Ghost in the Snow

> We get some more evidence to find the culprit... though we wish we hadn't.
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## Summary

Adrian Tanlaial, Olwen Edgeworth, Boulder and Xaillen begin following the fox tracks. Xaillen mentions that Hoshimi likely saw what attacked the fox and it was familiar to her. Adrian holds out the sunstick using his mage hand to look ahead. Adrian follows the tracks to a large area where there are lots of other fox tracks that scattered in many directions after coming in walking. Clearly these foxes were ambushed but there weren't any prints wondering whom attacked. The foursome wonder if someone is hunting Hoshimi and decide to ask her about it.

As they head back, they come across another mountain lion staring at them. Boulder decides to distract it while the others go around it. The mountain lion eventually loses interest and walks away. The group returns to the mine to find that Hoshimi and the fox are recovering thanks to Flint's knowledge of medicine. Hoshimi is in no state to talk but Adrian recognizes the fox she holds as the one that gave him the note to go to the temple of Urzaban. Hoshimi utters a prayer in Celestial and Adrian is shocked that she knows that language. She eventually admits that she's the one who directed him to the temple of Urzaban. Olwen tries to get more answers out of Hoshimi but she snarls at her before going to bed.

Flint goes out for a bit more air as Zu asks why Flint was looking at a particular page. Flint mentions that he wanted to find a hot spring to help Olwen out. Zu tries to ship Flint with Olwen but Flint doesn't like it. Flint knows of a hot spring where an eloped wedding took place but it's nowhere near there.

The next morning and the blizzard has ended. Hoshimi notices that the fox has recovered well. She also noticed that Xaillen guarded the whole night without meaning to and thanks him. Xaillen wonders if he can buy the information of who attacked the fox and Hoshimi will let him decide but knows it'll be expensive.

As they pass by a cave near a fork in the road, Olwen and Flint notice blood coming out of the entrance. Everyone is quick to move on but a dragon flying overhead gets them to move into the cave to hide. Inside they see the corpse of a dead horse and a stocky man, both of them with broken ankles and blown up heads. The man has a pistol in his hand. Xaillen and Flint suggest that both of them broke thier ankles and since it was a death sentence, the man killed the horse and himself the day before. Sybl calls the dead man brave as either the man was forced to shoot himself or the man was fought to shoot himself. There's also another corpse in the corner and it was much older. Olwen spots notices footprints that aren't bloody in the cave. She also finds a lump in the newer corpse's pocket and finds a magic practitioner's license for a Jarod Jenkins. Xaillen recognizes the name as he was a member of Princess Abigail's adventuring party. Adrian isn't sure who that is and Xaillen mentions that Princess Abigail is second in line to the throne of the UAA.

Boulder then notices someone coming up the road ahead. He mentions for them to stay quiet as he approaches the woman in white armor with red trim. She recognizes Boulder and scans the cave with her magic. She determines that Boulder is safe while noting that she's trying to solve some strange occurrences. Apparently there are dead animals around and Boulder agrees with humanoids dying as well. The woman is frustrated with the lack of evidence concerning no disturbed snow or footprints. She introduces herself as Nillendim and she remembers fellow brass dragons mentioning Boulder. Boulder begins stuttering as a dragon is in front of him so Xaillen steps out wondering if she received the same note. She says no and says that she took her human form to get more information.

Xaillen mentions that people have gone missing and Nillendim mentions that the kobolds say they are just as confused as the two groups are. Hoshimi takes that as a sign to step out of the cave and ask about them. She takes out the white kobold scale and mentions that the culprit may not see much sunlight. Nillendim takes that as a sign and thanks her. She mentions that the kobold village is down the path to the left while there's a cabin to the right. She also mentions that if they book it, they can reach Optimarr by day's end. Xaillen likes that plan but Nillendim mentions there's a white dragon that's been challenging her lately. Boulder offers to help Nillendim in her search once the group is safely across the mountain pass. Olwen quickly begins putting clues together. She wonders if there's anything that can drain the energy out of people to make them look starved. Adrian and Sybl realize that whatever attacked them had to be undead. Olwen begins chaining thoughts together and determines that the culprit is a wraith. She asked if there were any violent attacks and necromancy recently. Nillendim says no but Boulder mentions that the kobolds may know something.

Olwen's head begins spinning and she starts pacing around. Flint quickly catches up to her saying that she can pace around after she gives him the fox. Hoshimi demands that she hand over the fox. Olwen agrees while thanking her for the breakthrough.

## Notable events

* Adrian Tanlaial, Olwen Edgeworth, Boulder and Xaillen investigate the area and learn that someone may be hunting Hoshimi
* Flint thinks about looking for a hot spring for Olwen and Zu ship them.
* The group comes across another death in a cave
* The party meets Nillendim
* Olwen determines the attacker to be a wraith