Starting the Adventure
"You accepted a bodyguard job in town that offered the chance to explore the local environment. A specialist from the National Conservation Society, or NCS, is offering decent pay to protect him as he patrols the frozen fields to the north. Your contact is names Ahonene Aleksi, a consevationist stationed at the arctic checkpoint you're currently heading to. The trek so far hasn't been easy, and the weather has been anything but predictable. As dusk falls, you spot a hut with a steaming chimney bearing the NCS emblem, and make your way there."
Ahonen spotted a heavily pregnant Sabre-Toothed Tiger on a recent patrol, and belives it is likely that she will give birth tonight. He hopes to observe the labour of the endangered creature and protect it until dawn. As the arctic fields can be dangerous, he spent some of the NCS quarterly budget on bodyguards for his self-led mission.
Important Characters
Halfling, Male, 41 (Scout)
A Conservationist who specialises in arctic animal welfare and has a passion for Sabre Toothed Tigers
"Only Ahonen's rosy cheeks and bright smile are visible underneath the woolly, NCS-branded anorak and hood that keeps him warm."
Elf, Female, 164 (Scout)
A criminal wo is masquerading as a conservationist; Belle is part of a gang of organised poachers.
"A bottle of animal milk and small packs of bird seed are held in Belle's NCS cargo jacket."
Kobold, Female, 14 (Kobold)
Seezar sees animals, especially rare one, as valuable commodities. She follows Belle's orders.
"Seezar's armour is light and trimmed with fur. Her crimson-scaled, crokked snout is full of sharp teeth that she regularly bares in anger."
Kobold, Male, 10 (Kobold)
Tasveer is a snivelling thing, weak and cowering. But he is so besotted with Seezar he will follow her instruction despite his own misgivings.
"Tasveer keeps a shed scale from Seezar, using it as a worry stone, the once bright scale has been worn away to a dull brick red."
Key Locations
"A stoked fireplae keeps this narrow, stone lodge warm. Its walls and tables are covered in annotated maps, anatomical drawings of animals, and books filled with biological essays."
This hut is one of many NCS sites scattered througout th realm; each serves as a secure base of operations for its conservationists.
Belle and Ahonen sleep on bunk bends in a cramped box room.
"Large chunks of snow-covered, cracked ice make a twisting path across a frozen lake ahead. The footprints of animals who have utilised this temporary route are dotted through the snow."
This large lake freezes and thaws at different points of the year.
Anyone attempting to cross the lake will need to keep their balance on the ice, or risk falling and suffering damage from the cold waters below.
"Against the rugged, frozen cliffs, aa shallow alcove offers protection from the bitterly cold wind and weather. Small weeds cling to its gey walls, benefitting from the shelter."
The respote from the elements makes this alcove the obvious choice for the Sabre-Toothed Tiger mother to give birth.
The poachers can be spotted circling the skies above this area.
Quick Stats
Armour Class: 12, Health Points: 19, Initiative: +2, Key Ability: Can fly out of reach
Armour Class: 12, Health Points: 5, Initiative: +2, Key Ability: Fights in a pack
Armour Class: 12, Health Points: 20, Initiative: +0, Key Ability: Badly Wounded
Armour Class: 12, Health Points: 21, Initiative: +2, Key Ability: Weak after birthing
Armour Class: 13, Health Points: 16, Initiative: +2, Key Ability: Keen sight
Suggested Story
Set the scene, have the party enter the hut, let Belle and Ahonen greet everyone, then continue:
No Time To Lose
- As Ahonen explains his plans, Belle asks where he will camp, in case she needs to ssend help.
- Ahonen leads the party on a trek into the arctic fields towards an icy lake, a few miles to the north.
Polar Panic
- A Polar Bear is found in a trap near the lake. The party must help Ahonen release the trap, stop the bleeding and stitch the wounds. The creature loses 1d6 hit points with every failed attempt to save it, and its survival depends on the party's success.
- The group must cross the frozen lake to continue.
Birthing Pains
- Ahonen spots the Sabre-Tothed Tiger mother near a rocky alcove. He sets up his tent, gets out his field kit and approaches cautiously to assist. The mother gives birth to two healthy cubs.
- Keeping their identities concealed, Belle, Seezar and another Kobold Poacher fly to the alcove riding a Giant Owl. They demand the cubs, and will fight for them.
- The poachers focu on stealing the cubs and putting them in cage strapped to the Giant Owl. If they succeed, the poachers will try to escape.
- If badly wounded, Belle confesses nd apologises. Furious, Ahonen leaves her fate to the party.
- With the poachers defeated, Ahonen and the party watch over he mother and cubs until dawn.
Secrets and Clues
- Ahonene has worked with Belle for a year; the two have bcome friends, and he respects her insight.
- By leakin key breeding and nesting sites to Seezar, Belle has made them both a lot of money.
- Sabre-Toothed Tigers are endangered because they are poached for their pronounced teeth.
- Seezar has set up bear traps around te lake, in an attempt to gather expensive Polar Bear fur.
- Seezar's snow-coloured Giant Owl wears a spiked collar, and has been treated harshly by her.
- Belle's gang are the only poachers in the area, but have caused the NCS major issues.
Quest Rewards
Ahonen has set aside 100GP fom his NCS budget to pay the party. Ahonen wears the Eyes of the Eagle Goggles which he happily gifts the party if they save the cubs. Seezar has a smal, leather pouch that holds Six Gemstones woth 10GP each.
Level 1-2 Adventure
Harder: You could replace the Kobolds with Gnolls, and Belle could use the stats of a Spy.
Even Harder: The poachers could be rogue Druids who ride a Wyvern. The frozen lake could be inhabited by a swarm of cantankerous Ice Mephits.