As the preparations continue, you see a blond woman in a long red dress and wearing a gray wolf pelt around her shoulders approaches from one of the public houses. She stands on the dock and holds her hand aloft in greeting.
Session 3: Frost and Fear in Fireshear
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Icebreaker
As the preparations continue, you see a blond woman in a long red dress and wearing a gray wolf pelt around her shoulders approaches from one of the public houses. She stands on the dock and holds her hand aloft in greeting.
He walks past where Agna and Adaia stand, assessing the elf that he hadn't noticed before. "Agna, enjoy the land enough for both of us. I've got to see to some cargo before I'll be able to join you all there." He continues walking past and vanishes into the cargo hold.
Kalannai Grayfur
"You must be new to the Icebreaker crew" the woman replies to Agna. "Kalannai Grayfur, at the moment I'm acting as the representative of the people of eastern neighborhoods of Fireshear, so I guess you can say that. You say you are looking for a dwarf? In Fireshear?" she giggles amused at the idea "Well you should have no trouble finding one".
She turns to greet Adaia "Oh don't worry about the elemental creatures Momma here was talking about. The problem has been contained for now" she stops to consider the situation for a brief moment "Though to be fair, we are not entirely sure where they came from. I guess we should investigate the area once everyone has been relocated."
Suddenly Captain Harkin interrupts loudly "Kalannai! How are things going? Come come! Let's catch up over a pint over the Drunken Dwarf! You are not gonna belive what in the seven seas happened!"
"Stretching my legs and a warm meal is just what I need. Can you tell me a little about Fireshear Momma? Is there some where we can secure accommodations? Any other places/people of note?
"Now miss Agna, you are in the best hands to find this Beorne Steelstrike. I can't say I know him right off, but come with me, we will get some food then head to the Drunken Dwarf. Maybe I can remember or ask around and we will find him. Business or pleasure?" She gives Agna a wink with the word pleasure.
Rolls
Search - lv5, SR: 5-10 (f0-c0) - (2d6)
(62) = 8
History - lv1, SR: 5-6 (f0-c0) - (2d6)
(53) = 8
Momma, thanks for your hospitality. Are the taverns still operational a dark ale by a fire sounds like a fantastic way to wait - after your warm meal of course.
To Adaia, she shrugs. "Come or go as you like, so long as ye don't make us tarry."
Rolls
Search - lv4, SR: 5-9 (f-1-c0) - (2d6)
(42) = 6
"I hope they have a good ale, I swear the water was starting to go green on board. Let's be off
Fireshear
Once the business is finished, Momma takes everyone to the tavern for drinks and a bit rest. Despite Agna's uninterested response to her attempt to find someone to travel with, Adaia quickly notices Izuhn joining them on their way to the tavern. She is not familiar to the region... tagging along with the unfriendly orc could work, but maybe the dwarf would be more approachable to the lone elf.
Once things have settled in, Izuhn finds a more discrete moment to whisper something to Agna. "Part of town is burning, as you no doubt have noticed. I saw what think are some sort of fire creatures running amok over there. Better to do something than to let then come on us unaware eh?"
Adaia, will order a dark beer and see what the group is doing but will try to keep an ear out for the locals chatter, specifically anything about the recent attack.
Rolls
Search - lv3, SR: 5-8 (f0-c0) - (2d6)
(61) = 7
"Beorne. Anyone by the name here?" Agna continues after the local woman's prompt.
Joe
With Mnrtoler's fail... this isn't the dwarf you're looking for :D
As Agna mentions the name of the dwarf, a gray-eyed dwarf with long mahogany dreadlocks turns around to look at the orc. The other dwarves on the table Joe pointed out turn, following the first. "One of em orcs looking fer Beorne Steelstrike?" she stops, measuring up Agna for a moment. "Aye! Ye must be em Moss guide" she smiles gesturing Joe for another round.
Meanwhile, while everyone else is distracted with the dwarves, Adaia's attention drifts to the other patrons.
I'd also like to approach the table discussing the blacksmith. "Hello, how are you all doing after the attacks, would you mind if I asked a few questions?"
Rolls
Persuasion - lv4, SR: 5-9 (f0-c0) - (2d6)
(66) = 12
That's a fail from Adaia but a double 6! That's higher that your level so you level up persuasion 🎉 Basically, she did not persuade them but she learned something significant about the people in the Far North.
Add +1 Fatigue and +1 to Persuation. It should update if you change it on your character sheet below the posting area :D
That said, failing will give you some extra control over the narrative, since you can propose alternatives if you can find one:
* Other players can join and describe how they help
* You can sacrifice an item, including armour to avoid increasing your fatigue.
* For specific cases you might be able to come up with a good twist, in which case you will also be awarded one experience (+1 bonus on a roll)
Fireshear
I'd also like to approach the table discussing the blacksmith. "Hello, how are you all doing after the attacks, would you mind if I asked a few questions?"
They don't seem like the friendliest sort, but maybe Adaia can still learn something from of them...
Rolls
Persuasion - lv4, SR: 5-9 (f0-c0) - (2d6)
(23) = 5
Fireshear
Helda Silverstream
"I'm here working, lass. Got hired on to move some cargo to up here in the Dale. The caravan might take you along too, but know that it's not like the Sword Coast here. Many an unwary traveler has met their end in this beautiful land."
Seeing everyone else busy with their respective new conversations, Izuhn turns back to Joe. "What about a Griggle Duskloch? I've got something for them, do you know em?"
Rolls
Persuasion - lv5, SR: 5-10 (f1-c0) - (2d6)
(22) = 4
Helda Silverstream
"Aye, coming from Mirabar to sell some of me wares in Bryn Shander and then visit me uncle in Kelvin’s Cairn." She happily shares more than Agna probably wants to know before checking out the other two Helda mentioned. "You got yerself a elf and a dwarf fer help?" Seeing Izuhn on his own, she shouts in dwarven and waves for him to join them. She repeats the gesture for Agna, inviting the orc to sit as well. "Sit, Sit, Beorne may take a while. He is dealing with em Manycoins to exchange the merchant's credit. "
Joe
Fireshear
Bjorn manages to contain the man's fury with the assurance that her new friends will help snuff out the creatures and get them fires out. "Oh yeah, the elf better show do something about those creatures unless people here think they are some of her sorceries!"
Rolls
Persuasion - lv4, SR: 5-9 (f0-c0) - (2d6)
(61) = 7
Arriving at the table just as Bjorn mentions the miners and militia, Izuhn awaits their response before mentioning the man that he's looking for.
Fireshear
They barely Izuhn joining them as another one of the men at the table continues "What he means Momma, is that you should check what that blacksmith is up to this time. Kalannai doesn't seem to want to do what has to be done"
Helda Silverstream
Fireshear
"Name's Izuhn, by the way." he belatedly adds on upon realizing his butting into the conversation.
She's very intrigued by the possibility of studying elementals and is trying to see how everyone's conversations are going - especially Kalannai.
Bjorn (Momma)
Helda Silverstream
Rolls
History - lv4, SR: 5-9 (f-1-c0) - (2d6)
(32) = 5
"It'd be Bryn Shander where we stop first." Agna watches as steaming bowls are brought over to their table. She sticks a spoon into the browness and starts to eat.
Helda Silverstream
Bjorn (Momma)
Rolls
Nature - lv4, SR: 5-9 (f1-c0) - (2d6)
(55) = 10
Fireshear
As she is about to say it should be ok, Adaia shows her notes full of arcane symbols of high wizardry the orc is unfamiliar with. However, as the elf walks her through the results of her divinations, Agna as the strange feeling that it might be already too late…
"Helda, you see Beorne, tell him to get ready to go and stay where I can find 'im. We go today, or we don't go at all."
Helda Silverstream
Bjorn (Momma)
Of course the others might prefer rolling by themselves, but I don't mind if a GM rolls for me xD
Edit: I'm rolling a lot of doubles :)
Rolls
Stealth - lv2, SR: 5-7 (f2-c0) - (2d6)
(33) = 6
Bjorn (Momma)
Rolls
Izuhn Frostbeard: Stealth - lv2, SR: 5-7 (f-1-c0) - (2d6)
(41) = 5
Agna Moss: Stealth - lv0, SR: 5-5 (f1-c0) - (2d6)
(62) = 8
Once departed, Izuhn moves with an uncanny stealth through the town. At some points the gait of his run seems to be off for what is to be expected, but nevertheless he moves efficiently towards their destination.
Adaia doesn't move as quietly or swiftly as perhaps Izuhn but her pale complexion and dress make her blend into the snow covered environment well enough. She will let the larger 3 individuals take the lead as that seems quite wise if they do encounter any elementals still in the town.
Fireshear
Most of Fireshear is still in relatively good condition, untouched by the strange elemental creatures, but soon you can start to notice the damaged buildings. It is more the result of small mischief than actual destruction, with some buildings having their windows and doors frozen shut, while others slowly burn from small fires spread around.
Agna notices the soot blackening the walls, the charred markings left behind by whatever is causing this commotion and approaches it to inspect it. When she gets closer, some strange lights seem to move inside the building, like a brief bright shadow rushing past the windows. As the orc is distracted by that, the soot she was inspecting rises from the walls towards her, the smoldering ash covering her completely.
I also just noticed that Agna has 1 fatigue marked on her sheet. I don't remember where it came from, but it should be removed when this chapter started right?
Rolls
Medicine - lv6, SR: 5-11 (f1-c0) - (2d6)
(41) = 5
Medicine - lv6, SR: 5-11 (f1-c0) - (2d6)
(36) = 9
Removing blindness ... It's just dust in your eyes so it should go away. We can have a decreasing penalty. let's say -3 penalty to anything requiring vision, and you reduce it by 1 with each "turn/action". We can also have someone doing a medicine check to clean it properly (needs a critical for now since you are technically "ambushed")
Rolls
Search - lv3, SR: 5-8 (f2-c0) - (2d6)
(34) = 7
Fireshear
Adaia's roll is a bit more arcana here but shes better at that so it works :D
@RAAMtentacles: Izuhn reacts in time to avoid being attacked
@testlum: Looks like Agna can't react on time and will be targetted by a claw attack. You dodge but at a cost (fatigue)
The smoke mephits will materialize from the charred markings Agna was investigating.
You can describe what your characters see (or not)
Rolls
Agna Moss: Reaction - lv2, SR: 5-7 (f0-c0) - (2d6, 2d6)
2d6 : (65) = 11
2d6 : (36) = 9
Izuhn Frostbeard: Reaction - lv3, SR: 5-8 (f-1-c0) - (2d6, 2d6)
2d6 : (62) = 8
2d6 : (34) = 7
Izuhn jumps out of the way of their attempts to swipe at him and counters by throwing a ball of radiant light into the midst of the creatures and detonating it into a radiant burst.
Rolls
Magic - lv6, SR: 5-11 (f-1-c0) - (2d6)
(45) = 9
Adaia holds her hands out to the side, palms facing upwards as a thin sheet of snow and ice forms between the steam mephits and her companions.
Rolls
Magic - lv6, SR: 5-11 (f2-c0) - (2d6)
(42) = 6
Rolls
Melee - lv3, SR: 5-8 (f1-c0) - (2d6)
(43) = 7
Smoke mephit
Suddenly, it seem like everything is quiet and you have the strange sensation of being observed. Around you, there's only small fires spreading through a row of houses leading to where the smoke mephit is hiding, a house with a few frozen icicles hanging from its roof...
If no one else objects then Izuhn will move towards the house with caution.
"Let's press on, we know what we're dealing with now."
Adaia will follow along.
Fireshear
A quick check shows that the door is unlocked...
Ice mephit
Rolls
Izuhn Frostbeard: Reaction - lv3, SR: 5-8 (f-1-c0) - (2d6)
(46) = 10
Adaia: Reaction - lv2, SR: 5-7 (f2-c0) - (2d6)
(42) = 6
Agna Moss: Reaction - lv2, SR: 5-7 (f1-c0) - (2d6)
(66) = 12
Assuming the same pose as before, hands out stretched, she will try and clear the fog.
Rolls
Magic - lv6, SR: 5-11 (f2-c0) - (2d6-1)
(26) - 1 = 7
Rolls
Intimidation - lv6, SR: 5-11 (f2-c0) - (2d6)
(46) = 10
Rolls
Melee - lv3, SR: 5-7 (f0-c0) - (2d6)
(16) = 7
Ice mephit
Duergar
Rolls
Magic (Talk Sense) - lv3, SR: 5-8 (f2-c0) - (2d6)
(14) = 5
Duergar
Izuhn approaches the manic duregar. "Are you Griggle?"
Griggle Duskloch
Rolls
Persuasion - lv5, SR: 5-10 (f2-c0) - (2d6)
(35) = 8
Griggle Duskloch
"What does it look like I'm doing? Melting, forging, smithing. Trying to figure out a way to smelt raw adamantine easy. Easy metal, cheaper metal, better equipment, safer people! See the logic elf?" He stops to check if Adaia if following, but not enough to let her reply. "Important research! I would bet my sweet old mom elemental magic will do the trick... just need to figure out how to apply this energy ..."
Griggle Duskloch
He moves to grab the letter but he is interrupted by Agna. "I don't know what are elementals you're talking about. And I don't care as long as they don't bother me. I have more important things to do than deal with whatever those humans are up to."
Adaia knowing a bit about the mephits already is going to try and recall/determine if they might be created by or drawn here by what the dwarf is doing
Rolls
Arcana - lv6, SR: 5-11 (f2-c0) - (2d6)
(41) = 5
Rolls
Insight - lv2, SR: 5-7 (f2-c0) - (2d6)
(45) = 9
He points with the letter over towards the door the came in. "You might ought to have a look outside before you read this. There might just be more pressing matters."
Griggle Duskloch
Griggle Duskloch
PS: That includes the help... so failed by 1. Not much luck with this interaction 😅 you can try to raise... but you might critically fail that
Rolls
Agna Moss: Persuasion - lv3, SR: 5-8 (f2-c0) - (2d6)
(36) = 9
"I say give him the letter, I'd be interested to know its contents"
"Griggle, you're playing with planar magic - these mephits are waiting for something to go wrong here. If you continue to work you're almost certain to destroy yourself and the town - and who knows what else."
And then she stops, her expression changes
"Although, I suppose I could offer my expertise. Perhaps it could be stabilised..."
Rolls
Arcana - lv6, SR: 5-11 (f2-c0) - (2d6)
(34) = 7
Griggle Duskloch
Griggle Duskloch
Griggle's eyebrows shoot up as he read the coded letter, and then shouts in excitement and slams the note down on a table and begins gathering new cups of alchemical powders. "Yes yes! Give and take. Can you give me half-ounce of smelling salts, a quarter-ounce of powdered earth, a full beaker of solid water, and a stoppered tube of extinguished fire residue? " he replies to Izuhn, instantly forgetting about the problems outside like a child who just found a new toy.
"What could all of that have to do with the forge..."
Rolls
Arcana - lv6, SR: 5-11 (f2-c0) - (2d6)
(23) = 5
Fireshear
When Griggle throws the elemental substances into the furnace and says a few mystical words, the furnace flares with violet flame and then cools to a tiny white fire. Griggle hops about joyously "Oh thank the Black Spider for this!" he shouts his friend's title to the heavens. The duergar places some coins on a table before you adding "Thank you for delivering this letter. Why don't you take those with you as well?" he points to three solid metal bars. "Those were from my previous experiments. I'm no blacksmith, but I'm sure you'll find someone who can work a piece of adamantine like that. "
Even though Adaia knows this won't send back the mephits that already crossed into Fireshear, she feel the elemental forces are now in control and the danger of more of those creatures crossing is solved.
Adaia will grab what's been offered and follow Agna out.
"All's well that ends well. We were on a clock for resolving the issue and he certainly didn't want to see the situation any other way.
But I see your point - communities need to work together, especially out here."
He peeks out the door before he leaves. "Now to keep an eye out for those that are left."
Griggle Duskloch
As Izuhn peeks out the door, he notices the fires are substantially weaken, though not completely gone.
Let me know where you're going to next" back to the tavern and Helda, looking for Kalannai or Harkin or maybe trying to find Beorn in the Manycoins bank?
Rolls
Nature - lv5, SR: 5-10 (f2-c0) - (2d6)
(36) = 9
Adaia holds her hands out and begins to shape the cold. This time a snow fox appears, it seems to be partially made of snow and partially ethereal. It runs towards the building, circles and runs back - barking and howling as it kicks up snow.
The sprite melts as it makes its way back around, a puddle of water...
Rolls
Magic - lv6, SR: 5-11 (f2-c0) - (2d6)
(22) = 4
Adaia gains one experience with "snow sprites" she can use latter if she uses the spell to summon, or meets, a snow creature
Rolls
Magic - lv6, SR: 5-11 (f0-c0) - (2d6)
(33) = 6
Kalannai Grayfur
Kalannai, who is among those coordinating the militia's efforts notices you. "I see you have dealt with all those pesky little devils" he says as she starts counting coins from her pouch. "Here. A little something from the Fireshear people for your help.". Suddently, a shadow passes over her face as if she realised something uncomfortable she had do deal with. She takes you to a more quiet place before she finishes paying the reward. "We all know Griggle is a bit... different than most folks around here..." she starts explaining, half looking for the right words to use, half still trying to avoid the subject. "There have been questions raised by a number of the townsfolk" she points at the duergar's house where you can see some humans from the militia going. "Some wonder if this whole mess was Griggle's fault... you know, given the affected area.". After a moment of pause she adds grimly "Some even go as far as suggesting exiling the presumed troublemaker. You didn't happen to find if..."
No level up on wealth yet. The reward wasn't that significant. Though Izuhn can eventually "get" one common item for free. Can be seen as a reward from the other dwarves narratively, but mechanistically, it could work as a "Had this all along" wild card
Rolls
Izuhn Frostbeard: lv1, SR: 5-6 - (2d6)
(32) = 5
Adaia: lv1, SR: 5-6 - (2d6)
(34) = 7
Agna Moss: lv0, SR: 5-5 - (2d6)
(36) = 9
Considering the matter dealt with, Agna marches off in the tavern's direction. If Helda was wrong and Beorne not awaiting her at the Drunken Dwarf, she would drag him out of the bank no matter what foolery her so-called employer had going on there.
Adaia will follow Agna, she thinks she senses an eagerness to be gone and doesn't want to be left behind.
"Will we be off today then Agna or in the morn?"
Izuhn eyes Kalannai and the looks over his shoulder back to Griggle's house. "Be careful how quickly you pass judgements. Sometimes the strange ones turn out to be helpful." Izuhn laughs with a huff and then follows after the other too.
"If we're heading out at dawn then we'd best get ready tonight. Let's gather some supplies and then turn in?"
Kalannai Grayfur
Helda Silverstream
Izuhn flashes a smile and makes his way into the midst of the other dwarves.
She'll return the group at the mention of another round - something to warm the spirit after being out in the cold.
Fireshear
Once the preparations are finished, and a few mugs emptied, the dwarves decide to call it a day and retire to rest before the long travel ahead of them. As Agna said, there will be few other opportunities to sleep comfortable before arriving to Icewind Dale. Adaia easily finds rooms for everyone. In fact, the humans they met before at the tavern were so happy with their help, that they provided them shelter for free.
Once outside, Izuhn makes his way to the highest point in Fireshear and spends a few moments staring up at the night sky. He knows that darkness like no other awaits them on their journey but he strains to see that small glimpse of hope yet again.
Rolls
Magic - lv6, SR: 5-11 (f0-c0) - (2d6)
(54) = 9
"Good evening gentlemen, I'll see everyone in the morning"
She stays up for a while, making notes in her journal - documenting the strange magic of the forge and her encounters with the mephits.