Alikai wanders over to examine one of the impaled bodies, shaking it slightly at Sahsara like some sort of weird flying puppet.
"I feel dirty. That was like shooting a dove. A cruel dove, to be sure, but a dove."
"I have no clue what the f%#+ this thing is."
Jeydavu ambles over to Aliki and tries to examine the creature. "Please hold it still for a moment while I examine it."
Alikai obligingly hands Jeydavu the thing-on-a-stick and looks around for any more enemies.
"I guess we should check out the igloos."
Sahsara lets the wind around her die down.
"I wish they were doves. Doves taste much better than trail rations. Whatever they were, I don't think they are what did in our... friend?"
Sahsara pulls another arrow and nocks it.
"The critter to igloo ratio is still a bit low, wouldn't be surprised if something else jumps out at us"
Jeydavu ambles over to Aliki and tries to examine the creature. "Please hold it still for a moment while I examine it."
[dice = knowledge (nature)] 1d20 +7
It (she) is a small (1 ft tall) winged humanoid with pale skin and a shock of blue hair. She is naked save for a small kilt of white fur. She has a bow and quiver of arrows, as well as a needle-sized rapier. Jeydavu has seen the like before in his homeland. Winter sprites, cruel and capricious like the season they embody.
Alikai nods at Sahsara and likewise loads her bow. "Shall we go look?" She resumes heading to the igloos, stopping to peer into the first one, a quick duck of her head into the doorway and back out.
"And these beings don't seem like the sort to build houses," Gaelin says, indicating the igloos. Sword drawn, he joins in investigating the structures.
Alikai wanders over to examine one of the impaled bodies, shaking it slightly at Sahsara like some sort of weird flying puppet.
"I feel dirty. That was like shooting a dove. A cruel dove, to be sure, but a dove."
[dice=Knowledge(nature - only one I got)]1d20+4
"I have no clue what the f~~& this thing is."
“They were trying to kill us I don’t doubt Alikai,” Malden says. He squeezes his friend’s shoulder. “You did well. And you Sahsara,” he adds, nodding at the other woman.
Malden keeps his scimitar drawn as he follows the others through the snow to the igloos, huffing into his scarf and looking about.
“They were trying to kill us I don’t doubt Alikai,” Malden says. He squeezes his friend’s shoulder.
"Oh, I know, but it's like defending yourself against a vicious rabbit. They don't look like they could do much damage. Unless they have venom, of course."
Gaelin pauses his search momentarily and looks at Alikai. "The rabbits must be very different where you come from."
There are four igloos. Nothing seems to stir as they approach. Beyond them there is an intensive cold feeling. The wind shrieks around the ice huts, snatching the breath away from the party
Malden pulls his hood up, shielding his ears from the wind and points towards the nearest hut.
The igloo has a collection of gear suited to tiny creatures. Spears the size of paintbrushes, tiny arrows, miniature chain shirts. There is a pile of furs, squirrel, chipmunk, rabbit. Skinned animals hang from the ceiling. There are no living creatures within
“It does appear that these ice homes belong to the venomous rabbits outside,” comments Malden. “With four buildings as such here, there may be more of them.”
Gaelin nods at Malden. "The creatures of winter are strange beasts without question, but I feel no closer to understanding why they are here. I believe we should continue. Perhaps the source may yet reveal itself."
Jeydavu peaks into the first hut with the others and sees the various items. Let's check the others quickly and then move on. He heads to the next hut and looks inside.
The second hut is much like the first. There seems to be an almost campsite-like feel. The items are field gear, no personal possessions
+ 1 for traps, +4 for concealed objects or conversation.
Beyond the huts is a swirling storm of snow and wind, much more than could be explained by anything natural. Jeydavu gets the feeling that much of the unnatural winter is emanating from this lication
"There is nothing in here except for some mundane items. However, do see that storm over there? That is unlike any natural blizzard I have encountered. I think that may be the source of this unusual weather. I think we should investigate it carefully." Jeydavu points toward the swirling snow beyond the huts.
“Most unnatural in appearance,” agrees Malden. He tightens the grip on his scimitar and whispers a brief prayer to his goddess. “Let us look more closely.”
As the party approaches, the whirling snow reveals an odd and sinister sight. A set of thick long icicles point outward in a frozen ring , like stakes around a soldiers field camp. Within is a ring of ice monoliths, surrounding a swirling vortex of white energy. Cold and sow swirl from the vortex, chilling the group
"I think one or some of us need to go in there and see what is the source of this wintry energy. I will go. I am very skilled at navigating this type of weather and I am particularly resistant to cold. Could one of you watch Ctonthoth please?
Jeydavu hands the reins to a volunteer. He then checks his winter suit and braces for the cold. He glances around to see if anyone else is accompanying him. He proceeds forward stealthily trying to conceal himself as best he can in the swirling snow. He keeps his eyes and ears alert for signs of traps or beings approaching.
,
"I suppose I should put this fancy cloak to good use and help out the druid"
Sahsara will also try to use her breeze kissed ability to cancel out the wind.
+ 1 to traps + 4 for concealed objects or to hear conversation
Alikai takes the moose's reins, looking a bit nervously at the huge animal, larger than the reindeer she was raised with.
"Well, if everyone else is going in, I'll stay here and, uh, guard the moose."
Malden shields his eyes from the swirling snow as he looks towards the anomaly, the glances back at Alikai, raising an eyebrow quizzically.
Alikai shrugs back at Malden. "What? Guy's brave enough to go in there, don't want anything to happen to his companion!" she hisses defensively.
She studies the vortex while moose-holding.
"I have no clue what that thing is or isn't..."
"I am afraid neither do I," answers Malden. "Well, it would seem wise for some of us to remain here momentarily - we may soon need to rescue our more eager companions."
"I sure hope not," Alikai frets, "But best to be prepared." She remains alert for perimeter threats as well as trouble within the frigid gyre.
Gaelin nods to Jeydavu. "I will go with you. We do not know what we may find as we get closer." He adjusts his furs to make sure he is well insulated from the biting wind. Greatsword in hand, he trudges toward the monoliths alongside Jeydavu and Sahsara.
As the party approaches, a surge of wind suddenly blasts from the swirling vortex in the ring of icicles, gusting outward in a stinging spray of snow and ice.
Suddenly, a gaunt horseman with curling ram’s horns and wearing coal-black armor lurches through the portal astride a black warhorse, surrounded by tendrils of cold, dark mist. The rider slumps in the saddle, a shard of blue ice jutting from his back.
As rider and mount come to a halt in the snow, the horse suddenly dissipates into black smoke, and the horseman falls to the ground with a groan.
Gaelin gapes at the sudden appearance of the black-clad rider and looks to make sure nothing is following him through the portal.
He seems to be alone
Jeydavu approaches the rider carefully. When he reaches the fallen figure, he examines the person to assess the extent of their injuries.
"What in the abyss is that... I thought this day couldn't get any weirder."
“He does not look so friendly,” Malden comments to his friend at the appearance of the horned, black clad man. “But he is badly wounded … it is my duty perhaps.”
Securing his scarf in place to hold his hair and protect his lower face against the freezing wind, Malden moves forward, kneeling down beside Jeydavu to examine the rider’s wounds.
Malden hurries to the old man’s side. A quick look at him finds him close to death. Even a skilled high priest would be hard pressed to heals his wounds. The man looks at Malden with glazing eyes
“Listen, friend, you must listen. There is much peril, and my time is short”
Jeydavu approaches the rider carefully. When he reaches the fallen figure, he examines the person to assess the extent of their injuries.
[dice=] heal] 1d20 +2
Jeydavu comes to the same conclusion as Malden. The rider suffers multiple wounds, his ebon armor rent in several places. The blue ice protruding from his back froths with aerated blood
”Where did you come from? Where does this portal go?” Gaelin asks with some urgency.
The old man coughs weakly, a froth of blood on his lips
“My name, when I was mortal was Illarion Matevius. I have been known as Black Midnight these many years in the service of Baba Yaga, the Witch Queen. I was attacked by the forces of Elvanna, current queen of Irrisen, and betrayer of her grandmother. “
He coughs again, more blood dribbling from his pale lips
“Something has happened to the Witch Queen. Elvanna was due to be replaced as ruler of Irrisen. Baba Yaga has somehow been prevented from returning to Irrisen. Every servant and ally of Baba Yaga has been hunted down and killed. I’m the last. I barely escaped through this portal. “
He looks up at Gaelin, agony in his eyes
“Elvanna seeks to supplant her grandmother and take her power. She also plans to open portals all over this world to seize control of it and make it her winter fortress. She will bring eternal winter to this world if she is not stopped”
Alikai creeps forward, relaxing the draw on her bow as nothing further seems prepared to attack. She moves up behind Malden where he crouches over the man in time to hear the stranger speak. A confused frown furrows her face.
"Baba... Yaga? I thought she was a bad person? Why does she need to return to Irrisen? And how does her return affect winter's waxing and waning?"
The man coughs weakly
"Baba Yaga is my liege. She is the ruler of many lands and places. She is beyond such judgement by you or I. She keeps things in balance. Elvanna wishes more, and has caused this expansion of Winter's power. She means to rule all of this world with an icy fist."
"Are there more like you who oppose Elvanna? How do we reach them? We will help." She looks around at the others for comfirmation.
The man groans in obvious pain. He is weakening, almost seeming to grow older and frailer as the party watches
"The only way to stop Elvanna's plans is to find Baba Yaga. Only she can defeat what her daughter has done. And the only way to find Baba Yaga is with her Dancing Hut. Elvanna has captured it and put it on display in her capital of Whitethrone. You must go through the portal to Irrisen to find and use the Hut to lead you to Baba Yaga."
"I grew up near the border with Irrisen. Unfortunately, children from my village have been taken against their will into Irrisen never to be seen again. We must not allow Elvanna to expand her influence further. My wanderings have taken me back and forth across that border many times. I will take you to Whitethrone" says Jeydavu gravely.