PART 1: The Snows of Summer
The sleepy village of Heldren has rarely seen so much excitement or concern. Hunters from the nearby Border Wood speak of unnaturally cold weather at the height of summer that descended on the forest just days ago. Heavy snow followed, and those who returned spoke of an uneasy presence in the woods, as well as new, dangerous predators. No one knows what this event means, but the town’s soothsayer, Old Mother Theodora, claims dark times lie ahead.
As if in proof of that dire prophecy, a badly wounded mercenary arrived in town yesterday, claiming to be a bodyguard of Lady Argentea Malassene. He told the village council that the noblewoman’s escort came under attack by bandits and strange, wintry creatures near the edge of the Border Wood. He alone escaped, and Lady Argentea was dragged away into the forest. Now the townsfolk cast fearful eyes toward the snowy forest, worried what else might emerge to threaten their peaceful village.
Ayla had been in Heldren for about a month by the time the mercenary had shown up, dividing her time between working as a scribe for the mayor and doing simple sleight of hand tricks for spare change in the town center. However, the half-elf wizard was not entirely suited for small town life and craved adventure and the dark rumours that circled around the forest seemed to be just the thing for her.
She sat at the bar in the tavern she was staying in, drinking a mug of ale as she stared into the middle distance, not really focusing on anything as she thought to herself: I can't do it by myself but no one here is willing to go into the forest, maybe I can find a traveling adventurer or four? She downed the rest of her ale and turned on her stool, keen eyes searching the crowded tavern for any potential business partners.
Elain trudged through a patch of unbroken snow at the edge of town. Though she had often felt the cold of water on her feet as she had made her way through the swamps of Ula Grove, the sensation of pulling the weight back up with her and having it slough off on the next step was alien to her. As she found her way onto the road in, the weight largely fell free of her, vanishing entirely as she reached the exposed dirt track of the town's thoroughfare.
The sight of mud intermixed with snow, the profane effect of traffic, caused her to curl her lip into a sneer. This was not what she had wanted, struggling her way up in the cold, away from her home of twenty years, but it was what the Grove demanded of her. The unseasonable cold of the last few days could only have had an unnatural source, and it was the job of neophytes like her to do one the most unpleasant of tasks that could be asked of a druid - to hunt for news from the populated districts.
She looked up, realizing a few of the townspeople were giving her sidelong glances, and dropped the sneer. Its effect, combined with that of the spear in her hand and the three shortspears on her back, could not have been positive. The people returned hurriedly to their business. Only the armed ones, watchmen and adventurers, continued to measure her.
Gossip was forthcoming - just walking down the thoroughfare Elain could overhear speculations on angry gods and wrathful demons and winter witches - but news was scant. Only a tale, oft repeated, of something out in the woods. Sometimes it was a group of lawless men, sometimes a group of feral beasts, and sometimes, in the more frantic retellings, of something that became more frightening with each new explanation, but was never the same thing twice. This isn't enough.
She had received instructions from her grove-mother to find a tavern and ask about. There's one. She entered, and shuddered from the influx of warmth.
After cresting a small rise, Lorenzo looks down on the small town lost in thought.
"I have never had a reason to visit this small village before, but today I have two before me. Picking up heavier gear in the middle of summer is unheard of in this part of Golarian, but here the snow is right in front of me, out of season as it is."
The sound of a branch snapping behind him causes him to refocus his train of thought on the figure behind him.
"And then there is her. I found her in some mad man's lab of horrors two weeks ago. The poor girl has no recollections of anything outside those walls. Maybe someone in this town will recognize her, and she can end this horrible chapter in her life."
As the young woman reaches the top of the rise, Lorenzo points down to the town and states.
"Red, this is the next closest town to where I found you. I am not familiar with its residents, as I have not been hear before, but we can ask around and see if anyone knows or recognizes you, alright?"
As red looks down to where Lorenzo points she lifts her red hood causing the manacles attached to her wrists to clink against the small amount of broken chain attached to them. Lorenzo did his best to remove the manacles but they proved to be too much for anyone he could find.
Looking down at the town Red is filed with unease seeing all the people traveling to and from the town, however she owes this man Lorenzo everything so the least she can do is follow to where he leads….and crush his enemies. With a bit of hesitation, Red nods, though being in such a crowded place is the last thing she wants.
Standing on the hill Red patiently waits for Lorenzo’s lead.
Lorenzo's eyes catch on the manacles he failed to remove.
"Come on, we'll see if they have a smithy first, to get those things off of you."
He says reassuringly, beginning to make his way down the hill into town.
"This place doesn't look like much, but it wouldn't be a bad place to get back on your feet. The girl looks like she's as strong as an ox too, if we do find a smithy maybe I can convince them to take her on as an apprentice or something. It would make something good out of this whole situation... May as well look presentable, no telling what type of townsfolk live here."
Lorenzo thinks to himself while splashing a bit of water on his face and wiping it off with a bit of cloth. Tying back his shoulder length blonde hair he wanders into the village proper with Red in tow searching for a metalworker.
Ayla spotted the human woman enter the tavern and she smiled to herself, noticing that she had an earthy sense about her. However, she looked at everything about the woman trying to discern whether or not she was an adventurer like herself.
That might be the sort of person I'm looking for. She thought to herself before standing up and retrieving her quarterstaff from where it leaned against the bar counter and approached Elain, smiling at her. "Hi there, you look like you're looking something, maybe I can help with that. I'm Ayla." She said as she blew a stray strand of her curly hair out of her face.
Ireza Harehand sat beneath a swinging sign painted with a hammer and anvil, though she was not the proprietor of the place. Armed with a dainty pair of scissors, she worked deftly to add the finishing touches to a cut-paper dragon; when the beast was completed, the strangely pale woman with the deep navy-blue hair unfurled it with a flourish.
A young boy rushed gleefully from the smithy's doorway to accept the gift; his mother followed as much to usher him back indoors as quickly as possible as to pay the papercutter for her work. The smith himself, a sturdy man, leaned out the doorway as well, to rest a hand on his wife's shoulder as he glanced briefly up and down the road.
The lady with the scissors lamented the shortage of children playing in the streets. There were few enough of their parents, let along youngsters, willing to venture from their homes in the evenings for a puppet show. Much as she had liked the town and planned to stay longer, if business was not going well, Ireza would just have to move on.
Once her payment was received for the paper toy, and her scissors were away, she turned to start towards the inn. It remained the best place in any town to find an audience. Or, better yet, more news.
With less hesitation Red follows trying not to draw too much attention but her tattered dress, along with her tattered cloak make it difficult.
As they walk Red looks around warily searching, however it is hard to tell if she is looking for the blacksmith or something else.
So lost in her search she fails to notice the woman she bumps into as Lorenzo turns toward a building with a sign depicting a hammer and anvil.
The town blacksmith is not a difficult place to find. Any townsfolk is quick to point out the hammer and anvil sign of Isker's Smithy, situated right near the town's sizable square. While Isker and his wife and son are inside the adjoining house, his daughter Xanthippe is to be found by the forge, neatly beginning to stow the tools away for the night.
Inside the tavern, the various townsfolk and farmers are beginning to stream in. The Silver Stoat is the only tavern in town, and the influx of its usual nightly patrons is beginning to show. It is a comfortable and cheerful place, and the place always seems to be buzzing with local boasts, stories, and more importantly: rumors.
Lorenzo makes his way up to the smithy and gives a smile and a wave to the girl at the forge, attempting to draw her attention.
Elain started, not expecting to have attracted attention as soon as she'd walked in the door. Some sort of trickster? Wanting to con me out of my gold?
She steadied herself and gave the woman who had approached her a lookover. She... seems pleasant enough. Or is that how they get you?
No, she concluded after another moment's thought. She raised her eyebrows in an attempt to look attentive, but could not bring herself to fake a smile. Don't let your composure fall off. You're in a crowded place. She would have just picked your pocket if she wanted to. Just go with it.
Ah. Yes. Hello. I was... I have come to see if anyone knew anything about the unusual weather. This seems to be a place where information collects.
As the words passed through her mouth, she could feel their stony texture. They struggled at times to fall out. She hoped her accent, as slight as it was, covered for it.
"In my experience it is, we seem to be looking for information about the same thing, why don't you join me at the bar and we can start there."
The wizard smiled at the druid, hoping to charm her into joining her.
This... might actually be a boon to me.
She managed to put on a small smile and moved to follow her lead. "That's fortunate. I'll join you."
Xanthippe catches Lorenzo's wave out of the corner of her eye. Curious, she sets aside her tools and steps to the edge of the forge, half-returning the smile. "Gettin' late, stranger. What'cha be needing?"
"I was wondering if the smith could help out my friend with a little problem here."
Lorenzo says, gesturing to the manacles on Red's wrists.
The wizard led the druid to the bar counter and sat down, resting her staff against the counter. "It's good that I met you, I was worried I might have to investigate this weird weather myself. Although I'd be more comfortable with a few more people."
Elain moved the stool to the immediate left of the adventurer's away from her and stood at the bar. "Have you found out anything so far?"
Upon noticing the manacles bound about the girl's wrists, Xanthippe gave the pair a strange look. "Manacles?" A pause. "Why?" she asked, suspicion lacing and drawing out the question.
"Well, let's just say she was being held against her wishes by some unsavory individual. I happened across her and I do not exactly have the tools to properly remove them myself. Honestly, if we were on the run or something we would be a little more discreet about it don't you think?"
Lorenzo posits, with an innocent, friendly smile.
"Not a thing but now's as good a time as any to start." The wizard said as she turned to the barkeep. "Hey, what have you heard about this weather?"
The druid nods. "I will ask about as well."
She wanders off into the crowd, asking some of the more wild-looking adventurers if they have seen anything.
Diplomacy:
Ireza stumbled as she half-caught the stranger. "Oh, goodness, I'm sorry," the ashen-skinned woman stammered, doing her best to steady the girl as much as herself.
Then she noticed the manacles, brows drawing together in concern as she opened her mouth. Her elder male companion (brother? uncle?) offered an explanation to the blacksmith, which the Kayal was willing enough to accept. Ireza could not imagine a reason so put a girl in irons ... ignoring that she herself had spent some time in her youth in just such a state before her patrons gave her employment as their unthief.
"I might be able to lend a hand, too, if you need it," she offered, taking a step back from the manacled youngster and eyeing her chains.
Red Jumps away nearly running into Lorenzo clearly startled by the the hands grabbing at her. She stares warily at the woman but after focusing on her face she turns and grabs a hold of Lorenzo's shirt.
Xanthippe shot Lorenzo a slightly questioning look, but his charm was enough to win her over. "Fair enough. Lemme take a look."
She goes over to inspect the manacles, frowning. "Relax. I'm not gonna hurt ya. No key?" She blandly asks, motioning to the key holes. "Eh, guess if you had it, there'd be no manacles. Never seen manacles this big before. Don't think I can break them; one moment."
She scurries off into the house, re-emerging a minute later with her father. Isker strides over to the small knot of people, crossing his burly arms and staring down at the girl with a frown. "Let me have a look, girl."
-----
Kale, the kindly woman who runs the tavern with her husband, seems to be a wealth of information when Ayla begins to question her. She says that lately, an old farmer by the name of Dansby has been complaining loudly and often that someone has been stealing whatever crops of his that haven't already been killed off by icy frosts.
She then mentions something about a local boy taking ill after falling into an icy creek nearby--- Wishbone Creek, to be precise. She clucks her tongue in sympathy, shaking her head "Poor thing. Says he saw a white stag and tried to follow it. He even said he heard it talking! Though, if you ask me, that may be the fever telling that part of the tale."
Another pause, then she sighs. "I imagine you've heard about that whole mess with lady Argentea. Attacked in the Border Wood by bandits! Imagine! I thought the High Sentinels were supposed to be keeping those bandits in the Border Wood in check. They usually do well enough, but if bandits are bold enough to attack a noblewoman's carriage! Imagine! I'd give them a stern talking to if I could. I don't pay my taxes so they can lounge about..."
Elain learns nothing of interest from the farmers gathered beyond the fact that the weather has been astoundingly unusual-- probably the coldest summer ever!
Clearly Frightened by the large man Red looks to Lorenzo Gripping his shirt tighter.
"They are here to help Red, please let them all take a look so we can get those things off of you."
He says in a kind tone to Red.
Turning to the other three gathered around he introduces himself with a short bow.
"I apologize for the odd way of introduction, but I am Lorenzo, a traveling priest of Shelyn."
Gesturing at the girl with him, he continues on.
"And this is Red. Her memory is a little fuzzy, but I think she may be from around here."
Ayla clucked her tongue at the information Kale gave her, "That's too bad, maybe someone should take care of those bandits and investigate that boy's claim?" She suggested, looking at the druid next to her. "What do you think?"
Elain scratched an itch on her temple; her shoulders were tight with frustration. She didn't like to admit it, but the unfamiliar act speaking to strangers unnerved her. At least this woman found something.
The story of the white stag, especially, interested her. She tried to recall what auspice such a creature could bring.
Knowledge (nature):
"I would like to look into the boy and his white stag. If we're dealing with unusual weather, we should be looking into the most unusual thing we can find."
From what Elain can recall, stags are not terribly uncommon in the forest. A white one, however, is certainly a rarity. Such a creature should expect a short life expectancy in Taldor, where snows only pop up in the winter... and even then winters do not guarantee snow.
Talking stags, though? That's just weird.
reluctantly Red lets go of Lorenzo's shirt and lifts her manacles up to the blacksmith.
Ireza gives the girl a pitying look, but gives her space.
"Lorenzo and Red, pleased to meet you," she replies, and bows with a flourish. "I'm Ireza. I don't live here, but I travel through often. I'm not sure if I can recall anything about a missing girl here about Red's age...."
She trails off, glancing upwards as she thinks.
(Knowledge: Local: )
"I spend a lot of time on the road, but it is my first time through this particular neck of the woods. Any information would be helpful."
Lorenzo confides in the traveler.
The closest thing that comes to Ireza's mind is the recent news of the boy that took ill after falling into Wishbone Creek whilst chasing a "talking white stag." Of a missing girl, there's been no word. Such a thing would not go unnoticed long in a town as small and quiet as Heldren.
Isker waits until Red reluctantly detaches herself from the young man's shirt before kneeling down and taking one manacled wrist in his large, surprisingly gentle hands. "Hmm..." He frowns. "Unfortunately, they're beyond my skill to break. Not without harming her in the process, at the least, and that will not do." He turned them over and over, frowning in concentration. "I could try to make a copy of the key, however. I'll need to gather some supplies first. Why not stay the night at the Silver Stoat? They'll keep you warm and fed for the night while I get the things I need."
"Well I believe that to be a sound suggestion. I'll let you get back to your family. Thank you for your time and offer Isker, we will return in the morning."
Lorenzo replies to the blacksmith jovially with a strong handshake.
"Ireza, would you be so kind as to show us the way to the Stoat?"
He asks, while taking a quick glance at the setting sun.
"Uh..." Xanthippe interjects. "It's just across the street and around the bend." She points to the visible edge of a large, low building. "See? You can see it form here."
"Thank you dear, I must have missed the sign coming in."
Lorenzo thanks the girl earnestly, and gestures for Red to follow him as he makes his way to the tavern.
Red nods and follows closely. still looking around warily
"Yes, just over here," Ireza confirms, nodding to the blacksmith with a smile before turning to walk with Lorenzo and Red in the same direction.
Then, looking to Red, she asks the girl gently, "Do you remember following a talking white stag?" Then, for Lorenzo's benefit, she continues, "I haven't heard any girls missing from town, but a boy followed a talking white stag and fell into the creek nearby. He survived, but he's been ill."
When they reach the inn, the Kayal opens the door and gestures for the other two to enter first. Though she has visited town in the past, the tension over recent events still leads her to worry a bit about what the other humans think of her - so clearly not human, however well she can play at it. Entertaining the children after dark with her puppet shows is all well and good, but the lady of the Shadow Plane wishes she could do something more to help ... and ideally fend off whatever doubts the rest of the humans have of her in the process.
Red calms down a bit when she notices not many people are left in the streets.
At the sound of the Woman's voice Red is still startled, however after staring at her for a moment calms down then looks to Lorenzo with a confused expression.
Stepping into the tavern Lorenzo takes a quick assessment of the patrons and makes hit way up to the bar. Looking at the bartender, he asks.
"You have two rooms available for the night?
Kale smiles apologetically at Lorenzo's inquiry for rooms. "I apologize, but this is only a simple tavern. Travelers aren't very common here in town. I can offer a warm comfortable spot by the hearth tonight, though, if you wish..."
"Well I won't turn down a warm place on a cold night such as this. I can at the very least give you the latest gossip from Taldor."
Lorenzo offers, knowing full well how information gets circulated in towns such as these.
"Oh?" Kale quirks an eyebrow. "News and gossip are always welcome 'round here."
Lorenzo pulls up a stool, take a seat and leans slightly over the bar.
"Well I just came from Oppara and apparently some cult to Zyphus has sprung up there. There was this opera show that was supposedly interrupted by them, and it was said that..."
Ayla listens idly to Lorenzo's story before chiming in. "That's the sort of thing that happens in Oppara, it has to do with them wanting to live in the past." The wizard looks at the cleric and barbarian. "Hey. I'm Ayla."
Lorenzo reaches out and pulls a second stool closer to the conversation. Giving the half-elf a warm smile he gestures to the stool.
"Please Ayla, have a seat and join us. My name is Lorenzo and I hail from Oppara. The nobles may not be able to see beyond what they were centuries ago, but us regular folk still have to get by in the present."
He finishes with a chuckle.
He then leans in and quietly asks, while making a small head nod towards Red.
"I don't know if you are from here, but if you have been around the area is anyone missing a family member that looks like her?"
Red tightens her grip on Lorenzo's shirt as yet another person approaches. She stares at the woman's face for a moment then looks away slightly relieved, yet not relaxed.