Quest 04 (Open + Closed)

[newmemorywhodis]

i. The joy of cooking lizards and frogs [Open]

If there was one thing Link had learned from the battle at Flotsam, it was that he really, really needed to build up his stash of elixirs again.

So not too long after the battle - when Link’s recovered enough to stay on his feet, and limp his way towards one of Flotsam’s communal kitchens - Link gets to work.

It’s a process that involves Link cheerfully humming while he babies a big boiling pot, and some…unusual ingredients. Most notable is the big giant pile of lizalfos talons; large wicked claws that look like they’d come from some kind of large reptilian creature. These talons are an ingredient in every elixir he makes, but the accompanying ingredient varies.

Sometimes, it’s the sort of thing you might expect someone to cook with; fish, vegetables, mushrooms. Sometimes it’s flowers or herbs. And then for some concoctions he tosses in…frogs and lizards?


ii. More ingredients. MORE! [closed to Nephenee, Donnie, Shu]

The trouble with making elixirs is that he can’t just run out and find more ingredients when he needs them; all the recipes he knows best use things from Hyrule.

Which is why Link decides to seek out those people he’d given some of his plants and mushrooms to, in the hope that they might be able to grow more. If he can, he’ll try to find each of them at whatever garden patch or farm they’ve been working in.

And then say, “...Hi.”


iii. A visit to the apothecary, because maybe Link should share sometimes [Closed to Maomao]

It had occurred to Link that the other thing that might help is knowing more about the local fauna and flora - maybe there were ingredients he could find here that he could use as well?

And if there was anyone who can help…well, an apothecary seemed a good place to start. And maybe Maomao might find some of his materials useful too.

So he makes a visit to Elysium, silently slipping in through the door of the apothecary and looking around. Is Maomao in?


iv. These lizards won’t breed themselves [Closed to Ilphyl]

Ilphyl could turn into animals. So…maybe it stood to reason, that they might know how to breed them as well?

So Link tracks Ilphyl down. Reaches into his korok-enchanted pack, and pulls out a fireproof lizard. Despite being carried around in what looks like an ordinary leather bag, it is alive, and wriggling in Link’s hands.

“...I need more lizards,” he says.


v. Bees, bugs and butterflies [Closed to Iren]

The lizards might be sorted - but Link could use someone to help with his butterflies as well. But who could help with them?

Fortunately, while exploring the outskirts of Elysium, he'd run into a few locals who mentioned that someone was keeping bees. Link didn't even know you could keep bees. He'd only ever seen wild bee nests, and no one kept them.

But if someone can keep bees...butterflies shouldn't be a problem. So he makes his way to the location given to him.

When Iren comes out to check up on her bees, she’ll find Link curiously inspecting her bee houses. From a short distance away, that is - Link’s well aware of how bees can sting when angered.

Comments

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl sighs, and holds out a hand. "Let me see. Let's stick to one type of lizard first. What can you tell me about where you find them?"

[newmemorywhodis]

Dutifully, Link hands over one of the lizards. They're of a decent size, but not so big that one can't grip one in their hands.

"They live on Death Mountain, and in the Eldin Canyon," he says. "Death Mountain is a volcano."

Which probably explained why they were fireproof, really.

[spacetogrow]

[roll Nature Check: 15]

Ilphyl is very gentle with the lizard, though they are careful not to let it wriggle free. "Yes, I know I'm a big creature who might want to eat you, but I don't," they said to the lizard. They attempt to examine the bottom of the lizard's body.

"Hmm... can I see the other one?"

They think they might be able to tell the males from the females based on similar types of lizards, but that means noticing if the others have any differences.

"But if they live in warm places, they probably need a warm place to lay eggs. Have you ever seen them have a nest? Maybe in a hollow in the rock?"

It's not impossible that they might need actual volcanic conditions to nest, but if 'Eldin Canyon' isn't as hot, they might manage without setting boats on fire. (Or, more realistically, using somewhere in the Vault.)

[newmemorywhodis]

Link hands over the other one. And of course, there were still two more in his pack - though Link doesn't take them out just yet.

He doesn't want to risk them running off, after all.

Unfortunately, Link hasn't seen any of their nests, so he has to shake his head. But he does add: "I often find them under rocks."

So they did like rocks. And maybe Link had just never had the luck to find a nest?

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl took a look at the second lizard, then handed them back. "Well, we have at least one male and one female. But... hmm, we can try putting together a cage with rocks and stuff, if they like hiding under rocks. That might mean they don't need the volcanic heat to breed. But I can prepare a spell to ask them tomorrow."

[newmemorywhodis]

"...You can talk to lizards?" Link says, blinking in surprise as he returns the two lizards to his pack. This, after already transforming Link into a horse?

What couldn't Ilphyl do?

[spacetogrow]

"I am good at magic, but mostly this sort of magic." Granted, Ilphyl personally thinks being a druid is the best kind of magic for them, but that is because they like animals and plants.

[newmemorywhodis]

Link can relate. If he had magic - and the ability to choose what kind - he'd rate animal magic pretty high.

"But you can't ask today?" he says, head tilted to one side. That did seem a bit of an odd restriction.

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl shook their head. "I have to plan out what spells I cast for the day when I wake up. It's a ritual. That's separate from being able to change my shape, but I could only change yours because I usually keep that spell on hand."

[newmemorywhodis]

Huh. Seemed a bit of a strange way to do magic. But then, Link didn't really know all that much about magic anyway, so who was he to judge?

So he just nods, accepting the explanation. Says, "Tomorrow," - and then, after a short beat, "Bye." And then runs off.

Apparently, Link has taken this to be the end of the conversation. At least, for today. Because sometime during the next day, Link will once again seek Ilphyl out.

"Hi."

Don't mind his rather awkward and abrupt exit the day before. Ending conversations smoothly clearly isn't Link's strong suit.

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl has decided the best way to deal with Link is assume he is something like a stray cat -- he shows up when he likes, and otherwise you need to look for him. And Ilphyl is fine with letting Link just do what he likes while they aren't in a crisis.

"Hi. I prepared that spell today."

[newmemorywhodis]

Immediately, Link once again pulls out two Fireproof lizards, holding them out towards Ilphyl. Are they the same lizards as yesterday? Hard to tell; Link's got four, and they all kind of look the same.

Link's expression hasn't changed, but there's an expectant air about him. Clearly, he's keen to know what the lizards have to say.

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl nods, and starts casting the spell -- a few chanted words and gestures. Then they look at the lizards.

"Hello. My friend wants to find you a home to lay eggs in. What do you need?"

Since the spell mostly just lets Ilphyl understand the lizards and vice versa, Link will be able to understand Ilphyl's questions, and see the lizards' reactions but won't hear the answers. Ilphyl is being courteous and asking the questions in the local language so Link can listen to half the conversation.

[newmemorywhodis]

For a moment, Link's half expecting that maybe he will understand the lizard. He can hear Ilphyl talking - and if the lizards could understand that, why couldn't Link understand the lizards? But all Link hears is a few of the normal lizard noises. Nothing he understands, nothing he can make sense of.

Meanwhile, Ilphyl can understand significantly more.

"Warm rocks!" One lizard cries. "We want warm rocks!"

Meanwhile, the other lizard is somewhat less focused on the conversation.

"The world changes!" it says, as it wriggles vigorously in Link's grip. "The world changes!"

[spacetogrow]

"They would like an enclosure with heated rocks so they can lay eggs," Ilphyl said. "Also, I think they're a little weirded out by being in your bag. Also, whatever these lizards eat." They can ask, but if Link already knows, they won't need to ask the lizards.

[newmemorywhodis]

Link nods. Warm rocks. Okay.

And then his eyebrows furrow slightly. What did? firebrook lizards eat?

"...Bugs?" he says. But from his voice, it's clearly not a confident answer. Then, his eyes drift to his pack. "...They don't like my korok-enchanted pack?"

[spacetogrow]

Well, they better confirm with the lizards. "I think they don't like going in it, and coming out a different place," Ilphyl said. "I can understand them, but lizards aren't that smart, so they don't know why the outside changes."

[newmemorywhodis]

Link thinks about this a moment. Says, "...Huh."

And then plans absolutely no plans to change his behaviour. It's interesting to know, sure, but...where else is he to put the lizards? If he puts them in a normal bag, they might crawl away.

Ilphyl hasn't asked any more questions yet. But they'll still hear one of the lizards saying occasionally: "The world has changed! The world has changed!"

[spacetogrow]

"If you want them to lay eggs, they need to have their own space to do it, and to be out long enough to feel comfortable that it's safe for them to make their home there. And the eggs probably need to be left alone until they hatch and the babies grow up."

Ilphyl can't make the lizards lay eggs on command.

[newmemorywhodis]

A space of their own, with warm rocks, and plenty to eat.

That...wasn't something Link had. Or could have. Not in the small dorm room he had back on a boat in Flotsam.

"...Can you help?" He asks. It's a bit odd, to be the one asking for help, rather than giving it. But looking after lizards really isn't Link's area of expertise...

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl is also bunking in Flotsam. "The Vault might have space," they said. Or they could ask for their own space, but... well, they haven't really had that in some time. Possibly ever, since growing up it was clear that even if Ilphyl didn't have to share a bedroom, it was their mother's house.

[newmemorywhodis]

Oh.

For a moment, Link silent. Eyebrows slightly furrowed. So Ilphyl...can't help. Link had been hoping that they would, but...he supposes he'll have to find someone else who can raise the lizards for him.

Then, just when it seems like the silence is stretching on just a bit too long, Link suddenly returns the two Fireproof lizards to his pack. Pulls out another two lizards, this time of a completely different species.

Hearty lizards. Just like the Fireproof lizards, they wriggle in his fingers, and proclaim that The world's changed! Changed!

"What do they need?" He asks.

[spacetogrow]

Oh, Ilphyl is still thinking of solutions for raising lizards. If anything, they don't object to getting a place of their own and having animal company.

Ilphyl nodded, taking the cue. "Hello. Can I ask what you'd like for a nest? Or to eat?"

[newmemorywhodis]

The lizards pause for a moment. Is this what it looks like when lizards are deep in thought?

Then, they start chattering - both of them, over the top of each other.

I like the leaves! They're soft!

Berries! I want berries!

Lots and lots of leaves in the nice cool shade...

And crickets! Juicy juicy crickets!

Leafy leafy leaves...

BEETLES!!!

Apparently, these particular lizards are a bit excitable.

[spacetogrow]

This does make Ilphyl grin. "They want shade, and leaves and berries, and bugs."

They are excellent lizards.