As this adventure starts, the group arrives at a morning meeting with Kyra Piper so that they can receive this internship assignment.
Illustration of a brown owlbear sitting in the back of a wagon. They have a feathered owl head and a furry bear body. A band of feathers encircles their waist. The owlbear has an intense, focused look on their face as they sit awkwardly on their tush with their hind legs splayed out. This adorable work of art was created by the amazing Meghan Dornbrock.
Setting the Scene
Meeting Purpose and Overview: “This adventure starts at the Adventurers Academy. Your characters are students at the Adventurers Academy who have recently completed their core training and are about to start one of their internships. It is first thing on a spring morning and each of you is on your way to the Rainforest Meeting Room in the Main Academy Building to receive the details of your internship from Kyra Piper, one of the two founders of the Academy.”
- If Applicable: “As a reminder, Kyra Piper is also the instructor of the Creative Problem Solving class that we experienced in the mini adventures.”
- It is early spring (the equivalent of the middle of March).
The Academy: “At the center of the Adventurers Academy is the Main Academy Building, which is a large, three-story building shaped like a giant donut that encircles the training arena. This donut-shaped building is woven like a basket out of giant woody vines that are supported by two concentric rings of enormous trees. Spirals of open, vine supported ramps and balconies cover both the outside and inside surface of this building. The grounds around the Main Academy Building are separated into wedge-shaped sections, each of which magically contains a totally different ecosystem.”
The Rainforest Meeting Room: “The Rainforest Meeting Room is a small circular room with many small windows that overlook a section of rainforest out in the grounds. The walls of this room have a coating of clay and tiles cover the floor and ceiling. Inside there is an assortment of chairs and cushions arranged around a circular table. Kyra is already in the room waiting for you.”
Kyra Description: “Kyra Piper is a middle-aged orc woman with green skin and long blue hair in a wood and brass wheelchair. She is wearing an intricately embroidered turquoise tunic and trousers.”
Internship Details
Kyra’s Manner: Kyra is a practical and direct person who has a friendly, informal manner. She takes on the role of mentor with her students and knows how to set boundaries and be firm when needed.
Background: Ever since owlbears were nearly killed off fifty years ago, many places have had problems. The deer are now overgrazing open areas, impeding the growth of new trees. Trees, of course, are important as building materials and for firewood, but in the High Mountains the woods on the slopes above towns are necessary to protect those towns from avalanches and landslides.
Druids have been making do by planting trees one-by-one and using magic to grow them to a size tall enough to withstand the deer, but this is an imperfect solution. Fortunately, with the development of Stinky Pricklbushes has made it safe enough to start re-establishing Owlbears in their native ranges.
Their Job: “The town of Steep Valley has been accepted into the Owlbear Reintroduction Program and a family of owlbears living in the Wild Wood has been selected for relocation to them. You have been hired to safely capture and transport this owlbear family.”
- Items: Kyra hands the group an official document, a map of Crossroads, and a pouch with some coins in it (not an entire bag of coins). Who takes each of them?
“You will start by going to Island Town on the edge of the Wild Wood to meet Keeper Silvia Aguilar. Hand over this document to them and they will give you everything you need to go into the forest and collect the owlbear family. You are expected to arrive there no later than two weeks from today.”
- Aguilar is pronunced AEg-yoo-lAAr, kinda like egg-you-lar but starting with an A
“Silvia has your route from the Wild Wood to Steep Valley planned out, but how you transport the owlbears is up to you. This coin is meant to cover the entirety of your expenses, which includes anything you need to transport and feed the owlbears. Your route to Steep Valley and the final den site are being kept secret for now to protect the owlbears from poachers who want to steal their eggs.”
“Any questions?” The players can find any of the information listed in “The History of Monster Reintroduction Programs,” “Owlbears,” and the “Locations” sections.
Find the rest of the Owlbear Reintroduction Program Adventure here.
