. "Well met, Yuln Oerstag. You've journeyed far under the watch of Old Deadeye and the other Great Guardians of the North, and served admirably in your protection of the Lady, friend." Stigr smiles at his fellow northerner. "Rest assured, a countryman goes with the party seeking to make sure of your honor and find the Lady."
Indras listens in on the conversation going on inside, hearing many things he was told the night before.
He looks over at the kobold playing with his ore.
"You seem awfully intrigued by the stone, dear kobold. What is the name of the digger of earth that travels with us?
Mine is Indras"
Gotta try and make a few friends here, or just be more inviting to talk to, this trip could last a while.
On the way out of town, Gaandik mentions:
"You may want to load up on cold iron weapons if this town has any."
He speaks to the tiefling guide.
"If you know the way, I think we are ready."
"I am Drazheek. I like the ore and digging it up. I like other things too."
"Brother Fatebound, I believe you may have a good point. I will need to make a stop and purchase some appropriate equipment."
This is shaping up to be a dangerous venture. I hope these are capable companions that I am allying with....
Yuln looks at Stigr with a smile, "I shall rest assured to know that a fellow countryman is off to rescue Lady Argentea."
Reciting a short blessing in Skald, Stigr takes his leave of Yuln and also makes his way to the smithy. There, a set of cold iron arrows if they are available.
Drazheek tags along.
"Maybe he made some bullets for my sling. A dagger might be good too!"