Sunna nods. "I don't know anyone to give it to, either. The Needle isn't evil, as far as I know. It's just a powerful thing, which could be used for evil as well as for good. But I guess time will tell what to do with it."

"Say, Adiel, what do you know about the Sowell family? If you'd be able to meet one of them, what would you want to ask them? I guess you might think the question strange, but I'll explain the reason for it later."



"If I might ask, Erma, since it's unusual for a bear to speak our tongue... did you learn it somehow or were you always able to talk that way?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:29, Sun 22 Mar 2015.

"Maybe Renard can give us a clue on where to keep the staff safe" Glumr suggests

Erma half opens one eyes and gives Sunna a lazy look as if she's contemplating and answer.

Then closes the eye and goes to sleep.

'Silly humans.', there was a river of fish all around them, and no time to fish...

'sigh', with a nental sigh Erma drifts off to sleep.

"I'd want to ask them what happened to Darsin," says Adiel, as Sunna asks about the Sowells. "I've heard the legends about them--about Kelney's power, and her madness, and Augustine and Darsin apparently being males with the power of a sorceress. Did you learn anything interesting about them, going through their old tower?"

For all his time spent researching the adventurers, Adiel is surprised to hear Glumr speak of an advisor he hadn't heard of before. "Who's Renard?"

As Adiel studies the jewels among the group's treasures, he begins pondering what to do with the vast cultural treasure that is Avaldamon's Jewels. "We can't just walk into a jewelers' shop and sell these. Even if we could find someone with enough money to buy them, the Ferisedan might accuse the new owners of thievery. Or us, for that matter. Perhaps we should return the jewels to Proctor Limon Ferisedan freely. If we really want to sell them, maybe we could try to do so at Sloss Hinterplatz."

"Zzzzzzzzzzz....."

Sleeps on the boat, mouth slightly ajar and drooling all over the boat.

Except for the snoring, Erma looks like should could be playing dead, right down to a lolling tongue.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:05, Thu 26 Mar 2015.

"From what we've learned Darsin was... odd, and not because of him wielding magical power. We witnessed several scenes set in the past, memories of what once was and Darsin... well, he was chewing on people!
I doubt it would be a wise idea to ask Kelney about him.
The reason I asked you is that we met the ghosts of both Augustine and Kelney Sowell. Darsin wasn't there, as far as I could tell. There has to be a good reason for it and I doubt that I'd like the reason.
The ghosts seemed to be able to leave the island after we met them. Lucky for us at that point, since they were powerful still, but... I honestly don't know where it will lead to in the future, especially given Kelneys madness and Augustines bonds to a being called the Queen of Thorns.

Reynaud is a friend of ours. A rather unusual one. You will be surprised.

Certainly we can't sell the gems just under Proctor Limons nose. But I doubt that it will help us to get to the book to just give it to him. Glumr suggested trying to convince the proctor that we know how to find the jewels and to get them for him - for a price. Would you think that would work?"

"I would say by the time we get to the Proctor, he will already know we have been to the island. The raiders are a talkative lot when it suits them, and I would expect them to claim some credit for our adventure and our return" Holly said, letting Sunna update Adiel on their history. Although Holly didn't yet trust him, it seemed Sunna did, and that was enough for Holly to let her guard down a little.

"But if we only found hints about the whereabouts of the jewels at the tower?", Sunna suggests with a grin.

Since Erma doesn't seem in the mood to talk Sunna shrugs and turns away from her.

Adiel listens carefully to Sunna's explanation. "Interesting. I'd love to hear more about the memories you saw. Did the ghosts say where they were going? Or what they have planned? If Kelney is in the world again... that could cause a lot of problems."

"I think the Proctor would see through something like that pretty quickly," says Adiel. "He's brilliant. Also, I suspect that he needs the silver right now, or he wouldn't be willing to sell the Tome of Legends at all. If we tried to walk into Rankor Heights with Avaldamon's Jewels, we could get arrested anyway. If we sell them, I think it would be wisest to give them to the dwarves. If we return them to the Ferisedan, we may receive gratitude and glory, but there is no one I trust who is deceptive enough to fool the Proctor."

"They asked us about current events and people, but they weren't very specific about where they were planning to go. In fact, we were happy to just see them leave at that point", Sunna admits. "It could change some things... I think I'll have to talk with Reynaud about this."

With a sigh Sunna glances in the direction where the jewels are kept. "In this case we have to break up the jewelry and sell the gems individually. Makes it hard to track the whole thing, as much as it hurts me to destroy it. If we sell it as it is, some day it will be known that it was us who brought it back and didn't give it to the Ferisedans.
It would be interesting to see if we can make enough coins with the other stuff without having to sell the gems. Not that I want to keep them, but we could make us known for retrieving them, get renown from the Ferisedan, plus it wouldn't make me feel bad about breaking it. How much do you think we'd get for the other things?"

"Come along cub.  Time for lessons, and you wont be learning it here with your cousins." says the mysterious new woman.

"I won't be long cousins", before setting off with the woman. When they were away from the camp, Holly asks a simple question, "Erma?"

Erma rolls her eyes, Holly was suppose to be the brightest and most attuned and still she seemed to be as dense as her cousins.  Erma nods decisively and waves at Holly to follow along impatiently.

"This wont last long, unless you prefer to discuss things over grunts and growls, you best heed natures calling if you want answers."

Erma stalks away with slow methodical steps that seems odd in her current form, though they do look Erma/Bear like in the pace of the stride.

Holly considered the words from the woman who was Erma, and waited patiently to understand what was going on. Holly understood that Erma had appeared at potentially Holly's calling of an ally within the confines of the cave, but she still didn't understand the full implications of her arrival. That was something Holly had hoped to discuss with Kayaq or Snow Whisper, and that was why Moonlight had had to leave her so soon after their reconnection. Now it seemed to Holly she might get answers directly from Erma.

Being called a cub didn't worry her at all, indeed it was comforting in some way. Perhaps it was a longing for a mother figure, but Holly tried not to worry about it. Erma in her bear form certainly looked like a bear who had mothered cubs, and Holly's connection to nature through Obad-Hai let her accept whatever connection there might be between them.

It was the last words, to heed natures calling, that intrigued Holly the most. Still, respectful of the woman, Holly waited to understand further.

"This wont last... so listen carefully.

 First... if you havent figured it out.  I'm not Ebony.  I have nothing between my legs..."

With no human concern for modesty, Erma checks between her legs...

"Not much fur either...", she frowns as if this were perplexing.

"Second... you didnt summon me... well you did, but you didnt.  You asked for help, you never asked for who, and your time was coming anyway... and... other people were involved that wanted me to come... and... nevermind.  You didnt summon me.", this bit seems to aggitate Erma a little.

"All cubs need to learn before they can be bears, otherwise something comes and eats them and that's that.  I....", Erma touches her chest with both hands, to indicate herself, "am one of the Triplefang's totem spirit... the Spirit of the Bear to be exact.  It's my job to guide and help you so that you may achieve your quest and earn fame and renown to the triplefang clan.  Failing that... I'm here to make sure your demise is as painless as possible and the reduce the shame you heap upon your clan mates by as much as possible."

Erma looks at Holly intently, "...are there any questions before i continue?  You either look like you're constipated... or you have a question.  Which is it?"

Holly listened and then asked, "I knew you were not Ebony, and I did want to know who you were, but I keep secrets and therefore I am more likely to allow others to have them. You were not a threat, so I treated you as an ally. The Spirit of the Bear I have heard of. My question is - Why me?"

Erma makes a disgusted scoof, as if you just asked a really stupid question.

"Why not you?

 In every generation there are cubs who have the special spark that the great father marks for greatness.

 In some this spark fades and dies, like your cousin Snow. She had the spark.  She could have been a great Sorceress... and daughter of Legend but... she was afraid.  She seeks the comforts of home.  She shies away from the path of legends and greatness.

 Should we stand by and watch an entire generation fall to the wayside thus?  Concede to the calls of mediocrity?

 Before you is the path of legends.  You spark simply needs to be nurtured and guided to be a raging flame.  The flame will be used for the stuff of great ballads and song.  For lengthy stories and legends to inspire entire generations some day.  Even the lessons of your lesser cousin Snow will have a place some day simply by touching on your greatness."

Erma folds her arms and gives Holly a disproving look.

"Pfft... Why you.  Why not you?  Because you have doubts that must be weeded out, that's why not you.  You follow Obad-Hai, but you do not know his ways.  If nothing else I am here to guide you on this matter.  The rest you must do for yourself.  Why me.  The bear does not ask why they are a bear.  The bear simply is.  Be what you were meant to be.  That's all Obad-Hai expects and demands of you, offer no less."

"If I do not understand the ways of Obad-Hai, it is because it is difficult to find a teacher willing to provide me with the information! I want to know, more than most could imagine. If you are here to teach me that, then I welcome that with all my heart. If I am to be someone who will be remembered, then so be it. I do not seek it for myself, but the tales taught me as a child gave me hope and pride in my tribe and our life. If in the future my life is retold to the same end, then let it be so. I would be proud to join those I hear around the camp fire and from the mouths of mothers talking to their babes to chase away the night." Holly slowly became more ardent as her speach went on. She had doubts, but that was part of growing up, and being a member of the druids meant many didn't understand her or her life. Holly always saught to improve herself, rarely taking the easy way out of things, and perhaps that had led to her not relying on Obad-Hai as much as some would think his due.

Perhaps now, Holly could gain some answers, and find new vigour in her life.

(*Enter brief video montage of Erma giving Holly a crash course in the essentials of what she needs to know but doesnt, and teaches her the absolute essentials on what she needs to know about the current situation, which is to cure the poisoning they're all suffering.*)

(*Cue the i see the light church music*)

(Holly get hinted in the direction of using Neutralize poison and/or cure disease.

 She also gets a very brief lesson on the concept of Wild shape, it's really brief cause towards the end the Speak Humans spell starts to fade, and Erma left with a fustrated look as she tries to talk but ends up up making a lot of grunts and growlish sounds)

I'm assuming Holly's first successful Wild Shape will be to a bear form.  She can try it whenever she'd like, or she could wait for more explicit training from Erma.

Erma's more than happy to teach her 'bear' and be amused watching her fumble with the words for once.

Once Harj has left and the group is on its way again, Sunna turns to Holly and beckons her a bit to the side. "I don't know if you're allowed to tell, but... would you mind to tell how you, or Harj, know who to treat, or how many of those infected, to maintain the balance of nature, as Harj called it? I'd really like to understand."
The tone of her voice is curious, not in the least reproachful.

"What have you all learned about our cursed harper friend? Erma, you clearly have some skill with Transmutation. Do you know what might have happened or how to break such a spell?"

In reply to Sunna (msg # 98):

Holy thinks about Sunna's question, considering what her own criteria would be. "Well, for me, I treat everyone where I can. I just forgot my teachings a little, so didn't realise I might have let the cat out of the bag. When I did, I sent Moonlight to find a friend to help. Harj was available, and will sort things. As to how he will maintain the balance, I would say that is hardly his choice. He will choose the weakest, those that will benefit most from his abilities, and if those abilities are lacking, some may die. If he, or indeed I, assume too much then the gods usually let us know how inadequate we are. The balance is maintained across the world, not just here and now."

Holly tries to explain it, but knows she isn't doing a good job. Instead she uses an example taught her during her initiation. "Let me tell you of something that might explain it. A long, long time ago, there was a very cold winter, and the land was covered in snow. It started earlier than ever before, as many would have been taking in their crops, and lasted long into the spring. In that time, my fellow druids helped everyone they could. In one large village there was a single druid, and he used his skills well to provide for the people and to protect them. One day, a terrible fever came to the village. The druid, working all day, moved from house to house and treated all with his magics and his herbs. They all soon recovered and thanked him. That night, as the sun set, a rider came in nearly dead, and the villagers rushed to help. The druid was quickly there, but many villagers were already there. The druid, seeing the man had plague marks, quickly dispersed the villagers. It was not enough. Within an hour, the villagers began to die. The druid had no more magic, and his knowledge did not allow him any aid from his herbs. By morning the druid had seen half the population die. For his quick curing of a simple cold, the druid had condemned them to death from the plague. Balance arrives sooner or later, and we are simply trying to reduce the extremes to allow balance to work without major upheavals. For that reason we tend to hold onto our magic for something worse, and also tend to let balance work itself out. Some help with a nudge, but only where the council is willing to take the chance."

"Not much, actually. There is this song that might have something to do with it:
Returned to the village after months away
with only the word “Eureka!” to say

He went into the fire to sleep for the night
with many eyes on him to show them the way
In the morn there was nothing where he had lay
but a flute and a lute and the song of the Faye

His feline companion withered and grey
took it last breath on the very next day

As for how to break such a spell I have no clue, Reynard however said that a powerful priest might be able to do that.
Or, of course, the one who put the curse upon him in the first place. A fairy most likely."


In reply to Holly (msg # 100):
"I think I... well, I'm beginning to understand. So it might be that the Harix followers getting sick are somehow the balance of you curing our cough?"