[IC] The Delivery Quest, Part 2

May 9, 2022 7:30 pm
Yarbi nods, then begins to lead onward following the path to the left, north west.

Yarbi looks to @Beartrand, "Well, 'north' is the 'dark forest.' And I've witnessed some enormous bears in the forest from a distance..."

He gulps "But I sure hope we don't encounter one face to face."

Yarbi grabs a bit of dried food from his pack, which he begins to nibble on; but he continues marching...

Eventually, there's a sudden shift in the mood of the forest. There is a chilly drop in temperature and the forest almost feels more, enchanted...

There are now several red and white-spotted mushrooms' along either side of the path.

https://i.imgur.com/7homDuQ.jpg

Yarbi whispers "Is it just me, or did any of you see one of those mushrooms move just now?", but keeps moving cautiously; the travel seems safe and uneventful otherwise.

Just past the mushroom patch, everyone reaches another split in the trail. One trail turns sharply westward, the other ends at a murky river by a small house. There's an old wooden sign with arrows standing right where the road splits. The sign to the west has faded and is no longer readable, the other arrow points north and reads "Ferry".

https://i.imgur.com/bCw5ekm.jpg

Yarbi comments "According to the map, there may be a small village somewhere west of here. Perhaps that's what the westward arrow once showed."

Standing by a Ferry boat on the dock, is a tall but very pale and bald gentleman with an oar in his hand.

It is now about mid-afternoon.

https://i.imgur.com/3fGRSUR.jpg

What does everyone do?
May 9, 2022 7:59 pm
Ivario gets a shiver down his spine when the temperature drops. He takes the scarf, that was dangling from his neck under his coat, and wraps it more warmly around his neck. He takes a moment to look at the mushrooms. "Hmm... I don't see any movement. Might have been a trick of the light." He looks up at the forest canopy. "Speaking of light, the woods are getting pretty thick. I can't tell which way the sun is."

When they get to the fork in the road, Ivario is mostly interested in the person he can see in the distance. "Should I go and ask that man over there? In my experience, it's always worthwhile to gather some information from the locals." He looks over to the shack by the river. "Perhaps he would be willing to share a meal with us."
May 9, 2022 9:33 pm
Bears! Bears in the forest! and visible, too! Let us hurry to the dark forest.

Beartrand seems eager to meet the bears. He cannot think of anything else and doesn't pay attention to the FFerry orthe town, still murmuring for himself.

Bears, why it had to be bears, why not some nice bunnies or deer? We have to finich this quest sson or I will run waway with far; run where there is bears everywhere!
May 9, 2022 10:01 pm
"I'm not trying to upset you Beartrand, but I think it would be best if we don't run into any bears. They can be dangerous, you know!" Ivario tries to calm down Beartrand's enthousiasm. "I hope you're not going to go looking for them, are you?"
May 10, 2022 5:06 am
No, no, I am not looking bears, just eager to finish this quest !
May 10, 2022 6:51 am
"Finish it?!" Esther exclaims, adjusting her pack on her narrow shoulders, "But we've only just started, Beartrand. Just started our journey, our adventure, our tale. Is there anything better than this?" The girl spreads her arms wide. "All of this!? An enchanted forest, a mysterious ferryman?!"
Last edited May 11, 2022 5:46 am

Yarbi

sean_don4

May 10, 2022 7:25 am
Yarbi

Yarbi senses that Beartrand may be getting a tad anxious about the unknowns that lurk in the forest,

"Don't worry, Beartrand. At least we needn't worry about bears at the moment. I don't see any around right now."

"Umm... should we approach this ferry keeper? He does look a bit... intimidating.", Yarbi says with a yawn. "Perhaps we can find a place to rest and perhaps have something to eat."

https://i.imgur.com/CcRdeRR.jpg

Yarbi looks back at the mushroom patch and whispers,

"Strangest thing. I could swear one of those mushrooms is getting closer to us."
May 10, 2022 1:06 pm
"You speak true Esther. . . there is something more to these woods than moss and vegetation. . .enchanted indeed."

He continues along with the group, bringing up the rear since choosing their way. Addressing Yarbi, "I believe you Yarbi." Vincent eyes the strange mushrooms. "Head to the ferryman if you must, I shall keep my eyes on these...more than curious. . .mushrooms."
May 10, 2022 5:44 pm
What is better than this Esther ? A nice town with stone pavements and bars at every corner !

He begins to move toward the man.

Hello, Ferry keeper, we do not to bother you, but how much would you take to ferry us across this great river ?
May 10, 2022 5:51 pm
Intrigued by Yarbi's second observation of moving mushrooms, Ivario decides to investigate. He picks up a stick and walks towards the mushrooms. Then the sticks the stick with one of the ends into the ground just at the edge of them. If they move now, I'll be able to tell by the location of the stick. He thinks to himself.

He waits a few moments for movement, eyeing the fungi suspiciously.
May 11, 2022 6:09 am
Standing between Beartrand and Ivario, Esther tries to keep an eye on both of them -- on the ferryman, and on the creeping toadstools. A book suddenly finds its way into the girl's hands from her pack, and she's flipping. And flipping! It's a dusty tome with a bit of rot on its leather cover, but it's all about wild fungi.
OOC:
Trying to find out something about these mushrooms -- likely with a Clever-powered Create an Advantage action to discover any situation aspects on the mushrooms. Let me know if you want me to roll, and what the difficulty is if that's the case.
May 11, 2022 6:26 am
Yarbi

Yarbi whispers "Thank you Vincent for keeping an eye out for us."

Ferry Keeper

The ferry keeper turns around to face Beartrand. Then in a slow grimm voice, he says...

"Heellloo travelers. Do you wish to seek safe passage to the dark forest?"

"It will cost no less than real gold. Or... perhaps another very valuable item or piece of information. What is your offer?"




Meanwhile, as Ivario uses the stick on the mushrooms, he quickly realizes that one of the mushrooms has apparently moved right next to Yarbi over by the doc. Upon further inspection with stick... a small creature (about 2 feet tall) throws up its arms!

Mushroom Creature


"Ohh! You caught me! I surrender! I surrender! I mean no harm. I'll admit it. I was trying to sneak on to the boat undetected. Please I must get back to the dark forest, where I live!"
OOC:
In this world, most people who use money use silver coins. Coppers are used for small, everyday purchases. Only truly rich people occasionally carry gold. The average villager uses only small coins (copper) or none at all, bartering for what he/she needs -- though a PC could have been built with an aspect about having wealthy relatives.

For lack of gold immediately at hand, I believe this could be an opportunity to Roll to sell the ferry keeper on an offer (similar to a "persuasion check" in modern D&D?) For example, describe your compelling offer (item or service), then it could be a Roll to Cleverly Overcome the Ferry Keeper's toll (@Harrigan let us know if this doesn't sound right) -- I'll tell you the difficulty. Or maybe the ferry keeper can be Forcefully intimated into giving a ride. Or perhaps someone may Create an Advantage first -- stunts and invoking aspects could potentially help rolls. Going toward the village instead is also an option. The mechanics may take us a bit of trial and error the first few times...
May 11, 2022 6:54 am
OOC:
If I may be so bold... if you really want to Fate this sucker up:

⦿ Create campaign, game, and setting / scene aspects -- these should be visible to the players and you should probably stick them in a spoiler like these on each post...
[ +- ] Current Aspects
Etc.

⦿ For the Ferryman, he looks to me simply like an obstacle to overcome. Let us figure out if we want to bribe him, promise him something, distract him, beat him up, etc., then we'll figure out the rolling and the approaches and stunts and aspect invocation and such. Make sense?
May 11, 2022 7:16 am
Ivario is startled when the mushroom speaks, but his years of experience as a fortune-teller help him recover quickly. "Oh, well... Hello there." He eyes the creature suspiciously. "To the dark forest, huh? Maybe we can work something out." He kneels down to talk a bit more quietly with the shroom. "Do you know what we can use to trade with the ferryman if we don't have any gold? Have you seen what others have given him before us?" He asks, almost whispering. "If you help us, we can help you get across."
OOC:
I think this would count as "Create an Advantage"? If I need to roll, let me know.
May 12, 2022 7:10 am
Harrigan says:
If I may be so bold...
You may :-)
Harrigan says:
if you really want to Fate this sucker up:
Well, here's a start...
[ +- ] Current Aspects

Innis

sean_don4

May 12, 2022 8:01 am
Innis

In a munchkin-like voice, the mushroom creature responds,

"Oh, I wish I could be of more help. I've scarcely seen anyone come by I'm afraid. I've been waiting for nearly 2 days, hoping to sneak a ride back home. That's seeing as I don't have any means to pay for myself. By the way, my name is Innis. Pleasure to meet you all."

The ferry keeper gives a cold stare. He doesn't seem to care about anyone's home, only that he get some steep payment from any particular group wishing to traverse the river.
OOC:
Hmmm... I see what you're trying to do. Well, just talking to the mushroom creature is of no difficulty, so no roll needed for that I suspect. Perhaps getting Innis to try to remember something more (as a kind of "research" roll for advantage) could be a thing, though that could be a difficult target (EDIT: Let me know if you want to attempt pushing Innis's memory.) Meanwhile could attempt to bribe, promise, threaten, distract the ferryman -- a distraction could be a create advantage. Or explore the west trail, etc.
May 12, 2022 9:29 am
Beartrand thinks a little before talking again to the Ferry keeper

We are going through the black forest and back, is there anything we can get you there that would pay for passing and returning ?
May 12, 2022 6:47 pm
Vincent also approaches the Ferryman after believing that the mushroom person means no harm to him or his companions.

He eyes the ferryman with caution and intensity as Beartrand makes the offer.
OOC:
Mostly there for support since others seemed engaged with Innis.
May 12, 2022 9:01 pm
"Are you sure you haven't heard the ferryman mention any desires that he might have? Give it a really good think!" Ivario tries to persuade Innis to find an answer to his question.
OOC:
Rolling a clever "create an advantage"
I have an aspect "Knows many secrets", but I'm not sure I'd be able to invoke it because I'm asking the mushroom and not looking for the answer in my own head.

Rolls

Find the Ferryman's secret desire (Clever)

1 Positive, 1 Blank, 2 Negative - Total: -1 (+2) = +1

May 13, 2022 6:42 am
Innis


Innis looks up toward Ivario:

"Hmmm... I only saw one group of three halflings pass through. Sadly, I wasn't able to sneak on the boat in time when they weren't looking. But they did give the ferryman what looked to be a piece of gold, which seemed to pay for the entire group, as he let them all on after that."

Ferry Keeper

Meanwhile, the ferry keeper responds to @Beartrand in in a slow scruffy voice:

"There... would be things of great value from the 'dark forest.' But that is there and you are here. Although..."

The ferrykeeper seems to have gotten a bargaining idea that he might reveal (which may include a catch)...
OOC:
@Beartrand, if you want to, you can do a "persuasion" roll: Fate dice roll and add your Clever bonus (+2.) If you get Great (4) then we'll come up with a bargaining idea on behalf of the ferrykeeper... EDIT: Probably Overcome, but maybe could be Create Advantage
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