[4E IC] ODAM: Seasons Eternal

Hylianbunny

The Lost Chronicles of Odam
Seasons Eternal
Chapter 1 - Harling's Cross

The evening at Harling's Cross is a quiet one as the snow begins to come down and cover everything even more deeply. Even the paths through the town itself are treacherous and icy, which leaves most of the villagers stuck in their homes or nearby taverns - a situation that none are really complaining about all too loudly. The warm, inviting lights stand out against the harsh winter background, though, as a young adventurer and his halfling companion trudge into town with the snow crunching under their thick boots.

Despite the Golden Sands (and that's certainly a strange name, given the location) being packed with patrons, it seems as though there are still a few spots left for those that need to warm themselves by the fire. A song is just wrapping up, and so appreciative clapping and the occasional clinking of coins and mugs rings through the bar. As the door outside opens and Cole and Anderra step in, there is a call for them to shut it behind them quickly, but it seems more in jest than anything.

What does catch the ears of those listening closely is talk of the weather, however - or rather, the lack of change in it. Snow has been falling, lightly or less so, for entirely too long, and those who make their living on the land are getting quite sick of it, going as far as to call the season eternal.

Anialos

"Bah, no season is eternal. Even the most doddleheaded formorian knows that."Misty scoffs just under her breath, petting Catsandra on her lap while she sits near the fire, a large tome sitting on the small table next to her. Looking around the room she sees a few "interesting" folks who may be of use to her soon. Afterall, if something around here is messing with the weather, it must be powerful. Naturally things that are powerful need to be studied, learned from, then promptly destroyed. Wouldn't want them being a rival. "Excuse me! Waitress! Another glass of wine if you please, and some company or entertainment other than that droll noise you call "singing"."

Kimmeryn

The halfling seems to nod knowingly at the comments about the door. She shakes the snow from her clothes and glances at her companion, continuing their conversation as she shuts the portal firmly and finds two seats available, "Banumor was grateful for the report nonetheless. I hope our comrades fare well in their pursuits. Now, here, surely you've earned yourself some drink." She allows Shaylyn to take to the beams, where the hawk seems to settle in comfortably. The bird's eyes scan the crowd, always wary for her companion.

Anderra motions to the bartender, "Crumbstead, please bring a few glasses of mulled wine, warmed, if you will. We've had a difficult night." The bartender, familiar with the halfling and the man under her employ, nod to her and send two heady drinks straight away, the steam coming off them. The bard's hands wrap around the cup thankfully, warming her fingertips with the glass. "Drink up, Cole. I'm sure other employment shall turn up soon. I have a nose for these things."

starchaserva

Cole takes a deep breath, exhaling the last of the frozen air as he steps into the tavern. It is warm inside, thanks to the blazing hearth. He shrugs off his cloak and takes a seat next to Anderra. "Another minute out there and my the cold would have frozen the flesh off my bones. I wish I had prepared better for this" The young man slinks away from the fire, picking up a warming brew from the bartender before settling himself down next to his diminuitive leader. He scans the bar before settling down to nurse his drink, savoring each sip as it slides down his throat and heats him up from the inside. His drink disappears quickly down his throat, followed by a second, and soon his smiles returns to his face as the alcohol spreads over him. With a smirk he turns his attention back to his associate. "I don't even know why you hired those lunkheads...all they wanted to do was charge facefirst into the nearest fist fight."

Grog

Sitting by a table close to the tavern's huge fireplace, Dhorn wiggled one of his canines idly. He even considering pulling it himself, it would only mean a few days of pain while the next one grew. Taking another drink in the heat of the fire, he shifted uncomfortably. He'd only sat this close to the fire to keep an eye on his armour while it dried. When the two newcomers taking a seat next to him began complaining about the cold, he snorted derisively. "You twigs fink this is cold? Least snow stays frozen. Try bein' drenched ta the bone- bit a warm pisswine ain't gonna cure y'of that." Turning his rant to the patrons in general he grumbled loudly "An' don't get me started on this bollocks about eternal snow. Cripes, you get a bit a snow and suddenly it's the end of tha world. You twigs, I just don't get it..." He trailed off into his tankard.

Anialos

Misty grins as the dwarf rants. At least one person in here agrees the locals are a bit daft.

Kimmeryn

Anderra smiles and nods at the beardless fellow next to her. He had all the features of a dwarf, though none of the facial hair. She shrugs it off and remarks, "Aye that it does indeed, snow stays frozen as long as it stays cold. How did you come by getting so wet, my friend?"

Crumbstead's establishment, the Golden Sands, always had a strange air about it. The name itself attracted the attention of those less traveled who had never seen or heard about such things. These were the people of Harling's Cross. They lived and died here in town. Only a rare few would ever adventure out, see new places, experience what life had to offer.

The owner, himself, hadn't been anywhere, as far as Anderra knew. He was friendly enough, and like all the other locals, loved to hear stories of far-off places and enchanted lands. Perhaps that was why he was so solicitous to her. She was well-traveled, though one thing she had never seen was a beardless dwarf, let alone a drenched one. No matter what, she knew an opportunity had presented itself.

She waits for a reply, then returns to her warmed wine.

Grog

Maybe it was the seemingly endless amount of ale he'd been pulling from the cask at his feet. Maybe it was the fact he'd been slogging it as far from the Greywalls as he could for the past two weeks. Or maybe he just liked an audience. With a short laugh, mostly at himself, he turned in his chair to get a look at the halfling that had piped up. He'd seen a few since his escape, wanderers all of them- took a bit more to impress than most as well.
"Drenchpeak" he said, with the kind of drama that oozed sarcasm, his wide hands splaying in front of him as if to conjure an image of the place. "Imagine a great, big, giant old bucket by the sea, all north winds carryin' the rain from far off lands. Fish could live in that fortress- constant the rain is." He paused to take another swig of ale, before dropping to a more conversational tone.
"Some say tha dwarves there are stouter than most cos of all that water hammerin' down on their 'eads. I says it's cos of all the manual labour them peak lords've got us doin', but I'm sure a well-travelled 'alfling such as yerself didn't come 'ere to listen to the poli'ical ramblin's ov some gutter-rat. What's your tale then, eh? C'mon, if it's interestin' enough you'll get a mug ov dwarven finest out of it. May not be that warm, but it'll put hairs on yer chest."

lodwilk

Dichondrial couldn't help but toss a few coppers to the singer after he had finished his song, the singer wasn't good at all but atleast he had the courage to stand infront of a crowd and try to sing for them. The two new patrons struck Dichondrials interest and was rather surprised that no one seemed to care or mutter a complaint when the halfling released a hawk into the beams of the tavern. Complaining about an eternal winter and not even batting an eye and a hawk being released in a building. These locals truly were odd.

The beardless dwarf seemed to echo his thoughts although he said them in a far less polite fashion. Smiling Dichondrial went over to the dwarfs table and took a seat across from him. "Show me a dwarf who isn't complaining about something and I'll show you a cleverly disguised halfling." The elf gave the nearby halfling a smile and added "No offense to your people meant of course."

Waving down the nearest waitress, Dichondrial ordered some drinks for the newcomers and the dwarf, as well as their finest wine for himself and the nearby gnome who didn't care for the bards singing. "I pray that you folk have some news of interest of anything going on around here. I've been stuck in this town for days now and have grown bored of the local game of 'Count the Snowflakes'."

Grog

Slightly surprised by the elf appearing at his table, his mistrust was marred by the offer of drink. Waggling his now empty tankard at the cask by his feet, he said conspiratorially "Don't worry about it mate, got me own booze covered. And you can offend my people all yer like, stone knows they've done it enough ta me."
Bending down to refill his tankard, he chuckled at the joke and answered "Well I was just askin' these two 'ere what sort of a'ventures they've come across, but I spose you're lookin' for somethin' a little more immediate?"

lodwilk

Dichondrial eyed the cask at the dwarfs feet with curiosity, but he knew better then to ask to try a glass of a dwarfs personal cask of ale. "Seeing as how they've just arrived from being out in this abysmal weather I wouldn't mind hearing their story. I come here on a whim to see places I've never seen before and to learn new formulas and the only thing I've found is snow, snow, and a little more snow."

Anialos

When the waitress motioned to the elf when Misty questioned who had sent her more wine when she herself had just ordered, her eyes quickly lit up. It seems the elf had already begun what she intended, gathering a group of adventurers. Well, she was more than willing to let one of the others play leader. Less responsibility on her if things went wrong!

Walking over to the group she sat in the remaining empty chair, both wine glasses set in front of her. Catsandra mills restlessly around her feet dangling off the stool, peering now and then at the feet of the others. "Thank you for the fine drink ser elf. It seems we share good taste. Though I'm sure ale is quite good, I've yet to meet a gnome that could handle it." Misty smiles coyly and continues,"My name is Misty Wildtongue, take that to mean what you will. The feline at my feet is Catsandra. Who might all of you fine folk be? Babyface the dwarf? Sissypants the elf? Hawkgirl and The Silent One? I'll gladly assign you names if you do not give any."

Kimmeryn

She smiles at the gnome, glancing carefully at the one named "Catsandra". "The name's Anderra Stonebarrow, of the Idlewyld Clan, from the Family of.." her voice trails off quickly, "Sorry, habit. We halflings are always recounting our lineage to one or another of our kin." The halfling brushes off the comparison between her people and dwarves, and gratefully accepts the drinks from both the dwarf and the elf. She draws deeply from the dwarven ale, happy for it's rich taste, a draught she preferred. "Heh, my tale...I suppose the immediate one is more interesting."

The bard savors a tale as it comes off her lips. "My friend here, and I, were sent by Undersheriff Banumor to look into a disturbance into the forest. Banumor was in earnest and his pockets were even deeper, if you get my meaning. And so we travelled, figuring it was nothing more than some natural disturbance. I was sure it was nothing more than some bears wakened early from hibernation or some such animal. Shaylyn, she's the beauty up there in the rafters, warned us that ahead it was much more than we bargained for. We came upon some Ice Troll, fearsome beasts, as you might know. Fortunately, for Cole and I, a few elves and a human rushed in to aid us. One elf wore the trappings of a Skyknight and the other was skilled with her blade. Listening to them chat, the human male seemed to be of high birth and had paid the two elves for their services at collecting bounties on troll heads, absent-minded that one. Didn't seem to share all the information needed for such an adventure.

"After burning the body, a wagon appeared. It's unusual for such a vehicle to be traveling in that area, but the Skyknight scouted it out and reported that it was in bad shape and required an escort. The two elves decided to go scout out the den, then they were deliberating about escorting the wagon to the Garrison. Cole and I beat feet back to Harling's Cross. Our duty was discharged, and we had no intent to stay out in the snowy forest, unprepared as we were. At any rate, there appears to be a warren out there."

Anderra wets her lips with the offering from the elf and nods her thanks. "As for my travels, they are tales too numerous to recount at this time, though at some point you should ask me to regale you with the time Cole and I entered the Pyramid of the Chained God."

Grog

"Hah! 'Babyface', I like it." Dhorn admitted grudgingly to the gnome. Continuing to poke his loose tooth while the halfling spoke, he gave a shrug when she had finished "Not sure that'll earn ya another drink, I prefer the ones where the heroes do a bit more stabbin' of monsters meself. Sounds as if you know where ta get some work though, an' I reckon some of us could use tha coin. Me, I'd be 'appy with the glory. An' maybe 'earing that tale about the chained god as well." He flashed his crooked grin. He had little patience for dancing around a subject that other people were obviously interested in.

lodwilk

Dichondrial chuckled at the sissypants comment and listened to the halflings story. The mention of a Skynight here was very interesting, and the other elf could have been the nights squire or page. "If we're presenting names then I am Dichondrial Solvanstai and I think Babyface here is right," taking another sip of his wine the elf decided to play along with the assumed names given by Misty. "Since none of us seem to be locals, I'm sure there could be some form paying work that we could be needed for around here. Hell perhaps the people here would pay us to end this eternal winter of theirs. All that we would need to do is find a powerful wizard or druid to perform some ritual for us."

Anialos

"Well, I say we ask the barkeep whose hiring around here then! Anderra was it? I believe I overheard that you know the man. Perhaps you could find out for us?"Misty smiles nicely at the halfling.

Grog

"I'd be more intarested in hearin' what this Undersheriff's got ta say, sounds like he's more the payin' sort." Getting up to put on his armour- he was always more comfortable with it on, especially among strangers- he turned back as if remembering something important. "And before 'babyface' sticks, I spose I should tell you my name. Friends call me Bristle. Enemies call me Teglaig. You lot can call me Dhorn, fer now."

Anialos

"Well then Dhorn, if the rest are agreed lets go see this Undersheriff. You coming The Silent One?"Misty grins at the man that came in with Anderra.

starchaserva

Cole takes a deep breath, exhaling through his nostrils as he polishes off his second drink. The psion had been quiet most of the time, focusing on his thoughts and the conversations around more so than actually speaking himself. After several minutes, he finally snaps from his mental haze, and speaks up, looking at the gnome. "You call me the Silent One, and I'll call you Shortcake. Does that work for you?" The edge of his lips turn up in a slight grin. "Otherwise, you can call me Cole. And yes, I am coming with you. I owe that much to Anderra" Rising from his seat, he re-wraps himself in his long, heavy cloak, and heads for the door, following his newfound comrades and his new friend. "By the way, Andy, you promised never to mention that pyramid ever again." With that, he pulled the wool-lined over his head and continued without elaborating further.

The group trudged through the streets, fresh snow crunching under their heavy boots. The Undersheriff's office was not far away, only a few blocks down the street of the sullen, cold little town. Harling's Cross wasn't a new town, necessarily, but it wasn't old either. Built several decades ago to help weary traders find a place to rest, the town grew along a lonely trade route responsible for transporting ore and furs to the warmer southern regions. Managing to stay afloat even during rocky times, the little town has never quite prospered, only survived.

Anderra steps up to the door, humming a tune, and uses the bow of her violin to summon Banumor. After a few moments and some loud grumbling from inside, a dwarf, sporting a metal eyepatch and a half grayed beard opens the door, mumbling the whole while. "Oy! Wot th' 'ell do you lot want? I was nap...oy, it's yer, Anderra. Back already?" The halfing smiles and nods. With a huff, he continues. "If'n yer done, I 'ave more work fer ye. There's be a wrecked caravan down the way a bit...would ye mind checking it out fer me?"

Anialos

Misty smiles,"I prefer Sweetiepie if a nickname must be used, Cole, so you may call me Misty."

Hearing of a wrecked caravan Misty raises her brow,"That's all? Oh, well. I suppose its better than nothing." Misty grumbles to herself about the menial task, muttering something about warm fire and good book.

Kimmeryn

Anderra smiles at the gnome's undertone and shakes her head, "I assure you, Banumor never sends one on a menial task. He'll tell us it's a wrecked caravan, what he means is those that wrecked it are probably still there. Isn't that right, Ban? I thought we'd discussed this. Reserving information and leaving me and my people unprepared." The halfling brandishes her bow at the dwarf, and grins knowingly at the official. "What's it paying?" She tilts her head to the mixed band, "These fine folks were hoping for some weighty purse, I had told them we could count on you."

Banumor doesn't seem too worried about Anderra and her instrument's accoutrement, though he did eye Shaylyn very carefully. "Aye, that ye did. An' yer right, Ander...I mean, Miss Stonebarrow, I figer thems that beat down the latest, made a camp not far. This is the third wagon train that's reported some sort of disturbance. I had heard it might resemble some blue-tinted wrinkly blokes and they were using some fel hounds with them that seemed to be able to wither the drivers. One of the drivers managed to escape, and pick up with the rest o' his wagon train. At least that's the report, ye see. I'd be happy to pay 50 gold each for the trouble."

The woman turns to the group, "What do you say? Shall we check it out?" She nods farewell at Banumor and gathers the travelers up to hear their opinions.

Hylianbunny

As all the individuals travelers begin to gather about the entrance of the Undersheriff's office they can't help but notice that one person in particular seems to be keeping a close eye on them, walking a bit of distance away. Come to think of it, they had noticed her briefly in the Golden Sands as well...The young woman is dressed in rather expensive white finery covered in a heavy cloak, odd considering the weather, and is watching the five intently, though she is fairly good at hiding it. Not good enough to avoid detection completely, it would seem.

Some distance away the crowd at the Golden Sands is thinning out somewhat, though for every two people that seem to exit the another one enters. A corkboard just inside the office is covered with all sorts of slips of parchment and paper, filled with odd jobs for those who care to look.

Anialos

Misty catches sight of the strange woman out of the corner of her eye and smirks. Entertainment already? They weren't even out of town yet. Quickly whispering something to Catsandra Misty pretends to be engrossed in bartering with the Undersheriff over their fee. Not long after the woman can be heard trying to shush something, interspersed with loud meows and purrs from Catsandra as the flustered woman tries to hide from the elf quickly approaching her.

lodwilk

Dichondrials interest was peeked when he and the others noticed the woman following them and was rather interested in why someone dressed in such expensive clothes had to personally follow someone rather than hire someone to do it. Having spent much time secretly following his friends when he lived on the Ark he knew of the best way to throw off a tail.

He waited until they turned a small corner before waiting just around the bend and counted a few seconds before popping back out and almost coming face to face with the woman. "Hello there," he said with a smile. "Is there any way we can help you this fine evening, or are you planning on continuing you're rather adorable attempt at trying to follow us without being observed?"

Kimmeryn

Anderra peers up and watches the encounter with interest, she indicates to Shaylyn to keep an eye from above. "Very interesting. I wouldn't think we had earned such attention already." She glances over at Cole, she knew that he was well versed with communication without using words, exactly. The halfling waits at the ready for whatever may come.

Grog

Seeing another dwarf put Dhorn on edge. Gritting his teeth, he repeated in his mind 'Don't hit him, you won't get paid, don't hit him, you don't get paid' until they had moved off. Luckily the guy hadn't tried to strike up a conversation about clan lineage, or mentioned anything about beards. Judging by his accent, he was from further down the 'walls anyway. Nevertheless, his knuckles remained white until they left.

After they had rounded the corner, he took a moment to realise the others had stopped. "'Ere! What's the 'old up?". Trudging back toward them through the snow, he caught sight of the finely dressed woman talking to Dichondrial. Nudging Cole, he chuckled "Surprise surprise, the elf's got 'imself a ladyfriend already".

starchaserva

Cole smirks down at the dwarf. "Leave it to an Elf to forget his whole mission once a pretty lady shows up. At this rate...we'll never get aynwhere"

Anialos

Misty gives Cole a sharp kick in the shin, but says nothing and gives no indication why.

Grog

Dhorn looked at Misty, baffled at the gnome's behaviour. "I'd 'eard you gnomes're odd. That some kind of signal?" A chiding grin spreads across his face "Wossat, Misty? Bugbears on tha rooftops?! And they've stolen tha princess and're gonna turn 'er into a frog?"

starchaserva

Cole tightens his face, trying very hard to stifle at first a cry of pain, and then a very loud laugh. Backing away from the clearly crazed gnome, he elbows Dhorn. "Our mascot seems to be upset at something. Did we feed her yet today?"

Anialos

"Precisely my dear dwarf! We must hurry after them or they will escape!"Misty grins at the mischevious dwarf and leans in close to whisper. She then glares at Cole. "MASCOT! Well I never!" With this she whistles for Catsandra and stalks back to the Golden Sands, determined to find additional work or at least stay warm whilst these "men" handled the "lady".

Dhorn:

"Implying that a pretty lady had not been present until just now! How rude! I can't speak for his employer, but I am certainly not of the unattractive variety. Perhaps not his type, but still! The nerve!"

Grog

"S'orite Cole, she says she's off ta summon a pegasus so's she can catch tha bugbears. Said we could meet 'er back at the pub once she's saved tha princess." Winking at the young human, he then called up the way to their elven companion. "Come on, mate! She can't be that good lookin'"

Kimmeryn

Anderra shakes her head at the raggle tag group's reactions. She turns to the gnome before she is able to make it down the street further. "I'm sure Cole was simply reacting to your kick in the shin. Surely you know we ladies of small stature need to be thicker skinned when it comes to such implied insults. Just because most men can't decide how to approach us. I'm very interested to hear what this lurker's intentions were, and I won't leave them behind. Come back to the group, we can both show them how real women handle such situations, or if you'd rather, we'll catch up later. Besides, if you'd like, you can always send your Cat to exact some sort of remedy."

Anialos

Misty thinks about Anderra's words for a moment, then marches right up to her and leans in close.

Anderra:

"Implied or no, I advise your associate to avoid insults. My skin is thick from the lashes of the formorians and I will take none from the tongue of a syndebuk.

Her eyes softening a bit, she smiles. "Of course I'll be investigating the stranger, but I can hardly do that when Dich...Dichon...Sissypants, is all up in her grill." She then leans in close again.

Anderra:

"If you keep a close eye on Catsandra you may be in for a treat."

Kimmeryn

Anderra nods at her fellow height-challenged female and smiles. Her eyes following the feline carefully. She understands the warnings that Misty has given her in regards to Cole, but knows that their relationship is of mutual respect. She won't require her employee to back off because she knows it is a lost effort. Cole has always had his own way of doing things, and there is still much even she, as probably his longest enduring companion, doesn't know about his talents, let alone his background.

starchaserva

With a knowing smile, Cole watches the haughty little gnome saunter off back towards the Golden Sands. For a moment he closes his eyes, a small tune humming off of his lips. With a little concentration Misty hears a small buzz in her head, followed by...

Cole's voice echoes in her head: "I don't have to be close to you in order to taunt you, you know."

Anialos

Misty grimaces when Cole invades her mind, the formorians had often done the same, besides, she already had another voice in her head. This voice was none too happy to be intruded upon.

Cole:

"HOW DARE YOU INTRUDE HERE! BEGONE MORTAL!! THE FEY LORDS DEMAND IT!!!"

Cole is thrown back by the response inside his mind, giving Catsandra all the opportunity she needs. Watching Misty was a mistake Cole would soon regret. Being a creature that lived in relative luxury, Catsandra's claws were not dulled by use, yet strong enough to do what nature intended. This was quickly discovered by Cole as her front claws grabbed onto his chest, her rough tongue rasping on his nose.

Watching Cole jump back in surprise Misty laughed and whisteld for Catsandra who immediately let go. "Good girl. That should teach that nasty man better than to insult us."

Hylianbunny

Dichondrial ducking around the corner rather suddenly does catch the elegantly dressed woman by surprise, though she is able to keep cool relatively easily with a slight smirk. "I had thought you looked like the sort that may be able to handle a small task; though it seems you prefer to play with your pets and squabble. Perhaps I was wrong." The smirk on her face hardens for a moment as she stares at Dichondrial. "If you think you intimidate me, you're sadly mistaken."

lodwilk

Dichondrial places his hand against his heart in mock horror, "Intimidate you? Why I would never try and do such a thing, especially of someone of such high class as yourself. As for our squabbling and playing with our pets, I do assure you that there is a method to that madness that is our little group." The elf makes sure that his silk glove is clean before extending it to the woman. "My name is Dichondrial and what exactly is this little task that you were considering us for?"

Perception: 19

Hylianbunny

"Call it an extermination." the woman shrugs lightly, leaving Dichondrial's hand hanging in the open as though he had never extended it. "There are some...pests in a tower that I have interest in. I want them out, discretely, and pay well. Unless you are interested, that's all I will say."

The executioner's keen eyes note that despite her looks the lady in white did not come unprepared; a knife hooked up to a mechanism of some sort has been slipped under one of her sleeves. Perhaps that is why she didn't react too worriedly.

lodwilk

Dichondrial decided to ignore her refuse to shake his hand, as well as the hidden blade in her sleeve, a person did have the right to be able to protect themselves. "Well obviously I cannot accept any job without first consulting my partners but if you'd please follow me I'm sure they'd be willing to help with your pest problem if the pay is as good as you suggest."

The elf started to head towards where the group was gathered not checking to see if the woman decided to follow, though the soft crunching of the snow behind him told him that she decided she might as well. Arriving at where the others stood he noticed the smirks shared between Cole and Dhorn and Dichondrial counldn't help but give them a wink and a smirk with a quick nod of his head behind him to the woman.

"First off, Dhorn now that we're closer to your poor, old, dwarven eyes can show you that this lady is more attractive then you thought, and second off she is willing to offer us paying work. She is apparently willing to pay us well, although an exact sum was never discussed and all that she wants us to do is go to some tower and eliminate a pest problem of hers." Turning to the woman Dichondrial snapped his finger nears his temple and asked, "I'm sorry the cold must have frozen my memory, what did you say the pests were again?"