A torch was held high, the light showing his path through the darkness. Now, why was that, hmm? Manya Boole, White Magician should definitely have a spell or five to illuminate his path, no? But alas, it was not so much the fact that he was unable to use magic that he best shouldn't, for Manya was walking through a very special, very secluded part of the Maithe Woodlands. Usually, only the most experienced trackers and game-hunters would stalk these places, and not even those well-versed in Nature Magic trust this place, for this part of the forest, this grove...'twas magical. But of course, in a world chock-full of magic, that shouldn't be a surprise, right? No...there was stranger magic going on here. The plants and animals that stalked these lands showed an innate resistance to externally influenced magic, and a highly sensitive ability to detect said magic, too. Plants and the extracts of animals from this land were highly prized as reagents for many Spellbane abilities, or even for normal mages to inoculate themselves temporarily against external influences. Manya had acquired a dusty tome, filled with the methods and means of brewing potions that can benefit travelers and wanderers like himself, and one of the first places they had pointed to was here. Of course, back then this grove was relatively more peaceful, and easier to both access and leave. Now...not so much. In Honeyhome, the sun was setting, and Granny Fairweather was running around, worried. "And adventurer! A woodsman or the like! I need to find one!", she yelled about. The hidden grove was an enigma to all but the most experienced, and it was too slim a wish to think that anyone who might wander past would help. Of course, she had a quest for such a person, but not one for her own benefit, but for the sake of a young and foolish man... Despite her passionate warnings, Manya had set off for the place without any preparation, fully confident that a few rudimentary warnings and the promise to not use magic were enough to get him through. While that was doubtful, she was worried sick for the boy anyway - he was too sweet a lad to meet an untimely end picking flowers, of all things! And so the short, slightly dumpy and wizened old woman huffed, gasped, and wheezed as she walked about Honeyhome, trying to find anyone to first knock some sense into that stupid boy's head, before bringing him back safely. Oh, how worried she was! But then, she caught sight of a figure. Oh, it was plain as day that he was no ordinary folk, from how he garbed and equipped himself. @Aalam Abungu would find himself be swiftly approached by Granny Fairweather, her cane in one hand and basket in the other as her wrinkly face examined the man once more, up close. "Please, good lad! Are you someone who knows the forest well enough?"
Aalam was making more arrows; he had been out here for some time now to practice his skills. People thought it came easy with the game that once you had an ability equipped, then it just makes you a legend at it. No, these things had to be practiced and practiced and practiced it had become routine by now, however, he had used up all his taking out targets. He was still missing only twenty-five shots out of twenty-six. He knew the beast than ran these forests and they were something, not hard for him to hunt at his skill but tricky. They were able to do things that for the most part was quite annoying; however, the hunt wasn’t worthless after all he was able to take down a tiger after all. However even as he was sitting there he was still practicing, every breath was coming out shallow a timed. It would barely be heard above the wind that was blowing through the forest. He was stretching his mind to look at the world around him. May people always trusted their eyes too much thinking that it would never betray them. That wasn’t right he knew that from the first-hand knowledge it could be lied to or followed. But the eyes where an archers second most important organ. Both his bag and bow were on the ground beside him; they had to be within arms reach if he was to need them after all. And by the sound of those steps and that wheezing then someone was coming up the path. Taking out his flask and taking a hit from the gin that was in the container feeling that burn work its way down as the woman got close. Picking up his bow and throwing it over his shoulder as he rose to his feet turning around to look at the woman. Taking the time to pick his pack up off the ground as he listened to the woman. “Yes, I know the forest better than most, what can I help you with Madam?” His voice was pleasant a befit of stealth, but his eyes ever related there was a focus in them that would not leave, and there was the general stink of rum about him be he looked prepared well more prepared that the little gentlemen that just headed into the forest. Well, beggars can’t be choosers. “I need your help, good sir, a young lad just ran off into the forest, and I don’t think he is prepared for the dangers that are in it.” Turning his attention to the woods taking in the dangers that were more than likely come up on the job. “Your going to have to pay” Was the only thing he started to set out towards the woods “…. Well I.. I never to think you would ta” Listening to her splutter as he made his way to the edge of the forest holding up a hand to silence her. “The Bartender will give me a mug of meed on the house.” Throwing up the hood of his cloak and pulling up his face mask as he walked into the forest turning on both his stealth and his hunting. He would run the boy down soon enough.
It would be simple enough for someone experienced - follow the game trails, the footsteps of the Faerin through the loamy soil, and go forth. The forest itself wasn't all that imposing, but as one would get closer to the grove, things would be a bit more different... The grove itself where the tracks lead was distinctly wrong. Everything was too bright, too green. There were few animals, and almost all of them hid with more skill and cunning than any normal variety of such creatures. The trees pressed together, making the paths thinner, wilder. There seemed to be eyes lurking in every shadow and bush, and the approach of the night didn't help change that all that much, either. And walking through the darkening grove was Manya. His torch was burning out, as he shook the dying flame to give it a bit more time to burn. He didn't try to hide too much, on the mistaken belief that as long as he didn't start a fight, nothing else will...or so he hoped. At least he was persistent in the pursuit of his ingredients, and also smart enough to have heeded the warnings of the old woman when she had told him that the forest does not take kindly to strangers nor magic. "I wonder where...ah!" His train of thought was wandering out of boredom, but it sharpened and focused when he spotted it - a vine, twining over a massive and ancient oak. Not just any vine, but a rare ingredient and powerful reagent in the making of certain potions and mixtures. Of course, there was the small problem that these vines were alive... The vines snaked against the tree, moving along it as Manya approached it. Now, to get a clipping from a vine that acted more like a boa constrictor, with the agility of a viper and whatever unexplained powers that the grove's magic gave it...
Aalam was following the tail of a man that did not know to hide a trail which was to say that it was easy and that was not a good thing. If he were able to follow it with such easy that meant many other creatures would be able to do the same. If he got to the lad on time, he was going to have to teach him the basics of not giving your position away to thinks that wanted to kill you. It was a requirement when going into the forest. And if he was reading this right that meant the kid was going to the area of the groove that a person usually tends to avoid. For safety reasons, he was going to have to speed up if he was going to reach the kid before he did something dangerous. Flipping the flap over his quiver close before letting out a loud whistle to call down Zeus as he pulls himself up to one of the trees to get the height advantage. He was going to move through the leave for the rest of this, after all, there were few creatures that would be able to follow his trail if he took this route. Making his way to the groove when there was a flapping of wings that seemed to sound like thunder itself. Talking as he moved it was going to do no one any good if he took his time. “He is in the groove find him, mark the area I should be there shortly.” Taking a second to do two things first make so is trail is much less easy to follow and second kill whatever that thing was that seemed to already be sniff around his tracks. Tossing its body into the woods off the path that should take care of anything that was willing to follow him. That didn’t deal with anything in the groove, however, the last time he was there it was where he made The bender and name of that drink was a very accurate description of it. However, he wasn’t shopping for herbs right now he was looking for a person, and then he followed the line of sight to what the lad was looking at. Well, he should have charged that woman at least two mugs of meed. Dropping out of the treeline right behind the bow with a loud thump and giving out a whistle to send Zeus home. “I take it you’re the one the old lady was talking about and why are you looking at those love vines?” @Manya Boole
Manya would have almost touched the vines, but then he was at least aware enough to hear the man drop down onto the ground right behind him. He started a bit, before turning to look at the other man. A tough-looking person, but he didn't seem to have ill intentions, at least... "Oh, hello there!", he said, grinning. The comment about the old lady flew right past his head - he hadn't guessed that Granny Fairweather would be so worried that she'd sent someone to track him down and bring him back, after all - but the comment about the vine caught his interest. He held out his other hand, in which there was a book, a compendium of the flora and fauna in the hidden grove. "Do you know of this place? The book calls it the Heart of Uene, but that's an exaggeration. They do say a druid was buried here, though...a powerful man. And his lifeblood feeds the land...or so they say." He examined the vine closely, before reaching around in his pack, trying to find his clippers. "All the plants here are powerful reagents. I'm practicing my alchemy and herbalism, so I need some good ingredients to work with! Like this one!" The vine shuddered and retracted. Of course, unknown to Manya, the vine was a vicious thing, despite being what looked like a very animated plant. "I don't know what old lady you're talking about...unless it's Granny Fairweather? Are you from Honeyhome, mister?", he asked curiously. Manya didn't look like much. A short Faerin, with a large wizard's hat on his head, a blue coat over him, and brown gloves upon his hands. under one hand, he had tucked the compendium, and on the other arm was slung a bag of herbologist's tools, or which a clipper was in his hands. He blinked innocently at the other man, a faint smile on his face. Trusting and gentle, Manya has yet to have his optimism truly tested, after all.
Feeling shocked as it ran up his legs as he came into contact with the ground ignore the lad for a bit as his eyes ran over the groove. He was getting out of practice he was going to need to but that movement training in more action. Stealth was all well and good, but if he got a shock like that at the wrong time, it was very likely to cripple him in the course of doing his job. He needed to spend less time in the bars and just carry the drink with him all that sitting down was not feeling his knees. Rolling shoulder as he listens to the lad it seemed that the man thought he had everything written down in a book. Well, that was cute, but there was only so much that book seemed like it was telling him. From the way, he was just standing around them and seemed like he wasn’t aware that half of these plant in here would very quickly kill him. Well, that was the same leaning over him to look down at the book; it was old and judging from the style written by someone who collected reagents. However, seeing as they forgot to mention that they Vies were alive, he was going to have to guess that whoever wrote the thing was much better at magic than the lad. “ I know the area I know that almost everything in this area tries to kill you. As for that druid thing that’s something I don’t know that’s a magical thing. I know that plants and how they can be put to use.” However, it seemed that what he was saying was going in one ear and traveling out the next as he still tried to just take a piece of the vine. He was luck the thing didn’t try to strangle him right there and then. Gripping him by the back of his robe and pulling him back away from the plant that would be trying to take a vine of him if he decided to take a piece of it. “Kid, you try to take a piece of that love vine it will take a piece of you back. And no I’m from Astora a ranger of the borders. Think the Rangers of the north from lord of the rings.” Looking down at the boy his face a mixture of bored and wary. @Manya Boole
Manya was pulled back with a 'Whoop!', but he raised his eyebrows and looked at the vines once more. They did move about a bit...but surely that didn't mean they were strong enough to strangle a man to death, right? Wrong. It was very likely that the vines would have caught him, but he didn't know that. He looked at the man and then nodded. At least he had good intentions. And he was a player character too! That was quite something. "From Astorea? I heard about that place...I'm still new here so I haven't traveled over there yet, but I will soon!", he said, nodding his head. He looked around once more at the grove. Indeed, everything did feel alive and awake, ready to...well, do something. He couldn't tell what. Or at least, he was too obtuse to guess what might be the consequence. Regardless, he heeded the man's words. "Well...are you a herbalist as well? That's so cool! I've been trying to start up on it, but it's been tricky - I need to practice concentrations and dilution but for that, I need to brew some very strong mixtures, to begin with, and that involves potent reagents. This is one of the few places in Brisshal that I could get that easily...or at least, get a lot of them all in one place." Reagents were everywhere, but it was a pain to look for them, after all. "Say...could you help me with it, then? You seem like you know your way around the place! I don't have much to give but I could try to pay you back, some way or another!" After all, it felt a lot smarter to rely on someone with greater experience to help you out in the things you do, rather than just try and do it yourself. If he was going to learn mistakes and falsehoods, that'd affect his skill badly. In the absence of a proper teacher, getting guidance from an expert was the next best thing, after all! @Aalam Abungu
At least the boy was light enough to be moved without much effort; he was able to stop something terrible well if you were a bit messed up funny. However, he was able to prevent anything from really happening, but if he wasn’t here, then there was a good chance that the might have had to fight his way out and form the look of him that wasn’t going to be the healthiest option for him to live. If his hat was an indicator though he was one of those magic types and those were always odd, able to cast fireballs as big a car with a simple flick of their hands. They made things complex after all. “Yea from Astorea the big city over the way, and if you are going to be headed there one of the first things I will suggest is that you check out the adventure’s guild. They should be able to get you settled in with a proper job.” Taking an arrow out of his quiver and spinning it around one of his fingers as he checked the area for beasts. While the plant life was the most dangerous right now, he was not going to ignore the secondary threat. However, it seemed that they were smarter than him and chose to avoid the area with a level of self-perversion. “Yes I am what you would call an herbalist, and for the recorded while your book is correct. It seems to leave out the danger of these plants and what is the proper way to extract them. Sounds like a dick move to me really or lazy writing or a way to kill the competition.” Turning his attention back to the groove and letting his eyes wander on the various plants that were inside the area. He knew quite a few of them that would help to give whatever he was creating a strong kick. “Ok there are a few things in the area that are much safer to get, things that are poisoned coated and strong mind-altering substances. I will help you find what you need and how to extract it without the plant or something else trying to kill you.” Placing his arrow back in his quiver as he tried to think what he was going to need, resting his pack on the ground and moving a few items inside to get to what he was looking for. Pulling out his collection kit and resting it on the ground next to his bag. There were proper bottles of all sizes his pair of clippers and tweezer, after all, some of these things you could not touch by hand. “Now tell he what you are looking to extract, then I’ll show you the proper way to do it then it will be your turn.” @Manya Boole
Manya studied the man assemble out his own kit of herbalist's tools, and his eyes widened in both surprise and awe. So he really was an expert! Manya studied the other man a bit closely. From his appearance, he looked like he had plenty of experiences out in the wilderness, so it was natural that he'd learn to exploit it to the maximum. He nodded, before opening his book. Indeed, while the book did make vague explanations of what the plants are, they were only specific about what they did and what they could be used for. Even the collection of such materials were best described as partially omitted. Could the author have written this as a guide, or as a cryptic code that'd do in the unworthy, while letting only the most skilled and intuitive pass? That could be thought about later - right now, he was more interested in getting things done! "Ah, thank you for your help, Mister! Really, I can't tell you how much I appreciate this. If you hadn't warned me, it might have gone quite badly, indeed...", he said, giving a nervous laugh before studying the book. Flipping past a few pages, he reached one, tapping the image before holding it up to the other man so he could see the image. "Soporific Honeysuckle. It's said to be a flower that releases a natural sedative and is pollinated by bees that have grown a resistance to such sedation. It says that crushing the petals together could make a powerful anesthetic..." Of course, the problem was getting close enough to the flower to pick it up. One would also need a hermetically sealed jar to store the petals in. If someone unprepared tried to pluck the flowers, they'd simply fall asleep, and keep sleeping until the plucked flower wilts away in their hands. It's doubly worse if they faint among swathes of the flowers, since then they'd be permanently sleeping, lost to yet another innocuous member of the Hidden Grove. He glanced around. It was not immediately apparent, but the flow had a distinctive appearance that allowed those with sharp eyes to spot it from a distance, before they accidentally wander into its aroma and lose the will to continue, simply falling asleep from the influence. But wait! While taking the help of this man was great and all, it felt a bit too ungrateful! Manya was, after all, being helped out of the kindness of the other man's heart, the least he could do was repay it as best as he could! "Oh, and...my name is Manya Boole, White Magician! It's so nice to meet you, what is your name, Mister?", he asked, now genuinely curious about this other person. @Aalam Abungu
This was odd he hadn’t done any collecting for a while; there hadn’t been a lot of time in recent days. Hell, he hands been in the forest for weeks not sticking to towns and bars only leaving when he had to go on a job. It had to weigh on him put he had carried more weight at times. Tossing his journal to the kid. “Here update your note with the stuff I have written in there it a bit better than the thing that you are using.” Now, what was the easiest thing in the area that he could start the boy the love vine was going to have to be the last thing that he was going to let him try before they left? Once he was sure that he was going to be able to harvest anything in the grooves then, he would be able to leave the kid to his own devices. However, until that point, he was going to have to keep the boy on a short leash. “Don’t worry about it is the job of those that have seen the more dangerous areas of Terra to help those that are new to the world. It is different from anything else after all but yet at times and feels so similar.” Looking as he turned on his hunting if he was going to be looking for rare plants then he was going to have to use all his abilities apparently. He was still getting used to the level of focus that it took but one he was ready it was a beautiful thing. The level of detail that was brought to him was always amazing he could see the plant at once however he remembers correctly. This plant was on that used to put people to sleep, and that was something that he couldn’t allow to happen. So he reached back into his pack and taking out a jar a rag out of the kit. Popping the cap off the bottle and soaking the cloth in the liquid and people said that gin was only good for one thing. Throwing the gin-soaked rag at the boy. “It will keep the pollen from getting in wrap it around our mouth and nose. You want to make sure that is secured if not then I will have to drag you out of the patch” Tying his mask around his mouth as he set out towards a patch the Honeysuckle. Tossing an empty jar at him. “You might want to bring that, cost a bit to get made but it will properly be able to store things in." He did pause for a second and turned back to look at the kid, his voice muffled but the rages. Staring at him for a second and simply blinking. "Aalam, ranger." @Manya Boole
He caught the journal, and then the rag, and finally the bottle, comically juggling the three before he managed to get a grip on them. He nodded and tied the rag over his nose. The scent of gin was heavy on it, but not unpleasantly so, and if it protected from the plant's dangerous pollen, then it was more helpful that it was harming. Placing the jar into his satchel, Manya looked at the journal. Of course, it had a lot of details from the compendium, but with additional things too, such as how each plant was dangerous, and potential ways to avoid such danger. Manya reckoned that adding the notes together would make for a comprehensive guide! "It's nice to meet you, Aalam!", he said cheerfully, before following the man, fidgeting and adjusting the rag to sit properly on his face. "It's nice to know that people are still altruistic and kind. There's an awful lot of the bad sort anyway, to begin with, so good people have a much harder time keeping up." Perhaps it was the fact that being bad was a lot easier than being good - the latter required a lot of patience and focus to deal with clueless people like Manya, after all. Still, he appreciated Aalam's help! They approached the patch of Honeysuckle, and Manya placed the journal and compendium away, holding the bar up instead. "Ah, I see it!", he said, but by then the pair had been walking towards it for a while now - Aalam clearly spotted it a lot quicker. He held the jar up and hoped that the soaked rag masks would help. And they did! The scent of the Honeysuckle did not manage to even pierce through the smell of gin, and the pollen was caught on the liquored surface of the cloth. They had reached the Honeysuckle and Manya crouched down nearby, gazing at the plant. Studying its appearance and intricacies with a grin on his face. "And now we collect them. Is there any specific way to harvest the petals from it, or should we just pluck it out from the ground?", he asked, his hand reaching out to probably do the latter...which wasn't exactly a smart idea. @Aalam Abungu
