“Close the door,” Ambrus Valsin murmurs as the team gathers in his office. “Let me start by saying, this mission is not for dissemination among other members of the Society.” The chamberlain of the Grand Lodge gives everyone a serious look in turn before continuing. “This mission is not an investigation, just a simple, straightforward assignment, but that makes it no less important.”
“I need you to book passage to the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, and cross over into Irrisen. You’re to head north and rendezvous with another team who have captured some—” Valsin pauses for a heartbeat before continuing. “—persons of interest. We have reason to believe that these individuals have information on the Shadow Lodge cells that are refusing to reconcile with the Society under Grandmaster Torch’s leadership.” Valsin’s expression becomes particularly grim at that point. “If these rogue cells are outright refusing amnesty, then they represent a clear threat to all of us. I need you to take charge of these captives and get them out of Irrisen safely and quietly. Once you’re clear of Irrisen, a larger extraction team will take custody of them and bring them in for questioning. Of course, we will cover the expense of your travel in full, and provide maps to lead you to the meeting point in Irrisen. Because of the nature of the mission and Irrisen itself, you’ll be meeting the other team in the field, away from what passes for civilization up there. The team you’ll be getting the prisoners from will show you the best route out of Irrisen, and the castellan of Trollheim has agreed to grant you passage through his lands. You are responsible for avoiding unexpected trouble between the handoff and Trollheim.”
Valsin gestures for the team to depart, but pauses, staring at his fireplace for a moment before adding, “Wait. You need to know this. Your prisoners will be goblins. The Shadow Lodge separatists made extensive use of the sadistic creatures as soldiers and servants, and as much as you may want to throttle them, please remember that we need them alive.” He asks if you have any questions, and if not, then with a final nod for luck, the venture-captain will dismiss the group.
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The Tian woman, usually demure, speaks up. So let me get this right go into Linnorn in the middle of their 100 year throne switch, and protect goblins on the way out? Are they to become members of the Society?! Her sheer shock cannot control her stun of this assignment.
Her body is lithe and agile, her hair tied in a ponytail at her lower back. She is dressed in practical clothes. She is still attractive, uniquely so, her muscles seem as though they are used to tough assignments, multiple colored bruises blot her skin.
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Malleck stepped up to the woman
Easy there, it is apparently the safest rout, I'm sure we won't trouble them much. Besides, they are just goblins, we save what we can.
He didn't like it much, but there it was, their mission. He would follow his orders, even if it sounded... silly
Malleck is tall and rather lithe, seems athletic, yet there is a very dark feeling around him. Black fur covers his body, white stripes decorating him. He looked like a white tiger, only inverted. There is an unnatural shine in his eyes. He is wearing very formal armor, decorated with the insignia's of his country. His holy symbol, a barren tree, around his neck, and also on his armor.
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Kendrik speaks up
We need them alive. Is there any problem with putting them in barrels or cages for the trip? Maybe keeping them hogtied? Shepherding goblins sounds like more trouble than carrying them.
The short man is dressed unassumingly in leathers. He's slim of build, and proportionate, but can't be taller than five feet. He has a quiver of bolts at his belt, and a scroll case on the other side.
Valsin gives a smirk. "I don't relish you this assignment, but I think you can handle it. We need the Goblins to be brought to our own specialized interrogator. As long as at least half of them survive, that will work for us. Transport them any way you like. Stuff them in sacks for all I care, as long as they stay alive. I think they captured about half a dozen Goblins." he says. "And remember - it will be cold. Prepare. And you may want some extra food so you don't have to slow down to forage."
"Irriseni troops, primarily. They can be all kinds of monstruous races, and the Witches of Irrisen are famous for their enchantments and divinations." Valsin says. "You also want to be wary of Ulfen guards or townsfolk who may wish to do your charges harm."
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Runolf stood silent as Valsin briefed the gathered individuals on the upcoming mission. His heart couldn't help but skip a beat as his mind raced, and Hilda, the large white wolf at his side picked up on the change in the Ulfen's demeanor. Perhaps out of maternal instinct, Hilda nudges the man's hand with her nose and offers her idea of a comforting lick to her companion. This would be the first "mission" the two would be taking on under the banner of the Pathfinders. Although they had what might be considered their fair share of adventure in surviving the wilderness of Golarion, Runolf felt in his bones that this would be the beginning of his story. How fitting it was that it would begin in the midst of whirling snow and icy air, just as the epics of his Ulfen ancestors. He exhaled deeply and patted the canine on the top of her head. Hilda, clearly satisfied, lays herself at the mountain of a man's feet.
He chuckled slightly, shaking off any nervous jitters and gave a thumbs up" Aye, Aye Cap. We'll deliver your package to you safe and sound enough. It won't be easy, we'll be crossing a disputed border between two warring countries—Irrisen and my home, the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. Getting too close to the actual border before you’re ready to cross will invite trouble. There is no easy way to cross the Iceflow River, which forms the border between the nations north of the mighty Rimeflow River, without attracting unwanted attention from Ulfen defenders who may not look kindly on goblins passing through their lands, trust me: You'll not be wanting to get on an Ulfen's bad side." He shares what he knows freely, and expects his new teammates to do the same if they are to be successful. "Now, to go buy a bit of rations before we set off. The winter never ceases in Irrisen, and so they have to import most foods from outside the borders. There are no crops or easily obtained foodstuffs except those gained through fishing and some hunting of migratory animals. Hilda and I will be happy to assist in bringing in fresh meat but the land and her bounty is fickle, and I'd hate to die frozen and on an empty stomach. "
Runolf turns to leave and Hilda confidently stands and follows him out the door. Both of them offer cheerful glances in the direction of Kasuri. The wolf even moves in for a closer sniff before scurrying out the door behind her master.
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The journey to Irrisen is grueling but uneventful. The team’s camp stands approximately 53 miles north of the Rimeflow River and 6 miles east of the Iceflow River. You are met by the team's leader Sverrir Lightfoot. Her team consists of a half-dozen Ulfen Rangers and Druids. When you arrive, they are already in the process of breaking down their shelters in preparation to move.
The Ulfen eye you suspiciously and you see hands go to weapons when you approach but Sverrir herself steps out to greet you. She is a surprisingly short woman for an Ulfen, and her black hair is streaked with silver, but there is ice in her eyes. "It is good to see a friendly face out in this wilderness. I've gotten sick looking at the muzzles of these wolves." she says, gesturing to her team with a mittened hand and a slight hint of mirth. "And our guests are getting on our nerves." she adds with considerably less amusement.
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He walks over to greet her, smiling a toothy smile
Much thanks for waiting, it would be a bit embarrassing to explain we found an empty camp. My name is Malleck, and these are my companions
He gestures to the rest of the group before continuing
As for the...guests... I'm sure we can handle them some how, don't you agree?
He gave her a knowing smirk, before he goes to have a quick look at the captive goblins
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Runolf steps forward to the left of Malleck, flanked by the white wolf ever at his side."Merrymeet Sverrir. I see your team is already making ready to move." He speaks in a voice that is more gentle than you would expect from the fur covered 6-foot-6 man. Still, it is with confidence that the words roll off his tongue and the large pole-axe that he rests his weight on provides no indication of weakness."How many of the little devils are we looking at here?"
Sverrir looks Runolf up and down rather brazenly. "Merrymeet. Good to see one of my countrymen on this mission." she says. "Come on and meet your new friends."
She leads the group over to a pen made of pine boughs where there are seven blue-skinned little monstruosities tied to a post. If you are familiar with Goblins from study or experience, these are typical, except their skin is blue and they have a lot of hair coming out of their ears.
Sverrir pulls a scroll of leather from her belt and slaps it into Runolf's hands. "A map. It'll get you to Harvest's End, where you'll have the easiest time crossing the river, and then make your way to Trollheim. I've been authorized to provide four day's rations for each of you and for each of the Goblins. You've got about a three-and-a-half day journey ahead of you, barring any bad weather."
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Yenyen was just quiet the whole time. She bows with respect when presented and nods everytime to acknowledge that she understood her orders. The usual quiet type, she won't really talk unless needed, but after a couple of missions, she's learning the various ways of others and begins to communicate well with her team.
"I hope you don't mind that I ask, what's so striking about the Ulfen's that you would want them to be on your side?" asks Yenyen at Runolf.
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After the others left the room,
"Sir, do you happen to know where I can find Ragna Lightfoot?'
Valsin looks at Yen Yen with a questioning look. "She's one of the team you'll be meeting. If you're looking for her, you can probably find her at the rendezvous when your party receives the Goblins." he says after a moment's pause.
Sverrir shakes Henry's hand. Her grip is strong, her hands meaty. "They've been surprisingly docile. They don't seem to see any difference between us and the rogue Shadow Lodge agents they served. Though ya have to watch them to make sure they don't kill each other."
To Kendrik's question Sverrir snorts. "Freeze you standing up if you don't see 'em coming." she says, winking at Runolf.
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"I hope you don't mind that I ask, what's so striking about the Ulfen's that you would want them to be on your side?" asks Yenyen at Runolf.
The question struck the man as odd, but he did his best not to showcase that fact." To be honest Yen," he began modestly."it's not something that I've given much thought." And so he took a moment to do just that, he stared off into space and stroked the length of his braided red beard that hung to the center of his barrel-like chest. Hilda, clearly intrigued, tilts her head to the side as she observes her master. " I believe it's a matter of familiarity lass. With an Ulfen at your side, you usually have a good idea of what they can offer. We'll fight and drink and with the best of em." He declares in a roar, hefting his bardiche into the air slightly and offering a wink to Sverrir. "But it's ultimately just a matter of pride I believe. I've got nothing against any other creature or creed as long as they know how to do right down in their gut." Hilda perks up at Runolf's soliloquy and barks her agreement. The red-haired Ulfen is quick to chuckle and reward the wolf with a scratch behind her ear.
He gives Sverrir a nod as she slaps the map into his hand. He unravels it and gives it a once over before passing it down the line for his companions to see. " Anything of note that we're likely to run into between here and Harvest's End, apart from the lovely weather? Do those bloody Irrisien's have scouts out in force or anything of the sort?"
Sverrir grins at Runolf's description of the Ulfen character. To his question, she thinks for a moment. "Nothing we've scouted. There may still be a patrol or two out there though." she says. "Best to be on guard. Good luck." She smiles at Runolf leans in, and says in a low voice. "If you're ever back here, or in Trollheim, look me up." she says suggestively before walking away.
Assuming there are no more questions, Sverrir joins the rest of her team in striking their camp, leaving you all to make your own preparations.
Sverrir laughs. "Sure, we'll build you a forge out of snow!" she says, then laughs some more. "Ahahahaha! Oh, hahaha... No offense, sir, I respect a man who works the forge, but look around you."
With that, Sverrir and her team prepare to depart and you have the Goblins in your charge now.
The Goblins look up at Kath and shrug indifferently.
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DM, Henry Odira , Kaneka Kasuri
Once the others busy themselves making their initial "introductions" to the blue goblins, he makes a point to pull the other two aside." I suspect Ollysta Zadrian has advised both of you of the situation. The thing is, I'm not the best at making friends. Kaneka, perhaps you should speak to them and see if they know anything about any ties between the Stilyagi and the violent sects of the Shadow Lodge, when you get a chance." He says, casting a glance over his shoulder for any who might overhear.
The Goblins cower back from Malleck and nod their heads rapidly.
Kaneka
Kath
Kendrick
Malleck
Runolf
YenYen
The Goblins refuse to say anything to Kaneka at this time.