Needles in a Haystack - Laurel Shortstride (14/10/20)
Oct 15, 2020 12:57:26 GMT
Greebo, Charlie, and 1 more like this
Post by Laurel Shortstride on Oct 15, 2020 12:57:26 GMT
As the sign went up in the Ettin, Laurel was surprised (and somewhat relieved) to find that the most recent posting was not some mission to hunt down a creature. Indeed, all it was offering was honest work for honest pay. “This seems like a better way to make money than the usual offerings” they thought.
It seemed they weren’t the only ones who felt it was a good opportunity, as they were joined by Alenea, Greebo, Osborin and Veridian to make their way along to the farm just outside Daring Heights. Upon arrival, they found several other regular farm workers who seemed a bit unsure of the group. Before much chance for any awkward small-talk though they were given a long list of tasks that needed to be completed. Dividing them up, Laurel went straight to work helping to calm down a draft horse who had become agitated and unwilling to pull the cart. A bit of reassurance (aided by a little magic) and the horse slowed down and explained to them that “the cart hurt”. However, after checking the setup and then finding the injured part of the horse, Laurel noticed that it wasn’t the cart at all, rather that the horse had been...stung? by something . A couple of goodberries and a bit of a chat later, and all was well again.
During a lunch of goodberries and shared sandwiches, they discovered that some of the other party members may not have taken such an involved role in the work. Osborin in particular seemed to have gained a groupie from amongst the farmers, and another man was intrigued by Greebo’s spellcasting talents.
After lunch they were given the task of weeding the vegetable patch. Once again feeling the need to speak to the plants first to explain what was happening, they rooted out the dandelions and replanted them just outside the farm. A timid voice raised up from the bed as a carrot tentatively raised a leaf to get their attention, “Umm, excuse me? Could you help us out? Something’s been poking at our leaves and it really hurt.” Upon closer inspection, the vegetables looked like they had been attacked by the same thing as the horse had. A quick cast of Plant Growth later and they were feeling much better, a chorus of now bass-sounding voices called out in thanks.
Suddenly Laurel heard some shouting from the main yard, and coming round the corner of the house saw Fred, one of the workers, yelling something about Veridian stealing his tools. After plenty more shouting as others chimed in with things they couldn’t find either and some failed efforts from Laurel to calm the situation, Osborin managed to talk them round and stop the accusations flying everywhere, on the condition that we found the missing items.
With a description of a unique hammer, Laurel used locate object only to discover it was in the barn, and so they all set off to see whether they could find the thief. They found the pile of missing items, but promptly were kicked to the ground by a small red creature wearing very heavy boots. Greebo, being his usual persuasive self, convinced it to leave the farm without the items, but unfortunately there were a few other creatures darting around that were set on fighting for what they had stolen. Alenea darted up onto the beams to get a good vantage point, Osborin was hit early on and retreated round the corner to stay out of the fighting, then Veridian fired off a spell that made two of them instantly slow down. After that, despite Laurel’s efforts to ask them to leave for everyone’s safety (including theirs), two were quickly dispatched and the last fled.
Belongings returned and work finished for the day, they collected their payment and left the farm. Some of the party may have left a better impression than others, but all had participated in a day’s labour.
For once.
It seemed they weren’t the only ones who felt it was a good opportunity, as they were joined by Alenea, Greebo, Osborin and Veridian to make their way along to the farm just outside Daring Heights. Upon arrival, they found several other regular farm workers who seemed a bit unsure of the group. Before much chance for any awkward small-talk though they were given a long list of tasks that needed to be completed. Dividing them up, Laurel went straight to work helping to calm down a draft horse who had become agitated and unwilling to pull the cart. A bit of reassurance (aided by a little magic) and the horse slowed down and explained to them that “the cart hurt”. However, after checking the setup and then finding the injured part of the horse, Laurel noticed that it wasn’t the cart at all, rather that the horse had been...stung? by something . A couple of goodberries and a bit of a chat later, and all was well again.
During a lunch of goodberries and shared sandwiches, they discovered that some of the other party members may not have taken such an involved role in the work. Osborin in particular seemed to have gained a groupie from amongst the farmers, and another man was intrigued by Greebo’s spellcasting talents.
After lunch they were given the task of weeding the vegetable patch. Once again feeling the need to speak to the plants first to explain what was happening, they rooted out the dandelions and replanted them just outside the farm. A timid voice raised up from the bed as a carrot tentatively raised a leaf to get their attention, “Umm, excuse me? Could you help us out? Something’s been poking at our leaves and it really hurt.” Upon closer inspection, the vegetables looked like they had been attacked by the same thing as the horse had. A quick cast of Plant Growth later and they were feeling much better, a chorus of now bass-sounding voices called out in thanks.
Suddenly Laurel heard some shouting from the main yard, and coming round the corner of the house saw Fred, one of the workers, yelling something about Veridian stealing his tools. After plenty more shouting as others chimed in with things they couldn’t find either and some failed efforts from Laurel to calm the situation, Osborin managed to talk them round and stop the accusations flying everywhere, on the condition that we found the missing items.
With a description of a unique hammer, Laurel used locate object only to discover it was in the barn, and so they all set off to see whether they could find the thief. They found the pile of missing items, but promptly were kicked to the ground by a small red creature wearing very heavy boots. Greebo, being his usual persuasive self, convinced it to leave the farm without the items, but unfortunately there were a few other creatures darting around that were set on fighting for what they had stolen. Alenea darted up onto the beams to get a good vantage point, Osborin was hit early on and retreated round the corner to stay out of the fighting, then Veridian fired off a spell that made two of them instantly slow down. After that, despite Laurel’s efforts to ask them to leave for everyone’s safety (including theirs), two were quickly dispatched and the last fled.
Belongings returned and work finished for the day, they collected their payment and left the farm. Some of the party may have left a better impression than others, but all had participated in a day’s labour.
For once.
