Orchid moves in in an attempt to bite the summoned creature and gets a heavy fist for her troubles, but fails to catch it in her jaws.
Unfortunately, the large elemental has a 10' reach and will get an AoO on folks that have to move to within 5' for melee attacks.
As the beastie is occupied by the sharp-toothed shifter, Vigny moves in and slashes at it with her magically-enhanced blade. Shunsen carries the injured priest to a safe distance.
Round 2
Cailyn sinks a crossbow bolt into what would have been a vulnerable spot ... if the elemental actually had any vulnerable spots.
Cailyn:
~~~~
Earth Elementals are pretty straight forward. They like to smash with their huge fists anything they consider their enemies. Like all elementals, they're immune to blood-loss (bleed), paralysis, and poisons. They don't sleep and are impossible to stun. They have no real front or back (immune to flanking), and have no vulnerable spots (immune to critical hits and precision damage). They're also extremely tough (DR 5/-).
If the creature has been summoned, though, it most likely has a very limited time it can be here before it returns to its plane of origin.
~~~~
Flori's summoned grease seems to catch the large creature on the wrong ... foot? ... and it teeters for just a moment before coming crashing to the cobblestone street with a resounding crash!.
The elemental manages to struggle back to its feet before flailing ineffectively at Vigny.
Orchid takes 12 points of bludgeoning damage. Orchid and Vigny may take an AoO at the elemental as it stands. Orchid, Vigny, and Shunsen are up. Then Cailyn and Flori for round 3.
Cailyn's summoned mini-me version of the elemental punches at the original, attracking its attention. Flori casts a quick spell on Orchid.
The large composite of earth and stone swings two huge fists. The miniature version manages to dodge the first one only to get caught with a brutal backhand from the second.
Cailyn's summoned elemental takes 19 points of bludgeoning damage. Orchid, Vigny, and Shunsen are up. Then Cailyn and Flori for round 2.
The decision made to deliver the clay token to the Shelynite temple having been made the group retires to rest up for the next day.
Oathday, 23nd of Sarenith, 4711 AR (day 38)
A quick breakfast and the group heads out to the Fire Quarter for the temple of Shelyn. A few silver coins quickly gains you directions to the temple of the goddess of love, beauty, and art.
Perception DC 19:
As you're moving through the crowd, you spy a blonde-haired youth furtively following you. As quickly as you notice him, however, he notices you and vanishes into the crowd like mist on a breeze.
As you approach your destination, the sounds of screams and the crashing of tumbling masonry roll down the street over the normal noises of the crowd. Ahead, above the press, the shrine of Shelyn slowly sways and then collapses into the street, dumping its facade of stone and mortared brick on those unfortunates below, resulting in another wave of screams of pain and fear.
Closing the distance quickly, you see a large earth elemental pounding away at the building, quickly reducing it to rubble. An elderly Tian priest lies injured on the street nearby.
Perception DC 18:
You notice a blood-feather raven perched atop the building across the street. It croaks loudly and then flaps away out of view.
As if hearing some command, the elemental turns its attention to you as you draw closer.
Vigny's blade quickly cuts through one of the attackers and she moves forward. Cailyn's magically enhanced crossbow eliminates another one.
With both figures next to Vigny having been handled, the only visible enemy is the sole figure attacking Wolf-Orchid. Unfortunately, the rising flames between Shunsen and the black-clad attacker cause her arrow to fly far off target.
Flori's magical acid splashes harmlessly on the deck of the boat, the sizzling sound of acid-eating-wood lost amidst the crackling of flames.
Wolf-Orchid makes quick work of the single remaining enemy, leaving no one between you and the two canoes.
Combat Ends!
With the funeral boat quickly succumbing to flames, there's no time to examine the mystery attackers and the group quickly makes for the only way off of the burning vessel.
~~~
A half-hour later finds you making your way back into the city, a little worse for the wear and no sword or rescued guide to show for the effort.
I'm Assuming you return to your rented rooms. What would you like to do next and are you doing that now or waiting until the next morning?
Potential Elements of Investigation:
* Dig further into the Rimerunners Guild - the group that was said to have hired Asvig.
* Follow Uksahkka's instructions and deliver the clay token to the priest at the temple of Shelyn in the Fire Quarter in spite of not having found Ulf Gormundr.
* Something else?
Wolf-Orchid tears into one of the black-clad figures, bearing it to the deck. Vigny's blade does enough damage that a single tearing bite from Cailyn's summoned owl is enough to finish her foe off. The owl then rends the other nearby attacker with one of her razor-sharp talons.
Flori's summoned rain of stones and debris finishes off both Wolf-Orchid's downed opponent as well as Cleo. Shunsen advances to join Vigny.
Two of the remaining figures move to engage Vigny with no success, while the third bravely (foolishly?) splits off to threaten Wolf-Orchid.
The fire continues to spread.
Any figure moving into a burning square takes 1d6 fire damage and must make a DC 12 Reflex Save to avoid catching fire themselves.
With a flash of positive energy and the gnashing of Wolf-Orchid's jaws the creature that was Snorri Stone-eye comes to a putrid end.
Combat Ends!
As the ladies blink away the spots in their eyes, the mist slowly dissipates, leaving them standing hunched over amidst the glimmer and glitter of Snorri's funeral treasures.
The boat creaks and tips this way and that as you check the arrayed valuables for a very particular sword - which is nowhere to be found among the largesse. Also not to be found is any sign of the guide, Ulf Gormundr.
Flori does detect two items of magical note; under the leather patch covering one of Snorri's eyes is a gray stone (nacreous gray sphere ioun stone), and a beautiful Ulfen helmet with gold inlays and backswept wings on its sides (Unknown enchantment).
The boat creaks again and there's a whoomph! from up on the deck. The flickering light of flames slips between the slats forming the make-do deck above you. Shunsen frowns, distinctly remembering tossing the sack of burning coals over the side and into the water.
Whether she misremembers or some other element is at play is not significant at this point, though, as you realize that you'll have only moments before the boat will fulfill its intended purpose as a floating pyre - with you on it.
Each character can make an Appraise check and quickly gather 10x that check worth of wealth from the arrayed valuables.
Filling bags with the most portable of the valuables, you scramble back up on to the deck. The wooden bier has become fully alight and burns brightly at midship. Beyond it in the water you can see the qayaqs that brought you here cut loose and drifting out of reach. Tied off at the stern of the ship are two canoes, into which a group of black-clad, masked figures are quickly clambering.
Both Wolf-Orchid and Flori's summoned pupper tear into the undead threat, leaving a stumbling - but still dangerous - undead figure that just manages to keep its feet in the enclosed space.
Cailyn and Shunsen each send missiles into the mist, but neither manages to strike the creature. Vigny prepares offensive magic and readies herself to join the fray.
The deadly axe swings at the summoned canid newcomer and sinks deep into its extra-worldly flesh.
Summoned wolf takes 18 points of slashing damage and one negative level.
Cailyn's crossbow bolt gives a resounding thunk as it sinks into one of the wooden slats forming the hull of the boat.
Wolf-Orchid's teeth sink into the putrid flesh and rip a chunk away, enraging the vicious undead creature, but it manages to avoid her attempt at bringing it to the sloping floor.
Shunsen's arrow flies harmlessly through the magical mist.
Following Shunsen's advice, Vigny invokes a divine favor from the drinking god and then steps back out of the msit and readies her sling. Unfortunately, her shot vanishes into the mist.
The creature's greataxe catches Wolf-Orchid in the side and in addition to the searing pain, she feels as if a leaden weight is now dragging down her soul.
Orchid takes 15 points of slashing damage and is now suffering from 1 negative level.
Orchid shifts her form and she and Vigny move through the low-ceilinged space towards the dripping undead figure.
Cailyn casts a spell on her crossbow and her and Flori descend into the lit space below. Shunsen does so as well after noting the there appears to be no movement from the figures on the shore.
Flori:
Dropping down five feet into the cramped hold, Flori gets a good look at the figure at the other end of the low space; It's a advanced form of draugr. These foul beings are usually created when humanoid creatures are lost at sea in regions haunted by evil spirits or necromantic effects. The corpses of these drowned sailors cling fiercely to unlife, attacking any living creatures that intrude upon them. Their attacks smear rancid flesh, rotting seaweed, and swaths of vermin on whatever they hit. They're capable combatants
This advanced form of the draugr can summon magical mists as well as drain an opponent's life force. Energy Drain
The figure snarls again and moves forward to engage with Wolf-Orchid and Vigny as a thick mist begins to fill the space in the center of the boat, obscuring the melee from Shunsen, Cailyn, and Flori.
obscuring mist The mist effects all sight, including darkvision. At 5' distance attacks have concealment (20% miss chance). Attacks at a range farther than that have total concealment (50% miss chance).
Flori's warning comes just as Orchid catches the stench of something ... putrid.
The figure turns and the magical light reveals its face. The flesh is blue-tinged as that of a drowned man and water drips from the stringy hair that dangles on either side of his face. One eye is covered with a leather patch and the lips part to display sharp, broken teeth as it snarls.
"Arrgghh!!!"
It leaps forward from its crouching position, the manacles on his ankles providing only a minor restraint as the bolts rip from the wooden planks.
Vigny's magical light reveals what Orchid catch a glimpse of in the darkness under the improvised hold. At the aft end of the boat, bound in iron manacles, is a dark figure, hunched over under the low ceiling. It grumbles and moans and seems to crouch down even further under the magical illumination.
Flori:
This is certainly unusual. Traditionally, the deceased would be resting under the shroud. If he's under the hastily constructed deck, that would be far from the norm.
~~~~~
Shunsen:
Looking out over the water, Shunsen sees tails of the fog slowly retreating. Across the still water on the shore are a number of small boats pulled up on the cold ground with many figures bearing torches and ... waiting. Most likely they're the clan members that launched the funeral ship and they're anticipating it going up in flames at any moment.
As Orchid and Vigny tear back the nailed-down hatch, Cailyn magically pulls back the shroud covering the body resting on the pyre. Instead of the expected deceased form of Snorri Stone-Eye, the occultist reveals a simple wooden manikin.
Dropping down into the low hold of the longboat, Orchid and Vigny gaze into the heavy shadows filling the lower portion of the vessel. It's a cramped space with a low, 4-foot-high ceiling, occupied by rowing benches and stacked funerary treasures. They hear more clearly the sound of chains rattling from the aft portion of the hold, hidden in darkness.
Demonstrating that they're quick studies (or have done this before), the group moves out onto the water with nary an issue.
It doesn't take much effort to catch up to the slowly moving funeral ship. With a minimum of fuss and bother you tie off the qayaqs to the larger vessel and pull yourselves up onto the deck.
The deck of the longship has been built up with planks over the old rowing benches, creating a space belowdecks. It appears that the funerary treasures have been placed in this hold, as the deck is empty save for a silent, shrouded form resting atop a bier in front of the mast, surrounded by stacked wood. A leather sack sits atop small pile of sand at the base of the bier, the glow of flame and wisps of smoke escaping from it.
Examining the Leather Sack:
The pile of sand on the deck is hollowed out and holds an urn of lamp oil within it. A leather bag containing burning coals has been placed over the top of the urn to act as a delayed timer for the fire. As soon as the coals burn through the leather bag, they will land in the oil, igniting the oil and the bier.
The bier is composed of stacked firewood and smells heavily of the oil that it's been soaked in. The body resting on top of the wood is covered in a burial shroud.
There's a makeshift hatch at the bow of the ship that leads beneath the planks, but it appears to be nailed shut.
DC 20 Perception:
You hear the faint rattle of chains coming from below deck.
"A nice dinner. I think I can arrange that," he says. "Although, it'll have to wait until we reach Kalsgard. All respect to Wilda, but 'Fine Dining' is a little tough to arrange out here."
~~~~~
With the group in agreement, Uksahkka relies a little more information on where to meet her tomorrow evening, finishes her drink, and then takes her leave. The events of the day slowly begin to take their toll on you and before long everyone heads off to bed.
Wealday, 22nd of Sarenith, 4711 AR (day 37)
The guide's words hold true as there is a heavy fog that rolls in before dawn and even makes navigation in the city troublesome. You fill the day with simple tasks to occupy your time before the scheduled meeting near Spear-shaker's Point.
As the sun eventually sinks low in the sky, you arrive at the remote location to be greeted by the Varki woman. She leads you to a secluded bay where three narrow, hide-covered boats rest. Each is easily fifteen feet long, but less than two foot wide, with space for only two people each.
With Uksahkka's guidence you quickly learn the basics of paddling and maneuvering the narrow qayaqs. A half hour later and she pronounces you adequate enough mariners to make it out to the pyre ship and back without too high a chance of someone drowning. She presses a clay token into Cailyn's hand. It's stamped with the image of a songbird.
"Once you've rescued Ulf and made your escape, present this to the priest at the shrine to Shelyn in the Fire Quarter," she says. "He'll show you the safehouse I've readied for myself and Ulf." She gestures out at the lake and the slowly dissapating fog. "You should get ready. They'll be launching the ship any moment now."
The dark-haired woman then vanishes into the thin trees and dimming light.
Stowing your gear in the qayaqs, you notice a low boat floating past the point in the thinning fog. There's a small glow on the deck that indicates the beginning of the funeral pyre that will soon consume the craft. Now's your chance and time is limited.
Please designate who is pairing up with whom in the boats. A single successful DC 10 Profession (Sailor) or Wisdom check is needed from each pair. If both fail then the qayaq flips over and a DC 15 Strength check is required to right the craft.
"That wouldn't happen to be the pyre ship for Snorri Stone-Eye, would it?" Uksahkka question, her eyes narrowing and a smile slowly curling her lips. "That was supposed to be launched tomorrow at dawn. As luck may have it, they don't know it yet, but there's going to be a thick fog that's going to roll in just before dawn. It won't clear until the after nightfall and I have no doubt that they'll wait for it to clear before they launch the boat - fog's a bad omen for a funeral."
She considers for another moment or two before leaning in close.
"I don't suppose any of you know how to paddle a qayaq?" she questions. "If you don't then I can show you. I know where the boat will be launched just off of Spear-shaker's Point. Meet me there an hour before nightfall tomorrow and I'll give you a quick lesson. Then we can paddle out quietly and meet the boat as it passes the point. We rescue Ulf and return to the point before anyone knows what's going on."
Uksahkka is extremely guarded, but seems entirely sincere. She's masking her worry, but not very well.
"Ulf has a tendency to ... rub people in the wrong way," she replies with an apologetic shrug. "The little social lies that people tell each other every day to avoid hurt feelings are something that he feels are unneeded. Consequently, it doesn't take long to find his personality is one that takes some getting used to and most people don't bother."
Her eyes move away and she takes another sip from her tankard.
"I've gotten used to him and I would hate to see something happen to him."
As you're finishing up your dinner meal and discussing who to question to find out about Snorri's funeral ship, a Varki woman in a thick hide cloak takes a seat at your table as if familiar with you.
At the questioning glances and raised eyebrows, the woman's lip curls up into a subtle smile. "Just a friend having drinks with her friends, right, Friend?" she comments, lifting her tankard and taking a small sip as she gives you a hidden wink. "Nothing wrong with that. My friends always have time to chat with their friend, Uksahkka." She glances around the room and seems satisfied that no one is paying any more attention to your group than to any other.
She leans in a little closer and her voice drops to a lower level, but not suspiciously so to anyone attempting to listen.
"Let me unburden my troubles to my friends. My partner - a skilled guide by the name of Ulf Gormundr - recently took a job that came out of nowhere, considering that he was on the outs with almost all the local merchant guilds. He was to develop a new trade route through the Grungir Forest for a local chieftain. He went out to the chieftain's farm nearly a week ago to get the final details and initial payment before picking me up to join him. I haven't heard from him since."
A trace of worry crosses the woman's ruddy face before she takes another drink from her tankard and glances around again. She continues.
"A few days ago I went out to the farm to find out what happened to him and was told that he never arrived. They also gave me these for my concerns ..." She gestures with a subtle finger up to her face and you notice that the right side of her face is covered with recent bruises.
"Now what, might you ask, would be your concern in all this?" She looks around at you all and smirks. "The chieftain's name was Asvig Longthews and the buzz is that he's very recently met with his own comeuppance by some skilled southerners. Now while you look like skilled southerners yourselves, I make no inference that you had anything to do with this. I'm just a curious guide that would like to know if my southerner friends have heard any rumors or had any information regarding my missing partner."
Cailyn - Rimerunners Guild:
Specializing in trade with Tian Xia over the Crown of the World as well as along the rivers of the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, the Rimerunners Guild is extremely influential in and around Kalsgard, with many local merchants and their retainers and much of the local economy beholden to it.
A merchant of high repute named Thorborg Silverskorr leads the guild, but she is rarely seen in public, and has numerous connections with the wealthy and powerful of Kalsgard, including Linnorm King Sveinn Blood-Eagle himself. The Rimerunners’ guildhall is located on the waterfront in the Jade Quarter, and is staffed by dozens of well-armed guards, both day and night.
~~~~~
Vigny - With Sandru:
Sandru's eyes close at Vigny's castigations.
"You're right," he says after a moment of consideration. "That was wrong of me and I shouldn't have asked you to do that." He shakes his head. "That was unfair. I would blame it on being distracted and worried for Ameiko, but that would be an excuse. I just didn't ... I didn't want to hurt him and I pushed that responsibility on to you and you deserve better than that." He sighs and chuckles. "I'm really not good at dealing with feelings on that level."
He holds out his hand.
"I'm sorry and I'll make it up to you somehow. Any suggestions?" he asks with a crooked grin.
~~~~~
Shunsen - With Sandru:
Sandru chuckles.
"I'm not worried about what's on the other side of the world, Shunsen. I'm worried about what we'll find on the way there." He sighs. "Or, rather, what's going to find us. But it sounds like there's no swaying her from her this and I don't abandon my friends ... no matter how hard-headed they may be acting. I just hope we have the skills to keep everyone safe."
"I can't believe that he went to you about that. We talked about it already." She mutters a few Varisian phrases under her breath questioning Sandru's parentage. "Well, I talked about it. He just wanted to whine like a little school-boy that's afraid to cross the road because it's 'scary'."
She locks eyes with the half-orc. "This is important, Shunsen. It's where I need to go and I'm not going to be dissuaded from it by vague threats of the 'unknown', so you can just go back to him and explain that if he's worried that he might get a boo-boo or a scratch on one of his precious wagons then he doesn't have to go and I'll happily buy his entire bloody caravan and he can find a way back from Kalsgard."
Potential Elements of Investigation:
* Locate and recover the heirloom sword, Suishen. Is that the sword that Asvig stole?
* Locate a guide to lead you over the Crown of the World. Are there other guides besides the one Asvig kidnapped?
* Pay a visit to Longthew's longhouse.
* Investigate Snorri Stone-Eye's funeral ship.
It takes a couple of days before Vigny finds time alone with Sandru. He's just finished a heated debate with Wilda regarding the inclusion of certain spices in the daily meals and is returning to his wagon when he notices her and invites her over.
"So," he asks with a raised eyebrow. "Have you had a chance to explain the situation to Tazio, yet?"
~~~~~
"Setting fire to the lodge would now mean that we were directly involved in what happened," Skalma replies to Vigny's suggestion. "That's not a risk I care to take. We will find anonymity in Kalsgard. We're faceless to those like Asvig or Theoin."
----
You make it back to the city by late afternoon and spend the rest of the day liquidating all the valuables into ready coin. Careful inquiries also reveal where Snorri Stone-Eye's funeral ship will be burned at dawn tomorrow morning.
You also find Shunsen waiting for you in the common room of the inn you're staying at.
Clearly skilled at handling gift horses, the older woman introduces herself as Skalma before giving instructions to the eldest of the survivors. They nod quickly and set about their assigned tasks. Some of them begin gathering foodstuffs from the kitchen while others head outside.
"You claim no desire for metfé, so I will pay for our freedom with what I know," she declares with suspicion once her orders have been given. "Asvig's cousin, Theoin, and his household will be here any time so unless you wish another battle with a foe that isn't quite so drunk or sleepy then you will take what spoils you desire and return to Kalsgard."
She explains that Theoin and his household are arriving today for a funeral feast for Asvig's own ring-giver, an old jarl and renowned Ulfen raider named Snorri Stone-Eye, who is scheduled to be burned with his funeral ship tomorrow at dawn.
As a woman that keeps her ears open, Skalma also knows that Asvig rented boats from the Rimerunners Guild and ordered the attack on your group at the behest of someone connected to the guild. There's been a number of tasks he's accomplished for them, stealing a sword and kidnapping a guide chief among them. The guide's name was Ulf Gormundr and he was here for a day before being moved somewhere else. Asvig mentioned that Ulf would soon be joining Snorri Stone-Eye, so it's probable that he's being placed on the funeral ship to be burned to death. She has no idea what became of the sword.
Asvig has no last words of defiance. No final insults. His final act is to gurgle wetly before crumpling to the straw covering the packed earth floor.
Wolf-Orchid, Cailyn's crossbow, and Flori's elemental make quick work of the remaining opposition and you're left with the silence of the lodge-house, only broken by the crackling of the flames of the central fire.
Combat Ends!
Lootable Gear:
Asvig:
potion of divine favor, masterwork chainmail, masterwork heavy wooden shield, +1 shortspear, throwing axes (x2), platinum lion’s head armring (worth 350 gp), fine felt cloak (worth 10 gp), gold neck ring (worth 50 gp), gold ringed pin brooch (worth 25 gp)
Helva:
darts (x4), masterwork sickle, ring of protection +1, gold and copper box brooch (worth 70 gp), silk rope (50 feet)
Checking the side room that Asvig emerged from reveals a comfortable bedroom furnished with a massive feather bed and a few chests filled with clothing and personal items. Beyond the bedroom is a small storage chamber with a number of chests as well as weapons and armor hanging from the rafters.
Storeroom Loot:
masterwork short sword with a walrus ivory pommel cap (worth 330 gp)
a pair of boots of elvenkind
gold lion’s head arm-rings (worth 35 gp each) (x19)
a jeweled box brooch (worth 150 gp)
fine felt cloaks (worth 15 gp each) (x3)
copper neck rings (worth 2 gp each) (x5)
silver ringed pin brooches (worth 10 gp each) (x5)
silver pommel caps taken from defeated rivals (worth 10 gp each) (x5)
an ornate whalebone tally stick (worth 75 gp)
small bales of fine angora wool (worth 15 gp each) (x3)
a felt bag holding 258 sp and 47 gp.
chain shirt (x2)
light wooden shields (x3)
masterwork battleaxes (x2)
short swords with silver pommel caps (worth 20 gp each) (x5)
spears (x9)
The door at the end of the lodge opens into a kitchen and it is here that the so-called non-combatents of the household have taken refuge. Judging by the knives and spears held in shaking hands, however, several of the young adults as well as some of the older children won't go down without a struggle.
The older woman that met you at the door steps forward, placing herself boldly in front of the dozen-and-a-half individuals that have retreated to this smoke-filled stuffy chamber. Her eyes glance past you to take in the carnage in the main room beyond. She looks back to you and squares her shoulders.
"We submit to your strength," she says in a firm, but heavily accented voice. "You have demonstrated your will over Asvig's and we recognize that."
A few small voices begin to protest, but she silences them immediately with a glance and a few sharply snapped words in their native tongue. Tension-filled silence fills the room.
"Lina. Varena. Osvar." She barks out the names and two young women and a young man step forward. One of the young woman is the one that originally opened the door to greet you.
"Please accept our offer of metfé," she states as if speaking the words to a ritual. "They are young, healthy, and strong and will serve you well as thralls. In exchange, we ask that you leave the remainder of our household unspoiled."
The young man attempts to protest once more, but she silences him with a glare and hissed words.
She turns back to you, awaiting your response as one of the infants fusses in the arms of an older girl.
Catching one of the warriors between the elemental and herself, Vigny stabs into him deeply and Wolf-Orchid finishes him off. The fist of Flori's elemental makes a sickening crunching sound as it connects with Asvig's prominant nose. Cailyn's owl nearly finishes him off with beak and talon; The man staggering under the assault. Her crossbow isn't quite as effective, though, unless assault on the longhouse's timbers was her goal.
Asvig fails to stab the elemental with his spear. One of the warriors attempts to knock Cleo off his leader to no effect. Another woman throws a hand axe, missing Vigny by a safe margin.
Round 6
Everyone is up!
GM Screen:
Asvig vs Elemental AC 17:1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 = 15 Short Spear Damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Vigny finishes off her opponent as she steps back. Cleo descends on the Ulfen between her and Wolf-Orchid. And like the predator she is, she makes quick work of the prone warrior.
Wolf-Orchid doesn't manage to trip her opponent, but her vicious teeth combined with his previous injuries are more than enough to bring him to the ground as nothing but meat.
Flori's elemental batters and bashes at the partially drunk Asvig, causing him to stumble, but the tall man keeps his feet.
Asvig and the other woman that's still standing, moving to flank the elemental and Asvig manages to stab it with his spear. The elemental thunders on, though.
One of the awakened warriors approaches closer and Wolf-Orchid manages to dodge a clumsily thrown hand axe.
Vigny waits for a response. And waits. And waits. Just as she's about to assume he's purposely ignoring her, he speaks.
"There's no way you can understand how I feel about him," he says quietly without turning to face her. "You're a woman."
He steps to the other horse and busies himself with adjusting a harness that doesn't need adjusting. "He'll be mine in the end," he continues. "So go target someone else with your feminine wiles. Sandru is smart enough to see through your manipulations. He'll see the truth."
He finally turns to face her and makes a shooing gesture with his hands.
Vigny finishes off her current opponent, but there are more closing in ... and even more rousing themselves.
The woman that Wolf-Orchid downed flails ineffectively at her. Another Ulfen moves up to strike at the shifter, but in trying to avoid stepping on his comrade-in-arms, doesn't even come close to hitting the shifter. Another attacker swings at Vigny, but she easily takes the blow on her shield.
As Flori is making the last gestures for her summoning spell, another warrior takes the opportunity to close in on her and savage her with her axe.
Asvig finally joins the fray; Leaping down from the upper ledge to slip his spear behind Vigny's defense and nick her shoulder.
Flore takes 16(!) points of slashing damage. Vigny takes 4 points of piercing damage. Everyone is up for round 3!
Wolf-Orchid pulls her attacker to the ground and savages the woman's leg viciously. Cailyn's sleeping owl vanishes and reappears to exact its vengeance upon the red-haired witch who goes down, lifeless. Flori begins a summoning spell.
Vigny's blade slips in and out of the bleary-eyed warrior who clutches his bleeding belly, but remains standing. In spite of the grevious wound, he manages to slip past the woman's shield to slash her sword arm. Two others close on her, but she fends off their attacks.
A hard-faced woman presses Orchid. Not intimidated by the shift to wolfshape, she slashes the shifter with her axe. Another warrior rises from her celebration-induced slumber.
Asvig downs a potion and moves up along the north edge of the room to make his way around the magical grease.
Cailyn's owl turns the woman's fair face into a horror mask of slashed flesh, blood spattering those nearby. Orchid shifts and moves up to take the front line. Flori summons a shimmering coating of magical grease that fills the central isle in front of the approaching pair.
The red-haired woman snarls and screeches in rage, turning her attention to the threatening owl. Gesturing at the creature with a clawed fingers, she snaps a hissed word. In response, the owl falls to the dirt floor, no longer moving.
"The master is sleeping and dislikes being disturbed in such a state," the woman replies, switching to heavily accented Taldane. "What do you ...?" Her eyes widen slightly and her pale skin goes even paler as she gives you a more thorough once over. "You're the southerners," she says in a resigned voice. "I'll ... I'll get him."
She steps slowly back away from the group and grabs Lina roughly by the shoulder. She leans in close and whispers something to her. The younger girl looks to you, her face showing obvious fear before dashing towards a group of older children.
The older woman heads towards the other end of the hall while Lina and the older children begin gathering the smaller ones and herding them towards and through a side door. The older woman gives you a final glance before knocking on a door in front of her. You don't hear a reply, but a moment later and she opens the door and slips through it.
It takes less than thirty seconds before you're alone in the long room with nothing but the warriors of the hall - some of whom have wakened at the disturbance and are eyeing you suspiciously.
Another minute passes before the door the woman vanished through bursts open. A tall, thick-shouldered man with long blond braids strides through it. He sways slightly as he hefts a short spear in one hand and a shield in the other. A red-haired woman follows him, a raven on her shoulder bobbing and croaking in excitement. She pulls a cloak around her shoulders to cover her nightclothes.
"Bráðin kemur til veiðimannsins! Því auðveldara fyrir okkur," the man calls out as he strides through the hall towards you. "Vaknið, þér drukknir fífl! Bardaginn er í nánd!"
Skald:
"The prey comes to the hunter! So much the easier for us."
Approaching the longhouse itself, you pound a greeting on the main door. A few moments of silence later and the door is opened. A hagard-looking woman with long straw-colored hair in her late teens or early twenties looks out at you. Confusion fills her face when she sees you.
"Yes? What do you want?" she questions in Skald.
"Don't just stand there gawking, Lina!" another woman's voice calls out from inside. "Open the door and let them in."
The girl flinches, but opens the door wider to invite you in.
Stepping inside the steading, you find yourself in the main room. The long room is twenty or twenty-five feet wide and easily seventy or eighty feet long. There's a aisle lowered about three feet that runs the length of the room with a large pit in the center of it. The raised sections on either side of the aisle are filled with trestle tables, benches, and the remains of a large meal from the night before that's being cleaned and collected by about a half dozen thralls. Three other doors lead out of the main hall besides the one you entered through.
Scattered among the dogs and small children that seem to be collecting food among the detritus are at least a dozen warriors, sleeping off the effects of the previous night.
One of the thralls - an woman that looks a lot like an older version of the girl that opened the door for you - approaches with purpose.
"Wait a minute! You're not Theoin's people! Who are you? What are you doing here? Lina, what kind of idiot girl are you?" She slaps the back of the girl's head. "Go clean tables!"
She turns back to you, her watery blue eyes narrowing in suspicion. "And you! Answer my questions before I sic the dogs on you!"
The group carefully moves from shed to stable to shed, finding plenty of farming tools, about a dozen horses, and a fair amount of stored grain, but no threats other than a couple of barn cats determined not to give ground even against better armed and armored foes.
Tazio listens as Vigny spills her secrets, his face growing paler by the moment.
"He ... he told you to ..." he stammers out when she finishes. He looks away. "You must have misunderstood. Yes, that's it; you misunderstood." He turns back to the horses, adjusting the harness straps. The horse nickers as he pulls it somewhat tighter than it needs to be. "You misunderstood," he repeats, quieter as if to himself.
~~~~
Flori recalls reading a treatise on proximity-triggered summoning spells and how it's very common to allow a means to bypass the effect. Sometimes it's done with secret runes. Examining the hastily erased markings in the dirt, she's pretty confident that this enchantment uses something similar. She scribes a rune in the dirt that seems to match the one that was erased and you pass between the totems without any hindrance or effect.
The longhouse itself has a main entrance as well as a side entrance that most likely leads to the kitchen areas. There are also a number of small outbuildings including a stable.
The slender man stiffens at Vigny's embrace but doesn't push her away.
"Look ... This is my problem and no one elses," he says a moment later as he steps back and wipes at his eyes. "There's nothing you can do to help me. I don't expect anyone to sing my praises. I just need Sandru to see how much I care and then he'll have no choice but to love me." He attempts a smile, but it comes across as bitterness.
He returns to his work with the horses.
~~~~~
Toilday, 21st of Sarenith, 4711 AR (day 36)
With breakfast finished, the decision is made to head out immediately for Longthew's steading. The directions you were given are relatively easy to follow. A two hour trek leads you to an area of lightly forested and marshy hills. While the morning is cool, the insects are already out in abundance.
The trail you're following rounds a bend and there ahead of you on a small rise is the longhouse. There are a number of small outbuildings - sheds, stables, and such - but your focus is on the longhouse itself. Smoke rises from the central opening in the roof, but you see no movement outside the building.
As you approach, you note that on either side of the road, about 60' from the farmhouse, are totem posts driven into the ground. You can see that they continue in a parimeter line, completely surrounding the longhouse, spaced about every 30'. The posts are topped with fancifully carved lions heads that are obviously the work of a woodcarver who has never actually seen a lion before.
Knowledge (arcana) DC 18:
The runes on the posts are connected to conjuration magic.
Use of detect magic
Spoiler:
The posts possess a moderate aura of conjuration (summoning) magic.
Perception DC 28:
You notice, on the ground, the smudged remains of runes recently drawn in the dirt and hurriedly erased.
While the beds in the Golden Hall are quite fluffy, Cailyn is disappointed in the quantity of pillows provided.
Asking around regarding the armband, the occultist is rewarded with numerous raised eyebrows and suspicious glances. She's also rewarded with the fact that the lion's head armbands are the rune-sign of Asvig Longthews.
Further inquiries reveal the location of Longthews's farm and longhouse outside of the city.
GM Screen:
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Potential Elements of Investigation: * Locate and recover the heirloom sword, Suishen. * Locate a guide to lead you over the Crown of the World. * Pay a visit to Longthew's longhouse.
"Well ... good. Keep being unpredictable," Spivey replies. "Too many people think they're smarter than death."
~~~~
Vigny with Tazio:
Tazio turns away and lifts his hood to hide his face.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he says. "I just want to do what Sandru asks me to do. He's ... he's in charge. He's my boss. He's ... "
The man's shoulder's slump.
"He's everything I want. I want to be everything he needs."
~~~~
Orchid with Sandru:
Sandru sighs.
"O, Ameiko. De ce îmi faci viața așa grea?" he mutters under his breath. "Look, Kid," he says to Orchid. "I can tell you that in spite of being able to tell a riveting story and quite capable of keeping her audience enthralled with her music, Ameiko sometimes plays a little rough with words." He puts his hand on the girl's shoulder. "If she called you a brute, then she did so with affection. I can't tell you how many times she's called me a bastard in colorful ways. She's not criticizing you. It's just playful banter and sometimes she goes too far. Talk to her. Tell her that you don't like that word and I promise she will never use it regarding you ever again."
~~~~
Monday, 20th of Sarenith, 4711 AR (day 35)
The trading city of Kalsgard.
Upon arriving in the city, Sandru immediately moves the caravan into the city's Bone Quarters to camp among the others of its kind in order to avoid further attention. He suggests that the four of you to arrange your own quarters within the hustle and bustle of the city to throw off any suspicion. Ameiko agrees, suggesting that the caravan surreptitiously make preparations for the journey over the Crown of the World.
Potential Elements of Investigation: * Locate and recover the heirloom sword, Suishen. * Locate a guide to lead you over the Crown of the World. * Investigate the Ulfen attackers. Perhaps the source of the gold armband with the stylized lion on it can be discovered.
The man glares at Vigny with disdain as she does her best to bring him around to her way of thinking.
"I refuse to speak with soft southerners like you. You are less than the waste of dogs under my boot," he finally replies in heavily accented Taldane. "Go back to your weak friends. I am of the people of strength and will. I will say no more. I have kept my oath and my place is secured."
Vigny with Tazio:
"Oh ... oh, no. I couldn't ... I mean ... No. No. He's in charge and what he says goes," the man replies, color rising to his cheeks. "I'll do whatever he asks of me."
~~~~
Once Orchid has returned to her humanoid shape, she finds herself under Ameiko's scrutinizing gaze. Her look of concern at the blood staining the shifter's face and neck quickly shifts to humor and affection once she determines that none of it is Orchid's.
"You're a vicious brute, aren't you?" she questions with a laugh. "I'm just glad you're okay. I'm going to check everyone else. You need a bath."
~~~~
As Cailyn is magically dealing with Flori's injuries, the two woman are joined by Koya being led by Spivey.
"See? Big people can't seem to do anything without spilling blood over ... everything!" the celestial declares, throwing up her hands in seeming frustration.
"Yes, yes," Koya says with a caring nod. She slowly kneels next to Flori and finishes up her healing with a warm hand. "You need to be more careful, Little One," she says.
"That's what I say! But no one listens to Spivey." The tiny woman turns to Cailyn. "And I suppose you've been bashed and bloodied as well?" she questions, looking the occultist up and down with poorly veiled concern.
Orchid tears through another attacker, his lifeless body falling to the ground. Flori's blade does the same to one of Flori's opponents, opening his head up like a ripe melon. Flori sends a blast of magical swirling colors washing over both her and Cailyn's remaining attackers. One of them collapses unconscious.
----------------------------------
Round 4
Cailyn's bolt vanishes into the cold mist, failing to find its target.
One of the remaining attackers yells out, "Hörfðu þig!"Retreat! The cry is taken up and the attackers turn and flee back into the concealing mist.
----------------------------------
Combat Ends!
Checking in with the rest of the caravan reveals some injuries, but nothing life threatening. Gathering up the remains of the defeated culminates in eighteen ulfen bodies and one unconscious prisoner. The attackers wore chain shirts and carried traditional Ulfen axes and spears. Each one was also wearing a gold armband with an embossed lion's head (35 gp each).
When the unconscious attacker finally awakens, he glares at you, spits on the ground at your feet and then presses his lips together indicating that he has nothing to say.
Vigny with Tazio:
"You might be right about that," Tazio replies with a shrug of his shoulder. He adjusts his braid and then glances over to where Vigny can see Sandru prepping his own horse for travel. "I just wish Sandru would assign me something else so the nasty beasts could take their boredom out on someone that deserves it."
GM Screen:
Ulfen Will Save vs DC 16:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5 Ulfen Will Save vs DC 16:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17
Vigny catches Tazio as he's finishing his night watch. He's helping hitch up the horses as his last task before getting a couple hours of sleep in one of the wagons as they begin the day's travel.
"I hate horses," he says with a grin and a shrug in Vigny's direction as he's tightening up one of the harnesses. "And they hate me right back." As if on cue, one of the animals in question grabs the man's dark braid in its teeth and gives it a hearty tug, nearly pulling him off his feet. He retrieves his hair from the horse's mouth and points. "See?!" He laughs and the horse nickers.
~~~~
Vigny slashes at one of the warriors threatening Cailyn and he cries out in pain. Flori magically moves away from the Ulfen that targeted her.
Orchid tears into another attacker, bringing him down to the ground as well.
----------------------------------
Round 3
Cailyn finishes off Vigny's target with a well-placed crossbow bolt and her frog ends the cries and embarassment of the one wrapped in his tongue.
Orchid's prey attempts to rise and meets the same fate as his brother as she snaps at him, ending his life.
The one remaining Ulfen attacking Orchid seems intimidated enough that his attack is barely lackluster and misses the woman in her wolf-form. More curses and rude epithets echo out from the mist as some of the attackers still stumble around blindly.
Flori's opponent is joined by one from the mist and between the two of them, she takes another nasty axe-gash. Down to a vicious one-on-one, Cailyn manages to avoid another axe-swing.
Flori takes 6 points of slashing damage. Flori, Orchid, and Vigny are up! Then Cailyn is up for round 4!
GM Screen:
Ulfen Reflex Save vs DC 16:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5 Ulfen Reflex Save vs DC 16:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18
Orchid savages one of the attackers, bearing him to the ground, but he still struggles. Vigny's spell goes off with a magical flash of light. Cries of 'Illur fjölkynngi!' ring out from the mist. The cries of warning are quickly accompanied by heavy thuds as more than one of the assailants succumb to Flori's magical grease.
----------------------------------
Round 2
One of the Ulfens cries out in disgust as Cailyn's giant amphibian friend subjects him to the humiliating assault of an oversized tongue.
The warrior that Orchid tripped attempts to rise to his feet, but she's waiting for the attempt and rips out his throat when he tries. Two other figures appear out of the mist, but she easily dodges their axes.
A threatening form appears from the mist and catches Flori off guard with a vicious axe slash.
As Cailyn applauds her frogs efforts, she just barely ducks under sharp axes as two more of the attackers close on her.
Flori takes 7 points of slashing damage. Vigny, Flori, and Orchid are up! Then Cailyn is up for round 3!
GM Screen:
Ulfen Reflex Save vs DC 14:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5 Ulfen Reflex Save vs DC 14:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10 Ulfen Reflex Save vs DC 14:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
Ulfen Reflex Save vs DC 16:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10 Ulfen Reflex Save vs DC 16:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19 Ulfen Reflex Save vs DC 16:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1
"Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me," he replies. "Maybe you could just ... I don't know ... pass along that I prefer women? Maybe suggest that I've got my eye on someone else?" He shrugs before stepping close. "Thank you, again," he says, enclosing Vigny in a firm hug. "I'll make it up to you somehow."
~~~~
Cailyn's bolt flies into the mist only to vanish amidst the cries and yells as the wild warriors charge forward, closing the distance. The crunch of boots on gravel. The banging of axes on shields. The cries as blood oaths are called out. The ferocious men and women surge up the embankment from the landed boats.
Cailyn is shaken for two rounds. Flori is shaken for two rounds.
Flori, Orchid, and Vigny are up! Then Cailyn is up for round 2! There are a dozen Ulfen warriors all within a single movement of distance.
You're about five days out from Kalsgard and as the light begins to fade, you reach the ancient bridge that crosses the Thundering River where it joins with the Rimeflow. There's a clear area just to the southeast of the bridge and that's where Sandru chooses to set up camp as nightfall approaches. The night is cold and a frozen mist clings low to the ground making the light dim, even within range of the campfire light.
As Wilda is passing out bowls of a hearty stew, you notice, perched up on one of the lintels of the bridge above you, a large raven, watching you closely.
Perception DC 18:
From out over the darkned river, you hear the muffled sounds of oars in oarlocks.
If someone makes this check, they can warn everyone and you all get one round of action before combat begins.
~~~~
The dull silence is suddenly broken by the scrape of wood upon the gravel bank of the river - a boat has beached just beneath the bridge - quickly followed by the splash of feet in the shallows and the oath-cries and battle songs of Ulfen raiders!
Miseldana's lips curl up into a smile. "I have a feeling you're right ... on both accounts."
Her sister ignores the comment and focuses her annoyance and temper on the items that won't seem to agree with her intention on shoving them into the bag in her hands.
Cailyn:
Her confusion deepening, Spivey looks between Cailyn and Ameiko before shaking her head and rolling her eyes.
Retreating to her nest of blankets, she can be heard muttering to herself, "Big people are so weird."
Ameiko tries but fails to contain her mirth, doubling over on her horse and shaking with restrained laughter.
"I s-s-swear to all that's ... to all that's holy ... I ... I didn't plan it," she manages between guffaws. "Shalelu ... she gets up from her table ... from her table and ... and walks over to set her bowl ... bowl down on C-Cailyn's table in front of her. Her bowl with the evening's special ... s-s-split pea soup! ... And says ... says ..." She wipes her eyes and looks up, her face rigid with restraint as she attempts to mimick the elf's stoic nature. "'There has been too much conflict between the classes. You should give peas a chance'" She busts out in laughter again. "She ... she then walks out like it was nothing."
The celestial looks between Ameiko's now unrestrained laughter and Cailyn's red face with confusion.
"Spivey doesn't understand," she offers which seems to cause Ameiko's laughter to increase in volume. "Why are peas funny?"
"It is a joy when both spirits want the same thing," Witashta says with a smile, pointedly not looking at Ameiko. "But it is not common. More often one wants what the other cannot have. Then we find out which spirit is truely in control."
She walks away without saying anything else.
~~~~
Flori:
"Oh, I'm sorry," Florenia says in a mocking voice, placing her hand in alarm on her chest. "I forgot that you city women don't have that problem. Nothing but flowers and rainbows between your ..."
"Fidi! Enough!" Miseldana snaps. "You've used up your allowance of b*%!!iness today." Florenia's eyes narrow and she glowers, but remains silent, perhaps hearing something in her sister's tone that declares that she's reached a limit.
Miseldana turns to Flori.
"I'm sorry. She sometimes takes it as a license to let her inner monster loose," she says with an apologetic shrug. "If you want, I'll talk to Sandru and see if he can find an arrangement that both keeps the food stores safe from predacious bears as well as keeps Koya safe." She smirks. "I might also see if he's got a box I can stick her in for a few days."
"Exactly!" Ameiko replies. "Ignoring it only leads to destiny sneaking up behind you and bashing you over the head with a three-day-old loaf of rye bread."
"That is a very strange example," a tiny voice pipes up from behind Cailyn as Spivey flutters up from her nest of mashed blankets in the back of the wagon. "And another reason why I think big folk are the gods' joke on the rest of us."
"Oh, I haven't even begun to touch 'strange'," Ameiko replies with smirk. "One of these times I'll have to tell you about the time Cailyn spent an hour arguing the moral dilemma of marinated cabbage vs sweetened peas."
The celestial's eyes widen and she turns to look at the occultist with curiosity. "Oh, this is a story that Spivey must be privy to."
~~~~
Flori:
Florenia looks up in surprise as Flori verbally ambushes her. As she opens her mouth to reply, Flori hears a voice behind her (if right near her ear would be considered behind her).
"And pray tell what are you doing now to create such a fracas this early in the morning, Sister Dear?" Turning, Flori finds herself face to face with Florenia's sister, Miseldana.
"Bite my ass, Midi," Florenia snaps back. "Sandru wanted Koya's wagon at the rear because of those bears that Shalelu spotted. He wants Wilda's wagon with all the food moved up into the middle and that leaves Koya's wagon in the rear. If you ..." Her eyes shift to Flori's. "Or you have a problem with it then take it up with him - I'm just the messenger. It's too early in the f*$%ing morning for this." She turns back to the bag she was rearranging.
Miseldana looks back at Flori. Leaning in even closer, she stage whispers, "Probably best not to trifle with Fidi this early in the morning. Particularly when she's fighting with the moon."
"Not something that needs to be shared, Sister Dear," Florenia barks over her shoulder. Miseldana shrugs, but doesn't move away.
Book 2 - Night of Frozen Shadows Part One: Into the North
Much discussion is made of what to do now.
Well, to be fair, there wasn't much choice of what to do at this point. The caravan was going to make its way to Kalsgard. Where it would go from there was a matter of debate. Sandru's argument was that once the sword that was revealed in Ameiko's (and your group's) vision was found, the caravan should return to Sandpoint. Ameiko, on the other hand, was of the mind that destiny lay in a path over the Crown of the World and on to Minkai. Sandru was clearly skeptical of this idea, but was a smart enough man to not directly contradict the willful bard.
But in either case, Kalsgard was the next point of travel. A path, by the caravan leader's experienced mind was a trip of some four hundred and fifty miles. In his estimation, it would take about two weeks. By suplimenting the caravan's supplies with freshly caught game, it shouldn't be a hardship.
The debate regarding what would happen once they reached the northern city having reached an impasse, the next step at least was clear: Kalsgard.
---
The route the caravan takes from Brinewall to Kalsgard passes through the Nolands and enters the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, where it joins an existing trade route between the dwaven mine at Kopparberget and the city of Jol before continuing north into the Grungir Forest The caravan road crosses the eastern neck of the Grungir until it reaches the bridge at Losthome, at which point the route follows the western back of the Thundering River as it meanders north, connecting the many small settlements and steadings that stand upon the river's banks. At the confluence of the Thundering and Rimeflow rivers, the trade route brances again, with one trail crossing the Skalsbridge and heading northeast toward Trollheim while the other continues along the Rimeflow to Kalsgard.
The trip is largely uneventful save for the occasional glimpse of some of the larger predators of the region, such as bears and mountain lions shadowing the caravan for a mile or so before losing interest and searching elsewhere for easier prey. The ravens and seabirds are plentiful overhead.
During the journey ...
Cailyn:
As the journey progresses, Cailyn notices that one of the ubiquitous ravens shadowing the caravan in the hope of finding scraps to eat is a much larger specimen than normal, perhaps the size of a small dog. She sees this raven multiple times as it reappears every couple of days. She also notices that one of its wing pinions is blood-red in color. A remembrance of reading in a book on obscure signs and symbols that such a "blood-feather" raven is seen as an evil omen and is often thought to be in the service of dark powers.
---
As Cailyn is riding with Foldo on his wagon one cloudy morning, Ameiko pulls up near her on the slow, plodding mare she prefers.
"Do you think I'm being selfish?" she asks, attempting to keep her voice low. "Sandru says that's what it is; That these people here didn't sign up for a journey like this. He doesn't seem to understand that this is ..." She turns to meet Cailyn's blue eyes. "This is destiny. You can't ignore destiny, right?"
~~~~
Orchid:
One evening after the camp has been set and the meal has been served, Orchid is about to make her way out into the darkness for her evening foray exploring the area around the camp when she's stopped by Witashta, the older Shoanti woman.
"I see you wolf-girl," she says with a smile. "I see you have travelled farther along the spirit path. Be wary that it is you that is choosing the branches of the path, though, and not the wolf-spirit."
~~~~
Flori:
One morning as Koya is readying herself and her wagon for the day's travel, one of the Moldovary sisters approaches; Florenia, by the red hair. She takes the other side of the blanket that Flori is folding for the elderly woman. "I just wanted you to know that you'll be at the rear of the group today," she says, "So be sure to keep an eye out behind us." She directs her words at Koya, but her eyes meeting Flori's indicate who she expects to take them to heart.
"Oh, no worries," Koya responds, waving the young woman away with one hand as she pulls a tuft of the now-everpresent wolf hair from the well-worn blanket with the other.
Florenia nods in assent and releases the blanket, giving Flori a meaningful glance before she moves off to her other tasks.
"Someone should explain to that girl and her sister that while I'm old, I'm not senile," Koya declares with a quiet chuckle. She turns to give Flori an appraising eye. "So what do you think of this little escapade? The other side of the world is a world away in more than just geography. Can you imagine little Ameiko as an empress?"
~~~~
Vigny:
As Vigny returns from patrol one evening, she finds Sandru in the wagon's shadow, leaning awkwardly against the wheel. He straightens up as she approaches.
"Do you have a moment?" he asks. Once she stops, he shifts his weight from foot to foot. The behavior is unusual for the normally confident caravan leader. "I was wondering if ..." he begins, but then shakes his head and looks out into the darkness. "This is really difficult for me. I can usually handle these things without resorting to something like this." He squares his shoulders and steels his nerve.
"I've had to deal with misplaced affections in the past and it's never been as ... uncomfortable as this." He frowns and seems to consider his words carefully. "Could I ask something of you? This is going to be a long journey and I really need to nip this before it gets out of hand."
After drawing a couple more breaths, he blurts out, "Could you talk to Tazio for me? His is a skill that is invaluable out here, but I just don't share his feelings. This is uncomfortable, but I don't think he knows that I know, so I think it would be better if it came from someone that wasn't me."
He waits expectantly for Vigny's response.
~~~~
Shunsen:
As Shunsen is ready to head out with Miseldana for a morning patrol, Sandru stops her. Pulling her aside from the auburn-haired scout, he lowers his voice.
"Can you talk to her?" he questions in earnest. "This whole idea that Ameiko's supposed to be the empress of Minkai is amazing as a thought experiment, but not something that warrants us heading over the Crown of the World, right? It's crazy." He doesn't wait for a response.
"Maybe she'll listen to you because she's certainly not listening to me. Talk to her - please."
Spivey contemplates Cailyn's offer for a few moments, her gaze returning to the worn holy symbol.
"Spivey doesn't know if it will make a difference in the way life moves forward, but ..." she says finally and pauses. "But it would be comforting to know that her end was quick," she finishes.
Images If Cailyn Proceeds ...
Spoiler:
There are many emotions and images to unravel as it seems that the tabard had a long and storied history. The strongest of them are of a tall, blonde-haired woman with green eyes and an easy smile.
Flashes of recent scenes unroll quickly. The woman bantering back and forth with the tiny celestial. Many evenings spent under the stars. The pair exploring the ruined village. Entering the castle unopposed.
The great hall - filled with lumbering, crude bird-men. The red-faced man.
'Seize her! She'll make for a perfect addition to the performance!'
'Spivey! Flee!'
'Spivey wants to help!'
'I command you to flee!'
The heady rush of battle! Blood! Feathers! Pain!
'You idiots ruined her face. She's of no use now. Do what you wish with her. Just make sure it's painful. I haven't heard a good scream in a long time and a beautiful face like that was intended to scream.'
The woman screams. She screams again. And again. And again. And again.
The tabard has nothing else to share.
~~~~~~
Orchid's Morning:
Orchid's slumber is disturbed by Koya's remonstrations.
"You! Out!" she declares, giving the shifter a shove towards the wagon's door. "You leave her be to rest! And I don't need wolf fur all over the inside of my wagon!"
The shifter is rudely forced out into the cool morning air sans clothes. Proving that Koya's not entirely without feelings, a blanket is tossed out a moment later landing at her feet.
With the chests as your prize, you make your way back up to daylight. Scattered clouds cover the sky and spatters of raindrops accompany your trip back down through the ruins of the village with Kelda and Spivey following.
"Spivey would like ..." the celestial begins, her eyes drawn to the cemetery she's called home for an unknown time. "Spivey would like to join you," she finishes. "But first there's something that ... ten minutes, please?"
If anyone follows Spivey:
The winged celestial makes her way to the simple wooden grave marker. She straightens the makeshift memorial and then carefully drapes the stained and torn tabbard over the wood. The tarnished silver butterfly pendent follows. With loving care she adjusts the adornment to hang centered.
"Spivey promised to follow you all her life," the small woman says softly. "She didn't think that this would be how we part." Tiny tears trickle down her cheeks. "But it seems that these other big folk could use some of The Great Dreamer's wisdom. And since you're ..." Her voices catches. "Since you're not here, it's up to us." She wipes at her face. "We promise to try not to get squashed."
A small hand reaches out one last time to brush against the stained cloth.
"Until we meet again."
True to her word, ten minutes later Spivey reappears from the cemetery. Her face is red, but her cheeks are drawn up into a smile. "Now we save your friend, yes?"
It's only a couple of hours later when you reach the caravan. Sandru greets you with relief that replaces the concern on his face.
"You made it," he says, the weight of worry lifting significantly from his shoulders. "Ameiko said that you were okay, but we ..." He shrugs. "Yes, she's awake and she's been going on about Kalsgard and some damn sword." He glances down at the chests you carry. "Is that the ... No, nevermind. I don't want to know." He shakes his head and holds up his hands.
From behind one of the wagons steps the woman in question with one of Koya's colorful shawls around her shoulders. In the couple of days that you've been gone she seems to have aged a decade.
"You found it," she says with a glance down at what you carry. "I knew you would. I know you saw the same things that I saw. We have much to discuss. But first we rest." She gives each of you a firm hug before returning to Koya's wagon.
As Cailyn steps forward the figure looks as if he's going to respond with violence, but at the mention of his name he stops. His eyes bulge and he freezes motionless. A moment later and he lowers his sword.
"I ... know ... this ... name ..." he says in heavily accented Taldane. Raising his arms, his sword vanishes and he cries out mournfully. The spectre shimmers and shifts. Reforming with some effort he faces you all with tears streaming down his spectral cheeks.
"Take the seal away from here. Take it to my child. It is no longer safe here ... and I am no longer worthy of guarding it."
His incorporeal hand waves towards a side wall, away from the empty vaults and you can see, cleverly concealed, the traces of a secret door.
"I am not worthy," he repeats, shaking his head sadly before fading back to dust.
It doesn't take much effort to open the hidden chamber to reveal ... an empty room. Determined now, though, moments later you find another secret door inside this small room that leads to another chamber. This chamber appears to be only half-excavated - the eastern portion of the room remains a rough cavern wall. Three identical darkwood chests bound with bronze sit against the base of this rough wall.
Each chest is securely locked, but at your touch, one of the locks snaps open as if by magic. Inside this chest is a red-laquered wooden box decorated with scenes of a spiralling tian-style dragon. The box radiates strong abjuration magic to Flori's tuned senses.
Opening the wooden box reveals a stone statuette of a dragon with a carved glyph on the bottom of the square base. As your fingers touch the cold stone, the world shifts ...
An army of terrible fiends — with burning skin, glaring eyes, and sharp tusks, wearing strange armor and wielding exotic weapons—emerge in a storm from a vast forest, then descend upon a nation populated by Tian people.
Your vision shifts ...
A young man dressed in royal robes stands over a simple well, a friend at his side. Suddenly, the friend grows nearly three times in size and is sheathed in a frightening suit of jade armor. The jade warrior draws a sword and strikes down his royal friend, then holds the bloody sword aloft in triumph.
Another shift ...
A young Tian man handing a beautiful sword to a richly dressed Ulfen man in exchange for a bag of gold.
Changing visions again ...
Ameiko wakes from her deep sleep, but she is dressed in the finery of an empress. She rises from sleep not in a humble Varisian caravan, but from a resting spot within the arms of a jade throne.
The visions ceases and you're back in the small vault with the jade seal in your hand. You're left with not only the visions themselves, but knowledge of what they depicted.
You know that the land you saw invaded by fiends was Minkai. The man you saw murdered by the jade warrior was Emperor Shigure of Minkai. You know that Ameiko Kaijitsu's true family name is Amatatsu, one of the five royal families of Minkai - indeed, the last surviving royal family. The young man with the sword was Ameiko's grandfather, Rokuro Kaijitsu, formerly Amatatsu Tsutoku, selling the family's legendary sword Suishen to the Ulfen merchant Fynn Snaevald in the city of Kalsgard to finance his family's flight and exile. You know that Suishen is intelligent and can impart much more knowledge of the Amatatsu's family legacy if recovered.
You also get a sense of the magical capabilities of both the seal and the box it was stored in, as well as the risk you've exposed yourself to by opening the box. Unless kept stored in the box, the seal can be magically detected even from the other side of the world. Powerful evil forces strongly desire to find and destroy the seal as well as those in possession of it.
