Kalimac briefly toys with the idea of having Attatoq give Alaric treats, but decides in the end that Alaric is an adult and can overcome his fears in his own way.Kalimac thoroughly approves of this, and ropes Alaric into giving the rhinos treats every now and then to get them to equate Alaric's presence with positive things.Alaric gamely participates. If Attatoq is around, the uncleric makes a concerted effort to be friendly and at ease, though it's plainly obvious he finds the wolf to be terrifying.
Lio is happy to assist Kalimac, or even just to watch. She can contribute a few spells to speak to the rhinos. She probably stands near Myri while these shinanigans are going on... if Myri is present.
Myri is present. They are standing together. "Mmm. How do you soften the bumps? Rock?"
After she's talked with Zaiobe, she seeks out Shalelu, Kalimac, Attatoq and Myri. "I really want to go out a bit, maybe hunt? What do ye think?" She asks. "Woudna mind tryen changing ento a wolf." She adds."I'd like that. I haven't been hunting in weeks, what with all the driving and rhino training. Let me get Attatoq and I kitted up and we'll be ready to go.""Yes," Shalelu replies.
Myri smiles. Okay, likelihood of being left behind have now lessened significantly. I think. she thinks.
As Kalimac trains Rags to be ridden, part of the training will involve getting him used to having a saddle on. As well as a rider. Kalimac will fit Rags up with one of the saddles he had made in Iqaliat and has Alaric sit in it (preferably in full armor). This is good practice for Alaric, too, since the way a rhino walks and runs is different than a horse. This way Alaric can get used to the undulations of a rhino's stride.Alaric not a good rider: no natural talent combines with his complete unfamiliarity with any animal larger than a loaf of bread. Still, he does the best he can and actually is attempting to get better. Hopefully bone-jarring thuds are the best teacher.
Ouch Myri thinks, was that out loud?
After she's talked with Zaiobe, she seeks out Shalelu, Kalimac, Attatoq and Myri. "I really want to go out a bit, maybe hunt? What do ye think?" She asks. "Woudna mind tryen changing ento a wolf." She adds.
"I'd like that. I haven't been hunting in weeks, what with all the driving and rhino training. Let me get Attatoq and I kitted up and we'll be ready to go."
"Yes," Shalelu replies.
Myri smiles. Okay, likelihood of being left behind have now lessened significantly. I think. she thinks.
Kalimac soon returns riding Attatoq. It is clear as he nears that his idea of "kitted up" now includes his Cube of Frost Resistance. "We're ready," he says.
For all the progress Lio has made over the last few months while traveling with the caravan, she remains terribly fragile emotionally at times. Telling Ulf about her past, about his family, went pretty well, up to the point where she noticed how pale his hair really was. When she saw more of herself in him, than Ausk, that's when everything she told him of life in an Orc encampment replayed itself in her mind. In her memories. But now she didn't have the scars to prove it. She had beautiful things, and warmth, and love, and she became terrified and overwhelmed. Now she had something to lose.
Lio doesn't look up. But as Shae wraps her arms around Lio, Lio's sobs change, hot tears, which rapidly cool as they run down her face, escape her ability to repress them. Lio cries in Shae's arms, unable to properly form words for a long time.
Myri looks...concerned. Her eyes move from Lio to Shae. "Ummm. Anything I can do to help? or...should we um...go?" Myri seems unsure as to what she can do to help, not really understanding what is wrong in the first place.
The men's wagon has gotten a bit more comfortable since the tower. Kalimac has found a central place to set the Cube of Frost Resistance so that its effects most efficiently cover the interior of the wagon. During the day he offers it to anyone who is scouting, figuring that a comfortable scout is an effective scout. When there are no takers he keeps it with him as he drives the wagon.
But at night, the men's wagon gets the benefits of the Cube's magic and Hrunndalf, Kalimac, Attatoq, Ulf, and Helgarval sleep much more comfortably.
After she's talked with Zaiobe, she seeks out Shalelu, Kalimac, Attatoq and Myri. "I really want to go out a bit, maybe hunt? What do ye think?" She asks. "Woudna mind tryen changing ento a wolf." She adds."I'd like that. I haven't been hunting in weeks, what with all the driving and rhino training. Let me get Attatoq and I kitted up and we'll be ready to go.""Yes," Shalelu replies.Myri smiles. Okay, likelihood of being left behind have now lessened significantly. I think. she thinks.Kalimac soon returns riding Attatoq. It is clear as he nears that his idea of "kitted up" now includes his Cube of Frost Resistance. "We're ready," he says.
Myri looks over at the elves and smiles. "Anytime." she says, appearing rather confidant, at least for the moment.
Sandru nods. "It's a fact that there's no one so horrible that there isn't someone out there for them."
"Thots a terribl' thing ta say about meh." Lio answers. She's probably teasing.
Koya grunts. "Not sure how many epic quests I got left in me. Remember, in elf years, I'm well over three hunnerd."
Lio grins mischeviously. "Ayve a spell kann 'elp weth thot temporarily, ef ye wont ta do anything strenuous."
Ulf nods. "I'll buy you another one, to toast with, when we reach Ul-Angorn." With a final look at you, he gets up, and leaves you to your processing.
Lio watches him leave. Her eyes following him until he is out of sight.
Myri looks over at the elves and smiles. "Anytime." she says, appearing rather confidant, at least for the moment.
After she's talked with Zaiobe, she seeks out Shalelu, Kalimac, Attatoq and Myri. "I really want to go out a bit, maybe hunt? What do ye think?" She asks. "Woudna mind tryen changing ento a wolf." She adds."I'd like that. I haven't been hunting in weeks, what with all the driving and rhino training. Let me get Attatoq and I kitted up and we'll be ready to go.""Yes," Shalelu replies.Myri smiles. Okay, likelihood of being left behind have now lessened significantly. I think. she thinks.Kalimac soon returns riding Attatoq. It is clear as he nears that his idea of "kitted up" now includes his Cube of Frost Resistance. "We're ready," he says.
Lio has divested herself of her bow and quiver. "I'll be able ta unnerstand ye, bought not speak ta ye." Lio says. She quickly kisses Shae, before taking a few steps back; it takes her but a moment to take on the shape of a medium sized wolf, her fur the same silvery white of her hair.
Lio is happy to assist Kalimac, or even just to watch. She can contribute a few spells to speak to the rhinos. She probably stands near Myri while these shinanigans are going on... if Myri is present.Myri is present. They are standing together. "Mmm. How do you soften the bumps? Rock?"
There is a pearl of laughter from Lio.
Then... "Did ah just laugh outloud? Oops."
Myri looks...concerned. Her eyes move from Lio to Shae. "Ummm. Anything I can do to help? or...should we um...go?" Myri seems unsure as to what she can do to help, not really understanding what is wrong in the first place.
Lio does not appear to be in any condition to answer. She clings to Shae, quite possibly oblivious to the world, unable to stop leaking.
Mel thinks about for a brief moment, "That is probably fortunate for you, the Chelish side seems to be really insane." A pause as she looks at him for a moment, "How far back?"
"That is a terrifying comment," Ulf says. "Guy named Vrok. Found out when I was talking to Lio."
Rhost struggles to throw off the effects of the undead's glancing blow in the Storm Tower.
Rhost is easily able to shake off the lingering effects of being life-drained by the undead.
"Weren't injured," he says. "Hid in the wagon." There is no hint of shame whatsoever in the statement.
"Wouldn't mind seeing the roof," he allows.
Lio nods, approving. When the opportunity presents itself, she takes him up to the roof. She doesn't say anything, unless he speaks to her, letting him take in the grandeur of the place, and the view. If there was such a thing as a dawn up here, rather than the endless night, she would have taken him to see that. But as it is, with the stars moving ever so slowly against the night sky, it is an impressive sight non the less.
If Mel isn't there to help get him down, she lends him her ring of feather-fall to use, and climbs down using the claws once he's safely on the ground.
<Certainly,> Zaiobe replies. <Here? Or is someplace with less distraction needed?>
<Some quiet would be nice. Off a bit into the great wilds, or prefer a wagon> she gives Zaiobe the choice.
"Thots a terribl' thing ta say about meh." Lio answers. She's probably teasing.
"Well, I'm a terrible person," he says. "Didn't we just establish that?"
Lio grins mischeviously. "Ayve a spell kann 'elp weth thot temporarily, ef ye wont ta do anything strenuous."
She raises her eyebrows. "Ya got a youth spell? Innerestin'."
Age Resistance, Lesser
School transmutation; Level alchemist 3, druid 4, sorcerer/wizard 4, witch 4
Components V, S
Casting Time 1 standard action
Range personal
Target you
Duration 24 hours
You ignore the physical detriments of being middle-aged. This spell does not cause you to look younger, nor does it prevent you from dying of old age, but as long as the spell is in effect, you ignore the –1 penalties to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution that accrue once you become middle-aged. You retain the age-related bonuses to Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma while under the effects of this spell. Additional penalties that you accrue upon becoming old or venerable apply in full.
"That is a terrifying comment," Ulf says. "Guy named Vrok. Found out when I was talking to Lio."
Mel looks at him, curiosity on her face. "That was Mom's father. Was he your father, grand-father, or great-grandfather?" She smiles, "Since Mother's father killed my Uncle Jal at least five times, I really am not sure which one is more crazy."
Lio has divested herself of her bow and quiver. "I'll be able ta unnerstand ye, bought not speak ta ye." Lio says. She quickly kisses Shae, before taking a few steps back; it takes her but a moment to take on the shape of a medium sized wolf, her fur the same silvery white of her hair.
And, presumably, the mighty hunters set off.
Lio does not appear to be in any condition to answer. She clings to Shae, quite possibly oblivious to the world, unable to stop leaking.
"Maybe we should go, but stay nearby," Ameiko says quietly to Myriana.
Mel looks at him, curiosity on her face. "That was Mom's father. Was he your father, grand-father, or great-grandfather?" She smiles, "Since Mother's father killed my Uncle Jal at least five times, I really am not sure which one is more crazy."
"Family get-togethers at your place must be a riot," Ulf says. "Literally. He was my grandfather, but you and I had different grandmothers. So I guess we're ... half-cousins?"
Survival
"Family get-togethers at your place must be a riot," Ulf says. "Literally. He was my grandfather, but you and I had different grandmothers. So I guess we're ... half-cousins?"
She smile, "Never knew either of them except from stories. Of Vrok if Mom was drunk. Of Mother's father from Uncle Jal." She thinks for a moment, "Did Mom have a half-brother or sister?" There seems to be something else that Mel needs to know, feels it will only bring disillusionment, so is postponing it slightly.
DATES: Calistril 5 – Calistril 8
LOCATION: The Boreal Expanse
SPECIAL ENCOUNTERS:
WEATHER: Calm
WIND: Light
DAY/NIGHT CYCLE: Polar Night
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE: -65 degrees Fahrenheit / -53.9 degrees Celsius
DISTANCE TRAVELED: 92 miles
TOTAL DISTANCE FROM SANDPOINT: 3731 miles
TOTAL TIME SINCE LEAVING SANDPOINT: 153 days
You are able to travel at full speed this week.
Nor does the Caravan suffer from cold fatigue. You are starting to get the hang of this “arctic explorer” stuff!
A few days away from the Storm Tower, the weather once more drops down into the range of deadly cold. Well, even more deadly cold. Once again you must huddle around the Sashimono of Comfort for your day-long protective spells to function.
As you travel further north, you gradually encounter more and more of the toxic black slush that surrounded the Storm Tower – puddles, canals, and eventually lakes and rivers.
You are able to get your wagons across them, but doing so takes hours, and you must be careful not to touch the stuff:
, , , , , , , ,
You manage to avoid getting any of the dark slurry on any of the wagons.
It is Shalelu who manages to spot the small ice cave, its entrance half-concealed by a lake of black slush. Exploring its glittering depths, you find 34 uncut diamonds worth 200 gp each, and an air elemental gem, the hoard of some long-vanished creature.
On Calistril 7, Ulf informs Rhost (and the rest of you) that you are likely to reach the north pole the following day ...
Many myths surround the city at the North Pole, far beyond any humanoid habitation, ancient beyond telling. Some say it was built by a race whose degenerate descendants became frost trolls, or some even more monstrous race. Others say that the builders were visitors from another world or plane. Some even say that they were the same “Founders” who created the vast Vaults of Orv, the deepest layer of the Darklands, far underground.
As the Caravan approaches, you see that what remains of the city are timeworn ruins of buildings carved of dark stone and metal, laid out in starlike patterns and linked by stony roadways or bridges. Evenly spaced around the outskirts of the lost city are six titanic spires. Some have been sundered at various heights by the ages, but the tallest stretches over 2,000 feet into the polar sky. A hazy blue fog that you can see even in the darkness of the endless polar night floats above and around the city. In many places, the icy and stony foundations of the city have been undermined by pools of the turbid black slush.
The North Pole of Golarion is within the ruined city before you.
She smile, "Never knew either of them except from stories. Of Vrok if Mom was drunk. Of Mother's father from Uncle Jal." She thinks for a moment, "Did Mom have a half-brother or sister?" There seems to be something else that Mel needs to know, feels it will only bring disillusionment, so is postponing it slightly.
He nods. "My dad, I guess. He was a sailor." He studies your face for a moment. "Family history says grandpa met grandma one night on a trip to the coast when he was a young teenager, so I'm betting it would have been before he met your grandmother, if that's what you're wondering. Since I'm, what, a decade older than you are? More, maybe even fifteen years? I'm guessing dad was the older brother by quite a few years, there."
The further away you get from the lowlands of Varisia, the greater the sparkle in Koya's eyes. It is hard to imagine this reflects a dislike of her native land, so it is undoubtedly the travel itself she finds invigorating. She has become an avid devotee of new vistas and new sights, which she witnesses with endless delight even as she looks to what is beyond the next horizon.
Other than that, Koya has changed little since your trip began. She long ago traded the opaque and gnomic airs associated with professional fortune-tellers for a plainspoken forthrightness about everything in general, and sees no reason to change that now.
She is fond of everyone in the group, but Sandru, Rhost, and Alaric all clearly have special places in her heart, and she quietly keeps an eye out for their well-being. She has also grown very close to Spivey, and the two spend many hours talking about matters sundry and profound.
"The important thing is that no wonder, natural or manmade, should remain unvandalized," Alaric agrees.
Hrunndalf grins at him. "It's a spiritual thing. You wouldn't understand."
On the next day, Hrunndalf accompanies Koya up to the tower top, and advises her to bring a Stone Shape to leave her mark — even though the arcane material may well prove impervious to that as well. If so, he will just pick an exposed boulder or something of the like at the foot of the tower to mark. He leaves the first mark to Koya and puts his own, smaller, next to it.
Like the others, Hrunndalf makes use of the caravan's regained freedom of movement, and volunteers for scouting duty as soon as he can.
"Hey," he says with a small smile. "Are you alright? I find it hard to tell these days."
On the next day, Hrunndalf accompanies Koya up to the tower top, and advises her to bring a Stone Shape to leave her mark — even though the arcane material may well prove impervious to that as well. If so, he will just pick an exposed boulder or something of the like at the foot of the tower to mark. He leaves the first mark to Koya and puts his own, smaller, next to it.
Koya enjoys the view immensely, but raises her eyebrows at the suggestion. "I can't shape stone, Hrunndalf," she says. "Don't have th' power. Anyhow, I'll leave this'n to you, if you like - I'm aimin' to leave a lonesome mark at th' pole," she adds with a certain anticipation.
Leaving a mark proves a bit more complicated for Hrunndalf than expected, however. The smooth basalt of the Tower indeed proves impervious to carving by mundane means, and the foot of the tower is, of course, entirely submerged in a lake of black slush - not that you have generally encountered exposed boulders on the great ice plain in any case.
The foothills of the Alabastrine peaks begin to jut out from the Ice a middling hike away from the tower, so it would be possible to leave a mark on the ice-sheathed white stone there, but to mark the Tower itself, it looks very much like some form of magic would have to be employed.
"Rhost," she greets you. "Was wonderin' if'n you could do me a favor."
Ameiko is still the same Ameiko - daring, adventurous, dressed to the nines, and fond of a ribald joke - but she has grown a bit more thoughtful the closer you get to Tian Xia, most likely wondering how whatever might happen there will affect her life.
Her closest intimates in the group are Melinda, Shalelu, Sandru, Koya, Hrunndalf, and Kalimac, but she could also state truthfully that she is quite good friends with Liothonae, Myriana, and Alaric, and on good terms with Rhost, Reta, Spivey, Zaiobe, Buttersnips, Suishen, Attatoq, Silmemir, Xanderghul, Ulf, Uksahkka ... she gets along with people. Even the ones she is not so close to, like Helgarval, Skygni, Kelda, Jorun, Bevelek, Vankar, and Tollin, she does not seem to have any emnity with - she simply doesn't know them as well for whatever reason.
In a group this small, in such close quarters, it is by now fairly apparent that both Hrunndalf and Kalimac appear to be, to some degree or another, vying for her affections. Whether she is vying for either of theirs or anyone else's, or how the notoriously single adventuress is responding to the overtures, is less certain.
Her hair, for the moment, remains the pink-and-black she dyed it back in Kalsgard.
And, presumably, the mighty hunters set off.
Ameiko looks surprised. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"Well, we haven't really... come to a conclusion, since Iqaliat," he says with a small smile, hoping to keep the tone of the conversation light despite the serious matter. "I just want to make sure we don't sweep everything under the rug. If you're still angry, or hurt, or disappointed because of what happened... tell me."
"Also, on the tower, when I mentioned 'tarrying'... you said no. I hear you. But is that a no, not today? No, not in near future? No, period? I'd like to know where I stand."
Sense Motive, SPIVEY:
Sense Motive, HRUNNDALF JARLSSON:
Sense Motive, BEVELEK AND VANKAR:
Sense Motive, RETA:
Sense Motive, ATTATOQ:
Sense Motive, XANDERGHUL:
Sense Motive, SHALELU:
Sense Motive, SANDRU:
Sense Motive, KOYA:
Sense Motive, AMEIKO:
Once Rags is trained up to riding status Kalimac leave him with Alaric so the uncleric can practice not falling out of Rags' saddle.
He turns his attention to Colonel Fuzzlestumps. Since Rhost has been helping out, and is handy, Kalimac has Rhost take the Alaric role of getting the rhino used to having a rider.
Well, I'm a terrible person," he says. "Didn't we just establish that?"
Well, ye can't be all bad, Shae would ne'er put up with ye if ye were truly terrible. Ye must 'ave a soft spot unner all thot terrifying bravado." She smiles. "Though if yer really a terrible person, a well placed bribe should do 'e trick. An' if yer naught, ye may consider this a gift." She offers him a very very tiny paper wrapped item, so small it fits into the palm of his hand. When he opens it, it's the second campfire bead. "Of course in moy native tongue, "gift" means poison. So, ye moight not want ta lick et, or annyken." She grins.
She raises her eyebrows. "Ya got a youth spell? Innerestin'."
Yes, bought et dunna make ye look young'r, et revitalizes summa yer lost attributes; et's lasts fer a full day, an' we'll 'ave ta 'ave ye wear 'e headband fer ets ability ta let ye use magek divices, an' then ye'll 'ave ta cast it frum a scroll which I'll transcribe. Should be doable. Could have it ready in a few days."
After they get done in the storm tower, Mel chats with Rhost as she helps him cook. "غدا نحتفل حياة امرأة مجنحة و. يمكننا أن نجعل شيئا خاصا بالنسبة لها؟"
"Maybe we should go, but stay nearby," Ameiko says quietly to Myriana.
Myri nods, makes sure her quiver is secure (She never leaves the wagon without it.), looks questioningly at Buttersnips before grabbing a winter blanket and exiting the wagon.
After one particularly hard landing, Kalimac remarks, "You know, I specifically got a military saddle to keep you seated." He shakes his head. "Well, if we can get you stable, you're going to be one formidable front line warrior. Visually, at least. Maybe the sight of you in full armor atop Rags here will get some foes to consider talking rather than fighting."
Alaric rises painfully. "Never underestimate my ability to fall off something."