Chapter: Fern and the cabbage hunt.
Oliver and Fern raced after the thieving Stonebark Boar, ducking under low-hanging branches and pushing through thick ferns as they entered the Flower Woods — a gentle, vibrant part of the Woodland Leaf region. Petals drifted in the breeze like snow, and the ground was a patchwork of wildflowers: bluebells, firemoss blossoms, and star-crowned lilies.
They followed the boar's hoofprints etched in the soft dirt, weaving through meadows and brush.
But it wasn't long before they ran into complications.
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Just past a slope of daffodil-like Windblossoms, a massive Wild Ox stood in their path, horns wide and nostrils flaring.
Fern stopped, raising a hand. "Careful. They don't attack unless provoked. Let it pass."
The ox snorted, staring them down for a few tense seconds, before trotting off slowly into the tall grass, uninterested.
Oliver exhaled. "Didn't know oversized beef came with this route."
They pressed on. Hoofprints continued ahead.
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Moments later, a flock of Stonebark Sheep appeared—big, fuzzy creatures with moss-colored wool and hardened bark plates along their backs. They were grazing peacefully, but the trail cut straight through them.
Fern whispered, "Walk slowly. If one bolts, they all will."
As they weaved through the sheep, Oliver noticed several of them staring at Fern's pack—probably smelling the flower herbs. One began nibbling on her cloak, and she scowled but said nothing.
They finally made it past without incident—just more wool stuck to Fern's clothes.
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Beyond the sheep clearing was a broad field lined with tree-sized tulips. There, a group of wild horses grazed, their coats shimmering faintly in the morning dew. One lifted its head at Oliver's approach, then galloped past with a powerful thrum of hooves.
That's when Fern pointed. "There."
Across the meadow, caught between some thick violet orchids, was the Stonebark Boar—still chewing on the precious cabbage.
"Looks like it's trying to bury it," Oliver said, squinting.
Fern narrowed her eyes. "Not on my watch."
---
She pulled out a small pouch of powdered vineblossom—a mild sleep agent for animals.
"Distract it," she said to Oliver. "I'll get close."
Oliver shrugged. "Why do I always get the hard part?"
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> Mini Encounter Activated: "Boar Distraction"
• Objective: Allow Fern to recover the cabbage safely.
• Method: Distract or disorient the boar without harming it.
Oliver stepped into the clearing, picked up a stick, and threw it. The stick bonked the dirt just beside the boar's snout.
The boar jolted, snorted, and charged toward the noise. Meanwhile, Fern silently closed in from behind, powder in hand.
Oliver waved his arms. "Hey piggy, over here! You want more cabbage, don't you?!"
Fwoosh—! Fern tossed the powder in a gust of wind. The boar stumbled, eyes blinking heavily.
Within seconds, it slowed down... and flopped over, asleep in a bed of flowers.
Fern calmly picked up the cabbage, dusted it off, and stared at Oliver.
"You distracted it well," she said flatly.
Oliver smirked. "I've been told I'm annoying."
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> ✅ Quest Completed: Royal Cabbage Retrieval
• Dwarven Reputation: +3
• Gained: [Suncrisp Verdantheart Cabbage]
• Fern Approval: Slightly Up
They began their return toward the trade routes, the cabbage safely back in Fern's bag. The horses whinnied in the distance. The sun shone gently through the canopies.
Oliver turned to Fern, "So... how many cabbages do the dwarves want?"
Fern replied calmly, "Seventeen."
Oliver groaned. "Oh, good. Only sixteen more to go..."
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Oliver and Fern journeyed deeper into the Flower Woods, each step brushing against petals and pollen that drifted up with the wind. The forest floor glowed in soft pastels — pinks, purples, golden oranges — and the air smelled like crushed mint and spring rain.
Fern, ever quiet, walked with her hood up again, cabbage secure in her pack. She glanced briefly at Oliver. "Seventeen is the average demand. But the rarer the cabbage, the more bartering power."
Oliver looked skeptical. "There are rarer cabbages?"
Fern nodded seriously. "Verdantheart was tier two. Tier four is called Moonblossom Cabbage. Glows faintly. Only grows near mana-fed streams."
Oliver sighed. "Of course it glows."
---
As they walked along a narrow wooden trail lifted above a floral marsh, Fern's guide tablet pinged. She opened the Systematic Map — two new markers appeared nearby:
> 🥬 Cabbage Cluster - "Glowroot Meadow" (0.6 km East)
🐐 Stonebark Goat Nesting Grounds (0.3 km South)
Oliver raised a brow. "Goats now?"
Fern explained, "Stonebark Goats like to steal rare herbs and vegetables. If a Moonblossom Cabbage appeared... they may have eaten it already."
Oliver grimaced. "Great. Goat raiders."
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They decided to go south first, toward the goats — quieter now, avoiding spooking them. As they reached a rocky hillside with low shrubs and twisting vines, they spotted a herd.
The Stonebark Goats were strange creatures: shaggy with thick green fur, bark-like horns, and gemstone-like flecks near their shoulders. Some were clacking their horns together in mock combat. Others nibbled on bushes.
One goat, however, was hoarding something. Tucked under its belly was a dimly glowing Moonblossom Cabbage.
Fern crouched. "That's a tier four cabbage."
Oliver's voice dropped. "We're not fighting goats, right?"
Fern nodded slowly. "Not unless absolutely necessary."
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> Mini Encounter: Goatly Negotiations
• Objective: Recover the glowing cabbage without harming the herd.
• Strategy: Bait, distract, or trade.
Fern rummaged through her pack and pulled out a bundle of Bitterleaf Root — goats loved it. She handed some to Oliver and gestured for him to toss it gently.
Oliver lobbed a chunk of Bitterleaf just a few feet away from the cabbage-hoarding goat. Another goat noticed first and bolted toward it. Then another. Then another.
It became a frenzy — the herd rushed to the Bitterleaf pile.
The cabbage goat got overwhelmed, scrambled, and dropped the glowing veggie as it was shoved away by its companions.
Fern swiftly moved in, grabbed the Moonblossom Cabbage, and backed away.
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> ✅ Cabbage Secured: Moonblossom Variant
• Value: Extremely High
• Dwarven Reputation: +9
• Fern Approval: Up
• Bonus: Goat Fur Sample x2 (from clumps left behind)
As they left the hillside, Oliver stared down at the glowing plant in awe.
"So, let me guess... we only need fifteen more, right?"
Fern answered calmly, "No. That cabbage counts as five."
Oliver grinned. "Finally, some progress."
---
They headed east next, toward Glowroot Meadow, the trail lit by patches of glowing mushrooms and fluttering mana-motes in the air. The storm clouds from yesterday were gone now — but something lingered ahead...
Fern slowed her pace. "Something's moving in the meadow."
Oliver readied his stone sword. "Imp? Wraith?"
Fern shook her head. "No. Bigger. Much bigger."
They ducked into the brush, crouched behind a tall row of violet fronds...
Ahead, stomping through the flowerbed, was a Wildwood Ent — a giant tree-like creature, wandering lazily and humming deep earthy notes, vines dragging behind it.
Oliver whispered, "Think it's guarding more cabbage?"
Fern raised her brow. "Possibly. But Wildwood Ents are peaceful... unless disturbed."
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> Major Encounter Pending...
🌳 Wildwood Ent: Passive unless provoked.
🎯 Optional: Follow it quietly. Ents sometimes pass over fertile soil that spawns rare cabbage patches in their wake...
Oliver looked at Fern. "...You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Fern nodded slowly. "We follow the tree."
And with that, they trailed the gentle forest giant, leaves rustling overhead, and hopes high for the next cabbage-rich clearing.
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