The Frigid Woe (DW) - Act 2

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Feb 28, 2022 1:16 pm
OOC:
Yeah, I think she would have at least mentioned it on her walk over. She trusts Mance and would want him to know about her suspicions.

The Buyer

Data Inactive for 6 months

Mar 1, 2022 9:16 am
The Buyer
Before handing over the ring, the Buyer makes a note of it's transfer in their ledger, and requests that Mance use the crest of the Diarchy to stamp a seal of acceptance of the artifact, along with the rest of the supplies.

"If you want mounts, you'll want to see to them first." The Buyer says, their eyes going to Teo as they seem to be the reindeer expert of the group. "Then, for tonight, there is an unoccupied yurt in the north quarter that should accommodate all of you, no need to stay on your ship or in the inn for the night."

Morgo, from the back, pipes up incredulously, "You're going to pawn off Bertron's yurt?"

The Buyer doesn't blink at the outburst, "I can't see how he would be using it. Resources are far too scarce to waste needlessly. Steaking of which,"

The Buyer pulls out a rolled map of the area, as well as a smooth, rune-covered stone. "This is covered as part of your temporary supplies. A simple map of what we know of this region, and a sending stone."
[ +- ] Sending Stone, weight 0

[ +- ] Eisecross Map - Path Options
OOC:
It would be shorter to go through the river, but possibly more dangerous. I've color-coded the potential paths available (that make sense).

Before now: you began your journey from Nohme on the morning of Day 1.
Normally you would have reached Syrinlya by the morning of Day 2, but investigating the Flying Remorhaz caused you about half a day, so you arrived in Syrinlya the afternoon of Day 2. If you spend the night, you will be setting out the morning of Day 3.

With that starting point in mind:

The Green Path (through the Mountains) is the trail that the previous adventuring party took. Each circle represents a Make Camp location when going at a fast pace (with mounts). You can modify these times and locations by going slower or travelling longer. Using this path you will reach Cobalt Station the evening of Day 5.

The Red Path (going around the Mountains) this is a slightly longer, but presumably safer path. Each circle represents a Make Camp location when going at a fast pace (with mounts). You can modify these times and locations by going slower or travelling longer. Using this path you will reach Cobalt Station the morning of Day 6.

The Blue Path (going through the River Inferno) this is actually the shortest, but most dangerous route. Each circle represents a Make Camp location when going at a fast pace (on a ship). You can modify these times and locations by going slower, but it already assumes the ship will be travelling all day and night, so you can't travel longer. Using this path you will reach Cobalt Station the morning of Day 5.

The Purple Path (going around the east coast) this is another possible water-route. So far you have no information about this route. Each circle represents a Make Camp location when going at a fast pace (on a ship). You can modify these times and locations by going slower, but it already assumes the ship will be travelling all day and night, so you can't travel longer. Using this path you will reach Cobalt Station the evening of Day 5.
Mar 1, 2022 8:41 pm
OOC:
Apologies for my lengthy absence, I was very sick last week, and then have been struggling for some reason to catch up with a lot of my games here on GP.

Teo is happy to go any route, but will push for any of the shorter routes (so not the red one), and is happy to help with the reindeer, so extra points for green. Of course as a player though, it's hard to say no to traveling through a river of lava, so...
Mar 2, 2022 6:46 am
aquafina says:
Apologies for my lengthy absence, I was very sick last week, and then have been struggling for some reason to catch up with a lot of my games here on GP.
OOC:
No problem, it's often daunting to catch-up after being away or delayed for awhile. Glad to see you back and excited to do some Reindeer riding and/or lava surfing!
From Absences:
Data says:
Had a little medical scare today with my mom (she’s ok), but I’m pretty exhausted, so I most likely won’t be able to post in my games until pretty late or tomorrow.
OOC:
No problem, best wishes to your Mom. I'm still thinking about Mance's opinion on the route and I'm not sure I'll get it written up tonight, but sounds like waiting until tomorrow should be okay.

I like the inferno route, especially since we've found the way to do it with the ring, but I feel like the Symphony has been in the spot light already, so I'm definitely open to giving Teo a chance to shine with the Reindeer.

Another thought I had if we go by land using the Reindeer is to send Helga and the Symphony with a sending stone by the purple route to wait at the coast, so we have a couple escape routes: Back over land the way we came, to the coast where the Symphony will be waiting, or we can use the ring to make lava-rafts and go down river as a last resort.
Mar 2, 2022 2:10 pm
OOC:
Bonepipe always goes where there's the most danger but for me the most interesting stories will come out of the reindeer route.
Quote:
Another thought I had if we go by land using the Reindeer is to send Helga and the Symphony with a sending stone by the purple route to wait at the coast, so we have a couple escape routes: Back over land the way we came, to the coast where the Symphony will be waiting, or we can use the ring to make lava-rafts and go down river as a last resort.
Sounds great!
Mar 2, 2022 6:40 pm
OOC:
I admire the elegance of that, haha, and despite being hotheaded and somewhat impulsive I think Byron would too. Having multiple backup plans is the option that’s safest for the collective crew of the ship, which is important to her, without ruling out adventure.

And of course I hope everyone is doing or feeling okay! Take time as needed!
Last edited March 2, 2022 6:41 pm

The Buyer

Data Inactive for 6 months

Mar 3, 2022 8:45 am
The Buyer
OOC:
Okay, then we're going the Green Path, with Helga taking the Symphony on the Purple Path, so you all have multiple escape routes at the end. Sounds good to me!
After some discussion, the party seems to come to a sort of agreement on their path forward. Once potential snag ends up being convincing the Buyer to give up their other Sending Stone. "They come in pairs, and I'm afraid I haven't any more. If you take both, one for this Helga and one for your group on land, then you will not have any way of contacting me during the trip. And, I'm rather loathe to lose another set of Sending Stones - do you know how rare these are?"
OOC:
To get both Stones you'll need a successful Parley move. Think of what you might offer the Buyer in reassurances.
As they speak, the Buyer is also headed to the front of the yurt. "I'll take you to the stables. As I said, it's best to get things settled now. For those of you headed to bed early, you can follow Morgo." They gesture to the dwarf, who rolls her eyes and shrugs her shoulders in acceptance.
OOC:
Who's going to the Stables, who's going to bed, and/or who's heading somewhere else?
Mar 4, 2022 2:43 pm
OOC:
Bonepipe will follow The Buyer to the stables.
Mar 5, 2022 2:04 am
OOC:
Byron’s gonna accompany him to the stables. Just to make sure he doesn’t do anything silly.
Mar 5, 2022 5:47 am
"Is there any reason we'll need to be in contact with you while we're out there ... other than for you to keep tabs on your ... artifacts?" Mance shares a cheeky smile with The Buyer as he produces the Crest of the Diarchy to stamp the necessary documents.

"If not, then I think it would be best if we were to borrow both signal stones ... for the sake of the humanitarian crisis."

He manipulates the Crest in a slight of hand with a special flourish to emphasize the authority behind their support and his face turns more serious.

"My hometown is turning to a collection of frozen statues ... I saw it with my own eyes! How long before it spreads to the whole continent! I'm sure you can understand that we need ALL resources available! And of course, we will do everything in our power to return these special items as soon as this is all over, you have my WORD!"

He pauses for a moment assessing The Buyer before adding, "But if you need more assurance than that, then you can have my sword." He unties the sword, decorative scabbard and all, from his worn leather belt and holds it out. "It's a special dueling rapier from the Menagerie Coast. It's very valuable and unique this far north and should make up most of the cost of the stones. But know that I'll be out there in the wilds without it trying to save the continent."

Rolls

Parley (+CHA) - (2d6+2)

(56) + 2 = 13

Mar 5, 2022 5:51 am
OOC:
After the negotiation, Mance will take his leave at the Yurt to get some rest in the hopes to attune with the ring. He's confident leaving Teo and Byron to tend to the reindeer and Bonepipe to have fun partying and hopefully gathering some more useful information along with all the fun ;)
Mar 5, 2022 6:22 am
OOC:
Quote:
and hopefully gathering some more useful information along with all the fun ;)
It's cute how you think Bonepipe could be useful for anything other than getting into trouble. XD

Narrator

Data Inactive for 6 months

Mar 5, 2022 11:04 am
Narrator
The Buyer seems to take Mance's measure for a moment or two, then sighs. "Keep your sword, Pyro. I'll take your word for what it is." They say, before handing Mance the other Sending Stone. "Do not make me regret it."

And with that said, the Buyer reaches for the pixie dragon on their shoulder - which flutters off to curl up on the bed in the front room - before the Buyer leads the way out of the yurt and into the town. The Buyer leads them to the far northern edge of the settlement, where some snow-covered pines overlooked several large cone-shaped buildings. The group can see, long before they arrive, a large herd of about two dozen or so reindeer mulling about the front of the stables.

"Reindeer are discerning mounts." The Buyer says once they arrive. "They won't carry just anyone - you will first need to prove yourselves worthy riders." They look to Teo, "Try approaching one."
OOC:
For Teo, you can talk with the reindeer and convince them to join your group. That will be a Parley move, but you can use WIS instead of CHA, since this is more of a "Animal Handling" thing.

Byron and Bonepipe can also try a Parley move with WIS, or you can try something else, if you'd like!

Let me know how you go about approaching a reindeer - and what your character might be looking for in a reindeer mount.

About halfway to the stables, Morgo waved to Mance to split off from the group and head to the abandoned yurt that had been offered to them. It's surprisingly large and well-made - fur-lined and expensive.

"Belonged to a fool rich elf named Bertron who came here looking for 'adventure'." Morgo explains with a sigh. "He found the inside of a saber-toothed tiger instead. Now there's a cautionary tale."

The sound of wind and the biting cold die down as they enter the yurt. A cold fire pit marks the center of the hide-covered floor. Though there's only one mattress, it's more than spacious enough for all of them to roll out their bedrolls for the night.

An open crate containing packaged rations and a few other items stands next to the door.
OOC:
Since you got here first Mance, you can take the bed!
You can use the Make Camp move to go to bed and roll the +WIS for the Ring of True Ice.
Mar 5, 2022 3:34 pm
Teo smiles as he approaches the reindeer, crouching slightly to appear less threatening and being sure not to make any sudden movements. He pulls some colorful berries and patches of moss from his pack that he either already had to just made a quick flight to grab. He gently pats and scratches the head and neck of the nearest reindeer as he speaks to whoever amongst the herd decides to listen. He uses a quiet, calm voice as he explains who he is, what he is looking for, and what he needs from them, trying to reach inside himself to find that reindeer spirit he uses to transform and extend it to the herd, without actually transforming, as that might startle them.

Rolls

Parley (WIS) - (2d6+2)

(41) + 2 = 7

Mar 6, 2022 7:48 am
Bonepipe picks the biggest deer with the gnarliest antlers.

"Here, mate! Wanna go on an adventcha and be famous like ole' Bonepipe?"

Rolls

Parley - (2d6)

(62) = 8

Mar 7, 2022 7:20 am
Mance wishes Morgo a good night and then works to make the yurt comfortable for a restful night of sleep. He builds a big fire in the central pit, using some of the secrets that Byron has taught him about fire. He cooks and eats some of the packaged rations that he finds in the crate and then tucks into the bed. He drifts off to sleep quickly after the exhausting journey to Syrinlya, the pints of lager at the tavern and the full belly of food.
[ +- ] Make Camp
[ +- ] Ring of True Ice, 0 weight
Last edited March 7, 2022 7:26 am

Rolls

Wisdom (Ring of True Ice) - (2d6+(1))

(61) + 1 = 8

Mar 7, 2022 7:26 am
OOC:
Also Check out my post about new character sheet features (HERE). I updated my character sheet for Mance. Let me know if you'd like to update your character sheet and I can help make a template for your class.
Mar 7, 2022 7:31 am
OOC:
I might RP a dream that Mance has while the ring attunes to him, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow
Mar 7, 2022 2:02 pm
Byron creeps up to a hardy-looking reindeer—the better to carry her bulk.

She clears her throat gently, exhaling a bit of heat that curls into white smoke when it hits the air, then, at a loss for what to say, croaks "Hi…"

Glancing over at Teo, she searches her pockets for some gift to give the creature, but finds nothing but a bit of hard tack she hadn’t completely finished.

Byron offers it to the reindeer.

"Uh. Want some?"

Rolls

Parlay (Wis) - (2d6+1)

(13) + 1 = 5

Mar 9, 2022 7:23 am
Mance tosses and turns in his sleep, strange dreams of fire and ice coming and going in fierce succession ...

... He sits alone by a campfire out on a frozen expanse ... Where he has gotten the wood from he could not remember until he focused on the coals ... an antler was the only discernable detail left in the burning heap ... he remembers the desperation of survival, sacrifice, feels the coldness of guilt ... no that's the bitter cold encroaching on the small sphere of heat generated by the fire ... he doesn't have much time left ... he tries to distract himself by enjoying the aesthetic of the Ring ... it sparkles as he holds it up in front of the campfire ... he senses something magical pulsing behind the refracted light of the gemstone ... suddenly it explodes into a shower of crystals ... pain of a million tiny slivers ... a massive weight pulls upon his arm ... his entire forearm is encased in a quickly growing shard of ice ... Mance panics and plunges his arm into the campfire ... No, it's not a campfire, it's a jet of red hot fire ... Byron is there, Thank the Gods! She's come to save him, her breath encompasses his arm ... NO! Too much, his entire body is engulfed ... a wall of fire ... a great wave of liquid fire ... magma ... he's on the Inferno, the river of fire ... he's surfing down the wave ... standing on his frozen arm as a board, it has snapped off his shoulder ... Bonepipe yells out an exclamation of joy! ... he's slalom skiing next to Mance, both legs frozen in shards of ice skimming along the surface of the lava ... suddenly the wave crashes down upon them ... searing pain ... but no burns ... gasping for breath, he tries to swim ... a whale encased in armadillo-like plates of ice breaches the magma under him ... it's Teorca! carrying him to the shore ... Mance lies exhausted on his back in the black volcanic sand ... lava recedes from around him ... he feels warm now ... he's clutching his frozen arm to his body ... no, it's not frozen any more ... and it's still attached ... a feeling of relief washes over him ... the Ring is still on his finger ... but now feels apart of him ...

... Mance wakes up with a sense of resolution, but feels even more exhausted than when he first fell asleep. It is still dark and the others have not returned yet. The fire is almost out, so he gets up to throw another bundle of logs onto the fire and then inspects the Ring of True Ice. It sparkles just like in the dream. He feels different now too. He can feel the ring's magic now, joined with him and knows he can channel it if he needs. Feeling exhausted, he tucks back into bed and quickly falls asleep again.
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