[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION]: [sblock="OOC and knowledge skills"] No one told that intelligent items are especially useful

; also you are fairly sure that item (or whatever) isn't particularly interested in showing you way anywhere (even if capable of); it seems you will have to use more standard means of finding where to go.
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As for knowledge skills:
- Arcana & Insight: Taking survey of magic in the area and other unusual features, Martelai is bit suspicious he is being watched, but it cannot determine by whom, where or why; as Hunters are not very likely to use divination magic, it is likely someone or something else... Martelai cannot shake off feeling he is being played with, and somehow he is sure that 'losing' a game won't end nice. There is some comfort to be drawn from feeling that he will be last to die if things go wrong, but how much exactly, well...
- Nature: No master ranger himself, but he is fairly sure that tracking around the swamp is possible - it is very likely to be less hazardous then going through it, but will most certainly take extra time - in flashes he saw, swamp wasn't particularly large so going around will add at least few, perhaps several hours to total track time. If searching for fastest way, well... truth be told, you don't expect to reach palace in less then like 15 to 20 hours of travel - two days if you push it, three otherwise. Going around the swamp will most certainly push it to three, brute forcing it might work, but you won't be looking nice in the process and rest will be out of question. If things he saw are correct, it will get easier once you reach open ground and start going deeper into ruins, but it wouldn't be strange if Hunters have laid traps along that way.
- other: party seems quite tired, not a good sign if you are about to begin 20 hour no-sleep hike
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