Larannia Stormtree, Druid of Storms...was nude.

The boat could have held more people, but the captain had set sail with only half the ship's complement. There were plenty of empty cabins or other places to hide in. Larannia would have liked to be on land for her meditation and prayer, but Gozra's domain was both the land and water, so it mattered little. Being on the boat was also more defensible.

With eyes closed, the elf frowned.

Some of the others had decided to camp on land. Out in the open with a good chance of being surrounded. They would be the bait. Anything attacking would go for the easier prey. In doing so, the bait would keep the ship from being damaged. It was a cold thing to think about, but the world was a cruel place. You either adapted or died. But this also showed another problem.

The group had no leader.

There was no one to tell the group they should stay together for protection. There was nobody to make the final decision. There were two main objectives. Searching the ruins where a dwarf with a glittering axe was going or deal with a creature that were killing the loggers. Five days would not be enough time to do both. Also, some of the group have never traveled in the forest so the going would already to be slow. To make sure they would arrive back at the boat in time, they would only have a day and a half of travel before dealing with the mission and then another day or so to get back.

The young druid started to expect she had wasted the five silvers.

Who could fill the leadership role? Marianna lacked the confidence, the dwarf was quiet and mainly kept to himself, the human mainly cared for only writing in a book, and the half orc talked too much and too long. The Hidden One had a voice that could sell a bow to an elf, but his body odor would repel most civilized people. He also made sure not to show his face. Not many would follow anyone who did not even place trust in others and show their true selves.

Then it came to herself.

Larannia envied The Dark One and his snakelike soothing speech. The young druidess also did not think about her actions and mainly went on instinct. She was The Messager of Gozra but did not have the talent of speaking.

The world also had its cruel jokes.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:52, Fri 09 June 2023.

Marianna had intended to stay on the boat. The members of the crew, and Larannia, retiring to crew quarters or solitude left her largely alone. As much as the young woman was nervous around new people, being largely left alone on the weather deck seemed worse, so she trailed off to join the others by the fire.

Durrack, Marianna and Sophia rowed the small boat to shore and set up camp while the crew finished setting the boat for the night as dusk came The crew member Horun and Damian took watch.

Durrack went hunting and found a herd of deer nearby and brought down a buck  that would add to the provisions. He butchered it and cooked up a haunch of it with some potatoes and radishes he found . He, Mariana and Sophia ate well.

A few hours after dark Helican took watch on the Keelboat while Sophia took watch ashore. The watch was uneventful. Then Helican woke up the crew member and Sophia woke up Durrack as the moon was at its highest point in the sky and they went to sleep. Maybe an hour into Durrack watch he was warming himself by the fire and watching the area with his vision showing body heat of his comrades and a few of the deer who had come down to the river to drink in the night.


Suddenly a shadow of a winged creature fell over the river and Durrack looked up just ashe heard the crew member shout from the boat Wyvern. douse your fire!!!

Having prepared for the need to quickly douse a fire, even if he wasn't expecting a wyvern, Durrak quickly covered the fire, putting it out and smothering the coals.  As he did, he slung his shield onto his arm and drew his axe.  He positioned himself to cover those sleeping ashore, as he prodded first one, then the other with his foot to wake them.

Following the light until the flame was doused the Wyvern had started it's descent. The smoke from the extinguished flames bothered his eyes and the beast shook it's head hesitating to get it's bearings until he saw the deer staring up at him and then bounding away quickly. He gave chase. Plummeting down to grab two dear in his two claws a few wing beats later he was airborne and flying back towards the forest from where it came looking for prey.

Long tense minutes as Mariana and Sophia say up staring towards the treeline not seeing what Durrack saw. Soon the group on the beach relaxed.

A different sounding shout joined the symphony of the others, as the nightmare was always the same. The chorus of pain and suffering was now very familiar. There was the human woman, with long dark hair, running with a small girl in her arms. The child's hair was blond and tied into a ponytail. A pink ribbon. Both of their eyes were wide in fear as the woman tried to run from fiery buildings billowing black smoke. The woman screamed as a crumbling building fell on them.

There was the dwarf, with spiky red hair, using his strong arms to lift the side of a cart that had turned over. An elderly human with a puffy beard had his leg trapped underneath. Surrounding them were three young women in blue robes pleading the dwarf to help their father. All screamed in agony as a sheet of flame engulfed them all.

Larannia opened her eyes.

The odd shout did not continue. Everything seemed quiet and normal. After her communion, the elf had redressed and donned the hide armor. It was not comfortable sleeping in armor, but it was prudent to do so when traveling in dangerous areas. The young druidess turned her head slightly to the see the oak shield leaning against a crate. If anything happened, all she had to do was grab it before going top side.

With no other sounds from outside or not hearing the heavy foot falls of someone coming to wake her, Larannia closed her eyes once again.

Sophia said nothing after she was woken, merely gazing around her into darkness, listening into the silence of night birds and small animals clearly silenced by the wyvern's approach.  She breathed in the scent of the land and of the river and overall, she took the place in which she found herself as she learned this part of the land as long ago, she had learned the back of her hand as an aid to mathematics, and to the measuring of the world.

It was not a place she knew, but nevertheless, she considered whether anything, save the silence of the animals was in any way, odd... whether there was anything she had overlooked that might come back to bite her, literally or figuratively.

Morning came and soon the group was together and moving downriver again. The scenery stayed the same all morning; rolling hills with occasional copses of trees. Wildlife was plentiful. Deer, wild pigs, the occasional fox. Racoons staring back from trees
 Woodpeckers trying to reach bugs in the trees. A hawk on the hunt in the sky. An abundance of birds even a fisher diving into the water after a trout. The weather was perfect for travelling warming but not too hot, with a slight breeze. Hardly a sign of habitation.

Nothing hostile or surprising occurred.

In the afternoon the forest could be seen on the north bank, while the south bank was still rolling hills. Now occasionally a wolf could be seen. As dusk started to fall The Captain said earnestly. we will stop for the night just shy of the forest. I highly suggest NOONE go to shore tonight. this area is far more dangerous and wolf attacks more likely to occur.

"What if that wyvern comes around again? We don't exactly blend in out here."

In reply to Marianna Cross (msg # 286):

"Without the fire to attract it, Wyvern's will look for easier prey than people. We bipeds have an annoying habit of defending ourselves instead of running." He says with a laugh to Marianna. "I imagine you would fill a Wyvern with some nasty magics that deer and pigs do not contain." He says as he spreads his arms across the railing, soaking up as much of the setting sunlight as he can before it dips below the horizon.

"It ish unushual for wolvesh to attack without provocashtion.". Durrak replies to the captain.  "What dangersh are there besidesh that?". The stout Dwarf scans the banks, alert to potential dangers, and looking for a good spot to set up camp.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
06:23, Today: Durrak of Clan Fellaxe. rolled 9 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 6.  Forest Lore.

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This message was last edited by the player at 11:24, Tue 13 June 2023.

So far, it had seemed that Gozra had blessed the group with good weather. Larrania felt calm and relaxed from the soothing scenery. She was actually showing a slight smile, a rarity for her. When not up in the forecastle, the druidess went to the others and offered the herbs bought at the herbalist in town. There was a small pouch with herbs that would help against poison, a small wooden bowl with wax at the top that held a healing poultice for wounds, and another small pouch containing Extripia. It was a root that could be chewed to help with fatigue. The others who did not want the items, she kept for herself to use as needed.

The wood elf was so relaxed from the journey, she no longer had the oak shield readied.

"The boat was plenty comfortable last night, no complaints here", Helican could complain, the sleep was not restful, but what could be expected out here in the wilds. Besides it was probably more excitement than anything that had kept him on edge.

The Captain said looking at Marianna our camouflage looks like rippling water. most aerial creatures won't look that close. then he turned to Durrack.the wolf packs here are more aggressive...then there's always the possibilities they are werewolves. besides those enemies there's humanoid hunters from Orcs, Hobgoblins, Goblins that work to feed their tribes. Kobolds are a danger I've seen a few Giants. Big Cats, The occasional Giant Lizard or Snake. ....and Bandits or Other Adventuring Parties...

Sophia said to Durrak, "I think it would be best to remain on board for future nights. I most certainly intend to do so."

For now though, she watched the shores on both sides of the boat. She moved from one side of the boat to the other with something approaching but never reaching regularity.

Still in a pleasant mood, the druidess watched the sun sink lower over the horizon. The Captain spoke sense, but would everyone follow his suggestion? The dwarf looked determined. Maybe the books she had read was correct and most dwarfs did not like the water. The Elder surmised it had to do with soil and rock. If a dwarf was not on firm land, they feel out of their element. Larannia could relate for she hated being away from the forest.

But Durrak was on his own path. If he wanted to camp alone in a dangerious area, she would not stop him. The only one on the Main Path with her was Marianna. The elf would do anything to keep her safe. The tiefling had a very important role to play.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 15:14, Fri 16 June 2023.

Letting the heat from the sinking sun soak into his bones he closed his eyes behind his veil and listened to the exchange between the captain and the Durrak. He wasn't going to try to persuade him to do something that likely wouldn't make any difference in the long run. If Durrak's determination to be on land was that strong, nothing Damian could add to the captains words would make a difference.
Besides, he would rather listen to the water lapping against the side of the boat and the dwarf breathes so loudly.

Marianna's eyes started to get wide hearing the long list of possible threats. "What did I get myself into?" She asked herself

The camouflage was unrolled and everyone set up their personal sleeping areas and began taking their assigned watches. Throughout the night they saw activity on the banks from wildlife but nothing threatened to come out into the river. The night passed and morning began with the same activities as the day before. The group watched the minimal crew pulled the anchors in and began to move down river with the forest on the north bank and the same rolling hills on the south.

Helican got up and attempted to help the crew members with their activities, if they'd allow. He didn't want to be in their way, but he'd watched them now for a couple days and he wanted to see if he understood some of what he'd seen.

Sophia joined Helican in his attempt to help the crew.  She did so wordlessly for a change because she'd noticed that they did this withouut a word and guessed that extraneous chatter would prove distracting.

It looked like it was going to be another pretty day. Larannia was thankful that everyone decided to follow the Captain's suggestion. There would be plenty of danger to get into once the group started to travel over land. But she could feel the change. It felt like the surrounding forest was darker. Something was out of balance and the cause was unknown.

The wood elf wondered if the forest ever had a Guardian. A fellow druid whose job was to look after the forested area and keep it safe and in balance. If there was one, what happened to them? If something was not done, the area would get worse. It might not matter with the deforestation from the town. With the forest gone, the land and weather would be thrown into chaos, causing more devastation. But what could she do to help the land? It has only been twenty-three years since starting on the Path of Storms. All elves who feel the calling start their training once they reach one hundred years of age. Just barely a young adult by elven standards. What could she possibly do to help heal the forest?

Larannia looked around to see the others. Ink Fingers and the half-orc were trying to help the crew. They must have started to feel bored. There was only so much sightseeing one could do before it got dull. The others were separated and alone with their thoughts. This was not how a hunting party should be. They should be talking to one another and getting to know each other. That was how you built trust. A hunting party needed trust in order to survive.

The druidess growled deep in her throat.

She knew what had to be done. It did not take long to find her prey. At least the open air lessened the stench. For a moment the elf stood there, sky blue eyes looking down on The Hidden One as he sat on the deck looking out at the scenery. Then with a heavy sigh, she sat down next to him and also looked towards the river.

"I did not appreciate you trespassing upon my mind." she said tersely. "And then you show your arrogance by not even apologizing." Larannia took a deep breath to calm down. She then turned her head to look at Damian. "But we have more important matters to discuss. We will not be able to deal with the creature, search the ruins for a dwarf and return to the ship within five days. Travel to one location will already take half that before having to walk back. Traveling will already be slow due to some not used to physical exertion. If we are going to use the town for rest and supplies, I suggest we go for the creature first. We need the good will from the leadership of the town if we are going to succeed in future hunts."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:11, Thu 22 June 2023.

   Durrak had slept poorly, the constant rocking of the boat sat I'll with him.  He drank a warm cup of chicory as he ate his breakfast.  An irritable silence sitting around his stout form.  "PAH!". He thought to himself.  "A wyvern the night before, and now nothing.  Sleeping on this berusted boat was a waste of my patience.  Who ever heard of a Dwarf staying on staying on a boat when there was good land near by.  I'll see where tonight brings us.  Might be a good spot for a camp against the river.". He took a bite of his dried breakfast sausage, chewing vigorously.  "And then there's those two, swarming over the ship, just a likely to get in the way as to help.  I've said it before.  Leave the profession to the professionals.  Others just get in the way, or add to the work."
   He gazed out over the land, as the sun cast Its' crimson glory of the green plants.  The water reflecting the light like liquid fire.  He took several.long, slow breaths of the morning air, the turned his attention to his breakfast.

Marianna watched carefully to see her new comrades. The bonds here were loose and slim. At this rate, the likelyhood of everyone sticking together after his job was over seemed minimal. Larinnia specifically wasn't helping; she seemed to be the most tense elf she's ever met, or even heard of. Whether the tielfing herself wanted to be a part of this motley crew for long was an open question in of itself. They seemed nice enough, and willing to take a rookie out on something dangerous; that had to count for something.

If this was going to fall apart, she didn't want it to be because of her. On the other hand, everyone seemed to know what to do and where they belonged, making her feel all the more out of place. Scarfing down a fistfull of food, she tried to pack up her gear as quickly as she could so as to not be a burden, and hopefully actually be of assistance to someone, if they needed it.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:04, Sat 24 June 2023.

The crew was happy for the help. It took a bit less time to roll back up the tarps that hid them at night. Soon they were moving down river again, the forest to the right seemed to get thicker with taller trees with each hour. There was always the sense that they were being watched. The southern bank hills turned rougher and more like badlands. Easily hundreds of places threats could hide. The trip was tenser. Around Noon the Keelboat turned upstream onto The Dark wood river and offve the wider River Foam. They began to tack diagonally back and forth using the wind blowing through the trees to move them up the slower moving river.

Slightly after turning upstream a raft was spotted coming downstream, with a man laying prone upon it looking unconscious. There were no apparent paddles, poles or sails as the raft just moved in the current.