[IC] The Delivery Quest, Part 2

Yarbi nods, then begins to lead onward following the path to the left, north west.

Yarbi looks to @Beartrand, "Well, 'north' is the 'dark forest.' And I've witnessed some enormous bears in the forest from a distance..."

He gulps "But I sure hope we don't encounter one face to face."

Yarbi grabs a bit of dried food from his pack, which he begins to nibble on; but he continues marching...

Eventually, there's a sudden shift in the mood of the forest. There is a chilly drop in temperature and the forest almost feels more, enchanted...

There are now several red and white-spotted mushrooms' along either side of the path.



Yarbi whispers "Is it just me, or did any of you see one of those mushrooms move just now?", but keeps moving cautiously; the travel seems safe and uneventful otherwise.

Just past the mushroom patch, everyone reaches another split in the trail. One trail turns sharply westward, the other ends at a murky river by a small house. There's an old wooden sign with arrows standing right where the road splits. The sign to the west has faded and is no longer readable, the other arrow points north and reads "Ferry".



Yarbi comments "According to the map, there may be a small village somewhere west of here. Perhaps that's what the westward arrow once showed."

Standing by a Ferry boat on the dock, is a tall but very pale and bald gentleman with an oar in his hand.

It is now about mid-afternoon.



What does everyone do?

No, no, I am not looking bears, just eager to finish this quest !

Yarbi whispers "Thank you Vincent for keeping an eye out for us."


The ferry keeper turns around to face Beartrand. Then in a slow grimm voice, he says...

"Heellloo travelers. Do you wish to seek safe passage to the dark forest?"

"It will cost no less than real gold. Or... perhaps another very valuable item or piece of information. What is your offer?"



Meanwhile, as Ivario uses the stick on the mushrooms, he quickly realizes that one of the mushrooms has apparently moved right next to Yarbi over by the doc. Upon further inspection with stick... a small creature (about 2 feet tall) throws up its arms!



"Ohh! You caught me! I surrender! I surrender! I mean no harm. I'll admit it. I was trying to sneak on to the boat undetected. Please I must get back to the dark forest, where I live!"

You may :-)
Well, here's a start...

Innis looks up toward Ivario:

"Hmmm... I only saw one group of three halflings pass through. Sadly, I wasn't able to sneak on the boat in time when they weren't looking. But they did give the ferryman what looked to be a piece of gold, which seemed to pay for the entire group, as he let them all on after that."


Meanwhile, the ferry keeper responds to @Beartrand in in a slow scruffy voice:

"There... would be things of great value from the 'dark forest.' But that is there and you are here. Although..."

The ferrykeeper seems to have gotten a bargaining idea that he might reveal (which may include a catch)...

"Hail, and well met. I am Regis, the Gatekeeper of the Dark Forest," the ferrykeeper responds to Beartrand and Esther.

"Save your home region from... a curse? Why, sounds like the work of witchcraft. They brew dangerous potions in cauldrons, which I've seen be the cause of curses and transformations. Well, there are plenty of witches to be found in the dark forest. One of them could be responsible."

The ferrykeeper gives a cold look, probably he's used to travelers trying to talk their way out of the usual payment.

He turns to respond to what Beartrand said; the ferrykeeper sees something different about him; it's as if he can see a bear's animal spirit behind Beartrand's eye -- meanwhile Vincent and Yarbi stand by with support.

The ferrykeepr rubs his chin while in thought...

"I've... heard many stories from travelers... in my time... Very well. I will accept later payment on your return: a piece of gold would suffice... or any other rare treasure of great value, but, on one condition: you must leave one thing of value that you possess right now, with me at my house. Think of it as a kind of deposit. I'll return it to you after payment. But if you accept, be aware, I may not be so willing to take you back to your home world, if you are still unable to pay a greater treasure, when that time comes..."



Yarbi looks through his pack, "Umm... I have an old family heirloom. Would this count as a deposit?", ready to hand the ferryman an old necklace.


The ferrykeeper has a look, "Not of particular value... but it would do. Does that mean we have a deal?"







The sun is setting. The sky is getting darker.



What does everyone do?

"Lucky indeed! Thank you kind gentlefolk for allowing me to join. I would be more than happy to travel with you as a guide."

Innis looks for a comfortable spot on the boat...



"Spendid!" Yarbi says. He takes a moment to unroll the map and mark 'gatekeeper to dark forest.' "Oh yes, it's been a long day. I should think we need some rest.", he says with a yawn.




Regis brings the boat closer to dock and readies the oar...

We'll continue our story on the new thread here...

https://gamersplane.com/forums/thread/25404/

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