Teppen's intended barb has no effect upon Thrymr, as the Ulfen ignores it, instead moving over to the platform and waiting on the Elder leading them to the church.
To the Elder's plea Thrymr grunts before replying in a low growl, not over concerned if he is overheard "Du misstar mig för en man som bryr sig gamla."
But dont expect a northerner, or any man for that matter, to follow the lead of one branded a traitor AND a witch. Pointing at Thrymr. Stop this foolishness women.
Now bring us to this survivor so we may speak with him.
The words of the one with a stolen face leave no imprint on Thrymr, and he makes no move to counter them nor deny their truth.
|
The two leaders of the town look confused neither one of them being able to read runes. Then will you lead them? And fine we shall. Any other Volunteers may follow us to the church. This meeting is dismissed. They help the crone down from the platform and lead you too the church. Inside with frostbite marks in the shape of hands and badly beaten is Yuln.
If they are willing to beg help from branded and masked man this people must be pretty desperate. I had no idea Lady Tessica had such a hold on this lands. Maybe I should be charging more. The ulfen thinks on his way to the church.
Yuln...
Open your eyes.
Look at me. Do you remember me?
Tell me what happened.
|
|
His eyes flutter open... We were attacked as we rode by the wood. Bandits and fey and a dam troll. I slew one or two of the bandits but the others had taken Tessica by then I tried I swear on my blood. I know my Ancestors must dam me as a coward but but the greatest of our warriors have faltered against the trolls. And I knew someone had to make it back to get help for her. It was over in seconds everyone else was dead and she was gone. So I fled. To bring news. And wrost of all the fey and the troll were winter-touched. Their must be White witches here you must save her and stop the cold. Take good cold iron and burning fire when you if you wish to prevail. You know the way my friend. With that he passes back out and can't be roused if you try.
The Elder motions for you to meet him out in the meeting room of the church. I fear to wake him again. He is still in very bad shape. There are some in the town who may be able to help should you have any needs for gear. And I can give you a bit each out of the churches coffers to let you get some iron if you need. He leaves the room and comes back a few moments lster with two bags he tosses to stolen face. Here distribute this please. There's some for all of you. Now go find what you need and get going.
Dorvren listens closely to the man Watching carefully for signs of dishonesty.
After Dorvren purchaes 20 Cold Iron Bolts and Scale Mail armor.
Stolen Face picks one bag and passes the others along to the rest of the man.
|
|
You arrive at the smithy and large man working the forge looks at you and cocks his head to the side. You one of them that got up on stage ain't ya? Names Isker what can I get ya?
You notice on a display rack a very nice suit of scalemail. And a lock glass cabinet with oddly ten sling bullets in it.
I am Dorvren of Brigh. This is a well kept shop, she would approve. I was hit by bandits in the night and am armorless, though 3 of them are now lifeless, I could use some Scale mail, and some Cold Iron Bolts. That suit there or a Breastplate would be wonderful, but this is what I have...perhaps upon my return I could share some of my schematics for experiemental equipment with you.he tosses his 55 GP onto the counter.
|
|
He looks you over. Hmmmm well this was my suit of mail from my army days. I kept her in good condtion. Been trying to sell her for years. Hmmmm you promise your gonna save Miss Tessica? He looks you over again eyeing you for signs of lies or dishonor. The arrows are easy the breastplate would take me a day. But I could loan you the mail on your oath if you can't save her you return it. Save her and its yours for as long as you need it. Just return it here when your done. The big man holds out his hand.
On my word and on my hope to speak with Brigh in the future. I shall do all in my power to return Tessica home. Dorvren takes his hand and shakes it.
Until the night may I assist you here in your shop? I know little of armor, but am competent with weapons.
|
|
More than fair tell you what you craft arrow heads of cold forged iron and you may have half of what you forge for the price of the iron. He gestures to a hammer and extra anvil he has set aside before going to pull them out with your help. This is my daughters tools don't mess them up or you have to deal with her. I'm not hahahar
If I damage them, Brigh has gifted me with the ability to fix them thankfully. Though if that fails I might jsut run.
Dorvren spends the day hammering and shaping, as he does he feels closer to his God than he has in years. Though not too close, since Brigh would not be impressed with mere bolts.
The human hunter was the first to step forward - he seemed quite sure of himself as he spoke - his manneirisms seemed tribal, but then again that would be no surprise around these parts. The words from the next one were a little surprising - Oppression... men of religion or otherwise with a purpose are not rare though. The third speaks exactly like what he appears to be - a brute mercenary - As good a way to make a living as any other I guess. The fourth is well spoken and mannered, though he seems to have had a few run-ins with the law before. Aldiran couldn't quite put her finger on the fifth.
And that thing in the distance - could it be an approaching cold front? This far to the south..?
At the womanss' words, Aldir snaps out of her contemplation - "I am hoping for a few more volunteers and you will be speaking to Yuln about what he saw. He is in the church and after this gathering the Elder Safander will take you there." - and she takes a couple of steps forward, taking back her hood and speaking firmly - "I am interested in joining the search - I am Aldiran"
For the most part, she ignores the exchange between the voluntaries, and even towards the councilwomen - even when accusations of witchery and treason are thrown around - "Yay for prejudice" - she muses with a smile. And they keep talking to themselves in a language only they understand - "Here we go again Aldir"
As they head off to church, the woman follows along, again falling silent as Yuln is addressed - Trolls, Fey and bandits...
Caldrian had arrived in Heldren a few days prior to the meeting in the town square. He had purchased lodging for himself at the Silver Stoat and spent most of his time gambling or trading tales.
During the meeting at the town square, Caldrian made sure to watch those who spoke up - in an attempt to discern what kind of people they where. He wasn't one to say no to an adventure; and especially not if it involved rescuing civilians, earning coin and braving danger.
After the whole incident with Yuln, the young fetchling gave half a bow to his soon-to-be companions, before withdrawing to the Silver Stoat. The game of the day was cards and boy did Caldrian enjoy playing a hand or ten.
He played for a while with whomever cared to join him, asking a few questions about the disappearance of Tessica as hands where dealt and coins collected.
"Sure are some nice people around here, easy to read as well - could make a living right here. I'll learn what I can and earn what I need - the others will surely come looking for me should the time come to set off into the wilderness."
"Cutting my loses here gents, I'm out for the next hand - but hopefully I will be back before long. It would seem that I am in the pursuit of some runaway coins." He nods towards his fellow gamblers, and rises from the table - swiftly pursuing the coins with quick steps.
As he leaves the inn through the main entrance, he tries to spy where the coins' flight may have ended.
"Never heard of possessed coins before, this gives me the creeps. But, I'm not one to let my coins take off and leave whenever they feel like it."
Caldrian proceeds towards the alleyway, his right hand on the hilt of his Rapier, sheathed at his hip. His rapscallion attire makes him stand out from the other townsfolk, as he skulks his way into the shadows.
Thrymr listens to the guardsman, but the man proves less than helpful. Taking his coin... Thrymr speaks to none and all "First light Thrymr will be walking..." before he moves back to where he started... the inn, and begins to work his way into the 50 gold he has been gifted.
Startled, Caldrian takes a step back while he peeks down towards the fey. "Whoa there, shorty! Didn't see ya there. So, you seen a couple of coins coming this way? They where about this wide and yea high." He gestures his hands to accommodate his words.
"Anyway - you and your folks need some help huh, dangerous too I reckon? What's in it for me?"
|
|
Yes your coins are right here Sir. They levitate to you out of the darkness. We aren't supposed to let everyone see us you know that. And your an Emissary of Winter it is your duty to help us surely you know that? These so called Winter-Touched have been taking the town small folk and turning them.... Into others like themselves. They lose their Choice and freedom. We know the Great Queen would never do that. If she needed more subjects she would just ask and we would serve. We need you to find the ones in the border wood and stop them from taking anymore of us. Before the Queen finds out. Her wrath would be terrible and cold indeed and we wish our town to survive. We like our mortals.... He looks up at you imploringly.
Caldrian shuffles his weight over on one hip, extending an open palm like a wall towards the fey. "Hey, listen squirt. I didn't ask for this." He shrugs, then dons his usual smirk. "Nobody ever told me I'm an emissary of any kind. I've been on the road my entire life without seeing none of you around. Meh, who am I kidding - it's not like you're going to give me a choice, is it?"
The young man lets down his guard, resting his hand on the hilt of his rapier. "Alright, what is that you want me to do exactly? Save everyone from something out in the woods? I guess I could do that."
Cold iron and fire, she said. Well, if they are available, the cold iron should be easy enough. Fire, though . . ..
The hunter begins wandering through businesses, looking for items that he thinks could help with the mission. He's looking specifically for cold iron arrows, uncertain how many might be found, if any at all. He's got little idea what to do about flame, though. Not that's priced well, anyway.
Eventually, he stumbles upon a shop with a good variety of archery supplies. "I need cold iron arrows. How many do you have?"
|
|
No you don't have to save them only one of the Queens could do that. They have been corrupted and twisted. We want you to save us. By stopping them and closing the portal to the white lands. Please if you do great Emissary we will give you a hat. It is all we have but has some minor power of its own. He hands you a pure white cashmere wool hat. It its slightly pointed but at the same time sorta pointed.
Alex when you arrive in the blacksmiths you see Dorven back there busting but making bolts and arrows. A rather large man smiles at you. Alex good to see you again and not causing trouble this time. I am proud you are going to help. Now what may I get you?
Grim when you arrive at the blacksmiths you also see Dorven toiling away for his arrows. The large man greets you. Hello stranger. Greetings to you. You are another of the volunteers are you not? Well I have good cold iron for the buying. Is there anything else you seek perhaps I can direct you to it.
Here for Cold Iron right? I just made 20 bolts for myself. Arrows are easier.
"A hat. A pointed hat. Are you serious? Well, I guess it could be worse."
Caldrian takes the hat and stuffs it in his backpack.
"I don't know about the townsfolk around here, but I wouldn't be caught dead in a pointed hat."
"Very well, shorty - I'll see what I can do about this portal of yours. Anywho, with my coins back in my possession, I guess it's about time I hit the card table some more. Catch you later."
Caldrian takes half a bow, then strides back into the tavern - resuming his seat at the table.
"Alright boys, let's hustle."
Alex makes his way, first to the blacksmith for some cold iron arrows, as well as a short sword of the same make. He seems extremely focused on the going ons right now, especially the mention of fey. His only other stop is to get some warmer clothing to have packed in his pack, in the off chance things kept getting colder. He knew it wouldn't be cheap, but he'd pay for it. After he has put the money down with an uncharacteristically few number of words, he heads for his mother's, no intent to sleep on his mind.
He quickly pushes the door open, yelling out loudly. "Ma?! You around?"
"Yes, I have volunteered to help. Yes, I am looking for cold iron. I would like two score cold iron headed arrows, if you have them."
As Dorvren calls out the offer to make some, Grimgisli smiles.
"We might well have good use for additional arrowheads, but a properly made arrow spends longer curing, both the wood and the glue, than we have to wait."
Turning back to the 'smith, "We were told we would need fire as well, something about having seen trolls, I think. Is there anything besides fire which hurts trolls properly? Alchemist's fire seems awfully expensive."
I am not sure, Acid burns, but I don't know if that stops a troll.
|
|
The large man rumbles. What about oil and a torch? I know that the general store has a few barrels. If its for lady Tessica I'm sure they would part with one on the cheap. He scratches his beard for a moment thinking. Oh I have blade burn gel. I forgot about it.
He goes and rummages in the back and comes back carrying two vials with wide thin mouths.
I could sell these for say a score and five gold for the pair. As for arrows I got plenty already cured.
I do not use Blades myself, if I get in trouble I use these.
He holds up his Fists and mutters a 2 word prayer and suddenly his hands are sheathed in metal. He claps his hands together with a metallic ring and after a few seconds his hands are normal again.
"Blade burn gel? Never heard of it. The use seems obvious enough, though." He looks to Dorvren. "Think one of the others might get close enough to use it?"
As a side comment to the smith: "Nothing's wrong with oil and a torch, except that you have to get pretty much next to the prey to use them! If I'm that close to the target, something has gone wrong."
I would venture to guess that our fearless leader does.
Morrigan spends the rest of the day purchasing what supplies she thinks she might need, then bids farewell to those townfolk she knows and heads back to her hut, intending to rise before dawn to meet the others before they set out.
The hunter chuckles. "He will get close enough, but he is unlikely to stop to apply the gel." Turning back to the smith, "No, but thank you for the offer. I guess I will buy some Alchemist's Fire instead. I will tell the others that you have it, in case one of them thinks they will use it."
As he turns to find an alchemist, he waves at Dorvren. "Guess I'll see you in the morning."
--------
|
|
The sun rises finding the band of would be rescuers on the edge of town. Being seen off by the locals. Each of you is given a warm and hearty sandwich to eat as you travel for breakfast. After about an hour of travel following directions from Yuln you all notice the air is markedly colder. Further ahead you begin to see where bits of snow from the night before never did melt.
As you progress you come to a place where the road ahead is litter with debris and the bodies of the fallen. A carriage stands in the road its team missing another lies in the ditch its team slain. Futher south a group of bodies lies around a statue of ice. From there a snow covered trail leads into the forest.
The young bard grimaces visibly, a bit over dramatically in fact. He looks around, trying to assertain if enemies are still nearby. His hand quickly and quietly moves his rapier from its sheath, as his eyes dart about.
Aldiran scans the area in silence, her attention drawn innevitably to both the statue, and the snowy paths towards the forest, as she tries to discern its details from where they stand.
Trudging at the front of the group, Thrymr paid no mind to the others nor sought reason or cause to exchange words with them. The chill of the wind similarly did not faze him... and if anything invigorated the bear of an Ulfen.
Spotting the carriage, he pauses long enough to sling his shield from back unto his arm and make ready his club... before trudging forwards towards the ice statue.
"Hold. Let's see what we can find out. What killed them. How many. What is it that we are hunting?" Still pulling his bow while he talks, the hunter begins examining the ground for evidence of what was here, or information about how the battle happened.
If the others give him time, he will also examine the carts and the dead looking for information.