Nerith & Vedmak
Vedmak
Nerith, your work on medieval monsters, especially the basilisk, is impressive. I once convinced one to move by offering a trail of dried herbs. What do the old chronicles say about that?
Nerith
Ah, a tale of cleverness indeed. The chronicles from the 14th‑century annals of the Abbey of Saint Marcel mention a similar ruse. They describe a rogue scholar who, weary of a basilisk’s deadly glare, lured it with a trail of sage and rosemary—herbs believed to calm the beast’s wrath. The creature, drawn by scent, followed the path and, when the herbs were left at the threshold, it turned its gaze away, allowing the villagers to slip it into a deeper hollow. It’s a reminder that even the fiercest monsters can be tamed by a touch of patience and the right fragrance.
Vedmak
Sage and rosemary, huh. I prefer dried nettle, but I can see the point. Does the annal say how long the basilisk stayed in the hollow?
Nerith
The annals only note that the basilisk remained there until the spring thaw, when it slipped away into the hills. No exact count of days is given.
Vedmak
Got it. Spring thaw clears the path, so the beast ran when the ice broke. I’d have stuck a talisman in the hollow instead of relying on herbs alone, but the idea’s sound.
Nerith
A talisman sounds more… permanent than a scent trail. The chronicles do mention silver rings etched with sigils of warding, sometimes placed at the entrance of a hollow to keep beasts out. They say the basilisk would hesitate longer, perhaps until nightfall, but the herbs still had the advantage of tricking its eyes. Still, your idea would have added an extra layer of protection.