[PFS] GM Doug's Down the Verdant Path (Closed) (Inactive)

Game Master Doug Hahn

Nokka, seeing the glaive cut towards her friend's neck, furiously waddles into a flank position and bites at Clortho — ripping a horn off in the process! The panpipes fall to the ground from his listless hand.

Even if Kahru is unconscious it still confirms.

Clortho is down.

Free action

Xox addresses group from within the trees.

You're fine prey indeed! I'll tell you a secret because you've shown me such fun, putting down my erstwhile friends: walk the way you came facing backwards to leave the heartgrove. Spin deiseil in the lake to escape our realm altogether.

He puts another arrow to bow. he is not standing down.

But do come back, oh, please come back! I'm having such fun! He laughs hysterically.

Clortho will take the AOO on Kahru with a reach weapon, actually. You can't 5' step in difficult terrain, which is the side of the hill. Either way he would not take his AOO on the seemingly less threatening bird. I am reading the flow of actions here as Kahru moving through a threatened square and readying an attack, then waiting for Nokka to flank. Let me know if that's wrong.

1d20+4

Uh oh.

[dice=Confirm]1d20+4

Luckily, it does not confirm!

[dice=damage]1d10+4

It looks like Kahru took 34 damage so far. Is he still up? I know he didn't have full health at the start

Yeah, that sounds right. I forgot Clortho had a reach weapon, though it wouldn't have changed my plan. Kahru started at 36/38, so he's still up, but just BEARly. Also, I'm not sure what you mean by 'the panpipes fall to to the ground'. Is Clortho still up?

I'm glad I didn't confirm that crit :) I edited that. He's down.

Eugressia tilts her head and stares at Xox, then squints. A large rock hurls itself at the fey.

telekinetic projectile attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
ouch!: 1d6 ⇒ 6 + 1 bleed

Fourth round of dark half

The rock just misses the snaky fey's head!

Oiur rolls amidst the fallen leaves and thick pollen, locked away in a corner of their mind while their body cackles of its own accord.
Will save: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 4 = 19
And maybe snaps out of it!

The spell's effect is continuing even though the caster is dead. You will snap out next round, Oiur :(

Dont forget about Bless!

With bless it hits!

The rock looks like it's going wide, but then Xox twitches his head and it smacks him in the forehead!

-7HP; bleeding

No worries! And I’m not sure bless would help, since that bonus is against fear effects.

No, probably it won’t help Oiur unfortunately, but I helps with near misses!

Feeling brave with Kahru and Nokka nearby, Kokoyuki takes another swing at Clortho.

Tetsubo: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12

Kokoyuki told me he would attack Xox off PbP

Kokoyuki Misses.

However, because Xox is penned in behind a tree he moves away from Kokoyuki, drawing an attack of opportunity.

AOO from Kokoyuki

Kokoyuki swings again!

AoO: 1d20 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Xox goes down!

Out of combat! Oiur is no longer laughing.

You have defeated the wild hunt. What will you do?

Concentration to leave dark half: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Eugressia's winds die down to their usual lazy breeze. She looks back at the party. "I think I'm starting to be able to control it, a little. Is everyone all right?"

"Maybe we should look at the rest of these bundles!"

Will detect magic get me anything interesting?

Oiur slowly, wincingly pushes themself to their feet. "Stars and spires, my ribs hurt." Their back and legs are a mess of leaf litter, smudges of prismatic pollen, and soot from Kokoyuki's fires.

They blink at the fallen hunters. "Well, I guess that's that. And yes, I'm fine, just sore." They gingerly press a hand against their side. "You? Doing alright after... now that the other part's gone?"

They give Eugressia a concerned smile as they walk below one of the other bindles. "Not sure what else we'll attract if we take more, but if they belong to people in situations like Azure's, maybe we should?" Oiur squints upwards, neck craned back. At least a dozen leaves in various states of decay bristle from the back of their head.

The remaining bags have auras of strong transmutation.

Oiur and Eugressia climb the trees. The smaller, bag rumbles with a contented growling noise when you approach — like a territorial puppy dog. it seems to want to be taken away with you.

The large bindle bag is too heavy to move very far, and when opened it seems to contain nothing but air. Then, a bone-rattling shout booms forth. Five familiar voices rally in unison: Clortho, Ronnone, Xox, Daisag, and Garow.

All of you are are suffused with an overwhelming feeling of camaraderie. Intuitively, you know that this bag contains the wild hunt's spirit of cooperation.

It seems that a powerful entity detached this concept from the wild hunt's psyches, stuffed it into a bindle bag, and hung it here for them to puzzle out.

If you noticed, they were not working as a very cohesive unit during the combat.

*Unh* "I'll be alright." Kahru says, yanking an arrow from his shoulder. "As long as there aren't any more of them around." He draws his wand and holds it out to one of the folks that can use it. "Will you tap me with this thing once or twice? I'm not sure I have the strength for swimming, at the moment."

Two charges, just to be prepared for being in the cold water/whatever we might find on the other side.

Now that you're all infused with the SPIRIT OF COOPERATION I am sure your teammates are all waiting impatiently in line to heal anyone whose hurt.

If we find any healing potions on the fallen huntsmen, then Kahru will drink those instead.

There is no gear of note on the hunt other than boots of the cat on the byunny rabbit, an everburning torch, and mwk panpipes. The glaive is broken.

Oiur cradles the dense bag in the crook of one elbow. They recoil at the booming voices, then snap around at Kahru's pained grunt. "Oh! Spires, Kahru, look at you, I'm so sorry!" They drop the now-empty bindle and rush to his side, quickly and efficiently seeing to his wounds.

Cure light wounds, charge 1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Cure light wounds, charge 2: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

They look into his eyes for a long moment before handing the wand back, puzzled. "You know that feeling on feast days? The whole clan gathered around. Good food, good company, all the old songs and stories? Right now, I almost feel like that."

They do their best investigating the other bindle, but its purpose eludes them; this doesn't seem to faze them. They clean the muck and grime from their armor, rearrange their pack, and shoot a smile at Kokoyuki as they lift it onto their shoulders. "Good work, there. We're lucky to have you along!"

They hum contentedly all the while, a slow, deep, and steady tune that tickles Kahur's memory.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

”Thank you,” Kokoyuki says with a nod. ”It may seem like a lucky hit, but under Yamatsumi’s blessing there is no such thing.” He smiles politely and gives the bag on Ouir’s shoulder a look.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 and Detect Magic

”Oh, I believe that’s a bag of tricks, but filled with fey animals. Could be quite fun.”

"Hrm, thanks Oiur" Kahru says, rotating his shoulder to check range of motion. "I'll still feel it tomorrow, I'm sure, but that's much better. I've heard that song before, somewhere. Did you play it at Kasa Ajo?"

Eugressia finally seems to notice the arrow wound in her shoulder.

"Oh, gosh. Oiur, could you use my wand on this for me? And yes, it's just me, now."

2 charges off my wand!

Oiur stops humming while they help Eugressia. "Hmm? Oh, sort of!" They turn to Kahru, and begin tapping a rhythm on their sternum. "It's missing this, and plenty more; the big convocation ceremony, with musicians from every Qua." They hum a short bar. "That was just my simple part. Others did the impressive sections."

"Ah, I hear it now. That was impressive."

Kokoyuki smiles politely, trying to imagine the melody on the shamisen.

When you are ready, you can leave the heartgrove by following the directions given to you. The fey will return in 1d10 days. Let me know if there's anything else you want to do here.

"We have what we came for, right? These changing seasons are bizarre. Do you think any of it would last long enough to be a sample for Ashasar? Otherwise, let's get out of here."

I think we still need samples of a couple more seasons, right?

Which seasons did we get aside from winter?

You have gotten everything you can here. There may be other elemental connections to the fey world that you've passed over, or can find after crossing back over.

"Let's get out of here, this place gives me the creeps. What did that thing say? Walk backwards the way we came in?" Kahru walks over to the path the party came in on, then turns around and starts walking backwards toward the lake.

The party makes their way backwards through the woods, teaversing the various seasons. You jump in the lake, spinning opposite widdershins.

One by one you pop out of the well and the objects you offered appear in your hands. Off to the side, Jamila and Falbin are immersed in the final preparations of a ritual.

Eugressia, putting away the cold weather outfit, hears it coo. From now on, whenever it's used it makes soft murmuring sounds.

When Kahru moves to put away the soap, it slips out of his hand falls onto the lip of the well. It starts rotating counterclockwise. It will do that whenever placed on a flat surface.

Kokoyuki hears sniffling from the half-melted candle. If he ever leaves it alone in a room, it will start crying.

Oiur sniffs when they put away the rough-milled flour. It smells like pine.

Azure looks at you. Tears glimmer in their eyes.

Is that… are those… my colors?

When Kahru moves to put away the soap, it slips out of his hand falls onto the lip of the well. It starts rotating counterclockwise. It will do that whenever placed on a flat surface.

*Kahru's mind flashes to a strange future, in a distant world, where a man with a tinfoil hat attaches colorful wires to a bar of soap, already composing a missive in his mind about 'perpetual motion', whatever that is.*

Eugressia holds up the fur-lined cloak to Oiur and asks "Did you...did you hear it say something?"

Oiur furrows their brow and leans in close to the coat.

rhubarbrhubarbrhubarbrhubarb

Their eyebrows climb up their forehead, and they look at Eugressia from the corners of their eyes. "Yep, that's... something alright."
Standing, they pull out the pouch of flour. "Looks like we all have a, uh, gift." Sharp evergreen scent puffs from the bag when they loosen its string. "We'll see what Ibb thinks of pinecakes, eh?"

~~~~~~

"As best we can tell!"
Oiur smiles at Azure and holds out the blue bindle, careful to keep its rainbow drops off their boots.

Azure dives into the bag while Oiur is still holding it — it grows heavier and heavier — Azure wriggles around inside and then tumbles out, bombastically colorized.

Goldfish, lemon, vanilla, moon, acid, honey, violet, sapphire, spark, calico, prism, JOY!

They hop up onto the lip of the well and swing their feet into the air. Somehow, the old glade seems more specific and bigger — the sunbeams seem lighter, the ground seems more solid, the ruined well less sad.

They tilt their head and examine each party member in turn: Fiery fervor, strong earth, breezy air, changeable water — Azure's heroes!

They hop down and run in circles around the group as they speak, almost singing:

To commemorate the recapture of my cores, my colors, my dreams, my loves, my lives — I would tattoo myself four times. Four tattoos, one for each of you — the heroe's true hue and highest hope, to accompany me while I wind through the garden of my life.

What will Azure remember of you?

Each of you can recommend a tattoo for Azure, and they will get it. They prefer it best exemplify your character's personality, something intrinsic to the character, or something that gives them an interesting connection.

Oiur laughs delightedly, spinning in circles as they try to keep track of Azure. At the gnome's question their look shifts from puzzlement to bemusement.

"True and highest hope? You know, I'm not sure I've ever thought about it in those terms. I guess... hmm."

They bend their knees to sit on their haunches, take their dagger from its sheath, and begin scratching in the dirt.

"So this for where I come from." The metal tip carves three deep furrows, then swirls their ends into approximations of Oiur's cheek tattoos. They put out a hand to brace themself, dipping their head to scrutinize the design. "Hmm."

Quick slashes, and the swirls are now surrounded by precise radiating lines; a spiraling sunburst, or perhaps an opening blossom of delicate petals. The dagger flits several more times, and the three thick furrows are joined by skinnier versions. These multiple lines flank the original, larger ones, forming a wide base that eventually slants in and merges to once again become three unified pillars just before meeting the cheek pattern.

Oiur nods, satisfied. They stand and direct their pleased look towards Azure and the others, indicating the design with the gleaming dagger. "There! Like these," they drag a thumb up the thick charcoal bands on their neck, then around the navy spirals on one cheek, "the spires of my Qua, shifting into whatever currents carry me through the world. But with something new!"

They beam. "All those little lines, all my different experiences, the people I meet." They suddenly flare the fingers of their other hand. "Turning into something bigger, more vibrant. That's my highest hope—to become a kokoelma, a story, a song that shows who I was, who I am, what I've become. And who helped me get there!"

They sheathe the dagger with a flourish, put their hands on their hips, and smile down at their handywork.

"'Truest hue and highest hope', huh?" Kahru says, staring into Nokka's eyes as he affectionately scratches her neck. "Surely those can be found in the eyes of a noble beast." He gently turns the owlbear's head toward Azure, squishing her cheeks into a goofy face until she wriggles away. Nokka stands on her hind legs, wrapping her forepaws around Kahru's hand and playfully biting him. He laughs, then continues "I can think of nothing more noble or true than my companion here. How about a picture of her?"

”Why, a fox breathing fire like an erupting volcano,” says Kokoyuki with a smile. Meanwhile, from inside his pack comes a sad mewling.

”The poor lonely thing,” says Kokoyuki, pulling out his half-melted candle. ”I shall have to wear you around my neck to keep you from crying.”

"You can hardly tattoo the winds, so perhaps a storm cloud with a bolt of lightning?" The sylph's eyes flash, but only with mischief this time.

1/3

We can fast-forward a bit.

Jamila and Falbin join you: they have devised a ritual to repair the seasons and — with Azure's help — complete it. As you walk back to Bellis, the seasons return to normal. Azure wanders off in their own direction, waving goodbye and disappearing into the green forest.

Once in town, you hear people buzzing about a great beast — Falbin rumbles about the DRUIDS but Jamila smiles.

In the town square stands an elephant that appears to have been roughly hewn from solid rock; it towers above tents and kiosks in the market square.

After a moment, a statuesque suli man emerges from behind the elephant, scanning the commons with his electric-blue eyes. When he spots Jamila, he smiles and waves her over.

2/3

Typical, mutters Jamila, folding her arms but smirking in spite of herself, Even when he’s late, Ashasar knows how to make an entrance. Or should I say, especially when he’s late.

3/3

He introduces himself as Ashasar, "the Liaison to the Seat of Balance of the Concordance of Elements, and the newly appointed liaison between the Concordance and the Pathfinder Society." He does a lot of liaising.

He invites the you to deliver your reports at a cozy inn over tea sweetened with Bellis’s famous honey. As you walk, he practically bounces with excitement.

At the door to the inn, the stone elephant shrinks and waddles in behind you. Ashasar hands the inkeep a bag of rocks and several gold pieces, asking her to heat the stones on the stove: He enjoys resting atop warm rocks.

Now seated. he turns to your group (all of whom are in the Concordance).

Truly, I’m jealous of all of you for getting to go on such a fascinating excursion, but such is the way of a leader, doomed to delegate. Please, tell me what you found, and don’t spare the details!

Give your report to Ashashar, keeping your faction mission in mind.