Elleross ponders Corums question and looks at the warrior.
if we can bluff our way past the gate then it depends where which rise we have selected.
If we can use the supplies as our ruse we would then end up in some kind of stores I assume or possibly the kitchens.
If we go with the injured soldiers we will be in the infirmary.
Either way we will need to subdue whoever is there as quickly and quietly as possible, after that we make our way to the top of the tower .
We will try and remain undetected as long as possible but I suspect we will be found out sooner rather than later.
Then Corum the red work as you call it will undoubtedly begin
Finishing his pipe he looks around at the group and says
I don't mean any offense but whom amongst us is the best liar ?
Nasrin is not articulate enough, I am clearly too old to pass as a soldier.
It may well be a choice between Corum, sapphire and Greyston
Corum listens and nods. "It could work. But I don't bluff. I will dress as a soldier but better not do any talking."
"That's the best idea yet Elleross..." Pausing for a second to think of how it could all go. "Taking the soldier uniforms could work in our favor we should go with that. Are these elfs with the soldiers? i see there is a big population of humans here. I think we would need a human face to pull this off." He nods to himself.
our elven heritage could cause us problems, as could the females amongst us .
Are there female soldiers in the tower?
If there aren't we may need to see if we can locate some magical means in the town to disguise ourselves. If we can find the right scroll we could try and pass ourselves of as the actual guards. Take their faces, so to speak he says expanding on the idea.
Some females, yes. Nadya replies. But I'm no good at disguises. Saying that, in uniform and wrapped in furs it might be difficult to tell a male from a female or an elf from a human. she shrugs
Corum nods his agreement then removes his armour and begins cleaning it, oiling the scales and rubbing off any dried blood with a rag.
"That's the plan then. Some of us disguised as soldiers, others hiding on the sleds. we should trade away all the other equipment they carried though. It will just slow us down. Nadya, will the traders in town take the arms and armour of the soldiers?"
Not all are supporters if the Pale Tower, you should be able to move it.
Hatch sits on the table edge and wrings his beard nervously as the discussion moves on.
Hatch help. But why you help? He asks, of the big folk
"To keep the witches from hurting women like Nadya and girls like Thora. The Jadwiga only understand pain and fear. I will send them beyond understanding." After a moment of reflection Nasrin adds, "And for my pack."
This place is huge. Nadya says, looking over the plans Hatch has drawn But it seems like we could barricade those teleported from the upper levels if we need to take a breather. But remember, I would have words with Nazhena.
"Thats no point hiding it now, we wish to bring down the Pale tower. To stop the portal that links Waldsby and Heldren, to stop the spread of winter to our homeland." He speaks out frankly.
"But.. that all changed, we now want to help Heldren we want to help you be free from the pale tower and those that would tread down on you. We also met the black rider on the other side of the portal, he gave us a mission and that mission stands in the black tower." He looks to the others, showing he wants to let Nadya and Hatch in on their mission.
Well I don't think this plan is going to get any easier the more we talk about it. I'm going to get the boys ready and take them over to Rolf's chapel. In the meantime, everyone should gather their gear. We'll take one of the soldier's sleds. The Pale Tower guards might recognise it and besides, I don't want to risk my dogs. Nadya says, striding from the room.
Sapphire will ensure all the bulky gear the party has collected is sold, ensuring she visits those shops with the faces belonging to those who seemed happy the group was standing up to the witches.
When she gets back all she can think to add is asking Elleross, Greyston and Nasrin what magics they will be preparing for the next day, as Sapphire is considering her own options.
Corum goes with Sapphire to sell their loot. When they return he eats a hearty meal and sleeps for hours. He lnows they will need their energy the next day so he gets a solid 8 hours' rest. Eaking well before dawn to take the last watch.
He makes sure he keeps the fire burning in the hearth so the house is warm when everyone wakes up.
As well prepared as they can be, the party sets off. Nadya kisses her boys goodbye and promises to be back soon while Hatch, though once again invisible, fastidiously tidies the dog sled you take from the soldiers.
The air is crisp yet the wind still which makes for good time as Nadya pushes the eager dogs on across the plains. Nadya decides to follow as closely to the Hoarwood as she dare, knowing that if spotted or if any more crow patrols are seen on the horizon, the trees will grant the best and only cover.
Her fears seem to be unfounded though as the plains are clear for hours. It is not surprising perhaps, few voluntarily travel this way to the Pale Tower.
The trees thin dramatically and soon give way to stretches of barren ice and snow. Nadya guides into a small copse of pine however and suggests the party dismount.
Peeking out of the woods, with the sun beginning to sit low in the sky, you see the impressive Pale Tower for the first time.
Sharp winds whistle across this stark plain, stinging the eyes along with the last reflections of the setting sun. A great eruption of frozen ice rises in the distance - an imposing pale tower crowned with icicles spearing into the sky. Seemingly born of the land itself, an unbroken circular wall of ice guards the tower's base, with no means of entrance visible. High above a large gash opens in the tower's bowl-like crown, ringed in icy spikes and split by a massive plane of ice resembling an inverted crescent moon.
As you look out you see a group of people approach the wall on foot. They appear to be a patrol circling the wall. A huge section of the wall suddenly seems to melt away in an instant before almost instantly reforming as they pass through.
Gate. Hatch says from somewhere behind you.
Accompanying Nadya on her journey to the church the old elf stops off at the inn and moves quickly to the pile of bodies that have been dragged outside and covered by a tarpaulin.
Pulling back the cover he looks for the body of the sergeant and soon finds it amongst the corpses.
Kneeling down in the snow he pulls his knife out and quickly cuts a lock of hair from him before putting it safely in his spell components pouch.
this may be our best chance of getting into the tower
he thinks to himself as he straightens up and makes his way to the store to see if he can get what he needs from the town. After a fruitless search he makes his way back to Nadyas.
@sapphire
I am foregoing my endure elements spell today, I will rely on the potions we found so I can maximise my offensive capabilities.
I have completed two new spells that I have inscribed into my book, they are the most powerful I have mastered thus far. However I have been thinking about our plan, I hoped I could purchase a scroll in town of a spell I have heard of but I don't have the arcane formulae for yet.
It is called alter self, it will allow me to take on the form of the sergent and may help us pass the gate. he says as he packs his things
they did not have one however. Which leaves me with a problem, I am certain I can replicate the spells effects but it will cost me. I will have to use the power of my newly acquired spells to recreate it. That will leave me with limited capacity to help you fight off the soldiers we encounter he says to them if I choose to replicate that spell it may give us our best chance to get past the gate but my most powerful spells would then have been used up he says and he goes on to list the spells he has prepared so sapphire and Greyston can see what he has.
Level 0 acid splash, detect magic, arcane mark, disrupt undead
Level 1magic missile x 2, colour spray, burning hands
Level 2 1x create pit , 1x scorching ray
1 Scroll of endure elements
1 scrolls of magic weapon
1 Scroll of unseen servant
1 scrolls of lesser animate dead
1scroll burning hands
1 scroll colour spray
[dc=14+spell level]
2 x alchemist fire
1 x tangle burn bag
@
"I have prepared my cure extracts for you and Corum, also my my endure elements, an extract of shield will give me some protection also if it comes down to it." Greyston lists off his extracts and also taps his bombs.
--
Looking out at the vastness of it all. "This is it.. This is why we're here, Lets just get in there." He says looking out at the Pale tower, as he stomach begins to knot up.
Corum looks across the ice field at the tower. Anticipation begins to grow within him for he knows the day will not pass without trouble. He listens as Elleross talks about magic and fixes him with a quizzical expression.
"So you can trade one type of magic for another but it costs you more power to do it? Like treading two swords for one shield. Don't sound worth it to me. Keep your magic. We'll need it in there. Let's stick to the plan and hope we get through that gate. After that...." he shrugs and grins. "Who knows?"
He thanks Greyston for the extract but shakes his head. "Give them to Nas and Sapphire. I bought potions so we'll all have some healing in case things go bad."
"So you can trade one type of magic for another but it costs you more power to do it? Like treading two swords for one shield. Don't sound worth it to me. Keep your magic. We'll need it in there. Let's stick to the plan and hope we get through that gate."
The old elf shakes his head and smiles slightly as he replies
how do I explain the fundamentals of magic, the fabric is made up of myriad elements. Like building blocks. Alter one and it affects another, the melding of spells is infinitely complex, I barely understand it myself. he thinks well not quite like that but the analogy will suffice, the problem we have is that we only have half a plan.
We may not even get past the gate if we cannot fool the soldiers.
What ruse are we going with? Are we going to pose as soldiers ? Or traders bringing in supplies? he asks the group, aware that they haven't yet discussed any of their options.
who is going to speak at the gate? Whoever it is needs to be convincing. Or we will fall at the first hurdle. Though I am loth to use my spells for this, I see little other option. If we cannot get in we cannot accomplish anything. If none of you feel comfortable bluffing these soldiers then I will assume the form of the sergeant and I will try and talk us in. Corum would be beside me and the rest of you would be amongst the bodies
Elleross, I agree with Corum, impersonating someone specific might help but if we can just get close enough to get inside then the work is done anyway, and without your sacrificing important arcane energy we may need later. We'll not stay stealthy for long once we're in regardless of how we go about it, may as well have you at full strength
she muses
I can try brusquely ordering the guards out of our way as we've urgent news for the mistress or somesuch, sheer audacity might see us through. After all, 3 sleds of soldiers went out and 3 are coming back, suspicion will hopefully be low...
she shrugs
Anyway, I've chosen to study the following for today, I hope it's versatile enough for the situations we might encounter
1st - chill touch, color spray, grease, shield
0th - brand, light, mage hand, read magic
As Greyston hands her the usual potion she thanks him
It's wistful thinking I'm sure, but here's hoping I won't have to use it today, that the gods smile upon us as we take vengeance on behalf of those who've been wronged.
As the party sets off and Corum and Nasrin demonstrate their proficiency with the dog sleds, Sapphire can't help but admire them for their skills. Rather than fret over their destination she distracts herself with watching the dogs surging against their harnesses, directed this way and that by those who knew how to truly speak to them.
Corum says "If you want to use the spell then thatbis up to you. Will it disguise your voice as well? If not I say we let Sapphire do the talking. Unless you want to play dead and we pretend we are the soldiers returning with their fallen sergeant."
Nasrin takes one of the dead soldier's bloody uniforms and checks it for size. "This will work." She dons the uniform and fits a mass of furs over top.
2nd: Bull's Strength, Barkskin
1st: Cure Light Wounds, Cure Light Wounds, Feather Step
0's: Create Water, Know Direction, Light, Stabilize
As the sleds approach the gate, Sapphire steels herself for what is to come, loosening her blade in its scabbard to ensure the cold hasn't frozen it in place.
Signaling to slow the sleds but not stop them she calls out loudly to the guards
Attention patrol! Stand aside, we bring objects of import from the village and cannot tarry lest we suffer the displeasure of the mistress...
Sapphire identifies the soldier with the highest visible rank insignia and nods at them before signaling for the sleds to pick up the pace again once the guards are out of the way.
Nasrin dismounts her sled and sets to the dirty work of checking the corpses strapped to the top of the supply crates. She does her best to be a curt and deliberate 'soldier'. Whatever that may be...
Corum stands by the sled he was driving and remains silent. He watches the wall intently, looking for signs of movement. He stands leaning on his axe, waiting for any sign of trouble.
Greyston smiles at Sapphires thoughts. wishful thinking indeed, this day will only end one way with a lot of blood spilt. a look of worry flashes over him. "Your skills will protect you today Sapphire, I hope this all goes smoothly. I will be watching out for you, for everyone." He speaks to reassure himself more than her.
Greyston try's his best to work on one of the dead soldiers hoping to show him as wounded and not dead.
The dogs pull eagerly toward the Pale Tower, only reigning in when you approach the wall.
The guard at the top raises his spear in greeting.
Ho, there! You return from the village? Radosek will not be pleased if Petska has not been returned. Open the gate! he calls.
Within moments a huge section of wall before you simply dissolves away as if it were never there. It is a tremendous display of power and one that Sapphire and Elleros cannot help but be impressed by.
Beyond the magic gate is a portcullis made of thick bars of ice, just as Hatch described, and these too raise. It appears your ruse has worked.
You push the dogs through the opening and enter a huge courtyard.
A massive ice sculpture of a dragon dominates this open courtyard, standing with raised wings upon a dais of solid ice. Seven squat shacks sit along the inner wall, with several dogsleds stored outside. Between them, four ice chutes descend from the battlements of the outer wall. To the west, large double doors studded with icicles lead inside the Pale Tower itself, just beneath an overhang of sharp icicles dangling from above.
All of the sheds are empty and the dogs seem suddenly reluctant to enter this area. It is only moments before you realise why. To one side, a shambling, hunched Ice Troll sits on her behind, chewing on a long bone covered with thick hair.
OOOoooohhh. Glad you lot are back, I'm starvin'. Park 'em up and I'll see to 'em. She notices the injured soldiers then. Hooohooohooo, someone decided to get 'andy wiv a pitchfork did they? Hehehe
She hauls herself up onto her feet and begins lumbering over to you.
Corum pulls his sled uo inside the courtyard and steps away from it. He stretches as if stiff from the ride, slowly turning around looking upward as if to stretch his neck. In realit he is scsnning their surroundings, his eyes taking in every detail of the walls. Looking for guards and avenues of escape from the courtyard should it turn ugly. He knies this is a killing ground and feels uncomfortable in the open.
perception
He turns toward the voice and his blood runs cold as he sees the ice troll. no... his grandfather told him of them. Wveryone from the North has heard of their savagery and strength.
Kn nature
He knows how deadly they are and whispers a warning to Elleross. "That thing could kill us all. If it gets bad hit it with everything you have."
The troll cranes her thick neck toward Corum.
Eh? Whatcha say?
I don't think I recognise you.... Who's patrol are you in again?
Corum ignores the troll and glances at Sapphire and the others. Here we go! He feels the adrenaline begin to course through his veins as he prepares for battle. He glances at Sapphire hoping she can talk the troll around.
He places the butt of his axe on the floor and braces it against his foot, ready to lower it in case the troll charges, his intention to let it impale itself.
Greyston watches on unsure of what's being said but can feel the tension in the room can see the aggression build in Corum. The plan! What happened to the plan he's going to set this entire town down on but before we get anywhere!
Nasrin unhitches the sled dogs, keeping her face averted from the troll. Aid me, dogs, or you'll be glad to be back in the care of this monster... She scratches the lead dog vigorously behind his ear.
The old elf disembarks from the sled his heart hammering in his chest as they glide into the lions den.
His palms are sweaty despite the cold and as he hears Corums words he silently curses the sharp ears of this damn troll.
now we see if we are any good at bluffing, this brute will tear us apart. I hope Corum or sapphire can talk us past this beast . he thinks to himself as he glances over at the troll.
Corum speaks back to the troll in Skald he takes the tone of a drill sergeant. He has seen enough of them to be able to copy their manner of speech "Don't ask stupid questions. We are back from patrol. I have no time to speak with lackeys. My men lie wounded and dead, I must report to Radek. Now help unload the dead or sit over there and be quiet!"
Intimidate
In skald
You have no business questioning us, we lost men down there, I have to tell Nija her husband is dead, Geldon his father won't ever be able to play with him again. That's after reporting to Radosek. If I were you I would just be about your business before the mistress or the master comes by and finds you holding us up...