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I don't know of anything specific you will need. The terrain is rolling hills and forests, without an temperature extremes.
It turns out extra Bison Jerky is not obtainable, at least in the time before you need to leave. Bison hunting is strictly regulated and lots of Bison Jerky are reserved months in advance.
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The road from Segada into the interior begins as a well-maintained cobblestone walkway before quickly turning into gravel. From there it merges slowly with the winding bed of a dried-up creek; the path stretches about ten miles before it disappears into the swaying tall grasses representative of Arcadia’s prairies. Gusts of wind buffet travelers making their way through the interior, occasionally with enough force to stagger the unprepared. In the distance, a north-flowing river curves slowly across the land.
You can take this time to acquaint yourselves with the landscape as you begin your journey west. The prairies are much quieter compared to the bustling city streets they just left, and despite (or perhaps because of) the wind, the weather is mild. You and Tsimaan aren’t the only travelers departing Segada; other Arcadians, mostly Mahwek, converse among themselves as they head north along a main road leading toward Port Valen. Tsimaan marches ahead of the group, and her excited, confident grin is visible every time she looks back to make sure you are keeping pace.
Everyone except Hui Kong detects the faint smell of smoke.
The Moon Bear looks to the others. "Tsimaan, do you smell that? Smoke," he says. "A campfire?"
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Tsimaan informs The Moon Bear that some Mahwek are doing prescribed burns this time of year. “It’s nothing to be worried about,” she says. “They know what they’re doing, and they’re doing it way away from here.”
The bank of the river rises slowly across the clearing. Here the river bends with the land, wide but shallow enough for most humanoids to cross on foot. The water is clear and flows slowly, and the few fish that dart below the surface are small and harmless. Before she crosses, Tsimaan takes out a small pouch and sprinkles tiny seeds across the surface of the river, which are quickly devoured by fish. She peers into the water, then states There is nothing particularly unique about the flora or fauna at this location.
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Ikhanak is the name of both the river and the spirit inhabiting it, and that the seeds I have dispersed are an offering. Though the spirit hasn’t been seen in several generations, an offering is customary to avoid angering Ikhanak and to ask for protection while traveling near or through it. “The fish are part of Ikhanak,” Tsimaan says, “and maintaining a relationship with Ikhanak is important for everyone who passes through here. Most of us in this group are just guests on this land, and the last thing we’d want to do is disrespect our hosts—Mahwek or otherwise.”
You may decide our next location: the Berry Thicket of the Flowered Cover Hill. We can only visit one, as it would take too much time to visit both. Both locations have interesting, unique flora.
"The Flowered Cover Hill will be fine then," the Moon Bear agrees.
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The path skirts around a field of iridescent blue flowers growing atop a hill. The translucent petals shimmer in the sunlight and their intoxicating scent attracts all manner of pollinating creatures. Some pollen-covered birds are seen sleeping under the flowers at the edge of the field.
Be careful because inhaling the pollen from these Suncatcher Blooms can make you feel woozy or even make you fall asleep.
Any Party members who attempt to gather pollen from the field must succeed at a DC 16 Thievery check to carefully collect pollen from the blooms without dispersing it into the air and avoid becoming poisoned.
The next location, a Shaded Pond, sparkles distantly in the sunlight.
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Nanoc volunteers to collect pollen from the blossoms. He rummages his bag for one of the glass cylinders and collects the pollen, careful not to disturb them much as he does so. He then closes the lid before he returns it back to his bag.
"Done!" he says with satisfaction.
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The edges of a dense grove provide shade for this large pond and the creek that flows through it. It’s clear that others have spent time here before. A large section of the ground next to the pond has been cleared of grass and the ash-streaked dirt has been pounded flat. Kindling and firewood have been stacked neatly by the previous inhabitant. As the group approaches, small rodents retreat into the tree line and frogs leap into the safety of the water. Tsimaan peers around the edge of the pond and points in the direction of a noticeable dip at the base of a large pile of rocks. “Might find something interesting over there,” she says.
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As Nanoc moves forward, he sees two things: A group of burrowing viper rats starts hissing, growling and yipping as you approach; Also, there is a clutch of eggs near the entrance to a burrow.
Tsimaan calls from her place in the back You asked for samples of venomous animals, and these are venomous vermin. They breed quickly and invade crop storage to steal food.
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"Well, the silent approach would've been best. But that's not available anymore since the animals have been alerted to our presence. The question is, whose eggs are those? We may have to fight more than one kind of foe. Perhaps we should wait til the mothers of those eggs retaliate. We can have easy pickings once both sides have been weakened."
The Moon Bear considers these creatures and their behavior.
"These eggs are theirs," the Moon Bear says. "If they are pests here, best to only collect one egg. and dispatch with the rest."
"I might be able to sneak over to the nest and steal some of the eggs," the Moon Bear says as he considers the situation.
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"Not good." says Hasvi as he quickly returns to the party. "They can smell us, and already know we're here. I told Moon Bear to bathe this morning, but he just wouldn't listen." Hasvi looks at Moon Bear, a wide grin on his face. "Good one?"
"I suggest we climb the trees and start shooting from there."
Hasvi climbs a tree.
The Moon Bear looks at Hasvi, his expression hidden behind his golden mask, and gives a non-committal shrug.
He draws a javelin from over his shoulder. "Let's get to hunting, then."
The Moon Bear moves forward with a gesture to his sun bear companion. The sun bear charges forward while the Moon Bear draws back to throw his javelin. As the lance flies forward, the sun bear rears back to try to maul the viper rate.
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The Sun Bear and their Bear companion tear into the Green tinged rodent, leaving it badly injured but not out of the fight,
Purple moves up to attack
◆ Step
◆ Jaws attack on the sun Bear
◆ Second Jaws attack on the sun Bear
Purple misses with both attacks
Bold may act
The Moon Bear
Purple
Nanoc Evitceted
Blue
Hasvi'
Yellow
Flory Buntzer
Green
Red
Hui Kong
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Nanoc's arrow pierces Purples body and pins them to the ground. They quickly stop moving, dead.
Blue steps toward the Sun Bear and attacks
◆ Step
◆ Attack with Jaws
Saving Throw DC 16 Fortitude;
Maximum Duration 4 rounds;
Stage 1 1d6 poison damage and enfeebled 1 (1 round);
Stage 2 1d8 poison damage and enfeebled 1 (1 round)
◆ Second Attack with Jaws
One of the rodent's two attacks hits, and ugly greenish-yellow poison starts to seep into the wound.
Bold may act
The Moon Bear ,
Purple ,
Nanoc Evitceted
Blue
Hasvi'
Yellow
Flory Buntzer
Green
Red
Hui Kong
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Yellow yelps in pain as the arrow sinks in deep.
Yellow also decides the Sun Bear is the closest target.
◆ Stride
◆ Attack with Jaws
◆ Second Attack with Jaws
Yellow hits with one of it's bites.
Bold may act
The Moon Bear ,
Purple ,
Nanoc Evitceted
Blue
Hasvi'
Yellow
Flory Buntzer
Green
Red
Hui Kong
The jungle bear seems to have some degree of resistance to the venom in these Arcadian viper rats.
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Sir Miles comes forward, glowing with energy.
Green attacks the Sun Bear, because the Sun Bear is right there.
◆ Attack with Jaws
◆ Second Attack with Jaws
◆ Third Attack with Jaws
Red moves up and attacks Sir Miles
Green attacks the Sun Bear, because the Sun Bear is right there.
◆ Stride
◆ Attack with Jaws
◆ Second Attack with Jaws
Red and Green both land one bite on their targets.
Burrowing Viper Rat Venom (poison)
Saving Throw DC 16 Fortitude;
Maximum Duration 4 rounds;
Stage 1 1d6 poison damage and enfeebled 1 (1 round);
Stage 2 1d8 poison damage and enfeebled 1 (1 round)
Bold may act
The Moon Bear ,
Purple ,
Nanoc Evitceted
Blue
Hasvi'
Yellow
Flory Buntzer ,
Green
Red
Hui Kong