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<blockquote data-quote="Rechan" data-source="post: 4966503" data-attributes="member: 54846"><p><strong><u>The Killing Joke</u></strong> </p><p>A system neutral side-trek for low level PCs. </p><p></p><p>Paddlewise is a pleasant halfling community along the Emerald River. They make their living fishing in the river, as well as trading goods up and down the river. The challenge is that the Emerald River is named due to its near placid current, allowing a slight green muck of scum to settle on the top. Which means that the crocodiles that live in the Emerald River have a great camouflage. The halfling boaters and fishers would be at the crocodiles' mercy, were it not for the Trollers. </p><p></p><p>The Trollers are a trio of migrating troll brothers that arrive every season to fish for crocs. By using large iron hooks on sturdy chains, the brothers run down the riverbank, trolling the hook through the water. A croc will get snagged, and the trolls drag the reptile ashore with their great strength to make sport of slaying it. The halflings offer aid, extra food, and other amenities to the trolls in exchange for their efforts, and additional protection of the community. It's a happy relationship. </p><p></p><p>Until Paddlewise's trolls started being murdered. With crocodile spawning season over, the river will be teaming with toothsome beasts, and the halflings need help.</p><p></p><p>Hooks:</p><p>Scratching a small-sized back: the PCs need to travel along the river, aid by the Ioun priest, or some sort of divination or lore (which can be granted by the Stone of Ioun's usage). In exchange, they are requested to help out the village.</p><p>Home Sweet Home: A halfling PC may be from Paddlewise.</p><p>The Obvious: A request for help. </p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Part I: Dark Humor</strong></p><p></p><p>Before the PCs arrive to Paddlewise, they will stumble upon a grizzly sight. The well preserved remains of a troll can be found. It would appear that only the front of the troll was scorched by what looks like acid. A small sized footprint has been branded into the troll's skull, and the left foot of the troll is missing. </p><p></p><p>Paddlewise looks relatively normal for a river-going halfling community. Small houses on stilts to accommodate when the river floods, several docks where fishing halflings perch. Two things are of note. First, the docks are crowded with boats, the place full of loitering and anxious halflings, and there's no room on the docks given the crowds with fishing poles in the water. The second is that there is a building with a tall tower attached, its size odd given the otherwise small construction of the halfling-sized buildings. Even stranger: given that all the buildings are on stilts, the players can see beneath the tower, and in the center of said tower, a broad, square stone juts from the earth, up into the tower.</p><p></p><p>It takes very little to discover the talk of the town - Paddlewise's halfling notice new comers, and are all too willing to talk about everything under the sun, and openly volunteer that their trolls are in dire trouble. Characters are steered towards the temple of Ioun - the building with the tall tower. </p><p></p><p>Despite the size of the temple, only two work within: the priest Abbot Taleteller, and his acolyte. As they are greeted, the players can hear cries of "Abbot!" it a guttural voice from the direction of the tower, which send the acolyte running. The Abbot invites the PCs along before going.</p><p></p><p>The PCs arrive within the Tower, to discover that the tower obscures a great monolith fo stone, with runes carved into every surface. At the very top of the monolith is a large bed. </p><p></p><p>The Abbot explains that in the bed is Gruck the troll, who arrived two days ago and begged for sanctuary. He was terrified, and his condition has worsened. There was no place large enough to place the troll except atop the stone. Trolls, rarely ever stressed or scared but for brief (and often lethal) instances, they are drastically effected by it. In Gruck's case, he suffers from stomach ulcers, the acid burning away at his insides. Abbot has been treating him, but so far has not been able to get from the troll any useful information besides the fact the troll's two brothers are dead, and he is scared witless, paranoid. As this is explained, Gruck peers over the edge of the bed from beneath the covers. </p><p></p><p>Interrogating Gruck is very easy. Any success at intimidate or diplomacy will get Gruck to spill his guts. Just before he and his brothers migrated north last year, they crossed paths with a halfling bard. The bard, Gabby Talltale, had a scorching wit, and feeling safe given the agreement between Paddlewise and the trolls, proceeded to mock them mercilously. To which the troll brothers beset upon the halfling, tearing her to pieces, eating or playing with the remains. The first night of their arrival this year, Gruch explains that he went off to releave himself, before returning to find the ghost of Gabby Talltale, telling his brother Lutch a joke. To which made Lutch laugh so hard and so long that he began to vomit on himself, over and over, until he was no more. Gruck fled, seeking a holy man to protect him, since "Undead don't like godmen". So far, he's been safe on consecrated ground, while his brother Flutch was killed (the troll corpse the players found).</p><p></p><p>However the players react, Abbot will beg them for help. Regardless of the trolls' actions, Paddlewise needs the crocs weeded out. If they accept to help stop Gabby Talltale before she finishes her revenge, Abbot then consults the monolith. The Stone of Ioun is a great relic, one that can assist in divinations, research, and other such knowledge. It was the Stone that directed Abbot to the Trollers. Abbot learns from the Stone that the only remaining piece of Gabby Talltale is her foot, which fell into the river, drifted down current until it became lodged in the river delta at the river's mouth. If the PCs can recover the foot, and bury it on consecrated ground, Gabby's spirit would be put to rest, given a proper buriel. </p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Part II: Down a creek without a paddle...</strong></p><p></p><p>Reaching the river delta from land is possible, but with the waters rich with crocodiles, they would have to swim across at the last leg. It is better to reach it by boat. The only halfling willing to boat down the crocodile filled waters is Potuck MuckRudder, an uncouth, surly, tobacco chewing halfling boater.</p><p></p><p>The trip down the river is treacherous, given the crocodiles, presenting at least one thrilling battle before reaching the delta. The challenge of the encounter is less slaying the hungry reptiles and more protecting the little boat from being smashed in the tussle. </p><p></p><p>The river delta is mainly comprised of gunk, dense algae, silt, sediment, and halfling boat debris that has drifted downriver. However, the delta is the territory of an onnery two-headed croc named Toothy Jack. Toothy Jack is none too interested in letting the PCs dig around his delta, where his harem of female crocs have been overseeing Jack's broods. </p><p></p><p>After contending with Toothy Jack and his harem, the PCs will eventually find the mummified severed foot of Gabby Talltale. </p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Part III: The Punchline</strong></p><p></p><p>On the trip back to Paddlewise, the Gabby Talltale appears before the PCs. She is composed of her incorporeal pieces which look to be patchworked together, except for her missing left foot. Gabby is not pleased that the PCs are trying to prevent her revenge, but buriel (and recognition) play to the angry ghost's pride. Instead of overtly fighting the PCs, Gabby challenges the players to a joke-telling contest. If they can make her laugh, she will not hinder their trip. Engage in a skill challenge, or use charisma or whatever appropriate social stat. Or, allow the players to each come up with an appropriate joke, gauging the other player's responses. </p><p></p><p>If the players succeed, Gabby allows them pass. If not, she harries their journey - possessing the slain crocodile corpses, possessing a PC and running into the river, attempting to steal her foot, or attracting wandering monsters.</p><p></p><p>When the PCs reach Paddlewise and conduct the funeral ceremony of Gabby's foot, they can engage in a challenge to get Gruck out of bed. This should be fairly difficult, but after a few intimidates, diplomacies, and religion checks assuring Gruck the ghost is gone, the troll will get out of bed and go outside of the temple's grounds (only if the PCs and Abbot accompany him). Gabby's soul is at rest, and since she does not attack, Gruck profusely thanks the PCs (with lots of hugs and slobbery troll kisses) before returning to bed for his ulcers. Abbot thanks the PCs and offers them towels. The halflings rejoice, hail the players as heroes, and a fish banquit is in order. </p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Ingredients</strong>:</p><p>River Delta: The resting place of Gabby's foot, and Toothy Jack's territory, at the mouth of the Emerald River.</p><p>Severed Foot: The foot of Gabby Talltale, the McGuffin necessary to save Gruck and Paddlewise.</p><p>Monstrous Bard: Gabby TallTale. Being a ghost, she's a monster. But her appearance (and what she does to the trolls) is also monstrous. </p><p>Brutal Slayings: The description and state of slayed troll remains are quite brutal. </p><p>Bedridden Troll: Gruch is bedridden, both from his severe ulcers. He is a troll, and also <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/troll" target="_blank">fishes by trolling</a>. </p><p>Ioun Stone: The Stone of Ioun within the Paddlewise temple is a monolith covered in runes, useful for divinations. Said to be blessed by Ioun, it has powers of knowledge and wisdom.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Rechan, post: 4966503, member: 54846"] [B][U]The Killing Joke[/U][/B] A system neutral side-trek for low level PCs. Paddlewise is a pleasant halfling community along the Emerald River. They make their living fishing in the river, as well as trading goods up and down the river. The challenge is that the Emerald River is named due to its near placid current, allowing a slight green muck of scum to settle on the top. Which means that the crocodiles that live in the Emerald River have a great camouflage. The halfling boaters and fishers would be at the crocodiles' mercy, were it not for the Trollers. The Trollers are a trio of migrating troll brothers that arrive every season to fish for crocs. By using large iron hooks on sturdy chains, the brothers run down the riverbank, trolling the hook through the water. A croc will get snagged, and the trolls drag the reptile ashore with their great strength to make sport of slaying it. The halflings offer aid, extra food, and other amenities to the trolls in exchange for their efforts, and additional protection of the community. It's a happy relationship. Until Paddlewise's trolls started being murdered. With crocodile spawning season over, the river will be teaming with toothsome beasts, and the halflings need help. Hooks: Scratching a small-sized back: the PCs need to travel along the river, aid by the Ioun priest, or some sort of divination or lore (which can be granted by the Stone of Ioun's usage). In exchange, they are requested to help out the village. Home Sweet Home: A halfling PC may be from Paddlewise. The Obvious: A request for help. [B]Part I: Dark Humor[/B] Before the PCs arrive to Paddlewise, they will stumble upon a grizzly sight. The well preserved remains of a troll can be found. It would appear that only the front of the troll was scorched by what looks like acid. A small sized footprint has been branded into the troll's skull, and the left foot of the troll is missing. Paddlewise looks relatively normal for a river-going halfling community. Small houses on stilts to accommodate when the river floods, several docks where fishing halflings perch. Two things are of note. First, the docks are crowded with boats, the place full of loitering and anxious halflings, and there's no room on the docks given the crowds with fishing poles in the water. The second is that there is a building with a tall tower attached, its size odd given the otherwise small construction of the halfling-sized buildings. Even stranger: given that all the buildings are on stilts, the players can see beneath the tower, and in the center of said tower, a broad, square stone juts from the earth, up into the tower. It takes very little to discover the talk of the town - Paddlewise's halfling notice new comers, and are all too willing to talk about everything under the sun, and openly volunteer that their trolls are in dire trouble. Characters are steered towards the temple of Ioun - the building with the tall tower. Despite the size of the temple, only two work within: the priest Abbot Taleteller, and his acolyte. As they are greeted, the players can hear cries of "Abbot!" it a guttural voice from the direction of the tower, which send the acolyte running. The Abbot invites the PCs along before going. The PCs arrive within the Tower, to discover that the tower obscures a great monolith fo stone, with runes carved into every surface. At the very top of the monolith is a large bed. The Abbot explains that in the bed is Gruck the troll, who arrived two days ago and begged for sanctuary. He was terrified, and his condition has worsened. There was no place large enough to place the troll except atop the stone. Trolls, rarely ever stressed or scared but for brief (and often lethal) instances, they are drastically effected by it. In Gruck's case, he suffers from stomach ulcers, the acid burning away at his insides. Abbot has been treating him, but so far has not been able to get from the troll any useful information besides the fact the troll's two brothers are dead, and he is scared witless, paranoid. As this is explained, Gruck peers over the edge of the bed from beneath the covers. Interrogating Gruck is very easy. Any success at intimidate or diplomacy will get Gruck to spill his guts. Just before he and his brothers migrated north last year, they crossed paths with a halfling bard. The bard, Gabby Talltale, had a scorching wit, and feeling safe given the agreement between Paddlewise and the trolls, proceeded to mock them mercilously. To which the troll brothers beset upon the halfling, tearing her to pieces, eating or playing with the remains. The first night of their arrival this year, Gruch explains that he went off to releave himself, before returning to find the ghost of Gabby Talltale, telling his brother Lutch a joke. To which made Lutch laugh so hard and so long that he began to vomit on himself, over and over, until he was no more. Gruck fled, seeking a holy man to protect him, since "Undead don't like godmen". So far, he's been safe on consecrated ground, while his brother Flutch was killed (the troll corpse the players found). However the players react, Abbot will beg them for help. Regardless of the trolls' actions, Paddlewise needs the crocs weeded out. If they accept to help stop Gabby Talltale before she finishes her revenge, Abbot then consults the monolith. The Stone of Ioun is a great relic, one that can assist in divinations, research, and other such knowledge. It was the Stone that directed Abbot to the Trollers. Abbot learns from the Stone that the only remaining piece of Gabby Talltale is her foot, which fell into the river, drifted down current until it became lodged in the river delta at the river's mouth. If the PCs can recover the foot, and bury it on consecrated ground, Gabby's spirit would be put to rest, given a proper buriel. [B]Part II: Down a creek without a paddle...[/B] Reaching the river delta from land is possible, but with the waters rich with crocodiles, they would have to swim across at the last leg. It is better to reach it by boat. The only halfling willing to boat down the crocodile filled waters is Potuck MuckRudder, an uncouth, surly, tobacco chewing halfling boater. The trip down the river is treacherous, given the crocodiles, presenting at least one thrilling battle before reaching the delta. The challenge of the encounter is less slaying the hungry reptiles and more protecting the little boat from being smashed in the tussle. The river delta is mainly comprised of gunk, dense algae, silt, sediment, and halfling boat debris that has drifted downriver. However, the delta is the territory of an onnery two-headed croc named Toothy Jack. Toothy Jack is none too interested in letting the PCs dig around his delta, where his harem of female crocs have been overseeing Jack's broods. After contending with Toothy Jack and his harem, the PCs will eventually find the mummified severed foot of Gabby Talltale. [B]Part III: The Punchline[/B] On the trip back to Paddlewise, the Gabby Talltale appears before the PCs. She is composed of her incorporeal pieces which look to be patchworked together, except for her missing left foot. Gabby is not pleased that the PCs are trying to prevent her revenge, but buriel (and recognition) play to the angry ghost's pride. Instead of overtly fighting the PCs, Gabby challenges the players to a joke-telling contest. If they can make her laugh, she will not hinder their trip. Engage in a skill challenge, or use charisma or whatever appropriate social stat. Or, allow the players to each come up with an appropriate joke, gauging the other player's responses. If the players succeed, Gabby allows them pass. If not, she harries their journey - possessing the slain crocodile corpses, possessing a PC and running into the river, attempting to steal her foot, or attracting wandering monsters. When the PCs reach Paddlewise and conduct the funeral ceremony of Gabby's foot, they can engage in a challenge to get Gruck out of bed. This should be fairly difficult, but after a few intimidates, diplomacies, and religion checks assuring Gruck the ghost is gone, the troll will get out of bed and go outside of the temple's grounds (only if the PCs and Abbot accompany him). Gabby's soul is at rest, and since she does not attack, Gruck profusely thanks the PCs (with lots of hugs and slobbery troll kisses) before returning to bed for his ulcers. Abbot thanks the PCs and offers them towels. The halflings rejoice, hail the players as heroes, and a fish banquit is in order. [B]Ingredients[/B]: River Delta: The resting place of Gabby's foot, and Toothy Jack's territory, at the mouth of the Emerald River. Severed Foot: The foot of Gabby Talltale, the McGuffin necessary to save Gruck and Paddlewise. Monstrous Bard: Gabby TallTale. Being a ghost, she's a monster. But her appearance (and what she does to the trolls) is also monstrous. Brutal Slayings: The description and state of slayed troll remains are quite brutal. Bedridden Troll: Gruch is bedridden, both from his severe ulcers. He is a troll, and also [URL="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/troll"]fishes by trolling[/URL]. Ioun Stone: The Stone of Ioun within the Paddlewise temple is a monolith covered in runes, useful for divinations. Said to be blessed by Ioun, it has powers of knowledge and wisdom. [/QUOTE]
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