"Something broke in from the outside, and then ripped off the doors. It's not much, but it tells us the perpetrator was most likely sentient, and angry. A simple beast wouldn't have spent the energy to tear away the doors after it had already gained access."
Skyne stops talking as abruptly as he started, then walks over to the lone footprint. "I'm no tracker, but I've seen a bulette's prints before, and they were noticeably bigger than this one."
Ruso moves through the first floor of the barn and takes a close look at both the stall and the barn doors. "Mmmm... This is done by someone or something that doesn't steal on any type of regular basis. No professional would leave so much evidence behind."
"Give me just a moment. I want to take a look around from a better vantage point." Ruso moves outside and clambers up onto the roof of the barn.
To look at the stall.
To look at the damaged barn doors.
Ruso ties a length of knotted rope to his grappling hook and tosses it towards the roof of the barn.
Ruso drops his backpack and armor to climb up to the roof of the barn.
To look around the surrounding area for any signs of a trial made by the person or creature that stole the bull.
Shouting down from atop the barn roof. "I am thinking this might have been caused by a troll. Nasty thought I know and we should consult an expert to be sure."
Jack wanders around the perimeter, looking for additional signs of activity. He doesn't find anything.
"Seems like an extreme way to steal a bull. I don't think this was a prank."
Even with Skyne's assistance, Jack cannot find anything else out about the existing footprint, nor does he see signs of anything else.
"Get down from there boy, 'fore you hurt yerthelf!" cries Old Man Dansby as Ruso clambers nimbly atop the roof of the barn. From that perspective, the elf spies something the others couldn't. There seems to be a brushed over path in the snow heading from the barn to the woods at the far end of the Dansby farm. While they aren't footprints per se, it's apparent someone took pains to cover their tracks by brushing any footprints from the snow. Unfortunately, when looked at from a height, the brushing itself points like an arrow at the Border Wood.
Ruso finds nothing else of immediate interest around the barn or inside Ferdinand's stall.
Peltra rests a hand on the pommel of her mace. "A troll? Here? Likely brought here by some Qadiran scum, distract the watch for some advantage. We can't leave a troll on the loose, it could attack any of the other farms. We'd better track it down."
"Trolls are big aren't they? Do you think he, she looks around to see how close Dansby is and lowers her voice, "took Ferdinand to eat him?"
Jack do you know anything about trolls? Can't say I've ever seen one myself."
"No, never seen a troll before. I hear they are afraid of fire, though." You see a visible shudder as Jack says the word 'fire'.
Wulfgang does not find any other tracks, nor does the existing footprint strike a chord in him. There are no more easily visible signs of the culprit or the victim of the break in.
"Troll you thay?!?" exclaims Dansby in alarm. "What are trollth doing here? We haven't theen trollth in the woodth in my lifetime." He whistle a low note, indicating his alarm at such news.
Ruso climbs back down from the barn roof and carefully retrieves and stows his rope and grappling hook in his pack.
"Wait you mean to tell me you have actually seen a troll Wulfgang? I thought they was just part of bedtime stories used to get children to behave." Ruso gives a shake of his head finding it hard to believe that there is a possibility that trolls are real.
"Well whatever it is. It was kind enough to leave a trail to follow so at least we can track it and hopefully retrieve Dansby's bull."
"Lead us to the trail please Ruso." Irina moves next to Jack and moves along toward the back of the party when them walk toward the Woods.
"I am not much good at following game trails and the like. If any of you happen to be hunters or the like I would gladly allow you to track the trail I was only just able to spot from the barn roof."
Since the trail has been spotted from the air, it's not difficult to follow along the ground. Just getting a bearing in the woods where the path leads and following it is easy enough.
As the party sets out along over the fields following the path, approaching the eaves of the Border Wood, the air temperature gets noticeably colder. Where there was a soft powdery snow on the ground even at Dansby's barn, here there is a crunchy frozen rime of ice on the ground. As you get to the edge of the trees, the temperature is below freezing point and past the point of endurance without consequence.
The brush trail stops at the edge of the woods, where underbrush, leaves, and other ground cover obscures obvious signs of passage.
"Alright, here goes nothing. I am going to try to follow this trail but don't expect anything great or wonderful from me."
"Who decided to have winter come when it should be summer. This weather makes me feel a need to go get my winter clothes."
Peltra crunches through the snow behind Ruso. Along the way, she glances at the others. "If we are heading into danger, I have some skill with manipulating fortune. If anyone is interested…"
"I too grew up with stories of the witches' trolls. I know fire is useful, but little more. I can tell you one thing for sure though . . . anybody who goes into the Border Wood right now without proper clothing isn't coming back out until their corpse thaws."
Skyne begins walking back toward Heldren. "Why don't we get some furs and some fire, ask if there's any rewards for a troll's head, and then talk about looking for Ferdinand."
"No!" Jack snaps. "We don't need fire," he grumbles.
Seeing the others confused, he simply continues with "Some furs might be in order, though. And I can help you track."
Irina stays very quite when Skyne and Wulfgan mention Winter Witches. She slips a little behind Jack to stay out of view.
Irina shrugs as the group discusses what to do about the cold. "The cold doesn't bother me. I'm not going in there alone though. I wonder if Old Farmer Dansby would have some furs. Let's go ask him."
She heads back to the farm to ask the farmer about some furs or cold weather gear. "If he doesn't have any, then I suggest we go get some from town."
Jack follows her. "Might have a lot to carry..."
Ruso cannot make heads or tails of the trail once it enters the woods. The trail seemingly ending at a stand of trees draped in spanish moss, and which are now heavy with snow, the lower branches drooping dangerously with the added weight. Shivering in the cold, the party soon decides to head back to Heldren where more suitable attire may be found. Irina calls on Old Man Dansby once more, but when she asks for furs or winter gear, he only shrugs. "Aint had no need of it, darlin' Reckon you can find some at the general thore back in Heldren. Viv'th got moth everythin' there."
Striking back out for the village, you are glad to be back in the relative warmth, though the wind from off the Woods is still piercingly cold. The dark storm clouds just linger above the Border Woods, and it snows on you briefly as you make the trek back.
As you near the town, you notice something strange. A man's still form lies on the side of the road. He has long yellow hair tied in braids and a thick beard which is also halved and braided. The man appears to have several wounds, which are still bleeding, staining the ground around him red. You can see that the tip of his nose, and his fingers are black with the tell-tale signs of frost-bite. The shredded remains of his outer garments reveal the hawk-adorned livery of the soldiers you saw passing through town the day before. A trace of snow lies on the man's unconscious form, and while he appears to be breathing, it does appear that he is slowly succumbing to his wounds and exposure.
Jack is wary, and stops the others. "Is anyone here good with the wounded?"
Regardless of the answer, Jack kneels down beside the man and tries to stabilize him. "Hold still, man. We are here to help. What has happened here?"
Before, Wulfgang's aid in trying to track the "troll" doesn't allow for any new information to be revealed. The trail is cold (pardon the pun) and the group heads back for Heldren and warmer gear (as mentioned above).
Jack kneels in the snow beside the fallen man. It is apparent he has several bleeding wounds, and the early stages of frostbite on his extremities. Without some medical attention, he may expire in relatively short order. Strangely, you see some tiny little arrows, no bigger than stick pins really, poking through the clothing, armor, and skin of the fallen man. There are more serious wounds as well, including a large open scar on his neck which bleeds rather profusely. He also has a large hematoma on his head, just above his left eye, which is beginning to blacken as if from some harsh blow.
There is a now-obvious backtrail of blood spatters and drag marks along the road, indicating that the man stumbled/drug himself from the direction of Zimar and the Border Wood to this spot, where he collapsed.
Skyne retrieves and loads his crossbow, keeping his eyes moving around. "Something big as a troll steals a bull, and now somebody gets murdered out in public? This doesn't seem like a good time to be in Heldren!"
Ruso kneels down next to Jack and the fallen soldier to help tend to the latter's wounds. He pulls out a few rags and does what he can to staunch the bleeding.
After doing what he can for the man he stands and looks off towards the Borderwood. "First a Troll. Now this. What could have possibly stirred up this kind of trouble in a place far off of the beaten path?" Ruso pauses a moment in thought. If the guards are this badly wounded I dare not think what could have befallen the lady they were protecting." By the Gods, I hope she is safe.
Turning back to the group tending to the fallen guard. "Quickly now. We must get him back to Heldren, gather our winter gear, and try to locate his fellow guardsmen. We will worry about the possible bull stealing troll later."
Ruso begins constructing a makeshift litter to help carry the wounded guard back to town.
"I have a potion of curing." Irina pulls it out of her pack, and pours it down the fallen man's throat. "That should help keep him stable for the trip back to Heldren."
Jack sees what Ruso is doing, and helps construct the litter.
"Do we even have time to get back to town?"
"He should be stable now unless there is a poison in the darts." She stands and tucks the empty vial away.
Skyne blinks several times at Jack, then shakes his head, "Nobody is paying us to hurry. Actually, nobody is paying us at all. And when the foreman told me to take a few days and cool off, I don't think he meant freeze to death.
"In fact, I know he didn't. He said he'd kill me himself if I wasn't back at work in three days."
"Of course, you need not join us. But aren't you curious? I admit, I thought chasing down a bull would be short work, but now I just want to know what is going on."
With the help of Ruso, Jack is able to stop the injured man's bleeding and stabilize him. The curative potion administered by Irina begins to bring the wounded man back to his senses by the time the litter is ready to carry him back to Heldren. The man tries to croak a few words as he is transported.
The man does have a strange iron longsword at his hip, which he reaches for in vain a few times before blacking out once again.
The walk to the village is not far but is a bit of struggle carrying the litter in the snow and wind. Soon, though you are coming up the main road from the south. On your right, the simple timber church of Erastil sits along the road.
Elder Natharen Safander tends this church, and is outside brushing snow from his steps as you pass by. He stops his clearing, and motions for you to bring the injured man inside. The man is young for his position, with bright blue eyes that sparkle with intensity. He kneels beside the litter and grasping his wooden holy symbol, he chants a few moments. The wounds on the warrior seem to immediately improve, and he is breathing noticeably easier.
Zaarida, go fetch Councilor Teppen." the priest says to his wife, who is obviously of Qadiran descent. She scurries off to complete this errand.
The wounded man's eyes open, and he looks around the room lost for a moment but then says in accented Common. "Dank 'ee, I fear't I vas lost."
"You speak common? What were these winter-touched creatures."
"I'll go get the cold weather gear while you gentlemen ask our new friend what happened. How many sets am I getting? I think I have enough gold for three cold weather outfits and two firs. Will that be enough?" Irina heads into town when her question is answered.
The wounded man, his name turns out to be Yuln Oerstag, groans audibly, and grimaces as he touches the tip of his nose which is blackened with frostbite.
"Ja, you fin't ze Lady Argentea. Get revench for me brodders? Vinter-touch are fee creatures who haf sworn fealty to vhite vitches of Irrisen, doze who stole our lants in Vinter Var, hmm?. Tiny sprites smaller dan man's forearm, ja? Don't be fool't by small fee. Legend say dey take sliver of ice into heart, and touch ist cold like harsh bite of vinter."
He grimaces once again, and continues. His mind obviously thinking back to the trial he just went through, eyes far-away while he relates it.
"Ve vere ambushed by bandits on da roat. De vere no match for us, ya? Den vinter-touch join fight. Da colt fee of da nort'. Da battle turn against us." He makes a gesture to show how quickly things changed."Me volk speak of vinter-touch many times. I never tink to see dem dis far sout'."
Irina
Hurrying out of the small church, you know the most likely place to find winter gear is at the general store which is basically just across the main square in Heldren (no place is very far here...).
The store is operated by Vivialla Steranus. She is shrewed businesswoman and her store, which is located along the main Oppara-Zimar road does a brisk business. As most store of her kind across Golarion, she has a little bit of everything on hand. Mostly dry good and food staples, but other items needed in a small village.
Ruso listens to the north man for a moment. "Do what you can for him but he really doesn't look good."
"If we are going to have to deal with that kind of threat we might need more than just some winter clothing. Wulfgang, is there anything you are aware of that makes traveling through snow easier?"
I wonder if the local smithy has anything that we could "borrow" to face the coming threat.
Skyne eyes Irina a long moment, then gives her a handful of gold. "Cold-weather clothing and furs, cleats and snowshoes.
"Please."
He then turns to the elf and answers, "You have a few options Ruso. Skis are best, but hardest to use. I recommend cleats and snowshoes."
Irina begins to make a mental list of items.
Furs and cold weather clothing, cleats and snowshoes for Skyne, Just clothing for Ruso at the moment. Cold Weather clothing for me. Maybe cleats and snowshoes as well for me.
Jack, Wulfgang and Peltra what do you need?
As Irina is walking away, Skyne holds up a finger and pulls out more gold coins. "Some blackfire clay might also come in handy."
Ruso slips out of the church while the group compiles a list of needed items. Let's see what the store and smithy have that they may not nessecarily wish to part with and yet may be needed on this journey.
Ruso first makes his way over to the smith to have a look at his wares before joining Irina at the General.
"If there are any snow shoes or winter clothes, it would be helpful." Peltra turns to the wounded man, "Which way did these bandits take the Lady?"
Irina
The store is operated by Vivialla Steranus. She is shrewed businesswoman and her store, which is located along the main Oppara-Zimar road does a brisk business.[/ooc]
Irina hurries into the store. She stops when she sees it's Mrs. Steranus and not the shop girl today. Wonderful. I'll be lucky if I get half of what I need before I upset her again.
"Good Day Ma'am. I need some cold weather things. Before you ask yes I do have money for them." She holds out her hand and shows a few gold coins to the proprietress.
She walks up to the counter and starts counting off what she needs. She nods to Ruso when he arrives. "I'm ordering the winter clothes, furs, snowshoes and cleats you wanted. You did want all that right? You'll need to pay for your share."
"I would like six sets of cold weather gear, four sets of furs, six sets of snow shoes, six sets of cleats." she starts laying out money. "Do you have blackfire clay?"
The wounded Ulfen man responds to Peltra's question with a nod. "Dey took her into forest back through ice ant snow. After dat, I don't know. I follow as far as I can, but vinter-touch too many. I escape ant make vay here to fint help."
As Irina and Ruso slip out the door, Elder Natharen's wife returns with Councilor Teppen. This person turns out to be a rather severe looking middle-aged woman with her hair tied back in a knot. "Zaarida informed me of what has happened. We cannot let a noblewoman be kidnapped on the road. The town will be of whatever assistance it can,s should you agree to help find her. I will make sure our merchants offer a 20% discount on any goods or services they may have for sale. I am sure Elder Natharen will provide any curative prayers that are within his power. I will also speak with Theodora to see if she has any aid to offer. We are not a rich town, and don't have reward to offer, but I am certain the lady's father will make sure you are compensated well for rescuing her."
"Will you try to save her?"
Irina and Ruso
At the general store, Vivalla Steranus looks at Irina like she is half-mad. "Miss, this is not the white north. We wouldn't carry most of what you are asking for even in the dead of winter. You might be hard-pressed to find any kind of snowshoes in all of Taldor even."
She puts her index finger in her mouth for a moment, thinking. "Hmmm. I may have some cold weather gear in the back however. A few years back, it snowed once, and I ordered some warm clothing, but none of it sold. Can't recall if I traded the lot of it, or still have it in the back. One moment." She walks off briskly headed to the back of the store. Not long after, she returns with a fairly large, but not exceptionally heavy crate.
"You're in luck! I have these outfits still after all." She pries the top off the crate and pulls out a set of clothing that includes a wool coat, linen shirt, wool cap, heavy cloak, thick pants, and thick boots. "There are 5 outfits in all. I can let you have the whole lot for 30 gold crowns. Sorry, i don't have any of those other items you asked for. Blackfire clay, I've never heard of it!"
My mention was any mundane (as in everyday) equipment in the Core Rulebook.