”Where did he go? He can’t have just vanished into thin air!” Valda says. She looks around the clearing as well. ”Come out, strong man! Give us back the Raven Stone!”
Kadosh signals for the group to fan out, each scout taking an area around the mysterious boulder. As they expand their search, one of the scouts calls out, pointing towards a hillock to the north. "Look here! The tracks resume!"
Valda and the others make their way over, each step cautious and deliberate. The footprints reappear beside a nondescript boulder at the base of the hill, the slippery grass recently disturbed. As they follow the path, it's evident that broken branches and trampled flora mark the way; whoever took the Raven Stone had scrambled up this hill with little regard for subtlety.
Yet, it's the cacophony of caws that draws everyone's attention. A disproportionate number of ravens have gathered in the trees surrounding the hill's base. First, there are a few, then dozens, their dark eyes watching intently. The atmosphere grows palpably tense, charged with an unspoken warning.
Suddenly, as if on some dark, unspoken cue, the ravens burst from their perches, wings darkening the sky. They swoop down upon the scouts in a frenzied swarm, talons outstretched and beaks aimed for eyes and exposed skin.
"Back, birds!" Valda declares. She charges into their midst, blade flashing.
The glow of her sword is shunted into her garland, the flowers blooming and becoming more vibrant.
"The ravens are coming!" Kadosh calls, hunching down as he sizes up the oncoming birds and prepares to swing his axe. Knowing ravens are sometimes hunted by larger birds, he pulls out an eagle feather and holds it to his ax haft.
"Dark one's eyes," he mutters an a curse he once heard in a story.
Approaching the sacred grounds, the Witch and the White Rabbit begin discussing the value of walls, guard towers and spiking trenches.
At the sudden appearance of the Flock of Seagulls....errr.. Ravens, the White Rabbit begins an impromptu rendition of Poe.
...knocking, knocking at my chamber door...
Strongjaw thinks really hard about Ravens...
The unmistakable sound of someone thinking too hard is heard!
The White Rabbit is seen wearing a hazmat suit.
The embarrassment having been appreciated and apparent, Strongjaw decides to try a spell!
Dat weren't me!
Strong Jaw, unfamiliar with the peculiarities of ravens, releases a ray of frost into the airborne swarm. The spell sails through the chaos of flapping wings and cawing beaks, but the birds dodge nimbly, and only a few feathers freeze in the icy blast. It's like trying to hit a hundred tiny, erratic targets at once; the spell is simply too diffuse to be effective against such a swarm.
As the ravens descend upon the group, Kadosh and Valda ready their melee weapons, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Valda swings her blade through the air, but the ravens dodge with uncanny agility, her weapon whistling harmlessly past them. Kadosh fares slightly better, his battleaxe connecting with a satisfying crunch. However, even as several birds fall, it becomes evident that attacking a swarm like this with a melee weapon is akin to trying to stop a river with a single stone. The collective force of the swarm seems undiminished, their numbers too great for single strikes to have much effect.
Then, with a synchronized surge, the ravens attack Veshka and Hakata. They aim for the most vulnerable spots, swooping in to peck at eyes and claw at exposed skin in an attempt to blind them. Veshka and Hakata raise their arms to shield their faces, but the ferocious birds are relentless, diving again and again.
7
Valda wards off the ravens, suffering only a few minor scratches to her arms. Her blade begins to glow as she unleashes her mirror strike, the glow traveling back to her garland again.
Strongjaw begins to giggle a bit, as the Witch casts a spell at Valda!
Rousing Splash
He then Strides 25' away from her!
You all wet behind da ears!
The birds peck Hakata's face raw! He scrambles out of the storm and sets a hand on the ground. Angry spirits are here, as well as the old spirits of stone. He connects with them and they answer with a spurt of rock and fire that erupts next to the swarm, falling just short of Valda's face.
and + 1 persistent fire.
Range 30 ft., Area 10-foot burst
Defense basic Reflex
Duration Sustained up to 1 minute
Your apparition is the conduit for the earth's molten blood, unleashing a devastating burst of laa at your command. When you Cast this Spell, and the first time you Sustainit each round thereafter, choose an area within range. Each creature in the area takes 1d4 fire damage, 1d4 bludgeoning damage, and 1 persistent fire damage (the persistent fire damage is negated on a successful save).
HP 18/18
AC 17
Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +5
Hero points: 0
Effects:
Kadosh continues to swing with his eagle-feathered axe before moving to put some distance between himself and the others, hoping to spread the murder out.
"Murder most foul!" he curses the birds.
Valda deftly fends off the aggressive ravens, her arms sustaining only a few minor scratches in the process. Her blade begins to shimmer with a radiant glow, which then travels back to her enchanted garland. With renewed energy, she executes a mirror strike, landing a powerful blow that downs several ravens in a flurry of feathers.
Strongjaw can't help but chuckle as the Witch casts a spell in Valda's direction before sprinting away.
Meanwhile, Hakata's face is a painful tableau of raw scratches from the raven attack. Shaking it off, he places a hand on the ground, reaching out to the spirits that linger here—both ancient spirits of the stone and vengeful newer entities. They respond by summoning a blast of rock and fire that bursts forth next to the swarm, perilously close to Valda's face yet causing her no harm. The elemental fury incinerates several of the ravens.
Kadosh, his axe adorned with eagle feathers, continues his relentless assault. Managing to create some distance between himself and his comrades, he hopes to disperse the ravenous flock. His strategy pays off: two more forceful swings from his axe find their marks, and the ravens, finally sensing the turning tide, scatter. They take to the sky in erratic patterns, flying off in all directions and thus ending the skirmish.
With the ravens gone, you can see the birds had brought a couple of shiny items with them, which they leave behind in the branches of
a tree:
Up ahead on the hilltop you can see a large broken stone that could be the missing piece.
"Catamoch, do what you can to steady it. We'll have to work together to move it."
As Catamoch and Veshka lead the way to the the hilltop, the broken stone comes into view. The stone shaped like the upper half of a giant raven lies in a furrow at the bare crest of this hillock. Near the stone, a hairy humanoid figure cries in the fetal position.
Kadosh approaches cautiously. Was this the thief? Why was he crying?
"Hello?" he calls out from a short distance away.
Veshka looks around to the others to make sure no one recognizes them. "Why are you on our lands? Did you take the stone?"
"Hello?"
Upon hearing Kadosh's greeting, the creature slowly unfolds from his fetal position and looks up. His appearance is both intriguing and startling; standing only about three feet tall, he's covered from head to toe in thick, knotted hair that seems to writhe and animate as if it has a life of its own. His large, pointed ears protrude through his wild mane, and his eyes—dark and shiny—reflect a mixture of curiosity and despair. He's barely clothed, wearing what appears to be a simple leather apron that's almost entirely obscured by his abundant body hair. He's barefoot, and near him is a small pouch that looks like it could hold rocks or other small items.
"W-who are you?" he speaks, his voice tinged with wariness but also a shred of hope, as if he's eager for a new outcome to break the monotonous cycle of his recent failures. "What brings you to this sacred place?"
"Why are you on our lands? Did you take the stone?"
The creature looks down at the broken raven-shaped stone beside him, then back at Veshka and her companions. His face flushes a deep, earthy color, almost like the hue of wet soil, and his eyes shimmer with a mix of guilt and vulnerability.
"Yes, I took the stone. I thought it would... attract someone special to me. Someone I couldn't stop thinking about," he says, clearly struggling with his words. "But I was wrong. And now, it seems I've angered more than just the ravens."
He sits back, his wild mane of hair shifting as if sharing in his emotional unrest. "Your lands, you say? I did not know I had ventured into the territory of others. I meant no disrespect, truly."
Strongjaw and the White Rabbit stare at the hairy little crying fella. They both look at the statues size, Bulk, mass.
Must be a string little f!+~.
The White Rabbit shrugs.
I dare you to arm wrestle him.
Hakata peers curiously at the stranger. He's never seen anyone like him before.
"He seems pretty harmless," he whispers to Valda.
Valda grunts at Hakata and steps forward to the hairy man. ”No harm done, so long as you return the rock to its proper place. I am... sorry about your... female troubles? If there is a way we can help...”
The examplar shrugs and shifts awkwardly on her feet.
Veshka scowls. "He carried the stone here by himself. He's stronger than he looks, and he doesn't look weak."
"I am Veshka, once of the Flint Hooves of Lost Sarkoris, of late of the Broken Tusk Following against whose lands and shrines you trespass. Your name, stranger, before the Shining One makes offers on our clan's behalf."
His eyes brighten somewhat at Valda's words, taking them as a small olive branch amid the tension.
Shemven looks up at Veshka and then bows his head respectfully. "Ah, Veshka of the Flint Hooves and now of the Broken Tusk Following, I meant no disrespect by trespassing on your sacred lands. As I said, I am Shaggy Shemven, a lonely soul caught in the winds of love and folly. It was not my intention to desecrate or offend. I was led here by a misguided attempt to court my elusive raven-woman."
"Ah, my beautiful raven-woman... Her beauty is unparalleled, like the first light of dawn breaking through the dark night. I thought bringing this raven-shaped stone to this sacred place would be a sign, a signal to her that I am here, waiting for her presence. But she has not come. I fear I've made a muddle of things," he admits with a heavy sigh, his gaze falling to the broken raven stone beside him.
When Valda suggests they could return the stone, Shemven's countenance lifts slightly. "If you are willing to help return the stone, then perhaps there is some hope to right my wrongs. I can assist you; I'm stronger than I look, though I admit, I am a bit fatigued and can't help right now."
At Valda's awkward but earnest offer to help him with his romantic woes, Shemven chuckles softly. "I thank you for your kindness, stranger. But capturing my beloved's heart feels like trying to capture a shadow or hold moonlight in your hands. She is as elusive and mysterious as she is beautiful."
He then glances at Valda and back to Veshka, realizing the weight of the situation. "If your clan has been wronged by my actions, then I offer my humble apologies and my strength to make amends. My quarrel was never with you or your people. I would gladly assist in returning the stone, or doing what I can to right this wrong.... later."
"Oh get up. No one worth wooing ever swooned over a heap of limp regrets. Make things right and maybe she'll glance your way."
Once the sudden chewing, biting, wrecking of his fellow clan members has been found wanting, both Strongjaw and the White Rabbit approach the crybaby.
Shaggy Shemven! We--Strongjaw--and he--the White Rabbit--find your story to be both heartbreaking and a bit overdone. We would like to offer our unique services as Professional Match Makers! The female (male?) heart is most fickle muly blue balled friend. Perhaps, taking your mind off the problem would then create the acceptance of solubility!
They both point at the broken, desecrated statue.
Shaggy is about ready to respond to Veshka's failed attempt to move him when he looks up, eyes widening in surprise and then filling with a glimmer of hope as he hears Strongjaw's offer. "Professional Match Makers, you say?! Well, I've tried everything else and look where that got me; crying atop a hill next to a broken raven stone. What have I got to lose?"
He takes a deep breath and nods. "Alright, Strongjaw, White Rabbit, I'm all ears. What would you suggest? How do you plan on winning the heart of a raven-woman who doesn't even know I exist? How do we get started?"
Though still disheartened, the notion of having professional help in his love quest lifts Shemven's spirits a bit. Maybe, just maybe, he thinks, these strange characters can guide him down a path that leads to his beloved's heart—or at least away from further heartbreak and embarrassment.
Climbing to his feet he says, "Why don't I help you with this rock while you explain to me?"
The Goblin coughs. The White Rabbit chokes.
Why don't you get to fixing our sacred statue, while you further explain who, what, where, why you are here? Probably a good story. Speak loudly. The old one can't hear so good.
This "raven woman" doesn't sound familiar to Hakata.
"You obviously have a strong connection to stone, Shaggy," the new scout says, admiringly.
Valda is relieved when Strong Jaw takes over the conversation, convincing Shaggy Shemven to help. Despite her beauty, Valda is quite inexperienced in matters of the heart. She moves to help the hairy man lift the rock.
"Lift on three, Shaggy Shemven. One... two... THREE!"
Valda grunts with exertion as she grabs hold of the stone from below. Her bulging muscles are on full display as the scantily-clad woman helps to hefts the heavy rock off of the ground! She grunts as she holds the stone in place long enough for the others to place supports and keep it from falling again.
Hakata listens to the earth spirits, guiding the rock to a place of secure balance.
Strongjaw and the White Rabbit are seen pulling many calculating devices, doodads, and whatchamacallits as can be seen pulled from a pack.
Strings of string fer da lengths. Pieces of da plank fer da leverage. Rounds marbles fer da rolling. Fresh feathers fer da physical sores. Goose poop fer da perspiration.....
The White Rabbit is seen wearing a hard hat, goggles and he is peering at an architectural drawing.....
It seems both Goblin and rabbit are a bit too involved in their instruments, tools, things to actually help....
Do you gits any of dem fives?
Go Fish!
Kadosh realizes with a start that Shaggy Shemven must be some sort of local spirit, perhaps a good sign for the Broken Tusks, despite the current ominous situation.
Still, he's not quite sure what his lady love interest might be, and that thought -- what might that mean (and Valda's impressive display) -- distracts him as he tries to help her with the stone by pointing out what the spirits might need to fully repair the totem.
Veshka holds Catamoch's wrath in check while he throws his dense, shifting muscle into helping Valda.
The Broken Tusk clan showcases their ethos of teamwork as they collaborate to move the heavy raven-shaped stone. Valda, with her impressive strength, takes the lead, lifting the rock off the ground while Hakata listens to earth spirits to guide its placement. Kadosh lends his support, albeit distractedly, and Veshka keeps Catamoch focused as he too adds his muscle to the effort.
Strongjaw and the White Rabbit, clad in quirky safety gear and absorbed in an assortment of odd instruments and calculations, contribute more in spirit than in actual labor. They fuss over a range of tools, from strings and planks for measurements to feathers and even goose poop, which they claim will help in some way.
Shaggy Shemven, the mysterious local spirit they'd encountered, bears much of the weight of the rock. As they work, he eagerly peppers the group with questions, particularly thrilled to learn they are with a Mammoth Lord following, proclaiming "I love all hairy creatures!"
Once the stone is finally back in its rightful place, Shaggy uses a stone shape spell to mend it, sealing their collective effort.
"There! Just as it once was." He then looks skyward, hoping for a glimpse of his beloved raven-woman. Sighing, he says "Maybe I can come with you for awhile until she returns? I'm sure she'll back back for me."
Valda nods. ”You have a good heart. I am sure the following will welcome you. Come, let us return to our camp.”
Shaggy is thrilled to join you and return to your Following where he is welcome by all.
After reporting your success to the elders, you are reminded of the third task, carrying fragile ceremonial vessels and filling them with water from the Gornok River.
The following morning you all set out to gather water for the upcoming ceremony, meeting Pakano at the edge of camp. He points to some baskets he unceremoniously dumped on the grass then rushes toward the Gornok River, eager to finish this chore. The ceremonial vessels to be filled with water are three tightly woven, brightly colored baskets of different shapes. Leather straps make carrying a basket on one’s back easy, and each is sealed with a waxy sap to ensure it doesn’t leak.
Valda seems to be in her own little world as she fills her basket with water, blissfully oblivious...
Quickly gathering up all their random paraphernalia, the goblin and the White Rabbit hurry to catch up with the surprisingly successful group!
Well done everyones! We knew dat we could done it!
The White Rabbit is seen replacing cards up his sleeve.
The following morning, the Witch and his familiar are seen wearing scuba gear, complete with home-made snorkeling gear and flavor flippers on their feet.
They trip often, making their progress (and presentation) a bit comical....
Approaching the river's Bank the waddling Goblin falls face first into the shallow water. Raising his wet head, hepoints straight ahead.
Near the river's far bank, buried in a thatch of reeds is a long wooden spear.
When they arrive at the river bank, Hakata puts don the basket. He looks in the direction that the sopping goblin points, "It sure is a spear. Do you think one of the following left it? That's pretty careless."
Pakano's eyes widen when Hakakta and Strong Jaw call out the spear. He dashes towards the spear, pushing past them both and calls out "That's mine! Who objects to my right to this spear?!"
He looks ready to fight for it.
Valda scowls and steps forward. ”I object. That weapon belongs to somebody more deserving then you, Moose Bait. I challenge you!”
"Ok no brains, you're on!" he taunts, pointing to the sandy river bank. "I challenge you to a wrestling match for this prize!" he shouts, eager to duke it out.
He walks over to the river bank, cracks his neck, flexes and motions for Valda. "Bring it!!"
Veshka, deeply, deeply unconcerned with appearing biased, calls on the spirits to aid Valda.
Using the WWE superstar match as a distraction, the goblin begins to make his way across the river to the Spear.
The Witch once within 15' cast Detect Magic while keeping his eyes on the prize.
Strong Jaw detects magic!
He makes his way across the river to the spear. As he gets closer, he can tell that this is a finely made +1 spear, crafted from fire-treated ash wood and tipped with a serrated steel broadhead. A tattered deer hide banner is tangled around the shaft near the spearhead; the banner is emblazoned with the black silhouette of a woolly mammoth against a backdrop of red flames. A charred human hand hangs from a leather strap tied to the spear’s shaft. Shattered wrist bones tumble from the base of the severed appendage like pebbles from an open sack.
Veshka gives Valda a magic boost just before the match starts. Fully distracted by Veshka's spell, Pakano grows enraged and levels a finger as he shouts "CHEATER! Can't beat me in a fair fight so of course you need stubby-horns over there to boost you!"
Strongjaw rubs his greedy little hands together at the sight of all the treasure! The Goblin immediately goes for the juiciest bits first!
White Rabbit! Looks at desecfresh knuckle bones! Wees can craft new dice, since all yours have 6 pips on every side!
The White Rabbit s seen blushing with embarrassment.
Valda gives Veshka a grin. "Thanks, but I can take this fool on my own." She waits for the magic to expire, then she hurls herself at Pakano!
The pair seem evenly matched at first, but then Valda gets the upper hand. She rolls Pakano onto his back and pulls his arms behind his body, pinning him to the ground with her feet! "Ha!"
With a sudden burst of energy, the two lunge at each other, arms locking in a fierce embrace as they struggle for control. The crowd is silent, their eyes darting back and forth, following the movements of the two formidable opponents.
For a moment, it seems as though they are evenly matched; Pakano uses his body weight to push Valda back, but she deftly sidesteps, redirecting his momentum and almost toppling him over. Regaining his balance, Pakano tries to slip his arm around Valda's neck for a chokehold, but she's quick to block him, intercepting his arm and twisting it behind his back.
Pakano grunts in pain but quickly counters by using his free hand to trip Valda. Just as it looks like she might fall, Valda shifts her weight, turning the tables and using Pakano's own movement against him. In a fluid motion, she rolls him onto his back and pulls both his arms behind him. Using her feet, she pins him to the ground, locking him in a secure and inescapable hold.
The crowd erupts into cheers and shouts. Valda looks down at her vanquished opponent, her face flushed but triumphant. Pakano submits and says "Fine. You win. It's yours."
Valda releases her hold, and Pakano slowly gets to his feet, nursing his bruised ego more than any physical wound. "You didn't wrestle honorably," he grumbles, but his voice lacks conviction.
Once Strong Jaw returns with the spear, everyone can see it is a finely made +1 spear, crafted from fire-treated ash wood and tipped with a serrated steel broadhead. A tattered deer hide banner is tangled around the shaft near the spearhead; the banner is emblazoned with the black silhouette of a woolly mammoth against a backdrop of red flames. A charred human hand hangs from a leather strap tied to the spear’s shaft. Shattered wrist bones tumble from the base of the severed appendage like pebbles from an open sack.
Pakano’s admiring gaze lingers on the grim fetish. "We could learn a lot from whoever did this," he whispers, his red and yellow eyes gleaming.