View source for Prp: A Fine Diet Part 1

Lord Fahrkwad, an eccentric young human noble residing in a manor outside the city, has put out a request to the Explorer and Adventurer's guild. He wants Basilisk eggs and is willing to pay a tidy little sum for each one aquired. And Greater Basilisk eggs? Well those will bring in an even higher price of course, if you're feeling brave.

Handier still this lordling has even heard about a nesting sight within a few days travel of Alexandria. How fortunate right? It is noon and outside it is cold and crisp and clear. You all have come to take him up on his little task and come to get the map with the nesting site. As you are escorted through the absolutely grotesquely decorated halls, the man's apparently a narcissist with all the portraits and statuary of himself, the Butler is silent. Gesturing you all into a sitting room with a roaring fire. And Lord Fahrkwad eating his breakfast from a tray on a desk. There's a rather large orange egg in a bowl which he is opening like any soft-boiled egg. As the door opens her looks up with egg yolk dripping down his chin.

"Aha! Good. Good. My stores are getting low. Come in, the map is right here. I do hope you don't have any questions?" The lordling sounds bored as he gestures to a neatly folded map on the desk before returning to his food.

Pelka says, "Just one..." he trails off, searching for the words. Finally he blurts, "Do the basilisks ever come looking for their eggs??"

Olek will come in and peer at this fellow. Taking mention of the map as an invitation, he'll go forward to retrieve it and take a look at it. "Stores?" he wonders. "You have stores of basilisk eggs?" Well, it takes all kinds, he guesses.

Erendriel blinks. "Basilisk eggs. That could be tricky. I mean, basilisks are mean. And if we take care of them, it risk the eggs. But we'll do our best!"

*SlluuUUUuuurrP* Lord Fahrkwad licks and smacks his lips and then delicately dabs at them with a white napkin. One dark brow raises as he looks at Pelka and says, "They're just dumb beasts. Of course not!" He waves the hand with the napkin airily and says, "I have -a- store. It's for my special diet, you see." He pauses them and turns to look at Erendriel with a sort of cocky smile. 

"Ahhh, well, good thing their shells are thick. It takes a hacksaw to cut through one. So you need not worry unless you happen to -fall- on them. Well, maybe not you," And he looks over the short Erendriel with a vaguely appreciative smile. "You must have a fine diet and metabolism. You weigh, what, 7 stone soaking wet?" They were warned he was quirky and eccentric...so far so good?

The map is new and fairly nicely detailed. "I will expect that back. I've copies, mind, but do try not to lose it. Maps cost money," He says before bending to slurp more egg from a spoon. The area outlined is to the NE along the sea. An area where it is a little rocky, but still forested. Probably a perfect place for burrows of a basilisks liking. "Mmm!" And he smacks his lips again before adding, "And do try and get as many as possible, of course. The more you bring back, the more you get paid."

Olek shrugs, nods, eyes the map. He can find it all right. Hopefully there's actual basilisks there. To Erendriel, he wonders, "Did he just call you fat?" But that's it for his questions, he'll turn and head out.

Pelka nods in understanding. He takes the map and then studies it carefully. Finally he hands it over to the next party member. "I'm no good with maps," he admits. He pulls out a thunderbelcher seemingly from nowhere, loading it and then checking a long spyglass-styled sight. "But I've always wanted to try my hand at big game hunting!"

Erendriel will nod to the man and leave quietly. She doesn't point out that she's more talking about *cooking* the eggs than, like, damaging them with force. Fortunately Olek points something out, and she quirks. "Wait, SEVEN stone? That's... yeah. How big does he think I am?!" She then asks with mock-outrage, hands on her hips, ending with a giggle.

<OOC> Davienne says, "Seven stone is 100lbs ;)"

<OOC> Erendriel says, "I thought one stone is 20lbs"

<OOC> Olek lifts heavier stones than that.

<OOC> Erendriel says, "well whatever we'll call it regional weights misunderstood IC :D"

<OOC> Olek thought it was 14, in the UK.

<OOC> Davienne says, "I used google converter lol"

Lord Fahrkwad fingers wiggle as Olek retreats and he looks between the remaining two. When the weapon is levied he leans back and goes a little wide-eyed. "Yes...well...if you like. Of course try not to kill the females if you can?" He asks like a man who has no clue just how violent or mean the creatures are. "Good hunting," And then he is back to his food.

The day is at least pleasant enough for travel. And there is even a road that will pass near enough to the outlined coastal hotspot region. It will take a couple days to get there.

Pelka looks at the road ahead of them, and then up at the skies. "It's a nice day for flying," he comments. "Dry, clear skies. A little cold but there will still be thermal updrafts if you know where to look..." Then he looks at the other party members, hopefully.

Erendriel nods. "I agree, a good day for flying." She then hops onto her broom, and takes off into the air. Not high, she can still talk with the others. "Tired of the cold though already, let's handle that." She then murmurs and casts a spell on herself.

GAME: Erendriel refreshes spells.

GAME: Erendriel casts Endure Elements. Caster Level: 10 DC: 16

Olek, himself, rides a flying carpet though it's only flying three feet off the ground, so he can talk with everyone. He -could- go higher, but that'd be rude if they couldn't.

Pelka makes a small clucking noise of delight. He spreads his wings and flies along between the others, mostly gliding and only occasionally having to flap his wings. "We'll be there in no time!" he enthuses. Well, possibly. In truth his air speed isn't all that much greater than his ground speed. But he doesn't have to worry about terrain and can occasionally cut a corner or a curve in the road. "I can't tell you guys how nice it is not to walk. For once!"

The day is pleasant enough to travel in. Nothing acosts you on the road. As early afternoon approaches you come across a waystation, since you're flying. This road travelled enough that a caravan's day journey out, roughly, is a cleared out area among the forest. It is probably something done recently by the local noble to encourage trade through his lands. Big enough for some sizeable caravans, but also with a small cabin also newly built.

Olek's flying pace is indeed no better than his walking pace. But up in the air avoids the hazards of travel. It also avoids things that block the wind, though, but Olek's prepared against the weather. "Should we stop there, do you think, or just press on?"

Erendriel DOES in fact fly faster than she walks, but not walking is really the nice part. "I can't fly ALL day, the broom will only go so long before it needs a rest. So stopping for breaks is good."

Pelka swoops down and lands. On the roof of the cabin. After a moment he gives a start and then steps off of his perch, floating to the ground below. "Sorry. Old habit." He glances at the cabin for a door. "We could see if anyone's home. And if they know anything about basilisks?"
Olek will land and roll up his carpet, stuffing it into his pack. He'll take a look around, particularly for things like fresh footprints, because that should tell us if people are around.

<OOC> Davienne says, "Roll me perception if you all like :)"

GAME: Erendriel rolls perception: (3)+19: 22

GAME: Pelka rolls perception: (10)+18: 28

GAME: Olek rolls perception: (1)+15: 16 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Davienne says, "There are footprints. Slim and barefoot. They are mostly along the forest's edge. They are probably a few days old. Left in the last rain or snow that left the ground semi-moist. Otherwise there's nothing much. A wagon passed by but didn't stop."

<OOC> Pelka will knock on the door to the cabin

<OOC> Davienne says, "No answer"

The cabin has a sign with words and an image. The image is that of a welcoming fireplace. The sign reads, in trade common, "All with good intent are welcome to rest here." There's also a bit about the lord who commissioned the waystation. Knocking yields no response and there is no light in the windows. But neither is the door locked. Around the cabin, which backs up to the forest, are those small, barefoot prints.

<OOC> Pelka will check the door for traps and then open it!

<OOC> Pelka says, "Er, if there are no traps of course :D"

<OOC> Davienne says, "No traps. :)"

Olek explains, "It's a rest stop set up by the local lord, it seems. We can take a break here, if you guys are too tired to go on." He says that a bit gruffly.

Pelka kneels and inspects the door. He pans his gaze around the doorframe and then at the bottom, including the steps in front of it. Finally he straightens up. He shakes his head at Olek. "I'm not tired - but I'm curious. Those footprints...what could that mean? If it's someone who knows the forest, some fae creature or something, could it tell us something useful?" Pelka is a city bird. Even when he's in the mountains, it's generally flying above them or in his little cave in the aerie. When it comes to the forests and other outdoor areas, he tends to ask others. Pelka also pushes the door open and peers inside.

Erendriel comes in for a landing last. She'll stand at the porch, behind the others, and rests a hand on her hip. "Weird. Well, we can stop here for a while. Maybe even eat a bit." Then considering Pelka, walking over to look as well. "Let's see if I can tell. Probably not, but..."

<OOC> Erendriel can only tell if she can tell with an arcana or planes roll :D

<OOC> Davienne says, "Go ahead and roll Arcana."

GAME: Erendriel rolls knowledge/arcana + 2: (1)+10+2: 13 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Erendriel says, "oh god"

<OOC> Erendriel gets the +2 from rpp org

Olek is a city dwarf, himself, and didn't see the footprints, either, so he huhs to Pelka when he mentions them. "There's nothing out here but bears and ... raccoons." He's listed off all the animals he knows now. "And we're not getting any closer to the stupid eggs."

<OOC> Davienne says, "You have no clue. :)"

<OOC> Erendriel has the planes...

<OOC> Davienne says, "Roll it :)"

GAME: Erendriel rolls knowledge/the planes: (3)+6: 9

<OOC> Erendriel says, "oh god sometime tonight I will roll over 3"

<OOC> Davienne says, "Still don't know. And yeah, i've had those nights."

The inside of the cabin is big enough for four or five people to lay out sleeping pads. Maybe more if people were cozy or didn't want to lay down. Or if some of the massive piles of firewood, with a small girl crying quietly on them, were moved outside...

As the light hits the small form curled on the wood pile it turns. And it is quickly apparent this isn't a normal little girl. Her skin is like wood and her hair is thick with leafy hair and magnolia blossoms. Vivid green eyes are wide and scared as she stares at the person in the doorway with fear. Then she bolts. Not for the door, but the side of the cabin.

<OOC> Olek says, "Is there a door or window there? Or is she just running at the wall?"

Pelka turns to shoot a glance at Olek. "Unexpected!" he practically squawks. Then he takes a step into the cabin. "Ah...um...you have a lovely home!" he finally blurts.

Olek definitely didn'y expect a small girl crying on the woodpile. Well, they -are- pretty uncomfortable, he'd probably be less than pleased if he had to sleep on one, himself. "What's going on?" he asks as he peers into the cabin.

<OOC> Davienne says, "She is running at the wall :)"

The small girl almost blends with the wood of the cabin and wood pile. And then she -is- blending with them. Slowly as she seems to be merging with the wall. "Go away!" She shouts in a high-pitched, yet rough, voice. Only her face remains sticking out of the wall. Those too-green eyes hatefully glaring at the people. "This is because of YOU!"

Erendriel comes back last, having completely failed to figure out what those tracks were. She starts to sigh, then coming inside, the running happens. "What is because of us? Is this your house? We can leave!" she says, trying to be especially nice about it.

GAME: Erendriel rolls diplomacy: (12)+21: 33

Pelka stares at the girl unblinkingly. Then he slowly turns his head towards the pile of firewood where she was laying when he first opened the door. "Those aren't normally stacked -inside- a house, are they?" he whispers to Olek.

Olek shrugs to Pelka. "Well, not normally. But you don't normally use them for a bed, either. But if she wants us gone, and there's no business we have here, then we ought to go."

"NO! This...this...this was my mother!" Anger and sorrow war on the youngsters wooden face. Another tear falls and she sniffles. "She'd been hibernating...a long time. And I had moved closed to the big salty water to see new things. She told me too. I came back and...THIS!" From the wall two small hands are thrown up, gesturing at the wood pile and the cabin.
You paged Zoodlefinder with 'Special bonuses?'

Erendriel bites her lip. "Oh no... I'm so sorry," she says quietly, putting her hands up, approaching slowly. "We didn't do that. We're travelers passing through. But is there anything we can do to help?"

Pelka hesitates. "You mean...your mother was a tree?" He peers at the 'girl' even more closely. "If...if, ah, your mother was created by artifice, or arcane magic, I can try making a contraption that will make her whole again..." His face falls as he says it, realizing the chances are very small that artifice or arcane magic was involved here.

Olek ehs to the girl, and eyes the woodpile skeptically. But his understanding of this sort of thing is pretty barebones, and he says frankly, "I think we may need a druid to sort this one out."

[RPOne] Olek says, "Her mother's a tree spirit whose tree got cut up for lumber."

[RPOne] Davienne says, "Yup"

[RPOne] Olek says, "But I don't now what that means or what to do about it. :/"

"We weren't created. We're dryads!" The girl says tartly to Pelka. "It was done for you. For people like you. I learned to read...a little," The young dryad says and then sighs sadly. "There isn't anything...I...can you bring her back?" There is the tiniest of hope in that small voice. "No...probably not." She sighs and it is now that the tiredness can be seen in the smaller fey. Slowly she emerges from the wall and curls up on the wood pile again with a sigh.

"I'm too weak to go home now. So I will stay here with what's left of mother till the end. Just...please don't burn this wood. Yet?"

Erendriel shakes her head. "No. I won't allow anyone to burn that wood," she insists, folding her arms. "There is magic. But it's very powerful, and very expensive. I have niether the money, nor the magic, to do it. But... if you could take... if you could go into the city, and had the money, you could find someone to help you."

Olek says to the girl, "We're sorry you lost your mother. It happens to us all eventually, and it's never nice. But the thing is, you've got to carry on."

Pelka bobs his head in an avian nod. "That's right! Why, that's what your mother would have wanted. And if you're too weak, well...we can take you home! Or arrange for you to be returned to your home, depending on where it is. We have a job to do," he adds dutifully.

The dryad peers at Olek and then Pelka. "We Dryads don't have much in the way of wealth. And she wouldn't want me doing that anyway. She...was old, but," And she sighs and sniffles again. "My tree is by the big water," And she points northward. "I only have another day...and I don't have much to offer in exchange?" This seems to worry her.

Erendriel takes a deep breath, and gathers herself. Taking this very seriously, she starts nodding as the others have ideas. "I'm happy to help bring you over. Do you know how far it is?" She'll then look to the others to see if they're willing. "Let's go while it's still light."

Olek ehs? "You only have another day for what?" He's willing to help, he didn't much like the egg dude anyhow, so he's not in any particular hurry to rush back with the eggs.

Pelka nods to Erendriel. "We have to have made good time by flying," he says agreeably. "And even with this little detour we can make up more if we fly straight to our destination instead of taking the road." He turns back to the dryad. "We don't need much, perhaps just some information. About the woods and what kind if creatures inhabit them. Do you know anything about, say...oh...basilisks?" He says the last part casually, not sure if it will turn out she considers them her cousins or some such.

"When we are too far from our trees for too long our lives slowly drain away. I've been gone two days and...I am so weak now walking would be hard to maintain," Says the dryad with a little sigh. She doesn't move from the pile and if one looks they can see she is gaunt and her barky skin is peeling and flakey. She doesn't look well, at least by tree standards. "It is only a days slow walk. The coast I think you fleshlings call it?"

As Pelka begins asking questions she sits up just slightly. "The basilisks?" Her nose wrinkles. "What do you want with those stinky stone-makers?"

Erendriel finds a place to sit, and slowly lowers herself down. "I'm sure we can find a way to get you there. And um... we have been hired to fetch an egg of the basilisks, for a collector. That is why we are here. Do you know of them nearby?"

Olek will let the others lead the conversation. He glowers quietly. Too often, he says the wrong thing at the wrong time, and the dryad's clearly on edge, so he'll just let Erendriel and Pelka do the talking.

Pelka is probably not the best one to be talking, but he seems to lack even the self-awareness that Olek shows of his diplomatic prowess. "So if you know anything about them, we could help you get back home and call it even. Not, uh, not their weaknesses, or anything like that," he hurries on. "But more like, their nesting habits. Oh and, uh, how we could avoid getting turned to stone, if there were to be any, you know, any...misunderstanding."

The dryad glances between them all in surprise. "Really? That's a silly thing to collect I'd think. But I happen to know a family of minks who know where they nest. They're always talking about how tasty the young are, how they still have to be careful of the alphas, and on and on. So...yes, I can help I think!"

Erendriel smiles faintly, taking a deep breath. "You know, I was willing to help you for nothing. But this would definitely be a fair trade, if you're willing to help us in return."
Olek hrms. Well. If the dryad can help us on our mission, that's pretty useful, at least. That'd definitely obligate us to help her, of course. Olek's a rude and insensitive jerk, but he at least understands fair play. e's given up on staying silent, obviously. "Well," he says. "Why don't we help you back to your tree, so you can feel better, and after resting up there for a day or so, you should be OK to introduce us to this mink?"

The small head nods and her flowery hair bounces. A leaf from one of the flowers falls out, unnoticed. "Yes, I can do that. The mink lives in my tree, so you can meet them right away if you're in a hurry," She says, looking a little more hopefuly. Turning to the pile of wood she reaches in and pulls something out. It looks to be from the heart of the tree and has been shaped into a likeness of another dryad. Probably her mother. "We can go now...thank you."
Erendriel looks to Olek, and to Pelka. "My broom can't carry two. Can either of you fly with her?"

Pelka says, "Um, ah...not really," he finishes lamely. "Not for more than five or six minutes. But why can't it carry two? I thought it was just a matter of speed...she doesn't look all that heavy," he whispers the last part, but it's a loud piercing whisper that can no doubt be heard clearly by anyone in the cabin. "And neither do you. Have you ever tried carrying more than one person...?"

<OOC> Olek says, "How big is she?"

<OOC> Davienne says, "She's a small humanoid"

<OOC> Olek says, "I can probably take her on the carpet, by weight. But it's a one-person carpet, so she'ss have to share my square"

<OOC> Davienne says, "I'll allow it. She's a child technically still."

Olek will unfold his carpet once he's outside, and sit down on it, giving it the order to rise and bringing it to waist level. "Hop on," he sats to the dryad, "we're going to become good friends by the end of this ride."

Slowly she gets up and moves from the pile, clutching her wooden doll. She smiles a little at the sight of the carpet. "Ooohhh. Pretty," She says and approaches it. With help she can get on as there is no hopping for the small fey. And she curls up in a small ball when she does on the square. "It is that way," She says, and points unerringly towards the sea.

Erendriel brings up the rear, closing up the cabin and burning into the wood a CLOSED message. She'll then mount her chopper and get into the air to go along with Olek and the dryad.

Pelka follows them ourside. He spreads his wings and begins to flap them, quickly gaining altitude and then flying along above. He produces his thunderbelcher, and loops a strap - that seems somehow newly added - over his shoulder. He banks slowly, so that he passes over the carpet and it's riders occasionally in what might be a high defensive position.

Olek will be leading the way, it seems, after helping the weak dryad into his lap. A blanket from his pack to keep the worst of the weather from her, and he's off, following her directions on how to get her home.

Another several hours on and it is getting towards sunset. But the ocean can be seen as well as miles of coastline. As Olek gets closer and closer she points to a cliff where a largish tree is growing out. Branches spreading and shape twisted by Dryad and winds. It seems to be a bit wilted at the moment, but as they get closer both the dryad and tree seem to recover. When they are overhead the Dryad gives a happy cry and leaps from the carpet into the top branches. Disappearing into them.

Pelka swoops down towards the trees and then spreads his wings to slow himself as he descends the last few meters. He lands on a treetop, briefly grasps the branch with his hands to steady himself, and then looks around. "Does anyone know what a mink looks like?" he asks aloud.
Erendriel flies on in herself, shaking her head. "Sorry, I don't know anything about minks. I... don't really know a lot about animals at all."

Olek has seen mink /coats/ before, but he's at least savvy enough not to mention this. He will let Pelka find the minks.

The tree itself shivers and echoey laughter seems to come from it. As the group lands they see a little black weasel-face poke out of a hole in the trunk. It looks all around and begins chittering in what sounds like a very scolding manner. "Yes, yes, I know. I was gone too long, my friend. But I am back thanks to these people. Do you think you could help them?" The Dryad's voice comes from the branches near to the mink. Which turns to stare at the trio. It chitters again.

There is some back and forth chittering between tree and mink. But eventually it goes back into its burrow. "He will guide you to the nesting area. Be careful of their gaze unless you want to turn to stone. Don't meet it! If something -does- happen...well, you'll have to kill one of the foul smelling things and coat their statue in its blood to reverse it."
Pelka opens his beak in astonishment. Then he seems to recover his wits. "Well...that's certainly very useful to know." He had heard rumors about a basilisk's gaze - but not the potential cure. "Well, I'm ready to go," he remarks. Then he hesitates. He inclines his head to the tree. "I hope we meet again someday," he says with a finality that indicates he doubts it will ever happen.

Erendriel is very happy, and lets out a clap. Celebrating that the poor creature was able to get back to her tree after her personal tragedy. "I'm ready. And thank you for your help," the last part directed to the dryad.

<OOC> Olek says, "So, I don't have Profession: Guide, but can I use trail markers or some other forestry type indiccator to have the local loggers leave this tree untouched?"

<OOC> Davienne says, "Sure!"

GAME: Olek takes ten on survival: (10)+15: 25

While the minks are giving directions or however this is working out, Olek will erect a few trail markers. He says, "These are normal trail markers, they'll tell any loggers not to disturb your tree."

A moment later and the dryad emerges from her tree. Already she is looking better. The buds of her hair have bloomed and her barkish skin is no longer peeling. In her hand she holds a small woven basket. Within it are berries and a few gemstones. She offers it to Olek with a shy smile, "Thank you. I appreciate it. Not many people come to this cliff. It's...hard to get too." Probably part of why she likes it. "If you want to wait and spend the night here you are welcome to shelter beneath my branches."

<OOC> Davienne says, "So you can stay here for the night as the sun is setting or you can continue and probably get there sometime in the middle of the night."

<OOC> Erendriel says, "I Say rest"

<OOC> Olek says, "So, do we know if they're daytime active or nocturnal or anything?"

<OOC> Davienne says, "The Dryad will tell you they can see just fine at night, though they are a little slower."

<OOC> Pelka hmms, Pelka can cast invisibility if we rest I can lrepare enough for all three of us

<OOC> Olek says, "That sounds like a good plan"