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Remembering what they'd learned from the spirits in the woods, Lucian chimes in with, "The caravan drew the attention uv a predator, blundering' inta its huntin' grounds an' all. Whoil the Poracha was attackin' the caravan, ye grabbed a sackful o' treasure and ran off inta the woods ta look through yer ill-gotten gains."
The fox listens to the three accounts, with the following listening-tracking micro-responses:
"Their cart just happened to hit a bump and knocked the scarf out onto the ground. You thought, 'oh, I'll pick this up and return it', but by the time you picked it up, they were gone so you figured, 'what the heck, they clearly didn't want it so I guess its mine now'."
"Hmm - oh yes - a bump - yes - oh - no not that last part"
"Let me guess...A ravaging beast was attacking a guarded caravan. People were dying left and right. You thought, hey, pretty soon nobody will be alive to enjoy this trinket and you took it."
"Hmm - after the "bump" yes - oh that last characterization is off"
"The caravan drew the attention uv a predator, blundering' inta its huntin' grounds an' all. Whoil the Poracha was attackin' the caravan, ye grabbed a sackful o' treasure and ran off inta the woods ta look through yer ill-gotten gains."
"Hmm - oh yes - this is the best guess, yes"
He points his finger at Lucian "See I told ya he was the smart one!" but cocks his head at Arlen "But you! I underestimated you - for which, I apologize" curtsying to add impact to his words.
"You got the most of it, but let me illuminate the important details:" he clears his throat "So there I was - minding my own business - when alls a sudden: "Bump!" and out tumbles this lovely Green Scarf" wearing it like a boa, he grabs at either end with both of his hands, and models a fabulous pose for the PCs, twisting his hip to point his knee one way, twisting his torso the other, and continues "And in this moment, too, a forest predator layed seige, looking to take no prisoners - a series of striking attacks from the tree cover" he angles his claws now to imitate and communicate the terror "So, fearing my life, I hid, and waited for the beast to leave with it's prey" he pauses for a contrived moment of suspense "But then it did something unexpected!" and here, Dorobu repeats his "lean in / lower volume" trick from earlier:
"Do you want to know what it did?"
...
Dorobu - evidenced by his not once stepping down from being "on his toes" - is ready to flee at the first sign of hostility with his prize - the Green Scarf - and as a result, any attempt to Coerce him will simply expedite this already-contingency-planned escape.
You get the sense that the only reason Dorobu stepped forth from the foliage in the first place is because, well, this is a "spooky" forest, and that it's specific "spookiness" has something to do with that: He is afraid of the Spirits that inhabit the Green Scarf! As a result, any attempt to Request will be insufficient here to convince him to turn over the artifact.
You get the sense that Dorobu would be an ideal mark, the irony of which does not escape your attention. On the one hand, he cautiously eyes the party (especially the monk!) for signs of hostility as he talks, but on the other - or perhaps: failing the other! - you notice that he would be perhaps inattentive towards more subtle means of extraction of the Green Scarf!
Whomsoever applies Advice related to your Observation gains a +1 bonus to their check!
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So accomplished and fit is Keemul that he knows other ways of reading one's mood. He's seem plenty of foes ready to run back to the arena's locked doors immediately after he, their more skilled opponent, makes a move.
He tries to pass covertly on this information with gestures. No one looks likely to attack with words or weapons, but the knowledge could spare them failure in trying it.
...Every time the talking Fox looks away from Keemul, Keemul winks or grunts or points, and every time the Fox looks back at Keemul, he freezes. This pattern persists for several exchanges! Keemul is thus able to pass on his insights to the party...
"I'll tell ya!" the Fox continues "It didn't seem interested in taking the prey - not like wild cats usually do - No! - instead, it seemed to be looking for something..." He is about to do his "lean in / lower volume" move a third time when one of the party members, annoyed, anticipates it, instead yells "We know it was looking for the Green Scarf a%@!$!~" (Arlen? Raini?...) and this knocks the Fox off his game a little, who, upset his play here isn't going 100% as he likes, winds the scarf from his neck and places it back in his sidesack, and having done so, as if to "punish" you, smiles and continues:
"Yes - the Green Scarf - so I does the only sane thing I can - I run!" his tone changes now: You feel the dramatic setup - which frankly, everyone here could clearly have easily guessed - is over, and that now he gets into the "meat" of the story. Dorubu shifts his weight. "Here's the thing that bothers me" He is leaning in now, but this time, his volume is normal "A Kami approached me with a warning:" He recites:
"Yield not in your heart?
Claim what you covet, She will:
At a crossroads you linger!"
He lets the effect of the "warning" settle. A beat. Then, strangely, a moment of pure honesty: "What do you make of it?"...
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"'t seems ye 'ave a choice there, friend. Now ye've got some skills fer sneaking and...acquirin' goods shall we say? These 'appen to be great skills fer the organization we work fer, the Pathfinder Society."
"What say ye 'and over the scarf an' Ah'll take ye back with us ta the lodge. There ye'll be intraduced ta the venture captain, given food and drink, an' ye'll 'ave a chance ta get exactly what Ah'm enjoyin', a big group uv bodyguards while Ah treasure 'unt."
"'ow did Ah find that in yer kami message? Ah'll tell ye. 'Yield not in yer 'eart' is not givin' up what ye're good at. 'Claim what you covet, she will,' is 'andin' over the scarf which goes ta Amari Li, the venture captain. And 'at a crossroads ye linger' in simply the choice ye've got: stay out 'ere and take ye're chances, or join the Society an' 'ave support while ye do what ye love."
"So, what d'ye say, friend?"
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Raini offers an explanation to the kitsune. [b]"It is obvious the scarf is tied to the Spirit Road and the spirits within this forest. They have all beckoned to us and directed us to your position. Several have even directly inhabited us. Your burden can be lifted and the spirits will ease their assault on you should you give over the Green Scarf and aid us in its return to the rightful owner.".
The fox considers Raini and Donavin's words momentarily before swiftly deciding to take Arlen's advice. Keemul notices a shift in the Fox's stance as he prepares to bolt!
"I think I'll take my chances with - NO!!"
His eyes suddenly grow wide and his fur stands on end as you see him see someone/something else behind you that strikes abject terror into his heart!!!
...
You succeeded so decisively, not even any in your own party noticed the theft of the Green Scarf!...
That said, if you'd like to "prove" it to them, having stowed it discretely, drawing it will take an Interact action...
...
Arlen (-13 bite, -22 claw, +14 heal, +16 potion) = 36/41 HP, 1/2 potions (lv1), 1/2 Focus
Donavin (+15, +5 potion) = 20/20 HP, 0/1 talismans
Keemul = 22/22 HP, 1/1 potions, 1/1 talisman
Lucian (+15) = 12/12 HP, 0/1 potions, 1/1 bomb
Raini (-14 bite, +12 scroll) = 41/43 HP, 1/2 potions (lv2), 0/1 Focus
Sasha (-13 bite, +12 heal, -28 bite, +10 heal, +29 heal) = 36/36 HP
...
"Tee Hee HEE" With a cruel cackle, the hagwitch points your direction, sending her minions to fetch the relic, and turns invisible.
Two of the bugger minions attack Dorobu! He manages to scream and duck one, but is stabbed by the other: "AAAAAAAHHH!!!" As it injects him with a foul poison! "Oh it hurts!" He cries.
...
and
and
and
then
finally
...
Hagwitch
Bugger Three
Bugger Four
Donavin (20/20 HP; 0/1 talismans), no weapons
Lucian (12/12 HP, 0/1 potions, 1/1 bomb), no weapons
Dorobu (-3 poke, poison)
Bugger One
Bugger Two
Arlen (36/41 HP; 1/2 potions (lv1), 1/2 Focus), no weapons
Raini (41/43 HP; 1/2 potions (lv2), 0/1 Focus), no weapons
Sasha (36/36 HP)
Keemul (22/22 HP; 1/1 potions, 1/1 talisman), hammer in hands
...
Donavin and Lucian are Up!
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EDIT: Just noticed you may have rolled for me, ignore this then :)
Donavin, noticing the Hagwitch and her cronies approaching pulls out his blade and twists it around to strike the nearest foe (the flying thing just to his north) with force behind the attack. The strike almost misses but he pushes himself, remembering his training and feeling that they are near the end now.
Donavin draws his blade and critically severs the poisonous "beak" that was stuck between two of Dorobu's ribs - a splatter of green goo covers all in the 5-foot radius!
Dorobu - unsure how to act, face now covered in green goo - gives Donavin a strange and confused but scared look!
...
Hagwitch
Bugger Three
Donavin (20/20 HP; 0/1 talismans), falchion in hands
Lucian (12/12 HP, 0/1 potions, 1/1 bomb), no weapons
Dorobu (-3 poke, poison)
Bugger One
Bugger Two
Arlen (36/41 HP; 1/2 potions (lv1), 1/2 Focus), no weapons
Raini (41/43 HP; 1/2 potions (lv2), 0/1 Focus), no weapons
Sasha (36/36 HP)
Keemul (22/22 HP; 1/1 potions, 1/1 talisman), hammer in hands
...
Lucian is Up!
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"See, foxy boy? This is whoi ye outter join the Society, ta 'ave defenders around ye," Lucian says as he moves a bit more to the side of Dorobu. Lucian then continues speaking, but in the now familiar guttural tones of an incantation. Blue and white energy begin to crackle around him and then he thrusts his hand forward unleashing a bolt of lightning towards the creature.
Lucian arcs eldritch power, but the Bugger rolls it's wings and dives, mitigating the worst effects...
...The other two Buggers fly towards Lucian, who seems to be siding with their prey, has now demonstrated arcane power, and is otherwise blocking off Dorobu's path to flee! Lashing with needled beaks, the first strikes at him from the front, the second from the back - but the canny elf manages to avoid both stabs!...
...Meanwhile, Dorobu, adrenaline pumping, freezes - perhaps the party's words will turn his mind about running? - and considers his options a moment more...
Dorobu is considering Lucian's words, but, as Lucian did not formally make a Request check - which requires yet another single action (◆) - is delaying until the end of the round before either someone else convinces him to stay, or else, to stick with his original plan, and bolt with his prize.
...
...
Hagwitch, invisible, undetected
Bugger Three (-4 shock)
Bugger Four (-32 slash)
Donavin (20/20 HP; 0/1 talismans), falchion in hands
Lucian (12/12 HP, 0/1 potions, 1/1 bomb), no weapons
Bugger One
Bugger Two
Arlen (36/41 HP; 1/2 potions (lv1), 0/1 Focus), no weapons
Raini (41/43 HP; 1/2 potions (lv2), 0/1 Focus), no weapons
Sasha (36/36 HP)
Keemul (22/22 HP; 1/1 potions, 1/1 talisman), hammer in hands
Dorobu (-3 poke, poison) delayed
...
The Party (except Donavin and Lucian) is Up!
Ignoring the annoying Fox, Keemul focuses on the immediate threat, angrily swinging his massive hammer - but the Bugger flits just out of the way in time!
...
Arlen, Raini, and Sasha are Up!
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Raini takes a moment to focus on the fox-like thief. He still holds the object and doesn't want to see the thief escape in the mayhem.
Sensing his fight or flight about to kick in with flight being preferred, Raini tries to convince him to stay.
"This attacker wants what you have. I will protect and heal you if you stay. We have your back. But if you flee, these monsters will hunt you down. Stay and fight with us!" pleads the gnome.
He turns from the fox and focuses on Sasha. Find the master of this minions. Find it and attack!
Arlen attacks the bugger - a solid blow, a miss, and a splat! - meanwhile Raini, on the heels of Arlen's prowess, convinces Dorobu to remain with the PCs - Dorobu, defeated in every way, simply nods at Raini, and steps between him and Keemul, bracing himself for danger from the invisible Hagwitch, while Sasha sniffs in her immediate area, looking for her...
"Tee Hee HEE" The hagwitch reappears! She opens her mouth and expels a foul cloud which engulfs half the party in a sickening haze of disease-ridden halitosis!
...
Hagwitch, observed
Donavin (20/20 HP; 0/1 talismans), falchion in hands - Fort Save!
Lucian (12/12 HP, 0/1 potions, 1/1 bomb), no weapons
Bugger One
Bugger Two
Arlen (36/41 HP; 1/2 potions (lv1), 0/1 Focus), no weapons
Raini (41/43 HP; 1/2 potions (lv2), 0/1 Focus), no weapons - Fort Save!
Sasha (36/36 HP) - Fort Save!
Keemul (22/22 HP; 1/1 potions, 1/1 talisman), hammer in hands
Dorobu (-3 poke, poison) - Fort Save!
...
Donavin and Lucian are Up!
Raini and Sasha withstand the breath of the hagwitch!
Donavin reels under her horrid breath, but yet manages to deliver a powerful blow, cutting a gash across her chest as she screams!
...
Lucian is Up!
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Lucian's eyes roll back as he, once again, begins intoning guttural arcane words and the blue and white flickers fly around him, and as he lashes his arms out to the sides, where two of the buggers are assailing him, the force of the lightning blasts at them.
(◆◆)
(◆)And after casting the spell, Lucian steps to the west to provide a flank for Keemul.
Lucian buzzshocks the Buggers - one more soundly than the other - when they change course to go attack the creature (Donavin) that threatened their master!...
...
then
then
...
Hagwitch, observed
Donavin (20/20 HP; 0/1 talismans), falchion in hands, Enfeebled 1
Lucian (12/12 HP, 0/1 potions, 1/1 bomb), no weapons
Bugger One (-2 shock)
Bugger Two (-5 shock)
Arlen (36/41 HP; 1/2 potions (lv1), 0/1 Focus), no weapons
Keemul (22/22 HP; 1/1 potions, 1/1 talisman), hammer in hands
Raini (41/43 HP; 1/2 potions (lv2), 0/1 Focus), no weapons
Sasha (36/36 HP)
Dorobu (-3 poke, poison) - Fort Save!
...
Donavin's decision between Reactions is Up!
Donavin swacks one of the Buggers as they come over and swarm him - but only one manages to bite him, injecting it's foul poison into his bloodstream!
...
Hagwitch (-16 powercut)
Bugger Three (-4 shock, -9 punch, -18 punch)
Bugger Four (-32 slash)
Donavin (20/20 HP; 0/1 talismans), falchion in hands, Enfeebled 1
Lucian (12/12 HP, 0/1 potions, 1/1 bomb), no weapons
Bugger One (-2 shock)
Bugger Two (-5 shock, -8 swack)
Arlen (36/41 HP; 1/2 potions (lv1), 0/1 Focus), no weapons
Keemul (22/22 HP; 1/1 potions, 1/1 talisman), hammer in hands
Raini (41/43 HP; 1/2 potions (lv2), 0/1 Focus), no weapons
Sasha (36/36 HP)
Dorobu (-3 poke, poison) - Fort Save!
...
Arlen, Keemul, Raini, and Sasha are Up!
A solid blow! The hagwitch buckles as Keemul's oversized hammer crashes into her spine!
...
Arlen, Raini, and Sasha are Up!
Donavin staves off the poison...
Raini shocks the remaining Buggers, dropping one of them. Sasha savages the hagwitch, gnawing on her mole-ridden leg. "Get offa me you mangey mutt!" she screams in frustration "And You! Turn you into a toad I will!" threatening Keemul now "Feed this one to my sisters - Tee HEE" to Donavin. She seems to rage on!
...
...
Hagwitch (-16 powercut, -20 crush, -24 gnaw)
Donavin (20/20 HP; 0/1 talismans), falchion in hands, Enfeebled 1
Lucian (12/12 HP, 0/1 potions, 1/1 bomb), no weapons
Bugger One (-2 shock, -6 buzz)
Bugger Two (-5 shock, -8 swack, -6 buzz)
Arlen (36/41 HP; 1/2 potions (lv1), 0/1 Focus), no weapons
Keemul (22/22 HP; 1/1 potions, 1/1 talisman), hammer in hands
Raini (41/43 HP; 1/2 potions (lv2), 0/1 Focus), no weapons
Sasha (36/36 HP)
Dorobu (-3 poke, poison) - Fort Save!
...
Arlen is Up!
The Hagwitch cackles at the party - showing her teeth - thinking she has everything under control - when Arlen suddenly knocks her teeth out with a square strike to the mouth. The remaining Bugger bugs off.
Dorobu - visibly relieved - goes to retrieve the Green Scarf from his pocket - but it's no longer there! - the Fox unfolding his pockets inside-out to prove his innocence.
He gives the party his most innocent look, and exclaims "Well, maybe She took it!" Offering the fallen witch as the culprit!
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Arlen shakes his head, "I can only imagine more things will come for you if you remain in this forest. I suggest you flee, and quickly before more dangerous things come for you, especially now that you cannot return the scarf."
Arlen then leads his group back towards their destination, "Let's go. Our mission was a success."
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Keemul grins at the foes' sound defeat. "What do you mean, we can go? Is the scarf not an issue now that we showed the hag who's boss? We should get it for the Lodge's collection anyway." He hasn't noticed that the relic is safe and sound, instead believing Dorobu has found a place to hide it and won't fess up.