Even Andorans will spend Chelish gold.
A place so awful their neighbors won't touch their wealth, even when it is acquired with their own sweat, blood & courage?!..
"Perhaps we should...
donate, it?"
"To the temple when we deliver the gem for safe-keeping. Surely a temple holy enough to contain such a relic should be safe enough for a pile of coin?"
"As to why, all the more reason to get that thing to the temple, I'm sure they will have wiser & more learned folk than we there as well."
"Ha! Oh my gods, ha ha ha! You lot are clever eh?, we are paying to hire you as guards while you gain the protection of the caravan to get you to the temple. Well then, best not tell the caravan master and lets get moving. A White Witch isn't going to just march an ogre all the way down south. There will be more and worse to come."
Hedrick prepares his cart quickly and tells the caravan master there may be more ogres or worse in the forest, they need to get into town for safety.
Grey grins sheepishly as Hedrick voices his amused approval of the party's, or at least Kilain's, shrewd bargaining with the caravan master. The grin fades as he further considers Hedrick's later pronouncement. "A White Witch, you say? From your emphasis I take it you mean something other than a hedge mother or somesuch?"
"I mean a creature who looks like a beautiful woman on the outside, but inside her heart beats with red blood colder than glacial ice. A creature who strips children from their mothers, rips their souls from their bodies, feeds on their flesh and then grinds the child's bones to make bread to feed back to the mother so she can breed more children. Yes, it is really that bad, for the White Witches and their lessor sisters the Winter Witches are the ill begotten children if Babba Yaga, the queen of witches herself, and the founder of the Realm of Irrisen. The frozen hell of witchery, misery, suffering and debatchery that was once part of the proud lands of the Linnorm Kings forever plunged into eternal winter for over 1400 years. These witches are no fairytail and are no laughing matter."
Tis' true you do not want to know their cold touch or icy attentions.
Jarrek yells out for everyone to get back to the wagons, so you could all get to Heldren before late afternoon.
Vitali hops back on the wagon ready to get going and listens to Hedrick's tales about the witches of the north.
That does sound a bit scary Hedrick
Jarrek gives the okay to moves the horses along a bit faster the last 5 miles of your journey. The air is colder the further south you go and by the time you reach Heldren your face and hands are stinging from the cold temperatures. Those of you not wearing warm clothing (roll fortitude save).
Fort:
Colder than a winter witch's teet!
As the evening grows even more unseasonably cold, Grey pulls the blanket out of his pack & wraps it about himself. He grins halfheartedly at Kjell's somewhat forced humor.
as it begins to get cold, Kilain touches his holy symbol to Torag and mutters a prayer to ward him from the cold.
It be getting colder by me thinking. Im glad The Graybeard has blessed me with a prayer for such an occasion.
Hedrick curses in elven and puts on the traditional snow gear of his parents people. Looking over to the dwarf he says, "I hope we can get that gem to the temple before we are all frozen."
It is getting cold. And I thought travelling so far south I wouldn't ned my warm jacket... Vitali adds jokingly to the conversation.
Aye Hedrick. I believe we share that want. Kilain remarked as they road together in the cart.
Dorvren
Kylma
Vitali and Dorvren start shivering due to the cold temps. Vitali (nonlethal damage. This includes your cold resistance)
Dorvren
You make it to town as snow begins to fall. The streets are quiet, but the sound of hammering on metal from the blacksmith's shop and the Silver Stoat Tavern sounds like a busy place. Jarrek calls to Hedrick Seek out the General Store merchant, Vivialla Steranus and Vitali find apothecary merchant , Tessaraea Willowbark. The rest of you help me get these wagons uncovered so we can get out of this damn cold.
Hedrick bobs his head in agreement, "Hey I am betting there is going to be a run on warm clothing. Who wants to give me money for warm clothes?"
I can help ye with that Hedrick.Said Kilain as he dropped from the cart and began to help the teamsters with the wagons.
I will join you, Hedrick. Who better t'know what to buy, then two people of the North, eh? I will make my way to the Silver Stoat Tavern soon as I'm done.
A middle-aged woman is walking toward the caravan wagons. She is bundled in a bearskin coat and soft fur boots. Hello Jarrek she says. How is the weather to the northeast? I hope it isn't like this! When you are finished taking care if business, meet me at the Stoat! Your group can come as well. They look like a hearty lot, a group that can help the town.
Jarrek smiles, Sure thing Councilor Teppen, anything to repay you for the kindness you've shown me over the years. We'll be along in a couple hours.
The councilor smiles at the reply and heads toward the tavern.
Help the town? Oh my, why does that not sound good?..
Grey gives what aid he is able as Jarrek & the other Teamsters handle the beasts & the wagons. Once that is done, he collects Soggy & trundles on towards the Inn the Village Elder indicated.
Kilain follows Hedrick and Kjell to the general store to look into warmer clothing.
I will join you, Hedrick. Who better t'know what to buy, then two people of the North, eh? I will make my way to the Silver Stoat Tavern soon as I'm done.
Hedrick looks at Kjell for a moment as if he is thinking What do you mean by that before his smile returns. "I hope we can find something suitable here, hopefully they have an adventurers and mountaineering section, ha ha. If nothing else we could purchase some lamb skins and furs and I could fashion them something."
"What part of the lands do you hail from? I heard it made mention you may have decided to look for more permanent work."
I be from the Five Kings Mountains. he looks at Hedrick and Kjell and pauses before continuing. He had never mentioned this to Kjell or Gray before, but with what was happening, it might be time. The Elders read portents that a time of great evil be coming. Their augurs pointed to this area of southern Taldor that I would find the signs pointing me towards it, so I could work to stop it. I be thinking this gem and this unusual cold and a northern Ogre this far south could be qualifyin as signs ehh?!
Vitali is along for the shopping trip looking for some warm furs to equip himself with for this early winter.
Even if I am no man to believe in the cries for fortune tellers there are so many odd things happening here that they just might be on to something. Vitali offers as Kilain tels of his tales.
[OOC]Vitali would like to buy some cold weather clothing [/b]
I hail from an island off the coast of the Linnorm Kings in Broken Bay. I spent my younger days raidin' the soft Southerners of the mainland on longboats crafted with my own hands. As old as ya' are, you may have heard mention of me grandsire, Ragnar "The Cleaver" Carlufsen, former Huscarl of Clan Carluf. Now I seek my own name. I traveled South because I heard rumors of this Crown Prince in Oppara who has a likin' for Ulfen bodyguards in his employ. I thought that I'd start there, but this group has me off on other fun.
He looks to Kilain.
Like Kilain says, this has somethin' to do with the great evil comin'. I am thinkin' that this small town will confirm that.
The group that stayed back to help with the wagons completed their task as Hedrick and Vitali brought the merchants out to gather their wares, money was paid out to Jarrek and in return the hired group was paid 30 gold each, Hedrrick and Vitali were paid 120 gold for their trek from Oppara to Heldren. Once the the wagons were unloaded and the horses bedded for the night, the group that needs winter gear can get cold weather gear for 8gp and weighs 7 lbs.
You all make it to the Silver Stout a little later than you expected and Councilor Teppen invites you all to sit with her at a large table in a quiet area of the tavern. Please sit down, order whatever you like, this meal is on me.
Grey orders a savory Barley stew & inquires whether there are any Stew Bones available for Soggy as well. He then gazes engagingly & inquisitively at the Councilor.
Kjell sits down and begins to devour the food with less-than exemplary table manners. A few words can be made out between chewing and gulping ale.
Mmmm...good...ale...too...
Kilain asks for some some porkchops and tubers. and Ale.
Then he begins to eat and listen to the councilor. he shows much more refined table manners than Kjell.
After the councilor finishes half of her meal she begins to speak The sleepy village of Heldren has rarely seen so much excitement or concern. Hunters from the nearby Border Wood speak of unnaturally cold weather which you can feel for yourselves. This descended on the forest just about a week ago. She pauses a moment and continues, Heavy snow followed, and those who returned spoke of an uneasy presence in the woods, as well as new, dangerous predators. No one knows what this event means, but the town’s soothsayer, Old Mother Theodora, claims dark times lie ahead. she lets the group digest what she has said so far, then continues. As if in proof of that dire prophecy, a badly wounded mercenary arrived in town yesterday, claiming to be a bodyguard of Lady Argentea Malassene. He told the village council that the noblewoman’s escort came under attack by bandits and strange, wintry creatures near the edge of the Border Wood. He alone escaped, and Lady Argentea was dragged away into the forest. Now the townsfolk cast fearful eyes toward the snowy forest, worried what else might emerge to threaten their peaceful village.
Kilain takes a long pull on his ale, pausing to wipe suds from his beard with the arm of his jacket. hrrrrrmmmm. And what be ye thinkin we can do 'bout that Councilor Teppen Kilain smiles as only a dwarf can who's had a couple of ales before belching loudly. Excuse me Councilor...good ale.
I think you should talk to Yuln Oerstag, the mercenary who returned here and gave us the news of the attack. He can give you further details on what happened out there.
I see yer problem. I imagine ya want this Lady Argentea back?
"At the risk of offense, is there any proof this 'Lady Malassene' even exists?"
"Is she known to you? If so, does she regularly employ men such as my companion here," nodding to Kjell. "An unseasonable snow odd, yes, but does not necessarily bode anything ." The rest of you notice Grey, although his eyes occasionally flicker to whomever holds the Irrisene Gold, studiously avoids mentioning the Ogre attack. You get the feeling his words are as much to convince himself as the Councilwoman.
I believe Lady Argentea's family would like her safely returned.
To answer your question Master Grey, the mercenary who arrived here is of Ulfen heritage.
Then, I must share words with the northman.
Tipping his head to one side and with a kind of lop sided grin, Kilain says Excush me Councilor Teppen, But I be havin a bit of trouble here. We be on a quesht of great import. 'N it may not be a good idea for us to be traipsin off'n da woodsh lookin for a lady, when we could be furtherin our quesht. Besides, we already have commitments to Jarrick to go to Oppara with hish caravan. 'N we not be knowin how long huntin for the lady wouldst take. Jusht why should we do this...eh Kjell? Grey?
I am all for gettin' to Oppara too, but again, it seems like our skills are needed here first. We should at least talk to the northman, no? Does anyone know when the caravan leaves?
We be leaving in the morning. I need to get the trade foods from here to Zimar and the head north to Oppara. Why don't you split your group, three stay behind the other two can head north with me?
I am not for splitting up...let's see what we can learn from the northman survior tonight.
"I agree if we are considering this, we should learn more of the actual events themselves before making a decision."
"That being the case, Councillor Teppen, where might we find this nameless Ulfen Mercenary?"
Turning to the Caravan-master, "Master Jarrek, I promise you we shall not leave your train in straits dire in this, you have my word. In truth, it may be to your benefit that we investigate the matter further."
Kilain sighs heavily and sets his tankard down with a clunk. Well, looksh like no more ale t'night. It'll take some time fer me body to absorb what I drank. So lesh hope its a few hours.
Yuln Oerstag can be found in the Temple of Erastil healing from his wounds. He should be able to answer any questions you may have
Kjell chugs his remaining ale.
To the Temple, then.
You enter the temple and are greeted by Elder Natharen Safander (human male). He welcomes you and asks What may I help you folks with this evening?
"Well you see we are having a bit of a Northlands reunion and what with the cold weather and all we thought we would stop by because we heard you have an Ulfen guest here. Of course I am just jesting, but we are actually here to speak with Mr Oerstag, Councilor Teppen sent us, we are interested in possibly rescuing Lady Argentea. So if Mr Oerstag is awake and available, we would like to see him."