Torod leads the group around the frog pond to get to the uncharted areas.
Survival
"Elaina has friends she hasn't met yet," Asta summarizes for Seraph. "We should be alright. Let's move on."
Asta stares at the creature in silence until she feels she has her voice under control.
To Seraph, she says: "No, this was not mentioned. Let's just... go."
Feral speech: "Then hunt only four-legs of the wild and come find us after. My name is Winter Moon*"
Even though they have not gone far, Torod decides to camp at the statue. He takes the time to clean the area up and presents his work to Erastil as an offering.
Seraph was calm and then assured by Asta's speech and then could not avoid being alarmed when the four wolves became one. Resting her confidence in Asta she didn't level her blade at the horse sized wolf and when Asta spoke to her again she nodded. "Elaina's going to have trouble with that one I think... Just my opinion and glad we are not... enemies." With that settled and the wolf trotting off into the distance Seraph switches back to her bow and continues to the Thorn River camp to complete their first day of travelling.
The figure sat their mount comfortable as it's feet 'scritched' through the tall grass. Occasionally they'd stop, pull a good sized piece of parchment from under the poncho worn over their shoulders and thence consult a small, round, disc like object taken from another pocket.
Having traveled a good two days West from the Fort Oleg and then skirting South along the flanks of the large forest, the figure continues to look about for the 'some ones' that they've been indicated shoud
ld(?) be around the place.
"Okey Fluff. Them's got to be around here some where." The low brow hatted figure assures their mount, even as they stand a little taller in the saddle for the few inches extra height it gives over the terrain. The mount shift under them, adjusting for the change in balance, even as the creature's large inquisitive eyes first look towards the sound of the voice and thence back to watching the motions of the grass lands alertly.
Spying something in the distance the rider 'cliks' to their mount, squeezing their knees and shifting their balance forwards. With the indications given it moves off in the direction indicated.... towards some large 'something' in the distance.
Torod sees the rider coming closer. He makes sure that Elaina has also taken note of him as well and that Strawberry Deathstrike is close by. The half-elf makes himself busy until the rider gets closer.
The large bird and its rider pulls up a good way from where Torod and company have made camp and started clearing the space around the large land mark.
"" They call towards the group,
"" They explain.
""
They site their mount easily, the large dangerous looking avian gazing out at the world from around a huge and powerful beak. The newcomer wears a wide, low brimmed hat and poncho over the rest of their clothes.
"Maybe. Maybe not. What you looking for these 'Guardians' for?"
The rider shifts their mount a short distance closer.
" Folks at yon fort said they'd be about here. Come lookin' ta' help out." They reply to the caller from the monument.
" Be yer selves them what's workin' at fixin' things up 'round here, then?" They again question.
Looking to Asta as they made their way to Thorn River Camp Seraph couldn't help but ask. "What will we do if a fey does come and the Mites turn on us?" It had been on her mind for awhile now and that they were alone it seemed a good time to ask her.
There is a long pause while Torod considers. "We are the Wardens. Come join the camp and tell your tale." Torod makes a gesture with his hands and calls out. "One more for dinner."
The newcomer hears a low, feline growl before seeing something going streaking off.
The newcomer dismounts and leads their animal into the camp, touching their hat and offering a 'Good time of day' as greeting.
Torod gives the newcomer small tasks to do to complete the camp while he pepares the food. Elaina is off on her own. Soon, Strawberry Deathstrike returns with some more rabbits, which are added to the stew pot. Once dinner is fixed and eaten, Torod becomes more talkative.
"Now that you've found us, what do you plan to do?"
Torod gives the newcomer small tasks to do to complete the camp while he pepares the food. Elaina is off on her own. Soon, Strawberry Deathstrike returns with some more rabbits, which are added to the stew pot. Once dinner is fixed and eaten, Torod becomes more talkative.
"Now that you've found us, what do you plan to do?"
Having hobbled her mount and placed a feed bag of prepared dried jerky and kibble about the large avian's beak Sunset gets her gear put down and then settles in to help with camp chores.
Once the meal is over and people are relaxing for the evening she first completely checks the small weapon at he hip.
Taking it out, partly disassembling it, checking its tiny components before being reassured all is well, putting it back together and returning it to its scabbard.
Only then does she relax fully but removing two more small items from the belts about herself. A largish exotic wooden box and a smaller silver item.
From the lager varnished box she take s a single long item. Some sort of rolled, dark paper about a hand-span long and maybe two fingers wide. returning the box to the folds of her gear she then, with a deft motion she clips off one end flicking the 'waste' into the camp-fire before flicking open the smaller metal device and producing a strong and steady flame from within.
Applying the light to the end of the roll she is soon content to puff on the gently smouldering roll of... plant fiber.
Leaning back on her bed-roll, cigar in hand, she looks to Torod at the other Half-Elf's question.
"Well.. having come out into these wolds on personal type business... I thought I'd stay a while an', y'know, look around. It's nice country. One might even think of settling down... making a farm kind'a thing." She looks to Torod,
"And, ye-self?" She asks, gently puffing away at her cigar.
"And what about your unusual steed. What sort of creature is that and how did you come about it?"
Torod's question about the axbeak, causes them to look over at it. They see that Strawberry Deathstrike has taken quite an interest in the overlarge bird. She sits there very still, ready to pounce.
At the sight of the open plain Seraph spurred Julius into a faster trot, pulling with her the donkey and moving a bit more swiftly towards the Thorn river camp so they could ease in for the night. "We can make the mites by the evening if you wish and speak with them in the morning. That way we can speak with the Kobolds as well tomorrow. I dare say we will be ahead of schedule."
Sunset gently draws on her cigar and looks in the direction Torod has pointed,
"The 'Axe beak'? Aye, they in't common. Paid a hefty amount of shine for it too." She adds.
"But, they're smaller than a horse. They can forage fer small game when they need too." Her eyes look out, beyond the camp,
"Heck, who knows, might even import some more. Try fer raisin' a flock or two. See how much people are willin' t'pay fer ownin' a mount what in't a slouch at combat an' is smaller an' leaner than a horse." Then her gaze takes in the large feline.
"As for your... critter? Ahm bein' sociable an' keepin' me bird on'a leash." Sunset's gaze returns to Torod.
"You be doin' th' same... Aye?" She continues to enjoy her cigar and awaits Torod's replies, though her gaze takes in Eliana as well.
The large bird settles down for the night and continues to munch at the feed bag over their beak.
"I'd as soon not visit the Mites by dark if we've the choice. I'll need my wits about me - and them at the defensive. Remember their love of pranks against those at a disadvantage... Of such things diplomacy is made."
When she spots the wolf, Asta shrugs.
"Let him... them... eat. We have our own food and he... they will be happier with a full stomach."
Seraph nods, choosing a spot several yards away but near enough to where the wolf was feeding to not totally lose sigh of it in the dark. She quickly got to work setting up a small camp, keeping the donkey hitched to Julius and her horse on guard in case they encountered less then friendly company in the night. "I will take night watch so you can get some rest."
She made a small fire in a deep hole to keep the light t a minimum lest someone spot it from a ways off.
Seraph wakes Asta at teh predetermined time, at daawns early light and catches a quick nap herself before they muster and move on to the Mites lair. She kept her weapons on her person lest she were forced to use them, but planned on leaving Asta to do the talking if possible.
She kept an eye on the large wolf and hoped it wouldn't think the Mites were some sort of edible treat. As much as the thought disgusted Seraph personally.
"She has her own mind. I can't make her do or not do anything. My suggestion is that you tell your bird-steed to not show fear or maybe to stop looking so delicious." Torod offers Sunset some tea.
The next morning, he leads the group along.
"Right now, we are mapping the Stolen Lands. You are welcome to come with us. Try and keep up." Note that neither Torod nor Elaina have horses.
Despite being ever ready to do so, Strawberry never does pounce. She seems to enjoy tormenting the over-large bird, but does no more than menace it.
(Feral Hex) "We are about to visit a tribe of Mites. Keep well back. Do not attack them or any of their creatures. THAT IS AN ORDER," Asta tells the odd wolf during the ride.
She is so bossy. I'm sure that wolf had no plans on attacking.
"She has her own mind. I can't make her do or not do anything. My suggestion is that you tell your bird-steed to not show fear or maybe to stop looking so delicious." Torod offers Sunset some tea.
Sunset nods and accepts the tea.
"Well.. tha' bird be a mount, not somethin' I'm inclined t' chat too like some nature folk. Still, if they can learn t' play nice all well an' good." She eyes Torod,
"We end up less one mount? I'll be lookin' fer compensation, are we agreed?"
sunset settles in and enjoys the campfire and meal. Offering to take which ever shift on watch is needed/offered.
The next morning, he leads the group along.
"Right now, we are mapping the Stolen Lands. You are welcome to come with us. Try and keep up." Note that neither Torod nor Elaina have horses.
Sunset packs up her things come the morning, helping clear up the area and thence set her bird to rights with saddle, bridle etc.
She mounts up and sets off with the others.
"Leave them lie. They can track us once they've slept off their belly's load."
After a moment's consideration, Torod turns to Sunset. "Ready to find out what the Warden's do?" He forges ahead into the wood.
Take 10 on Perception and Survival rolls
Perception Total 25
Survival Total 19
Nodding to Asta Seraph remarks quietly. "The air is cooling, perhaps this year winter won't be so harsh but I am sad to say. Winter is coming." They leave the wolves where they lie and Seraph keeps her bow drawn as they make their way across the open rolling plains while heading for the land of Mites.
Asta flashes Seraph a quick smile that has more than a hint of the vulpine in it, the fey, the witchly, her eyes sparkling.
"Yes," she says. "Winter."
Laughing, Asta nudges her mount with her heels and gallops ahead.
Once done with E1, Torod will lead the group to explore and map F2.
Rides along and keeps an eye out for anything untoward.
"Hey-YUP!" Sunset brings her mount to a stop and points,
"Here.. whut d'ye think that be? Strange place ta' leave a rope..." She cautiously scans the surrounds even as she points out the tree and the dangling.. rope.
"A hanging tree? I guess the blood attracted some moss." Torod gets closer to cut the rope down.