"Hold," came the reply before the gate fell quiet. Not soon thereafter came a query: "The courage of one can change . . ?"

"...the destiny of many," she concluded the motto of the Order of the Radiant Heart with easy familiarity.

While the answer came easily, Khulekani, she was surprised to hear it hear, so far north. As far as she was aware, there were no Radiant Heart chapter houses in this country, and surely this Dwarven defender was not a member, unless he had retired or forsaken his oath. Perhaps the speaker had merely heard it in his travels previously.

Whatever the case, she was curious to hear how this Dwarf knew her deeply held motto.

Shortly after Khulekani's reply the heavy stone doors rumbled open. Inside stood three Dwarves, burly and fiery, their hands resting on the pommels of their war hammers, the foremost of which crowned his beard with a near horizontal braided mustache. "Our apologies," he as he sniffed and indicated the symbol of a heart on Isiliva. "Soon figured ye could've taken the sword of somebody else!" He then stepped aside and eagerly waved the four visitors in. "Well, what're ye still standin' out there for?! Get on in wit'ye before yer bloody ears snap off! Any friend of the Radiant Heart is a friend of the Battlehammers!"

Each of the Dwarves made to grasp Khulekani in true Dwarven warrior fashion, and spared no lesser greeting for the rest, be they Human or Goliath. The first introduced himself as Daldur, the two others as Tormyl and Geirar, and all of the Hammerstones.

The roof was just barely tall enough to allow a Human to stand upright. Stormheart and Farwalker had to bow both through the door and while they were inside this entrance tunnel. Additionally, much of the cramped room was taken by a ballista capable of firing bolts large enough to skewer ten queued Orcs. It fortunately got more spacious as one moved deeper into the Valley, which was more like a giant fissure, further deepened by Dwarven excavation, than any conventional valley. And though the central walkway peered upon an open sky, it was impenetrable like few fortresses were. "Yer a long way from home, Squire," Daldur spoke as he led them through the tunnels. "What brings ye to these lands? The nice weather, perchance? Hah!" he bellowed and slapped his armored abdomen with a resonating thud.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:06, Tue 14 Nov 2023.

Stormheart was glad the paladin had come along with them. He could have spoken to the dwarves, and some of them may or may not have known who he was. But Khulekani made things much easier. He smiled at the dwarves after the greeting, though he had to bend down as he entered. It was not the most comfortable for him, but he endured. "Thank you. We appreciate it."

When asked their business, he grew a bit somber. He didn't want to put the paladin on the spot for what were, essentially, things he had asked for help with. "She and Rhydd are helping me. I travel much though the whole area and many things are brewing in Icewind Dale, which I'm sure you've heard of some things that are waiting for now."

He crouched down to save his back a bit. "For now, we're going to see if we keep a couple of owlbears from being trouble for anyone, then check on the Whale Ferry Angajuk, which is having..." He glanced down and then looked back as he shook his head. "There is an issue but I don't have the details." He then looked more grim. "Ware the Tribe of the Wolf, and ware the Red Rust Ravagers. Both are about and dangerous."

Khulekani was shocked and delighted that her Order was apparently so well known and held in high esteem, even in the far flung portions of the world. She beamed mightily as she shook each of their hands in their fashion, marveling at despite his calloused and cold their hands were, they were not actually rocks made from the mountains.

"Aye. Icewind Dale, infamous for its warm weather and balmy beaches," she chuckled in response to Daldur.

As Stormheart explained their situation, the young woman found herself nodding along.

"Unfortunately, it is duty and not pleasure that has us out and about at this hour, as my companion says. I am pleased to see that the famed hospitality of your people is alive and well here, even this far North," Khulekani sighed, sitting down in the nearest chair in the tunnels, and trying to get as much snow off her frame as possible.

Not one for small-talk (at least not when Lady Mallory was absent), Rhydd grunted and added his two coppers to the conversation.

"Hawk the Elven ranger, and Halvdan the Verbeeg . . . if have you heard ought of either of them recently, I would be well-pleased to know of it," he said, glancing at each of their Dwarven hosts in turn.

The two other sentries remained at their posts as Daldur led the way down a steep stairways within the tunnel. Corridors branched at every opportunity, for the Dwarven complex was vast indeed. Some of them ran deep underneath Kelvin's Cairn, where these Dwarves considered the real riches to lie.

"Elves?!" Daldur blurted in customary response, but it was, for those who knew the Dwarves, more fanfare than legitimate antagonism. "Nay, 'aven't seen no pointy-ears passing through, nor any Hawks or Verbeegs. Although, we did hear word a Goliath had recently stayed in the southern hold. Anyone ye know?" His armor clanged and rattled as he rounded each corner of the tunnel in turn. It proceeded through the barracks, then the storage rooms, and finally out into the open where it met with a long and meticulously tiled switchback. Bridges connected the two sides of the valley, but the buildings here out in the open were limited to just their facade. In the eastern wall were several roughly hewn buildings, connected by stairs so narrow any non-Dwarf would be anxious to climb. The most prominent was the temple carved to Berronar Truesilver, the Revered Mother looming with her silver rings as a tall and imposing cut. Several residential chambers were here too, and an inn known only as 'Ye Olde'.

Daldur stopped at the survey and turned to Khulekani. "Should ye wish to cross to Southern Hold, just say that Daldur sent ye. And beware the Halls of Black Ice."

Stormheart tried, mostly successfully, to hide a smile at Daldur's outburst regarding elves. He'd never understand the grudge or whatever it was between their two peoples. When he could, he tried to judge individuals rather than species as a whole, though there were some exceptions.

One eyebrow rose and he did smile when asked about the Goliath. "Almost assuredly."

He glanced around as they traveled, looking at all the different bridges, buildings, and stairs. His head tilted to the side when he saw the inn. "Should we ask about rooms for the night?" He smiled slightly.

"That would be my rede," Rhydd replied to Stormheart's question about renting rooms for the night. On some nights the archer would have been hard-pressed to find the coin for an inn-bought dinner and a room, but tonight this was not the case -- Rhydd had sufficient coin to pay for all of their meals and rooms, if it came to that. And he felt like some good, warm food -- and lots of it -- together with shelter from the elements would do them all some good.

He had been a little disappointed that the Dwarves had heard naught about Hawk or Halvdan -- it might have made things a little easier. But he was used to the gods paying scant mind to his wishes, so he resolved to simply keep putting one foot in front of the other, and continuing the search . . .

Stormheart gave a curious look to Rhydd and asked, "What does a reed have to do with anything?" His eyes widened slightly. "Do you have a special reed that helps you make decisions?" He then calmed himself and looked down a little. "Apologies if that was rude."

He glanced back at Khulekani. Barring any objection from her, however, he began heading towards the inn. "But yes, I think getting a room for the night here will be far warmer than sleeping just about anywhere else. And the drinks will be...stout!" He grinned in anticipation.

In reply to Stormheart (msg # 61):

Rhydd smiled at Stormheart's getting a little confused about "rede" and "reed".

"I see the problem, I think," he told the Goliath. "The word I used is a very old one, I think. It is spelled diferently than the reeds we find in swamps."

"I heard it from an old, old Human mage. He told me that it means 'advice', or 'counsel', as best I remember."

The archer shrugged. "I probably shouldn't try to use fancy words. Plenty of normal words to get the job done."

At dawn – or at least what constituted dawn in Icewind Dale – and with the entire day disposable the trek to round Kelvin's Cairn seemed infinitely shorter. It remained cloudy, and light and unhurried snow muted the surroundings.

"I shall be visiting our clan," Farwalker declared as the group scaled a craggy and rocky slope of the mountain, "after this." She had considered going southward directly from the Dwarven Valley, but she had given her word that she'd accompany Stormheart to the Owlbear cave. Not that it made too great of a difference. The detour was short.

Stormheart knew the cave drew fairly close and, as expected, there weren't any signs of activity nearby. Except for one – they were pursued by an airborne beast with the head of a Stag and the body of an Eagle. It was the Peryton they had seen signs of yesterday. Rhydd was first to spot it way overhead, but he knew not how long it had been following them. Farwalker had not spotted it at all, which was uncharacteristic of her, and had to have it pointed out.

---

Rhydd's Perception to spot the Peryton behind/above him [16]: Success.

Stormheart's Perception to spot the Peryton behind/above him [13]: Success.

Khulekani's Perception to spot the Peryton behind/above her [13]: Success.

Farwalker's Perception to spot the Peryton behind/above her [9]: Fail.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:08, Wed 20 Dec 2023.

Stormheart glanced back at his kin and started to smile when something caught his eye. He didn't look up at it directly, for the moment. He tried to keep his voice casual when he replied to Farwalker in their native tongue, [Goliath] "Farwalker, there is a Peryton tracking us from above. We saw a kill of its the other day."

He then switched back to the common tongue, but kept his voice quiet, and glanced at Rhydd, "What do you think? Should we try to drive it away, lure it in, or just get to the cave? It is not far now."

Rhydd knew exactly what the "It" that Stormheart mentioned was. ~Good eye,~ he thought to himself.

~Good on him for spotting the Peryton lurking above. 'Tis easy to miss dangers lurking above one's head, as opposed to those on the same footing as oneself.~

The archer grunted and nocked an arrow. "I am inclined to press on for the cave," he replied.

"If we can get inside, that will limit the direction of yon creature's attacks -- if it decides to pursue us still, once we are under cover."

"Be ready, though. If it gleans our plan, it may decide to attack us afore we can reach the cover of the cave."

"If the worse should happen, and it attacks us in the open, do either of you have means of taking the advantage of its wings? I have not but the faith of smiting evil and healing the innocent at my disposal...Do either of you gentlemen have the ability to ground the creature and keep it there? I fear Rhydd's bow alone cannot save us from the hit-and-run tactics of a true predator..." Khulekani said calmly, but warily, hand dropping instinctually to her sheathed blade.

Stormheart was deliberately not looking up at it directly. He kept his sightings to its shadow or out of the corners of his eyes, that sort of thing. He didn't want to make it accelerate it's plans.

He glanced at Khulekani and gave a nod but also a shrug. "I have some spells that could be of use in either targeting the creature or keeping it at bay a bit." He then smiled widely. "Of course, if I can get a hold of it, I think I can also keep it on the ground if needs be."

For the moment, he kept leading them towards the cave and tried not to hurry.

Rhydd shrugged in response to Khulekani's inquiry. "I shall rely on my bow, as you have mentioned. I have naught else up my sleeve."

"Then we will have to rely on the strength of Northern muscle to keep it on the ground before we reach our intended battleground. Until then, we should move quickly, and attempt to keep it at bay with your bow. All agreed?" she asked in the tense tone of battle.

As foreseen, the cave was close. The terrain was jagged and rough, and hid the cave mouth well. From the looks of it, it wasn't too small of a complex, slanting slightly downward from the entrance. It was difficult to glean anything from deeper in the cave by sound or sight, so it was easy to label it inactive. And in a way it was, Stormheart knew from the forest animals, with only an Owlbear snoring away.

The Peryton continued to hover above, but as the party got closer to the mountain's face, it flew past them and perched on a rock high overhead, scratching its antlers with its wings as it remained attentive.

---

Battlemap. Unlabeled as of right now, but I'll fix that in a future update.

Stormheart took note of the change in the creature - it was no longer following them. It was just perched and waiting. Likely to attack soon, he assumed.

He paused near the cave entrance. He waited for everyone else to enter first, so he could bring up the rear in case it attacked.

He spoke in a quiet voice. "Something I should probably mention beforehand. When this starts, I will change. Please do not be alarmed." He didn't elaborate further.

He got ready and waited.

OOC: I suppose once we enter he'll ready a grapple action?

Rhydd nodded in response to Sotrmheart's warning about his impending "change".

I suspect that we shall find someone -- or a 'something', more likely -- inside the cave. In weather such as we have been experiencing, any place that provides shelter is likely to have been claimed already."</blue>

Perhaps with that thought in mind, the archer added "I'll scout a short ways ahead of everyone else. I may or may not succeed in remaining unobserved."

---

OOC:

21:55, Today: Rhydd Maldhon rolled 9 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 2.  Stealth Check: Scouting Ahead.

Comments: Ugh.

"Before you go, allow me," Farwalker said, then slowly ran her hand across her closed eyes. When she opened them again, they shone dimly green, and Rhydd could sense his vision adjust. Though the group carried torches, the darkness beyond their light became less intense, the contours it hid more obvious. He could see far, farther than ever, even. "That should last one hour."

Rhydd went as quietly as he could, but in an already quiet cave where sounds bounced and echoed, assurance in his ability was not a given. Stealthy or not, there were several branching tunnels to choose from and none stood out immediately. The one to the left, however, appeared to contain something the other two did not — a statue of a kind. As he got closer, he could see it was of a Unicorn, albeit a crude one carved directly from the stone¹. Scattered in the cavern were several empty and cracked pots. There was nothing else of note in this chamber.

As Rhydd pressed on and came across, down the sloped tunnels, he came across a floor of ice, and heard what he thought to be the gentle rumbles of a snoring animal. More curious, however, was the singular blot of blue mucus nearly imperceptible against the cold ground. Had he not seen well, he likely would have stepped in it.²

---

¹ Rhydd's Religion on the Stone Statue [autosuccess; Patron Deity]: A white, golden horned Unicorn's head is the symbol of Mielikki.

² DC 20 Survival check to identify the viscous substance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:48, Sat 13 Jan.

In reply to DM Bears (msg # 73):

OOC: 22:17, Today: Rhydd Maldhon rolled 21 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 16.  Survival Check to Identify the Blue Goop (DC: 20).

Comment: Hunh. That's a bit of a surprise, but I'll take it. Mayhap Mielikki smiled upon Rhydd. :)

The wad of gunk radiated a faint steam. One could easily attribute it to a warmth of the substance, but as Rhydd leaned in he found the opposite to be true – he could feel the wad of gunk was extremely cold without even touching it. Far colder than the environment, which was rather impressive.

Mucus or not, Rhydd's investigation was coming to a close as he pressed inward just a bit further. He descended some natural steps onto a platform of solid ice, then rounded a corner to see what they had come here for, namely the Snowy Owlbear, fast asleep near a lone rock on a frozen pond. The large creature didn't seem to have noticed Rhydd.

---

Rhydd's Survival into the blue goop [21]: This is fresh discharge from a Frost Salamander. Massive, extremely dangerous creatures. Not native to the Prime Material plane, but they have been known to find their way to Icewind Dale the occasional winter; one such incident occured thirteen years back, when a group of mountaineers disappeared. Initially, Yetis had been attributed with the abduction, but on further investigation remains were found near a large hole going deep underground, along with the same mucus Rhydd had now nearly stepped in.

https://i.imgur.com/jsC8t8d.jpg

Turning and making his way back through the twists and turns of the cave as quietly as he could, Rhydd returned to the spot where his companions waited.

"The Owlbear that we seek is inside. It is presently slumbering."

"But more disturbingly, I found a glob of something -- spittle, mayhap -- that I recognize as coming from a Frost Salamander . . . a massive and extremely dangerous creature, as you may know. I saw no other sign of the Frost Salamander."