The Untamed Wilds: Caravan Campaign

[Tellerian Hawke]

Merin says, "I love this little white stone. I carry it around with me for good luck; I know this sounds funny, but while I carry it, I feel more confident, more sure of myself. I can feel something inside this stone, like I'm connected to it; I believe that this stone holds true power within it, although I can't explain how I know that. Have you ever felt that before? At any rate, I too, would like to know if my stone could be made into a necklace."

 

[MacConnell]

Maeli Responds to San-Bolo

GM: NOTE: For perspective, all stones and ingots are of relative size, being about that of Sannit's or Sheldon's thumb knuckle.

Bolo asks,

"How long would it take to fashion the smaller stones into jewelry?"

Maeli quirks the corner of her mouth and makes a small laugh.

That might be an odd question to pose for an herbalists, but you might be thinking I make little talismans and charms for more superstitious of folks, and you would be correct. It so happens I can fashion jewelry, but these stones are too hard to be bored like teeth or claws like those adorning some of your armor. I would have to make a sort of tether and cradle for them. Now, if you happen to have some metal, like copper or silver: I do not recommend using tin, I can make you something truly adorning.

With you providing the materials, I would only charge you a fee for labor. Say, 20 for copper, 40 for silver? I think that I could make any single piece in less than a day.

 

[MacConnell]

Maeli Addresses Merin

Merin says, "I love this little white stone. I carry it around with me for good luck; I know this sounds funny, but while I carry it, I feel more confident, more sure of myself. I can feel something inside this stone, like I'm connected to it; I believe that this stone holds true power within it, although I can't explain how I know that. Have you ever felt that before? At any rate, I too, would like to know if my stone could be made into a necklace."

Maeli purses her lips and squints her eyes. She looks at Merin, then at the others.

You are toying with me. Let me tell you all a story. Ages ago, now, my mother was an herbalist in Asylim. We have our place in society. Even the most superstitious lay their fears of the unknown aside when a loved one is ill or injured. My mother had the gift. She did not do anything with the stones and crystals, but she had them. Almost no one knew this. I have the gift.

When I was still an adolescent, I was toying with an ingot of iron. It had piqued my curiosity for some reason, when it suddenly exploded in my hand. It burned my arms and my face. My mother did a fine job of curing me, but the soft skin of the face left scars. I learned a valuable lesson that day.

That is the start. There is more, but it is unimportant. Certain observations do not pass me. How many groups have a pet bear, especially one that waits contently outside while business is conducted within? What do you really want to know?

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Merin smiles, and replies, in a low whisper: "We have all discovered things about ourselves, as you have. All of us have some degree of talent, albeit in different areas. But we are all just now learning, just now testing the limits of our abilities. We seek others like ourselves, like you, who can guide us, and teach us. We, of course, will gladly share what we know in return. We are not interested in using our talents for ill; we are good folk, who are only interested in developing our gifts, and finding our true place within the world. Can we count you as a friend, and mentor?"

 

[MacConnell]

Merin smiles, and replies, in a low whisper: "...We are not interested in using our talents for ill; we are good folk, who are only interested in developing our gifts, and finding our true place within the world. Can we count you as a friend, and mentor?"

Maeli shakes her head and frowns.

You are young yet. You will learn. Good or ill, however we perceive ourselves, will be chosen by the perceptions of others. Friend? Yes. Mentor? No. I am not suited for such and I am tired of relocating. I want to end my days peaceably, but alas, that is chosen by others as well, unless one decides to live in complete isolation.

You are asking the wrong questions. You might as well ask another to teach you to breathe when you were born with the ability. It is up to you to learn to control it. No one can teach you how to breathe.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Merin says, "We are honored to count you as a friend. We shall respect your decision in regard to the other matter; each person must choose their own path, and we shall not judge you for that. I have but one last question: Can we ask you questions, occasionally, about the properties of various herbs and stones? We'd promise not to bother you too much." Merin smiles warmly, with an air of respect and humility.

 

[Kwargrow]

Bolo nods and says to Maeli, "That is what I have been saying, that life will teach us better than anyone else. Have you heard of anyone else bonding with an animal?" She motions to Turtle with her own scar twisted smile. "You can say hello if you like."

Sannit looks over the wares. "Since we're dropping the act, we should buy samples of any of these herbs to use as conduits to find more." He addresses Maeli. "We're finding stuff for everyone else, is there anything you would like us to bring back for you?"

Turtle waits outside patiently, although he can tell the woman was talking about him for a moment.

OOC: suggested purchases by San-Bolo: mend leaf, soothe leaf, mend bark and soothe bark for 100 clams. unless theres a reason not to buy, like these things can't be found in the wilds.

OOC: before we move on to Raven how are we dividing up the skins we have? I would like a couple pieces made

 

[MacConnell]

Using Maeli's Knowledge

Merin says,I have but one last question: Can we ask you questions, occasionally, about the properties of various herbs and stones? We'd promise not to bother you too much."

Maeli responds,

That is no bother at all. I can do that, for a nominal fee, of course. Leave what you want with me and I will see what I can determine. I think 100 clams per day will suffice. I think that is the same rate Raven charges for his services with the skins.

OOC: NOTE: No need to post a list. Just message or text me.

 

[MacConnell]

Concluding Business with Maeli

Bolo nods and says to Maeli, "That is what I have been saying, that life will teach us better than anyone else. Have you heard of anyone else bonding with an animal?" She motions to Turtle with her own scar twisted smile. "You can say hello if you like."

Maeli greets the bear and scratches him behind his ears.

I have indeed heard of such. Back in Asylim, one of the archers in the Magistry Marshals had a Blood Shrike, vicious bird of prey normally, and one of the Shimadow Magisters had a desert lynx.

Sannit looks over the wares.

"Since we're dropping the act, we should buy samples of any of these herbs to use as conduits to find more." He addresses Maeli. "We're finding stuff for everyone else, is there anything you would like us to bring back for you?"

OOC: Suggested purchases by San-Bolo: mend bark = -40 calms soothe bark = -40 clams

GM: Party credit adjusted

Party Inventory
Maeli -

Having visited with Indigo on a few previous occasions, I will be forthright with you and advise against buying the leaves, because she is quite adept and finding them herself. The bark, however is more rare and more potent.

Indigo -

I would like to have this yellow stone fitted into a copper necklace from this copper ingot.

Maeli -

I can have that ready by tomorrow, 100 clams Thank you for your business. As to what you might do for me, I do have something for you.

She presents everyone with two pieces of leather and a small piece of wood. One piece of leather is moulded like a pauldron. One is flat. She hands the moulded one to Sannit and taps the other on a table. It is hard, inflexible. One is brick red in color the other black. All are shiny, even the wood which appears otherwise unchanged.

I have found that by boiling down the pieces of chitin from insects and spider creates this substance that can then infuse the leather making it much harder, almost like steel. It also has the added benefit of dying the leather. The wood is coated with almost the same substance but I used smaller insects which makes a thinner liquid.

I will buy any chitin you come across, whether from beetles or spiders. I have spoken with Raven about this as well. Instead of mounting the pieces of chitin on armor like those bracers Merin is wearing, we can infuse the pieces and mould them while hot to make a higher grade of armor than any we've seen, except for that lizard skin you have acquired.

OOC: NOTE: Maeli has invented shellac for wood and lacquer for leather.

GM: Everyone receives 2 XP.

 

[Kwargrow]

Sannit nods, "We'll let you know if we kill any giant beetles."

Bolo and Turtle get bored with shopping and go outside town to climb trees. She starts to teach the bear tricks, like walking on his hind legs and handling simple objects.

OOC: I would like to have some snake skin boots made for Sannit at Raven's. That should leave plenty of skin for other pieces. Since I got the tunic for Bolo I don't need anything made for her.