Ask Event Episode I: The Island

[Lissa Blackhand]

Lissa was practically beaming as she saw Ora hit the ground, injured but alive. Now there was just Galek to worry about, even though she was somewhat apprehensive about saving him given his self-interest. She could just tell he was the type to leave them all to die if it suited him (then probably get killed minutes later) and that wasn't exactly someone she was interested in protecting...Teddy was a bit self-absorbed and jerk-ish too though, and he was innocent...frack it.

She was about to jump in and help Ora when the plant's presence reared it's terrifying head again, causing her to whirl around and realize the precariousness of her situation. Save Galek, or defend them all from the plant, which may allow it the time to kill Galek before it dies. Thankfully, she didn't need to make that decision since the Queen decided to join in the fun, so she mentally breathed a sigh of relief before looking at Peedunkee.
<"Grab one of the vines and wrap it around the stalk! Try to avoid the thorns!!"> She called out, jumping up and grabbing the vine that had previously held Ora with her cybernetic arm before sprinting toward the plant.

The hope was that it's injured state would make it less resistant to her grabbing and pulling it, allowing her to deftly run around the plant and wrap the vine around it like a rope...a spikey, thorny rope, coarsely being tightened around it's main stalk. It may have been made of the same material, but it was still a plant, and the thorns could penetrate flesh, so hopefully plant stalk wasn't too far off. Peedunkee, if he could do the same, would help give her some extra leverage to damage the plant and, hopefully, keep it from advancing at the same time.

TL;DR - Lissa grabbed the injured vine and is trying to wrap it around the plant like a barbed wire lasso, hoping peedunkee will help.

@lizziie @LadyRen @Pazaakly @Altaris

 

[Peedunkee]

Peedunkee cheered at the top of his lungs with a near primal screech once Ora was free. Only now did he realize that there was in fact more than one person in danger. Even crazier than that all these vines were not in fact really cranky foliage but actually connected to a cranky monster that just looked like foliage. Either way, that lettuce-looking noodle bastard was going down.

With no hesitation he once again jumped into the fray, only what that meant exactly wasn't clear. Really what he did was stand around lost as far as next steps were concerned for a hot second. After all, the guy seemed to have two people working on getting him out already. Then there was Lissa trying to explain to him a plan that he didn't really understand. Well, he'd just have to settle for making things even.

He went over to Lissa and did his best to help her manhandle the vine, at times he was more so participating in a rodeo. If the vine went too far up off the ground he didn't have enough legs to compensate so he was left dangling and holding on with the tightest grip he could manage while avoiding the thorns. All the while he was looking right at the creature, yelling and hissing at it. If a plant could piss itself, he felt he would be the one to make it happen.


@Logan @lizziie @LadyRen @Panda Hermit 98 @Altaris

 

[Kaladin]

Surprised by the berry, Kaladin eyed the mushroom man with even more curiosity than before, wondering just what sort of magical fruit he had just shared with the Jedi. Realizing the value of the remaining berries on the sprig, he carefully stuffed them into the pocket of his pajamas and nodded in response to Ezra's request.

If the Mushroom didn't object, he'd plop him up onto his shoulders, and begin following after the other Jedi. "You spoke of a girl," as they walked he would ask the mushroom a follow up to Ezra's question about past arrivals, "a wish? This the one that turns into cats?"

@Logan @Sreeya @Killa Ree

 

[Syrina Ro'shyn]

She scowled when the first guy(@Sreeya) ignored her question. She didn't think it was that brainless... But there was something to be said with making deals with creatures they only met. She only bet on sure things, and this was so questionable it was almost laughable. Still, she padded along when they went further into the forest, looking up when the mushroom man mentioned slaying a beast.

"So we gotta slay something... And that's it?" She asked, looking towards the green guy(@Wit) to make sure she wasn't the only one who thought this was crazy.

At the mention of a cat girl, she perked her ears, stride lengthening to get closer between the two. "Another... Like me?" She queried, lifting a black brow.

Impossible, she was the only perfect one here.

Still, she would keep an eye out as they progressed, not only for things in the woods, but also something that could pass as a weapon, a branch or something similar.

She had to be prepared, after all.

@Sreeya @Wit @Logan

 

[Galek Ordalos]

By this point, Galek had devolved into complete panic. He was progressively dragged deeper into the ground without assistance from the people around him, and could see his life flash before his hazel eyes. Was this how it ended for him? Crushed and suffocated beneath the ground, killed by some overgrown weed? He could feel the pressure growing on his torso, and there was no hiding the fear on his expression. It was a nightmare made reality. Damnit, he was a Prince of Indupar! The Vice President of the most powerful government in the Galaxy.

He was too dashing and important to die!

The Prince continued to thrash and struggle against the vines, until Ora offered her hand down to him. He promptly ignored the look of disgust that she flashed - not entirely dissimilar to how Galek looked down on most people in his life. The Prince had built his sterling reputation through refugee aid programs, but there wasn’t an altruistic bone in his entire body.

Without hesitation, Galek latched onto Ora’s arm with both hands - his fingers curling tightly around her own and wrapping her forearm. He pulled with all of his might in an attempt to free himself, while hopefully not pulling the Nautolan down with him.

 

[The Storyteller]

Into the Woods

Initially, things seemed to still be going very poorly for [color=white[Galek[/color]. Despite his allies' valiant attempts, the strength of the vines pulling the Vice President beneath the earth seemed to be just too strong for them to contend with.

That was, of course, until the Queen arrived to save the day by engaging in some hard rodding. As Electra jabbed the metal rod into the plant, the monster would screech and recoil as if she'd lit the thing on fire. Galek would feel the grip on body loosen, and with all of his friends still tugging, they'd manage to free him from his earthy prison.

As the monster stopped reeling from the wound inflicted by the Queen, it regained its composure and began advancing towards everyone, its thorn-covered vines lashing menacingly. Just as it opened its mouth again to let its battle cry echo through the forest, two arrows fired in quick succession would pierce through the back of its head and come out of its mouth.

The monster would fall in a crumpled heap in front of the group, leaving them safe for now though likely confused. Luckily ,their confusion was going to be short lived. From the trees above them descended a girl, a simple wooden bow now slung over her back.

Her face was expressionless as she stared at everyone before she rolled her eyes and brushed some hair out of her face.

I'm surprised you were even able to wake up one of those. You usually have to walk right up to them and like, kick their roots for them to even notice. Noticing the metal rod in Electra's hand, the girl pointed toward the Queen and asked Where did you get that?

During all of the commotion, the sun had started getting low in the sky and darkness was soon to engulf the forest.

What are you people doing here? And.. why are you all in pajamas? For the first time, the girl's facial expression displayed her confusion at what she was seeing. Her eyebrow seemed permanently arched in curiosity. Give me the quick version. I need to return to the coven before nightfall.

Walking over to the corpse of the monster plant, the girl shoved her hand down the thing's throat and rummaged around for a few moments before retrieving two scarlet seeds from the back of its throat.

You people shouldn't stay out here during the night, either. You probably won't live to see the next sunrise judging from how much trouble a plant just gave you.

- - -​

Do You Know the Mushroom Man?

You want to make a wish to turn into a cat? The mushroom asked as he was lifted to ride on Kaladin. A strange request, but I'm never one to judge someone's truest wish.

Turning his attention to Ezra, the MM stroked his chin as he contemplated how exactly to answer the boy's question. His mind rolled through all of the most obvious ways. Thoroughly, helpfully, honestly, the whole gamut.

Eventually, his mind landed on unhelpfully because, lets be honest, that was always the most hilarious way.

Many of them over the centuries. None of them for quite some time, though. He said with a shrug. They all met the same end, really. Although usually by much different means.

For the first time the MM seemed to notice Syrina, turning towards the woman with a bit of a laugh. If it were so simple they wouldn't need to keep bringing people here, would they?

The group would continue walking for some time, the sky above them eventually starting to go dark. A nip would come with the nightbreeze, though after the heat of the day the chill might be more welcome than not. After an uncharacteristically long stint of silence, the mushroom man would finally pipe up again, posing the group with a couple of different options.

We should be wary pressing on from here. The quickest path takes us through the wildwood. Many dangers lay there, most probably too much for the three of you. The other way is longer, but we will have to figure out a way to cross the lake.

Before the mushroom man could elaborate much further, a rustling sound came from the trees nearby.

Agents of the Beast. Ready yourselves. The mushroom man whispered, tucking himself into one of Kaladin's pockets.

Just as the mushroom man slipped out of sight, three creatures burst from the trees, chittering to each other as their attention laid firmly on the three outsiders. The middle spriggan swung its arm and fired two sharp stakes of wood at Ezra while the others ran towards Kaladin and Syrina

@lizziie @Sreeya @Pazaakly @Panda Hermit 98 @LadyRen @Altaris @Wit @Killa Ree

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra bristled at the mushroom man’s decidedly useless response. The little creature wasn’t going to help that easily, as Ezra expected, but whenever it suited him. The part Sephi said nothing in response, venturing down the path and keeping an eye out for more of those markings. They were his best bet out of here.

He heard the rustling before the others did, but he still couldn’t have known what was coming. With no weapons to work with, he grabbed a nearby stick. As the creatures burst from the tree, he dodged to the side. While he managed to avoid one of the stakes, the other dug into his arm as it passed, leaving a cut along the side of his bicep. He yelped in pain, but thought quickly on his feet. These were woodland creatures probably not used to different technologies. Anyone that arrived here in the past probably tried to physically attack them.

So Ezra, while plopped down on his ass, whipped out his EZPhone and turned his screen towards the little creature that came at him as he started playing a music video from his music library. The volume wasn't high enough to echo beyond just where they were. Ezra kept his cool. Sometimes you just needed to improvise instead of always going for the kill.

@Logan

 

[Electra Juvexia]

Electra had planned on smacking the shit out of that beasty plant right after her valiant impaling attempt, however the ugly, fanged creature immediately pulled back. Fucking coward, she thought feistily, however that was also the moment in which she realized that if it was attacking her now as well, she didn't even fully know what to do.

Wide-eyed, she stared at the screeching plant, gripping the rod even tighter while she was hoping she'd manage to intimidate in somehow, but suddenly, two arrows ripped through its jaw, which drew a screech out of herself. Who was attacking them?! For a quick moment, there was panic, until a girl showed herself.

Ugh. Another peasant...but hey, she had saved them, hadn't she? Or could the Queen have done that herself? She still blinked at her in disbelief before she cleared her throat when she was adressed. "Uhm...thank you. We all thank you kindly...and I found it, actually. Why?" she replied, the uncertainty bleeding into her voice.

She finally gave Galek a rather sarcastically mouthed 'you're welcome' expression before she turned back to the girl. "We didn't plan on doing that...Could you perhaps tell us where we would be safe for now? Or maybe even where exactly we are?" she asked her, keeping her voice as polite as practiced.

@Logan @Altaris @lizziie @Pazaakly @Panda Hermit 98 // @Sreeya @Killa Ree @Wit

 

[Ora Trel]

Galek would have likely pulled Ora down with him if she hadn't been latched onto the nearby root, and regardless of that, it was unlikely she would've held on for very long if Electra had not intervened with her rod-thingy. Even though Electra had, who was to say the plant would not have snatched the three of them right back up?

Thankfully, a stranger had notched arrows and saved the day. Ora let go of the root and let out a long sigh, shedding away all the stress from the situation and instead becoming concerned with the blood trickling down her leg. When the stranger mentioned having to quite literally walk right into one, the Nautolan's pink face flushed purple and she avoided the woman's eyes.

"Yeah, uh, thank you! And we actually have no idea why we're here or how we got here..." After muttering a series of pained "ow's", Ora stood up to speak with the girl as well. "That's the quick version, I guess. We were all stolen in our sleep?" Ora's confusion matched the girls. Unless the others were lying, none of them had any idea what they were doing here. "There's another girl, too! She ran off into the forest, though, so I don't know where she went."

The Nautolan frowned when the girl said they wouldn't live to see the sunrise. That was bad news, no matter how anyone looked at it!

"Do you- do you know somewhere we can go?" Ora called out, stepping forward. "I don't think any of us are prepared for this... please?" The woman stared at the other with wide, pleading eyes, probably looking quite silly in her fluffy, water-logged and dirty shark pj set. "Or could you at least... point us in the right direction?"

@Logan

 

[Syrina Ro'shyn]

She didn't like at all the fact that their new companion continued to talk in circles. If she wanted to listen to someone speaking in roundabout ways, she would have asked to talk to a Jedi, though it was still unknown to her that her own two companions were, in fact, very much those very same Force users. Her ears flicked again, and she could feel her jaw clench slightly in irritation.

Not even a clue how to slay the bloody thing, and yet... the knowledge that others had come here, and failed, didn't exactly fill her with confidence.

However, her sharp vigilance spared her some time. While Ezra(@Sreeya) worked on mesmerizing with a song, she suddenly stopped...

And let out a hearty chuckle, lips pulling into a savage felinoid grin.

"Hell yeah, that's my jam."

Reaching down a manicured hand, she wrapped it around something that felt a little heavy. Grunting, she gave it a savage yank from the ground, crouching to sprint forward as if to meet the thing head-on, and when it would get close enough, suddenly stop and sling the stone hard towards the masked being's face to if not splinter it in twain, to at least knock it to the ground and possibly stun it or, even better, incapacitate it. All the while, humming along to the music and baring her fangs, letting out a savage hiss to hopefully intimidate the others.

Hell, maybe that fang-whitening she paid for regularly would finally pay off. But she was so far without caf, without even her silk pillowcase, on a strange planet and talking to a very unhelpful sentient fungus, her day was not looking the greatest so far. Some cattitude was bound to come out sooner or later.

@Sreeya @Wit @Logan

Roll Result: 17/20

 

[Kaladin]

"What?!" Kaladin exclaimed at hearing the mushroom's reply to his question, surprised by the misinterpretation of his question, having meant to ask if the girl he spoke of was the cat-girl he and Ezra had seen earlier. "No, I don't want to be a cat. I mean, it might be pretty cool. Just lounging all day, doing whatever you want, no worries besides wher you'd find your next fish meal. Hmm..."

He trailed off as he started thinking, only pulling out from his thoughts when the mushroom started speaking to Ezra, which sobered him up. The fate that their predecessors seemed to have met wasn't particularly encouraging. But, they didn't have Jedi, two at that.

Or, maybe they had, so many records had been lost over the years that many a Jedi could have vanished without anyone being any the wiser. That was when the mushroom gave the warning about the agents of the beast. Kaladin, still distracted by thoughts of a life as a cat, and lost Jedi, was caught off guard by the mushroom suddenly slipping into his pockets. As he looked down at the creature, he tripped, and in an effort to avoid falling in a manner that crushed their guide, he tried to turn.

The result was that just as Ezra started playing his music, Kaladin made a move as if about to start a very fancy break dance move. But instead he ended up crashing to the ground on his side, his left shoulder crashing against something hard. As he lay there for a second, stunned by the pain, all he could do was to roll onto his back, using his unharmed right arm to try and protect the creature in his pocket.

Dice Roll: 5/20

@Logan @Sreeya @Killa Ree

 

[The Storyteller]

Into the Woods


You just found it, huh? The girl asked Electra, her tone clearly indicating that she didn’t believe the Queen at all. You better not brandish it so brazenly. You'll draw a lot of.. unwanted attention.

Turning her attention to Ora, the girl rolling her eyes at the pink Nautolan. I don't think you need to point out the obvious. Someone who's prepared wouldn't have tripped over their own two feet and fallen flat on their face.

Storing the seeds she'd retrieved in her satchel, the girl quieted her sass for a few moments while she pondered something. Eventually, a sigh escaped her, and she looked between Ora and Electra.

You should be wary of that person you saw earlier. They are not the friend they claim to be. But, she said with a sagely nod - I can take you to the Coven. They might be able to help you.

The girl wasn't going to wait around for much deliberation between the group. She needed to get back herself if she didn't want to face the consequences. There was not a lot of time for dilly dallying.

The alternative leaves you to figure it out on your own. Given your current.. predicaments, I'm not so sure that's the greatest idea.

Turning away from the group, the girl would head further into the forest. Anyone who chose to stay would find themselves alone in the forest with little options. A choice they could make, though whether it was the right one was hard to say.

If the group chose to follow, the walk to the Coven wouldn't too long. After maybe a mile or two of walking, they would eventually come to an area that was a bit more bogish and dank.

The girl would lead them towards a tall wooden cottage, jerking her head towards it as they approached to indicate that they should follow her towards the front door. The inside of the cottage smelled musty and damp, and a little saccharine, like it was haunted by the ghosts of long forgotten pastries.

Sitting the foyer was a positively ancient looking woman rocking lazily in a weathered looking rocking chair. The birds on her shoulders looked at the group inquisitively yet with a little bit of menace, as the woman spoke, all the while continuing to rock in her chair.

You are far from home. She said, her voice raspy and haggard. Dangerous to go palces where you do not belong. A chuckle slipped from her tight, leather like lips before it slowly shifted into a cough, old lungs struggling to draw enough breath.

Unwise to come without a gift if you want our help. What can you offer?

- - -​

Do You Know the Mushroom Man?

The stone that Syrina threw had its intended effect. It would smash right into the little spriggan's face and crack its wooden mask, causing the thing to keep over instantly as a small green orb slipped through the split would and rose into the air. It hovered there for a few moments before darting away into the darkness, fading from view.

Despite the unusual nature of Ezra's ploy, he too would find success. The spriggan seemed to almost instantly pacified by the sultry tones emanating from the Jedi's phone. It approached him cautiously, its held titled in interest, entirely mesmerized by the technology it had never seen before.

The other still remaining spriggan too was drawn to Ezra, which was lucky considering Kaladin's evident lack of grace. It joined its brethren in enraptured entrancement, seemingly completely forgetting how they wanted to kill the group just moments prior.

Popping out of Kaladin's pocket, the Mushroom Man chortled in amusement at how easily the young Jedi had managed to subdue the creatures. Reaching into his pocket - yes, the Mushroom Man had pockets - he retrieved a small bit of strange dust and blew it towards the creatures.

It swirled around them before seeming to absorb into them, their eyes changing color from stark white to a dull blue.

They are your companions now, dear Ezra. You will find that often, violence isn't the best way to handle things here. He said, a proud smile on his face. Spriggans are vicious little things but they are easily swayed, and whatever that device you have there seemed to endear them to you enough for the dust to take hold.

Shuffling back over to Kaladin, the Mushroom Man climbed back onto the green Jedi's shoulder. His eyes turning towards the night sky, a look of worry settled over the Mushroom Man for the first time.

When the moon reaches its high point we will be in the most danger. Depending on your conscience, dear Ezra, you could use your influence over one of these spriggans to forcibly take its Wisp. If you do, you will know what it knows, likely including where it is you seek to go, and where the Beast might make its lair.

The Mushroom Man paused for a moment, wondering if he should say the next part. In a rare moment, he decided to be honest, which he wasn't entirely sure he enjoyed the feeling of.

The spriggan will suffer greatly if this is what you choose to do. Otherwise, we continue following your.. less than ideal direction finding, searching trees in the dark. It is likely we will be attacked by something far more dangerous than spriggans next time.

Choose wisely.

@lizziie @Sreeya @Pazaakly @Panda Hermit 98 @LadyRen @Altaris @Wit @Killa Ree

 

[Electra Juvexia]

Electra's eyed narrowed at the rude accusation. It was only due to the special circumstances that she didn't immediately shoot something back in full feistiness mode. "I have found it, yes. And...okay?" now what did that mean?! There were weird runes on it, but Electra wasn't superstitious.

She listened to the poor girl's explanations while she tilted her head slowly. Follow them to the coven?! Oh for suuure. That's how they'd got eaten by cannibals. And why the fuck was she so sassy? Oh the Queen wasn't pleased at all, especially because no one even praised her for her brave, selfless interference.

Now she was really pissed. Perhaps the rod was good to something. She was about throw something catty back after all, but the girl was already tuning and leaving, as mysterious as ever. Fantastic. "Wait...so she's saying we should be wary of others but her we should trust?" she pointed out as Irritated as she was, whispering it to Ora before she shook her head and gripped the rod tighter. (@lizziie)

"We could go back to the beach...my fleet should be here by now!". They just had to. If the group would leave again and follow her, she'd trail a long though, but she'd be scowling heavily as displeased as she was. At the village, she'd get her facial features back under control, but she'd be even more on her guard than before. This all just seemed like a weird fever dream and she didn't want to have any part I'm it anymore.

@Logan

 

[Ora Trel]

Ora's face flashed bright purple once again, a deep blush of embarrassment as the stranger insulted her yet again for her clumsiness. She wanted to protest and say it wasn't her fault she was so clumsy, but who else's fault could it be? So the Nautolan bit her cheek and tried to cool herself down as quickly as possible, well aware that the purple blush on her skin was obvious.

"Tiger Lily?" That was who Ora had been referring to, so now hearing the elven girl say that the Cathar couldn't be trusted, confusion raised the woman's brows. She didn't argue, but wasn't that woman in the same predicament as them? She'd run off though, leaving them all behind, so who knew who or what she actually was? Ora trusted this stranger enough to follow her to safety, but not quite enough to believe everything she said (the logic is logic-ing), so she took it with a grain of salt for now.

But, Ora doubted the stranger less than she doubted Electra's constant insistence that her fleet would be coming to her rescue. Surely if it did, the Nautolan would be able to hear the ships' massive engines and thrusters as they descended into the atmosphere and she could just return to the beach. To the queen's question, Ora just shrugged but shook her head at her plan. "I'm going with her. No offense, but, I'd rather take my chances with her than your- fleet."

With that, the Nautolan would give Electra a happy little encouraging pat on the shoulder, then hurry up after the stranger.

"Hi! Um, sorry, but I don't think I ever caught your name? I'm Ora," she chirped, trying to strike up friendly chit-chat with the stranger.

When they arrive at the village, Ora would cautiously enter the hut. Upon seeing the eyeless wold woman, she would begin to give a quick little bow, but stop halfway through as she wondered whether or not the woman could even see her. The lady spoke, speaking of far away homes and the lack of gifts they had brought. 'Omg, can she see us?' Ora quickly finished her polite little bow of her head.

"Oh! Um, yeah. I'm so sorry that I don't have a gift for you... I just kinda woke up on the beach with nothing. The others, too. But um, we would really appreciate your help and I'm sure there's something I could do to help you out in return!"

Unfortunately, Ora had neither a gift nor any idea what she could offer to help the lady. What sort of thing would these people want anyways? The Natuolan turned to look at Electra, hoping maybe she could offer the weird rod or something. Since she was a rich queen.

@Logan

 

[Syrina Ro'shyn]

Her victory was short lived when the mushroom man spoke again.

Ears flattened against her skull when the words that violence isn't always the answer hummed in the air, and her old annoyance flared brightly, the fur bristling on the back of her neck.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she harrumphed, crossing her arms with green-gold eyes narrowing. "It seems that while I was sleeping, I forgot to pocket my comm in case I would have to entrance some locals while I've been kidnapped and taken to a strange planet. Next time, I'll just give them a funny dance." Though she'd been told her dance skills were mesmerizing... she doubted spriggans would have been entranced by a good pole number.

Looking towards Kalidan, she offered a hand to help him up, trying to will the irritation to calm. "You guys all right?" her gaze panned to Ezra as well, frowning.

"How's the arm?"

@Logan @Wit @Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra couldn’t do much about his wounds just yet - he didn’t exactly go to bed with medpacks. By some miracle, his bizarre attempt with the music video worked. MM did something and the little wood critters were seemingly on their side. He listened to the options, but was distracted by cat girl huffing and puffing.

“Give it a rest,” He curtly told her before she could finish whining. They needed all the allies they could get in this place, and while her knee jerk reactions were well-intentioned, she was becoming a nuisance. He considered the options about stealing the wisp. He didn’t know what it meant, but he knew that tormenting living beings seldom paid out in the long run, “The beast in the woods… is it an enemy of the Spriggans as well?” He asked Mr. Shroom, “Because I’d rather get them to call on their friends, amass a small army and then take on the big bad together.”

He was surprised at his own words. Ezra had been self serving all his life. Maybe being around Dash and other Jedi changed his methods. One thing was certain - the beast was already an enemy. He had no desire to add to that enemy list.

“Do you have anything I can use for my cut?” He asked Mr. Shroom, eying those tiny pockets. Regardless of what happened, Ezra attempted to communicate the plan to the spriggans, now playing the music video for a song by Saylor Twift. Maybe it would get across that they needed to rally and fight their enemies.

Ezra would keep venturing forth with the new companions, looking for more markings on trees. He looked to the others silently in case they had other ideas, but he was normally a stubborn individual.

@Logan @Wit @Killa Ree

 

[Kaladin]

Kaladin raised an eyebrow as he got to his feet and heard the Cathar's pouting. The fact that Ezra's actions had saved them, and avoided a fight, was all that should have mattered, so the Cathar's reaction caught the Mirialan Jedi by surprise. Especially when other thoughts were on the forefront of his mind, two in particular.

"You alright, little friend?" He asked the mushroom as he resumed his perch atop his shoulder, his voice earnest as he tried to make sure he hadn't accidentally hurt their little guide during his earlier fumble. Falling in step besides Ezra, he waited as the other Jedi made his choice, a smile emerging on his lips as the part-Sephi spoke up. "Well said," he declared as he almost slapped the other Jedi on the shoulder, stopping as he remembered that not everyone was as physical as him in showing their emotions, "let's do what we can for these Spriggans."

Gesturing for the Cathar to follow, he would begin walking after Ezra, to his side and little behind, so that he could follow yet be close enough to help. "Thanks for earlier, you probably saved my hide with that disco move. I..I wanna say not being able to touch the Force threw me off, but I was just careless. Anyways, here," he passed a strip of torn cloth from his tank-top, "might not be the cleanest but we don't want that to get infected. Besides, I wonder what else might try hunting us if we leave a trail of blood behind as we move." He let it go at that, having taken care of the second to-do on his mind and thanked the other Jedi.

"How well do you see in the dark?" He asked the Cathar, remembering enough of his xenobiology lessons to realize that he might be the weak link here with regards to night-vision. "Think you can keep an eye out for any surprises as we move?

@Logan @Sreeya @Killa Ree

 

[Lissa Blackhand]

Lissa eyed the stranger warily, raising an eyebrow at her words. A mysterious stranger, aloof but willing to help...suspicious, to put it mildly. Following her may lead them into an even more dangerous situation, with bows and arrows as the danger instead of vines and thorns. Then again, if she was a helping hand, she would be shooting herself in the foot by refusing and staying out here in the unknown. Best to follow for now, but keep her guard up in case it turns out to be a trap.

Lissa silently followed behind Ora and the Queen, listening to them chat as they moved from the greens and browns to greys and browns. This place was distinctly different, more like marshlands or a swamp. Potentially good place for an ambush, plenty of natural cover, including the water. Lissa followed the group into the hut, grimacing a little at the sight of the old woman. She looked almost as decrepit as one of the trees, like she was becoming one of them.
"That depends on what you would consider a gift, we could help you with hunting or some tasks that need done though I don't know what you could need..." She said cautiously, her eyes boring into the sockets of the old lady's - she had a bad feeling about this.

@LadyRen @lizziie

 

[Galek Ordalos]

With no lack of reluctance, Galek followed after the mysterious bushwoman - keeping his eyes narrowed upon her the entire time. He was half convinced the woman was guiding them to her village so they could be cooked into a stew, but he also didn’t have much choice if more plant-things were nearby.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Galek followed until they reached the wooden cottage - revealing the old harridan that dwelled inside. He squinted a bit, still very much on edge. When presented with the question of a gift, the Vice President stepped forward after a moment of pause.

“I am Galek Ordalos - Vice President of the ISC.” He pointed a finger to Electra. “She is Queen of Juexia,” He said, masking his internal dislike for the woman and focusing entirely on the crone.

“If you help us, my government will reward you heartily. Resources, weapons, whatever you might need.”

He glanced around. “If you’d be so kind as to tell us where in the Gods we are..”

 

[The Storyteller]

Into the Woods

The woman remained quiet as Ora rambled on, evidently assigning herself to the role of speaker for the group. All's well that ends well with that, the old woman hadn't the patience to listen to a bunch of soon-to-be-dead people talk over to each other as they clamored to come up with some reason why they shouldn't be immediately killed and eaten.

The birds quirked their heads inquisitively, clicking their beaks toward each other as if having a conversation that no one else in the room was privy to.

Your money and trinkets have no value here, irrelevant son of Ordalos. You are kings and queens of nothing. She said, her voice dusty and annoyed.

Even those with nothing still have the most valuable thing to offer, child. Turning to look at Ora despite her complete and total lack of eyes. Yourselves.

A strange fire-like energy covered the Crone's hands as the made several different, distinctive gestures and summoned an ancient looking tome seemingly from thin air. It hovered in the air and opened to a page about halfway through. Should anyone take a glance at the book, they would be unable to read it, though they would get the distinctive feeling that whatever the tome was, it was ancient and exceedingly powerful.

This place has an ancient and powerful protector. She said, a hazy and shimmering image appearing as if projected from the tome itself. It was a being with an animalistic skulled head, large antlers jutting out like a deer or moose. This protector keeps the balance between all things. Many over the centuries have sought to destroy it and take its power for their own. They either do not believe in its necessity or, more cruelly, they do not care.

The book flipped itself to a new page, the image of the great Protector fading away and being replaced by the visage of a pale skinned being with white hair and four white horns jutting from the back of their head.

The White Queen is the most recent but by far the most successful in her attempt to usurp and destroy the Protector. She has managed to sap much from the Protector through her conniving. Rumor has it she has even made herself immortal, which means there is very little time for us left.

She shut her book and as she did, it disappeared back to wherever it came from. The Crone regarded each of those gathered in her home, a look of disappointment and disdain evident on her wrinkled face.

Where you are does not matter. It is where you must go that drives you. There will be no return to where you came from if the White Queen succeeds in her plans. And she is so very close. The Crone wheezed, clearly speaking this much had put her under levels of duress.

The Protector has the power to return you where you want to go. But not if you do nothing. Should the Queen succeed, you will be consumed along with the rest of us. So I offer you a deal. In exchange for doing whatever in your power you are capable of and ridding this place of the White Queen, the Coven will aide you in the ways that we can. But you must choose swiftly, we are running out of time.

Another mixture of gestures, her hands returning to their fiery state, and the Crone would produce an ancient piece of parchment. Along the bottom were numerous names, written in bright red ink. Each one was also scratched out, like you would when crossing things off your grocery list.

Many have taken the deal and many have failed. If you are brave enough, pierce your skin with this quill and then sign your name. A binding contract of mutual aide that will end with either the Queens death.

The crone paused for a moment, the birds on her shoulders cooing softly despite the intense look in their eyes.

Or yours.

- - -​

Do You Know the Mushroom Man?

The Mushroom Man was beginning to be impressed with the thoughtfulness of the questions Ezra and the others were asking. None of the previous beings that had visited from far off lands had been nearly as clever or capable. Of course, those internal compliments did not extend to the furred one, but two out of three wasn't bad.

My eyes were never the best, but the darkness does little to hinder me, my green friend. I will remain vigilant. The MM replied to Kaladin, smiling warmly at his new friend.

There are many creatures both large and small under the dominion of the Beast, the MM replied simply, reaching into his pack and withdrawing several small leaves and a dark purple berry.

Rolling and smashing them between his tiny hands, the MM would turn them into a fine paste before making his way over to Ezra and applying it to the boy's injury. It would feel like the essence of bacta was applied to Ezra's wound, the pain and discomfort that was once there fading away to numbness that would persist for several hours. Still, the wound would almost visibly begin to close, evidence that it would be fully healed in due time.

Give one of them your.. odd device, and instruct it to return to the others. It will listen, and they will arrive when the time is right. A little bit of trust in the spriggans goes a long way.

As they ventured further into the forest, Ezra would find himself inexplicably drawn to another tree trunk, brushing away some of the moss and finding another symbol carved into it that matched the one on his palm. Just as before, his own tattoo would turn and send him in a slightly different direction, but he could be confident it was the correct one.

This pattern would continue for some time until the gloam of the night started to shift to the lowlight of sunrise. They had managed to avoid any more danger despite the MM's warning, which to a consciencious observer, would seem quite odd all things considered.

Only now would the MM speak up again, calling each of their attention to him as if he was only just realizing where they were.

Prepare yourselves, friends. The Pallid Lady approaches.

As they passed through another section of thick undergrowth, the group would suddenly find themselves in a small clearing. At its center stood a woman nearly seven feet tall, skin as pale as moonlight with eyes and hair to match.

She held up a hand to signal them to stop walking before bowing her head slightly in greeting.

You bare my mark. She was right to entrust you to find me, the woman said, her voice hollow and odd, like an echo bouncing off of canyon walls. She paused for a moment, head tilting to the side just a little bit, a touch of confusion spreading across her face as she stared directly at Ezra.

You have been touched by the Beast, child. It is by grace that you manage to still draw breath.

From the shadows near the edge of a clearing, a cat-like creature emerged before slowly shifting back into the girl they had seen on the beach. The girl walked and stood next to the tall woman, eyes firmly locked onto those that had gathered. She was surprised all of them had made it, but was glad at the fortunate outcome. So many had failed to even reach this point.

You are here to kill the Beast? She asked, though it seemed like she already knew the answer to that question.

Tell me what it is you would like in return. I can give you nearly whatever you desire once the task is completed. You need only ask for it.

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