In reply to Myll (msg # 160):

Based on what you have right now, it seems that all the letters have been delivered, as you have accepted equipment from Matis, gained a few draughts from Selly, and obtained a wand of bubbles from Sage Fibi.

"Well, I think we've collected all the rewards for our little quest! I suppose the only task we could handle is the task about delivering herbs from Selly's Herbalist shop to Sage Patpa," Bram shrugs as he speaks.

Myll grimaced at her oversight. Indeed... we'll do so right away. accompanying the others back to Selly to learn what herbs she requires and have her described what they looked and smelt like along with details about were they grow best.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:32, Tue 27 July 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 162):

You head towards Herbalist Selly's shop - and by the time you arrive, it is near sunset.

Inside her shop, you see her sorting a few of the herbs that were just gathered by her staff into various shelves built around the core of her treehome.

Noticing your arrival she greets you and soon provides you information about the task she wanted you to complete.

"Actually, you won't have to ccollect any of the herbs, as I already have them. The issue mainly is that Sage Patpa whom I have to deliver these herbs to lives rather far towards the west, which is rather dangerous for me to send my inexperienced boys to."

"I couldn't deliver them either as Master Tylfi's Rhino beetles were missing. But now the problem is solved by all of you, I think that you will be the best for this job! But do be careful. Sage Patpa likes to live near the territory of the Aphid Men, but considering how the Yellow Jays have been dispatching a large number of them, I think now is the opportunity to make this delivery."

Selly brings you to her depot where you see around 20 huge sacks of herbs that give off thick, bitter aromas. The sacks seem to be made out of shedded snakeskin and looks quite high quality - probably used to prevent leaching of water and other environmental damage.

"You should borrow a few Rhino Beetles from Tylfi tomorrow morning and get them to haul these herbs. No doubt Sage Patpa will reward you, and I will also share more of my remedies with you when you return!"

While explaining about the task, Selly hands you a rough map detailing the location of Sage Patpa's Stony Tree. Froom the looks of it, it is indeed quite far away and would take almost a week on Rhino beetle to get there.

Thanking Selly for the instructions guidance and map Myll and her comerads rests for the night. In the morning they visit Stablemaster Tylfi and arrange for the forthcoming caravan asking about supplies for themselves and the Rhino beetles to and from their destination.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 23:37, Wed 28 July 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 164):

After resting for the rest of the day, you eventually find yourself early next morning with the Rhino beetles prepared and saddled, with the sacks of herbs loaded up won the backs of the Rhino Beetles.

You also see your fellow companions loading up more luggage - filled with various supplies and tools. It is going to be quite a long journey after all. Almost half a week to get to the Stony Tree and back! Based on a quick tally of supplies, you have enough rations to last for 3 weeks, preparing in the case of unexpected events.

"Hmmm... should we hire more to come along with us?" Bram suggests while preparations are being made to set off for the Stony Tree.

ooc Had any of the team previously seen caravans similar to this type formed?

In reply to Myll (msg # 166):

Based on what you've observed in the Grove, you've seen a few regiments of hunter pixies headed to the frontiers to hold the line against the Aphid-men, to cease incursions into the Chrysanthemum grove.

Just as you are finishing packing, you notice a number of hunters numbering around 10 too packing rhino beetles with rations. Noticing your presence what you recognize to be the captain of the hunters - Cinth approaches you.

"Could it be you are too setting off towards the Aphid Dam? I'd wager that is the case considering the amount of supplies you have packed!" Cinth greets you with his confident powerful voice.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 167):

Captain Cinths enquiry is welcomed by lessening Myll's concerns about heading into potentially hazardous location. Indeed we are headed towards Sage Patpa's who lives near the Aphid men's territory. Would it be possible for us to accompany your hunting group? asks Myll glancing at her companions hoping they approve her enquiry.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:45, Thu 29 July 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 168):

Your companions look quite pleased to accept this proposition as they no doubt understand that it would truly be helpful to have a well armed troop of hunters accompany them on this long journey.

After a few introductions and pleasantries, the party soon sets off towards the west.

The first day of the journey ends with an encounter with humans. While travelling, the party discovers what appears to be a Garnet Mine where a few humans seem to be working to extract garnet from a cave along a cliff face. But as the party has a clear destination in mind, they remains hidden, staying a small distance from them to take advantage of the safety afforded by these large creatures.

But it is on the second day where you encounter large creatures that would not listen to reason. As night falls on the second day, one of the hunters spots a group of 12 humanoids approaching the small camp of pixies. As they approached it was discovered that they were actually the risen dead - known as bgegs ro-langs!

They approach in a strange stiff manner, waggling their half rotten tongues emerging from their hardened cracked bodies wearing what appears to be rather fancy robes... Their eyes appear to be rotting, and somehow they are able to sense the presence of the pixies!

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 169):

Myll shudders at the sight of the approaching horrors. Quickly assessing they  don't have time to get the cargo packed Myll looks at the camp-fire then across to the Pixie Captain. Will flaming arrows work.

In reply to Myll (msg # 170):

"We have pots of oil, we never employed that strategy before, but you can try - if you know how to!" a pixie Minique the leader of the hunters' archers say as they point towards some of the small pots near the campsite.

In the meantime, Cinth orders 5 pixies armed with lances to form a line in front of the party while riding a few of the unloaded Rhino beetles, while Minique orders his 5 pixie archers to fire a volley at the approaching ro-langs.

The volley showers upon the ro-langs, managing to subdue 2 of them causing them to fall to the ground motionless!

There is still some distance between the slow ro-langs and the campsite and Cinth is likely waiting for the opportunity for the archers to do more damage before sending in his Rhino Beetle lancers to sweep through them.

"I heard these creatures will turn you into one of them should they manage to lick you... try to avoid touching them if you can...!" Cinth warns as he observes the battle seriously.

Grabbing several pots of oil Myll fly's to a spot 15' above the advancing beastly creatures. Splashing the contents of oil pot over two-three unnatural creatures at the front of the group. Myll signalled to her pixie comerads to loose their flaming arrows at the hideous oil covered targets.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:32, Mon 02 Aug 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 172):
Unfortunately, as the pot is meant for pixie use, you only manage to douse 2 of the ro-langs effectively.

Quickly setting arrows alight by dipping an arrow in another pot of oil and lighting it with a torch, the 5 archers fire a volley of arrows, managing this time to strike 3 ro-langs! The volley manages to slay two of them, setting one on fire, and wound another!

As the dying ro-lang set on fire is somewhere in the front, it falls and a ro-lang behind steps on it, causing it to burn from the flames and collapse into a flaming heap!

With the ro-langs now about to reach the front line, Cinth orders the Rhino lancers to charge in two diagonal columns avoiding the burning heap and striking the advancing ro-langs in a swift joust! The Rhino lances decapitate the heads of 3 ro-langs in the process, charging further ahead up in the air near you to get out of their reach!

Only two ro-langs approach, and make their attacks on the Bram and the rest of the companions who rush to defend the archers!

One of the ro-langs manage to land a hit injuring one of the archers, while another lands both hits, licking a pixie archer in the process!

You can only stare in horror as you see the pixie archer shudder and suddenly a greenish glow emerges from his eyes!!

Shocked by the horror she has just witnessed Nurya panics, flying up and away from the unnaturalness of this place.

In reply to Myll (msg # 174):

You hear an angry yell as you notice Runa chopping down at the Ro-lang nearby with her large dagger - by only manages to slightly scratch it!

Dridi too attacks and chops at the same Ro-lang, slaying it!

But you notice everyone flee at the sight of their companion having turned into a strange undead horror!

But with a solemn face, Cinth himself charges towards the pixie turned Ro-lang, and beheads it before it manages to lick anyone else with its infernal tongue.

In the meantime, the Rhino lancers charge towards the last two Ro-langs approaching, dispatching them before returning to the camp where everyone stands some distance from their fellow fallen pixie archer with sombre expressions.

"Let's hope this is the last of these terrible creatures... We should probably make haste to the Aphid Dam early in dawn tomorrow..." Cinth says as the other pixies begin to dig a grave for their fallen comrade.

Embarrassed, Dejected and Reserved, Myll tagged along with the Pixies as they headed towards the Aphid Dam. Glancing about furtively, her arms crossed defensively appeared to ward off a unanticipated shudder.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:09, Sat 07 Aug 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 168):

The rest of 2 days of the trip to the Aphid Dam were quiet, but thankfully uneventful.

It seems that it was truly bad luck that had led to the previous encounter with those infernal ro-langs.

As the terrain of the surround area gradually turns more rocky with vegetation being less frequent, you eventually come to the sight of a rather large dam-like construction made of stony textured trunks of wood in the middle of what appears to be a ravine.

Beyond the ravine ahead by some distance appears to be strange wax-like mounds that pierce the deep blue sky.

Towards the east you can just barely make out the foggy silhouette of a gnarly tree growing along a cliff beyond which are those wax-like mounds as well.

Around this dam along the walls of the ravines appear to be a number of cave openings, and you occasionally see the armored pixie patrolling the area.

Cinth leads you and his men towards a cave where you see a number of rhino beetles being stabled as well.

"Well, here we are. Feel free to rest in the barracks if you wish, they're at the caves near to the dam itself. We're quite short of fellows over here, so most of the bunks are empty."

"As for the Sage Patpa's tree, you can find it at the cliff towards the east. You should have seen it while we were approaching the Dam."

Myll thanks the Captain and avails herself of bunks, for herself and her comerads, to rest overnight. She asks the off duty Guards about possible threats or danger near the Sage Patpa Trees.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:43, Tue 10 Aug 2021.

In reply to Myll (msg # 178):

"It should take around a quarter of a day to reach the tree. As you'd expect from the Aphid Dam, you might find a lot of aphids on your way there, but it seems that the birds have been pecking at them recently and you might be lucky to not encounter many this time," the Guards advise you as they give a faint smile.

"I guess we owe it to the Yellow Jays that we've held out until Captain Cinth arrived..!"

Heading out the team made their way cautiously towards the Patpa's Trees near the Aphid Dam.

Reaching the Patpa Tree site Myll suggested to of them keep a weary eye out for signs of threat wile the other three harvested what was needed.

 Redundant post removed.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:15, Sun 29 Aug 2021.

Ooc such a pity.

In reply to Myll (msg # 183):

"Uh... Myll, we were supposed to deliver stuff to Sage Patpa, right?" Bram says as you arrive at the tall stony tree.

"Could it be you thought that the tree was a Sage tree? Well you're not wrong but its not that kind of Sage! Its more like the Sage Fibi kind of Sage!!" Oski laughs.

Unlike Sage Fibi's tree, Sage Patpa's tree is considerably taller and seems to be very vertical and parallel on all sides, as though it had been meticulously crafted.

Around the trees are numerous toad-sized stumpy trees wrapped with white rope and as you cross them you feel at ease as though you had returned to the treehomes.

Near the bottom of the tree, you find a small stable made of grown wood at which a rather strange beetle with iridscent chitin rests.

As you haul your delivery to the stable, you eventually see the rather tall door to the stony tree open and see a toad-faced pixie dressed in rather fine robes appear.

"Welcome, visitors. Ah you must be here to deliver to Sage Patpa?" the pixie greets you.

---

ooc Sorry for the wait, was really swamped for the past 2 weeks

In reply to Myll (msg # 183):

Hum... I think I'm still rattled by the experience with those unnatural abhorrent things. confessed Myll. Grateful that Bram and Oski have pointed out her oversights.

Myll respectfully greets the tall Pixie; introducing her companions and herself.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:57, Fri 03 Sept 2021.