Barburry, you release Scritches. Perception: 12 (rolled in game log by me)

At first, Scritches is lead back to the cottage by the smell of a cherry pie in the windowsill, but snaps out of it after you call his name. While he continues to search Thul speaks up, now fully covered in this beautiful white, but completely over the top, armor. "I've not explored much of my own domain. I know my home here, and the trail to the Sapphire Keep." He points up to the large castle in the distance "other than that, this domain is truly a mystery to me." Scritches seems to have locked on to something and has began wandering further and further away. You all begin following him up the trail at first and then breaking off into the forest. Thul moves closer to Vera as you continue moving through the forest "Your mother as you and your kind call her; she creates you out of the desire for love. But she cannot love, and once the jealousy sets in, she will kill you. Lorinda may have told you she was imprisoned in Tepest, but the reality is she locked herself away there." As you continue walking, you come across a small pond and three very naked elves swimming. Your vision immediately goes dark and you hear "oh shoot! Sorry ladies, I'm impeding my memory and I forgot you were here!" You get that weird feeling deep inside your gut, like you do when stepping through the portals between Weskeilia and the academy. As your vision comes back to you, you're in a different part of the forest "OK, so technically, I know my entire domain, but I can forget things at will, so I'm experiencing this for the first time just like all of you!" he gets down onto one knee looking towards Scritches "If you can continue tracking from here, I'll help Aldir forgive you for your transgressions." The forest around you is absolutely beautiful. There are countless different wildlife moving about, some completely ignoring you and some approaching looking for food or attention. At one point, you come across a grouping of mythical owlbear cubs and they approach looking extremely fluffy and soft.

(OOC: Barburry give me a new perception check for Scritches, using a +6 bonus)

Using his nose, the fey ferret (Weasel) attempts to pick up the scent again.

26

Feeling caught up in feelings of mischief and adventure, Hin breathes in the fresh air and stretches. Though any library is her favorite place to be, wandering through the forest comes at a close second. Thinking for a moment, she settles on changing into the kenku persona she had on the last time she was here. What a fittingly ironic situation. Not an ironically fitting situation, a fittingly ironic situation. Funny how both are saying almost the same thing, but they're just that much different that they convey different things. Language is funny.

Once in the forest, she takes a big deep breath in, holding it and hunching over herself and her long red hair changes to a fluffy, raven-colored mane of feathers. With a small grunt of effort, more feathers begin to appear along the length of their arms, back, and a few even pop out of the tops of the boots they’re wearing. His nose hardens and comes to a point in front of his face, and is now a long, black beak. He straightens up as the transformation is almost complete, and smiles as a single white feather pops out of the top of his head. He stops walking for a second to look himself over and admire his work, and once satisfied he runs up to catch the party just as they change location. He didn’t catch the elves, so when he finally regains his vision, he’s just slightly confused, but gets the feeling he doesn’t want to know what happened.

Continuing the walk, he chirps, “I could do with a little bit of traveling music. Appropriate for the occasion, no?” He says this only partially to the group, but mostly for his own enjoyment. Taking out a little piece of fleece from one of the many pouches slung across his hips, he casts Minor Illusion to create a short intro verse with the sounds of a lute. Clicking and whistling along, he starts to sing. “We’re adventuring with a deity, Scritches’ leading the way. Through the wood and through the bush, let’s not be dismayed.” He is clearly trying to make this up on the spot. “A call to arms is what we need, we’re on the trail to find and see. The hollyphants went missing, we’re on the Hunt for Dancer and Whimsy!” Whistling the verse one more time with this “backing track” he’s created, he pauses midway when the owlbear cubs approach. “They’re so fluffy...” he whispers to himself. He pulls out his notebook and crouches down next to them---while still giving them space---and quickly sketches them. Having never seen these creatures before, he throws a question over his back at Thul. "Thul, what are these? They're adorable and I want to know everything about them."

Donavera Isemist

Vera draws her eyebrows together when Thul interprets the meaning of the prophesy, her expression is gradually turning gloomy leaving behind no trace of the excitement that should be felt. "It can not be true. You don't understand." Her voice sounds hoarse when she starts sniffling lightly as if trying to suppress her tears. "Truth hurts, but I don't think it's the whole thing. Mother will never abandon us."

When she picks up the whimsical undertone of her voice or the lack of coherent logic, she decides to let go of the topic. "I don't want to talk about it anymore. I want to spend the rest of the time trying to locate your little friends and rescue them unharmed."

"These are owlbears" Thul says in response to you, Hin "These are only cubs of course. Mom must be around here somewhere. They are native to Weskeilia, though on Weskeilia, they're not this docile. The ones you may encounter on Weskeilia won't hesitate to tear you into easier to eat pieces, with their extremely powerful beaks." As he continues talking you notice now a much larger hulk of a bear approach "and here's mom. Much like any bear, the mother is very protective over its young, but again, here they're very docile and pose no threat."

You all continue following Scritches who seems to have caught the trail once again. "For what it's worth" Thul says quietly while stepping in place with you again Vera "You're the first hexling to learn of this. Perhaps that's all that was needed to change your course. Perhaps you'll find a way to survive." You continue following Scritches as he leads the way through this magical forest before Thul comes to a stop "Shh, do you hear that?" You all stop to listen and you hear a faint, yet familiar sound. The sound of little miniature elephants playing. As you approach the sounds you find a beautiful sight. You see two miniature elephants prancing around, playing and a third, even smaller miniature elephant joining in with the fun. "Would you look at that."

Laurence sighs a little through their nose as they traverse further into the forest, not particularly fond of being among fauna and flora on all sides. They stay silent, loosely pondering the reason Thul himself would join them. But they quickly shake the thought away in case it's detected and interpreted as a questioning of the Loreweaver's motives, and puts their mind on keeping an eye out. Upon seeing the little owlbears, their breath hitch a little, the mother is probably nearby... and they release the held breath once the group moves on safely.

(ooc: @Tez005 love the description of Hin transforming!!)

Moving forward slowly, hand on a tree, Laurence squints and says in a low voice, "it would appear that we found them... is that three out of the five?"

(ooc: Haha, thanks @guyu!! That's one of my favorite parts about playing a changeling, the transformations. I feel a little bit like He-Man, or Sailor Moon with these transformations lol!)

Hin continues sketching the scene, adding the mother owlbear to the mix and scribbling notes in the margins of the drawing. Once he's satisfied, he stands back up and continues walking alongside the group, whistling his merry tune. 

Letting out a small chuckle, he looks on at the hollyphants playing with awe. "O my shining stars and body," he whispers to himself. "Is that a baby hollyphant?" Keeping his eyes glued to the hollyphants, he sits right down where he's at and brings out his sketchbook once more.

"It is three, but not of five. Dancer and Whimsy are the youngest and smallest. Well, they were, but this third one is smaller yet." he looks at Laurence "I do believe that is three of six! It is definitely a baby, Hin." Thul looks back at the hollyphants "it appears for the first time in thousands of years, they have created new life. Let's try to get them back to my cottage. This is cause for celebration!"

You all begin trying to herd Dancer, Whimsy, and the young newborn hollyphant, but they seem to think you're playing some sort of game with them. With the lot of you getting to act first, and trying to steer the hollyphants to the cottage, how would you like to go about it.

Barburry uses his natural ability to speak with animals to entreat the flying pachyderms to follow back.  "Oh good wood how amazing!  More is the merrier!  Why don't we all head back to celebrate?  I am eager to play around before leaving this realm.  Would you all like to play?!"

Scritches noticeably rolls his eyes.  Obviously leaving the pie crumbs behind didn't sit well, especially for this outcome.

Give me a persuasion check to see how well you do Barburry!

"Ahhh, congratulations." Laurence says. The rarity of the occasion sets in, and they add their best wishes, appropriate and impersonal, "this is wonderful, what an auspicious event."

Springing to action alongside Barburry, Laurence takes out another metallic sphere and taps it against strips of whetstone hanging off one side of their satchel. Thin steam rises off the sphere and a familiar smell of the lovely pizza pie wafts off of it. Roquefort visibly narrows its little beady eyes, evidently aware of Laurence's magical tinkering and the absence of actual pie. They carefully hold the sphere out in front of them, at arm's length, and waves it, "hello lovelies, we have very yummy food too..!"

Give me a persuasion check as well Laurence! Yours will be at a slightly higher DC than Barburry's since it's repeating the same skill.

Donavera Isemist

Vera watches the baby creature with an expression of infatuation, clearly admiring the prospect of the beginning of a new life. "Dancer and Whimsy have been mating secretly. As a result, they are parents of a precious offspring; a bundle of joy!" She gradually moves near the newborn hollyphant while spinning her glowing orb using the tip of her fingers. The orb stops radiating lights when a silvery liquid begins swirling inside.

"I hope you have a great future, young one. You'll be protected from the effect of evil eyes as long as you stay with us. Come, join us!" She waves her hands, then attempts to touch the wings of the creature so that she can cast Protection from Evil and Good on them.

Hin, after he finishes his sketch, puts his book away but stays sitting down. He scratches his head lightly, thinking. "Thul, what kind of games do they like to play? Anything with a ball, or a toy?" He thinks some more. "Do they normally come inside when you just tell them to? Or do you have to do something special?"

Persuasion: 19

"Honestly Hin, they're very intelligent celestial creatures. They listen well, when they choose to; much like mortal children and teenagers. They do in fact have a large ball they occasionally play with back at the house, though." Thul moves towards the creatures while Vera casts protection from evil and good speaking in an unfamiliar language "Lat co sheat so? Sle hwethceck eam seeth co tunn so sea."

If you understand Celestial

Between Barburry offering to play, Laurence offering a fake pizza pie, and Thul tempting them further, the three hollyphants begin chasing after all of you as you begin running in the direction of the cottage.

They appear to be fixated on the smell of the fake pizza pie, that is now radiating off of each of you and do not attempt to break away, but instead continue chasing after.

One more good idea on keeping their attention should be enough to safely get them back home.

Previous Persuasion 20

Barburry is thoroughly enjoying the banter and play with the [Tooltip Not Found].  Having played with Scritches many a time when first acquainted with the fey familiar, an idea comes to his mind.  Using his broach, he casts Dancing Lights and keeps the lights as four separate motes, bouncing and spiraling through the air ahead of the flying pachyderms.  The firbolg remembers fondly playfully chasing the fireflies during the ebbing hours in his old homestead with the local critters thereabouts. The orbs are too high for Scritches  to reach.  The ferret lets his discontent be known.

Scritches: "Scritch screetch screeeetch dook dook hisssssss"

Barburry seems to actually pick up and LISTEN to the familiar and acquiesces, casting Find Familiar and transitioning his companion into an owl...an elf owl Scritches gives Barburry a very dirty look from it's itty bitty size to which the conjurer only innocently laughs easily. 

Donavera Isemist

Vera will attempt to cast Flare to enhance the visual stimulation conjured by Barburry. Her intention is to assist her forbolg friend who's entertaining the creatures. But, she maintains safe distance from the hollyphants or other people in case she's forced to lose concentration on the previously cast spell.

Hin perks up upon hearing the word 'children', which soon turns into a feeling of (almost) shame for what he'd unintentionally implied with his comment. "Interesting. I really didn't mean to offend them, I'm just normally used to animals that..." In the midst of embarrassment, he's unsure how to phrase what he wants to say. He taps his chin in thought, but ultimately gives up. "I hope you know what I mean. I guess, they are mythical creatures, so I can't exactly assume anything. So, they understand Celestial, can they speak it as well?" He takes another second to think. I haven't spoken Celestial in a while, and even then only in an academic setting. I should probably brush up on it soon. "And what about you? Can you speak all languages, or only a certain number? What about the other deities, like Aldir?"

(ooc: Man, was I lucky with my choice of languages! I think I've been able to look at all the spoilers for things heard/spoken in a different language than common, with the exception of the text in the Sanctuary and Scritches' dialogue. I guess it makes sense, Hin is essentially a Language Wizard, heh!)

Barburry and Vera you continue to successfully keep the holyphant's attention and you all make it safely back to the field in front of Thul's house. As you do, Thul turns to speak to you Hin "Oh, I doubt they're offended young one. They understand Celestial, but do not speak any more than any beastial creature does." He pauses for a moment "they can however, telepathically speak to you, if they wish. As for me" he pauses and ponders "I speak a more pure version of celestial. It's hard to explain. Let's call it the language all languages are formed from. I can speak every language, existing and non-existing. All deities can speak any language they wish." You realize now as he said what he did about speaking the language that created all languages, you heard it in your most base language. Mythe, you heard it in elvish, Barburry, you heard it in the very rare firbolg tongue, Laurence, you heard it in goblin, Hin, since changelings don't really have an official language, you hear it in whichever language you choose, as long as you know it, and Vera, hexbloods don't really have a language either, so I suppose you probably hear it in sylvan.