Grimkell watched intently as the elf and the sprite conversed. Only once or twice, at the very beginning of the conversation, did he lift his head to make sure that the new woman was contained. So interested he was in the conversation that he sheathed his sword and knelt next to them. Upon hearing Mirri comment in Taldan, Grimkell smiles and exclaims:
"Great! Ennemies and now friends! What skills you have Mirri! I love it! Still, should we really trust you small fairy? You would not betray us, would you...?" he looks at the sprite with a crooked smile, before tilting his head while thinking of a possible solution " humm... I know what could motivate you. I am skilled in healing magic. I could heal your wings when we are all done here. What do you say?"
Zisel visably relaxes as Theora looks her over; there was something quite comforting about this woman. Almost maternal, like Theora could probably do that guilt thing if Zisel should step out of line. She gives a sideways glance and a small smile to the raven who had picked her as a perch with a slight suspicion that it was judging her.
As the elf and the sprite sat down to speak, Zisel's interest piqued. She couldn't understand a word of it, but she caught the little fey creature giving her one or two looks of interest. And it seemed Mirri had caught on, too.
"May I?" Zisel said with a questioning look at Theora, gesturing down to her dagger. "I don't believe the metal will do too well in the snow for very long."
Pym climbs up onto Mirri's palm and then to her shoulder, "I do not understand why the silly human woman does not kill that crow. Crow's are not to be trusted. Look, she even wears the trophies of her other kills!"
To Grimkell, "I am not a fairy! I am a sprite! I don't care if you trust me, pretender. I am not your friend. My wings will heal themselves, I don't believe that you would really help. You would probably rip my wings right off instead!"
Zisel, forgetting the dagger for a moment, looks back to the sprite who seemed to be trying to stir up some more trouble for themselves.
"I, too, am skilled with healing," she offered, trying to smooth out the situation. "I can offer healing on behalf of the others. Though I suggest you lower the bow or blondie here will start staring at you. Although maybe he just keeps his eye on me because he likes what he sees." Zisel gives a shrug and waits for the fey creature to lower its weapon.
Sootfeather lets out a loud caw, as if he knows he's being talked about, staring at the sprite intently, his interest in Zisel forgotten as he hops back to Theora's staff. He fluffs his feathers once before standing still as an obsidian statuette, beady black eyes fixed on the tiny creature sitting on Mirri's shoulder.
"Hm? Oh, of course." Glancing down at the dagger in the snow, Theora takes a step back, allowing Zisel to retrieve it, her eyes wandering from the changeling to the fey. Her thin lips purse as she tries to remember what she's heard of sprites - any insight would be welcome.
One of the sides of Victor's mouth turned up as he accepted the small keg and took a swig "Thanks" The former pirate returned the container to Jamarcus "No idea, what is happening....but won't hurt to keep an eye on our new guests" He added then began looking at his pack and equipment to make sure everything was in place after the battle.
"I can offer healing on behalf of the others. Though I suggest you lower the bow or blondie here will start staring at you. Although maybe he just keeps his eye on me because he likes what he sees."
"Would be a lie if I said I didn't" He replied then turned back to Jamarcus "Any suggestions?"
Mirri seems slightly startled by Pym's sudden protective streak but is gratified that she is seeming true to her word. "It's alright Pym, Grimkell isn't going to harm you without cause, nor will anyone else in this group." Mirri gives each person a pointed look, "I've made a bargain with Pym for her safety from us and I won't have any of you making a liar of me, particularly not with one of the wee folk."
A stupid grin spreads over Jamarcus' face.
Suggestions? Playa, I think she digs you
He says with a wink and another swig.
Even though amused by the sprite's protective streak, Grimkell does not smile, repressing the urge so as no to insult the tiny woman. Deciding that the remainder of the conversation will most likely be boring, Grimkell stands back up. Now looking stern again, he looks straight into Mirri's eyes.
"What was the deal? How certain are you that she will honour it?"
Pym thinks about Zisel's request and offer for a moment before she nods in acquiescence, putting her bow away.
They are extremely distrustful of other fey - aside from their own kind - as well as any humanoid or creature that does not fall under their chosen protection, assuming they mean them harm. They are hunted by creatures of prey large enough to take them down, and so even distrust animals.
Sprites are drawn to, and very curious about all things magical in nature - particularly places of great, latent power such as ruins of ancient temples. Some spellcasters have had great success taking sprites on as familiars, but generally only those with certain personality traits .
Because their size does not grant them much protection from predators, they often rely on their magic to distract predators while they flee to safety. Their luminosity, however, is innate and can be altered both in color and intensity at will. They are able to tell if an entity is good or evil at will, they can sense it as clearly and as easily as you can see the color purple, or smell the scent of a rose.
Zisel bends to scoop her dagger from the snow and quickly sheaths it back in place. Offering a smile to the little scamp of a sprite, she strode over with ease.
"I'm afraid there is nothing I can do for your friends, but I will do my best for you," she assures it as she kneels down to get more on its level. Well, at least as best as she can. With one hand on the sprite and the other making a swirling gesture above it, the divine magics that Zisel harbored sprung to life.
"It's not much, but it will have to do for now. With a little care and healing, I'm sure we'll have you in top shape before long."
"I worry not for my safety from this little rascal," Theora says calmly, one hand reaching up to scratch under her crow's chin, "but for my friend here. These feathers are not trophies, but gifts, each and every one given freely by the servants of Andoletta. As is the agreement, I will bring Pym no harm. But if anything happens to Sootfeather, his brethren will be angry - and I will not hold them at bay." A cold edge creeps into her voice, her wide jaw set in a hard line as she fixes her eyes on Pym. "Is that clear, dearie?"
Pym's wings look a little straighter as she resumes her position atop Mirr's shoulder. "I thank the sister," she says to Zisel.
To Theora the sprite rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest, "Got it crow lady, if I kill your pet more crows will come that I'll have to kill. If you want to trust the stupid bird, that's your mistake. Just keep it over there."
While Lars did not understand the term Jamarcus used, it would be hard to misinterpret that smile and wink "Let us hope your right" He returned the smile. Lars was glad that the whole matter of the sprite was coming to an end but now they had two people to keep an eye on. The blond sighed softly, already feeling like he was back on a pirate ship that was ready to be swallowed by the flames of betrayal and mutiny.
"Then we are in agreement, little Pym." Theora nods, apparently satisfied, and Sootfeather goes back to the important task of preening himself. "So. Where is our quarry?"
Mirri turns her head to Pym, "Du må gjøre noe før vi forlater søster?"
[spoiler=Sylvan]Do you need anything before we leave sister?[/spoiler
"Jeg finner alt jeg trenger i skogen, søster."
-----
Wary of the new additions to the party, the group gathers together once more and heads deeper into the woods following a game trail. The trail narrows as you go, hoof prints mark the underlying snow going in both directions. Pym burrows into Mirri's hair, hiding from the prying looks of those who do not yet trust her presence... or perhaps something more.
You are soon approached by a beautiful white stag who stops in the clearing across from you, a safe distance away. The stag watches you with bright eyes, and after a moment it speaks. "Who are you that you would come into my forest?"
Pym's Sense Motive
Lars felt wonderful when the group finally left the forest turned battleground behind; crow fetishes, the smell of blood and surrounding trees were not his idea of a place to relax. Every now and again he'd turn around to see what their 'friends' were up to, and he didn't know whether to be pleased or disappointed that they did not act in a suspicious manner. The blue eyed scoundrel continued the trek along the game trail, and if one didn't count the conquering snow and flanking trees, there was nothing else to see....until they saw a white stag that started talking.
And here I thought we've had our fill of the bizarre for the day... That line of thought was cut short as he noticed that it wasn't really the stag that was talking but someone else.
"Looks like we have ourselves a swindler..." He whispered to the group but kept his gaze on the stag "If this is an ambush I would like to personally thrash the one behind it, they are giving outlaws a bad name" He continued in a hushed tone spiced with a barely held chortle.
For a moment, Zisel was legitimately surprised. She had heard of intelligent beasts acting as guardians to their forests but hardly thought she'd ever see it with her own eyes. It wasn't until she questioned her own senses that her ears picked up on the slight echo that gave away that the voice was not actually coming from the stag itself.
She gave her eyes a roll and her head a shake. Fool, you were almost taken by that cheap circus trick, she scolded herself.
"And whose forest is it exactly that we've entered?" she called back. Her eyes scanned the surrounding areas, including the tree tops, in hopes of catching a glimpse of the source of the voice.
Grimkell finally turned toward Zisel and approached her. A few feets away, he stopped and looked her up an down, his gaze sharp and investigative. After a few second he finally looks into her eyes. For a moment he continues staring, seemingly mimicking Lars. Yet, as Zisel prepares to speak, he interrupts her with a smile before speaking.
"One person staring at you is enough! Do not worry about me... Still, what were you doing in these woods in the first place? Why venture in this supernatural cold in the first place? Also, could you tell us how many bandits you met? Or any other information, the more we know about them, the better our chances to best them."
Once Zisel answers, he politely invites her to follow the others and enters the line last, probably to keep an eye on the woman.
Right behind Zisel, and last in the walking order, Grimkell has to walk out of the path made by his companion and enter the untouched snow in order to see the speaker. Upon seeing the speaking and majestic stag, Grimkell's attention fully shifts from Zisel to the animal.
Taking a few steps forward, bringing him shoulder to shoulder with his new companion, the ulfen calls out to the stag.
"Magnificent white guardian, please forgive the forwardness of my friends. They are well meaning and have taken upon themselves to investigate a Lady's disappearance, whose life is in dander. Worried, we are all in a hurry to her." he pauses shortly " You must have seen the dame, oh guardian, for her abductors passed through your territory maybe a day ago. Our quest is honorable, and we would be grateful if you would let us pass. Even more so if you would tell us whether the noblewoman was still alive when she passed through your territory and who were the ones that abduced her." he says, with great respect and confidence that the stag will give in to his demands.
Right behind Zisel, and last in the walking order, Grimkell has to walk out of the path made by his companion and enter the untouched snow in order to see the speaker. Upon seeing the speaking and majestic stag, Grimkell's attention fully shifts from Zisel to the animal.Taking a few steps forward, bringing him shoulder to shoulder with his new companion, the ulfen calls out to the stag.
"Magnificent white guardian, please forgive the forwardness of my friends. They are well meaning and have taken upon themselves to investigate a Lady's disappearance, whose life is in dander. Worried, we are all in a hurry to her." he pauses shortly " You must have seen the dame, oh guardian, for her abductors passed through your territory maybe a day ago. Our quest is honorable, and we would be grateful if you would let us pass. Even more so if you would tell us whether the noblewoman was still alive when she passed through your territory and who were the ones that abduced her." he says, with great respect and confidence that the...
Lars closed the gap between him and Grimkell, leaning in to whisper to his companion Did you not hear what I said earlier?" He asked his hushed tone a mix of surprise and irritation "The stag isn't saying anything, someone else probably hiding close to it is doing the talking"
"My name does not translate into any tongue you would understand. You may call me White Guardian, if you wish," the stag says taking up the title given to him by Grimkell. "Who are you, and who is this lady to you that you would come traipsing through my forest in search of her?"
Mirri gave Grimkell an odd look and replied, "Why the simple fact that we killed her brothers, damaged her wing, and she'll quite possibly die to predators if we don't take her with us." She looks at Pym on her shoulder and says, "Not to belittle your skills sister, but your difficulty flying is a serious issue, I'm quite sure that, were it not for that, you could survive alone indefinitely." Returning her attention back to Grimkell, "I won't leave anyone to suffer a slow cold death or a quick violent one if I can avoid it." She seems to consider the conversation over and almost looks more than a bit miffed at having to explain this to all to him.
Mirri is caught off guard by the talking stag and takes a more defensive position as she heard stories about how dangerous the normal animal could be but otherwise stayed back and silent lest she drew it's attention and ire.
Zisel had not actually been about to say anything. She was too busy giving the rather androgynous elf her own stare trying to peg down the gender. Probably best to avoid gendered terms for now... I'll figure it out later, I'm sure she thought to herself, making a mental note to pay attention to what they others called them.
The group was unfortunately slow over the snow, and any plans Grimkell had of keeping Zisel in a line were bowled over by her weaving in and out and around the line, slowing down to pick up idle chatter with both Pym and Theora as time went by.
"Don't know who she is, but she looked to be in trouble. And you know all that nonsense about damsels in distress; always need saving and what not. Have you stopped a rather rowdy bunch of bandits recently? Perhaps with a rather distressed looking woman with them...?"
Pym peaks out through the strands of Mirri's hair and makes a small squeaking noise. Speaking quietly, so that no one but Mirri hears her, she says, "Ikke stol på det, søster! Det er Fawfein største dyret! Fawfein er alltid med det, må han være i nærheten."
"One person staring at you is enough! Do not worry about me... Still, what were you doing in these woods in the first place? Why venture in this supernatural cold in the first place? Also, could you tell us how many bandits you met? Or any other information, the more we know about them, the better our chances to best them."
"I have not seen the bandits, though they leave evidence of their filthy presence all over my forest. You have authority over your kind, you have come to capture these bandits and remove them from my forest?"
Giving the slightest of nods to Pym, Mirri speaks up, "Alright Fawfein, where are you? I know that's your beast there, maybe we should take it down for the meet and fur. Show yourself."
As Mirri talks to the deceiver, Theora begins looking for him, eyes slowly scanning left and right around the beast. "Come on, Dearie. Why not let us see who we're actually talking to?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Grimkell was slightly confused for a moment, although Lars had seemed almost disappointed in the "ambush", the ulfen had heard no mention of anyone coming at them. Thus, he was quite surprised to see the noble looking stag charge his companions.
Still, the skald quickly recovered, looking around, it quickly becomes clear that it would take him too much time to reach Mirri before the stag could continue his attack. Luckily, he though, Jamarcus was close enough to provide the necessary help to the woman. Thus, the best he could do right now was to draw the attention of the animal, and make it fear them.
Drawing his sword, Grimkell starts banging it on his shield. At the very second that the stag shift its attention toward him, the skald lets out a loud warcry, deep and strong.
Zisel takes a moment and thinks before answering. "Only a handful. Four or five by my count. Dancey little buggers. The spoke of more," she explains with a shrug. "Though I saw no evidence of them. It could be a bluff. But I did hear them mention a sickness in their ranks. Might weaken them a bit for us."
Grimkell's loud display appears to have shaken the stag.
R1
Stag, Fawfein, Grimkell, Theora, Zisel, Jamarcus, Pym, Lars, Mirri
"Oh dear. At least you have more where that came from!" Theora clucks at Lars, unable to help small smile at the tiny axe in his hand, looking like a child's toy rather than a menacing weapon. Drawing one of her cold iron arrows, she keeps her eyes peeled, only half-watching the stag. Nocking the arrow, she watches instead for the unseen Fawfein.
Zisel, seeing that Theora is readying an attack, draws her dagger though she doesn't ready it. Instead, she casts guidance on herself for use at a critical moment.
"Hardly friendly behavior. Why are you so keen on keeping yourself hidden? Spend your time playing tricks on lumberjacks and vandals. Let us pass, and we will do our best to remove the bandits from your forest."
Now we got a talkin' moose...
Jamarcus looks to the combat-ready adventurers to his left and right and shakes his head.
Really? Nobody think this is funky? Just another walk in the park for you crazy-ass m#~~&@#&~@$#s???
Well, least dis' one looks damn tasty
With liquid grace, he moves past Mirri and brings himself next to the 'moose'. Twisting ever so slightly, he lifts one hand into the air and knifes it downwards towards the stags neck in a brutal chop.
Mirri step back from the moose that charged her and then begins chanting. She make a cup like gesture in front of her with the open end towards it and a burst of brilliant light bursts forth, swirling into the moose's face.
Jamarcus hits the stag with the side of his hand, hurting the stag but hurting himself just as well as the stag is a very well muscled beast.
Pym looses an arrow from her hiding spot in Mirri's hair.
Down by 8
R1
Stag, Fawfein, Grimkell, Theora, Zisel, Jamarcus, Pym, Lars, Mirri
"An old wise but grumpy man once told me to carry a spare of everything" Replied Lars as a small grin came over his face. His sword released a subtle shout as it left it's sheath and was bared at their wild assailant, next his shield followed suit and positioned itself on his forearm with a few manipulations of its leather straps. Blue eyes quickly scanned the area for signs of their hidden opponent.
"Lets find out what stag meat tastes like" The scoundrel went with a simple horizontal swipe, continued with a heavy diagonal cut and finally finished his combination of slashes with a rising strike.
Lars' brutish attacks quickly cut down the stag. A blood curdling scream can be heard as Fawfein reveals himself. "Faen! Dere skal alle dø for!"
Theora lets loose her arrow, but it thunks into a tree.
R1
Theora, Fawfein, Grimkell, Zisel, Jamarcus, Pym, Lars, Mirri
Jamarcus shakes his bruised hand out.
Damn, almos' work as good as it did in the movies
The burly man breaks into a sprint through the thigh-high snow towards the pixie-like figure.
Not expecting the resistance, he plows through 30 feet before finally slowing down.
After the stag gives his last moan, but before it hits the ground, Grimkell's eyes dart around, trying to see the beast's master through the curtain of falling snow. His attention drawn by Fawfein's voice, Grimkell quickly turns his head to sport the sprite. Doing so, he notices Jamarcus moving through the snow. The will and courage of the man reminds Grimkell of his old comrads in arms. Inspired by the brawlers action and his memories, the ulfen met lets out a fearsome warcry before following Jamarcus' lead, and even passing him on the way
Traveling Conditions
The attack on Lady Argentea’s
caravan took place approximately
6 miles south of Heldren. None
of the intervening territory has
been affected by the wintry weather
over the Border Wood yet, though the
air grows noticeably cooler the closer the
PCs come to the forest’s edge. Once the PCs pass inside
the tree line where the pocket of winter begins, however,
the weather proves much worse, with temperatures below
freezing and falling snow. The snow reduces visibility
by half, imposing a –4 penalty on Perception checks and
ranged attacks (Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook 438).
The temperatures inside the winter pocket are
considered cold (approximately 30° F during the day, and
10° F at night). Every hour spent in the wintry conditions
requires a Fortitude save (DC 15, +1 per previous check) to
avoid taking 1d6 points of nonlethal damage. Those who
have taken nonlethal damage from exposure suffer from
hypothermia (treat as fatigued), and if this condition is
not remedied, they also suffer from frostbite (Core Rulebook
442). If the PCs secure cold-weather outfits before leaving
Heldren, they receive a +5 bonus on Fortitude saves against
exposure to the weather while adventuring in the forest.
Additionally, within the edges of the Border Wood, 6
inches of snow cover the ground, reducing overland travel
rates by half. During combat, entering a snow-covered
square costs 2 squares of movement. Snowshoes (Pathfinder
RPG Ultimate Equipment 91) can significantly reduce these
penalties, but no one in Heldren makes or sells them.
However, a PC who succeeds at a DC 15 Craft (shoes) skill
check can fashion a serviceable pair.