The members of the glorious Pathfinder Society that you are, maybe even glorious members yourselves?-- are in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings.
You have just docked on the large Rimeflow River, having come in from the sea to the west, and up the estuary, on board the Wandering Hearth.
But, no, you do not dock in the biggest city, Karlsgard, but just across-river, in the small town-district of Iceferry.
There are actually more Ulfen here today than usual, amongst the usual Gnome population.
There are a lot of people actually, something must be going on.
Eynilla Vriggdahl, the a middle-aged Ulfen woman-captain of the Wandering Hearth, kindly bids you farewell: "Off my boat now, now time to waste with you scraggly lot!"
And so you are off, through the town, to report to Venture-captain Bjersig Torrsen.
The nicely carved wooden-door the fine Ulfen lodge is opened by--
--a pale-blue skinned Goblin, with eyes as clear as ice water.
"You again? You come already. No need come again."
And the door slams closed in your face.
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Elsha frowns at Eynilla as if to say yes yes, not so pushy! But, as usual, he has not the nerve to speak up.
A tall, dark-skinned man steps off of the boat shivering uncontrollably from the harsh winds of the sea. He wears a thick, winter cloak that he desperately draws tight to huddle inside of as he takes his short, ginger steps forward through the cold and towards the lodge.
When the door flies abruptly open he tries to quickly respond to the goblin.
Yes, us again, we heard more help was nee.... *slam*
Elsha puts his hands in his thick, winter cloak pockets and nods to himself in resign.
Ah yes, one of those days, is it?
The Garundi man waits for one of his more persistent colleagues to try the door...
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Having fully from the recovered the bruises and terrible cuts that brought him down, Granitt enjoyed the voyage back, knowing his job was mainly well done! He is still troubled by whoever it was that stabbed him in the back, but hasn't disrupted the family dynamics of the group by bringing it up. Though every now and then, his eyes look out sternly from under bushy red eyebrows at each member of the party, a frown crosses his forehead, but then he continued to sharpen his axe and polish his shield and the moment is passed.
As he leaves the ship, he offers Eynilla the carved bone shape of a ship, "I did me best, I seen better, but I thought you might like it? 'sposed to be the Wandering Hearth." He smiles apologetically as he hands her the carving, nods his head, pulls on his red beard and strides off the ship onto hard, solid ground. Well a jetty at least that is attached to the hard, cold, frozen ground of Irssen. He almost stops, just to touch the jetty underfoot, but thinks better of it, lets out a satisfied sigh and follows the others to the Lodge.
On the way he even managed to sell the rest of the bones, which he made into a child's dream catching set of chimes. An Ulfen woman with a belly full of child, takes a liking to the heroes work, he manages to sell it for 3.6gp, a handsome reward for all the work that went into it.
Once at the Lodge, he arrives just after Elsha, whose cheeks are red, he enquires why, before taking out his waraxe and uses the butt to strike the door loudly, "Let us in Torrsen is expecting us! You don't want to upset his dog!" the dwarf bellows at the door.
You see the ship's captain blush-- and remain speechless.
Once Granitt has left, the crew members see her muttering: "Never. No one ever..."
___________
"Dog? No dog? Please take dog away!"
And the door is unbarred...
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Irth leaves the ship quickly on his little feet, relieved as he doesn't need to be on a ship with pig farmer steering the wheel.
Seeing Elsha and Granitt out in front of the lodge, he wonders why would they don't enter the lodge...
Hey! why you guys outside? chillin out? *chuckles* --- as he tries to open the door
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Hopper as well joins Granitt, Elsha and Irth at the doors.
"Please tell me, why exactly didn't we walk together from the ship here? Are we so fed up with each other already?" Hopper chuckles on that.
He is glad to have his winter clothing on, from time to time he uncorks his fire bomb and spills few drops on his hands. He rubs the fluid in and a very faint smell of burned skin can be smelled.
"Way better. " His skin seems to be more resistant to flames than most.
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Hopper as well joins Granitt, Elsha and Irth at the doors.
"Please tell me, why exactly didn't we walk together from the ship here? Are we so fed up with each other already?" Hopper chuckles on that.
He is glad to have his winter clothing on, from time to time he uncorks his fire bomb and spills few drops on his hands. He rubs the fluid in and a very faint smell of burned skin can be smelled.
"Way better. " His skin seems to be more resistant to flames than most.
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Granitt catches a wiff of Hopper's new perfume, it seems to attack his eyes and he couid swear he saw two Hoppers in front of him. He rubs his eyes and the two Hoppers merge into one. Weird, but then this whole trip has been a bit funny so far!! He gathers himself and ignore the others walks boldly in, "C'mon guys, what you waiting for!"
The door swings open and Granitt marches right in--
--to face a pair of the snow goblins.
"You wanna fight? You call dogs on us?"
They GROWL.
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Elsha smells something on Hopper's hands.
Were you working on something new on the way over already? I can't wait to hear about it!
Despite being somewhat taller than Granitt, Elsha meekly plods into the lodge behind him.
Fight? Hehe, no. Just answering a summons for new work. We bring no dogs with us.
He quickly evades continuing the conversation and heads over to the fireplace like he did that first time, but not quite in such bad shape as then due to his time in the wind at sea.
Just as Elsha talks of no dogs-- you hear barking... and the Goblins !
A few seconds later, Venture Captain Bjersig Torrsen, his friendly dog Mahki, and the gnomish Pathfinder Lirall enter the entrance hall.
Bjersig Torrsen greets you with his hand gestures, waving you to follow him back to his office.
There, he offers you all a place by the fire as he removes his thick gloves.
Lirall hands out some glasses of hot spicy wine.
"My cousin makes this. You can purchase some bottles with him and--"
--Bjersig gestures her to be quiet.
Lirall sits beside Bjersig as Mahki turns happily through the group, licking Hopper's hands like crazy, before settling in front of the hearth, ears still perked and tail wagging across the rug.
You all know Bjersig is a self-assured half-orc.
Here, dressed in a thick wool tunic, hide pants and furred boots, he will start to "talk" to you.
He speaks occasionally but primarily signs, punctuating some words with particular expression in his face and emphasis with his hands.
Lirall, the gnome, steps in to interpret the signs for you.
As you now know, Bjersig has worked exhaustively to develop a variant of Pathfinder sign language that communicates more information than the basic commands of the existing system and has incorporated a number of new signs, as well as a distinct grammatical structure and syntax borrowed from a lingua franca spoken between some early Varki and Ulfen traders, creating a sort of pidgin.
You gather Bjersig prefers this method of communication and has helped some of his neighbors learn the particulars of it, but Lirall remains on hand for those unfamiliar with it.
Venture-Captain Bjersig Torrsen sits upright in his chair, waiting until he is certain he has the attention of everyone in attendance.
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Were you working on something new on the way over already? I can't wait to hear about it!
"I was wondering about something that could keep you warm in this weather. I was inspired by the piping that Granitt was working on. If you can make small pipes close to your body and pour inside the alchemist fire it could keep you warm. However, I had a problem with the lack of joints in it, so I couldn't move. On top of that, it quickly begins to leak, I got some nasty burns ... on my back."
"I can show you my notes, right now I am just rubbing some of the fire into my skin, you should try that. "squeaks Hopper smiling broadly.
As they are let in, Hopper pats Mahki bringing his steed Aergia inside. His dog drops on the floor nearby the fireplace. Hopper decides to stand
"Lately I am not a big fan of sitting." as he leans on the wall.
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Mahki sniffs Aergia's butt.
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"I can show you my notes, right now I am just rubbing some of the fire into my skin, you should try that. "squeaks Hopper smiling broadly.
Elsha's eyes light up in surprise. Oh, I didn't know it worked that way! And there are no harmful side effects? Alchemists are often known for casting worry aside, but that is not quite how Elsha is...
As you find your seats around the fire, or put yourselves on fire, Venture-Captain Bjersig Torrsen sits upright in his chair, waiting until he is certain he has the attention of everyone in attendance.
Then--
“Thank you all for coming.” he signs, his words interpreted as necessary through Lirall, the Gnome lass sitting beside him.
“I expect your travel back to Iceferry was safe, if a bit cold.
I am very excited to have you all here for the upcoming event.
I expect that you will find it an excellent test of your capabilities, and not one many Pathfinders will be able to boast of.”
Bjersig draws a small bundle of scrolls and a journal from his bag and lays them on the table, allowing the contents to unfurl and spread across the tabletop.
“This handful of documents is all the information the Society has collected on the Balgirdtrek up to this point.
I doubt it’s something you’ve heard of unless you’re from the area.
It is an overland race some 200 miles long, from Frostgarten in Icemark to Kalsgard, just over the river.
It is performed each year, honoring the deeds of Balgird Bluetongue when he slew a tarn linnorm centuries ago, but this year’s race promises to be quite unique.”
Bjersig looks around, to see if these names are familiar with you.
Then--
“As you may know, the Varki have been the source of quite the commotion among the Ulfen lately, largely in positive ways.
Their ranger, Nankou, slew a linnorm some time ago and has been officially recognized as a linnorm king.
A new linnorm king is always newsworthy, but a Varki linnorm king is unprecedented.
In recognition of Nankou and his diplomatic efforts between the Ulfen and Varki peoples, the officials have decided that the Balgirdtrek will be held in reverse this year.
The Varki have always bristled a bit at some of the ideas inherent in the Balgirdtrek. Ulfen have often discussed it as a race from the ‘savage wilderness’ back into the arms of civilization, not something that has promoted constructive relationships between the two.
It’s good that the officials seem to have broadened their horizons.”
Again, a glance to see if you are following and know about Varki and Ulfen.
Then--
“What’s more, there are two new teams joining the race this year.
First, Nankou has hand-picked a group of Varki to compete.
This is the first time Varki have competed in the race and from what I’ve heard, the Ulfen participants are excited to see what they bring to the competition.
If you haven’t guessed by now--
--you all are... the second new team!
I’ve managed to secure your entry with the approval of the race officials. You can thank me later.”
Bjersig smiles broadly.
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After listening to the alchemist's starting to talk shop, Granitt can't but not stifle a yawn, "Sorry gents, but unless it helps with the forge flames, well ...." He watches the halfling to see what mischief he may be up to, but this halfling seems quite sensible.
He hears a gnome's voice turns and listens to a whole lot of information, ending with RACE!!, his jaw and beard drop in unison, before the dwarf looks at Torrsen and his dog, Both them be better at racing than me with me little legs!!
He speaks to Lirall, "You entered us in a race!????...", as his face moves to be seen by their Venture Captain, "If we're in the race, what are the rules? And what of this Varki, Ulfen bit who's what? And why?" His head is in a spin, his eyes almost glaze over, though with a quick shake of the head, he seems to move the fog from his brain.
"Seems a mighty long way, we got a cart of something to travel on?" He rests his waraxe on the ground, "We just been, I mean I've been diving into the freezing cold waters of this lands beautiful coastline. And now you're sending us out in the cold again! I mean will it be as cold this time? Some of us have barely thawed out!" he moves closer to the fire, stretches out his hands, spreading fingers and rubbing the warmth into his hands. "I mean look at Hopper and Elsha... they never liked the cold and Hopper has been doing things that are unnatural just to keep warm, including almost blowing his head off and creating a certain amount of gaseous by-product. Apart from his dangerous creations, what other dangers can we expect from the race?"
Lirall claps her hands: "Yes, a race! I knew you would be so happy and excited!"
The Venture-captain pursues:
"No, no carts.
It is a trek, done on foot like Balgird himself did it.
Thus Balgird-Trek.
Also, mounts are not allowed to be ridden, as the race is intended to be completed on foot.
But you can use your mounts to carry equipment.
Beware being spotted riding any animal..."
Lirall sighs: "Rules, rules... they will tell you the rules before the race.
Quite boring, I say."
Bjersig smiles: "Yes, it is cold. That is why the race is hard and thus it is prestigious that we take part.
What do you wish to know of the Varki and Ulfen?"
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As the reality of their mission drops, Elsha gets a look of disbelief on his face.
No, you don't mean... We haven't had any training in this sort of thing. Is the track clear of monstrous threats or will we be waylaid by frost giants or white dragons?!
A million questions flood Elsha's mind as he becomes concerned this may be the one situation his formula book hasn't prepared him for. He looks over at Hopper to see how he's taking the news.
He calms himself down. Yes, the Varki and Ulfen. Why do you suppose it is that they are getting along more readily in these times? Are there undercurrents of hate to beware of?
Lirall giggles and wiggles her toes in front of the nice warm fire:
"NO! But there might be white giants and frost dragons!"
The Venture-captain shushes her:
"Hate, no. But the Ulfen have always felt superior, and regarded the Varki as a backwater uncivilized folk...
The fact that for the Ulfen, this journey goes from “untamed” lands back to civilization, has left a sour taste in the mouths of Varki people, who make their homes in Icemark and feel that this race has fed into some Ulfen’s dismissal of Varki as “less civilized.”
That is why reversing the race's direction is a big symbolic step.
Times have begun to change indeed, especially in light of the deeds of Nankou.
He is a Varki ranger, and since he slew his own linnorm and claimed the title of Linnorm King... the Ulfen have had to accept him as King since he abided by their own rules.
Their recognition of this act is helping to slowly unite Varki and Ulfen lands."
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I know how hard it can be for some to change their attitudes so it's refreshingly surprising.
"Yeah, agreed. There are still some folks believing that goblins are no better than rats. I spend hours and hours convincing others that goblins are sane and as good as others."
He does look concerned, traveling on his foot through a cold environment is not a flask of Alchemist fire as he uses to say.
"I think I missed the point of us taking part in this race? From what I saw Ulfen people are proud and strong. Do we want to disrespect them by throwing into the race a dwarf. a halfling, a goblin and a Garundi man? " asks Goblin.
Then he turns towards Granitt and says:
"No worries, your legs are second longest in this party. If they snow get hight I will be digging tunnels in it."
Turning to Lirall
"Out of curiosity what is linnorm?"
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"From the sounds of it Elsha, there's gonna be some interesting moments between the Ulfen and the Varki, and the race is gonna provide the background. Old slights and prejudices aren't easily forgotten and we're the outsiders in it, who no-one will like. An dwarf's are kind of used to that!" the dwarf says as he tugs his beard in thought.
Bjersig nods:
"There is no disrespect.
The Balgirdtrek is competitive, but this is a race, not a blood sport.
It isn’t unusual for some of the teams to rib one another and there is some history of minor brawls between rivals, but that is not activity befitting the Society’s first team and I expect you to remain above such behavior.
Evidently there are some that objected to our entrance into the race this year, though I’m not sure if there is any reason for it beyond misplaced pride.”
Lirall adds:
"“The winner gains the honor of having competed and bested their opponents, a place at the head of the post-trek feast table, and a token from the officials.
The token is particularly special. Most winners redeem their token with their king in place of land taxes for the year, but it entitles the winner to a number of things such as preferential rooms at inns across the Saga Lands and preferential treatment at Ulfen trading posts."
Bjersig smiles: "It would be a nice thing for a Pathfinder agent to have, indeed, but our real goal here is to observe and document the Balgirdtrek.”
Lirall gets all excited: "Linnorms are like giant Wyrms that fly with no wings and CURSE you!"
She starts running around, jumping from chair to table, imitating the linnorms.
Bjersig smiles at Stabby: "That's the spirit!"
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Granitt almost jumps backwards at Stabby's appearance, "What! Whoa!.... I wish you'd stop doing that, it can be very disconcerting!" The champion regains his composure and carefully puts his red lock back in place, leaving his red hair just as untidy as before. "But I suppose you're right Stabby, that's something we can do, provided we don't ruin out findings with some chemical incendiary device." he laughs. "You two chemicals are always writing in your books, I guess you just volunteered for being the recorders...Hah ha ha."
"Well, if there are no more questions, I will not delay you from your pleasure!"
Bjersig pulls some fur on, and, with Lirall and the dog in tow, he accompanies you out of the lodge, towards the edge of town, where sleighs are waiting for you.
You see two bright, open-topped sleighs wait along the side of the street, adorned with ribbons and cedar boughs.
The driver of the second sleigh hops down, waving your group over.
He instructs your team to move to the rear of the cart and assists with boarding.
Inside, two groups sit, anxious for the sleighs to get moving.
At the far end of the cart, several Ulfen rangers and a cleric glower, sighing before mumbling to one another.
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Pleasure... Elsha repeats to himself, not looking forward to the bitter cold.
I will turn verifiably blue before this is over. They'll think it's some mutagen gone wrong...
More out loud Elsha asks We're going to be eating hot food on this trek, right? Roaring fires? Burning stew?
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In the cart...
Elsha's eyes narrow suspiciously as he observes the seemingly non-favorable attitude from the Ulfen in the cart. He attempts to listen in or gather a thread of their sentiment.
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As you come up to the sleighs and look around, you try to drag up some memories about all this--
--and you start to prepare yourselves for this race.
Lirall's cousin comes running up.
"I was going to dump all this trash out... but then I thought: 'Lirall's Cousin!' - cuz that's my name - 'Lirall's Cousin, contribute to this race!'
So I brought you all this..."
He hands you all the , but he also has two old rocks, three withered daisies, a dead bird, and a-- raccoon.
But the racoon runs away.
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"Yeah hot food! Let's hope it will be enough." says Hopper looking at the passengers of the cart.
Turning to Ulfen rangers and a cleric he says:
"Stop staring at him! Never seen a Garundi man covered in furs?"
Then turning to Granitt, Irth and Stabby he says:
"I see other folks already have an opinion of us. How human of them. "
Then looking at Elsha
"Ehh, sorry that was inappropriate. You should know that for me you are a tall goblin. With an odd color skin, and short ears, and laughable tusks but besides that just like a goblin!"
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Before they leave, Granitt asks just one last question, "I know me feet stay pretty still on the ground, but this cold ground can be a bit tricky and slippy. You got anything that will help me feet stay in place, or know what I should ask for in the stores to get something. Otherwise I'll just rely on me natural balance and steadiness." the dwarf asks, as he looks at his large booted feet.
...............
As he looks over at the grumbling men in the other sleigh, Granitt squints and wonders "What is that hanging round that guys neck?" "Those guys look none too happy." he says as he wraps the furs on his winter coat further around him.
As Elsha gets in the second cart, the one with room for you, you see that you are to take place at one end of the cart, with one group in the middle.
The group in the middle must be run by an aging woman, , whose name all call out from the crowd: "Faergim! Faergim! Faergim Axebinder!"
She seems to be a well liked person.
She is traveling with three people.
The group at the far end of the sleigh from you, the ones mumbling, are made up of two male and one female Ulfen rangers. The man is powerfully built, in his early fifties, and the young man and young woman seem to obey him sharply - maybe they are related?
The fourth is some sort of religious person.
There is a lot of noise going on right now, what with all chanting Faergim!
So nothing that the far group is saying can be overheard...
The racoon is gone...
The older Ulfen ranger calls back: "I've never seen a Garundi man, no.
When can you show us one?"
And he laughs, his group chuckling with him.
Being from Garund, Elsha has no idea of what this race is about.
Lirall's cousin starts driving nails into Granitt's boots-- "OUCH!
if you do that, have the pointed part sticking OUT!"
Lirall's cousin is sorry...
Granitt, despite his hurt toe, does spot the symbol around the cleric's neck, it is that of a sword stuck into a mountain-- meaning Gorum.
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Granitt turns back to his group, "Hmmm, that first group, must be expecting trouble, they bring Gorum's blessings with them, the God of Battle. You know, we ... I mean I, as a follower of Torag have some similarities, for it is in the great forges we create the weapons used in battle." He frowns, his red hair almost catching into his bushy red eyebrows. "They are expecting to use their weapons, of that there is no doubt, let's hope it's not in a battle with us."
You imagine they are speaking Ulfen... and you know that Gorum is one of the most revered Gods, locally.
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As Granitt looks at the group on the other side of the sleigh, he sees them glowering at him.
You feel they are afraid and wary of you, and do not trust you. It does not seem they are spoiling for a fight.
Seeing you stare at them, the older man calls out: "ᚹᚺᚨᛏ ᛁᛋ ᚤᛟᚢᚱ ᚾᚨᛗᛖ?"
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....in this pre-race commotion Irth is overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people gathered, he was too accustomed with the the solitary life of the swamp.
".. that Fairgrim woman? sure I'll greet her! she must be a fun woman,as this is supposed to be a fun race!" ---responding Granitt
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his naivety takes him in front of the Ulfen woman, his hand taking a hand shake position
"Hello! I'm Irth and those are my friends and team!"
"... you sure looks like experienced here, do you have any tips for us --- this our first race! first snow trekking even!"
he speaks in a cheery-happy tone, the gleefulness of Irth are genuine as he don't really deal with much people before.
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The older Ulfen ranger calls back: "I've never seen a Garundi man, no. When can you show us one?"
And he laughs, his group chuckling with him.
Elsha gives the old man a funny look, and continuing his confusing looks at Granitt to see if he gets it.
He then holds up his hands in front of him.
I didn't believe I'd used an invisibility extract or mutagen...
Does the society check not apply or is that what was behind your GM screen?
Being from Garund, Elsha has no idea of what this race is about.
When no one reacts to the Skald, the older ranger gives a knowing nod of the head to his three companions, who all shake their heads and sigh.
As Irth goes up to the Ulfen woman-- one of the squires, a female Halfling, plants herself in front of Irth.
She is holding a notebook and a quill, with an ink-well tied to her belt.
"What is your name, sir, for the record?"
Just then, the female human from their team comes up, holding a roll of scrolls and an inkpen.
She starts scribbling things down, looking from Irth to the female halfling.
The second squire looks around, standing beside Faergim Axebinder. This squire is a sturdy male warrior.