The Pod-Caverns of the Sinister Shroom (Game Thread IX)

[Jenara]

Locky hooks her arm with Babuskha smiling, walking down the street she whistles loudly.

[JadedDM]

The next couple of months pass largely without incident.

Locky spends most of her time exploring the city, exchanging stories of her exploits to any fellow kender she meets (not to mention anyone else who is willing to listen), and praying at the nearby temple of light. She also spends time with Babushka, teaching her the basic concepts of first aid and doctoring.

Babushka learns to use the short bow from Ulster, and teaches Locky the basics of herbalism. But overall, she finds herself more comfortable away from the city and out in the wild, wandering the trails in the nearby mountains or just walking alongside the Zakra River.

Jerrard practices his new spells when he's not learning how to speak Gnomish from Babushka. His power now crests and falls with the phase of the white moon, and when it's full he marvels at the boost in his strength.

And Shay continues to slip out on occasion and disappear. When pressed on his activities or where he's going, he just claims he's running minor errands.

But as spring leaves and summer arrives, Jerrard and Babushka begin to emphasize with Locky's restlessness. The kender is eager to move on and explore new places. Jerrard feels he has learned all he can from this place. And Babushka would just like to go somewhere a little less...crowded.

As if sensing their discontent, one day Linton approaches them with a proposition. He tells them one of his merchants is bound for the nation of Khur, to make a delivery to the town of Ak-Tubal. It's a small but well-defended town of about 1,200 souls, and home to the Mayakhur tribe.

Unfortunately, bandits sometimes plague the area and Linton doesn't have any available warriors of sufficient skill to protect his merchant. If the party could accompany the merchant to Ak-Tubal's inn, he would be eternally grateful.

It seems like the perfect solution. Babushka is eager to get away from the city, and she's heard there are many exotic kinds of plants and herbs one can find in the desert. Jerrard is eager to put his sword and his spells back into use. And Locky is quite excited to go somewhere she's never been before, especially such an interesting place as Khur.

Only Shay opts out. He rather likes it in Shrentak, and might even buy a house here. And so, saying their farewells, the party departed with the merchant, across the mountains, and into the wastelands of Khur...