Blythewood Faeries Part 1
'Been waiting forever for ya! Listen, not all Faeries are the same! You didn't think we were, didja?
Trust me when I tell ya we're just as varied as you humans! Help me free sis, you'll start to see that for yourself!
Even now already, I think you're startin' to get the idea!' Blythewood Faerie Preedle
Goals for The Tabernum Connection (Part A)
Male Faerie: Well *that* took long enough!
Ruler: Whoa! What? Who are you?
Male Faerie: The name's Preedle. You're the big cheese around here, huh?
Ruler: Sure, you could say that. I haven't seen you around before...
Preedle: Maybe not, but I've been here! I'm just good at hidin' and you lot are *awful* at lookin?!
Ruler: Huh? What do you mean?
Preedle: You lot keep fumbling? around with flowers all day! You didn't *really* think you could lure a Blythe same as a Glimmer, did you?
Ruler: Er...
Preedle: Sheesh! It's no wonder you humans keep trampling over the rest of us!
Ruler: Hey, we're trying our best! We don't exactly have much information to work with.
Preedle: ...Fair. Alright, I'll tell ya what. I like what I've seen of you lot so far. BUT... before I trust you with my sister, show me you can handle it.
Ruler: That sounds fair enough. What would you like us to do?
Preedle: See, unlike those Glimmer twits, we Blythes are all about animals.
Show me you know how to take good care of animals, *then* we'll talk about sis!
Ruler: I've got just the person for the job!
Ivy>The Blythe Faeries have been here the whole time? I wish they woulda spoken up sooner!
Oh well. Proving our trustworthiness will be easy as Skunku-pie!
A1. It's About Time - level 5 Farmhouses are spacious, and well-equipped!
We're very attentive of *all* our citizens!
Ivy>All done! How'd we do?
Preedle: Well, I'll say this--you lot certainly know your stuff!
Ruler: We have Ivy to thank for that. She's an expert in animal care!
IVY: Aw, shucks! I'm just happy to help out!
Preedle: Ivy, huh? Nice to meet ya!
Ruler: So, Preedle. How can we help?
Our top priority right now is getting your sister out of that tree!
Preedle: Right! Let's start with showing me what you all have so far. We've been looking for Fwipple for *months*! How'd you know she was in that tree?
IVY: Lady Greselda and I ran some tests on dust we found from the Goddess Tree. The results of the tests were this--a Blythe Gem!
Preedle: A what? Let me see it, let me se it!!!
Preedle>Wow! It's been a long time since I last saw a Blythe Gem!
Quick, take me to the Goddess Tree! I have to see this for my own eyes!
A2. Preedle of Blythewood - give Preedle the Blythe Gem ('I need to... ah... test it, too..'?)
Examine the Goddess Tree ('My flutter, it's really here!')
Preedle>I don't know how you all managed it, but it really is the Goddess Tree!
Hang on, Fwipple, we're coming for ya! (collect the Faerie Bulb)
Lady G: You must be the little pixie who's been snooping about the kingdom?
Preedle: And I'm guessing you're the with who made the Blythe Gem?
Lady G: Indeed. I do not suppose you have any theories on how to release your sister?
Preedle: Maybe. This situation's tough... Those Glimmers sure are crafty!
The thing is, we gotta be careful not to hurt the Goddess Tree in the process.
Lady G: Hmm, I see... Yes, that is quite the difficult conundrum.
IVY: I might know something we can try! Belladonna does it to extract Life Essence.
Preedle: Of course! Yeah! Extract Charms!
Lady G: We could try that, but a faerie is a very different thing from a Life Essence.
Preedle: You're right. It'll leave Fwipple really tired once we get here out...
IVY: Well *that's* easy enough to fix! We'll prepare a place for her to recuperate!
It'll take a long time to find the right components anyway.
Lady G: It is your decision to make, Young Ruler. Does all of this sound reasonable?
Ruler: It's as good a place to start as any.
Sabina and I will prepare something while you all hunt down the components.
Sabina>Ohh, this sound like fun!
My stories describe faerie homes all the time. I cannot wait to build one of our own!
A3. Magic Collaboration! There's a Faerie Bulb in you inventory! Place it in your kingdom.
Sabina>This shape will aid in protecting our faerie friend from further harm.
Now, to adequately furnish it...
Queen Ivinea: Well, well. It seems I was right to heed my maids' warnings...
Ruler: Queen Ivinea? Isn't this a surprise. To what do we owe the pleasure?
Queen Ivinea: You dare feign ignorance? I know you have been tampering with the Goddess Tree.
Ruler: That's right! We know there's a Blythe Faerie trapped in that tree.
Queen Ivinea: ...Pardon? Just how, exactly, would a faerie get trapped in a tree?
And why is a Blythe Faerie in Glimmerwood, to begin with?
Ruler: I wasn't going to ask. Our first priority here is to free that faerie.
Queen Ivinea: You would do well to stay out of Faerie affairs, Young Ruler.
We have been at this for many ages. It would be unwise to involve you and yours.
Ruler: That may be, but the people of this land stand up for each other, no matter what!
Queen Ivinea: If that is the path you wish to walk, I cannot stop you. But, be advised:
There are some things best left alone, and some bridges which cannot be rebuilt.
We shall see how this course of action fares, Young Ruler.
*Queen Ivinea departs*
Sabina: Queen Ivinea looked quite displeased with us...
IVY: I'll say. What do you think she meant with that stuff about bridges?
Lady G: Is it not obvious? We are being threatened.
Ruler: Maybe, maybe not. She could be talking about any number of alliances.
Sabina: Is it really so bad to want to help everyone?
Faeries are supposed to be kind...
Lady G: This is not one of your storybooks, child. Queen Ivinea is correct.
We know not the strings we are pulling with our meddling.
Thurston: That does not mean we should sit idly by whilst another suffers!
Ruler: Well put, Sir Thurston. We won't be bullied out of doing the right thing!
IVY: Yeah, that's right! We're friends to everyone around here!
Thurston: ...even *trolls*!
Lady G: Very well, but let us not go forth blindly. We should all prepare for the worst.
Faeries can be a dangerous enemy...
Thurston>Worse than trolls? I doubt that!
How can something so small be worse than something so brutish as a troll?
Should so "fierce some" an enemy come your way, My Liege, you have my sword on your side!
A4. Faerie Discontent - upgrade Faerie Bulb to Lv.2(How do we furnish it for a Faerie's tastes?)
"Accompany me to the Tavern, My Liege!" (De-stress over some Rooty Beers)
Thurston>Take it from a knight--there is nothing like a few Rooty Beers to calm the nerves, My Liege!
Preedle: Hey. Uhh... I just wanted to say thanks.
Y'know, for stickin' up for me and Fwipple like that.
Ruler: Of course! It's just like I said--we help *everyone* around here.
Preedle: So, yah. Um. About that?
Ruler: Queen Ivinea and the Glimmer Faeries may be... difficult, at times...
But that doesn't mean we shouldn't help them if we can.
Preedle: I know you mean well, but those glimmers just *can't* be trusted!
We Blythes have tried, over and over. It's only ever landed us in trouble!
Ruler: I'm not saying we should aid them blindly...
...but, at the very least, we need to try to stay on good terms with them.
Preedle: You humans are *way* too trusting. It'll land you in trouble, y'know!
Ruler: Let's just focus on freeing your sister. We can worry about politics later.
Preedle>I really appreciate your help.
I just don't think you should be giving those Glimmers a single hoot!
Ah well, it's *your* kingdom...
A5 For Glimmer Or Blythe? upgrade the Faerie Bulb to Lv.3
(Let's grow plenty of plants to burrow in!?
Preedle>Just cuz we prefer animals doesn't mean we don't like blossoms, y'know!
We're just not obsessed, like the Glimmers.
Sabina: ...
Preedle: ...Whatcha lookin' at, lady?
Sabina: Ah! Sorry, I just... You look very different from the Glimmer Faeries!
Preedle: Of course I do! I'm a Blythe Faerie!
Sabina: My apologies, I did not mean to offend! I am just curious, is all.
Preedle: It's alright. We Blythes aren't as showy as the Glimmers.
Sabina: You all truly are quite different! More so than my tales led me to believe.
Preedle: Stories are just stories, lady. The real thing is always more complicated!
Take you, for example. You got a name?
Sabina: I am Princess Sabina! 'Tis a pleasure to meet you!
Preedle: So, Sabina, Ivy, Thurston... There's all kinds of humans!
Well, us faeries are just the same. Er, different.
You know what I mean.
Sabina: Yes, I do. I had not thought of it that way.
I suppose, just as with humans, faeries have their own conflicts of interest...
Preedle: Oh, do we! A feud between faerie clans can go on for decades!
Sabina: Is it truly so difficult for people to just be at peace with one another?
Preedle: Meh. Everyone has their own goals and aspirations.
A kerfuffle here-and-there is to be expected!
Sabina: But things would be so much nicer if we got along with each other!
If we help each other reach our goals, everyone can live happily ever after!
Preedle: I admit, it *would* be pretty nice if things ever came to be that way.
I wouldn't hold my breath, though.
Sabina>Our Young Ruler works hard every day to foster the kind of world I dream of!
I am confident we will get there, one day. It may just take a while...
A6. Of Faeries And Humans - upgrade the Faerie Bulb to Lv.4(The plants are almost done!)
Sabina>I am so excited! I hope Fwipple enjoys the home we built for her!
IVY: Good news, everyone!
Ruler: What's up, Ivy?
IVY: I heard back from Belladonna about the components for the Extract Charm!
We only need a few things, but they're pretty hard to find.
Ruler: I guess we better get started, then. Where are we headed?
IVY: There's a few different places, but they're all pretty far away.
OT: It sounds like we will be needing the assistance of our trusty knights!
Thurston: Our swords are ready, My Liege!
Ruler: It's not your swords I'm worried about. It's your bellies!
Thurston: ...Ah, yes. We will need adequate provisions if we are to travel!
IVY: Just leave it to me! I'll have everything cooked and ready in no time!
Ivy>We're going to need a lot of food to keep the knights going!
A7. Pre-emptive Provisions - prepare Feasts(Any Feast will do!)
- upgrade the Faerie Bulb to Lv.5(Time for the final touch--a bit of magic!)
Ivy>Whew, that was a lot of cooking!
Goals for The Tabernum Connection
OT: Fascinating... truly fascinating!
Ruler: You're making progress on the Goddess Tree, I take it?
OT: The mind works in wonderfully mysterious ways, Young Ruler!
The clues have been here all along, but they are faint and subtle.
They are the kind of hints that appear to be nothing to the unsuspecting reader...
...but clear as day to one like you or I, who know there is something to be found!
Ruler: So, you're sure, then? The Goddess Tree and the Tabernum are connected?
OT: Most assuredly so! Though, I admit I am still uncertain as to how.
I am afraid I am nearing the end of what I can conclude from all these notes.
Ruler: Don't give up, Old Thomas! I know you'll find something!
What about Agnes' notes? Were they any help?
OT: They confirmed my suspicions, but we could extrapolate little else.
Ruler: Hmm... Is there anyone else who might know more about the Goddess Tree?
OT: Oh, that is it! You are keen as ever, Young Ruler!
Ruler: You're ... welcome... ?
OT>Lady Greselda was instrumental in our revival of the Goddess Tree.
Perhaps collaborating with her can reveal more hidden wisdom?
B1. A Closer Look - meet with Lady Greselda in her castle
OT>Lady Greselda? Are you home... ?
Lady G: Old Thomas? To what do I owe the "pleasure" ?
OT: Good day, Lady Greselda! I was hoping you could lend a hand with something...
Lady G: Could? Almost certainly. Would? That depends.
Has it anything to do with "taming" my plants?
OT: No, no! I, ah... I would not dream of it!
Rather, it concerns our Goddess Tree.
Lady G: I see. Something to do with the faeries, then?
OT: Perhaps, perhaps not. You see...
I have been researching a connection between the Goddess Tree and the Tabernum.
Lady G: The two are related? In what way?
OT: That is the question I was hoping you might aid me in answering.
Lady G: Hmm. I admit, I do not know much about the Tabernum...
...however, magical plants are something of a specialty.
OT: You displayed tremendous knowledge in past dealings with the Goddess Tree!
If we combine our research, we just might be able to solve this riddle, I think!
Lady G: I suppose I do not have much else better to do...
Fine, then. Come in and show me what you have thus far.
Lady G>I admit, it is nice having something to work on that is not related to those pesky faeries.
Not directly, at least. Let us begin by reviewing what we have...
B2. Better Consult An Expert! - What do you make of this, Lady Greselda?
(give Lady G the Tabernum Notes) Collect more Blythedust from the Goddess Tree &
Study the Tablet of Tabernum(Perhaps we missed something)
Lady G> This is... I hesitate to purse this any further. Let me think on it for a while.
OT: How astounding! Our Young Ruler will be quite intrigued by this, I think!
Lady G: Yes... *If* it is true, and *if* we break the news...
OT: Why would we not? What troubles you, Lady Greselda?
Lady G: Do you not see it for yourself? If what we suspect is true...
The Baron tried to have the Goddess Tree destroyed. What if this is why?
OT: Ah... Hmm. I had not considered that, I must admit...
Lady G: We could face accusations of treason with this.
At the very least, we should be sure of ourselves before we say anything.
OT>Yes, you are correct. It would be best to keep the Young Ruler ignorant for now.
We shall continue in secret until we are sure of ourselves!
B3. Regal Ramifications - Swear to a Pact of Secrecy
(Not a peep until we are done!) Shh
OT> Now, then. How do we go about confirming our theory... ?
Lady G: Excuse me. Preedle, was it?
Preedle: That's right. Waddya want?
Lady G: I apologise for my... abrupt introduction. I would like to try anew.
Preedle: Well go ahead, then! You got a name, lady?
Lady G: I--...Yes, dear. I am called Lady Greselda.
Preedle: Yeah? I think I'll call ya Grizzy.
Lady G: I beg your pardon?! "Grizzy"?
Preedle: That's right! For short. Anyway, you look like you want something', Grizzy.
Lady G: Insolent little--
Preedle: Hmmmm?
Lady G: ...As you may have noticed, I am quite fond of magical plants.
Preedle: Oh, I saw your creepshow garden, alright. You got some strange hobbies, lady!
Lady G: ...ANYWAY. I was hoping you might be willing to contribute?
Preedle: Huh? Did you miss the orientation or something'?
How many times do I gotta say it? We Blythes aren't that big on plants!
Lady G: I understand. However, the Glimmer Faeries lack the plant I seek.
Preedle: Some plant I've got, that the Glimmers haven't?
Now this I *gotta* hear!
What plant are you lookin' for?
Lady G: I was hoping you could provide me with a Blythewood Tree.
Preedle: That sounds... rather bland... You sure it'll survive in that garden of yours?
Lady G: ...I am confident it will do just fine.
Preedle: If you say so. Alright, Grizzy--here's a seed. Let me know how it goes, huh?
I wanna stay up-to-date with how "well" you do with it!
Lady G>That little brat! I cannot believe I put up with such insolence! Old Thomas had better be grateful for this!!!
B4. Let's Try That Again - Place & Grow the Blythewood Tree
Lady G> There, a full-grown Blythewood Tree. Now where *is that bumbling old man?
Lady G: Ah, there you are. Are you prepared to continue our research, Old Thomas?
OT: Yes, yes indeed! How shall we proceed, Lady Greselda?
Lady G: Do you see this Blythewood Tree I have planted?
OT: I was it as I approached your castle. It is quite lovely! I was wondering--
Lady G: Chop it down.
OT: W-What? You want to... But, why? It is such a quaint and lovely tree!
Lady G: We must compare the Goddess Tree to a normal Blythewood Tree.
This will reveal to us everything which makes the Goddess Tree special.
OT: By which... you mean... ?
Lady G: ... *Everything.*
OT: Ah. Yes. I see. Very well... I suppose we do not have much choice in the matter.
Lady G>Trust me, this is the surest--and quickest--way for us to gather more information about the Goddess Tree.
If we can capture what is different between the two trees...
B5. Necessary Measures - Chop down the Blythewood Tree
(Collect its pieces for further study!)
Lady G> Excellent work. Now, then, let us study the samples we were able to gather!
Lady G: My, this is... this is quite interesting?
OT: What is it, Lady Greselda? What have you found?
Lady G: Look between these two Blythedust samples.
Do you see the difference?
OT: Ah, how peculiar! This sample is far more vibrant than the other.
Lady G: My observation as well. That sample is from the Goddess Tree.
OT: I see. The other is from the Blythewood Tree, then?
What do you postulate is the cause of this difference?
Lady G: I expected *some* disparity, given the Blythewood Tree imprisons no faerie.
However, to *this* degree? It is far too much to be attributed to a single life.
OT: Are you certain? Could not our Blythe Faerie friend simply be just that magical?
Lady G: It is possible, I suppose, but highly unlikely.
OT: We must be absolutely *certain* before endangering the Young Ruler!
Lady G: You are right. I suggest we consult my pupil, Ivy.
She is quite talented with plant life herself!
...Do not tell her I said that.
OT: Your secret is safe with me, Lady Greselda.
Shall I fetch Miss Ivy?
Lady G: No, that may be too suspicious. I shall summon her.
In the meantime, let us gather more Blythedust from the Goddess Tree.
Lady G>She still has quite a lot to learn, but Ivy has a natural talent for this sort of thing.
We will benefit greatly from her aid in this matter.
B6. More Than Meets The Eye - process Blythedust (Collect more from the Goddess Tree!)
Visit Ivy's Hut(Time to continue Ivy's lessons!)
Lady G> Ivy will be able to keep our secret...
I hope...
IVY: Hiya, Lady Greselda! Is it time for another lesson?
Lady G: ...Yes, something like that. Ivy, come here and take a look at these samples.
IVY: More Blythedust?
Lady G: I am working on something. But first, I want your unbiased observation.
IVY: Alright. Let's see here... Hmmm...
Well, there's definitely something different between the two samples.
This one has a *lot* more magic in it than the other one!
Lady G: Very good. What do you hypothesize as to the cause?
IVY: Huh? Well... I'd guess you extracted the magic out of the other sample.
But, if that's not the case... then... um...
Lady G: Do what you need with the dust. Pick it up and feel it, if it helps.
IVY: Thanks! Hmm...
Wow! The magic in this sample... it feels really, really old! Like, *ancient*!
This is from the Goddess Tree, right? Just how old *is* that tree?
Lady G: The tree itself is fairly new, remember? We planted it here not long ago.
IVY: Oh, right! Well, that's weird. This magic feels maybe a century old, at least!
Lady G: I see... Thank you for your honest assessment, Ivy.
IVY: What's going on? Why are you studying Blythedust again?
Lady G: Before I tell you, you must promise to keep this a secret.
Our Young Ruler could get in a lot of trouble with the Baron if he finds out.
IVY: Oh?. Okay, I promise! I won't tell anyone, not even the chickens!
Lady G: ...Right. Anyway, Old Thomas and I are researching the Goddess Tree.
Specifically, we are investigating its connection to the Tabernum.
IVY: Huh? But what does a tree have to do with a bunch of old advisors?
Lady G: You made a theory just now with the Blythedust, did you not?
IVY: The Blythedust... ?
...Wait, you mean... You think there's a spirit living in the Goddess Tree?
Lady G: It is a surprising and daunting discovery, but yes, that is our theory.
Furthermore, we believe that spirit was... *is*? one of the Tabernum!
IVY: Whaaaaat? Wait, but that means--
Lady G: It means the Baron tried to silence a voice of the Tabernum!
Please, Ivy. It is *extremely* important that this matter stay between us!
I will reconvene with Old Thomas. For now, just... do not speak of it.
Ivy>Wow, I can't believe this? My head is spinning! The Baron's a jerk alright, but to *This*? It's too much! What's going on?
B7. A Second Opinion - Contemplate the Tabernum
(What is the Baron so concerned about?)
Ivy>Gosh, this is going to be hard! I made a promise, though... !
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