Markov follows along on top of Snow, following the others. He keeps his eyes open for any movement that is not of the group or his own.
While riding, Markov tries to make small talk with the group. "I wonder what these "Fang Berries" taste like. And also, how big are these "Fang Berry Spiders" are." When they reach the natural ford to cross the river, Markov tries his best to note where this is, since it is probably a rather important place to remember.
Alexander responds to Markov idle talk as they move at the pace set out by their guide Mikmek. As I understood from Bokken he uses them for his healing potions as well as some kind of liquor. So I can only assume they offer a decent taste.
Alexander works with Markov to estimate the river's ford location as accurate as possible before committing it to the map.
Noting Mikmek's pride, Nedyr says, "It sounds like your people know these lands very well indeed, Mikmek, and have much to teach us. I hope you don't mind us asking questions about how your tribe does things."
Markov can tell it might be a while longer before they can get to the berry thicket. "Looks like if we continue this pace, we'll get there by night. But I would suggest finding a good camp site and continue in the morning. I don't particularly want to sleep next to a nest of spiders."
Alexander listins to Markov suggestion and hardily agrees. We have had a long day and I don't relish setting camp in the dark so I am certainly in favor of that idea.
"You'll have no complaint from me. Thanks to a mixed heritage, I have pretty good eyesight by star light. want me to take second watch?"
"I got the middle of the night watch. I have my means of seeing in the dark." His eyes slightly glow yellow for a second.
Alexander listens to Mikmek surprised to hear of the wolves ferocity. Are the wolves in this area truly that secure in their dominance? Back home the wolves might dare to attack a lone child when starving but it is nearly unheard of for them to strike at a group unless something else is involved.
"Oh my, what big fangs they may have? I think the only wolves I ever faced were a pack of Surtov Courtiers at a masquerade ball... " He mutters.
"Wolves can be found nearly anywhere. And plus, we're far from any city, town, or village. They know of no humans to fear." As Markov states flatly.
Markov seems a bit... Offended at the thought of wolves being similar to rude nobles.
Markov coughs a bit before speaking. "Anyway, lets hurry up, I want to reach that thicket soon."
On the way, Markov will do his best to keep his eyes open and try to keep their bearings.
"Hopefully we won't be forced to give lessons," He says gamely, unaware of any deeper meaning that may or may not be in their conversation.
He follows along , eyes alert for wolves
Looking at the copious amount of webs Alexander takes a moment to ponder the situation before speaking. So how should we proceed? I was thinking we might try to smoke out the spiders but I am not certain if that would work.
"Hm... If we can lure them out, I have a couple vials of acid and a couple alchemist fires as well to use on them if they come out all at once. But if it is a large spider, I got my sword." Markov dismounts and rests his hand on his axe while surveying the situation.
"Normally I'd advise stealth but I don't know if it's even possible to sneak up on a spider, aren't they pretty alert for bugs?"
"Er... I meant my axe." Markov remarks. "And I got a feeling it might be a lot of them in there." He points to the bushes covered in webbing. "It most likely will be alot of tiny ones. And if a spider is a spider, the moment anyone touches the web, they will come out to see what they "caught".
"Well, let's get to fetching I suppose." He says, a bit nervous about all this spider talk
Markov sighs. "Alright then. I'll go first nothing else. If it is a big spider, kill it. If it is a swarm.... Run like hell. Heh." He lets out a nervous laugh as he walks as quietly as he can near the thicket.
Markov quietly walks over to the thicket and tries to pick a few berries. "Tsk!" And he gets stuck by the thorns. "Damn it!" He waves his hand a couple times and then puts his bleeding finger in his mouth. That hurt! There are some bigger ones as well... Yeesh. Damn, managed to get through my gauntlet too.
Markov looks over the bush before having an idea. He pulls out a silver sickle and then instead of plucking the berry, he tries to cut the berry off with the sickle.
With having no luck, he waves back at the rest of the group trying to get them to help as well.
Alexander follows Markov's lead and just goes and picks the berries.
Nedyr , despite his half elven blood, is not really very nature wise so he follows the lead of others on berry picking....
and then...
"Those are very big jaws."
Markov looks up and see the spiders with fairly large jaws. "Oh... Fudge. Um... Careful, they are angry."
Markov backs away slowly from the thicket and pulls out an alchemist's fire. "You know what I said earlier... Right? Heh... Might want to back away for now."
"Good plan, good plan," Nedyr says backing away slowly
Alexander follows the rest of the party out of the range of the spiders wicked looking mandibles. If we build a good sized fire near a large patch of berries maybe we can pick berries without being molested by the spiders and trade off between picking berries and tending to the fire and smoke until we have all the berries we need.
Hearing the option of smoke, Markov nods a couple of times. "I think that is a good idea too." He moves a bit more farther away from the thicket and relaxes a bit before putting away the Alchemist's Fire, and pulling out his battleaxe. "Sure, it's meant for living things, but gathering wood should be easy with it. I'll go gather some green wood. Anyone can come along if they like."
Markov goes over to Snow and pulls it along towards the edge of the woods. He leaves the horse at the edge, and begins looking for some green wood, or some saplings that would be good as well.
"I'll do my best to help out," He says moving quietly along, "Greenwood sounds pretty self explanatory."
As the others find green wood Alexander digs out a fire pit using his dagger to break up the sod and his mess kit to dig out enough dirt and stone to keep the fire contained once he finds a likely spot to collect the berries preferably down wind of the fire.
"Well then, tonight and tomorrow we get wet," Nedyr looks around, "Unless we can get some cover somewhere by then?"
"Yeah... I Can't really tell myself, but those clouds are definitely rain clouds. Lets see if we can find good shelter for a camp." Markov packs some of the berries into Snow's saddlebags and then mounts up. He grimaces slightly. "Lets head on out. I know in the rain, without a bath, I smell like a dog. So lets find some shelter."
Markov will either assist or look for a proper place to set up camp that has decent shelter for the group.
Alexander gives Markov a hand with the sight scouting. I am starting to think leaving most of the supplies and all the hirelings at the trading post for this short sweep of the area was a mistake. The tent would come in handy as well as some of the other items we purchased.
"Well, I have a bedroll and a blanket, didn't have the sense to bring a tent," he admits.
Fortunately, Mikmek saves the day and shows them how to do it.
And he helps set camp hurriedly , "The glamourous life of adventurers, eh?"
"Meh. Could be worse." Markov flatly responds
He digs into Snow's saddlebags and pulls out hemp rope. "This should help." He begins to assist Mikmek with the tent.
Alexander answers the question with out hesitation before directing it to the others. Works for me. How about the rest of you?
"I don't mind." Markov replies as he mounts back up on Snow. Once he is mounted, he seems a bit confused. "Wait... While I don't mind going back to the Sootscales, I thought we were heading back to Oleg's?"
Either way, he will keep an eye out and tries to note where they are.
"Ohh... Okay then. That makes sense." As Markov replies.
While riding back, he sees a flock of birds following them. "Huh? What kind of birds are those? They seem really interested in us..."
"What I know about birds is pretty limited to heraldry."
Alexander follows the birds movements but can't offer much help other wise. Not sure I have some knowledge of animals and plants but birds are not a specialty.