Hippogruff Heist

Lester Gofer, CEO of the Hasty Hippogruff Shipping Co, is throwing an extravagant party for potential business partners on his riverboat, the Spiffy Scull. Not too long ago, Lester Gofer tried to purchase a special recipe from a gnome named B. Burgell Burger—a magical recipe called soothberry jam that pacifies hippogruffs. But when B. Burgell wouldn't sell, Lester and his jumped the helpless gnome while he was out foraging for berries. They stole B. Burgell's cookbook and left him tied to a tree. Now B. Burgell is looking for payback. He's acquired—forged—an invitation to Lester Gofer's upcoming party so that a crack team of rascals can board Lester's riverboat, which departs from Junktown tomorrow evening for an overnight joy-cruise.

B. BURGELL BURGER

A beloved local gnome chef and keeper of a precious book of family recipes. B. Burgell made a name for himself by whipping up a delectable selection of magical dishes from his family's cookbook, and handing out food for free at rare pop-up events throughout the region. Practically everyone wanted a taste, which unfortunately attracted unscrupulous individuals like Lester Gofer who wished to profit from the Burger family cookbook. Traits: Desperate, generous, kind of a pretentious foodie. Motivation: Recover his stolen cookbook.

The sun is just beginning to set over the Junktown docks. A red carpet leads down the pier to a pristine, gold-painted riverboat. Two DRATCH (L5-B) bouncers dressed in pinstripe suits take tickets at the ramp leading aboard. As long as the PCs have a ticket and look the part of influential guests, they are directed to the party on the Main Deck. The Spiffy Scull departs the dock once everyone is aboard and the sun has set. It heads upriver at a leisurely pace. DRATCH mooks

LESTER GOFER

Lester Gofer, owner of the Spiffy Scull, likes to show off. He flaunts four pouches of Gold Coins on his belt at all times. His matching jacket and hat constantly shift colors and his Levitating Loafers allow him to float a few inches off the ground (or river!) at all times. He has a small skull key on a gold chain around his neck. It unlocks his office desk drawer. Perhaps his one redeeming trait is his affection for his loyal pet guardvark Chuck. Lester will relentlessly compliment his guests (except Hagar Hullabaloo) in an attempt to butter them up. The only thing Lester loves more than a returned compliment is the smell of gold coins. Unsurprisingly, he treats his servers and mooks with contempt and disdain. He apologizes to his guests often explaining, “It's so difficult to find good service these days!”

• Traits: Braggart, derisive, smuggest of the smug.
• Motivation: Diversify his portfolio by glad-handing and stabbing in the back.

One night, while making camp in the River Country, B. Burgell Burger approaches the PCs: “I've been following you for quite some time. Your feats of strength and cunning are quite impressive. Would you be up for helping out a desperate gnome, and getting back at a greedy tycoon?” B. Burgell asks the PCs to sneak aboard the Spiffy Scull during Lester Gofer's extravagant party and retrieve an invaluable cookbook full of his family's secret recipes. It includes the technique for crafting the magical soothberry jam that Lester uses to keep his flock of carriers content. HIPPOGRUFF B. Burgell hands the PCs the forged invitation and offers to cast a disguise spell on the group, making them appear like wealthy business people or fancy aristocrats. He warns them not to get wet or the spell will “wash off.” B. Burgell doesn't have a substantial reward but, “If you can return my family's cookbook, I'll fix you the best homecooked meal of your life. Plus, there's sure to be lots of other valuables on the boat. The guest list is chock full of tycoons, River Barons and royals who just love to flaunt their new toys. I'm sure they won't miss a thing or two.”

When the Spiffy Scull leaves Junktown and the PCs have had a few moments to mingle, Lester makes his grand entrance. He swoops in, landing his saddled HIPPOGRUFF (L4-C) on the bow.

• “Greetings fellow brilliant business-folk and esteemed entrepreneurs. Welcome to an evening of revelry and celebration! Eat, drink, dance, gamble, and let's make some deals!” Lester hands the reins to a (L5-B) mook and DRATCH eagerly begins to chat with his guests. When he notices the PCs, he says, “I don't remember inviting you lot, but happy you could make it. Tell me, what business are you in? Something shady, I can tell!” Lester isn't good at keeping secrets. If the PCs ask about his business, he lets slip the following:
• “Hippogruffs are the key. If you can get them cheap and keep them docile, they'll carry anything

All invited guests aboard the Spiffy Scull carry a pouch of Gold somewhere on their person.

WILD MILLIE

Owner of the Diamond Run Logging Company, Millie is a brazen wug wearing a fashionable dress and vest. At their side is Scar, a prized axe, which can fell any normal tree in a single swing. Lester is desperate to get Wild Millie's business, and makes grand promises of shipping Millie's lumber all over Eem. But Millie is just here for a good time.

• Traits: Loud, clumsy but eager, ready to get the party started.
• Motivation: Looking to expand business into the Quagmash. But really, Millie just hopes something exciting will happen tonight. “More drinks please. Hey! You wanna dance?” anywhere!”
• “The best way to cut costs is by paying your workers the bare minimum. 'Labor costs low' I always say!”
• “It was a good year for Hasty Hippogruffs! Bought myself this here riverboat and even had a vault installed down in the hold. Absolutely filled with coins!”
• “I'm the best kind of business man, you see. Always finding new ways to make the business more profitable. Just recently got my hands on this magic recipe for Soothberry Jam. The stuff makes our hippogruffs extra obedient. And that means extra efficiency. Productivity is up 60%!” Lester avoids a fight at all costs. At the first sight of foul play, commotion, or violence, he commands his mooks to deal with the threat: “Throw them overboard right this instant!” as he immediately retreats to his bedroom and office on the Upper Deck. Magic

DONNIE WHISPER

A debonair boggart in a tight-fitting, light gray suit, Donnie is the CEO of Feats of Fancy, a seller of cheap and unreliable equipment for adventurers. He wears a Silky Handker-thief around his neck that alerts him when his pockets are being picked. Lester is one of Donnie's biggest distributors of goods, and they share a mutual appreciation of each other's “business” methods.

• Traits: Friendly, arrogant, unscrupulous.
• Motivation: Gain intel on other business owners, especially Lester. “Good evening friends. By the looks of it, this must be your first time at such a splendid shindig.”

YVETTE GRIN

A sly and dangerous welkin Donnie Whisper's date. She carries a Hit) and wears a Coat of Stillness Yvette is actually an incredibly skilled thief, hired by Donnie to steal B. Burgell's cookbook. Donnie hopes it contains a recipe he can use to make cheaper potions. Yvette uses any distraction to sneak upstairs into Lester's office, but doesn't know about Chuck, Lester's Traits: Attractive, distracted, uninterested in mingling. Motivation: Steal B. Burgell's cookbook and get the payout. “What? I wasn't listening.”

HAGAR HULLABALOO

A plainly-dressed bugbear, Hagar is the extremely successful owner of Hullabaloo Hills, a large farming operation that specializes in raising hippogruffs. Out of place among the other guests, Hagar is just as rich. Despite his efforts to schmooze with Lester, the host avoids Hagar the entire party. Lester is actually trying to poison Hagar so he can steal Hullabaloo Hills and expand his own hippogruff fleet on the cheap.

• Traits: Direct, humorless, awkward.
• Motivation: Network with other business owners and hear The Classy Chops (he's a superfan). “Hello. My name is Hagar. What do you do?”

BARON LUCIFUS LANKERSHIV

A stupendously wealthy boggart known for his brilliant strategic mind. The Baron of Barons, as he's frequently referred to, is the most powerful of the River Barons and has a reputation for foul play. Flanked by two imposing handlers, a burly wug named Getty and a bugbear named Thom. His belt is festooned with three pouches of Ancient Coins. “This party is such a bore! Anyone game for a high stakes bet?”

KROG, ROG, AND TOG

Goblin family business, Krog & Sons Inc. A roaming caravan of greedy treasure hunters. Gold necklace and gemmed rings on every finger. “They call this a party? No gladiatorial fights? Pathetic.” in a black dress and short coat, Yvette is THIEF Wounding Dagger (inflicts Wounded on a (turn invisible when standing completely still).. GUARDVARK

COUNT ALASTAIR DERMONT

A sober and dour human in hooded black robes with gold trim. Wearing a Glowing Violet Amulet that whispers prophecies of despair to the wielder. Carrying a cane, a sarpathi Relic, that can transform into a at his command. SARVANG “Tell me, have you heard of the three great Felmog orders? Order of the Black Candle, Iron Sun, and Cloven Tongue?

RADCLIFFE STERLING

Human accountant from Junktown. Enjoys cooking the books. Carries a Magic Pen whose writing only appears for the person holding the pen. “Here's my card. Let's talk long-term investments sometime. For now, I need another one of those sweet cakes. By the way, who does your taxes?”

If the PCs steal the cookbook and escape the Spiffy Scull, B. Burgell appears the next time they safely make camp. As a reward, B. Burgell conjures a feast of delicious River Country classics—11 bean chili-stewed river greens, bubble slaw, and of course, biscuits with Soothberry Jam. Eating the feast cures all Dread and Conditions and permanently boosts everyone's maximum Courage by 1. After the feast, Burgell encourages the PCs to continue adventuring, especially if it means damaging Hasty Hippogruff's business. Or any of the other guests that were aboard the Inside the windowless metal-sealed room:

• Receipts and ledgers that indicate Lester is grossly underpaying his Hippogruff pilots and deliverypeople. Exposing this information to the public would undoubtedly cause the workers to strike and any business dealings to be canceled.
• A Bag of Carrying that magically has 20 Inventory Slots (convenient, isn't it?) and two other random Magic items.
• Lots and lots of Coins. A chest full of Copper (6 pouches), a chest full of Silver (4 pouches), and a chest full of Gold (5 pouches).