Shadows of Eternal Winter (Inactive)

Game Master Feral

Hmmm. Two more after this one and you shall have some of your answers. To what limit would you go to see this task through?

"I would see it through to the end, because failure means my way of life ends regardless."

You can feel the darkness around you smile. Good good. Then here is my offer. I will lift the geas cast upon you by the Queen of Witches servant. And gift you both with power... in return after you finish your quests you will be my agents in the mortal realms. You will have plenty of free time as you will not age unless you cast aside my gifts by not honoring your end of our deal. I shall also grant a measure of power to any you recruit to your cause but at the end of it. It shall be rescinded. You will finish your quest of your own free will with out prompting from me and are not my agents in this matter.... I have merely empowered you for my future use... will you accept?

The bard nods slowly, waiting for the response to his own assent to being part of this situation.

"Deal."

Waiting on Aldiran before we move forward. Not this will be the source of the parties mythic power.

"I..." - Aldiran frowns and growls, still frustrated by the game of words - "I will never sink low again, no matter what. Never" - she clenches her teeth - "I accept your deal" - and stares into the darkness.

Good good then be welcome in the Court of Winter. I am Mab. With that the veil of darkness lifts and you see a throne room. Standing a few feet from you is an impossibly beautiful woman dressed in a gown of Raven feathers. Now then now that you are guests and are following of your own will a goal that helps me. I can share some information. Any questions?

Alex swallows hard, holding in his surprise at being right...and absolutely wishing he'd been wrong. Rather than answer hastily, he takes a moment or two, brushing dust and dirt from his clothes.

"How did this happen, Great Queen? And how long has it been going on? If we are only now seeing it...I don't want to assume on such an important issue."

Aric unabashedly ogles the beautiful Fae queen. "And why all the games and secrets? Why not just tell us who you were and why you were doing this?"

She looks at Aric Because of a deal. Rules were and still are in place. No agent of mine may touch her or her kin. The little witch knows not what she does. She steals my fey. Pushes Winter and Summer out of Balance. For which there must be a Balancing. And she realizes not that if she kills her mother as she plans she will hand herself to me on a platter. But then it will be too late the damage will be done. Your world destroyed and many more besides as Summer burns whole worlds to keep the Balance. And yet I am bound by my word. I can not touch the child. Nor may any agent under my control. Not until the Queen of Witches is dead or brought before me so I may judge her and find our pact broken. As for how long... a few days a week as you measure time at the most.... Mad seems very frustrated at being bound unable to act as her court is endangered.

"So you need us to act willingly."

Not at all. I could have left you under the geas. But then you would have been forced to work for her. I just am not allowed to have "MY" own agents in this matter. But if say free agents were of their own will to bring her helpless before me. Why I could resolve many of the problems her spawn has created for us all.

"Fair enough. So what now?"

Umm...did Alex get missed in the conversation?

Nope reread it she addresses how long. And she doesn't know the how or cant say so she said nothing.

"So you wish us to capture, and bring her to you? Is that it?" - Aldiran questions with a doubtful look in her face - "The daughter of Baba-Yaga?" - she reinforces her words - "And how can we find her?"

I do not wish you anything besides luck on your very personal quest. And as for the daughter when her mother is turned up and Winter is free of this pact well I will easily be able to deal with her. All of it is of no consequence to me.... She gives you a very harsh look Aldiran.

"So now we find Baba Yaga's hut?"

"And does this affect any sort of pacts that we've already made?" he lets the question hang, as she seems to already know a good deal about him.

Yes and no.... I will at some point pick up your debt. But to do so now would make you my agent. And the Queen of Witches bargained for her and her daughters to always be safe from the dangers of Winter.... She looks at the group and motions the agent of the groves forward. Gazing at him. Your druid masters have told me to relay to you that you are to go with them. Do you do this of your own free will and agency?

"Another free willed non-agent of yours?" Aric smirks.

"I do Queen Mab", a gravely voice answers as a grizzled northern man steps forward to been seen by the newcomers. "I sign this pact by my own will - shall Govreh himself judge me if I am false."

"If these young men and women are the key to freeing the lands of Irrisen from Winter's eternal hold, I will follow them wherever they go."

Bjorn is a grizzled middle-aged ulfen man whose exposure to the elements and hard life have hit especially hard. His skin is leathery and he's almost entirely bald save a few wisps of silver hair. Despite the cold, he's usually clad in a suit of worn chain that weighs heavily on his tired shoulders.

"Well met, stranger. I am Aric, son of Sten."

"Well met Aric, Son of Sten. I am Bjorn Stonehand, a humble hand of Gozreh in these cursed lands. I came here as an agent of those who would see Irrisen whole once again. Who do all of you serve?"

"I pay tribute to the Lord in Iron with every foe I slay."

"And he's sent you on the this quest?"

"No. At first I went along just to get people out of my forest so I could live in peace, alone. But this has become bigger than just some bandits. But now to live in solitude I have to thwart a demi-goddess."

"My name is Alex...The son of..who I am, really isn't all that important. Alex is just fine. I serve myself and my own goals"

Still a bit nervous, he pushes his sleeves back to show off the snowflake mark on his wrist.

Mab smirks. Now then are you lacking in anything? Supplies or such? My people are fine smiths. And often trade with the mortal realm.... Perhaps we could strike a bargin?

You have 20K gold total in value to spend. You may wish to do it here. Tell me what you want and I will say if they have it. Anything under 2k is automatic.

"I could use a wellcrafted blade or a fine suit of armor or something to make me stronger."

+1 Fullplate, +1 Longsword, Belt of Giant Strength...

Then walk about look talk to my people. But beware gifts. Your friend Alex can explain. Return here when you are done and step through. She vanishes and a glowing orb the size of a tall man appears.

Note that is to split between all of you. So work out who gets how much in discussion.

Well I think we're both asking is if what we want is even available since some or all of it is over 2k.

"Well met Aric, Son of Sten. I am Bjorn Stonehand, a humble hand of Gozreh in these cursed lands. I came here as an agent of those who would see Irrisen whole once again. Who do all of you serve?"

Aldiran steps forward - wearing nothing but a simple silken sash lined with articulated metal plates, tied about the stomach protectively, her lean and muscular build is readily visible. She has big, gleaming brown eyes, matching the hair color - her skin is light colored, and slightly pale. A well made bow is strapped across her back, and a slender longsword at her hip - "Well met master Stonehand - I am Aldiran Teldessar, daughter to Tarmenor Teldessar. After all that we have been through, I am not sure if I am 'serving' anyone, but I am here in memory of my father, and his love for these lands" - she speaks softly, but sternly.

Besides her, a completely white cat, with pale blue, almost translucent eyes stares curiously at Bjorn, while nudging the elf - "Oh yes, and this is Albion" - she smiles.

Some of it isnt. Thats what I was confused.

There is an enchanted long sword available but the owner doesn't want cash for it he wants favors.

The belt of giants str and a headband of wisdom are both available. See the discussion page for the rest of the list.

A Sidhe walks up to Aric dressed more as an artisan than a noble. His smock is dirty from his work and his hair disheveled. Almost as if unlike all the others he doesn't care about looking perfect at every moment. Live he realizes there are more important things. I hear you are seeking a sword...

"That I am." Aric raises an eyebrow at the stranger.

Well follow me. I have one but we will have to discuss the cost. It is art and part of my heart. I will not let it go for something as crass as cash. He leads you to a building with an open air forge attached. Expect here the fire burns blue and sucks the her out for things around it. He opens a case and pulls out a blade of crystal. The bald is the color of deep blue water frozen into perfect ice.

Aric follows the smith to his forge. "That is a worthy blade. If not coin, what do you wish for it?"

Bjorn studies the armory, handling each bauble and trinket with care.

He settles on a crown of oak. It was a simple thing but even holding it in hand, he understood the power it possessed. Even if it's only a fragment, a little of nature's grace would go a long way here."

In addition he picks out a heavy cloak, trimmed with supple fur. At his age, every ounce on his back was an enormous burden but there was no denying the warmth it provided.

Grabbing the headband of charisma and cloak of resistance +1.

You would have bartered with someone else for that but no problem. The guy Aric is visiting doesn't make such common things...

Well see my need is in materials. I need dragon scales, winter wolves hides, diamonds, behir leather. If you come across these things you must bring them to me. Once you have paid off the debt of the blade I will make other things for you.

"I will do my best to get these things then. What is the blade made of? It looks obviously unique."

For Aldiran, all the events taking place are almost dreamlike - she walks around mesmerized, but has not forgotten Queen Mab's words.

She approaches Alex, and speaks quietly with him - "She told us to beware of gifts, and that you could explain. What did she mean Alex?"

Alex pushes his sleeve up, showing the snowflake mark on his wrist.

"Back in town? With that man and woman. Boy and girl. Whatever they were? Yeah, I made a deal with them to be able to surpass my father's legacy. So they granted me some...additional abilities."

I think she ment about the beware fairies bearing gifts Alex

He looks at Aric and grins. Ice what else? The very soul of Winter Ice distilled into a blade. It was ment for a Champion of Winter. But give our Queens words I think you will do quite well.

"They required certain...things in return. Nothing with them is ever free. They could want your first memory or the color of your hair. They could ask for anything, and if you agree...well...you live with the consequences of your actions."

"I see. I will use it well."

That and the Fey are literally unable to give or receive gifts nearly. Its part of what they are everything is about debt. If you accept something you owe them. If terms havent been defined there may be no limit to what you owe. If a Fey gives you something dont accept without it saying freely given without let or lean

See that you do Aric. Or I will come for you. That is not ment for petty disputes. That is a sword with which to kill monsters, kings, and gods. He smiles again. See that once it earns it you name it well. Give it a bad jam and shoots may turn in your hand.

"I will honor it well." After he gets the blade he will search for other items. He will search for a belt to to increase his might and a new cloak. Belt of Giant Strength +2 and a Cloak of Resistance +1

So what does the sword do?

As of right now a +1 frost Longsword that deals an extra 2d6 cold dmg to fire creatures. Note that doesn't just include the subtype.... and gives you a +2 on saves vs cold.

Sweet, but what counts as a fire creature that doesn't have the fire subtype?

Summer fey
fire bloodline sorcerers and the like
certain non elemental outsiders
wyld fey that are fire aligned
anything with the fire domain.
Flame oracles
you get the idea. Things are of or are servants to fire.