Cross Burr's Territory
1
2
3
The PathThe UpstreamThe Root Ring
Roleplay EncounterDND5E 2014Party L15 · 4 PCs
Cross Burr's Territory
Read Aloud
The deer path bends without moving, and the stream beside it runs uphill into the roots of a dead tree. A small fey in a coat made of burrs sits on the root-throne, counting the party on his fingers. He raises one hand. “No crossing unless you leave something true behind.”
The Scene
NEUTRALNegotiation with a territorial feyBase DC 18Stakes The party needs a safe route through the territory, while Burr needs someone powerful enough to carry away the oath that keeps Sile out.
20 to 30 minutes
NPC Goal
Burr wants the party beyond his border and wants them to carry the stolen oath somewhere Sile cannot easily reclaim it.
Leverage
The party can offer a true confession, return a promise they broke, or agree to carry the hidden oath away from Burr's territory.
Player Approaches
- Speak an embarrassing truth without disguising it as a joke.
- Promise to tell Sile where the oath went, but not who carried it.
- Offer a memory, secret, or future favor that the party can actually surrender.
- Ask Burr what he is protecting instead of asking for permission to pass.
NPC Gambits
- One character speaks while the others remain silent.
- A character repeats Burr's words exactly, forcing him to clarify what he means.
- The party names the cost they will pay before Burr names it for them.
- A character steps into the stream and lets it carry away one metal possession as proof of good faith.
NPC Reactions
- A direct truth earns one success, even if Burr dislikes it.
- A clever half-truth earns no progress and makes Burr mimic the speaker's voice.
- A sincere offer to carry the oath earns two successes, but Burr asks who will bear the risk.
- Threats make Burr polite, still, and much harder to read.
- Mentioning Sile makes Burr stop counting and listen.
Gallery
No images yet. Click to add.
