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Wish I was something useful, like a fire mage right now. Let's see if this new spear can do something.
Ques holds his ground while he stabs into the swarm
"Whoooaaa. I think I like this thing. Feels right."
...as his eagle continues it's own assault.
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
The Air elemental again assumes its whirlwind form, engulfing the swarm in a vortex of cold air...
Nox fires again, hoping one of his special rounds will be more effective, as it was against the fey earlier.
+
Ote caws in a high pitched squeak, then bats rather ineffectually at the swarm of feathers...
[+2 BAB, +2 Str; +3 THF]
The ravens seem to avoid the damage from being buffeted by the powerful winds. They swirl about, but seem unharmed by it.
Ques, the eagle, Tchezze, and Ote all slash, stab, bite, and shoot at the ravens, each of them taking down a handful of the little avians.
Nox's shot aims true, slamming into the swarm and burst out with a concussive force. Ravens go flying in different directions, smoking and burnt. One remaining raven tries to fly away, and Nadya impales hit with her pick. She turns it about on the end of it, then wrinkles her nose.
Disgusting little beasts, to be used by the White Witches like this.
Ithariel watches the air elemental for a moment before it vanishes back to its home plane...
Well, I suppose it is best that these messengers did not return to their masters. Although we should continue to be careful!
Ithariel looks around the group, Anyone injured?
Indeed, the Pale Tower has used such spies on Waldsby before...they always suspect, though we go out of our way to give them reason not to. She begins to inspect her dogs and the cargo.
"It is truly terrible seeing these majestic creatures being used to do evil's work. While it pained me to do this, they were guided along the wrong path. We should make for Waldsby as soon as everyone is able to do so."
Tchezze tries to find his arrows, but only finds the shafts destroyed. He holsters his bow and helps Nadya and company repack the remains of the tarp and reload the gear that was shaken loose during the skirmish.
Ote gives one of the pesky dead birds a casual kick with his foot.
”You think they were...being watched...through...by the witches? Seems like either way, they know something is up, and if I know when something is up, something *always* comes crashing down afterwards.”
Ote looks at the village.
”Waldsby is in for more trouble.” he concludes helpfully.
Nadya's grim expression and quick nod show her concern about these avian swarms. I don't understand how this works...that sort of magic is mysterious to many in these parts. But, they can see somehow...we've seen them before and heard the guards refer to them when accusing one of our people.
You head back en route to Walsby, Nadya pointing out certain things and teaching you the Skald words for each as you pass. She explains that the village rests on the northeastern fringes of the Hoarwood Forest, and rarely get visitors. She doesn't doubt that you will draw the eyes of the locals when you march through.
You arrive in the early afternoon, and see a village much like Heldren back home in Taldor, but blanketed with snow. In fact, this village looks exactly like Heldren, as if the home town for some of you was simply picked up and moved here, then set back down. As expected, you draw quite a bit of attention from the locals, who turn and point, stare, then whisper. Nadya takes it in stride, greeting them, and offering reassuring words. Some other locals come forward to ask if these newcomers are merchants from the south, but Nadya smiles and shakes her head, calling you personal guests.
At one point, she leans in. They'll get used to you...at least most of them will. I'd rather just get you to my home so you can rest and warm up.
Ithariel nods, keeping Stelmaria close to him in this new village, Thank you Nadya, it is most appreciated.
He will follow along with her and try to look non-threatening to the villagers.
Nox takes the rear, since he doesn't need Nadya to translate for him.
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Ques, with his usual lack of tactical acumen wanders about, sometimes up front, sometimes in the rear, preoccupied by the fact that he is really tired of wearing snowshoes, or distracted by an odd suspicious looking bird, or whatever strikes his fancy.
"Yea, thanks. It's really good of you to help us out like this."
I miss Grey.
"Home sounds....dry...and warm." Ote says hopefully. In Skald.
Nadya takes you to a stout cabin on the edge of town, and you are immediately greeted by two twin boys less than ten years old. A small kennel on the side of the house is well used it seems, and her men take the dogs there to begin unloading. Nadya hugs both boys in turn, then shows them off as any proud mother would.
These are my boys - Orm, and Mjoli. Boys...don't stare, it's not nice.
The boys are, indeed, looking up at you in wonder, as Nadya shows you in. The cabin is spacious and, most importantly, very warm. It's well made, and has a constantly roaring fire. Nadya sets down her things, as the boys gather near you, no doubt bursting with questions but afraid to ask.
Please everyone, make yourselves at home. Get warm...I shall start some dinner for us.
Graciously entering the home, Tchezze is sure to remove his snowshoes and stow them in his own pack. Looking to Nadya, "Thank you so much for inviting us into your home. It is lovely and so are your boys."
He kneels down to get closer to the boys, "How are you, young Masters. Thank you for sharing your home with us. We are certainly indebted to your mother. So, out with it! You have many questions, I am sure."
Ote follows his cousin’s lead, ever looking to his relative for tips on social propriety.
Orm looks up in wonder at the Tengu cousins, seemingly unable to do much else. Mjoli seems a bit more courageous, or curious. He comes closer, and asks in Skald. Are you a bird.
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Ques loses the snow shoes ASAP and flops into a chair, legs sprawled towards the fired, a weary look on his face.
Yea, Orm, he's a bird. A Tengu to be specific. We are a strange lot, even from where we came from. Some of us can even do magic and even more strange things. Hey, want to see a cool trick?"
Ques cast prestidigitation and causes the snow on his body to lift off and collect into a snowball and then hover threateningly over Ote's head.
"I am quite deadly in a snowball fight!"
Which is a white lie since the spell can only move things slowly.
Orm giggles and claps. The Tangwoo would get wet mister! Mjoli snorts and grins in mischief. Drop it, drop it!
Nadya makes a hissing noise, and both boys immediately stand at attention. Boys, don't be rude. Orm, go and fetch some blankets for our guests. Mjoli, gather some more wood; this fire will need to be stoked to warm up these southerners. She offers Tchezze a wink as she turns to her cooking.
After dinner, I will have to deliver my food shipment to the fortified storehouse on the other side of the village. I can gather some more...suitable clothing for you while there. What you're wearing makes you stand out - silly southern fashions.
As she talks, an old woman comes out of a side room, then stops, her eyes wide. Nady turns and smiles to her, then turns back to her food. Thank you for watching the boys, Kashka. I'll be back for some time now. As always, I appreciate your help.
The old woman nods, still staring at the southerners. Of course, Nadya...you know I love to spend time with the boys. I...you...well, let me know if you need me again.
Nadya smiles. I will, and thank you again. After the old woman bundles herself up and heads outside, Nadya turns to you. My neighbor, Kashka. She watches the kids while I'm away...lost her own years ago, I'm sorry to say. I thought it best not to alarm her...she probably just thinks you're some of my contacts I use for the stores.
Tchezze offers his help to Nadya, more as a gesture of good faith knowing he wouldn't be of much help. "Tell me, Miss Nadya, about your daughter. It might help us to find her if we know more about her."
Thank you for your hospitality, Ithariel will say in a rough Sklad, working on the language, I'm for resting here before we do anything else, then we can decide our best course of action? the druid looks at the others to see what their thoughts are.
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Ques smiles at the joyful reaction of the boys and retrieves his snowball with Ote unharmed :)
to determine if the neighbor is going to blab to the authorities.
"Your neighbor, Kashka, seemed a bit out of sorts. Do you not see visitors much here? I hope she doesn't bring prying noses down on us. Any way we can play up the idea that we are traders?"
Nadya smiles. No, don't worry yourself...Kashka rarely goes out and when she does always keeps to herself. She's not the sort to mention anything. I've hired different people before, to help with what I do; since I deal in large amounts of provisions, I often need many hands. She's used to seeing that.
Ah, young Thora - so full of brightness and cheer. She's the light of my life, good Tchezze. But, she is always one to speak her mind...and that's what got her in trouble with the witches. She merely spoke her mind, but Nazhena overheard her, and took offense. She was taken off to the Pale Tower for discipline, and I...well, I wasn't there. I was off getting provisions, and Kashka...well, she isn't one to argue with a White Witch.
These goods I've gotten...this should be enough to pay off any wrongdoings and get my little Thora back. I just need to get it delivered.
She seems to be buying into that idea, perhaps for her own reassurance.
Nadya shakes her head, as she ladles a hot soup into bowls. The soup is red from the shaved beets in it, but hearty with a seasoned sausage of some sort. It's sweet and warm, if a bit odd, and she keeps some thickened goats milk that she swirls in it before serving, making it thick and creamy.
I know, though many here may not, that the current state of Waldsby cannot be maintained. In my travels, I've seen places under the yoke of some rulership, but none so suspicious and quick to anger as the Pale Tower. It's only a matter of time until someone takes the wrong step, or says the wrong thing...and the Pale Tower razes our town to the ground.
She sits with her own bowl, and sighs.
I'd actually been wondering what to do...but I cannot leave without Thora. Once I get her back, I may take my family away.
Tchezze pats Ques on the shoulder, "I could not have said it an better, young Master Ques."
He turns to Nadya, "Whatever you decide for you and your family, I know that you will succeed. You are strong-willed and strong-backed and those things will take you far. May peace go with you."
Ote feigns delight at the prospect of ingesting the strange dairy infused vegetables and meat. His mind races, trying to imagine the Pale Tower’s response for the denizens of Waldsby should they fail, or worse, succeed but be discovered.
”We need to know everything about this Pale Tower. How many guards? What other defenses? Things like that. The worst thing is, they have just lost a set of eyes in the sky, and *that* may have made them more...alert...rather than less...”
I fear I know little. The tower is a large structure, and could house many. The magics of the White Witches can control creatures, like the ravens you saw earlier...but I'm not sure if they keep such creatures about at all times. As for normal guards, I've seen at least a dozen different men, at different times. It stands to reason that there are more than that within.
Ote blinks a few times as he processes the information.
”Are there any upcoming festivals or holy...mystic days coming in the next few days where the garrison might be less or distracted? Failing that, are there known enemies Of the Tower... of great strength... or numbers we might find common cause with?”
Ote speaks bluntly.
”Else we sneak in, try not to get killed, fumble around for your daughter, continue to try not to be killed, spring her and then sneak back out, all while trying not to be killed.”
He pauses.
”A general uprising would be handy right now...”
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Ques does not like how Ote said 'try not to be killed' three times in that sentence and looks around to see if anyone else noticed. Nervously he responds
"Um, sounds like a good plan. I wish I could turn invisible. Some of my brethren can, you know. Do wonders with shadows. Now you see them, now you don't. But me, all I got is a little weird healing which, as you know, isn't all that useful since we got that wand."
Ques' voice trails off at the end as he realizes he is just rambling.
Nadya suddenly looks a bit less confident in your abilities. She looks ready to reply, then pauses. She stands and collects the empty bowls to take to the sink. With her head down, she says. You know...there is something. Though...well, I don't think he wants to help. Or, he's too scared to.
She looks around the interior of her house, casting her gazento the living area in which the two boys were playing. Hatch, I know you're listening. Hatch, come out.
Nothing for a minute...
Nadya sighs. See, Hatch is a...spirit - a Fey one, though I don't know much more than that. He worked in the Pale Tower years ago, but was beaten and left for dead. I brought him back to health, and he's been here ever since. He's very afraid of the White Witches and their guards, so may not come out. But, he knows much of the Pale Tower.
She looks out the window to the frozen landscape. Well, I must make the delivery. Please, make yourself at home. If you do manage to find Hatch...he likes warm goat milk.
With that, she starts bundling up and, if no one stops her, leaves.
Ques has heard of Fey that can sometimes be helpful around the house. Called Domovoi, they can turn invisible at will or beast shape into cats or dogs. Though often tricky, they can also be loyal and helpful when they latch on to a family.
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"It sounds like they have befriended a Domovvoi. They are really sneaky and if I'm right, Hatch would make a superb scout, particularly since he used to work in the tower. If we can somehow convince him to help us it would increase our odds of not getting killed dramatically."
Ithariel nods at Ques’ words, That would indeed be useful and help us out.
Ote *shudders* at the return of warm milk...
"Hmmm...another fey creature. Are we ready to trust one of their kind? Nox?"
Ithariel nods at what Ques has to say, Then I suppose we should leave out some warm milk for him, and see if he's amenable to helping us! Other than that, I'd like to take a nap.
Turning to their hostess, Ithariel unbuckles his scimitar, Nadya, I want to thank you again, I am wondering if someone could sell this in town for me that I may leave you some coin for feeding and clothing us? He holds out the scimitar in its sheath, hopeful she accepts this thank you.
Nadya smiles. Why...yes, Ithariel; I can sell this for you. Though I won't ask for anything from you, save for my little girl returned. Still, some coin would help keep our bellies full and bodies warm.
"Hmm? What?" Nox says, looking up from cleaning his pistol as he belatedly realized he was being spoken to. "Fey? Well, if Nadya trusts him, I'm inclined to as well. She knows him better than we do." Nox says with a nod to the local woman.