The Cold World

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Waiting for Ramiro Njal glances about and asks if the others are okay. "Ye be okay?" before he tends the animals of all them, a rough hand stroking the flanks and neck of Stormrir as he rubs down the heavy looking horse.

Spoiler: OOC

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Njal "Stormcaller"
M NG Dwarf (Glacier Dwarf) Druid, Level 5, Init -5, HP 20 / 41, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 2, Will 7, Base Attack Bonus 3
+2 trip MW Tigerskull Club (Lesser Crystal of Fiery Assault) +7 (1d8+3 [+1d6 FIRE], x4)
Quaterstaff +6 (1d6+3, x2)
Darts / Sling (10 / 20 ) +4 (1d4+3 / 1d4+3 , x2)
Dragonhide (White) Breastplate, Heavy Wooden Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6
Condition +1 hit Greenskins, +4 Dodge vs Giants, +2 vs Spells/Poison, +2 vs Cold, +4 vs Fey


Stormrir
30 / 30 hp (4HD) Init +1 Speed 50 ft Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2
AC 17 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural +3 AC), touch 10, flat-footed 16
BAB/Grapple +3/+11
Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d4+2)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Skills/feats: Listen +5, Spot +4 / Endurance, Run
Equipment: Military saddle, Saddle bags, Std'Leather Barding

Gromnir (Wintery Huskie) - Level 5 companion
29 hp (4HD) Init +3 Speed 40 ft Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
AC 22 (+3 Dex, +6 natural +3 armour), touch 12, flat-footed 19
BAB/Grapple +3/+6
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d8+4 + Trip (+3))
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Jump +9, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +4, Survival +2/6*
Feats: Alertness, Track, Improved Natural attack (bite) / Link, Share spells, Evasion
Equipment: MW Std Leather barding

[Saintheart]

Day 9, Alkukevaasta (Early Spring)
The hills south of Hardwalker Hall
Afternoon, 1537


Complication Pool: 5 of 6

The time wore on, and eventually - and surprisingly - both Ramiro and the rest of the party lit a fire, the plumes of smoke going up into the afternoon air; both were visible to one another.

Spoiler: OOC

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Sorry about the delays there. I will presume that the party goes looking for Ramiro and finds him with Mule, safe and sound. So the next question is what the party does next: camp and wait until tomorrow, head back to town, or keep looking for the route to Luhanja? Looking for the trail will take the Complication Pool up to 6 of 6, while travel or camping will give you a few hours before we see whether trouble strikes. What do you do?

[Metastachydium]

As the party finally happened upon the waiting swordsage, Gerlin offered the man a bright, grateful smile and nod before trotting over to her own wayward companion to throw her arms around the neck of the not-quite-horse. You big, dumb, cowardly thing! she told Mule cheerfully. You're not going to do that every half a mile along, are you? the illumian admonished the animal, before turning towards the others quite apologetically. Sorry for arresting our progress like that and thank you all for bearing with us two. I… Don't think I could do very well without this big scared rabbit doing the heavy lifting for me. she explained. She would have to ask Njal to help her train some sense into Mule; but that was something for another day, perhaps. Do you think we have enough light to carry on?

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda
What do you think Njal? Should we begin looking for a place to hole up, or will a few more miles be doable?

[Cygnia]

The children's mood seemed to have lightened up a little when they saw that Mule was all right -- something Kaelan was relieved to see. While she wouldn't object to resting, if, by some hope, Njal was able to find the trail again, Kaelan also would feel a lot safer if they knew they were on the right track before making camp.

Not to mention, getting away from this torn-asundered spot. If those thugs were foolish enough to be following them, Kaelan prayed that seeing this mess of earth and rock would hopefully turn them away.

It was times like this that Kaelan wished she was stronger in her faith to be granted some of the more powerful divinations (a blessing known simply as Find the Path was rumoured to be quite helpful for caravans). Still, she would yield to the majority.

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" As they rejoin Ramiro then Njal will embrace the wiry man, "Be good to see you. Ye be a welcome site after driving that nasty beasty away." At the question he nods and mounts up Stormrir and trots up towards the nearest rise to have a look over the area. "Give me a wee look, I'l see what the clouds and terrain say, but if it don't look good we have fire and tents here and can rest and recuperate af'er that boulder beast."

Spoiler: OOC

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Survival for weather / looking around the area (1d20+12)[15]
And Survival (1d20+12)[19] to build a shelter


Njal "Stormcaller"
M NG Dwarf (Glacier Dwarf) Druid, Level 5, Init -5, HP 20 / 41, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 2, Will 7, Base Attack Bonus 3
+2 trip MW Tigerskull Club (Lesser Crystal of Fiery Assault) +7 (1d8+3 [+1d6 FIRE], x4)
Quaterstaff +6 (1d6+3, x2)
Darts / Sling (10 / 20 ) +4 (1d4+3 / 1d4+3 , x2)
Dragonhide (White) Breastplate, Heavy Wooden Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6
Condition +1 hit Greenskins, +4 Dodge vs Giants, +2 vs Spells/Poison, +2 vs Cold, +4 vs Fey


Stormrir
30 / 30 hp (4HD) Init +1 Speed 50 ft Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2
AC 17 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural +3 AC), touch 10, flat-footed 16
BAB/Grapple +3/+11
Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d4+2)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Skills/feats: Listen +5, Spot +4 / Endurance, Run
Equipment: Military saddle, Saddle bags, Std'Leather Barding

Gromnir (Wintery Huskie) - Level 5 companion
29 hp (4HD) Init +3 Speed 40 ft Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
AC 22 (+3 Dex, +6 natural +3 armour), touch 12, flat-footed 19
BAB/Grapple +3/+6
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d8+4 + Trip (+3))
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Jump +9, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +4, Survival +2/6*
Feats: Alertness, Track, Improved Natural attack (bite) / Link, Share spells, Evasion
Equipment: MW Std Leather barding

[Saintheart]

Day 9, Alkukevaasta (Early Spring)
The hills south of Hardwalker Hall
Afternoon, 1537

Complication Pool: 5 of 6

Njal's inspection of the surrounds was straightforward. Although the avalanche had done major damage to the road, they had at least a few hours of clear-ish weather to return to the site of the avalanche and continue searching for where they might pick up the road to Luhanja again. He was also fairly confident that the avalancher wouldn't return. Whether something else might happen by was open to question; things tended to be drawn by conflict and noise, and there were more worrisome things than avalanchers the deeper they got into the Sininen Seina Ridge. Although it was only the afternoon, he could see a reasonably sheltered spot amid a small copse of weatherbeaten pines off to the left. That would do well as a windbreak and a sort of incidental camouflage if anything from the air was passing at speed. The question came down to whether they wanted to spend more time out on the trail than was really necessary.

The children, meanwhile, had indeed calmed down considerably now that Mule was back among their number, and they watched quietly as the dwarf set about his tasks.
"Is he a man of the mountains?" asked Jakki, pointing at the dwarf. "There was once a dwarf who came to the Lady's castle. They admitted him like he was some sort of king. They didn't tell us much about him other than that he was a man of the mountains, or at least that's what I think they called him."

Spoiler: OOC

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Apologies for the delays, guys, RL got on top for a while.

Put it this way, more searching for the road to Luhanja is possible while there's still light, but it'll advance and trip the Complication Pool. On the other hand, hanging around in these mountains isn't exactly hospitable either, and as Kaelen noted, there's always the possibility that you're being followed, maybe. What do you do?

[Saintheart]

Day 9, Alkukevaasta (Early Spring)
The hills south of Hardwalker Hall
Afternoon, 1537

Complication Pool: 5 of 6

Spoiler: Kaelen and Gerlin

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Man of the Mountains was a phrase that both of them had heard in their studies (and, in some cases, their travels.) Njal would likely also be aware of its significance had he heard it.

'Man of the Mountains' was the Common rendering of the phrase, Dighasz Hurduniir, from dwarven. It referred to a dwarven wanderer, one of a select few, maybe of whom there were only ten throughout the known world. Such dwarves were ... champions? Paragons? Leaders? ... of their people, dwarves who had no clan or family but who sought to perfect their knowledge of their chosen arts in solitude in the deepest mountains and mines of the world. Some were miners; others craftsmen; others builders; a rare few, caretakers of the natural world. The Dighasz Hurduniir were thought ancient; some supposedly dated their birth year to the decade before the Rebellion, fifteen hundred years ago. And such dwarves did not travel through places idly; rarer still did they come to civilisation themselves, dealing mostly through dwarven factors or agents who were themselves as aloof and mysterious as the Dighasz Hurduniir themselves.

It was intriguing, then, that a Man of the Mountains should even be rumoured to pass through a settlement, much less a minor one like Luhanja.

Spoiler: OOC

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What do you do?

[Metastachydium]

A Man of the Mountains? Passing through Luhanja, of all places? Well, that was one more reason to look forward to the end of this road, and an intriguing one at that. Still, presently Gerlin merely tilted her head somewhat and offered the little ones a tinkling, amused laughter. Master Njal is not that old, nor is he proudly clanless. she assured the children. Indeed, he's a real Hardwalker! she nodded emphatically. Which is something in itself. I don't know that many up here get closer to kingship than that. the illumian explained, still smiling. And just as well: he's a good man.

[Saintheart]

Day 10, Alkukevaasta (Early Spring)
The hills south of Hardwalker Hall
Dawn, 1537

Complication Pool: 6 of 6

They managed to get the shelter and the sheets up into a reasonable sort of shelter for Mule, and Njal's skill with woodcraft and his feel for the snow, the rock, and the passage of light and darkness operated suitably to conceal their presence. The wild moaned softly against the canvas in the darkness, interspersed by an occasional patter of snow against the tent. They kept watches, but nothing assailed them, and indeed they didn't spot anybody in the immediate vicinity.

Morning came with no change in the weather; from the feel of the cold on his skin, it looked as though they'd be back to the same discipline as they had the previous day - cold weather gear or a natural hardiness against the temperature would be enough to keep them going.

But then there was the problem of the children.

There was nothing the party could have done. The effect was clear enough and came without warning. The party was woken by the boy, Kal's screams. Jakki was reaching out aimlessly with her hands, eyes wide but seemingly looking at nothing, tears streaming down her face, and the boy was curled up, rubbing at his eyes. "I can't see!" Kal was crying, over and over.

Spoiler: Kaelen

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Even woken from rest, and with only moments to try to understand the situation, with piteous cries in her ears, Kaelen knew what was happening. The children were both blind. No magic here; and nothing that her memory revealed could have been done to this point. The Blinding Sickness, as it was called, took days to incubate, and came from drinking tainted water. Which presumably must have happened before the children had come into her care. The sickness was terrifying, but having struck, at least now could be treated ... although not completely. Both children would be blind until they could be treated and their little bodies given enough assistance to throw off the miserable condition. The condition was familiar, and Kaelen knew disease's course and conventional treatment well enough; with the basic equipment she had, and without looking for anything in the surrounding environment, she was all but certain she could cure the sickness with a good two days' worth of care, so long as the children got that amount of bed rest. If they chose to press on without dealing with that, both children's conditions would surely worsen - both in the weakening of their little bodies and - if the disease sapped enough of their strength in one surge - the children becoming permanently blind. Of course, the Mother had blessings to deal with that, but Kaelen would have to take time to seek the goddess's aid to deal with it.

Spoiler: Gerlin and Ramiro

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The two of them had enough familiarity with horrible bugs to realise this was likely a stroke of bad luck named Blinding Sickness ... but at the same time, neither of them had a great deal of skill to treat it, either.

Spoiler: Njal

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Njal had no idea what was happening with the children, although if it was some sort of disease, the Spirits did sometimes grant a boon to allow him to remove such things.

Spoiler: OOC

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What do you do?

Kaelen knows pretty much straight away what's going on with the children, and how to treat the condition they've got. As a recap, they've got Blinding Sickness, which hits once per day for 1d4 Str damage on a failed Fort save and afflicts a character until he makes 2 successful Fort saves or Remove Disease is cast on him. Use of the Heal skill by Kaelen guarantees they'll make 2 saves in a row over 2 days since her Heal check is +14 and it's something to which a take 10 roll can be applied. But curing their conditions that way of course locks you more or less in place here since allowing a Heal check like this requires 8 hours of care, and the disease isn't gone until 2 consecutive saves are made. The children are currently blind and have taken 1 Str damage at least from their first failed save.

There might be something in the surrounding environment which could help that process - Kaelen knows enough about the disease to know it's possible there may be herbs around that can accelerate the healing process for the condition - but that would require Kaelen and/or the party to go searching for such herbs in the vicinity, which has its own potential hazards.

And of course Blinding Sickness has a nasty twist to it: if a character takes 2 Str damage on a failed save (2 Str on one failed save, not cumulative damage) then the blindness becomes permanent.

There are, of course, magic solutions to this. Remove Disease would cure the condition, and Njal and Kaelen can both cast it. Problem being you don't have a lot of level 3 spell slots and I am assuming you didn't change your loadouts since yesterday, so you won't be able to cast the spells until tomorrow (morning 11 Alkukevaasta) if you want to do that. If by some chance the kids go permanently blind, Remove Blindness is also a level 3 spell. Casting Remove Blindness alone will restore their sight, but unless you've removed the disease it'll just come back the next day. Pretty much guaranteed these two will fail any Fort save coming their way, they're small children who don't have the literal constitutions to fight off a condition like this unassisted.

The consideration being, of course, that you might or might not want to spend more time hanging around out here in the wilderness. Though trying to search for the road to Luhanja as well as try to guide two blind and frightened children isn't going to be easy either.

Over to you.

[Cygnia]

O Mother, guide Your servant in this time of need... Kaelan hoped (as much as anyone could hope in such a situation) that this infection had been an unfortunate coincidence and not a deliberate infection by the children's kidnappers -- but if it was the latter, she would try to make sure Toggs got his due punishment after she had gotten the children back home safely.

"Blinding Sickness, by the Mother..." The priestess spoke in hushed tones to her fellow adults so as not to panic the children even further. "I can't risk them moving right now. While there might be herbs or plants to help treat them in this area, it's probably less dangerous to spend one more day at camp and I can pray for Remove Disease to aid them..."

[Metastachydium]

I was kind of worried you'll say that. Gerlin nodded, twice and almost comically solemn. If you can find the right herbs, I should be able to prepare them in whatever way; I kind of studied that. For reasons. she tugged at her green braid, for the most part instinctively, before shifting away from the huddle and over to the children, to crouch down by them and lay a small, cold but firm hand each on their arms, apparently oblivious to how her encouraging smile was bound to get lost on the little humans. It's alright. she stated with bright confidence, realizing a bit late what she just said. Well, I mean it's not alright. Right now. But it can be undone. We'll sort this out, you know that, right?

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Njal had taken his time on watch and stared into the night mulling over another dwarf in the settlement. He wondered if that one was also clanless such as him. The thoughts had pursued him into his sleeping mat for a fitful nights sleep In the morning the commotion with the children had disturbed him but he nodded as the others described the problem. “Ye poor wee things. Calm now, here hold tae tye wolf till I get back.” He looked at the others sadly as he shuffled a bit further away. "I cannae help them today, in the morrow I can. Shall we sling 'em up on Stormirr's back fer the day and try and make some progress. Be slow aye, but anything be better than nothing."

Spoiler: OOC

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At morning rejig if spells use both level 3 slots for Remove disease and then cast on the children

Njal "Stormcaller"
M NG Dwarf (Glacier Dwarf) Druid, Level 5, Init -5, HP 20 / 41, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 2, Will 7, Base Attack Bonus 3
+2 trip MW Tigerskull Club (Lesser Crystal of Fiery Assault) +7 (1d8+3 [+1d6 FIRE], x4)
Quaterstaff +6 (1d6+3, x2)
Darts / Sling (10 / 20 ) +4 (1d4+3 / 1d4+3 , x2)
Dragonhide (White) Breastplate, Heavy Wooden Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6
Condition +1 hit Greenskins, +4 Dodge vs Giants, +2 vs Spells/Poison, +2 vs Cold, +4 vs Fey


Stormrir
30 / 30 hp (4HD) Init +1 Speed 50 ft Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2
AC 17 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural +3 AC), touch 10, flat-footed 16
BAB/Grapple +3/+11
Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d4+2)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Skills/feats: Listen +5, Spot +4 / Endurance, Run
Equipment: Military saddle, Saddle bags, Std'Leather Barding

Gromnir (Wintery Huskie) - Level 5 companion
29 hp (4HD) Init +3 Speed 40 ft Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
AC 22 (+3 Dex, +6 natural +3 armour), touch 12, flat-footed 19
BAB/Grapple +3/+6
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d8+4 + Trip (+3))
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Jump +9, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +4, Survival +2/6*
Feats: Alertness, Track, Improved Natural attack (bite) / Link, Share spells, Evasion
Equipment: MW Std Leather barding

[Novabomb]

Ramiro Sanda
I suppose we will not be covering any ground today then. I will fetch some firewood.

[Metastachydium]

Still holding onto the children, as comfortingly as she could, Gerlin half-turned her head towards the man of fire. Do you need help with that or something? she asked, very seriously, but trying to keep her voice almost as cheery as it normally was for the kids' benefit. Losing the light, even if only for some time must have been awful; signalling to them that all else was in good order was the least she could do.

[Cygnia]

Kaelan went over to the children and carefully, ever so gently held their hands. "This will not be permanent, I swear to you, By the Mother's grace, your eyes can be treated safely come tomorrow." Between her Goddess and Njal's Wild Man, surely, this disease could be cured. "But I need to ask you both -- do you wish to stay here at this camp for one more day? Or, if you so choose, we can strap you to Njal's horse while he tries to find the trail again and make some progress back to your home. We would be moving slowly -- and myself or Gerlin would be by your sides at all times."

The priestess would feel more comfortable staying here at camp for one more day -- but she wanted the children's wishes to be heard.

[Metastachydium]

Otherwise I could as well just stay around the little ones. Gerlin continued to drone on innocently in the background. There's this trick that can help the body stay, I don't know, resilient, I learned it in Chalice…

Spoiler: OOC

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I just realized Gerlin has Ironheart Aura, so should the children have further saves to make, the +2 morale to those from her being adjacent vould be of help. If I'm correct in assuming that no matter how convincingly she pretends to bite them, they won't be considered food enough for Purify Food and Drink to help, I'm afraid she can't do much else. Maybe if we could get the dog involved…

[Saintheart]

Day 10, Alkukevaasta (Early Spring)
The hills south of Hardwalker Hall
Dawn, 1537

Complication Pool: 6 of 6

Kaelen and Gerlin's ministrations at least calmed the two children somewhat. The little boy was still sniffling, and said "I want to go home," when asked, but Jakki looked a little calmer and thoughtful even with streaks of dirt from tears down her face.
"We can stay," she said. "I'm scared, but we can stay. If you want. I really want to go home tomorrow though."

Spoiler: OOC

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What do you do?

Sorry, that was a small, cheap post, but shortly after this is sorted we'll get to the day's activities and see what happens ... if anything ...

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Listening to the children Njal pauses and nods to the others. "Aye, ye may be right as e looks instead of the small copse of trees were they had camped. "I'll see to the camp. Make it wee bit nicer eh.." He says. He'll then busy around whilst the others look after the children making the camp a little more secure with snow shaped walls and other things to help them settle in for the day whilst they rest up

Spoiler: OOC

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Survival (1d20+15)[28]

Njal "Stormcaller"
M NG Dwarf (Glacier Dwarf) Druid, Level 5, Init -5, HP 20 / 41, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 2, Will 7, Base Attack Bonus 3
+2 trip MW Tigerskull Club (Lesser Crystal of Fiery Assault) +7 (1d8+3 [+1d6 FIRE], x4)
Quaterstaff +6 (1d6+3, x2)
Darts / Sling (10 / 20 ) +4 (1d4+3 / 1d4+3 , x2)
Dragonhide (White) Breastplate, Heavy Wooden Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6
Condition +1 hit Greenskins, +4 Dodge vs Giants, +2 vs Spells/Poison, +2 vs Cold, +4 vs Fey


Stormrir
30 / 30 hp (4HD) Init +1 Speed 50 ft Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2
AC 17 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural +3 AC), touch 10, flat-footed 16
BAB/Grapple +3/+11
Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d4+2)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Skills/feats: Listen +5, Spot +4 / Endurance, Run
Equipment: Military saddle, Saddle bags, Std'Leather Barding

Gromnir (Wintery Huskie) - Level 5 companion
29 hp (4HD) Init +3 Speed 40 ft Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
AC 22 (+3 Dex, +6 natural +3 armour), touch 12, flat-footed 19
BAB/Grapple +3/+6
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d8+4 + Trip (+3))
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Jump +9, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +4, Survival +2/6*
Feats: Alertness, Track, Improved Natural attack (bite) / Link, Share spells, Evasion
Equipment: MW Std Leather barding

[Saintheart]

Day 10, Alkukevaasta (Early Spring)
The hills south of Hardwalker Hall
Around midday, 1537

Complication Pool: 3 of 6

Settling in for the day, the companions set about their various tasks. The children were calmed and rested in the tent with Kaelen and Gerlin around to see to their needs, and it only took an hour or so for Ramiro to have assembled enough firewood to easily see them through the rest of the day. Njal also headed out to search for the trail to Luhanja, and in a stroke of luck he actually came across it but a few minutes after starting to look. The avalancher hadn't returned, but the course of the rockfalls and mudslides had unexpectedly made the ground clear and simple to scan; the earth's spirits sang and led him to a place where, over the trunk of a fallen tree, a scree-scattered trail led deeper into the hills and in the direction where they'd been told Luhanja lay.

So he returned to the camp by midmorning and settled in along with the rest of them. The day's chill sang through the trees, a bitter wind that brought discomfort even if had no snow. There was a distinct smell of pine in the air and Gerlin was fairly sure she could scent a few ronnasblossoms, the grey-white brush that only gave off its perfume from around this time of year, when the few bees in the air would most likely be first out. The sun rose in a clear sky but didn't give much warmth.

It was around midday, while Gerlin and Kaelen were out stretching their legs, with Ramiro, Njal and the two children in the tent, that they both spotted something in that clear sky. It was about 250 feet out, an enormous eagle with what seemed to be thick, glossy feathers accentuating its bulk and physical power. Its wingspan would have to be a good twenty feet or so, and it was up above the treetops, maybe hundred feet off the ground, gliding on the wind out of the northwest, gliding in their direction.

Spoiler: Gerlin

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Gerlin knew from her studies that no normal eagle could get to that size and wingspan. This one was surely what they sometimes called a dire eagle, a larger, more powerful cousin of the lowlands eagles that sometimes cruised the wilds this time of year. Dire eagles were big enough to - and frequently did - fight giant ravens over their territory, and they were certainly big enough to snatch off animals, perhaps even small mounts ... and children.

Maybe it wouldn't spot them, this far out; even though they'd done what they could to camouflage the site, dire eagles had exceptionally good eyesight ...

Spoiler: OOC

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What do you do? Knowledge rolls are taken into account already.

[Cygnia]

"We need to warn the others..." whispered Kaelan with urgency. Though the eagle was magnificent, it was also dangerous to their camp if it out was hunting. Mother, let that beast pass us by!

[Metastachydium]

That's a really big chicken. Gerlin nodded in assent, bemusedly. A dire eagle, I'd say. she added, staring at the bird without moving, even as she made a curious face. Its eyesight should be a lot better than its hearing, actually. she went on. Maybe we should just… it took visible effort for the illumian to keep her hands from making some broad, vague gestures. Call over to the others? To stay inside, and absolutely keep Mule from seeing this? she glanced at Kaelan without turning her head. Oh. And I should put this out. a corner of her mouth twitched as her floating crown of sigils faded out – and the headache faded in.

[Saintheart]

Day 10, Alkukevaasta (Early Spring)
The hills south of Hardwalker Hall
Around midday, 1537

Complication Pool: 3 of 6

The dire eagle kept cruising in their direction. It looked as though its flight path wouldn't take it directly overhead the copse of trees and therefore their campsite, but neither would it completely miss the vicinity either. However, it looked as though the camouflage work they'd done on the camp was working, at least at this distance; the eagle wasn't diving and hadn't screeched in alarm or in commencement of the hunt, so it looked as though it hadn't yet spotted the camp (or Mule, or the two adventurers caught in the campsite) ...

Spoiler: OOC

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Hide check was boosted significantly by the camouflage work you guys did yesterday, and also a +2 from Gerlin and Kaelen being discreet (and putting out Kaelen's sigils.) Whether that remains the case as the eagle gets closer...

What do you do?

[Metastachydium]

Gerlin, largely satisfied with their luck and the apparent success of their efforts so far struggled on through her thrumming head to keep doing her best towards ensuring that this would be the pleasant memory of watching a pretty bird glide through the sky and away from view. Njal? Can you hear me? Um, don't answer that! she called back, keeping her voice relatively low. Could you all just… Stay in the tent for now and keep an eye on Mule? Please?

[Cygnia]

Kaelan fought down every urge to rush back to the tent. If she ran, she would look like prey and endanger the others if the eagle saw her try to hide behind the canvas flap. Instead, the priestess kept herself still. "And keep the children inside -- there's a giant eagle soaring close."

[Metastachydium]

Dire eagle. Gerlin remarked. A perfectly different kind of thing. Which is… Not really important right now. she conceded, mostly to herself, still unmoving. A giant eagle would have been better, nevertheless. Those were much easier to reason with, reportedly. She had never actually seen one, let alone tried to reason with it.

[Saintheart]

Day 10, Alkukevaasta (Early Spring)
The hills south of Hardwalker Hall
Around midday, 1537

Complication Pool: 3 of 6

Njal didn't respond to Kaelen and Gerlin's suggestions, at least not before the dire eagle glided close to the campsite ...








... and glided on, flapping its wings to pick up another updraft and continued on its way. Whether because it hadn't seen any of the party below it, or because the space above the trees in which the tent was pitched was too close to land, the dire eagle presented no further threat to them.

Spoiler: OOC

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And that's 188 XP each for that encounter.

I'll be moving the story on shortly. As in, next time I can sit down.

I'm conscious we've been a bit bogged and I'm going to try to speed up the updates so we actually get somewhere you're all going. In fairness, that might mean an update comes through before everyone has a chance to chip in, but I'd like to get on and offer you more stuff to interact with and actually play with out here in the cold wilds :)

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Njal pops out of the tent susprised to see Kaelin and Gerlin looking so tense. He stomps through the snow and ice towards them. "Ye be reet?" he asks gruffly. "The wee kids are settled down and resting. We want to be hunting or hunker down with some trail rations?". He pauses again, "What be wrong eh?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Apologies all I had unsubscribed so had missed the posts. Apologies for the vanishing


Njal "Stormcaller"
M NG Dwarf (Glacier Dwarf) Druid, Level 5, Init -5, HP 20 / 41, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 2, Will 7, Base Attack Bonus 3
+2 trip MW Tigerskull Club (Lesser Crystal of Fiery Assault) +7 (1d8+3 [+1d6 FIRE], x4)
Quaterstaff +6 (1d6+3, x2)
Darts / Sling (10 / 20 ) +4 (1d4+3 / 1d4+3 , x2)
Dragonhide (White) Breastplate, Heavy Wooden Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6
Condition +1 hit Greenskins, +4 Dodge vs Giants, +2 vs Spells/Poison, +2 vs Cold, +4 vs Fey


Stormrir
30 / 30 hp (4HD) Init +1 Speed 50 ft Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2
AC 17 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural +3 AC), touch 10, flat-footed 16
BAB/Grapple +3/+11
Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d4+2)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Skills/feats: Listen +5, Spot +4 / Endurance, Run
Equipment: Military saddle, Saddle bags, Std'Leather Barding

Gromnir (Wintery Huskie) - Level 5 companion
29 hp (4HD) Init +3 Speed 40 ft Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
AC 22 (+3 Dex, +6 natural +3 armour), touch 12, flat-footed 19
BAB/Grapple +3/+6
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d8+4 + Trip (+3))
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Jump +9, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +4, Survival +2/6*
Feats: Alertness, Track, Improved Natural attack (bite) / Link, Share spells, Evasion
Equipment: MW Std Leather barding

[Saintheart]

Day 11, Alkukevaasta (Early Spring)
The hills south of Hardwalker Hall
Midmorning, 1537

Complication Pool: 5 of 6

The rest of the day had passed without incident, and so too had the night. The next morning, having solicited the goddess and the Spirits for help, Njal and Kaelen lay their hands on the children's eyes, and a moment later were rewarded with smiles and blinking as the Blinding Sickness lifted and the little pale faces got back some of their strength. Better too was that, having found the trail beyond to Luhanja, they were able to pack and set out on time, getting back on course. The trail grew a little less rugged as the morning wore on, even though the path switchbacked further and higher into the hills, the air growing cooler as they did. But even then the weather was kind to them: a little early spring sunlight was on them and they didn't have to concern themselves with additional protection for the children beyond what they already had.

Around midmorning, they'd just reached a dip in the trail, where the path descended into a broad, flat expanse with sickly-green grass. Boulders lay scattered around like the Wild Man's own rock garden, little blue excuses for flowers (Stathigottarn, Gerlin's memory reminded her that their name was) cringing at the base of the stone for shelter against the chold. A wagon loaded heavy with furs and drawn by two very large dray horses was rumbling toward them. There were four humanoids with it. Three of the four were businesslike, in a combination of fur and leather armour, with axes and shields slung. Two were walking alongside the thing. The third rode in the wagon's buck and had the reins. The last of the four was a brown-skinned, thin halfling just under three feet tall, wearing a motley collection of fur and tattered canvas, white, frizzy ponytail kept up in a ponytail inside a small fur cap. Judging by the bloodshot nature of her eyes and the massive bags underneath, she might not have slept for days.

She was talking in a thick accent from the back country of Gullcry, addressing the side of beef driving the wagon. "... how about this, zhtop me if you've heard zhis one. I got a letter from my zhister. Zhe zed her huzband vent out zhootink. I don't unnderstent, zhe seemz so cazhual ant colt, but I thot zhere waz a terrible agzhidunt. I know her quillvurk izh poor, but her letter zed her huzband zhot himself." She grinned.

Spoiler: OOC

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What do you do?

(Housekeeping: Kaelen and Njal's third level slots are burned for the day on curing the kids.

As for rations: Ramiro loses 1 ration, Kaelen donates 2 for Jakki and Kal - everyone else manages to forage successfully for food.

[DrK]

Njal "Stormcaller" Njal was happy and had patted the children on the head and left them to the others when the sickness and the blindness was purged. Back on a trail he had been happy atop Stormrir, the husky, Grumrir, foraging and racing back and forth as he threw a chunk of bone for him to fetch and return. He had just done so when the merchants hove into view and he whistled the hound to stand close. Raining and hand in greeting he nodded to the others in a “be wary” way and spurred forward to block the approach to the mule and the children “greetings ta ye’. Where do ye be bound? The paths be rough behind us.” he adds pointing down the trail they had come from

Spoiler: OOC

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Njal "Stormcaller"
M NG Dwarf (Glacier Dwarf) Druid, Level 5, Init -5, HP 20 / 41, Speed
AC 18, Touch 11, Flat-footed 17, Fort 7, Ref 2, Will 7, Base Attack Bonus 3
+2 trip MW Tigerskull Club (Lesser Crystal of Fiery Assault) +7 (1d8+3 [+1d6 FIRE], x4)
Quaterstaff +6 (1d6+3, x2)
Darts / Sling (10 / 20 ) +4 (1d4+3 / 1d4+3 , x2)
Dragonhide (White) Breastplate, Heavy Wooden Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6
Condition +1 hit Greenskins, +4 Dodge vs Giants, +2 vs Spells/Poison, +2 vs Cold, +4 vs Fey


Stormrir
30 / 30 hp (4HD) Init +1 Speed 50 ft Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2
AC 17 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural +3 AC), touch 10, flat-footed 16
BAB/Grapple +3/+11
Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d4+2)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Skills/feats: Listen +5, Spot +4 / Endurance, Run
Equipment: Military saddle, Saddle bags, Std'Leather Barding

Gromnir (Wintery Huskie) - Level 5 companion
29 hp (4HD) Init +3 Speed 40 ft Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
AC 22 (+3 Dex, +6 natural +3 armour), touch 12, flat-footed 19
BAB/Grapple +3/+6
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d8+4 + Trip (+3))
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Jump +9, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +4, Survival +2/6*
Feats: Alertness, Track, Improved Natural attack (bite) / Link, Share spells, Evasion
Equipment: MW Std Leather barding