Into the Snowscape
| Into the Snowscape, part 1 | |
|---|---|
| Date | 4/26/2023 |
| Storyteller | Indi |
| Tier | Trainee |
| Player Characters | Benny Shadetree, Fen, Ishi, Iskierka, Raijin |
| Rewards | 250xp |
| Author | Fen (Foster) |
Our group arrives in Tilfel and with the aid of natives, successfully survive the first night.
Log
Our group was summoned by Councilwoman Sideun Ae-Geom to go to Tilfel and learn what we could about it. I was joined by Benny, Ishi, Iskierka, and Raijin. I was quite excited to have the chance to learn more about Tilfel and check in on the two that we freed when we first found the portal. After a quick briefing, we head down to the portal basement and I show the others how the portal works. The trip is painful, but everyone makes it though without becoming too hurt.
The temperature on the other side was quite nice. It reminded me of home, but the others did not seem quite so happy to experience the cold. It turns out that there is a shortage of clothing in the city for dealing with cold weather. I suppose that makes since since the city is quite warm. On arrival, we were reunited with the two who had entered the portal several weeks ago. It seems that they had somehow just arrived. I do hope that I won't lose the same amount of time. Bodrukk and Evergreen may be quite cross if I disappear for so long without warning them. Fortunately, I came prepared to communicate with locals and I was able to cast spells on myself and the woman (Norzti) to allow us to communicate for an hour. While I spoke with Norzti, the others went to gather firewood for warmth.
We worked to establish a basic translation device while she answered several questions about Tilfel for me.
- Tilfel seems to be located to the far west of Onadbyr. Norzti and Melak (her companion) recognized our current location and know of a town located a day to the south called Snehov.
- Rhakshasa (known as rotspawn in Tilfel) are not common in Tilfel. However, Norzti and Melak were kidnapped from their trade caravan during the night and were in Onadbyr by the time they woke.
- Currency is not common in Tilfel. The coin that was awarded to our group by Norzti and Melak are a rarity in Tilfel and apparently quite valuable.
We eventually set up watches and settled in to sleep. During the night, a group of boars wandered past our location and we were unable to hide from them. They attacked and one was slain before we were able to drive the creatures off. As best we were able to communicate, it seems the boars belonged to a local (a member of a Chimbai warband). Norzti asked for my assistance in carrying off the slain boar to the outskirts of our camp and placed a torch nearby to act as a marker so that it could be reclaimed by the owner. The request seemed strange, but she was adamant and so we did. After, we settled back in to finish the night.
| Into the Snowscape, part 2 | |
|---|---|
| Date | 4/28/2023 |
| Storyteller | Indi |
| Tier | Trainee |
| Player Characters | Benny, Fen, Ishi, Iskierka, Raijin |
| Rewards | 250xp, 5pp each |
| Result | Success! Information has been gained about Tilfel and positive relations have begun to be formed. The gate is currently open. |
| Author | Fen (Foster) |
We continue our journey, learn quite a bit about Tilfel, and receive a calling before returning home.
Log
I awoke the next day feeling rather refreshed. There is nothing quite so relaxing as sleeping through the chill night while surrounded by others. As I began my daily preparations, I was quickly alerted to the presence of a skeletal creature found nearby. Norzti warned of danger and moved to strike down the creature. Our group followed her lead and the creature was swiftly dealt with. It was given a proper burial after.
We moved quickly the next day. The cold was a rather difficult obstacle for the others. Iskierka and I were able to keep the effects of the cold mostly at bay, but exhaustion was clearly settling in before we even reached midday. Everyone persevered though and we reached Snehov before nightfall. Unfortunately, the seems that the town would soon be under attack as a large group of animals were visibly moving towards the town. This was identified to us as a Chimbai Warband.
Again, we followed Norzti and Melak's lead and left our weapons buried in the snow outside of town. This proved to be excellent advice, as the guards who greeted us were rather wary of us as outsiders. A large, blue-skinned tiefling man introduced as Torgre the Arm greeted us with some suspicion, but agreed to allow us to stay for the night after having us undergo a ritual that he used to test our blood. The leader of Norzti and Melak's caravan was also in town and we were immediately taken to meet her.
The caravan leader's name is Ingreli. She is a Woman in Winter, a leader among Norzti and Melak's people, the Ro Legn Tilati. We learned quite a bit from Ingreli.
- There are three factions in Tilfel
- The Chimbai- followers of the Felmouth who are led by the Men in Fire
- The Ro Legn Tilati- followers of Tilati who are led by the Women in Winter
- The Minzel people who are neutral.
- We should seek out the Prophet of Minzel in the Minzel Woods. The Prophet has foretold our arrival and Ingreli is bound to start us on our journey. Ingreli asks each of us to commit to seeking out the Prophet and offers gifts to those who agree top be bound to the task.
- Iskierka agrees, requesting a boon of strength to protect those around her.
- Benny agrees, requesting a companion to aid and guide him.
- Fen agrees, requesting the ability to communicate with the people of Tilfel.
- As each request is granted, a pinky finger is grasped and becomes necrosed as though severely frostbitten.
- Ishi and Raijin do not agree, both unwilling to lost use of their pinky.
- The warband seeks to claim a rotspawn tool (a chunk of rotrock) to be used for their own purposes. Ingreli has the rock and was looking for a way to dispose of it. Fortunately, the anchor ooze that open the portals seems to devour these rocks.
- The leader of the warband is named Rodigostr. He seeks strength to test himself against. We were warned not to show him strength.
The others left after to buy warm clothing for the cold. I stayed behind to clarify a few things about the Women in Winter. Ingreli did not know of any reason that a Woman in Winter would have wanted to interact or cause strife with the people of Onadbyr. The Women in Winter lead their people and interpret the will of Tilati. I found no reason to disbelieve her words. After learning about the events that happened in Onadbyr, Ingreli seemed quite troubled and made the decision to leave Snehov with our group to return to the portal. Nortzi and Melak were asked to stay behind and assist with defending the town.
We returned to the portal and began the process of opening it. We threw in the rotrock and then learned that the mysterious silvery metal that allowed us to open the portal the first time was a metal that comes from the slain bodies of Women in Winter. Ingreli contributed a weapon that was clearly quite valuable and made of the same metal to the portal opening. The third was more difficult to figure out. We eventually discovered that the requirement was something of value to the contributor. Before any of the rest of us could act, Benny threw himself into the portal, stating that people only live once. I was able to react quickly enough that he did not die outright, but he arrived on the other side of the portal unconscious and near death. His intent to sacrifice himself was enough. The portal opened and we returned home to report our findings.