Vic moves cautiously to the man.
Tell us how you can aid us.
The man slumps with his back on the icicle, he looks week and so very tired." No, this is no local event, but the work of Queen Elvanna, ruler of Irrisen and betrayer of her own mother" He spats weakly. He seems to have little energy "Something has happened to Baba Yaga. Every hundred years, she returns to Irrisen to place a new daughter on the throne. But Queen Elvanna has other plans, it seems. Baba Yaga has not appeared as planned, and Elvanna intends to slay everyone loyal to her mother. She hunted down those of us who would herald Baba Yaga’s return and slew my associates. I am the last of the Three Riders and a threat to Elvanna’s plans.”
He seems to weak to do much of anything. while is is armed, he does look like a dying old man. You are unsure what his injuries may be
Tursk was unsure about helping this man. But ultimately, he could not ignore the pain of a dying man.
"Allow me a chance to heal your wounds, grandfather."
He placed his hands on him and prayed to Erastil.
He waves Trusk off. "Save your magics. Nothing mortal can heal what has been done. Elvanna has unmade me, I am the last of the rider's and I am fading. I can tell you where the source of this portal is and how to close it, although it will only slow your land's doom. You can find its source in the Pale Tower, on the other side, but this portal is but one
of many. Through them, Elvanna will spread a new ice age across your world, consuming it for all eternity. Closing this portal might save your kingdom for a time, but Golarion would still be doomed.”
Barl scrathes the stubble on his bald head. "Who are you? Who are the three riders? How do you know all of this? Is that big furry thing that we killed a troll?"
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"“Once, I was called Illarion Matveius. Now I am known as Black Midnight. I am Baba Yaga’s Black Rider, harbinger of the Witch Queen’s return.The others are now dead, lost to the treachery of Queen Elvanna. You ask how I know, I have told you.The time of Baba Yaga return is at hand , yet Elvanna has done something she has stopped it!"
He breaths heavy, and seems so very tired. "“You must find Baba Yaga. Only Baba Yaga can defeat Elvanna. Only the Queen of Witches can undo what her daughter has done.” And with a half handed wave he states "And yes, that is a troll"
How do we find, Baba Yaga?
Tursk tries to divine whether Midnight is playing them false, or if Golarion was truly in such danger.
Looking to vic he sighs "“You must use her Dancing Hut to follow her. The hut is a powerful artifact that can cross great distances, even travel between worlds. If you can control the hut, it can take you to Baba Yaga. However, Elvanna stole the hut and put it on display in Irrisen’s capital, Whitethrone, as a symbol of her power. You must go through the portal to Irrisen and find the Dancing Hut.”
He leans forward starring into vic's eyes "The hut has many keys— objects attuned to the hut—that can take it almost anywhere. I managed to secure two of these keys, but Elvanna stole their power to prevent anyone from using the hut to find her mother. Once they are reactivated, placing the keys in the hut’s cauldron will retrace Baba Yaga’s path"
He looks be be growing weaker, but he looks at you all " I can awaken thease keys, but no longer have the power to carry out my mission. If you swear to find Baba Yags and stop Elvanna, I will activate them for you. I will allow you to save your world."
He seems honest and intent, you see him gowning weaker but see the fire in his eyes as he pleads with you. You think he believes every word he says
Steal Baba Yaga's Dancing Hut, a powerful artifact, from Elvanna? Well, sir, I believe that you have come to the right thief. Oh, and saving the world in the process - that is just icing on the cake. I accept this task.
He looks to the others.
Well, friends, should he awaken the keys? Who is with me?
Tursk looks at the unnatural winter gripping his home, and imagines this tragedy befalling all the world.
"I believe your tale, Midnight. And I accept this quest."
"Ha! I get to kill a troll and get the keys to take Baba Yagas hut for a stroll on the same day?! Count me in!"
"We're already facing deadly peril on a daily basis, so what have we got to lose?" Arannis asks, smiling, with a surprising lack of sarcasm in his tone.
He nods and digs for something from his clothing." The keys, I can empower them, you must take my mantle" He says, he holds what looks to be a lock of white hair and a long nosed mask. He draws his knife as if to cut his palm " You will see this done, You must find Baba Yaga or your world dies"
And with a swift motion he cuts his own throat. The blood pours from it, you watch his eyes fade and you feel the power, the feel it run though you, over you and into you. You feel more, something far more and you have a need now, a mission to find Baba Yaga and stop her wayward daughter from covering the world in an endless winter.
You are each now a carrier of the Black riders mantle, this has side effects. First off you gain a +2 to any ability score of your choosing. secondly you now feel almost compelled to complete his mission and find Baba yaga
Now do we just walk through?
Vic is emboldened by his commitment to complete the mission and find Baba Yaga.
Tursk tries to stop him from slitting his throat, but is too late. He sighs, as he closes the man's eyes.
"May the Lady of Graves have mercy on your soul."
"Now do we just walk through?"
"Aye, Vic. Let's go. We have a job to do."
Arannis sticks out his staff in the direction of the portal and shouts, "To joyous adventure!" Beaming with a brighter smile than ever, he sets forth on his new quest.
Kat shakes her head with a sense of foreboding, but follows her overly-enthusiastic comrades!
And how much time do we have to find babba yabba?
You yourself is a snow covered woods cape, behind you stands the portal that brought to this forest of snow covered ever greens. The snow is deep, going to the knees of even Barl and the wind is co could its like icy daggers upon your exposed skin. And it is night here, a deep darkness with little in the way of light creeping past the thick snow covered branches above you. As you push your way up a small hill to get the law of the land, you can see light in the distance, light from a village it seems.
Over the howl of the wind, Vic addresses the others.
Let's press on to that settlement!
"Good idea," Arannis agrees, nodding.
Tursk shivers as he casts a light spell upon his shield.
"Stick close together, everyone."
"Wow, this is even pretty chilly for me! Feels like home." Barl looks around. "It's dark here too. How far did that thing take us?"
Far to the Northeast of Taldor, Irrisen, if our benefactor can be believed.
jack presses on as well.
As you make your way though the snow drifts, you hear shouts near by, well shouts and screams of panic mostly. As you get near you see four people, bundled head to two, swinging touches and screaming at something. That something happens to be the largest mantis you have ever seen, easily six feet tall, and grasping someone in its mandibles.
Tursk runs ahead. And brandishing the holy symbol of Erastil on his shield he unleashes a sacred flame.
Jack will climb on top of a small building using whatever he can find to get up there, and shoot the mantis from afar with his shortbow, afar of 60 feet.
Kat moves into range (if not already so) and releases another bolt of energy at the oversized insect.
Tursk unleashes flame at the beast as Jack claims atop a small mound of rocks and fires an arrow into it as well. Kat joins the attack smashing into its armored exoskeleton with her arcane energy.
Vic quickly looses an arrow before seeking cover behind the nearest tree.
[
"Irrisen has some major bugs! No wonder why my country stays away from this place.."
Barl rushes the giant mantis and takes a crack at it with Ulga.
"Whoa! Burn the bug!"
Vic fires an arrow, while it does miss the target he manages to fade from sight. Barl , also seem to have no luck connecting with his target. Arannis also blasts the mantis with his fire. The overlarge insect screeches.
Vic steps out into the open, now that the Boulder has engaged the enemy, and he fires another shot, while closing to within 30 feet.
Tursk runs in and stabs the creature with his spear.
Jack fires another arrow.
Kat unleashes another bolt of energy.
Barl attack damage
Under your combined might, the Mantis crumbles. It lays unmoving upon the ground as the people rush to the man who it attacked. The look to be commoners, dressed head to toe in thick fur lined clothing and clearly Ulfen to the man and in one case, woman. They seem to be some form of caravan, although with dog sleds and supplies and not wagons.
The woman approaches you, in accented common she greets you. " I am Nadya Petska,We hail from a village near here. The land of the witches is not kind to strangers and you are clearly not natives. This is a harsh land and a storm approaches. You are welcome to camp without this night, as thanks for your aid. If you wish, we will lead you to the village on the marrow."
Vic, nods to the woman.
Thank you.
"Yes, thank you, Miss Petska. Now, please, let me see to your man there. I am a servant of Erastil and can heal him."
Tursk moves over to the wounded man and prays to Old Deadeye to cure his wounds.
Nadya thanks Tursk for the aid, and seen he is looking over the injured man. With Tursks spells the man "Petro" is up and moving. You can aid Nadya's men if you like, but they seem to know thier business and
the camp is set quickly as the snow starts to bellow. It does seem as if the weather is turning rough.
As the fire is started and what looks to be some type of meat is placed upon the spit, a stranger greets the camp. A whitish/blue skinned inhuman creature with horns growing from her head. She carries a lute in her arms as she calls Mind if I join you? A storm approaches and fire and company would be welcome. I am Mierul Ardelain, a troubadour of some skill. Perhaps you have heard of me? I would happily sing for my supper She says with a smile.
Nadya seems unsure, but with a small hesitation allows Mierul to join camp.
Tursk says nothing but keeps an eye out on the blue-skinned woman, trying to discern if she was a threat, or simply different.
As you eat, Mierul plays her loot and tries to hat up with everyone. She seems to take a keen interest in you, asking just where you are from as you seem strangers. Nadya quickly says you are friends from the village, looking for a taste of adventure is all. She smiles and says " Locals aye? Don't get around much do you?"
She seems to be rooting for information. He every action seems to be questioning and Nada, seems to be uneasy around here and its not simply her looks.
Tursk ignores Mierul and instead tries to figure out what she is.