Dunia slashes at Green, which turns to run away in panic only to discover that it is dead again!
And Jorah makes Blue blind as well!
"That thing took a big piece out of me. Makes it extra satisfying to put it down." Crowe surveys the damage to himself, smiles, and withdraws his wand.
There is a moment of calm with the zombie owlbears (re)killed. A moment after Caerwynn's rapping, one of the boards reinforcing a cottage window is pried open from the inside, and the face of a purple-haired gnome woman pokes out of the window. Once she sees that all is clear, she worms her way headfirst out the window, despite a chorus of protests from inside the cottage. Oof! Urgh! Ack!
Eventually the tiny gnome wriggles through the gap, landing deftly on her rear end. She bounds to her feet as she speaks. Finally! I was getting thirsty in there. Oh, did you bring any wine? I like wine. Hmpf. Bloody owlbears. You'd think they'd know better than to trifle with me! Hey, is that my packhorse? I'll settle for grog, if you have it. Instead of wine, I mean. Not instead of my packhorse. That would be silly.
The disheveled gnome climbs directly over the rotten corpse of an owlbear and starts rummaging through the packhorse's saddlebags. Meanwhile, a shocked group of young Pathfinders emerge from the cottage, surveying the carnage with horror.
The gnome Ignizi continues to ramble on. Been like this for a week or so, you know. Nothing but undead and southeastern winds. Wretched awful smell. And me without my astrolabe. You should hear these youngsters whine and complain. One little undead horde and they go all to pot! By the Eldest, I'm thirsty. Heh, I'd drink a flask of ink at this point! Bloody zombos did drag off one of the youngsters, though. Oh, you should hear them complain: "Oooh, we're all about to die! Oh my, what's-her-face was abducted by zombos! Oh, I don't want to be eaten." And they call themselves Pathfinde— AHA! The gnome triumphantly holds up a bottle of dark red wine. She uncorks it almost at once, taking a big quaff, before whirling about and addressing the group that came out of the cottage. You youngsters, burn these carcasses. Bloody awful stink. Turning next to the party, she continues. You lot with the weapons — unpack this horse, build a nice fire, and pull some turnips from the garden. Then come have a drink and tell me how fat Sheila's gotten! With that, the renowned researcher Ignizi Dinnelletter scuttles back into the cottage, drinking some more of her newly acquired wine along the way.
Ragnar and Shonne go into the garden to dig turnips — not easy work — while Crowe and Dunia start unpacking the horse and Jorah works on the fire.
Over the dinner of turnip soup, which is quite good, as turnip soups go, the party gets to meet the rest of the research team. In addition to the gnome Ignizi Dinnelletter, there is Lemmy Monelli, a halfling who fancies himself a bard (although no one else does when he sings); Leona Marideth, a human with a serious disposition who seems regularly exasperated by Ignizi; Marsia Backar, a starry-eyed human obviously giddy to be working with such a renowned scholar; and Narsisco, a bored and self-important half-elf who routinely rolls his eyes at Ignizi.
The team confirms that Dijjit, another member of their group and the other gnome on the team, was dragged off by the undead several days ago and hasn't been seen since. She was tending the garden, Lemmy says, and a bunch of zombies just run up and grabbed her! He looks aghast at the memory.
We shoulda gone after he— Leona begins, before Ignizi silences her. Don't be ridiculous! You lot are greener than the spring grass and I'm in no condition to make such a trip. It'd have been a disaster from jump. Leona slumps in her chair, ears bright red and looking sullen.
But you know who might be able to is this lot here! Ignizi says. And maybe put an end to the undead incursion too! This elicits a snicker from Narsisco, which is quickly stifled by a withering glare from the gnome. The glare lingers a moment before she continues. Got to bring her back alive, though, you understand, if possible. She's got a way about her, with fungus.
Dijjit? Ignizi says through a mouthful of food. She's a fellow gnome. Got short, orange hair. Not my style, but she likes it, so what can ya do?
She was taken just under a week ago, Leona offers timidly, with a worried look at Ignizi expecting a reprimand. She visibly relaxes when none comes.
Horrible, it was— Lemmy chimes in, almost instantly cut off by Ignizi. As for the undead, she says, her voice less garbled with half-masticated food, nobody is sure where they're coming from. Just rumors. One that's been floating around the local gnome communities is that something is collecting bodies and gradually building a zombie army. Which is ridiculous, but then Dijjit got taken, so now I'm not so sure it's ridiculous. Headed north, they did.
"Maybe you kids should stay out of the garden until we get back. We don't need another greenhorn going missing."
Crowe double checks that his pack is all secure then throws it over a shoulder. "Well I suppose we should get moving."
Ignizi turns to Crowe. Setting out at night? You don't know anything about the fey around here, do you? She cackles like a hen for a moment, and Marsia joins in, only to be stopped cold with a glance from Ignizi. Not that I'm surprised, not many do. Listen, my boy, the fey are notoriously difficult to research, given their secrecy and unique talent for disruption. Over the years, I've developed a knack, you might say, of how to deal with them. S'why they chose me for this assignment, and gave me a group of mewling kittens to "help." Thanks, Sheila. Now that's not say it isn't urgent. But the fey are notoriously unwelcoming to outsiders. It's a minor miracle they are okay with my crew. No, you should stay the night and set out first thing tomorrow.
She nods to Dunia. Dijjit is resilient, if inexperienced. She's more fight in her than she appears. No idea how far north they've gone, though I don't doubt it's farther than...say, there's an idea. You know who might be a help in this, is Riddywhipple. Narsisco rolls his eyes as he gets up to clear some dishes, shaking his head. Ignizi seems not to notice as she continues. He's been in Sanos Forest longer than most, and knows how to stay alive in the unforgiving woods. He lives in a hollow log about a day's travel north, so it's the same way you'll be headed. He knows Sanos inside and out. If you can talk him into it, he'd be an excellent guide. Now he isn't much for strangers, but mention my name and that might help. He's a little reclusive most of the time. Teeny tiny little thing. Most folk just walk on past and never even know he's there, unless he wants 'em to.
Crowe is a bit offended by Ignizi's lecture but forgets all about when she mentions Riddywhipple. "This guide would be quite welcome. You speak the truth- we do not know this forest well enough alone."
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She nods to Dunia. Dijjit is resilient, if inexperienced. She's more fight in her than she appears...."
"Assuming the zombies have not already eaten her brains." Shonne says incredibly dryly with no hint of irony.
"... Teeny tiny little thing. Most folk just walk on past and never even know he's there, unless he wants 'em to."
"Riddywhipple is a halfling then?"
Riddywhipple is not a halfling, child, Ignizi says. He is a faerie dragon. About the size of an alleycat, maybe a little bigger. With wings, though. And scales, not fur. Just in case you were gonna confuse him with an actual alleycat.
Hang on, I may have something for you lot. She leaps up, surprisingly spry for her age, and rummages about in several cabinets for a few moments before returning, her arms full of an assortment of items. She dumps the whole collection on the table, scattering plates and flatware about as she does. It's dangerous to go alone. Take these!
Ignizi also hands Ragnar a small alexandrite with a rune carved in one facet. This here will help convince Riddywhipple that you're going into Sanos with my blessing. Ain't a guarantee, mind you, but it should help.
Everyone beds down in various parts of the cottage — cozy, if crowded — and sets of at first light in the morning.
The party marches through the day, following a series of ravines that Ignizi indicated would lead them to Riddywipple's fallen log. Locating the log in the midst of a clearing is easy enough — it is distinguished by a series of distinctive carvings that adorn the trees for twenty yards in every direction. All appears quiet, and nothing seems to stir in the area.
Crowe halts when the log comes into view. "This feels like an ambush set up. Let's have a quick look around before we disturb this faerie dragon just in case."
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As they approach the log where they expect to find Riddywhipple, Jorah takes a careful look around for the mysterious creature. "Ignizi did say that this creature is not fond of strangers. Perhaps it's hiding and trying to figure out our intentions." The aasmir calls out to the forest in case anyone is listening. "Hello there, Riddywhipple, are you here? We mean you no harm at all, we just seek your assitance. We are friends of Ignizi, and she said you'd be able to help us find a lost friend."
Jorah whispers over his shoulder to the azata sitting there. "Hmm, be a doll and fly around, see if you can find this creature will you?"
"Ugh! I'm not a doll! I swear Desna hates me, why else would she stick me with you?" Despite the pouting, Stardust flies up and through the trees, searching for Riddywhipple, looking for any magical auras as she goes. She even climbs into the log itself to search around.
At the mention of Ignizi, a squeaky voice speaks up. Prove it!
The squeaky voice goes silent a moment, then a tiny dragon appears on the log next to Ragnar (indicated by the purple star), examining the alexandrite a moment. Friends of Ignizi be friends of Riddywhipple! Sorry that Riddywhipple stay invisible when you arrive, but Riddywhipple not a fighter, so Riddywhipple rely on trickery to survive.
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"Greetings Riddywhipple, pleasure to meet you. We are members of the Pathfinder Society, just like Ignizi. Unfortunately, one of her students was stolen away by some undead creature, and we are tasked with finding her. We were told you may be able to act as our guide and he..." Before the aasimar can finish his sentence, Stardust comes flying down from her scouting trip and interrupts.
The tiny azata lands right next to Riddywhipple with a face of excitement and wonder. "Oh wow!! A tiny little dragon! You're so cute! Do you breathe fire? Do you have a giant stash of treasure hidden somewhere? I didn't see one in your log when I was going through your stuff. Sorry about that by the way, was trying to find you." She pauses for a moment and her eyes get even bigger "Can I... can I ride you?!?!" Before waiting for a response, she jumps on the poor creature's back, and grabs on. "Oh Desna, this is going to be so much fun! My own dragon to ride around on!"
Just as the azata reaches out to grab Riddywhipple, the tiny creature gives a little squeak and turns invisible — the azata lands on nothing but the hollow log where Riddywhipple once perched.
Ah! AAAHHH! Keep butterfly thing away from Riddywhipple! The voice can be heard flying all about the area.
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"Riddywhipple, I apologize for Stardust's actions here. She's a bit excitable at times. She means well though. Usually." He turns to the small azata "Now leave him alone, and no, you cannot ride him. He is not a horse. Don't make me stuff you inside my pack"
"Yes, best make haste, so this doesn't turn into a recovery mission instead of a rescue."
It takes some time to calm Riddywhipple down, but Shonne has a way with fey and manages to get him to reappear and listen.
The faerie dragon listens to the story intently. Riddywhipple not see other friend of Ignizi, he says, his tail twitching behind him as one eye remains on the now-sulking azata on Jorah's shoulder, but Riddywhipple have idea about undead. Riddywhipple ask some forest fey about this. Be back in morning!
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The corners of Shonne's mouth arch imperceptively upward.
"We should scout the area, then set camp." Shonne says in her serious-sounding Kyonin accent.
Crowe watches the fey disappear with a bemused smile. "I suppose we bunk down here for the night then." He begins preparing a campsite, checking for any dangers in the surrounding environment as well.
At dawn, Riddywipple wakes the party, buzzing excitedly around their heads, chattering in his squeaky, singsong voice. You get ready! Riddywhipple tell what Riddywhipple learn, you get ready!
Riddywhipple fly to friendly pixie friend Pollinia, who chat with Riddywhipple about happy happenings and untidy tidings in Sanos! Carved cave near pegasi friendlies have new body. Everybody agree is disagreeable. Old cold cavern used by humans long before long ago, empty as a log since then. But now seems unseemly creature wander in from bog near Wartle, torture and terrify Sanos! Monster name Marigana, trappers chase from Wartle after Marigana kidnap napping kids to make deadly undead! Want to spread terrible territory! Riddywhipple come with Ignizi friends on joint journey meet Marigana, to save Sanos!
None of fey quite sure what Marigana is, Riddywhippole says breathlessly. Marigana seen with zombies and skeletons and more zombies. Not many yet, but Marigana begin to move from animals to human types.
With Riddywhipple along as a guide, the party heads north. The faerie dragon makes his way between the legs of Jorah and buzzes Dunia's head as the march continues, excitedly laughing as the oracle occasionally stumbles to avoid stepping on him and retreating in dismay as the oread grumpily swats at him. A moment later, it is as if Riddywhipple has forgotten he ever pulled a prank as he darts back and forth from one of Shonne's shoulders to the other and waves his tail before Crowe's eyes and flies back just out of reach, giggling merrily.
The trail follows an overgrown road which eventually winds along a muddy, reedy lake surrounded by underbrush and large stones. The silhouettes of grazing pegasi are visible in the distance, and Riddywhipple says, Oh! Pegasus friends! Pegasus friends will offer help against undead!
"What the? Horse creatures in the water? I don't like this one bit."
Crowe's sharp eyes spot the creatures in the water, which Shonne recognizes as kelpies.
Dunia and Jorah both note that the erstwhile pegasi are now zombies, undead creatures with damage reduction that is overcome with slashing weapons.
Round 1
kelpies
Jorah
Dunia
Shonne
zombie pegasi
Crowe
Ragnar
The kelpies emerge and Boomer and Dunia both feel an irresistible tug to move toward Gold and Silver respectively!
Dunia shakes it off, but Boomer's eyes grow wide and Ragnar can tell he is drawn to the kelpie!