"Would that I could go with you,"he says. "My ancestors would ridicule
my lack of valor for fleeing rather than fighting to the end. But I faced enemiesthat even the greatest warriors in the Linnorm Kingdoms have faltered against, though I think I slew at least one of them
before they dragged Lady Argentea away."
We thought they were just bandits at first-outlaws who hide like wolves in the forest. They were no match for us. But then came the cold fey of the
north. They appeared among us and the battle turned quickly. My people speak of the winter-touched all the time, but I never expected to meet them this far south."
This seems to take alot out of the man, but a shine appears in his eyes, as he describes the battle and how it happened in his own vision. They appeared so fast, and amongst our group at that, it was as if magic had been used, and where they touched, flesh died.
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Rolph continued to examine the man's extremities. his healing powers had turned the man's fingers and nose from a sickly, bloodless grey to a marginally less unsettling white. The dwarf took each of the man's hands in turn and rubbed and slapped them vigorously to get the blood flowing again.
"There. That should do. Rub your nose and walk around after a bit to save your toes and face."
He spoke to the healers, telling them not to let him handle anything hot, or put his feet too close to the fire, until they were sure feeling had returned, lest he burn himself without knowing. He then turned back to the man on the pallet.
"Tell us more about these 'winter-touched'."
Cordelia listens attentively to the man's story, her mind already working on the puzzle of these "Winter Fey"
"Fey creatures who have sworn themselves to the White Witches of Irrisen,
those who stole our lands from us during the Winter War.
Tiny sprites no taller than the length of a man's forearm.
But don't be fooled by their small stature. Legends say they
have taken a sliver of ice into their hearts, and their touch
bears the harsh bite of winter."
Seeing your confused eyes he gives a ragged smile, "With
cold iron and burning flame. Both burn them, and both are weapons they fear. That is how you kill the beings that crawl down from up North."
I have some gold, not much but I do have some that you can have if you promise to bring back the corpses of my countrymen, they deserve to be buried in the Ancient way.
"It seems like we've just found ourselves in a wicked faerie tale," says Mina. To her friend she says, "Cordie, what if we're trapped in this little village while those awful faeries come down from the north and start freezing everything and everyone? There's nowhere to go - the only way out is through."
The man coughs a bit more before providing you with a map of where they were ambushed and warns you of the cold, and deep snow before he passes out from exertion.
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Giovanni looks at each individual in the room.
I am wondering why this group? And women?
He stands up straight; bows a bit; and looks at each's eyes.
I am called Giovanni Cicero BrokenCrown, formally of the Weeping Blood tribe; of Zoarth's castle. I hail from northern Varisia in the Kodar mountains on the border of cursed Irrisen!
Giovanni begins translating for Fral's sake.
I am a hunter of witches. My hunting partner, Achilles, and I have dealing with witches. We will accompany our new friend, Rolph.
Giovanni slaps the dwarf on his back as he pronounces his intentions!
He then places a hand on the gnolls shoulder....err...tall one!...on the gnoll's elbow.
This is Fral. He be a fine warrior of his people. He is with me!
Cordelia frowns considering both the injured warriors tale and Mina's words. "We very well might have found ourselves in our very own faerie tale." she says, a little part of her excited despite the danger...or perhaps because of it.
"If that's the case, I would rather we had an opportunity to do something about it before that happens, wouldn't you?"
"Snow? In summer? How peculiar..." Alec ponders as he rubs his chin. "I am Alec and I will seek out your fallen brothers-in-arms." He turns and watches as the hobgoblin introduces himself.
"Hunting partner? Are there more of you?"
He turns and glances at the women. "Well ladies. What do you say? Up for some adventure?"
Alec nodded quietly as one eyebrow arched.
Could this be a trap? Seems awful complex for a goblin plan, but they say hobgoblins are smarter than the small ones.
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The dwarf nods. "Are we all going? All right then. First, I need to know what weapons you'll need. It should take me a day or two to make them."
He turns to the two women. "To do this, I'll need some time at the forge. If you could arrange for me to work tonight and tomorrow at the blacksmith, I'd appreciate it."
Giving the dwarf a puzzled look Cordelia raises an eyebrow. "Why would you assume we know the blacksmith? I have no idea who the blackmith of this town even is....though I would assume he's probably large, well muscled...probably wearing an apron of some sort."
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The Dwarf nods. "Very well. I'll go talk to the blacksmith. Giovanni, get everyone suited up with all the gear we'll need for the cold. I've got the goods to make hot meals, but make sure everyone has at least a mug, bowl, and spoon. If it;s as cold as this man says, we'll likely need some small tents as well. I'll leave you to it."
With that, Rolph walks out the door and over to the smithy. Before he enters, he casts a cantrip on himself to hopefully expedite matters.
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"Do you think it wise to delay our pursuit? A woman was taken and her guards killed. Who knows what they could be doing to her while we dally. Perhaps I should go find her myself?"
A kidnapped woman and he wants to go work the forge? This is madness. Is this what all dwarves are like? No, no, no, don't be like that. A good hunter goes prepared. Control your emotions boy..
Alec crosses his arms in frustration and grumbles to himself.
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Giovanni pauses when Alec announces his concerns.
Wees be late now. Captives for how long already? A day won't matter.
He then pounds his chest.
Giovanni track them! Good hunter, no worry!
Giovanni then snaps his fingers, as if remembering something. He walks over to the unconscious human, searching for some type of trinket that may have belonged to Lady Argentea.
"Well, if evil faeries are going to attack, it's best to be prepared, right? But if someone's in danger now then maybe we can't wait! I'm not sure what to do, I've never been in this kind of situation."
"The thought of what could be happening to that poor woman is horrendous. It's getting dark so it may not be best to leave now, but waiting any longer than the morning would be unconscionable" Cordelia says with great concern.
"Well ladies. Looks like we'll be here a while. I imagine Rolph will be busy for at least a day, if not more, and he'll need to sleep before we go. Do you have a place to stay? You're welcome to stay the night at my place, I'll crash in the common room of the bar. I've spent a few nights passed out at the bar before, I'm sure they won't mind one more night. Just be sure to wake me in the morning."
"Oh, ah, thank you, we were... hmm." Mina pauses, then says, "Just a moment, we'll figure it out." She pulls Cordie to one side.
"Thank you Alec, we gladly accept." Cordie says with a smile.
"At your leisure, ladies." Alec waits with the ladies until they are ready to retire. He then escorts them back to his small little cabin and shows them around. The cabin is very small and very sparse. Two beds, a table and two chairs, and a bare kitchen are all that currently occupy the single room.
"Now if you'll excuse me. I'll be at the tavern if you need me or care for a drink. Good night." With that be bows and turns to leave.
The blood has been covered over by snow but you can somewhat make out the tracks you need to follow.
The next morning the party goes out, the going is tough, the need for snow shoes now dawns upon all in the party as they go, though Achilles seems to have no problems going through it. The rest make thier way about slowly, it takes most of the day to simply make it near to where you all belive to be the place.
There is no noise from the forrest up ahead, and everything is too still, and too quite until you suddenly see a Gaint Raven fall from one of the trees, dead. It seems to be frozen solid. It so so cold that you all know for certain that being out here after dark could very well mean death.
Untrained:
Once out of the town, Cordelia opens her satchel bringing out a dense cluster of polished rocks, pebbles and gemstones that expanse to a 2’ sphere of constantly shifting stones, glimmering in the evening light, sparkling motes along it’s constantly moving surface perfectly reflecting the stars in the sky overhead.
Alec walks along with the group, letting Giovanni and Achilles lead the way. He's quiet and obviously distracted. He can't help but think of his father as we plows through the snow. Spear in hand and shield in the other, with a scowl on his face he brings up the rear trailing a few feet behind the ladies.
Untrained
Mina hikes up her skirts and stumbles as she trudges through the snow. "This is as bad as trying to get on the road in the middle of winter!" she says. "There must be something we can do."
"In this is why I wear breeches when we're traveling....well one of the reasons." Cordelia says with a bit of a giggle. Even in the hazardous setting, the adventure of it all clearly invigorates the young woman.
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Giovanni trudges through the snow. Achilles follows within 10' of him as they travel.
Every once in awhile, Giovanni softly clears his throat in the wooly rhino's direction. Achilles then either looks at the hobgoblin, shakes his head, and continues on; or he nods and turns in Gio's direction.
It be snow. It was water, then gits cold, then floats down and makes tracking easier.
Achilles grunts in agreement.