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As they get the first note, Olegaro will smirk "Typical mage - teleports us to Vidrian and then leaves us to walk back, to the far North no less!" and shakes his head.
But he enjoys the journey and spends much of it swapping stories and comparing notes on favored drinks of the group.
At Otani's comment, the (copper) penny drops and he grins "Ah of course, so he would be!"
"I'm with you Zepth, let's go see these dinosaurs!"
It looks like nobody knows about these certain dinosaurs, but it does not matter for now.
By following the directions on the notice board and the woodpecker hovering above them, they find themselves in a large clearing in a wooded valley to the west of town. It is here they find a haggard Kellid woman in a patterned cloak of several colors. She ignores the sticks tangled in her hair and the dirt on her face as she chases a juvenile stegosaurus through the mud. All around her, nearly twenty young stegosauruses romp across the clearing, play in pools of mud, and trample the ropes and stakes of a ruined animal pen. For each stegosaurus the woman successfully herds toward the enclosure, another storm out, excited to roam and play. When they arrive, the woodpecker lands on her shoulder, and she slumps away from the chaos to greet them.
"I am Xila, a follower of the Green Faith. I suppose you are here to help me out? You see, when I heard rumors circulating around Hillcross that this clutch was to be sold into captivity, I knew I needed to return them to the wild. As young as many of them are, I believe their herd must be in the nearby lowlands. I paid the trapper’s fee, which was quite a sum, but money is nothing in comparison to their quality of life. I have kept them here while I searched the valleys. I found a herd nearby, with many young missing — it might even be their family. I intended to reunite them today, but this morning I discovered them like this. They’re quite the handful.”
"Seeing how rowdy and playful they can be, are your group still willing to help me? I will pay you as promised, that is sure."
"Nice to hear that! Before I escort the young to their herd, I need to round them up and calm them down. There are far too many, and I’m exhausted. Please gather them up and bring them to me, without hurting them. While you’re at it, see if you can find out how they broke free — I don’t want to head into the wilderness only to be set upon by some dangerous creature.” Xila is relieved that they are here to help her. Receiving the flower from Hanu, she gives the vanara a warm smile in return despite her exhausted state. "Maybe I'll stick with clutch for now." she says with a wink.
"Well, they are somewhat playful and can get easily distracted. You can get their attention with unfamiliar sounds and movements because they have this curious aspect in them." she answers Zepth.
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Bounding forth on arms alternating feet, Hanu sticks his tongue out with absolute joy, the clusterf+&~ of chasing down several sturdy but young thunderlizards to exciting to let pass with solemnity - he tackles a first one, grabbing it by the plates on it's back, tipping it sideways while it squeals, tickling it's soft under belly. Seeing the tactic have success, he repeats the maneuver with another one, the final gesture surging a second wave of energy he isn't expecting, as it thwacks him sideways with it's tail, loosing our vanara hero's grip, and escaping. Not to be outdone, Hanu chases the beast into the wood, and using clever sense of direction, wends it back around to where it started, tricking it into re-entering the stable it had meant to escape.
He finally crashes with a somersault onto his back, spread eagle, panting with glee, catching his breath...
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"Oh, I'd be happy to help! Let's see what we can do." says Olegaro excitedly.
Olegaro will start off by taking a look at the area to see what might have happened.
but seems to spend too much time watching Hanu wrestle with the dinosaur to be very effective!
Joining in the fun, Olegaro will start doing star jumps to attract the attention of the dinosaurs and slowly jump backwards to lead a few back to the pen.
And finally he will put on his best I'm a big scary predator face and growl at a few stegosauruses while waving his arms around!
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Moist eyes the stegos and their spiked tails warily.
Um... maybe don't stand directly behind any of them?
Still, the grippli reluctantly gets to work in the meadow. Still being cautious he starts by observing them to see what attracts or startles them...
Finally approaching one, he thinks he may be able to treat it like a pet and coax it move.
That isn't going to work on all of them though, as they have different temperaments. No two stegos are alike! He tries some bird calls to distract the next few and manipulate them into desired position.
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"Very well! Let's start by getting them back and then we can look up on how they broke free the first time, shall we?"
Having said that, Zepth calls upon his Musical Accompaniment as he starts a dance that starts by rounding the dinos and then moving in rythm to guide them back, using his nature knowledge to help him out with the task.
Having done that, he moves to examine the place, looking out for any clues on what might have happened.
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Rybar goes around a stegasaurus and tries to be as quiet as possible. It could obviously hear him and runs away.
Rybar gets pissed. He decides that brute force is the way to get these stegasauruses in control. He grapples one and brings it into the pen.
Finding grappling to be exhausting, he grabs a few big monstera leaves, and makes a peace offering to another stegasaurus. As it eats the leaves, he leads it into the pen.
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Having superbly cleaned his Katana, while listening to this new directive, the Samurai smiles.
Are wounds being used as motivation frown upon?
The Tengu (assuming yes) puts away his Katana with a longing sign. Instead the Tengu begins gathering twigs, leaves, and any debris that floats or makes noises.
The Battle Oracle then begins sprinting at the herd, yelling, screaming, cacao ING his Tengu head off! As he gets closer, Otani begins tossing the gathered debris high up into the air, causing the heavier collection to jingle, jangle onto the ground and the dried leaves and such to spread ahead of him!
Nodding in a self-congratulatory way, Otani then claps his hands and drops the mic!
The Tengu then begins peering about for what may have caused such Shananagins.
Hanu takes the duty like fun chasing the young dinos one by one. He easily catches the first one, but underestimates his second target. Finally he manages to lure another back into the pen.
Olegaro gets distracted by what Hanu is doing while he searches for clues on the damage done to the pen. He then makes jumping actions to get the attention of some young dinos, even scare them back with others.
Moist makes use of the patterns of their behaviour. He is able to pet one of them who is actually tired playing with others and follow the grippli back to the pen. He imitates a bird call that catches one of the dino's attention for a short while but does not follow Moist back to the pen.
Zepth calls to magic his musical accompaniment that attracts the attention of about two or three dinos. Others though become scared of the sudden sound that they run away. Zepth finds footprints of a clawed creature and signs that part of the enclosure was chopped or torn apart.
Rybar tries to be stealthy but he is too exposed in the area, with just a few trees and only shrubs growing in the area. He then uses strength, bringing one of the dinos back to the pen. He also offers some leaves they are eating to lure them back to the area of gathering.
It looks like whatever Otani is trying to prove the dinos, it seems to work because some of the herd checks out what goes flying up while others eat the leaves thrown up into the air. He also finds footprints of a clawed creature and signs that part of the enclosure was chopped or torn apart.
Olegaro = 0+1+1 = 2
Moist = 1+1+0 = 2
Zepth = 2+0+0 = 2
Rybar = 0+1+1 = 2
Otani = 1+1+0 = 2
Total = 13
After about twenty minutes, the party rounds up the dinosaurs and herds them into Xila’s enclosure. She thanks them, then begins counting the dinosaurs, tapping at sticks in her hair the way one might count on their fingers.
"Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen... nineteen. Hmm. Let me count them again." She repeats counting them.
And again.
And again, all the dinosaurs multiple times, with more urgency and desperation each time, and suddenly cries out in alarm.
"One young stegosaurus is missing!" she informs them with a cry. "The youngest and smallest among them, Babs, is missing." she cries.
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Moist smiles and gains confidence after getting one of them to follow him.
I've never seen these creatures before in my life, but when they follow you, they're kind of cute! Spikes and all!
Later Xila grows concerned about one of her "flock." Moist looks around, hoping to spot a stego on the horizon.
Did you see which direction it may have got off to?
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"They are cute aren't they!" Olegaro will reply to Moist as he pats one of the stegosaurus.
After hearing Xila's cry, Olegaro will frown though, "I am sure Babs is just hiding! We'll take a look around and see if we can find them."
and will proceed to start searching for signs of Babs, checking under shrubs and behind trees.
"It is great to hear you will still help me find her! Don't worry I will surely pay your bounty reward when you return with Babs. While you search, I will stay behind to ensure that no more of the clutch goes missing." she assures them.
She gives the party two minor healing potions. "I am impressed by your resourcefulness, so I will also give two lesser eagle-eye elixirs in addition to the potions. I hope these will help your search for Babs. It looks like a dinosaur thief captured her." she hands them the potions and elixirs.
Hanu begins tracking where Babs might have gone and finds tracks leading west, deeper into the wooded valley. "I wonder if the dinosaur thief may have captured more dinosaurs in addition to little Babs. If so, please bring any other dinosaurs you might find with the thief back to her so I can help reunite them with their herds." she adds before the group gets to leave.
Following the tracks, they find that it leaves plenty of broken branches, trampled undergrowth, and churned mud along the trail. It takes them an hour and when the party is within sight of the top of the hill, they find gruesome decorations framing the lair’s entrance. Bones and body parts of various animals hang from ropes and sinew in front of crude paintings of dried blood depicting the skeletons of mammoths and dinosaurs.
From their position, they can hear somebody yelling and roaring at somebody.
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Tracking through the dirty, wet foliage, following Hanu's planned steps perfectly, the city-Tengu shakes his Beak at this particular mission.
Why couldn't we be chasing some purse snatcher in a proper city? Ouch! Thorns!
The Samurai peers intently at the lairs entrance. He unsheaths his Katana.
Upon hearing the argumentative voices coming from inside, the Oracle looks to those that may understand the language, as he begins stepping forward....
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Moist hears the yelling but he cannot understand it. He whispers to his teammates.
What are they saying? Are they trying to sell the dinosaurs?
He wiggles his toes in the mud, enjoying the feel of it greatly.
I hope it's just as wet in there!
Otherwise, Moist will proceed at the back of the group Avoiding Notice.
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Olegaro will whisper "I have no idea what they are saying Moist," and then looking around at his fellow heroes will continue "But it doesn't look like anyone else does either. I'd like to try talking to them first as we go in. Any objections?"
Olegaro will carefully step forward, with Hanu, calling out in common as he goes "Hello, do you mind if we come in and talk?" and slowly move to the entrance of the lair.
Hanu finds no one in the cave but looking at the slope, he finds the kidnapped stegosaurus, Babs, tightly lashed to a massive wooden stake a short distance west, toward the hill’s face. The hatchling is unharmed but frightened. He strains against his restraints and begins letting out throaty cries when he sees the PCs.
"Who's that?!" the voice replies and looking down, she finds the group! "Talk? You want to talk after you all enter my territory without my permission?! I, Glorzia, will allow to talk to my sword instead!"
(Call to Arms and Scout)
(Call to Arms and Scout)
(Call to Arms and Scout)
(Call to Arms and Scout)
(Call to Arms and Scout)
Hanu finds no one in the cave but looking at the slope, he finds the kidnapped stegosaurus, Babs, tightly lashed to a massive wooden stake a short distance west, toward the hill’s face. The hatchling is unharmed but frightened. He strains against his restraints and begins letting out throaty cries when he sees the PCs.
"Who's that?!" the voice replies and looking down, she finds the group! "Talk? You want to talk after you all enter my territory without my permission?! I, Glorzia, will allow to talk to my sword instead!"
(Call to Arms and Scout)
(Call to Arms and Scout)
(Call to Arms and Scout)
(Call to Arms and Scout)
(Call to Arms and Scout)
ENCOUNTER MAP
Other Notes: ☘️ - Hero Points
❖❖❖CHARACTER IN ➤ BOLD TYPEFACE CAN ACT!❖❖❖
➤ Moist Definitely (☘️ 2/3) (AC 15, 16 w Shield) (12/12 HP, 1 temp HP)
➤ Olegaro (☘️ 1/3) (AC 17, 19 w Steel Shield (20/20 HP)) (21/21 HP, 1 temp HP)
➤ Rybar (☘️ 2/3) (AC 17) (17/17 HP, 1 temp HP)
➤ Zepth (☘️ 1/3) (AC 17, 18 w Shield) (18/18 HP, 1 temp HP)
➤ Otani Yoshitsugu (☘️ 2/3) (AC 18, 19 w Shield) (15/15 HP, 1 temp HP) | Minor Curse
Glorzia (Red) (- HP)
Compo (Tiny, Black) (- HP)
Compy (Tiny, Blue) (- HP)
Hanu, Friend of the Wood (☘️ 1/3) (AC 17, 18 w Shield) (18/18 HP, 1 temp HP)
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Okay, thief of dinosaurs. I have the perfect dream for you!
With only a brief thought, Moist wills a custom set of Dancing Lights to manifest behind Glorzia. Specifically, she can't quite tell, but the lights almost make her think they are distant-but-approaching t-rexes.
Amp Your lights whirl together, dazzlingly and hypnotically. When you amp the spell, you create a flashing display comprised of all four lights in an unoccupied 5-foot square. If you move the lights when you Sustain the Spell, the lights must remain together. The spell gains the visual trait. Each creature in a 5-foot emanation around the lights when you Cast the Spell must attempt a Fortitude save.
Failure The creature is dazzled until the start of your next turn and must attempt a new save against the spell whenever it starts its turn adjacent to the lights.
Critical Failure As failure, but the creature is also fascinated by the lights until the start of your next turn.
Hoping the dream has temporarily held his targets in-place, Moist begins to hustle around the chasm.
Black:
Blue:
Red:
Moist brings amplified light that dazzles his target, even causing one of the tiny dinos fascinated before he moves up the hill.
Olegaro also advances and draws his weapon and shield. Rybar also gets close and readies to attack. Zepth is almost there to extend his spell but not for now after rallying with others. He also raises shield. Otani is not the one to be left behind and imbues his katana with magic!
"So you are not alone then. Much better! There will be many who will talk to my sword!" she exclaims and draws out her javelin while trying to adjust her sight. "Well for now, eat this javelin!" she says when she moves closer... but Zepth is quick to bring out his illusion!
Compy, on the other hand, runs, albeit somewhat hesitant, and bites Olegaro!
piercing damage plus DC 16 Fortitude save vs <redacted>'s venom
Meanwhile, Compo has its attention to the source of light while running down the hill and bites Rybar!
piercing damage plus DC 16 Fortitude save vs <redacted>'s venom
Party Conditions: INSPIRE COURAGE (1 rd)
ENCOUNTER MAP
Other Notes: ☘️ - Hero Points
❖❖❖BEFORE YOUR TURN❖❖❖
Olegaro (☘️ 1/3): DC 16 Fortitude save vs <redacted>'s venom (see below)
Rybar (☘️ 2/3): DC 16 Fortitude save vs <redacted>'s venom (see below)
❖❖❖CHARACTER IN ➤ BOLD TYPEFACE CAN ACT!❖❖❖
➤ Moist Definitely (☘️ 2/3) (AC 15, 16 w Shield) (12/12 HP, 1 temp HP)
➤ Olegaro (☘️ 1/3) (AC 17, 19 w Steel Shield (20/20 HP)) (11/21 HP, 1 temp HP)
➤ Rybar (☘️ 2/3) (AC 17) (16/17 HP, 1 temp HP)
➤ Zepth (☘️ 1/3) (AC 17, 18 w Shield) (18/18 HP, 1 temp HP)
➤ Otani Yoshitsugu (☘️ 2/3) (AC 18, 19 w Shield) (15/15 HP, 1 temp HP) | Minor Curse
Glorzia (Red) (- HP) | Dazzled until start of Moist's next turn
Compo (Tiny, Black) (- HP) | Dazzled and Fascinated until start of Moist's next turn
Compy (Tiny, Blue) (- HP) | Dazzled until start of Moist's next turn
➤ Hanu, Friend of the Wood (☘️ 1/3) (AC 17, 18 w Shield) (18/18 HP, 1 temp HP)
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"Wrong way, it seems I have wound..."
Dazed a moment, Hanu recovers, and enters the melee, primal energy swirling around him, a tree emerging forth from the craggy ground, adjacent to him and his allies under attack.
"Come, Glorzia - let us do combat for the rights to the dinosaur!"
◆) Stride
◆◆) Timber Sentinel
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Moist directs his lights to simply move to the other side of Glorzia (for now). They continue to try to put on a show for her.
Failure The creature is dazzled until the start of your next turn and must attempt a new save against the spell whenever it starts its turn adjacent to the lights.
Critical Failure As failure, but the creature is also fascinated by the lights until the start of your next turn.
The grippli creeps around the side of the crowd and hides behind an imaginary shield.
Rybar shoots Compo on her shoulder when he sees the young dino closing in.
Rybar determines Compo has no weakness. He then cuts the poor creature into half. Another poor fellow joins her co-dino in the after life.
Hanu calls out Glorzia, who is currently running unwillingly around the light Moist produced magically. He also plants a tree to protect anyone next to it.
Otani heads toward Glorzia and laughs at her present situation, but Glorzia does not notice him.
Moist continues to light the world around Glorzia.
Glorzia remains Dazzled. Moist then raises shield. Zepth extends his spell to encourage allies. He also raises shield.
Party Conditions: INSPIRE COURAGE (active until Zepth's turn on Rd 5)
ENCOUNTER MAP
Other Notes: ☘️ - Hero Points
❖❖❖BEFORE YOUR TURN❖❖❖
Olegaro (☘️ 1/3): DC 16 Fortitude save vs <redacted>'s venom (see below)
❖❖❖CHARACTER IN ➤ BOLD TYPEFACE CAN ACT!❖❖❖
Moist Definitely (☘️ 2/3) (AC 15, 16 w Shield) (12/12 HP, 1 temp HP)
➤ Olegaro (☘️ 1/3) (AC 18, 20 w Steel Shield (15/20 HP)) (16/21 HP, 1 temp HP)
Rybar (☘️ 1/3) (AC 17) (16/17 HP, 1 temp HP)
Zepth (☘️ 1/3) (AC 17, 18 w Shield) (18/18 HP, 1 temp HP)
Otani Yoshitsugu (☘️ 2/3) (AC 18, 19 w Shield) (15/15 HP, 1 temp HP) | Minor Curse
Glorzia (Red) (- HP) | Dazzled (1rd) then immune
Compo (Tiny, Black) (-11 HP) |
Compy (Tiny, Blue) (-13 HP) |
Hanu, Friend of the Wood (☘️ 1/3) (AC 17, 18 w Shield) (18/18 HP, 1 temp HP) | Protector Tree (AC 10, HP 10)
Glorzia meets Olegaro and when she dos get close, Olegaro attacks but he misses. Glorzia gives the fighter a poke of her bastard sword!
piercing damage
"That's what you deserve, yes!" she roars.
Party Conditions: INSPIRE COURAGE (active until Zepth's turn on Rd 5)
ENCOUNTER MAP
Other Notes: ☘️ - Hero Points
❖❖❖CHARACTER IN ➤ BOLD TYPEFACE CAN ACT!❖❖❖
➤ Moist Definitely (☘️ 2/3) (AC 15, 16 w Shield) (12/12 HP, 1 temp HP)
➤ Olegaro (☘️ 1/3) (AC 18, 20 w Steel Shield (15/20 HP)) (5/21 HP, 1 temp HP)
➤ Rybar (☘️ 1/3) (AC 17) (16/17 HP, 1 temp HP)
➤ Zepth (☘️ 1/3) (AC 17, 18 w Shield) (18/18 HP, 1 temp HP)
➤ Otani Yoshitsugu (☘️ 2/3) (AC 18, 19 w Shield) (15/15 HP, 1 temp HP) | Minor Curse
Glorzia (Red) (- HP) | Dazzled (1rd) then immune
Compo (Tiny, Black) (-11 HP) |
Compy (Tiny, Blue) (-13 HP) |
➤ Hanu, Friend of the Wood (☘️ 1/3) (AC 17, 18 w Shield) (18/18 HP, 1 temp HP) | Protector Tree (AC 10, HP 10)