Aboard the Society's mobile Lodge, the ship the Grinning Pixie...
The hull of the Grinning Pixie creaks and groans in the freezing waters of Kalsgard, at the mouth of the Rimeflow River. Venture-Captain Calisro Benarry, the half-orc captain of the vessel, shivers as she strides in to her well-furnished cabin and out of the bitter winds. A Varki woman clad in leathers and a snow leopard fur coat is already seated inside the cabin. “Welcome to the Linnorm Kingdoms,” says Venture-Captain Calisro Benarry. She takes a long drag from a hip flask before continuing. “The North is no place for a free captain, but here we are. Oh, Kalsgard is fine—they’ve got stiff drink here—but you’ve got to head inland, where it’s even colder. I hope you all weren’t planning to freeze to death and packed for the weather.”
“You’ve all heard of Jormurdun? Well, that dwarven sky citadel contained an artifact called the Sky Key. King Gutheran broke it into five pieces and gave four of them to his heirs as they fled the invasion, keeping the fifth for himself. One of Gutheran’s heirs, Naldak, traveled into what is now southwestern Irrisen and established a small town called Naldak’s Point. That’s where the trail goes cold. Most likely, Baba Yaga wiped them out when she invaded. The piece of the Sky Key and the ruins of Naldak’s Point are probably buried under a millennium of ice and snow, just waiting for someone—you—to go dig them out. I’ve packed you ten blocks of blackfire clay to make the task more manageable,” the venture-captain says, handing over a backpack stuffed with black bricks. “Don’t forget to take these with you.”
“You’re heading east, up the Rimeflow and Thundering Rivers, past the Grungir Forest, and into Irrisen. Desna smiles—the site is about half a day’s hike north of Dalun, a small trade city on the Irrisen border. Take a small river boat packed with supplies and a letter of trade, make nice with the city officials, and see if you can get permission to travel inland. Head to the site and find our missing Sky Key piece. You’ll know you’re on the right track if you recover signs that the royal family settled there.”
"Watch yourselves in Irrisen. Antagonizing the locals is like poking a sleeping ice bear in the eye, except it won’t kill you as quickly. The Society is not especially welcome in Irrisen, so try to keep what friends we have, and if you can, make new ones. With that it mind, I’ve hired a local to bring you safely to Dalun.” Venture-Captain Benarry gestures toward the Varki woman. “This is Haltani, and she will guide you into and out of Irrisen alive.”
The Varki woman springs to her feet gracefully and addresses the party. “It is always a pleasure to meet travelers from faraway lands. It is true that Irrisen is a harsher land than most. Keep your wits about you, and your journey should be profitable.”
Irrisen has a violent history with all of its neighbors, but especially with the Ulfen from the Linnorm Kingdoms. Jadwiga sometimes capture and enslave Ulfen people.
Baba Yaga and an army of monsters, including ice trolls, winter wolves, and evil fey, invaded the eastern portion of the Land of the Linnorm Kings in 3313 AR. They took only 23 days to conquer the entire region now known as Irrisen.
Every 100 years, Baba Yaga returns to Golarion and replaces the current queen with a new one. She takes the old queen away with her in a magical hut that stands on a pair of chicken legs. No one really knows where Baba Yaga takes the monarchs or why they never return.
Irrisen is known as the Land of Eternal Winter, as it stays freezing year round. Powerful witches known as the White Witches rule the nation and allow monsters the same rights as humanoids. The human descendants of Baba Yaga are called Jadwiga, and are the aristocracy of Irrisen. Ulfen people who find themselves in Irrisen at the bottom of the social hierarchy; the fortunate are serfs, and the rest are slaves.
Intelligent monstrous races, such as ice trolls and winter wolves, are citizens in Irrisen. Though not as socially powerful as the Jadwiga, they command considerable respect and are often able to do as they please without consequence.
Recently, some younger Jadwiga have begun to question the insular culture and closed borders of Irrisen. They seek to learn about peoples outside of Irrisen, the more “exotic” the better. The White Witches have dubbed them the stilyagi, or “culture crows,” as they disregard the culture of Irrisen and mimic the cultures of other foreign lands. However, because they rarely have the opportunity to interact with foreigners, their depictions are often wildly outdated, stereotypical, and even downright offensive.
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Diplomacy (Gather Info)
Reese tells the others what she had heard about Irrisen over her years. "The land of eternal winter is bitterly cold all year round. White witches run the nation, and monsters like ice trolls and winter wolves are citizens with the same rights as everyone else. The smart ones are basically free to do what they want, and no one interferes with them. The Jadwiga are Baba Yaga's descendants and run the place. The Ulfen people there are serfs and slaves. It's a different land, all right."
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After finding a suitable outfit for the frigid weather, Kon Kon stows her daggers and shoulders her pack.
"My people called Irrisen," (she struggles with the double Rs) "The Land of Eternal Winter", as stays flozen all the time. Even in Tian we hear tell of the White Witches, the powerful rulers of this nation. They allow many that we would call monsters—even as ice trolls and winter wolves—the same rights as humanoids. The ice trolls are quite powerful, and are often able to do as they prease without fear of consequence."
"The human descendants of Baba Yaga are called Jadwiga, and are the aristocracy of Irrisen. Ulfen people who find themselves in Irrisen at the bottom of the social hierarchy; the fortunate are serfs, and the rest are slaves.
"It is not a nice place," she concludes.
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A young, brown-headed Taldan man sits shivering in the corner. When the Venture-Captain entered, he had given her a friendly wave of two people who at least knew of each other. Then he listens to the briefing with only a little bit of teeth clattering together.
Once the briefing seems to be over, he turns to listen first to Reesa, then to Kon Kon, then to an empty space to his left. He mutters something to the empty space, nodding his head in understanding before returning his gaze to the group.
"Irrisen has a violent history with all of its neighbors, but especially with the Ulfen from the Linnorm Kingdoms." He nods to the empty space without thinking, " He says Baba Yaga and an army of monsters, including ice trolls, winter wolves, and evil fey, invaded the eastern portion of the Land of the Linnorm Kings in 3313 AR. They took only 23 days to conquer the entire region now known as Irrisen. In fact, Jadwiga sometimes capture and enslave Ulfen people."
He rubs his hands together to try to create some warmth, "So I guess we should watch each others' backs."
Then the young man looks over at the group's new guide with a warm smile, "Welcome. And thanks for your help. I'll take all I can get not to become an enslaved ice cube."
Kiddrik's words bring a grin to Haltani's face. "I am glad to be of help. And it is good to hear that you face our task with caution. Most Taldans I have met tend to throw it to the wind. And I do not think we have a glass tall enough to bring you back in cube form."
Venture-Captain Benarry loans you the use of a small sailing boat and provides a map of Irrisen marked with the rough location of Naldak’s Point. In addition, she gives you a letter of trade, which you can use to trade for goods in Dalun, and 10 blocks of blackfire clay.
***
The wind carries the small sailing vessel upriver. On the banks, the occasional elk or deer dashes away at the sight of the ship. At night, the temperature drops dramatically while wolves howl in the distance. The trip up the Rimeflow and Thundering Rivers takes several weeks, but passes in relative safety. Most of the landscape is comprised of rocky grassland and rough hills. The Land of the Linnorm Kings is a rugged land with rugged people. Occasionally you pass fishing villages where grim people give you evaluating gazes, scowl at you, or ignore you completely.
During the trip, usually when the group camps for the night, Uliyara speaks with each of you individually. She asks you about yourselves, bringing up topics such as your homelands, your religious beliefs, your roles in the Pathfinder Society, the strange lands you have visited, and any unusual or noteworthy objects you possess. Her questions often show how little she knows about the rest of Golarion. You occasionally see Uliyara remove a pale blue diamond necklace from under her furs and gaze longingly at it.
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Kon Kon tells a fantastic story of a young boy who came to Tien inside a giant peach. He was found by an elderly couple, who tried to eat the peach. The boy grew, befriended a talking dog, a monkey, and a pheasant. Through cunning, troupe were able to beat a horde of oppressive oni (devils), and bring peace to the land. "My grandmother saw it all."
After the story, Kon Kon inquires, "What is this gem you wear? It seems precious to you."
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"I am afraid that I have no sssskill with boatsss. My desert home hasss little water ... though wind it hasss in abundance.
My ancestorsss are the ancient dragonsss who once danced upon the windsss of the desert stormsss.
In my travels, I have picked up some skill with the dwarven urgosh which isss my favored weapon."
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Kiddrik joins the two women as the Tian tells her story. The young Taldan is a wonderful audience, genuinely loving every bit of the well-told story.
When she shifts the conversation to Uliyara’s gem, Kidd turns his curiosity on the mysterious local woman, grinning encouragingly in the hopes that she’ll open up a bit. ”We know so little about you, and here you are trying to keep us foreigners alive.”
As time goes by Haltani becomes easy friends with Kiddrik, Kon Kon, Reesa, and Hskoro. Even Arngrim, who comes off a little rough around the edges, seems to have gained her trust with his many stories of the rangers of Magnimar. Though she knows this area well, it is obvious that Haltani has almost no experience, and little education, about the world outside Irrisen.
While she drinks in stories and small talk like one thirsty for knowledge, she shares little about herself, claiming that her life has been unordinary until just recently. When asked about the pendant she tucks it away and dismisses the topic with "Oh.. this was just a gift."
“Scarab Scholar, I require your help. Find an ice diamond in Irrisen, high quality. Mined in Wintercrux, very rare. Bring to me. Possible Sage Jewel.”
"I'm no sailor." Haltani shakes her head at Reesa's suggestion. "I've just been around riverboats long enough to learn a thing or two."
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Arngrim spends the nights sitting around the fire with the party, laughing and enjoying the company or taking his turns at the watch and chores. He is sociable, but clearly more used to smaller groups.
When the topic of the necklace comes up, it catches his eye.
"That is a great gift indeed.. it must have come from someone very special." he comments.
A bend in the river and several large rocks cause white-water rapids across most of the water's breadth; only a narrow channel with a swift current flows without obstruction near the southern bank. Tall trees grow on either shore, casting shadows with their large overhanging branches.
As you pass beneath these trees suddenly a large triangular net rises from the water.
Despite Haltani's best efforts the boat becomes entangled in the net and the jarring stop in motion causes everything and everyone to lurch forward.
"What business have you traveling toward Irrisen?" A man's voice calls out from the shore and a large Ulfen steps into view. He has a wild beard, is clearly accustomed to life in the woods, and has the bearing of one who has seen several battle. Although he has a longspear slung across his back, he does not have it drawn. "Speak quickly. We will need to search your boat before you can go any further." Another man steps out a few feet further down the river.
They are wary but don't seem to intend to initiate violence.
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Kiddrik stays on the deck, doing his best to look as non-threatening as possible as he grins miserably over at the massive Ulfen.
”The academic sort,” he replies, keeping his tone friendly. ”We have a lead on an archaeological find that could put our little crew in the history books. You looking for something in particular?" He gives the man his most friendly smile, " I always hate to get on the wrong side of such large spear-wielding men.”
He looks the man over for anything that would indicate whether this Ulfen is a friend or foe of Irrisen.
The Ulfen regards your group for a moment. "These are the lands of my people, and we question all strangers that pass through it. If you are peaceful sort, and on a journey for knowledge, then you should have no issue with a search of your vessel. After that I think you should follow us to Whiterook and talk to our battle leader, Halvor."
Haltani stays quiet; she seems very nervous to go with the Ulfen.
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Arngrim shrugs and goes along with the group.
"With all respects, sir.. you may, of course, search our vessel. That is very clearly within the rights of you and your people. You can never be too safe, and I commend you for your efforts to protect your people. However, I pray that you allow us to continue on our way. Perhaps we could reach an agreement that once our quest is fulfilled, that we return to your people and give an accounting? The stories that we hope to share will be very worthwhile!"
The two men move to give the boat a search, the lead one stopping for a moment to regard Hskoro.
The people of these lands must be used to magical effects because he blinks and rubs his eyes, then looks suspiciously at the nagaji. Luckily the effect is subtle, and the complicity of the rest of the group convinces him and his companion to let you pass their checkpoint.
Once you've sailed on out of sight, Haltani gives an audible sigh of relief. "You all have silver tongues. Ulfen guards are rarely swayed in their opinions."
***
As you travel into Irrisen, the temperature drops dramatically, falling to well below freezing. In the distance, log cabins march across the snowy fields, walking on knobby wooden legs.
During the trip, you see a winter wolf on the north bank, following the boat.
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Kon Kon managers to keep her feet in the encounter. She would have helped negotiate, but the words passed too quickly, and her knowledge of Talden is still somewhat limited.
She wraps her winter coat around her tightly during the journey, reverting to her natural form in the vain hope her fur will help keep her warm.
She eyes the wolf warily, daring her party's attention to it.
"Does anyone know how long it been following?"
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Once it's pointed out, Kiddrik squints to follow the winter wolf's movement for a few minites. Then he looks over at Haltani, "Is there any way to know if it's an agent of the witches or just a curious ... citizen? It makes me nervous, and I'd rather not have it trailing us to our site." He gives a shiver that has little to do with the freezing temperatures. "I mean, should we talk to it? Try to convince it we're not worth its time?"
Haltani shakes her head. "I couldn't say. I think it would be best to try and ignore it. If it wanted something, it would have probably challenged us already."
Though the shadowing wolf is unnerving, it eventually turns away and vanishes into the snow.
***
Stone cliffs mark the border of Irrisen on the northern bank. Chill winds send flurries of snow over the edge, landing in the river and on the grassy bank of the southern shore where maple trees fight the icy doom of Irrisen’s endless winter. A long, narrow cart path winds its way up the side of the cliff from the docks to Dalun’s iron gates. Guards and their Irriseni ice bear companions wait just outside the gates.
As you reach the gates one of the guards holds up a hand to halt you. "State your names and business."