Scarecrows on the Loose!
Have you seen?! It is terrifying! The scarecrow! It has come to life again and floated away! It isn’t where it is supposed to be in the pumpkin field!
Travelers in the area say they have seen it floating around and it has been scaring people all the way from here to Goldenleaf Forest. Do you think you could catch it and put it back in the field again?
Objectives: Look for the escaped scarecrow and put it back in the pumpkin field. It has been seen between the pumpkin farm and Goldenleaf Forest.
Rewards: 35 Jorvik Shillings
Reputation: 25 with The Goldenleaves
Pick up the wayward scarecrow on its wanderings, on the road between Jasper’s farm and the trail into Goldenleaf Forest. Once you find the scarecrow, return it to Jasper’s field. Speak to Jasper when you have returned it.
There. It is back where it is supposed to be again. I hope it stays put and doesn’t decide to run away again. The only thing it needs to do is sit there and look scary. How hard can it really be?
Quest completed
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Jasper’s New, New Scarecrow
Hmph. Well of course, Rita. Of course it was going to turn out like this. That darned scarecrow!!
What am I going to do now? Should I just stand here and guard my pumpkins myself while all these hideous birds gorge themselves silly on them every time my back’s turned? This new scarecrow doesn’t seem to be much use at all. Worthless. Useless! Just like everything else these days!
Soon enough, those rats of the sky will be back, scavenging and feasting on my beautiful pumpkins. The flying vermin haven’t got any respect to show an old man! You should know this, Rita, when I was a boy, birds knew how to behave themselves. They showed respect! It was better in those days, which isn’t a surprise because EVERYTHING WAS BETTER IN THE OLD DAYS. EVERYTHING!
Hmph.
Don’t look so happy, Rita! Don’t you come here and make light of my misery, standing there with a big grin on your chops like a cat who got the cream! You’ll see another side of me if you carry on like that!
Hmm? What do you mean, you just want to help?
Hmph!
Well, if you’re so fixed on the idea of helping me, you could ride to Pi and tel her I want to order a new scarecrow from her. It should be one that moves and is just as scary, if not scarier than the one at Scarecrow Hill. Make sure she knows it’s not to be as useless as this one I’ve got now! Lazy and worthless… I don’t want any more such insufferable types hanging around my pumpkins!
Then you’ll also need to tell Pi that my new scarecrow should only rage at actual birds, and nothing else… That’s an important detail! My legs aren’t what they used to be, so I don’t want to be chased around by some deranged monster! Let Pi know that. You know where she lives, over in the middle of that miserable swamp.
Now you’ll have to get going, I’ve got other things to do. I’m sure I just heard something caw!
Bye!
Objectives: Ride to Pi and explain Jasper’s scarecrow problem
Rewards: 5 Jorvik Shillings, 15 XP
Reputation: 5 with The Goldenleaves
Ride up through Northgate and follow the boardwalks to Pi’s house. Don’t fall in the swamp water! Yucky!!
Hello Rita! How lovely to have a visitor, I don’t get so many of those these days!
Quest completed
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An Organic Alternative for a Witch
So, Jasper wants a scarecrow? Like the ones up at Scarecrow Hill?
Well, it was me who enchanted those scarecrows, turning them into the terrifying flying monsters they are today, so I can’t see it being a problem. However, it’s very much a problem.
As you may remember, I wasn’t exactly the kind-hearted beauty you see before you when I cast the spells that made the scarecrows scary. In fact, I was rather evil. And green. I didn’t really pay much attention to how awful the bewitchments and curses I was casting actually were, but now all of my magic has a firm basis in ecological ethical responsibility. It’s completely vegan witchcraft, great for the environment! I was thinking about applying to have my special brand of vegan witchcraft ISO-certified!
You understand though, right? I’ve stopped mixing brews and potions with frog’s eyes and bat’s wings and newt’s legs… Now I just use ingredients from the herbal and plant kingdom! It works just as well as before, but all of my old conjurations are now unusable. These days I try to find new versions of the old formulas and spells.
So by all this I mean: it’s doable, but I need to give it some thought. Here, be a darling and fetch me a cup of organic swamp tea… It always gets me going in the right direction in the brain department. That whole cauldron over there is full of it, so just take my cup and fill it up!
Objectives: Fill Pi’s cup with swamp tea from the cauldron, then give her the cup.
Rewards: 10 Jorvik Shillings, 10 XP
Reputation: 10 with The Goldenleaves
Mmm…. Swamp tea…
Aaaaaahhhh, swamp tea! Mmmmm…
Now I can see all the pieces falling into place! The first thing we need to do is build the actual scarecrow. When it’s done, we can start thinking about the magic spell.
Quest completed
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Any Old Random Sack
We need a sack. Easy, you say?
It certainly isn’t as easy as you think, Rita. I can’t make scarecrows from just any old random sack. Obviously I need a sack made from certified fair trade materials woven by people with ethical working conditions, otherwise I’m afraid I won’t be able to use it.
Where you’d find a sack like that?
Hmm… Ask Jasper. He might know.
Objectives: Ask Jasper if he’s got a sack made from certified fair trade materials woven by people with ethical working conditions.
Rewards: 15 Jorvik Shillings, 15 XP
Reputation: 5 with The Goldenleaves
Why Jasper would know about hippy things like this, is beyond me, but worth a shot…
A sack? Of course I’ve got a sack.
A sack made from certified fair trade materials woven by people with ethical working conditions? What on earth is this nonsense you’re talking?!
Quest completed
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A Fancy, Schmancy Luxury Sack
Yeah, what did you say, again?
A sack made from certified fair trade materials woven by people with ethical working conditions… Why in the name of hot fudge sauce would I have one of those? Are my regular old sacks not good enough, huh? Only a fancy, schmancy luxury sack will do for little fancy princess Rita, eh?
What’s wrong with a proper old sack made with my own hands from fabric I’ve grown and woven myself? Hmm? I’ve even got some kind of stupid certificate and ugly stamp from the Council to say it’s environmentally climate trade change trade efficient or whatever gibberish they came out with. Regular old hand-made sacks are obviously not enough for sniffy Miss Fancy Witch. Hmph!
What?! That sounds like exactly the kind of sack she’s after?
Mm. Why didn’t you say so?
Bah! I’ve got hundreds of sacks over there in that box. You can take one, but show it to me first. I shouldn’t think I’d let you take one of my best sacks just so that witch can strut around and show off.
The sacks are in one of those boxes over there. Use this crowbar to open them up, since I nailed them together pretty hard to stop thieves having a go on my sacks.
Objectives: Get a sack from Jasper’s box and show it to Jasper. Use the crowbar to be able to open the boxes.
Rewards: 5 Jorvik Shillings, 10 XP
Reputation: 10 with The Goldenleaves
Dismount your horse to enter the building next to Jasper’s house, then use the crowbar from your inventory to open the box in the attic. Return to Jasper when you have found a suitable sack.
Hmph! So you found a sack?
Quest completed
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A Certified Sack
Bah! Take the sack and get out of here. I can’t be bothered with any of this nonsense anymore. I need to focus on my pumpkin patch, otherwise those darned birds will take the chance to gobble up every last pumpkin while my back’s turned.
What are you doing still standing here? Take the sack to Pi and beat it! Hmph.
Objectives: Take Jasper’s sack to Pi the witch.
Rewards: 25 Jorvik Shillings, 20 XP
Reputation: 20 with The Goldenleaves
Return to Pi with the first piece for the scarecrow.
You found a sack! Are you sure it’s made from certified fair trade materials woven by people with ethical working conditions?
Jasper made it himself and it’s got the Council’s organic and ecological seal, you say? Well then that’s just lovely!
Quest completed
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Hay Bale or Cockroach
We need hay to stuff the scarecrow. As luck would have it, I know where you can find the exact hay I need. Carin at Goldenleaf Stables uses only organic hay, biodynamically grown.
If you ask her nicely, she’ll probably give you a bale. If she doesn’t give you any, tell her I’ll turn her into a cockroach! Those are her options: hay bale or cockroach.
Mm, actually that’s not really very nice.
Sorry Rita.
Sometimes that old Pi creeps back in and reminds me of my old personality. Let Carin know I’d be very grateful if she could supply a bale of her lovely hay.
Forget anything I said about cockroaches…
Objectives: Ask Carin at Goldenleaf Stables for a bale of hay.
Rewards: 15 Jorvik Shillings, 15 XP
Reputation: 5 with The Goldenleaves
I happen to raise cockroaches and find them to be quite charismatic little critters. I wouldn’t mind being turned into one. Life would be much more simpler…
Hello there Rita! What can I do for you on a beautiful day like today?
Quest completed
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Hay Bales Don’t Grow on Trees!
You’d like a hay bale, you say? Well that shouldn’t be a problem!
Actually, you could help me with something first, if you don’t mind… Just now, a truck arrive with this week’s delivery of hay, but a whole bunch of bales toppled off the truck as it was coming over the bridge from the fishing village. The driver, some dork named JB, said he hat do swerve to avoid a giant seagull that was attacking his vehicle…
So yes, since JB said he had to leave immediately for another delivery, the bales of hay are still bobbing in the water by the bridge. If you’d be a gem and collect them all from the water for me, you can take one of them for yourself. Sound like a deal?
Lovely! Hurry though, before the hay bales float out to sea!
Objectives: Pick up all the hay bales floating in the water by the bridge between the island and the fishing village, then return to Carin.
Rewards: 5 Jorvik Shillings, 10 XP
Reputation: 10 with The Goldenleaves
All of the bales can be found floating near Longbridge. Return to Carin when you have picked up all of them.
Thanks for all your help, Rita. Great work.
Quest completed
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Hay Bales and Witches
Here’s a hay bale, as agreed. What do you want it for, by the way?
You’re giving it to Pi, you say? Hmm… Are you sure that’s a good idea? Can you really trust you her? Yeah, yeah, I suppose you know her better than I do. Take the hay bale to Pi.
Seeya!
Objectives: Take the bale of hay to Pi.
Rewards: 30 Jorvik Shillings, 20 XP
Reputation: 20 with The Goldenleaves
Return to Pi with the second piece for the scarecrow.
I see you got a bale of hay from Carin…
Hey, umm… You didn’t say anything about me threatening to turn her into a cockroach, right?
You didn’t? Great!
Quest completed
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Finding a Rope Expert
To be able to make a scarecrow, we need rope. I don’t know very much about rope though, but the fishermen over in Cape West Fishing Village should have some know-how! Check if you can find someone there who’d be able to help.
Don’t forget that it needs to be organic rope without preservatives, additives, colorings, or any other jiggery-pokery!
Objectives: Find a fisherman in Cape West Fishing Village who can help you out.
Rewards: 15 Jorvik Shillings, 15 XP
Reputation: 5 with The Goldenleaves
Mr Trout is quite knowledgeable, let’s ask him about rope!
Hello there Rita! You’d like some rope, you say?
Well of course I’m sure we can arrange that!
Quest completed
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Searching Like a Crazy Seal!
You came to the right person for rope, Rita! Nobody knows more about rope than me!
If you’d just help me with one little problem I’ve been having, I’d happily give you any rope you choose! What is it I need help with, you ask?
Well, there’s been a few miniature disasters and minor catastrophes here. My very best fishing lure has disappeared! Without it, I’m not getting any nibbles in the water, so I’m sure you’ll understand just how important this is!
What happened?
Well, here’s how it was: I stood here in the harbor, fishing as normal. Then I saw really huge fish over there by where the boat comes in. Just imagine, it could have been General Sherman… Five hundred pounds of bottom-dwelling fury! Anyway, the thought of catching such a huge fish was way too much! I told myself I had to try and catch it, so I ran and ran all the way along the harbor, but since I’m not much of a runner, I slipped and the fishing line went flying, along with my best lure. I tried to see where it went but it was hopeless. Off it went, flying through the air faster than a rabid eel. Seems like it flew off in the direction of the village.
I’ve looked all over the village for it, searching like a crazy seal, but it’s been fruitless… The lure is lost without a trace. It’s almost as though it grew legs and walked off, otherwise I’m sure I’d have found it by now.
If you can find it for me, I’ll give you however much of whatever kind of rope you want. Do you think you can help me?
Fantastic! I knew I could rely on you, Rita! Come back when you’ve found my lure!
Objectives: Find Mr K Trout’s fishing lure that seems to have disappeared somewhere around the village.
Rewards: 5 Jorvik Shillings, 10 XP
Reputation: 10 with The Goldenleaves
Walked away, indeed…. Stuck to the butt of the dock worker. Good thing he never sits down…
You found it! Wonderful!
What kind of rope is it you needed?
Quest completed
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Sooner Seaweed Than Titanium
You want a completely organic rope? Are you sure?
Right now, you’ve got the chance to choose absolutely any kind of rope you could ever want, so are you sure you don’t want a proper indestructible rope made of titanium and silk? Or a priceless rope made from gold and diamond?
Okay, okay, I won’t force you. If you’ve decided it’s organic rope you want, it’s organic rope you’ll get!
Now let’s see here…
There you go! Twelve feet of rope, made of locally-sourced seaweed. It’s not very strong and smells pretty bad, but more organic than this you’ll struggle to find.
Hope you get good use out of it! See you!
Objectives: Give the rope to Pi the Witch.
Rewards: 25 Jorvik Shillings, 25 XP
Reputation: 20 with The Goldenleaves
Return to Pi with the last piece for the scarecrow.
Oh look, you found some rope!
It smells vile… That must mean it’s truly super organic! Good work Rita!
Quest completed
Return to Pi tomorrow.
