Frog legs — one lavender, one orange, fly through the air and plop in the pond.
Jamila says something in Frog.
The chicken's stringy; the bear-man's fat isn't marbled —
run away, little one, your papa's plan is garbled!
The younger frog looks badly hurt, but is still up.
Kokoyuki is up.
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Kokoyuki steps up, drawing his testubo, which is both a family heirloom and the weapon of his god, Yamatsumi. The studded greatclub looks unwieldy however in his blackened and withered hands, while the mushrooms work to hinder his movement.
"I will hit him if he comes this way," Kokoyuki says, with a nod toward Kahrun.
The frog tries to bite Kahru, but seems a bit unwilling because of Jamila's unapetizing words.
It opens its mouth extra wide and tries to pull Nokka, a smaller creature, in closer with its tongue.
The tongue sticks to Nokka — but to no avail!
Oiur
Kokoyuki
Eugressia
Kahru
Jamila
Ribbit: dying
Ribbit: -11HP
Whole party may act.
Nokka follows directions, eager for another taste of frog.
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The smaller frog is torn to shreds by the simultaneous attack.
Out of combat.
An oily taste covers Kahru's tongue; he sees some strange colors and shapes in the corner of his eyes, but shakes off the effect after a moment.
By the side of the pond is a floppy purple hat with a yellow brim. Inside is a collection of shiny rocks.
Briar Henge druids often employ giant-sized versions of animals — as suspected, this evidence in Falbin’s favor.
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Oiur nudges a frog leg with their earth breaker. "But there's the excitement of the spectators and everything, that atmosphere!" I miss that. Stars and spires, I didn't realize how much.
They disguise their momentary melancholy by pulling the hat from the water. "Hello, what's this?" They hum a note, its arcane echoes plumbing the headwear's properties, but shake their head and pass it off for Eugressia to identify. "Pearl? Not for me." They thump their chest with a fist. "What I've got comes from inside, no specially constructed and memorized phrases!"
They wipe muck off their shins. "As for the frogs, druids couldn't've gotten 'em if they hadn't come from the First World to begin with! I'd say it's sixty-forty in Falbin's favor."
Another mile of travel and even Jamila begins to grumble about forgotten machetes. Finally, the party breaks free into Deepstead, an elven site so ancient that the only trace of it left is a weather-gnawed well.
A dolorous moan slowly rises over the birdcalls.
WAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
A small gray figure leans against the grey old rock of the well.
They appear bleached of all color — even their clothing and intricate tattoos are ashen. Each tear they weep flashes once with an iridescent rainbow before falling clear.
A love so close. A love so far!
I’d give all and more for a drop of crimson!
I’d give all and more for a dab of teal!
They wipe their nose, sigh, and notice your group.
They look up at Kokoyuki, sniffling. I'd welcome knights of any shade — maybe you? You see, I'm a blue of a different hue without my palette. Can you help? It’s nearby, on the other side — just go through.
They wail.
There’s a hole here— they tap the well —to the many-splendored First World.
My heartbreak tore it open — I confess!
Another wail.
My loss! You caught me red-handed!
They hold up a gray hand to demonstrate and, upon seeing it, burst into a torrent of blubbering tears, forgetting to continue.
Kokoyuki looks into the well and notes that it is full of water that sparkles with flecks of green, orange, and icy blue.
The water radiates a strong conjuration (teleportation) aura.
How do we get down this well? Jump?
Tears.
You don't want to help Azure? You just want to swim in an old well, and not visit the First World? Jump in then, and leave Azure be.
Sobs. Wails.
You want to go to the First World? Why didn't you say s— WAAAAHHHHH!
Azure collects themself.
To go to the First World, jump in while holding aloft an offering — some trifle you’re not too attached to.
While sinking, turn thrice widdershins and come up for air.
When you want to come back, jump in, turn deosil thrice, and come up for air. Azure'll be here —.
More sobbing.
They look at Kokoyuki.
Did I tell you how I lost my colors? How will you know to find them on the other side? WAAAAHHHHH!
Long back, one of the Eldest caught me borrowing a bauble or two — who hasn't borrowed a bauble or three, or four, or ten? This Eldest, knowing I’m nothing without my indigo and verdigris, plucked them right out of me and stuffed them into a bindle bag!
Sniffling.
Now it’s ever so close! And— (sniffle) and— (sniffle) and— (sniffle) and— (sniffle) I'M TOO BLUE TO C-C-C-CROSS! WAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Please! Bring them back! Be wary: I peeped through the hole, but the wild hunt nearly spotted me. They're the ones who first caught me you see, back before, and beat me black-and-blue. Now they guard the Bramble Bank, in the Heartgrove, where my palette hangs in a bindle-bag. Be wary of those wily ones from the moment you cross through!
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Oiur taps an index finger against their chin. "So if we go into the First World, avoid this 'wild hunt' and retrieve your colors, that will mend your broken heart, which should close the passage to that realm?"
They brighten. "I think we can do that! A few questions to go with Eugressia's—where's this Bramble Bank, what's the Heartgrove, and do you have any reason," they raise their eyebrows and hitch up a corner of their mouth, "to believe druids are involved in this situation?"
A group of fey who hunt their quarry between worlds! Quarry such as — sniffles… me.
They thank Oiur.
All paths lead to Heartgrove in Whirlwood. Bramble Bank is where the Eldest show off their taken treasures, daring the daring claim them.
So simple! So far… (sniffles).
Is it gambling when you never lose? Falbin blinks at her like a toad, and hands over 150GP.
She taps Kahru on the shoulder. I'll collect your gold later if you don't have it now.
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Falbin good-naturedly collects himself.
HA-HA!! Next time, Jamila, you'll see! Next time we'll have to double down! The one thing I know about luck: it's mutable! Changeable! Dare I say… fey! HA-HA! And those dirty druids are around here somewhere — that's one thing that never changes!
He hands Eugressia, Kokoyuki, and Oiur a Tangleburn bag. While doing so his eyes dart about, as if druids peer at them even now from the jungle bushes.
Back to our work. Reuniting Azure with their palette bag should close the rift. However, a ritual must be composed to facilitate the closure. I will remain here, and prepare.
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An aunt of mine crossed over once. She came back with a thick mustache, and bluebells growing from her ears. She thought this quite the exquisite look, but I will remain here, to collect my herbs and keep my couture.
He preens his beard and disappears into a shrubbery.
When you are ready to depart, please tell me two things:
1. What item you're holding aloft.
2. The act of spinning underwater requires a successful DC 15 Swim check. Please roll them here as many times as you need.
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"You know, Eugressia, I bet Ibb would get a kick out of this. So here's to him. We'll see how pancake precursor survives the trip!"
Oiur pulls a small bag of rough-milled flour from their pack. They step up onto the edge of the well and look down apprehensively into the multicolored waters. Holding the bag high above their head, they plunge into the water feet first.
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Is it gambling when you never lose? Falbin blinks at her like a toad, and hands over 150GP.
She taps Kahru on the shoulder. I'll collect your gold later if you don't have it now.
Grumbling a bit about gnomes and druids, Kahru reaches into his pouch and pulls out 50gp. "I'd rather settle up right now, if it's all the same to you."