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1.12

Based on how many tokens are on the DEEPER MOTIVES card, go to the following entry:

0: Go to 1.12A.      1: Go to 1.12B.
2: Go to 1.12C.      3: Go to 1.12D.

1.12A

The Verdessian seems to almost rustle, as if stirred by a breeze. “What is your first question?” Nal asks.

Rangers Choose

A) How are you connected to the reclaimers?

The Verdessian drops into a crouch, and you see a faint blush of brighter colors beginning to replace the brown-green hue along its arms. It seems agitated. Nal speaks. "It says 'together,' And 'no connection.' Both at once. This may be difficult."

Place one interrogation token on the mission.

B) What is your name?

The Verdessian straightens. You see tiny flower buds begin to sprout on its shoulders, and it rhythmically rustles its leaves "I think that was it," says Nal.

Place one inquiry token on the mission.

1.12B

“I am learning more about its species,” Nal says. “I see countless plant beings ... it says that it is one of many—some kind of collective deep in the Verdessa. It says there is great danger. I don't know if it's referring to the reclaimers or to something else. Now … I sense … agitation, ask your next question, quickly!”

Rangers Choose

A) Are the reclaimers a danger to the people of the Valley?

Its coloration—a mix of autumnal reds and oranges—grows brighter. “It didn't really answer the question,” Nal says. “As if the answer was ... unimportant. I think it said 'maybe.'”

Place one interrogation token on the mission.

B) Are the reclaimers a danger to your people in the Verdessa?

The buds on its shoulders grow larger. “I sense disagreement," Nal says. "The reclaimers are not the danger, but it's afraid for its people. It believes they will perish.”

Place one inquiry token on the mission.

1.12C

“I see decay, and a wide pit falling away to darkness—like an arcology sinkhole,” Nal says, her eyes closed. “The reclaimers and the Verdessian are linked, but how?”

Rangers Choose

A) Are you controlling the reclaimers?

Nal hisses as if she’s been burned, and the colors on the Verdessian’s arms glow brightly. “It's becoming frustrated with us. I keep receiving the same message: Must go, must go.”

Place one interrogation token on the mission.

B) Can you help us get the reclaimers out of the Valley?

The buds on the Verdessian’s shoulder shake like they may sprout at any instant. “Ah,” Nal gasps. “Yes. It can!”

Place one inquiry token on the mission.

1.12D

The Verdessian's stamen suddenly reaches for Nal, whose face grows pale. “Spire,” she gasps. “It's in danger. I see hundreds of reclaimers. The ones with the white flowers on its backs are marking the trail. Soon the rest will leave the nest, and when they do, they'll head to Spire.”

Rangers Choose

A) Why are you attacking Spire?

Nal flinches. “It's very agitated. It's not attacking, it says. No attack. Only destruction. It believes that there is something underneath Spire. Something it sees as a danger.”

Place one interrogation token on the mission.

B) If the reclaimers reach Spire, will they leave the Valley?

"Yes. Yes they will, but I see clearly that Spire will be destroyed in the process. It believes that something under Spire threatens its people, and that the reclaimers can stop it.”

Place one inquiry token on the mission.

» Continue reading:

READ THE ENTRY CORRESPONDING TO THE NUMBER OF TOKENS ON THE DEEPER MOTIVES CARD:

A) If there is more inquiry than interrogation:

The Verdessian's stamen relaxes, and a ripple moves through its petals.

Nal sighs. “That's better," she says. "Now, let’s see what else we can learn.”

It takes some time, and you have to help Nal interpret some of the stranger images she sees in the Verdessian’s mind. But eventually, you think you understand. The Verdessian has no quarrel with the Valley and its inhabitants, but something buried deep within the arcology below Spire threatens the Verdessian and its kin. It hoped that the reclaimers would consume Spire and the arcology beneath and thus end the threat.

You spend an even longer time trying to convey the idea that Spire is also a sizable community full of people, even if there is an ancient arcology beneath it. They will be endangered when the reclaimers arrive. Perhaps, you suggest, there is another way to save the Verdessians, and you could help discover it … once the reclaimer threat has been addressed.

"I see a clear image of the Spire overrun with reclaimers," Nal says. "It is too late to change course. The Verdessian has convinced itself that this is the only way to save its people." "But I see something else: a collection of Estian ruins ... climbing vines ... a river. There, reclaimers gather in great numbers. A nest. But where?"

The Verdessian turns toward the setting sun, opens its arms, then sinks into the ground like a plant sprouting from the soil in reverse. All that remains is a faint floral scent.

Gain the Touch of the Verdessa reward card.

Complete the DEEPER MOTIVES mission, and write BEFRIENDED THE VERDESSIAN on the campaign tracker. Discard the Mysterious Verdessian and Spirit Speaker Nal. Each Ranger soothes 2 fatigue.

B) If there is more interrogation than inquiry:

The Verdessian’s limbs explode in a riot of reds, oranges, and yellows. It crouches, arms akimbo in what you can clearly tell is a threat posture, and claps the hard edges of its arms together several times.

Then the Verdessian sinks into the ground, like a plant sprouting from the soil in reverse. Before you can react, it's gone, leaving only a few withered buds lying on the ground.

"I feel like we unintentionally made an enemy," says Nal. "It's so fearful, it's not thinking clearly. We learned what we need to learn, though: Spire is in danger. You need to find that reclaimer nest. The biologists at the outpost south of Branch should be able to help."

Gain the Touch of the Verdessa reward card.

Complete the DEEPER MOTIVES mission, and write ANGERED THE VERDESSIAN on the campaign tracker. Discard the Mysterious Verdessian and Spirit Speaker Nal.

C) If there is equal interrogation and inquiry:

The Verdessian’s limbs explode in a riot of reds, oranges, and yellows. It crouches, arms akimbo in what you can clearly tell is a threat posture, and claps the hard edges of its arms together several times.

Then the Verdessian sinks into the ground, like a plant sprouting from the soil in reverse. Before you can react, it's gone, leaving only a few withered buds lying on the ground.

“We tried,” says Nal. “It's so fearful, it's not thinking clearly. But we learned what we need to learn: Spire is in danger." You leave the overlook, and you and Nal discuss what she saw. Something buried deep within the arcology below Spire threatens the Verdessian and its kin. The Verdessian hoped that the reclaimers would consume Spire, and thus end the threat. Although it has no quarrel with the inhabitants of the Valley, it sees anything that would stop the destruction of the arcology (and by extension, Spire) as an obstacle to be overcome.

"You need to find the reclaimer nest before it's too late. The biologists at the outpost south of Branch should be able to help."

Gain the Touch of the Verdessa reward card.

Complete the DEEPER MOTIVES mission. Discard the Mysterious Verdessian and Spirit Speaker Nal. Each Ranger soothes 2 fatigue.