Act 1, Scene 2: “Into The Wild” (Group A: Main Game Thread)

[Squirrellord]

Confidently interpretating the glare he sees directed at them he adds "It seems I might be mistaken. Perhaps Nocturno's parents have a more .... fluid arrangement." Catching Nocturno's gaze he winks as he adds "Did you see the way she was looking at you Elden? I think you should go for it."

[Nocturno]

"Yes.... I would like to see that... He laughs pretty heartily at the thought of Elden taken on someone like his father.

"Let's see if my favourite vendor is open today. I always enjoyed his skewered squirrel."

[TristenC]

Elden chuckles at the back-and forth. Nocturno leads them through the lush village; nature blending seamlessly with the Elven architecture. Most everything seems to have grown naturally in place, limbs woven for arches, vines along the bridges and ropeworks. The high elf leads them to one of the few food vendors.

The fare is simply prepared, a honeyed cake of light and crumbly texture wrapped in a broad leaf. The flavors are complex and robust, though the portions are smaller than the human at least is used to. The tour continues. Most of the trees are homes for families or small shops with the basic needs or crafts. As night falls, dinner is prepared with a wide array of fresh fruits, vegetables, honeyed cakes and even a small portion of rabbit (to address the taste of their human guest).

[Anyone want to do anything else tonight or shall we move this one on?]

[Nocturno]

G2G for me.

[Squirrellord]

G2G for me as well.

[TristenC]

The evening passes pleasantly with good food and conversation. The host and hostess are civil to the newcomers, and show interest in their son's exploits. After dinner, the family retires to a sitting room for further conversation where Ravlene spends some time playing an elegantly crafted Elven harp for their guests. As the evening wears on, the adventurers excuse themselves and return to Nocturno's.

The gentle breeze through the village rustles the foliage like a soothing lullaby, easing them to peaceful repose.

[i'll put up xp for Group A after the meeting with the Dryad, Asani]

The next morning comes with the fragrant smell of fresh flowers on the wind.

[Nocturno]

Eager to be on the way to the Dryad, he will stow his gear and help anyone that needs to get moving a bit faster.

"We can pick up a snack on the way!" Spending time with his family clearly raised his spirits.

[Squirrellord]

"Sounds like you know where you're going so lead on oh tall and not so dour" as he shoulders his pack. As they head out Jordek awkwardly follows up with "Seems like this stop has done you some good. Glad to see it."

[TristenC]

Indendien nods and shoulders her bow, Nice as your home is, I am eager to have the mossy forest floor beneath my feet again.

Sure, the road calls to us once again. Elden says with a grin, hauling the large anvil into place across his back with surprising ease.

Leading the group across to the Northern edge of the village, Nocturno once again knocks at the side of a large tree. As before, a panel opens and the narrow stairway carries them down, down down to the base. Another knock, another hidden portal, and the four step right out into the forest. Behind, the tree seals shut; no hint of the former opening to be seen. Striking off through the woods, Nocturno follows the directions closely, straight back past Galegenoh's home.

Indendien lays a hand on his shoulder as they pass, If you do not mind, I will strike a little ahead... your armor makes your passage through the forest more like a boulder than a breeze. she chuckles. [unless he insists] She takes a bit of a lead from the group, leaving a few obvious signs of her passing here and there along the way. After little more than an hour later, the group catches up to where she is waiting for them. I think this must be it, the wild elf says, leading them through a stand of trees.

The canopy of forest is broken here in a wide ribbon running north and South, the Yew river; so named because of the plentiful Yew trees that grew here and there along its banks. Trees well known to Nocturno as being popular material for the famed elven longbows. The river stretches a good 60 yards or so to a wide strip of land, heavily wooded. Looking to the edges up and downstream they can see the water clearly passes along the opposite side as well.

The water rushes rapidly between them and the landform, making a natural barrier to those on the shore. It might be possible to swim, though it would be a challenging task with the powerful current.

===
Something like the picture below, only a somewhat larger island, roughly 1 mile long, half that across
Not my photo, copyright Bennett images (as it says on the pic)

[Nocturno]

Once on the road Nocturno notices the freedom of the road. But for the time decides he still prefers the feeling of security that civilization brings.

He will slow his pace to get far enough behind for the scout to scout.

"Yes this must be it. Let us head to the shore." He will motion for Indendien to lead.

[TristenC]

Indendien leads them on to the water's edge. Near the island the deep, swift current rolls the surface of the water. It is shallower near this shore, but those currents would make swimming in a metal jacket like yours more than most could manage. She says to Nocturno. There may be a place to cross farther north or south, but we won't know if the other side near the island is any easier to manage. We need to find some way to pass the water. she turns to the others, Any suggestions?

[Nocturno]

"Maybe there is spot we could walk across a bit further down on the narrower side? I could always remove the chain and leave it on this side. I would hope this Dryad's island would be safe to friendly folk."

[Squirrellord]

"I have 50 feet worth of rope and a grappling hook, if anyone else has some rope to add to that maybe the anvil slinger over here can toss a line across" with a glance at Nocturno he adds "you might be able to find somewhere to walk through the river but I don't think I will"

[Nocturno]

"You could always ride the anvil." he will say with the smallest hint of a smirk.

[TristenC]

[Thought i had posted but apparently not]

Indendien nods and moves off to the north a ways as Nocturno checks to the south. All along this side there seems at least 30 yards of quickly moving water and a roughly equal span of calm closer to the island. Past the island to the south, the water rushes even faster as the two paths come together.

Meeting back up with the wild elf, she speaks. 60 yards past the North end of the island there is a shallower place in the river. One could probably wade into it, then turn south towards the island. The water would come nearly to your shoulders, though… she looks to Jordek and back to the High Elf. Or we could just swim it… If we start farther upstream the current will carry us down but we can make it across.

[obviously swimming in splint mail or toting an anvil is not a good idea. Leather armor shouldn’t be a problem]