The viper rat venom must not affect bears from the jungle.
The Moon Bear invokes the ancient druidic magics he has learned to heal his companion's bite wounds.
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Once the encounter has ended, you can easily collect any part of the rats or their eggs for the Verdant Wheel.
Everyone except Hui Kong and Hasvi spots a herd of Arcadian bison in the distance. Tsimaan notices you looking. “They’re a bit different from any bison you may know. They have blue horns and blue meat, and some people who’ve visited Avistan said they’re smarter than Avistani bison. One time I saw one rip the pants clean off of a woman who was foolish enough to try to pet it.” She laughs at the memory. “It carried her pants around on its horns for a good while, like a trophy.”
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Nanoc quickly collects the rat parts and eggs and carefully puts them in an empty glass cylinder. He then puts the filled container back into his bag. "Are those the bison where the jerky came from? Maybe we can..." he quickly dismisses the idea of having a bison taken down by them to make a jerky out of it to add to their inventory for the mission.
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An unusually dense grove of trees appears gradually across the road. Any semblance of a path near the edge of the trees disappears within a few feet due to both the intense darkness and the thick underbrush. The gunsmith awaits somewhere within, according to Rahaksenwe. Tsimaan hefts her pack higher and turns. “Well, they should be in there by now. Keep your eyes peeled, okay? They’re a grouchy hermit who doesn’t like visitors, and I don’t know if they remembered we’re still coming. It’ll be good for them, though. They need to get out more. You’ll help them with that.” Turning about, she pushes through the foliage and disappears into the grove.
You recognize that this grove’s flora stands apart from any other that you’ve seen thus far. The trees grow far taller and wider than expected for their species and show no signs of wear—no leaves litter the ground and no branches lie broken from their trunks. The grove resonates with a quiet, ancient vitality.
Though the outskirts of the grove are almost impossibly dense, the same can’t be said once inside. Aside from a handful of large bushes here and there, no plant other than the trees grows taller than knee height. A thick layer of leaves blankets the forest floor where the undergrowth does not, and common species of fungi grow in place of the flowering plants ordinarily found in forest environments. The unusual darkness remains, though party members with darkvision are still able to see through it. Tsimaan draws a rod from her pack and cracks it with both her hands. The rod begins to glow brightly, casting light in a 40-foot radius and dim light for the next 40 feet. Tsimaan then picks up a long stick and ties the rod to it. “Don’t get lost,” she says with a wink.
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As you follow Tsimaan through the grove, the darkness begins to dissipate. Bioluminescent fungi and insects appear—scarcely at first, then more frequently until the ground and trees are dimly visible for dozens of feet in every direction. The trees thin out slightly closer to the center but swell and surge upward and provide cover that not even sunlight can pierce. Ferns sprout from the leaf-littered forest floor, climbing over logs and branches that break the path.
After many hours of walking, Tsimaan stops the group and declares that We have reached the center of the grove. The trees here are nearly ten feet across and fill the area, though they leave plenty of space for a creek to flow between them. Short bushes grow in large clusters, protecting the bare ground. Tsimaan begins to make herself comfortable in a clearing. “Feel free to look around,” she says as she unpacks some food. “They don’t like to announce their presence to strangers, so you might have to, you know, really look.”
You spot a tree house overhead.
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[ooc]Lol, was just reading it up and only just found out that Hui Kong would have received a free wayfinder after his second scenario./ooc]
"Wait, guys, do you see that?" Hui Kong exclaims, although he keeps his voice low, perhaps due to the rather magical surroundings that he finds himself in. He points up to the canopy. "There's a tree house."
He then looks around to see if there are some means to reach it.
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High above the forest floor and partially obscured by thick branches, a sprawling home sways with the tall trees. At least a dozen acorn-shaped huts encompass trunks at varying heights, connected by sturdy rope bridges. Each structure is surrounded by a wooden balcony and railing with odd gaps that lead into thin air. Glass globes hang from ropes strung over the bridges and huts, and hundreds of luminous insects feast on the glowing lichen contained within. More of the same insects feast on lichen growing on the tree trunks and branches, providing plenty of light for the entire home.An individual bearing remarkable resemblance to a large screech owl peers down from the entrance to one hut. “Tsimaan, who have you brought me?” they ask, their voice gravelly and laced with displeasure.
“I’ve brought you friends, Whiirii,” Tsimaan replies with a chuckle. “Provided you don’t scare them off with your glum demeanor first.” Whiirii’s beak makes an audible clack. “We’ll see about that. State your business, strangers.”
The Moon Bear looks toward the tree house and its resident. He tilts his head to the side. "We are emissaries to the people of Arcadia. And we are explorers and scholars, taking advantage of the journey to study the plants and animals of this continent."
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"Whoa. This place is awesome!" Nanoc exclaims his amazement to the beauty and uniqueness of the place they are in. "I would love to meet here!" he adds excitedly before they are greeted by their host.
"Greetings! We are here for your expertise, as my co-agents here explain." Nanoc echoes what the others have said. "Wait, is he the one we are looking for?" he asks the others after mistaking, if he does, the one who is talking to them. "Or anyone with such expertise you might know." he takes back his previous words by correcting them with more words.
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Whiirii clacks their beak again. They walk to a gap in the railing, pause, and then fall forward into empty air. They allow themself to plummet toward the ground for a few seconds before snapping their wings open and gliding gracefully to the forest floor. Dozens of glowing insects follow them down the bottom and take up residence on the tree trunks, providing bright light for the entire clearing.
I am the one you are looking for.
Whiirii is a Syrinx.
Strix and Syrinx regard each other as cousins. Syrinxes are always welcome in strix society and vice versa, demonstrating a stark difference in their treatment of each other compared to their view of other societies. Their cultures share more similarities than they do differences, despite being separated by an ocean.
You have the opportunity for further discussion/questions here, prior to trying to impress Whiirii.
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"You are a syrinx!" Nanoc tells them in admiration. He then turns to his allies to give them some did-you-know trivia. "You see, everyone, strix and syrinx regard each other as cousins. Syrinxes are always welcome in strix society and vice versa, demonstrating a stark difference in their treatment of each other compared to their view of other societies. Their cultures share more similarities than they do differences, despite being separated by an ocean."
Nanoc can be seen to be proud of what he just shared.
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Hui Kong merely grins to himself, letting Nanoc display the knowledge that he is clearly very proud of.
Instead, he takes a moment to recollect something, that pipes up. "I apologise in advance if this is offensive, but you wouldn't happen to know anything about a cult that is tied to owls, would you?"
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“I’m Whiirii, a gunsmith. I make, repair, and alter an assortment of guns for those who seek out my services.” Whiirii pauses and looks the party members up and down. “Such as you and... your organization. I’ve got decades of experience under my wings and know techniques that have been passed down since long before Absalom’s founding. Any other questions?”
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“I’m Whiirii, a gunsmith. I make, repair, and alter an assortment of guns for those who seek out my services.” Whiirii pauses and looks the party members up and down. “Such as you and... your organization. I’ve got decades of experience under my wings and know techniques that have been passed down since long before Absalom’s founding. Any other questions?”
Flory carefully removes Hatahasi from her pack.
”Here is the patient”, she says, ”if you want to get acquainted’’
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Whiirii carefully takes Hatahasi from Flory and begins a careful examination. After a few moments they return their gaze to the party.
Once your questions are done, Whiirii has a few inquiries of their own. “I don’t expect you to have all the answers. To be honest, I don’t expect you to have any answers. You have a job and you’re doing it, and when you’re done, you’ll get paid. So, why do you do this? What are your motivations, and what do you think the Pathfinder Society wants with Arcadia? What will you do when—not if, but when—one of the Society’s allies disagrees with what you’re doing, or when you’re forced to choose an outcome you don’t like? What will you do when you’re betrayed by those you trust?”
Whiirii eyes each of you in turn. “Again, I don’t expect you to have the answers. I just want you to think about these questions. Reflect on them.”
Now is the time for Diplomacy Checks. The DC is 15. You can also try to impress Whiirii with a DC 16 Arcana or Crafting check to demonstrate your knowledge and interest in Arcadian Gunsmithing.
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"I've always been interested in these weapons. I don't know how to make them exactly, but I understand some ideas involved especially since I am an alchemist. The materials burning and producing gas, which in turn propels the projectile forward... most interesting!"
"Betrayal is always a possibility when you trust someone. The truth is that maybe there is nothing that can be done. Life is not fair, and so sometimes the challenges that you face are bigger than you... at that moment in time. So, there's no need to worry about those things that you cannot do anything about. The challenge is to find the things which you can act on, and do those things."
The Pathfinder Society is comprised of people. All people are flawed. To believe otherwise is folly. What isn't flawed, are the ideals that this society holds on to. That, is worthwhile believing in - no matter what betrayals, disappointments or mistakes are made.
"No, its not about the money. I can make better money than what I am paid here in the Pathfinder Society. There's integrity, dignity, worth and value of a person which no one can pay for. I am here because I choose to be."
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Hui Kong burst out in laughter, a laughter that is tinged with self-mocking.
"You speak of betrayal, a topic I'm personally well-acquainted with." Of what though, Hui Kong doesn't elaborate further. He settles down and continues. "When all is said and done, you can only be guided by your own conscience, of what you believe is right and wrong. For now, I've joined the Society because I believe they are right, at least is their desire to learn and their desire for peace. I am not expert in guns, but I do know magic. And if you have means to restore this weapon, not only would it advance our collective knowledge but perhaps bring together two people with similar goals."
The Moon Bear consults with his local guide on the best way to negotiate for the repair of the star gun before speaking to Whiirii.
"I joined the Pathfinder Society because I am interested in learning about the world in which I live," the Moon Bear says. "The Society provides support--material and intellectual--in that endeavor. Arcadia is a world known mostly to those in Avistan and Garund through stories. The Society would gain significant renown if they could learn about Arcadia through first hand accounts."
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In spite of Nanoc's lack of elocution, Whiirii seems to be warming up to you.
Suddenly, a group of hostiles approaches, shouting Give us the Star Gun. Sukho wants it for Aslynn! as they attack.
Red flies in to Attack Flory
◆ Stride/Fly
◆ Claw strike
◆ Second Claw strike
Yellow flies in to attack The Moon Bear
◆ Stride/Fly
◆ Claw strike
◆ Second Claw strike
Red hits Flory once, but Yellow lands two hits on the Moon Bear.
Bold may act
Red
Yellow
The Moon Bear
Hasvi'
Nanoc Evitceted
Grey
Hui Kong
Flory Buntzer ,
The Moon Bear gestures to his sun bear companion, and the two assault the bat-winged creature together.
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