Iron Stars - Ingredient Hunt

The forest hunt group begins forming up at the north side of the clearing . They prepare to head into the woods to look for ingredients and Anything that may enhance the dinner.

"So. What do we hunt for? Deer, or mushrooms?" Daira asks while fantasizing about the coming feast.

"I'm sure if we just wander around we will stumble into something, this place seems oddly plentiful. Maybe this shared hallucination or whatever it is has wine producing rivers and mashed potato trees just off in the distance." Iracus chuckles lightly at the strangeness of the current situation "Also, Pax, what was that you were asking about, symbiosis?"

"Mashed potato trees? What is this guy smoking? This is not the tale of Cockaigne. There won't be flying grilled chickens, right?" Daira babbles to herself while scratching her head.

"Cockaigne? Hmm, perhaps that's what this place was modeled after? Curious..." Iracus wonders as he looks around "Wherever we are, this mysterious T. Urkey fellow has a plan for us once we finished their task list. What do you think that T could stand for anyway, maybe Terry Urkey?"

“I’m, yeah. You probably can’t see it but little tendrils of MES energy kind of flows out from me and every few second I can come into symbiosis with someone or something and lend some sense of power to it. I’m real new with it though so I’m still learning. They call me a Free Nexus. Fully trained, I guess I’ll be like a walking MES battery. But I’m a Gaiapsi too. And I can dig those tendrils into the land and tell what all the plants could be used for and which ones are edible and which aren’t. Get a general idea of what’s here. I should be able to commune and see if there are… mashed potatoes I guess!”

"Fascinating, I've only briefly read about such training, never seen it in action. I'd be quite interested in experiencing it, although I'd imagine some of the others here are more naturally talented in foraging or hunting and could benefit from such enhanced sense more than I could."

12:59 PM

Looking to Dai and Teucer, "How are you two when it comes to pillaging the forests for food?" (It's just us four right?)

"Me? I am from the city of Artema, on Heras. We live for the hunt. I mean some of us. Most actually do other things on a daily basis. It is more like a tradition. So, uh yeah, I do know something about, pillaging, nah, rather taking from the forests, just enough to feed us. Hunting can be fun, but we should always only take what we need, not more. You didn't ask for a story, sorry. I do know something about getting food out of the forest." "I should stick to answering the questions and don't talk too much." Daira thinks to herself.

“Awesome! It’s nice to officially meet you all! I’m Pax.” He says cheerily to the group before he leaps up into the tree, swinging from limb to limb or on the ground where appropriate. “Come on! I have to get a little further in so I can attune to the biome and get an idea of what’s out here.”

As Iracus follows Pax deeper into the forest, he asks Dai, "So this tradition of the hunt, how do you all celebrate it on Heras?"

Daira laughs, but in a nice way. Her tone, gestures, and facial expressions show that she likes the seemingly honest interest in her culture, that Iracus displays. "No, no, not Heras as a whole. See, Heras is a pretty populated world, for our current times that is. We have seven Khanates on Heras. Six that have ever been. Artema, Persepha, Stygia, Janusus, Haphaestea, and Chiron. And then there is Mytikas. Let's just say it lost its status of Khanate when it was destroyed. But that Mytikas was the place where those landed who came with the individual named Cyrus Adonis. They are somewhat of a Khanate now as well, even tho they don't like really have a Khan. Well the Khanates do have their own traditions even if we do all share a pretty similar culture, we are also all a bit different. That is rather complicated. Anyway, you weren't really asking for that. The Hunting Tradition was what you were asking for. You see, there are vast woods around Artema. And they have always been filled with plenty of wildlife. Most of the woods around Artema are free for every citizen of Artema to go hunt in. Except for a large portion to the east, which is only for the family of the Khan to hunt in. We always had many forest wardens, some families have been in this profession for generations. They make sure that the forest is in good condition and give out lists of what animals are to be hunted right now, and what areas are to be left alone. That way, balance can be kept."

3:10 AM

_ "So while people can go hunt on any day, there are the Months of Artemis. A two month long festivity. In the early days it was just a week long festivity. But, with the city growing, that lead to too many hunters being in the forest at once. So it was stretched. It is the time of the year when families gather, thank the forest with its plants, fungi, and wildlife to feed us and make us stronger. The highlight happens during the day of the last full moon in those two months. It is when the Family of the Khan, and ten other chosen families, go on a hunt together. Usually in the Khan's Forest, sometimes somewhere else, always to hunt something really big. It is always in the news, and people line the streets when the Khan returns with the trophy kill right behind them. People applauding and cheering. Well, it somewhat got less big lately, the festivity I mean. But I doubt that this tradition will die out at any point. I just wonder if the Khan herself will still part of it, if she gets elected to the Herald of the Protectorate. Would be strange to see her sister lead the Entourage. Do you have any more questions?" "I shouldn't tell him that this sister would be me. I guess besides General Teucer, and General Wyke, most likely nobody knows what General Teucer meant when he called me Ilkhan. And I guess I do keep it that way." Daira thinks to herself. (edited)

Staying mostly silent except for being asked questions, Teucer responds "Please Ilkhan, eschew the general title. I am not here to command soldiers." Turning to Iracus, he continues. "I am adept in many of the environments to be found on Heras, including forests. My training covered the broad basics, it is experience that creates the depth."

"Yeah, at his side you can have all the experience you want and still feel like an absolute beginner. It is obvious why he was chosen to be a General." Daira thinks before saying out loud to Teucer. "Alright, I stick with Teucer then, for the time being. Why don't you stick with Daira or Dai then? My ti... The uh, um, the addition of the pretty, uh only in Heras known, erm, non special word Ilkhan, erm Outsiders don't know what it means anyway. It just confuses them, I guess. Hehe." The added laugh was a fake one, and not a good faked one.

(Let’s get a group survival check)

(9)

(11)

(10) (I’d also like to expend an effort for the scene to use “The Whispering Wind” to learn what plants are edible and what are not as well as their uses. I don’t need a description of every herb or anything. Just Pax communing with nature for flavor… literally. Teehee.)

Iracus listens closely as Dai explains, intrigued to learn more, "Sounds like a very fulfilling tradition, perhaps I will be able to one day visit and see it myself. It's a good thing we have you three who are intimately familiar with searching for food outside the local market. My hunting skills are more...information gathering in nature so this should be fun." Iracus smiles back as he starts trying to look around the area, getting a sense for what's around. (8)

(well using the power to get the plants and their uses but not wanting a description is mutually exclusive so I don't know what you want)

(Ok. I just wanted to make life easy on you. I’m going to use the power. You’re in charge of the outcome.

)

There are herbs that grow by the creek that will season the meat with rich flavor. There is a patch of something like cabbage , onions and potatoes in the heart of the woods where wild beasts that feast on them also live. The leaves and fruits of the nearby Etherfruit plants make a convenient alcohol and rich baste for meats

1

Pax’s eye flicker as he taps into his surroundings. His hands dig deep in the dirt and he drools accidentally as the information and flavors rush into him. “Oh man! I’m so sorry.” He looks to the group happily. “This forest is bountiful!” He conveys the kinds of plants they are looking for and their location to the group. “And now, we hunt!”

Daira starts to laugh. "So you are cheating right away, aren't you? Well then, now that we know what awaits us here, let us gather the plants, you have been talking about. And then with what grows in the heart, we can lure animals into a trap, right?"

“I dunno what is this cheat?!” Pax leaps a bit while he laughs and he slaps the ground lightly when he comes down. Then he gets quiet, leaning in with a sly piece of wisdom. “A hunter should speak with the forest and hear what it says back! And it says,” Pax’s stomach growls loudly as if on queue and the neon cyan Utan laughs again patting his belly. “Yes! Yes! Come let us walk and gather what we can. We can watch for beasts. Maybe you shoot or run one down before we need a trap at all. Maybe you show me your master trap? The forest will tell you.” (edited)

"It sounds like there is quite a lot of variety, I'm curious to sample some of these Etherfruits. I've never heard of such a thing."

Daira nods. "By Artema, I wish you all best of luck. May we return with the riches of this forest. Enough to be a rememberable feast for us all. And Iracus, you might be more brain than arms, but you will do just fine as well." Daira, with two fingers, draws a stylized flame into the air followed by holding her hand with open palm where the center of this flame would be. "Ognyena, guide us in this unknown forest. Let the flames in our hearts burn bright and strong and let us return unscathed." She looks at the others again. "So, do we want to look for those fruits first?"

(I'm good with that!)

1

The etherfruit is the easist to find and will give the kitchen team something to do while you work on finding the rest of the ingredients. A quick peek into the woods off the path to your east reveals a brook or a creek of some kind, you can see sunlight making the water sparkle, and the tell-tale orange rinds of fruit growing beneath carpets of thick leaves.

Daira takes a quick look around and then stares at the creek. Her black clothing absolutely mismatches the colorful beauty of the location. She points at the creek and says. "That is really a beautiful place, and I guess the fruits are just waiting here for us to collect them. But that creek. Almost invites one to dive into it and just like enjoy its crystal clear water. So, um, did anyone bring baskets?"

Iracus walks over to the fruit, without a basket, and goes to pick one to inspect. "No basket here, didn't even think of one until now to be honest, did anyone even see any at the start of this place? Might have to craft one out here from vines or whatever else we can find."

The motled grey of Teucer's armour also stands out amongst the vibrant colours of the forest. More suited to the concrete jungle, Teucer is obviously unprepared for the environment. "Perhaps a sled, or a travois? I just wish I had worn my survival kit this morning."

“I mean… You guys don’t have a backpack?” Paxcyan shifts to show his own nearly empty pack save for a Lazarus patch. The rest of his equipment, a sword, a knife and a compad all seem to be strapped to him or in a pocket.

"Personally speaking, the Varanu line has a long history of knee problems and other ailments so anything more than a handful of things will start dramatically slowing me down. It's why we tend to study the sciences, knowledge is weightless after all! So a sled could be ideal, especially considering we have to gather enough for about 20 people of varying appetites."

"And those fruits are not to be eaten, right? Didn't our Utan friend here say that they are used to produce, like, an alcoholic beverage? And I like the sled idea, because those fruits, in my backpack, they will surely ruin the whole backpack." Daira rips off a Etherfruit leave to smell and chew on it, to see what it tastes like.

The flavor is mild, pleasant, a bit fruity, and you feel a tingle on your lips and tongue as the slight numbing flavor washes over it.

"This is quite good. I could see myself chewing on those during meditation. So, Mr. Varanu, how do you want to study these things?"

"I think a hands on approach could be best" Iracus says as he takes a bite out of the alcoholic fruit in his hands "Maybe we could..." Iracus says between bites, "Press them like grapes to extract their juice, maybe Urkey's kitchen has something that could do that." (How strong does the alcoholic fruit seem?) (edited)

10:40 AM

(also is it like a citrus or apple in texture?)

“I say we just get them back to our chefs and come back for more ingredients.” He says, filling his pack with fruit before helping build whatever skid people are building to haul more. “We will need this skid if we get an animal for the feast!”

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/iron-stars-nekosmash/a/etherfruit-article?preview=true

Etherfruit

1

11:22 AM

(Citrus)

Drinking the nectar Iracus nods and says "That is quite good, wow, and a nice little buzz too. But yes let's get these back so they can get prepared." Iracus will then start helping to gather and load the fruits.

11:32 AM

(So the top is just exposed to the air while the nectar drips in from that vine? Does that mean the alcohol production is due to the open exposure to the outside air so that natural yeast to get in there and work its magic?)

(correct on all counts sir)

(super neat!)

Collecting them looks to be a bit of an effort. You have no baskets or bags to put them in from the look of things (Unless anyone has a back pack on their person)

"So, as I said, I don't want to ruin my Backpack. And I also won't wan't to transport a caught animal in it either. Shall we built some sled now? We need it anyway, I guess."

(Could we perhaps gather some logs and use the vines of the plant to tie them together to form a rudimentary sled that could be pushed or dragged along the ground?)

(make notches in the wood. The weight of the load will keep it together)

(either of those solutions works, and I think between all of us can be done without checks)

Teucer gets to work gathering the necessary wood before making quick cuts into the wood. If Iracus can find some vines, they use them to reinforce the joints. "While I am doing this, do you guys want to gather some of the food"

Daira nods and starts to collect some Etherfruit, chewing on its leaves here and there. While doing so she tries to carefully carry them over to the sled-in-costruction, making sure that none of the liquid spills.

(Awesome. Continued over in #Cooking team

“There’s plenty more to get out there! All kinds of herbs and vegetables. Beasts for eating too! Anyone up for a hunt?”

(We're moving back into the group thread, thats why I said we are doing that. I'm trying to wrap this up)

(Ah. Cool beans)