GM Dennis - Heroes for Highdelve - Special [Closed] (Inactive)

Game Master Dennis Muldoon

Explore Highdelve together here.

Sereia has arrived!

Pinesong Rippleroot races down the road! He has to get to Highdelve in time to save the pigs!

"Oo-ee! Come on, guys! Hurry! I want to find piggies in Highdelve! Not pork!"

Croak races down the road with Pinesong. "MY RABBITS ARE ON THE WAGON!" she wails. "Never mind your pigs! I need to catch my runaway stuffies!"

Then she smiles. "Think of all the fun we've have on this trip so far!"

"Stuffed animals aren't more important than living animals!" Pinesong replies with a screeching laugh. "But you are right about one thing: this trip has been fun!"

He waves his arms around wildly and points ahead. "Come along, Sereia! Come along, Lomo! Highdelve awaits!"

Lomo arrives chewing on a toothpick.

"But pork is so tasty." Lomo licks his lips as he hurries after his friends.

Darkness had already fallen when you arrived at the Golden Wings Inn last night. Not the scary, forboding darkness you might find in a cave or deep in an unknown forest; this was the calm, sleepy darkness of a town that has mostly gone to bed already. Still, you didn’t get much of a look at the town before having a late dinner and an early bed after your long trip.

After a leisurely breakfast in the surprisingly crowded Inn, however, you set out to attend to your errands, only to find a town dramatically changed. Beams of sunlight stream past the snow-capped mountains as a joyous scene spreads before you. Overnight, the town's staid and utilitarian main square sprouted colorful tents, a pop-up theater, a spinning contraption made of half-barrels, some manner of race course, and more unexpected delights. Laughter and boisterous shouts echo from all the square's corners as its quaint cobblestone streets teem with villagers sporting festive clothes and wide smiles. Throughout it all, the smell of fried foods weaves through air laced with the warmth of a summer that's just begun.

Activities in view:
A1. Youths stand on and around tall wooden storage boxes, playing some sort of game.
A2. Lanes have been drawn and sack races are being run.
A3. A large, gilt statue of a dragon.
A4. A Barrel-Go-Round ride has been erected.
A5. A small puppet theater has gathered a crowd.
A6. A stand sells delicious-smelling fried food on sticks.

Where would you like to go? You may split up or stay together, your choice. For reference, I've added a map of the square to the Maps & Handouts slides (also linked at the top of the page and in my tagline).

Sereia drags herself out of the inn with a groan. She'd pushed herself hard to keep up with the others -- Croak and Pinesong barely paused for rest! She had been in a hurry, and she had tried her best... But, she still hadn't fully adapted to life on the surface. Her legs were so heavy! Walking was exhausting, and running? Ugh! She'd rather swim around Golarion than run a mile! Her legs were aching, and sleeping on a solid surface always hurt her back. Maybe tomorrow night she'd ask for a tub to sleep in. It was so much more relaxing than a mattress!

Sereia squints out into the sunlight, and raises a hand, shielding her eyes from the sun. The town had transformed overnight. It was beautiful! Colourful as coral, but way, WAY noisier. She looks at all the strange contraptions and crowds around... She'd never been to a faire before. She'd heard about them, of course. But, the stories didn't do it justice. The crowds, the colours, and the noise.

Strange.

She stepped into the square and approached the golden statue. It was a massive dragon! She examined it for a while, curious how old it was and what it meant. The history of surface races was beyond her, but the dragon... Interesting...
Knowledge Arcana (what kind of dragon is it?): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

From her perch near the dragon she looks around. Games: interesting, but she had business to tend to first. Food: Ugh! It smelled disgusting! How could surfacers eat their food so hot and... cooked! She would not go that way. A show of some kind with little puppets. Curious. But, none of it was what she was looking for.

She had to find Jacobi before he sold the coral idol...
Perception to spot Jacobi: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Pinesong leaps out of the inn with a smile. "Time to go find my piggies! Oh, my! Look at THIS!" He smiles at all the sights of the faire! Sure looks fun! But, he had to find his piggies first!

Pinesong looks around to see if there are any pigs around, or the man he sold the piggies to. He needed to find them before they were made into someone's lunch. These piggies were not for eating. They were for loving.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Pinesong reaches down and pats his own pig, Cutie Pie!

Cutie Pie snorts happily and spins in a circle so Pinesong is patting him on the snout!

He is a plump looking pig who is surprisingly strong and fierce looking!

After being patted, Cutie Pie looks around for more pigs like him. He also sniffs the air, hoping to catch their scent.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 He has scent.

Croak lets out a loud "CROAK!" at the sight of town square. "It's beautiful! LOOK AT THE RIDES!"

Completely forgetting what she's here for Croak hops right into a barrel. "Make it go! Make it go!" she chants. "WHEEEEEEEEE!"

While she's riding she spots a fly. She flicks out her tongue, catches the fly, and gobbles it up. "Yum, yum!"

Then she throws her hands up in the air. "WHEEEEEE!"

"Ahhh!" Yawning loudly Lomo stretches his arms wide as he exits the inn.

He scratches the back of his head as he takes in the sights. "Well would you look at that."

His stomach loudly grumbles in hunger at the smell of the food. "Oh we need to eat! That smells so good!"

Lomo heads over to purchase some tasty food.

@Sereia:

Sereia doesn't see Jacobi, but she does notice some flyers lying on the ground nearby, being blown about by the pleasant breeze. One of them blows by her feet and she is easily able to grab it as it catches on her leg.

Fully 10 feet high and twice as long, the gilt statue of a gold dragon with outstretched wings is clearly the centerpiece of the square. A plaque at the base reads: "Highdelve dedicates this statue and all of Protectress Square to Aurelliax, Our Gilded Lady. Long may her golden wings envelop us, and may we never fail her when she calls." Your knowledge of the arcane confirms that this is indeed a statue of a gold dragon. You know that they have the ability to breathe elemental fire, and that like most metallic dragons, they are usually good-aligned.

Standing next to the statue watching a group of children play is a cheerful-looking woman with white hair and ruddy cheeks. She greets you heartily when she spots you approaching. ”Welcome to Highdelve, traveler! My name’s Winette, Winette Qarl. I’m the mayor of this town. Are you having fun at the festival?”

@Pinesong & Cutie Pie: Neither Pinesong nor Cutie Pie are able to find any trace of the wayward pigs, unsurprising in this jumble of people and scents. Cutie Pie's nose definitely sniffs extensively in the direction of the food stall, however, where the scent of fried dough wafts in your direction.

Where would you like to go?

@Croak:

Croak bounds toward the strange contraption near the center of the square. Axles of hammered metal connect the bottom halves of several large wooden barrels, each of which holds one or two shrieking occupants as it wheels around. Croak can barely contain her excitement as the ride spins, and loses all control as soon as it comes to a stop. She leaps over the rail and into one of the barrels as soon as it is vacated. Fortunately , there were only a few people in line, all of whom are able to find seats. They laugh at Croak's exuberance as the burly woman in a black apron wearing a dour look simply sighs and heaves the contraption around again, pushing several times to get it up to speed.

@Lomo:

Buzzing about the multicolored tents here are townspeople eating fried dough and meat skewered on thin sticks. Rich, delicious smells permeate the air as a tall, broad-shouldered man works the crowd, telling snappy jokes and offering friendly handshakes.

”Well hi there friend! You must be a visitor to our faire town! Eh, get it? FAIRE town?” He chuckles as he rushes off to greet the next group walking up. After a moment he passes by again, saying ”Anyway, welcome! My name's Toshi. What can I getcha? Funnel cake? Corn dog? Fortifies the bones, only one silver!”

A golden dragon! Aurelialiax... Fascinating!

Sereia steps on the notice with her sandalled foot, picks it up and reads it. She folds up the notice and slips it into the pockets on her tight, mini shorts. Then she adjusts her armour and backpack, and scans the crowd. She smiles at the sight of Croak's antics. The grippli was as energetic as a child.

As the gray-haired woman greets her, Sereia inclines her head in a respectful nod. "Greetings, Mayor Winette Qarl. Thank you for welcoming me too your town. I came to Highdelve on important business, but your festival is lovely. Tell me, what are you celebrating?"

As she waits for an answer she fans herself with her blue, webbed hand. Despite barely wearing any clothes, she was burning! How did the surfacers endure all this sunshine?

Pinesong laughs at Cutie Pie. "Those are just food stalls!"

Cutie Pie snorts loudly, nods his head up and down, and wiggles his curly little tail. He prances about in place, tapping the cobblestones with his little piggy feet.

Pinesong laughs and pats Cutie Pie on the head. "Hungry, huh? Alright! Lead the way!"

Pinesong and Cutie Pie head over to the food stalls. Pinesong buys one of everything! He feeds everything with meat to Cutie Pie. Then they share everything that is vegetarian. Pinesong does not eat meat.

What kind of tasty food is there? And how much does one of everything cost?

Croak keeps squealing in glee! "WHEEEEEEE!" She rides it at least four times!

Finally she stumbles off the ride and claps her hands. "That was so much fun!"

She notices the puppet show and hurries over, leaping into a chair and smiling brightly.

Lomo grins at the joke.
"Well hello Toshi. I am Lomo." Lomo shakes Toshi's hand. "Why yes, one of each please."

Lomo hands Toshi 2 silver pieces and bites into the corn dog.

"Oh, this is good!" Lomo mumbles excitedly even though his mouth is full of food.

@Lomo and Pinesong:

Pinesong and Cutie Pie join Lomo at the food stalls, quickly ordering one of everything. As Toshi loads down a tray with a corndog, a basket of fried pickles, some hushpuppies, and a plate of funnel cake topped with powdered sugar and strawberries, he continues to chat. "Nice to meetcha Lomo. And I didn't catch your name, young man. Is this your pig? He's cute, and he sure looks hungry. I bet he'd like one of these." He tosses Cutie Pie a fried pickle and laughs as it's quickly devoured. As the crowd of hungry faire-goers seems to have temporarily subsided, he seems to have a little time to chat as he brings you your food. "What brings you folks to Highdelve?"

@Sereia:

"Oh, you're not here for the Brightbloom Jubilee? This is our annual celebration of the Brightblooms blooming! There was a time where they were what this town was most known for, after all. The Bloomgivers have already gone off to pick a cart full of them; they'll come back later this afternoon to pass them out to everyone, and we'll all go to the Brightbloom Ball."

@Croak:

When croak arrives, she can hear strange voices and exaggerated accents that ring from the front of a small performance stage, which is framed with a drawn-back velvet curtain. On the stage, elaborate puppets enact a comedic scene. All the while, a rapt audience sits on rows of stools pulled close to the action, laughing and calling out at key moments.

After a few minutes the play seems to reach the end of the current scene, and an elegant man acting as the lone puppeteer behind the stage holds up an "Intermission" sign. The crowd begins to murmur as they stand up, stretch, and wander off toward the food stall, while the man leans wearily against the side of the stage, enjoying a break.

Flowers? This was all about flowers? Huh... Strange.

"That sounds... nice." Sereia nods unconvincingly. "I'm here looking for a man named Jacobi. He's an antiquities smuggler here to sell a coral idol. Do you have any idea where he might go to do so? Is there a shop or person interested in such things that he might seek out?"

Croak laughs and shouts along with the show!

"He's over there!"

"Behind you!"

"Ah! It's a crocodile! Duck!"

"AHAHAHAHAHHAAA!"

When the intermission comes Croak laughs. She points to the stage and says to the kids next to her, "That puppet sure was naughty!"

She claps some more.

Then she gets bored of waiting for the show to start again so she runs over to the sack race. "Can I play?"

Pinesong and Cutie Pie happily devour their tasty food.

"I'm Pinesong Rippleroot!" says Pinesong proudly to Toshi. "And this is Cutie Pie."

Cutie Pie snorts.

Pinesong pats Cutie Pie. "We're here to find more pigs! You see..." Pinesong waves his hands through the air, causing his wispy hair to flutter around and show of his many bald spots. "Back, way back.... A few days ago... I was helping sell pets at an animal shelter. I found lots of pets good homes. And then when the work was done I went out to see how they were all doing! Everything was great! All except... for the piggies!"

Cutie Pie gasps! He hides behind Pinesong's legs.

"For the man I had sold the pet piggies to was a..." Pinesong pauses... "A SALESMAN!"

Cutie Pie squeals in fear!

Pinesong nods. "Oh, yeah! A PIG salesman! And he's on his way here to sell the piggies to the butcher! Or maybe just someone who wants to eat them!" Pinesong crosses his arms and nods. "I know, I know, pigs are for eating. But, these ones aren't. They're for loving! And cuddling!" He sighs happily. "I'm here to find the pig salesman and buy back the piggies! Or at least make sure they find a home with someone who won't eat them!"

Pinesong and Cutie Pie finish their food.

"That was great! Thanks! Do you know where a person would sell a few pigs at the faire?"

While Pinesong tells his story, Lomo plucks a piece or two of Pinesong's food and tosses into his mouth.
"I'm looking for someone gifted in the creation of arcane artifacts. Do you know of anyone like that in town?

@Sereia:

"Smuggler? Oh my! I certainly hope no one in our town would have anything to do with someone like that! Still," the mayor says, tapping her cheek as she thinks, "if I were you I'd go talk to Yarla Bowhammer. That's her," she says, pointing, "the dwarven woman running the sack races. Her mercantile company does business all over this region. If anyone in town would have heard about this Jacobi, it will be Yarla."

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@Croak:

Croak runs over to the sack races, where she finds two men and two women, their legs confined within burlap sacks, ready at the starting line. An officious-looking dwarven woman inspects them, then walks toward the finish line, ready to judge the winner. "I'm afraid this race is all full, but we'll have another heat in just a minute, and you're welcome to join then." I suspect you might have a friend to race with in a moment...

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@Lomo and Pinesong:

"Arcane artifacts? 'Fraid I don't know anything about that sort of thing, Lomo. We have lots of artisans around town, though. What's this artifact you're looking for look like? Maybe I can point ya in the right direction."

Toshi turns to look at Pinesong, chuckling at Cutie Pie as he hides ineffectively behind the vanara's legs. "A load of pigs, huh? Too cute to eat you say? Well, if anyone 'round here's got 'em, it's my neighbor, the butcher. My restaurant's right next door to her shop. I don't have time to go ask her right now, during the faire, but don't worry! Her shop won't be open today anyway, and I'm sure she wouldn't be..." he looks down at the cowering pig with a sympathetic look "doing anything to them today. I'll tell you what, though. Once we wrap things up here this afternoon, you meet me back here and we'll go ask her, ok?"

Croak waits impatiently! She bounces in place, wiggles her fingers, and licks her eyeball with her big tongue.

Pinesong smiles brightly. "Okay! That sounds great! Thanks!"

Pinesong and Cutie Pie finish eating their food. Then they buy one more order of friend pickles for Cutie Pie. After they're done Pinesong looks around. He pats Cutie Pie.

"Looks like we can have some fun. Where do you want to go?"

He picks up Cutie Pie and holds him up in the air so he can see.

Cutie Pie looks around. Then he wiggles hit curly little tail, points his little piggy feet at the puppet show, and snorts a lot!

Pinesong laughs. He carries Cutie Pie over to the puppet show and takes a seat. Then they wait for the show to start again.

Sereia looks through the crowds until she spots Yarla. Then she leaves abruptly and heads right for the dwarf woman at the sack races.

"Yarla Bowhammer? I have questions." In her haste she forgets to use her surface-greetings, and fails to realize Yarla looks busy.

"Do you now? Well, I'd love to chat, but I've a job to do! I could spare a moment for my competitors, though, if you're inclined. Care to take part in a race?"

Sereia considers this. The race looked exhausting. Seeing Croak prance around, also waiting in line, she smiles. "Fine."

"Great! Do you have anyone else that wants to fill out the other two spots? Otherwise, I'll take the next two from the crowd."

In other words, Lomo and Pinesong, do you want to come race against your friends?

Lomo gnaws on the corndog stick. "The relic's a necklace." He waits to hear Toshi's advice.

When he's done eating Lomo looks around. Seeing Croak and Sereia are up to something he wanders over. "What's up?" he asks Sereia.

Yes, we'll all join in the race. Pinesong only had enough time to nod 'yes' before falling asleep though, so he won't be posting again until tomorrow.

Pinesong notices his friends at about to do a sack race! He lets from his chair and races over. "Come on, Cutie Pie! We'll do the puppet show after!"

"I'm here!" he says, posing proudly.

Cutie Pie squeals and races after Pinesong. When he gets to the sack races he is huffing, and puffing, and snorting!

Croak smiles at all her friends. "Come on, everyone! It'll be fun! Let's go, go, GO!"

@Lomo:

"Well, I don't know that he does any magic stuff, but if it's a custom necklace your lookin' for, Carth Garenth's the one to talk to. He's a jeweler, does all sorts of commission work. I think he's puttin' on the puppet show today."