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After leaving Mother Tusk's cave, you trek across the icy tundra. It is a full day of travel trudging through snows that come up to your knees. You pass by Dougan's Hole, a dreary sight, and continue on to the settlement of Good Mead.
Nearing the end of the day, though it is difficult to tell with the seeming eternal gloom, you see the lights of a central building, the sounds of singing and merriment emanating from within. As you approach, it looks like a large Mead Hall!
When you open the door, the warmth hits you like a wall! A roaring fire on either end of the hall lights up the building and fills it with the life-giving heat. The singing fades as the entirety of the people in attendance turn to face you in the doorway.
Suddenly, a familiar voice calls out, Well, look what the cat dragged in!
A familiar face stands out amongst the mix of people, but as most of the citizens of Good Mead come from Chultan stock, the slightly lighter features of your friend Turq is a welcome sight. He gestures you over to his length of the long tables running the length of the hall, What happened out there? Ye spent a couple o' days wit' the old walrus, eh? I only got meself here yesterday...
Khitt walks into the warm tavern gratefull to have a reprieve from the especially cold wind outside. After hearing the call from a familiar voice, the goblin looks over and raises a hand of acknowledgement toward the caller. The”C’mon fellas. Looks like you’re friend Turq managed to beat us here.”
Turq! cries Umikh, warmly greeting their friend with a hearty handshake and a slap on the back. How ya been? Just rolled in, eh? So. Where's this ale o' yers? Umi could use a warm mug of anything right about now!
At the shout, Baldrick's face stiffens and he pulls himself up straight, but he quickly relaxes into a smile as he recognizes his friend - the closest you can get to a dwarf in a human-shaped body: "Hullo Turq - wait'll you hear what we saw after you left!"
Baldrick settles onto a chair with a mug of beer and a bowl of stew (? please let there be stew!), ready to recount their latest adventures on behalf of Mother Tusk.
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Turq laughs, 'tain't ale nor beer, my friends... Taste some o' the town's namesake! Mead!
You spend the evening eating your first hot meal in what feels like forever. Hot stew and warm, freshly baked bread, and warm mead in pints fill your bellies! You share stories, Turq telling what he has learned about the culture learned from the Tribe of the Wolf, and you sharing your adventures with gnolls and orc zombies!
As the night winds down, Turq asks what your plans are now...
"This is the best mead I've ever had! but," and here he lowers his voice, hoping too many locals won't hear: "It's a strange drink, right?! How can something be so sour and so sweet at the same time??"
Later, his belly full and his feet finally warm for the first time since he left home, Baldrick sighs contentedly: "Ever since that avalanche, I haven't been sure we would make it here. Now that I am... well, I didn't really have a big plan other than 'find people who need help'." Unconsciously fingering his amulet, he mumbles to himself: "Maybe find someone who can help."
Breaking out of his reverie, Baldrick sits up straighter and clears his throat: "And, what about you, Turq? Are you staying for a while, or off again with the tribeswoman?"
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Turq laughs, It's made o' honey! Ya hear dat drone? The one just underlying the singin'? Dat's de bees singin' along!
He sobers up upon hearing about Shaktal, Notting but a passing fancy... She's got bigger fish ta fry gettin' her tribe back onna right track. Mayhap, life'll bring us back tagetter, mayhap nae...
He cracks a smile again, But, lookin' ta help, I got ya someting ye might'n be interested in. De guard cap'n o' Easthaven is lookin' ta mount a defense o'er some threat to de Ten Towns. Was lookin' ta head up dere tomorrow. Ye wanna come?
I'm in! hollers Umikh. His cheeks are quite rosy and he looks more than ready for a good night's sleep. But he won't cut out while there's socializing to be had!
Baldrick brightens considerably and seems eager at the prospect of 'proper' military work. He liked Mother Tusk, but she never saluted or complimented how quickly and neatly he stowed his gear.
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<PCs that played DDAL 10-00: Ice Road Trackers with Greycastle and me>
After a night of drinking and trading stories, Turq asks if you all have a place to stay. Upon discovering that you do not, he says that he just started renting a place here, and offers up his floor for everyone to stay the night.
Sleep up, everyone. I intend to leave by sun-up on the morrow...
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<PCs that are new additions.>
The din at the Northern Look quiets a little as messenger, garbed in the heavy coat of someone traveling, hammers a nail into the top end of a rolled parchment, then unrolls it, repeating the process at the bottom. Then, without a word, he leaves, shifting his heavy duty satchel laden with many more rolled posters.
As you head up to the poster, it reads:
Threat from the South!
WANTED:
Anybody able of sword, skill, and spell. Inquire with Captain Arlaggath at the Wet Trout in Easthaven.
Reward: Commensurate pay to position. (Minimum 25 gold pieces)
With his hood tightly closed in an effort to fight back the bite of the cold. Rodney reads the poster and whistles.
Saying to himself "25 gold crowns is far more than what I am making playing tunes for the locals. Bunch of cheap buggers, even giving me watered down ale to drink when they are getting quality first class entertainment.
But still what is this threat it speaks of. Only one way to find out.
And Rodney starts his way through the snow with all his gear, with the sounds of crunching ice at every step to Easthaven and the Wet Trout.
Not knowing how he will be treated here, the eladrin pulls his hood over his ears and tries to blend within the shadows.
Khitt, an unusually well spoken goblin with mottled grey skin, spends the evening in the common room, by the fire, smoking his pipe quietly. He keeps a fairly low profile, not wanting to rouse the townsfolk’s ire toward him. When Turq tells him of Shaktal, the goblin nods contemplatively. ”She does have many things troubling her and her people. I’d like to have spent more time with them, but I couldn’t see myself getting wrapped up into their tribal war. It sounds as though the Wolf tribe is trying to remake itself into something better though, so maybe I should have stayed.” with a sigh, Khitt taps his pipe to loosen up the spent tobacco and dumps it into the fire. ”No point living in the past. Let’s see this room of yours so I can get some rest for the day tomorrow. Easthaven awaits.” as an after thought the goblin looks over at Turq, ”Oh yeah, tomorrow you get to meet my new friend. She’s been waiting for us outside of town.”
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Turq nods, I believe our paths will cross again. If she requests aid, I will answer.
At the comment of a friend, Turq looks at the goblin with an appraising eye, Friend? Will she be okay in the freezing cold? She is welcome to join us at the house...
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Khitt notices that the people of Good Mead make note of his appearance, but appear to regard you more of an oddity than a threat. Many of the darker skinned residence make a gesture over their faces as they seem to be talking about him...
Leaning back in his chair, patting his now full belly, Baldrick yawns broadly: "Hohm! Much as I'd love to stay chatting, I think I'll turn in - just let me know which room, Turq, and I'll stretch out my blanket. 'Early to bed and early to rise!' as the lieutenant used to say."
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Turq laughs and downs the rest of his mead, Come on, I'll lead the way... Remind me to take ye to get some snow shoes 'afore we leave tomorrow. It'll keep us from having to take longer than a day's travel to get there.
Turq leads you through the snow covered streets to a log cabin at the outskirts. It is a main room, with a niche for his bed in the corner and seems to have an annex out the back. The back room seems to be a smithy, a remnant of the previous tenant he informs you.
Some o' ye can stay inna back room. I'll fire up the forge to keep it warm in there. The rest o' ye can stay in the front room, where we can have the fireplace going o'er night. Make yerselves at home...
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The night goes by quickly, the warmth from the fireplace and forge quickly warming the cold cabin. As you nestle in for the night, the horrors of the last few days threaten to creep into your subconscious...
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You awaken to the scent and sizzle of butter. Turq turns a tuber scramble in a large cast iron skillet, Rise and shine, boyos! We got a long road ahead o' us, so fill yer bellies and let us head out!
Umikh would have been rather happy to stay in a forge's quarters, being a smith himself! He definitely tossed and turned though, been a creepy if not terrifying few days.
At Turq's call, sure that the former soldier Baldrick is already up and organized, he does his best to follow suit. And fill his belly he does!
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Running his hands over the forge and any remaining tools, Baldrick (the mead maybe having a bit of an effect on him) gets a bit choked up: "Grandsire taught me what he knew of smithing - I still sometimes wish I'd followed in the old man's footsteps... he always got so mad when I mixed up the orders, though"
On finding out that Umikh also knows the trade, Baldrick asks about types of metal and techniques as he settles into his bedroll.
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Up with the dawn, Baldrick is quick to pack up and help Turq with preparing breakfast. Eating quickly and washing up, Baldrick is ready to try out these "snow shoes" and begin the march.
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Reassuring Turq that his friend would be fine outside, they depart for Turq’s rented space. Surprised at its location, Khitt reconsiders Turq’s offer. ”You know... on second thought, I think my friend could slip in unnoticed. After a few sharp whistles and a minute or two of waiting, a creature comes into the dim light cast by the torches nearby. White fur on the white snow allows a large cat to blend easily into its surroundings as it cautiously pads its way up to the awaiting adventures. [b]Turq, this is Khatt.” the goblin says as he scrubs the, arctic bobcat behind an ear. ”It’s short for Khattarina.”
The next morning, Khitt eats his fill and makes sure Khatt gets her share as well.
The eladrin wakes the next morning, feeling a bit wintry. He quietly eats his portion of food, being reflective and quiet.
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Lumen watched as the messenger put up the parchment and waited until most had read it and moved on before approaching to see what was on it.
"Once again Lathander has led me to this place in order to do his bidding. Perhaps the threat is the same one that attacked my clan. I must offer to help any way that I can," he thinks to himself.
He glances around at the crowd, trying to tell who might be taking the journey to Easthaven as he knows travelling alone can be dangerous.
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Wrapped in thick furs from bear and wolves from his fur trade he did to get by he had finally dragged himself once more to Bryn Shander with his sled full of furs to sell or trade in town. Too late to get much business done he decided to go to the mead hall and then to find a room. He stored the sled and went in, his long hair and beard melting off from the warmth as he shoved open the door to crack the frost at the edges. Netz looks at the posted poster as he walks by and parks himself at the bar.
Mead and what passes for dinner, eh? Netz says
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As you walk by the poster, a mounted knucklehead trout begins wriggling and singing!
There’s a place I like to go
Farther up the river’s flow;
Where it is, I do not know;
Must be under all that snow.
Under the fish, on the plaque is a brass name plate that reads, 'Ol' Bitey'.
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The bar keep of the Northlook Inn & Tavern nods, Got the Good Mead and a bowl o' the brown (stew) comin' up. That'll be a silver, so's ya know...
He is gone and returns before you can fish out your coin. In the time, you notice a couple of adventuring types approach the posted flyer to check it out, one a tall folk, a firbolg, if memory serves, and the other, a flamboyant human, well maybe he's got a bit of elf in him.
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Netz tosses the silver on the counter knowing the furs will get him just enough to go back out and scrimp and fur some more. Twenty five gold minimum sounded better then scrimping. When the food comes he starts eating and having a sip of the mead between slurping his stew looking forward over the folk who are looking at the poster. pool a few coins and get us a bigger sled and animals to pull and I can drive us and handle the animals and get who ever is going to East haven Netz says simply
Turning to the dwarf who just spoken. "You are heading for East Haven? I could use a ride, how many coins are we talking about? My name is Rodney, Rodney Lash at your service" and give a deep bow to the dwarf.
Turning to the firbolg, "How about you big fella, are you going to East Haven as well?"
Rodney sits down next to the dwarf and drops his coin down as well for a meal and a drink before departing. Humming a tune as they eat.
Rodlas nods in greeting to the firbolg
Lumen looks at the group congregating at the bar and walks over. "Yes, it seems I am called to travel to Easthaven to help. As there is safety in numbers, I would gladly travel with you but I don't have much coin to contribute. How long of a walk is the journey? Oh, and you can call me Lumen," he says quietly. His calm voice a little unexpected from such a large creature.
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On a good day, it would take you almost 8 hours on foot. It has been interminably cold of late, and the blizzards that blow in out of nowhere might make things difficult.
However, enterprising as they are, the people of Bryn Shander have set up some caravan services. Splitting the cost of a sleigh between the three of you won't break the bank.
When you three show up at the stables, you find that Captain Arlaggath has already provided, though she had hoped for more to turn up in Bryn Shander, at least you assume so by the comment of the caravan driver's comment about being paid enough for ten...
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Rodney steps into the sleigh. But for some reason his pack seems a little heaver looking, a new crossbow is strapped to his pack, you could have sworn that he was wearing leather armor, and not studded leather that he has on now. And where did those scratches on his arms come from, they look to be bear (or in this case owlbear) claw marks.
"Lets not fret the small details shall we. Their is a grand adventure waiting for us." And he takes a seat pulling out his lyre and begins a travelling song.
"Dashing through the snow in a one horse one sleigh......"
He will buy a warmer set of clothing if necessary.
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After introductions with Khatt are made, the goblin takes the tour of the rented forge while taking relaxing pulls from his pipe. ”This is pretty nice Turq. What happened to the previous black smith? If’n the blacksmiths gone, who’s takin care of the town’s smithin needs?” Khitt asks through clenched teeth holding his pipe.
He will buy a warmer set of clothing if necessary.
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After introductions with Khatt are made, the goblin takes the tour of the rented forge while taking relaxing pulls from his pipe. ”This is pretty nice Turq. What happened to the previous black smith? If’n the blacksmiths gone, who’s takin care of the town’s smithin needs?” Khitt asks through clenched teeth holding his pipe.
Turq shakes his head, Don' know. Near as I can tell, he was somebody like me, one o' the clan adoptees. They say he was an Ironjoy, the adoptees that take ta the forge like a knucklehead ta frigid waters. The Meaders say they got someone ta do the light smithy work, iron band and such, but no one ta make weapons and sturdier tools. Fer them we gotta go to Bryn Shander or me kin in Kelvin's Cairn.