Illthir worms into her armour as quickly as she can. Beaming she commented on the issue. "I'm sure we'll get back on time. Just some quick in and out heroics - you know as one does!"
The party lowers itself over the side without much comment from the crew (aside from occasional growls from the Stäbbi), and into the water to wade across and then climb up the forested bank, and up to dry land. It is a cold, dark night, made even darker by the forest canopy overhead.
Durgan is willing to go in front, with his Darvkision and his relatively high AC.
He will cast both Shield and Shield of Faith once we get closer, these lasting 5 minutes each.
Serena takes the lead alongside Durgan, not because her AC is high, but because she feels compelled to do so. She will not let others risk themselves for her.
"I can lead the way if need be, but I'd need some light for that," Balzeros admits. "Otherwise I'll just follow the group as we march."
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In areas of darkness, creatures without darkvision are effectively blinded. In addition to the obvious effects, a blinded creature has a 50% miss chance in combat (all opponents have total concealment), loses any Dexterity bonus to AC, takes a –2 penalty to AC, and takes a –4 penalty on Perception checks that rely on sight and most Strength– and Dexterity-based skill checks.
The creature cannot see. It takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class, loses its Dexterity bonus to AC (if any), and takes a –4 penalty on most Strength– and Dexterity-based skill checks and on opposed Perception skill checks. All checks and activities that rely on vision (such as reading and Perception checks based on sight) automatically fail. All opponents are considered to have total concealment (50% miss chance) against the blinded character. Blind creatures must make a DC 10 Acrobatics skill check to move faster than half speed. Creatures that fail this check fall prone. Characters who remain blinded for a long time grow accustomed to these drawbacks and can overcome some of them.
Led along by Balzeros's insectile, plant, spirit, companion, familiar, bug-thing, Ramita, the party moves slowly through the forest, with Durgan in the lead.
Illthir pulls up her bull's eye lantern and eyes the party. "Yes? No? Maybe later?"
Fergus thinks back to his studies, did he ever read about anything fitting the description they got?
Ice trolls are slightly smaller than regular trolls, but at ten feet tall still tower over most humanoids. They possess the typical troll overbite and stooping posture.
Ice trolls might be smaller than normal trolls, but they are also much more intelligent, using weapons, armor, and tactics when fighting.
Ice trolls dwell in the coldest reaches of the world and are particularly prominent in Irrisen, where they serve the White Witches as mercenary enforcers of their cruel rule from the frontier border region of the Verge to the capital of Whitethrone, where ice trolls have been granted control of an entire district. White Witches are not the ice trolls' only allies, as they often find themselves working for, or with vicious frost giants.
If they are ice trolls, they would you expect, have the typical strengths and weaknesses common to most trolls though because they are more adapted to the cold, they might have an even greater vulnerability to fire.
AS they move, Fergus tells the group.
I'm not entirely sure, but based on the description, and from what I know and have read on the area, they may be ice trolls. and if that is the case, we need to use caution, as they are smarter than their other ilk. And worst outcome is they travel with frost giants as well. Though this is only speculation.
Zokon hand Balzeros an everburning torch "We should probably use these as least as possible so we can maybe sneak up on the giants? I'll turn on my light as well, we should be good for lights."
Balzeros takes the everburning torch. "I have light, I just figured we'd want to keep the element of surprise is all," he explains, but nonetheless holds the torch high. "Let's be off then, no need letting these ice trolls have more time to scheme!"
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Easily stringing up her own bow while the others put on their armor, she falls in beside Zokon when the group moves. Alia retrieves one of her own Arrows from her quiver, casts Light on it, then covers it with her clothing:"There is no need for you to see your surroundings - only your targets, and this should help - I will light them up for you before drawing my blade. Only unveil your light if you need to move."
When Fergus explains about the creatures they are going to face, Alias face grows grim:"And let me guess - they are not called ice trolls just because they are accustomed to cold regions? Most of my spells channel the heart of winter - I assume they will be useless against these kinds of beast?"
The party makes better time under the effects of magical lighting through the darkened forest, as those with experience in the wild can make out small animal paths more easily. There are patches of frost, and snow on the ground; places that warm sunlight has yet to completely clear. Ramita alternates between guiding the party and from the ground, and flying aloft to get their bearings from above.
When Fergus explains about the creatures they are going to face, Alias face grows grim:"And let me guess - they are not called ice trolls just because they are accustomed to cold regions? Most of my spells channel the heart of winter - I assume they will be useless against these kinds of beast?"
The spring forest is still cold but alive with life. Owls hoot, wolves howl, bats flitter about, and frogs and insects warble and creak in the darkness. At one point a vixen dashes out into the light, and then dives back into a the foliage.
Ramita tells Balzeros in that strange language they share that they are very close now.
Sure enough the party soon finds itself upon a narrow winding path with a steep downward grade, with the roots of the adjacent trees forming a sort of natural stairway down.
Fergus nods to Alia, Aye lass, I very much doubt that they are called Ice trolls for no reason. It is said they are from Irrisen, where they were created to serve the winter witches. Fortunately, the reverse is also true, and likely any fire based spells may find their effectiveness increased. Luckily, I have one or two prepared today.
"This is it," Balzeros explains, returning Ramita back to the safety of his robes. Before they get closer, he puts one hand on Serena's shoulder and her skin visibly hardens. "Should keep some of the hurt away," he explains.
________
Durgan casts Shield and Shield of Faith.
Between his Darkvision and his Agile Feet domain power he is not too worried about moving around, although he won't get too far away from his allies.
"Ready."
Serena nods in appreciation to Balzeros, and girds herself for the coming battle.
Fergus pulls out a large and well refined sapphire gemstone and mutters an arcane phrase as he channels energy through the gem into his weapon which glows a soft blue hue afterwards. Once they see their foes, he holds the sapphire up again and utters another arcane phrase temep qeelak kor as he channels magical energy through the gem and into his allies.
Alia, once they get close and Balzeros warns them, casts Shield and Expeditious Retreat herself. She had no plans to advance alone and get herself surrounded, but being extra swift still came with options on the battlefield.
"So what exactly is it that we doing again?" asks Erevenywg in a whisper.
"I think 'kill them to save the prisoners' is the plan, but I defer to my superiors on the matter," Balzeros responds to Erevenywg, before looking at the others. Can't imagine trolls of any variety would let the prisoners just go. Not to mention the damage they'll cause to the area in the future.
"And we really hope it is 'prisoners' and not 'winter witch overlords'." Illthir added with a shudder. Was it getting colder? Must be her imagination.
"Ill-The-Ear, Ail-Ya, Zo-Khan do any of you hear anything?"
"Mm?" Illthir felt like so much more then just an ear, but perhaps it would pay off to use that bit of herself for now.
It is very quiet. Nothing but a slight breeze through the surrounding foliage.
"I did not hear anything either, Ill-The-Ear."
Ramita flutters just above the forest canopy wary of owls and bats at this time of night. The little spirit creature listens again for some sign of what it's master sensed and is eventually rewarded with another loud bellow. It finds the source at a dip in the land, where night's darkness seems to have pooled. Ramita flutters down like a falling maple seed through the treetops and into a rocky, overhung vale. In the midst of that vale Ramita sees a number of large creatures and two smaller ones. There are a half-dozen, armored giants, their mouths overflowing with tusks, their heads and arms covered in white hair. They seem to arguing over the two smaller figures a lanky blonde human man and dirty, little ragamuffin girl.
The party proceeds down the slope into the little box vale, ready for the worst. What they find is circle of toppled megaliths, and standing amid them a tall handsome blonde man, and a bedraggled little girl. both are chained to the toppled stone by a 5' length of chain to their ankle. Their wrists are likewise bound to their other wrist in something that looks like a miniature wood and iron stocks.
The girl looks the miserable.
The man appears to have some sort of physical tick that causes his head to jerk about.
Using her elven vision, Serena peers at the pair. She draws her scimitar and creeps forward slightly, but cautiously.
Durgan holds up a hand to the party.
Then he holds a finger to his lips.
Then he goes back to holding his hand, palm towards the party.
Fergus stops with gem in one hand, weapon in the other before leaning close and whispering.
Do you see something? aren't we to help them?
Durgan again presses his finger to his lips, then holds up a hand, then points to his eyes and then to the man in the clearing.
Very softly, he whispers "He has a plan."
"Who? Where? When?" Illthir wished she had a third hand to light her lantern and shine around, but she didn't. Plus waving a light source around trolls seemed like an unhealthy idea ... Luckily she had companions for that!
Balzeros looks around him, but is greeted mostly by darkness. A plan? Isn't this the plan? Not sure what's going on, damn these human eyes, he puts his trust in Durgan and holds back. "Waiting in the dark for creatures of the dark to get started is a... peculiar set of tactics," he notes.
________
The party stands there for a long moment watching the man who watches back....
He suddenly looks a bit incredulous. He rolls his eyes and paces the length of space that his chained ankle allows. As he does, he looks around as if searching for something.
Finally, he mouths the word "Go" at the party in an extremely exaggerated fashion.
The girl doesn't respond. She just looks confused, or perhaps in shock. It is a chill night and she only wearing threadbare rags that look as though she's been living in them for weeks.
Durgan backs away 30'.
There's a howl, and the tall man visibly deflates.
"GET OUT OF HERE! IT'S A TRAP! THEY'RE COMING!"
There are deep barks, and more howls from all around the forest, echoing off the valley's walls.
"Trap or not, we're here already! We can't leave these people to die! I've magic to slow them down if we want to flee with the captives, or we can stand and fight, but I won't just abandon them!" Balzeros whispers urgently, hoping the others share a similar mindset. Despite his brave words, tension and just a touch of fear weigh heavily on the creases of his face.
"Let's light it up... throw your lights on." Zokon will throw his two light stones to either side, about 30 ft away..
He then holds his bow ready "Point out targets, those who can see."