Once Upon a Time in Golarion

Game Master vayelan

Sorry, missed my cue earlier.

Sams approaches the injured bandit. "Heys, I's remembers you. Topper Red! Yous is really smart. Yous talky man."

Sams looks to his allies. "Toppers is pretty nice guys. Not sos meanies like some others."

He surveys the rest of the scene, then turns back to Topper. "Hey, I's no sees Dovan from Nisroch, Auchs, Akiros, and Falgrim Sneeg. Wheres theys all go?"

As he rattles off names, it appears Sams has realized that many of the bandit leaders are not accounted for in this battle.

"We need a full accounting of casualties," Ahto says in reply to The Vixen's question. "We need to tend the wounded and bury the dead."

He looks down at the wounded man as he is being tended. "This Red fellow appears to be someone who can provide us with valuable insight into who and what remains arrayed against us."

The Vixen replies to Ahto, "I think Sams can get through to this Topper fellow better than anyone. I was in the den o' thieves, so if ye want, I can sit in on the chat in case his words puts a new perspective on something I saw meself.

"What o' the mercs? They gave us a name we can use, ye've made yer offer o' mercy, so next step's yer call."

Her shrugs, taps on her purse, and hand-waves toward discarded weapons all suggest a complex veiled meaning...

Bellflower Innuendo DC20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Holy crap—I really thought this one would blow up in my face!

...which is clear only to Ahto.

Ahto turns to the surrendered mercenaries. "I promised you your lives in turn for your surrender. Divest yourself of your armor, weapons, and horses, and you may leave this place unharmed. If you return with any hostile intentions hereafter, no mercy will be granted to you under any circumstances. If any of you wish to leave your current life and remain to make something better for yourselves, you are welcome to do so, provided you give your oaths to obey the law and stand in defense of the entire community, if called to do so."

He gives them a moment to consider the terms.

The Vixen adds, "Consider me boss' offer. A life o' fleeing from arrows aimed at yer backs sounds like a life guaranteed to be short."

Gesturing toward Sams and Topper, she adds, "The evidence's right in front o' ye. Our dragon-grappler was once among this red-haired bandit's crew. He's a former bandit, yet I trust him more than I trust most men. I can't explain the redemption that goes on in this post. But if ye live among the indentured here, ye'll pity yer friends who fled."

"Sams? I...you're alive?" Topper Red asks through parched lips, groaning as Barris treats his worst wounds. "Dovan told us all he killed you. I guess he was just trying to scare us into line. I should've known."

The wounded man attempts to sit up, but he quickly rethinks the move as the stabbing pain strikes him.

"Dovan kept to the back during the fight," he continues breathlessly. "He kept Auchs nearby as a bodyguard. They probably fled like hares as soon as the tide turned against us. During the initial charge, Sneeg stood beside me. He was actually one of the first to flee. I saw his eyes. He glimpsed something - something that struck a bitter chord and turned his heart."

The last thing he manages to speak, before growing quiet as he braces himself against the pain, is that the last of the lieutenants, Akiros Ismort, was actually clapped in irons and thrown in the cellar by Dovan - another attempt to make an example to force the other bandits to respect his command.

.....

Surprisingly, Darvin survived the swooping attack of the wyvern tossing him into the stable. He suffered quite a few injuries, putting him in a similar state as Topper, but he will live. The rest of the injuries are more minor, requiring some dressing but nothing impairing.

Unfortunately, two of the outpost's defenders fell during the siege.
One of the indentures, Jolan, and one of Lord Garess' mercenaries, Laurl, were slain during the battle.

.....

The defeated mercenaries rise and, after briefly exchanging glances, begin to shed their armor and unstrap their lingering weapons. None are willing to stay behind beneath your command, instead opting to risk the return journey to the River Kingdoms.

The Vixen watches the men buzz off. She shrugs, "Didn't trust 'em anyway."

She tells Ahto and Sams, "That was a hell of a fight. If not for Barris' vision and Wonky's ingenuity, it'd been just plain hell. I'm gonna give our li'l genius a proper thank-ye."

She then heads inside for now, looking for three people:
• Asham
• Hexa
• Wonky

"I's no dead. But Kalima uses magics on me and I's go sleepy times. Theys has lots of bandits working at the forts. Yous can be one too."

Sams takes in all the news from Topper Red. "Oh, so Akiros is jails at the bandit bases? Who is feeding Akiros?"

"Dovan probably left him in the cellar to starve," Topper says, speaking through teeth that are grit against the lingering pain. "Same as that terrible old man that the Stag Lord kept chained up down there. Dovan and Auchs are probably running back to the fort now - not to free either of those prisoners, mind you - but to gather as much treasure as they can hold in their arms before fleeing into the River Kingdoms."

.....

The promise of skinning the "winged death" is too great for Hexa's pride as a hunter to resist. He is determined to stay behind and work with the beast's hide. The lizardman poorly hides his desire for a trophy of his own, but he insists that "Warchief Ahto" gets the first selection.

The Vixen finds Asham caught between her discipline as a soldier and the lingering excitement of the battle. While Lord Garess dispatches Charl to aid Oleg in quenching even the smallest lingering ember left by the burning projectiles, the mercenary captain commands Asham to assist him in laying out Darvin on a bedroll to treat his injuries.

When she sees the Vixen approach, however, Asham utterly fails to hide her gasp and the glint of awe in her eyes. She is clearly impressed by the Vixen's heroics.

The Vixen agrees, but says to Hexa, "Two things. First, me talent's ladies' clothing. If ye can craft something for the war chief, it's more likely to be appropriately masculine then what I'd make.

"Second, I want a small piece from the top o' the head." The Vixen gestures to where she made the finishing stomp. "I struck him atop the head with me boot while jumping o'er him. I mean to write to Mother about it. She's a Huntress, so she'll appreciate the trophy. Ahto can take his pick aside o' that. I'm guessing he'll want fangs. He was bit. Me? I took a slap from a wing."

VV thanks Hexa and assures him that if he helps craft, there will be plenty of his left for him. His impressive mount looks like it can handle the load!

-----

The Vixen smiles back. Maybe Asham's really looking for a man like she said, or maybe said that because she thinks she's supposed to find a husband. The Vixen can't be sure what Asham's heart feels. She only knows the look she's getting makes her own heart pound.

If Asham is carrying out her orders, she respectfully paces herself so the soldier can. However, if Asham is clearly distracted, the Vixen offers to help.

Once the wounded man is settled, the Vixen addresses Garess:

"Cap'n, ye may or may not be aware, but Ash fought bravely by me side—loosing arrows at intruders with that wyvern lurching o'er us. She focused on her targets, and I focused on mine." The Vixen gestures toward her bloodied boots. "I'd like a word with her, once ye see fit to give her a break from duties."

"Something made from the teeth would be appropriate," Ahto says in reply to Hexa. "A belt, perhaps? Something that doesn't hang loosely."

"In order to be rid of the remaining bandits for good, it appears we need to track them to back to their fort and destroy it. We will take the rest of the day to bury and honor the dead, but we need to move by first light tomorrow if we will have any hope of catching them."

Assuming the Vixen was with Ahto and Hexa, she would be fine going after the bandits tomorrow if not today. She knows the way to the hideout, and knows what area to avoid. (A place where zombies tend to ride from their graves when the living get too close.)

Just outside the palisade, Hexa lays out his knives. He intently examines the corpse of the "winged death" and considers how to begin his work on such a large beast. In addition to a belt for Ahto and boots for the Vixen, Oleg has also suggested that he'd enjoy mounting the preserved head - or at least the skull - atop the gate or one of the watch platforms.

"One hells of a conversation piece, it'd be," he says with a rare smile.

...

Lord Garess nods with satisfaction upon hearing that Asham served so admirably. Once their work is finished - tending to the wounded, laying out the dead, and assessing the damage - he mumbles that the Vixen can speak with Asham.

"I recognized one of the bandits," he says grimly after a pause. "Falgrim Sneeg. He was a Varisian who served in my company some months ago. He robbed us, then fled into the Greenbelt. I'd heard he'd taken to banditry, but I suppose this confirms it. He must've seen me atop the walls and panicked. I'd love to take him alive and bring him back to Restov for punishment."

Garess shakes his head and his words tail off into frustrated, bitter mutterings.

...

Once Topper's wounds are treated and his condition is stablized, he and Sams both warn you of two hazards lurking around the bandits' fort. They mention the zombies that lie in wait within shallow graves on the hillside on which the fort sits, a danger you'd already learned about.

"You should beware of Beaky, too," Topper adds. "Some weeks back, while out on a hunt, we encountered an owlbear and brought the creature low. Rather than opening death's door for the creature, the Stag Lord ordered us to bring the unconscious beast back to the fort. He kept it chained up in a pen, but I wouldn't put it past Dovan to leave the ornery creature as a dangerous surprise for anyone trying to claim the fort."

The Vixen thanks Garess. Of the deserter he wants alive, she says, "That Topper fellow mentioned a man turning tail. I'll see to it Sams gets yer message. Powerful as his punch is, he aims to keep his opponents breathing."

The Vixen then says to Asham, "Looks like we get a li'l break! I could use a bite, but need to wash up before I touch any food. Ye care to join me?"

The following day

Before the first strands of dawn's light even cross the sky, with the morning still bathed in twilight blue, Ahto rouses the party from its rest.
The indentures have already led your horses from the stable and secured saddles upon them.

The smell of blood and offal wafts into the yard from beyond the palisade, where Hexa continues to strip and dry the wyvern's hide. You wonder whether the lizardman even slept through the night.

Barris checks on Darvin, Topper, and the other wounded, both ally and captured foe.
Asham and Charl patrol the watch platforms, bows in hand.

"Will you be needing the wagon? Kimber, one of the former bandits, eagerly asks Ahto.

"Yes," Ahto replies. "We may find spoils of the bandits that will need to be returned here."

"Kimber, if you would, please call all the Indentures to assemble," he asks the man politely. "I have a bargain to fulfill with them."

Can we get some healing overnight?

In the morning, Sams brings some water and begins to chat with Topper Red. "How is yous feeling?" he asks. "Being bandits is not so fun anymore," he says, stating the obvious. "But working with Boss Ahto is good if you's tells you yous very sorry."

RETCON Healing Spells the night before

Cure Light Wounds on Sams: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Cure Light Wounds on Sams: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Cure Light wounds on Self: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Between Barris and Ahto's divine power, combined with rest, I believe everyone should be back at full health.

Once the Indentures are assembled, Ahto addresses them all.

"You fought bravely, and were true to your words. Now, it is time for me to uphold the terms of our contract. By the power invested in me by Abadar, Lord of the First Vault, and by the Charter of the Lords of Restov, I hearby declare your sentences commuted. You are all, from this day forward, free men. I leave you with one admonishment. Live the remaining days productively and within the prescriptions of the law. Mercy has been granted once, it will not be done so again."

He grasps the iron key about his neck and whispers, "Abadar unlock their bonds."

(Cinematically canceling the brand spells on them, as you see fit to describe.)

"As free men, no one shall demand you work without compensation, unless it be a call to muster arms in the common defense. Ply your trades, learn skills and crafts. Farm and raise cattle. Start families and raise children. Do the things civilized men do, and leave your lawless past behind you. May Abadar bless each of you with prosperity."

After the assembly, the Vixen tells her companions, especially Sams, what Captain Garess told her: "He wants Falgrim Sneeg alive. That's the man Topper said cut and run. I figure ye get a description from Topper, and if ye see the man, best ye get the finishing blow so he's still breathing."

(The Vixen also gets a description of Sneeg from Captain Garess.)

To Wonky, she says, "Ye're concoction won the day, Wonky. I've been thinking o' making an outfit for ye, and it'll be made o' wyvern-hide. Whatever ye desire, I'll start once the hide's ready."

Before setting off, she calls up to Asham, "I thought practice went well last night. We'll spar some more when we get back." The Vixen lightly brushes her neck with her fingertips. "And we'll work on grappling techniques."

Bellflower Innuendo DC20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

The Vixen smiles at Ash, then says to Ahto, "I'm ready when y'are."

Wonky catches up with her team after tending to the ailing catapult.

Knowledge Engineering, Free Inspiration: 1d20 + 16 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 16 + (4) = 30
Profession Engineer: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Wonky seems particularly interested in the presence of the owlbear at the largely-abandoned bandit headquarters.

Knowledge Arcana, Free Inspiration: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 1 + (2) = 34

She proceeds to tell the group all that she knows.

The now-released indentures heave sighs, offer grins, and show other signs of relief to be freed. There is no immediate mass exodus, but most of the men express an intent to depart. They consider their options, speculating about whether to travel to the River Kingdoms, risk heading to Rostland, or simply linger around the Greenbelt.

Two of the former bandits, Kimber and Jerrick, step forward after the brands are released. They offer their continued service as hirelings, suggesting that they help you secure the bandit fort.

Wonky is an utter font of knowledge on owlbears.

As for the catapults, Wonky is certain that she could oversee their complete repair, but she would need the aid of skilled artisans with specialized tools, not to mention fresh timbers and parts.

The Vixen sees the nervousness and adds, "No worries, Ash. Grappling sessions start when ye're ready. We master one technique at a time."

The Vixen gives Ash a fox-like smile—
CHA: Smile Pretty: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
—an irresistible combination of feminine charm and the unwavering confidence of an empowered woman.

Despite Asham's reservations, the Vixen's natural charm resonates with the soldier.

Kimber harnesses the animals to the wagon and drives it to the trading post gate. Kimber bellows for his friend, Jerrick, to stop petting Sprocket and come help him.

Your former companions - Aris, Aurelius, Kalima, and Paval - agree to remain behind for a few more days in order to watch over the trading post in your absence. Once you return, they will depart for Restov to petition for punishment against Baroness Althea Thrune.

Although they have a day's headstart, it seems likely that you can still catch up to the fleeing bandits before they quit the Greenbelt with their ill-gotten goods, as they were traveling on foot and without any sort of discipline or organization.

Nevertheless, it is a sixty-mile stretch between Oleg's and the bandit fort, comprising the entire length of the Greenbelt.
Escorting the wagon, it will take about two and a half days' travel to reach your destination.

The Vixen has the comp bow with her, along with most of the arrows—all but the one she launched over the dragon, likely to somewhere outside the post. She intends to unmask herself early in the trip, knowing that by nightfall, it will no longer be safe to travel as Addy.

(She always unmakes herself when she sleeps and sleeps as Addy, and she always wakes up as her VV persona, even though the mask is either under her pillow or within arms' reach while sleeping.)

"We will leave at dawn then," Ahto says to the group. "Make any necessary preparations for travel and possible combat. Kimber, Jerrick, you may claim weapons and a suit of armor each from our stores. Make sure they are clean and oiled before we set out in the morning."

Sams helps hitch the heavy wagon to the pack animals and loads up supplies for the journey. He also looks to equip himself with some improved armor from the fallen bandits.

Is there a chain shirt and heavy shield available? That would up Sams' AC tremendously.

Yes, Sams is able to claim a MWK Chain Shirt and a Heavy Wooden Shield from one of the fallen enemy mercenaries.

Her boots are all she needs to be combat-ready, but the Vixen supposes there is time for breakfast, if available. And if not, she makes certain the wagon is well-provisioned for the several days of travel.

She does approach Kalima, regarding the plan to punish the Baroness—which VV makes clear she is in favor of before she tells her take on the Baroness' role. It is in part due to preconceived notions of hers (and the Child's), but also due to "...the way the mercenaries talked—like every other flunkie, as if there's some mystery woman whose name they dare not mention—making us feel like we're 'in the know.'

"And I learned the game at that tender age when I was being trained as Huntress by one parent, Warrior by the other, and besting boys a year older in feats o' strength... seemed fitting to me that the most powerful piece in the game was the token female."

Or did I mean female token?

"Only, proud as I was o' me skill at besting me fellow novices by toppling knight after knight, king after them, I was soon forced to cede that local nerd-boy Aegon MacMoughin played the Queen better than me. He played her as the Sacrificial Maiden. She gave a big show o' power, kept me eyes on her, me mind on the Amazonian showdown. That li'l egg-fart even let me Queen take out his knights before I bested his Queen with a glorious seven-square charge."

Dispensing with the narrated theatrics, she finishes the play-by-play abruptly, mimicking the next words from Aegon's mouth: "Checkmate.

"Me reply to Egg was also two syllables, though I suppose I was more gracious about the next four consecutive losses."

Cutting to the chase—

"That childhood lesson helped shape the woman ye see before ye—me outfit, me weapon o' choice, insults I throw at me foes—all distractions! All part o' the mind game in battle. And as that sweet soldier Ash found out, I'm even willing to sacrifice meself."

Not to gripe me stint as a meat-shield earned me a mere slap, not the venomous tail through the abdomen I was bracing for.

"As for the Baroness, she's a Sacrificial Maiden, minus willing. She's got a man pulling her puppet strings, playing her like snotty-nosed Egg McMoughin. Our eyes're fixed on the powerful woman, while the man's thinking a hundred moves ahead, maybe even promoting another pawn to be his showgirl Queen."

—and arriving at the point:

"Punish this Baroness, yes. Freeze her assets, strip her titles, politick her primrose ass, all that.

"But whatever ye do, get the man's name. No way the Baroness'll lose her power and keep silent. She'll want something of a life, and what little ye offer comes with a price. The Name. Whoever's using her as his human chess piece."

Wonky attempts to brew one more potion (potion of enlarge person) for Sams prior to leaving for the fortress.

Craft Alchemy, Inspiration: 1d20 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 11 + (6) = 19

She also finds Ahto the evening prior to their departure.

"I have made a discovery that I have should have realised long ago," Wonky says, holding the magical pearl in front of her face. "This powerful magical item - this pearl of power - is useless to me. It is only useful for those who stop to prepare spells each day. As an alchemist, I prepare formulae and extracts - not spells. I feel silly having kept this from you, and now I hand it over for your good use, dear Ahto." Without more formality, Wonky places the pearl on a table and walks out.

I'd like to give the pearl of power (1st level) to the only person who prepares spells each day active in the party - Ahto.

(I hate to turn down your gift, but Inquisitors are spontaneous casters not prepared spell casters, so I can't use it either.)

"Thank you Miss Prong," Ahto replies to her retreating form. He reaches down and lifts the pearl from his desk.

She is mistaken. It is not compatible with my connection to Abadar, however, it may be for Barris.

Pearl in hand, Ahto makes his way through the Post until he finds Barris. He holds out the pearl to him.

"A gift to the Church from Miss Prong. Its enchantment will allow you to recall one of your the lesser invocations you have already used in a day. It would only be appropriate for you to use it to heal and help our fellows. I think Miss Prong would especially appreciate that over applying its use to the enhancement of my own duties."

Barris is taken aback by the gift. He stammers before finally finding his voice and offering his thanks.

"By the First Vault...th..thank you. This is probably, no, it is certainly more than I deserve," Barris says, a quaver in his voice betraying how moved he is by this sign of faith in his duties.

.....

With the horses harnessed, Kimber and Jerrick drive the wagon onward, following behind the party as it sets out to claim the now-abandoned bandit fort. With the wagon in tow, it takes three days to cross the plains and hills of the Greenbelt.

Strangely, the land somehow feels more peaceful, at least as far as the wild frontier can. No "winged death" swoops down from the skies. As you pass the great old sycamore, no gang of mites unleashes its traps upon you. And, of course, no bandits waylay you in your travel.

Once you cross the natural ford, where the Thorn River feeds into the Shrike, it is not long until the distant fort comes into view.

A narrow path of hard-packed earth, 30 feet wide and some 300 feet long, winds up the hillside approaching the Stag Lord’s fort. The remaining hillside surrounding the fort is devoid of shrubbery save for isolated thorny vines. Many sharpened stakes have been driven into the ground at the foot of the wooden palisade, standing like a phalanx of irregular spears.

At the end of the path winding up the hillside, the gate sits open.

The Vixen says to Ahto, "If ye need me to sneak a peak, I ain't the most observant, but thanks to the fashion world I'm used to walking on me toes."

The Vixen moves at the speed of silence—
Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
—and if told not to, she will halt and stick with the group. If followed, she will not object. She certainly doesn't want to enter the open gate, but merely peer in to see if there are men looting, waiting in ambush... or did they leave the owlbear free to do that.

Oddly, as she moves—whether alone, with a stealthy gnome, or the loud footsteps of the party—the Vixen realizes what compels her to move forward:

A man is starving in the prison cell.

The risk she took for Ash made perfect sense to her, but rushing to Topper's aid and now this...

None o' the men here're innocents. Why should I care if they suffer?

The Child offers no reply. The Vixen's protective surely rivals that of an owl bear's. Her 'talons' on the other hand...

Sams approaches the bandit fort. "I's remembers when I's comes here. We's takes a big wagon of wines and had a party. It was fun! That was before Li'l Henry dies." Sams seems less sad about that fact these days, seemingly accepting that his friend as moved on to the Great Beyond.

As VV slips away, Sams issue a reminder warning. "Careful, they has zombies in the hills to guard the forts!"

The Vixen shifts her path in the opposite direction of the zombie graveyard, as a means of showing understanding of and gratitude for Sams' warning. She remembers some of those mercenaries almost being mauled to death, but she was so focused on her thoughts starving prisoners and giant owls, she could have easily stumbled onto the Hill if not for Sams.

She continues her stealthy movement, leaving her bow shouldered if being empty handed helps navigate the terrain.
Climb, if needed for stealthiest zombie-free route: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Otherwise, she keeps a bow and nicked arrow in hand, moving low as taught in her Huntress training days.

The Vixen follows the path winding up to the fort, which keeps her clear of the shallow graves of the restless dead hidden elsewhere along the hillside. As she approaches, she notes that there is not a single guard atop the walls and watch platforms.

Once she reaches the gates, the fort looks no less abandoned. A small, dusty yard separates the palisade from the inner structures. The ground here is of hard-packed barren earth. Dozens of barrels lie stacked against the inner wall of the palisade, each with a wooden or metal bucket sitting nearby.

The fort seems to have been built around the ruins of an old tower. Wooden walls have been erected to support the crumbling stones and establish separate rooms. Walkways have also been built atop the tower walls, linking the wooden watch platforms.

1d20 ⇒ 11

The Vixen doesn't see any sign of man or beast. Knowing she's not terribly observant, she doesn't break silence or investigate further. She simply puts her back to the wall by the gate and waves to Ahto, Wonky and Sams, signaling to come forward.

In case there are enemies sneaking about, VV keeps an arrow nocked so she's prepared to shoot (or kick).

Seeing the Vixen's signal, Ahto cautiously approaches the fort, cocked and loaded crossbow in hand.

As he approaches, he watches carefully for signs of ambush.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

The Vixen waits in total silence as Ahto (and the others) approach.

She looks and listens for any signs of bandits or that owl bear she's heard so much about, but with no beatiful young woman or innocent person in danger, the Vixen has no reason to rush in recklessly.

Her priority is to protect her friends, and that's the only reason she moved ahead... though thinking about Ash, VV is glad she hasn't taken an arrow for the team.

...yet.

My Take Ten perception is 10, so I won't beat the DC14 while waiting.

With Sprocket in hushed tow, Wonky rushes behind Ahto and Sams towards the gates of the compound.

Perception Check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

The gnome cocks her head as she enters the walls and Sprocket flattens to the ground in an aggressive position, the hackles raised on his back.

"I can HEAR it!" Wonky whispers with a combination of excitement and fear. "It is slumbering away......THAT way!" Wonky indicates the direction that the snores emanate from as she draws a wand from her bandolier and touches her faithful pooch with it.

Use Magic Device Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 FAIL.

"Ahto, would you be so kind as to lend me three gold pieces for the purposes of a spell effect? I would repay the debt."

I'll try the wand of shield of faith again if you allow me, GM. I'm requesting the coins so I can make use of my coin shot spell.

Wonky: As long as you don't roll a 1, you can retry your Use Magic Device check.

At the center of the ruins, thick stone walls surround a cracked and crumbling platform of heavy stone. Huge chunks of the roof collapsed long ago, shattering into the rooms below. Sediment collects in cracks and along corners of the remaining roof, sprouting tiny blades of grass and rivulets of moss. A bedroll on a pile of straw sits in the center of the platform, a small collection of toy knights and dragons surrounding it.

Within the stone walls, the edges of this drafty room are crammed with crates, barrels, and boxes. Hammocks strung on wooden posts denote sleeping areas, while dirty bowls and utensils rest atop rickety and makeshift furniture. Elsewhere, chamber pots sit tucked into corners, while a large iron gate is wedged into a ten-foot-wide gap in the western wall. Chips of ancient plaster flake from the walls, exposing the stone construction; whatever plaster still clings to stonework is covered with strange and erratic scribbles and pictographs. The floor consists only of hard-packed earth.

Beaky the Owlbear currently slumbers in his opened pen, as shown on the updated encounter map.

Wonky shakes the wand with a frown on her face, slaps it up against her thigh, and then tries to use it again.

Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 SUCCESS!

Shield of Faith is cast on Sprocket.

Wonky then fits a small vial to her heavily-modified stonebow.

Ahto makes a motion towards the open cage, mimicking the motion of closing the door and locking it.

(Any stealthy movers want to make that roll? Ahto is decidedly NOT stealthy.)

The Vixen gives Ahto a nod—

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

—and stealthily moves to the cage (bow shouldered, hands free) to close and lock it. She certainly hopes to do this without waking up Big Bird.

(Rolling higher than 20 might help. Here's hoping sleep dulls the owl bear's perception!)

Beaky Perception: 1d20 + 12 - 10 ⇒ (3) + 12 - 10 = 5

The open pen is little more than an atrocious-smelling cave dug out of a pile of rubble. Large bloody bones, likely from horses or elk, lie scattered on the ground. A couple human bodies also lie within the pen, showing signs of inordinate decay.

The Vixen creeps forward and finds a taught length of rope wrapped and knotted tightly around a post. She quickly deduces that this holds the gate to the owlbear pen open. She unties the knot in the rope and unwraps it, but once loosened it quickly rips free from her hands as it is pulled by the weight of the gate.

An old iron portcullis slams shut, hemming in the owlbear. The clatter of the gate striking the ground rouses the beast, however, and it barrels towards the portcullis. The iron barrier budges but does not give way, thankfully, as the feathery beast reaches a broad, clawed forearm through the bars and flails wildly, trying in vain to reach the Vixen. It roars and hoots in impotent fury.

A still drying pool of blood stains the ground just outside the now-sealed pen. A small burlap bag has been dropped nearby, partially spilling its contents, including many gold coins.

After stepping back and letting out a quiet sign of relief, the Vixen calls out to the others, projecting rather than shouting, and keeping her voice calm so as not to tick off the owl bear more than she already has.

"If ye need three gold coins, there's at least that here by the cage."

Though she acknowledges the money (and would gladly take a share to save up for an upgrade to her combat boots), the Vixen leaves the burlap sack where it is if she can't grab it without getting mauled. She expects there must be a spear or something she can use to reach the sack safely.

She asks Wonky, "Any chance ye've a way to put this bird to sleep? I can feather it with arrows, but that's hardly sporting. Anyway, we mean to take this beast alive, right?"

Wonky scoops out some gold coins from the open sack.

She will take 10 gold coins to be sure.

"My magic would not be particularly useful here," the gnome explains. "It would require the subject to ingest my extract, and I think attempting to convince our new friend to do that would not be conducive to my good health."