Elmer returns, hiking up his britches, brow furrowed but also confused. "What's this about my mom?"

Then spins around a bit... "Which way are we going?"

     "Do we know if horses or a ship would be faster?" Anachain asks, trying to cut to the practicality of the issue.  "And can we get passage on a boat without theft?"  A brush up with city guards, or even angry horse owners, is unlikely to help them find the pearl any quicker.  Besides, she's never been on a ship.  Not a real one of any size, anyway.  It could be fun...

As you all stand around outside the hobbits area having so far come to the conclusion that Calimport is where you all want to head next, but how to get there stumps you.  Do you go back to the tent and demand horses from Vespa?  Do you even take horses, going across the land, over the large bridge to the city down south, or do you find a ship?  

While the group attempts to make a decision on what to do next, a storm rolls in over Eldershore.  And in true Eldershore fashion, it's a doozy.  It becomes dark as night in a matter of mere minutes and the lightning is right overhead.  As the thunder rattles windows and you feel the electricity in the air, the tree that Elmer decided to water gets hit, and falls...

Kulloda is the unfortunate one to stand in it's path and the tall oak tree crashes into the half-orc, delivering 5 bludgeoning damage and pinning the man under it's trunk.  The rain continues to soak you all to the skin and the storm rages on...

     Anachain pulls up her hood and seems to shrink into her cloak in an attempt to shield herself from the elements.  "Well don't just stand there," she says quickly, looking to the others.  "Help get that tree off him!"  Her own strength won't be of any help but she can certainly supervise...

     "Perhaps we seek shelter and discuss our mode of travel until the storm passes," she suggests.  Last thing they need is to be killed by the storm before they even have a chance to find the pearl...

Drip’s usual laid-back demeanor vanishes as he spots his friend and main dude Kulloda, pinned beneath the tree. Without hesitation, he shifts into a badger, fur bristling as his instincts kick in. In a swift, almost mischievous gesture, he lifts his hind leg, marking the nearest territory with a spray. Unfortunately for Mother Anachain, her boot happened to be in that territory at the time.

Not waiting for the inevitable reaction, Drip furiously begins digging at the ground, claws sending dirt flying as he works to free Kulloda. His badger snout twitches as if to say, "Hang tight, dude... got this." The determined digging continues, each scoop of earth bringing him closer to freeing the trapped warrior.

The moment the tree pins Kulloda, Elmer winces and responds as if he were somehow responsible. "Ohmygosh sorry sorry sorry!"

He runs over to help lift the tree off the orc but gets startled with Drip turns into a badger. He jumps back and shrieks like a frightened child.

After a moment, realizing that the badger is still Drip, Elmer returns to the task of assisting.

He whispers to the tree using his Speech of Beast and Leaf, apologizing if his actions disrespected the mighty wood. He understands that there's not much the tree can do to help the current situation... but he politely asks if it can do whatever it can.

And with that, he helps to lift the tree, bending at the knees to protect his back the way Mom taught him...

ROLLS:

     Anachain blinks quickly when Drip transforms and may or may not even notice their relieving of themselves in her general vicinity... (Perception:  14 - I think she notices.)

     Spotting the dirty little creature begin it's dirty little act, Anachain instinctively strikes out casting Chill Touch at the rodent:

Chill Touch Attack:  12 to hit...

     A ghostly, skeletal hand shoots out from Anachain's own and flashes towards the drippy badger.  The creature, alas, bolts away and the skeletal hand strikes the ground where it was and dissipates into smokey tendrils which are lost to the winds.

The fallen tree does not react to Elmer's words, other than twitching of leaves - which could maybe be a reaction or just due to the gusting wind in the storm.

Kulloda could either use athletics to push the tree off of him, or acrobatics with advantage to wiggle out with the digging that Drip the badger has done.

Togar had flown up in surprise briefly when the tree lands, then with a few flaps of his wings he comes down and walks over to the scene.  He whispers to Elmer, “Your urine, it calls down lightning!  A mighty feat, did you know you had this skill?”  

He walks over to the tree and finds a spot where there is a gap between the tree and the ground.  He uses his minor conjuration to make a 3 foot-tall wedge out of stone, manifesting it under the tree, a wedge to be pushed and lift the tree, allowing wiggle room for Kulloda to get out.  He pushes his avian arms against the wedge, making an “Ugghh!” sound, then frustration as there is no movement.  (Strength check : 4)

He points at Elmer and Anachain, saying “Will one of you muscley types push this wedge? It will help this fellow get out of his predicament. Just shove it!” and he stands with arms crossed to let someone stronger try.  

     "Muscley?" Anachain asks and rolls up a sleeve and makes a muscle.  There is nothing to see... The Owlin is more ripped than she.  Still, with a shrug, she moves over to the tree and is willing to give it a try...

Strength Check:  4

     Her attempt proves the point she already tried to demonstrate.

Kulloda, a little slow after being hit by a tree, and still cursing to himself about why he wouldn't have stepped out of the way of his assailant, decides to take advantage of the natural enormous strength that Elmer has by his being giant-kin and heave against the tree with his own strength aided by all of this help he has been given (together they can push, drag, lift 1,560 pounds).

Athletics: (12, 6 + 7) = 19.

Kulloda is able to get the tree off of himself with the assistance of Elmer and gets back up.  

What now?  The storm isn't going to let up anytime soon.

     "We should find shelter!" Anachain shouts to the others.  She takes a quick look around to see what is available nearby...  She doesn't particularly want to impose on the halflings more than they already have, specially so soon, but if it's that or be flattened by trees then so be it.  Preferably though would be back to the bar?  If that's not too far a distance away?  Or some other public place more readily used for shelter...

Kulloda looks at Elmer and frowns.

"Why sorry? Did you push tree down on me?" Kulloda asks.

Then he eyes the badger suspiciously. But eventually decides the badger is an improvement over the damp genasi and his confusing words.

With a shrug he turns back to the tree, walks up to it and kicks the bark with his heavy boot. Then Kulloda looks up at the rain coming down, blinks a couple of times and growls.

"Boat with roof better than horse to stay dry but bad storm worse on sea," he finally says.

Elmer turns back to the tree and says, "Sorry, he's just mad because you almost killed him."

He then moves to follow the others, eyes scanning to see where other locals might be going.

"Perhaps we should do as the locals do?" He calls out through the storm.

Drip stands on his hind legs and gestures to be picked up like a toddler might do.

Elmer picks up Drip and puts him on his shoulders.

As you look around, it is mainly residences that surround you, but just about a block away are some public style buildings.  There is the temple to Aeloria, the Blue Frog Inn and Hannah's Light.  By the time you see these places, all the people that were in the street have already found shelter, you all are the only ones left getting soaked.

     Anachain heads for the Blue Frog Inn as inns are places it is harder to wear out your welcome from than a temple or... Whatever Hannah's Light is?

Kulloda eyes the badger sitting on Elmer’s shoulders, its fur matted against its body. 

“Reminds me of little moist genasi.”

He then follows Anachain into the inn.