Variel listens in to Venja explain their mission. He nods along as he summarizes their task quite simply. The point that she brought up about how to achieve their goal did bother him. They knew from the black rider that the hut was in the capital of Irissen but beyond that it was all smoke and fog. Hopefully there would be some clue in the Hut that would direct them to the next step.
"Aye, well we does got us-selves an angle at at least gettin round the first. Know what mates, maybe we can use that mirror ta give some false information see if we can't get her guards out an' settin' an ambush where we ain't gonna be eh? May help." beck suggests.
"I'd rather not deal with that mirror at all" - Helgash comments, then catches himself, and turns to Jetro - "My apologies friend. I have not introduced myself - I am Helgash" - he offers the man a handshake.
"Wouldn't our inside information be enough to gain us an advantage?" - he adds to the others.
Jetro gives Helgash a nod and shake of hand.
"That's true. an' tha' mirror may be dangerful. But it is an idea, sommat ta consider" beck agrees.
Spellcraft mirror sight spell
Variel realizes that he has been silent and has not introduced himself either when Helgash mad he is introductions. Reaching out he grabs the hand of Jetroand gives it a quick firm pump. My name is Variel. Not much for talking but do know that if you are with us I got your back. Glad to have you with us.
Variel turns to answer Beck about the mirror. I don't know how well that would work. From what Venja said it allows person to communicate with another or visualize that person. I don't think it would give much information as to ones surroundings though.
"We have Hatch to assist us with information, wasn't that what Nadya said?"
Beck nods and realizes he did a poor job of communicating, no surprise there... "I was thinking more that we can use it to say, drop it or leave it open by "accident" so as the witch can hear us. Then we talk about approaching from some glade or another. She sends guards out to ambush us and we sneaks in behind em..." then after pondering a moment, he notes "Although, she may not know we're comin fer her at all yet. Think we gots the element o' surprise still?"
"I don't know, really. She's got to know something's happening when her minions don't return with Nadya, so I doubt we'd take her by total surprise. On the other hand, she may think herself invulnerable in her 'Pale Tower' and not expect an assault. Perhaps this Hatch fellow might be able to advise us more in that regard."
Xanxan has lost track of the conversation, even the introduction as he hears this...
Jetro looks skeptical. Baba Yaga? Don't reckon I have ever heard that name. Elvanna is a pretty big name though in these parts. Unless you have yourself a plan, I reckon that wrestling a Linnorm bare-handed will be more sucessful.
Finally, he says, "Ooo...let's do that! Wrestle a Linnorm barehanded I mean. It sounds truly impressive and exciting! Why folks might sing our praises! We could win free drinks for life! It could be epic!" Then he considers, "Why it could even be more amazing to think on if I knew what a Linnorm was."
As an afterthought, he adds, "Oh, I'm Xanxan Gimblewabe. If you ever need any tailoring, let me know."
Well there is no time like now, I'll get my stuff together and we can go skin that witch in her lair, and then? We'll figure it out afterwards.
Jetro will get his equipment together and lock-up the house.
After a quick foray to Roth's to inquire about some supplies he informs you that there is only 2 potions of cure light wounds that he acquired from a traveler coming through these parts 2 days ago. He will sell them to you for what he paid (50gp each) and wish you good luck.
Arriving back at Nadya's the house is quiet as the curtains are pulled, the windows sealed and the door fastened shut. Nadya has the dogs ready to go attached to three sleds along with some basic supplies for the traveling. The large amount of food stuffs that she had been gathering to pay Nahzena is packed as well providing the group with enough rations for the next few weeks if need be. You see her with a foot up on a sled pulling the last rope in place. Well, everything is as tight as I can make it. Oh, hey Jetro, I see you agreed to come along. I figured you would say yes with little prodding. You guys got everything you need then? No need to head to the Sundries to see if there are any items you want? If not let us not waste our daylight so we can get some miles behind us. I know of a cave that we can make tonight that we can take shelter in should the weather turn on us. From there it will be another 2 days till we arrive at the tower. As we go I have asked Hatch to fill you in on the details of the layout of the ground floor. He agreed and will make a map of it when we camp tonight.
Nadya. Jetro nods. Aye, bout time something get done . I'm all packed up for the trip.
"Let's go then!" Venja settles in on one of the sleds and pulls her shawl around her shoulders a bit tighter.
Xanxan gets on a sled and begins to finagle with a needle and some leather armor
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The group heads out with Nadya in the lead. The journey is uneventful for the first day as not many people take the path to the Pale Tower. Most of the time it is patrols bringing people along with them for questioning and those that don't have reason to visit stay away from the place. As evening approaches Nadya directs you towards a small hill that she knows has a cave at the base hidden behind some scree. Sure enough with her directions you easily find it and open up the entrance to allow the dogs and yourselves in.
After the fire is started Hatch takes a stick and starts to draw the ground floor of the tower As he does so he tells you what each location is to the best of his ability.
Q1: The outer gate is composed of a full 9 inches thick slab of ice that remains closed unless the guards decide to open in from the inside. The walls are built out of ice as well and thick enough to walk upon. I have never seen anything like it before.
Q2: The courtyard holds an immense ice dragon sculpture. The detail on it is so fine and the ice is soo sharp that I heard a guard almost got killed when he slipped in fell against the dragon's claws. He was tending to the dogs at the time when they barked and startled him. I don't think he ever made that mistake again to fall near the sculpture.
Q3: This is my favorite place in the tower. The center of the room holds a hot spring. The water is so warm compared to the rest of the castle. Why the ice doesn't melt on the edge of the spring I don't know and frankly I don't care. I loved it when it was my turn to do the dishes. Water from the spring would divert to the sink in the kitchen and I could spend all day there. Just don't make the mistake of washing the dishes all day. That will earn you 10 lashes for being lazy.
Q4: Yuck, At least twice a week I was sent into the privies to clean them. The warm water from the spring made washing your hands afterwards nice but the stench in there mixed with the warm air was almost too much to bear. I am sooo glad I am not working there any more.
Q5: These mirrors are cool to the touch but are imbued with magic. You say the words "A gathering within the hall, take one, take us all." and they will transport you to the dining room on the second floor. Unfortunately I was never allowed to go anywhere beyond the dining hall and kitchen on that level so I can't tell you any more than that.
Q6 and Q7: This is where the guards sleep and relax when not out on patrols. Nasty bunch as a whole but there are some that are pressured into joining the group.
Venja's attention is pretty focused on the map and the descriptions of the areas that are offered, so whether she notices anything else is unsure.
Variel perception
"Psst... at the mouth of the cave.. there's a crow. Seems to like the heat but not so keen on the light. A moment please, I'm gonna go talk to it"
Xanxan moves just a bit closer to the cave, acting like he's merely taking a short walk
And then, when he's closer, invokes his gnomish nature...
"Well, you're a fine looking bird I must say, and basic black is so slimming. Does the one you serve ever say so?"
Xanxan, I need a will save DC 15 will save or think this is crow is a trusted ally. If failed need a DC 13 charisma check or compelled to help the crow and bring the two talismans from the black rider to it.
Jetro hears Xan's whispering and casts a suspicious eye over towards the area. A crow? Huh, wouldn't be surprised that it belongs to that witch. Other witch, not Venja.
Venja chuckles a moment at Jetro's remark, and scratches Snow casually behind his ears in a moment of mutual acceptance...then she turns to the cave opening. "If it does indeed belong to the witch, it is up to no good... be on guard... "
Xanxan blinks at the request
Xanxan seems to nod trying to keep the raven off guard....
Before flipping a dagger at it hoping for surprise
then he calls out, "Bad news! Evil Bird! Good news! Stew will be new!"
Sense motive
Cawing madly the crow takes a dagger to the wing but stays up. In an instant he disappears from sight along with your dagger.
Jetro
Beck +1/2 level in cold
Gabe
Variel
Venja
Xanxan
Crow goes first
You see the flap on Venja's pack open up ever so slightly.
Perception
Variel looks around at the warning from Xanxan but sees nothing out of the ordinary. Keeping his eyes open he grabs his rapier, imbues it with some of his power and waits for something to appear.
"That's one tough bird..." He mutters and looks about confused. "There was a bird here, I swear it. He tried to make me do things."
Are you sure about that Xanxan. I see nothing of the kind. Perhaps you are still worried about that time in the inn where they tried to slip you some magic concoction and fired bolts at you. He mind has a funny way of processing stuff and dealing with stress. Maybe you are reliving it now as a way to fully put it behind you?
Variel has a concerned look on his face since you are a friend. Since Variel doesn't see anything at the moment he is not discounting your fears rather trying to make sense out of what he can't see. A stranger would have thought he was mocking you initially with the way his words came out.
Venja cries out in alarm as she sees her pack start to open with no force present to cause it... Her first instinct is to grab the pack and hold it tight to herself... she extends her hair to it's full length and uses it to snatch the pack from the ground. She pulls the pack to herself and hugs it tight against her, hoping that whatever force was manipulating the pack was left behind on the ground.
"Something tried to open and get into my pack!" she says. She realizes from the words now being said that the crow might be invisible. "It might be Xanxan's invisible crow or some kind of mage hand spell."
"I saw what I saw, Variel," the gnome frowns, "And I'm missing a dagger... normally when I throw them they at least clatter from the miss. The crow wanted something we had and was trying to get me to fetch it from the rest of you."
"Something tried to open and get into my pack!" she says. She realizes from the words now being said that the crow might be invisible. "It might be Xanxan's invisible crow or some kind of mage hand spell."
Xanxan's head whips around, "Why that sneaky little...see any drops of blood around? Might be our only clue. Oooo... I HATE thieves."
Jetro jumps up and grabs his bow. What is this about bad bird? Gotta be from that witch.
"Really, a talking bird?" beck asks as he gets up. Not out of disbelief, but more We really have to deal with this now?, rising and drawing his scimitar.
Xanxan grumbles, With all we've seen why is a conversation with a bird is so hard to believe? "Well, it and I were talking as I'm a gnome. It tried to do something to my mind..... it's trying to steal something from us. It's now invisible...Venja said it went for her pack! let's find it and kill it and make soup. THAT should anger its witch, eh?"
"Psst... at the mouth of the cave.. there's a crow. Seems to like the heat but not so keen on the light. A moment please, I'm gonna go talk to it"
Xanxan moves just a bit closer to the cave, acting like he's merely taking a short walk
Helgash's eyes follow the indication from Xanxan - by now the tiefling has began to admire the perceptive and cunning gnome, beyond his apparent light-hearted attitude.
Before he is able to react however, his companion bursts into motion, attacking the crow with a swift, and well placed throw.
As he listens to the warning, Helgash scans the area, but to no avail - he cannot ascertain any threat, but Xanxan seems dead set on what has happened, and Venja has just confirmed that something strange is afoot, so he focuses on his powers, searching for sources of evil, without a word.
I believe yu Xanxan I really do, I just want to make sure that you are all right. You seem to be the one that keeps being the target for some reason. It can start to take a toll on one's mind.
Beck and Venja catch sight of the pack opening seemingly by itself. Activating her hair, Venja grabs a hold of the pack and clutches it tightly to herself. Beck grbs his scimitar and keeps an eye out for the appearance of the bird. Xanxan hurries back from the entrance and scans the screw looking for blood or his dagger but does not see anything unusual besides Venja's long hair.
Jetro thinks he saw a movement, however brief, but realized it was just Venja's hair that he saw elongate and move.
Helgash and Variel also keep their eyes peeled but nothing appears to them. Trying to catch wind of the creature Helgash detect evil. He notices a faint result near Venja but it moves away too quickly to pinpoint exactly.
You now see that the flap on Xanxan's pack lifts up the arrest amount.
Jetro is way gone.
"Gnomish minds work differently, my friend." He assures, "Though I AM thinking of making it a policy to do terrible terrible things to people who keep trying to usurp my will."
Venja continues to clutch her pack, holding it tightly to her and tightly closed. She looks around for whatever invisible force might have tried to open it by casting Detect Magic and scanning the area.
Better make note of that to never try to force you into something myself. Always get someone else to do the work for you, right. Variel tries to bring a smile to show Xanxan that he is in jest but then turns serious. I would agree with you though if someone were trying to mess with my mind. My mind is the one place that I know is safe and secure and if I lost that haven I would dread to see the result.
Not knowing what else to do Variel goes to the entrance of the cave and just waits there hoping to block out anyone or anything that tries to pass him.
Venja there is plenty of magic in the area as you can tell in your first round.
Beck maintains his vigil with scimitar in hand as well. Placing a hand on Sheelah he calms her nerves slightly as she is ready to pounce.
Helgash continues to sweep the cave with his detection up scanning Venja he sees nothing there, moving around to some of the other packs nothing alerts him to the evil presence he saw moments earlier. As he scans the last pack, xanxan's, he finally gets the result he is looking for.
Looking where Helgash directs you are in time to see a mask pulled from the pack and slightly covered up as if by something invisible. It moves across the cave till it gets to the entrance of the cave. You can't see the crow but know where it has to be based on the little bit of mask you pick out.
Perception for Variel
Variel still is oblivious tot he danger and maintains his position at the cave entrance. Not sure what else to do he waits for direction from the others.
"There goes the mask! To the entrance of the cave..." the gnome races after it and tries to grab the mask.
Venja curses at the lack of information that might help her pinpoint the mask or the crow from her spell... and moves within 10' of the cave entrance and uses her hair to flail about, trying to hit the invisible crow...
Jetro hears Xan's words and tries to pop an arrow into the invisible crow.