Lucklesshero's:Shades of Ice III - Keep of the Huscarl King (recruitment closed) (Inactive)

Game Master lucklesshero

We start after Thanksgiving

A knock came at the chamber door.

"Hang on!" the half-orc yelled hurriedly, scurrying with frantic energy as he attempted to gather the sheets of paper, open books, and used inkpens from the surface of his bed.

Can't let them see...can't let them see...

Satisfied with his efforts, the blue-grey skinned scanned the bedroom once more - the room he had shared with Torvald in the dormitory that Uliyara - Haltani - had secreted them away in during their time in Whitethrone.

"The two snorers snoring together," Craggark had said at the proposition of the sleeping arrangements two weeks' earlier.

The highly-conspicuous lump under the sheets stood out from behind the half-orc's powerful shoulders as he flung the door open. Realising just how visible it was, Craggark tried to move to obscure the view.

"Yeah, what do you need?" Craggark addressed the knocker in as casual a tone as he could.

Bluff check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

A small figure makes its way up the alley, huddled deep in a fur-lined cloak against the bitter wind. It stops at an unmarked door, checks to make sure there is no one in sight, then quickly knocks four times.

The door opens, letting out a blast of heat, light, and the incongruous sound of laughter and possibly music.

The newcomer scans the inhabitants, looking for familiar faces. Not spotting any right away, he brushes the snow from his cloak, then pulls back his hood and approaches the bar. Hopping onto a stool, he immediately attracts the attention of the bartender.

"A warm mulled wine, my friend, to take the chill away. It's cold enough to make the winter wolves stay indoors!"

When Craggark opens the door, he is quickly met by a small bundle of fur that practically flies into his arms!

Acrobatics(jump): 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 2 - 4 = 13 Yes! Stuck the landing!

With a furious passion born of time away from her cherished froskin, Analia kisses Craggark long and deep, the heat from her lips near burning.

When she finally releases him from the kiss, but not from the embrace, she leans into his ear and breathes, "I have really missed you."

Leaning back as much as she can, with a light chuckle she says to the room, "Hello to you too Torvald. Please forgive me, but the road has been long and cold, and I needed a little heat to warm me before I greeted you."

Smiling, she looks into Graggark's eyes and her own large silver eyes seem alight with something... different.

Then the little twilight speaker addresses the room, "So now that I am back, what adventures do you all have planned for me...I mean us, and where is everyone else?"

Ahhhh! She's here! She's in the room! You've got to get her out!

Craggark's panic melts as Lia's lips hit his, two weeks of yearning flowing into and through his returned kiss and embrace. A tear of joy trickles down his blue-grey cheek.

Oh, how my soul seemed to have been cleaved in twain with her away...

"Hello to you too Torvald. Please forgive me, but the road has been long and cold, and I needed a little heat to warm me before I greeted you."

Abruptly (and quite dwarven-like), Torvald pushes past the embraced couple from the hallway and into the room. The dwarf grumbles something about being locked out of his own room long enough. Craggark's eyes go wide with panic (again) as both the dwarf and the gnome stare with their heads cocked at the conspicuous lump under Craggark's bedsheets.

"Let's go for a walk in the courtyard, my Silver Fox, and you can tell me all about..."

Bluff (to distract): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Jamir finishes his wine and, with an anticipatory shiver, prepares to go back into the biting cold for the short walk to rooms that Uliyara had gotten for the team. He and Jawhar had shared a room briefly, before Jamir was called away temporarily for another mission, and as anxious as the halfling is to reunite with his friends, he does not relish the idea of being woken before dawn by the thunder-footed Qadiran readying himself for his morning prayers.

Gods, I hate Irrisen. You would think it might be less oppressive away from the cities, but it is equally awful everywhere, just in different ways.

Jamir arrives at the familiar building and - once again looking around to be sure that he has not been followed - makes his way inside. He is surprised to find most of the party standing in the open doorway of the room shared by Craggark and Torvald.

His friends notice that since they last saw him, Jamir appears to have lost weight from his already-wiry frame. A pale scar on his cheek from an incompletely healed wound stands out in stark contrast to the rest of his wind-burned face, and he walks with a barely perceptible limp. His grin seems genuine, but tired.

"Hello! Are you just getting in, or about to go out? Because if you're thinking about going out, think again. Trust me, it is colder than a barmaid's mother out there. Not that any of you will be surprised by that."

Huddled in his chair in front of the fireplace at the tavern, Jawhar shivers as his sips on his mug of coffee. Sniffling, he sets the mug down to retrieve his handkerchief.

As yet another blast of cold air rips through the tavern, Jawhar turns around to yell out for the door to stay closed when he sees a halfling trudging out into the snow.

Is that Jamir? I must have missed him coming in.

Jawhar starts to call out when a powerful sneeze renders him momentarily helpless. By the time he has recovered and blown his nose, Jamir has gone.

To the nine hells with this weather! Sarenrae forgive me, but I can't take another day of this torture. Either the Society sends me out of this gods forgotten country tomorrow, or I am out.

I should go back to the room and pack my things.

Jawhar looks out the window at the snow blowing by the window and tries to slide his chair closer to the fire.

Well, maybe I can wait a little longer.

Calling out to a passing barmaid, "Nadia, another bug please.

No, not a bug... a bug of coffee." Jawhar holds up his mug and shakes it.

"and Baybe a bowl of your Bother's soup. Bis will be the one that bakes me feel better, eh?"

As Nadia brings a tray with the soup, Jawhar attempts to distract himself by inquiring after her son, whom Jawhar had recently helped heal a broken arm.

"How is Olaf doing?

Excellent! Yes, I ab sure that he is feeling buch better, the poultice I gave hib has that effect. Still, you need to bake sure that he keeps the cast on for the entire week or the bones won't set properly."

Jawhar knows that they need to keep a low profile, but he is unable to stop caring for those in need. He has taken to covering his divine healing with the appearance of medical practice as a cover.

As Nadia leaves to assist another patron, he looks outside again.

Yes, just a few more minutes, I think.

Now why on Golarion would he want to go for a walk after I just got here...

sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Lia's large eyes grow narrow and one eyebrow shoots up..."You must be hiding something..." She quickly ducks her head under one of his large arms, and scans about the room.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Not having the most perceptive peepers in the bunch, she still notices the conspicuous lump in Craggark's bed. Her eyes snap wide and her mind goes to a dark place... He has...another small girl...in his...bed!

Before anyone can do much of anything, she points her finger and utters one arcane word, "Nixë!" and as the frosty ray shoots from her outstretched finger, Lia's eyes flash crimson and the ray turns fiery before it strikes the lump in the bed sheet.

ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
fire damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

As Craggark's sheets go up in flames, Jamir moves to stand next to Torvald.

"You know, I never really thought Jawhar's water-creating spell was very useful until just now."

"This would be funnier if those weren't my sheets too," the dwarf responds a trifle morosely.

The sculpted bust under the sheets, though rough, bears the distinct likeness of Lia. Craggark quickly moves to stamp out the flames of the reference books.

”Whoa! Hey! Hey!” Craggark yells, turning around to face the group. Seeing Lia’s face aglow, the half-orc loses his annoyance immediately, a goofy grin cleaving his face in two.

"I, uh....I was planning on surprising you - and just you," Craggark says, with a glare at Torvald and Jamir, "- with it when it was closer to being done." The half-orc steps aside, allowing Lia and the others a chance to see the figurine of Lia's face emerging from a polished chunk of basalt.

"I can carry it with us when we go - I was planning on doing it anyways. It's not too heavy or big..."

Please like it please like it please like it...

Craggark busies himself waving the still-smoking pages of one of the artistic reference books that Uliyara had retrieved for him in an attempt to extinguish it.

"It is...beautiful! And lovely! And perfect! And you are wonderful!" Lia says in a rush, once again kissing him, only this time with a flurry of kisses all over his face.

As if unaware of her scorching of the bed, the little Snowcaster says with sincerity, "Thank you!"

She then wriggles free of Craggark's grasp and drops lightly to the floor. She offers a heartfelt embrace to Torvald and then Jamir. "I have missed you all. It is so exciting to be back together again."

scene: Five veteran adventures roam around the crowded warehouse in the midst of the Frozen and hostile city of Whitethrone. Each of these friends and adventures has cut out a corner of the Warehouse for their own personal use. Some have stacked boxes or hung blankets to create the appearance of private apartments. Others have just placed their cot in the open and hung personal objects on nearby crates. The staltworth Dwarf is the most cluttered of the bunch. His living and working area, is near one of the windows. The Dwarf cracks the window while working. A collection of vials, beakers, and burners is scattered along a couple tables. Occasionally, a small pop or a puff of smoke issues from that area of the warehouse; followed closely with the inevitable string of curses in Dwarven.

At meal times, the friends usually gather around one of two wood-burning stoves provided by their patron. They talk about their previous adventures and future plans. Frustration has set in among the group. In the three weeks they have been in Whitethrone, they've only been out of the warehouse twice. Both times to visit a local low-key pub in the foreigner section of town. Their Patron advised against it but did accept that they needed to get out once in a while.

Their patron is one Uliyara the Jadwiga daughter of Baroness Nadya of Dalun. Uliyara is a Pathfinder sympathizer and identifies as a Stilyagi, a Jadwiga of Irrisen that believes in more open relations with the rest of the world. Uliyara has made arrangements for her Pathfinder friends to be comfortable. She has used her contacts and mother's retainers to gather supplies and research materials for her adventurer friends. She has also helped to arrange the transportation and escape of several slaves the Pathfinders rescued on their last mission.

One of the slaves they rescued, also happened to be a renown Pathfinder researcher named Rognvald Skagni. Uliyara personally saw to the starving emaciated man's recovery. She took him to her private set of apartments and had her servants care for Rognvald; claiming he was a dear sick elderly uncle. Somehow the deception worked and both Rognvald and the Pathfinders remained hidden from the greater Jadwiga nobility that, surely would have thrown them in prison or put them to death as spies.

While recovering, Rognvald requested to study many of the books and scrolls recovered in the underground Library of the infamous Shadow lodge station that, our Pathfinder heroes assaulted and captured. Using materials brought by the Pathfinders to cross reference the information discovered in the Shadow lodge, Skagni has discovered some important information. Only a day before Skagni is scheduled to be smuggled out of Irrisen, Rognvald has requested an urgent meeting with his rescuers before leaving.

Our adventurer starts in the Whitethrone warehouse owned by Baroness Nayda. The Pathfinders, Craggark, Jamir Montajay, Analia Frostburn, Torvald Stonecask, and Jawhar cleric of Sarenrae have gathered near one of the wood burning stoves. Rognvald Skagni, Uliyara, and Uliyara's servant Ake' have come to meet the Pathfinders. A look of worried anticipation is shared by Uliyara and Rognvald..Ake' keeps his head darting towards the rafters and windows..seemingly cautious of prying ears and eyes.

Jawhar stands from his cot, holding his handkerchief over his mouth, and makes a respectful bow.

"*cough**cough*

I hope you bring us good news and that you have found us a way to leave. Not that we don't dearly love your country, its just that..."

Unsure how to complete that bit of polite lying, Jawhar casts about for help, then covers his confusion by turning his head and blowing his nose loudly into his handkerchief.

Uliyara makes a gentle motion for Skagni to step forward. Rognvald Skagni looks considerable better than when you found him several weeks ago. His eyes are no longer sunken and the skin around his neck no longer sags from malnutrition. Skagni begins by clearing his throat, First I want to thank you brave agents for rescuing me. I...I shudder to think what would have become of me without your intervention. Rognvald visibly shivers.

As you know I leave tomorrow. However, I told Uliyara that I must see you urgently before I depart. the elderly man's weakened condition is still a little apparent as he struggles to catch his breathe. It seems the Shadow lodge has sent agents to the Realm of the Mammoth Lords to recover an ancient weapon to use against the Pathfinders. Uliyara shakes her head in astonishment as Rognvald continues. We are too far and communication is too slow from an actual Pathfinder lodge to send word. I'm afraid if the Shadowlodge is to be stopped. It will once again fall upon you my friends.

OK we'll interlude here, a little and allow you all to ask questions. Roll-play it up people we're beginning!

"Mammoth Lords, eh?"

Craggark thinks back to the few times that he and his family engaged with the people of the wild Mammoth Lord lands, picking at his tusks in ponderance.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"What kind of weapon, Skagni?"

"Bamboth? But is a bamboth and how did they become Lords?.

...ful."

Torval scratches his chin. "The Mammoth Lords, eh? What sort of weapon are we talking about? An artifact of fell power, a siege engine? Perhaps a giant mammoth-bone golem? Have we any other information to go on?"

"My Lady! Your visits bring sunshine into the darkest corners of our redoubt."

Jamir bows over Uliyara's hand, then rises and gives her a warm smile. He has now been in Irrisen long enough to be certain that she is both honest and careful enough that he can trust her nearly as much as he does the other Pathfinders in his little band.

The little swashbuckler's eyes go wide as he listens to Skagni's introduction to the party's latest mission.

"The Realm of the Mammoth Lords? Really?"

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Jamir and Craggark know the following about the Realm of the Mammoth Lords:
The Realm of the Mammoth Lords sits at the very north of Avistan, wedged between the vast, icy nothingness of the Crown of the World, as well as two hostile nations brewing with supernatural dangers (Irrisen and the World wound). Due to its location, it is no wonder that this land spawns such hardy folk. The majority of the land where its people dwell is cold, harsh tundra, across which roam herds of huge creatures long extinct in other lands.

Herds of aurochs and bison roam amongst families of lumbering mammoths (for which the land is named) and mastodons, all under the hunting eye of saber tooth tigers.

The Realm of the Mammoth Lords has no central government, and its leadership is very different from the sort the soft inhabitants of the civilized south are used to. The people of the land divide themselves into large family-based tribes. While many tribes roam around like this most chose to form followings. which are groups two or more tribes that join together to follow a particularly powerful warrior/leader. These followings only occur around leaders who have proved themselves through acts of great courage, strength, and guile. When one of these leaders dies (often attempting another epic feat to impress their followers) these followings usually, elect to follow a new hero (who must have achieved similarly spectacular feats). At any one time there may be as many as 30 distinct followings. Some of the current and widely know followings include: The Bearpelt, Greattusk, Ice Chasm, Raptorscale and Slothjaw followings.

The Realm of the Mammoth Lords is rare in that it is the last kingdom where Kellids still live as their tradition dictates free from the influence of other nations or powers. There are few notable settlements: one of these is; Hillcross: Not so much a true city as a stable, permanent location for a vast tent city comprised of the camps of the various followings as they pass through the area, Hillcross serves as a meeting ground for the various tribes of the Realm of the Mammoth Lords. Hillcross is located in one of the largest passes through the Tusk Mountains, a deep ravine that remains ice free year round regardless of the freezing storms that ravage the surrounding mountains. Despite its rough and ready appearance (the tent city is very different to the cities of the south) it is still used as a place for visiting southern merchants to deal with tribes of this realm.

Another notable place in the Realms is: Icestair
Icestair is the largest settlement in the whole of the Realm of the Mammoth Lords and it is also the furthest north, wedged against the wall of ice that marks the edge of the Crown of the World. Icestair takes its name from its main feature; a vast set of human sized stairs cut into the ice and topped with carved slabs of volcanic rock, rivalling even the Storval Rise as the most impressive staircase in the world. As well as the staircase there is also a great winch used to haul the sledges and heavy gear of any travellers up and down the great wall of ice. Most such expeditions arrive at Icestair from the distant continent of Tian Xia and Icestair is filled with guides who lead these expeditions to Hillcross or even Wyvernsting. Icestair, due to it links with the distant continent, is home to many Tian humans and is even run by a Tian.

Lastly you both know about the Realm of the Mammoth Lords most famous inhabitants: Mega Fauna: from Mammoths to Giant Sloths. Tales of these wondrously vast creatures fill the taprooms and taverns of the south and attract many a bold explorer or daring merchant to the Realm of the Mammoth Lords.

A smile slowly spreads across the halfling's face.

"I'm going to ride a mammoth!" he says, in a dreamy voice.

"Cold, icy tundra?

Wake me when we are leaving"

Dejected, Jawhar slumps back to his cot to try to sleep off his cold.

Rognvald Skagni waits for the group to settle down and breathes a sigh of relief once he realizes that his rescuers will indeed take up the mantle and attempt to thwart the machination of the Shadow lodge. Well ..it's good to see you're willing to go my friends...I can call you friends eh? Rognvald pauses with anticipation.

From what I've gathered from these notes; the notes captured under that wretched place, they held us.... Skagni shivers involuntarily. It seems this chapter of... Skagni hesitates and stumbles a bit on the word shadow, Sha ..shadowlodge...um sorry..it's just so difficult to believe the rumors are true. I had not thought it possible....until Runa White told me who she really worked for. Skagni wipes his nose and takes a deep breath.. When I found myself sealed inside a barrel nearly freezing, only to be let out once a day to relieve myself and eat the few crumbs they provided me.....that's when I started to believe the Shadowlodge truly existed!

Uliyara walks over to Skagni and grabs his hand in support. She whispers something in his ear.

Back to the briefing then yes? Rognvald reaches in a belt pouch and puts on some spectacles as Ake hands him a bundle of papers. He sets the papers down on a near by barrel and begins to shuffle through them. Let's see ah yes here we are! Skagni lifts the paper as if the you could read the writing standing a few feet away. This so called chapter of the shadow lodge was apparently founded by a man named Caggrigar. Skagni scans your faces to see if there's any recognition of the name.

Apparently this man had a very personal vendetta towards the Society. He not only founded this lodge but most likely one other. Skagni looks to the papers in regret and continues, Unfortunately, I have not yet, deduced the location of the other lodge he founded...but, I'm less than a third through their archives so far... Skagni manages a small smile. It seems this Caggrigar, left the lodge in Irrisen only a 1/2 year after opening it. Documents seem to indicate he went east toward the World Wound possibly in search of powerful magic. Skagni furrows his brows in frustration and disappointment. But, I'm afraid I can tell you no more of his whereabouts..From what I've discovered so far...He told no one of what his new mission or en-devour was. *tsk* Skagni is clearly frustrated not to have any more information of this Caggrigar fellow.

With Craggrigar's departure, it appears the management of the Irrisen chapter fell to three individuals...senior agents of the Shadow lodge all. Skagni skims through some more papers and absently nods when he discovers the correct one. Adjusting his glasses he clears his throat and reads, Runa White was the most senior of these agents. She is the one that hatched the plan to kidnap me and stir up strife against the Pathfinder Society within the Lands of Linnorm Kings. Rognvald smiles widely as he says the next part. I believe you killed her before she left Trollheim...The least of the senior agents was Vermund the man you confronted in the library. Apparently, he fancied himself somewhat a protector of nature. Though his way of going about it was as villainous as any Demon spawn. In a few of his journal pages I found that he bragged about killing loggers in the Verduran forest. That's where the final agent found Vermund when she recruited him for the Shadow lodge. Skagni pauses and quietly ask Ake to fetch him some water. He waits patiently while Ake is away and ask your group. Are their any questions so far?

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"Caggrigar, eh?" the half-orc gives Jamir a wink. "Based purely upon the sound of this guy's name, you'd think he was a handsome, virile, heroic fellow..."

He responds with mock shock at Lia's playful elbow in the ribs. "What'd I say?"

Craggark fixes Skagni with a look. "We killed Vermund, too. Tell us of this third misguided Shadow Lodge fool who we're chasing after in the mammoth-infested tundra, Skagni. And tell us something of this weapon that they're hunting."

Craggark fixes Skagni with a look."We killed Vermund, too. Tell us of this third misguided Shadow Lodge fool who we're chasing after in the mammoth-infested tundra, Skagni. And tell us something of this weapon that they're hunting."

Skagni looks at Craggark and nods, Yes of coarse the third Shadowlodge agent, Melkorka Skur. Rognvald shuffles a few other papers and then thoughtfully lowers his spectacles just a bit before asking, Before we continue, Have any of you heard of of Taldor's Ulfen guard, or an object know as Jedrek's shard?

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

”I’ve heard of the Ulfen Guard. They protect the Taldan king.”

Craggark looks pleased with himself.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Jamir makes a face.

"Are you making a joke, my friend? Why, we're practically experts on the Shard Guard and Jedrek Ulfen! But shared knowledge makes everyone's job easier. Why don't you tell us what you know about them, and we will tell you anything else we know that you don't?"

Jamir leans back against the donkey Uliyara has brought them to listen to the scholar, one leg jiggling with anticipatory excitement at the idea of moving on.

She isn't at all like the Nag. But I suppose she's the best Haltani could get up here. I suppose she'll do.

"Hee-HAWWWW!"

Gonna wait until Analia pipes in..she has like +8 on all the requisite knowledge's listed I believe.

Perception/overhear whisper: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Know History about Caggrigar: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Know Local/Ulfen guard: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Know Arcana/Jedrek's shard: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Lia just listens in with wide, excited eyes as the details are set forth, having little information to add. Nudging her frostkin in the ribs at his comment about Caggrigar, she grins at his often understated wit.

So close to making some of these!

From under his blanket, Jawhar pipes in.

"Pretty sure I knew a Jadrek once. He broke his wife's mirror and was worried about bad luck. Or was it her anger?

...maybe his name was Josef?....

Jamir pulls out his whetstone and begins sharpening his rapier while he listens.

Craggark marvels while Lia ponders.

”You’re so beautiful when you’re thinking hard,” the half-orc murmurs in the gnome’s ear.

Rognvald nods in appreciation at Analia's and Craggark's knowledge of the Ulfen guard. Hmm yes I suppose you Northerners would have heard of some of the exploits of the Ulfen guard. Skagni pauses for a moment tracing his finger down a particular piece of parchment. His head darts around as if looking for something. He smiles as his eyes land on a nearby lit candle. Uliyara dear...would you mind? Skagni motions to the candle and Uliyara obediently moves to retrieve the candle. She lifts it eye level, close to Rognvald, careful not to singe the documents. Is that better, Rognvald? ask Uliyara. Yes much better my dear. replies Skagni.

Let's see where...ah! Here we are! Rognvald looks over the papers triumphantly, as if the party were already privy, to the information he was about to depart. Yes well..You know of the Ulfen guard but my guess is you've never heard of their most famous member! Rognvald goes on to explain the story of Rannuf Hammerhand and his exploits. (read all the spoilers)

After surmising the story of Rannuf Hammerhand and Jedrek's shard Skagni continues on. So you see, I believe this..this Shadowlodge agent.. Skagni still says the word Shadowlodge with a bit of repugnance. This Shadowlodge agent Melkorka Skur, found out about Jedrek's shard and it's possible location. In order to garner favor and gain privilege she proposed a mission to retrieve the relic and use it as a weapon to battle Pathfinders. Skagni pauses for a moment to let that last part sink in.
But... This time Rognvald Skagni intentionally pauses for effect. Melkorka's information is incomplete!

Go ahead and respond to Rognvald's information so far..He's trying to milk his reveal for all it's worth..your players may be getting impatient or may be enjoying the fact that the old man has some life and vitality left in him (he seems to really enjoy discovering secretes through research). Interact with him a little. We're not starting adventure proper until after the weekend.

Jawhar looks up in surprise when Uliyara starts acting like a devoted daughter. With big eyes, he looks at Jamir and shakes his head.

When Rognvald starts telling the stories of Ranulf, he is interested, but not as interested as he is in crawling under a blanket again. As he starts to lie down again, Rognvald starts to talk about the flaming axe.

This causes Jawhar to sit upright so fast that the cot flips over and Jawhar rolls comically on the floor.

Bolting to his feet, Jawhar exclaims in delight, without a single trace of his previously debilitating cold, "A Flaming Axe? Jedrek's Shard is an axe wreathed in blessed, holy flame?!

Not as good as a Flaming Scimitar, but still, to be given such a Holy Quest finally puts these weeks of torturous cold into perspective."

Raising his hands joyously to the sky, he exclaims, "Oh Healing Flame, truly The Dawn Brings New Light! We, your chosen, shall undertake this Holy Quest to retrieve Jedrek's Shard from the clutches of Evil and bring glory to your Name."

Jawhar clicks his heels, and dances a few steps over to Jamir, where he grabs his hands and twirls him twice around. He hugs Torvald, gives Craggark a kiss, and is about to lift Analia straight into the air when he thinks better of it and stops.

Clearing his throat, he bows in front of her. "My Lady."

Having calmed, his mind finally goes over the rest of Rognvald's statement.

Turning to Rognvald, he arches an eyebrow
"'Melkorka's information is incomplete'. This is what you just said?

To know that the information is incomplete, you would need to know additional details. Does this mean that you can point us right to the location of the keep?"

Jawhar tries to pay attention to Rognvald's subtle clues to determine how much he is holding back.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Jamir nods along with the old man's story, dragging the whetstone along the already razor-sharp blade of his rapier as he listens.

"Of course! I just didn't think you meant that Ulfen Guard. Growing up in Cassomir, you know, I learned all about them. But get to the good part, man! What are we likely to find in these mountains besides this big old axe? Giants? Mammoths?" He leans forward, eyes glowing, and whispers, "Thunder lizards?"

”How is this Hammerhand character ‘the most famous Ulfen guardsman’ if no one has ever heard of him?” Craggark furrows his brow.

This is irritating. Just tell us where to go, how to defeat this Shadow Lodge agent, and let us go get the job finished already.

Craggark remains outwardly patient, but clasps Lia’s hand for comfort.

"How is this Hammerhand character ‘the most famous Ulfen guardsman’ if no one has ever heard of him?”

*giggle*..Well my brawny blue skinned savior..Elite guardsmen of paranoid Emperors, tend to be pretty secretive organizations... besides this happened many centuries ago and involves peoples and countries I'm sure your not familiar with... there's a touch of smugness as, Skagni fondly pats the documents that, he placed on a nearby crate. He seems to catch himself, being a bit rude and hurriedly but awkwardly interjects, It's not your fault boy..your talents lie..er...elsewhere? Rognvald looks directly at Uliyara to for help.

Uliyara clears her throat purposefully and says, What our dear scholar means is...without your aid none of this could have been discovered. Skagni beams as the Stilyaga woman, comes to his aid; as if suddenly struck by inspiration, Rognvald snaps his fingers and says, Indeed, your rescue of myself, not withstanding.... I've not yet pointed out the value of the chest of research materials you brought me!

"You read through Melkorka's notes and know that the information in incomplete?"

"To know that the information is incomplete, you would need to know additional details. Does this mean that you can point us right to the location of the keep?"

Indeed I do my Sarenrite servant! Skagni is once again smiling boadly. And it's all because the chest of the research materials you brought me! You see, I was compiling a history of the North and Linnorm Kingdoms. I was contracted by the Pathfinder Society and working on a complete history, when I was abducted! Runa White the agent that abducted me, must have known I was an authority on such histories. She either saw my abduction as a chance to help her fellow Shadow lodge agent or, beat this Melkorka Skur to the prize, Jederk's Shard. Skagni looks pleased at his deductive powers. Uliyara pats him on the shoulder reassuringly.

Skagni looks around to the confused faces in front of him...including Uliyara's. Pleased as punch, Skagni blurts out, You still don't see!?...Melkora can't know the exact location of the keep Huscarl King, because the only mention of the location of the keep was written in an obscure missive sent to Taldor several centuries ago! That missive was a request for more supplies and for retired volunteers of the Ulfen guard to join the newly crowned Huscarl King in his keep, in a valley not far from the Ice Stair! It goes on to detail the valley down to how many leagues it is from certain well known landmarks! Skagni is positively animated now shuffling through papers like a madman. Don't you see!? Melkorka's research was good..almost too good! But, there's still a chance we could beat her to the Shard! That missive the one detailing the exact location. There's no way Melkorka could have known about it. It has been stashed in the Pathfinder archives in Absalom for hundreds of years! Only to be brought in a chest full of other documents to Trollheim, by a group of Pathfinders trying to deliver it to, an old man doing an epic history account. It's the same chest that, these Pathfinders delivered to that same old man faithfully, when they rescued him, from certain death. Rognvald is a bit emotional as he finishes. It's the same document that will give us a chance to catch up to those who've betrayed us and tried to sell us in to slavery. *sniffle* *sob*

Uliyara embraces the now freely sobbing Rognvald, It's all been too much for him you know? I gave him the papers as something to keep his interest while he recovered. When he got a sniff of what this...Shadowlodge was up to...he wouldn't let it go! Uliyara sees Ake and accepts the glass of water offered she ushers Rognvald to one of your nearby cots and bids him to sit down. Here Rognvald sip on this.. Rognvald looks up gratefully to Uliyara and then to the rest of the party. I'm sorry to be the one to ask this of you Pathfinders, after you've done so much already. But, there's still a chance to catch this Melkorka. She's most likely going on the clues left behind in her own archive. You however can travel directly there and with luck recover the shard before her. Rognvald begins to get up as he says, Here, I've drawn you a map. Ake gently puts his hand on Skagni's shoulder. I'll get it for them Rognvald.. Rognvald nods in appreciation as Ake walks over to the crates and hands Jawhar a map.

Skagni's eyes are red with passion and exhaustion as he states. My part in this adventure is done my friends. I've done all I can to help. Please accept this map to the Keep of the Huscarl King as a gift of thanks to the Pathfinders for my rescue. As for my personal gratitude towards you all words cannot suffice.

"Will we go? Of course, we will go."

Jawhar looks around and sees a lot less zeal on the faces of his companions than he is feeling himself.

"Right, friends? This is the culmination of everything we have been through so far. The reason behind all of the suffering, drudgery, and constant betrayal.

The holy quest that will make the stories of theses adventures interesting to our grandchildren."

Jawhar is almost pleading at the end.

"Of course we are going!" Lia blurts out suddenly, as if only now realizing there had ever been even a shred of doubt.

"Craggark and I are certainly ready...aren't we?" she says squeezing his hand tightly and looking up into his face expectantly.

Seeing his eager desire to go as well, she feels emboldened, "Yes, we are certainly ready."

Jamir gives his rapier a final scrape with his whetstone, sheaths the blade, and then leaps to his feet in a single fluid motion.

"Of course we will go! There was never a doubt!"

He begins pacing about the small space, waving his hands in the air for emphasis.

"We will recover this ancient weapon for the protection and glory of the Pathfinder Society! We will get there first, to stick a finger in the eye of this so-called Shadow Lodge!"

As he talks and makes a circuit around the room, when he passes an item of his equipment, he tosses it onto his cot from wherever he finds it, so that it lands next to his pack. By the time he's done, his backpack is surrounded by a pile of daggers, rope, pitons, ice cleats, bags of caltrops and marbles, bandoliers, potions, and tools.

"We will make sure that this Melkorka Skur is unable to hurt anyone else in pursuing the Shadow Lodge's deranged quest to destroy the Pathfinders! And, as sure as my name is Jamir Montajay, of the Cassomir Montajays," Jamir leaps onto the donkey's back, "I AM GOING TO RIDE A MAMMOTH!"

He jumps down from the donkey and walks over to Skagni to get a look at the map.

"I AM GOING TO RIDE A MAMMOTH!"

Craggark guffaws, squeezes his beloved Lia's hand, and then moves to clasp Jamir on the shoulder.

"You're going to need some help to get up onto a mammoth." he winks at the halfling. "Consider me your boost."

He turns to Jawhar.

"You finally get something fiery to cut through the ice of this domain, my warm-blooded friend. I will help you, and we will reclaim this shard together."

He wheels on Torvald, grinning broadly as he does so.

"Your bedsheets have been all burnt up. As Gorum is my witness, you will have new bedsheets by the end of this adventure!!!"

He then comes to Lia, gets down on his knee, and takes both hands in his.

"And you, my sweet. You...." The twinkle in Craggak's eye is almost manic. "You already have everything you wanted in me and more, right?"

He shields his face from the slaps, as he devolves into very un-half-orc-ish giggles.

Recovering with a purple face, Craggark addresses Skagni from the floor. "What should we know of this Ice Stair? Or of this Skur character?"

Jawhar breathes a sigh of relief, then decides to get down to business.

"All right, then. What do we know about this region of the Land of the Mammoth Lords?

Is there the possibility if recruiting local guides? Does anyone speak Kellid?"

Jawhar breathes a sigh of relief, then decides to get down to business.

"All right, then. What do we know about this region of the Land of the Mammoth Lords?

Is it claimed by a specific clan? Will we need to get permission to travel through their land and take items out? Will they even alliw us to take the Shard out?

It is a hustorically significant item to them, after all.

Is there the possibility if recruiting local guides? Does anyone speak Kellid?"

Knowledge geography and local checks may help answer some of Jawhar's questions.

"What should we know of this Ice Stair? Or of this Skur character?"

Skagni yawns tiredly and replies, The Ice stair is a settlement with a lengthy stair cut in to the glacier that forms the crown of the world. I don't know much else about it my studies haven't led me there yet. I've already told you all of I've discovered on Melkorka Skur.

Skagni accepts Ake's help up from the cot and says his farewells. I'm sorry I hadn't gotten the chance to study the local tribes people..it was too important to put together other information and draw you Pathfinders a map. Well good luck...I believe Uliyara has made arrangements for you to the border. Uliyara nods her head in confirmation. I myself am going south... Rognvald smiles, Our dear hostess has assured me it won't be inside a freezing barrel this time *smirk*.

"Help? A boost? Have you seen my mithral chain shirt?!? It's like wearing silk for armor!"

After the briefing in the warehouse, the next couple of days are a whirlwind. Rognvald is sent somewhere south, in secret with Ake. Uliyara is busy planing a trade caravan, to smuggle you all out of Whitethrone and then Irrisen. You spend your days arranging your equipment and making sure everything is arranged. Last minute supplies are delivered and before you know it you're saying a somewhat bittersweet goodbye to Uliyara.

Uliyara has made good plans. Her people keep you secure and unseen in several sleds with hidden compartments lined with fur when traveling through populated areas. When in the wilderness, you are all allowed to travel with and sit topside on the sleds although, the chill wind and frigid temperatures, often cause you to run back to the shelter of the compartments.

After a few days travel, you arrive in the border town of Bosorka, on the north bank of the Frozen road. The sleds are parked in a barn and you are all told to remain in your compartments until, someone comes to retrieve you. Sometime very early in the morning, before sunrise, a couple of Uliyara's retainers come and wake you. They usher you out of the barn and after some coin is exchanged with a guardsmen, the merchant's gate is opened for you.

The servant hands you the reigns of a donkey packed with supplies. Follow the frozen River east. In about one league you'll cross the border. Don't wander too close to the Walking huts they don't bother those leaving Irrisen..only those entering. Once you cross the boarder..there's no turning back! Good luck! You see the other servant, wave to the one speaking to you, in an effort to get her to hurry. The one you spoke to hurries away and the guard pointed looks the other way, as he shuts the gate and locks you out of the city of Bosorka.

With little choice now; you begin to trudge through the snow and follow the banks of the frozen river known as The Frozen Road.