[Eberron] Beneath the Ice!

[Krug]

"Well the dogs favour you..." she says, snarling.

 

[Sorrow The Man Bear]

Norderil frowns deeply. "I never could make the time for the elemental languages, and it seems to have returned on me most foully. However...." He quickly looks about, and removes one of the ski poles from the sled. He steps forward, holding his hands, palm up in a sign of non-agression, and proceeds to write his previous message out in Elven, after locating a suitable patch of snow. He turns and beams over his shoulder at his compatriots. "Elven and Sylvan share an alphabet."

 

[Doomhawk]

Toshanharath looks up, seeing another flight of the ice birds he had seen earlier. I wonder if these birds might be related to this creature somehow. He didn't mean it that way, but the sudden thought of the creature before him having blood relations to a flock of birds forces him to suppress a grin.

 

[nonamazing]

[Floe] -

Spoiler

The smallest of the Strangers, the one that had earlier spoken something that sounded like the language of the Dwarves, seems to be writing in the snow. It looks like gibberish to you, but he's clearly trying to communicate.

[Toshanharath] -

Spoiler

Now that they're getting a little closer, you can tell that these birds aren't the same as the one you saw earlier. These are quite larger, with a wider wingspan. You'll have a chance to get a better look at them soon--it looks like the whole flock is heading right your way.

 

[Ferrix]

Floe bursts out in a fit of laughter, tossing a bit of snow about with her boots, she repeats in ancient dwarven "why do you break the ice and tred the snow?" She is obviously amused by the little ones writings, the letters similar but making relatively no sense. Casting a puckish glance to the dogs she sticks out her tongue imitating them for a second. Turning, like nothing happened, she waits for a reply.

 

[Barkey]

" Well Lass, I cin unnerstand ya a fair bit, " Barandurr smiles a bit condescendingly, " Will ya take us to yer village, caus we are suppost ta try to find someone to help guide our adventuring group. " He acts out these words as best he can, much the way one would play with a child.


/ooc-Barandurr hasn't any idea what an Uldra is, chances are this is no different than a small human child in his eyes./

 

[nonamazing]

After a few moments, it becomes clear that the blue-skinned girl is not a danger, and some of the tension in the air begins to fade. Barandurr and Norderil each try to communicate with the petite girl in their own ways, but their efforts must seem comical to her, to judge by her sly smiles and giggles.

You are all startled when a large snowcat suddenly appears, emerging from it's carefully concealed hiding place only a few feet away. Some of the sled dogs bark at it nervously. The delicate looking feline--appearantly a white leopard, although you had no idea they lived this far north--moves quickly to the side of the little girl, rubbing its cheek against her shoulder.

[Floe] -

Spoiler

You had told your animal companion to remain out of sight for a moment--you didn't want to provoke the Strangers' wolves. You're not quite sure why Like Snhow Falling suddenly decided to disobey you. She seems nervous, however, as if she is trying to warn you of something.

[Karthak] -

Spoiler

(Knowledge (Arcana)): You suspect that this odd creature is one of the fey, known for their cheery attitudes and mischevious natures.

[Mong] -

Spoiler

(Spot check): You notice that Toshanharath doesn't seem to be paying much attention to what's going on. He seems to be staring off into the sky. Following his gaze, you notice that he's looking at what appears to be a big flock of large birds. (Knowledge (nature)): Something about the birds' movements makes you nervous--something unnatural that you can't quite put your finger on. The flock is still some distance away, but is heading in your direction rapidly.

[Toshanharath]

Spoiler

(Spot check): The flock is still quite some distance away, but your sharp eyes have picked out a curious detail: the 'birds' actually seem to be some sort of winged humanoid.

 

[Ferrix]

Floe smiles and moves to tackle the snow leopard, however comical that seems considering the size difference, but stops short and gives a disconcerted look, as if someone had spoiled the game. Her golden eyes dart about swiftly and discerningly, her ears perked for anything on the winds.

 

[Sorrow The Man Bear]

Norderil is momentarily startled by the apearance of the leopard. However, upon observing it's almost docile state, he relaxes some and sighs. "I suppose there is little recourse at the moment. We seemed to have reached an impass." He turns back tword Floe. He removes the glove from his left hand, and holds it up along side his head, palm out. His hand is bare, save for the distinct Mark of Scribing on the inside of his palm. He closes his eyes a moment and the Least Mark flashes along it's outline for an eyeblink. Steam rises from the hand for a few moments afterward, and Norderil opens his eyes again. He hold out his hand in a friendly gesture, leaving his marked hand open and plainly visible, seemingly oblivious to Floe's alarm. Assuming she takes his hand and recognizes the Dragonmark, Norderil says. "I am using a special means to speak with you, and it will not last long. I am Norderil. My companions and I are on an archaeological expedition, and come in peace. Can we find no means of communication?"

((Using Dragonmark ability. If Floe doesnt take my hand, I'll attempt to gesture or pantamime the motion with Barrandur, and failing that I'll draw a frickin' picture in the snow if I have to.))

 

[nonamazing]

The girl begins peering around, nervously, as her great cat joins her. She looks over your heads, past your group, crying out in surprise.

Her tiny hand shaking slightly, the girl points to large flock of winged creatures approaching from the south, coming up quickly. Judging by the her reaction, these beasts, whatever they are, present something of a danger.

As the flock rushes forward, you scramble to get ready, fumbling for your weapons. Their terrible crystalline wings slice the sunlight, creating dozens of brilliant flashes of color.​

The creatures appear to be some sort of monstrous winged humanoid--you have no idea how they're able to fly, as they seem to be made of ice. There appears to be about two dozen of the creatures, roughly 300 feet away at the moment, but closing the distance fast. (You have one full round to act before the creatures will be upon you).

You're in the middle of a flat ice plain, open and unbounded on all sides. At the moment, three of you are to the right of the sled (determined randomly: Mong, Karthak, and Norderil), two are on the left (Barandurr and Toshanharath) and Floe is just to the front, about 15 feet away. The slick ice means that anyone attempting to either run or take a double move will need to make a DC 15 Balance check. Everyone does get a +2 equipment bonus on that check due to your ice boots.

Initiative (animal companions act at their owner's initiative):
Norderil = 23
Floe = 15
Karthak = 14
The Flock = 13
Barandurr = 11
Toshanharath = 9
Mong = 5


[Karthak] -

Spoiler

Your magical training tells you that what you're seeing is impossible: making a construct out of ice would be easy, actually, but they shouldn't be able to fly.

[Floe] -

Spoiler

These ice gargoyles are very dangerous--they have been attacking the dwarves quite frequently over the last few months. The Dwarves believe that the ice gargoyles are under the control of the Three, the evil force that drove the Dwarves out of thier home.

OOC: I'm not sure how long the boards will be down. Hopefully it won't interfere with the game too much. We'll just have to wait and see.