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The kikimora addresses Letitia first
Yes, yes I can see you're a Jadwiga. you act so innocent, but you humans are always so unpredictable! the last witch i let traipse around in here cast some horrid curse that has made most of the hut's keys completely inert. and she was the Queen! I was supposed to trust her. so forgive me if I'm a bit...
She glares over at Samuel as he is dropping dirt and bloody snow all over the floor.
will you stop that?! where did you find this one? mucking out stables? she ives Samuel a small swat with her long broom and starts vigerously sweeping up the mess, bumping into Samuel's legs frequently.
Just... just take the damned things off! stick them by the fire and I'll get them sorted for you.
she nods as Ashling cleans her feet off properly
I see why you were chosen as the leader then! you need to teach your entourage some manners young lady.
Llewellyn does not feel like the fey is lying. in fact he knows that most fey are completely incapable of lying. she certainly seems sincere.
as the others get an earful from the angry house spirit, Llewellyn checks out the library. casting detect magic he finds that the aura of the house itself is quite strong and all around, but once he cuts through the background noise, he finds that the shelves themselves are also enchanted. most of the books are mundane, however. there is one magical book sitting on one of the reading tables.
Letitia gasps. "Queen Elvanna was in here?!?"
She follows the fey around as she starts cleaning, peppering her with questions. "How did she gain entry? When was she here? How long did she stay? Did she say anything? Did she tell you what she did with Grandmother? What kind of curse, exactly? You said most keys are inert. Which ones still work? I have keys to Artrosia, would they still work? Where is the curse's focus point? Here, or in the library, perhaps?"
Callix obeys the thing's orders, removing her boots and setting them near the fire, before saying, "Well, from what we've managed to learn, the Queen was killing and torturing the Riders... Whereas, Ashling took up the mantle in order to stop her." She pauses, then adds, "If that helps with the trust. Honestly, I don't think we quite knew what to expect -- and the gruesome display outdoors has me wondering if the Queen destroyed the mantles and not just the people carrying them."
...and, current circumstances also have me wondering how I feel about the thought of some of Irissen's bogeymen being forever lost...
Llewellyn noted the book but was careful not to touch it. He wondered what the enchantment it was invested with was but studying the aura of an item inside Baba Yaga's hut was a bit like comparing a candle to the sun and he gave up.
Besides the conversation with the Kikimora was going in an unexpected direction and he was learning a good deal about the granddaughter who had let her icy countenance slip in her excitement. He wanted his stuff back but that could wait, for now.
Samuel hops back avoiding the broom as good as he can and quickly pulls off his boots "Ok, I will confess I am more used to sleep in the horses stable than the witch house Mrs..." realizing the kikimora has not given herself a name yet, the Taldan presents himself "I am Samuel. Samuel Soulkeeper" and looking at his sister, he adds "Ariadna's brother"
He walks towards the fireplace to leave his boots all while listening the kikimora's story. He had questions, but Letitia excitedly puts them forward all.
The house spirit looks a little annoyed by the questions
"how did she gain entry? she's the daughter of Baba Yaga! how on earth was i supposed to know she was going to come in here and start messing with things?? The hut let her in, as it always has done, and once she started breaking things what was I supposed to do against power like hers?? I'm just a simple housekeeper.
having defended her own role in what happened, the kikimora tries her best to answer the string of questions.
She has been in here a few times. once with Baba Yaga, a few more times on her own. I dind't think much of it until I realized i hadn't seen Baba Yaga in some time. and then Elvhanna started some sort of ritual. she absorbed the magic from the keys in this room into some sort of crystal she held. i have tried many of the keys in here and none of them work anymore. I do think that it should only affect the keys that were here when she cast her spell though. if you have keys they may still function. I would assume any other keys left outside of the hut would also function. Baba Yaga often left keys places where she thought they might be needed...
if you want to use them, cast 2 paired keys into the cauldron and stir. we will be carried off to wherever those keys are tied to.
unfortunately, Elvhanna did not see fit to talk about her plans or what happened to Baba Yaga while standing in the hut. she is many things, but foolish is not one of them.
after a few moments, Llewellyn comes back in after not being able to learn anything about the book.
and what about this one? the kikimora asks, pointing at the newcomer.
is he also with you? he didn't come in here showing the favor of Baba Yaga, and so I did what i could to keep any more damage from coming to this old house. you bear the mantle, so if you vouch for him, I will leave him alone. and give him back his weapons and things.
Given the treatment she put him through, the Kikimora was far from his favourite being. Still Llewellyn reflected she had ample opportunity to kill him or worse and hadn't, perhaps it was time to try being nice.
So there he was standing in his long johns as he pointed out "The hut let me in. If half the things I've heard about it are true, that should count for something right? Anyway I think you've all seen quite enough of me like this, could I have my clothes back please?"
Letitia absorbs the information provided by the fey. After listening intently, she appears unsettled by the queen's actions, especially that she had visited with Baba Yaga once.
When the kikimora asks about Llewellyn, Letitia eyes the half-orc with an arched eyebrow. "I will not be vouching for him. He can state his case to Samuel, Ashling or Callix if he wishes to not exit this hut while we're still in Whitethrone. He can face the known dangers of the city of witches, or he can risk the unknown. Either way, it makes little difference to me."
She waves her hand. "By all means, let him have his effects."
She goes to check on her familiar, and once ensuring that Lazlo is making progress, she steps into the library.
Llewellyn gave her a dark look and laughed in her face as he pointed out, "Like that's any kind of choice witch. The queen's guards caught me once already, next time they'll skin me alive. No this hut is my ticket out of here!"
Watching her imperiously march off, he thought 'Might also be my ticket to fame and fortune, you lot are on quite the adventure and I'll be writing the play. I've already thought of a title, 'The ballad of the snow witch'. Golorion will know you through my eyes Jadwiga, we'll see who has the last laugh...'
Actually to clarify. The house Let me in. Because i accepted Black Midnight's dying wish. The others came with me. I am fairly certain without it they would not have been granted entry
Letitia is nonplussed by the half-orc's dark look. However, when Ashling speaks, she gives the blind girl a hostile stare. We all agreed to the Black Rider's geas, and if you weren't wearing the mantle, any of us would be, she thinks so hard it might have been out loud.
She spins in a huff and stomps into the library.
"What do you mean girl?" Samuel is carefully leaving the boots near the fireplace when he overhears Ashling talking "We all promised the Black Rider to bear his burden. If the survival of Taldor itself did not depend on it, I would leave you alone here for you to defend that cloak single"
He then turns to the kikimora, still visibly affected by Ashling words "I just met the half-orc, but he has been the most trustful being we have found in this side of the portal since we left Nadya back."
"I will keep an eye on him, if that is what is needed to have his pants back"
As an outsider Llewellyn knew not to get involved when the one they called Ashling's statement went down poorly. The story of the Black Rider and the mantle was intriguing and likely belonged in his play so he listened carefully to the Taldan's words.
"I just met the half-orc, but he has been the most trustful being we have found in this side of the portal since we left Nadya back."
"Why thank you Mr Samuel." added Llewellyn cheerfully.
"I will keep an eye on him, if that is what is needed to have his pants back"
It was a bit chilly so with gusto he said, "Believe me, you'll have my gratitude if she does return them!"
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Callix chuckles as Samuel gives voice to her own thoughts, then adds, "Black Midnight advised us that we could pass the mantle between us, Ashling. We all accepted: you, me, Letitia, Samuel -- Alec."
She sighs at the last, then shakes her head to clear away that thought, then adds, "Honestly, Bard -- Llewellyn -- where we're going is at least as likely to get you dead. Probably much more so. Here, at least, there's a way to sneak out - you could backtrack how we snuck in."
She pauses a moment and says, "Because if you're still here when things start - we need to know we can depend on you -- not only to not need us to protect you, but also to not stop us as we follow though in this insanity to prevent something even more cataclysmicly crazy."
She shrugs, "But either way, yes, let's return his gear."
Ashling looks back returning to a near emotionless expression, devoid of care, Do as you will, i will handle myself. When you are all ready call me and with That Ashling heads outside
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"Honestly, Bard -- Llewellyn -- where we're going is at least as likely to get you dead. Probably much more so. Here, at least, there's a way to sneak out - you could backtrack how we snuck in."
"One can assume it has the advantage of not being Irrisen! I like the mountains but my reception was chillier than the weather..." countered Llewellyn, adding flippantly "Besides everywhere is dangerous, people take one look and assume the worst... Mind you they might have a point, I learned a thing or two about using a sword and a bow and I've been forced to use that knowledge more times than I care to think of."
The long and the short of it was Llewellyn wasn't the sort to scare easily, and when he got an idea in his head he could be annoyingly persistent.
Letitia snatches a book at random from the shelves and leafs through it absently while she actually continues listening to the conversation. She settles somewhat when the others correct Ashling for her statement, and paces back and forth in the library as she mulls over their situation.
She closes the book with a thump after not reading even a word when Ashling starts to head outside. She clears her throat loudly before the young assassin steps out. "Let's take stock of our situation, shall we?"
She waits a moment until all eyes are on her, then she begins. "We've won a great victory, but our quest is not at its end. However, we shouldn't let the momentousness of what we've accomplished go unnoticed. We've bested Nazheena, freed Ariadna, and claimed the hut. Let's not lose sight of these things." Letitia eyes Callix with an arched eyebrow. "We should celebrate, yes? Food and drink?
"But before that, we need to make sure the hut is safe. Queen Elvanna has been through here. Baba Yaga herself, though we act on her behalf, is a dangerous being and may have left guardians about."
She turns to the kikimora. "Wise house spirit and protector, what can you tell us about what lies beyond those doors, and up that ladder? May we stay here, rest, and eat, before we take our next journey?"
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While the group debates amongst themselves, the Kikimora shuffles over to the firplace. she walks right into the stone wall of the fireplace, the sigil flaring to life briefly. she vanishes from view, but returns moments later with a pile of clothes and gear. Llewellyn obviously notices it is all the things he had taken from him, and they are all now cleaned, polished and repaired.
when the group stops arguing about how they got here, the kikimora answers Letitia's questions.
the room over there is warded by a defensive rune. you are welcomed here by Baba Yaga through the power of the Rider, so you should be able to pass through easily. the room beyond is a map room, but i do believe the queen left something in there.
up the ladder is just the loft. nothing much up there...
the library has books on many topics you might find useful. the book in the center will allow you to open a portal to the library from any other room in the house.
And yes, you were allowed intot he house, you may stay here as long as you wish. you should be safe here, but i wouldn't stay put for too long. Elvhanna shackled the hut once, if she learns that you have broken the chains, she may come back with another attempt. I do not feel confident that you would survive that encounter
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Letitia's mouth twists as she looks at the doors to the map room. "She 'left something,'" she repeats warily. "You might be called upon to use your knowledge of sword and bow," she adds, turning to face Llewellyn, "if you wish to purchase your 'ticket out of here.'"
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Llewellyn's mood was buoyed immensely by the return of his things and he marvelled at how shiny and clean they all were, "Thank you and wow how did you manage to get it all so clean?! Look! You even got those bloodstain stains off my boots... Madame it appears you are a genius!"
And to Samuel he gave a courtly bow, saying "And thank you honourable musketeer for your surety, I won't let you down."
Llewellyn wasted no time dressing and did a completely unnecessary twirl, grinning like a boy who was just given a tin sword. Not even the witch's return could dampen his spirits and with a degree of eagerness he urged the group, "Well come one then! Lets go see what it is..."
When he sees the blue girl visibly affected, Samuel's face softens "Sorry Ashling, excuse my blunt manners. Your words fell like a demolish ball on me" he does walk forward and tries to softly prevent the girl from leaving the hut "Let's stay together"
Samuel smiles and nods slightly at Llewellyn "We should pick up that book, if it allows us to go back to the library, it might come handy in case whatever is in the other room comes to trap us there" he does pick up the book if no one more magical concerned does.
He then inspects the northern doors before the group moves in.
Callix chuckles at the idea of celebrating, "I only have the two aleskins, and didn't ask the Hero for the ability to make more today. Though I don't disagree with the thought that I'm way too sober to deal with standing in the Baba Yaga's Hut." With that, she produces the first of her skins and takes a long pull, before offering it to everyone else.
She then sighs, "Still, the kikimora's warning is a valid one -- I think we'd best search the Hut to find all the little surprises first, and then we can decide what to do -- and whether any of us are brave enough to ask the kikimora to unlock your grandmother's liquor cabinet, figuratively speaking."
Samuel checks the door and sees that there is indeed a defensive rune written there.
the door appears to be unlocked, though
Llewellyn noted the rune that Mr Samuel pointed out and warned the others, "We should probably understand what this ward is before entering. Granted if we where not welcome it'd probably gone off by now..."
Very carefully he inspected the rune, casting detect magic if required.
When the warrior maiden Callix talked about aleskins, Llewellyn raised an eyebrow - the last time he'd partaken resulted in a fight and then it was all a blur till he woke up battered and bruised in the clutches of the Queens guard. What on Golorion would happen if they stared drinking here of all places, who knew were they might end up?! As he was thinking that the ghost of a smile appeared on his lips, it would be fun to find out!
Letitia scowls. "Was I the only one who listened to the kikimora? She said the ward would not affect us because we are welcomed by the Black Rider." She gives Llewellyn a dubious look, but then gives Samuel a "go on, then," gesture.
Ashling will stop, listening to the conversation, quiet for the moment but suddenly blurts out, The hut has legs, can it actually walk?
Letitia glances over to Ashling. "I'm sure it does; the border huts that guard Irrisen's lands can, and they were built to emulate this one. The one we saw in Taldor wasn't completed, obviously, otherwise it would have killed us all.
"But how to control this hut? I do not know. It may go where it will, or it may only follow Baba Yaga's commands. Perhaps the kikimora knows the secret." She looks at the house fey expectantly.
"Do not know, but have those keys prepared in case it decides to walk into Whitethrone's palace barracks!" chuckles Samuel.
Then nodding softly to Letitia, he opens the northern door, still having an eye on the rune "Let's see..."
If nothing happens, he searches the next room.
Llewellyn studies the rune on the door and can tell that i is keyed to make a fire-based attack spell when the door is opened unless bypassed properly.
Letitia and Samuel are confident that the Black Rider's blessing should be enough to get through. Samuel reaches out to touch the door. the rune flares brightly for a moment, then fades, letting him open the door.
Five iron thrones are arranged around a circular map in the floor of this large room. Translucent, three-dimensional images of cities and villages hover a few inches above their locations on the map. A large pile of bones and skulls, roped together by sinew, sits atop the center throne. Behind this throne, columns set against the wall form a semicircular alcove filled with a swirling mass of white mist.
As samuel moves forward o investigate the new room, the others wonder about the hut's functions
the Kikimora is quiet for a moment, then pulls out a small cracked bowl with a chicken egg inside of it from somewhere in her dress.
I took this while you were entering, I didn't know if i could trust you yet. this device controls the hut's movement. i did not want you to have that power if you were an enemy. she carefully, almost reverently places the egg bowl back on the shelf where it was before, near the cauldron.
Samuel holds his breath as the rune flares, but relaxes soon as it fades, going into the next room.
"This reminds me to the globe that governed the portal in the White Tower..." then looks at the egg as the Kilkimora places it in the bowl "The reins are... an egg??? How is that possible crone? Are you fooling us? Is that what you told to the last idiot who came in?" Samuel points to the the bones in the throne visibly alarmed.
He then points to the mist in the alcove "And what is that faerie cloud over there?"
Callix shoots Samuel a look trying to convey, Maybe let's not upset the spirit in charge of the magical artefact we're standing in, without saying the words aloud, then says gently, "I think the wisdom of hiding something so important in so simple a package is pretty clear." She then takes a heavy, heavy pull from her aleskin, draining it before using her magic to ask the Drunken Hero for a refill. I am way too sober to be here.
Letitia's eyes brighten and she looks with fascination at the egg and bowl combination that controls the hut. Her face quickly scowls when Samuel shows distrust. "Do not question the ways of witches," she snaps. She quickly nods in agreement with Callix's assessment.
Llewellyn found this all quite fascinating but he was taken by the skeletal remains on the throne. A little nervously but with good humor he pointed at the bones and asked the Kikimora, "Erm is there anything we should know about that? No I'm not intending to touch it and far be it from me to criticise the decor but you know that's kind of creepy!"
My brother used to tell me, mages do things like that because eithwr they have to duento the rules of spellcasting, because they're trying to be symbolic, they're incredibly vane or clever. This is a hut with chi... Peeks outside 5ye hut briefl yto confirmChicken legs. The egg is probably some form of symbolism and because Baba yaga is absurdly powerful
Letitia studies the bones from a distance. "I don't know. I didn't know Queen Elvanna had dabbled in necromancy, if that's what she left behind. Regardless, it will be dangerous."
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Callix shrugs, "I'm way too sober to start guessing after the whys of witches and artefacts. We already know they use souls of innocent children to power their dolls -- the ones that hunted my mother, the one we saw at the hut -- and I'd rather drink a cask of vinegar than think too hard about what must have been needed to power this thing."
With that, she drains her aleskin a second time and again uses her magic to refill it before offering it to anyone else.
"Good. Then have witches solve this" Samuel answers retreating back and making a sign for sharing some of Callix drinks "I am going to agree I am too sober for bones, necromancy and driving eggs"
Letitia cranes her neck and stands on her tip toes to get a look at the map, but doesn't venture far into the room. If the bones don't animate, she'll study it for a few moments to try to get a sense of what region it depicts. If everyone leaves the map room, she'll also leave.
Letitia falls back into the cauldron room when the others do, and she shuts the door. "Whatever it is, it seems to be dormant for the moment. Perhaps after we've rested and replenished our resources we can face it."
She accepts a full aleskin and takes a drink. She settles down somewhat, showing signs of relaxing. After a few more sips, she stands abruptly and goes into the library with Nazheena's robe. After a few moments she returns wearing the hyperboreal robe and the robe of useful items draped over one arm. "It might make you appear superficially as a Jadwiga, but I advise one of you to wear this," she says to Ashling and Callix.
Callix accepts the robe, holding it up with a slight grimace, "Not exactly fashionable, that. Though I'd imagine Ashling could just adopt the Mantle to "fit in"." She looks over the patches, then shakes her head, "No flask. What's wrong with people?"
Letitia smirks. "There are three flasks. Flasks of alchemist's fire, but flasks nonetheless." She stifles a giggle and takes another drink from the aleskin. "Though you seem to get along all right with your god's blessing."
Callix laughs, "True, though when you're a follower of the Drunken Hero, ale's not much more than water... Even he agrees, given how I'm able to make more."
Letitia smiles easily, an expression that has only rarely touched her face. "Hmm. So no chance your god will give us some Irriseni ice wine? Mother let me and my sister's have a taste once. It was the sweetest, most wonderful flavor that I'd ever tasted. It was golden like sunshine was trapped in liquid, and it took my breath away when I swallowed it." She leans in like she's sharing a secret she'd promised never to tell. "Lobelia threw up."
"I tell you, there is nothing that Border Wood Moonshine" Samuel cleans his lips and takes sit in one of the chairs having an extra sip "Magodi has a private production for the High Sentinels. Had. Agh, the lad was always collecting those colorful berries"
He extends his legs, comfortably resting them over the central piece.
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the kikimora just rolls her eyes at Samuel
do you want my help or not? but she relaxes when the others take her at her word more easily. she hands the contraption to Letitia.
the bones on the throne do not seem to be a threat at the moment, but the group decides its best not to test them too much at the moment.
those bones were not there before, they may indeed be somethign that was left behind by the Witch Queen. best to be careful dealing with it. the mist is used by the witches in divinations, I believe. I have never used the spells in that room the house spirit says.
the group closes the door and begin drinking
Llewellyn found he was sweating suddenly when it turned out the bones were something new left behind by Baba Yaga. He was curious about their origin but perhaps some questions didn't need to be answered.
Backing away from them he remarked, "Ah yes. I'd rather not deal with it if at all possible!"
When the witch brought up the topic of Ice Wine, Llewellyn laughed "Bit too sweet for my taste, although a glass can be nice after a meal. I prefer red wines or better yet a dark ale, the dwarves make good stuff but regrettably they'd sooner poke me with sharpened sticks than sell me any."
Giving the warrior maiden an appraising look, he said, "Sooo you can just conjure up mead and wine? That's a pretty useful ability..." Was he angling for a demonstration, surely not!
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Callix nods, "Oh, he will, I just need to prepare the right spells in the morning. Like I said, this is literally me creating water, as far as the Hero's concerned. The magic to make wine... or spirits... is a bit more demanding."
She smiles at Letitia's description, then winces at the end, "Oh, Spoiled Cask, the idea of getting sick on something so sweet as an icewine... it just makes me shudder. Poor girl, I don't envy her the headache that would have come with it."
She produces her second aleskin and tosses it to Samuel, "You'll have to steal me a flask of that, sounds delightful. I like the warm burn of a good spirit, preferably with a touch of wood or smoke from barrels. Best thing I ever tried I stole from Nolus when I left him. Was a rough day for him, I suppose, losing me and that bottle he'd been saving on the same day. It was a spirit made from rye, but aged in old sugar maple barrels.. and they added dark maple syrup instead of sugar to boost the fermentation. Not enough to make it sweet, mind, just to get a depth of flavour -- a mix of a number of things, like the way musical notes come together to make a chord." She sighs, "Not even sure where it came from... one of the people I shared it with said it reminded them of something she'd once had from Kyonin."
Letitia giggles once again, shaking her head. "Lolo buried herself in a snow bank to try to feel better..."
She stands and checks with Lazlo on the progress of learning spells. "It's just as well that the good stuff won't come until morning, because I still have to learn these spells from Nazheena, and I'll need a clear head. I can't afford to follow my sister's example."
Ashling curiously pulls out two old bottles of wine from her backpack Alcohol? You mean this stuff? It was not to my taste, mother always said no when i asked, i do not know why though
Samuel looks at the mist as the Kikimora explains it serves some kind of divination, but he is too carried over by the drinks right now.
The stout man catches in the air the aleskin offered by Callix and gives it a long shot. Cleaning himself, he looks at Ashling with surprise "You have carried those wine bottles all the way from Taldor? Estig the Hunter! You are truly a box full of surprises!"
And looking at Ariadna "Why don't you take a drink sister? Let's celebrate we are again together!"
And to the others "Yeah, we found the hut and defeated Nazheena, that sure deserves some cherish too!"