Opening
narrator
Frosthaven Notice Board
WARNING
There have been several sightings
of unknown hooded figures near
the mountains and adventurer
disappearances have increased.
BEWARE
There has been a massive increase
in roaming undead in the past week.
Do not leave town alone or in small
groups, and always be well-armed.
DANGER
A crazed lunatic is on the loose,
killing indiscriminately. Keep doors
locked and report any suspicious
individuals to the Frostfires.
CELEBRATION
Don't miss the annual Snowman
Festival! There will be food, drinks
and music to celebrate another
peaceful year in our wonderful town!
ellerie
Pom, what's the status
of the Seahawk II now?
pomelo
By some miracle, she'll live. The crash
landing did a number on the engine, so it's a little slower than usual.
Well, not little. Like quarter speed.
ellerie
I suppose it still working
is good enough news, though our exit plan just
got a whole lot harder.
pomelo
How's Lindros holding up?
I've been busy all night with
the ship and can't find time.
ellerie
Still brooding. I think he feels
guilty for the Seahawks splitting, even though it was inevitable.
pomelo
I'll have to talk him out of that,
after I've fixed our front propeller.
Got to dash, way too much to fix.
(Pomelo leaves.)
ellerie
Dune, see anything?
dune
Unfortunately, yes. I've sighted the
Prince's forces three days from Frosthaven.
They've caught wind of our excursion.
ellerie
Three days?! Are you
sure? How many?
dune
It looks like Prince Jeziel
brought his entire force.
Knights, wyverns, pegasi. the
lot. I do mean the whole lot.
ellerie
How audacious. Does he not fear
his home territory being invaded?
unari
Our chances in the war depended on the
archsage. That's the correct priority.
dune
With the Guild weakened, they can't
stage a counter-invasion so soon.
ellerie
The Seahawk II at normal status
would let us just fly past them.
But with it stuck at marching speed...
dune
We'd make it to Frosthaven before them, but they'll run us down in the open
field before we can reach Johnsbury.
ellerie
If a confrontation is inevitable, we'd want to have it in the most
favorable position possible.
And where is an ambush less
expected than in an ally's home?
dune
A sound strategy, especially given they'd
be exhausted from their forced march.
ellerie
I'm sure sneaking us into Frosthaven
is no issue for the good boss, right?
unari
You're really demanding
more and more out of me.
ellerie
We're such stalwart
allies after all.
unari
I can get you in, but expect little
assistance from Frosthaven's garrison.
I can only exert command to the point
where they don't want to depose me.
ellerie
That's about as expected.
We will march for Frosthaven.
secundus
I conversed with a few lowlives,
but I was forced to break their
limbs when they showed disrespect.
sir slaughter
They keep running off screaming.
Didn't get anything.
jeziel
(Was I really this
starved for talent?)
seguradez
Ahem. I had a pleasant talk with a
few remaining Frosthaven members.
They report Unari and her group to
have not returned from the Tower, though they were expected days ago.
jeziel
Perhaps they had to spend time
preparing the next batch of gol-
No, that is naive optimism.
The Seahawks must have
caught them flat-footed!
seguradez
Our troops cannot march any
further. They must rest.
jeziel
Very well, you're all dismissed.
We shall rest here and march
for the Tower at first light.
secundus
Yes, your highness!
(Secundus and Sir Slaughter leave. Seguardez moves to leave, but Jeziel stops him.)
jeziel
Seguradez, wait. Are you
really in healthy condition?
seguradez
Why do you ask? I've never
felt more full of life.
jeziel
Just a month ago, the healers
proclaimed you'd never walk, much less fight again.
Yet by whatever miracle, you're
fit enough to march with our best.
seguradez
I'm not sure what the concern
is, I'm perfectly fine.
jeziel
Is there anything else to this?
Miracles like this don't happen.
seguradez
You overthink this. The healers were
simply mistaken, nothing more.
jeziel
Of all my sworn brothers that followed
me into exile, you are the last.
When you were carried away on a stretcher,
I truly feared I'd lose my last friend.
We're not young anymore. Don't
take risks like you did at Yalunzar.
seguradez
Your concern moves me. Worry not, I'll be
sure to stay in the reserves with Florete.
jeziel
There's no one else I'd trust her
with more. Very well, have a good rest.
seguradez
Should you
not rest too?
jeziel
A leader must
never rest.
Some Time Later...
(The Seahawks approach.)
ellerie
They really have no
idea we're here.
mince
I told you I knew the best ways to
hide. Master of stealth, remember?
ellerie
Somehow, you've lived up to that.
Surely, with their forces so fatigued,
we can rout Prince Jeziel right here.
unari
I wouldn't be so confident.
Despite being such a bastard, there's
reason he still holds onto this lands.
At Yalunzar, I saw him rip out a
spine and impale another with it.
mince
That doesn't sound
very princely.
unari
He presumably lost that succession
crisis on the Mainland for good reason.
ellerie
Old age may have done little
to his physical prowess, but...
Now, why would they bring
a child on this march?
Is that the granddaughter?
unari
Yes, that is indeed
Princess Florete.
oriana
Don't tell me...
ellerie
To bring her with him on this, I can only assume she is of
utmost importance to Jeziel.
Is this true, Unari?
unari
I overheard them talk,
it was real sappy stuff.
I'm doing this all
for you and whatnot.
oriana
Oh, Elis.
ellerie
I wonder if the Prince can still devote his
full strength with other matters on his mind.
unari
I'd support any plan that involves less
chance of me getting run over by a wyvern.
oriana
We're really agreeing to kidnapping a child?
Does that not feel beneath our dignity?
ellerie
We're not truly out to harm her.
Not that Jeziel knows that.
Besides, it's minimising bloodshed
through a quicker conclusion.
unari
And there is no better opportunity to
strike, given so many of her guards
are just fast asleep in the streets.
ellerie
Until we start taking off heads,
that'll wake them up fast.
mince
Imagine waking up to an axe in your head.
Wouldn't wish that as a way to go.
ellerie
You've suddenly discovered
a knight's chivalry?
mince
No, just reflecting that I'd
never be caught unaware.
oriana
This is distasteful, but if it
will get us home safely...
ellerie
The child kidnapping or
killing our foes in their sleep?
oriana
Let's just get
this over with.
(Ellerie surveys the enemy position.)
ellerie
Half our army will keep their forces
distracted by pillaging their supplies.
The other half will go straight
for our impromptu rescue target.
Once we've seized the child,
Jeziel will send everything at us.
With everything in our favour,
that's when we'll crush him!
If you took the Cannibal's quest
ellerie
Bloodbane's contacts are
here for us to extract, if we have the time that is.
Ending
ellerie
(grins) We defeated Prince Jeziel himself,
while surrounded by his full army!
Hahahaha! What a victory!
(Ellerie walks over to the captured Jeziel.)
ellerie
(serious) A pleasure actually meeting
you for the first time.
I trust you're not too injured
for a polite conversation.
jeziel
What is this farce? I will not hesitate to slay
you with my last breath, if Florete is harmed.
ellerie
I don't believe you're in any position
to be making threats, but fear not, she is just over that hill, in the
safe and capable hands of my crew.
jeziel
Don't think you'll be able to lay claim
to my lands, even if you slay me here.
How many troops can Irinde really field?
Enough to control a settlement halfway
across the coast, and fend off the Guild?
ellerie
I would never dream of such.
I only want what's best for Irinde.
jeziel
Hah! Your underhanded tactics and
claim to power would disagree.
You would not have the opportunity
to take over if not for my actions.
ellerie
(smiles) You're right. Thank you.
If it wasn't for your unbelievably
foolish errors, I wouldn't be here.
You had a winning hand against
the Guild, and you squandered it.
jeziel
Snake. Then what more do you
want from me, if not my life?
ellerie
(serious) Even with the Guild weakened
by your unfortunate siege attempt, they'll repair any damage quickly with
the help of their Mainland masters.
Your lands will need my aid if you
are to survive their retaliation,
and I do not desire the Guild
dominating the eastern coast.
jeziel
So you slay my sworn brother, butcher
my men, kidnap my granddaughter,
and now you ask for an alliance?
ellerie
That does appear
to be the case.
jeziel
I see your games. You want to keep
both the Guild and my realms weak.
That's why you entered the war,
even though the Guild's collapse
would have also benefited Irinde.
ellerie
I'm not sure how that's relevant.
Do you agree, or not?
jeziel
... Return Florete safely,
as proof of your word.
ellerie
I knew you'd see sense.
We will continue this discussion
in more fitting circumstances.
(Ellerie releases Florete.)
florete
Grandfather!
jeziel
You're all safe now.
No need for fear.
florete
I wasn't afraid! Those barbaric
adventurers wouldn't have dared
to harm a hair on my head!
jeziel
I knew my granddaughter
would be brave.
florete
The old knight, where is he?
I fell and didn't see,
but he was really brave!
jeziel
... Who do you mean?
florete
Grandfather, how are you so forgetful?
I'm talking about Sir Seguradez.
jeziel
You must be confused.
The good man tragically
fell in battle at Yalunzar.
florete
That can't be right,
but I- Huh?
jeziel
The day's experience
must have taken its toll.
Let us return home,
then you can rest.
florete
... Yeah.
Yalunzar
maurice
All this time, gold, reputation and
favours spent in these backwoods.
For what? To be merely a stepping
stone for that red-haired scoundrel, for her to go from exile to chieftain?
Have I always been this incompetent?
Focusing on sunk cost here while my
liege fends off hyenas in the Capital?
I should've cut my losses long ago.
If you invested in the sword throwers
(Something strikes Maurice, wounding him.)
maurice
Gaaahhh! Ellerie's assassins! You won't
be rid of me using third-rate killers!
(Maurice flees. The sword throwers emerge from their hiding place.)
merchant 1
Did you hear that scream? I think
our throwing sword actually hit someone.
merchant 2
Finally! I knew it would work.
And I got a good arm.
merchant 1
Good arm my left buttock. You
threw it with your eyes closed.
But what if they make us
pay for the healing fees?
merchant 2
Then we'll use our secret technique, lying.
But where's the throwing sword gone?
merchant 1
Probably ran off with it!
Damn, that was our only one!
merchant 2
This is going to set us back
by another three months. Oops.
merchant 1
I'm doing all the test
throws next time.
Irinde
ellerie
In the span of months, we've shattered
some of the mightiest adventurers, broken the backs of the Iron Realm and
showed the coast the wrath of Irinde!
Such a feat could only have been achieved
with the courage of our Seahawks!
mince
Woooooo!
pomelo
Go us.
lindros
(Guess I've committed.)
ellerie
With the aid of Irinde's staunch allies,
who refused to bend before tyranny!
johnny spices
An odd feeling, that I am technically
an outsider in this familiar place.
ellerie
With Irinde's very own Dune Ironsmith
and the unrivaled martial prowess of...
the Guard Captain!
dune
...
guard
Hehe, that's me!
ellerie
But most importantly of
all, with all of you!
Every citizen who raised up arms
to fight for Irinde's pride!
For Irinde's future!
But this is only the beginning!
With the blessing of my predecessor...
Oren
Yeah, sure.
ellerie
...I will lead Irinde
into a new age of glory!
(The crowd cheers.)
crowd
Irinde!
Irinde!
Irinde!
(Tower and Oriana watch from afar.)
tower
What self-serving tripe.
oriana
Didn't think you'd come to this instead
of continuing to drink cheap beers.
tower
Barkeep left to listen to this crap and I didn't
have anything better to waste my time with.
oriana
I assumed you'd stay scarce,
given the whole situation.
tower
What's the point? She rules
this whole damn place now, and she's got a superweapon
to boot because of Lindros.
And it's not as if she's been
hiding her desire for conquest.
We're going to just leave
her with that?
oriana
What can we do? We still owe
her a big debt for Krynia.
tower
Because her interests coincided with ours.
Let's not forget her willingness to jump ship.
oriana
The results are the same. And in all honesty, we're lucky they overlooked the whole matter.
Ellerie would have anyone else killed for less.
tower
Lucky, or perhaps, she finds it
inconvenient to kill an old man.
Especially the grandfather
of her current protege.
oriana
That's a pessimistic
way of looking at it.
tower
You're really going to let
Krynia stay with Ellerie?
oriana
I tried talking to her,
but she wouldn't hear it.
She sees Ellerie as some
sort of... role model?
tower
That is not good. You're her mother,
make your authority mean something.
oriana
If that's what Krynia desires,
I can't seek to control her.
And besides, Ellerie values her
highly, she's safe in Irinde.
tower
Because she's useful. You really think
she wouldn't abandon her for a payoff?
oriana
Ellerie may have been rather
unscrupulous in her dealings, but she's always stuck by her
comrades. That I believe.
tower
They always are, until it
becomes inconvenient.
But what do I know? I am just
a bitter fossil past his time.
If the barkeep doesn't
return I'm serving myself.
If the Cannibal's quest was taken
krynia
A letter and a package
from the Guild.
Already tested for traps.
And by that, I mean
I opened them.
(3 merchants) Very good work.
(2 merchants) Good work.
(1 merchants) Adequate.
letter
A reward befitting your success.
(The package is empty.)
ellerie
Was this insult
really necessary?
mince
Caps, busy with
the paperwork?
ellerie
Paperwork? I wish I had paperwork!
Governance of this place is a mess.
It's as if no one has discovered
what keeping a record is.
Asked for Irinde's ore stockpile,
records are only in someone's head.
Dear Elis, can't even start on what
gold inflow and outflow looks like, because no one's actually bothered
keeping track of any of it on paper.
What are we, cavemen?
mince
Yeah, that does sound-
ellerie
I asked Dune what Oren's tax policy was,
and believe it or not, there isn't one!
Somehow, this whole town is run on
some bizarre voluntary donation system, but at least the citizens see arming
themselves as their own responsibility.
As the Chief I'll have to make gold
myself off taxing merchants or something, because I sure don't think the townsfolk
are going to like me introducing taxes, especially given they arm themselves!
Right, you're probably not here
to listen to me complain all day.
What's the matter?
mince
So you know how a good bit
of our crew are going with Oriana?
ellerie
Don't remind me,
I'm still bitter.
mince
So, well, I figured,
I was thinking...
ellerie
Aren't you elusive today.
That's not like you.
mince
I kind of...
Want to go with them?
ellerie
Huh.
mince
I love the excitement of seeing new lands,
hunting odd beasts and life on the road.
I know you have lofty ambitions, but I
am not really keen to be a soldier again.
If that's alright with you.
ellerie
(smiles) Of course, Mince! What, I'm not going to
deny you making your own decisions?
You're not honor bound to me and you
fulfilled oaths to the Princess long ago.
mince
(frowns) We've gone through a lot together.
It feels wrong to be leaving your side.
ellerie
You don't need to feel bad about anything.
What am I, some damsel to be protected?
Go out there and achieve your destiny,
or whatever it is. I'm sure you got it.
mince
(smiles) Really, huge thanks,
Captain.
ellerie
(serious) But Mince, please stay safe out there.
I really, really don't want to hear
you got ripped up by a revenant.
mince
I'm THE Mince. Of course I'll be safe.
If things go south, I'll just vanish.
ellerie
Right. You're a master of stealth.
Oh, take this with you.
mince
Wow, something this valuable?
I can't just accept this.
(Ellerie gives Mince a Bobby.)
ellerie
Shut up, you're taking this.
I was saving it for a rainy
day but I'm the Chief now, if it rains I'll just deconstruct
this whole town to use as shelter.
mince
If I think of it as compensation
for my marvelous cooking skills, I suppose that might be fair.
ellerie
Now that's the confidence
I remember.
mince
I'll still be in town for a bit longer,
want me to cook a celebratory dinner?
Maybe a fine meal overlooking
the beach we first docked at.
ellerie
(smiles) That sounds lovely. I'll be with you once
I've finished fighting my lack of paperwork.
mince
That's great, see you soon. You're
not gonna expect what I'm cooking up.
(Mince leaves.)
ellerie
(frowns) ...
...
Damn.
Back to work.
daygon
On my desk are seventeen reports.
They describe not just your abysmal
failure in suppressing this unrest, but stoking the flames with your idiocy
and almost causing a peasant uprising!
cyquin
Who are these rapscallions
making reports behind my back!
If it was not for the incompetence
of my guards and the disobedience o-
daygon
Silence! If you are as good at managing a
township as you are at making excuses, we would not be having this conversation!
cyquin
...
daygon
When I sent your sister to the
furthest reaches of our territory, all I received was praise for
her resourcefulness and charity.
Even now, I hear travellers speak
of the good lady of House Heron.
Why is it that you can't seem to even
rule three square inches of land?
cyquin
...
daygon
Even with her tireless effort
to maintain peace and order, she still finds the time
to hone her martial abilities.
Renowned swordmasters praise
her skill with the blade, while you can't seem to
even slay a chicken!
Where does your time go other
than drinking and gambling?
cyquin
...
daygon
One more mistake like this, Son,
and House Heron will have a new heir.
cyquin
You can't! I'm your
only male descendant!
daygon
You're making me rethink that only
men should inherit House Heron's title.
(A man enters.)
speedwell
Milord, we've received peculiar
news from the Crescent.
A rather curious letter
for your eyes only.
daygon
Very well,
let me see it.
You, get out!
cyquin
...
(Cyquin leaves. Daygon looks over the letter.)
daygon
Very, very interesting.
And you are sure this
letter is no forgery?
speedwell
It's authentic handwriting.
I can personally attest to that.
But milord, I must advise you
to exercise caution regardless.
daygon
Your advice is noted.
Gather the head retainers
and my daughter.
We have much to discuss.
Character Descriptions
Jeziel
The failed claimant of years past who
tries to hold onto his former status.
Age has not tempered his arrogance.
Florete
Entirely unimportant except
for her use as a hostage.
Seguradez
Prince Jeziel's only remotely competent
subordinate, yet he is but an obsolete
relic of times past. Much like Jeziel.
Plucker's Gift
A price paid for mobility.
-4 Def/Res. +2 Move.
Slaughter
The fact this individual got a position
of power says everything I need to
know about the Iron Realms.
Secundus
A thoroughly dislikeable fellow who
has unbelievably survived this long.
I can't wait to crack his head open.
Iron Infantry
The backbone of the Iron Realm's forces.
Most of them would rather be farming.
Glade Gallant
The Iron Prince's mounted division and
most trusted fighters. Maintaining the
mounts necessary is becoming very costly.
Lightwalker
Fanatics who worship the old gods.
Have more in common in the Sect than
they realise, though I dare not say it.
Loot Wagon
Wagons laden with loot.
Shiny.
Blaine
The man, the legend, the Blaine.
Seriously, who is this person?
The Circle
A tightly-knit organisation responsible
for many of the Crescent's rising stars.
Their members seem to follow conflict.
Bloodbane's
Minions of the merchant Bloodbane
that we plan to snatch from under his
nose. Well, his nose and Jeziel's.