"Maybe we bury him on the other side of the portal? Going through the portal - that's kind of our quest, so I reckon we need to stab through - we could maybe find a good place to bury him there?" he says, asking the group.
Aneira notes Gabe's idea of taking the man back trough the portal and burying him on the other side and sees the soundness of the plan. She nods her head.
"I wonder what the land on the other side of the portal will be like? Will it be just as cold and covered in ice and snow or the appropriate seasonal weather ... Either way, it is right we return Illarion Matveius's body and bury it there, Gabe."
Walking over to stand beside Variel, Aneira turns and looks around at the group, "I know Venja is in need of healing. Is there anyone else?"
"I wonder what the land on the other side of the portal will be like? Will it be just as cold and covered in ice and snow or the appropriate seasonal weather ... Either way, it is right we return Illarion Matveius's body and bury it there, Gabe."
Gabryjel looks at the cavern above him, feeling the warmth of the fire ease his limbs.
"It's likely to be gods damned cold. That Fey knight had an icicle in his chest, right? That don't strike me as a warm place."
"Wish we had someone keen on fire and heat - that'd be damn handy," he says thoughtfully.
"Who knows - maybe we'll find something like that there?" he adds.
"But either way you slice it; we'll find out soon - even if I got to make it up myself," he says with a growl.
"What do you say, miss - you on board with me, or you going to wait?" he says with an evasive voice, somewhat uncomfortable with the sudden fore of power that clings to her like a veritable presence.
"I know Venja is in need of healing. Is there anyone else?"
At this, he pushes his edginess aside - her sudden offer encouraging him to respond somewhat more confidently.
"Yo!" he says with an eager voice.
"I once trained in Irrisen, and if that is indeed where the gate goes, it is very much a land of ice and frigid temperatures. Expect more of what we are experiencing here, if my memories serve me well. And thank you for the offer of healing, Anee. It seems I did get hurt in our last fight and my healing spell is gone for the day."
"I once trained in Irrisen, and if that is indeed where the gate goes, it is very much a land of ice and frigid temperatures. Expect more of what we are experiencing here, if my memories serve me well."
"The coin I found was from Irrissen - that's too long a way to get there by usual means. I reckon it came here by magic. If that's the case that means that it came from the portal. If that's the case - I'm betting that the other side of the portal is near Irrissen."
"That said - I'm heading there even though the gods damn snow is always a problem to ranged fighters," he says spitting deftly into the fire.
"But I guess that's too damn bad," he says with a shrug.
Aneira moves from Venja to Gabe, laying her hands on each in turn and speaking the ancient words to invoke her healing magic.
"Gabe, I am unsure if I was able to knit all your wounds. But with bed rest I believe you shall be fine come morning." Aneira gently pats Gabe's arm.
Turning her attention to the druid in their party, "Beck, if you have any healing magic, perhaps there are others in the group you could aid this night?"
"Beck, if you have any healing magic, perhaps there are others in the group you could aid this night?"
"I think he burned out his last spell calling up that bird that dropped the Fey basterd; but what the hell do I know?" Gabryjel says easily as he rolls on his side in the bedroll.
"If he's got it, it's a good bet that Sheelah will need it, but we'll see, I reckon," he says thoughtfully.
"Bad luck that your boy Whitestorm is still stone deaf - that accounts for his lack of chatter, I suspect," Gabryjel adds to Aneira.
His voice drifts off and he watches the fire for a bit.
Aneira listens as Venja and Gabe speak of Irrisen and its frigid clime. She wonders what they would do with Illarion Matveius' body in that case.
She quietly responds, "If it is too difficult to bury Master Matveius' body here, what of Irrisen? We will meet the same problem. Perhaps we can construct a burial mound of stones to encase the body and protect it from scavengers."
"That healed me fully, thank you, Anee. And with a night's rest, I will have my spells back and able to help another should that be necessary."
"You're welcome, Venja. It would be good to have our magics restored come morning. May the night pass by without incident." She gently smiles at her friend.
Aneira then returns to Variel's side and takes hold of his hand. Raising her voice so as to be heard by her temporarily deafened husband,
"How is your hearing, husband? Any better? Are you seriously injured?"
Aneira looks over Variel to determine the magnitude of his injuries and see if she can aid him in some way.
"If it is too difficult to bury Master Matveius' body here, what of Irrisen? We will meet the same problem. Perhaps we can construct a burial mound of stones to encase the body and protect it from scavengers."
Garbyjel shrugs.
"I don't know - but I know this; it's summertime. I reckon that Irrissen isn't as cold as this now - this damn cold is magical; I reckon," he says, thinking a bit.
"Chances are it'll be a bit warmer there; but I don't know."
"On the other hand, we could lower him into the hole that Miss Venja fell into earlier and cover it with rocks here..."
"Better still - what's the best plan to deal with dead Fey? I don't know the normal methods... he claimed to be aligned to this Baba Yagga thing - do witches got a way to be dealt with after death?" he says glancing at Venja.
"I reckon it ain't burning... " he adds a bit dryly "but who knows - maybe it is?" he says thinking aloud.
"Anyhow - what's the way to deal with the body? Whatever it is, I reckon that's the way to go about it."
The next day, after a full bed rest, Gabryjel gets up and prepares breakfast.
Soon the cave is filled with warmth and the smell of cooking food.
Gabryjel looks at his companions thoughtfully as he eats his meal quietly.
Then he gathers his gear together in a heap, stuffing all the random things in the sack and takes his equal cut of the loot.
He knows that something must be dead for the dead knight; but what that is remains to be seen.
All he knows is that it's time to get going.
Know geography
With the passing of the fey Variel felt his body stiffen suddenly. It was like a spasm of all of his muscles constricting at once. Slowly they relaxed from the magic pervading his body. When they do finally relax, Variel notices that his pack feels lighter than usual and that there is more of a spring in his step as he is not burdened as much as he felt before. The sensation took some getting used to but eventually he grew accustomed to it.
After what seems like an enormous amount of time Variel finally is able to start hearing things again. The ringing in his ears subsides and he is able to make out the conversations around him. It was quite frustrating knowing that Aneira and Gabe were trying to talk to I'm but not being able to understand what It is they wanted.
When he does finally hear them in the conversation he chimes in quickly. If what the man says is true and we must go to Whitethrone in Irrisen then we can expect the same conditions there as we are experiencing now here. If anything it will be even colder that far north. It would explain the winter weather here as the climate from there is pressing in on our climate. When we make ready to head through the portal we should be well prepared for the worst weather possible.
Taking Anee's hand in his he brings it to his lips. Thanks but now that my hearing is restored I am right as rain and more appreciative of what I have been given. Giving her hand another squeeze he hopes that she understand that he is not just referring to his hearing but everything, including her, that makes him who he is.
When the topic returns to what to do with the dead fey, Variel looks to his wife and Venja for suggestions. I would think he would like to be home but he was also pursued and hunted there. Perhaps covering him up here away from those who wish to harm him would offer his spirit greater rest?
Talking to the entire group though Variel asks aloud, What do you make of these keys that he gave us? I mean they are kind of strange items to be sure. Who wants to carry them also? It would make sense for Aneira to carry the mask s she has the surgeons tolls as well but the hair from a frost giant? Interesting choice and strange souvenir that's for sure.
The body of the manis currently covered up as down so by Gabe. However it seems that the coverings is lower to the ground than you would have thought from before. In fact you are pretty sure it is half the height as what it was. If you check under the covering you will see that most of him has disappeared and the rest is soon to be gone as well. Clearly the magic that linked him to Baba Yaga is gone and his 1300 year old body deprived of the sustaining magic is disappearing to dust.
Venja sees nothing out of the ordinary and sets up her bedding in the cave to rest for the night, cuddling close with Snow for their mutual warmth.
"The cover over the body seems to get lower and lower. I think the question of what to do with the fey's body has been answered for us. It seems to be dissolving into dust as we speak."
Taking Anee's hand in his he brings it to his lips. Thanks but now that my hearing is restored I am right as rain and more appreciative of what I have been given. Giving her hand another squeeze he hopes that she understand that he is not just referring to his hearing but everything, including her, that makes him who he is.
Aneira smiled up at her husband, lifting her free hand to his face and stroking his cheek, letting her eyes do all the talking, understanding the full meaning of his words.
Talking to the entire group though Variel asks aloud, What do you make of these keys that he gave us? I mean they are kind of strange items to be sure. Who wants to carry them also? It would make sense for Aneira to carry the mask as she has the surgeon's tools as well but the hair from a frost giant? Interesting choice and strange souvenir that's for sure.
Aneira takes possession of the mask and looks it over before wrapping it in a shawl and placing it carefully inside her pack. Illarion Matveius had said to protect it and the other items.
She volunteers a suggestion to the group, "I think Venja should carry the two keys. Ven, what do you say?"
Venja, noticing the change to the body after Anee pointed them out, nods in understanding. "Your observations are sharp and your assumption astute. We don't have to be concerned over what to do with his remains, it seems. THough it does seem odd... I've never seen the like before." She watches, fascinated, for a bit.
"If you wish me to carry the other key, I will, and do my best to keep it safe, as we will need them both when we find Baba Yaga's hut."
She wraps the frost giant hair in a piece of cloth and tucks it carefully into her pack.
Come morning, after a night of rest, she breaks her fast with a light breakfast, then settles down to commune with Snow for an hour or so as she chooses and memorizes her spells for the day. Snow curls up on her lap and occasionally bumps her forehead with his own or licks her affectionately as he imparts his stored magical knowledge to her.
Once that is done, she stands, tightens her cold weather gear about her, hefts her pack and declares at last, "I'm ready to go."
"I'm ready to go."
Gabryjel grunts from his place by the fire.
"You're ready to go - I'm ready to go... Hell, I reckon we're all good to go; but for some reason we ain't moving."
He takes another gulp of his meal than stands up and begins to clean up the mess kit before him in a slow and methodical way.
When it is done he stands up and wipes his hands on his trousers and looks at the others.
"Miss Venja, you got them keys on you that needs keeping? Good - then let's get going," he says to the others deliberately and shoulders his gear.
"Any of ya'll want to hang back, I can't make you come; but I got a thing that's hanging on me and it's pushing me to move forward, so I got to move forward," he says with a nod at the others.
Then he salutes the party and tramps through the snow to the portal.
He waits there for a moment by the portal to see if anyone else is coming.
If not, he'll just go through.
"See ya'll on the other side," he says with a wave.
"Nothing is compelling us to rush headlong into the unknown, Gabe. I'm sure the others are ready or will be soon. We should all go together, as there is safety in numbers. And if we pass through the portal separately, we have no guarantee we will end up in the same place at the same time. Such portals can be tricky that way. Hopefully this one is more straightforward, but we don't know for sure."
Venja moves to stand before the portal and tucks Snow inside her heavy winter coat. She waits there til the others are geared up and ready to go, a smile on her lips at the biting cold wind on her cheeks. Bitter, but refreshing, she thinks to herself. I haven't been to Irrisen in 30 years. I wonder what changes have taken place to bring these events to bear.
Beck will be ready to go after breakfast.
"Take it ease, Gabey! I'm jsut fastenin' my skins an' stuff." Beck chuckles as he tightens the straps of his Hide armor over his wooden plates, favoring extra protection rather than movement at the moment. Not knowing what is on the other side of the portal.
"Yea looked pleased about sommat, Venja," Beck notes as he leaves the Whitestorms to finish their preparations. "Yea seem at home in this cold, yea ready for more o' it?"
As the blood was absorbed into his body, Beck felt his senses sharpen and his mind open. The world around him made ever so much more sense, the connection he felt to the hard earth beneath his feat, the chill winds around him, and the frozen show and ice. For a moment a sense of purpose settled on the tiefling, bur appeared to fade quickly as he notes, "Xan, yea look like yea need a bath..."
Gabryjel pauses by the portal - his eyes flick between Beck and Venja.
"Thing is - we got a heavy burden laid on us. Ain't nothing going to change that 'till it gets done."
"We ain't moving; we're standing around - I don't like waiting much, and I want to get going."
His eyes narrow.
"There ain't no 'cause to delay. We got a job to do - a gods damned responsibility and waiting ain't changing that."
"Just don't know why the delay is all," he growls to himself.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
After barricading th doorway a bit to keep out the worst of the wind and snow, the group gets a surprisingly uneventful nights sleep. What with being so close to the portal and the immenant threat of more fey and worse coming through to invade the lands, perhaps the death of the black rider has giving you all a respite for the night. In the morning preparations are made, spells memorized or refreshed, and gear stowed for another journey in what is likely the same conditions.
As the group moves to the portal it is with trepidation as no one really knows what to expect on the other side. Taking precautions as Venja mentioned that individuals might become separated the group binds themselves with rope to each other hoping that it will keep them together. Once done the group resolutely steps forward into the portal.
The first thing you notice is the lack of temperature. Instead of being cold with the wind and snow coming through it feels like any temperature you would want to be comfortable in. The second is that you can see each other and everyone appears stretched out to almost 5 times their length. You soon realize that nothing is wrong with your body but that you are traveling so fast that your sight is having trouble catching up to your movement giving the impression of elongation. With that realization you arrive at your destination
Deposited on the side of a tall hill you look around at a similar landscape to the one you just left. The world around you is white. Trees are covered in snow, wthout which you could be in a verdant forest. The air here is crystal clear though without all of the wind and driving snow. (No ranged combat penalties for now) Off in the far distance you can make out what appears to be a column of smoke. Not large enough to be a forest fire you are pretty sure it comes from a controlled source even if you can not see exactly where due to the trees and hills.
This calm weather is quite alarming to you for two reasons. The first of which is that it is indeed quite colder but the lack of wind makes it seem better than what it really is. Those that are unprotected from spells like endure elements will need to make check every hour still or suffer from the conditions. Second a cold snap like this is usually followed by a winter storm. If caught out in the open even those with endure elements will be at risk making checks every hour and those without endure elements will be checking every 10 minutes. How long till the storm hits is questionable but you think you have until tonight.
Venja breathes a sigh of relief at the lack of the biting cold and the end of the strangeness of the portal. She unties the rope that bound her to the others and looks out over the surroundings. "Perhaps we should head toward the smoke - there might be a shelter or even a village in that direction. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd surely like to spend the night in a real bed."
Xanxan laughs as they go through the portal, "So that's what it is like to be tall." the gnome looks about, "Oh yes. A bed would be nice, and maybe a bath as suggested."
"Do not be deceived. The lack of wind is making it seem less colder than it truly is. And a cold snap like this is generally followed by a winter storm. I believe we have until tonight before the storm hits, but it could be sooner", Aneira warns the others as she undoes the rope around her waist and looks to the plume of smoke in the distance.
"We should find shelter soon, as Venja has suggested."
"Aye, ladies, Anee's right, we gots to move, cause tonight's the best case and when are things ever best case eh?" Beck says as he pulls off the hide in a rush so he can keep up better. "Xan, why dontcha hop up on Sheelah."
"My thanks then, Beck, to you and Sheelah both," The gnome does as suggested.
If what you say is true about the weather then we had better hurry. As bad as we had it back home I am afraid to see what this place would be like should we be caught in the open and a storm hit. Lead on Beck and Xanxan and I will follow you.
After about 3 hours of hard traveling in the snow you round the corner of a hill and through a break in the trees you see a set of tracks in the snow running east and west. They appear to be heading (or coming) from the smoke in the distance although just how far they run is unknown as they weave through the trees n both directions.
The tracks are left by dog sleds and based upon the law prints are heading towards the smoke. There are 4 sleds in all and can't be much more than 5 minutes ahead of you.
Off in the distance along the path you hear the shouting of men and the barking of dogs.
"Dogs and sleds, likely 4 o' em went this way not more'n five minutes ago, headed ta the smok what we saw." Beck notes, taking a wild guess that "Maybe hunters returning with a kill, but it could be raiders, or even just travelers. Dunno, but they can't be too far ahead."
If we hustle for an hour right now, will we still be able to do normal travel and keep moving long as we don't go over the hour of fast-pace?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Xanxan watches the snowflakes.
I like snowflakes but I don't like the cold. Isn't that odd? I can taste the snowflakes, and somethings taste good cold, but in this weather I'd really prefer something hot. But then, hotsnowflakes are just rain. Maybe someone should make snow that handles heat and still likes pretty? They could call them summerflakes. Wait, that sounds like a hair condition. Still, it's a nice idea, snowflakes that we can admire in warmer weather. Maybe I'll make a scarf with summer flake designs. Would summer flakes be white? or maybe a light green? Sky blue? Wait, if snowflakes were skyblue, how would you see them falling out of the sky until they landed? Someone really should work on that. Of course, a layer of blue summer flakes might be just the thing to add color to a dry brown season. Gozreh really should put me in charge of the weather some day. It would save him time and I'm sure it would be my greatest work yet. He'd not likley go for it. Maybe Shelyn would though. Does she do weather? How long does it take to be a cleric anyway? I understand it takes a lot of work and focus. Well, I have work, and I have fo...
ooo there's a big one!
"Aye, Beck. There, in the distance, along the path, I hear men shouting and dogs' barking."
Then let us hurry on so we may see what the commotion is about. Hopefully we find some good people that are not leery of strangers and can point us in the right direction for shelter. If they are not friendly then I guess plan B.
"Aye, Be Ready, just in case. Weapons not at the ready so as not to look like attackers, but on hand so we can respond." beck adds. I'm good to hustle to try to catch up to these guys.
Moving quickly the groups follows the path of the dog sleds towards the sound of the barking a nd shouting. What would have taken you longer is traversed in short order with the path broken for you just moments ago. Rounding the corner of a copse of trees you see a strange and alarming sight. 4 dogsled teams are off to one side while the drivers are brandishing long spears at an insect almost 20 feet tall. It has large pincers and sharp barbs. One of the pincers is red with blood which you can see is from a man laying in the snow. It is obvious what has happened. The mantis caught the men unawares and attacked. It injured or killed one of the men but was unable to capture it prey before the men reacted with the crude long spears. It is now a stale mate as the men can only hold the mantis off but not do any damage to it. The mantis can't get its food but refuses to back down.
No map but you are all 60 ft away in the snow.
Venja moves a bit closer, and casts Mage Armor on herself, increasing her defenses.
Garbryjel will remain where he is and attempt a "Flurry of Blows" against the creature using his normal arrows.
"Ah ha! Here we go then!" Beck shouts, drawing his sling with a swift action and loading up a shot to fire at the creature.
For
Moving as fast as he can forward to help the men against the mantis, Variel still laments the reduction in his speed. The snow was still hampering him too much for his liking. All Variel could do was move up to the men with the long spears and hope there was still time enough to aid them.
The gnome's eyes widen, and he decides to hang onto Sheelah, and he tells her "Mush!"
Sheelagh advances 40 ft w/ a double move
Aneira stops in the snow and views the attack. She will draw closer when the time comes to provide either healing or support.
She immediately loads a bolt into her crossbow (move action) and shoots at the giant mantis (standard action).
Group round 1
The group springs into action to help defend the men against the large insect. Clearly when it is nature versus humanity, instinct demands that we protect humanity without question. As such GAbe fires and hits with his second arrow alerting the creature that new adversaries are present. Beck quickly draws, loads and fires but the swiftness of his actions throws off his aim, the stone bouncing off the chitin armor. Aneira also loads and fires her crossbow threatening the creature but not enough to cause it any damage. Venja sees to her defenses and moves up closer to the people hoping to offer aid soon. Variel and Xanxan hurry up as fast as they can, albeit with Xanxan upon Sheelah. Both of them are equal in speed and move up 40ft and within striking distance shortly.
Creature round 1 bottom
Seeing the new threat the creature switches tactics and lunges forward with a limb trying to impale one of the longspear wielders 20ft away.
The man is impaled and brought closer to the mantis mouth. The mandibles clack away and try to put the man's head in its mouth but is unable to as the man heroically struggles to avoid the death bite.
Good guys up with Varial, Sheelah and Xanxan 20ft away, Aneira, Beck and Gabe are 60ft away, and Venja 45ft away. Mantis does have the grapple condition and is in melee for ranged penalties.