GM Doug's A Frosty Mug [Outpost IV] (Inactive)

Game Master Doug Hahn

Will you raise a frosty mug with new friends, or find yourself in the icy grasp of powerful enemies?

Probably both.

We begin!

The port city of Iceferry sits on the bank of the icy-cold Rimeflow River in the far North of Avistan, a region known as the Land of the Linnorn Kings. You’ve been visiting the Pathfinder Society’s regional base of operations, the Iceferry Lodge, on your own business. Here, Venture-Captain Bjersig Torrsen has assembled one of the finest libraries in the Saga Lands — the lodge is a haven not only for traveling hunters and adventurers, but for scholars too.

Amid the racks of snowshoes, the stacks of books, and the barking of sled dogs Venture-Captain Bjersig Torrsen has requested capable volunteers for a special mission into the enigmatic country of Irrisen —the Land of Eternal Winter!

You’ve stepped up to the challenge. Lirall, Bierseg’s scribe and interpreter, has gathered you bright and early for the mission briefing.

Now is the time for character intros! The above is just a prompt. I like to set aside a maximum of 24 hours for RP/intros before moving on to the mission briefing and knowledge checks. You can buy whatever you need in town after the briefing, so don’t worry about that right now. Let's just get to know one another before meeting the VC.

A gnome, heavily bundled in furs sits in the lodge sipping a steaming liquid from a stein. The only thing poking out from his coverings is his face, bright blue eyes, rosy cheeks, a wide nose and a thick mustache.

"All it is is a little bit of warmed beer mixed with some egg yolks and a few basic spices, some nutmeg, clove and a little ginger, topped off with a dab of fresh butter. Smooth creamy and warming all over. Plust with all the eggs, it might as well be breakfast! It's a really popular drink during the cold months. Given that all the months here are cold, just think how popular it could be. I bet if someone started selling it here, they'd make a fortune."

The gnome takes a sip, a bit of foam remains on the bottom of his mustache.

As the others arrive he perks up.

"Oh hey there! I guess your here for the big meeting too. You can call me Rex. I was just sitting here discussing some of our favorite drinks. I hope you don't mind if I don't get up. I'm rather comfortable here."

Quinoline opens the door to the Lodge; one might be forgiven for assuming she was an elf at first, her being clad in some brand new elven boots and cloak. For better or for worse, when she removes her hat, her rounded ears betray her human heritage.

"That looks good, Rex."

Quinoline received my GM credit from 1-10, Tarnbreaker's Trail; she would have retcon-adventured with Rex.

"At the very least, it looks better than what I've got."

Quinoline draws out five bottles of expired basilisk's blood to show Rex. Well past the point of being useful for anything, they seem to be a source of amusement for Quinoline as she watches them ferment since her last mission.

As alchemists do in lab, Quinoline reaches over and offers Rex an elbow bump.

She orders a hot coffee, sipping it gently as it steams up her glasses.

"I think the Society owes us a nice, easy mission on some tropical island."

If we’re going to the north, then Feiya would buy some winter clothes for 4 sp, let’s be honest.

”You say that like that’s how it works.”

Overhearing the banter, a human woman with pure white hair in a fur coat approaches the two alchemists. One hand cradles a white, nine-tailed fox like a child while the other gently scratches the animal with a set of elongated, rune-etched fingernails.

”The Society sends people where they are needed, not necessarily where it’s relaxing; do you think I wanted to be freezing myself up here? Isn’t that right, Daji?”

She scratches underneath the fox’s chin as the animal snuggles next to her for warmth.

With his green skin, pale because of the cold, the small goblin enters wearing the same clothes he had when he participated to a race in the region with others pathfinders. His team won of course. They should come back the next year. Let's see if there will be a new edition of this race.

He sets down his backpack, conserving his bandoliers with different flasks on them. A light mace which seems not to have been used ever is hanging at his belt.

May I get a cup of hot water with a drop of milk please?

Then looking at the others: Greeting, my name's Ukh. I think the weather is warmer than I remember from the last time I came here. Perhaps I'm more or less used to it now.

Wearing a scale mail with a longsword along his leg and bearing the religious symbol of Iomedae on his chest the human taldan comes in at this turn. His black hair is only bleached by the frost from outside. But his black eyes can't be altered at all. He has also his own winter clothes on.

Hi Ukh, hi everybody. May the power of the goddess warm our bones so much as our hearts.

Quinoline elbow-bumps Ukh and greets him in Goblin.

Quinoline scoffs a little when she sees the symbol of Iomedae.

No, the goddess doesn't need any proselytism. People recognize by themself her magnificent. I will show you that you should be more confident with her.

Lirall, her gnomish instincts pushing her to always try something new, tries a sip of Rex’s butter beer and grins.

”There’s another Pathfinder who’s volunteered, one Astrid Gertasdottir. She must be caught in a blizzard… we’ll get started anyway, though!”

Everyone but Astrid has introduced themselves; that player is experiencing spotty internet and might not be able to post for a couple of days; we can move on to the briefing anyway as you may have questions and purchases to make before moving out.

Without further ado, she ushers you into an overstuffed room, chock full of scrolls, books, and dog fur.

Already present are Bjersig, his service dog Mahki, and a goblin dressed in cold-weather furs. Art on slide 1. The goblin stands as far away from the husky as possible, scowling. The dog, in turn, studiously ignores her.

Mahki nudges Bjersig to signal that you have arrived. Bjersig, as you know in-character (and possibly out), is deaf. While he reads lips, Lirall can also serve as an interpreter if your mouth is covered or you are looking away.

The venture-captain invites you to sit with a gesture. “Thank you all for coming.” He glances at the goblin with a distinct sense of exasperation. ”Ogthup, stop making faces at my dog.”

The goblin grins at Bjersig, showing her sharp teeth. She sticks her tongue out at Makhi the moment the venture-captain turns his attention to you. “Right. Let’s make this brief before there’s a murder here in the Iceferry lodge.”

“You know of Irrisen, I trust? Land of Eternal Winter? A closed country, with very little passage, in or out. The Society’s been looking for more information on Irrisen for years, but we’ve never been able to get any agents inside the country... until now. You see, Ogthup has —”

“FROSTFUR GOBLINS ARE BEST GOBLINS!”

Ogthup interjects, taking a break from making faces at Mahki to beam proudly. She directs a grin at Ukh in as well.

Bjersig appears to be less enthusiastic. “ …Indeed. As I was saying, Ogthup here has found what looks to be a pass in the mountains east of here. She hasn’t explored it much yet, but it does seem to go straight through the mountains and come out in Irrisen. Which is where you come in.

“I need you to accompany Ogthup, explore the pass, and find out what is the situation on the other side. Calisro Benarry, the head of the Horizon Hunters, wants all the maps you can give her. Think you can do it?”

Othgup nods enthusiastically. “You draw maps! Ogthup sneak, Ogthup scout! Frostfurs the best at this! Then, we will learn everything!”

" … Indeed. One last thing though,” Bjersig signs, leaning forward for emphasis. “We’re here to explore, so don’t cause any international incidents—we want to make friends, not enemies. Don’t get killed either.”

❄ ❄ ❄

Quinoline and Ukh know that through unspeakably powerful magic, Irrisen is locked in eternal winter. It ranges from a killing frost to festive and fluffy snow… but summer never touches Irrisen. It is not called “the land of eternal winter” for nothing.

❄ ❄ ❄

Bjersig gestures again. Any questions?

"What do you think would try to kill us out there, besides the cold."

The goblin isn't quite happy with the mission. Better said to the composition of the team.

Do we need to bring this fur ball with us? We could act without him for sure. He is pretentious.

But in the end he says simply: No question.

And he prepares his winter clothes to be ready.

The cleric tries to answer to Rex: There should be some wolves or some bears in the country. I remember even to have met a special one during a race here.

Quinoline reflexively cringes as Astrid's name is mentioned - Astrid has a habit of punching Quinoline on the arm too hard.

"Speaking of getting attacked," Quinoline says as she subconsciously rubs her shoulder, "What are our options if we are attacked? Are we to avoid conflict at any cost?"

Quinoline will alter her preparations in anticipation of the land of eternal winter - she'll make two batches of alchemist's fire and zero batches of frost vials, rather than one of each.

”Well, there are the white witches. But they are higher-ups, so we’ll hopefully not have a run-in with one.” Recall Knowledge about the white witches with Witch Cult Lore?

”So we’re just escorting this one and mapping the place out? Sounds easy enough.”

Oh whoops! One more secret check! And Witch cult Lore is totally acceptable as a substitute! (Thanks — awkward page break in the scenario & distractions this morning). Nothing wrong with trotting it out to give Astrid some more time, anyway.

Feiya knows of the White Witches. She and Rextangalin know that Irrisen was carved out of the Linnorm Kingdoms eons ago by the witch Baba Yaga and is still ruled by her descendants, the winter witches. Drawn from the Jadwiga peoples, winter witches are formidable masters of the magic of ice and snow and mirror.

The venture-captain nods at Dranald. ”Indeed. There is lots of wildlife and of course the cold —

”HA! If you as hardy as a Frostfur, nothing to worry about!” interjects Ogthup. She beams with Frostfur pride.

”Yes — I’d strongly recommend warm clothing! Or magic to protect you from the cold if you have it. Beyond that, there is wildlife to worry about, and who knows what else up there? The winter witches are known for their cunning magic!”

He turns to Quinoline. ”If you are in danger or being attacked, you should do whatever you need to protect yourself. I don't want you putting yourself in harm's way, either. Just remember that this is a clandestine operation into unknown and potentially hostile territory; it might behoove you to view combat as the last resort rather than the first. We would like you to do your job without drawing attention to yourself or creating any… international incidents.“

"I also have a special item to lend you for this mission. But I'd like to wait for Astrid to arrive first. In the meantime" — he stands and stretches — I think I'll have some hot cocoa, or some of that butter-beer I've been hearing about, and entertain any other questions that you have!

"I also have partially-fermented, completely-expired basilisk blood," Quinoline offers.

Quinoline will buy some winter clothing.

Rex will make sure to have some winter clothing with him. Then, wishing to be prepared, he brews an array of elixirs before they leave.

Moderate Alchemist's Fire x3, Moderate Blight Bomb x3, Moderate Bottled Lightning x3, Moderate Dread Ampoule x3, Lesser Elixir of Life x4, Moderate Mistform Elixir x2, Remaining Reagents: 3.

The cleric closed his winter clothes once they will be ready to leave.

"I also have partially-fermented, completely-expired basilisk blood," Quinoline offers.

"Frostfurs love expired things! Adds flavor! Blood is a good drink, too!" Ogthup drinks it raw and cold if offered, and pretends to like it!

Fort: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

YUM!

The door bursts open and in strides a tall, muscular Ulfen woman in heavy armor. Her eyes are bloodshot and there is a bit of an unsteady stagger in her walk.

"I'm here. I'm here.", she says just a bit too loudly.

"Sorry I'm late, I was...performing some... public relations work for the society by letting the locals buy me drinks last night and it went on longer than I intended."

She locates a chair and sits down heavily.

"Very friendly people here. They say they can't let a champion of the Balgirdtrek pay for her drinks and, well, it would have been rude to turn down the offers, right? Ha! I bet that'll show Sigrid!"

She looks around the room and noticing Quinoline for the first time gets up to greet her by punching her on the arm, losing her balance a bit as she does so.

"Hey Quin! I almost didn't recognize you without a black eye. You should have come barhopping with me last night. It was fun."

She leans in unsteadily and whispers in Quinoline's ear loud enough for the entire room to hear.

"Actually I think I'm still a little drunk."

Finally she sprawls back into her chair.

Bjersig chuckles. At least she won't feel the cold… for now.

They do love the Balgirdtrek in Kalsgard, don't they?

As I was saying, you're to scout the pass into Irrisen that our Frostfur friend here has discovered. I have an antique pair of snowshoes here that I'd like to lend you — they were used in the Balgirdtrek a few generations ago… but that's another story. Maybe I'll tell you when you get back, over a cup of this lovely butterbeer.

Bjersig turns to a pair of snowshoes displayed on the wall; their pale ashwood frames and reindeer hide netting (dyed bright crystal blue and ivory, and stitched in an intricate cross-hatch of snowflakes at toe and heel) look good as new. Better than new, in fact — this is a magical item!

This is a pair of Snowshoes of the Long Trek and your venture-captain will explain their use.

One PC may borrow them for the journey. Let me know who gets 'em.

Welcome, I think we have a present for you!

The goblin has amused to see so many champions of the Balgirdtrek around. It is like it was a congress of champions of the Balgirdtrek with Petits four and canapes.

I think the object can be let to Astrid.

Hello, yes I also vote that our newcomer takes the shoes. She has to move more than the others. In case we can think about like this.

"Yes, let the Ulfen get the shoes; maybe she'll be able to arrive when needed if she's wearing them."

Feiya and Daji both chuckle at the joke.

*OW*

"Let's give Astrid the snowshoes. If she wears them indoors, they may also help her balance."

"I've already got comfortable shoes," declares Rex, sticking his foot out from under the furs to show off a black leather boot with gold trim, especially fit for a gnome.

In addition to the winter clothing, is it possible to get the formula for Winter Wolf Elixir? If it is, I'll prepare a batch of those as well.

Kalsgard, of which Iceferry is a district, has a population of 72,000. And its very cold. Seems reasonable that you could find a common level 4 item formula here.

Quinoline has the formula for winter wolf elixir. Not sure what the rules are about copying formulas (there was a huge debate about it in the PFS forum) but she could just make 'em or let Rex copy yhe formula. Extra infused reagents are probably worth 4 sp (the cost of winter clothing), though.

We can move on; you can write in any last-minute purchases and I will allow formula trading on the journey, etc.

Now that you’re ready, Bjersig dispatches dog sled teams to take you from Kalsgard to the pass. The journey takes about a week and is largely uneventful… aside from Ogthup constantly scowling at the dogs. Region Map on Slide 1, with the journey outlined.

Ogthup is present for much of the adventure; her stats are on Slide 2. You can command her like a minion in combat, and I’d recommend just taking the initiative and doing so whenever you have a third action to spare. She might be a good flanking buddy for Astrid.

You arrive at the pass and continue on foot. Here, things change. The mountains are not exceptionally tall, but Irrisen’s eternal winter spills out over them, leaving them covered in thick layers of snow and ice. Avalanches are a constant threat, and it’s nearly impossible to tell whether the snow underfoot is solid or if it will break and send you plummeting into a deep crevasse. It’s tough going here — difficult terrain or worse — only Astrid in her snowshoes and the Frostfur goblin have no problems. At least you’re all protected against the cold. I don't need to start doing hourly cold damage.

It would be very difficult to survive out here — it takes a scout of Ogthup’s skill and local expertise to survive the pass. However, you can help too! In fact, you can try to save valuable time by helping your Frostfur friend! This isn't the Balgirdtrek, but time is still of the essence: the sooner you're in and out the better.

❄ ❄ ❄

Trekking with Ogthup

Each of you can speed up the journey by helping Ogthup. Only one PC can attempt each check below, though others can Aid. (In other words, one PC must be the “primary roller” and the other can try to assist. You cannot do more than one task as this represents your efforts for the day.) Choose wisely:

- Survival/Scouting Lore to help Scout
- Nature to keep an eye on the environment
- Athletics to push through the snow

You may peek at the spoilers below after making your roll, in order to decide if you want to use a hero point. Note that this exercise has critical failure and critical success conditions, so keep that in mind when deciding to use Hero Points!

Well, snow, cold: why the goblin was sent in this mission. He likes the charm of a manor with the fire in the fireplace. Oh well, courage and continue.

The goblin tries to aid the one who will push through the snow.

Athletics, aid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

The cleric remains confident in these poor conditions. He uses his knowledge to go quicker to spare time for the ones who are less used in such an environment.

We should pass this way. It will be easier!

Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Feiya and Daji continue onward despite the frigid conditions (though the former is certainly not in her most comfortable of states).

Survival w/Aid: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 1 = 14

NOPE!

Reroll: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 1 = 32

Oh thank goodness!

Quinoline will Aid Dranald.

Aid Survival: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Feiya and Daji continue onward despite the frigid conditions (though the former is certainly not in her most comfortable of states).

[dice=Survival w/Aid]1d20+11+1

NOPE!

[DICE=Reroll]1d20+11+1

Oh thank goodness!

Only one of you can lead on each type of check; meaning, Dranald led on Survival already so it's locked out from others leading on it. Feiya is trained with +10 in Nature (same as survival), so perhaps she would have done that instead. You may even save that roll if you want, meaning a crit success in Nature with a spent hero point.

Huddled beneath warm clothing, Rex looks around at the group from and then to his assistant, Smee.

"Well Smee, I think our work here is done."

With a 5% chance to succeed and a 55% chance to critically fail, I don't think I should try to aid Athletics.

Let's go with the above for the sake of simplicity — switch Feiya to nature as she is already one of the best remaining options for that.

Dranald leverages his experience to scout so well he shows Ogthup a new trick or two!

Feiya, seeing that Dranald has done so well on Scouting, consults with Daji to keep an eye out for avalanches — spotting safer ways through!

Ogthup is thoroughly impressed. You want to be honorary Frostfurs?

While you've cunningly made your way through the pass so far, there is still the issue of pushing through those snowdrifts, something that requires a little brute force more than anything else…

❄ ❄ ❄

Trekkin' with Ogthup

Astrid: Athletics check available
--
Dranald: Crit success on Scouting
Feiya: Crit Success on Nature
Quinoline Silicate: Assisted on Survival
Rextangalin Werzerial: Staying Cozy!
Ukh: Assisted on Athletics

You may peek at the spoilers below after making your roll, in order to decide if you want to use a hero point. Note that this exercise has critical failure and critical success conditions, so keep that in mind when deciding to use Hero Points!

Astrid leads the way doing her best to break a trail for her companions.

"Ha! These magic snowshoes are fantastic!"

athletics: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Astrid plows through the snow, reveling in the power of her magical snowshoes!

You make great time. You saved the maximum time possible, in fact. Nicely done! Ogthup guarantees that you’ll be coming down from the pass in the morning. But you will have to camp tonight. Just a little further…

❄ ❄ ❄

Near the top of the pass, it begins to snow. The wind gusts up here, blowing the snow off the ground. You remove your snowshoes with relief.

Soon afterward, you spy something utterly massive moving through the flurries. The shape shortly resolves into a truly immense bear. Deep-set eyes glimmer within his broad skull and a harness made of delicate silver chains strains against his shaggy brown fur. A mirror gleams from his back, and icy flowers dance around his head.

He rears back, unleashes a terrifying roar, and charges!

❄ ❄ ❄

Getting your Bearings

Bold may act! Map on slide 1 with terrain notes. No snow on the ground; your snowshoes are off.

Feiya
—
Flower-Bear
—
Dranald
Ukh
Rextangalin Werzerial
Quinoline Silicate; Shield Raised, Block Available
Astrid; Shield Raised, Block Available
Ogthup; Minion Command available

Only one of you can lead on each type of check; meaning, Dranald led on Survival already so it's locked out from others leading on it. Feiya is trained with +10 in Nature (same as survival), so perhaps she would have done that instead. You may even save that roll if you want, meaning a crit success in Nature with a spent hero point.

I knew there was a reason I wanted to roll Nature! Sorry, you are correct, I would have rolled Nature and not Survival (and my Nature bonus would be +11 due to level bump).

”Uh…Big bear…”

Occultism: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

”Big mind controlled bear! Take care of the mirror on tip of it if you can! Also, might be a good to…spread out.” Feiya punctuates her point by moving behind a rock in hopes that the bear won’t chase her.

Recall Knowledge and two Strides.

EDIT: I also forgot to mention that, unless otherwise specified, Feiya is carrying Daji on her shoulders.

Since a PC made the check you can read the knowledge spoiler. You can climb the bear's furry side at a DC 23; he is 20 feet tall. The mirror is an object with an AC and hardness. It could also be disabled following the normal rules.

Feiya gives you an important clue just before the bear charges! He rushes in at great speed, and chomping at Astrid and then clawing at Quinoline!

Rush, Jaws vs Astrid: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28
Piercing: 2d12 + 10 ⇒ (11, 12) + 10 = 33

Claws vs Quinoline, Strike 2: 1d20 + 21 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 21 - 4 = 37 owww
Slashing: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (4, 2) + 10 = 16

2-Action Rush attack + Strike

The twenty-foot tall bear's teeth — big as dagger-blades — deeply gouge Astrid's armor. Her friend Quinoline barely blocks a vicious claw aimed at her throat! Both Pathfinders ward off some damage with their shields — the sound of sturdy shields being dented rungs across the mountaintop. The huge bear huffs; you can smell his hot, fetid breath and there's the metallic taste of blood in the cold air…

See ooc discussion tab for shield blockage stuff.

❄ ❄ ❄

Getting your Bearings

Bold may act! Everyone can read the spoiler below.

Feiya
—
Flower-Bear
—
Dranald
Ukh
Rextangalin Werzerial
Quinoline Silicate; -24 HP, shield -24
Astrid; -25 HP, shield -25
Ogthup; Minion Command available

So, from my understanding Ogthup only acts when someone directs her to, so would that mean that Feiya is also in this initiative group?

Will: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Bear is frigtened 1!

Quinoline raises her shield and steps forward. She will draw a mistform elixir from her bandolier.

I didn't specify before, but for the remainder of the scenario Quinoline would like to hold a mistform elixir in her free hand whenever she's Defending.

Quinoline draws a potion while Feiya gives the bear a malevolent stare! The creature shivers, even though he’s surely warm under that shaggy coat…

I sense a little hesitation here; perhaps we're unsure about what to do. To recap: you can break or disable the mirror atop the enchanted bear. If you cannot (or do not want to) deal with the mirror, you might simply attack the bear — he is clearly a lethal enemy.

I will also pull back the screen a little and tell you that if you do incidental damage to the bear he will likely not continue attacking after you break the mirror.

❄ ❄ ❄

Getting your Bearings

Ogthup is available to command!

Feiya
—
Flower-Bear, Frightened 1
—
Dranald
Ukh
Rextangalin Werzerial
Quinoline Silicate; -24 HP, shield -24, shield raised, block available
Astrid; -25 HP, shield -25

Unsure how to attack the mirror, Rex pulls out his own mistform elixir, downs it, and then retreats.