Letitia does not trust Anna, and makes sure that the woman does what she said she would do. Anna watches you go down the corridor, then returns to the curtained section that you found her in. Lazlo hangs back and keeps an eye on her. or anything else that might follow behind you.
The group discusses their thoughts on the interaction with the woman, at least until they see the weird meadow.
Standing in the corridor you can see into the meadow, so you know you have not been transported away from the fortress (at least not yet). Letitia doesn't quite believe it is real, but the meadow looks, feels and even smells real.
The woman does not look at all like Anna. Her skin is several shades lighter, and her hair is darker. She sees the party and waves shyly at you.
"The woman is just in a bad situation, how will you trust fully the first strangers in her position?" Samuel tries to defend the not present woman as they go through the corridor.
---
Once at the Medow, he blinks startled "Nice place, are you the gardener here? This bull is the gorgon I guess, are you the Warden?"
Samuel looks at the woman and looks for the ring that Anna has signaled might be the key the group is looking for.
Llewellyn frowned and whispered softly, "What's that woman with the ox doing here? I don't think Gorgons look like that do they? I imagined something rather fiercer..."
Whispering back to Llewellyn, "You are correct that gorgons do not look like simple oxen. If that is in fact the beast, it may be under an illusion. Just as this whole chamber may be."
Letitia straightens her back and looks at the woman directly while mentally activating her hyperboreal robe. Samuel is his usual blunt self, and asks a plain question rather than dance around the topic. Letitia would have been more circumspect in her inquiry, but the gunman spoke before she could.
She clears her throat before speaking. "Hello. This is a lovely meadow you have here. As my companion has said, we are seeking out the Warden of this fortress. If you do not hold that title, would you happen to know who she is and how we can find her?"
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The young woman offers Samuel a smile
Well aren't you direct? I suppose that's refreshing after being surrounded by so many schemes and lies and half truths in this place.
Your questions will all be answered in due time. But first I would know who I am speaking with. Who are you, and how has a man found himself in this bastion of female power? And one speaking the language of a far away land at that.
You do not seem to be with the Giants that have broken in to this domain, and you are certainly not a witch. Though that one has the gift she nods over at Letitia "so what are you doing here?
You do not spot a ring, though you can't see one of her hands clearly right now. the one laid across the bull is bare.
Somewhat rashly Llewellyn decided to give a potentially provocative answer, "In her wisdom The Queen of Irrisen has decided to turn the world into an ice cube. Can't say I'm too keen on that plan. Why are we here? Well we're trying to find out what happened to The Mother of Witches..."
His hand strayed close to the pommel of his sword, and he studied her reaction very closely.
Samuel decides to follow up on Llewellyn's ruse and tries to answer the Warden as she seems to be addressing him directly "These women are the chosen ones and I am his warden, although to be frank, they more often ward me than I do the other way"
"As my friend here tells you, we are to stop a world spanning ice cube transformation, and it is key for us to find The Mother of Witches" he takes not one of the hands of the woman are not shown "Hence we look the Warden of the key that would allow us to find her"
Letitia has to bite her tongue to keep from talking over Samuel and Llewellyn. But she chose to, because this woman seemed to take more interest in them than her, though she acknowledged that she was bore the powers of a witch.
She can't remain silent for long, however. "There you have it," she begins after the two males have spoken. "The balance of power in Irrisen is disrupted. The current queen is past her time and has rebelled against Baba Yaga. Not only has Elvanna resisted the Mother of Witches' mandate that she abdicate her rule after one hundred years, she has decided to spread the gales of Winter far beyond its borders. We are here to gather Baba Yaga's allies, including the Warden of Artrosia. Are you she?"
Callix says nothing, but watches the would-be warden's reactions to what is being said.
The young woman's face grows serious at the description of world events.
That indeed does sound like reason for concern. Baba Yaga was here, though she left some time ago. It is not like her to miss an appointment, especially one so important as the coronation of a new queen...
I have not seen her, I was hoping to learn from you what she had done after her last visit. she seemed disturbed by something, though she didn't tell any of us why.
You say you are here to gather allies. I should warn you, even though every resident of this place was put here by Baba Yaga for a reason, not all of them are inherently loyal to her. some are here as punishment for their sins, others form factions and scheme against the very one who gave them power. Artrosia is a dangerous and complicated place, especially now that followers of Baba Yaga's greatest foe have entered this sanctum.
Perhaps you can win allies, even some unlikely ones, by proving yourself in this place.
In any case, I will leave you with this key. It is not the key you seek, but perhaps will open the way to a greater key?
She pulls out a fairly plain looking metal key towards Letitia
Sounding more than a little cynical, Llewellyn replied "Prove ourselves? Let me guess we need to find the biggest, meanest, most unpopular resident and uh 'sort them out.' He finished by asking brightly, "Any suggestions?"
We are here... We were not before... And with what i am wearing does that prove nothing? Black Midnight sent us. She speaks having largely been quiet so as to not screw anything up like last time
"To proof ourselves?" Samuel says confused while watching how the key is handed "What about Anna? The poor noble girl has been forced to stay here against her will and is concerned by some of these monsters in this area."
The Taldan looks at the others not knowing where to go next.
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Letitia stifles a groan when Samuel brings up Anna. In a slightly mocking tone, she voices aloud, "Is there actually such a thing as a 'poor' noble?"
She considers the key being offered, and then takes the opportunity to study the woman up close.
The woman's mention of followers of Baba Yaga's greatest foe causes Letitia's eyebrow to arch. There was only one conclusion. "You speak of the frost giants and their centaur leader? We are aware of them, and sent one of them away already."
She decides to be direct. "Are you, in fact, the warden? You have yet to deny that you are, yet you do not seem overly concerned about the followers of the enemy invading. You say we must prove ourselves. To whom?"
Callix shakes her head, Oh, good, now we're to be tested, and we don't even know if this one is our ally -- and that's before we consider the other residents of this place.... You're going to owe me an entire wing of Your cellar when I arrive for all the entertainment I'm providing... She then snaps out of it at Letitia's pressing of the question, then nods slightly in agreement with the witch's statement. Since everyone else has so much to say, I guess my role is to observe...
Letitia takes the opportunity of stepping up to take the key to look closely at the woman. her eyes are a light golden color, but they are both the same shade.
"I do not know who this Anna is you speak of. many here are present against there will. I think you will encounter many who would rather not be here.
As to the test before you, the Warden can help you with what you seek, but she must deal with these invaders. And others who seek to undermine her authority. Should you cut down the heretical leader of these giants it would certainly go a long way to earning favor.
She looks over Ashling intently, in a way that makes Ashling think the woman sees very clearly both the Rider and the Girl.
You have been given a great task, one that few could handle. I am confident you will see it through.
With a smile and a wink, the woman vanishes.
When she goes, so does the illusion that was over the room. you no longer stand in an empty field, but a small and rather dull cave. the ox no longer looks like a simple farm animal, and is revealed now to be the Grogon you were warned about. It stamps its feet impatiently, looking like it is deciding whether you should be its next meal
what do you do?
Letitia's eyes narrow at the woman's cryptic words. Worse, of course, is when she disappears and the illusion fades. Already on edge, the revelation of the gorgon is cause for near panic.
"Spread out. No sudden movements," she whispers. Hopefully the beast's petrifying breath will not catch them all if they are not grouped together. Letitia also tries to slowly step away from the beast and away from its face and horns.
"She does not know Anna?" Samuel looks incredulous as the woman disappears, a frowning mark drawing between his eyebrows "Tell me paranoid, but I think we are playing patsies here..."
The man tenses as Letitia points out the gorgon, and starts moving very calmly "Hei toro, we are just leaving ok..."
Trying to retreat, Samuel looks at what has been left after the meadow magically disappeared, and more specifically at continuing through the corridor they were following before they saw the hallucination "Ok, we need to be tested, it sounds like we will need to keep exploring this place..."
You know what, this closk rider in identity thing doesn't work. She says very bluntly.
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Callix winces as the illusion dissolves, Bloody Abyss and Spoiled Wine, how did we fall for this?, then nods at the idea to step back, "I've no magic that can help here," she says in an even tone.
"Lets withdraw slowly and maybe it'll get bored of staring at us like that..." said Llewellyn as he backed away.
Should we have simply killed the girl? Nothing in this place is as it seems
"Not sure what is going on, but she kind of helped us, didn't she by giving us the key?" Samuel shrugs while trying to progress in the exploration "The giants by sure are enemies of Baba Yaga, so we might want to focus on that for a start."
The Taldan then turns to stare at the witch "Hei Letitia! The woman said something about Baba Yaga's greatest foe having entered her sanctum. What did she meant by greatest foe? Who is that one?"
Letitia keeps moving towards the exit, keeping her eyes on the gorgon in the event that it starts attacking them. Samuel's question is enough for her to voice an answer despite her focus on the threat in front of them.
"She said followers of her greatest foe are here. That could only be the frost giants who revere Kostchtchie. We've already encountered the demon lord's followers when they attacked the Dancing Hut. More are here inside this fortress."
Callix keeps walking backward slowly, saying, "A conversation for when we're not at risk of being statues, maybe?"
Llewellyn heartily agreed, "Yes. Lets get out of here!"
There is only one entrance to the cave, but the party is much closer to it than the gorgon.
It paws the ground a few times, looking like it is deciding if it should charge or not. However it did not attack while the woman was present and it was under an illusion, and doesn't seem to have been made more aggressive when the illusion was removed.
it lets the party walk away but you get the feeling it would take very little to provoke it into fighting.
there is no door to its chamber, but the passage extends both directions: back towards Anna's living quarters, or further into the fortress.
Letitia lets out a long breath once they clear the chamber and leave the gorgon behind.
Steadying herself, she inspects the key that the mysterious woman handed her.
"Well, then. We haven't been given much in the way of answers, sadly." She considers their last two interactions with the denizens of Artrosia.
"I believe the only thing we know for certain is that the frost giants are a clear threat, and that defeating them will likely put us in good stead with the Warden. Whoever she is."
She weighs the key in her hand. "We know that the Changeling has something we need. That woman didn't have the signs of being one."
How do we defeat frost Giants... Our magic is strong but i doubt charming them all is an option
"Well... I have an idea or two..." Samuel smiles while padding his musket. He follows along with the others through the tunnel and forward "But really, you only have to led me charm that heretical leader of the giants"
But as the group keeps the exploration going forward, he is caught up by Letitia's words "A Changeling?" the man takes a second trying to remember why the name sounds familiar "Did the raven not say something about a changeling? Ah, yes, you said those ones are the offspring of a Hag and a human. And we have been told there was a Hag in here... so it might make sense... if we find the Hag, maybe we find the Changeling the raven told us about..." the Taldan wanders through ideas aloud "Is that what you were thinking about Letitia?"
Llewellyn studied the granddaughter's reaction as replied to Mr Samuel saying, "Yes the raven did say that. It also said 'you will find the Crone only when the moon wanes' whatever that means..."
Turning to Ashling, Llewellyn said, "We defeat them one at a time."
He thought about what he knew of Frost Giants, their defences and especially their weaknesses ().
Letitia agrees with Llewellyn's plan to face the frost giants. "Yes, I won't be able to charm all of them. But I have other hexes, and in these cramped corridors they are at a disadvantage. The worst case would be for us to get surrounded."
Moving to the topic of the Changeling, she nods to Samuel. "Indeed. We know to look for a Changeling, and we've heard that a hag is in league with the invaders. Furthermore, Anna's description of the Warden was that of a hag, I believe."
She taps her finger to her chin, thinking. "I have been taught that Changelings will begin hearing a voice in their head, calling them to seek out their parentage. Heeding that call will turn them into a hag like their mother." Her lips press together tightly and the corners of her mouth turn down as she ponders further.
"If the Warden is a hag, and there is a hag with the frost giants... I wonder... Hags can come together in groups called covens, just as witches frequently do. I wonder if there is a coven here in this fortress."
"Rats! It's getting confusing I tell you" Samuel scratches his head "So we have to find a Changeling, and there are at least two hags in here from what you say Letitia, and one is with the giants..."
"The woman said 'And others who seek to undermine her the Warden's authority', so maybe indeed there is one of those covens from mom's Irrisen tales, and at least one of them is trying to go against the Warden and joined the giants?" the Taldan tries to hypothesize what is going on in here "Maybe these hags have some kind of feud with respect the Changeling the raven referred to? If so, maybe the key on finding the Changeling is this Crone thing the bird said."
Letitia shakes her head, holding up a cautioning finger. "We don't know there are two hags for certain. It's just that if Anna was telling the truth, it makes sense that there is more than one hag because the Warden wouldn't allow an invading force in.
"Or," she takes a breath, "Anna is lying to us. Remember, the clothes in the chest that was sized for a much larger person? Why would she have those? It's possible that they were leftovers from another guest here in Artrosia.
"But it could be possible that Anna is not who she claims to be."
She pauses, lets that sink in, then sighs. "We don't have enough information. Or, reliable information. What I feel most certain of is that the frost giants are a threat. Everything else we encounter?" She rolls her shoulders, unable to or unwilling to admit she doesn't know.
Callix asks, "Is it possible that Anna is the Changeling? Do they not appear to be human, in order to be raised amongst us?"
our best solution is not trust outside of our group... We don't know these people or if they're as they seem
Llewellyn nodded to Ashling, he'd seen little reason to trust anyone they'd met so far. He also considered what if anything he knew about Changlings.
Callix nods, "Being careful about who we trust is always wise, especially in a situation like this... though that does make it hard to figure out who our allies are. "
Samuel stares not believing what he hears is possible. He has learnt to trust his instincts on judging people and Anna's story was very consistent for him "There must be an explanation. You saw the girl and how innocent she is. I cannot imagine what she has gone through to survive to this, and now we are here questioning her instead of giving our support"
Not enjoying these thoughts, the Taldan focuses on the task ahead "Be it whatever it is, we need to deal with the giant's leader, and to find him, we will need to explore this fortress. So let's explore."
And so, he moves forward through the corridor, paying attention to what lays ahead.
Letitia steps in front of Samuel before he begins exploring. "Yes, I saw the girl and how 'innocent' she was. And I also saw an ox that was actually a gorgon, and a meadow that was actually a dull cave. The implication should be obvious."
She allows the gunman to pass.
Llewellyn went after Samuel and he told him quietly, "Mr Samuel you are a good man. Perhaps Anna truly is innocent, but lets reserve judgement until we know more just in case..."
More loudly to include the others he agreed with the idea to explore, "Yes lets explore, we have some giants to hunt!"
To prepare himself for this, Llewellyn softly hummed a centering chant that focused his senses.
Bow half drawn, he cautiously followed Samuel.
Seeing Llewellyn cast a preparatory spell, Letitia decides it's best that she does as well.
Frost Giants: like many giants they are incredibly strong physically with very high strength and con. they have very good fort saves, but their reflexes are lacking. Frost Giants are vulnerable to fire. they are known to be some of the most violent and nasty giants, and are split between those that live in caves and fortresses and those that live nomadic lives as a tribe.
Changelings: Changelings are the offspring of hags and their lovers taken through magic or madness. Dropped off on doorsteps of prospective foster parents, changelings are raised by strangers. Typically tall, slender, dark haired, and attractive, changelings otherwise resemble their fathers’ race. They are always female, and their mismatched colored eyes and abnormally pale skin usually hint at their true heritage. At puberty, changelings receive “the call,” a hypnotic spiritual voice that beckons them to travel and discover their true origins. Changelings who ignore this call choose their own destiny; those who heed it discover their “mother” and may come into great power by transforming into hags themselves.
Hags can be incredibly varied but are a rather large grouping of monstrous humanoids that can practice witchcraft. They are thought to have originally been fey that were cursed for their vanity and turned into crones. different hags have different magical abilities that are common across others of the same type.
All hags are female, which means they have to reproduce with males of other species. the offspring of these encounters are often changelings - children that look like the father's race but have hag blood and will eventually feel the pull to join their mother.
Hags tend to be solitary but are known to come together to form covens where they can pool their magics together. a coven unlocks additional magic abilities based on the types of hags involved, which leads to hags associating with hags of other kinds as a way to increase their power.
It is not unheard of for a witch to join a coven of hags, even if she herself is not a hag
There is some discussion of what to do next, and the party share their knowledge of the enemies that have been described. it is clear that not everything can be trusted in this place, and even being obvious agents of the great Baba Yaga doesn't mean that you will find easy allies in these halls.
Samuel is the most willing to believe Anna, and is frustrated that the others are suspicious. he leads the way out of the cave and further down the unexplored passageway. The others follow
following the stairs down deeper into the fortress you come on another small cavern
While the walls of this small cavern are rough and jagged; the stone floor is smooth and has been swept clean. A small pool of water surrounded by pale white stones lies to the west. Along the opposite wall to the east, an oaken table holding a wooden bowl and a silver chalice sits in a small alcove.
To the northeast, a short passage leads to a stone door engraved with the image of a naked, pregnant woman sitting in a meditative pose. The woman’s hands lie folded in her lap, and a full moon is painted upon her belly. A trio of waist-high pillars of stout gray stone stands in the corridor just before the door.
As they went, Llewellyn explained what he knew of Giants and Changelings, "As you might expect Frost Giants are big, hardy and slow and they don't like fire. As Changelings they're the result of a union that doesn't bear thinking about. Oddly enough they're always female and outwardly look like the father. When they get the uh call, they don't have to become hags, but most do for the power."
In the small cavern Llewellyn murmured a chant to attune himself to any magic that might be present.
Upon seeing the stone carving he wondered out loud, "Could there be other carved doors like this in the complex, but with a maiden or a crone?"
Letitia continues Llewellyn's lecture, but on hags. "That's accurate, as far as I know. And how hags procreate -- with males of other species, and leaving their Changeling daughters who eventually become hags themselves."
She frowns. "If there is a coven of hags here, they will be more powerful. A coven gives hags access to greater magic."
Letitia's eyes widen when they see the doorway and its engraved image of a pregnant woman. "I wonder if this might be the entrance to the Mother. We're in the Maiden portion of Artrosia, and we know there are three entrances -- one when the moon waxes, one when it's full, and one when the moon wanes. Maybe we needn't have to exit and climb to the next statue.
"That would be welcome."
Callix nods, "Of bloody course they'll be more powerful. I can't recall the last time something was easy in all of this, do you? Honestly, it's all I can do to keep my aleskin filled."
She sighs, "Still, other than the eye, then, Anna could be a changeling that's resisted the call?"
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Llewellyn considered Callix's question. Looking thoughtful he said, "Well she told us she was given away by her own father in barter to the witches of this tower, in exchange for some boon. She also told us she didn't have a title... If she was a changeling and her conception was either forced or under false pretences that could explain her father's otherwise amazingly callous behaviour. This still leaves the question of whether she resisted the call."
He paced a little as he thought, and he stopped suddenly to say, "What do the witches get out of this bargain? A maid? There are spells for that! What if they knew what she was and expected her to join their coven? They'd stand to gain a lot of power wouldn't they... I bet they wouldn't take no for an answer either, but something must have happened. Perhaps to do with that friend of hers who was killed, could this have been a power struggle within the coven? Anna wouldn't necessarily have to be a hag, but she could well be a witch. If so she'd have a familiar right?"
Turning to The Granddaughter, Llewellyn asked, "Would Laszlo notice if there's another familiar around?"
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Letitia turns her head and meets the large eyes of her owl familiar. "Only in the traditional sense. Most familiars are small animals, and he regularly hunts them.
She looks back at Llewellyn. "It's risky for a witch to let her familiar roam too far. And most are skilled at staying out of sight. So it's possible that Anna is a witch and a Changeling... but it makes no sense for her to lie about that. Samuel, your heartstrings would be equally tugged by the tale of a girl terrified of being remade into a hag, correct?"
She shakes her head in frustration at the mysteries and the lack of certainty regarding the true motives of the denizens of Artrosia. "For all we know, both Anna and the Warden could be hags in disguise. Again, our best course of action is to find and destroy the frost giants. Maybe then the Warden will make herself known to us."
"Aye, if Anna is a hag in disguise, she is really really good at deceiving. It is hard to believe... though the story you are describing... it has sense I will admit." Samuel remains thoughtful as the others scan the room for magic and dangers "If so... she is still in need of help though. We cannot let them make a hag of her."
The Taldan examines the pool of water, including smelling it, and the chalice and bowl in the table "Do you think it is drinkable? We have not seen much sources of fresh water in these caves..."
Also, he does examine the door for traps before the group moves forward.
if we need water for drinking, i can purify sources of water and some older foods. Just give the call Samuel