The Portal Day 1

The Portal Day 1

I’m sitting in a dark corner of the so-called dining room of these imposter vampires; at least the food was good. I wonder who brings it down to them? Or maybe there’s a kitchen somewhere on this level… hm, well I’ll make a note to keep an eye ...

11:31 pm - 31.12.2024

The Temple Deep Undergarden

[b]The Temple Deep Undergarden [/b] 1. Amberbell Cap Description: A small, amber-colored mushroom with a bell-shaped cap that emits a faint, honey-like aroma. It is prized for its sweet, earthy flavor. Stats: Effect: Eating an Amberbell Cap restores ...

02:09 am - 04.12.2024

Lilly sits in the cramped office in the back of Shia’s storeroom. “I really need to get my own space in this city. It’s a bit of a trek from the Merry Mug but oh the stuff I could source.” She sighs and eyes the door to the main storeroom. “I’m taking up too much of your space here. I’ll be out as soon as I can, I swear.” She sighed and looked at the piles of paperwork. I’m going to need a whole ‘nother crate just for these invoices. “Shia, I’m so thankful you’ve been working with me on these recipes. I can’t wait to try these 10 new ones back at the Merry Mug. This mushroom soup is going to be a huge hit come winter. Do you think this biscuit recipe would be better with stew at dinner or perhaps with a jam for breakfast? I think breakfast for sure but maybe in the summer a nice sunny biscuit would be good with dinner also.” She slathered the small piece of pale honey colored biscuit with a dollop of fresh strawberry jam and popped it into her new friend's unsuspecting mouth. “What do you think?”

Lilly took her time wandering slowly through the markets in Lankhmar for several days making idle chit chat with all the food and spice vendors, building relationships, flattering some, trading with others and generally putting out feelers looking for the spice merchants with the best quality, and the ones with reputations for exotic spices… even if they used some unconventional methods. Mahoot has amazing quality, but there is nothing special about the types of items he carries. I’ll keep him happy but will probably sell him more than I buy from him. But Shia… she’s got the connections! I’m amazed at what she’s been able to get her hands on. I’ve never seen crystal fruit this fresh in summer and have only ever heard of ghost leaf… I didn’t even want to ask how much she was asking for it. I’d have never thought a baker's wife would be the best for finding all this but I’m a believer. I’m going to have to see what I can do to get into her good graces… she’ll be an invaluable correspondent. I wonder if she can track down some rush chilies for me when I get back to the tavern. At least she was willing to point me in the right direction for the jeweler’s guild. Thirty hydra teeth… I think I’m going to have some armbands crafted for my new friends. I’m sure glad I stumbled upon that missing children sign. I’d never have gotten this much done so quickly without them. I wonder if the largest tooth could be made into a horn… Now to get in touch with Gerald at the Dark Oak Trading company to get some stuff sent back to the tavern.

Lilly sits quietly sipping her mushroom soup adding additional notes to her research and sighs softly. This is a good start. I can make this work. Three days here in the Black Swan and I’ve got at least four new recipes for the tavern. This trip has finally proven worth it. I can’t believe the size of those mushrooms. I’ve to see if these can be sourced elsewhere without the whole hydra, ogre, whatever monster fighting stuff otherwise it’ll be too expensive to offer except on special occasions. Mushroom soup, mushroom pie, mushroom… hm… what to call it? Spread? Chutney? Its not a jam or jelly… eh. Well I’ll go with spread for now but I’ve really got to work on these names. That mushroom and rice risotto last night will be fantastic with a good bear steak too. I wonder if I can make a mushroom beer… ooo or better yet… distill it… well thats a project for another day I just don’t have access to the right equipment here. Okay, well three more weeks to get this stuff sorted but I think I’m going to need to head out to Lankhmar to find some more info on these mushrooms. I wonder if I can find a jeweler out there… these hydra teeth are going to be worth something I’m sure.. I think another day or so here and I’ll head out. The creaky wooden sign of the Black Swan swayed in the gentle breeze, and the faint smell of stew and fresh bread wafted through the open windows…Lilly adjusted the straps on her traveling pack, double-checking the small, carefully sealed jars of mushroom samples nestled inside. The discovery of the cave of mushrooms had been a stroke of fortune, and her instinct told her that the mushrooms were just the beginning. If she could combine them with more exotic ingredients, her creations would become legendary. I’m going to miss this place. It’s been a lovely stay and the cook is fantastic. I'm so glad I got a chance to play in the kitchen with her. I hope her stories of the spice vendor in Lankhmar aren’t just stories. The prospect of finding ingredients no other tavern keeper had access to was irresistible. Lilly couldn’t ignore an opportunity like that, even if it meant braving the long road to the bustling city. As Lilly traveled, she kept an eye out for anything unusual. She foraged along the way, plucking wildflowers with unusual colors, sampling berries she’d never seen before, and even collecting sap from a peculiar tree with golden bark. These newfound treasures found their way into her pack, and Lilly made careful notes in her journal about their flavors and potential uses. She drug out the journey to a full week with all her side trips, tastings, and experiments; it was a long journey but well worth the effort. Lilly’s spirits were high. The city was a sprawling labyrinth of towering buildings, bustling markets, and winding alleyways, a far cry from the cozy familiarity of Oakhaven. Oliver hid in her hood, overwhelmed by the clamor of the crowd, but Lilly pressed on, her sharp eyes scanning the bustling streets for the spice vendor she’d heard so much about.

Lilly's Travel Notebook

[b]The Temple Deep Undergarden [/b] 1. Amberbell Cap Description: A small, amber-colored mushroom with a bell-shaped cap that emits a faint, honey-like aroma. It is prized for its sweet, earthy flavor. Stats: Effect: Eating an Amberbell Cap restores ...

01:11 am - 28.11.2024

Oliver

In search of more children