Chapter 1 - Sun and Sting

Survival check:

Thu Mar 14 2024 10:14:03 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 3 to total : 12, + 3, TOTAL: 15

Tessie looks in the Marshal’s eyes and checks his pulse. “Hey he doesn’t look so good…”
Science with disadvantage
Rolling "1d20 +6" 2 times

1: 9 + 6 = 15
2: 4 + 6 = 10

“Hey is there a doctor around?!”

Siri helps him to the ground.

Whitey wrote:Survival:
Thu Mar 14 2024 10:09:46 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 3 to total : 14, + 3, TOTAL: 17

As he works to capture one of the bugs, Grunk will try to coax it using Speech of Beast and Leaf:

“It is dangerous for you here now, but I can keep you safe in this small hive. We will admire your strength and vigor and your beautiful wing patterns. I promise to free you to join your brothers and sisters when it is safe again. “

Charisma with Advantage:
Thu Mar 14 2024 10:13:28 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 0 to total : 10, TOTAL: 10

Thu Mar 14 2024 10:13:28 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 0 to total : 20, TOTAL: 20

Ha! Get in the box, bug!

indeed, well done!


"Us..... Us.... we are Us.... where is Us?.... go to hive.... Us... Us.... Us in hive.... Us is safe....Us...."  

Ivar comes over to hold the box as "Us" crawls inside.  Its wings click as they fold down.  


The other bugs tear themselves to pieces trying to escape.  Grunk is fortunate to have captured one alive.  

navyik wrote:Tessie looks in the Marshal’s eyes and checks his pulse. “Hey he doesn’t look so good…”
Science with disadvantage
Rolling "1d20 +6" 2 times

1: 9 + 6 = 15
2: 4 + 6 = 10

“Hey is there a doctor around?!”

Siri helps him to the ground.

A tall man in a strange looking mask approaches Tessie.  "He does not, you are correct."  The man agrees.  He surveys the scene and then kneels down to examine the Marshall.  



Sparks looks up, "Ssssick, doc.  Head sssspinnning.  Gutsssss twisssting."


A couple more ichor-stained townsfolks approach, "Dr. Kind... we don't feel so good either."

Dr. Geraq Kind calls out loudly to anyone in ear shot, "We need to set up a decontamination tent outside of town to quarantine anyone that has come in contact with this yellow substance.  Anyone that has not contacted it should avoid it and report to the tanner's hut with tools, rope, soap and water buckets."  He gestures towards the hut with the foul odor that Ivar passed on his way into town.



Ivar spots the strange looking bird he saw earlier circling overhead.





It comes in for a landing near Dr. Kind, Tessie and the Marshall.  As it nears the ground, its legs grow long, its wings retract into hands and it transforms into a woman.




"Stop!  We need to bring the sick to the Mana Springs.  Oakfather's sacred waters will heal them."  

Dr. Kind replies, "Agalain, this is no time for theatrics.  These people need medicine and a proper bath.  What if this ichor contaminates the springs?"  



The gathered townsfolks seem undecided on the best course of action.  Some seem inclined towards the Doctor's plan while other seem to favor the Druid Agalain's suggestion.  


the crowd seems persuadable, if someone wants to sway them in any particular direction through persuasion, intimidation or deception

Grunk approaches with the newly captured Us. “Please forgive me for intruding, as you’re both clearly more learned than I am, but perhaps this may be of some help in identifying the source of the ailment?” Grunk raises the box slightly to draw their attention. “I must accompany it for the time being though. I’ve given my word.”

Thinking on it a bit more, Grunk will also cast Detect Magic centered on himself.

Detect Magic
1 divination
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Target: Self
Components: V S
Duration: Up to 10 minutes
Classes: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger, Sorcerer, Wizard
For the duration, you sense the presence of magic within 30 feet of you. If you sense magic in this way, you can use your action to see a faint aura around any visible creature or object in the area that bears magic, and you learn its school of magic, if any.
The spell can penetrate most barriers, but it is blocked by 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt.

Ivar is inclined to do what the Druid says... but he will listen to more learned folks.

...and since his Charisma is about useless, no Intimidation check for him.

ok, we can pause here for a couple days as I will be AFK

Dr. Kind and Agalain the druid argue publicly for a few minutes but in the end Dr. Kind seems to have swayed the majority of townsfolk to his side.  



since no PC attempted to persuade the crowd, I made 2 rolls for the NPCs



Townsfolk begin erecting a few large tents and several tipis just outside of town near the tanner huts.





Dr. Kind begins sorting patients by severity.  He begins taking blood samples from anyone suffering from the yellow ichor.  "As a safety precaution, for both yourselves and us, I will need a blood sample from each you as well, since have come in contact with this new species.  I will also need a sample from your new friend there.  (the captured bug).  By the way, it looked like you were speaking to it....  what did it say?"


The party can help unless you have other actions you want to take?  

I do need replies if you are willing or unwilling to give blood samples and the bug sample

Ivar pulls a small knife and asks "how much blood do you need?" While he might look rather intimidating with this act, he keeps a broad smile on his face.

“I’m okay, they didn’t get me,” Tessie brushes off the blood request. “But maybe we should send a sample of this stuff to the Druid just to cover our bets… Maybe even send a couple of volunteer patients, you know, a control group for scientific method.”

whit10 wrote:Ivar pulls a small knife and asks "how much blood do you need?" While he might look rather intimidating with this act, he keeps a broad smile on his face.

The doctor stifles a chuckle, "That wouldn't be sterile so I am afraid it would defeat the purpose. But take a seat, this will be quick and even less painful." He has a pot of water boiling for sterilizing needles and a rack of vials with cork stoppers. He approaches Ivar with a rubber hose tourniquet and a needle in one hand and an alcohol-soaked cloth in his other. (unless Ivar does or says something to stop him)

He just shrugs at Tessie, "Suit yourself, but I won't be able to treat you if your condition changes." He looks about at the patients gathering, "I think a few did opt for less-traditional medicine. At least it lessens in the initial queues."

He addresses Grunk, "How about you and your... uh.... pet?"

Ivar will sit and comply

whit10 wrote:Ivar will sit and comply

"Okay. Just a little pinprick." He fills a couple small vials, "There will be no more, but you may feel a little sick. Can you stand up?"

"no, I'm not comfortably numb." Ivat says with a smile.

Anything else?

whit10 wrote:"no, I'm not comfortably numb."  Ivat says with a smile.

Anything else?

Dr. Kind doesn't need anything else from Ivar.  

just waiting on Grunk to advance the scene

Sorry guys, was traveling all week, should have posted that.

Grunk is waiting in the results of his Detect Magic spell, but unless something goofy happens with that, he’ll happily submit for testing and offer up Us for a sample extraction.

Whitey wrote:Sorry guys, was traveling all week, should have posted that.

Grunk is waiting in the results of his Detect Magic spell, but unless something goofy happens with that, he’ll happily submit for testing and offer up Us for a sample extraction.

No worries, game on.

Sorry about the spell!  Grunk notices that Dr. Kind has a few minor items that glow.  Grunk is able to spend 1 turn studying each as they walk to the tent area.

Mask - transmutation
Broach\pendant on his ascot - abjuration
bone ring - conjuration
walking cane - necromancy




Dr. Kind takes the samples from Grunk and Us.  Everyone notices that Us produces a yellow-colored sample, much like the nasty ichor covering Marshall Sparks and much of the town.

As the doctor makes the draws, he politely repeats his question, "By the way, it looked like you were speaking to the bug.  What did it say?"

“It is a simple creature, doctor. It only knows to follow its basest instincts. It seeks safety and camaraderie, just as we all do.”

sorry for the delay, I had a sick kiddo yesterday

Whitey wrote:“It is a simple creature, doctor. It only knows to follow its basest instincts. It seeks safety and camaraderie, just as we all do.”

Dr. Kind studies Grunk through his plague-mask, "Yes, just so."

The doctor orders the goo-covered to queue up. A brigade of volunteers attend them in private tents one at a time. They are scrubbed with soap and water. Blood samples are taken and a general health assessment is performed. They are sorted into larger tents based on their severity of symptoms.


does anyone want to do anything else on your own initiative? If not, I will advance the scene

Ivar wouldn't mind speaking to the bird woman for a moment

“If you’ve completed your administrations to the creature, Doctor, I do have to keep my word to release it back to the wild.”

Whitey wrote:“If you’ve completed your administrations to the creature, Doctor, I do have to keep my word to release it back to the wild.”

“Make sure ta do that privately outa town, buddy. There’s some grieving parents as may take issue with ya.”

Whitey wrote:“If you’ve completed your administrations to the creature, Doctor, I do have to keep my word to release it back to the wild.”

Dr. Kind perks up, "Understandable, but I will need more samples, especially if the work ends up going in a vaccination direction. I will gladly pay for samples and information. I absolutely need to study a living subject at length and observe its lifecycle. I can probably dissect some of the corpses but most barely recognizable. I need more bodily fluids. The location of their nest or hive would be very valuable. Say... maybe you could release your... pet.... and track it home? Perhaps the Mayor would also reward such efforts."


Ivar heads back into town to look for the "bird lady". She is not around but some of the locals point him towards the actual Mana Springs which is where the druids tend to gather. Does Ivar want to go to the springs by himself or wait for his new friends?

“I’m afraid I can’t do that Doctor. As I said before, I’ve given my word. Gather what you can from the remains of its brethren and make the most of the sample you’ve obtained. I have faith you can be very resourceful when circumstances demand it.” Grunk turns to Tessie “Too right friend. This creature deserves our respect and fair treatment, but not at the expense of the townsfolk’s well-being.” Grunk will make his way to the same edge of town that the brood departed and prepare to release Us. “As promised friend, you may be on your way now. If there is space in your heart to spare this town from your hunger in the future, I hope you and your kin will do so.”

Grunk cracks open the crate and take a few long strides back to give Us space to take off. He raises his staff and prepares to defend himself if needed…

Ivar will wait

Whitey wrote:“I’m afraid I can’t do that Doctor. As I said before, I’ve given my word. Gather what you can from the remains of its brethren and make the most of the sample you’ve obtained. I have faith you can be very  resourceful when circumstances demand it.”  Grunk turns to Tessie “Too right friend. This creature deserves our respect and fair treatment,  but not at the expense of the townsfolk’s well-being.” Grunk will make his way to the same edge of town that the brood departed and prepare to release Us. “As promised friend, you may be on your way now. If there is space in your heart to spare this town from your hunger in the future, I hope you and your kin will do so.”

Grunk cracks open the crate and take a few long strides back to give Us space to take off. He raises his staff and prepares to defend himself if needed…

Dr. Kind makes a disappointed sigh, "Well, if you happen to come across anything, I will pay, just the same."


Grunk notices that Us is using its antennae and mandibles as it exits the crate. After a few moments, it flies off to the West, which is the path the swarm took upon leaving town. There is a clear path from the East - everything organic has been consumed.


Intelligence\Nature check if Grunk wants to know more.


Do Tessie and Grunk want to accompany Ivar to visit the druid or is there anything else in town they want to do?

Grunk will poke around a bit:
Nature:
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:17:13 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 5 to total : 14, + 5, TOTAL: 19

“Ya know Grunk, it’s good letting the little fella go, but shouldn’t we find out more about whether this was, well, unnatural ?”

navyik wrote:“Ya know Grunk, it’s good letting the little fella go, but shouldn’t we find out more about whether this was, well, unnatural ?”

“I’d say that’s already evident, wouldn’t you Tessie? No point in torturing the poor creature. The good doctor has his sample, and I suspect our new Druid friend would like to harm that bug even less than I would. Let’s be on our way to see her though, yes?”

Whitey wrote:Grunk will poke around a bit:
Nature:
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:17:13 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 5 to total : 14, + 5, TOTAL: 19

Grunk observes the overgrown cicada and it reminds him of the behavior of ants.  Most of the foragers and warriors are actually nearly blind but they follow a pheromone trail left by the head scout or the absence of phermones on invaders around the nest.  Grunk suspects that the cicada was using its antennae and\or mandibles to pick up the phermone trail of the swarm.

Ivar, Tessie and Grunk follow some of the townsfolk who opted for druidic care.  A trail leads out of town and towards the nearby cliff.  The path enters a vail.  Warm, wet air kisses your faces and the sound of running water caresses your ears.  A palpable sense of calm fills your bodies.





Warm teal waters and lush green plants greet your eyes as you near the Mana Springs.  There are many animals present - birds splashing in the shallows, deer drinking from the edges, frogs croaking happily and.... a pair of mating bears.  The bears notice the party's approach but continues their  coupling activities undisturbed.  





Ivar spots the bird-woman who appears to be discussing something with a paddling of ducks.

Hello good lady, might you be the one that followed me to town in the form of a bird?

whit10 wrote:Hello good lady, might you be the one that followed me to town in the form of a bird?

The paddling of ducks quack their displeasure at being interrupted.  They turn their attention to eating.




The bird druid smiles at the fowl antics but replies to Ivar, "Yes, I try to keep an eye on the area.   We haven't had any visitors from your people before.  Welcome to Mana Springs.  It isn't usually so... eventful." She nods to Grunk and Tessie, who she has seen around town recently.

Thank you! Do you have any ideas about what happened with the bugs?

whit10 wrote:Thank you!  Do you have any ideas about what happened with the bugs?

"Now that's the million dollar question. Isn't it?"

The paddling of ducks quack in agreement as they bob for food, showing their tail feathers at Ivar.

"They appeared to be cicadas, which are curious creatures to begin with.  They have an incomplete lifecycle going from egg to nymph to adult.  Much knowledge was lost in the Cataclysm.  But those of us that study Nature remember one exclusively North American genus, Magicicada (the periodical cicadas), which spend most of their lives as underground nymphs sucking nutrients from roots. They emerge in predictable intervals of 13 or 17 years, depending on the species and the location.  If I had to guess....  these are a group of Magicacada that spent too long munching on something unusual underground as nymphs."

She feigns a wide look around the springs, "If only we could find some brave adventurers to go in search of the old nest.  Then we might learn what caused the Magicicada to grow so large.  Alternately, the swarm path could be followed to mark where the females are laying the next batch of eggs, as that might also give us a clue."

"We would go ourselves, of course, but our duty is to protect the Mana Springs at all costs.  Isn't that right father bear?"

She asks the pair of copulating grizzlies.  The female seems offended at the interruption and splashes out of the pond.  The male sits back with its elbows resting in a very human posture.  It growls and whines as its features shift into that of a fat old naked man.  "Rwwarrhaaa mmuurrahaa rraha... and it took me two weeks to get her here."

Grunk thinks back to the prank he played on the cowboy earlier in the day and how unexpectedly oversized those bugs were. “Ma’am? Have you seen anything else abnormally sized lately? Could it be these enchanted waters making their way through the ground and misting in the air?”

I will get caught up shortly. Long day today. I can’t comment on the articles in the news down in Normal but y’all should read them…

(reads article) Hell yeah my brotha!!!!

Long overdue and much deserved. Congrats bro

Tessie works very hard to keep a straight face after Grunk’s question. I’ll show her something abnormally large, he thinks to himself.

navyik wrote:Tessie works very hard to keep a straight face after Grunk’s question. I’ll show her something abnormally large, he thinks to himself.

The naked old dude has the same shit-eating grin on his face as Tessie and is likely making a similar joke to himself.

Whitey wrote:Grunk thinks back to the prank he played on the cowboy earlier in the day and how unexpectedly oversized those bugs were. “Ma’am? Have you seen anything else abnormally sized lately? Could it be these enchanted waters making their way through the ground and misting in the air?”

The druid considers Grunk's question and tries to carefully form her reply.  "The Mana Springs are certainly special waters.  Their unique characteristics are more of the rejuvenating and purifying quality.  The swarm seems more enhanced, mutated or changed.  Gigantism and mutation are part of the natural order, no doubt.  The source of the Cicada's change may turn out to be natural, but it is not from the Springs. "

She gives the trio a hopeful look, "Would you be interested in helping the town by investigating this?  I am confident both the Mayor and Dr. Kind would be willing to provide some compensation.  We can offer you healing here, if needed, in between adventures."

"Anything to keep my new friends safe." Ivar goes to sharpen his axe.

(Ivar thinks to himself, I need better armor)

 GM to players, table talk here:

I honestly don't care whether you want to follow the 2 quest-givers suggestion regarding the bugs that attacked the town.  If you want to be involved in Mana Springs, it seems like it would help. 2 options - follow the trail of the bugs (west) or backtrack to look for their nest (east).



some other story hooks that have appeared or been mentioned in the history stuff:

the ratkins stealing from the town shops (detonator)

nearby settlements include mining town of Silverton and trade\fishing town of Radford on the Rado River.

west are the painted deserts, north is the recently active Sero (Dotsero) volcano rumored home of a red drago, to the east are high mountains and to the south are the Mexas territories.  


However, you are totally free to do anything else you want!

just talk amongst yourselves and decide what course of action you want to pursue

Grunk thinks to himself “is this going to be a standup fight or another bug hunt?” He says to the group “I can appreciate the danger the cicadas present to the town, both now and in future generations, but I’m curious what the mayor and doctor would think of you offering up their coin purses before consulting them?” He arches an eyebrow at the Druid. “Perhaps the doctor’s had some success with the sample he took. I’m for heading back to town to learn more before we decide on our course…”

the doctor did already offer to pay, just as a reminder

Chris wrote:


Dr. Kind perks up, "Understandable, but I will need more samples, especially if the work ends up going in a vaccination direction.  I will gladly pay for samples and information.  I absolutely need to study a living subject at length and observe its lifecycle.  I can probably dissect some of the corpses but most barely recognizable.  I need more bodily fluids.  The location of their nest or hive would be very valuable.  Say... maybe you could release your... pet.... and track it home?  Perhaps the Mayor would also reward such efforts."

Chris wrote:

Whitey wrote:“I’m afraid I can’t do that Doctor. As I said before, I’ve given my word. Gather what you can from the remains of its brethren and make the most of the sample you’ve obtained. I have faith you can be very  resourceful when circumstances demand it.”  Grunk turns to Tessie “Too right friend. This creature deserves our respect and fair treatment,  but not at the expense of the townsfolk’s well-being.” Grunk will make his way to the same edge of town that the brood departed and prepare to release Us. “As promised friend, you may be on your way now. If there is space in your heart to spare this town from your hunger in the future, I hope you and your kin will do so.”

Grunk cracks open the crate and take a few long strides back to give Us space to take off. He raises his staff and prepares to defend himself if needed…

Dr. Kind makes a disappointed sigh, "Well, if you happen to come across anything, I will pay, just the same."

The trio makes the short walk out of the secluded vail and back to town proper.  Citizens have begun to restore daily life - shops are opening, stalls are being reset, traffic is beginning to move again and the Mayr is directing the activity.



Mayr Henry "Hank" Faulconer can be heard speaking a common mix of English\Spanish depending on his audience.  His fine dress indicates that he weathered the bug storm inside somewhere and was not directly involved in the fighting.  He is currently listening to two sides argue about what to do with the bug remains.  

Some of the locals want to cart them out of town and burn them.  Another group wants to use the corpses as feed for livestock.

“Whoa whoa whoa, did you guys see what those things did to the sheriff? I don’t think I wanna eat that, OR breathe the fumes. Maybe there’s a way to quarantine the remains until the doctor finishes his study?”

Grunk knows the Doctor offered to pay. Grunk also knows the Druid doesn’t know that.

Grunk will approach the Mayr “Afternoon, sir. That’s a fine jacket, how DO you keep it so clean in all this chaos?  Have you seen the good Doctor? I’m curious as to how his research is progressing. We’ve been to see the Druid and she was sadly not much help. It seems we may have to risk our very lives to aid this town in ridding itself of this scourge…”

Tessie's appeal to common sense seems to have calmed the two sides, neither of which has a good counter argument.  



Mayr Hank notes the change in temperature and seizes the moment, "Ah, si si... bueno idea!  Why don't y'all trabajar ustedes to remove the cadveres de los insectos, claro?"

Work begins and Hank wipes his brow in satisfaction.  He brushes non-existent dust of his jacket in response to Grunk, "well, veras, I was in my office, muy ocupada e importante...  would y'all really risk su vidas?  I will compensar!  Whatever.... uh.... el doctor requires."


The thought occurs to Grunk that maybe the Druid just knows these two like to throw money at problems and they have more dollars than sense between them.

Grunk’s not particularly motivated by the pursuit of coin, but his curiosity is starting to get the best of him. He’ll go find the Doctor.

Whitey wrote:Grunk’s not particularly motivated by the pursuit of coin, but his curiosity is starting to get the best of him. He’ll go find the Doctor.

The trio makes their way back to the outskirts of town where the pest tents have been erected.  It is late afternoon now and the sun is beginning its descent.  A blanket of thick clouds gather promising an evening storm.  The smell of dust and bug goop is giving way to the coming rain.  Each tent has been sectioned off by what looks like old cattle gates.  Some of the locals have strung lights for the evening. The faint hum of a small generator can be heard somewhere out of sight.






You find Dr. Kind working away in a make-shift lab in one of the tents.  He has collected many blood samples and appears to be running them through various drips and centrifuges.  






He notices your arrival with slight disappointment, "Ah, still here I see."

“How are your experiments coming along Doctor?”