Four Flavors of Heaven (Inactive)

Game Master Timespiraled

'Curious, in tengu culture it is a common greeting when someone enters the house to ask them if they have eaten yet. It is considered rude not to feed them.' Cocking his head as Piella asks Jia about inviting strangers in for food. He nods as the chef explains her reasoning.

Dipping the tip of his beak in the wooden Taicho throws his head back and slurps down the chunky stew, listening to the conversation as he eats. Lulling his tongue in a tengu smile at Piella's question, he adds, "Maybe we purchase a bottle of plum wine to take as a gift."

"I'm sure they enjoy plum wine, same as anyone. But I don't know them well enough to know what sort of gifts are likely to curry favor. I'll be honest, I haven't dabbled all that much in teas myself."

The conversation continues, with Jia and Cheng clearing up, accepting any help that is offered. Eventually, the lot of you wind up in the garden, soaking up the warm nighttime breeze with cups of the beverage of your choice.

Jia happily offers lodging for the night.

"We have a fantastic little guest quarters. It's quite comfortable. That way, we can start any training you wish to do right away."

Lung helps with dishes without being asked and eventually arrives in the garden, smelling faintly of soap, sipping from a tea cup.

"We are grateful for the offer. I think we need to continue on to get ingredients, but...we shall return, no doubt," says Lung pleasantly.

He shrugs at Taicho. "I would offer a book, but that is my own bias. I have no idea what the Nuwas would find precious."

Looking to Lung, she counters, "I think we can stay a day or so. Perhaps we can learn some cooking tricks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but then in between, we can go visit the Nuwas." She nods. "Then when finished there, we can continue on collecting ingredients. Upon the nearing of the festival, perhaps we can return and really dig into learning some better tips and tricks. Sound good?" she asks, including Lung in her questioning.

"Oh, that's not a bad plan," says Lung. "Jia, if that is all right with you?"

"Absolutely. I'd be happy to have you as visitors whenever you're around. So, how about we start with basic preparation techniques tomorrow and we can discuss possible recipes before you head out to see the Nuwas after tomorrow?"

Chuckling at Lung's preference of gifts, Taicho listened as Piella, lung and Jai discussed the details. Hearing the beginning of a plan, Taicho set his tea cup aside and stood. "So we visit the Nuwas now or wait to tommorow?"

He lulls his tongue in a tengu smile. "Perchance we will find a store that sells both books and beverages on our way. One can never present too many gifts."

Piella will gesture Taicho to Jia's mirrored suggestion and nods to the woman.

"Yes. Tomorrow it is. It is perhaps too improper to visit so late, I'd imagine."

She then chuckles at his suggestion of finding a bookseller on the way.

"I'd imagine there are some. Let us get some rest," she yawns. Having been on the road all day has worn her down. "Good night everyone, and thank you again for dinner. It was stunningly good and a treasure to have been able to taste something so uniquely good and long prepared."

The gnome will rise and bow to Jia first and then her gnomish friend.

Katala considers Taicho's question while glancing around. The offered hospitality made him feel like he was back at temple. None that were willing to follow the rules of the temple, and help as needed were ever turned away. "I'm willing to do anything needed to stay here today. We can go to the Nuwas first thing in the morning, after breakast...."

The night is restful after being on the road for so long. You find your beds to be exceedingly comfortable and the next morning breakfast is simple, but delicious.

Jia happily gives directions to any sort of shop you might need as well as clear directions to the Nuwa's residence.

Thanks to Piella reminding me we were doing basic instructions at breakfast.

While the breakfast is a simple affair, Jia nevertheless has each of you help. After two hours of practice, you've gone through a beginner's crash course on baking, poaching, and steaming. By the end, you prepare a rudimentary buffet of eggs, pickled vegetables, rice, breads, soup, and fish. Plenty of food for a full day ahead.

"That was pretty good, I must say. I was expecting much worse when you said you needed cooking training, but quite frankly, you all have a keen eye and a talent for taste. I doubt you'll need that much help to get your cooking skills to the level you seek." Jia positively glows while eating.

Lung bows silently to Jia. He's enjoyed briskly whisking eggs and combining them with soya sauce and sugar and cutting them into sweet strips to go on rice, just so. It's a living reminder that there's a world outside of books.

* * *

At the book seller, he looks for poetry and rarities, something suitable for a time-honored family like the Nuwa Clan.

Waking early Taicho assists with the preparation of breakfast. More familiar with cooking meats, he selects one of the chef's sharper knives and offers to chop and prep. As the morning continues, he asks their host "Chef Jia, is there a shop that carries a particularly fine plum wine?" He looks at the others, knowing Lung will want to purchase a book. "That might be close to a bookstore?"

While the breakfast is a simple affair, Piella learns as much as she can watching Jia cook and helping her. There were ways she had never learned to bake, she didn't even know how to poach, and she learned that timing with steaming was very important. The breakfast, something she'd eaten many times before, was far better than she had ever made it in the past. In the end, she would enjoy this fruit of their labor and relinquish the hunger in her little belly.

With a happy sigh, she finishes off the last of it and thanks Jia.

"You are too kind. Hopefully, we will be back by lunchtime for our next course in training. I do hope we can manage this task quickly."

She then will head out with her team to go find the very nice plum wine and a bookstore. With Jia's directions, it doesn't take them long. The poetry book Piella will help Lung find an appropriate one of decent quality; something that can be passed on and that not many have, but a treasure. She will leave the rarities book shopping to him as she knows little of the subject despite being a General Store owner.

When it comes to the plum wine, she will defer to Taicho's tastes.

Katala had mostly watched and helped chopping when he could. He wasn't experienced cooking much of anything and hadn't been interested in learning it before. Starting from zero he does his best to learn and hopes for more lessons.

Likewise at the store he stays out of the way. Poetry it seemed was another "acquired taste"?

"I'm already ready for lunch," says Lung, nose-deep in several books. "I don't think it's noon yet, though."

"We will make it when we return from the Nuwas. It's still quite early. Perhaps your body is getting used to eating more since last night's dinner and this morning's breakfast. It's probably more than we've been eating on the road hmm?"

Perception to determine whether or not I hear the conversation....: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 I'm ruling that too low as he doesn't want to be rude.

Katala looks around in the book store, trying to find anything that he might be interested in.... He fails.

OK, got a little lost on where we are at and where we are headed. So just winging it.

Once breakfast was over, Taicho helped with the cleanup until Piella announced that it was time to go. Not being as familiar with cities as the others, Taicho brought up the rear, keeping a keen eye out for any trouble. His aunt had always warned him and his clutch-mates that large cities weren't as safe as their village filled with such things as pickpockets, conmen and all sorts of troublemakers.

Once they arrived at the books store, Taicho stayed near the door. Watching and listening as the others discussed what type of poetry book they should purchase. Following the directions to a merchant who specialized in locally produced beverages; Taicho had wanted a locally produced plum wine. Most folks usually preferred what they were familiar with. Keeping that in mind he purchased a locally manufactured plum wine for the tea experts.

Showing his selection to the others, he lulls his tongue in a tengu smile. "I am ready to present our gifts."

Alright, here we go. Going to do a little retroactive cleaning up.

"Chef Jia, is there a shop that carries a particularly fine plum wine?" He looks at the others, knowing Lung will want to purchase a book. "That might be close to a bookstore?"

Jia happily points you in the direction of a liquor store with a great reputation and to a nearby bookstore she can also vouch for.

"You are too kind. Hopefully, we will be back by lunchtime for our next course in training. I do hope we can manage this task quickly."

"Take all the time you need. There's plenty for me to do around here, so don't feel like you need to rush back."

Following the directions to a merchant who specialized in locally produced beverages; Taicho had wanted a locally produced plum wine.

The merchant happily talks with you about local specialties and you come away with an affordable but exquisite bottle of plum wine. The merchant politely offers for you to come visit later if you ever feel like tasting some of the store's products.

***

You follow Jia's directions to the Nuwa household. An exquisite wooden palisade with intricate floral and leaf patterns surrounds the house. At the front gate you spot two young elves wearing what you assume to be Nuwa colored livery. They hail you as you approach and you explain to them the reason for your visit. One of the two guards heads in and returns momentarily to inform you that Zhan Nuwa, the house's matriarch, is more than happy to entertain you in the garden.

You are led around the Nuwa estate to the back, where a venerable elven woman kneels in the soil, whispering magical words as she digs her fingers into the loam. She looks up as she finishes and motions you closer.

"I hope you don't mind if we converse while I work. The noon day sun is perfect for these types of spells."

Katala's ears perk up instantly at the words. Spells that work better at noon than other times? He moves closer to watch, wishing that he had taken time to study spellcraft....

Note to self. Next level add a point to spellcraft while adding points to Profession Chef!

Zhan notices your interest.

"Oh, it's nothing too special dear. Some spells can be enhance through specific components. The ones I practice simply work best depending on the sun and moon."

"Now, what can the Nuwas do for you?"

Katala gestures for the others to join. "Tea. We are seeking the best tea ever. Or, more specifically, we seek to repeat the original feast for the Celestial Court, for Soeji and the competition. We were directed to you."

Piella chews her lips at the grandness of the home of the Nuwa household. She just lives in a small home off a larger shop. They've never had anything so grand, let alone guards. Such nobility is beyond even any of her family. Thankfully, they are allowed entry for their main reason. At that, she sighs in relief.

"You are a spellcaster too?"

She observes the spells used and tries to decipher the components to learn them herself.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

As Katala explains their mission to her, she patiently stands there, but does offer one bit:

"While yes, we are here for our mission, we also came to your home with the hope to honor you for this sacred duty." She will gesture to Lung to deliver the gifts, or at least hold them so the gardener can see them. "We have selected a fine plum wine and a book for your home and heritage in kindness and friendship, regardless of your intent to our request. I just think it's amazing that your family has kept such an honorable tradition."

Piella seems quite overwhelmed with emotion and excitement at meeting this stranger. It's not every day you meet a golden woman, play a game with a spirit, or meet someone who tends the garden of a plant with pure ties back to the foundation of the world. This series of missions is more than a miner's daughter could have ever hoped for, even with the danger.

Happily following along Taicho nodded politely to the two young elves. He was especially pleased with the livery, sometimes it was difficult to tell mammals apart.

As the moved past the palisade, he slowed down ever so slightly admiring the intricate floral patterns around the house. Watching and listening as the matriarch worked while Katala explained their mission. Nodding as Piella mentioned the plum wine, Taicho stepped forward. Drawing the bottle, he presented it to their elvish host.

Piella, the spell is unknown to you by name, but it seems to be providing nutrients to the soil allowing it to grow quickly and plentifully. You surmise it is similar to the spell create food and water but it likely produces much nicer vittles.

Zhan brushes her hands clear of the dirt and graciously accepts the gifts.

"This is most kind of you. Your mission is certainly daunting. I'm not sure there are many who would be willing to aim so high for the Celestial's approval, but if you were to succeed I have no doubt that your chances are high."

She moves to a small garden table and places the offerings on it.

"However, we do not keep Jinyan's Dream here. Just back up the Path of Jade, we tend to the rarest and most prized of our teas at the House of Nature's Grace. I would be honored to send a messenger there to retrieve a small cutting, enough for your purpose if it so pleases you. I could have it back by late tonight wherever you are staying."

"Venerable Zhan, we are staying with the honored Chef Jia. We would also be happy to take the cutting ourselves, if permitted," says Lung.

Lung isn't quite sure they will be permitted, but he can feel the grains of time passing, and they'll be wasting a day otherwise, or so he thinks.

"As I'm sure you understand, the location of the House of Nature's Grace is a carefully guarded secret. I'm sure you understand the need for discretion when it pertains to the treasures given to us by our dear Celestials."

Thinking of the forests and glens his people had been given to watch over, Taicho takes a deep bow. "It is as you say Lady Zhan, one must protect those gifts given by he Celesials." While still bowed he gestures towards Lung and the general direction of the others. "My companions are honest and true and I trust them with my life. No offence was meant." He looks up and lulls is tongue in a tengu smile. "You understand how we lesser lived species scurry about always in a hurry."

Lung bows deeply. "Yes, such treasures must be kept from prying eyes. We are deeply honored at your generosity and discretion."

Katala listens to the others and only adds, "Of course. We have encountered opposition in the gathering of the ingredients, including those doing great harm. We accept your secrecy to protect a treasure of the Celestials. Perhaps when the small cutting is brought you could join us with Chef Jia? We are being taught the secrets of creating a good meal and maybe you could sample the results of our efforts? We're just barely begun but with Chef Jia's supervision hopefully we can create something palatable...." Realizing that he is inviting guests to someone else's house he amends.... "I'm fairly certain that Chef Jia will be amenable to more guests. He seems quite happy to open his home. But we will ask and if I am wrong I will return immediately with a correction to my request."

He frowns a bit, glancing around at his companions and shrugs. What is said cannot be unsaid.

"As we are cooking the lunch meal, I cannot guarantee it would be as good as the grand Chef Jia's wonderful recipes. Her steady hand will be over our attempts though...if you feel you would enjoy such an outing."

She does agree with Katala though, "Yes, our friend here is right. And I think Lung here offered this, not out of a desire to know your secrets, Lady Zhan, but for protection. As you have a connection to something that the Council has touched, we have also come to warn you. As we have traveled across this land, we have seen an increase in troublemakers in the spiritual realms causing destruction to all things related to the Celestial Court. I would advise you to keep your guards alert and protect your servants well in this time. Trouble seems to be looming, though it has not shown its head directly in many regions yet." She sighs and thinks to those who have suffered already, as well as those they were not able to save or find.

"In any case," she states with renewed enthusiasm, "...we will kindly wait to see you at around noon if you accept." With their final deal done, she bows politely, and with the others, will begin to return back to the lady Chef Jia's home.

Rather than take up more of Zhan's time, Lung nods in agreement.

"They may not be safe," he murmurs to Piella and the rest. "I don't like waiting this long for other teams...or whomever is trying to sabotage this...to come around and meddle."

"Yes..." she replies to Lung. Then, inspiration hits her. "I can enchant your envoy with a mage armor spell, which would give him speed and protection without worrying about armor. Would that be okay?" she asks Zhan in a cute way.

Keeping an eye out while his companions continued speaking with the venerable elf, Taicho listened in. He was proud of his companions and pleased his elders sent him on the mission. Lung's response to the Zhan's refusal of his idea was warm and magnanimous and seemed heartfelt. Without missing a beat Katala changed the subject and invited the matriarch to a meal to enjoy the fruits of their labor. While Piella demonstrated great wisdom in explaining their friends' intentions in offering protection to the messenger.

Nodding his beak approvingly, Taicho stood a little straighter. Knowing, whatever Lady Zhan's reply, that his companions had comported themselves well and old Soeji should be proud of his envoys.

"I would be grateful for any protection spells you can cast. It is as you say, not everything is as safe as it used to be. I too have heard rumors of dangers lurking outside our town walls."

A few minutes later, the envoy is summoned an happily allows you to cast whichever spells you want on him.

Unless you have anything else you want to say to the Nuwas, you have the rest of the day for yourselves.

With their task done, and mage armor spell cast, she will return to learn some skills at cooking. While the others may just wish to learn, in her mind, it was as if she was learning a skill that could one day appeal to the Council. Her. Appeal to the council? What a thought. If they return safely to Jia, she will speak to her about their potential lunchtime menu.

"We have invited the Nuwas for lunch, if that is alright with you. And if you are approving, we have fish, egg, crab, and veggies on our list so far. I think learning to cook these in the best way possible should be our goal. At least in part for this meal and perhaps part for supper tonight."

"I'd be happy to host! As for those ingredients, there's dozens of ways we could prepare those. Do you have anything particular in mind, though?"

Pleased with the results of the meeting with Lady Zhan, Taicho follows the others back towards the chefs home, keeping a keen eye out as they go. Once they'd returned to Chef Jia's home Taicho relaxed a little, hanging his conical shaped helmet from the back of a wooden chair and setting his quiver and nodachi in the corner. He listened as Piella listed of the ingredients, knowing they were repeating the ingredients from the legend. Moving closer to the stove in the kitchen, Taicho hoped the chef would use her wok, seeing as how he would be able to replicate that cooking style the easiest once he was again on his own, cooking over an open fire in his helmet.

"I wouldn't know how to prepare it, but some sushi appetizers might be a good start for a meal? And a variety using a little but of each might be interesting. If someone could take the lead I'll do any of the 'grunt' work that I can handle...."

"Sure, if there is pounding to be had, I think Lung could do that; such as for dough with sticky buns. If there is slicing, I think Taicho is the one for sushi, and probably stir fry too. And I think Katala and I can make the rest!"

She thinks on what Jia asks.

"I am not sure. I want each ingredient featured, not hidden in the background, so they know it is there. This may mean several delicious dishes that they can each take part in each. I am thinking something like ginger scallion crab, sushi with our most excellent fish, and our thunderbird egg prepared like tea eggs with the delicious tea we are about to receive. The tea eggs and sushi can be appetizers, and everything else, from the stir fry veggies, the crab, and the fish can be the main course?" She shuffles nervously as she slides an apron on. "I think if we can learn to make some of that now, that would be helpful."

Cocking his head as Piella had mentioned him helping with sushi and the wock, Taicho nods. "Tengu use a wok when in the village. When we are on the trail, to save weight, we will cook on our shield or use conical shaped helmets, like mine." He lulls his tongue in a tengu smile. "Being mostly carnivorous We don't use a lot of rice, but sashimi is wonderful."

"Whew, that's a lot to fit into a lunch time. Sushi in particular takes a tremendous amount of time to master. I'm not even confident enough in my own abilities most of the time, but I can definitely teach you what I know. I suggest we tackle that ginger scallion crab idea of yours. I'm pretty sure we have all the ingredients we need."

With that, Jia tackles your recipe and makes plenty of suggestions while letting you experiment for yourselves. She makes only the slightest corrections, choosing instead to focus on complimenting your strengths.

A few minutes past noon, Zhan and a trio of Nuwa family enforcers show up at the door.

"My, my; I could smell the cooking from leagues away."

Jia lets her in graciously, and Zhan happily takes a seat in the kitchen while you finish your cooking.

"Yes, well I'm not saying we have to do all of this in one meal. Just as long as we can practice here with your insight, it would be beneficial," she answers Jia.

Since they are not making sashimi or stir-fry, she will have taicho be the main vegetable cutter. Her goal is to get each of them busy doing something. Whether it is setting the table or lighting candles. It doesn't matter, as long as the dinner is magical.

There is a nervousness about Piella when the Nuwas actually show up. She is hurried and frequently has to calm herself behind the scenes. This wasn't just cooking on the road for her companions. In her mind, it was supposed to indicate how they were going to serve the council. Everything had to be set up perfectly. As such, the meal would be delivered with grace and thankfulness, and with as much beauty as the food could be plated. Such things she would have to lean on Jia's understanding and her own technical eye.

Cooking: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 Plus whatever modifiers you want to add/subtract

She greets the Nuwas with kindness and welcomes them. When everyone is seated for the meal, and it is finally placed before everyone, she smiles and bows to them.

"We hope it blesses you all."

She then will join in this meal with her companions, but in her mind, she prepares for what she will need to be doing while the council eats, as they will not join in that feast.

but, but, but, It's stir fry why wouldn't we use a wok?
Ok, I just looked at the recipe again making sure the url worked, it really does look delicious :)

Nodding at Piella's direction, Taicho grabs one of the larger kitchen knives curved for chopping. Keeping the steel nearby so he can sharpen it regularly he dices, slices and chops whatever ingredients Piella or Jia hand his way. Making sure to remember to keep his knuckles rested against the edge of the blade to make sure he doesn't lose any claw tips. Every now and then, watching what Piella and Jia was doing. There was no reason not to improve his own abilities while he guarded the group.

As Zhan and her escort arrive, Taicho pauses, bowing to the venerable elf, then continued chopping vegetables and such.

Zhan regards you as you prepare the lunch, an air of contentment on her face.

"Now this is honest cooking. Some of my own chefs could learn something from the energy you're putting into this meal. Let's just say a homecooked meal can do wonders that even the finest, most elegant cuisine can't."

You finish the meal, Jia adding some additional side-dishes and drinks to your spread, and you all head to the back garden to have the lunch in the shade of the trees.

Zhan seems truly peaceful as she eats your food and Jia gives you quick smiles of encouragement. You've visibly done well.

As the meal continues and eventually comes to a close, Zhan asks you a few questions.

"If this is what you can produce so early in your cooking careers, I have no doubt that the Council will be astounded by your presentation. I am truly honored you would choose to have our family's tea be a key part of your final submission. Out of curiosity, where will your preparations take you next? Have you much more to do? I've heard rumors that some of your competitors are nearing completion themselves."

Piella is interested to see how well the Tengu uses his baldes, since in battle it seemed his sword was all over the place making accurate cuts. As he finishes, it seems there is little doubt he is profficient.

"Amazing job. And I like how uniform they are. It makes the dish look professional," she compliments.

-----------------

When Zhan comments, she chuckles.

"Why thank you! I just hope our homecooked meal is appealing even to the Council. It's hard to say if it will be or not given their fine tastes and great power, but hopefully, it will let our dear Old Soeji win!"

When the meal is finished, she will help clean up and then reseat herself for the after-dinner tea and conversation.

"You are too kind. We have to discuss it. I believe if you choose to bless us with a cutting of the tea plant to serve, our path should probably be to head to Old Soeji. I must say though, I'm somewhat curious to hear about our competitors, but I suppose I should just not worry about it and we should run our own race."

Bowing politely to Piella, Taicho resisted the urge to pridefully ruffle his feather. He did pride himself on doing things well and though he hadn't diced and sliced a lot of vegetables he had done enough knife work that he felt proficient. As the prep came to an end Taicho found himself inspecting the chef's different knives curious as to their different functions. Eventually, he decided to busy himself, using the steel, sharpening the kitchen knives.
---------------
As the meal finished, Taicho sat near the kitchen, loudly sipping his tea through his beak. He listened as the other talked about their groups plans. It was his job, not to make the plans, but to keep everyone safe while the plans were executed. As the conversation turned to the competition, his ears perked up. Asking, "Have any of the other groups come under attack?"

Katala helps with the cleanup occasionally having to rinse some gravy off of fur where he had accidently held a plate or bowl wrong. It is simple work and he should get better used to it before the meal for the competition.

"True Piella. If we do our best we don't have any real competition. So our focus needs to be doing our best. We are our competition."

Hearing Taicho's question he has to admit that he hadn't considered that. Had the other groups faced similar problems? All of them? That would indicate that the troublemaker wasn't one of the other groups.... But all but one would make it too obvious.

Lung nods in agreement. "Accumulating merit is a personal task, but it is best done via compassion and cooperation. Even too much focus on the competition, itself, will reduce a sentient being's focus on the Divine Aspects: those of humility, sincerity, and kindness. It would be easier to win a competition if one did not stop to be kind. It would be easier to win if one simply told convenient untruths to pass an obstacle--the rationalization being, of course, that it was for the 'greater good.'"

Lung places his tea cup back upon the table.

"The 'greater good' must always be the truth. Even difficult truth. Delivered in the most careful and compassionate way possible at the time. That is what we must always strive for. If the Soeji team loses, we must celebrate the other team for embodying these Aspects, as they would no doubt do so--to win any other way would not be recognized by the Celestial Court."

Lung's zeal and deference towards the Court as an ineffable entity is palpable.