The Wintery Checkpoint - Session 13

Session 13 - 08/16/2024
***the story so far***
 
I trot up to one of the Mechanicus soldiers, and bash his head in using my Hooves.
Diaga kicks the other Mechanicus' knees in, bringing him down, as Roger deals a headshot, finishing the job.

 
The Promatican Fort has been vanquished, the field tattered with the remains of the proud Vomethndan soldiers and the slain Promatican mercenaries.
With our Warforged Bombadier in tow, we resume our plans to travel to Heilagur to visit <WHO THE FUCK IS THE GUY>.
During the journey, I manage to gather:

+1 nickel

+1 lead

As we fill our pockets with goodies, the snow starts to pick up, our footsteps heavier, the river covered in layers of frost and snow, with rapids poking through, a blanket of snow covering everything. There's no landmarks out this far North to direct us towards. As we trudge on, Willow and Roger seem to be struggling in the snow a little, Exhausted (1) with each step.
Through the snowy midst, Willow starts to make her way over towards a mound near the river. This mount has some detail to it, almost like a lumpy structure no bigger than 8ft, maybe hollow? Diaga calls out to the lump, but the wind dampens his call. The lumpy mass sort of looks handmade in a way. Diaga notices there's a broken wooden wagon wheel near the lump, and still doesn't get a reply. We walk forward and get a full view - this wagon has been here a while, sitting in the wind. It almost blends perfectly in to the surroundings. However, there's little clues that don't add up -

there's marks on the wooden frame on the wagon, indicating deep lacerationns

the carapice has large holes in in

the broken wheels on the left side, away from the river, are beyond mangled to the point of comprehension

As we look through the cracks of the wagon, we see one (1) Soul Bone. The Soul Bone seems to be an arm bone of some kind, upper arm specifically. It's a little unclear why its laying out, propped up, but its leaning against a hefty object, that has a black sheen amidst the snow. Once again, there's *deep* lacerations, teeth or maybe claws with great size. This is a jagged edge, so something natural.
I call out to Diaga and let him know these lacerations are made by some kind of anvil.
I reach out for the Soul Bone, I feel a *deep* dread as I reach for it. There's something almost watching me, given how this is set up, as it immediately washes away when i pick it up. The air doesn't change, but I'm on edge - something may be nearby. As I rub my hands over this Soul Bone, I get a closer look. There's jagged edges are somewhat smoothed over. There was some kind of struggle with this Humanoid figure, but the jagged parts being rounded means its likely been some time since this attack happened.

+1 Soul Bone

There's a sort of black/grey surface that it was leaning on, with a glint of purple, that sparkles amongst the light, right under the bone.
While still uneasy about the situation, Roger feels inspired by the barren snow, and starts to play a set of Bagpipes. Willow is silently dying inside. Willow calmly takes the bagpipes away from Roger. Roger blames the wind and asks for a second chance - Willow relents. Roger
Diaga vaguely looks around the cart, not spotting any kind of creature. Whatever attacked this cart, its hard to tell if it even entered. As Diaga combs the grounds around the cart, looking for signs of a struggle, Diaga notices a brown stain beneath the powder of the snow. Looking further, it's like a mucky brown, not exactly soil. Diaga presumes its dried blood, a pathway going from the destroyed left wheels, curving around and towards the river. Diaga follows the path. Diaga locates more bones, pattered here and there, which stick over the dried blood. There's a lot of intricate hand bones, heading towards the river.
Diaga ushers to the Vomethndan accompanying us for more information about the area. He looks around, not really able to provide any further guidance, but points towards a divet that a bunch of water seems to be flowing to.
Per the Vomethndan's guidance, he recommends going deeper into the forest to avoid the weather. We move Northwest into the forest, away from the river. Roger delights us with another Bagpipes tune - Willow cannot be bothered to join in, failing to play her own set of Bagpipes.
Roger is now a fan of two chords.
We travel enough of a distance to be able to gather more materials. I GAIN:

+1 nuts (+0)

Sensing we're better protected from the elements having gone deeper in the woods, we start discussing nightly shifts and potential crafting opportunities.
We draw straws for the night shift - I take the first shift awake, Diaga the second.
As the night passes, everyone is sound asleep. Willow and Roger seem to recover a little bit. As I keep watch, nothing really happens around us, but I do notice my compatriot Diaga is turning quite a lot during their sleep, unable to get comfortable, almost muttering something.
Diaga starts worming away from the camp. I watch this worming, with Diaga worming for a solid minute. Without my Darkvision, Diaga would be GONE. Diaga then gets about her senses, and slowly drags the bedroll back. Seeing no better time, I wake Diaga up from their slumber to exchange night shifts.
We wake up in the morning, an ember still laying in the fire. Snow has picked up a little bit, but the tree cover has shieled us a little bit.
We decide to wait out the blizzard that's upon us.
We head off into the distance, and gather:

+1 leaf (-1)

We manage to meet a strange lad named Balrug. Balrug introduces us to the rest of his adventuring crew, affectionately identifying themselves as O, G, and R. Balrug tells us they're headed to an outpost to investigate weird disappearances that have been happening, probably due to a monster. Balrug's crew is having issues with the weather, and mentions they're headed back to an encampment, and offers us a stay.
We accept, and G leads the eight (8) of us in the direction of the camp. Roger and Willow duke it out on the way to the camp, Bagpiping it up. The sound is acceptable. Willow manages to perform better than Roger (definitely cementing her victory and rubbing it in Roger's face, the rivalry forever confirmed).
As we travel on with this new adventuring party, the snow feels heavier, with each step i feel more and more Exhausted (1).
Despite my slowness, I manage to gather:

+1 stone (-2)

+1 nickel

O: Big man
G: Small bear eared lady
R: Bird person
As we travel on, there seems to be a hidden emblem on one of the robes of the adventurer. They're not exactly trying to hide it, but it's interesting that they're wearing multiple robes, covering it. We trade stories about why we're out here in the frozen north, while not giving away too much, despite the Vomethndan exposing the fact we are severely underprepared.
<im literally so tired i need to check with Ryan what the fuck happens at this point, im so lost, cannot take good notes>
As we get to the camp, Willow meets a (what??) bird person, who seems to be miffed?
radio announcer? conversation with willow - tear on the edge of his eye?
a full band sound?
R is shivering to their core for some reason
G looks over, "this isn't good, we gotta make it to the camp sometime soon, i don't think R can make it another night"
radio???
Octavius, Guy, and Radio (are their names)
Guy hasn't slowed down at all since being out here???
Willow gets a bit of a glimpse and sees they're not wearing a glove on one hand - its an Arcsthetic Hand, a beefier one. thicker fingers, little gaskets.
*hand is acknowledged*
ROCKET ARM!?!?!
"the problem with our party is that we have 2 other party members we're trying to meet in a few days, but I was always the one who struggled with rage, but NOT ANYMORE, (knocking on the arm)"
willow is carrying the end of this session thank god
radio speaks up, "the princess!!" and octavious then "its the princess of heilagur!"
 
a carriage?????