It's kind of you to welcome us, thank you
Replies Sapphire, simple words, warrior to warrior.
She leads the way to the guest quarters.
He nods at the old elf, placing his potions back in his satchel. Then reaching into his jacket and pulling out his ornate flask, noting at this high altitude any substance should enter the blood stream quicker. As he takes a long gulp from the flask.
He takes long deep breaths
"Thank you, I'm Greyston Fenris." He bows to the commander, his headache lessening after the drink. "We could use a little breather after all that, we have a lot to talk about."
The group is led from the wall. You note that, with Bescaylie and - to a lesser extent Corrleon - vouching for them, the Snow Seer does not attempt to disarm you.
You are led past row upon row of archers who briefly turn to stare at you.
Over your shoulder you can see a small crowd gathering around Bescaylie and Efrixes who are greeted as returning heroes while Corrleon gets at best a curt nod as he moves along with you.
Corrleon, I would like you to remain in guest quarters as well until the Commander can see you.
You proceed down steps and into the courtyard and to one of the squat brick buildings that actually turn out to hold stairways down into the spire of rock and you recall Bescaylie mentioning that the majority of the fortress is actually underground.
And that proves to be entirely true.
An enormous network of corridors and rooms seem to spread out into the spire. YOu see dozens, if not hundreds more Triaxians here, including many children although they are quickly ushered out of your path as you move along.
You can make out common rooms, kitchens, an infirmary and dozens of other rooms, all lit by pale glowing orbs that seem to hang periodically on the walls.
Eventually you are led to a series of four sparse but reasonably comfortable guest rooms.
You will remain here. You are not prisoners, but equally I cannt give you free run of the fortress, you must understand. If you need anything both I and two men will be stationed just down the corridor.
Corrleon offers a half-nod as he walks, hands clasped behind his back.
"Of course."
As the group arrives at their destination, Corrleon allows the travelers into the room first, then he follows behind last, offering an explanation of their circumstances.
"Lt. Cemfe hath stressed that thee are not prisoners here, but neither are thee free to wander. If we find ourselves in need of anything, she and these two guards shall be here in the hall." The noble triaxian glances about the chamber briefly as he speaks, and while he remains supremely respectful in his speech, it's obvious from his posture that he feels out of sorts and uncomfortable for some reason.
Corum follows the others and when they enter the room he dumps his gear, lies on a couch and closes his eyes. A barracks is a barracks, he has seen any fortresses and been in more than one siege. He knows you grab sleep and food when you can. Within moments he is snoring but his hand remains on his sword hilt.
Grayston moves into the room slumping down on a bed, taking off his thick winter coat and takes out his flask again swilling it around. "We're not prisoners, but we can't leave as you said. Seems very strange sense of hospitality to me." He unscrews the cap of his flask and takes a long smell of the strong alcohol. "I can't understand your language, what were they saying to you Corrleon? Why is it your staying here with us?"
Elleross follows Greyston into the room and also strips off his heavy furs. Their singed damp mass he dumps in a corner and though accustomed to their weight it is a relief to set aside the garments.
these people are at war Greyston, they are obviously distrustful of strangers and we are stranger than most. They have every right to be cautious. he says to the young elf as he takes out his pipe and lights it.
they won't allow us to move around their fortress until they trust us. They cannot afford to let a saboteur into their stronghold. he says as he blows out a series of smoke rings as he watches Greyston swirling the contents of his flask
there were plenty of folk in the prison who sought escape through moonshine or narcotics if they could get them. What they failed to realise is they were just exchanging one prison for another, and the one they were choosing was always much much worse.
Sapphire glances around the room, before dropping her pack and stretching out on a cot. She drags out her spellbook with a determined look in her eyes, but after five minutes of tossing and turning she jams it under her head to use as a pillow and follows Corum's example, curling up like a cat and drifting off almost immediately.
You get the distinct feeling that her blade is still watching however...
"I be thinking Grey were askin' why Corrleon is out here with us and not in close to his kin." Lucrezzia looks to Corrleon with an arched eyebrow, "This be our worry or no?"
She then sits down on a eminently uncomfortable cot and pulls Mister Magee onto her lap. "Of course we can fly again later!" With a wave she tells him, "Now keep your ears open and let us finish questioning dear Corrleon."
Greyston looks up at Elleross as he talks, his comments clear to anyone listening.
His stomach knots up as he screws the cap back on, feeling of his father disapprovals floods back to him and of Emily She didn't deserve me...
"I suppose your right Elleross." He pauses for a moment. "I just don't like all this waiting." Sliding his flask back into his jacket he then pulls out his formula book and starts to flick through it. As he looks up and down from his book looking to Corrleon and not wanting to look at Elleross.
Elleross can see the chastened expression that crosses Greyston face as he puts away his flask and Elleross can't help but feel sympathy for him.
The quest they found themselves on was hard on them all, none of them had sought out this adventure and the further her along they went the harder it was becoming.
He could see the signs of stress in Greyston and last few days he had been drinking steadily.
we will not be waiting long I hope. I am sure the commander will want to speak to us soon he says trying to reassure him but deep down he is worried.
at least I hope so, the longer we wait the worse the curse will become.if it goes on too long we may be forced to take matters into our own hands, we will have no other choice
He thinks to himself, fearing the effects of Baba Yaga curse.
Corrleon nods at Elleross' explanation of the Legion's hospitality, then turns to Greyston and Lucrezzia and shrugs. He speaks in draconic, relying on Elleross to translate as before.
"My neice, Bescaylie, still serves the Legion with honor and strength. And though you met me in her company, I have not worn those noble colors for many years. The Commander of this fortress and I, we rarely saw eye to eye. In my youth, I was unable to see things from his perspective. He met my obdurateness with stubbornness of his own, and I did the same in kind. It lead to many heated arguments and, eventually, my departure. My leaving was ill received by many, the lieutenant included. It is... an uncomfortable situation."
Lucrezzia takes in the explanation. "The stars choice put you here. Now we know more of your path. This be a good thing."
"I only hope my presence will not sour the Commander to your entreaties. It has been many years, but old wounds have a way of burning hot."
Grayston speaks back in Draconic, it comes out fragmented the words stiff and stale for someone who learned what each word meant and how to pronounce them but not speak it fluently.
"I know how a situation like this can make people feel, they need our help that is clear. If you're with us then they will have to deal with you no matter what." He finishes speaking as he closes his book laying his head backward and pinches at the bridge of his nose feeling the headache come back and the turning of his stomach. "It may just be best for us all to get some rest, like them." He says falling back into common and half waving over to Sapphire and Corum sleeping.
You have certainly slept in worse places than the fortress' guest rooms, despite their sparse furnishings. Left undisturbed through the night, you are provided with cool water, a hot drink in the evening of something bitter but not at all unpleasant and a meal of some unidentifiable steamed meat and thin, stringy roots.
The next day, though it is difficult to tell in the subterranean rooms beneath the fortress walls, a young Triaxian guard knocks on your doors and says something in draconic so thickly accented you can barely understand him.
The Commander has called a Council.
Sapphire wakes and stretches, looking irritated at her impromptu pillow as she reluctantly flips open the pages and studies them for a while.
Greyston drags himself out of bed, his head pounding and his stomach holding back nothing has it send out sharp shooting pains. He is quick to take a swig of his flask as the others go about their business, he refills it and starts to mix a few vials for the day sifting through his formula book skipping a few pages he is still working on.
After he is done he joins the others eating down what is offered. "This is it then, let's get in there and tell them why we're here." He gathers up all his things and goes to wait for the others. "Maybe we should have Elleross speak for us..." He hiccups. "He's the most knowledgeable and presentable person here they may respect him more."
some wounds never heal Corrleon he says sombrely as he thinks of what he has lost we can only hope your disagreements with the commander can be healed he says
so you have been away from the army for some time? How did you come to be with your niece when you found us?
"My departure from the Legion came decades ago, long enough for me to now clearly see my own youthful folly. As for my dear niece, she sought me out when that strange building you emerged from appeared. She knows that Apsu grants me insight into hearts and hoped to glean some wisdom from me. But this does bring me to a question I have." He pauses for a moment, as he tries to frame his thoughts appropriately. "Tis' true that none of you share that same black-hearted stain that I've seen in Yrax's troops, and in some of the Legion's as well, but I did see a strange, black seed in each of you. Never have I seen the like before. Each of you bear it, like a carpenter might carry a sliver of wood in his flesh, but, like the carpenter, none of you are changed by it."
so you do receive some kind of divine favour, that would explain the powers of healing you possess corrleon. Elleross says thoughtfully you are partly correct about the darkness you perceive within us. this "seed" you have seen is the curse we unknowingly accepted when we began our quest,it is the yolk around our necks.
It is what allows us to survive within the strange hut we travel in and it is what drives us ever onward in our search for Baba Yaga.
We may be here for a few hours yet and before we rest it is probably best that you know our story. Elleross draws steadily upon his pipe as he tells corrleon about the events that have brought them to this strange world.
He begins with their chance meeting in the tavern and launches into the bitter tale.
As he recalls their recent past he is struck anew by pangs of loss as he recalls the deeds of their fallen companions.
"It sounds like you five travelers have been thrust upon a long and trying road. Though, it heartens to me to hear of your many successes thus far, despite what pains tragedy has lain at your feet. From the sounds of it, you oppose a great evil that looms over your homeland? This 'daughter of Baba Yaga'? We share that much in common, at the very least. The Dark Dragon Tiamat spreads her evil across Triaxus through the warlord Yrax in much the same way."
Corum wakes but remains still with his eyes closed for a while listening to the conversation. [i-]Interesting fellow [/i] he thinks but i can't understand a word he says. Good thing Ellri can.
With that he stretches and grunts then stands and farts loudly. "More room outside for that one!" he grins and says "Is there any good around here? I'm starving." He sees the food provided and tucks in with gusto. As he eats he listens to The others and interjects.
"Sometimes officers can be arses. Best steer clear of him or just bloody his nose and be done with it. Sort your differences because there is a bigger problem beyond those walls."
Some of us do not speak the lingua draconis as it were...
Sapphire addresses Corrleon in common
Therefore please forgive us for not talking to you more.
She nods in a militaristic fashion, before adopting a cross-legged posture and bringing out a whetstone to sharpen the edge of her black sword.
Corrleon nods at Sapphire's words, demonstrating his ability to understand her and responds, still relying up Elleross to serve as translator for her benefit.
"Indeed, but do not let that dissuade you from asking. Though your tongue is too foreign to my lips for me to speak it, I understand you nonetheless." He smiles warmly at this, then mirrors the expression as Elleross echoes it.
Greyston listens to on Corrleon and Elleross, reliving everything they have been through but the details are so much sharper in his mind that how Elleross tells them. "We've been through too much, I can't see the light at the end of this tunnel the... quest the pain in my ass curse. None of us asked for this, I want it done." He says speaking up in Draconic to the older men.
"The burden you carry is a heavy one, traveler. But I wonder, is all your striving just to be free from this curse? I have opposed Tiamat's evil for decades now, and if I had set my aim only upon removing the stain of her influence form this world, I would have succumbed to despair long, long ago." The triaxian's face grows grim, the ridges in his ears stiffening as his gaze falls to the floor for a moment. "People. People, I think, are an answer. Finding someone to strive for, rather than a far distant goal to strive toward, has helped me carry on. That is not to say it makes it easy, for by no means is that true, but it has granted me perspective for my trials." He looks up at Greyston and nods, "I hope you each find what you need to bear up underneath this burden you have been given. While you are here, I will, by Apsu's grace, help you as best I can."
Greyston is speechless for a moment, as the old wise man's words seep in he reminds him of Elleross. His age giving him insight missed by someone as young as himself. "Thank you Corrleon, We all appreciate your help. It's always good to meet a friend on this journey where so many want us dead. It truly helps with this burden."
...is all your striving just to be free of this curse?
Elleross turns this question over in his mind and the answer every time is yes...and no.
For him the curse is something he will rid himself of, somehow. When they find Baba Yaga she will end the curse of he will do everything in his power to end her.
Not that he holds out much hope of that given the scope of her powers but he will not live under her yolk a moment longer than he has to.
He would have sought out Baba Yaga even without the compulsion to do so, for if she is the only way to stop the spread of winter and has the means to help them destroy her daughter then he can see no other course he would have taken.
His desire to hurt the witches and their kind for what was done to him remained his only goal in life, he had no family now and other than his new friends he had little in this world to live for .
the curse is more of a lash at our backs, driving us on whether we want to or not.
If we were to give up our quest it would no doubt kill us.
But I would find Baba Yaga even if I were not compelled to do so, she is the key to saving our home and ending the evil of at least some of her kind he says with a distasteful look crossing his face wherever I find Baba Yagas disgusting witches, I will put an end to them.
He says with hatred in his voice .
Lucrezzia give Corrleon a smile, "Only while we be here? Haven't you gleaned this quest be a a tide that'll sweep you along with it?" She stands up, and Mister Magee jumps down to the stone floor. She puts her armor back on, and straps on her equipment and continues, "Most of us were chosen by fate to be the saviors of Golarion. But I at least understood that we can choose to put ourselves into the game." She shrugs her cloak on and finishes, "I think the number is supposed to be six for some reason." She looks away as her thoughts go elsewhere. You know why. Baba Yaga demands sacrifices. And there will be more.
* * *
Lucrezzia lines up with her fellows and follows the guards to this council. Mister Magee at her feet, his claws scraping and clicking on the floor.
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The group is led by a pair of young Triaxian soldiers form their quarters and into the labyrinthine tunnels of Spurhorn.
The night passed peacefully but that does nothing to allay the tension that seems to hang heavy, like smoke, within the walls of this fortress. Soldiers move briskly this way and that, taking supplies or bundles of arrows to the surface, changing shifts and grabbing food and rest where they may.
The soldiers lead you to a pair of stout but unadorned wooden doors and knock briefly before entering.
This room contains a long table and comfortable seating for around 20 humanoids or dragonkin. Ostensibly, Commander Pharamol holds his war councils here, as evidenced by the rolls of maps of Spurhorn, the valley and beyond unfurled along it's length. A door to the west is ajar and seems to lead to a private garden (area and stairs climb to a small, separate room.
It is from this small room that the Commander and his dragonkin companion emerge. Commander Pharamol is a rugged and muscular Winterborn Triaxian with a mature and distinguished demeanor. He wears the uniform of a Dragon Legion officer with the ease of one long accustomed to command. When he speaks, the deep bass of his voice and the firm conviction in his words compel an audience’s attention.
The audience as it stands, are Bescaylie and Efrixes who smile briefly and nod as you enter, and 8 gathered officers, both Triaxian and Dragokin.
Welcome. Commander Pharamol says in rich draconic. Bescaylie informed us of your coming, and of your otherwordly nature, though I confess seeing you now perhaps I was not as prepared as I thought. To think you have come here from beyond the stars is a wondrous thing indeed. And though time and tide are against us, it is a tale I would like to hear more of.
I am Commander here, no doubt Corrleon has mentioned that. he says with a glance at your new companion. And these are my most experienced and trusted officers.
We would like to hear about each of you, who you are and why you are here.
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Bescaylie speaks up first;
Commander, I have fought beside these people, and can vouch for both their skill and their determination. They can help us lift this siege, sir.
Pharmaol lifts up a gloved hand.
I hear you, Bescaylie. And your words are well received here, as always. Though I am surprised you have decided to return Corrleon, you left no mistake as to your position when you left.
Turning back to Bescaylie he says;
But I would hear from these people themselves, how else may strangers become allies?
Lucrezzia says to Elleros, "Please tell them I am going to cast a simple spell to allow me to speak directly to them. Just for translation as I can understand them, but not the other way 'round." When commander Pharamol nods his assent, she casts Toungues on herself.
"We are humbled by your graciousness, Commander." She offers a slight bow and continues, "We five are geased by a powerful foe. We are beholden to this curse to seek her freedom. Have you heard tell of Baba Yaga, the great Hag? From her Black Rider we travel to find the mistress of the Hut, and in her we seek to free our world from the forever icy death her own daughter seeks."
Seeing some confusion in Pharamol an his officer's faces, she tries to explain. "The Great Hag's daughter is the Queen of one the nations of our world, Golarion. She has locked her mother, or grandmother, away and is now opening portals into Golarion from worlds and realms in order to make Golarion a permanently frozen hell. This suits her purpose as her armies fair better in winter than summer." She pauses long enough for Elleross to translate for the party, as she is now speaking in the Draconic dialect of the Triaxians.
"I only recently joined this fine company. Before we met they had one of their members fall in battle." She looks directly at Commander Pharamol, "Understand, m'Lord, this quest bound in blood has taken from it's victims. Still, these hearts remain strong, and will make it to their release." Releasing Pharamol's gaze she says, "Our goal here is to find a key, described by riddle to be here. But, something must be given in order to gain."
Corrleon nods in recognition of Pharamol's words and in identifying him, but doesn't offer anything until the travelers have each offered their own account.
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Commander Pharmol sits back in his chair, listening as Lucrezzia talks. Waiting for the rest before he says anything.
A black Dragonkin, his head and neck covered in many scars, seems bored with proceedings, drumming his claws on the solid table.
Another member of the council though, an almost-blind Triaxian, her white body fur turning gray, this lady is by far the oldest Triaxian you have seen in the fortress, and she tilts her head to listen intently to Lucrezzia's tale.
"Look, you've heard it there are better people to tell it. I myself have heard the story a million times and lived it. It's all quite fascinating from your side of the table im sure but from where I'm sitting I just want to get this done." He stands up straitening out his jacket and takes a deep breath. Father always said I was too blunt. "We have heard you have a two headed bird. We have reason to believe we need an animal like this, it the next piece in the puzzle that is Baba Yaga and this... bullshit quest." He pauses a moment the pounding in his head picking up again.
"We have seen the army camped outside your door, we ourselves have been through alot and have picked up the necessity to deal with people who want to kill us also. We'll help you, but we need that bird of yours." He sighs rubbing his temples now, fighting the urge to take a long drink from his flask.
Elleross translates for the group where needed and as they try and explain their tale to the commander he cannot help but wish Dell were still with them.
The cocky bowman had a knack for putting people at ease,no doubt he would have the triaxians eating out of the palm of his hand by now.
He thinks to himself absently.
He watches the commander and his council carefully. Some seem interested in what they say and others obviously see this as a waste of time.
Greyston, patience please he says to the young alchemist in draconic
commander we do not have the luxury of a lot of time, we hope this two headed bird we have heard about is the next piece in the cryptic puzzle we are trying to solve.
We had a companion who left us before we came here, he would have no doubt negotiated on our behalf far more eloquently and skilfully, but alas we must do our best without him.
Will you consent to let us see this bird ? Examine it? he asks in return, as my friends here have said we will do what we can to help you. tell us what you need doing and if it is within our power, we will see it done
Though she is simply half-listening as those with more cultured manners work their magic with the new strangers, even Sapphire's attention is drawn to Greyston's outburst.
She puts the whetstone away and stands, stretching, before sitting closer at hand and pretending to concentrate on reading her spellbook.
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One of the Triaxian officers, wiry and balding, and not sat with a Dragonkin like most of the others, scoffs.
You crossed stars to find a bird? Don't they have them where you're from?
Another Triaxian, this one female and dressed in immaculate white plated armour rolls her eyes:
Thronull, please let them talk for pity's sake. she says and you watch with interest as the man grumbles and backs off mumbling something about Sumira, obviously this lady's name. We have not heard of this 'Baba Yaga' - she is... like you...? she asks, indicating 'alien' presumably. And what, you believe she is capable of closing these... portals?
The Dragonkin sat beside Sumira is a majestic white creature adorned with jewellery. She speaks up;
But why here? Blunt as he is, Thornull has a point. Why come half way across the expanse of stars to find something as mundane as a bird? Forgive me, but this seems fantastical. And how? Even the strongest dragons on Triaxus are bound to the edges of the planet. How is it that you came to be here in a.... small house.
Elleross looks at the commanders and wonders how to make them understand.
I know this all sounds like a tall tale, on our world there are magic users we call witches.
They draw their power from many sources, much of them evil. They use dark patrons to enhance their magic.
Baba Yaga is ancient as we would use the term, as far as we know she may be immortal.
She has lived for centuries and many consider her to be a God, a being of immense power to rival the deities worshipped by the many churches on our world.
I am assuming you have your own gods, Corrleon has referenced Apsu more than once since we met.
he says trying to get them to understand.
Baba Yaga wields immense power, the hut we arrived in is her creation. From the outside it looks strange enough, inside it immense. The hut as far as I can tell contains many pocket planes and dimensions created by Baba Yaga and we have only seen a fraction of it.
Baba Yaga is missing from on our world, that means she cannot return to end the reign of her daughter and we suspect her daughter has improsoned her somewhere, somehow so she can gain control of our whole world.
But her mother is as clever as she is cruel and she has imbued items with the power to activate the hut, by finding each item the hut then transports us to a new place where we can find the next item.
These items may be mundane in nature, a giants beard or a feather or a statuette. They could be literally anything.
he says and pauses slightly before continuing
she has left clues and riddles that we must solve so we can find each item, the next one seems to have something to do with this bird.
Now as to how the hut is able to cross the stars, as I said Baba Yaga is considered to be a god. It is within her power to do these things.
I myself can use magic in ways that would seem fantastic to some, I can teleport great distances, I can fashion some gateways to other planes, render myself invisible conjour lightning to destroy my enemies and much more , but that is nothing compared to what she can do.
Baba Yaga had her own heralds who would use these items to find her.
Her daughter slaughtered all of them to prevent them from finding her and returning her to our world.
By luck or fate or whatever reason, we found her last herald before he died and he passed his task and his curse onto us, and so...here we are
Sapphire glances up as the conversation stalls somewhat.
I am Sapphire, and I'm a warrior not a diplomat, I hope you'll forgive any bluntness, I'm no wordsmith like Ellri here...
She nods respectfully to the wizard.
Being a warrior, things are often simple, there is an 'us' and a 'them', there are 'those we protect' and 'those we oppose'.
She pauses nervously, trying to catch the eyes of some of those in the chamber that have the stance of veteran combatants.
It seems to me that we're from different, alien cultures. As such our motivations might seem strange to you, oft times they are strange to us too... my point is that beyond the whys and wherefores, we have something we are seeking, and we mean you no harm.
She brings a hand up to rub the bridge of her nose as she closes her eyes momentarily, the other hand resting on her black blade.
I propose we offer you assistance in whatever way we can, we are a diverse group with many skills, and in return, as long as it doesn't cause inconvenience or otherwise to you and yours, you help us with what we need.
She tries a smile
I think my old weapons and strategy tutor would call it a 'marriage of convenience'. In any case, we find ourselves strangers in a strange land, but we're here to make friends, not more enemies. Tell us, how can we help you?
Corrleon watches patiently, translating and offering nuance when he can but he otherwise still waits for each of the travelers to address the commander's question.
Corum listens to the conversation silently, as he does so he takes the measure of those on the room. He raises his eyebrows and smiless at Greyston's outburst. After a while he stands and speaks, slowly so those who can are able to translate. He nods his agreement to everything Sapphire just said.
"She's right. I'm Corum. I'm a simple man. I know blades and war. I don't like magic and I couldn't begin to explain how we ended up cursed by a bloody witch queen. The witch queen it seems. But like it not I'm here by magic more powerful than anything I've seen."
He pauses to make sure the room is listening. "Look, I'm a simple man. I know blades and battle. You have a situation here and maybe we can help. I know sieges and we all know that in the long run there is only one winner. Unless you can sally or you have aid coming the odds aren'tgood. It may take years but if those b@&£€#%s out there are determined enough they will grind you down or starve you out."
He looks the commander dead in the eye and asks "Have you any allies you can call on? If you need someone to get a message out then we can. We got in."
He waits for a response.
Corrleon offers a half bow as Corum's account is concluded. "Thank you for sparing the time, Commander. I regret much of how I last departed your company. And so there are no questions as to my motives, know that I came here now to aid these travelers, not to rejoin the Legion. However, I would count myself doubly blessed if in helping them I were able aid you as well." He looks up at this and lets his gaze drift across each set of eyes in the room as he earnestly adds, "Truly, it is good to see each of you again."