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The simple common sense of it finally occurs to Elsha. He whispers to Granitt and Hopper.
I think they are simply amused with "foreigners." Earning their respect will be an uphill battle, but I fear essential none-the-less.
"Agreed, among goblins one would have to do an amazing prank or show up their brutality. I am not sure what would Ulfen respect."
As the final preparations are made, The Mad Hopper observes this group of three Ulfen rangers and their cleric companion.
You feel that there is a lot at stake for them here-- what, you do not know, but they are hoping for something in this race.
You catch their names: Ostog Oakfeller, the powerfully built man in his early fifties.
You see there is also his adult son Hjeldr and Ostog’s adopted daughter Signe.
They come a long line of Ulfen sharpshooters and are proud to list their family’s various achievements over and over!
All this you gather as they speak with Faergimn Axebinders' two bards.
The cleric, Gruen Storval, openly boasts that his family is known for having a large number of its members “blessed” with lycanthropy - specifically that a werebear exists in his family tree -, but states that he was not so fortunate.
As they want the bards to write down, the members of Without Trace or Fail - the name of their team - have trained relentlessly for the race ahead, adopting a strict diet of mostly foraged hard grasses and berries, dried fish, and a lightly fermented mead-- and are quick to talk about the benefits of it for their stamina and mental fortitude.
It is quite obvious they are unfriendly toward you, fearing that the storied tradition of the race is threatened by the presence of outsiders.
They say to the bards that your participation is a sign that the noble days of the Balgirdtrek are gone and fear that it may become nothing more than a curiosity to entice visitors.
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Granitt seeng Irth's way barred comes up behind him, "Humf, humf.." he coughs. "Now look here friends, my little friend here" "is only seeking the good woman's advice and to understand the meaning of the rules of the race." he says gruffly. Then continuing "Given her support here, I expect she has great knowledge of the Balgirdtrek. It's only fair to share that knowledge with honest competition." His eyes gleam from under the red bushy eyebrows, his beard twitches in the cold and his feet stomp on the ground from one foot to the other.
"Specially as against this cold, we might need to support each other." He stares at the woman and her entourage. "You never know when you might have to call on 'The Gorget's Gang' for help."
"The rules? There are no rules in war or... love!", says Thosse, the female halfling scribe, as she checks Irth out.
Sassa Ringbreaker sighs, and rolls back her scroll, finding some notes, and then performs some beautiful oratory speech:
"What are the rules of the Balgirdtrek, you ask?
You must complete the course within four days.
If you’re any later than that, the officials will send out parties to retrieve you and you’ll be officially disqualified.
Please do your best to avoid getting lost out there.
Don’t do anything to injure your competitors, though this should of course go without saying.
Don’t try to bypass any of the checkpoints, they are there not only for the trials, but to make sure that you and your team are well enough to continue on.
You’re welcome to advance as far as you can in a day, but the officials don’t want anyone traveling after dark.
If you find yourself at a checkpoint near sunset, they may ask you to stay. I’d heed their advice.
It’s easy enough for some of the more dangerous things that stalk the tundra to slip by the rangers patrolling the trails under the cover of darkness.”
The wrinkled champion raises her hand, and all stare at Faergim Axebinder: "The rules? MAY THE BEST ONE WIN!"
These profound words of wisdom have everyone CHEERING!
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HPs 23/23
Focus Points 0 used of 1
Hero Points 1
Wounds 0
Trial Rules
You must complete the course within four days.
If you’re any later than that, the officials will send out parties to retrieve you and you’ll be officially disqualified.
Please do your best to avoid getting lost out there.
Don’t do anything to injure your competitors, though this should of course go without saying.
Don’t try to bypass any of the checkpoints, they are there not only for the trials, but to make sure that you and your team are well enough to continue on.
You’re welcome to advance as far as you can in a day, but the officials don’t want anyone traveling after dark.
If you find yourself at a checkpoint near sunset, they may ask you to stay. I’d heed their advice.
It’s easy enough for some of the more dangerous things that stalk the tundra to slip by the rangers patrolling the trails under the cover of darkness.
With a grunt of acknowledgement, the dwarf clambers back into his place on the sled, his fur booted feet slicking into the air as he tumbles into place, with a resounding thud. "ooof, must be a better way to get in!" Granitt smoothes his red hair, scraping it out of his line of sight and with a puzzled look asks "Who's got the map and the checkpoints?"
The second sleigh, the one you are in, takes off after the first one.
You move out of town, in your bright, open-topped sleighs, moving down the street, adorned with ribbons and cedar boughs.
And you head off, all three teams in the sleigh, towards the race's starting area.
Looking at the two other teams in the sleigh with you--
--you soon arrive at the starting area cleared for the Balgirdtrek in Kalsgard.
It is bustling with activity.
Merchants and traders hoping to support the race have set up stalls and carts to sell supplies and equipment to the teams.
Arriving in the sleighs, you and the other competitors are greeted by cheers and applause as the sleds pull up to the starting area.
As each team disembarks from the sleigh, they are introduced to the crowd by the drivers of the sleighs.
From the first sleigh exit--
"Fangs of the Remorhaz!"
The Varki team chosen by Nankou to compete.
The team consists of twin hunters, male and female humans, an agender human, and a big half-orc.
"Bluetongue’s Brawlers!"
This team is made up of four burly Ulfen, two male and two female human warrior types.
And "Two Houses!"
This team is made up of two Ulfen couples, male & female and two males. Humans all.
You understand by the specific cheering that the two couples undertake the Balgirdtrek each year as a joint anniversary celebration.
This is their fifth year competing, and the team spends most of its time talking each other up while reliving their triumphs on the course from years previous.
Then the teams jump out of your sleigh.
First the ones who glared at you--
"Without Trace or Fail!
Then Faergim--
"Wyrding Wayfinders!"
Now it is your turn.
Your driver looks at you: "What's your team's name again?"
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During the trip to the starting point, Hopper lowers his voice and shares
"I heard a conversation between three Ulfen woodmen and the cleric. The big and ugly man, that hopes of a career of a Joker is called Ostog Oakfeller. He has a son Hfeldr and adopted daughter Signe"
Hopper looks to the sides making sure that no one overhears their conversation.
"There are eavesdroppers everywhere here what a plague. I don't know why in brief conversation they mentioned that Signe is adopted but they did. That whole group acts like there would be a lot at stake for them here. They hope for something to happen. But I don't know what, they have spoken quietly that it was really hard to listen to them."
He pauses for a moment and takes a sip of water
"They were bragging about their family achievements. Apparently they come from a line of Ulfen sharpshooters. "
"The cleric who is named Gruen Storval was saying that in his family they had numerous cases of lycanthropy. He was proud of that and he mentioned a number of werebears to be present in their family tree. However, he shared that he was not blessed by that gift."
Huh! There was a lot of it. He asked bards to write in the chronicles that their team - 'Without Trace we Fail' or maybe was it 'Without Fail we Trace'? Something along those lines, but their team have trained relentlessly for this race. They have followed strict diet of foraged green weeds, berries, old fishes and a lightly fermented mead. Not that good hunters if you ask me, or pour ones. But I would forget about warm meals during the race. The cleric was telling over and over again how good it was for their mental health and stamina. I must tell you if their stamina is the same as their mental health we have nothing to fear from them. They fear that we will lower the quality of the race and make it a tourist thing to do. They see the race as part of their tradition that is important to them. I think it is similar to the world-famous catching the fish. Where goblins take a big fish and flush it down the hill with big amounts of water, participants run down the hill in the attempt to catch it. However we are allowed to fight among each other, a couple of times contenders were so interested in brawling that they fish was picked by some peasants going home after working the field. Ahh beautiful tradition...
Hopper keeps on talking, for some odd reason interested in that topic.
When announced Hopper steps out of the sleigh waiving to the people.
"THE GORGET GANG!"
The people CHEER!
As you disembark amidst all this bustle, you are given a race pack containing:
• three minor healing potions
• a single climbing kit
• vouchers for lodging in Frostgarten
• flint and steel
• a signal whistle
• and a list of supplies they should procure before the race begins
You see that the race will start in a bit, so you have three hours of downtime to gather supplies, secure services, and interact with the other teams before you must report to the starting line for the beginning of the race.
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The dwarf listens to Hopper's monologue, pulling on his red beard as he does so, as he tries to remember what was said at the beginning, "Hmm .. what was that about the fish, do we have to find some fish on the trial? Nah, you know about it all Mad, just tell me when it's important." The dwarf shakes his head, as he tries to remove the space taken up by that information, so he can use for more important stuff, like ... Vouchers for Frosthaven, that means inns, tha means ale ... we should get those vouchers.
He stomps his feet on the ground, "Well Gorget's Gang, time to see what craftsmanship is like in these parts? Is there anything I should keep a lookout for?" he asks the rest of the gang.
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Elsha takes the opportunity to mill about the crowd, particularly the other race teams, and gather information on likely hazards on the trek.
So... what is it you most worry about when you're trying to maintain progress in this race?
He starts with the teams that didn't ride in their sleigh to avoid any negative pre-disposition.
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Hopper will gladly spend Venture-Captain money on the items needed. He is glad to be taking Aergia to help him carry the gear.
But he will talk to the Varki team, thinking that as second outsiders they might show some sympathy. Hopper would not approach big Half-Orc but rather the human couple.
"Hi there, my name is Hopper and we are team The Gorget Gang. How do you feel before the race?" Alchemist asks casually, trying to lower a bit his voice tone and minimize the number of nervous ticks.
The pack is for your team. To share.
Elsha mills about the crowd, and ends up with the Bluetongue’s Brawlers.
He spend some time listening to how they are going to start dressed this year, since last time the Brawlers competed the first day of the race in the nude, and afterward all members were treated for frostbite.
When Elsha manages to ask what they most worry about--
"The moon!
A former team of lycanthropes that almost won the Balgirdtrek many years ago, miscalculated the phases of the moon and had to be rescued after stumbling through the forest in the middle of the night without any torches.
So, check the moon!"
Then they show Elsha a series of stretches he should do in the morning to loosen up after a night in the cold.
Meanwhile, Hopper is with the Remhoraz.
He talks with Marbin Slickhide and Ylva Tunnelwalker, the twins.
"We feel great!"
And they go on to explain how they have been scouting, and are aware of the hills outside and such-- and so Hopper learns some of the notable features and terrain of the first leg of the race.
Then Marbin and Ylva check Hopper over to make sure his gear and clothes are fastened properly.
He feels shaken around by these strong hands...
You both pick up what you wanted from merchants.
As does Stabby.
Stabby does not learn much more from people around, other than them going over the rules, and also giving him some indication as to the terrain outside the city--
--but he does learn a cool ballad:
"“The heads of the tarn linnorm are their own creatures.
If one is stubborn, the beast becomes indecisive and will likely die.
Those tarns that survive are those that work together.”
Part Balgird Bluetongue's ballad...
As Irth tries to slip away, some race officials point him out:
"No cheating, Gorget!
The race starts in two hours, no racing ahead..."
Ostog Oakfeller, the powerfully built man in his early fifties from Without Trace or Fail starts talking to all about how foreigners cannot be trusted to abide by ancestral rules.
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Elsha cocks one eyebrow in disbelief, failing to hide that he's not really buying it.
The moon you say...I'll make sure to watch out for that. Also I'll go get checked out for lycanthrope.
He gets excited again when it's time to do stretches.
Okay! Now this I can use. I'm not so wiry and springy as the goblins on our team! How many times a day do you do these?
Once completed he returns to the group to report on the stretches, attempting to lead a session. He insists that Granitt would benefit the most from them.
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Hopper takes notes in goblin regarding the terrain and the Varki team.
When he can't catch up with writing he scribbles notes and makes drawings. After being shaken and squeezed he thanks the team for their help and comes back to his allies
"I talked with team Varki, very pleasant people which was a nice surprise from the others. They said a few things that we can use at the beginning of the race. "
Hopper looks at his papers and reads
"When approaching sheep hill, go left-left and not right. Sheep hill? Wait a moment." Hopper moves towards the light and says:
"Steep hill! Not a sheep hill. Left-left means further left to go around the hill. Bare with me, they squeezed me so hard that I was not able to write." Hopper refers to others what he learned.
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Elsha smiles at the goblin's findings. Ah! You got some specific directions! Very good. Except...are you certain you could trust them and they weren't trying to lead us astray? It seems many folk here aren't fully welcoming of us, and some may just be more clever about it.
So much to worry about here...
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Elsha remembers when the coins were given to you--
--the Venture-captain had stood and places a sealed a small purse on the table.
Elsha saw how small it was, indeed, and hoped it would be filled with platinum.
"The purse contains a few coins to help you purchase some gear."
A few does not sound good-- Elsha thought.
"Once the race is over, you’ll also be compensated by the Society for your efforts. Expect a hefty bonus if you actually manage to win."
Well, there indeed were only a few coins, and all silver. Except for a couple coppers.
And it seems to be a magical purse, only giving exactly the amount of coins you need to purchase the basic items you need for the race!
And not a copper more...
Pathfinder Society accountants have strong Abadar-items.
If any wish to talk to people who have not done so yet.
Or if those who have done so wish to talk to more--
--say so.
Also, you have, between what was given in the kit, and what some purchase from the items noted on the list:
• three minor healing potions
• a single climbing kit
• vouchers for lodging in Frostgarten
• flint and steel
• a signal whistle
• healer’s kit
• 100 feet of rope
If any wish to buy more things you still have time...
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"Stabby, Granitt why don't you take the healing potions? The rest of the equipment we can put on a mount."
Hopper shares his insights and attempts to approach the team Two Houses!
"My name is Hopper, we came here to document the race and I heard that your team participates in this race for the fight time! Is it true? I find it impressive." Hopper tries to soften them with smoot words
You know that mounts are not allowed-- as mounts.
But you can bring them along with you to carry equipment.
Hopper goes over to see Two Houses, the team that is made up of two Ulfen couples.
Steen and his wife Unn.
And Leif and his husband Oluf.
You confirm that the two couples undertake the Balgirdtrek each year as a joint anniversary celebration and this is their fifth year competing.
They all recommend Hopper take time to enjoy the scenery.
"This year we better tell people when we finish!"
Last year the two couples crossed the finish line in the early hours of the third day, when four is the norm, slept at a local inn, had breakfast later that morning, and walked back to the finish line before notifying officials that they had crossed!
Leif laughs and says that that is something his ancestor Hlavard would have done!
Lief and Oluf ask Hopper "if you have something to keep a man going all night?!"
Vendors are all over-- anyone purchase anything else?
The teams are preparing-- anyone wish to talk to any?
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The dwarf goes into town and finds himself with Gruen Storval, "I here tell that there are Ulfen that can change into wolves and bears, its some sort of curse of the night. You know nothing of this do you?"
During the conversation he adds, "With all the strengths they have, surely there can be no weaknesses they need worry about?"
Gruen looks at Granitt - who is not the most charismatic of people - and raises his nose:
"Lycanthropy is not a curse, it is a blessing..."
Then he strides away...
Meanwhile, Faergim of the Wayfinders smiles at Elsha.
"Every morning my bards prepare the papers to record my deeds of the coming day!
All the hazards concern me, because I will pass them and make them weep...
And I am always prepared, here, look--"
--and she holds a hand out for your logbook, getting a pen from her bard, so she can sign it.
"I suggest you wax your skis regularly to improve their speed along the course."
Stabby slips a potion into his pouch or belt or such--
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Elsha offers his logbook with a warm smile. Inside however, he's thinking Hmm, not very concrete. Self glorification.
Then she mentions a tip about the skis, and he nods in appreciation.
Now that is good to know. Wait... we have to know how to use skis?!
Oh brother...
He returns to the group. Does anybody have skis? More importantly is anybody good at using them? I don't want to spend all day, every day planting my face in the snow.
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"Let's get some skees and we'll learn on the job." Granitt says in deep tones of disappointment after his encounter with Gruen Stoval. Under his breath he continues to grumble, "Damn man, just goes on about it being a blessing... really could have told me more. Really don't like him much, but he's not done anything against me or my friends...I mean a blackeye, no don't let that thought gain ground...bah humbug!! "
Looking around to see what skis are like-- you see that Faergim is pretty much the only carrying those crazy contraptions.
Time moves on, and you can speak to anybody left that you wish to--
--or make final purchases from the list of equipment you were recommended to purchase, of which you have a list.
Soon it will be time to depart!
As Hopper is running around with goods in his arms, piled higher than he can see, the horn for the start of the race is sounded!
The teams are asked to gather at the starting line: a thick-braided rope with wooden handholds at either end carved in the shape of a linnorm head.
The officials wait until the previous year’s winner signals that all teams are ready--
Faergim Axebinder raises her hands, and starts reciting:
"There was a woman named Ulf, daughter of Bjalf, and Hallbera, daughter of Ulf the fearless; sister of Hallbjorn Half-giant in Hrafnista, and he the father of Kettle Hæing, but cousin of Leif of the Three-Fingers, not to be confused with Leif with Fingers Numbered Three, who was also the cousin Kari of Berdla, a man of renown for strength and daring, but not the uncle of Olaf from Berdla. Kveldulf gave him a long-ship, and Kari of Berdla's sons, Eyvind and Aulvir.
Kveldulf and his wife had two sons, the elder was named Thorolf, the younger Grim.
Three children had Kari, one son named Eyvind Lambi, another Aulvir Hnuf, and a daughter Faergim, who was a most beautiful woman of a noble spirit and brilliant intellect and great muscles and harmonious shape and magnificent modesty and--"
Someone tosses a snowball.
"Get on with the race, will 'ya'!"
Faergrim looks around: "Thank you, faithful fan!
Yes, I will not spoil my story, that you can buy in every good Saga Store."
She looks around to see if all are ready?
Are you?--
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Granitt rushes back to the start, in his arm a pair of skees and "Sorry I'm a bit late, the gods pictures and words seemed to have lost my last prayer. So I got these, if nothing else we can pull someone along on these skee things with their long pointy sticks. I think " He unceremoniously dumps himself and the goods into the sled.
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Faergim barely waits for any to answer-- before dropping the beautiful thick rope with the finely crafted wooden handholds in the form of linnorm heads.
And without waiting, or moving back the few feet towards where all the other are-- she starts running like mad, before the rope hits the ground, gaining a few seconds on all the others!
People laugh and boo--
--and you manage to see her two bards writing down: Mistress Faergim so beautifully signalled the departure, before letting all run out before she slowly started the race...
Anyhow--
--
You will start marching out toward the west-by-northwest direction, to cover the few hundred miles.
Today is foggy, so it makes things a bit more difficult, since you cannot see that far, and sometimes end up having to move back to avoid a cliff you did not see and such.
But, at least, the fog dampens the cold.
Because, yes, it is cold.
And any who did not have warm furs, are happy Hopper purchased some extras for everybody.
Well, happy, I am not sure-- because they are all Goblin sized, so might be a bit tight!
You walk and you trek and you are tired and it is hard-- but you move along!
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Grateful that the ground is solid, despite the cold, Granitt grumbles on "See you get all togged up, ready for beautiful scenic vistas and the clouds descend. Typical can't even enjoy the trip.....Loosen this hood, not as cold as I thought...why can't thing be as they should be.... " between each breath, a mist appears in front of his red hair. "Look at this ... gonna have to rebraid in the morning ... damp and soggy ... hate damp and soggy beards. ..." Drips of water form at the tips of his beard as he marches on .... One..two..one..two.. he counts between the grumbles. With his little sturdy legs having to work twice as hard to try and keep up with the others. "Should have made all legs equal ... never been right had to step more ... c'mon legs..."
Hopper decides it might be better to let Aergia lead the way the next day--
--while Granitt just plows through the snow, opening ways for all!
The grumpy dwarf just walks steadily non-stop.