The Missing Egg

Facility Event: The Hunt for Harmony

Episode 4

The Missing Egg

Previous Quest

Trouble Strikes!

Next Quest

The Search for the Egg

Summary

The party learns Simurgh was rampaging in search of her stolen egg, and decides to put one egg hunt on hold for another. Using Fleur's map, the prince and friends search for the fiends' nest.

Dialogue

The prince's party rushes to quell the raging dragon...

SKREEEE! RETURN MY EGG TO ME! Y-you mean like one'a these painted eggs? Here, take one'a— FOOL! I seek MY egg—WHERE IS IT?! Eyaaaaagh! There's Simurgh! We've got to get the people out of here... Heeeeelp! Simurgh, please—what's wrong? Where is it?! WHERE HAS IT GOOOONE?! SKREEEE! It's no use—she's totally crazed! I'll calm her down. Everybody, hold your breath! Take this! Calmbomb DX! SKREEE! MY... My egg... I think it's working! What in the world was that contraption, Luca? Heh heh, one'a my latest! It releases smoke that makes people chill the heck out. I've always got a couple on me, just in case someone throws a tantrum. But where did you procure the ingredients to generate such an effect? They're certainly not local to these woods... We can swap recipes later. You feelin' a little better, Simurgh? I... I am. Please, forgive the trouble I have caused. I was not myself. We know. But what was it that set you off? I was warming my egg, as is normal, and fell into a light slumber. When I awoke, the egg was gone While you were sleeping?! Not cool! Do you know who did it? Is it possible someone from the hunt mistook it for a painted egg? No way; dragon eggs radiate mana like nobody's business. Indeed. Sylvans excel in the perception of mana; one would not simply abscond with a dragon egg by accident. Wait a sec—weren't those fiends from earlier scoopin' up painted eggs? Ya think they coulda nabbed Simurgh's? Hmmm... Or maybe they were after her egg from the start! Which means they would have been systematically collecting every egg in the forest, blind as they are to the nuances of mana. Do you think they want to...eat it? No... My darling egg... *sob* Hey, Euden—I think we better put a hold on the egg hunt. Or, you know, hunt for this egg instead. Yeah. We have to help Simurgh. How are we gonna find the fiends that took it though? I was thinkin' we'd just, uh...beat up every fiend in the forest till we found the right one? Nya ha ha! Now there's a plan! Let's get to it, people! ...You can't be serious. We're working from naught but suspicion, and have no handle on the number of fiends here. I acknowledge your plight, Simurgh, but I cannot act on conjecture alone. I have a competition to win, besides. What gives, Sylas? You might'a been a crybaby way back when, but at least you had a heart. The hell happened? YOU may let your emotions guide your actions, Luca, but I most certainly do not. I have my future to consider. Ya really wanna win that bad? Just so you can keep sylvans separate from the rest of the world? Call it what you will. My chance has come at long last, and I shall not falter. What are you talking about? WIth the egg hunt won, my objective will finally be within reach. Hold up—what "objective"? What exactly are you trying to do? I intend to harness the medicinal qualities of certain herbs, to pioneer an aromatic that can cure illness. One pivotal herb evades me, however. To gather it, I require permission from the chief of the northeast wood. To that end, I have done my best to genuflect. On occasion that has involved obeying...unsavory commands. But obey them I have. He has promised to consider my request, should I win this egg hunt. And with that victory, ratify his desire to prevent any interaction between sylvans and outsiders... Dude, you're just a puppet. Perhaps. But my research will save lives. You're seriously gonna ignore someone who needs help, just so you can get what YOU want? I don't expect you to comprehend the trials I have endured to even HAVE this chance. For someone so smart, you sure make a convincing idiot. Excuse me? You're SOOOO sure you can't do your research anywhere but your own village—but why? You're just scared, man. You claim it could be done elsewhere? YES, DUDE! I'd even help you! ...Nonsense. But it's not; you still have a choice. Come with us, and you'll be free to— Enough! I have come too far to be swayed by your blathering. Forget it, Luca. He's made up his mind. We can get Simurgh's egg back on our own—but we gotta get going. ...Right. But Sylas? I still believe in you, dude. I know you'll do the right thing. We do not all share your definition of "right". You've known Luca for a long time; is he really the type to say something he doesn't believe? Truth does not hinge on belief. You're right. But believing in something CAN make it possible. Hmph. His beliefs don't outweigh my own. And I believe I have no need for the knowledge of humans. What about the calmbomb Luca used earlier? He made it by combining the techniques and advancements of both humans and sylvans. Yes, and the human element was likely superfluous. I'm not so sure. It incorporated things you can't find in the woods; seashells, alpine plants, human research. if Luca could make something like that by embracing the outside world what do you think YOU could achieve? I think that's why Luca is so desperate for you to widen your perspective. ..... Luca believes in you, Sylas—and so do I. We're going on ahead, but I hope you'll follow when you're ready. I've been so intent on pursuing wisdom... I fear I've only grown more ignorant. Perhaps there truly is something to be gained by leaving the forest...

Whew... These fiends are really putting up a fight. You think they know we're here for the eggs? Sure seems like it. They're givin' it everything they got! Could they maybe NOT?! I dunno, let's ask 'em! Yaaaaah! Haaaaaah! Whuh-oh, that doesn't look good! Luca, look out! Crap— Wha...? Sylas?! Really, Luca. These fiends aren't anything special. Hah! What was that, Sylas? It smells...sweet. Just a basic aroma oil. I believe I mentioned earlier that insects have a keen sense of smell—let this serve as further evidence. GAAH! There's bees everywhere! Wait... They're swarming the fiends! Ha ha! They ran right off!! Nice one, Sylas. So. You came after all. Given time to think, I latched onto one particularly curious aspect of the fiends' behavior. Rather than eat the eggs, they were collecting them—not unlike ants. If we consider that... ...Then there must be a fiend nest where they're keepin' all the eggs! Yes—and Simurgh's egg is likely there as well. You there—you have a map of the woods, yes? Oh, um, yes! I do! If we use it to espy likely nesting areas, and check them off as we go, we should eventually find the nest. Heh. So you're gonna help use then? ...My grander plan hasn't changed. But I also cannot stand idly by knowing something is amiss. But more than that... I found myself wishing to hear more of the world you have come to hold so dear, Luca. So yes, you have my aid. Now let us end this swiftly. Heck yeah! All right, everyone—let's get hunting!