Subject: Part 2: On the road 2,258 views

[Shiv]

On the road.

And thus the party sets out, led by Bnor and Bael who expertly blaze the trail straight towards Yrms crossing. The first day passes uneventfully, the threatening snowfall remaining nothing but a premonition as the skies stay clear and cold. After traveling for two days across the bleak frozen wastes and foothills of the larger mountains you hit the trollwoods, a deep almost untouched forest in northern Skarvidda. Nu quickly affirms that he sees none of the usual hidden marks that would be placed by any Sylvans in the area -though he adamantly refuses to tell Bnor what such marks are- and the party soon passes through the shrublands surrounding the wooden haven.

The forest is ancient. Trees have grown tall and mighty, their lower branches naught but dead sticks,pines having been abandoned until further up. Rocks, covered in moss and snow, are spread through along the forest floor, impeding passage and slowing the party considerably as you make your way through the trees. There is a presence in the air. The forest itself feels alive. When you strain your ears you can almost swear that you can hear the breathing of things beyond this world. The respiration of the land itself.

[Shiv]

It is early evening and you are tired, the dying traces of the sun is just now sinking beneath the obscured horizon, leaving twinkling diamond dust to illuminate the forest trails. You've been walking all day, picking your way across the stones and the tiny rivers crisscrossing the forest floor. Bael and Bnor have not yet returned from their scouting, but it is high time to start setting up camp and preparing for another night beneath the stars.

Bael and Bnor

SPOILER: Click to show

You're been trailblazing together the last hour, working on overcoming the language barrier, when you simultaneously see a large clearing ahead. You've passed several clearing on your trek but this one obviously is special.

The opening in the forest ahead is large, unnaturally large and aformous. The trees obviously having been cut down to accommodate whoever constructed it. It is quite probably two hundred meters across, both in width and length, and come summer it will probably turn into some sort of mire, as there are tufts of snow covered grass sticking out of the flat surfaces of frozen water. In the light of the dying sun you can see a large construct in near the middle of the clearing. Large stones heaped on top of each other, though for what purpose you are unable to discern. The forest is quieter now, hopefully only due to the late hour, and a light breeze ruffles your hair. It is fully possible to go around the clearing, though it would be a small timesink, or to cross and possibly investigate the stone structure. With luck it could provide a place to sleep for the night.

Either way you will have to inform the group, as going around it will take you off your planned course.

[coyotelaughs]

I become anxious with the extended absence of my aia and send Lanna into the air to keep an eye on the party and the surrounding area. (Sylvan)"They are too long in returning, I will search for them now! Lanna will keep an eye on the party and surrounding area while I look for Bael and Bnor." I begin to leave, then realize I spoke in Sylvan. (Common)"Lanna guard..... camp....I find my aia and Bnor...stay!"

I follow Bael and Bnor's tracks out of the area we plan to camp, heading in the direction they did. I think about all the bad things that could have happened to my aia, wondering why I was not with her, having promised to always watch her back. Moving along the tracks as fast as possible while keeping an eye and ear out for any signs of danger. I leave no trace of my passing and give no warning that I am here in case there may be danger about. I carry my bow at the ready with an arrow held in the same hand for speed of knocking and firing.

[Weasel]

Bael:

SPOILER: Click to show

"Best have a look." Bnor says as he keeps walking towards the clearing. He keeps his eyes sharp looking for any movement within or around the clearing. If satisfied it is clear, he will carefully enter the area paying close attention to any tracks he may or may not see.

He looks at the stone structures, first, from a distance before daring to get closer.

[Racer Xonclar]

Favoring silence over snide remarks, Itrav is quite most of the trek. He answers when spoke to, of course, but this concept of 'chit-chat' is beyond him. How do they do that? he thought as he watched the other elves' feet leave nothing in the snow. That is a powerful talent. Easy to be safe if nothing can follow you, and would mean anyone stalking us would be expecting two less people. Perhaps the forest elves do have some use...

For whatever reason, in the eerie silence of these woods, Itrav almost seems relaxed. Eyes still dart to various places and ears turn to faint sounds whenever they pop up, but his hands are relaxed in their pockets, thumbing the daggers tucked away in them.

Looking about, Itrav finds a small hill of rock and snow to place his tent next to, just as he did the previous night. The white sheet he bought is neatly unfolded and draped over the tent and the edge of rocks in an attempt to make it look like just another snow drift. Just as he gets it where he wants it, which takes a few minutes, his head snaps to the Sylvan elf left with him. Eyes instinctively look where he is as a hand dives into a dagger loaded pocket.

Itrav merely shakes his head as the Sylvan darts off into the woods in a near panic. Looking to Rashid, "Do you have plans to run off as well?" You better say no.

[rainbowpalmcakes]

Bnor

SPOILER: Click to show

Bael halts upon seeing the clearing, she keens her senses on the surrounding and for track signs. Crouching low she answers Bnor "unn" as she plans to walk in with him. She looks at the structure then once in a while the whole area. Keeping low as she moved on forward with a hand above her weapon.

[Black_Hawk]

Rashid keeps pace behind the elves, frowning periodically at the snow, throughout the trek. My liking of snow for its appearance is steadily diminishing.

As they are setting up the camp, he sets down his fur sleeping bag up near a tree, with the winter blanket unpacked as well. He looks up as the sylvan quips in his languages and stammers out a string of common. He frowns as the elf departs, looking to Itrav as he speaks. He shakes his head, "No, I shall not. We need not split up so much as to have one person isolated. In the event that there is something or someone out there that have managed to inconvenience our traveling companions I am sure the sylvan will be able to relay it to us." He gestures to the site of their rest for the evening. "It would be good for us to make sure the camp was maintained, and, of course, we must keep our charge in good health."

[Shiv]

Rashid and Itrav:

SPOILER: Click to show

Glorgar giggles. "Well I'm glad you are worried about my safety. I'm highly reassured when I have at least two able bodied men at my side." Setting down his own pack, the dwarf starts unfolding his own small one man tent and sleeping bag, clearing away the snow and hammering small pitons into the frozen ground to keep the support ropes taut.

"Is it just me or is Lan'Nuiatnal a bit overprotective of Baelevdulvanna? He's always so edgy whenever she's not around and thatdisplay right now? He's like a caged wolf sometimes. They're lovers -or similar- to be sure. You should hear the words they use when they speak Sylvan." The young dwarf shrugs as he moves over to your beast of burden, Ikrah, and scratches her between her shaggy ears. "I did pick up Sylvan a dozen years or so ago. Exploring my heritage you see", he explains.

A coordianted rumbling of three stomachs remind the party that it might be time for dinner...

Nu

SPOILER: Click to show

You make your way through the cold forest, the snow covered trees standing like giant icecicles around you. Your eyes scan the surroundings, looking for any telltale signs of the passing of Aia and the dwarf.

Nothing.

Cursing silently to yourself you realize that Aia has taken your lessons in moving without leaving tracks to heart far too well, and the dwarf seems to be an equal match for her. Even in the thick snow it's hard to discern what tracks are made by forest animals and what are made by your friends.

Around you the forest is quiet, almost a little overly so. You're not sure if it's due to the late hour or -something- else, but the thought isn't comforting in the least. Aia is out there somewhere, but you are not sure how to find her.

((You've failed your track roll, and Bael has the trackless step feat, though Bnor does not. You can stay here and try again, move on, or go back to camp. Or be inventinve with spells, skills etc. Your call))

Bael and Bnor

SPOILER: Click to show

With a short nod to each other you move into the clearing. The stillness of the frozen mire is surprising, the wind seems to have died down, and the sounds of the forest sound distant almost as soon as you step onto the thick ice. Ahead of you the large jumble of rocks looms in the last vestiges of daylight, the final shafts of golden just now disappearing and leaving you under the stars. A small mist has gathered along the ground here, which swirls and dances as you move forward.

You are now halfway into the clearing and you can discern that the structures ahead of you seems to make some sort of tumbled down dwelling. Not so much a house as a henge. Large non form-fitting stones stacked on top of each other to create a mound with an opening, though its purpose is still not clear.

Bael:
((Something about the mist feels strange. It's not often that you have mist in winter like this in winter. It happens but the conditions are wrong, at least you think they are. It could also be nothing, just an overactive imagination and a spooky setting.))

[Weasel]

Bael

SPOILER: Click to show

Despite the strangeness of their situation, Bnor grins. When he sees the misty fog dance around his moving feet, he reaches down and runs his hands through it. After that he rubs his fingers together to see if they have been left wet by moisture.As he does so he again looks around the clearing to make certain no undead mountain giants have crept up on them.

He skakes his head at his own ridiculousness and grins again, continuing forward carefully.

[rainbowpalmcakes]

Bnor

SPOILER: Click to show

Bael feels that this mist is more than just a mist, her experience with this natural occurrence doesn't fit that of what is happening now. She looks up in the sky trying to look for sign of Lanna, there is none. She worries about Nu, knowing her aias he would've set out by himself to find her.

"Bnor, stop. Don't go further, this doesn't feel right"

She halts and squats down, sinking both her hands in the mist. As the mist invades her palms in swirls she tries to detect magic in it.

[Weasel]

Bael

SPOILER: Click to show

Bnor stops cold. He barely moves a muscle as Bael bends down and feels at the mists.

[coyotelaughs]

DM

SPOILER: Click to show

I continue looking for Bnor's tracks in the snow, cursing the luck that he hid them well. I send Lanna in wider circles, to see if she can find a trace of my aia and Bnor. I know if I look harder, I will eventually find his tracks especially while he tracks through the snow. If I am lucky, Lanna will find them as she flies around where they should have headed.

Realizing our error, concepts of how we can communicate using our surroundings run through my mind as I search the local area for Bnor's tracks. I worry about what might have happened to Bael and Bnor.

[Shiv]

Nu

SPOILER: Click to show

You can almost hear Lanna click her beak at you through you mind link. "First you tell me to watch the camp, and now you want me to look for the stout one and Bael. Make up your mind Lan'Nuiatnal", echoes thorugh your head, though you can also feel the hawk acquiescing and fluing north west in search of your companions.

As Lanna begins her sweep you continue your own search when suddenly-

-a branch, a broken branch, and beneath it a small clear patch of rock in the thick snow-

You feel a grin forming on your visage. The dwarf is good, but not good enough. You can see which way the print is directed, and soon you are quickly moving through the forest, following the faint trail of your companion that will hopefully lead you to your love.

((It'll be a few posts before you reach them. If you want to speed up and reach them faster I'll have to roll again to check that you don't loose the track. Otherwise just sit a few posts out and you'll get "there". Your next post can detail your choice to me ))

Bael and Bnor

SPOILER: Click to show

While Bnor takes a moment to feel the low mist -it is indeed very "dry"- Baelevdulvanna kneels down, arcane words spilling from her mouth, calling on the spirits to help her. Holding out her hands she finishes her spell and the mist suddenly starts glowing, a dim cone of lightly green glow formed along the perimiter of her spell. The mist is most certainly conjoured from somewhere, but by whom and for what purpose you arn't sure.

Itrav and Rashid

SPOILER: Click to show

You continue your preparations with your tents. "So who's cooking dinner?", Glorgar asks happily.

((Rashid, your sharp eyes notice that Lan'Nuiatnals hawk -Lanna- suddenly stops her circling over the camp and heads off out across the forest. I'd put this in a spoiler tag, but one can't do a spoiler within a spoiler. Also, good spot roll ))

[coyotelaughs]

DM

SPOILER: Click to show

'He is learning well, but right now I am so glad he is not up to the task' runs through my head as I follow Bnor's tracks as fast as possible without losing them. 'Lanna, you are greatly appreciated for your patience and Bael will also be thankful to you. The camp should be safe until you spot Bael and the stout one, but I will still ask that you fly back there once we have spotted them.' I send this to Lanna with as much compassion and thankfulness as Lanna will allow.

While following the tracks my eyes and ears stay open to possible dangers around me.

SPOILER: Click to show

SPOILER: Click to show

[Black_Hawk]

Rashid scowls up at the departing hawk. Guarding the camp? Methinks that the bird has gone to manage its master and his mate. Though a bit one-minded on some things i doubt he would recall unless something of import was happening somewhere ahead.

He focusus on the departing bird noting the direction in which it is headed. At Glorgar's question he nods and waves in a not-meant-to-be-brisk manner over his shoulder. "I think we shall have a cold meal tonight. As much as i would like a fire it would be to our detriment should there be something that actually is holding our friends up." He smirks a bit, " I, for one, am getting slightly more worried about them, but i would not wish to compromise our camp with an obvious light."

He turns to Itrav. "I would advise we eat a cold meal now. If the others are not back in a reasonable time we shall have to search for them." He gestures at the woods. "We will not make it without them, as Bnor has the map and the elves are, by far, more skilled in the art of woodcraft than I. Snow and trees are not my native land."
Shiv: {Also, completely OOC}

SPOILER: Click to show

((Thanks, I try to influence the die rolls of those who are on other continents.

Also, out of ingrained habit, any time i try to type out your screen name i type 'shit' and have to fix it. Clearly my cursing via text in LoL is getting out of hand, lol.))