”Ja,” the Guildmaster says. ”It’s been a long day and I need my bed for sure.”
Back at the inn, Shameen is pleased to see you still alive, as are Shema and Abdullah. They ask you details of your adventures so far over supper.
Felix finds no open windows, so the door it is. Though the door watches you, it raises no alarm as you determine an absence of traps on the door. You snick the lock on the first try (though it was of much higher quality than you would have expected) and step inside, pulling the door shut behind you.
Inside, the parlour is typical of “old lady” in every possible way, from the French colonial furniture (complete with knitting basket!) to doilies on every polished surface. A desk with drawers sits against one wall. A covered bird cage sits near the foot of the stairs leading up. One inside door leads to what you assume is a kitchen, while another probably the loo. The old lady’s cat lies sleeping by the remains of the fire, though the heat is fading.
Everard tells Shameen and Shema everything the group has done and experienced so far, including the tale of the Frost Giants.
"I don't suppose the two of you know any way to transplant a magical peach pit?" he concludes, smiling. "If not, I think I'll just finish my meal, and then it's off to bed. I'm going to need my strength for tomorrow."
Shameen shakes his head. ”At home, I delighted to grow orchids, but if I wanted to grow a new plant, I would take a cutting and make a graft, not a seed or pit.”
"Ah, of course," Zayla responds. "I should've thought of that. Though I'm not sure how a magical tree will respond to being cut."
Perception
Felix has a look around hoping to find some valuable items he can turn over to the guildmaster.
Appraise
Perception
"In either case, Nerrisal will be able to help us. I'm sure of it."
"We need to consider our next step," Everard says. "Like I've mentioned, we need to blaze a trail to the Peace as well as contact the Dryad. Should we split up the group? One or two to find the Peace, a third to visit the Fey and then follow after?"
"The way to Erana's Peace sounds very hazardous. I don't think splitting the party is the best choice for that. If we do choose to do so, though, I would go speak with Nerrisal again."
However, a bit of rummaging does net a few items. A small bud vase on the mantle turns out to be solid crystal, worth 50 gold coins. Feeling through the cushions of the sofa, he finds 6 gold coins,12 silver coins, and a small key, and sticking out of the knitting basket he spies a pearl necklace, which he estimates to be worth a whopping 250 gold coins.
He tries the desk drawers to find them locked.
[spoiler=Cloak and Dagger]Pleased at his finds thus far, Felix chooses to press his luck and tries the key on the desk drawer.
Perception
Disable Device
As Felix reads over the maps, he hears a low, steady growl from behind. The fire has died out and the old lady’s cat sits up, glaring at you, it’s tail twitching. Maybe it’s a trick of the shadows, but the cat definitely seems bigger than before...and still growing.
If he takes it or leaves it...
Beneath the tavern, you once again find yourself in the Spielburg Thieves’ Guild. The chief doesn’t speak to you, but continues to toss daggers at the target. He must only be the chief because there’s nobody else, cause the man is terrible at knife throwing. The shadowy presence behind the iron bars awaits your hot merchandise for fencing.
Felix gives a nod to the guildmaster as he goes to fence his ill gotten gains. He gives over all the loot from the old lady's house.
After that business, he goes over to the Chief. "So what are the rules to this game?"
"Well, we might as well stick together," Everard decides. "Tomorrow, our first stop is the Dryad's court. We'll travel hard, move as fast as we can, as long as we can. Once we've got whatever help she can give, we take the fastest route we can to the Peace, and pray to whatever kind gods watch over this Valley that we get there and back to Braugi in time. I'm off to bed; suggest you do the same, we'll need all the energy we can muster."
Everard puts action to word, finishes his meal and his drink, pays his respects to the Kattas and retires to his bed.
Felix has no trouble retrieving the note. Looking at it, he sees a similar code. There’s a ring from a beer mug on some of the letters, suggesting that this note has already been retrieved and read by someone, who then left it for you to find. Very careless!!
You are able to sell all your loot for 80% of the values I quoted for you. You were able to get the maps...though you probably didn’t realize you had them in your clenched dust until you were halfway to the tavern.
The chief is happy to discuss the game with you. ”Very simple, boy. We each throw three sets of three daggers. Bullseye gets you 4 points, and 1 less point for each ring out from the middle, and no points if you miss the board or your dagger doesn’t stick. Of course, there have to be some stakes. I usually only play for gold, but since you’re new, silvers are fine. Care to play a round?”
The Kattas and Abdullah politely bid you good night.
You set out early the next morning—Felix barely able to keep his eyes open—heading for the dryad’s grove. Nothing assaults you on the first day of your journey, though at one point you could swear you caught a glimpse of a goblin through the trees. The forest seems to have grown quiet—waiting.
Having taken the road for as long as you were able, you arrive at the dryad’s grove by mid-morning. The bushes magically part for you, granting you access. Within the grove, lying in a patch of sunlight, you see a fox, seemingly the same fox you freed from that trap many days ago.
"No, gold will be fine. I just came into some money, you know." Felix picks up the daggers, takes aim, and throws.
Dagger
Dagger
Dagger
In the grove Felix speaks aloud, "Beautiful Nerisal, we have returned. We require your expert aid in a most important quest. Please help us." He waits for her to appear from her tree.
When Felix starts to speak, Zayla moves forward as if to stop him, but she stops. "That was actually pretty well said, Felix," she says quietly.
Felix bets a gold coin and throws, scoring 5 points in his first set.
”Not bad,” the chief says, and throws.
;
;
;
1 point
;
;
;
+6 is 7
;
;
;
+3 is 10 total
Feel free to roll your next two sets and total them up.
At Everard’s words, a breeze ruffles through the oak leaves, sounding almost like a sigh, and the dryad emerges from her tree. ”Everard, Zayla...Felix, you return to my grove. Ask of me what you wish to know.”
Set 1 = 6 points (not 5)
Set 2
Dagger
Dagger
Dagger
+4 point = 10 point
Set 3
Dagger
Dagger
Dagger
+0 points = 10 point
Looks like we tie.
Nope sudden death single-dagger throw off.
; 0
If needed...
;
;
Sudden Death throw off
Dagger 0
Dagger 4
Dagger
Surprised that the Chief didn't just take the win, Felix steps up to the line after the Chief fails to score. He misses too. The Chief takes his next throw and scores. Then Felix gets this one last throw. His aim is true, but lacks force and bounces off the board.
Felix pays up. "I guess that is why you're The Chief. I wish I could play more, but I need to get back. Next time."
Felix gets closer to her, but stays out of arm's length. He falls to his knees. "The giants to the north are having trouble, but first, I must confess something to you. When we went to the pixie circle for mushrooms, we saved them from a rampaging ogre and one of them rewarded me with a kiss. I'm sure she was just elated for our help and it meant nothing to me, but it stays with me. You would know better than I, but, somehow, she has marked me with magic. I can now cause things to move about. I am true to you, but if this is too much, I will understand." He remains there on one knee. One hand over his heart and the other stretched out to Nerisal.
"It was a Troll, not an Ogre," Everard says, stepping forward.
"And this is more important. The Frost Giants of Jotunheim, sworn guardians of Asgard, face starvation. Their orchards were struck by blight, and one of their number has come seeking aid. This valley can not provide all the food they need, so magic must be the key. We have heard a magical tree grows in Erana's Peace, one whose fruits can sustain a man for a day -- and that its fruit cannot be removed from the Peace.
"Your Majesty, the Frost Giants need help. They need food. You are queen of the forest, master of woodland magic and lore. Can you help us? Do you know a way to transplant the pits of the tree in Erana's Peace so they will not rot, and will grow swiftly in new soil, that we might save the guardians of Asgard without harming Erana's tree?"
Felix gets closer to her, but stays out of arm's length. He falls to his knees. "The giants to the north are having trouble, but first, I must confess something to you. When we went to the pixie circle for mushrooms, we saved them from a rampaging ogre and one of them rewarded me with a kiss. I'm sure she was just elated for our help and it meant nothing to me, but it stays with me. You would know better than I, but, somehow, she has marked me with magic. I can now cause things to move about. I am true to you, but if this is too much, I will understand." He remains there on one knee. One hand over his heart and the other stretched out to Nerisal.
"I take back what I just said," Zayla mutters under her breath.
Nerissal looks taken aback by Felix’s tirade, and pauses for a few tense moments to think. The leaves rustle.
”I can see that you are marked. I would never wish to impinge on one of my subjects, nor would I tolerate any harm to befall her. I am most grateful for your intervention, but I believe it for the best that we move on from each other.”
The fox snorts in the background.
”As for your urgent quest, I know of the tree of which you speak. Erana created it with life magic and it could do what you wish, but there is no way to preserve the fruits or pits—it is beyond even my power. To propagate Erana’s tree would require a cutting to be grafted. It would not harm the tree, if done by a skilled arborist, but any attempt to harm the tree would be unsuccessful.”
"We are not skilled arborists," Everard says, a pained expression on his face. "Are there any in this valley? Can you loan us one from among your court?"
”My people use magic, magic to which Erana’s tree is immune. It was created for mortal kind. Spielburg Valley is famous for its apple orchards; surely a skilled arborist still lives somewhere in the valley.”
"Thank you, your majesty. That narrows it down. Friends, our next stop if the Pferdefedern farm."
Mid-morning. You can get there by mid-afternoon tomorrow.
"No time to lose. Thank you, your majesty, for your help. Friends, we need to go. Now."
Unless there are objections, Everard readies sword and shield and starts walking.
"Eyes open for Goblins, gang."
A crestfallen Felix says simply "I understand." He remains quiet for the remainder of their meeting and follows when it is time to go. He gives one last forlorn look back as they leave.
At a rest point Felix dwells upon what happened. "She was too good for me anyway. I mean, she is a queen after all. And did you hear how she said it? Very classy. Its probably better this way, you know." Felix's ruminations don't hinder his appetite though. [b]"You going to finish that?"
"Finish what? Pick up your feet, brother. My armour is slowing us down enough already."
"Here, have the rest of mine." Zayla hands Felix the remainder of her lunch. "Don't worry. You'll...uh...you'll get over her"
You find a campsite for yourselves near the road and pass a relatively undisturbed night. When you awaken, the morning is a clear one, with a bit of warmth in the air. Three of your twelve days are gone.
It’s mid-afternoon when you reach the fork in the road leading towards the abandoned farms. Following the track, you soon spot signs of one farm still thriving. Before you even reach the uniquely-constructed home, you see Heinrich tending his orchard, trimming dead branches off his apple trees.
"Mister Pferdefedern!" Everard yells as he sheathes his sword and breaks into a clanking, hobbling run.
Slightly out of breath, Everard pauses at a respectful distance from the centaur farmer. "Sir... I know we've irritated you... and I'm so sorry... but we desperately need your help. You may be the only one... *wheeze* ... who can help us save sixty-one people from miserable starvation. Sir, would you be willing to perform a cutting on a magical fruit tree?"
"You're skill is legendary and you're the only one that can do it. We need to get a cutting from the tree in Erana's Peace."
Heinrich lowers his pruning saw as you approach, his face a weary scowl. ”A cutting from Erana’s tree? That is no small thing! What possible use could you have for such a cutting? What people are starving? I may have the only still-running farm, but I produce enough that nobody starves, not even the alleyway beggar.”
"Not us, sir. The giants. They've sent a representative to ask for aid. And you well know we can't spare enough to feed a whole tribe of giants, but Nerisal thinks that a cutting from the magical tree in Erana's Peace could be used to restart their crops. She said that you are the only one she knows with the skill to make the cutting and keep it from dying before it could help them."
Heinrich spends several moments thinking. His scowl fades as he mutters to himself, plotting out the steps he would have to take to make such a cutting.
”I had heard that a giant had attacked the castle. He has come here looking for food? Things in his land must be dire indeed if he’s come this far. It is good of you to want to help. If I am to come, I must make arrangements for Hilde and the farm to be looked after while I’m gone. Return at dawn the day after tomorrow and I will accompany you to Erana’s Peace.”
"You know the way there already? Wonderful!" Everard enthuses. "And yes, of course you need to make arrangements. Thank you! Thank you."
”Of course. It’s north of town.”
"Yes. Thank you."
"Do you need us to help get you anything before we go? Armour, weapons, other equipment?"
Heinrich gives Everard a cold stare. ”I was not always a farmer. I was once young and carefree, also.”
"I swear I meant no offense, sir, only to give aid where I can," Everard says, humbly.