The two of you find within this cage of iron, a decrepit Fae, his luminosity waxing and waning within his tiny prison. "Hello?Isanyonethere?PleaseletVrixxouthewillbeagoodboy!"
Bugsby had been hopping from foot to foot and giggles happily as the chest bursts open, eyes trying to track whatever it was the shot up and away... Interesting he thinks. He'll combine magic and his spellcraft to try and identify what they've found.
------
Once that is done he'll stand, brushing dust from his hands briskly and happily, then head upstairs to see what can be see up there. He entertains himself by snapping his fingers and pointing his finger in a given direction, using this little game to cast detect magic as he looks around. He begins once he gets to the top of the stairs, snapping and pointing into each room and hallway as he looks around curiously. He looks over the railing at the top of the stairs, "From up here, you all look like little ants!" he observes gleefully.
He follows the others into the room with the tiny fae creature, waving up sadly as he notes it's decrepit state. "Hello! You'reVrixx? I'mBusby! Wecanletyououtifyou'reagoodfae! Wefoughtsomebadonesonthewayhere. NOTnice! Notniceatall." he waits curiously for the little creatures response, internally quite upset at the creatures predicament, but remembers his pained calf well enough to be cautious.
Kalt chuckles to himself as Sven eyes the ring, then asks in a quiet voice, "Which of the fair maids here are ya thinkin' of, Sven? The Ulfen beauty with the gut wound, the gentle half-orc who crushes skulls, or the fiercest of all, the High Lady of the Cellar?"
As Sven puts the ring back in the chest, Kalt nods at the wisdom of his friend's action, then turns to Lachna, "At the risk of judging by appearances, I'm thinking you as a dwarf might be better at gauging the value of some of these goods than I. I grew up on wood, ice, fur and steel, and couldn't begin to guess what these treasures would fetch. Care to take a look?"
As his companions head upstairs to explore, Kalt moves over to the fireplace and builds up the fire, then returns the table to its proper place. As he does so, he looks about for planks or other pieces of wood, perhaps a small table he can break up, to cover the broken windows and keep the rest of the party warm through the cold night to come.
Avora approaches the cage, studying the creature within. "No," she says as she examines it, "You will stay in there for now."
As Kalt gets the lodge back in order for the party to rest, a glance out the window reminds him – There was another little outbuilding and what looked like a stable out there. We’d better check that out before we get too comfortable in here. As he tosses one of the bandit’s bodies out into the snow, a small coin falls from the man’s pocket. Seeing the Taldan mint-mark on it, he pauses again for thought. What was Rokhar doing with that ingot with the Taldan royal seal on it? Did he steal it somewhere, or is he somehow in the pay of someone very high up here in Taldor?
Turning to Ten-Penny, he says, ”I hate to say it, but I’ve been thinking while I work, and a few things have occurred to me. First – what’s in the little outbuilding out there, and the stable? I’d like to take a look at them, and if you can spare me a surprise, I’d appreciate it. And maybe more important, we found an ingot with the royal seal of Taldor on it in Rokhar’s things. I guess he forgot to collect it in his haste to get out that window. Any idea where he would have picked up such a thing? Did he recently rob some royal messenger stuck in the snow?”
Bugsby rubs his leg unconsciously as Sven adds his own cautionary reminder, "Yesyesyes... TellusVrixx, areyouanevilfae?"
Seeing and sensing the Noble lady's predicament, Ankih will casually put a hand on her back to help her climb up. At the same time he will intone his last spell.
" Careful Milady. Dawnflower bless..."
She's a very tough lady indeed, trying to climb up with a possible broken hip...
Not sure where everyone else is, he will help her sit near the fire...
Lachna's eyes sparkle looking over the assorted gems and other items in the chest. It seems like she's just holding herself back from lunging after the scrolls handed to Bugsby to get a closer look at them. She makes no actual move though.
Kalt startles her with his words and she shakes her head, coming back to reality a bit.
Ah, well, it's that a might have an eye ter that sort o'thing, she says.
She looks over everything with a careful eye, wanting to ensure there wasn't anything magical besides the scrolls.
She gives the gems each a careful, close look-over before providing an answer.
The Lady turns slightly, about to object to Ankih's clear violation of her will. That objection dissolves as she realizes the bruises have dissipated some, and there is a bit more strength in her leg now "While that was not necessary, I thank you Master Cleric. I think I will not have you exiled or put to death for your worship of a forbidden deity." she says, a hint of a smile breaking her stony mask.
As Sven inquires about the surrounding buildings, the half-orc shrugs, "One be de outhouse. The otha, dat be the stable. Doubt you'll find much der, but search fer yourself. Regardin Rokhar's tings, I only been wit dis little group a month, and dey been havin me try an care for those two sicko's in da otha room. Dey got da Chillbane Shakes sumptin aweful. Got no idea where he picked up dat stuff."
Lachna examines the items, ponders a moment, and figures the group might be able to get a 100gp for the lot with the right buyer.
Bugsby joining the group upstairs with his game of spot the magical items, notices a small and decrepit crate at the bottom of a stack glows of multiple necromantic and enhancement auras. Popping open the lid reveals 3 scrolls of lesser animate dead, 2 vials of a greenish ooze that looks similar to that which Avora was trying to purge from her system earlier, a small lockbox locked, 3 vials of a clear and magical oil, and 10 flasks of Alchemists fire.
When the party reveals the flasks, the small imp begins to quiver in rage, and begins to bounce around his cage. "Vilebetrayerwasgoingtobackstabus. Nebisgoingtoremovehislungsthroughhisasswithhisbarehands, hesgoingtopeelthefleshfromhisfaceanduseittocleanthedirtfromhisfeet? Gggaaahhhhhhh!" Realizing what his is saying, the diminutive fae tries to calm down, and speak slowly. "If.. you..let..me..out..I..will.be..a..good..boy.
" Thank you Milady. I would hate to have to run away after meeting so many new friends." He sits down wearily next to her.
" Truth be told, we wouldn't have made it this far if not for Sarenrae's aid. Hopefully her presence here wont be too much of a burden...." Ankih says while ducking his head.
" It seems there is much more happening here than a kidnapping for ransom as well. Not to say that wasn't Vile enough. But these unnatural weather patterns needs be stopped...." He blushes and trails off..
" Excuse me Milady, I seem to have forgotten a friend out in the cold." And he gets up and goes outside to Scarab. Rubbing Scarab's side to help warm him up, Ankih leads the mule toward the stables. Grabbing his reins in his shield hand he draws his scimitar and ventures inside.
As Ankih steps outside to tend to Scarab, Kalt speaks up, "Wait up a moment, I'll come with you. Wouldn't do to run into a surprise by yourself out there." With a quick nod to Ten-Penny, he says, "Would you mind letting the others know we've ducked out to the stables?"
Once they're outside, Kalt keeps a watchful eye on their surroundings and suggests a notion to Ankih, "You know, you might want to bring your mule into the lodge, rather than the stable. It'd be warmer in there, which could mean a lot in these conditions, and there's no telling what might be wandering about in this misplaced winter. The High Lady is probably the only one who'd object - until she gets a choice of riding Scarab or walking to Heldren in the snow when we head back, of course."
As they approach the stables, Kalt continues, "But it's worth taking a look inside. I wouldn't want to leave horses tied up in here to starve, and it might offer us a better way to travel back to Heldren if there are any here."
When he finds the hidden crate with the multiple magic objects inside, he chuckles happily, "Magicthingsaresosparkly!" he observes to no one in particular, just gazing happily at the items for a bit.
When Vrixx speaks Bugsby's little face screws up in anger, "I don't like liar-pants-faces!" and cast's prestidigitation to cause a puff of tiny red pyrotechnics shoots out his ears. He turns to the others, "He'saliar-pant-faces-fae. Weshouldputhiminaholeandburyhim." then he turns to Vrixx, "Who'sNeb? andhowdidhebetrayyou? Bestnotlie, Icantellwhenyou'rebeinga liar-pants-face."
Ready for combat, Ankih and Kalt enter the stable. Designed to hold four horses, the stable is actually quite large and there is no sign of any bandits waiting in ambush. As you look around the building, you notice the occasional field mouse frosted over and pin cushioned with shafts similar to those used by the Fae you fought earlier. The stable is eerily quiet, the only noise heard is the sounds you make and the wind rustling the trees nearby. It does not seem the stable has been used in some time, but the far end has an abundance of reddish-brown patches, and a hand saw splashed with similar coloration on its blade.
Inside, the Fae’s deceit having been caught, it glares at the gnome, it’s eyes tiny flecks of ice trying to bore a hole through Bugsby’s head. ”StupididioticbubblefacedwhelpNebnotbetraymeRokharbetrayus. Nebistheonewhoisgoingtokillsyouall. Hewillripyourheartsoutandeatthemforlunch, hewillspearyouthroughtheheadanduseyourskullsastotemstowarnothersofthefoolis hnesstoopposeIrrisen.” As he rants and raves, you notice the Fae’s luminosity is getting brighter and brighter, which Avora and Bugsby remember to be what happens when the Fae get ready to use magic.
" I would have just pulled Scarab into the lodge, but I feared the Lady would object. I am a stranger to these lands and wouldn't want to offend the Nobility. It's hard enough just being a cleric of Sarenrae in these lands."
"I wonder what that reddish brown stuff is? It looks like rust, but usually, you don't see rust on wood....."He glances around warily..
" It seems too quiet here. I believe we should risk the Lady's wrath and take Scarab inside with us."
"Tell ya what, Ankih. You bring in Scarab, and if it upsets the lady, you just tell her it was my idea. I'm not likely to get to be best friends with the likes of her, so I might as well be the guy who brought the mule into the manor house, so to speak."
Looking around the stable, he pauses a moment, then says, "That looks more like blood than rust to me, especially the way it's splashed on that saw blade. Given how spent we all are, I'd say you, me, and Scarab head back inside, tell our friends that we'd like some company in checking out the stables, and decide with them if we do that now or after some rest. This place is too quiet, and those little fey stick-pins stuck into the poor mice remind me of the beating we took from those ice fey we fought. Now would not be a good time to repeat that."
Bugsby's eyes widen as he notes the signs of imminent magic use from the angry fae, "He'sgonnamagicus!" and cast's daze on the fae.
Bugsby's magic takes effect, dazing the small creature and stopping the build up of magic within it.
Bugsby gives the fae a cross look, "Cutthatout liar-pants-face. SoifNeb'sgonnaputmyheadonastick, we'llneedtolocatehim. Canyoutelluswherewemightfindhimplease?" he asks politely.
The Fae shakes his head a few times, clearing away the sparkles in front of its eyes. ”IfyourtodumbtofindhimthenIdontfeellikebotheringthemightyNebwithyourpresenc e.” responds the Fae, giving Bugsby a rather loud PPBBTTT of a raspberry.
"I agree with Bugsby. The fae stays locked up." Avora says adamantly.
As Sven covers the cage Bugsby lowers his head as the sheet is draped over it, returning the raspberry with equal verve, adding crossed-eyes to the little people raspberry contest for as long as possible.
Bugsby helps out with some cleaning, casting prestidigitation copiously over each party member, bed, and battle-wounded areas's of the house to get things into relatively good shape for rest. He approaches the rescued lady as he cleans her off, "Doyouloveflowers?" he asks curiously.
Carefully leading Scarab into the lodge, Ankih ties him up as far from the Lady as possible. He gives him his feed bag and the goes to the kitchen to find a bucket or large pan of some kind. Bringing it back to the main room he casts create water a couple of times to fill it up, then lets the mule drink as well. After drying and brushing and rubbing him down, Ankih will sit by the fire and write in his journal.
Noticing the pile of treasure..." If you like , I can prepare 'read magic' to find out what the scrolls are tomorrow morning."
He glances around, then asks..."Didn't I hear mention of some sick bandits here somewhere? I should probably check on them...."
Avora takes a seat next to Scarab and breaks out her rations. "Would anyone like my jerky?" she asks, sorting through the dried goods to pluck out the fruits. As she munches, she shares hushed conversation with Scarab. It is unclear if the mule actually understands her words, but the animal doesn't seem to mind the conversation, in any case.
The Lady looks down at the gnome for a moment, not sure what to make of his question before answering "Yes, I do enjoy the vibrant colors and fragrances of flowers. Why do you ask?" Spreading her torn dress around her, she sits near the fire, the reflections of the firelight enhancing her now clean radiance. Then when Ankih brings in the mule, she opens her mouth to say something, but then sees the wind gusting out side and says nothing.
When Ankih mentions visiting the sick, Ten-Penny stops from helping the ulfen ward the broken windows to call out "Ah wouldn't if I where ya. Dey gots the Chillbane Shakes'n aint long fer this world. Go in if'n you want, but dun say I didn't warn ye." With that she resumes her previous task.
While Kalt is rolling a table to the cover a window, he notices movement in woods. For a moment is seems as if a small humanoid is staring at him. He tries to focus on it, but loses it in a swirl of snow. Thinking about it, he would swear if had leathery wings and horns
Kalt is just about to lift a small, round table up to block a broken window when he pauses, his attention caught by movement outside. Before he can really even see it clearly, it is gone.
"Gang, we're not alone. I just spotted something out the window, small like the ice fey we fought, but it looked different. Little bat-like wings and horns on its head. It's gone, but it may not be the only one. Keep your eyes and ears open when you're on watch."
He sets the table on the windowsill and wedges it in place, then says, "Before we leave in the morning, let's take a quick look into the stable and the outhouse. Ankih and I peeked into the stable earlier, and I don't expect to find much, but it's worth checking everything, in case Rokhar left some trace behind without meaning to."
His task finished, he moves over next to Sven. Gesturing at the arrow-wound, he says, "Fella got ya good, eh? Good thing he didn't finish his wine - though he might have missed you if he had done." As the hulking Ulfen tugs on the bandage with his teeth, Kalt reaches over and gives the knot a finishing pull, then tucks the ends in before saying, "That should keep the important parts inside where you want 'em. Lucky thing we've got Ankih to put us back together, eh? A hell of a lot more effective than that old Pharasman we had in the Swords a couple of years back. Devout as the day is long, but the old man couldn't seem to decide if he should be fixing us up us or delivering us to the Lady of Graves, the way he healed."
Bugsby points to himself curiously, "I'mthe'littlefriend'... right?"
The gnome gathers up some of the unused blankets and pillows, burrowing into his nest as the days many activities finally catch up to him, "Wakemeifwe'redead!" he calls out before drifting off.
The group down for the night, fire popping in the fireplace keeping everyone warm while the cold winds howl outside. Throughout the watches, everyone occasionally sees a flicker of movement outside, and the mid watch hears a thump of something landing on the roof. As the final watch comes to a close, they notice an infrequent cough or wheeze coming from the pile of blankets containing Bugsby. The dawn comes, however Sarenrae’s blessing is hidden by ominous dark clouds. Barely an hour after sunrise snow begins to fall, first a gentle mist, but before long the flakes grow larger and larger. The wind continues to blow up from the south, and when combined with the growing snowfall has developed into near white out conditions.
At Sven's question, Kalt pulls open one of the double doors to the lodge and steps outside. He sniffs the wind and looks about, turning his head quickly at one point to try to catch any watchers unaware. Looking up at the sky for a long moment to gauge what the weather will do in the coming days, he turns and comes back inside.
"I can get us through, and help everyone keep warm, but I have to agree, it almost seems like this weather came up to keep us from Heldren. But let's give it a try. I expect I'll regret saying this, but a gentle fall of big fat snowflakes has never stopped me from travelling before."
At Sven’s comment regarding the pretty lasses, both Ten-Penny and the Lady Argentea arch an eyebrow before continuing with getting ready to continue their travels.
Bugsby comes down, looking and sounding awful. "I b'ink myn coming b'own with b'omething." his voice slow and congested as he wheezes and coughs. He keeps a blanket about him as he shambles about, looking out into the weather as Kalt takes a look, "B'at b'ooks and sounds b'ot good."
He does detect magic around the house, giving it a good once over and making sure no invisible folks are hiding about.
Scarab nickers over the idea of not only being the pack mule, but also having to carrry both Argentea and Bugsby through snow nearly up to it's belly.
Bugsby pats his trusty steed on the head, "B'on't worry B'arab, b'I will b'ink b'ight b'oughts." and sniffs loudly.
Kalt arches an eyebrow of his own, wondering whether the Lady Argentea would rather walk in the deep snow than ride a mule in the company of an ailing gnome.
Ankih rises with the Dawn, and after cleansing himself, prays for his spell replenishment.
" Blesses be Bright One, your aid has been indispensable these past few days. I am as always, your servant." He then makes oatmeal breakfast again , and feeds Scarab.
" Morning old friend. A long day ahead for you I fear. " He then goes about laying layers of blankets over the mule. Then repacks and cinches up the pack saddle. Taking his javelins, and the 50' rope and wrapping it about his middle, to help unburden the mule.
" Gather 'round all, I will finish off those last aches and pains...Bless this party, Milady Sarenrae."
He then turns and without asking or warning, cast endure elements on the Lady Argentea.
" One less worry...."
I'll have to keep an eye on Bugsby, he may need some help from the weather as well.
Lachna spent most of her waking time going over the collected gems again and again, mostly oblivious to the rest of the goings on.
Come morning, she was up and trudging along with the rest of the group.
I kin try ter stay near the front if y'like, she offered. Maybe m'shield can halp smooth out a path.