This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
It took moment to register the sight, but afterwards Doozey still paid no further mind to the flower. At best it's placement had been merely the odd girlish quirk of the woman stoked by feywild magic faintly infusing the air, or at worse, a certain invisible fiend would be losing a hand later for the prank when she found about it! But then, he felt a slight tightening about his head as the magic of the headband subtly stirred up the cogwheels in mind. And with the stirring came questions and... a touch of paranoia!
Doozey side-eyes her again with a squint from the back of Biscuit (having once again hopped in the saddle for the journey), searching for any signs of discomfort or burgeoning change in her demeanor, before trying to focus more on the flower to identify it.
All of the sights, sounds and other miscellaneous phenomena would be calming to Neya as well. It's all somewhat reminiscent to the woods around the Elder Shade. If she didn't remind herself that this particular forest is not very friendly to intruders.
She keeps an eye out for any hostility or irregularity during their trek.
Many a fey are known to play tricks, and some fiends have a knack for it as well. If this even is such a trick, it is a harmless one. That said, as you suspected already, this could simply be Denae getting in touch with her own fey ancestry now that she is venturing ever closer to the Feywild or whatever form of it lies within the Quivering Forest. You'll need more evidence before being sure one way or the other.
Be by pure instinct or just ill luck, Biscuit decides to look about at the same time as his master, doing so in a embarrassingly obvious manner and deterring the halfling for concealing his would-be subtle investigation. Everyone notices the effort, including Denae, who asks: "Did anything catch your attention, Mr. Badger?"
Before Doozey can respond, he notices that both Neya and Utar have turned to face him as well, expecting an answer or even a revelation. Doozey's attentive eyes notice that one of Neya's belt pouches is not only open, but it is also bursting with fresh blueberries. Doozey has traveled with Neya enough to know that this is the pouch where she usually keeps her own sling bullets. Utar catches Doozey's eyes looking in the belt pouch's direction and comes to the same realization. Neya has not necessarily noticed it yet (up to @Drache), as the eldritch monk is now instead keeping an eye out for danger (though she is not spotting any of it at the moment.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Leaving Seranolla:
"Hopefully you aren't waiting for long. Stay safe Seranolla. We'll try to do the same."
Utar gives the forest gnome a wave as the group heads off deeper into the forest.
On the trail:
Utar notes Danae's flower, but like Doozey lets it slide. Catching Neya's newly filled pouch he coughs to try and draw Neya's attention and points to her belt, whether she takes the hint is up to her.
Utar does make the point of checking his own pouches incase an invisible imp has played any tricks on him.
Doozey flinches at the question, then blushes a little as he turns to face forward again while scratching the side of his head. "Well, if were a worshipper of Sune, I'd say something along the lines of 'that flower by your ear really brings out your eyes', or some other such. But, I, uhm-..." He trails off muttering to himself. "Anyhow! Either some fey spirit is playing a prank on ya and Ms. Neya, or I know less about'cha than I thought. Either way, feel free to pay me no mind."The stoutling, on that note, tersely whispers to Biscuit to focus his attention forward and further chide the mastiff.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Hearing Utar clear his throat and checking his own belongings spurs Neya to do the same. She quickly finds the pouch full of blueberries. Takes one and puts it in her mouth, she slowly begins to bite down on it, half-expecting to hear the not-so-sweet sounds and feelings of tooth on metal.
"WHAT?!" Denae loses her poise for a moment following Doozey's veiled compliment. Denae reaches behind her ear and picks the flower off with disgust in her face. She stares at it for a second or two, her olive skin turning a deeper orange tone, a mixture of embarrassment and fury. "How? Who? What the..." She crunches the flower in her palm and disposes of it, turning her face away from the group and picking up her pace.
Utar is left to deal with Neya. Thankfully, the human woman is much more apt at keeping her composure than her Sister. Stepping up to the challenge presented to her, Neya tries one of the blueberries and finds it to be just as refreshing as one could expect. It is a nice little treat.
It is needless to say that the party keeps their wits about them even more than normal as the trek continues, Still, later in the day as the walking continues, it is Utar's turn to notice something odd on his person. Around his neck, alongside his amulet of health, a second necklace has been placed. This one is made of carefully weaved grasses and leaves. It looks rustic and quaint. Fearing he is next, Doozey meticulously checks all his gear. He soon finds that the contents of his waterskin have been replenished with the coolest spring water one could wish for. Even Biscuit gets a turn, as some of his fur has suddenly been weaved into comely braids.
"Ahh~ Now THAT was refreshing! But yea! Would be only right to, so long as we keep in mind not to wander off the trail." Doozey said after taking a good swig of the water. Biscuit lets out one of his customary "BOOF!" in agreement, and then hopped up in place a couple of times, nearly dislodging Doozey in the process. "Whoa, brother! Whoa! I get'cha already. Ya want me to give a gift in yer place, yea?"Biscuit again "BOOF!" and stood in place wagging his tail until a curt reminder in halfing spurs the mastiff onward down the path.
"Now let's see here..."After no more than a minute at best (more than long enough for Pipyap to answer Utar and the rest, and hopefully NOT misinterpret the halfling's next action), Doozey fishes out one of his whistling sling bullets and the bottled breath, and with his head bowed in reverence held the items well above his head. "As thanks for most pleasant gifts, gifts in turn bonded brothers share with ye 'o generous ones. May the triumphant roar within this bottled breath, and singing stone molded by far traveler's hands bring about, uh, m-much joy and welcome and wonderous surprise to sate your day."He says in [Sylvan] out loud, and would quietly wait either for the next hour of the journey or until he felt the gifts leave his hands, careful never to look up once. Even Biscuit does the same, or at the very least tries to in keeping his gaze steadfast focused on the path ahead.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Nah, mate..." Pipyap replies. "I gots nothin'to do withit."
Doozey stands there for a full minute, gifts lifted high above his head, before the whistling bullet is suddenly whisked away from his grasp. It flutters uncertainly through the air, seemingly by itself, before zooming out of reach. The bottled breath potion is not yet claimed.
Denae is not paying attention, still fuming under her own breath.
"Are we sure it's wise to reciprocate? As far as we know a complete transaction might be seen as a pact," Neya says. "But, that's probably me just assuming such behavior based on... some of the more powerful figures in the forest."
Despite their initial reluctance, the invisible forest beings soon claim the bottled breath potion as well. The bottle floats into the air before making a sharp turn off the trail and disappearing deeper into the forest.
Utar asks if more gifts should be offered. Neya's opinion lands on the other end of the spectrum, as she wonders if any gifts should have been offered at all! Either way, Doozey's offerings have already been accepted, and a forest representative fades into view to ratify the trade.
A female pixie, a fairy-like creature with butterfly wings and mostly green-toned skin and attire, speaks in Sylvain:
"Your offer has been accepted. Now, tell me, what brings you to our forest? It's been a very exciting time in the forest. We are getting all kinds of visitors."
Doozey side-eyed the pair. But wanting not to come off as rude to the pixie, he straightens out his stance and makes a point of directing his words to the pixie. And though he starts off on a bright note in Sylvan at first, his demeanor shifts to the more serious minded demeanor. Then during whatever interim the pixie might provide to think of his words, he'd switch briefly back in common to say, "Any pact with teeth to them isn't something one can stumble into. But as it never hurts to err on the side of caution,I leave that to your discretion, Mr. Utar."
"As tend to be the way of things, are reasons are many fold. And while I'm sure I could weave quite a tale out of it all, best to speak plainly this time I think. So in the spirit of keeping things at their simple, well... for starters, King Witchthorn invited us to speak with him, so we aim to do just say so. But 'fore we can we must treat with the elves, as they know well a crossing of realms... or so we hope. And if not that, we hope yet still that they might share the whereabouts of the few wayward villagers that entered the forest, hoping to save.... my wayward kin by name of Halving Redfoot."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The pixie displays some selective hearing, pouncing on the bits of Doozey's speech that she want to comment on and completely ignoring all else. Noticing a few uncertain faces in the crowd, she jumps between Sylvan and Elvish in such a repetitive but clear way that anyone familiar with either language can understand the whole response:
"The elves of Greenhall are boring and rudely unappreciative of our welcoming treats. We don't like going there anymore."
"Two tendays ago, a whole group of men came into the forest. One of us spoke to the men and they said they were looking for a Halvin. Same as you! We don't know what a Halvin is, but the men's description matched that of the half-man who killed the elves. The men then went to Greenhall, but the elves drove them away with arrows. One of the men died."
Noticing the next question formulating in your collective eyes, the pixie backtracks a bit and elaborates:
"A month ago, we saw a very unkind half-man in the forest. He didn't like our gifts either. We told the elves about him, and a group of them came to investigate. The unkind half-man used magic on them and they all died."
Denae will translate for Utar, so that the half-orc is not left out of the loop.
(OOC: Everyone is welcome to read the spoilers above.)
Utar flicks his eyes between the pixie and Danae depending on who is talking at any given point. Picking up on Doozey's earlier point about offering his own gift in exchange for the woven grass still around his neck he delves into his pack and emerges a few moments later with a slightly battered pack of playing cards.
"They've seen better days, but they're filled with fond memories. Hopefully our benefactor gets as much joy from them as I did."
Utar offers the pack to the pixie, stretching out his arm.
Doozey appeared mildly taken aback by the pixie's initial point, but then nodded along in understanding. It's with the following point that his expression grew solemn, however. And yet, he remained mindful not to interrupt, and instead looked away thoughtfully while the pixie swapped tongues to inform the others. Despite the distraction of his own wondering thoughts, Doozey eyes went wide and darted to the pixie as the last words leave her mouth.
"He... wha-...."The stoutling trailed off from there squinting at the pixie as shock gave way to suspicion. Though after only a moment or two, he'd close his eyes, bowed his head, and clenched his jaw. "I.... I see.... Seems my wayward kin has already done a fair job of poisoning the proverbial well." He muttered, then shook his head.
".... Y-you have our most sincere thanks for the news, o' generous one. Truly. Uhm-... Oh, uhh, so much so that my friend here has another gift for you it seems."
Doozey eventually conveys, gesturing towards the end to Utar's offering had the half-orc's gesture not been clear enough. Once the matter of the offering is settled one way or another, the stoutling forces himself to straighten up and again re-embrace a more amicable front, and speaks to the pixie once more.
"I take it after that you know not where he went? Or for that matter, if any of your friends might've seen as much?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The pixie seems pleased with the gifts offered and the conversation. You do not believe it has any reasons to lie to the group, and her demeanor agrees with this conclusion. You also notice that the visible pixie is a bit jittery. You get the impression she is not the patient kind, and may quickly become bored or sour if the conversation goes for too long.
While the used playing cards are claimed by invisible fey, the visible pixie continues to converse with CRAP, and Denae continues to translate (no need for a spoiler anymore): "We do not know where the half-man is, or where he went. We have not seen him since. Something else in the forest must have claimed him. Maybe he was eaten by that awful woman. We live in fear of the old woman. She eats any pixies that she catches and decorates her cottage with their wings."
It took moment to register the sight, but afterwards Doozey still paid no further mind to the flower. At best it's placement had been merely the odd girlish quirk of the woman stoked by feywild magic faintly infusing the air, or at worse, a certain invisible fiend would be losing a hand later for the prank when she found about it! But then, he felt a slight tightening about his head as the magic of the headband subtly stirred up the cogwheels in mind. And with the stirring came questions and... a touch of paranoia!
Doozey side-eyes her again with a squint from the back of Biscuit (having once again hopped in the saddle for the journey), searching for any signs of discomfort or burgeoning change in her demeanor, before trying to focus more on the flower to identify it.
-Insight: 15.
-Stealth: 21. (for trying to be subtle about looking)
-Nature: 24.
(if Hunter's Bane would apply, here's adv. roll in spoiler)
10.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
All of the sights, sounds and other miscellaneous phenomena would be calming to Neya as well. It's all somewhat reminiscent to the woods around the Elder Shade. If she didn't remind herself that this particular forest is not very friendly to intruders.
She keeps an eye out for any hostility or irregularity during their trek.
Perception: 6
Extended Signature
@Doozey (insight):
As far as you can tell, Denae has no idea that there is a flower on her ear.
@Doozey (nature):
Many a fey are known to play tricks, and some fiends have a knack for it as well. If this even is such a trick, it is a harmless one. That said, as you suspected already, this could simply be Denae getting in touch with her own fey ancestry now that she is venturing ever closer to the Feywild or whatever form of it lies within the Quivering Forest. You'll need more evidence before being sure one way or the other.
Be by pure instinct or just ill luck, Biscuit decides to look about at the same time as his master, doing so in a embarrassingly obvious manner and deterring the halfling for concealing his would-be subtle investigation. Everyone notices the effort, including Denae, who asks: "Did anything catch your attention, Mr. Badger?"
Before Doozey can respond, he notices that both Neya and Utar have turned to face him as well, expecting an answer or even a revelation. Doozey's attentive eyes notice that one of Neya's belt pouches is not only open, but it is also bursting with fresh blueberries. Doozey has traveled with Neya enough to know that this is the pouch where she usually keeps her own sling bullets. Utar catches Doozey's eyes looking in the belt pouch's direction and comes to the same realization. Neya has not necessarily noticed it yet (up to @Drache), as the eldritch monk is now instead keeping an eye out for danger (though she is not spotting any of it at the moment.)
Leaving Seranolla:
"Hopefully you aren't waiting for long. Stay safe Seranolla. We'll try to do the same."
Utar gives the forest gnome a wave as the group heads off deeper into the forest.
On the trail:
Utar notes Danae's flower, but like Doozey lets it slide. Catching Neya's newly filled pouch he coughs to try and draw Neya's attention and points to her belt, whether she takes the hint is up to her.
Utar does make the point of checking his own pouches incase an invisible imp has played any tricks on him.
Investigation - 15
Doozey flinches at the question, then blushes a little as he turns to face forward again while scratching the side of his head. "Well, if were a worshipper of Sune, I'd say something along the lines of 'that flower by your ear really brings out your eyes', or some other such. But, I, uhm-..." He trails off muttering to himself. "Anyhow! Either some fey spirit is playing a prank on ya and Ms. Neya, or I know less about'cha than I thought. Either way, feel free to pay me no mind." The stoutling, on that note, tersely whispers to Biscuit to focus his attention forward and further chide the mastiff.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Hearing Utar clear his throat and checking his own belongings spurs Neya to do the same. She quickly finds the pouch full of blueberries. Takes one and puts it in her mouth, she slowly begins to bite down on it, half-expecting to hear the not-so-sweet sounds and feelings of tooth on metal.
Extended Signature
"WHAT?!" Denae loses her poise for a moment following Doozey's veiled compliment. Denae reaches behind her ear and picks the flower off with disgust in her face. She stares at it for a second or two, her olive skin turning a deeper orange tone, a mixture of embarrassment and fury. "How? Who? What the..." She crunches the flower in her palm and disposes of it, turning her face away from the group and picking up her pace.
Utar is left to deal with Neya. Thankfully, the human woman is much more apt at keeping her composure than her Sister. Stepping up to the challenge presented to her, Neya tries one of the blueberries and finds it to be just as refreshing as one could expect. It is a nice little treat.
It is needless to say that the party keeps their wits about them even more than normal as the trek continues, Still, later in the day as the walking continues, it is Utar's turn to notice something odd on his person. Around his neck, alongside his amulet of health, a second necklace has been placed. This one is made of carefully weaved grasses and leaves. It looks rustic and quaint. Fearing he is next, Doozey meticulously checks all his gear. He soon finds that the contents of his waterskin have been replenished with the coolest spring water one could wish for. Even Biscuit gets a turn, as some of his fur has suddenly been weaved into comely braids.
"I've been gifted something too," he pats the new woven grass necklace around his neck, "fine work too."
After a few more steps he adds, "I assume we should thank our invisible benefactor too, right? Pipyap, was this you?"
"Ahh~ Now THAT was refreshing! But yea! Would be only right to, so long as we keep in mind not to wander off the trail." Doozey said after taking a good swig of the water. Biscuit lets out one of his customary "BOOF!" in agreement, and then hopped up in place a couple of times, nearly dislodging Doozey in the process. "Whoa, brother! Whoa! I get'cha already. Ya want me to give a gift in yer place, yea?" Biscuit again "BOOF!" and stood in place wagging his tail until a curt reminder in halfing spurs the mastiff onward down the path.
"Now let's see here..." After no more than a minute at best (more than long enough for Pipyap to answer Utar and the rest, and hopefully NOT misinterpret the halfling's next action), Doozey fishes out one of his whistling sling bullets and the bottled breath, and with his head bowed in reverence held the items well above his head. "As thanks for most pleasant gifts, gifts in turn bonded brothers share with ye 'o generous ones. May the triumphant roar within this bottled breath, and singing stone molded by far traveler's hands bring about, uh, m-much joy and welcome and wonderous surprise to sate your day." He says in [Sylvan] out loud, and would quietly wait either for the next hour of the journey or until he felt the gifts leave his hands, careful never to look up once. Even Biscuit does the same, or at the very least tries to in keeping his gaze steadfast focused on the path ahead.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Nah, mate..." Pipyap replies. "I gots nothin'to do withit."
Doozey stands there for a full minute, gifts lifted high above his head, before the whistling bullet is suddenly whisked away from his grasp. It flutters uncertainly through the air, seemingly by itself, before zooming out of reach. The bottled breath potion is not yet claimed.
Denae is not paying attention, still fuming under her own breath.
(@Ori: Please give me a persuasion check)
(OOC: Doh! I knew I forgot something!)
-Persuasion: 10.(10)
Retroactive Adv. from Inspiration Use: 21.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar leans down to Doozey and adds, "Should we all be offering gifts?"
"Are we sure it's wise to reciprocate? As far as we know a complete transaction might be seen as a pact," Neya says. "But, that's probably me just assuming such behavior based on... some of the more powerful figures in the forest."
Extended Signature
Despite their initial reluctance, the invisible forest beings soon claim the bottled breath potion as well. The bottle floats into the air before making a sharp turn off the trail and disappearing deeper into the forest.
Utar asks if more gifts should be offered. Neya's opinion lands on the other end of the spectrum, as she wonders if any gifts should have been offered at all! Either way, Doozey's offerings have already been accepted, and a forest representative fades into view to ratify the trade.
A female pixie, a fairy-like creature with butterfly wings and mostly green-toned skin and attire, speaks in Sylvain:
"Your offer has been accepted. Now, tell me, what brings you to our forest? It's been a very exciting time in the forest. We are getting all kinds of visitors."
Doozey side-eyed the pair. But wanting not to come off as rude to the pixie, he straightens out his stance and makes a point of directing his words to the pixie. And though he starts off on a bright note in Sylvan at first, his demeanor shifts to the more serious minded demeanor. Then during whatever interim the pixie might provide to think of his words, he'd switch briefly back in common to say, "Any pact with teeth to them isn't something one can stumble into. But as it never hurts to err on the side of caution,I leave that to your discretion, Mr. Utar."
"As tend to be the way of things, are reasons are many fold. And while I'm sure I could weave quite a tale out of it all, best to speak plainly this time I think. So in the spirit of keeping things at their simple, well... for starters, King Witchthorn invited us to speak with him, so we aim to do just say so. But 'fore we can we must treat with the elves, as they know well a crossing of realms... or so we hope. And if not that, we hope yet still that they might share the whereabouts of the few wayward villagers that entered the forest, hoping to save.... my wayward kin by name of Halving Redfoot."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The pixie displays some selective hearing, pouncing on the bits of Doozey's speech that she want to comment on and completely ignoring all else. Noticing a few uncertain faces in the crowd, she jumps between Sylvan and Elvish in such a repetitive but clear way that anyone familiar with either language can understand the whole response:
"The elves of Greenhall are boring and rudely unappreciative of our welcoming treats. We don't like going there anymore."
"Two tendays ago, a whole group of men came into the forest. One of us spoke to the men and they said they were looking for a Halvin. Same as you! We don't know what a Halvin is, but the men's description matched that of the half-man who killed the elves. The men then went to Greenhall, but the elves drove them away with arrows. One of the men died."
Noticing the next question formulating in your collective eyes, the pixie backtracks a bit and elaborates:
"A month ago, we saw a very unkind half-man in the forest. He didn't like our gifts either. We told the elves about him, and a group of them came to investigate. The unkind half-man used magic on them and they all died."
Denae will translate for Utar, so that the half-orc is not left out of the loop.
(OOC: Everyone is welcome to read the spoilers above.)
Utar flicks his eyes between the pixie and Danae depending on who is talking at any given point. Picking up on Doozey's earlier point about offering his own gift in exchange for the woven grass still around his neck he delves into his pack and emerges a few moments later with a slightly battered pack of playing cards.
"They've seen better days, but they're filled with fond memories. Hopefully our benefactor gets as much joy from them as I did."
Utar offers the pack to the pixie, stretching out his arm.
"Can someone let them know?"
Doozey appeared mildly taken aback by the pixie's initial point, but then nodded along in understanding. It's with the following point that his expression grew solemn, however. And yet, he remained mindful not to interrupt, and instead looked away thoughtfully while the pixie swapped tongues to inform the others. Despite the distraction of his own wondering thoughts, Doozey eyes went wide and darted to the pixie as the last words leave her mouth.
"He... wha-...." The stoutling trailed off from there squinting at the pixie as shock gave way to suspicion. Though after only a moment or two, he'd close his eyes, bowed his head, and clenched his jaw. "I.... I see.... Seems my wayward kin has already done a fair job of poisoning the proverbial well." He muttered, then shook his head.
".... Y-you have our most sincere thanks for the news, o' generous one. Truly. Uhm-... Oh, uhh, so much so that my friend here has another gift for you it seems."
Doozey eventually conveys, gesturing towards the end to Utar's offering had the half-orc's gesture not been clear enough. Once the matter of the offering is settled one way or another, the stoutling forces himself to straighten up and again re-embrace a more amicable front, and speaks to the pixie once more.
"I take it after that you know not where he went? Or for that matter, if any of your friends might've seen as much?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Neya keeps an eye on the Pixie's demeanor, trying to suss out any hints falsehood or obfuscation.
Insight: 10
Extended Signature
@Neya (insight):
The pixie seems pleased with the gifts offered and the conversation. You do not believe it has any reasons to lie to the group, and her demeanor agrees with this conclusion. You also notice that the visible pixie is a bit jittery. You get the impression she is not the patient kind, and may quickly become bored or sour if the conversation goes for too long.
While the used playing cards are claimed by invisible fey, the visible pixie continues to converse with CRAP, and Denae continues to translate (no need for a spoiler anymore): "We do not know where the half-man is, or where he went. We have not seen him since. Something else in the forest must have claimed him. Maybe he was eaten by that awful woman. We live in fear of the old woman. She eats any pixies that she catches and decorates her cottage with their wings."