The elf busies herself laying out what food she had managed to gather as they had traversed the wilderness, a selection of fruits, roots and vegetables.

There is enough to feed six, as though she had figured they'd find the bard.

"Ingredients for a modest meal but it will suffice. The Rimewood is not as generous as my home was, but there is still enough."

OOC: Wanderer feature means food and water for myself and 5 others assuming the environment allows. I presume our resident Ranger might do the same and scare us up something non-vegan :P

Izayah looked at Tiria, looking surprised. "Oh...you wanna hunt?" He smiled and looked nervous. "I usually just eat rations, 'less we get attacked by somethin' we have t'kill an' can eat. Huntin's dang'rous in the wood."

He had stopped, hand halfway in to his backpack, doubtless pulling out a ration. Or maybe his bedroll.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:27, Fri 11 June 2021.

Tiria smiles and shakes her head, "I have enough foraged here for all of us today. If you do get a chance to catch a rabbit or fowl every couple of days then I do prefer more of a mixed diet, otherwise I get tired and weak."

She looks to the druid briefly then back to Izayah, "Some days we are the prey and some days we are the predator, that is the natural cycle. The wood will provide and we will take only what we need."

Radagast held his hands up to the fire to warm them then turned his back toward the flame to warm the blanket around his shoulders. Once some time had passed he pulled some roots and berries of his own out of the small camouflaged pack he had carried with him. He went around to each in the group as he offered a root and some berries to each. "It's not much, but should make for a filling meal with the rest of what has been gathered. I hope you each enjoy."

Irsoneic was not a picky eater. He preferred meat to plants, but food was food, and he was happy to accept whatever was offered so long as it was actually edible. "We thank you."

Elisar accepted the offering of food and added it to the trail rations he had settled down to eat. He eyed the root, not quite sure what it was, and decided to save it for later. He popped a Berry in his mouth and chomped down on it. It was sweet and juicy. And served well to counter the bland dried biscuits and cured meats that made up the rest of his dinner.

As he tucked into his meal he looked over at Radagast. “So, Radagast, do you live out here on your lonesome, or do you have family, or, err, a tribe out here?” He was unfamiliar with the lifestyles of these rural communities, but they fascinated him in their bonds of complexity.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:36, Sat 03 July 2021.

Izayah thanked Tiria and the strange companion for their contributions to the meal. He gave a nod to her, and said "I'll keep an eye out. I always do." He was referring to both something edible to hunt but also just in general.

He glanced at Elisar when the question was asked. It was a valid question. Izayah himself was interested in the answer, looking at their guest.

"No, no family or tribe. I live here in the Rimewood alone protecting what plants and animals I can. I scavenge what I can to survive and I make do. I really don't interfere with anything unless I'm needed, otherwise I keep my distance and let the environment thrive. Though, from time to time I do run into some nasty things that are best to avoid entirely." Radagast nibbled on a root he had and seemed to enjoy it's taste.

Tiria nods along as the halfling speaks, "I see, do you have everything you need out here? If there is anything we could get for you from town please let us know. Tools perhaps."

She looks out into the wilderness almost wistfully, "I hope this man we're looking for had the sense to avoid those nasty things as well..."

Elisar nodded along in response as Radagast spoke. "Well, we have come from Smith's Gambit, a young town over that way." He gestured vaguely in the direction they had come from, but couldn't be exactly certain. Navigation wasn't really his strong point, especially out in the wilds. Hopefully his generic wave had been enough. "There are traders there buying and selling all manner of things, and I'm sure you could trade wild herbs and suchlike to buy whatever you might need, or just fancied some company while enjoying an ale or two by the fire."

He took a bite of dried meat and chewed for a moment, then washed it down with his waterskin. "We have encountered other communities out here; mostly friendly but some, well... err, not so much. We are looking for a fellow who ventured out this way, goes by the name of Finnious Finestar. A skinny chap about my height, grey-haired with a big nose. He was heading towards... what were they called now? Ah yes! He was heading towards the Columns of the Land, whatever they may be. Does any of this ring a bell in your good head, sir?"

He offered forth a small pouch of dried berries and nuts from his daily provisions, inviting Radagast to take a handful.

Izayah looked over and smirked a bit at the bard as Elisar spoke up. His friend seemed to have things well in hand, talking about the right things and asking the right questions. He set back and listened but kept eating instead of talking for the moment.

To Tiria he responded, "Thank you for your offer, but the forest provides what I need."

Radagast then turned his attention to Elisar and listened carefully. Once Elisar finished Radagast spoke, "I will keep your town in mind." Radagast accepted a small handful of berries from Elisar. "Thank you. As for your friend I'm afraid I haven't seen him, but I did find tracks of a human a few days ago. Perhaps they belong to him. Either way he has a head start over you lot, but you think you know where he is going, eh?" Radagast rubbed his chin as he thought for a moment. "I'm not familiar with the names you town's folk have come up with for different parts of the Rimewood, but Columns of the Land sounds like something that would be very tall, don't you think?"

"His tracks, but no others with him?"

Izayah started to say that the person wasn't really a friend, but waved it off mentally. It didn't matter. He made a slow nod. "I think that might be about right for timin'." He smiled at Radagast. "Thanks for the information."

Elisar nodded as Radagast spoke. "Tracks? That is a start. Perhaps you could show my friend Izayah here where they were. He is good at that kind of thing, certainly better than a humble minstrel such as myself."

He rubbed his chin in thought. "Tall? Yes, we thought so too. Maybe mountains or suchlike, or some very tall trees maybe. Do you know of anything significantly tall in the direction the tracks were heading?"

Tusk chews his foraged supper without speaking, simply listening to the others. Finally, as he finishes eating, he speaks up.

"I recall that our friend, Jessop, clarified that Finnious likely meant 'Pillar of the World', if that name has more significance to you."

Tiria gently jerks a thumb towards Tusk and nods her agreement.

"I'm afraid it still doesn't, but the most notable, tall, thing in that direction, however, is the Feather Tree. Though I could see someone naming it such a thing as "Pillar of the World" it is quite tall."

Izayah shook his head and smiled, letting out a small chuckle. "It's alright, friend. You don't gotta know EVERY destination an' place in the Rimewood." He gave kind of a half-shrug. "We got an idea where we're headed, so no worries."

He took a pull from his waterskin.

Tira scratches her temple lightly, "If you can tell us which way to the Feather Tree that will only leave avoiding those nasty things you mentioned."

"Certainly, less than a day Northwest of here." Radagast answered promptly.

Tusk stands up abruptly after finishing his meal, and sets about preparing his tent for the night. When that is complete, he seems to remember a few manners and heads back to the group.

"Thank you, Radagast, for your assistance."

He settles back down by the fire with the others.

"Anyone have a particular Watch shift that they prefer?"

Tiria smiles at Tusk's question, "As long as I can stay warm, I can watch all night. Though it is best if there is always at least one other awake with me."

OOC: Tiria's Trance means she is aware of her surroundings while she rests but her passive perception isn't all that crash hot. I suggest you each take a 2 hour shift on watch as well.

Izayah yawned and then smiled. "I'm fine with the dead o'night. Got no problem with the dark." He glanced at Tiria and chuckled. "Nor a problem partnerin' with you."

He laid down. "Gonna get some shuteye now tho. Wake me when it's my watch."

Tusk nods in acceptance of Tears' offer.

"An extra set of eyes is always appreciated. See you then."

As he gets up to head to his tent, he calls to Izayah.

"I'm no stranger to pre-dawn operations. Wake me after your shift if you don't mind.