[Sat Apr 14 20:02:03 GMT+00:00 2001]

If your calculations are correct you should reach the edge of the Cormanthor Forest by nightfall with the small detour to Velarsburg costing you your daylight approach. As you leave the small sleepy village of loggers back along the path heading to the northern trail to the woods.

Russeth rubs his chin as they head into the wilderness by the track they took the day before. "So, everyone had a good night of sleep, this is where the real adventure gets on. As far as I know, the next civilized village is far, far below the Half-axe Trail." He looks in his pouch for what food he has left and nods to himself.

You proceed onward through waist high steeps as you make your way back to the main trail. All about you are waving golden blades of grasses and small patches of green brambles. Around midday or so you come to and area where the trails once again cross each other as it continues on and turns both to the left and the right.

[Gremag]: "now where?"

Hawk " Let's flip a coin. "

Feragan walks along enjoying nature

Gremag scratches his head "how? 3 directions anyone got a 3 sided coin?" looks around.

Russeth smiles as he lets his hands rub the golden grasses he looks as happier as ever. He closes his eyes seeing the trail in his mind. "I believe the way would be right from here, towards the Half-axe Trail. We came from the left way."

Hawk " Wow! That’s some serious bush".

Zakren looks to the two trails and scratches his chin..."We passed this place to get to the village, I guess we head towards the woods."

Russeth kneels next to the cross trails. "I will see if I can find our tracks, this'll be easier." He gropes around in the dirt, looking for tracks.

Gremag whistles a tune. "What’s the point of tracks? Unless we really want to get to town any path should do..."

Hawk " Are we going to the woods? "

[Russeth]: "We are not heading towards any town Gremag, I believe we came from the left trail, let us head the right one." He points to the right track from the point he stands the one they arrived from this time.

[Gremag]: "what is our mission again?"

Mordineon nods in agreement with Russeth.

Zakren leans slightly on his bow as he waits for the Ranger to start walking.

[Gremag]: "what are we setting out to do in the first place?"

Hawk " By Odins blood Gremag! How much did you drink last night? "

Russeth nods to Hawk silently as he waits. He raises an eyebrow at Gremag, "The bandits, remember, they are a flea on the Half-axe Trail lately." He grabs the bow on his back and smiles as he proceeds onward into the trail. "I will scout ahead of you if you wish, I will stay in sight."

Gremag grins "enough to put a regiment to sleep".

Mordineon begins walking down the right trail.

Gremag shrugs and follows

Hawk brings up the rear with his ass in tow.

Russeth shrugs and catches up with Mordineon. "Well I guess we can also walk all at the same rhythm then."

Zakren follows behind him, walking with confidence.

Feragan follows the group

Gremag goes next to Hawk "I hope we get to meet up with some bandits soon"

[Gremag]: "all this walking and looking gets tiring after a while, don’t you think?"

Hawk " Aye, so that we may give them the " Gift "

Turning to the right and on a northern heading you make your way across the steeps you can see looming on the horizon the tops of the trees of Cormanthor Forest. The trees grow taller and thicker as you close the distance between you. Before you know it the sun is in the late skies as the forest now stands only a few hundred yards away, as you peer into its murky shadows. As rays of sunlight break through the tops of the trees.

Russeth rolls his eyes as he smiles. "Ah, the ambitions of our Dwarven fellow again. I do not have the same hopes, my good sir. Though I wouldn't mind slitting some brigands' throats like any of you." He returns his attention in the distance.

Hawk " we should press onward to the woods and then make camp "

Zakren raises an eyebrow as Russeth mentions his love of slitting throats.

Gremag grins, "if I didn’t have these ambitions we would end up wandering around trying to find away to indiscreetly avoid them"

Russeth nods at Hawk reluctantly. "We will set camp a few feet away from the edge of the Cormanthor Forest."

Proceeding on to get, as close as possible before camping down for the night as you come with a hundred yards or so. Before you is a small trail cutting into the ever-dense growing woods that runs deep into the darkness and out of your sight. Before it sits a small field of seedlings growing up around the tall trees of the forest.

Gremag shudders

Feragan takes a good long look into the forest. "I wonder if I will be able to manage with the hardships of the wilderness... to be honest I'd rather be in some nice city... but I suppose we must suffer to make progress."

[Gremag]: "why cant these adventures take us near the mountains, leave it up to a elf to find a adventure which takes you to a forest"

Zakren shakes his head and rolls his eyes at the dwarf.

[Feragan]: "Well, there isn't a very big difference.... Both represent hardships in their own ways...

[Gremag]: "yes, but I can deal with the hardships of the mountains, not of the hardships of the forest"

Hawk " Friend Gremag, the forest often proceeds the mountains. "

You camp down for the night thinking of the pending dangers that lurk not far from you. As the sun begins to fall from the sky giving way to the night four orbs can be seen floating in the far skies as the golden rays of sunlight cast shadows off them. They seem to drift across the night skies.

Gremag brightens up

Russeth looks over at Feragan. "It will be good for you to spend some time in the wild, and you should learn to get along with it. Any adventure will bring you in the wilderness, be it woodlands, mountains or subterranean, it'll always be the wilderness, Feragan." He then launches a huge smile at Gremag. "Ah we will get along so well."

Gremag looks to Russeth, "yes. I will be practical and you will be day dreaming ways to counter my logic"

Gremag grins mockingly back "that is instead of doing something useful to do". Thinking of something useful to do.

Mordineon looks around the area. "I guess we should camp here and enter the forest in the light of day."

Hawk makes camp and breaks out some food to eat and some ale to drink.

Gremag sets up his tent.

Russeth grins slightly as he watches up at the beautiful sky. "Well, dwarf, you say you are better than us elves, then you should learn the ways of the forest and then beat me?" He whistles a joyful tune as they make their way to the edge of the forest. He settles near the edge of the forest and sighs. "This should be a great place indeed, Mordineon."

Feragan sets up his tent and than begins eating a meal.

Russeth drops his backpack near Gremags encampment and looks around the area, wondering if it may be close to any animal's den or lair.

Gremag looks at Russeth, "I say I am not better, just that dwarves are more practical than you elves are".

Gremag takes out his sword "in more ways than one" goes off hunting.

You sit back in the tall grass as you camp for the night. The blades of grass whip back and fourth from the gentle breeze coming from the north.

Hawk " Gremag are you going to give Russeth the Gift? "

Russeth shrugs. "Alrighty then, I have nothing against that." He picks up some earth from the ground and slowly pours it back on the ground. He then comes back and settles his own tent facing the plain.

Zakren sits down against a tree and pulls his cloak around himself. He also keeps his bow with a nocked arrow at his side in case of an ambush.

Russeth smiles at Gremags back as he leaves to go hunting. "Let's see if the brave dwarf can bring us some decent food tonight, I will gather some dry wood to start a fire."

Hawk stakes his ass in the grass so that he may eat.

Russeth leaves off near the edge of the forest, seeking some branches and dried leaves.

Russeth whistles and his dog comes in a straight line towards him. He throws a branch high and far in the plain as the dog starts running after it. He comes moments later, carrying the exact same branch and hops around. "Good boy. Now let's go build that fire of ours."

[Feragan]: "Hmmm what do you suppose those orbs were. Swamp gas? '

Mordineon looks over from his bedroll. " Not sure no one said anything so I thought I was seeing things."

Russeth comes back, carrying a small pile of branches, covered by dried leaves. He drops them in the middle of the camp and rubs his hands together. He looks over at Feragan then at Mordineon, "What did you see?"

Hawk "Swamp Gas '

Russeth shrugs with the odd smile. "Let's just hope this fire doesn't blow up the whole swamp." He then lies in the grass and looks up, at the sky.

[Feragan]: "Well, I don’t want to go to sleep yet...would anyone like to play a game of riddles?"

Hawk " What is Riddles? "

[Feragan]: "... you don’t know what a riddle is?"

Russeth shrugs "Considering I might watch first, we have all time to play that game of yours. I'll give it a try."

Hawk " Ah know what a riddle is."

You sit back talking in riddles as time goes by. Gremag has yet to return form his hunt of the surrounding area.

[Feragan]: "At night they come without being fetched, and by day they are lost without being stolen."

Russeth sighs at the poor riddle that he has heard so many times. "We call them stars in my Dale."

Zakren lowers his head in his cloak, only his elven ears can be seen now.

Hawk " Gremag hasn't returned yet. "

[Feragan]: "Well, that was just to see if you even knew what a riddle was..." grins at Hawk.

Mordineon laughs at the comments about him.

Hawk " Ah have a riddle for you but it is long '

Mordineon looks across the camp. "So you ever going to light that fire Russeth?"

Russeth coughs and sits up cross-legged "My intentions were to wait for Gremag, but where as he been?"

You hear rustling coming from steep as Gremag appears.

[Gremag]: "man, game is scarce up here"

Hawk lowers his head waiting for Russeth's comments

Gremag sighs pointing to Russeth.

Zakren's eyes come out of the cloak, looking at Gremag as he lowers his head again.

[Gremag]: "don’t say a word", stomps over to his tent.

Russeth smiles as he stands up and rubs his hands. "Need to know how to find it in the forest." He emphasizes the word forest. "I guess we will be eating dried rations tonight." He then kneels next to the branches and builds the fire rapidly.

[Feragan]: "The beginning of eternity, the end of time and space, the beginning of every end, and the end of every place."

Hawk " Is it a fart? "

Russeth laughs as he sits cross-legged. "Now that's a good one."

[Feragan]: "Well. Ill let you people dwell on that as I go to sleep.... Goodnight" Feragan goes to bed.

Gremag takes out a ration and eats it and takes a long swig of a drink.

[Gremag]: "wake me up when it is my shift".

You talk for some time, as the land about you becomes black with night. The small fire casts little light about your camp as you talk on into the night.

Gremag crawls into his tent and goes to sleep

Hawk " Aye " and heads to bed

Russeth smiles as he looks towards the sky, wondering if night as come upon them yet. "I shall take the first watch again, let's hope that riddle will not disturb me that much." He smiles as he stands up and looks directly towards the edge of forest.

Russeth sits on watch while the others bed down for the night as the sounds of crickets befall the area.

Hawk " zzzzzZZZZZZZ "

[Feragan]: "ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz'

Russeth quickly switches to a darkness vision as the others go to bed. He looks at the trees and thinks about the same idea. He finds a large tree and attempts to climb it.

[Russeth]: A few hours later, Russeth comes into Gremags tent and shakes him. "You're turn to watch, dwarf." He nods to him sorely.

Gremag grumbles and yawns before stumbling up to the fire.

Russeth quickly dives into his own small tent, falling in trance with a tired sigh and a smile.

Gremag switches to infravision and sits there alert.

Gremag goes to Fergan's tent "your turn".

[Feragan]: "what? Oh yeah..." Feragan gets up and sit near the fire, scanning the forest...

Gremag goes back to his tent goes in and quickly falls asleep.

Feragan throws some more wood on the fire and has breakfast...

Feragan looks at the direction the growling is coming from.

Zakren clears his throat and calls out..."Time to get up!"

Morning comes and, not a moment to soon as you hear growling, and moaning coming from deep with in the woods before you. With the morning light you are able to see the trail is wide enough to squeeze two wagons side by side as it runs down through the ever closing in forest trees.

Hawk " Already! No one woke me up for my watch. '

Gremag stretches and gets up as he exits his tent.

[Gremag]: "Hawk, I wouldn’t complain. Having a watch is no joy ride".

Russeth slowly opens his hides, he rolls to the side and smiles, he proceeds to kiss his bedroll and running his hand all over it. He then fully wakes up and strikes at the ground with his fist. "Ah, do I wish I had found my soul mate already." He then jumps out of his tent door and stretches watching everyone. "Where is that growling coming from?" He dives for his longsword and looks at the forest.

Hawk gets up exits his tent to see what Gremags tummy is growling about

Gremag looks at Russeth

Russeth smiles at Hawk. "No worries, you're up for tomorrow."

[Gremag]: "what are you talking about? Anyway ill be right back, got to check something"

Zakren shrugs..."I don't know but Feregan went after them alone. Leaving us unwatched."

Gremag heads off into the forest

Hawk straps on his shield and has his long sword ready.

Russeth shrugs. "That might teach him how it works in the wild." He smiles. "I hope we don't have to look for him though."

Hawk " What in Hela's domain is growling out there? "

[Russeth]: "I don't know about you, but I doubt a Human would actually go out there on his own, no? Something must've made him do it." He then looks down the trail intently, while he is donning his armor.

Gremag returns to the tent crestfallen.

Hawk breaks camp and gets his ass.

[Russeth]: "We might have to go find it out, Hawk."

Zakren shakes his head..."Haven't you ever heard of human curiosity?"

[Gremag]: "now I know why I don’t like the forest it is impossible to find anything edible out there"

Russeth laughs at Gremags comment "Oh, so much is edible in the mountains, you're right Gremag."

Gremag grins, "yep, mountain goats...trees...the usual".

Before long you see Feragan returning as you Pack up and make your way down the trail for a few hours you come across a small clearing to the left of the trail. There are noticeable tracks of man and beast of burden pulling wagons into the clearing. It appears to be a small rest area off the trail as old campfire remains can be found in several areas.

Hawk " was that your stomach growling Gremag, or did you find a beast? "

Gremag goes over to his tent and packs it up. Then he comes back to the center of the camp completely ready to go.

Feragan packs up his stuff and follows the group...

Gremag looks at Hawk; "both, my stomach is a beast a times" gives a wan grin.

Hawk ' AYE "

Russeth pauses to think for a moment. "Roots, flower tea, wild boar, insects, bear, birds, fresh water ponds." He elbows the dwarf. "You know there is plenty in forests." He hums a joyful tune as they walk down the trail, paying attention to the side trails.

Hawk and nods at Gremag

Gremag glares at Russeth and his smile disappears, "maybe but they were all scared off by your presence"

[Feragan]: "Well, what should we do now?"

Hawk quietly to Gremag " I hope he runs into some poison oak '

Mordineon follows along humming a short tune with Russeth as the time passes on.

Gremag says quietly back, "no. Running into a thorn bush will be better"

[Russeth]: "We have to find these bandits, I suppose they may have an outpost not too far from the trail to keep track of caravans and such. Maybe we will be ambushed ourselves if we aren't too cautious."

Proceeding on a short time later the hums have been over powered by growls of beasts, that can be heard along the edge of the woods. They seem to moving towards you from the direction in which you are heading. The growls, grunts, and chopping sound can be heard coming from on the right of the trail.

Hawk snickers softly.

Gremag grins, "either way it might lower that earth shattering ego of his"

Hawk " Aye '

[Gremag]: "we can only hope..."

[Feragan]: "What is that growling sound?"

Russeth stops besides the others, he grabs his bow, nocks an arrow, slides another one on his belt and inspects the surrounding woods. "Something is getting closer and I doubt it's humanoid."

Zakren raises his bow and keeps his eyes on the trail's sides.

Gremag takes out his sword "nah, ill just kill them"

Hawk puts his sword and shield on his ass and gets out his halberd " Be ready, we may have to give the GIFT to those growling beast's "

Feragan pulls out a dagger

Russeth turns his attention towards Hawk for a second. "Explain to me that expression of yours, the Gift?"

Hawk " the gift of COMBAT "

Russeth rolls his eyes. "If you say so."

Mordineon looks on into the shrouded woods. "So who is going to take a look in there?" Looking about at the others.

Gremag grins, "I think IM gonna like this guy".

Feragan begins walking towards the noise.

Hawk " I'll go look".

Russeth shrugs, raising his bow at shoulder height, aiming towards the right side of the trail. "You do as you wish."

[Gremag]: "bears..." rubs his belly, "hmmm.... Bear soup"

Zakren stands on the road...always keeping his arrow before his eyes.

[Russeth]: "Alright, let's get moving and leave those bears alone, we don't want any trouble."

Hawk slowly backs his way back into the trail trying to be as soft and clam as possible.

[Gremag]: "well I want one...IM tired of dried rations anyone with me?"

Feragan walks back to the group

Russeth shakes his head. "That is pointless destruction of nature beauty, you hurt that bear I'll deal with ye."

Gremag looks around at the others, waiting for a response.

Zakren sighs and steps forward..."I need food."

Hawk whispering " No, don't".

[Gremag]: "how is it pointless distruction, it is hunting for food we only need one, and we will smoke the rest of the food".

Russeth sighs moving his eyes between Gremag and Zakren. "We have food for about a week each. Why hunt for food, when one has food?"

Moving up to get a closer look you make your way of the trail a short bit to see into a small lit clearing from the sun breaking through the tree tops. In the midst of the clearing and light are four large black bears moving along brush. The larger of the four stops and turns in your direction as it takes notice of you peering through the bushes as the others stop and turn to see what the other is sniffing. Within a short time the bear seems to get aggravated with your presence and begins growling, and snapping of its jaws as the bones make the sounds of a chopping noise.

Gremag glares at Russeth, "how long do you think it will last?" we have to prepare for the worse"

Zakren looks at Russeth..."I have no food..."

Hawk " that is a lot of meat to have to carry "

Russeth continues moving along the trail, ignoring any further comment.

Mordineon looks on. "Are you all nuts that’s four bears there they will slaughter us?"

Gremag sighs

Mordineon follows quickly behind Russeth.

Gremag says grudgingly, "lets continue then, but next time I won’t leave"

Russeth notices someone has an intelligent comment. "Not only that, but it would be slaying a family of bears."

Hawk " My point exactly, and I don't want to be bear food".

Feragan follows Russeth

Gremag Follows hawk

Hawk follows Russeth.

With the bears now out of the way you make your way back down the trail in search of any signs out of place that may have been left behind by the bandits or a traveler. Moving on throughout the day you have been unable to find anything strange or out of place when begin to hear the sounds of water coming from not far up the trail. But with the setting sun in the sky you can not see too far ahead to locate the source of the waters. As the remaining rays of sunlight is slowly forming smaller and smaller areas of light coming through the treetops.

Russeth sighs in relief as people follow. "Let's make that quick, in case those bears understand common and thus what Gremag said."

Gremag grunts

Russeth smiles jokingly as he walks a little faster, interrogated by the sounds of pouring water. "Enjoy life. My Dwarven friend."

Hawk " looks to me like it's getting late '

Gremag swears at Russeth in Dwarven then adds some in common.

Investigating the sounds of the water you find yourself standing before a small river flowing through the woods as it rolls down a small embankment where it flows right through the trail and off into the woods. The trail is still passable as the waters seems to move to one side only covering part of the trail with a few inches of water.

Hawk " Are you a sailor Gremag? "

Russeth bows his head and thanks Gremag in gnollish.

[Gremag]: "no"

[Feragan]: "I say we setup camp here by the ford".

Hawk " You swear like one. I agree with Feragan "

Gremag grins, "ill take that as a compliment".

Russeth whistles. "You know I am a sailor, and do I swear? Everything depends on the sailor you meet."

With the setting of the sun the shadows of the forest seem to dance around you with the flash of glowing lights poking through the night air. The sounds of crickets and the steps of your feet are the only sounds that can be heard in your general area. There are no clearings in this area for a camp as the brambles and hedges grow right along the trail.

Russeth nods towards Feragan. "You guys any good at fishing?"

Gremag looks to Russeth, "you? A Sailor what seas were you sailing".

[Feragan]: "I knew I should have bought a line and a hook..."

Gremag rolls over with laughter, "Russeth, a sailor"

Hawk " Nay, I no nothing of fishing "

Russeth laughs back at Gremag; "I am a sailor and a navigator, my short-minded friend. Believe it or not I spent some time of my life sailing on the Dragon Reach."

Russeth smiles at Feragan "I have hooks, if you can find anything strong enough to fish with."

Hawk " Are we pressing on, and where should we set up camp?"

Gremag stands up saying mockingly "suuurree"

[Feragan]: "Well, we should setup a camp before we fish..."

Russeth nods and turns to Gremag with a smile. "I'll go check down the river if it is safe, some rivers are populated with strange and dangerous fishes."

[Gremag]: "if having a ego like yours is your way to eliminate prejudice, you have a long way go" "so far you are exactly like how I would imagine a arrogant elf"

[Russeth]: With that he climbs down the short hill and looks down into the water, which looks dirty while it isn't.

Zakren stands silently behind the group, bow in hand.

Russeth shakes head as he climbs down. "That dwarf does not want to listen this is unbelievable."

Hawk " He does it just to annoy you".

Russeth is out of hearing range.

The water rushes by harmlessly as you peer into the ripples of the current. While the others stand about the area.

[Gremag]: "I know, and he succeeds with flying colors".

Hawk " do we go onward to find a place to camp? "

[Feragan]: "This elf/dwarf stuff is very childish...I suggest to let it go..."

[Gremag]: "I say we move onward after we cross the stream then we make camp later".

Hawk " What say you Russeth? "

Russeth comes back up climbing the small earth cliff. "Well I think we should cross on the other side and camp there, I think we could try fishing this evening, instead of hunting. And then tomorrow we will have a clear sight of what we are doing."

Gremag crosses his arms, "IM hunting anyway".

Hawk " Sounds good "

Russeth rolls his eyes. "Always. Okay then let's cross and do this."

[Feragan]: "...well, IM going to do what Russeth suggested..." Feragan crosses the ford to the new campsite...

Gremag follows

Hawk prepares to cross the stream keeping a short lead on his ass.

Russeth looks at the rushing water, estimating how strong the current is before he crosses quickly. His dog has already crossed and is yapping on the other side, waiting for everyone.

Gremag stomps though the river and reaches the other side.

Hawk carefully leads his ass across the stream.

You camp down for the night across the river to get a few hours rest as the forest is all but blackened from the lack of light. You sit on watch and pitching your tents as others stare off into the darkness when you catch a glimpse of something shuffling through the woods off the right side of the trail. It seems to fly about the branches.

Gremag goes out to hunt again.

Feragan stands up and peers into the darkness.

Hawk lights his lantern " cover your eyes! "

Gremag disappears into the brush as Feragan tries to get a lantern lit.

Hawk shines the light towards the shuffling noise.

Zakren climbs a tree as he hears the shuffling; he stands on a branch with his bow in hand.

Russeth looks up at the thing flying with curiosity as he spreads out his tent and rises it. He doesn't cover his eyes as the lantern is lit, using his infravision he can see quite well in black and white. "Hawk takes first watch tonight I guess." He smiles sheepishly and lays down near his tent.

[Feragan]: "what was it?"

Hawk " Aye, and I’ll build a fire too".

Russeth grins towards Feragan. "Oh boy oh boy, will we have some people scared every time a owl flies by?" He laughs shortly and turns his attention towards the darkened woods.

Hawk ' Gremag may try to cook it".

Russeth pushes his dog in the tent with a smile. "Get in there, boy."

Zakren puts his bow over his shoulder after UN-notching the arrow and sits down on his tree branch.

Hawk " Wait a minute".

[Gremag]: "GET OVER HERE YOU BLOCK HEADS AND HELP ME WITH THESE BASTARDS!"

Gremag lets out a cry for help as you sit about looking for a nice spot to sleep for the night.

Russeth rolls over to the side and UN straps his bow quickly, after what he nocks an arrow. "What is it?" He shouts throughout the night.

Hawk grabs his halberd and heads off towards Gremag

Russeth walks quickly to the side of the trail and looks into the distance at what Gremag has come upon.

Zakren jumps off his branch and draws his sword as he runs silently towards the cry.

Feragan runs towards Gremag.

Investigating the disturbance you are dive bombed by some small winged creatures as the dart down about Gremags head. With the woods being so dark it's hard to make them out but they appear to be giant mosquitoes.

You make your way into the brush as Gremag fends off three creatures that are attacking him as two swoops down and miss him.

Russeth drops his bow and quickly grabs his sword and morningstar. He runs towards the battle intently, counting them as he gets closer.

Hawk " Ah, the fates have smiled upon thy this day. You shall receive the GIFT! " And swings at one of the foul creatures with his halberd.

The third creature dives in upon Gremag as he swings his sword cutting the little beast almost in two.

Zakren engages one of the creatures.

Russeth looks reluctant to come and help just yet as he sheets his weapon and grabs his bow once again. He nocks an arrow and aims at the flying creatures, the other arrow still slid in his belt.

Feragan begins to chant in low tones, quickly rising to a screaming chant and launches five magic missiles, one for each of the creatures!

Gremag aims his blowgun at another bat type thing.

Mordineon steps off to the side of the battle watching the others about him.

Hawk swings his halberd at one of the creatures.

As you rush in the creature circles once before diving upon Russeth missing him as he moves to the side.

Gremag aims at a creature firing a dart. After it misses Gremag quickly fires another one, this one lodges in it's head and the bat falls.

The bat creature drops only a few feet and attacks on as hawk tries to strike it missing cleanly.

Hawk "Crap!"

Zakren waits carefully for one of the creatures to dive near him and then quickly swings at it and slices its head off.

Zakren’s creature flies on as he looks at droppings falling thinking it to be the head of the beast.

The creature returns with an attack upon Feragan missing his neck as it swoops down upon him.

Russeth discerns two flying creatures and lets fly two arrows in an impressive six seconds, these two bat-like creatures being others than the one close to him. After what he drops the bow and draws both his melee weapons without moving his feet an inch.

[Russeth]: Both the arrows fly into the darkness, never to be found again.

Gremag looks around, seeing how many are left.

Zakren grunts at the droppings and awaits another creature to fly by him.

Feragan begins to chant softly but quickly his voice begins to below as he launches two magic missiles towards the creature that dove at me, and three other missiles at three other creatures.

Russeth has both weapons in hands, he looks up in the air at the bat that attacked him and gets ready to reply with a firm blow.

Two creatures are seen darting through the night as they swoop in and out of your area.

Hawk try's to another with the halberd.

Gremag readies his blowgun.

The creature dives in upon Russeth coming close enough to lift the hair upon his head with its movement but yet not close enough to land it upon him.

Russeth quickly twirls his weapon over his head, attempting to intercept the winged fiend on his dive.

[Russeth]: His morningstar strikes the bat down, it stays attached to its spikes until it hits the ground, splattering a little blood.

Russeth swings upon the beast cutting it in two in mid flight as the two sections come down striking the ground about you. As the other one retreats into the nights shadows and mists of the forest.

Zakren sheaths his sword and moves silently back to the camp.

Gremag looks around, trying to retrieve some darts.

Russeth pulls his hair backward, shuffled by the creature. "Well, Gremag, you cry out for help when you left us in the middle of a discussion. Next time ask for help before you go out." He expresses as he sheets his sword, hangs his morningstar and grabs his bow.

Hawk heads back to camp picking up his lantern.

Gremag grunts and grumbles and returns to the camp

After dealing with the bloodsuckers you settle back down getting cleaned up before getting some sleep before morning comes. Keeping one eye open peering into the darkness of the woods.

Russeth finds back his tent already settled and his dog lying inside it, seemingly very tired, he doesn't budge an inch as Russeth gets inside and lays down. "Good night, my friends." He says wearing the same usual smile.

Zakren leans back against his tree and looks to the others..."Anyone need healing?"

[Gremag]: "why not" walks over to Zakren.

Hawk builds a fire and takes first watch as instructed. Waking Russeth when his watch is over.

Mordineon looks you over as you make your way back into the camp. "So that was scary huh? Never saw creatures like that before."

Gremag rubs his back.

Zakren chants silently to himself and suddenly his hands glow with a bluish light. He then touches Gremag and the blue glow moves from his hand to the dwarf's whole body.

Hawk " and where were you during all of that Mordineon? "

[Mordineon]: "I was over there by the brush watching." Pointing off the trail well away from the battle.

Gremag looks in awe "well that worked".

Hawk " and why did you not fight?"

[Mordineon]: "Hey, that is not where my talents are good sir I’m a healer not a fighter." Smiling boldly with his sash crossing his garb.

Zakren begins to dance without any music but he seems to follow a rhythm. As he dances, he holds his hands towards the moon and chants silently to himself.

Gremag shakes his head and sits down.

Mordineon looks over at Zakren. "Well you don't see that every night." Looking about at the others.

Hawk " and what would you have done if those foul beast's would have killed us? "

[Russeth]: From the middle of his tent, Russeth let's out. "I would've laughed."

Russeth laughs sharply. "They didn't seem much arm now, we're all ok."

[Gremag]: "would anyone mind if I lodged a blow dart in that guy's spine?"

Hawk " AYE! But that is not the point. "

[Mordineon]: "Well sir I’m here to help the injured so I can only work when one of you gets beat up or chewed which ever the case may be."

Gremag looks at hawk, "you sure?"

Russeth draws his sword and lays it by him self in the grass just in case.

[Russeth]: "Now, that's a real good night. Good night!"

[Gremag]: "well, how about I make some injured for you" walks over to Russeth.

Hawk " I was talking to Russeth, but don't shoot him in the back like a coward, face him "

Gremag shrugs, "ok" and kicks Russeth. "Wake up", I challenge you to a dual".

Russeth opens a single eye and looks over at Gremag. "Face the truth, dwarf."

Gremag takes out his sword.

Russeth shakes head as he stays on the ground. "Go to sleep, young one."

[Gremag]: "if you decline I will be forced to kill you".

Hawk " ZODDS! Here we go again".

[Russeth]: A clear sound of metal to metal is heard from within the tent. "I wouldn't usually do this." Coming out of the tent Russeth wields both his weapons crossed together.

Mordineon looks at the brazen dwarf. "What makes you think we are going to let you kill him? He is with us as well isn't he?"

Hawk " Aye, but if you pick it Gremag you are on your own "

[Gremag]: "I am doing you a favor, giving you another patent"

Russeth positions himself at the edge of the cliff of the river.

Gremag charges with his sword.

Hawk " By ODINS MIGHTY ONE EYE! LET’S STOP THIS FOOLISHNESS! "

Gremag charges in swinging once upon Russeth with his weapon scrapping across his gear not doing any damage with the swing. You now feel he means business.

[Gremag]: "you have insulted my honor too much I will not kill you just wound you, to show I have honor".

Russeth moves to the side, not believing what the man has done. "What honor have I insulted and how?"

[Russeth]: "We were all in that fight, have I insulted my own self?" He limps to the side.

Gremag sighs and drops his sword and goes with hawk.

Hawk " Come friend Gremag, lets drink, not fight. "

Mordineon gets up and goes over to Russeth side to bind his wounds. "Now you see why I’m a healer with all you dumb fighters out here."

Russeth gulps in pain as he walks slowly towards his tent. "I think you have learned more of a lesson than I did in this..." He shakes his head.

Zakren ignores all the commotion and continues to dance.

Hawk pours Gremag a flagon of ale.

Gremag drinks it "this is not my night".

Mordineon begins to chant in an unknown tongue as he lies his hands over Russeth’s wound with a glow of a pale blue color leaving his hands.

Hawk " Be wary Gremag. Ale makes HAWK FART! "

Gremag gives a wary smile.

[Mordineon]: "Well can we get some sleep now?" Looking around to the others.

Hawk " Zakren, I'll be waking you for the next watch "

Russeth doesn't answer as he goes with his dog again.

Mordineon shrugs everyone off and beds down for the night after saying a short prayer.

Gremag finishes his ale then walks over, cleans his sword and puts it in his scabbard again. "Ill take first watch tonight".

Russeth lies his weapon by his side and lies, very seriously. He is quickly in his trance, and is dog quickly to sleep.

Gremag sits by the fire and stares out into nothingness.

Hawk " Nay! I was instructed to take the first watch, then to wake Zakren "

Zakren stops dancing all of a sudden and drops to the ground from exhaustion.

Gremag glares at Hawk.

Hawk stakes down his ass and wakes Zakren for his watch when his is over.

The rest of the night goes by rather peaceful now that the bickering is done. As you awake to the sounds of splashing waters coming from down river. Like something heavy striking it.

Gremag walks very slowly like a sleepwalker to his tent, and then he goes to sleep.

Hawk looks to see what is making that infernal splashing noise.

Russeth peers outside and down the river as he wakes up, before equipping himself back.

Moving to get a closer look of the water you see two large bears jumping in and out of the waters as they cross from one side to the other before scurrying off into the woods. A slight chill is in the air as the sun tries to make its way through the canopy of the forest, while you listen to the sounds of birds and other wildlife that inhabit the forest.

Hawk " Alright! Who is leaving food out at night? It's attracting the bears ".

Gremag wakes up and storms out of the tent.

Feragan slowly wakes up and has breakfast...

Gremag looks at hawk, "pipe down" then looks at the bear.

Zakren gets up and goes to wash himself by the river.

[Gremag]: "now IM going to get myself some breakfast".

Gremag walks back to the tent and gets his sword. "Looks like breakfast to me"

Russeth shakes head at Gremag once again. "We shall see that."

Gremag looks to Russeth exasperated.

Feragan quietly packs his things...

Hawk has breakfast and dons his armor and breaks camp packing it on his ass.

You eat and clean up you and your camp as you prepare to move farther into the woods in search of the bandits.

Russeth shrugs and looks Gremag directly into the eyes. "Go ahead."

[Gremag]: "unless you get me something other than rations, IM having bear stew". Bows "thank you".

Zakren comes back to camp and nocks an arrow to his bow.

Russeth nods to Gremag as he moves past him and continues his way down the track silently.

[Gremag]: "anyone else want bear for dinner?"

Hawk Gremag! How do you intend to carry that meat even if you could kill all the BEARS out there? "

Gremag sighs, "can’t they have anything small here to eat?"

Mordineon looks upon Gremag. "Either you are the bravest man I ever met, or you are the most foolhardy person I have ever met. I hope it’s not the latter."

Russeth smiles to himself "What do you think, he's gonna kill one for a single breakfast and leave the rest rotting in the forest."

Russeth turns around and walks backward. "Ain't that really your intention?"

Gremag groans "No, I was going to...err...uh...hmmm... you know"

Hawk " Now there's a bright idea " with tons of sarcasm

[Feragan]: "...be a jackass?"

[Russeth]: "Ok well I guess I should set my tent again, we're gonna be staying here all weak eating these bears?" He smiles slightly as he walks back slowly towards the others.

Gremag glares at him sheathing his sword "lets just get to a town".

[Feragan]: "I think this bickering and stupid rivalry has gone on long enough..."

Hawk " Onward then? "

[Mordineon]: "Heh well the longer they discuss it the farther away the bears get."

Russeth nods in agreement. "No town, we won't find ambushing brigands in a town."

[Gremag]: "onward"

[Feragan]: "Let’s continue on the trail after the bandits..."

[Russeth]: "Yes, onward." He turns around and jumps from one foot to another. "Onward, backward, onward?"

Feragan begins walking down the trail again.

Making your way down the trail for some time you see before you coming down the trail a small wagon caravan made up of four covered wagon teams. A commoner drives each wagon, and what appears to be a guard riding along side. The commoners are dressed in normal garb, while the guards appear to be in chainmail armor brandishing long swords and bows across their backs.

Russeth stops after a moment and continues onward with a sigh of relief.

Gremag grins "finally".

Feragan halts. "Good day strangers."

As they approach you the drivers nod to you, as the guards seem to eye you up and down making sure you pose no threat as they make their way past you. Along side the wagon written in common are the words Thousandheads Trading Costar.

[Wagoneer]: "Goodday sirs." The strangers speak as they continue by down the trail.

[Gremag]: "Goodday"

Russeth bows his head as they near the caravan. "Any idea about those brigands on the trail we have heard of?"

Hawk " Goodday fine sirs "

[Feragan]: "I was wondering if you may have noticed anything out of place on the path that you have taken to get here?"

Russeth tries to get their attention at least a little.

Zakren stays silent and watches the surroundings while they talk.

[Wagoneer]: "Aye haven't seen any bandits this trip sirs. Course they be short of fools to attack us." One man is heard as the last of the wagons goes by.

[Feragan]: "Hmmm...."

Hawk " I think we should follow them at a distance "

Russeth rubs his chin. "What he meant is we will probably be attacked, is that it?" He laughs loudly; "Well I want to see them try."

Gremag gives a weak laugh

[Wagoneer]: "Hmm just one small problem they are going the way we just came from." Looking back as they cross over the river along the small path heading for Velarsburg.

Russeth raises an eyebrow at Hawk as he stops laughing. "You kidding me? You want to make your way backwards back the way we came from?"

[Feragan]: "Or maybe they're in it with the bandits...."

[Feragan]: "Think of it...they hire the bandits to take out the competition and than they own this trail and make a ton of, profits..."

[Russeth]: "Yeah, and maybe it's a guild of necromancers who are bringing horrors to the Dales?"

[Mordineon]: "maybe it’s the Zhents, making a move into the eastern Dales."

Hawk " Maybe we should press on. "

[Zakren]: "What do all those presumptions matter? Let's just head on."

[Feragan]: "I say we go after them, stop them, and check out what they are transporting..."

[Russeth]: "No I think we should get moving, and make ourselves obvious, as if we were careless, they'll think we are a good target. And thus they will come to us, instead of us going to them."

[Gremag]: "Aye, lets head on".

Hawk " AYE! "

Russeth scratches his head "And you think this large guarded cavalry will just let us do whatever we want with their cargo?" He shakes his head negatively.

You proceed onward into the woods as the caravan is long since gone down the trail. When you come across a small over grown trail.

[Feragan]: "Fine.... Fine...."

Hawk " What do you think Russeth? "

Russeth shrugs. "I think it's an overgrown area." He pauses a moment and seems to be thinking hard.

Gremag leans on his sword, waiting to be noticed.

Hawk " Or it's a covered trail that is still being used. "

Russeth nods "It could also be that. But I think that would be a perfect area for an ambush, nowhere really to run, blocked on every side of the trail by the overgrown trees and grasses."

You stand at the intersection of the smaller over grown trail going off into the forest. Wondering if you should take it or not and remain on the main trail.

Russeth looks down the trail with interest. "I think we should try and go down that trail a few, if we see nothing good by the end of the day, we will camp and come back to these crossroads. What do ye guys think?"

[Feragan]: "Well, I say let’s take the overgrown trail."

Zakren nods silently.

Hawk " I agree with Russeth "

Feragan begins walking down the overgrown path.

Russeth nods as he sets foot within the newfound trail. He looks here and there at the ground and pauses about 30 feet away from the first two-strips of trail. He looks to the ground for tracks, wondering who uses this trail.

Gremag follows silently.

Russeth raises and looks down the trail. "Alrighty, let's get moving." He points onwards and begins marching.

Hawk Follows Russeth.

You proceed down the trail for several hours where you begin to loose track of the trail as it heads into denser woods.

Zakren keeps his place at the rear of the group, his bow in hand.

Russeth sighs deeply as the reach the dense woods. "Humph. Now that might cause some problem, why do you think this trail would lead here?"

Zakren looks at Russeth..."Well...you got to find us a trail."

Gremag grunts looking at Russeth.

Hawk " Very dense forest indeed, Now what? "

Russeth shrugs. "If you want my idea, I believe this would be a best hideout for bandits, not much people will attempt to travel in these woods, and they'll think the trail is useless." He looks atop the trees where the sun is located in the sky.

[Gremag]: "well forest master, do something".

[Mordineon]: "Well if you were a bandit would you have a brick road right up to your hide out. Not to mention this may be one of many trails in these great woods."

Russeth turns to Gremag and smiles "You put it down and think for once."

Hawk " Should we spend the time searching the area?’

[Gremag]: "you seem to know everything, so you must know exactly what to do"

Hawk " and what do you think we should do Gremag? "

Russeth nods in agreement. "We stay close and see if we can find something in these woods." He first kneels at the end of what was the trail and definitely looks for tracks.

Feragan talks to Gremag in Dwarven language.

Russeth smiles away from Gremag. "I know what to do, but not everyone has the same opinion as me, Heh?"

Russeth rubs his chin as he rests upon one of his knee. "I keep seeing that deer track, but I don't see any other tracks. Yet."

Hawk " Cloven hooves tracks? "Aye".

Russeth shrugs silently to himself, enumerating a few possibilities. "Do you guys actually want to go deeper in this wilderness?"

[Feragan]: "OK, I think that it would be wise to search this area."

[Feragan]: "Shall we split into groups of 2 a piece?

[Russeth]: "Are you crazy? Look at the density of this wilderness..." He rises and looks, appreciating his sight, at the dense forest.

Mordineon shrugs at Russeth’s comment. "If you think this way has good odds for bandits. Any signs of others in the area?"

[Gremag]: "I'm not worrying about Bandits"

Zakren takes a step forward..."We can split up and stay within yelling range."

[Gremag]: "splitting up works for me"

Hawk " lets search, but let the trackers go first "

[Gremag]: "then I guess IM last"

Russeth turns to Mordineon "I think it may be a good hideout for bandits, whatever, let's search the area, but we follow each other."

[Feragan]: "Three groups, we meet back here an hour before nightfall..."

Gremag plops on the ground then stands up again.

Hawk " I agree with searching but sticking together "

Russeth laughs at Feragan "Ok Feragan, you go this way, we'll go this way, meet you at nightfall!" He points to two different directions and the grimaces, an expression that says 'what is he thinking?'

[Gremag]: "ill take up the rear, IM probably the most useful there"

Hawk " I'll walk in front of Gremag "

[Feragan]: "Fine, than lets search together, but let’s get to it before the sun goes down..."

Russeth sets foot into the wilderness and peers between the trees. "We'd better not get caught by any dangerous wildlife in there, there's a tree for every foot of ground."

Russeth slowly walks between the trees, letting branches fly back directly at the person behind him, some of them whipping harder than you may think.

Zakren sighs and follows.

[Feragan]: "Lets do a single file march?"

Gremag waits for his turn as last

Russeth looks back at the others. "Pay attention to the ground, some dangers lurk below." He smiles in excitement.

Hawk Proceeds carefully trying to be quiet.

Feragan follows Russeth.

Russeth goes into complete silence after they have all entered the area, each and every one of his senses alert of his surroundings.

Gremag grunts as he goes last in line.

You make your way off into the woods in search of any signs that may be out of the norm, as you see the sun has begun to set casting thick heavy shadows down upon the forest as the night mists can be seen rising in areas. Looking back you see the forest swallowing up your the path you took as night closes in.

Russeth gulps as the night sets upon them. "Hmmm, we should find a clearing... soon..." His smile unseen in the shadows.

Hawk " I need to light my lantern. "

[Gremag]: "poor Russeth isn’t afraid of the dark, is he?"

[Mordineon]: "A clearing look about you?" laughing as he finds a nice spot against a tree and settles down for the night.

Hawk " GREMAG! " in a behave tone

[Russeth]: "Not afraid of the dark, dark never existed for me, I'm afraid of what gets out of their lair when darkness comes."

[Gremag]: "yes mother?"

[Feragan]: "lets just camp here..."

Zakren pulls the cloak around him self and sits down against a tree.

[Russeth]: "I'm afraid. Because I know, I have seen, and seemingly you haven't." He shakes his head as he begins climbing up one of the trees.

Hawk " Russeth? What do you think? "

[Russeth]: "Just settle here for now, I need to watch from higher."

Feragan sits down next to a tree, wraps himself in a winter blanket, eats a quiet meal, and quickly falls asleep...

Hawk gets under a tree staking down his ass.

Gremag tries to set up his tent with no room before giving up and eating, and then goes off to sleep wrapped up in a blanket by a tree.

Russeth rests atop the tree a smile upon his face. He sets himself against the trunk and sits on a branch; he watches the area around for any apparent landmarks and then looks down. "HEY HO. Ho. ho. o" He shouts in the darkness.

Hawk " What the hell? "

Russeth’s words leave a calling disturbing the locals as you hear the squawking of birds and other animals of the night about you.

Hawk " Good bet everything that lives in here knows where were at now. "

Russeth draws his bow closely and nocks an arrow. A series of others are lined against a branch, ready to be used.

Feragan slowly wakes up from the yelling...

Gremag wakes up startled "who? What?'

You look about calmly into the woods as the critters of the night settle down once more in the darkness.

[Feragan]: "What the heck is going on?"

Zakren lies his bow next to him.

Gremag shrugs and goes back to sleep.

Russeth hides into the darkness above ground level, safely.

Hawk " we doing a watch? "

[Russeth]: "I am, go to sleep now Hawk."

Feragan goes back to sleep.

Hawk ' zzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ "

[Russeth]: Gremag receives a small branch from one of the trees above onto his leg. "Your turn to watch, I'll stay here and try to rest."

You all wake to the screams of Russeth as he falls from the tree hitting the ground.

Gremag runs up to Russeth

Russeth falls down of the tree with loud cry, as he is wakes from his sleep. He lands legs first into the ground.

Zakren grunts at the noise and shakes his head.

Hawk goes over to Russeth to see what the hell happened.

[Gremag]: "you ok? What type of idiot falls out of a tree"

Hawk " What happened? "

Russeth lies on his back after he has fallen and smiles. "Yeah I'm okay. Damn there's more action up there than in a circus." He rolls to the side next to a tree and lies down. "I'll let you finish your watch. He pats him on the shoulder."

Gremag shakes his head and leans against the tree.

Hawk goes back to sleep.

Mordineon looks up in the treetops and starts laughing at the small creature that scared Russeth from his sleep.

Gremag looks up.

Zakren looks up at Russeth..."You need some healing?"

Russeth motions that he doesn't to Zakren as he faces another direction.

[Gremag]: "what’s up there?" Looking up and laughing. "What a vicious beast".

Russeth turns over and watches the animal "I bet you wouldn't like its ass on your face while you slept? Then shut up..."

[Gremag]: "now that’s a killer" grins.

Russeth rolls back against the tree.

Mordineon continues to laugh as he gathers his gear for the day to come.

Hawk " Did that thing kick your ass out of the tree Russeth? "

[Russeth]: "Whatever, I was under trance."

Feragan gathers his blanket and eats a quick breakfast...

[Gremag]: "well then...we should be wary he might cast a spell on us saying all this sarcastically

Russeth shakes his head as he stands up, decided not to sleep the rest of the night. He walks off into the wilderness a bit, making sure the branches he moves whip Gremag.

Gremag is too short and the branches go over his head.