GM Roxxie's 9-14 Down the Verdant Path (Inactive)

Game Master Roxxie613

The wild hunt cheers all at once... then immediately an awkward silence settles in, and they all sheepishly look at their feet.

Ronronne is the first to speak. "That was... that was well done with all of you. Hunt, can we try?"

Clortho steps up to make the climb, and only with the help of the other three does he make it to the top of the tree. When he claims the note, he smirks and allows his comrades to help him down. "Impressive for otherworlders."

One more teamwork exercise. The hunt's infighting has died down for the most part, and they are almost awestruck at their ability to work together after so long.

That was very well done! I don't want to mess with anyone's flavor, lol. Suggested skills are acrobatics for an obstacle course or perform to teach a complicated song.

"Umm, thanks. Shall we try something else? We all seem to be fairly physically fit. Perhaps another athletic cooperative?"

[i]This is ridiculous! lol! I feel like we are putting on a mummers show for the kids."[/b]

Is there any wildlife?

Sure! Nothing that you could 100% relate to the material plane, usually hybrids, but there is still wildlife. What did you have in mind?

I'm on board with this 'wildlife' plan. Lol

"On the planes we sometimes show our skills at managing cattle bu herding non herd animals, that little guy there. She points to a six legged Squirrel dragonfly hybrid, but one of the few without wings. "I don't know what he is but I think that if we work as a team we can move him from his tree over to that tree there.

She begins to explain her plan. Asking the others their strengths.

Umbaraki looks around at the different creatures, his experience with Fey and mortal animals helping him to select one that is more docile and easier for Grimaldi's expertise to apply.

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

"Oh! I know how to herd animals! Here, look."

Having taken a moment to recover from the exertion of the climb, and another few moments to get back down, Boom Sticks draws their gun.

"Great for fowling apparently. What's a fowl?"

Boom Sticks goes into the undergrowth looking for the creatures that Umbaraki and Grimaldi are trying to herd. They position themselves appropriately, then pull the trigger on the blunderbuss: "BOOM!"

Going to go with Stealth for this one - the actual shot is a deliberate miss, just making a loud noise to scare the animal towards Grimaldi.

stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

I love it! Grimaldi needs one more to aid her.

Tazra tries to think of which way the animal is most likely to run once spooked, and positions herself accordingly so that she will then be able to scare it towards the indicated tree.

Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Eranahu laughs at the whole process and moves to aid Tazra.

survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

"This is way better than catching a greased pig!" He shouts to Tazra over the echoing of Boom's magic handbanger.

Surprisingly, Garow and Xox are the first to imitate the adventurers. They begin herding all manner of creatures around the glade. Ronronne and Clortho quickly follow suit, and the wild hunt seems to be working as a team for the time being, with minor bickering.

"Thank you, otherworlders, for restoring us to greatness!" purrs Ronronne.

"Yessss... I sssuppose thanksss are in order..." Xox agrees.

Garow smirks. "Even without Daisag, we did it."

A horn sounds somewhere in the distance. Clortho grins. "Wild hunt, let us reward these otherworlders, and keep this amongst ourselves." Clortho leads the group to a hidden trove of treasures, containing sparkling minerals, weapons, masterwork panpipes, armor, a pair of boots, and an everburning torch. "Now, we will lead you out to the Heartgrove and turn a blind eye to your business here. When you wish to leave, you merely need to walk backwards down the same path you came in." Clortho turns away from the party and towards the three other hunters. "As for us, let us find worthier quarry. Though, these will make a fine hunt if they linger too long."

As they walk backwards down a different path, you hear thinly sheathed claws in 'playful' banter. While the group did their best, the curses of the Eldest are strong.

The bindle bags still dangle in the center of the Heartgrove, and still the same three are of interest. Closer inspection of the growling bag shows that it is not threatening in any way, merely furry and making animal noises. Azure's drips more rainbow drops to the ground.

Retrieving any bindle bags is a DC 15 climb, or the trees can be felled. This was the last encounter, all that remains is roleplaying the return, crossing back over, and the conclusion. There's still more fun to be had, but no more combat.

Tazra thanks the hunt for their aid, and watches them leave the Heartgrove with a hint of sadness in her eyes. ”Boom Sticks, could I have back the arrow with the message? And I’ll help you climb the trees to retrieve the bundle bags.”

She gives Boom Sticks, (or anyone else who wants to try the climb), a boost as they climb for the three bags.

Climb Aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Climb Aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Climb Aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

”The Knights of Azure are victorious! BOOM!”

”Of course I”ll help a fellow Knight, Tazra!”

Boomy goes up the trees to fetch the bags and the arrow. Take 10 for 18 on climb checks before aid.

”Which shall we open first?”

The agile leshy hardly needs her help, but Tazra still tries. ”Good work Boom Sticks. I don’t actually think we should open any of them right now. Let’s take the growling one and obviously Azure’s bag with us, and leave the hunt’s bag under here.” She indicates the tree they climbed during their demonstration of camaraderie.

Assuming no one objects to leaving that particular bag, she spends a few moments adding on to the ‘important message’ they'd worked together to retrieve. She then reattaches it to the arrow, which she shoots at the tree directly above the bag.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Eranahu smiles at Tazra. "You have a good heart Tazra. I agree with your plan and think that your note is wonderful. Maybe after we give Azure his bag back, we can study this growling one a bit better.

Eranahu begins his moonwalk.

Fey are such... weird creatures.

Vari helps gather up the bags, and doesn't object at leaving the one behind. I suppose it's a fair choice to make, though I would still love to see what happens when the bag is opened!

When everyone is ready, she returns with the others, giggling at the backwards walk they have to do.

Tazra also returns to the frozen lake, staring at the Heartgrove as she walks backwards out of it. What a strange place. With such strange, capricious creatures. I do hope the Hunt are able to undo their curse soon.

As the group retraces their steps backwards, they come back into the frozen section of the forest and begin sliding once more. Eventually they make their way back to the frozen lake to find Daisag and the hounds totally gone, and examining where they were left shows they simply disappeared. This could bring to mind the conversation the father and son frog had while trying to eat the group.

Oof. Poor Eranahu.

Everyone takes their turn hopping into the lake, spinning thrice clockwise, and reappearing in the well.

Grimaldi makes it on the first try. When she surfaces in the material plane, she finds her bone leather working needle in her hand, but something's different about it. She stumbles stepping out of the well, and drops the needle... only to find that it bounces off the ground, high enough for her to catch it.

It takes Tazra 18 seconds to get the motions down, and when she reappears, she finds her arrow bears a coat of purple fur that regrows if shaved off.

Vari and Boom take an additional 12 seconds. When they come through, Vari's teeth are chattering and Boom's vines are stiff and covered in ice.

Vari's candle, when in use, repeats everything that she says in a singsong voice.

Boom Sticks' tindertwig rotates slowly widdershins if placed on a flat surface.

Umbaraki emerges after eight attemps, drenched and frosty as ever. He finds his feathered quill changes colors with his emotions.

After a full minute, Eranahu surfaces, gasping and shivering. He finds his holy symbol to Erastil in hand, seemingly unchanged. However, even this holy symbol did not escape the first world's magics. If ever he leaves a room without it, it will cry out until he returns.

As everyone is making it through the portal, it is clear Jamila and Falbin have been working together to prepare a short ritual to close the rift.

"Welcome back! I trust you were able to recover our friend's pallet?" Jamila asks.

Falbin pipes up. "Yes, the first step in sealing this portal is to give the poor thing their colors back."

"W w we did in d d deed. Wow it's cold! Can anyone make f f fire appear out of th th thin air?" Eranahu declares while rubbing his numb arms.

Blinking water out of her eyes, Tazra stares at her inexplicably furry arrow. Am I seeing things? She tentatively touches it. Huh. Soft. Almost looks like some sort of children's toy. I guess that's one arrow I'm never firing!

Eranahu's cold stutter brings her mind back to the situation at hand. "Right. Don't know about fire, but Umbaraki? If you don't mind, now might be a good time for your 'making things dry' ability. As for the palette," she gestures to Boom Sticks with a fond smile. "That Knight of Azure was indeed able to recover it."

"BOOM! Got your colours right here, Azure! Your Knights were successful. Oh, look, my tindertwig."

Boom Sticks puts the tindertwig down in order to pass Azure his bag of colours. 'It's moving! On its own!" It's going round and round on its own, and it's not slowing down at all. What if I connected a gear to it? Would it keep spinning? Where do I find gears?

"Oh! Here's your palette, Sir Azure!"

Eranahu takes his holy symbol back and seems relieved to have it. As he sees everyone discovering that their items have all changed in strange ways, he examines his.

"Huh. Mine doesn't seem to have changed. Enh." With that, he packs it back in his back pack.

"Hey, let's open the growly bag!"

Vari examines her candle with amusement.

"Hmm, seems pretty nor..." "Hmm-mmm-mmm, see-eems prettyy-yyyy nor..." She cuts off when the candle starts sing-songing her words back to her. Oh, you tricksy fey... this is going to be interesting...

To Eranahu, she adds her agreement. "Let's def..." "Lee-eet's deee-efff..." Well, that's going to get old fast. Instead, she gives Eranahu a thumb's up sign, but also points to Azure's bag.

Azure leaps with joy at Boom Sticks. "Oh brave knight, thank you!" They quickly grab the bag from the vine leshy and practically dive into it. Jamila and Falbin look on with awe as the gnome's colors wash over them, and they leap into the air, laughing and whooping and celebrating. Their tattoos and clothes regain color, and looking upon this gnome, one could swear they have more colors than the rainbow adorning them.

Jamila and Falbin set to work on completing the ritual, and Azure thanks each of you by name. "I'd love if each of you would design a new mark for my skin, so that I may forever remember my shining knights! Make it something dear to you, close to your scarlet hearts," they pause for a moment, looking puzzled at Boom Sticks, "Or whatever color your heart may be, so that I may remember each of you as you are!" The sorcerer practically begs you each to give him an idea each for a new tattoo.

--------------------------------

After the ritual, Azure looks in the bindle bag once more and finds a handful of tiny glass chips that flicker with elemental energy. "Here, I'd like you each to have some of this as a reminder of our adventures."

When opened, the growling bag appears empty. When reached into, small, fuzzy balls can be felt. When pulled out, this ball transforms into a...
1d100 ⇒ 93
The creature at a glance appears to be a bird, as instead of fur it's covered in feathers. On closer inspection however, this looks much like a riding dog. This riding dog exists for 5 minutes with the party, and is at the call of whoever pulled it out of the bag. Another fun item you get on your chronicle sheet. ;)

Feel free to roleplay any conversations from either of these events. Tomorrow around this time, I'll start the journey back to Bellis.

Vari opens her mouth to speak, but checks herself before she makes a sound; she gives a hard glare at her candle instead. Digging in her pack, she takes out her waterskin and bundles the candle up in the thick leather as best as she can. She stuffs it deep into the bottom of her backpack.

Her words still echo from the pack, but the muffling does at least enough work that she doesn't feel interrupted so much as shadowed by the sing-song voice.

"If you'd like a tattoo to remember me by, please model it on my own." "yyy-yyy ooowwwnnnnnn" She has no need to point out the swirling patterns of white dots that punctuate almost the entirely of her own skin. "Maybe a mesmerizing swirl would be appropriate; it calls back to both Pharasma and my own unique talents." "iiiique taaa-llllentsssssss"

”A tattoo? Oh, it should be a gun! Like this one” Boom Sticks proudly displays his blunderbuss. ”Wrapped in vines!”

Tazra, having harbored a secret fear that merely opening the bag might not be enough, joins in the laughter with relief as Azure exuberantly regains their colors. We did it. We saved them.

As for the matter of the tattoo...

"A stylized ink pen might be appropriate for me; it's certainly the tool I'm using most often these days." She pauses, thinking of their journey. Despite all the swirling seasons, it was the frozen beauty of the lake that stuck with her the most. "Perhaps in a nice light blue?"

looking at his wooden holy symbol, Eranahu thinks about what it has always meant to him. He thinks about his love of his family. His extended family traveling group always looking out for one another. The sense of belonging and contributing. He realizes that this simple wooden holy symbol doesn't need any paltry first world magic. It already has all the magic it needs for him, and he would not leave it behind again.

"This should be the tattoo to represent me. A bow and arrow, with the bow made from antlers. The symbol of Erastil. The representation of protecting one's community. In what ever form you make it."

I think that the Pathfinder Society will be my traveling community for now. Eranahu thinks as he looks around the group one at a time, taking them all in.

Umbaraki grumpily draws the water from his sodden beard and gear with a tightening of his fist, looking on in horror at Vari's candle, his quill's feather lightening from black to a vivid pink as he pictured how embarrassing such a commentator could prove.

When Azure asks for a tattoo, Umbaraki considers for a moment.
There is no way to draw a shattered oath...
Perhaps a gravestone wreathed in honors?
Instead he reaches up with his stylus and quickly sketches Azure a tree, branches bowed with the weight of a blizzard's worth of snow.

Grimildi playes with her needle for a wile and gives Azures' offer some thought.

"If you want a tattoo that speaks of me it would be a wildfire, cleansing beauty."

Azure is very pleased with all of these suggestions, and they begin planning colors and tracing patters on their skin with their fingers.

During the journey back to Bellis, the tropical winds begin to cool down to a normal autumn breeze, and the overgrown vegetation slowly retreats. Everything seems to be returning to normal.

As you reach town, the streets are abuzz with talk of a great stone beast that appeared suddenly in the town square.

An elephant that appears to have been roughly hewn from solid rock towers over tents and kiosks in the Bellis 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.
“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.”

"Hello, I am Ashasar, Liaison to the Seat of Balance of the Concordance of Elements, as well as the newly appointed liaison between the Concordance and the Pathfinder Society. Come! I look forward to hearing your reports at a cozy inn over tea sweetened with Bellis' famous honey." He turns and walks towards a nearby inn, practically bouncing with excitement. Before arriving at the inn, the stone elephant shrinks.

Tazra follows Ashasar to the inn. "It was certainly an eventful trip. Well worthy of a tale or two. And I believe some of my companions have collected samples of seasonal variations that might interest you."

"Ashasar! BOOM! Boom Sticks, agent of Gnashbakk, agent of Pathfinders, agent of Concordance, Knight of Azure! Pleased to meet you, sir. Yes indeed, we have collected many samples of the seasons. My flowers, from the quickened Spring of the First World; colour-changing skin from vegetarian frogs; water from the well that led to the First World; motes from the Heartwood; so many frozen-not-frozen things! A bird, a flame, more flowers! Is that all of them? Did I remember?"

Umbaraki winces at Boom Sticks' effervescence, bowing respectfully to Ashasar before following him into the inn. Despite his very different style of communication though, he nods his assent to his fellow agent's report.

"I think that about covers it, Boom. Honeyed tea. That sounds delightful after the chill we've had, thank you."

"Really Ashasar?" Remarks Jamila, pointing at the elephant in the room. Ashasar smiles a knowing smile and shrugs.

"He likes to be noticed, so I used a bit of magic to help him put on a show. Beyond that I had nothing to do with it."

Ashasar smiles at the enthusiasm of the pathfinder agents. "Come, let us get in and get some tea first!" Upon entering, the stone elephant's appearance startles the innkeeper, but she quickly recovers. Ashasar hands the woman a bag of rocks and several gold pieces. "Could you heat these on the stove? My companion enjoys resting atop warm rocks."

As everyone settles in, Ashasar comments, "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 all of what you found, and don't spare the details!"

Ashasar listens with rapt attention to every detail, occasionally asking for an extra flourish of description, of which there is no scarcity. He also asks to examine all of the items brought back from the first world. The only one he doesn't keep is Boom Sticks' flower, which he uses magic to grow even larger and places as a table centerpiece. "Your excitement is much appreciated, Boom Sticks, agent of Gnashbakk, agent of Pathfinders, agent of Concordance, Knight of Azure." Ashasar's elemnetal companion occasionally interrupts the conversation in Terran Which I don't believe any of you speak, and Ashasar merely smiles and pats the stone beast.

"I am very pleased with how members of the Concordance have conducted themselves on this mission, and I'm ecstatic to have so many samples from the first world! Jamila, Boom Sticks, Umbaraki, and Vari, you honor the Concordance with your membership." Ashasar excitedly shakes each person's hand in turn. Then he turns to the remaining adventurers. "The Concordance is always recruiting those who are interested in otherworldly diplomacy. All of you have shown wonderful skill in handling matters of other planes of existence, and we would be happy to have you if you would join us." Considering Grimaldi, Eranahu, and Tazra are all level 1, they could probably change factions at will with the rebuild rules, if you are interested. If not, that's fine as well! Either way I'll leave the Concordance only boon in tact in case you decide to switch factions.

From here, the heroes, Ashasar, Jamila, and Falbin all enjoy themselves in the tavern as a congratulations for a job well done. Azure is nowhere to be seen, presumably already seeking out a tattoo artist. And with the Verdant Zone shrinking, Bellis can rest easy this night.

"Concordance. It does seem to be a very interesting faction. I may be up for a switch Ashasar. There aren't any hazing rituals are there?" he asks with a smile. "Tazra, Grim, what do you say, shall we all be team mates?"

Having enjoyed working with this group so much, Eranahu thinks that this might make for a sure fire way to continue working with them.

would my switching now affect my chronicle sheet?

Not that I'm aware of. You do have to be Concordance to use that first boon though.

Oooh. That's nifty.

Tazra shakes her head. "The Concordance does seem to be an interesting faction. However, I have a...personal stake in Liberty's Edge, so I'm afraid I must decline." Glancing at Eranahu, she adds, "I did enjoy working with you all. If I am able to assist the Concordance in the future, I will certainly do so."

"I do feel that the Concordance goals match mine, I am interested in learning more."

Does re-training include factions, or would I still have 4PP for grand lodge?

Given the level 1 rebuild rules, you could simply rebuild your character to be of the Concordance faction so long as you do it before level 2. If you're level 2 or over, re-training rules would apply. Or more specifically, at the end of Appendix 2 in the guild guide, pg. 32, You spend PP = 3XCharacter level.

Basically, if you use the level 1 rebuild rules, it's as if you've been concordance all along. If you use the Changing Faction rules, you pay 3XCharacter level PP, and beyond that move forward as a member of the new faction, keeping any leftover PP. In both cases, your fame remains untouched.

Umbaraki gives a thin smile as his recent compatriots consider the Concordance. With his stylus he draws out the rough shape of the Isle of Kortos, then of Avistan, then around it the globe of Golarion, then beyond that vague and abstract depictions of the planes.

Beneath it all he jots, "Why think small?"