"No doubt that'll come in handy." commented Llewellyn, before nooking and half drawing an arrow before following Samuel, alert for danger.
Callix shakes her head, "My ale-making spell can actually make water, if need be. Even if I prefer not to. Though I can't conjure food so easily."
Letitia finds no magical aura on the key that they received from the woman in the illusory field.
In this new room, Letitia does detect magic coming from the closed door.
Samuel looks at the items on the table a little more closely. the chalice is empty, and the bowl has a few handfuls of corn seed.
the pool of water looks quite clean. Samuel tests it by smell and touch, and thinks that it is fresh clean water. should be safe to drink. However, the others comment that they have magical means of either purifying drink or making some, so finding fresh water isn't a concern.
Llewellyn and Samuel both examine the door and do not find any traps.
The others debate for a few more minutes about what to do and who to trust. theories are put forward that either one of the young women that the group met could be either a changeling or a hag, or the warden. None of them seem outside the realm of possibility.
the three pillars each have a recessed groove in the top of them, like a shallow bowl. inset inside each groove is a different runic symbol
it is locked, but does not have an obvious keyhole to try to lockpick
Llewellyn tries the door but finds it locked, "Huh, locked. Odd no keyhole, I wonder how this opens?"
"Hmm, hardly enough to feed an animal. What are the kernels for, I wonder?" Letitia muses when she inspects the shelves.
Lazlo hoots at her, getting her attention. "What's that? Runic symbols? Show me," she says, following where Lazlo's wing is pointing to the three pillars.
"Aye! I vote for Cayden's water! We even have good cups for that" Samuel picks up the chalice and offers it to Callix "And we have here some corn for snacks"
The Taldan drinks with what is offered while he observes the smart people in the group examining the runes Lazlo has found.
Once Llewellyn tells the door is locked, he retrieves the thief tools Alec left him, and tries to work on releasing the lock.
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"Samuel, I doubt this was left for us to eat. And there is a magical aura coming from the door. I can dispel magic if it's necessary, but let me first decipher these sigils and determine what sort of magic might be on the door."
Callix asks, "I don't imagine any of these rune-imprints are keyholes?"
Samuel starts examining the door to see how to unlock it, and realizes it is magically locked. he takes an attempt at it but gets nowhere. before he spends too much time retrying the lock, Letitia asks him to hold off while she examines the runes on the nearby pillars.
Letitia studies the door and finds that there is indeed an arcane lock spell on it, as well as a transmutation spell that is likely some kind of trap.
the pillars each have a single rune in their indentations. From west to east, the symbols are a stylized ear of corn, a six-spoked wheel, and a downward- pointing triangle inside a circle.
the runes look familiar to Letitia, and with her arcane knowledge and witch training she recognizes them as representing corn, the sun, and water.
These three elements are part of a crop-planting fertility ritual used by Iobarian witches to celebrate the passage into womanhood.
Letitia stands up straight after studying the runes. "Hmm. An old fertility ritual by Iobarian witches, it looks like. Corn, sun, water." She points to the corresponding symbols.
"It's not a snack, Samuel. It's likely the means to open the door and bypass the trap. I detected hostile magic upon the door."
Callix says, "We have corn, we can create water -- sun is a little harder. I've a spell that can do it, but not today. Unless we want to try to reflect a beam of light from a window or hole in the wall, I suppose."
Llewellyn looked around, was there any sunlight coming in from the outside?
When Letitia points there is likely a magical trap at place, Samuel quickly brings his hands out of the door "Rats! I should have expected some kind of trick with these hags and witches"
"If it is a fertility ritual, it might have to do with the passage between the maiden to mother thing" he adds examining the runes "This place seems carved into the cliff's rock, I do not think we can find a window nearby. Might the light of a torch do for instead of the Sun?"
Letitia correctly identifies the old ritual, and the group has easy access to two elements. now they need the third.
Llewellyn looks around but they are deep in this fortress, there are not skylights or windows this far in that are letting in outside sunlight.
Not seeing any daylight, Llewellyn remarks, "You're right Samuel, I guess we'll have to make our own light... Let's see if a simple cantrip will suffice."
He then concentrated and with a word he summoned a magelight which caused the indent with the sun to glow like a torch!
With the light cast, Letitia hurries and makes sure the ingredients are properly in their corresponding bowls.
"It's good you had that spell at the ready, Llewellyn. Perhaps that will suffice. If not, we'll be forced to wait another day to attempt the fertility ritual." She nods in Callix's direction, given her statement that she can cast sunlight.
Samuel looks as Letitia perform the fertility ritual, putting everything at place "Looks good. Not the first time you do this, isn't it?"
As she finishes and Llewellyn completes with his cantrip, he looks from the corner of the eye at the witch "Curious how knowledgeable and self-assured you are on the performance of this fertility ritual."
"Don't take me wrong, but I never expected you to be interested in reproduction stuff, Letitia"
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Letitia plants a hand on her hip and turns to face Samuel. "Fertility is important. It is absolutely my duty to bear future Jadwiga." She waves a hand at the pillars. "This is an Iobarian witch ritual, but even Irriseni witches need to propagate. Not now, obviously; this is hardly the time. But when things are put right--"
She glances at Callix. "I mean, this isn't the time. Our only task is to follow Baba Yaga's breadcrumbs. We... should at least agree on this."
Technically i am not of age to reproduce yet. My mother never had time to explain any of that. Casually speaking maybe only half listening, watching the surroundings
Letitia's mouth twists at Ashling's statement. "That is... sad, that you were not given instructions. It is something that should come to a daughter from her mother. While I've yet to experience the carnal act myself, I could... recite the lessons that my mother gave me to you.
"Not now, obviously, but later. When we have time."
Callix watches for a moment, Is she.... is... is Samuel her consort?, then shakes her head as the conversation continues, Oh, by the Cask, it's the blind leading the blind... literally, I suppose, given Ashling's sight... She sighs, "As much fun as mating can be -- and I assure you, it very much can be -- I agree that that we've other concerns right now. We can save such discussions for when we're around a campfire... even if it is much more exciting to learn by doing."
Llewellyn felt had to bite his tongue, the whole idea of ice witches and reproduction was a topic that required several of Callix's ale skins before hand.
Later, he looked for a chance to speak to Callix in private.
Samuel just grins amazed through the conversation on duty, and nods when Letitia requests agreement "Well, then I agree" without him specifying anything in particular.
The man blinks at Ashling's pronouncement, his tone full of concern "Sure you have had some time for some secret kisses at the back of the hut or the depth of the forest"
And he raises an eyebrow at Callix's comment "Yes, lest focus on that damned door."
Once the fertility ritual is completed, Samuel will try to open the door, continuing the work with the thief tools if needed.
Callix nods, "I... had a not terribly dissimilar thought. Letitia's changed a lot, probably due to our influence, but I can't imagine what the winter witches teach in that regard. Especially given their general position that everything is about power.. and their ideas of how that power can be used."
Letitia places the corn and water into the indents in the pillars. Llewellyn then casts light on the third spot that indicated sunlight.
The group is distracted enough by their discussion on fertility and the duties of parents ot teach their children that they don't immediately notice the crack appear in the door.
Samuel moves over with his picks again, but is able to see that the door has opened, and now seems safe. He opens the door and nothing bad happens.
The passage beyond is dark, but short. the light from the pillar is enough to see that the walls are decorated with a summer motif with symbols of fertility and abundance.
ahead is a closed door with a symbol like a symmetrical maze-like pattern surrounding an inlaid iron wheel.
Ashling tilts her head and gives Samuel a cluelessly childlike look, No, is that normal?
"Eh... don't know... back in the Border Wood the distractions out of the hardships of everyday work are very limited..." Samuel scratches his forefront, apparently uncomfortable in front of the girl's innocence "But look... the door is open! And it seems there are plenty of summer motives in this area"
Turning to Ashling before heading down into the new corridor, he adds "But I am sure Letitia and Callix will fill you about the birds and the bees..."
Checking and then opening the next door.
Letitia takes in the new motifs of the passage beyond the door. "Abundance and fertility. Summer, the time for life to flourish and grow -- I am reasonably certain that we are now in the Mother."
She turns to Ashling. "And yes, I will tell you what I have been taught about the procreative act." She looks around at the decorations. "I intend to be a mother some day, though there is still power in being a maiden. I am in no rush to close this chapter of my life."
When they come upon the closed door with the maze-like symbol, she studies it closely while detecting magic.
Callix chuckles, "There is, of course, the possibility of a quite delightful existence being neither - at least for those of us not living in a rigid trifold frame that controls our magic...."
She shakes her head, "But, speaking of magic, let's try to figure out what this change in our current position means..."
Llewellyn stood back and watched while Samuel checked the door for traps, although when the granddaughter started speaking he turned to Callix and shared a glance with eyebrows raised.
Not wishing to make anything of it now, he turned back and did his best impression of impassive boredom as he waited for Samuel to work. Once the all clear was given he tried to open the door.
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Samuel examines the next door. Partly because it is his normal role, and partly to avoid having to go too in depth in the current conversation...
The door is not trapped, but it is locked... from your side. There is light spilling out from under the door.
Letitia recognizes yet another Iobaran rune, this one represents the concept of Motherhood.
"Mmm... there is something weird about this door... it is locked from this side" Samuel looks back at the group performing a sign for them to be prepared "Be ready for the worst..."
Then, he uses the picklok to try remove the lock.
Letitia scowls. "If it is locked from this side, what is the purpose of using those locksmithing tools? Can't you just unfasten the lock?"
When it comes time to open the door, she takes a battle stance and checks the pouches containing her spell components. "We've already been warned that many are here in Artrosia against their will. Whatever lies beyond is apparently one of them. That may mean it's truly dangerous, while it could also mean it's in the same set of circumstances as Anna. There's a chance we may learn more about this place from whatever lurks within. Be on your guard."
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Callix chuckles, "First lesson, Ashling. Some men only think with their tools." She quickly sobers at Letitia's warning, drawing her axe and spinning it in her hand, "Right. Ready."
Samuel breaks out the thieves tools, but Letitia reaches past him and turns the locking mechanism, opening the door.
Warm yellow light fills this huge and lavishly decorated bedroom from three golden chandeliers suspended from the ceiling. The walls are painted white and draped with plush velvet curtains. Finely woven rugs cover the floor, while
the furniture is upholstered in fine brocade and chintz. Silk sheets and a delicate lace canopy cover an overstuffed poster bed to the south.
standing in the center of the room is a woman in a green cloak. she has blond hair and the pointed ears of a half-elf.
as soon as the door opens she glares at Letitia and calls out in Sylvan
"Another test, Jadrenka?! Enough of this! I have told you everything, and have been fully truthful with you. The same cannot be said of you. Only one of us is hiding behind deception and illusions. Let us talk like adults, or let me out of this place!
Llewellyn eyed the woman with suspicion. To his great frustration he couldn't understand a word of what she said. To the others he whispered, "What's she saying?"
"She says this is some kind of test," Letitia says out of the corner of her mouth.
She folds her arms, defiant against the glaring woman. She was clearly mistaken for someone else, and doubted that denying being this "Jadrenka" would be well-received. But maybe this was a chance to learn more by playing up the misconception. She responds in Sylvan.
"All right. We can talk as adults. I am ready to listen, fully, to your side. What do you have to say to me?"
She does her best to look open and receptive.
Callix shakes her head and mutters, "Right, everyone here's just being tested. Whole thing stinks worse than burned mulling spices.."
She pauses a moment, then sighs and says in Common, "Sorry, but.. I.. don't suppose you speak another language that the rest of us could understand?"
Samuel blinks quite confused when the half-elf starts to call out Lettitia. He updates the others as Sylvan is quite common in the Border Woods "She has confused Letitia for someone called Jadrenka... she seems quite fed up with that one and accuses her of using illusions..."
Getting a grasp of what Letitia is trying to do, and worrying she is more plain than crafty, he comes to the help of the witch and trying to appease the half-elf and make her talk.
"Do you want me to make her talk Jadrenka?"
"Look, she wants to give you a second chance. You better say everything this time."
After a sentence to Letitia, and once she speaks back, Samuel charges and readies the trigger of his musket and tells a follow up sentence to the half-elf.
Letitia gives Callix a shushing motion with her hands. Acknowledging that Samuel was playing up her ruse, she nods and tries to push it forward.
"She may speak," she replies to Samuel. "This is important to her. Let's give her a chance to state her feelings."
Letitia focuses her attention on the young half-elf.
The woman does not respond to Callix, and you get the feeling she doesn't understand what you said so is focusing on the ones speaking the same language as her.
There is clearly confusion in the woman's eyes as your response isn't quite what she expected, but anger and frustration seem to win out.
Oh, now you're ready to listen? Wearing the mask of another woman and bringing along a whole audience? With men?
I don't have anything new to say to you. I have always been faithful to you. Kyrisjana was angered by something, who really knows what with her, and planted that lock of hair and spread rumors. There was never anything between us. Why would i choose that blood-crazed maniac over you? But still you chose to believe her over me?
You keep coming to me in the disguise of other women, and never have I showed any lack of loyalty to you. Now please, drop the disguise, send away your retinue and we can try one last time to mend the gap between us. if we cannot, I ask that you please let me leave this place
"Oh..." Letitia frowns. She turns to her companions. "She thinks I'm someone else called Jadrenka. I let her believe that, hoping we could learn more about this fortress. But I think they may be lovers, and going through a tiff where Jadrenka believes this one to be unfaithful. I will not be able to sustain the ruse."
She slowly raises her hands, palm out, in an appeasing gesture. "I'm going to tell her the truth, which will no doubt anger her. So be ready."
"I believe you. I believe you are faithful to Jadrenka. But that is not who I am. My name is Jadwiga Letitia, a visitor here to Artrosia on a mission to help Baba Yaga herself.
"I do not know anything about your lovers' quarrel. I don't even know who Jadrenka or Kyrisjana are. But I do know that you are outnumbered five-to-one, so think carefully about your next action. Help us, and we can help you mend your relationship with Jadrenka. And maybe even punish Kyrisjana for her pettiness."
Llewellyn raised an eyebrow at the granddaughter's revelation, he desperately wanted to understand what was being said but contented to gnash his teeth while the drama unfolded.
Samuel sighs as the woman starts to shout things without much sense to him "Do we really have time for this? She is most probably crazy or confused by the influence of the hag or any other of the feys in here. I say we leave it to her things and continue exploring."
And when Letitia confesses the truth he adds "Not sure about the lovers thing, why would she be hold prisoner here then?"
Samuel looks around the room trying to notice any other feature of interest.
Ashling still in the guise of the Black midnight speaks in clear Sylvan, her tone of voice...more confident and natural compared to her icey stoic one. She steps forward head held in a noble manner, despite her short size, she carries herself with weight and a dangeroud air, having listened quietly for some time.
The Lady Witch queen would oft say men think with their tools first and brains last. Tell me child, do i look like a disguise or falsehood? That any of this Jadrenka's forces would dare assume the form of the Black Midnight? Answer this Jadwiga's questions and we may be able to assist your situation and continue on our quest. Calm yourself and use your brain, you are no man who attacks first, we can be civilized and talk.
Samuel cannot avoid smiling on the irony of Ashling words "And that comes from a girl that calls herself an assassin..." he shrugs and awaits to see what happens next a bit of amused.
The woman stops short as Letitia reveals who the group actually is.
Oh... I see. I am sorry, I assumed I knew who you were and you only went along with it. You have to understand, Jadrenka loves her illusions and magic, she relies on them too much if you ask me. We are having some difficulties right now as you can tell. She has determined me guilty of infidelity, and has not been willing to listen to reason.
Please, I do not mean to fight you. You don't need to try to intimidate me, I have no desire to come to blows with any one of you, certainly not five at once.
When Ashling steps forward she says
I'm sorry, I didn't realize. I have heard of the Riders of course, but have never met one. They don't often come inside this place. I thought Black Midnight was an old man? I guess there was a change...
But you are right, Baba Yaga would not allow someone to take that mantle up without permission.
Well, it seems there are much bigger issues at stake than my lover's quarrel. I will help if I can, though I am not much of a fighter. if I help you, will you help me? I am afraid my relationship with Jadrenka might be over. I have tried to hold out, but I think it may be time for me to leave. When you finish your quest and leave this place, will you take me with you? please?
Finally, to Samuel she says
I am not saying that men are bad, they are just generally not allowed inside of Artrosia. At least not as more than guests. This is a fortress of womanhood, full of symbols of a woman's journey through life. Men are usually quite uncomfortable here surrounded by powerful women and symbols of topics they like to avoid.
Kyrisjana is an evil woman, a debased nymph. She got angry about something, who knows what, and decided to drive a wedge between us. she put a lock of her hair in my things, and started rumors that we were lovers. Jadrenka got angry and locked me in here.
Samuel kind of relaxes when the woman does not respond aggressively "Jealousy..."
He turns to the others and translates for them the most important bits "Seems she had a quarrel because a debased evil nymph called Kyrisjana got angry at her and her lover and put a lock of her hair in these woman's things, to cause havoc between them, and she succeeded for Jadrenka got angry and locked her here."
"Ok, understood. It is not that bad so far, although a bit difficult to orientate." Samuel looks around to emphatise this point "This Jadrenka... if we agree to help you... where do we find her? Is there anything we can use to put your case up? Perhaps we can talk with Kyrisjana too and see what is up with her. Where can we find that one?"
"So... she asks us if she can come with us after we have finished our business in the fortress" Samuel explains to the others "I am not excited on mingling in a lover's quarrel, but if this is one of Babba Yagga's tests..."
"Good," Letitia says when the woman does not react violently when she reveals her ruse. "Could you tell me your name, then? As well as the identity of Jadrenka. What role does she have here in Artrosia? We seek the Warden."
Letitia takes in the surroundings, noting especially the opulent bed and furnishings pointedly.
"This is quite the gilded cage. Not something that a mere lackey could cobble together. At least, not easily. I ask you directly: is Jadrenka the Warden of Artrosia?"
you know that nymphs are incredibly beautiful creatures, so much so that their appearance can drive men insane. They are known to be guardians of nature, defending nature's most beautiful or rare locations fiercely.
A debased nymph is formed when a nymph is corrupted by an evil force or the pursuit of power. they no longer defend nature and in fact bring decay and corruption to the places they were meant to protect. They are still beautiful but use their beauty to corrupt and manipulate.
The woman shakes her head
"I do not know what you could do to defend my case to her. I have tried many times to get her to see reason, but she ignores my pleas. maybe you can make Kyrisjana admit what she did. or make her go away. that might work...
she is in the Maiden statue. she has some magical stone circle or something that she protects. I avoid her, she's not a nice person to be around. which makes it even more crazy that I am accused of loving her.
She turns her attention to Letitia
[b]Yes, Jadrenka is the Warden of this place. There is a lot to oversee in this fortress, so she is away often. she has a ring that lets her travel freely around the entire place, so she could be anywhere. I'm sure if you look around enough she will cross your path.
My name is Maris. I am of very little importance, just a hunter who fell in love with a powerful woman.