Chapter 1: Ricka Bellsmith
The days pass swiftly by for Scarlet. Delivering messages for five or six hours a day, catching rabbits and mice for another hour or two, then finding time to visit Landroval and Zan.
She spends whatever time she can studying the book on bird care. When Whyneks learned she had stolen the book in the same trip that she dropped off a letter, he chastised her soundly. "He would never think to suspect you, but once he realizes a messenger was in his office, even a dullard like him is going to put two and two together." Fortunately, she is able to return the book before Womack notices. Eventually, she learns to track his movements until it seems almost as if she has a psychic connection to the man, and he never even comes close to discovering her perusing his personal library.
Free trait: You can designate any one person as your "target." Any use of Perception against the target is at +4. You can change who is your target, but it takes 4 days of steady observation of the person, during which time you have no target. You can only have one target at a time.
This ability also helps her visiting the eagles, and she is only discovered a single time, and that a fleeting glance which Womack is never sure who it is he saw. After the one near catch, Ricka decides to learn how to climb the side of the mountain safely. With a little tutelage from a climbing expert, she acquires some climbing gear that reduces the risk as long as she climbs slowly. (Move at 5 ft per turn, placing pitons. A severe climbing failure means that you will only take d6-1 damage.)
Ricka helps Pellene through her short term troubles, paying for her dinner and arranging to borrow a spare set of sandals for her. Of course, when the girl described the rogues who stole her new boots, she immediately recognized Iarain, which led to the rest of the crew. After several nights of reconnaissance, including a daring climbing stunt she never could have attempted before her new-found abilities, Ricka retrieves the boots from Blavhert the Brat. He had stretched them out a bit, but Pellene says that they still fit perfectly. (The girl does have pretty big feet.)
A month slips past, and Landroval's and Zan's eggs hatch producing 6 ugly, featherless little chicks with tiny hairs all over. They look hideous! But after offering Landroval his usual treat of rabbit flesh smeared with liver, Ricka is able to pick up a chick without the protective father plucking out either of her eyes. She returns the chick and reports to Whyneks her success. The spymaster instructs her to be hanging around near the entrance to the eyrie the following morning, and to play along with whatever he has going.
The next morning, she waits as instructed. A bizarre looking woman, covered in tattoos, comes down from the eyrie and calls, "You there, messenger, come up here." Ricka follows the woman up to the cage she has visited so many times in the past month. Beside the cage are many of the most important dignitaries in the Church. Archbishop Pelschion, whom Ricka has seen but never spoken to, stands with his second in command, Bishop Seever. Ricka knows Bishop Seever because he so often receives and sends messages; the man is kind and funny and delights in tricks and jokes that are often awkward but never truly harmful. On the other side stand Whyneks and Womack, the latter looking a little sick and confused, as if he knows something is happening but he doesn't understand what.
Minister Stibu Womack declares, "No. Only someone in Zeus's service could approach a mated pair with chicks. You are risking this poor girl's eyes if she approaches the cage."
Bishop Seever waves at the man dismissively, then winks at Ricka, "There's no risk. I can put such a glamour on her that these fine birds will believe she is blessed of Zeus himself."
"Never," says Womack, "she would have to be genuinely blessed. I say this is too risky."
After more argument, the high priest finally speaks, "Enough. Cast your glamour, and let us test this."
Seever makes some arcane-looking gestures and speaks some made-up words, then gestures towards the cage. "Go ahead, girl. You now will be able to grab one of the chicks without being molested."
"Ridiculous," says Womack. "Girl, keep your eyes averted, and hold your fingers tight together, so you don't lose one." To the others, he declares, "If she is so blessed, then I will grant her one of the chicks. But this could never happen."
When Ricka steps forward, Landroval makes a querying sound, as wondering where his treat is, of course. The girl slowly and gently scoops up a chick while the huge eagle Papa rubs his head on her arm. Ricka brings the chick out to show the others, to gasps and smirks, respectively.
Standing tall and trying to appear as a chosen of Zeus, Ricka declares, "I am grateful for your kind offer, Minister Womack, I name this (you choose, girl or boy eaglet), (choose a name)."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:07, Thu 29 Dec 2022.