The Finadar Forest is a massive, sprawling woodland filled with conifers, seasonal undergrowth, and uneven terrain.
There are signs of active efforts made to fight the flames: in some areas, the trees show the rejuvenating effects of druidic magic, and in others, they bear the crude but clever cuts of goblin blades—all intended to trim back brush, reduce the amount of fuel available for wildfires to ignite.
An old ranger’s trail cuts through the woodlands here, offering a path that’s a bit less choked with smoke and embers than the rest of the forest. Unfortunately, other creatures also use the path.
A pair of wolverines are moving along the trail until a sudden flare-up drives them into a frenzy.
Round 1!
Petro
Shenzen
Red Wolf
Blue Wolf
Baldrum
Dirgel
Paemil
Markwin
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As the creatures appear, Shenzen cocks his head to the side and tries to remember what he knows about them.
As he contemplates the beasts, he reaches down to one of the empty loops strapped to his armor. He lifts his hand away and as he does, blue semi transparent energy forms in his grip and expands out until it is the size and shape of a warhammer.
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Good eye, Baldrum...we're not the only ones here that want to see the fire tamed. He keeps his eyes open as they move down the trail.[b] Those beasts might be riled up and attack mindlessly. If we can avoid them, fine. I'll be ready if we can't.. he says as he notches an arrow and watches the pair.
Can one of you deal with animals? Not my strong suit...
Shenzen knows these are wolverines, and definitely not wolves, although it would be absolutely no fault of anyone if they didn't know that. It's totally reasonable for a middle aged man to have gone his entire life up to this point thinking that the Michigan Wolverines were just a fancy way of saying Michigan Wolves, and when faced with an RPG stat block that said 'wolverine' still thought 'wolf'. He might even think to himself, 'gosh, that's weird that wolves have burrow speeds,' but it wouldn't be at all inappropriate for him to shrug it off and think that's just something about wolves that he never knew, and not at all strange that he didn't look it up. And if anyone noticed that said GM quietly changed all the art on the slides because he had copied and pasted a bunch of wolves, that would be totally and completely forgivable.
Also, Shenzen knows they have rage: A wolverine that takes damage in combat flies into a rage on its next turn, clawing and biting madly until either it or its opponent is dead. It gains +4 to Strength, +4 to Constitution, and –2 to AC. The creature cannot end its rage voluntarily.
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The wolverines both double move towards the Pathfinders. From a distance, they looked like wolves, but up close it's very clear they're wolverines.
Round 1/2!
Petro
Shenzen
Red Wolf
Blue Wolf
Baldrum
Dirgel
Paemil
Markwin
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Shenzen squints his eyes, judging the threat. He decides the savage little creatures are not quite enough of a threat to expend one of his more powerful spells so just gets closer and readies a swing.
Then, he gives his companions some sage advice. "Whatever you do, don't hurt them. If you do, it will only throw them into a frenzy and make them more dangerous."
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Inquisitor Vasvax steps with the others, hefting his warhammer in his right hand and rolling his shoulders as he limbers up for combat. The familiar rush of adrenoline courses through his viens; the sight of his fellow Pathfinders also preparing for the creatures to attack reassures him that in a pinch, the group is going to be a capable force for good in the forest.
"I can't see through the flames - whatever are they? Are they a type of bear, or a fox?" He squints through the heat haze, "Whatever, they would have to be maddened by the flames to attack. I have a hammer here that may disuade them from that..."
Petro cannot see a way to stop or even slow the flames - unlike the encampments, where fire breaks held back the bulk of the fire, these fires rage out of control.
However, Petro notices that one of the wolverines is wearing a fashioned necklace, and the soot on the necklace was recently smudged by slim fingers. This could be some sort of collar to indicate ownership.
Dragbog notices it as well, calling out, "That's Senenlelel's necklace! He must be in trouble!"
Baldrum waves a burning branch in front of them, but not very threateningly.
Paemil commands the wolverines. This command would not have worked if the wolverines were wild, but they seem to be very used to taking commands, and they stop.
Shenzen readies an action.
Dirgel throws a warning shot. It hits the ground between the wolverines and the Pathfinders.
Markwin draws his hammer. The creatures are wolverines - neutral animals that can be trained. They have low-light vision and scent, and burrow and climb speeds.
The wolverines stop and stare at the Pathfinders, waiting to see if the two-legs know any other tricks.
Round 2/3!
Petro
Shenzen
Red Wolf
Blue Wolf
Baldrum
Dirgel
Paemil
Markwin
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Shenzen lets the warhammer in his hand dissipate, the weapon falling apart like luminous blue flakes and floating up into the air before dissolving entirely.
He clasps his hands behind him. "Fine work Paemil. Can you have them take us to this Senenlelel? They seem to be a friend of Dragbog's and might be in need of aid or be able to aid us in our task. Or both."
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The creatures having come to a stop, Paemil turns to Lumi- making eye contact with her.
Аларда синең кебек кыз бар. Без аларны куркытмаска тиеш. Аларга зарар китерү өчен мин тора алмадым. Аңлыйсың, шулай бит?
He steps forward, hoping that the creatures peaceful demeanor holds. He rustles around in his pack, hoping to find some tail rations to offer the creatures.
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Vasvax moves forward, glad to take the opportunity to escape the tunnel of hot air and flying embers threatening to engulf the party. He hustles forward, warhammer held warily at his side, watching as the Druid calms the anxious wolverines ahead.
He cocks his head at the sound of this new name, the owner of the dog's collar. "Good job, Paemil. "Senenlelel" doesn't sound like a goblin name. Do you think it's someone trapped in the flames nearby?!
He takes a moment to try to perceive, over the roar of the fire, for any nearby shouts for help:
The wolverines recognize that you are friends, but don't recognize the specific commands. The larger wolverine, wearing the necklace, tears the necklace from around its neck with a jagged claw, and nudges it towards the Pathfinders as if offering a small tribute. Then, the pair runs off in a different direction.
The centerpiece of the necklace is an ampoule containing a potion of cure serious wounds.
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The Pathfinders try to follow the wolverines' trails back to their master.
With the aid of his friends, Petro manages to find the trail.
It leads back to a a flame-shrouded bower with a druid trapped inside. The Pathfinders must either navigate or clear a path through the burning trees and brush to reach the druid.
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Paemil leans down and whispers to Lumi.
Миңа анда кысылырга кирәк. Мөмкин булса, мин сезгә булышырмын. Друид исе бармы? Мин аны табарга тиеш. Яхшы кыз, мин монда булырмын
Standing back up stifly, Paemil steps alongside Shenzen- adding his strength to the efforts to clear a path.
"Good help. Lumi will fetch. Bring out Druid."
Wa Wa Waa Wa Waaa Wa. Seek. Wa Waaa Wa WaaWaa
Lumi looks at the now wide clearing and the surrounding flames- and leaps through the small hole. Sniffing, she tries to separate smoke from scent and seeks after the creature within.
Shenzen clears some burning logs out of the way.
The druid inside is alive, but too weak to extricate himself. The Pathfinders can use their survival or engineering skills to get him out.
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Paemil leans into the small clearing, barking commands to Lumi in his usual, strange language.
Кулны тот. Бу бераз күбрәк. Көчәнеш! Көчәнеш! Туктагыз! Ярар, хәзер син аның күлмәген тотарга тиеш, шулай бор! Бу чәнечкеләргә сак булыгыз!
Natural 1s can't stop Paemil! With the aid of Lumi, Petro, and Baldrum, Paemil pulls the druid out.
Cenenviel thanks the Pathfinders and introduces himself.
"Glad to see you in piece," Dragbog says. "Senenlelel always welcome."
Cenenviel is delighted to hear that his wolverines made it to safety, and strongly chastises anyone who dares forget they are definitely not wolves. He casts endure elements on the party to help them travel the rest of the way to Dragonskull Village, and offers a goodberry to everyone.
Cenenviel points the way to Dragonskull village, and takes his leave to go find his animal companions.
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On the way to Dragonskull village, Dragbog sings a song to himself.
Stoke the ember, build the flame
Take its food to keep it tame
Chop the earth and cut the roots
From the ashes grow green shoots
"That my clan song. Song is for remember. Goblins good with fire.
Fire and goblin go together like pickles and goblin. It’s circle of life. You might want to make song about important so you don’t forget.”
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The rocks and scorched ruins of the Dragonskull village spill down a stony valley studded with the scorched stumps of small trees. In the center of a small dell at the southern end of the valley juts a granite monolith, graven with fiery runes.
The Dragonskull tribe’s village is a sprawling wasteland of scorched earth, crackling stumps, and bones seething with strange fire. In some places the skeletons of dragons are arranged to serve as crude huts, with smoldering rags hanging across ribs and spinal cords strung with rope holding up the charred remains of hammocks.
On a small rise in the southern edge of the village, a stone monolith standing roughly three feet tall and covered in cyclops runes crackles with arcing flames. Anyone who observes the monolith from a distance soon notices that the fires surrounding the monolith occasionally arc out and “crawl” away, slowly simmering until they come into contact with a draconic skull which begins shuddering and snapping to strange, fiery life.
DC 18 Knowledge (planes):
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Baldrum thinks: Strange song. Must be some goblin lullaby... But he is occupied with finding a safe way through the burning forest and does not really pay attention.
At the Dragonskull village Baldrum gives the draconic skulls a good look - from a distance, of course. They look like undead to him, but suddenly he remembers something from the lessons of his master Po...
"Listen up, everyone! These creatures may consist of bones, but they are not actually undead! Take a closer look!"
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Shenzen is clearly pleased when he is able to help free the druid. He's also pleased when they continue on. He is amused by the way the goblin pronounces the druid's name once he hears it said correctly.
Shenzen knows little about religion or the undead.
"Curious," he comments at Baldrum's revelation.
He once more draws his warhammer out of the vault of his mind, but does not rush into combat, yet.
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"Draconic animated bone creatures, enlivened by a monolith covered in cyclops runes crackling with arcing flames?" Vasvax smiles a mirthless smirk. "Expunging such horrors from this place would be an act of devotion most pleasing to Gorum." He hefts his warhammer meaningfully in the direction of the village, "I could not sneak past these spirits even if I wished to, and I must say I do not wish to. Have you other plans? Have you made your preparations? Have you said your prayers? Do so, and on your word and with Gorum's grace let us take them down!"
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"Clearly mindless fire elementals manipulating dragon skeletons like marionettes. You will have your wish Markwin, there shall be no parlaying with these creatures and I am little more likely to be able to get past them without notice than you. Let us send them back to where they belong so that we may more closely examine the monolith."
He begins to march toward the nearest (misidentified) creature.
Round 1!
Petro
Markwin
Paemil
Gorvy
Red Skull
Green Skull
Blue Skull
Baldrum
Shenzen