Zethyris shows restraint, and waits for Savol's response. The others summarized well enough. Let's see how Savol reacts...
Savol listens intently to everyone, waving off the bag for now, before turning to Theo, "And what is it you want from me and my people in return for whatever it is you're offering? A crown? Your own piece of land to rule over? A dragon's hoard?"
"Nothing so petty or easily squandered."
"Then what?"
"Freedom to travel as far south as it takes to never see snow again and from a cursed blade with my life and soul intact."
"I see, what makes you think I have the power to do either and what do you have to offer in exchange?"
"In eight days time, on the anniversary of Baba Yaga's first daughter's birth the Queen's heir will perform a ritual to open a rift between the realms allowing our Progenitor's amassed power and servants entrance into our world wherein your war will end and the nation of Irrissen will become an unstoppable empire that will probably conquer most of the continent and turn the entire world into a frigid wasteland like the one we stand in now. In exchange for my curses being lifted I will tell you exactly where this ritual will occur and how get past the army protecting the location. After all, a Linnorm King making a request to a high priest is far more likely to be answered favourably than from a questionable swordsman with my family history."
"give me a moment to consider your words."
"Of course."
Theo steps back well out of earshot and waits [ooc](And shows no signs of casting any spells or attempting to eavesdrop)[/b] while Savol turns to all of you.
"This is grave news. Do you feel that he is telling the truth, can he be trusted or is this a ruse to draw us away and weaken our foothold?"
"I have heard that something of this sort happens every 100 years or so marking a new dynasty to bear the White Crown for the next century. . . If what he says is true . . . It could mean saving the world and possibly the destruction of the yolk trapping our lands and people. If it is a trap . . . Then we would be in circumstances most dire."
"I place my trust in you sire to lead us to victory, but our foe is well entrenched and has resources at its disposal while we must scrape together basics to continue to operate in the occupied territories. We need some sort of miracle or the right opportunity to strike at the head of the serpent. Perhaps this is indeed that opening, but we must also consider our enemy knows our position and thus how best to tempt us into error."
Zethyris blinks. "If what he says is true..." he begins, before trailing off as he considers the implications. He shakes his head ruefully, and continues. "This could be a disaster. He seemed sincere when he spoke to us before, and with a threat of this magnitude I don't think we can afford to not check up on this."
"Ana, does this sound likely? At the least, is he right about the timing?"
Zethyris blinks. "If what he says is true..." He shakes his head ruefully. "This could be a disaster. He seemed sincere when he spoke to us before, and with a threat of this magnitude I don't think we can afford to not check up on this."
"Ana, does this sound likely? At the least, is he right about the timing?"
"Then it's settled. I will entrust this dire task to all of you while I rally the army and make a push for Whitethrone in hopes of drawing as much of Irrissen's forces towards me as possible and away from you. Speak with Julianda and Toopil about supplies you may need." Savol then turns to Theo, "You will take these champions in my stead to disrupt or prevent this ritual and in exchange you have my word that when you return with them from this mission I will do everything in my power to remove your curse."
"Wait, that was not the deal. I will tell you where."
"No. You will take them and help them in this task or there will be no deal. If you wish to be free from Irrissen then you must earn your freedom. Freedom has no value if it hasn't been earned or fought for."
Savol then turns away and gives Theo no more chance to respond. "I am glad that all of you have returned safely but it seems that again time is against us. The celebrations of your success will have to wait, but the stories you will have to tell will outshine all others in the last hundred years." he opens his hands to Skallangbiorn and when the crown is handed over his eyes seem to glow with reverence. "The war crown. I never dared to hope that it would be in such good shape or that you would find it so easily. Time and again you have all proven yourselves worthy beyond kenning. Thank you for this, and for your friendship and companionship. When this war is over I will make sure that you all finally have a chance to enjoy your lives."
"This could be a trick, and a dangerous one, but if true... we could win the war and save thousands of lives that would otherwise be taken, yes, my lord. I'd risk it, and gods help us if we were wrong."
Savol then turns away and gives Theo no more chance to respond. "I am glad that all of you have returned safely but it seems that again time is against us. The celebrations of your success will have to wait, but the stories you will have to tell will outshine all others in the last hundred years." he opens his hands to Skallangbiorn and when the crown is handed over his eyes seem to glow with reverence. "The war crown. I never dared to hope that it would be in such good shape or that you would find it so easily. Time and again you have all proven yourselves worthy beyond kenning. Thank you for this, and for your friendship and companionship. When this war is over I will make sure that you all finally have a chance to enjoy your lives."
"Be wary, my lord. A dark spirit clung to the crown for a time, and I am unsure how long its reach extends. If I may advise? Have those capable of sensing evil examine it closely, and make sure purification magics are used on it even if nothing is found," Rutilux would rather die than discover he turned a tainted object over to Savol so his voice has an undertone of quiet but strong request.
"Yes, please have Julianda consult the spirits of the ancestors about the crown."
"And I am honored to be entrusted with this mission."
Even if we fail we will die knowing that we fought and died in true Ulfen fashion. Let it never be said that the Sons and bannersmen of the Ursine ever knelt before the White Throne. Let my fallen ancestors know that I fought to free our ancestrorial lands and bled on our stolen soils.
Jediah stoically nods his head at Savol's request and will equip himself as soon as he can, searching out elixers that will heal his wounds as well as stand as tall as the mountains.
Julian finally shows himself again, certain that none of the potential threats he had observed were in need of immediate elimination. "It is good to see you, sire, and even better to have been granted such an auspicious mission. The winter witches will not succeed, I vow on my life and honor."
After being left to secure supplies and gear everyone meets back a little over an hour later and rides out to Theo together. The young man has pulled out a dark greyish brown robe and donned it while you were gone making his armoured guise look more like a normal traveller. "Are you ready? It will take us several days to reach the ritual site and I'd rather not make any appearances in any inhabited areas." after receiving nods of accent he turns his mount and begins to ride off mostly north east.
Five days in the saddle and you've managed to cross most of the southern region of air risen and turned northwards around the edge of the frozen lake. The journey was mostly boring considering the lack of flora and fauna on the dusty frozen lands. A few times you were attacked by wild dogs and other animals but nothing was any real threat and you managed to scare off or slay them without trouble.
Near evening on the fourth day Theo stops and points vaguely up the coastline towards a rocky outcropping that hangs over the lake's surface. "There. That's the place. The ritual will take place there an hour past sunrise in three days. As you can see there's an camp of bloodthirsty soldiers at the base. Probably wolves considering the importance of the site." he turns and meets eyes with everyone, "How do you wish you proceed? I for one have little to no faith in our odds with a direct assault"
Meanwhile, Ana had wandered off into a nearby trench - and pondered over why the Cleric of the group is so needlessly mean - and why Theo instantly recognized her as a person with bad hair. When she returns a couple of hours later, she is shocked to hear that she just missed Savol and his army.
With wide eyes she asks: "What? Savol was here? Why did nobody tell me? I was just over there - " gesturing towards the trench where she had been hiding "You should have called me! Now Savol will think I have a grudge against him."
"We should have called you," Rutilux agrees, "But I doubt he thinks any such thing."
Near evening on the fourth day Theo stops and points vaguely up the coastline towards a rocky outcropping that hangs over the lake's surface. "There. That's the place. The ritual will take place there an hour past sunrise in three days. As you can see there's an camp of bloodthirsty soldiers at the base. Probably wolves considering the importance of the site." he turns and meets eyes with everyone, "How do you wish you proceed? I for one have little to no faith in our odds with a direct assault"
"I tire of deception, but I do see your point. What if any authority would they recognize to receive new orders to go elsewhere?"
Thorvald describes the werewolf lord that bested him in the village. "Is that man known to you Theo? Could he be here?"
Looking blankly at Rutilux, "Nothing short of the Queen's arrival I'd wager. There's only one or two besides her that they'd listen to and one of them is probably down there in charge."
He then turns to Thorvald as he listens to the description. "Yes, I know of that creature. I don't know what his real name is but his men and my cousin's called him Wulfgaar. Him and his werewolves are mercenaries hired by the Queen to bolster the border and spread chaos. He works for a, ...man, named Margrave I think. Creepy older man who always looks like he knows your secrets and can't decide if he wants to share them. Its possible that Wulfgaar may be here if they could convince him that there was going to be a worthy opponent for him, otherwise he'll still be on the border looking for the Kodiak."
Jediah is just a hanging around. Once a mountain always a mountain.
"Then perhaps he will find Savol and the death he so desires. . . I think I know of this Margrave. . . But, as to the matter at hand, I am not sure how we should approach this. Julian and Zethryis could try to get closer and gain more intelligence, but we must be mindful of the magic at the witches disposal. Julian is best suited equipped as he is with his ring."
"We cannot afford any missteps . . . "
Julian and Zethyris perhaps?
"Zeth may have way surpassed my swordsmanship, but he'd just slow me down scouting."
Julian seems to vanish into the snow.
"Modest as always," Rutilux directs to the empty space that used to hold Julian, "I hope he remembers to work the wind so there's less chance of his scent getting caught."
Zethyris rolls his eyes. "I'll go take a look too. If he gets caught alone, he's in trouble. I'll try to stay far enough away I won't be magically detected."
Zethyris slips silently after Julian, keeping an eye on the ninja in case of trouble. He sticks to a safe distance, but watches the camp while he's at it.
Skallangbiorn has been content to remain silent. The meeting with Savol and the following days he'd spent in quiet preparation with his god. The weapon master at the whetstone, the whisk and scape against the sword as the cleric summons all the wisdom his Great Lord will provide.
Each night he spends alone in prayer, the fourth night embarking upon a ritual for the coming conflict. All the missions he'd undertaken in the name for the Kodiak he burned onto his skin; the shape of a claw crossed with a raven's feather along his right forearm. "Till your sword lay broken on the field, shall I seek the blood of your enemies, Great Lord in Iron. Shield your servant from impurities, keen the edge of your weapon, send me into the enemy's heart..."
----------------
As the scouts drift away silently Skallangbiorn considers another option. "Should we draw them out? Select our own battlefield to reduce the main element...then an end around to take the ritual site?"
Julien and Zethryis make their way closer to towards the encampment quietly and carefully but about two hundred feet away Zethyris stops suddenly and starts looking around while trying to frantically yet quietly signal to Julien...
-----------
Theo looks at the war priest, "The point is to survive long enough to stop the ritual right? We still have three more nights before that. Charging into overwhelming odds isn't the kind of plan I want any part of. Why not wait for them to return? We have time to find a weakness to exploit."
"Theo, what do you know about this ritual? Is there any reason to conduct it here in this particular location? Can we do anything to this site to disturb it - to make it useless for the ritual? Is there a reason why it has to happen in exactly three nights?"
"I don't know if it must happen then, only that it occurs on the birthday of Baba Yaga's first daughter. I've heard rumours that formation is where she first set foot upon these lands but I don't know if they're true and I was never important enough to be given any details."
"I wonder if it is just a piece of ground or if there is some type of complex there. I am sure the scouts will find out for us."
Zethyris stops abruptly. "Thanks for the warning," he thinks to Clarisse.
Zethyris takes a close look around, checking to see if anyone is nearby. If there is no sign of anyone, he slips his bow out and launches an arrow near Julian, in an attempt to signal him.
"Success is our goal, not just glory, perhaps a mix of the plans. We could try to peel some off, but there's no guarantee that enough will be pulled away. Let's see what our scouts report if anything," Rutilux suggests , "Though if they get into trouble, we may have to rescue them."
"This is a one time chance. The White Crown will commit any resource it has to prevent the ritual from being interrupted. We cannot tip our hands. If success meant sacrificing one of our number it would be inconsequential to the survival of our entire world. We can only hope Julian does not misstep or if he does, Zethyris can reel him back. Heh heh, it had played out that way more than once."
Skallangbiorn waits patiently. "The battle will be upon us, one way or the other."
He keeps watch until the others return, seeking to keep his mind calm for what's to come.
Jediah does warm-up exercises.
Zethyris warily scans his surroundings and seeing no one else fires an arrow in Julien's rough vicinity, or at least where he thinks he is, and waits for the ninja to notice the shot and his gestures. Eventually he can be seen skulking close enough for his silhouette to show against the night sky.
From your vantage points this far away, roughly two hundred to two hundred and fifty feet away, you can see that the camp is indeed massive and filled with soldiers, worgs and even a few winter wolves skulking about. Without some form of magic there is no way you'll be able to get through undetected. To make matters worse, thanks to Zethyris' sword's warning you also know that the perimeter is warded or magically trapped.
The rocky outcropping stretches out into the water for another forty feet past the shore and its surface is rough and pitted. The top of the cliff or Mesa is less than sixty feet high and juts out even farther over the lake leaving a dark and foreboding shadow over the waters
"I'm not sure if your ring will protect you from the magical wards. Do you want to risk it?"
[spoiler=Scouts]
"Okay. I'll report back with our initial findings, so we can start working on a plan."
Zethyris creeps back towards the others, and details his findings.
"We got to roughly two hundred to two hundred and fifty feet away before Clarisse noticed a magical alarm or trap around the place. From that distance, we saw that the camp is massive and filled with soldiers, worgs and even a few winter wolves skulking about. Even if we could ignore the magical wards, there are far too many enemies to sneak in.
The rocky outcropping where the ritual is going to be stretches out into the water for another forty feet past the shore and its surface is rough and pitted. The top of the cliff or mesa is less than sixty feet high and juts out even farther over the lake leaving a dark and foreboding shadow over the waters."
"Our options aren't looking that great. Fight through an entire encampment who will know we're coming, or try to approach from the lake side, and climb a 60 foot cliff while avoiding detection. If we're seen, we're pinned down."
"Julian is waiting longer to try and spot any leaders or get more information."
"Do you know how their alarm works? Is it triggered when you get too close to the site? Or only when you cross a certain line?"
"If it is the latter, I might know a way to get from A to B, without actually crossing the distance between those two places. A form of teleportation, you could say. The catch is I won't be able to get all of us across. Only four of you per day - and even those not all at once."
Skall considers the information. "What of dispelling the ward? Will such an action alert the caster?"
(aid another - Ana)
Jediah pulls out the magical fey rope that he got long ago from the fey in the forest. I have the fey rope from long ago as well as a magical ring that aids climbing(+5 climb). So we can try going across the water and up the cliff.
Your silent vigil over the camp and the night ticks away is rather quiet with only a few silhouettes revealing themselves in the dim campfire light most are humanoid but there is one that you seen every once in a while that is obviously a large wolf of some sort. The third time you see it pass in front of the firelight it stops and raises its snout to the sky sniffing earnestly...
A short while later you notice that there is a bit of commotion in the camp. Its hard to tell but there's some activity at this edge of their camp.
If we have it as a scroll, the cleric can cast it. Then we could take 6 between Skall and Ana
"The rope maybe best. I hate to leave Sunfire behind but..." Rutilux is whispering when it becomes apparent there is commotion in the camp
Jediah fidgets at the sounds of activity in the camp
"We'd still need to avoid detection on the way in - I don't relish the thought of being caught climbing up a cliff while magic and arrows are flung our way."
-------------------------
Zethris taps Julian on the shoulder. "Let's go take a look and see what's happening."
"I for one don't like the idea of climbing, but Jediah is quite proficient if there is an advantage to try that route. A sniper above would be quite an advantage. If Ana could attack from on high it might be advantageous."
Thorvald notices the others hearing the disturbance.
"Oh no, please for the love of the gods do not let it be Julian starting the party prematurely."
That is Julian. We say 'Don't do the thing', and he goes 'LOL I did the thing.'
Skallangbiorn draws his blade and awaits the development.
"Actually, if you want me to be up high, Thorvald ..." Ana rummages through her stuff and produces a piece of parchment. "... I purchased one of these. Scroll of flying. So, what now? Is that the moment where we forget about the plans we had made and charge into battle?"
"It shouldn't be time for the ritual yet. Let us see what's happening first."
"Yes, if the trap springs too early we, Savol and possibly the entire world could be lost."