(IC) Quickleaf's Rime of the Frostmaiden

[VLAD the Destroyer]

Logrim nods at Oskar.

"Will do Mister Oskar sir." He turns to lead on then pauses. "There are some kobolds with my group. We have made an arrangement with them. There are cultists in the mines above. The kobolds are going to help us avoid them and get to the surface. I didn't want you to mistake them for a threat."

With the quick explanation made Logrim turns and leads Oskar back to the others. He smiles and waves as they arrive back.

"I found mister Oskar here. He followed us from the Dumathoin temple. Seems he has pressing business in Tourmalaine. Mister Brydum sent him after us. Figured we could assist each other gettin' to the town."

 

[Aethmud]

Jack flutters up with an enthusiastic grin and abruptly gives a a gesture of greeting that he noticed the dwarves had used with each other earlier, a deferential tilt of the head together with a thoughtful squint. "Well met, Oskar Whisperstone. Jack Everfrost, at your service! Pleasure to have a sturdy dwarf with us again, and we could use some help in our adventures."

His grin widens as he gestures vaguely toward the twisting tunnels ahead and the sound of the waterfall. "You're in great company here, Oskar. Not a single one of us truly knows quite where we're going. It's like a grand blindfolded treasure race, and the prize is catching an interrogating a suspected murderer. Ever been in hot pursuit of a killer before? No? Well, don’t worry, first time’s the charm!"

He then claps his hands together, an impish twinkle in his eyes. "Your very presence is just the bolt out of the blue type of luck that tells me we're in for some easy adventuring and a nice warm bed just around the corner! Or, you know, more kobolds, ice toads, and death traps."

Jack flits down to hover just in front of Oskar, examining him with mock seriousness. "You seem a hardy sort, but tell me, are you ready to climb a vertical rock wall next to an active waterfall? Because our new kobold friends have informed us that’s next on our to-do list. If not, don’t worry; I can provide the very finest motivational speeches... or tie a rope around you and try to airlift you and your gear," Jack's gaze wanders down to the dwarf's paunchy midsection, and then back toward the waterfall, "or at least well, y'know, slow down any potential, uh, descending maneuvers!"

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Spoiler: Oskar Whisperstone - Mini-sheet

Oskar Whisperstone Race: Dwarf HP: 27/27 AC: 16/18(with shield)	Perc save: +2 Pass Inv: 9 Pass Ins: 15	Spell Slots: 1st[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] 2nd [] [] Harness Divine Power 1/1
Channel Divinity: 1/1	Initiative: -1	Spell Save DC: 13/+5 to hit
Spoiler: Stats(saves) STR: 13+1 DEX: 8 -1 CON: 14+2 INT: 9-1 WIS: 16+3(+5) CHA:10 +0(+2)	Spoiler: Skills Craft:+5 History: 1 Insight: 5 Medicine: 5 Persuasion: 2 Religion: 1	Spoiler: Spells Cantrips Guidance, Mending*, Sacred Flame, Spare the dying, Memorized spells 1st Bless*, Cure wounds*, create/destroy water, healing word, Protection from Evil, Sanctuary, Guiding bolt 2nd Lesser Restoration*, Spiritual Weapon*, Aid,

---

"I found mister Oskar here. He followed us from the Dumathoin temple. Seems he has pressing business in Tourmalaine. Mister Brydum sent him after us. Figured we could assist each other gettin' to the town."

"Good to meet you all. I'll help any way I can. It's good to have someone to travel with." He shakes hands to anyone who offers

Jack flutters up with an enthusiastic grin and abruptly gives a a gesture of greeting that he noticed the dwarves had used with each other earlier, a deferential tilt of the head together with a thoughtful squint. "Well met, Oskar Whisperstone. Jack Everfrost, at your service! Pleasure to have a sturdy dwarf with us again, and we could use some help in our adventures."

His grin widens as he gestures vaguely toward the twisting tunnels ahead and the sound of the waterfall. "You're in great company here, Oskar. Not a single one of us truly knows quite where we're going. It's like a grand blindfolded treasure race, and the prize is catching an interrogating a suspected murderer. Ever been in hot pursuit of a killer before? No? Well, don’t worry, first time’s the charm!"

"Well, to be truthful, I'm looking for a band of wizards...you haven't run into anyone named Vellyne?" He says the name with slight hint of acid in his tone.

He then claps his hands together, an impish twinkle in his eyes. "Your very presence is just the bolt out of the blue type of luck that tells me we're in for some easy adventuring and a nice warm bed just around the corner! Or, you know, more kobolds, ice toads, and death traps."

Jack flits down to hover just in front of Oskar, examining him with mock seriousness. "You seem a hardy sort, but tell me, are you ready to climb a vertical rock wall next to an active waterfall? Because our new kobold friends have informed us that’s next on our to-do list. If not, don’t worry; I can provide the very finest motivational speeches... or tie a rope around you and try to airlift you and your gear," Jack's gaze wanders down to the dwarf's paunchy midsection, and then back toward the waterfall, "or at least well, y'know, slow down any potential, uh, descending maneuvers!"

"Well, I can try to climb. I haven't got any magic to get us up there, if that's what you mean but I've got rope. I'm sure it'll be fine! We'll find a way up, sure enough. While we go, you can tell me about this killer you're looking for."

---

Spoiler: OOC

 

[Aethmud]

Jack flits back a bit, rubbing his hands together gleefully, as they head over toward the waterfall. He explains things to Oskar in hushed tones, "Oskar, we’ve got a killer skulking around who’s colder than a yeti’s eyebrow. Goes by the name Sephak, if I recall. We heard he’s been riding around with a caravan led by someone named Torg, a traveling troupe of trouble. We came through these underground passageways in the hopes that we'd be able to chase them down in time and give Sephak the old chill-out."

Alighting to the ground, Jack continues, while gesturing toward the kobolds lurking nearby. "As for these scaly chums, we’ve struck a deal! Once we catch Sephak and send him slippin’ on his own icicles, we plan to come back and help these wee ones oust a band of cultists who’ve taken over Termalaine’s mines. They're led by a spellcaster named Wahorna. Her gang have been putting a serious freeze on everyone’s fun and fortune down there. The kobolds will help with sabotaging bucket lifts and rickety bridges, so the baddies drop like hailstones when we ambush them."

He places a hand on Oskar’s shoulder reassuringly, and leans in to whisper the rest of the plan, like a fellow conspirator. "So, the plan is simple: First, we track down Sephak, turn him into last week’s sleet—nice and quick. When that's done, boy, could I go for a warm camp, campfire stories, and a full night's rest. Once we're fresh and ready, we dash back here, team up with these kobold connoisseurs of chaos, and send Wahorna’s Wintery Wierdos straight to the icebox! The deal is, the kobolds get their mines back, but who knows, maybe we'll manage to walk away with a few gems for ourselves!"

"I haven't heard of Vellyne and their whereabouts, but it's possible there's some connection with Torg's caravan or with the cultists lurking in this mine."

Jack looks up the waterfall to the sky above, and asks the group, "Well, the kobolds said that climbing straight up is probably the best way to slip past the cultists, so we can properly ambush them later. Shall I fly up first and peek, just to make sure there aren't any lookouts at the top? Maybe together with Spider-Aric?"

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Spoiler: Oskar Whisperstone - Mini-sheet

Oskar Whisperstone Race: Dwarf HP: 27/27 AC: 16/18(with shield)	Perc save: +2 Pass Inv: 9 Pass Ins: 15	Spell Slots: 1st[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] 2nd [] [] Harness Divine Power 1/1
Channel Divinity: 1/1	Initiative: -1	Spell Save DC: 13/+5 to hit
Spoiler: Stats(saves) STR: 13+1 DEX: 8 -1 CON: 14+2 INT: 9-1 WIS: 16+3(+5) CHA:10 +0(+2)	Spoiler: Skills Craft:+5 History: 1 Insight: 5 Medicine: 5 Persuasion: 2 Religion: 1	Spoiler: Spells Cantrips Guidance, Mending*, Sacred Flame, Spare the dying, Memorized spells 1st Bless*, Cure wounds*, create/destroy water, healing word, Protection from Evil, Sanctuary, Guiding bolt 2nd Lesser Restoration*, Spiritual Weapon*, Aid,

---

Oskar listens intently.

"I can see what I can do to help with with this murderer and even help these kobolds, if that's the deal for passage through the mines - although, I'm not sure the Dwarves of the Valley will like their mines overrun with kobolds...I suppose it's better than cultists.

"Vellyne Harpell, his apprentice, Delly-Curti are necromancers. If there's foul business going on, I'd bet my britches they're involved. They're part of a group called the Arcane Brotherhood. In any case, I like the idea of you flying up to have a look.....

...Spider-Aric?"

---

 

[Neurotic]

Lumrolur nods at the newcomer, but keeps his eyes on the kobolds, along with his crossbow that remains trained at the kobold leader.

"Lumrolur."

 

[happylace]

[accidentally double posted idk how to delete these]

 

[happylace]

Spoiler: Oskar Whisperstone - Mini-sheet

Oskar Whisperstone Race: Dwarf HP: 27/27 AC: 16/18(with shield)	Perc save: +2 Pass Inv: 9 Pass Ins: 15	Spell Slots: 1st[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] 2nd [] [] Harness Divine Power 1/1
Channel Divinity: 1/1	Initiative: -1	Spell Save DC: 13/+5 to hit
Spoiler: Stats(saves) STR: 13+1 DEX: 8 -1 CON: 14+2 INT: 9-1 WIS: 16+3(+5) CHA:10 +0(+2)	Spoiler: Skills Craft:+5 History: 1 Insight: 5 Medicine: 5 Persuasion: 2 Religion: 1	Spoiler: Spells Cantrips Guidance, Mending*, Sacred Flame, Spare the dying, Memorized spells 1st Bless*, Cure wounds*, create/destroy water, healing word, Protection from Evil, Sanctuary, Guiding bolt 2nd Lesser Restoration*, Spiritual Weapon*, Aid,

---

Oskar listens intently.

"I can see what I can do to help with with this murderer and even help these kobolds, if that's the deal for passage through the mines - although, I'm not sure the Dwarves of the Valley will like their mines overrun with kobolds...I suppose it's better than cultists.

"Vellyne Harpell, his apprentice, Delly-Curti are necromancers. If there's foul business going on, I'd bet my britches they're involved. They're part of a group called the Arcane Brotherhood. In any case, I like the idea of you flying up to have a look.....

...Spider-Aric?"

---

Alma turns to meet them, trying to recall if they ever saw this individual at the dwarven encampment. "Alma Ostergaard. Good. You're smaller. That will be advantageous in our escape." Her tone is completely flat and without any sense of ridicule. She points to the massive spider in the corner. "That's Spider-Aric. Though he's usually just called Aric. This is a nickname exclusively for when he's in spider form. He also usually looks like a goblin."

She perks up a little at the mention of the Arcane Brotherhood. Fleeting recollections of their time in the ice caves come to mind. Just as she did then, she recites now, "The Arcane Brotherhood. An organization of mages interested in arcane secrets. They often seek powerful magic artifacts. Usually to their own detriment. They previously operated out of Luskan, but I believe the tower from which they conduct their operations was destroyed, so they now work in exile. I don't know Vellyne Harpell or Delly-Curti. A... close acquaintance of mine was more familiar with them." She tilts her head inquisitively at the dwarf. "You seem hostile towards them. Do you have a negative history?"

 

[Steve Gorak]

Spider Aric moves a bit forward, and waves two legs in greeting the newcomer.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Spoiler: Oskar Whisperstone - Mini-sheet

Oskar Whisperstone Race: Dwarf HP: 27/27 AC: 16/18(with shield)	Perc save: +2 Pass Inv: 9 Pass Ins: 15	Spell Slots: 1st[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] 2nd [] [] Harness Divine Power 1/1
Channel Divinity: 1/1	Initiative: -1	Spell Save DC: 13/+5 to hit
Spoiler: Stats(saves) STR: 13+1 DEX: 8 -1 CON: 14+2 INT: 9-1 WIS: 16+3(+5) CHA:10 +0(+2)	Spoiler: Skills Craft:+5 History: 1 Insight: 5 Medicine: 5 Persuasion: 2 Religion: 1	Spoiler: Spells Cantrips Guidance, Mending*, Sacred Flame, Spare the dying, Memorized spells 1st Bless*, Cure wounds*, create/destroy water, healing word, Protection from Evil, Sanctuary, Guiding bolt 2nd Lesser Restoration*, Spiritual Weapon*, Aid,

---

Alma turns to meet them, trying to recall if they ever saw this individual at the dwarven encampment. "Alma Ostergaard. Good. You're smaller. That will be advantageous in our escape." Her tone is completely flat and without any sense of ridicule. She points to the massive spider in the corner. "That's Spider-Aric. Though he's usually just called Aric. This is a nickname exclusively for when he's in spider form. He also usually looks like a goblin."

"Ah, I'd heard of the goblin. Nice to meet you spider-aric." He shakes a leg.

She perks up a little at the mention of the Arcane Brotherhood. Fleeting recollections of their time in the ice caves come to mind. Just as she did then, she recites now, "The Arcane Brotherhood. An organization of mages interested in arcane secrets. They often seek powerful magic artifacts. Usually to their own detriment. They previously operated out of Luskan, but I believe the tower from which they conduct their operations was destroyed, so they now work in exile. I don't know Vellyne Harpell or Delly-Curti. A... close acquaintance of mine was more familiar with them." She tilts her head inquisitively at the dwarf. "You seem hostile towards them. Do you have a negative history?"

"I don't think they're working in exile. They contracted my clan to rebuilt their tower. While working, I came across some evidence of disturbing magics and rituals. I was sent here to Icewindale, against my will when they found out what I knew. I managed to pocket a small doll from Vellyne's workshop before they caught me snooping...problem is, I don't know what I know and I haven't pieced it together yet.** But, while I'm here, I've vowed to Sharindlar to uncover what they're up to. I know a small group of wizards- maybe half a dozen - are operating here in ten towns.

In any case, there isn't much we can do about them standing here in these caves. Let's go before these kobolds lose their patience with us. I'm happy to help you - it might even provide me with some leads."

---

Spoiler: OOC

**mostly because quickleaf and I didn't hammer out exactly what Oskar found.

This is all related to his "secret". So it's not much of a secret anymore.