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The Taldoran Venture-Captain, Lady Gloriana Morilla, has tasked you with investigating an unnatural snowfall in the small village of Heldren, located in Taldor just north of the Border Wood near Qadira. She informs you there are rumors of strange, unseasonable pockets of wintry weather appearing across Taldor. Additionally as a personal favor, she wishes you to find and rescue a dear friend of hers, Lady Argentea Malssine.
After traveling for some time you reach your destination...
The sleepy village of Heldren has rarely seen so much excitement or concern. Hunters from the nearby Border Wood speak of unnaturally cold weather at the height of summer that descended on the forest just days ago. Heavy snow followed, and those who returned spoke of an uneasy presence in the woods, as well as new, dangerous predators. No one knows what this event means, but the town’s soothsayer, Old Mother Theodora, claims dark times lie ahead.
As if in proof of that dire prophecy, a badly wounded mercenary arrived in town yesterday, claiming to be a bodyguard of Lady Argentea Malassene. He told the village council that the noblewoman’s escort came under attack by bandits and strange, wintry creatures near the edge of the Border Wood. He alone escaped, and Lady Argentea was dragged away into the forest. Now the townsfolk cast fearful eyes toward the snowy forest, worried what else might emerge to threaten their peaceful village.
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My character is arriving from the north-west. Having sailed from Absalom to Oppara, he journeyed on foot from there to the village of Heldren. He is just walking into the village, however he is not familiar with the area, so he is unsure if this is where he needs to be.
Karl asks of the nearest villager, "Excuse me friend, would you happen to know where I am?
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Baltazar looks at the other halfling, as if searching for something. He looks at the ground most of the time, eventually looking up to his fellows and averting the gaze once more.
After some seconds of silence he seems to find some courage.
Yes, the mercenary should have information about the correct place. Lady Argentea may be in danger. We must hurry.
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If you want to know a little more please feel free to make a diplomacy/gather info or knowledge local check.
Ionnia Teppen, a village council woman approaches the group as the enter the town, informing you that a rider from Zimar arrived in town yesterday bearing ominous portents. The rider, an Ulfen mercenary named Yuln Oesrstag, was part of the guard escorting Lady Argentea Malassene from Zimar to Oppara. As the caravan skirted the Border Wood, however, the noblewoman’s carriage came under attack by bandits and strange, wintry creatures. Lady Argentea was carried off, and Yuln was the only one to escape. He is badly wounded, but he has been able to describe the horrific creatures that attacked the noblewoman’s party. A native of the far north, Yuln recognized some of the icy creatures that emerged from the forest, and the tales he shared with the council have everyone rightly concerned.
Heldren is barely large enough to marshal a decent militia to protect the town, so it needs the assistance of local heroes. Councilor Teppen asks you to investigate these events, encouraging them to rescue Lady Argentea and determine the source of the threat hiding in the icy heart of the forest.
You are directed to head to the Willowbark Apothecary, where the wounded bodyguard is recovering. Wrapped in bandages, the Ulfen mercenary’s nose, fingers, and toes have taken on a black hue from serious frostbite, and he is still heavily wounded. Despite the best efforts of Elder Safander, Heldren’s village priest, it will take some time before Yuln is hale and hearty enough to travel again, much less wield a weapon. Despite his obvious pain, however, he waves you closer to speak with him.
“Would that I could go with you,” he says. “My ancestors would ridicule my lack of valor for fleeing rather than fighting to the end. But I faced enemies that even the greatest warriors in the Linnorm Kingdoms have faltered against, though I think I slew at least one of them before they dragged Lady Argentea away.”
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Boram wastes no time on pleasantries. "So tell us - what attacked you, and how many were there? Did your weapons seem less effective than normal? Where did this occur, and in which direction did they drag your charge? Did you see or hear anything that might give some clue as to their intent?" His initial barrage done, he closes his mouth and impatiently awaits the answers.
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"Man, warriors of the Linnorm Kingdoms are considered brave and strong even by the standards of my people. I agree with my mage companion. Tell us of these creatures. You say you recognized them? What were they?" says the huge, disfigured Shoanti warrior.
He shifts his earthbreaker, which he has with him even here, it being dear to him.
His burned face looks down on the Ulfen man, awaiting some description of the creatures.
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Everyone says the weather is unseasonably cold for midsummer—it even snowed in the Border Wood! Most suspect magic is involved, and some fear Qadiran agents played a role in it
Old Man Dansby claims that someone keeps stealing from his fields. His farm lies closest to the Border Wood, where half his crops have died from an icy frost and the rest have been carried off.
A farmer’s son took ill a few days ago after falling through the ice over Wishbone Creek. The boy said he spotted a white stag in the forest—and heard it talking—then tried to follow it.
A group of rangers in the Border Wood called th High Sentinels usually keep bandit activity curbed. They’re doing a poor job if brigands could attack a well-armed caravan and abduct Lady Argentea.
Who attacked you?
“We thought they were just bandits at first—outlaws who hide like wolves in the forest. They were no match for us. But then came the cold fey of the north. They appeared among us and the battle turned quickly. My people speak of the winter-touched all the time, but I never expected to meet them this far south.”
What are the “winter-touched”?
“Fey creatures who have sworn themselves to the White Witches of Irrisen, those who stole our lands from us during the Winter War. Tiny sprites no taller than the length of a man’s forearm. But don’t be fooled by their small stature. Legends say they have taken a sliver of ice into their hearts, and their touch bears the harsh bite of winter.”
Where did they take Lady Argentea?
“Into the forest, back through the ice and snow. Beyond that, I don’t know. I followed as far as I could, but the winter-touched were too many and too hard to fend off in the snow alone. I barely escaped, and rode to seek help here.”
Why would they want Lady Argentea?
“I don’t know. But if one of the White Witches took her, no good shall come of it. The winter-touched do nothing without the leave of those who placed the ice in their hearts. If they’re here, it’s because a White Witch sent them. And much worse will follow.”
How do you fight the winter-touched?
“With cold iron and burning flame. Both burn them, and both are weapons they fear.”
Yuln has little additional information to share, but he is willing to loan the PCs his cold iron longsword to assist them in rescuing Lady Argentea. Once the PCs have finished questioning Yuln, they can buy equipment and prepare themselves for their journey into the wilderness, but the village council urges them to make haste if they want to find Lady Argentea alive.
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Benevolence will bow gracefully to her fellow pathfinders.
"I believe we cannot let this town suffer... Perhaps this is why as mighty a warrior as I have been reborn into the Raptorscale tribe. The evil fey of Irrisen and their winter witches harass us, even in the Realm of the Mammoth Lords."
Checking over her equipment Benevolence speaks further:
"Like any might warrior, I am possessed of mighty skill and strength that can overcome many obstacles, but I know the dangers of winter and carry the everburning flame of the alchemist in case of emergencies."
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Once the mercenary is done with his story, Boram stands to leave. Then, as an afterthought, he turns and addresses the man. "I do hope you...feel better." Then he turns away and leaves. He takes a moment to put on the cold-weather gear he brought, then walks swiftly to the edge of town to wait for the others.
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(...) they can buy equipment and prepare themselves for their journey into the wilderness, but the village council urges them to make haste if they want to find Lady Argentea alive.(...)
Baltazar keeps his head down but realizes no one would counter Kelvor's idea, so he speaks:
I don't think that's a good idea, sir. We know where to go and what to find if we want to save lady Argentea. Every second counts.
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The sword is yours Korlungr
Old Mother Theodora is not present at this time.
Following Yuln's directions to the site of the massacre on Lady Argentea Melassene's caravan, you come to the remains of the noble woman;s escort on the fringes of the Border Wood.
Near the forest, the temperature grows noticeably colder. The road ahead is littered with debris and the corpses of slain humans and horses. A carriage stands in the roadway, its team of horses missing or cut free, while another overturned carriage lies sprawled and broken next to the tree line. To the south, more bodies have fallen around what appears to be a statue of ice. A snowy trail leads deeper into the forest.
This close to the winter pocket, the temperature has dropped considerably, hovering just above freezing, and a light dusting of snow covers the ground. Lady Argentea’s entourage included two carriages, a few handmaidens and servants, and 10 guards. Most of the bodies lie
pierced with tiny needles and shards of ice. All of the bodies, with the exception of the captain have been stripped of armor and weapons.
Places to investigate in this location:
Wreck Carriage, Locked Carriage, Ice Statue, Snowy Trail
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Benevolence will take charge.
"You're right Kelvor, that is suspicious, but time may be of the essence so we can't afford to be too cautious."
Benevolene get the group into a tactical formation, in case anything still around attacks us.
"Kelvor, be strong and hold our center, Körlungr and I will be your strength. Boram and Baltazar, guard our flanks. Lostariel, stay close behing Kelvor and provide us with your arcane support. We will not falter or flee while we know your eldritch might is behind us."
Benevolence will lead the group to check out the captain, see if there's any obvious reason he hasn't been looted.
"Lostariel, can you detect magic, see if anything on the captain is magical or if other trinkets have been perhaps left behind in the snow."
After that we'll move on to the wrecked carriage.
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The Wrecked Carriage has already been looted. Two of Lady Argentea's handmaidens lie dead inside. The broken chests and boxes strewn across the ground conatin the handmaiden's spare clothing including three courtier's outfits.
The Ice Statue is exactly what you are thinking it is. The remains of the Taldan captain tasked with escorting Lady Argentea from Zimar back to Oppara stand here as a gruesome statue, His slain body mostly encased in ice. Unfortunately, the captain's body is no longer intact. The frozen captain still wears his breastplate, emblazoned with Taldan Heraldry, and one of the chunks of ice contains the captain's arm, still grasping his masterwork longsword.
The Locked Carriage
The decorative chasings on this expensive carriage bear the marks of Taldan heraldry, as well as damage from the many arrows fired in the battle that took place here. A spear has been wedged between the handles of the carriage doors to hold them closed. Removing the spear to open the doors is a move action.
Muffled sounds of movement emanate from inside the carriage.