The Lodge of the Badger

The Present:

From behind the old abandoned train car, you watch the raiders kick dirt into the fire and mount on their bikes to leave.
They leave behind a pile of garbage…nothing more than energy bar wrappers, empty ammunition magazines, stim pack
syringes and other junk. Wasteful.

You’ve always looked deeper. Their loss. The metal pipe left by the fire would make a great sheath for your baton. And
doubtful they would even care about the energy cell. If this twisted world only knew how much energy sits in each and
every one of these little cubes. No matter. The time for philosophy is not out in the open. You sneak along carefully,
making sure the way is clear before sticking your neck out. Your slightly mangled left ear is a reminder to check, check,
and recheck.

When you approach the campsite, you can see more of the trash heap, and you see that this site has been used many
times. You decide to spend a little more time sifting through the hoard. You are singing a quiet road song when your
eyes catch a glimpse of something shiny…smooth...what’s this??? A mirror!!

You hear yourself gasp aloud, and immediately you look about to see if anyone has heard you. You feel the rapid beat of
your heart, and you fear that the whole world can hear it. Gingerly, you chance a peek at the mirror…it’s a handled
mirror, about 6 inches in diameter, with a pink outer shell and handle. And it’s unbroken! You nervously inspect this
priceless find…on the back you see a stylized cat engraved on the back. “Hello Kitty” it says. You turn it back over, and
catch a glimpse of yourself.

What you see shocks you. Is this what the world sees? Stark black and white facepaint…matted hair…darting eyes that
only now seem to stay focused…your mind drifts back.

The Past:

“Keelah!” You call out, looking for your tent-mate. A few seconds later, she appears, lovely as ever, from behind your
tent. She smiles at you, and looks for a second as if you have interrupted her thoughts.

“I’m leaving,” you say. “Cordan has given me my path. I will return soon. If the legends are what they say, I won’t be
long.”

Keelah smiles, but with a hint of sadness. “I know you are the best Locator in our Lodge, but we have just been joined.
Can you not send another?” You wonder at her wisdom, especially considering how warm the bed was last night. Such
a tempting thought. You sigh, and squeeze her hand reassuringly.

“I’ll be back soon,” you promise. “And I must go before the day stretches too long if I am to reach the mountain by
tomorrow.”

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Within a few hours, you have made your way out of the Valley. Something’s is not quite as it should be. The mountain
shouldn’t be so far away still. You focus more on the path ahead, and continue up the small path. There is a gnawing
doubt. Your compass seems to be working ok…

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A week passes, and you have just left the mountain caverns, wounded and shaken. You have found the Artifact, but you
have almost paid for it with your life. The old cat did not die easy. You wince at the wound on your chest that
stubbornly refuses to heal. Thoughts of Keelah are keeping you upright. Keelah. How long has it been? I need to
return…

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You wander the last few hundred yards up the familiar trail. Where is old Genwick, who guards the well? Is there a
meeting? It seems so quiet. Your head swims. The old cat must have secreted bitter poison in your struggle. The tents
are scattered about…some of them torn to shreds. Keelah…you stumble to your tent, but find nothing but ash and
blood. You feel a wave of nausea as your knees weaken. You fall to the earth, and empty your stomach.

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You awaken. It is dark. You fade again.

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Where is it? You left it on the tree, hanging next to your tent. You remember Keelah had just finished the necklace, and
had instructed you to let it dry out. You shake the cobwebs from your head. You are starving. Days of sickness have
passed and you are starving. The tears and blood have dried, but the despair still wriggles in your head like a fat worm.
I will find it. If nothing else, I will have it. You look everywhere. As you are about to give up the last vestige of hope, you
see the necklace on the ground closer to the edge of the Lodge grounds. As you bend to pick it up, you notice a hastily
scratched, small but clear arrow on the ground beside the necklace, pointing south.

The Present:

Your mind returns. You find yourself twirling the leather necklace in your fingers, feeling the familiar texture of the
leather, tracing the shape of the old claw with your finger.

Game Terms: As a tribal, you are (were) part of a Lodge. The Lodge of the Badger. You were the Locator. You have an
uncanny knack for finding things. You see treasure among the trash. What others leave behind, you sort through. Your
Lodge was located on the edge of the Lost Paradise. But you have wandered long, and are not sure if you can find the
way back. Or if you want to. Perhaps she is out there.

The necklace you have can be a fetish. You have the claw of an old, giant badger strung on it. While worn, the necklace
gives you a +2 situational bonus to your Search and Spot checks.

You have a 5% chance of being able to find on your person any mundane item of small use. Items like matches, an old
battery, a broken watch, a rubber band, etc.

You have either the Stun Baton or the Machete, your choice. You have been able to cobble together enough hides and
leather strips to make a decent set of leather armor, considered to be +1 enchancement. +3 total equipment bonus
(AC), max Dex +7. No armor check penalty, and your speed remains at 30.

In addition, you have a large backpack, flashlight (still works), rope, sleeping bag, goggles, compass, standard, binoculars,
bolt cutters, duct tape (2 rolls), tool belt, lockpick set, a Phillips head screwdriver, and an awl.