lostcompass | make way for the lion

Have a look & plot for what to expect in the mod log of 6-7 April! There will be some additional exploration/adventure opportunities, but this covers items that could benefit from plotting, planning and sign-ups.

Uncovered so far:

■ The Beastmaster was formerly Hyang-Won, relative of blind prophet Hyang-Tai. The ~~village bullies~~ Hok-Shinn clan give him regular tribute.

■ Ke-Waihu locals fear serpents and the blind witches, whose gifts emerged after the last volcano eruption.

■ Villagers have struggled with drought and famine. Young, beautiful or skilled young villagers have been mysteriously disappearing.

■ Some plants, crops and animals have been corrupted by dark water, which once also dried up local up well waters. The long-disappeared Anui may be connected to this.

■ The volcano hosts an underground labyrinth, occupied by strange tar-like, feral creatures.

■ The Huntress wishes to witness the volcano’s eruption. She is at odds with the Beastmaster.

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?

This mission takes place before the Huntress' arrival: pursuing a lead, Wen Qing is captured by a feral half human, half serpent creature. Wen Qing, her taskmate Hermione or a well-meaning peasant can sound the alarm about the abduction.

The group can find Wen Qing in a large and deeply-dug pit, filled with dormant nagas and serpents. Retrieving her will require either fast brute force or very delicate infiltration into the depths.

After, help her get forest opiates to combat her new... serpentine affliction.

→ Get involved with Wen Qing’s rescue & cure.

THE MAIDEN’S WATCH

The Huntress arrives, deprived of her powers. The group will be taking her in.

They will need to figure out where to shelter her (the woods? The fetters? A cave? Get some local inspo) and defend her against wild beasts, which besiege her. We'll go with the shelter location that gets the most support by 23:59 GMT on 5 April.

The Huntress largely prays and weeps, but stops long enough to pay up in knowledge:

■ The Beastmaster becomes more human as the volcano nears eruption.

■ Local animals obey the Beastmaster and spy for him. This excludes ravens.

■ To avoid the pull of the Beastmaster and his Hunt: locate a forest temple raised by the white wanderer, and wear wood or stone from it. These pieces will have to be replaced.

■ Alternatively: cross a fragile and narrow bridge high above a misted abyss, to reach the second village Ke-Waiar and steal some well water. Drop a line if you want to go to Ke-Waiar.

THE HUNT

The Beastmaster, his xenomorphic creatures and mutated animals arrive in Ke-Waihu, awaiting the volcanic eruption. He takes residence in the village, guarded by his beasts.

The Hok-Shinn and an envoy of Ke-Waiar each present 10 distinguished but eerily listless youths of their village to the Beastmaster. These tributes are afterwards closely watched by the Hok-Shinn and held in an abandoned home. Get in and rescue some tributes.

The Beastmaster’s arrival triggers the start of the Hunting season.

■ For five nights, come moonrise, characters feel compelled to flee into the forests and run, hide or avoid detection — alternatively, they join the Beastmaster’s creatures as hunters, chasing this quarry.

■ Anyone can ‘hunt’ or ‘be hunted.' Roles can swap across the five nights. Characters can develop overnight instincts akin to a specific animal of hunt or prey, and they will be helped by these animals for the night.

■ Hunting can be vicious (seeking to injure, kill or consume prey) or symbolic (just violently giving chase).

■ Certain characters will feel especially compelled to join the hunt and to protect the Beastmaster outside of it. These include characters who are given to war, hunting, violence, wrath, gluttony or feral/animal characteristics. It also applies to those who previously turned xenomorphic during the Beastmaster's trip in Taravast, or whom he marked (sup, Jon, Wrathion?).

■ To avoid the hunt, stay out of the forest, apply the Huntress’ cures or lock yourself very tightly indoors.

OLD MAN MOUNTAIN

The dormant volcano shows subtle signs of upcoming eruption: soil swells, increases in local temperature and small, low-grade earthquakes.

One night, characters wake to screams, as a handsome young jeweller is dragged by a group of Ke-Waihu's ~~cultists~~ concerned citizens — seemingly bound for the volcano. Show of hands, if you want to rescue him during the trek.

SIGN-UPS

We'll choose the 'lucky' winner by RNG draw, but comment by 23:59 GMT on 9 April for a chance to chat with:

■ The Beastmaster

■ The envoy of Ke-Waiar

■ The jeweller

Small request to please be consistently available to tag this. Your mission is to have your character to get as much information about Ke-Waihu, the volcano or the Brotherhood.

QUESTIONS

Otherwise, to plot and plan, fill out: