Reign of Winter (Inactive)

Game Master Just a Mort

The meal was delicious, and the company fun. Cadence happily eats her fill, passing what she cannot finish to the hungry Einar. When Mr. Whiskers gets his reading, she happily sits down with Freya in her lap to watch. It's lovely being with her younger sister again. "You will be the best herbalist ever, I'm sure of it."

Mr. Whiskers asks good questions, and he's so kind. He's been a good traveling companion. Then she glances up at Einar and Crummock.

I wonder what they think of all this?

The card is flipped over, revealing a Halfling midwife.” De midwife..hrmm. Inna perfect placement too. Dis ah ah gud omen.” She ponders for a while, then continues,”De midwife ah ah key dat lets life or information into de world. Perhaps, tink ou fi yuh knowledge may serve de commun?”

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

The midwife? Cadence ponders Madame Theodora's turned over card, remembering late night studies of the harrow at the Kith. A conduit of creation, but not one that creates alone. This is something that will take all of us.

She doesn't interrupt the reading, but remembers the card so that she can talk with Mr. Whiskers later about it.

"There a storm head dis way.An unatural storm one dat a outta season.Cold as winta ice. Knowledge illuminates, knowledge guides." She utters, sagely.

At Lunch
Seeing Cadence push her remaining food away Einar points at her plate with his wooden spoon raising an eyebrow, when she smiles and nods he responds ”Danke” Lifting the plate and dumping the remains in his bowl he continues shoveling the contents into his mouth with his spoon. ’Waste not want not, I’ve missed meals before, may as well eat when I can.’

here and now
As Mister Whiskers sits down, Einar moves back toward the door. Making room so Cadence can sit down and pull Freya on to her lap. ‘She seems like a good kid and their family seem genuine enough. I wonder if they know everything that this herbalist is going to try and teach their daughter.’ Turning toward the door, Einar bends over and appears to be distracted looking at something out the small smoky window set in the door. ’Bah, hedgewizards and harrowing, buy more trouble than they suppose. Give me a good blade anytime.’

I just realized something funny. I’ve been portraying a barbarian who doesn’t trust magic. What’s going to happen when he start’s casting spells? Hmmmm, maybe he will blame the demonic taint. Of course his mother was a caster, maybe it’s the use of items, spell components and such, or was her magical talent demonic as well…hhhmmmm, the plot thickens.

"I want to be a herbalist so I can help people!" Freya pipes out cheerfully. "Like how Mother Theodora helps the village! Mother Theodora says magic can be used to help others too!"

The mid-wife. I am glad the first card was a good omen.

Hesitant, Mr. Whiskers taps a card on the left column. "Seems the next step is to identify what in my past has relevance."

card 4

It is a picture of a cyclops pouring ale. "The publican. Misaligned. Nuh gud. Ave yuh believed inna sup'm false inna di past?" Mother Theodora asks, as she wags a wrinkled finger.

The party leaves Mother Theodora's shop with Freya and brings her back home. "You're such a dear." Beatrice thanks Cadene with a peck on her cheek. The party then heads to the Mayor's house.

The leader of Heldren’s village council, Ionnia Teppen, lives in this simple two-story house just off the town square. Ionnia’s family has had a place in Heldren’s politics for generations, and her membership on the town council was all but assured. She is by far the most influential member of the council, and most villagers consider her the de facto mayor of Heldren. ”Oh hi Cadence, “ Ionnia Teppen, a middle aged woman with short cropped brown hair, looks up from the map of the region she was pouring over, and the party can see eyebags beneath her eyes, as if she hasn’t slept well for days. ”I wasn’t expecting you’d be here so early. Or I’d have to drop the bombshell on you that soon. ” She takes a deep breath, then turns to Cadence somewhat regretfully, ”I know it’s unreasonable to separate you from your family when you’ve returned, but I would ask a favour of you.”

She shakes her index finger on her right hand, ”Don’t be so ready to agree until you know all everything it entails. 3 days ago, we found a letter on the edge of the town by an anonymous sender, that should we venture into Borderwood, Lady Argentea’s life will be forfeit. We fear that Lady Argentea is now in their hands, but our town is but a small hamlet and we simply do not have the resources to send out a search party. And it’s summer but early this morning it snowed. Its unnatural, the weather is.”

” I spoke to Shiela last night if I could get some help from the caravan, and she recommended all of you. Said you rescued a bard from a tower. If you are agreeable to this, could you please help rescue Lady Argentea, and find a way to bring summer back to us?”

”I’m really, really sorry to lay this heavy burden on you, Cadence.” She says apologetically.

in the "herbalist shop"
Trying to focus on looking out the window, Einar is surprised hearing Freya's declaration, '"magic can be used to help others" you have got to be ... augh, the door frame.' Having heard enough Eindar stands upright to speak his mind and whacks his head on the low door frame."Verdammte Hecke Hexe, hat dieses Kind glauben, ouch mein Kopf, ich glaube, ich knackte ein Fühler." Glaring at the herbalist for the briefest of second, rubbing his head, he excuses himself. "Pardon me, I vill need a little fresh air, ya. I believe I am allergic to zomezing" He quickly steps outside, waiting to take Freya back to the house.

At the de facto mayor's house.
Einar follows the rest of the party, mildly sullen, his pride and bent horn hurting. He stands and listens to the mayor with his companions.'Regretting being separated from family, it still sounds so odd.' as the mayor continues Einar ponders what raiders or outlaws would do to an attractive young woman, noble or not. As the mayor finishes he interjects. "If zees men are zee sort whole vill take a voman, zen her Vernichtung, her death, is not zee worst thing zat could happen," He quickly looked at his friends realizing he had spoken out of turn, shrugging his shoulder, "I do not know zat vee can do somezing about zee veather, but vee should be able to help Die edle Frau, za voman, ya."

At the shop

Freya looks distressed as Einar bumps himself on the doorframe. "Are you ok, Einar?" She asks, concerned.

Catching the glare, Mother Theodora looks at Einar, puzzled and slightly offended. "Mi did sey nuhting wrong? Di reading neva even fi him."

Earlier, before the Mayor's house

"Einar, wait up!" Cadence glares at him. "It's a really good thing that Madame Theodora hasn't studied skald. You do realize that I use magic? So does Crummock and Mr. Whiskers. We use magic all the time. Magic is Freya's special gift, and I will not have you wrecking things for her! Dammit, I like you, and you're super sweet most of the time, but when you're around my family, when you're around me, you will see spells. Cope!"

Then she softens. "I'm sorry. I'm just really protective of my family. You understand that, right?" She pauses. "I just really like you, and don't... I don't want you to mess up with them when you've already made such a great impression. I want them to like you too."

At the Mayor's house

Cadence considers for a moment. "Yes, of course we'll go. Just give me a minute to hug my family goodbye. I promised them when I was a teenager that I would always tell them when I was going, and to never sneak off. I plan to keep that promise."

At Madame Theodora's herbalist shop

Mr. Whiskers jumps in surprise at Einar's outburst. He has a problem with witches? I will have to ask him about this when there is an opportunity.

At Madame Theodora's comment, Mr. Whiskers turns back to her and says "I'm sorry, I do not think it was anything you did."

After Einar has left, he turns back to her and says "Thank you for the reading, Madam Theodora. Would you accept any recompense for it?"

After her answer

Gesturing towards Freya, he says to Madam Theodora "She showed us her skill with fireworks last night. Very illuminating. It appears she is following the sorcerer tradition." Shifting so he can see both of them, he asks "So have either of you determined which bloodline she is drawing her powers from?"

After that

Still looking at both of them, but speaking mostly to Freya he asks "What magics do you plan to develop next? I would suggest something defensive."

At the major's house

As Cadence is accepting the task, Mr. Whiskers nods in agreement.

Looking to Ionnia, he asks "Pardon me, but what of the High Sentinels? We were told they usually patrol the Borderwoods, but none have been seen recently. Do you have any information about that? It may well be related."

before the mayor's
'Crud, here it comes, the lecture, anything but the lecture.' Einar slows his pace and watches Cadence from the corner of his eye, occasionally turning her way, enough to let her know he is paying attention, but not so much as to trip over himself. 'you will see spells, magic is our friend...did she call me sweet?' He stops and looks at her as she explains about protecting her family, 'family is important to her, their opinion is important...She is so tough in some ways, so fragile in others; like the flowers that push up even while there is still snow.'

Weighing his words carefully, "Ya, you and Crummock and Mister Viskers," nodding toward their mutual friends, he continues "all use magie. Za same vay I use zee glaive. It is a veapon, Ich tue nicht." Realizing his is raising his voice and speaking in Skald, he lowers his tone and continues in Taldane "I do not use it for parlor tricks, or for zee entertainment of die Kinder, zee children. Pretending zat magie is somezing ozer zan a veapon is pretending zat my glaive iz a pruning shearer."

He stops speaking for a moment and continue toward their destination, looking around to make sure no one from the little town is near, 'I do not want to bring shame to her family, just my appearance is bad enough.' Einar begins speaking softly in Skald. 'Crummock and Mister Whiskers deserve to know the truth as well.' "Ihre Familie ist sehr nett, Ihre sind sehr nett, ich schätze Ihre Freundschaft und das Unternehmen, dass die vier von uns erstellt haben." Keeping his eyes straight ahead, he continues. "Ich bin nicht gewöhnt, schön, ich bin es gewohnt, zu überleben.: He reaches up to his neck touching the runes just below his left ear. "Meine Familie war nicht nett, sie waren schwierig. Ich weiß, dass du gelesen hast, das ist keine Lüge. Ich bin nicht, was Sie denken, dass ich bin." As Einar finishes he quickens his pace, to prevent anymore conversation.

There is rapid knocking on the door, then the door flies open, and a harried Heldren resident reports, "We've got a badly wounded mercenary claiming to be part of Lady Argentea's escort,who just made it back to town. Arvid and Comac have carried him to the Willowbark apocathery, where Father Natharen is tending to him."

"Come with me." Ionnia says and the party goes to the Willowbark Apocathery. A well-tended garden sits in front of this equally neat house, the home of Tessaraea Willowbark, Heldren’s resident apothecary. The house smells of brimstone, phosphorous and other unknown chemicals . A painting of a male elf bearing a resemblance of Tessaraea is hung on the wallz, overlooking the alchemical bench, while a heavily bandaged man lies on bed. Tessaraea a lanky elf with green hair and sad blue eyes is helping to feed the man a cup of water.

Wrapped in bandages, the Ulfen mercenary’s nose, fingers, and toes have taken on a black hue from serious frostbite, and he is still heavily wounded. Despite the best efforts of Elder Safander, Heldren’s village priest, it will take some time before Yuln is hale and hearty enough to travel again, much less wield a weapon. Despite his obvious pain, however, he waves the the party closer to speak with them.

"Would that I could go with you,” he says. “My ancestors would ridicule my lack of valor for fleeing rather than fighting to the end. But I faced enemies that even the greatest warriors in the Linnorm Kingdoms have faltered against, though I think I slew at least one of them before they dragged Lady Argentea away.”

"Tell us as much as you remember," Cadence says. "How many of them were there, and how were they armed?"

She is disturbed by the conversation with Einar, and more disturbed by the brand he wears. Kinslayer. Who did he kill? Why? More importantly, why was he branded instead of executed? Her head is whirling with the revelation, which does not at all fit with the gentle warrior she's come to know.

The search for Lady Argentaea is a welcome distraction, and one she grasps eagerly.

At herbalist shop

"No need, mon. She then replies to Mr Whisker's question, "A gud spirit watches ova di pickney. One dat comes from di heavens."She points her right finger upwards.

After that

"Well Mother Thedora said that if I was ever in danger, I should just channel it's power out. Then run before the bad guys wake up."Freya answers.

Once outside the house

"I'll show you." Taking care to be facing herself opposite of the party, and having no one in front of her, she summons a flash of blinding colours. Mr Whiskers recognizes it as colour spray."Mother Theodora told me NEVER to do this unless I was in danger. " "There's a mage shield that Mother Theodora was telling me about, but I just can't form that protective bubble." Freya looks crestfallen at that.

At apocathery

"We thought they were just bandits at first—outlaws who hide like wolves in the forest. They were no match for us. But then came the cold fey of the north. They appeared among us and the battle turned quickly. My people speak of the winter-touched all the time, but I never expected to meet them this far south.”

"In the confusion of battle, I didn't manage to get the exact numbers, it looked like a whole army of them.The bandits had swords and bows, some of the cold fey peppered us with their tiny arrows, and there was one that breathed a cone of icy death."

Freya looks crestfallen

"Do not feel discouraged." Mr. Whiskers tells Freya. "Learning to harness magic takes time and practice. The important thing will be to choose wisely which magics you master. Your form of magic doesn't allow you to pick and choose each day what to do, so each spell must be useful in a variety of situations."

He pauses a moment, then mentions "Hopefully she also warned you not to shoot the fireworks at someone unless you mean them harm. Although beautiful to behold, few would want to be in the area where they burst into flames. If you ever face a swarm of insects, use it on them."

Current time at the apothecary

Mr. Whiskers tries to reassure the warrior. "Please consider, if you had fallen in battle we would know nothing of these enemies. It is better that you fled so that the next ones to battle them know something of what they are facing."

Frosty breath...way too many things that might fit that description. Same with the tiny arrows. Hopefully he remembers some detail that will help me better identify these creatures.

"The men, what language did they speak? Can you tell us anything about their garb that might hint at what their allegiance might be? What did you see of the fey creatures? Did the two groups communicate and work together?"

With Freya

"Yes, Mother Theodora told me that.She said that practixe makes perfect." Freya nods her head, then continues, "She said for some of us, the guardian spirit is within us. Mother Theodora has a guardian spirit too. His name is Terra, and he takes the form of a toad."

"Well...I already knew that." Freya looks at her feet, ashamed of herself. "The first time it happened, I set my desk on fire. Then it was the dining table. Mom was so scared. Then Madam Theodora came and said she'd teach me so I wouldn't do that again."

At Apocathery

"I guess..." He replies to Mr Whiskers assurance dubiously.

"They spoke common. The armor was mismatched, looking like they took it off any dead body they could find, like bandits. They fey creatures, I couldn't see very well, there seemed to be some kind of glowing nimbus surrounding them. Both groups were working together. We could've fought off the bandits by themselves,but the icy arrows of the fey slowed us down such that we were easy prey. "

Following Ionnia and his companions the sullen Einar brings up the rear. 'I need to calm down Freya's a good kid, she just wants to use her talents, her natural casting reminds me of my mother's, that's probably the problem. Too many things here remind me of Home.' As Einar enters the Apothecary, hearing the accent of the warrior he stops in the door, looking around the room. Realizing it is a sole warrior he enters the room Staying toward the back. 'What bested this man and his troop?' Listening carefully, looking at the man's wounds. 'Either the weather got much worse or the fey, were powerful.' Einar realizing that the man in this condition was no threat, spoke up. "Nicht ärgern Cousine, die Vorfahren wissen, dass der Mensch nicht dazu bestimmt war, die Winterfeen zu kämpfen. Haben die Männer eine Spur hinterlassen? Wir können ihnen folgen und hoffentlich die Gunst zurückgeben und sie überraschen."

ok, if we start speaking skald all the time, I may just put the words in brackets or something.

"Still, I ran from battle. It is a stain upon my honor." He hangs his head in shame.

"They took her into the Borderwoods, back through the ice and snow. Beyond that, I don’t know. I followed as far as I could, but the winter-touched were too many and too hard to fend off in the snow alone. I barely escaped, and rode to seek help here.”

Surprised, Mr. Whiskers asks "Snow?"

Strange, I didn't see any signs of snowfall. What is happening with the weather?!? On the good side, that should make it easy to follow his tracks. The fey may not leave tracks, but he should have.

His tail twitches nervously. Then he asks "How deep is the snow? Will we need skis or snowshoes?"

Crummock's expression sours.

"Crivens! This be serious. If yon llwg ysbeilwyr be allying with the Unseelie, that does not bode well for the area..."

He then glances at the others, before continuing.

"I be thinking we be able to investigate; we have had some success working as a tîm, after all..."

At the sound of the word army, Ionnia looks alarmed.”This is not good. I’ll leave you guys here, I need to inform Isker to double up on the militia numbers. And also we’ll need to work on barricades, in case something comes out of Borderwood. Tengezil should be able to figure out something. If you need any help please feel free to ask.” With that Ionnia Teppen leaves the apothecary to prepare the town’s defences.

Yuln replies, "Deep enough that you can't move in it freely. Skis and snowshoes would be good, if there were any available. Alas, we were caught unprepared for the heavy snow."

Crummock frowns.

"Ack! Ye bairns dinnae have the ymennydd to make 'em yourselves? Do ye at least have a purveyor of magical potions...?"

Specifically, wanting to know if Potions of Feather Step are available in town - they won't help long term, but if we get stuck in melee in the deep snow, against, say, flying opponents, they will be extremely useful.

"We weren't expecting to be ambushed in deep snow.Besides, they require some time to make."

Magical potions are from Mother Theodora, whom you just visited. Alchemist may have some potions too. I'll tell you, no potions of feather step in town. You could ask them if they have anything else useful. General goods store would be where you find general adventuring supplies.

Eh, it was worth asking ;-)

DC 15 craft check to make your own snowshoes. 1 day of work per pair.

"These lands were supposed to be warm, so I left my snowshoes with the Shoanti in Kaer Maga. Fortunately, I did keep my winter wear." Mr. Whiskers admits.

"You said they took her. Any idea why? Did they seem to take special care not to injure the lady?"

Crummock shrugs.

"A soft noble? Ransom be my bet."

Sadly shaking his head, Mr. Whiskers announces "That can't be it. They would have left demands for a ransom instead of a warning to stay out of the forest if that were the case."

"I don't know. They just bundled her up and carried her away, kicking and screaming.But if one of the White Witches took her, no good shall come of it. The winter-touched do nothing without the leave of those who placed the ice in their hearts. If they’re here, it’s because a White Witch sent them. And much worse will follow.”

No Snowshoes in town either!

"Well then, maybe they'll sacrifice her? Ye don't get winter in summer without effort. Perhaps they mean to cut the blood eagle?"

He looks thoughtful.

"Can ye at least point us in the direction of where the battle was? Mayhaps we can follow the trail..."

"We were in Borderwood when we were attacked. You should easily be able to track my trail to the site we were attacked. And follow the bandit trails to the icy woods beyond..."

"Please, take my sword." He gestures to the chest beneath the bed with his bandaged fingers. Tessaraea opens the chest and takes out a cold iron long sword and hands it to the party. "The winter fey fear cold iron and burning flame, for both burn them. Please help me rescue Lady Argentea, and make them pay in blood, for I cannot."

Winter Witch?!?!?!?

Mr. Whiskers jumps slightly as Yuln talks of the woman being carried away. His tails starts swaying back and forth in worry.

"We will do what we can to rescue Lady Argentea." Mr. Whiskers assures the man. He waits for one of the others to accept the sword, having no use for it himself.

Einar shake his head, "Sacrifice or vorse, If zee Unseelie have her,If she is glücklich, a qvick death. If zee bandits." he shrugs his shoulder, "A shared play thing, und ven zey are bored vit her sold In Sklaverei oder getötet." He paused for a moment, mentally translating, then drawing a finger across his throat, "Slavery or zee death."

Seeing the sword he turns and asks Cadence, "liebchen, vould you like to carry zee blade?" He moves slightly closer; "Zis is a große Ehre, a great honor he offers us."

Noting Mr Whiskers jump, Yuln gives Mr Whiskers a pained smile, "You are not familiar with winter witches, ya?"

"14 centuries ago, Baba Yaga conquered in a swift brutal war known as the winter war, the eastern Linnorm Kingdoms of Raemerrund and the Djurstor Confederacy and founded a new nation locked in eternal winter—the land of Irrisen. She installed her daughter as the queen of the new nation, then vanished. Every century, she comes and takes the current queen, vanishes, and a new daughter ascends the throne. Each of her daughters had profound magical powers and would train their own enforcers, the winter witches, to enforce their law. I came to the south to escape their yoke. Never had I imagined that their greed and reach knows no boundaries." His voice breaks with despair as he recites the tale.

Hesitantly, Mr. Whiskers admits "I had heard of Winter Witches, but only vague rumors. None of those tales were the type that made me ever want to meet one."

'Yes the linnorm Kings are always worried about Baba Yaga" Einar smiles, moving closer, resting his hand on Mister Whiskers shoulder. "Hopevully ve can rescue za dame while avoiding meeting vone, Ya."

Decide where you guys want to go, I can move you there.

As they leave he observes. ”If vee are to head into die Kältever, zee cold, I vill need zee proper garments.” Turning to Cadence he asks, ”Can ve go to someone who sells Winterkleidung, Heavy boots und a great cloak, vould be nice, ya.”

Cadence brings you to the general store. The store is stocked full of mundane goods and supplies that traveller might need, and smells of grain. Vivialla Steranus, a bespectacled middle aged woman with long brown hair and eyes, clad in peasant clothing of brown and green greets the party in a soft voice. ”'Allo 'allo zére, eez zere anythéng you're lookéng fair?”

'How is it every general store I've ever walked into smells the same?' Einar follows Cadence into the simple store, breathing in the smells he gently touches the items as he walks past, a box of candles here, a cast iron skillet there. When called out, he nods quickly "Ya, gnädige Frau." Quickly explaining, "Vee are headed into zee vinter storm zat is brewing und blowing our vay. Do you have zee vinter boots, zat would come up Auf meine Knie?" Reaching down to point to his knee. "Und ein schwerer großer Umhang, A heavy cloak?" Looking around a little he turns and asks the outhers, "I have fünf days worth of dry rations, should vee get more, vee could get snowed in szome place. It vould be horrible if vee needed to eat zee dogs." 'Well not that horrible, dog is good eating. Then we could make really nice coats.'

Slightly earlier:

At the mention of witches, Crummock's expression sours.

"Crivens! As well as the Unseelie beasties, there are gwrach involved!? This will not end well..."

When Einar mentions the need to get cold weather gear, Crummock nods.

"Och, I be glad to see that at least some of you have a lick o' common sense. In addition to that, I can use my magic to put some northern tân into you, which should help you all to fight off the effects of the cold, like a proper Northern rhyfelwr!"

Basically, in addition to the cold weather gear, I am offering to cast Endure Elements on everyone.

"While you do that, I'll try to make some snowshoes..."

Crummock then sets about to look for the basic materials he needs, and starts muttering a near continuous litany under his breath.

Craft(Snowshoes), Guidance: 1d20 + 0 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 0 + 1 = 20.

"Oui, oui, ai do. Zum nairthairn fami-lee migrateng sooth decided zey 'ad non use fair zeir wintair coats, and suld zem to me. Ai figured zat if zumoné wént off nairth I’d bé abuhl to séll eet to zem fair a tidy profi."She goes into the room behind and pulls out a slightly musty smelling off-white woollen jacket with a rabbit fur hood, woollen pants, wollen cloak and matching boots lined with rabbit fur, which she hands to Einar. 8 gp for cold weather clothing.

Crummock finds outside the carpenter workshop, some discarded ash trimmings that can be fashioned into a pair of snowshoes, as well as the left over rawhide of the crocodile after making the belt and boots(outside the stable). Buying some glue from the general store, he figures that once the glue sets, there should be a servicable pair of snowshoes ready for use by morning.

You cannot maintain guidance while crafting. Someone, however can maintain it on you.

Fair enough.

Satisfied with his creation, Crummock goes to check on the dogs, and to make sure that the pack saddles have been properly adjusted for them.

The last thing I be wanting is for the cappelthwaite to be getting saddle sores!

Tempo, Opus and Acapella are glad to see their best friend Crummock, barking happily at him while prancing around in their new pack saddles. Crummock finds that the pack saddles have been fitted perfectly, after he manages to calm the dogs down sufficiently to do the inspection. Of course, by that time his face is slobbering wet, having being licked by enthusiastically by the dogs.

'wow, that must have been in storage a long time.' Turning his nose a little when he smells the musty wool coats, he looks at them carefully, 'Good at least it's not moth eaten.' "These seem to be serviceable, ya." Einar removes the coins from his pouc and pays the woman. tuning to Mister Whiskers and Cadence he asks, "Do either of you need anything before vee go?"