Blackberry looks up at feeling the hand on his shoulder, but the expression on his face is not one of comprehension. His pupils are dilated, his nostrils flared, his breathing rapid. He does not appear to hear the explanation that follows. (He's having a panic attack/PTSD episode).
Aubin seeing the panicked Blackberry takes his waterskin and splashes his face with some water. "Snap out of it Blackberry. Eva! is still with us right here in this living body!"
Eva removes Mallifeva's hand from Blackberry's shoulder. "Do not fear, my harengon friend. Hear my voice and know me. It is I, Eva." Charisma (Persuasion) check: 14
The water makes his whiskers twitch, and Blackberry blinks rapidly. One of his clenched fists slowly opens, and a handful of ashes slips through his fingers to the ground. His voice, sounding like it comes from the bottom of a well, mutters hoarsely, "...Eva? I... I don't understand?"
The letters are primarily a record of the jobs that Jotann and Zara pulled off. Various robberies, kidnappings, killings, and other contracts and job offers. If you are looking for something specific, you could make an Investigation check.
Greth’g’karee:
In the locket, you found a very well done portrait of Zara.
Sabetha listens to Greth'g'karee's account with amazement, forgetting her despondency and anger for a moment.
"So a core group of hardened raiders led by Zara and Jotann very recently recruited others such as Mallifyr. From where, I wonder. Another town? That seems indicative of a timed raid for which they knew that the people of Good Mead would be gathered in Mead Hall last night and needed numbers to seem a threat. A threat which Shander could be seen to stand up to. Where did the core raiders come from? As Aubin said, Torrga serves the Zhentarim. If the core raiders also serve the Zhents, that would be evidence of a plot between Torrga, Zara and Jotann, backed by the Zhentarim to manipulate the election in Shander's favor, making him their puppet as Speaker. You may not think there is anything wrong with that, giant-kin, but we can discuss later why I do."
She pauses, finger tapping her lips despite herself. "And then Jotann indiscriminately targeted both groups and Zara with another fireball? Why in the world did he do that, killing his own allies, when it predictably led to his own demise?"
(Sabetha is not doubting the goliath, only trying to piece it together as neither Dougan's Hole, nor Targos, nor the Evasplosion has been mentioned yet.)
It is then, after Gwebona's burial, that Sabetha quietly but fiercely speaks with Mallifeva. In response to Mallifyr's outburst, she does not break eye contact and responds evenly. "I made a terrible split-second decision, hoping to protect innocents in Mead Hall but leading instead to their deaths and abduction. I will never forgive myself for it. By contrast, Mallifyr, you had hours to consider your choice, one which was decidedly not to protect innocents, and you further chose to drag your sister with you. Once the fighting started, you and the others could have switched sides and fought against Zara and Jotann, once you saw them for the murderers and kidnappers they had revealed themselves to be. I had even hoped for it. But instead, every attack by your group was aimed at Naraeld, Blackberry and me. When we were the ones actively defending Good Mead by our attacks on Zara and Jotann only, however poor my own tactics were. Even once Jotann made his threats and Zara charged, none of your group's attacks were aimed at Zara or Jotann, nor at the hardened criminals in their core band, nor even at Shander or Torrga with whom they likely conspired and were in the thick of the fight. Instead you all aimed your attacks at us. Every. Single. One."
Sabetha had imagined herself being angry when delivering these words, but instead she finds that she feels only a bleak sadness. Gods, she is even younger than I... "So you will have to live with the consequences of your choices forever, Mallifyr. As I will."
Her demeanor changes utterly once Eva emerges and confirms herself. Sabetha returns the embrace wholeheartedly, choking back a sob. Flickers of deep blue flash through the pitch black of her scarf, nearly too quick to catch. "Eva, I am so sorry. Yet relieved your soul lives on despite my choices."
She smiles tremulously at the stricken harengon, hoping that Eva's words sooth the panic and confusion in Blackberry's haunted soul. Finally, she begins looking around and noticing the situation at Mead Hall, with Shander firmly in control. Sabetha's eyes harden once more as she gets to work, helping anyone's investigation into Zara and Jotann's letters, wanting to look specifically for any clue as to who their backer is.
"I was told that fifteen came from Dougan's Hole. The rest were already with the band." Greth replies. "But, this one lives because he knows more." He gestures to the cowardly prisoner.
"We must go to Targos." "No, we must go to Lonelywood." "Targos." "Lonelywood." "Targos." Mallifeva collect themselves. "We must go to Targos, then to Lonelywood." Their eyes burn blue: "Vengeance shall be ours."
Blackberry recoils from the seemingly-insane stranger in front of him, who sometimes speaks with a voice similar to Eva's. Unless someone has already disposed of them, he will remove his leather pouch from his belt and empty his artificer's tools into his pack. He then stoops down and scoops as much of the ashes of his friend as he can carefully into the pouch, seals it tightly, and reattaches it. A few more tears trickle down his face, but he wipes them away and seems aware of his surroundings now, no longer shaking or hyperventilating.
As he finishes, he carefully moves to the opposite side of Sabetha from Mallifeva, and awaits instructions.
His mind gingerly probes the concept of Eva's spirit sharing a body with this new person. Why?he wonders. Why would one leave the comforting, enveloping darkness of oblivion, to return to this godsforsaken world, with all of its suffering and grief? And if it were possible to return from death, why had none of his other friends or family ever come back to him? Did they not care? Did they not love him enough to do what Eva claims to have done? Why does everyone leave, and why did Eva return? Or did she?
"The place I believe we must go above all others first is Bryn Shander. First, to bring Elk Running to Mishann for care and healing at the House of the Morning Lord. And second to report back to Hlin Trollbane and then to Sheriff Markham Southwell regarding Sephek Kaltro."
Sabetha too seeks revenge, but having seen her own actions put her friends in danger or worse has made her cautious for the moment.
"Fortunately, Bryn Shander is centrally located and on the way to Targos, which is only a short distance past it, if I remember correctly from the map. And Lonelywood is further still, past Targos and Termelaine northeast along the path that skirts the eastern shore of Maer Dualdon."
(See here and scroll down a little to see the map of Icewind Dale.)
Sabetha has been speaking quietly, but her voice drops lower still. "If Targos is where Torrga, Shander, Zara and Jotann's backers are, and we know Torrga's backers are the Zhentarim, then Targos is a very dangerous place for us. I too seek revenge, but I have already witnessed what my own rash decisions have led to, and have no wish to charge into a trap. I was part of an organization that opposed the Zhentarim in Waterdeep. Enough to know the Black Network is far-reaching, well-funded, and ruthless. We can go to Targos after Bryn Shander, but we should not go in blind. Perhaps we can find more allies or information. Or more immediately, a sled on which we can bear Elk Running to Bryn Shander."
Blackberry's ears perk up slightly. He looks around at any villagers nearby. "Does anyone have a broken sled they are willing to part with? I'm pretty handy, and could likely fix it up..."
The prisoner pipes up, "Um...I don't know who this Torrga is. And Jotann and Zara weren't part of the Zhents, although they would do work for them. They are a good source of...er...business. This could have been one of their jobs, I suppose. The bosses never really told us. But they wouldn't have joined the Zhents; too proud of their own independence. No, the only way we ever knew if it was a Zhent job was if someone saw the snakes come flying."
At Blackberry'squestion, some of the villagers talk amongst themselves. One steps forward and says, "We know of broken sled or two, but it will cost you. And you won't be able to take your whole crew unless you have three or four, which is more than we could spare in any case." (For those who rode on Torrga'ssled, this actually sounds pretty reasonable)
Mallifeva:
Mallifyr (and the prisoner) would know that Jotann and Eva (and their crew) left several sleds (enough for your party and more) outside of Dougan's Hole. They also left 3 or 4 men to feed the dogs and guard the sleds. If you hurried, you might be able to get there before the men realized anything was wrong.
Mallifeva mumble to themselves, going back and forth, before nodding their head in agreement. It is the girl, Mallifyr, who speaks: "Jotann and Zara left several sleds—enough for half a dozen people or more—outside of Dougan's Hole. They also left three or four men behind to feed the dogs and guard the sleds. If we hurry, we might be able to get there before the guards realize anything is wrong."
Sabetha looks pained. "I would like nothing better than more sleds and picking off more raiders. But we have a friend in Elk Running who lies helpless in Tond's home where she has already been abducted once by a thrall of the Frostmaiden. Do we leave her there? Or try to bring her with us into further danger? I understand we would move faster with multiple sleds, but Dougan's Hole is in the wrong direction onless we wish to travel offroad. It may still be best to just buy one sled from the townsfolk here and make straight for Bryn Shander to deliver her into Mishann's care."
She addresses the Prisoner. "What did you say about flying snakes and a Zhentarim job? They send their messages by flying snake?"
Sabetha muses for a moment, then turns to Aubin. "What did you see next to that empty cage that Torrga had in her tent? A dead rodent?"
The Prisoner nods. "Whenever we got a Zhent job, it came by flying snake. We used to joke about it 'Those snakes sure make us good money'" He looks at Sabetha'sdark gaze. "Begging your pardon, ma'am."
"Yes I believe that was the Torga's pet" says Aubin
Sabetha shakes her head.
"Not Torrga's pet, I don't think. The rodent was food for a flying snake messenger between her and the Zhentarim. Such as the ones the Prisoner described the Zhentarim using sometimes to communicate with Zara, Jotann and their band about jobs."
Blackberry looks up at feeling the hand on his shoulder, but the expression on his face is not one of comprehension. His pupils are dilated, his nostrils flared, his breathing rapid. He does not appear to hear the explanation that follows. (He's having a panic attack/PTSD episode).
Aubin seeing the panicked Blackberry takes his waterskin and splashes his face with some water. "Snap out of it Blackberry. Eva! is still with us right here in this living body!"
Eva removes Mallifeva's hand from Blackberry's shoulder. "Do not fear, my harengon friend. Hear my voice and know me. It is I, Eva." Charisma (Persuasion) check: 14
The water makes his whiskers twitch, and Blackberry blinks rapidly. One of his clenched fists slowly opens, and a handful of ashes slips through his fingers to the ground. His voice, sounding like it comes from the bottom of a well, mutters hoarsely, "...Eva? I... I don't understand?"
Aubin:
The letters are primarily a record of the jobs that Jotann and Zara pulled off. Various robberies, kidnappings, killings, and other contracts and job offers. If you are looking for something specific, you could make an Investigation check.
Greth’g’karee:
In the locket, you found a very well done portrait of Zara.
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
Sabetha listens to Greth'g'karee's account with amazement, forgetting her despondency and anger for a moment.
"So a core group of hardened raiders led by Zara and Jotann very recently recruited others such as Mallifyr. From where, I wonder. Another town? That seems indicative of a timed raid for which they knew that the people of Good Mead would be gathered in Mead Hall last night and needed numbers to seem a threat. A threat which Shander could be seen to stand up to. Where did the core raiders come from? As Aubin said, Torrga serves the Zhentarim. If the core raiders also serve the Zhents, that would be evidence of a plot between Torrga, Zara and Jotann, backed by the Zhentarim to manipulate the election in Shander's favor, making him their puppet as Speaker. You may not think there is anything wrong with that, giant-kin, but we can discuss later why I do."
She pauses, finger tapping her lips despite herself. "And then Jotann indiscriminately targeted both groups and Zara with another fireball? Why in the world did he do that, killing his own allies, when it predictably led to his own demise?"
(Sabetha is not doubting the goliath, only trying to piece it together as neither Dougan's Hole, nor Targos, nor the Evasplosion has been mentioned yet.)
It is then, after Gwebona's burial, that Sabetha quietly but fiercely speaks with Mallifeva. In response to Mallifyr's outburst, she does not break eye contact and responds evenly. "I made a terrible split-second decision, hoping to protect innocents in Mead Hall but leading instead to their deaths and abduction. I will never forgive myself for it. By contrast, Mallifyr, you had hours to consider your choice, one which was decidedly not to protect innocents, and you further chose to drag your sister with you. Once the fighting started, you and the others could have switched sides and fought against Zara and Jotann, once you saw them for the murderers and kidnappers they had revealed themselves to be. I had even hoped for it. But instead, every attack by your group was aimed at Naraeld, Blackberry and me. When we were the ones actively defending Good Mead by our attacks on Zara and Jotann only, however poor my own tactics were. Even once Jotann made his threats and Zara charged, none of your group's attacks were aimed at Zara or Jotann, nor at the hardened criminals in their core band, nor even at Shander or Torrga with whom they likely conspired and were in the thick of the fight. Instead you all aimed your attacks at us. Every. Single. One."
Sabetha had imagined herself being angry when delivering these words, but instead she finds that she feels only a bleak sadness. Gods, she is even younger than I... "So you will have to live with the consequences of your choices forever, Mallifyr. As I will."
Her demeanor changes utterly once Eva emerges and confirms herself. Sabetha returns the embrace wholeheartedly, choking back a sob. Flickers of deep blue flash through the pitch black of her scarf, nearly too quick to catch. "Eva, I am so sorry. Yet relieved your soul lives on despite my choices."
She smiles tremulously at the stricken harengon, hoping that Eva's words sooth the panic and confusion in Blackberry's haunted soul. Finally, she begins looking around and noticing the situation at Mead Hall, with Shander firmly in control. Sabetha's eyes harden once more as she gets to work, helping anyone's investigation into Zara and Jotann's letters, wanting to look specifically for any clue as to who their backer is.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
"I was told that fifteen came from Dougan's Hole. The rest were already with the band." Greth replies. "But, this one lives because he knows more." He gestures to the cowardly prisoner.
"Targos," Mallyfir snarls. "He said that Zara and Jotann and their thugs came from Targos." She spits at the feet of the prisoner.
"We must go to Targos." "No, we must go to Lonelywood." "Targos." "Lonelywood." "Targos." Mallifeva collect themselves. "We must go to Targos, then to Lonelywood." Their eyes burn blue: "Vengeance shall be ours."
Blackberry recoils from the seemingly-insane stranger in front of him, who sometimes speaks with a voice similar to Eva's. Unless someone has already disposed of them, he will remove his leather pouch from his belt and empty his artificer's tools into his pack. He then stoops down and scoops as much of the ashes of his friend as he can carefully into the pouch, seals it tightly, and reattaches it. A few more tears trickle down his face, but he wipes them away and seems aware of his surroundings now, no longer shaking or hyperventilating.
As he finishes, he carefully moves to the opposite side of Sabetha from Mallifeva, and awaits instructions.
His mind gingerly probes the concept of Eva's spirit sharing a body with this new person. Why? he wonders. Why would one leave the comforting, enveloping darkness of oblivion, to return to this godsforsaken world, with all of its suffering and grief? And if it were possible to return from death, why had none of his other friends or family ever come back to him? Did they not care? Did they not love him enough to do what Eva claims to have done? Why does everyone leave, and why did Eva return? Or did she?
"The place I believe we must go above all others first is Bryn Shander. First, to bring Elk Running to Mishann for care and healing at the House of the Morning Lord. And second to report back to Hlin Trollbane and then to Sheriff Markham Southwell regarding Sephek Kaltro."
Sabetha too seeks revenge, but having seen her own actions put her friends in danger or worse has made her cautious for the moment.
"Fortunately, Bryn Shander is centrally located and on the way to Targos, which is only a short distance past it, if I remember correctly from the map. And Lonelywood is further still, past Targos and Termelaine northeast along the path that skirts the eastern shore of Maer Dualdon."
(See here and scroll down a little to see the map of Icewind Dale.)
Sabetha has been speaking quietly, but her voice drops lower still. "If Targos is where Torrga, Shander, Zara and Jotann's backers are, and we know Torrga's backers are the Zhentarim, then Targos is a very dangerous place for us. I too seek revenge, but I have already witnessed what my own rash decisions have led to, and have no wish to charge into a trap. I was part of an organization that opposed the Zhentarim in Waterdeep. Enough to know the Black Network is far-reaching, well-funded, and ruthless. We can go to Targos after Bryn Shander, but we should not go in blind. Perhaps we can find more allies or information. Or more immediately, a sled on which we can bear Elk Running to Bryn Shander."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Blackberry's ears perk up slightly. He looks around at any villagers nearby. "Does anyone have a broken sled they are willing to part with? I'm pretty handy, and could likely fix it up..."
The prisoner pipes up, "Um...I don't know who this Torrga is. And Jotann and Zara weren't part of the Zhents, although they would do work for them. They are a good source of...er...business. This could have been one of their jobs, I suppose. The bosses never really told us. But they wouldn't have joined the Zhents; too proud of their own independence. No, the only way we ever knew if it was a Zhent job was if someone saw the snakes come flying."
At Blackberry's question, some of the villagers talk amongst themselves. One steps forward and says, "We know of broken sled or two, but it will cost you. And you won't be able to take your whole crew unless you have three or four, which is more than we could spare in any case." (For those who rode on Torrga's sled, this actually sounds pretty reasonable)
Mallifeva:
Mallifyr (and the prisoner) would know that Jotann and Eva (and their crew) left several sleds (enough for your party and more) outside of Dougan's Hole. They also left 3 or 4 men to feed the dogs and guard the sleds. If you hurried, you might be able to get there before the men realized anything was wrong.
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
Aubin heads over the Blackberry and listens in "We need just one for the body. The rest of us can walk. So how much is it for 1 sled" asks Aubin
Mallifeva mumble to themselves, going back and forth, before nodding their head in agreement. It is the girl, Mallifyr, who speaks: "Jotann and Zara left several sleds—enough for half a dozen people or more—outside of Dougan's Hole. They also left three or four men behind to feed the dogs and guard the sleds. If we hurry, we might be able to get there before the guards realize anything is wrong."
Greth considers a moment. "Those that fled would not have gone there already? This could be a chance to catch more, even so..."
Sabetha looks pained. "I would like nothing better than more sleds and picking off more raiders. But we have a friend in Elk Running who lies helpless in Tond's home where she has already been abducted once by a thrall of the Frostmaiden. Do we leave her there? Or try to bring her with us into further danger? I understand we would move faster with multiple sleds, but Dougan's Hole is in the wrong direction onless we wish to travel offroad. It may still be best to just buy one sled from the townsfolk here and make straight for Bryn Shander to deliver her into Mishann's care."
She addresses the Prisoner. "What did you say about flying snakes and a Zhentarim job? They send their messages by flying snake?"
Sabetha muses for a moment, then turns to Aubin. "What did you see next to that empty cage that Torrga had in her tent? A dead rodent?"
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
"Yes I believe that was the Torga's pet" says Aubin
The Prisoner nods. "Whenever we got a Zhent job, it came by flying snake. We used to joke about it 'Those snakes sure make us good money'" He looks at Sabetha's dark gaze. "Begging your pardon, ma'am."
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
Sabetha shakes her head.
"Not Torrga's pet, I don't think. The rodent was food for a flying snake messenger between her and the Zhentarim. Such as the ones the Prisoner described the Zhentarim using sometimes to communicate with Zara, Jotann and their band about jobs."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk