Alikai nods and speaks seriously for once. "I have seen natural forces from the crown of the world to Jalmaray. An unnatural force reaching from Irrisen to here? It must be opposed. I cannot promise to fix everything, but I will try. And somebody needs to try." She nods and sips her drink, then adds more softly, "Besides, if it is that bad here, I fear for my homeland on the very borders of Irrisen." Shoving the glass away, she drops her head into her hands.
"Before we return," Gaelin says, still eating his stew, "I'd like to see if anyone in the village is familiar enough with the wood to help with the map we found with the bandits. It has some markings on it that may tell us where to start looking. If someone knows the lay of the place, it may help in following the map's directions when the time comes."
Alikai nods and speaks seriously for once. "I have seen natural forces from the crown of the world to Jalmaray. An unnatural force reaching from Irrisen to here? It must be opposed. I cannot promise to fix everything, but I will try. And somebody needs to try." She nods and sips her drink, then adds more softly, "Besides, if it is that bad here, I fear for my homeland on the very borders of Irrisen." Shoving the glass away, she drops her head into her hands.
“I know it has been long, but you will get back there,” Malden speaks in a low voice to Alikai, his voice sincere, the good natured teasing absent. “And I mean not to disrespect our new friends, but I do not think there is a certainty that this is the work of the ice witches, or what their goals are if it is. We will oppose whatever it is, but must learn more.”
"Before we return," Gaelin says, still eating his stew, "I'd like to see if anyone in the village is familiar enough with the wood to help with the map we found with the bandits. It has some markings on it that may tell us where to start looking. If someone knows the lay of the place, it may help in following the map's directions when the time comes."
Malden speaks up again. "I'm not familiar with this locality, but I have travelled widely and read many maps over the years. While I cannot promise anything, I am happy to look at this map and see if I can understand the directions you speak of."
Alikai shoots Malden a swift, grateful glance, then rejoins the conversation. "Maps. Maps are for cityfolk. But they're useful as a diary for those who forget what they've seen or die on the way. Did you find more from the bandits that might help us find the cause of this unnatural winter that strays from its range?" She turns to Ecatarina, a bit abashed. "Your pardon if I seemed to blame you. You said a family enemy might be causing this, and my mind jumped to... witches. Can you tell us more of those you suspect, lady?"
The Silver Stoat gives the party four rooms to use, compliments of Lady Argentea and Ionnia. Their bar tabs and food are picked up as well. There is a rollicking wake for Penelopy that evening, with many a drunken tear shed by the local bar flies.
In the morning Ionnia sends word that a source of cold iron had been found at a nearby smiths. As part of their reward for investigating the wood, several weapons are given to them:
- masterwork cold iron greatsword
- 40 cold iron arrowheads
- 3 cold iron daggers
- 20 cold iron sling bullets
- Masterwork cold iron longsword
She turns to Ecatarina, a bit abashed. "Your pardon if I seemed to blame you. You said a family enemy might be causing this, and my mind jumped to... witches. Can you tell us more of those you suspect, lady?"
Ecaterina seems to take no offense at Alikai's words and shrugs at the woman. "I see no reason that jumping to the conclusion of this being the work of Witches is a bad thing. It is exactly the kind of thing that others of my blood would do. Of course, my family is not of the Jadwiga Elvanna we are Jadwiga Yelizaveta, and so we are more concerned about the stability, safety and longevity of Irrisen, rather than the day to day power struggles that the current rulers are so fond of."
She takes a sip of her red wine, makes a face and puts the glass back down with a sigh. "But my mother suspects that one of her rivals, a White Witch of the Jadwiga Elvanna, is behind this. So she has sent me here to this too warm place to bring back proof. And so I must traipse about the countryside like a commoner, poking my nose into every hole in every tree like some woodsman because my mother thinks it will 'build character' in me." She sighs again and takes a longer pull of her wine, stifling her grimace.
Malden arches an eyebrow at the revelation that Ecaterina is in fact a White Witch, or closely related to one. He had thought, from her name, accent and appearance, that she hailed from that part of the world, but ... it was rare for the witches of Irrisen to leave their lands, and when they did they were normally up to no good, or so Malden had heard. Still, he tries to judge people on their character rather than their origins or family, and Ecaterina has given him no reason so far to think that she is much like the worst of her country-women.
"I am interested in recruiting any able and willing hands to get to the bottom of this menace, whatever the individual's motivation," Gaelin explains to his new acquaintances. "I believe we all prove ourselves by our actions, not our identities."
"As it happens, our interests are the same, Gaelin. And as a bonus, I am perfectly suited to traipsing about the countryside poking my nose into every hole in every tree! I am with you. Or will go without you, if need be." Alikai grins at the Ulfen. "Then you can relax here at the Inn, though you may need to come find my bones."
Gaelin regards Alikai with curiosity, then begins to laugh heartily. "You have the spirit of an adventurer, no question," he says with a huge grin. "We all need a bit of that, I think. Who would go into a place and see what we have seen, get out, and then voluntarily go back in? It takes a certain sort of person, no question."
"My swordmistress taught me that. Some people can be heroes, and others don't have it in them. When faced with great peril, you begin to sort the latter from the former."
Having safely stored Chtonthoth, his moose, at the stable, Jeydavu enters the tavern. He sees his companions and learns about the pair wanting to join them.
He introduces himself to Alikai and Malden. "My name is Jeydavu of Hellirinn on the banks of the Rimeflow River in the Land of the Linnorm Kings. I came here to gather supplies before heading back North. This unnatural winter has me concerned having lived so close to Irrisen for so long. I've agreed to help find the cause less Talder suffer a similar fate. Welcome and thank you for your assistance."
"Well met, all of you. It is a relief that Malden and I do not have to deal with this alone. More companions, more targets besides yourself, as my father always said!" She winks at Jeydavu.
“May the sun warm you, Jeydavu of Hellirinn,” Malden greets the short, craggy man. “So,” he continues, turning back to Gaelin, whom he takes to be the leader of this band, “you have a lead in this map, and some indication that this unnatural winter hails from Irrisen. I think you must want to rest and recuperate before heading on; you will rest here tonight, re-provision in the morning? Will that be enough time for you all?”
"And perhaps Malden can look at the map while you rest," Alikai suggests, "He's been idle long enough. And if there are fey, I might need to stock up on ammunition that will hurt the little beggars. And then, perhaps time for dálvit dáppe buolašbiekkat, muohtaborggat meariheamit, storm and cold and fierce blizzards." She draws a deep breath as if scenting a coming storm and looks more glad of it than daunted.
After a good meal and a good nights rest, the group goes through the village buying up cold weather gear and sundries for their expedition
In the morning, Gaelin makes a point to seek out Gildene, his mentor, in her cabin on the edge of Heldrin. She had always told him that he could be a hero in his own time. He had always assumed he would have to go abroad to seek his purpose, never suspecting that the need for adventurers would come right here to the village. She has trained him well, and he is ready to rise to the occasion and fight to protect the common people, as he always believed he would.
Tristan likewise speaks with Tessaria, letting her know that his assistance remains needed by the adventurers and not to worry if he is gone for some time. He packs up a few additional supplies before bidding her a grateful farewell.
Malden rises at dawn to pray, thanking Sarenrae for the sunshine, for leading him to these new companions, and asking that she grant them fire and strength of purpose in their endeavours. After that he peruses the shops in town, charming the shop keepers and purchasing a few items that may serve on the journey to come.
Sahsara wakes up once the sun get's bright enough to wake her and heads down to the blacksmithy to get a fancy new buckler. She wanders back to the tavern to have breakfast and waits there for everyone to be ready to head out.
After dinner, Ecaterina excuses herself so that she can retire to her room, and a restful night in a real bed. After waking up as late as possible, she manages to get herself a bath. She then spends some time teaching the new spell they found to Lepi. She then goes into town to find some equipment for travel; a small tent and some blankets. She's not keen on carrying them around, but is loathe to spend more time sleeping uncovered in the outdoors, even if it means some work getting the tent set up.
Jeydavu sells his scimitar and replaces it with the one gifted by the town. He picks up 3 heatstones just in case they must camp in the extreme cold. Also, he purchase more feed for his moose.
He then waits at the tavern while his companions make their purchases and are ready to head back out.
Alikai uses her experience in the northlands to buy some decent cold weather gear with her few remaining gold, then meets her companions, new and old, at the appointed place and time.
After a two day period where the party rests up and re-accouters themselves, they begin to head out once again to the frozen woods
The Border wood greets them in the humid dawn, a wintry anomaly. Eevn a quarter-mile away from the effect, the air begins to chill and the summer song of insects stills. The greenery becomes sere and yellow, as if autumn had come to the land.
The Border Wood itself is cloaked in storm clouds, and snow can be seen falling within its skeletal trees. The party follows along the trail they had taken a few days earlier, heading for the High Sentinel Lodge.
The trail is easier with more familiarity...
And the woods seem calm. They do notice some strange arctic-like animals. Ecaterina notes martens, snow owls, and arctic hares among the drifting snow banks.
After a few hours determined trudging the group reaches the lodge. It seems deserted, and the bridge beyond it over the ravine creaks in the gusting wind.
A few townsmen acquainted with weapons accompanied the party to the lodge. They escort the sick bandits out, wrapped in furs they brought with them. They assure the party they will get them back to Heldren and get them healed before judgement is passed on them
Ecaterina points out the wildlife of her homeland as they make their through the forest towards the lodge. Her gaze lingers on the building, probably the last chance to see anything resembling civilisation for some time to come, as the townsfolk escort the bandits back to town. Sighing, she prepares to move out with the rest of the party, bowing to the superior tracking skills of the others.
Malden looks about in amazement at the wintry landscape here in southern Taldor, shocked speechless for once. He huddles into his warm weather gear as he follows those who've walked this trail before.
The maps were pored over back in town. The markings seemed to indicate that the Souvir valley was important to the bandits. It lies just past the lodge, further into the forest, down the ridge
Sahsara's mood while outdoors has significantly increased with the magical protection from the cold and she spends the hike making patterns in the snow with the wind. "This cabin seems nicer now that it's not infested with bandits, though I suppose y'all will want to get on with the task at hand."
"Bracing, isn't it?"
Alikai breathes in the cold air deeply, enjoying the freshness of the snowy air. As Ecaterina points out the wildlife, her brow wrinkles. "How long has this cold been settled in this wood? I thought it was recent. It would have taken some time for winter's creatures to have migrated here from the northlands."
As the lodge comes into view, Ali surveys the sky and wind, searching for clues to the next day's weather - or if it's possible to even predict the weather in this area.
Sahsara's mood while outdoors has significantly increased with the magical protection from the cold and she spends the hike making patterns in the snow with the wind. "This cabin seems nicer now that it's not infested with bandits, though I suppose y'all will want to get on with the task at hand."
"Bracing, isn't it?"
Alikai breathes in the cold air deeply, enjoying the freshness of the snowy air. As Ecaterina points out the wildlife, her brow wrinkles. "How long has this cold been settled in this wood? I thought it was recent. It would have taken some time for winter's creatures to have migrated here from the northlands."
As the lodge comes into view, Ali surveys the sky and wind, searching for clues to the next day's weather - or if it's possible to even predict the weather in this area.
[dice=Survival, weather sense]1d20+7
There seems to be a constant snowstorm blowing. It varies in intensity, but the sun never shines through the cloud deck. Alikai assumes that whatever magical force is causing the phenomenon cannot let up, else the strong summer Taldane sun would make short work of its frosty handiwork
[dice=Knowledge, Geography]1d20 + 6
Malden has searched the map they obtained. The valley looks easy enough to enter. There is a path leading to it that begins on the other side of the ravine. His knowledge of the Border Wood and the elevations marked on the map make it look like a gentle path, navigatable by anyone. However the drifting snow and treacherous ice should be accounted for
"It would be but a stroll, were it not for the weather," says Malden, his voice somewhat muffled by the thick blue woollen scarf wrapped around his neck and the lower part of his face.
"That's the way the wind blows" Sahsara responds to Malden. "Does anyone know some preparation we should make before heading down the slippery slop? It's too bad there weren't any sleds in the cabin."
Gaelin grins. "I've never been on a sled. Perhaps when this is all done..." He trails off and gathers up his fur mantle more snugly about his neck.
Alikai surveys the lodge with some curiosity. "Did you guys check that place out? It's enclosed -- maybe we should stop here and spend the night so we have a full day of light to push forward?"
"Yea, we spent the night there after we dealt with the bandits, there's a broken window but otherwise it's solid."
Jeydavu, dressed in his cold weather gear, watches intently as the weather changes from humid warm to freezing temperatures. He brushes the snow off of Chtonthoth.
When the group reaches the valley, he moves to the front to survey the land. "I think we should keep moving the day is only half over. Chtonthoth and I can lead the way. Follow in his tracks."
He carefully attempts to pick out a safe route into the valley, leaving no trail as he moves through the snow.
"I agree, we should push forward in hopes of resolving the situation before it spreads or worsens." He follows Chtonthoth, carefully leaving a healthy space between himself and the moose's hindquarters.
Alikai pulls up near Sahsara in the marching order. "I have rope in case we find a dangerous ice slope or crevasses. We can rope ourselves together and help support any who stumble or slip. We'll get there, don't worry," she says in response to the woman's original question.
Malden looks back at the relatively warm lodge, sighs, then plods through the snow after Jeydavu's moose.
"At least he probably feels at home in this weather," the cleric comments.