Armenga wastes no time in rolling up the bearskin rug to put in their dorm. Maybe after a thorough washing and some Prestidigitation. She assesses the bearskin rug as being worth roughly thirty gold pieces.
In front of the faculty she hesitates, uncertain how to ask this delicately, "Teacher Ot, we found these masks in the tunnels. Are- were these students?" She asks solemnly as she sets the four masks respectfully on a table.
Clankerton grunted and frowned as they processed the notes of the villianous old student. Part of him wished he was still alive to get him to tell them how one came to hate so much. If you didn't like something, make it better! Make it again! Make something new! Creation filled the world with things to enjoy, why get stuck in hate?
When the met again with Teacher Ot, Clankerton allowed the others to share what they had learnt and added in a blurt.
"Onlygoodbug'sadeadbug!"
He waited to see what what Teacher Ot would say about the masks.
Takulu Ot turns slightly pale. I recognize those, the stern antelope belonged to Avralnis Kindertwig, the kindly hare to Kelsira Banion, and smiling warthog to Jaspora Helventor. Students who went missing a while ago. The kindly hare mask is enchanted, it is known as a mask of mercy. I can transfer the enchantment to a nonmagical mask, it will take a day.
He clasps his hand to his forehead, somewhat distressed.
I do not think that the student who owned the mask will be using it anymore. If they had survived and were able, they would have gotten word to us by now. We will honor and remember the students appropriately, and send word to their families.
The fourth mask is a rhinocerous mask. It is enchanted to make you more apt using momentum to strike objects. I can also transfer the enchantment of that one.
Please, take a rest, and we shall reconvene tomorrow.
***
When the heroes return to the field station the next day, Koride and Takulu are still there, having worked through the night. They’ve made several important discoveries.
Takulu is eager to share information with the cohort once they explain what took place down in the caverns. He listens intently to the group, and provides them these findings during the conversation.
"Firstly, the insects were drawn by some pervasive yet persistent psychic call.
Secondly, gremlins, pests, and other creatures that aren’t strictly insects (like spiders) have responded to the call as well. Of course, they’ve been closely questioned. None can provide any details other than experiencing a strange longing, and a sense that they must go to the Magaambya.
Thirdly, the emanation is virtually undetectable but seems to be ongoing. You have defeated the villain weaponizing the infestations, but they aren’t over. The emanation isn’t localized, so pinpointing its source is impossible without more work or some new angle of discovery."
Esi rushes up. "Three prospective students seeking admission have just arrived!"
She looks a bit uncomfortable, before adding
"They’re likely to cause a disturbance unless someone speaks with them right away... the visitors are anadis. I don’t mind anadis, as I am good friends with Tzeniwe and her children, but not everyone is comfortable with the spider-like people."
Takulu nods.
"Thank you Esi. You may go now."
Turning to the group, Takulu says "Please, come with me to meet these visitors."
The three anadi seekers are in the open area near the Speaker’s Stage while a few students keep a cautious distance. Rather than traveling in human form, as is typical for anadis, they’re each in their hybrid forms. This behavior demonstrates that they’re likely new to the area and thus unfamiliar with Nantambu customs or opinions about anadis.
Takulu strides forward to greet the three visitors, who look around with wonder in their many eyes.“Welcome and a kind hello, new friends. It is my pleasure to greet you today. You may call me Teacher Ot.”
“Teacher Ot, we would learn from you and from the school. We humbly submit ourselves as pupils.” All three anadis bow respectfully. “I am Rainbows-Reflected-Upon-Gossamer-Strands, who is called Goss. This is Droplets-Hanging-Gently Savanakin and Barest-Threads-Billowing Maztachia. We have some small knowledge of magic already. Presenting ourselves without sponsorship is highly irregular, we know, but we all feel as though the Magaambya is…the place we must be. Something is calling us here, Teacher Ot.”
Teacher Ot looks meaningfully back to your group before responding, “We welcome the new angles of discovery that your presence will bring. I would like to introduce you to some of our most recent students. They have already distinguished themselves and might provide you with—”
Before Teacher Ot can finish, the nearby students shout and scatter. Three large forms soar across the canal from the city, screeching loudly.
Three griffons have been stalking the anadis as they moved through Nantambu. Recently escaped from an animal merchant, the hungry creatures consider spiders tasty and decide to make a meal of them. The griffons are visually striking, with blackbird heads and feline leopard bodies. They all look underfed and are obviously quite hungry.
Although everyone else in the area scatters, Takulu grips his staff and prepares to defend the three anadi seekers. He hopes the heroes choose to do so as well, knowing that he can’t handle the griffons on his own.
Combat
Everyone roll initiative.
I will average the NPC initiatives. Those who roll 17 or higher may act. Then it will be npcs, then all heroes, then npcs, then all heroes etc.
Takulu initiative 23
Average Griffon initiative 17
Anadi averaged initiative 10
Anadi stats
Anadi, Creature 1.
Perception
Languages Anadi, Common
Skills Acrobatics 6, Arcana 7, Athletics 4, +6 to climb in common or hybrid form, Crafting 7, +11 Weaving, Nature 5, Occultism 7
Stat modifiers. Str 1 Dex 3 Con minus 1 Int 4 Wis 2 Cha 0.
Items
20 sling bulletsy
Interaction Abilities
concentrate, exploration, manipulate By spending several minutes, an anadi can produce silk to craft items made of cloth. An anadi can produce enough silk in a day to craft a single garment.
AC 15 ,
Fort 4 Ref 10 Will 7
Max HP 20 ; Current 20
Automatic And Reactive Abilities
Speed 25 climb 25 feet Melee Strikes
Fangs Attack +8, finesse 1d6+1 piercing damage plus anadi venom
Ranged Strikes
propulsive, range increment 50 feet, reload 1 1d6 bludgeoning damage 50 feet
Offensive Or Proactive Abilities
Anadi Venom poison Saving Throw: DC 15 Fortitude; Maximum Duration: 4 rounds; Stage 1: [[1d6]] (1d6) poison damage and flat-footed (1 round); Stage 2: [[1d6]] (1d6) poison damage, flat-footed, and clumsy 1 (1 round)
Change Shape arcane, concentrate, polymorph, transmutation The anadi changes into their hybrid, spider, or human form. The above statistics assume the anadi is in hybrid form. While in human form, the anadi seeker loses their climb Speed and can’t use their fangs attack. When in spider form, they can’t use weapons. The monster changes its shape indefinitely. It can use this action again to return to its natural shape or adopt a new shape. Unless otherwise noted, a monster cannot use Change Shape to appear as a specific individual. Using Change Shape counts as creating a disguise for the Impersonate use of Deception. The monster’s transformation automatically defeats Perception DCs to determine whether the creature is a member of the ancestry or creature type into which it transformed, and it gains a +4 status bonus to its Deception DC to prevent others from seeing through its disguise. Change Shape abilities specify what shapes the monster can adopt. The monster doesn’t gain any special abilities of the new shape, only its physical form. For example, in each shape, it replaces its normal Speeds and Strikes, and might potentially change its senses or size. Any changes are listed in its stat block. Actions 1
Arcane Innate Spells
DC 17; 1st color spray, magic missile, unseen servant; Cantrips (1st) dancing lights, detect magic, mage hand, read aura, shield
Griffon stats
Griffon stats, Creature 4.
Takulu Ot stats
Takulu Ot, creature 4.
Spell attack 13
Spell DC 21
3 1st level spell slots per day
3 2nd level spell slots per day