Corum wipes the insect's blood off his axe and smiles. His rage dissipates as he listens to the others talk to the woman. He stands guard while they converse and when the woman suggests they camp he nods.
"I agree. The temperature will drop quickly when the light fades and we need shelter."
He and Nasrin find a suitable site to make camp and together the feoup set up camp. Their tents in a ring around a large fire. When they are all huddled around the fire eating a simple stew he speaks to the woman.
Ob]"You have no love for the witches. We seek the tower and have red work to do there. What can you tell us about this place that might help us?"[/b]
You still have not told me who you are or how you came to be here. Nazhena has wronged me and others of this land, but I would still know how foreigners dressed so thinly against the cold came to be here.
Nadya busies herself around the camp as she talks, leading you to believe she is s very capable winter survivalist.
Her and two of the men who return to the sled recover Karls body and lash it, wrapped in his furs, to the sled. All the while the dogs bicker among themselves, with one, a particularly large and aggressive wolf snapping at the others when Nadya feeds them dried meat from her pack
Despite her cloak's protection from the cold, Sapphire is glad to get the party all around a campfire. She brews some tea for after the stew is consumed.
Corum has the right of it, we aim to misbehave. Anything you can tell us would be helpful, not just about the tower but the area too. We're far from where we called home...
Greystons knowledge of this land and snow is clear to see as he's told there's no way they could make it. "It seems we should come clear, there is a portal in the forest behind us that links to Talador. The place we are from, it's a place for high heats and almost no snow. But recently parts of it have been blanketed in snow we set out to investigate and found the portal that's where we met a black rider claiming to be a guardian of Baba Yaga, we were set in a quest to close the protal we were told the pale tower is the place." He lets it all out, while he was weary of these people they will need friends in this new land.
Nasrin nods, having picked up on Nadya's distaste of the witch Nazhena.
Dropping his pack to the ground Elleross stretches his back and the cracking noise is loud in the chill air.
Greyston speaks true, we have come from hundreds of miles to the south.
We are magically protected but to us we are wearing what we would consider winter gear.
Since we crossed into your lands we have discovered that the winter in our part of the world is nothing compared to the conditions here.
I am Elleross Oronar, it is a pleasure to meet you and your companions. he says to her offering his hand.
some of us have very little experience of these climates but thankfully we have others amongst us who are much more capable. he says indicating Corum and Nas. once we are set up for the night perhaps you could tell us a bit about this tower and the witch who resides there he says to her.
Nasrin's mind wanders a bit while the rest of the party talks with the beautiful red-haired woman. One more darkness without my brother and best friend? She dwells on that thought for a while and eventually comes back to the group in the tent. Why do they insist they don't know how to survive? They are why we are alive now.
"We are here to close this portal and end Elvanna's plotting. By ending her."
As you describe where you have come from and touch upon your intentions, Nadya grows quiet, her eyes becoming larger - obviously impressed.
You met... the Black Rider..? Since I was a girl I have heard stories of the Witch Queen and her Riders, I know well of them. But we are so removed from the capital here that they are just stories - fairytales really. The Pale Tower has authority here, under Nazhena's watch. But I would caution you against openly declaring any intent against Elvanna, it is... unwise.
She thinks for a moment about what you've said and then remarks:
There is a portal in the Hoarwood? But... why?
"I don't know. This is beyond me. All I know is that we need to kill those behind it. To do that we need to take that tower. What can we expect at yon village?"
He motions to the far away lights with his hand.
Elleross sits beside the fire smoking steadily as his mind works through recent events.
The rider, the power granted by his blood and the change in him, in them all.
we don't know for sure why the witches are doing this.
The rider said they intend to plunge all of Golarion into a new ice age. The portals are spreading the cold north all over the world and we have to stop that from happening. There is no option, we are bound to this cause now by ties we don't fully understand . We have to see it through. he says to the beautiful , fierce woman.
the language you spoke when we first met, Hallit. Is it the most common tongue in these parts? Are there many people who don't speak the common tongue?
"The black rider spoke of the portals beings used to plunge the world into a new ice age, just as Elleross said." He nods to Elleross. "There was something else the Rider cave us, it was a boon he said it would help us in our quest. We have to stop this, and the pale tower is our goal. You say we should speak of our intention does this Nazhena have support in your town?"
Nadya frowns at the talk of the Riders Boon.
In my experience, when a witch gives you an apple you had best check for poison.
It is an old Irisen saying, but you take its meaning well enough.
There are good people in Waldsby. We are a small town, and provincial. I only caution against speaking against Elvanna out loud because everyone here lives in fear of the Witch Nazhena and though they offer her no allegiance, her soldiers are a regular and unwelcome force in the village.
I myself am returning from a trade negotiation in the Land of the Linnorm Kings. It went well but I daresay most of what we trade will go to the Pale Tower anyway.
Few of the villagers speak the Common tongue. This far north it is usually Hallit or Skald.
Speaking of the north, a few of you have the look of northerners. If you've come from Taldor, you must have had a long journey from here in the first place?
"My family was from somewhere up here. I fled when my brothers were taken and my father and mother slain for a troll's sport." She looks Nadya in the eye and says, "It was years of wandering that brought me to Taldor." She considers the woman's words about poisoned apples. "You are right about the two sided gifts. They give nothing without taking more."
Thank you Nadya, for both the information and for offering your hospitality to us. We hope we are here to do a good thing for both Heldren and Waldsby, and I'm glad you hold no love for the witches. You are in good company amongst us!
she sips her tea as Nasrin talks about her childhood
We all seem to be returning home, in a fashion, though I've not set foot in these lands in my living memory. I'm given to understand I was born up here and moved away for some reason to do with the Jadwiga. I was heading up here anyway so these recent events have brought me closer to my ultimate goal anyways. So what of you Nadya? Are you typical of the citizens here or are you a rarity being a trader that travels between the safe settlements?
Nadya returns Nasrins gaze and, with a knowing solemnity, replies.
I am sorry to hear about your parents, the North is an unforgiving place. My husband too was taken by an Ice Troll in the very woods you just came from. He left me a widow with three young children and so I have to go on for them.
I am no different to the others really Sapphire, we all make do how we can and my skills lend themselves to survival out here. Despite the dangers I've always quite liked the solitude, though I worry more for my children these days than before. Not so much for the cold, but Nazhena has been sending many soldiers into the wood recently. Perhaps it is to do with the portal you mentioned
Corum listens with interest and when the woman talks of the North he smiles. "I am from the roof of the world lady. I return to the North through necessity. It has been a long and painful journey and I think there will be more pain before we all reach the end of it."
He eats in silence then, listening as then ohers talk but lost in his own thoughts how long has it been since I last came this way? Years. Yet it all seems so familiar. Nothing changes in thr snow!
Re filling his pipe he blows sweet smoke up into the freezing night sky as he listens to the coversations around the fire .
I would like to improve my familiarity with your languages, if you don't object Nadya if we have time later I would like to listen to you speaking your Hallit language so that I may learn it. the old elf asks her, he has always been a student of languages and he looked forward to adding this one to his repertoire.
as soon as I heard the language spoken I almost understood it. Is this another by product of the riders blood? Or a combination of the broadening of my own intellect coupled with my linguistics skills? I am not sure. I suspect both may be true in some way. The power in the riders blood has increased my own intellect of that I am sure.
I believe with only a little more exposure to this language I will be able to speak it quite well he thinks absently as he asks
how strong are the forces from the tower? How many soldiers are there? Do you know?
"I'm sorry to hear of your lose Nadya, the north is a harsh place to live... i don't know how you people do it. I wouldn't last a day on my own." He then looks to Sapphire as he hears her story.
He continues to listen to the other stories some of it he hasn't heard before. "I'm not from the north, I had never seen snow before never known the bitter cold. It's not something i'd long for, but i suppose those born to it have an understanding. I find it amazing you can make a living here." After the riders boon and stepping through the portal i feel as if i know what must be done i have a meaning, she spoke of the boon being being bad.. we should all talk about this when we're alone. He thinks to himself as he stares off into the fire, desperately trying to keep himself warm.
As the snow closes in, the sound of the dogs fighting away from camp grows larger and culminates in one of them letting out a high-pitched yelp of pain.
Nadya looks up and shouts over her shoulder;
Uredd, det er nok! Stopp, eller jeg vil kutte deg løs!
The commotion dies down but Nadya mutters something under her breath in her native tongue.
I'm sorry. It is the wolf. He thinks he is the Alpha, but the biggest dog disagrees and they fight day after day over it. In truth he has no place on a sled team, but he came into town a month ago, scavenging. I thought a Troll had wandered into his territory and forced him out but thinking about it, it could have been a creature from your side of the portal.
Some of the villagers wanted to shoot him but I couldn't do that, not after he had been forced from his home. I said I would take him and train him as a working dog, though that is going as well as you might think. Maybe I will have to cut him loose after all... she says sadly.
"Are they quiet in the night? I will talk to him tomorrow and see what he wants."
Well I'm happy to sit the first watch, anything I should look for in particular Nadya?
ventures Sapphire
Corum thanks Sapphire and turns in for the night. Before he does he agrees to take the last watch of the night because he knows it is the most difficult.
He sleeps for several hours then rises and, taking up his arms, leaves the tent. He stokes the fire, being careful not to look into it and ruin his night sight. He sits by the fire keeping watch until the cold grey light of dawn. Before the others rise he makes a thick porridge using oats and fruit from their stores. getting bored of this slop. He thinks. Could do with some fresh game to warm our bellies!
After they have eaten he says to Elleross. "Any chance you could do more of that magic to keep this damned cold at bay? I'll freeze to death before we reach that village otherwise."
As the party settles down for the night, they arrange among themselves aan order of watches. Before the first begins however, a figure starts to become visible through the snow.
Ho, the camp! a female voice calls in greeting to not startle anyone
"How many people wander this place this?"
Geryston looks up from his books, not expecting anyone else out tonight in this cold he reaches for a bomb. Looking at Nadya, to see her reaction. "A friend?"
Elleross looks up from the fire in surprise as the female voice calls out.
no one should be approaching us out here. It is too remote and too cold. Why would they be out in the wild on their own? Something is not right here he thinks to himself and reaching inside his pack he pulls out his tangle burn bag and holds it ready.
come into the light stranger so we may see you. What are you doing out here? It is dark and bitter cold, if you are a traveller in need then come share our fire he calls out into the darkness
A traveller more likely. Nadya replies. Our fire is the only light for ten miles in any direction, any traveller from these parts would seek it out in a storm rather than make for the village. It's ok, it's how things are done here. she adds, reassuring Nasrin.
The figure that approaches out of the storm takes you by surprise. She is a bare-skinned, blue honed creature. She wears a plain, pale blue robe that would do nothing to protect her from the elements so you assume she is either immune to this weather or else magically protected. A pair of hairless, goat-like legs protrude from beneath the robes and a pair of horns grow from her temples and sweep back over her head.
Nadya's eyes grow suddenly wide and she clenches her jaw as she sees the figure step forward.
Erastil's aim! she curses under her breath. Just follow my lead! she hisses as the goat-creature enters the circle of light, the men of the sled team moving aside to let her pass.
The weather is terrible of late. We got caught out here when the storm closed in.
Yes, as was I. Waldsby seems the best place to stay at the moment. My name is Mierul.
Nadya. Well you are welcome to the fire for as long as you need.
My thanks. If you don't object, I can offer a song in gratitude.
The goat-creature unloops a strange stringed instrument from her back that resembles a small harp. She begins plucking at it and singing in Skald. The sound is strange at first and then oddly soothing.
Nadya is very nervous of this creature's presence, and seems to be trying to defelct her attention from you.
Completely oblivious to Nadya's attempts to divert attention away from the group, Sapphire is interested in what type of creature this is, and keen to try out the new language that seems to have sprung fully-formed in to her mind and allowed her to understand these people of the north.
She waits for the harp music to finish then compliments the creature
Det var en vakker sang Mierul, takk for at du deler den med oss . Hvis du ikke har noe imot meg å si at du synes godt egnet for kulde, har du reist langt for å komme til Waldsby ?
[b]That was a beautiful song Mierul, thank you for sharing it with us. If you don't mind me saying you seem well-suited to the cold, have you traveled far to get to Waldsby?
Nasrin keeps quiet, following Nadya's lead. Is this one of the pale tower's servants? She makes eye contact with Corum, then looks down. Understand me, brother.
Despite his lack of understanding regarding the almost formal way they seem to be conversing he doesn't misunderstand nadyas attempts to draw the creatures attention away from him and his friends. It is obvious this creature has no need of a fire.
she is afraid of this creature. Perhaps the witches reach out to us already he thinks as he tightens his grip on the bag in his hand. they can't know we are here yet, it is more likely this creature will be suspicious of us if it recognises we are foreigners to these lands.
When the blue creature approached the camp Corum became very quiet and watchful. He stands near the fire leaning on his poleaxe. His manner is of someone on watch butbnot taking his role very seriously but he is very alert and on his guard. He understands every word spoken in Skald but does not show it.
Sense motive
His instincts tell him something is amiss. The woman Nadya seems to be going to great lengths to distract the thing's attention away from them. He casts warning glances at the others and hopes they take his meaning.
That was a beautiful song Mierul, thank you for sharing it with us. If you don't mind me saying you seem well-suited to the cold, have you traveled far to get to Waldsby?
She sighs.
Unfortunately, there is a dangerous fugitive on the loose, I tell you because whilst camped out here you may be particularly vulnerable. He is a tall rider in black, atop a mighty steed. Would any of you have seen this terrible man?
Nadya casts nervous glances around the party.
Sapphire takes in the glances of Corum and Nadya, and swiftly thinks on her feet.
Widening her eyes and opening her mouth in a shocked expression, she turns to Nasrin
She turns back to Mierul, leaning in as if eager to share a secret. She gestures back towards the woods.
Meriul smiles delightedly.
So where are you all from your accent is strange strange. Sort of... Unpracticesed.
Nadya speaks quickly, trying to provide cover story
Corum looks the visitor square in the eye and speaks in Skald for the first time. Being from the far north his accent is unmistakeable but, though he hasn't spoken Skald for years, his speech is fluent.
He attempts no bluff because he tells the truth when he says this.
Greyston watches on as he sees the others reactions, he can feel the tension in the air. She must be from the pale tower or she's part of something bad. The look on Nadyas face says it all. Keeping his head down he looks to at Sapphire trying to read her unsure of what to do holding out hope it all plays out.
Elleross watches the exchanges carefully, he knows they walk a tightrope here.
This servant of the tower is on the hunt for the rider and if it knows they have met him it will become simple.
They will have to kill it.
He looks across at Greyston he can see the questions written across his face and given all the languages he spoke earlier he guesses Skald isn't one of them.
Calling to him softly he speaks in a language he hopes this creature doesn't understand but he knows Greyston will.
His ears pick up as he hears Elleross speak to him in Draconic, he get's closer to the old elf and then talks back. "vi katima di wer uich wiq? si enel wux sumf ekess deal mrith nomeno." He quickly looks at the creature.
He say's being vague unsure of the if the creature can understand them.
Nasrin does not follow the conversation, but she does follow the tension. Fighting the urge to retreat, she simply stays put and waits for something to *happen*.
The blue-skinned woman spends the next fifteen minutes or so talking in Skald. She talks about traveling form one side of Irrisen to the other, the stark mountains, the crisp fields, steaming geysers and the glorious dancing lights of the northern skies. She intersperses her tales with song and poetry and you find she is an extremely entertaining songstress and story teller.
Then, as she snow begins to slacken, she looks up into the cloud-filled night sky.
Corum bids the strange creature farewell and breathes a sigh of relief when she leaves. He sits down and winces. He had forgotten the wounds he still carries. He looks at the others hipefully and asks for help.
"Before we sleep, csn anyone do anything about this damned shoulder. I forgot that bloody insect speared it. Hurts like the ddevil. "
Nadya also breathes a palpable sigh of relief.
I didn't know her but I've seen her - one of Nazhena's top aides. I just hope she didn't see through our ruse.
The weather should clear fully by morning, let's get some sleep.
Sapphire thanks Mierul for the entertainment she has provided, and bids her fortune on the rest of her journey.
After her blue-skinned form is lost from sight, Sapphire turns to Nadya
I understand you were trying to deflect her attention, thank you for that. Let us hope her suspicions were not raised unduly...
Sapphire spends the first few hours of watch half expecting Mierul to return, looming out of the darkness with a face full of fangs and fury. Even as another takes over and she curls up in her bedroll, she has to shake the image of the creature from her mind in order to drift off.
In the morning she brews tea for everyone then sits sipping hers as she leafs through her spellbook. Finally she yawns and stretches, though winces as her shoulder is still bothering her despite the night's rest
So when will we get to Waldsby today?