The winter goblins are sufficiently impressed with the Pathfinders' strength and agree to tell them what little they know. They say that Rimesnap asked them to "play a game with the longshanks" and steal the train models. The fey phrased the raid as a good bit of fun, and so the goblins never meant any harm or violence. The goblin leader recalls a stranger speaking with Rimesnap about a week ago, but thinks all medium humanoids look the same and doesn't remember further details.
With the models recovered, the goblins ask to return with you so they can apologize and explain themselves to Anastasia.
With the winter goblin leaders in tow, you have an uneventful walk back to Anastasia's estate where masses of servants are already busy repairing the mild damage done by the goblin's raid. Their faces are a mix of exasperation and nervousness upon seeing the group again, but they're persuaded by Calix to go back to their duties. The dromaar aide escorts the party back to the council chamber where Anastasia and the representatives are still assembled. The atmosphere is quieter, though no less charged, with Matriarch Szvetneera standing clearly on one side of the table facing the others.
"The fact remains, Your Majesty," Matriarch Szvetneera continues, her face awash with smug confidence, "your servant and his pet Pathfinders have not returned, and we are unable to proceed with this endeavor. There are obviously traitors among this assembly, and given that the representative from Oprak is both unaffected and known to frequent with goblins, the culprit is apparent."
"I have a name and rank, Matriarch," Lieutenant Surkzin responds. "If you would accuse me of a misdeed, please be kind enough to address me by them."
Szvetneera's Ulfen guards snap their hands to their weapons as the tension in the room increases.
As you enter the room with the winter goblin leaders, one of them points to Matriarch Szvetneera, shouting "That's the longshanks that was talkin' with King Rimesnap!"
Amid the gasps from the assembled representatives, Szvetneera lets out a frustrated groan and yells back "That useless piece of firewood failed?" She motions to her guards, who spring into action to attack. The rest of the representatives usher Queen Anastasia and Calix out of the room, where they can be heard fighting among more witchguards in the hall.
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HELP FROM ALLIES [one-action] TO [two-actions]
AUDITORY
Frequency once per minute per PC;
Requirements: The PCs gained enough research points to reach the second threshold of the representative's skill challenge. You call out to your unlikely allies during this fight, knowing that you're stronger together!
Firozet [one-action] Firozet throws an alchemical bomb laced with elemental energy at a target within 10 feet of the PC. This deals 2d6 fire damage in a 10-foot burst (Basic Reflex DC 16, or DC 19 for levels 3–4).
Danixki [two-actions] Danixki lets out a vicious howl. Each enemy within 10 feet of the triggering PC must succeed a DC 16 (DC 19 for levels 3–4) Will save or be frightened 1, frightened 2 on a critical failure.
Siraya [two-actions] Siraya uses fey magic to disrupt Szvetneera's connection to the primal world. Until the end of the triggering PC's next turn, whenever Szvetneera Casts a Spell, she must succeed a DC 6 flat check or have the action interrupted.
Lieutenant Surkzin [two-actions] The lieutenant tosses the triggering PC an Oprak field medicine kit. This PC can spend one action to use this kit on themselves or a willing ally and restore 2d8 Hit Points.
Ivinder [two-actions] Ivinder scatters a bottle of slurk grease into the room. A 15-foot emanation centered on the triggering PC becomes difficult terrain for 1d4 rounds.
Winter Goblins [one-action] A pair of overeager winter goblins dash into the room, singing a goblin song and generally getting in the way. A target enemy within 10 feet of the triggering PC is off-guard until the start of the PC's next turn.
Bodyguard
The bodyguard wastes no time rushing at the Pathfinders, slashing at Faethor and Beezhul!
It cuts a pound of flesh from Beezhul, after which Faethor is able to easily dodge the rest of the powerful swing.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
YOU can get HELP FROM ALLIES
------------------
The bold may go!
RED
Faethor
Elidathas
BLUE
Gitaena
Beezhul -8
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Glancing down at her enhanced weapon, Beezhul nods in prayer to her own belief system "May we walk the path of ash..."
Slow to attack, never-the-less her defensive reflexes kick in, guardian over her company.
~) Ever Ready
↺) Intercept Attack
~) Guardian's Armor
Elidathas blesses and enhances Beezhul's spirit thresher, which begins to softly glow with divine energy.
Feathor calls on the goblins!
Spread the rime, steal the wheels, Keep the longshanks on our heels.
Tear the curtains, claw the floors, Break stuff like we’re
charging boars!
Rimesnap says the hummies pay,
Chase us as we run away. Scare the maids but do not kill,
Just cause trouble as we will. House too warm, back to th’woods,
Make off with our shiny goods.
Think we made that butler cry
We be goblins! Now bye-bye!
It seems they only know one song.
They run through the bodyguard's space, surrounding him in front and behind, before Faethor unleashes the claws.
He misses the Matriarch, but fatally wounds the ulfen bodyguard , who drops to the ground.
The matriarch seems to exude a chilling aura...
Beezhul and Faethor feel particularly afflicted .
She steps slightly closer, and a cone of icy shards bursts from her spread hands and coats the party in a layer of frost!
(+3 from weakness, 16 damage for crit failure and –10-foot status penalty to its Speeds for 2 rounds.[/ooc]
(+3 from weakness, 8 damage for failure and –5-foot status penalty to its Speeds for 2 rounds)
(5 damage for failure and –5-foot status penalty to its Speeds for 2 rounds)
Eladithas is nimble and avoids all of it, and Beezhul drops to the ground, unconscious and dying .
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1 ⇒ 2
Tactical Map
YOU can get HELP FROM ALLIES
------------------
The bold may go!
RED -18
Faethor -8 (weakness: cold 3; –5-foot status penalty speeds through round 3)
Elidathas
BLUE
Gitaena -5 (–5-foot status penalty to speeds through round 3)
Beezhul -24, unconscious, prone, dying 1 (runic weapon through round 10; weakness: cold 3; –10-foot status penalty to speeds through round 3)
|
Gitaena curses as she feels the chill cold affect her. Then she runs as fast as she can, which is somewhat slower than normal due to the cold, and then concentrates and causes a drinking cup from a nearby table to lift into the air and fly swiftly at the witch. As she does so, her familiar sends ill fortune her way.
◆ Stride (20 feet)
◇ Familiar of Balanced Luck: -1 status penalty to the Matriarch's AC until the start of Gitaena's next turn.
◆◆ Telekinetic Projectile
When you become aware of a magical effect or see a spell being cast, you can immediately determine if it twists minds (with the mental trait), fights against fortune (with the fortune or misfortune trait), or reveals secrets (with the detection, prediction, revelation, or scrying traits). At the GM’s discretion, similar effects can also fall into these categories. When you Identify Magic or Recall Knowledge to learn more about these effects, you can always use Occultism without penalty and gain a +2 circumstance bonus.
"Yes, thats it. Keep at it," Faethor calls to the goblins. Then he turns and points at the Matriarch. A bolt of lightning falls onto her head.
HELP FROM ALLIES [one-action] TO [two-actions]
AUDITORYFrequency once per minute per PC;
Gitaena sets a teacup speeding towars the matriarch and it ricochets off of her forehead.
She smirks.
That's going to leave a mark and rubs at her forehead with the back of her hand.
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Elidathas returns Beezhul from the brink. She gasps awake and grabbing at her flail. She crawls towards the matriarch, who's surprised and disgusted to catch a flail in the gut
Her expression becomes pure rage.
Why you mangy Pathfinder!
She raises her hands to begin the next incantation. In that moment you're all certain it's going to be another wave of cold that preys on the weakness she imbued in you.
However, before she can complete it...
Faethor sends a bolt of lightning through her head. She tries to continue. Stutters. Halts. Her eyes roll back in her head and she falls over.
With Matriarch Szvetneera defeated and her plot revealed by her own admission, the rest of witchguards she enlisted to attack the estate retreat. Anastasia, Calix, and the other representatives enter back into the room, each with some superficial injuries that Calix insists aren’t serious.
Queen Anastasia thanks you for your help.
Do you have any suggestions as to which train proposal I should look at more closely. Perhaps multiple designs? I've certainly lost trust in the Matriarch.
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"I'd favor Firozet Botosar's proposal. Seems the most straightforward and fitting for Irrisen's culture," Gitaena suggests. "Also, as a witch, I've wanted to visit this land for a long time. I'm glad I could see it for myself and grateful for a chance to help. Good luck, and I know something about luck," she finishes as her black widow strolls down her hair from her ear to her shoulder.
Queen Anastasia nods thoughtfully at your suggestions. She commissions a deeper study on the Elemental Train.
Finally, more to herself than the party, she asks what should be done with winter goblins.
Calix jokingly suggests 'winter goblin soup' for dinner, to which there is a clamoring from the goblins to expose their good traits and that they want to help. The dromaar gives a performative sigh and appoints them “consultants” to prevent others from sneaking into the estate.
The PCs complete their primary objective if they find the winter goblin tribe, recover the set pieces, and judge the competition. Doing so earns each PC 2 Reputation with their chosen faction.
The PCs complete their secondary objective if they have the winter goblin tribe assigned to the castle by handling them non-lethally. Doing so earns each PC 2 Reputation with their chosen faction.
Success on both counts!
Thank you for playing!