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Link MIDDLE OF THE DAY
THE KOROK FOREST

Past the Lost Woods, deep inside, lies a path. To the left, a large locked gate, with pictures of strange plant-like creatures, with a lock as big as someone's chest. To the right, the sounds of forest creatures, and the shadow of a massive tree. The path to the right is everyone's destination - the Great Deku Tree, who they seek to meet to learn about Hyrule and obtain a boon.

Going down the path, the sounds of forest creatures grow louder and louder, until you can tell exactly what it is. As various plants bloom and ripened red fruits hang from trees, the sounds of singing and whistling from high-pitched voices is clear. Soon, the target is clear in sight - a humongous tree, old and grand, with a wisened old face. Branches sprawl out, and upon them, stand little creatures. Around the tree, stand little creatures. Everywhere you look is a little creature.

They are small, smaller than you. They have bodies made of wood, and leaves for faces, green in this Spring. By the tree, a massive round stone platform stands in front of it, with steps leading up to stand on it. The tree also appears to be hollow - there's a large open hole in the bottom, showing even more of the little creatures standing inside, doing various casual day-to-day things. There's even someone cooking in there, despite it being a tree. How odd.

As everyone approaches, though, the creatures start to flee. They head into the safety of the Great Deku Tree, as the wisened old face speaks. "Fear not, my Korok children. I sense that this is not our enemy. Come, children of Hyrule. Step onto the platform and speak what you will, ask of me your questions. I am the Great Deku Tree."

At the Great Deku Tree's insistence that it's not an enemy, a few of the Koroks start to filter out, curious about the travellers. One is short and stout, with a thick leaf. Another is lanky and tall, with a thin leaf. The third is tall but fat, with a huge leaf. It seems these are the bravest the Koroks have to offer.
Riku Hey look, it's a Riku. He did what he could to help this contingent get to the Deku Tree, and he's here to keep doing his thing. He has a lot of things to look into, and helping Link fulfill his prophecy seems like the best way to do this.

After the Skull Kids, Riku isn't sure about these tiny Koroks though, squinting at them. However, they seem harmless enough. Mostly harmless. He doesn't do anything to try to intimidate them or anything, just relaxing in his casual slouch.

When bidden to speak, he steps up onto the platform, not really wasting any time at this point. "Hey there." Apparently, this might not be the weirdest thing Riku's talked to. "We had some questions about the prophecy involving the King of Evil. Apparently he's supposed to have power over monsters and has a Triforce of Power? Do you know anything about him and how to deal with him?"
Athela Valemore It's like if a bunch of Nuzleaf lived inside a giant Treverant. Or that's the closest approximation Athela can think of as the small plantkin flee to the interior of the great hollow tree.

In an effort to lessen the hostile appearances she sheaths her weapon, keeping her stride a respectful pace. Then pauses when the three Korok of varient heights (though all shorter than herself) come forward to investigate. Athela gets down on one knee to be a bit closer to their height and hopefully less unintentionally intimidating. "Your arbory elder is correct. We come seeking consul of his wisdom; no intention of harm."

She is one use to dealing with non-human beings. Even if these aren't Pokemon they're similar enough to some Grass types she's met to be comfortable speaking with.
Staren     Staren wears his armor again. Even if this is a social call, you never know when a monster will show up.

    He's briefly given pause by the sheer number of koroks. This is like a densely-populated city. One cooking is less notable -- he consumes flesh, why shouldn't they burn wood for fuel?

    It is a GIANT TALKING TREE. ...Okay.

    "What do you know of what's going on? With Ganondorf, and the monsters, and the hero, and Hyrule? What do you see as your part to play in it?"
Sanary Rondel This brings Sanary back. Kind of. There's a distinct unease about the healer as she trails back behind the rest of the group, donning a black coat today instead of her usual white. Sure, she's with a different group today, but she'd rather not take any chances.

At least the Koroks are different, too. Those haven't rung any bells for her, and at least they're something else to focus on that isn't a giant talking tree. She pointedly avoids looking at the Great Deku Tree, instead shuffling off to the side to squat by the Koroks and inspect them.

What interesting little creatures.

"Hey... Uh. Tree. This King of Evil. Has he just been around for a long time, is he some kind of undead monster, or is he... You know. Person-y and not summoned from some other place?"
Rean Schwarzer "Whoa..."

The area around the Great Tree was definitely a change from the Lost Woods, and definitely much livelier. Rean looks up in awe at the guardian plant, as well as his 'children.' Or well, down in the case of the latter.

Anyway, everyone's already asked any questions he could think of at the moment, so he just stays quiet for now.
Link As people step onto the platform, the Great Deku Tree speaks again. "I sense that this is the time we've been waiting for. The chosen hero is among you, isn't he?" Link steps up as well, and nods. "I see. Then I will answer all of your questions as truthfully as I can."

Riku asks about their enemy. "The King of Darkness. His return has been long-coming, and it is only fitting that now is the time. With the darkness that is their hearts, monsters will obey him. They will seek to please him and bring terror to the world. The Hero of Courage is destined to halt their advance, and slay the King of Darkness."

"The Triforce of Power will grant him great strengths, and magic unparalleled. I can not tell you what form it will take, but he will be a dangerous foe. Once the hero has met the three peoples and gained three boons, it will be his duty to seek the eight shards of the Triforce of Courage and reunite it, gaining the power to combat him."

Staren also gets a reply. "I know nothing of modern politics and people. I do not leave the forest. My Koroks rarely do as well, safe under my branches. My role is as an advisor, one with wisdom of the past - of events long forgotten, of magic long disused, of ruins long lost. You are welcome to ask me any questions of Hyrule. However, the true reason that the hero is here is for one of the three Boons."

Before he can continue, Sanary talks to him. There's a strange feeling, as if the tree is staring right at her. "You possess darkness in your heart. It is clear to me." He stops speaking for several moments...and then decides to reply to the rest of her question.

"The King of Darkness is able to take the form of a man. Of this form, I know nothing. Solely that the monster is able to pass among the people of Hyrule."

As Athela and Sanary also investigate the Koroks, they step back slowly, but Athela manages to convince them that everything's safe. After a few moments...the fat one shouts out to the trees. "Everyone, it's safe! We can play again!"

As this call cries out, the Koroks start chattering among themselves, and start filtering out again. While there's a lot of them, it's probably in the low hundreds at most, not the thousands. The clearing is huge, so they can safely avoid the adventurers if they wish, and the branches are thick enough to contain them.

The tall one stays, and speaks to the group. "Why don't you come in and play? As long as the hero remains to gain his boon, the Great Deku Tree won't mind! We have food for travellers, games, and stories!" If people accept, he'll lead them into the interior of the tree, shouting 'yahaha' as it does.
Athela Valemore Athela Valemore glances towards the platform for a moment. Link is up there, fufilling the prophecy as needed, and not alone. She's still a little wary of how willing Staren was to just burn the forest to find the location at one point, but at least trusts he wouldn't try anything so brash in the elder's presence.

Then turns her attention back to the Koroks. Part of the prophecy is meeting with other races, is it not? As a knight it is her duty to protect others, and part of that is learning more of those that would be under her protection to avoid any errors in judgement.

Athela eventually nods, and gets back to her feet to follow after the lanky Korok to join the others. "You certainly seem prepared to be hospitable, for not getting visitors often."
Staren     Staren nods. Inwardly, he adjusts the possibility of controlling the monsters downward. This 'darkness' is probably not something he can practically control, although it still bears cursory investigation. "Magic long disused? Ruins long lost? The Hero's allies will need every edge in the fight against the King of Evil. Your role is as an advisor, let me put your knowledge to work for the forces of Good."
Link "You will need specific queries. I know far too much over the centuries that I've been rooted here. The royal family of Hyrule has entrusted much knowledge with me, as have other champions, as has the hero's own predecessor." The Great Deku Tree replies to Staren.
Staren     Staren considers this. "Where do monsters come from? Wait, can we leave you a means of communication so that the hero and his allies can ask your advice any time?" He smiles, tail twitching at the cleverness of this idea.
Sanary Rondel The Great Deku Tree's words drain some of the color from Sanary's face despite her making sure not to look directly at him. He doesn't know about it, does he? Well, no time like the present to fix that misconception!

So she laughs. "Really? Ah, I'm workin' on it. Just takes time to break old habits, you know?" Another forced and overly awkward laugh, and... She still isn't looking at the tree at all. The Koroks don't even appear to like her quite as much as Athela, but there is some small comfort in hearing that they're still willing to come out and that the Tree is still willing to answer her question.

Thankfully, it sounds like the King of Darkness is at least coherent enough to be person-shaped. That's better than last time. "So aside from his armies of... Whatever, is there any other noteworthy ability or gear of his we should be prepared for? Like a... A stupidly big sword or fire breath or being able to turn into a giant with twenty arms, things like that?"

A beat. "Or... Tryin' to sway the Hero to his side?"
Rean Schwarzer The discussion between Sanary and the Great Tree catches his attention. The heck was that about? Then the Korok asked if they wanted to play with them. Rean hesitates a bit, since the last time they got asked to play was with the Skull Kids and yeah. "Sure, I'll come play." Rean eventually says, trailing after the Korok and Athela.  "Do all of you live inside here?" Rean asks.
Riku Riku looks on at the Koroks but chooses to not go with them, sticking to the tree. "So, three boons, eight shards of the Triforce of Courage. What does he do after that? Are these Triforces really that powerful? What are they supposed to do?" Sure, the Elder might have answered some of that, but the Deku Tree is far older. And wiser. And also is a magic talking tree so it's probably more legit. Because that's just how these things work.

"So, how strong is he really going to get? I mean, is he supposed to be doing this stuff alone or are we supposed to help him along?"
Link Staren asks the first question of the Great Deku Tree. "Monsters come from before even myself, but as the stories tell it, when the Golden Goddesses created the world at the behest of Hylia, there was a crack. From this crack deep below the world, they came. Hearts of darkness. Full of violence. I do not know any more."

The question of setting up communication gets a thoughtful hmm. "I do not know if it will work, it may as well not...but I see no reason to not attempt such. Very well."

Sanary, meanwhile, talks to the Great Deku Tree some more. "Power beyond compare. That is all I can describe." And then a pause. "He may try and sway the Hero. You cannot let that happen. The prophecy states that the hero must slay the King of Darkness, in order to save Hyrule."

Riku's question gets a quick reply. "After the boon items have been obtained, you seek the Triforce of Courage. After it has been reunited, and the hero has claimed the Master Sword, he must find the King of Darkness and slay him. I would not urge him to do it alone - he will be dangerous. The Triforce of Courage is not as broad as the other pieces, but it grants its wielder grand resistance to magic and true courage. There will be many threats along the way - he will surely need your help to conquer them. It can only be fate that you all joined together, after all."
---
As others go to follow the Koroks, they cheer, replying "We've been waiting for visitors forever!" and lead them into the tree's interior. It's big. There's a kitchen, a little recreational area with chairs, various sleeping areas, a staircase leading up to even more rooms higher up in the trees, and...

A big bowling alley like thing. There's a huge sign above it.

"KOROK BOWLING"

A big stout Korok sits at a chair, next to a sign that says 'NO STEPPING INSIDE'. As the group appears, there's a 'fahahaha!' from the Korok, as the other koroks with the group all chirp. "Welcome, outsiders! Do you want to play a game of Korok Bowling? I'll give you the first time outsider's discount, which is one game, free! The ruels are simple."

The game is a series of holes in the middle of a bowling lane with no traditional gutters. Instead, there's three holes at the far end: one small, just big enough for a ball, and two large ones.

"The game is simple. You must roll the ball into the small hole. If you roll into the big holes, you lose. You can do anything in your power to do this, as long as you follow the sign, but I'll try my best to stop you. There's a fabulous secret prize if you win!"
Athela Valemore Athela Valemore stops. Tilts her head up to look at the signs. Looks down at the Korok explaining.

THen looks to the lane for the game, squinting a little at the holes at the far end. It only fits into one properly, apparently. One is too small, the others are too big and easy.

She hmms softly, then looks back to the explainer. "I take it 'No Stepping Inside' means no passing a certain line?" she asks, gesturing one hand towards the lane.
Staren     "So what's your boon, anyway?" Staren wonders. "And what are the other boons, if you know?"
Sanary Rondel That much hasn't changed, then. Sanary goes quiet for a short while as she mulls over that, simply nodding at first while looking over at Link. Would he be the one that the King would try to sway, or would he go for easier targets?

Perhaps it'd be better not to find out. Instead, she listens to the tree speaking to Staren and Riku, and she furrows her brow when the Triforce of Courage's power is mentioned. "True courage sounds... Uh. Is that actually gonna be useful?" She rubs her head, sounding rather skeptical about it. "I mean, anyone can be courageous enough to do dangerous things if they're drunk or desperate enough. Resistance to magic might not be so bad, though, but..."

Sanary turns to Link, waving at him and beckoning him to approach. "Would that Triforce of Courage help him against someone tryin' to punch his face in? No magic, just..." She jabs the air for emphasis.
Rean Schwarzer Rean hums, his hand on his chin in thought. Anything as long as they follow the sign, huh? "What if we blocked one of the holes, then? Would that be allowed?"
Link Outside, people ask more questions. Staren asks about teh boon, and the Deku Tree speaks loudly. "My children, bring out the hero's boon." As the Koroks start complying, and a big hefty chest is brought down the stairs (visible to those playing the game), he replies to Staren. "I can not tell you that. Would ruin part of the journey, ohoho!" A tree is laughing. How surprising.

The chest is brought up to Link, as the tree also replies to Sanary. "A resistance to magic is very useful against the King of Darkness, as well as several monsters of this land. However, you are correct. He will need other skills and equipment to defend himself from physical blows."

Link approaches the chest, as it's set out in front of him by a group of Koroks. Kneeling down to open it, there's briefly a light out of the chest, and then...

Dananana...

Link got the "Fairy Boomerang"! It's carved wood, enchanted with magic, allowing it to be thrown and come back even if it hits something that should stop it.

Link takes the boomerang, throws it into the air, immediately catches it when it returns, and then pockets it. "Thank you.", he says to the Great Deku Tree.
---
Meanwhile, Athela and Rean ask questions about the game. The korok just taps the sign. "These are the only rules! Don't step inside the lane! Otherwise, do what you will! Now, are you going to play, or are you going to be a deku scrub, huh?"

A big ball is picked up and handed to one of them, if they accept. It just barely fits into the small hole.
Athela Valemore What harm is there in trying, right? Athela accepts the ball with a nod. "Thank you." Then turns her attention back to the lane, hmming and humming thoughtfully for a few moments. Idly she bobs a hand up and down, testing the weight of the ball. IT's bigger and an entirely different shape from the stones she use to skip out across the coastal waters unfortunately.

But that does give her a different idea.

"Anything but step into the lane. Alright then." She steps as close to the boundry as she's comfortable, and rolls the ball in her hand. It starts to sparkle a little as she uses her aquamancy to give it a frosty sheen, and then throws it up the lane.

As the ball nears the goal Athela flicks her hand up and tries to quickly form a small chute of ice from the coating to guide it into the proper hole.

As long as anything other than stepping in the lane is allowed, that should include elemental magic right?
Sanary Rondel "Right? Heh... Ah, I can give the kid whatever trainin' he might need to take a hit or ten." Sanary remarks confidently, then strokes her chin a moment later. "Equipment to help with that ain't a bad idea, either... Oh?"

A Chest. The healer goes 'ooh' when Link uncovers the boomerang, ducking her head down just in case when he tosses it up. "Huh. That's a neat little... Throwin' banana? Hey, you think it'll work that way after you hit somethin' with it?" Sanary glances around a few times, then jogs back several paces before slapping her forearm and holding it up. "Right here! I can take it!"
Staren     The Deku Tree's laugh is infectious. Although Staren doesn't laugh long. He listens to the comment about magic resistance and observes the magic boomerang. "You know, that gives me an idea." He turns to Link. "The boons will help you, but there's no need to limit yourself to the boons of this world. Are there any tools, weapons, armor, you'd like from another world? Maybe worth looking into."
Riku The tree has a sense of humor! An Old Man humor but that only makes sense. Riku tries to not grimace at it and deal with the situation with some measure of grace. "Looks like we've got a lot of work until that King of Darkness is taken care of,."

There is a pause, howevr, and Riku looks up and gestures. "What if something were to happen to the King of Darkness? Is it because he is who he is, or is it because he has the Triforce that he is the King of Darkness? I'm not sure how this all works. How is he going to destroy Hyrule, anyway?"

These questions might be a little more... borderline than the previous ones, but hey, more knowledge is good, right?
Rean Schwarzer Athela takes the ball and does...exactly what Rean was thinking about asking her to do! He picks up a ball, and asks. "Could you mind doing that again, but covering the holes this time?"
Link Outside, Link glances at Sanary, knows that she's tanky, and nods. He grabs the boomerang again, and throws it at her arm. It impacts with her arm and...

Bounces back to Link's hand. A normal boomerang should fall to the ground when hitting something, but not this one.

"I don't know." Link replies to Staren, shrugging. "A good cloth to glide with." He's a simple boy, it seems.

Riku asks an important question of the Great Deku Tree. "The former - the Triforce is a tool, a gift from the goddesses, and is not evil. The King of Darkness is said to obtain the Triforce and use its wish-graznting power for destruction. You cannot let him do so."
----
Inside, Athela uses ice magic to push the ball forward...but the wooden poles bounce up and down, knocking it around like a pinball game. It bounches it into one of the big holes, and the Korok just shakes. "Good try! Twenty rupees for another, or your companion can give it a shot." He gestures to Rean. If Rean can get it in, they'll get a fabulous prize for free!
Staren     Staren imagines Link wearing a mechanical wing-pack. Then he whirls on the tree suddenly. "Wait, he is /said/ to? The prophecy, in full... it says the King of Evil /wins/?!"
Sanary Rondel Sanary flinches slightly as that bommerang whacks her arm, but she bites back the sting to not let it show too much. She's got a reputation to maintain, after all!

The light green glow around her arm seconds later might be a giveaway, though.

"That's a weird one, but looks useful! Not havin' to chase your throwin' weapons around? Wish I could do that with all o' these." She flips open her coat to reveal the tomahawks hidden inside of it, then tosses one into the ground next to Link. Naturally, it stays where it is, and Sanary has to go pick the thing back up.

"You should go bigger if he's offerin'. Why not go for some kinda funky machine arm?" She smirks at Staren, then pauses and leans over to stage-whisper. "Wait. Is that thing supposed to be a secret?"
Athela Valemore Athela Valemore did not notice the poles until they started popping out to mess with the ball, and her chute idea goes astray when the ball is no longer on a straight path. Though at it she laughs softly, taking the defeat in stride. "I should hath realized it would not be so simple!"

She steps back out of the way. At least now Rean has a better idea of what else there is to deal with. "I do not think the holes are the issue now, my friend."
Link "No. He gains the Triforce but is slain in the end. It is a difficult battle, but Hylia's people succeed." The Great Deku Tree replies.
Rean Schwarzer Rean walks around, taking a good look at the lane, trying to see if there were anymore tricks up this guy's sleeve.
Riku Riku rubs his chin and considers that. "So the Triforce can grant wishes, huh? And he get it in order to give him the power to get the other pieces so he can destroy Hyrule?"

He looks over as the Deku Tree amends. "Well, that's good to know. Does it say what happens to the Triforce and the hero afterwards?" Then his eyes light up. "Also, what about the third piece? Do you know what is happening with it?"
Athela Valemore Once they're sure there's no other tricks Athela nods to Rean, snapping her fingures and conjuring up a bit more elemental ice to go along with his plan.
Rean Schwarzer Once the ice is set, Rean rolls the ball down the lane.
Staren     Staren looks at Sanary. "It's not a secret. It's public knowledge that I offer mechanical bodies and cybernetics, although I doubt Link is interested."
Link "It does not." The Great Deku Tree replies to Riku, which makes Link visibly nervous, as the tree continues. "The third peice is the Triforce of Wisdom, safely protected by Hyrule's Royal Family for generations. It is not a risk - the Royal Family is full of heroic people."

Link has no interest in a prosthetic arm or robot body, it's true.

---

Meanwhile, bowling happens! They freeze over the holes. The poles bounce the ball back and forth, back and forth...it goes on for a long while, until eventually, it ricochets narrowly off a pole into the small hole. The Korok sighs, but their korok buddies cheer for them. "Congratulations! You get 100 rupees, and this thing I found."

A bunch of colorful gems are handed out towards Rean (who can split them if he likes), and since his hands might be full putting those away, something is handed to Athela. It's a crystalline heart, with a red little fragment inside it. A Piece of Heart!

---

After they have the boon, and have finished talking with the Great Deku Tree, the group can safely leave. The Lost Woods is an actually startlingly uneventful trip back, but sooner or later, they're done, and have their information.

Next time...adventure in Kakariko Village!