Reign of Winter IC

[ironrevenant]

https://static1.paizo.com/image/product/catalog/PZO/PZO9067_500.jpeg

The sleepy village of Heldren has rarely seen so much excitement or concern. Hunters from the nearby Border Wood speak of unnaturally cold weather at the height of summer that descended on the forest just days ago. Heavy snow followed, and those who returned spoke of an uneasy presence in the woods, as well as new, dangerous predators. No one knows what this event means, but the town's soothsayer, Old Mother Theodora, claims dark times lie ahead.

As if in proof of that dire prophecy, a badly wounded mercenary arrived in town yesterday, claiming to be a bodyguard of Lady Argentea Malassene. He told the village council that the noblewoman's escort came under attack by bandits and strange, wintry creatures near the edge of the Border Wood. He alone escaped, and Lady Argentea was dragged away into the forest. Now the townsfolk cast fearful eyes toward the snowy forest, worried what else might emerge to threaten their peaceful village.

The townsfolk are not the only ones who are worried and a little bit intrigued by the events. Several newcomers have arrived in the town, from places elsewhere. They carry naught on their back but their weapons and whatever else they need to survive. Some have honed their skill in battle through hours of practise. Others simply use their natural strength. And others still have been touched by the gods, a gift given that is both a blessing and a curse. Each seeks something different, from a purpose to simple gold.

On this cold wintry evening, many have sought shelter in the Silver Stoat, the town's only tavern. Filled with warmth from the raging fires, the tavern is run by Menander and Kale Garimos, a hard working couple who are as fond of their community as it is of them. Some of those travellers have found themselves in the warm halls of the Stoat, drinking Kale's famous Three Devil Ale or eating Menander's venison and numble pie.

Describe what your character is doing in the Silver Stoat. They might have just arrived, trying to warm themselves by the fire. Perhaps they've already spent a few gold pieces buying drinks for those women who catch their eye. Or the men. Or perhaps they're simply content to sit by themselves and fill their stomach with hot stew. OOC thread: here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?502824-Reign-of-Winter-OOC&p=21279550)

[Sunwolf]

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex)
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None
Standing several inches over six feet, Shroud is obviously of mixed fey Ulfen heritage on account of her height and red hair. The symbol of a healer, a white sash, has been crafted into her armour. She carries a nine foot long fauchard polearm, a rare and famously difficult weapon to master. She bears cesti and three javelins but no bow. Her accoutrements mark her as one who gets in close.

Shroud sits alone at a table. Well alone in a way. There is a mug of ale opposite her where one would sit. The chair by the mug has been lifted up until it leans against the table, resting on its front legs only. The drink is dedicated to one lost. Even here in Taldor they know what the leaning chair and the unattended cup means.

She attracts significantly more than her fair share of looks, on account of a perfect storm of factors. She is taller than most of the men in the Inn. She is exotic, almost beyond measure.. not merely an Ulfen, but a fey half breed Ulfen.. this attracts stares even in the far north. Doubtless no-one here knows what a fey foundling is or there'd be open mouthed wonder to add to the stares.

However, such a reaction is far from likely, for she is obviously a woman who makes her living by killing, to judge by her armour, the polearm nestled into her shoulder as she sits, staring into space, staring at the cup, rocking back and forth slightly, the head of her polearm, nigh on touching the roof, rocking with her.

She had, as usual, intimidated the men in the inn into silence when she'd walked in. Seemingly confident, well experienced men, often found they didn't know what to say to her, but were keenly aware of her presence. Normally she felt obligated to break the ice as it were with some small talk, but on this day she was simply too lost to care.

She lifts her cup to her mouth with both hands and drinks deeply from the cup, gaze abstracted, unfurrowed forehead, unkempt hair.

[Ceralune]

http://i.imgur.com/iE9Xj88.png

Sable Silverheart (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=968190)

Female Chaotic Good Human (Sylvan Bloodline) Sorcerer, Level 1, Init 2, HP 9/9, Speed 30 feet
AC 12, Touch 12, Flat-footed 10, CMD 12, Fort 3, Reflex 2, Will 3, CMB 0, BAB 0
Light Crossbow +2 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
0 Spells Prestidigitation, Light, Acid Splash, Detect Magic
1 Spells Mage Armor, Color Spray
Abilities Str 10, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 18
Conditions None

Sable's shorter than average height, and prefers to keep her dark hair cut short. She has big, honest gray-blue eyes that give her face a younger quality.

http://i.imgur.com/tYF6UmL.jpg

Javel (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=968236)

Male Wolf (Medium), Level 2, Init 2, HP 13/13, Speed 50 feet
AC 15, Touch 12, Flat-footed 13, CMD 15, Fort 5, Reflex 5, Will 1, CMB 3, BAB 2
Bite +3 (1d8 + trip)
Abilities Str 13, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Conditions None

"Wow!" Sable takes a deep breath, holds it a moment, and exhales. "Javel, look at the fountain!" Sable and Javel were currently at the town square, having arrived in Heldren earlier that day. It isn't Sable's first time seeing a fountain, but it is her first time seeing this fountain! A nearby sign has the words "The Lady" inscribed at the top, and Sable's eyes skim over it long enough to make out the name before completely ignoring the descriptive paragraph that follows.

She can't believe they're finally there. It goes without saying that Sable adores Archie, but this is the first time in years that she and Javel are so far away from him. The thought might have been nerve-wracking to others, but Sable's excited. She had been beginning to chafe at the invisible bonds keeping her at the mages' guild.

"Do ya think Archie's friend is going to want to see us right away?" Sable mutters more to herself than Javel. "Hmm... but we just got here. It would be a waste if we didn't try to see the town itself too, right Javel?" She grins at her wolf companion, who merely blinks at her, causing her to frown slightly. Javel has that judgemental look on his face again. "Don't be like that, we won't take too long. C'mon!"

They wander along the streets until they come across a building that catches Sable's eye. A sign hanging nearby reads, "Silver Stoat - Food and Spirits Available." Immediately interested, Sable enters. Archie never let me go into the taverns!

The atmosphere inside is different than she would have expected. A handful of the tavern's customers are keeping to themselves, glancing nervously in one direction and then averting their eyes. There is conversation, but it seems muted somehow. Sable finds this mildly disappointing. Not quite what I expected... I could always hear a party going on even from outside when we walked by the taverns back at home. Ehh, maybe they need a little more booze?

Chuckling internally, wondering if that was how it worked, she approaches the counter with Javel at her heels. Looking at the bartender, she opens her mouth to order before realizing that she has no clue what exactly to order. "Ahh... what do ya recommend for someone who's new at this?"

[theromantiknack]

Lukas wears a brown poncho-like overcoat, looking a lot like the Man with No Name. He wears a floppy brown hat and dirty tan chaps. His gun is only just visible on his belt, a gleaming silver work of art, with small etchings on it marking various achievements as a Knight of Ro.

Lukas is really quite arrogant. He comes from a place where the quickest on the draw and most accurate are given a status similar to celebrities of our time; good gunslingers are well-known and well celebrated. And Lukas was one of the fastest and most accurate in his class. So he's used to people acting as though he's top stuff. In addition, coming to places like Heldren, where guns are unheard of, he thinks of himself as better because he uses one in comparison to the local militia, who would have to rely on stuff like spears or swords.

Lukas is tired. Dead tired. Though he's never actually experienced being dead, he's pretty sure that even they aren't as tired as he is right now. He spent several hours trudging through weather that everyone he met told him was unseasonably cold for this time of year, forced to walk after the carriage he was on broke down in the middle of the road. All he wanted right now was a warm meal and a warm bed. He was beginning to give up hope that he'd ever find a proper town to lay down his hat for the night when he spotted the telltale lights of civilization.

It took another hour of walking for him to arrive in Heldren, by which time he was definitely ready to sleep. It was smaller than the last city he'd been in, but from what he had heard about small towns like this was that there were generally lots of people who knew of places in the wilderness where treasure was buried. And it wouldn't be right for all that gold to just sit around there when it could be working much better in his pocket, would it?

Passing a statue of a beautiful woman in the centre of town, Lukas briefly took a small glance around the town square, his well trained eyes spotting the telltale signs of frequent occupation by merchants. The small dash of fine cloth, the scrape of exotic spice on the wall where someone had dropped some food, all were like an open book to him.

The smell of food drew his attention, and upon spotting the sign he made his way to a wooden building with a sign that read 'Silver Stoat - Food and Spirits Available'.

Finally, he thought, Something to quieten my stomach.

He nudged the door open with his shoulder, pushing it closed behind him as a blast of hot air hit him.

Thank the Way. Warmth.

Lukas surveys the room, filing the occupants of the room away in his mind. Already, he's dismissed some of them as being nothing more than simple farmers, though there are a few people who seem to be interesting. The girl with the wolf at the bar who looks like she's too young to even smell alcohol. Actually, maybe the laws on alcohol are different here. Back on Ro alcohol was considered more of a drink for the older folk who weren't as quick on the draw, as it deadened the senses and made reaction times slower. Both qualities that were deadly for a Knight of Ro. In the corner sits a tall girl with bright red hair wielding a lot of heavy weaponry. Definitely a warrior. She has a small area around her that is free of people, and Lukas can spot a few of the men shooting her nervous glances. He briefly considers displaying his superiority over the farmers by going over to her and talking to the girl before his stomach loudly protests and getting food becomes a much more attractive option.

He strides over to the bar, ignoring the stares that the patrons give him. Placing a gold coin on the bar, he taps it impatiently to get the bartender's attention.

"A bowl of warm stew. Straight from the pot." he demands.

[~Corvus~]

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/19/f6/ba/19f6baa48a48ee60eb3dce5e49d88ad8.jpg


A man of contradictions, Rory enjoys the simple pleasures of life, such as steak (Steak is good) and chopping people up (Reminds Rory of steak & steak is good). Fiercely loyal, has a decent moral compass, and doesn't think about the past (unless it's about steak. Steak is good.)
Rory prefers to fight with his unsheathed sword unless he in angry, in which case he "ENTERS NIRVANA."

Conall d'Hild (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965491)
Human Barbarian 1 TN
HP 14 / 14 Speed ft Init 5
AC 15 Fort 4 Ref 1 Will 4
CMB +6 BAB 1
Falchion "Nirvana" +6 (2d4+6 (+9 rage), 18-20 x2)
Shortspear (3) +2 (1d6+4, x3)
Longbow +2 (1d8, 19/x2)
Falchion Combat Scabbard +5 (1d8+6, x3)
Str 18 (4) Dex 12 (1) Con 15 (2) Wis 14 (2) Int 8 (-1) Cha 7 (-2)


Rory Neeg

Rory flings the door of the tavern open with far too much force. It slams against the wall, makes the windows rattle, and he flicks it closed. He towers over most everyone in the tavern. Two hundred ten centimetres tall (nearly 6'9"), his towering frame hushes the already mostly-cowed patrons. He smiles and looks around, feeling smug. That is, until he saw her. She was the woman he saw earlier. It was her. She make people hush. Well, there she was, already had a drink for him and a chair waiting. Good. I give her steak.

It appeared the hapless bartender was contending with questions and requests of new adventurers. Small sweet girl drink ale? he wonders, looking at Sable. As the bartender tucks to the kitchen to get a bowl of stew, he bellows And Three Beer, Barkeep!!. If the bartender corrects him on the price, he already has more gold in hand.

Drinks acquired, he grumbles about the price and hands a single beer to Sable. "This is beer. You drink beer. Make you strong."

A smile on his face, Rory does an about-face, shifts his large pack and heads straight for the booth at which Shroud sits. "My name is Rory Neeg. You help me last day near meat-man shop," he says. "Thank you." He raises his glasses to hers and takes a sip from each, deftly avoiding any spillage of beer. "You look lonely and sad, like your dog just fall off cliff. I may sit? I sit, you talk."

[doko239]

http://i.imgur.com/n17Ydvw.jpg
Rassha Snowborn (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=964497)
F LE Half-Elf (Snowborn) Winter Witch 1, Level 1, Init 2, HP 8/8, Speed 30
AC 12, Touch 12, Flat-footed 10, CMD 11, Fort 2, Ref 2, Will 3, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Quarterstaff -1 (1d6-1, X2)
Ray of Frost +2 (1d3+1, X2)
(+2 Dex)
Abilities Str 8, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 13
Condition None

This obviously elven woman is tall, slender, and beautiful, but with an aloofness and aura of superiority that puts others ill at ease. Her skin is pale to the point of being translucent, and her hair is whiter than snow. Few can meet her icy stare for long.

She currently sits alone in the inn, at whatever table is most isolated from the rest of the common room, her appearance and demeanor are completely at odds with the generally boisterous and friendly atmosphere. Those who recognize her for what she is give her a discreet distance.


http://img05.deviantart.net/ff9b/i/2014/150/f/d/nevermore_by_mighty_raven-d7ken5g.png
Bloodbeak the Raven

This large raven perches on the elven woman's shoulder, staring at the crowd with unblinking eyes. It is mostly unremarkable, other than the gleam of intelligence in its eye, and a reddish stain on its lower beak that almost resembles dried blood...


What a miserable little hovel this is. Rassha thinks to herself, staring out at the crowd. Nothing but drunken peasants and merchants, trying to forget the pointlessness of their short lives.

Mother told me to seek allies amongst the southerners, people with no allegiance to any Jadwiga family; but thus far I have found nothing but weaklings and fools.

Her gaze is drawn sharply to the front of the room, as with an enormous crash a hulking brute nearly takes the door off its hinges, bellowing at the barkeep for beer. Rassha allowed herself a small smile.

Hmm, big, strong and stupid. That one could prove useful to me. That little one he's speaking with, however, doesn't look like she'd be worth a second glance, wolf or not.

She continues to scan the crowd, landing, not for the first time, on the red-haired woman on the opposite side of the tavern. She'd seen her like before; fey-touched, magically empowered by an ancestor's "indiscretions". She does not look as easily manipulated as that talking ape just now, and that could be trouble... but she represents power, and power is what I need right now.

The only other person seemingly of note was the man in the outlandish clothes near the bar, if for no other reason than because his appearance was so ridiculous as to draw her eye. This place is even poorer than I'd imagined, if they're wearing burlap sacks for clothing.

[Ceralune]

Sable turns at the crashing noise, looking at the man who just entered the tavern, seeming to almost bring the building crashing down while he was at it. She had never seen a man so... tall. And big. While the majority of the mages were male, brawn was a hugely lacking commodity at the mages' guild.

She's a little embarrassed to admit that she jumped at the sound of the door colliding with the wall, but for the most part she's just curious about him. He doesn't seem like such a bad sort. He rescued her from having to stammer together an order, and even paid for her drink. And now he's smiling and chatting with a lady sitting at a booth. She looks back at the cup in her hands, and thinks, Well, here goes. Bracing herself, she cautiously takes a sip... and almost spits it out back into the cup. She forces herself to swallow.

People actually drink this stuff?! Sable stares incredulously at her cup, but then remembers that the man just spent good coppers to buy her ale. It would be rude not to finish it when he bought it for me... but this tastes awful. Not quite able to bring herself to finish the beer, but feeling slightly guilty, she settles on approaching the man and offering him his money back, and goes to do just that.

[Sunwolf]

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex)
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None
Standing several inches over six feet, Shroud is obviously of mixed fey Ulfen heritage on account of her height and red hair. The symbol of a healer, a white sash, has been crafted into her armour. She carries a nine foot long fauchard polearm, a rare and famously difficult weapon to master. She bears cesti and three javelins but no bow. Her accoutrements mark her as one who gets in close.

Looking like she's miles away, lost in memory, Shroud gestures to the chair next to the leaning one with scarred warrior hands, a spare invitation to sit. There is little expression on her face, her gaze abstracted..

Rather offhand in her manner, she speaks... "No, not a dog. My step-father, Kern Shieldbreaker.. perhaps you've heard of him?"

"Anyway, he got dragged over a cliff in the World's End Mountains just the other day. Won't see him now, till its my time to pass through the Black Door.", she adds, her voice all but devoid of emotion. She seems in some ways like someone waking up after being wounded... not feeling the pain yet.

She lapses into silence, almost as if it is an effort to speak. Only to shake her head a moment later and breathe deeply. Her gaze focusses on the breath, so that only now does she really sees Rory.

Two inches taller than Kern, but greener than grass. Falchion, now there's a sword that digs deep., she hears herself say inside her own head....

Voice still flat and emotionless, like she's verbally going through the motions, she continues.. "You'll work yourself up, everything will seem slower, the cuts happening to another. You don't stop until they're all dead. Then, of course, when the fight is over, the rage leaves you and you're covered in blood, some of it yours, most of it theirs, and then you can barely stand. I can make the wounds, the weakness go away. It's what I do."

"Kern went over the cliff, fell so far I couldn't see him anymore. There's limits to my power."

Then her gaze works past him, taking in the new arrivals.. the woman with the wolf, the ice witch with the raven.. the symbology of the North was building. Look whose talking.. northern girl?

"You bring the North with you? Bring the snow?", she asks, a ghost of a smile starting to play around the edges of her lips.

[Therumancer]

Appearance: Svetlana is somewhat short for an elf, standing 5' 6" tall. She's pretty, but not beautiful like some of the other women who have entered the tavern, her silver hair cut short to fit under her furred scale helmet. Her most noteworthy feature is her big brown eyes which always seem both sad and soulful. Being from an environment similar to this she isn't especially bothered by the cold (having dressed appropriately for it in a lot of fur and soft leather) but looks very uncomfortable wearing her armor. Her armaments are traditionally elven, a short sword and longbow, though she does have a rod tucked into one of her (very high) boots.

http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=966156

Note: She speaks with a Russian accent, but I as a player can't type one (and would probably do one IRL that is offensively bad) so mentally insert that.



Svetlana arrives after the crashing barbarian, removing her gauntlets rather rapidly as if she can't wait to get them off and attaching them to her belt. Her inquisitive eyes move over the crowd in the room, stopping briefly, perhaps a bit longer than necessary on each of the beautiful women she spots, the unusual weapon carried by the gunslinger (which she has read about but likely never seen) and of course on the truly huge man who just entered ahead of her. Approaching the bar she skirts the huge man (on his way to Shroud) with mouse like caution and addresses the bartender in a small voice " I'd like a bowl of soup and a shot of whisky " she's a little nervous about being out on her own, away from her clan, for the first time.

Her gaze settles again on Sable and starts to say something but she walks away heading towards the huge warrior who had just entered. Her gaze lingers on her a bit too long again, definatly checking her out, as she waits for her whisky which she downs immediately (assuming she gets it), and then with a bit more confidence says " I'll have another one of those if you don't mind "

[~Corvus~]

Rory nods to Shroud, a sympathetic face carrying the message that he understood her pain. "You sad, pretty woman. Here--" he reaches into his pack and pulls out two pounds of cured salmon steak. "This steak good for heart with ache. This fish that works hard, swim long way. Many die to make young. They give life so more can live. This fish strong like dad, yes? Eat, eat! Cook with juice, nuts. Taste good."

Rory pauses as Sable approaches him. He refuses to accept the coin and instead gives her a sheepish grin. "It okay you no like! Drink, Drink!" Rory encourages her further, "For two year, I no like beer. Then one day, very cold, no drink...Then beer taste good. Here, you drink like this!" He gulps down an entire mug of ale in a few mouthfuls and sets a baleful eye on the hapless young woman.

He casts an eye back to Sable and asks, "Your dad, this mug for him? Is trad... is tra... is to honor dad, yes? Your dad, he train you? You look strong, pretty woman. He teach? Or dad teach spells?"

[Ceralune]

Sable hesitantly responds, "Ahh, thank you then!" She sneaks a glance at the woman that this man is sitting with, and suddenly feels like she's intruding on something important. "My name is Sable, by the way. I'll leave you two be." Excusing herself with a smile, she turns back around. Not really seeing any other options, she downs the cup of beer, feeling a slight burning and warmth as it goes down. Thus, she's somewhat unprepared for when she suddenly feels something cold and wet in her now empty hand. Thankfully, she keeps herself from jumping for what would have been the second time in the past several minutes.

Javel had stuck his nose into her hand, trying to get her attention. It seems he notices something Sable doesn't (which, Sable realizes, happens quite a lot actually). Javel turns his head back towards the bar and snorts lightly. At this, Sable looks back up from where she had come to briefly catch the eye of a young woman now sitting at the bar. The eye contact only lasts for a second before the woman turns back to order another drink, but it doesn't feel unfriendly. Sable starts towards the bar again. She's here to learn about this town, after all, and what better way than by talking to its people?

Resettling herself by the bar, Sable turns to the woman, who she now realizes is an elf. She's also armed, which makes Sable hesitate for only a second before deciding to go for it anyways. Just play it cool.

"Good afternoon. Came in to take shelter from the cold?" she asks, with a small smile on her face.

[ironrevenant]

The bartender, a middle aged woman with messy hair, looks at Sable with a funny expression on her face. Perhaps wondering why someone so young is at a bar, she nevertheless shrugs and begins to say something about a drink called Three Devil Ale before she's interrupted by Lukas.

"Can't you see that I was serving this young lady? Wait your turn. Now what would you like dear?"

The door to the tavern slams, drawing everyone's attention, and Rory strides over to the bar, ordering three beers. The bartender looks to Sable, who nods and then retreats into the kitchen behind, searching for the beer and stew. She returns with the food and drink and graciously accepts the coin offered in return.

As Rory and Sable leave and Svetlana approaches, the bartender dutifully complies with her request for food and drink, and returns in a second with the order. She watches with amusement as Svetlana downs the alcohol and laughs.

"Is that for the warmth or something else, elf?"

--------------

Lukas is just about to take a spoonful of stew when a young girl slips into the seat beside him. She has dark hair and dark eyes, and has a small group of suitors watching her every move, somewhat jealous of the newcomer.

"Say, you wouldn't happen to want to buy a girl a drink would you?" she asks, leaning forward as she does so.

----------------

Rory and Shroud are interrupted by a small man, about half the size of Rory's leg. He wears simple brown clothing, but there is an appraising look in his eye as he inspects the two.

"You two look like the kind of people who aren't afraid to get your hands dirty. Have you heard the recent news? Lady Malassene was kidnapped near the Border Woods just yesterday. Kidnapped! By bandits! One of her bodyguards is recovering in Willowbark Apothecary. Now, I don't mean to be assuming nothin', but you two look like you've seen more than your fair share of the uncivilised parts of the world. Know what I mean? Anyway, the townsfolk are awfully frightened by the turn of events, and I was just wondering if you would be willin' to help out. It would mean a great deal."

---------------

Rassha looks up from her meal to see a large man approaching her. His arms are the size of small trees. Not as large as Rory's, but still bigger than the rest of the tavern. His skin is tanned from working in the sun and his face bears countless scars, no doubt from brawling.

"So what's a pretty little thing like you doing in a place like this? Looking for a big, strong man to take you away?"

[~Corvus~]

Rory looks at the man and gives him a dismissive motion with his head. "This woman, she grieves. Yes. Talk to Sable," and he points to the woman with the wolf. "She friend."

[Therumancer]

Sable hesitantly responds, "Ahh, thank you then!" She sneaks a glance at the woman that this man is sitting with, and suddenly feels like she's intruding on something important. "My name is Sable, by the way. I'll leave you two be." Excusing herself with a smile, she turns back around. Not really seeing any other options, she downs the cup of beer, feeling a slight burning and warmth as it goes down. Thus, she's somewhat unprepared for when she suddenly feels something cold and wet in her now empty hand. Thankfully, she keeps herself from jumping for what would have been the second time in the past several minutes.

Javel had stuck his nose into her hand, trying to get her attention. It seems he notices something Sable doesn't (which, Sable realizes, happens quite a lot actually). Javel turns his head back towards the bar and snorts lightly. At this, Sable looks back up from where she had come to briefly catch the eye of a young woman now sitting at the bar. The eye contact only lasts for a second before the woman turns back to order another drink, but it doesn't feel unfriendly. Sable starts towards the bar again. She's here to learn about this town, after all, and what better way than by talking to its people?

Resettling herself by the bar, Sable turns to the woman, who she now realizes is an elf. She's also armed, which makes Sable hesitate for only a second before deciding to go for it anyways. Just play it cool.

"Good afternoon. Came in to take shelter from the cold?" she asks, with a small smile on her face.


" Why yes, I did, it's been a dreadful slog all the way to Helgen on foot, especially wearing all this armor which still chafes like crazy. " she pauses for a second and gives a somewhat embarrassed smile " I know how that must sound, I'm actually a scholar and occultist despite the armor and weapons, I'm more at home curled up with a book than on the trail, but I came to Helgen to conduct research into my life-long obsession with the legendary witch Baba Yaga who I've heard has a connection to this region. I have a couple of chronicles with me about the history of the region with a focus on how it relates to her, and one about what were once local dungeons... I also plan to write my own chronicle while I'm here... and... err yes well I had intended to flirt with you... and now I seem to have kind of blown that... and now what am I saying... oh yes my name is Svetlana Svetlana blushes and looks a bit embarrassed as she downs her second shot.

[Ceralune]

Svetlana
I'm actually a scholar and occultist despite the armor and weapons, I'm more at home curled up with a book than on the trail, but I came to Helgen to conduct research into my life-long obsession with the legendary witch Baba Yaga who I've heard has a connection to this region. I have a couple of chronicles with me about the history of the region with a focus on how it relates to her, and one about what were once local dungeons... I also plan to write my own chronicle while I'm here... and... err yes well I had intended to flirt with you... and now I seem to have kind of blown that... and now what am I saying... oh yes my name is Svetlana

Unsure about what "flirting" means but deciding that Svetlana was quite nice, Sable introduces herself as well. "My name's Sable! Good to meet ya!" Sable's smile widens as something occurs to her. "You know, I think you'd get along really well with Arch- I mean, my mage Master." Eeeyuh, if Archie were here right now he'd be looking at me with that vaguely disappointed look of his at almost referring to him so casually.... "He's always pestering me to read more books. I'll take my magic lessons very seriously, but I just don't get the point of reading boring records all day!" Sable pauses, realizing that saying that to someone like Archie might get a reaction like his as well. "Er, meaning no offense... it's neat that you care about it a lot and all," she finished lamely.

Fixating on the one point that did genuinely pique her interest, Sable then asks, "You study witches?"

[doko239]

Rassha looks up at the intruder, a flash of annoyance briefly crossing her face before giving way to a predatory smile.

"Perhaps... Do be a good little boy and tell me if you see any, won't you?"

[Therumancer]

Unsure about what "flirting" means but deciding that Svetlana was quite nice, Sable introduces herself as well. "My name's Sable! Good to meet ya!" Sable's smile widens as something occurs to her. "You know, I think you'd get along really well with Arch- I mean, my mage Master." Eeeyuh, if Archie were here right now he'd be looking at me with that vaguely disappointed look of his at almost referring to him so casually.... "He's always pestering me to read more books. I'll take my magic lessons very seriously, but I just don't get the point of reading boring records all day!" Sable pauses, realizing that saying that to someone like Archie might get a reaction like his as well. "Er, meaning no offense... it's neat that you care about it a lot and all," she finished lamely.

Fixating on the one point that did genuinely pique her interest, Sable then asks, "You study witches?"



Svetlana studies Sable a bit more closely and realizes she might be even younger than she realized. Maybe flubbing the flirting wasn't such a bad thing after all.

" I study all kinds of things, including witches, wizards, magic, and the like, I find history endlessly fascinating. There is one particular witch that interests me however, one called Baba Yaga who is unusually powerful, maybe even to a godlike degree, who has had great influence over this region. She's not exactly the nicest person in the world so even I don't quite understand my fascination with her, but well... here I am, I've been travelling deeper and deeper into the lands she's associated with to learn as much as I can Sveti has a spoonful of her soup as she continues " whoever your mage mentor is you should probably listen to him, the knowledge gained by reading is invaluable, especially historical record. If we don't learn from history we're doomed to repete it. Sadly too few people seem to have the patience to read, and those that do are less interested in scholarship than the wizardly arts and care about the written world only in so far as it let's them shoot fire from their fingertips or whatever... of course then again I suppose I can't be too critical of those seeking power, not everyone comes by it through a natural knack like I did... I'm lucky enough to be psychic " It occurs to Svetlana (who tends to run at the mouth) that she's probably talking to a wizard when she puts two and two together about a mage mentor and reading so she quickly adds out of sequence " Errr, and as far as my comments about wizards go, don't misunderstand there is nothing actually wrong with seeking arcane knowledge through books and such, what I mean is uh, scholarship is it's own reward" Svetlana is ready to call for another shot but decides she already had two and needs to slow down, not to mention not wanting to drink away all of her limited funds in one night, so she contents herself with nibbling on her soup.

[Ceralune]

Svetlana
" I study all kinds of things, including witches, wizards, magic, and the like, I find history endlessly fascinating. There is one particular witch that interests me however, one called Baba Yaga who is unusually powerful, maybe even to a godlike degree, who has had great influence over this region. She's not exactly the nicest person in the world so even I don't quite understand my fascination with her, but well... here I am, I've been travelling deeper and deeper into the lands she's associated with to learn as much as I can Sveti has a spoonful of her soup as she continues " whoever your mage mentor is you should probably listen to him, the knowledge gained by reading is invaluable, especially historical record. If we don't learn from history we're doomed to repete it. Sadly too few people seem to have the patience to read, and those that do are less interested in scholarship than the wizardly arts and care about the written world only in so far as it let's them shoot fire from their fingertips or whatever... of course then again I suppose I can't be too critical of those seeking power, not everyone comes by it through a natural knack like I did... I'm lucky enough to be psychic " It occurs to Svetlana (who tends to run at the mouth) that she's probably talking to a wizard when she puts two and two together about a mage mentor and reading so she quickly adds out of sequence " Errr, and as far as my comments about wizards go, don't misunderstand there is nothing actually wrong with seeking arcane knowledge through books and such, what I mean is uh, scholarship is it's own reward" Svetlana is ready to call for another shot but decides she already had two and needs to slow down, not to mention not wanting to drink away all of her limited funds in one night, so she contents herself with nibbling on her soup.

Sable listens, transfixed as Svetlana describes this Baba Yaga person, and her face becomes more sheepish as she recounts her rather pitiful attempts at her history lessons. "Wahh, I can't imagine how it would feel to to have such powerful magic... I have magic but I'm still just learning." Her face falls a bit. "My Master has helped me a lot, that's for sure - before I met him I could barely control my magic at all. It just sort of happened when it wanted to. He taught me how to control it better and I'm pretty good at reading arcane text now. But lately I've kind of hit a wall. Master insists it's not my fault since my magic manifests itself naturally rather than through acquirement, but all I can do at this point are little things. I can't just study the textbooks and learn new spells to do. I have to figure it out some other way." As Sable says this, she casts a Prestidigitation spell to clean the dust off of Svetlana's clothes.

"Ohh and don't worry, I'm not a wizard! Master says I'm something similar, yet different. He says I'm what people would call a sorcerer and I probably got my magic through a crusty old ancestor or something." Sable smiles brightly, clearly not thinking that Sorcerers could be considered even less scholarly since they have no need for texts to do magic at all, but hoping that the fact that she wasn't a wizard would make her look a little better to Svetlana.

[theromantiknack]

The bartender's rebuke isn't enough to make Lukas ashamed. He's never really been one to roll over for someone who insults him. Fortunately for the bartender, he is too tired to actually care much about whether she thought he was rude or not.

He dips the wooden spoon into the bowl and is about to take a sip when he hears someone slide into the seat next to him


"Say, you wouldn't happen to want to buy a girl a drink would you?"

She leans forward as she does, displaying the parts of her skin left bare.

Lukas eases back in his chair, giving the girl an easy grin as he does so.


"Well, I reckon I could be persuaded to do so. What would a pretty girl like you recommend?"

Rolling diplomacy: [roll0]

[ironrevenant]

"This woman, she grieves. Yes. Talk to Sable, she friend."

The man's expression fades and it looks as though he's suddenly realised how easily Rory could crush him. He quickly turns to look at Shroud, bowing deeply before straightening and solemnly addressing her.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I know how it feels to lose someone. But, I'm afraid that this situation is really one that cannot wait. There've been stories, you see. Tales of the snows in the forest coming alive and taking livestock. People are scared. This news of Lady Malassene's kidnapping is just another heaping of dung on the pile, if you'll excuse my impolite language. If I've assumed wrong, please tell me, but I saw you and noticed that you two seem to be quite heavily armed, and seem to have that aura around you. The one that most people who have seen battle have. If it's gold you want, then Lady Malassene's bound to have enough to reward you handsomely. If,"

The man falters for a second, audibly swallowing as he begins again.

"If it's battle that you crave, then there's going to be plenty of fighting to get to her. Bandits like these, they are't interested in playing nice."

-----------


"Perhaps... Do be a good little boy and tell me if you see any, won't you?"

The man smiles grimly, taking a seat far too close for Rassha's comfort. He leans forward, tensing his muscles as he does so.

"Oh, I'm thinking I won't have to look far. How's'about I take you out back and show you how big and strong I am?"

----------


"Well, I reckon I could be persuaded to do so. What would a pretty girl like you recommend?"

The girl laughs, twirling her long hair around one finger as she does so.

"Well, Three Devil Ale is pretty well known in the area. Kale brews it 'round back, using imported Chelish hops. Tastes pretty good too."

-----------

The bartender looks up from wiping out one of the glasses behind the counter to see the man harassing Rassha.

"Calistria be damned," she says.

"If either of you two need anything else, just shout over to my husband Menander in the kitchen back there. I've got to go sort out something that happens far too often."

With that, she moves out from behind the bar, heading towards the table where the man and Rassha are sitting.

[~Corvus~]

"...but I saw you and noticed that you two seem to be quite heavily armed, and seem to have that aura around you. The one that most people who have seen battle have. If it's gold you want, then Lady Malassene's bound to have enough to reward you handsomely. If, if it's battle that you crave, then there's going to be plenty of fighting to get to her. Bandits like these, they are't interested in playing nice."

Rory picks the halfling up, not unkindly. He stares at the frightened man and says, "I tell you Yes. Yes, we will help. Go on" he sets him down, turns him around and points to Sable, "Talk to pretty woman with wolf. She is friend of Rory. This one must eat. Give her break. Talk to Sable. At the last word, he raises his voice as if both to startle or scare him away and to get her attention. Rory waves to Sable and makes a motion between the (pesky) halfling and her as if to ask Could you talk with him please?

He then takes out some Orc steak and chews on it thoughtfully. "Eat, pretty one. You feel more good."

[Ceralune]

Talk to Sable.

At the sound of her name, Sable's attention suddenly shifts back to the tall man who bought her the drink. There's some other guy standing by him and the red-haired woman who wasn't there before, and the tall man seems to be... waving her over? He doesn't look too happy, but Sable hopes that probably has more to do with the new guy talking to them than her. Confused, she turns back to Svetlana and tries to put a lighter tone on it. "Pardon me, it seems I'm being summoned. It was nice meeting you."

Sable and Javel then walk over to the tall man, wondering what he needs from her.

[~Corvus~]

Rory
The barbarian smiles at Sable and slaps a hand down on the halfling's shoulders, likely eliciting a frightened sound and a jump from him. "This man has tale to tell us. He needs our help. Please hear his tale so pretty woman here can have time to think."

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex)
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Standing several inches over six feet, Shroud is obviously of mixed fey Ulfen heritage on account of her height and red hair. The symbol of a healer, a white sash, has been crafted into her armour. She carries a nine foot long fauchard polearm, a rare and famously difficult weapon to master. She bears cesti and three javelins but no bow. Her accoutrements mark her as one who gets in close.

"Da taught me to fight. I've never known where the magic came from.", she replies to the query from Rory, again in that unemotional, un-inflected voice.

Apparently not content to get a multitude of half glances from half the men in the Inn, glances from some intimidated, glances from the dreamers, glances from the scandalised, Shroud takes the cured salmon from Rory's hand and tears into it with her teeth, as is. Half the men in the place suddenly ponder the words '..wild', '..untamed'. She then gifts Sable with an unblinking falcon like stare, even as she chews on the salmon, like she is looking through her. It's not a hostile gaze, there would have to be more spirit in the stare for it to be so.

Being around Rory was like changing boots for her. She was surprised to find that, mentally speaking, her feet were sliding into the new boots like they were hand made for her.

However, when the diminutive local talks of fighting and killing, that seems to get Shroud's attention. She chews until the swallow, lays her face on the haft of her trip a troll, cut a steer in half, polearm. Something quiet and dangerous moves in her otherwise flat, uninterested gaze. "Some folk fight to live.", she remarks, apparently to everyone in earshot. "Not me."she adds rousing herself to make her statement emphatic.

"I live to fight."

[doko239]

The man smiles grimly, taking a seat far too close for Rassha's comfort. He leans forward, tensing his muscles as he does so.

"Oh, I'm thinking I won't have to look far. How's'about I take you out back and show you how big and strong I am?"

"I don't recall inviting you to join me." Rassha replies coldly, the smile disappearing from her face. "If you're looking for a good time, I'm sure there's a bear out in the woods somewhere that would just be THRILLED to make your aquaintance. It would be a good deal better for your health as well."

Intimidate check to coerce: [roll0] (DC 10 + target's HD + target's Wis mod)
Duration: [roll1] hours, +1 hours for every 5 DC is exceeded
Time required: [roll2] x 10 minutes

[~Corvus~]

Shroud takes the cured salmon from Rory's hand and tears into it with her teeth, as is. Half the men in the place suddenly ponder the words '..wild', '..untamed'. She then gifts Sable with an unblinking falcon like stare, even as she chews on the salmon, like she is looking through her. It's not a hostile gaze, there would have to be more spirit in the stare for it to be so.

This, thinks Rory, This woman knows how to eat well!! Not to be out-done by her gorging candor, he attacks his own orc-steak with similar ferocity and aplomb. Although she finishes first, he takes a hearty drink of beer.


Perform (eating/drinking): [roll0]


Only Rory could turn a peasants' drink into a libation fit to be a king's. Only a man like this could turn the mundane act of tearing then masticating flesh into an awesome performance that held the eyes of all that watched. Is it gross fascination? Is it so brutal, so primal, they dared not look away? You bet your britches.

At the end of his drink, after Shroud finishes her little speech, Rory lets out a belch that vibrates the tables in his breath's wake. "See, Sable? This why you drink drink! Beer make you strong!"

[Ceralune]

Shroud takes the cured salmon from Rory's hand and tears into it with her teeth, as is. She then gifts Sable with an unblinking falcon like stare, even as she chews on the salmon, like she is looking through her. It's not a hostile gaze, there would have to be more spirit in the stare for it to be so.

Sable gazed curiously at the red-haired woman. I hope her staring doesn't mean there's something on my face.... She's not weirded out or unnerved at all, though the thought of choosing cold steak in favor of piping hot stew doesn't make much sense to her.

The tall man's belch would have earned a pointed look from Archie, but he seems quite proud of himself. His cheerfulness is contagious, and Sable smiled happily at him before going back the counter to talk with the woman Javel had noticed.


Rory
The barbarian smiles at Sable and slaps a hand down on the halfling's shoulders, likely eliciting a frightened sound and a jump from him. "This man has tale to tell us. He needs our help. Please hear his tale so pretty woman here can have time to think."

At the man's smile, whatever nervousness Sable had vanishes. With a curious expression on her face, she stares expectantly at the halfling and lets out a small giggle. Poor guy looks terrified... he looks like a little pill bug next to this guy. To be fair, I guess I probably do too.

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Standing several inches over six feet, Shroud is obviously of mixed fey Ulfen heritage on account of her height and red hair. The symbol of a healer, a white sash, has been crafted into her armour. She carries a nine foot long fauchard polearm, a rare and famously difficult weapon to master. She bears cesti and three javelins but no bow. Her accoutrements mark her as one who gets in close.

It only occurs to Shroud that she's passed the bounds of propriety when Rory is so far beyond the line that he's landed on a different continent. As the thunderous belch subsides, she deliberates on how much of Rory's bluster is an act designed to cow and intimidate the locals and how much of it is not. She knew from experience that, where berserkers were concerned, it could be difficult to divine what was man and what was berserk. She ponders whether Kern was like this when he was young. He hadn't been like this when she knew him. He'd worn a cloak of menace and borne the stench of death, but for all that he'd been all 'talk quietly but carry a big sword' in other words polite and well mannered right up until he wasn't. Since the operatic belch she'd found herself picturing Rory in a jester's motley.

"Kern always told me a berserk should be sinister but not comedic. He said when people laugh at you, you can't be menacing. He said that more than anything menace was the berserk's cloak."

Shroud takes a deep breath then and stands up. She picks up the cloth that came with her meal and wipes her mouth, her red stained lips, with it. She takes a moment to murmur to Rory...

"Well, this Lady's gold isn't going to find its way into our purses while we sit here. More to the point, our quarry is getting further away with each passing moment. So berserk, you ready to chase them down and hurl them, one by one, through the Black Gate from which only the undead ever return?" All the time she is saying this, a quiet smile is playing around her lips.

It is apparently a rhetorical question for which only one answer was expected, since she gathers up her pack and her weapons and strides in the direction of the bar.

Standing in the middle of the common room, with a polearm big and heavy enough to cut a bear in two.. she raises her voice...

"Some rich, rich Noblewoman has been waylaid on the road to this village and carried off God knows where. My mountain of a friend there and myself are going to run down her captors, litter the ground with their carcasses and bring her back. There will be danger, there will be blood but also rewards for those who survive."

[Therumancer]

Sveti watches Shroud's proclaimation, and guessing Sable is going with her says " I'll join you, I could always use more gold " There doesn't seem to be any immediate leads on Baba Yaga in town, perhaps there will be more information in the surrounding area. She settles her tab, puts her gauntlets back on and goes to stand with Shroud.

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Standing several inches over six feet, Shroud is obviously of mixed fey Ulfen heritage on account of her height and red hair. The symbol of a healer, a white sash, has been crafted into her armour. She carries a nine foot long fauchard polearm, a rare and famously difficult weapon to master. She bears cesti and three javelins but no bow. Her accoutrements mark her as one who gets in close.

Shroud nods at Sveti as she joins her. In other company she would doubtless be outlandishly tall, but with Rory around that's not an issue.

"They call me Shroud.. usually. Sometimes they call me other things.", she says, introducing herself in a voice that is a surprisingly low husky contralto, when most folk with elvish blood have a higher lighter tone.

Leaning her polearm against the bar, it's even leashed to her arm with a weapon cord, she begins donning her cold weather clothing, first unwinding the cord then retying it after the sleeve is on.

"They say bad things come in threes.. first this inexplicable blizzard, then an abduction.. Wonder what the third thing will be?", she says, her tone dryly sarcastic.

She looks over at Rory, from her expression she's found bad thing number three. "Ah... well it never said who it was bad for."

[Ceralune]

Shroud
"Some rich, rich Noblewoman has been waylaid on the road to this village and carried off God knows where. My mountain of a friend there and myself are going to run down her captors, litter the ground with their carcasses and bring her back. There will be danger, there will be blood but also rewards for those who survive."


Svetlana
" I'll join you, I could always use more gold


Shroud
"They call me Shroud.. usually. Sometimes they call me other things."

Sable's eyes widen at the proclamation. This must have been what the man had wanted her to hear. But I've never fought before.... This thought crosses her mind before another interrupts it. And yet, he wouldn't have called me over if he didn't think I could handle it. Haven't I always been telling Archie that I wanted the chance to apply his lessons to real-life situations? Suddenly, there's an excited spark in her eye.

The spark grows stronger as Svetlana joins the growing group. Archie wouldn't approve... but no way are we missing out on this, Javel! She shoots a glance at Javel, who exhales a breath, almost resignedly. Reining in her eagerness to try and come off as worthy of the approval that the tall man seems to already have of her, Sable speaks up in what she hopes is a confident voice to the one who calls herself Shroud.

"I would be happy to help. Might I join you?"

[~Corvus~]

Rory

Rory nods appreciatively at Shroud's proclamation. As she continues, the towering barbarian looks around the bar, sizing others up. Yes, Sable joins. Friend of wolf is friend. That was three. Four, really, but Barbarians dont count often.

The elf looked baleful. She not like push, he thinks. Smart elf.

Who else? A look around revealed a simple man in chaps, enjoying his stew. As he moved, an etched item poked out. Gun? Guns cost lots. The man moved without a care in the world. Man like that is dangerous.

Rory finds the halfling still nearby. He was brave if nothing else. "Half-man, you have two more will help." He points to the dark elf and the soup-eater, and says "I help if you get them to help. This job, not safe with few. Need lots. This way, you have lots."

[theromantiknack]

Lukas puts a few gold pieces on the bar bench, intending to pay for the girl's drink. However, at the sound of that red-haired half-elf calling out to the room, his ears prick up at the sound of the word rich.

Rich means gold, lots of it. And if that noblewoman happened to be saved by a dashing gunslinger who never missed, well she'd probably be quite inclined to offer a reward for the service done, wouldn't she?

"Sorry to have to leave such a pretty woman," he says to the girl he had bought a drink for, "But there's a noblewoman in danger that needs someone experienced to save her. I think I'd better help out with the search and rescue."

With that, he stands and walks over to the small group, consisting of the halfling, the hulking brute, the girl with the wolf and the red-haired half-elf, stopping in front of them with a grin on his face.

"I hear there are things that need killing and people that need rescuing. You lot need an extra pair of hands. Or trigger fingers, as it may be." As he says that, Lukas smoothly draws and pulls the hammer back on the pistol in his holster, twirling it around his finger and displaying a remarkable amount of dexterity before un-cocking it and replacing it in the holster, just as smoothly as he had taken it out.

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Standing several inches over six feet, Shroud is obviously of mixed fey Ulfen heritage on account of her height and red hair. The symbol of a healer, a white sash, has been crafted into her armour. She carries a nine foot long fauchard polearm, a rare and famously difficult weapon to master. She bears cesti and three javelins but no bow. Her accoutrements mark her as one who gets in close.

Tough crowd, thinks Shroud, seeing her subtle humour either fly right over their heads or miss its mark.

"We're taking volunteers. If you have the skills to help and the stomach for it then come along." returns Shroud to Sable.

She doesn't think the halfling recruiter would have the same success as Rory and her. It wasn't difficult to see why. It boiled down to the difference between 'we heavily armed, brutal looking folk are going in, want to back us up?' and 'might be dangerous in there, you want to go in while I wait out here?'

Her thinking is immediately borne out when the pistoleer, a soldier of fortune if she'd ever seen one, saunters over and twirls his firearm, showing off his skill with his weapon. She is impressed with his dexterity, almost as much as with his air of professionalism, and so gives him a respectful nod. She decides not to do the whole spinning bit herself, since spinning her polearm in here would mean scrubbing a lake of blood off the floorboards.

Rory didn't need an air of professionalism. He was so big he made his own air, which was enough in and of itself.

Shroud looks down at the little halfling recruiter. The local...

"Well, it seems like we got the numbers now, so what's the next step, march to the battle site?"

[ironrevenant]

The man seems a little flustered by Rassha's threat, but nevertheless looks to be attempting to continue on before the bartender comes over to the table.

"That's it Mat. You've had enough to drink, far more than enough if I had to say anything about it. Now get out of here before I get Menander or that barbarian to kick you out."

The man looks from the bartender to Rassha and back, and evidently decides that he's overstayed his welcome. Pushing back from the table without a word, he turns and leaves the establishment.

The bartender watches the man leave, and after he's left she turns back to Rassha.

"Sorry about that dear. He starts to think that he has a way with the ladies when he's had too much to drink. Xanthippe probably rejected him tonight, so he set his sights on you instead. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you."

--------------


"Sorry to have to leave such a pretty woman," he says to the girl he had bought a drink for, "But there's a noblewoman in danger that needs someone experienced to save her. I think I'd better help out with the search and rescue."

The girl smiles warmly at Lukas. "Well it looks like I might have met a genuine hero tonight. Perhaps when you get back we might get together to discuss your tales of adventure?"

--------------

As Shroud addresses the crowd, the halfling's face can be seen to split into a large smile. After Sable, Svetlana and Lukas join the group, his smile becomes almost impossibly wide.

"Oh really, this is just excellent. So many volunteers with such prowess in battle, I feel that Lady Malassene may be warming herself by the fire before dawn. Now, one of her bodyguards survived the attack and is currently recovering in the Willowbark Apothecary. He may have some more information on the subject, if you wish to question him. After all, every minute we spend talking here is another minute that might result in the Lady's condition worsening. We really have no time to waste.

[theromantiknack]

"Well it looks like I might have met a genuine hero tonight. Perhaps when you get back we might get together to discuss your tales of adventure?"

Lukas smirks back at her. "I guess it will depend on whether I survive or not. I don't think that those bandits will be any trouble for me, though."


"Oh really, this is just excellent. So many volunteers with such prowess in battle, I feel that Lady Malassene may be warming herself by the fire before dawn. Now, one of her bodyguards survived the attack and is currently recovering in the Willowbark Apothecary. He may have some more information on the subject, if you wish to question him. After all, every minute we spend talking here is another minute that might result in the Lady's condition worsening. We really have no time to waste.

Lukas laughs at the halfling's words.
Sounds like he's frightened by even the thought of violence. Good thing he isn't coming with us, then.

"Don't burn out that little brain of yours worrying, halfling. I'll personally make sure that the Lady makes it back and that every one of those bandits goes to the big sleep with a little hole in their foreheads."

He turns to Shroud, nodding his head in the direction of Rory. "That fella with you? Cos you two sure look like you know each other. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I'd just like to know how familiar you two are with each other's fighting styles. And also, are you calling the shots or is there going to be a voting thing or something. I, for one, want to get on that road as soon as possible. We don't need to ask some mercenary who can't hack it a few questions we already know the answers to."

[Therumancer]

As the group forms Sveti introduces herself again for those who haven't met her " My name is Svetlana, I'm more of a scholar than a mercenary but I know a healing spell and a few other psychic tricks. I'm also a fair hand with devices and a decent shot with a longbow. I'm not especially worried about facing a few bandits " Sveti thinks at first that this sounded good, and then realizes it comes across more like she's trying to justify her inclusion or answer a job interview, she starts to say something else but decides not to do so realizing now is probably not a good time to run at the mouth.

She can't help but stare at the gun in Lukas' hand, impressed as much by the machine as she is by his skill with wielding such a rare weapon. It's the first firearm she has ever seen outside of pictures.

As the conversation proceeds to the injured mercenary Svetlana offers her take on the subject " I think the surviving mercenary is worth talking to. Yes, we should proceed with haste, but at the same time anything we can learn about their numbers, armament, whether or not they wield magic, and if so what kind, will be helpful before we confront them. "

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

"I can't say as I know Rory all that well, since we've really just met, but I know berserkers.", murmurs Shroud in answer to Lukas' question. "I'm not calling the shots. I just want to get paid an equal share."

She nods along at Svetlana's words, in seeming agreement, at the same time introducing herself as before.

[doko239]

Noticing the group preparing to leave, Rassha leaves a small coin on the table and moves towards them, nodding to the barkeep as she passes. I need to see these few in action before I try to bring them north. I won't have time to carry any of them.

"I'm coming with you.", she says to the party, in a tone somewhere between a command and a statement of fact.

[~Corvus~]

Rory

The barbarian nods to all the conversation. For a man like him, it was a bit to take in. He takes his pack and his sword out from the booth, and turns to the halfling. Where is guard?

[Ceralune]

Shroud
"We're taking volunteers. If you have the skills to help and the stomach for it then come along." returns Shroud to Sable.

Sable's eyes light up before she remembers to tone down the enthusiasm again. "Alright! I'm looking forward to working with you all. Ahh... I've got a few spells tucked under my belt that I'm really good with. So I definitely shouldn't slow you down," she hastily adds.

A slight frown appears on her face as she examines the man with the gun, but she quickly fixes her face into a more neutral one. He's got the same grin as that one noble who used to walk by my alley, bragging to even a little stranger on the streets about how good he was at cards. Mm, no, I shouldn't be that judgemental. Maybe he's just really confident?

Sable wants to jump into action right away, but if more of the other adventurers are for talking to the mercenary first, she'll eagerly go along. They probably have a better idea of what they should do than she does, and she's just happy she even got accepted to come.


"I'm coming with you.", she says to the party, in a tone somewhere between a command and a statement of fact.

At the new voice, Sable's eyes turn to someone she hadn't even seen before. She takes in the half-elf's beautiful blue dress and is somewhat surprised at the fact that she looks just as undressed for battle as Sable does. Maybe she's also...?! There's a tone in her voice that seems to leave no room for argument, and Sable doesn't really have a problem with her coming.

[ironrevenant]

"I'm coming with you."

As Rassha says this, the halfling gets even more excited. It's obvious that he thinks that six people will have a much better chance of getting the Lady back than just five. Maybe he is right.

"So I assume that it is only you six? No one else wants to join the expedition?" He asks to the room.

No one else does, as they simply stare at him strangely.

"I was, uh, just kidding about that last part." He mutters as way of explanation, temporarily disheartened before he perks up again. "Now, the mercenary is at Willowbark Apothecary. If you wish to question him, then I'll show you the way there. If not, then the road going past the Border Wood is to the south. It'll probably be a few hours' walk in this weather. Whatever you feel is the best course of action in this situation."

[theromantiknack]

Lukas notices Sable's strange look at his introduction and he decides not to take notice. After all, whether some girl thinks that his words are naught but hot air isn't really his concern.


" My name is Svetlana, I'm more of a scholar than a mercenary but I know a healing spell and a few other psychic tricks. I'm also a fair hand with devices and a decent shot with a longbow. I'm not especially worried about facing a few bandits "

Lukas laughs.

"I don't think that you need to worry about whether you can use that longbow or not. My gun's twice as fast and twice as deadly. You just worry about makin' sure that none of the others get too badly injured."


"I'm coming with you."

"You sure that's such a good idea, princess? 'Cos I for one ain't going to spend half the time making sure some girl who wants to watch the real warriors do the fighting doesn't get hurt."

[doko239]

"You sure that's such a good idea, princess? 'Cos I for one ain't going to spend half the time making sure some girl who wants to watch the real warriors do the fighting doesn't get hurt."
Rassha suppresses a laugh. "A real warrior? You? You look like a sack of potatoes grew legs and an ego. If you think that shiny little trinket you carry gives you power, you don't know what true power is. Perhaps I'll have occasion to show you... if you don't trip over yourself and die first."

With that, she throws open the doors and steps outside, pausing to look back at the group as if to say "are you coming or not?"

[Ceralune]

Rassha
"A real warrior? You? You look like a sack of potatoes grew legs and an ego. If you think that shiny little trinket you carry gives you power, you don't know what true power is. Perhaps I'll have occasion to show you... if you don't trip over yourself and die first."

With that, she throws open the doors and steps outside, pausing to look back at the group as if to say "are you coming or not?"

While Sable would normally raise an eyebrow at the way the half-elf is speaking, she's slightly bemused. It probably wasn't very nice of the half-elf to lay into him like that, but the man's comment about how it would be such a bother to protect a delicate girl struck a little too close to home to Sable personally, even if it wasn't directed at her. She's dealt with people who look down on others before, and it's never been a fun time. She's oddly satisfied at the way the half-elf handled him, and quickly follows her out the door, catching up to her and asking for her name.

[~Corvus~]

Rory

Rory smiles. Elf-woman leads us. This good she need no push. She was even establishing dominance. It was marvelous: Rory couldnt have planned it better. Really, he couldn't have. Before he left, he needed to know where the apothecary was. He stays until the halfling answers him, gets clear on how to get there, then heads to the apothecary's post-haste.

He will ignore others' attempts to slow him down. He could run twice as fast at others in the group. He would do what he felt best. There was a suspicious man who left earlier, and sometimes those men were trouble. Sometimes guards didn't appreciate being questioned. Sometimes they'd rather escape. So that's what he was going to do before the others got there: canvas the joint just in case.

He knew how interrogation worked. He was OK at it. But it didn't make friends. Unless he gave them steak. They usually talked when he gave them steak. Mmm, steak delicious. Orc taste like boar. Tusky, gamey taste. He takes out a piece of steak that looked suspiciously like an forearm and began eating with relish. Inn food not good-taste. Only good inn food is corn, he thinks.

Rory will continue in this manner until he's convinced he knows where someone might exit the place.

Perception: [roll0]

[Therumancer]

Svetlana tells Lukas "I'm glad that your confident, but even with such an epic weapon I'd imagine you can only kill them so fast. Also try and err on the side of caution I can only cast my healing spell twice" she also adds a bit defensively "The longbow is a fine weapon, I'm sure yours is destructive but what is the range like?"


Svetlana can't contain a slightly amused grin at Rassha's behavior and comments towards Lukas she thinks to herself wow, she got everyone in line, all she needs is a whip and corset, still I'd feel more comfortable with Shroud as the leader, but she seems content to let Rassha take charge . She heads to the door to follow and says to Rassha "Ummm, hi, I don't think I got your name, I'm Svetlana, since you seem like the take charge type, are you heading to the apothecary or do you think we should just head for the road out of town? As I was saying before you decided to join us I think we should see the injured mercenary for more information"

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Shroud, after a brief look skyward for strength.... Why don't we leave the 'my weapon is better than yours' needle talk aside for the moment. The final answer is always 'it depends on the situation' anyway." , declares Shroud, in a fairly loud voice. So let's go talk to this sole survivor.

She turns to the village halfling. "Apothecary, if you please."

[doko239]

Svetlana can't contain a slightly amused grin at Rassha's behavior and comments towards Lukas she thinks to herself wow, she got everyone in line, all she needs is a whip and corset, still I'd feel more comfortable with Shroud as the leader, but she seems content to let Rassha take charge . She heads to the door to follow and says to Rassha "Ummm, hi, I don't think I got your name, I'm Svetlana, since you seem like the take charge type, are you heading to the apothecary or do you think we should just head for the road out of town? As I was saying before you decided to join us I think we should see the injured mercenary for more information"

Rassha regards both Svetlana and Sable cooly. "If you must address me, you may call me Rassha, though 'Lady Rassha' would be more precise. And we shall speak with this fool of a half-dead guard. He may know something of value, though doubtless he was too preoccupied with saving his own worthless life to learn much of his attackers."

I'd imagine you probably know enough about Irrisen, Baba Yaga, the White Witches etc to be able to make a knowledge local check about Rassha at this point :smallwink:

[Ceralune]

Rassha
"If you must address me, you may call me Rassha, though 'Lady Rassha' would be more precise. And we shall speak with this fool of a half-dead guard. He may know something of value, though doubtless he was too preoccupied with saving his own worthless life to learn much of his attackers."

Sable's expression becomes slightly more guarded. Ohh... another noble? Well this could get messy. Two people who think highly of themselves so close together?

Trying to sway the tone of the conversation a little without creating conflict, she says, "Mm, I hope he has helpful information for us!"

Assuming that the rest of the group is following, Sable continues to the apothecary with Rassha and Svetlana. When they arrive, Sable runs up to the door to knock, and opens it. She's somewhat surprised to see the tall barbarian there already (How did he run here so fast?! I don't think he even passed us by...), but brightens at the sight of him. Good thinking! The sooner we talk to this guy, the sooner we can get moving.

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Shroud hadn't appeared interested in interfering with the difference of opinion between the pistolero and the white witch. Indeed, she'd appeared pre-occupied with the contents of her own head. That wasn't what caught the attention however. What caught the eye was that as she made her way towards the Apothecary, she strode past villagers slipping and sliding on the stomped down icy snow as if she were somehow glued to the ground, as if the snow did not exist. Her feet seemed to almost dance over the slippery ground. Several villagers simply stopped and stared as the big fey Ulfen healer's breezed past them. They all looked down at her feet only to look even more puzzled when they saw she was wearing ordinary boots..

Shroud arrives at the Apothecary in short order and enters with the others.

[theromantiknack]

"A real warrior? You? You look like a sack of potatoes grew legs and an ego. If you think that shiny little trinket you carry gives you power, you don't know what true power is. Perhaps I'll have occasion to show you... if you don't trip over yourself and die first."


"If you must address me, you may call me Rassha, though 'Lady Rassha' would be more precise. And we shall speak with this fool of a half-dead guard. He may know something of value, though doubtless he was too preoccupied with saving his own worthless life to learn much of his attackers."

Lukas grins, the thought of letting the elf getting the last word not even crossing his mind for a second. "Well, Lady Rassha, I think that even me with my shiny little trinket will have more chance of stopping a bandit than a few sharp words. You might even get lucky when they decide that it isn't worth their time to try to kill you."


Svetlana tells Lukas "I'm glad that your confident, but even with such an epic weapon I'd imagine you can only kill them so fast. Also try and err on the side of caution I can only cast my healing spell twice" she also adds a bit defensively "The longbow is a fine weapon, I'm sure yours is destructive but what is the range like?"

"I can kill them plenty fast. Don't you worry."

At her question, he laughs. "This thing here is accurate all the way up to a hundred feet. If I can spot 'em, then I can shoot 'em, and I'm not one to miss. But arguing like this will waste our time. Might as well go off to talk to this mercenary if we can, so we can get on the road as soon as possible."

[Therumancer]

Rassha regards both Svetlana and Sable cooly. "If you must address me, you may call me Rassha, though 'Lady Rassha' would be more precise. And we shall speak with this fool of a half-dead guard. He may know something of value, though doubtless he was too preoccupied with saving his own worthless life to learn much of his attackers."

I'd imagine you probably know enough about Irrisen, Baba Yaga, the White Witches etc to be able to make a knowledge local check about Rassha at this point :smallwink:


Sveti has Knowledge: History, but I didn't take Knowledge: Local because Svetlana is supposed to have travelled here from... wherever she's from. I'm still learning about the PF world and haven't given her a specific land of origin. If you think history would be appropriate then it would be [roll0] if Rassha is some kind of local fixture, Sveti probably wouldn't know it, she mostly knows this kind of thing through the broader lens of a historian and scholar who has travelled to learn more about her obsession. As Sveti advances I'll probably wind up putting a couple of points into knowledge: local (for this area) to represent her learning more about the area specifically from studying it as she operates here.

EDIT with the unmodified 1 Sveti has no clue about Rassha lol. She'll likely be surprised later if she learns she's been teaming up with a White Witch the whole time and didn't know it. It could amount to some fun RP, I can just imagine Rassha's mocking now. ;)

To Lukas:

"Alright then, I'm impressed, I can't argue with technology having changed the battlefield. Should they ever find a way to produce weapons like yours in mass quantities it will likely change the way wars are fought."


To Rassha

"I'd prefer not to be so formal if we're heading out into battle together, so I'll just stick with Rassha if it doesn't bother you terribly. Your right that his knowledge is going to be limited, he likely ran away to save his own life, BUT he had to see something to be running from."

As the group arrives at the apothecary she is likewise a bit surprised to see how quickly, and easily others have travelled there. It makes her feel even more clunky in her armor. She is more than willing to step aside and let others enter ahead of her, as a matter of providence or because of their egos.

[ironrevenant]

As the group decides to question the mercenary, the halfling quickly bounds in front of the group and begins to lead them through the town.

"This way! Willowbark Apothecary is only around the corner."

The journey takes barely any time, and the halfling is somewhat surprised to see Rory already at the door, having already made his way to the Apothecary. Unfortunately, he didn't notice anyone making their way in or out of the building.

"Uh, quite eager I see. Yes, uh, quite eager. Well, no use standing around out here, while the man is inside. Follow me through."

The halfling knocks on the door and a voice calls out from the back of the room. It isn't loud enough to be audible to any of the group, but is obviously permission to enter as the halfling pushes the door open and motions for the group to follow him inside.

It's warm inside, as the fireplace is roaring with vigour. The halfling leads the group through the small room in the front of the building into a back room, where four people have gathered around a heavily injured man laid out on the bed. Wrapped in bandages, the man's nose, fingers and toes have become black with frostbite, the injuries looking extremely painful.

Rassha would probably recognise the wounds as the kind that are often seen after battles in the wintry conditions of Irrisen.

"Ferthus, who are these people? What are they doing here?" A middle aged woman asks. Her face shows the lines of age, but she still possesses a great deal of youth. Her stern expression and cool gaze make it obvious that she is a leader who has experience in dealing with crises.

"Pardon me, councillor. I was concerned about the recent events and had retreated to the Stoat for a little bit of refreshment when I saw these people. They have experience in battle, or so they tell me, and have kindly agreed to aid in the search for Lady Malassene."

"Oh, well, good thinking Ferthus. You may leave now" The halfling bows again and swiftly exits the room with nary a goodbye. The councillor turns to the group to address them. "My name is Ionnia Teppen, I am the head of the council here in Heldren. With me are Elder Safander," she gestures to an older man dressed in the clothes of a priest of Erastil, "Isker Euphram," gesturing to a taller man who stands a head shorter than Rory but still rippling with muscle, "and Tessarea Willowbark, owner of this Apothecary," finally pointing to the young elven woman hard at work tending to the injured mercenary. "Ferthus spoke of you being experienced in battle. Not to be rude, but how true is this statement, exactly?"

[Therumancer]

Svetlana bows her head slightly to the head of the town council as a sign of respect as she removes her helmet. She responds to the query honestly "I'm mostly a scholar, but I'm not afraid of a few beasts or bandits as you might guess from the fact that I travelled here. I possess knowledge of a healing spell, as well as a number of psychic knacks. I'm quite capable of killing with my powers if the need arises, and I'm also a passable shot with a longbow, even though I've come to learn from my friend here that it's an increasingly obsolete weapon Looking at the discoloration of the mercenary Svetlana adds "I'm guessing he's beyond the point where a simple cure wounds spell is going to do him much good?"

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Shroud doesn't take umbrage at the query from the counsellor's query as to experience, she simply shrugs..

"More trained than experienced. I was a temple sentinel at the Alseta temple in Absalom, am foster daughter to Kern the Berserk, so I've been 'around' more spilled blood than every living body in this place presently holds." begins Shroud, her contralto voice not what one would expect from one with her features. It's a husky voice, a whisky drinking voice..

She presents her weapon, a 6 foot wooden haft with a three foot, razor sharp single edged blade on top. The back edge of the the weapon's blade plays host to the kind of hook that would give a mounted knight pause. "This is no militia longspear. It is a fauchard polearm, very difficult to master. I don't carry it for show, despite all evidence to the contrary, since I just did. I carry it to kill with. Even so, I'm more temple sentinel than soldier, for I have magic too."

She continues, calm as can be... "Hardly matters though. We're the best you have available. It matters little if you could bring better warriors from a week away, if you need warriors to hand now, which you do."

"Now, not to be rude, but you're only in a position to ask questions, if you're hiring us."

[Ceralune]

"Pardon me, councillor. I was concerned about the recent events and had retreated to the Stoat for a little bit of refreshment when I saw these people. They have experience in battle, or so they tell me, and have kindly agreed to aid in the search for Lady Malassene."

"Oh, well, good thinking Ferthus. You may leave now" The halfling bows again and swiftly exits the room with nary a goodbye. The councillor turns to the group to address them. "My name is Ionnia Teppen, I am the head of the council here in Heldren. With me are Elder Safander," she gestures to an older man dressed in the clothes of a priest of Erastil, "Isker Euphram," gesturing to a taller man who stands a head shorter than Rory but still rippling with muscle, "and Tessarea Willowbark, owner of this Apothecary," finally pointing to the young elven woman hard at work tending to the injured mercenary. "Ferthus spoke of you being experienced in battle. Not to be rude, but how true is this statement, exactly?"

While Sable was one of the first ones inside, under the scrutiny of these unfamiliar people's appraising looks, she lets the others pass her as they enter. She hangs at the back a bit, letting the others do the talking and covered to an extent by everyone else (who are so much taller than she is), petting Javel's head gently to calm herself down. At Ionnia's words, she's suddenly all too aware of how inexperienced she is, and she's a little worried they'll see right through her. That said, she tries to put a confident look on her face.

Bluff roll just in case: [roll0]

This doesn't seem to be working for me... =\ Just kidding didn't know I had to separate it from the Spoiler code

[theromantiknack]

"Oh, well, good thinking Ferthus. You may leave now" The halfling bows again and swiftly exits the room with nary a goodbye. The councillor turns to the group to address them. "My name is Ionnia Teppen, I am the head of the council here in Heldren. With me are Elder Safander," she gestures to an older man dressed in the clothes of a priest of Erastil, "Isker Euphram," gesturing to a taller man who stands a head shorter than Rory but still rippling with muscle, "and Tessarea Willowbark, owner of this Apothecary," finally pointing to the young elven woman hard at work tending to the injured mercenary. "Ferthus spoke of you being experienced in battle. Not to be rude, but how true is this statement, exactly?"

"The name's Lukas Ro-Kruze, of the Isle of Ro. I'm the fastest and most accurate gunslinger this side of Alkenstar, and you definitely won't find someone better. I'm here to help with your, uh, missing person case."

Lukas draws his pistol from his pocket, twirling it around in his hand. If one observed him, it was difficult to tell whether he was doing it consciously or not.

[Therumancer]

"The name's Lukas Ro-Kruze, of the Isle of Ro. I'm the fastest and most accurate gunslinger this side of Alkenstar, and you definitely won't find someone better. I'm here to help with your, uh, missing person case."

Lukas draws his pistol from his pocket, twirling it around in his hand. If one observed him, it was difficult to tell whether he was doing it consciously or not.


Sveti observes with some interest and thinks to herself "It would be hilarious if he dropped the thing while doing that one of these days... that said it is an impressive display of a weapon flourish"

[~Corvus~]

Ionnia Teppen
"Ferthus spoke of you being experienced in battle. Not to be rude, but how true is this statement, exactly?"

Rory

The barbarian had finished the survey of the apothecary's and had decided there were no good exits other than the one entrance. It seemed this apothecary liked to have iron grills over his windows. Good man. When he returned, a woman in robes was questioning their prowess. Rory, for his part, took out more steak and idly ate as other talked. When Svetlana made another quip about Lukas' gun, he grunted. "This is steak. I kill bison, boar, elk, croc'dile, eagle, catch salmon. But this--" he gnaws off a piece of the meat to show the thick skin that peels off. "This Orc steak. I hunt and kill. Then cook. War it is not hard." He punctuates this thought by peeling off the skin and offering it to the council members. "You try. Taste like boar. Very good."

[Therumancer]

Sveti listens to the large barbarian and can't help but feel a little ill, while at the same time being incredibly fascinated, she has read about people doing things like that, but never met anyone who did, never mind admitted it with a sense of pride. She figures it's no big thing as long as he doesn't eat elves, and doesn't expect anyone else to eat orc. The big question at this point is whether the head of the town council is going to be as open minded.

[ironrevenant]

"Hardly matters though. We're the best you have available. It matters little if you could bring better warriors from a week away, if you need warriors to hand now, which you do. Now, not to be rude, but you're only in a position to ask questions, if you're hiring us."


The councillor smiles at Shroud's words.

"You very well might be my only options. However, that does not guarantee that you have any idea how to use the weapon. After all, there's no way to ensure that you are who you say you are. Nonetheless, I trust that all of you at least have some idea how to fight, if you're volunteering."


"This Orc steak. I hunt and kill. Then cook. War it is not hard." He punctuates this thought by peeling off the skin and offering it to the council members. "You try. Taste like boar. Very good."

"I'm not certain that is such a good idea, but thank you for offering. Obviously you have experience with killing things."


"I'm guessing he's beyond the point where a simple cure wounds spell is going to do him much good?"

"It would seem so. I know very little of the healing arts, but Elder Safander has informed me that only rest and medicine will be able to help him now."

"I en't ded yet, councillor." The man interrupts. He wriggles around on the bed as he tries to get a better look at the group, analysing them through his unbruised eye.

"You lot wantin' to go to save the Lady? Would it be that I could I would ride with you. My ancestors would ridicule me for fleeing from battle, but I faced creatures that even the best warriors in the Linnorm Kingdoms would falter against. I'm sure I slew at least one before they took the Lady away."

[Therumancer]

Svetlana tries to comfort the mercenary "I'm sure you did the best you could, and if you hadn't retreated nobody would have known what happened, so there couldn't be a rescue attempt. From a certain point of view you did your job admirably. I don't suppose you could describe the creatures you fought, or happen to know what direction they were headed in when you decided to engage in a tactical withdrawal?"

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Shroud looks on with approval as Svetlana gently massages the mercenary's bruised ego. She couldn't help but consider the mercenary an idiot however. It seemed to her that he'd been softened by the Southern ideals; chivalry being the most stomach turning of the lot. Kern, her berserker father, had by contrast taught her that a good battle was any battle that you got to walk away from and that dying as a matter of principle was an ideal you hoped your foe had fallen for, so you wouldn't have to chase after him to kill him. Kern had also taught her the reaver way.. strike with surprise where possible, gang up on the weakest of your enemies to take him out of the fight early, employ combat tactics to give you what effete southerners considered an 'unfair' advantage.

Svetlana, she noted wasn't one to be diverted with statements of no value, go with us indeed, whining self pity, excuses, or grandiose statements about the enemy's capabilities. She wondered if there were some in their war party, with a gift for sifting through the bull to find the few gems that would perhaps serve them well.

[doko239]

"Yes, yes, this is all very interesting I'm sure, but can we get to the point please? What did you fight, how many were there, and where did they go? The sooner we have that information, the sooner you can get back to failing to die while we go clean up your mess for you."

[Ceralune]

At Rassha's pointed words, Sable finally decides to speak up. "Don't mind her, there's no point in dwelling on the things we can't change. All we can do now is focus on how to fix the situation. We want to do our best to help the Lady, and anything you can tell us will be a big help."

[theromantiknack]

Lukas stays quiet. His mind is already starting to wander at what little information he has heard, trying to imagine what could have caused such injuries to the mercenary.

[ironrevenant]

"I'm sure you did the best you could, and if you hadn't retreated nobody would have known what happened, so there couldn't be a rescue attempt. From a certain point of view you did your job admirably. I don't suppose you could describe the creatures you fought, or happen to know what direction they were headed in when you decided to engage in a tactical withdrawal?"


"Yes, yes, this is all very interesting I'm sure, but can we get to the point please? What did you fight, how many were there, and where did they go? The sooner we have that information, the sooner you can get back to failing to die while we go clean up your mess for you."


"Don't mind her, there's no point in dwelling on the things we can't change. All we can do now is focus on how to fix the situation. We want to do our best to help the Lady, and anything you can tell us will be a big help."

"We thought they were just bandits at first - outlaws who hide like wolves in the forest. They were no match for us. But then came the cold fey of the north. They appeared among us and the battle turned against us quickly. My people speak of the winter-touched all the time, but I never expected to find any this far south."

"As far as where they took the Lady to, well. Into the forest, back through the snow and ice. Beyond that, I don't know. I tried to follow, but the winter-touched were too strong for me to defend against and survive the cold, so I had to fight my way back to my horse and ride back here in search of help."

As before, Rassha will probably recognise more of what this mercenary is saying, simply because she is from Irrisen, where stuff like this is common. So, she will have at least a basic knowledge of winter-touched and Irrisen politics.

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Shroud found herself in a still place inside her own head. She felt she'd taken a breath and, shocked to her core, had simply held it there. She wondered if anyone had noticed. At least a part of what had attacked this man, the winter touched, was almost certainly a part of her. The cold iron she bore, pressed against her skin, did not hurt.. but she was ever aware of it..

Kern, her foster father, had bought her cold iron cesti and cold iron polearm for her, telling her that she was a child of the human world and that these weapons would serve to remind her of that fact, and keep her from temptation.

His words, spoken years past.. came back to her then and there.. "That wild streak you have.. that's all winter fey.. they're ruled by their emotions, act on their feelings. You got to hold that in check. Take it from a berserker, I know about that stuff."

"Then the North is here and it's brung its terrors with it. Interesting..." murmured Shroud out loud, her tone one of curiosity.

"What are we waiting for?"

[Ceralune]

At the mention of the fey, a look of surprise flashes on Sable's face for a brief second before it disappears. Fey? Archie mentioned that a lot of times in our lessons... he said that that was where I drew my power from. He said he thinks that's part of the reason why I had outbursts so often and tended to get impatient easily, especially in the first few months we knew each other. She could've sworn she heard Javel sniffing at the somewhat negative comparison to wolves, but she just smiles brightly at the mercenary.

"Thank you for telling us what you know. Focus on getting better and leave the rescuing to us. Hopefully we'll be back soon with good news." She turns to Shroud and nods. "We should get going." She follows Shroud out the door.

[Therumancer]

Svetlana says "I've read about the Fey but never encountered them in person. It should be interesting to meet some, even if just to test my own abilities against theirs. If your ready to go, so am I." Sable has already given further words of comfort to the mercenary, so Sveti is ready to leave, she'll follow Shroud out the door with Sable.

[~Corvus~]

Rory

Rory balks at much of this conversatiom, preferring to trust his gut: Something foul and unnatural was up. Maybe winter was coming to a place that shouldnt be cold. But that was neither here nor there: for now, he was in a nice place eating good steak. Life was good.

But Shroud brought up a good question: what else did they need to know? He asks, "Weather was OK when you are hurt? Not bad?"

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Probably a good idea to get out of town.. At some point someone was going to put them, the fey, and her, part fey, together and then of course she'd probably wind up killing some idiot., she thought to herself in the doorway, heading out with some company.

"I'm going to get more food and supplies then head over to the ambush site. I'd be surprised if we had time to forage off the land." , she says to the others, her tone neutral.

[Therumancer]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Probably a good idea to get out of town.. At some point someone was going to put them, the fey, and her, part fey, together and then of course she'd probably wind up killing some idiot., she thought to herself in the doorway, heading out with some company.

"I'm going to get more food and supplies then head over to the ambush site. I'd be surprised if we had time to forage off the land." , she says to the others, her tone neutral.

"I think we should stay together, and head there as a team once you've done your shopping. The last thing we need is for there to be trouble at the ambush site while we all head there to rendezvous one at a time and get picked off. Unless she objects Sveti will be sticking with Shroud, and presumably Rory and Sable.

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Shroud's shopping turns out to be more trail rations. She waits at the start of the road back to the ambush site for anyone running a little late.

[theromantiknack]

"We thought they were just bandits at first - outlaws who hide like wolves in the forest. They were no match for us. But then came the cold fey of the north. They appeared among us and the battle turned against us quickly. My people speak of the winter-touched all the time, but I never expected to find any this far south."

"As far as where they took the Lady to, well. Into the forest, back through the snow and ice. Beyond that, I don't know. I tried to follow, but the winter-touched were too strong for me to defend against and survive the cold, so I had to fight my way back to my horse and ride back here in search of help."

Lukas watches as Shroud leaves the room. He doesn't particularly care why she left, only that she's left before the mercenary could tell the group how exactly to kill these 'winter-touched'.

"What exactly are the winter-touched? Just for the others, who probably don't know. And how do we fight them? If they're made of ice, is fire enough?

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Shroud stands on the edge of town, carrying the heavy burden of her equipment with ease. With her hood down and her red hair blowing in the icy wind, she seems immune to the cold, perhaps even one with it. She thus attracts a fair amount of attention.. uncommonly tall, heavily armed, immune to the cold...

Standing there, wondering what lay ahead she figured she didn't need to be told what they were marching off to face, since she imagined it would be like looking into a mirror... but then fey came in all shapes and sizes so who knew.

Then again, it occurred to her that perhaps this leap into the unknow was simply her way of getting over Kern's death, comforted by the prospect of bathing in blood, the coming deaths of others. She reflected on the thought that just maybe it was why she was pushing hard to be off. Even so, another little voice in her head was saying it could also be that in a chase every moment counted.

Thus, even as she examined her own motives calmly, dispassionately, it was impossible for her to tell her reasons for any of it with any sense of surety.

[ironrevenant]

"Weather was OK when you are hurt? Not bad?"

"It was fine until we got closer to the Border Wood. From there it became cold, like Baba Yaga herself had decided to grace our caravan with her unholy presence. When they ambushed us, there was snow everywhere, like we had somehow been transported to the frozen North."


"What exactly are the winter-touched? Just for the others, who probably don't know. And how do we fight them? If they're made of ice, is fire enough?

"The winter-touched are fey who have sworn themselves to the service of the Winter Witches of Irrisen, those who stole our lands from us in the Winter War. Tiny sprites no taller than the length of a man's forearm. Though they may be small, they make up for it in viciousness and ferocity. Legends say the winter-touched have taken a sliver of ice into their hearts, and that their touch bears the harsh bite of winter."

"You're right to assume they fear the fire. Burning flame and cold iron are the only methods of killing the devils, being two of the only things they fear apart from their masters."

"If you're going into the woods, there's a chance you might run into them again. My sword is made of cold iron, and I'll gladly lend it to you if it means the death of more of those cursed creatures."

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Shroud, figuring she'd given the others amply sufficient time, begins walking down the road, figuring she'll come across the site of the fighting. Such things tended not to be too subtle.

[doko239]

Rassha leaves the Apothecary, lost in thought. Why would Winter-Touched be here? They almost never stray this far south... and why ally with common bandits, attacking travellers? This makes no sense at all.

Perhaps the pain-addled fool was relating one of his fever dreams, but the details are too precise for that. There may be more to this than I'd previously suspected; there must be something happening at home to drive the fey here. Nevertheless seeing how these coddled southerners handle these creatures will be most illuminating...

Seeing the group begin north along the road, Rassha retrieves her horse and follows.

[~Corvus~]

Rory

With that little bit of information finished, Rory says to him "We get them good. You not worry." He lets Rassha be with her thoughts. An intellectual like that did not think they needed a warrior like Rory for anything but his muscle. Best to let her do her own thing.

With just about 29 gold left over, Rory heads to a store to buy snowshoes, if there is one, and makes sure his winter clothing and winter survival gear are excellently up to snuff. He will even barter steak with the store-owner if he has to spend more money than he has left over to get snowshoes. If absolutely necessary, he will offer 20# of steak and "Save you from Nirvana this time" (indicating his sword) for a modest reduction in price and "Best steak I has." In short, he will part with a great deal of his favorite thing to get snowshoes.

This accomplished, he will cheerily set upon the road as soon as he sees the others. Of course Rassha brought a horse. What a bloody intelligent idea. But at least Rory had horse steak. Life was still good.

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Shroud moves like a ghost over the snow. Some folk chose to wear color in the snow, making them easier to find if they got into difficulties. Obviously this was not Shroud's way There wasn't a spot of color on her. It probably never occurred to her that she'd be the one that needed rescuing. Her cold weather clothes were white, her boots were white, her hood was white, her face mask was white. The only thing which was not white was the cold iron head of her polearm.

The cold sung in her blood. It made her feel alive. She felt in her element amidst snow and ice. She'd always been amused at the way other folk floundered in the snow and slipped on ice. She did neither, had a hard time imagining what it would be like. Kern had pushed her down a hill once, catching her off guard. She'd come to her feet like a snow cat.

"I don't imagine it will be all that far.", she heard herself say.

[Therumancer]

Svetlana shoulders her pack and avoids groaning about being off on foot again so soon, she had hoped for at least one night in the Inn first. She follows Shroud and Sable silently.

[theromantiknack]

"If you're going into the woods, there's a chance you might run into them again. My sword is made of cold iron, and I'll gladly lend it to you if it means the death of more of those cursed creatures."

"I don't think I'll be needing a sword. I prefer to stay back in the fighting and let my gun do the talking."

Noticing that the others have left, Lukas gives a brief nod to the townsfolk and leaves, heading out in search of the others. Following Rory into the general store, Lukas watches the bigger man's attempts to barter before he steps in, speaking to the shopkeeper.

"Listen partner, this guy isn't exactly the most eloquent of folk, so ignore his somewhat uncivilised ways. I'm looking to purchase some clothing that will keep the worst of the cold from biting at me. And if the big guy don't have enough coin, I'll pay the remainder."

After purchasing the gear, Lukas leaves the shop, not caring whether Rory follows him or not. He moves quickly to the edge of town where the others are and follows them towards the attack site.

[ironrevenant]

The group all somehow meet back up at the road heading out south towards the ambush site. It takes hours, and the progress along the road is slower than some might like, but eventually they spot the tops of the trees of the Border Wood. As the forest grows closer, the temperature becomes noticeably colder, before the group finally reaches the site of the attack.

The road ahead is littered with debris and the bodies of slain humans and horses. A carriage stands in the roadway, the team of horses that would have pulled missing or cut free, while another overturned carriage lies sprawling and broken next to the tree line. To the south, more bodies have fallen around what appears to be a statue of ice. An easily visible trail leads off into the woods.

Here (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1c6UDuMfGLplgNWBAQn1r7AFv76qF0x25_ipmQ3pAwt8/edit?usp=sharing) is a map of the ambush site. Note for movement and the like: traversing 1 square is 5 feet. So if you can move 30 feet, it's 6 squares.

[Ceralune]

Sable remains silent throughout the trek, marveling at the forest. It's been so long since I've been in the trees! She's somewhat aware of the time that has passed, and Archie's friend surely must have expected her to arrive by now, but such a trivial matter can be dealt with later. I can just say that we arrived later than expected.... If the ground becomes covered with snow, she slips on her snowshoes, briefly grateful that Archie had gotten word of the strange weather patterns taking place and was paranoid enough to insist on things like winter footwear.

As they reach the site of the attack, Sable regards the sight with wide eyes. She feels a wave of sadness pass over her at the thought of the battle that must have happened here, which is soon overtaken by a feeling of nervousness that whatever did this might still be around. She and Javel glance around, trying to look for any hints of life or anything that sticks out.

Perception (Sable): [roll0]
Perception (Javel): [roll1]

[Therumancer]

Sveti is used to the cold but doesn't enjoy the hike in armor, any more than she enjoys hiking anywhere else in armor at the moment. Surveying the scene she whistles audibly and says "I'm guessing there was more than a few of them in this ambush... and look at that ice statue! I'm guessing that is some poor guard who got himself frozen solid, but I'd have to look at it closer to be sure. That would take powerful magic." She will also hold back and survey the scene with perception to see if anything pops out at her.


[roll0]

[Sunwolf]

Shroud the Fey (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=965201)


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47243110/sienna%207%20cropped%20small%20version.jpg

Female Lawful Neutral Half Elf Life Oracle Dual Cursed, Level 1, Init 2, HP 11/11, DR Cold Resistance 2, Speed 20'
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 16, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 0
Reach, Trip, Weapon Cord, Cold Iron Fauchard +4/+5AOO (1d10+6/+8AOO, 18-20/x2)
Cold Iron Cestus +4/+5AOO (1d4+4, 19-20/x2)
Javelins (3) +2 (1d6+4, x2)
Leather Lamellar and Armoured Kilt (+5 Armor, +2 Dex) under cold weather clothing
0 Spells Decipher, Sense Magic, Soothing Touch
1 Spells [4/4] Alignment Shield, Fog Bank, Lesser Cure, Soothing Touch (boosted)
Channels [3/3] 1d6 (1d6+2 on self)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition None

Shroud, her mood brightened by her exertions, seems little the worse for wear on arriving at the ambush scene. But seeming almost at one with the cold, the snow and the ice the entire way, this likely surprised no-one. Smiling beatifically insider her hood, she surveys the carnage while whistling quietly..

"Wagons, dead folk. I figure if we get lucky we'll get a portion of their pay right here." she says, sounding pretty chipper and upbeat about it.

So saying she moves towards the overturned wagon, almost dancing lightly over the snow, alert to the possibility that something might pop out at her. Seemingly alert to everything, judging by the way she's looking around..

"Don't take anything you can't carry over long distances in the snow and ice."

Perception [roll0]

[Ceralune]

Sable nods somewhat uneasily at Shroud's words. She's no stranger to this concept. On the streets, it wasn't uncommon for her to search the bodies of the recently deceased beggars who had just gone too long without medical care or nutrition, before they were taken away by the city's guard and dumped to who knows where. The few coins they had managed to scrounge for or the worn-out scarves wouldn't do them any good where they had gone. That said, the thought of looting the bodies of those brutally slain in battle... took that idea to a new level. Sable's pretty sure that, if Archie were here, he'd say a blessing or something for these men who gave their lives to try and defend their lady. But she doesn't know the words, nor does she have the articulate grace to pull it off, so she merely gives them a brief moment of respectful silence.

She avoids dealing with the bodies directly at first, cautiously looking through the carriages with Javel. Once the carriages are thoroughly examined, she starts looking through the bodies, albeit reluctantly.

Perception (Sable): [roll0]
Perception (Javel): [roll1]

EDIT: EYYYY that nat 20 c: Sable sees everything @.@

[Therumancer]

"Does anyone know how to track? If so we might be able to tell which way the attackers went from here" says Svetlana

[doko239]

"That carriage looks as though it's been barricaded shut. One of you go open the door, perhaps there are some survivors. If we're lucky, our missing noble is right here and we can be done with this here and now".

[Ceralune]

Sable looks up from examining the carriages and bodies. "Uhh... Javel once found a hat I'd lost. Though that was two days after I lost it. And I never asked him to." She flashes a glance at Javel, whose tail twitches. "Wolves have a very keen sense of smell. We could try asking him to, I guess?"

At Rassha's words, Sable turns to look at the upright carriage, not quite buying the idea that the lady might be inside. It couldn't be that easy, right? "If that thing is locked shut, I don't think I'll be much help. Breaking doors down... isn't really my thing," she finishes sheepishly. "I'll finish searching everything else in the meantime, though. If anyone finds anything that might have belonged to the lady we're looking for, toss it this way. Maybe Javel can help track with that."

[Therumancer]

"I can handle most locks, but if the door is barricaded I doubt I'll be able to force my way through. Shroud seems pretty strong, maybe she can get it open if it's jammed shut? I doubt the noble is still in there however or I'd imagine they would be saying something about now" she adds as an afterthought "Sable, in searching those bodies have you found anything of value, coinage for example? If the attackers didn't loot the corpses it would mean they had the specific objective of abducting the noblewoman as opposed to it being general banditry and a kidnapping of opportunity"