Mир, best let the man be. And yeah, take whatever clothing or whatever you need to make it back safely.
Umikh was thinking to just get rid of all this stuff, but Baldrick does make a good point, intentional or not. Someone might find this stuff useful. If that guy we just saved doesn't want it, we'll take it back to Mother Tusk and the gang.
Oi Khitt, let's see ya smokin' that pipe o' yers in that smokin' leather! He takes a swig of Khitt's celebratory wine and passes it along.
If Umikh voices that suggestion out loud, Baldrick will bundle everything up for the group to carry before taking a rest and a sip of wine.
Taking a look at one of the shards of black ice, Baldrick rolls it around in his hand, a slight look of awe on his face: "Do you think it's magical, Emmett?"
Mир looks at the man with concern, "You just had ice stuck in chest and you concerned about neighbors thoughts? You not think clearly. I will take you home safe." Mир does not seem to be budging on the issue.
No, Mир, he's fine, let him go.
The eladrin will look around. The man is clearly hurt and will perish if left to his own devices he adds.
If Umikh voices that suggestion out loud, Baldrick will bundle everything up for the group to carry before taking a rest and a sip of wine.
Taking a look at one of the shards of black ice, Baldrick rolls it around in his hand, a slight look of awe on his face: "Do you think it's magical, Emmett?"
Emmett nods at Baldrick and concentrates on the black ice.
"We will go," the goliath says calmly.
Baldrick shifts uncomfortably, looking back and forth between Umikh and
Mир, before deciding to have a snack until someone tells him what to do. Sitting down next to Emmett with a piece of jerky, he'll wait to see what the old bard has to say about the ice.
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As Emmett concentrates on his spell, he can sense an ambient enchantment that is less something that was laid upon it, but is inherent in its creation. The schools include a bit of every known discipline, but no matter what swirls to the top there is something about it that leaves the half-elf feeling dirty...
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The man looks apologetically at Mир, Thanks... May the Frostmaiden smile upon you...
He pulls the coat that you gave him close and heads out into the snows, heading up the coast of the lake toward Dougan's Hole...
The eladrin will comment I am more versed in the gods of the Seladrine than I am of others gods. What or who is the Frostmaiden?
"I will meet you back at Mother Tusk's," the goliath says and follows the man.
The eladrin looks at the departing goliath and then to the party and then back again.
Baldrick stands up in alarm: "Whoa, whoa! Squad's gotta sti... I mean, we oughta stick together!"
Grabbing Emmett's shoulder and trying to pull him along "Up, up!"
Giving Umikh a push: "Let's go!"
Umikh grumbles something unintelligible about this idea, and may have even rolled his eyes, but he grudgingly follows along.
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Quickly gathering everything up, you all trail the man, Judd, and your goliath friend. The trip is uneventful and takes you about an hour trudging through the snows. When you get within a 100 yards, Judd turns and smiles a weak smile, You didn't need to do that, but thanks.
You watch him double-time it back to town. Once you are sure he is safe, you look at each other, tired, shivering (except Mир), and head back to Mother Tusk's cave...
Regarding the Goliath leaving the tent, Khitt looks to the others, ”he’s not one for having his mind changed I see. We probably aught to go with em or at least one or two of us go and the rest stay here.
[ooc]Khitt would be interested in claiming the smoldering leather.
The eladrin happily follow the group.
Waving at the man's back: "Seeya Judd - try not to get stabbed any more!"
Turning back to the group: "Is it alright if we rest a bit before heading back to Mother Tusk's? I'm beat."
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Once back to the cave Khitt amuses the animals, himself, and apparently Umikh by performing pipe smoke tricks and trying to incorporate the smoldering of his armor into said tricks. Though he fails miserably after dropping his pipe, he still tries to have fun with it. ”Guess I’ll need to practice. “ he says with a shrug.
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You make the long 3-hour trek back up the hills to Mother Tusk's cave, where you are met by Whiskette and Spritzel. The cranky arctic fox immediately asks, noting your bedraggled stature, Well? Were you successful? Doesn't look like you lost any one...
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Upon relating the tale, there is a celebratory cheer that arises from the pack and Mother Tusk approaches, Very good! This will make our fishing easier again... The warm waters will attract fish and will keep an open hole, entry when the lake freezes over. Rest, and I will conjure some goodberries to fill your stomachs. Tomorrow, if you are so inclined, I will have Ollie take you to the Northern caves... It is time that we migrate back there again, but we dare not while those terrible sounds still emanate from them...
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After a night's rest, the cold makes for a fairly miserable night. You toss and turn, but manage to get enough rest to feel ready to head out and get your blood flowing.
Mother Tusk finishes chatting with some of the menagerie she leads, dragging herself across the floor of the sheltered cave to speak with you, I lead my family from one shelter to another in the area, wherever food and safety are most available. Our northernmost shelter has been off-limits because the terrible sounds coming from there scare my children too much. It’s time we go back. Can you explore the deeper caverns and see if they’re safe? Ollie can lead you there.
Ollie is a snowy owl. When she glides into the room, the smaller rodents scatter, many hiding behind Mother Tusk’s massive form. Oh please, says the owl in a haughty squawk. Like I’d stoop to consuming any of you mangy vermin.
Rodlas is going to try and pet the foxes and otters and have conversations with them.
Trying to appear formal when talking to Mother Tusk, Baldrick is obviously excited at the prospect of heading underground: "Y-Yeah! We can definitely check out the deeper caves - right, gang?!"
Quickly packing up his gear, he looks around to see if anyone is dragging their feet.
Khitt nods in solidarity and preparedness with Baldrick. ”Lead on proud hunter” the goblin says to Ollie.
Emmett beams at Baldrick: "That is why I made the trip here. I'm here for Mother Tusk. I... I saw her... I see no other duty for me..."
The old man moves around the room while eating, getting his back some warming up. At one point, he pushes against a wall and a loud pop is heard, followed by a sigh of relief.
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The trip to the Northern caves is difficult and cold, but relatively uneventful. Ollie guides you, but refuses to enter the caves. She has a wry witty sense of humor, making as many "who?" puns as she can during the trip.
After a few hours, you arrive at the caves. Two forms lie in a pool of blood that stains the snow red. Both men are dead, their arms missing and their furs shredded. “Well, that seemed to go poorly for them,”
quips Ollie.
Among the pair, you find that they have cold weather gear, ruined by the mauling, a few short swords (two apiece), one shortbow each, and forty arrows among two quivers. There is also a book of translated Orc words and phrases.
Poking one of the bodies with a booted foot: "Hey, it looks like that guy from the hot spring. Look - scratch marks and... is that maybe from a beak? Why does that sound familiar?"
Shrugging: "Well, whatever - ready to go underground?!"
Reckon there's another owlbear in there? Umikh looks unhappy at that prospect, but no less determined.
Baldrick pulls a 'magic stone' from a belt pouch and throws it as far as he can into the cave before the group enters.
Baldrick, eager to feel the weight of stone over his head again, will lead the way into the caves, picking a direction at random.
Mир grabs a torch from his pack and lights it ablaze.