The pelicans were deceptively dangerous thanks to their sharp beaks, especially in numbers. Having momentarily chased them off, Eryn was quick to return her shield and polearm to their proper position before moving to take a stance besides Mouse. Unfortunately, the halfling seemed to be taking some daring steps into the path of the fully grown hatclings. The warrior knew that if the halfling's arrows riled them up they would easily get swarmed, and unlike her Mouse didn't look like they were wearing any armor to speak of. "Careful," she warned, staying on guard when she sensed another hectic duel coming up.

---

08:53, Today: Eryn rolled 7 using 1d6+2.  Taking damage from birds.
1 piercing, -2 from armor: I've lost another 5 HP.
08:54, Today: Eryn rolled 8 using 2d6+1.  Attempting to Defend Mouse again.
Hold 1.

Once Ilura got the birds dislodged from her beak, the unintentional passengers spiraled slowly toward the ground, screeching obscenities at the ranger. Their injuries were not life-threatening, but they were bad enough to make flying difficult for the sea buzzards. The rest of the flock, however, continued to follow on Ilura's heels, more determined than ever to catch her.

Meanwhile, Eryn and Mouse prepared to face down the last of the pelicans on the ground. As they waddled around the dead queen, they screeched and flapped their wings aggressively. There were even still a few shell fragments stuck to some of their feathers. With a few deft foot movements, Mouse got into a position where one arrow could pierce two of them at once.

Thwak!

The arrow pierced through one, then another, and finally pinned both to the dead queen's belly. The other four birds continued to advance, but then suddenly paused. They looked back at their queen for a moment before hastily taking flight, up and away in a panic. Where the arrow had struck, a small stream of green liquid spouted, coating the freshly killed sea buzzards. Where the liquid touched, their feathers quickly melted away, followed by flesh, and then even bone. A horrible acrid stench filled the air, masking even Eryn's delicious aroma. It seemed the queen buzzard's flesh was being affected by this fountain of acid as well. The hole where the arrow had struck rapidly expanded and a surge of acid rushed straight toward Mouse and Eryn!

What do you do?

---

Ilura
The flock is still following you. As for casting spells, the way the rules are written I don't see why you wouldn't be able to cast spells. The only reason she couldn't would be for flavor reasons. I will leave the final decision up to you though. If you think Ilura would be able to, you can. Just make sure to describe how.

Mouse and Eryn
There is a surge of acid rushing toward the two of you out of the queen sea buzzard's stomach. Eryn can easily step out of the way if she wishes with her longer legs, but Mouse is in a more direct path and will have a slightly more difficult time avoiding it. Probably a Defy Danger for Mouse. Eryn too, if she stays to Defend Mouse.

With her broader wings and greater stamina, Ilura was able to more easily keep ahead of the pursuing flock.  This gave her more time to reflect on what she knew about seabirds in general and sea buzzards in particular.  In the worst case, she could just lead them on a merry goose-chase out to sea and then dive beneath the water and change form into something that could swim deep enough that the black birds couldn't get to her.  However, that would take time and if she could come up with a faster way of disbursing the colony, that would be better...

quote:

14:16, Today: Ilura rolled 12 using 2d6+3.  Spout Lore on sea buzzards.

Actually, that's a 13.  I keep forgetting about my bless...

Most of my non-ritual-type spells come just from praying and the Goddess granting my wish or not.  I can presumably do that regardless of form.  I was thinking about casting light on myself to perhaps spook the birds - but first I need to figure out whether that would likely be effective...

On seeing the acid eating away the now dead baby pelicans, Mouse decided to get the hell out of dodge. The halfling turned and went to take a step so they could leap onto the counter of a nearby booth. Instead when they went to turn, the slick ground under their boots caused them to go sprawling. It was in the general direction of the booth, but definitely not the intended destination.


18:59, Today: Mouse rolled 6 using 2d6+2.  Defy Danger dexterously.
Whoop. Mouse slipped and ate it. If it had been one point higher I would have been able to go with the graceful leap and then the comedic did-not-stick-the-landing. Oh well, experience has been marked.

"I said careful," Eryn growled, seizing the strange halfling by the collar once more and pulling them both away from the acid with all her might. It was hard to avoid smacking them upside the head with her shield in the process, but if anything happened a little concussion would sure beat melting anyway.

---

17:46, Today: Eryn rolled 12 using 2d6+2.  Defy Danger: Strength (Pull Mouse away from the acid).

The acid from the sea buzzard's stomach sloshed quickly toward Eryn and Mouse, like a water barrel that had been upturned. Mouse faltered in their attempt to escape and laded hard on the street, but Eryn reached down and picked up the halfling just as the acid sloshed over the thief's shoe. The material quickly broke down and fell off of the halfling's foot by the time Eryn set Mouse down in a place of safety.

The acid ate away ate the bases of a few nearby vendor stands, but didn't seem to do anything to the cobblestone street itself. In fact, anything made of metal or stone seemed to be unaffected by it. Where the acid had exited the bird, there were several metal items laying in the puddle that the bird must have swallowed at some point in the past.

With the acid now draining into the cracks in the cobblestones, and the birds seeming to have finally given up their hostilities, Eryn and Mouse could finally take in the destruction that had befallen the market place. Most vendor stand were ransacked, their food strewn everywhere as the buzzards greedily collected it. The man at Mouse's favorite chowder stand was still hobbled over in pain, and other merchants were just now starting to peek back out from the places they had fled to. The netting that canopied the marketplace would need to be replaced as well, otherwise the more mundane seabirds would come cause their own brand of havoc on the marketplace. And of course there was the body of a huge seabird scavenger that would need to eventually be dealt with.

Out over the sea, with a flock of dark feathery shapes in close pursuit, Ilura had a bit of time to recall an old factoid she had heard about scavenging pelicans. Allegedly they were afraid of purple lights. Supposedly it reminded them of the hour just before dark, when their main predator was most active. That, and their predator has glowing purple eyes...

What do you do?

---

Eryn and Mouse
You both escape the acid without any real harm, although Mouse did lose one shoe. The last of the birds are no longer a threat. The marketplace is in shambles though. Each of you tell me, what is one (or more) of the metal or stone items that the giant sea buzzard has swallowed in the past that is now laying on the street?

Ilura
You remember that sea buzzards are supposed to be afraid of purple lights. Where did you hear this? What is their main predator?

As Ilura continued out to sea she recalled something her mentor had once told her.  The sea-buzzards couldn't keep aloft forever and in the sea they were vulnerable to the creatures that lived beneath the water.  Thus they tended to nest on isles of black rock where they could blend in - and where few of the native creatures could stand up to their serraded beaks.

However, on some such isles lived a small worm - rock maggots.  During the day they rested deep in the rock, away from the drying power of the sun.  However at sundown they would crawl out, setting the rocks alight with a purplish glow.  Any sea buzzard that didn't react quickly enough would find itself carrying passengers that would quickly nestle under the bird's feathers and then into its skin to feast and lay their eggs.  Affected birds did not last long and would soon find a need to land, often carrying the worms to yet another island.

The ranger knew that the Goddess had blessed her with the ability to create light - but she wasn't sure whether she could control the color.  However, it was worth a try.  First she scanned the sea for a suitable island or even a whale she could land on.  Then she prayed to the silver mother.  Grant me your light that I might protect the villagers from thes creatures

quote:

14:10, Today: Ilura rolled 10 using 2d6+3.  Perceive realities.
14:10, Today: Ilura rolled 10 using 2d6+3.  Cast light.

What should I be on the lookout for?
What here is useful or valuable to me?
What here is not what it appears to be?

"Yes mom." Mouse said dryly as they let Eryn drag them out of the way.

The halfling was letting her worry about their movement while they started to nock another arrow to take a potshot at the remaining baby pelicans. Except by the time they started looking for one being threatening they were gone. And so was one of Mouse's shoes.

Blast.

---

My suggested object will be a metal set of balance scales swallowed because the merchant had been in the middle of weighing out fish.

Eryn set the halfling down as gently as she could. "Just looking out for you, buddy. Can't have you dying on me before I've figured out where I've seen you before," she said.

The warrior looked with disdain at the bird carcass, the mess of acid that had flowed from its innards, and the squirming newborns that still looked like monstrous creatures. In the midst of it all there lay several items the broodmother had previously swallowed, but none of them looked like they were worth the time and effort to retrieve them right now.

Instead, Eryn kept her attention on the birds. When she glanced down at Mouse she saw their bow ready to fire once more. "You handle your weapon well, I'll give you that. Do your thing; if the birds approach I will keep them at bay."

---

Looks like the bird has spit out an aludel: a small set of pots with tall legs made of cast iron, used to sublime alchemical materials. Did this stuff belong to an alchemist, perhaps?

09:59, Today: Eryn rolled 12 using 2d6+1.  Discern Realities (The birds we're fighting).
Who's really in control here?
What is about to happen?
What here is useful or valuable to me?

As I'm still sticking close and waiting for attacks, I'll allow myself to keep the 1 Hold from Defend for now.

"Couldn't say." Mouse said absently, as they scanned the sky with arrow nocked but string slack. "I travel a lot and after a while town names blur together."

---

17:26, Today: Mouse rolled 8 using 2d6.  Discern Realities.
What should I be on the lookout for?

Mouse is keeping an eye out for the next attack.

As Ilura soared further and further from land, it became apparent that there were not many islands in the area.  At least none suitable to her needs.  But then she spotted it. As small island devoid of trees and habitation. It was probably only 100 feet across, but it had the dark coloring she was looking for.  Mostly black, with patches of white and dark blue here and there. It would probably work.

As she neared it though, the ranger noticed it was bobbing in the waves.  Which was strange, since islands were supposed to be stationary. That was when she noticed that the white and blue patches were snow and ice.  The island was actually a dirty iceberg that had floated in from who-knows-where.

Whether she decided to land or not, Ilura could feel the power of her Goddess filling her, ready to shine through when she was ready.

Back at the market, with the scales and aludel left behind after the acid soaked into the ground, it seemed the huge pelican may have encountered an alchemist at some point and eaten their experiment. If the pelican swallowed magical reagents, it could certainly explain how it had grown to such an enormous size. In fact, there appeared to be a couple tiny metal vials present that could certainly contain alchemical concoctions of their own...

By now the last remaining pelicans decided to cut their losses and flee the marketplace. And with no more threats about, the vendors began filing back into the street to examine the damage. After a moment of initial shock, one of the vendors began to clap. Then another joined in. Soon the streets rang with the cheers of the vendors, thanking Mouse and Eryn for defending their livelihoods.

"How could we ever repay you?" a man with a curly mustache asked. "Please, take any item from my fruit stall that you would like. It's the least I could do." The man gestured to his stall where there were oranges and pears strewn about. Even a smashed watermelon. Other vendors made similar offers of one free item.

What do you do?

---

Ilura
Your spell is ready to be activated whenever you are ready for it.  The color and brightness is as you describe.

What here is useful or valuable to me?
There is a small black and white island that you should be able to reach shortly.

What here is not what it appears to be?
The island is actually a dirty iceberg and is bobbing in the waves.

What should I be on the lookout for?
The berg should be safe enough, but it could always tip over or have other hazards from wherever it floated in from.

Eryn
Who's really in control here?
You and Mouse are thoroughly in control of the situation now.

What is about to happen?
The last of the pelicans are about to flee, and villagers are going to come thank the two of you.

What here is useful or valuable to me?
It looks like some of the unfortunate alchemist's concoctions spilled out of the pelican along with their devoured equipment.

Mouse
What should I be on the lookout for?
Nothing really, other than the thanks and attention of the vendors. The birds are no longer a threat. I suppose that means you could be on the lookout for a way to take advantage of their gratitude.

Hiran would be interested in these I'm sure, Eryn thought while poking through the spoils of war, and fished out the alchemical vials using the blunt end of her spear. Even if he isn't, maybe the guy he visited earlier would give me a few coins for them.

She wrapped the metal containers carefully in a ruined piece of cloth and wiped away the worst of the disgusting fluids coating them. She threw the rag back into the mess that remained of the vendor stands on the ground and stood to receive the gifts she were offered with reserved gratitude. Though happy that their efforts had been recognized by the townsfolk, Eryn cared little for fruit and odd trinkets, for they would not last long on the road. Something useful, that was what a warrior needed.

Where did Ilura go, I wonder? she thought, but quickly found that attempting to follow the bird that had flown would be a waste of effort. Instead she turned to the halfling, and shot a glance in the direction of the back alley to confirm that the witch was still there.

"Our most recent aquaintance appears to have found fighting too much of a messy affair for her graceful self," Eryn said to Mouse, "but you jumped right into the fray with us. I appreciate it. I am Eryn, sword for hire and as of late: local defender of the town. If it's true that the two of us haven't met before, I would like to hear your name, if you will share it."

She mentally squinted at the fellow in front of her. He still seemed awfully familiar...

Ilura accelerated and made for the far side of the "island", ducking out of sight behind it but not actually landing.  She paused for a moment to check it out.  Icebergs weren't a normal thing this far south, at least not at this time of year.  The recent encounter with the giant-kin from the north made her leary to presume the presence of the ice was mere coincidence.

Then, before the irate birds had an opportunity to come into line of sight, she triggered the spell and climbed back into the air, doing her best to look injured and clumsy.  The latter turned out to be not that hard because while shifting form seemed to give her the innate ability to fly, it did not exactly convey the knowledge to fly "badly", which left the ranger coming a bit closer to both the ocean and the iceberg than she'd intended.  It was only her agility and deft reflexes that kept her aloft.

[HELP!!!  They're all over me!  Ohhh.  It burns!!!]

She made her way laboriously towards the oncoming flock, watching to see if they'd be convinced by the trick and turn and flee as she'd hoped - or whether she'd have to resort to her plan B of diving into the water and hoping she'd encounter something that could both breath water and not eat her before she drowned...

quote:

14:49, Today: Ilura rolled 9 using 2d6+3.  Discern realities - check out iceberg.

What is about to happen?

If nothing, great.  But if the island holds a threat, at lest I'll know about what it is before I lose my remaining hitpoints... :)

Not sure if I need to roll for the birds to be fooled or whether my previous lore roll is sufficient.  Just in case, here you go:

quote:

14:50, Today: Ilura rolled 6 using 2d6.  Scare birds?

If I can use the plus 1 from previously scouting the island, that should be a success, even if it's a charisma roll.  If I get to use Dex, that'll push it to a 10.

EDIT: fixed formatting
This message was last edited by the player at 14:42, Sat 03 Nov 2018.

"I need a bath, lunch, and I guess I could use a new boot." Mouse said to the man, sitting on a crate to remove their socks and other low, soft boot. "But - mostly - help each other get back to normal. Especially them." A pause to gesture at the chowder stand and injured baker with a sock. "I like eating here and would prefer to see y'all back up and running."

Better to go barefoot than walk around with a soggy sock and one boot. The halfling shoved socks into boot then dangled it by the laces from their belt before hopping back to their feet. That taken care of, Mouse retrieved what arrows they could and their rapier before rejoining Eryn.

"Fighting's not everybody's thing. Some folks freeze, and sometimes folks don't deem the fight worth the danger." Mouse shrugged as they cleaned the blade of their rapier. "I'm Mouse, since you asked. And while I heard absolutely nothing while I definitely wasn't in the alley in a crate, I should mention that I'm for hire." They paused to sniff. "Maybe after a bath or three though. Ugh. Fish and bird. I stink."

"You're right, something stinks here." Eryn mumbled. She had already given up on trying to dismiss her failed spell. The stench would have to stay until it wore off on its own, like the light from last time did. There was plenty of other smells in the marketplace too, however, so a bath couldn't hurt. Then there was the nagging thought of the halfling reminding her of something. Something unpleasant. It had taken her a while to remember in the middle of all the action, but finally the memory surfaced.

"For hire, you say?" she asked. "Well, you have proven yourself capable enough, and after seeing how you leaped in to protect the town, I feel I can trust you. If my companions agree, you can tag along." Eryn laid a gloved hand on Mouse's shoulder and leaned in a bit closer. "Of course, now that your name has finally reminded me of where we've met before, I'm sure it would be fine if I don't pay you until you've worked up the coin you slipped away with after making me chase you halfway across town for it. Isn't that right... little 'mouse'?"

Eryn didn't mean to turn the nickname into an insult, but with her tone it did end up sounding closer to 'street rat' than intended.

Mouse groaned when Eryn finally figured it out. "How about half? I've got expenses" This was punctuated by Mouse raising a foot and wiggling their toes as a reminder that they now needed a new pair of boots. "We should probably find your companions, either way. Might want to find out why they ditched you too if you're wanting me for help with stabbing rather than sneaking."

The vendors were happy to help gather up all of the rewards that Mouse and Eryn requested, as none of their requests seemed too unreasonable. After gathering up the alchemical vials (of which there were five, their labels long since dissolved away) Eryn was able to obtain all of the travel supplies she had been looking for. Mouse was directed toward Donnovan's Leathers, where several shoe options were displayed to the halfling. Once the two adventurers finished with their perusing, they were informed of Markhain's public baths where they could go to get refreshed and spend some time relaxing. Eryn knew from her bath the day before that they were as relaxing as advertised.

Out over the ocean, Ilura flew behind the iceberg and enacted her plan to scare the flock away. It seemed to work at first. When Illura approached, the flock scattered and screamed shrieks of fear. [She's got the worms! Fly away!] [Don't touch me!] [Go, go go!] But then, after the initial moment of panic, one pelican turned around and headed back toward the transformed ranger.

The pelican that turned back toward Ilura looked more emaciated and sickly than most of the others. [You know what? I'll help you. I've already got the worms myself anyway, so don't worry about infecting me. I wanted you dead, but not like that. The purple blight is a pain I wouldn't wish upon my greatest enemy.] The lone pelican flew in close, ready to help pluck the purple worms from Ilura's feathers.

What do you do?

---

Eryn and Mouse
Markhain has public baths that you both would know of, so that service won't count against your rewards. You can find all of your other items you were hoping for too. You can get some leather armor for Ilura if you would like, but any armor more advanced than leather would be too big of a hit to their profit margin and they would ask you to choose something else.

If you go take a bath and eat some lunch, it will count as Making Camp. Subtract 1 ration from your supplies (or eat for free before leaving the vendors).

Illura
I went with Defy Danger +Cha for scaring the flock. I gave you the +1 from Discern Realities since you used the iceberg in your ruse, bumping your roll up to 7.  Oh, and nothing seems about to happen regarding the iceberg. Most of the flock is fleeing now. There is a single worm-infected sea buzzard coming to help you though...

"We split both the work and whatever rewards or loot we get between us. Can't promise you any payment beyond that."

Eryn made sure to inform the townsfolk of Ilura's role in the fight that had just transpired, and waited anxiously for the ranger's return. She had earlier turned her gaze out towards sea in an effort to recognize whatever the hell Ilura was doing with the distant flock of birds, but they had gone too far out for that to be possible without a telescope.

"You're right, Mouse, we should locate the others," she said while packing up the last of her new belongings, and stole another glance at Skarlet - still present in the alleyway - whilst doing so. Would this mysterious woman follow them too, perhaps? "Hiran is our wizard," she continued. "He's very skilled, and has been of great help to us. Sadly, I think him and Marcus - a holy knight, you see - will be occupied for a while. Hiran is researching a way to stop a demon we may soon encounter, and Marcus is likely to go with him as protection from dark forces. The rest of us are trying to solve a ship carrying what we believe to be cargo belonging to our greatest enemy; hence the conversation you overheard earlier. These devilish birds may be his doing as well."

---

Ilura: You've been offered leather armor, but I think you may be wearing that already?

GM: I'll add the items to my inventory. I will also accept whatever food the merchants offer and Make Camp in the bath house afterwards using that as my ration, but I wish to wait around for Ilura first. No way I'm leaving without knowing if she survives the flight. Wouldn't be right to leave her standing around alone smelling like fish guts either. :P

[It is too hard while flying.  Let me find a place to land]

Ilura could easily outpace the sickly bird, but made a show of strugging as she headed back towards the city, moving as fast as her trailing "friend" could manage while still keeping a bit ahead of it.  She broadcast the odd complaint about her infection to keep up the ruse.

Heading toward the city had two benefits.  First, she needed to get back to the boat pronto.
 Second, if her glowing purple form was headed that way, any remaining birds would be going anywhere but.  As well, she knew where the watch-towers were and avoided any route that would likely see her dodging arrows.  Landing on a narrow pier of rocks on the outskirts of town, she waited for the sickly sea-vulture to do the same.

[Thank you for your offer of help.  First, allow me to help with your own pain]

Ilura's giant queen form loomed over the pelican and then emptied her belly of acid over the stricken creature, doing her best to coat the creature thoroughly - and hopefully eliminating any infection risk for the city.


I am indeed wearing leather.  I was hoping they might have something slightly better that I could still move easily in.  If not, I'll settle for topping up my rations and adventuring gear and perhaps a good word put in with the weapon-smith

As Ilura doused the helpful little sea buzzard with her surprise barrage of acid, it let out a shrill scream that was a strange amalgamation of horror and a sigh of relief. The bird's feathers melted away, followed by its flesh, and then its beak and skeleton dissolved away as well. In the end all that was left of it was a wet patch of rocks.

As Ilura spewed acid from her gullet, she could feel her connection to her shapeshifted form beginning to wane. She soon found herself back in her normal shape, standing among the rocks with drool on her lips and a pang of hunger in her now-empty belly.

---

Ilura
The last pelican is gone, and you spent the last of your Hold. You are now back in your normal shape on the outskirts of town.

Ilura hurried back to the city, making her way through the city gates and aiming to quickly stop off at the marketplace to check on her companions before heading to the ship.  She briefly considered trying to attract a seagull so she could move faster, but decided that the sensation of the cobblestones against her feet was preferrable.  Besides, she needed to look for Thomas and wasn't entirely sure how he'd react to her being a seagull.

When Ilura finally makes her way back to the marketplace where the sea buzzard queen was slain, she finds Mouse and Eryn just finishing up gathering their rewards from the vendors. The place is still a mess, but spirits are high. Even Thomas is present, sitting on the corner of the chowder stand, accepting bits of raw clam from the old man as his injured legs get wrapped up. The crow let out a caw of delight at the sight of Ilura. [You made it!]

One of the vendors recognized the ranger from the fight and starts off a new round of cheers and praise from the market. Ilura is soon surrounded by the gracious vendors, who begin offering her items of thanks from their stands.  Eryn and Mouse, who had just received similar treatment, can't help but empathize.

"Solve a ship? Like You want to redirect the cargo somewhere or 'solve'-" This was accompanied by air quotes as the halfling sat on the crate, feet swinging back and forth idly, and watched Eryn gather her things. "-the ship issue by encouraging the ship to go missing at sea, as many ships do? Of course, there's also having the cargo seized by the local government. Hold that thought."

Mouse raised a finger in a "hold on a moment" gesture to Eryn and smiled broadly at an approaching local who was carrying two bowls of steaming chowder. The halfling hopped down from the crate and strode forward to meet him halfway.

"Hey, thanks for bringing those over. We'll be out of your hair in a little bit. We're just waiting for one of her friends." Mouse said to the local before taking the bowls from him. "Good luck with the repairs!"

And with that Mouse walked back to Eryn and handed her a slightly charred bread bowl full of chowder, and back unintentionally to Ilura's approach. "Lunch while we wait?Who are we waiting for, by the way, if Marcus and Hiran are off doing something else? The one that wanted to shoot me?

"Recent experience has made me rather unfond of seafood," Eryn sighed, but still recieved the bowl without making a fuzz of it. It was good food, certainly, yet her nose wrinkled as the smell of freshly made fish soup mixed with the background stench of filthy birds and seaweed - some of which was her own fault. It reminded her of the abhorrent witch's brew and forced her to hold her breath for a second to stop the sick feeling spreading in the back of her throat every time she swallowed a spoonful.

"You are right, we'll need our bird-loving archer as well as any other strong arm we can get," she said to Mouse while gesturing towards the docked ship. " I'm not so sure about sinking it, however. Ideally we'd like to replace the current captain with one we can trust. With our ally in place, we can prevent the cargo from being delivered at the same time as we go with them to their destination and stop the overlord from being resurrected. We're not just out to save the marketplace or the town, you see, I dare say our work may affect the entire realm."

Eryn chewed silently on the chunks of fish in the soup while thinking about what was to come next. The food would have been very tasty, were it not for the magically induced smell surrounding her making the whole meal unbearable. Eventually the distraction proved too much for her and the apprentice wizard decided to risk another spell.

"Cibumflavor," she muttered while moving in a subtle gesture just above the surface of the soup. Hopefully this time she would end up with a pleasant meat flavor instead of failure and disappointment.

Eryn smiled faintly with satisfaction when the spell - likely helped by the much calmer situation around her - took effect as intended and the food changed to taste like delicious beef soup. The warrior gulfed down the rest of the hot meal without further complaints.

---

09:26, Today: Eryn rolled 10 using 2d6.  Cast a Spell (Prestidigitation: Change flavor).

Ilura breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her friend - and was pleasantly surprised that her turning into a bird hadn't upset the vain creature.  Having an over-stuffed belly had likely improved his disposition some.

[I did.  And I am glad to see you safe.  Thank you for eating rather than getting eaten...]

The ranger stood awkwardly as cheers filled the square.  She looked from side to side as if trying to find a place she could hide from the unexpected - and uncomfortable attention.  Spying Eryn and the halfling bowman, she gave a brief nod of her head to the assembled merchants before sprinting to her small party.

"We must go.  We're already late for the ritual with Bolen and I don't want Marcus to attempt it alone."  The concern on her face was evident.  She had no doubt that the Palidin would give up his own life or health for the fisherman.  Plus, the way things had been going, who knew what monstrosity would arrive to interrupt the proceedings.

No, that's not an invitation... :)

As she was talking, vendors clambored around, trying to tempt her with their various wares.  Apparently it was now perceived as a point of honor to have something of need to the market's 'rescuers'.

She accepted a meat pie as she waited for Eryn to finish her meal, when she suddenly recalled why she'd come into town in the first place.

"Is anyone willing to part with a barrel of liquor?  It doesn't have to be tasty, just potent..."

She accepted a few other foodstuffs and trinkets that could be useful on the road.  She also accepted a nice looking dagger.  The bone hilt was well weighted and fit well in her hand.

Hoping to refill adventuring items, arrows and rations (6 items total) + dagger + booze