The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Silent is momentarily stunned, then turns to Magnum with a wide-eyed expression. Not a hag... 

He walks in. 

Jury is still out. Magnum follows.

The interior of the hut is not particularly unusual for the home of an elderly person.  Perhaps a few more animal head trophies and fewer cat ornaments.  You find yourselves seated in a large room that occupies most of the house and is probably both a living and a sleeping area.  

You can call me Gran, says Gran.  Most everyone does.  You up for killing some wolves?  Or maybe wondering why we need folks from the big town to deal with a couple of wolves?

You are offered tea and biscuits, and your passive insight suggests refusing is not a path to happiness.

Magnum accepts the tea and biscuits, though he won't eat or drink them.  Both, actually.

Silent dips the biscuits in the tea and munches loudly. Is "wolves" code for some kinda monster? 

You ever heard of an owlbear?

Heard of him? I’ve met him.

(OOC: Are owlbears found in Xhorhas or common across the Empire regions that Silent has traversed?) 

Owlbears are occasionally found in the Empire and Menagerie Coast, but are much more common in Xhorhas.  A few nobles keep them as pets.

Yeah, I've seen a few traipsin' around. He casts a glance at Magnum. We talkin' about the same thing? Big fluffy buggers with a bird face, right? 

Oh...no. We’re not. Mine is a guy in Deastok who calls himself the Owlbear. He works for my father.  Mostly he yells about justice and falls out of trees.

Hard name to live up to, suggests Gran. 

So, you lads up for hunting an owlbear?  One's settled in, just a few miles from here in the forest, and that doesn't bode well for people once it starts getting ready to hibernate.  As you can imagine, not much gold for a reward in these parts, but I have a few potions still from my old adventuring days.  I reckon it's fair payment, if you want the job.

(OOC: What would Magnum know about an owlbear's behavior/diet?)

Magnum nods and looks at Silent. 

The man, or the creature?  If it's the creature, that would be a Nature check.

Silent drains the last of his tea.

To Magnum: The more I hear about your folk back in Deastok, the more I wanna meet 'em. 
To Gran: Sounds like a fair job. Been a while since I've been on a real hunt like this, should be fun. 

Nature - 10

They are certainly...interesting.  I’ve never seen a living owl bear, so I’m in.

That's the spirit, Gran replies. Now, I wouldn't suggest heading into an owlbear's territory for the first time at night.  We'll make some preparations in the morning, and then at midday...

Gran, if you're going, so I am, says Emi firmly.

It's too dangerous, Gran replies.

Yes, it is, Emi retorts.

A look passes between them, and Gran turns to you.  I suggest we have dinner and then you boys can sleep over there, she points to one side of the room, I hope you brought your bedrolls, as I've no spare bunks.  Don't get many visitors these days.  Emi, why don't we continue our strategic planning in the morning.

Gran cooks a simple, pleasant pork stew for dinner, and you spend a peaceful night, completing a long rest.

In the morning, it appears Emi and Gran have decided that Gran will be joining you and Emi will not.  Nevertheless, the girl joins you for breakfast.  Gran gets down to business quickly:

I have my own ideas for how to hunt this beast, but I would like to hear yours first?  she looks at Magnum as she says this, then takes a sip of her tea.

Magnum, you know that owlbears are territorial, predatory and rare.  That's all.

Magnum thinks about the situation.  I know little about owlbears, but strategically we should hit it while it's at its weakest.  You said it's foolish to hunt them at night, so I can only conclude we should attack close to noon.  Weaken it.  Tire it out. 

They wake just before noon; it's as good a time as any to make our move, Gran agrees.  The first challenge is finding the nest, but I have some ideas.  What about you, son?  she asks Silent.