Longroads Coffeehouse 2.0

Game Master chadius

Clover nods. "I don't feel right about it myself." Then she glances up at Fran. "Why don't you treat us as your siblings? I would love to have a big sis like you."

You set off along the road east from Dammartorp to Zekrotska.

The trees grasp at the road with gnarled fingers, runes of good luck and fortune carved on their trunks, and offerings of twisted twigs lie amongst their branches. Barren trees and the bitter cold have been constant companions on the dirt roads of Irrisen for several days now.

The severed heads are new.

Withered and frozen, four horror-struck human heads hang by their blood-matted hair from the trees' lower branches. Their crow-eaten, empty eye sockets stare out as though pleading for release.

Roark can do nothing but gape in horror. His beak hangs open for a short time before he splutters in indignation.

"We have to help them! We should show them Meat Wagon's anger!"

Mister Steeltoe gives a challenge. Bella emerges from cover long enough to smile. "I'd never force someone to participate in a snowball fight. That would be rude. Wouldn't it, sister?"

Deception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Oh, it is rude, but it would be so much fun.

She hands Madames Rosemont and Nettlesoup a snowball before ducking and rolling away from Khiari's. "Mother's aim is impeccable! I've heard she took up archery when she was tired of reading in the manor's library."

The snowfall fun comes to an abrupt end when she witnesses the carnage. Khiari doffs her with a snowball as she freezes to check the dead. "Bella, what's wrong? You stopped all of a sudden and... oh. Oh no."

Bella pulls out a dagger and solemnly moves towards the trees. "Sister, support me." Khiari quietly runs underneath the branches and holds out her hands to catch the heads. Bella climbs up the trees and begins to cut through the hair.

Stitch nods at Bella's upstanding morals.

---

Stitch rolls up closer to the trees with runes and gives them the eyeball test. Recall Knowledge "Doesn't look like the runes worked, wonder if they're some of the villagers in the posting."

Once Bella has the heads down Stitch takes a closer look, maybe his medical knowledge can help with some insight more useful than: they're dead. "Turn 'em over so I can get a good look, just make sure they're not going to fly around and blast us with snowballs or fire first."

The heads are frozen and trail ragged skin, as if they were torn from their bodies. The cold has preserved them, so you can’t tell if they have been there for just a few days or multiple weeks.

As you go to investigate the heads, the wind picks up and snow begins falling. Before you are done investigating the heads it has turned into a full blizzard. Visibility is horrible and the road is quickly buried under the snow.

I believe everyone has winter clothing at this point. If you are not wearing winter clothing please make a DC 16 basic Fortitude save.

One character may attempt a Survival check to Sense Direction so you can stay traveling on the road. Without a compass you take a -2 item penalty to the check. A wayfinder acts as a normal compass.

Are teammates allowed to Aid?

"How the winter chills..." Bella quickly flips off of the tree branch once the last head is secured. Khiari catches her in her arms.

"Reminds me of the most beautiful winters back at the Manor. The assistants always complained of the long trips. Let them take the carriage, I never liked horseback that much anyway."

Khiari giggles. "Does anyone know where the road is?"

I will allow the Aid attempt. Remember that successful Aids do not stack in PF2 and the person making the roll can choose if they take the help or not.
Whomever is leading, no peeking and please indicate if you are accepting the Aid.

Stitch pulls up his hood to cover the back of his neck as the storm rolls in "Ya, looks like we're in for it.." He looks side to side, as the road goes up in white fluff.

"Don't look at me, I'm a city guy!" He hunkers down in his chair, dreaming of beefy, oniony hot stew.

Clover accepts Bella's aid. She pulls out her Wayfinder and starts orienteering.

Survival T: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Clover and Bella work together to find and follow the road.

After about an hour of travel, the clear, pure note of a bell rings out just a short distance ahead. Hazy, dim lights accompany it. Could this be civilization?

Following the sound, you find a two story building. A weary, rail-thin human man is ringing a handbell. He is backlit in the doorway and past him you see a few other people inside at tables. The building is likely an inn or community room.

As I recall, at least a couple of you still need light.

At seeing your lights, the man calls out “Come in, find shelter from the storm!”

Earlier

Clover nods. "I don't feel right about it myself." Then she glances up at Fran. "Why don't you treat us as your siblings? I would love to have a big sis like you."

"Oh!"

Fran seems genuinely surprised by the idea; clearly it hadn't occurred to her before. "U-um, I...I think I'd like that. I've never been anyone's big sis before...Mister Midnight is different, he's my dearest friend...but I'll, um, do my best!"

The idea seems to buoy Fran and there's a new lightness in her step and demeanor that's only dampened by the grizzly discovery by the side of the road.

"Oh kitty, how awful! Who or what would do a thing like this?"

Present

Thankful for Clover and Bella's expert guidance in getting them this far, Fran waves back at the man and his bell. "Yes, please! Thank you!"

Eager to warm up, Fran heads for the welcoming light...after making sure that Clover and Mister Midnight are still able to make it okay through the snow.

Nicole cringes as she sees those skulls that are all over the place. Her cringe turns to fright when she finds they are human skulls. Good thing she has her winter clothing from their previous mission. It comes in handy again, thankfully.

"Why have we found lots of human skulls out there? Who did that?" Nicole immediately asks the man.

I have Owlbear Claw and Potency Crystal. Who wants them?

Wishes the potency crystal can be attached to his beak :)

"Excellent work, Madame Nettlesoup! Your directions are uncanny." Bella claps politely, probably the highest display of gratitude she has demonstrated so far.

"While I do enjoy winter's kiss, warmth and visibility are Best Friends I miss dearly!" She makes her way towards the man offering shelter.

"May we come in?" Bella stops at the door as Khiari has to grab her arm and pull her indoors. "Yeah yeah yeah. My fur is wet from all the snow. We can be polite later. He already invited us!" It doesn't take too much tugging to bring Bella inside.

"My apologies for the brusque entrance. This snowstorm was quite sudden. We were traveling to Zekrotska, following rumors of a strange creature that preyed upon the populace. Do you know of them?"

She turns to Madame Flames. "I am always thankful for your offer. If no one else wants them, I will take both the >Potency Crystal< and the >Owlbear Claw<."

Wishes the potency crystal can be attached to his beak :)

You just gotta ask.. :)

With Clover and Bella giving direction, Stitch directs Meat Wagon to lead the progression down the road, packing down the snow drifts for the others. They quickly learn to not follow TOO close behind as Meat Wagon has its own playful wheel spinning in mind. "A bell? Onward!"

Rolling up to the inn Stitch hollers down "Got a fire going in there I hope? My cheeks are half froze!" You aren't quite sure to which he's referring, probably both sets.

He parks Meat near the side of the building, downwind for some shelter from the storm. "Name's Stitch, that's Meat Wagon. Keep the kids off it, its dangerous." Shaking the snow off he steps inside.

Ya, seeing as I can't attach talismans to MW, they are better used on someone else.

Roark Thunderbird wrote:

Wishes the potency crystal can be attached to his beak :)

You just gotta ask.. :)

Actually, are "handwraps of mighty blows" considered weapons?

Roark rushes into the inn as soon as he sees it. He brushes the snow off his winter clothing and tries to get warm by the fire.

"You are a lifesaver, my good man! I'm really not meant for the cold. Oh, where are my manners?! Roark is my name, Roark Thunderbird!"

You can upgrade, add, and transfer runes to and from the handwraps just as you would for a weapon, and you can attach talismans to the handwraps.

Handwraps of Mighty Blows

Khiari huddles next to Roark as she removes her cloak. "Ugh. My fur is wet and cold!" She shuffles a bit closer to him. "It's not all bad, though..."

Oh cool!!

Roark gives Khiari a squeeze and bows to Bella. "If it's not too much to ask, may I have the potency crystal?"

He turns back to Khiari and grins outrageously at her. "Wet feathers aren't much better. But, no, not all bad..."

Waiting for a snarky comment from our favorite dwarf! :)

Let’s try to keep rules questions in Discussion.

The person at the door introduces themselves. “I am Aletzska Volovskaya, the innkeep of this establishment. You have found Zekrotska, although it would be difficult to tell in this storm.”

The building seems to be a combination of an inn and a general store.

Oil lamps light the taproom, and a feeble fire of broken wooden furniture heats a soup pot in the hearth. Aletzska seats you near the fire and provides some hot but very weak tea. He encourages you to sit and warm yourselves a bit.

Humans in heavy furs and leathers sit at other tables and wait patiently for soup and sip weak ale.

As you settle down, he goes to serve a few of the other patrons.

When he comes back, he looks to Belle as he says “You're here to help? To hunt the beast of the woods? I suppose Zon-Kuthon's eyes are elsewhere today! I thought no one was coming, I thought all was lost…”

He tells you what he knows of the situation.

Most of Zekrotska's citizens are foresters who have worked the trees of the nearby Hoarwood for decades now. For the last several weeks, something has been preying on them in the woods, to the point where even the sturdiest of the hamlet's loggers now refuse to go out and chop wood or hunt beasts. Without wood to sell, there's no money to buy food. Thanks to the eternal winter that blankets all of Irrisen, almost nothing of value or of edible use grows in the Hoarwood that can sustain the settlement.

He suggests that once you have warmed up, perhaps you could get more information from others here. He points them out to your group.

Nikita is a stout, shaggy-bearded, man with gray-streaked hair. Aletzska says he was one of the first foresters that refused to go back into the woods.

Oleg is a massively built, red-faced young man whose iron-headed spear never strays far from his hand. Aletzska says he lost his wife to the creature in the woods.

Vanya is a heavyset ulfen in their mid-30s. As something of a village wise person and herbalist.

Diplomacy to get the people to talk to you. Each of you can try talking to each of them once, or you can just ask the innkeep for directions to the creature.

"How terrible. Where are the enforcers? The lord of the realm?" Bella is saddened and bewildered. "We will aid you to the best of our ability. But first, we should seek advice."

With a polite bow, she sits next to Nikita. "Excuse me. I am Sidare, given name Bella. My associates and I are travelers from the Pathfinder Society. We wish to protect this village from the attacks in the forest. What can you tell us?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

"Oleg. My condolences. I am acutely aware of the pain of losing loved ones to violence." She notes the man's spear. "If you will allow me, I will strike the creature down in your stead. Any information about it will prove useful."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

"Vanya. Any wisdom you disperse will aid us in saving the city from these terrible attacks."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

"How terrible. Where are the enforcers? The lord of the realm?" Bella is saddened and bewildered. "We will aid you to the best of our ability. But first, we should seek advice."

Aletzska reacts in fear, saying only “Things are bad enough as it is. Hopefully neither Tereza nor Tsviata will take any interest in us.”

Irrisen is not a place where enforcers and nobles are considered protectors.

With a polite bow, she sits next to Nikita. "Excuse me. I am Sidare, given name Bella. My associates and I are travelers from the Pathfinder Society. We wish to protect this village from the attacks in the forest. What can you tell us?"

Failure

“There is a horrible monster out there. It hunts us.”

"Oleg. My condolences. I am acutely aware of the pain of losing loved ones to violence." She notes the man's spear. "If you will allow me, I will strike the creature down in your stead. Any information about it will prove useful."

Failure

“Thank you for your words of kindness. My wife was foolish to think she could safely travel the woods, please do not make the same mistake.”

"Vanya. Any wisdom you disperse will aid us in saving the city from these terrible attacks."

Success

“Wisdom can come in the form of a warning. The creature calls itself the King of the Wood. It is intelligent, but I never found a way to reason with it. I was barely able to escape with my life.”

Stitch stays by the fire for a long time, not really knowing how to get someone to open up, except of course with a scalpel "You best make friends with them, I know I'll put a foot in my mouth. No one here wants to hear about steam power or magnetic switches, they just want some danged fire wood."

A light rolls on at that thought "Hey Aletzska, any one have a sled I can tow out with Meat Wagon? Maybe we can gather up some wood to bring back after wards eh? At least so you aren't burning the rest of the chairs and tables before the victory feast." He grins, nodding towards the fiery gnome's cauldron.

Ya, I got lots of skills, but the socials aren't one of 'em!

"Thank you for your information. Be strong for a bit longer. We will drive out this fiend from your homeland." Bella stands up, gives a quick curtsy, and returns to the Pathfinders.

No wardens or protectors? The noble don't try to protect their territory? How can they call themselves nobility if they don't protect those who give them the title in the first place?

Bella drinks the tea in a single swig, lost in her own thoughts.

Khiari keeps writing, underlining King of the Wood. You have to listen before you charge in with a stubborn head.

A light rolls on at that thought "Hey Aletzska, any one have a sled I can tow out with Meat Wagon? Maybe we can gather up some wood to bring back after wards eh? At least so you aren't burning the rest of the chairs and tables before the victory feast." He grins, nodding towards the fiery gnome's cauldron.

“Sorry, no sled. Really don’t have the provisions for putting on a feast either.”

Nikita glares at Stitch, obviously not liking something he said.

Giving potency crystal to Roark and the owlbear claw to Bella.

Nicole gives the talismans she have to Roark and Bella. Actually, I also have lesser eagle eye elixir that can help search that monster when we get a chance later."

"I am sorry to hear about what happened here. Don't worry, we are here to end your misery." she encourages them though her words waver with uncertainty.

No Diplomacy here.

Seeing that most of the locals are clearly hesitant to open up to strangers, Fran thinks for a minute before deciding to approach Nikita.

"Um, I'm sorry...Stitch means well," she nods at her boisterous companion, "but even he'll be the first to admit he's not always the best at reading people or, um, choosing his words wisely. He's got a good heart though, and so do the rest of my friends. We really would like to try and help the town. Maybe we don't look it, but, um, we're no strangers to fighting and dealing with strange things. If there's anything you can tell us about what's been happening, it could really be helpful."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

How the heck don't wood cutters have sleds to haul it in? Stitch simply nods, and looks away in annoyance at Nikita's stink eye.

Angry bunch to be asking for help. He lets Fran try to smooth things over and heads back outside to check on Meat Wagon. Better make sure no one's trying to tear up my bench seat to boil soup.

Roark approaches Oleg with some concern (though how a bird can show concern is another question). "I hear you lost your wife in the woods? What happened? "

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Roark then turns to Nikita. "Can you describe what you saw?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Finally he heads to Vanya. "Any tips you can share for us to hunt the creature down?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Seeing that most of the locals are clearly hesitant to open up to strangers, Fran thinks for a minute before deciding to approach Nikita.

"Um, I'm sorry...Stitch means well," she nods at her boisterous companion, "but even he'll be the first to admit he's not always the best at reading people or, um, choosing his words wisely. He's got a good heart though, and so do the rest of my friends. We really would like to try and help the town. Maybe we don't look it, but, um, we're no strangers to fighting and dealing with strange things. If there's anything you can tell us about what's been happening, it could really be helpful."

Nikita mumbles something about “Would be better if he took care of the creature rather than try to steal my job.”

After the grumbling is done, Fran and Roark are able to get him to open up about what he knows of the creature. It is roughly humanoid in form (though the snow stopped him from seeing it clearly); it tends to strike in clearings; it seemingly controls trees and plants; it carries off its victims and returns their headless bodies.

Nikita also indicates that he marked the locations of the creature's ambushes with a deep “X” carved into the trees, as a warning of danger.

Roark approaches Oleg with some concern (though how a bird can show concern is another question). "I hear you lost your wife in the woods? What happened? "

“My wife was convinced that the creature was an angry dryad and her lucky charm would protect her. Don’t know if she was right about the creature, but she was wrong about being protected. I was able to go into the forest and retrieve Elanya’s body and get out unharmed. I don’t know why the creature didn’t attack me.”

A successful DC 20 Nature check would give you additional insight.

Already took care of Nikita above. Was a failure with Vanya.

Nature E: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Seeing how thin and tired all the villagers look, Clover follows up the talks with the villagers with offers beef stew and hot coffee. The stew is redolent with carrots, potatoes, onions, turnips and a thick gravy, along with meat slow-cooked until it was tender. "Come join us! We have plenty!"

Aid (Nature): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Bella agrees with Madame Nettlesoup. "A dryad, by the title of King of the Wood. X marked trees warn of their ambushes. Perhaps we can reason with them."

Clover and Bella realize that cold iron is often effective against fey creatures, and infer that is the reason that the creature backed away.

Stitch makes his way back in after a while, headed for the fire to warm up "I heard something about beef stew?" Sort of a question but more of a self invitation.

"How far off have these attacks been happening? Maybe we should wait til morning to head out. Hopefully that side ways snow calms down... I'm gonna need to rig up some studs or something for Meat Wagon's wheels if it doesn't."

Clover looks at Oleg. "Do you have cold iron on you by any chance? I know that fey don't like cold iron at all."

Oleg gestures towards his spear. “The tip on this is made of cold iron. If it would help you deal with the creature, I could let you use it. Please bring it back.”

Clover looks at Oleg. "Do you have cold iron on you by any chance? I know that fey don't like cold iron at all."

Khiari sneezes. "Right." She sniffs and holds her nose. "My allergies are acting up." She retreats to Bella and sneezes and again. "Let's help them out once the snowstorm dies a bit."

"We will," Fran nods to Oleg before turning her attention back to their host. "Um, Mister Volovskaya? You said these attacks only started a few weeks ago, right? Did anything else around here change around that same time? Or did something unusual happen?"

The innkeeper shakes his head. “Nothing we know of.”

He gives you directions to where the creature is believed to haunt, a section of the Hoarwood that is known as the Narrow Paths. The blizzard has lessened and part of the trip will be through tunnels.

Asking about the weather, the locals think there is nothing strange about the sudden blizzards. In their opinion, it is reasonable weather right now since you can see several hundred yards through the falling snow.

Are you ready to go?

Bella gives Khiari a warm smile as she stands away from the fireplace. "Let us soothe the savage beast. Or silence it."

She is ready to go.

"No time like the present!" Roark chimes in. He does look concerned upon seeing Khiari suffering allergies of some sort, though he tries not to make it too obvious...

Clover quickly washes out her pot, chops up some more ingredients, and starts another batch of soup stock going. Then she puts the lid back on Mr. Potbelly.

"I'm ready to go now!"

Who has the cold iron spear?

As you leave, you notice Aletzka quickly goes over to where Clover was cutting up the vegetables for her stock and inspecting anything she left behind. He takes the usable scraps and quickly adds them to the soup he had been serving.

Now that it is no longer a blizzard, you can see the whole of Zekrotska. The inn you came from is the only two story building, it has a sign above it reading Blooming Branch. There are a scattering of cabins around, looks to be less than a dozen.

You follow what is little more than a game trail to a tunnel entrance. The main portion of the tunnel is easily wide enough for two donkeys side by side. Sticking to the directions you were given, only Meat Wagon has any issues getting through. There are a couple of sections where it had to squeeze in order to get through.

Once outside, you the path you were supposed to follow. This part of the path winds and curves before leading out near a jut of rocky hills. A single, downed tree lies flat on the ground.

Congratulations! Some of you are now on the map.

Bella has her own cold iron weapon, so I'll pass.

With the storm gone, Bella is ready to go. The town needs a protector, badly. If they can last for so long by themselves they will flourish under someone with power and wealth.

Bella and Khiari walk ahead, over a branch. Khiari sniffles again, fending off a sneeze.

Bella debates if she should bow, curtsy, or draw her dagger. The cold iron tip that cuts into the flesh of fey.

Re: Spear: Well, its a simple 1h weapon so anyone can use it. Pity its not finessable! If Roark wants it then go ahead, otherwise I guess maybe Stitch? Unless one of the casters has a mind to go poking about. Stitch could do some decent damage with it but has to hit first with a 10 Strength...

"Tight squeeze but we got it." A few scratches aren't too bad, they emerge into cold weather yet again. Stitch keeps his pistol in hand, just in case this King shows itself for an easy shot.

"So I'm gonna guess you want to reason with it before.. ?"

Khiari takes a deep breath to control her sinuses before nodding at Stitch. "We have to try."

As Bella and Khiari move forward, there is a load cracking and some trees fall.
Damage from falling trees: 4d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 5, 2, 7) + 10 = 30
Bella and Khiari need to make a DC 22 basic Reflex save, use the worse of the two results.