Phaid easily navigated through the twisting flooded caverns of the Everdark, years of practise clearly evident. For many generations now, the Bullywugs had lived among this submerged architecture, calling it their home, a place in the dungeon for only the frog-kin. Phaid was a proud Bullywug, viewing himself as an alpha among his clan, the rightful lord of these depths. As such he had no problem eating something without sharing it among his kin.
And that is exactly what he did as he leaped out of the water. A small rat had barely enough time to even squeak as Phaid opened his jaws, easily encompassing the rodent. With a loud crunch, Phaid broke the rat in half, his powerful jaws grinding it up enough so that he could swallow. With one last gulp, Phaid completely downed the rodent, sending it to his digestive track. Phaid then wiped away what little blood from his meal that had gotten on his face.
While Phaid always enjoyed the taste of rat meat, the one he had just consumed had been on the smaller end. The Bullywug did not feel full, his tongue salivating at the idea of having one more rat. Unfortunately, Phaid did not see anymore rats around the pool. With his one good eye, Phaid looked down the tunnel, the only light coming from some bio luminescent fungi that clung to the walls and glowed a bright blue. While he didn’t see anything dangerous, he did know that he was near the edge of his clan’s territory. But the primal feeling of hunger overtook Phaid, as he threw logic to the wind.
With wet steps, Phaid began walking down the tunnel. He figured that he would only be a few minutes, and that his clan would be safe without the protection of their Puddle Knight. But Phaid kept his short sword on himself just in case he wasn’t safe. With a hand kept on his blade’s hilt, Phaid left the familiar tunnels of his people and into the bigger part of the Everdark.
Phaid attempted to keep walking forward as he didn’t want to get lost. He had heard stories of Bullywugs who had travelled too far and were forever lost, dying from exhaustion unless the creatures of the dungeon got to them first. It was with those phantom creatures in mind that Phaid stopped when he heard a voice. The Bullywug quickly dropped to one knee and began to listen. Whatever was making that noise didn’t sound that large to Phaid, so he ruled out the worst possibilities like a troll or ogre.
But then Phaid thought of what if it was a smaller creature. He had heard tales of giant Bullywugs eating Kobold babies, apparently being a delicious meat. The thought of snacking on one was enough to cause Phaid to slowly approach the voice. As he got closer he saw a being who looked like a giant walking mushroom. Phaid knew of this creature, a gentle being who comes and goes. The mushroom was standing next to some kind of small furred animal wearing clothes, apparently the one who was speaking. Phaid didn’t know what to make of him, until he mentioned helping with ailments.
Even to a Bullywug, Phaid understood that as a code word for herbs and mixtures. While he wasn’t supposed to waste trade items for frivolous things, Phaid had in the past partaken in some psychedelic plants. It helped liven up Phaid’s mundane life. Deciding to be bold, Phaid approached the pair, his hand still on the hilt of his sword.
“Excuse me small mammal. Would you perhaps be selling the mind warping flower?” Phaid asked as he sized up the medicine man.
[Interactions with:
@Moon Man @SleepingSilence]
