Chapter 3

The adventurers have defeated a small band of goblins and are being congratulated by Cindel, when Dolor suddenly realizes that he’s not wearing his armor—although, he is wearing pants and the others are grateful for that. As Dolor dons his armor, Xantic exclaims “that’s what this stuff is for!” and pulls out a set of studded leather armor from his own pack.

The group heads back to Wayside for that drink promised by Cindel. When they reach town, their curiosity gets the better of them and they decide to stop in at the Bargain Ben for a quick look. It has a similar layout and inventory as other general stores they’ve frequented on their travels. There are food supplies, both fresh produce and staples that will last much longer, a decent selection of various tools, and assorted weird knickknacks. At the end of one aisle is a large translucent jar with a gooey blob in clearish liquid and a sign that says “Do not feed without permission!”

Ben pauses from taking inventory to welcome the group to his store. Xantic, full of ideas and questions, as usual, asks Ben if he has a gemstone. Being the second or third time the group has heard this request, they ask Xantic why he needs it. Ben doesn’t have one, but is also curious about what it will be used for. Without providing many details, Xantic explains that he can use the gem to create something that he thinks will lure out the chimera. Ben suggests that they use the chimera egg Grindlefoot is holding. The group has a collective moment of “d’oh, why didn’t we think of that.”

Being the inquisitive skeptic of the group, Xantic begins to question Ben about the Low Elves. How long have they been around? Has anything odd happened since they arrived? What do the town people think of the group? How do the Low Elves interact with others? It turns out that the band hasn’t been in town for too long, perhaps a few seasons, which is less than a year. The people are fairly ambivalent to the group, because they don’t cause trouble and have even helped out with a few uncomfortable situations, like a wandering bug bear that caused a ruckus.

At this point in the conversation, Gven and Xantic realize that they’re still suffering from minor wounds from the battle with the goblins. Grindlefoot gives 10 goodberries to Gven and Xantic casts healing on himself. They both feel much better and are ready to enjoy the rest of their afternoon, drinking with Cindel.

The group decides to swing by Scibbles & Nibs to have a quick chat with Halodreth about the chimera’s egg they got from the goblins. The apothecary shop is closed up tight with a new sign on the door that says “do not” which is placed immediately above the “enter” sign. They peer in the shop windows to find it still and quiet, with Herbert nowhwere to be seen.

Finally, they make it to the Buzzin Bee, where Cindel exclaims “took ya long enough!” while nursing an ale at the bar and chatting with Bonnie, the bartender. “Get my new friends a round, on me,” she says to Bonnie.

“Oh, and I suppose this is also going on your tab, eh?”

Cindel proclaims, “I’m good for it, you know I am!”

“Sure ya are, sure…” Bonnie replies with a distinct lack of conviction.

While enjoying their ale, Dolor asks Bonnie if she knows where Halodreth might be, because they would like to buy a pot and see if he has any guidance for them about making the Chimera’s Bane. Cindel chimes in, “just mix it all together and be sure you do it away from folks, especially thems with noses that work.” After more back and forth, Bonnie offers them a spot out back to build a campfire and an old cook pot for 1 gold piece, as long as they clean up the pot really well afterwards.

Later, after a few more drinks and a bit of food, Grindlefoot asks Bonnie and Cindel, “what’s up with that jar in Ben’s shop that says ‘do not feed!’” They laugh and Bonnie says, “You mean Steve? That’s Ben’s sourdough starter and it’ll get huge fast if you feed it more than just a touch.”

Finally, they move towards the backdoor to make the Chimera’s Bane and Cindel says “you folk did well out there against the goblins, but it was still a good thing I came along when I did.” Gven and Dolor don’t take too kindly to the statement and turn around to give her the truth of the matter when Bonnie speaks up and says “no trouble inside, get yer selves on out there before I put ya there myself!”

Sure enough, after a short while, the brewing Chimera’s Bane reeks horribly. Gven is sitting on a log, waiting patiently, when a crow flies over and poops on her head. “Seriously?” she says quietly to herself and throws up a quick prayer to Joli (jaa·lee), the God of Pooping Crows, “thanks for the lesson in humility, now give it a rest, will ya, beautiful.” The others giggle at her misfortune. After a few hours, the concoction appears to be complete and the hour is getting late, so the group calls it a night. They take turns watching throughout the night, but it’s quiet and uneventful.

Long rest….

While the group is having breakfast in the Buzzin Bee, Ben slams open the front door and nervously screams “the chimera is back!” Xantic asks, “how do you know?” Ben says that there’s a long plume of smoke rising from his field and the chimera is the only reason that could be happening. They quickly run out back and slather on the Chimera’s Bane—complaining about the stench—then follow Ben towards the fields and plume of smoke. Given the distinctly odiferous nature of the balm, Dolor suggests that they approach from downwind.

As they approach the field from downwind, the sun is just creeping over the low tops of the mountains to the East and they’re able to see flames in the crops. Ben’s unique plant has a stalk similar to corn and large tobacco-like leaves that drape over themselves. Dolor notices that the tops of the crops are moving in various directions, against the wind, meaning someone, or something, is moving around in there. As they continue to approach, Dolor can see a clearing in the field with two lit torches by a wagon, three silhouettes gathering plants, and Cindel directing them to put the plants into the wagon.

At Gven’s suggestion, the adventurers split up to hide their numbers and gain a tactical advantage. Xantic and Dolor flank Cindel and the others, presumably the Low Elves, hidden from their view in the tall plants of the field. While Gven, Grindlefoot, and Ben approach Cindel and the clearing directly.

As they come into view, Ben yells out “how could you, Cindel? Why are you stealing from me?”

Cindel is caught by surprise and, unlike her usual confident demeanor, appears uncertain with her response. “It’s…it’s not what it seems! We’re helping to save your crops. You know, before the chimera comes and burns them all to the ground.” Ben and the adventurers discover that Cindel is with Preet and Grak, along with two others from the Low Elves they don’t know.

“If that’s the case, then why didn’t you come get me first? I could have helped you. Besides, where are you planning to take all of my crops?”

“Um, to the, um, your storage warehouse. Where else would we be taking them. I’m doing this for you! To save your crops. We’re not stealing them!”

Using her insight, Gven can tell that Cindel is lying. “We’ll give you one chance, Cindel, and one chance only. Leave the field now and we won’t follow you or take any action against you and the Low Elves. You have my word.”

Cindel continues to look uncertain, this doesn’t seem to be coming easy for her, but she stands her ground and refuses to leave. Ben asks her why she resorted to subterfuge and stealing. Apparently, she discovered that the plant is a stimulant. It makes her move faster, respond quicker, and think of strategy more easily. She yells out, “I need this to be better! We’re not leaving!”

Gven accepts Cindel’s answer with an resigned “alrighty then,” and seeing no other option, aggressively attacks Cindel with her longsword.

Fight choreography

• Gven invokes her barbarian rage and hits Cindel with her longsword, causing 18 damage.
• Hidden in the field, Xantic hits one of the unnamed Low Elves for 4 damage.
• Grak casts Charm at Gven, but she is deep in a rage and shrugs it off.
• Grindlefoot casts Charm at Grak, but it fails.
• Magnus, a nobleman and one of the unnamed Low Elves, moves towards Xantic, who revealed his position.
• Cabanna, a tiefling and the remaining Low Elf, attacks Gven with their scimitar, causing 3 damage.
• Preet says “terribly sorry old chap, ode to brotherhood and all that” as he attacks Gven with his rapier and causes 3 damage.
• Dolor fires an arrow at Grak and Cindel but misses them both.
• Cindel is too close for her bow and attacks Gven with her sword, causing 3 damage.
• Ben is horribly upset and jumps into the middle of the fighting, grabs Cindel’s leg, and casts a healing spell. She suddenly feels and looks rejuvenated.

• Gven is astonished by Ben’s action and yells “stop helping, Ben!” She attacks Cindel with her longsword, causing another 18 damage.
• Xantic casts Frostbite on his crossbow and fires a bolt at Magnus, killing him instantly.
• Grak casts Cure Wounds on Magnus’ dead body and revives him. Magnus looks around in a slightly confused manner, “thanks, old chap!”
• Grindlefoot sees that Gven is starting to hurt and casts Cure Wounds, granting her 3 health.
• Magnus, the revived nobleman, attacks Gven and misses.
• Cabanna, the tiefling, attacks Gven and misses.
• Preet casts Charm at Gven again, and fails again.
• Dolor fires two arrows at Magnus, killing him (again), and says “stay dead!”
• Cindel, badly wounded, disengages from the group and runs to the other side of the wagon while pulling out her bow.

Ben starts jumping up and down, shouting loudly “EVERYONE STOP FIGHTING RIGHT NOW! Stop it, I say! This isn’t what I want at all! Please, please listen to me and lets figure this out.”

Everyone holds off on their next attack, waiting to hear what Ben is about to say. He opens his mouth to speak and they all hear the loudest roar imagineable come out of his mouth. Ben looks just as confused as everyone else, when suddenly fire explodes close to the wagon and the chimera comes into view, flying low to the ground and screeching at all of them. Ben, the Low Elves, and the Mixed Nuts scramble for safety around them.