(01) The Approach

[zygarti]

After seeing Witherun tense up, Flin produces his throwing axe, also awaiting a signal from Thanis.

[waysoftheearth]

Thanis surveys the logged clearing from his vantage for a couple of minutes before being satisfied there is no one about.

He signals the all clear to his fellows and continues his vigil as he waits for them to catch up.

As he lingers, Thanis notes a wintery edge on the choppy breeze. And, what is that..? He detects the faintest whiff of something... unwelcome... on the breeze. Somewhere ahead, out of sight in the forest, there must be some kind of rude industry...

[mgtremaine]

Tass looks around and a laughs "The Nightwood, this is going to be fun!", he puts a skip in his step as enters the clearing.

[Kozos]

Strong of body and gaze, Stern was aptly name. He rarely spoke but when he did there was an intensity in his words.
"We press on, regardless of danger or woe, lest the dreadful fate we try to elude befalls our query."

[ehiker133]

Goldwen closes her eyes and smirks, "Damn Paladins..."

"Gar, when you get a chance, can you smack Stern on the helmet? Same spot. He's fancy talking again. He knows not everyone can understand his high speak."

She turns back to Thanis's movement across the open clearing and her breath pauses. "He's caught the scent of something. Be ready." Goldwen tightens her grip on her mace...

[rredmond]

Garamon looks up at Goldwen's suggestion, "high speak reminds me of magic talk" he spits quietly. He frowns at the spear in his hand, and prepares for what may come.

[sully]

When the rest of the party arrives, Thanis suggests they fortify the clearing and camp for the night.

Best to brave the woods with as much daylight as possible.

[zygarti]

"I'll take first watch" grumbles Flin as he lights a torch from his pack. "best to get it over and done with".

[waysoftheearth]

Tass chortles as he leads the nervous party to Thanis' position with a skip in his little stride.

By the time the rest catch up, weapons ready, the Hobbet is ready to make off toward the logged clearing, not a quarter-mile down slope.

Thanis is saying something about establishing a camp, but Tass isn't listening; he's already skipping down the grassy slope... rousing gnats and midges as he goes.

The rest of the party note that although it's only mid afternoon, there sky is darkening early... there might even be rain before dusk.

[mgtremaine]

As Tass happily skips along towards the clearing after the half way point he gets distracted and disappears into the tress on the left.

Tass will move as silently as possible and approach the clearing off the path.