Volki will scavenge for anything useful, edible, or that catches her eye before setting down with a couple of the trinkets that call to her most. Volki agrees with Askari’s assessment of the situation. While the place does seem quite unsettling to come upon, the set of tracks proves someone has been here but not many. She will also keep her guard up, watchful of any intrusion or the feeling of being watched.
Wrenn will check the footprint, and then try to track it backward, AWAY from the ruin, in an attempt to see where it came from, and therefore, to get an idea of where trouble might come from.
Wrenn stands astride the print Volki shows everyone and looks back into the forest. The woods are much thicker here because of the smaller size of the trees, though they are still fairly large, and the increase in undergrowth. Looking out at the big picture instead of trying to focus on a single item, Wrenn notices two divergent game trails that are wide enough to accommodate a person, but it is impossible to know if either or both has done so.
One path is the one the party followed to arrive. This would lead back to the Rheini encampment. The other could lead to the pergola where the Shimadow were camped. The terrain is not well suited for tracking. The fact that Volki even spotted the print, she, Oorvid, and Wrenn would say was pure luck. Askari, Astrid, and Hiroshi would call it a stroke of fortune. Fortune implying the possible influence of a god, whereas luck is just a matter of statistics.
Oorvid listens to Askari and listens to Wrenn's findings before responding as best he can. He shruggs. "I do not know. I think no one is here. I think stick people for to keep others away because no one lives here. I think stairs to tunnel are open."
He then goes around the eutrophic quarry pond to see if he can catch some of those frogs to eat.
Circumnavigating the area, Volki finds a basket worth of edible plant material to add to whatever meat is acquired. She also finds and collects a measure of Itch Weed. Touching the leaves of this vine normally causes people to quickly develop a rash, hence its name, but she is unaffected. Just touching the leaves, she realizes that they will enhance her ability to manipulate chemical waylines to generate acidity.
OOC:
Itch Weed: 1 measure, {Acidity x2}
Oorvid manages to catch 11 of the frogs, which make for a fine meal.
Askari finds that he is most interested in the bones, claws, and teeth of animals but not fur or feathers. Everyone is drawn to curious stones. Astrid and Hiroshi are most fascinated by metal.
For Askari, the claws and fangs of the spider have the same feel. Either, when carried, seems to increase his impetus for physical function and intellectual cognizance. (Cohesion +1)
Astrid finds that an ingot of aluminum, when held while manipulating electromagnetic waylines, will enhance the effectiveness. {shock x3} With the help of Oorvid the brick of aluminum is broken into 6 usable ingots. She also realizes that an ingot could be used as a bullet for her sling, increasing her effective range for electrocution.
Taking one of the white stones that does not feel slick to the touch, Hiroshi finds that, while holding it, his mental fortitude is increased. (Will +1)
At dusk, just as the sun falls beneath the horizon, an entire colony of bats swarms from an arrow slit in the one remaining tower. Hiroshi remarks on it, saying that there is probably a mountain of guano in there like in the other tower that had bats. Everyone realizes that the bats would not have taken up residence if people were still there. The night is uneventful and the strange stick figures, called twana, are temporarily forgotten among the good food and good company. The morning light still brings with it no sign of other people. A tentative investigation proves that Oorvid's theory of the stairs is correct. They are intact, as well as access to the tunnels. The dust within the still standing portion of the keeps shows many prints leading in and out. This access point has seen much use.
Askari: full wellness Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20 Hiroshi: full wellness
Javelins: 3, stone: 3, ularin Oorvid: full wellness
Tunic: 68 Volki: full wellness
Tunic: 50 - 2 = 48% Wrenn: full wellness
Tunic: 59
Arrows: 14
Askari will attach a spider fang to his necklace with the rodent incisor.
If we have use for more guano, we might want to gather it before heading into the tunnels. The tunnels might take us away from this place for some time.
Askari will wait for the parties decision before leading the way towards either destination
Volki spends some time to weave bracelets out of the itch weed. The boost to acidity will be handy in any fight. “Have we used any of the guano that we picked up yet?”
Hiroshi decides to address the inquiry from Volki. "No, but all of us have the talent to generate heat, even Oorvid and Askari. We were carrying 4 measures, but now there are 6 of us. With the bats asleep early in the day, we should be able to easily gather a little bit more without disturbing them too much."
Hiroshi volunteers to go grab a couple of handfuls before the party heads underground.
Wrenn will spend time in the morning trying to get a feel for what the various stones do, examining each one at length. As the morning wears on, he will turn his attention to the twana, drawing near to it, and attempting to ascertain whether or not the twana possesses any sort of proclivity of its own. When Hiroshi offers to gather guano, Wrenn offers to help.
Hiroshi and Wrenn enter the tower to find that the weight and moisture from the guano has collapsed the center part of the second and third floors. Guano has begun to pile upon the ground, and there is evidence that other people have collected some. Bat guano is not eaten by any known insects, thus it is often found in large quantities. Guano is readily used as a fuel source for torches and lamps in all communities who have managed to locate a supply. Due to the ease of which it can be stored, it is also a commonly traded commodity.
The two young men gather just a little without disturbing the bats. This makes the second such colony that the party has discovered and regular trips can be made to gather it, once the area is safe. It is indicative of the nature of this party to secure the area and establish a path. Securing the safety of the area is not something just anyone can do, but gathering guano is.
Heat x2
A character must have at least 1 rank in the Mysticism skill, 1 rank in Adhesion, and 1 rank in Confluence to make use of this item. Each measure disintegrates upon use. No need to make individual records. The inventory will be edited as each use is stated in a post.
Since there are more green stones than any other, enough for every member of the party, Wrenn continually thumbs one of the stones while he goes through other morning activities. A little over 2 hours after doing so he discovers that he feels slightly stronger.
Strength +2
A character must have 10 ranks in the Mysticism skill to make full use of this stone, which every character does. I will add this to all character records. Kudos!
Wrenn shakes his head and smiles at himself as he approaches one of the twana. The things are all made of wood. There is no way that they can harbor any proclivity as wood is an inhibitor. The items would have to be integrated with hair or feathers or some such, of which none are. The things are merely ominous decorations.
Entering the tunnel system, the party become aware that others have traveled in all four directions. The path due north would lead to the Rheini village, but the pergola there is collapsed, and dust has settled over, almost obscuring, old prints in that direction. Most traffic has gone to the west, which would be where a party of Shimadow raiders was camped. The party has eliminated that threat. This leaves south and east. The south has seen more recent activity.
Oorvid states, as best he can in Shimadow, very quietly, "I think we go south. Most steps there. Trouble probably there, too."
Askari: full wellness Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20 Hiroshi: full wellness
Javelins: 3, stone: 3, ularin Oorvid: full wellness
Tunic: 68 Volki: full wellness
Tunic: 50 - 2 = 48% Wrenn: full wellness
Tunic: 59
Arrows: 14
Wrenn nods in agreement, and offers to take point. Wrenn will try to make himself harder to see, and he will also try to soften the sound of his footsteps.
