(OOC - Cali tries to make the previous remark before Becklin leaves at least!)

"I rather think Wilberforce was anxious to get started?" Calitynia suggests. "I can go last."

She glances to the others to see if there is agreement. 

Wilberforce shakes off the last of his lethargy, gives Ori a grateful smile, turns to Cali and says ‘Thanks you lass, that is very kind of you’ before walking up to his box and opening it.

Daryan follows the squire up to Lady Becklin's keep, listening to the two kender again, feeling some relief as Lady Becklin takes these troubling news seriously. There was work to be done here and he would definitely volunteer for any investigation into this matter. He nods as Lady Becklin and Darrett leaves, his mind on the black cloaked persons and not so much on Ispins gifts. He smiles politely and motions for the others to start to open their letters and boxes.

Wilberforce opens his box. Inside is a small green potted plant, of a particularly strange kind, for its stem ends in what appear to be jaws with tiny prickly teeth.

The letter with the box explains:

Brother Wil, I hope this letter finds you well even as I take the river to whatever may be my next destination. Thought you might get a kick out of this thing I found on my last venture to the Sahket jungles, given that you are a man of nature: a tiny little plant, but with a hunger something fierce! Note the faint sweet smell it exudes, a lure for its prey. I also feed it a little scrap of meat now and then, as a treat, haha.

You were always to my last day the best guide I've ever had the pleasure of traveling with. Perhaps when your time is done as well, we may travel together once more.

Til then!  --I.G.

Ori will take a steadying breath and smile warmly at Cali before walking up to open her box and note.

Pelo also does what he can to reassure the two kenders that they are not in trouble and he thanks them each time they tell their tale. He makes a note to make a little something for both of them to reward their apparent bravery.

Ori opens her box. Inside are several pieces of paper, with musical notation inked on them.

Ori's note reads:

Little Ori, you were always one with a knack for music. I tried writing a song for you, that I had hoped I would one day hear you play, but alas the song lies unfinished. Maybe you would take a stab at finishing it for me? It is a simple tune so far, but I know you have a faerie's touch to make the mundane mysterious. 

With much love, I am yours truly, Ispin.

Shagrin strides forward and accepts his box.

A tear rolls down Wilberforce’s cheek and falls onto the small plant, providing it with a bit of water. Wilberforce looks down at the note and says ‘Well Greenshield, you finally managed to keep a plant alive did you. I guess maybe you were listening to my advice all along.’ he then looks at the plant and says ‘You must be the toughest little plant in the world, to have survived being looked after by Greenshield. I’m glad that you were there to keep him company. I think I will call you Greeny in his honour’. Wilberforce then gives Greeny an insect (still alive) from one of his pouches. 

[OOC] DM how tough is Greeny? I was thinking it could be fun to incorporate him into some of Wilberforce’s spells. For example I haven’t done Poison Spray yet, maybe Greeny could be the one spitting poison. For this to make sense Greeny would need to ride around in one of Wilberforce's pouches, maybe Pelo could make a special protective holder. I wouldn’t expect to get any special attacks from Greeny, just adding some flair to his spells. Although if Wilberforce eventually gets Speak With Plants and Plant Growth  we could have some fun :-)

(Greeny isn't particularly tough, but will survive the daily jolts and tumbles of adventurous life if you decide to bring him with you. You can definitely incorporate him into spell flavor!)

Shagrin kneels down to open the big flat square box. Inside is something that he recognizes instantly: a round wooden shield, carved with a scarred broadleaf tree and painted a mossy green. Ispin's green shield. The one he used to defend Shagrin from the trolls with, all those years ago. The one he said he was given by a unicorn in the Darken Wood, though who can say if that story was true.

I hear you joined the academy to learn to be a shieldbearer, Shagrin!, his letter begins. I felt this shield would be a suitable graduation gift, although you may already have better. It comes with a lot of battle scars, like you and I both. I would be honored if you would hold onto it and think of me every now and then.

Never yield! Your friend always, Ispin.

Wilberforce tries to determine what type of plant Greeny is and how best to look after it.
Nature 7 (In game log)

Wilberforce has never seen a plant like this in all his journeys. It did seem to like the insect he fed it, munching on it a bit before closing its jaws with a satisfied smile. Ispin said he found it in the jungle, so probably it prefers low sunlight. No idea where you'd get proper jungle soil for it in a temperate climate like this. Chances are good it's going to not do so well, but honestly it's a miracle it survived Ispin's care so maybe it's more resilient than it looks.

Not wanting to disturb the others. Wilberforce walks up to Cudgel and asks 'Excuse me lass, but do you know of a good botanist? I think that Greeny could do with some attention.'

[OOC] Do we think that Greenshield received his shield on a quest that involved certain Dire-Peacocks?

"In Vogler? Unlikely, but there is an apothecary in Kalaman who likely as not knows something about strange and dangerous plants... She is also a mage of black robes, though. So probably best not to trifle with her," Cudgel says.

(OOC: It will remain a mystery ~)

'Thank you lass. I have heard of this mage, but never met her. It's unlikely that a Black robe would speak to one such as I, but you never know what will turn up'. With Becklin gone, Wilberforce feels his confidence returning.

Wilberforce notices that Shagrin has received the Greenshield and smiles in approval. He walks up to Shagrin, pats him on the arm and says 'You know lad that shield comes with a legend, one Ispin believed. It is said that the Greenshield will bend and buckle but never break while its bearer remains true. Now I don't know anything about magic, but it never broke for Ispin. There is no greater compliment that Ispin could have paid to a fellow warrior than to give him that shield. Ispin was a good judge of character and I know that you will do him proud lad.'

 Daryan watches as the kender and the dwarf open their boxes, his eyes going slightly wide as he realizes Greenshield left his most prized possession for the dwarf. "So, aren't you curious what old Ispin left for you?" He turns and asks the white-haired solamnic knight beside him with a friendly smile, motioning for her to have a look at her box.

"Mostly, I am grateful that Ispin would have thought of me," Calitynia replies to Daryan. "I do wonder what he could have left, but you and Pelo have both not taken your gifts either."  But seeing the half-elf motioning for her to go, she slowly proceeds to the box addressed to her.  She first takes up the letter and reads it, before proceeding to open the box. 

As Shagrin stands speechless before the gift Ispin has bestowed upon him, Calitynia opens the letter left for her.

Calitynia, the knight! But may an old man still call you Cali? You have set out on a difficult path of your own choosing, Cali, and I couldn't be prouder.

In this box is something that was found outside of your mother's shop, the morning after she disappeared. It should have gotten to you earlier, but was lost in the town guard's evidence room for years. Though I wish I could give you some better insight into her disappearance, I hope this memento is some solace.

-- "Mr. Greenshield"

When Calitynia opens the box, she finds a fine long scarf, deep blue and embroidered with white flowers. It is clearly her mother's work.

Pelo motions for the white-haired half-elf to go before him. He is both interested and apprehensive about his own gift. He did not doubt Ispin; he just knew it would be their final conversation in this life and he wanted to delay it just a bit longer.

After having read the letter, Calitynia seems a bit reluctant to open the box. Yet, she does, drawing out the scarf. She then just stares at it, seeming almost frozen in place for several long moments.  Finally she turns, her voice flat. "A very... thoughtful gift. Mr. Greenshield was always thoughtful." Her eyes fall on the half-elf. "Yes, you ought to check out your gift now." She then quickly moves towards the back of the room, the scarf casually held in one hand.