Elleross watches the door materialise as the amulets begin to glow.
if I were a betting man I would say that this is our way out of the hut he says as he moves up next to Nas as she examines the door
I agree with Dell, we should rest back at the cauldron room and then we see what lies beyond these doors. The Ravens hinted that enemies may be gathering around the hut, we do not want to leap out of the frying pan and in to the fire
Corum nods agreement. "I want out of this hut. I want they sky above my head and the taste of fresh air. But I don't want any of us dropping either. Food and rest would be good."
He walks back to the cauldron room with the others.
Grayston looks to the door a feeling of excitement and need to know whats behind it almost pushes him on throught it. But he's brought back at the words of the group.
"I also agree let's rest I'm almost completely out of extracts and I know a lot of you aren't fully healed." He walks back towards the cauldron room with the others.
"What does everyone think of these riddles?" He says flipping through his formula book.
hp-52/52
Sapphire is just nodding as the group mention's resting, when her warrior's reflexes kick in and she grabs Nasrin as she suddenly falls sideways.
Sister! she cries worriedly, gently lowering the druid to the floor of the cauldron room.
Ellri, your healing quickly please!!
Sapphire grinds her teeth as she loosens Nasrin's clothing looking for open wounds to bind.
Corum reacts as soon as Sapphire calls for aid. He kneels next to Nasrin and, cradling her head in his arm, he pours his last potion down her throat. He holds her mouth closed to stop the automatic gag reflex from spitting the liquid out and waits for her to regain consciousness.
Cmw
Grayston looks to the door a feeling of excitement and need to know whats behind it almost pushes him on throught it. But he's brought back at the words of the group.
"I also agree let's rest I'm almost completely out of extracts and I know a lot of you aren't fully healed." He walks back towards the cauldron room with the others.
"What does everyone think of these riddles?" He says flipping through his formula book.
hp-52/52
we have gained as much information from the Ravens as we could. Hipefully we have enough now to solve the riddle, we just need to put the clues in the right context and the answer should be self evident . I'm sure .... he pauses in his conversation with the young alchemist as Sapphire calls for him urgently
Tucking his pipe into his mouth, the bowl half filled he moves across to the others and sees the collapsed Nasrin. silly girl...she was carrying wounds far worse than I suspected. Foolish, foolish foolish he mutters darkly as he kneels with difficulty by her side.
your potion seems to have stabalized her Corum but these wounds are deep. I will do what I can
He begins to take components out of his spell pouch and laying them out close at hand he begins.
The casting is long and complex, he draws on the two most powerful spells in his repertoire and painstakingly reconstructs the arcane magic into another form, replicating the divine healing spells so easily utilised by clerics.
The air around him begins to shimmer and pulse with a dark light as he transforms the necromantic energy from his bone shatter spell and combines it with the ball lightning incantation he had recently mastered.
Ripples of electricity run along his arms and arc off him in sudden blazing streams as he nears the end of the hybrid spell.
Placing his hands upon the wild girl he unleashes the energy in a sudden rush.
Her whole body glows briefly and she arches upwards as the spell floods her system and begins to repair the damage
Greyston watches as everyone runs over to Nasrin. Stupid why didn't she say something, they wont be brave warriors when their dead on the floor. He curses her bravery as he looms over her watching Elleross weave arcane and divine is a spectacular sight. "Nasrin? Are you ok? " He looms over the woman pushing past to check her wounds. "We're all so hurt, I'm going to stay up tonight I want to watch over you all tending to your wounds."
Falling due to her grievous wounds, Nasrin shifts back to her two-legged form. After a potion is dropped down her gullet and the Old Wolf sends his strange magic through her she rouses enough to open her eyes and whisper, "The Rider's burden calls even at Pharasma's Gate..."
Wiping the sweat from his brow, the old elf chews thoughtfully on the stem of his pipe as he watches Nasrin regain conciousness.
take your time, you were lucky this time Nas. I hope your wolf form does not cloud your judgement with thoughts of the kill or some other wild notion. Everyone has their limits, none of us are invulnerable. If you are hurt, speak up and dont throw yourself into danger needlessly, we do not want to lose anyone he says as he moves off to find a light for his pipe.
Del shakes his head ruefully as the group prepares for an evening of recovery by the cauldron once more. Idly, he wonders what the hut does will all the shed blood that's undoubtedly left all the halls slick and red. When several rebuke Nasrin, and by extension the group as a whole, for not speaking up when injured, Del swallows his retort. Lot of good that did me earlier.
Still hurt and frustrated by the day's absurd events, the halforc quietly finds a spot not riddled with deadly wards to lie down.
When they get back to the main room Corum spreads his bedroll on the floor and removes his armour.
He sits down and opens his pack to remove some of his trail rations. He eats handfulls of dried fruit, jerk beef and a hard but filling trail bread, washed down with water from his canteen.
Once he has eaten his fill he takes care ofw his weapons. He studies each, and tends to them to make sure they remain in good order. He shatpens his axe and dagge. He notices the leather bindings of the handle of then adamantine warhammer are slightly loose so he carefully undoes them amd rewraps the grip. When he is satisfied with his work he lays it with the rest of his arsenal next to his bed and lays down to sleep.
He says out loud. "Rest well. Might be another hard day tomorrow." and falls asleep.
The cauldron room remains warm with the fire burning in it's hearth all night. Zorka appears suddenly from her hidey-hole several times throughout the night to stoke the embers and add more wood from a seemingly endless pile.
She keeps to herself and doesn't look to disturb you except with the occasional acerbic remark about the state of your clothing or that polite guests remove their boots.
The group sleeps and heals. Eventually they begin to stir. There is no concept of time in ths hut so Corum does not know how long they rested. He feels stronger but hungry.
The room remains warm and cosy and he presumes the house spirit has kept rhe fire going.
He again raids his rations and eats a simple breakfast. He watches the others do likewise and smiles at Nasrin, Sapphire and Del. "You all look better than yesterday. That rest did us all good."
As soon as the others are ready Corum packs away his gear and slings his backpack over his shoulder. He gathers his weapons and says. "Right. Let's see if we can get out of this hit."
They walk back to the glowing door and the barbarian stops. He looks at the magic door warily and says. "What fo you make of that Ellri?"
Evidently recovering from her own latest near-death experience, it takes Sapphire a moment to realise that Del has used the power of the healing amulet on her.
Thank you Sir Scoundrel she smiles wearily.
Gesturing at Nasrin she nods
Anything else we have should be aimed that way I think.
Sapphire wakes groggily, but at least the stones beneath her are warmed by the cauldron, and the room is safe.
We should be ok if we take it easy, Del are you ok? We all took a beating and it might be best to use that mulet's power now if it has recharged...
After a quick breakfast, and checking with the others that they are ok, she resignedly stares at her spellbook morosely until the time comes to head out to the corridor. Plodding after Corum she almost bumps in to him as he stops to regard the door.
More witchery, appearing to us as we have the amulets I suppose. Hopefully it will be safe.
As everyone settles down for the night Greyston looks around the room a strange feeling settles over him being a feeling of being watched, in such a quiet place. He spends his time treating each of them making sure to set sprains and sew up cuts.
In the morning he prepares breakfast and some dark coffee, skipping over the tea and drinking cup after cup of coffee to help him stay awake."Breakfast and coffee is here. I've also brewed up some healing potions for those still needing it."
Once healed as best as they can be, the group makes their way to the glowing door which, whilst no longer glowing, is still present in the wall where once there was nothing but wooden boards.
Corum takes the handle and opens the door.
The spacious room beyond resembles the interior of a typical wooden country cottage. Stairs to the right of the entrance climb to balcony atop which rests a wooden table. A wooden walkway continues around the room to a small landing and another set of stairs to the left of the entrance. A third staircase leads down from the walkway to an alcove opposite the door. Crates, boxes, barrels and other mundane materials crowd the space.
The room is warm and comfortable and windows allow in bright white light, revealing a snowy landscape beyond a set of double doors which are ostensibly the eit from the Hut.
A stout human warrior, standing with axe raised and shield readied faces the double doors. His chainmail is clearly enchanted, being as it is made of thousands of links of ice. His hair is dark and long and he maintains a well-drilled readied stance.
However, he faces away from you and toward the double doors leading out of the Hut.
After a moment, it is almost as though he feels your eyes falling upon him and he slowly turns, his grimace melting into a look of utter confusion as he sees the collected group.
Oh... ummm..... well. This has never happened before...
Maybe this then... Look, I don't know what I'm supposed to do here.
Thank you Greyston, that's a welcome relief!
Sapphire gratefully accepts one of Greyston's ministrations.
As the group enter the room with the warrior, Sapphire shrugs, repeating her own response to whatever he said in Auran, common, elven, skald and sylvan
Not a clue what you are saying I'm afraid. If you can understand me though, we aren't looking for a fight, we're servants of Baba Yaga. Who are you?
They enter the room and Corum stops when he sees the warrior. He watches the man turn and sees the look of confusion on his face.
Corum sizes him up subconsciously, in the way that all warriors will, a primal instinct that weighs the chances of victory should violence erupt. The man speaks in a tongue Corum doesn't understand. He glances across to the others and shrugs.
Elleross rests soundly through the night, he bore none of the injuries the others carried and other than some bruising and some aches and pains he was unharmed.
Rising early he consults his spell book immediately, preparing his mind for the day ahead
thank you Greyston, I am famished he says as he job be the group to eat.
.....
They make their way back to the doorway and Elleross prepares himself as best he can as Corum opens the door. The Hut was as dangerous a place as he had ever been in, more so because of its unpredicable nature.
Seeing the strange warrior ahead of them he moves forward cautiously and then the warrior turns and speaks.
The language he uses is familiar to Elleross but not a tongue he speaks....the second attempt at communication however he understands with no problems.
he is confused, he doesn't know what he's supposed to do. Don't do anything rash, I will speak to him and see who he is he says to the others
my companions do not understand you, they do not speak your language. he says in draconic as he replies what do you mean you don't know what you are supposed to do? Who are you? he says to the warrior if you are one of the huts protectors, know we are not your enemies. We are allies of Baba Yaga, we are trying to find her
Well it's just that no-one has ever come through that door. he points with his axe.
I'm not a protector of the Hut, I'm a prisoner. Although I suppose she's made me a protector.
You tell me your name, old man and I shall tell you mine
He still looks very wary.
Elleross weighs up the mans words and he seems genuine enough.
He supposed he had little reason to lie about being a prisoner.
my name is Elleross Oronar, and I am also a prisoner of sorts. I am bound by magic to find Baba Yaga. I cannot do anything else unless it furthers that cause he says as he watches the warrior carefully my companions are likewise compelled by our curse. If you can speak the common tongue my friends will be able to understand you if not I will translate for them he says and he relays what has been said to the group
Sapphire tilts her head suspiciously
Well met warrior, I am Sapphire, and Elleross here tells the truth, we are bound by magic to find her. Are you able to tell us why you are a prisoner, or a guard? We are talking nicely now, will you attack us if we try to leave?
She talks calmly, though her companions note she glances irritably at the black blade sheathed on her hip, and moves her hand away from its hilt.
Answering in Common, the warrior says;
Centuries ago I was known as Ratibor the Bold. Now I suppose it would be more accurate to say Ratibor the Foolhardy. he says with a cynical shrug, lowering his axe.
What was my biggest error, my pride or trusting the witch Queen? he asks. I won't attack if you leave, my lady. I am compelled to stand here and guard from intruders entering from without. As I said I have never encountered intruders from within. Can you have such a thing?
Truth to tell it pleases me to speak with someone. How is it that she has bound you with magic?
Elleross relaxes visibly as he answers
it was not Baba Yaga herself that cursed us but rather her rider, black midnight. We sought to end the unnatural winter that gripped our homeland. Queen elvanna's evil scheme and part of her bid to usurp Baba Yaga. We found the black rider bear death and he offered to help us. He gave us each a portion of his power but it also carried a curse. he says as he explains briefly we are bound now to seek out Baba Yaga wherever she may be. Elleross looks at the warrior and wonders how old he is
what happened to you? How did you end up trapped here and forced to be her guardian?
Let me tell you the tale then.
The warrior sighs and then looks about him until he finds a chari and draws it up, sitting heavily and setting down his axe and shield beside him.
Almost 200 years ago now I think, I stood Ratibor the Bold, among the most powerful barbarian warlords of central Iobaria. The lands from Okor's Basin west to Fangard were a massive, bloody battleground among the chieftains. I commanded a vast army and held control over a territory that stretched along the western border of Fangard from the Ardshrod River to the Syrzemyan highlands.
My power and position placed me foremost to take the throne of the remnants of New Iobaria. But as has happened time and time again throughout Iobaria's history, plagues ripped through these lands and chewed through my battalions.
In months, I lost thousands of troops to disease. Desperate, I sought the counsel of his witchwomen and acting upon their advice, called upon the legendary Baba Yaga, Queen of Witches, to bargain with her for powerful magic to aid my cause. I petitioned Baba Yaga to each my witches the secrets of the mystic roots that according to legends would stave off the sickness and in return, swore an oath that I would bring her the head of one of the demon lord Kostchtchie's champions - the frost giant jarl-priest Utgaardt Hoarwind.
He shakes his head at the foolishness of the situation and how far he has fallen. COntinuing:
I promised to slay all of Utgaardt's clan and scour the Ice Steppes of Kostchtchie's worshipers. But I remained skeptical of Baba Yaga's powers. So full of ambition, arrogance, and pride was I, that I hedged my bets, forging an alliance with Utgaardt instead of slaying him as promised. To appease Baba Yaga, I brought her the head of one of Utgaardt's weaker rivals as a ruse.
She saw through it immediately. Her fury was fierce and relentless. She rallied her own allies, laid waste to my army and
kingdom, and imprisoned me here in her Dancing Hut as punishment for my arrogance and deception. Now, 200 years later, I remained cursed to guard Baba Yaga's hut against intruders.
And so ends the tale of Ratibor the Bold. he adds sadly.
Corum watches warily as the others speak to the warrior. When the man lowers his weapons Corum does the same. He introduces himself by hitting his oqn chest with his fist and saying his name. "Corum!"
He then listens as the man weaves his tale and his eyebrows raise in surprise as the man describes his once great position.
He shakes his head as the man tells of his deal with the witch queen and thinks Fool to deal with the witches!
He smiles in admiration at the man's bold ruse then listens gravely as he describes the resulting destruction ofnhis power base and the cruel curse placed on him as retribution.
"A sorry tale if ever I heard one. Cursed we all are but we are well met."
Corum steps forward and takes the man's hand in a warrior's grip, wrist to wrist.
Elleross listens intently as the warrior tells his tale and he is not surprised.
witches are not to be trusted, worse they are spiteful, cruel and vindictive.
I sympathise with your plight Ratibor, believe me when i say that I will do all I can to end your servitude. he says, the mans fate was all to close to what he had endured in his years of incarceration and he would not let him rot here forever at the whim of Baba Yaga.
we will find Baba Yaga and I will do everything I can to get her to release you. I give you my word. Somehow I will find a way
Moving forward towards the door he turns to the warrior and asks
do you know where we are? Or if there is anyone outside the hut?
"Doubly foolish. Trusted a witch and then betrayed her." Nasrin seems to have little sympathy. However, she stays near the door to the interior of the hut and makes no aggressive gesture. "What would happen if we left the hut and then came back in? Would we be intruders then?"
Iobaria. he answers Elleros. Though this thing has been all kinds of weird places. There's something moving out there, right enough. Has been since yesterday but whatever it is, it ain't come in yet so I haven't done anything about it. Can't see much from the windows either, all frosted up and I can't go outside to clean them.
He looks up at Nasrin then and shrugs saying;
Truth to tell I don't know, miss. Figure we've talked now and I wouldn't say you're intruders but if you leave and come back, and I attack, you should know it's 'cos I can't do anything else. he says grimly.
Grayston listens to the story."Foolish to double cross a witch it seems, i suppose it was a hard lesson to learn. Maybe we can find a way to free you of your curse after all his? We're heading outside we're going to take on that thing outside, if it gets in you'll be here to help us?."
Del shakes his head, loosing a low whistle. "Now that is a cautionary tale if ever I've heard one." Despite this, the affable bowman scribbles some notes furiously in his leather bound journal.
His brow then wrinkles in confusion and he looks up at Ratibor. "Wait. You'll possibly be compelled to attack us? Isn't there some way to free you of the compulsion?" His glance drifts to the powerful man's axe, "Because I will freely confess: I'm very fond of my head and it's current place atop my neck."
I suppose it wouldn't be much of a curse if you could just get around it. Ratibor says sullenly. I don't know much about magic, but I know how powerful Baba Yaga is and if she wants you cursed, you stay cursed I reckon. That's what the last two hundred years have taught me anyway.
Maybe there's a way, but damned if I know it. You seem like nice people and I'd hate to fight you.
So I take it you have never seen this configuration and been to Iobaria before then? Ratibor asks.
Sapphire raises one eyebrow in surprise
So you're aware the hut has different 'configurations' then, so what happens to you when the hut goes somewhere else?
she asks, genuinely curious.
Sorry forgive me, yes this is my, probably 'our' collectively, first time in Iobaria. Thank you for the warning about what might be outside. I fear we'll have to face it sooner or later, I can already feel tension building just from having stayed still talking for five minutes she grumbles light-heartedly.
Zorka tells me that every time it moves the layout changes. I know when we're in Iobaria because I can see out of the windows, elsewise they are just dark. he shrugs.
Right now, the hut now stands in Hoofwood in eastern Iobaria, in a region called the Dvezda Marches.
Corum says "Being trapped here as an eternal guard is no way for a warrior to live. I almost hope yiu do attack us so my axe can release you from this fate." He smiles then. "Though I hope it does not come to that. I sense in you something of my own kind."
He nods toward the window. "What can you tell us of this land?"
I have only been permitted to leave the Hut a handful of times in these past years, and this land was not part of my empire when I ruled so all I can tell you is what I know from folktales. he replies.
Beyond these doors are large tracks of snow and forest. Vurnirn is around here somewhere - it's a city of centaurs but they are generally tolerant of outsiders if you have something to trade. That's what they say anyway, like I said, I've never been there.
He scratches at his beard, trying to think of anything else useful.
My old nan used to tell me about a place called Artrosa too. She also called it "The Three Who Watch." She said it is a set of statues that climb three miles high! he says with the tone of a boy recounting a dark fairytale. Baba Yaga's own creation. The statues represent one of the three stages of womanhood — a long-haired maiden, a pregnant mother, and hunchbacked crone — and each is naked and holding up a hand in a warding gesture. She told me if I ever travelled these lands to avoid that place like the plague.
Reckon that's all I can tell you, warrior. Could describe every inch of this place in detail though if you like? he jests, showing that his time in servitude has not dimmed his sense of humour.
"Maiden, mother, and crone you say? Well if that's not what those riddlesome ravens were going on about so obliquely, I don't know what they might have been referring to." His eyes then widen as he realizes what Ratibor just said.
"Wait. Every inch? In detail? Enough detail to know where, say, all the horrible, exploding wards are within the various configurations? Because I would sure like to not get blown up inside this place."
Ah sorry friend. I was just jesting about every inch of this room. he says somewhat abashed.
Del nods, still hopeful. "Soooo... any places in here then I shouldn't step?"
The man laughs. Out that door and back in I guess! No, you're fine in here friend.