- Ciaran- the fighter replies - And ... dreams? About this place? More likely nightmares - he adds, a bitter half smile appearing in his face - In any case, what kind of dreams if you don't mind my asking?
"My name is Unburdened. I run a blacksmith here," He introduces himself, remembering he has some mead. "It's not so bad, you get used to the presence of the cold. Just not the cold itself."
He takes a deep drink before continuing, "But, I will admit that conditions are worsening. Even manning a forge is beginning to prove difficult in this climate."
As more people join the conversation, Silvie gets more and more tense. There are a few moments where her eyes keep turning towards the tavern’s door, but eventually she lets out a long sigh and turns fully to the conversation. She knows that her words never come across as she wants them to, it’s why she always keeps to herself. But, well, she already talked once. What's a few more times?
As she addresses Oona, Solvail and Calid, she fiddles with a piece of ribbon that was tied to her wrist until then. “My name’s Silvie. Sorry if I was rude, I’m… a lot better at talking with animals than people, to be frank. I don’t really know all that much about magic, but if it is the Frostmaiden causing all this and if she’s using her raw power to do it, shouldn’t she… get tired, I guess? Like how one can only run for so long until they have to stop. I understand that she’s a goddess, but it has been two years and her power isn’t infinite, is it?”
As you all speak amongst yourselves, a trio of dwarves (you assume) bundled head to toe in cold weather clothes with snow shoes and ice picks slung over their shoulders enter and take a seat at a corner table. Two of them begin the process of removing the heaviest of their garments, an older female and a younger male, but the third, a male with a vacant stare, keeps his on.
If your character's passive perception score is 12 or higher, access the spoiler below:
The skin on the female dwarf's right hand appears to be blistered, and two of her fingers have a blue-gray discoloration to them. Her right ear appears to be suffering a similar malady - she's got a bad case of frostbite.
The dwarves deliberate for a moment, mostly the woman talking to the two males, eventually giving up and approaching the group of you sitting around the fire. "Ah, apologies, humble patrons, for the interruption! My name is Hruna, a dwarf of Kelvin's Cairn. My companions and I were bringing a shipment of iron ingots to Bryn Shander, but were forced to abandon it in the wilderness after we were attacked. We're too weary to retrieve it. If any of you brave-looking souls would aid us in our plight, I'd gladly pay ye for the bother. We'd also put in a good word for you lot with the dwarves of the Dale!" She offers. This Hruna clearly a little self-conscious at having to resort to begging for help and trying to sweeten the pot as much as she can.
"For all my master has done for me and to get much needed coin I will help. Can you give use any more details of the attack and where did you leave the iron ingots?" asks Calid Peshka
She then notices the signs of frostbite. "Oh I see your injured. Please sit down as you need to be warmed up. I know I am a stranger, but please give me your hand" says Calid
Calid takes off her gloves and her hands turns a more pinkish red. "Trust me I won't burn you" She then opens her hand ready to accept Hruna's hand
As Calid approaches and offers to help with the dwarf's ailments, she seems to become a little contemplative herself for a moment, gripping her book and furrowing her brow. But a brief moment later that passes and she comes back to the conversation, "Ingots? That's some heavy load to be hauling around in this weather. What even dared attack a hardened group such as yourselves?"
While the rest lead the converstion with this Hruna, Ciaran directs his gaze to the other two dwarves, specially the one with the vacant stare. Something is definitely wrong with him and the half-elf wonders if it can be related to that alleged attack.
- Are your companions injured as well? One of them seems specially troubled.
Rolled an insight but it was very low (6). Passive is 13.
Orixian listens to the dwarves and waits until Hruna has explained their need. "I'm somewhat familiar with the trails between the towns. I can certainly help you find your cargo. And also, what attacked you? Was it ... an owlbear?"
As the conversation is happening around her, Silvie analyses the dwarves and tries to discern if they were attacked by beasts or people.
(I'm mostly trying to spot if their clothes have claw marks, for example. And potentially if I could maybe recognize what made their wounds, if they have any. Should I roll perception for this? Or something else, like insight?)
While she does it, the piece of ribbon she was fiddling with tears. She continues to play with it, not even noticing.
Calida: The dwarf looks a little reluctant to take your hand, but eventually relents. "Alright, lass, but I don't think there's much to be done for it... frostbite's set in, probably gonna have to lop those fingers off... can't even feel 'em..."
Unburdened: Hruna looks at you with some evident relief on her face. "Thank ye, good sir. Say, you're Unburdened the Tinkerer, right? I believe some of the iron we were hauling was headed for your workshop. I'm so sorry that ye've maybe got to go and get it, but the dwarves of Mithral Hall won't forget the kindness if you do."
Solvail and Orixian: "Aye, a heavy load indeed. Between the ingots and the sled they're loaded on, 'tis nearly half a ton. Took all four of us to pull it: me, Korux, Storn, and Oobock. But something pounced out of the snow, tore poor Oobock apart. We ain't fighters, the lads and I. Just humble miners. We ran and abandoned the cargo to save ourselves. Got lost in the wilds before finally stumbling on Bryn Shander. Could've been an owlbear, and if not, it was just as savage as one. I honestly can't recall anything. Just Oobock getting attacked and us running for our lives."
Ciaran: Hruna looks with some sorrow over to her companions. "Well, poor Storn's always been rather paranoid, so he isn't acting too out of the ordinary," she says. Storn, the younger dwarf who has thankfully avoided being stricken with frostbite, flicks his eyes all around the room, particularly towards the upper windows. You're not sure what he could possibly be looking for. "As for Korux... Well, I think the poor fellow's still in shock. He froze when Oobock went down - Storn and I practically had to drag him away before he had the sense to follow us. Poor fool's more frostbitten than a hairless crag cat." Korux, the older male dwarf, still stares vacantly into his mug and hasn't taken off any of his cold weather gear. His hands tremble slightly.
Being an experienced military man, you've seen plenty of fresh recruits check out like this after witnessing traumatic events on the battlefield. Whatever Korux saw of the attack, it left him properly shell-shocked.
Silvie: (Roll insight or perception, your choice.)
Calida: "The ingots are in the wilderness between Kelvin's Cairn and Bryn Shander. Northeast of town, I'd guess about ten miles out. There's an old Reghed standing stone near where we were attacked, you can't miss it. It's the only landmark for miles around. It's how we knew we were on track... before we got ambushed and lost."
- I understand. I've seen that kind of behaviour before, after someone has witnessed a traumatic event. Especially in young recruits. With time and proper care they might recover. I hope that is Korux case.
He glances at the group, estimating their strengh to pull that heavy sled, and says:
- I will help. As Unburdened says, life here is hard enough without attacks such as this. Now it is iron, but tomorrow could be a cargo of food that gets attacked. If we don't stop this this Eternal Winter will become even harsher. Orixian and I are the strongest among us, but I believe the combined strengh of the seven of us will be enough to carry the sled - He stands up an begins putting on his furs - Shall we?
Silvie ties the piece of ribbon back on her wrist, only then noticing the tear. She lets out an unsurprised sigh, but shrugs and stands up. Bow and quiver secured on her back, she nods at Ciaran as a sign that she'll help the dwarves too.
"M-Me too? Huh?" Oona stutters and points at herself, but is pretty much swept into the activities of this huge group. She follows along, mumbling, "W-Well... I guess it'll be good practice..."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
Silvie: You don’t actually spot any wounds on them besides the frostbite, but you do see that Kurox’s backpack has a claw mark along the front. Like something tried to grab it, but the dwarves pulled him free. Judging by the pattern, it’s a creature with opposable thumbs. Definitely not a bear… more likely a yeti.
"Yeah. Count me in," Unburdened says as he basically abandons his mug and stands up. "I have some things I've been meaning to test out. Helping these good people will kill two birds with one stone."
Solvail's eyes wander to the floor as the thinks, several different expressions flashing on her face as she makes up her mind regarding something, then finally purses her lips and nods, "Fine, I'll help too. The darkness out there might seem daunting, but let's see what light we are able to light within it." she takes another bite at her stale hard bread and then stuffs it into one of the pockets of her winter coat, adjusting it to her shoulders as if ready to depart at any moment, looks like all the 'gear' she has is with her.
"Do you know who or what ambushed you?" asks Calid
"No clue. Some beast, I think. Once Oobock went down, we didn't stick around to find out what it was," Hruna sighs. She seems heartened that you are willing to give her a hand. "Thank ye all, you're gems among the rough, I tell ya. Here's a map with our path on it - I circled about the spot I believe we were ambushed. It's been a few hours, hopefully that beastie isn't around anymore, but in case it is, be bloody careful, eh? We don't need anymore corpses in the Dale. I'll have your payment for you upon your return with the ingots."
Hruna places the map on the nearest table. Assuming her estimation is correct, the spot appears to be about a 3-hour trek northeast of Bryn Shander.
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- Ciaran - the fighter replies - And ... dreams? About this place? More likely nightmares - he adds, a bitter half smile appearing in his face - In any case, what kind of dreams if you don't mind my asking?
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
"My name is Unburdened. I run a blacksmith here," He introduces himself, remembering he has some mead. "It's not so bad, you get used to the presence of the cold. Just not the cold itself."
He takes a deep drink before continuing, "But, I will admit that conditions are worsening. Even manning a forge is beginning to prove difficult in this climate."
Extended Signature
As more people join the conversation, Silvie gets more and more tense. There are a few moments where her eyes keep turning towards the tavern’s door, but eventually she lets out a long sigh and turns fully to the conversation. She knows that her words never come across as she wants them to, it’s why she always keeps to herself. But, well, she already talked once. What's a few more times?
As she addresses Oona, Solvail and Calid, she fiddles with a piece of ribbon that was tied to her wrist until then. “My name’s Silvie. Sorry if I was rude, I’m… a lot better at talking with animals than people, to be frank. I don’t really know all that much about magic, but if it is the Frostmaiden causing all this and if she’s using her raw power to do it, shouldn’t she… get tired, I guess? Like how one can only run for so long until they have to stop. I understand that she’s a goddess, but it has been two years and her power isn’t infinite, is it?”
As you all speak amongst yourselves, a trio of dwarves (you assume) bundled head to toe in cold weather clothes with snow shoes and ice picks slung over their shoulders enter and take a seat at a corner table. Two of them begin the process of removing the heaviest of their garments, an older female and a younger male, but the third, a male with a vacant stare, keeps his on.
If your character's passive perception score is 12 or higher, access the spoiler below:
The skin on the female dwarf's right hand appears to be blistered, and two of her fingers have a blue-gray discoloration to them. Her right ear appears to be suffering a similar malady - she's got a bad case of frostbite.
The dwarves deliberate for a moment, mostly the woman talking to the two males, eventually giving up and approaching the group of you sitting around the fire. "Ah, apologies, humble patrons, for the interruption! My name is Hruna, a dwarf of Kelvin's Cairn. My companions and I were bringing a shipment of iron ingots to Bryn Shander, but were forced to abandon it in the wilderness after we were attacked. We're too weary to retrieve it. If any of you brave-looking souls would aid us in our plight, I'd gladly pay ye for the bother. We'd also put in a good word for you lot with the dwarves of the Dale!" She offers. This Hruna clearly a little self-conscious at having to resort to begging for help and trying to sweeten the pot as much as she can.
"For all my master has done for me and to get much needed coin I will help. Can you give use any more details of the attack and where did you leave the iron ingots?" asks Calid Peshka
She then notices the signs of frostbite. "Oh I see your injured. Please sit down as you need to be warmed up. I know I am a stranger, but please give me your hand" says Calid
Calid takes off her gloves and her hands turns a more pinkish red. "Trust me I won't burn you" She then opens her hand ready to accept Hruna's hand
As Calid approaches and offers to help with the dwarf's ailments, she seems to become a little contemplative herself for a moment, gripping her book and furrowing her brow. But a brief moment later that passes and she comes back to the conversation, "Ingots? That's some heavy load to be hauling around in this weather. What even dared attack a hardened group such as yourselves?"
Art Portfolio
Unburdened's sense of justice flares up a bit, "Life's hard enough out here without stuff like this happening. I'd like to hear more about this."
Extended Signature
While the rest lead the converstion with this Hruna, Ciaran directs his gaze to the other two dwarves, specially the one with the vacant stare. Something is definitely wrong with him and the half-elf wonders if it can be related to that alleged attack.
- Are your companions injured as well? One of them seems specially troubled.
Rolled an insight but it was very low (6). Passive is 13.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Orixian listens to the dwarves and waits until Hruna has explained their need. "I'm somewhat familiar with the trails between the towns. I can certainly help you find your cargo. And also, what attacked you? Was it ... an owlbear?"
As the conversation is happening around her, Silvie analyses the dwarves and tries to discern if they were attacked by beasts or people.
(I'm mostly trying to spot if their clothes have claw marks, for example. And potentially if I could maybe recognize what made their wounds, if they have any. Should I roll perception for this? Or something else, like insight?)
While she does it, the piece of ribbon she was fiddling with tears. She continues to play with it, not even noticing.
Calida: The dwarf looks a little reluctant to take your hand, but eventually relents. "Alright, lass, but I don't think there's much to be done for it... frostbite's set in, probably gonna have to lop those fingers off... can't even feel 'em..."
Unburdened: Hruna looks at you with some evident relief on her face. "Thank ye, good sir. Say, you're Unburdened the Tinkerer, right? I believe some of the iron we were hauling was headed for your workshop. I'm so sorry that ye've maybe got to go and get it, but the dwarves of Mithral Hall won't forget the kindness if you do."
Solvail and Orixian: "Aye, a heavy load indeed. Between the ingots and the sled they're loaded on, 'tis nearly half a ton. Took all four of us to pull it: me, Korux, Storn, and Oobock. But something pounced out of the snow, tore poor Oobock apart. We ain't fighters, the lads and I. Just humble miners. We ran and abandoned the cargo to save ourselves. Got lost in the wilds before finally stumbling on Bryn Shander. Could've been an owlbear, and if not, it was just as savage as one. I honestly can't recall anything. Just Oobock getting attacked and us running for our lives."
Ciaran: Hruna looks with some sorrow over to her companions. "Well, poor Storn's always been rather paranoid, so he isn't acting too out of the ordinary," she says. Storn, the younger dwarf who has thankfully avoided being stricken with frostbite, flicks his eyes all around the room, particularly towards the upper windows. You're not sure what he could possibly be looking for. "As for Korux... Well, I think the poor fellow's still in shock. He froze when Oobock went down - Storn and I practically had to drag him away before he had the sense to follow us. Poor fool's more frostbitten than a hairless crag cat." Korux, the older male dwarf, still stares vacantly into his mug and hasn't taken off any of his cold weather gear. His hands tremble slightly.
Being an experienced military man, you've seen plenty of fresh recruits check out like this after witnessing traumatic events on the battlefield. Whatever Korux saw of the attack, it left him properly shell-shocked.
Silvie: (Roll insight or perception, your choice.)
Calida: "The ingots are in the wilderness between Kelvin's Cairn and Bryn Shander. Northeast of town, I'd guess about ten miles out. There's an old Reghed standing stone near where we were attacked, you can't miss it. It's the only landmark for miles around. It's how we knew we were on track... before we got ambushed and lost."
"Do you know who or what ambushed you?" asks Calid
Ciaran nods slowly to Hruna's answers.
- I understand. I've seen that kind of behaviour before, after someone has witnessed a traumatic event. Especially in young recruits. With time and proper care they might recover. I hope that is Korux case.
He glances at the group, estimating their strengh to pull that heavy sled, and says:
- I will help. As Unburdened says, life here is hard enough without attacks such as this. Now it is iron, but tomorrow could be a cargo of food that gets attacked. If we don't stop this this Eternal Winter will become even harsher. Orixian and I are the strongest among us, but I believe the combined strengh of the seven of us will be enough to carry the sled - He stands up an begins putting on his furs - Shall we?
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Rolled 13 perception. Passive is 14 though.
Silvie ties the piece of ribbon back on her wrist, only then noticing the tear. She lets out an unsurprised sigh, but shrugs and stands up. Bow and quiver secured on her back, she nods at Ciaran as a sign that she'll help the dwarves too.
"M-Me too? Huh?" Oona stutters and points at herself, but is pretty much swept into the activities of this huge group. She follows along, mumbling, "W-Well... I guess it'll be good practice..."
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
(On mobile so can’t put this in a spoiler)
Silvie: You don’t actually spot any wounds on them besides the frostbite, but you do see that Kurox’s backpack has a claw mark along the front. Like something tried to grab it, but the dwarves pulled him free. Judging by the pattern, it’s a creature with opposable thumbs. Definitely not a bear… more likely a yeti.
"Yeah. Count me in," Unburdened says as he basically abandons his mug and stands up. "I have some things I've been meaning to test out. Helping these good people will kill two birds with one stone."
Extended Signature
Solvail's eyes wander to the floor as the thinks, several different expressions flashing on her face as she makes up her mind regarding something, then finally purses her lips and nods, "Fine, I'll help too. The darkness out there might seem daunting, but let's see what light we are able to light within it." she takes another bite at her stale hard bread and then stuffs it into one of the pockets of her winter coat, adjusting it to her shoulders as if ready to depart at any moment, looks like all the 'gear' she has is with her.
Art Portfolio
"No clue. Some beast, I think. Once Oobock went down, we didn't stick around to find out what it was," Hruna sighs. She seems heartened that you are willing to give her a hand. "Thank ye all, you're gems among the rough, I tell ya. Here's a map with our path on it - I circled about the spot I believe we were ambushed. It's been a few hours, hopefully that beastie isn't around anymore, but in case it is, be bloody careful, eh? We don't need anymore corpses in the Dale. I'll have your payment for you upon your return with the ingots."
Hruna places the map on the nearest table. Assuming her estimation is correct, the spot appears to be about a 3-hour trek northeast of Bryn Shander.