Having no further path beyond the remains of the odd tree, the group circled back to the ruins of the earthen font. Moving south from there, Pavo found a tree had lifted a house off of its foundations, and inside he could faintly hear children talking, one panicky and the other calmer. He reported this back to the group who all decided to investigate, though with some trepidation and expectation of attack.
The group's approach brought a young girl and her brother to the elevated porch. They proclaimed that their father had been hurt and they needed help. Pavo threw a rope up to be tied off, while Ash climbed the tree. With them both in the house, it rocked wildly. Ash got the kids to the edge while Pavo picked up the father and carried him to the porch. Zacarius used his travel curse on each as they came in to view. Pavo then jumped and, with the aid of his enchanted ring, floated slowly to the ground. The house, now severely unbalanced, fell away. Ash managed to grab on to the tree as the house fell past, and Zacarius threw the injured man out of the way before the house hit, but was himself buried in the rubble. Luckily, he was not badly injured.
Moving on, the group circled back around to the lake they had initially seen when they first entered. The lake seemed normal water, but droplets were falling upwards, only to fall again as snow. The group found another dawn piper at the center who ordered his servant to be rid of them. He then used his magicks to enchant Kyezra into approaching. Pavo came forward as well, while Wortleby, a gnome hiding in the woods, introduced himself with a crossbow bolt into Zacarius' back. Ash turned to deal with this new threat, shooting him.
The dawn piper let loose with an ear-shredding series of notes from his horn, causing Kyezra and her cat to bleed. In return, Pavo stuck him. Wortleby revealed his nature as a Spriggan by growing to gigantic proportions and striking Zacarius roughly. Zacarius fled, but Ash stood his ground, readied his adamantine hammer and smote the morningstar Wortleby was using, shattering the weapon. Wortleby tried to strike Ash with the remaining butt with little success, and Ash dropped his foe just before the trio in the lake killed the dawn piper, causing the water font to close in a deluge of rain.
With one path left unexplored past the lake, the group moved on. Pavo spotted a tripwire just as Ash was about to set it off. He quickly disarmed it, but not before being noticed by the two fey that set it. They used their nature magic to heat the hated metal of Pavo's weapons, causing him to drop them. They then snuck into the midst of the group, striking to kill Zacarius and Kyezra, neither with much success. The group surrounded them and let known their displeasure.
Back at the reality rift, the group found the way clear. Beyond where the rift had been stood a large ice sculpture, and coming around the far side of the hag's hut in the middle of the clearing strode Nazhena, the winter witch whose tower the group had invaded when first they came to Irrisen. As Nazhena was sizing them up and stating her intentions, Ash shot her with an arrow.
Nazhena summoned an ice mephit to assist while her ice golem was engaged by Zacarius and his spell-produced flaming sword. Pavo and the great cat moved forward to engage the witch, while Kyezra and Ash stayed at range, unable to easily get past the ice golem and unwilling to give up pressure on the witch. The cat leapt to strike the ice mephit but did little against its otherworldly defenses. Nazhena leapt into the air and summoned a spectral hand to aid in delivering her spells, but Pavo snuck in beneath her and struck her with rays of scorching flame while she was distracted, almost killing her. Unnerved, she summoned a sleet storm for cover and fled, leaving a melting ice golem behind. When the storm's magic dissipated, so too did the magic holding the ice mephit to this plane, and the group entered the fabulous hut.
Monday, May 25, 2015
Monday, May 11, 2015
Dawn
The dawn piper laid a patch of grease before the group to hinder them, confident upon his rocky perch. Determined to undermine that confidence, Zacarius used his abilities to place Ash upon the stone stage as well. Ash hit the creature solidly, as did an arrow from Kyezra. Pavo climbed up the stage's edge and set upon the dawn piper as well.
In a panic, the dawn piper drew upon the beauty of the first world to blind those on his step, then tumbled and fled onto one of the floating boulders. Smug in his new perch, he watched the cat fail to get high enough to bother him, but wasn't attentive enough to stop Ash's leaping charge across the open space. Ash dropped to the ground beneath the rock, but the dawn piper was pushed into the woods, where the thorns tore at his body.
In one last desperate attempt, the dawn piper shrilled notes of discord harsh enough to damage those nearby at Ash and Kyezra's cat, but then expired to the vines before he could extricate himself. With his death the stones dropped, the elemental font closed.
The group moved on from the scene, heading deeper along the wooded paths in hopes of finding a route to the Crone's hut. As they scouted the next clearing, they were set upon by a pair of Perytons, their antlered heads goring for Ash and Zacarius. Though blood was shed, Zacarius managed to peg one with a tanglefoot bag while the others set upon the one diving for Ash. Both Perytons were quickly brought down.
In a small side clearing, Pavo discovered an occupied hut. As the group approached, the door flung open and an officer of the queen's Winter Guard hailed them, demanding escort to the entrance to these woods. The rest of her group had died here, leaving her with a duty to report. The group did not agree, however, and the officer lost what grip she had and shifted to wolf form to deal with these traitors. Though she got off the first strike, she didn't last long alone against the group.
Amongst the remains of the officer's companions was a welcome boon for Kyezra, a cache of cold-iron arrows in an efficient quiver. Zacarius also found several restorative potions to add to the group's resources as well.
Down at the end of the long clearing, another house peaked out of the dense forest, this one with a small bonfire in front and six people sitting around it. They were celebrating the end of the world, with wine and spirits, and any other alcohol found. The three merchants were quite drunk, while the ladies with them faired better, offering drink to the group as they approached. When refused, each turned into a furious beast, unable to settle with being scorned. The Baccae each focused on the male that had rejected them, striking hard in a rage, but without tactics. Each was brought down with arrows and strikes while the merchants blearily watched on.
Beyond the besotted merchants, a small passage in the forest led to a stunningly large beech tree whose foliage had fallen, creating a dense carpet of multicolored leaves. A light voice from the boughs of the tree bid them retreat or perish, which the group ignored. The dawn piper flying above opened combat by enchanting Ash with deviant and irresistible desire for Zacarius, then called silently for her companion twigjack to help.
While Kyezra attempted to keep the dawn piper busy with flying arrows and her cat climbed the tree to strike at her, Pavo took a potion to grant flight and took to the boughs to meet her in her own domain. Pavo managed to blind the dawn piper as Pavo overtook her and the twigjack struck at Kyezra. The dawn piper quickly went down to blows from Pavo's daggers and the cat's claws while Kyezra and Ash took care of the elusive twigjack.
With the dawn piper dead, chunks of the beech tree disintegrated back to air and the elemental font closed. The group was lucky enough to find an elemental stone present among the roots with power over an elemental of air, a useful tool for later.
In a panic, the dawn piper drew upon the beauty of the first world to blind those on his step, then tumbled and fled onto one of the floating boulders. Smug in his new perch, he watched the cat fail to get high enough to bother him, but wasn't attentive enough to stop Ash's leaping charge across the open space. Ash dropped to the ground beneath the rock, but the dawn piper was pushed into the woods, where the thorns tore at his body.
In one last desperate attempt, the dawn piper shrilled notes of discord harsh enough to damage those nearby at Ash and Kyezra's cat, but then expired to the vines before he could extricate himself. With his death the stones dropped, the elemental font closed.
The group moved on from the scene, heading deeper along the wooded paths in hopes of finding a route to the Crone's hut. As they scouted the next clearing, they were set upon by a pair of Perytons, their antlered heads goring for Ash and Zacarius. Though blood was shed, Zacarius managed to peg one with a tanglefoot bag while the others set upon the one diving for Ash. Both Perytons were quickly brought down.
In a small side clearing, Pavo discovered an occupied hut. As the group approached, the door flung open and an officer of the queen's Winter Guard hailed them, demanding escort to the entrance to these woods. The rest of her group had died here, leaving her with a duty to report. The group did not agree, however, and the officer lost what grip she had and shifted to wolf form to deal with these traitors. Though she got off the first strike, she didn't last long alone against the group.
Amongst the remains of the officer's companions was a welcome boon for Kyezra, a cache of cold-iron arrows in an efficient quiver. Zacarius also found several restorative potions to add to the group's resources as well.
Down at the end of the long clearing, another house peaked out of the dense forest, this one with a small bonfire in front and six people sitting around it. They were celebrating the end of the world, with wine and spirits, and any other alcohol found. The three merchants were quite drunk, while the ladies with them faired better, offering drink to the group as they approached. When refused, each turned into a furious beast, unable to settle with being scorned. The Baccae each focused on the male that had rejected them, striking hard in a rage, but without tactics. Each was brought down with arrows and strikes while the merchants blearily watched on.
Beyond the besotted merchants, a small passage in the forest led to a stunningly large beech tree whose foliage had fallen, creating a dense carpet of multicolored leaves. A light voice from the boughs of the tree bid them retreat or perish, which the group ignored. The dawn piper flying above opened combat by enchanting Ash with deviant and irresistible desire for Zacarius, then called silently for her companion twigjack to help.
While Kyezra attempted to keep the dawn piper busy with flying arrows and her cat climbed the tree to strike at her, Pavo took a potion to grant flight and took to the boughs to meet her in her own domain. Pavo managed to blind the dawn piper as Pavo overtook her and the twigjack struck at Kyezra. The dawn piper quickly went down to blows from Pavo's daggers and the cat's claws while Kyezra and Ash took care of the elusive twigjack.
With the dawn piper dead, chunks of the beech tree disintegrated back to air and the elemental font closed. The group was lucky enough to find an elemental stone present among the roots with power over an elemental of air, a useful tool for later.
Monday, May 4, 2015
In the Dragon's Lair
After making sure the floor was clear, the group evacuated the little girl and moved up to the next floor. Beyond the only door on the next level, they discovered Bella Belvorica. She was startled and initially fearful of the group's appearance, but quickly gave in to relief, describing the dragon Logrivich as mercurial and odd, as he insisted that she sing with her forehead touching his jaw. The group worked out that Logrivich was deaf, not surprising since he lives in a clock tower. Bella was directed to escape to Nadya and Ringierre across the street until the group was done with the dragon.
As they were deciding what course of action to follow against the dragon, the clock tower struck the hour. During the cacophony that followed, Logrivich could be heard screaming with the tolling of the bells. Pavo pulled out the spider climbing wand he had procured back in Nazhena's tower of ice and cast the spell on each person in the group. Though Kyezra's cat didn't take well to the spell, the rest of the group took advantage of it to be ready to enter the ice dragon's lair at the top of the tower.
Ash went through first and saw Logrivich about to take off, so he charged in to get the dragon to stay put. Pavo entered through the trap door from the ladder below to skulk over to a corner, ready to strike when Logrivich was vulnerable. Logrivich, though startled by Ash's attack, took off to get range and determine the nature of his attackers. Even at range, however, Kyezra's arrow followed, though she failed to strike her target. Inuksuk went out a window in the floor below, seeking to be able to strike at Logrivich without crowding into the clockworks with the rest of the group.
Logrivich flew back towards his tower and used his draconic sorcery to cause fog to engulf the top of the tower. The group took the time waiting for the dragon's next move to prepare for his approach, each using what magics they possessed to enhance their chances. Logrivich noted Ash standing just within the right limb of the clock tower wall and alighted on the edge of his ice shelf to unleash a torrent of frost and slush upon him and Kyezra. Though Ash avoided the brunt of the blast as he tucked behind the cornice, Kyezra managed to duck down and avoid it completely.
Ash struck blindly towards the dragon, managing to catch Logrivich with a solid blow to the chin. Pavo decided this was the opportunity he needed and came at the dragon's flank, driving a tendril of flame deep into the creature's heart. Logrivich scraped his claws against the ice as he died, sliding back off the edge of his ice shelf to lie on the roof of the building below.
The group fired off the signal firework and clambered down to the dragon, taking its head before leaving at Greta's urging. Nadya and Ringierre took the survivors of the clock tower back to the hidden shrine while the group headed to the marketplace to take possession of the dancing hut. At the entrance to the marketplace stood a trio of troll guards. The group decided to attempt to talk to the trolls, so Ash charged in to discuss the merits of greatswords. The trolls took exception and surrounded him, beating him rather badly before the group tore them apart.
They passed over the burning troll bodies into the forest grown around the dancing hut. Striking directly toward the center of the hut, they found their way blocked by a dark shimmering portal that warped and disintegrated all that tried to pass through it. The group was able to determine that it had something to do with the first world, but little more.
Exploring the nearest passage through the woods that wasn't blocked led them to a clearing with a large stone stage set in the center and several other stones floating in orbit. Upon the stone stood a legendary creature, a dawn piper, those beings that supposedly had created all emotions. Though he offered the travelers the opportunity to leave peacefully, the group refused...
As they were deciding what course of action to follow against the dragon, the clock tower struck the hour. During the cacophony that followed, Logrivich could be heard screaming with the tolling of the bells. Pavo pulled out the spider climbing wand he had procured back in Nazhena's tower of ice and cast the spell on each person in the group. Though Kyezra's cat didn't take well to the spell, the rest of the group took advantage of it to be ready to enter the ice dragon's lair at the top of the tower.
Ash went through first and saw Logrivich about to take off, so he charged in to get the dragon to stay put. Pavo entered through the trap door from the ladder below to skulk over to a corner, ready to strike when Logrivich was vulnerable. Logrivich, though startled by Ash's attack, took off to get range and determine the nature of his attackers. Even at range, however, Kyezra's arrow followed, though she failed to strike her target. Inuksuk went out a window in the floor below, seeking to be able to strike at Logrivich without crowding into the clockworks with the rest of the group.
Logrivich flew back towards his tower and used his draconic sorcery to cause fog to engulf the top of the tower. The group took the time waiting for the dragon's next move to prepare for his approach, each using what magics they possessed to enhance their chances. Logrivich noted Ash standing just within the right limb of the clock tower wall and alighted on the edge of his ice shelf to unleash a torrent of frost and slush upon him and Kyezra. Though Ash avoided the brunt of the blast as he tucked behind the cornice, Kyezra managed to duck down and avoid it completely.
Ash struck blindly towards the dragon, managing to catch Logrivich with a solid blow to the chin. Pavo decided this was the opportunity he needed and came at the dragon's flank, driving a tendril of flame deep into the creature's heart. Logrivich scraped his claws against the ice as he died, sliding back off the edge of his ice shelf to lie on the roof of the building below.
The group fired off the signal firework and clambered down to the dragon, taking its head before leaving at Greta's urging. Nadya and Ringierre took the survivors of the clock tower back to the hidden shrine while the group headed to the marketplace to take possession of the dancing hut. At the entrance to the marketplace stood a trio of troll guards. The group decided to attempt to talk to the trolls, so Ash charged in to discuss the merits of greatswords. The trolls took exception and surrounded him, beating him rather badly before the group tore them apart.
They passed over the burning troll bodies into the forest grown around the dancing hut. Striking directly toward the center of the hut, they found their way blocked by a dark shimmering portal that warped and disintegrated all that tried to pass through it. The group was able to determine that it had something to do with the first world, but little more.
Exploring the nearest passage through the woods that wasn't blocked led them to a clearing with a large stone stage set in the center and several other stones floating in orbit. Upon the stone stood a legendary creature, a dawn piper, those beings that supposedly had created all emotions. Though he offered the travelers the opportunity to leave peacefully, the group refused...
Monday, April 20, 2015
She's a Witch!
After defeating the weaponsmith, Pavo listened to the door towards the street. Though he didn't hear anything, something made the hairs on the back of his neck tingle. Ash charged in expecting a fight and was walloped by the taskmistress waiting for him. As she readied her battleaxe to strike him again, the rest of the group charged in. Inuksuk struck her solidly with a stone while Pavo tumbled around and struck her from behind and Kyezra pin-cushioned her with arrows. Enraged, she grabbed at Inuksuk. By shear reaction he hardened his skin to stone, but the effort to do so combined with the damage that got through knocked him unconscious. Despite her success in dropping one of her attackers, she was quickly cut down after. A quick search of her chambers turned up the paybox for the trolls in the tower and a magic greatsword which Ash appropriated.
Off the other side of the weaponsmith's room, the group found a jail with a wikawak taunting the imprisoned children. He almost got a swing off before the fury of the group laid him out. The children were grateful for the rescue with one, Gretel, telling Pavo of the witch that lived upstairs with her ghost and the two dragons, one white and the other black. Ash got the children out the door to the protection of Nadya and her uncle.
The group returned to the main hall and ascended the stairs. Pavo, first up, spotted a child amongst the crates at the end of the second floor's hall, but the kid disappeared before he could get a good look. As the group moved up to investigate, Zacarius noted the sound of sighing coming from the right-hand door. Ash opened the door and, spying nothing threatening in the kitchen, moved towards the pantry door. As he stepped within range, the large black oven in the corner lurched away from its flue and bit at him. Zacarius noted the oven appeared possessed and channeled the divine spirit of his ancestors, hurting the construct and, to his surprise, the child still hidden at the end of the hall. Instantly the screams of children being cooked alive overwhelmed the group. Though startled, Ash's sword and Pavo's bolt of frost quickly dropped the golem.
While they were occupied, the child spirit snuck up and drew Zacarius' breath away with a touch, but his ancestors didn't give up his voice that easily. As he recovered, Kyezra and Inuksuk turned and destroyed the child, putting the spirit to rest.
Off the other side of the hall, the group found a small sitting room three doors off of it. One led to a lavatory. A second led to a room with child-sized furniture and a single kid present, too fearful of Granny Nan to be led from the room. The third door revealed Granny Nan herself, next to her bed. She faded in and out of sight, her magics protecting her with ethereal effect. As her door opened, she screamed a curse at the group, scaring Pavo into fleeing downstairs and out of the clocktower. Zacarius immediately hypnotized her, allowing the group members to sidle into position while she was occupied.
The witch's familiar, recognizing Zacarius' enchantment, nipped her chin and broke the spell. Granny Nan cackled a curse at Zacarius, but he avoided her magic. Ash, Kyezra and Inuksuk struck at the witch, but their blows wisped through her without drawing blood. Zacarius, recognizing the nature of her protections, dispelled her ward, rendering her vulnerable to the group's weapons. They quickly struck, dropping Granny Nan before she could do any further harm.
Off the other side of the weaponsmith's room, the group found a jail with a wikawak taunting the imprisoned children. He almost got a swing off before the fury of the group laid him out. The children were grateful for the rescue with one, Gretel, telling Pavo of the witch that lived upstairs with her ghost and the two dragons, one white and the other black. Ash got the children out the door to the protection of Nadya and her uncle.
The group returned to the main hall and ascended the stairs. Pavo, first up, spotted a child amongst the crates at the end of the second floor's hall, but the kid disappeared before he could get a good look. As the group moved up to investigate, Zacarius noted the sound of sighing coming from the right-hand door. Ash opened the door and, spying nothing threatening in the kitchen, moved towards the pantry door. As he stepped within range, the large black oven in the corner lurched away from its flue and bit at him. Zacarius noted the oven appeared possessed and channeled the divine spirit of his ancestors, hurting the construct and, to his surprise, the child still hidden at the end of the hall. Instantly the screams of children being cooked alive overwhelmed the group. Though startled, Ash's sword and Pavo's bolt of frost quickly dropped the golem.
While they were occupied, the child spirit snuck up and drew Zacarius' breath away with a touch, but his ancestors didn't give up his voice that easily. As he recovered, Kyezra and Inuksuk turned and destroyed the child, putting the spirit to rest.
Off the other side of the hall, the group found a small sitting room three doors off of it. One led to a lavatory. A second led to a room with child-sized furniture and a single kid present, too fearful of Granny Nan to be led from the room. The third door revealed Granny Nan herself, next to her bed. She faded in and out of sight, her magics protecting her with ethereal effect. As her door opened, she screamed a curse at the group, scaring Pavo into fleeing downstairs and out of the clocktower. Zacarius immediately hypnotized her, allowing the group members to sidle into position while she was occupied.
The witch's familiar, recognizing Zacarius' enchantment, nipped her chin and broke the spell. Granny Nan cackled a curse at Zacarius, but he avoided her magic. Ash, Kyezra and Inuksuk struck at the witch, but their blows wisped through her without drawing blood. Zacarius, recognizing the nature of her protections, dispelled her ward, rendering her vulnerable to the group's weapons. They quickly struck, dropping Granny Nan before she could do any further harm.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Trolls at Rest
The group set out to the dragon's clock house at early evening, skirting the edges of the trolls' quarter and snaking through the markets and warrens of the Ironmongers District. They arrived at the clock tower to see a small courtyard with a couple of statues walled in by a fence of bones. Though cautious, the group found no traps on the fence and made to enter the tower. Several of them were suspicious of the statues and readied to strike if they stirred.
As Pavo crossed the threshold, the statues indeed animated. Ash struck at one a couple of times, hearing a sharp crack in the haft of his weapon as he attempted to hew the statue's stone as if it were flesh. Kyezra and her companion cat kept the other busy while Pavo worked on helping Ash take his target down. Though very hard to damage, the group took them down without serious injury.
Inside, the group was presented with an entry hall with double doors to either side and a single door ahead. Pavo was unable to hear anything beyond either pair of double doors with the sound of clockwork above. The group opened the doors to the left chamber, spying a pair of trolls sleeping on their beds. Pavo and Ash readied to strike one down while Kyezra's cat stood over the snoring form of the other. Though the grumbling of giantish from their target caused Ash and Pavo to start, the creature didn't stir from it's slumber until Ash brought his axe down. Pavo's blades quickly finished off the poor troll.
The other troll woke at the death rattle of his companion and Kyezra's cat put claw and tooth to his foe. Ash, Pavo and Zacarius joined in, finishing off both trolls with tindertwigs.
A quick investigation netted the group a good pocketful of gold and a salacious notebook of the city's Jadwiga nobility in less-than-flattering positions. A small door in an enclosure near the room's entrance echoed the sound of clock machinery a little louder than the ambient, but only Kyezra noted it and the group pressed on without investigating.
Another door stood closed off the left wall of the room, beyond which Pavo heard the sound of things breaking. He stepped aside as Ash quietly opened the door, revealing a pair of trolls deeply engrossed in a revolting meal of children's flesh. Pavo sunk his blades deep into the one closer to the door to start the combat. The rest of the group quickly finished off the trolls.
Back to the entry hall, the group took the other paired doors to confront a troll and his trollhound in an armory. Though the troll fought with more guile than their previous opponents and caused some heavy damage on Zacarius and Pavo, it quickly fell to Ash's axe. In the room they found a good amount of weaponry taken from the Iron Guard, some of it crudely refitted to fit a troll's larger grip.
As Pavo crossed the threshold, the statues indeed animated. Ash struck at one a couple of times, hearing a sharp crack in the haft of his weapon as he attempted to hew the statue's stone as if it were flesh. Kyezra and her companion cat kept the other busy while Pavo worked on helping Ash take his target down. Though very hard to damage, the group took them down without serious injury.
Inside, the group was presented with an entry hall with double doors to either side and a single door ahead. Pavo was unable to hear anything beyond either pair of double doors with the sound of clockwork above. The group opened the doors to the left chamber, spying a pair of trolls sleeping on their beds. Pavo and Ash readied to strike one down while Kyezra's cat stood over the snoring form of the other. Though the grumbling of giantish from their target caused Ash and Pavo to start, the creature didn't stir from it's slumber until Ash brought his axe down. Pavo's blades quickly finished off the poor troll.
The other troll woke at the death rattle of his companion and Kyezra's cat put claw and tooth to his foe. Ash, Pavo and Zacarius joined in, finishing off both trolls with tindertwigs.
A quick investigation netted the group a good pocketful of gold and a salacious notebook of the city's Jadwiga nobility in less-than-flattering positions. A small door in an enclosure near the room's entrance echoed the sound of clock machinery a little louder than the ambient, but only Kyezra noted it and the group pressed on without investigating.
Another door stood closed off the left wall of the room, beyond which Pavo heard the sound of things breaking. He stepped aside as Ash quietly opened the door, revealing a pair of trolls deeply engrossed in a revolting meal of children's flesh. Pavo sunk his blades deep into the one closer to the door to start the combat. The rest of the group quickly finished off the trolls.
Back to the entry hall, the group took the other paired doors to confront a troll and his trollhound in an armory. Though the troll fought with more guile than their previous opponents and caused some heavy damage on Zacarius and Pavo, it quickly fell to Ash's axe. In the room they found a good amount of weaponry taken from the Iron Guard, some of it crudely refitted to fit a troll's larger grip.
Monday, March 16, 2015
The Wild Thing
After delivering the fish, Ringeirr led the group back towards the square where they had been assaulted by the goblins, and then deeper into the city. Ringeirr's forger lived a few streets deeper into the Howlings.
As they moved through the streets, the group encountered a pare of inebriated winter wolves in humanoid form, stumbling about and complaining bitterly of a lost card game that had lasted the entire night before. As the two groups passed each other, one wolf stumbled into Ash, knocking him off-balance. The wolf demanded an immediate apology which Ash gave, though with no sincerity. The winter wolf snapped at Ash, shifting to his natural form.
Though Ash tried to keep it non-lethal, Kyezra let arrows fly and Nadya buried her hand axe in one. The other stumbled back from the group and let loose with a blast of wintery breath, causing several of the group to shiver and almost laying Ringeirr out. Having seen how formidable their foes could be, the group quickly struck the wolves down.
After recovering, the group moved on. As they wound through the district, a middle-aged man in worn clothes came pelting around the corner, crashing in to Inuksuk. He had just moments to plead for help before his former master came bounding around the same corner in wolf form. Spotting Inuksuk in his winter wolf disguise, Korgin demanded the group move aside so that he could continue the sport of hunting his former slave. Inuksuk declared that they couldn't let Korgin have Jorhan; the two bristled at each other until Korgin's will broke and he left threatening retribution. Once out of sight, Korgin immediately went to the nearest Winter Guards to tell the tale of Inuksuk's lawbreaking, for interfering with another wolf's slaves is the same as stealing.
The group moved up the street and to the right at a tee intersection, spotting a group of trolls in guards' outfits interviewing a pair of white-haired citizens. One of the trolls lazily noted the group, but they continued their questions as Ringeirr led them away. Unfortunately, the group had barely made it to the house of the forger when the trolls came around behind them and demanded papers.
Though the trolls bought the story of the papers held by the group (stolen from the falconers they had left behind in Fishcamp village), they tried to take Jorhan away as stolen property. Ash waited for the trolls to turn their backs, then rushed to plant an axe in one of them. The guards went down quickly.
The group retreated into the forger's house, dragging the trolls with them despite Mortin's protests. Ringeirr then proceeded to chop up the trolls and burn them in the fireplace to dispose of them. Ringeirr then laid into Mortin for locking the door as the group was confronted by the trolls, even though it didn't make a difference to the outcome. Mortin, chagrined, accepted the condemnation and went to work, forging papers for each group member as stilyagi.
With papers in hand, the group left so that Inuksuk could make his date with Greta at the Tooth and Claw tavern, just on the edge of the Howlings. As they got to the entrance from the Howlings to the rest of Whitethrone, the group was confronted by a trio of mirror men. The group had managed to keep it fairly low-key in the Howlings with only a minimum of violence, so the mirror men gave them only cursory inspections before returning to watch other travelers.
The Tooth and Claw was at the far side of the square, a handsome four-story structure with a stone-walled main floor and decorated wood beams above. Inuksuk entered the tavern and saw Greta just taking off her coat at a table in the middle of the room. Over dinner, Inuksuk tried to get as much information about the city and the dancing hut as he could, while Greta worked her charms. They retired to Greta's room for a more private information exchange.
Though violent and loud in their lovemaking, things didn't get out of hand until around two bells after midnight, when they accidentally broke through one of the walls. They managed to quiet down after that until a bell later, when the magic of Inuksuk's cloak wore off and Greta found out he was a deceitful human instead. She promptly threw him out of the nearest window, then threw his clothes after him.
The next morning, Ringeirr led the group to the shrine of Milani hidden under the hotspring-fed bathhouses near the palace. There, they met with Solveig Ayrdahl, leader of the Heralds of Summer's Return. She had a plan of engaging the remains of the Iron Guard in revolt against the Queen's Winter Guard to open passage to the dancing hut of Baba Yaga, but she needed to trade the death of the white dragon Logrivich to encourage the Iron Guard to attack. With the group agreed to this course of action, they prepare to assault the white dragon's Clock Tower lair.
As they moved through the streets, the group encountered a pare of inebriated winter wolves in humanoid form, stumbling about and complaining bitterly of a lost card game that had lasted the entire night before. As the two groups passed each other, one wolf stumbled into Ash, knocking him off-balance. The wolf demanded an immediate apology which Ash gave, though with no sincerity. The winter wolf snapped at Ash, shifting to his natural form.
Though Ash tried to keep it non-lethal, Kyezra let arrows fly and Nadya buried her hand axe in one. The other stumbled back from the group and let loose with a blast of wintery breath, causing several of the group to shiver and almost laying Ringeirr out. Having seen how formidable their foes could be, the group quickly struck the wolves down.
After recovering, the group moved on. As they wound through the district, a middle-aged man in worn clothes came pelting around the corner, crashing in to Inuksuk. He had just moments to plead for help before his former master came bounding around the same corner in wolf form. Spotting Inuksuk in his winter wolf disguise, Korgin demanded the group move aside so that he could continue the sport of hunting his former slave. Inuksuk declared that they couldn't let Korgin have Jorhan; the two bristled at each other until Korgin's will broke and he left threatening retribution. Once out of sight, Korgin immediately went to the nearest Winter Guards to tell the tale of Inuksuk's lawbreaking, for interfering with another wolf's slaves is the same as stealing.
The group moved up the street and to the right at a tee intersection, spotting a group of trolls in guards' outfits interviewing a pair of white-haired citizens. One of the trolls lazily noted the group, but they continued their questions as Ringeirr led them away. Unfortunately, the group had barely made it to the house of the forger when the trolls came around behind them and demanded papers.
Though the trolls bought the story of the papers held by the group (stolen from the falconers they had left behind in Fishcamp village), they tried to take Jorhan away as stolen property. Ash waited for the trolls to turn their backs, then rushed to plant an axe in one of them. The guards went down quickly.
The group retreated into the forger's house, dragging the trolls with them despite Mortin's protests. Ringeirr then proceeded to chop up the trolls and burn them in the fireplace to dispose of them. Ringeirr then laid into Mortin for locking the door as the group was confronted by the trolls, even though it didn't make a difference to the outcome. Mortin, chagrined, accepted the condemnation and went to work, forging papers for each group member as stilyagi.
With papers in hand, the group left so that Inuksuk could make his date with Greta at the Tooth and Claw tavern, just on the edge of the Howlings. As they got to the entrance from the Howlings to the rest of Whitethrone, the group was confronted by a trio of mirror men. The group had managed to keep it fairly low-key in the Howlings with only a minimum of violence, so the mirror men gave them only cursory inspections before returning to watch other travelers.
The Tooth and Claw was at the far side of the square, a handsome four-story structure with a stone-walled main floor and decorated wood beams above. Inuksuk entered the tavern and saw Greta just taking off her coat at a table in the middle of the room. Over dinner, Inuksuk tried to get as much information about the city and the dancing hut as he could, while Greta worked her charms. They retired to Greta's room for a more private information exchange.
Though violent and loud in their lovemaking, things didn't get out of hand until around two bells after midnight, when they accidentally broke through one of the walls. They managed to quiet down after that until a bell later, when the magic of Inuksuk's cloak wore off and Greta found out he was a deceitful human instead. She promptly threw him out of the nearest window, then threw his clothes after him.
The next morning, Ringeirr led the group to the shrine of Milani hidden under the hotspring-fed bathhouses near the palace. There, they met with Solveig Ayrdahl, leader of the Heralds of Summer's Return. She had a plan of engaging the remains of the Iron Guard in revolt against the Queen's Winter Guard to open passage to the dancing hut of Baba Yaga, but she needed to trade the death of the white dragon Logrivich to encourage the Iron Guard to attack. With the group agreed to this course of action, they prepare to assault the white dragon's Clock Tower lair.
Monday, March 2, 2015
The Howlings
Having laid low the leader of the Fishtown Guard and his ogre lieutenants, the group freed Ringierre and went through Marcian's pockets. Pavo declared the chest at the foot of Marcian's bed trap free, but when Inuksuk opened it he was stuck by a needle coated in ice troll bile, turning his skin blue. Pavo, always seeking to be helpful, immediately used a cantrip to turn him pink instead.
Ringierre took the group to his home to properly thank them with a meal. After a short time reuniting with his daughter-in-law, Ringierre asked the group of their story and Pavo broke out the sock puppets once more. Once the tale was complete, Ringierre told them his own story, of how he lost his wife and child to the winter witches while he was still young, and how he snuck in to the city several times trying to find them, to no avail. He learned his craft well, and became an established smuggler. He also met with members of the cult of Milani, who gave him a new purpose in life - to aid those in need under the yoke of tyranny in Whitethrone.
Ringierre arranged for a wagonload of fish to act as the group's cover to get in to the city using the Howlings Gate. He knew the winter wolves of the Howlings were lax in their security at the best of times, and even more so with a Queen they disliked on the throne. With the larger weapons of the group stored in oil-cloth at the bottom of the cart, the group approached the gate. The winter wolf Greta challenged them, requesting the papers of all except Inuksuk, since he wore the Rimepelt made from Norgrimm's corpse and it's waning magic made him appear and smell as a winter wolf of the Howlings. Though the group failed to produce believable papers, Greta was amenable to a little bribery. She also secured a dalliance with Inuksuk at a local bar for later that evening.
Once inside, the group navigated the maze of the district with Ringierre's guidance. Almost immediately, Zacarius and Inuksuk spied several goblins lurking in ambush. Zacarius quickly hypnotized all but one goblin; not realizing he was the only one free of the shaman's influence, he shot his arrow at the group and yelled a mighty battle cry, then immediately repented when he realized one of the group's number was a winter wolf. Begging Inuksuk's forgiveness, he tried to drag his hypnotized comrades away from the group.
Ringierre led the group on, down a narrow roofed passage between houses. Zacarius and Pavo spotted a figure at the far end of the passage apparently searching for something; Ringierre identified the cloaked figure as a mirror man and urged the group back around the corner. Ringierre informed them that a mirror man is a spy and investigator for the Queen; the group decided not to risk being discovered and rushed the mirror man in the confines of the covered passage. Pavo moved behind the spy while Kyezra's cat charged head on; between those two and the summoned wolf, they quickly dropped the foe. Pavo finished off the mirror that made up the creature's face.
Inuksuk buried the mirror man in the snow, using his scent to hopefully convince any winter wolves that this was a wolf's kill. To add distraction, Ringierre spilled a few fish in another corner of the courtyard. They then delivered their fish and prepared to go get papers from a forger Ringierre knew.
Ringierre took the group to his home to properly thank them with a meal. After a short time reuniting with his daughter-in-law, Ringierre asked the group of their story and Pavo broke out the sock puppets once more. Once the tale was complete, Ringierre told them his own story, of how he lost his wife and child to the winter witches while he was still young, and how he snuck in to the city several times trying to find them, to no avail. He learned his craft well, and became an established smuggler. He also met with members of the cult of Milani, who gave him a new purpose in life - to aid those in need under the yoke of tyranny in Whitethrone.
Ringierre arranged for a wagonload of fish to act as the group's cover to get in to the city using the Howlings Gate. He knew the winter wolves of the Howlings were lax in their security at the best of times, and even more so with a Queen they disliked on the throne. With the larger weapons of the group stored in oil-cloth at the bottom of the cart, the group approached the gate. The winter wolf Greta challenged them, requesting the papers of all except Inuksuk, since he wore the Rimepelt made from Norgrimm's corpse and it's waning magic made him appear and smell as a winter wolf of the Howlings. Though the group failed to produce believable papers, Greta was amenable to a little bribery. She also secured a dalliance with Inuksuk at a local bar for later that evening.
Once inside, the group navigated the maze of the district with Ringierre's guidance. Almost immediately, Zacarius and Inuksuk spied several goblins lurking in ambush. Zacarius quickly hypnotized all but one goblin; not realizing he was the only one free of the shaman's influence, he shot his arrow at the group and yelled a mighty battle cry, then immediately repented when he realized one of the group's number was a winter wolf. Begging Inuksuk's forgiveness, he tried to drag his hypnotized comrades away from the group.
Ringierre led the group on, down a narrow roofed passage between houses. Zacarius and Pavo spotted a figure at the far end of the passage apparently searching for something; Ringierre identified the cloaked figure as a mirror man and urged the group back around the corner. Ringierre informed them that a mirror man is a spy and investigator for the Queen; the group decided not to risk being discovered and rushed the mirror man in the confines of the covered passage. Pavo moved behind the spy while Kyezra's cat charged head on; between those two and the summoned wolf, they quickly dropped the foe. Pavo finished off the mirror that made up the creature's face.
Inuksuk buried the mirror man in the snow, using his scent to hopefully convince any winter wolves that this was a wolf's kill. To add distraction, Ringierre spilled a few fish in another corner of the courtyard. They then delivered their fish and prepared to go get papers from a forger Ringierre knew.
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