Somewhat taken aback by Elleross' forthright tone and complete confidence, Sapphire decides the situation is being well handled so moves upstairs following Corum, she glances around at the maps as well, and hangs back to cover him as he opens the door.
As Sapphire walks up to Nasrin and Corum the wolf girl gives her a big grin. "Good kill on the pack leader. You wear his furs well." Nasrin then returns her attention to the door.
Ok. She says simply, knowing her bargaining position is less than sure. She's downstairs. Underneath the bear pelt in the other room is a trapdoor. It's locked but Rokhar had the key.
Meanwhile upstairs, Corum is leafing through papers in the desk when Nasrin and Sapphire join him. The papers are mainly inventory and ledgers of the High Sentinel Rangers who seemingly owned this Lodge before the bandits slew them or ran them out.
The map supports this.The Sentinels seem to have planned their patrols in this room, marking the best routes on the map of the High Ridge hanging on the southwest wall. The map now depicts possible ambush sites and another location deeper in the Border Woods that is marked on the map but not annotated.
Finally they turn their attention to the door and swing it open. Dozens of small boxes, bottles, and papers fill this musty storeroom. A small iron cage sits on the top shelf, emanating a flickering light like that of a candle. Upon closer inspection however, you see the candle light is actually being emanated by a tiny, blue-skinned creature that grasps the bars of the cage as you enter, a hateful look on its face.
Greyston watches on as Elleros becomes so stern with the half-Orc and the threats. "You made the right choice, but don't take it the wrong way if we check first." He nods at Elleros patting him on the back, as he loves to the stairs. "We know where the lady is! We'll need you down here."
Elleross nods to the Orc girl.
thank you for being straight with us. If the woman confirms your story, we will let you be on your way. By rights we should take you back to town to face trial for your crimes but we do not have the time or resources to watch you day and night.
You can take your equipment when we let you go and I would take this lesson to heart. You have barely survived this mess, the life of a criminal seems like an easy path but it is not. I would hope you change your profession after this or next time you may not be so lucky he says with warning.
Smiling a little at Greyston as they move to the stairs he says.
old habits die hard echoing greyston he looks up the stairs.
Corum! Sapphire! The woman is beneath a trap door. The leader had a key on him. Have you found it? he calls with some urgency.
The warrior leans in close to the cage and smiles coldly. The sprite looks similar to those they fought on the trail and he grimly snarls at it.
"Well Sapphire, this thing is the only other up here. I think we should take our new friend here to meet the others. She may have some important information."
He reaches forward and picks up the small cage to take it back downstairs.
As they descend he hears them call out something about a woman and a trap door. He smiles and holds aloft his prize. "Look what we found upstairs!"
He carefully sets the cage down on the table.
Let me go you warm blooded bastards! the tiny fey cries.
Elleross looks at the tiny fey with interest and speaks directly to it before turning to Corum.
He says in a strange sounding language.
did you find a key on the bandit leader ? They have the hostage locked up in some kind of cellar downstairs. If we don't have the key im sure we can break the lock. Corum come with me we need to see if she lives Elleross says and together they move to find this trapdoor.
They make their way downstairs and Elleross pulls back the bearskin to reveal the door.
she is here, can you open it he says to Corum.
Sapphire laughs at Elleross' words to the sprite, adding
Yes Elleross there was a ring of keys Sapphire holds them up, moving over to the trapdoor and trying each key in turn until *click*
Ok that's got it!
She flips up the trapdoor and casts light on her sword, brandishing it before her as she moves down the stairs.
Lady? We're here to rescue you, Yuln lives and asked a group from Heldren to search for you. We've taken care of the bandits, you have nothing to fear now...
With a toothy sneer Nasrin adds,
As Sapphire opens the trapdoor and shouts dow, Nasrin asks, "Should I come with you?"
Glancing back to Nasrin, Sapphire replies
It would please me to have your sword with me sister she smiles
Elleross smiles back at sapphire and Nasrin genuinely pleased they speak more than just the common tongue, languages had always fascinated him. The different nuances and inflections that could alter a words meaning were intriguing.
I did not realise you spoke the Sylvan language. We should converse more in that tongue I find the mind set needed to speak it fluently is quite stimulating. he grits his teeth against the pain as he follows the swift pair. His body feels bruised and sore all over.
As sapphire opens the door and they make their way inside he follows behind them warily not sure what they will find. He hopes the lady isn't badly hurt but he fears the worst.
be careful down there, what can you see? he asks quietly as he follows them
Nasrin grunts at Elleross, "Not strange if you listen to the breath of the World"
Nasrin navigates the stairs slowly, taking in the smells, sounds and sights of the cellar.
Listening to the others speak to the sprite in a strange tongue the warrior busies himself the best way he knows. He makes sure all the windows are shuttered and the doors are locked. He will not relax until they are all safe inside the lodge. He watches as the others make their way to the cellar and follows behind, sword held in his hand.
He deliberately jangs back for he is not unused to encountering the victims of bandits. Those that survive the rape and pillage are often traumatised. He is not educated like Greyaton and Elleross but he knows the lady downstairs wpuld not react well to one auch as he being the first person through the door of her jail. Better for the women to be the first friendly faces she encounters.
He hears Sapphire speak comforting words and waits to seebwhat happens next.
Greyston looks on as Corum brings down what looks like a tiny fey in a cage and the others go about talking to it. "This is all so strange.. these fey are so strange." He looks to the fay in the cage trying to work out just want it is and what it looks like. "Just like our new half-orc friend here looks like we can get some answers from this one too."
He takes his notebook out and starts to draw the creature. "Now it seems you need help and so do we, you and your kind are running around this forest tell us why and tell us how it has suddenly turn to winter in the middle of high summer."
The little fey rattles the bars of its cage.
You speak our language now but when my friends get hold of you they'll rip your tongue out. See how well you do then!
The fey seems completely unwilling to engage with you save for an increasingly vile and imaginative series of threats and insults.
Meanwhile, Nasrin swings open the trapdoor to reveal a dimly lit basement below the Lodge. She walks carefully down the steps.
A half-dozen boxes and barrels take up the majority of this underground cellar. A rough blanket lies spread on the floor in the southeast corner next to a bowl of half-eaten food.
A dirty, bedraggled woman sits in one corner. She stands as you enter and says:
Release me immediately Bandit! You can't keep me here! She says with the arrogance only a Taldor noble could muster
Nasrin scoffs at the woman. "Not bandits. But your rescue. Is there anyone else with you?" She sniffs the air unwilling to take this foolish woman at her word. She is like Jadwiga!
Elleross appears behind Nasrin and sapphire and moves forward palms held out toward her.
Nasrin speaks the truth Lady, we have come to rescue you from the bandits.
They are all dead save the half Orc female. My name is Elleross, this is Nasrin and Sapphire. Sapphire was with the caravan you travelled in. you are safe now. he says softly
the half Orc said she tried to help you, she has told us she stopped some of the other bandits from hurting you. Is this true? he asks her wanting to know the truth of the bandits claims.
The woman looks ashen faced for a moment.
As brutish as they were they never inflicted upon me that indignity. And yes the girl spoke up for me in that regard. They satisfied with beating me instead. I hope you visited upon them the same level of hospitality as I received.
Wait.... I recognise you don't I? the Lady Argentea says if Nasrin. You were with the caravan but went your own way. I'll have your name in a moment. Nadia... Nasia...? Thank you for coming for me. It would have taken days for a ransom to be arranged, especially with this weather, and I don't think the girl could have held off their attentions until then. The leader was the worst. There's something wrong with that man.
Is it still snowing out there?
they got what they deserved my Lady, the bandits have all been slain, except for the girl. we are relieved to find you alive. It took us a long time to get here, the snows haven't let up at all. If anything I would say they are getting worse. he says to her come on , let us get you upstairs and you can meet the others. Elleross leads her up out of the cellar and they re join the rest of them in the main room.
Thank you. she says simply, leaning on the wizard's arm like a suitor. As she steps into the light you can see the bruises on her face and the dirt under her nails and it makes you all the more glad that the bandits are all dead.
This snow. It isn't normal. the Lady says, almost dreamily. There's something in the woods causing it, something worse than these bandits even. I heard their leader talking about fey, I think he was working for them.
come and sit by the fire Lady Argentea he says as he leads her to the couches there.
Corum found a fey upstairs , we will see what it has to say about this unnatural weather the old man says as he helps her to sit, masking his own injuries he forces a smile and moves toward the cage.
have you learned anything from it yet? Elleross asks Greyston as he looks over the alchemists shoulder at the accurate sketch he has done of the creature.
you have an eye for detail Greyston that is very good
Sapphire seems glad the lady is alright, and is visibly relieved when Elleross leads the dialogue, she's never been very good with people.
She follows everyone back up and takes a back seta, with a watchful eye on the two prisoners, chiming in only to say
You didn't tell us of any fey, oh repentent chef...
Greyston frowns at th fey. "Nothing yet, it's all threats at the moment." He smile down at this sketch as he begins to make notes. "Thanks Elleros, while I was at university I spent time studying anatomy I haven't had a lot of reason to pick it up again but these fey.." He then turns to look at the lady. "She looks a little beaten up I better go check on her."
Stepping over to the lady Greyston bows, manners not forgotten easily. "My lady, my names Greyston Fenris. It's a pleasure to finally meet you we have been searching for you for sometime, would you let me take a look at your wounds?"
I don't even know what that is. Ten-Penny replies. Or that Rokhar had it. None of us went up there, that was his place and I wasn't even at the ambush. I know he was taking orders from someone called Teb Knotten and that he was afraid of this guy. But that's it, I swear.
Lady Argentea Malasse takes a seat near the fire at Elleros' request. She simply nods curtly when Greyston asks to examine her wounds, perhaps still nervous of menfolk after her ordeal. However, she sits patiently while you check her bruising and for any broken bones.
Despite her forthright demeanour, she has actually been beaten quite severely with extensive bruising around her face and arms and quite possible a broken rib or two. It must have caused her extreme pain to walk up from the basement but she bore it nobly.
Teb Knotten is a name I heard him say as well. I don't know who or what he is. But these fey creatures were there when the bandits attacked, working with them. In truth my guards probably could have handled these ruffians but the ice creatures were overwhelming. They must be the source of this cold weather and are a far greater threat to this region than these cowards ever were. the Lady adds. She winces once or twice at Greyston's touch but does not cry out.
It would appear there is more at work here than simple ransom then, if fay better known for colder climes are allying themselves with local bandits. We found a map upstairs with other locations marked on it, deeper in the wood. Perhaps there we might find this 'Teb' or the source of this cold muses Sapphire
I think the sensible course would be to rest here the night to recover our wounds and escort the lady back to safety first, before we begin any further contemplation of the reason for this now frozen land
She turns to Ten-Penny
You'd be better advised to travel with us given the dangers we encountered simply getting to this place, but your fate is your own if you have earned your freedom to Elleross' approval...
The warrior has remained silent until now. He has been pondering the sprite, staring menacingly from where he leans against the wall. As Sapphire speaks, he leans his shield against the wall and slowly approaches the table with the caged fey on it.
"A sensible plan Sapphire. Right now we need more information on what is in that wood. I intend to find out."
He speaks in a cold voice, a dead tone, low and menacing. He stands before the cage and ever so slowly draws his longsword, so the sprite can see it's sharp edge glitter in the light. When Corum speaks it is almost a whisper, but his words are harsh.
"You talk of others of your kind. We met some on the way here. They met our blades and are now dust and ash. You see this blade?"
He slowly raises the point of the sword and begins to slide it between the bars of the cage.
"Cold iron. You know what that does to your kind?"
He inches the blade forward towards the small being, his intention seemingly to slowly and deliberately run it through.
"Now. You know who is behind all this. I want to know. You WILL tell me or I start removing your limbs one at a time."
Intimidate
"This whole mess stinks of how things are done in the north. We still have prey to hunt tomorrow."
@Sapphire
I am satisfied with her version of events Sapphire, she may take her things and leave whenever she wants to go he says but i do not want her travelling with us, I do not trust her and we would be putting ourselves in danger by having her with us. If the opportunity arose I am sure she would sell us out to further her own ends. he says with warning knowing they cannot watch her all the time.
"You are a brave woman, but you can relax now you are safe i'm not going to let anything happen to you. We wont let anything else happen to you." He stands up and grabs a blanket, putting it around her. "You should rest, we will rest here tonight." He nods to Sapphire.
"You are right Sapphire. We should rest here tonight, while the trek back will be hard we have what we came here for we take her back tomorrow and report what we've found. We could take our new little friend with us." He looks over to Corum the massive man standing over the small fey.
The little fey, though small in stature, is remarkably plucky.
You do just that, big man, and see what Teb does to you in return. I'll tell you nothing. Nothing. You think what you will do is any worse than what will happen to me if I betray my own kind? If you do, you're as a big a fool as you look. the creature adds belligerently.
Elleross listens to the creatures bravado with frustration.
it is not a question of who will kill you. It's more of a question of how you will die. he says dispassionately we will find this Teb with or without your help. If you help us then I am sure we will release you and no one need know you gave us any information.
If you don't tell us what we want to know we will find this Teb and when we do We will hand you over to him and he will think you helped us. I can't imagine what he would do to you then Elleross says his voice steady and calm
the choice is yours
He creature sits down in the cage and folds it's arms across its chest, resigned to saying nothing more.
"Leave it be, we'll just take it back to town with us maybe a little time outside of the snow will make it want to talk." He says turning away from the creature and finally taking a seat by the fire, taking off his winter gear and start to pour over his formula book book.
"Set him near the fire. Maybe the morning will have something new?"
Have you seen other creatures like this? the Lady asks. They must be behind what is going on here but do you have any idea why?
As everyone settles after the violence of the past hour, Sapphire has another sweep of the lodge, this time with Rokhar's ring of keys to hand.
She begins with the locked chest in the bandit leader's room, trying a few keys before finding the right one. She swings it open to reveal the contents.
Gold ingot engraved with the Taldan royal seal (worth 50 gp),
A spyglass,
A silver lady's ring (worth 25 gp),
Three shards of tiger's eye gemstones (worth 10 gp each),
A fine pair of leather riding boots of elven make (worth 15 gp),
A silver dagger with a hidden compartment in the hilt containing 1 dose of small centipede poison,
A leather portfolio containing several pieces of parchment, including 4 magic scrolls (requiring identification)
After this, she heads back upstairs to the storeroom where they found the caged fey and searches the boxes stacked haphazardly in the room.
Three magical scrolls (requiring identification)
Two doses of greenblood oil,
A small lockbox containing 26pp, 150gp, 180sp and a blue quartz 'ice diamond' from Irrisen worth 100gp.
The vials of oil (detect as magic)
10 flasks of alchemist fire
Sapphire comes back downstairs carrying the chests and looking somewhat pleasantly surprised.
We appear to have found the means to continue our expedition should we wish, there's enough here to equip us well enough for a return visit. Not to mention these alchemist's fires, looks like the bandits were stockpiling in case things went bad with their new icy friends...
Staring at the jewels reminds Sapphire of something. She rummages in her pack for a moment, before withdrawing a small coffer then turning to present it to the Lady Argentea.
Your jewels Lady, we managed to recover them from the wrecked carriage. Scant consolation for all you have gone through, but I hope they bring you some comfort at this time
She then spends a few minutes checking over the scrolls and oils to see if she can determine what they are.
Corum growls at the fey and says. "Know this. Your life is now counted in hours. When morning comes you will tell us what we want to know or I will kill you."
Intimidate
He turns to the room then. "The lodge seems secure so we spend the night here. Stock up with provisions then escort the lady back to Heldren. We should all eat. I'll see what is in the larder."
With that he goes to the kitchen and after some time he brings back a leg of venison that has been cooked, some root veg (which he has boiled), bread and cheese. He places it on the table and invites everyone to eat. He takes a plate to the lady and hands it to her gently.
"Simple fare my lady but nourishing. Please eat." Wild he ,any be but he has some manners.
As they eat the meal he looks across at Greyston, Elleross, Nasrin and Sapphire. "I don't know about the rest of you but I only signed on to rescue the lady, get my reward then spend few days getting drunk.
He pauses, thinking. "But I find myself tempted to go into the woods and smash the hell out of whatever is making this unnatural winter. Not for any noble reason but it it their fault that I have been stabbed, clawed and frozen and I am a little annoyed by it. I think revenge is needed. Once we have escorted the lady back I am coming back to the wood to sort this all out. Anyone else up for that? Its not like we have anything better to do."
Nasrin speaks up at Corum's words, "We have to get rid of this summer snow. Taking the Jad- er, woman to safety would be good, but how much time do we have?" Her face is furrowed in worry, but she is trying not to be rude.
Two scrolls of animate dead
One scroll of magic weapon
One scroll of endure elements
One scroll of unseen servant
Three oils of magic weapon
Was that everything?
Whilst it loathes me to spend another moment in this wretched place, I have to admit travelling at night through the wood seems foolish. the Lady says. As for the jewels, please feel free to keep them. They were only my travelling jewellry and we may call it a downpayment on your reward if you wish. Those fey creatures that attacked my caravan, it would please me greatly if you were to deal with them. This is a land of sun and summer. They can keep the bloody snow to the north if they like it so much.
I could make it back to Heldren alone of course. she says somewhat haughtily. But if you were to accompany me I could provide you with something more substantial in person.
I'd also like some privacy to change and wash if possible. she leans in to whisper something to Sapphire and Nasrin.
[b]Would one of you help me please? That doctor fellow says my ribs are broken and in truth I don't think I can lift my shirt over my head. But I don't want to appear... weak. Do you follow?
Sapphire nods in approval as she chews mouthfuls of venison and bread, aching stomach finally getting some hearty food. She claps Corum on the back
All that fighting prowess and you can cook too.. You'll make someone a fine husband! she grins.
As Lady Argentea refuses the coffer of jewels, Sapphire is slightly surprised but nods and tucks it back in a pack.
That's kind of you, and whilst I have no doubt you could travel back on your own, we would be poor rescuers to ask you to do so. Besides, we need to stock up on provisions back in Heldren
she gestures at Corum
What's more I agree with Corum, I count three times this group has saved my life in as many days, I'd like to find whatever is causing this unseasonal cold and kick it in the teeth!
As the lady whispers to her and Nasrin, Sapphire nods in understanding, thinking quickly and replying
My Lady, if you would permit I'd like to accompany you, I think it best if no-one strays too far from the fire tonight and no-one goes anywhere on their own.
She hastily picks up a change of clothes and reaches out to help the lady up
We'll just be upstairs for a few minutes, be right back.
Greyston picks up one of the alchemist fires, weighing it up. "We could do a lot of damage with theses. They should be shared out each person should have at least one, with me holding the most? i could get a lot of use out of them."
--
Sitting down to eat, Greyston still pouring over his notes listens in to the rest of the group. "This is not what i expected when we first met at the bar. A warm summer walk, a quick fight and home for supper and a big reward. But all these days together it's nice to have the feeling of someone watching your back." He nods to Sapphire and Corum. "The snows are getting worse, we can't let this stand the Fey could overrun Heldren and i've grown fond of that little town in my time there. But we can't let you go home alone my lady, we bring her with us or we go back."
He turns to Nasrin and Corum. "How long would it take us to get back and then to return here? We had a lot of trouble getting here in the first place if the snow continues to get worse could we make it back?"
As Sapphire and the lady get up from the table to change Greyston stands, his years of manners again not forgotten so fast. "If you need us just shout we'll be there."
This is another reason I hate identifying things, because I forget >:/
Scroll of endure elements
Two scrolls of magic weapon
Scroll of unseen servant
Three scrolls of lesser animate dead
Three oils of magic weapon
@ lady argentea
we have encountered these fey on the way here, they are a most troublesome species.
Especially these ones. We don't know why they are here or how they have managed to bring the snows this far south, it isn't natural that is obvious he says wearily as he struggles to remove the snowshoes that Corum fashioned for him,
@ dinner
The old elf eats little the pain from his body making him feel sick. He forces himself to eat a few bites to keep his strength up but the deep throbbing and burning feeling in his muscles is almost too much.
we will take the lady back and then we will find this Teb and get some answers. I am intrigued to find out how they have achieved this.
Pushing away his almost untouched plate he stands saying Greyston I'm happy for you to carry most of the alchemist fire, they are very much like those bombs you have been using, I will take two of them if I may. he says and moves away to the couch by the fire as the ladies head upstairs.
Sitting on the couch Elleross looks over at Ten Penny and contemplates what to do with her.
the lady confirmed your story Ten Penny, it seems there is some hope for you yet. he says his keen gaze lingering on her.
We cannot trust you however and we all have to spend the night here. So You will be locked in the cellar where you put your hostage. You can spend the night as she would have and then in the morning you can take your gear and go. he says bluntly and turns his gaze onto the fire looking into it's flickering depths one night locked up is better than a lifetime behind bars. As I said before , find yourself a new line of work. he says quietly.
Greyston keeps quiet as Elleross lays down the law. "We will have the standard watch tonight, we don't know what is out there."
Thank you. Uh... sir. Ten-Penny adds, limping down into the the basement gaol and watching grimly as Elleros himself lowers and locks the trap.
As the evening wears on you have time to reflect on the lodge itself and enjoy the warmth of the fire. Corum and Nasrin reiterate the need to stay out of the sick room and the barbarian, somewhat worryingly, begins a hacking cough into his sleeve later in the night. In frustration and annoyance at both his burgeoning sickness and the fey's reticence, Corum takes another crack and getting the thing to talk but it proves just as obstinate as before and says nothing. The barbarian snatches up the cage and places it on a side table directly beside the fire, just as nasrin suggested. It backs instinctively away from the flames as far as it is able and gives the warrior a hateful look. It still refuses to talk however, so Corum simply walks off and leaves it to swelter.
The large fire warms the main living area quite splendidly and the larder is plentiful with both food and fresh water. All in all, if it weren't for the howling wind and the snow frosting up the windows to remind you of what was happening in the Borer Wood, the place would be rather pleasant.
Lady Argentea takes the unoccupied single bedroom on the ground floor, nodding her thanks once more to Sapphire and Nasrin for helping her earlier.
There are plenty of other beds available though the sofa itself is certainly more comfortable than the frozen ground you have become used to sleeping on the past few days.
The evening passes quietly save for the occasionally pop and crack of fresh logs being placed on the fire by whomever is on watch.
....
...
..
.
.
.
Sometime in the dead of night Elleros hears a slight thump! He thinks it is coming from below, as if Ten-Penny were banging on the trapdoor to ask for something.
Thump! there it is again!
The old Judge looks around the room and that's when he notices. The tiny fey creature in the cage has unfurled it's wings. They glisten in the glow of the fire and Elleros watches as he begins flapping them furiously before launching himself at the bars of the cage, causing it to rock a little.
He wonders why the creature should bother, when the cage is sturdy and would not break were it to hit the floor. He assumes Corum's tactic is working and the creature is beginning to break, perhaps it is already willing to have a discussion after it's time by the fire.
No.
He realises then.
It isn't trying to escape at all!
There is one last thump! and the cage topples, not down onto the floor but into the fire itself!
I'd rather burn than have the Witches put a shard of ice in my heart! the fey screams in terror as the cage falls. It lands in the hearth with a shower of sparks and Elleros watches in horror as it's flesh ignites like dry kindling and with a blood-curdling scream it catches, flame searing it's icy blue flesh and crispening it to a charred black.
He watches with revulsion as the small creature burns to death.
I detest suicide. he thinks to himself having seen plenty of it in the prison
the irrisien witches! We feared they were involved and know we know for certain. It's been a long time, but now I have another reason to investigate this unseasonable weather. Now I have to wipe that filth from the world forever he thinks grimly and he reaches into a small pocket and clenches the hex nail tightly.
For several minutes he stares into the flames lost in memory as he looks To the past and what his future may hold.