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Rotten Roots

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Jan 10, 2022 : Hedge Patrol IV
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(Rotten Roots) Burning the Midnight Oil
Jan 14, 2023 - Jan 14, 2023
(Rotten Roots) Round Table
Jan 23, 2023 - Mar 8, 2023
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  1. #1
    Saber Sloth's Avatar

    0 Scenes

    Something has changed, and not for the better. Gathering at the Capitol Park 'Gate, the Lost review what had happened the last time Patrollers had come through. Finding and Dealing with a Murder of Blindbirds for the body of a Metalflesh, named Carlos, that the Lost then laid to rest, and a hint at something foul, blooming with the cloying scent of Fruit paired with rusted metal. Crushed to Carlos' chest, amid the creeping vines was a single rotten Goblin Fruit.

    The only Fruit the Lost had been able to find during their whole Patrol.

    Now, that rusting rot has slowly been infecting more, and more Fruit, and soon it will threaten even the Freehold's well tended Hedge Bounties.


    Rotten Roots is a go! Please include your Equipment, Health and WP with every post!

    If you want to get going right away I'm going to need someone to spend 1 Glamour to open the Hedge Gate!

    Aeolus Gerrit Yumyumcrow Anatole BoxingUnicorn Liam Gelt Shenanigans Cassandra Reeding

  2. #2
    Anatole's Avatar
    Mantle (Autumn)
    (Shadows, heat and ringing metal)
    New Identity
    (Anatole Kolowksi)
    Strong Back
    Resources
    Anatole

    MASK
    A shorter, barrel chested man with a thick beard.

    MEIN
    A 'dwarf' with burned, scorched, and scarred skin.

    (Opening the Gate)Glamour 1 Spent
    2
    PRE

    Smith

    Anatole cuts an unusual figure as he strolls - or is it stalks - to the Hedge Gate. He is in his jeans and stout boots, with a serviceable shirt. He has combed his hair back and held it in place with an elastic and has done the same for his beard. He might have appeared as a workman on his way to, or from, work.

    And then there is his black coat (charcoal, actually). Oh it would pass casual inspection, and is probably enough to pass for the average person on the street. Until he has to stop. Or someone questions why ware such a heavy garment in the height of summer. Or passes the more well-to-do on the street... For a closer inspection would reveal just how well cut his long coat is: how snug and well fitting; how it shimmers with excellent quality materials. This is not the coat of a workman.

    Of course it is not the coat of a working man. Its Hedgespun.

    And then there are the bags. He has a new backpack - not big or expensive, but serviceable - to replace his old scrip bag, which did not long survive the rigours of his last deep hedge expedition. Poking out of this bag is another bag - well, an object wrapped in cheap plastic bags. That would be his Axe but it wouldn't serve to draw too much attention. And then there is the cheap linen bag he is carrying, which is full of recently purchased supplies.

    This probably explains why the burned dwarf hustles to Gate, suspiciously eyes the surroundings in case of unwanted witnesses, and opens the way...


    Heath: 8/8
    WP: 3/3

    GEAR:
    Hedgespun Coat (Hedgespun 3: Def +1, Persuasion (Paladin of Shadows), Intimidation (Menace)
    Axe
    Back Pack - water bottle, ration bars, knife
    Shopping Bag - plastic gloves, gladwrap / plastic bags*

    *Don't know what they are called where you are Saber Sloth - cooking bags suitable for sandwiches or certain meats
    ** by plastic gloves I mean the cheap disposable gloves you can purchase in supermarkets now

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  4. #3
    Liam Gelt's Avatar
    Giant
    (7 feet tall; not fond of low ceilings)
    Strength
    (Lean but well-muscled)
    Spring Mantle
    (+1 to Pres/Day)
    Liam Gelt
    Mien/Mantle

    Mien: Liam's skin is hardened into a bark-like armor with pine cone-like ridges throughout. His hair is made of pine needles that act a bit like a hedgehog's quills; standing up when agitated or smooth when calm. His eyes are a deep amber and his tears appear to have the consistency of sap until they leave his face.

    Mantle: The scent of pine sap in a close radius, his needle-like hair ripples occasionally as if tugged by a light breeze.
    Combat Stats

    Def: 2 (Dex/Wits)
    Armor: 0/0
    Initiative: 5
    Speed: 12 (w/ Fleet of Foot)

    Ogre Seeming Bonus
    -Add Glam to Str pools (1 per Glam)

    3
    PRE

    Wyrd
    ••
    Gargantuan

    Nervous wouldn't begin to describe Liam's attitude today. The idea of the Freehold's Hedge Bounties being contaminated, especially when they could mean the difference between life and death in a crisis, is weighing heavily on him. But nervous or not, Liam is here. He's dressed in hiking gear with a large backpack that almost looks like a peddler's pack, with canteens and a mesh bag of Goblin Fruits hanging off the side like he has wares to sell. But unlike most peddlers with heavy packs, Liam isn't bent over. If anything he's standing a bit taller with his pine needle hair closely trimmed. He might as well be going for a leisurely long stroll in the mountains.

    "Hello, Anatole!"
    The Giant waves to the Dwarf as he gives life to the Gate. He looks admiringly at the Hedgespun coat. "Wow! That's a pretty neat coat. Did you make it yourself?" ​Then he looks to the gate and his expression becomes a bit more solemn. ​"Have you seen or heard of anything like this? Contaminated Goblin Fruit?"

    equipment

    HP 9/9
    WP 5/5
    Glam 11/11
    Hedge Patrol V: (Fast Reflexes 1 via Pledge)

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  6. #4
    Gerrit's Avatar
    New Identity
    (Gerrit Jameson)
    Gerrit

    Mien:
    Leathery scars, bruises and scaly scabs cover the whole hairless body. There is a certain symmetry to the disfigurements, the color of the visible skin ranging from pale pink to purple and dark red. Lately patches of dark blue and black - frostbite - have appeared on his skin and some of the scabs have frozen over and crystalized.
    His right hand shows a copper-coloured, wilted and flaky scar, engulfing most of his palm and the inside of his wrist. Next to frostbite and bruised scars it adds a third layer of wounds bore by the Ogre.

    Mantle:
    Contrast seem to grow slightly more stark around Gerrit, the crisp clearness of a winter morning. Sometimes the sound of ice forming or breaking can be heard in a short, brisk snap. When using Contracts a subtle, biting cold can be felt around Gerrit - pins and needles prick both the Onyx and those close to him.

    Crown:
    Solid, thick panes of clear ice symmetrically arranged around his head with fern frost at the base.
    Active Pledges

    Motley Pledge

    Only a result of 10 on a die is considered a success. Should a given die result in no successes, the failure is considered to be a dramatic failure, though the oathbreaker may spend a point of willpower to negate this, making it a regular failure.
    -Until Oct 5th.

    1
    PRE

    Stonebones Snowskin

    The news that there might be something wrong with the Hedge Bounty around the Freehold troubled Gerrit. Ever since Anatole had told him about it on the Summer Coronation he had been watching the fruit he grew in his Hollow with great interest and a little bit of anxiety. This couldn't be just another way the Wyrd was punishing him, could it?

    He made his way to the meeting point dressed in sensible clothes - jeans, dark grey sweatshirt and work-boots - carrying a backpack filled with things that might help them over there. The most noticeable things were a book on Goblin Fruit cultivation they found in Queen Anne's library, a small shovel used in Gardening and the remaining Dream-a-Drupes he harvested from his lot. Maybe they would do nothing, maybe they would even harm them because the contamination had already reached them, but it was possible that they needed every advantage they could get.

    Liam and Anatole were already there, Gate open and ready. Frankly, he welcomed the decisive change of pace. He joined the two Lost and nodded solemnly. "Hello Anatole. Liam. So does either one of you know where we can begin looking? Anything else I need to know?" The notice board didn't say anything about the problem at hand, so Gerrit had to play it by ear again.
    No surprise there, really.


    Stats and Equipment


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  8. #5
    Anatole's Avatar
    Mantle (Autumn)
    (Shadows, heat and ringing metal)
    New Identity
    (Anatole Kolowksi)
    Strong Back
    Resources
    Anatole

    MASK
    A shorter, barrel chested man with a thick beard.

    MEIN
    A 'dwarf' with burned, scorched, and scarred skin.

    2
    PRE

    Smith

    Anatole is through the Gate, his hedgespun raiment now in full view: shadows and spider silk, strands of fear and chains of authority. His coat ripples black, grey, and charcoal from its high collar to its long skirt. No... wait... thats not a long skirt - is his Mantle riding along on his coat creating the impression of a trailing skirt?

    Anatole smiles sly and bobs his head quickly when the Giant approaches, beckoning him through the Gate.

    "Hello Liam! Ha! No -a royal gift from your Queen. What brings you..."

    A pause as the Giant's words sink in.

    "Rotting fruit...? Yes. I've been hearing rumours. Too many. I need to see it for myself. That what bought you out too?"

    He doesn't get chance for a quick reply as another familiar figure appears. The burned dwarf's face brightens but he doesn't welcome Gerrit at first, hurrying to usher his friend through the Gate before it begins to close.

    "Another worried about this... sickness... story? Good! Good! Glad you are with us! Its some sickness in the Hedge. In the Thorns maybe? Whatever it is, this sickness is affecting Hedge Bounty and if the rumour mill is true it is spreading everywhere."

    Anatole was unlimbering his Axe and struggling with his bags.

    "Thing is - I'm not entirely sure what we are looking for. My best guess... We follow the trod and let the Wyrd guide us till we find what we are looking for. And maybe once we can actually see what this sickness, blight, curse, or whatever it is, we can put our heads together and work something out."

    The Wizened's eyes bounce between the two Ogres. One is a Winter Courtier and the other is allied with Spring; one owns a florist and the other has a mantle that teases with nose with scents of pine. Surely they have lore that will help. He has his own knowledge but without focus he doubts he can achieve much.

    Heath: 8/8
    WP: 3/3
    Glamour: 7/8

    Ax, Hedgespun Coat, backpack and bags - water bottle, trail rations, knife, disposable plastic gloves, gladwrap / plastic bags

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  10. #6
    Saber Sloth's Avatar

    0 Scenes

    The Lost slip through the Gate easy as breathing, though the shadows cling to each and all, as they go from Here to There. The vibrant danger of the Hedge blossoms around them, constrast sharp between Stark and Shadows.

    Liam will recognise the clearing around them. Identical though Summer warmed, to the last time he'd come through this trod. Familiar architecture of the park is represented, just slightly...to the left. Statues losing their mortal poses, and human features, changing to the fantastical, armour; plate, mail and leather, carrying whips, swords and shields.

    Around the clearing, surrounding the Hedge warrior statues are the left behind vines, and stems and roots. Familiar for their purpose. Cast away parts from the Bounty they're investigating now. And as last time, there is not a single Goblin Fruit to be seen.

    They are almost ready to depart, to travel further into the Hedge, and towards the still roped off hedge corridor, the only one they're waiting for is, Cassandra Reeding , as they wait there is still much of the clearing for them to see....



    We can start off with some rolls if you want! Int + Occult, or Wits + Survival, or Int + Investigation you can include specs for Hedge/Goblin Fruit or you can just roll a general Perception!

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  12. #7
    Cassandra Reeding's Avatar

    Cassandra Moore
    Presence
    (Charismatic)
    Striking Looks
    (Radiant)
    Intelligence
    (Keen)
    Kith Blessing
    (Prismatic Heart)
    Status
    (Entertainment)
    Cassandra Reeding

    Eyes like cut, polished emeralds, waist-length scarlet hair, and glowing prismatic skin that seems to react to her emotional state, however what they mean is anyone's guess.

    +1
    SL
    4
    PRE

    Wyrd
    •••
    Polychromatic Artist

    Cassandra woke up late. Of course she did. With her luck recently, she's found that she's had trouble just functioning in normal life, but today she's got an important task to do. She dresses herself in comfortable clothing, a set of cargo pants and a black tank top. Her hair has been pulled up into a high, braided ponytail to keep it out of the way.

    She packs up her backpack with materials she may need and grabs her bow with arrows for good measure. What they'll face in the hedge she's uncertain, but she can at least be a little prepared. She's nervous that the curse may affect her shot, but she can do her best in case of an emergency situation.

    When she arrives, she notices the hedge gate already open and she heads inside. "Sorry I'm late," she says apologetically to the others.

    Equipment and Stats

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  14. #8
    Liam Gelt's Avatar
    Giant
    (7 feet tall; not fond of low ceilings)
    Strength
    (Lean but well-muscled)
    Spring Mantle
    (+1 to Pres/Day)
    Liam Gelt
    Mien/Mantle

    Mien: Liam's skin is hardened into a bark-like armor with pine cone-like ridges throughout. His hair is made of pine needles that act a bit like a hedgehog's quills; standing up when agitated or smooth when calm. His eyes are a deep amber and his tears appear to have the consistency of sap until they leave his face.

    Mantle: The scent of pine sap in a close radius, his needle-like hair ripples occasionally as if tugged by a light breeze.
    Combat Stats

    Def: 2 (Dex/Wits)
    Armor: 0/0
    Initiative: 5
    Speed: 12 (w/ Fleet of Foot)

    Ogre Seeming Bonus
    -Add Glam to Str pools (1 per Glam)

    3
    PRE

    Wyrd
    ••
    Gargantuan

    Liam follows Anatole through the gate, the familiar sensation of passing between worlds scattering the pine scent of his mantle around him like a deciduous cologne. "Yeah. I think it might have something to do with..." And then Gerrit appears through the gate, and Liam is briefly distracted with relief to see his fellow Ogre. "Gerrit! Glad to see you again. We'll need your expertise here."

    Liam's face twists with a barkskin-spreading grimace of worry. "I was part of a patrol recently that found a dead Metalflesh holding a rotten Goblin Fruit. I'm not sure if that's what cause him to pass, but it was reacting to his skin and causing it to rust. That can't be good for anybody." Even an Ogre's metabolism has limits.
    1 success

    Liam looks around the statues and the foliage wrapping around them, eager to find further evidence of some kind of corruption. As he looks up from observing one of the nearby vines he sees Cassandra, and walks up to the Fairest with another joyful grin. "Cassandra! Long time no see. Glad to have you with us." He pats Cassandra on the shoulder with the same care you might see between an elephant bopping a human caretaker with its trunk.

    equipment

    HP 9/9
    WP 2/2
    Glam 11/11
    Hedge Patrol V: (Fast Reflexes 1 via Pledge)

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  16. #9
    Gerrit's Avatar
    New Identity
    (Gerrit Jameson)
    Gerrit

    Mien:
    Leathery scars, bruises and scaly scabs cover the whole hairless body. There is a certain symmetry to the disfigurements, the color of the visible skin ranging from pale pink to purple and dark red. Lately patches of dark blue and black - frostbite - have appeared on his skin and some of the scabs have frozen over and crystalized.
    His right hand shows a copper-coloured, wilted and flaky scar, engulfing most of his palm and the inside of his wrist. Next to frostbite and bruised scars it adds a third layer of wounds bore by the Ogre.

    Mantle:
    Contrast seem to grow slightly more stark around Gerrit, the crisp clearness of a winter morning. Sometimes the sound of ice forming or breaking can be heard in a short, brisk snap. When using Contracts a subtle, biting cold can be felt around Gerrit - pins and needles prick both the Onyx and those close to him.

    Crown:
    Solid, thick panes of clear ice symmetrically arranged around his head with fern frost at the base.
    Active Pledges

    Motley Pledge

    Only a result of 10 on a die is considered a success. Should a given die result in no successes, the failure is considered to be a dramatic failure, though the oathbreaker may spend a point of willpower to negate this, making it a regular failure.
    -Until Oct 5th.

    1
    PRE

    Stonebones Snowskin

    Gerrit took in what Anatole explained to him. The idea of letting the Wyrd guide them worried him to some extend, but the Dwarf seemed sure about this. Plus, if the rumors were true they had to do something. So he'd just have to roll with the punches. Liam added to the Wizened's account - if a Goblin Fruit really had killed a Lost they had to find out how that could have happened. They had to know if this was something someone else had orchestrated or if the Hedge acted on its own accord. Both options were bad for their own reasons.

    Looking around the clearing, Gerrit tried to get an impression of how those punches could look like. Frankly, the statues made him uneasy, as if they could come to life at any moment. As if the spreading corruption had already gotten to them.

    Perception dramatic failure


    His assessment was interrupted when he heard Cassandras voice. He almost tripped over himself when he turned around to greet her, but just barely managed to keep his balance. If the idea of relying on the Wyrd had worried him before, this anxiety just got doubled. "Hello Cassandra." Did they have to tell Liam and Anatole about the broken Pledge? That didn't feel right - Gerrit decided not to for the moment.

    "Seems like we are ready to go. Liam, would you mind leading the way?" The Giant seemed familiar with the area.


    Stats and Equipment


  17. #10
    Anatole's Avatar
    Mantle (Autumn)
    (Shadows, heat and ringing metal)
    New Identity
    (Anatole Kolowksi)
    Strong Back
    Resources
    Anatole

    MASK
    A shorter, barrel chested man with a thick beard.

    MEIN
    A 'dwarf' with burned, scorched, and scarred skin.

    2
    PRE

    Smith

    Anatole has finished wrestling bags into his backpack. He struggles with his now bulked up - if light - pack and hefts his Ax onto his shoulder with the blade face down over his back. Cassandra arrives, eliciting a raised eyebrow from the burned dwarf. At this point he prefers to maintain a dignified silence but he does space the Onyx Thane a slight nod, acknowledging her presence as part of their company as if she had never been absent.

    "A Dead Lost? That bodes ill. Far worse than a canker of some kind spreading through the Thorns. I'll second that Gerrit... Liam, if you lead us to the spot where you found that Metalflesh we might be able to work out the direction he came from, which would help his figure out where the source of this... blight... is. It'll be better than wandering aimlessly and without purpose - that would be an invitation to the Thorns to play with us. If it is as bad as it sounds, we simply don't have time for that."

    That would give him time to run over the many lores accumulated in his memory for some possibilities as to what was really going on.

    And besides, he really needed to sight some of this rust before his speculations could mean anything. His keen eye was already roving the trod before them but at this stage he wasn't really looking only waiting for something off to catch his eye.

    "Glad you bought your bow, Cassandra. I think we'll need it when we find what we are looking for."

    Before he moved off, happy to let the two Ogre's take the lead if that is what they wished, he cast an appraising glance at the Onyx weapon of choice. A memory flickered for their last journey together - the creature that trailed and hunted them when they found the abandoned Glade, the hollowed out Library, and the wretched Oliver.

    Anatole rolls Intelligence + Investigation with penalties to reflect their pace, his willingness to let Liam lead, and the general difficulty of picking out the rust this close to the Gate.

    1 success

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