Woodsmoke's Reign of Winter

Game Master Woodsmoke

"I am Kronek. While I was born in the lands to your east, we come from the far south through a portal that we must close. We saw the storm and had hoped to make our way to your village before we heard the sounds of your fight. Let's go."

Geedra knew that she probably wouldn't make the best first impression on the villagers, so she pulled her hood tightly over her head and walked behind Kronek.

That's funny. Kronek is so used to Geedra now I find him thinking why wouldn't Geedra make a good impression.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, I am Cara." The elf introduces herself with a slight curtsey, "Any break from this frigid cold would be a godsend. It is good to finally meet good natured folk again, and not witches or fey trying to kill us."

They may be human, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt at least until I can feel my fingertips again.

Catching her breath, Asgrid discovers that she can speak normally again, so she makes a polite introduction in Skald to Nadya and her friends. She's glad of the prospect of someplace warm. She reigns in Grugkt and reminds him to be on his best behaviour.

"A portal? Strange! Southerners, you say? You must be a long way from home.." At mention of the white witches and fey, Nadya's expression turns sour. Her voice lowers considerably. "There are few who can say otherwise about the jadwiga and their allies...but be careful. In Irrisen, their eyes and ears are everywhere. If you have gotten on the foul side of the jadwiga - which is near enough the only side they have - and survived, than I am impressed. But for now, let us get moving. Waldsby is not far, but we will need to camp for the night soon."

After the battle and your introductions with Nadya, the native band leads the way down the hill with you following. The four men seem to be particularly wary of you, but the woman Nadya seems much more open to your presence, smiling as she walks. Down and around the hill you come upon five dogsleds and fifteen stout, thick-coated black-and-white dogs. Despite there not being a teamster nearby, the dogs are neatly corralled, lying in the snow, with no apparent desires to run off. Several of them hop up and bark happily at the sight of their human companions. You see that the dogsleds seem to be carrying a good bit of supplies in sacks and crates, covered by blankets.

Nadya chuckles as she wades in among the canines, and the four men check to make sure everything is in order from the trip. As the dogs sense you, a few bark, a few growl, and others come to sniff at you when you get close enough. Geedra is none too happy about this development, and the dogs seem to sense the fact that she thinks ill of them, for many seem most earnest to get near her.

"They are good dogs, don't worry" Nadya assures, scratching one behind the ears. "Find a spot on a sled, and we will get moving."

Also, feel free to elevate yourselves to level 3!

"Bad dog! Dog am want to eat Geedra and Fox! Lady, Geedra and Fox am to ride in that sled," the goblin announces, pointing to Nadya's sled. "Lady keep dogs back!"

Kronek grins at Geedra's "love" of dogs, "Geedra. I think these dogs will be all right. I'm sure they have worked very hard to train them." Kronek clambers into a different sled, making sure to leave Nadya's sled to Geedra and Fox.

"We thank you for your hospitality, Nadya." Cara says with a brief smile as she boards one of the other 3 sleds not already chosen by her companions.

I'll try to get leveling up done in the next couple of days.

Despite the situation, Asgrid is relieved about the prospect of going somewhere warm with a proper bed. She looks over to Grugkt and moves up to the eidolon, patting him softly on the shoulder. "Alright, big guy. I've kept you here more than long enough. You should go home. Go on, go, hunt. If you're so determined to stick with me then I'll call you back. I promise." Grugkt returns the gesture with a slap on the shoulder that knocks the dwarf off her feet. He makes a whuffling, laughing sort of a noise before disappearing, back to wherever it is amongst the planes that eidolons come from.

Asgrid picks herself up out of the snow, flicking some off her shoulders. "Yep. Just like old times." She heads over to one of the dog sleds and addresses the driver in Skald. "Hail! Are you Bjorn, or Harald? My, but you're a big strapping lad, aren't you? I'm Asgrid, Asgrid Hjalterskell. Mind if I tag along?"

Nadya laughs as Geedra as she scrambles towards the lead sled, waving her hands dismissively. "Now, now...these are good dogs. They won't be eating any, little one. Fear not." Nadya gets into the dogsled herself, fastening her hat back tightly to her head. If she has any negative feelings toward Geedra being a goblin, she is masterful at hiding it. As the rest of you get onto other sleds, the other ulfen watch you. It is obvious that they are not used to seeing outsiders and seem apprehensive, despite your assistance in the battle with the mantis. Still, they seem to take the lead of Nadya in action if not in temperament, and grant you access to their sleds. The man who had been knocked into unconsciousness by the mantis is still out, lying across one of the other sleds. The men have worked to double up the vacant sled with another to tow it along.

After you have settled into the sleds, the men at least attempt to introduce themselves. All four (five, including the unfortunate Bjorn), are wearing leathers and furs of brown, grey, and white, along with heavy caps wit flaps down over their ears, and scarves around their necks and mouths. It is difficult to ascertain much about them, other than the fact that they all stand around six feet in height and appear to have beards.

When Kronek gets into a sled, its driver clears his throat and nods, and then noticing the kellid's size and strength up close, does his part to stand straighter and broaden his shoulders. He says in Skald, "I am Rolf. You fight with great might. Your ancestors must have been very strong. We trade with Elkheart Tribe on border with Mammoth Lord lands...are you of them?"

Asgrid sends Grugkt back to whatever plane from whence he came, and moves to another sled. A few of the ulfen can't help but watch as he vanishes, exchanging suspicious glances.

When she speaks to the driver of her chosen dogsled, the man looks a bit disgruntled. In Skald, "I am Harald...Bjorn is there, ravaged by wounds from strange creature. You also have strange creature...it is said that the white witches and their allies can command great and terrible beasts from beyond.."

When Cara climbs up into another sled, the last driver, Olavi, seems to be watching her a bit more intently than the others were. After Cara gets into the sled and catches his glance, he clears his throat and fumbles with his mush-whip, gaze locked unwavering and forward after that.

After you all are suitably gathered up in the sleds, Nadya leads the caravan on. With a jolt, the dogs start running forward, kicking up a swirl of snow as they rush down the hill. For the rest of you, this is something quite different than a wagon or cart ride on a southern road. After the initial jolt of the departure here, the thin rails of the dogsleds over cutting over the snow is a smooth procedure, you almost feel like you are gliding.

After descending the hill the land levels flat and continues on, though the distance, dim light of the village seems painfully far for how cold it is, and how dark it is getting.

Everyone apart from please make Fortitude Saves, cold weather outfit bonuses included.

Kronek had been working on trying to understand the other men since the fight. He'd picked up a few words of Skald back from the rare traders that crossed the border of Irrisen and the Realm of the Mammoth Lords. Now, with the man addressing him, he concentrates on the man's words. Not understanding it all, he picks up the idea that the man is complimenting him on his fighting and that he knows the Elkheart tribe. "Harald. My Skald not good." he manages to roughly say. "Thank you for words. I am Kronek. Yes Mammoth Lords. No Elkheart. My clan is Raptorscale. Good to meet you. Should we heal your man?" he gestures toward the man that is being trundled onto the sled for the return to the village.

Fort save vs. Cold + Outfit + Endurance: 1d20 + 4 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 5 + 4 = 32

"Hmm, this weather isn't as bad as I thought." Cara says to herself as she enjoys the new experience of a dogsled ride. The human's initial gaze doesn't bother her, as she's very used to that reaction by now. She does not drop her guard, however, keeping her bow in easy reach in case of trouble.

Oh and I'm assuming the "apart from" was a reference to Kronek.

I was figuring it was Geedra, actually, Kronek, what with her winter witch goodies. If not,

Fort save 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Kronek has a constant endure elements from the cloak of the yeti.

Lol, Geedra has that too! Cold Flesh (Ex)--At 1st level, a winter witch gains endure elements as a constant spell-like ability, but only against cold temperatures. Maybe the DM meant both you and I were excluded?

I'm betting Woodsmoke meant to go back and double check which of us were covered and forgot ;-)

Actually, I changed my mind on that sentence structure so when I cut and pasted the middle bit to the beginning I apparently didn't copy enough words!

Rolf responds to Kronek - "I do not know these Raptorscales. Nadya did much work to make trade with the Elkhearts. I heard you say you battle the jadwiga. I give you great respect for that. If more of our kellid neighbors had that idea...perhaps my people might reclaim their land with such aid. You keep strange company, Kronek of the Raptorscales. Small women. But I saw they fight well. Must be strong like Nadya."

At mention of healing, Rolf perks up. "You have healing powers, to put Bjorn back on his feet?"

"They do fight well Rolf. Maybe we can help provide a spark to your own resistance. The shortest one is like a hornet. Quick and with sharp stings that weaken our foes. So quick you don't even see them. The dwarf does have the gift of healing. She may be able to heal your friend if her gift is not exhausted today. She also has a friend who you may have seen run off. A beast of the snow and ice like how I look with my hood up. The elf is an archer. Deadly accurate with her arrows. We have made a good team."

Fort save (with cold outfit bonus: 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 1 + 4 = 24 - Asgrid's endure elements spell should still be in effect, as it lasts for 24 hours. Why didn't I use it sooner?

Asgrid scowls back at Harald, continuing to speak in Skald. "I am no jadwiga. I was buried by an avalanche when I was young, surviving it gave me some strange powers. One of them's being able to call my friend, Grugkt. To be honest, I'm not really sure how it works. But you'll like him once you get to know him." She cancels the ice armor trick, the icy spikes melting away to water so as not to poke her companion. "So, anyway I'm sorry I got you and Bjorn mixed up, it's hard to tell who's who under those furs. Still, I admire a man with a beard! You're friend over there, Bjorn, is he going to be alright? When we stop I'll see if I can summon up enough energy to heal him some." When Rolf shouts across to her about healing his fallen comrade, she shouts back, "I'll see what I can do!"

As soon as the group stops in Waldsby, Asgrid casts cure light wounds on the unconscious Bjorn, having been drawing together the last of her spell energy.

CLW spell: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Oracle Spells
0 (at will) - guidance x3, detect magic x2
1 (4/day) - cure light wounds x4
Summoner Spells
0 (at will) - acid splash x 2
1 (2/day)- lesser rejuvenate eidolon x2

HP 15/15 (including 2 nonlethal damage)

Effects in play
Endure Elements

Harald stiffens his face and looks to the path ahead, growing silent. It is difficult to say whether or not he regrets his words or you just put him in his place. Nevertheless, he does not speak on Grugkt or your magic anymore. His eyes snap back to you when you speak of healing Bjorn, and his features relax. He looks down, clearing his throat. "I-...uh...th-thank you. He is my cousin. I...my thanks."

As you travel, you notice that the supplies in the caravan seem to be mostly foodstuffs - salted meat, primarily - but also a few stashes of pelts and furs.

It isn't long before the already dark skies grow darker and night falls across the frozen land. You have not yet made it to Waldsby, the village seemingly still a forever's march away as it sits taunting on the horizon. As the world dims and the temperatures descend, the winds pick up and the snow falls. Far ahead in the gloom, you can see the storm already sweeping across the land in fury. Nadya calls a halt to the caravan and points westward, and all five sleds make an arc in that direction, rounding the slope of another lightly forested hill. As the dogsleds pull to a stop, Nadya disembarks and waves.

"We will camp here for the night, travelers. It is growing too cold and too windy to continue, I fear, and the dogs need their rest. If we wait out the storm here, it mayhaps may pass east before we meet it, so all the better. Olavi, unload some wood and get a fire going! Harald, Rolf, get out some furs and food for our guests." Nadya doles out the orders as she scratches one of her dogs behind the ears. Removing her hat, she tosses it onto the sled and shakes loose her long red braids. You notice that the piled sleds have made a windwall against the side of the hill, doing a fair job at diverting the gales within the campsite.

Soon, Olavi has a fire going in the center, bringing a welcome warmth to everyone's tired bones. Asgrid uses a bit of her divine energy to resuscitate the downed Bjorn, and he wakes with a start, grabbing for his spear until he realizes where he is.

"You took a hard fall, cousin," Harald tells him, bracing his shoulder. "Praise your ancestors it was not enough to kill you."

Bjorn reaches up and grips Asgrid's wrist with his gloved hand. "Blessings upon you. You have my thanks." He is still a bit roughed up, obviously a bit weak, but in good spirits. After Asgrid heals Bjorn, the other ulfen men seem to open up to your presence a bit more, showing more gratitude than before for all you've done.

Around the fire, you are offered bits of dried meat and hard cheese. Nothing lavish, but enough to calm your stomachs. They also heat some ale over the fire and pass it around as well.

"So," Nadya says after a swig of ale. "You must tell us more of how you came to be here, if you would. If you come from the south, as you say, how did you find yourselves in battle with the jadwiga?"

Feel free to do as you will at the campsite. All of your traveling companions are much more receptive to you at this point.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Knowledge (geography): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"Ahem." Cara says during the meal, appearing slightly uncomfortable for whatever reason, "Long story short, the ruler of this land is attempting to further her influence throughout the world through magical portals that transfer this supernatural winter to other lands. We encountered one of these portals in Taldor and we're attempting to close it from this side. If you have any information to share about that, it might be a great boon to our task."

The ulfen all exchange glances nervously, some of them look away while Nadya fidgets with one of her braids. "The Pale Tower..." she says quietly, almost as if saying the name too loudly would invoke some terrible repercussion. "I am not surprised that the jadwiga would try such a thing, Elvanna least of all. If you seek something important and think it to be nearby...the Pale Tower is your destination. It is not far from Waldsby. A few hours. A white witch commands the local area from there. Nazhena...one of Elvanna's daughters or granddaughters or something like that. The jadwiga age slow. Nazhena is...a terrible woman. Her guards keep a tight grip on Waldsby and other villages around. Me and the boys here manage to keep most of their ire away by giving the guards food and other goods we manage to trade for. Food and supplies that could better serve Waldsby, but it does its work..." her voice trails off and she grows tentative, not sure if she could continue.

"These sleds of supplies...we just traded for them with the kellid on the border. I mean to take them to the Pale Tower as a tribute in exchange...for my daughter. Nazhena took her from me for the silliest of slights...she is only a little girl. I...I know your task is important...if the white witches want to do to the rest of the world what they did to our ancestors a thousand years ago....they must be stopped but perhaps I could beg of you to wait until I reclaim my daughter? Please...if you were to do anything to draw the anger of Nazhena or her people...they will not hesitate in using my poor girl in retaliation."

She looks up, a few small tears beginning to well up in her eyes. Rolf puts his hand on her shoulder and gives it a pat, shaking his head while he looks at the ground, angry and sad. The other three look at you, wondering what you will say.

Kronek nods sadly, "We would not stand between you and your daughter. We know this Pale Tower is where we need to go. There is some source of magic there that we need to destroy. Perhaps we should go with you when you make your exchange? It might give us a way to make sure she gets out safely and it would help us to judge the defenses of this stronghold."

Geedra pulls Fox near to her as they sat around the fire, wanting to be sure the dogs didn't get to either of them as they snacked on their jerky.

Perception 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Know. Local 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Geedra wasn't the most empathetic sort, but she would want the mother to get her daughter back if possible, and if they were lucky the woman could help them too.

"Lady am able to get group to Pale Tower? Lady know way around? If Geedra help lady, lady help group?"

"We will not do anything to endanger your daughter until you have an opportunity to get her back safely, but I must agree with Kronek, allowing us to escort you would be the safest course. These creatures cannot be trusted in the least."

Asgrid is quiet for a long while, touched by the plight of Nadya and her daughter. Eventually she looks up and addresses the Ulfen. "Nadya, what does your daughter look like? Do you have any ideas how we can get her out?"

Nadya smiles and breathes a sigh of relief as you agree to help reclaim her daughter. She eases up a little and smiles again when Asgrid asks what she looks like. "My Thora...a beautiful girl already. She looks much like her late father and nothing like me. Hair as yellow as butter and eyes as blue as a frozen lake. None of my freckles, either, just smooth wonderful skin. My boys take after me, though. Red hair and all. I cannot give you tanks enough for agreeing to my plea. I can't leave her to suffer in the hands of the white witches."

"Yeah, yeah, group to help Lady. Save child, bring back all happy and stuff. How am Lady help group with Pale Tower though? Secret ways in or out maybe?"

"I don't know much about the Pale Tower other than where it is, really.. Never seen the inside. Never wanted to. It is guarded, of course, but as to whether or not there are other ways in, once we get to Waldsby -"

Nadya is cut off as Rolf reaches out and grabs her shoulder as he stands, pointing out into the gloom beyond the camp. "Someone comes," he says.

The others turn to look in the direction he has indicated. You can see a single figure moving towards the camp, and then a voice ring out over the wind in Skald.

"Ho, travelers!" You place it as a female voice, sharp and crisp. "No cause for alarm. Might I impose upon you for a spell, to share your fire and perchance partake in your meal? I fear I have no coin nor goods to offer, but I can share a song or a story, both if you'd like!"

As the figure gains the glow of the firelight, the image presented to you is strange. The woman has hairless blue skin and a lithe, supple form. Her legs twist and end in those of a goat, however, and her head sports a pair of horns curving outward above her ears. A tumble of blue-black hair falls down around her bare shoulders, lustrous as spilled ink.. Clothed in what looks to be a fancy evening dress of dark blue, strapless and slit up to the thigh, she does not appear to be affected by the climate. A fine but simple cloak of white is fastened about her neck above a beautiful necklace of interlocking gems, but the hood is down. A single pack hangs from her back.

She smiles as she appears before you. "Even to those of us inured to the cold, the wind grows most unpleasant and the trek most tiring."

Nadya's eyes snap to you four, and she gives you a stern look as only a mother could, as if to say let me handle this. She stands and adjusts her self, holding out a hand invitingly to the fire.

"Of course, traveler. Find a spot before the fire and sup with us."

The newcomer bows low and glides forward, finding a spot between Olavi and Harald. The both fidget a bit uncomfortably and put a slight inch of distance between themselves and the woman. She reaches out and grabs a piece of the meat you've been eating and sighs blissfully.

"Many thanks, friends. It has been a long road." As she takes a bite, she looks around the assembly and her eyes pause on your foursome. Her smile widens. She speaks to you in Common. "My, you certainly aren't locals! And what an interesting group of folk!"

Nadya, perhaps too quickly, responds. "Wayward merchants lost in the storm, forced them right off their route through the mountains. We've offered them a trip to our village to resupply and return home."

The strange woman gives a long look to Nadya. "I see. How fortunate that they met you all instead of someone or something more foul." The woman looks back to your group, looks left and right, leans forward, and talks quietly. "It is often unwise to wander into the land of the white witches. I do hope you finish your business quickly and return home, my friends." She leans back and takes another bite. "Ah, I've abandoned my manners to my hunger! My apologies. I am Mierul. Now, can I offer you a song or a story?"

Ant sort of skill check tell me what this goat woman might be?

In spite of it not being his fire, Kronek nearly stands to deny the goat woman hospitality. Land of the witches. Land of the few too. This isn't good. But, he restrains himself when Nadya shoots him the look. He carefully states. "Lost is right. We'll be returning home as quickly as we can."

"Geedra am want to get home. And punch Poog in ugly face," she adds a bit of detail, hoping it would add credence to the story.

Cara remains silent while the others speak, as she attempts to ascertain what sort of threat this goat woman could be.

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Asgrid sits quiet throughout the meal, trying to discern precisely what kind of creature this woman is. She is also curious about the woman's motives for joining the camp - if this land is so dangerous, why was she wonders why the goat-footed woman is travelling alone.

Know nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Mierul looks at each of you if you speak, nodding to Kronek and smiling to Geedra as one might to a child. Her gaze passes over Asgrid and Cara before she takes another bite of meat and stretches out. "No requests? Perhaps a local tune to benefit our wayward travelers."

Mierul sings in Skald, a brisk and rowdy tune speaking of ulfen raids and battles of long ago. It is a short number, and as she finishes, she laughs. "I quite love your tongue! So rhythmic already. It lends itself perfectly to song...but I see no one much cared for that one, my apologies. Perhaps one more fitting to the mood?"

"It was a lovely song, of course...we are just all weary from our journey. I'm sure we could all use sleep soon," Nadya says.

"Ahhh, of course, how rude of me, trying to keep you all up! Please, please, allow me to take my leave." She stands and brushes the snow off of her shoulders, bowing. "I thank you for the sharing of your food and fire. I wish you safer travels from here on out."

Nature 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

"Evil fey," Geedra hisses. "Is folarren! Nymph and demon had forlarren baby. Is very bad. Bad singer too," the witch mutters, covering her ears.

Not trusting the strange woman, Kronek still finds himself involuntarily tapping his foot along with Mierul's song. He casts his eyes at the ground once she has finished, glad that Nadya seems to be willing to carry the conversation. Until Geedra says her piece. Nymph and demon! Kronek looks up sharply. "Is this true? What are your plans for us?"

I assumed she was leaving. Geedra wouldn't have said that in front of the creature. My bad.

Gotcha. I figured it was just Geedra being her usual blunt self :) Just assume that once the forlarren leaves, Kronek asks Nadya what the forlarren is going to instead. She seemed to know of it.

Once the goat woman is out of earshot, Cara grasps her bow, "Out of respect for your knowledge of the area, Nadya, I did not ask to leave. However, I am not sure it is such a good idea to let her escape. Perhaps recent events have made me paranoid, but I fear every fey creature is in league with our enemies."

None of your companions say a word until Mierul has disappeared into the snow and mist beyond the camp, at which point they visibly relax a bit. Harald spits on the snow in the direction that the strange woman left.

Nadya sighs to your concerns. "It is complicated. You must understand, it is very important for us not to draw the ire of anyone who might be working for the white witches...There is some chance, however small and unlikely, that she was not in league with the jadwiga, but whether she is or is not, denying hospitality is suspicious behavior in Irrisen. If we had turned her away, it is likely she would have attacked, or returned with reinforcements or worse. Or, she might already have others watching, listening through her...this is how the white witches keep control. Having seen you fight, I don't doubt your skills, but there are fey in these lands that could have killed us all with a breath...and this is my caravan, and I could not take that risk, the risk of fighting her or giving her reason to suspect that you or we are anything but what we are. It's true that she might be on her way to the Pale Tower or Whitethrone to report us, but she might also just be on her way. I have to take the chance." Nadya shrugs and stiffens up, taking a swig of ale. You get the impression that she is a woman who has had to make many hard decisions in her life. "If the chance is wrong, well, let's just hope I was right not to doubt your might," she adds with a smile.

After you chat for a bit more, everyone finds a spot amid the dogs and the cargo to settle in for sleep. Harald, Bjorn, Olavi, and Rolf agree to take the watches.

Been meaning to link a picture of Nadya

That's a really good picture!

"Geedra not like evil fey. Evil fey tried to kill Geedra for weeks now! I think it has been weeks since we've gotten togther. Geedra am ready kill more evil fey if comes back!"

The goblin wasn't quite prepared to trust these humans totally yet. She also sits up for first watch, wanting to be sure nothing untowards happens before she drifts off to sleep, using Fox as a pillow.

"With the might of Kronek and Grugkt on our side, I'm confident we will be able to handle that creature and whatever fey it employs." The elf replies to Nadya with a slight smile of her own, "But, yes, we would not want to put you or your families into any unnecessary danger."

Despite her demeanor, Cara doesn't completely trust the humans yet either, especially with one apparently infatuated with her. With that in mind, she takes the second watch with whoever is on duty, hopefully not Olavi.

Asgrid sits very still, as she finally works out what type of creature the newcomer is. Fortunately, as she is deciding how to alert the rest of the party, Mierul stands and takes her leave. As the group is discussing the encounter, Asgrid pipes up. "Nadya is right. Irrisen is a harsh land. That makes hospitality paramount, we all have to help each other survive or the snows will claim us all. We can only hope that woman wasn't an agent of the white witch. Even so, we should be on our guard tonight." Tell me if I'm wrong, making the assumption that Asgrid is basically familiar with the customs of this place. Since the white witches once had Asgrid in their custody, would she have been to the Pale Tower before?

She looks around at each of the group. It was funny: she trusted Kronek, Cara, even Geedra (!) more than she did these humans from her own land. Apart from Geedra and Fox, she hadn't known the others for long, but the Kellid and elf had proven themselves stalwart companions.

Asgrid goes to check on how Bjorn is faring.

Heal check on Bjorn: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Before Kronek turns in for the night, he goes to see Nadya. "We are all sorry about your daughter Nadya. Thora sounds like an adorable little girl. Was your husband also taken by the witches? It sounds like your life has been very difficult. All we ever heard of in our land was the witches. We had no idea the people of Irrisen suffered so badly themselves."

Nadya smiles weakly to Kronek. "My husband death was not by a witch's hand...not directly. He fell to an ice troll two years past in the Hoarwood. Nasty creatures, often allies to the jadwiga. She is a lovely girl, Thora...I pray that she is safe." She muses for a moment, shaking her head. "The witches rule, but they rule over the cowed descendants of our proud ulfen ancestors. This was the land of my forefathers, once, but Baba Yaga and her legions of terrible creatures took it. The jadwiga rule cruelly. We of Waldsby manage to keep out of their affairs and their ire, but many of our people are not so lucky. They live more or less as slaves."

Asgrid checks in on Bjorn. He has not regained full mobility, but the healing spell and the hot meal and rest has done him good so far. None of his injuries seem serious beyond needing a day or two to heal and a good night's rest. "Thank you for checking these wounds," he says. "I will be good, ancestors smile upon me."

Geedra shares the first watch with the gruff Harald. The surly ulfen man stomps around the perimeter of his camp with his spear at the ready, but no threats present themselves. He moves and wakes Bjorn, who gets up to his feet despite his injuries and leans against one of the cargo-laden sleds, watching the darkness beyond the fire as Cara rouses as well to lend her elven senses to the effort. Again, the watch passes uneventfully.

Night comes and goes, and morning comes. The blizzard has passed you by, but the day remains gloomy. Your new companions inform you that this overcast haze of grey is rather normal for Irrisen, so what seems a dim ambiance to you is actually quite nice weather for them. Nadya and the others get the dogs hooked up and secure the sleds for the journey and offer up some more salty meats and hot drinks for the morning, as well as some hard bread and harder cheese. As you all get back onto the sleds, Nadya leads the procession onward to Waldsby.

I will update again tomorrow. New day, so prepare spells and regain HP as necessary. We'll do your current level + con modifier back in HP.

You move across the frozen land of Irrisen, plowing through the icy winds on the dogsleds. The tiny dot of Waldsby on the horizon finally seems to get closer as you make good progress, unmarred by snowstorms. Your hours of travel are dotted by intermittent rest stops to feed the dogs and give them some moments to recuperate, but for the most part it is obvious that these canines are well bred for their purpose, capable of going great distances without need for much rest.

Several hours into your travels, you notice a darker shadow moving about the snow in your vicinity, and as everyone looks skyward, you see a mass of black birds flying overhead. Your companions all curse under their breath at this development, and Nadya slows the procession, yelling out to the other ulfen in your company. "Get the tarps!"

Quickly, the four men and Nadya rummage through the supplies in the caravan and each one produces a large, thin, white cover. Nadya explains briskly their purpose. "Spies of the witches! Quickly, get these tarps over the sleds and keep under them!"

The tarps are flung over the sleds, dogs and humanoids alike, with the sled drivers giving commands to the dogs to keep them still and quiet.

Everyone please make stealth checks with a +5 bonus.

Spotting the mass of birds, Kronek can't help but to wonder what new trickery the witches have up their sleeves. Once the men have the tarps, he helps to spread them out, trying to be careful not to leave any tracks outside the area that will be camouflaged.
Stealth: 1d20 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 1 + 5 = 20