Night Below (IC)

[Xihirli]

Along the river, there's not much in the way of shelter. However, before the rain begins you do spot a cave. However, as you enter, you smell something unmistakable to a druid of your caliber: bear.
The rain starts.

[Luccan]

Feng places his staff in front of Dwilla to prevent her from moving forward This is a bear's den. I don't know if it's home, but we're better off near the front of the cave. We can take shifts, but I'll try to communicate with it before we fight. I'd rather we sleep in peace. Feng chants an incantation in that same strange language from before, then intones a series of grunts out into the cave

Spoiler: Bear Noises

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Master of this cave, we mean you no harm. It would be foolish for us to come to blows tonight. Permit us an evenings rest here and tomorrow I shall provide you enough food for the day.

Spoiler: ooc

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I'm basically imagining this is what the captions would look like. The actual sentiment is "We mean no harm. If we rest here without fighting, we'll give you food tomorrow."

[JNAProductions]

Okay. Sounds good, Dwilla says. I can set up a cannon if need-be, but it only lasts an hour.

[Xihirli]

At the grunts and growls, an adult female cave bear approaches. She slowly approaches you, and gives you one long sniff. Then she turns away and moves deeper into the cave, leaving you to your own devices.

[JNAProductions]

Dwilla stays still, letting the more experienced wilderness person handle it. When the bear departs, she breathes a sigh of relief. No idea what you said, but good job!

[Luccan]

As she wanders into the darkness, Feng turns around with another smile on his face We've reached an accord. We'll have the front of the cave tonight and leave a gift in the morning. He begins setting up a modest camp, before pausing What is a cannon?

[JNAProductions]

Okay-there are three varieties I've figured out.

The first goes all whoom-whoom-whoom-whoom, Dwilla says, arms gesticulating broadly with the sound effects, and makes everyone nearby protected from harm. Not all harm, but it's a good little barrier.

The second goes [I]fwoosh![/I and shoots fire,] she continues. The last goes fzaaap! and fires a bolt of arcane energy-more focused and precise than the flame variant.

[Luccan]

Okay-there are three varieties I've figured out.

The first goes all whoom-whoom-whoom-whoom, Dwilla says, arms gesticulating broadly with the sound effects, and makes everyone nearby protected from harm. Not all harm, but it's a good little barrier.

The second goes [I]fwoosh![/I and shoots fire,] she continues. The last goes fzaaap! and fires a bolt of arcane energy-more focused and precise than the flame variant.

That's useful. I've heard tales of wands that can do similar things, though only one at a time. But you can make them? After laying out his bedroll, Feng sets his staff against the cavern wall and pulls cold rations from his pack. You have food, I assume? If not I'll gladly share. My gift tomorrow will feed us for the day as well, but I haven't asked the forest for that blessing today.

[JNAProductions]

I've got some dried fish and mushrooms, Dwilla replies. Not a ton, but enough for a day or two.

[Luccan]

I've got some dried fish and mushrooms, Dwilla replies. Not a ton, but enough for a day or two.

Starting tomorrow, you can save your rations. For the time being, I'll keep us fed. His stomach rumbles and he begins to dig in to the hard, dry meal he's laid out before him. Feng seems content to pass the rest of the evening before they sleep in silence, though he listens if Dwilla speaks and responds if it seems appropriate.

Spoiler: OOC

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Unless JNA wants to continue to RP, I'm ready for them to tuck in for the night (and cut back to Lentrax and the others for a bit if that seems appropriate)

[Xihirli]

Spoiler: OOC

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No need to cut, post as you come and I'll handle chronology. I'm willing to move onto the next morning for each group, and move Lentrax to Thurmaster there are no encounters.

The day is hot and humid as it begins, the dawn greeting you all. The morning opens, the sky is... up there, and the day is yours.

[Luccan]

Feng spends about ten minutes in quite meditation at dawn, sitting outside if the rain has let up by then. He returns to the cave entrance and gathers his things with Dwilla. When he finishes, he spends another ten minutes standing, speaking in a low chant, his staff twirling in slow patterns around him. He speaks again in ursine tones into the cave

Spoiler: Bear chat

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We are leaving now. The berries I leave at the entrance should nourish you for today. If you have cubs, one should do for each of them.

He then speaks again in that strange tongue and one by one, ten berries grow from the end of his staff, falling as soon as they look ready to eat. He picks up two and hands once to Dwilla, eating the other. That should keep us nourished for the day. Shall we get going?

Spoiler: OOC

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Switched out Fog Cloud for Goodberry. Cast Speak with Animals as a ritual and Goodberry with a spell slot. Leaving what should be more than enough for the bear, but maybe bigger creatures need more goodberries.

[JNAProductions]

Dwilla takes a berry and munches on it. Sweet... Nourishing... Ooh, a little tart-that's good! she says. And yes, let's be off. Lead the way, Feng.

[Luccan]

Feng once again leads the way towards the Blood Skull Tribe, humming a simple tune as they walk.

[Xihirli]

It is indeed a good berry. As you leave the caves, you spot a bear cub and her mother licking up the berries left behind.

Feng recognizes the entrance to his home by the faded sign; "Garlstone Mine." Through here and down, there is an area called the Shaft which leads deeper into the tunnels to the Bloodskull.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mirafa and her fellows have a difficult night under the rain. When the morning comes, travel begins and is somewhat slow, with three prisoners to look after. It scrapes near the end of the second day of travel before you spot the village gates of Thurmaster, just as the lamplighters hanging large lanterns on the gate-posts.

[Luccan]

Feng pauses outside the cave and snaps his fingers, producing a small flame in his hand. How well do you see in the dark? If we need to light torches, we can.

Spoiler: ooc

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Cast Produce Flame

[JNAProductions]

I got eyes for days! Dwilla replies. So nah. It's not needed. That being said... It might be the polite thing to keep a torch lit, so we don't sneak up on 'em?

[Xihirli]

Spoiler: Eyes for days?

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Eyes for days.

Spoiler: Feng

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Feng is well aware of the correct route, which is to pass right by the Dream Caves to follow the Flitch of Bacon. Seeing a large, cat-shaped stone that Feng knows is called "the Cat," you know that you are on the right way. Past there lies the Grand Cascade which leads to the shaft - a portion of the mines that goes straight down. There is a ladder though, so you are able to head straight down.
From there, the second level of the Garlstone Mines is accessible. The correct route to the Bloodskull involves bypassing the Blue Garl Caverns entirely to travel toward, then move past, the storage cabin. Ignore the dome, go up fairyland but not the crab petals, into the Chamber of the All-Hearing Gods, then down into the Grand Cavern, down which the system of tunnels controlled by the Bloodskull could be found, which lead about a day's journey down toward their main living cavern.

So that's the route Feng's used before to reach the Bloodskull. Before we go through the rest of the mines is there any manner in which Feng wants to shake things up?

[Luccan]

Spoiler: Eyes for days?

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Eyes for days.

Spoiler: Feng

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Feng is well aware of the correct route, which is to pass right by the Dream Caves to follow the Flitch of Bacon. Seeing a large, cat-shaped stone that Feng knows is called "the Cat," you know that you are on the right way. Past there lies the Grand Cascade which leads to the shaft - a portion of the mines that goes straight down. There is a ladder though, so you are able to head straight down.
From there, the second level of the Garlstone Mines is accessible. The correct route to the Bloodskull involves bypassing the Blue Garl Caverns entirely to travel toward, then move past, the storage cabin. Ignore the dome, go up fairyland but not the crab petals, into the Chamber of the All-Hearing Gods, then down into the Grand Cavern, down which the system of tunnels controlled by the Bloodskull could be found, which lead about a day's journey down toward their main living cavern.

So that's the route Feng's used before to reach the Bloodskull. Before we go through the rest of the mines is there any manner in which Feng wants to shake things up?

Spoiler

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Spoiler: Eyes for days?

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Eyes for days.

Feng is currently neutral-leaning-optimistic on the subject of cannons

Feng will light a torch at Dwilla's suggestion and takes the normal route to the tribe. Even if he felt like exploring right this moment, delaying his homecoming further seemed like a bad idea. He'll point out the land marks to Dwilla on the way down, in the hopes that she'll remember if they need to leave rapidly.

[JNAProductions]

Dwilla nods as the various places are pointed out, occasionally offering a comment on the geology of a rock structure or asking a question about the area.

[Xihirli]

You make your way through a majority of the mine, but once you pass the blue Garl Caverns a human looks up from his post slouching against the storage cabin. He vaguely remembers Feng, but eyes Dwilia with suspicion.
"Stop right there! Who are you and what's your business?"

[Luccan]

You make your way through a majority of the mine, but once you pass the blue Garl Caverns a human looks up from his post slouching against the storage cabin. He vaguely remembers Feng, but eyes Dwilia with suspicion.
"Stop right there! Who are you and what's your business?"

Feng looks somewhat sheepish, but answers Hail! I am Feng, Peaceborn of Harenshire and the Bloodskull.

[JNAProductions]

And I'm Dwilla! Um... Feng's friend! she says.

[Xihirli]

He notably relaxes, but stands up straight and moves his sword into an easier position.
"Oh yeah. You. Here, I'm gonna have to keep you in sight the whole time." He follows behind you as you move deeper into the caverns, past a small collection of other slavers.
"Things have been pretty crazy lately. Two days back, squid-beard came by with a whole retinue of those infected lizzies, then said it could taste intruders at our entrance and sent its posse up to clear 'em out. But all of its lizards died and then yesterday half our guards became casualties - most missing, some dead. I'm thinking I'm gonna split after I get my share from the deal tomorrow."

[Luccan]

I'm afraid I've been away some time. Squid beard? He falls in step with the man

[Xihirli]

"Our buyer. Purple-pink squid flesh, awful beak, talks to your head. Better get familiar, half-orc." The man puts his hand to his face and dangles his fingers in a tentacle affectation. "The one calling the shots at Bloodskull looks like this now."
At the end of Garlstone mines, the caverns open up to tunnels much wider than miners would ever bother to dig - the markings of a purple worm.
"Well, you know the way from here. Half a day's journey along this straight line. Good luck with the new management."