Snjorrin nods at the Half-hand's words.
"This one agrees, it would be best if the group remained together. Your enemies are numerous, and giving them better odds at crushing you by splitting-up would be folly. However, by the same token, it would be best if the exposure of the locals to any fallout from your actions could be limited. This place can be used as a location to rest and recuperate, but its inhabitants should not be co-opted as combat allies - they still have to live here after you have all gone, and I am sure that the replacements for those you seek would be all to happy to lay blame at their door..."
Nadya shows a thin smile of appreciation "Thankyou for the offered kindness... but I need to go to the Pale Tower alone. I mean you no ill... but I cannot risk your presence at the exchange chilling the chance of seeing my Thora again. My sledsmen will help with me the supplies... and once the exchange is made, then you have my blessing and assistance to move against them where you may."
"If you have need of supplies, there are some stores in town... just keep your words brief and gold visible and you should not face much resistance."
If left unattended, Bastagar will wander about the house, peering into cupboards and creeping around corners. Despite his usual behaviour, Bastagar takes great care not to disturb or pilfer any of Nadya's belongings, out of respect for his fey hosts. Bastagar whistles a tune, hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive spirit.
"This one counsels that maintaining a low profile is probably the best option, if at all possible. That one," he says, pointing at Hilde, "will attract entirely the wrong sort of attention... That said, a supply run might be worthwhile, if there are things that you need."
The talk of missing children having reinvigorated Kelgar, who wistfully remembers his own sons and daughter, he groans as he stands and begins to pace the room, yet never wanders too far from the fire.
"Aye, ah'm not a fan o' ye headin' into this den o' evil alone, lass. How d'ye nae know it be a trap ye be walkin' in'ta? Perhaps ye should take at least one o' us along. T'would nay be tha' unseemly since with such supplies ye'd be a likely target en route?"
Snjorrin shakes his head.
"Taking an obvious outsider in with her would place her more at risk than if she went in alone..."
Nadya smiles, but shakes her head "My sledsmen will be standing with me, you need not concern yourselves."
"We will trust you know what you're doing. You've great strength to be doing what you are." The Halfhand says. "Make sure you do not run afoul of witchcraft. We will be expecting your return."
Kelgar grumbles to himself under his beard as his brain works through some mental calculations at how self-sufficient the sledsmen may be if the evils of the Pale Tower decide the quickest way to get their goods is to simply butcher those who delivered them.
Bastagar watches the exchange from his perch atop a nearby cupboard, creaking under his weight. His raspy voice appears in the ears of those gathered.
""a Puck's shrewd eye,
If this one desires...
Shall tell good masters
all that transpires.
Bastagar knows,
one thing but this.
Dog-woman's eyes,
shall catch nothing amiss."
Kelgar wagers that the sledsmen could hold off an assault by bandits, or wild animals, but that an assault by trained guardsmen or monstrous foes would ride roughshod over them.
Here is a list of what we've got. We've got prices for very little of it, which is why I was hoping for more information.
Small mirror from troll
+1 Manslayer spear
Potion of cure moderate wounds
Scrolls: remove curse, resist energy, 2 liquid ice, 4 featherstep
Thunderstone
Iron coffer
4 blue quartz "ice diamonds"
Silver diadem
Near flawless diamond
Jeweled necklace
Painting of Whitethrone
Three sapphire rings
Decorative filigree longsword scabbard
Small scrimshaw sculpture of dancing sprites surrounding a piping satyr.
2,899 gp, 9 sp in various coinage
I am not counting any of Olaf's gear as Hilde didn't take any. Nor am I counting any gear the black rider might have had, I don't recall him having any.
I believe that is it. Hilde does not have any ranks in Appraise and would not be good at it if she did. I should think Nadya would be extremely good at it however, so why don't we ask her.
We discussed previously how we wanted to do loot and if I remember correctly, it was sell everything we didn't want and divide proceeds. Anything that someone wanted/needed generally went to them.
Hilde doesn't really want anything here and is saving for the following items instead:
Masterwork spiked light shield
Masterwork full plate
Magical rapier or scimitar
Masterwork long composite bow with +3 str
Strength belt
Those are her long term item goals, I know that it will be many levels before she gets some of them. This is why Hilde is only really interested in gold.
Black rider didn't have any gear on him. I'll get you some gold values on the trade goods in thread a bit later on.
Thanks for backtracking for us, Hilde. I'll keep track of the loot from now on, if you like. I think up until now we'd done it all in the discussion thread. I suppose Olaf's death kind of distracted us.
"We'd best take this time to prepare. Trade. Buy." The Halfhand says, glancing over the assembly of non-humans. "We may draw too undue attention, even with new clothing. I can go if it suits."
The Halfhand spends some time trading with the locals - Mainly the exchange of goods for herbs, roots and reagents with which to make his inks. Little conversation is had beyond what is required for business, with the Halfhand asking very few questions and answering even less.
Hilde is ready to move on. Once Nadya returns with her child, she's going to try to get what intel she can on the tower so they can decide how to proceed.
You cautiously make your way into Waldsby to make sales of what you have liberated in your journeys so far and to seek further items to fortify your will and intent. The locals eye you with a very wary eye, and many openly stare as you come past - but through hunched shoulders and furs pulled tight you allay much of their piercing eyes. Most of your transactions are carried out at Verana’s Sundries, where the matronly proprietor is gruff and perfunctory.
The town itself is eerily familiar, bearing many accoutrements that remind you of Heldren... a statue of a woman in the town square, the White Weasel inn, the presence of a dwarvish barber. It is almost as though Waldsby is a twisted and frozen imitation of the Ulfen town across the border and beyond the icy portal through which you strode.
The day however passes with reasonable speed and without incident. The ability to warm your bones in an actual house and lie down without the encroach of snow to your skin is most restful. Nadya's twin boys are kept from you for the most part of the day, but you catch interested eyes lingering upon you through a window, around corners and a few snatches of muttered conversation. Hatch does not show himself whether you look or not... but the fae among you feel his presence, and the hackles on Halfhand's neck are raised by his unseen watching.
The next morning Nadya heads out early with her sleds and supplies, ably assisted by her sledsmen. She is clearly worried and anxious, but manages a wan smile before she slips outside... into light snow that has begun to fall...
"Some welcome time to work on my runecraft..." The wizard says, settling down to begin his work. "Let me know if you have need of my magic."
Nadya asked that we remain, so I recommend that we do so. If willing however, I think it would be beneficial if The Halfhand were to send Ormyr.
We will see what she says when she gets back then. I don't want to go and endanger her child.
Nadya's twins keep themselves out of your way in their room while Nadya is gone to the tower. While you wait you notice that a few of your possessions seem to have been moved or organised in the night. Bastagar and Halfhand in particular finding that a few of their pockets were emptied without their knowing. Though after a short search they are recovered from a cupboard where they have been neatly stacked.
Nadya's return to the house is heralded by the yapping of her dogs before you hear the slamming of doors outside and a fleshy thump of a body against the wall. Soon after soft sounds of sobbing and shedded tears can be detected by those that listen carefully.
"Could have sworn... Filthy little... Won't get this one..." The Halfhand mutters incomprehensibly as he stalks about the house, clutching his spellbook to his chest as his wild eyes wander about the rooms.
It is Ormr who first picks up on the sounds, bringing them to the wizard's attention with a sharp nip.
"They return." He says, to nobody in particular. "... and with ill news, it seems."
He doesn't even seem to hesitate, striding briskly over to the door and passing through into the winter chill.
The wind whips about him as he pushes through the snow to the dog kennels, and he finds himself standing at the door. But only now does he pause to wonder what he's doing out here, and wonder why he even cared. It wasn't even about her. It wasn't about the child. Those things didn't matter to him.
"... Nadya?" His voice is almost lost on the wind. "Are you in there?"
As he stands there, his hand pressed flat against the wooden door, listening to the sounds of a grieving mother... he feels his stomach turn. There was no way he could sympathize with her. He never knew love like that. But he does know anger. And vengeance. Those were emotions he could do.
From within the kennel Halfhand can hear a cough and few deep breaths as though the person within were composing herself, before she calls out in an unsteady voice "Da... I am here."
Hilde stops in the middle of cleaning up from the lunch of dark bread and sausage prepared by Cearb, the sound of Nadya's grief cutting through her like a knife.
I should have gone. I should have insisted on going.
Worthless thoughts now, like all recriminations, too little and too late.
Motioning the others to follow, Hilde steps out behind The Halfhand, stepping in his wake through the deep snow. Upon reaching the kennels, the young paladin steps up beside the wizened mage, ready for the worst.
Kelgar's pacing begins to wear down a path on the rugs in Nadya's home while he grumbles lowly under his beard.
He is among the first to set foot out in the snow upon hearing the return of their hostess, forgetting to grab his cloak and hat as hustles across the white landscape toward the kennel.
With a nod to Halfhand, he voices the inquiry rolling about his head that felt like an eternity coming since he made the hundred-foot journey from hearth to kennel. He leans against the door and talks just loud enough so his voice can be heard within.
"Ach lass, dinnae not go as planned?"
Bastagar skirts along the treeline, staring from the boughs of the great pines. He watches the compassionate gestures of the party with some curiosity, as if he can't quite comprehend them.
Snjorrin follows the others out, but keeps a respectful distance.
"As a rule, the Jadwiga are as cold and unforgiving as the ice they love so much... the best course of action is usually to try and remain unnoticed. It generally does not end well for those that attract their attention..."
Bastagar's view from the trees outside is not particularly grand... being mostly of snow and the exterior of the kennels.
Opening the door to the kennels, you see Nadya slumped in a seated position against the wall with cheeks still wet from tears. She looks up at Kelgar with a wan trembling smile that is betrayed by the utter defeat communicated by her glistening eyes. "No... not as planned. The witch Nazhena is not there... but her bastard pupil Radosek did not hold to our bargain. He turned me away... I did not even see my Thora." breaking down into tears again "To see her again, run my hands through her flaxen hair and cradle her to my breast"
Bastagar slinks closer to the kennels, eyes widening and lips twisting into a smile. "Bastagar knows! Bastagar knows where woman's child is." he offers, cheerfully, pointing a finger at Caerb. "He took her!"
Nadya's head whips around to take in Bastagar's accusation and shock is writ large across it "What?... wh-what do you mean?"
The connection is made.
"Hush, you cretin!" The Halfhand snarls at the gnome, trying to shoo him away.
"Ignore the little one's screeching. He knows not of what he speaks." the Halfhand says, turning back to her. "Nadya... We must talk about your daughter."
"Broken apart, they did! Broke her apart to tiny little pieces." he says, shrilly. He looks around, wide-eyed and bewildered, as if wondering why everybody else gathered isn't enjoying this as much as him.
Snjorrin listens to Bastagar's wild claims impassively, before interjecting:
"Why is this one claiming that you have dismembered Nadya's child? If that one's claims are not true, and his sense, as well as his colour, have been drained away, keep him from speaking further, but if what he says is true, you have some explaining to do... Perhaps you are not the ones that this one thought you were," he says, glancing significantly at Hilde.
Hilde gives The Halfhand time to relate the tale of the icy tombs and the elevated hut in the clearing. Without ever interrupting him, she makes it clear that she supported everything the party did at every step - dispelling the girl's ghost, killing the doll, smashing the gem and not burning the hut.
Hilde puts on a compassionate face, showing her sympathy for the grieving mother that belies her unflinching words.
"If thy child's spirit,
I cannot ken, but dread.
Evil names, yet matters not,
until all souls rest dead.
The Tower Fallen, Ice Hag's Doom,
the morrow's song we knew today.
Once we've done and must move on,
other children, thy'll show the way."
She also says, they were already planning to hit the Tower soon and expects to do so still. After they have done so, she expects Nadya and the other locals will hit the neighboring huts, freeing the spirits there.
While her tone is caring and she is sympathetic, it is clear that Hilde doesn't really understand death the way a human does and that it does not occur to her that the current situation might change anything. Her demeanor is caring, but her words are somewhat callous.
Snjorrin listens to Hilde, nodding at certain parts, and shaking his head at others.
"All this one knows is that this group here will find the Keys, and help keep the Great Crone safe. If that means storming the tower, this one will assist.
Do *not* encourage the locals to destroy the local border huts, though: From what you have said, the one that you encountered was an aberration, not a part of the normal 'border defense' of Irrisen... If they destroy the actual border huts, that will bring the full might of the Jadwiga down upon them, and they will not survive.
If a party of outsiders were to strike against *one* particular Jadwiga, however, the fallout from that would be unlikely to destroy the locals..."
He then shrugs.
"This one does not make the laws, here, but Irrisen is a harsh place, where the Jadwiga's whims are law, and where mortals are essentially second-class citizens; for example, in Whitethrone, crossing a Jadwiga will often get one sent straight to the Bone Mills, where one's bones will be literally ground down to make flour for bread..."
Nadya is at first angered, before some degree of confusion, followed by a sadness that overcomes her. She slumps back against the wall, though this time her sadness is more profound and does not engender tears "So she is dead then... my Thora... the b1tch lied in more ways than one then." numb to many of the words that follow, though still listening.
At Hilde's talk of the commoners rising up she scoffs "Your heart has far too much of the sun within it if you think that the folk of Waldsby will rise up against the witches. If you had walked into the town without hiding the fact you are from beyond the borders most of those within would have sold you without a moments thought."
She sits numb for a while longer "You should seek to speak with Hatch... if he'll give you his ears. He is of the Pale Tower... and would be able to speak of what will await you there... Do not tell my sons I am back yet... I... I need time before I have the will to face them."
The Halfhand gives the woman a nod, closing his eyes.
"Nadya." he begins. "In my homeland, there are no such things as favours. All services demand payment... and by aiding us, you've done us a great service indeed."
The Chelaxian pauses for a moment. "As such... your payment is still due. If there is anything you would have us do, just say the word."
Nadya looks at the Halfhand with thanks, but without a smile. She gestures to Hilde "It seems you've intent enough without my blessing... I only ask that if you find Nazhena... you extend her the same kindness she did my daughter."
"This one has never dealt with the spells necessary to do such a thing before, but is certainly willing to try... Are there any appropriate gems that could be used as a focus? Failing that, Nazhena's existence on this plane can at least be terminated."
"This one recommends moving as quickly as possible. The more time is allowed to elapse, the more likely it is that the inhabitants of the Tower will learn of the presence of outsiders in town, and take appropriate steps..."
Bastagar, satisfied that he has contributed what knowledge he can, does not tarry to see the woman's reaction. He slinks back toward the house in hopes of finding Hatch.
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Hilde nods her head to Nadya, unlike The Halfhand, considering their debts to have been paid to each other - Nadya having delivered them to the Tower and they having laid her daughter to rest.
Calling Bastagar over to the kitchen table, she prepares to call out Hatch. Reaching into her pack, she pulls out some dried wild flowers, a frozen, mummified crow, a long piece of string, some dried berries, and a long knife.
Withdrawing to the shadows near the back door, she crushes the flowers in a bowl, tosses in the dead crow wrapped in the string and adds the berries. Lighting the entire concoction ablaze, she slices her palm with the knife, spilling her blood into the mix.
"Come in the stillness,
Come in the night,
Come soon,
To set things right.
Beckoning, beckoning,
Left hand and right,
Come Hatch,
I call for you tonight!"