Atae scouts alongside the sled keeping watch with Brünwulf. If Brünwulf is ahead of the sled, she's scouting behind. If he's on the left side, she's on the right.
Both Brünwulf and Atae struggle to find the best path, and instead resign themself to following the tracks of any team that remains visible over the 12-hour journey, however, their failures in navigating are made up for by the tireless energy of Ezaki and Zelphari who make sure the team stays within visible range of those teams, even having a sudden burst of energy the final 5 miles of the stretch, arriving them in th place coming upon the first check point!
Weather: Clear @ DC 13
Atae the "Shortcutter" @
Brünwulf the "Navigator" @
Ezaki the "Unstucker" @
Zelphari the "Musher" @
1) Two Houses
2) Without Trace or Fail
3) Bluetongue’s Brawlers
4) The Infernal Hellfyres
5) Fangs of Remorhaz
6) Wyrding Wayfinders
The tall pines are heavy with snow, and the forest is quiet. Ahead, officials for the Balgirdtrek stand around a roaring fire. Several campsites have been cleared nearby as clerics stand ready to examine and treat any injured racers. Beyond the fire and campsites, in a small, raised clearing, is a tall, thin pole carved with the intertwining necks of a Tarn Linnorm. Atop the pole rests is a small platform, an egg-sized oval shape resting within it. Sigurd of the Bluetongue Brawlers team slides down from the tree in this moment holding the egg raised to the sky, his team cheering him loudly and aggressively - bashing their heads together! - and after some merriment, the race officials use a long pole to deposit the egg back in it's spot atop the tree...
...As you head deeper into the camp, you are allowed a brief trip to the Rest Area before having to report to the Challenge Area, and there see people from the winning teams Two Houses and Without Trace or Fail talking, snacking, drinking, changing clothes...
...After a brief rest, the party heads over for "their turn" participating in this challenge. The official announces
...
...
Critical Success > You win the challenge in record fashion!
Success > You win the challenge
Failure > You do not win the challenge
Critical Failure > You do not win the challenge, and disqualify your team from continuing!
Suddenly, the tree's structure cracks, depositing you 10 feet onto the ground!
...
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"Aw man, you didn't say this was going to be on the exam ..."
Ezaki tries to think back to what the official said.
The kid's making us look bad. Should we help him?
Ezaki, for the first time in his life, welcomes the voices in his head.
Balgird Bluetongue was searching for a linnorm and lived off the land.
"Balgird Bluetongue was searching for a linnorm and lived off the land."
He scaled a great tree so carefully that the tree did not bend.
"He scaled a great tree so carefully that the tree did not bend."
The bird did not even notice its egg had gone missing.
"The bird did not even notice its egg had gone missing."
But the egg was undercooked so Balgird Bluetongue died.
"But the egg was undercooked so-HEY."
Sorry, we couldn't resist. The tree will bend if your weight is not evenly distributed, so wrap your legs around the tree.
"The tree will bend if your weight is not evenly distributed, so wrap your legs around the tree."
Ezaki yells, "I'm special!" and rushes up the tree.
He gets about halfway up and then slides back down and hits his rump ont he icy ground.
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Taking his gloves off and tossing them to the ground, Brünwulf steps up to the pole. He grasps it with both hands to check its flexibility and strength, then squints upward to judge the height.
He shakes his head in self-doubt.
Humph. I've probably climbed thousands of trees, but nothing this flimsy.
Determined to get the egg, he spits in his hands and rubs them together. He grasps the pole just above his head and pulls himself upward as he leans his weight into the pole to keep it straight. He then uses the thick leather soles of his moccasins to grip the pole below him and slowly pushes his body upward, trying to keep the pole from swaying. Reaching up with one hand, then slowly with the other, he pulls himself up the pole, and uses his feet to push higher up. He continues...
He grabs the egg at the top and suddenly the pole snaps like a twig, dropping the woodsman to the ground below!
With a big grin, he sticks out his hand, opens it, and reveals the unbroken egg.
He gently tosses the egg to the official as he runs up to chest bump Ezaki.
And chest bumps the rest of his team mates.
Having completed the task, the party decides what to do next!
The party pass the evening with hot stew, keeping to themselves, and eventually turn in for the night...
...the night sees a great drop in temperature, and snowflakes begin to kiss the tents as the wind slowly picks up into the darkness and early light...
...when the party wakes up to leave, they have to physically push the piled snow off their tents (from the inside) to exit them, and everywhere is white as the air is frozen and the morning sun is blocked by a heavy curtain falling from the heavens, coating the entire camp...
...Just as the party is ready to set off (which takes a little longer), they are approached by a race official who holds up their hand up "Hold on up you guys. I'd like to conduct a health check. Hell of snow storm we're having, eh? Wouldn't want to lose any of you to the elements!"
...
Atae watches as other teams not subjected to this health check are already hitting the sled as the party is stopped here.
"Being that you are all, well, non-Native to the area, it was deemed important to make sure that after yesterday's performance - good job making fourth by the way! - that given the sudden change in weather, everyone in your team is not at risk of over-exerting themselves which could risk hypothermia, delirium, or rhabdomyolysis, to name a few possibilities" he smiles at Atea "Shouldn't take long!"
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Brünwulf glares at the official and puffs out his chest to have a word.
I call bull-crap! Look, mister, I don't know who put you up to this, but you can forget about your little "health check". We're getting back into this race with no "health check".
The burly woodsman clenches his fists as he fumes in anger and stomps towards the official, snarling in his face.
"Well that's wholly unnecessary" the race official looks down at Ezaki's offered poo "I see you are trying to be cheeky - do remember that you are guests here!" a gentle reminder.
To Brünwulf "Absolutely nonsense!" the official begins his examination on him, encountering only weak resistance, and between the four of you, takes about 10 minutes to look over your bodies for wounds, careful but expedient, and then sets you on your way.
"I'll be keeping my eyes out for you" smiling and looking at Ezaki while talking even as he addresses the group.
...
Atae was almost accidentally left behind the second day of the race!
With poor visibility - indeed, Zelphari couldn't see past the hind dog's tail the entire way - she had become so cold that she actually fell off the sled! Fortunately, Brünwulf, having not suffered a single packing malfunction so far, was able to not only see that she had disembarked, but reacted to throw her a ready-packed easy-released long rope just before she got lost in the sudden blizzard struggling to get the dogs to turn around. But it was Ezaki who leapt off the sled and trailed the rope to rescue her, carrying her over his shoulder again tracing the rope back in the blind whiteness, emerging with both their noses red, and after some shuffling of items around - despite a shortage of rope - were able to seal the holes in her wardrobe and keep her dry for the rest of the way to the second check point...
...
Weather: Snow @ DC 15
Benefit: Brünwulf @ Packing Supplies @ +1 to Overland travel in Snow or Storm!
Atae the "Shortcutter" @
Brünwulf the "Navigator" @
Ezaki the "Unstucker" @
Zelphari the "Musher" @
1) Two Houses
2) Without Trace or Fail
3) Fangs of Remorhaz
4) The Infernal Hellfyres
5) Bluetongue’s Brawlers
6) Wyrding Wayfinders
A small, frigid stream runs between the dense pines, opening onto a frozen pond. To the east, a few small columns of smoke rise above the trees from several small campfires. To the north, a dozen caribou walk along the surface of the ice, snuffling and pawing at the thin grasses poking up from the snowy shoreline. As a race official watches over the small herd, the wind carries the gentle sound of bells. Marbin Slickhide of the Fangs of Remorhaz can be seen sneaking up on one of the creatures, crossing the ice to get really close, and plucking something off it's neck and quickly but quietly dashing back, and holding it up where is makes a little jingle sound as his team quietly celebrates, then sends Olin Tuskbinder to repeat the feat...
......As you head deeper into the camp, you are allowed a brief trip to the Rest Area before having to report to the Challenge Area, and there see people from the winning teams Two Houses and Without Trace or Fail talking, snacking, drinking, changing clothes...
...After a brief rest, the party heads over for "their turn" participating in this challenge. The official asks
...
...
Critical Success > You locate two bells. You (or another PC) can skip this step on the next go.
Success > You locate one bell. If you fail to retrieve it, another PC can skip this step on the next go.
Failure > You locate one bell, but it's unfortunate position inflicts a -1 circumstance penalty on it's Retrieval check.
Critical Failure > As failure.
Critical Success > You easily retrieve the bell. The pack actually follows you. The next Retrieval attempt gains a +1 circumstance bonus!
Success > You retrieve the bell.
Failure > You fail to retrieve the bell, and are disqualified. Another PC may attempt (unless everyone is disqualified).
Critical Failure > Open spoiler below:
Roll a DC 18 Reflex save or sustain 2d6 trample damage (please roll).
The entire party is now disqualified as all the caribou scamper into the woods!
...
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Well? How do you all want to go about this?
He says as he scans the herd of caribou.
Should we go one at a time or all go in together? I was thinking, I could go in low and slow and try to sneak up on them. Or, crawl across the ice slowly using my skills of the wilderness to mix in with the herd.
If I find a bell and the beast gets spooked as I sneak up, I'll lunge at it and try to get the bell before it runs off.
Brünwulf looks at the open spaces to the left and the right of the herd.
Maybe we should consider surrounding them. If any of them get spooked and run off, those of you on the outskirts can wave your arms and jump up and down and try and scare them back into the group.
He shrugs and looks at his companions.
Any other ideas?
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"Oh, the race official explained this one to me. The trial of the Caribou Whisperer is meant to recreate the events surrounding the loss of Balgird’s beloved pack horse. When the steed was lost in a terrible blizzard, Balgird tracked a herd of caribou across the tundra, and watched their behavior from a distance, looking for one that he might be able to tame. The legendary Ulfen spent more than a week trying to get close to the herd, and narrowly escaped death by hundreds of stampeding hooves before he finally managed to sling his saddle bags over the animal’s back and lead his new companion out of the herd and into the taiga."
He then looks up, lamenting that he is likely not of much use for this trial.
Zelphari shakes his head. "Not really, friend Brunwulf. Point me to a merchant and I can charm his pants off. But caribous? Unless they speak Common or Varisian, I'm afraid I'm out of my depth."
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"Sorry bro ... Just wanted to make sure you got all the info you needed."
---
Ezaki can cast guidance on people as they go.
Ezaki also has Soothing Words, but we may need a GM ruling to see if it's applicable.
Ezaki has Perception +3 and Stealth +2 so he should go later rather than sooner.
Atae points out to Brünwulf and Ezaki two of the caribou each that have a bell attached to them at the neck...
Atae @ Seek (Perception) @ 24 @ Two Bells Located
Brünwulf @ ??
Ezaki @ ??
Zelphari @ ??
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As the group studies the herd and plans their approach to the task, Brünwulf turns to Atae and stares dreamily at her face.
Has anyone ever told you that you have "Sheila Heidmarch eyes"?
He then shakes his head, somewhat embarrassed.
Oh. Uh. Nevermind.
He quickly turns his head towards the herd.
Okay. Should I go first into that herd? Maybe I can get all four bells.
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Am I the only one with wilderness survival skills? he scoffs as he glances at his companions.
Alright you city slickers, I guess I'm gonna have to do this on my own then.
He says, shaking his head in slight disappointment.
------------------------------
Brünwulf's eyes light up after Atae whispers in his ear. He gives the girl a flashy grin then moves towards the herd hoping to impress her.
He watches the two caribou that he knows have bells then scans the rest of the herd for the other two bells as he creeps forward.
He doesn't see the other two bells yet. He'll have to wait until he gets into the herd.
Once on the frozen lake, he gets on all fours to spread out his weight. With his sealskin arctic outfit, he hopes the caribou just think he's a harmless creature trying to mix in with the herd.
With a blanket of fresh snow on the ice, he doesn't know if there are any cracks in the ice. He moves slowly and carefully forward, keeping his head low.
Getting within a few dozen paces of the herd, he sneaks in, making his way to the first caribou with a bell.
And quickly but carefully grabs it and grips it tightly in his hand to muffle the soft ringing.
Brünwulf spots a third bell, and sneaks up on all fours and grabs it!
Atae points to the other two she heard, and the Ranger makes his way over the ice towards second one!
You notice the bell has some bits of wool and fur stuffed into it, which actually dampens the sound.
You realize all along that the bells should probably be less difficult to hear, despite the party's success in finding them so far. Not wanting to shout, you can tell the party when you get back!
For now, you are welcome to continue Retrieving bells until you fail a check to do so!
...
...
Atae @ Seek (Perception) @ 22 @
Brünwulf @ Seek (Perception) @ 8 @
Brünwulf @ Sneak (Stealth) @ 21 @
Ezaki @ ??
Zelphari @ ??
...
Skulking across the ice further, Brünwulf manages to scoop up the second bell, and in doing so, attracts the entire herd to himself!
He quickly scoops the third bell, but pauses here, unable to locate the fourth, while his allies wait on the shore...
...
Atae @ Seek (Perception) @ 22 @ Two Bells Located
Brünwulf @ Seek (Perception) @ 8 @ One Bell Located
Brünwulf @ Sneak (Stealth) @ 21, 26, 16 @ Three Bells Bell Retrieved
Ezaki @ ??
Zelphari @ ??
...
Zelphari points out the last bell to Brünwulf, who...
...
Atae @ Seek (Perception) @ 22 @ Two Bells Located
Brünwulf @ Seek (Perception) @ 8 @ One Bell Located
Brünwulf @ Sneak (Stealth) @ 21, 26, 16 @ Three Bells Bell Retrieved
Ezaki @ ??
Zelphari @ Seek (Perception) @ 14 @ One Bell Located
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Brünwulf glances around looking for another bell. He turns to look at his companions far up on the hill. From this distance, he can barely make out Zelphari but notices he's standing and pointing to the center left of the herd from Brunwulf's position. Brünwulf looks in the same direction and soon notices a grazing caribou with a bell. He crouches low and moves slowly through the herd. He sneaks up behind the great bull and snatches the bell.
Word quickly spreads of the exploits of the Infernal Hellfyres - but in particular, of Brünwulf the "Caribou Whisperer's" four-bell streak! - and the party finds themselves fending off this sharp increase in attention for the night!
Zelphari is approached by the Fangs of Remorhaz!
Atae is followed by Without Trace or Fail!
Ezaki is questioned by Two Houses!
"We outsiders gotta stick together, don't we?" Ylva Tunnelwalker walks up asking "May I ask: What is in it for you all if you win?"
You are unsure of her motives here...
Hjeldr seems to be watching you closely, and trying to be discrete, but later you catch him messing around with your team's sled!
What do you do!
"Is it true that Brünwulf saved your entire team today?" you find yourself questioned by Oluf "What happened?"
You are unsure of his motives here...
On your way back from challenge, you may or may not notice something!
...
...
But before arriving there, Brünwulf makes a discovery!
Crossing back over the Ice Lake - before you are even congratulated by the race official - you spot a body on the ice, a caribou, that looks to have suffered a mortal wound, still fresh with blood, about 40 feet off!
Killed by large claw marks came from an animal of immense size and strength... that seems to have then wandered off, leaving equally-sized bipedal tracks in it's wake!...
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Brünwulf stops at the caribou carcass with a look of disgust.
Now who would harm a caribou all the way out here?
He says to himself as he scans the land around him.
He kneels down to carefully inspect its wounds.
Brünwulf hurries back to gather his companions and tells them of his discovery.
I found a slaughtered caribou. Killed by large claw marks from a beast of immense size and strength... that seems to have then wandered off, leaving equally-sized bipedal tracks in it's wake.
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All kinds of alarms start going off in Zelphari's head, but outwardly, he puts on a warm smile.
"You betcha! You know, I'm from Varisia, just a tad south of here, but man, what a world apart! Brrr...." He shudders briefly.
"But hey, all this for a chance at fame and glory, am I right? Sure, the Society sent us to represent them, but to get us out here to this freezing wasteland... Whew! I'm sure it's the same for you, too, right?" He gives a conspiratorial wink.
Hjeldr is stunned to have been caught - Atae is able to touch him!...
Besides telling your party about what you saw, any other actions?...
"Yes, and, we Varki compete not just for ourselves, but for our people, which raises the stakes a little bit" Ylva explains, searching for understanding in his eyes. When he winks, she winks back, as if unsure what the gesture means, but as making an attempt to assume it means a positive affirmation of good will.
"As in all things, we split the task" Oluf shares "All but Unn, my lovely wife, were able to retrieve those bells - but I must say, the way your man went in Like a Fox and swept up all of them together, harkens back to ol' Balgird himself, no?"
...