"Then either this area is frequented by dangerous wildlife, or someone wanted to keep something hidden," Asta remarks.
Seraph lets the trap go with a loud snap after The Strawberry was freed. She flexes hwr hands angriliy before she proceeded to heal Strawberry... ;)
Her magic was more potent then usual which made her a little happier. However when she saw the trap again she growled in anger.
"OR they wanted people to get hurt. So I am going to take all that we can find. Bastard can get them back from Oleg after I punch them in the face."
She starts looking for sizable rocks or branches. (Take 10+5=15) To drop or poke the traps and set off them off with before gathering them up.
"After you punch them in the face and they pay a substantial fine, you mean," Asta suggests, a smile as gentle and kind as the edge of Winter on her lips. (Which is to say, it's cold and sharp and carries the promise of death. ;) )
She smiles at Asta's comment, nodding in agreement. she cracks her knuckles as she hefts a rock and lobs it into the undergrowth trying to find more traps. She wipes the dust off her palms as she picks up a branch. "Alright Mikmek lets play wacka a goblin and find anymore traps. Lest other travelers run afoul of this..."
"Do you remember the guy leaving Oleg's just as we arrived? He was a trapper, wasn't he?" Marten says.
"Also, we should probably put some "law" into effect, if we do not want people hunting with traps in the wilderness. Especially if we want to beat them because of it. It is unfortunate one of us got caught in the bear trap, but let's face it - it is not especially traveled region here, so it was probably not put here to catch unaware travelers... Just saying."
Torod doesn't say much. He just keeps looking for more traps.
He'll spend no more than a couple of days in the area before moving on. There is work to be done, after all.
Asta holds position where she knows it's safe, but looks around -- and shrugs her shoulder, launching Croft into the air. "Look around," she orders him. "Let's get this done.
Croft circles above the area, looking for disturbed areas that might indicate the presence of more of these traps. He emphatically does NOT land to investigate any... but he might drop a rock or a dead branch on any that he spots.
"One over there," Asta says, pointing out the trap she spotted. She continues to look around without leaving her spot...
"Found another one," she reports, pointing out a second trap. "Four down."
Croft continues his circuit, black eyes seeking out traps.
Alas, Croft proves to be less successful as a trapsmith than his mistress. It's a blessing he's flying around, where he can't step in any bear traps or snares, really...
"Signs for treps, that is great idea. I am not an expert on traps, it never occured to me you can mark them for sentients to see."
Marten starts looking for traps, using a long stick as he saw Mikmek do.
Torod is an old hand at finding the traps. Strawberry is understandably shy about looking for more traps.
Perception
Perception
Perception
Perception
Perception
"We might get more for the metal," Asta says, shaking her head. "Oh, well. Disable them, pack them up, and let's continue our search. We have a lost temple to find. Croft, go scout ahead!"
"Yeah, yeah," the raven croaks, sighing as he flies off once more. "This job, I swear... Watch me warn you if I find any real magic gold..."
"Traps are useful as camp protection too, hard to sneak up on people when theres a bear trap between you and them. Works really well if we find a cave to camp in." Seraph offers the suggestion lightly, tired out thankfully by the long day of looking around.
She chuckles at the raven's complaints, surprised and intrigued by how it was talking in the first place. She drops it quickly after remembering that isn't the weirdest thing shes seen. She refocuses then on the task at hand.
"Julias can carry some traps and I am so looking forward to exploring more~"
"Time to start looking for a good spot to camp and decide on watch rotations," Asta says. "I'll take last; I need uninterrupted sleep for my magic. Eight hours' worth."
Seraph taps her chin in thought and nods in appreciation of Mikmeks insight.
"I never thought of below ground. Guess thats the weakness of upland thinking. Good think Mikmek, do you think your Chieftan would like these?"
She looks to Asta later. "I can take the midnight watch and wake you in the morning."
"I'd like a word with that stinky trapper man." Torod says petting Strawberry who stays uncharacteristically close for the rest of the day.
"Wasn't there a reward out to anyone who could catch some great animal?" Asta asks. "Tusk-something-or-other? Perhaps the trapper thought the beast might be near here."
"So. All he caught was my enmity."
"Wind is shifting," Asta says as she lifts her head, sniffing the air and frowning. "If that beast the reward was set out for is here, it'll be downwind from us. As will any other predator that fancies us in its gut. Stay alert."
When the jackrabbits break cover, Asta hurriedly brings out her sling, whirls it round and lets fly, hoping to hit at least one rabbit.
She curses when her bullet goes wide, and thrusts her arm out to the sky.
""
A black speck in the sky abruptly grows into a black, cawing bird, which divebombs a leaping rabbit. Croft attempts to strike the prey in mid-leap, when it has less options to manoeuvre...
Marten is not really the hunter type, he just sits on his horse and examines the terrain around them.
seraph chuckles at the idea of being hunted. "I am sure none of them will want to mess with Torod."
She bulked at the idea of hunting though. "I dont mind carrying out the fallen beast but I'm like a bison in a vase shop. Loud and obvious."
Torod takes a hasty shot at a scampering jackrabbit while Strawberry tests her healed leg by chasing one down.
Longbow:
to hit to hurt
Strawberry Bite
to hit to hurt trip
"I know, already," Croft says before Asta can tell him to go, and he flies up and ahead to scout. "Croft, do this, Croft, do that..."
"He can be trained," Asta says, with a subtle smile. She gazes off after her familiar.
For the rolls during our exploration I'll Take 10 and get Aid from Strawberry Deathstrike (I'll add it assuming she can also Take 10). If Elaina's skills are better than mine, we will both Aid her instead.
Knowledge (Geography) +6
Knowledge (Nature) +8
Perception +11
Survival +10
Torod and Strawberry work together to keep the team on track, though Stawberry keeps getting distracted by a certain dark, flying, tasty morsel. All are asked to help if they wish, particularly Elaina.
"So sorry," Asta murmurs, brushing off Mikmek's shoulders. "Completely unintentional, I assure you. Ahem. Are we sure the berries here are safe to eat...?"
"If they're regular blackberries, they should be safe enough."
Seraph watched quietly, with her bow at the ready in case trouble appeared...
"Did anyone bring holy water, or a copy of The Bones Land In A Spiral?" Asta asks, eyeing the cairn with some apprehension. "We should mark this place. And eat no more of the berries growing off of it. Who only knows what these bushes' roots have feasted on?"