Shae sat herself down on a rock and watched Mulligan bring a pair of Kenku around to each team member for introductions, as well as instructions. She’d pull out her personal healing kit to begin preparing a disinfectant for her scratches.

“You’ve come searching for a cunning linguist?” Shae’s eyes would flick up to Mulligan when he would eventually make his way to her and the Professor. “You are in the right place.” A small smirk tugged at the corner of her lip. “I’m also happy to share and exchange healing techniques, should there be any interest.” 

Standing Shae would then dip her head in welcome to the pair of Kenku, introducing herself along with the Professor. She’d assist with any communication attempts, using her magic, much like the Professor did, to help emphasize anything of importance.

response to ixi’s post #3150

https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/play-by-post/45634-welcome-to-the-jungle?page=157#c3144

Shae enters the area that Fang has settled into for the night to find the lizardfolk staring out into the jungle seemingly lost in thought. In fact, it isn’t until she steps forward into the space that he even realizes she was there. He turns quickly while reaching for his club and shield and immediately relaxes when he sees that familiar sight of Shae before him with Mushu on her shoulder.

Honestly sometimes it seems like the creature likes her more than him, but he’s always liked lots of attention and Shae always seems to have that in great supply.

Fang does his best to try and focus on what Shae has to say. It seems so very important and she seems incredibly passionate about it. And yet, he can’t stop his mind from wandering back to thoughts of his village. His people that he hasn’t seen in… weeks… no, that’s not quite the right term. Months I believe is the proper term. Inside he aches with longing for his village. Then another thought bubbles to the surface. That he is here because of the soft skin standing before him. And that he owes her his life. This sobering thought brings about a mental clarity for Fang and brings his focus and attention back towards the topic of discussion.

During the conversation, Fang is mostly quiet and stoic as he often is. Though now doing a much better job listening then he had been before. He looks a bit unsettled as Shae thanks him for helping with the threat of the Hags Coven to the area around his village.

Apologies. Gratefulness. Being thanked. Are all concepts Fang is still trying to grasp. In his villlage, if you were good at something naturally, you were expected to do it. Especially if it benefitted the survival of the group. So, when Shae finishes, he’ll nod in head in agreement not entirely sure how to respond.

Fang is more than willing to assist with identifying anything the group finds in the jungle. As he’s probably seen most of it. He thinks on all the stories he heard as a broodling and all the stories the elders told of the clans history. Any little detail that seems like it would be remotely related to what she brings up, he’ll share as much as he can remember.

(And this should get me caught up. With the exception of any rolls needed for the research stuff)

The next morning Fang quietly steals away from the camp to hunt for something for himself and Mushu for breakfast and return with the results of their hunt slung over Fangs shoulders. (No real preference on what. My initial thought was some kind of bird… but that might not go over well with the Kenku… perhaps a monkey or two?)

Fang listens absently to Glasses and Shae discuss, well, whatever it is they’re discussing. He’s more focused on realizing how much he missed spending time near the two of them during his time in the city. He’s primarily focused on getting his latest kill ready for eating and saving any pieces and parts that might be useful later. Various bits of bone, teeth, hide, feathers and the like.

Fang does his best to keep at least a visual on the new members of his clan away from his village. If they stray out of his sight, he would have Mushu tag along with them.

As breakfast winds down and discussion of the days plans begins Fang sits silently nearby inspecting his weapons and ensuring everything was still in tip top shape. He’ll eventually get up and help with moving the goods off the ship. Though his main contribution in (addition to Whiff) is keeping an eye and ear on their surroundings. They are still in the jungle after all. Mushu however would be particularly mischievous and alight on anything that someone was struggling to carry just to make it that little bit heavier.

After the portage of goods and relocating the ship is completed. Fangs expected that the group would continue on their way to this expedition that they are to deliver these supplies to. Though he listens to the conversation, he keeps his thoughts on the matter to himself. Later when the Sonny and Ginny are brought over to him by Mulligan. Fang does his best to share with them his knowledge of the jungle. Though he does notice how Mulligan keeps positioning himself between Fang and these younger Kenku. … Does Mulligan not trust me? Fang wonders to himself as the trio wanders off to talk with Glasses and Shae.

When with Fang...

     After letting Fang go on for a while, Mulligan would interrupt.  "Yes, yes...  Stuff like that will be a huge help, I am sure.  And any other tips you can think of.  They're going to journey with us for a couple of days so we all have time to think about what we can share with them."

     Fang was hard to get a good bearing on, for Mulligan.  He was used to masses of humanity crowding pubs and inns, to reading the small tells and signals in the way one holds a cup or raises a brow or crinkles their eyes but Fang was just so different from what he was used to... So alien, almost.  Still, he was getting a weird read off the stoic warrior.  Did he take offense to the request he help these Kenku?  Or was it something about himself?  But no, that couldn't be it...  Everyone loved Mulligan.  Didn't they?

     Still, there was something...  Mulligan made a mental note to remember to ask Fang about it sometime soon.  If there seemed a good time to ask the fierce, lizard like warrior about their feelings.  Yeah, that was likely.

Later, with Shae...

     "Well I was hopi... ummm..." Mulligan tilts his head slightly and squints at Shae.  "No I... That's ummm..."  

     Mulligan was groaning to himself inside his head.  That was his line and now he's all stumbling over his words and thrown off balance.  Damn it all, he thought.  But he was also amused at himself and his stumbling.  And seeing the small smirk on the side of Shae's mouth Mulligan thought perhaps he wasn't making quite as much a mess of it as he imagined.

     "Healing, most definitely!  I hadn't even considered that but I'm sure that would be at least as helpful as everything else!" Mulligan finally answered, just leaving the first remarks alone for the time being.  "I could use some lessons on that myself..."

(Using my inspiration for the research rolls and since it pertains to the jungle and I have doubled proficiency bonus in int and Wis checks relating to it. I’ll roll a d20 w/ advantage and add 8(double history modifier). If survival applies add two to the number.)

Research check: 18

Shae would mimic Mulligan’s tilt of his head in light amusement as he tried finding his words. “Cat caught your tongue mmm?” The playfulness in her smirk deepened further. Although he had continued and moved on from her first remarks, she couldn’t help but let the mans last words hang in the air along side those thoughts. ‘Could use some lessons on that myself...’ The lightest of amused hums would escape Shae. “Can always start from what you do know.” She’d wink. 

Professor, the elder lets you know that the village's hunters do routinely range in the forests beyond for up to two weeks. The two younglings were soon expected to join the clan's huntresses and hunters on a similar expedition, so they expect the two to stick with you for the coming week at least.

After another quarter of an hour, your gear is fully stowed and Ginny and Sonny stand at the ready to join you. Some more of the kenkus have gathered, having heard that two of their young will join you and wanting to say their goodbyes. As the two say share a moment with their families, the Captain looks to the assembled party. "Off down-river to the amp then?"

Glasses:

Standing before the assembled tribe and saying goodbye, the Professor is in his element as he considers how best to instruct these two new pupils.

”Ginny and Sonny, I congratulate you on your decision to join us for a few weeks.  You are courageous and adventurous, and I encourage you to train with each of us to learn what best fits your natural inclination,” begins the Professor.

Drawing an arcane sigil of a bird in flight in the air and speaking words of power as he walks forward, Snively reaches up and rests his hands on the two aspirant’s shoulders, saying, “For now, enjoy a taste of what you might accomplish should you chose the path of Magic!”

Fly

Glasses steps back and smiles as it slowly dawns on the two young Kenku that their feet no longer quite touch the ground.  “Come fly with me!” calls Whiff as he cavorts in the air above, inviting the youngsters to take to the air with him.

Fang watches glasses display with joy as he enjoys the gnomes magic. Though one wouldn’t be able to tell by the blank, stone-faced expression he keeps pretty much all the time. He tracks them the entire time they’re in the air (assuming they stay within his site) and mentally works through when he would shoot his bow should the group be attacked by hostile creatures with the capability of flight. 

     While Sonny and Ginny soar, Mulligan provides some uplifting background music to the adventure, having pulled out his flute.  He adjusts the music to by soft and lilting as they soar or to rise dramatically or fall shockingly as is appropriate to the maneuvers the pair partake in.  It's designed to just add to the drama, not to draw away from it... This is their moment, Mulligan definitely does not want to take away from that.

     "Well done, Prof," Mulligan will say while taking a pause from the musical accompaniment. "But now they're all going to want to be your best friend...  Or is that part of the goal?" Mulligan chuckles though, and continues watching the kids soar.

Glasses:

"Whiff, stay with them and guide them to the ship when I tell you the spell nears its expiration," communicates the Professor to Whiff telepathically, otherwise just sitting back in his typical spot on the boat and enjoying the show.

Shae was perched comfortably with her journal and pen. She understood the thrill of flying, especially for the first time and could only imagine the young Kenku's further excitement. With a warm smile on her face, she was very content looking up to the sky to take in the whole experience and record it. Besides a little low humming, Shae would quietly work on filling a few pages with notes and several sketches to build on later.

Upon arriving at the boat Berrus motions to Brax and they go below deck.  After 20 minutes Brax returns.  After about 45 minutes Berrus returns with two half staves in his hands.  (Those who might observe would notice that his beard is less freyed with his mustache ends braided into it.  The hair on the sides of his head has been cut shorter so it appears like a mohawk fading into his normal shoulder length hair)

"Reng. Im figurin we ken start them wi short swords"

Having been lost in her work, Shae would look up from the page she was working on. A soft hum would escape her lips as her head tilts. She'd tuck her purple hair behind her ear, her expression softens and her smile grows with warmth. Lowering her head to focus back on her sketches, blue eyes would still glance up from time to time.

As Shae drew, Mushu would interchange curling around her shoulders and neck to nap, whirl up and down her arms to tickle her, and weave himself in and out of her dress pockets. Naturally Shae had been recording the display put on by the Kenku and Whiff, but those weren't the only subjects she was including in her journal. She also observed those who were sharing the experience with her, capturing them in their candid states. Shae would continue working to the delightful sound of Mulligan's music, enjoying the company of the Professor and Fang near by, and keeping an eye on Berrus and Reng working on their defenses.

The two kenku younglings are confused at first, almost anxious, but when they realise that they had the power of flight, their youthful nature took over and they started to soar, twirling in circles, reaching up high into the sky to dart down close to the ship, almost skipping across the water's surface, only to pull back up into the air sharply. Watching from the shores, you see a mixture of joy and sadness on the face of the kenku elder,  knowing that their kind had once enjoyed the gifts of flight, but was robbed of it in times long past.

After nine minutes, Whiff takes off, back to the ship, folllowed closely by the two kenku. They don't time their arrival quite right and both dip into the water, but emerge with a joyous trill and quickly clambering on board, very excited and hopped up on endorphins. As they turn around to wave farewell to their families on the shrinking shore, they are still bouyed by their flight, and the moment is one of joy, adventrue and celebration.

     Onboard, Mulligan takes his self appointed role as chaperone and protector of the Kennies very seriously.  He tries to always keep them within sight, or appoint someone else to do so.  He also takes it upon himself to try to set up a schedule for their training.  Mulligan first approaches Shae and the Professor and outlines his plans.

     "Whenever possible, I think one of the three of us should be with them during every training session.  And if one of us are doing the training, one of the other two around...  My thinking is that it is easy to get frustrated with a student.  Or with a teacher.  Specially when there's communication issues...  It would be best, I think, if there was always another party to play interpreter.  As well as moderator.  Mind you I don't worry about anyone on board harming these two...  But it can be easy during trying to speak harshly, raise voices... And I worry that perhaps they may get startled or scared off," Mulligan explains.  "Maybe I shouldn't be assuming since normal birds are so easily started and take flight...  I dunno, maybe I'm thinking about it wrong?"

     As for actually scheduling training sessions, Mulligan would consult with Ginny and Sonny and inquire on their sleep schedule.  Maybe they don't sleep all at once, he figures.  Who am I to assume?  So he would get what information he could about their patterns and then try to schedule around it.  He also tries to schedule around the duties each person has on the ship.  Every chips in on the work a bit and Mulligan doesn't want anyone shirking their duties in order to spend time with the Kennies...  That's his job.  ;)

     But whatever happens with the scheduling or with the secondary observers, Mulligan dedicates his time to the Kennies and doing what he can for them.  He's always there with a smile and an inspiring word (or bardic inspiration, if needed) to keep them at it.  He know's it's probably a fools dream that what little they can show in the little time they have will have a real impact but he feels that he need at least try...

---

     For Mulligan's training sessions with Ginny and Sonny he tries to focus on two main points of combat:  Defense and Sneak Attack

     First and foremost Mulligan tries to instill upon them how to use one's own speed, quickness and flourish to protect one's self.  The goal here is to show the Kenku pair how to position themselves and their weapon in such a way as to maximize their own protection.  The ways in which body position and proper footwork can give one advantages and options.  (OOC - trying to instill Blade Flourish - Defensive Flourish upon them, I'm visualizing Mulligan basically teaching them the basics of fencing or such...). Mulligan teaches them this as much through demonstration and supervised repetition as possible.  At teams he will try to explain the how's and why's but aims to keep the talking to a minimum, it may be his strong suit but it is not theirs.

((Rolls for teaching this skill...))

      If, and hopefully when, they have grasped the basics of defending oneself during combat, Mulligan will then shift to trying to instill in them the ability to take advantage of your enemies distraction.  In a combination of explanations of theory (kept to a minimum) as well as staged demonstrations and walk throughs, Mulligan will show them how easy it can be to take a sneak attack at an enemy who is already engaged with another.  He shows them how when their focus is on another a third party can easily slip a deadly attack past their defenses.  He will, of course, also weave in some demonstrations of how to attack from hiding...  But he suspects anyone living in a jungle likely has some teachings and understanding of this basic concept already...

((Rolls for Sneak Attack))

      There is so much Mulligan wants to teach them but he has limited time and he is sure everyone else has things to teach as well.  He hopes that he focused on a couple of skills which he may be the best one to impart upon them but he can't help second guessing himself and wondering if perhaps they should have just spent more time with the warriors instead...

Glasses:

Having tempted the kenku with the promise of flight...after many, many, lessons and much hard work, the Professor lets them approach him should they wish to train in the arts of magic.  Otherwise he supports the others as Mulligan suggests (using the Help whenever possible (the Professor has all the INT-based skills but is not proficient in any others).

If one of the kenku shows interest in magic, the Professor will start him or her with the Detection of Magic so they can properly see the threads of magic for further study.

Arcana + History rolls for Detect Magic Training:

Over the next seven hours, Mulligan is instructing the two kenku in basic offence and defence with bladed weapons. Berrus and Reng, watching on from the sidelines, can see that the two kenku younglings move with swiftness and agility, striking hard and fast, but equally quickly drawing back. Berrus' initial assessment of them seems to be correct and as you keep watching their training, you can tell that they are determined to learn, pushing through the exhaustion and pain of their aching muscles.

The crew is meanwhile focussed on getting you closer to your ultimate destination, Camp Vengeance, another two days or so further to the south. The presence of the Kenku seems to have had a positive effect on morale though, as everyone from the Captain on down is eager to give them a helping hand after their training with Mulligan. As Shae spotted earlier, the journey south is no longer obstructed and the afternoon passes largely uneventfully, though you do all notice the forest increasingly crowd in towards the river, with several passages seeing the brush overhanging parts of the stream at the sides. At Reng and the Captain's warning, the crew steers mostly to the middle of the stream, so as to avoid any potential for snakes dropping from the branches onto the deck.

Fang and Mushu meanwhile delight in the abundance of fish that appear here and had previously been blocked by the dam. Whenever he's not helping with tasks on board, the two of them look to add to the ship's supplies, and Fang is quick to gut the fish and then salting and drying them so as to ensure they can be stored longer term as well.

As the sun sets and the crew goes over into the night shift, with a lot of you bedding down for the night, the Professor is sitting down with the two kenku to impart some of his knowledge on the arcane, and starting them off with lessons on detecting magical presences near them. Despite the language barrier, the Professor is able to get his points across well enough, and the two of them eagerly listen for hours, before the exhaustion of the days' lessons becomes insurmountable and both fall asleep.

Is there anything you want to do during the night?

Berrus will assist with the last watch of the night

Shae would smile and chuckle to herself musing over Mulligan's waves of enthusiasm since the introduction of the Kenku. She was plenty happy to ride the waves, curious on where he leads it. There was no surprise the energy amongst the crew was lifted with the efforts and the scholar found it easy to agree with Mulligan's suggestions of keeping an interpreter or at least a familiar face near by.

"I see what you're doing." Shae'd quip playfully with a smirk passing by during Kenny scheduling.

There was plenty of physical combat and arcane training lined up for the young Kenku. Armed with that information, Shae slipped into the background to observe and assist. She'd be present during training sessions armed with journal and supplies on hand. Attentive, trained eyes scanned and assessed. Notes recorded on progress and development. The medic was highly prepared not because she expected any grievous wounds, but because dehydration and exhaustion were high on her list of concerns. Therefore, she would step in as needed to assert breaks, distribute water, prepare a snack and administrate any medical attention as required.

Throughout the day as she worked, Shae hummed a light melody that'd cause the feathers at the end of her hair to glow. The tune would instill modest confidence, guiding her and those she'd touch. By engaging multiple senses and using repetition through sight, touch, smell, taste and sound, Shae hopes to impart experience more passively. If the Kenku can pick out her patterns, perhaps they will develop natural tendencies and form habits, from her care of nutrition and medical knowledge, to her display of learned medicinal techniques and adapted culinary skills.

Once training was done, Shae would want to take a moment to respectfully ask the Kenku if they'd be willing to honour her with samples of their own colourful plumage, and share any that are naturally shed or plucked going forward. She'd organize them by size and vibrancy. Picking two that each represented Ginny and Sonny's unique personality respectively, the academic would add it to her collection, adorning her purple hair and braids with them. The largest would be saved for quills, average sizes would be collected for Fangs crafting and she'd keep the smaller ones for accents/gifts in the future.

"Chin up." Shae'd gently lift Mulligan's chin when she'd catch him hanging his head low after the day of training. "You're making a fine impression." She'd encourage with a small correction of his shirt after tending a shallow flesh wound from the kennies opening wallop. "Now hydrate, fuel and rest." She'd request with an assuring smile while handing him his water rations and a meal.

Shae made sure to send Kenku (and crew off) with satisfied bellies for the night thanks to Fang's fresh daily catch. And come the cover of night, she'd slink off to a quiet corner of the ship. Not to hide from any one, but to secure space for enjoying the still of night and it's moonlight. It was when her skin shone and her heart called out to the sky. She wanted to 'pray', her way. Though, something was missing. Her staff. Nose would scrunch, finding herself in a bit of a crunch. And with a bit of a pout. But refusing to acknowledge stubbornness that'd rival a dwarfs, Shae would take hold of a training pole. She'd assume the position. First starting with a few basic stretches, then upon finding her inner beat, she'd step with pointed toes and move into her beloved instructed routine drills, turned dance.