On the Trail to Whitethrone

"We should probably head to Whitethrone as fast as we can.  Nazhena will likely return to the Pale Tower and we don't want to be here when she does," Casia stated as the group awoke.

"I think we might want to return to Waldsby with some of this loot. Maybe the locals will buy at least some of it," Fanara countered.

"I feel like we need to find Baba Yaga's hut.  It is supposed to be in Whitethrone," Santrel added.

"Maybe I can help," Nadya interjected.  "If we return to Waldsby I will collect my sons and I will lead you to Whitethrone.  I would plan on dropping the boys off in Ellsprin, hopefully out of sight of Nazhena."

Closing the Winter Portal

"I watched you come up through the tower.  I knew you would be here soon." the man stated.

"Radosek, where is my daughter?" demanded Nadya.

"Why, haven't they told you?  I watched them in Taldor through Thora's new glass eye," Radosek sneered in response.

With that he rose into the air as a battle began.  The heroes began firing into the air at the Radosek and the goat charged at Fanara.

An Unkindness of Ravens

A search of the Conservatory revealed no magic.  Casia smashed the mirror as they party had been doing all along.  Fanara and Santrel had not found any interesting new information from studying the transport portal outside the Conservatory.

"We should check out the kitchen before we try to advance.  We don't want to leave anything behind us." Santrel suggested.

"How do we get to the fourth floor?  We don't have a phrase for that," Casia asked.

"We could just try the phrase to the third floor in each transport area," Fanara suggested.

"But that doesn't get us to the fourth floor," Casia shot back.

"Maybe there is a way up from the third?" Fanara said.

Pale Tower Library

There was transmutation magic emanating from the ice nymph statues at the entry to the teleportation alcove.  Santrel was concerned that they would come to life but Milos pushed on toward the northern statue.  Around the corner he saw a door and a window.  The window looked out upon the wintry landscape.

Jorgen moved toward a door in the southwest wall. Peering in he saw a bookshelf in the illuminated small annex chamber along with a massive mirror on the wall.  Pushing his luck he looked further into the chamber and saw more bookshelves and an ornate table surrounded by six chairs.  The table top was covered with books.  Beyond the table stood a figure.

Pale Tower Attack

The group decided not to enter the tower through the main gate.  On the parapet level were two doors leading into the tower.  The party headed through the northern door.  This led to a stairway leading down to the main level.  A storeroom with some rusty weapons and other gear was at the bottom of the stair, along with a another door that would lead further into the tower.

Steamy air filled the inner gallery, emanating in lazy wisps from a bubbling pool recessed into the floor of a raised dais surrounded by six pillars of ice. Four foggy mirrors hung from the walls near ice sculptures of helmeted pike-wielding warriors.

Betrayal in the Square and a Trip to the Pale Tower

"Halt in the name of Queen Elvanna," the sergeant exclaimed.  "I assume you mean to surrender and submit to the witch of the Pale Tower," intimating a that far worse awaits them-and the villagers-if they refuse.

"What makes you think we would just give in?" Casia shot back.

"Then prepare to die!"

Search and Attempted Seizure

Nadya provided the adventurers with a hot meal and warm beds, bid them to stay put while she delivered her food shipment to the fortified storehouse on the other side of the village and made arrangements to better outfit them for their travels in Irrisen. When she returned soon after, Nadya brought a collection of winter clothing with her, urging the heroes to wear the more common peasant garb of Waldsby to avoid drawing attention to themselves.

Since it was still afternoon Casia stated that the group wanted to explore the village.  Maybe there would be items for them to purchase from various vendors.

"Certainly.  I can go with you to introduce you to the townfolk.  You can be my relatives from Kizobran," Nadya suggested.