Dot
doots
dot
The sleepy village of Heldren has rarely seen so much excitement or concern. Hunters from the nearby Border Wood speak of unnaturally cold weather at the height of summer that descended on the forest just days ago. Heavy snow followed, and those who returned spoke of an uneasy presence in the woods, as well as new, dangerous predators. No one knows what this event means, but the town’s soothsayer, Old Mother Theodora, claims dark times lie ahead.
As if in proof of that dire prophecy, a badly wounded mercenary arrived in town yesterday, claiming to be a bodyguard of Lady Argentea Malassene. He told the village council that the noblewoman’s escort came under attack by bandits and strange, wintry creatures near the edge of the Border Wood. He alone escaped, and Lady Argentea was dragged away into the forest. Now the townsfolk cast fearful eyes toward the snowy forest, worried what else might emerge to threaten their peaceful village.
The mercenary was taken to Willowbark Apothecary, which closed down for the rest of the day so that he may be treated and questioned by the council. This morning, however, an open call has gone out to anyone in town who might be up to the task of rescuing the captured noblewoman. The apothecary's doors are open once more for anyone who wishes to speak with the mercenary and Ionnia Teppen, leader of the village council for more information.
The sun had just begun to rise over the mountain range far to the east. Maka set cross legged in the snow. Her breath showed in the cold air, and a light dusting of snow from the nearby Border Woods covered her. Maka paid no mind to either, instead focused on her meditations. Even without her monastic training, the cold had never much bothered Maka. She continued to sit, motionless, until the light of the sun reached her. Feeling it's warmth, Maka began to breath deeply and steadily. Soon the snow began to melt and steam off her before a ball of flame appeared before her face.
A satisfied smile relieved her pointed teeth as she rose from her meditative position, the fire following as she did so. Taking the flame in hand, she carefully moved in a series of light stretching exercises. At the end of the exercises, Maka carefully thrust her arm forward, launching the fire at a small snowman and easily destroying it.
Maka laughed in happiness as she began the process again. However this time she took a moment to focus towards the end of the exercises. Flames swirled off of Maka in a loud, visible display before she launched them at a snowman much further away than the first. It fared no better as it exploded on contact with the fireball. This brought another bought of laughter from Maka as she swung her leg in a backwards high kick at yet another snowman. Unfortunately this brought a flash of pain, and an odd clicking noise, from her hip. Losing her balance, she fell in to the snowman, and continued to lay in the snow for a few moments.
Her injuries still restricted her movements, but at least her flame had come back. Soon she'd be healed enough to head out. She was worried about her missing friend, Sully. However, she knew that Sully could take care of himself and that she wouldn't do him any good if she ran off too soon just to get injured again. Still she couldn't help but try to rush the recovery process. Despite all of her training, patience was not her strongest ability.
Maka pushed the sad thoughts from her mind, she didn't like dwelling on them. Sully would be fine and soon enough she'd go find him, if he didn't find her first. She wondered when her new friend Ylbanna would be up(get back?). Ylbanna had been the one to rescue Maka, and Maka had taken a quick liking to the changeling.
Ylbanna woke up in the small house she shared with her father and now, recently, Maka. Unsurprisingly, she was up first, barely after the crack of dawn. She walked out into the cold and took a deep breath of the wintry air. Something, despite the deep irregularity of it, felt right to her. Winter had always been her favorite. She then set off for the woods to check her traps, stopping to talk to a few townspeople on the way. The strange circumstances made many of them willing to put aside the rumors about her.
The woods were oddly quiet, but Ylbanna managed to find a rabbit caught in a snare. It was still struggling to escape, but Ylbanna whispered a small prayer to the nameless powers of the wild before quickly killing the rabbit. Her others were empty, so she headed home.
Ylbanna sees Maka sprawled in remains of the snowman and smiles slightly before saying wryly, ”Bested by a snowman? Seems like I have my work cut out for me.” She then holds up the rabbit, ”Got us some breakfast. Not much but it’ll be good in a stew.”
|
A tall, blonde, and handsome Ulfen man had only been in town for a day. He had spent the previous evening entertaining a handful of listeners with heroic legends of his people and his exploits with the Ulfen Guard.
"...and with that, Floki fled into the darkness, a score of deceived women chasing him away!" the Ulfen man said at the conclusion of his story.
The group had laughed and clapped. One man even hands him a silver or two for his efforts, and ale flowed freely, with others paying.
"Many thanks!" he had said. "I will continue the tales of Floki tomorrow night! Perhaps I will also tell something more serious, like the epic of Freydís the Boneless and the Valkyries! It will be your pleasure to hear more and perhaps buy me a another drink!" he bellowed. "Tell your friends that Egil Forkbeard, warrior of the north, is not in town for much longer!"
His hair is well-groomed with braids, silver clasps, and a forked beard. A little groggy from the previous night, he exits the inn carrying a greataxe over his shoulder. He wears worn, mismatched scale armor, with a broach of the Ulfen Guard clasping his cloak. A longsword is strapped to his waist and a shield to his back.
A warrior's warrior, the Egil looks like he would be well-suited slaying dragons. Or at least raiding coastal villages.
He eats an apple as he exits the inn, and several of the patrons from the night before accost him with information about the strange events happening in town, as well as the mercenary brought into town.
"I used to be a bodyguard myself," he boasts. "I protected the bearer of the Primogen Crown myself. I would speak to this warrior as one who knows the dangers he faces. Lead me to him, compatriots!"
Ylbanna woke up in the small house she shared with her father and now, recently, Maka. Unsurprisingly, she was up first, barely after the crack of dawn. She walked out into the cold and took a deep breath of the wintry air. Something, despite the deep irregularity of it, felt right to her. Winter had always been her favorite. She then set off for the woods to check her traps, stopping to talk to a few townspeople on the way. The strange circumstances made many of them willing to put aside the rumors about her.
The woods were oddly quiet, but Ylbanna managed to find a rabbit caught in a snare. It was still struggling to escape, but Ylbanna whispered a small prayer to the nameless powers of the wild before quickly killing the rabbit. Her others were empty, so she headed home.
Ylbanna sees Maka sprawled in remains of the snowman and smiles slightly before saying wryly, ”Bested by a snowman? Seems like I have my work cut out for me.” She then holds up the rabbit, ”Got us some breakfast. Not much but it’ll be good in a stew.”
[dice=Gather Info]1d20+2
"He was too powerful a foe for me, but the victory cost him everything." Maka said with a laugh. The laugh ended with a grimace as she got up a little too quickly. "Oh you are the best, I'm starving! Did you find anything out about the snow?"
"Not much. The other townspeople blame the common culprits, witches or Qadirans. Any case, we'd best get that stew going. The woods make me hungry."
Nox awoke where he slept, in the work room of the Willowbark Apothecary. He had taken on some work for Tessarea Willowbark while he was in town, and sleeping in her work room was part of his payment. He stretched, gazing across the room at the shelves full of jars. Many of them contained the Alchemist’s Fire he had been brewing for her. The elven woman was obsessed with the stuff, and stored far more of it that was reasonable in a sleepy town like Heldren. Far more of it than most ordinary folk would consider safe to have lying around, but as an alchemist, Nox had long ago accepted living and working in close proximity to large amounts of dangerous materials. Maybe she owes some money to a white dragon or something. he thought. He had helped Tessarea care for the injured Ulfen man yesterday, and today he had a mind to join the party that was being formed to rescue the man’s employer. It can’t hurt to have a noble in your debt. About time I left this town anyway. None of the locals ever want to talk.
Before Maka has a chance to reply to Ylbanna, somebody clears their throat from behind the changeling, getting their attention. A middle-aged human woman with grey-streaked brown hair tied in a bun stands before them, immediately recognizable to any local as Ionnia Teppen, the head councilor of Heldren.
"Pardon me, Ylbanna and..." She casts a glance in Maka's direction, but shakes her head and focuses. "Ylbanna, I am sure you have heard about what happened near the Border Wood by now, and I was hoping to ask for your assistance in investigating these strange occurrences. I know we do not know each other as well as I would like, but I also know that few people in Heldren know those woods better than you. If you and your friend are interested, the mercenary who came into town last night will be briefing a party at the Willowbark Apothecary."
Meanwhile, at the Willowbark Apothecary, Nox sees Tessaraea helping the Ulfen man--Yuln, was that his name?--into a chair. A half-elven man wearing the tell-tale vestments of a priest of Erastil is also there, checking on the wounds that had been treated the night before.
The Ulfen is tall, with braided blonde hair and a forked beard. He might even be considered handsome underneath all of the bandages, cuts, and frostbitten patches of skin that decorated his face.
"I'm alright, I'm alright," the man says with a thick northern accent, brushing off the help of his elven medics. "Just hurry up and open the doors so we can start this thing, will you?"
The priest nods slightly and makes for the door, opening it to reveal a very... similar-looking Ulfen man being guided by a troop of villagers.
Maka perks at the prospect of adventure. "Of course we'll help! Right Ylbanna?"
|
|
Egil looks forward to meeting his fellow Ulfen bodyguard and swapping tales.
That I might return home someday is my dream...would that our leaders would let bygones be bygones!
He follows the villagers and walks into the building they designate. He notes the presence of some others that seem too well-equipped to be typical villagers.
"Well met!" he calls out.
"...But what if it's Qadiarian witches using tiefling curses?" Maka wonders aloud as she and Ylbanna approach the Willowbark Apothecary. "Oh, looks like they've started!" Maka said as she pulled Ylbanna along with her in her excitement.
Vishka finished her morning devotionals just as the light of dawn broke, and stretched as she rose to aid Zaarida. She had not expected the kindness that had been extended to her when she arrived in Heldren, and had resolved to repay the kindness with hard work in turn. As she scrubbed and cleaned about the house, she reflected on her time here. It had been almost a full week since she had arrived though, and she had begun to worry that perhaps she would not find a suitable quest to appease her mentor's wishes.
Her fears were unfounded however, as she noticed a small crowd beginning to gather near the apothecary. Making her way through the gathered townsfolk, she began to take notice of the weapons they carried.
The Ulfen man, identified by now as Yuln Oerstag, manages a weak smile as his eyes glance over the gathering crowd. "Well, looks like we've got ourselves a fine little group forming here. 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, though I think I slew at least one of them before they dragged Lady Argentea away."
Once the first round of questions is over, Ionnia Teppen pipes in. "The bandits and fey are not the only dangers you will face in the Border Wood. By all accounts it is far colder in the woods than it is in town, and if you do not already have the appropriate gear to deal with the cold, I encourage you to properly equip yourself before heading out."
"Speaking of gear," Yuln says, gesturing over to his discarded equipment. "That longsword's cold iron. No doubt I would be a dead man were it not for that sword, but it isn't doing me much good here. If any of you can wield it, it is yours."
Maka smiled as a small ball of fire appeared in her hand. "I don't know who these Winter Witches are or what they've touched, but if burning them is a solution, I'm your woman."
|
|
Egil listens to his fellow Ulfen grimly.
"You fought well and made your people proud," he tells the man. "Someday, you will earn a glorious death in battle. But your time to return to Vallenhall is not yet, friend."
He looks over at the blade. "It would be an honor for me to carry on the fight with your weapon," Egil says as he hefts it. "Unless one of these would rather," he says with a look at the group.
He looks the bodyguard in the eye. "I have just left service to the Ulfen Guard," he says. "I, for one, will carry on this fight for you. I do not covet riches, but I do covet the glory I would receive for rescuing Lady Argentea. Tales will be told of this day!" he smiles.
Vishka gripped the cold-iron scimitar at her side and smiled. It seemed she had found something to do after all.
"I'll cast my lot in with you. I've no love for the cold, but my love of such evil is far less."
Ylbanna frowns at the mention of the winter witches, worrying that it may stir up some of the rumors that circulated about her through the town. She think for a moment before speaking up, "I will go with them to the Border Wood. Seems like they could use someone who knows a bit about them."
You can almost see a bit of warmth return to Yuln's face as he smiles slightly, sighing with relief. "The sword is yours, brother," he says to Egil. "Take it, and do your homeland proud." He looks over the rest of the gathered party as well. "How fortunate that such a collection of heroes was gathered in this tiny village at a time like this. Thank you all. Go give them hell!"
Tessaraea approaches the tiefling in the room--she is noticeably the only one willing to do so of the villagers gathered here. "Nox, will you be joining them?"
Ylbanna frowns at the mention of the winter witches, worrying that it may stir up some of the rumors that circulated about her through the town. She think for a moment before speaking up, "I will go with them to the Border Wood. Seems like they could use someone who knows a bit about them."
Maka smile wide at Ylbanna, adventures were what sealed friendships. "This will be great. I usually end up getting lost and I want to see those claws in real action."
Tessaraea approaches the tiefling in the room--she is noticeably the only one willing to do so of the villagers gathered here. "Nox, will you be joining them?"
"Nox you have to come. We will definitely need fireworks for this missing." Maka said in a tone that made it clear she simply wanted to see more fireworks.
Nox nods. "Yes, I believe I have some talents that could come in handy here." Looking to Tessarea, he says "Would it be possible that we might make use of some of your stockpile in this endeavor, ma'am?"
Tessaraea frowns. Clearly she was anticipating someone would ask for some of her alchemist's fire, but dreading it all the same. "Well, I..." she trails off, her voice going quiet and face turning slightly red.
|
|
Egil takes the sword gladly. It was of fine material, he could see.
"I will avenge you of these foes or die in glorious battle! This I promise!" Egil grins.
He straps the sword to his waist, where it sits with a couple of other weapons.
As the others proclaim their willingness to also go, Egil looks around as if he hadn't been expecting a team effort.
"If we are to travel together, we should be introduced!" he says loudly.
"I shall begin. You have the great pleasure of battling with Egil Forkbeard, champion of the north. I am fated for great deeds, which will only be eclipsed by my telling of the tale! Join me in saving this Lady Argentea, and afterward you shall each have the opportunity to buy me an ale!" he says with a broad smile.
He turns to Tessaraea. "We would take a few of these fires in a bottle, and after they burn our enemies to a crisp, I shall proclaim your establishment the finest purveyor of alchemy throughout the land! Kings will send for your wares!" he boasts.
From outside, a goat bleats loudly, causing Egil to roll his eyes.
Maka leans over to Ylbanna "Oh wow, we're going to get to be in his big story!" she whispered excitedly. Maka placed her fist in her palm and bowed, returning Egil's greeting. "Nice to meet you, I'm Maka Na'shota of the Dragon Eye's Monastery."
”We could ask Lady Argentea to pay you back after we rescue her.” Nox says, unconvincingly.
"I think I would rather keep it in town... In case we need to defend ourselves," Tessaraea says, sheepishly.
Meanwhile, Ionnia Teppen goes to shoo away a goat that had started to wander in. It bleats as it runs away, and she shuts the door behind it.
"Snow, evil fey, and now wandering goats," she says, exasperated. "Where are they all coming from? Of course, Lady Argentea takes priority right now, but if you are able to find out anything about what's causing this, that would be a great help."
"That makes sense, besides Nox I've got plenty of fire to spare. And you can bet we'll try to figure out what is causing this."
Ylbanna keeps a straight face through Egil’s bombastic introduction before saying, ”I am Ylbanna. No fancy titles or allegiances. Just Ylbanna.” She pauses for a moment before saying to Egil with a slight smile, ”Perhaps if you pull your weight in finding this Argentea, I might think about it.”
”I’m Nox. the tiefling says, then gestures vaguely to the coppery scales covering his arms and the backs of his hands. ”Nox Copperscale, many call me. I’m a traveling purveyor of alchemical goods. But I’ve been in a scrape or three in my time, and I don’t fear the cold.”
"Make haste, you five!" Yuln says. "Make use of the daylight while you have it. It will only be colder at night."
|
|
Egil's smile disappears as Tessaraea declines to give them any alchemist fire.
"It will be your loss instead of your gain, then," the Ulfen warrior tells her. "Instead, I shall proclaim your establishment the stingiest purveyor of alchemy throughout the land! None will send for your wares, or if they do, they will send them back," he adds.
He exits the shop and notes that the goat had been chewing on the strap of his backpack he had left by the door.
"Curse you, confounded goat!" he says, kicking toward it and sending it scurrying away. "Perhaps we'll have chevon for dinner tonight!" he growls.
The goat bleats at him from a safe distance.
Changing the subject, he turns back to Ylbanna. "I will pull my weight and more. I've enough strength to help you pull yours, as well. You'll buy me that ale...you shall see."
Ylbanna stops by a store to buy some cold weather gear before grabbing her survival pack from her house. ”Ready to go.”
Maka widely waved goodbye to Ylbanna's father as they headed out, a large smile on her face. "I hope we can figure out how to control whatever is causing the snow instead of stopping it. Everything being cold is bad, but can you imagine just one field of year round snow?" Maka's eyes briefly glazed over as her mind processed winter wonders.
Having finished their preparations, the party of five leaves the apothecary and make their way towards the town square. There, they see that a large number of villagers--large, at least, considering the number of villagers in this town--have gathered under The Lady, a beautiful statue that stands in the middle of town, though no one is quite sure who it is supposed to represent.
The villagers watch as the party walks by. Clearly they have gathered to see who would be mounting this rescue mission, and so far they seem less than pleased. In not-so-hushed whispers, they can be heard throwing around words like "tiefling", "Qadiran", and "that weird girl", usually followed by accusations that the members of this motley crew are somehow responsible in the first place.
The party presses on, taking the southern road out of Heldren, and towards the Border Wood, retracing Yuln's trail.
Near the forest, the temperature grows noticeably colder. The road ahead is littered with debris and the corpses of slain humans and horses. A carriage stands in the roadway, its team of horses missing or cut free, while another overturned carriage lies sprawled and broken next to the tree line. To the south, more bodies have fallen around what appears to be a statue of ice. A snowy trail leads deeper into the forest.
"We're going to help you and that's how you act? Bed alnaas la yusadiq. You are the weird ones!" Maka angrily calls back to the crowd.
----
Maka becomes alert at the signs of wreckage. "I don't remember Yuln mentioning anything about an ice statue. Ylbanna can you tell what happened? Tracks always just looked like footprints to me."
As they leave Ylbanna says to Maka, "Don't let them get under your skin. It's better that way."
Once they reach the debris Ylbanna says with a mostly straight face, "Odd. Never known someone to do some ice sculpting after their wagon's been raided. Guess nobles are odd like that." She pauses for a moment before saying, "I'll see what I can do about it." She then approaches the survival, trying to ascertain what could've made the tracks and what the statue might be.
Nox rolls his eyes and shakes his head as the townsfolk mutter. A few dozen yards on, he turns to Maka. "I've heard worse. At least there are no torches and pitchforks this time."
As they enter the forest, Nox removes a vial full of cloudy fluid from his bandolier. Removing the stopper, he downs the extract.
|
|
Egil looks back at the crowd after they pass.
"These ingrates seem far less friendly than they did last night," he says. "Perhaps I will not honor them with a tale upon our glorious return."
As they approach the overturned carriage, Egil draws his greataxe.
"This scene of battle is one for the legends," he says. "My Ulfen countryman did well to escape at all," he adds.
He walks cautiously toward the overturned carriage, looking for signs that might help him determine what happened. However, it all seems a snowy blur.