"Ah! That makes sense! The legend says there are three ravens - I wonder what lies behind the fourth door? Perhaps the keys to reach Artrosa?"
Searching this room there is nothing else to be garnered here. Exiting the doorway you continue on down the path that has no beginning nor end. suddenly you see a familiar sight, the door leading to Zorka. Sure enough when you open it she smiles at you while preparing a meal. Hungry? Food is almost ready.
You know that you travelled in a straight line and did not turn nor retrace your steps but it seems you have made a circle in your explorations.
Jetro looks around. Huh, well this place is mighty weird. I reckon I could use a snack.
As you enter and sit down to eat the meal that Zorka has provided a sense of peace falls upon you. You have visited the three ravens and answered their challenges. You received rewards and clues as to what to do once you get out of here. Now the only question is, how do you get out and where are you currently in Golarion.
Bringing some bread up to your lips you happen to glance across the table and see a strange reflection coming from one of the iron amulets. the image is of a crack in the wall that you never noticed before. Getting up from the table at protestation from Zorka you walk over and examine the wall closer. You can trace the crack around as it leaves the imprint of a doorway. You never would have seen it were it not for the reflection from the amulet.
Venja gets up and walks over to the crack... points it out to the others... "What's this all about?"
"The structure is full of surprises, is it not? Perhaps that is where we need to go next. Or the library."
I reckon that is a new place to check out, but let's not hurl ourselves through the door just yet.
"Not until I've given Zorka's efforts here the attention they deserve!"
Finishing the meal that Zorka provided restores the body and clears the mind allowing you to get ready to take ont he world if you need to. Each of you feel better than you did an hour ago and your bodies seem healthier as well.
You all get temp hp for 1 hour.
Moving to the secret door with confidence it does not take you long to realize it is unlocked and not trapped. The secret door leads to a shallow foyer blocked by two more double doors, which are carved to resemble an oversized gate guarded by a scrawny dog. These doors are unlocked as well.
This spacious room resembles the interior of a wooden cottage. Stairs to the right of the entrance climb to balcony atop which rests a wooden table. A wooden walkway continues around the room to a small landing and another set of stairs to the left of the entrance. A third staircase leads down from the walkway to an alcove opposite the door. Crates, boxes, barrels and other mundane materials crowd the space.
The ceiling is 20 feet high in this room; the balcony and walkway are 10 feet above the floor. A cracked clay bowl sits atop the table on the balcony, with a brownish, speckled hen's egg inside. On the landing to the left of the entrance, a wooden ladder climbs to a trap door in the ceiling; this leads to a dusty, disused loft. The crates and containers in the room hold more mundane tools and supplies . In the back alcove, a wooden door leads outside to the Dancin13 Hut's porch. Windows in the alcove look out into a snowy forest clearing.
Facing the door leading outside is a tall warrior dressed in animal skins with a battleaxe at his side and shield slung on one arm. He turns at your entrance with a slightly puzzled look on his face. He then tries to speak to you but the sound comes out garbled and strange sounding.
Who are you and what is your purpose here? Why is Baba Yaga not accompanying you? Where is she?
Jetro shakes his head while pointing to his ear. Don't understand ya.
Responding in draconic, Venja replies "She is not with us... we came to rescue the hut and find her, as her messenger said she was in peril."
Partially relieved to be understood he gets agitated with your strange answer Venja.
[b]I know nothing of which you speak. Baba Yaga has always come to me through those doors to speak with me. I know not about this messenger but if you are looking for Baba Yaga good luck. If she does not wish to be found then you will not find her, she will find you.
"Hopefully she will find us then... we shall see... My name is Venja, and these are my companions... " she introduces each in turn... "Who are you?"
The name crosses his arms and gives you a glare not answering you. He doesn't draw his weapon though, at least not yet.
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"The messenger's name was Illarion Matveius. He was one of the three black riders of Baba Yaga and last of her heralds. He told us Baba Yaga failed to return from a century long absence and he feared that her daughter Elvanna was responsible, in the midst of trying to overthrow her mother. It was Illarion that tasked us to find Baba Yaga. He gave us these two keys , and bathed us in his own blood to ensure our dedication and reactivate the keys. He told us to find Baba Yaga. In order to do so we were told we must free her Dancing Hut. With it we could then travel the planes known and unknown if we could just figure out how to activate it.
Jetro keeps ready.
While the barbarian does turn towards you in acknowledgement of your words and understanding of them, your demeanor left much to be desired. Instead of answering you he just scowls and remains mute.
Helgash is able to keep the barbarian from flying into a rage but it is not enough for him to persuade the barbarian to reveal anything. He remains stone faced as he watches you all.
"I do not understand what is happening friends" - the paladin speaks to his companions - "Are we facing friend or foe? Shall we proceed with our search outside?"
Can't understand him I'm afraid, so maybe we can try checking out somewhere else?
Venja quickly translates all that has been said for Helgash, so he can formulate another reply that she can then translate if he has more to add, that is.
Helgash nods at Venja and takes a step forward toward the barbarian - "Look friend. I am not sure you even understand my words" - he opens his arms - "My companion tells me you are an ally for Baba Yaga? Our quest is exactly to find and rescue her from what may have befallen her" - his voice is grave.
"We believe the daughter Elvanna has plotted to kidnap, or other wise do away with her - at the behest of one of her messengers, we have voluntarily offered our assistance to him even on his deathbed" . he reinforces.
"Our own world is in jeopardy - Winter is out of control and threatening to overcome all that we know and hold dear, do you understand?" - the paladin insists - "Understand this - we will continue on our path. It is more important than even our lives. If you are an ally or friend of Baba Yaga, or if you otherwise understand why we fight, I urge you to assist us" - he nods.
At the translation from Venja the barbarian chuckles at you. You are quite mistaken in your dealings with Baba Yaga. Her daughter is not Elvanna. It is Yehemina.
Yehemina was a daughter of Baba Yaga but that was 250 years ago.
As for being an ally of Baba Yaga, it is more complicated than that. I am bound here to serve her until such time that she releases me or I specific ritual is completed. Until that time I am compelled to attack any who enters the Hut while it is here in Iobaria without Baba Yaga being present.
He does seem to relax a bit though as your tone and mannerisms still hold true regardless of your outrageous claims. Taking his hand off the haft of his battleaxe he reaches out to shake your hand. The name is Ratibor, warlord of the clans of Liamital. Be at peace I will not attack you while you are here but I warn you. Step outside this hut and try to return I will be forced to kill you.
Helgash pauses for a moment - "Yehemina?" - then looks back at his companions - "This is not the information we had I believe..."
Regardless, he returns the man's handshake - "I believe I understand. You are bound to defend the entrance from the outside. Does that mean we have no way of being allowed some measure of exploration, and then returning here without confronting you friend?"
He shakes his head at you. Not unless you are able to subdue me against my will. He pauses for a moment in thought. Should return with the ritual to free me then I believe the counter magic would be enough to hold me at bay until the ritual was completed.
Duardlara translates if necessary.
Her brow furrows and she starts visibly trying to make connections with disparate facts they have picked up, trying to match up what they thought they knew with what the barbarian claims.
Jetro tries to remember his vague education.
Venja tries to recall all she knows of the situation with Baba Yaga and her daughter.
As translated into Draconic by Venja:
"Yehemina is indeed Baba Yaga's daughter but that was 250 years ago... Perhaps she has a new daughter now... How long have you been at this post, Ratibor, that you only know of her daughter of a quarter millenia ago? You spoke of a ritual that would allow us to pass without Baba Yaga with us. Can you elaborate more on that, and how we might accomplish it?"
Venja wracks her memory and knowledge for any kind of ritual that might allow their passage past the warrior.
Duardlara stands back and thinks, knowing her mouth is not a good choice when it comes time to negotiate.
250 years ago. That can not be. Indeed the daughters are long lived but you must be mistaken. It must be a nother family member that you are thinking of and do not know the true lineage of the line of Baba Yaga. He goes off ranting about other family that would have been around 250 years ago that is not as well known unless you actually lived then. Clearly you are not going to be able to convince him otherwise that 250 years has passed. I know some time has passed stuck here forced into serving the witch but not more than 20 years surely.
At the mentionof the ritual he looks up quickly. I do not know the ritual itself but I know that she found the ritual in her 'cookbook of augmentation'. She arrived in Iobaria with it in hand and left the Hut. When she returned the book was gone. Of all the places that she knows, Artrosa is the most likely. Find it, free me, and let me escape from the entrapment.
Duardlara you think a very powerful break enchantment spell could work but the ritual mentioned would give you an automatic success.
"Perhaps we should go in search of this book then... and free good Ratibor from his unwanted servitude."
Sure thang.
"Very well then" - Helgash nods to the others, then turns to the warrior - "We will do just that Ratibor, and go in search of this 'cookbook of augmentation' you speak of - with it we will return and find a means to release you" - the paladin pledges - "Can you offer us directions on where to find Artrosa? Is it a town or a region'"
I have never been there myself, Ratibor start, but I have heard of the magnificence of the place. It is 3 statures carved from the mountains to resemble 3 women in varying stages of life. However I do not know where we are currently located other than in Iobaria so I can not give you a direction in which to take or how far you must go. I do know that Artrosa was said to be in the northwest part of Iobaria but if we are north of that even then I would send you in the wrong direction.
I am afraid that you will have to journey out of the hut to find someone that can tell you where you are currently located. Should you return though I will be forced to attack you unless you accompany Baba Yaga or have the 'cookbook'.
He goes silent in contemplation though for a moment. [bPerhaps I can give you a third option be it ever so slim. If you open the door to the hut and call out to me without stepping foot inside I could try and bind myself with rope hindering myself. Should you make it past me through this room then I would not follow you to attack you. It is a slim chance though as I would fly into a terrible rage and try and burst my bonds to attack you.[/b]
Third option sounds okay.
"It is settled" - Helgash nods at Jetro's reasoning - "We should be ready to depart right away?" - he asks the others.
All set to head out.