"We should look around. There has to be something here." Aric will upend the house looking for any more clues.
In the morning, as they all meet downstairs for breakfast before departing, Aldiran was already waiting, the food and drink laid on the table while she stared out one of the windows of the inn, into the distance, and the encroaching winter.
As her companions arrive and gather around in preparation for the venture ahead of them, she nods at each one of them in turn, stern as usual but with an unusual glimmer playing in her eyes.
When everyone has sat down, the usual conversations sprouting before the travel, Aldiran addresses them - "We have been through some of it already" - she starts - "But too many strange things are starting to happen - by now, the unnatural winter seems to be the least of them - we have fey addressing us right in the middle of town, talking about deals and long lost, almost forgotten names" - she shakes her head - "I feel like not only we are at the forefront, heading into a storm, but more than that, I feel our actions are being watched, monitored, weighed... Our steps observed as we trudge along"
Standing up, Aldiran looks out the window again - "We are being treated as pawns for someone or something else's plans, and I intend to make it, or them, or whatever it is regret it - I did not think much of it in the beginning, when I first arrived here. I just dismissed it as the same feeling that always drove me North, into my father's homeland, but now I want to see this through - I... We are no one's dummies, and I start to get tired of games"
As the woman turns back to them, she wears a hint of a smile, which accentuates her beauty - something not usually evidenced by Aldiran, and perhaps not obvious in the wilds while one is more worried about fighting for one's life - but in here, as her eyes reflect the bright flames from the fireplace, her posture more relaxed, her speech more impassioned, there is no denying the young woman's accentuated curves, athletic figure and charismatic posture.
"I am happy to have met you - I do not believe in fate, but I believe in options, and in deciding to walk a chosen path - and our path, for a reason or another, seems to be one to be walked together. I accept it, and I have learned to trust we intend to walk in the same direction" - as she speaks, she unfurls something that has apparently have made to fit her longspear, a banner or flag of some sort.
Unfurling it completely and holding it high, Aldiran's presence seems more inspiring than ever as she displays it in full, depicting the outlines of seven figures, holding each other up , moving through a winter hail towards a distant point of sunlight, their progress seemingly watched by a pair of huge, slitted, shadowy eyes. The fabric and design are rich - here and there you can actually notice very small or stylized details that identify you all, confirming what Aldiran's words convey - "I had this made for you all... For US" - she smiles widely.
"That is a well made banner you have there. You've worked hard on it. You're also right. I'm no one's pawn. "
Thorgrim sits by as he hears the entire story of the group and wonders about what he has gotten himself into. He refrains from asking questions, not wanting to draw attention to himself while Aldiran is busy with her speech.
The raised eyes of Dorvren and Grimgisli as the dwarf sat down with them were enough indication that he wasn't mentioned yet by the others.
"Hmm... a beautiful piece of work there miss Teldessar. It looks like I haven't heard your entire story yet, unnatural winter and fey appearing in the streets of this town."
Thorgrim plucks his beard as he shakes his head.
"And here I am on seemingly unrelated business, I haven't shared your troubles yet, but do you expect my path walks alongide yours as well? Mercenaries are sometimes used as pawns but we may prove that we can fight like rooks."
Interesting. Is all he says about the banner
As I said before the Fae cannot be trusted, those of you who are dealing with them will regret it. But in any event lets move on.
Aric will go check the bridge then.
Alex will happily join in the bridge adventure.
Aldiran follows along with her companions, as the bridge is investigated.
Morrigan also joins the assault on the bridge.
Dorvren scouts ahead looking for tracks
survival
Grimgisli assists Dorvren in his investigations.
Thorgrim walks along with the rest to the bridge and wonders why everyone is so on their guard.
Wasn't this a place they checked before? They told me they've been out here before...
He looks to see where there might be ambushes or trouble.
1-level Magic weapon (Domain spell), Command, Bless (if I had known we'd go troll hunting I'd take Sun Metal over it.)
Aric will try to cross the allegedly empty bridge.
Dorvren follows 10 feet behind
Thorgrim follows Aric closely.
"What are you expecting to be on this bridge?" He asks the strong man beside him.
"We were told there was a troll here."
"Maybe there's another bridge, and we just made a bad assumption that it was this one?"
That is certainly possible. Does anyone know if there are other roads nearby that cross and thus would need a bridge?
"If we are going to cross this, we should take precautions - it looks very slippery" - Aldiran cautions.
Thorgrim approaches the ice slowly and carefully trying not too slip on the ice and fall down. He hesitates as he looks down the bridge. "My stability on ice is not the greatest. Ever heard of a dwarf that darted around on ice? Neither have I."
"Darting around on ice is easy. Moving confidently is not. Unless you have cleats. Not that anybody this far South SHOULD have cleats."
"Guys, guys!" - Aldiran calls - "What are we doing? We found no tracks here whatsoever. We should first check the perimeter of the lodge for any other possible avenues of egress or ingress that may have been taken. If we find nothing, then we need to take cautionary measures before crossing, the least of which I can imagine is tying us together" - the woman points out without setting foot on the bridge.
"We've looked everywhere. There's nothing. If you can find another clue, go for it."
"In that case, let us try to do this the safest way possible - who has some rope?" - Aldiran questions of her companions - "We'll tie ourselves one to the other, so we can prevent major accidents. Agreed?"
"Agreed." Aric will take the rope from whoever has it and will tie himself and others together.
"Good" - Aldiran answers, and then begins to assist in the tying up.
acro
Thorgrim secures the rope on his waist and tugs to see if it holds.
"Aye, that'll hold. Be ready to pull anyone up lads and ladies."