Exit, pursued by a bear

Time to Go!

General Summary

Starting the session in medias res, Coin and Gnoll immediately decided that they should just cooperate with Rithan's instructions to get in the cart! Gnoll, being less fleet of foot, ran to the cart and scrabbled up with Nan, while Coil took a few seconds to grab the party's stashed gear before joining them. Nezi ran a level down the scaffolding, getting close enough to do a short dimension slide, appearing next to the cart, while Rithan had to pound down the entire length on her own feet. From the tunnel above, a loud, metallic growl issued forth. (To which Coin injected "No thank you!")
Everyone made it into the cart just in time for the "bear" to emerge from the tunnel onto the top of the scaffolding. The sudden bright light and open skies seemed to startle it for a moment or two, as it slid to a halt in slight confusion. Nezi took advantage of the pause to give a command phrase to Feitlebaum, causing the cart to take off at high speed.
The bear charged off the platform, crashing to the ground below, but got back up on its feet, seemingly unhurt. This did not encourage Nezi to command Feitlebaum to slow down. The bear gave chase, but the horse golem proved faster, in part thanks to Nezi's staunch refusal to slow down to anything resembling a safe or sane pace for at least ten minutes. The group reached Button safely, at least.
Some tense observation during the chase revealed that the bear was some sort of clockwork construct, although not the usual pure pile of gears sort. Rithan noted that although she's seen clockworks before, she's never seen a hybrid like that. Her speculation is that it may have come from the world of origin of Torn Lofte.
Some highlights of additional conversations along the road back to Button:

• Is that raptor following us? Is it a normal bird?
• Patchwork has Dragons, but luckily most of them are usually polite enough not to eat people randomly.
• What's a Dyno Sour?
• Social benefits? You mean for people that aren't part of your immediate group? Wha ...?

The group finally arrived at Button, safe and mostly sound. The party was introduced to McGurk, although he seemed a bit too busy to pay them a lot of attention. At least they were welcomed into joining the activities and should have backup for returning to the "murder cabin" of Bloody House on the Prairie?. Cookies, tea, and coffee were served, and conversation occurred, and more information about the couple involved at the cabin was uncovered.
What's upstairs? What's happened to Hanny at the cabin? Is Zoh alright? What about the chickens? These questions -- and many others -- will may be answered in the next episode (with or without soap.)

Character(s) interacted with

Rithan, Nezi, McGurk, an unnamed "clockwork construct" bear, Feitlebaum (a wooden golem horse,) and a Dwarven server who brought out drinks and cookies.

World Date
10 Mat 282 SR

Report Date

27 Mar 2021

Primary Location

Button

Secondary Location

Scrimpt

"No thank you!" - Coin the Elf, upon hearing the roar of the clockwork bear hybrid