Pezmerga's Reign of Winter 2 (Inactive)

Game Master Pezmerga

It is a quiet evening in the Silver Stoat. The patrons are drinking spirits, and a fire is roaring. Normally it would not be necessary for a fire to be burning, as it is the summer months. However, it has been colder than normal as of late. It only seems to be getting colder as the days pass by as well. As a way to drum up business, Ales are half off tonight. Menander is serving up his famous stew, and Kale is pouring ales for the patrons, trying to keep up with the orders.

Aksum cuts into one of the potatoes as he eagerly devours the warm stew. After swallowing, he calls out. "Another ale, to ward off the chill of the night!"

The chill in the summer air didn't bother her but as her family settled in corner of the inn, she realized that the time did. She couldn't recall the last time they had this cold a summer. Well the weather had been growing colder but not like this.

When first Menander and later Kale came to serve she looked away and kept quite. No reason to make anyone uncomfortable, she thought.

During the low conversation with her parents she looked around the common room of the inn. A middle-aged black man caught her eye. Who is he and what is he doing here? she wondered.

Kale pours an ale, and slams it down in a hurry in front of Aksum.

"2 Copper, add it to your tab?" Kale says in an exasperated voice.

Meanwhile, A local minstrel strums his lute as he sings a song about the uninvited winter, and the hardships that it brings to the farmers and their crops. Drunken men sing along and laugh, trying not to look worried.

Council woman Ionnia Teppen, sitting alone in thought and sipping wine, bites her lip, and looks concerned by something as she listens to the minstrel.

Xanthippe Euphram, the blacksmith's daughter, and local beauty, is dancing along to the tune, a group of guys arguing over who gets to dance with her stands nearby. She laughs as the bickering seems to amuse her.

The door to the Silver Stoat opened and another draft snuck in. This one was followed by the massive, savage-looking hunter that had recently 'settled' here in Heldren. He had to duck his head to pass through the standard-sized door. He nods a shy greeting to the patrons and to Kale and Menander. Unable to find one of his preferred tables along the edges of the tavern, he squeezes through to a table near the center. Conscientiously, he takes off his hefty gear and slides it under the table. He sits at the table and waits patiently for Kale to come to his table. "An ale and a bowl of stew, please." He hands Kale a silver piece after his order - Anniksson has always insisted on paying in advance.

A soft rumble passes through the tavern, like a mining explosion in the distance. A short time later, another, stronger vibration makes ripples in idle tankards. As time passes, the sound approaches, louder and more difficult to ignore, the vibrations traveling through the floor and making dishes rattle. With a final pound, they seem to pause just outside. As the door creaks open, a dark figure consumes the doorway. Heavy furs and thick hides cover the stranger, masking his features. He stoops, and a covered head pokes in through the doorway. As one great hand pulls back his scarf, a cold, stony visage presents itself to the tavern patrons. What could pass for solid rock composes a face, with hollow, black, mysterious eyes set deep behind his brow. He looks, without expression, into the room of drunkards and merry-makers. After scanning the room for several seconds, he cracks a smile.
"Helloooo friends." A deep, booming voice echoes throughout the room. "This all looks fun. What is it?" His broad, childish grin defies his otherwise powerful and intimidating presence.

From the safety of her family she realizes that there are many in the inn she does not recognizes. "Daddy who are these strange men and creatures?" she whispers, rudely pointing out Aksum, Anniksson and Larma.

Normally one to shun such a crowded place, Winter's Breath had come to the tavern tonight to try and find obtain more information as to why it had been unseasonably cold - not that he minded it. To all that did not know he was from the north, it looked quite strange that he was comfortable wearing only a simple white robe.

He was sitting at the edge of the room, trying to eavesdrop any useful information. While he was not necessarily friends with anybody in the town, he knew them all. What a strange mix of foreigners here this evening...

Magnauk had spent the day in quiet contemplation and study of plant life. The unusual cold snap had caused changes in the cycle of the local plants and Magnauk found it very interesting. He always loved the the forests, trees, and plants from his childhood working with his father and the other clan cutting trees for lumber, but now his duties were different.

Magnauk strolls into the tavern looking for food and drink. He sat at a table in the corner always looking and observing others. As the serving girl came to his table he ordered,

For food what ever is hottest and and has a nice spice to it. For drink what ever is the coldest and has the biggest kick

He gives a tuskfilled grin to the young lady.

@Anniksson "Well aren't you a big guy!? I tell you what, I'll double your order of stew for free, if you go into the cellar and bring up a new keg of house ale. It is clearly marked."

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@Larma A few eyes shift to you in bewilderment, but no one says anything, save Kale, the lady tending bar.
"It is a tavern, a place to spend coin for spirits and food!"

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@Hege "Hush now dear, that isn't polite. This world is big and in it all sorts of different peoples dwell in it. Although I must say, the big guy made of...rock, even throws me for a loop!"

Make me a perception check.

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@Winter's Breath
Mostly talk about the unseasonable cold. Farmers are worried about the crops, and some suspect evil magic.

Make me a perception check.

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@Magnauk
"Have a Silver Stoat Whiskey then friend! Our stew is also piping hot, and served with a pretzel roll." Kale says, feigning cheerfulness.

Larma shrugs, then ducks and turns sideways to fit through the door. He looks around, but to his dismay there seems to be no seating designed to accommodate. He shuffles over to the bar, trying not to make to many big rumbling steps.
"Then let's be about it!" Larma looks around to see Annikson, a sturdy fellow in his own right, and decides that he must be having the big people food.
"How much for what he is having?" Larma asks, rummaging for a few copper and silver.

@Larma
"1 Silver and 5 copper ought to cover a portion for a man of your size! Then again, you might need the whole pot between the two of yous!" Kale says in a joking manner.

Larma produces a silver and 7 copper. Handing them over, he says "Two more for your trouble." with a big, genuine smile.

Winter's Breath has inattentive flaw... let's see how this goes.
1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5
Yup that's about what I thought haha.

More often than not the foreign elf finds himself lost in thought, making it difficult to try and overhear what is going on. He perks up when he hears talk of evil magic. This might be something to investigate. Ice, evil, I've escaped this once before. It might be time to leave again soon.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Aksum strides over to some nearby farmers when he hears mention of evil magic.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I overheard talk of fell forces upon this land. I knew of wicked ice magic in the frozen North, but could it have really spread so far?"

Overhearing the talk of magic causing the cold snap Magnauk gets up. He is large even for a half-orc and the scars upon his face are numerous. the worse scar goes from his forehead down the middle of his face splitting his left nostril and upper lip.

what is this you speak of. Bad magics causing weather change. what do you know of this?

@Anniksson "Well aren't you a big guy!? I tell you what, I'll double your order of stew for free, if you go into the cellar and bring up a new keg of house ale. It is clearly marked."

"Of course. Thank you." When he stands, Anniksson stands a little straighter. He winds through the tables and down to the celler, returning a short while later with a keg casually resting on his shoulder. He sees the giant rock man squeezing in, and for a moment he understands what other people must feel like when they first see him. But since there's no apparent panic among the patrons or owners, he finishes delivering the fresh keg. "Right here next to the other?" After setting it down, he remarks to the bartender, "I enjoy this town. It's very hospitable." He gives a nod to the rock man as he takes his seat, his stew and ale waiting for him.

@Larma
"Thanks, enjoy your food and drink." Kale says before moving to take care of other customers.
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@Aksum & Magnauk
A middle aged wiry man with dark hair and brown eyes, says
"Well, truth be told, no one knows for sure. Just speculation... Just not sure what else would explain this matter..
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@Anniksson
[b]"Next to the other is fine. Thanks, as I promised here is your stew!" Kale says serving him up a heaping bowl of piping hot stew.

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Menander, smiling, continues to wash dishes, and seems content to see his tavern full of life, and more importantly, coin to be spent. However his expression suddenly turns to concern...

The door to the tavern flies open, and in steps a blonde, bearded ulfen man, hobbling on one leg using his sword for support. Upon closer inspection, blood is pouring down his head, and his nose is bluish black, looking as if it had been frost bitten.

"They took Lady Argentea and slaughtered the rest of us!"

The man collapses on the floor, clearly lacking the strength to stand on his own any longer.

Aksum's hand flies to his pistol, but he leaves it holstered.

"Who did? Where?"

"By Gorum..." Anniksson begins to get up to offer help and ask questions, but the sight of frostbite on the man's nose told him that whatever happened was beyond understanding. He reaches under the table, and brings out his greataxe, crossbow and quivers. He straps on his crossbow and quivers as other patrons help the bloodied man and ask the questions. "Where?" he reinforces the most pertinent question, when he's ready to head out.

The pale-skinned elf stands up in alarm, appearing ready to run. He waits to hear the answer to Aksum and Anniksson's questions before making any movements. Surprisingly, he speaks up quietly. "I have not prepared any healing magic today, somebody please attend to this man that we may learn more."

Larma stands, and a look of concern and concentration draws across his face. He sets his soup on the floor and approaches the fallen man.
Heal (first aid): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Upon hearing the questions he speaks, still laying as Larma attends to his wounds.

"Bandits....and...winter-touched fey... we were no match for both the bandits and the fey.."

"They took her into the forest..To the south west.."

"Someone point me to the guard captain, and I'll be the first to volunteer for the posse to go after them!"

I should probably specify that I have abundant ammunition and burning hands prepped today.

He looks just like daddy, Hege thinks as she hurries to stone man kneeling by the Ulfen. "I might be able to help, if you would allow it? she says adressed both at the wounded man and the boulderman.

A shiver travels down her spine as the man words sinks in. Winter fey and he has been frost bitten, what is this?

As requested: Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Magnauk hears the cries and understands the plight. It is now he must act for justice.

Gruffly he calls
I too will lend meself to be an ax of justice upon dees dat have done wrong to you and your Lady

"How many and how far?" Anniksson bellows. He slams his backpack on the table and pulls out a few torches and a flint and steel. "Anyone coming?" He'll offer a lit torch to anyone who wants one.

"I will come. There is something I need to find out." He refuses the torch, but starts out the door without waiting for anybody.

"Whose affairs are these? What meaning have they?" Larma wonders out loud, being very much a stranger to this area.

Anniksson regards Larma's questions as rhetorical or leaves it to someone else to answer. He finishes handing out torches, keeping a lit one for himself, and then puts his flint and steel back into his backpack and slings it on before rushing out of the inn and heading southwest.

Let us be off then

Magnauk will but a gold.down for his food and look toward the server.

keeps it warms fer me

Hege lets the cold cleansing energy she now know so well flow through her chest into her hands and into the wounded Ulfen. Frost appears briefly on her hand, just to melt away a second later.

"There might be more who could use my help. I will go with you, if you would let me get my equipment."

@Aksum
Ionnia Teppen says "Well, we barely even have a militia... if anyone volunteers to take care of this, it would certainly be appreciated, as we can't afford to send any of our official militia to look into the matter, in case the town is at risk. I fear that our town may be in danger from the looks of it..."

@Hege
The ulfen man weakly says:
"Thanks for that...just be safe... I'd hate to see a young girl like you tragically killed by winter-touched fey..."

@Magnauk
The ulfen man:
"Either you or anyone else for that matter, are welcome to borrow my Cold Iron Longsword... The Fey fear Cold Iron..."

@Anniksson
"I have no idea how many.... South West, in the border wood, maybe 10-15 miles or so."

@Larma
"My friend, this affects all of us... These fey are evil to the core. This whole village is in danger, and Lady Argentea is as well."

Aksum raises his Everburning Torch in one hand, and his pistol in the other.

"I volunteer to recover the Lady. If anyone here knows the woods, or has the heart and weapons to face these creatures, I ask that they join me. We cannot afford to lose any time."

With that, he pushes his way through the door and into the street.

Larma thinks for a moment, considering the man he is attending and the events unfolding.
Such things were not meant to be the care of my kind... were they? Actually, what are my cares again? I think I had something to do... what was that? Um...
He is shaken from his thoughts by Aksum's words.
"I know many of the things that wander this land, and I am well at home in the wild white."

Looking at the man. I don't know the sword. the axe is my weapon. but I knoe magic.

Looking at the others..

I know a little abouts nature and can track somes

"Then perhaps you should lead. If these be creatures of the Fey, they will likely be difficult to follow otherwise."

Larma accepts Annikson's offer of a torch once outside, and takes a moment to consider the evening sky.
Survival (predict weather): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

"Please wait for me," she says to the gathered men and lims of as fast as her legs can carry her.

It takes a little while but once she returns, she is carrying a fine chain shirt over her cloth and carrying a backpack over her shoulders. "I am ready now," she announces.

outside Magnauk will lok at the others.

I would be happy to track when we needs it. Or assist anybody else whose can be better at it

"I will borrow your cold iron sword." Anniksson turns to the mayor. "Are there horses we may use?"

How long until dark?

Ionnia Teppen looks relieved upon hearing willingness to go investigate.

Ionnia: "Thank to you all for stepping up and doing this. Be careful out there. We do have horses at the local stables. Feel free to use them. We will handle the cost."

Ulfen man: "Thanks. We are in your debt. I trust my blade is in good hands!" He says, as he is being helped up by a couple local farmers, taking him to the local apothecary.

It is summer, so nightfall is still a couple hours away.

And the weather?

"Breezy. It is cold, but about 40 degrees with the sun out, it will be dropping to about 25 after dark."

As a side note, what the game considers "cold" is kind of funny.. -40C/F is the norm for a winter up here in Canada!

The elf turns around as he sees more getting up and starting to get ready. "Ice does not last under a summer sun. If you are coming, let us be on our way."

"A funny expression, something daddy would say," Hege says as the elf speaks. She quiets down as she see who the speaker is. Many stories circulated among the youth of Heldren about the elf.

An enormous ulfen man enters the Stoat looking disheveled and hungry.

He takes a seat and waves over a serving girl to get some of that famous stew only to notice the general commotion and collection of outsiders.

"What's goin' on here?"

From his profile:

A great bear of a man with long limbs thick with muscle and a barrel-chest that would put a bull auroch to shame, Sven is gifted with size and strength rare even among the powerfully built northern folk. His hair is a pale flaxen and worn in long braids that drape across his hulking shoulders. His beard, the same color, is similarly dressed. His features are strong and square and though he bears some scars from his time in battle, they largely serve to enhance his muscular good looks.

He's not a graceful man, not likely one to be overlooked or unheard, but he moves with a kind of certain unyielding strength. Each step and each swing of his powerful arms carry a sense of momentum that few would dare challenge. His voice is deep and carrying and richer still when he sings one of the songs of his people, passed down to him by his father.

Magnauk sreps.forward to great Sven

Sven Lady Argentae she be taken and her guards murdered by bandits and winter fey. we go to enact justice.
Come with.us

"What?!" the big ulfen says midway through shoveling a spoonful of steaming stew into his maw.

"We'll let's go."

Sven wipes his mouth and beard on a cloth, tosses a few coins on the table, and kisses the serving girl before giving the half orc a nod and heading out.