Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

[jss1701]

Griss isn't fond of bees, but thinks hearing what this beekeeper has to say could be valuable. He will go along.

[Kvard51]

”Oh! Bees sound interesting.” Drina’s tone almost makes it seem she is clapping her hands in glee. “And deceitful Sarenrites! I absolutely must go with you, Griss.”, she gushes, falling in beside the Catfolk.

[lostsole31]

Beecekeeping Expedition (Amanu, Drina, Griss)

Spoiler: Amanu, Drina, Griss

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The trio exits the Temple of Erastil (11). The next building house south (12) has a sign with a saw and a sawhorse. Across the street (8) is the livery stable where Drina currently has her horse stabled next to the Silver Stoat (7). You turn north, with Ionia Teppen's house (10) on the right; Town Square and the statue of the lady in the center (9); Town Hall (4) across the street; and, diagonally across the square (3) is a sign denoting the General Store.

The party heads west on the road from Town Square, passing a smithy (2); the red-and-white pole of a barber (6), and passing a well-tended garden in front of a building that shows some a willow tree above a mortar and pestle (5). Finally, a dirt path winds its way up a low hill west of town to the single door of this square stone tower (1). The tower is 30 feet high, with battlements on its roof and arrow slits along its walls.

This is actually the way that Amanu had come into town, having come from the northern road before it heads east into Heldren. And as before, Amanu will hear bees, but not necessarily as strong or as loud as before, coming from a footpath that heads north. This is the footpath that Councilor Teppen told you leads to the beekeeper.

What do each of you have in hand? Are you taking some type of "combat" precaution or are you just strolling along the road?

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Whaddup, Yulngblood? (Isolde, Minh, Tenzei)

Spoiler: Isolde, Minh, Tenzei

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The trio-plus-crone exits the Temple of Erastil (11). The next building house south (12) has a sign with a saw and a sawhorse. Across the street (8) is the livery stable where Drina currently has her horse stabled next to the Silver Stoat (7). If you look north, you have Ionia Teppen's house (10) on the right; Town Square and the statue of the lady in the center (9); Town Hall (4) across the street; and, diagonally across the square (3) is a sign denoting the General Store.

The party heads west on the road from Town Square, passing a smithy (2); the red-and-white pole of a barber (6), and passing a well-tended garden in front of a building that shows some a willow tree above a mortar and pestle (5). This last place is where Soothsayer Old Mother Theodora takes you, the Willowbark Apothecary. [Read the Discord writeup on this place, as you'll learn these things while here.]

An elf comes out to greet the soothsayer, as if they were very old acquaintances, but she is otherwise rather reserved. She knows why you're here, and she doesn't say much, allowing Old Mother Theodora to introduce her as Tessarea Willowbark.

You are brought into the side room where a middle-aged man, currently awake but resting in a cot, is convalescing. He looks like he has been through quite an ordeal (as his picture will show).

Okay, who wants to chat first?

[Toptomcat]

Spoiler: Yuln Oerstag >>> Minh, Isolde, Tenzei

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Minh
The nagaji has to stoop slightly to get under the doorframe, and he nods at the man as the intrusion rouses him from half-slumber.

"Good morning."

He looks at the Ulfen fellow for a moment, the dramatic differences between his face and that of a typical humanoid's making his expression somewhat difficult to read.

"Hmmm. That's a good job's been done on your wounds. Clean linen, well folded and comfortably tied- and from what I can see of the shallow one on the cheek, the cuts are well cleaned. My compliments to Miss Willowbark.

We're here to kill what did that to you and find out why they're here. And, ideally, keep them from threatening the town and rescue your charge.

Bandits and ice creatures working together, I hear?"

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: Yuln Oerstag >>> Minh, Isolde, Tenzei

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Yuln ginger waves the three PCs closer, as his voice doesn't have much power to it.

“Would that I could go with you,” he says. “My ancestors would ridicule my lack of valor for fleeing rather than fighting to the end. But I faced enemies that even the greatest warriors in the Linnorm Kingdoms have faltered against, though I think I slew at least one of them before they dragged Lady Argentea away.

“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 quickly. My people speak of the winter-touched all the time, but I never expected to meet them this far south.”

[Kvard51]

Spoiler: Drina

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Drina strolls along the path, taking in the sights along the way. She points out the buildings, gesturing with empty hands as she describes the function of each for her companions.

[Denomar]

Spoiler: Tenzei: Speaking to Yuln

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"There is a saying amongst my people." Tenzei's voice is soft and his eyes downcast in remembrance. "Serve like General Kzo and your valor will be for nothing."

The insides of the room were pleasantly warm with the small group gathered together.

"They say that General Kzo was defending a pass in a fortification in the southern provinces when it came under attack by the enemy. Kzo knew that the armies of the great warlord Daoshan Hei were encamped one hours ride to the north, but he was proud and said 'These walls may not be breached while I command them, even by my own troops.' and the enemy laid siege. Daoshan Hei marched further north with no word of the event and General Kzo was too proud to leave his walls. His soldiers starved and the great general was taken prisoner, forced to either die or feast upon the men he had commanded to their deaths."

Tenzei's face is full of compassion as he lay a hand upon Yuln's shoulder. "You're valor means something because we now have the opportunity to find and rescue your lady."

[Ostoril]

Spoiler: Amanu

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Amanu walks with his musket in hand, alternating between resting it against his shoulder and more casually resting both arms on it as it passes across his shoulders behind his neck. He keeps his focus on his surroundings looking for trouble, but is clearly not expecting any as he offers idle conversation to his companions.

[doko239]

Spoiler: Isolde speaking to Yuln

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Isolde rolls her eyes at Tenzei's story.

"Yes, yes, you're very brave. More importantly, you're very not dead. That makes you useful, which is more than can be said for your colleagues."

Isolde leans in closer to the injured Ulfen and speaks firmly but not unkindly.

"Tell me what attacked you, where, and when. Spare no details, but waste no time. This is too important to be mistaken."

Spoiler: OOC

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There is a possibility, with this guy being an Ulfen from the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, that he will recognize Isolde as a Winter Witch, a Jadwiga, or both. Isolde will be watching his face for reactions, and if he appears to recognize her and/or try to tell the others about her, she will try to shut him up with a wordless glare (presumably an intimidate check).

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: Yuln >>> Isolde, Tenzei, Minh

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Yuln doesn't seem to react to Isolde's looks. "I told you, the 'winter-touched' is what I heard them called in stories. Fey creatures who have sworn themselves to the White Witches of Irrisen, those who stole our lands from us during the Winter War. Tiny sprites no taller than the length of a man’s forearm. But don’t be fooled by their small stature. Legends say they have taken a sliver of ice into their hearts, and their touch bears the harsh bite of winter.

"But they were small and fast and more detail than that I cannot remember."

[jss1701]

Spoiler

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Griss is walking along normally, nothing in-hand.

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: Group B(ee) - Drina, Griss, Amanu

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As you trace along the footpath, you will come to where the path all but disappears. You will see plenty of bees flying around, pollinating the normal, flowering summerweeds. the bees stay well away from Amanu, and Griss might have a bee or two curious near him, but Drina - with her bright colors - is all but under siege and has to be very careful.

They will see the so-called "bee yard" with about 12 colony boxes spread out over a small field. There is a ramshacked shackle, er, a ramshackle shack.

[jss1701]

Spoiler

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Griss is not entirely comfortable with all these bees, but he is interested. "Mmmm, honey!"

[Ostoril]

Spoiler: Amanu

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Amanu makes his way towards the shack, keeping an eye out for anything unusual.

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: Amanu, Drina, Griss

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While there are plenty of bees about as this is a bee yard, it's nothing like what one might expect, and definitely isn't as loud as Amanu would think given he heard the bee yard from well off yesterday evening. That's an easy one for Amanu to figure now, though. Bees are diurnal creatures, primarily, and spend their day afield pollinating and collecting nectar, and then congregate at their hive(s) in the evening ... so what he heard yestereve was a more dense population at home after a day in the fields.

Everyone hears a voice, almost as if it is spoken in both of your ears simultaneously at once. While the day population of bees creates a background hum, it is as if this voice cuts through that .... and hearing it in both ears simultaneously disorienting. The voice is vaguely feminine and you hear but one word.

"Why?"

[jss1701]

Spoiler

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Griss reflexively asks "Why what?", unsure who he is even asking.

[Ostoril]

Spoiler: Amanu

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Hearing the voice, Amanu opens his mouth to speak, but closes it as his companion Griss speaks his question. Amanu continues his pace towards the shack, sliding his musket into a more readied position, though keeping sure to not point it at anything but the ground a ways off to the side.

[Kvard51]

Spoiler: Drina

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Drina gives a small start when the voice cuts into her thoughts. Glancing around quickly, she focuses back on the cottage and considers what spells she has available.

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: Amanu, Griss, Drina

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With only Amanu moving forward immediately, a figure suddenly appears behind Amanu. Amanu doesn't seem to notice (because he doesn't), but the figure ... while completely quiet, isn't hidden from Drina and Griss.

The creature is humanoid and almost pitch black but for a reflective quality to whatever is on the outside of its .... skin/ armor/ suit/ whatever. It turns around to look at Drina and Griss, and there is no face. NOTHING! Pure reflective blackness. It puts up a hand with finger to the place where you see no mouth, as if to say, "Shhh!" before turning around to "ape" Amanu's movements going forward in exaggerated and comical effect.

Amanu continues to the shack (because he doesn't notice anything amiss).

Grina and Driss, er, Nidra and Sidra, her, Griss and Drina .... what do you do?

[jss1701]

Spoiler

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As long as the figure seems nonhostile, Griss will play along, but he will keep a suspicious eye on it.

[doko239]

Spoiler: Isolde to Yuln

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Isolde expression turns impatient.

"You must know more than this. How many were there? Who was with them? Did they seem to be acting on their own, or were they more organized?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Attempt a Knowledge check to figure out what kind of creatures Yuln is talking about.

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: Yuln >>> Isolde (and Tenzei & Minh)

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With shame at his cowardice, Yuln admits, "That ... is all I remember. Had I tarried to remain, I would not be here to tell you of this."

Spoiler: Isolde

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Every little fey creature, ever. Not enough information. However, you have never heard of the "winter-touched," so that's new.

[Denomar]

Spoiler: Tenzei to Isolde

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"I believe," says Tenzei, "That this man has no reason to lie to us. The situation was doubtless confusing as most melees are sure to be. Let us not aggravate him. Keeping his humors stable will lead to a quicker recovery. It is our own response we must think of now."

He looks at his new companions as if to eagerly ask 'what's next,' but can't quite make that hurdle. Instead he reaches out a hand and places it briefly on Isolde's shoulder. There is a moment between them briefer than instants where in their minds eye a vast, spiraling serpent of golden flames curls it inconceivably vast tail around the two of them before the moment is gone.

"Leave no room for doubt. I shall protect you." Connected now in a way that is more intimate than a caress but stranger than friendship Tenzei manages a true smile in the witch's direction.

Spoiler: for dm and isolde. A standard action.

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Isolde has proven herself to be willful and proactive so she has placed herself solidly as master material in Tenzei's mind. Thus he uses a standard action to enact the Life Link revelation from his life mystery. Unless she moves more than 130 feet away from Tenzei (or if either of us dies) if she has taken at least five points of damage, than at the beginning of Tenzei's turn she will Automatically Heal for five points of damage and Tenzei will Take five points of damage.

[doko239]

Spoiler: Isolde to Tenzei

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Spoiler: Tenzei to Isolde

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"I believe," says Tenzei, "That this man has no reason to lie to us. The situation was doubtless confusing as most melees are sure to be. Let us not aggravate him. Keeping his humors stable will lead to a quicker recovery. It is our own response we must think of now."

He looks at his new companions as if to eagerly ask 'what's next,' but can't quite make that hurdle. Instead he reaches out a hand and places it briefly on Isolde's shoulder. There is a moment between them briefer than instants where in their minds eye a vast, spiraling serpent of golden flames curls it inconceivably vast tail around the two of them before the moment is gone.

"Leave no room for doubt. I shall protect you." Connected now in a way that is more intimate than a caress but stranger than friendship Tenzei manages a true smile in the witch's direction.

Spoiler: for dm and isolde. A standard action.

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Isolde has proven herself to be willful and proactive so she has placed herself solidly as master material in Tenzei's mind. Thus he uses a standard action to enact the Life Link revelation from his life mystery. Unless she moves more than 130 feet away from Tenzei (or if either of us dies) if she has taken at least five points of damage, than at the beginning of Tenzei's turn she will Automatically Heal for five points of damage and Tenzei will Take five points of damage.

Isolde angrily shrugs off Tenzei's hand and glares at him. "What makes you think I need your protection?" she snaps at him.

Turning back to Yuln, she shakes her head in obvious disappointment and frustration. "This was a waste of time, we will have to investigate directly." With one last glance at Yuln's injuries, she storms out of the room.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spellcraft check to determine what Tenzei just did to her.

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: Yuln >>> MINH, Isolde, and Tenzei

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Tenzei, Isolde shrugs you off before you can set up a life link, which ostensibly is for a "willing" person, which Isolde at this time is not. Well, Qi Zhong challenges us, does he not, and in those challenges we find greater sense of self with which to help those needing help.

Isolde, nothing. There was nothing cast or done, because you were unwilling. And it is not a spell, so there is no display of any kind to see. Also, not being a spell, Spellcraft wouldn't work. Please don't try to "target" or "call the shot" ... but simply ask to get a lore check to assess something.

Minh, Yuln points to the large snake man. "You," says Yuln shakily, and then he points to a sword in a scabbard to the side. "Please, take my sword with you. It will help you against the fey. You look like an honorable warrior, and you would help me regain my honor by using my sword."

With that, Yuln slips into unconsciousness.

Minh, do you accept this charge from one of the first people to see you for who you are, and not what you are?

[Kvard51]

Spoiler: Drina >> Apparently to the air, as far as Amanu is concerned.

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Drina smiles at the mockery, "This trip has certainly proven interesting", she says, staring at the skin-tight suit. "Very interesting indeed. But I think it's probably time to make your intentions known a little more clearly. Don't you?""

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: Voice >>> Drina, Amanu, Griss

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The figure disappears from Griss' and Drina's view.

All three of you hear a voice. "You fail to understand who is required to answer to whom when visiting another's home. Or, do you demand this question as it lays because you believe you have force, and therefore you press your right to demand an answer to your question rather than mine because you believe that physical power drives this exchange?"

[Kvard51]

Spoiler: Drina >> the Voice

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Drina responds, "Not at all. I found your game amusing but wanted to be sure it was only that. I did not realize this was your home. But, since it is, you are who we are here to meet."

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: I See A Voice! (Amanu, Drina, Griss)

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A creature as described before (well, to the only two at the time that could see it) opens the shack door and steps out. This creature is humanoid in shape, and even in general form, but that is where that ends. For this humanoid appears to be unfinished. It ... she, if they identify with their particular shape and the timbre of their voice ... is quite tall at 6' 3" and of lean but sturdy musculature, or at least the shape of it, it is hard to tell. Her skin ... of which more shows than any of your are comfortable ... is pitch black, and yet semi-reflective of light. Not like a mirror, but definitely not a "matte" black.

She has no face. She has only a head that is perfectly smooth that has no eyes, brow, noise, mouth, ears, hair ... or anything else which gives function to the externals of a face. However, there are several markings where one would have a left eye ... if they had a left eye. These markings area a faintly orange-bordered magenta above where the eye would be, and an orange or burnt ochre below where the eye would be.

The only covering clothing she wears is a bikini bottom, but that bottom must include an internal cinching strap to hug solidly, for on both sides of these bottoms are pouches.

The only other item of note is a necklace she wears that has a honeycomb, as if a self-styled badge of office.

She raises her right hand to show she has nothing in it, and her left is relaxed at her side. Again, that voice in both of your ears, and you now know if you didn't before that she is not speaking, for she has no mouth. But rather, it is some type of telepathy.

<"Well, why didn't you say so? But you do look quite dangerous, one and all. I thought you were some type of trophy hunters, and I would have to gently dissuade you of your choice of occupation.">

[Ostoril]

Spoiler: Amanu

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Amanu halts and looks at the being. He then relaxes his grip on his weapon and bows his head. "Forgive me, I am a foreigner in these lands and I apologize for any misconduct. I am Amanu, and I believed it appropriate to" he pauses for a brief moment, "knock on your door to announce my presence." He tentatively extends his hand in greeting unsure if he is making another mistake. "I am a hunter, but not of trophies. I seek to punish those who would spoil the beauty of nature and upset the natural balance. That is why we have come to see you, and see your wisdom. Miss?"