"Yes, I think someone should tell the crew of our plans. Just in case something happens. Please be careful." she says with a pleasant smile before getting back on her way.
While Eriniyes heads back to the beach, the rest of you press on. You soon come to the edge of the rapids. The water looks very fast-flowing and rough. Rommin deduces that it would be a highly hazardous crossing indeed.
Across the river, you see the base of the enormous oak tree on a little peninsula of its own sticking into the river (or rather, the river runs around the land the tree is on). The canopy is so thick that no other trees or bushes were able to send up shoots beneath it.
The light is starting to fade.
We could camp until morning here. Then scout up and down river some for a good crossing. The worst case scenario would be cutting down a tree to make a raft.
"Camp? Here? Without a tent?" Hickory visibly pales in the light of the setting sun.
"Surely we can return to the ship for the night. Then we can take our launch past the river mouth and explore the south side tomorrow."
"No offense, milady, but you're going to have to get used to roughing it eventually. Might as well start now."
Hickory sniffs indignantly at Niesen. He just rolls his eyes in response.
I will let you perform the actual introductions yourselves, but as you are setting up your camp, you notice another rowboat making its way to the beach. In it are two rowers and two other individuals you have not yet met.
It appears this new land will provide it's own challenges - This... creature - I do hope it's not another human exaggeration. Your kind does seem disposed to embellishment, at times - no offense."
"As terrible as being on floating wood sounds, it does actually seem like a good Idea. Could be plenty more of those big bird bears around.I wouldn't want to wake up to that ugly mug."
As the rowboat land upon the beach, Maenír lugs his pack from the boat, and takes in his surroundings. Seeing the Halflings making camp, He approaches their campfire with an open smile.
"Greetings, fellow travelers! Might I share your fire, for a bit? I feel as if I've been soaked to the bones since boarding ship."
He extends his hand in the style of human greeting.
Rorse, sorry about this. I had gotten a few people agreeing with camping out and was ready to introduce the new people, so I advanced things to everybody setting up camp. There's still time for the party to reconsider, however.
Vero Butts his head into the unattetive ROrse and nudges him toward his pack.
The halfling turns around and sees the others setting up camp. and smiles sheepishly, an odd exspression on the typically gruff haflings face. "Or we can just sleep with swords in our hands."
Maenír blinks, then lowers his hand.
"Well… Yes, that seems a fair request. Unburdening his back, he lays it at his feet.
We've been asked by Banker Camder to assist you. My name is Maenír Alagoschven, and this gentleman is Landis Thatch."
Bluff:
Though our trip was eventful, I have heard that yours was more so. The pirates barely got within spitting distance, before turning tail. The attackers are gone, the waters are still, and the captain is keeping the crew so busy with preparations that there is no one to dice with.
With nothing left to interest me aboard, I followed rumors of a fearsome creature on these shores. A chance to see it proved more interesting than another night in the cramped quarters of the ship.
"I heard that! There could of been an army of zombies out here and I wouldn't a spent the first land ashore on the ship Never mind what he was saying just a minute ago about going onto the ship to avoid bird bears.
Landis takes the offered seat, and rests for a bit. "I will be glad to take any watch needed".
"Thought I am a blacksmith by trade, it will be a while before my services are needed, and right now my wilderness skills are better put to use out here in the forest". "when I heard your group had ventured out I volunteered right away to join your little party". "Hopefully I will not get in your way".
with that the large man stands, and begins to gather firewood for the nights fire.
Survival
Between Landis and Rommin, you find an excellent supply of dry deadwood and build yourselves a roaring bonfire on the beach. From what Rommin knows of related creatures, a large fire should be enough to scare off any more of those creatures that may be out there.
"I'll take first watch. I'm a bit of a night-owl, anyway."
Looking to Rommin and Eriniyes, he says
"Our people's eyes see well with little light. If each of us took a separate watch, it could be most effective."
"I fall asleep easily in the wilderness, so I'll take the middle watch", Landis growls.
Lilo shakes the newcomers by the hand enthusiastically...
"Welcome,welcome. I'l Lilo Deepburrow and this young lady is Mistress Hickory Coopersmith of the Pathfinder Society. Extra swords are always welcome in a strange land."
Lilo shakes the newcomers by the hand enthusiastically...
"Welcome,welcome. I'l Lilo Deepburrow and this young lady is Mistress Hickory Coopersmith of the Pathfinder Society. Extra swords are always welcome in a strange land."
"Niesen Kurch," the young man with the stray bang says, shaking your hands in a firm, youthful grip. [b]"I came over from the Desert Rose awhile back to join these folks. Was the Cloud Climber just as miserable and dreary as the Rose."
Maenír returns the handshakes with a smile.
"The voyage was pleasant enough. Giant swells threatening to capsize us at any moment, and pirates that picked a fight or two, and I could usually find a game of dice - until we found shore."
He knuckles his back, and stretches.
"Cramped, though."
"I see...a game of dice, you say?"
Hickory carries her halfling frame like someone of the nobility, though the glint in her eyes suggests that some gambling might be fun.
"And a fine wine or ale, whenever possible," the elf says, gesturing to his humbly guilded stein.
"Rommin, did you say the plan for tomorrow is to further explore land nearby?
"Well, Banker Camder asked that we assist you in your endeavors - I see no reason to delay that request. I'm in."
Vero and I will take whatever watch someone wakes up on, for now I think I am going to relish the fact that I'm not being rocked to sleep by the big pond. Rorse plops back onto Vero and watches Hickory through slitted eyes, trying to see if she is going to cheat at dice. He is also hoping to catch the new comers in a moment of private chat. That will best clear them in his eyes. Though they might not have chelaxin wicked intentions, they do work for a banker.
While you are setting up camp, Rommin hears a whispering voice which sounds like Lord Brycen, saying, "Be advised, the animals on board ship are acting strangely. Trying to walk in their slings, looking tranced. Necromantic field in area, very strong."
Rommin will call everyone's attention, including the newcomers. He'll let them know that he has received a mystical message from Lord Brycen, and he'll repeat what it says.
"You hear his voice in your head? How disconcerting. Still, it appears we should be on the lookout for more than strange creatures, eh?"
The night air is quite pleasant and filled with intoxicating aromas of pine, sea salt, and wood smoke (and maybe a bit of gamy humanoid as well, but that's to be expected after such a long journey). The stillness of the forest is eerie, however, and quite disconcerting. The sounds of waves and river serve to hypnotize and mesmerize.
The first watch goes through without a problem, and Rorse and Vero are awakened for their turn. The position themselves a short distance from the fire to better see into the darkness, and up on the grass to give themselves a bit of height over the beach. They are watching for roughly half an hour, when Rorse hears a whisper in his ear, also from Lord Brycen.
"Rorse, I believe. Movement spotted on beach to north one hundred fifty feet from your position. Two humans and canine, moving along beach. Please reply."
"Oh, that is odd. Um we'll take care of it, or atleast try to negotiate things, awfully early to start a fight."
rorse hops on Vero's back and moves quickly back to camp waking the lot of them with a push and a quiet "we got company."
He stops a bit hesitant to wake hicokry and instead leaves that task to Lilo. he will tell everyone to wake the others just to get the camp up and at em quicker. once there are enough to wake the others he moves back up to watch the human and canines movement.
Maenír straps on his armor and grabs his gear. Looking around for trouble, he whispers to Rorse, "Where?"
It's hard to see with no light but the moon and stars, but you can make out two heads moving along the beach behind that spit of land to the north. The two figures are moving slowly and don't seem to be reacting in any visible way to the sight of four well-lit ships anchored out to sea, nor are they appearing to attempt any stealth.
As you watch, the two figures emerge from behind the spit of land, and you can see that a large dog or wolf is keeping pace with the two men.
Maenír does what he can to blend in with the surrounding brush. Crouched down with an arrow nocked, he waits quietly and searches the landscape for other movement.