A Gathering Storm

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda is glad to have a break. This is not the most activity that he has ever had, but is definitely the farthest he has walked in a single day. He inquires about his watch assignment and rests until then.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spot (1d20+3)[14]
Listen (1d20+9)[21]

[Saintheart]

Near midnight, Day 3

Complication Dice 2 of 6

The adventurers had turned in peacefully enough. The bloody sunset on the snow blackened to night, and the wind howled, slowly starting to change direction, shifting to blow from the north. This was actually a good thing; that facing had more shelter from the wind, and the incessant thump of the hut's canvas walls against the wind lessened considerably. The night sky actually became visible as the clouds cleared, revealing a shining array of gleaming jewels in the heavens ... or burning eyes, perhaps.

Njal's watch was quiet enough. On one hand, the temperature likely had dropped a little, but the wind had also lessened in force, leaving the cold roughly the same as it had been during the day. About the most significant event was occasionally knocking more ice out of his beard and the only movement he caught out of the corner of his eye that of the horses swishing their tails now and then for much the same purpose. It was getting close to midnight when the tough dwarf decided it was time to turn in, and as agreed -- himself, then Roland, then Ramiro to cover the watch before dawn -- he quietly shook the big human's shoulder to rouse him.

Njal waited while Roland got his gear together, and gave a sigh of satisfaction as Roland stepped out of the hut in full gear and ready to pick up his turn at guard.

That was when the singing began.

Mysteriously clear without being loud or at great volume, the sound came over the night air, haunting in its beauty, perfect in tone and timbre, a single alto in solo on the night wind. The horses' heads immediately turned, ears poking forward to pick up the noise. Stormrir had suddenly appeared by Njal's feet, and the big husky added his warning growl as accompaniment to the song. Njal was fairly certain even those asleep in the tent might well hear it. Spirits was his first instinct, and he reflexively began to tighten his mind against the thrall of magic, as all dwarves had learned to do...

... when he realised he wasn't the song's target.

Roland was walking off, without a word, into the night.

Spoiler: Roland

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The sound filled his heart and mind. It was a combination of the most beautiful, exquisite hymn he'd ever heard a chorister of the Firekeeper sing and the most heartfelt song of loneliness and longing he had ever heard. His mind soared with all the images and feelings of home, safety, wanting, beauty that he had ever known. The night around him seemed to fill with colour, as though the snow were clouds and every star in the sky a tear of loneliness. His nose filled with the fragrant scent of roses -- roses, which he hadn't smelled since he was a boy and once, oh so long ago, a ship had come from the Archipelagos carrying rare roses for a rich man's wedding. Even the feel of his clothes had lightened; it was like the caress of a woman's touch, and warm, oh, so warm.

Surely it was the Firekeeper herself who called. What else could have such a song of rightness fill his heart? What else could he do but seek its source, which called to him like a spark of fire in darkness?

Spoiler: OOC

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Key things:
- Listen check at -2 for Verglas and Ramiro to hear the singing; it is loud, but also soothing. If Njal starts yelling at them, consider that an automatic Listen success check and they wake up.
- Roland failed a Will save, and is walking away from the camp with all his gear intact. Zealous Surge is available, and the DC to beat is 17 (if you beat the DC, feel free to RP out breaking the ensorcellment.) Otherwise Roland's walking at about 30 feet per round -- it's midnight, so if I remember right Njal's the only one who has darkvision out to 60 feet. Verglas has lowlight vision, but there's no moonlight, only starlight, and Ramiro is straight human with no particular vision abilities.

What do you do?

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Njal shudders as the haunting music echoes on the icy plains, shaking Stormrir's head he grins at the husky, "Aye boy. You hae' a better growl than that." Looking to speak to Roland he's surprised as the big man starts walking off into the snow. "OI, OI, Ger' up" he yells in his loudest dwarven voice to the tent before he takes off after the follower of the flamekeeper, running straight into Roland in an attempt to bowl him over!

Overrun attempt (1d20+3)[7] assuming he doesn't tale an AoO or choose to avoid me!

[Riggdgames]

Roland Parnum Roland had once troubled the priests at Windspire for over a year, burning with the need to hear Her voice. He'd worked until his hands were raw and frozen to earn his stay, only stopping after dark to study by the Greathearth with the Brothers and Sisters devoted to Her. But where the others eventually heard Her voice and accepted Her gift, the Firekeeper would not speak to Roland. She couldn't. It was a bitter potion to swallow. Roland would never hear Her or accept Her power as his own. He would never know the life of a cleric devoted to her. Until now. Tears sprang, the cold wind threatening to freeze them on his face as he walked towards Her. "Mo sholas?" Roland asks the night sky, feet trudging through the snow. "Mo bhlàths?" It was Her. He knew it was H--." Muddled as they are, Roland's thoughts are broken by a dwarf crashing into him from behind. Solid as he is, Roland keeps his footing even in the snow, but for just a moment the beautiful alto carrying over the wind no longer sings with Her voice. Roland would not be distracted, however. He shoves the dwarf away, snarling at the interruption before turning his face back towards the warmth and the light. Such beauty in so dark a place could not be ignored. Spoiler: OOC Show Side-note, I know maybe it didn't work, but I love the play DrK. It was way more fun to write up your action as the impetus for zealous surge rather than something completely internal since Roland is so taken with the voice. OOC thread rolls: Block Overrun: (1d20+3)[19] Reactionary shove: (1d20+3)[11] Zealous Surge: (1d20+1)[8] The words are Gaelic for 'my light, my warmth.'

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda is exhausted but a light sleeper. At the call he snaps to, gets up and takes stock of the situation.
He looks around for enemies, failing to do so he rushes to his comrades who presumably have a major problem.

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" "OOF!" Njal grunts as he slams into Roland to little effect, he bounces off the tough warrior priest staggering back as the man shrugs him away, "Blood longshanks, git 'ere" he bellows loudly, this time throwing himself at Roland's feet to try and grappple him down to the ground. He looks to the hut calling out loudly and singingan old dwarven drinking song trying to drown out the spectral music.... A skinny wizard once stopped by To rob the halls of Dumathoin - But he quickly gave up tryin', And no more will he be scryin' Since we kicked him in the groin! We kicked him in the groin! (Hey!) We kicked him in the groin! (Hey!) We bashed that wizard's gizzards Then we kicked him in the groin! We found an elf who looked long dead, A cold, stiff, blond sirloin - We thought him decomposing, Turned out he was just osmosing 'Till we kicked him in the groin! We kicked him in the groin! (Hey!) We kicked him in the groin! (Hey!) We broke that pointy eared's trances When we kicked him in the groin!

Touch attack for a grapple (1d20+5)[8], grapple (1d20+5)[13]
A token attempt at perform (sing) (1d20-2)[10]

[Toliudar]

A gentle voice singing the sweetest of lullabies drifted into Verglas' swirling maelstrom of snowy nightmares. Something about wizards and growing hay? It sounded nice.

Soothed and still worn out from days of riding, Verglas drifted further down into sleep.

[Saintheart]

Near midnight, Day 3

Complication Dice 2 of 6

A blast of snow and wind made Njal blink at a crucial moment, and the great swipe of his meaty hands to grab hold of Roland caught only air. The dwarf stumbled over, cursing, getting himself back to his feet in time to spot Roland going over the crest of the hill they'd sheltered against. With Ramiro somewhere in his wake, the dwarf went wading through the snowdrifts, trying to make up the distance behind the wayward crusader, the singing in the air staying just as strong as it was and if anything possibly getting stronger.

Njal got to the crest of the hill and surveyed the picture for a crucial moment. His darkvision allowed him to see where Roland had gone, and there was just enough reflected light from the stars and the snows all around to be able to make out the crusader ahead. Roland seemed to be headed down toward a small pool at the base of the hill, maybe no more than fifty feet across and wide. In contrast to the blowing of the wind and snow, the pool's surface was as still as death. Njal judged that if he ran, flat out, he might have one more shot at trying to bowl over or wrestle the big man down before he reached the water's edge.

Ramiro couldn't see much, if anything of this thanks to being human rather than dwarven and not blessed with darkvision.

Spoiler: Roland

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And it was there, just ahead; the source of the sound, where the Firekeeper was calling to him. A pool of still, clear water. Did he not know such stories? In the legends the Firekeeper's priesthood told at Windspire, of the dark times before humanity rebelled and the elves retreated, there were such pools. Such a pool had been where the legendary rebel, Artus Camyllard, had been given his great flame-kissed sword, Ach-Caherimar, the weapon held aloft from the bosom of the waters by the arm of the Firekeeper herself. The story was a tragedy, a story to inspire the people in their caves; Artus Camyllard's insurrection had been gallant but brief; he had fallen at the mouth of Thornbird Cave, pierced with ten arrows, and Ach-Caherimar had broken below him, its flame never to burn again. Could this have been the pool where the blade's fragments had been thrown? Perhaps. Ach-Caherimar longed for the hand of the Firekeeper's champion; was it the blade itself that now called to him, from beneath the subtle ebony of the waters he walked towards? Did its fire still warm what would have been a cold pool? Did the Firekeeper herself await him there?

[Riggdgames]

Roland Parnum As Her song continues to fill his soul with warmth, Roland walks toward the pool without so much as a glance behind him, eager to accept Her gifts. An insistent memory dawns on him, pulling him forward. The story of Thornbird Cave, Artus' Sacrifice. "Ach-Caherimar?" he asks the night sky, shuffling ever closer to the pool. Is this why She called to him? She wished to restore Ach-Caherimar to the faithful? The gift was given to Artus by Her hand. Such would be his fate if he could just find Her. A cacophony broke into Roland's reverie, trying to pull his attention away from the light. The voice was vulgar and impure compared to the hauntingly beautiful tone that drew him forward, but with some effort he dismissed the annoyance. He would deal with it after he found Her. Even still, the race-hatred buried deep within perked up momentarily at the explicit mention of an elf, but one moment only and then it was extinguished. Roland could not be dissuaded from seeking the Firekeeper's boon. He kept plodding forward. Spoiler: OOC Show By the way DrK, I loved the song. It just feels like it fits Njal particularly well. Hopefully next time we'll all be in a warm tavern somewhere and Roland can sing along (poorly).

[Novabomb]

Ramiro
What is happening?

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" As he staggers to his feet, a mouthful of snow and ice Njal curses with language so foul it would make gentler ears bleed. "Get yer arses out o' that tent ye' lazy gits!" He bellows back to the others, still not seeing anyone running out of the tent. Looking once more at Roland and seeing the inviting deadly icy waters ahead of him he has a nasty inkling where this is going. A muttered "Forgive me lad..." and he runs forward, this time swinging the tigerskull club forward using the teeth to hook Roland's feet out from under him (or at least this was the plan!)

Chase after him
Tigerskull club to trip (1d20+6)[19] Touch (1d20+3)[7] to actually trip

[Riggdgames]

Roland Parnum Roland's strides grow more powerful as he starts to move faster and faster, his conviction growing as he knows he's meant to command Ach-Caherimar once more from the world of men. There's motion and noise behind him, but he's given himself completely over to the voice, and to Her. Just a few more steps. He should've felt the cold emanating from the water, but he felt only the fire of his faith warming his breast as he strode on. Spoiler: OOC Show Opposed trip check result was also a 7 in OOC thread.

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda is not clear what is going on but Roland seems to be ignoring Njal.
He tries to get a hold of him. Maybe he can turn him around so he walks back to camp.

Roland WAKE UP

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Grapple attempt
Touch: (1d20+2)[11]
Grapple check (1d20+2)[9]

[Riggdgames]

Roland Parnum With his goal so near, Roland pushes forward despite the near-constant interruption now. The pool is so close he can feel it's heat, if only he could submerge and feel Her presence directly. Spoiler: OOC Show Treating the attacks as auto-hit since Roland isn't avoiding them, but let me know if that's not true. Either way, I'll roll the opposed grapple, not taking an AoO: (1d20+3)[13]

[Saintheart]

Near midnight, Day 3

Complication Dice 2 of 6

Roland threw off Ramiro's attempt to grab him, and kept stumbling towards the water, getting a twenty foot lead on the monk and the druid.

And at last the water began to respond.

A girl emerged from the water. Her pale white skin gleamed with moisture; her hair, winding over her shoulders, was a strange shade of gold and green. She wore nothing but a slim, diaphanous shawl that glittered as if made of diamond fish scales. Her body was wet from the waters of the pool, but the pool itself had not so much as rippled when she came walking out from it, nor had a drop splashed where the water ran from her form and rejoined the pool. The singing crested in its heartbreaking loneliness as she gracefully padded across to Roland, who had reached the water's edge. Her hand rose from her impossibly shapely hip, and reached, with graceful fingers, for Roland's cheek.

Spoiler: Roland

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She was the most beautiful girl Roland had ever seen. Every eyelash was perfection. Her eyes had a sheen of blue from the deepest sea, and her form moved with the assurance and inevitability of the moon in the night sky. Her song was of aching to be held, to be loved, for a fire to crest in her heart. And it seemed there were now words in the song, addressed to Roland: Will you not come with me, and I will show you the wonders below the waters? Will you not come with me to find your sword? I have been so lonely, all alone, in the waters.

Spoiler: Njal

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And now Njal's inkling burst into understanding. It was, indeed, a Spirit: one he had been taught long ago and had half-dismissed as legend, but which now proved all his teachers right. Legend called her rusalka, a water spirit, of a particularly tragic kind. So the stories ran, the elves had not abducted all of the creatures and Spirits that now ranged across Horizon. Some had been invited. And when they had come, the rusalka, the elves had trapped them and twisted their very forms to tie them to single patches or lengths of water, changing them so they became one with the water, but could never leave. Some rusalka had been tied to their waterways or pools for centuries, and those that had not died of heartbreak at being separated from their own kind lived on in dreadful loneliness in distant pools like these, crying out for a companion in mortal men ... or even mortal dwarves. And even when they did seduce such men, the story always ended in sadness, for the rusalka could not bear her lover's loneliness which always came in time, and eventually released them.

And then there were the other kind - the ones that had been twisted and driven mad by their loneliness, such that they only sought to seduce, embrace, and then drown the men who fell victim to their song.

Spoiler: OOC

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Roland gets to make a DC 18 Will save check or fall under a Charm Monster effect cast by a CL 8 sorcerer. After that she won't have to sing to keep him there. Success means Roland finally breaks free of the enchantment and can't be seduced by her.

In terms of placement, Njal and Ramiro are 20 feet from the water's edge. Roland and the rusalka are next to one another at the water's edge. Take it that Ramiro has enough light to see what's going on.

What do you want to do?

[Riggdgames]

Roland Parnum A desire the likes of which Roland hadn't known since his boyhood welled up within the crusader as he looked on the hand that reached out to him. Ariel Wayland, his former Lord's niece, was the ghost of perfection that haunted his memory from before he'd given his life to the Firekeeper. Now even his memory of Ariel, perfect though she was without reality to taint her, could not hold up to the vision in front of him. Roland's pace slowed as he neared her, drinking in her beauty just as he wished to drink the purest waters of her home. No cold could touch him with the Firekeeper to warm his heart, and this woman to warm his body. Gratefully, Roland accepted her hand on his cheek as his own arms sought to encircle her, seeking her embrace. Spoiler: OOC Show Say hello to the pretty spirit maiden and go for a trip to ice-water-town. Will save roll of 9 in OOC thread.

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" As the fey rises from the waters Njal freezes in surprise. He glances at Ramiro, "Have a care laddie. She's be a dangerous beast, a lost fey, bewitch ye' heart and eat it." He pauses, feet planted and pulls a dart in his other hand ready, before bellowing at the apparition, trying both dwarven and the language of the mountains (druidic). "She devil, leave the lad be. Give him back, he ain't no use to ye, his heart is o' the flamekeeper..." With a meaningful glance to Ramiro he mutters, "Wary lad. Roland be under her spell. He won't like us putting the lass down hard..."

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda
He will not be caring about anything if he goes under.

[Saintheart]

Near midnight, Day 3

Complication Dice 2 of 6

Spoiler: Ramiro and Njal

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I won't let him drown.
The words pulsed in Ramiro and Njal's minds; they understood it perfectly - the Common that had arisen from the common argot of the elves' slaves. The rusalka had turned its gaze to dwarf and monk. It wasn't just words that came across; the dwarf and the man's hearts turned with the loneliness, the sheer isolation, that came with the thoughts.
I won't. I can make him breathe underwater. He'll stay with me. I'll comfort him so much. Please, he'll be completely safe with me. Why can't I be happy?

And the rusalka turned to Roland again, moving forward into his embrace, her hands coming up to cup his face. She whispered some sort of words, and kissed him on the lips, delicate as the touch of frost.

Spoiler: Roland

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He could feel the magic flow through him, and her eyes spoke to him: Now you can take breath within the waters, great one.

Spoiler: OOC

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Roland has had Water Breathing cast on him.

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Njal takes a breath as the words of the fey wash over him. He can feel the cold flowing into him from her, even with his magical wardings and thick cloths against the cold. He watches her with cold eyes, "Release him from the charms fey one. See if he would choose under the water without your bewitching ways." Njal stomps a few feet closer to the water's edge. "Come to the shore Roland, you will freeze, even if she be keeping you breathe like a fish"

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda
Because you will kill him before his time. What else would appease you?

[Saintheart]

Near midnight, Day 3

Complication Dice 2 of 6

At Ramiro's words, the rusalka's astonishingly beautiful eyes turned from Roland to gaze at him and Njal. Some look crossed her face. She looked from Roland back to the monk, and as Ramiro edged closer, he could see tears form at the corners of the rusalka's eyes. Her lip trembled for a long, long moment.

She took Roland's face in her palms once more, kissed him for a long, long moment, and then ...

















































... and then turned from him, shoulders somehow slouching gracefully, and walked toward the waters of the pool once more.

Overwhelming loneliness and sadness broke over Njal, Ramiro, and Roland. The rusalka made no noises, no weeping or wailing. But dwarf and men both felt as though their hearts had been wrenched with loss. And the sadness somehow cleared Roland's mind; the fog of emotion and his dreamlike state began to lift. He began to feel the chill of the wind again; began to perceive the burning night sky above once more.

She padded toward the water, waves of sadness rolling over and over them. Her feet did not ripple the water as she entered the pool, and a few moments later, her whole form slid below the water just as silently and motionlessly.

The waves of loneliness calmed, leaving only the night wind ... which did not disturb the still waters of the pool.

Spoiler: OOC

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Charm Monster effect lifts, and the rusalka's song is silent. That's 400 XP each for Roland, Ramiro, and Njal and 100 XP to Verglas for roleplaying. No treasure I'm afraid, but congratulations on keeping Roland from freezing to death this time tomorrow!

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Njal watches with a stony face as the strange feylike creature embraces Roland before gracefully leaving, tears form before freezing in the top of his thick beard as he feels her gut wrenching loneliness before she vanishes from the sight into the pool. He shuffles through the snow towards Roland a grunt of "Good words me lad, I ain't one for pretty speeches eh..." to Ramiro. he claps a hand on Roland's back. "Come on laddie, lets you get back to the tent, odd things in the mists at night eh. Best not dwell, come get yer bones warmed up, all will be well now." Spoiler: OOC Query Show What XP should be we on? Are are you tracking it for us Saintheart and you'll just tell us when we level up?

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda
Thank you spirit.

(As they head back)
Are you ok Roland?

[Riggdgames]

Roland Parnum Roland could only nod to Njal and Ramiro, not quite able to figure out how to form words again just yet. He bites down hard on the inside of his cheek and squeezes his eyes shut to hold himself together, but the tears start anyway, freezing halfway down his face. Her spell over him was gone, that was true enough. But standing there in the presence of her loneliness ripped the curtain away from his own, seeming to bare it for all the world to see. For the moment at least, the Firekeeper's comforting warmth seemed to have abandoned him, replaced only by the bitter cold in the valley. Step by step he walked back with Njal and Ramiro, taking a few deep, shuddering breaths that slowly started getting easier along the way. "Thank you both," Roland finally says gruffly as they make it back to their camp. "I...I didn't...I hope if I ever," Roland says, starting and stopping repeatedly. "Thank you. I'm going to lie down now, if that's alright," he continues apologetically. "Take care you watch out for...that sort of thing." Roland nods, averting his gaze before ducking into the hut and trying to get some rest. Despite his physical exhaustion, sleep doesn't come easy.

[Saintheart]

Dawn, Day 4

Complication Dice 4 of 6

The rest of the night passed uneventfully, leaving aside the disturbing thought of the miserable but dangerous creature lying in its watery pool less than 300 yards away or so. The wind's howl replaced that of the rusalka's song, and again the tent's walls thudded in percussion around them.

Njal could feel the temperature changing, though. By dawn it was fairly clear that the temperature had once again dropped, fairly seriously this time, and the morning light was not only clear but freezing and clear. At least there was still cloud cover; it'd get even more tricky if the sun started to beat down on the icefields. Njal had a feeling the cold wasn't permanent - it wasn't anywhere near the conditions of a Gravewind yet, that wasn't due for a while yet - but cold snaps could be just as deadly as cold weeks to the unprepared.

They'd reach the Old Fortification by midday, surely. If they survived this morning.

Spoiler: OOC

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Sorry about the long delay there, guys, the madness of the season and some RL issues kept me out for a while. Back into the Winter Wonderland?

Anyway, the temperature has dropped into the Extreme Cold range, i.e. somewhere in the region of -40 below. So that means you need Level 3 protection to be fully protected, i.e. Endure Elements provides full protection. Level 2 protection counts as partial protection only. (And note that Gromrir, Njal's companion, only has level 2 - he is an arctic animal with fur.)

If you haven't already, everyone mark off a trail ration (bar Ramiro). Verglas can be considered to have had the full 8 hours' rest. And don't forget, that's 24 hours of healing time, so Verglas and Roland reduce their penalties to stats by 1, they are starting to get better.

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" As the morning dawns Njal makes sure to tend the fire and brew strong cups of dwarven tea, offering a smile to Roland he pats the crusader on the shoulders. "Let youreslef grieve fer the loss friend. Whether it be real or by fey spell it'll still sting ye'". As they ready he looks at the freezing weather ad motions his dog closer. Muttering a prayer to the mountains he protects himself from the cold, the enchantments washing over Gromrir as well. He then pulls out the willow wand and taps Stormrir gently. "Aye lads, anyone else need some extra protection from the cold, it'll be getting bitter today. OOC Cast endure elements and sharing with companion and using the wand on the horse. Offering it around to anyone else? With the tent packed up and riding Stormrir he blew gently through his rime crusted beard, feeling the cold even with the thick furs and the protection against cold. "Aye well, no we be back on track. Should reach the old fortification by noon. If the lass ain't there what do we be doing next? Be a sorry tale when we return to the town aye?" Glancing at the freezing clouds it was clear Njal wasn't holding out many hopes for the girl's survival.

[Toliudar]

Verglas

Verglas wakes refreshed, if by refreshed you mean sick and digging the last of the food out of her pack.

Clearly, something weird happened among the boys last night, but Verglas was not tempted to ask. What happens on the glacier, stays on the glacier.

"We've done our best to follow where she went, and find her After all we're four, and reasonably well equipped, and we have Njal, who at least understands survival under these conditions because I wouldn't have survived without all of you So I say we get to the fort and focus on our own survival I'd rather face the wrath of a grieving father than a floundering week in this storm."

Subdued though her tone is, Verglas' voice has no self-pity or anger in it. It is, for her, simply a statement of reality.

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda finds the air unreasonably cold outside his sleeping bag, even with the loaned furs. He keeps his internal complaints to himself.
We are not far from proper shelter, I can tough it out until then.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Fort save against first hour (1d20+13)[26]
Nonlethal dmg if needed (1d6)[3]

[Toliudar]

Verglas has protection from the weather for herself and one other. Unless there are other arrangements to be made, she once again protects the horse she rode in on.