Asgrid takes in the conversations, mulling things over. Like Kronek, she feels uneasy at all the talk about witches. Witches! Am I never to be rid of them? I'm even travelling with one! She catches Geedra's and unspoken appeal, and nods her head. Better to not mention anything to the Kellid about the nature of Geedra's powers, at least for the moment. Anyway, Asgrid has her own reasons for keeping quiet about her powers.
All the same, she's appreciative of the ale Kronek provided, and promises to return the favor. "We'll get some stories for you, Kronek. I like stories too. And gold. I've not seen enough of it these days for my liking. Some night around the hearth I'll share some of the tales of my ancestors. Perhaps you've heard of them. Dorthok Splitskull? Godrid Snowaxe? Maybe Asgrid Flamehair? She was a great ranger among my clan, I'm named after her. For now, let's go talk to the Ulfen."
"I would not mind hearing those stories myself, Asgrid." Cara says with some interest. "I'm afraid I haven't had the opportunity to hear very many stories of Dwarven lore."
She then looks to Xanthippe with a smile, "I believe we're ready for our escort."
Xanthippe hops up from her seat and nods. "Sure, let's go." She leads you out of the Silver Stoat and into the town square. Evening has crept up on Heldren and you can hear crickets and cicadas serenading the sunset. Xanthippe stretches her limbs and heads over to the center of the square, to the statue. Waving her hand in front of the statue's face, she laughs a bit. "See, just a statue." She shrugs and gives you time to look at it.
It is obviously a well made statue; old but still holding its features. The woman has a long mane of full hair and a comely face, though it shows no true expression.
Geedra moves up and puts her left hand on the foot of the statue. She makes a short gesture with her other hand and mutters an incantation, and looks back at the statue.
Cara notes the spell casting capability of her newfound goblin companion, but says nothing. She opts instead to stare at the statue for a few long moments in case something seemed noteworthy about it.
"Ah, now those sound like some tales Asgrid. I haven't heard them before, but I look forward to them."
As the group exits the tavern, Kronek, like Xanthippe stretches out reaching his arms wide overhead like he is going to reach over the horizon and push the sun over the horizon, "Mmmm, much better to be back outside. Like summer at home." He moves closer to the statue when Xanthippe waves her hand in front of it, looking closely into its eyes and pressing his fingers against the face. "Just stone. If it was ever something else, it was long ago." He hears words from behind him, but intent on the statue, he misses their meaning.
Xanthippe nods in agreement. "People just like to tell tales. Anyway, the apothecary is this way." The pretty young girl steps down from the pedestal and sashays down the western road. As you pass by a building on the right side of the street, Xanthippe inclines her head towards it and looks back over her shoulder at you. "That's the smithy my father owns, and where I work. We live there, too." A few feet past that building, she stops in the middle of the street and walks up to a building on the left. "Here we are. Willowbark Apothecary." She turns and goes to the door and opens it.
Kronek nods as the pass the smithy, "Mostly farming tools Xanthippe? Or weapons and armor too?"
Moving on Kronek takes a good look over the Apothecary as she pauses, then follows her through the door, stooping to pass under the frame.
"Normal statue," Geedra agrees with the villager. "Boring statue," she nods to the Kellid.
She waits for the others before entering the Apothecary, knowing a goblin trudging in would raise an eyebrow.
"Horseshoes, tools, nails, repairs...father was an adventurer and a military man, so he knows how to make weapons and armor, too, just not much need for it here. He does have a few things stocked for sale, though!"
"Might have a look once we're done here at the Apothecary. Pretty pleased with my bardiche and axe, but I admire good work as much as the next warrior. Any of you other three coming? You were the ones in such a rush to see this man."
"Yes, the statue seems unremarkable." Cara says, agreeing with Geedra's assessment.
She hurries her steps to catch up with others, pausing a moment to take a long look at the apothecary much as Kronek did. "The proprietor is also an Elf, hopefully that will bode well." She thinks aloud before moseying inside.
Asgrid knocks on the statue's knee, half expecting a kick from the statue in response. After a few minutes of looking around, she is ready to move on to the apothecary. Suddenly from the corner of her eye she registers movement. She whirls around, staring intently at one of the buildings. "Did any of you see something back there?" She turns back to the group, looking a bit shaken. "Let's go."
Perception check
"Geedra see nothing. What Asgrid see?
The goblin follows Cara into the store. "A pop I kari," she laughs. The human tongue was so strange.
As you enter Willowbark Apothecary, you are hit with a cavalcade of aromas. There are dried roots and herbs and plants hanging on the walls and from the ceiling, and the wooden shelves that fill the shop are fully stocked with jars, pouches, urns, and bottles containing everything from medicine to tea, incense to fertilizer. Xanthippe steps aside to let you fill the room, and you see three people standing behind the counter on the far side of the shop near an open door that leads further in.
One is obviously the proprietor of the establishment, an elven woman of middling age. She has light brown hair tied away from her face and her eyes are full of blue-grey. She has a very sullen look about her. A tall human man with jet black hair and beard stands next to her with his muscular arms folded at his chest. Dressed in soot-stained, sturdy clothes, you assume this to be Xanthippe's father, the smith. An older human woman rounds out the trio, shorter than the other two with dark brown hair half given away to grey. She is dressed cleanly in a simple blue dresswith lacework about the bodice, and you mark her for someone of station.
They all turn to regard you as you enter. The man's eyes first go to Xanthippe and then sweep to the rest of you. The human woman looks almost anxious, and the elven lady seems to hardly notice you.
"Xanthippe, what are you doing here?" the man asks.
"Was at the Stoat and came across these travelers, father. They wanted to come see about the kidnapped lady. They're explorers and have weapons and all, maybe they could help."
"I had heard that there were visitors in town, armed and armored," the human woman remarks. "To be honest I was probably going to come find you myself on the morrow, but it seems as though you've come of your own accord. I am Ionnia Teppen, of the Heldren Town Council. This is Isker Euphram, our smith and captain of the militia. And this is Tessaraea Willowbark, who owns this shop. I'm sure you've heard about the strange goings on here - the winter that has taken over the Border Wood, and all that has come with it. The rumors are all true, I'm afraid, and from what we have heard from both hunters and the mercenary, there are beings in the Wood now that could mean to harm the good folk of Heldren. To be frank, we can barely muster a militia large enough to protect our own square, despite Isker's efforts. If you are willing to brave such dangers and find out what is causing all of this madness, Heldren would be quite grateful. And, of course, locating the Lady Argentea is of utmost importance. I'm afraid Heldren has little to offer you if you were to undertake this task, but Argentea, on the other hand, I'm sure would be able to reward you for her rescue.
I understand that I ask much of you and tell you little, but I know little myself. If you would like to speak to Yuln, the ulfen that survived the attack in the Wood, you may do so. He is conscious now, but still very weak." The councilor breathes deeply as she finishes and looks even more anxious when she does.
I usually don't like to get involved in such things, but these poor humans obviously need some help.
Cara is quiet for a moment as she considers Ionnia's plea for help, then nods, "I would be happy to look into it for you, although I cannot speak for my companions." Her gaze hovers over Tessaraea before continuing, "If Yuln is well enough to speak, that would be helpful, yes. Could you tell us the extent of his injuries?"
Geedra is transfixed by the knick knacks on the shelves. She was opening the vials, inhaling deeply, shaking the bags filled with powder, and generally having a great time. Without looking at the villagers gathered therein, the goblin replies to them. "Geedra need gold. Any gold if Geedra help? Or maybe food, drink, and neat powders," she says still shaking the bag of alchemical items.
Asgrid is surprised to find herself feeling so uncomfortable in the apothecary's shop. She tried delving her thoughts to find what was discomfiting her. Perhaps it was because she was still disturbed by what she thought she saw outside. There's no way it could have followed her all the way here to Heldren, could it? She left it behind ages ago! Right?
Maybe, it was discovering that the apothecary was another elf. Asgrid hadn't come across many elves, even in her travels south, and didn't the tales always depict cunning elves ganging up to outwit dwarves? She watched Cara from out of the corner of her eye, looking to see if the two were conspiring together. I mean, travelling with one elf, fine, fine. But two?
Perhaps the real reason was, that the room with its vials and mixtures reminded Asgrid of her time with the witches, and the things they did to her in the name of "helping" her. Memories she'd rather not dredge up, and a large part of the reason why she was here, so far from home. Asgrid realizes that she's been following along behind Geedra, making sure the lotions and potions are put back in correct places, and that the stoppers and lids are tight. "Hey! Put that back. No, not there, here! Don't wave that around - you don't know what it might do!"
Asgrid turns to the townsfolk. "We'd be happy to help if we can. As Cara said, maybe Yuln can give us some details about Argentea's trouble." If they lead the group to see Yuln, Asgrid drags Geedra along if she doesn't come away immediately, yanking her away from the baubles before something blows up.
"Fire fun, Asgrid. Bet these things make good fire, you know.". Geedra sticks out her tongue at the dwarf as she had all the interesting items out back in their respective spots.
Tessaraea looks on impassively at Asgrid and Geedra as they fiddle with her wares. It is difficult to tell whether or not she is perturbed by it. After a few moments of watching, she returns her eyes to the councilor as she continues speaking.
"Yuln was the victim of several injuries...he may do well to praise all that gods that he yet lives. He took cuts and arrows and some hard falls or harder ice, and his fingers, nose, and toes have taken to frostbite. Our local priest, Elder Safander, and Tessaraea have been seeing to him. He got to town just in time, any longer might have killed him."
Isker the smith grunts and nods. "I've seen fighters take half as many wounds and die in less time. He's no slouch, that's for true. He won't be up and about on his own any time soon though."
"As for gold...Heldren has no coins to spare, but as I said, perhaps the Lady Argentea will find herself with loose purse strings in response to a rescue. If it is food and drink you want, then I will be happy to supply you with such. And I am sure miss Willowbark would be able to work out a discount or some such for your aiding the village. Now, come this way, and we will show you to Yuln."
The councilor waves you forward and walks through the door beyond, leading into a storeroom of sorts with a small flight of stairs leading up and cutting away out of view. She walks up, and Isker and Tessaraea follow you as you follow Teppen. Upstairs is a small apartment with bedchamber, kitchen, and sitting room. The rooms here look quite like a continuation of the downstairs, however, with more jars and bottles littering the place, as well as herbs hanging about. Bookshelves can also be seen, stocked with tomes of varying size and thickness.
Over in the bedchamber, an old man in clerical robes stoops over the bed, which holds the large ulfen frame of Yuln. The bearded, bald headed man turns to regard you, and nods at the group with tired eyes. "The travelers. All right, but not too many questions. Mister Oerstag is still weak."
"Bah! Piss on that," comes the gruff voice from the bed. Yuln throws the blankets off of him and stands. The mercenary certainly has seen better days. The bit of his face that isn't masked by his long, thick mane of white-blond, braided hair or full, bushy, and also-braided beard shows signs of a brutal fight. His nose looks broken in two and black as pitch, he lacks a few teeth, and cuts are on display on forehead and cheek.
"Yuln, these are traveling...well, mercenaries, I suppose. They have agreed to go reclaim Lady Argentea," says the councilor. At that, Yuln pushes forward as swiftly as a man in his condition can muster.
"Would that I could go with you! My ancestors would ridicule my lack of valor for fleeing rather than fighting to the end...but I faced enemies that even the greatest warriors in the Linnorm Kingdoms have faltered against...I even slew at least one or two of them before they dragged Lady Argentea away...I think. If you've come for information, I am ready to give it! Anything to make those cold bastards pay."
"Cold? What you fight? Where fight happen," the goblin questions the warrior as best as she could manage. She'd get back to the offer of food and drink after the business was concluded.
Tessaraea must be one of the forlorn ones. A pity she seems so removed, but at least she's helpful to these people.
Cara follows the group up to the bedchamber, and is visibly surprised when she lays eye on the Ulfen man's sorry state. She quickly regains her composure and offers a friendly smile at his somewhat effervescent manner when greeting them, "Greetings Mr. Oerstag, we're glad to hear you survived your ordeal and are willing to assist us with information. Geedra's questions about cover what we'd like to know: what you can tell us about the cold, what adversaries you fought and where. Also, I'm interested in Lady Argentea's business in the forest, perhaps it could explain why she was taken."
Asgrid grunts agreements with Geedra's and Cara's questions. "I agree. Where was the Lady Argentea traveling to? Why so many guards? Surely, if she had Ulfen guards escorting her, just one or two would have been sufficient for taking care of you average bandits." She winks at the warrior, trying to put him at ease. Asgrid also glances at the priest, curious as to what faiths are prevalent in the area.
Yuln pushes his fingers through his ample beard, mulling over the questions for a moment, his eyes lingering warily on Asgrid and Geedra, almost as if he is pondering the two.
"Where to start, where to start. We were traveling through the road because that is the route to take. We went through the Border Wood a bit more than a fortnight past, to Zimar. Wasn't any snow or cold or nothing then. And aye, regular bandits weren't the problem - we did for them easily enough, but then their gods-damned allies showed up...bastard winter-touched! Cold fey from the far north, from my homelands. The battle turned against us then, and quickly. My people speak of these creatures often, but I never knew they would ever be so far south...Some of you have a northern air about you, I can tell. Might be you know of the Winter War, might be some of you don't. Well, all you need to know is that in the Winter War, the White Witches... His face is usurped by a look of hatred and he spits on the floor at his feet. ...attacked us with their armies of these cold fey and worse things and stole a part of our ancient lands...frigid whores, the winter witches. Slavers and cruel ones at that. They took our lands and enslaved our people and made their own the rulers. The White Witches and their caste of jadwiga still make slaves of them - my kith and kin! Bah! Anyway, that happened a long time ago, but like I said, the winter touch...small sprites, mostly, no bigger than an arm, but don't let them fool you. Legend says they've taken a sliver of ice into their hearts and have been given great powers by their winter witch masters. I don't know what they are doing here or why they've given this land a taste of the north, or why they took the Lady Argentea, but if winter witches are behind it - which they are! - then no good can come of it...no good at all. The winter-touched do nothing without the say of the White Witches. If they're here, White Witches sent them, and worse will follow."
What would witches in the north want with southern Taldor?
Cara looks perplexed and troubled by Yuln's story, "If what you say is true, I can see why the people of this village need our help. I do not have any experience with these creatures, what can you tell us about their strengths and weaknesses?"
"How white witch fey get down here? Strange. Was human Lady doing anything bad," she mutters a question.
Hope goblins from north not follow too...
Those who look see the giant Kellid man grow pale at the first mention of the winter-touched. His eyes take on a haunted cast and he listens to the Ulfen's tale with rapt interest. Cara, look at this man. This is what they do. They leave you frozen...or dead... His voice trails off.
This is bad. Bad, bad, bad.
Asgrid was in no mood to meet up with the winter witches again. Even worse, fey were not her friends. Still, this sure sounded like trouble, and the Lady Argentea was definitely going to need rescuing if the witches are involved. "Alright. Yuln, could you remember any landmarks, that we could find where you were ambushed?" Asgrid also turns to the townsfolk. "Would you have a map of the Border Wood that we could borrow? I can't speak for everyone, but this Argentea sounds like she needs help. And Heldren is a nice town; I wouldn't want to see any harm come to it if I can help it. Anyone else?" Asgrid looks around at Geedra and the others.
Kronek still looks shaken, "If it is the witches, I am not sure. But, I will go with you at least as far as the sight of this battle. Bandits I will fight...and the winter-touched." He seems less sure of the latter.
It is clear that the others have had some experience with these things before, and Kronek seems obviously hesitant to do so once again, but since she is still a young woman in Elf years, Cara suffers from a sense of invulnerability, ”Pooling our skills and knowledge together, I am certain we can get to the bottom of things.”
Grinning slightly, she looks to the Kellid, ”Oh come now, Kronek, you did say you wanted a good story, right?”
"Lady human have much gold? She be happy for to be saved. Maybe give gold to Geedra. And others..."
Yuln lights up a bit at your willingness to help his cause, though he looks at Cara with a dark face of stone when she asks just how to combat the winter-touched.
"With cold iron and burning flame. Hack them and set them afire. Turn them to bloody pools of severed limbs and ashes. And if you find a White Witch, pray you can get close enough to do either, and give her no time to work her vile magic."
He shakes off his sudden grimness and looks to Geedra with an arched brow when she inquires about Lady Argentea's honor. "Mind your tongue about the good lady! Of course she was doing nothing bad. Lady Argentea is a good woman, I'll tell you. I mean, she's a Taldan noble, so she's a good bit brash and proud, but I respect that. We were simply on our way back from a meeting with folks in Zimar, and that's all. When Yuln looks to Kronek, a look of knowing passes between them, and the ulfen man gives a stiff nod to the kellid.
"I've no map - the trail to Zimar is plain enough, goes right along the wood. They took the Lady deep into the snow, beyond that I don't know. The closer you get to the center of the forest, the colder and more snowy it gets, so I'd guess there. I imagine the wreckage is still there, right on the road. And here..." Yuln reaches down next to the bed, struggling to lean over but doing so nonetheless. He jiggles something free from a pile of gear and stands back up, turning and extending his arm, presenting you with a sheathed longsword in a fine wood-and-leather scabbard. "A good blade of cold iron. You can borrow this - it would be good to know that mine own sword was used to slay these bastard frozen devils." After handing over the sword, he looks to Kronek. "Aye, there is no real shame in fearing the winter-touched...though I hold shame in fleeing the fight. But that is my burden. As far as a reward, that's not for me to say, but as I said, Lady Argentea is a good woman. I'm sure she will give you a worthy prize for her life."
"Gift for Geedra?" the goblin asks as she sees one of the others take the sword. When she sees no additional gifts forthcoming, she sulks a bit. "Maybe Lady human give better gift anyway."
Kronek turns a fierce stare on Cara "Stories only get told by those who come back."
When the Ulfen man continues Kronek turns back to him and finds himself nodding about the Lady even before Yuln fixes an eye on him. A warming surge of pride fills him at the Ulfen's silent look of understanding.
Kronek accepts the blade on behalf of the group, turning it over slowly and then partially sliding it from the scabbard and running a calloused thumb along the edge. "A fine blade Yuln. And one we will need if we are to succeed in rescuing your charge. Thank you. I would not shame a northern brother-in-arms who has shared in battle against those frozen horrors by refusing his bequest."
The poor human's past is coming back to haunt him, I hope he stays true to our task.
Cara shrugs at Kronek's statement to her, and then listens carefully to Yuln. When the sword is offered, she cocks an eyebrow as Kronek accepts it as his own, "As long as you're going to put that sword to good use, I have no issue with you being the one who uses it. I prefer to shoot my enemies from a distance."
Her attention then turns back to the frost-bitten Ulfen man, "Thank you for the information, Yuln. We will do our best to find and return Lady Argentea."
"Speaking of fire," Asgrid turns to regard the group, "anyone here happen to be a pyromancer?" Not seeing anyone speak up, Asgrid shrugs. "No? Nevermind. What about you?" Asgrid nods to Tessarea. "Would you have anything here that actually does blow up, or burn like fire? As you can see, we may be a bit light on gold, would you be willing to donate to our excursion?"
Geedra's eyes go wide as the dwarf asks about flame causing reagents. "Yes elf lady....fire am good sometime for others.Can elf give Fire? Geedra not want fire, though. Might burn Geedra. Like Poog said."
Yuln nods to Kronek. "My father's blade, and his father's before him. It has tasted the blood of many a foul creature, and it should not get thirsty because I lay idle in a bed! And hunter, if you plan on using a bow in that forest, take heed...the wind and snow make both sight and marksmanship a bother. Anyway, I've told you all I know. I should be going back into the wood myself, but the old priest and the elf woman won't let me leave the room...and ancestors shame me, I can't stop them!"
At the mention of fire, Tessaraea's ears perk a bit and she looks out at you. "I have an ample supply of alchemist's fire," she says dully, nearly in a monotone. "It should serve. At fortune's whim, I happen also to have an enchanted potion that would inure the imbiber to the effects of cold. Otherwise, take a look to see if there is anything you might need...I suppose I could discount the prices, to a degree..."
As she trails off, councilor Teppen cuts in.
"Thank you, Tessaraea, I will see about picking up the difference with the council's funds. Further, the village opens its doors to you for as long as you're staying; fear not for food, drink, nor a warm bed. I can quarter you at my own manor, or the temple has empty rooms if you'd prefer. The sun is setting and I wouldn't want you going into the Wood in the night."
"I believe I will do some shopping then get some sleep. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."
Asgrid preferred the atmosphere of the Silver Stoat, but didn't quite fancy sleeping on the floor any more than she had to. The dwarf is delighted with the offered discount; even so, the unfortunate state of her funds at the moment meant that she couldn't afford much even with the discount. She selects a small flask of acid, looking innocuous in its glass phial. "Thank you for the offer of goods. I think I will take this. As for a place to sleep tonight, if the temple of Gozreh has rooms then that's fine by me." she says, nodding at the priest and noting the holy symbol hung worn at his chest.
Geedra also buys a flask of acid, not able to afford more than that. "Geedra throw acid at fey! Burn them real good! Yes, sleep tonight would be good. Explore tomorrow.," the goblin adds as she stashed her acid flask.
Tessaraea nods, absent-minded as you purchase your flasks of acid. Soon enough the gathered townsfolk depart for their homes for the night, though the Elder priest stays behind to keep an eye on Yuln.
For those bedding in the temple, you find it to be a simple yet welcoming place. Though it is primarily a place of Erastil, there are small shrines to Gozreh, Pharasma, Abadar, and Sarenrae. From your travels throughout Taldor, you have come to know that the Taldan government typically maintains quite an intolerant stance on the worship of Sarenrae, but such animosity is not shared by Heldren. Indeed, upon arriving at the temple you meet Elder Safander's wife, a Qadiran woman named Zaarida who follows the Dawnflower's theology. Truly, Heldren is a welcoming place. You are accorded empty chambers off of the main building - simple resting rooms with bed, footlocker, and end table, but the beds are warm and soft enough.
Cara's shopping trip could have gone better, but it isn't a total loss. She's able to pick up a cold-weather outfit her size at the general store and some alchemist fire from Tessaraea. When inquiring about cold iron arrows, she instead is directed to some cold iron sling bullets. Iskar offers to recast them, but, since the time frame was nebulous, she just buys the bullets and a sling.
After taking a nibble of something at the tavern, she beds down at the multi-faith temple.
Geedra follows the others to the temple. A chance to sleep indoors might not happen for a long time, so she wasn't about to not sleep in the warmth. Just because the cold didn't bother her as badly as most didn't mean it was pleasant, after all.
Geedra laid down in the nice warm building with her stomach still full of steak, and quickly fell to sleep. Never this good in tribe. Geedra smart to leave, and maybe gold tomorrow!" she thought as sleep washed over her.
Ha, sorry, for some reason in my previous post I referred to the priest as following Gozreh instead of Erastil. Must not have been firing on full thrusters that night! Suppose it could have been worse, could have mentioned him being a priest of Rovagug and all...
Asgrid spends the evening preparing her gear for their little journey and getting some rest. Being in a temple, she also spends some time in contemplation and prayer. Asgrid would fit in well in Heldren: she also pays reverence to a variety of deities. She pays particular homage and reverence to Gozreh and Pharasma: she's never been sure from whom her powers have come from, but she suspects those two might have had a hand in it. She also says a prayer of thanks to Erastil, for shelter.
Kronek scowls a bit at Tessaraea's mention of the enchanted potion, then remembers similar draughts prepared by tribal bloodspeakers. Before leaving the apothecary, he accepts the offer and purchases the potion before retiring to Erastil's church where he sleeps restlessly dreaming of the clawed hands of witches reaching out on the frozen wind to clutch and claw at his arms and legs.
You find yourselves awake at dawn, whether you choose to rise that early or not. Elder Safander's Qadiran wife rouses the entirety of the temple with a loud, upbeat song in praise to Sarenrae bringing forth the day once more. Your task lies ahead of you: investigate the Border Wood for any traces of Lady Argentea, the bandits and winter-touched, and perhaps find the cause of this sudden winter. You know that the warm rays of the sun that lance through the windows of the temple will soon be gone as you venture into the snowy forest.
Geedra hops up with a start. She was ready to go on the lookout for some gold! She quickly dressed, and gathered her belongings. She went and knocked on the doors to the areas the others were staying in. "Get up! Geedra am ready to get gold! It am time to go!"
