Velkirth simply shrugs. Sure, why not.
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Freyr simply nods. "There is a woman, living in the mountains high above the treeline. She is called Black Alys. Once, long ago, she was one of the Blackravens. Now, she lives alone, surrounded by beasts of forest and fields. She knows things - and I think she knows who this person who killed those Ravens might be. I trust no one here to find her. Will you seek her out?"
Ragnar scratches his beard before answering.
"Uh wuhll- fuhm wuh' uh suh, suhm uhff uz uh skuhll'd uhn wuhd-cruhvt. Shuhduhn buh tuh huhd tuh fuhnd huh. Duh shuh luhv uhn buhhd tuhms? Shuhd wuh uhggzbuckt tuhbbuh fuhm huh?"
Translation:
Svlak nods, cocks his head as if listening to voices others cannot hear, and says "If she was a Blackraven, but is no longer, why did she leave? And if you don't know who to trust amongst the Blackravens, and are asking us, outsiders to help, then why do you trust her?"
Velkirth simply stands his ground, taking his cue from Ragnar.
"Wuh wuhll duh't, Fruh', uhll uh uhzk uhz muh uhnfuhmushuhn. Wuhll yuh uht luhzzt tuhll uhz uhf duhz uh truhll luhding tuh duhz whhhmmn? Luhndmuhcks tuh fuhnd uh wuh?"
Diplomacy:
Translation:
Kari sighs loudly and turns to leave.
"Ridiculous," she snarls, throwing her hands up. "How is this creature to command when none can even understand his speech! Sooner allow my bear to lead."
Ragnar shrugs. Despite his ruined throat, it's clear his next remark is sarcastic.
"Uhf yuh've nuht duh puhshuhnz, Svuhk uh Vuhkuhth cuhld suhnd muh spuhch uht fuh 'ou... nuhzz uhn sluhluh, suhnz yuh huhv suhj tuhbbl luhzuhnuhn."
Translation:
Cocking an eyebrow at Kari, Shou Zhen says to Frey I don't believe anyone objects to the mission itself, but our leader (he says this with no trace of sarcasm) requests directions to find this "Black Alys", specifically a trail to follow, or landmarks to look for. If you have it a map would be even better.
Karl nods at Shuo's words and moves to stand behind Ragnar's right shoulder, facing Freyr.
Point us in the right direction and we'll find this Black Alys.
He purposefully ignores Kari's outburst.
Velkirth leans his head towards Kari, his voice pitched low. The choice in our representative isn't ideal. We must simply deal with it for now. In the field is another matter. Remember they have the bear you hold so dear in their possesion so it's best to keep a civil tongue for now.
Ragnar nods.
"Fuh nuhv. Wuhll guht uhn duh truhl whuhn uh uhckubmuht uhz ruhtuhnd."
Translation:
"Civil?" she returns, and cocks an ashen eyebrow in a quizzical manner. "Tell me, what about the crossbows aimed at our backs was civil?" she hisses.
"The walls of men limit them.
"Make no mistake," Kari says from the back of the room. "This hall is a prison."
"Thank you for the guide, I agree with Ragnar, once we are re-equiped for the road, we should be ready to hear what Black Alys has to say." Svalk turns to face the door, ready to head out, takes a step towards it, then halts mid-step, tilts his head as if hearing something, and turns around to Freyr again.
"What exactly is our official status with the rest of the Black Ravens? Will they be told that this was all a misunderstanding and we're leaving, or that we're working directly for you, or something else entirely?"
"To find this....Alys then? Right, the sooner started, the sooner we get this business finished." ...that or turned into a witch's plaything... he grunts sourly under his breath.
At Thorolf's comment Velkirth simply nods. True enough indeed. Let's gather out things and be about this. He then moves to go back through the door they came through, assuming their items to be awaiting them where they left them.
Karl proceeds with the others to collect his gear and begin the hunt for Black Alys.
Mhmmp! as he just walks away to collect his things and pats Kari in the back This is one of those missions were if something bad happens he goes out clean and we take the fall, since no one else knows but him and us. as I shrug my shoulders Well a task is a task and the boss says we gonna do it, then we just do it
Svalk smiles at the mention of a feast. "It's always good to start a journey well rested and with a full stomach. I'm glad to see that you are showing us respect as worthy allies rather than tools to be skulking out in the middle of the night."
Now where's the mead?! I'm hoping for roast boar, but will settle for whatever you have on hand, I'm sure it will be better than trail rations."
Ragnar playfully pats Caelin's stomach.
"Yuh' guht yuh huhzpuhtuhluhtuh uhftuh uhll!"
He looks between Dagmar and Kari for a moment before asking Freyr (and making sure someone can interpret if necessary).
"Gluhd wuh'll huhv uh chuhnz tuh uht. Thuh uhnuhmuhlz- uh fuhgz uhn uh buh cuh- uh cuhnfuhzcuhted wuhth th' guh. Muhght wuh ruhluhzz duhm? Wuh'll guhn'tuh duh guhd buhuhvuh."
Translation:
Turning to Freyr, Shou says Our leader requests the return of our animal companions, who were confiscated on our way into this hall.
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Freyr is true to his word. You are shown to your quarters, and your equipment and animals are returned to you. After some time, you were led to a huge room with lots of long tables. You don't know what Freyr said to his warriors, but you were hailed as honored guests. There was more meat and meed than you could eat and drink and the feasting lasted for a long time.
The dawn came to soon. With heavy heads and blurry eyes, you were set on a track that leads away from the citadel, with instructions from Freyr to use the small statue of silver raven only when you loose the citadel from your sights.
Several hours of walking through the snows later, you have found yourselves in a cops of oak trees. You've released the raven and the bird started to fly straight at the mountains in front of you.
Well, let us see where our avian friend takes us. Shou Zhen starts picking a path which follows the direction the bird is going, while trying to keep it in sight.
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As you start to follow the silver bird, a wind picks up. The raven flies straight up the mountains, landing on a tree or rock from time to time, waiting for you. The storm clouds are gathering and heavy snowflakes are floating through the air, born on a chill wind.
As the storm nears, it grows darker and colder. Finally, the storm catches up to you and showers you with a blinding torrent of snow, that whites out everything around you. The wind howls so loud, that you have trouble hearing the person next to you.
The narrow mountain path is wide enough only for one person, so you are walking in line. The storm is nearly suffocating and you can see only those directly in front of you and behind you, and you have completely lost the sight of silver raven.
Karl wordlessly moves forward after the argent avian, covering the terrain in a ground-eating stride. His eyes move constantly, taking in the surroundings as best he can through the white out while his ears twitch this way and that with the howling wind, straining to discern any other noises. He quickly draws both javelins and holds them point down to feel his way along the snowy path.
Shou Zhen will speak to the person directly in front of him, yelling to be heard above the blizzard, WE SHOULD TIE EACH OTHER OFF WITH A ROPE SO WE DON"T LOSE EACH OTHER IN THE BLIZZARD!!
Perception:
Svalk isn't much of a scout, so he'll stay in the middle of the group, where he can most easily assist others, no matter which direction they are in from his position.
Velkirth pulls his furs tighter around himself as he trudges through the blinding white. He thought he could hear Shuo's voice coming from the back of the group but with the storm blowing it was hard just to see and hear Svalk walking directly in front of him.
Dagmar trudges along with the group, carrying her little fox in her arms so that he doesn't get lost or get stuck in a snow drift. "Should we keep going or try to make camp somewhere until the blizzard blows over?"
Svalk shouts, trying to be heard over the howling winds, "I think we should wait out the storm, but we'll need to find shelter...a cave, or at the very least a hill to shelter us in one direction.
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Karl wordlessly moves forward after the argent avian, covering the terrain in a ground-eating stride. His eyes move constantly, taking in the surroundings as best he can through the white out while his ears twitch this way and that with the howling wind, straining to discern any other noises. He quickly draws both javelins and holds them point down to feel his way along the snowy path.
[Dice = Perception]1d20 + 11
Shou Zhen will follow the man in front of him and try not to lose him in the blizzard.
Karl returns to the group and gathers them all within hearing range. Two things, my companions he says, neither loudly nor softly, I have spotted a metallic glint ahead of us. It may be the silver bird we are to follow, or it may be an ambush. We may want to send a scouting party ahead. Secondly, this weather is getting worse. We should all take care to protect ourselves from the elements. I would appreciate the help of any who are skilled in surviving the wilderness.
Gain a +2 bonus on all Fortitude saves against severe weather while moving up to half your overland speed, or gain a +4 bonus if you remain stationary. You may grant the same bonus to one other character for every 1 point by which your Survival check result exceeds 15.
"I wish we knew how to recall that thing. It's going to be difficult to keep up with it if this weather holds. As to the glint, I have some small skill in stealth if a party is to be sent ahead." So saying, he stamps his foot to knock the snow off his boots as he checks the sword at his back, ensuring it does not stick in the scabbard from the cold.
"May the ancestors guide your steps"
Svalk chants some words and casts guidance on Thorlf before he sets off to scout ahead.
Thorolf strings his shortbow and puts arrow to string. "My thanks. Whereabouts did you see this gleam, Karl?"
Once pointed in the direction, Thorolf will creep towards the spot, using the trees, boulders, and snowdrifts to hide his presence. He moves carefully and silently through the drifts. Can't see a thing in this snow... Reaching up, he pauses behind a tree and peers around it, holding his hair from his face to keep it from whipping about in the wind and obscuring his view. His eyes strain to see something...anything... in the mass of white filling his vision.
Karl ghosts up behind Thorolf, javelins in hand, seeking cover of his own in the snowy pass. He does his best to stay out of sight while seeking out the source of the metallic glint. His progress is slow, and steady.
Damn this snow, he mutters to himself. I can't see a blasted thing.
Ragnar, what is your decision? as I look for guidance on our leader Shall we go to investigate the gleam or find shelter?
"Wuh wuht fuh uh scuhtz ruhpuht- duhn wuh suhgh shuhltuh wuhn uhz suhf."
Translation:
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Karl ghosts up behind Thorolf, javelins in hand, seeking cover of his own in the snowy pass. He does his best to stay out of sight while seeking out the source of the metallic glint. His progress is slow, and steady.
[Dice = Stealth]1d20 + 8
[Dice = Perception]1d20 + 11Damn this snow, he mutters to himself. I can't see a blasted thing.
Karl gapes in astonishment at the scene before him. He gazes longingly at the forest, tantalized and frightened at the same time.
Karl seeks out Thorolf and says, We must bring the others here. I've found something which defies explanation. A whole forest, under the earth. The raven is there, marking the location. But, it's turned to solid ice! Perhaps this is where Black Alys dwells, and even if not, we must explore it!