The village of Sliver Ice had a savior Brann who escaped when the Glacier Ticks invaded. The village of Sliver Ice was still having a warming trend it was a beautiful village with hits natural ice sculptures and caves. they say in the morning when the light just touches the ice it looks silver. the air there was dry keeping the ice at its best. The people there were generally nice and polite but did tend to be shy or around strangers and aggressive if pushed or threatened.

In the story the savior Brann said that at night a swarm of Glacier Ticks attacked the village without warning and took it captive. Soon everyone realized they made the village their nest there were 12 Glacier Ticks at the village last he had looked. They put up a fight but were overrun by the Glacier Ticks. now trapped and being fed upon someone had to help.

The Ser Sarne Sequoia and Shamanka Taki answered the plea for help. sarne was not going to stand by and just let the people die there were a few others but they never came back after leaving to help that was days ago. Sarne Sarne Sequoia and Shamanka Taki had known each other since the meeting and the fight with the Gnolls. Sarne was happy to see her and that they would be working together once more. Sarne would never turn down the chance to work with someone like Sarne Sequoia and Sarne Sequoia and Shamanka Taki a powerful and a wise Shamanka.

arriving on a nearby hill overlooking the valley and the village of Sliver Ice. It could be made out at the didtens they were at. The scene was beautiful. The air was cold and crisp the sun was high in the air. It was warmer than normal but still on the verge of freezing. The sun reflected off the ice making for a spectacular show of ice and light. Sarne could see why they picked this place for the Village.

Sarne slid off of Terror Wing Screech who was not too happy about the cold but could survive in it. She made a few screeching noises softly as Sarne patted her on the neck. Sarne walked over to Taki. "How do you want to approach this?" Sarne asked his breath could be seen in the cold air even with the feeling of the sun rays warming his face.

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SPOILER: Click to show

Quest Name: Check for Ticks
Participants: Two or more
Location: Frost Gale
Post Requirements: 8 posts per person, 250 words per post
Reward: +1 Mystical Archive Ticket, Choice of 1 Rare crafting material
Description: In the aftermath of Mt. Drakolt's eruption and destruction, a heat wave has moved across the region, warming and melting a bunch of ice in the northern regions of Frostgale. This has caused several hives of Glacier Ticks to emerge and move south, looking for fresh food and a place to set up nests. Unfortunately, they found what they were looking for. Several small hamlets and towns across the northern tundra have fallen victim to these pests, turning their small hamlets into a giant tick nest, and using the people as a food source. Assistance is needed in removing these monsters from the local villages.
Special Requirements: You are fighting at least 10 adult-sized Glacier Ticks while attempting to rescue any remaining civilians trapped in the village.

The frigid north never did seem to agree fully with the shaman, no matter how long she spent here. Something about her Orochi blood despised the bitter cold, even if she were standing atop an open campfire. Still, they were here to see to another village's safety as part of the relief efforts. Accompanied by Ser Sarne Sequoia, a competent warrior and leader, the pair had been called upon to deal with a group of Glacial Ticks. Nasty insects that stalked the crevasses and chasms of the tundra, their venomous bites halting even the heartiest of beasts. After draining their prey of it's life, they tuck swollen bodies back into their hideaway to wait for another meal.

She understood the need for keeping such creatures in small numbers. They were a nuisance, but a rarely encountered one, unless their numbers were swelling with the warming temperatures. As the pair arrived in the early morning hours, they stood atop a nearby hill overlooking the village in question. It was built in a lovely location, though it definitely looked like prime territory for many of the ambush predators of Frost Gale. From the view where she stood, she identified several possible nesting locations. Checking each one would be tedious, but she was reluctant to go into town to ask the villagers.

As she was pondering the situation, Sarne landed beside her and dismounted. After a few moments, he approached in cloud of steaming breath and addressed her.

"How do you want to approach this?"

"We have many options, though I believe the preferable one starts with us splitting up for a short while. If you'd be amicable with approaching the town to try and find out any information about recent attacks, I'll get started scouting the immediate area. I probably won't be going to town much if you don't mind interacting with folks... they don't seem to like me much, and I'd rather not cause a fuss. If that's okay with you, we can meet up this afternoon here at this hill to discuss the next move and what we've learned."

Sane gave a nod to Taki "I see no problem with this." replied Sarne. A small smile comes across his lips. "I might even run into a Glacial Tick. I know they are hiding out there in the fields around the village they will not go too far away from the food source," remarked Sarne looking out across the land. "If the villagers do try to hurt you. I know you can stop them But I will try to back them down," said Sarne looking at Taki his face had changed to a serious expression.

"Happy hunting and save some Ticks for me" stated Sarne with a sarcastic smile. He turned to start to walk toward Screech. The Terror Wing did not look happy either about the cold. It was moving around some trying to shake the cold off. "Shamanka Taki, send a signal into the sky if you need help. Like at Fireball or something. A shaft of light will be mine," said Sarne as he climbed onto Screech. With a nod of respect to Shamanka Taki, he waited just in case Taki had something to say then flew off to the village.

He landed just outside of the village sliding off of Screech he hit the snow which was more packed here was the first thing Sarne noted. There were a lot of random tracks of the villagers and other tracks that could be animals and the Glacial Ticks. Most of the tracks were two days old Sarne hoped there were people still left.

Sarne patted Screech on the neck and signaled for it to fly. The large Terror Wing flew into the sky circling overhead looking with its sharp vision for any trouble. It almost made no sound gliding on the wind currents. Sarne right about now wishes he had his men with him they were excellent for scouting out an area.

Sarne started to walk into the village. Many of the homes had damage and no one was around. In the center was a large hut with ice built up around it. Like a small wall with wood stakes pointing outward. Smoke was coming from the top of the hut. Sarne started to walk that way slowly. Sarne noticed some of the traps.[1] He walked by them without even thinking about it.

Sarne paused and grinned "Show yourself. I mean you no harm," shouted Sarne looking at two bumps in the snow. "yes you two in the snow," Sarne said with some amusement. The two mounds shifted as snow fell off the two men with spears. "I am Ser Sarne Sequoia of Silvermyist, Lord of Grey Stone Keep, Captain of Hunters of Solaria." explained Sarne introducing himself. "I was called here because of a request for help," Sarne stated.

The two men looked at one another and then seemed to look past Sarne and then at him. "Just you?" one of them asked. Sarne gave a friendly smile "For now," Sarne replied to the two men.

[1] Welcome to the Jungle

"A flash of lightning, and the sound of thunder will be my signal, best of luck." Replied the shaman as she slipped off into the wilds. The area around the town shared it's features with much of Frost Gale, icy masses of ancient glaciers that were not taking well to the sudden spike in the continent's temperature. Warming days had lured out many of the world's denizens that normally were resting this time of year. Part of the shaman's reluctance to travel with her companions this winter was the growing danger this presented.

Folks across Charon were on edge, rumors from all corners of the land spoke of monsters, upheavels, and worse. Her companions were family to be protected, so she ventured out alone. One boon of the changes to her body was the ease with which she scaled the terrain, moving as quietly as a cellar spider spinning a web. Glacier Ticks weren't the easiest thing to spot, their carapace blending into the shadows and ice. Taki found them easiest spotted from below, quietly and carefully descending down into the valley of any crevasse with signs of their passing. Their plumped abdomens stood out against the sky from below, so she cautiously mapped the immediate area around the town.

More than once she was forced to sit very still, pinned in the bottom of a chasm by Ticks coming and going. She noted the busiest spots with a separate color, fanning out in a pattern around the area. Resting in the hollow of a stone carved out by millennia of freezing and thawing, she set about tracing lines from the larger locations out to the smaller ones, and in towards each other. If these creatures moved in similar ways to other insects, there would be a central nest, a source for these satellite ambushes. While pushing them back would give the town some peace, it wouldn't be lasting with the nest still churning out new generations. The decision wasn't hers alone though, nor was it the job they'd been hired for. This afternoon's meeting with Sarne would give her insight into the town's problems, and desired solutions...

Storing the notebook in her pack, the shaman whispered to the winds as a cloud formed next to her. She stepped onto it's fluffy mass as a platform as it lifted her into the sky and back towards town. She hoped to arrive with some daylight to spare but had a feeling she'd taken too long with her scouting trip. Time would tell.

The two hunters looked concerned that it was only Sarne standing there. They looked up as the shadow passed over and Screech got a better look at them. Both of the hunters were startled at Screech let out a scream. It passed and climbed to a higher position in the sky.

Sarne smiled "Screech is with me, see not alone." said Sarne with confidence. Looked over everything knowing there were others hidden but did not say anything to them. Sarne wondered how many they had left and if everyone was in the middle hut. Thinking Sarne knew what they had done for defensive actions from a military point was good.

The two men looked at Sarne with some amazement. "We thank you for coming. We have lost many people already and are homes destroyed mostly women and children in the hut over there." said one of the men his tone shaken and tiered.

The other man shook his head and leaned on his spear "The Ice terror came in the night taking our people and killing are animals and killing some of our warriors. They were like demons just appearing. We have never seen so many of them." The Man explained He looked shaken from his experience exhausted from the night.

Sarne lesions carefully to their statements thinking on what to do next. "I see there is a problem with the warm weather and the Ticks as I call them have come out with greater numbers. I will see what I can do for you. I will see how close these monsters are and help you defend your village." stated Sung looking confident to insure the others there are safe now.

The sky had taken on a myriad of colors as daylight sank beyond the horizon. Soaring over the area, she was able to overlay the information she'd gathered on her scouting expedition. She could grasp the basics of the strategic situation, how the town found itself in such a desperate situation. The ticks' simplistic probings had strained a set of defenses not designed for such repeated assaults, draining town and citizens of strength. This presented a larger problem, as her observations hinted at a larger assault in the near future. Blind spots in the town's patrols were being filled to the brim with hungry bugs ready to fatten their abdomens.

Reaching the hill where she'd set out earlier in the day, she was surprised to have arrived first. While there was time to wait, the shaman created a rough map of the area from the soil and earth in a bare patch. While she could only approximate the town itself based on what she'd seen, the surrounding area was layed out in startling detail. There were even trails of tiny bumps and piles to represent where she'd observed their movements and gatherings. Once complete, she sat down in front of the display and began to go over what was known, what patterns could be gleaned and what might happen going forward. Without Sarne's part of the preparation, much of her observations and ideas were speculative at best.

Pulling out a meager meal from her bag, she ate it absently while she put her mind to the task of pushing back this disaster before it became a tragedy. With her current information, it was not going to be easy to both defend the town and go on the offensive to push the creatures back. The town was all but surrounded, and Taki suspected if she and Sarne had traveled in any larger a group, they may not have made it to town at all. With a sigh, she gave the train of thought a rest along with her mind. Hopefully they'd be back before night fell, but she set about preparing to camp on the hill for the evening just in case.

Taking the time Sarne helped the village to set up better traps and defenses. Walking around healing anyone who needed it. This took more time than Sarne wanted. It was late afternoon now. with stake pits and other spring traps set and ready Sarne looked over everything one more time. Satisfied Sarne walked just outside the village only about 20 yards out and looked at the hill Sarne was at earlier Sarne could tell something was there now.

Sarne squatted down to get a good look at the terrain features and the movement of the snow in the breeze. he had a good idea where some were lying in wait for something to come by Sarne was tempted to strike some of the Glacier Ticks now. but if he was wrong this would be bad for him and the village.

This was not the first time dealing with Glacier Ticks' for Sarne but this may not even be close. The medium to large size semi-armored exterior and their powerful bite can pierce armor. Being able to ambush from under the snow or ice. With paralytic venom, this made for a nasty hunter on the ice and snow.

Sarne could see his breath in the air as it cooled quickly. He had enough and walked back inside the village. He told them he would be back. Sarne explained had a friend he had to meet up with and would help that night.
Sarne walked back to the edge and gave some whistles and Screech flew and landed next to Sarne. Waving after he got on to Screech. He took off for the campsite which was only a few minutes away and landed near Taki.

"I apologize for taking so long I help with some defensive improvements," said Sarne with a humble tone. Then Sarne asked, "How did your hunting go?"

There was a slice of log next to her, which she beckoned the man to join. She took a deep breath before replying, gathering her thoughts.

"While it went well, the information is not pleasant."

She directed his attention to the model of the town and it's surroundings, barely noticeable in the flickering firelight. From one hand, a small mote of Light appeared and hovered above the detailed map.

"The larger, darker formations are nesting areas, the smaller ones are feeding areas. As you can see from the spread, the town is basically cut off. To push them back, we have to find a way to both defend and assault, for each foray into their lines will likely provoke a returning attack to probe our defenses. Feel free to examine it as much as you like, and provide any suggestions or ideas. I've got a few for the defensive front myself, but the offensive one is going to be another matter..."

She couldn't help but stare at the situation at hand, the weaving pattern of movements she'd observed. The town understood it was in danger, but she doubted they had the resources to know just how much. All Taki could do now was share her information and hope that Sarne had learned anything helpful from the villagers possible. After a few moments, she stood up from the seat and walked over to the edge of the hill. Looking out over the town and it's surroundings, she pondered if what she was doing was the right path to be on.

On the one hand, the people of the town had little in the way of dealing with such a threat and those with strength should protect those without. On the other, these creatures were going about their lives and adapting to the changing environment. No life was above another, and having to choose between one set of deaths and another was always troubling. There was perhaps another way, though it would hinge on the choices of the villagers...

Sarne looked over the map memorizing as much as he could. He Lookd over the land features and making mental notes of the placement of the places Taki had marked. Taki was right it did not look favorable for the village. Sarne gave a sigh He wished his people were with him now but they were doing other things for Sarne.

Sarne looked back at Screech and smiled. The Terror Wing was moving about in the cold and was not very happy about the snow. Sarne could not use Screech on the ground. Screech would be ripped apart by the sheer number of Ticks. But could use Sarneech to cause chaos with the ticks.

Sarne started to think of a plan as Sarne sat. Going through different scenarios in his mind. He looked up and saw Taki standing looking out toward the village. Sarne could not help but feel something was not right. What it was Sarne was not sure. He had not known her for long but had a lot of respect for her and her abilities.

Standing Sarne walked over to Taki. He shook off the cold from when he was sitting. He walked beside her it was a beautiful sight the valley was. Soon the peace would be broken as people fight for their lives. "We have to get the people out of the valley They can move but not super fast. I don't think we can kill all the Ticks out there even with the two of us. You are right we need to attack and defend." remarked Sarne with a sigh. He looked out looking over everything in front of him.

"If we make ourselves a target draw the Ticks to us. It could give the time for the people to escape. Sure the people lose everything but they get to live." suggested Sarne with a half smile of reinsurance. "Maybe threaten the nest?" proposed Sarne.

Getting a look at Taki's face sarne wondered what she was thinking and what was bothering Taki. "Something bothers you my friend?" asked Sarne with concern for Taki.

"The whole of this situation bothers me Sarne... in fact, you could almost say the adventuring life itself is starting to get to me. We, two strangers sent by the crown, are tasked with plucking the lives of people from a rapidly changing world and it's denizens. From my perspective at least, it's asking to choose one over the other. As much as a person may see these creatures as horrible, monstrous or what have you, they are ultimately living beings just as the two of us standing here. Being treated as one of these monsters for a part of my life has colored my perspective, but those in charge tend to think more of themselves and their own than of the world they're bent on destroying. Just once, I'd like the crown to beg me for something other than wholesale slaughter..."

There was a great sadness on Taki's face, as if she carried the weight of each spirit, each life lost squarely on her shoulders. This life wasn't getting any easier for the shaman, and the more her emotions stirred, the more she recognized just how much devastation was happening around her. Days like this annoyed her for the sheer complacency and lack of understanding it displayed. Not a one amongst the crown or it's courts considered what was right for the world at large. Change was happening faster than the realms of men could contend with, and it was the unfortunate task of adventurers to pick up the slack.

She let out a heavy sigh and collected her errant thoughts before continuing.

"Assuming the town is willing to abandon their homes, we may have a way to pull this off... it will still be a challenge, but it will keep people safe. If they refuse to leave, there is little we could do. Do you think you're able to convince the townsfolk to leave?"

Sarne shook his head before he answered. "I know the feeling I am tired of fighting as well for no reason than it feels like someone's greed their self-righteous self," said Sarne his feeling matching Taki's. " I do for the people who can not help themselves. Yes, it is their fault they got into this mess, or is it? it was Adventures that took on Vulcadreaus and won at what expense?" Stated Sarne looking out at the village.

"They will leave or die. What choice do they have?" said Sarne who cracked a smile. "It is that simple." Sarne sighed "For those who want to leave. I will do what I can for them. It is what I was taught to do. It is what my family does best. Sometimes I don't want to be a noble and have these burdens. This is what fate has dealt me and I will not run from who I am or need to be." explained Sarne looking at Taki.

Sarne continued in a somber tone. "Can you make a long wall of fire and maybe keep them back for a few minutes this way we do not have to kill the Ticks I hope. I will set up a few distract as well and use myself as bait Maybe we will keep them busy just long enough," suggested Sarne moving the snow some with his feet.

Thinking about his grandfather who used to tell him there must be a balance between nature and the people. without this balance, there is a conflict with the world. Sarne could not help to feel that now in this situation.

"We'll head into town then, explain what we know and confer with those in charge. I have a way to get folks out of here, but it will take them across the continent to the Crescent Isles. Beyond that, we will do what we must and what we can. Let's get some rest, tomorrow is going to be a long day."

She set up her tent hammock not far from the fire and lay a knitted afghan across the fabric for warmth. Climbing in carefully, she closed the tent flap for the evening and lay back as her outfit shifted to something comfortable to sleep in. Taking her cloak from her shoulders, she spread it across her body like a throw and pulled out her traveling pipe kit. She enjoyed the short break before laying down to rest for the evening.

It was tough to get consistent sleep, every couple of hours she would wake to the imaginary sounds of the Ticks scuttling about. At one point she stepped out into the frigid night to stir the fire and feed it fresh wood, before taking a few minutes to stare up at the night sky and it's shifting patterns. Even the stars were changing, the veil falling could not be kept out of the public mind with all that was happening. Tucking back in a few minutes later after warming by the fire, she fell back into a fitful sleep.

She awoke as the sky was beginning to brighten, rolling out of her hammock and packing it away shortly after. She had a simple breakfast before taking time to stretch and exercise both her mind and her body.

The sun had just started to light the sky and the string of Taki made Sarne look over from the fire. He went back to the fire. Sarne saw Taki doing her meditations and other morning activities. Sarne had also done some of his studies and medications. The light domain was giving but demanding at the same time. Sarne could not get the comment about taking the people to Crescent Isles. He wondered if Taki was for real. Sarne waited until she was done and Sarne had some breakfast ready.

Sarne let out a sigh "Were you serious about taking the people to Crescent Isles? I would think Pale City would be fine for them. Frost Gale is their land and home take them all way there for what?" Sarne asked a little confused. "I mean we are already in the Frost Gale," Sarne remarked. As He waited for an answer. Sarne offered Taki some food and some tea. Sarne did not think she was a coffee type of person and he also offered some coffee.

"The Ticks were looking around last night and some this morning they are not going out very far from the Village. they were moving now and then I think if they did come here we would have a different wake-up." Sarne said with a grin.

The sun now was peeking over the mountains and the shadows were fading across the land the sun felt good on Sarne's cold face as it warmed him some. The sunlight made the snow sparkle like little diamonds in the snow.

"I will see you in a little while let me get the village to move," said Sarne walking over to Screech. The terror wing was moving about and staying warm it would walk to the edge of the ridge and look down into the valley. like it knew what was down there. Sarne asked if there was anything else Taki needed before he flew off to the village.

"I'll join you, it will be much faster to show you what I mean and I need to go into town to make it work anyway. It's good they don't move much when it's cooled down, but we're going to be in a race against the coming heat until night falls again. Also, I've already had breakfast but I'll enjoy a cup of tea, thank you. It will be warming as we head into town."

As she finished and retrieved her cup of tea, a cloud began to form¹ beside Sarne's companion. It gathered into a fluffy mass and floated lazily as Taki took a step from the cliff and onto it's surface as if she were light as air itself. With a smirk on her lips, she took a sip of tea as the cloud started floating away from the side of the hill and over the valley below towards town. The air was frigid but her cloak kept it at bay as the shaman enjoyed her tea and the rising sun.

Looking down toward the town was not so beautiful a sight though. Below, several distinctly insectoid bodies skittered over the terrain along the same path of travel. They wouldn't have hours by the time they made it town, they would be lucky to have minutes before the Ticks were battering down houses and tearing through walls. She needed to buy the town time, even for a few moments... but how?

She took several deep breaths as a misty blue glow swirled across her body, the magic of her spirit roiling within. Taki clasped her hands in a pattern of intertwined fingers, closing her eyes and reaching out with her spirit deep into the earth. A few moments the glow faded and the shaman seemed to relax as she walked closer to the edge of the cloud and looked below. Roughly a field's length in front of the coming swarm, the ground cracked, split and swelled outwards. Just before bursting, the mound collapsed into a bubbling pool of magma as a trio of serpentine heads² reared from within.

Watching from her cloud-perch, the Ticks crested the last hill before open ground leading up to town and were met with globs of magma hurled by the swaying Hydra. Two of the creatures were caught in the initial volley, letting out a horrid grating sound as the magma seared through their carapaces and burned away limbs. It was a good start, but their clock was running out on this desperate situation.

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1: Cloud Waltzing
2: Taki's Spirit Summoning: Magma Hydra [Overwhelming Magic, 1/5 Duration]

It was an astonishing show of force as the ground erupted with volcanic fury. The main group of Ticks stopped and started to scatter in different directions. The Ticks caught in the volcanic fury and targeted by the hydra's heads fell quickly to the attacks. Some Ticks charged the hydra's heads The large ticks were determined to take down the hydra's heads even at the cost of their own lives.

Sarne and Screech banked hard in a turn and flew towards another group as he flew towards the village. [1] They swooped in and Screech let out a frightening scream. The Ticks reacted full of fear as they scurried in all directions. Screech reached down and clamped down on one by its neck the Terror Wing teeth sinking deep in the Tick's neck. picking it up and with a powerful flap of its wings soared into the air. Tick struggled to lose It got its wish as Screech released the Tick. It fell to the ground with a loud cracking impact parts of it flew off as it rolled to a stop.

Sarne arrived at the Village. He started to give orders as the villagers did their best to get ready to move. The villagers were arranged with the worriers on the outside and the vulnerable on the inside of their group.

Sarne sent Screech took off into the air and did another attack on the ticks getting close. When Sarne saw they were about ready he drew his sword and gave the signal they were making the run for safety.

Sarne ran towards the edge of the village. and readied his shield. He faced the on coming Ticks [2] he was ready Sarne had a few surprises for the Ticks. "Come on!" yelled Sarne in defiance banging his sword against his shield like a dinner bell.

[1] Terror Wing scream of fear
[2] Inspiring Presence