The trail south is unremarkable.  While there is clear sign of recent use, it is obvious that there is a more permanent, but very faint, trail underneath.  Something, perhaps that speaks of trappers, woodsman and hunters travelling these paths for  years, as well routes the bandits are liable to use.

Then you get close to the forest margins, both Rook and Zorah call a halt, for they can see this is where the paths diverge.  One running trail running west, across the top of the Narlemarch, the other East, and then possibly south, down the side of the forest.  This is clearly the place that Henry spoke of.

It isn’t the best place to camp -  although water is available from a stream you passed half a mile back, and there is liable to be plenty of small wood at the edge of the forest, which is about 400 feet away.  Much of the day has been used up already and you guess there is about two hours until it starts to get dark.

OOC -  See Group 9 Map
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:10, Sun 08 May 2016.

Aris'ta had been strangely silent since well before leaving Olegs'. She had refused to be anywhere near where the branding was taking place and whatever reaction she had to the sounds of screams and agony is gone the moment she has returned to the others. Clearly, she was not too far as she has learned of their plans and retrieving her things has readied her horse for another length of the journey. Bow on her back, pack ready, she slips easily atop her mount and waits for the others before taking a position near the end of the line.

Silver eyes watch the surroundings like those of a hawk, ever ready or expecting a subtle move, but none comes and eventually she relaxes into a quiet complacency only marred by the tightness of her lips and stiff grip upon her horses' reins. When they arrive, she is ready to dismount and ready for a change of pace. She pulls the cloak away from her face and looks around.

"Shall we settle here and decide who is to do what? We'll need wood for a fire, to be sure. " It is the most she has spoken for quite awhile.

Aris'ta's words surprised Cyrus, but they were what he was thinking as well. They had little time to prepare for night time and though he was sure Zorah's fox could retrieve some fruit, they would need a fire to keep them warm and they should set a perimeter to watch for bandits given they were on the path toward what they believed to be a bandit hideout...

"I will gather some wood. We should set a perimeter and a watch schedule. Given the bandit activity we are better safe than sorry."

Zorah finishes examining the trail as the others discuss a fire and watch.  "The east trail is where most of the recent travelers have gone.  That's probably our best bet.  You can include Wilson in the watch rotation.  He's been trained to keep an eye out.  I'm working on the others, but no luck yet.  It's only a matter of time though."  She points to the hawk perched nearby, whistles to it, and holds up two fingers clearly.

"I will help fetch wood," Andalon volunteers. "We won't need to fetch water. Abadar will allow me to call forth as much as we need."

"Mother nature is always willing to give forth life-giving water as well."  Zorah adds.  Indicating she too can provide water for the group.  "And cleansing fire if need be to start up the camp fire."

While the others gather wood or scout the area Zorah checks nearby for any food to supplement their rations with.


15:32, Today: Zorah rolled 19 using 1d20+9.  searching for food.

Cyrus couldn't help himself when Andalon offered to pray for water and he muttered under his breath, "Will there be a fee for the water as well?"

He kept to himself while he gathered wood and walked around what he thought was a sufficient perimeter trying to identify spots that would give anyone assigned a watch a good vantage point.

Valoria give a sharp look to Cyrus as he gave his unkind comment. “You may not value his faith, but I do. Besides, Zorah can give you water if you prefer. There is no need to mock my kin, sir Cyrus.” Valoria then looked back down to her tome and Muninn finally come out and perched himself on her shoulder. “I'll take first watch."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:04, Wed 11 May 2016.

"Thank you Cousin," Andalon responded to Valoria before giving Cyrus's question some thought.

"Thank you for asking, Cyrus. It would be well for us to all understand the rules for such things. If any of you ask for Abadar's blessing then there will be a fee to be paid for that service. But if I decide to use the gifts Abadar has granted me without being asked, just because I deem it to be for the good of all, then there should be no fee involved. The agreement with Valoria regarding healing is a special case and there may well be other exceptions in future that we cannot yet foresee."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:33, Wed 11 May 2016.

Cyrus realized that his muttering under his breath must have been louder than he intended it to be from the two cousins' response.

"Yes, understanding the rules is important. Thank you for putting the good of the group first."

He says nothing more while he continues to set up the camp. After the fire is lit, the tents and bedrolls arranged and dinner is eaten, Cyrus rests so he can take the last watch.

After finishing the meal with the group Zorah sets to feeding her animals, or in some cases letting them loose to feed themselves.  Wilson soars off to hunt before returning for his turn at watching the camp.

In the meantime Zorah removes a small spikey-furred animal from her pouch.  She sets the hedgehog on a stump beside her.  Stroking the creature's back Zorah feeds him a few seeds and dried berries.  Once he's done eating Zorah gets to work.  She holds up four fingers in front of it and clearly says, "Sedgewig, sneak."  She then comically demonstrates what she wants the tiny hedgehog to do as if she herself were one.  Zorah continues to train the animal for the next couple of hours before getting ready for bed, satisfied with what little progress Sedgewig seemed to have made.

Cyrus and Andalon soon gather enough wood to keep a small fire burning for the night, while Andalon and Zorah offer to provide magically created fire and water to keep the camp going.  Once the basic camp is built the discussion turns to deities and their gifts, with Valeria defending her cousin’s stance to charge for spells when he feels it appropriate although Cyrus still doesn’t feel that it is a right and proper way for a cleric and deity to behave – even after Andalon explains it again.  Sometimes things just don’t seem right for some reason.

In the mean time, Rook produces a small cooking pot and a packet of herbs that he uses to make up a warming tea, which  helps make the trail-rations you have for dinner more palatable. While Zorah amuses herself, as well as everyone else, as she trains her hedgehog, although some of the positions and postures that she takes looks really strange to the rest of you.

Just as you settle down and Valoria sets up to take the first watch  you become aware of something in the grass about 50feet away from your camp.

"It's a group of small, dark skinned humanoid lizards. That can't be good, can it?" Andalon observed quietly.

He calmly picked up his light crossbow and loaded a bolt.

Zorah follows Andalon's lead and picks up her walking staff as she readies herself in the event the camp needs to be defended.  "Would you like me to try and speak to them?  Or maybe someone else?"  She keeps her voice low so only those nearby can hear.

"Perhaps we had best to leave them alone?" she questions softly, but she too has reached for her bow as she sat by the fire. There was no room for discussion before hand, she felt no relevant need to rehash her views on fee or no fee and she would rather make as few enemies as possible along the way. "They may not necessarily mean harm. " despite her words, she is clearly preparing herself.

"I'd be happy if they moved along without our asking..." Cyrus too readies his weapons, drawing his longsword and shifting his shield into a guarded position. He maintains a neutral stance but is ready to back into a guarded stance should the lizards advance.

Valoria smiled and nodded to her cousin and the group at large. “I think we should try to talk to them. Small humanoid lizards you say? I will try to speak to them in Draconic.” Stepping forward and holding out her empty hands in a friendly manner, Valoria begins to speak in the ancient tongue. “(Draconic)Friends of lizard and dragon kind, I welcome you in good faith to sit by our fire and feast with us.” Then picking up one of her rations and taking some gold coins she continues. “(Draconic)In friendship and in good faith, I offer you a gift of gold and food. I am Valoria of house Lebeda. May I have your names?"


OOC: If they come forward, Valoria will give them one of her rations and 5GP.

There is some soft chittering in the grass before one of the Kobolds, dark green in colour, stand up and takes a few paces towards you.  Its eyes darts from side to side as if it is sizing you up and watching for traps or tricks from you.  Then speaking in  a high pitched chirrupy voice it says [Language unknown: Ie ul Thaastore. Ncany he icutou icpo reckha ol?]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:38, Thu 12 May 2016.