Orlys manages to shake his discomforts, resting with the ocean in plain view. He feels invigorated, but his ears are still twitching, restless, like part of his brain is always on the lookout for danger.

A distant storm cloud far out to sea reminds him of countless times on decks, rain lashing, wind howling, lightning crashing. Even that, he thinks is better than being on land. Or worse, underground.

'Kaitlin listens to Naskeen's song, as she sits on the ground and tries to get Token's attention with a bit of ration and some clicking of her tongue against the roof of her mouth. As she listens, she reflects on all of the experiences of the last three days, such wonders and newness as she has not known. In such a short time, she feels she has truly lived more than in all of the days of her life. It sparks a little flame in her, the desire for adventure, and a wanderlust.'

"Lady Naskeen... uh... a question i...if you wouldn't mind my asking? We came across s...some things that I didn't understand. Some standing stones w...with runes, and strange warm crystals that glowed purple. D...d'you know anything about that?"

animal handling : 14

perception : 19

Quote from Hambergler >>

 

”We brought back the mushrooms and some fey spiders corpses untouched by us, with their venom sacs still intacted and inside them.” He pauses for a second as he processes what she said about knowledge and just looks at her “I do actually have some knowledge I’m seeking - though I’d like to talk more about that privately with you before I leave here.”

 
'Glancing frequently at the door set at the back of the room, Naskeen appears largely disinterested in most of what A'ro is saying, though at his words about the mushrooms and fey spider corpses her interest seems to be recaptured somewhat at least. The disfigured apothecary's face turns in Virt's direction as she crooks a finger indicating that the ships mage should place the oversized spider's body on her work table, after which she takes a wood-handled sickle and proceeds to expertly slice the dead arachnid open, reaching into its body to pull forth an oozing white sac about the size of a fist. With a nod of apparent satisfaction, the red-haired woodswoman says,'

"If you have brought me the five amberspeckle mushrooms as agreed and at least another two of of these spiders, or their venom sacs, than I will certainly consider our accord satisfied. As for speaking in private, that can be arranged before you leave."

Quote from abunny >>

'Kaitlin listens to Naskeen's song, as she sits on the ground and tries to get Token's attention with a bit of ration and some clicking of her tongue against the roof of her mouth. As she listens, she reflects on all of the experiences of the last three days, such wonders and newness as she has not known. In such a short time, she feels she has truly lived more than in all of the days of her life. It sparks a little flame in her, the desire for adventure, and a wanderlust.'

"Lady Naskeen... uh... a question i...if you wouldn't mind my asking? We came across s...some things that I didn't understand. Some standing stones w...with runes, and strange warm crystals that glowed purple. D...d'you know anything about that?"

---

animal handling : 14

perception : 13

 
'Kay's efforts to grab Token's attention are initially unsuccessful, but as Naskeen's grey cat continues to evade the clumsy pursuit of the puppy, the dog appears to tire of the chase. Sniffing the air with newfound interest, the playful creature eventually turns in the sail monkey's direction before tentatively approaching to first lick the offered food, before happily chewing and swallowing down the tough rations. Apparently content for the moment, the puppy sits near the skinny sailor's feet, it's small black eyes following the form of the elusive cat which has pounced up onto a nearby shelf beyond its tormentor's limited reach. 

Listening to Kay's questions, Naskeen responds,'

"Oh sweet child. I am no lady, but ask what you will. You are have earned more of my favour and time, if nothing else.

Rune stones and glowing purple crystals you say? Interesting, though I would need more information to be able to hazard an opinion on the nature or purpose of your discoveries. However, as we now have time to discuss such matters, I will tell you a little more of the Wispwood as this place is now known. Perhaps what I tell you will enlighten you in some small ways. 

As I mentioned earlier, the Wispwood is the remaining fragment of an ancient and much larger fey forest. This forest was called Estunfeil, or Fallensun, and was home to powerful fey creatures who were drawn to the forest because of its simultaneous existance both here on the prime material plane and also within the feywild. It is said that one of the forest's more powerful residents was a mighty Eladrin sorcerer, though little is known about him beyond his reknown for cruelty and supposedly legendary elemental powers.

The Bitter Shore was a much different place back then also. Hard to imagine as it is, these lands were once home to a great civilisation of artisans and philosophers. This realm was known as Dunbraegin. It is said that millenium ago, some conflict arose which forever changed the fates and fortunes of both Estunfeil and Dunbraegin.

As Token walked up to Kay and ate the ration Vaken thought about how cool it would be to be a puppy. He had seen his mentor, Maurhak, turn into animals many times but it was always an adult animal, never a young one. But how cool would it be to turn into a puppy!?!?

While still staring at Token, with this desire in his heart Vaken felt a tug... he felt something in his soul stirring. And for just a brief moment he felt it. Nature was asking him if he wanted to turn into a puppy. Vaken wanted it so badly, but should he? Here? His mind went back to how his spells had been a bit unusual here, not working exactly as expected. But life lived without risk is not life at all. Vaken pushed forward.

DM:

Quote from WebGambit >>

As Token walked up to Kay and ate the ration Vaken thought about how cool it would be to be a puppy. He had seen his mentor, Maurhak, turn into animals many times but it was always an adult animal, never a young one. But how cool would it be to turn into a puppy!?!?

While still staring at Token, with this desire in his heart Vaken felt a tug... he felt something in his soul stirring. And for just a brief moment he felt it. Nature was asking him if he wanted to turn into a puppy. Vaken wanted it so badly, but should he? Here? His mind went back to how his spells had been a bit unusual here, not working exactly as expected. But life lived without risk is not life at all. Vaken pushed forward.

DM:

Vaken is attempting to turn into a puppy similar in looks to Token. I stopped where I did in case you want to alter or corrupt the magic behind this.

 

 
'Naskeen has just finished explaining a little more of the Wispwood and Bitter Shore's ancient history when a second low bark rises from the ground near the table legs. Looking down in surprise, the scarred woodswoman mutters a barely audible curse under her breath when she notices not one, but two puppies now sitting on the floor of her cottage. A clearly audible *HISSS* sounds from half-way up one of the apothecary's shelves where Jinx the cat is now standing, back arched and tail straight up and back in obvious displeasure at this latest turn of events. For his part, Token merely cocks his head in momentary puzzlement before rolling over to nudge the belly of this new playmate with his small black nose.'

[OOC] As no effort was made to hide Vaken's first use of wild shape, any PC in the room can choose to notice the transformation.

Spoiler for Vaken only:

'Kay frowns and her brow furrows as she tries to make sense of all that Naskeen is saying.' "I see... interesting." 'Is all that she manages in response.' 

'She's delighted that Token seems to take a liking to her, or at least her rations.'

'Upon seeing Vaken turn into a puppy she leaps to her feet and her hand goes to the hilt of her shortsword.' "Look out! Someone has turned Vaken into something... unnatural!" 'She whirls about in dismay.'

A’ro just nods choosing to sip on the tea until it is time for them to depart and his conversation with Naskeen. His eyebrow raising as he notices that there are now two dogs ‘it would appear he knows how to do that now’ he thinks to himself, referring back to their conversation during their walk.

Quote from abunny >>

'Kay frowns and her brow furrows as she tries to make sense of all that Naskeen is saying.' "I see... interesting." 'Is all that she manages in response.' 

'She's delighted that Token seems to take a liking to her, or at least her rations.'

'Upon seeing Vaken turn into a puppy she leaps to her feet and her hand goes to the hilt of her shortsword.' "Look out! Someone has turned Vaken into something... unnatural!" 'She whirls about in dismay.'

 
'Naskeen seems to sense Kay's uncertainty as to how what the apothecary just told her relates to her inquiry about the rune engrave pillar and the purple crystals. Choosing to ignore the antics of both puppies beneath the table, the perceptive woman says patiently,'

"Fear not for your ship mate. While dark magics yet inhabit this fractured wood, none may intrude here without my knowledge. I sense no malevolence in his transformation... nor taste nor wisdom, neither.

Interesting? History? Perhaps, Kay. But I doubt whether anything of practical use yet survives from that era. Whatever the realms shaking event was that shattered the Estunfeil, it almost certainly destroyed or banished whatever lore or treasures the Eladrin sorcerer and other fey possessed. Perhaps this rune stone was a left over relic of a once powerful being... but I would imagine that if it once held magic, that such is now long vanished. Likewise these crystals that you speak of, whatever they are or were. 

The power of Dunbraegin lay in more than its books and songs, though legends are once again all that remains. It is rumoured that the realm was largely compossed of dwarves and elves, and that at the kingdom's height, it's technological wonders and magical artistry rivaled that of ancient Bhaerynden or even fabled Myth Drannor itself. But legends are often overstated and stories become twisted with the passing of centuries. 

I am afraid that such is all I can tell you as things stand. Mayhap if you had an example or sample of these curiosities that you saw, I might be able to provide more information. But alas..."

'Having returned from outside with the two remaining fey spider bodies just in time to hear Naskeen's final words on the ancient, long-vanquished kingdom of Dunbraegin, Virt's blue ears clearly pick up the part about technological wonders. Dumping the still-hideous arachnid corpses on the ground near the table, the tall, goggle wearing ship's mage asks,'

"That's the last of the spider bodies that we brought back, I'm thinkin'. Beggin' yer pardon, Madam Naskeen, but what exactly do ye mean by "technological wonders"? To some ancient peoples that hinged door or that glass window would be considered marvels.To what heights did these Dunbraegin folk ascend?"

'As she begins to meticulously cut out the venom glands of the two fey spiders, the flame haired woodswoman responds in her voice of dry breezes and ancient crumpling parchment,'

"I could not rightly tell you, gateborn. My forebears were concerned with the natural marvels and fey mysteries of the Estunfeil, as such has been the charge of my order for centuries. But as for Dunbraegin... Perhaps Tolgotha the Bent, the half-dwarven mistress of this clearing who taught Irenthy Foursprigs, who in her turn taught Agrella Sicklesign, who in her folly chose to teach me, maybe Tolgotha would have known more of such things... but I am not she. Little more than rumours I have heard whispers of - follies and crazed ramblings of time bent and reality torn assunder... dark tales to frighten fearful children, no more.

Are those the amberspeckle mushrooms I can smell? Mmm, yes, a most distinctive scent. Is this all of which you have brought to Naskeen Thriceblind?"

Quote from vassasunstar >>

I sense no malevolence in his transformation... nor taste nor wisdom, neither.

Hearing Naskeen's comment about no taste or wisdom, puppy Vaken turns and lets out a ferocious puppy growl in her direction. Then barks and goes back to playing with Token.

'As people are talking to Naskeen, and sipping tea and resting, Kestrell pulls his Viol out and gently plucks a soft tune.  There are no words, and the instrumental is calming, and often blends in with the background noise.  Sometimes sounding like wind and leaves in the forest, sometimes sounding like the bubbling brook outside, the tune carries well throughout the cabin without interrupting the conversation.  Kestrell appears to be lost in thought as he strums the instrument, occasionally glancing around and nodding at those who hear him.'

[OOC]: Those who used a hit dice to heal and heard Kestrell's song, gain an additional 4 hitpoints.

'At seeing Vaken turn into a puppy and Naskeen's calm response to it, Kestrell grins. "I knew it!" he thinks to himself.'

'As the excitement of two puppies wears down, and his song fades, Kestrell turns to Naskeen:'

"Naskeen.  Thriceblind you say?  How are you blinded 3 times if you don't mind me asking?"

"Also, we do have a sample of the purple crystal trees, Vaken and I broke a branch off one.  It glowed until we brought it out of the cave and it seemed to interact with the rune pillar outside.  Then it went dark.  The trees themselves gave off a lot of cold and frosted the ground around them.  Does that shed any more light on the subject?"

"Oh, I  brought what venom we could salvage from a huge feyspider, about 10 times the size of those spiders we brought to you. And I took one of the fangs from it, what can I do with this?!?""

'Kestrell pulls out his waterskin with the rope tied around it, hands it to Naskeen, then shows her the spider fang.'

"And we found some strange things in there:"

'Kestrell hands her the rolled up note.'

"What do you make of this, it was with the book, and do you know whose initials these are?  Oh! We found this great rapier, it is quite well balanced, have you seen anything like it?"

Quote from KestrellKestrell >>

'As people are talking to Naskeen, and sipping tea and resting, Kestrell pulls his Viol out and gently plucks a soft tune.  There are no words, and the instrumental is calming, and often blends in with the background noise.  Sometimes sounding like wind and leaves in the forest, sometimes sounding like the bubbling brook outside, the tune carries well throughout the cabin without interrupting the conversation.  Kestrell appears to be lost in thought as he strums the instrument, occasionally glancing around and nodding at those who hear him.'

[OOC]: Those who used a hit dice to heal and heard Kestrell's song, gain an additional 2 hitpoints.

'At seeing Vaken turn into a puppy and Naskeen's calm response to it, Kestrell grins. "I knew it!" he thinks to himself.'

'As the excitement of two puppies wears down, and his song fades, Kestrell turns to Naskeen:'

"Naskeen.  Thriceblind you say?  How are you blinded 3 times if you don't mind me asking?"

"Also, we do have a sample of the purple crystal trees, Vaken and I broke a branch off one.  It glowed until we brought it out of the cave and it seemed to interact with the rune pillar outside.  Then it went dark.  The trees themselves gave off a lot of cold and frosted the ground around them.  Does that shed any more light on the subject?"

"Oh, I  brought what venom we could salvage from a huge feyspider, about 10 times the size of those spiders we brought to you. And I took one of the fangs from it, what can I do with this?!?""

'Kestrell pulls out his waterskin with the rope tied around it, hands it to Naskeen, then shows her the spider fang.'

"And we found some strange things in there:"

'Kestrell hands her the rolled up note.'

"What do you make of this, it was with the book, and do you know whose initials these are?  Oh! We found this great rapier, it is quite well balanced, have you seen anything like it?"

 

 
'Having provided tea and seemingly happy enough with the company, Naskeen had gone back to working on her concoction when Kestrell began to play his viol, humming the same tune that she had been singing when you all entered earlier. The blind apothecary's head had lifted at the sound of Kestrell's naturalistic music, with the scarred woman pausing again in her work to say quietly,'

"Ahh, a musician. How nice. I hear so little music these days beyond that of the glade itself... which you do a fine job of imitating. Though it is pleasing to hear music crafted by thought as well as instinct.

Thriceblind I was named by my mentor, as has always been our custom. As a young woman and student, I was vain and conceited, blind to life's greater mysteries. Later, I became as you see me now. The third blindness... I... I cannot say. Agatha only told me that one blindness would mark each of my past, present and future. Perhaps it was the final blindness of death that she foresaw, or perhaps something else. Time, as it always does, will tell.

A sample of the crystal you have, though its light faded upon the surface, you say? And it exuded cold? How strange... and yet fascinating. I had read that such might be possible, but never... What you hold seems to be a shard of faerzress, or something akin to it. Such substances are almost unheard of this close to the surface, being found almost exclusively in the depths of that largely unexplored realm known as the underdark. This might explain the fading of its light once exposed to the world above. Such rocks are also said to cause magical effects, though reports vary. Perhaps its subteranean nature or the elemental force it exhuded responded in some way to the rune stone you found? Agatha once told me that a merchant who claimed drow heritage had long ago tried to sell her a fake, explaining that it would ward my old teacher from arcane detection and protect her home from magical intrusion."

Handing back the dulled crystal rod, Naskeen looks about to resume her work till mention is made of the venom and fangs from the larger, more intelligent spiderfey that you slew. As Kestrell produces said items, the knowledgable recluse examines them carefully, even touching the bag of venom and fangs with a black rune engraved chunk of crystal that she removes from a shelf, before saying,'

"The venom I will need to test further, but rare it must be, to come from such a creature. My forest friends have never told me of anything so large emerging from those caves. And these fangs... useful in making items, weapons used to deliver venom, perhaps, though such crafting is not my province. Or crushed into a powder, they could possibly enhance already distilled poisons, though on this I only speculate. Regardless, if you wish to trade the venom and the fangs to me, I will give you a magical item that I recently acquired in return. A ring which enhances ones athletic abilities, from what I can tell."

Examining the rolled up note that Kestrell hands her, the milky-eyed Naskeen appears to somehow silently read the note to herself before shrugging and handing it back. Looking at the initials worked into the finely made saddle and backpack, the apothecary likewise shrugs and seems about to turn away when she holds up the block of dark quartz for some reason. Reaching down to the bag, the red-haired woodswoman pries open a small opening near the bag's bottom and slides out a three inch long, extremely thin tube of what looks like bone. Tapping her chin thoughtfully with the thin tube for a moment, the mysterious vendor eventually holds it out to Kestrell, saying,'

"The note means nothing to me, nor do these initials. But I found this, about which I sense some dwoemer."

'Kay's nerves settle but she does not sit back down, still wary of the Vaken-pup. She looks around the room, listening carefully to Naskeen's words and puzzling over the parts that she doesn't understand, her orange eyes wide with wonder.'

"Thriceblind, interesting.  I hope that future is still a long ways off, Naskeen."

'As she hands back the no longer glowing crystal branch, Kestrell muses:'

"Hmm, you are right, that is fascinating.  We should come back and explore this some more, perhaps the next time we are on shore leave in Rumbottom."

'As Naskeen inspects the venom and fangs:'

"Yes, it was huge!  Crushed powder you say?  I've heard of certain horns, crushed and powdered that enhance some..ahem..abilities, might this work in the same way?  Not that I need that, mind you!  Anywho...yes, perhaps it is best to trade.  Let's do that.  A magic ring that enhances athletic abilities?  Probably more useful than the other thing we were discussing.  But not as fun, hay?"

'Kestrell winks at Naskeen and nudges her playfully with his elbow.'

'As Kestrell takes the proffered thin tube from Naskeen:'

"Ah, too bad about the initials.  But what is this tube thing?  What is a Doowowymer?"

Quote from KestrellKestrell >>

"Thriceblind, interesting.  I hope that future is still a long ways off, Naskeen."

'As she hands back the no longer glowing crystal branch, Kestrell muses:'

"Hmm, you are right, that is fascinating.  We should come back and explore this some more, perhaps the next time we are on shore leave in Rumbottom."

'As Naskeen inspects the venom and fangs:'

"Yes, it was huge!  Crushed powder you say?  I've heard of certain horns, crushed and powdered that enhance some..ahem..abilities, might this work in the same way?  Not that I need that, mind you!  Anywho...yes, perhaps it is best to trade.  Let's do that.  A magic ring that enhances athletic abilities?  Probably more useful than the other thing we were discussing.  But not as fun, hay?"

'Kestrell winks at Naskeen and nudges her playfully with his elbow.'

'As Kestrell takes the proffered thin tube from Naskeen:'

"Ah, too bad about the initials.  But what is this tube thing?  What is a Doowowymer?"

 
'Largely incapable of facial expression due to the severity of her scarring, Naskeen's only response to most of what Kestrell says is a slight lowering of her milky-white gaze and a soft sigh, which escapes her lipless mouth as more of a broken *wheeze*. Nudging the pale and frail recluse feels like brushing against a frozen tree, the cold palpable even through Kestrell's clothing and the folds of Naskeen's cloak. As the bard offers up the bag of spiderfey venom and the fangs, the stick-thin apothecary reaches into a pouch and produces a fairly plain looking brass ring which the observant navigator notices has a single tiny sigil engraved on it. Handing the ring over, the red-haired woodswoman says,'

"A dweomer is an enchantment or ensorcelling of some kind, Mr. Brook."

[OOC] The sigil engraved on the brass ring. As Ketrell will quickly discern during their brief rest here, he now holds a ring of jumping:

 "Thank you Naskeen, this is a fine ring indeed."

'Kestrell looks around at the puppies and the rest of the group.'

"Well, should we start making our way back to town?  Naskeen, do you know an easier way to leave than through the sharp brambles?"

Quote from KestrellKestrell >>

 "Thank you Naskeen, this is a fine ring indeed."

'Kestrell looks around at the puppies and the rest of the group.'

"Well, should we start making our way back to town?  Naskeen, do you know an easier way to leave than through the sharp brambles?"

 
With the tea pot empty, the trades completed and your questions answered, Naskeen nods in agreement at Kestrell's suggested departure. Pouring the now bright yellow fluid from the mini-cauldron into a glass vial, Naskeen stoppers it with a cork from her pouch before handing it to the navigator, saying,'

"The former owner of the ring has no further use for it. May it serve you well. 

The path you took here is the correct one. Had Worms or another of my little friends notified me of your presence, I would have opened the way for you. Be that as it may, if each of you sips this potion before walking through the thornvine curtains and deathkiss flowers, you should pass through unharmed. I wish you well, crew of the Shore Shark. Both on your approaching voyage and... beyond. You are welcome to return anytime, though as you now know, you would be best served notifying me somehow of your pending arrival. Unannounced visitors do not... fare well here.

Oh, and please don't forget to take Token and the other with you. Poor Jinx I think has had more than enough of the company... though she may miss you, Stormborn.

'Naskeen says the last somewhat invitingly in A'ro's direction as she opens the door out onto the sunlit porch in anticipation of your departure.'

[OOC] Kestrell now has a Potion of Glade Passing - a limited use custom item to allow access to and from Naskeen's Glade. I will put this in your inventory, so no need for you to add it.

"Gratitude, Lady Naskeen." 'Kay says and curtsies in her direction. She gently picks up Token and Vaken in both arms and heads out the door and over to where Orlys stands.' "Seems that cap'n's business is concluded. Will you travel with us back to Rumbottom? We can make the proper introductions, and if t'other's haven't told you, it seems we're down a few crew if'n ye'd like we could put in a good word. A'ro, Kestrell, and Virt there are all officers, Masters of Sail, Navigation, and Magic, such as they are."

A'ro just smiles finishing the tea and politely setting the cup down "I will miss her to, though this would be a nice place to visit whenever I'm land bound."

He just watches his companions leave as he gets up "I'll be out in a second." he just stands waiting for the last to leave.