The Moon Bear makes a different hand signal before stepping over to the red marked assailant. There he aims his fist at the foe's jaw.
Meanwhile, the sun bear rises on his hind legs and assaults the blue marked ambusher caught between himself and the shoony.
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The moon Bear's attack on Red completely flattens them.
Hsavi sneaks in and puts a little damage on Green.
Sun bear drops the Blue clad assassin with one swipe of a massive paw (relatively.)
Bold may act
Goupour Dune
Yellow ,
Green
Blue ,
Hui Kong
Hasvi' ,
Flory Buntzer ,
The Moon Bear , ,
Purple ,
Nanoc Evitceted ,
Red ,
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And with Sir Miles bite, the last adversary falls.
You have two unconscious prisoners and several dead bodies.
Looks like Goupour Dune is the inly one that took damage, 7 HP
You find a note on one of the enemies.
It’s only a matter of time before the council learns of our existence. Bring them under our thumb before then.
Our mother has dug through their minds to find their truths. Use this information to make them malleable in her name.
[•] Skawahann remains the easiest of the councilors to bring to our side. Her search for secrets will inevitably bring her to our direction. Offer her the information she so desperately craves, but only enough to make her more interested in letting us operate in the darkness than exposing us to the light. Her occult interests will turn to things frowned upon in Segada, and she’ll need us to provide her answers.
[•] Tekawenda is dangerous, but she will fold before she ever poses a threat. Already her peacekeepers are spread thin and her energy even thinner. The tiniest bit of chaos will be enough for her and her forces to buckle under the pressure. Even if we are discovered, there will be no one capable enough to do anything about it.
[•] Ojiham is a traditionalist with long years of experience. We are likely not the first group of our kind he has seen, but we will be his last. His obsession with protocol may be something we can use against him. Search for any old precedents or stories about owls, magic, or children found within the woods. These are all things we can use to gain his favor for our mother. If none exist, remove him. With his age, many people will believe it was his time to go anyway.
[•] Wanakeena has resisted our normal means of scrying. We’ll need something more to truly breach her defenses. Break into her home when the council is in session and bring something of hers with sentimental value. A family heirloom, gift from a loved one, something she’s made herself. Anything that you can grab and get out without being noticed.
Come back successful or do not bother coming back at all.
May you avoid the Owl’s gaze.
Rahaksenwe is nearby and rushes down the alley. I was caught behind the protestors but finally found my way to you.I am sorry I haven't been around to help with the problems you have faced. I will guide you to Awade’s tavern, and I will be back in the morning to guide you to the Council Chambers.
"We may not have time for that," the Moon Bear says, showing the note to Rahaksenwe. "We should warn the council. Ojiham may be in danger at this same moment."
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Nothing really to see here, but having the spoiler looks good
Hasvi and Nanoc try to recall anything they might have heard about Owl cults or Organized Crime gangs associated with Owls, but come up blank.
Rahaksenwe responds: We can send word to the Council from the Tavern. We won't be able to meet with them tonight, but we are already meeting with them again first thing in the morning.
"We should bring them to Takewenda. Or fetch one of his town guards, at least," he says.
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Lay on hands heals 6 HP per level, so 12.
The prisoners won't talk. It seems they fear a fate worse than any death you can impose upon them. Town guards will take them into custody when you get done questioning them.
When you are ready, Rahaksenwe leads you on to the tavern.
The tavern still vibrates with life, despite the late hour. Tables are filled with tourists, visiting dignitaries, and ambassadors from other Arcadian nations. The tavern keeper, a grinning halfling woman, approaches with arms outstretched, offering a hug. “Welcome to Seeker’s Rest! Have you eaten yet?” She doesn’t wait for a response before she’s disappeared behind the counter, preparing plates of food. She soon returns with bannock and berry sauce. “My grandmother’s recipe.” she explains. “When the council told me we were getting visitors from Avistan I had to make sure that we put our best foot forward. Your rooms are up the stairs, on the left. Best rooms in the building if I do say so myself. Please, let me know if there’s anything you need.”
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Hui Kong stares suspiciously at the bannock and berry sauce initially, but eventually convinces himself to give it try, discovers he loves it and starts digging in.
"You know what I would like now? Stories! As you can see, we're not exactly from around here. So what interesting folklore and tales do you tell around here? Of bears, foxes, owls?"
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We have stories about bears and foxes, but nothing about Owls. My mother always taught me to shoo them away. They’re signs of death. That, and people who practice bad magic like to turn into them to snoop on you. I prefer they stay away from my tavern. Don’t need all that weighing on the people here.”
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The other guests, while polite, are fellow travelers who know nothing about who might have attacked you or the council.
Your rooms are spacious and luxurious, fitted with thick blankets and furs to keep guests warm in the cold Segadan nights. Each of you is provided with your own room and an assortment of teas left ready for you.
As each of you goes to bed, please describe your thoughts before going to sleep and your dreams as you drift off. .
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Hasvi has become paranoid due to the two assasination attempts on the same day. He examines the room for secret doors or ways to get in. More importantly, he sets up a trap for assassins.
He rigs the bed to look like someone is sleeping on it. And puts 5 bags worth of caltrops around the bed (assuming the bed is against the wall, then on every square around the bed).
He sleeps under the bed. He tries to sleep lightly, believing the luxury around him to be yet another trap to lull him into complacency. He keeps a blanket with him for emergencies.
Who is this 'Mother' they wrote of?
His thoughts dwell on his mother and he dreams of her. She is baking elven bread for him.
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Flory makes herself some tea, hoping to shake off the last of the poison. While she enjoyed the dreamlike effects, she knows that she and the others are in danger, so it won’t do.
”Need to stay sharp”, she says to her companions. They agree to sleep in shifts, in case there are more shenanigans during the night. Flory drifts off to Slumberland, and Sir Miles falls asleep behind the door, while Lady Gwendolyn perches on a bedpost to keep watch.
So much courtly intrigue! A diplomatic mission, spies, assassins, tea…
She dreams about attending a fancy masquerade, where she needs to make contact with a mysterious agent wearing a fox mask, but everyone she sees is dressed like a chicken.
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Nanoc wonders what could the success of their mission will be, now that some unexpected persons come into play. The Council should be warned first thing in the morning, he thinks before he gives in to slumber.
Owl.
Mother.
Owl.
Mother.
Owl.
Mother.
That are the words he mutters before getting asleep.
The Moon Bear takes his meal to his room where he can remove his mask and eat comfortably. After his meal, he performs his nightly ablutions and then dons his mask again before sitting down in the middle of his room.
He meditates upon the new land he is visiting and what he has experienced so far. The magic warrior reviews the battle against the animals, searching his memory for clues to the master forcing the animals to attack them. Afterwards, he prepares for sleep.
As he drifts off to sleep, he ponders how far this unnamed foe's influence extends among the people of this town.
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The comfort of sleep soon slips away as the safety of dreams is invaded by a rolling purple mist. Out of the mist steps a woman dressed in owl feathers. As the mist fades, it’s clear that this is the woman who was taking notes in the meeting room, who was introduced as a transcriptionist named Suhko.
She strolls through the dreamscape, a bemused expression on her face as she takes in the scenery she’s interrupted. “This is what you dream of, how banal?” She scoffs. “No matter. I’ll find what I’m looking for eventually.” She waves her hand and the scenery around her begins to morph. Buildings from Segada, the Skyrise Lodge in Port Valen, and the Grand Lodge in Absalom all erupt out of the ground. “Unless, of course, you’ll just tell me what you know about the star gun. It’ll make all this so much easier.” There’s a shock of pain as Suhko digs through dreams and memories, prying for any information related to the star gun.
Regardless of whether you pass or fail, one of your comrades wakes you up. They tell you You were twitching and yelling in your sleep.
The comfort of sleep soon slips away as the safety of dreams is invaded by a rolling purple mist. Out of the mist steps a woman dressed in owl feathers. As the mist fades, it’s clear that this is the woman who was taking notes in the meeting room, who was introduced as a transcriptionist named Suhko.
She strolls through the dreamscape, a bemused expression on her face as she takes in the scenery she’s interrupted. “You have really boring dreamsf?” She scoffs. “No matter. I’ll find what I’m looking for eventually.” She waves her hand and the scenery around her begins to morph. Buildings from Segada, the Skyrise Lodge in Port Valen, and the Grand Lodge in Absalom all erupt out of the ground. “Unless, of course, you’ll just tell me what you know about the star gun. It’ll make all this so much easier.” There’s a shock of pain as Suhko digs through dreams and memories, prying for any information related to the star gun.
Regardless of whether you pass or fail, one of your comrades wakes you up. They tell you You were twitching and yelling in your sleep.
The comfort of sleep soon slips away as the safety of dreams is invaded by a rolling purple mist. Out of the mist steps a woman dressed in owl feathers. As the mist fades, it’s clear that this is the woman who was taking notes in the meeting room, who was introduced as a transcriptionist named Suhko.
She strolls through the dreamscape, a bemused expression on her face as she takes in the scenery she’s interrupted. “These are the dreams of a really boring person” She scoffs. “No matter. I’ll find what I’m looking for eventually.” She waves her hand and the scenery around her begins to morph. Buildings from Segada, the Skyrise Lodge in Port Valen, and the Grand Lodge in Absalom all erupt out of the ground. “Unless, of course, you’ll just tell me what you know about the star gun. It’ll make all this so much easier.” There’s a shock of pain as Suhko digs through dreams and memories, prying for any information related to the star gun.
Regardless of whether you pass or fail, the Sun Bear wakes you up, looking concerned at the noises you made.
The comfort of sleep soon slips away as the safety of dreams is invaded by a rolling purple mist. Out of the mist steps a woman dressed in owl feathers. As the mist fades, it’s clear that this is the woman who was taking notes in the meeting room, who was introduced as a transcriptionist named Suhko.
She strolls through the dreamscape, a bemused expression on her face as she takes in the scenery she’s interrupted. “Does your family know you dream about these things?” She scoffs. “No matter. I’ll find what I’m looking for eventually.” She waves her hand and the scenery around her begins to morph. Buildings from Segada, the Skyrise Lodge in Port Valen, and the Grand Lodge in Absalom all erupt out of the ground. “Unless, of course, you’ll just tell me what you know about the star gun. It’ll make all this so much easier.” There’s a shock of pain as Suhko digs through dreams and memories, prying for any information related to the star gun.
Regardless of whether you pass or fail, one of your comrades wakes you up. They tell you You were twitching and yelling in your sleep.
No matter where or what memories the woman digs into, she finds the Moon Bear masked and silent.
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In the small space of the bedroom, Hui Kong silently goes through a series of exercises to warm down his body, and calm his mind. But the thoughts of owls continue to flit through.
Owls. Signs of death. Unusual. But to each their own.
He takes a deep breath as he ends, and leaps into bed, falling asleep almost immediately.
He dreams, not of anything concrete in particular, as has been the case for some time now. Instead, a sense hovers, with two deep black eyes which he recognises from his instant of birth. As has been the case for some time now.
The Moon Bear nods vigorously as Nanoc explains his experience. "I too dreamt of the scribe," he says. "But we should also be wary. The appearances in dreams can be deceiving. Our foe may have disguised themselves to throw suspicion on the scribe. It would explain how our foe knows so much about the council members, though."
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As you reconvene outside of your lodgings in the morning, people wearing owl masks pour out from the alleyway, blocking off exits and surrounding the party.
The crisp morning air is abuzz with life as crowds of people hustle by the tavern, traveling toward their jobs, the market, or to meet with friends for tea. The crowds are disrupted by tall figures pushing against the current, steadily making their way toward the tavern. Their dark cloaks stand out from the normal colorful clothing of Segada, and their owl skull masks stand out even more so. They stop in front of the tavern, blocking off access to the bridge and alleys while brandishing their weapons.
The leader of the group smirks. “We trust you slept well. Our mother appreciates your cooperation, but we can’t have you sharing our secrets, can we?”
Bold may act
The Moon Bear
Witch’s Talon Red
Goupour Dune
Witch of the Owl Purple
Hasvi'
Nanoc Evitceted
Witch’s Talon Green
Witch’s Talon Yellow
Flory Buntzer
Hui Kong
Witch’s Talon Gray
Witch of the Owl Light Blue
The Moon Bear makes a hand sign to his companion and then reaches over his shoulder to draw a javelin. "This is a very violent society," he remarks and throws the javelin at the cultist in front of him. "Nothing like Nantambu."
The jungle bear bounds forward and snaps at one of the cultists.
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The Moon Bear's Javelin misses the assassin in Gray. The Sun Bear's Jaws don't miss, however, and the Gray clad assassin collapses to the ground, mauled.
The Red clad Assassin tries to retaliate
◆ Draw Shortsword
◆ Attack Sun Bear
◆ Second Strike at Sun Bear
Red misses badly
Bold may act
The Moon Bear
Witch’s Talon Red
Goupour Dune
Witch of the Owl Purple
Hasvi'
Nanoc Evitceted
Witch’s Talon Green
Witch’s Talon Yellow
Flory Buntzer
Hui Kong
Witch’s Talon Gray ,
Witch of the Owl Light Blue
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Yellow dodges deftly out of the way of Goupour's magic, but Red moves much more slowly and takes the brunt of the damage.
The witch of the owl (Purple) moves to act
◆◆ Purple casts Daze at the Moon Bear
◆ Cast Shield
Bold may act
The Moon Bear ,
Witch’s Talon Red
Goupour Dune
Witch of the Owl Purple
Hasvi'
Nanoc Evitceted
Witch’s Talon Green
Witch’s Talon Yellow
Flory Buntzer
Hui Kong
Witch’s Talon Gray ,
Witch of the Owl Light Blue
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"Here we go again..." is what Nanoc can say for now.
He draws out his shortbow and gets out of the building. He then attempts to recall if he knows what Red exactly is. He then raises his Dueling Cape for added protection.
◆ Stride
◆ Interact to draw weapon
◇ Expeditious Inspection (Recall Knowledge about Red, Society +10)
◆ Raise a Dueling Cape (+1 to AC)
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Hasvi's first arrow misses as he tries to aim around his allies.
Nanoc can't seem to place any of the clues together. Owl feathers, cults? It doesn't make any sense.
The Moon Bear takes the full damage from the Daze Spell.
Green enters the fray
◆ draw shortsword
◆ Step up to Sun Bear
◆ Strike the Sun Bear
Yellow enters the fray
◆ draw shortsword
◆ Step up to Goupour
◆ Strike Goupour
Green misses with her strike, but Yellow hits Goupour
Bold may act
The Moon Bear
Witch’s Talon Red
Goupour Dune
Witch of the Owl Purple
Hasvi'
Nanoc Evitceted
Witch’s Talon Green
Witch’s Talon Yellow
Flory Buntzer
Hui Kong
Witch’s Talon Gray ,
Witch of the Owl Light Blue
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Red and Yellow both doge much of the electricity Hui Kong sends their way, but Red has sustained enough damage to be felled.
Sir Miles moves up and completely destroys Yellow, They drop to the ground bleeding from massive bite wounds that are dripping with ichor.
Light Blue casts a Spell at The Moon Bear
◆◆ Cast Sleep centered on The Moon Bear. The Moon Bear, Hui Kong and Nanoc all need to make a DC 17 Will save
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The creature takes a –1 status penalty to Perception checks for 1 round.
Failure The creature falls unconscious. If it's still unconscious after 1 minute, it wakes up automatically.
Critical Failure The creature falls unconscious. If it's still unconscious after 1 hour, it wakes up automatically.
◆ Cast Shield
Bold may act
The Moon Bear
Witch’s Talon Red ,
Goupour Dune
Witch of the Owl Purple
Hasvi'
Nanoc Evitceted
Witch’s Talon Green
Witch’s Talon Yellow ,
Flory Buntzer
Hui Kong
Witch’s Talon Gray ,
Witch of the Owl Light Blue