Nevinia's story in Byelsk had pretty much ended at the end of her background. She could not stay if she wanted to learn more about her newfound talents.
So, she joined the carnival and its travels, as could be expected, have taken her to Restov. The reclamation speaks to her, because she always imagined that the elves come from wild places, and so she joined the group headed out, not quite admitting to herself that she is still seeking her father.
Tzerny, on his part, has said nothing about her fool's errand, and is content to let her wander into the woods. She'll be sure to learn about what it means to be a witch when she no longer has society telling her what she must do.
Regarding her personality, Nevinia is naive and kindhearted by nature. She is not brash, nor forceful. She often seems wistful and prone to flights of fancy. Despite this, she is not some delicate flower, and quietly will do whatever is necessary to survive. She tends not to like violence, but understands when what must be done, is done. She bears the air of a maiden who is just beginning to show the strength of matronliness.
Tzerny, on the contrary, is gluttonous, jaded, and crotchety. He does half the negotiation for the two of them, always with an eye toward claiming more of the pie for himself. He regularly drops hints that he knows more about what's going on than he lets on, but whether he's truly that wise, or if it's all just a show, is hard to discern. One thing's for certain, he's a lot older than he appears to be. He was a familiar for a witch before Nevinia, after all.
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Reflex:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Non-lethal:1d6 ⇒ 3
She looks back at the closing sled, and with a blatant disregard for her safety, scoops up a handful of passing snow, scraping her hand on a rock. She regards the driver, then the lead dog, and blows the snow at the canine.
Slumber Hex on the lead dog of Guard #3. DC 16 Will.
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Aid Another:1d20 ⇒ 12
Nevinia does her best to lean away from the snowbank and pull the sled away.
She then reaches into her pouch and pulls out a potion, holding it up to Yagello. "If we have to stop and fight, drink this! But not before we have to stop!"
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
"Indeed, your family needs protection," Nevinia adds. "The guards might come for you, but it is us that they're truly after."
Turning to the guards, she adds, "Det er slik en ironi at hvis du hadde kommet i fred, med velkommen, vi ville gjerne ha fulgt deg uten problem. Men nei, du måtte true Nadya og hennes familie. Nadya er ingen trussel for deg. Og du så hva vi kan gjøre. Hun er ingen trussel mot oss, heller. Og likevel, ga en velkommen og den andre ga trusler. Til den ene viser vi takknemlighet, til den andre, blod. Nå da, ønsker du å vise oss velkommen og gjestfrihet som en nådig vert?"
Skald:
"It is such an irony that if you had come in peace, with welcome, we would have gladly accompanied you without problem. But no, you had to threaten Nadya and her family. Nadya is no threat to you. And you saw what we can do. She is no threat to us, either. And yet, one gave welcome and the other gave threats. To one we show gratitude, to the other, blood. Now then, would you like to show us welcome and hospitality like a gracious host?"
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
"La oss alle holde seg rolig, ingen ønsker å bli skadet."
Skald:
"Let's all stay calm, no one wants to get hurt."
Nevinia looks at the group, at the tension in the air. She shakes her head. "Du bryr deg ikke om Nadya, la henne og guttene ut av dette. Vi vil komme. Men mine følges vokse sintere. Vis litt nåde til Nadya og hennes sønner, og mine følgesvenner vil komme uten problem."
Skald:
"You don't care about Nadya, leave her and the boys out of this. We will come. But my companions grow angrier. Show some mercy to Nadya and her sons, and my companions will come without problem."
She moves forward slowly, deliberately, trying to calm the situation as she starts to hum a soothing tune. She continues to dangle the dagger by the tip of the pommel, not wielding it in the slightest. She steps to the doorway, looks at the boys, looks into the eyes of the guard holding them.
The dagger drops into the snow with a tshh.
Slumber Hex, Will DC 15, on the guard holding the boys.
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Tzerny flies up to perch on Nevinia's shoulder. She walks forward slowly, deliberately, pulling her dagger from her sheath and holding the pommel with her fingertips, letting it dangle. It becomes clear that the dagger itself, already a dark luster from its cold iron construction, has since turned a deep black. She extends her other hand, palm outward, to show her nonviolent intentions.
"Mine venner, har du kommet til eskortere oss til Nazhena? Da alvene har gjort som jeg ba om. Mine følges snakker ikke Skald, imidlertid, og tilbakebetale vold i slag. Den mildere du er, jo bedre vil de være i samsvar med dine ønsker."
Skald:
"My friends, have you come to escort us to Nazhena? Then the fairies have done as I requested. My companions do not speak Skald, however, and repay violence in kind. The gentler you are, the better they will comply with your requests."
Walk forward to M12, and ready an action to Slumber Hex one of the crossbowmen, should they attack.
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Nevinia thinks a moment. "Nazhena? We are here to see her. We can't hide, so open the door and let them in. They'll want the food, and probably us, too. Just do as they ask, Nadya, we'll be fine."
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Tzerny flies down and lands on Nevinia's shoulder. Her eyes appear to refocus or darken, and she responds, "We should leave. We don't have much time. Nadya, thank you for your hospitality. Gentlemen, we have what we need, let's not be here when the riders arrive."
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Nevinia looks up from hitching the yaks. Entering the home, she asks, "What seems to be the problem?" Noticing things, she replies, "Oh... Oh!"
She quickly picks up what remains of her belongings, and looks around, calling out, "მე ვწუხვარ, რომ ვერ ვხედავ თქვენ იქ. გაქვთ ემსახურება ხანგრძლივი?"
Sylvan:
"I'm sorry, we didn't see you there. Have you been serving long?"
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Keeping her eyes open for activity, Nevinia walks back toward Nadya's house. The village will already know that she is associated with Nadya, there is no reason to hide the fact. Might as well get the sleigh back to Dasha and Prasha, and yoke them to it, as well.
That scent in the air, the snow agrees. We cannot stay long in Waldsby.
I'm a healer. Really, I'm not that strong in combat, but the party loves how I can keep them standing and supply them with just the right potion for the occasion. Click me for my stats.
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Potions are 23.75 gp per "potion kit" for me. I sell the necklace for 400gp, buy a sled... Dammit, it's a dog sled, isn't it? Not made for my yaks. I'm going to have to manipulate ask Yagello nicely for help with the dogs, I suspect. Sigh, I probably need it for the yaks, anyway... Would a large, wagon-sized sleigh be available?
Hmm, sleighs are 50gp in the Arms & Equipment Guide. So, I'll buy a sleigh, three sets of winter clothes for the rest of you guys (24gp), three sets of snowshoes (15gp)... That's 89gp, 311 left. I owe Arkady a potion kit for value (I'll make it an even 25gp and buy him two scroll kits) and purchase 12 potion kits for 285+25=310.
So, I give Verana the necklace, and buy a sleigh, 3 cold weather outfits, 3 pairs of snowshoes, 2 scroll kits, and 12 potion kits. I get 1gp back.
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Nevinia impishly smirks at Yagello, and responds to Verana,
"Verana, er det så godt å møte deg, og takk for innbydende oss til butikken din! Jeg og mine følgesvenner, ville vi være i behov av en god slede for å ta våre varer hjem. De sprengte ulver rev gjennom våre eiendeler for noen utklipp de kan finne! Jeg kjenner en slede er ganske mye å spørre, men kanskje du kan finne synd på oss og akseptere dette smykket?"
Skald:
"Verana, it is so good to meet you, and thank you for welcoming us to your shop! I and my companions, we would be in need of a good sled for taking our wares back home. Those blasted wolves tore through our belongings for any scraps they might find! I know a sled is quite a lot to ask, but perhaps you could find pity on us and accept this necklace?"
Looking back to Yagello, she adds, "Jeg er ikke sikker på hvor smykket kommer fra, men min forståelse er at det ble stjålet fra et troll! Eller, faktisk, trollet ble drept av en helt, først. En sterk, trofast helten med sølvfargede øyne. Kanskje du har noe med en historie å fortelle? Eller vi kan holde det enkelt med ting som truger."
Skald:
"I'm not sure where the necklace comes from, but my understanding is that it was stolen from a troll! Or, actually, the troll was slain by a hero, first. A strong, steadfast hero with silvery eyes. Perhaps you have something with a story to tell? Or we can keep it simple with things like snowshoes."
Afterward, she gets on her tiptoes to whisper in Yagello's ear, "Easy on the Taldane, I don't think they like it much around here. And as for the winter outfits... No thank you, I'd rather not. The cold doesn't bother me, anyway. I could go walking around outside in naught but a squirrel skin and I'd be fine."
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Perception:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Blithely ignoring Yagello's look (with perhaps the slightest sidelong smirk), Nevinia responds, "We should probably see about getting a sled. I wonder if we can barter this necklace for a sled and some more supplies?"
Tzerny ruffles up at the thought. "No! It's so shiny!"
"We can't all fly, Tzerny, and we'll need some way to carry our gear. Then again, maybe I should be traveling light..."
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Nevinia giggles as well, shakes her head, and disrobes in the middle of the room, shrugging off her Issian parka.
Nevinia's skin is pale, a cream, nearly the color of ivory. Whether it is due to her Ulfen or elfin heritage, is hard to say. Her frame is slender, much more than it would have seemed at first, normally swathed in bulky winter wear. Her body still shows the softness of youth, with some angularity on the joints, both a bit of spare gangliness from adolescence and the firmness of one used to hard work.
And in a flash she tossed on a tunic and long skirt from Nadya's collection. Turning to Yagello, triumphantly mocking look on her face, she explained, "I grew up in a shack on the lake with two younger brothers and the occasional mother's paramour. Then I traveled with a carnival. Where I was their medicine woman and had to take care of all sorts of ailments. All of them. Including the freakshow. I never had the luxury of privacy. Don't worry, if you've got anything I haven't seen before, I'd be most surprised."
Her freckles practically aglow on her cheeks, she adds, "But I'll step outside for your benefit. Come fetch me when you're decent."
Sashaying out the door, she looks back to her cauldron and adds, "You might want to stir the pot while I'm out."
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Nevinia, after having had a chance to stretch her legs, looks at the hearth and back to Tzerny. She rummages through her potion pouch, and checks on what she has. Addressing the rest of her traveling companions,
She explains, "I'm going to make us another potion. Right now, I have four healing potions, two for chillbane prevention and other ailments, and one for giant growth. What do you think we'll need? More of these? I could also prepare bottled armor, a warming potion against the cold, or a shrinking potion. What would you like?"
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
First to Kashka, Nevinia smiles brightly, her cheeks round and rosy from outside's cold. She responds, "Tusen takk, Kashka. Vi er alle hedret av din gjestfrihet. Velsignelser over deg og ditt hus."
Skald:
"Thank you, Kashka. We are all honored by your hospitality. Blessings upon you and your household."
Turning to Cervin, Nevinia replies, "Arkady's a bit better at such things than I, but I'll assist him."
Nevinia comes up to Arkady as he looks the spear over, touches his shoulder and speaks, "I haven't prepared my second sight today, but I have this for you. The path lain clear."
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Nevinia, realizing there's no way she'll be able to get the yaks to stay still (+0 Handle Animal), throws the tarp over the group, and then punches the snow at her feet straight downward. The snow flies up, and over, and around the tarp in a snowy haze, blanketing her area with blizzardlike mist. She then pulls out some stored grain for them and gives them something to stick close and enjoy for.
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
After having communed with Tzerny, Nevinia heads over to Arkady in the morning light. She checked his eyes and felt his forehead and shook her head.
"Arkady, I'd like to try something. I don't know if this will work. It is normally for malaise that is temporary, something that might only last minutes or hours. I don't know if it will work against chillbane. But it might give you a period of relief. Let me know if this makes you feel fresher, and let me know if the fever returns."
She draws a small sigil on Arkady's forehead with her finger, and speaks, "Bloom and float downstream."
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
As the dinner comes to a close and everyone nestles in, Nevinia places her cauldron on the fire and spends the evening looking over her ill companions while she tries a new brew.
Brew Potion: Remove Sickness. Cost: 23.75 gp. Actually, wait, she doesn't have the gold on hand...
Once complete, she goes to sleep.
Fortitude:1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 4 = 18
Nevinia wakes up fresh and healthy the next morning.
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
As Mierul turns to leave, Tzerny exchanges a glance with Nevinia. The half-elf stands and speaks at the exit for Mierul, an odd poem in an ancient language:
"გისურვებთ უსაფრთხო მოგზაურობები. ფერიების ითამაშოს.
თოვლი და მზე, მათი ჰანგები ბედის მოშორებით
და დახურვა, როგორც შეყვარებული. მაგრამ მოდის რა შეიძლება
შესაძლოა თქვენი სიკეთე პირველი მსოფლიო გადაწყვიტოს დაფარვა."
Sylvan:
I wish you safe travels. The fairies play.
In snow and in sun, their tunes twist away
And close like a lover. But come what may
Might your kindness the First World see fit to repay.
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
The half-elf sighs at her familiar's display, and approaches Mierul, extending her hand. "Call me Nevinia. Please, you've been welcomed in, let's just sit, relax, and get out of the snow for a while."
Diplomacy:1d20 ⇒ 14
She takes the fiendish fey by the hand and turns to lead her to the fire and stew pot.
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Leaving Tzerny to spar with Yagello, Nevinia replies to Nadya, "I'm willing to help with medicine, if that will be of assistance."
Listening to the conversation, Nevinia adds, "Den Svarte Rytteren har gitt oss et oppdrag for å lukke portalene, ja. Jeg er redd jeg vet ikke mer på dette tidspunktet. Mye av problemene vi hører om er et resultat av et problem mellom Elvanna og Baba Yaga, og jeg tør ikke snakke stygt om dem på dette tidspunktet. Jeg tror Baba Yaga kan være ... andre steder? Uansett hvor hun går når hun ikke er her. Dette er utenfor min kunnskap."
Skald:
"The black rider has given us a quest to close the portals, yes. I'm afraid I don't know more at this time. Much of the problems we hear about are the result of a problem between Elvanna and Baba Yaga, and I dare not speak ill of them at this time. I believe Baba Yaga may be... elsewhere? Wherever she goes when she is not here. This is beyond my knowledge."
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Nevinia looks over to Arkady. "Well, to be honest, we were just passing through..."
She bites her lip, looks over the others, and Arkady a moment longer, before continuing, "Arkady decided he had to stop in Taldor. I didn't tell him this at the time, but... something told me I should stop, too. Not sure what. I was looking around the village when the snows came. But now... there's a village laying dying, and the storm comes from here. I can't let people just suffer and die. I'm here because I need to help."
The healer pulls out her kit and prepares some additional medicine for Arkady and Yagello.
Heal checks, take 10, get 18, give them both an extra +4 to the save tomorrow.
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
Nevinia looks over her party. "Never with dogs, but I'm sure I could make it. I think we should abandon the wagon here, this is not the land for it, but the yaks should still be able to make the trek without issue."
Looking around and pondering the situation, she thinks a moment and replies, "Cervin, I think you and Arkady should go with the team to the camp directly. Arkady, get rest and stay warm. Yagello, you know your way around animals, yes? I might need help getting Prasha and Dasha to cooperate when they aren't hitched to the wagon, I could use your assistance."
Turning back to Nadya, she adds, "Nadya, takk. Hvordan skal vi finne leiren hvis vi taper du?"
Skald:
"Nadya, thank you. How should we find the camp if we lose you?"
Female Half-Elf Witch 1 (HP 15/15, AC 11/ff10/t11, CMD 12, F+2 R+1 W+4, Init +1, Per +5)
"Yes! Most of our things are in a wagon--more suited for travel in the southern lands, but we do have a pair of yaks. Gentlemen, if you could please start gathering our belongings and Prasha and Dasha, I'll see what I can do for these fellows."
"Oh, and Yagello, before you go, Preserve thee."
Healing Hex:1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Rubbing some sage between her palms, Nevinia paints a touch across the unconscious Ulfen. "Let's see if we can wake you up."
