Cylina stared at the other carriage with contempt, but agreed with Irina's approach. "A small delay is well worth avoiding a confrontation."
As soon as the group comes into visibility Goliath casts detect magic, but steps off with the rest off with the group.
Goliath looks for anything that seems threatening or off.
Road to Whitethrone: Day Four
You pull aside the bridge and wait. Weapons readied but not brandished, just in case things get ugly. And with a potential Jadwiga, they well could. Nadya hides Hatch and the children in the back carriage, but fidgets endlessly.
As the white carriage approaches closer, you get a better look at the unusual travelers. Unusual at least for those not local to Irrisen. An ornate carriage formed of what appears to be supernaturally shaped and hardened ice is pulled by a pair of steeds that seem to shaped of the same material. The horses remind you of the animated ice sculpture at the White Tower, but of more equine form.
The driver is a handsome, horned figure whose upper body is that of a dark-skinned, muscular humanoid and lower body is that of a starkly white furred goat. He wears no clothing save a long sky blue cloak, but seems unaffected by the cold. Despite his brilliant smile and charming blue-green eyes, he carries a whip covered in briars on his side and a shortbow lies beside him.
The fey man only gives you a respectful nod before driving the carriage past, but is stopped from a commanding voice from inside the carriage. Though concealed by ethereal azure curtains, you doubt the passenger can be anything but a Jadwiga.
"Halt! I wish to speak with them."
And the driver does as requested, bringing his carriage to a stop beside yours. All the time, the grin never leaves his face.
Whether by wind or magic, the curtains part to reveal to woman lounging in the lavishly appointed carriage interior. She looks about nearly fifty, portly and gray hair up in a bun. The apparent Jadwiga is dressed in finery and bedecked with jewelry. You have little doubt of her class. Almost nonchalantly, the Jadwiga addresses Irina, ignoring the rest of you as presumed servants.
"Fine weather, is it not? Do you bring gossip from the Southern Provinces? I'd happily trade for news in Whitethrone - and it's quite juicy."
Other than the Jadwiga and her carriage, you don't see any other potential threats. Goliath alone spots the silhouette of a blond haired person in the carriage with the Jadwiga, based on size either a child or a halfling or gnome.
*Cackling*
Goliath bows his head politely and speaks without making direct eye contact. "Not much gossip on the wind but there is some news of dangers on the way. But, I don't think they will be bothering you so they would just be idol words and take up your precious time."
Cylina's lips purse, but she kept the scowl off her face, more than happy to let the others talk with the winter witch. While they spoke with her, the priestess kept her eyes on the fey coachman to make sure he didn't pull anything sly while his mistress spoke.
Irina grins. "Jucy information from Whitethrone? That sounds interesting. I have news that I heard on the wind. Waldsby had an incident, and the tower was attacked by villains from the south."
She shivers with fake fear. "What happened to the villains? Rumor says they are headed north. My guards are keeping a close watch just in case. We did run into some goblins a few hours ago who didn't show proper respect. Be careful of them. Is that worth your gossip?" She grins and winks.
Road to Whitethrone: Night Three
The woman's wrinkled breaks out into a kindly smile, of which only a Jadwiga could make more terrifying than bared fangs of a hungry wolf. She gazes over Goliath appreciatively, and responds fondly:
"Aren't you charming, dearie? But worry not child, anyone fool enough to harry me will soon find the error of their ways."
She then turns to Irina, still smiling - her ice blue eyes twinkling like stars. It almost makes the woman want to turn away from the piercing gaze, but knows such an action would show weakness...
"What a wonderful wildling you have there! A bit thick-headed and ill-mannered, but quite a specimen all the same. But to the point, goblins are cretinous but attacking one of us is... unusual. I hope you taught them a proper lesson. Yet your talk of problems in Walsby concerns me - I had heard similar in Whitethrone. Apparently Nazhena can't keep her house in order while she's out. I think Elvanna's faith in her is solely misplaced. But not to worry - we're not going that far south anyway."
She pauses to chuckle a bit, and then continues:
"That was indeed worth news, and I'll trade you some in turn. A great forest has overgrown the market square - they say that is where Elvanna kept the Dancing Hut. Even the Winter Guard have had trouble keeping order. And with our beloved Queen seen so little in the city, there's talk of insurrection in the city. Those pesky cultists have yet again begun speaking about coming of summer. Ridiculous! As if they could overcome the might of the Jadwiga, much less Dear Grandmother. Still, keep your wits about you in Whitethrone - I fear they may be violence in the streets soon. More than usual, anyway. All the same, thank you. By the way, I don't think I've seen you before - what's your name, dearie? What is your house, if I may ask?"
Irina DC18
"My name is Irina. I'm afraid I've been away from Whitethrone for a very long time. I"ve spent my time further south. I wouldn't have made your esteemed acquaintance, my lady. Please be safe on your way. We did deal with several of the goblins. My people are good at keeping me safe."
Goliath watch onward head still bowed. "The goblins will not be harming any of your family. We put the fear of Dear Grandmother in them, my lady."
Road to Whitethrone: *Day Four*
When Goliath speaks to the witch a second time, the woman gives him a ravenous grin;
Skald "You're lucky to be so ruggedly handsome, dearie, or your mistress would no doubt have your tongue and feed it to her wolves. My family are Jadwiga, we have no fear of such paltry things as goblins."
She then turns back to Irina.
Skald "Quite the manservant you have there. Teach him some manners and he'd be practically perfect. But I will not tarry and delay you longer. It was charming to make your acquaintance Irina, and I hope someday to cross paths again. You'll be welcome in my home should you return south. Until we meet again, safe journeys!"
And with that, the frozen carriage and its strange inhabitants departs, leaving you on the side if the road. Nadya gives a tremendous sigh of relief once they're out of hearing range.
Common "That could have been worse. We should get going though. Ah, Wulfgang, we're heading to the Fishcamps outside Whitethrone to meet my uncle - he undoubtedly has a way inside, as he does business in the city near daily."
What do you do?
Sadly, saying true things in order to mislead or deceive someone still requires a bluff check.
You get a strong impression that the woman believes you. She may have rolled even worse on both of her sense Motive checks...
Irina DC8
Goliath supplicates himself further as the winter witch leaves.
Irina lets out a huge sigh. "Let's get going. I don't want her thinking about what I said and coming back."
Cylina was practically paralyzed throughout the encounter, trying hard to breathe evenly as the group parlayed with the winter witch. She waited until the woman was quite a distance away before letting out an extended breath, calming somewhat. "More sensible words have never been spoken. Onward."
Road to Whitethrone: Day Four
You begin to breathe easier as you put distance between yourselves and the Jadwiga... you travel for about another four or so hours until the sun has just barely begun to dip in the sky, near 5 o'clock in the evening.
Before you is a narrow but sharp ravine, crossed by a needlessly complex bridge seemingly crafted of hardened ice. You can hear the gurgling of flowing water from below, despite the fact that the majority of streams in Irrisen being frozen over. No one seems to be around, save for three ice sculptures standing at attention along the bridge.
The previously quiet Lizaveta speaks up:
"I've heard of this place. The stream is known as the Strivid. Never frozen over, but beware: it may look mild but anyone who falls in is never seen again. Or that's what my cousin Svenja said."
Nadya grimly nods in silent agreement.
You also are well aware that ice statues in Irrisen are rarely what they appear...
What do you do?
*Cackling*
As they approach Goliath will cast detect magic and take a gander at the statues.
"Let's just work under the assumption that even inanimate things will kill us."
Road to Whitethrone: Day Four
As you approach the ice sculptures to within 60 ft., you do not detect magic. But there is a more obvious clue to their nature - all three turn their heads and stare at you.
Now that you're closer, the creatures look far less human. Their forms are closer to bipedal reptilians, with long serpentine tails instead of legs. They wield spears made of what appears to be ice - in fact, their entire bodies seem to be made of ice. Only a pair of shining blue lightswithin their heads would distinguish them from icy statues. Long, translucent spines adorn their backs... you hope not to find out whether they are as sharp as they appear.
The closest creature speaks to Irina, and then all three salute her.
"Jadwiga. You may pass."
These are ice elementals of some kind. They seem to be bound to protect the bridge. You know they are barely intelligent enough to speak, much less make any determinations beyond the simplest of comparisons. You have little doubt they think that Irina is a Jadwiga. They probably don't have the ability to grasp the idea of someone being in disguise as something they aren't.
The icy creatures seem to be telling the truth - they seem to lack the intelligence to lie.
*Cackling*
Cylina looked at the ice statues with distrust, but thought that it would be best if they could avoid another fight with ice-creatures after the near-disaster at the Pale Tower. Not terribly familiar with the way these magics worked, the priestess waited near Irina and looked to see what she would do.
"Let's move forward. They are some kind of elemental. Act as if you belong here, and are with me." She nods and moves forward with her head held high.
"Works for me."
Without any knowledge of the strange beings, Cylina shrugged and continued to move forward with Irina, hoping the woman's appearance and attitude would convince the icy creatures to let them pass without incident.
Road to Whitethrone: Evening Four
As you move towards the bridge, the icy creatures hold their supplicatory pose. None attempt to stop or harry you, nor do they even talk. In a refreshing change from your previous encounters, the bridge guards don't seem to question you at all.
The rest of your journey is without incident. You make good pace ...until evening, stopping at a communal hunter's lodge. A pair of quite huntswomen keep to their own, knowing better than to draw the attention of what they assume is a Jadwiga and her entourage.
As you prepare for the evening, Nadya whispers annoyedly:
"Curses. There's no firewood here. There's still light enough, I'll take Liza and go cut some from a thicket we just passed. It doesn't take long. Hatch, watch over my sons. We'll be back before sundown."
The woman gathers her things in preparation to head out. She shoulders her shortbow, just in case.
What do you do?
Stuff
Cylina huffed in exasperation, but rose from her chair and got ready to embark into the frigid air outside, shaking her head. "With all these creatures and people we've seen about? I'll be coming with you...perhaps a good, hard labor is what I need to have a peaceful night's sleep."
Irina decides to continue with the Jadwiga ruse, and stays seated with the others.
"Goliath go with her." She gives him a sorry for telling you what to do look. She doesn't lift a finger to help with the evening preparations.
I feel so guilty siting here, but if I help then the huntswomen will for sure know I'm not what I"m pretending to be.
Golaith raises an eyebrow, "Yes mistress Miklos."
Goliath goes off with as many people as are willing to join to find wood.
Road to Whitethrone: Evening Four
Nadya raises her eyebrows as half the party volunteers to come with her. Still, she doesn't object more than merely muttering under her breathe:
"Foreigners... how do they not think I've survived these lands thus far? And now that heavy armor will only slow us down..."
All the same, you head out. Nadya doesn't slow her pace for the more ponderous paced. Still you manage to keep the two women in sight. By the time you near the thicket, the light is almost gone - but Nadya and Liza are nearly finished gathering wood. On the return trip, you hear the howling of wolves in the entrance, but they sound... different. At least it's far in the distance.
When you return to the lodge, night has fallen. As Nadya starts the fire, the two hunters have grown visibly anxious, whispering to each other.
What do you do?
*Cackling*
Cylina chuckled at Nadya's irritated mood, but said nothing. The woman was proud and certainly didn't like to feel as if she needed a chaperone, but these were dangerous times. The cleric trudged along with the large Goliath, shadowing the other two women and ready to close the distance if something happened.
Cylina looked over her shoulder nervously as the group entered the lodge, closing the door behind them after letting the others in. After the fire was built up and warmth started to creep into the room, the priestess looked at Nadya and asked, "What do you think that's all about?", gesturing over at the huntswomen.
Irina glances to the hunters noticing their nervousness. "Those wolves sound different than usual."
She raises her voice slightly to be heard by the other party. "Is there something about the wolves that worries you?" She asks them.
Goliath watches and listens waiting to hear what his companions are thinking.
Road to Whitethrone: Evening Four
As your attention draws to the two women, they quickly hush their conversation. When addressed by Irina directly, the younger responds with terrified meekness.
"No M'lady, we would dare not bother you with our petty troubles."
The older woman stands up, a look of grim defiance on her weathered face. Now that you've had a look away the two, you can clearly see the family resemblance, despite am age gap of fifteen to twenty years.
"But since ye ask, my daughter's husband and son haven't returned, so you might say we're a mite concerned about the wolves. With all due respect, o'course, M'lady."
If they're telling the truth, they have good reason to be concerned. Irrisen at night is at least twice as deadly, before the strange wolves are involved.
It's clear the women, like most in Irrisen believe you to be a Jadwiga and her retinue. And they're desperately concerned about the missing members of their party. You don't sense any apparent test or deception.
Stuff
Cylina listened to the older woman, her heart aching for the younger woman and her husband and son. Frowning, the redhead turned to Irina, showing the woman deference lest their front of her being a jadwiga be destroyed.
"What direction did they go? What did they go out for?"
Irina nods to Cylia in recognition of wanting to help the women if they can. "Please tell us more about what happened." she says to the older woman.
The line of being a "jadwiga" and wanting to help others is beginning to weigh on her.
Road to Whitethrone: Night Four
The younger woman pulls frantically at her mother, trying to get her to be quiet in deference to an assumed White Witch. The older woman does not comply. She continues, her voice gaining a bitter tinge.
"My son-in-law and grandson went to the edge of the Hoarwood Forest, for firewood and small game or forage. That was four hours ago, and they planned to be back long before now. Your benevolence."
She stares at Irina fearlessly, in such a way no true Jadwiga would suffer.
Stuff
"Enough! I can see I'll never get any rest if they aren't found." She gives a slight smile to the older woman. "I guess there's nothing for it, but to find them for you. Then we can all sleep well tonight."
She turns to her friends. "Shall we?"
Blowing out a pent-up breath, Cylina nodded eagerly. "Of course, mistress." Hurriedly gathering her things, she made ready to proceed out to try to find the wayward men.
Goliath nods.
Road to Whitethrone: Night Four
You prepare to set off. The women point you in the direction of their relatives' last known path, but do not come with you. The older woman speaks candidly:
"We will stay here, just in case the men return. I have a horn I can blow if they do appear. I cannot leave Majha alone here."
The older woman produces an instrument crafted from a spiraling ivory horn. You notice how that Mahja, the younger woman, has a slight swelling to her stomach and you doubt it to be from an abundance of food.
*Cackling Madly*
Cylina slipped out the door with the others, noting the younger woman's rounded belly. The husband would have to come back soon or babe and mother would likely have a hard time of it. Calling upon Milani, the priestess produced a bright light upon her morningstar to help guide the group on their hopefully short journey to find the wayward men.
Once they were out of earshot of the building, the redhead addressed the others. "It'll be dark and freezing before long. Should we split up and try to cover more ground? Or stick together so we can deal with threats more effectively? I say we split up..." Chances were, if they didn't find the men before too long it would be too late if the duo was in trouble.
"We have our own mission, other women and children, to look out for. If we split-up we put that at risk. That said, it may be best to go solo but in the range of calls." Jokingly goliath chides
Irina, "Maybe we should let our overlord Irina decide?"
Irina blushes, and laughs. "I had no idea that everyone would assume I was a Jadwiga. It's horrible. I got sent home because I wasn't like a Jadwiga, and couldn't be like them. Now I have to play the part. It feels like wearing a hair shirt. It's not comfortable. Though the ruse seems necessary to keep us safe. I'll have to practice more."
"I suggest we follow Goliath's suggestion. Keep to yelling distance, and hope we find them quickly."
Thinking the suggestion a good compromise, Cylina split off from the others, but close enough to come to their aid fairly quickly if they encountered something that would require assistance. Scanning the ground in the light of her morningstar, she moved forward slowly but with purpose, hoping to find the two men alive and well.
Looks like we are spreading out but only as far as we can do so safely.