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@Lya At first, it appears that Haltani is getting lost in your story... and that perhaps your "flourishes" have detracted from the tale, until you notice her smiling. Perhaps it was the fervor which which you told the tale, but she seems quite amused by it, and thanks you for your insight.
@Davorin you tell your tale, and she pays close attention to your words. "An orphan? That's too bad. It must have been painful not knowing your parents." But, as Davorin gets lost in his tale, he quickly recovers from the shock of her interjection, and saves the story at the last moment.
@Sgt. Blue. The only response you get from her is, "Um, ok. Are you sure you aren't Ulfen?"
@Kirin She listens to your tale with great concentration, holding on every word. She asks questions about your "jinni-blooded' traits, and what that means, and how it was to grow up in a harem. She also comments on how hard it is to have a different calling than one's mother, but seems quite pleased with the conversation.
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"Glad you asked, glad anyone asked. I am Logg the unsung, the forgotten son of Jenner Kardash, sixteenth child and only male descendant of Taldan House Kardash."
Wow, she's still listening, this is the furthest I've ever gotten.
"My father died in childbirth, well shortly after. Celebrating the birth of his first son my father shared toasts with everyone he could find. He then climbed to the highest balcony in the estate to proclaim the news to all when he fell to his death.
Logg stares off into the distance, at first morning the father he never knew then, realizing he has an audience, for dramatic effect. After a quick moment fishing for some sympathy affection, he continues.
"There were rumors of my sisters involvement in the death. But then again there are rumors of my sisters involvement in everything. Mother had always been quite the socialite, she loved the fame that came with the trophies he acquired on long past military campaigns almost as much as she loved him. After his death she became obsessed with House Kardash's standing on the world stage and marrying off her beloved daughters. As she blamed me for fathers death,she did her best to forget me and I was relegated to the task of babysitting fathers collection of historically significant trinkets. So here I am the curator of the Kardashian Museum, what has mockingly become The Blakros of the East. It is now up to me the restore honor to the Kardashians.
Logg rises as he speaks, growing louder and leaning into the wind. I wish I had some music to back this up... and a way to end this, she was supposed to be consoling me already. I guess I'll just keep looking to the horizon. Maybe she'll think I'm deep in thought...
I'm hungry.
That's a pretty bird.
Maybe I should get a bigger sword.
Or two bigger swords.
That would be sweet.
I'm awesome.
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@Logg - she listens to what you are saying, and has a polite smile on her face. Confusion does flash across her face, occasionally, but she does seem pleased. When you pause, she merely smiles, and nods.
@Prizm - Haltani seems rather confused by your story... and perhaps more so by Bert, but eventually she seems to catch on. Perhaps it is the squawking of the bird every time Prizm mentions Bert ("BERT!"), or maybe it is just the rambling of a First Worlder that isn't quite adjusted to Golarion. In the end, she is clapping, and smiling, and ruffling the bird's feathers.
Could I take a look at that jewel around your neck Haltani?
She takes the stone out, and shows it to him. It is an exquisite ice diamond. She tells you that ice diamonds are the rare blue quartz crystals produced in the frozen Hope Lost mine, in the Irriseni province of Wintercrux. "Do you like it? I think it is quite pretty."
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At the moment the woman asks Prizm if he likes the gem he starts fiddling thru his belongings. ”Oh yes! I very much do like that gem, is there ANYTHING I can trade you for it? What do you like? What do you want? I must have it! Where can I get one?!
Obviously being flustered Prizm does what he knows best, he grabs a book from his knapsack and starts to drone. “To be deemed a real blue diamond, the stone must have been found in nature with this hue. It’s also worth noting that there are a variety of shades when it comes to blue diamonds. While some may boast a pure hue, others might have undertones or green, violet or gray.”
Looking up from his book suddenly he squeaks. ”BERT! Bring me my ink and quill! I need to write an IOU!!!”
At the mere mention of a quill – Bert goes scrambling toward Lya seeking protection.
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A bend in the river and several large rocks cause white-water rapids across most of the water’s breadth; only a narrow channel with a swift current flows without obstruction near the southern bank. Tall trees grow on either shore, casting shadows with their large overhanging branches.
Suddently, a huge net springs up across the river and the sailboat is entangled in it. "Hoy, the ship! Halt your progress, and state your business!" yells out the "maroon" Ulfen.
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Kirin continues the conversation with Haltani at her prompts, gladly answering any questions she has, clearly interested in talking about herself. “ ’Jinni-blooded’” refers to the magic that courses through these veins” She pulls her sleeve up her arm admiring an ornate tattoo there. ”It is quite strong and takes some concentration and skill to master, control, and hone. It is said our blood is mingled with that of great elementals” She shrugs, not sure if she believes that or not. “So it is said.”
In this conversation she notices Haltani fiddling with the jewel and chooses to ask. “I sense a story behind that gem. It is beautiful. I would be interested to hear it, if you’re willing to share.” She prompts, during the conversation.
@ The arrival of the Ulfen
“We are here, in part, to establish trade routes with these great lands” She says, flashing the writ of trade. “We mean you no harm, indeed, we may be able to come to mutual benefit. Let us meet this great Halvor and discus this further”
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Davorin speaks quietly enough not to be heard off the boat, "I agree Lya, but they have us at a disadvantage, and we were asked to make friendly with the locals. Having some resources on the friendly side of the Irisen border might be beneficial to the Society as a whole. Our mission is not time sensitive. Perhaps it's worth finding out how far off-track we'd have to go?"
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Wishing he knew the intricacies of speaking Skald, Sgt. Blue shouts over the bow to the Ulfen, "Our path lies far from this Battle Leader of White Rook, if you allow us to continue our journey, we will return to our Society with both tales of your honor, and proposals of trade with your Battle Leader."
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Kirin holds her hands up. “It appears some of my colleges are not very fond of this idea of a detour in our mission. I do not very much tolerate assaults to my person, myself. If you want us to accompany you, it will be at our behest. You would do well to keep this in mind. How about you take this net off our boat and we can discuss this further, politely.”
If they do take their net off our boat. Talk peacefully on the shore of the river.
“Just how far is this journey anyway? Would we travel by river? By land?”
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Looking back and forth between his new tall companions and the even bigger Ulfen the gnome begins to ponder the path ahead. As he gets to shore he motions to Bert and has the small bird gather a small handful of pebbles. He pockets them while humming.
”Excuse me sir? While I very much appreciate that you have not killed us or caused us harm. I am curious – this place we are going to… this man we are to meet…”
Prizm waits patiently for the giant humans to take notice of him.
”Do you think they will have cake?”
While the giants digest the deep discussion, Prizm transfers the tiny pebbles in a small cloth pouch.
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While scampering about looking for tiny stones, Bert hears the word cake. The small bird startles, jumps and runs around in circles dropping one of his precious pebbles.
Trying with all his might to say the word of his desire, he opens his tiny little beak and utters….
”BERT!”
You almost think if the bird had tiny little shoulders – you could see them visibly slump.
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Davorin nods to his friends and their capable negotiation skills, "I'll go where you go."
He then speaks to the Ulfen, "Do you need help with the net? If we're going to go together, we're going to have to get this boat untangled."
Through all of this, Davorin continues to keep his eye open for any sign of betrayal as he starts to detangle the boat.
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The group undoes the net, and they set out for Whiterook.
The village of Whiterook sits against a tall cliff wall. A line of close-growing birch trees and tangle of vines shield the village, acting as a natural palisade. One of the larger birches bears a carved bird, which lends the village its name. In the center of the village, a massive fire pit sits stocked with timbers and dry brush as if ready for a massive bonfire.
Several humanoid bodies hang naked in the trees outside the palisade. Hanging next to them is the skinned corpse of what appears to be a bear-sized wolf.
The Ulfens there watch the group make their way up the hill, though they seem to be paying particular attention to Prizm. Haltani says, under her breath, "Savage butchers... monsters all."
You are led to the center of the village, near the unlit fire pit. Soon, a tall man with massive muscles, long blond hair, and a thick beard whose face bears numerous battle scars approaches. He asks, "What business do you have this far east?"
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Kirin stands tall, shoulders back, head high. She gives the leader a bold up and down look, appraising his character.
Looking the leader straight in the eyes “The Illustrious Halvor, I presume?” She nods, continuing. “We are traveling through this region on a mission of great import. A portion of this mission, however, does entail negotiation of potential trade deals with great leaders in the area” She pauses, letting him know she thinks of him as such.
“Would you care to discuss this further? In a more...” She pauses, glancing up at the corpses, unflinching. Holding her composure, remarkably. “… amiable location, perhaps?”
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"I wish we could Halvor, I wish we could," says Davorin shaking his head. "But, there is something beyond the icy border we need. If you have advice on how to survive we'd be very interested to hear as it is clear you have much experience. We are though capable of defending ourselves, even against a place as inhospitable as Irisen?"
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"I can only conjecture that if you are talking trade, you are going to Dalun. I know of Dalun and their claims of peace. I believed those claims myself, up until the last moon. They sent envoys to talk of trade, but as we were about to let them in, we were attacked by winter wolves, ice trolls, and a dozen Jadwiga soldiers.” He spits on the ground before continuing. “We slew enough of them to scare them off, but lost many good warriors. I just wished we had captured that Jadwiga witch while she
was here, but she vanished into the night.”
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Prizm takes in what Halvor is saying, all the humming a slightly annoying tune.
“Ummmm.. Mr. Halvor, I very much appreciate that you captured us all with nets and such. And that you’re your people escorted us into your camp. We got to see really … interesting bodies hanging in the trees!”
His small face screws itself up into an unpleasant look.
“But, you brought us here, where it is scary – to warn us… of things that – are scary? Can you please tell me why? I get the feeling a gentleman such as yourself doesn’t tend to do things out of the kindness of your heart, am I wrong in saying that?”
The gnomes face seems to brighten a bit as he continues.
“I assume that you want something! Most tall folk do. Can you tell us what that might be? I really want to go to this deadly evil scary place soon. It sounds like it has absolutely fascinating things to document and record!”
With a slight glint in his tiny Fey eyes he begins to drone.
“Arctic tundra contains areas of stark landscape and is frozen for much of the year. The soil there is frozen from 10–35 in down, and it is impossible for trees to grow. Instead, bare and sometimes rocky land can only support low growing plants such as moss, and lichen. There are two main seasons, winter and summer, in the polar tundra areas. During the winter it is very cold and dark, with the average temperature around -18 °F, sometimes dipping as low as −58 °F. However, extreme cold temperatures on the tundra do not drop as low as those experienced in taiga areas further south.”
With a deep gasp Prizm winds down.
”As you can see sir, we are well informed of the area, and we have a good deal of hearty adventurers in which to rely on. Can we please leave this scary tall person abode?”
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“Well then.” Kirin says, visibly startled. “I am not so sure I like this idea. Go ahead and attack at your own volition – we cannot stop you - but. How exactly are we supposed to accomplish any sort of trade negotiations if we bring an army at our heels? This will not work for us.” She pauses, staring him in the eyes resolutely.
“There must be another way to accomplish this… retribution you seek?” She pauses, gauging his reaction, before continuing.
“We will ask around in Dalun. Figure out who exactly was behind this recent attack. There is no need for you to lose more men in this. Perhaps this Witch you speak of had more to do with it than the locals – in which case, you would not only be unnecessarily losing men in this battle, but you yourself instigating a wealth of unnecessary turmoil in the future”
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Looking around the area nervously Prizm takes a small gulp of water from his flask before speaking.
”Soooo, I am going to go on a limb and say that your people while wanting revenge for wrong doings… that there was a figurehead or leader that has your ire… ie their leader. Could we maybe help you out there? I mean – I am a pretty powerful wizard and well – you have an axe to grind… quite literally.”
Bert makes several grand gestures and runs around Prizm obviously trying to aid him in his boast.. but in the end – well he is a Dodo…
”Your approach while effective, is not really what we are striving for here. So can we strike an accord? I can personally vouch that we will try to keep your absolute best intentions as one of our foremost agendas! Not only are we fantastic adventurers, BUT we are also pretty rough and tough as well if it ends up going that way.”
Prizm puffs up his chest and tries to look impressive, as does Bert
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"Curious they would attack such a well defend settlement..."
Logg looks around acknowledging the Ulfen warriors and the dead on spikes.
"Unless they thought they had the upper hand, or more likely to provoke Whiterock into retaliation. Your warriors, although mighty, are not endless and it would be a shame to lose them to Jadwiga treachery."
Pause to let their imaginations run wild.
"Let us proceed and uncover whatever trap they have laid for you and the motivations behind the attack. Then we will have the upper hand when your enemies fall to Whiterock axes. We will find the evil behind this and I will pour us all ale in celebration as the wizard burns it to the ground !"
Raising his voice, raising his fist and raising the crowd!
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The discussions get Halvor thinking. "That is an interesting question, why would they attack us now... when we are strong. So, what really happened?
"The envoy from Dalun was lead by Uliyara, the daughter of Baroness Nadya, the ruler of Dalun. She did disappear rather quickly when the fighting started, I believe she must have used magic to do that."
He has his warrior bring out some scraps of uniforms and other equipment, which bear an insignia.
Lya and Logg realize that the insignia is from Saarbotten, an Irriseni town near the border... not Dalun. Logg also knows that nearly every Irriseni settlements has its own forces and acts independently.