((Drift’s crafter feat allows a 20% discount on items, does that apply to the dogsled? Is it 50gp per dog?
Also, he can make three units of oil per Long Rest with his tinker magic, so we can probably keep the lantern burning the whole while, if you’d like to do that.))
Although not assuming she would be the one to carry it later, the quite curious Ellora takes the enchanted lantern for closer inspection, studying it for magical runes and other signs of it's functionality. She is quite oblivious to the bickering dwarves as she throughly examines the magical lamp, also pondering how they could actually use it to at least vaguely determine the direction by moving around when it turns bright green.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Marva smiles in appreciation at Dvu’s flame trick. “I have some talent with the cold, but I’d love to learn to create fire! Maybe you can teach me.”
She turns to the mysterious elf and says gently, “You’re Ophelia, right? I think you can come with us, if you like. It will be freezing and dangerous, so be as sure as you can be that you want to take on the challenge.”
To the group at large, she suggests, “Since it’s already 1800, we probably don’t want to head out tonight. I wonder if Blackiron Blades is still open. I definitely want to drop by to pick up some snowshoes. I have some gold, but not enough for a sled and dog or an axebeak. And I have some oil, but maybe we should buy more for the lantern. Before we go, I just want to ask these dwarves some questions. I thought I heard that they spotted something interesting that might help us.”
She walks over to the dwarves and greets them, “Excuse me, master dwarves, I hope you are all well this evening. I thought I heard something quite fascinating a moment ago. Did one of you see a mysterious being riding an arctic hare? I would love to hear the story!”
(Persuasion: 1 - If they seem hesitant to talk, Marva will offer to buy ale for whoever knows the tale.)
(OOC: I didn't edit this post until now, so I don't know why it says it has manipulated rolls. The Persuasion roll was a 7 when I first posted. I don't know how to fix it.)
Ophelia frowns at the pale, lavender snow globe that floats above her hand for several seconds before vanishing (Druidcraft predicting weather).
"... strange the skies and stranger the endless snows... the bitter, preserving cold... it is the same as yesterday..." Her mumble is louder than she intends.
[Marva] turns to the mysterious elf and says gently, “You’re Ophelia, right? I think you can come with us, if you like. It will be freezing and dangerous, so be as sure as you can be that you want to take on the challenge.”
Ophelia nods solemnly at the book-bearing dragonborn, looking relieved. Tears of gratitude decorate the corners of her eyes. Yet her mouth whispers:
"Soon comes the time, all shall be free, Even Her, and even we. Soon comes the time when all may die, Never Her, yet surely I."
As Marva then engages the group of arguing dwarves, Ophelia instead drifts to the watchful female dwarf who had put a firm end to their brief scuffle.
"You watch for something. Or someone? To resolve the mysteries of this fell land? As do I. Yet I would know who or what you seek. It seems as if I have been granted the gift of companionship," Ophelia gestures vaguely back at the table where the others are. "Might we make a common cause?"
Dvu glances over at Ophelia and says quietly and slowly under his breath to Ellora, "Umm, d'ya get a feeling that her stairs might not go up to the top floor?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
“Expert guide,” Drift inclines his head, “I think you might need to help that one keep to the path more than the others.”
As he finishes his soup, he stands. “Let’s look around Bryn Shander now, with the lantern. Let’s get sleds and crampons and snow shoes, I know a few people who charge more fairly than others. Then let’s head out if we’ve no joy, first thing tomorrow.”
The young white-haired woman looks up from her magical lamp inspection and looks between the massive goliath and the peculiar elf. "Stairs? Oh, yes, I see what you mean." She says with a soft laugh. "Let's not judge the book by, well, what we've seen yet. Hopefully she will turn more lucid once the effects of whatever she has been smoking wears off." She adds with a shrug an amused smile.
When the bearded man suggests a plan for the evening she quickly finishes up her tea and soup, readying herself to try out the enchanted lantern of chwinga-discovery.
Marva, It quickly becomes apparent that you approached the dwarfs at the wrong time. Having already overturned a table and gotten their heads knocked together, the three dwarfs were not in a communicative state of mind for a stranger. “Bah, all sorts of strange thins’ outtin’ the wilds. Lessgo before word gets out,” says one of the dwarfs before the three don their gear and stomp away. You see on their shields the stamp of a Foaming Mug. To learn more about the symbol, you can roll History or Arcana 15 or only a 10 if Dvu or Drift assist.
The Foaming Mug crest is the symbol of the Battlehammer dwarf clan. They live in a valley in front of Kelvin’s Cairn. They trade raw mined products and dwarves-made equipment with Ten-Towns.
Ophelia, the elderly dwarf woman looks directly at you as you approach. The scar on her face shines bright in stark contrast to her pitch-black skin. She takes a long puff on her pipe and blows out the smoke over her left shoulder before responding. “I do watch for someone and something deadly. I see in you the spark of far-sight and in some of your new companions of short-focus, which could be half of what I am looking for. Listen, it seems that you and your companions have your task. If you be worthy and are luckier than those three," gesturing with her pipe at the dwarves Marva is talking to, "return and we talk. My matters have more immediate effect on life and death than catching some wee mysterious elementals.” This time, she blows the smoke directly at your face and resumes scanning the room.
Drift turns to Dvu. “You been ranging these parts long? You find much work or need for guiding here? What’s the furthest north you’ve been?” There’s something beyond just curiosity in his voice, beyond just feeling out his competition.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Marva returns to the group. “That didn’t go as well as I’d hoped. I thought I heard those dwarves say something about seeing little creatures riding an arctic hare. I hoped that they were talking about chwingas and could tell us where they saw them. But they weren’t in the mood to share with the class.”
After a moment of thought, she says, “I noticed they have a design on their shields, a foaming mug. Drift--or Dvu--you’ve been in this region a while, right? Any ideas what that symbol might signify? Maybe we could talk about it on the way to Blackiron Blades to get supplies. Who all is coming?”
(Arcana: 23)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Marva Stormavendrien - Level 1 Cleric - Rime of the Frostmaiden
Ophelia's eyes seem to come into focus and she finally looks down, directly into the eyes of the serious dwarven woman. Hearing the words.
"Someone and something dark and deadly." Ophelia repeats back in a whisper, then inclines her head in a brief modest bow and show of respect. Looking suddenly more like the lost daughter of a noble elven house than a raving madwoman, in both posture and voice.
"I do not know if what you seek ties to the strangeness and abiding cold magic that has drawn me inexorably to this land. Nor can I guess if or when we shall return, my lady dwarf, yet I shall seek you out here in the Northlook when we do. I am Ophelia. May I know your name?"
Drift turns to Dvu. “You been ranging these parts long? You find much work or need for guiding here? What’s the furthest north you’ve been?” There’s something beyond just curiosity in his voice, beyond just feeling out his competition.
"Yep, all my life. Well, with company. Hunting parties, expeditions... now I'm trying to earn my keep as an explorer, a guide, someone to help crews in and about ten towns and around the Dale. I've guided trappers, traders, elven scholars. All manner of folk, really." He glances over at the group of gathered dwarves, and an imperceptible shiver comes over Dvu. "Some trips worse than others. But learned a little with each one. Kinda off on my own, now. Hey look, I can buy one of those dogs, even have a way to talk to it, I can talk to most creatures, they kinda understand me. I might like one of those axe beaks too though - I might be too big for the sled. But I can help, I've got some coin saved up from some of my recent gigs." He pauses and looks at Drift. "What about you? Where have you been here.. and how long?"
He perks up at Marva, saying "Yeah, I'll come! Let's go see what we can find. I've seen that pattern on shields before, like I said, had a memorable trip with a few dwarves before. That's the old Foaming Mug crest of the Battlehammer dwarves. They're from Kelvin's Cairn... tradin stuff to the towns, all dwarven made stout goods. They all think they're full of pee and vinegar. But they put their little dwarfy pants on one leg at a time like anybody else. Hah!" Dvu smiles and then drains the rest of his ale and stands, making ready to head to Blackiron Blades.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Ophelia, the dwarf narrows her eyes and returns her glance to you. "Hmph, forward aren't you since I do not believe your actions betray cluelessness. Fine, my name is Hlin. Unless one of three things takes place, including my death, you will find me here if you believe you are capable enough to solve a murder mystery." Meanwhile, the others in the party are getting to know each other as they gear up to go outside. The cold weather clothing is effective at protecting the wearer from the chill but they are not rapid to don or doff, which gives them a chance to start measuring the value of their companions.
Month: Hammer, Day: VI, Time: 1900
You arrive at Blackiron Blades to find a number of people gathered around the forge despite the late hour. Garn and Elza jointly run the place, with the male dwarf making the goods and his sister selling the ironworks and other non-magical gear for daily living and adventures. They are usually joined by others because the forge is one of the warmest places in town. In addition to the usual hangers-on and merchants from different parts of Ten-Towns, you find Speaker Duvessa Shane, a young female human. You recall that each town is an independent settlement that elects a leader, or speaker, to represent its interests at meetings of the Council of Speakers, which are infrequent and take place at the Council Hall in Bryn Shander. These meetings are called to discuss matters of shared interest and to settle disputes between towns. The longstanding competition that occasionally moves from political maneuvering into outright violence between the different parts of Ten-Towns has only intensified due to the long winter.
While enjoying the heat and the friendly banter between competing traders, you learn from Elza that you can get a four-dog dogsled for 40gp (dogs sold separately) that can carry one pilot and two passengers for a total of 500 pounds. You learn there are different types of sled dogs, from your standard untrained dog for 50gp, a trained sled dog for 70gp, and a sled dog leader for 80gp. Axe beaks are 60gp or 80gp if trained. Two women, a half-orc named Shratha and her human wife Fhai, are in charge of the animals. They are willing to train people, but for a cost, of course.
Elza also tells you that snowshoes are 4gp, crampons are 3gp, and mountain climber's kit is 40gp. She suggests to anyone going more than a mile or two outside of Bryn Shander to buy an extra bedroll for 2gp or an insulated two-person tent for 40gp. You never know when a blizzard could show up! she warns. Unlike the two women animal trainers who are very well respected, the quality of Garn's ironwork, particularly his weapons, is the subject of much derision and mocking in Ten-Towns, but he is the only game around.
((OOC - Some of the costs are different from what is listed in DDB because some products are more expensive to "import" to Ten-Towns (such as bedroll), others are easy to make and so common that they are less expensive than elsewhere in the realm (such as sled dogs), and others are such questionable quality that they cannot be sold for full price (metal-based weapons made by Garn).))
Olfin turns to the others, weighing his coin pouch. "I'm not sure about you all, but those purchase prices seem a bit out of our range. " (40g sled + 80g lead dog + 3x70g for the rest of the dogs or 330gp for 3 people or 110gp per person. Or Axe Beak are 80gp per person)
Turning back to Garn and Elza, "Do you rent sleds and dog teams or Axe Beaks?"
Marva listens to the prices with increasing dismay. “Definitely out of my price range, Olfin. As much as I would love to get a team of dogs, I can’t afford it. I’d never thought of riding an axe beak. The idea is growing on me, but, again, I don’t have that kind of gold. I do have a tent that I’m willing to share. It’s not insulated, but I’m going to buy an extra bedroll.”
Marva buys an extra bedroll, snowshoes, and crampons (if it makes sense to get both). She also picks up a couple more flasks of oil, if possible.
She thinks for a minute and addresses the group, “I don’t know if we should consider these chwingas to be people or more like animals. If it’s the latter, and we want to capture one, I can buy a basket. Maybe I’ll get one just to be prepared.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Marva Stormavendrien - Level 1 Cleric - Rime of the Frostmaiden
Ophelia inclines her head once more to Hlin in respect and farewell, accepting (or oblivious to) the taciturn dwarven woman's skepticism. As she pulls on her cold weather clothing to join the others (who for the moment seem to have accepted her) outside the Northlook, her lavender eyes lose focus once more and her gaze tilts slightly upward, as if watching and listening to things no one else can see or hear.
Once at Blackiron Blades, the she-elf appears to be come lucid enough to promptly purchase snowshoes (4gp), crampons (3gp) and an insulated 2-person tent (40gp) from Elza, clearly spending most of her remaining gold in the process (and just as clearly not having enough to purchase a sled with dogs). She makes vague, agreeable noises about being happy to freely share the tent with any one of her new companions (male or female) if the need arises.
That done, Ophelia drifts like a moth to a flame, to stand near the forge where Speaker Duvessa Shane and others are congregating. As often, she appears to be distracted and not paying attention, though this time, she curiously tries (with limited success) to overhear any conversation.
Ophelia'sPerception: 11 (Passive if it matters: 12)
As they get close to where Shratha and Fhai are (and the animals), Dvu takes a knee and starts to perform an odd ritual of touching his face in various spots, then his lips. His forehead, temples, mandible on each side, then his lips after each one. There is a faint glow, this process takes approximately 10 minutes, then he stands with a smile and walks closer to the animals. He looks to the axe beaks, then in turn to the dogs.
To the axebeaks : "You look strong! And brave... can you carry one such as me? I need to lead this crew to the rest of Ten Towns, here and there, could you do such? Guide me, help me, and I'll keep you safe, feed you, do my best to make you happy... what do you say?" He turns to the two women and shrugs, smiling. "Any wiggle room on the price? I will take good care of one.."
Then to the dogs : "Do you work well together? Strong? I need to lead these people around the Dale, hunting, and tracking. Could you do such? Am I too big to ride in your sled? Who's a good boy! Do you like a belly rub, do you?.." At this point Dvu is just playing with the dogs. Again he smiles sheepishly at the women, outted as an animal lover.
Dvu turns to the others and says "I have 70 gold to use for this.." Dvu will purchase an extra bedroll and snowshoes. "We share tent? Who wishes to share with big man? Promise I don't snore. Well, I think I don't. Hah!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
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((Drift’s crafter feat allows a 20% discount on items, does that apply to the dogsled? Is it 50gp per dog?
Also, he can make three units of oil per Long Rest with his tinker magic, so we can probably keep the lantern burning the whole while, if you’d like to do that.))
Although not assuming she would be the one to carry it later, the quite curious Ellora takes the enchanted lantern for closer inspection, studying it for magical runes and other signs of it's functionality. She is quite oblivious to the bickering dwarves as she throughly examines the magical lamp, also pondering how they could actually use it to at least vaguely determine the direction by moving around when it turns bright green.
"Well, that's curious," says Drift. "How exactly did you do that; 300 feet wasn't it?"
Marva smiles in appreciation at Dvu’s flame trick. “I have some talent with the cold, but I’d love to learn to create fire! Maybe you can teach me.”
She turns to the mysterious elf and says gently, “You’re Ophelia, right? I think you can come with us, if you like. It will be freezing and dangerous, so be as sure as you can be that you want to take on the challenge.”
To the group at large, she suggests, “Since it’s already 1800, we probably don’t want to head out tonight. I wonder if Blackiron Blades is still open. I definitely want to drop by to pick up some snowshoes. I have some gold, but not enough for a sled and dog or an axebeak. And I have some oil, but maybe we should buy more for the lantern. Before we go, I just want to ask these dwarves some questions. I thought I heard that they spotted something interesting that might help us.”
She walks over to the dwarves and greets them, “Excuse me, master dwarves, I hope you are all well this evening. I thought I heard something quite fascinating a moment ago. Did one of you see a mysterious being riding an arctic hare? I would love to hear the story!”
(Persuasion: 1 - If they seem hesitant to talk, Marva will offer to buy ale for whoever knows the tale.)
(OOC: I didn't edit this post until now, so I don't know why it says it has manipulated rolls. The Persuasion roll was a 7 when I first posted. I don't know how to fix it.)
Marva Stormavendrien - Level 1 Cleric - Rime of the Frostmaiden
(Librarian/Gamer/Knitter)
Ophelia frowns at the pale, lavender snow globe that floats above her hand for several seconds before vanishing (Druidcraft predicting weather).
"... strange the skies and stranger the endless snows... the bitter, preserving cold... it is the same as yesterday..." Her mumble is louder than she intends.
Ophelia nods solemnly at the book-bearing dragonborn, looking relieved. Tears of gratitude decorate the corners of her eyes. Yet her mouth whispers:
"Soon comes the time, all shall be free,
Even Her, and even we.
Soon comes the time when all may die,
Never Her, yet surely I."
As Marva then engages the group of arguing dwarves, Ophelia instead drifts to the watchful female dwarf who had put a firm end to their brief scuffle.
"You watch for something. Or someone? To resolve the mysteries of this fell land? As do I. Yet I would know who or what you seek. It seems as if I have been granted the gift of companionship," Ophelia gestures vaguely back at the table where the others are. "Might we make a common cause?"
Ophelia's Persuasion: 19
Tanis(Ranger1):Shiverquill's Tempest City | Barn(Paladin1):Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4):VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Joren(Fighter6):NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3):Bedlymn's Murder Court | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic system):ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord)
Xarian (Fighter3):Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia (Sorcerer1):BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1):Culuril's Strixhaven
Dvu glances over at Ophelia and says quietly and slowly under his breath to Ellora, "Umm, d'ya get a feeling that her stairs might not go up to the top floor?"
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
“Expert guide,” Drift inclines his head, “I think you might need to help that one keep to the path more than the others.”
As he finishes his soup, he stands. “Let’s look around Bryn Shander now, with the lantern. Let’s get sleds and crampons and snow shoes, I know a few people who charge more fairly than others. Then let’s head out if we’ve no joy, first thing tomorrow.”
The young white-haired woman looks up from her magical lamp inspection and looks between the massive goliath and the peculiar elf. "Stairs? Oh, yes, I see what you mean." She says with a soft laugh. "Let's not judge the book by, well, what we've seen yet. Hopefully she will turn more lucid once the effects of whatever she has been smoking wears off." She adds with a shrug an amused smile.
When the bearded man suggests a plan for the evening she quickly finishes up her tea and soup, readying herself to try out the enchanted lantern of chwinga-discovery.
The Foaming Mug crest is the symbol of the Battlehammer dwarf clan. They live in a valley in front of Kelvin’s Cairn. They trade raw mined products and dwarves-made equipment with Ten-Towns.
Olfin, holding his empty mug, tries to keep track of the dueling conversations going on around him with his newfound 'friends'.
He looks at the mug and tries to remember if he's heard any Dwarven songs about the stamp of the Foaming Mug, but it's all too fuzzy.
D&D since 1984
Drift turns to Dvu. “You been ranging these parts long? You find much work or need for guiding here? What’s the furthest north you’ve been?” There’s something beyond just curiosity in his voice, beyond just feeling out his competition.
Marva returns to the group. “That didn’t go as well as I’d hoped. I thought I heard those dwarves say something about seeing little creatures riding an arctic hare. I hoped that they were talking about chwingas and could tell us where they saw them. But they weren’t in the mood to share with the class.”
After a moment of thought, she says, “I noticed they have a design on their shields, a foaming mug. Drift--or Dvu--you’ve been in this region a while, right? Any ideas what that symbol might signify? Maybe we could talk about it on the way to Blackiron Blades to get supplies. Who all is coming?”
(Arcana: 23)
Marva Stormavendrien - Level 1 Cleric - Rime of the Frostmaiden
(Librarian/Gamer/Knitter)
"I'll come with you Marva." Olfin says
D&D since 1984
Ophelia's eyes seem to come into focus and she finally looks down, directly into the eyes of the serious dwarven woman. Hearing the words.
"Someone and something dark and deadly." Ophelia repeats back in a whisper, then inclines her head in a brief modest bow and show of respect. Looking suddenly more like the lost daughter of a noble elven house than a raving madwoman, in both posture and voice.
"I do not know if what you seek ties to the strangeness and abiding cold magic that has drawn me inexorably to this land. Nor can I guess if or when we shall return, my lady dwarf, yet I shall seek you out here in the Northlook when we do. I am Ophelia. May I know your name?"
Tanis(Ranger1):Shiverquill's Tempest City | Barn(Paladin1):Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4):VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Joren(Fighter6):NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3):Bedlymn's Murder Court | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic system):ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord)
Xarian (Fighter3):Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia (Sorcerer1):BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1):Culuril's Strixhaven
"Yep, all my life. Well, with company. Hunting parties, expeditions... now I'm trying to earn my keep as an explorer, a guide, someone to help crews in and about ten towns and around the Dale. I've guided trappers, traders, elven scholars. All manner of folk, really." He glances over at the group of gathered dwarves, and an imperceptible shiver comes over Dvu. "Some trips worse than others. But learned a little with each one. Kinda off on my own, now. Hey look, I can buy one of those dogs, even have a way to talk to it, I can talk to most creatures, they kinda understand me. I might like one of those axe beaks too though - I might be too big for the sled. But I can help, I've got some coin saved up from some of my recent gigs." He pauses and looks at Drift. "What about you? Where have you been here.. and how long?"
He perks up at Marva, saying "Yeah, I'll come! Let's go see what we can find. I've seen that pattern on shields before, like I said, had a memorable trip with a few dwarves before. That's the old Foaming Mug crest of the Battlehammer dwarves. They're from Kelvin's Cairn... tradin stuff to the towns, all dwarven made stout goods. They all think they're full of pee and vinegar. But they put their little dwarfy pants on one leg at a time like anybody else. Hah!" Dvu smiles and then drains the rest of his ale and stands, making ready to head to Blackiron Blades.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Ophelia, the dwarf narrows her eyes and returns her glance to you. "Hmph, forward aren't you since I do not believe your actions betray cluelessness. Fine, my name is Hlin. Unless one of three things takes place, including my death, you will find me here if you believe you are capable enough to solve a murder mystery." Meanwhile, the others in the party are getting to know each other as they gear up to go outside. The cold weather clothing is effective at protecting the wearer from the chill but they are not rapid to don or doff, which gives them a chance to start measuring the value of their companions.
Month: Hammer, Day: VI, Time: 1900
You arrive at Blackiron Blades to find a number of people gathered around the forge despite the late hour. Garn and Elza jointly run the place, with the male dwarf making the goods and his sister selling the ironworks and other non-magical gear for daily living and adventures. They are usually joined by others because the forge is one of the warmest places in town. In addition to the usual hangers-on and merchants from different parts of Ten-Towns, you find Speaker Duvessa Shane, a young female human. You recall that each town is an independent settlement that elects a leader, or speaker, to represent its interests at meetings of the Council of Speakers, which are infrequent and take place at the Council Hall in Bryn Shander. These meetings are called to discuss matters of shared interest and to settle disputes between towns. The longstanding competition that occasionally moves from political maneuvering into outright violence between the different parts of Ten-Towns has only intensified due to the long winter.
While enjoying the heat and the friendly banter between competing traders, you learn from Elza that you can get a four-dog dogsled for 40gp (dogs sold separately) that can carry one pilot and two passengers for a total of 500 pounds. You learn there are different types of sled dogs, from your standard untrained dog for 50gp, a trained sled dog for 70gp, and a sled dog leader for 80gp. Axe beaks are 60gp or 80gp if trained. Two women, a half-orc named Shratha and her human wife Fhai, are in charge of the animals. They are willing to train people, but for a cost, of course.
Elza also tells you that snowshoes are 4gp, crampons are 3gp, and mountain climber's kit is 40gp. She suggests to anyone going more than a mile or two outside of Bryn Shander to buy an extra bedroll for 2gp or an insulated two-person tent for 40gp. You never know when a blizzard could show up! she warns. Unlike the two women animal trainers who are very well respected, the quality of Garn's ironwork, particularly his weapons, is the subject of much derision and mocking in Ten-Towns, but he is the only game around.
((OOC - Some of the costs are different from what is listed in DDB because some products are more expensive to "import" to Ten-Towns (such as bedroll), others are easy to make and so common that they are less expensive than elsewhere in the realm (such as sled dogs), and others are such questionable quality that they cannot be sold for full price (metal-based weapons made by Garn).))
Olfin turns to the others, weighing his coin pouch. "I'm not sure about you all, but those purchase prices seem a bit out of our range. " (40g sled + 80g lead dog + 3x70g for the rest of the dogs or 330gp for 3 people or 110gp per person. Or Axe Beak are 80gp per person)
Turning back to Garn and Elza, "Do you rent sleds and dog teams or Axe Beaks?"
D&D since 1984
Marva listens to the prices with increasing dismay. “Definitely out of my price range, Olfin. As much as I would love to get a team of dogs, I can’t afford it. I’d never thought of riding an axe beak. The idea is growing on me, but, again, I don’t have that kind of gold. I do have a tent that I’m willing to share. It’s not insulated, but I’m going to buy an extra bedroll.”
Marva buys an extra bedroll, snowshoes, and crampons (if it makes sense to get both). She also picks up a couple more flasks of oil, if possible.
She thinks for a minute and addresses the group, “I don’t know if we should consider these chwingas to be people or more like animals. If it’s the latter, and we want to capture one, I can buy a basket. Maybe I’ll get one just to be prepared.”
Marva Stormavendrien - Level 1 Cleric - Rime of the Frostmaiden
(Librarian/Gamer/Knitter)
Ophelia inclines her head once more to Hlin in respect and farewell, accepting (or oblivious to) the taciturn dwarven woman's skepticism. As she pulls on her cold weather clothing to join the others (who for the moment seem to have accepted her) outside the Northlook, her lavender eyes lose focus once more and her gaze tilts slightly upward, as if watching and listening to things no one else can see or hear.
Once at Blackiron Blades, the she-elf appears to be come lucid enough to promptly purchase snowshoes (4gp), crampons (3gp) and an insulated 2-person tent (40gp) from Elza, clearly spending most of her remaining gold in the process (and just as clearly not having enough to purchase a sled with dogs). She makes vague, agreeable noises about being happy to freely share the tent with any one of her new companions (male or female) if the need arises.
That done, Ophelia drifts like a moth to a flame, to stand near the forge where Speaker Duvessa Shane and others are congregating. As often, she appears to be distracted and not paying attention, though this time, she curiously tries (with limited success) to overhear any conversation.
Ophelia's Perception: 11 (Passive if it matters: 12)
Tanis(Ranger1):Shiverquill's Tempest City | Barn(Paladin1):Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4):VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Joren(Fighter6):NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3):Bedlymn's Murder Court | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic system):ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord)
Xarian (Fighter3):Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia (Sorcerer1):BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1):Culuril's Strixhaven
As they get close to where Shratha and Fhai are (and the animals), Dvu takes a knee and starts to perform an odd ritual of touching his face in various spots, then his lips. His forehead, temples, mandible on each side, then his lips after each one. There is a faint glow, this process takes approximately 10 minutes, then he stands with a smile and walks closer to the animals. He looks to the axe beaks, then in turn to the dogs.
(Dvu ritually casts speak with animals).
To the axebeaks : "You look strong! And brave... can you carry one such as me? I need to lead this crew to the rest of Ten Towns, here and there, could you do such? Guide me, help me, and I'll keep you safe, feed you, do my best to make you happy... what do you say?" He turns to the two women and shrugs, smiling. "Any wiggle room on the price? I will take good care of one.."
Then to the dogs : "Do you work well together? Strong? I need to lead these people around the Dale, hunting, and tracking. Could you do such? Am I too big to ride in your sled? Who's a good boy! Do you like a belly rub, do you?.." At this point Dvu is just playing with the dogs. Again he smiles sheepishly at the women, outted as an animal lover.
Dvu turns to the others and says "I have 70 gold to use for this.." Dvu will purchase an extra bedroll and snowshoes. "We share tent? Who wishes to share with big man? Promise I don't snore. Well, I think I don't. Hah!"
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.