Frostbite

[Saorise Eismadchen]

Saorise smiles at her companion.

"I was beginning to fear that the world had abandoned me. So much has changed in these recent times, and I have been too weak to completely comprehend what has been going on in my surroundings."

Although her eyes still are haunted, she attempts to compose herself enough to raise an eyebrow at Jorgen in a pointed expression. "An update would be appreciated."

Before he can respond, Saorise's composure slips back into a mixture of dread and pain. She looks around as though afraid others would hear her. "And there is something of even greater import I must tell you, Jorgen. The ship.... that blasted ship...."

[Stefnir Ogmundrsson]

Stefnir sits in the longhouse, happy with the preparations for winter, but concerned at the signs of trouble. It is time to meet to determine our next step, he thinks as the others enter the longhouse.

[Ari Thornsson]

Ari waits for everyone to finish speaking, he then stands and addresses the party,"I have met with the Qin on a few occasions since we have been here, I will go and ask if we can have access to the drakkar in the bay and also their reasons for being here."

Ari makes for the door and then the Qin's lodge.

[Ragnar Stolen-Voice]

Ragnar nods.
"Wuh suhd suhnd uh skuhtuhn puhtuh tuhd duh ruhduhs cuhmp- uhvuhluhnd uh buh suh. Kuhp truhk uh duh muhvmuhnz."

Translation:

Spoiler:

"We should send a scouting party toward the raider's camp- overland or by sea. Keep track of their movements."

[Kurn Thornsson]

"That's not a bad idea Ragnar" says Kurn thoughtfully. "I'd rather go by sea, but the raiders would have the advantage, so scouting by land would be more prudent and allow everybody's skills to be used. Well apart from me, as I'm no warrior. What do you think Stefnir? Ari could talk to the Qin for us?. Whatever happens, the defences of this village need to be sorted out, as they won't see out one assault at the moment".

[Helga Evadottir Alfchild]

"Then we have another problem: Anya saw a party of dverge in the forest today. We have to head off conflict between them and the village if we can."

[French Wolf]

Ari

Spoiler:

The bodyguard eyes widen slightly in shock at an evening visit and he checks the area for threats. Then proceeds the rigmarole of waiting while the Qin merchant is asked if he is willing to meet with Ari. The answer is yes when the bodyguard returns to ask Ari if he would come in.
Later sat drinking tea, the merchant thinks hard on what he is asked and then answers the rogue.
"My ship has no crew because of the actions of the Lord of Stuvoy. They all left. I wish to obtain dwarf metal. Now the Lord of Stuvoy wishes to use my ship to defend against Votagor. I do have any quarrel with Votagor and he would not do me harm. Get me that metal and you may use my ship."

[Anya Fiend-Fury]

Feeling rebuffed by Breda, Anya shrugs her shoulders and heads back to the longhouse. Arriving in time to hear her sisters words, she nods her head in agreement only adding "They were heading away from the village, but whether they were a scouting party or a war party I cannot say. I can say for sure though that they were well equiped for battle."

[Jorgen Ulrichsson Truesight]

Jorgen strides across the room, a supportive hand slipping on to the icemaiden's delecate shoulder.

"We will speak of it when you are ready."

[Saorise Eismadchen]

Saorise nods.

"Yes, I think you are right. But I must tell you at least a little. What is related to our mission." She pauses as though recounting something terrifying to her. "When the ship was burning, I thought I saw.... I did see.... a dark cloud move away from the ship. I think that whatever cursed it lives on. The dark presence is now free of its device, and I do not yet know what that means, other than to say that our lives are still in danger from the agressive anger we have already experienced."

She waits for Jorgen's reply before continuing.

[Jorgen Ulrichsson Truesight]

"Then it needs to be destroyed. That maleveolence will come after us for forcinig it to leave its home after all this time."

[Ari Thornsson]

FW

Spoiler:

Ari asks the merchant (a)How much metal does he need and (b)What he has to trade for the metal.

[French Wolf]

Ari

Spoiler:

Enough to fill the ship and he has the use of his own ship in trade. Putting it into danger to preserve a village that has not treated him well. As a guest he would have expected them to at least discuss the stopping of trade before ending it with the dwarves outright. He would have preferred the Lord Mercik to have told him personally or arranged for one last shipment to arrive before closing all contact with the dwarves. The merchant is all polished manners but he is not happy underneath. His two guards seem to give him immense confidence as if they are very well trained fighters indeed.

Just to be clear, the festival of Samthain is in five days time.

Knowledge (local) check DC18

Spoiler:

Tavnia or Sawrik mentioned to you at some point that deeper in the Sangaa woods (the direction that the dwarves were headed) is the home of the cavemead. Just a stray thought, who knows if it matters?

[Ari Thornsson]

Knowledge Local 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

[French Wolf]

So what you going to do?

[Saorise Eismadchen]

Jorgen Ulrichsson Truesight wrote:

"Then it needs to be destroyed. That maleveolence will come after us for forcinig it to leave its home after all this time."

"Come, lead me to the others. I feel too separated from our companions, who are still under whatever dire conditions this experience has brought about. I would understand our situation and bring aid if I am able."

[Ari Thornsson]

Ari leaves Master Kejin's house and returns to the others. He whispers to Kurn to come outside as Ari needs to speak to him.

Kurn

Spoiler:

Kurn brother I have much to tell, Master Kejin is not happy with Lord Mercik as he was not consulted when trade with the Dwarves was stopped. To gain access to the ship Master Kejin needs us to get one last shipment of metal from the Dwarves. They are deep in the Sangaa woods at the moment, home of the cavemead. I think we have to do this task to gain access to the ship, what say you.

[Kurn Thornsson]

Ari Thornsson wrote:

Ari leaves Master Kejin's house and returns to the others. He whispers to Kurn to come outside as Ari needs to speak to him.

Kurn** spoiler omitted **

Ari

Spoiler:

"That's interesting. I always suspected that there was more than meets the eye going on here. Assuming we try and obtain the metal from the Dwarves, it may be useful to have a large baragining chip. Do you think you could "arrange" for the escape of the Dwarf prisoner in the hall? I believe he's a Dwarf noble after all and I suspect you have the skills brother" says Kurn looking at his brother knowingly.

[French Wolf]

Untrained check is allowed on this - Knowledge (local) DC18

Spoiler:

Tavnia or Sawrik mentioned to you at some point that deeper in the Sangaa woods (the direction that the dwarves were headed) is the home of the cavemead. Just a stray thought, who knows if it matters?

Ari/Kurn

Spoiler:

Be clear that the dwarf mine and the warband may not be in the same place. One can walk and meet Anya in the woods.

We have Jorgen talking with Saorise in one part of the longhouse, he is over her pallet bed. Ragnar, Stefnir, Helga and Anya are sat round a small fire. Outside in the dark of the night, Kurn has gone to have a quiet word with Ari.

[Ragnar Stolen-Voice]

Knowledge- local: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Nope, not quite.

[Helga Evadottir Alfchild]

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

[Jorgen Ulrichsson Truesight]

Jorgen reaches down to help Saorise up, his arm around her waist supporting her. While he allows her the dignity of seemingly making her own way with assistance, it is clear that he is essentially holding her upright.

[Ari Thornsson]

Knowledge Local 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Kurn

Spoiler:

I can but try brother, could you make some sort of diversion to give me a better chance of slipping in and releasing the dwarf.

[Stefnir Ogmundrsson]

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 Knowledge Local

"Many forces gather in this small place, most malevolent, but perhaps not all". "The forest around here is full of a strange and ancient magic, and I feel that it offers us aid, and sanctuary, if we respect it's boundaries". "I feel there is something there that at least does not wish us harm"..."some force"..."Perhaps the Alfar?"

"Also that is the source of the cavemead". "Perhaps that is what they search for"?

[Kurn Thornsson]

Ari

Spoiler:

"Yes, I can manage that brother, but we had better let the others know"

[Kurn Thornsson]

Kurn goes back inside with Ari to the others. "Ari and I have a plan to aid us with the Dwarfs, but involves Ari "arranging" the release of the Dwarf prisoner. It's a gamble we think will work, but you will need to trust us. Ari, tell everybody what the Qin leader said to you about his trading with the Dwarfs"

[French Wolf]

Generally the High Hall is closed and has a single guard overnight. The bridge over the river to the stockade is also manned until late evening. However Lord Mercik sleeps just off the main hall alone, as far as you all know. Also Sawrik and Tavnia live in lodges inside the compound of the stockade too.

[Helga Evadottir Alfchild]

"I was thinking along those lines ... Sawrik pretty much admitted to me that it's the demands of honour making this situation worse. Unless the dwarves are willing to pay a weregild for their friend, it's a problem. However, will he prevent this war? or will he run straight home and demand vengeance for the dishonour visited upon him? We have to convince him that he must persuade his people to do the opposite or more blood will be spilled."

[Anya Fiend-Fury]

Frustrated with and having little interested in all the talk of politics, Anya grumbles "Wake me when we know what we are doing....or when something needs to be killed." and then proceeds to head to her bunk and lie down. Within seconds the warrior woman, trained to get what sleep she can wherever and whenever she can, is issuing loud snoring sounds.

[Ragnar Stolen-Voice]

"Uhnuh dwuhv wuhd tuhk uh grud' tuh duh gruhv. Uhvuhn fruh'n huhm wuhn' buh uhnuhv- huh 'n huz puhpl wuhll nuhd cuhnvuhnzin'... uhn Muhsuhk wuhd huhv tuh luht uht guh tuh. Buh uht cuhd buh th' uhnluh wuh tuh guht duh Kuhn shuhp."

Translation:

Spoiler:

"Any dwarf would take a grudge to the grave. Even freeing him won't be enough- he and his people will need convincing... and Mercik would have to let it go too. But it could be the only way to get the Qin ship."

[Helga Evadottir Alfchild]

"Aye, we have two sides with stiff necks. We need to convince the - hey, maybe we can! The dwarf was there when one of the lads was possessed and struck at Kurn in the throne-room!"

Helga enthuses.

"I am not sure that we can convince the others to free him, I am not sure he can end the chance of a war. Maybe Ari can get him to agree to end this feud if he gains his freedom, but perhaps we can convince him that a third party is to blame? Is it not strange that each side blames the other in this war with the dvirge?"

[French Wolf]

Okay, then I need a plan of how to free the dwarf prisoner. Remember he has been badly treated and is manacled to one wall.

[Ari Thornsson]

Ari ponders the situation for a while, then asks, "Anya can you use your womanly attributes to seduce the guard, while I sneak in and release the Dwarf, How does that sound to you?"

[Helga Evadottir Alfchild]

Helga blinks, looks at Anya, puts together some mental images and then wishes that she hadn't.

"The poor dverge is half-starved and had no exercise for months. He won't get far alone, I'm thinking," she muses. "Besides, Lord Mercik has trackers at his disposal who know the lands around here very well. Stefnir, would you be able to spirit the dverge away once Ari has him free? I'll help, but my woodcraft is sadly lacking as yet."

[Ragnar Stolen-Voice]

"Wuh shuhd uhll luhv uhf wuh duh duhz. Uh'm nuht uhguh tuh tuhk duh dwuhf's pluhz. Wuh cuhn ruhtuhn wuhth th' cuhvmuhd uhftuh fruhn' th' dwuhf."
He scratches his head.
"Cuhd wuh bruhk huhm uht, huhd huhm tuh muhnuhn uhn tuhk huhm wuhth uhs tuh guht th' cuhvmuhd. Wuh'd huhv uhn uhluhbuh tuh buh guhn."

Translation:

Spoiler:

"We should all leave if we do this. I'm not eager to take the dwarf's place. We could return with the cavemead after freeing the dwarf. Could we break him out, hide him until morning and take him with us when we get the cavemead? We'd have an alibi to be gone."

[Helga Evadottir Alfchild]

"That sounds like a better plan," Helga nods agreement.

[Kurn Thornsson]

"Good thinking Ragnar" nods Kurn with a smile, "but what is your decision Stefnir?"

[Ragnar Stolen-Voice]

Ragnar smiles at the acknowledgement, but then furrows his brow in thought.
"Wuh'll nuhd tuh guht huz kuhpuh'shun, thuh. Uhn fuhn' uh pluhz tuh' huhd huhm fruhn duh suhch puhtuh. Thuhn smuhgguh huhm uht."
Translation:

Spoiler:

"We'll need to get his cooperation, though. And find a place to hide him from the search party. Then smuggle him out."

He shrugs.
"Uhduhz?"

[French Wolf]

As long as you guys are posting and trying to decide what to do then I'm happy. When you have a plan let me know. The dwarf has never been very friendly to anyone so far, but freeing him may be convincing...

[Saorise Eismadchen]

Saorise slides near the group, listening intently to their conversation. She leans on Jorgen for support.

"I regret I have no special skills to help you. Nor do I even have any knowledge that might assist you. I expect you will tell me if there is something I can do."

[Stefnir Ogmundrsson]

"If we have to cover our tracks when we leave, I might be able to help with that, but I'm afraid that social skills are not my forte". "I am much more comfortable with a small group, or alone in the wilderness".

[Ragnar Stolen-Voice]

Saorise Eismadchen wrote:

Saorise slides near the group, listening intently to their conversation. She leans on Jorgen for support.

"I regret I have no special skills to help you. Nor do I even have any knowledge that might assist you. I expect you will tell me if there is something I can do."

"Hnnn. Uhv yuh cuhd pruhtuhgt huhm fruhn duh cuhld wuhth yuh muhguhk, wuh cuhd huhd huhm uhtsuhd. Muhbuh Sruhfnuh cuhd huhd huhm uht uhn duh wuhds?"

Translation:

Spoiler:

"Hmm. If you could protect him from the cold with your magic, we could hide him outside. Maybe Stefnir could hide him out in the woods?"

[Anya Fiend-Fury]

Deep in slumber Anya completely misses Ari's question and her sister's reaction to it

Though I kinda wish she hadn't ; )

[Kurn Thornsson]

"so we rescue the Dwarf, take him to the other Dwarves and sort out the Qin trade deal, then bring back the cavemead? Do we all agree? I think we should take one of the Qin with us to help. Do you think you could arrange a meeting between us and the Qin Ari?"

Kurn then looks at Saorise. "How are you feeling?"

[French Wolf]

Stefnir DC10 Int Check

Spoiler:

The decision to hold the dwarf was probably made by Lord Mercik backed by the laws and leadership of his druid, Tavnia Goldfingers. To break that may be more than a matter of honour, it may be more a matter of the laws of Ackrieg and Samthain. Obviously none of this may be important to an Unfettered Druid like Stefnir.

Ari

Spoiler:

It is unlikely that the older Qin merchant would travel into the woods, or give up one of his bodyguards to go with you. Qin tend to inhabit the towns and ports, they rarely travel into the wilds. it would need a very compelling argument to change this.

[Saorise Eismadchen]

Saorise looks self-consciously at the half-elf, as though surprised he would ask about her well-being.

"I am... recovering. I expect that I shall be restored to complete health in no time."

[Kurn Thornsson]

Saorise Eismadchen wrote:

Saorise looks self-consciously at the half-elf, as though surprised he would ask about her well-being.

"I am... recovering. I expect that I shall be restored to complete health in no time."

"We have our differences, but we need you" says Kurn softly and with some respect following Saorise's courage during the undead Drago/burning ship incident.

FW - How long before Saorise is fully functional and can I aid her with healing etc

[French Wolf]

Kurn Heal check DC15

Spoiler:

Saorise looks tired and gaunt, otherwise she is fit. Her problems may not be physical.

[Kurn Thornsson]

Heal Check

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

[Ari Thornsson]

Kurn during my last meeting with Master Kejin, he told me that he will not travel or sleep in the wilderness as at his age he needs all the comforts a town, village or inn offers. He will also be very reluctant to give up one of his body guards to go with us due to his personal safety. Though if you would like to meet Master Kejin, I may be able to arrange a meeting.