View source for Cooking by the Book: Extra Spicy

{{Infobox expedition log
| title = Cooking by the Book: Extra Spicy
| date = 6/25/2025
| storyteller = Jolyne
| tier_of_play = Trainee (Hard)
| player_characters = [[Swaying Petals]], [[Sabelle Regalia]], [[Ariyu]], [[Arumi]]
| rewards = 275exp, 109g2s, 4x Dragon Omelete
| result = Success?
| author = [[Arumi]] (Aru)
| downtime_days = 10
}}

Associates retrieve a dragon egg from a particularly large dragon.


<small>(The following report is written cleanly and with crisp penmanship)</small>


<big>'''08:48:10 – Day 1'''</big>

I have arrived at the designated meeting place in Onadbyr, accompanied by my sister.

As has become tradition, we’ve arrived early that we may meet with the other associates as they arrive.  It’s around a twelve-minute wait before the others make it, mostly on time.  The following is a short description of our companions for this expedition in the order they’ve arrived.

:*Ariyu – My sister – a powerful woman with a keen eye.  She’s taken particular interest in this request as a chef.

:*Arumi – Civic wizard and scribe.  I’m here to keep my sister safe.

:*Swaying Petals – Cleric of Sarenrae.  She’s a sunflower leshy with a cheerful demeanor.

:*Sabelle Regalia – Human cleric of the Living God.  He’s a secretive man with a very intricate-looking mask and thick clothing.  He looks a little uneasy today.


After a brief conversation between myself, Petals, and Sabelle about another associate we’d recently met in the city, we presented ourselves to our employer for the briefing.




<big>'''09:03:31 – Day 1'''</big>

We are in discussions with Monster Chef Dori.

Our host, a half-orc man with an enthusiastic demeanor, has informed us that we are to retrieve a dragon egg.  Some recent customers coming from a town near the base of a mountain range to the west had reported to him a dragon the size of a small keep that had taken residence there recently.  Allegedly, this dragon has a clutch of eggs; our job is to simply retrieve a single one, that he might create ‘the biggest omelet you’ve ever seen’.

Between Petals and I, we were able to deduce some small information, based on conjectures from our knowledge of other dragons.  Petals believes it has a strange sort of fire breath – a different subspecies, perhaps, that causes explosions afterwards, which would explain the damage to the mountain.  For my part, I know from my research that dragons can see exceptionally well in the dark, have a particularly good sense of smell, and believe this one may be able to see through the thick clouds of smoke its breath doubtlessly leaves behind.

Dori has informed us that he has prepared a cart for us.  The egg will be quite heavy, and it’s not reasonable to expect us to carry it by hand all the way back.

As an aside, it seems as though a third party has left a separate note on this posting – they have requested a vial of dragon’s blood, with a separate reward to be paid if it can be retrieved.  The other associates have expressed confusion at who would request such a thing, but I have informed them that in my dealings with Kali, she has previously purchased dragon’s blood from me.  I have expressed great reservation at this – obtaining a vial of blood from an unwilling dragon is no small feat.  However, there’s always a chance this dragon will be amenable to the request, so we’ve agreed to at least broach the subject if we can speak to the creature.

Sabelle has proposed we steal an extra egg, letting it hatch and using it as a source of blood.  The other associates have taken issue with this option.

For now, we’ll procure an adequate vial for such a request on the way out of the city.




<big>'''09:40:02 – Day 1'''</big>

We are beginning our departure from the city, traveling west by cart together.

We’ve been told the destination is five days away.  There is a slight tension between myself, Petals, and Sabelle; hopefully nothing happens on the roads.




<big>'''16:18:47 – Day 5'''</big>

We are still on route to the village under the mountains.

The environment has rapidly changed from yesterday to today; the snow we’ve been traveling through since Onadbyr is very suddenly gone, and in its place an incredibly uncomfortable heat has taken its place.  A river that had been running alongside this road for the length of our journey simply terminated in a sudden point of evaporation.  I was able to see a clear line on the ground where these changes occurred, as though they were radiating outwards from some source further along.

We’ll be continuing onwards; regardless of how imposing this looks, we still have a job to do.




<big>'''04:05:03 – Day 6'''</big>

We’ve arrived in the small village underneath the mountains.

It took us until nightfall to get here.  From first impressions, this place seems almost abandoned – though there are sparse signs of occupied residences throughout the otherwise quiet town.

The full moon is visible tonight.  It should be obstructed by the neighboring mountain, but it shines through where a tremendous piece of it is simply missing, as though some manner of colossal creature took a bite out of it.  That’s likely our destination.

For now, we’ve decided to see what we can learn from the locals.  It’s a little rude to interrupt so late at night, but Sabelle has volunteered to take the lead with his uncanny charms.

I’ll attach a transcript of our conversation with the local we spoke to.




<small>(The following is a separate parchment loosely placed between the pages of the log)</small>

[Sabelle knocks on the door of a dusty dwelling in the village that still has a light on]

“Hello? May we come in?” - Sabelle

[A man wearing a strange upturned brimmed hat folded on the sides with a leather vest and boots opens the door]

“Why do you reckon I should let you in?” – Local

“We can talk out here – it’s fine.  We’re here to kill that dragon.” - Sabelle

“You mean Olzryd the old lion, breaker of mountains, the stalker in the sands, the roaring thunder, the slumbering titan? A few claiming to be priests have spoken to the dragon – he has a religious following in town setting up altars at the rocks that blasted off the mountain after the explosion.” – Local

[Laughing] “Oh, maybe I need to keep information about what we’re doing on the down low then.” – Sabelle

“I reckon that’s a good idea.” – Local

“Do you know his mortal weakness?  Everyone has got one aside from the Living God – though that’s no mere mortal, is it?” – Sabelle

“Mortal weakness?  Well, judging by the weather around these parts, I’d reckon maybe some dry skin?  Why else would he be drying up the water.” – Local

“Quite!  How do you survive here? There’s not a drop around.” – Sabelle

“We’ve got the old well and there’s a couple clerics in town who keep conjuring up water but there’s only so far they can go.” – Local

“Right, right.  I’ve got some survival tips I’d be willing to share.” – Sabelle

“I’ll hear you out because people are desperate, but I’ve got my eye on you, I’ll say that much.” – Local

“Well, you see… You can recycle a lot of what you give off-“ -Sabelle

<small>[There are a few lines that have been blotted out following this with a small note that says, ‘Redacted for obscenity.’]</small>


“Well, you do have a dragon of many titles looming overhead.” – Sabelle

“Yeah I didn’t tell you this but I wouldn’t mind if he was dead – you know?” – Local

[The man draws a thumb across his throat as he says this]

[Laughing] “We’ll be the heroes you need, then.” Sabelle

“Um, sorry, how big is this dragon exactly?” – Arumi

“He’s massive, judging by what a crazy maniac trying to sacrifice himself had to say, at least the size of a small keep.” – Local

“Did any of them return?” – Sabelle

“Yeah.  The dragon doesn’t like people sacrificing themselves to him.” – Local

“What did they see?” – Petals

“Uh… It’s a lot of sand.  There’s some old ruins up there.  We don’t know what for, but it seems to be what the dragon has settled in, but most of it has been destroyed.  It’s all sand now.” – Local

“Are there any rumors of there being eggs up there?” – Petals

“Uh – yeah, people saw a nest up there.” – Local

“But you called them a he.” – Petals

“Yeah.  He can lay eggs.  You got a problem?” – Local

“Oh, um, no.” – Petals

“It’s just quite unusual...” – Sabelle

<small>[The following few lines have also been redacted, this time with a small note explaining, ‘Redacted due to potentially offensive views regarding the month of Sarenith and male egg-laying.’]</small>


“So no one’s actually been killed by this dragon?” – Arumi

“There’s been a few brave souls trying to kill him, and there hasn’t even been a corpse left of them.” – Local

“Well, thank you very much for your time.” – Sabelle

“Any time.” – Local




After speaking with my sister and the other associates, we’ve come up with a plan.  It seems as though the dragon will not fight us unless we are hostile to it, and so after getting to the dragon’s lair, Petals and Sabelle will talk to the creature while Ariyu and I steal an egg and escape with it.  I’ll then alert the others that we’re leaving, and we all travel back down the mountain with the egg hidden by magic.

We intend to depart in 30 minutes, after I consult my spell books.




<big>'''05:15:00 – Day 6'''</big>

We’ve arrived at a small gatehouse where the trail up the mountain begins.

After a brief but tense conversation between Sabelle and the guard on duty, we’ve learned that this gate is mostly to prevent people from proceeding due to the dangers on the mountain.  Dragon aside, there’s a trio of griffons that have moved in since the dragon drove off most other predators, and the path leading up the mountain can be very precarious.

The guard agreed to let us through, and informed us that the password for future passage will be, ‘By the bloody bones of Saint Gilmorg, who wants to know?’

We go now to continue up the path.




<big>'''06:12:41 – Day 6'''</big>

We’re still climbing the mountain, about halfway up.

After ascending some stairs, the path ended, and we were forced to climb more natural cliffs.  It’s still dark out, though it won’t be for much longer.

My sister and I have noticed a pair of Griffons staring at us from across a canyon nearby.  It seems as though we’ll have a fight on our hands soon.  Sabelle is trying to convince my sister to open fire before they attack us.




<big>'''06:14:23 – Day 6'''</big>

'''Battle Report:'''

'''Casualties:'''

:*One griffon – lethal arrow injury through the back of the throat by Ariyu.

:*One griffon – lethal blunt force trauma from a large rock conjured by Sabelle.

'''Injuries:'''

:*Sabelle – minor cuts from a griffon’s claws.

:*Ariyu – minor gouges from a griffon’s beak – wounds have been closed with my healing magic.

:*Swaying Petals – near-lethal injuries from a variety of claws and beaks; is stable.

'''Summary:'''

The griffons immediately attacked us when they realized we could see them.  Their tactics seemed to mostly be to swoop in and claw out at whoever they could reach, then fly away and wait.  Unfortunately for them, my sister is a skilled marksman, and made short work of one of the beasts before it could do us much harm.  The other, however, managed to severely injure Petals before we could stop it.  Sabelle summoned a skeletal archer to aid in taking this beast down, and our combined magics and arrows managed to weaken the beast enough to where he could finish the job with a well-placed conjured rock.
Petals has severe injuries, but as all of us are experienced in treating injuries both mundanely and with magic, it should only take a short rest for her to fully recover.

My sister has managed to spot the beasts’ nest across the canyon.  They appear to have eggs, so if we are unable to retrieve the dragon egg, we may have to settle for these and return otherwise empty-handed.

When our injuries are fully treated, we’ll proceed to the summit.  It won’t be too much longer now.




<big>'''06:45:06 – Day 6'''</big>

We’ve arrived at our destination.

The sun has started to rise.  There’s a jagged cave entrance in the side of the hole blown off of the mountain by the dragon that seems to lead to a tunnel.  We’re proceeding down in pairs – Sabelle and Petals in front, with myself and my sister following further behind.  I’ve taken the time to imbue my sister with as much magic as I can.  She should have no trouble climbing the sheer cliff faces in the area and should have enough strength to easily carry a dragon egg back with her.  As a final touch, I have rendered her invisible; this should extend to the egg when she retrieves it as well.  When she comes back with the egg, I’ll use my magic to silently inform Sabelle that we’re leaving, and they’ll disengage in conversation to leave the mountain behind us.

The dragons voice is booming throughout this massive cavern.  Even without seeing the creature, it’s difficult not to be terrified.  I can feel the sheer weight of his steps in the earth beneath my hooves.  It seems as though he’s not aggressive, but if he decides to attack Sabelle and Petals, there’s nothing we could possibly do to save them.




<big>'''06:48:06 – Day 6'''</big>

My sister has retrieved the egg and is safely with me.

I’ll let the others know to leave.  After that, we’ll be sprinting down the mountain as fast as our hooves can take us.




<big>'''06:51:18 – Day 6'''</big>

Me and my sister are taking a short rest during our descent.

We’ve traveled approximately a mile and a half and are safely over halfway down the mountain with the egg.  Only moments after we began our flight, the creature let loose a terrifying roar that shook the entire mountain.  I have no clue if Petals and Sabelle are safe, but going back will only endanger everyone further.  We have to make it to the cart and deliver the egg, or all of this will have been for nothing.

We’ll wait for the others when we’re at the cart.




<big>'''06:58:04 – Day 6'''</big>

We’re almost to the town.

The dragon passed us.  There are massive plumes of smoke coming from that direction.  It seems as though it’s not safe anymore, so we’re looking for another path down the mountain to get to the cart.




<big>'''07:08:56 – Day 6'''</big>

The town is lost.

We managed to avoid going directly through it, but even traveling along the outskirts, the destruction is all encompassing.  Almost every building has been razed.  The air is so thick with black smoke it’s hard to breathe.  We heard screams for a while, but not anymore.  The stench is horrifying.   I still hear explosions going off, but it’s unclear what he’s even destroying anymore.

We’re trying to make it to the cart.  Petals isn’t far behind us – we saw her traveling down the mountain.  Sabelle isn’t with her.




<big>'''07:17:50 – Day 6'''</big>

Petals has reached the cart.

We’ve been hiding with the egg for some time now – the dragon hasn’t seen us.  She informed us that Sabelle couldn’t escape with her.  If he’s still alive, he’ll have to catch up later on the road.  I’ve made the decision for us to depart immediately; we’ll wait for him outside of the dragon’s territory and hope it doesn’t rampage that far.




<big>'''06:52:30 – Day 7'''</big>

Sabelle is alive.

We set up camp along the road and waited in case he made it out, and just a few hours later, he arrived riding an old mule, mostly unharmed.  His clothes are covered in scorch marks, and he seems fatigued, but he made it.

I’ve pieced together an accounting of events with the dragon while me and my sister were busy procuring the egg.

Sabelle and Petals had a direct audience with Olzryd.  He seemed incredibly irate while they spoke, though he made no hostile actions as the two attempted to keep him busy.  Eventually, they broached the subject of possibly taking some of the dragon’s blood.  This was when I sent the message to Sabelle that we needed to leave.  Unfortunately, the dragon grew incredibly angry at them, and after saying they’d have to take his blood by force, he attacked.  Petals immediately ran away, sticking with the plan, but Sabelle couldn’t escape in time.  He attempted to threaten the dragon’s eggs, but this only caused the dragon to realize one was missing.  He became enraged and started lashing out at everything around him; this is when the mountain-shaking roar happened.

While Petals attempted to catch up to us, Sabelle was trying to escape the furious creature.  He managed to get back into the small tunnel leading back to the trail, but the dragon gave chase and overtook him.  It was at this point Sabelle conjured illusory rocks to appear as though a landslide had killed him.  He stayed hidden under this fake rubble until the dragon departed, taking wing and eventually, as we witnessed, destroying the town underneath the mountain.  Presumably he thought the villagers had stolen his egg.

Sabelle continued his descent, and managed to find our hoofprints in the sand leading down the hidden trail down the mountain.  After carefully concealing the tracks, he continued on himself, eventually arriving and realizing that we had left without him from the now completely ruined town.  He managed to find an old mule and, freeing it, rode it to safety along the road.

My sister has made us a comforting stew out of some of the griffon meat she took from the ones we killed on the mountain.  Her cooking is always welcome, though the horrors of yesterday weigh heavily on all of us.

After we eat, we intend to depart for Onadbyr.




<big>'''16:51:12 – Day 10'''</big>

We arrived safely back in Onadbyr with the egg.

We’ve taken it straight to Chef Dori, and along with it a brief accounting of the events that took place.  He seems apologetic, though strangely unphased by the news.


For delivering the egg, we received the following:

:*4x Dragon Omeletes

:*109 gold pieces and 2 silver pieces


We’ve split the reward money, receiving 27 gold pieces and 3 silver pieces each.

Each of us took one of the omelets.


I’m not feeling very hungry.


-Arumi, Civic Wizard