Meat for the Masses

Overview

Wallace Morgan Cosima, a skilled and passionate cook from Camp Hope, wants to uplift his struggling settlement with a grand feast. He’s heard rumors of a massive beast wandering the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, and believes it’s the answer to feeding everyone.

But the Pine Bush isn't just untamed wilderness. It borders territory claimed by the Awakened, and the beast—known to them as Shanu—is considered sacred. Killing it could ignite a dangerous conflict with the Enclave.

Themes

• Survival
• Faith
• Cultural bias
• Diplomacy
• Nature vs civilization

Components

Goals

Kill the massive beast and bring back enough meat to cook a feast in Camp Hope.

Hooks

The warm, savory scent of herbs and sizzling vegetables greets you even before you fully step into the cramped, dimly lit kitchen. Wallace turns with a grin, his teeth flashing white against his dark skin, his eyes crinkling with genuine welcome. “Hey now,” he calls, the wooden spoon in his hand still stirring the pan with practiced ease, “take a seat—wherever you can find one. Just don’t lean on anything that looks like it’s holding the walls up.” The place is cluttered but cozy, worn but full of life. Pots hang from hooks like sentinels, spice jars crowd the shelves in jumbled rows, and something thick and nourishing bubbles low over the flame.

“I’m glad you came,” he says, his voice quieter now, tinged with gravity as he glances at you between stirs. “Morale’s been circling the drain lately. Food’s low. Spirits are lower. We’ve lived through worse—but this time?” He shakes his head. “This time, I don’t think stew and prayer are going to cut it. The people need hope, and I can cook that… if I can get the meat.” His gaze sharpens. “There’s a beast out in the Albany Pine Bush. Big. Horned. Could feed all of us for a week and leave enough left over to honor the Maker’s Table proper. I’ve heard the trees out there are scorched—means power, maybe magic. Tracks like a bull or a stag, only too damn big to be either. And folks whisper about spirits guarding the woods, keeping hunters away.” He leans closer. “But the real danger? The Awakened. They treat that place like a church. Which it ain’t. So if you go… you'll need to watch your step. But I'll also make sure that your properly compensated for your efforts."

Moral Quandaries

Feed the hungry people of Camp Hope—or preserve a sacred creature and maintain peace with the Awakened?

Enclave

If there is a party member that has 5 or more renown with the Enclave, they could be contacted by the Enclave to protect the Magical Beast in question. A sacred guardian beast, Shanu, has reawakened and begun influencing the land—and the Enclave fears others may try to kill or control it. They have heard rumors that there are those in Camp Hope who are looking to hunt the beast for meat.

Note: The party can be given both quests, forcing them to choose which of the factions they will align themselves with.

DM Notes

• Location-based Adventure
• Designed for 4 characters level 3-5
• Designed for Ultra Modern 5 Redux Version 1.2

Plot type

Adventure

Related Characters

• Wallace Morgan Cosima

Related Organizations

• Enclave
• The Farmers Guild

Related Locations

• Albany Pine Bush Preserve
• Camp Hope
• The Enclave