Suitable Campaign Age: Any
Adventure Tone: Gonzo Action/Adventure & Exploration
Recommended Power Level: Low or Classic
Content Warning: If there were more vegetarians and/or vegans in this world, this would have never happened.
Overview
Research in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest continues as scientists try to understand the nature of the titanic sized turkey, Gobbler, and the towering Birdhren that make up his flock. Dr. Max Serizawa, the lead scientist researching the turkey, has set up a base camp inside the quarantine zone. While there’s been no news from the forest, Serizawa has made a desperate call to the heroes, something that went wrong, and his son is now missing inside the park.
Can you rescue them in time?
Bird Calls
If Dr. Serizawa has the ability to contact heroes directly he will. Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is located in Nevada, the call is around 2 AM local time (Pacific).
“There’s been an accident at the Gallopavo Research Center, Gobbler is contained, but, but my son, Rex, has gone missing in the park. He’s fifteen and doing a work study with Dyson before starting college in the Spring. We have local teams searching, but I’m asking you, please help.”
The heroes may ask for more information, if so, Serizawa will add that the team was on a routine sample run when one of the Birdhren woke up. It rammed the vehicle and in the chaos that followed, his son was lost. Rex has an environmental suit with O2 scrubbers, but I’m worried that time is limited.
Serizawa will add he can have a Dyson jet fueled and ready within the hour.
If Serizawa cannot contact the heroes directly, he will instead leverage contacts to get to the heroes, providing only the opening statement and that a jet will be ready for them, if they are unable to travel otherwise.
For those that have interacted with Dr. Serizawa before and have the Etiquette talent or the Social Science Specialty, they can tell he’s on edge, and clearly worried, even if he does not show it outwardly.
Those meeting Serizawa for the first time can make an Advanced (25) roll to pick up on this, otherwise he seems rather collected for someone who’s son is missing.
Return to Gallopavo Park
The park entrance is walled off with metal plating standing around 20 meters. This is visible from the Dyson International Meat Company airfield, where the heroes land if they had taken the jet. Armored SUVs are parked at the gates, and when the heroes arrive, the head of security Sgt. Calvin Dukes is waiting to greet them.
If the heroes are unaware, he will explain that park security is handled by the Institute for Metahuman Research (IMR) while research is a joint effort between IMR and Dyson. Dukes will take the team into the park in one of the SUVs, or two if there are more than four heroes. (The SUV seats six and Dukes has another security officer driving.)
The forest inside is lush with vibrant trees and wildlife. At the same time, a second inner wall can be seen within minutes of the ride. The inner wall is concrete reinforced and closer to thirty meters. Dukes will note:
“The little ones are about twenty to thirty feet tall, and some can clear the quarantine zone walls. The doc won’t let us have a proper turkey hunt, so we keep putting up bigger and bigger barriers.”
If asked why not an electrified fence on top, or why Dr. Serizawa will not let them hunt the Birdhren; the answer is the same.
“Serizawa thinks the big boy has some kind of connection to them. Worries that if they get hurt, it will wake up Gobbler.”
At the inner wall is built around a second set of gates, and the research facility itself.
Dr. Max and Rex
At the research facility the heroes will find Serizawa in a monitoring room trying to coordinate with several search and rescue teams. Once realizing that the heroes are there, he will greet them and bring them up to speed once the preliminaries are out of the way.
“Search teams have eliminated most of the quarantine zone, only section zero remains.”
“This is where Gobbler nests. Drone footage indicates that Rex isn’t in direct contact with Gobbler, which only leaves a cave near the bird’s nesting area.”
Serizawa will pull up footage of the area. The cave entrance looks like a large stone slab jutting from the earth, with large stones piled around it. The entrance is large enough to drive several cars through. From the drone footage, Gobbler can be seen sleeping. His body is easily over a hundred meters in length.
“We’ve never been able to get a team into that cave. Gobbler seems to stir if we get too close, or Birdhren blocks the entrance. Nevertheless, this is the only place left for Rex to be. Assuming you’re willing to risk it, we can bring you to the treeline at this ridge.” He points to a monitor. “From there it will be up to you.”
Dr. Serizawa will field questions about Gobbler and his Birdhren while en route.
Gobbler Q&A
- Gobber was created by Dr. Serizawa and Dyson Turkey to help feed everyone.
- When he was first created, Gobbler was only about 25 feet tall. Now he has grown to over 100 meters.
- The Birdhren crow to about that same 7 to 8 meter height, but rarely get any bigger.
- The researchers still don’t understand what causes wild turkeys near Gobbler to reach such epic proportions.
- Gobbler and the Birdhren can spit balls of flaming butter.
- Following his battle with Hen Zero, two years ago, Gobbler returned to Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, to heal. Because Gobbler seems to be in a state of hibernation, it’s difficult to get a sense if he’s continued to grow.
- Gobbler has shown the ability to fly short distances, as do his Birdhren. This is why they keep building out the walls.
- They will not hold if Gobbler wakes up, but can serve as a deterrent for the Birdhren.
- The goal is to double the size in the next year.
- To feed the flock, Dyson imports around 11,000 metric tons of feed every year.
- This is primarily to keep the birds contained and friendly towards the researchers.
Sector 0
From the ridgeline, the heroes will need to cover about 300 meters of open ground. This is less of an issue for heroes that can fly, or have other means to pop into the cave. Otherwise, they will need to reach the cave without disturbing the Birdhren. This can be done through a Competitive roll.
A Field of Fowl
Heroes can roll Dexterity + Stealth or Wisdom + Animal Handling to either avoid detection or keep the birds calm. Other rolls are possible based on the characters.
The Birdhren roll 24 + 4d6.
The Success Threshold begins at 5, adjust this value according to page 89 of the Metahumans Rising core book.
Success: The heroes are able to reach the cave without alerting the Birdhren.
Failure: The Birdhren will descend on the heroes. (See: Sleeping Giants)
Gobber’s Cave
The cave leads underground with more than enough room for multiple Birdhren to follow, which, there are, many sleeping. These birds seem to ignore the heroes, almost as if acknowledging that if they’ve made it this far they may not be dangerous.
While dark, once turning down a switchback there is a green glow from up ahead. From before the switchback, the cave seems to have been excavated, as if dug out by the turkeys. This lower level seems entirely carved by the Birdhren.
There is a nest of carved branches and sticks with several eggs. The green glow seems to come from a number of chemlights that have been activated near the nest.
Approaching the nest, the Birdhren will begin to stir, blocking the heroes’ path, but will not take aggressive action unless attacked. It is around this time that Rex will appear, pulling himself up from the nest. He is scrapped up and disheveled. Before he gets a chance to speak, he will be pulled back down by a feathey arm.
Allow the heroes a chance to react. If asked, remind the heroes that the turkeys are taking no aggressive actions towards them, but do block the path. If the heroes do not immediately lash out, they will hear a voice shout: I’m okay! If the heroes do attack,see: Sleeping Giants.
Rex will re-emerge, this time with a being that looks like a humanoid turkey.
“Not really sure what’s going on here, but I’m alright.” The turkey-person will gobble after this statement. “After the crash, they, they, brought me here. I think this guy was lonely and they wanted to get him a friend.” Flapping up to the side of the nest, the being gobbles excitedly at this statement.
“I, uh, I call him Miniler. You know, like Gobbler, but… mini.”
Liberating Rex, Expression + Animal Handling, Very Advanced (25) Difficulty
The heroes will need to convince the birds to let Rex go. This can be done with Animal Handling, however, heroes may have other ways to cajole the turkeys. If the heroes opt to sneak Rex out, they will need to make a Contested roll, increasing the Birdhren’s roll to 32 + 5d6 as these are Miniler’s guards.
- Failure: Have you ever tried reasoning with a bird?
- Partial: The heroes are able to get the Birdhren to drop their guard momentarily. They may attempt to smuggle Rex out, making one roll uncontested before the Birdhren begin giving chase.
- Success: The Birdhren are cautious, and will follow the heroes along with Miniler who will not leave Rex’s side. This is the equivalent of three Major Mobs of Birdhren.
- 1 Degree: For each additional Success, reduce the procession by a Major Mob. Miniler will not leave Rex’s side.
Miniler
Walking mostly upright, Miniler has feathered arms but clawed human-like hands, and a much more turkey-like head. He stands roughly two meters tall, a head and a half above Rex. It doesn’t seem like he can speak English, but will give cues to indicate he understands what people are saying, or at least the gist of what is being said.
Family Reunion
At the ridge Dr. Serizawa is waiting along with Sgt. Dukes and a security detail. There will be a moment of shock from the researcher’s side. Allow time for the scene to play out. Dukes will mostly keep to himself as Serizawa probes Rex and the heroes about what has happened.
If the Birdhren followed the group, they will stop at the ridge about 30 meters from the awaiting SUVs.
As the conversation is happening, heroes can make a Contested Perception roll against one of the Security Team’s Stealth, as they move closer to Miniler. On a Successful roll, the heroes will realize what’s happening, otherwise the operative will move into position and wait for Duke’s signal.
When there is a lull in the conversation, or if Duke’s agent is caught moving into position and called out, he will interrupt.
“Alright Doc, family reunion time is great, but we’ve got to take the bird boy with us. No way IMR isn’t going to want to look it over.”
The security officer will attempt to grab Miniler, use the values for Duke’s Security Team’s Combat Knife – 10. Adjacent heroes can attempt to Interrupt this Action as normal.
If Miniler is captured, the Birdhren will descend on the area, see: Sleeping Giants. They will focus only on the Security Team, unless attacked.
Duke’s Security Team (Classic Elite Soldiers + Advanced + Evader + Shooter + Striker + Sneak 2) (Typical Mob)
The best of the best, of the best. Elite troopers have an affinity that puts them above average soldiers. What makes them so capable may vary, they may be trained from birth to be the ultimate soldiers, cybernetically enhanced, low level metahumans, or using super technology beyond the scope of the average soldier.
- Basic Rolls 12 + 3d6
- Stamina 9/9
- Defense Advanced Body Armor 18 Dice 4 Armor 5/7
- Offense: Blast Rifle 29/34 Dice 4 Range Long Damage 12
- Offense: Combat Knife 35/40 Dice 5 Damage 12
- Stealth 24 Dice 5
Sgt. Calvin Duke
Use the Values of for his Security, with a +10 Leadership bonus. In the chaos, Duke will attempt to grab Miniler and reach one of the SUVs to escape. If this happens, this can result in a chase using a Contested Roll, Duke’s Vehicle roll is 28 + 4d6.
Settling The Duke, Mental + Intimidation or Expression + Etiquette, Very Laborious (35) Difficulty
Duke can be talked down if his operative is stopped or after the Birdhren begin attacking them.
- Failure: The attempt has no effect. Continue the scene as described above.
- Partial: While it doesn’t change Sgt. Duke’s mind, he does pause for 1 Turn.
- Success: Realizing that he is either out gunned, or that his actions are provoking the birds, Duke will concede Miniler should stay with the Birdhren.
Sleeping Giants
If the heroes disturb the flock, they will be attacked. This will begin as a Major Mob. If the heroes reduce the size to a Typical Mob, more turkey’s will buttress these numbers. After the heroes have defeated 6 or more Mob Sizes of Birdhren, assuming violent means, Gobbler will awaken.
Birdhren (High Powered Mutant Turkey/Major Mob + Advanced, Giant, Brawler, Shooter, Striker, Tough, Cluster + Immune: Fire, Maneuver Specialist: Follow Up Attack)
The children of Gobbler, the birdhren are roughly 25 feet in size each, or as large as the bird was five years ago. Thankfully, these turkeys do not seem to grow larger.
Basic Rolls 16 + 3d6
Stamina 24/24/24
Defense 12 Dice 4 Armor 10/12/14 Notes Immune to Fire and Heat
Offense Burning Butter Ball 29/34/39 Dice 4 Range Medium/Close Radius Damage 16
Offense Beak & Claws 37/42/47 Dice 5 Range Close Damage 16
Offense Basted and Ready to Eat 45/50/55 Dice 6 Range Close Damage 16 Notes Can only be used against a single target, after being hit by a Burning Butter Ball.
Rise of the King of Turkey
As Gobbler attacks the heroes, the remaining Birdhen will flee. Gobbler is only partially awakened at this point. If the heroes manage to defeat him, he will fly to another area of the forest to go back to sleep.
Notes:
If Miniler is harmed, Gobbler will only lick his wounds and will return in 2 Turns. Gobbler can do this up to three times before he finally needs to recover.
If these events occur in the cave, Gobbler is strong enough to rip the roof off the cave by shoving his head in and lifting up.
- Stakes: The sanctuary is destroyed and Gobber and his Birdhren are unleashed on the country.
- Size 5 – Impacts a national park.
- Ferocity 5 – Outside the ability for unpowered people to handle. (Increase to 6 if Miniler is harmed.)
- Target 50
- Damage 10 – Flaming butterballs, beaks and claws. (Increase to 11 if Miniler is harmed.)
- Success Threshold 15
- Starting Advantage 7 (Increase to 8 if Miniler is harmed.)
Aftermath
There are several ways events can unfold through the course of the story.
- Miniler is captured: IMR will end their partnership with Dyson installing force barriers around the containment zone. While they claim the devices are their own design, it appears that they have access to GEO assets, Global Environmental Operations is an illegal arms trader banned from operating in OFAC countries. However, nothing can be proven.
- Depending on how the heroes handled the scenario, the GM can award them either a new Contact: Sgt. Dukes or an Enemy: IMR
- Miniler is safe: Things will remain mostly unchanged at the containment zone. If Dukes attempted to take Miniler, representatives from IMR will claim that he acted without orders from the company. They will claim he was fired, but he is quietly reassigned to an overseas subsidiary.
- Gobbler is unleashed: After destroying the containment walls, Gobbler will rampage through Carson City, Reno, and Tahoe, before returning to his nesting grounds.
- If Miniler is captured: Gobbler instead expands the rampage across the West Coast destroying city after city, until the military is eventually able to drive Gobbler off by using three nuclear turkey buster missiles before the bird can reach Seattle. Gobbler is not killed, but will return to Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest at this point.
In addition to the four primary outcomes, there is the question of if Rex Serizawa is located.
- If lost: Dr. Serizawa will slowly become more and more fixated on finding Rex. This will lead to him becoming more aligned with the more militaristic factions within IMR. However, after trying to infiltrate the cave, Serizawa is let go, and slowly disappears from public life.
- Heroes will lose any Contact for Serizawa. GMs should allow them to reallocate the Experience invested into the Contact.
- If located: Rex is a genius in his own right. During his time with Miniler he recorded notes about the creature’s behavior along with Birdhren guards. Once reunited with his father Dr. Serizawa, the pair will share their research and identify patterns that indicate the turkey’s are far smarter than they have appeared in the past.
- If the heroes do not already have Dr. Serizawa as a Contact they may take him with a Value of 1, otherwise increase the Value by 3 or add the Favors Boon.
