(IC - D&D 3.5) Rathan's Problem Down Under

[unleashed]

“You know, I think that black mound ahead may be the final resting place of Lord Rakas. We should probably pay our respects before we pass by tomorrow, as he was a great man who did much good for the people ... much as we’re trying to do,” Eltyr remarks, looking towards the hill in question and wondering why such an important site isn’t marked on their map.

After spending several moments gazing at the black mound ahead, knowing he’ll be able to do little to satiate his curiosity about it in the fading light, Eltyr starts down the goat path towards the inviting cluster of trees.

 

[ghostcat]

"That clump of tree looks like a good place to camp for the night. Also, the weather looks like it will be good for the next few days. At least, we should not have any more storms."

Lidia goes down the goat track and makes sure that the trees make a good camp site. If so, she starts looking for a source of water. "Why don't we have a look around and see if there is any water about." At the same time she will check with Shadow to see if there is any game around.

 

[ethandrew]

Anton follows the others, eager for the respite from his heavy armor, his knee beginning to ache from the day's journey. "I prayed to Pelor today to grant me the ability to purify any water we might find, and barring that I might actually be able to be blessed with the chance to actually create the water out of nothing, but I've never done that before, so I don't know how refreshing it will be."

 

[Rathan]

Menhir with his ability to sense underground and a wise sense of survival is able to pull from the nest of tress and bush enough eatable vegetation to feed the entire party for the night, meat however would be far more scarce and would take hours of hunting if one so desired.... He is also able to find a good source of water running underneath the spattering of trees... it seems this may be why the small patch of growth is doing so well in an otherwise very sparse area for vegetation....

Shadow finds no game in the area that is visible to even it's keen eyes.... this area is open for the most part and what game that would be out here is open to vast lands with not much low lying protection at all... as it is this happens to be the only good spot to take cover and rest for good long ways it seems... between the recent storms and the destruction of the natural resources of the land thusfar due to the starfall... not much takes residence in this area anymore it seems...

 

[Ambrus]

Out of sight far beneath the surface, Menhir circumvents the thick tangle of tree roots overhead to access the subterranean spring directly. Withdrawing the half dozen geodes encased within its body, the earth elemental systematically fills their hollow cavities with fresh water. Once done, Menhir arcs back beneath the overhanging tree roots to emerge from the ground along the bare earth of the goat trail. Gliding knee deep through the ground, the elemental rejoins its companions. Holding out a holed geode, the elemental tips the stony sphere on its side to dribble a few drops of water down onto the ground. Trusting that the organics can recognize the life sustaining fluid for what it is Menhir offers forth a holed geode to each of them in turn.

OOC: Each geode holds a pint of liquid, so 3/4 of a gallon in all. Menhir will make return trips down to the subterranean spring as required to satisfy its companions' need for water until the group departs the campsite.

 

[ghostcat]

Having found out from Shadow that there is not obvious game in the area, Lidia says "Shadow can't see any game. There may be some around but it will take hours to find. Even then we may not be successful. So, it looks like we will be eating Menhir's vegetables tonight. Does anyone have a cooking pot. If not, I know a techniques for cooking them in the fire's embers.

Lidia starts collecting firewood and builds up and lights a fire. Once the fire is going, she will take out the vegetables then look pointedly at the others to see if anyone produces a pot.

At this moment, Menhir appears with the water. "Thank you Menhir. Just wait a minute to see if anyone has a pot. Otherwise, we will fill the water bottles. Come on people get to it.

At this stage it is obvious that Lidia has taken over the organisation of the camp.

After a hard day scouting for his friend, Shadow flys back to camp tired and hungry. He has not even seen a field mouse never mind a tasty rat. Once back at the camp, he perches on a tree branch and gives his friend an hungry look. As there is no food around for him, she feeds him bits of the hard meat that she seems to like. Personally, Shadow prefers fresh, raw meat, however its better than going hungry. Having finished his dinner, Shadow flys to the top of a tree and roosts for the night.

 

[Neurotic]

"Here is the pot, seems sturdy enough, but not realy suited as a bowl. Maybe we could use someones helm." says Berrek offering Lidia empty geode and smiling at the last sentence.

 

[Ambrus]

[sblock=OOC]Menhir's geodes are simply hollow spheres of stone with a small opening at one end; akin to a flask or bottle. To get tubbers inside a geode would have to be split open, which would in turn reduce its capacity from a pint to a cup; about the size of a drinking glass. So I can't see one serving as a cooking pot any more than a bottle might. [/sblock]

 

[unleashed]

Trusting that the organics can recognize the life sustaining fluid for what it is Menhir offers forth a holed geode to each of them in turn.

Eltyr takes a geode from Menhir with gracious nod when it’s offered, before saying, “Well, how about those language lessons I mentioned before Menhir? Now we’re out of the city, it seems like a perfect opportunity to learn a little more of your people, and what better way to start than with your native language ... if you’re willing to teach me that is.”

He then sniffs the contents of the geode and takes a sip to make sure the water is palatable, before adding, “Thanks for the water and the edible plants, my rocky friend, it’s good to see the earth is still so bountiful after the impact of the star fall.”

Having found out from Shadow that there is not obvious game in the area, Lidia says "Shadow can't see any game. There may be some around but it will take hours to find. Even then we may not be successful. So, it looks like we will be eating Menhir's vegetables tonight. Does anyone have a cooking pot. If not, I know a techniques for cooking them in the fire's embers.

“Sorry Lidia, that’s one thing I didn’t think to get when I was buying dried rations,” Eltyr offers with a shrug, “Though fire roasted sounds fine to me anyway.”

 

[Ambrus]

“Thanks for the water and the edible plants, my rocky friend, it’s good to see the earth is still so bountiful after the impact of the star fall.”

The earth elemental nods its blocky head to acknowledge Eltyr's statement while continuing to withdraw and distribute the tubers embedded in its torso. "The earth endures and perseveres, always."

“Well, how about those language lessons I mentioned before Menhir? Now we’re out of the city, it seems like a perfect opportunity to learn a little more of your people, and what better way to start than with your native language ... if you’re willing to teach me that is.”

Menhir reaches its stubby fingers into its own head and pulls out the bunch of grapes it had interred there the previous day, proffering the fresh fruit to Eltyr as it considers the man's request. It has some trouble envisaging who the man meant when he referred to its "people". Finally the elemental rumbles out a hesitant response. "Terran is very different than your organic language. Some words and... concepts don't translate well. Organic largely ignores the..." The elemental issues a gravely sound that slowly lowers in pitch before ending in a resounding crack. "...the being, the state. You'd have to learn to express it correctly."