Turning to the living doll before entering the town hall, Lilyana laughs to herself at the notion of the awakened poppet calling the gunslinger magic, before explaining to the poppet her reasoning "You as well, Noemy! I find it funny how the living, talking, walking poppet is calling the mundane half-elf gunsmith the magical one!"
Shocked at the idea someone would take be offended at being mistaken for a human, Lilyana pipes up in response to Vhekk while saying, "Oh, no offense taken. My ears aren't a giveaway like most Aiuvarin I've encountered. They're pointed like an Aiuvarin's ears are, but they're short enough to be easily mistaken for a human. And regardless, I don't think anywhere besides Erages in Kyonin actually has Aiuvarin as a common occurrence!"
Turning to Gertruud and finally seeing a familiar face, Lilyana pushes her hair back to reveal her slightly-pointed ears while piping a greeting in Russian, "Привѣтъ!" . After the identifying activities are complete, she lets Vhekk speak to Gertruud, while thinking he cleary seems better with people than I am, to herself, before reiterating what he said.
Having done the greeting in Russian to clearly identify herself, Lilyana switches back to Taldane, "Gertruud! Glad to see you're still around! How have you been? Vhekk already covered what the six of us need: here to see the Ulfen bodyguard that was with Argentea, and Yorah," pointing to the Dromarr, unsure if Gertruud would know the hermit, before continuing "would like a map of Wishbone creek if you can provide one." She briefly sighs before continuing, "I figured that it's fate for me to help Heldren. I came here to pay respects to my mother and Babuskha Boyarov... then this happened."
Maq'la's brows raise with respect as Vhekk tells of training while a slave. "To train in secret to be able to fight with your clan's weapon, while slavers work to keep you docile? You bring honor to your clan, and I truly hope we do get the chance to test our mettle together."
She gives his unusual staff an appraising look, then hands it back to him.
"Vhekk, I think Yorah's trying to say we're going to want to be wet while investigating. And you know what?" Noemy dunks her head one last time in her drink, soaking until she's rather sodden "I've got that covered! Hehe."
"And here I was, thinking how dry that work was in Johas's hayfield, and how glad I am to have wet my throat before heading out again. May all our work be so wet!"
As they leave, Maq'la calls out again for Khai'dun's blessings upon Kale and Menander's fine tavern.
Maq'la looks at the elderly clerk. While she's seen her about town they haven't met yet, and she waits back–leaning against the wall–content that others are asking the same questions she would.
Ai found the discussion of how Lilly looked abotu the same age that she did and finding out that she was a half-elf made things much more clear. She nodded along at the discussion and explanation Lilly gave them. "It makes sense that, with the blood of a race as long lived as elves she would live longer, and probably age slower, than other."
Ai had not drank anything but water while they were at the Stoat, she wasn't a fan of liquor, besides, it didn't hold up to what she knew in her first life, very weak stuff compared to good Russian vodka, so she saw little point. When they reached the town hall and Lilly greeted the woman at the desk Ai didn't think anything of it for a moment. She heard it, just like she would have in her first life, and her mind automatically translated it into common. Something seemed off but she wasn't quite sure what it was and decided to shrug it off for now, it would probably come to her eventually.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Yorah tilts her head curiously once more as people debate the verbiage used. "That's just-" her face takes on a slightly red tint. "I don't speak Taldane nearly as much as I would like. It's a word-by-word translation from... something else. It means you get you do honest work and get your hands dirty and back sweaty. Kind of. The point is, you don't count on others to do what you can."
Yorah returns a quiet hello and wave combination when greeted by Gretruud. "If you don't have a map, can you give us directions to Wishbone Creek, at least?"
|
At Gertruud's words, he looks at the elderly clerk. "We were searching for a few pieces of information - I rarely visit here, so I do not know the procedures for learning what we need, but I was hoping you could help us. We were trying to speak with the Ulfen noble's guard brought in the other day, as we were concerned that the forest's bandits would be so bold as to attack a noble's caravan. Additionally, Yorah here was seeking a map to Wishbone Creek, if you have any."
Noemy raises one fluffy hand to wave "Hi Gertruud!" She makes sure to speak up loudly and clearly "Hope you're holding up okay through all this really weird weather. We're here to investigate all the rumors we've been hearing. Was there an Ulfen bodyguard here yesterday who had the lady he was guarding kidnapped? And have you heard anything about Findoll and Gand out near Wishbone Creek? We heard they had quite a fright recently, and thought we might be able to help investigate."
Turning to Gertruud and finally seeing a familiar face, Lilyana pushes her hair back to reveal her slightly-pointed ears while piping a greeting in Russian, "Привѣтъ!" . After the identifying activities are complete, she lets Vhekk speak to Gertruud, while thinking he cleary seems better with people than I am, to herself, before reiterating what he said.Having done the greeting in Russian to clearly identify herself, Lilyana switches back to Taldane, "Gertruud! Glad to see you're still around! How have you been? Vhekk already covered what the six of us need: here to see the Ulfen bodyguard that was with Argentea, and Yorah," pointing to the Dromarr, unsure if Gertruud would know the hermit, before continuing "would like a map of Wishbone creek if you can provide one." She briefly sighs before continuing, "I figured that it's fate for me to help Heldren. I came here to pay respects to my mother and Babuskha Boyarov... then this happened."
Yorah returns a quiet hello and wave combination when greeted by Gretruud. "If you don't have a map, can you give us directions to Wishbone Creek, at least?"
"Oh, my." Gertruud says, inundated with the barrage of questions and greetings. Recognition of Lilyana slowly seeps into her brain, and she beams back at her. "Miss Boyarov? I haven't seen you in what twenty, no thirty years! Oh, my, I've gotten old. I've grandkids born after I last saw you. You should come around and meet them, if you've the time. Oh! So many interesting visitors today. Hello, Noemy. Always good to see your face. You don't need any stitching today do you?" she smiles, saying in a conspiratorial voice to Lilyana "That one's always getting into one scrap or another with the local bullies."
She puts down her needles. "Let's see, now. You were asking about things...." she tugs on her left ear. "Ah, yes. The Ulfen fellow. He's recovering over at Willowbrook, you know, the Apothecary. Wishbone Creek, you say? I'm sure we've got the area on some of our maps, I could let you take a look. I'll need to get the key, and we'll need to go to the records room. Findoll was in here the other day going on and on about getting a hunting license to hunt down some white stag Gand had chased after around that area. Councilor Teppen granted it, and I signed as witness myself." She pauses as if trying to recollect what she was talking about, or at least what has been said.
"Oh, and how are your mother, and dear grandmother? I haven't much left the hall except to go home and sleep lately, haven't been able to visit with old friends. My hip, you see." she says, waving the key she has fetched from a nearby lockbox towards her left hip. The reflection of the sun, peeking out from behind dark clouds, on the key momentarily catches her eye, and she stares at it in her hand like it is a stranger.
Yorah gives Lilyana a curious look. She scans the woman a few times while Gertruude finishes, then sighs and rubs the bridge of her nose as the white stag is mentioned.
"Of course. Heavens forbid someone -else- would hang a rare specimen above a fireplace." she mutters to nobody in particular, and addresses Gertruud again. "I'm sorry. This... uh, Findoll permit. When was this signed, exactly?"
"To train in secret to be able to fight with your clan's weapon, while slavers work to keep you docile? You bring honor to your clan, and I truly hope we do get the chance to test our mettle together."
Vhekk grins. "My thanks, daughter of Ulkh. I hope for much the same - you are clearly a skilled warrior, and I have no doubt your prowess is a beacon of guidance for the lost."
"I don't speak Taldane nearly as much as I would like. It's a word-by-word translation from... something else. It means you get you do honest work and get your hands dirty and back sweaty. Kind of. The point is, you don't count on others to do what you can."
The young man nods in understanding. "Such phrases rarely preserve their meaning between tongues. The Qadiran equivalent of such a sentiment is an insult, stating that one of importance does work beneath her station, work that is reserved for her lessers." He contemplates for a moment. "I like your version better, I think. It is no shame to not rely on others - in fact, if anything, the shame comes from those who cannot care for themselves."
At the words in the unfamiliar tongue from Lilyana, Vhekk glances at his new friend but says nothing, curious about the strange language so unlike any other he has heard of. As Gertruud speaks, his smile remains as friendly as ever, but he sighs internally at the elderly clerk's lackadaisical attitude. ...And now I remember the other reason I rarely come here... His mind goes back to when he first tried to get permission to hunt in the Border Wood - the hours of miscommunication between the increasingly senile old woman and the hunter unfamiliar with the language, the growing frustration of both parties as the day dragged on, the horrible noise of those damned bells... He sighs, resigning himself to another long and unproductive argument, but his ears do catch the mention of the 'Willowbrook Apothecary.' "The Willowbark Apothecary, you mean? The healer there helped me recover when I caught the sickness last year - I can think of no better place for this injured guard to be taken." He pauses for a moment, listening as Gertruud continues. "As for Findoll, it is a strange coincidence that this stag should show up at the same time as the snows come to this village during the warm season, yes? All we wish to do is ensure no harm comes to him - after all, it would not be right to leave little Gand without a father if we could do something to help Findoll."
"No stitches today. Not yet at least!" Noemy pats down her "dress" that doubles as her body. "A map would be nice to borrow, if you would. I think with all these things going on, we'll be wandering about further from town than we normally would. And it's really hard to do anything heroic while you're getting lost in the woods."
"So Willowbrook then, since it's closer."
"Yep, it's me. It's been too long! And yes, after this whole fiasco is over, I would love to meet your grandkids! Hehe... Mom and Babushka Boyarov are the same as they always are.., I miss them both a great deal, and I wish I could have told them about all the places I've been," unsure if Gertruud remembers that her Mother died relatively recently, and her Grandmother died right before Lilyana left, she stands there awkwardly twiddling her fingers around her (not loaded) trusted arquebus, while listening to the ragtag group around her converse with Gertruud.
"Oh, I might as well explain to you five," after which she gestures to the group, "that Привѣтъ is a greeting in my grandmother's native tongue, I didn't know if Gertruud would recognize me after 30 years, so I figured showing my ears, and speaking русскій, would make it clearer just in case it's been too long, hehe!"
"Yeah, I hope Noemy wouldn't need any more stitches! That seems to track with what little knowledge I have of poppets like her, and Noemy herself."
After attempting to make light conversation and clear any possible misconceptions, she turns to Noemy and nods her head, "Mhm, Willowbrook sounds like the next stop for us, then; it's the closest option. "
Noemy looks up at Lilyana "It's a funny sounding language, your Rooskey. But Gertruud has a great memory, so I think she'd definitely remember you and recognize you too." She turns to the old woman "Right?"
"Anyone have a problem Willowbrook first? We can stop by the town hall later if we've got more to ask." Assuming so objections, she waves to Gertruud and leads the way to Willowbrook at a surprisingly brisk scurry across the square.
As they gathered information Ai let the others do the talking for the time being a she was still just a little bothered by whatever it was that was nagging at her. It was important, she knew it was important, but what i twas just didn't click. It wasn't until Ai heard Lilyana say "русскій" that it clicked to AI what was wrong. Lilyana was speaking Russian!!!
Ai's face paled as she looked at Lilyana and tried to figure out if she heard what she heard or imagined it and said haltingly in the same tongue,
[ooc]Too lazy to try and use google translate right now so that shoudl do.
Lilyana's face paled in tandem with Ai's as she heard a tongue she hadn't heard from someone else in 30 entire years, let alone from some 19 year old.
"YOU? You speak Russian? My grandmother has had memory problems since her 20s, and doesn't remember where exactly she's from. I spent 30 years of my life trying to find where. She spoke it natively, and passed it down to me, since mom was unwilling to learn, and I quote:"
She switches to Taldane briefly to quote her mother, while holding her hands up to mock quotation marks, saying "Some senile old bat speaking gibberish"
She switches back to Russian before continuing, though it's clear to anyone: the unadulterated shock and joy in her voice carry across languages,
"How on Golarion did you learn it? My grandmother dying 31 or so years ago was the same reason I left Heldren to find wherever she came from. I thought it was going to eventually die with me if I didn't have a kid! And I spend 30 years across almost all of Golarion that fits some of her tales, and then someone in Heldren of all places starts speaking it?"
She mutters to herself in Russian, still not used to someone next to her speaking the language,
"This definitely was fate that brought me here. I'd like to thank whoever is doing this magical winter... before shooting them in the head."
Vhekk nods at Noemy's words. "Indeed - I think we should visit the apothecary first, then use the information we learn from this injured guard to determine where to go next."
The young hunter raises his eyebrows at the verbal exchange between Ai and Lilyana, surprised that the two have had similar enough experiences to share an unusual language. "A senile... bat, you say? Like the flying mouse creatures? I confess that I do not speak this 'Rukh-si' language - it's nothing like Kelish, or I could understand you, and while I don't speak the Tien trade tongue, I've heard it, and your speech is entirely different." He glances between the two incredulously as they continue to speak. "You sound happy, my friends. Are you long-lost sisters? What in the name of the Great Loop are you saying?"
As the two women start speaking in the funny sounding language from earlier, Noemy starts leading the way to Willowbrook. They certainly sounded happy, probably. It was hard to tell with all the harsh yet melodic words. At the very least they were excited to be talking, and that was good enough for now.
Noemy tosses her needle up around a fence post and shimmies her way up to start balancing along the top of the fence as the group heads down the street.
Realizing that she got caught up in shock and excitement, she turns to Vhekk before offering a summary in Taldane really quickly: "We're wondering how each of us even KNOWS русскій, and the 'bat' comment was me remarking how my mother used to call my Grandmother when she spoke of her homeland."
She laughs haughtily before continuing with the other remark, "And I said both that it's fate that I visited Heldren at this time, and that I hope to meet whoever caused this," she takes a pause while motioning to the freezing air and snow, "so I can shoot them out after thanking them."
|
|
Crossing the square once again, you duck through the alleyway behind the Silver Stoat to come to a tidy house with a well-tended garden. It is here you will find Tessaraea Willowbark, the local apothecary. An elven woman who came to Heldren 25 years ago, her quiet and somber demeanor bespeaks a tragedy in her life before arriving in the town. Rumor has it she lost someone close to her while adventuring in the River Kingdoms. Most people in town hold that it was a lover she lost. Regardless, it is not something the private woman speaks of.
Approaching the porch, you see a sign on the door that simply declares the apothecary open. A runner with Desnan markings runs along the porch in front of the door and extending several feet to either side. Those who have visited here before know that Ms. Willowbark prefers visitors remove their footwear before entering the apothecary, and as a bonus, the mat not only cleans the footwear, it also blesses those who issue a brief prayer to Desna a relief from foot pain for a day.
Once inside, you see the main sales room of the apothecary, lined with shelves of alchemical supplies; antitoxins and antiplagues, and a sizable collection of alchemical fire and flasks of acid. A bell attached to the top of the door rings with the opening of the door, and Ms. Willowbark pulls aside a nearby curtain, behind which Yuln Oerstag convalesces on a bed, his obviously severe injuries being tended by the closest thing the town has to a doctor.
Ai had to listen to understand all of what Lillyana said through her thick accent. She could only assume it was what Russian sounded like with a Taldane accent, but she quickly began to get adjusted to it. Ai was unsure of just how much to tell Lillyana but she decided that a general outline would be alright.
There was the occasional word in Taldane but most of what Ai spoke was in that same strange language the pair seemed to have in common. Her voice was pitched down into a lower register, like she was trying to sound like a man as she spoke.
When Vhekk asked what they were saying Ai simply nodded in agreement as she was hesitant to share much of what she remembered. Her last life was not the most pleasant and Ai didn't want to delve into it too deeply. Instead, she grasped onto Vhekk mentioning the Tien trade tongue and spoke to him.
When they reached the apothecary Ai saw the severity of the man's injuries and went to where the apothecary was tending to him. "Excuse me, would using my abilities help any? It won't be as good as clerical magic but I will try if you both wish."
Hearing of reincarnation, Lilyana does a quick double-check to make sure that she didn't miss the blue skin of a Samsaran on Ai before continuing, still in Taldane-accented Russian with the ocassioal Taldane word with the tacked on declension:
"Ah. I know that reincarnation does exist, I've met enough Samsarans to back up that claim, but... you aren't exactly blue, to put it one way. I know not all my tales my grandmother told were positive, but she didn't like bringing up the negative aspects much. I don't know what or where this Russia is, beyond presumably where Russian is spoken, given by the words themselves, but if you would like to keep your past life behind you, that's your right. You're who you are now, and nothing can change that."
She sighs a little remembering the time when her grandmother was alive, before continuing,
"And I don't speak Tien, even for as long as I was there. I speak Hon-La, but unless we get suddenly teleported to northern Tian-Xia one day, I doubt it'll come in handy to know such a language in Taldor, or anywhere in Avistan, for that matter. I also speak Hallit, Skald, and Elven, of course. "
Upon entering the apothecary and taking her shoes off (presumably doing so after everyone else), she greets the new face in front of her with a brief greeting in Elven , before continuing in Taldane while pointing to Yuln: "Is this the injured bodyguard here?"
Once Ai and Lilyana start a conversation in an unknown language, Yorah attempts to turn her focus elsewhere. She's not the one to pry. Seeing Noemy moving out of the building, she follows the doll and stays close on the way to the apothecary. She gives Noemy a curious look every now and then, but keeps her thoughts to herself. As they approach the apothecary, she notices the garden next to the house, providing an immediate distraction. She quickly heads on over, looking for plants to take to her own house. It takes a moment for her to realise that the cold weather situation needs to be looked into first, and heads on over to the actual entrance.
Moving closer to the actual house, she notices there are sets of shoes just outside. She shrugs, bends over to remove her shoes as well and steps inside. "Good day to you." she nods at the elf emerging from the back room. Her eyes dart between the apothecary and the Ulfen man resting. "Is he alright?"
|
|
When they reached the apothecary Ai saw the severity of the man's injuries and went to where the apothecary was tending to him. "Excuse me, would using my abilities help any? It won't be as good as clerical magic but I will try if you both wish."
"If you've skill with doctoring, your aid would be most useful. I was able to do some sewing and provided a few elixirs to soothe his pain, but there was little I could do for the frostbite on his extremities." Ms. Willowbrook explains, stepping aside for Ai to give it a stab.
|
|
The ulfen man seems more eager to tell his tale to those who look like they could handle the dangers he witness than concerned about his own health. He allows Ai to take a look, but also begins speaking almost immediately.
“We thought they were just bandits at first—outlaws who hide like wolves in the forest. They were no match for us. But then came the cold fey of the north. They appeared among us and the battle turned quickly. My people speak of the winter-touched all the time, but I never expected to meet them this far south.” he grunts a little at Ai's touch, his pain expressed despite the amount of drugs pumping through his veins evident in his eyes.
At Ai's words, Vhekk raises an eyebrow. "That I recognize as the Tien trade tongue, but as I said, I can't speak a word of it. My apologies."
At the apothecary, Vhekk takes his boots off at the entry mat before continuing into the building. As the door opens, he scowls and claps his obsidian hands to his ears at the ringing of the bell, muttering a particularly foul invective in Kelish and glowering at the offending instrument as he reaches up to still its clapper. Inside, the shelves upon shelves of unfamiliar bottles and vials thoroughly intimidate him, and he keeps a firm hold on his staff to prevent it from knocking any of the glass containers off the shelves. As the apothecary pulls back the curtain, he shrugs helplessly. "I'm sorry - I have no skill in the healing arts. I can't help you."
When the Ulfen man begins speaking, however, he approaches, keeping back from the healers so as not to interfere with their work. "Winter-touched creatures - fighting alongside the bandits? Where did this take place? The forest is large, and a little information would do much to help us find your employer."
Upon hearing 'winter-touched,' Lilyana's eyes go wide. Not of the previous excitement present when talking Russian, but of a horror from the land she visited for all of three days. "Winter-touched?!"
She doesn't even dare proceed with more questions, as she's too shocked that her suspicions might have been confirmed. She doesn't want her suspicions confirmed. It's an affront against her goddess to halt a transition without good reason, and the transitions of the seasons fall under that umbrella. She mutters under her breath in Russian a few disparaging words before continuing her shocked expression:
"I hope I'm wrong here..."
Noemy brushes the bottoms of her fluffy puffs on the doormat, but getting them properly clean is a cause lost a long time ago. Luckily, this isn't the first time she's been to Willowbark's, and she's also not one to ask forgiveness for things she can't help. She scurries inside after the rest of the impromptu team enters.
The Ulfen man catches her attention. She pushes past before hopping up onto his bed. "Hold on, hold on. There were wolves dressed up like bandits? Cold faeries? And your fingers are all... well, not good! Give us the whole story, uh, please."
Ai noticed all the shoes before she got to close to the apothecary and injured man and removed her's as well, pulling a separate pair of what were closer to slippers and pulling them on before entering further. Ai nodded in acknowledgement of the apothecary's permission and between one step and the next a stream of water began to appear around her with a length of vines weaving in and out of it. They spun around her as she opened her kinetic gate and her aura spilled forth in a ten foot area around her. Nothing and no one who was touched be the rings was harmed, at most it was just a tickle, as she approached the pair.
When she reached the injured man she began to gesture and the directed some of the water to separate and gather around her hands. Ai reached out towards the injured extremities and began to run the water began to glow a pale blue as she ran it over the injured limbs.
Her healing didn't do very much good and she said, "I am sorry, that is all I can do for now. It will take another ten minutes before I can safely use that on him again." She closed her eyes for a second and the aura surrounding her vanished without a trace.
|
|
"The whole story, eh? I suppose it would be best to start from the beginning. I work--- worked for Captain Thernius Arvustein as a member of the Iron Shield, a guild of mercenaries lately in service to the Taldan Crown. Our mission this trip was supposed to be fairly simple. We were escorting Lady Argentea Malassene from her diplomatic mission in Zimar back to her estate in Oppara. Two carriages, five servants, the Lady, and ten of us to guard them including the Captain. We has just come to the place in the road that comes closest to the Border Wood..." he collapses into a momentary coughing spree, and Ms. Willowbark brings him some water, which he drinks, waiving her away.
"Thank you." he says after the water calms his cough. "Bandits came streaming out of the wood, covered in snow they appeared to be ill-dressed for. My band includes a few green lads, but we took formation and easily beat this rough lot back."
"Then came a wind from the forest, cold enough to freeze your breath in your lungs and accompanied by a blinding squall. What followed, however, was worse. Zombies covered in ice and snow, tiny sprites whose arrows froze with every prick, and a tiny winged demon made of ice. This demon froze the captain solid where he stood-completely solid, like a statue. I was caught in the blast that froze the captain, but sheltered by his body I only suffered the frostbite you see on me now. I backed off quickly as the fey flitted around in the snow so quickly we could hardly follow their movements as the fell the men one by one. I was fortunate enough to only face down a few of the zombies. I tricked the zombies into the empty carriage and sealed the doors with a broken spear. Other zombies had grabbed the lady and were dragging her towards the forest, in a manner that indicated they were ordered to take her fairly uninjured. As I watched men I knew for years die, I realized we were lost,"
His coughing returns until he drinks more water. "That demon was tormenting poor Johanson, floating above and mocking him about the cold welling up inside that would soon consume him. Its back was to me, and I saw the opportunity to run."
"Those fey creatures were winter-touched, of that I am sure. Whatever is happening in your wood, you can be sure there is an Irrisen Ice Witch behind it. The winter-touched do nothing without the leave of those who placed the ice in their hearts. If they’re here, it’s because a White Witch sent them. And much worse will follow.”
Maq'la (who knows only Taldan and Orcish, and finds all human languages quickly start to sound the same to her) gets a bit distracted as conversation slips between multiple tongues, and she follows her little buddy toward Willowbrook.
When they arrive, she's happy to get the chance to put her muddy–and all too pungent–boots on the magical mat. "Gotta admit, magic like that's just plain handy, right?", she mutteres as she enters the apothecary, and she happily murmurs a prayer to Lady Luck.
Maq'la listens seriously to the ulfen warrior's tale. While no orc, she can see he's a strong warrior, and his description of their foes is concerning. "I'm sorry for your loss, but hope you take heart: while you've lost a battle you've gained new scars to tell the story of your heroism. And with the blessings of Kai'dun Khaliun–and the other gods–" she waives to the painting on the butterfly on the wall, "–perhaps a fresh crew of warriors can rescue this Lady."
Turning to the crew of mostly strangers she's traveling with, Maq'la says, "I'm sure I can count on Noemy to join me in this. What of the rest of you? I know little of 'winter-touched' or witchcraft, but I'm eager to test my Aq'lakh against these wicked fey and this ice demon. And if we can rescue Lady Argentea, perhaps we will get not only glory in doing good, but also a reward, eh? Will you join me?"
"I suppose that answers my question." Yorah sees Ai enter the back room and try to look at the ulfen's wounds. At first, her face shows... relief? But soon enough, concern creeps in to remain throughout.
She doesn't speak to the man. Maq'la said it well enough. What Yorah offers instead, is a sympathetic touch and quiet reassurance that all is well. At least for now.
She leaves the back room, quietly nodding towards the elf, then turning to Maq'la. "I'll go. Something's not right here. And there's still the White Stag I want to see. It seems our goals align."
When they leave the premises of the Apothecary, she lets out a heavy sigh. She makes sure she is out of earshot of the ulfen before speaking. "Bandits, zombies, fey, a demon. That's what he said he -SAW-. The man is either delusional, or there's trouble afoot. My charge is in Border Wood. Even if I wouldn't want to look into this, I am obligated to so."
She puts on her sandals. "So, ready when you are."
"Oh... your poor friends. That was awful. I wish we could have been there to help you." Noemy kicks her poofy feet as she listens in. Only when he mentions the Irriseni Ice Witch does she spring up in shock. "A witch from Irrisen! Why? How!? They're the absolute worst of the worst, and now they're here in Heldren too?"
She draws her bladed needle "Where is she? I'll corner her and thread ten holes through her for every friend you lost to her horrible frosty creatures! And take out any bandits that wanted to work with her too!"
Noemy doesn't need to hear more after the mention of one of those horrid witches and she takes the man fully at his word. She thinks on all the things he mentioned that the witch could do and tries to remember if she's heard anything like that before, as well as what else to watch for.
"I'm sure I can count on Noemy to join me in this. What of the rest of you? I know little of 'winter-touched' or witchcraft, but I'm eager to test my Aq'lakh against these wicked fey and this ice demon. And if we can rescue Lady Argentea, perhaps we will get not only glory in doing good, but also a reward, eh? Will you join me?"
Vhekk nods. "I will gladly fight alongside you, daughter of Ulkh. This foe threatens Heldren, and I confess I've grown rather fond of it - in any case, I could not with a clear conscience abandon those who need me." As the Ulfen warrior describes the habits of the winter-touched and the witch who likely commands them, he scowls. "I do not know of the ways of the witches of Irrisen, but if what you say is true, it sounds as though these winter-touched are slaves to the will of this mage." He begins to spin his staff in his agitation, careful not to damage any of the bottles within the shop. "I have no use for slavers or those who work in dark magics, and I swear to you that I will not rest until she is dead and your friends avenged."
The tiefling turns to the injured warrior. "If we recover your friends' bodies in our search, how should we act? I am afraid I do not know the funeral traditions, but it is right that the dead should be buried or burned as is customary."
"Count me in. It seems to be fate that brought me back to Heldren after 30 years, and I'd be a fool to not defend it. I know the winter-touched are from Irrisen, and I know Irrisen is in a never-ending magical winter. My knowledge ends there, but it's enough for me to despise them."
She tightly grips her arquebus as she nods her head in agreement with the rest of the party. Much like everyone else here, she has her own reasons for despising the winter witches. They threaten the village she grew up in, and they are attempting to break transitions of seasons in half.
"Uh..." Yorah's eyes dart around the group. "My takeaway is that witches from Irrisen seem to be notorious in these parts? Is there a reason for that?"
She pauses for a short moment.
"Did this happen before?"
"Notori- what? No." Noemy emphatically shakes her head at Yorah's question "I just learned how bad they could be, a while ago. Not here. Definitely not in Heldren."
The half blood squints her eyes at Noemy. "Care to share? I'm out of the loop, it seems. Up until 10 minutes ago, I didn't know they exist."
Noemy waves her arms and her bladed needle, nearly slicing into Yuln's arm in her agitation "They're really terrible. Greedy, magical, nasty." Her voice gets a little smaller "The last time I saw one, she killed-" she shakes her head, not willing to voice exactly who was killed.
"But I thought they were only in Irrisen! That kind of cold place was only right for their cold hearts."
Vhekk scowls as Noemy discusses the depredations of the winter witches. "I have never met one, but I have heard the stories. The Erutaki of the Crown of the World say that they come up from the south, leaving destruction in their wake - that they slaughter entire tribes, stealing away children to eat. The young Qadiran shudders, drawing his cloak around himself to keep warm in the chilly air. "They say that where the winter witches walk, the snow never melts, and that cruel winds blow from the land where they make their home. I knew enough who thought like they did in Sedeq - they feel that because they have power, they can do what they wish to who they wish. It is a cruel philosophy, and one I feel the world would be better without." He shrugs. "I'm sure not everyone from Irrisen is evil, but becoming part of such a cruel group requires more than being born in the wrong place - it takes a willingness to do horrible things."
Although generally unfazed by the cold weather, as she had grown accustomed to it in Northern Arcadia and Hongal, Lilyana's face still shows disgust at the mention of Winter Witches. "I've heard similar stories, as well. Was in Irrisen for all of three days before deciding to get out!" Too much magic, she complains in her own head.
Sighing in the cold air, where her breath is visible, she continues in response to Noemy, "Breaking the peaceful transitions of seasons to their own cold-hearted whims," she sighs exasperatedly, "It seems at least half of us are in agreement that the Winter Witches of Irrisen are bad news. I have no idea why they're this far south, either"
"I'll defer to your... uhm, experience in the matter."
The pronunciation of the word 'experience' in this sentence is so much on the nose, that you can essentially see the quotation marks appear out of thin air as Yorah speaks.
"I suppose we will see what we see. So I guess we play a reverse game of hot or cold now?"
Ai shuddered at hearing the brief descriptions of the Witches of Irrisen. She vaguely remembered her Grandfather talk about that part of their journey, coming near the lands of Irrisen as they crossed the crown of the world from their homeland. "It sounds like I will be wishing that I had access to pyrokinesis on this adventure. Sadly water and wood will have to do."
|
|
[
Maq'la listens seriously to the ulfen warrior's tale. While no orc, she can see he's a strong warrior, and his description of their foes is concerning. "I'm sorry for your loss, but hope you take heart: while you've lost a battle you've gained new scars to tell the story of your heroism. And with the blessings of Kai'dun Khaliun–and the other gods–" she waives to the painting on the butterfly on the wall, "–perhaps a fresh crew of warriors can rescue this Lady."
“Would that I could go with you,” he says. “My ancestors would ridicule my lack of valor for fleeing rather than fighting to the end. But I faced enemies that even the greatest warriors in the Linnorm Kingdoms have faltered against.”
His coughing resumes. He drinks more water. "Steel your resolve if you seek to challenge the fey of the north. Your local fey may be capricious tricksters, but those who have taken the sliver of ice into their heart lack all sense of whimsy. Their spirits are as bitter and cold as those who rule them."
|
|
"Oh... your poor friends. That was awful. I wish we could have been there to help you." Noemy kicks her poofy feet as she listens in. Only when he mentions the Irriseni Ice Witch does she spring up in shock. "A witch from Irrisen! Why? How!? They're the absolute worst of the worst, and now they're here in Heldren too?"
She draws her bladed needle "Where is she? I'll corner her and thread ten holes through her for every friend you lost to her horrible frosty creatures! And take out any bandits that wanted to work with her too!"
He laughs heartily, sending him back into fits of cough. "That's the spirit! Your courage brightens my heart."
|
|
The tiefling turns to the injured warrior. "If we recover your friends' bodies in our search, how should we act? I am afraid I do not know the funeral traditions, but it is right that the dead should be buried or burned as is customary."
"My people usually bury at sea, or in cairns, but a pyre is also acceptable." he says, the death of his friends suddenly weighing heavily upon him.
“Would that I could go with you,” he says. “My ancestors would ridicule my lack of valor for fleeing rather than fighting to the end. But I faced enemies that even the greatest warriors in the Linnorm Kingdoms have faltered against.”
Maq'la says, "There is glory to dying battle...but you may yet get that chance again. Rest up, and then go out to prove that there was a reason you withdrew, by going on to vangquish more vile foes, and earn more war scars. And for today, while you're still healing, rest knowing that we will carry the banner for the day."
Turning to the rest of this makeshift posse, she says, "Speaking of which, if any of you know where this happened, lead on. Maq'la, daughter of Ulkh will be right behind you."
"Speaking of which, if any of you know where this happened, lead on. Maq'la, daughter of Ulkh will be right behind you."
Vhekk nods. "I believe I know the location he speaks of - it's some distance to the south, so we should set out soon." He glances around the group. "This is something that affects all of us, and more importantly, people need our help. You all seem to be capable, good-hearted people, and I am honored to fight alongside you - I assure you that Vhekk al-Atarshamayyin Vahdat Adalan Sedeq will know no rest until this crisis is resolved."
Noemy nods eagerly to Vhekk "You got that right! We'll find that Winter Witch and stab her in the face. I bet she's also behind all the other weird things going on. The cold weather, strange animals luring children into danger, and everything else we heard about."
She turns and pats Yuln on the arm "Okay, you rest up. We've got this." before turning to the party. "I think we should get some things to keep warm, some extra drink to keep us going, and then go right away. Especially if Vhekk knows where this place is, we need to get there and see for ourselves where all the bandits and faeries went."
"Yeah..." Yorah looks at her sandals and bare limbs. "I could probably use some warmer clothes for this. And some other stuff. LEt's see what is available?"
She looks around for a store of some sort, and walks over.
Lilyana sighs, muttering to herself in frustration.
"I didn't realize it would be so cold... or otherwise I wouldn't have sold my cold-weather gear when leaving Hongal."
Even if she's more used to the cold weather than most of the makeshift group, she'd still get hypothermia if out in the cold for long enough.
She nervously chuckles to herself, swearing under her breath with the few Russian vulgarities she knows, before turning to Noemy, "Between all of us, Noemy? We'll do more than just stab the Winter Witch, HA!"