Session 92, February 15, 2024 - Helm's Hold and the deterioration of Ifrea's sanity

Morning, 14th of Nytol - Session begins as the sun rises. The party wakes and spends the first part of the day hunting and foraging, taking advantage of the terrain and its abundant opportunities. Shar cooks lunch for them, making a squirrel reduction and berry sauce to serve over rotisserie rabbits. The squirrel melts in the pan as the party observes a bit nervously. It all feels very gourmet. They pack up and begin traveling again. About an hour later they reach the edge of the woods and see a walled town not far off. The gate is guarded, but there are no travelers on the road which seems a bit odd. Ifrea takes a new alias, Drax. They cross to the road and come up to the guards. They're wearing blue uniforms with a trifoil rose insignia. "Take us to your leader!" says Shur. They ask what is their purpose, intent, and allegiance? The guards listen to their purposes and offer them shelter for the night to quarantine while the guards check into their story. Shar keeps offering up information making the guards eye them more suspiciously, and a third guard joins the group after a few minutes. They revise the offer and say now the party will have to agree to be imprisoned until any part of their story can be verified. Ifrea freaks out and casts darkness, and runs. Rys, Savari, and Shar try to counteract and contain him and placate the guards before they attack. The guards corral an unconscious Ifrea, and the rest of the party willingly follows them into the hold. There's a newer refugee camp inside the main walls and walk towards Helm's temple. The guards lead them to the lower levels and put them in cells next to each other. Despite Ifrea's gagged protests, the rest of the party complies and shares their story with the guard. When the guards bring food down later they bring 4 reinforcements to approach Ifrea's cell. He rushes them immediately and knocks himself out on the bars as they slam the door shut. After a moment they shackle his feet, remove the gag, and leave food for him. When he wakes up he swipes a gloved hand at the food and sends it flying at Savari. Eventually he accepts the situation but remains smoldering with anger. A few more hours pass, and then a tall elf enters the room. He addresses the party "I hear you're called the frosty five?" Captain Belanor Mialen introduces himself. He accepts their story, and leaves them with the keys to Ifrea's cell. After ensuring he will come quietly, they are escorted through a throne type room set for worship of Helm-the god of protection/security, into a waiting chamber. After a while longer the guards take them to a one room hovel. Ifrea is still fuming, and Rys pulls Savari outside for a few minutes to find a market and some sedating drugs urgently. They bring back a peace offering of a trophy and some liquor, and begin to make amends. Ifrea eventually passes out (with a little help). *Ifrea comes to and realizes he is cold. He looks down and sees ice holding him to the ground and the frost maiden speaks to him* Session ends. (next session 15th of Nytol)