Ithariel sits down, This is a long story, but we basically sent ourselves here- there's a problem here, and its spreading to where we are from. So we came here to fix it... Which involves the Pale Tower, and getting things the way they should be around here. He looks up the group to see if they have anything to add...
Tchezze shies away from the others at the talk of burning the body. He backs up Ithariel, "As I said before, we were sent by the town elders of Heldren. We came upon the portal we mentioned after taking out a nasty troll that was trying to do us harm. From him we learned of the Pale Tower. With or without your help we will go to the tower. I, personally, will try to rescue your daughter, Nadya, you have my word on that. We did not come here to drag anyone else into this, so we will not ask for your help. We, however, will not bring harm onto you and those with you. If that was the case, we are no better than those that have attacked us." While his words contain some stretching of the truth, he does not see them as an outright lie.
By the Rider's call... She shakes her head. Yes, yes...it's just...a lot to take in. I would appreciate that...though I'd hoped that this shipment of goods may help to convince Radosek and Nazhena to release her. I - She shakes her head sadly. - I have my doubts.
”Let’s simply bury the body deep in the cave here...” suggests Ote, not actually carrying a shovel.
Nadya waves it away. It's just an old saying. There are three mythical riders who exist in Irrisen lore. They herald Baba Yaga's return every century. It's merely a mild curse. She looks to Ote. [b]That could prove better, though we should wait till morning, when we're leaving this place. Were the wind not furious outside, I'd take you now...as I feel we must make haste to Waldsby.
Well...I can...as I guess we have all night. She glances outside at the howling winds, then turns back. Over a millenium ago, the great witch Baba Yaga came to our world, from where...I don't know. She took over this land and called it Irrisen. From here, she has ruled through her daughters, coming back to this world every one hundred years to replace the current ruler with a new daughter. She then takes the previous one away...to where...again, I don't know.
The riders, they herald her coming. There are three of them in all, and they've been seen in our land. But, Baba Yaga has not come.
”Wait...Nadya... are you saying Baba Yaga is late...missing?”
You must understand, we in Waldsby are a common folk and, yes - we have records, but some of them may be inaccurate, for they are so old. Our records show that, though very close, Baba Yaga is not due back quite yet. But, the riders are only seen when she is coming!
Nadya chuckles as she gazes into the fire. Nothing can kill one of the Riders; they are immortal Fey creatures. At least, we don't have to worry about that.
"In my experience, and reading, I have come to understand that immortal does not mean unkillable. Let's hope you are right though." He hazards a look at his comrades.
Ithariel grimaces badly, but lets it slide by him.
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Well, maybe he wasn't a black rider. Or maybe she is just plain wrong. I'm betting the latter considering all the weird crap going on.
Ques fidgets, the information he has struggling to find it's way out of his mouth through clamped teeth. When Tchezze says that they could be killable and looks at him he almost spills the beans. Even opens his mouth for a moment. Then he snaps it shut with pinched lips and grunts.
I hate keeping secrets. They seem like nice folks!
Nadya seems to incline her head to concede the point, then nods. Indeed, let's hope. Either way, the coming of the riders is always a sign that Baba Yaga is to return, and that a new ruler will sit on the throne of Irrisen in Whitethrone.
She shrugs as she gazes into the fire. We will see...as for us here in Waldsby, it matters little. What matters now is that the Pale Tower rules over us and is always watching. In our little part of Irrisen, the ripples from what's done in in the capital will take much time to reach us.
When...or, after...you deal with this portal, what will you do with the Pale Tower and those who dwell there? Are you going to go there, negotiate, and leave?
"Honestly, my lady, we are really taking this one step at a time. At this point, our interest lies in closing that portal, and, as we have stated, trying to get your daughter back to you. That reminds me, how did she come to be in the Pale Tower anyways?"
My husband...he fell two years ago to an ice troll. Since then, times have been...tough. I've had to take on work as a food merchant and importer to make ends meet, which leaves my children at home quite often. I'm very thankful for those in Waldsby who have helped to care for them while I'm away.
I, also...supply food for the Pale Tower. She motions back to the dogsleds. Though at times the witches' guards commandeer my shipments instead of paying for them. When I was away...Thora, my daughter, apparently insulted Nazhena in the presence of a guard. She had Thora hauled away to the Tower for punishment. I begged and pleaded for her return, but Nazhena only agreed if I could provide a new shipment - much larger than before.
This shipment...I've traded nearly all I have for it. But, my family is all I have left, and I'll not leave Thora in their clutches. I can't imagine what the witches need with all of this...they've not enough room in the Pale Tower to fit all of the people this would feed. But, that's not for me to know, I suppose.
Hearing the awful tale of the pain that has befallen Nadya, Tchezze can't stop himself from replying, "Excuse me if I speak out of turn, but I think the residents of this Pale Tower need to dealt with. Be it at the end of my swords or the tip of my tongue, I promise I will get your daughter back and make them pay for their wrongdoings upon you and the rest of those in Waldsby."
Ithariel nods, I agree Tche, we'll help Waldsby and rescue your daughter from them. They won't bother your family any longer. I suspect they are gathering supplies for warfare, although I do not know who their enemy is exactly.
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I do. Us, my home, and my people.
"So, IF we are successful, and I make no promises," unlike Tchezze, "you could save yourself the trouble of giving them all that food. I suspect that in a place like this food is pretty dang valuable. When do you plan to deliver the food and where will you be in case we rescue your daughter. I mean it would be pretty sad if we rescued her and you went ahead and let them extort you out off all that food anyway!"
Nadya seems to think about this, then furrows her brow. I know not why you'd help, outsider, but if you can - I thank you. I will return to Waldsby where the Tower's guards will pick up the food and take it to the tower. When I get to Waldsby, I'd rather get you to my home quickly, where you can stay while you're here. You must understand, if we just walk up to the tower, as outsiders, they'd not even open their gates...or, if they did, it would be bad for you...and me.
She gives a quick nod, as if she'd convinced herself. That's it then. In the morning, its on to Waldsby. Once you get situated there, we will work out how to get you in contact with the Tower.
Nox sits quietly, cleaning his pistol. That was stupid. What were you thinking? But it seemed to work out alright. So far. Maybe. As he listens, something Nadya says piques his interest. "Your daughter, how old is she?" he asks, thinking of the strange apparition of a girl they'd found at the hut, with that odd doll.
She's seven, two years older than her twin brothers.
Ote has a little difficulty focusing on all these details. All this chattering makes his head spin.
It is so cold here, enough to chill a brain inside its box.
”Yess-s, let’ss get to Waldsssby, get inside a warm building and m-make a plan.”. The tengu shakes out his ruffled feathers and masters himself.
”So - the body? Do we just throw it out into the snow and let it be buried? There isn’t anything, except apart from Nox’ weapon that could link it to us...Right?”
"Yes, let's burn it."
Tchezze sighs with resignation, "I think we need to do whatever we can to avoid this coming back to Nadya and those with her. If burning this body helps to that end, I agree that it must be done."
You finish the night by building a quick pyre outside and burning the corpse out in the falling snow. It takes some perserverance to keep it lit, but you're up to the task and by nights end you're left with a smoldering pile of ash. Given that it needed some tending, you set watches to coincide with re-lighting the pyre during the night.
The next morning, the driving winds have lessened, but it's still terribly cold and dreary. Nadya gets the sleds and her men together, and then it's on towards Waldsby!
The going is tough, but Nadya and her teamsters are used to this type of travel, and they have some tips and tricks to make it easier going. You can see, in the distance, smoke from many fires in Waldsby. Nadya ensures you that its normal. We have fires nearly all the time to fight the cold...it's the only way to survive. To supplement the wood we take from Hoarwood forest, we sometimes use Whale oil, which burns a bit darker.
By late morning, the sky darkens a bit behind you...Nadya turns back to look, and hisses out a warning. Damn...ravens! Radosek uses them to spy on the area as he sits in the Pale Tower. She looks to her teamsters. Quick, the tarps! They begin to unfurl white tarps as Nadya turns to you. You'll have to get underneath. Quick, quick!
Tchezze dives under the tarp doing what he has to keep him and his friends safe.
Ote has trouble moving quickly in his scalemail...
You try and work your way under the tarp, but this terrain is simply not something you're used to. Nadya looks at you as if to say "really?", as you each waddle through the snow to get under the tarps. You know - when the first Caw! comes - that you've been spotted. The ravens dive down upon you!
Ithariel will calmly stand in the snow, focusing his will on his innate powers and mastery over nature, summoning an air elemental!
Ithariel will observe the elemental as it assumes a whirlwind form and engulfs the raven swarm...
Creatures trapped in the whirlwind cannot move except to go where the whirlwind carries them or to escape the whirlwind. Trapped creatures can otherwise act normally, but must succeed on a concentration check (DC 15 + spell level) to cast a spell. Creatures caught in the whirlwind take a –4 penalty to Dexterity and a –2 penalty on attack rolls. The whirlwind can have only as many creatures trapped inside at one time as will fit inside the whirlwind’s volume. The whirlwind can eject any carried creatures whenever it wishes as a free action, depositing them in its space.
Ithariel, having begun summoning when the ravens first appeared, finishes his summons and an elemental arrives, immediately spinning into a whirlwind! The ravens, however, slip around the cone, safely attacking the tarp around it.
Ithariel will take cover behind his shield, and wave his spear manacingly at any ravens which get too close...
Nox is left with half his body outside the tarp when the ravens arrive. He pulls back out and flings a dagger at them.
Nox hurls out a dagger into the mass. Though it seems like this is a less than perfect instrument for this battle, it still seems to damage the swarm, as it takes out two ravens - shearing off one wing and the hitting another's skull with the hilt and braining it.
Nadya draws a handaxe and light pick, seeming to wield one in each hand. Then, she hunkers down back under the tarp as the guards pull the ends in a vain attempt to hold it down.
Tchezze seems to have gotten under the tarp at the wrong place for, try as he might, he can't seem to glimpse the rather raucous swarm of his lesser kin. "How do we overcome this?! Any ideas?"
”Not a one. Throw ‘em something shiny and hope they tear each other to pieces trying to get it?” supplies Ote glumly.
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Ques calls upon a lonely eagle that appears just above the swarm and slashes into it. More of a distraction than a real threat, though If Ques were a raven he might think the eagle the bigger threat.
Shadow eagle stats
HP: 5
AC: 14
ER Cold, Electricity: 5
20% miss chance
Move: 80' flight, average man.
darkvision 60', low-light vision
Senses low-light vision; Perception +10
Nox pulls out his pistol and takes a shot.
He immediately begins loading another round.
The small elemental reforms itself, and lashes out with a hardened fist of air!
Tchezze steps out of the relative safety of the tarp, knowingly open himself up, he draws forth his both and attempts to take down some of the ravenous birds. "I mean you no disrespect, however, you leave me no choice."
Ques's summoned eagle slashes away and takes out one or two of the several hundred ravens flying about. Tchezze, seeing a distraction offered, jumps into the fray (having delayed from the bottom of last round - figuring you now go right before the swarm) and fires an arrow into the swirling dark cloud of wings and talons. It seems to do some damage, as a raven comes tumbling down out of it to hit the snow.
The raven swarm narrows its focus on an enemy.
The swarm moves down to batter and rip at the tarp, tearing it away over Ote and one of the dogs, which hunkers down and yips in fright!
Keeping his distance, Tchezze will draw and fire another arrow at the mass of terror attacking his cousin.