Families and Feuds

Families and Feuds (1x04) is the fourth episode of the first chapter of the first campaign for Shikar.

Nim wanders away with a new friend and the group must track down their missing hatchling before they can continue their journey to Solace Point. Who took the child? What do they want? Will Sunflower ever stop lying?

Father Figures and Meditative Dreams
This episode opens with Scorpio, lying in his bedroll, in the midst of his elven reverie. In his dream he is back at the monastery, a place of tranquil serenity, when Akash appears beside him. He bows and takes a seat next to the half-elf. They discuss what Scorpio has learned in his brief time away from the monastery and Scorpio explains the lessons he has learned. Scorpio expresses his fear of forgetting the things he has experienced, but is happy that it allows him to live in the now. After their conversation, Akash turns into a constellation and fades away.

Nim, having just been told that the horned man, Demetri, may be his father and is understandably hesitant as he explains that there is a mistake because he does not have a father. Demetri understands, and explains that he was not ready to be a father at the time of the boy's birth and agreed with Nim's mother that it would be best if he stayed away.

Nim anxiously attempts to awaken Ajax, but the half-orc is still suffering from a magically induced sleep. He explains to the horned man that if he is in need of travelling companions, his group is available, but he does not want to hear anymore lies.

The man assures Nim that he did not want to break the news to Nim in this way, and wishes he had just continued on his way to Solace Point, but Nim's music had drawn him in.

Nim moves to pull Scorpio from his Reverie but hears the pan pipes begin to play again. The music twists Nim's perception of Demetri, causing him to look more favorably on his potential father. He asks Nim to take a walk with him.

Nim begins to fill his father in on his life, including the fact that he lives near, and works at, a cemetery and helps with the services. He asks Demetri where he has been and the man says that he has been wandering to learn new songs and hone his craft. He offers to teach Nim how to play the Melody of Melancholy and Nim readily agrees.

Nim admits that it isn't fair to only be around others when they are happy, and someone needs to be there when they are sad. He hears the snap of a twig to his left and a hand clamps around his mouth from behind, snatched deeper into the woods. Demetri watches on sadly, but does not move to intervene.

Waking Nightmares
Horror creeps into Ajax's mind and he awakens, unable to find Nim. He is horrified that he fell asleep on watch and begins tossing the camp in search of his ward. Scorpio and Valym are confused, saying he probably wandered off, but Ajax assures them that Nim doesn't just wander off. They search for any signs of travel or struggle.

Scorpio spots where Nim's footprints had approached him in the night, but they about faced and headed into the forest. Valym casts Speak with Animals and spots a red tailed hawk perched in a tree. He scales the trunk and approaches her nest. She greets him amiably, but Valym is in no mood to waste time. He pulls a scrap of meat from his pouch and casts Animal Friendship, but the bird takes no notice of the offering.

Valym explains that his group has lost a hatchling and the bird recalls seeing a horned fellow speaking to a smaller horned child. Valym offers to catch her some fish if she helps them search, but she refuses payment, expressing her concern for single parents. Valym, noticing a bare spot in her nest, casts Druidcraft to fill it in.

The druid calls down to his friends when the hawk takes to the air, filling them in on the situation. Ajax is confused about another person with horns and Scorpio asks if it could be Nim's mom. Ajax says that Nim's mom wouldn't come this far out and promises to kill whoever took Nim.

After some time, the hawk returns with good news. She says that she may have found them, including Valym's hatchling. Valym asks if there was more than one, and she says that she spotted three people near the hot spring by the brook. Valym thanks her and rejoins his group on the ground.

Babbling Brooks and Buffoons
The group comes up with a plan on Ajax's suggestion. They make their way to the brook and spot a hooded creature washing themselves at the edge of the spring. Ajax and Valym hide while Scorpio pulls a flask, swishes some ale in his mouth, and envelopes himself in the persona of a drunk. He catches the attention of the hooded figure who asks him if he is okay.

Scorpio asks if the man has seen his friend's around, indicating that they have horns. The man says he hasn't seen anyone and that he is travelling to Golden Dale, offering to take Scorpio to the nearest tavern. Scorpio politely declines and watches the man saunter off.

Valym and Ajax rejoin Scorpio, who drops the drunken charade, and they silently follow the man. The man eventually sits down on a stone and removes his boots to reveal that he has hooved feet. He throws back his hood to reveal that he has horns before he shoves the boots in a sack and hides it amongst the brush.

Ajax moves to draw his sword, but Valym convinces him to stay his blade until they know more information. They continue to follow the hooved man until he reaches a road. He begins to trek down the road and Ajax ponders where he could be going.

Displeased God Child
Nim is faced with a gentle human figure. She introduces herself as Serabelle and says she feels bad and wants to feed Nim. She tries to feed a tearful Nim some blueberry oatmeal. Nim snatches it away and asks where his friends are. She says she can't tell him that and Nim says that she is a horrible person.

Nim's vision is blocked by some crates and a cot, but sees that he is still in the forest. Serabelle says that Nim shouldn't have to stay too long and hopes that Nim's friends arrive soon. She assures Nim that it wasn't her idea to crack him over the head and offers to rub some ointment on it.

Nim says that she is a terrible person and will regret everything she has done as he casts Dissonant Whispers. Serabelle, facing the thoughts of her own demise, shrieks and runs from Nim before she collapses. A man rushes to check on her.

A Father's Confession
Ajax wishes he had just taken Nim straight home. Valym suggests they rush the man and force him to tell them where Nim is. Valym and Scorpio come from either side of the man as Ajax takes him to the ground from behind.

Ajax asks where the horned child is and Demetri denies knowing anything. Valym, speaking Sylvan, says that if he doesn't answer, the half-orc on his back would violently end his life.

The satyr immediately spills his guts, pleading with the group not to tell Gianni, the man who hired him. He explains that he has had a bad day, seeing as a hawk came out of nowhere and attacked him. Valym demands Demetri's payment from the kidnapping and then fills the group in. Ajax tells the satyr that if he is lying, then he will to end his life. They let Demetri go and listen to his lamentations as he heads down the road.

Converging Crisis
Nim watches a man gather Serabelle up as Gianni, a half-orc, leaps in front of him to asks what he did to her. Nim says it was their fault for being bad people and tying up a child. He tries to reason with the half-orc, promising to aid Serabelle if they untie him. The half-orc smacks the oatmeal from Nim's hand and comes in close to Nim's face. He informs Nim that he is not in control here and explains that he isn't the target, but that the kid's friends are in a lot of trouble.

He leaves Nim to aid Serabelle and Nim tries to crawl away. Unfortunately the man notices and tells Nim to just give up and stay put.

The rest of the group has backtracked to the hot spring with a brief stop to retrieve the satyr's hidden bag of camping supplies. They head east, heading for the area that the satyr explained.

They quietly make their way through the woods, coming upon a small camp of people. The inhabitants are crouched over a woman in the middle of camp, trying to stabilize her. The half orc camper notices their approach and calls out to them.

Ajax pulls his argumentative sword from its sheathe, promising to talk to Belinda later. He rushes the half-orc with a diagonal slash, but the half-orc, Gianni, catches the blade with his gauntlet.

Scorpio dives in, leading with his headband padded forehead. The sickening sound of ribs cracking follow the half-orc as he stumbles backwards. Gianni spins, catching Scorpio in his exposed flank with a shortsword.

Nim, still bound at wrist and ankle, sees Scorpio come into view. He casts Dissonant Whispers on Gianni as he sings:

The perils of death come for us all but it is you, not I, who on this night shall fall.

The half-orc cringes from the psychic assault, but quickly shakes it off. Nim crawls to the edge of the crates and calls out to Ajax and Scorpio.

Dammit Bobert!
A halfling rushes towards Scorpio, who recognizes the attacker as Bobert, and punches the monk as he tries to wrestle Scorpio to the ground. Scorpio, with the trained stance of a monk, easily keeps his feet.

Valym throws his axe wide and imbeds it into a tree as Ajax sweeps Gianni's legs from underneath him and brings his sword down. The half-orc rolls out of the way of the incoming blade and regains his footing as he brings his sword across Ajax's chest.

Scorpio trips Bobert and strikes the falling man in the sternum. Nim pleads with Scorpio to unbind him, and gives him Bardic Inspiration before turning his attention to Gianni. Bobert stands up and swings at Scorpio with a mace, but Scorpio sidesteps the blow.

Valym assesses the situation and rushes in, cracking his snake staff into the Gianni's skull.

A well-dressed half-orc comes striding into camp, calling for a halt to the fighting. Ajax, intent on punishing those that took Nim and spurred on by the bloodlust of the cursed Belinda, ignores the request and sinks his sword into Gianni's shoulder, dropping the man to the ground.

Scorpio tells the newcomer to correct the situation before they are forced to continue and pulls away from the combat. Nim stumbles towards the fallen half-orc and fumbles as he tries to staunch the bleeding.

Bobert grovels towards the new-comer, greeting him as his boss. The half-orc backhands the halfling across the face. Valym snatches the half-orc attacker's sword and cuts Nim's hands free.

The newcomer waltzes to Serabelle and stabilizes her. He turns to the group and tells them that they won. Ajax, coming back to his senses, checks in on Nim, apologizing that the child had to see any of that.

Scorpio asks the half-orc, who identifies himself as Cha Ironside, why this had to happen. Cha explains that he is the owner of the Blue Swallow Meadery and some of the underlings decided to kidnap Scorpio for his monastery's secret ale recipe after they lost the competition at the festival. Cha got word of it and came as quickly as he could to put an end to their foolishness. He apologizes on behalf of his employees and promises to punish them accordingly.

He admonishes Scorpio for the smear campaign that Sunflower spread his behalf. The monk apologizes, recognizing that his actions fanned the flames of the conflict. Cha reveals that he stopped in at the Furious Farms on his way and thinks the group's recent actions are commendable.

Scorpio suggests that they become collaborators, instead of competitors, in the future to create a new recipe between the monastery and the Blue Swallow Meadery.

Nim, understandably shaken, questions how anything that the group did justify his kidnapping and trauma. Scorpio admits that justice can only come from those that were wronged and asks the child how they can make it right to him. The child tearfully asks to go home.

Cha places a hand on Nim's shoulder and the Tiefling feels a warmth in his body as he is healed. He apologizes to Nim personally and Nim says that he shouldn't hurt his employees for what they have done. Enough hurt has happened this day, but he hopes that Cha will teach them to understand what they have done today.

Nim comes to the realization that his father is not there, and never was, and Ajax says, "Yeah he is. I'm right here." Nim nestles into Ajax's side, noticeably calmer.

This is Who You Are
Cha admits to Ajax that this situation has been an eye-opener for him and that he has become too detached from the newer recruits. Valym, seething, reminds the half-orc that he facilitated the kidnapping of a child. As Cha tries to interrupt, Valym cuts him off with a sharp, "Shut up!" before continuing. He admonishes Cha and explains that he should not have to open his eyes. The actions of his employees is a direct representation of who he is, and informs the man that he and Blue Swallow are disgusting.

Cha explains that within any group of people, there are elements that are less than positive. There are those that seek to lead these elements towards a path of righteousness and atonement, but there are also those that eschew those values and selfishly lurk in the woods alone. He is committed to fixing an imperfect society, but wonders if Valym is committed to the same cause.

Valym tells the man that it is not his responsibility to fix society but Cha disagrees, saying that it is everyone's responsibility to fix it. Valym angrily informs the man that people like him are the ones that broke society in the first place. Cha begs to differ and Nim pleads with them to stop fighting.

Nim offers to lay any of Cha's underlings souls to rest at Solace Point in the future and takes Ajax's hand to leave. Ajax tells Cha that the next time they meet, he hopes it is under different circumstances and Cha extends the offer to teach Ajax how to wield the great-axe the fighter has strapped to his back if he ever wants to stop by the abbey. He hands Ajax a pouch of 4 gold pieces for the trouble and how well the adventurers handled themselves.

Sunny Surprise!
The group heads back to camp to collect their belongings and Tootsie, who has been distracted by her own reflection in a dew drop. Tootsie happily trots over to Valym, dragging Scorpio behind her. Scorpio recommends that they might catch some rest before heading to Solace Point.

Nim suggests that they clean their clothes in the river because he doesn’t want his mom to see himself or Ajax in shredded and bloody clothes. They are interrupted by an angry Sunflower.

She begins laying into Valym, who had apparently missed their date the day before. She waited at the café and Valym calls it even seeing as they both lied to each other. Sunflower, confused, says that she was exactly where she said she was going to be. Valym approaches her and notices that she is upset and hurt. He tells her that he figured she lied and wasn't going to show up and she questions why she is being punished for telling the truth for once.

Nim runs over and takes Sunflower's hands. He explains that Valym missed the date because of him. He explains to her that he was taken and Valym came to look for him and asks her to forgive the druid. Sunflower tells Nim that he needs to learn how to fight and Valym, annoyed with everything that has happened in the last few hours, asks her what she wants. She ignored the question in favor of verbally assaulting Ajax.

Valym asks the gnome if Sunflower is even her real name and she reveals that it’s a nickname. She hesitates when asked her real name and says that she doesn't know Valym's real name either. Valym reproaches her, recalling that he gave her his name the first day they met. Everything he has said to her has been the truth from the moment they met.

He is tired of people lying and explains that he gave her a gold piece to take care of her turtle, who he knows that she can easily feed every damn day without trouble. He reveals that he tried to spend more time with her because she seemed to want to care, but she continues to lie.

He demands one sincere thing from her if she has any interest in him. She tearfully responds that she used the gold piece he gave her to buy a fancy bottle of wine for them to share on their date and she was left alone at a table. She produces the wine bottle from her bag and angrily smashes it over Valym's shoulder before turning to stomp away.

Valym shoots Scorpio and Ajax a dirty look as they comment on the situation. Nim admits that he doesn't know what is wrong with Sunflower and Valym snaps, "Everything." He sees Sunflower angrily mount her turtle in the distance as the conversation turns to the topic of fairness. He informs Ajax that fairness is the devil's advocate and that the Hell's don't need more.

Ajax thanks the group for their help as Nim falls asleep on the fighter's back. He commends Scorpio's drunken performance as Valym heads after Sunflower. She hasn't gotten far on the back of Eloise and Valym asks her to stop for a moment. She gives Eloise an apple, causing the turtle to slow down even further.

Valym sticks out his hand to Sunflower and reintroduces himself before asking her name. She finally reveals that her name is Sunny Florendale, but people call her Sunflower. He asks her what she does for a living and she says that it is hard to explain, but she enjoys robbing people. Valym asks if she would like to join them at camp for breakfast and a fresh start.

Sunflower declines, concerned that Eloise wouldn't be able to keep up. She settles for taking a raincheck on dinner with the condition that she gets to hit Valym with a bottle again for publicly humiliating her by standing her up.

Valym attempt to understand her logic because the only reason he missed their date was because he was preoccupied with rescuing a kidnapped child before handing her the silver pieces he received and bidding Sunflower goodbye. He returns to camp and immediately retreats into Reverie. Everyone lays down to rest and recuperate, leaving Scorpio to keep watch.

This is where our tale winds down, until next episode.

Player Characters

 * Scorpio - Played by Xander Jeanneret
 * Valym - Played by Gabe Hicks
 * Nim Grimwillow - Played by Josephine McAdam
 * Ajax - Played by Lord Balvin

Non-Player Characters

 * Akash - Scorpio mentor
 * Demetri - Lying Satyr
 * Serabelle - Friendly Kidnapper
 * Gianni - Kidnapping Leader
 * Bobert - Blue Swallow employee
 * Cha Ironside - Owner of the Blue Swallow Meadery
 * Sunflower - Sunny Florendale!

Locations

 * Moonblush Valley
 * Road leading to Solace Point
 * Hot Spring
 * Kidnapper's Camp

Quotes
"Only by gazing upon others can we truly understand ourselves." - Master Akash

"Justice needs to come from those that were wronged." -Scorpio

"You have facilitated the kidnapping of a child after you came and sabotaged- Shut up! - after you came and sabotaged our stand to start. If you are someone that leads who needs to open your eyes, you don't have to open your eyes. Look ahead instead of behind you. Focusing on money and all of these trivial things around you? The forest sees and listens and cares for each other. You and your gods-forsaken buildings; wood that you abuse and harass to hold your wine and things of debauchery inside of. Are you really a facilitator? Whether you are the one who told them to do it, or not, they are a reflection of you. This is who you are. This is who Blue Swallow is? Disgusting." -Valym

"Nature lies. Nature'll cut ya!" -Sunflower

Trivia
The group managed to gain enough experience to advance to Level 2 at the end of the episode.