"I will join you." Mum drops her gear, then mutters and gestures until hands enlarge slightly and webs form between her fingers.
" Here," Lawrdak says, laying a hand on Mum's shoulder and muttering in the harsh, sibilant secret language of the Druids. A shimmering sphere, barely visible in the sunlight, forms around her head.
.
Mum returns to the boat with increasing bloodied hands and forearms from the sharp coral. "This is more difficult than I'd expected... very pretty, however."
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Cut up and bleeding, Estietre and Hana surface with their third batch of oysters. Up to this point only small, oddly shaped, white, or off-white pearls have been found with a total value of thirty to fifty gold, depending on the buyer. Finally, with only one oyster left before having to dive for a forth time a black pearl is revealed.
Baako nods appreciatively. "Very, very nice. The Tempest will be pleased."
With your quest fulfilled, Baako Tau instructs the boats to take you all back to shore. It is now mid-day, if you were to leave now, you could be back at the Tempest's cliffside by nightfall.
"Thank you for the assistance, Madam Hruska," says Hana formally as they discover a black pearl that will satisfy the needs of their search.
Savras nods in approval, "Great job. I don't know if I could have held my breath that long Hana".
Hana shrugs and says, "It is easier when one can breathe water."
Savras grins, "Ah, now I get it".
"Other groups will be on the move, too. We sadly do not have time to stay, as charming as this village may be."
"Agreed. Let's get back to our guide."
"Thank you so much Baako Tau. Many blessings to you and your people." Estietre takes in the view one last time with a deep inhale.
Savras nods to Baako Tau, "Indeed, it would have been difficult without your assistance.
Thank you".
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With the black pearl in hand, the party sets out to return to the cliffside dwelling of Nkechi the Tempest.
You arrive at the base of the cliffside as night falls. Saving you a difficult climb to his cave, Nkechi floats gently down to meet you.
"Well, do you have it? Let's see it." he grumpily asks.
Hana nods and cedes the floor to Madam Hruska.
"Yes, in fact.. we do."
Mum pulls the black pearl from her little pouch, and presents it to Nkechi.
"It is to your satisfaction, yes?" Dereje asks of the black pearl, grinning wryly at Nkechi. "If so, then we are eager to hear what this other challenge of yours entails."
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Nkechi regards the black pearl. "Hmmm...a bit small, but I suppose I did not specify a size, so I guess you have passed the first test."
“The Task of wind is a simple one. All Gozreh requires is a single complete feather from a humble stormbird. One such magnificent creature, named Chirok, lives but a day’s walk east. There, at the end of a peninsula, you’ll spot a lone promontory known as Gozreh’s Crest. The bird nests at the top of the cliff. Return when you have a feather.”
"Hmm." Hana accepts this task dutifully. "Are stormbirds intelligent? Can one communicate with them?"
"I speak a number of languages, Auran is not one of them.
Anyone else?"
Estietre smiles, and pats the tiefling reassuringly.
"Not to worry, Savras. I will be able to communicate with the creature."
"Perhaps we should see about bringing it an item to trade," suggests Hana. "I presume if they... nest... it might enjoy a bit of food or perhaps something decorative."
Lawdrak tries to recall if he knows anything useful.
"I should hope that bargaining works. I would be loathed to harm an innocent creature for no reason other than to impress you," Dereje says, slightly reluctant now that he knows the stormbird is an intelligent being. "Though I suppose there are less direct methods we could use..."
He ponders that for a moment before turning to the others. "Well, shall we head out then? We have another bit of a hike to take."
"Yes, no time to waste if we have to march once"
As the group gets some distance away from the hermit, "I suppose the first thing to do is search under its nest for a feather. If we can just pluck one from the ground no need to have an altercation with what may well be a large flying predator. Though I confess I know nothing about and have never heard of the breed".
"We'd have to reach a nest first," says Hana, "and if there are eggs or young in the nest, the bird may be very defensive. I think a cautious diplomatic start is merited."
"Well... should we get a start then camp for the night? Or... should we make camp nearby, and strike out at first light?"
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Advised of their new task, the party again leave Nkechi's cliffside cave, this time heading for Gozreh’s Crest.
A short bit into the walk you find an appropriate spot to camp for the night.
After an unremarkable, if not pleasant night's rest you continue on your journey.
Shortly after you set out, the sky darkens and it begins to rain heavily. As per Nkechi’s description, Gozreh’s Crest sits at the very edge of the peninsula, an ominously scarred chunk of dark granite worn into a steep, wave-like shape by centuries of wind and rain. Its face catches the ocean, creating a natural wind tunnel that amplifies the wind and creates howling updrafts. These updrafts have become the favored spot of larger seabirds, which ride them high into the sky, where they hover above the sea watching for fish.
The gusting wind and rain will make for a difficult climb the promontory, with the smooth eastern wall being nearly impossible. After a relatively quick examination of the cliff faces, you choose to ascend the western face, as it still jagged enough to provide a few hand holds.
Slowly you climb, tied to one another so as to hopefully catch someone should their climbing skills not be quite up to snuff, eventually reaching the top some five hundred feet later.
Once you've reached the top of Gozreh’s Crest, the stormbird’s giant nest is clearly visible. The imposing structure is easily 8 feet in diameter, woven from driftwood, seaweed, and other flotsam. Five melon-sized, pale bluish-yellow eggs sit within the nest.
Fortunately for now, there is no sign of the stormbird herself. You see pieces of feathers woven into the nest, but the Tempest requires a full feather. Perhaps if the gods favor you, you can find one and be gone before the mother stormbird returns.
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Savras - Perception Aid Another Lawdrak -
"My late husband Bergden told me of this bird. Its screech is such that it may bewilder.. confuse those who it sees as a threat. Even more peculiar, a fluid drips from its wings leaving small pools which give off light for a time."
She shakes her head in wonder and smiles. "Fascinating creatures."
Hana tries to help Lawdrak search for a feather, but she mostly keeps her eyes on the horizon, wondering if the bird might return abruptly.