Wondered the forests for many years in bear form. It took a long time to dig her mind out of a bad transformation. Finaly she stumbled upon The fork in the river, the Phoenixes Nest. "My first mission and i failed terribly." She said to her self. She say there on the rivers edge for a long time, days even, before she mustered the courage to face the phoenix again.

With Charlotte safely returned, Buck wastes no time dwelling on the unsavory sides of their latest endeavor and heads straight for a hot bath and whatever fragrant oils he can procure. After a good soak he gets himself a bottle of mead, a whole roast fowl, and an entire loaf of sour bread before he slips away from the group for awhile.

Garth just nods solemnly at Leilatha's downcast look, serving her a sweet berry tea. "The first tasks are always the hardest. I recommend finding a few companions, while practicing some simple quests. It will give you a chance to learn more about yourself, and your strengths."

Almost as if on cue, Spriggy slid into a seat near Buckthorn, which also put him near Leilatha by default. He opened his spellbook/songbook/shapeshifter-forms picture book in front of his friend on the table. It showed some detailed spell notes with all kinds of intricate diagrams and symbols. The bard was visibly excited and spoke with a lot of energy. "Buckthorn, I think I have had another breakthrough! Remember when you were coaching me on how to turn into a mire centipede? Well, I used those lessons and think I have managed to come up with a new spell. It's my most advanced one yet, and not without flaws, but I think I have figured out how to turn just about anyone into something else! At least temporarily. It's not as reliable as the animal bonds we have, but it could still prove to be useful, I think. Think Gorrid will let me test it out by turning him into a ladybug?" He grinned at the thought of his own rhetorical question.

"Oh, and speaking of that mire centipede, I learned another new form too! A rattlesnake that scared the bejesus out of me when I was strolling along a trail agreed to let me share its form after I helped it build a little shelter out of some rocks. I could try teaching the shape to you, if you would like. Or perhaps one of the other ones I know?"

Almost as if he had only just now noticed Leilatha, he turned and smiled to the woman and decided to get her opinion. "If you could be any animal, what would it be?" Perhaps it would help him choose future polymorph shapes or shapeshifting shapes to seek. Little did he know that Leilatha was already skilled in the shapeshifting arts as well.

---

If it is relevant, I would like to use my A Port in the Storm move. I was last here before our latest mission.

quote:

A Port in the Storm
When you return to a civilized settlement you’ve visited before, tell the GM when you were last here. They’ll tell you how it’s changed since then.

Sir Gorrid raised an eyebrow at Spriggy's gest, but did not comment.  In truth, being a ladybug wouldn't necessarily be a horrible thing if he could retain his own senses and make it to the other side of the appropriate door before materializing.  He'd seen similar spells used to good effect in past sieges.

He enjoyed the comradery of the pub from the side, nursing his mug and absorbing the friendly atmosphere without actively participating, knowing that the road would be calling again before long.


In terms of loot:

#67:

The gyro is worth 15c, with a weight of 1.

#95:

Once you've gathered the three gyros

#102:

metal keg of dwarven stout, a box of hardtack, and a forgotten gold bracelet (worth 50c)

#307:

Tiariai has a good looking dwarven-made broadsword that could be sold for 25c, as well as a pouch containing 100c, two vials Bloodweed, and his signet ring worth 75c.

#307:

The bottle itself is made of brass, covered in dark bumps. As you pick it up, you realize some of them are decorative beads, but the rest are drops of condensation. Despite how hot the place is, the bottle is unusually cool to the touch. It also has an impressive stopper made of Lapis Lazuli, worth at least 20c on it's own.

4 gyros x 15 coin = 60 + 50 + 25 +100 +75 = 310 coin + whatever the dwarven stout and bottle are worth.  Is anyone at the Phoenix Nest able to identify the bottle?  (Or even Spriggy now that he's got more time to investigate)

I presume Russel wants the Bloodweed?

"The Bloodweed could be useful and having it already could save having to find a vendor of it," stated Russel. "However, if it is more useful to have the coin, I'm not against selling it."

I could use some more arrows. Having a way to strike from a distance is always a good idea."

Buck gives the assembling crowd a narrow side-eye as his head hangs low over the pile of food before him. He continues to heartily stuff himself through Spriggy's short speech and takes a long drink of mead in relief when the elf turns his attention to Leilatha, ultimately dodging the bard's question of him.

Buck fights the impolite urge to change tables and doubles his efforts to remain busily eating.

"Thak you Garth," she took the tea and watched the coming and going of the Phoenixes. As a merry band of adventures joined her,she heaf them speaking of their loot. She tried not to listen but find his topic of pollymorphing. She did not know if the elf speaking about turning someone named gorrid in to a lady bug was in jest or in truth. But then he directed his next question at her. "NOT a bear" she blurted out with out thinking. "Really it depends on the task at hand. If you need a fighter wolves and bears. Scouting. Birds of pray if you need an aireal. Or i do like squirrels or chipmunks if you need somthing small. Ther are so many its hard to say "
This message was last edited by the player at 02:19, Tue 02 May 2023.

Spriggy was a bit surprised by Leilatha's adamant response at first, but got the sense it would be a good idea not to pry. At least not yet. But when she got to the part about chipmunks, he couldn't help but grin. "Oh, yes. Being a chipmunk is fantastic. As long as the area is safe. It sounds like you speak from experience?"

Spriggy, having been focused on Leilatha, hadn't taken note of Buckthorn's peculiarities. He did, however, pause his conversation about chipmunks just long enough to respond to Russel. "I think it would be good if you keep the Bloodweed, if you can make use of it. We'll be fine on cash, I'm sure."

Turning back to Leilatha, he commented, "Our team tends to end up with more coin than we can easily spend. Unless we get frivolous, of course." Which was certainly fun sometimes.

The paladin ambled over to the table

"What matters most is the good that we do, not the material rewards.

That said, there's one job on the board that seems to promise some of each.  A malevolent weapon that is difficult to destroy seems like something that would be best dealt with before it causes serious problems.  And given the size of the reward, someone apparently sees it as a significant problem already..."

He then turned to half-elf and gave a partial bow.  "Sir Gorrid of Torr at your service milady.  Pleased to meet you"

"Let's hope the amount offered isn't also written in error" Buck responds to the big knight between bites off a large leg of fowl, referring to the mistakes in the posted bill. He coughs, pausing a mere second before tearing back into it.

"Let's also hope that it is actually wanted to be destroyed and not just located for someone to then use", added Russel.
"The reward does look too good." After a thoughtful pause, "or there are details we really need to know ahead."

"Aye, i do have some experince, i am a druid by trade." Raiase her eyebrow at the words more coin than we can easily spend. "Is that so? Do you get frivolous often then? "

She smiles at Sir Gorrid of Torr "likewise good sir. I am Leilatha Xilfina of Bitbriar. It is nice to met you aswell. It is good that you do good works not just for coin. I find i don't have much need for it myself." Leila had not yet looked at the jobs yet. "Do you think this powerful weapon can in fact BE destroyed?"

"It is most important to know all the facts before you set out. Who posted the job? Are they wealthly enough to pay? Are they honest enough to truly want it destr3 or are they dirty enough to seceratly want it for them self." she jusy voice the thought as they came to get mind. "If you don't mind a little company i might join you?"

Sir Gorrid glanced over at the barkeep questioningly, nodding his head toward the druid.  When he got an affirmative nod in reply, he smiled at her.
"Additional hands are always welcome, from my perspective."  He looked around to see if his companions had a similar perspective.

"Certainly meeting with the one who posted the job would be our first step.  We can make a firm decision once we know more.  As for how to destroy it, if the gods wish it gone, there will surely be a way.  The first step will be to acquire it.  Once we have it in our hands, it's likely that the path to ridding the world of it will be more clear."

"Buckthorn, pleased to meet you." Buck says and adds a polite nod to Leilatha, introducing himself after finally finishing his large meal. He drinks the last of his mead, pushes a platter of bones to the center of the table and wipes his hands, then for the first time turns his focus to the ongoing conversation.

"And I am Spriggy Glompgut," added Spriggy when introductions were being made to Leilatha. "I would also welcome your assistance. If fact, I believe your assistance will save us having to hire any assistants for assistance." He smiled kindly, then returned o the subject of the task at hand.

"I agree that we will need to ask some questions before officially taking the job, but I think we can manage to find a way. If nobody has any objections, should we head over to talk with our prospective employer?"

Sir Gorrid nodded his assent, then stood back to give those at the table some room to stand up themselves.

It had only been a brief respite, but it was better to be out doing good than holed up in a tavern.  He'd known too many good men who'd ended their days in drink.  His final day would have his hand around his sword.

"It's been posted by the church." It takes you a moment to find where the voice is coming from... mostly because the ghostly knight, Irene, forgot to make herself visible. "The captain of the temple must have used his squire to write the poster. I'm quite certain the reward is accurate... though for such an amount, the church most be completely out of ideas..."

Garth, the barman, nods solemnly. "From my understanding, the scythe is some sort of artifact. They've been searching for it's weakness, with no luck."

"Hmm," said Spriggy as he thought about what Irene and Garth had told them. "We might not end up being successful, but I do still think we should try. If nothing else, we could probably rule out a few more options for them. Should still ask a few questions of them first though."

He looked around at the assembled team. "Is everyone alright with trying our hand at this job posting? New crew included?" He looked at Leilatha to make sure she knew he was considering her a part of the team as well. "If so, we should probably finish up any errands we might have and head over to accept the job soon. Anyone need to do anything before we head out?"

"My inclination is to learn about the job and then decide what additional preparations might be useful."

"Yes, most prudent." Buck says in agreement with Sir Gorrid. Despite his sincere tone, Buck's slumped shoulders and lack of expression bely his expectations of at least a few more nights of oiled baths and a luxurious mattress.

"I'll check the cart and make sure that it is ready for another trip."
With that Russel went ensure that the cart and pony were in good shape. He grabbed some hard sugar candy to treat the pony with during the upcoming trip.

Well it seamed the merry band of adventures have welcomed her in to the team She Finished up her tea and thanked Garth. "So, to the church then?"

Sir Gorrid nodded.  A visit to the church was a welcome notion even without the prospect of work.

With your next decided, you head out to the church...

OOC: In the thread 'Scythe of Innomable Rites'