1.226

Arriving at the Terra Lodge, you spot a teenage boy shoveling snow just outside the entrance. His eyes widen when he sees you. "Oh! A Ranger!" he exclaims. "Are you here to see Mom? She's inside. I'll bring you to her." You trudge through the snow on your way to the entrance. This much snowfall is unusual for this time of year—no doubt caused by the storm that brought you here.

The boy leads you into the lodge's parlor, where several plush cushions are arranged around an enormous stone fireplace, flames crackling on the floor-level hearth.

Viv Terra sits atop one of the cushions, her piercing blue eyes scanning you from head to toe. "How serendipitous! It's a pleasure to see you. I was considering making the trek down to the Northern Outpost to talk to Lunn about this strange weather," she says, then motions toward the other seats by the fireplace. "Please, sit. Have some elderberry tea. Oz, would you fetch us a kettle?"

Oz nods and leaves the parlor, returning a few minutes later with a steaming kettle and a tea set on an elegantly carved wooden tray. You accept a warm cup, taking small sips by the fire as you and Viv exchange pleasantries. "I'm glad you're here. The snow and bitter cold blowing in from the north have me concerned for the local flora and wildlife." You nod in agreement. Such unseasonable weather is sure to disrupt the ecosystem, at the very least. You ask what you can do to help.

Viv stares into the fire for a moment before replying, her expression serious. "There's something unnatural at work. Can you not feel it? Even the spirits are disturbed."

You mention the dark clouds you observed over Sentinel Peak. "Yes, the storm has been there for some time now," Viv says. "Even as the rest of the clouds in the sky rush by, it's only grown in strength with the passing of each day. I fear my lodge and Lunn's outpost will soon be completely buried in snow if this continues."

You consider the problem. If the snowstorm isn't natural, what could be the cause? You decide that you need to get closer. Maybe you'll be able to discover the true nature of the storm from the top of Sentinel Peak. You share your thoughts with Viv.

She smiles warmly and pours you another cup of tea. "If you're going to reach the summit of Sentinel Peak, you'll need to be properly equipped. In fact—wait here a moment…" She puts the tea kettle down and heads into a nearby storeroom, returning moments later with a harness, a climbing hammer, and a set of metal pitons. "This climbing gear once belonged to my forefathers, the founders of Terra Lodge. They spent years scouring these mountains in search of the best location to construct this place. If you're heading up the mountain, you will be glad to have it."

You nod and accept the climbing gear, thanking Viv for her hospitality. "You're welcome here whenever you like. But before you go, a word of caution. The fingerprints of the ancestors are often present on otherwise unexplainable phenomena such as this. Be careful."

Gain the Climbing Harness reward card. Each Ranger may suffer 2 fatigue to swap a card in their hand for one copy of the Climbing Harness reward (this counts as swapping in a reward card as described on page 31 of the rulebook).

Gain the TO THE SUMMIT mission.

1.226a

You come at last to Sentinel Peak, the massive mountain at the northern edge of the Valley. Its slope is shadowed by the unwavering gray stormcloud at its summit. Standing beneath the cloud, you now feel certain that it is not a natural phenomenon. It hasn't moved an inch since you first spotted it, and has only grown in strength since then. Perhaps from the summit, you can investigate further and discern its true nature.

Gain the TO THE SUMMIT mission.