Episode 1

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You sneak out of Tomoko's cabin, glancing nervously around the Sledge Station in case anybody sees you. You realise how dangerous your situation is now. Tomoko's crystal runes glow warmly in your pocket. Even if you are only trying to help her, nobody here in the past would believe you if you were caught with them on your person. Leaving the Sledge Station behind you, you stride swiftly up the High Street. The plan is to get lodgings at the town tavern, where the shaman will contact you later tonight, so that you can deliver Tomoko's story to him. Until then, you agree it's best to split up, so as not to draw attention to yourselves. You arrange to meet up later at the Bison's Nostril. Then, pulling your fur hoods up over your heads to keep your faces hidden, you slip off into the streets of Storyhaven in different directions. End of episode 1.

You realise that Tomoko is staring at you, her face pale and scared. She's clutching her chest and breathing hard, her eyes fixed on her crystal story runes dangling from your hand. "Please forgive us," you say quietly. "You won't understand this, but we're only doing it for your own good, we promise." Tomoko gazes on at her stones, eyelids fluttering. You're not sure she's heard anything you've just said. There's a fogginess to her eyes now and their lids are already drooping. It pains you to see a fellow Storyhavener like this and you step towards her, thinking for a moment that you should give the crystals back to her. But then you stop and the shaman's words echo through your mind. //For all our sakes, you must not fail.// Turn to [[2444]]

Quickly, you unwind some wire from the handle of your knife and work it into a hook. Then you reach over with it towards the sleeping huskiebear, desperately trying to keep your hand steady. You're so concentrated on the end of the wire, that you don't notice what's going on in the room around you. Something glints and sparkles in the corner of your eye, but you steel your nerve and lift the string of crystal runes off over the animal's head. It snorts and snuffles in its sleep, baring its massive incisors, but doesn't wake. You look up and what you see sends terror pulsing through you. Tomoko is still hypnotised by the frozen patterns in the window, but more ice is now forcing its way through the gaps in the frame, streaming out through the air towards you in shimmering, frosty fingers. Hastily, you pull away towards the fablehearth just as the icy hand makes to snatch the story runes from you. The heat stops it in its tracks and it winces away as if in pain. You watch, wide-eyed, as the hand retreats back into the window again and disappears. What on earth //was// that? Turn to [[6132]].

If any of you have the skills of quickfingers or innovation, turn to [[9576]]. Otherwise turn to [[3523]].

You quickly unwind some wire from the hilt of your knife and try to work it into a hook, but your hands are unused to such fiddly work, especially under such pressure. Soon the sweat is trickling down your temples, your hands shaking with frustration and nerves. Sensing you're taking too long, you give up and reach with the wire over towards the sleeping huskie bear, desperately trying to keep it steady. Just as you think you're about to slip it under the string of story runes, your malformed hook accidentally prods the great huskie bear in the nose. The huskie bear's eyes suddenly jolt open, it growls ferociously, then clamps its huge jaws around your arm, sinking its teeth deep into your flesh. Whoever took this decision, lose one stamina. Turn to [[9548]].

You start to spin a story about a distant glacier, full of snow eagles, castles and a wicked, frozen prince. You're nervous at first, but get bolder and more excited with every new twist of your tale. Every Storyhavener knows that thrill of storytelling, how if you are just brave enough to begin, things you never even realised were connected will find their place in the tale. Soon Tomoko's thoughts seem far enough away that you can turn your attention to getting her crystal runes from around the huskiebear's neck. Use a herb to put the animal to sleep. Turn to [[1360]]. Try to approach the huskiebear directly. Turn to [[3694]]

If one of your team has the skill of herblore, turn to [[1976]] Otherwise turn to [[8352]]

If one of your team has the skill of animal empathy, turn to [[2854]]. Otherwise turn to [[7483]].

You reach into your pocket for your leather herb-collecting case. You always take it with you on your climbs up the glacier, in case you spot a rare species growing from the snow that you can take a cutting from. People in town often stop you to ask for a cure for headaches or indigestion and it's useful to have a few stems of Angelica or Rose Root for such occasions. You lift its flap and pull out one of the glass vials, unscrewing the cork and removing a sprig of Valerian flowers. Crumbling them expertly into your palm to release their essential oils, you mix them quickly into the huskiebear's bowl. The huge animal obviously thinks you're giving it a treat as it hungrily devours the contents, licking its mighty jaws before settling down on its bed again. It gazes at you drowsily as its lids grow heavy and soon it's fallen into a deep and snuffling slumber. Try to lift the story runes from around his neck. Turn to [[7436]]. Fashion a hook of some kind to lift them without getting too close. Turn to [[4657]].

You reach into your pocket, but all you find is a few clumps of fluff, some old pencil shavings and a ball of hair. You mash them up in your palm, sprinkle them onto the enormous animal's bowl of food and hope for the best. Turn to [[1484]]

If one of your team has the skill of quickfingers, innovation or stealth, turn to [[2145]]. Otherwise turn to [[8453]].

The huskiebear growls as you approach, but you have always had a special connection with animals, even enormous beasts like this. Slowly, you bring your open hand towards it from the front, so that you don't scare it. The huskiebear sniffs your palm and accepts it in his own time. Then you stroke the animal's huge forehead, gently scratching the skin beneath his thick fur with your nails. You find the sweet spot behind his ears and he pushes his cheek into your palms and closes his eyes, then falls into a snuffling slumber. You check that Tomoko is still entranced by the ice and hook a finger under the string of crystal story runes to try to lift it off over the huskiebear's ears. Turn to [[7436]].

The huskiebear growls as you approach, snapping its teeth to let you know you're not welcome. Then it settles down and closes its eyes, although you have the feeling that it's listening to you intently. Tomoko's attention is still held by the ice, but you will need to find a way to get closer to the animal, if you're to get her story runes from the animal. Use a herb to put the huskiebear to sleep. Turn to [[1360]]. Attempt to fashion a hook of some kind to lift the stones from around the animal's neck. Turn to [[4657]].

The enormous huskiebear takes one look at what you've just done to its dinner and growls darkly. Getting to its feet, it makes towards you, hackles raised. You panic and snatch at the crystal runes around its neck, ripping them off with a daring grab. Your victory is short-lived, however, as the huskiebear clamps its huge jaws around your arm, sinking its teeth deep into your flesh. Whoever took this decision, lose one stamina. Turn to [[9548]].

Tomoko's eyes narrow as she watches the ice branching out over the glass, patterns of blue light flickering on her face. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ice-patterns.png" style="width: 100%;" media="(max-width: 1280px)" /> "I've never seen the ice like this before," she whispers. "It's almost as if it's alive. I felt it out on the wastes today too. Me and the huskiebears had to fight more than usual to keep the sledge on course. The ice was always trying to betray us, moving under our rails, hoping to make us crash." A chill runs down your spine, but you ignore your fear and focus on your mission. Tomoko's attention has drifted away now. You can turn your attention to getting her crystal story runes from around the huskiebear's neck. Use a herb to put the animal to sleep. Turn to [[1360]]. Try to approach the huskiebear directly. Turn to [[3694]]

Tomoko warms herself at the fablehearth, unwrapping the leather bindings from her hands. She stares anxiously at the ice as it grows ever thicker on the window pane. She seems hypnotised by its changing patterns, but you don't feel you can deal with the huskiebear unless she's completely distracted. Ask her why the ice fascinates her so much. Turn to [[9682]] Hold her attention with a story of your own. Turn to [[6394]]

You reach over towards the sleeping huskiebear, trying to keep your hand steady. You're so concentrated on the crystal runes that you don't notice what's going on in the room around you. Something glints and sparkles in the corner of your eye, but you steel your nerve and lift the string of runes off over the animal's head. It snorts and snuffles in its sleep, baring its massive incisors, but doesn't wake. You look up and what you see sends terror pulsing through you. Tomoko is still hypnotised by the frozen patterns in the window, but more ice is now forcing its way through the gaps in the frame, streaming out through the air towards you in shimmering, frosty fingers. Hastily, you pull away towards the fablehearth just as the icy hand makes to snatch the crystal runes from you. The heat stops it in its tracks and it winces away as if in pain. You watch, wide-eyed, as the hand retreats back into the window again and disappears. What on earth //was// that? Turn to [[6132]].

Making sure that Tomoko is still distracted by the ice, you reach towards the sleeping huskie bear and make a quick grab for the story runes. Your hand closes around the glowing stones, but as you make to lift them over the animal's head, the string nags on its nose. The huskie bear's eyes jolt open, it growls ferociously, then clamps its huge jaws around your arm, sinking its teeth deep into your flesh. Whoever took this decision, lose one stamina. Turn to [[9548]].

The huskiebear's growl breaks Tomoko's attention from the ice. She looks down and her eyes narrow in fury as she sees what you're trying to do. Letting out a shrill scream, she leaps towards you, knocking you backwards to the floor with a running shoulder barge. Sprawled on your backs, your eyes widen in terror. Behind her, ice is streaming through the gaps in the window frame, arching out through the air in shimmering, frozen fingers. If any of your team have the skill of strength, agility or combat, turn to [[9126]]. Otherwise turn to [[3964]].

"Stealing a Storyhavener's rune stones is like stealing someone's soul!" Tomoko hisses at you. "You are below criminals. Your crime should be punished by death." She charges towards you, punching and kicking. She's a skilled fighter, strong and brave, and feels like she has justice on her side. Behind her you see the fingers of ice reaching out towards the huskiebear, who's trying to help its owner by snapping at you whenever you come near. Her crystal runes! You're about to lose them! Tomoko lashes out at each of you in turn, a whirlwind of flailing limbs, iron fists and gritted teeth. But you outnumber her and are experienced fighters yourselves. Eventually, working together, you heave her from you and she flies backwards through the air. Those without the skill of strength or combat, lose one stamina. The huskiebear howls in distress as its owner crumples to the floor. Its first instinct is to go to her and as it turns away you grab the end of its reins and clip them to the wall. It turns and lunges towards you, snapping its razor-sharp teeth within an inch of your face, but is pulled up short. The icy hand is barely a metre away now and makes to snatch the story runes before you, but with the animal disabled you grab them first and yank them from its neck. Hastily, you pull away towards the fablehearth in the centre of the room. Its heat halts the ice in its tracks and it winces away as if in pain. You watch, wide-eyed, as it retreats back into the window again and disappears. What on earth //was// that? Turn to [[6132]].

Tomoko charges towards you, punching and kicking. She's a skilled fighter, strong and brave, and feels like she has justice on her side. She lashes out at each of you in turn, a whirlwind of flailing limbs, iron fists and gritted teeth. She knees you in the stomach and punches you in the nose, then deals two kicks each to your companions, one in the chest and one between the legs. You all crumple to the floor. You each lose one stamina. Tomoko draws her knife, it's blade flashing in the light of the fablehearth. Behind her you see the icy hand reaching out through the air towards the huskiebear, who is trying to help its owner by growling and snapping at your ankles whenever you come near. "Stealing a Storyhavener's runestones is like stealing someone's soul!" Tomoko says, breathing hard. "You are below criminals. Your crime should be punished by death." She raises her knife above her head. If any of you have the skill of agility or awareness, turn to [[9754]]. Otherwise turn to [[1323]].

With a yell and a swipe of her dagger Tomoko slices you all across the chest, opening the skin and drawing blood. You cry out in pain. You each lose one stamina. The ice has almost made it to the huskiebear, spreading out across the floor between its feet while the animal's attention is on the fight. You realise you're about to lose the story runes and fail in your mission. You grit your teeth. Tomoko might be the better fighter, but you still outnumber her. Eventually, working together, you heave her from you and she flies backwards through the air. The huskiebear howls in distress as its owner crumples to the floor. Its first instinct is to go to her, and as it turns away you grab the end of its reins and clip them to the wall. It turns and lunges towards you, snapping its razor-sharp teeth within an inch of your nose, but is pulled up short. The icy hand is barely a metre away now and makes to snatch the crystal runes before you, but with the animal disabled it's easy for you to grab them first and yank them from its neck. Hastily, you pull away towards the fablehearth in the centre of the room. Its heat stops the ice in its tracks and it winces away as if in pain. You watch wide-eyed as it retreats back into the window again and disappears. What on earth //was// that? Turn to [[6132]].

Tomoko makes to drives the knife into your shoulder, but you roll away at the last moment and her blade sticks in the wooden floor. While she struggles to remove it, you unleash a flying kick that sends her spinning backwards through the air. The huskiebear howls in distress as its owner crumples to the floor. Its first instinct is to go to her and as it turns away you grab the end of its reins and clip them to the wall. It turns and lunges towards you, snapping its razor-sharp teeth within an inch of your face, but is pulled up short. The icy hand is barely a metre away now and makes to snatch the story runes before you, but with the animal disabled you grab them first and yank them from its neck. Hastily, you pull away towards the fablehearth in the centre of the room. The heat stops the ice in its tracks and it winces away as if in pain. You watch, wide-eyed, as it retreats back into the window again and disappears. What on earth //was// that? Turn to [[6132]].

You're about to search somewhere else, when Tomoko comes striding in through the door in a cloud of swirling snow. She is followed by a truly enormous huskiebear. Bred for their strength and devotion to their owners, you have often seen them from a distance, but never up this close. You step back in terror at the sheer size and power of the mighty animal, its muscles rippling under its black and white fur. You are relieved to see that Tomoko has left its harness on, then your chest tightens as you see its reins dragging loosely along the floor behind it. A collection of glowing crystals hangs from a piece of string around its neck. Tomoko's story runes! Your mission has just become very difficult indeed. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Tomoko-and-her-huskiebear.png" style="width: 100%;" media="(max-width: 1280px)" /> Turn to [[4899]].

"Before the ice came back to the world the old culture of Japan always said that a door to a warm place should always remain open in times of need, is that not how the proverb went?" Tomoko nods appreciatively. "So, you are well-travelled. We sledgers like people who know more of the world than just their home town." She turns away, stroking the huskie bear's head as she passes. It calms beneath her touch, then stalks off to a pile of straw beneath the window, where it curls up and rests its great head on its paws, eyeing you from across the room. Turn to [[2645]].

"Us?" you ask, looking around the cabin, trying to buy yourself some time. "Yes, you. Who else would I be talking to?" She fixes you with a steely glare. "Come on. Out with it. Why are you all in here? You can't just go wandering into someone's private office like this. What have you got to say for yourselves? A snow wolf got your tongue or something?" Your mind races for a believable excuse. "We found the door open and were curious to know what was in here. As it wasn't locked, we assumed it was a public building. We're very sorry if we were mistaken." Turn to [[3275]]. "It's freezing out there. We saw the fablehearth burning through the window and thought nobody would mind if we came in and warmed ourselves by it for a while. It's been a long, cold day." Turn to [[8523]]. "We were with the doctor, looking after the injured sledger. She sent us to tell you that Petr is fine and will survive despite his wounds." Turn to [[2398]].

"Is this really the famous Storyhaven welcome?" you ask, grinning. "I thought this town was meant to be open to everybody! To be honest, we were just looking for a toilet. Good job I realised we'd taken a wrong turn before it was too late. I nearly peed in your puppy's bed." Tomoko Thunderwhip stares at you, then snorts in disbelief. "We Storyhaveners are about as welcoming as they come out here on the ice wastes. Try turning up in one of those Sky Bandits' private rooms without being invited and see how many fingers you leave with. As for your call of nature, it's a good job you didn't wet Titan's bed. He's not in a good mood today, what with our friend Petr down wounded. And neither am I." She turns away, stroking the huskiebear's head as she passes. It calms beneath her touch, then walks over to a pile of straw beneath the window. Sniffing its bed suspiciously, it curls up and rests its great head on its paws, eyeing you grumpily from across the room. "If there's nothing else you have to tell me," snaps Tomoko, "please find your way out again, the same way you came in." You each lose one reputation. Remember to deduct it from the page of your adventure journal. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-5.png" class="journal-pages"/> Turn to [[2645]].

"You found an open door and just assumed you could wander through it? Out of curiosity?!" Tomoko's cheeks redden, but then she sighs. "Well, you're here now, and, despite your clumsiness, it's true you don't look very dangerous." You each lose one reputation. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-5.png" class="journal-pages"/> Tomoko turns away, stroking the huskiebear as she passes. It calms beneath her touch, then walks off to a pile of straw beneath the window. Resting its great head on its paws, it continues to eye you distrustfully. Turn to [[2645]].

"You saw a fablehearth burning in a private building and just assumed you could wander inside and warm yourself by it?" Tomoko splutters. "//Every// building in this town has a fablehearth. And //every// day out here is cold and long. We're in the middle of an ice age, for crying out loud!" She shakes her head. "I seem to be a magnet for clumsy airheads today. Warm yourselves, if it pleases you. But when you're done, please leave, if you have nothing better to tell me." You each lose one reputation. She turns away, stroking the huskiebear as she passes. It calms beneath her touch, then walks off to a pile of straw beneath the window. Resting its great head on its paws, it continues to eye you distrustfully. Turn to [[2645]].

Tomoko nods gravely. "Thank the stars Petr's going to pull through. We've been through a lot of dangerous scrapes together. He doesn't deserve to be taken from this world by a pack of brainless sky bandits." Her expression softens. "Thank you for coming to me so swiftly. That was thoughtful of you. I take the health of my sledgers very seriously. We spend so much time out on the ice together, watching each other's backs, we're like a family here." You each gain one reputation. Remember to add it to the page of your adventure journal. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-5.png" class="journal-pages"/> Tomoko turns away, stroking the huskiebear's head as she passes. It calms beneath her touch, then walks off to a pile of straw beneath the window, where it rests its great head on its paws and continues to eye you distrustfully. Turn to [[2645]].

You watch Tomoko stride away across the busy Sledge Station. Like all Storyhaveners you've been down here many times before to pick up a delivery or post a parcel. You remember the last time you saw it back in the present. All the cabins had been completely abandoned to the advancing ice, the wind blowing icicles out sideways from their porches. It's nice to see the place so alive again, but even now you can see the white fingers of snow beginning to rise up over the backs of the cabins. Turn to [[3242]].

You take a few steps up the wooden stairs to the front door, and the ancient wood creaks loudly beneath your feet. If one of your team has the skill of stealth, turn to [[3465]]. Otherwise turn to [[9574]]

Making sure none of the sledgers are watching, you sneak down the side of the cabin. The snow has drifted thickly up against its walls, but ahead you spot a hole in the whiteness and come to some icy stairs that descend under the cabin. At the bottom there is a door, probably to the basement. It's frozen solid with ice. Leaning up against it is a wheelbarrow, an iron bucket, a wooden log, and a spade. Try to barge the door open with your shoulder. Turn to [[7744]]. Experiment with the items at hand. Requires the skill of innovation. Turn to [[8312]].

Your nimble feet find the strongest parts of the stairs that creak less. You move slowly and surely so as not to draw attention to yourself. Your companions see what you're doing and copy you. None of the sledgers look up from their work and the activity of the station continues around you as you slip through the open door and into the darkness of Tomoko Thunderwhip's private cabin. Turn to [[4365]].

You panic and rush up the stairs, your heavy footsteps clattering off the steps. Clumsily, you push open the door. It slips from your hand and creaks away on its hinges, slamming into the wall. A strange silence falls over the Sledge Station and you turn around to see that everybody has stopped what they were doing and is staring at you suspiciously. You clear your throats nervously and smile, then back into the dark interior of Tomoko Thunderwhip's private cabin. Lose one reputation. Remember to deduct this from the page of your adventure journal. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-5.png" class="journal-pages"/> And tick story point B5 on this page too! <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-6.png" class="journal-pages"/> Turn to [[4365]].

Inside the cabin an iron fablehearth stands in the centre of the wooden floor, its pile of crystals glowing warmly. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Tomokos-fablehearth.png" style="width: 100%;" media="(max-width: 1280px)" /> There is a window in the far wall, but ice has covered the outside of its pane completely, blotting out the view through the glass. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Frosty-window.png" style="width: 100%;" media="(max-width: 1280px)" /> The crystal tablet the shaman gave you suddenly crackles in your hand and the flickering image of Demothi Nicklemas appears within it. "Have you found Tomoko's rune stones yet?" he asks worriedly. You shake your head. "We've just managed to get into her cabin." "Then hurry up. There's no time to lose. By our calculations her stones were taken sometime within the next hour. You have to save them before then or she will lose her story forever." The shaman's image fades away. You grit your teeth and turn your attention back to the room. Next to the fablehearth there is a desk, overflowing with papers. A large wooden chest lies on the floor beside it. A bookcase covers the left wall. You wonder where someone like Tomoko Thunderwhip would keep her treasured story runes. You might not have enough time to look everywhere. What do you want to search first? The desk. Turn to [[6238]]. The wooden chest. Turn to [[9405]]. The bookcase. Turn to [[1254]].

The desk is covered with papers, delivery orders from the towns on the ice wastes. Tomoko's hastily scrawled signature is at the bottom of all of them. You sense how much she hates dealing with the paperwork side of her job. You check the drawers. In the first two, there's nothing but broken pencils and rubbers. But in the bottom drawer there's a small purple box, tied with a ribbon. Inside there are some dried ice-waste berries, a rare and precious ice-age delicacy, famous for boosting mental performance and concentration. There is also a folded note that says: For Tomo, From S. xxx Take the berries. They might be useful later on your mission. Turn to [[7294]]. Leave them where you found them. Turn to [[1311]].

You heave open the lid of the chest. Inside, there is a pile of fur coats, moth-eaten from lack of use. Pushing them aside, you spot a battered iron box at the bottom of the chest. Its paper label says, "Storyhaven Trade Funds". The box contains 250 gold pieces, the money the town uses to buy goods from other trading communities on the ice wastes. Take the gold. Turn to [[1231]]. Leave it where you found it. Turn to [[1311]].

You scan the rows of dusty books. Tomoko obviously loves her reading. Many of the books have a strange alphabet on their spines. You remember it from a history book as being ancient Japanese from back before the old cities disappeared beneath the snow. You take one down and flick through its pages curiously. Beautiful buildings with curved rooves and brightly painted wood fan before your eyes, like nothing you've ever seen in the frozen ice world you call home. There's nothing else on the bookcase, except for a hunk of black bread. It looks like it was made in the same century as the books. It's as hard as a block of wood and covered with cobwebs, but it may just be digestible. Ever since your journey through the portal your stomachs have been rumbling loudly. Time travel works up a hell of an appetite. Break the bread between you and eat it. Only the success of your mission is important now. Turn to [[6944]]. Leave it where it is. You have more honour and self respect than to sink to this level. Turn to [[1311]].

You put the ice-waste berries away in your adventuring bag. They might come in handy if you need to concentrate intensely in a dangerous situation. You feel a little guilty taking something so personal to Tomoko, but you remind yourselves that the fate of every Storyhavener rests on the success of your mission. Write the following into the provisions section of your adventure journal: Ice-waste berries - boost concentration and mental power. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-7.png" class="journal-pages"/> Turn to [[1311]].

You put the gold away in your travelling bag. Gold is useful on any mission. You feel a little guilty about taking the townsfolk's hard-earned money, but you remind yourselves that the fate of every Storyhavener rests on the success of your mission. Divide the 250 gold pieces fairly between you and add them to your gold total in your adventure journal. And while you're there tick story point G3 too! <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-6.png" class="journal-pages"/> Turn to [[1311]].

You divide the bread between you, the rotten dough crumbling in your hands, and stuff it quickly into your mouths. The cobwebs give it a chewy, sticky texture that glues your teeth together. There is a sudden crunch and explosion of bitter liquid, which was probably the spider itself. You gag, but manage not to vomit over your companions and swallow it down into your stomach. Well done, you are truly hardened adventurers! Gain two stamina. Remember to add it to the page of your journal. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-6.png" class="journal-pages"/> Turn to [[1311]].

If one of your team has the skill of strength, turn to [[4355]]. Otherwise turn to [[5333]].

You try hacking at the frozen door with the spade, but the tool isn't heavy enough to make an impact. You stand there for a moment, frowning, then a light goes on in your brain. Dragging the wheelbarrow up to the top of the icy stairs, you unscrew the metal end from the spade and wedge it into the end of the log instead. Sitting in the barrow, you place the log between your legs, put the bucket on your head as a makeshift helmet, and ask bravely for a push from your companions. The wheelbarrow flies down the steps, gathering speed all the time, your jaw chattering in your skull. The bucket slips down over your eyes and everything turns black, but you grip the log tightly and try to keep your aim. There's a cracking sound and shards of ice explode all around you as the door bursts open. You lift the bucket up and find yourself in the basement of the cabin. Climbing painfully from the barrow, you hurry up the stairs. Turn to [[4365]].

You back up the stairs, then lower your shoulder and sprint at the frozen door. There's a cracking sound and shards of ice explode around you as the door bursts open and slams off the wall. You hurry through the darkness of the basement and up the stairs to the cabin. Turn to [[4365]].

You back up the stairs, then lower your shoulder and sprint at the frozen door. As you slam into the wall of solid ice, all the air is expelled from your chest and your ribs fold in on each other. You collapse to the floor like a broken puppet. But heroes like you do not give up so easily. Going back up the stairs, you puff out your chest, tense your spine, and charge bravely at the door again. This time it is your skull that takes the punishment, bouncing off the ice like a coconut off a wall. Everything goes black and you wake a few seconds later, still on the wrong side of the door, with the taste of snow and blood in your mouth. After three more tries the ice finally cracks and the door swings open, more out of pity than anything else. You drag yourself into the darkness of the basement and up the stairs to the cabin. All those with the skill of strength lose one stamina for sacrificing their health for the team in such a heroic way. Turn to [[4365]].

Tomoko steers her huskiebears in through Storyhaven's gates, skidding the sledge to a stop in a wide open area of criss-crossed snow at the bottom of the town, circled by cabins, which the townsfolk call the Sledge Station. Tomoko climbs down from her sledge, ruffling the huskiebear's heads as she passes. The huge animals whine and stamp their paws affectionately. "Well, this is goodbye, I guess," she calls to you and makes towards the veterinary surgery, where more huskiebears are tied up outside. Turn to [[6396]].

The icy wind blasts you in the face as you rise up into the air, clinging onto the sky bandit's waist, but he can't do anything about it as he has to keep both of his hands on the glider. He deliberately catches a powerful updraft to shake you off and you tighten your grips on his clothes. Soon the huskiebears are tiny specks below you on the whiteness of the ice wastes. You spot Tomoko's sledge up ahead and try to guide the sky bandit towards it, yanking his beard to turn him left or right. Surprisingly, it works. He growls at you as you swerve him through the air. When you feel you're directly above your target, you pull on the bandit's beard again to make him swoop lower. Then, with a gulp and a prayer, you let go, the bandit spirals away above you, and you all plummet towards the ice. If any of you have the skill of agility, turn to [[6734]]. Otherwise turn to [[5533]].

You hurtle through the air like a human comet, all flailing, tangled limbs. The ground races up to meet you and you emit a terrified whimper from your throat, the painful memories of all your previous falls racing through your mind. Amazingly, you seem to be still on target and try your best to turn yourself around in mid air so that you land on your feet in amongst the parcels in the back of Tomoko's sledge. Unfortunately, the skill is beyond you. Flapping your arms, you plummet head-first into the mound of boxes, then push yourself groggily up onto your elbows, head inside a parcel. The onlooking sledge drivers groan in despair. All adventurers without the skill of agility lose one reputation. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-5.png" class="journal-pages"/> Turn to [[8429]].

You soar through the air like a noble eagle, your arms and legs outstretched in perfect balance. The ground races up to meet you, but you spread your body out to slow your fall and keep calm and focused, leaning into the currents of frozen air to glide down towards Tomoko's sledge. At the last moment you flip yourself up into a standing position and land feet-first in the mound of parcels in the back of Tomoko's sledge, bouncing once before coming to a safe standstill, hands on your hips, chest thrust out like a hero. The onlooking sledgers nod their heads in approval. All adventurers with the skill of agility gain one reputation. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-5.png" class="journal-pages"/> Tick story point A2 on this page too: <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-6.png" class="journal-pages"/> If any of your band did not have the skill of agility, turn to [[5533]]. Otherwise turn to [[8429]].

Tomoko suddenly notices you on the sledge behind her. Her eyes widen and she reaches down to a knife strapped to her leg. "We're Storyhaveners!" you shout, putting your hands in the air to show you are unarmed and trying to look as friendly as possible. She glances at your clothes and grunts, leaving the knife in its sheath for now. She turns back to the huskiebears straining at their reins in front of her and lets out a wild-eyed cry. The huskiebears yip and howl in response and for a moment you sense the deep connection between her and the animals. You signal you would like to join her on the sledge seat and she nods warily. "You might dress like Storyhaveners, but you sure don't act like them. Playing around with sky bandits like that could have got you all killed." Her eyes sparkle at you. "But that was quite some stunt you pulled. I've never seen anyone steer a sky bandit by his beard before. What are you all doing out here so far from town?" "We were hunting caribou when the weather turned bad." Turn to [[7365]]. "We're trying to get back to Storyhaven after visiting friends in another town, and lost our way," Turn to [[6699]].

Tomoko's face darkens. "Yes, the caribou are staying away from Storyhaven these days. And who can blame them? The ice is growing more and more hostile to us, driving fierce blizzards into town, swirling down from the glacier in a freezing fog that fills our thoughts and minds." You look out across the frozen landscape. The sun is dipping towards the horizon, bathing the snowy dunes in orange. The wind lashes powdered ice into frosty fingers that seem to reach out towards the sledge as you pass. You try to remember your mission. This is the day that Tomoko lost her crystal story runes. You have to save them, so that you can return their story to her through the shaman's portal. You scour the sledger's body for any sign of the stones, but there is no obvious sign of them. Offer your condolences about what happened to her father. Turn to [[1122]]. Ask her more about why the ice is behaving so strangely. Turn to [[9475]]. Ask her about the strange amnesia that is affecting the town. Turn to [[7714]].

"You should be more careful. I know what it's like to get stuck in another town when you are needed at home. Now that winter is upon us the nights are growing longer and darkness falls quickly. The wastes are no place these days for stray travellers. The ice is growing more and more hostile to us, driving fierce blizzards into town, swirling down from the glacier in a freezing fog that fills our thoughts and minds." You look out across the frozen landscape. The sun is dipping towards the horizon, bathing the snowy dunes in orange. The wind lashes powdered ice into frosty fingers that seem to reach out towards the sledge as you pass. You try to remember your mission. This is the day that Tomoko lost her crystal story runes. You have to save them, so that you can return their story to her through the shaman's portal. You scour the sledger's body for any sign of the stones, but there is no obvious sign of them. Offer your condolences about what happened to her father. Turn to [[1122]]. Ask her more about why the ice is behaving so strangely. Turn to [[9475]]. Ask her about the strange amnesia that is affecting the Storyhaveners. Turn to [[7714]].

The streaking colours of the time portal clear from your vision and you find yourself outside, suspended in the air twenty metres above the ice wastes, a freezing wind howling around you. For a moment you wonder whether time travel has given you the power of flight, then you plummet to earth with a throat-ripping scream and land headfirst in a drift of powdered snow. Fortunately, you have no broken bones, only an excruciatingly painful ice-cream headache. Brushing yourselves down, you wonder if the scientist and shaman planned this landing or if their space-time coordinates were off target. The town of Storyhaven is nowhere in sight. Turn to [[2311]].

Tomoko's lips tighten and she urges her huskiebears on even faster. "He was a great man, my father. He didn't deserve to die like that. If only I'd arrived sooner, perhaps I could have..." She swallows hard. "But his memory lives on within me. The shamans have already honoured our story with crystal runes. I will protect them with my life to make sure they are passed down through more generations of my family." Ask her about why the ice is behaving so strangely. Turn to [[9475]]. Ask her about the strange amnesia that is affecting the Storyhaveners. Turn to [[7714]]. Finish the conversation. Turn to [[9944]].

Tomoko shakes her head grimly. "It's as if the ice hates us, like we have angered it somehow. It's been taking our sledgers when they are alone, away from camp. Out here on the ice wastes, there are no fablehearths to protect us. It grows up over those who sleep too far from the fires when we make camp, encasing them in a thick layer of frost. We've lost three good friends that way in the last month alone." She grits her teeth. "Some sledgers say they've seen a white figure running the dunes behind the sledges. They're frightened now. They say it's an ice demon of some kind, bent on Storyhaven’s ruin." Offer your condolences about what happened to her father. Turn to [[1122]]. Ask her about the strange amnesia that is affecting the Storyhaveners. Turn to [[7714]]. Finish the conversation. Turn to [[9944]].

Tomoko looks at you suspiciously. "I thought only the town elders knew about that." She sighs. "One of the scientists, Hans Christian Xinping, lost his story runes only yesterday. They found him standing in the street outside his house with frost growing in his beard. He couldn't remember anything of what had happened. He couldn't even remember his name. We tried to look after him, but he wandered out onto the ice wastes in the middle of the night and disappeared. An expedition is still searching for him. These are dark times for Storyhaven. There's no doubt about it." She yells to her huskiebears again and they heave fowards into their reins, driving the sledge ever faster through the growing shadows. Offer your condolences about what happened to her father. Turn to [[1122]]. Ask her more about why the ice is behaving so strangely. Turn to [[9475]]. Finish the conversation. Turn to [[9944]].

"Look!" Tomoko shouts, a smile breaking over her lips. "Storyhaven! I don't think I've ever been more happy to see it. Night is falling and who knows whether there are more sky bandits closeby. But we're almost home now!" <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Approaching-the-town.jpg" style="width: 100%;" media="(max-width: 1280px)" /> Ahead, you see a mountain peak rising out of the dunes like a giant knuckle of rock. Around its base the lights of houses twinkle in the pink light of dusk. You see the tall spiked logs of the perimeter fence and the high dome of Jabir Copernicus's observatory. The familiar sight warms your heart after the cold emptiness of the ice wastes. Turn to [[9438]].

Driven on by their shadowy driver the massive huskiebears charge towards you in a frenzy of bared teeth and lolling tongues. They're almost on top of you already, but at the last moment you gather your wits and make a dive for safety. If one of your team has the skill of agility or speed, turn to [[3833]]. Otherwise turn to [[3176]].

You close your eyes. You have always been lucky in this life and trust to your own good fortune once again. Unfortunately, nobody told the huskie bears. Driven on by their shadowy driver they charge straight towards you in a frenzy of bared teeth and lolling tongues. They plough straight into you, sending you flying into the air to land for the second time in as many minutes on top of the very same snow dune again. You each lose one stamina. Remember to deduct this from your adventure journal. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-6.png" class="journal-pages"/> Turn to [[2643]].

You put up your hands up and shout "Halt there. You shall not pass!" in as loud a voice as you can muster. You're well known for being able to silence a room and command everybody's attention in an instant. Unfortunately, nobody told the huskiebears. Driven on by their shadowy driver, they charge towards you in a frenzy of bared teeth and lolling tongues. Ploughing into you, they send you flying into the air to land for the second time in as many minutes on top of the very same snow dune again. You each lose one stamina. Remember to deduct this from the page of your adventure journal. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-6.png" class="journal-pages"/> Turn to[[2643]].

"I think that was Tomoko Thunderwhip," someone says as you push yourselves groggily to your feet. "Have we just failed in our mission then?" "Not yet. Look! There are more sledges coming, hot on her tail. It must be the postal service to Storyhaven. Let's try to get on the next one!" You line yourselves up as the next sledge comes thundering into view, its huskiebears heaving in their reins. Launching yourselves from the top of the dune, you land amongst the parcels in the back of the sledge. Turn to [[3822]].

You launch yourself sideways out of the huskiebears' path, pushing your companions to safety and rolling out of the way yourself just as the enormous animals thunder past, barely an inch from your diving bodies. Well done, you saved your team from serious injury! Turn to [[2643]].

You launch yourselves sideways out of the huskiebears' path, but the driving animals catch your legs as they pass, sending you flying into the air to land for the second time in as many minutes on top of the very same snow dune again. You each lose one stamina. Remember to deduct this from the page of your adventure journal. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-6.png" class="journal-pages"/> Turn to [[2643]].

The driver is a small man with a chubby face and wispy moustache. He's dressed in caribou furs with an iron helmet on his head. Unaware of your presence behind him, he's whistling to himself merrily. You clear your throats and he nearly falls off his seat in shock. "What are you lot doing there?" His eyes widen fearfully. "You're not the tax inspectors, are you?" You shake your heads. "Good job. I haven't filled out my sledging forms in six months." He frowns. "From your clothes you look like Storyhaveners. What //do// you want then?" "We just wondered what this caravan is exactly and where you're all going to in such a hurry?" Turn to [[5534]]. "We're looking for Tomoko Thunderwhip, Storyhaven's head sledger. Would you know where we might find her?" Turn to [[4993]]. "Hey, aren't you Lapsacker Mullenbrunt, the incredibly talented luge racer, who won first place in the last five Storyhaven winter games. We're your biggest fans." Requires the skill of silvertongue or banter. Turn to [[4491]].

"Tomoko? Why, that's her up ahead, where she always is. Tomoko and those huskiebears of hers can never be beaten. She's the fastest sledger Storyhaven has ever seen." His expression darkens. "Of course, most people know the tragic reason behind her need for speed. When she was a child, her family home caught fire one day while she was out sledging. She drove like the wind to get back to her elderly father, but arrived just too late to save him. I swear, whenever I see her driving a sledge, it's as though she still thinks he's alive out there somewhere, just waiting for her to reach him." You lean back into the packages and gaze out across the ice, the power of his words burning inside you. Turn to [[4825]].

The sledger grins. "I am the champion of whom you speak! Five time winner of the Storyhaven luge race. Who would have known that lying on a board and speeding head-first down an icy tube would be my calling on this planet? But it is so. I still have all my trophies." You each gain one reputation. Remember to add this to your adventure journal. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-5.png" class="journal-pages"/> "What is this caravan exactly and where are you all going in such a hurry?" Turn to [[5534]]. "We're looking for Tomoko Thunderwhip, Storyhaven's lead sledger. Would you know where we might find her?" Turn to [[4993]].

"This is the Storyhaven Express, of course," he says. "We're the most reliable delivery service on the ice wastes. Door to door service, zero paperwork, and free mammoth trampling insurance!" You smile nervously, jabbing your fingers towards the snowy cliff edge that his sledge is racing towards. "Ah, yes, of course," he grunts, steering the sledge away again. "Anything else I can help you with?" "We're looking for Tomoko Thunderwhip, Storyhaven's lead sledger. Would you know where we might find her?" Turn to [[4993]]. "Hey, aren't you Lapsacker Mullenbrunt, the famous luge racer, who won first place in the last five Storyhaven winter games. We're your biggest fans." Requires the skill of silvertongue or banter. Turn to [[4491]].

"We're looking for Tomoko Thunderwhip, Storyhaven's head sledger. Would you know where we might find her?" Turn to [[4993]]. "Hey, aren't you Lapsacker Mullenbrunt, the famous luge racer, who's won first place in the last five Storyhaven winter games. We're your biggest fans." Requires the skill of silvertongue or banter. Turn to [[4491]].

For a while the snowy landscape races past on either side, the icy wind numbing your cheeks. The panting of the huskiebears seems eerily distant, as if the vast openness eats up the sound before it can reach your ears. Suddenly, the driver whips around and looks away behind the sledge. Taking a telescope from his furs, he puts it to his eye and growls. "Sky bandits! Six o'clock! We're under attack!" You turn to see three winged shadows on the horizon, getting bigger all the time. A squadron of tattered hang gliders come into view, two goggled pilots hanging beneath each. The top pilot is grasping the crossbar of the glider, his long beard trembling in the wind. The lower pilot is strapped to his waist, so that his hands are free to take aim at the caravan of sledges with his crossbow. Follow the driver's advice and take cover. Turn to [[6399]]. Try to take a sky bandit out from long range with whatever you have at hand. Requires the skill of innovation. Turn to [[3844]]. Draw your weapons and wait till they come closer. Turn to [[9354]].

You push yourselves down amongst the parcels with just your heads still showing. And just in time too, because the sky bandits suddenly swoop down over the sledges, firing a volley of arrows at the drivers. One fizzes through the air and thuds into the back of your driver's seat causing him to turn around and shake his fist in the air as the bandits fly up into the sky again, circling around for another attack. Try to take one out from long range with whatever comes to hand. Requires the skill of innovation. Turn to [[3844]]. Leap out, draw your weapons, and enter the fight. Turn to [[9354]]. Wriggle further down under the parcels and hide until danger has passed. Turn to [[4399]].

You look around for a handy anti-sky-bandit defense cannon, but can't see one. So instead you grab the nearest parcel, a heavy package with a lump on one side, and hurl it into the air at the oncoming sky bandits. Your companions follow your lead and soon the sky is filled with parcels and presents, their labels flickering in the wind. The nearest pair of sky bandits are forced to swerve away from the hail of projectiles, losing control of their glider and crashing into a nearby snow dune to cheers from the other sledge drivers. You each gain one reputation. Remember to add this to your adventure journal. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-5.png" class="journal-pages"/> Turn to [[3122]].

You climb up onto the side of the sledge and puff out your chests. Drawing your weapons, you let out a mighty battle cry as the sky bandits swoop closer. Unfortunately, they stay well out of range of hand-to-hand combat, and instead fire arrows at you that pepper the side of the sledge. Several fly straight at you. You try to dodge them, but they graze your shoulders, tearing open the fabric of your clothes and slicing deep cuts through your skin. You each lose one stamina. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-6.png" class="journal-pages"/> Take cover. Turn to [[6399]]. Try to take a sky bandit out with whatever comes to hand. Requires the skill of innovation. Turn to [[3844]].

"Well done!" shouts your driver over his shoulder. "But if you could find a cheaper means of defence, that would be great. Every package I lose comes out of my salary at the end of the month!" The other glider does a loop the loop and comes flying low over the caravan again from the rear, firing arrow after arrow at the sledges that bounce off the wooden frames or crunch into the snow around the rails. The drivers swerve this way and that to avoid them. You hear the flutter of the sky bandits' glider approaching and turn to look into the bowman's face just as he grits his teeth and raises his crossbow to his eye, pointing it directly at your driver. Balance on the edge of the sledge and leap out at the glider as they pass. Turn to [[4423]]. Untie some rope from the sledge and make a lasso to catch the bandits that way. Turn to [[6243]].

If any of your team have the skill of agility or combat, turn to [[7734]]. Otherwise turn to [[4293]].

If any of your team have the skill of innovation and want to use it, turn to [[5344]]. If any of your team have the skill of quickfingers and want to use it, turn to [[8230]]. Otherwise turn to [[4128]]

You leap gracefully through air and grab hold of the lower bandit's body, pinning his arms to his side and sending his crossbow spinning away to the ground. Your companions follow your lead, just a little more clumsily. With your combined weight, the glider veers dangerously low. You decide you need to lose some cargo and quickly. The bandit gulps and smiles at you pleadingly, but you show no mercy. Grabbing hold of his companion's waist, you eject him onto the ice wastes with a kick to the chest. The sledge drivers roar with approval, pumping the air with their fists and cheering loudly at your victory. All adventurers with the skill of agility or combat gain one reputation. Remember to add this to the page of your adventure journal. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-5.png" class="journal-pages"/> Turn to [[3987]].

You cut off a length of the sledge's roping and nimbly tie it into a perfect lasso. Taking aim, you throw the lasso into the air as the sky bandits pass and hook it around the lower bandit's waist, lashing his arms to his side and sending his crossbow spinning away to the ground. You now have a pair of angry sky bandits flying from the end of your rope like a strange human kite. Grabbing your companions, you launch yourself off the edge of the sledge, swinging out over the ice wastes, legs kicking the air. All adventurers with the skill of innovation gain one reputation. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-5.png" class="journal-pages"/> If anyone in your team has the skill of strength, turn to [[4192]]. Otherwise turn to [[5353]].

You cut off a piece of rope from the sledge and tie a perfect lasso. Your nimble Braggart fingers are well used to opening people's rucksacks without them noticing. Who would have guessed that your pick-pocketing skills would be so useful when battling sky-bandits?! Taking aim, you throw the lasso into the air as the bandits pass and hook it around the lower one's waist, lashing his arms to his side and sending his crossbow spinning away to the ground. You now have a pair of angry sky bandits flying from the end of your rope like a strange human kite. Grabbing your companions, you launch yourself off the edge of the sledge, swinging out over the wastes, legs kicking the air. All adventurers with the skill of quickfingers gain one reputation. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-5.png" class="journal-pages"/> If any of your team has the skill of strength, turn to [[4192]]. Otherwise turn to [[5353]].

You haven't the faintest clue about ropes, but together you enthusiastically yank at the sledge's rigging until a piece comes off. You tangle it into something you think might be a knot, throw it towards the sky bandits, and hope for the best. The rope immediately come apart in the air and spreads into a wide net, which is not such a bad thing, because your throw was terrible too. Luckily, the net snags on the lower bandit's harness and you all cheer. Your victory doesn't last long, however. You watch curiously as the rest of the rope is quickly taken up. Then your smiles disappear as the last piece hooks around your ankles and pulls you all off the edge of the sledge. Turn to [[3845]].

You wriggle your way down to the very bottom of the sledge. You now have a metre thick layer of parcels between you and any danger with the wooden frame of the sledge beside you for extra protection. For a moment you wonder whether this tactic is befitting of a band of daring adventurers like yourselves, but the pang of guilt doesn't last long. As the sledgers cry out under another wave of arrows, you are just glad to be somewhere safe and sound and out of harm's way. Your sudden absence hasn't gone unnoticed, however. "Where in suffering sea lions have my stowaways disappeared to?" the driver mutters from above you. "They've only gone and left me up here alone to drive them through the ambush! Call themselves Storyhaveners! A bunch a cowardly custards more like!" You each lose one reputation. Remember to deduct this from your adventure journal. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-5.png" class="journal-pages"/> And tick story point C3 on this page too: <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-6.png" class="journal-pages"/> The airy flutter of a glider gets louder as a pair of sky bandits draw alongside your sledge. Stay exactly where you are. It's the cowards of this world who come out these situations alive. Turn to [[8231]]. Use the element of surprise you have cunningly created to leap out of your hiding place and join the fight! Turn to [[4722]].

You all leap out from amongst the parcels with a mighty battle cry, running across the tops of the packages, then launching yourselves from the frame of the sledge into the air towards the stunned sky bandits. If one of your band has the skill of agility or combat, turn to [[7734]]. Otherwise turn to [[4293]].

You valiantly resist the urge to bravery and huddle at the bottom of the sledge in the darkness, whimpering quietly into your adventuring journal and hoping these bad, bad people will go away. "Come on then, you winged varmints!" your driver screams at the bandits. "Give me your best shot!" //Swish... Swish... Swish!// //Thunk... Thunk... Thunk!// A volley of arrows slams into the side of the sledge. Five razor-sharp iron points pierce the wooden frame and prong you in the buttocks, sending you flying up through the parcels into the air with a warbling scream. Turn to [[4293]].

You find yourselves airborne, the ground and sky whirling around you as you spin through the air with little idea where you are going. Then you feel your clothes snag and you are suddenly whisked away, each one hanging by the seat of your pants from a different part of the sky bandits' glider. Distantly, you hear the sledge drivers roaring with laughter. You each lose one reputation. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-5.png" class="journal-pages"/> With your combined weight, the glider is flying dangerously low. You decide you need to lose some cargo and quickly. The lower bandit gulps and smiles at you pleadingly, but you show no mercy. Grabbing his companion by the waist, you eject him onto the ice wastes with a kick to the chest. Turn to [[3987]].

Your combined weight yanks the glider down and you find yourselves being dragged backwards along the rough icy ground, the occasional rock banging off your skulls. You sense the sledge drivers staring at you in bemusement. You each lose one stamina and one reputation. Remember to deduct this from your adventure journal pages: <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-5.png" class="journal-pages"/> <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-6.png" class="journal-pages"/> If anybody in your team has the skill of strength, turn to [[4192]]. Otherwise turn to [[8844]].

Taking a turn for the team, you narrow your eyes and grit your teeth, then start to heave yourself up the rope, hand over hand. The sky bandits chatter to themselves anxiously as they see you come, but the lower one's crossbow is still tangled up in the rope and his companion has his work cut out just trying to keep the glider from crashing. When you reach the top, you wrap your legs around the lower bandit's waist, pinning his arms to his side. Then you heave your friends up to join you. The glider is flying dangerously low, so you decide you need to lose some weight and quickly. The lower bandit gulps and smiles at you pleadingly, but you show no mercy, ejecting him onto the wastes with a kick to the chest. The onlooking sledge drivers cheer loudly. All adventurers with the skill of strength gain one reputation. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-5.png" class="journal-pages"/> Turn to [[3987]].

Pain breeds invention. Tired of the constant bruising, you grab the rope and twist yourself round, suddenly finding yourself on your feet, shoes skidding through the snow while the bandits' glider pulls you along. After a while you get the hang of it and start swerving left and right over the ice wastes, crossing ropes with your companions and even trying the odd jump from the top of a snow dune. By working together and using your weight and momentum, you realise you can actually control the direction of the bandits' glider above you. Spotting Tomoko's sledge up ahead, you try to guide the bandits towards it, but they realise your plan and catch a powerful updraft to shake you off. Suddenly you're all yanked into the air again, soaring upwards at terrifying speed. Looking down, you think you are directly above Tomoko's sledge. With a gulp and a prayer you let go, the sky bandits spiral away above you, and you plummet downwards towards the ice with a high-pitched scream. If any of your team has the skill of agility, turn to [[6734]]. Otherwise turn to [[5533]]

Ahead you see the domed rooves of the Shaman Ward. The ice is thinner here away from the glacier. You duck in through the door of the first wooden igloo. In the gloomy interior Demothi Nicklemas, the town's head shaman, is heating his hands over an iron fablehearth. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Fablehearth.png " style="width: 100%;" media="(max-width: 1280px)" /> The shaman is dressed in wolfskins, a crest of branches rising from his head. When he sees you, he looks relieved, obviously unsure you were going to turn up. The mayor is here too and shakes your hands as you arrive. Turn to [[5577]].

You hurry together through the frozen streets of Storyhaven, pulling your fur coats tighter around you. Fog snakes down from the glacier above the town, twisting through the buildings in search of new victims. Here and there, silent figures stand on the pavements, staring blankly into the swirling whiteness, their hair and shoulders covered with snow. Turn to [[7344]].

In the centre of the igloo, the town's top scientist, Uzma McConnor, is fixing a strange construction of crystals, wires and rusty pipes. She flicks a switch and a rectangular gateway swirls with a deep vortex of colour that makes you queasy just looking into it. "I've never been in favour of connecting our sacred story crystals to technology like this," the shaman growls. "Are you //sure// this time portal is going to work, McConnor?" Turn to [[7667]].

You've never seen the town like this before, but that's why you all volunteered for the mayor's mission. There weren't many raised hands in the end, but you never know, one band of adventurers might be all it takes to bring Storyhaven back to life again. Turn to [[8733]].

The scientist grits her teeth. "Better than sitting around humming all day long with our legs crossed and our fingers in the air, wouldn't you say?" She turns to you. "We're going to send you back into the past to the week when three of our most powerful storytellers lost their crystal runes and fell into an icy coma." Demothi Nicklemas nods proudly. "//We// shamans carve all the town's story runes out of the sacred Crystal Cavern. We have a deep connection to the stones and sensed exactly when each set was stolen. Your mission is to find them before they disappear and save them in any way you can. For all our sakes, you must not fail." Turn to [[4334]].

"//Who// is stealing the town's stories?" you ask. "Do we have any idea at all?" The shaman shakes his head. "The only clues we have are strange images that are being left in the ice at the scenes of the crimes - a jewel, a ring, and a frog, I think are the ones that have been found so far. We are finding it impossible to figure out that riddle. Keep your eye out for further clues. Note down anything you find." "Take this with you," says Uzma, handing you a small tablet of fused crystals. "We will open the portal whenever we can, so that you can send us the stories you rescue." Turn to [[3856]].

"The first story you must save is held in the crystal runes of Tomoko Thunderwhip, Storyhaven's lead sledger. She was one of the town's most popular storytellers. But be very careful. I can't remember the details clearly, but the day her story disappeared was full of... //hurtling//, and screaming too, lashing wind and thundering feet. It felt like the most dangerous of situations." He smiles and pushes you towards the portal before you can change your minds. Nervously, you walk forwards and feel yourselves being sucked into the swirling gateway. The igloo melts away and a strange sensation overcomes you as your bodies start to dissolve. Flashing images and chattering voices surround you as your thoughts stream out of your mind and mix with the bright currents of time and space. Turn to [[5343]].

"Where are we?" one of you asks as you walk along a valley between the frozen dunes. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Untitled-design-4.jpg" style="width: 100%;" media="(max-width: 1280px)" /> You narrow your eyes against the dazzling glare of the snow. "I don't know. But we're here to help Tomoko Thunderwhip, Storyhaven's lead sledger, aren't we? So this place must have something to do with the day she lost her crystal story runes." Turn to [[8978]].

Suddenly, you feel a soft thudding in the snow under your feet and a distant sound rises above the wailing wind. The scraping of iron and the yells of humans come to your ears. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Oncoming-huskiebears.jpg" style="width: 100%;" media="(max-width: 1280px)" /> You turn around to see eight enormous huskiebears charging directly towards you in a cloud of pulverised ice, heaving and bucking at the reins of a sledge. Close your eyes and hope they change direction. Turn to [[8822]]. Put your hands up and shout "Halt!" as loudly as you can. Turn to [[4284]]. Dive out of their way. Turn to [[7295]]. Remember to talk your options over together, but the team leader for this turn (whoever is reading out loud) will make the final decision.

Tomoko disappears inside the vets and you look over at the wooden cabin on the other side of the Sledge Station: her private office. You need to get inside. It might be where she keeps her crystal story runes. While she's away you have a precious window of opportunity. You know you must make the most of it. You hurry together across the packed snow. All the other sledgers have arrived too now and are busy unharnessing their huskiebears or unloading their postal deliveries. One younger sledger is being carried away on a stetcher, a sky bandit's arrow in his side, but you hear the doctor say he is going to survive. As you approach the cabin, you see that the front door is open. Sneak in while nobody is looking. Turn to [[7396]]. See if you can find a more private way in around the back. Turn to [[1904]].

The huskiebear spots you standing in the shadows and growls, its hackles raising as it moves towards you. Tomoko eyes you suspiciously, but holds the enormous animal at bay with a touch of her hand. "What are you doing in here?! This is my private office." Impress her by your knowledge of ancient Japanese traditions. Requires the skill of world wisdom. Turn to [[7855]]. Lie your way out of trouble. Requires the skill of silvertongue. Turn to [[5274]]. Make light of the situation by telling a joke. Requires the skill of banter. Turn to [[2491]].

<img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Episode-1.png"/ class="cover-image"> To begin turn to [[1000]].

Gathering your strength, you put the story runes away in your pocket and step backwards. As her crystals disappear from view, the fog in Tomoko's eyes thickens and she looks up at you, confused. "Where am I?" she murmurs. "//Who// are you?" You swallow hard and think it best if you go now. You shouldn't be found here. Tomoko's story will only be safe once you've rewritten it and delivered it back to the shamans in the present. Only then will she be brought back to her old self. Sadly, you leave her there, nuzzled by her whimpering huskiebear. As you turn towards the door, something catches your eye. The ice has retreated outside the window again, but now in the frozen patterns on the pane, three images sparkle brightly. One is of a kite, the other of an owl, the last of a tree. Sketch them onto the page of your adventure journal. They could be important clues. <img src="https://storyhaven.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Adventure-Journal-Page-8.png" class="journal-pages"/> When you've finished, tell your teacher that you have succeeded in saving Tomoko's crystal runes, so that your team can be awarded with her stones. Then turn to [[8945]]

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