We start the scene in the sleepy town of Heldren, a village in the nation of Taldor. Despite hosting such a varied populace, such as yourselves, there hasn't been much of interest to sate your restless spirits. In a word, it's boring. The only shadow of anything terribly interesting are the criers and bards telling stories from far off.
Until today.
Today, the news comes from hunters. The Border Wood by your town has recorded some disturbing cold, despite the middle of summer. Snowfall had come, despite all odds, and with it some strange beasts! Old Mother Theodora says this is an oncoming sign of ill tidings, as she is wont to comment her prophecies.
If not only that would raise eyebrows, a badly injured mercenary shambled into town just as news was starting to hit fever pitch. The man claimed to be a bodyguard of Lady Argentea Malassene and that their caravan was attacked by strange creatures, somehow touched by ice. These things stole the Lady into the depths of the Border Wood!
What secrets lie in the trees? What terrible creatures could be waiting in the Border Wood? And could they be headed toward your safe, but sleepy village?
A previously thought to be recent statue that was placed near the center of town a year ago suddenly creaks it's head toward several of the towns people talking of the odd cold. The stone creature speaks with a softly spoken but deep voice, paying no regards to how they'd react to his sudden speech.
With all the recent talk about the unnatural cold, Choso was a bit optimistic about finding a paying job. After all, being a Merfolk on land makes it a bit difficult. It didn't help that she was taking care of a human as well, not that she would trade the experience for the world. That human is what makes this life on the surface worth it. With the hopes of getting paid, and if nothing else just something to do for once, Choso turned to Skylar.
"Skylar? I think we may have found something interesting in this town. Want to check out the strange happenings? Could be some gold in it if we're lucky."
"I don't know Chosie... but if gold's involved..." 14 year old companion of the job hunting merfolk gave a shrug. "I don't see why not." The young boy looking human frowned, they had been searching for a job for Choso for some time now. It was that goal that brought them to this town.
Skylar doesn't hear any screaming, but does notice the large, stony gentleman break his impression of a statue.
"Hey, Chosie! Let's go check that out!" The 14 year old immediately flitted off to go investigate the large creature that stopped being an evident statue.
Uret stretches his back, and actually feels hungry. He finds this odd, and checks his hand to find his old ring is missing. "Oh dear." Looking down he finds the corroded remains of it. "...Blast." He sighs at his loss, making a note to start accumulating funds to purchase a new one. He then spies the small human rushing over to him. "Hm."
Maximus DeGrove, a monkey swashbuckler just so happens to be in the area for reasons he's keeping to himself, probably just stopping this village for some quick profit through any means he'd be willing to accept and possibly some rest, someplace. "This seems like a happening place, let's see if there's anything for a guy like me to do." He thinks to himself as he begins to look around for anything happening.
To get a better bearing of the area around him and see if there's anything he should probably notice.
At the moment, there's not much to notice. Though Max does happen to pick up talk of cold as people pass by. He could converse with them if you wish.
Maximus figures that the best way to find out the current events of this place is to chit-chat with the commoners and find out whatever the word on the block is as of lately.
To see if he can make small talk with some folks to see what the word is around town.
Uret gives the short humanoid a quick once-over, likely glossing over many of it's details before moving to retrieve the backpack of his belongings that lay hidden behind a crate.
The gossipers seem glad to share the information with you. They let you know of supernatural cold down at the Border Wood south of the time. Strange creatures seem to have come with the cold, like white stags and a giant white weasel. It seems as though the bandit activity has curbed as well, other than the story of the mercenary of course.
It seems as though the Lady had been traveling from Oppara to Zimar to meet her betrothed. Rumor has it the two didn't get along and Lady Argentea caused a scandal by calling off the engagement and returning home.
When Skylar points out the statue, or rather, the person, Choso chuckles and follows her over.Upon getting closer she recognizes the race, it's an Oread!
Curiosity getting the better of her, she follows the Oread. Upon reaching the man, Choso decides to strike up a small conversation. "Well, never thought I would see an Oread around here.... Not that I should really be talking. My name's Choso, how about yours'?"
He puts on his backpack after verifying his stuff is all there, though some of his spare clothes need a wash which he plans on doing later. The giant-descendant only then turns to answer the fish-humanoid. "I am Uret Jet. Many like to call me Wandering Mountain. You may call me as you please."
"Hm.. Interesting.." Maximus thinks to himself as he scratches his chin and thinks about the information he's just learned of, "Perhaps you could tell me if there's any work that somebody needs done around here? Since I'm in the area I figure that I could at least find some sort of odd job to do." He asks, hoping that the gossipers could possibly point him in the right direction.
Skylar is quick to pipe up, "Can I call you Stoney?" While she scans the area around. She begins to eye travelers as they walk.
He eyes what he concludes to simply be a young human, showing little emotion toward her. "You may call me as you wish. I have little care for the titles I am given." He also takes a look around, wondering if they're any other usual folk here such as himself and what he believes to be a merfolk.
People seem to be stoping and staring at the merman and the oread. These aren't common races, and are less commonly seen together. There isn't much else to perceive in that part of town.
Uret looks back at the two people, satisfied with his observations. "Are there other reasons you wish to speak to me about, or is it simply of my being an Oread?"
"Hm.. Interesting.." Maximus thinks to himself as he scratches his chin and thinks about the information he's just learned of, "Perhaps you could tell me if there's any work that somebody needs done around here? Since I'm in the area I figure that I could at least find some sort of odd job to do." He asks, hoping that the gossipers could possibly point him in the right direction.
"Not much right now, stranger. But the town council is looking to put together something of a search and rescue party."
"Not much right now, stranger. But the town council is looking to put together something of a search and rescue party."
"Search and rescue party, you say?" Maximus replies with a tone of anxious curiosity "Any idea what for? And where can I find this town council, exactly?" Even if his first question couldn't be answered by the gossiper, if they could tell him where to find this council it'd allow him to find out more about this search and rescue deal.
"Why they're down by the square. They've got recruits and all looking. Even Judge Teppen's looking to send people down to the Border Wood!
The townsperson points toward the square. One woman in particular stands out in judicial garb as she approaches a ragtag bunch, including a child, an oread, and a merman.
"Pardon me, but I've taken it you have heard the news by now?"
The child jumps, and twists to the woman with a narrowed gaze. She moves a little closer to Choso, but then pipes, "What news? What are you talking about? Who the hell are you?!"
Uret frowns at the small child's words. "Such harsh words. Unbecoming of a young one."
Maximus tilts his head in response to the provided information"The square, eh?" He glances over in the direction the gossiper pointed at, "Ah, thank you for your kind assistance." He tells the townsfolk with a grin and nod before making his way towards the square.
The figure attempts to rise above the content of such comment through sheer grace. "Judge Ionnia Teppen, head of the city council. No doubt you're aware of the incident outside town?"
"Some." He turns, eyeing the formal woman. "Though knowing more would be a welcomed grace."
"Judge Ionnia Teppen, head of the city council. No doubt you're aware of the incident outside town?"
Choso brightens when the woman in strange garb, who she now knows is a judge, begins to speak to them. An authority figure! She might be recruiting help! The possibility of gold! Noticing the jump and move from Skylar, she puts an arm around her human friend, trying to calm her and make her more comfortable.
"Good evening, Judge. We have indeed heard some news about the cold and strange beasts, but I'm afraid we haven't gotten about to figuring out much more just yet. Any chance you can fill us in?"
"At the moment, we have only what our contact has told us. However, if you would like to speak with him, we may allow it. He was on the convoy with Lady Argentea."
"Furthermore, we are attempting to amass a volunteer expedition to the Border Wood. Unfortunately, no volunteers have yet stepped forward."
"At the moment, we have only what our contact has told us. However, if you would like to speak with him, we may allow it. He was on the convoy with Lady Argentea."
"Furthermore, we are attempting to amass a volunteer expedition to the Border Wood. Unfortunately, no volunteers have yet stepped forward."
Ah, volunteer. That means no gold would be involved, most likely. Either way, its something to do and may get us in the town's good graces. For far too long has she just sat around doing nothing.
"I would like to volunteer, provided we get to speak with this contact." She turns her head slightly to Skylar. "How about you Skylar, you want to come with?"
The teen crosses their arms and their brows furrow as they think on it. She knew Choso was restless with their constant wandering and little to do antics. But Skylar was far too used to it. She looked around, and then sighed, "Fiiiine...." Maybe she could snag some gold here and there along the way.
Maximus approaches the square and begins to look around for this judge or anyone looking for people for this search and rescue.
To see if he can spot the judge, or anyone else looking for people to join this search and rescue.
The matronly judge is pleased by the two new recruits. "Splendid! I shall take you to him shortly. But please be careful, he is in no way well."
Simultaneously, Max comes upon the judge who notices his armor and weapon. "Pardon me, sir, but are you here for the rescue party?"
"Hm. Take me to this man as well."
Maximus looks up at the judge, with a grin, he nods in response "As a matter of fact- I am, your honor." He replied, "So, where do I sign up?" Maximus asks in an eager tone of voice, the sooner he can start on the job, the sooner he'll probably get paid.
Uret looks over at the more hairy human, dredging up the thirty year old memory of it's specie's name. "Ah, a Vanara. Hm. we are all quite a ways from our homes, aren't we." A joke he heard before entered his thoughts, but he thought better then to retell it.
"Very well. Follow me, all of you." She begins to lead you into the council hall. The interior is well-decorated, but sensible. There are scribes at desks dotted throughout the way. After ascending a staircase, Judge Teppen opens a door and motions you all inside. "Mr. Oerstag? You have company."
A man lies in a bed next to a window, addressed in casts and bandages. Some of the scant flesh you can see has turned an unhealthy shade of purple and black. The room is otherwise bare. "Ach, and who are you lot?" he asks in a voice that would suggest a native to the Land of the Linorm Kings, though in a very weakened state.
"Mr... Oerstag, is it?" Maximus said, taking note of the man's condition. "We're the folks gathered for the search and rescue." Maximus relayed these words with a confident smile, "While I can't speak for the rest of this lot, I can assure you that I will place all my effort into this search and rescue, sir."
Coming off as sounding like one of those common cut and paste hero's will probably help his case here, and probably land him at least some of Mr. Oerstag's respect. In any case, participating in this search and rescue should bare some sort of profit, but it's probably best not to ask about any possible compensation, considering the man's current condition and so forth.
Worst case scenario, if the guy's enough of a dick, and no payment is involved, Max can just rob him after this is all over, and if he succumbs to his illness, it'd make doing so a lot easier.
Uret stared at the Vanara with no small amount of suspicion, it was clear enough to him the monkey-man was just looking for a profit. He couldn't fault anyone for that, and at least it made an effort to hide their intentions. He looked back at the bed-ridden man, silent as he prefers, and waits for any more information.
Choso followed the judge, making sure Skylar stayed with her, until they got to the bed-ridden man. Doing a quick look over and seeing his condition, she frowns.
"Mr. Oerstag? My name is Choso." She smiles. Could you tell us what happened? It'd help us a lot when we go out there to look."
The man coughs a bit before responding to you all. "Yah, it would help wouldn't it? Though even if your furry friend has his heart as stalwart as he wants to show it, the lot of ya won't find it a cakewalk... We were ambushed. First, it seemed like mere banditry, but then the tide turned. Cold fey from the north descended upon us. Winter-touched, lads. Oh, were I to go with ya all and protect ya and the Lady. If my ancestors could see me, oh the shame." Tears start from his eyes at this.
Well, that is certainly an interesting prospect. He's never seen a fey himself, personally, but there have been stories he's caught wind of in the past. Though he does wonder if the man is leaving anything out.
To get a feel for if the man is lying or hiding anything.
He doesn't seem malicious, but it seems like he still has more to say if you asked.
"What exactly did they do to have you end up in such a state?" he tilts his head to the side, observing the man's sickly appearance. He's certainly never seen something like this before.
"Yah, it would help wouldn't it? Though even if your furry friend has his heart as stalwart as he wants to show it, the lot of ya won't find it a cakewalk... We were ambushed. First, it seemed like mere banditry, but then the tide turned. Cold fey from the north descended upon us. Winter-touched, lads. Oh, were I to go with ya all and protect ya and the Lady. If my ancestors could see me, oh the shame."
She frowns a bit and thinks. She thinks she recalls her teacher mentioning fey, but can't be sure. Maybe if she heard more...
"What else can you tell me about the fey and what happened? Did they do something specific to you all? What sort of motions and hand movements did they make? Did they say anything?" She takes out a small journal, ink, and quill pen. She hopes to be able to write down anything important he can tell her.
Uret crosses his arms, waiting for the bed-ridden human's response. He looks down to the smaller one, wondering if a child as young as it would be taken with the merfolk on this 'job' as it were.
"I cannot tell you what spells it wove. I've never had the proper head for magic. But I can tell you that these things bear the harsh bite of winter. With a touch, they could inflict a cold worse the most frozen wind." He shivered just remembering.
"If you're lookin' to catalogue em, merfolk, they'd be one of the fey sworn to the White Witches of Irrisen. It's said they fought against my people in the Winter War. Be careful, I do not know how many guard the Lady still."
"If you're lookin' to catalogue em, merfolk, they'd be one of the fey sworn to the White Witches of Irrisen. It's said they fought against my people in the Winter War. Be careful, I do not know how many guard the Lady still."
"Fey sworn to the White Witches...." Choso thinks back to her teacher, and if the Aboleth ever mentioned these fey.
To see if she can remember anything about these Fey from her teachings
You are aware of winter-touched sprites. You can get three questions about them.
"Are they anythin' like them folks we met a while back, Chosie?" The kid ignores the giant stone man's gaze, eyes down on her rapier and gently gripping the blade with a frown. "And cold ya say, old man.. well.. can't say I'm too fond of that..." A haunted tone tints their voice and gaze for a moment before they blink and shrug. "Sounds like a good time."