The Gourmand: Brain Soup
It is cold out, but at least it isn't snowing. And another request has been posted to the Adventurers and Explorers guild. One Lord Fahrqwad has put in another somewhat odd request. There's a hydra dwelling in his woods. But he doesn't want it killed. No, he wants it 'Harvested' as the flier states. Four heads are requested from the beast. And on top of that in bold red lettering, -DO NOT KILL BUBBA!- As apparently that is the creatures name.
At the guildhouse sits a very harried assistant to the lord. Answering questions and jotting down names as people come and express interest in one thing or another. There's also apparently another thing about hunting and catching Basilisks, Owlbear eggs, and some other bizarre requests. Giant squid event appears among the fliers spread about her.
Those interested in the Hydra have been asked to wait at a table. And hey, at least she pays for their drinks while a group to handle the request filters in.
"...You're joking. He's joking, yes?" Lillianath had, upon seeing the mark, asked of those Guildsmen in her vicinity. But, no, Lord Fahrqwad was not joking, and thus does the veiled elf take her seat at the table. In short order, a tall cup of mulled cider is at her elbow, and her worried frown has established a base camp under the shadows cast by her hood, and settled in for the long haul.
Daechir arrives somewhat early, dressed in his winter clothes. Dark colors save where they're touched by silver and crimson. He stands out, this ebony-skinned mul'niessa man with earrings dotting his ears. A twinkle of silver and crystal. His long black hair bound back into a long trailing braid that is striked through by a crimson ribbon. He makes his way to the table and smiles at the question Lillianth asks of those around her even as he sits down. "One might hope that he is joking about keeping the thing alive at least, but I suspect he is entirely in earnest." He holds his hand out toward her politely. "You can call me Daed."
The door swings open suddenly, and in walks a tall shape. Hints of wood mixed with green 'flesh', bare feet slapping 'wetly' along the ground as uncut toenails occasionally catch along carpeting. The figure is hooded, and pulls that hood back to reveal a face partially obscured by moss that icy frost has clung to. Red eyes with yellow pupils look out amongst the crowd of adventurers.
"I am here...for...the job."
Kaydin enters the area, gripping his bow as he walks to the others. "Should be interesting… never fought a hydra before." He says as he looks to Herne and nods at the man, recognizing the moss covered man from his mother's friends. "So whats the plan?" He asks curiously as he moves to a spot to sit.
Stena's totally here. Honest, she's dressed in her usual set of armor, with an axe over her shoulder. She s eems to be in a decent mood. AFter all, it's a chance to get in trouble. With, of all things, apparently a HYDRA? She adjusts her winter cloak.
One of the guards smirks slightly, but his face is resigned and he nods. "Oh, no fooling. The man has a taste for the bizarre, but apparently he also is a master cook. The things he makes with the stuff he requests is said to be amazing," The man shrugs his shoulders. "You should have heard him screaming about the last group. He told 'em not to kill the basilisks. He just wanted the eggs. They wound up killing most of the beasts. Not that I blame 'em, but..." Another shrug and he turns to look at Herne.
"Which one, sir?" Asks the harried assistant at her table. "We have the Hydra going out soon and then, ah, there's also a group heading to look for basilisks?" She smiles wearily. "Hydra's that table, Kraken that one. Have a drink if ya like, but I'll be sending the Hydra group out soon." She glances at the numbers and checks her books. "With the amount of people going on it, we can throw in a bonus if more than four heads are brought back. But that is up to your group to decide. The requirement is four and Bubba not being killed," She is talking to Herne, but also projecting her voice to the table of those already arrived.
"Oh, and if you can leave it with only one head that would be great, but not required. But do try to keep it under three remaining. Use this bag to transport them," And she pulls out what looks to be a simple potato sack. Except it appears to be very very finely made. At this point the woman has gotten up and moved over to the table as she speaks. "Every extra head is another 300 gold pieces above the base pay." The sack, which can't possibly hold four hydra heads let alone one, is dropped onto the table with a haggard smile. "Any questions?"
"Lilli," the elf answers, reaching out to grasp the hand offered to her, and squeezing once. A friendly nod is given to the moss-covered man, and another to the other two to seat themselves at the table.
When the assistant finishes her briefing, the Elunite raises a hand. "...I have *so many questions,*" she begins, "but I suppose the most pertinent would be.... well... *why?*"
GAME: Stena rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (17)+8: 25
"Lilli." Daed replies in response to her name given, smiling softly at her and then away once more to observe the rest of his group coming in. This seemed to consists of a rather motely group. He pays attention when their group is addressed and picks up the bag with a couple of fingers. Magical? His red eyes flash even redder for a moment, but he doesn't bother to cast the spell that will tell him if it is magical or not. If she thinks it can fit three hydra heads inside of it; it must be. Daechir carefully places the bag where it will be easy to reach and lets out a musical laugh at Lilli's question. "Best not ask why."
GAME: Herne rolls Knowledge/Nature: (18)+8: 26 GAME: Kaydin rolls knowledge/nature: (20)+8: 28 GAME: Daechir rolls knowledge/arcana: (16)+9: 25 GAME: Lillianath rolls knowledge/nature: (12)+7: 19
"Hydras prefer swamp lands...I wonder if it is a cold varient or hot varient..." Kaydin says as he shrugs. "Should be relatively easily to cut off the hydra's heads without killing the beast." He says as he looks to the man with moss. "What do you think is the best way to handle it?" He asks, letting the druid choose the plan.
Everybody is speaking, and the Green Man looks to and fro silently in an attempt to keep up. Red vein-villed olives that function as eyes look around, the yellow pits acting as pupils as they study the action.
Many long moments after it is pointed out to him, Herne slowly reaches down, and picks up the relevant 'job' with his left hand, his right using that shepherd's staff as a walking stick to keep himself steady and balanced.
"This beast...is it aware? Of being...a commodity?"
In nature, everything that lives must die. Herne has no problem with the cycle of predation necessary for all living creatures. But harvesting a creature continuously...he wasn't sure how he felt about that just yet.
Kaydin says, "Most people in the cities, see animals and monsters as commodities and obstacles."
"Hmm," says Stena, lolking a trifle uncomfortable with that. "Hydras regrow heads, I guess, but... Eh. It's a living, I guess." She shrugs her shoulders. She's not entirely comfortable with the idea, but it seems her need for money outweighs her concern.
The assistant nods to Lillianath and by the expression on her face it is a common question. "Lord Fahrqwad is a man of..." She puts on a faux smile, "Refined tastes. As well as being a masterful chef. He really -is- an amazing chef. I never thought I'd care for kraken calamari, but...wow," The enthusiasm in that statement is true at least. "Anyway, Bubba isn't a cryo or a pyro, alas. I think my Lord would go into a tizzy of excitement if he found one. He says their flavors are very distinct." A pause and then she continues explaining, "He likes to make sure his pantry is stocked. And he has the money to make sure it stays that way. There are all sorts who want him for their feasts. But of course, he tries to run the edge of over-hunting for food and not letting people get hurt by dangerous creatures." A pause. "His lands are actually -very- well off. Everyone knows where to stay out of Bubba's forest. Where the Owlbears nest and the basilisk coast."
The prattling ends as Herne asks his question. She turns to give him a shocked look. "It's an animal. I do not think it realizes anything other than it is still alive, despite being attacked every six months or so. Bubba has yet to adjust how he behaves, according to the last two groups anyway. There've been...four groups before you. Two years now since we found him in the woods. I think Lord Fahrqwad also likes the fact that it dissuades bandits from setting up camp in that part of the woods." She pauses. "Is that helpful?"
Daechir doesn't seem to have any questions, and the light of his smile doesn't quite reach his eyes the way that it really should, but he doesn't seem to notice that either. Instead he nods to the assistant's words and turns toward his group. "I think that should tell us all we need to know. It is up to us to hunt the creature and bring back its heads. Simple enough directions even if the task proves more difficult than the words." Daed smiles to everyone and makes a little motion as if to usher them out of the room and off on the trail of the hydra.
Hearing more and more of this job, Herne's eyes narrow more and more, until he suddenly snaps out of his own reverie to closely study everyone gathered. From the guard, to the assistant, to the capable warriors. With a voice of deep timbre, his one word response rumbles out powerfully.
"No."
Herne had heard enough, and wanted no part of this. He turns, and the thing from the woods walks out the door.
"As I said...the nobility believe they are entitled to the lives of those that live on their lands...They don't yet realize that life is a sacred thing that can be quantified." Kaydin says calmly as he begins to follow the others.. He watches the Golem and he remains silent. He then looks to the others "I suggest we approach this creature carefully. I know forests real well and can scout ahead." He offers.
"That's horrifying," Lilli breathes, eyes wide. "Harvesting heads like wheat? How does he think this won't come back around on him, honestly?"
Her eyes flick toward the golem, her frown increasing faintly and for a moment it looks like she may be about to join him. Finally, she sighs, and settles into her chair. "Better to make sure you all survive this foolhardiness," she says, heaving a breath. "Let's be about it, then."
"Nobles," says Stena with a shrug, as if that is the answer to any and all concerns. "I don't much like the thought of taking something's head just for a noble, but this isn't so different from a farming practice." She taps the haft of her axe.
Daed waits until they're outside to say his peace, a grim smile formed across his lips. "Farmers do not cut pieces of meat off their hogs and then let the hog walk around wounded and bleeding. We are killing it." His tone doesn't brook argument. "Or at the very least I am."
"To kill the hydra, you will need to cut off all their heads or destroy the body." Kaydin says calmly. He says walks into the forest. The way he moves, one may mistake him for a fullblood wild elf, he leaves no trail and if he wanted too, he could hide almost anywhere. "Want me to scout ahead?" He asks the party.
GAME: Kaydin rolls stealth+2: (16)+7+2: 25 GAME: Kaydin rolls survival+2: (10)+12+2: 24
The assistant spreads her hands at Lilli's last question. And here she lets some true feeling show through. Regret. "I don't know. He pays homage to the gods like any other, but especially Dana. But anyway, good luck everyone." She bobs her head and then returns to her desk and another group of adventurers forming.
The day is bitter and cold. The snow continues to fall as you make the journey out to the lord's country. It is two nights travel and then a half day into the forest itself. Kaydin scouts ahead and returns quickly with news.
Kaydin vanishes and after a few minutes, he appears out of the woods. "The Hydra is asleep. I think it would be best if we harvested the heads and not kill this hydra...Hydra's are key predators...Their presence affects the natural world's food web. At the moment the swamp and forest are in balance...killing this hydra will ruin this balance. I know how to keep it alive so I can keep us from killing it if you desire."
"If that's the case," Lilli says, "then I suppose we'd better *had* keep from killing the poor thing." Tugging the ends of her thick fur cloak together against the bitter forest wind, she pauses, looking down and murmuring a quiet prayer toward the snow. "But I don't like this in the least."
With that said, she shakes the cloak loose from her hands, a starknife in one, a rosary ending in a silver crescent.
Daed meets Kaydin's gaze. "If we leave it alive, it will be to be tortured until someone else has the mercy to end its life. It may be a part of this place, but is it not true that nature will rebalance in due time? Hydra are not /natural/ beasts in any case. They were made by magic, and as such they do disrupt the natural order."
"True." Kaydin says to Daed. "The nature will restore itself with time." He says as he nods. He then begins to lead the others through the forest. "Sssh." He says softly as he moves, and he pulls an arrow out and readies it. "It will anger the noble...Sure do hope you dont make an enemy." He says calmly. He then looks to stena.
"He ain't wrong,." says Stena, gesturing at Daed's words. "On the other hand, nature tends to adapt to their presence, all the same, and if the thing isn't a danger I'm not going to be looking to put a permanent end to it. Of course, if it's placing local folks in danger..." A gentle roll of her shoulders to indicate she won't have a problem with ending it should that be the case. "I mean... not that I necessarily think it'd be easy. It won't be. Hydras are dangerous."
"Angering nobles," Lilli murmurs, "is less worrisome than torturing a hydra for years, whether or not it's too dim to understand who to be angry at. Dangerous, perhaps, but they're still living creatures, and deserve more respect than that."
"Gonna have to agree with you. Of course, he demanded we not kill it. He's gonna be mad, but eh, fuck nobles," is what Stena says.
Kaydin makes a gesture, which for those who know handspeak will be the hand sign for stop. He then moves ahead and climbs a tree. Further out is swamp and he looks to the others. "It's right over there." He says down to them as he pulls the arrow back and waits for someone to charge at the beasty.
Daechir has to do his best not to laugh, a broad grin sliding across his face at Stena's words and he give her a little tip of the head. Angering the 'noble' doesn't seem to concern him in the least. And he at least... lives in the nobility district. Not that anyone here would know that, but it amuses him nonetheless.
Still, Kaydin seems eager to move along, so Daechir will sneak closer to the beast.
GAME: Daechir rolls stealth+2: (20)+3+2: 25
Daechir seems to consider his actions carefully, then moves like the night across the intervening space between himself and the hydra. He's a flicker of shadow barely seen and then there. Once he is at the creature's side he lays a hand upon it. Magic flows through him and into the creature. Fae magic of the old kind that will wake the beast, but keep it still at least for a little while. "Attack now!" He glances toward the others, red eyes flashing and his stance grim.
GAME: Lillianath casts Returning Weapon. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15
It is really weird to watch a hydra laugh. Let alone three heads laughing at the same time. They snort-snarl from sleep and make this horrible keening chuckle that grates like metal on metal. It's awake, but all it can do is thrash about with laughter thanks to Daechir.
"Go go go go!" Lilli urges, pressing her crescent to the handle of her starknife as she glides over the snow, putting herself into position. A faint silver crescent shines around the tines of her weapon, as the waves the others forward.
GAME: Kaydin rolls weapon4: (16)+7: 23 GAME: Kaydin rolls 1d8+2: (3)+2: 5
So for her pawrt, Stena begins to... weave magic. Yes, the big girl with the huge axe is /casting a spell/. An aura of ethereal mist, almost like a frost, seems to spring up about her person. Goes with the snowy-patterns of white in her blonde hair.
Kaydin pulls the arrow back and aims at the hydra's body. He then fires and watches the arrow embedded itself into its body. While it probably hurt it didn't do any real damage. He remains in his tree away from the party at the edge of the swamp/forest and pulls a new arrow out to ready it.
With the creature stunned by his magic Daed takes a hasty step back in realization that he had forgotten to cast a very important spell /before/ they began all this. A spell without which he would be unlikely to survive very long. So he retreats, falling back and away without offering the creature an attack avenue. It's not what he wants to do, but this bit of poor planning has put him in a bad spot indeed.
GAME: Lillianath rolls cmb: (8)+5: 13 GAME: Kaydin rolls weapon4: (7)+7: 14 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d4: (2): 2 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (19)+6: 25 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (10)+6: 16 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (9)+6: 15 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (4)+6: 10 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (18)+6: 24 GAME: Davienne rolls 2d8+6: (13)+6: 19 GAME: Stena rolls 1d20+9: (11)+9: 20 GAME: Stena rolls 3d6+7: (8)+7: 15 GAME: Stena RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 8 temporary HP
Stena's form swells up until she stands tall as an ogre. She lets out a frosty breath and advances on the hydra, eyes taking on a slightly maddened glaze. She starts to laugh as she buries her axe in the flank of the creature.
"GET AWAY FROM HER," she yells, caught up in the adrenaline of the moment.
Watching Lilli fall makes Daechir wince, but there's nothing he can do for the moment, the woman will have to hold on a little longer. He hopes that she's able to. As limply as she fell... The words and motions of his fingers fly by as he casts the spell that will give him a chance of protection from the creature. Then grimly he moves forward, staying outside it's reach but getting as close to it as he can.
GAME: Lillianath rolls 2d6: (4): 4 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (7)+6: 13 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (12)+6: 18 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d8+3: (2)+3: 5
Being raked by an almighty lizard's fangs *hurts,* the pain sending the priestess to the ground. But a prayer forces itself around clenched teeth, the rosary lifted skyward, and a burst of cool silver energy, carried upon a fragrant spring breeze, washes out from the priest, mending her wounds enough to give her the strength to refocus on the battle.
The creature gives a mighty shriek. All three heads in fact. Though to had turned towards Stena the third moves to snap at Kaydin. Managing to catch him in the shoulder as he drags her 15' back.
GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (3)+6: 9 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (16)+6: 22 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (3)+6: 9 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (7)+6: 13 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20
Kaydin moves quickly. falling and pulling the bow back over his shoulder, he runs at top speed for lilli. Feeling the head bite into his shoulder as soon as he reaches the priestess, he pushes it off and pulls the woman on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and begins to carry her back to his spot.
GAME: Stena rolls 1d20+8: (18)+8: 26 GAME: Stena rolls 3d6+14: (13)+14: 27 GAME: Daechir rolls 2d4+1: (5)+1: 6
Another spell boils on the edges of Daechir's lips, a far more ready one seeing that Lilli is in the safer position that she's in. With her somewhat safer and moving of her own accord he can cast a little more easily. The spell sends two bolts of white light speeding through the air and into the beast that they were fighting.
"RAGH," is what Stena says.
She buries her axe in the creature again, bloodying it immensely. She has its attention now and her wounds only seem to send her into higher anger.
"AHAHAHA," is what she says next.
GAME: Lillianath casts Forbid Action. Caster Level: 3 DC: 14 GAME: Lillianath rolls 1d8+3: (2)+3: 5
"Thank you," says the elf, as Kaydin sets her down. More divine light flares under the hand clutching her ragged wound, and further does flesh knit closed and color return to her skin.
GAME: Kaydin rolls weapon4+-2: (1)+7++-2: 6 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Kaydin rolls weapon4+-2: (11)+7++-2: 16 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (3)+6: 9 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (15)+6: 21 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (20)+6: 26 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (20)+6: 26
Kaydin nods at the woman and begins to get in front/beside the woman so if the hydra comes after her, it has to get through him first. He pulls out an arrow and fires only to hit near Daed. He winces as his shoulder had hurt at the time of the shot, hence why it was so badly off. The second shot lands closer but bounces off the hydra's hide.
GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20 GAME: Davienne rolls 2d8+6: (7)+6: 13 GAME: Davienne rolls 3d8+9: (17)+9: 26
The hydra is ANGRY. It is also very badly wounded. With keening shrieks that tear at the ears the heads lash out and bite at the enlarged rager. Ripping away flesh and through what armor she may have. The middle head makes an especially vicious attack that leaves the poor human on the ground in bad shape.
GAME: Daechir rolls 1d20+5: (11)+5: 16 GAME: Daechir rolls 1d20+5: (17)+5: 22 GAME: Daechir rolls 1d6+2: (5)+2: 7 GAME: Lillianath casts Bless. Caster Level: 3 DC: 14 GAME: Kaydin rolls weapon4+-2+1: (4)+7++-2+1: 10 GAME: Kaydin rolls weapon4+-2+1: (9)+7++-2+1: 15
Daechir moves in the scant few feet between him and it and lets loose a flurry of attacks. He knows that he's not a fighter, that being up close like this is not the best idea, but the other woman is down now as well, and he can't let its focus return to the other two who are already wounded. Blood covers his onyx fists, and he wears an expression of grim determination.
GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (9)+6: 15 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (4)+6: 10 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (15)+6: 21 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+6: (17)+6: 23 GAME: Davienne rolls 3d8+9: (9)+9: 18
The Hydra has taken down the big angry thing with the sharp thing. Now it turns to the small creature that punched it's side. How could such a tiny limb cause it pain? It keens from three heads in unison before striking out. The glow surrounding the monk after Lillianath's prayer growing faintly brighter. The creature not managing to sink teeth deep and rend flesh. Though those could be some cool scars if he keeps them. Imagine the stories! Still, the thing looks near dead.
GAME: Daechir rolls 1d20+5+1: (12)+5+1: 18 GAME: Daechir rolls 1d20+5+1: (8)+5+1: 14 GAME: Daechir rolls 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5 GAME: Davienne rolls 1d20+8: (20)+8: 28 GAME: Lillianath rolls 2d8+3: (11)+3: 14
The moment the beast falls, Lilli hurries across the battlefield, dropping to her knees to whisper a prayer for the life of the brave woman who fell in battle. The spell used on Stena *visibly* stronger than that used on herself, life floods back into the warrior's cheeks, bones reknitting enough to allow Stens to climb back to her feet.
Daechir continues to attack the creature, even bleeding heavily, wounded. All he can do is this much. He digs his fist into the creature until it falls over from its wounds and. His breath is heavy now, and he's covered in sweat and blood. But it's done. He can see that it's still breathing but... It won't be for long.
GAME: Daechir rolls 1d6+2: (2)+2: 4
The hydra is dead. The icey ground around it's layer is strewn with dark ichor. Tongues loll out the side of gaping and bloody maws. Slowly the eyes are turning cloudy.
Kaydin walks over to lillianath and begins to look over her wounds. He pulls out a balm of some sort and some bandages and begins to bandage her up. "This is going to hurt." He says as he works. Once done with the elf he begins to walk over to Stena to do the same.
GAME: Kaydin rolls heal: (16)+9: 25 GAME: Kaydin rolls heal: (17)+9: 26 GAME: Kaydin rolls heal: (20)+9: 29 GAME: Kaydin rolls heal: (20)+9: 29
Stena is not regaining consciousness /just/ yet. She's gonna be out of it for a while, but hey, she's very well bandaged.
"My thanks, yet again," Lilli says, levering herself back to her feet and surveying the carnage. "...Well... the deed is done. I hope His Lordliness will be satisfied with a mere three heads, instead of the four he desired. If not... Well, he can take it up with the Temple. I know a Gileadian or two that might have a word for him in kind."
Daechir attacks the hydra at first with his fists and then with his weapons until at last it ceases to regenerate. By the time he's done there are tears mingling with blood spray on his cheeks and he's exhausted. He sinks to his knees nearby the creature, looking at its corpse. Whispers a few words to himself in the language only spoken far beneath the earth. It sounds like ashes on his mouth. When he's done there's the twinkling of a bell and he begins to clean himself up using a bit of his magic for the purpose. Rises to his feet and offers the bag for the heads. "I will tell the lordling that this will be his last meal; it should be me."
Kaydin moves to Daechir as he finishes bandaging the elf and he begins to bandage himself. "I am far too used to people. At least you people did the right thing." Kaydin says as he bandages his shoulder. He then goes about retrieving his arrows. "It isn't magical healing but I always carry enough healing herbs and bandages to treat folks." Kaydin says as he looks around. "Feel free to seek me out at Wilderness pointe." He offers with a smile.
-End