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Message: <blockquote data-quote="megamania" data-source="post: 6886997" data-attributes="member: 9255">THE MORGRAVE ADVENTURES“06 EMERALD FOREST”SEGMENT 59“ELDEEN FOREST STEW”04/10/16ZARANTYR 4, 1001  ELDEEN REACHESFires were impossible to make last night.  The first storm of the year is here- a Blizzard no less.  They doubt they have traveled more than two miles since leaving camp this day.“We have to find some shelter.” Diana calls out over the wind.“Maybe I can do something.  But I doubt it would help everyone and not for long.” Says the sorcerer thinking about his Rope Trick spell.“We need fire and hot food.” She calls out.“Fresh meat….” Whispers the Lizardfolk.Diana’s rapport with Gears allows her to know what he has seen.  “There is a cabin ahead of us.  Smoke rises from it’s chimney.  We may have help there.”They struggle to walk through the blowing horizontal snow and ice.  It is not long before they can see the light also.  “I hope they are friendly.”“I hope for food!” growls the lizardfolk.Diana knocks on the door.  They hear what seems to be a lone old woman struggle to reach the door inquiring to herself at whom would be visiting her in a blizzard.   She opens it a few inches and struggles to keep it from blowing open any further.   “Yesssss….?”Her back is hunched and skin is creased with wrinkles and liver marks.   One eye seems slightly off.  She is dressed with a heavy shawl to keep warm.  The smell of fresh stew can be detected.  The lizardfolk’s stomach nearly growls in desire.“Hello maam.   I hope we are not protruding.  The storm has caught us ill-prepared and we look for shelter.   We can pay if need be.” Offers the halfling artificer.The old woman’s hands shake as she looks at the group before her.  “You will die if you stay out there tonight.   Risia has visited once more the forests.   Come. Come in.”  She says with a crooked smile.Charger decides to stay outside.  The cold is not harming him like it would the others (having magic shielding him from the worse helps) and wishes not to crowd the old woman and thus have the others evicted from her shelter.“There is a fire and extra blankets on the chair.   Sit…. Sit……” she says as she struggles to reach the fireplace and stir her stew once more.Diana looks at her and hopes she not a hag of some sort.  “Your stew smells good.”“Ah.  Emerald Forest Stew I have decided to call it. I made with things I found in the forest in the past few weeks.”“I can smell the spices.” Adds Taylor.“Yes.  Local herbs.  The vegetables and roots are local also.  Gathered before the snows came.”“The meat smells….. familiar.” Comments the lizardfolk.   “Smells very good.”“Thankyou.  Thankyou for saying such nice things of an aged old woman.   Would you like some?”“We can pay.  We have silver and gold.” Offers Diana.“I am an old woman that lives off the forest.  I have little need for minerals such as those.   I do enjoy stories.”“Stories maam?” says the sorcerer.“Yes.  I love grand old tales.  I would gladly offer you shelter and food for a story from each of you.”“That is nice of you.  Are you sure you do not want our coin also?” offers Diana.   She hates not paying people for any help or kindness she receives.“No.   Stories and company is all I ask for.   Let me get you some stew first.”  With an unsteady hand she ladles out the stew.   It has a green color, much like pea soup, a true green.   Also emerald.She gives a bowl to Taylor first.   He thanks her but waits to eat.   Once she turns her back to scoop out more he quickly does a detect magic spell on it.   There are too many Fey in this area to not be careful.  He detects none and smiles.Diana gets a bowl and offers it to the lizardfolk.   He has already gotten out rations of his own.  He has decided against her stew.  He doesn’t trust her kindness.Taylor and Diana sample the stew and find it very good.   “What is the meat?  I cannot place it.” Asks Diana.“Oh Dear.  I hope I don’t upset you.  I get my meat from whatever source I can.  It is vermin that I found in the forest last week.   Eat up.  It is fresh and healthy.”Diana hopes it is not rat or skunk.  Despite her paranoia she finishes her bowl.  It is hot, flavorful and NOT rations bought from a store last month.“Are you sure your armored warrior is okay outside?  He can join us and have stew also.”“That is okay.  Charger is shy.”“Shall I begin with a story then?” the old woman offers.</blockquote>

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