PFS2 Bounty: Witch's Winter Holiday (Inactive)

Game Master Trailjava

Pathfinders,
As you make your way to Scallion's Wrap. I need your PFS # and please check in. Once that is done we will done we will continue on.

For the sixth time today, Bitty checks on the enormous blue-speckled dinosaur egg in her backpack. She strokes its smooth surface, and cradles it in her arms, cooing at it. "Good morning, Egg! Are you warm enough? Soon you will hatch and we will be the best of friends, I swear it."

Bitty herself has a somewhat unusual appearance for a gnome. Her skin is pale blue as the noon sky, and her curly hair is the same intense dark blue as the sky just before sun rise. She has a draconic tail, just like her grandpa, the cloud dragon, Ifukeba, though hers is proportionate to her small size.

After warming it against herself, she packs the egg in her bedroll and then back into the pack, where the top of it pokes out. "I wish that Grandpa and Grandma weren't so insistent that we go out adventuring. Meeting new people is hard, Egg. I never know what to say to them. What do you advise?"

The egg stays silent in her pack.

"See? That's what I'm like too, Egg. I clam up, and don't know what to say." Bitty's tail curls upward as she looks up at the sky, bouncing along as the breezes lift her slightly, speeding her way. She smiles as she looks up. "If this were Cloudspire, I'd see you out flying, Ifukeba! But I'm going to make you proud, grandpa. I promise to talk to the first person that I see today, whomever it is."

The professor wears dark robes and round dirty glasses. He has a great pile of books in his hands. Augustus looks pretty ill, as his flesh is white, probably because of the lack of sunlight.

He coughs dryly and puts the books on a nearby table. The old man sighs heavily and looks around. He clearly doesn't look like an adventurer, much more like your local librarian.

Seeing the blue-skinned woman, Augustus pulls his glasses away from his nose with a slow movement. He then smiles and waves awkwardly. Then, in a low voice, a look of anxiety upon his face, the old man says: "Good day, my lady. My name is Augustus Sunflower. Professor Augustus Sunflower, to be more precise. Most honored to meet you."

Having catched a glimpse of the egg, Augustus puts back on his dusty glasses. "My, my! What is this... unborn creature?"

"Eeep!" Startled out of her reverie by the old man, Bitty Blue dashes to hide behind a tree, completely forgetting her promise to her grandfather.

A chill winter wind blasts her in the face.

Oh, right. I'm supposed to talk... What do I say?

Still hiding behind the tree, Bitty calls, "Um... Hello? I'm Bitty Blue, and the unborn creature is Egg."

Bitty looks at the Egg, to see if it wants to add anything, but it's being shy too.

"Sorry." Bitty calls out, "Egg is a little shy around strangers."

Then she peeks her head out and looks at the old man. He looks harmless enough. Maybe he's nice, like Grandpa Ifukeba.

She takes a deep breath, but still stays behind the tree. In a calmer, more normal voice she says, "I'm... I'm supposed to become an adventurer, so that I can learn to talk to people. Um, what do you think an adventurer would say right now?"

A rather pale half-elf arrives at Scallion Wrap. Her long and wavy hair spreads behind her head which is white as snow. She wears a long dress as white as her hair which ends barely touches the ground. She is also wearing a healer's tools and some bladed weapons on her side. In one of her hands, she holds a staff. Perched on her shoulder is a small white owl that looks like it is made from snow.

She stops at her track when she arrives at the place. "Perhaps I should look around for something." as she speaks, she finds a sylph gnome and a human talking to one another, and thus she approaches them. "Greetings, I am Sif. I would like to know what is good in this place, something nice to eat, perhaps?" she inquires them and awaits for their answer.

"Eep!" Bitty disappears back behind the tree for a moment.

She receives another cold blast of air that pushes her out from the tree to fall at the feet of the tall elven woman. "Ooof!"

She glances up. "I'm Bitty Blue, and... I've never been here before. Um, I'm a brand new adventurer." Her eyes go wide. "I'm adventuring so that I can learn to talk to people."

Still shaking, she says, "Maybe this adventuring thing wouldn't be so scary if one already had a team to travel with. Um, would you like to... travel together?"

Sif raises an eyebrow before she gives the sylph gnome a nod. "Sure, why not?" she tells her. "How are you all so far? I have been wandering for days from place to place until I get here. I hope there is something nice about this place, what do you think?"

As you each make your way to the center of the village. An older halfling woman in bright clothes quickly approaches, a large golden wolfhound at her side. She places herself before the heroes with a glint in her eye and grins. ”I don’t suppose you’re looking for any work, by chance?!” She asks “If you are, I have just the task. Doesn’t pay much, but you’ll get full bellies and a place to stay, along with the joy of helping an old woman on Winter Week!” She holds up a small cobblestone with great reverence and a slightly crooked facial expression. “My name is Kupyn Baro,” says the halfling. “Me and my pup Darb need your help to make this rock into a stew that will feed our village. What do you say, dear heroes?”

"Eee--" Bitty's normal response around strangers is cut off as she sees the beautiful golden wolfhound. "Ooohhhh..." If there is one thing that Bitty loves, it's animals. Bitty approaches, and offers her hand to the dog to sniff. Then she asks, "May I pet you, Darb? Please?"

Then she turns to the others. "Shall we help Darb and his person?"

“I don’t see why not there, Blue one Kupyn says as she examines the party f heroes gathered before her. I really, hope they are here to help. I wonder if Mother or Grandma Kupsyon had this much issues. Darb getting permission from Kupyn trots over the blue gnome.
He lowers his golden head, pushing his ears out to be scratched. When Bitty Blue scratches the ear, Darb thumbs a foot. While Darb is being petted, Kupyn stairs at the old wizard, she smiles some. Not bad looking, seems to have most of his teeth. .

Kupyn looks at woman dressed in the white dress and smiles. How do you keep it white while on the roads? the old halfing asks Liv.

Augustus follows the group, lost in his thoughts. When they stop, he suddenly notices that someone seems to pay attention to him. The old man sees the halfling's smile and frowns. It was a strange sensation for him as he never was the center of attention, yet he felt it was somehow... gratifying.

Bowing low, the professor mumbles: "Professor Augustus Sunflower. Nice to meet you."

Then, to the others: "Yes, I think we should lend a hand. What of our oath as pathfinders?" he says with a smile.

A handsome red-haired human man approaches the group, looking at Kupyn in particular. "Excuse me, I heard you have a job that needs to be done?"

Then he looks at the others. "...ah, am I too late? Or perhaps I could join you folks?"

Sif checks her white dress when asked about it keeping white as it be. "Well, I always keep changing it when I have the chance. I have like four same pieces of it in my bag. All made by my mother before I left home and venture alone. It is not always that white though. It can't be helped when I get to go on muddy roads and all. But yeah, I want my dress to be kept white as it can be." she answers Kupyn. "So, hmm, work, you say? Well, it would not be a bad idea if I get to do some work while staying here. And how much are we talking about paying us actually? And do you mind telling us about your Winter Week? It sounds festive." she asks the witch this time.

Bitty Blue goes nose to nose with Darb, her draconic tail wagging and thumping in tune with Darb's. "Who's a good dog? Who's a good dog?" Petting Darb seems to calm her down somewhat, until she looks up in surprise to see the red-haired man.

"Eep, who are you?" Bitty does not run behind a tree, but she does hide behind the dog a bit.

Kupyn sighs, then begins to speak. “ Let me to you , the tale of her great-grandmother and the rock stew. I can teach you the song!
Repeat after me.
Rock stew for me, rock stew for you! It’s the soup that helps us in all that we do! If you want to make it, you need a few things: potatoes, carrots, celery, and FIVE SCALLION RINGS Rock stew for me, rock stew for you! It’s the dish that helps us see winter through! Some salt, some pepper, a cauldron of bounty, a few cuts of mutton and a magic rock or three! Rock stew for me, rock stew for you! Have a Happy Winter Week, let’s eat some stew!
After singing the song, she then says “Every year I place a special rock in the stew. The one who finds the rock is said to have good luck throughout the coming year. I could pick the mutton myself, but I will pay you all a nice bounty if you help me collect these things”

Kupyn looks like she is in thought, then says “ Oh yeah, here is what I need. Carrots and celery from Farmer Greetle’s farm, found in the southwest part of the village. A bag of deep root potatoes grown by the dwarves at the foot of the Hollow Hills, a bit west of the village. A bundle of scallions from the brownies who tend them in the grove just north of the village. When you have these things, meet me at my house and I can put them in the cauldron! Do you have any questions for me?”

Holding on to Darb for support, Bitty dutifully repeats the catchy little song.

♫ Rock stew for me, rock stew for you!
It’s the soup that helps us in all that we do!

Rock stew for me, rock stew for you!
Have a Happy Winter Week, let’s eat some stew! ♫

Bitty's voice is untrained but clear. Then what Kupyn says hits her.

"Wait a minute... all these vegetables we're supposed to collect? Do you want us to steal them all? Don't you like any of your neighbors?" Although the bigfolk traveling with her could create a fine diversion for Bitty's thievery, Grandma Beryl was always clear that stealing from ones neighbors could lead to your neighbors visiting you with pitchforks and fire rather than pies and zucchini.

"I'm sorry if I startled you. My name is Sumner." He bows his head to Bitty.

Then, in response to her protests about stealing the food: "That can't be it. Barter, perhaps?" He looks to Kupyn. "Do you have anything we could trade to them for the vegetables?"

Kupyn looks at the group, then speaks No, stealing, that would go against the holiday! Whah happen was, Stingy old git tried to charge me for vegetables. Don’t know why; always gave them to me free before! If I set foot on his farm again and see his smug face, I don’t know that I could control my temper!” [/B
She pauses trying to keep her temper check, then continues [b]
Why can’t I get the potatoes from the dwarven miners? “Every month I give their head miner, Jaget Steim, a tincture to help with aching joints. Only this month... well, my own joints were aching and I didn’t make enough for more than one person. If you could help Jaget out somehow, it’d go a long way toward making things right.”
She walks over and pets Dab. She smiles keeping her temper in check. Then says Why
can’t I get the scallions from the brownies? “I caught the brownies knotting my hound Darb’s hair as a joke... I may have lost my temper with them and knocked over their hut. It’ll go better if someone else asked. Might be good to bring Darb with you, though. Those brownies love him.”
She smiles to everyone.

Can you, help me out? Also what skills do you all possess? I am curious. I myself am a the witch of Scallion’s Wrap, as was my mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother before me.” She looks to everyone to respond.

Earlier, in response to Sumner's Introduction

"Oh..." Bitty swallows, nervously, petting Darb for courage. "I'm Bitty, and this is Egg." She points to the very large dinosaur egg poking out of her backpack. "Um... Egg says it's nice to meet you."

Now

Bitty's eyes widen as she listens to Kupyn's recital of her woes dealing with her neighbors. "And I thought I had trouble speaking to people..." She pauses, looking at the pleading old woman in front of her. "Eep, we not only have to talk to people, we have to make things right between you and them?" Her draconic tail twitches in agitation and anxiety for a moment, then she takes a deep breath. "You're Darb's person, and Darb would want us to help you. I'm in!"

Then she looks at Darb. "Darb, can you come with me, Egg and our new friends for moral support? Egg will be braver with you there."

When Kupyn asks her about their skills, Bitty says, "Egg is a great listener. Me? I do a lot of everything. I'm from Cloudspire in the Mwangi Expanse. Grandma Beryl and Grandpa Ifukeba taught me a lot of skills so that I could be an adventurer. I know a bit about nature and animals and tracking, and a lot about the Plane of Air where grandpa came from. I can hide really well, and treat basic wounds, and can do a really great cartwheel. Oh, and I can disable traps. Grandma told me that it was important for adventurers to be well-rounded."

Augustus nods in acknowledgement to Sumner's arrival, greeting him.

Under his breath, he then mumbles the song:
♫ "Rock stew for me, rock stew for you! It’s the soup that helps us in all that we do!♫

♫ If you want to make it, you need a few things: potatoes, carrots, celery, and FIVE SCALLION RINGS Rock stew for me, rock stew for you!♫

♫ It’s the dish that helps us see winter through! Some salt, some pepper, a cauldron of bounty, a few cuts of mutton and a magic rock or three!♫

♫ Rock stew for me, rock stew for you! Have a Happy Winter Week, let’s eat some stew!"♫

"That's a pretty catchy song!"

He smiles shyly and clears his throat, going through the list.
"So... Vegetables from Stingy old git, potatoes from the dwarven miners and scallions from the brownies."

♫ ...a cauldron of bounty, a few cuts of mutton and a magic rock or three...♫

Answering Kupyn's question, the professor sighs.
"My skills? There is power in words, I can use some of them to weave beautiful or foul appearances."

♫ ...Rock stew for me, rock stew for you...♫

"I am a bard, a cantor of Iomedae. I follow Her example, in spirit and in battle."

"A bard? Oh you should be great at singing the song, then!" Bitty exclaims.

Sumner smiles a bit, but says "I'd rather not sing right now, if it's all the same to you..."

is there anything else you all need before attending to each tasks?

Sif hasn't told you about her skills yet, but she could do that flex-time and post when she comes back. Yes, let's move on.

"A bard who doesn't like to sing?" Bitty is puzzled for a moment, and then confides, "I'm kinda scared performing in front of large crowds too."

She is slowly getting comfortable around these strange new companions. Maybe adventuring won't be so hard after all! Bitty looks at her list, and then back at Darb. "I guess our next step is Greetle's farm for Carrots and Celery. Darb, can you lead us there?"

The prof nods.
"Sure, let's go to the farm." he says eagerly.

Almost immediately, he seems to get lost and walks in the opposite direction as to where Darb runs to.

He mumbles something along the lines of...
♫ ...need a few things: potatoes, carrots, celery...♫

After some instants, the prof looks around and realizes he went the wrong direction. Frantically searching his companions, he runs back towards the group.

Sumner follows the others and, despite his best efforts, finds himself humming the song as well...

“Oh,I am not expecting for skills showing. But since you asked, well, I lived most of my life in the caves, giving me the ability to see in the dark, if that helps. I can evoke elements with thehelp of my owl. But I prefer creating snow or ice amongother. I know I am beautiful but I am really not much of a face, you know, talking and negotiating to people. But I might learn that hopefully.“ Sif shrugs at her simple skills.

She then follows the others to where they would go first for the ingredients.

It’s a short walk and Dab walks with the group. From the new paint and fine wooden carvings of the farmers’ god Erastil lining the gate, it’s evident the farmer has been doing well.
Bunwol Greetle, an elderly human, sits on the front porch with his grandchildren, shelling peas and singing about rock stew. Far from unfriendly, when Farmer Greetle sees people approaching, a smile breaks over his face. ”Hail and well met, strangers! What can I do for you on this fine day?”

Sumner bows his head. "Greetings, we're here on behalf of Kupyn Baro. She needs some of your carrots and celery."

The wind blasts Bitty out from her hiding place behind Darb, tossing the sylph gnome in the air until she lands right in front of Farmer Greetle and his grandchildren. "Eep!"

There is nothing for it. Bitty straightens her outfit and curtsies, like she was taught to do before her elders. "Um, happy Winter Week, sir! We know that song, too." Then she says, "I'm Bitty, and this is Egg, Sumner, Sif and Professor Augustus..."

Darb barks, and then Bitty blinks.

"Oh, I guess you already know Darb. Oh and Egg says that it is very nice to meet you."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Augustus looks at the farmer, not knowing what to do.

"Probably introducing myself would be a good start..." he thinks.

"Hello there! My name is Augustus. That sure is a catchy song!" the prof says, almost shouting.

Good to meet you all, and happy Witch’s Winter. Hey can I be of service? Also nice egg, there Bitty. I see you have Dab, how do you come to have him? he reaches for a his pipe waiting for the group to answer. He seems favorable to Bitty at the moment.

"Um... Kupyn deputized us to bring back celery and carrots for the Winter Week rock stew, and Darb agreed to come out with us because... because Egg is a bit shy."

Bitty holds on to Darb for courage. "I heard you singing the song earlier. I like that song, too. Kupyn taught it to us." She turns to Sumner, and asks, "Can you play the tune for Rock Stew?"

In a small voice, Bitty sings with Sumner's help.

♫ Rock stew for me, rock stew for you!
It’s the soup that helps us in all that we do!

Rock stew for me, rock stew for you!
Have a Happy Winter Week, let’s eat some stew! ♫

Then she turns towards Farmer Greetle. "Egg says that Rock Stew without carrots and celery is just wet rocks. We need your carrots and celery. May we please have them?"

Then she curtsies again.

Sif watches and listens to Bitty as she sings the song. "I wonder how you easily memorize that song." she compliments her after her nice performance.

Greetle looks over at the mention of Kupyn, he looks a bit upset . [b] I will gladly, sell you the carrots and celery. The scallions are located in the groove. I will sell them to you for a 5sp” he says.
[ooc] So I need everyone to check in and add the bounty. Those that already have thank you. If you don’t want to pay for the carrots, then be creative to win the affection of Greetle [ooc]

When Sif compliments her memory, Bitty colors. "All the kids in Cloudspire are supposed to memorize long epics. It's what comes of being raised by dwarves and dragons." Still her little dragon tail wags happily.

Then Bitty looks up at Farmer Greetle. "Farmer Greetle, Kupyn said that you offered the vegetables freely before if they were for Winter Week. What has changed between you?"

Bitty hopes that if she can find out what went wrong between Greetle and Kupyn, the group can make it right.

Well Bitty, and new friends. I heard Kupyn complaining about Winter Week. As a community leader I feel like she lost the spirit. On a personal level, it hurt my feelings. We all try really hard to contribute to the holiday. Hearing the song earlier cheered me some. he says this and then realizes he may said something unkind. You all get the feeling that singing the song may help and possible reassurance that Kupyn does care about Winter Week. need a performance check from one person & a diplomacy check from another. Please select 2 people and roll. Also describe your rolls in a sentence or two.

"You want to hear the song? Alright..." Sumner forces a smile and begins to sing.

"Rock stew for me, rock stew for you
It’s the soup that helps us in all that we do..."

Performance: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Bitty claps for Sumner's lovely baritone.

Then, feeling emboldened by the kind Farmer Greetle's manner, she says, "See, Kupyn must love Winter Week, because she did such a good job teaching us the song!" The sylph gnome looks hopefully up at Greetle. "Also, Egg says that Rock Stew would be delicious with the carrots and celery grown on your farm!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

After Bitty speaks to Farmer Greetle he becomes happy that Kupyn stills has the spirit of Winter Week. He then gives the group carrots and celery
“ Please tell Kupyn I promise to attend the Winter Week feast.” He also gives the group a bag to hold the vegetables. Can you also do this old farmer a favor in the spirit of Winter Week. Can you take this magic mallet back to Kupyn? I used it to help with some chores around the farm. Then he passes the the mallet to Summer.
Good job, now it’s time to either got get Scallions or to get the potatoes. Let me know which. Next challenge, Summer and Bitty can’t participate in. It will be up to Augustus and Liv. Please by Monday

The prof, lost in his thoughts, focuses again and understands that Bitty and Sumner managed to get the vegetables.
"Thank you very much, good Greetle! We'll sing a winter blessing for you!"

Then, turning to Darb, he slaps his thighs and says:
"Now, boy! Show us where to find scallions! Where are the brownies?"

Having successfully obtained the carrots, ”Let’s go for the scallions, yes.” she agrees with Augustus. ”Does that pup knows where to go, actually?” she inquires and waits for the pup to make his move to lead them all to the next place.

"Does Darb know where to go?" Bitty's tail curls in indignation, and she covers the pup's ears so he cannot hear his talents disparaged. "Darb is awesome! Egg says so, too!"

As the party approaches the grove, a multitude of twinkling lights begin dancing about in the shadows beneath the ancient trees. Giggles and whispers fill the air, but you see nothing. Upon reaching the center of the grove, where scallions, garlic, onions, and chives grow in thick clumps amid the dark soil, the whispering stops and the twinkling lights fade.
Several diminutive fey wearing leaves and flowers emerge from their hiding places from within the wood. One, taller than the rest, wearing a crown of woven scallions and holding a purple onion flower (several times her height) like a scepter, steps forward. “I am Nelia Starsister, the Grove’s Grand Garlicia and Alliumic Empress. Who are you to set foot in our domain?” the tiny brownie speaks with lot a enthusiasm.
Nelia then stares at the half elf, holding a staff with a healing kit on their side. Nelia's eyes widen at the whiteness of the half elf’s dress. She looks at the owl and bows a bit. Greetings oh great White Lord of the Skies” she says.
Nelia looks at the Professor and giggles.
Nelia looks at Bitty and Summet and smiles.
Please post by Tuesday.

Augustus smiles widely and bows.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Nelia, Grand Galicia of the Grove and Alliumic Empress! My name is Augustus Sunflower, but many just call me prof. Others call me Old Geezer, but those are not very nice. Otters don't call me. I've always prefered beavers."

The prof seems to loose himself in his thoughts again, mumbling the winter song.
♫ ...some salt, some pepper, a cauldron of bounty... ♫

He shakes his head, trying his best to not lose focus again.
"We are here to get scallions, as we were told you were the Empress of scallions as well!"

♫ ...potatoes, carrots, celery, and FIVE SCALLION RINGS... ♫

While talking, Augustus tries to sneak a few notes on a sheet on the behavior and way of talking of the Brownies.

Bitty hides behind Darb but then waves shyly at the little brownie queen.

Sif raises an eyebrow, not sure if Nelia is mocking but she quickly dismisses the thought. She and her owl bow back at Nelia. "I am Sif, and we are here for the scallions." she tells her after Professor Augustus makes an introduction and declares their reason of arrival. "Kupyn would love to have them for the Winter Week."

Nelia looks over at the group as whole, she swallows and then says We did not mean any disrespect, to Sir Darbious, the Glorious. My Court only put braids and ribbons together in his hair. Lady Kupyn came by to show her displeasure. We giggled some. Then she knocked our castles in huff. Now she seeks scallions from us? What about our home? What will you all do about it? Nelia looks at Darb, with love in her eyes.
Please post by Wen