With the spider finally slain, Calie made a sigh of relief. "Well that was bracing," she says jokingly. Though she was trying to left the mood, the paladin still had the presence of mind to ask Jujo how he was doing. "Are you alright, Jujopotamous? I thought the potion I'd given you would do some good but you still seem winded."
as the spider stops twitching Otta looks around, eye wide searching for anything else that could attack them from the trees. He rubs his old eyes and peers into the white... nothing but white.
"Don't let Jujo sleep- he may not wake again. I can make a poultice that will counter the poison"
Putting his foot on the spider he pulls out his hatchet and deftly hacks into the spider, wedging the creature's head wider and thrusting his hand into the oozing maw. He extracts the gland, using his hatchet with precision to separate it from the stringy spider innards.
Otta gathers lichens and sap from a tree and grinds them together into a sticky poultice along with the gland, before applying it directly to the gash in the gnome.
"Hold him down, this'll hurt a bit."
He hums and haws over his handy work; "In spiders similar to this one- the gland that makes the poison can also counteract it when applied correctly."
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Jujo replies to Calie saying [b]"My body... It's stiff! It's like those nightmares where someone is chasing you and you can't run properly.
As Ottast does his work on the spider, Jujo doesn't watch, as it's a bit too gory for him. He assumes the hunter knows his spiders, because he spoke like he knew much about it. Then, he allowed himself to be treated.
Ottast begins working with the gland and a few items he finds out in the woods making his sticky poultice. Jujo quickly removes some of his cold weather outfit to apply the poultice directly to the wounds. It stings for a bit.
What is the rest of the party doing?
Unable to assist with Jujo's recovery Trawets approaches the chest and cast's detect magic and checks it for magic. He then looks up into the tree where the spider was to see if there is anything magical up there. He peers into the tree looking to see if the spider has a big web up there where other creatures may be.
Jujopotamous's reponse to her question only served to put Calie on edge. They were far from town now and were already running low on potions. If some other creature were to attack she feared the worst could happen to the gnome or any of them.
Seeing that Ottast was trying to make some kind of poultice out of the innards of the slain spider, Calie rushed to assist the ranger as he applied the makeshift poultice. Calie wasn't as well-versed in the healing arts as she sorely wished she was in the moment, but she figured that any small moment of help could quite literally be life-saving right now.
"Here, let me help, sir ranger. As much as I can anyway."
Trawets begins looking around the tree, and up in the tree. Using Detect Magic to help aid in his search he discovers that the chest is not magical, but you can sense a magical aura coming from within. Trying the chest, Trawets discovers what Jujo did and the chest is locked. Looking up into the tree Trawets might be surprised to discover that there is no webbing. But then again, he remembers that the spider was quick, agile, and was jumping around the snow covered clearing with ease. He does spot something above but the snow falling hinders his looking. A duffel bag possibly a body?
Ottast and Calie work together to apply the poultice to Jujo and quickly bandage him up. So that he may cover himself back up.
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Jujo allows himself to be tended, although he follows Trawets with his eyes. His curiosity increases when he lingers by the chest. After his clothes are back, he insists on resting, but as the others begin working on a shelter, he goes back to the chest to try to pry it open using the tools which were still in place from when he was first attacked..
The poison in his blood was hindering him, however.
Trawets looks to the group and says, "There is something magical in the chest and something up in the tree but I can't see what. Could be a body could be a bag or sack. Can anyone climb up there?"
Upon Trawets questioning Otta will peer up into the tree to discover what is up there;
Jujo tries to unlock the chest, but again with no success. He knows his way around a locked chest and door, but these conditions are giving him a rougher time than expected.
Ottast looks up the tree and is able to make out a body tangled up on the branches. The clothing the figure is wearing is different than the clothing worn by the Taldan guards the group previously found with the carriages.
Otta peers suspiciously up at the figure;
"no more surprises- do you think the undead can climb trees?"
While Jujo plays with the lock, Otta will nimbly climb the tree and examine the body as much as he can while in the branches, otherwise he'll dislodge the body and let if fall into the snow below.
Concerned with Jujo's current physical state but unable to think of anything that she could do to help him, Randgríðr stands at the bottom of the tree that Ottast is climbing just in case any more terrifying beasts come to attack the group.
"Here's to hoping they can't," she says in a low tone. "We may have bit off a bit more than we can chew. I'd say we need to be careful but thus far I don't know that any extra care would have kept us out of harm's way."
Ottast begins to climb the tree and makes easy work of it. He has climbed many of the trees in this woods to get higher ground on a deer he was hunting. In no time flat he is within reach of the body above. The body looks oddly old and withered for having relatively new clothing on. Then Ottast remembers the effect of the spider's poison on Jujo. Whoever this person is must have had many doses of the spider's poison to end up this way.
Ottast can hear Jujo's frustration down below as he continues to work on the chest. Maybe this lock is a bit tougher than Jujo is used to, or maybe the poison caused his little fingers to no longer be nimble enough.
You are able to examine the body well enough to see that this man is more than likely one of the bandits that attacked the caravan. Under his makeshift winter clothing, you can see that he is wearing padded armor. His buckler is still attached to his arm and short sword still in its sheath. Quickly patting down his pockets you find a coin pouch(8 gold, 5 silver) and a key.
Randgríðr keeping watch from below can see Ottast searching through the body above, but keeps an eye out for anymore surprises that might spring out on the party.
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Jujo decides to stop trying. "Let's just build a shelter. It's too damn cold here to do this. My hands are freezing.", he says clearly frustrated. All the cheer and playfulness for which he is known seemed to have been drained with the poison.
After Otta relays that it was a person, the gnome says "Ottast, maybe we should give that person a burial? Anyway, I think we should cut them down."
Otta works to dislodge the body from the tree;
'Watch out below, Randgríðr"
With his feet on the ground; [b]"Poor bugger wasted away from the spider venom- perhaps Jujo's fate would have been the same if we had not gotten to him in time.
With an easy push, Ottast removes the body from the tree. The thud of the body hitting the ground is softened and muffled from the thick layer of snow.
Looking around the party sees no signs of other predators even with the viability being cut short due to the snow storm. You can still see the deep set trail left behind by the bandits leaving the massacre site. The trail leads southwest.
Moving out of the way at Otta's suggestion, Randgríðr examines the corpse after it hits the ground. "Need any help getting down?" she calls up to her companion. "I can try to set up camp if you'd like to rest, Jujo. Can't do much on the fixing you up front I'm afraid. When Otta gets down here he can help me set up."
With that, she looks down at the corpse with greater scrutiny.
I am assuming you pocketed the pouch that had the coins and key before dropping the body from the tree?
As the body falls, Randgríðr begins to examine the body. You find that he is wearing a makeshift cold weather outfit made up of miscellaneous pelts and furs. The mans buckler is still strapped to his forearm with his short sword still in its sheath. Looking under the fur you see that he has a set of leather armor built into the fur. One thing you see that is interesting is his boots. Ottast couldn't see this from the tree branches, but he is wearing a set of snow boots. These would allow the wearer to move a little bit more freely in the snow.
After Randgríðr looks over the body, she begins to form a sort of lean-to-shelter using the tree and the corpse of the large spider. This will give the party enough shelter from the wind and snow that they could have a short rest.
The body should be buried so it doesn't attract wolves, he waves dismissively at it. The bandit got what he deserved
Randgríðr, I found these in his pockets He reveals the coins and key
Otta leaves the others to take care of the body and builds a makeshift shelter to rest in.
Jujo puts the key in and turns it, there is an audible click and the check pops open just a bit. It seems that the chest is stuffed full. As you creek open the chest you see the glimmering of some unexpected items.
Pulling the items out one at a time, you find a high quality set of Chain Shirt armor . This reveals a light crossbow with 15 bolts. wedged in the bottom is a finely crafted dagger and three potion vials. These vials must be what Trawets was detecting within.
After taking a short rest the party is feeling a little bit re-invigorated. Jujo gains 2 Dex back due to the mixture Ottast came up with from the spider's venom glands. Unfortunately, it was not the most comfortable of a rest and only healed 1 HP.
During the rest Calie decided that this journey was not for her and she needed to head back home. These lands might be beyond saving in her eyes. She leaves the party.
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Seeing the things in the chest left Jujo relieved and satisfied. He didn't really care what it was, only that he could see it. After seeing it all, he considers the Chain Shirt. "Ottast, do you want to wear this?", he asked the ranger. Although it would increase his protection, he knew his Act would be harmed by the metal and sometimes his magic would fail if he wore the armor, even though he had trained to fight in it.
He asked Trawets "Can you identify these", pointing to the potions.
Jujopotamous sees Calie go with great sadness. He thinks it was his lack of cheerfulness that made her go and blames himself for it. It was usual for him to feel responsible in such occasions, even if he had nothing to do with it. Still, the next morning he felt better and cheerful again. He performed for his companions a small mimicry of the spider to make them laugh.
Although it was cold for him, he still managed to entertain the group, given how practiced he was in his acting.
Trawets takes the three potions and casts detect magic and examines each for a moment. He then says "These two are cure light wounds and this one is shield of faith. I'm sorry to see you go Callie. Good luck to you." While they all rest Trawets takes out some paper and begins to write a report about what they have encountered so far. "The High Priest will be pleased to know sending me down here was the right thing to do. That spider certainly doesn't belong here and running into undead is never good. Shall we continue to follow the tracks?"
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Jujo was impressed by Trawets' knowledge. "Glad to see you kicking it this morning. Yes, I agree we should get moving". He darts forward, though falling flat from so much snow.
The gnome tries to start a snowball fight to get them entertained during the trek, but his body hadn't finished fighting off the spider's venom. Every once in a while he had to clumsily get up on his feet again. He tried to keep everyone's mind off Calie's leaving by impersonating a tiefling he once met in an inn.
After the successes of the day so far and the bit of loot that will surely help the venture, Otta is reinvigorated to push ahead. Despite one of the companions parting ways he is hopeful and pushes on ahead of the camp, eyes bright for oncoming danger.
During the break the parties mood is lifted a bit thanks to Jujo's amusing take of the battle with the snow spider. Though this did not last long as the though of the missing Lady Argentea Malassene floods back into everyone's mind.
Randgríðr might have done too good of a job with the makeshift lean to shelter. As the emerge from the shelter the cold wind causes loose cloaks to whip up and the snow stings your faces. Pulling cloaks tight, the party makes their way following the deep track marks in the snow. Ottast leads the way to find the bandits and Lady Malassene.
As you continue to move south west the snow becomes deeper and deeper in this part of the forest. Ottast stops the party where a windswept gully carves a path through a tree-covered ridge. The silence of the forest is unnerving. Looking around you can see a soft cascade of snow that falls from a tree branch overhead, it hisses softly as it strikes the ground.
Without warning two red eyes appear from the snow as a large reptile leaps out from the snow that its white scales blended into. It has a dragon's head filled with sharp teeth, and two arms ending in grasping claws. The creature lands a bite on Randgríðr and tries to take hold and puller her into its snowy covering unsuccessfully.
Initiative
Randgríðr
X
Jujo
Trawts
Ottast
@Randgríðr you're up!
Randgrid 1, Jujo 2, Ottast 3, Trawets 4
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Jujo spent the whole trip trying to get Ottast out of his usual silence. Evidently, the gnome was constantly hissed at by the ranger. "I know you have to concentrate on the tracking and our survival, but wouldn't it be more interesting if you walk us through what you're thinking? I mean, why did you look at the sky just now? Are you worried a wyvern might want to prey on us?"
Jujo didn't really care about wilderness survival, as he had already learned that this wasn't his forte. However, he was deeply worried the cold would make the people in the party lonely. He had lived in a cold place as a child and he had seen how distant people would grow despite standing right next to each other.
Eventually Jujo felt Ottast would run out of patience with him, so he changed the subject of his pestering. "So Trawets, where are you from?" It was clear the gnome wouldn't give the party a rest.
Entering the forest, Jujopotamous felt how oppressive it was. Even he went silent, as there was a constant feeling that they were going to be attacked. When the white beast attacked Randgríðr, Jujo exclaimed surprised "Oh my! I knew it!"
the sky is so pale, the sun so waxy- there are no birds, no movement of the trees. This place is dying and this snow is suffocating it. There! a flittering to the left- no, nothing. A shadow to the right, no, again nothing. The snow is playing tricks on me! Fates damn this place.
Otta is consumed by his observations and moving through the snow, searching hard for signs of danger and finding the path. But something is niggling, nattering on the periphery of his hearing, something to his left- He draws himself out of the single-mindedness and turns to look at Jujo. Was a question asked?
Otta regards the gnome- the effervescent guy is talented. A decade ago, Otta would have enjoyed the gnome's plays and playful nature. But finding his daughter lays heavily on his shoulders, and revenge on the lady who took her... Wait, was that another question?
He prepares to speak but the Gnome has turned his attention to the mage. Staring blankly at the back of the gnome's head Otta turns back to the path ahead. The path obscured by white, the path through the woods, the path to Sky. He turns and pushes deeper into the snow, forging a trench through the gully-
Something white flashes and rears up, snapping at the Viking-
Fates damn this place!
Trawets looks down at the chattering bard, momentarily taken out of his thoughts cataloguing the changes in the forest. "What's that? Where am I from? I'm from Oppara. My parents have a magic item shop there, though my mother's family is from Irrisen. My grandmother told the best tales of her homeland. I was captivated. After spending time in snow this deep, I hate to say I am less than captivated now." As he finishes his words he sees the reptile appear and is speechless.
The ride south from Oppara started off smooth, but the further south you rode the roads continued to become rougher and bumpy. But this is not something unexpected for Revekka since she fled Irrisen.
The cart begins to slowdown and stop. "Here ya are miss, Heldren! A bit chillier than I remember for this time of year, but a great place nonetheless." Pointing to a building on the south west side of this square. "That's the Silver Stoat. Menander and Kale Garimos own and opporate the Stoat. If anyone in Heldren could help you it would be them."
With click of the drivers tongue and a flick of the reigns, the wagon continues on down to road.
Entering the Silver Stoat you see a thinning common room where people are finishing meals and making their way out. You see a few serving girls moving among the tables collecting plates, cups, and mugs when the townsfolk leave. Straight ahead of you is a large bar counter with a man behind it polishing up some mugs.
One of the serving girls pass by you and speaks up; "Sit anywhere you'd like. Let me get rid of these dishes and I'll be with you." She gives a friendly smile as she moves behind the counter and through a door into what you would assume is he kitchen.
After being surprised and bitten by the scaled beast, Randgríðr frees her Halberd and with a downward slash hits and hurts the creature. Its red eyes become flooded with rage and springs out to attack Randgríðr. Its bite lands and it tries to wrap around her to take hold but Randgríðr is quick enough to jump free from its hold.
The creature is a form of a dragon called a Tatzlwyrm. It is a unique variation and it is an Artic Tatzlwyrm. The creature is not naturally from around these parts, just like the large Snow Spider.
The Tatzlwyrm is a strong beast that will bite, grapple, and pull its prey away to a safe area to feed. It does have a poisonous breath attack that it uses to weaken its prey to pull it away.
Initiative
Randgríðr
X
Jujo
Trawts
Ottast
@Jujo/Trawts/Ottast You're up!
accidentally closed window.
Randgríðr did 6 damage
Creature did 4 and missed the grapple check.
Recovering from suddenness of the tatzlwyrm's appearance he yells out "It's an artic tatzlwyrm! They don't belong here. It likes to bite, grapple and breath poison on it's victims!" He then conjures a ray of frost to see if it will hurt the beast.
The snow slithers and Otta growls in surprise. Seeing Randgríðr draw blood, he follows suit and fires off an arrow at the wyrm.
The arrow is buffeted by the wind and flies wide; fates be damned!
GM:
Entering the Silver Stoat you see a thinning common room where people are finishing meals and making their way out. You see a few serving girls moving among the tables collecting plates, cups, and mugs when the townsfolk leave. Straight ahead of you is a large bar counter with a man behind it polishing up some mugs. One of the serving girls pass by you and speaks up, "Sit anywhere you'd like. Let me get rid of these dishes and I'll be with you." She gives a friendly smile as she moves behind the counter and through a door into what you would assume is he kitchen.
"Thank you," Revekka responds, quietly setting down her pack next to a chair before having a seat at one of the tables. Her eyes move from person to person in the rest of the room, taking their measure...watchful for any tell-tale signs of trouble. Murmurring a few soft words of power, she draws upon the nearest ley line...a conduit she sensed on the ride into town.
With the incantation complete, her eyes pass over each person again, this time to discern if any magical disguises might be affecting them. It wouldn't do to find another witch active in Heldren, after all...
When the serving girl returns, Revekka pleasantly asks for water and information. "I'm new to town, but my master, Magister Valis of Oppara, asked me to investigate unusual arcane activities in southern Taldor. As such, I've taken coach rides from one town to another to inquire about any strange occurrences, odd happenings, etc. I assume you hear much of that sort of thing with patrons coming and going from your tavern. Is there anything in Heldren which might warrant my attention?"
Revekka cast Detect Magic and begins looking around. Almost all of the people within the Stoat have nothing magical about them. Your eyes finally land on a female elf who is sitting at a small table with two other people. You detect two magical auras about her. One is of the abjuration school, and the other is from the conjuration school. Before you are able to get anything more from your studying the serving girl approaches.
"What can I get for ya, hun?" when asked for water and information she looks slightly puzzled, but continues; "Oh, did you miss your friends? They left just like an hour ago. They were going to check out the wreckage site and then..." Just then another woman walks up and touches the serving girl on the arm; "Kate, dear, why don't you go get our guest her drink." The serving girl leaves with a nod and a smile.
Pulling a chair free and sitting down the woman introduces herself. My name is Kale, my husband and I own the Stoat here. I happened to overhear what you were asking Kate about and just wanted to greet you. So I heard you were sent here to explore the strange happenings around here? Well as you can tell it is colder around here than is seasonably natural."
Kate comes back and brings two glasses and a pitcher of water, filling each halfway and leaving the water behind as she leaves. Kale continues on; "We just sent a team out this morning to explore what is going on... They didn't mention someone else joining them, but then again they are a mashup of people from the village and those traveling through. If you want don't want to explore the Border Woods alone you might want to catch up with them."
Trawts and Ottast both attack out towards the Arctic Tatzlwyrm. The snow coming down causes them too much of distraction. The Tatzlwyrm slithers and coil up as an arrow and a frost ray fly towards it.
Initiative
Randgríðr
X
Jujo
Trawts
Ottast
@Randgríðr You're up! And you have also taken a total of 9 damage so far. welcome back?
GM:
"We just sent a team out this morning to explore what is going on... They didn't mention someone else joining them, but then again they are a mashup of people from the village and those traveling through. If you want don't want to explore the Border Woods alone you might want to catch up with them."
"Thank you. That's very helpful of you." Revekka takes a moment to refresh herself with the water provided by the serving girl, before continuing. "I'm afraid I'm not affiliated with the team you sent this morning, but I'd be more than happy to assist them...particularly if they're investigating something so dangerous. Provide me their names, and perhaps someone in town can loan me a horse to catch up with them, and I'll be on my way."
Revekka is given a horse to borrow to catch up with the party. As you begin moving further south the wind and chill continue to become more frigged. Up ahead you see smoke rising near the edge of the woods. You kick your heals into the horse you receive and she lurches faster.
You quickly blow past a figure walking north, looking slightly defeated as she travels with her head down. Knowing there might be something more urgent ahead, you press past her without slowing.
You make it to the wreckage site and you see that one of the carriages have been broken down and turned into a funeral pyre. You can see the smoldering remains of three humanoid figures within the licking flames. The smell is overwhelming and does make you want to be sick.
Your initial thoughts is that this could be the remains of the group and the person traveling north is the sole survivor, you then you see the massive trail leading into the woods. There IS hope.
You press on and are hit with the full force of a northern winter. Snow slowingly deep, and it coming down in almost a white sheet. Following the tail you come to an opening where a battle has clearly taken place. A fallen large spider has creatively been used to make a lean-to for protection from the snow and wind. You are clearly on the correct track.
As you continue to venture further you hear the sounds of battle. As safely as you can, you try to push the horse further ahead. You break the crest and see the follow before you.
Randgríðr knows the ground is to difficult to move through to safely move away from the creature so she continues to fight on. And fight on she does! With a massive swing of her Halberd she leaves a gaping wound on the side of the beast. Unfortunately the creature is fast and takes the opening to lunge at Randgríðr. The bite is severe and you all see Randgríðr start to fall, but not before the beast grapples her in its mouth. It looks as if it is going to turn and flee with its possible meal.
Those who might not be caught up in what just happens sees out of the corner of you eye a figure riding in on a brown horse from the north.
Initiative
Randgríðr
X
Revekka
Jujo
Trawts
Ottast
@Revekka, Jujo, Trawts, Ottast You're up!
Seeing Randgríðr pass out and the creature ready to take off, Trawets realizes this isn't time to experiment and fires a ray of fire at the creature. "Kill it quick before it runs off with her!" he shouts.
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Jujo noticed the rider approach and said "Oh no, more trouble to the north". He readied his crossbow hoping to hit the creature through the heavy snow.
Despite traveling far enough to hit the creature between its scales, the bolt lost much of its momentum from the wind and elements. Trying to keep his companions' spirits up, Jujo ran towards the creature pretending to be a mighty knight and said "Oh, even the gnome turned into a knight, not giving in to his fright". He then looked more seriously to the others and said "Come! We can't let it leave with Randgríðr"
Eyes widening in alarm at the sight of such a dangerous battle, Revekka urges her borrowed horse forward in an effort to bring aid to those in danger. "Stand fast!" she shouts over the wintry wind, "I can help you!" She pulls a bottled flask from her belt pouch along the way and then hurls it down at the fanged creature.