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So, you speak with Halvor and with Uliyara's help, Cith is able to convince Halvor not to go charging in. Halvor then gives you space to sleep overnight in the village until the next morning.
The next day, he gives you two potions of Resist Energy(Cold) and as you continue along the river, a dozen warriors in a longship sail beside them.
As you travel into Irrisen, the temperature drops dramatically, falling to well below freezing. In the distance, log cabins march across the snowy fields, walking on knobby wooden legs. During the trip, you see a winter wolf on the north bank, following the boat.
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Kalak seems well pleased to be moving again, and quietly converses with the soldiers of the longship before departing.
Noticing the winter wolf, he tries not to pay attention to it, shuddering under the heavy winter clothing, The spirits if this place are out of sorts. It should not be this cold so suddenly, I mislike this land of cold. While the moving houses is an interesting choice, it is not one I would risk for long.
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While on the boat, and out of earshot of the Ulfin, Uliyara explains that her mother, Baroness Nadya, who rules Dalun wanted peaceful trade but the ruler of Saarbotten, who is also Nadya's sister sent the raiders. Uliyara was determined to complete her mission, and to show the world that not all the Jadwiga are malicious, so she traveled to Kalsgard, searching for any merchants willing to journey to and trade with Dalun. She describes herself as a stilyagi Jadwiga who is interested in finding out about the world outside of Irrisen.
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So, you speak with Halvor and with Uliyara's help, Cith is able to convince Halvor not to go charging in. Halvor then gives you space to sleep overnight in the village until the next morning.
Cith privately hopes that Halvor heard when he talked of vengeance only working when directed against the real transgressors.
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When Uliyara talks of her mission, Cith suggests that perhaps the Society could help her make contact with merchants from further away. The best way of making the Ulfen do something may well be by giving them a competitor!
He then talks a bit of the markets in Absalom and his own home of Jalmeray.
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During the trip up river, Cith tells the group of the two boosts he can provide. One improves the mental defenses against intimidation and attacks on the mind, while the other allows one to reposition themselves against an opponent. He asks if anyone would want either of them.
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So, you speak with Halvor and with Uliyara's help, Cith is able to convince Halvor not to go charging in. Halvor then gives you space to sleep overnight in the village until the next morning.
The next day, he gives you two potions of Resist Energy(Cold) and as you continue along the river, a dozen warriors in a longship sail beside them.
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Dammit! exclaims the half-orc, his teeth chattering furiously, this frozen land will kill me! He approaches Cith and asks him Are we sure those warriors won't interfere with ou business? Go into Irriseni territory with a full regiment at our back isn't really the best way to say 'Hi, we're friendly merchants' to the locals...
He then approaches the guide So, 'Haltani', how are you feeling now? Do you think you can trust this weird band of merchants? I'm still kind of curious about your necklace, you know...
He talks in a low voice, trying to avoid eavesdropping from anyone.
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He approaches Cith and asks him Are we sure those warriors won't interfere with ou business? Go into Irriseni territory with a full regiment at our back isn't really the best way to say 'Hi, we're friendly merchants' to the locals...
Cith looks at him, blinks his eyes a few times, then says “I believe this will go about as smoothly as a Grand Convocation. If you recall, I didn’t want to visit Whitehall.”
“If you have ideas, please let me hear them. If all you want to do is vent your frustration, perhaps you could find someone else’s ear to bend.”
He immediately regrets his words as the angry half-orc then heads directly for the guide.
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While on the boat, and out of earshot of the Ulfin, Uliyara explains that her mother, Baroness Nadya, who rules Dalun wanted peaceful trade but the ruler of Saarbotten, who is also Nadya's sister sent the raiders. Uliyara was determined to complete her mission, and to show the world that not all the Jadwiga are malicious, so she traveled to Kalsgard, searching for any merchants willing to journey to and trade with Dalun. She describes herself as a stilyagi Jadwiga who is interested in finding out about the world outside of Irrisen.
"Interesting. So your Aunt wanted to make trouble for your mother by attacking Whiterook and getting Whiterook to attack Dalun? Therefore keeping Dalun isolated from the outside world. If you're interested in finding out about the world outside of Irrisen you should consider joining an organization that specializes in sending people out to learn about the world. On a different topic, is there anywhere in Dalun where goods rare to the southern lands may be purchased or traded for? I'm hoping to show my brothers up at the next bazaar!"
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Nilah grumbles while leaning over the railing of their boat.
Those clods were supposed to stay behind. It's not easy to operate in strange lands while trailed by a pack of over-zealous soldiers itching for a fight.
She walks over to Syco as he gets Haltani's input.
Stationing himself by Haltani to learn more about Dalun and trade opportunities, he agrees with Nilah and Syco.
"It's true but hopefully, with us being exotic strangers, we can sell our ignorance to the leadership of Dalun and not be held responsible for the Ulfen following us. After all, as I recall, we were 'attacked' with a net and then forced to travel there yes? Being outnumbered and new to the area with no allies we had no choice but to allow them to accompany us yes? Plus we carry news of what Saarbotten has done and that we stopped an attack on Dalun in reprisal for the attack on Whiterook. It is best not to fear the worst until it happens; we should remain hopeful, confident, and use what resources we have to accomplish our mission."
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So, you speak with Halvor and with Uliyara's help, Cith is able to convince Halvor not to go charging in. Halvor then gives you space to sleep overnight in the village until the next morning.
The next day, he gives you two potions of Resist Energy(Cold) and as you continue along the river, a dozen warriors in a longship sail beside them.
As you travel into Irrisen, the temperature drops dramatically, falling to well below freezing. In the distance, log cabins march across the snowy fields, walking on knobby wooden legs. During the trip, you see a winter wolf on the north bank, following the boat.
Kaseem will thank Halvor for the generous gift of the two potions while keeping an eye on the winter wolf to see what it does.
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Could be ... dunno Uliyara replies Once this is done, it would be my honour to show you around our markets
The winter wolf eventually leaves without making a sound as you continue on. Stone cliffs mark the border of Irrisen on the northern bank. Chill winds send flurries of snow over the edge, landing in the river and on the grassy bank of the southern shore where maple trees fight the icy doom of Irrisen’s endless winter. A long, narrow cart path winds its way up the side of the cliff from the docks to Dalun’s iron gates.
Guards and their Irriseni ice bear companions wait just outside the gates of Dalun for the PCs and the Ulfen from Whiterook to approach.
Halvor begins to reconsider his decision to approach the city peacefully. The Jadwiga are traditional enemies of his people. The long history of atrocities that his people have suffered, together with how weak Dalun’s defenses appear to be up close, both weigh heavily on his mind. He shakes with barely contained rage. However, before he orders his guards to attack, he turns to you and says To approach in peace, after all the witches have done… and pauses to give you one last chance to convince him not to order a raid.
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"It's true but hopefully, with us being exotic strangers, we can sell our ignorance to the leadership of Dalun and not be held responsible for the Ulfen following us..."
Nilah smiles wryly. Yes, I think I can play naive.
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As they pass into Irrisen Nilah pulls her furs ever tighter.
Nilah grimaces slightly at Halvor's suggestion. This moment is far from trivial and she can't recklessly use her common charms here.
Quickly recovering her expression, she shows a sheepish smile.
It is a cycle. While it is tempting it won't bring the long-term end that you might dream of. Only very temporary satisfaction, if even. You will simply purchase additional atrocities in the future. They will feel the same way and no score will ever be settled. Imagine how they might stay their hand in the future if you show you can do the same.
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The grey stone buildings of Dalun stand huddled together, as if the stonework was attempting to withstand the cold. Snowy cobblestone streets lead to a tall white spire in the center of town, its sharp point piercing the blue sky; an icy sheen covers the surface, glistening in the muted sunlight.
Colorfully dressed merchants stand out against the blue, grey and white clothing worn by the citizens of Irrisen, who trot through the white cobblestone streets with immediacy. The occasional ice troll lumbers along, giving non-Jadwiga humans a disdainful snarl.
Uliyara gives you the names of several prominent Jadwiga merchants with whom they can trade, including Alexei Kartov, a respected jeweler. You may wish to buy other trade goods including ore, furs, or rare witch-tree seeds.
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Kaseem checks if there are any other merchants from Osirion, hoping to not have any other competition from the area. He's also interested in Alexei Kartov since jewelry is always a guaranteed seller back home.
He also seeks information on witch-tree seeds since they seem to be of interest to some members of the group.
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A winteryew (also known as a witch-tree) is a magical conifer found only in the ever-winter realm of Irrisen. Brought to Golarion from somewhere else in the Great Beyond by the Witch Queen Baba Yaga, winteryews are vital to survival of many other living things in that cold land, as most other plants have died or entered permanent hibernation after centuries of wintry conditions. The winteryew produces cones with edible seeds throughout the year, and its nutritious bark grows back even under the coldest conditions, providing a ready food source to many other creatures, including humans.
As for Kartov, you discover he has more of those ice diamonds.
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Cith suggests “Should we spend about a quarter of the funds on the seeds, the rest on the diamonds? The seeds will only sell in the cold climates, and I would like to get out of the cold as soon as we can.”
"The diamonds are an excellent investment. We can create all sorts of fanciful stories to increase our profit margin! Since those seeds are so rare in the south eccentric collectors with more gold than sense will want them and have magic used to create a suitable environment. I can even see Ruby Prince Khemet III wanting to have such a tree in his palace..."
Kaseem has a dreamy look on his face as he contemplates such a sale and the riches it would bring.
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Once you have traded away their letter of credit, Uliyara asks you to speak to Baroness Nadya, the ruler of Dalun, to gain her permission to travel farther north. Uliyara does not follow you in to the meeting, as she has “other business to attend to in Dalun,” but she recommends that you tell the Baroness that “Haltani sends her regards.” You easily locate Baroness Nadya outside her palace, seated in a garden whose “foliage” is intricately sculpted out of ice. A group of guards stands nearby, and they eye you with open suspicion. The guards demand that you lay down their weapons and explain why you would dare to enter the Baroness’s presence without invitation.
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Cith lays down his backpack and weapons, stating he isn’t sure if they would consider some of the tools as weapons.
He addresses what he guesses is the lead guard in a clear voice, loud enough that all the guard and the baroness can hear it.
“We were told that we needed to speak with Baroness Nadya for permission to travel. No disrespect was intended.”
“My sincere apologies if we did not follow protocol, if now it not good please tell me who we might contact to make a proper appointment.”
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Look, we just need passable. We're not really starting an enterprise here. the tiefling deadpans as the mercantile plans start to get a little elaborate.
Just as Uliyara is parting company with the party, Nilah asks her as to the nature of her business. If you'd like to avoid being seen by the Baroness, it's okay to tell us. It might seem intrusive, but the departure is also abrupt and this tiefling is forever suspicious.
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When the guards bark at them, Nilah smiles softly and sets aside her scimitar and her pack. Holding her palms open to show them as otherwise empty, she replies Haltani sends her regards. We were not aware that an invitation was necessary.
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When Nilah seems disinterested in making a profit, everyone can see Kaseem looks visibly ill like such a notion is alien to him...
He regains his senses when the guards challenge the group, placing his weapons on the ground and offers his open hands for inspection.
"1,000 pardons my friends! We were told to speak with the Baroness to gain permission to travel within her domain but we are foreigners and do not know the proper procedure to do so. We intend no disrespect to the Baroness!"
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Opening his hood so his race is clearly visible, Cith gives the baroness a bow and assure her “I have never been to Saarbotten, Baroness. This is my very first foray into Irrisen.”
“We have come from the south, some of us much farther south than others. I am from Jalmeray, an island that could never support a wonderful garden like this one.” He gestures to the delicate frost flowers.
Since Haltani is her sister, I am sure she will get an independent report from her. Might as well share what we found out about the Ulfen across the border.
“You should know that Saarbotten has been raiding the nearby Ulfen, likely seeking to make them attack you in reprisal. We were able to discourage such actions for the moment, but it might be wise to watch that situation.”
When his whiskers start to frost up, Cith apologizes that he hasn’t adjusted to the climate and puts his hood up again to protect against the cold.
When the time seems appropriate he brings up the request to travel inland to access the dig site.
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Syco's chattering teeth are so loud that he almost can't make out what the people people ((c) Baldrum Battlehand) his chatty teammates are saying. The thing that's annoying him most is the fact that he can't really enjoy the magnificence of the frosted garden, so focused on the cold as he is at the moment. He would like to ask the Baroness how can he warm himself up in this Sarenrae-forsaken land, but is probably better if he keeps his mouth shut (as much as he can in between his teeth chattering).