GM Aarvid - PFS #4-05: The Sanos Abduction - B
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Shiela Heidmarch
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The renowned Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch strides
into her study at the Magnimar lodge.
Her eyes scan the space with habitual vigilance, honed by years of successful adventuring.
Satisfied that there’s nothing amiss, she stands
behind her desk, and turns her blade-like attention to the
party before her.
“The Pathfinder Society has long been interested in the First
World—the otherworldly realm of the fey. By all accounts the
fey homeland is dangerous, bizarre, and entirely unpredictable.
It’s the very type of place sane people avoid, and Pathfinders
flock toward.
“Countless expeditions and research teams have been
dispatched over the years to investigate regions where the
boundaries between the First World and our own Plane
grow threadbare. Sanos Forest, which lies to the east of this
very lodge, is one such place. The Pathfinder Society’s latest
research party is currently stationed there, under the capable
direction of the druid Ignizi Dinnelletter.
“Dinnelletter doesn’t normally work well with others,
but this time she’s got several newly recruited Pathfinders
assisting her. We thought it prudent that she pass on some
of her best practices, just in case. After all, we Pathfinders
are not known for our longevity. Dinnelletter is entirely self sufficient,
but unfortunately the same cannot be said for
her five trainees. Consequently, Ignizi’s station needs to be
resupplied periodically, something the Magnimar lodge has
taken responsibility for. You lot have been chosen to make the
next supply run to Sanos Forest, and will leave first thing in the
morning. It’s not a glamorous detail, but the fey forest never
lacks for intrigue, and I’m sure you’ll make the most of it.
“Your mission is simple: Deliver a pack horse loaded with
supplies to Dinnelletter’s cottage in Sanos. I don’t expect any
problems, but you never know with the
Captain Heidmarch pauses then responds to the questions.
Turning to Ezren first...
"Ignizi is originally from Whistledown,
the gnome settlement just
to the east of Sanos Forest. She joined the
Pathfinders as a young gnome, and was a
very capable adventurer in her day—a little
difficult to work with, but effective. As she
grew older, she returned to her homeland
to study the First World’s influence on the
Material Plane, eventually becoming the
preeminent researcher in the field. She still
looks young and wide-eyed, but don’t be
fooled. She knows how to get what she wants.”
Turning next to Toro and his question.
"Dinnelletter’s shopping list is always a little eccentric.
It consists mostly of alchemical supplies and food—nothing worth
stealing. If you run into any trouble on the road, it won’t
be because of the cargo.”
She pauses waiting for the next question...
The venture captain turns to Kyra and responds.
"As I mentioned, you task is simple, just deliver a pack horse loaded with to the cottage in the forest. While I do not know of any specific troubles, the supplies MUST arrive. Even wild predators of the normal sorts could be too much for ordinary teamsters or caravans. And there are always the fey. Ever an unknown quantity. Friend or foe? Just be wary. Anyone else? The pack horse will be waiting on the east gate in the morning. Please be punctual."
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After hearing of the description of the mission, Kyra runs out to do some brief shopping, purchasing a silvered dagger, a cold iron light mace and a set of 20 cold iron sling bullets, trading in her regular ones. If fey should attack, I will want to be ready, she thinks.
In the morning she rises before dawn, and walks out the east gate to sit in meditative silence as the sun breaks the horizon. As she does so, she selects the prayers she will have prepared to offer the Dawnflower today. When the sun has completely risen, she returns to the east gate to meet the team.
You are all able to make your purchases and the pack horse is at the eastern gate in the morning as promised.
The journey will take several days, so to save time now, please establish whatever marching order and watches for each evening when you camp.
Also, who is leading the pack horse with the supplies?
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Toro, happy to have a job, eagerly awaits the departure of the caravan. He stands patiently next to a very large crate marked, "Do Not Upset Contents Inside."
Shortly before leaving, he looks at his companions and speaks in a soft voice, Don't fear, but I did bring a friend along for the journey. I hope the horses won't mind. With that, he lifts the lid off of the crate and allows its contents to slither out. What emerges is a large snake (takes up a 10'x10' square) who slithers and slides in and out of Toro's arms and legs. Toro smiles speaks in hushed tones to his companion. Turning to the group he speaks loudly, There, now I am ready to depart the city.
Your party marches east along the Dry Way—the trade
road along the northern bank of the mighty Yondabakari
River toward Korvosa—for several days.
You spot a distinctive stream, which your instructions indicate
you should follow north into the Sanos Forest.
Once in the woods, all signs of humanoid activity abate.
Midway through your first day in the forest, you see in the distance through the trees, a small vale where you catch a whiff of rotting
meat, find several bear tracks, and notice the forest has
suddenly gone quiet.
According to your instructions, you should be within half a mile of the cottage where Ignizi Dinnelletter lives.
====Surprise Round====
Neither of the large creatures appears to have noticed your approach yet.
21-Toro+Snake
14-Ezren
9-Harsk
8-Kyra
As Toro and Harsk clear the edge of the forest, a cottage comes into view, they find it besieged by forest creatures.
Large furry creatures clumsily slam themselves
against the cottage, which creaks under
the weight of the impacts.
The lead group (all but Ezren) hear cries of alarm filter out from
inside the cottage. The windows and doors are boarded up and
reinforced. You are about 80' away when Harsk tells you to stop.
Harsk stops the group, commanding Biter to protect the wizard as readies his crossbow. Kyra likewise hefts her scimitar in preparation for combat.
=== Round 1 ===
21-Toro+Snake
14-Ezren
9-Harsk
8-Kyra
7-Creature1
5-Creature2
Toro and the snake double move quietly up to the lower beast.
0, 7
Neither creature notices the druid and his pet snake as they turn their attention to the wizard and dwarf moving up to shoot crossbows.
Ezren and Harsk shoot their crossbows at the same southern creature near Toro. The wizard barely hits the creature but Harsk's bolt slams into the side of the building the creature is pulling down.
8-Kyra
7-Creature1
5-Creature2
The northernmost beast turns to see Biter and Ezren emerge from the woods. It charges towards the pair.
"Hooooaoraoroaorrrrr!"
for on Biter
for
The large furry creature bites down hard on the badger and throws it like a rag doll (20pts damage on crit).
The southernmost likewise sees the dwarf and wizard shooting at it and turns to charge them as well.
"Hooorroroa hoorrrr oooo!"
Kyra moves up and takes a swing at the beast that just took a chunk out of the badger. She slashes the furry/feathered beast across one of its bulky arms, causing it to howl in pain.
As the other attempts to charge the group, the giant snake in the grass darts out and strikes it, hitting it in its leg and is just barely able to wrap its coils around the hair beast.
The beast will attack the snake back.
for
Taking a bite out of the snake, but still stuck in the grapple.
=== Round 2 ===
21-Toro+Snake
14-Ezren
9-Harsk
8-Kyra
7-Creature1
5-Creature2