The Frigid Woe (DW) - Act 2

The Buyer finally stops writing and looks up from their ledger, green eyes flat and unamused. The tiny green faerie dragon stands and stretches, before nimbly hopping onto the Buyer's shoulder and curling around the back of their neck.

They ignore Byron's joke completely, and gesture vaguely towards the stacks of crates. "Materials, supplies, artifacts... My interests are broad." They respond to Bonepipe equally vaguely. "But, that is not our business today."

The Buyer mutters something in elvish and the ledger in front of them magically flips back several pages. "The supplies the Diarchy requested for this expedition are as follows: four sets of cold-weather outfits, snowshoes, and crampons, two large insulated tents, several fur and wool blankets, 4 sets of basic artic exploration gear, and 40 days worth of rations."

The Buyer pauses, then looks at the group, their tone somewhat reticent. "Any additional supplies you may need, may also be provided. I've been told I'll be reimbursed for anything you may require." They do not appear to be entirely convinced of that. "The Diarchy is very anxious for a cure."

The Buyer looks at Bonepipe and states flatly. "I doubt the Diarchy will count that as a 'necessary expense'." Before turning their attention to Mance.

"It depends on what you're looking to accomplish with them, Pyro - but the artifacts I keep are one of a kind. I don't hand them out lightly." They say simply. "I do have mounts available for rent - reindeer. Though you will need to show me you have the competency to ride them before I can give them to you in good conscience. I can bring you to the stables now, if you would like."

The Buyer's eyes narrow. "Interesting. You're the second person today to mention something of that sort to me."

The Buyer closes their ledger, then stands, the faerie dragon curling around their shoulders. "An ancient magic thrives in the ice of Eiselcross - it's presumed that long ago this area may have had a connection to the Plane of Ice, just as the River Inferno is said to have it's origins in the Plane of Magma. It... is possible that there is ice that will not melt in the lava flow of the river, however, such magic is highly dangerous. In fact, the Woe is said to be a corruption of this very magic."

The Buyer regards the party solemnly. "Still interested?"

The Buyer does not seem entirely impressed by Bonepipe's thrill for danger, but seems to listen to Mance's request for more information, walking elegantly toward one of the storage crates toward the back of the warehouse-like room.

"The one who inquired was named Avanka. An... unusually aggressive elder." They say. "I've not produced any artifacts for her - so there's no need for alarm. There are restrictions to this sort of thing, after all. Speaking of - you were given a Diarchy crest for proof of delivery, yes?"

The Buyer summons up a magic teal-green hand, and magically unseals one of the crates, before pulling out what appears to be a ring with a glowing ice-blue gemstone, etched in runes, contained inside a glass container.

"The gem this ring has - True Ice - is a relic only recently found in Eiselcross. It's what the Colbalt Station is researching, and, indeed, has the potential to turn into the malady we call the Frigid Woe. In this form, however, it's decently stable." They open the container and shake the ring out onto their hand, which lands harmlessly. "Those attuned to this item can use it to encase something in ice that does not melt under normal means - though it can be broken. And it's the breaking that puts the user in danger." They hold up the ring in their slender fingers. "If the ice is broken and gets into a living creature's body through a wound or by swallowing a piece of it, the crystal begins working its magic from the inside out. That ice then can also break off and infect others, which is how the disease 'spreads'. The cure you're after, which the Colbalt Soul created, is the only thing known to be able to melt true ice." They pause, looking at the group, "You see how this is not an artifact to use lightly?"

"Understanding the problem does not mean there is a simple solution. Setting aside politics - which is always a factor - the cure for the Woe is challenging to produce. And, from what I understand, impossible to store for more than a fortnight." The Buyer explains to Byron. "It's not been an especially pressing issue before now. True Ice has only ever been found in the center of Eiselcross, where very few have ventured. The only instance of an epidemic like this before was at the Cobalt Station itself - which is what spurred on the need for a cure."

At Mance's question, the Buyer replies: "Time and focus. Wearing the ring overnight works in most cases, but it does require a certain level of spiritual understanding. You'll know it when it happens."

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."

---

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?"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.

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."

---

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.

RE-CAP

The Frigid Woe is known a rare, highly-contagious magic disease from the ancient and inhospitable islands of Eiselcross. The contagion begins with a strange stiffness in the limbs, that quickly progresses into rigid joints and a biting, bone-deep cold that won't subside. Eventually, those infected will slow to a stop, and their bodies will begin turning to ice, from the inside out.

It's a horrendous disease, but typically only experienced by explorers out deep in the uninhabited tundra -- that was, until 12 days ago. Contaminated goods found there way to the mainland of Wildemount on a ship known as The Flying Remorhaz. The town of Nohme - as well as some neighboring villages, like the one Teo hails from - have become infected, with the disease quickly spreading across the population.

The only known cure was developed by a remote research outpost in Eiselcross - Cobalt Station - but no one was able to get ahold of the researchers there. After 5 days of symptoms getting worse in town, an adventuring team was sent to Cobalt Station to retrieve the medicine directly, but contact with them was quickly lost.

The port of Nohme was shut down - travel in and out of the village to other parts of the Greying Wildlands was restricted until a cure could be recovered. It is then that a new group of adventurers is sent on this dangerous mission - the town's last hope of survival.

DAY 1

The crew of the Symphony of Ice and Fire sets off from the docks at Nohme Town, wished off by the town's Burgomaster, Sten Onmunson, who was visibly affected by the disease. The group's destination is Cobalt Station - a research outpost in Eiselcross, and the only known place to have developed a cure for the Frigid Woe. Along with a crest of the Diarchy, indicating the group's official standing as adventurers on this quest, Sten also directed the group to seek out The Buyer in Syrinlya - the closest settlement to the outpost - for additional supplies.

On the way to Syrinlya, the Symphony of Ice and Fire is accosted by a strange ice-covered leviathan. Mance notes that the ice protruding from the creature is connected to the Woe. After a great (and glorious) battle, the creature retreats, leaving the Symphony to its repairs and Teo & Bonepipe to quarantine on a small boat (THE RAFT OF CHAMPINS), as they continued on their journey.

As evening approaches, Teo spots a flock of birds fleeing from the direction of the island, the druid's Spirit Tongue allowing him to hear them shouting about a spreading 'corruption'. One bright red bird separates from the flock, and appears to lead the group back from where it came. Teo decides to transform into a falcon to follow the bird, and, deciding to honor the bonds they have with Teo, the rest of the group follows suit.

DAY 2 - PART 1

It takes the whole of the night to reach land, but by the time the sun rises they can see the icy tundra that is Eiselcross. The red bird they had followed lands on the mast of a wrecked ship - the Flying Remorhaz, which has crashed up against the remains of several more ice-covered leviathans. Teo, Bonepipe, and Byron row over to the wrecked ship on the RAFT OF CHAMPINS to search for survivors.

Unfortunately, there are no survivors of the Remorhaz - all falling either to the disease or the attacking creatures. Teo notes that this ship is the same one that sold the contaminated goods to his village. Byron is able to find the Ship's Log, which informs the group that the Remorhaz had found a way to sail up a trail of lava called the River Inferno on the island, and found a "goldmine of Aeorian treasures. Barely guarded - Urgon just slipped below the sheet, and the sages were none the wiser. Shields of unmelting ice on command - should fetch a pretty fortune, with or without Darktow."

Along with that discovery, the red bird relays to Teo a cryptic message, "Corruption. A dark mockery of nature. You must bring an end to it, or it will bring an end to us all." And Bonepipe axe-kicks through a frozen chest filled with strange blue vials, which freezes a good part of the wrecked ship upon shattering (and gets Bonepipe stabbed with a bit of that ice). The three of them row quickly back to the Symphony, barely making it back in time to avoid being swept up in the wake of the sinking Remorhaz (though they lost the RAFT OF CHAMPINS on the way).

Marking that a blizzard will be blowing in soon, Mance direct the ship back on course to Syrinlya, and the group makes it there a little after mid-day.

DAY 2 - PART 2

When the Symphony pulls into port (with a live performance) the group meets Morgo Delwur, who introduces herself as their guide. Though most of their adventurers (including the settlement's leader, Professor Gulrim Shalebrow) are out on an expedition, Morgo still happily leads the group to Syrinlya's main tavern - The Jolly Lager. Teo does a fly-around town and notes that the settlement is less worried about the Woe than they are about potential attacks from the Dwendalian Empire, since most of their adventurers set out on an expedition they have yet to return from. At the tavern, Byron and Bonepipe eye some suspicious characters - an elderly elf ranger named Ava, and a scarred dwarf named Urgon.

Bonepipe notes right away that 'Urgon' is the name noted in the Remorhaz' ship's log, and that the chest the dwarf is carrying is the same type that he axe-kicked previously. Byron meanwhile gets a good look at the somewhat belligerent elder elf and notes that she isn't what she seems (and appears to be using a Disguise ability). Bonepipe decides to goad Urgon into a drinking contest, which Ava participates in as well - Bonepipe comes out victorious, but the suspicious strangers leave without giving up much information.

The group then decides to finally seek out The Buyer. The elf provides them with some much-needed supplies, and information for their route to the Cobalt Station. Seeking out the answer to how the Flying Remorhaz could have possibly sailed across lava, Mance is informed by The Buyer about an un-meltable form of ice called True Ice, and is eventually entrusted with the magic item, the Ring of True Ice.

The group makes plans on how they will get to Cobalt Station, and decide that the four of them will take reindeer mounts through the Mountains, while the Symphony (lead by Helga) takes the eastern sea route, with both groups communicating with one another through the use of a pair of Sending Stones. The idea is for the four of them to get to the Station quickly, while having multiple ways to return with the medicine.

That settled - Teo, Bonepipe and Byron spend the rest of the day befriending reindeer mounts, while Mance calls it an early night to being attuning to the Ring of True Ice.

DAY 3

The group wakes up to the howling wind outside. It seems the blizzard Mance predicted yesterday had blown in over the course of the night. Several inches of snow has to be pushed out from the entrance of their yurt, and still more is falling steadily from the sky.

Rough weather, but nothing unexpected for this climate. And the group didn't have the luxury of waiting for the weather to clear. They take breakfast, then stop by the Symphony to deliver the Sending Stone to Helga and direct the crew on where to wait for them on the east side of the island, and for how long.

After finishing up any unfinished business they have in town, the group heads back out to the stables on the edge of town, where Morgo is waiting for them - their reindeer, Aegni (for Bonepipe), Johvis (for Teo), Elrora (for Byron), and Druin (for Mance), all saddled and ready to go.

"Here to see you off! Stay warm!" The dwarf tells them, jovially, as they look out at the vast tundra of Eiselcross. Mountains rise in the distance -the imposing silhouette somewhat blurred by the swirling snow.