(IC) Quickleaf's Rime of the Frostmaiden

[Aethmud]

As the dog whimpers and licks at Aric’s face, a pang of concern creases Jack's normally jovial countenance. He kneels beside the dog. His hands glide over the soft fur, feeling for any injuries beneath the dog's thick winter coat.

"Poor little lad," Jack murmurs, meeting the dog's anxious gaze with a soothing one of his own. His fingers trace the inscription on the dog's collar. "Boy, is it? Well, Boy, you're quite far from your kennel."

Luckily, it was just in time to get up for dog-sled ride. Lumrolur isn't taking much space and he keeps to himself. Sharing the results of his listening in on the sheriff was enough talking for one day.

As the dog arrives with cut leather he hurries up the street "With all that is going on, we should check the kennel first and ask questions and check the dog later. Maybe someone is right now bleeding out! Come on!"

"Ah, Lumrolur," Jack starts, his tone full of respect, "always the pragmatist. You're right, of course. We should hurry." Jack grins at Lumrolur before turning his attention back to Boy. Jack's fingers dance over the dog's fur once more, this time with an urgency matching Lumrolur's concern. The broken leather harness is indeed a worrisome sight.

Straightening up, Jack casts a glance at his companions. "I think we've stumbled upon a mystery of our own here, friends. Boy's got a tale to tell, and I'm inclined to listen." Turning back to Eve, he says, "We'll take Boy back to his kennel, see what we can find out. It's on our way to the Trip and Shuffle anyway. No need to worry about us; we can manage."

With a gentle tug at Boy's leash, Jack's mind whirls with possibilities and, though he can't shake off a feeling of unease, he puts on a show with a voice that rings out, filled with that familiar, comforting warmth, "Come on, Boy, let's find your masters, shall we?" in an attempt to lighten the mood, despite the underlying tension.

Spoiler: Insight Check

Jack rolls a 6 for an Insight check to survey the streets of Targos and see if there is anything else out of the ordinary while they go to the kennel. He's obviously distracted by his concern for the sled dog.

As the party walks to the kennels, Jack makes a halfhearted attempt to scan the streets for trouble, but gets caught up in his concern for Boy. He brushes his hand over the dog's fur with a comforting rhythm, "Oh, Boy, it's a tough job you have, isn't it? Pulling sleds through snowstorms, braving the frostbite, and bearing with us humans, or gnomes, or whoever. And all you ask for is a pat on the head and maybe a bone or two."

His eyes twinkle with affection as he continues, "No demands for better benefits or warmer kennels. You lot are the real hard workers, the unsung heroes of the Icewind Dale. And I'm sure if you dogs decided to form a guild, there'd be no one brave enough to cross the sled dogs. How about the 'Cold Paws, Warm Hearts' guild?" Jack asks the pup, grinning widely, his hazel eyes alight with mirth. "Ah, I can see it now, the Cold Paws, Warm Hearts Guild, serving as the local Snow Patrol. Not only pulling sleds but also keeping Targos' streets clear of snow and ice. Imagine, a team of huskies, coordinated and in harmony, digging and pushing away snow. The sight alone would be worth a bag of gold pieces!" He laughs lightly, adding, "And imagine if they negotiated the right to mark their territory freely in Targos as part of their guild code. No lamppost or tree would be safe!"

He chuckles, scratching Boy behind the ears. "No one would cross the sled dogs guild, especially if you appoint Comet here as representative. That dog's got a bark that could scare off a yeti!" Jack adds, glancing at the husky that had recognized them earlier. He keeps his tone light and jesting as they walk the streets. He is paying more attention to the pup than to where they are headed.

 

[Quickleaf]

GM POST

GM: The < >'s are for Arik's speak with animals.

Upon quick examination of the dog and his broken harness, Corse notes a bit of blood staining his paw but it's not the dog's blood, and Aric determines that the harness broke from being stretched repeatedly as if the dog tore himself free.

Boy whines, circling about anxiously, the other dogs sniffing at him. After a moment staring at Arik, he barks loudly, "Haruff! <Danger to dogs!> Garr-rr har... <Garret is hurt> Rrrr drrhf kyff! <Smells like death big hair person!>" He circles toward the direction of the kennel, then whines, pacing back toward the town gate, seeming torn which way to go, before coming back to nuzzle Arik. "Mrrhhn whfff. <Mountain that blocks wind.> Arararar! <Help!>"

Targos Kennel
@Kobold Stew @Steve Gorak @Neurotic @Aethmud

Those of you who venture to the kennel watch Boy bark and scratch at the door, until a lanky rough-shaven man in his 30's comes out to greet the sled dog. "Boy? Where's Garret?" Looking across your company, the man's hopeful eyes immediately sag. "Where'd you find Boy? My husband Garret wouldn't let Boy out of his sight. He took a group of adventurers up Kelvin's Cairn..." The man wrings his hands, realizing that something has gone wrong, but patting Boy as the dog rushes into the house and begins sniffing about. "I- I'm Keegan... Keegan Velryn. C- come in, I'll put some cider on the stove..."

 

[Steve Gorak]

Aric presses Boy to give more information, even if he knows he may not get as much information as he is hoping. “Boy, we are fiends and we want to help. Where is Garrett, and do you know this big hair person? Was it a very tall person completely covered in white hair with horns? Where did they come from what did it do? [ooc: thinking it may be a yeti] What happened to your dog friends; were you the only one that was able to break the harness and free yourself?”

Aric readily briefs his companions on what boy has said. Upon meeting Keegan, he tells the man “Keegan, Boy told me Keegan is in danger. How far away is Kelvin’s Kairn? What were they doing there?”

 

[happylace]

Alma's night is quiet. She stays up a bit, making notes in an old journal, before falling asleep. It's a restless sort of sleep, however, and at some point in the night she gets out of bed and sneaks to the window. She opens the shutters, shivering against the blast of cold air, and looks up to the night sky. Stormclouds and snow blot out the sea of stars she longs to see. She wants to trace out the constellations in her head, in her book, just to know they're really there. After a few minutes of disappointment, she closes the window and crawls back into bed. Dreaming of caves and cold and darkness.

She steps off the sled in Targos, giving Eve only half an ear. She notes the suggested locations. Right. Maybe they're start there then. See if Torrga is even in town still. But their plans are interrupted as a loose dog comes running up.

Alma takes off after Lumrolur. That seems most pressing. The dog probably helps lead them towards the kennels. She hangs back for the most part, letting others talk. When Aric mentions Garret possibly being in trouble, she looks up at Keegan. "If that's true, we might not have time for cider. How long ago did they leave?"

 

[Quickleaf]

GM POST

Boy circles around, clearly weary from his long trip home, yet too anxious to slump down near the small fireplace. “Garr-rr mrrhhn whfff <Garret on mountain that blocks wind,>” the grey dog whines, eyes shifting woefully between Arik and Keegan. Finally leaning down to thirstily lick up water that Keegan has set out, Boy vocalizes between lapping, “Shhf. <Stranger.> Hrrmn kyr-kyff snrrr. <Horns and very big hair like snow.>" The dog makes a lonely whine, "Bororor. Harar ruff uur. <Just Boy. Other dogs stuck and hurt.>” Despite his exhaustion, the dog looks to the door intently, then to Arik, “R-rrrhff Garr-rr? <Follow me to Garret?>”

Keegan’s hand trembles as he places the kettle of cider on the stove, clearly distraught over the condition of Boy’s return. “Since the axebeak trader started up in Targos, we haven’t been selling as many dogs. Garret, he… ah… he started picking up work as a guide. It was what he always wanted since he left his wealthy family in Neverwinter – trekking across the white blanket of the wilderness.”

Fighting back tears, Keegan manages to still his hand long enough to light the whale oil burner under the cider. “He left 3 days ago with a party of 3 adventurers bound for Kelvin’s Cairn…a goliath, a halfling, and a horned sorceress. He only said the adventurers were looking for someone, probably the witch they call Snow White or the Dark Elf Who Watches – aren’t many reasons for sane folk to brave the Cairn.”

Nodding out the window toward faint glimpses of a silhouetted mountain to the northeast, Keegan says, “He’d have gone through Caer-Konig - about 24 miles by trail - then another 5 miles across Icewind Pass to the Cairn. About 12 hours by sled altogether. I’d expect him back tonight, but with Boy… a-and… excuse me…” Getting choked up, Keegan covers his face for a moment.

GM: @Kobold Stew Corse knows that the route Keegan describes is only an hour or two faster than going through Termalaine and cutting across tundra. Dog sleds move 4 mph on trail, 1 mph across tundra, and 0.5 mph in the mountains.

 

[Aethmud]

With a soft flutter, Jack lands on the table near Keegan, his eyes sincere. "Keegan, we won't let Garrett or his clients be lost in the wilderness. We'll find him." Then, Jack's tone shifts slightly, "About this witch, the dark Snow White, does she hold any connection to the Icewind Dale? Does she roam the wilds, or hold court in the Cairn? Anything you can share might guide our steps better." Jack leans forward toward just slightly, his sparkling wings fluttering in a calming rhythm. The simple gesture coupled with his steady gaze subtly communicates an intent to soothe the distraught Keegan.

 

[Quickleaf]

With a soft flutter, Jack lands on the table near Keegan, his eyes sincere. "Keegan, we won't let Garrett or his clients be lost in the wilderness. We'll find him." Then, Jack's tone shifts slightly, "About this witch, the dark Snow White, does she hold any connection to the Icewind Dale? Does she roam the wilds, or hold court in the Cairn? Anything you can share might guide our steps better." Jack leans forward toward just slightly, his sparkling wings fluttering in a calming rhythm. The simple gesture coupled with his steady gaze subtly communicates an intent to soothe the distraught Keegan.

With a fleeting smile of gratitude, Keegan wipes his eyes, "Thank you, sprite. I'm afraid I don't have much to offer you for seeking out Garret... a discount on sled dogs should you need them... and the owner at the Luskan Arms is a friend so I can get you free rooms at the inn. I'd be grateful even if you find him... if..." He's not able to finish the sentence, but the implication is clear: He's willing to offer you what meager reward he can, even if you return Garret's body.

Watching the flickering fire beneath the metal plate that heats the kettle, Keegan furrows his brows, "I- well, I don't know much about the witch, I'm afraid. They say she dwells within Kelvin's Cairn and deals in curses. Not even sure why they call her Snow White."

 

[Necropolitan]

Zeth spends his first night indoors after nearly freezing to death bundled up as much as he can. He dreams of the frozen corpses of his dead crewmates crawling across the icy ground after him, waking in the middle of the night just as they catch up to him with open mouths. He muffles his scream and manages to keep from falling out of the bed. He's not one to believe in dreams, but feels in his bones that ending Sephek is the only way he can find peace. He'll burn the corpse to ash so it can't follow him.

On the sled ride he tries to stay calm, but shows obvious agitation as being out of the town brings back the memories of the wilderness. Even if the drivers know where they're going the inverted hope of fear wonders what will happen if they get lost. When they finally arrive at the town Zeth grimaces as he sees the frozen corpse tied to the post outside Targos. It's a grim reminder of what could have happened to him if he hadn't managed to find his way back to civilization. It's like Auril is taunting him after he lied to her followers.

Auril's followers were lunatics, these sacrifices were pointless sadism. Killing in self-defense was acceptable, he and his companions were about to kill for profit, but to condemn someone to a tortuous death out of religious fanaticism was just...he hoped he'd never understand it. It'd be one thing if worshiping Auril provided actual protection from the cold, but the constant tests and need to walk such a narrow line would be a worse torment. It was insanity, and Zeth prided himself on his rationality.

Zeth realizes he's been unconsciously chewing, as if desperately eating-no no no, he was stronger-willed than this. He'd see this through and it would just become another chapter in the long, long book of his life. And he'd never need to feel cold or hungry again.

Alma takes off after Lumrolur. That seems most pressing. The dog probably helps lead them towards the kennels. She hangs back for the most part, letting others talk. When Aric mentions Garret possibly being in trouble, she looks up at Keegan. "If that's true, we might not have time for cider. How long ago did they leave?"

With a soft flutter, Jack lands on the table near Keegan, his eyes sincere. "Keegan, we won't let Garrett or his clients be lost in the wilderness. We'll find him." Then, Jack's tone shifts slightly, "About this witch, the dark Snow White, does she hold any connection to the Icewind Dale? Does she roam the wilds, or hold court in the Cairn? Anything you can share might guide our steps better." Jack leans forward toward just slightly, his sparkling wings fluttering in a calming rhythm. The simple gesture coupled with his steady gaze subtly communicates an intent to soothe the distraught Keegan.

With a fleeting smile of gratitude, Keegan wipes his eyes, "Thank you, sprite. I'm afraid I don't have much to offer you for seeking out Garret... a discount on sled dogs should you need them... and the owner at the Luskan Arms is a friend so I can get you free rooms at the inn. I'd be grateful even if you find him... if..." He's not able to finish the sentence, but the implication is clear: He's willing to offer you what meager reward he can, even if you return Garret's body.

Watching the flickering fire beneath the metal plate that heats the kettle, Keegan furrows his brows, "I- well, I don't know much about the witch, I'm afraid. They say she dwells within Kelvin's Cairn and deals in curses. Not even sure why they call her Snow White."

Zeth watches as his companions get information and the Goblin somehow speaks Dog. He's unsure of what to say in this situation, but will pounce on any opportunity to prove his worth. If he's with this group then he's not alone with his thoughts. And the cold. And his hunger.

(OOC: If Arcana, History, or Religion would be of any use when it comes to the topics discussed: 1D20+6 = [11]+6 = 17)

When Keegan finishes warming the cider Zeth gladly takes a cup and drains it even as it burns on the way down. He needs the heat and weight in his stomach, which has yet to feel full even after the large meal he had the other day.

 

[Quickleaf]

GM: @Necropolitan Zeth has heard stories about Kelvin's Cairn told by mercenaries and fortune-seekers. Allegedly the mountain to the northeast formed when the god Tempos battled and slew the frost giant Kelvin, burying him under a thousand feet of rock and ice. It has a storied history, having once been a site of pilgrimage for frost giants and served as the lair of an evil wizard controlling an artifact known as the Crystal Shard. Allegedly, many treasures are buried in its depths.

 

[happylace]

With a fleeting smile of gratitude, Keegan wipes his eyes, "Thank you, sprite. I'm afraid I don't have much to offer you for seeking out Garret... a discount on sled dogs should you need them... and the owner at the Luskan Arms is a friend so I can get you free rooms at the inn. I'd be grateful even if you find him... if..." He's not able to finish the sentence, but the implication is clear: He's willing to offer you what meager reward he can, even if you return Garret's body.

Watching the flickering fire beneath the metal plate that heats the kettle, Keegan furrows his brows, "I- well, I don't know much about the witch, I'm afraid. They say she dwells within Kelvin's Cairn and deals in curses. Not even sure why they call her Snow White."

"If he's dead," Alma finishes bluntly. "Which he likely is, if they were attacked. Even if they all survived, it will take us several hours to get there." There's no malice or impatience when she says it. Just matter of fact. Like she doesn't grasp how cruel her words are. "Do we believe it's worth it to leave immediately? If we're recovering bodies, it may be more efficient to stop and gather supplies first."

(If possible, I'd like to draw on any knowledge about hazards or obstacles in that area we should be aware of. Not sure if that'd be a survival or nature check so here's both, if it's valid at all.

Spoiler: Survival check

Survival check: 1D20+1 = [19]+1 = 20

Spoiler: Nature check

Nature check: 1D20+2 = [7]+2 = 9

)