[Story] Prelude: How the Cookie Crumbles

[Xyza]

Khrysa

"Ohhh, so cuteee!" Khrysa squeed at the fluffy Kerfluffleas and their infectious enthusiasm.

"Those are the-e-e Kerfluffleas, by the by, and they're the whole reason I'm able to fill an order this big."

"Oh, I see! I was wondering how you'd handle all that for a lunch order, usually that many would be our entire seating capacity! Do they handle all of the cooking?" The fey had needed a group just to carry the order sheet, leaving Khrysa to imagine a massive cloud of them lifting a spatula or roasting pan.

"Mm? The porter? Ca-a-an't speak for the-e-em myself. The Critique employs 'e-e-em, not I. An yup! Its as you say, but not just any milk! Honey-milk is something of our specialty, made from all natural goatsmilk! And b'fore ya ask, no, it isn't my own milk, neither!"

Huhh, so it was the Critique's porter that didn't show up? I wonder if anything happened to them... Before she could speculate further though, her attention was drawn by Elem's answer about the frying milk. She excitedly scribbled down some notes in her loose-leaf journal.

Milky-fried - Using honey-milk! (Goat (Not Elem's))

"You fry South-Sea Cod, of course. How e-e-else? Although I suppose you could do a fi-i-ish stew..."

"Ahh, of course! I've been trying to get the hang of frying, but it's hard to get it just right. Either the batter all falls off or if I add more it just becomes a massive ball of flour. Though it's still pretty good, I wonder if fried flour could be a thing on its own?" she mused.

"Y'must be new adventurers, ne-eh? Don't worry yerse-e-elves too much, I'm sure something with come along. How's about you have a seat, I'll ge-e-et ya all a nice pitcher of milktea to share. My treat, since you bro-o-ought the Critique's order all the way over here~"

"Oh, thank you!" Khrysa nodded in gratefulness at the tavern-keeper's encouragement and generosity. "Ooh, could I get an order of the Milky Fried Caspain as well? Anyone else want anything?" she turned to the group. "I'll take care of it!" the dragon-girl gave a pat to her ever-lightening coinpurse. She should have enough for now...

---

As they sat at the table, Khrysa smiled at the Kerfluffleas when they approached. "Where do you all come from? How did you start working here?"

She also occasionally glanced over at Rahat's conversation with the drunken man, interested but feeling like she shouldn't interrupt what seemed like some private sharing. Khrysa was quite apt with starting casual conversations, but Rahat's healer gravitas felt better for certain situations.

[Kaigen]

Rahat "I take no offense," Rahat said simply. "I know my appearance can be startling. This mask is a badge of my profession as healer, nothing more." It was far from the first time Rahat had had to make such reassurances. The Way of Mercy did not seem to be practiced much outside Anhketakhnas, so it was not uncommon for people to mistake her for something other than a healer. A bandit, a cultist, an ill omen—sometimes Rahat felt like the angelic beings in the old legends, opening every interaction with "Fear not!" Not that she was keen to compare herself to such divinities. It likely would have saved her some trouble to take it off, but to practice her trade without it felt improper—unscrupulous, even. Like she was trying to cheat her oath or trample on her sultana's wishes. Like she was turning away from the mirror in order to not see something about herself. All that was neither here nor there, as Gundhevir was already recovering enough to begin talking about himself at length. Thankful that she did not have to expend any great effort to get him to do so, Rahat was able to instead focus on the task of subtly stealing the conversation. She did not think a lengthy exposition of his grievances—first against his ex-wife, then about his master—would be particularly helpful, so she nudged him along with word and gesture until he began talking about the group of "energetic youngsters" who had accepted him into their troupe. She wanted to understand his relationship to his companions so that she could better understand how the recent incident was affecting him, so there she listened attentively. When he started to flag, Rahat decided to encourage him. "It sounds like you have all found yourselves in over your heads more than once. I know how that can be." She considered telling him about her misadventure with Langtree, but she didn't want to distract from the topic at hand, or make things about her. "Tell me more about your last quest. What were you and your friends trying to do? What was happening when you attempted to cast your spell?"

[Homestarbaby]

Goop

Goop smiles with relief when no one tries to stab her, not that she was really expecting such a reaction from her current company. Still, the questions were an even better reaction than she had hoped, not perceiving any negetive disposition from her consumption of edibles.

"Oh, anything is eat-ablefor my people," Goop tells Rahat. "Though I have noticed that most races prefer things that can be easily digested in a single day's time. Bread cups do sound like a lovely idea, though. It is easier to mix flavors when everything digests at the same speed."

Merris seems to share her excitement for the idea, and Goop does her best to wipe off any of her lingering slime from the teacup before offering it back to Merris. She absolutely wants to taste more of the tea cook's cooking in the future, hopefully the near-future.

The conversation seems to move on to several other conversations. People interact with other people, and Goop finds herself overwhelmed with possibilities. Unsure of what to do, she raises her and and looks around.

"Um...would anyone like to go try some fishing with me?"

OOC Loving this group more and more with each post! ❤

[Touketsu]

Merris Merris' eyes lit up at the arrival of the kerfluffleas, and he quickly joined Khrysa in admiring the adorable little fay folk as they made their arrival. "Well hello there! Wow, so many of you!" Merris had met kerfluffleas before; certainly there were plenty of them around the great forest, though they were typically much more skittish. Not to say that kerfluffleas were incapable; far and away the opposite, especially together. But in the more dangerous and unpredictable places of the world, they were intelligent enough to keep out of sight of curious interlopers who might happen upon them at work, possibly with malicious intent. For a being tiny enough to seek refuge in the petals of a flower or behind a blade of grass, it was often the simpler solution. But here in Tradewinds, it seemed there was little need for hiding. The town was peaceful, if a bit restless. Folks were friendly and gentle, and those that weren't likely knew better than to make trouble and risk being denied work by the Adventurer's Critique. It was the kind of place a fish out of water might find their legs, stand up, and find something new and exciting to do. In this case, operating a kitchen. Truly though, this had to be the most charming kitchen brigade in town. After pleasantries were exchanged, the group began to branch out in pursuit of different interests. As Khyrsa exchanged more information with Elem and proceeded to chat up the kerfluffleas, Merris considered taking a seat at the table near Rahat and her knew acquaintance; possibly see if there was a place for him in the conversation. As he turned though, the firbolg's eyes fell on Goop, who looked a bit overwhelmed at all the action. Understandable; their limited interaction thus far gave Merris the impression that Goop was a people person in training; willing, but inexperienced. "Um...would anyone like to go try some fishing with me?" "I'd be happy to keep you company." Merris approached, smiling at the ooze. "Did you have somewhere in mind? I didn't see a stream outside, but admittedly I wasn't really looking for one, sooo-" He trailed off with a chuckle, shrugging.

[morgantha]

Langtree Langtree tucked herself in a corner and accepted her cup of honey-milk graciously. She was content to sip her drink and observe for the moment. After traveling and looking for work all morning, the moment of calm was more then welcome. Or, calm for her at least, she thought as she watched the kerfluffleas manically fluttering around the room. She wasn't generally one for cute things, but they were undeniably charming. "Um...would anyone like to go try some fishing with me?" "Why not?" Langtree said, placing her cup back on the table and rising. At this point it seemed unlikely they would find work in town, and it seemed a much better use of time to unwind a bit. "We can ask the locals if there's a good spot nearby, and if not a walk wouldn't be unpleasant."

[Homestarbaby]

Goop

"I'd be happy to keep you company." Merris said with a smile. "Did you have somewhere in mind? I didn't see a stream outside, but admittedly I wasn't really looking for one, sooo-"

"We can ask the locals if there's a good spot nearby, and if not a walk wouldn't be unpleasant," Langtree suggested.

"Yes, that sounds like a wonderful idea!" Goop beamed, happy that she did not have to admit her lack of knowing where a good fishing spot woudl be...much less what one even looked like. "Lets ask around. I am sure the locals won't mind giving us advice!"

OOC Don't want to deistract from any story beads, but thought it might be nice to try out some fishing. Seems like a fun cozy activity to delve into. ❤ Do we need to roll anything in order to ask for directions?

[briar]

Prelude: How the Cookie Crumbles
Date: 11th Day of The second month in the Summer season.Aiou, 334 After UnificationA.U.	Time: ~ 11:00 AMMid-Morning	Weather: Fair / 68° F	Locale (Environ): Tradewinds, Rouge (Town Center)	🎼

Though at first glance they may look like
tiny insects, the truth is that they're
actually miniature fey creatures!

The kerfluffleas are more than amicable to interaction, though while some of the mass that sweeps along the room continues to collect plates, others pause to consider Khrysa. Neither ever detaches from the whole, though, making the cloud appear stretchy and malleable like a flock of birds.

According to Elem, the kerfluffleas themselves don't generally do the majority of the cooking--she does. But they are instrumental in some basic tasks, like making sure the ovens are on, the fires are stocked, ingredients are ready, and everything is where it should be. They seem to take great pride in their work.

"Comin' right up," Elem answers in response to Khrysa's order, leaving the group to their own devices while she prepares the meal.

Addressing the kerfluffleas proves simple, and when one of them curtsies, a portion of the others follow suit. "Great Forest! Great Forest! Far to the south! The south!" they say in a way that is at the same time in tandem and now. "Wandered too close to the wind--windy wind!--and got blown far away... Lost! Great Fluff found us--found us!--and took us in--In!" They seem to share in all these emotions in waves, at first looking a bit sad and distraught, then brightening up towards the end. They're very animated, though, as if reacting to their own story like both storyteller and audience.

Their story seemed to hold water regardless, though. The kerfluffleas' size notwithstanding, they appeared to be incredibly light, and capable of being easily blown about. A strong enough wind would no doubt be quite troublesome for such beings. Even just the opening and closing of a door was enough to waft them a few feet at a time if they were too close to it, yet somehow they were still able to carry heavy things as a group, and if enough of them were aware, they could brace one another quite easily.

"Great Fluff is kind--Kind!!--and we are happy!" In this case, 'Great Fluff' seems to refer to the establishments wooly proprietor.

GM's Notes It looks like your companions are all leaving, but if Khrysa wants to stay and enjoy the Milky-Fried Caspian, she can. Perhaps something interesting might happen while she is there. The fee is a meager 6 silver pieces, which is about right for this locale. Higher than most peasants can easily afford, but well within the range of an adventurer or someone who wants to splurge for a nice meal.

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Down-On-His-Luck Wizard

Gundhevir gives a soft smile at Rahat's reassurances, and the recollection that he and his younger companions do certainly seem to have to gotten in their fair share of trouble. They were adventurers, after all; a certain measure of danger was expected in their line of work.

"Ah, yes...you speak of our encounter with the wretched spinx ere we reached our designated entrance on Light Bloom Mountain," he says in
a way that is almost sagely, albeit with a hint of malice in his exposition, "We found it waiting for as within the least of the mountain's stratum, near the base of a long, spiral staircase. We'd spent almost three days looking for the way down by that point, and were already quite tired from our encounters with other beasts that dwell on the slopes..."

A cloud of the kerfluffleas interrupts, bringing out a tall pitcher of water and two glasses, apparently under the assumption that Rahat is joining the wizard. Gundhevir hardly seems to notice, his brow furrowed as he recalls the event.

"The beast gave us a riddle, and if we answered true, we could pass without incident, but none of us could agree on the right answer." Rahat notices that the old man has begun to stroke his beard, thin though it is, "I was convinced that the answer was 'the Ocean', but my companions felt I was wrong, and so to settle the dispute, we decided to ask something beyond us. It's a spell, you see, called 'Augury'... If not paused, Gundhevir will extrapolate the fine details about using the spell Augury, which is the same as the usual third-level spell in D&D 5e. He goes into a lot of detail, including how it is cast, what components are required, and so on.... ... ..."

At that point, however, he grimaces, obviously recalling the memory more vividly, "I had discovered that spell written in the spellbook of an orc shaman that we took as spoils for a previous job... Another story, this one about the adventures that Gundhevir and his companions had on the western slopes of Light Bloom Mountain against the orcish Three Claw clan.... ... ... ...and when I had done with the incantation, we all felt a strange, unseen presence. I thought this odd, but not unexpected--after all, we were calling upon an otherworldly being for aid, so I bid them answer our question..."

He sighs, "It was my fault. I was too hasty in my translation of the answer. I had sworn that it said my answer would be correct, and so I proclaimed it before the sphinx...but instead of opening the way forward, it caused the beast to attack us."

He grows quiet at that point, his voice trembling a little. He seems to have forgotten that he's talking to someone, and slouches into the seat of the booth. "Marrid...Kianna...Embry...I'm so sorry... Forgive this old man his impatience. As long as I live, I shall never again set foot in the wilds in search of adventure."

GM's Notes It seems the old wizard is overcome with his grief, and has devolved back into moping. Does the story seem incomplete? Perhaps there is some hidden clue...?

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At Goop's suggestion, she, Merris, and Langtree opt to find somewhere nice to try out the local fishing scene. First, however, they decide to start with collecting some information, though how they should go about that is another matter altogether. Tradewinds itself might not be a terribly big place, but Briarheart Hollow, the region surrounding it, is relatively expansive!

The group vaguely recalls seeing some local rivers and lakes running through the vale when they arrived, but nothing substantial about the actual locations or how to get to them without incident. At least, not without giving themselves time to reorganize their thoughts.

Nevertheless, Goop, Merris, and Langtree have a good feeling about this expedition! Surely if there are no adventures for sale, they could certainly find their own!

GM's Notes Its time to start the group's first official Harvesting Expedition! Since Goop is a Forager, she can gather 🍀 (Karma) to use when the group gets there by making preparations! First, however, you need to decide where to go! Presently, they are within the Town Center environ of the Tradewinds locale. They can search for leads on where they might go by: You can visit different environs within the town and ask around! You can do this the easy way by casting a wide net (making a Negotiations check), or you can try to find someone who actually knows what they're talking about, like a local guide or perhaps a fisherman (an Investigation check). Try to find a map of the local area and picking from the surrounding bodies of water you find on it. Maps of local areas are sold at the Critique, as do most of the local dry good stores. These aren't the only ways to find maps, of course, just the most obvious.(Getting a map also counts as a Preparation!) Get to a place with higher point (in this case, a hill at the edge of town) and scope out the landscape with a Perception check. Lastly, they could try to recall what they already know about the local area, using either a Nature or Lore check (you can only make one of these checks once, and you can't retry if you fail. You either know or you don't!) And of course, if you have ideas of your own, feel free to explore them, too! Whichever method you choose, just bear in mind that you can only make one of each check per Environ per day, and if you decide to move out of the Town Center and to another part of Tradewinds or outside of it, you'll have to make a Travel check to get there. Except for the Travel check, you can either choose to make these checks individually or as a group (with one person making the check and the others giving them the advantage). Additionally, since Goop is taking Merris and Langtree with her, she automatically gains the Assistance preparation, and thus has a 🍀 to spend at her destination.

[Kaigen]

Rahat Seeing that Gundhevir was settling into his story and warming up to the prospect of telling it, Rahat let him navigate the labyrinth of his recollections on his own. Trying to drive him towards a particular point would have been unproductive. When the kerfluffleas dropped by with the pitcher of water, Rahat blinked with surprise, but accepted gratefully with a gesture of thanks. The fey spirits were positively adorable, but her attention had to be focused on her patient (if she could even call him that). She poured Gundhevir a glass and silently slid it towards him before filling her own. Only when it seemed as though Gundhevir had reached the end of his recollection and was withdrawing back into himself did Rahat take up her glass and drink, lifting her mask slightly, as she thought about how to respond. There were gaps in the story, which was only to be expected, and while she could offer Gundhevir platitudes without knowing them, she suspected they would not have done much good. Doubtless there were others who had offered such assurances, perhaps even his companions themselves, if they were in a state to give them. He needed something different. "You were exhausted," Rahat said at last. "Three. Days." She emphasized. "All spent searching and fighting. You were certain of your answer, and while your companions were not, they could not agree on a better one. For a more brash person, that might have been reason enough to give your answer, but you prudently paused to perform a divination first." She made a small gesture in her hand, like throwing incense into a brazier, as she paused to mentally assess whether that was a sufficient summary to show she had been listening. "What question did you ask the spirit you called, and how did it answer?" Rahat was admittedly curious about the riddle the sphinx had posed, but she did not think that offering Gundhevir her two pennies on what she thought the answer was would be very helpful. She gave him time to answer before prompting him, "What happened after the sphinx attacked?" She still had not heard the state his companions were left in, or how they made their way back to Tradewinds, beyond the rumors that had led her to him in the first place.

[Xyza]

Khrysa

"Ahh, of course!" Khrysa nodded upon finding out that Elem was the one who took on the main cooking tasks while the kerfluffleas assisted. She'd needed to work in a team back at the inn, not only in the kitchen but with hospitality and cleaning staff as well, so this kind of collaboration made perfect sense to her. She was also intrigued to learn about their origins and loyalty to 'Great Fluff'.

Distracted by these conversations, and the smell and anticipation of her dish being cooked, Khrysa lost track of her companions going for a fishing trip. Her focus was instead on the fried fish about to be served to her. When it arrived, she would be sure to savor every bite, in particular paying attention to the texture of it and how the Little Lamb prepared their breading.

OOC Khrysa will pay for the Milky-Fried Caspain I think I will try to have her join the others for fishing in a bit

[morgantha]

Langtree Langtree's companions would soon find that her idea of a walk was less "leisurely" and more "ruthlessly efficient." With the idea in mind to find a body of water in which Goop could fish, she set off at a brisk pace, hardly pausing to make sure the two of them were following. Over her shoulder she said, "A place that sells lures and other accoutrements should be able to tell us where to go." She was headed in the direction of a local smithy she had noticed earlier, thinking that, like most towns, various shops would be grouped together. In addition to looking for a place that might sell fishing supply, she also kept Dice Investigation: 1d20+3 (13)+3 Total = 16 one eye peeled for the kids who had stared at her earlier.

[briar]

Prelude: How the Cookie Crumbles
Date: 11th Day of The second month in the Summer season.Aiou, 334 After UnificationA.U.	Time: ~ 11:00 AMMid-Morning	Weather: Fair / 68° F	Locale (Environ): Tradewinds, Rouge (Town Center)	🎼

One of the signature dishes of the Little Lamb Eatery!

Khrysa patiently waits for her order while at the same time listening over her shoulder to the topics around the restaurant. It doesn't seem like there is a lot of be noticed, and the discussion between Rahat and the old wizardy-looking fellow is probably the most interesting in the room right now.

Fortunately, the dragonling girl doesn't have to wait very long for her food, and Elem herself brings out the Milky-Fried Caspian which, as it turns out, id indeed a South-sea Cod over rice! Her chef's eye can sort of spot how its made just from looking at it, too! It seems that the outside of the fish is charred over a hot flame, but taken off before the inside can fully cook, after which time it is sliced-open, and then fried, insides-down, in some sort of milky admixture that coats the off-white meat.

Even as she admires the dish, the combined juices of frying mixture and the natural savory goodness of the fish drips down into the rice, infusing it with the same, strong, umami taste!

Elem remains present long enough for Khrysa to start digging in, then retires to the kitchen again, leaving the young chef to savor the meal in peace. Its really too bad that she's eating it by herself, this seems like the kind of thing that would be more enjoyable with a group than alone!

---

Some little time passes while Khrysa enjoys her Milky-Fried Caspian, and Elem shows her face a few times, asking the dragon girl how everything is. During one of these visits, however, a kloud of kerfluffleas emerges hurriedly from the kitchen!

"Great Fluff! Great Fluff! Urgent! Urgent!"

"Mm? What the ru-u-uckus?" Elem inquires, turning to face her miniature kitchen helpers, who all gather in front of her.

"Urgent! Urgent! Snowberries! Snowberries! We're out! Out!" the kerfluffleas announce in worried tones.

Elem's brow furrows and her hooves plant on her hips, "What? How can that be? I was sure we ha-a-ad plenty just yesterday..." She sighs, shaking her head, "Great... I ca-a-an't make the Cornucopia Croissants without them, and I don't ha-a-ave time to go and get more..." She seems to be at a loss.

"Maybe if I substitute regular stra-a-awberries and give the Critique a discount...? Oh, sorry," she says, noticing that she's saying all of this in front of Khrysa, "I didn't mean to interrupt your lunch. Let me know if you need a-a-anything else."

GM's Notes Trying the local cuisine nets Khrysa some XP towards her Epicurean Rank! However, eating by yourself means the meal isn't quite as enjoyable, so she doesn't get the full effect. Originally a ⭐️⭐️⭐️, Rarity 2 dish worth 70 XP, eating it by yourself drops it to a ⭐️⭐️, Rarity 2 dish worth 50 XP instead.

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Down-On-His-Luck Wizard

Despite his lamentations, Gundhevir does actively listen to Rahat's reasoning, and it seems to bring him out of his dejections for an instant, and he graciously takes the proffered glass of water that the centaur nudges before him.

...and proceeds to drink more than half the tall glass...

When he's finished, he releases a loud sigh. Rahat's own experience with it were similar: the water is cool, but not quite chilly, and there is a minerally hint that suggests it might have been taken directly from a mountain stream rather than from a well. Perhaps even fed from one of the glaciers of the Skypillars.

"I suppose there is sense in it, though I cannot help but think that it was just as much my own fault for the spell's failure. Ah, the question, yes..." the wizard scratches his beard, which now contains little beads of water hanging off his whiskers. "The inquiry I offered up to the spirit. It was... Will answering the Sphinx's question with 'the ocean' lead us forward? I believe. Or at least, something to that effect. I can't seem to recall the exact wording... Nevertheless, I clearly heard the presence that we had conjured begin to laugh, and thus I deemed that it had answered us favorably."

At recalling the next portion, the man's brow darkens, "But upon uttering my answer, my folly was realized. The Sphinx attacked as if in a possessed rage, and though my companions were quick to jump to my aid against the beast, it became evident that such a creature was far beyond us in terms of strength. I am...unsure how we made it out of the Sphinx's chamber alive, but I am told that another group of adventurers passing by the entrance found us outside and carried us back. As I understand it, I escaped with only nicks and scratches overall, while the others..."

He stares long and hard into the mostly-empty cup of water, then his eyes drift over to settle on the beaten and weathered magical tome that sits on the table nearby. Now that she gets a good look at it, she gets If Rahat wants to identify this feeling, she can make an Insight or an Arcana check using either WIS or CHA.a strange, unnerving sensation from it. "If only I had been more patient. Perhaps I misread the Augury's judgement? Was its laugh to mean woe and not weal? I..." he pauses, swallowing hard. "Perhaps it was wrong of an old man like me to think he could go on adventures with younglings. What are we elderly folk good for save to sit in rocking chairs and spout stories of 'the old days' or try to tell you young folk how to live your lives?"

GM's Notes   Rahat gets a strange feeling from the tome next to Gundhevir, as if the book itself is giving off an insidious aura. She doubts anything good would come of its use. That said, looking at the kind of equipment that Gundhevir keeps, this book is very out-of-place in his ensemble, and the weird runes on the exterior appear to be orcish letters. Gundhevir doesn't appear to be an orc. Perhaps it isn't his?

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Though Langtree and the others haven't seen a fisherman's depot around these parts, the dhampir suspects that she and the others would have the most luck running into someone who knows a thing or two about fishing--or perhaps someone who knows a fisherman, at least--at the local smithy or perhaps a dry goods shop. Certainly this town must have one, right?

As it turns out, the smithy isn't too far from the Eatery, being a part of the main hub of the town center, and the trio can hear the ringing of hammer against anvil even before they turn the corner and see the establishment.

Unlike most buildings, the smithy appears to be an open-air workshop with a wide, angled roof that caps off the area. At least three quarters of the plot lacks walls of any kind, allowing them to see everything from the orange-hot furnace, to the displays and work area. In addition, they can see at least three individuals, one of them appearing to be an older gentleman--likely the proprietor--and two more that look like apprentices given how they rush around at the other's direction.

There don't appear to be any customers at the moment, though a few people gawk at the wares as they pass by, which seem to be largely general goods, including bags of nails and fixtures, chains of varying sizes and lengths, and various implements meant for work, like handaxes, scythes, sickles, and machetes. There are of course, weapons meant for combat, but the stock of them is low, and many of these look like a somewhat different style than the smith's other works.

In addition, the Town Square as a whole is bustling. Farmers already have several vegetable stalls set up, and there are at least a few merchants here that look like they're from out of town. There's even what appears to be a nomadic wagon with a window--a sign sitting outside of it declares that they sell fortunes within.

At present, Langtree doesn't seem to notice the children that she spotted sneaking a peek at her from the window of the Critique, but there are quite a few kids about she could inquire to about them if she were interested. In particular, there is a group of five or six of them gathered near the fountain in the center of the square. Amusingly enough, they are all dressed up to look like adventurers themselves, albeit their gear consists of pot lids, broomsticks, and capes made of what are likely tablecloths and curtains.

Meanwhile, Merris hears the tell-tale signs of a pencil scribbling against paper, and has a feeling that he might've just received a response from his mysterious correspondent.

 

Twilight. I'm nobody important. Just procrastinating. Avoiding deadlines. Where did it end up?

Also, write less at a time. You'll run out.

GM's Notes You can choose either role-play this scene directly, or, if you prefer to skip it and just get the information revealed by your check, Langtree's results are below. Just be aware that you're likely to garner more specific information if you take the time to interact, while the information you get from checks is more of a wide overview.   Langtree learns from discoursing with the local smith--who happens to be an amatuer fisher himself--and his apprentices that there are two primary fishing locales within the vale. The first is a lake just to the south-west of town named Lake Kagamihara. It is the closer of the two locations, as well as the nicest and most-often fished due to its relatively calm atmosphere. It's also home to an old temple that is believed to have been built by elves in the ancient past, but as there is not much of it left, there isn't much known about it. The second is Lake Matrishka and its accompanying river, the Lorne, which sits further off to the north. This one is a less common locale for fishing, largely because the ferry that makes regular trips up and down the river. That and Matrishka is closer to the wildernesses that neighbor the Light Bloom Mountain, which means monsters are more likely to show up in that area. Beyond that, there are several lakes within the mountains, but those are both longer journeys and likely will take more than a day to reach.   Presently, they are within the Town Center environ of the Tradewinds locale. They can search for leads on where they might go by: You can visit different environs within the town and ask around! You can do this the easy way by casting a wide net (making a Negotiations check), or you can try to find someone who actually knows what they're talking about, like a local guide or perhaps a fisherman (an Investigation check). Try to find a map of the local area and picking from the surrounding bodies of water you find on it. Maps of local areas are sold at the Critique, as do most of the local dry good stores. These aren't the only ways to find maps, of course, just the most obvious.(Getting a map also counts as a Preparation!) Get to a place with higher point (in this case, a hill at the edge of town) and scope out the landscape with a Perception check. Lastly, they could try to recall what they already know about the local area, using either a Nature or Lore check (you can only make one of these checks once, and you can't retry if you fail. You either know or you don't!) And of course, if you have ideas of your own, feel free to explore them, too! Whichever method you choose, just bear in mind that you can only make one of each check per Environ per day, and if you decide to move out of the Town Center and to another part of Tradewinds or outside of it, you'll have to make a Travel check to get there. Except for the Travel check, you can either choose to make these checks individually or as a group (with one person making the check and the others giving them the advantage). Additionally, since Goop is taking Merris and Langtree with her, she automatically gains the Assistance preparation, and thus has a 🍀 to spend at her destination. Goop's Karma for this Expedition: 🍀

[Kaigen]

Rahat Rahat frowned as Gundhevir spun out the critical details of how things went wrong. There was a lot to consider there. For one, the augury had perhaps been poorly worded. "Lead us forward" could have many meanings that had nothing to do with whether or not the answer to the riddle was correct. For another, the tome from which the spell came, apparently taken from an orc shaman, had an ill air about it. Rahat judged that it was probably unwise for Gundhevir to trust in any magic he might draw in it. But did Gundhevir need a clear-eyed appraisal of his mistakes, a relitigation of how he had unwittingly put his companions in danger? Perhaps, but it would not be tactful to lead with that. Rahat had learned that much in dealing with people. "Tell me," Rahat said. "Are your friends, Marrid, Kianna, and Embry, the types to carry around a lot of unnecessary weight?" Her tail swished behind her. "Most adventurers I've known only carry things they expect to use." She leaned forward and put her hands on the table. "That goes for people as well as gear. You have been adventuring with them some time, yes? And they have not told you to go a different way or attempted to abandon you in the dead of night, yes? So I must think that they find some value in your company. Are you going to take that away from them over a single unwise decision? What would they have to say about that if they were here?" Rahat crossed her arms. "I do not think you worded your question wisely. I do not think you should have trusted any magic from that tome in the first place, with it being so different to your own. But the most foolish thing you have done is to sit here and make it all about you and your judgement."

[Xyza]

Khrysa

"Mmm!" Khrysa savored everything about the Caspian. The flavors all burst out perfectly for a meal that felt both hearty and light; she particularly tried to focus on the various textures created by the charring and milk-frying. So that's how they do it, hmm? Maybe I should try something similar one day, though I'd need some fish to work with...

For now though, she was happy to enjoy lunch with the others. "This is amazing guys! You should try...some?" A baffled Khrysa looked around to find that all of her companions had headed out except for Rahat, who still remained in conversation with the strange old man. The draconic girl had been quite preoccupied with Elem, the Kerfluffleas, and her meal...though now that she thought back, she might remember them saying they wanted go fishing. "Ah!" She had been too absorbed in the Caspian and assumed they were discussing ordering their fish own dishes.

She gestured to Rahat that she was heading out after them, but stopped after getting up from the table and hearing the exchange between Elem and her helpers. "Great... I ca-a-an't make the Cornucopia Croissants without them, and I don't ha-a-ave time to go and get more...Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your lunch. Let me know if you need a-a-anything else."

"Oh, don't worry about it, the lunch was absolutely fantastic! Are the snowberries crucial, though? Anywhere to get them around here?"

[briar]

Prelude: How the Cookie Crumbles
Date: 11th Day of The second month in the Summer season.Aiou, 334 After UnificationA.U.	Time: ~ 11:00 AMMid-Morning	Weather: Fair / 68° F	Locale (Environ): Tradewinds, Rouge (Town Center)	🎼

Proprietor of the Little Lamb Eatery

With the intention to go and find her companions, Khrysa starts to leave, though her attention is quickly drawn by the exchange betwixt Miss Elem and the agitated Kerfluffleas. When probed about the Snowberries, Elem turns, looking up at the dragon girl.

"Mm? Oh, I'm glad you liked it. Too bad your frie-e-ends couldn't have joined you, but I know you adventurers tend to be pretty busy," she replies with a knowing nod.

After a moment of consideration, Elem continues, telling Khrysa about the missing ingredient, "Ne-e-ever heard of them, eh? Can't say I'm surprised, they're a regional spe-e-ecialty, after all. Its a type of wild berry that's named for its color: they're re-e-d, but they're covered with a white powder that makes it look like they've been snowed on. The berries themselves are bitter, but the powder acts as a natural sweetener with a unique taste. The Cornucopia Croissant dish we make here simply aren't right without them."

"They te-e-end to be solitary plants that grow in and around caves further up into the mountains, though I've heard tell from some of the local adventurers that there are a few secre-e-et places close by where they grow in droves. Some of the old ruins near Lake Kagamihara, no doubt. Sure wish I had the time to ge-e-et to them..." she says with obvious disappointment, then let's out an exasperated sigh. The Kerfluffleas join in hushed murmurs of "Aww...Aww!" and "Oh no! No no!"

GM's Notes ----------------------------

༺ ───────────────────────── ◦ 𓆩⟡𓆪 ◦ ───────────────────────── ༻

Down-On-His-Luck Wizard

The weight of the centaur's words doesn't seem to be lost on the old man, whose form shrinks little by little with as she speaks of his follies. Still, he listen, and stares blankly into his glass, then at the spooky spell tome that sits on the table next to him, obviously deep in thought.

It is some time before he deigns to speak again. When he does, his tone still riddled with worry, but also accompanied by a sense of desperation.

"What must they think were they to see me now? A useless old man, belly full of alcohol and moping about like I am. Were it under any other circumstance, I should have stayed with them at the infirmary and brewed a potion or two to aid in their recovery," he gives, turning to look at Rahat. "That mask of yours hides much about you, traveler, but even still, your eyes belie a wisdom beyond your years."

He folds his hands, giving a bitter look once more to the book, then looks down, "But I still fear that what's done is done, and only more hardship will follow. Even without the tome's interference, my eyesight grows a little more blurry each day, and I often feel as though my memories of the magical arts have begun to leave me. Was this most recent event, too, not a product of aging mind well past its prime?"

He looks at Rahat once again, his eyes pleading, "You, miss, who would so graciously go out of her way to try and rouse an old man from his foolish stupor: do you truly believe that is a path where this aging mind and worn body shall not simply bring misfortune on those children I find myself caring so deeply for?"

GM's Notes Rahat seems to have gotten through to the old man with her council, and now needs only give him one last push to resolve this Thread. I'm content to let you do so without any mechanical need, which will grant you 1d4 🍀 (karma) towards your own expeditions in this region, as well as reveal a few of the Resources available in Tradewinds. However, if you feel like gambling a little, I would invite you to make a Negotiation check, using the stat you think best applies to the situation, against a DC of 10. Success means that you not only convince the man to stop moping, but he feels empowered by your words and will do all he can to improve himself and help his comrades. This outcome will grant you an additional 🍀🍀, to be spent on Expeditions in the Briarheart Hollows, as well as a clue for another quest. If you fail the check, you still succeed in convincing him, but Gundhevir requires a bit of time to mull over what you've told him, and thus won't be quite as gung-ho about it.

[Kaigen]

Rahat Rahat inclined her head towards Gundhevir, her mask a warm black in the light of the eatery. "One day, the ibis will fly west, and the sands will take our temples. It is so, and it is for the best." She spoke the familiar words reverentially, then tilted her head to the side. "But there is sometimes a little water beneath the sands. Do not condemn your temple while the spirit still resides. Your eyes and memory may weaken, but they are not beyond help, and even when they are, you can make do without them." "I cannot say how long you will be able to continue on this path, but I know you need not make that decision alone." Rahat's eyes met Gundhevir's from behind her mask. "Go to them. Care for them. Let them help you. It is hard. Regret is harder. You know this, as surely as a bird knows the way to warmer climes." She made a brushing motion in the air, as though scraping sand from a surface. "You cannot regain the days you missed, but you can be with them today."

OOC I'm going to take the gamble. Rahat will use wisdom, falling back on the aphorisms of her order to exhort Gundhevir to continue on. Edit: Success!