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After uncovering the plot of Runa in Trollheim, the pathfinder team quickly reequipped and made plans for travel to Whitethrone. However travel to that eternal land of snow and ice is hardly easy.
Eventually they found a merchant caravan that was heading that way, and joined up with them. That worked fine until last night. The caravan managed to pass the notoriously wellguarded Irrisen border, with its bizarre chicken-legged huts. The merchants warned you that Whitethrone has been up in arms against Pathfinders recently, and you would likely need to sneak into the city.
But last night the Ice Trolls attacked, cutting through the caravan guards like a hot knife through butter. It wasn't just ice trolls, there were UIrrisen soliders in there too.
Thinking about it, a hot knife would be kind of nice now. Stuck out in the wilderness maybe a days travel from the city. Snow all around.
A biting wind blows from the north and snow blows in blinding drifts amid numbing fog. The bone-white walls of Whitethrone, capital of Irrisen and home of Baba Yaga’s white witch daughters, rises into the frigid northern night. Somewhere within is the Shadow Lodge headquarters hinted at in Trollheim where the poor historian Rognvald Skagni is being held. Reaching this point was a difficult challenge, but gaining entry into the city itself presents the greatest obstacle yet.
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Jzamine looks up at the snow. It is cold and wet. Pretty snowy really. Probably supernatural, but in this land of eternal winter, what is 'natural' really?
Looking around there are probably three or four ways your could try to get in (or maybe even more, you can be creative)
There are occasional merchants heading into the city. You could try and join another merchant caravan.
You could (as suggested by Darius) try to just bluff your way in. You are carrying a large and heavy chest. Who has that by the way?
You could try to get over the walls (but they do appear heavily guarded).
Whitethorne is an "Evil" city. Goblins and such are common here, so expect many creatures to have darkvision, which makes sneaking about at night harder.
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"Just resting my eyes!" A particularly strong gust of frigid wind whistles loudly in the foppish priest's ears, waking him to consciousness.
Glancing about and taking in the dauntingly frigid scenario (far less enjoyable than the hotter scenario of his very recent dream), the priest clad in posh fur ushanka and cloak announces, "Comrades, I am sure that the guards vwould be persuaded by me. But if vwe can expect another caravan soon, then vwe should convince them to let us join them into the city. Vwe must get in before nightfall, for I fear that Jazmine and her nipGiggles... Giggles, vwill be chilled to the bone by then."
As the next person or so speaks their mind, Grigori's expression conveys that he is paying attention. But in his one-track mind, he is compelled to think about what he almost blurted out, and what effect being chilly would have on them...
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"Aye, Grigori. Let us get into the city before the chill sets in too much. We cannae be of any use if we die of frostbite out 'ere."
Hanud, as jolly good time as he is having, is definitely not of the mindset of staying out overnight.
"Perhaps yourself and Darius can assist us with getting into the city?"
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"then let's find one.. and u believe that discretion may be the key word here.." Jazmine says with a glare at Darious and grigory. "The snow is going to get worse, and the temperature is going to keep going down. Let's scout the road and see if anything else may be near."
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"Look! There's a caravan coming. Let's move towards the road where we can hail the caravan master as they come up."
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"Let us be off then. This chest is heavy, and I believe Darius owes us all an ale." He says with a wry smile.
"Let's go Jazmine, let's pack up and move out."
Hanud starts dragging the chest on the makeshift sled, plodding slowly and steadily towards the road. He does watch out for dangerous things, though.
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Ignoring the banter, Jazmine and Giggles move to help get the chest through the snow and up to the road.
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The priest notes to himself after Darius' rebuke, Damn! I must remember to use my peripheral vision...
He brushes off Darius' foolish words. "But of course I can handle it, silly boy. Just keep that ridiculously large sword sheathed... lest they think you are overcompensating for your own shortcomings." he sneaks a wink at Jazmine here. "And don't say anything maniacal. Or murderous. Or grin at them in such a fashion that exudes mania or murderous intent... In fact, Darius boy, perhaps it vwould be best if you keep quiet."
Feeling the frigidity of this iceland beginning to affect him once more, he quaffs down a potion, and feels his body return to a more comfortable warmth. Then he heads to the front and approaches the caravan with arms raised in a gesture of peace.
"Greetings fellow travelers and traders! Grigori Yefimovich, at your service." He takes a bow, flourishing with one arm as the other is placed respectfully over his chest. "Do you understand the common tongue perchance? Of course you do, good good. My companions and I vwere vwondering if vwe might travel together in this steep land of ice and snow. I am sure vwe can come to a... mutually beneficial understanding." The priest taps his money pouch at his belt as he speaks this last sentence, but signals with a head nod to the jester to indicate the one they should expect payment from.
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The merchant captain eyes up Grigori warily.
"Captain Varius, but not necessarily at your service."
The man is wary, and his guards have their hands on their weapons as he speaks with the pathfinder team.
"If that mutually beneficial arrangement has gold attached to it, then you might have an agreement, friend Grigori. There is still a way to go, and a couple of extra swords might prove helpful. "
Status
Jazmine (endure elements)
..Giggles (endure elements)
Ozak (endure elements - potion)
Grigori (endure elements - potion)
Darius
Zimti (endure elements? probably)
Hanud (Fort DC15 vs cold required)
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"Lady" says the merchant. "Who would I say anything to? I'd be tortured to death slowly. But I am a fair judge of character, and you look to me to be worth the risk. And yes, 10gp per person. I think we may have to hide your... what is that thing? A lizard? Anyway, we'll have to hide it in a chest."
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Slowly plodding along, dragging the chest along as well, Hanud smiles at the idea of paying to get into the city. He gladly pays the 60gp to get into the city, and stows the chest safely among others, but within easy reach.
I'm not much fer swords, but I'd be happy to lend an axe. Hanud grins, his beard frosted from the chill.
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Any last preparation before heading to the gates (and assuming you are all going, and Jazmine convinces Giggles to get into the chest)
Status
Jazmine (endure elements)
..Giggles (endure elements)
Ozak (endure elements - potion)
Grigori (endure elements - potion)
Darius
Zimti (endure elements? probably)
Hanud (endure elements - potion))
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Jazmine finally settles down in the back of a wagon after getting Giggles settled. It only took most of an hour, several furs and blankets, a quantity of meat, one of Zimtis sticks, and many promises that Jazmine would not leave the velociraptor by herself. Mentally exhausted from the recent events and the prolonged arguement, she finally turns to Ozak. "I have only recently met Darius and Grigory. Zimti and I went though Confirmation together before getting wrapped up in this whole mess back in Trollheim."
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The shadowy man, who demonstrated his great advantage by being small and shadowy most of the trip, hops up to a seat by Jazmine. "This really is quite a mess, isn't it. You know, we're really just poor merchants, attacked by wayward trolls and barely coming out of it with little left. And a most vicious fight it was, too. That lead troll, flaying through us like we were nothing. Why, it took all my wits for me to survive that day to be here with you today..."
He grins at the party. "At least we made it to the city, and alive and poorer is surely better than rich and dead." He speaks, as much for the driver as for the party, sincerely believing his own story.
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The merchant caravan slowly heads towards the city of Whitethrone. The walls loom tall and gleam like bone. Cold bones.
At the entrance the guards quiz the merchant for a few minutes, but it sounds like he has been here before. They give Darius and his mask a hard look, but it is the end of a long day and apart from a glare, he doesn't get asked anything.
Much sooner than you expected, the merchant is moving again, and the team is within the walls of Whitethone. The streets of the city are not exactly filled, but nor are they empty. Humans and goblins, and far, far worse mix in the open.
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The merchant smiles at Zimti "The quality of my goods speak for themselves. Fine wines.. which will never grow up here, yet keep the coldest heart warm."
You travel without incident to the market square, which is really more a meeting of large roads. There are a choice of three over priced inns here. The Frozen Ram, The Woolly Mammoth, and Icicles. Each offers food, drink and beds.
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After unloading the wares, Jazmine takes a look at the inns, and returns to the group. "These inns are all pretty expensive. Would anyone know of something more reasonable? Or maybe you could give us a recommendation, sir?" Jazmine says, turning towards the caravan master with her question.
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