Radulf and Otaan reached Highfall, the next stop on their journey, without incident - the snow having continued to hold off. As he approached the hamlet, he could clearly see the waterfall to its north from which the settlement drew its name. Still pouring over the plateau, Radulf knew it would not be long before winter's bite froze the river and the waterfall stopped.
So first roll on the settlement trouble oracle; BTW, I'm mainly using the excellent Chartopia Ironsworn Play Aids for rolls; roll result was "Someone is missing"
Having been warned of his arrival, Highfall's Council-of-Five was waiting for Radulf as he entered the settlement with Otaan, once more donning his ceremonial mask as he did so. Mayor Jelma was there with Masias, Chief-of-Crafts; Amara, Priestess-of-Vanth; Yuda, First-Merchant and Morgan, the Warden-Captain
"Charun," Mayor Jelma said. "Welcome to Highfall."
"Mayor," responded Radulf; "The First Duty?"
"No, not this year. we have burnt all that we discovered." replied Mayor Jelma.
"Then I present your salt. Six sacks are for Highfall," said Radulf
"Thank-you," answered Jelma and she signalled the waiting labourers to unload the settlement's sacks from Otaan's sledge. When they had finished, she continued, "Charun, there is a duty for you, beyond those you have performed."
Radulf faced the Mayor and bowed his head to receive the duty as tradition demanded.
"This morning Turid's son Sven was not at his home," she began. "This is not unusual for he is a wilful boy, often out playing in the woods despite his mother's instructions. Always before the child returns for breakfast, but this day he has not been seen."
Radulf was surprised that this was being present to a Charun, but before he could speak, the Mayor continued, "We would not ordinarily bother you with this as Charun, but the boy's father Gunter left to search for him and still not returned and a band of Varou have been seen in the area, these two days."
"I understand," comprehended Radulf, "and with night falling, it is my duty to guide them to safety. Priestess Amara may I have the blessing of the church please?"
Swear an Iron Vow: ;+Heart (Bannersworn gives re-roll any dice, if needed) : 5 +3 vs 8 & 2, re-roll 8, get 5 => strong hit => +2 momentum, now +9; troublesome vow
His vow sworn to the Church-of-Vanth, Radulf strode from the temple. After ensuring that Otaan was cared for, he sought out Warden-Captain Morgan.
"Captain," he began, "Do you have a tracker that could help me?"
"They were all out searching themselves, but Dag has just returned. He wanted to check where is yet unsearched - he could lead you."
"Vanth-the-Guide always provides for the faithful! Please take me to him," responded Radulf, indicating Morgan to lead on. They found Dag by the gateway talking with a pair of wardens who had a map unfurled atop a barrel.
"I'll go north," Dag was saying as they approached. "The brat's never gone that way before, but no-one has found any trace of him any other way."
"Dag," started Morgan, "The Charun arrived while you were out - he'll go with you."
"As you wish Captain," replied Dag with a nod. He turned to Radulf, "I hope you can keep up ... ?"
"Charun willing, I will," said Radulf, taking an instant dislike to the small, oily Dag.
Nothing further was, or needed to be, said and they left Highfall, circling its high stone walls to head northwards. Night had fallen by the time they had reached the edge of the fields that were next to teh settlement. Although it was unusual to encounter Restless this close to a settlement - the wardens were always alert for them, Radulf watched the trees carefully as Dag bent closer to the earth looking for tracks, holding his torch aloft in his left hand.
Gather Information: +Wits; 1 +3 vs. 7 & 6 => miss => unearth a dire threat, Pay the Price; Endure Stress: -1 Spirit, now 4; +Spirit; 3 +4 vs. 7 & 6 => weak hit, press on; Mark failure track, progress 0.25/10
"Here," said Dag pointing to the ground, "the boy went this way." He advanced a few paces toward the trees. "And here, Gunter came in along the tree line and followed." He began to jog along the trail that the boy had followed into the trees.
As they reached the point that the fields were almost hidden from view by the trees, Dag stopped and looked to the ground to their left at the underbrush there. "Look," he said, "Something came out of the trees there and ..." he paused, "Yes, it followed the boy, but before Gunter did."
Bent over, he continued slowly following the tracks. "It was 3 hyenas ... no 2 hyenas and a Varou." Then he spat disgustedly. "Filthy creatures - have you fought Varou, Charun?"
Radulf had not and replied so, "No, I have not; I take it that you have - do you have any advice?" He asked quietly as they continued along the trailDag seemed surprised that his opinion had been sought, "Aye, I do at that; they always have their filthy-cur hyenas with them. The Varou themselves will leap toward you, trying to hold your full attention. When that happens, their hyenas will come at you from the side and try to get your hamstrings to cripple you and then wait for blood loss to finish you off ... my brother died that way. Terrible sight it was - what that scum left of him anyway."
He returned to silence and Radulf could tell he would say no more.
I'm marking progress (as we've found the tracks) on the vow "I will return Sven and Gunter to Turid"They continued, Dag proving his ability to Radulf, finding it - apparently - easy to follow the trail in the dark of the night. Before long, Dag stopped and held up his hand. Radulf stopped and waited patiently for the tracker to speak. Well, he tried to be patient. After a moment, Dag spoke.
Reach a Milestone: troublesome, progress now 3/10
"Do you hear that?"
"I hear nothing," replied Radulf after a moment trying to.
"Hyenas yipping up ahead," explained Dag."As far as I can tell, they're not moving. How'd you want to deal with it?"
They took a knee, heads close together and worked out a plan ...
Radulf stood, took the torch from Dag and waited the slow count of fifty that they had agreed to allow the tracker to get into position; then he began to march along the trail. He could soon hear the hyena's as Dag had described - the man's competence was forcing Radulf to re-evaluate his initial dislike. What he had first taken as ... arrogance, he was now realising was actually an accurate self-confidence. But that was something for later. He had a Duty to complete.
As Radulf rounded a bend in the trail he could tell from their noise that he would be confronting the Hyenas, and sure enough, there they were, bounding up at a tree beside the trail; but his attention was grabbed by the Varou that was advancing towards him, drawing its knives ..