Melda's Cat's Cradle (Inactive)

Game Master Melda

You find yourselves in Eto, a bustling settlement on the Golden Road in Osirion. In the Eto Bazaar, you have found two taverns opposite each other, The Bent Coin and The Night Oasis. Outside The Bent Coin, you have noticed a bulletin board where caravan merchants often advertise to hire guards, drivers, and other employees, but it doesn't have any interesting offers... yet.

Hang around the settlement for the weekend, starting on Monday.

Wilting in the hot sun, Hyphy lurks in the shady areas around the city of Eto, a stone's throw from his friends, and wondering how Kareida is dealing in her new garden, the primary fungus keeping the social ecosystem intact and safe...

A familiar sprite riding an excitable corgi peruses the sign before catching sight of Hyphy.

"Oh hi! I know you, don't I?"
She hurries over. "I'm Shimmer, remember? And this is Biscuit. This place is interesting, but I just spent all my coins on a new bow--I hope somebody posts an interesting job soon."

She shows off her new weapon. "Magic! ...although maybe I shouldn't hope that people need my help. That usually means something bad happened."

What a coincidence to run into this fine group again. says a muscular Orc as he joins Hyphy and Shimmer. Although I wish had our coincidences in a cooler location.

"Am I following you or you are following me?" Delta barks a joke at them. "Delta, just in case any of you has forgotten my name." he tells them with a warm smile.

"I actually found some bulletin boards outside the taverns before I get in here but they are empty, unfortunately." he shares with Shimmer. "Wanna check out the other taverns other than these two here?" he offers with a grin.

Shardul here says a familiar gnome voice from under an old straw hat that has taken some styling accents from a scarecrow

Starting the adventure now!

The bazaar is busy with noises from merchants and customers, under the hot and dry weather of the desert. You see a female gnome merchant with shocking blue hair who glances appraisingly at the board outside The Bent Coin before borrowing one of the bar stools to pin up a notice. The Bent Coin’s other patrons gather round to view the posted scroll.

The blue-haired gnome goes into The Bent Coin.

Simon will approach the board to see what the new notice says.

Delta notices the gnome that posted the notice. "Ohhh, I think we have something here." he observes. Seeing Simon already going to the board, he follows him instead. "It looks like we don't need to get out and look for some jobs." he calls Shimmer to check the notice with them.

Slide for picture of board

At the board, you see the notice posted by the blue-haired gnome. It has an intricate drawing of a puzzle box covered in odd gears and mechanisms, plus a request:

Reward: Stolen Puzzle Box!

تيدبيت ويزيلبووم ، من ويزيلبووم تصورها خلق

Shimmer hurries over to take a look.

"Oh. I'm almost disappointed she knows who took it. Not much call for a detective--but I'm an archer too, and the puzzle box sounds like fun!"

”Perhaps the box contains the memories of her progenitor’s progenitor?” Hyphy speculates on the relationship of individual sapient memory on a generational scale...

Shardul takes after the gnome but then decides to wait for her colleagues to read the note first. muttering I aint standing on a stool to read the notice

"Interesting! An antique puzzle box!" Delta is excited to do the job after reading the notice. "But what does a Wizelboom mark look like? Hmmm..." he says loudly to himself. He then calls the one who posted the notice. "Greetings, blue-haired gnome. I am Delta. I am interested to help this certain Tidbit Wizelbomb, I mean Wizelboom, to get their antique puzzle box. Do you happen to know where I can find them?" he asks with enthusiasm.

A puzzle box does sound intriguing, and even if they know generally who took the box, there could still be a challenge to track them down. Simon comments back to Shimmer. The he follows Delta over toward the gnome.

You easily find the gnome inside the tavern. She's eating her meal as you arrive.

"Well, yes! It's me!" she answers happily. "I didn't expect to find interested people so fast. So you would be willing to find my puzzle box? I lost it when Sand Scorpion bandits attacked my caravan, west of Eto, as I wrote in my notice. They tried to rob my main wagon, of course, but I had a trick up my sleeve! My, were they surprised when the cart sprouted scimitars and defended itself! But then they took my residential wagon instead, they probably thought the puzzle box is a jewelry box and will just smash it open instead of solving the puzzle. Would be a shame, I got it from my grandmother."

"I'd love to find a puzzle box! That sounds like such a fun thing. But..." Shimmer hesitates, "if you're worried they'll just smash it open, they might have done it by now."

"Sand Scorpion, you say..." Delta stares blankly at the gnome for a moment to recall if he knows something about the bandits.

Society +0 to Recall Knowledge about Sand Scorpion.

We can hope that if your main wagon sprouted scimitars we could hope they take the hint and leave the puzzle box alone

"Ooh, fair point!"

Shimmer makes the puzzle box and the Sand Scorpion bandits her leads.

"Let's hope that they didn't break it, but if they did I'd still like it back, even if broken".

Tidbit pulls out a map and shows it to you. "I have asked around a bit. What my sources have told me, here, near the Pillar's Rise oasis should be the Sand Scorpions' camp", she says and taps on the map.

"So, it's deal then? You'll find my grandma's puzzle box, and I'll pay you for its return. Of course if you find other stuff they stole from my wagon bring them back too. Some parts and such things, worth something but replaceable, unlike the box."

Please update your Exploration activity before heading to the oasis.

Hyphy keeps a lookout for tiny bugs with long pointed tails...

Simon will go with Search

These Sand Scorpions target weakly protected caravans and generally avoid getting into a hard fight, or so I heard here." Delta shares what he knows. "But we must be vigilant, we do not know what is hidden in their sleeves if they choose to fight." He draws his hand crossbow and loads it before they leave for the Oasis. "Off we go."

Exploration Activity: Search

"Sure, bandits," says Shimmer, "But they'll be braver defending themselves than picking fights."

She double checks to make sure that her gun is loaded, but it's her bow she keeps in hand.

Investigate

I'll just watch for trouble

Raise shield

After two hours of travel under the heat of the desert sun, you finally arrive at Pillars’ Rise, a small but lush oasis guarded by an ancient sandstone statue of a sphinx. As soon as you arrive, you notice two creatures resting in the shadow of the sphinx statue. When they see you arrive, they shriek angrily and start flapping their wings to get airborne.

Delta (19/19)
Red (??)
Simon (21/21)
Hyphy (14/14)
Shimmer (15/15); & Biscuit (??/??)
White (??)
Shardul (20/20)

Bold may act.

Position yourselves anywhere on the bottom edge of the map.

I made icons from your forum pictures, you can replace them with another picture if you want, but you have to make a copy of it with name label so I know who is who.

I don't think we have edit permission on the map.
And Biscuit has 5 hp.

Oops, it was just set to 'view'. Try now.

Delta delays to act.

The reddish-skinned creature flies up from the shadow of the sphinx, and toward the party. Then it waves its hands and mutters something, and glittering dust flies to the party, covering everyone.

Everyone save Reflex DC 17. Bold may act.

Red (??) 10' up
Delta (19/19)
Simon (21/21)
Hyphy (14/14)
Shimmer (15/15); & Biscuit (5/5)
White (??)
Shardul (20/20)

Shimmer Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Biscuit Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
I'm assuming that's the spell glitterdust. If that has other effects I may have to redo this turn.

Shimmer ducks low over Biscuit's head as the shimmering dust washes over them. Biscuit himself isn't as quick and whines as the stuff gets in his eyes. It's not ideal, but better him than Shimmer herself--not just for selfish reasons, but because of the two of them she's the one who needs to aim the arrows. And he has his nose, anyway.

She squints at the distant creature. Hm. Bit far. She urges Biscuit forward as she looses an arrow.

* Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 9 against Red
[free] Recall Knowledge when Devising due to Known Weaknesses feat. She has +7 to Hunting or Scouting Lore if applicable, +7 to Arcana or Society, and if she needs Nature she won't try it.
* Command Minion
> * Stride
> * Stride
* Strike hits AC 17 for piercing damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6 and Strategic Strike precision damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Reflex save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Simon takes the full effect of the dust flying into his eyes. I hate the desert. Sand gets into everything.

We should avoid bunching up. Flanking right.

◆ Stride

◆ Stride

◆ Pull out his shiny new AtlAtl, since he can see the creature is flying.

Yes, Shimmer is right, Glitterdust. So dazzled 1 minute on failure, blind 1 round & dazzled 10 minutes on critical failure.

Shimmer's aim is true and she hits the redder one, who shrieks back in anger.

Dust gets into Simon's and Biscuit's eyes, dazzling their vision.

Red (-11) 10' up
Delta (19/19)
Simon (21/21)
Hyphy (14/14)
Shimmer (15/15); & Biscuit (5/5)
White (??)
Shardul (20/20)

Ooh pretty

reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Shardul shakes her head Very sparkly!

hero point: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Has a horrible premonition of hero pointing to a nat 1 but I rolled a two thats always worth a hero point on a save. Also just checking do I have an extra hero point from a someones (shimmer?) glyph

I have four glyphs, so everyone but me has two Hero Points. If anybody else has one, then I can has two

I have a glyph, that's two for everyone.

Delta joins the sprite and raises his Shield. “Maybe we can just talk this one...“ until the other side makes hostile act. “I change my mind.“

◆ Stride
◆ Stride
◆ Cast a Spell, Shield

Flaring his cap, Hyphy moves forward, splitting his stalk into two to reveal an Infected Eye! - and prepares to "point" it at the first creature that get's within his range!

◆) Stride
◆◆↺) Ready to Evil Eye (30-ft range @ Will DC 17)

The paler creature follows the red one, and sends its own glitterdust to the dangerously accurate corgi-riding sprite, catching also Delta in the sparkling dust.

Red (-11) 10' up
☘️☘️ Delta (19/19) Needs two Reflex saves
☘️☘️ Simon (21/21) Dazzled
☘️☘️ Hyphy (14/14) Needs Reflex save
☘️☘️ Shimmer (15/15); & Biscuit (5/5) Dazzled Need Reflex saves
White (??) 10' up
☘️ Shardul (20/20) Dazzled

Shardul is up.

☘️ icons for remaining hero points.

Reflex saves still needed:
Delta 2 saves
Hyphy 1 save
Shimmer & Biscuit both 1 save

Shimmer Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Biscuit Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Hero Point: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

This time Biscuit is quicker. Shimmer isn't, but fortune smiles on her. The movement of her mount keeps too much of it from sticking.

"Phhphtbph, what is that stuff!?"

Whoa chill out flyey things

2# cast ray of frost at red spell attack: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 1 = 21
cold damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

if crit double damage and 10 foot status penalty to its speeds for one round

If she hit raise shield I might have annoyed someone

If she missed stride forward need to get closer

whoops checks that dazzled means i need to make a flat check not -1 penalty

flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 5 meets the dc 5 flat check

attack roll result should read 22

Reflex Save vs Glitterdust (DC ??): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

The dark mushroom is covered in bright glitter...

Some of the glittering dust specs get into Hyphy's eyes, impeding their vision.

Shardul's ray hits the reddish creature right in its chest. Still not discouraged, it flies close to the most dangerous opponent this far, the sprite on her corgi. The creature inhales strongly.

Red (-14) 10' up
☘️☘️ Delta (19/19) Needs two Reflex saves
☘️☘️ Simon (21/21) Dazzled
☘️☘️ Hyphy (14/14) Dazzled
☘️☘️ Shimmer (15/15); & Biscuit (5/5) Dazzled
White (??) 10' up
☘️ Shardul (20/20) Dazzled

Bold are up.

Delta still needs 2 reflex saves DC 17 against the Glitterdusts. Dazzled on failure (flat 5 check added to every attack), blind 1 round with critical failure.

Simon will try his new Atlatl.

◆ Load the Atlatl with a Dart

◆ Throw the Dart at Red with the Atlatl
atlatl +5 (propulsive, range increment 60 feet, reload 1): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Damage 1d6+1 P: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Flat Check for Dazzled DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 8

◆ Load the Atlatl with a Dart

Such is life

Moving forward further, again splitting his stalk into two to reveal an Infected Eye! - a living rash scaling across the yellow-iris side-slitted cornea-slime-casing - Hyphy then releases a spore pod from his cap, dusting the creature with hardened pollen!

◆) Stride
◆) Evil Eye vs Red (30-ft range @ Will DC 17)
◆) Strike

Seed Pod (10 feet, Bludgeoning) w/ Flat Check vs Dazzled (DC 5): 1d20 ⇒ 101d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 241d4 ⇒ 4

Reflex save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Reflex save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Hero Point! Reflex save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 (Whut?!)

Delta sends mental jolt at Red and continues raising his shield.
DC ?? Flat Check vs Red's ???: 1d20 ⇒ 18 (Not sure if enemies become Hidden when I get Blinded)

◆◆ Cast a Spell, Daze, DC 17 basic Will save vs 4 mental damage to Red (also Stunned 1 on Crit Failure)
◆ Cast a Spell, Shield

Red Will against Evil Eye: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Red Will against Daze: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

The reddish creature ignores Hyphy's stare, but shrieks in agony as Hyphy hits it with pollen. Delta sees only sparkles when the dust gets into his eyes, but the creature's flapping wings tell its location and Delta successfully sends his spell at it. It shakes off a bit of the effect but start to look very worried.

Red (-20) 10' up
☘️ Delta (19/19) Blind until white's turn, Dazzled
☘️☘️ Simon (21/21) Dazzled
☘️☘️ Hyphy (14/14) Dazzled
☘️☘️ Shimmer (15/15); & Biscuit (5/5) Dazzled
White (??) 10' up
☘️ Shardul (20/20) Dazzled

Shimmer is up.

"Oh," says Shimmer as an enemy approaches, "no thank you. Move Biscuit!"

The corgi backs away before turning and running a little further. Shimmer looks back behind her, studying the imp.

No, he's watching her too closely. The other one? A long shot (literally), but less completely hopeless. She fires an arrow that way.

Biscuit's eyes are looking a little less red, at least.

* Command a Minion
- Step
- Stride
* Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 1
* Strike Bow (range): 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 2 = 21 for piercing damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Shimmer's shot barely hits the paler creature, and it just ignores the minor wound.

The paler creature flies closed but also a bit higher, hoping to avoid Hyphy's attack. It gets close to the party and inhales deeply.

Red (-20) 10' up
☘️ Delta (19/19) Blind until white's turn, Dazzled
☘️☘️ Simon (21/21) Dazzled
☘️☘️ Hyphy (14/14) Dazzled
☘️☘️ Shimmer (15/15); & Biscuit (5/5) Dazzled
White (-1) 15' up
☘️ Shardul (20/20) Dazzled

Shardul is up.