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The hull of the Grinning Pixie creaks and groans in the freezing waters of Kalsgard, at the mouth of the Rimeflow River. Venture- Captain Calisro Benarry, the half-orc captain of the vessel, shivers as she strides in to her well-furnished cabin and out of the bitter winds. A Varki woman clad in leathers and a snow leopard fur coat is already seated inside the cabin. “Welcome to the Linnorm Kingdoms,” says Venture-Captain Calisro Benarry. She takes a long drag from a hip flask before continuing. “The North is no place for a free captain, but here we are. Oh, Kalsgard is fine—they’ve got stiff drink here—but you’ve got to head inland, where it’s even colder.” She pulls her mammoth-fur coat tighter across her body as she continues. “I hope you all weren’t planning to freeze to death and packed for the weather.”
“You’ve all heard of Jormurdun? Well, that dwarven sky citadel contained an artifact called the Sky Key. King Gutheran broke it into five pieces and gave four of them to his heirs as they fled the invasion, keeping the fifth for himself. One of Gutheran’s heirs, Naldak, traveled into what is now southwestern Irrisen and established a small town called Naldak’s Point. That’s where the trail goes cold. Most likely, Baba Yaga wiped them out when she invaded. The piece of the Sky Key and the ruins of Naldak’s Point are probably buried under a millennium of ice and snow, just waiting for someone—you—to go dig them out. I’ve packed you ten blocks of blackfire clay to make the task more manageable,” the venture-captain says, handing over a backpack stuffed with black bricks. “Don’t forget to take these with you.”
“You’re heading east, up the Rimeflow and Thundering Rivers, past the Grungir Forest, and into Irrisen. Desna smiles—the site is about half a day’s hike north of Dalun,
a small trade city on the Irrisen border. Take a small river boat packed with supplies and a letter of trade, make nice with the city officials, and see if you can get permission to travel inland. Head to the site and find our missing Sky Key piece. You’ll know you’re on the right track if you recover signs that the royal family settled there.”
Watch yourselves in Irrisen. Antagonizing the locals is like poking a sleeping ice bear in the eye, except it won’t kill you as quickly. The Society is not especially welcome in Irrisen, so try to keep what friends we have, and if you can, make new ones. With that it mind, I’ve hired a local to bring you safely to Dalun.” Venture-Captain Benarry gestures toward the Varki woman. “This is Haltani, and she will guide you into and out of Irrisen alive.”
The Varki woman springs to her feet gracefully and addresses the party. “It is always a pleasure to meet travelers from faraway lands. It is true that Irrisen is a harsher land than most. Keep your wits about you, and your journey should be profitable.”
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Pitbull doesn't know much about History, nor is she the talkative type - understanding well where the sharp edges of her personality lay. She seems very at ease with the kindred Orc-blood Venture Captain though, even Asbo isn't looking aggravated.
She asks of the VC:
"Rimeflow, Thunder River, Grungir forest - you travelled them before eh? What trouble we expect?"
"I don't speak much Northerner, what's the words for 'friend'? You have some friends we can ask for?"
Pitbull speaks to Haltani, "You a tracker? Good. Me too. We can share tracking and hunting skills, make us both stronger!" Pitbull slaps her on the shoulder as one hunter sister to another and a show of welcome. Pitbull looks her over to see what gear she carries.
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Marra picks up cold weather gear and uses her influence with the society to acquire a wand of endure elements. Before setting off for the cold north.
Marra enclosed within her fur cloak, perks up at the talk of Baba Yaga "I've heard stories about Baba Yaga being a northern witch, and that she lives in hut that walks around on two chicken legs. Maybe we will see for our self's if they are true!"
Irrisen has a violent history with all of its neighbors, but especially with the Ulfen from the Linnorm Kingdoms. Jadwiga sometimes capture and enslave Ulfen people.
Marra is right the Venture-Captain says, Baba Yaga is head of the Jadwiga, and a powerful witch. Although she doesn’t rule Irrisen directly, I wouldn’t say anything negative about her once you get to Dalun. Legend has it, she only shows up every 100 years to put a new daughter on the throne, but she’s still pretty important to them.
Haltani tries to avoid the slap on the shoulder, showing a reserved smile. Still, Pitbull feels the telltale structure of a chain shirt under her thick coat. She carries a shortsword and a dagger, and her backpack shows snowshoes.She's wearing a diamond necklace around her neck.
I have pointed the location of Naldak's Point out on this map of Irrisen the venture-captain explains, and this letter of trade can be used to trade for goods in Dalun.
These blocks she says as she produces 10 blocks of a dark clayish substance are made of blackfire clay. [b]Rub it on your skin and you'll be more resistant to cold.
The venture-captain also provides a small sailing boat to pilot upriver.
Irrisen is a country in northern Avistan, ruled by Baba Yaga and het daughters. Irrisen has a violent history with all of its neighbors, but especially with the Ulfen from the Linnorm Kingdoms. Jadwiga sometimes capture and enslave Ulfen people.
Baba Yaga and an army of monsters, including ice trolls, winter wolves, and evil fey, invaded the eastern portion of the Land of the Linnorm Kings in 3313 AR. They took only 23 days to conquer the entire region now known as Irrisen.
Pitbull doesn't know anything about Naldak's points, but the name suggests it is a dwarven town.
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"Baba Yaga's army had ice trolls, winter wolves, and evil fey and the eastern portion of the Land of the Linnorm Kings in 3313 AR. They took only 23 days to conquer the entire region now known as Irrisen - that's some good conquest" Pitbull looks impressed "Naldak sounds Dwarven, we are hunting tunnel rats again"
Irrisen is known as the Land of Eternal Winter, as it stays freezing year round. Powerful witches known as the White Witches rule the nation and allow monsters the same rights as humanoids. The human descendants of Baba Yaga are called Jadwiga, and are the aristocracy of Irrisen. Ulfen people who find themselves in Irrisen at the bottom of the social hierarchy; the fortunate are serfs, and the rest are slaves.
Intelligent monstrous races, such as ice trolls and winter wolves, are citizens in Irrisen. Though not as socially powerful as the Jadwiga, they command considerable respect and are often able to do as they please without consequence.
Haltani answers to Maeglin's question, “Not all of Irrisen is bad, but the land is dangerous. Ice trolls, snow goblins, or even winter wolves can accost unwary travelers. Dalun is safe, though; they accept outsiders and are eager for trade. I’ve spent quite
a lot of time in the city and have many contacts there.”
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In the tidy office of the Lodge stands a tall but lean man dressed in black cloth covering an armor. He hobbles along slowly, one of his leg seemingly stiff, unable to bend the knee. A grim look and furry eyebrows adorn his face, as well as a goatee and long black uncombed hair. As he limps after the other Pathfinders, he leans on a longspear serving him as a makeshift walking stick. A scraggy black wolf walks alongside him. It is hard to say which one - of the master or the beast - is more famished and prone to lunge at someone's throat. Yet an aura of mystery and fascination surrounds this man, who simply introduces himself with a raspy voice.
"I am Skarn, and this is Fianna." he says, patting the wolf. "Irrisen shouldn't be a problem if we avoid the locals. Keep your head down and we'll be fine."
Fianna growls in assent, quite pleased with the way her master is treating her.
Well met, Skarn Haltani says. She pauses for a while.
She's looking at Skanrns hands, and seems to be surprised by something.
Indeed, she reacts to Skarns advice, some care is required. As I said, the locals in Dalun accept outsiders. You may find it different from the rest of Irrisen.
---
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Haltani offers to pilot the boat (). The wind carries the small sailing vessel upriver. On the banks, the occasional elk or deer dashes away at the sight of the ship. At night, the temperature drops dramatically while wolves howl in the distance. The trip up the Rimeflow and Thundering Rivers takes several weeks, but passes in relative safety. Most of the landscape is comprised of rocky grassland and rough hills. The Land of the Linnorm Kings is a rugged land with rugged people. The occasional fishing village are filled with grim people, who pass gazes at these strangers. Though communication is hard, it is not impossible to get food.
At night, Haltani visits the pathfinders individually. The questions she asks to each pathfinder are very similar: Tell me about yourself, your homeland. What are your beliefs? Why did you join the Society? She asks about the lands the pathfinders have visited, and any strange object they may own or have come across.
She approaches Skarn as well, but her questions are somewhat more direct: Tell me of your homeland, Skarn, and the travels you have made.
On the fifth day of the trip, Maeglin receives a sending from Tahonikepsu: Scarab Scholar, I require your help. Find an ice diamond in Irrisen, high quality. Mined in Wintercrux, very rare. Bring to me. Possible Sage Jewel.
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When asked by Haltani, Marra eagerly tells her story "My homeland is everywhere, my parents are merchants who constantly travail. I myself was born on a ship and rarely did we stop more than ten days any where as I grew up with my four siblings, but time changes things as my family was scattered to the winds. I have a twin sister who I haven't seen in years due to a silly disagreement, an older sister that the whole family has lost contact with, and my younger brother who was imprisoned unjustly. Then there is my adopted sister who actions lead to the death of my fiancee."
The halfling continues after a pause, "It was a dark point in my life where I lost myself for while, before I became a follower of the Dawnflower. I studied as a Bardic battle dancer of the Dawnflower Dervisha at monastery of Sarenrae, spending more time in one place than I every have in my life. I left after an indecent where a senior student developed an extreme dislike of me. That is when I joined the Pathfinder society to see the wonders of the world."
In answer to her beliefs, the little bard replies "My beliefs align with Sarenrae's to protect those who can't protect themselves, redeem those who are willing, and strikes down the irredeemable evil without mercy. Beyond that there is a love of knowledge and new experiences."
Marra watches Haltani's reactions as she tales her story then ask her "What keeps you in the north?"
That is quite the story, Marra, an your travels must have taken you to many places. It is a noble cause to protect those who cannot protect themselves. The Dawnflower Dervisha, isn't that a Keleshite order? That is quite the way out.
I am Varki myself, I hail from these lands, a fishing village in the Icemark. This is my home, she says, matter-of-factly.
She seems to be genuinely interested in foreign cultures, dropping her otherwise cold, nordic demeanour and replacing it with enthusiasm when the topic turns to them.
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Pitbull likewise shares some information, instead clearing a patch of dirt and drawing a crude map. "Belkzen hold" she points to one area "Urgir. Captured by the Great Warlord Belkzen in the battle of Nine Stones. Urgir means first home in Orc"
"Warboss Grask Uldeth runs it now, like he runs Empty Hand tribe - my tribe, my people. We have trade like other cities in Golarion, and we building the place to do more. I learned to to hunt there, to track down raiders from other tribes and to crush them. Sometimes the other tribes try raiding the pinkskins that come to trade with us, humans, elves, even dwarven tunnel rats come to Urgir, they get a token to wear from the Boss - tells us not to gut and eat them"
"Life not so bad there, but I went with the pinkskins back to Cheliax" she moves the attention to another part of the map "Act as a guard and a hunter, Not take long for my man-hunting skills to start earning good coins, now work for Hellknights mostly, Order of the Nail out of Korvosa - they a bit hard headed about some dumb things and all strict, but much work. Through Hellknights met Pathfinders. Pathfinders mostly nice and dont start calling names, sometimes they as stupid being good as the Hellknights stupid about rules, I just like to track and hunt, and find things... battle just makes things exciting. Asbo gets even more excited" she points to the Owlbear.
Pitbull goes back to picking over her gear.
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The young human female answers in turn. "I was born in Osirion, and trained at the monastery in Sothis until two years ago. After achieving my second degree, I had the opportunity to explore a path of my own choosing, and so I followed my heart to the coast, and then to sea, and found myself joining the Pathfinder Society to continue my travels. I have been in Absalom for most of this time, but have travelled to the Gloomspires and the Segang jungle. Never have I been this far north, nor in a clime so cold!"
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Castien, a tall elf with fair skin, green eyes, and white hair, doesn't speak much during the trip. When he does speak, however, you immediately understand why. "M-my n-name is C-c-castien. I h-have p-p-pledged m-myself t-t-to th-the p-p-preservation of kn-knowledge, as s-so m-much is l-lost t-t-to t-t-time. W-we m-may n-never learn f-from th-the m-mistakes of th-the p-past, if w-we c-c-cannot d-discover what history c-c-can t-t-tell us. Th-the P-p-pathfinder S-society g-gives m-me opportunities t-t-to d-do j-just th-that."
He observes Haltani's glance to Skarn's hands, but says nothing.
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The stiff and rugged northerner remains silent for a moment, but remains otherwise calm, despite Haltani's obvious glance at his hands - more precisely his signet ring.
"I guess I should have been more careful, given the location we're at. I have obviously discerned that I am Jadwiga, but not one of Elvanna's get." He spits the name as if it was acid in his mouth. "My origins do not matter anyway, for I have forsaken this past when I chose exile and joined the Pathfinder Society. Only know this: I am a packmaster, and the Society is my pack now. There's yet one member of my pack you haven't met, but you will shortly, I expect."
"As for my beliefs, Groetus's grin guides me and taunts me at the same time. He knows of me and I know of him."
"Truth be told, it's been two years since I left Irrisen, two years since Elvanna's treachery. I haven't been aware of the latest developments. Have you?"
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(Pitbull)
A man-hunter? I did not know the society had need of such services. I suppose it makes sense. Tell me of the ways of your tribe, and their trading with other folk.
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(Adrianna)
I have heard of Osirion. It is a land of great mysteries, I have been told. What do the monks in Sothis teach? I am curious about their philosophies.
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(Castien)
Haltani listens patiently to the Elf's stuttering prose, and tries to discern if he would be willing to divulge more. She asks another questions, but remains considerate of the elf, It seems your motivations match up with those of the society well. What did you do before you joined? What land do you come from?
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(Skarn)
Life is all about the choices we make, Haltani says, and choosing to abandon your homeland is one not to be made lightly. Ruler may change, but the land is forever. Tell me, what place remains in your heart for the land of Irrisen?
Haltani stares at Skarn with deep blue eyes, a gaze that betrays a glimmer of hope.
I'm all for it, let's do that.
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During the voyage, the party members occasionally see Haltani remove a pale blue diamond necklace and gaze longingly at it.
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A bend in the river and several large rocks cause white-water rapids across most of the water’s breadth; only a narrow channel with a swift current flows without obstruction near the southern bank. Tall trees grow on either shore, casting shadows with their large overhanging branches.
Suddenly, a crashing sound can be heard, followed by a net rising up from the water. Two guards and their captain appear from the underbrush and shout Stop right there! What business to you have, traveling to Irrisen? You can not pass unless we search your ship!. Their weapons are not drawn.
The guards are wary, but do not intend to initiate violence
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A man-hunter? I did not know the society had need of such services. I suppose it makes sense. Tell me of the ways of your tribe, and their trading with other folk.
"Same skills used hunting running man is same skills used for finding lost ones, Belkzen defends its borders from humans who want war with the Orcs, Cheliax wants fugitives tracked, the Society wants missing agents and friends of the Society found and rescued - and there are always travels needing a good guide..."
Pitbull uses the recent adventures in the Mwangi in search of Sharrowsmith as an example, detailing the trials and troubles in the forest. She then expands on safe movement into and out of Belkzen for pinkskins.
"Do yourself a favour if you ever go to Belkzen, hide the necklace you keep admiring if you go, or your head will end up on a stick over a made up grudge and that shiny traded for blades to a none so fussy merchant" Pitbull grins her slightly confronting smile.
Know Geo
***
Pitbull watches the Ulfen
Sense Motive
Pitbull draws her hood down a little and signals to Asbo to stay under a warm blanket... but be ready to visit violence on these men should they create problems.
Pitbull asides to her friends "Reckon they don't want a fight, but reckon they just want to have a look - we got told not make enemies, try make friends, suppose we play nice"
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"The elders teach the way. How to find it. How to follow it. Oh, we learn how to protect ourselves with weapons, and train to make our bodies and minds the strongest weapons at our disposal. But the way is more about the journey and less about a destination. I would be happy to talk more of it on our trip ahead, if you are interested."
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Adrianna confirms Pitbull's observation, surprised the warrior woman doesn't sound more upset at not being able to fight...
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Marra treats Haltani as a friend and comrade during the trip.
When the men suddely stop the ship with the hidden net, the small halfling has to grab hold to avoid being flung around, she calls out "If you are the welcoming committee, the Irrisen hospitality is as cold as the climate. You could have caused someone to fall overboard or break their neck in a fall! How do we know you are not river pirates?" the bard is feign indignation.
Throughout the voyage, Haltani keeps asking about the strange cultures of origin of the pathfinders, and she certainly take the opportunity to talk more about the monks of Sothis and and the orcs of Belkzen. She treats Skarn more matter-of-factually, probing into his past a little, but fishing for information more than outright asking.
Haha! Irisseni welcoming committee. No lassy, we're the Whiterook border guard. the captain says condescendingly, now tell us what your business crossing this border is. You don't seem to be from here. Except maybe those two pointing at Skarn and Haltani.
We cannot let you pass, you have to come with us and talk to our leader in Whiterook. the captain says staunchly.
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Pitbull takes umbrage at the mans tone and answers back equally condescendingly - "A bunch of people on a small boat packed with trade goods and a couple of locals and a tracker - what YOU reckon our business is? We looking for trade, we are traders, business is trading stuff - maybe our stuff and your gold, who knows? But now you want us to leave all our valuables and a jolly boat parked by a river to go off with a bunch of people to who knows how far away? Boat going to be here when we get back? Whiterook going to give payment if boat and stock go fishing with bandits? How far Whiterook anyway?"
Pitbull isn't disagreeing particularly, but the mans haughty attitude has brought her belligerent one forward.
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Skarn comes to enjoy his conversations with Haltani all along the journey. The guide's question surprises him, as if he never took the time to ponder the answer properly. Thinking things over, he finally raises his eyes, with an earnest smile.
"Once home, always home. While I do not long for a life like my father's, I cannot deny that I belong to this land, I care for it. 'Tis strange that I never saw that before."
... Thank you."
->2
Hah! We'll see about that big mouth of yours. Bandits! All I know is you might be another raiding party from Irissen! You're coming to whiterook, and if you Halvor decides you may pass, then you may pass!
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"Not so much to tell: I got bored in my usual trade. I was travelling with carnival, reading cards and stuff, gathering interesting stories and mocking people for fun. But then, I was hired as translator: I have a thing for different languages,".. and he quickly switched to Skald.. "I even learn your native language, just in case I need it"..and switched back to Common.."so I discovered that joining Pathfinders will give me access to books and travels and interesting studies and opportunities, so I decided, why not.. I mostly travelled in Varisia and nearby countries, but recently was in Shackles... Sevenfinger's tomb!"
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Marra looks to the sky for a moment as she replies to Pitbull "Sometimes people are just not open to being friends."
Turning to the whiterook boarder scouts, "As you have pointed out, most of us are not from Irissen and as you can plainly see we are heading to Dalun for trade. I would expect Irissen raiders would be heading in the opposite direction and you know be Irissen. Now if it is just passage tax you are collecting, we could just give the 100 gold coins to you, be on our way and you would then deliver the payment to Halvor. That way we save both Halvor, yourself and us the the time this side trip to Whiterook!"
While the pathfinders negotiate, Haltani tries to prevent the boat from crashing into the net, but with little success. Although she sees the net in time, the current drags the boat right into it and entangles in the ropes. A shock is sent through the boat.
The Ulfen border watch laughs at the stumbling boat, then responds to Marra Hah, a good offer, but we are not interested in gold, smuggler. Now will you come with us to Whiterook on your own free will, or do we have to drag you there?
The two henchmen start talking to the leader ... makes sense.. one whispers, ... could be right..., more whispers, ...don't look dangerous, we could easily...
Alright, you are free to pass. Don't let the wolves eat you. the leader nods, and the net is lowered.
Haltani looks somewhat relieved, that was far less trouble than expected.
----
Stone cliffs mark the border of Irrisen on the northern bank. Chill winds send flurries of snow over the edge, landing in the river and on the grassy bank of the southern shore where maple trees fight the icy doom of Irrisen’s endless winter. A long, narrow cart path winds its way up the side of the cliff from the docks to Dalun’s iron gates.
Outside the gates, four guards stand near the gate. One of them is on horseback, while the other three each have an icebear as companion.
The man on horseback stares down at the party, not in any particular hurry. He then condenses the question of who the party are, and what their business in Dalun is, in a single word:
So?
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Easily keeping her footing, Marra smiles sweetly as they let the group pass keeping her comments to herself. Once out of ear shot she grumbles about thier comment "Don't look dangerous. Hah!"
Once at the gates of Dalun:
Marra smiles as she replies to the man on horseback "We are merchants, and we have come to trade. We have a document letter of trade."
Haltani is standing in the back, her face betraying a bit of nervousness.
You are. the man on horseback replies, his face showing a blank emotion.
Again a long silence follows. The icebears growl at the party, and particularly at Asbo.
It looks like the creatures are about to snap when the face of the man suddenly looks concentrated for a brief moment, after which he says Good. You can pass.
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The grey stone buildings of Dalun stand huddled together, as if the stonework was attempting to withstand the cold. Snowy cobblestone streets lead to a tall white spire in the center of town, its sharp point piercing the blue sky; an icy sheen covers the surface, glistening in the muted sunlight.
Colorfully dressed merchants stand out against the blue, grey and white clothing worn by the citizens of Irrisen, who trot through the white cobblestone streets with immediacy. The occasional ice troll lumbers along, giving non-Jadwiga humans a disdainful snarl.
You may want to try Alexei Kartov, Haltani says, he is a jeweller who garners much respect in Dalun. There are other merchants as well: ore and furs are quite common trade goods around here, and you might even find rare witch-tree seeds.
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"We are... merchants" Pitbull mutters under her breath "Now I know how I seem to others, these ice-men have personality like lumps of river rock" - it's not hard to imagine that both she and Asbo are having somewhat dark thoughts.
Pitbull pulls the hood of her cloak down tighter, and leads Asbo by a leash.