File:Map Layout .jpg

2021-07-05T09:40:35Z

Gallison:

2021-07-01T05:28:54Z

Gallison:

Earthquakes have been happening a lot in Cascadia ever since the Hearthstone shattered. A stranger to the village arrives with a warning! There’s a villain harming the earth from deep inside a nearby cave system in the mountains, called the Deep Warrens. If they’re not stopped, the damage could destroy all of Cascadia!

 

=====Advance Preparation=====
You will need props or a plan to handle a few of this weeks adventures:

*A number of colored [[bands]] to mark objectives in games.
*Ideally, you’ll be able to dig or have access to a pit in the ground for a character to be trapped. If this isn't possible, the scenario can be easily be acted out as improv.
*A printout or hand-copied version of the Dwarven message from Belna (see Day 2 for download).
*You will also need to have a rock to play the part of the Dwarven Hearthstone. This can definitely be picked up on the fly, but keep an eye out for a cool one.

 

======Non Playable Characters (NPCs)======
These are the [[NPCs]] that may be encountered in this story. They are ordered from most to least screentime in the narrative.

*Belna
*Cinna
*Ral
*Sable

 

======Day One Morning======

The first game of the day establishes teams of four. Choose one of the options below:

'''Forehead Dots'''

Trackers all get a colored mark on their forehead while their eyes are closed. Mark four Trackers in each color, and choose randomly, as these will be future teams. The "dots" can be masking tape, a post-it, or even washable marker.

When you're done, Trackers open their eyes. They must now sort themselves into teams in complete silence, using only non-verbal communication to find their color matches.

OR

'''Hide and Seek Out Your Team'''

Half the Trackers hide within specified boundaries. After 30 seconds head start, send the other half out in search. When the seekers find someone, they both head back to group up, and are now teammates!

In the second round, play this in pairs to end with teams of four. Team Camp time this morning should include time for journaling and character creation.

At the beginning of Morning Adventures, lead the group to the Village area and introduce yourself as their Guide.
 <blockquote>“Welcome to the Village! This is the nearest community of humans in Cascadia and your home for the next week. The Village was mostly destroyed last week by natural disasters when the Hearthstone was stolen, but things are mostly better now we have it back… in pieces. You’ve all been summoned from local areas to help investigate if, and how, a Hearthstone can heal."</blockquote>

Explain the basics of [[Hearthstone]] lore. You can also make up your own identity and Guild affiliation, so long as you're a native to the Village. Your current assignment is leading the effort to mend the Hearthstone.

Next, introduce Trackers to an [[NPCs|NPC]], Indigo. They're a friendly and charming Ranger with a pet osprey, Scree, which nips at their ears as they try to talk. Play Scree for laughs when you can!

Indigo explains that, because of the natural disasters in the area, they need to check everything's location for the Village's reference. Could you help them by mapping things out?

'''Map Area Around Village'''

You may play the guide as well as Indigo while helping the Trackers set up their camps. Remember to include Indigo’s falcon, Scree, for some comedy! After the area has been arranged, Indigo will express his appreciation for your help with this project. As thanks, he offers to teach you how to stick fight.

'''Stick Fighting'''

Once the Trackers seem to have the basics, announce a rumbling in the earth! Oh no, maybe the natural disasters aren't over?

======Day One Afternoon======

Afternoon Adventures begin with the Guide sharing intriguing news with the Trackers: the Village is abuzz, because during your training, a dwarven elder came through town! This is a rare occurrence, the first time in decades such an ancient dwarf has visited a human camp.
 

*Here’s what you can tell them, cobbled together from the villagers’ gossip:
*They think the dwarf was a woman, but she has a pretty magnificent beard
*Nobody speaks Dwarvish except Sable (a ranger who’s on the hunt)
*The dwarf seemed to need help
*The dwarf left about 20 minutes ago, and seemed to be following (choose an animal type to track)

Teach the Trackers’ teams to move through the wilderness and the basics of tracking. Following this animal will lead you towards the dwarf, after which you can hopefully find out what she needs!

'''Tracking Game of Choice'''

You finally come across the dwarf… who’s at the bottom of a pit that opened up during the earthquake! She’s clearly in distress. If you have any Trackers with a Dwarven origin, you may note that she's using some ''strong language''.
 '''Rescue Game''' - This can be a realistic rescue from a pit trap if an appropriate site is found. If not, this game may include foraging and crafting cordage to make a rope, then an improv challenge to pull the dwarf to safety.

The dwarven woman is very grateful! She’s able to gesture to herself and communicate her name: Belna. If there are any Trackers with a dwarven origin culture, they can try and speak to her, but with limited success (i.e. they can get the nouns underlined below).

Belna is saying help, pointing in the direction of mountains. She’s frightened of something!

As the Guide, you can note that those mountains contain a cave system where most local dwarves live. Maybe something is wrong at the dwarven settlement?

======Day Two Morning======

'''Before the day begins, print Belna's message and Dwarven cipher and plant a bandana in the area the Trackers will be searching for Sable later in the morning.'''
[[File:Belna Message.jpg|left|thumb|285x285px|Message from Belna, written in Old Dwarvish.]]
[[File:Dwarven Cipher.jpg|thumb|285x285px|Dwarven cipher.]]
Start the day with a '''Pure Play Game of Choice'''.

Start the Morning Adventures in the Village with Belna. She seems to feel better from her fall, but is still insistent on communicating her message. She writes something down in Dwarven, which is essentially a cipher. Trackers with Dwarven origins can be given the translation for all vowels.

Indigo offers to watch Belna so you can go find Sable, the ranger who speaks Dwarven fluently. Teams break up to comb the nearby woods for the bandana you hid to represent her position.
[[File:Belna Message with Vowels.jpg|left|thumb|285x285px|Belna's message with vowels translated.]]

'''Searching or Tracking Game of Choice'''

After everyone is grouped up at Sable’s location, she can introduce herself properly:

<blockquote>“You all’d better have a good reason for disturbing my hunt! Catching food is a matter of life and death for our Village, you know. Speaking of which, I haven’t seen any of you around before. If you say you’re one of us and want a favor from me? You’d better prove you’re worth it.”
 

'''Survival Game of Choice'''

 
Sable admits, you have the skills valued by the Village, and she did hear there would be newcomers. She’ll take a look at the message from Belna and do her best to translate. However, Belna’s language is the oldest and least accessible form of Dwarven, and there are a few symbols she doesn’t recognize. Trackers must finish piecing together the message to fully learn Belna’s predicament:</blockquote><blockquote>“Dwarves of the Deep Warrens need help! Stranger draining the mountain’s spirit, our spirit.”</blockquote>

Sable is surprised and alarmed to read this. She wants to return to the Village with you to meet and talk to Belna in person. Though grudgingly, she can tell you the following information about the Deep Warrens:
 

*It’s a chain of small mountains with a deep, interconnected cave system underneath
*It has long been the home of the dwarves, though they long ago they had to cease mining and pursue lifestyles that cause less pain to the earth
*There are rumors that the underground caves are haunted by the ghosts of ancient dwarven miners

Sable thinks those rumors are probably right. Return to the Village to digest this info, and also lunch.
 
 
======Day Two Afternoon======

Lead the Trackers in '''Stick Combat''' as a warm-up for Afternoon Adventures.

Sable meets you after your combat practice. She has been doing her best to communicate with Belna and suggests you all get geared up to head to the Deep Warrens. It sounds like the ancient dwarves' plight is more dire than the Village's right now.!

Sable has the following facts for the Trackers (from Belna):

*The life spirit of all dwarves is tied to their mountain homes. The ailing mountain is harming the dwarves who live there.
*A mysterious young mage is using some kind of magic to draw energy from the mountain.
*The mountain mems are angry

Trackers may take some time to pack and prepare their gear for travel. Sable cautions to approach the mountains quietly and respectfully to avoid tangling with the mountain mems.

'''Traversing and Improv Game: Enter the Mountain'''

Hike to the top of the highest hill or available incline. From this vantage point, designate a low point in the distance as the entrance to the caves. As the Trackers travel downwards, describe what they are seeing:
 <blockquote>"The terrain underfoot becomes rocky and uneven. You see, up ahead, the mouth of the cave is only a few feet high. We'll have to crawl to get inside. The rocks around you are cool and moist to the touch as you make into into the first cave. The afternoon sun shines a bar of light into the chamber, but when it stops, complete darkness takes over." </blockquote>When everyone has crawled inside the area cast as the Cave, the ground begins to shake underfoot. It's another earthquake! Guide the Trackers' improv of the scenario with prompts such as the following:

*Rocks begin to fall around the entrance. Get back from it!
*The floor rumbles violently, shaking your whole body.
*Drop down and protect your head!
*Pebbles and dirt rain down on your back and heads.
*The sunlight is fully blocked out, leaving us in complete darkness.

The entrance to the cave is impassibly caved in. Trackers are trapped in the cave system with mems, mages and who knows what else. Worse, everyone without dwarven origin will have to start tomorrow wearing blindfolds!

 
======Day Three Morning======
 <blockquote>“If any of you have second thoughts about exploring haunted mountain caves… it may be too late. The darkness around you is complete, hiding the stalactites dripping cold water onto your head. We should get away from this cave-in, in case there's another earthquake!"</blockquote>Begin the day with a '''Blindfolded Game of Choice'''. The object of this game, from a roleplaying view, will be to find your way out of the entrance cavern and into the tunnels.

The Morning Adventures begins inside the tunnel complex of the Deep Warrens. You've lit torches (in roleplay, unless fire starting is kosher) and everyone can remove blindfolds. Start with some place-setting meditation to get everyone in the proper frame of mind.
 <blockquote>“Sit in a circle and close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, hold it… and release. The darkness and rocky walls crowd in around you. It’s wet and very cool, and all you can hear is the drips of water falling from the ceiling and echoes of any noise you and your teammates’ make. As your breathing finds a rhythm, you feel the rhythm of the mountain around you. It pulses like an irregular heartbeat. You can feel the wrongness of the energy in here. Maybe it’s the restless spirits of dwarven miners, or maybe it’s the pain of the mountain itself, tunneled into and mined of its life-blood."</blockquote>Determine the boundaries of play and have the teams break apart to investigate their surroundings. Suggest they move slowly, map the location, and make note of anything strange they see. Ensure everyone knows the sound of a game-over signal which you can call out.

'''Exploration Game of Choice'''

Group everyone up after the exploration and mapping. You can sense a low rumbling in the earth again. Is it another earthquake? The rumbling turns into a rhythmic pounding, and you realize it's something worse than an earthquake: it's a powerful, towering rock creature called a Saxum Brute! It roars and lumbers forward to attack. We’ll need to stop it or evade it, and quick!

'''Pure Play Game of Choice''' to Evade

'''Stick Combat Game of Choice''' to Fight (the Brute retreats, Trackers don't ultimately harm it)

Once free of the Saxum Brute, lead the Trackers to an area that will represent the villain’s main lab. Describe the cavernous chamber as covered in ancient, rusted tech and scribbled notes and diagrams. There is a locked journal, which is labeled, "property of Cinna". Most eye-catching, however, is a human-sized glass tank almost completely filled glowing green energy.

Just before the break, footsteps can be heard from another tunnel. They're headed straight for the Trackers!

 

======Day Three Afternoon======

Pick up right before the source of the footsteps is revealed. All Trackers should be in hiding places while you narrate or act out the following scene: <blockquote>“A cloaked figure with a large wooden staff walks into the chamber. Tendrils of ancient, gnarled roots snatch at him, but he slams his stick to the stone floor, sending them scurrying away as if in fear. The top of the staff glints, and you realize the top is set with the Village’s Hearthstone! The figure pushes back the hood to reveal the face of a young man. This must be Cinna!"</blockquote>

Cinna storms into the lair and complains about how dark it is in the Deep Warrens. He points the Hearthstone staff out to the glowing green energy, and the amount decreases in the tank decreases slightly. The torches flare brighter... revealing your positions!

 <blockquote>"What's this? How did you all get here?! You'd better not have touched my research!"</blockquote> '''Fight with Cinna'''
During this fight, designate four targets: Cinna and three incomplete robots, which rise jerkily from the ground to face the Trackers. They're animated by Hearthstone magic, not tech! Cinna has two abilities:

#An attack with bright green magic which stops one Whisker from each team attacking this round
#Using some energy from the tank, he casts a shield over himself and one of his robot minions
#

'''Cinna roleplays with the Trackers during combat.''' Here is his position:

*He's found a way to harvest the mountain's energy using the Hearthstone
*The energy he's harvested from the mountain can help the Village
*The energy can power shields against raiders or natural disasters, and he's still experimenting
*He feels entitled to use the Hearthstone, as he is from the Village
*He demands to know why you're here
*He doesn't believe you about the plight of the dwarves (he's never met one)

Trackers have the following goals for each round:

#Pathfinders choose which (unshielded) target to focus.
#Cloaks block Cinna's attack on the team by hitting the Cinna target with a projectile (if successful, no one loses a round)
#Whiskers attack the target designated by the Pathfinder with sticks or foam swords

Each robot takes 12-20 hits to take down. When two are defeated, Cinna will only be able to shield himself. When all three robots are down, Trackers have won the battle!
 <blockquote>When beaten, Cinna sputters with disbelief. "This is ridiculous! You're not even from the Village, yet you dare enter ''my'' domain and interfere--" </blockquote>As Cinna calls you out, the mountain begins to groan and rumble. It’s angry that Cinna called the mountain ''his'' domain!

Cinna lunges for you as the debris begins to fall from the rattling ceiling. Lead the Trackers back towards the pick-up area, roleplaying Cinna's pursuit and the cave collapsing you!

'''Cave Escape Improv'''

As you close in on your destination, Cinna calls out that there's not time to make it to the exit. Describe the torrential rumbling as the surrounding area is filled with rubble. We’re now even more trapped than before! And what’s more… Cinna is trapped with us!

 

======Day Four Morning======
 '''Before the gameplay begins, plan a time to hide Cinna's Energy Notes in the area around his lab.'''

Begin the day with a '''Pure Play Game of Choice'''.

Morning Adventures begin trapped in a small bubble of air within the otherwise collapsed tunnel. A very sour Cinna is trapped with you, and the situation looks pretty grim.

The Trackers talk to Cinna and learn about his backstory and motivations. See the [[NPCs|NPC]] page to review his characteristics. Here are some of the topics he can expand upon:

*The ghosts in the mountain aren’t dwarf spirits, they’re the mountain itself
*The mountain has a latent anger from the days when dwarves were miners
*Since then, the dwarves have done their best to heal and care for the mountain
*Cinna finds it very pesky this anger came back to fight against his work
*He’s only taking a small amount of the mountain's energy (the glowing green tank in his lab) and storing it in the Hearthstone to amplify its abilities
*He says the energy can be put to better use in the Village

 <blockquote>"Anyway, since we're stuck in here together… if you don’t all want to die in this tunnel, you’d better work with me to get out. I can use the Hearthstone to levitate the rubble around us, but you'll have to crawl out to my lab and find a way to rescue me!" </blockquote>

'''Army Crawl Course''' (can include extra obstacles)

Trackers successfully return to the lab, which is structurally damaged, but not quite crumbling. They other exits have caved in, so options of escape are limited to using the reservoir of mountain energy! There are three buttons on the tank, labeled with directional arrows: >, ^, and <, respectively. What does that mean?

'''Hunt for Cinna's Energy Notes'''
[[File:Cinna's Energy Notes.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Cinna's Energy Notes (cut into three strips)]]
Hide the three clues around the area and have Tracker teams search for them. Once the clues are all found, allow Trackers to discuss which to press!

Over lunch, consider using the events of the game as a teachable moment about the environmental consequences and dangers of fracking. 
 
======Day Four Afternoon======

Start in the villain’s lab, which is in complete chaos! The ceiling is raining debris from the energy device’s beam. Rock monsters powered by the mountain’s Mem rise out of rubble and are attacking. Cinna calls for you all to climb out while he keeps them at bay, raising the question: what do the Trackers want to do?

All paths will eventually lead to realizing the necessity of Cinna’s device. It drains and deactivates the rock monsters, but the monsters are only attacking in self-preservation!

'''Stealth Game of Choice'''

Unarmed and angry, Cinna vows vengeance and makes his scape, leaving the Trackers trapped inside a mountain full of angry spirits! Trackers must figure out how to reverse the energy drain and fast, before the whole mountain caves in on them!

'''Improv Game - Reverse the Stream'''

“The device sparks and whines as the mechanics begin to reverse. Suddenly it erupts with a beam of molten red energy. It hits the top of the cave and drips down the walls and onto the floor like lava. To everyone’s surprise, the red energy goo causes’s no destruction caused. In fact, as the energy washes over the area, the cave begins to settle and stabilize in place. The rock monsters curl up to sleep once more, melding back into the mountain’s walls. The hole to the outside has been sealed over with rock like a healed wound. In the center of the room you find a large stone, glowing faintly and warm to the touch.”

What is it? We’ll find out more tomorrow!
 

======Day Five Morning======
*Under Construction*

Begin in the Deep Warrens once more. The Trackers can examine and ask questions about the stone, which is, in fact, the Hearthstone of the mountain dwarves! The mountain was protecting it, but the energy device was starting to leech away it’s power.

They may choose to leave the Hearthstone in the care of the renewed mountain, or to take it back to the Village to present to Belna. The journey out is markedly more relaxed and fun, with the mems helping guide the group along the way.

Orienteering Game of Choice

Pure Play Game of Choice

The teams will all meet in the Village for lunch.

 

======Day Five Afternoon======

After the break, Trackers may pack up their Secret Camps and prepare to return to their own communities. This is a moment for journaling and reflection before the final celebration.

Secret Camp Time

Next, Trackers will have the opportunity to speak to NPCs. Scree was able to return to Indigo, who thanks you for saving him. He’s grateful you didn’t hurt his estranged little brother, Cinna, even though he’s being a real jerk.

Hearing you speak to Indigo, Belna rushes out to greet you all. With Sable’s help, you’re able to communicate what happened and present Belna with the Hearthstone, if it’s in their possession. Sable is grudgingly impressed, and Belna is appreciative of your undertaking. She will return to the mountains at dawn, but for now, it’s time to celebrate!

Celebration in the Village!

Wrap things up with pure play games. Give Trackers an opportunity to sign each other’s journals, visit the Troll Market, play Trackers Trivia, and generally have fun as they say farewell to this week of camp.

File:Cinna's Energy Notes.jpg

2021-07-01T05:24:30Z

Gallison:

Week 3: The Deep Warrens

2021-07-01T04:28:29Z

2021-06-29T07:57:33Z

Gallison:

The cipher for translating Dwarven writing.

Week 3: The Deep Warrens

2021-06-29T06:53:17Z

Gallison:

Week 3: The Deep Warrens

2021-06-29T01:58:34Z

Gallison:

Week 3: The Deep Warrens

2021-06-28T00:33:08Z

Gallison:

2021-06-23T05:56:53Z

Gallison:

Week 2: Whistlehog's Way

2021-06-23T05:15:03Z

Gallison:

In the second week, something has disrupted the very flow of time! The same day keeps repeating and repeating, bringing the same devastating raid every morning. It’s all the Village can do to defend itself, and they desperately need the Trackers help.

 

=====Advance Preparation=====

Throughout this adventure, you will need to write several notes and hide various items to be found during games. Double check notes daily to ensure your props are in place for the day. You will need the following:

*A cast of an ungulate track, preferably a goat, which can be used to fabricate tracks. In order to make fake tracks quickly, try attaching the cast to the end of a walking stick.
*A small amount of fake blood. Ketchup works, or add some red food coloring to corn syrup if you want to get realistic.
*Five short documents to be found in various games through the week.
*A big rock to symbolize the Hearthstone, plus 5-6 smaller rocks to represent the Hearthstone’s shattered form on the last day. These can probably be picked up on the fly.

You will also need to design a Villain’s Lair. This should be a safe but topographically interesting area within the boundaries of your location on Days 2 and 3. Once you’ve chosen the area, visit it and conceptualize a lair which would be fun to infiltrate in a spy movie. Some things to determine:

*Visual description of a hideout that is designed to blend in with the environment around it
*Location of the main entrance
*Additional points of ingress (a window that can be climbed through, a dry water duct which can be crawled into, etc.)
*Placement of guards, number determined by difficulty group can handle
*One or two physical barriers obstructing the guards’ lines of sight, i.e. places to run between for cover
*Possible addition of goat tracks or blood (see Day 2 for context)
*Methods for creating distractions

 

=====Non Playable Characters (NPCs)=====

These are the characters that may be encountered in this story. They are ordered from most to least screentime in the narrative.

#Lysander
#Cinna
#Isha

=====Day One Morning=====

'''Before the official beginning of the day, read ahead to the games. Make sure you plan a time to gather some shelter making supplies, plant the tracks and note from Lysander.'''

The first game of the day sorts Trackers into teams. Choose one of the options below:

'''Forehead Dots'''

Trackers all get a colored mark on their forehead while their eyes are closed. Mark four Trackers in each color, and choose randomly, as these will be future teams. The "dots" can be masking tape, a post-it, or even washable marker.

When you're done, Trackers open their eyes. They must now sort themselves into teams in complete silence, using only non-verbal communication to find their color matches.

OR

'''Hide and Seek Out Your Team'''

Half the Trackers hide within specified boundaries. After 30 seconds head start, send the other half out in search. When the seekers find someone, they both head back to group up, and are now teammates!

In the second round, play this in pairs to end with teams of four. Backstage time throughout the morning can be used for character creation.

'''When you reach the Team Camp site''', greet the Trackers as the Guide, a native of the nearby Village.
 <blockquote>“Thank the dragons, you’re all here! This is, or was, the Village commons. I don’t have time to explain, but we’re about to be attacked. Help me get some defenses up, then I can tell you more!”</blockquote>Bring them to the Village site, which is currently completely wrecked! Supplies for shelter building are strewn all around, and Trackers need to build the best lean-to possible in just a few minutes! *

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Actually 15-20 minutes, some of which will require coaching in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ogRkQxQbJw basic lean-to construction skills]. You can also start a lean-to for them to finish or rebuild.

'''Lean-to Construction Game/ Raid Day 1'''

While they're working, fill in the situation:

*Other villagers are around the area, trying to shore up shelters and defenses
*The Village has been raided by monsters every day for five days
*It’s not just daily raids, it’s the same exact raid repeating over and over
*Something’s terribly off in nature, too: freak ice storms, earthquakes, etc.
*The Village requested members of the four Guilds be brought in from all over the area to help determine the cause of these anomalies

Before the shelters are fully complete, tell Trackers get inside and take cover. The raid is about to begin!

As you describe the attack, you or another guide may rattle and pull apart their shelters. Use great caution in doing this; avoid damaging any structural pieces, and have the kids abandon the shelter and take cover if there are any signs of collapse.<blockquote> 
"The ground begins to rattle underfoot… A dozen squeaking rodents called whistlehogs dart out of the bushes, fleeing a hoarde of creatures! There are forest animals, along with monstrous humanoids with fur, horns, and tails. They rush into the Village and begin to turn everything inside out! They rattle every structure, breaking through barricades and grabbing up everything edible or valuable. After several minutes of the frenzy, a deep horn sounds in the distance. The attackers filter back into the wilderness even quicker than they appeared, and the Village goes still."</blockquote>

Once the attack has passed, introduce them to the NPC Isha. She can clarify and reiterate details of the attacks, if Trackers have questions.

Isha believes the source of the time anomaly is the Village's [[Hearthstone]]... or rather, the lack of it. It went missing the previous week, and since it represents the connection between the Village community and the nature, it's absence may have disrupted something in the natural world.

As if on cue, the sky suddenly darkens ominously and rain droplets begin to pepper your shoulders.

'''Structured Improv Game: Lightning Storm'''

Give Trackers a series of prompts to act out, leading them towards the lunch site if it's practical.

*The winds begin to whip up and push you forward.
*The rain begins to fall heavily. Find cover under that tree!
*Lightning arcs out, hitting the nearby tree! Get low to the ground.
*Separate out to prevent multiple injuries from one lightning strike.
*Run towards the shelter!

 

======Day One Afternoon======

Teams return to their Secret Camps, only to discover strange, goat-like tracks cutting through the area! Once discovered, allow the Trackers to discuss what to do about them. Before anyone tries to start tracking down the culprit, recommend the tracks be preserved from the unnatural weather patterns.

'''Make a Weather Station'''

While the Trackers make weather stations, traverse around the perimeter of the Team Camps, as far away as seems natural. You’re going to plant another clue! Hide a blood-stained note from an unknown individual:<blockquote>“We mean no harm!! Need help. Find me at (insert a symbol or item to be hunted down).”</blockquote>When Trackers are done with the weather station, suggest they investigate the whole Team Camp area to see if there's any other clues about the tracks' origins.

'''Investigate the Area Game:''' Ends when someone finds the clue, giving the group a heading for the next day!

======Day Two Morning======

'''Before the official beginning of the day, plan a time to plant the meeting symbol and blood trails.'''

'''Pure Play Game of Choice''' in the morning, before traveling to Team Camps. Trackers should check and journal the weather station along with their own [[Wisdom of the Marks]].

Start the Morning Adventures with the second round of the raid. They have 10-15 minutes to repair and build the shelters back before the attack repeat. This time, the goal of the raid isn't just to endure, but to do reconnaissance.

 '''Stealth Game/ Raid Day 2'''

Give Trackers the opportunity to learn more about the raiders. Before beginning the attack, place intel (on popsicle sticks or small slips of paper) in areas of natural cover.

One member of each team can leave the shelter at one time, but must move in stealth to an area of cover. There, they can retrieve one piece of intel before returning, which can then be shared with their teammates. Intel may include these hints, or improvised choices:

#The day starts with a herd of whistlehogs
#There are four wolves
#There is one lynx
#There are three stags
#There are five monstrous humanoids
#The humanoids seem to be creatures of the forest
#The humanoids all carry weapons
#The attackers seem to be looking for something
#The creatures' eyes are all red
#The creatures seem especially attracted to your new shelter
#The tallest humanoid has a horn
#When the horn sounds, the animals start behaving like regular wild animals

After the raid has passed, remind the Trackers of yesterday’s goal: track down the hoofprints and note-writer. Split Trackers into teams and have them search for the area or symbol designated in the note. Instruct teams on a way to call out if they find it.

'''Exploration Game'''

When a team signals and everyone is grouped up, you may introduce them the NPC Lysander. The faunus (half-human, half-goat) has been wounded.

 <blockquote>“Whoa, hey! Humans! You come in peace, right? You got my note? You must think we’re some kind of monsters, attacking your village every morning. But it’s not our fault! We’ve been compelled by magic, and I’ve figured out who’s doing it. You’ll help, right?”</blockquote>Lysander is very gregarious and happy to tell the Trackers everything he knows. Here are some facts he can share:

*The villain is always cloaked, but his voice is of a young adult
*The villain has a mysterious power source that , looks like an egg
*The egg can compel creatures to attack, but the charm doesn’t last
*Lysander attacked the villain after the charm wore off, and they injured each other, hence the blood.
*He doesn’t dare follow the villain in this condition, but he can show you the blood trail to track

The faunus will give the Tracker’s time to deliberate and make a plan of action.

 

======Day Two Afternoon======

If the Trackers are leaning towards helping Lysander, you can offer them the option of a quick '''First Aid Game'''. Whether they patch up Lysander or not, however, encourage them to follow the villain’s blood trail. They have to try to stop the daily raids!

'''Blood Trailing Game'''

Stop the group when the end of the blood trail is in sight. It leads to the Villain's Lair, which can be any area with interesting terrain elements and multiple trees or rocks that can provide cover.

<blockquote>“The blood trail continues for several feet before disappearing into the entrance of a lair built into the rocks. Humanoid creatures of the forest like Lysander stand guard with sharp pikes. We need to gather as much information as possible before approaching!"</blockquote>

'''Villain’s Lair Reconnaissance - Improv Game'''

Flesh out the lair by having each team, in turn, ask a question about it. Supply them with short answers, describing anything "visible" on the lair’s exterior. Recommend they draw out a map or keep notes in their journal.

At the end of this mini-game, a weather event begins and you must all find cover, quickly!

'''Improv Game: Snow Storm'''

Give Trackers a series of prompts to act out.

*The wind gets blustery and chilly.
*The temperature starts dropping very fast... to freezing!
*Snow starts swirling around your faces, making it hard to see.
*Vision is completely obscured!

Propose infiltrating the lair with the use of their intel tomorrow, immediately after the raid.

======Day Three Morning======

'''Before the official beginning of the day, make and plan a time to plant the note from Lysander in the morning and Cinna's files in the afternoon'''.

Begin the day with a '''Pure Play Game of Choice.'''

Trackers once again have a short amount of time to shore up their lean-to before the raid occurs.

 '''Projectile Game/ Raid Day 3'''

Trackers may build up and repair the shelter during the raid. This time, defenses are holding better, so there is an opportunity to defend! One team member at a time can leave shelter and play a round of a projectile game. Call out targets based on the natural environment ("hit that tree to force the wolf to back off").

Trackers are able to spot and try to call to Lysander. He seems to recognize them for a moment before returning to the enchanted rampage. As a visual indicator, his eyes (and all the attacking creatures’) are bright red under possession.

As soon as the raid is complete, travel to the villain’s lair area as quickly and quietly as possible.

'''Infiltrate the Villain’s Lair Game'''

This is an improvised stealth game. Based on the intel the group learned yesterday, charge Trackers to design a route inside the lair. Mark the location of guards with bands. If a guard can easily "see" a Tracker, the individual will be chased back and have to stealth back in to join the group.

As the Guide, you can call out changes to the situation whenever you sense a challenge boost is needed. Trackers will have to propose their own solutions.

*One of the guards walks right over to where you need to go!
*The entrance is locked from inside.
*It looks like you can climb up to the second story.
*The guard hears something and starts looking around!

The Trackers are now inside the Villain’s Lair, which can be portrayed by a new area of wilderness. Start by walking the group through the first stretch, verbally taking them through the visuals of the area. '''Ensure the note from Lysander''' is hidden none-too-well along this stretch. It's written in a hasty scribble: <blockquote>“turn back!!”</blockquote>''Dun dun duuuun!'' Break for lunch.

 

======Day Three Afternoon======

On returning from lunch, Trackers must decide whether or not they heed the note. Depending on their choice, they may either '''advance into''' or '''retreat towards the exit''' of the lair.

If they '''advance''', they soon encounter a cloaked figure with a large, gnarled wooden staff. The top of the staff holds the Hearthstone! The stone begins to glow, which forces Trackers to freeze in place. The figure lowers its hood to reveal the same villain from week one, Cinna!<blockquote> “How dare you infiltrate my hideout! You look rather familiar... aren't you the brats who ran the Apex Predators out of here? I can't have you poking into my affairs again. My little pet will ensure you never leave!"</blockquote>Cinna releases the freeze on Trackers. The "little pet" steps out of the passage beyond and snarls menacingly... it's actually a giant direbear! To make matters worse, you're flanked by Lysander, his eyes glowing red with Cinna's possession.

Skip to the next game, Dire Bear Fight, to continue.

If they '''retreat''', they encounter a possessed Lysander. He is deaf to Trackers' appeals, and pushes them back into another guardian of the hideout: a giant, snarling dire bear with glowing red eyes! While the group is flanked, Cinna steps out of the passage beyond and drops his hood.
 <blockquote>“How dare you infiltrate my hideout! You look rather familiar... aren't you the brats who ran the Apex Predators out of here? I can't have you poking into my affairs again. My little pet will ensure you never leave!"</blockquote>

'''Dire Bear Projectile Game'''

* Choose one target each to represent Lysander and Cinna, and three targets to represent the dire bear's head and sides.
* For four rounds, Trackers each have one throw. Pathfinders get to decide what targets teammates focus on.
* Both Lysander and the dire bear must be hit once in a round in order to "block" their attacks. If one or both is missed, the team loses one of their throws for the next round.
* If a team successfully hits Lysander more than once, or hits Cinna, they weaken the possession on Lysander.
* The group must score 3-5 hits (Guide's discretion) to free Lysander. After that, he sides with you and only the direbear's attack must be "blocked."
* When Lysander defects, Cinna escapes behind the dire bear. leaving you to deal with the dire bear. It's no longer possessed either, but it is angry at all of you!
* 12-20 more hits scares the bear off!

Lysander thanks you for the help and tells you he’ll deal with the guards. He suggests you search Cinna’s lair for any details about the Hearthstone, or where he Cinna might be headed next.

'''Exploration Game'''

The Trackers may come across three storytelling artifacts: '''Cinna's files'''. They can be downloaded and printed for Trackers with good reading comprehension. For younger groups, try using bands to symbolize the notes, which you then explain the contents thereof. Try to space the files out broadly, so different teams have opportunities to find them:

'''A Letter from Isha''' - Cinna’s grandmother implores him to return to the Village, or at least to reach out to her or his parents. She misses him and is worried about his lack of contact.

'''A Message from the Artisan’s Guild''' - In which Cinna was kicked out for plagiarism of his guildmate’s work.

'''Cinna’s Journal''' - A newer journal, with the last few entries revealing key elements to his plot:

*He’s using the Hearthstone, but doesn’t really understand it
*The stone is missing a small fragment, which he assumes is why the weather is screwy and it won’t obey his every command
*The purpose of the repeating morning raids is for the enchanted creatures to look for the missing shard within the village
*He learned of the Trackers and set up this ambush
*He plans to go to the Village personally tomorrow

End the day with these revelations!

'''Days 4 and 5 are being revised! Will be added ASAP!'''

Week 2: Whistlehog's Way

2021-06-23T04:42:27Z

Gallison:

Week 2: Whistlehog's Way

2021-06-23T03:50:54Z

Gallison:

Week 2: Whistlehog's Way

2021-06-22T19:36:04Z

Gallison: