Rd Sun's Reign of Winter

Game Master JankInTheTank

Ashling will at least look inside, since the hut seems to be acknowledging her

Things are so much more complicated here, Samuel. I feel like i belong so much better than i ever did back home, but the stakes are much bigger! They're all Jadwiga but they all want different things. and they plot and scheme and move pieces around the board. they know the queen is overstaying her appointment, but many side with her anyways. others clearly disagree she looks over at Letitia. who is she? how did you find another witch that is willing to face Elvhanna?...

GM, I had it in my mind that Letitia and Ariadna knew each other back in Heldren. Hope that's okay.

Letitia draws her hair away from her face and leans in closer to the girl. "You don't recognize me from Madame Willowbark's shop? I was raised as one of the Jadwiga, but had to flee Irrisen when I was sixteen. Now, I am here to find Baba Yaga and have her overthrow Queen Elvanna."

She turns to look at the doorway into the Dancing Hut. "And this is our means to do so," she says with a glint in her eye.

Samuel negates "They would kill anyone raising their voice to maintain the current system. They associated with wild fey and evil bandits Ariadna. That's the hard truth"

The Taldan smiles a bit amused that his sister does not recognize the witch. The trip has certainly changed them and Ariadna has gone through a lot herself "She is Letitia. Last winter you were fascinated with her tales. Back at Heldren she was concealing her heritage to avoid questions. But we had to disguise as Stilyagi Jadwigas to enter the inner city" he looks at the witch and offers a cocky smile remembering how they sneaked in just a couple of days ago "It seems all those tales and the ones our mother was telling us... they were all true..."

He places a hand over his sister's shoulder, and trying to look for a way to amend things definitely between them and his sister, he says "I understand. And I do not oppose. But if you are really into learning magic, I suggest you rather take a witch as Letitia as a referent. As you see, she led us here against terrible odds, and managed to fight you back, even if you were two witches against one"

When Ashling opens the door and enters the hut, Samuel follows in continuing the conversation there "So you say there are some witches who oppose Elvhanna...?"

of course people would oppose, There are the nature folk who would sense the balance being broken, those who would oppose tyranny and those who just actively dislike mages. They dont have a very good historical record for doing good. she comments offhand, participating in the conversation finally... eventually she blurts out a question, Letitia are tales of little possessed dolls around Irrisens borders true?

Letitia gives Ariadna an appraising look. "Perhaps I can be convinced to train her. I wasn't quite as powerful as Nazheena, but I prevailed nonetheless."

She gives a start when Ashling asks about the soulbound dolls. "Yes, the tales are quite true. You should know this. We encountered one of the dolls in the woods north of Heldren. It contained the trapped soul of Nadya's daughter, remember?"

Callix smiles at Letitia's comment, "To be fair, you had a bit of help. But then, putting your trust the right people is simply proof that you're a better teacher than Nazheena could ever be."

She only pauses a moment at the edge of the door to the hut, then takes a breath and steps inside.

Ariadna's eyes go wide as Samuel explains the situation
"wait, Letitia? from Heldren? you look so different now. I thought all those stories were just legends. you mean they were real? what are the odds. three Jadwiga about as far away from Whitethrone as we could be in the Inner Sea and something brought us together anyways...

It seems foolish to think we can stand against the queen, but if you have a plan brother, I will follow you anywhere. you know that right? I didn't mean for you to be harmed. I thought you were still all the way back home safe and oblivious to it all.

Her thoughts trail off a bit as the moment you have been waiting for happens. Ashling tries the door which swings open easily.

Bundles of dried herbs hang from the rafters of this comfortable-looking room, and along the walls are numerous shelves holding a bewildering variety of glass jars, bottles, and vials containing all manner of strange magical components and alchemical ingredients.

A massive cauldron sits in the middle of the room. No fire burns under the pot, but the liquid within it bubbles and churns, and white fumes rise and lap over the brim.

A large stove, writing desk, bookcase, and fireplace complete the room, along with a number of crates, barrels, and sacks. A short flight of steps leads up to a set of double doors in the north wall, and a small ladder climbs to a trap door in the Northeast corner.

in front of the fireplace sits a comfortable-looking overstuffed chair. its occupant looks anything but comfortable as he is tied up and gagged. he appears well-dressed and armored. his green skin and large teeth poking out past the gag give him away as at least partly orc.

Samuel smiles at Ariadna relieved to see she has come to her senses now that the group got rid of Nezheena's influence "I do not blame you. I can see how confused you probably got in this far and strange land"

"We got the hut, we just need to bring it now to Babba Yagga. I think that will be fast. It seems we have come to the end of our little adventure and we will be home soon" the Taldan comments while stepping inside the hut.

Samuel looks around the strange furniture of the hut looking for possible hidden dangers.
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Then, his eyes are set in the gagged occupant of the room "Who the heck are you wretched one? What are you doing here tied up like that?"

The man approaches and removes the gag from the orc, but does not untie him yet.

Battered, bruised and bound to a chair, a powerfully built half-orc male regarded the newcomers with what little dignity the situation afforded. There was no mistaking his mixed parentage, the pale green skin of an orc, but with hair and a beard a northman would be proud of. His eyes were chocolate brown and unmistakably human but he sported an orcish style nose ring and useless vestigial lower fangs.

His eyes slid over Samuel and Calix and he spoke in an educated southern possibly Cheliaxian accent, ”Wretched one eh? Ha! So who are my new tormentors? A… Taldan musketeer? You’re a long way from home... A warrior maiden with Ulfen looks, mmm hmm.” He regarded the unnaturally pale Ashling next, ”A dangerous looking slip of a thing. You're not what I expec… Ah.” He frowned unhappily at the fourth one, ”A Jadwiga.” The heavy emphasis on this word and a weary sigh left you with no doubt that this was exactly what he expected.

Ignoring the rest of you he locked eyes with the witch and told her hotly, ”Like I said to your overbearing uh relative out there, I’m not going to help with this ice age madness! Baba Yaga is the one monsters frighten their children with, to think you can somehow bind her is insanity and I’ll have nothing to do with it!”

He seemed genuinely uncomfortable at being in the hut and glanced around before admitting nervously, ”Er… Yes. I’m all too aware whose hut this is and look what good getting in here did me.” He struggled uselessly with the bonds, ”Honestly I don’t think I’d be much help even when you inevitably insist, I mean her house spirit bested me! How demeaning overpowered by a nasty little fae...”

Bearing his neck he muttered, ”Anyway you have me at a disadvantage, Witch. Do your worst!”

Ariadna's eyes go wide as Samuel explains the situation

"wait, Letitia? from Heldren? you look so different now. I thought all those stories were just legends. you mean they were real? what are the odds. three Jadwiga about as far away from Whitethrone as we could be in the Inner Sea and something brought us together anyways..."

Letitia nods, having also wondered about how beings of Winter seemed to be attracted to that region in Taldor. "Strange, yes. It's clear to me that Heldren has some sort of link to Irrisen. A town called Waldsby, near the Pale Tower, is a frost-covered mirror to Heldren. It's a mystery for now." She pauses that conversation when it comes time to approach the dancing hut.

Letitia enters the hut with the awe and reverence of one stepping on hallowed ground. Her breath becomes softer and she steps lightly, mindful of the soil and frost on her shoes and doing what she can to avoid making any sort of mess. Her eyes go wide as she takes in the cauldron, the curios and knickknacks, and the alchemical reagents arrayed on the shelves.

"Everyone, be mindful of yourselves here. I firmly believe we have guest rights, bestowed upon us by her Black Midnight. But that does not mean we should not treat Baba Yaga's home with the utmost resp--"

She cuts herself off when she sees the tied-up being in the chair. She glares at him, mind pondering the mystery of how a half-orc could be here, taken prisoner in the Mother of Witches' abode. Samuel reacts first, removing the gag and demanding answers.

Letitia listens quietly, parsing out the captive's bluster and bluff. He recognized her as Jadwiga, causing her to arch an eyebrow. She keeps her face otherwise a mask, and holds up Nazheena's sickle and gown. "My cousin has been dealt with. What, pray tell, did she require of you?"

"You have guts there eh orc?" Samuel breaks into laugh while placing his musket over the shoulder visibly relaxed "Fear not, we are not here to bind Baba Yaga to any baba madness. And yes, I am a High Sentinel of the Border Woods in Taldor" he pats with pride his firearm "You are a well traveled and well versed one with a keen eye. Besides, the name is Samuel. Samuel Soulkeeper"

The Taldan man looks around, placing his eyes at the smoking cauldron "But what is this about a house spirit? I do not think you are cooking tied up like that..."

Letitia casts a sidelong glare at Samuel. "This one is not yet deserving of our trust. I would mind your tongue, if I were you, and let him do the talking."

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
What Letitia might know about house spirits

Llewellyn stiffened upon hearing the Jadwiga speak before giving a cynical laugh, "Dealt with Eh? Your extended family is rather good at that by all accounts. Anyway Nazheena required me to gain entrance to this hut, although I suspect she mostly wanted to watch a 'surplus to requirement greenskin' get stomped! I uh wasn't the first prisoner she sent." He grimaced as he remembered.

"Coming in here was not something I'd normally do but she and her archers were rather persuasive... I had to choose between a fast but gruesome death or something rather more drawn out. Walking towards my doom was an experience I didn't enjoy, although I was worrying about entirely the wrong thing. Something worse happened, the hut let me in!" He glanced around nervously, a sheen of sweat on his bow, "What if she came back and found me here?!"

He seemed genuinely terrified of the thought of encountering Baba Yaga. After all there are all sports of stories... All those daughters had to come from somewhere and the details of their conception was something he vehemently didn't want to find out about!

When the Jadwiga admonished the Taldan who called himself Samuel, without drawing blood or freezing him on the spot, Llewelyn raised an eyebrow. Turning to give the Taldan a better look he replied, "I'm sure the house spirit is around here somewhere, I'm surprised it hasn't showed itself." Giving the group an appraising look he corrected himself, "On the other hand, no I'm not, it's probably cowed by the presence of a granddaughter."

Seemingly coming to a conclusion he flashed a grin that was like the sun coming out, "Anyway I'm forgetting my manners, name's Llewellyn. I would offer you my hand but I'm tied up. Anyway like you Mr Samuel, I'm a long way from home. Not that home is a place that I'm particularly keen to return to."

Letitia shifts her stance to one coolly in control. Her eyes go from studying the half-orc with intense scrutiny to casually appraising the sickle apparently forged from ice in her hands. "An interesting tale," she says off-handedly. "And how did you win the distinction of becoming one of Nazheena's bits of fodder for the hut? You being a long way from home, as you say."

Llewellyn's eyes narrowed when the witch started fiddling with a wicked looking sickle made of ice and he felt a prickle of sweat forming on his back and forehead. "When you look like I do, people don't need much of an excuse for anything." he replied bitterly, "Back home they breed us to fight and die in the pits for their entertainment. Or if you were very lucky like me you were destined for the Opera - you still had to fight in ridiculous heavy getup but usually not to the death, but only because the training and the props were so very expensive. One time I actually got in trouble for bleeding on the props and was soundly beaten. Perhaps a better question witch, is what am I doing in Irrisen?"

Llewellyn sighed, "The Opera went on tour to Riddleport of all places, it was fun for a while but I may have angered the local Scarnazi lord. As much as I liked Varisia heading north with all speed seemed a good idea at the time. I rather fell in love with the mountains up here, but all the local bravos speaking that babble of theirs wanted to take a swing and well it's inevitable I got arrested I suppose."

Glancing at his bonds Llewellyn sighed, he had questions of his own but fate had played him a weak hand.

Llewellyn actually doesn't speak skald. That's an oversight during creation but might be amusing for RP. I'll likely fix that next level unless it's going to hamstring him in which case I ought to fix it sooner.

Callix shrugs, "Skaldic blood, Taldan upbringing -- with just enough tales of the North to realize that things are...." She trails off a brief moment at Letitia's warning, then adds, "...not ideal at the moment."

It feels odd to be speaking Taldan again...

She spins the axe in her hand, then stops, "Um, Letitia, would it undo guest-rights if I were to damage the chair... or the rope, for that matter? I'd really prefer not to anger the legendary artefact-thingy as much as possible."

The corners of Letitia's mouth turn down slightly as she listens to Llewellyn's tale. She thinks for a moment when he finishes.

She shakes her head at Callix's question. "The chair, possibly. But I doubt there will be any issue with the ropes. I take it you plan to cut his bindings?"

Letitia gives Llewellyn a cold stare. "Your fortunes have turned once again, wayward traveler. We are taking this hut to Baba Yaga's stronghold far from Whitethrone. You can leave now, and make your way as best you can in the capital city of the Jadwiga, or go with us to an unknown location and see how well you fare."

Callix nods, then puts away her axe and draws a dagger, "So, then, I need to be careful to not nick the chair or the bard. Got it," then starts to work on the man's bindings.

Seeming confused Llewellyn glanced at the Ulfren warrior and commented with a hopeful smile, "Wait. You would free me just like that?"

Turning back to scrutinise the witch he calmly met her stare and replied, "Options! Not very palatable ones but options still, probably the nicest thing any witch has ever said to me. Not that I've spoken to many witches you understand, but those I have made a lasting impression! As for staying the Queen's troops and Nazheena disabused me of the notion I might earn a living in Whitethrone."

Deciding to push his luck, Llewellyn gave her a shrewd look and asked, "A magical mystery tour sounds fun and all, but what's your angle in this? Ingratiating yourself with dearest Grand-momma... Hoping to get a crown perhaps? Or maybe you have a higher calling? Nazheena claimed some pretty unhinged stuff about plunging Golorion into an ice age, if that's true its completely insane and must be stopped."

Seeming confused Llewellyn glanced at the Ulfren warrior and commented with a hopeful smile, "Wait. You would free me just like that?"

Letitia gives him a mirthless smile. "Would you prefer if I demanded a price?"

That icy smile fades as he asks about her motives. "You overreach, orc-kin. Suffice it to say, I do not share my queen's goals for a world covered in ice. Or other matters. That should be enough for you, unless you wish to meddle in the affairs of witches further?"

i dont think Hutty will care about freeing him, i am here. Ashling gives a look around the hut while the others interrogate the newcomer, occasionally commenting we each have our own goals, i only care about restoring the worlds balance. Whatever happened to Baba yaga caused issues outside Irrisen.

Callix nods, "Aye, just like that. Of course, there are also more of us than there are of you, and I'm pretty certain we could eject you from the hut if you tried anything."

She chuckles at Letitia's mention of a price, then says, "No actual price, but you could show your gratitude with spirits, if you'd like."

Seeing Letitia's attitude shift, Callix cuts the final rope, then steps back, offering, "You might really think about that last question. If not for magical healing, I'd have a whole host of scars to prove that doing so isn't the best of ideas."

Samuel does not answer to Letitia's snap, but he does not untie the half-orc letting the witch make her thing.

In the end, he has enough and steps forward to help remove the ropes once Callix has cut them "Ok, Llewellyn, do not take it hard on us. We have been deceived many times already"

Discarding the cords he looks up the half-orc up and down "An opera singer you say? I always thought those ones with a colorful handkerchief and ludicrous clothing" he looks around trying to find Llewellyn equipment "Do you know where the spirit left your stuff? I guess you did not survive all the way from Riddleport to Irisen in long knickers..."

don't forget to move your pawns into the hut! most of you are still on the porch

While Callix works on the bindings and Letitia tries to decide what to do with Llewellyn, the others have a moment to look around the cabin they find themselves in.

going to add a few spoilers here, each one is a different preception check based on where you are looking

"Mmm hmm, very well keep your secrets witch." replied Llewellyn to the Jadwiga with a wry smile, for it occurred to him that she like the rest of her family likely craved power even if she'd never admit to it.

He simply grinned at the Ulfen warrioress, "Indeed four to one is poor odds, not that I'd look a gift horse in the mouth and try anything. As for spirits I'm afraid I've been robbed! I had a bottle of Two Knight Brewery rum I'd been saving for a special occasion but it was confiscated."

As the last of his bonds where parted he rubbed some life back into his chafed limbs and did his best to ignore the pins and needles as the blood trickled back. To her and Samuel he said, "You have my gratitude! I was getting more than a little concerned about what might happen if I was stuck here on my own."

"I only care about restoring the worlds balance. Whatever happened to Baba yaga caused issues outside Irrisen."

Llewellyn studied the young fierce looking girl and he said, "You think that's possible? By all accounts, the queen isn't one to take no for an answer and she's perhaps the second most frightening witch in these parts... Given the eventful journey your friend here alluded to," he indicated Callix, "it sounds like no matter what happens, yours is going to be quite the story!"

Warming into this he enthused, "You know, I always had a thing for the epics where a doomed band of unlikely heroes fight against the tide of darkness. In most of them they lost their lives but lived on forever, immortalised by word and song. Mmm I can sense possibilities..."

"An opera singer you say? I always thought those ones with a colorful handkerchief and ludicrous clothing."

Llewellyn nodded, "Ha! Chelish opera is all that and more, we wear armour underneath as they always include a reenactment of famous duels and battles from history. We don't use stage or blunt weapons either, the Egorians like blood and realism..."

"Do you know where the spirit left your stuff? I guess you did not survive all the way from Riddleport to Irisen in long knickers..."

"No, but she's the sort to have tidied it away somewhere..." he sighed in reply. At least he'd toned up on the journey from Varisia, a paunch would have made this situation unbearable!

Once everyone is inside, Letitia ensures the door to the porch is closed tightly. After giving the newly-freed prisoner a glance, she takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "I believe we have a moment of respite. We must be mindful of the house spirit which will no doubt make its presence known, but hopefully it will not be hostile once it sees Ashling wearing the Black Rider's mantle. And as for outside threats, Queen Elvanna apparently could not gain entry. Except for this sacrifice--" she gestures to Llewellyn -- "they were locked out.

"I have some tasks to attend to. I suggest you don't wander off."

She produces her cauldron and takes off the lid. Holding the captive owl firmly, she makes sure it can see the bubbling cauldron.

"Do you wish to be the main ingredient in tonight's stew? I personally think owl would taste terrible, but I'm willing to find out. Or, you can impart what you know to me and Lazlo and live a peaceful life with your wings intact. What will it be?"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Callix steps back from the man, sliding the dagger away and giving him time to rub some circulation back into his limbs, even as her mind finally catches up and allows the impact of things to strike her.

Sacred Tankard, I'm standing inside Baba Yaga's hut. If Mother were here, she'd... well, she'd already have killed herself trying to burn it down from the inside, no doubt... She chuckles slightly at that, the tiny touch of humour overcoming the awe - if only barely - and starts to scan the room while keeping an eye on the newcomer. Not for signs of betrayal, mind, just in case he needs help or healing.... Though, Hero, if you're listening, maybe this one won't be quite foolish enough to rush headlong into mortal danger -- or, if he is, we can at least drop him somewhere far away from us before he does?

Samuel smiles at the half-orc reply "You should visit the opera at Oppara, the Chelaxian ones are nothing but savage copies of the original show"

He gives a looks at the fireplace "Let's see if we can find those things of yours..."
Perception DC 15: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Samuel startles looking at the fireplace "Look at this here... there is some kind of glowing sigil marked on the mantle..."

Perception DC 20: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
The man continues looking around and looks over a book in the shelve "Strange. I would tell this shelve is not what it seems... Callix, could you help me please? I think this is some kind of secret door"

Perception DC 28: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Perception DC 15: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
When he comes to the cauldron area, he points out there are "a bunch of mundane items and some reagents or something, maybe some of this stuff might be useful..."

Perception DC 27: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

So many things on the to do list!!

After arranging for the transfer of spell lists...

Letitia expresses interest in glowing sigil at the fireplace, so goes to inspect what Samuel found once she's finished her business with Nazheena's familiar.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24
Or Knowledge (history)?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 +2 if it's (planes) or +3 if it's (nobility)

The discovery of the secret door intrigues her, but she lacks the means to pick a lock so she decides to leave it alone for the moment.

At the discovery of the items and reagents around the cauldron, she turns her attention to them and calls Samuel's sister over. "Ariadna, go through each and every item, identifying them if you are able and listing the approximate amounts. I hope we won't have to use these resources as we journey to find Baba Yaga, but if we do I want to account for each and every item to compensate her for their use. If it comes to that."

Steeling herself, she casts detect magic, hoping that the magic of the hut doesn't overwhelm her. Provided that she's not blinded or stunned by the artifact's auras, she turns the arcane sight toward the examination of the magical items.

Spellcraft (bead): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
Spellcraft (elixer): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
Spellcraft (doll): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27
Spellcraft (ointment 1): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
Spellcraft (ointment 2): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27
Spellcraft (herbs): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23
+1 if ice or cold magic

Once those tasks are done, she studies the cauldron, remembering that the keys she possesses must be tossed inside. She doesn't do it yet, wanting to wait until everyone is ready and the house spirit found and the other doors explored.
Perception (cauldron): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Her breath catches. "Oh! That's curious." She goes on edge, cautiously looking around the cauldron and paying particular attention to her peripheral vision.

"I have some tasks to attend to. I suggest you don't wander off."

Llewellyn felt his eyebrows rising, and to her retreating back he muttered wryly, "I'm hardly going to traipsing around in the snow in my underwear..."

To those left in the room he added, "Speaking of which Mr Samuel has the right idea, I'd better go and find my stuff. Oh and it might be best if we stick together in here incase the house-spirit gets ideas..."

It occurred to Llewellyn that in Baba freaking Yaga's house one likely needed their wits about them. He started humming an old tune, one that helped him concentrate.

Casting heightened awareness.

Noting the sigil Samuel found, Llewellyn mused "I wonder what that is..."
Kn:Arcarna: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 2 = 27

"I think this is some kind of secret door"

Grinning Llewellyn commented, "This place has hidden depths. Better be careful it could be boobytrapped."

He tried to have a look but the others where crowding round and he couldn't see properly.
Perception to check for traps: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 2 = 14

Llewellyn glanced over the northern doors but didn't spot anything of interest.
Perception: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 2 = 23

In the cauldron area Llewellyn noticed lots of interesting items, he waited while the witch examine them. Chanced where if she was as good as she acted she'd have no trouble identifying them, but the proof of the pudding was in the tasting.
Perception : 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 2 = 25

Noting her suddenly stiffen, Llewellyn glanced in the direction she was staring and noted a missing bowl and egg that was there moments before...
Perception: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 = 27

"Uhh... That's a bit strange." he murmured as he thought, 'Could this be one of the house spirit's pranks?'

Kn:Planes to know about the house spirit and whether this is something it might have done: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 = 28

"Those sigils... perhaps the house has its own protections so it cannot be just stolen by whatever ambitious rival witch..." Samuel comments while pointing at the mark for others to study it "The rider told us how to use the cauldron to reach Artosia, but said nothing about magical sigils or house spirits. So let's be cautious."

Noticing the lock in the bookcase secret door Thanks Letitia, Samuel carefully inspect it for traps before trying to force the lock. He frowns as he holds the picklock in his hands "Alec did not last to see our success..."
Careful search for traps: 20 + 12 = 32
Disable Device: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

Letitia pulls out her cauldron and sufficiently scares the owl into working with her. Lazlo hoots as he perches near the other familiar and begins to commune with it.

When she is finished she finds several pairs of eyes watching her, as her friends look to her for help with a variety of projects. it seems others are waiting for Letitia to take the lead.

She starts by getting Ariadna started cataloguing the magical items that were near the cauldron. she is able to pick out which ones are magical, even with the aura of the hut itself. while inside the hut the magical aura isn't nearly as blinding as Letitia would have expected, and she is able to cut out the background noise to focus on the task at hand.

with some guidance from Letitia, Ariadna is able to ID the items

Letitia comes over to see the hidden door that Samuel spotted, and points out that it is locked. she leaves the gunsmith to deal with picking through the lock.

Samuel pulls out the set of tools, sparing a thought for a fallen comrade then gets to work. he finds no traps, and is able to unlock the door!

next she joins Llewellyn at the fireplace. there is no sign of the missing gear, but the two of them spot the rune. they talk together about the sight, but come to an agreement that it is not an Arcane Mark like it originally appeared to be, and may be something tied to the house or one of its occupants, but does not seem to be a way to lock the house put there by a witch.
knowledge nature will help unlock more information

turning from the fireplace, both Letitia and Llewellyn spot something move! they move to investigate, both commenting on it and realizing they both saw the same thing. they don't spot anything else out of place.

perhaps it is the house spirit? Llewellyn thinks about any stories he can remember about angels or demons or other extraplanar creatures that might help, but then realizes that this is more likely to be the work of a fey creature if it is a house spirit.

what is ashling doing during all of this?

The group has spread out a bit, and has started to uncover a lot of interesting pieces of information. the room still has 2 exits, one behind the now-unlocked secret door and one to the north. and of course their is the cauldron sitting ready to receive the keys you have brought from the Black Rider.

Ashling will go over to... the Cauldron and take out the keys.

Kn:Nature: Sigil: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 = 26 +2 = Heightened awareness.

Noting Letitia had marked the movement too, Llewellyn raised an eyebrow and remarked, "That might be the work of the house spirit..."

Rubbing the rope marks on his wrists he told her, "Its a piece of work, a type of fae called a Kikimora. They're very sneaky and delight in tormenting the folk whose houses they invade, playing tricks to make the place seem cursed or haunted, or just plain dirty and infested with vermin. They can create extra dimensional hidey-holes, a space they can enter or leave at will, I have a feeling that sigil on the fireplace might be one of those. I doubt your Grandmother invited it, perhaps we should ask it to leave?"

"Ashling, stop!" Letitia commands.

I think I've been carrying the items anyway.

She puts the lock of hair and the plague mask back into her pouch. "We are not ready. My spells are nearly depleted. I need rest. I wish to learn Nazheena's secrets. We should finish exploring. We need to find this house spirit. All of which will take time. We trust that the hut will take us to Baba Yaga's stronghold, but will it be guarded? Are you sure we shouldn't be fresh and prepared first?"

i was... looking. she says in an almost entranced curious tone befitting one as young as she is. As she leaves the cauldron to look elsewhere.

"We likely cannot remain here at the heart of Whitethrone either. Someone is going to miss Nazheena after the dragon's death buzz calms and decide to send someone to contact the witch" Samuel reflects after Letitia's outburst.

The Taldan keeps working on the lock anyway, until he smiles after hearing the familiar *click* "Do those Kikimoras get very angry by people exploring their homes?"

"Because I have an open door here..." he pushes open the secret door to check what is beyond.

Letitia wrings her hands, the cracks of a long day and even longer journey beginning to show. "I know we can't stay! Not for long, but the forest surrounding the hut had been impassible for days, if not weeks already! It might take days before it's discovered that we've breached it, what with the Heralds rousing the rabble."

She pauses, listening to Llewellyn describe the house fey. She gives him a look. "Quite the learned opera performer." She thinks for a moment on what he said. "Would a fey truly try tormenting the Mother of Witches? Are they mad as well as well as capricious? Suicidal?"

Switching to Sylvan, Letitia announces in a clear voice to the room, "સારું સાંભળો, ઘરના ફે. હું જાદવિગા લેટીશિયા છું, હર બ્લેક મિડનાઇટ દ્વારા આ ઝૂંપડું જાતે બાબા યગાને પરત કરવાનું કામ સોંપવામાં આવ્યું છે. જો તમે તેના સાથી અથવા મહેમાન છો, તો તમારી જાતને પ્રગટ કરો. અમારા ધ્યેયો ગોઠવાય છે."

Callix wonders aloud, "Is this the kind of fae that speaks Sylvan -- or like so many we've seen, one that would speak Aklo?"

"I don't speak Aklo," Letitia says flatly. She glances at the half-orc to see if he has anything to say about Callix's question.

Um... i speak Aklo... and Sylvan. Fey creatures were common back home. I can give it an attempt if needed, although i havent spoken it in a year or so Ashling turns to face the room, taking a breathe and speaking the other language used by fey. Her tone is rough at first, but clears up.quickly enough.

From what i understand about fey, they don't care what kind of humanoid you are. They will still mess with you. The mother of witches, judging by her children being humanoid would be herself. Messing with humanoids is as in their nature to do as it is for humans to fight and dwarves to drink.

Llewellyn noted the interaction between Letitia and Miss Ashling, he wasn't sure many people other than the witch had ever dared to scold her so. Still the witch's caution was probably right and he didn't really want to pick a fight so soon, so he wisely kept his peace.

He assumed the Fey spoke Sylvan but that and Aklo where not languages he spoke and they both sounded really strange with Sylvan being vaguely melodic to his ears. He awaited any response from the creature with interest.

I don't suppose Llewellyn has had any luck finding his stuff yet?

Lest I forget...
Letitia has Lazlo start with wall of ice (4 hours), then move immediately to summon monster IV, (4 hours), then ice storm (4 hours) and sleet storm (3 hours). (15 hours total)

Llewellyn has not seen his gear yet. he knows the Kikimora took it from him but didn't see where she took it

Letitia stops Ashling from dropping the keys into the cauldron, askin for more time to prepare first.

Samuel pushes open the secret door which opens smoothly on well-oiled hinges.
Tall bookcases stretch from floor to ceiling in this chamber, flanking a row of tables standing in the center aisle. Numerous books are strewn upon the tables, along with blotters, vials of ink, sheets of vellum, and abundant quills. A fire burns merrily in a fireplace built into the eastern wall.

Meanwhile, Letitia and Ashling call out to the house spirit.

A creature appears close to the fireplace.

She appears to be a hunched, old crone with a long bird’s beak, donkey ears, horns, and stringy black hair. She wears a peasant’s dress with a red shawl tied tightly around her wizened head, but these articles do not disguise her clawed hands or the scaly bird talons that are her feet.

I can understand you both just fine the creature says in common. and the only ones causing torment in my house are you lot! you just wander into the house of the Great Baba Yaga and start touching things? have you no manners on this planet?

quieter, as if to herself but definitey loud enough for everyone to hear
they didn't even wipe their feet before coming in... i just cleaned this floor...

"Pffffiiiiuuu!" Samuel whistles impressed at the book display in the secret room "You can read here for days. Perhaps a life or two"

He is picking a vial of ink in his hand when the Kikimora makes her presence known, which he quickly drops back over the table when she starts to complain about their manners "Eh, erm, sorry old crone. This is our first time in a Baba Yaga house. Are you its guardian? If you could explain us the rules here... we want to meet Baba Yaga and definitely do not want to offend her"

The man smiles when she comments about wiping the shoes. He rises his left boot and hits it softly removing the snow within.

Logan was equally impressed with Samuel's find, suggesting quietly, "It might be prudent to check these books for magic before touching, but I must admit to being tempted to know what books the mother of witches reads..."

He started softly humming an old tune that helped him concentrate as he focused on the energies in the room. Casting detect magic.

Stepping smartly out once he heard the Kikimora's voice, Logan was rather surprised by what she said about cleaning the floor. He wondered if she was lying, of course it was possible that Baba Yaga had bound her to this place forcing her do actually clean rather than play nasty tricks.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

I'm going to try and demand my stuff back, but will let folks get a round of RP in first.

Who's Logan?

Letitia's mouth drops open in a gasp as she sees the library unveiled. Her attention is quickly drawn away, however, when the fey appears.

Her face twists as the group is chided by the fey for being disrespectful towards her grandmother. She'd had it in her mind that they would be forgiven for minor indiscretions if they were ultimately respectful when they met her in person. The fey's words suddenly cast doubt on that assumption.

"I assure you, I have nothing but respect for Baba Yaga, my grandmother. I am Jadwiga Letitia of Irrisen. We are here in her service. If you had been listening when we arrived, you would know that my intentions were to account for everything here."

She gestures to Ashling. "This one bears the Black Rider's mantle. We are tasked with taking this hut to Baba Yaga in Artrosia."

Diplomacy (aid): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10
Still rocking that touch of idiocy penalty. Anyone want to take the lead?

Unless Letitia wants him to bluff the fey, Samuel knows his words are often harsh and badly taken "The witch is right. We want to bring the house to Baba Yaga. Do you come with us?"
Diplomacy aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
ok...
Samuel wipes again his boots letting even more snow and small branches to fall over the library's dutifully cleaned ground.

Callix whistles at Samuel's find, then turns to the old Crone, doing a double take before looking back at the half-orc and *barely* suppressing a chuckle.

Quite, We have been tasked with restoring order, which means bringing Baba Yaga back. Answers, briefly returning outside to wipe her feet and then coming back.