You being your adventure with the sun shining brightly and not a rain cloud in the sky. You leave town with the horses you acquired through the villages who were willing to help you. During your trek and before you ever hit the Darkmoon vale (the forest area) you ride as fast as you can making excellent time at the start of the adventure.

During around mid morning when the sun is reaching higher and higher you take shade under some near by trees a little off the road to rest and gain some energy bak.

You hear the strange sound of a buzzing coming from near by trees that are off in the distance. Then out of the trees come giant mosquitos that are coming at you.

OOC: Make a notice roll if you succeed you can act the first round of combat if not then you are essentially surprised that first round.

Sigrun looks up as the buzzing noise increases in volume. In the distance it's hard to see -- are those insects the size of birds or the size of dogs? Whatever they are, they seem to be coming closer!

16:20, Today: Sigrun Goll rolled 5,7 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+1)7.  Notice giant mosquitos.

Hearing the buzzing, Camara looks and spots the incoming mosquitoes of unusual size. She yells, "Ready yourselves. The fauna attack!"

[OOC: Camara rolled 14 using 2d6, keeping the highest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+6+2)14.  Notice.

Camara definitely notices the normal size unofficial Arkansas State Birds coming at the group.]

Serafina would surely manage to orient herself to the threat, she hoped.

16:46, Today: Serafina rolled 7,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+1)7,5.  The Most Important Skill in the Game, Notice.

OOC: Serafina, Camara and Sigrun you all pass. I want to give one more day before I update the post. Everyone who doesn't post will be surprised by default. I'll draw cards now to speed up the process.

16:59, Today: Eternal Darkness drew the 7 cards: JH, AS, 4H, 10H, KH, 6S, 4C using a deck of 54 cards. I'll sort the cards shortly. Enemies are last card on the list.

Menzar welcomed the cool shade of the trees. Not that he minded being out in the weather, it was just sitting on the back end of course for hours without needing to do anything other than sit, wore on the gnome.

He slid off the horse as the others seemed to be focused on the trees. "Am I missing something..."

---

OOC: 18:50, Today: Menzar the Badger rolled 5,4 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4.  notice, big A mosquitos.

Jackdaw was used to be being a bit wary when not in civilization, though he was usually on his own, so there were less...distractions...like some of the traveling companions. The trip wasn't strenuous so far, but it was still nice to be able to take a few moments to relax in nice shade for a bit.

11:12, Today: Jackdaw rolled 3,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Notice check.

OOC: You all succeed at your notice rolls. Morton is the only one shocked by the creatures.

1. Serafina
2. Camara
3. Jackdaw
4. Morton (surprised)
5. Sigrun
6. Menzar
7. Creatures

Since these are common creatures I don't mind telling you:
Parry 5, Toughness 4, 12 total creatures.


IC: As the creatures break through the trees you can see they are flocking to you. A dozen of these giant mosquitos head your way but luckily the day has been kind and your senses are alert to the creatures movement giving you time to prepare.

Morton on the other hand is caught of guard as his horse steers too close to the edge of the forest away from the group itself. He looks up from a book but not in time to prepare for the swarm.

Sigrun quickly grasps her holy symbol, the hammer pendant around her neck, and prays to her god as she slips off of her horse.

"Mighty Torag whose will rules all things. I beg your Protection for my companions and myself from these foul creatures."

OOC: Protection for every one of her companions within range (Sm = 6) Don't know if Morton has wandered away too far, but I'm going to assume he's covered too.) The cost here will be 1 PP for the base spell, plus 5 PP for each of her companions. NOTE: It is unclear to me from the description if I need only assign 1 more PP to the More Armor Modifier for all of us to get the additional +2, or if it requires +1 for each person Protected. I'll let the GM rule on that.

10:33, Today: Sigrun Goll rolled 15,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+6+3)15,5.  Protection of Torag for all.

A pearlescent glow surrounds the cleric and her companions as the blessing of Torag descends upon them

OOC: Whoo hoo! The Raise adds +2 to the Protection
This message was last edited by the player at 17:22, Fri 29 Oct 2021.

Realizing that she cannot fight effectively on horseback, Camara performs a near vault off the horse with her staff and readies herself for the incoming insects.

[OOC: Camara rolled 2,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5.  Athletics for quick dismount from horse.]

Serafina saw a mess, and knew these were creatures that weren't going to respond to entreaties, except maybe from some kind of insect druid and she didn't want to meet an insect druid, that sounded gross.

She dismounted the animal, which was not barded or trained for this, and ran in to face them.

All right, I'm going to be doing this a lot until we get Seasoned Rank and I can access a LOT more Edges lol

But let's use Martial Flexibility for Sweep.

She can reach them, so Serafina takes a big crazy Wild Attack swing!

20:14, Today: Serafina rolled 3,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Fighting - Wild Attack Sweep.

Ugh.  Well that's how it goes sometimes.

Since they were resting, and he wasn't the most experienced rider, Jackdaw wasn't on his horse when the..."attack"...came. He turned towards the sound, drawing his battleaxe as he did so. He let out a growl that quickly ramped up in to a roar of rage as he rushed forward. "RRRAAAAGGGGHHHH!"

OOC: Free action to draw weapon.
Movement to the bad bugs.
Limited Free Action: Rage!
Action: Attack! 7 to hit, 9 damage.

11:58, Today: Jackdaw rolled 5,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4.  Fighting - Wild Attaaaaaack! (+2 to total).
11:59, Today: Jackdaw rolled 9 using 2d8+2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Battleaxe Damage.

Seeing the mosquitos coming their way and Jackdaw running towards the insects, Menzar raises his bow. Knocking, drawing, and loosing the arrow with practiced precision but the gnome's shot went wide.

---

OOC:
19:14, Today: Menzar the Badger rolled 1,3 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3.  shooting mosquitos, Parry 4.

Spend a bennie to be unsurprised


Morton dropped his book and slid off his horse. Lady was already hissing at the incoming creatures as he pulled forth his eldritch energy and let fly with a battery of cobolt blue lightning



10:26, Today: Morton Slumber rolled 6,3 using D8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3.  Spellcasting.

Two points for burst spell +2 points for extra damage cone effect all creatures take 3d6 damage

10:29, Today: Morton Slumber rolled 18 using 3d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5,(6+4)10.  Damage.

Two of the creatures head towards Jackdaw as he slices through the creatures one lands on the ground with a thud as guts spill everywhere.

Three of the creatures head towards Morton sensing an easy meal and are instantly blown away by his eldritch energy leaving only tiny bits of the creatures.

As the team swings and shoots wildly at the creatures two drop on Menzar looking for food. One attacks Serafina and another two attack Camara.

05:45, Today: Eternal Darkness rolled 5,4,5,1,5,3 using d6,d6,d6,d6,d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4,5,1,5,3.  Mosquito bites against each hero.

Several of the creatures latch on to Menzar, Srafina, and Camara but when the Mosquito tries to bite they are blocked with the shield that Sigrun casts on the party making it impossible to bite down.

----

Round 2:

11:07, Today: Eternal Darkness drew the 7 cards: 5H, 2C, 2H, 4D, 9C, 8H, 9D using a deck of 54 cards.  Round 2.

1. Mosquito(8) -9d
2. Serafina - 9c
3. Sigrun - 8h
4. Camara - 5h
5. Morton - 4d
6. Menzer - 2H
7. Jackdaw- 2C

The creatures who are attached to each person break off from the heroes. Each of you get a free attack roll against these three creatures in addition to your normal roll. The other creatures move away from the rest making a rush towards the near by forest. It seems they are no longer interested in the group after seeing what has happened from the rest of the swarm (5) move away.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:50, Mon 01 Nov 2021.

Sigrun swings at the gigantic pests with her hammer, but only one blow connects -- for significant effect!

15:01, Today: Sigrun Goll rolled 5,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Attack giant mosquito - normal roll.

15:02, Today: Sigrun Goll rolled 3,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1.  Attack giant mosquitos -- free attack.

15:04, Today: Sigrun Goll rolled 21,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+6+6+3)21,1.  Attack with warhammer -- total of 22 HP -- bit of a waste on the bug

OOC: She can't protect everyone more than once a day though. The Power Point cost is high.

PS: Any ruling on the extra PP to provide +2 protection -- just once, or for every creature protected?

Hit, on the nose - 18:32, Today: Serafina rolled 2,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5.  Fighting - Mosquito Withdraw from Close Combat.

13 damage -
18:33, Today: Serafina rolled 6,7 using d8,d8, rerolling max with rolls of 6,7.  Damage.

Serafina's close in opponent promptly withdrew thanks to that powerful magic, and she pressed the advantage, cutting in close and quick, taking several juicy chunks off the monster mosquito.

She hoped to do better though, these things were a menace.  She chased them down and swung powerfully.

Second verse same as the first!

18:35, Today: Serafina rolled 2,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4.  Fighting - Wild Attack Sweep.

Wow.  Well it is what it is.

Jackdaw let out another roar, albeit not quite as loud as the one before, and swung his battleaxe at the one that had been attacking him and now tried to flee. "No! You do not flee! Yoo die!" He swung in what almost looked like an armed uppercut at the creature.

20:07, Today: Jackdaw rolled 6,9 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,(6+3)9.  Fighting - Wild Attack! (+2 to total) vs fleeing bug.
20:09, Today: Jackdaw rolled 6,4 using 2d8+2,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2,4.  Damage vs fleeing bug.

Camara does a quick spin and step to put some distance between herself and the insects and then a second spin with an extended leg with the intent of smashing one with her heel.

[OOC: Camara rolled 4 using 2d6+1, keeping the highest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3.  Fighting unarmed.

Camara rolled 6 using d6+d4, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1.  Kick damage.

Damage included even though I'm fairly certain that was a miss.]

Morton turns towards the fleeing creatures his eyes blaze brightly and the trees at the edge of the forest sway as if in a breeze as the creatures fly under their cover branches fly out grasping at them


07:57, Today: Morton Slumber rolled 7,17 using D8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,(6+6+5)17.  Spellcasting

Spend 2 points for entangle and 4 points for deadly damage 2d6 +2 points area effect

Can the spell attack multiple targets due to the rise (rolled 17 to hit)

08:00, Today: Morton Slumber rolled 11 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+4)10.


This message was last edited by the player at 15:38, Tue 02 Nov 2021.

Momentarily shaken from nearly being lifted off his feet by the mosquitos, Menzar recovered and planted his feet. With a deft, fluid movement the gnome skewered one of the insects that had landed on him. "Ha!" Turning, he followed that shot by pinning a second mosquito to a tree.

---

OOC:
Free Attack: 8 for 15 damage
Attack: 11 for 17 damage

06:46, Today: Menzar the Badger rolled 2,11 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+5)11.  shoot another fleeing mosquito.
06:45, Today: Menzar the Badger rolled 3,8 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+2)8.  parting shot..

06:48, Today: Menzar the Badger rolled 8,9 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8,(6+3)9.  damage 2.
06:48, Today: Menzar the Badger rolled 5,10 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+4)10.  damage 1.

Thats more like it! Wild die for the win!

OOC: Morton, you would have to spend another two points otherwise it's a single target.

Area of Effect
[+2/+3):
For +2 points the
power affects everyone in a Medium Blast
Template. For +3 points the area of effect is
increased to a Large Blast Template or use
the Stream Template

In reply to Eternal Darkness (msg # 22):



OK added 2 points for area effect..... What can I get for my rise? Could I get an extra 1d6 damage

OOC: The raise changes them from entangled to bound which is better. They are technically vulnerable right now and can only try to escape but at this point it's over kill, read below.

IC: Four of the creatures meet their ends at the hands of the heroes. The others try to escape but you watch in horror as vines from the ground seemingly reach up and grab the creatures dragging them to the ground. As you get closer you can see the vines wrapping around organs of the creatures as heads and appendages snap under the strength of the vines and roots. Most of them let out a horrible insect like scream before dying.

Morton watched with cold eyes as he felt his powers drain the life out of the creatures his vines crushed.

When all was still he blinked looked down at Lady who was watching him with unblinking eyes and patting her scaly head bent  and picked up the book he had dropped.

Dusting it off he placed it in his saddle bag  then looked at the others " well that was interesting" he said before walking his horse away from the forest edge to allow it to graze for a while conscious he'd displayed a major use of his powers to the others.

"Interesting is not the word I'd use... but I am glad they cannot menace other travelers.  Well done all... we don't seem to have suffered any casualties other than hurt pride."  She mused, returning to her horse to calm and soothe the animal a bit before remounting.

Camara looks at the remains of the most intact mosquito and takes out her journal to make notes and do a simple sketch. She asks of no one in particular, "Are these mosquitos of unusual size common in this area?"

OOC: Oh, good question. I won't make anyone roll for that because it's such common knowledge.

You are aware that the area you are in The Darkmoon vale is known for all manner of creature from big to small. Many people do not travel far from villages for this very reason and many of the Lumber Consortium workers have known to meet their ends doing this line of work.

Invigorated from making his last two shots, Menzar followed the fleeing insects, "Thats right! Don't you come round me again or...

"Auh...

"Darkmoon Vale... I think we may need to adjust our schedule for this excursion. How much further to the lumber camp?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:32, Thu 04 Nov 2021.

OCC: The lumber Consortium is another few hours away. If no one has objections I'll move the story along.

IC: After resting a bit after the fight that just took place. You start the journey back to the Lumber Consortium. The rest of the trip is rather uneventful and filled with nice scenery that gives you a dull sense that eyes are watching you from the Darkmoon vale forest. However, you never see anything short of the normal forest animals.

When you arrive at the Lumber Consortium you can't miss it. The Lumber Consortium Camp cuts an ugly scar of stumps into a dense stand of proud darkwoodtrees. Five sturdy-looking log buildings—seemingly a bunkhouse, meal hall, office, barn, and smithy—stand with numerous wide carts and sleds amid the sawdust-covered clearing.

The young elf sighs, "It's amazing what humans define as progress."

"It's not progress," agrees Sigrun. "It's profit. Too many humans worship money and will sacrifice everything to get it.

"Torag teaches us that a simple life lived in harmony with the natural world is the path to true spiritual progress. Just being around this level of destruction," she nods at the field of stumps, "is bound to warp the soul."

She looks around the camp for obvious signs of someone in charge. Barring that she will suggest they try the office building.

"Agreed, Little One. Yet they seem to be the ones growing stronger and stronger. Certainly more plentiful!

"Anyway, lets find this Milton and be done with this place."

Morton leaned over " please these people sadly are my people..... Humans have the capacity to create and destroy but I cannot apologize for the whole human race.... Just look at me I can create and destroy with but a click of my finger..... God I hate humans" he added with a sly smile playing on his lips

"Where do you all buy your horses?  I should like to ride a beast so tall.  This is civilization, this is food in otherwise empty bellies.  I do not live but that the flower and the fowl die for me.

"This is toil by bloody, calloused hands, driven by minds desperate for survival and innovation.  There is nothing more honest than this.  What you call profit I call the means by which children may be reared, and the leisure to find better ways may be found.  Spend a year as one of these people and then judge their labors."

Serafina harumphed.  "But no one cares about that.  Let us find this Milton indeed."

As you walk through you find a number of people in the lumber yard yacking about different things. Most of the people working in the lumber yard look like they work hard since their faces and hands are scared with all manner of old wounds.

The men take notice to the group but none really come to ask questions rather allowing you to move about the yard. As you make you way towards a building that closer to a towering structure, one man stops you.

"eh, You lot. Who are you? Are here to work?" says the gruff big man obviously bigger than most of the group with the exception of Jackdaw.

Serafina was quick to answer.  "Not in the way that is practiced here, but we are carrying out a job.  May we speak to Milton please?"

The man leans in towards Serafina. He gives her an eyeballing before he gets uncomfortably close.

"Who's asking for Milton? If ya could tip me a coin I could possibly tell you if he is here or not."

Camara cannot hide her indignation or contempt for this man that helps destroy the land and puts greed above things that will bring spiritual enlightenment.

She says, "You help rape the land and now ask for coin to tell us who Milton is all while there is a plague ravaging the town of Falcon's Hollow? You will never achieve enlightenment and are a pox upon existence!"

[OOC: Camara rolled 1,1 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,1.  Persuasion.

So much for Persuasion.]

"here " stated Morton flipping a coin through the air at the man " we have very little time to play silly buggers so be a good man and tell us where we can find Milton or I might let Lady here eat you" He added as Lady came round from behind him and gave the man a look that said lunch time

The man snapped the coin from the air from Morton before turning to the lady.

"We got no business with you my dear. Unless you want a little fun with da boys." The man says to Camara as a small crowd gathers.

When the lizard comes from behind Morton. The man laughs. "Blood hell. Boys this man has some kind of lizard."

The man eyes the coin and points. Head that way, into the main office and you will find Morton. He is pointing to a completely different office than the direction you were currently going.

"No.  Don't you dare keep that coin.  You-"  She looked at Morton.  "-shouldn't pay him and you-"  She looked at the stranger.  "Shouldn't ask for it, especially not when you are asked politely.  Have you no shame.  I regret ever speaking up for your right to earn a living if this is how you conduct yourself!  Now if you have any self respect, pretend you didn't just embarrass yourself, return that coin and answer the question like a reasonable adult."

lol so I'd prefer to roll Persuasion because it's better, but Serafina's pissed off after that.

14:25, Today: Serafina rolled 5,11 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+5)11.  Intimidate.

The men in the lumber yard seem to back at Serafina's speech. The main man seems to puff his chest.

"You'll get no coin from me ya witch. You're the one who comes into our camp and proceed to lookin' for Morton. Might want to explain your business here ma' lady."

OOC: You can tell with your raise that this man is the one who is the "head" of the snake so to speak. The rest of the grunts behind him seem to feed off his emotions.

Serafina didn't blink or hesitate with her response.

"I want none of your undeserved graft.  We are here because there is a dire emergency, and there's no time to waste.  We need directions to sites to recover reagents for Laurel.  There is an epidemic, and it needs to be brought until control quickly."

morton could see this getting out of hand and felt his eldritch energy itching behind his eyes. He held it in check for the time being but if the man went for his companion he readied the vines that were still under the earth beneath their feet to spring up and snare the thug the moment he made a move

Menzar surveyed the scene with a detached calm. He wasn't overly connected to this ragtag group he found himself a part of-- but this loud logger was out too line.


"Pfff! Like your lot would know fun if it didn't have hooves!"

The man looks at the rag tag group and gives a snuff.

"I already told ya. He's over there." the man points towards the building.

"Come on ya lot, we have work. Back to work!" the man commands.

The men behind him appear to start picking up their gear and going back to work.

lol oh I was confused who we were talking to.  It's fine though it still works.

Serafina was past done with this lot and steered her trusty stead to the indicated location.  She hoped this Milton was more steady than his workers, who she was already beginning to forget about.

You walk past most of the lumber yard into a small cramped office that is obviously too small but a Dwarf finds himself at home behind a desk. He has glasses on and barely looks up when you enter. All around him is paperwork and tons of things thrown about.

It appears to be plans of the sorts which lead you to believe this man maybe the project manager.

"Yes, yes. I heard all that squabbling. Milton will be down shortly. You'll have to pardon the mess and the manners of these people, a lot of them are mercenaries of the sort out to make extra coin. Most of them will likely die." the dwarf gives no expression on his face for their loss.

As the group moves from the rowdy bunch of lumberjacks, Camara says, "I apologize. That was not very enlightened of me."

"I didn't realize that cutting down trees what that dangerous," says Sigrun. "Or maybe all the bugs are as big as the mosquitoes? I'd hate to run into a wolf spider at the same scale."

She also wonders where Milton is coming down from. The hut looks too small to have much of an upstairs section.

No matter. They are here and she is happy to be off the horse. Her backside is sore from riding for hours, and she walks around a bit to ease her discomfort.

The dwarf looks a Sigrun with a clever look, "Not from these parts I am guessing?"

The Dwarf shuffles some paper and then you hear a knocking as someone is coming down the stairs. The dwarf doesn't stop what he is doing but instead continues to work.

He points without looking up and start heading to another room, "Milton" he says as he leaves the room.

"I hear you are looking for me?" says Milton.

Finally. Serafina thought it odd mercenaries were here, either this place was very violent, or the world was so peaceful sellswords had to find other employment now.

"If you are the good master Milton, we indeed seek you.  I apologize for my atrocious manners, but we are in haste.  I am Serafina, and I shall let the rest introduce themselves in the interest of expediency.  We have come from Falcon's Hollow on a matter of importance, and are told you are familiar with this wood."

Camara takes out her journal and vial of ink which she holds in one hand and a quill in the other and adds, "We were informed you can provide the location of the witch Ulizmila."

With a nod of his head to the dwarf, "Cousin," Menzar found a spot near the door. From there he surveyed the camp as they waited fo Milton.

As the others asked their questions the gnome waited for his turn, "And any guidance you can give for the fastest path between the witch, the tree, and the mine."

Milton puffs his chest a little bit. Under his brown beard you can see him smirk a bit.

"I am." he says to Serafina. He turns toward Camara. "The witches' hut? You dare to seek that haunted location...what in the gods names would force you there?"

He walks around the room and towards where the Dwarf was sitting and leans against a stack of something in the corner with his arms crossed.

"Aye. I can offer you the fastest path that I know but I am still curious what is happening?"

"there is a plague upon the town and many are stricken and dying. We have been tasked in seeking the cure ...the witches hut might hold something that will aid us in our quest" Morton replied with a slight smile" and as for haunted well I'll deal with that if the need arises" He added

"By the gods. My nephew is from that town. Has he befallen the plague?"

Milton walks over to the group and plots a map for you.

OOC: Depending on the path you take. Will depend on where you go next. If you are curving around the river and not going through it then you will hit Forest Eldar tree first that can be done and you can arrive around dusk but you'll need to go through Darkmoon Vale Forest and no clue what you will run into.

If you go across the river you can save sometime barring if you don't run into anything on the river itself and can make a raft of some sort that can hold the party with the horses (a rather lofty feat that might take more time to make the raft than just walking)

on the Map the Forest Eldar is C
On the map the hags hollow is D

Camara shakes her head at Milton's question, "We do not know, but we will gather enough ingredients to cure more than the just the population of the town."

"I am sorry we do not have specific information."  Serafina meant it to.  "The elders only started trying to organize just before we left."

"How well do you know these woods?  Perhaps you may know of more expedient, or additional, sources of some of these ingredients."  Serafina asked hopefully.

Jackdaw had been silent in the lumber yard. It wasn't that he had nothing to say. It was that it had taken every ounce of self-control not to start beating the holy crap out of people - some of the men but also some in this own group that were trying to incite a riot almost.

His lip had curled and he had shaken his head but let it go. Ego and honor could be easily bruised, it was something to have a care for sometimes.

He frowned and was hopeful that Milton's nephew wasn't among the sick, but he wasn't about go say anything since he didn't know for sure.

He took interest in the map and the direction provided. "Thank you. We'll do what we can for everyone."

Milton turned to Serafina a worry glance caught her eye. "Aye. I wish I knew a faster method but there is not. The Darkmoon Vale forest is the only route and it is filled with all manner of beast. I've hunted in these woods for sometime. You have to be quick on your feet, many of creatures live in there. Some more cunning than us."

The man walked away from the map standing on again with a more worried look on his face.
"You'll have to forgive me. I need to ride out shortly to find if my nephew has fallen ill. I wish I could be of more help."

"we thank you for your time and your help...may I now give you a little advice. Go find your nephew if he is not stricken with the illness leave the town at great haste but do not come back here for five or six days hold up somewhere safe. This will allow you time to make sure neither of you have symptoms of the infection. You must be sure before you return here."

He looked at his companions " we are all clear of the infection so we know your mine will be safe when we leave but you must keep your men safe as I said do not return until you are certain you are not carrying the infection otherwise you will be burying those unwashed gentlemen out there."

"I would also suggest you do not let any in or out if you can. cut this mine off from the outside until we can get the cure and bring some back here for you all"

"This is fair counsel."  Serafina admitted, a little surprised to hear it, but it made her feel a little better about the situation.  "It would be a disaster if the disease spread."

You can see a fear behind the eyes of Milton. "Gods speed friends. Make haste I will close this place down and force workers to hunker in place for now to avoid spreading the plague. You need to hurry at minimum you have a solid two day trip to where you need to go."
Milton walks away and you can see begins making plans to close everything down for the time being.

Sigrun studies the sketch map Milton has made for them. It certainly looks faster to cut across the forest, but she's hearing all sorts of warnings about that. Sooner or later, of course, even if they go around the forest they will have to enter it to find the witch's hut and the Eldar tree.

Even as Milton is starting to leave she asks him "What is it that kills the men cutting the trees?"

Milton turns to Sigrun, "It's not what kills men cutting trees. It's what hunts you in the Darkmoon Vale Forest. They have all manner of creature in that forest. If you haven't already it's best to assume something is hunting you the second you step in. Don't let your sense deceive you, there is a great many things that lurk in the shadows."

Well, that was illustrative, though Serafina did not care for the conduct of these louts she now understood their presence.

Seeing little alternative for herself at the present time, she had considered she'd most likely wind up a sellsword, but she just hoped she didn't conduct herself like that, even if she conducted herself poorly all the same.

But she didn't wish to keep Milton or delay their follow up decision making, and said nothing.

"Thank you for the map and the advise, Sir. With some attentiveness on our part I think we, as a group, should be able to manage the forest."

Turning to his companions, "Though the woods still looks to be the best way to get everywhere we need, as fast as possible. Even still, we should move on ourselves. We'll loose the daylight even faster in the forest."

---

OOC: Can't remember if wee opted for a wagon or just mounts or I would say leave the wagon/mount up.

Camara was now intrigued by what the forest held. The cooler climates and woodlands were so different from the tropical jungle island of the temple she was raised at.

[OOC: We went with just mounts and those of us who can't ride are doubling up. Camara's choice is to ride with Serafina.

We also had the location of the tree as Camara could find it even of she couldn't necessarily point it out on a map.]

OOC: So where to first? Are you going to wind around the river? Go through the river or something else completely?

"I doubt we will be able to build a raft that can carry us and our horses to cross the river, not from scratch in less than a few days. So even though it is a less direct route, I suggest we go through the forest around the end of the river."

If Milton has not left or if the dwarf is still there, she will ask them if the river starts at a spring. It seems to just well up in the middle of the forest -- at least on the map.

OOC: Most likely from a spring. There's no other water source close to the location on the map which makes you think possible underground water source or what not.

"Aye. I think if we head around the end and head towards The Tree we can get to everywhere we need to in as quick a miner as possible. I know I had said something about a raft back in town but that would only help us-- maybe-- on the way out of the forest."

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OOC: Sounds good to this gnome.

Camara chimes in, "We could make more progress leaving now than waiting to build rafts that would require us to leave the horses."

"Could we split the difference?  Take the indirect route, but look for a good place to ford the river as we go?"  Serafina figured it was obvious, but wondered if she shouldn't say it out loud anyway.

Jackdaw's head swung back and forth slowly as he looked at each person listening. He wasn't sure how much it mattered, but Serafina wasn't wrong. It wouldn't hurt to try to keep the river at least somewhat close, close enough to keep an eye out for a fordable place. He gave a small shrug. "We keep an eye out then."

Camara raises an eyebrow, "There is nothing wrong with seeking a better way to go when on a journey."

As they are readying to leave, she looks at the desolation of the landscape dotted with stumps of trees now destroyed. She had no qualms with trees being harvested for the wood, but this was just destroying the land. Even if trees were planted to replace the ones fallen, it would be decades and maybe a century before they replenished what was taken so carelessly.

OOC: Since I think its established that you are moving on we are going to start the next chapter of the story. Continue in the next chapter. It is assumed that you are still traveling on your horses until I mention anything further.