An Unexpected Visitor

Nadya was a small woman only 5-1/2 feet tall. She wore her vibrant red hair in three braids, two short braids framing her pale face, and a third, longer braid hanging down her back.  She was clad in armor for protection, along with a white fur cloak and matching hat which made her less visible in the snow. Her quiver was full, and in addition to her bow she carried a handaxe and pick.

As the mushers set up the camp the heroes engaged Nadya in a discussion.

"Where are you from?  You indicated the south but about where?" she began.

"Far south, Taldor in fact. It is normally much warmer there but it seems some cold is began pushed into our realm," Fanara offered.

The Black Rider

"We are under attack!" Casia called out.

"You were hit from behind?  There is a whirlwind in front of us!" Jorgen cried in return.

"How do we attack a whirlwind?" Santrel asked.

"Just don't get caught up in it." Milos suggested.

Turning around Casia saw a small sprite in the air behind the party. "We should attack the magic user first." she added.

A Doll's House

The party rested for one day, scoured the village for items, magic or otherwise, the next and then got ready to leave for the lodge to rebuild the bridge.

They collected a few items for free or nominal cost including cold iron sling bullets and ammo.  Casia asked some old timers about repairing the bridge.  Fanara suggested the spell mend that Santrel then added to his book.  

Lady Argentea asked for the return of her signet ring and any other items the party found in the carriage. These were respectfully returned to her as they party was grateful for the reward she had bestowed upon them.

Skeletons in the Closet

"I want to check upstairs.  That is where Rohkar supposedly stayed," Casia emphasized once again.

Milos was standing next to a door on the lower level and opened it exposing a bedroom.  The bed was completely rumpled, no blanket was there and the sheets were yanked around.  There was a chest in the room along with a door to the east.

"Let me check for traps before we open any more doors," Jorgen said confidently as he strode into the room and up to the door.

Amadeo was standing by another door but he waited before opening it.

The Lodge

Milos took Old Man Dansby's body to a secluded part of the forest and said a few prayers over it before trying to cover it with rocks and stones.

Casia warmed by the fire, her cold weather gear hanging near the flames to dry out as quick as possible.

Santrel check the hat and found no residue of magic on it, nor was the illusion surrounding the snowman any longer.  He also placed the arm of the Taldan soldier, encased in ice, near the fire.  As it melted the longsword finally was freed and the party could see its nice sheen.

After around two hours the Casia put her gear back on and the party prepared to follow the trail further.

The Talking Stag

Milos examined one of the hanging clumps.  It appeared to be something wrapped in a piece of leather connected with pins.  Milos pushed one and it moved in a pendulum motion on the string it hung from.

"Santrel is it magic?" Fanara asked.

"It appears normal to me," Santrel said after focusing on one for a minute.

Milos pulled one of the bundles down and began to remove a pin or two.  The leather pulled back and revealed what seemed to be black feathers.  He continued pulling out pins and then saw two feet and the edge of a wing.

Pulling the leather completely away Milos found a frozen solid crow.  It had blood from several wounds one of which had a broken tiny arrow still embedded in it.

Arctic Fey

"I will lead further following the tracks," Jorgen told the party.

"We will follow your lead," Milos seconded.

"Just be sure to check for traps if you see anything unusual," Santrel added jokingly.

"I wonder how many people we are following here," Casia stated.

"I will try and see if I can figure it out," Jorgen continued as he led further to the southwest deeper into the Border Wood.