Mission 1: The Bear in Winter

[foltor]

Granarctian with more gestures

"They used to say a yeti lives in the mountains, but this is no yeti. Several people have seen the bear or its tracks.

"Some rugs may be left in the summer houses, and some bedding, but not furs.

"Those travelers, we gave them hospitality here, and they insisted on paying - which is not our way, but hard to refuse. The Gnome woman, she had a tattoo on her arm, like an arrow, but twisted." He traces a figure-eight in the air.

"Terast is a man who lives away from the village, by himself in a cabin. He is a trapper, not a farmer, and he knows the land; he was the first one to tell us of the bear. He will help you, but he is a little...strange. But not a bad man. Just quiet. He would not be enthusiastic about hunting a bear alone in the middle of winter, but with all of you, he can find it for you at least."

[Inquisitor D]

The princess takes the bowl and mug a little gingerly, seemingly confused by the humble faire. After a few experimental sniffs however, she tucks in with gusto. She has a strangely fastidious manner with the porridge, swirling the maize around the root vegetable lumps to carefully make each mouthful hold at least some portion of the vegetable chunk. Those spoonfuls that are more full of maize, she flavours with a sip of her drink. Once done, she returns both cup and bowl to the kitchen herself, rising to do so. She curtseys to Popova, dipping low and holding out non-existent skirts to try and best replicate the gesture.

Granarctian

 

"Thank you kindly! It's been too long since I've had cooking so fine."

Returning to the group, Nova takes a breath before beginning her translation for Ash and Eireann. She seems honestly a little disappointed at what she now has to relay.

"Apparently the bear just breaks into people's houses by just... breaking down the door. But the marks are indicative of it being something other than a human. Claw scratches to the door, ect."

She gestures to her companion.

"Tethyr thinks it's hired thugs, or those two travellers. Or a local legend? Personally, I'm wondering about the magical side of this. Someone getting cursed to turn into a bear might explain the intellect... but nobody's missing. And it's not trying to just talk to people or ask for help..."

She's silent as the headsman outlines the answers to her companions questions, still pondering her own theories. At the mention of the trapper's potential reluctance to go after a bear, Nova nods.

"I think I agree with this 'Terrast', Crastug. Plus, isn't that a saying? 'If a bear's alone in the woods, don't poke it?'" That... may not be quite right. Nova pauses for a second, pondering the correct phrasing, before dismissing the thought. They have more important things to focus on. "If we could determine what the creature wants, we'd be closer to understanding what's happened here. We may need to track it down eventually, but the mystery should be our priority. If hunting it provokes violence from the creature, we might never know what caused it to act in this way. And our remit is to know. No?"

She turns to Krai,

Granarctian

"Can you point us towards those houses the bear entered? If it's been in more than one, there might be some kind of hidden pattern to its actions"

 

Edited September 14, 2023 by Inquisitor D (see edit history)

[The Eyeball Kid]

Crastug crooks a smile. "I believe the expression is 'Don't poke a sleeping bear', which seems moot at this point. But I do agree, we should probably try to gather more information before heading out after the creature."

ooc

Not sure which skill would be fruitful, but Crastug as a +8 to arcana, occultism and underworld lore checks and +6 to religion to try and identify that symbol the headman just described. He has a +10 to Society as well, though that seems less likely to be relevant.

 

Statblock

Crastug Cold (Investigator 2) | Character Sheet

---

NG | Medium | Human | Half-Orc | Humanoid

Perception +8; Low-Light Vision Darkvision
Languages Common, Dwarven, Elven, Goblin, Granarctian, Taskan, Retulian
Skills Acrobatics +2/1, Arcana +8, Athletics +4/3, Crafting +8, Deception +4, Diplomacy +0, Intimidation +4, Lore: Poisons +8, Lore: Underworld +8, Medicine +6, Nature +6, Occultism +8, Performance +0, Religion +6, Society +10, Stealth +6/5, Survival +2, Thievery +6/5
Str +0, Dex +2, Con +1, Int +4, Wis +2, Cha +0
Items Studded Leather, Backpack, Bedroll, Chalk (10), Flint and Steel, Rope, Rations (2), Torch (5), Waterskin, Soap, Alchemist's Tools, Bolts (20), Formula Book, Crowbar, Thieves' Tools, Grappling Hook, Extra Lockpicks, Polytool, Playing Cards, Predictable Silver Piece, Simple Manacles, Wooden Shield (Hardness 3, HP 12, BT 6)
Infused Items: Tanglefoot Bag (2), Elixir of Life (2), Junk Bomb w. Giant Centipede Venom (2), Bottled Lightning (2), Eagle-Eye Elixir (2)

---

AC 18 (+20 with shield raised); Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8
HP 26
Clue In Frequency once per 10 minutes
Trigger Another creature attempts a check to investigate a lead you're pursuing. You share information with the triggering creature. They gain a circumstance bonus to their check equal to your circumstance bonus to checks investigating your subject from Pursue a Lead. The GM can add any relevant traits to this reaction depending on the situation, such as auditory and linguistic if you're conveying information verbally.

---

Speed 25 feet
Melee Rapier +6/8 (Deadly d8, Disarm, Finesse), Damage 1d6 P
Melee Dagger (3) +6/8 (Agile, Finesse, Thrown 10 ft., Versatile S), Damage 1d4 P
Melee Sap +4/8 (Agile, Nonlethal), Damage 1d6 B
Melee Polytool +4, Damage 1d6 S
Ranged Crossbow +6/8 (Crossbow), Damage 1d8 P
Expeditious Inspection  (Investigator) Frequency once per 10 minutes
You observe and assess your surroundings with great speed. You Recall Knowledge,Seek, or Sense Motive.
Devise a Stratagem  (Concentrate, Fortune, Investigator) Frequency once per round
You assess a foe's weaknesses in combat and use them to formulate a plan of attack against your enemy. Choose a creature you can see and roll a d20. If you Strike the chosen creature later this round, you must use the result of the roll you made to Devise a Stratagem for your Strike's attack roll instead of rolling. You make this substitution only for the first Strike you make against the creature this round, not any subsequent attacks.

When you make this substitution, you can also add your Intelligence modifier to your attack roll instead of your Strength or Dexterity modifier, provided your Strike uses an agile or finesse melee weapon, an agile or finesse unarmed attack, a ranged weapon (which must be agile or finesse if it's a melee weapon with the thrown trait), or a sap.

If you're aware that the creature you choose is the subject of a lead you're pursuing, you can use this ability as a free action.
Precision Damage Strategic Strike 1d6
Formula Book Tanglefoot Bag (Lesser),Dread Ampoule (Lesser), Antidote (Lesser), Junk Bomb (Lesser), Giant Centipede Venom, Elixir of Life (Minor), Bottled Lightning (Lesser), Eagle Eye Elixir (Lesser)
Additional Feats Alchemical Crafting, Alchemist Dedication, Forensic Acumen, Half-Orc, Orc Sight, Red Herring, Streetwise, That's Odd, Underworld Investigator
Additional Specials Infused Reagents (Archetype), Methodology (Empiricism), On the Case, Pursue a Lead, Strategic Strike

 

Edited September 14, 2023 by The Eyeball Kid (see edit history)

[Rakle]

 

Vega accepts her food with a smile and simply thank-you to the girl. She eats some of the porridge while listening to the discussions. After drinking most of her ale, she rejoins the discussion .

Granarctian

What are your stories about the bear? Does she guard anything? It seems like the bear is looking for something that was stolen from it.

 

 

Mechanics

Stats:

Vega  AC16/20/21 HP32/32  F+8 R+6 W+8  Perc+6Darkvision Med& Ath +8  Hero pt:1 Mv 25'/20' Unarmed +8 d6+4 or d8+4forceful Class DC18

Notable Effects

Flurry of blows: Make two unarmed Strikes. If both hit the same creature, combine their damage for the purpose of resistances and weaknesses. Apply your multiple attack penalty to the Strikes normally. As it has the flourish trait, you can use Flurry of Blows only once per turn

Stunning Fist DC(18): The focused power of your flurry threatens to overwhelm your opponent. When you target the same creature with two Strikes from your Flurry of Blows, you can try to stun the creature. If either Strike hits and deals damage, the target must succeed at a Fortitude save against your class DC or be stunned 1 (or stunned 3 on a critical failure). This is an incapacitation effect

Actions

 

 

OOC

 

 

 

[Starhawk]

 

Circe the Witch

Circe Witch 2 (Rune)

---

Neutral Elf (Ancient Elf) Sacred Circle Worshipper

Perception +5; Low-Light Vision (4x range)

Languages Granartican (native), Elven, Taskan, Draconic, Retulian, Fey

Skills Acrobatics +7, Arcana +8, Athletics +0, Crafting +8, Deception +4, Lore: Regional +8, Medicine +5, Nature +5, Religion +5, Society +8, Stealth +7
Str +0, Dex +3, Con +1, Int +4, Wis +1, Cha +0
Items Dagger, Light Crossbow, Backpack, Bedroll, Chalk (10), Flint and Steel, Rope, Rations (2), Torch (5), Waterskin, Soap, Alchemist's Tools, Bolts (20), Formula Book, Eye Slash (see 4x further)

Infused Items: Peshpine Grenade (2), Elixir of Life (2), Cheetah's Elixir (2), Ghost Charge (2), Serene Mutagen (2)

---

AC 17 Fort +5 Ref +7, Will +7 HP 20

---

Speed 35 feet

Melee Dagger +6 (Agile, Finesse, Thrown 10 ft., Versatile S), Damage 1d4 P
Ranged Crossbow +6 (Crossbow), Damage 1d8 P

Arcane Prepared Spells DC 18, attack 8; 

1st Charm 1 , Sleep 1, Grease 1, Burning Hands 0;

Cantrips Mage Hand, Electric Arc, Shield, Dancing Lights, Ghost Sound
 

Focus Spells (2 points) Discern Secrets Range 30 feet; Targets 1 creature 

Duration sustained up to 1 minute You call upon your patron's power to better uncover secrets. When you Cast the Spell, the target can Recall Knowledge, Seek, or Sense Motive. The target gains a +1 status bonus to the skill or Perception used for the roll, and this bonus remains as long as you Sustain the Spell. The target is temporarily immune to discern secrets for 1 minute. Heightened (5th) You can target two creatures instead of one.
Phase Familiar Range 60 feet; Targets your familiar

You draw upon your patron's power to momentarily shift your familiar from its solid, physical form into an ephemeral version of itself shaped of mist. Your familiar gains resistance 5 to all damage and is immune to precision damage. These apply only against the triggering damage. Heightened (+1) Increase the resistance by 2.
Elemental Betrayal Range 30 feet; Targets 1 creature Duration sustained up to 1 minute

You call upon the elements to undermine your foe. When you Cast this Spell, choose air, earth, fire, or water. Each time the target takes damage from a spell or effect with the chosen trait, it takes an additional 2 damage of one damage type dealt by the spell or effect. If you chose fire or water, the target also takes this additional damage when taking fire or cold damage, respectively, from effects or spells without the chosen trait. Heightened (+2) Increase the additional damage by 1.
Formula Book Peshpine Grenade (Lesser), Energy Mutagen (Lesser), Antidote (Lesser), Ghost Charge (Lesser), Antiplague (Lesser), Elixir of Life (Minor), Serene Mutagen (Lesser), Cheetah's Elixir (Lesser)
Additional Feats Alchemical Crafting, Alchemist Dedication, Basic Lesson, Nimble Elf, Specialty Crafting, Streetwise
Additional Specials Basic Lesson (Lesson of the Elements), Familiar, Hexes, Infused Reagents (Archetype), Patron (Rune), Witch Spellcasting

Owl Familiar "Peek"

Size Tiny HP10 AC17

Fort+4 Ref+2 Will +6

Perception +10 (Low Light Vision/Darkvision) Acrobatics +6 Stealth +10

Flight (25'), Darkvision, Speech

 

Circe seems delighted at the attention, shaking off her customary severity to reveal a big happy smile. She mixes freely and widely, tells stories from her part of Granartica, which is by the ocean and of the ships which come and go from there, not speaking of her foreign travels, aside from tales of flying in an airship.

 'Circe' 

Circe Character Sheet

Current Conditions -

Quick Stats: AC 17 Fort +5 Ref +7, Will +7 HP 20 Perception +5 Low Light (4x normal range)

Favorite Reactions Phase Familiar Focus Spell 60' range , triggered when familiar would take damage

OOC Messages -

 

[omegoku]

Eireann Eireann Nailo Elf Rogue 2 HP: 26/26 | AC: 19 | Speed: 30ft | Hero: 1/3  Perception: +6 | Fort: +6 | Ref: +10 | Will: +6  StatisticsStr +1 Dex +4 Con +2 Int +0 Wis +0 Cha +1 Languages: Common, Draconic, Elven Attacks: -Rapier: +8/+3/-2 1d6+4 Piercing • Deadly d8, Disarm, Finesse -Dagger +8/+4/+0 Damage: 1d4+4 Piercing • Agile, Finesse, Thrown 10ft, Versatile S -Shortbow +8/+3/-2 Damage: 1d6 Piercing &Bull Deadly d10 Range 60ft -Unarmed Strike +8/+4/+0 Damage: 1d4+4 Bludgeon • Agile, Finesse, Non-lethal, Unarmed Cantrips: Guidance, Mage Hand, Detect Magic | Equipment Consumables: Wooden Shield Thieves' Tools Dragoon Badge Adventurer's Pack: -Bedroll -10x Chalk, Flint &Steel, Soap, Waterskin -Rope (50ft) -5x Torch -Climbing Kit Armour: -Leather armour Coins : 5gp 18sp | AbilitiesClass: -Rogue's Racket: Thief -Sneak Attack -Surprise Attack -Animal Companion -Tumble Behind -Minor Magic: Occult Ancestry: -Nimble Elf -Seer Elf Skill: -Assurance: Athletics -Pickpocket -Quiet Allies Other: -Acrobat Dedication | SkillsAcrobatics: +10 (E) Arcana: +5 (T) Athletics: +5 (T) Crafting: +1 Deception: +5 (T) Diplomacy: +1 Lore (Farming): +5 (T) Intimidate: +5 (T) Medicine: +0 Nature: +0 Occultism: +5 (T) Performance: +1 Religion: +4 (T) Society: +5 (T) Stealth: +10 (E) Survival: +4 (T) Thievery: +8 (T) Conditions :

Eireann did remember the book. Something from years ago, before he spent his time farming. He spoke it in a different accent to his own, like he had learned it rote.

"The Book of Calculations is one of several canonical texts in the Sacred Circle. It's over 750 pages long."

He was then distracted by the ale and porridge, which he dug into with gusto. A mouthful of ale and then more digging in. He didn't speak again until he was scraping the sides of the bowl with his spoon, eagerly catching what porridge remained.

"The bear is breaking in and upturning the houses? Could be one of the travellers is a shapeshifter. Either a druid, a werebear, or some other person's trained animal. I knew a ranger who travelled with a wolf and that thing was smarter than both him and myself. Better manners too."

He left out a small burp as he placed the bowl by his foot, and drained his ale. He told the princess to give his complements to the chef.

 

Eireann has +5 to Arcana/Occult or +4 to religion to try to recall something about magic animals, or shapeshifters.

[Starhawk]

 

Circe the Witch

Circe Witch 2 (Rune)

---

Neutral Elf (Ancient Elf) Sacred Circle Worshipper

Perception +5; Low-Light Vision (4x range)

Languages Granartican (native), Elven, Taskan, Draconic, Retulian, Fey

Skills Acrobatics +7, Arcana +8, Athletics +0, Crafting +8, Deception +4, Lore: Regional +8, Medicine +5, Nature +5, Religion +5, Society +8, Stealth +7
Str +0, Dex +3, Con +1, Int +4, Wis +1, Cha +0
Items Dagger, Light Crossbow, Backpack, Bedroll, Chalk (10), Flint and Steel, Rope, Rations (2), Torch (5), Waterskin, Soap, Alchemist's Tools, Bolts (20), Formula Book, Eye Slash (see 4x further)

Infused Items: Peshpine Grenade (2), Elixir of Life (2), Cheetah's Elixir (2), Ghost Charge (2), Serene Mutagen (2)

---

AC 17 Fort +5 Ref +7, Will +7 HP 20

---

Speed 35 feet

Melee Dagger +6 (Agile, Finesse, Thrown 10 ft., Versatile S), Damage 1d4 P
Ranged Crossbow +6 (Crossbow), Damage 1d8 P

Arcane Prepared Spells DC 18, attack 8; 

1st Charm 1 , Sleep 1, Grease 1, Burning Hands 0;

Cantrips Mage Hand, Electric Arc, Shield, Dancing Lights, Ghost Sound
 

Focus Spells (2 points) Discern Secrets Range 30 feet; Targets 1 creature 

Duration sustained up to 1 minute You call upon your patron's power to better uncover secrets. When you Cast the Spell, the target can Recall Knowledge, Seek, or Sense Motive. The target gains a +1 status bonus to the skill or Perception used for the roll, and this bonus remains as long as you Sustain the Spell. The target is temporarily immune to discern secrets for 1 minute. Heightened (5th) You can target two creatures instead of one.
Phase Familiar Range 60 feet; Targets your familiar

You draw upon your patron's power to momentarily shift your familiar from its solid, physical form into an ephemeral version of itself shaped of mist. Your familiar gains resistance 5 to all damage and is immune to precision damage. These apply only against the triggering damage. Heightened (+1) Increase the resistance by 2.
Elemental Betrayal Range 30 feet; Targets 1 creature Duration sustained up to 1 minute

You call upon the elements to undermine your foe. When you Cast this Spell, choose air, earth, fire, or water. Each time the target takes damage from a spell or effect with the chosen trait, it takes an additional 2 damage of one damage type dealt by the spell or effect. If you chose fire or water, the target also takes this additional damage when taking fire or cold damage, respectively, from effects or spells without the chosen trait. Heightened (+2) Increase the additional damage by 1.
Formula Book Peshpine Grenade (Lesser), Energy Mutagen (Lesser), Antidote (Lesser), Ghost Charge (Lesser), Antiplague (Lesser), Elixir of Life (Minor), Serene Mutagen (Lesser), Cheetah's Elixir (Lesser)
Additional Feats Alchemical Crafting, Alchemist Dedication, Basic Lesson, Nimble Elf, Specialty Crafting, Streetwise
Additional Specials Basic Lesson (Lesson of the Elements), Familiar, Hexes, Infused Reagents (Archetype), Patron (Rune), Witch Spellcasting

Owl Familiar "Peek"

Size Tiny HP10 AC17

Fort+4 Ref+2 Will +6

Perception +10 (Low Light Vision/Darkvision) Acrobatics +6 Stealth +10

Flight (25'), Darkvision, Speech

Circe. having mentioned the possibility on the airship that the bear acting, well not like a bear, might not be a bear in point of fact, raises an amused eyebrow at someone else eventually coming to the same possibility. She recalled her query as regards silver had also fallen on deaf ears.

 'Circe' 

Circe Character Sheet

Current Conditions -

Quick Stats: AC 17 Fort +5 Ref +7, Will +7 HP 20 Perception +5 Low Light (4x normal range)

Favorite Reactions Phase Familiar Focus Spell 60' range , triggered when familiar would take damage

OOC Messages -

 

Edited September 15, 2023 by Starhawk (see edit history)

[Inquisitor D]

Nova by contrast looks a touch dispirited by Eireann's words. The explanation of the Book of Calculations makes her twitch a little, tensing for just a second and glancing up towards the ceiling, like a group of feathered assassins are roosting up there. But it's the potential explanations for the bear's behavior that strike a deeper chord in her soul. She sighs.

"That is... probably the logical starting point for this investigation." Concession given, the princess mutters under her breath, "But I can still hope for an adorable bear thief, trying to find medicine for his sick father, darn it!"

You never know what the truth is until all the facts are out there, right? And now that she thinks about it...

Nova hums, a new thought striking her.

"The pattern doesn't fit though, at least not to my mind. Even if we assume these are essentially mortal malfesants, why try and break into normal houses in a normal village? What would they be hoping to gain? This is oddly covert and complicated for what seems like it'd be more akin to simple banditry."

It arguably feels more like it was a bear. An animal searching for something, not being sure where to start... that fit better. Though the strangers could be important. And that arrow mark one bore...

OOC

Nova's gonna try and recall knowledge on the arrow symbol. That design suggests it might come from some kind of military band, and she's got Lore: Warfare at 8. (And if it's another group, Society, Occultism and Arcana are also 8)

 

Edited September 15, 2023 by Inquisitor D (see edit history)

[Starhawk]

 

Circe the Witch

Circe Witch 2 (Rune)

---

Neutral Elf (Ancient Elf) Sacred Circle Worshipper

Perception +5; Low-Light Vision (4x range)

Languages Granartican (native), Elven, Taskan, Draconic, Retulian, Fey

Skills Acrobatics +7, Arcana +8, Athletics +0, Crafting +8, Deception +4, Lore: Regional +8, Medicine +5, Nature +5, Religion +5, Society +8, Stealth +7
Str +0, Dex +3, Con +1, Int +4, Wis +1, Cha +0
Items Dagger, Light Crossbow, Backpack, Bedroll, Chalk (10), Flint and Steel, Rope, Rations (2), Torch (5), Waterskin, Soap, Alchemist's Tools, Bolts (20), Formula Book, Eye Slash (see 4x further)

Infused Items: Peshpine Grenade (2), Elixir of Life (2), Cheetah's Elixir (2), Ghost Charge (2), Serene Mutagen (2)

---

AC 17 Fort +5 Ref +7, Will +7 HP 20

---

Speed 35 feet

Melee Dagger +6 (Agile, Finesse, Thrown 10 ft., Versatile S), Damage 1d4 P
Ranged Crossbow +6 (Crossbow), Damage 1d8 P

Arcane Prepared Spells DC 18, attack 8; 

1st Charm 1 , Sleep 1, Grease 1, Burning Hands 0;

Cantrips Mage Hand, Electric Arc, Shield, Dancing Lights, Ghost Sound
 

Focus Spells (2 points) Discern Secrets Range 30 feet; Targets 1 creature 

Duration sustained up to 1 minute You call upon your patron's power to better uncover secrets. When you Cast the Spell, the target can Recall Knowledge, Seek, or Sense Motive. The target gains a +1 status bonus to the skill or Perception used for the roll, and this bonus remains as long as you Sustain the Spell. The target is temporarily immune to discern secrets for 1 minute. Heightened (5th) You can target two creatures instead of one.
Phase Familiar Range 60 feet; Targets your familiar

You draw upon your patron's power to momentarily shift your familiar from its solid, physical form into an ephemeral version of itself shaped of mist. Your familiar gains resistance 5 to all damage and is immune to precision damage. These apply only against the triggering damage. Heightened (+1) Increase the resistance by 2.
Elemental Betrayal Range 30 feet; Targets 1 creature Duration sustained up to 1 minute

You call upon the elements to undermine your foe. When you Cast this Spell, choose air, earth, fire, or water. Each time the target takes damage from a spell or effect with the chosen trait, it takes an additional 2 damage of one damage type dealt by the spell or effect. If you chose fire or water, the target also takes this additional damage when taking fire or cold damage, respectively, from effects or spells without the chosen trait. Heightened (+2) Increase the additional damage by 1.
Formula Book Peshpine Grenade (Lesser), Energy Mutagen (Lesser), Antidote (Lesser), Ghost Charge (Lesser), Antiplague (Lesser), Elixir of Life (Minor), Serene Mutagen (Lesser), Cheetah's Elixir (Lesser)
Additional Feats Alchemical Crafting, Alchemist Dedication, Basic Lesson, Nimble Elf, Specialty Crafting, Streetwise
Additional Specials Basic Lesson (Lesson of the Elements), Familiar, Hexes, Infused Reagents (Archetype), Patron (Rune), Witch Spellcasting

Owl Familiar "Peek"

Size Tiny HP10 AC17

Fort+4 Ref+2 Will +6

Perception +10 (Low Light Vision/Darkvision) Acrobatics +6 Stealth +10

Flight (25'), Darkvision, Speech

While nothing could be certain, it seemed to Circe that it was at the very least a possibility that the travellers who'd passed through had taken something they shouldn't have and the bear, offspring at a guess, if bear it was, was in pursuit. Quietly she pondered the meaning of the symbol the headman had described. She brings her suspicions to Crastug.. "If ye have booklearning, I have a spell that can help recall something of note.", she murmurs to him.

 'Circe' 

Circe Character Sheet

Current Conditions -

Quick Stats: AC 17 Fort +5 Ref +7, Will +7 HP 20 Perception +5 Low Light (4x normal range)

Favorite Reactions Phase Familiar Focus Spell 60' range , triggered when familiar would take damage

OOC Messages -

 

[foltor]

Granarctian addressing Vega

"Stories about the bear? You mean like 'Little Gold-Hair and the Porridge'? In reality, bears guard their cubs, and little else. They don't have stores of treasure or even food, though they can be territorial, I suppose."

Popova snorts at Nova's obvious flattery.

 

[The Eyeball Kid]

"That does sound useful, thank you", Crastug tells Circe. "But in this case I don't need help remembering this symbol. My benefactor and mentor, the detective Eizeim Dahle, made many enemies over his long career, but chief among them was the criminal mastermind and warlock, Ordhol Zeh. I've seen that symbol on correspondence addressed to Zeh. It has also been associated with several seemingly random crimes around the city of Amidon: the theft of relics from a Sacred Circle sanctuary, the vandalism of a school of magic, and the murder of a gang leader. Seemingly nothing ties these crimes together except the presence of that symbol at each scene."

"It does seem that the bear is looking for something. The contents of the houses are seemingly of little material worth. I wonder if something of significance to the bearers of that sigil might have been hidden here...."

Granarctian

"Have you ever had outsider's settle here or visit for an extended period? Or someone who disappeared suddenly? If so, where did they stay?"

 

Statblock

Crastug Cold (Investigator 2) | Character Sheet

---

NG | Medium | Human | Half-Orc | Humanoid

Perception +8; Low-Light Vision Darkvision
Languages Common, Dwarven, Elven, Goblin, Granarctian, Taskan, Retulian
Skills Acrobatics +2/1, Arcana +8, Athletics +4/3, Crafting +8, Deception +4, Diplomacy +0, Intimidation +4, Lore: Poisons +8, Lore: Underworld +8, Medicine +6, Nature +6, Occultism +8, Performance +0, Religion +6, Society +10, Stealth +6/5, Survival +2, Thievery +6/5
Str +0, Dex +2, Con +1, Int +4, Wis +2, Cha +0
Items Studded Leather, Backpack, Bedroll, Chalk (10), Flint and Steel, Rope, Rations (2), Torch (5), Waterskin, Soap, Alchemist's Tools, Bolts (20), Formula Book, Crowbar, Thieves' Tools, Grappling Hook, Extra Lockpicks, Polytool, Playing Cards, Predictable Silver Piece, Simple Manacles, Wooden Shield (Hardness 3, HP 12, BT 6)
Infused Items: Tanglefoot Bag (2), Elixir of Life (2), Junk Bomb w. Giant Centipede Venom (2), Bottled Lightning (2), Eagle-Eye Elixir (2)

---

AC 18 (+20 with shield raised); Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8
HP 26
Clue In Frequency once per 10 minutes
Trigger Another creature attempts a check to investigate a lead you're pursuing. You share information with the triggering creature. They gain a circumstance bonus to their check equal to your circumstance bonus to checks investigating your subject from Pursue a Lead. The GM can add any relevant traits to this reaction depending on the situation, such as auditory and linguistic if you're conveying information verbally.

---

Speed 25 feet
Melee Rapier +6/8 (Deadly d8, Disarm, Finesse), Damage 1d6 P
Melee Dagger (3) +6/8 (Agile, Finesse, Thrown 10 ft., Versatile S), Damage 1d4 P
Melee Sap +4/8 (Agile, Nonlethal), Damage 1d6 B
Melee Polytool +4, Damage 1d6 S
Ranged Crossbow +6/8 (Crossbow), Damage 1d8 P
Expeditious Inspection  (Investigator) Frequency once per 10 minutes
You observe and assess your surroundings with great speed. You Recall Knowledge,Seek, or Sense Motive.
Devise a Stratagem  (Concentrate, Fortune, Investigator) Frequency once per round
You assess a foe's weaknesses in combat and use them to formulate a plan of attack against your enemy. Choose a creature you can see and roll a d20. If you Strike the chosen creature later this round, you must use the result of the roll you made to Devise a Stratagem for your Strike's attack roll instead of rolling. You make this substitution only for the first Strike you make against the creature this round, not any subsequent attacks.

When you make this substitution, you can also add your Intelligence modifier to your attack roll instead of your Strength or Dexterity modifier, provided your Strike uses an agile or finesse melee weapon, an agile or finesse unarmed attack, a ranged weapon (which must be agile or finesse if it's a melee weapon with the thrown trait), or a sap.

If you're aware that the creature you choose is the subject of a lead you're pursuing, you can use this ability as a free action.
Precision Damage Strategic Strike 1d6
Formula Book Tanglefoot Bag (Lesser),Dread Ampoule (Lesser), Antidote (Lesser), Junk Bomb (Lesser), Giant Centipede Venom, Elixir of Life (Minor), Bottled Lightning (Lesser), Eagle Eye Elixir (Lesser)
Additional Feats Alchemical Crafting, Alchemist Dedication, Forensic Acumen, Half-Orc, Orc Sight, Red Herring, Streetwise, That's Odd, Underworld Investigator
Additional Specials Infused Reagents (Archetype), Methodology (Empiricism), On the Case, Pursue a Lead, Strategic Strike

 

[Starhawk]

 

Circe the Witch

Circe Witch 2 (Rune)

---

Neutral Elf (Ancient Elf) Sacred Circle Worshipper

Perception +5; Low-Light Vision (4x range)

Languages Granartican (native), Elven, Taskan, Draconic, Retulian, Fey

Skills Acrobatics +7, Arcana +8, Athletics +0, Crafting +8, Deception +4, Lore: Regional +8, Medicine +5, Nature +5, Religion +5, Society +8, Stealth +7
Str +0, Dex +3, Con +1, Int +4, Wis +1, Cha +0
Items Dagger, Light Crossbow, Backpack, Bedroll, Chalk (10), Flint and Steel, Rope, Rations (2), Torch (5), Waterskin, Soap, Alchemist's Tools, Bolts (20), Formula Book, Eye Slash (see 4x further)

Infused Items: Peshpine Grenade (2), Elixir of Life (2), Cheetah's Elixir (2), Ghost Charge (2), Serene Mutagen (2)

---

AC 17 Fort +5 Ref +7, Will +7 HP 20

---

Speed 35 feet

Melee Dagger +6 (Agile, Finesse, Thrown 10 ft., Versatile S), Damage 1d4 P
Ranged Crossbow +6 (Crossbow), Damage 1d8 P

Arcane Prepared Spells DC 18, attack 8; 

1st Charm 1 , Sleep 1, Grease 1, Burning Hands 0;

Cantrips Mage Hand, Electric Arc, Shield, Dancing Lights, Ghost Sound
 

Focus Spells (2 points) Discern Secrets Range 30 feet; Targets 1 creature 

Duration sustained up to 1 minute You call upon your patron's power to better uncover secrets. When you Cast the Spell, the target can Recall Knowledge, Seek, or Sense Motive. The target gains a +1 status bonus to the skill or Perception used for the roll, and this bonus remains as long as you Sustain the Spell. The target is temporarily immune to discern secrets for 1 minute. Heightened (5th) You can target two creatures instead of one.
Phase Familiar Range 60 feet; Targets your familiar

You draw upon your patron's power to momentarily shift your familiar from its solid, physical form into an ephemeral version of itself shaped of mist. Your familiar gains resistance 5 to all damage and is immune to precision damage. These apply only against the triggering damage. Heightened (+1) Increase the resistance by 2.
Elemental Betrayal Range 30 feet; Targets 1 creature Duration sustained up to 1 minute

You call upon the elements to undermine your foe. When you Cast this Spell, choose air, earth, fire, or water. Each time the target takes damage from a spell or effect with the chosen trait, it takes an additional 2 damage of one damage type dealt by the spell or effect. If you chose fire or water, the target also takes this additional damage when taking fire or cold damage, respectively, from effects or spells without the chosen trait. Heightened (+2) Increase the additional damage by 1.
Formula Book Peshpine Grenade (Lesser), Energy Mutagen (Lesser), Antidote (Lesser), Ghost Charge (Lesser), Antiplague (Lesser), Elixir of Life (Minor), Serene Mutagen (Lesser), Cheetah's Elixir (Lesser)
Additional Feats Alchemical Crafting, Alchemist Dedication, Basic Lesson, Nimble Elf, Specialty Crafting, Streetwise
Additional Specials Basic Lesson (Lesson of the Elements), Familiar, Hexes, Infused Reagents (Archetype), Patron (Rune), Witch Spellcasting

Owl Familiar "Peek"

Size Tiny HP10 AC17

Fort+4 Ref+2 Will +6

Perception +10 (Low Light Vision/Darkvision) Acrobatics +6 Stealth +10

Flight (25'), Darkvision, Speech

"Well then, let's take a look at somewhere where we can pick up the trail.", she replies in elven, her tone businesslike and pragmatic, to Crastug. She ponders the locals will perhaps ooh and ah a little at her choice of language, so she doubted she'd give offence.

 'Circe' 

Circe Character Sheet

Current Conditions -

Quick Stats: AC 17 Fort +5 Ref +7, Will +7 HP 20 Perception +5 Low Light (4x normal range)

Favorite Reactions Phase Familiar Focus Spell 60' range , triggered when familiar would take damage

OOC Messages -

 

[foltor]

Granarctian addressing Crastug

"None that I can think of. "

[Rakle]

 

Vega's eyes narrow in annoyance for moment when he mentions children stories. She lets her annoyance fade while the others talk. She finishes her ale before speaking in common "Lets go talk to Terast". She suggests. Then she speaks to Primor.

Granarctian

Thank-you for the food and drink. We will be going to visit Terast. Can you point us in the direction of his cabin?

Rising, she readies her clothing for going back outside into the cold.

 

Mechanics

Stats:

Vega  AC16/20/21 HP32/32  F+8 R+6 W+8  Perc+6Darkvision Med& Ath +8  Hero pt:1 Mv 25'/20' Unarmed +8 d6+4 or d8+4forceful Class DC18

Notable Effects

Flurry of blows: Make two unarmed Strikes. If both hit the same creature, combine their damage for the purpose of resistances and weaknesses. Apply your multiple attack penalty to the Strikes normally. As it has the flourish trait, you can use Flurry of Blows only once per turn

Stunning Fist DC(18): The focused power of your flurry threatens to overwhelm your opponent. When you target the same creature with two Strikes from your Flurry of Blows, you can try to stun the creature. If either Strike hits and deals damage, the target must succeed at a Fortitude save against your class DC or be stunned 1 (or stunned 3 on a critical failure). This is an incapacitation effect

Actions

 

 

OOC

 

 

 

[Starhawk]

 

Circe the Witch

Circe Witch 2 (Rune)

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Neutral Elf (Ancient Elf) Sacred Circle Worshipper

Perception +5; Low-Light Vision (4x range)

Languages Granartican (native), Elven, Taskan, Draconic, Retulian, Fey

Skills Acrobatics +7, Arcana +8, Athletics +0, Crafting +8, Deception +4, Lore: Regional +8, Medicine +5, Nature +5, Religion +5, Society +8, Stealth +7
Str +0, Dex +3, Con +1, Int +4, Wis +1, Cha +0
Items Dagger, Light Crossbow, Backpack, Bedroll, Chalk (10), Flint and Steel, Rope, Rations (2), Torch (5), Waterskin, Soap, Alchemist's Tools, Bolts (20), Formula Book, Eye Slash (see 4x further)

Infused Items: Peshpine Grenade (2), Elixir of Life (2), Cheetah's Elixir (2), Ghost Charge (2), Serene Mutagen (2)

---

AC 17 Fort +5 Ref +7, Will +7 HP 20

---

Speed 35 feet

Melee Dagger +6 (Agile, Finesse, Thrown 10 ft., Versatile S), Damage 1d4 P
Ranged Crossbow +6 (Crossbow), Damage 1d8 P

Arcane Prepared Spells DC 18, attack 8; 

1st Charm 1 , Sleep 1, Grease 1, Burning Hands 0;

Cantrips Mage Hand, Electric Arc, Shield, Dancing Lights, Ghost Sound
 

Focus Spells (2 points) Discern Secrets Range 30 feet; Targets 1 creature 

Duration sustained up to 1 minute You call upon your patron's power to better uncover secrets. When you Cast the Spell, the target can Recall Knowledge, Seek, or Sense Motive. The target gains a +1 status bonus to the skill or Perception used for the roll, and this bonus remains as long as you Sustain the Spell. The target is temporarily immune to discern secrets for 1 minute. Heightened (5th) You can target two creatures instead of one.
Phase Familiar Range 60 feet; Targets your familiar

You draw upon your patron's power to momentarily shift your familiar from its solid, physical form into an ephemeral version of itself shaped of mist. Your familiar gains resistance 5 to all damage and is immune to precision damage. These apply only against the triggering damage. Heightened (+1) Increase the resistance by 2.
Elemental Betrayal Range 30 feet; Targets 1 creature Duration sustained up to 1 minute

You call upon the elements to undermine your foe. When you Cast this Spell, choose air, earth, fire, or water. Each time the target takes damage from a spell or effect with the chosen trait, it takes an additional 2 damage of one damage type dealt by the spell or effect. If you chose fire or water, the target also takes this additional damage when taking fire or cold damage, respectively, from effects or spells without the chosen trait. Heightened (+2) Increase the additional damage by 1.
Formula Book Peshpine Grenade (Lesser), Energy Mutagen (Lesser), Antidote (Lesser), Ghost Charge (Lesser), Antiplague (Lesser), Elixir of Life (Minor), Serene Mutagen (Lesser), Cheetah's Elixir (Lesser)
Additional Feats Alchemical Crafting, Alchemist Dedication, Basic Lesson, Nimble Elf, Specialty Crafting, Streetwise
Additional Specials Basic Lesson (Lesson of the Elements), Familiar, Hexes, Infused Reagents (Archetype), Patron (Rune), Witch Spellcasting

Owl Familiar "Peek"

Size Tiny HP10 AC17

Fort+4 Ref+2 Will +6

Perception +10 (Low Light Vision/Darkvision) Acrobatics +6 Stealth +10

Flight (25'), Darkvision, Speech

Circe kisses another kid for luck then follows after Vega.

 'Circe' 

Circe Character Sheet

Current Conditions -

Quick Stats: AC 17 Fort +5 Ref +7, Will +7 HP 20 Perception +5 Low Light (4x normal range)

Favorite Reactions Phase Familiar Focus Spell 60' range , triggered when familiar would take damage

OOC Messages -