Where Do Baby Thornbeasts Come From?

Before the Master Ravenwood Tree.
The dark heart of Glomdoring Forest is almost audibly beating in this, its shadowy centre. Tall, blackened trees surround this clearing, pressing together into an imposing barrier of rotten vegetation. Moulds and fungi are smeared across the plants, their pungent stench suffusing the forest. The branches are coated in dark slime, slick tendrils that hang downwards. Although a variety of trees might actually grow here, the black tar that coats them renders them indistinguishable. A thin black mist creeps between the trees, hanging low across the ground. The floor of the clearing itself is simply bare earth, cracked and dry. Overshadowing all is the Master Ravenwood Tree itself, jutting into the sky like a twisted fist. The sound of laughing crows echoes down from the treetops, a harsh sound for the ears below. The atmosphere vibrates with a palpable power. Lovely coltsfoot carpets the forest floor. A marjoram bush flourishes here, spreading its delicate scent. Sprays of chervil cover the forest floor. A sedge of galingale is firmly planted in the forest floor. The Master Ravenwood Tree towers over everything here, pulsing with an immeasurable yet dark power. Casting darkness all around, a shadow totem thrusts up from the ground, chilling the air. There are 2 armoured bats here. A crudely crafted shrine of harsh black crystal stands here, thrumming powerfully. Splintered from the Master Ravenwood, a massive branch lies here, spiders crawling along its rotting wood. A giant bat hangs here, wings folded about its body and one beady eye open. There are 10 shadowlord widowriders here. There are 10 dark nighthags here. In the shape of an open palm, a metallic sigil lies here. An animated skeleton stands here with a ghostly outline of a wasp around its skull. An animated skeleton stands here with a ghostly outline of a bat around its skull. An animated skeleton stands here with a ghostly outline of a spider around its skull. An animated skeleton stands here with a ghostly outline of a beetle around its skull. A mature rowan tree stands proudly here. There are 10 illithoid scourges here. Brennan Stormcrow paces here, his cadaverous body twitching with sudden jerks. Carefully examining her surroundings with a pair of bulbous eyes, an illithoid scholar prowls here. Proselyte Illyria, Listener of the Silent Knell is here. She wields a glittering black rose in her right hand.
You see a single exit leading north.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard's ears perk up as her attention turns towards Illyria.

Illyria follows the gaze of the ilithoid, bending slightly to look into the underbrush herself rather quizzically before looking back to a plump illithoid scholar. "I see. Which sorts? We have a great deal of unique flora here."

Esei blinks slowly.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard blinks incredulously at a plump illithoid scholar.

(Glomdoring): You say, "What is this illithoid scholar doing here?"

(Glomdoring): Aleyah says, "Hm...?"

A plump illithoid scholar says, "I am looking for the rare, endangered thornbeast. I am interested in learning about their mating habits, that I might bring them back from near extinction. Do you know where they might hide?"

Esei blinks.

A plump illithoid scholar blinks incredulously at Ilistala, an enormous leopard.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk thinks to themself: ...thornbeasts... -mate-?

(Glomdoring): You say, "There is an illithoid scholar at the Master Ravenwood."

Synl silently enters from the down, manifesting directly from his surroundings.

Lifting her head, Ilistala looks at Synl hopefully.

(Glomdoring): Esei says, "She appears to be asking about the thornbeast, specifically."

(Glomdoring): Aleyah says, "... Okay, Prayers first, curiosity second."

A plump illithoid scholar pulls a handful of notes from beneath her robes, shuffling through them before nodding.

You say, "I see. What do you know of thornbeasts so far?"

Illyria nods thoughtfully, rubbing her chin. "I know the general area in which you may find them, yes. Seeing them is a matter of luck, though."

A plump illithoid scholar says, "Yes, here we go. The thornbeast is quite rare, not even seen outside of the Glomdoring Forest. They have evolved thorns on their exterior branches to deter predators from devouring them, and are docile otherwise."

Ilistala, an enormous leopard blinks.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...the last one is not quite correct."

You say, "Docile, mm?"

A plump illithoid scholar stuffs away her notes before dusting off her robes.

Illyria nods. "Yes, they appear to enjoy being scratched," she agrees, glancing wryly at Esei.

A plump illithoid scholar says, "My notes are quite old, but I'm sure they can be easily tamed and propagated. Yes?"

Synl of the Stormcrow Tribe thinks to himself: Or scratching.

Illyria laughs softly. "Now that, I don't believe so."

You say, "I would be intrigued to see you try."

A plump illithoid scholar tilts her head curiously at Illyria.

With quiet amusement, Proselyte Illyria, Listener of the Silent Knell says, "Though you're quite welcome to try. Shall I lead you to their location?""

A plump illithoid scholar nods. "If you don't mind, thank you kindly!"

The Master Ravenwood Tree suddenly flares with pulsating energy as Evette steps through.

A plump illithoid scholar begins to follow Illyria.

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe smiles and says to Illyria, "May we come along?"

Ilistala, an enormous leopard tugs urgently on Evette's sleeve.

Evette tilts her head and listens intently to Ilistala, an enormous leopard.

Illyria nods quietly.

In a whisper, a plump illithoid scholar says, "This is so exciting. My book is close to being finished."

Synl ponders for a moment and says "Hrm..."

You say to Evette, "Come with us?"

In a muted whisper, Proselyte Illyria, Listener of the Silent Knell says, "Should be.. interesting."

Esei tilts their head curiously.

With several beats of her wings, Evette alights upon Ilistala, an enormous leopard's shoulder.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks a plump illithoid scholar, "Book?"

A plump illithoid scholar says, "Oh yes! A guide to endangered flora of the Basin of Life."

A thorn beast snarls at Illyria, tendrils coiled and ready to pounce.
Long tendrils shoot out from a thorn beast, wrapping themselves around Illyria.

Illyria has writhed free of her entanglement.

A thorn beast flays Illyria with its thorny tendrils.

Illyria caresses a thorn beast gently.

Opening her mouth wide, A plump illithoid scholar gapes in wonder at a thorn beast.

A thorn beast flays Illyria with its thorny tendrils.

Wagging her finger in censure, a wood nymph bound in shadows whispers quietly to a thorn beast, whose eyes glow green and then nods meekly.

"Tsk, tsk," Illyria says as she waggles a finger and scolds the world.

You say, "Yes. Very docile."

Aleyah giggles happily.

A plump illithoid scholar says, "It's more beautiful than I had imagined. My fellow scholars' notes barely do it justice."

Illyria grins, a trickle of blood running down her pale-freckled cheek from a thorny lash. "Yes. Though fiesty."

A plump illithoid scholar wanders closer to the thornbeast, taking notes and murmuring to herself under her breath.

You say, "I am sure they will be most envious of you."

A plump illithoid scholar says, "I wonder, do you know what they eat? Or do they draw nutrients from the soil?"

Scourge Evette Stormcrow, the Heartless thinks to herself: *an image of flap-jacks hanging out of the side of a single beast*.

Esei tilts their head curiously at you.

You say, "Perhaps you should try feeding it a variety of things."

You say, "And discover for yourself."

Proselyte Illyria, Listener of the Silent Knell thinks to herself: I bet they eat curious scholars.

A plump illithoid scholar murmurs to herself, finally nodding. "I only brought a sandwich for sustenance, but perhaps that will suffice."

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks, "...I suppose we could fetch a few things?"

A plump illithoid scholar pulls a soggy, half-eaten sandwich from under her robes. Pulling off a bit of it, she lobs it towards the thornbeast, who leaps upon it and devours it hungrily.

You say, "What was in the sandwich?"

A plump illithoid scholar thinks to herself before turning back to the crowd. "Bits of kephera, lettuce, a nice crumbly cheese. A hint of spicy mustard, I think, though it might have turned."

You say, "So it likes kephera, and cheese."

Proselyte Illyria, Listener of the Silent Knell thinks to herself: Note to self. Hunt kephara.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Pardon me."

A plump illithoid scholar leans in closer to the thornbeast, examining it closely. "Omnivorous, which is a good sign. It won't lack in things it can eat." she murmurs, half to herself and half to the crowd. After a moment, she continues. "Do you have any smaller thornbeasts? Perhaps a small clipping of one, or a small child thornbeast?"

Illyria watches silently, interest flaring in her eyes as the sandwich offering is so eagerly accepted. The questions draw her up short, though, and she glances uncertainly at you.

A thorn beast continues tearing at chunks of the sandwich, oblivious to the discussion happening around it.

You say, "I do not recall ever seeing a child of a thornbeast, which might explain why they are so endangered."

A sudden flurry of dusky color accompanies Aleyah as she takes to the air, flying over to you and alighting delicately on your shoulder.

Whispering to the thornbeast, a plump illithoid scholar says, "Yes, good thornbeast. Nice thornbeast."

A look of understanding crossing her features, Aleyah nods her head slowly.

You look skeptical and say, "I don't think that they would much appreciate being clipped, either."

A plump illithoid scholar tentatively moves closer to the thornbeast, scratching at her cheek for a moment as she examines it closely. "Do you think there are male and female thornbeasts? Perhaps they reproduce via pollination."

Evette smooths back a few pieces of disturbed fur on Ilistala, an enormous leopard's shoulder.

A plump illithoid scholar blinks.

A tenebrous leopard sniffs a plump illithoid scholar, trying to decipher just what that smell emanating from her is.

You say to a plump illithoid scholar, "How would you tell the difference between a male and female thornbeast?"

A plump illithoid scholar says, "What a curious biome this is. Leopards all over."

A plump illithoid scholar opens her mouth as if to say something, but pauses.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard nods her head affirmatively at a plump illithoid scholar.

A plump illithoid scholar says to you, "I'm not sure! That's why I'm here, to take notes and study them."

The ground trembles before a humanoid shape bursts upwards from its surface.

You say, "Perhaps a closer look is in order, then."

A plump illithoid scholar nods her head.

A tenebrous leopard idly twitches her tail behind herself.

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe smiles and says to a plump illithoid scholar, "We'e in a quasi-tropical marsh, so leopards are quite at home."

A plump illithoid scholar ponders a crumbling loamadore thoughtfully, looking him up and down.

(Glomdoring): Kistan (from the Astral Plane) says, "Hello!"

(Glomdoring): Afollia (from the Aetherways) says, "Tidings Kistan dear."

(Glomdoring): You say, "As a note for those newly awakened - there is a scholar here attempting to study thorn beasts. If you are curious, feel free to come listen."

A plump illithoid scholar edges closer to the thornbeast, finally standing next to it. "I'm not seeing any sort of external stigma or other reproductive organs one might expect. Curious."

Sighing, a plump illithoid scholar says, "I suppose I'd better take one home with me and study it in the lab, in a confined space. Do you suppose you can spare this one, if I return it later?"

A thorn beast melts softly back into the foliage.

A plump illithoid scholar creases her brow in a frown.

A plump illithoid scholar says, "I think it heard me."

Aleyah giggles happily.

You look skeptical and say, "I don't know how well they would do, away from their home."

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe asks, "The loamadore, too. You said they don't live anywhere else, right?"

A plump illithoid scholar says to Illyria, "You have been most helpful, but our thornbeast has run off."

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe says, "That sounds like it would... maybe wither, away from the Glomdoring."

You say, "Perhaps you could set up a little observation post here to study them in their natural habitat?"

A plump illithoid scholar says to Aleyah, "This is a loamadore? Is that a plant as well?"

A plump illithoid scholar ponders the situation.

Aleyah nods her head emphatically.

A tenebrous leopard inches bashfully over to Synl and nuzzles him tenderly.

A plump illithoid scholar says, "Oh, no. I couldn't possibly move here."

The foliage rustles to the north, as a mass of brambles and thorns tumbles into the room.

"Ahah!" A plump illithoid scholar exclaims triumphantly.

A plump illithoid scholar squints suspiciously at a thorn beast.

A plump illithoid scholar says, "I'll come back and study this loamadore next."

You say to a plump illithoid scholar, "A loamadore is a collection of mud, held together by plant-mass. So yes, another form of native flora."

Illyria watches quizzically, content to observe rather than speak.

A plump illithoid scholar looks about herself, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.

A thorn beast eyes the crowded area suspiciously, bits of mustard splattered across its thorny body.

Synl of the Stormcrow Tribe thinks to himself: Mud is a flora?

A crumbling loamadore dives back into the soil, leaving only loose earth to mark its passage.

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe smiles and says to a thorn beast, "Hello, there..! Don't be afraid, Mama loves you."

A plump illithoid scholar says, "I can add chapters to my book. Very well."

Evette purses her lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as she carefully gathers her thoughts.

You say, "I am curious in hearing what you can discover of thornbeasts."

Turning back to the thornbeast, a plump illithoid scholar says, "Alright, little one. Are you ready to follow me back to the lab and see if we can't get you strong and virile?"
15525h, 14262m, 10400e, 10p mBelrxd<>- /17:24:42.248/curious evette

You tilt your head curiously at Evette.

You say to Evette, "What do you think?"

Synl ponders for a moment and says "Hrm..."

Synl of the Stormcrow Tribe thinks to himself: Lab? Do not care for this.

Emotionlessly, Scourge Evette Stormcrow, the Heartless says, "I've no issues with a study being done. But they should be done here, yes?"

A thorn beast stalks up slowly towards the illithoid scholar, peering up at her with tilted head.

To the crowd, a plump illithoid scholar says, "Thank you all, you have been most helpful."

Aleyah purses her lips, deep in thought.

Illyria caresses a thorn beast gently.

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe asks you, "Don't we have.... a lab?"

A plump illithoid scholar ponders the situation.

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe asks you, "Or did I imagine that?"

Evette tilts her head and listens intently to you.

You say, "We do, but not for outsiders to use."

Aleyah nods her head emphatically.

A thorn beast sniffs a plump illithoid scholar, trying to decipher just what that smell emanating from her is.

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe smiles and says, "So clearly, the best answer is to stop being an Outsider."

Evette nods her head at Aleyah, showing her acceptance.

You say, "Alas, that offer was already turned down."

A plump illithoid scholar reaches out to tenderly cup a thorn beast's cheek in her hand.

Evette purses her lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as she carefully gathers her thoughts.

A plump illithoid scholar exclaims, "We can get a matched pair and breed them to be bigger and stronger, and then bring them back to you. It won't be a bother!"

Emotionlessly, Scourge Evette Stormcrow, the Heartless asks, "Perhaps something could be left to ensure its return?"

Synl of the Stormcrow Tribe thinks to himself: More development done away from the wisdom of the spirits.

Synl of the Stormcrow Tribe thinks to himself: I have a bad feeling about this.

Aleyah nods her head at Evette.

A plump illithoid scholar pulls on the thornbeast, as if urging it to follow her. The thornbeast snarls, jumping onto the scholar with abandon. Mustard and ichor fly everywhere as the scholar squeals in pain, her cries quickly drowned out as the thornbeast envelops and devours her in her entirety.

Aleyah hides a grin behind her hand.

Evette ponders the situation.

Aleyah giggles happily.

Illyria nods sagely.

You have emoted: Xenthos emote collects the scholar's notes without comment.

Cooing, Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe says to a thorn beast, "Oh, you were hungry, darling...."

A thorn beast lets out a massive belch into the air.

Evette pats a thorn beast in a friendly manner.

This creature appears to have been woven together from the brambles and vines of the forest. It is about the size of a big cat, and the weaving of its roots and tendrils give it the impression of four legs and a head. Sharp thorns form a serrated maw, whilst longer twigs create the impression of sharp claws. Loose tendrils whip above its body, ready to strike and spear its enemies. Where eyes should be, a dark, black mist swirls, almost glowing with twisted energy.
A thorn beast is quite powerful.
He weighs about 62 pounds.

Illyria caresses a thorn beast gently.

In a muted whisper, Proselyte Illyria, Listener of the Silent Knell says to a thorn beast, "Good thornbeast."

A thorn beast melts softly back into the foliage.

Synl nods his head emphatically.

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe thinks to herself: My Dearest Lady Viravain: Your Wyrden Flora remains as voracious as ever! It's so lovely to see it so energetic. Your Garden is the loveliest in the whole Basin, truly!

Synl of the Stormcrow Tribe says, "Let them experiment, nothing will pass the pinnacle of evolution."

Synl looks exhausted and opens his mouth in an enormous yawn.

You say, "I think the experiment is already over."

You say, "Due to a sudden case of the dead."

Aleyah giggles happily.

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe says, "The strong will consume the ill-prepared."

Synl of the Stormcrow Tribe says, "The Lady's design continues to be far past the dreams of shards."

Thoughtfully, Proselyte Illyria, Listener of the Silent Knell says, "Still, though.. she had good questions."

You say, "But not a proper respect for that which she studied."

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe looks thoughtful and says, "I do wonder where they come from."

Illyria nods at you and Aleyah in turn, agreeing with each.

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe says, "Besides Mama. I mean, obviously the short answer is Mama."

Proselyte Illyria, Listener of the Silent Knell thinks to herself: Mama?

Smiling brightly, Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe says to Illyria, "You're new, right? Or at least, I don't think we've met. It's good to meet you! My name is Aleyah."

You have emoted: Xenthos examines the notes thoughtfully.

Scourge Evette Stormcrow, the Heartless thinks to herself: Surly, if one was to make them bigger and stronger it would be the Lady herself.

Aleyah tilts her head curiously at you.

You say, "I'm not making much of them, so far."

Curiously, Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe says, "What do the notes s-- oh."

Tucking away the papers, you say, "I will study them more later."

Illyria dips her chin and curtsies quietly to Aleyah. "Aye," she murmurs, already looking distant and somehow more faded as the thornbeasts disappear once more.

Synl touches his fingertips to his hand, illuminating the temporal tattoo upon it. The air beside him warps, as a clock-like portal manifests.

Esei gives a short, respectful bow, one hand clasped over their heart.

Aleyah glances between Esei and Illyria once or twice, her smile only growing. "...Mm. Perhaps now isn't the best time for it - but when I get back for good, I'd like to take you for tea?"

Esei nods their head sagely at Aleyah.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...I presume the scholar got her feet stuck in something they should not have been in?"

You say, "Her feet. And her mouth. And everything in between."

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe smiles and says to Esei, "And most of the rest of her, too!"

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe says, "There's a little bit of blood that was missed."

Esei looks about themself, rubbing their chin thoughtfully.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...I cannot say I am terribly surprised."

With a warm, fanciful sigh, Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe says, "There will be so many beautiful roses on this spot next year, I bet. Blood makes the loveliest roses."

You say, "I wonder where the scholar was from, and if anyone will come looking for her?"

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Well... she was illithoid, and had a kephera sandwich."

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe says, "Probably the Undervault, at least somewhere."

Evette nods her head emphatically.

(Glomdoring): Synl (from the Aetherways) says, "Did they mention for whom they were working?"

Something odd about the note strikes you, and you decide to examine it again.

Illyria nods to Aleyah quietly, then melts into the undergrowth as easily as a thornbeast might.

(Glomdoring): You say, "Not while I was present, at least."

Thoughtfully, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "She did mention making other scholars... jealous?"
Ilistala, an enormous leopard tells you, "Esei said: she did mention making other scholars... jealous?"

The note is on fine parchment and the writing is in small cramped letters.
It weighs 1 ounce(s).
It has the following aliases: note.

(Glomdoring): Synl (from the Aetherways) says, "Where was this lab, as it were."

Comprehension flashes across your face.

With your mighty index finger extended, you poke a note.

Esei tilts their head and listens intently to you.

You read what is written on a note:
This piece of notepaper is written in a spidery, yet sloppy hand.
Written by someone who has obviously never seen a thornbeast, it has
bits of information including but not limited to, "completely docile",
"flees from predators", "likes to be scratched under the chin", and
"probably not venemous". At the very bottom of the note is a childish
sketch of something that is obviously not a thornbeast; in fact, it
looks rather like a daffodil with legs.

(Glomdoring): Aleyah says, "She did mention... other Scholars."

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe asks you, "Did you find anything?"

You display a note for all in the room to see.

The note is on fine parchment and the writing is in small cramped letters.
It weighs 1 ounce(s).
It has the following aliases: note.

Scourge Evette Stormcrow, the Heartless thinks to herself: Helpful.

You say, "Let's see."

(Glomdoring): Afollia says, "May the Mistress of Thorns watch over you in your endeavors Glomdoring, take care and sleep well when you do."

(Glomdoring): Aleyah says, "Dream of sweet roses, Spinner!"

You say, "It says: "Completely docile," "flees from predators," "likes to be scratched under the chin," and "probably not venomous." Also, it has a drawing that looks somewhat like a legged daffodil."

Evette blinks.

Bemusedly, Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe says, "Well... that doesn't sound right at all."

You say, "Just a little bit outside of her element, I thnk."

A wry smile spreads across your face.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks, "...has anyone actually tried scratching them under the chin before...?"

You say, "Not I."

The foliage rustles to the east, as a mass of brambles and thorns tumbles into the room.

You ponder a thorn beast thoughtfully, looking him up and down.

Evette ponders a thorn beast thoughtfully, looking him up and down.

Aleyah puts her hands on her hips and goes "Hmmm!"

You have emoted: Xenthos scratches the thornbeast under what passes for its chin.

With gentle wafts of her dusky wings, Aleyah takes to the air, flutting over to Ilistala, an enormous leopard and alighting gently on her shoulder.

Esei pets a thorn beast ingratiatingly.

A thorn beast melts softly back into the foliage.

The foliage rustles to the northeast, as a mass of brambles and thorns tumbles into the room.

A caliginous leopard inches bashfully over to a thorn beast and nuzzles him tenderly.

A thorn beast melts softly back into the foliage.

You say to Esei, "Seemed to neither like nor dislike it."

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe smiles and says, "Not very compelling."

Esei nods their head sagely.

(Glomdoring): Rhalkyr says, "What, became, of scholar?"

(Glomdoring): Aleyah says, "Thornbeast food!"

You say, "Maybe I will take a clipping of a thornbeast and bring it to our own workshop, just to see if anything comes of it."

You purse your lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as you carefully gather your thoughts.

Esei tilts their head and listens intently to you.

Aleyah purses her lips, deep in thought.

(Glomdoring): Rhalkyr says, "Good."

(Glomdoring): Aleyah says, "It's nice to know they're eating well."

(Glomdoring): Esei says, "...I suppose we know what they eat, now."

You say, "I will return in a few moments."

Aleyah nods her head emphatically.

- Goes searching for a thornbeast -

(Glomdoring): Rhalkyr says, "Yes. Is fine day, when prey, walks into jaws."

Ilistala, an enormous leopard sniffs a thorn beast, trying to decipher just what that smell emanating from him is.

You have emoted: Xenthos lifts his katana in a wide arc, severing off a leg of the thornbeast. He picks it up and regards it carefully.

- To the Thornwatch guildhall -

(Glomdoring): Synl says, "I wonder if the next scholar will be coming to study worgs."

(Glomdoring): Aleyah says, "Oh! They'd eat so well!"

A natural workroom.
Overhead the vines and branches tangle together tightly once more, creating a living ceiling. Carefully shielded by frosted glass etched with webs, a series of lamps hung delicately from branches around the room provide light bright enough to read by. Enmeshed within thornvines along the eastern wall, several large terrariums proudly display their contents or stand empty and waiting. In one, a small stoat probes through the short Moors grasses filling its cage before peering curiously at those outside, its eyes flashing with an eerie red light. The grass is sickly and yellow except for a few patches marked by dark purple veins. In another, a clearly dead nehvgree has been dissected and arranged to allow examination of the amalgam of wyrden flora and fauna that make up the arachnoid creature. Opposite the terrariums stand several polished worktables, well-used and covered with sundry works-in-progress. Papers and charts stack high on one, with beetle-carved weights holding flat an intricate map of the forest and a drawing of the bones and muscles of a bat's wing. Behind them, a hive-like arrangement of hexagonal shelves holds more papers and tools, from a peg key to tune instruments to a set of fine scalpels. The final wall is taken up by chairs and couches arranged around a series of bookshelves so covered in rustling, dense vines that it appears made entirely up of them. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. Wreathed in deep violet vines, a diminutive wyrdling writhes restlessly across the ground.
You see a single exit leading north.

(Glomdoring): Rhalkyr says, "Arachnid, scholars, should be, encouraged. Many, to feed."

Ilistala, an enormous leopard tells you, "Xenthos emoted: Xenthos places the severed thornbeast leg into one of the empty terrariums, positioning it in the middle, and then ponders it for a time. Finally, satisfied, he nods to himself."

With a mighty heaving of its leathery wings, a diminutive wyrdling launches itself northwards with a sibilant hiss.

- Return to group -

You nod your head emphatically.

With several beats of her wings, Evette alights upon Ilistala, an enormous leopard's shoulder.

Esei pets Ilistala, an enormous leopard ingratiatingly.

You say, "I've placed the clipping somewhere that it can grow, should it have the desire to do so."

You say, "I'll leave it some food later."

Aleyah's mouth turns up as her face breaks into a smile.

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe says, "Wonderful."

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe says, "I think... I'm going to rest."

Quietly, Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe says, "I'm getting very haggard."

Ilistala, an enormous leopard nods her head emphatically.

Esei nods their head at Aleyah.

Esei ponders the situation.

Aleyah curtseys gracefully.

Lady Aleyah Shee-Slaugh, The Briar-Childe says, "Take care, everyone."

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks, "...-are- thornbeasts venomous...?"

You say, "And you, as well."

Evette doffs a dapper, silver-banded black felt hat to Aleyah.

You say, "Not that I've noticed, but possibly."

A look of understanding crossing their features, Esei nods their head slowly.

- Later, after a kephera hunt, back in the workshop -

You have emoted: Xenthos begins to carve up the many kepheran corpses into smaller pieces, little chunks of meat. He leaves a few chunks of chitin in the pile, but primarily leaves it with the most tender of morsels from within the mound of carrion.

You drop 50 corpses of a kephera warder.

You drop 50 corpses of a kephera worker.

You drop 37 corpses of a kephera worker.

You have emoted: Once finished with the task, Xenthos moves the mound into the terrarium with the severed thornbeast leg. A few morsels are placed directly in contact with the leg, with the rest of the mound a short distance away.

You nod your head at yourself.