Four Flavors of Heaven (Inactive)

Game Master Timespiraled

Piella will subtly take the money given to her and will smile brightly to Taicho in thanks. When they arrive at Zhua's home, she too will bow in respect.

"You are too kind," she replies to the compliment with a delightful giggle.

"Oh...I see what's going on," mutters to herself as Zhua explains Geng and Hou's positions. She will happily take up position for Geng first. She's lived most of her life at a mine. There is not much fashion there. In her mind, she also needs to dress perfectly for the grand event. Something she can both cook in and look fabulous doing so.

"I want a most beautiful Chu-furisode (medium-sleeved kimono) in light pink and white as well. Made of beautiful silk, please, as well as the cloak." She will then look at the others. "We have to present this meal you know?" she volunteers as if making an excuse to go all out. "Oh, and matching footwear and sash please."

After being measured, she will take her spot at the table and eat her fill as suggested. Hearing Katala's plight with the cloak, she volunteers a bit of bartering.

"Well, if Soeji was prepared to have a cloak made for you, that means he must have paid...oh...around a thousand for it. If Zhua and Hou are gracious, they perhaps could take that money and your five hundred gift and still will make some little profit on it? Would you be willing to barter about it?"

She looks to Katala, Geng, and Hou to hear their response. Piella is not aware of how much money Katala has and that he could make up the difference.

When Taicho asks about the wand, she nods.

"I think that would be smart. A couple of them. I'll help pay for one and buy another with my money. One for healing, and perhaps one to fire long-range at our enemies, should we have them."

She will then look at what kind of wands Madam Zhau has.

Cloak of Resistance +1 -
+1 Light Crossbow 2335gp
250 to aid Taicho with the wand.
Masterwork Silk Chu-furisode 400gp
100gp left over

"Piella...I hesitate to ask, but with your bit of money left over, I could get a headband and a mithral chain shirt. I of course volunteer to keep a wand safe, if necessary, and can use it to heal as well," says the monk with some bit of bravado in an attempt to sound less selfish.

He blushes when the chu-furisode is described. "I will...I need some cooking attire..." he says, mainly to himself.

Katala smiles when he hears of the wonderful offer from Zhua, but pulls his cloak around. "Thank you Zhua, but I already have a cloak of resistance. As to the other, I haven't the coin to add to the five hundred to enchant my spear. It is of masterwork quality as I had planned to have it empowered if I ever saved sufficient funding for it. Perhaps in the future." He moves over to the refreshments to be out of the way of others.

He does have 585 GP, but a +1 weapon is 2,000 GP. He'll gladly accept the 500 GP for future use!

Then let's use that thousand that'd have gone to the cloak for that. The point was to have you and Taicho earn a bit of your 4th level wealth and cover Piella and Lung's missing wealth from levels 2-3.

You're all welcome to lend each other gp to cover more expensive items. I'm really flexible here. After this, I'll ensure treasure is found more naturally, but I felt it was important to properly catch up.

Sounds good. I was just trying to keep it in character. As an offered gift I felt it would be rude to say "No thank you. But could I use the value of that and the 500 and add 500 of my own to enchant my spear?"

BTW, I have a wand of CLW.

Sounds good. I was just trying to keep it in character. As an offered gift I felt it would be rude to say "No thank you. But could I use the value of that and the 500 and add 500 of my own to enchant my spear?"

BTW, I have a wand of CLW.

Works for me Katala!

"Why hesitate?" she chuckles. "Although, we could also use something to attack, as I miss...ALL the time. We are, after all, going against some dangerous things at times. We'll see what she has."

Standing in the corner Taicho chuckles to himself as Piella begins to get measured and describes the Chu-furisode that she desires. Watching her take a spot at the table he nods politely that she would assist wit the purchase of a wand. Taicho waits, not wanting to seem impolite and eat before he had been measured for a new waterproof cloak. If he was going to replace the mino whatever he wore would need to repel water, whatever else it's qualities.

When Lung also mentions cloths suitable for the meal, it peaks Taicho's curiosity making a mental note to ask what was wrong with the cloths they had on. He understood the need for a second kimono to wear when the other was unstitched to clean. And besides then you had an extra layer for when it was cold. But to have one outfit for a once in a life event seemed so ...human.

When it was his time to be measured he kept his four foot nine inch frame as straight as possible, looking at Geng, "If i may request the cloak made out of waterproof material of dark green or brown, with possibly a shoulder cape to help repel the water and large enough to fit over a small pack and weapons." He gestures towards the straw mino he had taken off. "If it's going to replace my rain cloak it needs to be functional."

When Geng finishes measuring him, Taicho joins Piella at the table, Putting a couple of dumplings in a bowl and not wanting to be rude he pointing across the table. "Piella could you pass the soy sauce?"

Lung pauses to think about the Chu-furisode again. "Oh, of course. If I could have the cloak to be in the style of a monk's jiasha, then I may wear it at the banquet with no fear. It needs no designs upon it, just red fabric." He describes the dimensions of jiasha fabric concisely.

After that, he bows and joins Taicho and Piella, uttering a short prayer of thanks and clapping hands for the food, and then smiles at them both. "I don't think I realized how tired I had been from our adventures...it feels good to relax a little," he says.

"We have been on the go quite a bit. I've been thankful for all of those who have hosted us and helped us along the way. Even these here," she comments to Lung about their current hosts, which while said in among themselves, perhaps could be overheard by the busy workers.

When Taicho asks her to pass the soy sauce, she winces and looks to Lung to do it. Logistically, she would have to scooch off the edge of the chair, literally stand up on the floor, reach across the table, walk around and hand it to Taicho. With her small stature and reach, it wasn't very feasible. She doesn't seem offended though but just smiles at the birdman with kind eyes. She particularly enjoys the noodles as she has a small bowl of them.

Zhua overhears Lung's comment about enjoying the relaxation.

"I am happy to hear it. While we finish preparing and retrieving your requests, could we interest you in anything else? There is a lovely bathhouse down the road. The heated waters are sure to melt those worries right off your skin."

Looking up from the bowl of dumplings Taicho, catching the look she gives Lung realizes the difficulty he had put Piella in. Popping a dumpling in his beak, talking while chewing it. "Mmmmm. these are wonderful and very moist. They do not require the soy sauce. Piella, please disregard my request." As he swallows the dumpling.

His attention peaked at the invitation to a heated bath, Taicho pops his last dumpling in his beak. Setting the chopsticks aside, he cocks his head questioningly, looking first at Piella then the others. Not wanting his opinion to pressure the others into something just because he would enjoy it.

Having enjoyed a couple, perhaps too many dumplings Katala perks up at the mention of a trip to a nice bathhouse. "A good dip in heated water is always welcome. I've never taken Shal with me though. I wonder if he'd enjoy it?"

"The baths it is, then," says Lung with a grin. He suddenly notices Piella. "Oh. Taicho. The soy sauce may not be necessary, but a little rice vinegar...and red pepper oil...and shredded ginger..." He dutifully passes over the condiments. "Combined, they are most pleasing."

He murmurs to Piella, "Those noodles are good with spicy sesame sauce as well. Shall I make you some? I need practice for the banquet, after all."

"I just had one, but I will not begrudge you all from having one. It shouldn't hold us up any."

Piella is about to say something to Taicho about how she feels embarrassed about not being able to get it for him so easily, but thankfully Lung graciously offers his services. She chimes in as well saying, "I agree, those are a good mix. We may be utilizing that combination for a side dish for the competition. We'll have to get together with all the Soejis to determine what exactly we are going to do."

She keeps things vague and unsure, just in case someone there is a spy. She doubts it, but it is okay to be careful.

When Lung offers some spicy sesame sauce, she grins.

"I've already added some when I got back to the table..." She mixes the noodles a bit more to show off what she had put into it, but before she starts to eat, she tilts her head and asks, "...but if you want to make me dinner sometime...you know...to practice, I'd be delighted to taste what you make."

She will take in the first of her noodles and will bow thankfully to the hostess.

Realizing the baths would come later, Taicho accepts the condiments from Lung, pouring a small amount in his porcelain bowl. Pausing to pick up his chopsticks, he helps himself to another dumpling. Dipping the dumpling in the mixture, the avian pops the dumpling in his beak, swallowing the dumpling whole. Nodding his head approvingly, "You are right Master Lung, a pleasing mixture in deed."

Not picking up on the fact that Peilla is trying to be vague, Taicho smacking his beak to recall the flavor he adds, "A little peanut oil or sesame oil, may add another layer of flavor." He helps himself to one more dumpling dipping it in the remainder of the sauce. Holding the dumpling up with the chop sticks. "My favorite preparation is fried in a little oil browning one side. Then served with a black vinegar and sesame oil dip." He then pops the fourth dumpling in his beak, swallowing it whole.

Hearing Piella offer to let Lung cook for her, Taicho nods his beak, excitedly. "Oh yes Master Lung, you must prepare something for us sometime." He lulls his tongue in a tengu smile. "And you promised it could cook a little as well."

Remembering the bathhouse, Taicho turns to Katala and sighs, "Not taken Shal? Oh we must then, he will love it."

Zhua pulls you all aside and gives you brief but clear instructions on how to reach the bathhouse when you're ready.

"Feel free to tackle the food for as long as you want to," she says. "I'll be heading out. Don't worry about locking up when you go."

She gives you a hearty wave and heads out into Xin's bustling streets.

She pokes her head back in for a second.

"I forgot to mention, we'll have everything ready sometime this afternoon. Try and be back around then!"

She smiles at Piella.

"I'll have our resident wandmaker bring over her selection so you can peruse them. She should have everything you need."

"That is how I make it!" she grins to Taicho. "I'm glad someone thinks of these things. I've never been a big restaurant-goer, but I do enjoy my mother's cooking. What I've noticed on the road is that I must have subconsciously picked up on her methods more than I thought I had, which is surprising as she never lets me into the kitchen. Now I guarantee she is regretting that decision."

Hearing Zhua, she will wave goodbye to her.

"Thank you! We will return when we are done and say goodbye. Don't hurry on our account. We are going to enjoy our time."

Looking over to their Varana companion, she wonders, "I wonder if spirits ever enjoy baths in the spirit realm?" She chuckles at the thought of Shal in a bath lounging.

"Yes, yes, happy to cook for both of you," says Lung, appearing to sweat a little bit from the spices.

He recovers a bit and perks up with Piella's inquiry. "It's said there are bath houses for spirits, although I am not sure they take kindly to visits from our plane," he says.

Unless they're, you know, spirited away...

Chuckling, in what sounded very much like a crows caw, Taicho nods to Piella, "As do I. Heating the copper conical helmet directly on the open flame. Add a little oil and drop the potstickers in, they brown up nicely." He gestures out the window. "In the forest we have no restaurants." Then lulling his tongue in a tengu smile he pats his belly. "Probably better that way." Then nodding in agreement. "I am not surprised, as fledglings we learn much that we don't realize until later following our elders."

Bowing his beak to their hostess, he chimes in. "Yes, please take your time. We are at your disposal."

Setting down the now empty bowl and the chop sticks. Taicho picks up one of the decorative cloth napkins and gently wipes his beak, turning towards Lung. "Master Lung I look forward to it. Then you must let me return the gesture." Nodding As he stands, he pauses for a moment cocking his head, pondering. "Well there are many hot springs in the mountains in the spirit world. Why wouldn't they take advantage of them?" Pausing again, "However I have heard no tales one way or the other."

Gesturing towards the door, he asks while not trying to sound pushy. "Shall we?"

Thinking of the hot bath and Shal, Katala wonders if the little bird-like creature would enjoy hot water. He had seen him bathing many times in cool water. Sometimes he wished that he could actually speak with his little friend. The empathic link was good, and the little creature was far more intelligent than others of its kind, but it wasn't as clear as actual words.

Taicho seemed eager so maybe Shal would.... ?? "Sure! Let's go."

It takes only minutes to reach the bathhouse down the street. A few residents greet you by name, come up to shake your hands, or wish you the best of luck. It would seem that you have more than a few fans in Xin.

The bathhouse proprietor also recognizes you from the ceremony and happily offers you free use of two of the outdoor baths. Appropriate cloths and towels are provided as well.

"You are very gracious," she offers to the host of the bathhouse. Their fan club is something that Lung, Shiro and her have had to deal with since the ceremony. Looking to the newcomers, she chuckles once they are apart from them. "On the road, you'll find that many people will come up to us. We've been making sure to present Soejis in the best light. It's been nice. They give us food sometimes too!"

She will disappear from the men to her own bath. With the wall separating them, she will talk to her companions through the wooden barrier.

"Is your water warm? Mine is nice and hot!"

She is attentive to keep her hair dry, as she had just washed it not long ago.

Pleasantly surprised by the well-wishers, Taicho Bowing, to the bathhouse proprietor, keeping his beak parallel to the ground in tengu fashion. He accepts the provided clothing. Stopping long enough in the changing area he neatly places his pack and mino in a pile then folding his clothes on top, quickly washes and putting on the bath robe.

Entering to the other side of the bath house, Taicho removes the robe, slipping into the hot water. He calls over the wall, "The water is delightful." dipping his wing like arms in the water, splashing water over himself then bunking his head repeatedly shaking his beak. Realizing he must have splashed his companions, he wipes the water off of his beak bowing his head he apologizes. "Apologies for splashing, It's just so invigorating."

"Ahhh...it's very relaxing. Oof, Taicho! Well, generally relaxing, Piella." Lung sinks under the water completely, then resurfaces, spitting water like a kappa statue. "Ha! I'm a water dragon! Who dares approach my sacred spring?" He puts on a pretend glower at the varana and tengu.

Piella will roll her eyes at the boys splashing (from her perspective) each other. Her bath is far more serene and still. A couple of giggles can be heard from her at times, but she mostly focuses on finishing and drying off so they can return.

A booming voice comes from behind Lung.

"Oh great water dragon, it is I, Tao Wei, mightiest merchant of Shuishang! Please grant me your blessing that I may join you in your sacred spring."

Wrapped only in a voluminous towel, the merchant indicates the hot spring.

More than a little surprised by the various greetings Katala automatically assumes it is for the others. He nods, smiles, and watches the others in the group.

Once at the bathhouse he accepts the clothing and follows into the men's area. Once he is changed he moves to the pool, lowering Shal close to the surface to see if the little bird-like creature would try it. 1d20 ⇒ 2 While Shal does drink water, and occasionally bath in it, apparently the heat here is not to his liking. He quickly launches himself across the room to where Katala's equipment sits.

"Well, Shal may not enjoy a hot bath, but I do!" Katala lowers himself into the water relaxing until he catches a splash square across his nose. "Taicho! I can't breathe water!"

Hearing the joke from Lung he is about to respond to "The great water dragon" when the booming voice beats him to it. He laughs and turns, "Greetings Tao Wei, mightiest merchant of Shuishang. While I do not claim to be any sort of dragon, Katala Doration, Shaman for Lanxu grants you blessing to enter."

"Good enough for me!" He gives Lung a mighty wink and steps into the bath, displacing a sizable wave of water.

"Look at that, I'm practically a water dragon myself!"

He leans back, letting his back soak up the heat from the stones bordering the pool.

"Now that's the stuff." He closes his eyes and lets the blissful heat take over.

"We seem to have just missed each other in Shuishang. Lot of rumors going around about the both of us it would seem."

He cracks one eye open.

"I hope you don't think I was responsible for the fishy situation?"

"We would never accuse someone without cause, Honored Tao Wei," says Lung. "After all, I believe I recall you were out at sea when the fish incident occurred."

He bows as well as he can in the water. "I hope your efforts to honor the Celestial Court are going well."

Lung thinks carefully about Tao's question, and the merchant's body language and tone. What's he trying to get at?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Evidently Lung doesn't know.

Tao Wei nods.

"I would never stoop so low as to sabotage another's efforts. Can't say the same for some of the other competitors, but I like winning fair and square."

He smiles broadly.

"My efforts are going splendidly. Still some important pieces to find but it's progressing smoothly. How are things working out for the Soeji clan?"

Piella's eyes go wide as she hears the thundering voice. Now she understands why Soeji doesn't consider many of the competitors to be enemies. Some of them are just going for the same goal. She will soak in silence and let the men handle it while she listens in. After a while of conversation, she will exit the bath and put her clothing on. There, she will patiently wait for the others while listening in.

As Lung spews water declaring himself a water dragon, Tachio lulls his tongue in a tengu smile. Gut gets a confused look on his face when Katala explains he can't breath water. Attempting to be polite, he shakes his beak, "Dear Katala, neither can I. I don't even have webbed feet."

Hearing the booming voice he turns, looking upon Tao Wei. Having heard of the man, he knew that he was in competetion with the clan. Taicho settled down and moved to one side of the large bath, keeping silent he let Lung speak for the group. Having been briefed by old Soeji, Taicho was familiar with the situation. But only listened and watched the jolly merchant, attempting to determine his veracity.

sense motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Katala listens to Tao Wei. Satisfied that he is being honest he smiles. "Honest competition is what this event should always be about. The Gods don't cheat! I've just recently joined with the team, but their efforts have been valiant and successful so far. We're just having a comfortable soak before we are off again, seeking the next step in our journey."

"Just a thought, but honest competitors don't need to obstruct one another. The competition is not just about finding the ultimate ingredients, but also the completion of the meal. If there are 'important pieces' that you need to find, and we happen to run across them, we could inform your team? If we both find all of our special ingredients, then it will be the actual meal that will determine the winner. What do you say?"

Lung tries not to react at Katala's suggestion. At first he's horrified at the suggestion, then he's horrified that he hadn't thought of it as well.

Tao Wei nods at your suggestion.

"I agree that normally it would make sense. However, some of our other competitors might not value honest competition as much as we do. On top of that, I would love for it to be a surprise! I haven't heard what you lot are cooking up and I'd personally love to keep it that way."

Piella would most certainly not enjoy having other people know what they are up to. The Soejis, thankfully, all have been very tight-lipped and she'd hate to ruin it. She will hum a delightful song as she leaves the bathhouse to wait in the entry hall for the men to finish. There, she will chat with those who also wait.

Surprised by Katala's idea to share information and help the opposing team, Taicho admits to himself that he would not have thought of it. Of course the elder of his village had told him 'the way Mammals think is foreign to how most avian look at the world.' so if Taicho were to help Old Soeji he must 'expect the unexpected.' Though Intrigued that Tao Wei rejected the offer of assistance.

Hearing Piella humming as she moved from the hot springs to the bathhouse. Taicho deciding to join her, nodded politely to Tao Wei. "A pleasure to meet you sir." Then nodded to his friends. "Enjoy the water as long as you like. It will take me longer to dry, so I will exit now."

Stepping out of the hot water and away from the group, Taicho stop and vigorously shake his entire body. Ruffling the brown feather looking ever so much like large brown downy puff ball. He then starts to brush the feathers down with the drying towel, Eventually putting on the robe and returning to the bathhouse.

Katala accepts the words and glances around at the others in the group. "I hadn't thought to share the recipe or the full plans for the meal, just an individual ingredient that was proving difficult to locate. However, you point out one of the most important, the ingredient of secrecy and surprise when the meal is produced. Sharing even a single item might ruin that. Accept my apology for not realizing that."

As Taicho rises from the water, Katala does as well. "We wish you luck finding the final ingredients for your recipe. And may we both produce an excellent meal, worthy of true Divinity."

Takes a bit of time to dry my fur....

Tao Wei nods and smiles.

"Thank you! I wish you luck as well in your endeavors! Do be careful out there though, plenty of reason to be on your guard."

He leans back once more.

"I think I'll stay here a bit longer."

"It is no coincidence that he is here, precisely when we are. Perhaps someone here is in league with him? Perhaps he has been spying on us since we've arrived in Xin? We should go cross country for a little to see if anyone follows us into the wilderness, then cut back."

As the group comes to rejoin her, they will find her being swarmed by "fans" who are asking questions about their journey so far. Like always, Piella is kind and courteous to them, giving them non-specific details of the wilderness and beauty of the country, but not enough to give away where they've been. With the others arriving, she will bid people goodbye and will prepare to travel with them.

"Have a nice soak? Ready?"

With that, they will head back to their host's house.

As he leaving Taicho realizes Katala is also getting out. Hearing Tao Wei warning of 'plenty of reasons to be on your guard.' Taicho lulls his tongue in a tengu smile. Removing the towel from his head he crows. "That's why I'm here!"

As they fight their way through the small crowd that had surrounded Peilla, he nods, "Yes the water was very pleasant, even if the company turned." He paused for a moment, not wanting to say anything inappropriate in front of so many strangers. Cocking his head he finished the comment. "Odd."

Taking time to towel dry his thin layer of fur, Katala still tries to keep the heat from the soak in. It is a pleasant feeling that he is sure will be missed in the not-to-distant future. As they leave and meet up with Piella he is glad for his current semi-anonymity. Crowds sometimes made him nervous and he had to fight the urge to shrink to the smallest size that he could and hide....

"I don't know if I'd call the company odd. More pleasant but with an interesting coincidence of timing. And proper diplomacy was maintained even with my sad faux pas."

"But perhaps a more private setting would be better for any discussion?"

It doesn't take long to return to Zhua's shop. Your hosts haven't arrived yet, but the food is still there for you to enjoy.

There's places for you to sit and relax in throughout the large room as well.

Lung walks the room a bit.

"It was not a faux pas, Katala. Your wish is genuine and honorable. The Celestial Court would look kindly upon such a wish, if I dare to guess at Their thoughts."

Lung sits and after a moment of prayer, begins to pour tea for the rest of the group. "I might have room for another dumpling or two. Anyone else?" He deftly places some in bowls for everyone. "We need our strength and rest. Tomorrow, I think, is a time for strategizing our next move. Speaking of, Taicho, you're a tracker, aren't you? Do you think Tao Wei followed us to the baths? Or that anyone has followed us here?"

"I think he most certainly did, she answers Lung. "There is no way that was a coincidence. It was almost bravado as if showing he was not lost, as most other contestants don't know what we are up to. I think we need to be extra careful. When we leave town, we should leave out a different gate, cut cross country, and then head the direction we wish to, just to make sure no-one is following us for certain.

Ninj'd by Piella, will edit.

Nodding his beak in agreement with Katala's observation, Taicho begins to head back to Zhua's shop. As they go Taicho is truly amazed at how many people recognize his friends from the ceremony. He knew there were a lot of people in the city. But more people had come up and greeted them than lived in his entire village.

Relieved to be back in the shop and away from the crowd Taicho Sits down. Not want to offend Lung by refusing his offer of food he takes up his bowl and chopsticks helping himself to a couple more dumplings. As he stuffs one in his beak, he realized that Lung was addressing him directly. Swallowing the dumpling, remembering the humans considered it rude to point with chop sticks, he gestures with his beak. "I am a tracker, but that skill would not have been needed. He would only need to ask, "Have you seen Old Soeji crew?" It seems everyone would be willing to share any information they have. Probably even show him an autograph."

He looks at Lung and then Piella. "Even heading out a different gate, then heading cross country may not be enough." Once we enter a village we would be recognized. "If we do not want anyone to know where we've been or where were going, you may consider costumes." Stuffing another dumpling in his mouth, "Katala and I were not at the ceremony, but we are easily recognized so it may be too late."

Katala smiles at Lung's kind words. "True. I honestly felt that he was being honest and honorable and I just wanted to offer help if we happened to be able to assist. They may also be looking for items that are difficult to identify or locate. I didn't realize that mentioning such might give too much of a clue to the planned meal. In his refusal of assistance he said as much, very politely I felt."

He notices Taicho taking some more food and realizes that the soak had made him a bit hungry. He takes up his own bowl and chopsticks and takes one, then two more dumplings. He chuckles at Taicho's words, "True. I hope I can avoid the big head for being the most famous Varana in the city! Shal is hiding in my pouch far more than usual. I never realized that he dislikes crowds so much."

Piella mostly lounges on her cushion, watching the boys eat as she does. Her head rests on a pillow about the size of her that hugs the corner of the couch she sits on. She considers their words, but shakes her head to them.

"I would believe you Katala in your assumptions about Tao Wei, except for the warnings Soeji gave us concerning him. We should be very careful."