[IN PROGRESS] Partly's Honeycomb Hunt

[skinstealer]

PARTLY'S HONEYCOMB HUNT
 

“Hi!! My name’s Partly Cloudy, and I heard of a mysterious cave full of delicious honeycomb…I want to get some and bring it home to my husband as a treat, since he loooves sweets. I’m looking for brave adventurers who are willing to get their paws a little dirty, and maybe deal with some danger!”

END GOAL: Find that honeycomb!
 

This task will be lightly DM’d, but have plenty of room for people to wing it and do their own thing. There may also be a special bonus surprise at the end for those who participate…and honeycomb!

CHARACTERS PARTICIPATING: 1/4 (one per person, please!)
-Partly Cloudy
-Count Diamondstall
-Lumin
-Vial

REQUIRED INFO:
-Name
-Image/Description
-Inventory List (3 items and a tool/weapon maximum!)
 

“Bring whatever you like, but keep in mind- we’ll be going into a big, scary cave!”

[Ignispark]

Name: Count Diamondstall (Dia)
Pronouns: She/Her, They/Them, It/Its
Image:    

Inventory List:

• Tool: First Aid Kit
  
• Item 1: Utility Knife
  
• Item 2: Flare Gun
  
• Item 3: Mining Hardhat (Flashlight)
  

Personal Addendum (IC Letter)

Show ContentLetter:

Dearest Potential Client,

May I just say, Partly Cloudy is a great name. I've always been fond of weather. Transient states are really a wonderful thing, things not quite clear and not quite the torrent of a storm. Personally, I think storms are my favorite kind of weather, but transient things...liminal spaces, have their own wonder.

Anyhow, cave delving is quite an interesting endeavor, and something like this, a heist from nature is right up my alley. I'm looking to add as many hits to my repertoire of deeds as possible.

I shall share some information on why I think I will be adept at assisting you:

• I am a trained medic, as I seek to spite the encroach of entropy's unceasing flow.
  
• I have a decent skill in gathering and self-defense. I am no expert, I am not majorly armed, and I may not be the largest, but I should be able to help you get out of a tough spot.
  
• I can impose fear! I could spook something off by screaming unpleasant facts of reality, like the ouroboric nature of sleep and how one can never escape it. That'll certainly get any unfriendly bees quivering in fear. Well, that or a well placed flare.
  
• I can do my best to slay any dull moments. I'm quite lively.
  

Best Regards, Count Diamondstall (You can call me Dia, if that's a bit too long though.)

[knux400]

Name: Lumin
Pronouns: Whatever works for you
Image:
Inventory:
- Pitons and Rope (tool)
- Plastic cones (item)
- Packed Lunch (item)
- Nail File (item)

[Pichi2214]

Name: Vial
Pronouns: they/them
Description: a dark blue cosmonaut, their star shaped head is light yellow and glowing softly
Inventory:
- a big backpack with food safe containers
- ability to create little magic flames
- emergency potion (to refill magic abilities if overused)
- a little notebook for mapping out the area

[skinstealer]

TASK...START!

A few days after signing up, every one of the critters who applied to Partly's request received a letter telling them the date, time, and location of their initial meetup. The edge of one of the wild forests looms ahead, a small clearing marked with a signpost and a ramshackle building claiming to be an adventurer's waypoint serving as the meeting point.
 

A dark blue hazydaze sits by the post, shuffling xyr paws and looking around the clearing. Xey've got a little backpack on, a flashlight strapped to xyr shoulder, and a map at xyr feet- clearly handwritten and informal.

[Pichi2214]

A little cosmonaut comes waddling towards the meeting spot, a little notebook in one paw and a nearly comically large backpack on their back. They slot the notebook into one of the side pockets and wave at Partly. "Hi!! I'm guessing you're Partly Cloudy?"

[skinstealer]

The little cloud creature snaps to attention, sitting up straight and nodding. "Yep! That'd be me- are you one of my adventuring buddies today?"

[Pichi2214]

"Yep yep! I'm Vial! Really want to get some of those honeycombs." They pat their big backpack with one paw. "Even packed a bunch of containers to store 'em! Want to get some for my girlfriend and the tavern. Probably can store some for you too for easier transportation."

[Ignispark]

A tinystep approaches the area of the meeting spot quietly, an unlit mining helmet on her head, a first aid kit strapped across her back, and a sheathed knife and a flare gun/flares fastened onto the straps. She looms a bit away and watches for a few moments before prancing and leaping to be next to the pair of critters.

"Ahoy! Do I perchance correctly sense the preparation zone for the upcoming trails in confectionery coagulation coordination!?"

[skinstealer]

"That'd be awesome! I have plenty of room in my backpack, but it doesn't hurt to have mo-"

Partly nearly jumps out of xyr skin as the tinystep leaps in, fluffing up and making a distinct crackling noise.

"H-hey! You're, um, Dia, right?"

[Ignispark]

Dia does a little salute with one of her front paws.

"Aye aye, I suppose unless you've simply heard of my prowess before, and inferred by your nimbusy appearence...you're probably partly cloudy?"

She then takes the paw to do a little wave at the cosmonaut.

"How's everyone doing today?"

[knux400]

A Clawclops with jagged markings and a large backpack approaches the group, occasionally stopping to glance at a piece of paper in their claw.

"This is the uh, honeycomb mission, right? I take it you're Partly Cloudy, you're obviously Count Diamondstall, so process of elimination, that makes you Vial, then?" It says, pointing to the hazydaze, the tinystep, and the cosmonaut respectively.

"I'm Lumin. Looking forward to working with you all."

[Pichi2214]

They wave back at Dia. "The name's Vial! I'm pretty excited!" They wiggle their long tail a bit.
"Oh!!" Vial turns their head to Lumin. "Yep that'd be correct, nice to meet y'all."

[Ignispark]

Dia does a little bow upon being mentioned.

"Indeed, likewise. It's excellent to meet everyone here. Since you just arrived I suppose I'll also extend the inquiry to you. How are you doing today, Lumin?"

[knux400]

Lumin sits on their small hind legs and produces a sturdy metal file from one of the side pockets of his backpack.

"Not bad. Maybe a bit sleepy. How about you?"

It begins filing a claw, waiting patiently for further instruction.

[skinstealer]

"I'm doing well, a bit nervous, but...having a group of people should make this an adventure!"

Xyr tail bobs excitedly as everyone gathers, not showing any visible nerves in the slightest. "You all look well prepared!"

[Ignispark]

Dia does a little bounce up and down.

"I'm also doing well. Adventure truly is a great thing. I concur that everyone seems to have done a marvelous job getting ready."

She looks back and forth, vaguely around.
"...so, if I were to perchance make a wild guess, once everyone is ready, we trek out to wherever the cave opening is?"

[skinstealer]

"Yep! It's not too far from here...but we may have to do a bit of walking and talking. That cool with everybody?"

[knux400]

"That's fine." Lumin continues onto the next claw, sharpening the point.

[Ignispark]

"Of course, not really like walking in silence for a while makes too much sense unless someone wants peace and quiet, or there's something hunting us..."

[skinstealer]

"W-well! I don't! Expect anyone to be hunting us!" Partly crackles a little more at that, trying not to entertain the notion. "We should be totally on our own in the caves! And on the way, for that matter."

[knux400]

"You mentioned danger in the job listing, though, so I'm assuming you were referring to the cave itself?" Lumin's moved on to her third claw.

"I brought stuff to deal with both, so it's not an issue either way. I'm mostly just curious."

[skinstealer]

"Mhm! I've heard that it used to be an old mine, but the people who made it abandoned it a long time ago...and that the reason why no one goes there is because stuff is super rickety and broken down."

[Ignispark]

Dia ponders for a moment, taking in the new info, she looks somewhat concerned for a moment, before seeming neutral.

"...well, I. I don't want to sound alarmist...but there is a real possibility, if nobody has explored it properly since its been abandoned then...there could in fact be something calling it home. That isn't 'uncommon' for abandoned places...I'm not saying it's likely, but...one should never let their guard down too much. But then again, far more injuries in the come from structural issues anyway I think...so, I digress..."

[skinstealer]

"...I guess that's...very possible, yes. But surely we'd have heard some kind of rumors, right? Urban legends? Ghost stories?


....actually, there might have been one or two..."

[Pichi2214]

"Well! I'm ready for an adventure! I'm sure any ghosts we find can be reasoned with, I'm honestly more concerned about the state of the cave if it used to be an old mine that's been abandoned..."

[knux400]

"I'm ready when you all are." Lumin's finished all three claws on one hand and is now filing the first claw on the other.

[skinstealer]

"In that case...let us be off!"

The hazydaze bounds ahead into the forest, leaving the rest of them to trail behind.

The forest itself is dense and winding, little birds flitting through the trees occasionally. There's a slight path, but it feels incredibly easy to get lost if you're not careful...

As if the thought crosses Partly's mind, xey pipe up.

"Have any of y'all been through these here woods before? It's a pretty common adventuring destination!"

[Ignispark]

Dia prances about vaguely while following Partly. She winds around trees (directly next to the party) and even goes as far to hop onto a low down branches and back down while following along, full of energy...but careful to still stay next to the party. She would rather not get lost, pathfinding isn't her strongest skill.

"I've been here a few times! It's quite nice to scurry about, make dramatic poses to the sky, and aimlessly monologue in the dead of night...provided you, don't mind watching your step...and occasionally getting a...bit misplaced...life's really about journeys anyways...!" She chuckles and kind of looks vaguely off into the sky and sticks a paw out at the sky before quickly changing the subject..

"Anyhow, it's rather delightful to sneak up on someone else and surprise them here too. A bit hard to find people but...it's fun to get the drop on someone anywhere...I recommend giving them a little gift though so they remember the encounter for longer if you ever try that though. So, if you plan to do that I think you should pack knickknacks. Like a neat rock." She pauses for another short second, thinking of something good to say.

"What do you all think about the woods? And, excellent little pastimes?"

[knux400]

Lumin nonchalantly follows suit, keeping pace with the others. Being a quadruped, it's forced to stow away its file for now, but it makes a note to finish the last two claws later.

"Have any of y'all been through these here woods before? It's a pretty common adventuring destination!"

"I go through here pretty often. Most of the time, I keep to the woods itself, but occasionally I'll have to cut through the woods to get to somewhere else. In fact..." It hesitates, looking around. "If we're going the direction I think we're going, I might have seen this cave before. If it's the one I'm thinking of, I never actually went inside, but I did pass by the entrance on my way back from another job."

"Anyhow, it's rather delightful to sneak up on someone else and surprise them here too. A bit hard to find people but...it's fun to get the drop on someone anywhere...I recommend giving them a little gift though so they remember the encounter for longer if you ever try that though. So, if you plan to do that I think you should pack knickknacks. Like a neat rock."

 
"So you're the one... Jack told me about some Tinystep she saw out here the other day. It's good to hear you're not actually trying to hurt anyone."

"What do you all think about the woods? And, excellent little pastimes?"

It's hard to notice, but Lumin's face shifts slightly at the word 'pastimes'. They're definitely fond of whatever hobbies they might have, but they doesn't seem keen on sharing at the moment, so they choose to only answer the first half of the question.

"The woods are... Fine, I suppose. The air's fresh and the scenery's okay. Not my first choice for exploring, but not bad either."

[Pichi2214]

"Hmm...." They grab their notebook again, flipping a few pages to a little map of the forest. "Well! I've been around the forest before, I occasionally go here to gather stuff, though that's usually more my girlfriend's deal. I tend to do the city errands and she grabs stuff from out here when she can."
They look down at their map now and then, making sure to not lose track of where they are and adding new details when applicable.

[skinstealer]

"Well...at the very least, y'all aren't total newcomers to the great outdoors! I've had adventuring parties where people are looking to get their paws dirty for the first time ever, and I am not a great guide for newbies. I know lots of stuff, sure, but that doesn't mean I'm a great teacher!"

Xey hop over a fallen log with a bit of effort, waiting for everyone to catch up before moving forward.

"They say the tree sap from this part of the woods is unparalleled, but I'm no expert there. I've just heard that it's good for syrups. There's also huge leaves to collect, pebbles smoothed out by the local brook, you name it...


...and as for pastimes, I like to wander around and see what happens. I'm a rambling kinda guy."

[Ignispark]

Dia nods along. "Hehehe, yeah...forests are pretty great."

She follows, pausing for a moment to tap a paw to her head.
"I wonder if one can just, sip raw sap..."

[skinstealer]

"...you can, but it's not as good as when you boil it down."

[knux400]

"Seems like it would be messy to just... Drink it. You'd get your face all sticky."

[Pichi2214]

"I mean... if you use a straw it wouldn't really get on your face."

[knux400]

"I don't know if you could get it through a straw in the first place, considering how thick it is. You'd really have to work for it."

[skinstealer]

"Sap tapped directly from the tree is actually more like water, if you can believe it-"

Partly pauses, holding up the entire party.

"...think I see it over there! Y'all see that!"

Sure enough, there's an open cave mouth just beyond a thicket of thorny brambles.

...it also has a distinct "DO NOT ENTER" sign on it.

[Ignispark]

"I mean...considering how thick it is...why stick your entire face there. Just, lick it or like scoop it up with your tongue or something..."

[Pichi2214]

"...I am mildly concerned about the do not enter sign."

[Ignispark]

"It's an abandoned mine...there's probably a litany of dangers to the unprepared..."

[knux400]

"They probably don't want random people wandering in there. We're adventurers."

Lumin walks to the side of the brambles, looking for a way around.

[skinstealer]

"That's right! We're adventurers, and we're all prepped up! No need to worry one bit!"

Partly scampers ahead as well, pacing around in front of the brambles. "Hmm...anybody got something to deal with this? I could probably jump it, but I don't want to go it alone. Would make this whole venture pointless."

[Pichi2214]

"I could probably wiggle through... but thats not all that helpful either. I also have the option to set it on fire, but... that also doesn't feel like a good idea in a forest."

[Ignispark]

Dia points to her utility knife.

"I think, with enough time we can probably cut out a swath, but it would take a while...especially if the brambles are particularly tough...other than that, we could try to find some fallen branches, or small logs from before and make a makeshift ramp? I suppose. A bit precarious, but it could work? Or if a tree looks particularly well positioned, you could try to climb it and hop over that way...provided you can take a fall decently well.

Any thoughts?"

[knux400]

"Cutting through is probably our best bet, but we only have the one knife. Maybe Dia could get to work making a hole, and the rest of us could look for logs and sticks to get a ramp going?"

[skinstealer]

"That sounds like a plan...I've got a knife as well, but I'm not too good with it. End up cutting my paws a lot by accident...I can try to help, though!"

Xey nod at Lumin and Vial. "I'd say you two can try to find the best stuff you can to make a bridge, or a ramp, or something- if Dia and I can make some headway on the cutting, it'll mean yall have to get less materials. "

[Ignispark]

Dia nods, softly sighing.

"I recommend taking your time with a knife, it's much better to get something done slowly than to risk a deep gouge...though in any case I should be able to help out with any accidents...anyhow, I concur with the above judgement. I'll get to work immediately...take a section a bit to my side and if I get done before you do, you can try to help remove sections of bits that have been cut off, or stray bits connected to the ground, I suppose."

She pauses for a moment.

"Though you're welcome to take a rest if you wish, gather up cut off pieces only, or help get branches if you prefer. Either way I'll be cutting this bramble like it just stole my calzone."

Dia approaches the bramble and silently, carefully unsheathes the knife, placing its handle in her maw. She grasps a part of the bramble bare of thorns, before beginning to attempt to saw in with the knife.

[knux400]

Lumin nods at Team Knife. "Sounds good." They wait for Vial to follow before backtracking through the path, scanning the trees on either side for suitable materials.

[skinstealer]

Partly breathes a sigh of relief as Dia gets down to it, taking xyr time digging xyr knife out of xyr backpack and unsheathing it with more than a little hesitation. "I can take the side, yeah...but it's better for sure that you forge ahead. I just want to make sure I do my part."

---

Lumin's able to spot some sticks- thin ones, but surprisingly sturdy. Perhaps a lot of these could be used...

...or, some crumbly looking flat pieces, chipped off of a somewhat rotten log.