[RP] Crag's Secrets: Chapter 1 - Arrival

"Flying... I'm not sure flying across would let us avoid the bird... oh wait, no you mean as a gift... or distraction." Shallan shrugs "I don't think it should be that hard? I'm not sure I'd trust the vines here with our weight, but it should be enough for a kite-like thing... do we really think the bird would like that." Shallan paces around checking the texture of the leaf and pulling on some vines.

Belladonna looks between the others as they discuss what to offer the bird. She puts away the jerky for now.

"I'm afraid we don't have much for a food offering, but adding something shiny to what the others are making sounds like an excellent idea."

She takes out a shiny hair ornament and looks at the others she has asked to stay back (NPCs).

"If any of you has something shiny like this, maybe we could use it to help decorate the offering?"

Seeing that the big bird is seriously hindering their progress, its hefty size and that they still don't have many weapons on them - The Rest listens carefully to Belladonna's words - probably still remembering how wise her advices was when they made their very firs camp in the area. Some of them steps from leg to leg in expression of uneasiness, but finally most of them offer something shiny for the offering. A bottom button from the fancy vest, a second earring where the first was lost during capture or even a ring from a hand that clearly had too many of them.

Belladonna as one that is always close to the people and have a good feeling of them, knows that their lingering is not because they do not want to help the common cause. In this new, hostile and unpleasant land, getting rid of even the most insignificant - it would seem - thing that connects them to the "old world"... is felt as getting rid of memory, connection with what WAS. Without any certainty that IT will ever return. If they will ever return to their homes and earlier life.

Shallan manages to gather some vines, although not too long, mostly 1 meter or shorter. Seeing that now they have a big leaf, a bunch of vines with varied lengths and some shiny pieces gathered from the generous group the adventures felt they are ready to make the toy-offering for the bird visibly getting more and more impatient with every minute.

Yes I mean a distraction. It would try to catch. Maybe. No I'm not sure. Just an idea ... he stops, shrug, looks around with a lost sight.

Shallan quickly sketches out some plans in the dirt, mumbling to herself, "it's not complex, but needs to be... distracting. Essentially a large paper glider, with whatever shiny rocks and a tail of vines. The janglier and shinier we can make it the better. We're warm here and the air coming up from the ravine should help it take flight, with a short run up. Hmm - could look to scaling this up a little later for a person - but that would need testing, maybe later."

Planning done, she rallies the group to fetch the required materials and starts work.

Interesting. Many birds are attracted to shiny things. It could work. The question is do we launch it in front of the bird or do we hand it to the bird. Bartholomew looked at Sadur—their resident wildlife expert.

Sadur - drawing a parallel (for the lack of better means) between training dogs and what he could expect from the bird if he would behave similarly to canine- thinks that, depending on what you will do: it should trigger a certain response. Usually handing a ball-prize to the dog triggers particular trained behavior. In contrast to throwing it, which makes the dog chasing it - mainly distracting it by this.

Bartholomew grasps the plan. A glider of sorts with shiny items depending from it via lianas should be shown to the condor and then launched from the bridge away from the direction of intended travel. Very well; what else needs be done before our distraction is complete?

No hand it. Let it fly away! Sadur say convincingly. But then more worried adds It depends what it's previous experience with humanoids whoever have tamed him, don't you think? If they just feed the bird like a pig it will not work and we will have to either kill it or hunt a game for it. Actually, give him food once and it will follow us to demand more of it, wouldn't it?

"Sounds good Mr. Sadur! Are we attaching the food to the gift and Brother Bartholomew will let it accidentally fly away from the bridge as it reaches for it?"

Belladonna smiles, but clearly has no idea what they are planning to do with the contraption that has been made.

Belladona, I think Sadur was suggesting we do not add food, as it will come to expect it. My plan is to slowly cross the bridge, present it to the bird out of claw reach, and in doing so launch it off the side in the direction away from the far side of the bridge, so that the bird follows it. The moment its eyes leave the bridge landing, the party should quickly—but carefully—cross the bridge. I have marked areas to be avoided by small pinches of herbs.

Sadur get lost of all the questions and attention he is getting on his persona.
Look, I'm just a Kennelman, not a bird expert. And I see such creature first time. I have no idea why would anyone tame such a creature. I see no evidence of it being used to transport anything.

He think we are wasting time on discussions and attempts to further improve the flying toy and afraid animal could get restless so try to explain his plan as short as posible:
I fly it off the cliff toward the bird. ha goes to the edge and shows the direction Bird try catch - Bartholomew can run rest of the bride. It does not - well I tried. He explains his very simple, unpretentious idea. Is it too dumb an idea you think?

Kimbek ponders the situation carefully. "It is a seemingly intelligent animal; if my spirit were a little stronger I could even attempt to communicate with it. But I unfortunately have no further suggestions. I could attempt to cook something for it, but we have no meat (or at least not much meat) so I am not sure that would do anything."

"Ah, wonderful! Whether we launch it from the cliff's edge or near the bird, it should hopefully distract it away from those crossing the bridge. Do you think the contraption is ready my lady?"

Belladonna turns to Shallan and what she has built.

Sadur, let me launch it. The bird has already seen me, questioned me, and expects me to respond. I will probably be able to get closer than you. Moreover, should things go awry, I likely have a better chance to dodge and evade the massive beast.