Not long ago, the leader of the Red Mantis—Blood Mistress Jakalyn, who has led the organization since the death of Aroden (inexplicably still youthful despite being a human) —was visited by an unnamed messenger representing a mysterious patron with an outlandish and shocking request— the assassination of none other than Tar-Baphon, the Whispering Tyrant. The messenger claimed that Tar-Baphon was no legitimate ruler, and argued that the Tyrant was a power-hungry fool attempting to become a god, a clear offense to Achaekek and the Red Mantis.
When Jakalyn grew frustrated at the patron’s attempts to remain anonymous, she had the messenger imprisoned and announced the request and incarceration publicly in the hopes of learning more about the agent’s commander.
After months went by with no one stepping forward to admit their association with the imprisoned messenger, Jakalyn left Mediogalti Island on a secret mission, spawning several rumors about what she might have learned from the agent. Is she seeking to slay the one who sent the request? Meeting with them to iron out more details? Or has she begun moves against one of the Inner Sea’s most dangerous villains? So far, no one can say, but for the moment, she has not returned.
Riddleport is a very chaotic city. Pirates and lawlessness is rampant in the City of Cyphers, which make a respectable cover for the Red Mantis Assassins.
Jakalyn’s favored return to their safehouse following meeting with the client for the remainder of payment. They are currently engaged in the mundane task of accounting—how much of the payment goes back to Mediogalti for the organization, how much is divvied up between the assassins themselves, and how much the organization is to reimburse the group for their expenses—as the Red Mantis reimburse their agents for expenses they made as part of the mission (it makes it easier to avoid leaving a paper trail of the Red Mantis’s involvement).
It is at this point that the door of the safehouse opens, as a new figure enters. The group assumes the safehouse’s location has been compromised and put their hands on their sabers in preparation, but find it unnecessary.
The individual entering the safehouse is a slender aiuvarin man with golden brown skin and long white hair. He wears a red hooded cloak over leather armor. His dark red eyes glitters, but he approaches calmly and in a non-threatening manner.
Jakalyn’s favored recognize this man as Vatum ; he is a high-ranking courier who serves the Vernai directly, and is known to be a favored contact of Blood Mistress Jakalyn. The Red Mantis assigns new missions through couriers such as Vatum, though you all have not been assigned a mission from Vatum in particular. As an agent that works directly with the Vernai and Blood Mistress Jakalyn, his presence here is a great honor—and also a sign of a very important mission from high up the chain of command.
Vatum gives a brief applause to the group. ”Congratulations on your mission. As much as I would love to give you some time to rest and recover, a new individual has been selected for a visit from He Who Walks.” This is a very common euphemism in the Red Mantis for “assassination.”
Vatum sits himself down in a nearby chair and crosses his legs. He looks up at the group and smiles.
”Ordulf Bladecaller.”
Vatum remains silent. It is unusual for a courier to only provide a name. Vatum seems aware that the name means nothing to any of the group, and is waiting for the group to take the initiative in getting more information. It seems he is doing so less out of a lack of professionalism, and more that he’s wanting to test the group’s intelligence in knowing what questions to ask first.
The lights in the room flared to twice their brightness, reacting to Yujin's anger, more than surprise, at the messenger's entrance. Once it is clear that the man is not threatening the party, she calms. She releases her hands from her sawtooth sabers and the flames cool back down to their original levels.
Although Yujin is a being of fire, her crystalline veridian eyes are ice cold and serious. She stares Vatum directly in the eyes and puts her hands flat on the table in front of her. The wood smokes where her skin comes in contact with it.
"Where was the target last seen?"
Yujin starts with a single question, offering her allies the opportunity to respond as well.
Carefully placing a leather bookmark into her notebook and closing it on the table, Janna restrains herself from rolling her eyes at Vatum's games. Instead she adopts the affect of an eager student.
"Who is the client? What payment must we collect?"
Should I have heard of Ordulf Bladecaller before? Have I already failed the first test?
She stares at Vatum intently, doing her best to impress with attentiveness, if not in insight.
Suryo's golden eyes narrow at Vatum, peering out from the darkness of his cloak. He does not know the name, but he does know what must be true of the name. The raspy voice within asks.
I trust he is not a rightful ruler?
He exhales and waits for what he thinks is the most important answer.
Suryo is still standing, and although he won't show it his nerves are coursing just a little bit from the abrupt intrusion. There is likely little contentedness or warmth for Vatum to feel in this room right now. He glances at Yujin to see what calm she has achieved.
"Where was the target last seen?"
”The Lands of the Linnorm Kings.”
Vatum unfurls a map of the aforementioned lands and points to an area on the country’s northeast, near the border with Irrisen.
”Ordulf single-handedly slaughtered a clan of adlets who had taken residence in an ancient dwarven fortress in the foothills of the Stormspear Mountains. Now renamed Crownhold, this fortress is his seat of power, and where you are almost certainly going to find him. The closest settlement to Crownhold is a remote trading post called Glacier’s Rest.
The town of Glacier’s Rest is also heavily tied to the church of Gorum, and has the following ability:
[b]Gorum’s Strength The majority of locals revere Gorum. Anyone who wears heavy armor or carries a greatsword gains a +1 circumstance bonus to checks to Coerce, Make an Impression, Request, and Gather Information. Conversely, anyone who is revealed to be an enemy of the faith or who publicly mocks the Gorum-worshipping lifestyle is swiftly seen as a coward, and they instead take a –4 circumstance penalty to all of the above checks.
Finally, you know of the following notable locations in Glacier’s Rest:
Crownhold Warehouse: As merchants come into town, they deposit goods bound for Crownhold here under the care of Kranold Buergon (male dwarf prospector 5). Kranold lost his fortune searching for adamantine in the Stormspear Mountains and now acts as warehouse custodian until he saves enough for another expedition into the unforgiving north. He makes deliveries to Crownhold once a week, after the merchant caravans have gone.
Frosty Stein: The friendliest innkeeper in town, Gundar Icebreaker (male human innkeeper 4) caters to the merchants who arrive about once a week. He earned his surname after a demonstration where he punched through a solid block of ice, a demonstration he still performs on request. Prices for meals and lodging here are standard, although no extravagant suites or fine dining options are available.
Gunilla’s Goods: Locals use this small market for their everyday goods, while merchants give Gunilla Crowfriend (female human witch 5) a huge boost in business to resupply their caravans or purchase tools to fix their wagons. Common magic items (other than weapons or armor) of level 5 or lower can be purchased here.
Hatchet and Barrel: This was once a high-class hunting lodge and tavern called the Golden Barrel built by one Vid the Wise (male human hunter 5). Vid wanted to become a king and planned on hunting linnorms from this lodge, but he never so much as looked one in the eye. Now he is the proprietor of this run-down, shady inn. The rowdiest patrons give this tavern their custom, with brawls breaking out weekly as evidenced by a hatchet thrown clear through the barrel sign hanging outside. Only poor meals can be purchased here, and the only lodging is floor space or one of the many filthy beds along the walls of the common room.
Massive Arms: Tholl the Thrice-Burned (male human smith 5) runs the most successful smithy in town. He provides Crownhold with all of their basic weapons and armor, specializing in heavy armor and two-handed weapons. When he’s not forging another implement of war, he crafts iron sculptures from scrap metal. Common metal armor, metal shields, and weapons of up to level 5 can be purchased here.
Sensible Science: The local apothecary also doubles as an alchemist’s shop run by Einn Snowspeaker (female rimesoul undine alchemist 5). While the locals and visiting Ulfen alike are suspicious she might be a Jadwiga spy, they still go to her when they need healing supplies. Common alchemical elixirs and tools of level 5 or lower can be purchased here.
I trust he is not a rightful ruler?
”The short answer is ‘He is not.’ But the long answer is a bit more complex than that. Bladecaller is the ruler of Glacier’s Rest, but his ‘rulership’ is a bit of a mixed bag given the laws of the land. The right of Linnorm King is given to those who defeat a linnorm in single combat, and there is no such record of Ordulf doing that. Arguably the opposite.
“Recent rumors say that Ordulf is preparing his forces to wage war against Trollheim, the capital of the kingdom of Hagreach in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, rather than following local tradition and killing a linnorm to become a king. Many in Hagreach and kingdoms beyond see this as an affront to tradition, but Ordulf’s reputation is such that none dare oppose him—least of all Linnorm King Freyr Darkwine, who arrogantly considers Ordulf to be a ‘mountain-squatting troll’ and not worth his time to even consider a threat. That said, if you find reasonable evidence of Ordulf having slain a linnorm in single combat, then this assignment is rendered void, but I see such an event as unlikely at best.”
"Who is the client? What payment must we collect?"
”The call for Ordulf’s assassination reached the Red Mantis via many whispers. While none in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings would dare claim responsibility for setting these events in motion, the assassination of General Ordulf Bladecaller, a man who would abuse his position of power to usurp the rightful traditions of rule, is now a matter for you four. You are to slay Ordulf and return to Ilizmagorti for further instructions.”
Vatum leans back once more, waiting expectantly for more questions.
"That said, if you find reasonable evidence of Ordulf having slain a linnorm in single combat, then this assignment is rendered void, but I see such an event as unlikely at best.”
"So we'll be doing some research on this assignment. That's not a problem since I'm such a people person."
Yujin continues her unbroken gaze.
"Since you are being such an open book, tell us. What do you know of his fighting style? What should we prepare against so that the mission goes cleanly?"
FYI That spoiler is not working for me.
What the PCs know about Glacier’s Rest:
The town of Glacier’s Rest is also heavily tied to the church of Gorum, and has the following ability:
Gorum’s Strength The majority of locals revere Gorum. Anyone who wears heavy armor or carries a greatsword gains a +1 circumstance bonus to checks to Coerce, Make an Impression, Request, and Gather Information. Conversely, anyone who is revealed to be an enemy of the faith or who publicly mocks the Gorum-worshipping lifestyle is swiftly seen as a coward, and they instead take a –4 circumstance penalty to all of the above checks.
Finally, you know of the following notable locations in Glacier’s Rest:
Crownhold Warehouse: As merchants come into town, they deposit goods bound for Crownhold here under the care of Kranold Buergon (male dwarf prospector 5). Kranold lost his fortune searching for adamantine in the Stormspear Mountains and now acts as warehouse custodian until he saves enough for another expedition into the unforgiving north. He makes deliveries to Crownhold once a week, after the merchant caravans have gone.
Frosty Stein: The friendliest innkeeper in town, Gundar Icebreaker (male human innkeeper 4) caters to the merchants who arrive about once a week. He earned his surname after a demonstration where he punched through a solid block of ice, a demonstration he still performs on request. Prices for meals and lodging here are standard, although no extravagant suites or fine dining options are available.
Gunilla’s Goods: Locals use this small market for their everyday goods, while merchants give Gunilla Crowfriend (female human witch 5) a huge boost in business to resupply their caravans or purchase tools to fix their wagons. Common magic items (other than weapons or armor) of level 5 or lower can be purchased here.
Hatchet and Barrel: This was once a high-class hunting lodge and tavern called the Golden Barrel built by one Vid the Wise (male human hunter 5). Vid wanted to become a king and planned on hunting linnorms from this lodge, but he never so much as looked one in the eye. Now he is the proprietor of this run-down, shady inn. The rowdiest patrons give this tavern their custom, with brawls breaking out weekly as evidenced by a hatchet thrown clear through the barrel sign hanging outside. Only poor meals can be purchased here, and the only lodging is floor space or one of the many filthy beds along the walls of the common room.
Massive Arms: Tholl the Thrice-Burned (male human smith 5) runs the most successful smithy in town. He provides Crownhold with all of their basic weapons and armor, specializing in heavy armor and two-handed weapons. When he’s not forging another implement of war, he crafts iron sculptures from scrap metal. Common metal armor, metal shields, and weapons of up to level 5 can be purchased here.
Sensible Science: The local apothecary also doubles as an alchemist’s shop run by Einn Snowspeaker (female rimesoul undine alchemist 5). While the locals and visiting Ulfen alike are suspicious she might be a Jadwiga spy, they still go to her when they need healing supplies. Common alchemical elixirs and tools of level 5 or lower can be purchased here.
"Since you are being such an open book, tell us. What do you know of his fighting style? What should we prepare against so that the mission goes cleanly?"
”General Ordulf Bladecaller is an Ulfen man, born in a now destroyed fishing village along the shores of Glacier Lake in Irrisen. Ordulf escaped from the winter witches of Irrisen as a young man and fled west, eventually seeking shelter in the neighboring Lands of the Linnorm Kings; rumors that he personally wrestled one of the chicken-legged animated huts that guards the borders of Irrisen to the ground swiftly won him acclaim and respect in the eastern regions of the Linnorm Kingdoms. Ordulf earned the byname ‘Bladecaller’ for his intimidating nature: he had a noteworthy tendency to win conflicts through insults alone even before drawing a blade—his words, many say, cut as deep as any sword or axe.
“Today, Ordulf’s standing in the church of Gorum is obscure. Some rumors say that he is one of the god’s favorites and been blessed so that he cannot be killed, while others insist that he’s turned to other sinister powers to ensure his longevity and that his faith in Gorum is a sham. Of note, all those who confronted Ordulf on matters of his faith were swiftly slain by the warlord. Ordulf wields a frost greatsword and a wounding battleaxe capable of fighting on its own at his side in battle.
“Now, if we are correct about his faith, you are to acquire his religious symbol and return it to Ilizmagorti. ‘Honor the gods, for they have honored us all with this world.” Vatum incites one of the Mantis God’s aphorisms. ”Our prerogative is with mortals, not gods. Blood Mistress Jakalyn will use the religious symbol to perform rites to Gorum—or whomever deity Ordulf worships—as a show that we mean no animosity to the gods themselves.”
"Interesting..."
Janna looks excited by the prospects of a difficult mission now, her earlier mask forgotten.
"What of Crownhold itself, do you know anything of its defences? Garrison? Layout?"
”The short answer is ‘He is not.’ But the long answer is a bit more complex than that. Bladecaller is the ruler of Glacier’s Rest, but his ‘rulership’ is a bit of a mixed bag given the laws of the land. The right of Linnorm King is given to those who defeat a linnorm in single combat, and there is no such record of Ordulf doing that. Arguably the opposite.
Suryo nods.
Hmph. It sounds like it is not likely. We can correct this...
"Since you are being such an open book, tell us. What do you know of his fighting style? What should we prepare against so that the mission goes cleanly?"”General Ordulf Bladecaller is an Ulfen man, born in a now destroyed fishing village along the shores of Glacier Lake in Irrisen. Ordulf escaped from the winter witches of Irrisen as a young man and fled west, eventually seeking shelter in the neighboring Lands of the Linnorm Kings; rumors that he personally wrestled one of the chicken-legged animated huts that guards the borders of Irrisen to the ground swiftly won him acclaim and respect in the eastern regions of the Linnorm Kingdoms. ...
Ordulf sounds like a proud man. What of skilled close confidants, or guards? Does he keep some around him? Do you have details on his inner circle?
"Unfortunately, that is the extent of the information I have on Ordulf and Crownhold. You four are to proceed on your own. Glacier's Rest indeed seems to be a good place to start asking around about Ordulf and Crownhold."
Yujin turns to Janna. "Ever been up north? Think you could teleport us somewhere close? Or are we going to need to go by ship?"
Yujin turns back to Janna. "We are honored to be entrusted with this work. We will return to Ilizmagorti with Ordulf Bladecaller's holy symbol upon his death as instructed."