A Horse Quest

Horse Chatter

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Bruyn (Horse, Male)

Read Aloud.   Hans Goodbower was out for a peaceful ride in the Emerald Wood when something spooked Bruyn, causing Hans to become pinned. In response, powerful magic sparked in the horse and Bruyn bolted back to find help. Bruyn has the stats of a Warhorse and is Awakened.  

• Bruyn has been Awakened connecting with Benikio (god of hunt, shapeshifting, wild animals).
• Bruyn cannot speak Common but understands it.
• Bruyn saw gnomes in the woods as he ran back.
• Bruyn is an excellent tracker.

  Personality Trait. "I’m proud of my ability to pick up a trail."
Ideal. "If someone shows me kindness I return the favor."
Bond. "Hans is my boy. We discover the world together."
Flaw. "When I get excited I like to make a ruckus."

The Otherwyld

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The characters cross into the Otherwyld after entering the wood. DC 13 Survival or Arcana check will reveal they’ve entered another realm. There’s no path back and time is distorted.   Bruyn provides the Help action on tracking checks.   Every hour, one character must succeed on a DC 13 Survival check to stay on track. Failure means an extra day passes in the real world and Hans has +1 point toward changing. Tracking Hans should take approx 6-8 hours.   In “Missing Mat” failed checks mean Mat may die. For each failed Survival check so far roll 1d6 .  

• 1-3 Mat has died of his wounds.
• 4-6 he is hanging on and hiding.

Sassy Squirrels

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Read Aloud.   Three squirrels, Jezza, Flapmat, & Thornton are on edge, having seen small men carrying screaming people.  

• Bruyn can communicate with the squirrels.
• The squirrels want attention more than to help.
• They describe small men and “cruel hands.”
• A man was tied and a woman was yelling.

Missing Mat Thompson

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Read Aloud.   Sarah and Mat were sleeping when they were suddenly here. They were attacked, Sarah was cut badly on her arm, and Mat was dragged off. Despite her wound, Sarah managed to injure one of their assailants and has been tracking for two days. She has a dagger she took and can describe the “gnomes.” Sarah & Mat have the Commoner stat block and are each at 1hp.  

• The trail leads to 5x Wolves who are eating the injured (now dead) Hurtcap and have Mat cornered if he is still alive. The wolves are just as confused as everyone else as to how they got here. Animal Handling DC 16 to disperse them peacefully.

Lost in the Woods

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In a mushroom-filled clearing by a dark lake, 2x Hurtcaps are merging Hans with the Otherwyld. One performs the ritual, while the other attacks or adds its magic to speed things along.   Both Hurtcaps have activated their Death Prophet ability.   Hans begins with 0 points. Reaching 10 points Hans turns into a tree and a Hurtcap emerges nearby. If changed, Han’s transformation is permanent but can be reversed by Greater Restoration or Wish if performed within a week.   Transformation Triggers

• Each failed Survival check so far: +1 point
• Each round the ritual remains undisturbed: +1 point

  Living Land. Each round, characters must make a DC 13 Dexterity save or be restrained by vines. Action to escape. The area is slippery and considered difficult terrain.

Rewards

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The Hurtcaps leave behind filthy tunics and wicked daggers.   If the characters save Mat and Sarah is still alive, she will gift them a Luck Stone. Her most cherished family heirloom.   Returning Hans safely to Dondarian earns a 500 gold reward from Baron Druceff.   Bruyn pledges a life debt to the group and may become an animal companion or mount for druids, rangers, paladins, or cavaliers.