Welcome to the core edition of the Frostfur Captives.
"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." Then with a final nod for luck, the venture-captain dismisses the group.
Goblins are insane and sadistic. They have a strong hatred of dogs and a fear of horses, both rivaled only by their unnatural love of fire and destruction.
Making the journey in 3-1/2 days doesn’t allow for much time for hunting, unless the party uses the extra day allowed by the extraction team. Provisions for the journey goblins will be provided, but they’ll need supervision. Goblins have fast metabolisms and find hunger painful. If they’re not watched, they’ll eat their rations all at once.
Tying the goblins up and forcing them to march will be problematic. They’ll continually complain, and will stumble and fall on purpose, slowing the rate of travel.
The party will be crossing a disputed border between two warring countries—Irrisen and 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.
It is eternally winter in Irrisen, and a lot of food is imported. There are no crops or easily obtained foodstuffs except those gained through fishing and some hunting of migratory animals.
Snow goblins are citizens in Irrisen. This is definitely true in Whitethrone, but one might expect them to have some degree of social rank everywhere else.
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It will be my pleasure to teach you the language of Dragon, Lady Auriferous during our journey.
Said Nemrok to the half-elf.
Once the VC tell them their new mission Nemrok said
You choose well, Captain. I'm fluent in goblin and having already secure a deal with some kobold's tribe in the Kortos' mountain, I'm sure I will be able to handle these creatures.
To Auriferous question he said
I can only prepare a few number of spell. I could protect myself, but not others.
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Another half-orc, this time accompanied by a man-sized hunting megasaur, briskly walks into the room. Both wear similar plumage around the head, although the dinosaur's is natural to it; the muscular half-orc's in reverent imitation.
"Sorry Arkath late, Kitzil needed time to feed before meeting new people."
Upon Valsin's command, he closes the door behind him.
"Goblins? How are they important? They little more than four-bite snacks for Kitzil!", pointing to the raptor whose maw of sharp teeth is exposed.
The V-C replies, "I believe there are 5 goblins to transport. Make sure they all arrive. If at least three of them do not, it is probably a waste of effort... but we want them all for questioning."
The party’s journey from Absalom to northwest Irrisen is long but mostly uneventful. It is extremely cold. The camp you seek stands approximately 53 miles north of the Rimeflow River and 6 miles east of the Iceflow River. Run by Ragna Lightfoot, a ranger of some fame, the group you meet consists of six Ulfen rangers and druids, including Ragna herself. When you arrive, Ragna’s team are already in the process of breaking down their shelters in preparation to move. Lightfoot greets you.
"About time you got here. I was just about to give up hope. Here are your charges," she says, as she points to 5 goblins standing in little more than ragged furs.
"Here is a map for getting to the hamlet of Harvest’s End, where I think you’ll have the easiest time crossing the Rimeflow River."
As the group finishes packing, she tosses a sack to you. "4 days’ worth of rations for each of you, including them." she says, pointing to the goblins. "Make sure they get to the destination before you go back to your cushy homes. I would hate for this to have been a waste of my time."
"I found giving them nicknames helped keep them in line, but you can come up with your own."
Then under her breath, as she turns to leave, "Good riddance..."
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Auri also purchases an extra days set of rations for herself and each of the goblins. She will also purchase a potion of endure elements, just in case.
"No sense in not having a little extra to keep the short guys going, but we don't want them to know about the bonus food."
Auriferous approaches one of the goblins and asks it's name, doing her best to pronounce it correctly. "How do you feel about being called Flamebringer?"
The goblin Auri approaches is fairly indifferent at first, but beams when he hears her speak. "Flamebringer! Yah, dissis what they calls me! Cause, ya know, I likes to brings flames! Hiss!"
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Nemrok buy some extra ration for himself.
Each day he cast endure element on himself.
He thanked Ragna for waiting for us and taking care of the goblins.
He looked at one and said in goblin.
Hi, I'm Nemrok. Keep your head down and you will survived this trip. Don't and I will write your name. Name's Spark yes ? So be smart and follow me.
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"I'm not one who's much for words, but I'll try to speak plain - don't cause any trouble during the day, and there will be an extra set of rations for you at night. The best-behaved goblin also gets to use one of these," he says, pulling out a tindertwig, "to light the campfire at night."
Wyatt then singles out one of the (unclaimed) goblins.
"I think I'll call you Torch - you get to carry this," he says, pulling out his everburning torch.
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Tyranius prays each morning to Gozreh for protection from the elements.
The large half-orc approaches the goblin. A large black hand imprinted on the half-orcs face stands out among the dark green skin. Kneeling down he looks the goblin square in the face. Looks like you're with me little wheezing vermin. Keep near me and you will live this journey.
Once everyone is ready, you are able to move out. You make reasonable time, although the goblins are a bit of a handful. They generally behave, plodding along when prodded, although they whine and complain a lot about being hungry.
A narrow southern pass winds its way through steep, icy hills, the frigid wind periodically dusting all in its path with a layer of snow. Two ancient stone watchtowers stand on either side of the path between two nearly vertical bluffs rising thirty feet to either side, just as Lightfoot’s map indicated they would. The eighty-foot-wide path narrows to a mere twenty-five feet in width between the two fifty-foot towers.
Snow has been knocked off the battlements, specifically on the sections facing the path.
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He then turns and regards the goblins sternly.
"Remember, extra rations tonight if you all behave, and the best behaved goblin gets to light the fire!"
He then nods in the direction of Auriferous, and stage whispers to the goblins: "Don't let her know, but I only think one of you is important enough to be allowed to do it!"
As you stop to consider Wyatt's warning, Little wheezing vermin sits down. "I is too tired to go more steps. Hard... to... breath. Eat, drink, now?"
Meanwhile, Flamebringer is begging Auri for something to light a fire. "Missus give Flamebringer flame? I lights those towers on fire for ya! Flamebringer brings the flame!" Several of the other goblins smile a cheer at the thought of burning something down.
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Racing to catch up from behind you is a tall Elf who is just as white as the snow. He is wearing typical wizard garments. After Close observation you notice that he has what appears to be shackles with out the chains on his arms.
" My apologies for running late. I was finishing up some stuff in the Mwangi Expance. My name is Bartholimu and it is a pleasure to meet you all."
After listening to everyones ideas Bartholimu speaks his opinion to the party.
"I say we let the sneaky people try and get closer and see what they can see. If we all go and leave 1 person to watch the goblins then two things will happen. The first is that it will be easier to ambush the whole party. The second is that it will be hard for the single person to watch all the goblins."
Using the earlier rolls for Diplomacy and Intimidate, and with the addition of rations, the goblins seem to be content (for the moment) to stay put.
Who approaches, and how?
Perception vs Stealth:
Initiative:
Round 1 (Bold may act)
Tyranius
Arkath
Auriferous
Frostfur Goblins
Wyatt
Icetooth Goblins
Nemrok