The dry season arrives, slowing the Mighty River’s current to a relative crawl. The four Seekers have had time to travel along and wish each of their tribes farewell, hopefully not for the last time.

The map given to them by the Dawnshore’s shaman--copied from an original onto a scraped animal skin--shows the relative positions of known tribes. The throst territory has been added.
Looking the map over under the thin sunbeams coming through the green canopy, three cardinal directions present themselves.

To the west, past the throst, are mountains which no one has crossed in living memory.

To the south, beyond the jungle, are supposedly lands without trees.

To the north lies the deepest parts of the jungle and the Mighty River’s origins. The area is said to contain a beast of great power.

Right now, everyone is at Irezegab’s tribe’s home on a small island in a lake where the river widens out for over a dozen miles.

The head Shaman of The People, Klabenagab, nods to his protégé Irezagab, indicating that he should open the feast.  The younger man steps forward and begins to beat the gong, knowing just the rhythm to boost the sound until it becomes ear-shattering.  After four fours of beats, he pauses until the echoes die, and then four heartbeats more, while the listeners become eager for a release.

Just as the anticipation becomes almost painful, he speaks, his strong voice carrying to the far corners of the hall.  "Hearken, People, of the tale of Darkwater and Ixotl, heroes, valiant warriors of the lizardfolk, and Grumbling Bear, amazing druid of the skin-walkers, and their battle against the crystal man."  He tells of the poisoned water that threatened the entire tribe.  He speaks of the journey by a group of The People, including Irezagab, in which the vile Throst were weakened, but ultimately the brave band was defeated, and only Irezagab survived.

He explains his hope when a troop from the Bear clan, also investigating the poison, attacked the Throst and was similarly rebuffed, and his unlikely friendship with the irascible Grumbling Bear as they bonded in their captivity.  Finally, he describes the brave assault by the combined forces of the Dawnshore and Broadskull clans, who finally defeated the Throst and released the now-inseparable friends. 

"Just as our ancestors owed great thanks to these lizardfolk, so unlike us and yet so similar in their love of truth and honor and family, I, personally, also owe a debt of gratitude to these fine warriors."  The shaman continues with his tale of how the group of four, along with other brave lizard warriors, continued up the river and finally slew the horrible crystal man and his vile, black tree that was fouling the river.  He describes how terrible the monster was, how many were killed, how his own healing powers were completely spent.  "Sadly, I had to shake my head when Grumbling Bear took a wound I feared was fatal, for I had spent all my magicks and had none left to give him.  Yet he attacked anyway, reckless of his own health, and finally brought down the crystal fiend.  He lay, bleeding, and I bandaged him as well as I could, keeping him alive, only barely.

"Finally, the sun rose, and with the dawn of a new day the spirits brought me the ability to pull him back from death.  He and our friends, Darkwater and Ixotl, and I were the only combatants left alive to greet the sun.  We destroyed the foul tree that poisoned the river and returned here, glorious and healthy once again."

After leading The People in cheers for Ixotl, Darkwater, and Grumbling Bear, the shaman takes his seat.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:06, Sat 06 Mar 2021.

 The map that Darkwater carries in his lap is an artefact of rare and potent strength, a thing that carries more power than all the chants and weavings of his peoples most capable shaman, a thing more precious than any spell-sung knife or prayer-strengthened coracle. It is knowledge, knowledge of the sort that is only ever taught in song, of the sort that is held only little less secret than the songs that teach the movement of the stars overhead and how they can be used to plot a journey from one place to another, even across land and water that has never been trodden before.

 The original is not portable, cannot be taken... It lies at the very heart of the God-home, the great hall in the heart of the Dawnshore territory... Each stone that represents a people or a place whose spirit is mighty enough to Name brought from that place to signify it in the eyes of the Gods in a journey that was often the work of many months. Each stone is carved with signs and symbols to teach or unlock the songs that tell of the place they hail from, each is set with offerings for the Gods of the people from whose lands they came to welcome there, to their place in the God-home - for the Dawnshore travel far, and it does not do to disrespect the God of a place in doing so.

 The scraped-hide is that of the greatest fangbeast taken that year in the hunt. The pigment that was used to mark it mixed with dirt from each territory in turn. Each mark was lain with song and prayer, to expiate the transgression of copying the image of the God-home.

 But here it is, nonetheless. It must be carried and it must be guarded and most important of all... It must be extended, so that the Gods may have their payment for their mercy and permission.

 Rising, as Irezagab sits the tall Dawnshore hunter raises his voice to be heard "And when we came to the Eversea once again, we were told of our fate. Seekers, we. Once, only Dawnshore were chosen as Seekers, chosen to cross land and water, fire and shade in the search of new land, new people. But Irezagab and Ixotl and Grumbling Bear stood for the People of the River. They faced the unknown in the stead of the Dawnshore Seekers who fell, and in so doing earned their fates. The Gods have spoken, our journey commanded. Come first light, we shall set out, we four. May our journey unite us as the river has united our peoples!"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Sat 06 Mar 2021.

It was difficult at times to ascertain just how much Ioxtl really comprehended all that had gone on.

There were certainly times when he followed along easily, offered sound input or advice, and seemed as engaged in their tasks as he could be. And yet there were other times when his eyes seemed to unfocus, and he stared blankly into the distance inured to all that happened around him. Yet this was not the trance of some healer or wise man, but the unthinking stare of a feral beast.

It was this latter mood that had dominated most of the evening. He ate and drank in great amounts, and he certainly appreciated the music, but he seemed pensive in his own way.

When the speeches started however he seemed to come around, and he listened, and nodded in approval as as Irezagab and Darkwater delivered eloquent and inspiring speeches back to back.

When the cheering and celebration from the last one wound down, and eyes turned questioningly towards him to see if he would speak, he stood and rolled his shoulders.

"I have seen teeth, taken as war trophies..." he began in the silence, to the puzzlement of some in the crowds. "And I have seen scales, and hair as well. Even heads taken in battle." he added in his slow rasping baritone as he looked out, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"But when the rock men see us from far off, and they see that we carry the yellow knife of their people." he raised the bronze sword high above his head, where in glinted orange and red in the glow from the bonfires. "They will know that they are not masters of all lands, and that there are tribes that will stand against them." he raised his other hand to brandish the sword horizontally in both hands.

They. will. know. fear!" he roared out, then snapped his jaw twice loudly enough to be audible over the din before he slowly sank back down to where he had been seated before.

When the old Shaman had declared him to be one of their Seekers Grumbling Bear had every intention to decline.  It was no business of his what lay beyond the borders of known lands.  It may be that, in time, the Wepwawet would migrate there as they followed the herds, but until then his place was with his people.  He had been about to speak when something happened.  A breeze that no one else seemed to notice swirled around the shaman and the bonfires of the celebration flared, sending shadows dancing wildly across the assembled people.  It seemed the spirits had other ideas of where his place was.

And so his return home was brief.  He explained what had happened to the elders, bid his wife and children farewell once more, and called his companion, Baloo, to his side.  The young bear had been restless ever since he was left behind to watch over Grumbling Bear's family.  But now he was called to adventure alongside his dearest friend.

Now Grumbling Bear watched as The People feasted.  At first they were quite put off by his appearance.  He supposed they didn't have the same traditions or understanding when it came to skinwalkers.  But after listening to Irezagab tell the tale of the journies and battles they had shared his appearance seemed to no longer matter.

As the other Seekers each stood to speak only Grumbling Bear remained seated.  He had nothing worthwhile to add.  Not to mention he had to skill with words.  Even when caged alongside Irenzagab he hadn't had much to say at all.  So even when eyes continued down the line past Ixotl Grumbling Bear remained seated.  On the one hand he was a representative of his tribe, but on the other hand it would likely be better for him to appear rude than to open his mouth and be both foolish and rude.

Earlier Grumbling Bear had nodded in appreciation at Irezagab's kind words and now he looked to him again hoping that events would carry on without him needing to speak.

After three of the four Seekers conclude their speeches, each to rousing applause, the crowd turns to look at Grumbling Bear to see if he has words to add.  Irezagab knows that his friend is not comfortable speaking; when their eyes lock for an instant, the skinwalker gives the slightest shake of his head, and Irez realizes that he should step in.

He stands and raises a mug to draw the attention of the crowd.  "My friend Grumbling Bear is a man of action, not of speeches.  However, his companion Baloo," he indicates the large bear behind the druid, has told me a few words to say on his behalf.  He asked me to say..."  The shaman pauses for dramatic effect, and then bellows out with all the strength of his lungs, "'GRRAWWRRRAAAARRRAAAAWWRRR!'"

Irezagab waits for the laughter to die down.  "We thank you, representatives of The People, for this fine meal.  As you know, once we defeated the Crystal Man and his poisonous tree, the Shaman of Eversea named us four as Seekers, a term that carries power with his people, and with ours.  He charged us to extend the knowledge of the lands around us, to find other honorable beings and develop relations with them.  I am glad to join this quest, and I thank you for the gifts you have bestowed to help us on our way.  We leave tomorrow for the unknown, but tonight, we feast!"

The next morning, Irezagab joins with the other Seekers.  His head throbs with the effects of the previous night's alcohol, and he seriously considers using one of his healing potions to diminish the effects.  "So, what direction shall we start?" he asks the others.  "The legends of my tribe say that the land to the south is perpetual ice, but of course, that is not true.  The winters are long and hard, but there is still a summer, there.  I am concerned, though, about the ice giants.  To the west is the end of the world -- it is not clear that those mountains can be crossed, nor that there is anything beyond them.  I would say north, deeper into the jungle.  There will be a greater variety of plants to learn from, and more chance of encountering new friends.  But I will be glad to go along with whatever the group, Darkwater especially, concludes.  As the Keeper of the Map, he should have, I think, the deciding voice in this discussion."

If I don't get a chance to say so before we leave, the last thing I will do as we leave the lands of The People is to cast Guiding Star https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic...pells/g/guiding-star which will give me three days of knowing exactly how far we are from the place I was when I cast it.  Depending on how helpful it is, I'll do this every third day and use that information to help Darkwater keep his map accurate.  I give up Summon Nature’s Ally II for that day to do it, so I only want to do it if it really seems to help.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:22, Sun 07 Mar 2021.

 The words of the bear generate laughter from Darkwater - it's strange, hissing laughter and his jaw hangs open as he produces it, but from one of his kind that's as deep a belly-laugh as any of the skin-folk produce and he happily strikes the shaman on his shoulder as he sits in appreciation, after which he largely gives himself over to the meal before them, the revels that draw them together and the attraction of the sleeping-furs when all is done.

 Come the morning however, he's up with the sun to sing it into the heavens as the Dawnshore prefer to do, letting the first warmth of their patron know that it is cherished by its children and from there he looks to address the questions of the Shaman, taking on a serious, thoughtful tone as he replies "Always, in my furthest journeying I have followed the water. I was hatched upon it, spent my life in travelling it... It is a path where no other can be found, a guide when even the stars hide their faces from us. If we go North, as Irezagab has proposed there will be water to guide us. I speak in favour of his proposal."

Thankfully, Irezagab was able to read Grumbling Bear's intentions and drew the focus away from him.  He was able to relax as Irezagab began to speak but he suddenly had to look at Baloo.  Irezagab said that Baloo had asked him to speak for him.  Irezagab had a powerful connection to the spirits.  Perhaps that was how he was able to speak for-  Oh.  It was a joke.  He smiled as the gathered people laughed.  Irezagab certainly had a way with people.

Grumbling Bear might not have had a way with people, but he certainly had a way with food.  When the feasting began Grumbling Bear participated with the enthusiasm of three men.  Soft spoken or not, both he and Baloo left a trail of destruction in the assembled food.

The next day, true to his name, Grumbling Bear slept late and sounded decidedly grumpy when he was finally woken up.  His head was clear by the time the Seekers gathered to discuss their first step into the wilderness.  Irezagab laid out their options and Darkwater proposed a route.

"Animals return to familiar grounds.  This is their wisdom.  They are strongest in lands they know.  We are the same.  We know the river.  We know the jungle.  We will be safest and strongest there.  Best to face unknown enemies in known lands."

Grumbling Bear spoke in short, stuttering sentences, and, upon finishing, looked fatigued.

Now comes the morning of departure. Each of the Seekers---except Grumbling Bear--has a chance to see the sun’s new splendor. Perhaps some of them wonder how many mornings they will see. Irezagab calls forth a briefly sparkling light that settles to the earth. Irezagab can feel the mystic tendrils to that one spot of ground, now.

Planning to set out north, Darkwater consults his precious map, even though he knows what lies there. At least it will be a favorable start. He has travelled into their territory three times already but knows not what lies beyond.

Whether they would share such information, or for that matter whether they would welcome his three new companions, he was unsure.

Darkwater waits until some of Irezagab’s tribe have piloted them all across to the northeastern shore of the river, to tell the others what he knows of the tribe that calls itself “gnoll.”

From his description of hulking, furred humanoids with faces like dogs but only with feral grins, Irezagab and Grumbling Bear have both heard of them. Only what they have heard is not as favorable. Other, completely migrant human tribes have described them as slavers, who take humans prisoner rather than slay them. The taking of freedom seems more cruelty than kindness.

After three days travel north, the river narrows down to less than a mile and tumbles fiercely over rocks. The rubble of stone covers the shores, too, providing a climb that is not steep but does have treacherous footing.

if you wish to cast another Guiding Light here, you can

At last, that afternoon, the Seekers arrive at the southern edge of the gnoll’s territory. The canopy lurks lower than elsewhere, perhaps only forty feet. A fallen tree exposes a sunlit glade. Tracks neither lizardfolk not human mark the moist ground in places.

I was going to have everyone roll Survival tracking to see if you can determine where the nearby gnolls are before they find you first. You have had to beat a 13. ok, one of you should hit that, so to continue…

The tracks of four bipedal creatures with pug-like padded feet lead to the north: two large and too small. The tracks are mere hours old.

you can either keep following the river north right behind there 4 or go NE to avoid them, but go deeper into the territory. either case, now you can really make survival checks (normal ones, not tracking) as you go one way or the other. remember, you all don't have to have a full discussion at every turn. anyone can choose, if they want to.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:11, Tue 09 Mar 2021.

 The Gnollfolk dwell - according to Darkwater - amongst the forested hills out of which some branches of the great river begin, and they are a strange and dangerous people. Their neighbours are the jungle-folk - the Vanara - and they have long believed the Gnolls to be as much spirit as flesh, their unnatural cackling amidst the trees a sign of a death to come or ill fortune hunting.

 His own experiences among them began when he drank Vanara fire-brew and made certain boasts, which led to him going into their territory and establishing a friendship with one of their hunting packs (a friendship he seems slightly hesitant about detailing too extensively, although his crest goes up a little and he seems a touch shifty about the matter). Even though he has a good grasp of their language by now however, and a number of packs have traded furs and polished stone for lowland goods, he's quick to warn that there are still dangerous individuals amongst them with a taste for the flesh of outsiders.

 He looks a bit shifty at that point too, truth be told and whatever he's being shifty about is enough to distract him rather badly, it would seem.

 ---

00:20, Today: Darkwater rolled 10 using 1d20+9.  Survival.

 First roll of the game, natural one. A fantastic start. ^_^

My Survival skill is 12, so I am automatic to beat 13.  In PF a roll of 1 on a skill roll is not guaranteed failure, so if your skill is high enough that a 1 succeeds, you don't even roll.

Irezagab notices that Darkwater's mind is wandering, clearly concerned about something that he hasn't shared, and he is about to step on some fresh tracks.  "Darkwater, stop!" he calls out.  "Sorry.  I didn't mean to sound so harsh.  You were about to step on these," he says, pointing out the footprints in the patch of soft earth.

"Of course, The People know about the gnolls, them being so close to our own territory.  However, our attempts to trade with them have never been successful.  We have ended up with a hostile peace, where we stay out of their land; they stay out of ours.  Our only hope of traveling through their land without being attacked is to approach them openly, offer a gift, and ask to be allowed through."  The shaman lays down his longspear, faces the direction the tracks were headed, holds out both hands to show they are empty, and calls out, "We are Seekers, traveling in peace."  He hopes that such an unusual group will pique their curiosity enough that they look to talk rather than just attacking.

Assuming that you followed the tracks beside the river for a little ways before announcing yourself, since the original tracks were hours old.

Not more than a minute after Irezegab gives his greeting, four creatures step out from behind the tree-trunks to the north. Though tall, they hunch over, with black spots mottling their brown fur. One carries a flint axe and a shield, the two smaller one carry crude bows, and the largest one -- somewhat over seven feet tall -- grips a long, two-handed spear.

In a language that sounds more like a series of barks and growls, the obvious leader of the band says, "What are you doing in our lands, slivok?"

Darkwater understands perfectly (even the slur for lizardfolk), but everyone gets the gist of it. They do not seem pleased but are not overtly threatening.

Darkwater, assuming you want to make them friendlier and since you speak the language, you might converse with them how you want and roll a Diplomacy check.

Everyone can make a Perception check, along with however you decide to contribute to the situation.

 "I have had greater fortune... Perhaps they could smell the fire-brew, or perhaps it's simply the training I had as a Dawnshore. I know how to make many people at least know what I wish of them, even if we do not speak a language in common." Darkwater answers, eyeing Irezagab with the sort of vast patience that says more eloquently than words, 'I know', although if he was going to say anything else then he's stymied by the arrival of the four newcomers, towards who he turns as he too shows his hands to be empty of anything but claws, letting them get their fill of seeing him before he takes a pace forwards and barks and snaps back at them in a growling, harsh-edged yipping tongue.

 "We do not trespass lightly, hunt-mother. We are people of many tribes, who fought the poison-tree on the Great River together." he begins, indicating each of those with him in turn and speaking their names "They are Grumbling Brown One, Irezagab and Ixotl. I am Darkwater, who has traded with Shadda of the Hunting People. We look to learn the lands around us, so that another poison-tree will not rise unseen. We seek friends and allies amongst the other People."

 ---

 Diplomacy: 17.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:06, Wed 10 Mar 2021.

The Wepwawet had few interactions with the gnoll tribes and each one always ended in bloodshed.  The migratory nature of the Wepwawet made them an easier target for the beastly hunters and slavers and though infrequent, it was not uncommon for scouts or hunters to not return when traveling near gnoll territory.  Grumbling Bear had never seen one himself but he looked forward to the opportunity to get a little payback on behalf of his tribe.

When the tracks were sighted he eagerly offered his wisdom and expertise when it came to tracking and moving through the wilderness.  The other Seekers would notice that the jungle almost seemed to part to allow him passage.  Twigs did not catch on him, vines and roots did not stumbling him, and thorns and brambles seemed to bend to not tough him.  Not even the soft earth beneath him left a trace despite his impressive height and weight.

Unfortunately, it seemed that diplomacy was going to be the first plan they tried.  Grumbling Bear was a little disappointed to say the least and he tried to keep the open hostility out of his expression.  13 Bluff to hide hostility.  Baloo, on the other hand, had no such ability to hide hostility and, upon sensing Grumbling Bear's hostility his hackles rose and began making warning sounds.

"Down," came the sharp command from Grumbling Bear and Baloo obeyed, though confused.  The others were trying to resolve things peacefully and Grumbling Bear did not want to cause trouble despite his personal thoughts on the matter about how satisfying it would be to tear out the throat of the big one.  The wisdom of the bear was a double edged sword because sometimes it said that threats needed to be eliminated.  Grumbling Bear could be patient for the sake of the others.