Aubin tips his hat at Helga "Thank you for telling the history of that fish. I bid you and everyone here a good night" He looks to his new companions "I'll head to bed and see all of you in the morning" He heads to the man behind the bar. "I would like a room for the night"
Sabetha gives Blackberry a quick smile and pretends not to notice his sniffling. She is somewhat chastened by Elk Running's warning of the ring likely being just another mess to clean up, but is determined to try to find out about it nonetheless. Eladrin have sharp eyes to have noticed that... I'm lucky I noticed it myself among the confetti.
"I'll let you know what I find in the morning. Or perhaps if I fail, then you can try your luck," she tells the harengon.
She resolves that asking Ol' Bitey to answer her lingering questions about her contact here in Bryn Shander or the story behind the angry likeness of her father would probably best be left until later. Done now, it would either be a distraction or useless (or both) with the party's looming task ahead.
Sabetha uses her meager remaining coin to arrange for a room. She takes her leave of the others for the night and heads there early, meaning to spend the first hour or more studying the ring and trying it on and attempting to attune to it if magical before going to sleep.
All who stay at the inn spend 1 gp 5 sp for room and board overnight, including, for the first time, Blackberry. When you awaken in the morning, you find it is still dark outside, but the murmur of people moving about indicates that the Inn, and presumably the town, are abuzz with activity. At the appointed time, you gather outside the dwarves' housing and, after a few, cold minutes, Korux comes out, sees you all, grumbles to himself, and bids you follow him to Blackiron Blades.
Blackiron Blades is a tidy little store, divided into different goods: survival gear; pack animals; weapons; and armor. Korux is only getting you the gear he is obligated to, so if you want something else, now is the time to grab it. Garn Blackiron, is the proprietor and he proudly shows off his weapons and armor, which he claims to make himself in a smithy out back. Korux pulls Garn into a corner and works out a deal. He proceeds to purchase snowshoes and crampons for all who don't have them. As he does this, a very young air genasi walks up to your group, a bright smile on her face. "Are you going on a quest? If you are, I'd love to come with you. I've read all about Icewind Dale, so I'm sure I'll be a great help. My name is Aura."
(OOC: 3aeros3 - you are up)
(OOC part 2, electric boogaloo: If anyone has anything else they'd like to try at the Inn the night before, you are welcome to. I'll retcon it in. But once y'all leave Garn's, we are moving forward)
(OOC part 3: Garn's prices are as follows: weapons and armor cost 2/5 of the listed price; all other gear and animals cost twice the listed price)
(OOC part 4: Don't forget to factor in weight and container capacity when acquiring this new gear. Snow shoes, for example, weigh 4 lbs.)
Elk Running is restless the next morning. She gathers her belongings in a hurry and is soon prepared to travel with Korux to Backiron Blades.
As they walk, she talks to Sabetha. "I dreamt uneasy during my slumber. Strange dreams upset my rest. I stood before a great mountain of ice, and surrounding me were beasts hewn in ice. So skilled was the hand that carved them, they might have come to life before my eyes. Before me was a great fortress, larger than any hall my eyes have seen. And a dark presence stood with me, telling me of the beauty of its home, and that it would last eternal thanks to... thanks to the gift I would be bringing it. You seem wise in the ways of enchanted things. Have you knowledge of such things?"
At Blackiron Blades, she counts her few remaining coins, but feels confident in the few possessions she carries. She greets Aura with a kind look and a nod. "Well met, Aura. You come well comported. This speaks kindly of you and your kin. I am called Elk Running."
Aubin slept fitfully and greets the morning with a haggard look. He leaves with the others and graciously takes the crampons and snow shoes. He casually gazes at the other wares and decides save what is left of his coins.
Aubin looks over to Aura sizing her up "Do you know these lands well enough to be a guide?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
SabethaReligion check (relating to Elk Running's account of his dream and his question): 5
Either way, she will ruefully admit that she actually knows quite little of enchanted things and merely is willing to experiment, as she was with the ring.
Greeting the newcomer with a friendly smile and a self-introduction, Sabetha briefly inspects a longsword at Garn's shop, thinking she will want one later once she has more coin and training. Perhaps not one so cheaply-made, though. She turns in mild surprise as Elk Running approaches her.
Sabetha's eyes widen slightly at the description of the dream, and she struggles visibly with Elk Running's question. She draws the winter eladrin outside in private, and her answer comes as a near whisper.
"I... I am no interpreter of dreams, nor a true scholar on on demigods or devil lords," she starts, somewhat mysteriously since after all, Elk Running had not directly mentioned either type of being. "And truly, with the ring, I was merely willing to experiment. I will show you and Blackberry what I think it does later once we are well away from the town and we have a chance to rest."
"Your dream... such an account of a frozen winter fastness, an icy home of eternal cold and beauty... it calls to mind two beings I have heard of only in whispers. My... coterie in my home city. We sought to bring down wealthy followers of the archdevil lord Asmodeus. And we were thoroughly routed. Asmodeus is said to rule over the fiery Ninth Circle of Hell, not an icy bastion. However, another devil lord, less spoken of and more mysterious, is said to rule over a frigid realm. Levistus. Entombed in an iceberg in a different Circle of Hell, but living and scheming still."
"Yet, your dream does not call to mind a tomb. Rather an abode, spoken of with pride? It leads me to consider a different malign demigod, even less familiar. Not a devil. A strange, cold female deity whispered of in fear, particularly here in Icewind Dale. Auril. Known as the Frostmaiden."
As she finishes, her voice hushed, Sabetha's breath seems to condense and freeze on her own cheeks like a harsh winter frost.
Uthal takes a hold of one of the weapons on sale, a warhammer, and turns it around in his hands, trying to get a feel for its balance. The cheap prices are suspect, but on the other hand he can think of a couple reasons for them based on the lost shipment of metal. Better to confirm before judgement.
As the newcomer introduces themselves, Uthal turns to give them a critical eye, before grinning. "Good eyes you have there, miss Aura. You are of course welcome to join I, Uthal the Yetiterror, of clan Thuunlakalaga, and the rest of this here team. I'm sure your guidance will be a great help on our heroic quest", he introduces himself in turn.
Here's an Intelligence check for testing that warhammer incase something like that is needed:2
Blackberry looks over the shop's wares with a discriminating eye, having some experience in smithing and tinkering in general. He really doesn't have the strength to add any more equipment, but he will inquire if there is any scrap metal or junk that he might salvage some usable parts from.
Clasping long-fingered hands in delight at her acceptance, Aura beams at each member of the party, obvious excitement dancing across her delicate features. The genasi stands out from the normal Icewind Dale crowd, pale blue skin and flowing white air a vivid contrast to the dull greys and browns found among rhe locals. There is a strangely whimsical quality to the young woman as she stands before the others, though it’s hard to place just what. Perhaps it’s the odd way she moves, as if she is floating, unconstrained by the weight of gravity. Perhaps it’s the way her hair always seems to be blowing in a breeze despite the air being perfectly still. Or perhaps it’s the way her voice mixes so naturally with the air, as if they are one and the same:
”I’m afraid I am new to these lands, so I may not be the best guide when it comes to navigating. However, I have read much about Icewind Dale and could act as a sort of..” the genasi pauses for a moment, struggling to find the right word. “Informant? Any questions you have about this place I can likely answer.”
At Sabetha's mention of Auril, Elk Running's dark eyes widen. "We shall speak further, on the road."
She listens to Aura's offer to explain the Dale with interest. "That is good. In time there may be many questions. For now, I am eager to begin our quest."
She collects her gear for travel: her winter clothing, the snow shoes, a backpack heavily loaded. For weapons she carries a longbow with arrows, a quarterstaff fashioned from oak, and a hand axe.
"Wonderful!" says Blackberry. "So, you're sort of like Ol' Bitey! Let's see, questions, questions... How does pale blue vividly contrast with dull grey?... No, no, that's not important now. How familiar are you with the road to Termalaine and the Dwarven Valley? And yetis? What do you know about yetis? Apparently their olfactory senses are quite developed. Uthal here is pretty sure they won't come around us because of the... well, it's fairly obvious. Do you know why it's so cold here all the time? Also, have you ever heard of anyone from this world building a ship to travel to another world? I have no reason to ask that last question, just curious..."
Korux, seeing Aura join the party, reluctantly pays for her new equipment as well (snowshoes, winter clothes, and crampons). You return to the dwarves' dwelling and they offer to watch over any materials you wish to leave behind during your journey. (OOC: take a moment to make sure you have the necessary gear, that you are a level of encumbered that you want, and that your containers won't fall apart from strained seams). Hruna walks with you to the northern gate, wishing you well as you enter the wild.
Immediately, it feels as if the temperature has dropped several degrees. Outside the walled city, you are subject to the strong winds that buffet the hill on which it stands. Flurries of snow frequently obscure your gaze, although no new snow appears to be falling at present. The road is well-marked and you are able to follow it with relative ease, although the wind and cold sting your eyes and freeze your eyelashes. After about an hour and a half, you come to a fork in the road, with Targos visible on the lake ahead of you, and the other road winding along the lake's frozen shoreline heading north.
Turning to the north, you travel for another 1/2 hour or so before the sunsets and the temperature plummets another 15-20 degrees. The only thing keeping you warm at this point is your own movement and the new furred clothing you are wearing. The only natural light is when the occasional break in the clouds reveals the moon and stars shining. Without a lamp or torch, those without darkvision can only rely on their compatriots to keep them on track. You travel like this for another hour in the dark, windswept plain. (OOC: If you want to light a torch or lantern or something, you are welcome to; we can retcon this particular sentence).
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As the daylight begins to fail, Blackberry, lacking darkvision, pulls a small snow-globe out of his pouch, and his toolkit. With a bit of wire and a fragment of lodestone, he causes the globe to emit lightin a 5 foot radius. (Magical Tinkering feature).
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
In the dark Aubin eyes blacken and his pupils change from a green to a deep crimson color. He needs no light. (Devil's Sight) He pushes on and silently curses the coldness of this place.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Elk Running takes position near the front of the marching caravan, peering out into the twilight, and then into the darkness. She treads lightly over the snow and ice and seems only mildly uncomfortable in the frigid temperatures.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Elk Running looks to the east pausing (I do have darkvision). A moment later she speaks with tension in her voice. "There is a great stormfront from the east. It approaches quickly!"
Survival to know the best way to prepare for what I think is coming: 20
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Helga looks at Elk Running, seated at the next table. “Does Scrimsax seem the type to waste fresh meat? Though the stew did taste off that week…”
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 tips his hat at Helga "Thank you for telling the history of that fish. I bid you and everyone here a good night" He looks to his new companions "I'll head to bed and see all of you in the morning" He heads to the man behind the bar. "I would like a room for the night"
Aubin pays and heads to bed
Sabetha gives Blackberry a quick smile and pretends not to notice his sniffling. She is somewhat chastened by Elk Running's warning of the ring likely being just another mess to clean up, but is determined to try to find out about it nonetheless. Eladrin have sharp eyes to have noticed that... I'm lucky I noticed it myself among the confetti.
"I'll let you know what I find in the morning. Or perhaps if I fail, then you can try your luck," she tells the harengon.
She resolves that asking Ol' Bitey to answer her lingering questions about her contact here in Bryn Shander or the story behind the angry likeness of her father would probably best be left until later. Done now, it would either be a distraction or useless (or both) with the party's looming task ahead.
Sabetha uses her meager remaining coin to arrange for a room. She takes her leave of the others for the night and heads there early, meaning to spend the first hour or more studying the ring and trying it on and attempting to attune to it if magical before going to sleep.
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
All who stay at the inn spend 1 gp 5 sp for room and board overnight, including, for the first time, Blackberry. When you awaken in the morning, you find it is still dark outside, but the murmur of people moving about indicates that the Inn, and presumably the town, are abuzz with activity. At the appointed time, you gather outside the dwarves' housing and, after a few, cold minutes, Korux comes out, sees you all, grumbles to himself, and bids you follow him to Blackiron Blades.
Blackiron Blades is a tidy little store, divided into different goods: survival gear; pack animals; weapons; and armor. Korux is only getting you the gear he is obligated to, so if you want something else, now is the time to grab it. Garn Blackiron, is the proprietor and he proudly shows off his weapons and armor, which he claims to make himself in a smithy out back. Korux pulls Garn into a corner and works out a deal. He proceeds to purchase snowshoes and crampons for all who don't have them. As he does this, a very young air genasi walks up to your group, a bright smile on her face. "Are you going on a quest? If you are, I'd love to come with you. I've read all about Icewind Dale, so I'm sure I'll be a great help. My name is Aura."
(OOC: 3aeros3 - you are up)
(OOC part 2, electric boogaloo: If anyone has anything else they'd like to try at the Inn the night before, you are welcome to. I'll retcon it in. But once y'all leave Garn's, we are moving forward)
(OOC part 3: Garn's prices are as follows: weapons and armor cost 2/5 of the listed price; all other gear and animals cost twice the listed price)
(OOC part 4: Don't forget to factor in weight and container capacity when acquiring this new gear. Snow shoes, for example, weigh 4 lbs.)
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
Elk Running is restless the next morning. She gathers her belongings in a hurry and is soon prepared to travel with Korux to Backiron Blades.
As they walk, she talks to Sabetha. "I dreamt uneasy during my slumber. Strange dreams upset my rest. I stood before a great mountain of ice, and surrounding me were beasts hewn in ice. So skilled was the hand that carved them, they might have come to life before my eyes. Before me was a great fortress, larger than any hall my eyes have seen. And a dark presence stood with me, telling me of the beauty of its home, and that it would last eternal thanks to... thanks to the gift I would be bringing it. You seem wise in the ways of enchanted things. Have you knowledge of such things?"
At Blackiron Blades, she counts her few remaining coins, but feels confident in the few possessions she carries. She greets Aura with a kind look and a nod. "Well met, Aura. You come well comported. This speaks kindly of you and your kin. I am called Elk Running."
Aubin slept fitfully and greets the morning with a haggard look. He leaves with the others and graciously takes the crampons and snow shoes. He casually gazes at the other wares and decides save what is left of his coins.
Aubin looks over to Aura sizing her up "Do you know these lands well enough to be a guide?"
Sabetha Religion check (relating to Elk Running's account of his dream and his question): 5
Either way, she will ruefully admit that she actually knows quite little of enchanted things and merely is willing to experiment, as she was with the ring.
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
Greeting the newcomer with a friendly smile and a self-introduction, Sabetha briefly inspects a longsword at Garn's shop, thinking she will want one later once she has more coin and training. Perhaps not one so cheaply-made, though. She turns in mild surprise as Elk Running approaches her.
Sabetha's eyes widen slightly at the description of the dream, and she struggles visibly with Elk Running's question. She draws the winter eladrin outside in private, and her answer comes as a near whisper.
"I... I am no interpreter of dreams, nor a true scholar on on demigods or devil lords," she starts, somewhat mysteriously since after all, Elk Running had not directly mentioned either type of being. "And truly, with the ring, I was merely willing to experiment. I will show you and Blackberry what I think it does later once we are well away from the town and we have a chance to rest."
"Your dream... such an account of a frozen winter fastness, an icy home of eternal cold and beauty... it calls to mind two beings I have heard of only in whispers. My... coterie in my home city. We sought to bring down wealthy followers of the archdevil lord Asmodeus. And we were thoroughly routed. Asmodeus is said to rule over the fiery Ninth Circle of Hell, not an icy bastion. However, another devil lord, less spoken of and more mysterious, is said to rule over a frigid realm. Levistus. Entombed in an iceberg in a different Circle of Hell, but living and scheming still."
"Yet, your dream does not call to mind a tomb. Rather an abode, spoken of with pride? It leads me to consider a different malign demigod, even less familiar. Not a devil. A strange, cold female deity whispered of in fear, particularly here in Icewind Dale. Auril. Known as the Frostmaiden."
As she finishes, her voice hushed, Sabetha's breath seems to condense and freeze on her own cheeks like a harsh winter frost.
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
Uthal takes a hold of one of the weapons on sale, a warhammer, and turns it around in his hands, trying to get a feel for its balance. The cheap prices are suspect, but on the other hand he can think of a couple reasons for them based on the lost shipment of metal. Better to confirm before judgement.
As the newcomer introduces themselves, Uthal turns to give them a critical eye, before grinning. "Good eyes you have there, miss Aura. You are of course welcome to join I, Uthal the Yetiterror, of clan Thuunlakalaga, and the rest of this here team. I'm sure your guidance will be a great help on our heroic quest", he introduces himself in turn.
Here's an Intelligence check for testing that warhammer incase something like that is needed: 2
Blackberry looks over the shop's wares with a discriminating eye, having some experience in smithing and tinkering in general. He really doesn't have the strength to add any more equipment, but he will inquire if there is any scrap metal or junk that he might salvage some usable parts from.
Clasping long-fingered hands in delight at her acceptance, Aura beams at each member of the party, obvious excitement dancing across her delicate features. The genasi stands out from the normal Icewind Dale crowd, pale blue skin and flowing white air a vivid contrast to the dull greys and browns found among rhe locals. There is a strangely whimsical quality to the young woman as she stands before the others, though it’s hard to place just what. Perhaps it’s the odd way she moves, as if she is floating, unconstrained by the weight of gravity. Perhaps it’s the way her hair always seems to be blowing in a breeze despite the air being perfectly still. Or perhaps it’s the way her voice mixes so naturally with the air, as if they are one and the same:
”I’m afraid I am new to these lands, so I may not be the best guide when it comes to navigating. However, I have read much about Icewind Dale and could act as a sort of..” the genasi pauses for a moment, struggling to find the right word. “Informant? Any questions you have about this place I can likely answer.”
At Sabetha's mention of Auril, Elk Running's dark eyes widen. "We shall speak further, on the road."
She listens to Aura's offer to explain the Dale with interest. "That is good. In time there may be many questions. For now, I am eager to begin our quest."
She collects her gear for travel: her winter clothing, the snow shoes, a backpack heavily loaded. For weapons she carries a longbow with arrows, a quarterstaff fashioned from oak, and a hand axe.
"Wonderful!" says Blackberry. "So, you're sort of like Ol' Bitey! Let's see, questions, questions... How does pale blue vividly contrast with dull grey?... No, no, that's not important now. How familiar are you with the road to Termalaine and the Dwarven Valley? And yetis? What do you know about yetis? Apparently their olfactory senses are quite developed. Uthal here is pretty sure they won't come around us because of the... well, it's fairly obvious. Do you know why it's so cold here all the time? Also, have you ever heard of anyone from this world building a ship to travel to another world? I have no reason to ask that last question, just curious..."
Aubin nods "More hands for the journey is always welcomed. Now lets be off everyone." he turns and leaves the store, ready to begin their journey
Korux, seeing Aura join the party, reluctantly pays for her new equipment as well (snowshoes, winter clothes, and crampons). You return to the dwarves' dwelling and they offer to watch over any materials you wish to leave behind during your journey. (OOC: take a moment to make sure you have the necessary gear, that you are a level of encumbered that you want, and that your containers won't fall apart from strained seams). Hruna walks with you to the northern gate, wishing you well as you enter the wild.
Immediately, it feels as if the temperature has dropped several degrees. Outside the walled city, you are subject to the strong winds that buffet the hill on which it stands. Flurries of snow frequently obscure your gaze, although no new snow appears to be falling at present. The road is well-marked and you are able to follow it with relative ease, although the wind and cold sting your eyes and freeze your eyelashes. After about an hour and a half, you come to a fork in the road, with Targos visible on the lake ahead of you, and the other road winding along the lake's frozen shoreline heading north.
Turning to the north, you travel for another 1/2 hour or so before the sunsets and the temperature plummets another 15-20 degrees. The only thing keeping you warm at this point is your own movement and the new furred clothing you are wearing. The only natural light is when the occasional break in the clouds reveals the moon and stars shining. Without a lamp or torch, those without darkvision can only rely on their compatriots to keep them on track. You travel like this for another hour in the dark, windswept plain. (OOC: If you want to light a torch or lantern or something, you are welcome to; we can retcon this particular sentence).
I'd like everyone to make a Perception check.
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
As the daylight begins to fail, Blackberry, lacking darkvision, pulls a small snow-globe out of his pouch, and his toolkit. With a bit of wire and a fragment of lodestone, he causes the globe to emit light in a 5 foot radius. (Magical Tinkering feature).
Perception 22
In the dark Aubin eyes blacken and his pupils change from a green to a deep crimson color. He needs no light. (Devil's Sight) He pushes on and silently curses the coldness of this place.
Perception Check
16
Elk Running takes position near the front of the marching caravan, peering out into the twilight, and then into the darkness. She treads lightly over the snow and ice and seems only mildly uncomfortable in the frigid temperatures.
Perception: 11
Sabetha walks through the darkness, her green eyes dim in the gloom, but attempting to peer around for enemies or hazards using her darkvision.
Perception: 11
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
Elk Running looks to the east pausing (I do have darkvision). A moment later she speaks with tension in her voice. "There is a great stormfront from the east. It approaches quickly!"
Survival to know the best way to prepare for what I think is coming: 20