“Creepy indeed. It is always hard to map a region as ever-changing as the Forest of Spirits,” Amara continues, “but consider this as close an approximation as we can get.” Amara unrolls a delicately painted map. “As you can see, the Spirit Road connects Minkai to Hongal along the peninsula's southwestern coastline. The largest settlement on the Spirit Road is the village of Ohira, right at the delta of the Bunkatsu river. But crossing the Bunkatsu at this time of year is dangerous, so most merchant caravans take their heavy wagons to the crossing slightly north of the Spirit Road at the bridge that leads to the tiny village of Silvertree.” Amara taps her finger on the dot representing the village.
“There seems something sinister to this strange and persistent fog. We think the source of the fog must be somewhere near one of these two villages and the Bunkatsu river. With so many of my experienced agents dealing with literal fallout of Godsrain, I'm hoping that you can investigate the phenomenon and tell us what we need to do to end it.”
She looks around all your faces. "Do you have questions for me?"
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"Oh, I don't think they're pets-" Jiggo tries to politely whisper back before the poppets and leshies respond on their own. Sal'era doesn't really react although she does take note of Bun Helsing's threats.
Luckily Venture-Captain Amara Li breaks up the tension. With different tension. "Did they get captured? We need to check that place out. And is Hongal okay? They may have been cut off."
Amiri smiles at Salera, giving her a very firm handshake and then chuckles at the responses of the 'littles'. "My mistake, I've been around the Society off and on for quite a while, don't see many plants or rabbits with wayfinders." Her tone is jovial, but still a bit confrontational, especially towards chompers and his big gun.
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"Relentless tiny teeth?" She mimes a pair of rabbit 'buck' teeth to get her point across, very much so not looking in Bun Bun's direction.
"So a strange fog terrorizing the road.. or maybe just natural fog that's hiding some spirits?" Amiri tries to think if she knows of anything from her past travels that fits that description.
"I guess we're heading to one of those villages, ready to cut down any tiny teeth that try nipping at our heels." She leans over to get a better look at the map in relation to where they are now.
Amara Li thinks a moment about Jiggo's questions about Hongal. "Hongal itself should be relatively safe... though a long hiatus in Spirit Road trade could harm its economy." Amara frowns. “Travel time from one end of the Spirit Road to the other takes a few weeks, so we believe this problem started slightly over three weeks ago.”
In response to Amiri's question, Amara Li sips her tea and then sets the cup down. “I don't have a theory as such,” Amara answers carefully, “but the Forest of Spirits is the repository of most of the world’s kami. Every village has its own guardian kami. Perhaps you should talk to them and see if they know anything of this phenomenon.”
And a number of you reflect on what you remember about the Forest of Spirits...
Bun and Soddy Daisy recall that the most common threats found in the Forest of Spirits are bandits, oni, fey, and wild animals. If the balance of the forest has been upset, even kami and nature spirits can become aggressive and attack.
In addition, Jiggo had heard some disturbing rumors, however. The rumors allege that rare plants and animals are being smuggled from the Forest of Spirits and being sold at markets in Minkai and Hongol by agents of the Golden League.
Amara Li pauses to look you over one more time. "Any other questions?"
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The tengu woman leads yet another being in from the garden, this one being a stubby little fungus with an odd tricorner pirate hat stapled to their spongy cap "Oh, did I miss the meeting? I was snacking in your wonderful garden Amara, sorry."
Eddie reaches out a hand in greeting to the VC, whom she remembers from way back, something about finding a Lost caravan on the spirit road. "Hi, I'm Eddie, I think we've met!"
They then make their way around the room to the other Pathfinders, shaking each person's hand and saying the same thing "Hi, I'm Eddie, I think we've met!"
When reaching The Veiled Lady, Eddie complements her veil "Nice veil, you remind me of a veiled stinkhorn! I'm Eddie Bo Leetus!" They poke their spongy cap and show off a heavy bulbous stipe.
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"Oh gawd, not another crazy pint sized pet.. I can't do it.. I'm out, sorry Amara. There's another opening on the job board so don't worry, I'll stay busy. Eddie here will fit it much better!"
Exit stage right.
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"Bye, nice to meet you!" Soddy calls as Amiri makes a hasty exit. Turning to Eddie, she happily shakes hands. "Hello! My name is Soddy-Daisy. Tomorrow I might be someone else, but Soddy-Daisy is who I am today."
"The Forest of Spirits is home to lots of beautiful things but also lots of dangerous things! Bandits, oni, wild animals, fey...and if things get really out of whack, even the kami and nature spirits that live there might become aggressive."
When Amara calls for any further questions, Soddy's hand shoots into the air. "Oh! You think this might've started three weeks or so ago, do you know if anything strange or unusual happened in that area around that time or maybe a little bit before?"
"Probably the smuggling ring. That would piss me off if you invaded my house and stole my stuff just to sell it." Salera ponders for a bit as Amiri takes her leave. "I might be wary of any traders who enter the area. No idea about the fog though, maybe that was the way to cut all of them off."
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"Oh yes, if someone stole my shinies I'd be MAD!" Its hard to imagine Eddie being mad, you aren't sure they could even frown, its just a constant state of smiles down there.
"The forest spirits are very nice, or mean, or mad.. or tricksy. The ones we saw last time I was here were all over the place."
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When reaching The Veiled Lady, Eddie complements her veil "Nice veil, you remind me of a veiled stinkhorn! I'm Eddie Bo Leetus!" They poke their spongy cap and show off a heavy bulbous stipe.
"Thank you, Eddie. I like your tricorn hat! It suits you." Veiled Lady compliments in return. She is curious whether the hat is part of Eddie's body or just the spongy cap.
Veiled Lady receives the tea but instead of drinking it, she discreetly hides it under her to soak her tiny feet with it.
"The forest is protecting itself from those that do not belong there." The Veiled Lady finally speaks again after listening to banter and to the mission briefing. "The fog, I believe, is its way to keep us out if the Forest feels like to protect herself." she shares what she thinks about the situation.
"A good theory... One that you should test on the road," Amiri says. She offers you a set of provisions for the long journey: a pair of horses, a wagon loaded with food, water, a repair kit, and a map of Minkai and the Forest of Spirits, including the only settlements along the Spirit Road.
She nods to Eddie. "I am glad that you have visited the Spirit Road before, and to have so many nature spirits traveling on this journey. Good luck on your investigations."
The journey from the Three Gates Lodge in Kayajima through the Osogen Grasslands is chilly but scenic. You and your horse and wagon take the ferry crossing from the island, then on to the grasslands, with brisk winds blowing through the swaying plants of the prairie and mountains soaring to either side of the plain.
Along the way, friendly nomads and hearty herdsmen wave from a distance, and some locals approach on horseback to warn you. "Travelers, have you heard the news? There's rumors that the Spirit Road has been blocked."
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At the start of the trip Eddie introduces themself, and the group to the horse, making sure it feels comfortable in its equipment and in their trip.
"I am Eddie 'Bo' Leetus, I think we've met before! And these are my friends: Jiggo, Salera, Bun, Soddy (today anyhow), and Veiled Lady! Are you comfortable? Do you want more grain?"
Eddie does their best to stay out of the direct sun, preferring the less brightness of the north side of the wagon as they travel along.
Eddie greets any and all travelers they come across on their journey, whether they ride up close to them or hail them from afar. The greeting always starts the same, eager to make new friends:
"I am Eddie 'Bo' Leetus, I think we've met before! And these are my friends: Jiggo, Salera, Bun, Soddy (today anyhow), and Veiled Lady!" They offer up a hand shake or a wave and continue "We have heard those rumors too! Do you know anything more about the way to town? Are you thirsty?"
Animal Empathy: Feat 1: Druid: Source Player Core pg. 127
You have a connection to the creatures of the natural world that allows you to communicate with them on a rudimentary level. You can ask questions of, receive answers from, and use the Diplomacy skill with animals. In most cases, wild animals will give you time to make your case.
Group Impression: Feat 1: When you Make an Impression, you can compare your Diplomacy check result to the Will DCs of up to 10 targets you've conversed with, with no penalty. The number of targets increases to 20 if you’re an expert, 50 if you’re a master, and 100 if you’re legendary.
Glad-Hand: Feat 2: General Skill: Source Core Rulebook pg. 261 4.0: Prerequisites expert in Diplomacy
First impressions are your strong suit. When you meet someone in a casual or social situation, you can immediately attempt a Diplomacy check to Make an Impression on that creature rather than needing to converse for 1 minute. If you fail, you can engage in 1 minute of conversation and attempt a new check at the end of that time rather than accepting the failure or critical failure result.
The herdsmen are pleased to accept drinks and handshakes from Eddie, and they offer up some of their own rations in return. "It's an honor to meet so many nature spirits on the road. As for towns, the nearest one is Hokkōshi to the north." The herdsman points north. "Hokkōshi is the last town before the Forest of Spirits."
At Jiggo's comment, they nod. "We've heard there is a fearsome fog preventing travel, but maybe you smallfolk will be able to pass, since you're half-spirit yourselves."
The herdsmen then bow to you and gallop away on their horses, wishing you luck.
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
Finally, the northern city of Hokkōshi comes into view. As the last stop for travelers venturing into the Forest of Spirits, Hokkōshi teems with
Spirit Road guides and merchant caravans, all glumly stuck in town.
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"Beautiful. Kind of reminds me of home. Well, needs more snow. My hometown in Ustalav has some snow tucked in a corner, somewhere." Jiggo gets off the wagon and steps foot into Hokkōshi.
"Maybe we can ask the guides for more information. They must know something about the fog. A first hand account would do wonders."
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"Beautiful. Kind of reminds me of home. Well, needs more snow. My hometown in Ustalav has some snow tucked in a corner, somewhere." Jiggo gets off the wagon and steps foot into Hokkōshi.
"Maybe we can ask the guides for more information. They must know something about the fog. A first hand account would do wonders."
"Oh yes, snow is nice sometimes. A good time for a long winter's nap down in the duff before popping up for some fun in the summer's humidity." Eddie recalls bits of their formative years in the Fangwood Forest. "Have you been to my home? Fangwood Forest... I think its near Ustalav." They lean down to ask a button mushroom poking out their chest. "Yes, Toady says yes."
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As far as making themselves known and gaining an ear from the locals, Eddie hits up all the local bars and eating establishments, especially the back ends where all the good composting refuse lies!
The merchants clamor to talk to any of you who approach, telling you stories of the mysterious fog that is blocking all travel across the Bunkatsu river. "You can't walk more than a few steps inside fog without getting turned around and pushed out." Most of the merchants and guides are veterans with many prior crossings of the road; none have seen a fog this impenetrable or permanent. They confirm that the fog has blocked all travel for the past month. "Somebody needs to do something!" one woman complains. "We need some sort of expert to go in, find out what happened and fix it!"
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"Yes, we need experts!" Eddie's head bobs rapidly in agreement before slowly coming to a stop as they realize THEY could may be that expert...
"Has anyone tried to talk to the kami spirits of the road and forest? Are they mad? Has anyone made offerings to them?" Eddie responds with more questions than answers, remembering their last time on the road.
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"I prefer moist than snow, but I can use some snow to melt." Veiled Lady shares her thoughts on snow.
On the other hand, upon hearing how the fog treats those who wish to enter the Spirit Road, she wonders why it does so.
"Turned around and pushed out? People must have angered the kami in this place, I assume." Veiled Lady agrees to her fellow leshy.
"Me? Anger kami? Do I look like a person with a death wish? I've made this journey 17 times, and changed nothing!" One of the merchants looks indignant.
"Aye, but maybe one of the other groups did..." One of the professional forest guides sighs. “If you're going to go talking to kami, I'd reckon your group might have some success, with so many nature spirits and..." He looks puzzled at Bun and Salera, "er... whatever those two are. Remember that all kami are different, and each will have different preferences and needs. I suggest you address them with utter politeness and listen to what they have to say.”
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"Telling them that we come in peace might work," Soddy suggests as she takes stock of the many ingredients and vials in her possession. "I've read about that tactic in books, you know. Or um, maybe telling them that we'd like to help, if they have a problem they need help with. That usually goes over pretty well too, from what I've seen and read!"
You decide to start out on the Spirit Road. Once within the woods, almost all traffic on the Spirit Road dies away, though the sounds of birdsong and skittering wildlife fill the void. Old growth trees enclose the path on both sides, with the occasional a break in the trees revealing a view of the azure seawater of the Sapphire Sound. Down below, waves crash against a rocky shore and the air tastes not just of pine but also of finely misted salt spray.
One by one, snowy squirrel-like creatures with the twitching long ears of rabbits arrive on the path. The squirrel-rabbits watch you with intelligent eyes, always following at a watchful distance. They hop along behind you, leaping from branch to branch or hopping along the path itself.
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Eddie at first is a bit wary of the squirrel-like creatures. Squirrels have a ruthless history when it comes to his people. They would eat the caps off forest mushrooms, and on occasion, even uproot the poor mushrooms and stash them high in the trees to die a slow, dehydrating death! Rumor has it was supposedly to eat them at a later date. They've even been known to throw these mushrooms at their mushroom hunting competition in an attempt to drive them off!
Once they've gotten a good look at the creatures, Eddie tries to communicate, giving his patented, and usually very effective greeting. "Hi, I'm Eddie, I think we've met before!"
Sal'era notices Eddie is on high alert and ready to fight at a moment's notice...