The Druid Shop

Posted on Mon Apr 8th, 2024 @ 11:47am by Fighter (Level 2) Jaene of Saint Clair & Priest (Level 2) Alden Mourningstar
Edited on on Mon Apr 8th, 2024 @ 11:49am

Mission: The Missing
Location: Fairfell
Timeline: Simultaneous with "Morning Shopping"

The morning had been altogether very pleasant for the druid Alden Mourningstar. He had awakened to an invitation for a romp with Leslie, an invitation he would have been foolish to ignore. Breakfast at the tavern was very good; he had eaten by himself as Leslie needed time to sort out her damaged clothes. His own were intact, clean, and dry, and he was ready to get some supplies before going out.

In truth he was saving his gold for something specific he wanted. The druids of his Circle had taught him all about plants and animals, and he became very proficient at herbalism. But not only that, he also became proficient at identifying, isolating, and purifying poisons from the plants and animals in nature.

Unfortunately, he lacked the tools he needed to practice herbalism or poison isolation properly and safely.

Herbalism kits were cheap, and so he might try to find one just to have. But poisoner's kits were usually around 50 gold pieces, and he had only thirty.

He wanted to save every coin for that expensive kit, but on the other hand he might find something else useful for his survival. So he went into a survival gear shop off the main square. The shopkeeper welcomed him and he began to browse

A few moments later, the bell at the door rang as another customer came in or left, but Alden did not notice at all. His eyes were transfixed on the absolute perfect thing.

Not only was it a Poisoner's Kit, but the glass was high quality, the little shelf made of polished copper, and the mortar and pestle the smoothest stone he'd ever touched. At 60gp it was a steal. He almost wanted to trade belongings or work so he could have it.

"Fancy meeting you here."

The startled druid spun and raised his hand and without even thinking about it he cast Poison Spray. He was, after all, being attacked.

But no, it was just Jaene of Saint Clair. Her bow was fixed and her dagger was sharpened, and so she had gone looking for survival gear. Apparently her new Druid friend was too engrossed to notice her.

A series of guttural sounds that sounded harsh even for Genasi came spewing from her mouth along with a deep, violent hacking cough. "Alden, what the hell?!"

"I am so sorry!!" he exclaimed, both hands on his head, so shocked by what he'd done. He had been so lost in his own world that he didn't notice her. All of a sudden, someone was in his personal space and he just...reacted.

The shopkeeper, an elderly woman with a glare that could cut glass, gestured for him to back off. She patted Jaene on the back and then gave her a red vial, which she downed in one gulp. Her coughing calmed and she also stared daggers at Alden.

"I'm so sorry," he repeated. "It was just instinct. I can't believe I did that. What can I do to make it up to you?"

Jaene continued to eye him as she got control of her breathing. "I suppose I did almost kill you twice," she conceded. "But I paid for your bed for the night and your food because of that." She looked to the cooking tools he had hanging off his bag. "You good with those?"

Alden's look of shock and horror calmed, and then he smiled. "I'm pretty proficient with them, yeah."

"When we stop for the night, you cook us the best meal you've ever made," Jaene instructed. "I have some cuts of Giant Lizard tail meat and I might get something else good while we're out. Make our campsite a dining establishment worthy of the Queen herself. Then we're even."

He smirked. "That's a lot to ask," he joked. "You did almost kill me twice."

"And you did actually poison me," she retorted.

"Fair point," he conceded. "Deal." They shook hands, and started browsing together. "What are you looking for?"

"Well," Jaene answered, "last night, I felt something rise in me. Some kind of energy I guess. It felt good."

"Just the once?" Alden quipped.

Jaene sighed. "So you heard that?"

"I think the tavern patrons heard it."

She decided to ignore the comment. She had nothing to be ashamed of. It was a mutually pleasurable time with the woman she loved and who loved her. Everything else was somebody else's problem. "I feel like I can get in touch with the magic of the natural world," she said. "But I don't really know how. I was reading about it but it gets confusing when you read about using evergreen needles and root dust."

Alden shook his head. "Don't worry about that stuff. Most of the time you won't need to think about that, unless the spell is incredibly complicated." He showed her the dried rose that was clipped to the sleeve of his tunic. "Most Druids use something like this. We call it a Focus. It's something that's infused with magic and is connected to the natural world. Hold it in your hand as you recite the magic words or do the gestures and the spell will happen." He showed her some on the table.

Jaene picked up a sprig of Mistletoe and held it between her fingers. She could feel the magic inside it. "Thanks," she said. "I'm also picking up a tent." She was always fine sleeping under the stars but she knew that Alicea had a preference for inns and other comfortable settings. A tent wasn't perfect but it was better than nothing. 3gp later and she was well equipped for the journey, the tent folded tightly and attached to the outside of her backpack, and the mistletoe focus in her breast pocket.

For Alden, the trip was mildly productive. He appeared to have been forgiven for nearly killing the ranger, and for 5gp he got a medium quality herbalism kit. Not the poison kit he wanted but that would come later.

Moments later, they were on their way back to the town square to meet with the others and find more work.



Check Results:

Alden Perception check to notice who is coming through the door:
Natural 1

Jaene CON Saving Throw:
5 + 0 = 5

Poison Spray damage (1d12):
8

Check to see if the shopkeeper is able/willing to help (advantage because Kindness of Strangers):
15 (discarded 14)

Jaene takes a Potion of Healing, 2d4+1
1, 2 + 1 = 4

Item costs:
Focus: 1gp
Herbalism Kit: 5gp
Tent: 2gp