A private conversation between Timmean and Phineas

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

“I could use some help around here!” he says. “But we can talk over here at the table next to the counter.”

[Timmean]

Timmean follows Phineas and sits down, nodding.

"Certainly; I can give you a hand as needed, especially until that ax is ready. Of course, that's also assuming you like my plans. Anyway, I can save all this for later if you need to finish with the afternoon meal, but if you have the time to talk... what would you think of us starting up a small farm? There's a bit of forest just out back which is nice and flat, perfect for a field, we'd just need to clear it. And probably root out a few spiders, but that's nothing new. There's not enough of a growing season left to get much out of it this year, but we'd get plenty of firewood for the winter, and I could start some plantings first thing in the spring. What do you think?"

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

“A farm! What an excellent idea!”

The Halfling tavern-keeper’s face lights up at the idea.

“Do you think that get enough done this fall to be ready for the spring? What do you need to get going?“

[Timmean]

Timmean shrugged, grinning slightly.

"Well, the ground is obviously fertile enough; there's lots growing already. Borin has that ax in the works, which will be all we'd need for right now. The biggest task at the moment will just be clearing the land, but if I make that my focus for the rest of the season, I should be able to clear enough space to get some crops for next year. Not enough to sustain a town, but certainly an improvement on the foraging we've had to do lately. Of course, if anyone else wants to join in, we'll be able to clear more space, which will mean more crops next year.

As for the actual planting, we'll need a few more tools. A hoe and shovel will suffice for preparing the soil, but if we could devise some kind of plow, it would make things easier and more productive. And then we may need one or two other tools, depending on what crops we grow. Which brings us to the one ingredient that may be more tricky: seeds, or sprouts. We may be able to find a few local plants that we could gather seeds from, but I expect we would see more success if we used seeds or plantings from other established farms; crops that we know can grow here and produce a good yield. Do you think any of your contacts would be able to find a source to purchase from? I remember that Chloe has been around the island quite a bit, perhaps she would know of a source we could purchase from? And of course, we have a little time; none of this planting will happen until the spring.

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

The Halfling glances around the Tavern trying to make the best suggestions possible.

“Yes, the axe is a really good place to start,” Phineas states. “But you might be able to put the fire mage to work turning the worst of the brush into ash, the best source of fertilizer you can get to start. I recommend that you work to just clear a fire-break around the area, soak it down and burn the centre clear. You should get as many of us as possible to keep an eye on everything during the burning.”

“As far tools, the blacksmiths are probably the best to advise you on any of that.”

“And actually, some plants, like wild onions and some turnip roots, might be better put into a small patch of garden before the snow,” he continues. “Or in the early spring.”

“And the best vegetable seeds can usually be found in the best vegetables.”

“Seed for barley corn or other grain should be easy enough to get, either from local farm folk or from some travelling merchants. And I am sure that Chloe can be very helpful with introductions and goods.”

“You don’t have a lot to barter with, but I should be able to help.”

[Timmean]

Timmean nodded, making mental plans and notes.

"Excellent. I think I'll take the time to clear our as many of the trees as possible; it's always good to have some extra wood for the winter, or for building projects. But I like your idea: once we get the trees out, or the weather gets too cold to do much work, we'll burn whatever's left in the plot. I'm sure Torvallis! will enjoy that plan."

Timmean paused for a moment, thinking, his eyes distant as he stared at the table.

"Just to be clear, I'm not intending to claim ownership of this farm. I'll work it to the best of my ability, and if I have any debts once I find Lynn, I'll continue working here until I pay them off. But as for the actual ownership, for the farm and it's crops, those are yours. I hope the yields will pay for the help and training you've given me."

He paused again, a shadow of concern now passing over his face.

"And speaking of Lynn... when I first got that letter, I was so relieved. Overjoyed, even. But you tell me it has some hidden message, which leaves me wondering... why? Why would my daughter disguise a message like that, so no one else can read it? The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that she's in some kind of danger. The written words say she's safe, but... I'm not sure they can be trusted."

"Which brings me to my next point... I need to learn more about magic. It's my greatest talent, but I'm far from a master. If things get bad, if Lynn needs me, I'm not sure how much I'll really be able to help. I need to finish your psychic training first, and find out what that letter really says. But then... then I need to take my magic to a higher level. So I have to ask... what's the most powerful magic you know of?"

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

Phineas seems to be fully taken over in thought while listening to Timmean’s words: his talk of farming and of his family strikes the Halfling deeply.

“The most powerful magics that anyone can learn are those of Essence and Void. I can’t really help you with those.”

He waves his right hand through the air as if to dismiss the thought of the powerful aspects of the magical world.

“However, the most powerful thing that I know about magic is that you can often, with a little patience, find somebody to teach you almost anything. They don’t have to be traveling wizards with pointy hats: I would be a little cautious about those types. A lot of everyday people know something, sometimes a great deal, about magic. Perhaps Torvallis can teach you the way of Lord Fire, if he ever gets the Forge to be blessed!”

He checks Timmean’s expression to see if his interest includes seeking help from the local Fire Mage.

“I will help you as much as I can! Keep you away from bad deals and steer you towards the good” he says sincerely. “Until you are set to go.”

[Timmean]

Timmean stares at Phineas, his brow furrowed in thought, then sighs.

"I'm not certain how much I'd trust Torvallis to be a calm teacher, though I'm sure he'd be quite enthusiastic to... how does he put it? 'Spread the word of Lord Fire.' Though now that you mention Torvallis, the plans with the forge were to establish an... elemental circle, was it? I expect you've noticed by now, but my knowledge of magic is rather... incomplete. I'm afraid I was trained by an idiot."

He grinned, thinking back to the many years of his youth, trying everything he could think of to produce some "magic." He eventually managed to figure out a healing spell, but the trial-and-error approach had done little to teach him how magic actually worked.

"But anyway! That's a discussion for another time. Perhaps once the field is ready, and I have a little extra time, I can look into starting a similar circle for earth, if you are able to instruct me in the process. Until then, I always have my psychic training to work on. I won't take up any more of your time; thank you my friend, you've been quite helpful, and if you need anything, just let me know."

Timmean stands up, nods and smiles to Phineas, then turns to head outside. As he strides off to more closely examine the soon-to-be farm area, he mutters quietly under his breath, entrenching two words into his memory.

"Essence and voice... essence and void..."

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