Those Pesky Druids
by Mark Silverstein
Coming from a game that slants toward hack and slash, the party was getting somewhat frustrated by the fact that every time they met a natural creature the druid would Speak with Animals. Not only did this avert any crisis, it also kept the party from most of the treasure that they felt was rightfully theirs. I had to find a way to use the druid's habits against him.
While walking in one of the seedier parts of the city, the party sees a war dog in leather armor at the end of the street. It approaches; they see foam at its mouth. It barks three times and runs in circles as if chasing its tail. The sequence is repeated -- the dog gets closer, barks and runs in circles. Once close enough, the druid speaks, "Calm down, little friend." Instead of the limited animal speech he is used to, the druid hears this response: "At last, someone who understands. Come quickly, Timmy has fallen down the well."
After a pleasing round of laughter, the party followed Lassie to the well, rescued Timmy, and found some caverns that lay under the city which were exposed by the collapsed wall of the well.
(Originally appeared in Re:Quests!, issue #36, February 1995, p. 22; Mary H Kelly, editor.)
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