|
Haltani shakes her head and backs away from the conversation, clearly nervous and unwilling to speak up. Halvor has no such reservations, "Yes, they were lead by one of the witches. And they were from Dalun. Here, look at their uniforms." The battle leader waves at one of his men, who produces scraps of clothing and broken equipment.
|
"Halvor, we are sorry for your loss. The Pathfinder Society is always looking for new friends: would you like us to tell our leaders that you would be interested in hosting a Pathfinder Lodge within your village? perhaps the added visibility on the world stage would dissuade illegal wars being waged on your community?"
|
|
Halvor responds to both questions, although he seems less patient with Zhatara, "As I already said, the witch escaped justice. My warriors demand retribution. We will go with you to Dalun, acting as your caravan guards. Once outside the city’s walls, we’ll attack. After that, you can continue on your way without the threat of Dalun at your backs.”
"Once this work is completed, perhaps we can discuss your other request with your leaders."
|
Zhatara considers the situation carefully... "These Ulfen villagers are set for war but we need to reach our destination without getting involved into their conflicts... backing them could prove disastrous... better to try defusing the situation before it blows on us"
"Honestly, Halvor, I get you want revenge but are you sure you can take a whole irriseni town? From your own words you admit you just suffered heavy losses. The irriseni might have lost some of their own but you would be deep down their territory so they could get reinforcements... if I were in you I'd suggest to plan carefully, maybe scout the enemy before doing anything rash that could turn into a complete disaster for your village"
|
|
Halvor eventually comes around to Zhatara's point of view. "We will still accompany you, but only to learn the truth of Dalun. If they indeed desire peace, perhaps we can trade with them."
Halvor offers you two potions of resist energy (cold). "Please accept these gifts, and stay with us as honored guests. In the morning, we will all travel to Dalun and speak with their leader."
|
|
The Ulfen spit in Berato's direction, and Halvor merely shakes his head, "Clothing will not hide our Ulfen heritage, and pride would not let us try."
The journey to Dalun is uneventful and short. Stone cliffs mark the border of Irrisen on the northern bank. Chill winds send flurries of snow over the edge, landing in the river and on the grassy bank of the southern shore where maple trees fight the icy doom of Irrisen’s endless winter. A long, narrow cart path winds its way up the side of the cliff from the docks to Dalun’s iron gates.
As you approach the gate and Halvor sees its weak defenses, his face turns red and knuckles go white around the haft of his weapon, ”To approach in peace, after all the witches have done . . .” He looks at his men, whose rage is even less controlled, then looks at the Pathfinders.
|
|
Seeing Halvor seething in anger, Berato says "Remember the mission Halvor, we're here to find out who attacked your village. Once you know that you can direct your wrath properly. Besides we made a deal: if you help us find what we came for, I'm not against helping you take revenge on the evildoers that abused your good intentions for trade."
|
|
"Stay your blades and mind your words, fellow agents. We are here as friends on behalf of the Society. And it is in our mandate to make allies in this land. So far Halvor has been a generous host. How would you feel if your hometown had just been attacked? with your friends, loved ones, siblings and relatives? Please understand why he's not in the mood for pleasantries with the witches of Dalun. All we can ask of him is to delay his wrath until our mission is over and after we learn the perpetrators of the attack. But please, do not compound their sorrow and grief by drawing blades on these noble warriors. Please."
|
|
Halvor tries to listen patiently, but Berato's words just aren't convincing. Zhatara manages to instill some cautionary fear in the Ulfen, though. After a few minutes of questioning, the guards open the gates and let you into Dalun.
The grey stone buildings stand huddled together, as if the stonework was attempting to withstand the cold. Snowy cobblestone streets lead to a tall white spire in the center of town, its sharp point piercing the blue sky; an icy sheen covers the surface, glistening in the muted sunlight.
Colorfully dressed merchants stand out against the blue, grey and white clothing worn by the citizens of Irrisen, who trot through the white cobblestone streets with immediacy. The occasional ice troll lumbers along, giving non-Jadwiga humans a disdainful snarl.
As you enter the town, Haltani speaks up, ”There are several prominent merchants who might be able to help you, but I would speak to the jeweler Alexei Kartov first. Dalun also has ore, furs and witch-tree seeds in abundance.”
“I have business of my own, but after you conclude your affairs, I suggest asking Baroness Nadya for permission to travel farther north into her lands. And please give her my good wishes.”
|
|
"Thanks for your advice Haltani. This Alexei Kartov could very well know something about ancient dwarven artefacts... Good luck, friend, may the Lady of a Thousand Sorrows never set her gaze upon you!"
So saying Zhatara nods to her companions:"Shall we? We've got a work to do and we still haven't even reached the ruins we need to explore"
|
|
You find Alexei Kartov's jewelry store without difficulty. The old man is hunched over the counter, and quickly folds up a black cloth around something that sparkles and glitters, then tucks the cloth away in a drawer. ”Greetings! I rarely get so many customers at once. I assume you are all attending Baroness Nadya’s Winter Ball, and need appropriate jewelry?”
|
|
"While that's certainly a concern we've come here for a slightly different reason... We are interessed in old antiques, dwarven in origin especially. Perhaps you know of coins or old dwarven jewelry bearing these symbols?" asks Zhatara showing the man what the dwarven insignia is supposed to look like.
|
|
Alexei perks up at Korug's implication of future profits. "I see . . . may I take a look at this letter of trade, please? I have some ice diamonds that would be perfect for trade outside of Irrisen!"
You eventually leave with a sack full of ice diamonds, that you feel was a fair trade, and begin asking around about Baroness Nadya.
You her outside the palace, seated in an ice garden. Every plant, tree, bird, bench, and fountain is intricately sculpted out of ice. By magic or alchemy, the ice even displays the full range of vibrant colors one normally expects in a garden.
A group of guards stand watch, and demand that you lay down your weapons. "How dare you enter the Baroness' presence uninvited!"
|
|
"I have not heard of this Naldak's Point, but that does not mean it isn't there." The Baroness signs a parchment and hands it to Duskin, "This gives you permission to travel my lands for the next week, as long as you stay within 5 miles of Dalun. If you need to purchase any supplies, one of my guards will give you directions to the correct merchants."
|
|
"Thank you, my lady, we could have not asked for anything more. Our guide, Haltani, spoke highly of you, she even asked us to give you her good wishes. We were told you were a great ruler but your justice proves those claims right and right again"
Then Zhatara adds:"So I dare ask you a simple question... did you really order an attack on the ulfen village of Whiterook? It doesn't seem like someone like you would do lightly..."
|
|
As you continue speaking to the Baroness' back, one of the guards touches Zhatara's elbow and pushes lightly, "Do you need to visit any of our local merchants before departing the city?"
Haltani meets up with you just outside of Dalun, ”I didn't find any information about the place you seek, but was able to narrow things down a little. It is most likely north-by-northeast of Dalun, and at least three hours away.”