* It is getting fairly late as you linger here in this lightly-forested area near the statue. There is a cool breeze blowing, and there are still lingering clouds overhead, but it doesn't look like it's going to rain.

SteelBrow sits near the statue, and rests his eyes.

Norry twitches slightly as he falls asleep.

Akia finishes filling up her waterskins and looks at folks nodding off. She rolls out her bedroll next to the fire and gets comfy.

Akia looks over to Sebrinia, "You taking watch, or shall I?"

Sebrinia says, "I can take first if you like."

Akia tosses/hands Sebrinia's flask back after capping it.

Sebrinia catches the flask and flashes a grateful smile.

Sebrinia sips the flask.

Akia nods, "Alrighty, I'll take one after SteelBrow..." she looks over in the dwarf's general direction, but can't tell if he's sleeping, "You can tell him when you prod him awake, I suppose."

Akia curls up on her bedroll, falling asleep quickly.

Sebrinia eyes widen after taking a sip and asks Akia, "This... is amazing! what did you do?"

Akia purrs softly, her ears twitching a little.

Sebrinia puts the cap back on the flask and puts the flask away, then looks for a safe spot to spend her watch from.

Sebrinia goes to Steelbrow at the end of her watch and whispers loudly, "Steelbrow?"

Sebrinia makes sure to keep a little distance.

SteelBrow leaps up and swings his axe, coming a little short of where Sebrinia was standing.

SteelBrow asks, "huh, my watch already?"

Sebrinia jumps back, a little white faced.

Sebrinia nods.

SteelBrow nods, and stands, his back against the statue, to keep watch.

Sebrinia recovers her poise and then finds herself a place to rest.

SteelBrow finds a loose piece of wood to add to the fire, before approaching Akia, "Hey, your watch."

Akia hmmfs?

SteelBrow says, "Your watch."

Akia streeeetches and looks up, then notes the fire. She actively avoids looking directly at it and sits up to look for a good vantage.

SteelBrow returns to his resting spot by the statue.

Akia nods and slinks over to the massive statue, hops up on the dias and hides herself next to the legs, nearly blending in with her grey gi.

* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 18,4 = 22.

* Everyone still asleep as morning begins to dawn is awoken by the smell of something far better than survival rations cooking nearby.

Norry pops up, all the way to his feet in one quick bounce.

SteelBrow says, "Mmmmmm."

Norry asks, "Morning then, is it?"

Akia sits by the fire, poking something in the fire with a stick.

Akia says, "Mmmhmmm."

Ethkin has connected.

SteelBrow waddles over to the fire, looking something like a turtle in it's shell.

Sebrinia opens her eyes and looks over to where everyone is gathering.

Norry trots lightly toward the fire, hands clasped behind his back, then leans in to get a look at what's cooking. "I haven't missed breakfast, I trust?"

* Akia seems to have managed to make some sort of cobbler with berries in it. Quite a feat to pull off with survival rations, pure rainwater, and whatever else was quick to hand.

Akia pulls it out of the fire with some sticks, "Next time I should bring better cooking tools."

Akia says, "It'll need to cool a bit."

SteelBrow's stomach rumbles in anticipation.

Sebrinia inhales the pleasant aroma and watches the group looking like they are ready to pounce on the unsuspected meal.

Akia lets it cool for a bit, then wonders how to serve it.

Akia says, "Anyone have some plates or something? My rations tend to be... not as liquid."

SteelBrow pulls out the helmet from his former suite of armor.

Akia laughs.

Akia says, "I have dibs on the breastplate."

SteelBrow asks, "Breastplate, from a maille suite?"

Akia looks crestfallen, "Shoulder plates?"

Norry pulls out a tin cup.

Akia says, "Tell you what... you guys all take your portion, and I'll eat off this here mirror."

The DM makes sure you haven't forgotten that you healed your levels in hit points overnight.

SteelBrow quickly whittles a crude spoon to eat with.

Akia uses a biscuit as a sop.

Norry settles in to enjoy his repast.

SteelBrow serves himself up a portion, and savors.

Sebrinia wanders over to take a dainty portion and carefully considers the flavor.

Akia finishes up, licking her plate... mirror... clean.

Akia starts to get up, then stops and looks around, half crouched and plate in hand.

Norry rinses his cup with water from the barrel, and tucks it away in his pack.

Sebrinia asks, "What is it?"

* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 8,4 = 12.

Akia growls and rushes into the bushes.

SteelBrow grabs hold of his axe and scans the bushes.

Norry's eyebrows rise, and he fumbles for his crossbow.

* As Akia charges off to the east, the rest of you can see something fairly large and cinnamon brown in color approaching.

Sebrinia walks quickly to her pack and gets out her bow.

Norry mmmms. "Giant cinnamon roll."

SteelBrow rushes to get in front of Norry.

* Akia rolls 1f20+1: 3,1 = 4.

* Akia rolls 1f20+1: 16,1 = 17.

* Akia rolls 1f20+1: 7,1 = 8.

* Akia rolls 1f20+1: -10,1 = -9.

* Akia rolls 1d6+2: 3,2 = 5.

The DM asks others to hold their actions until Initiative is called. Akia gets a surprise attack.

The DM says, "And... initiative."

Akia swipes furiously at the beast with all four clawed limbs, but only manages to score with one attack.

* Norry rolls 1f20+4: 6,4 = 10.

* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+5: 9,5 = 14.

* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+1: -10,1 = -9.

* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 4,4 = 8.

The DM says, "Sebrinia, you're up first."

Sebrinia lifts her bow towards the large 'cinnamon roll' but can't get a good shot, so holds her action.

* The 'cinnamon roll' that Akia has leapt at - anyone who gets within roughly 15 feet will see that it's an adult bear - growls angrily at being swiped, and tries to swat her back with both of its paws, also attempting to bite her.

Akia yips a bit as the bear mauls her badly.

* The bear misses with the first swipe, then snags Akia nastily with the second paw of claws, drawing her in close enough to give her a solid bite.

The DM says, "Norry, go."

Norry steps to the side for a better angle, and looses a crossbow bolt. At the bear. In case there was any question.

* Norry rolls 1f20+6: 8,6 = 14.

* As the bear and Akia tangle with each other, it happens to move out of the way just enough for the bolt to go whizzing by harmlessly into the woods.

The DM says, "Akia, go."

Akia steps carefully away from the beast until she is out of reach, then backs away to the statue, nursing grevious wounds.

The DM says, "Steelbrow, you're up."

The DM says, "Ah. Sebrinia's taking her readied action."

The DM says, "Or held action, as the case may be."

Sebrinia seeing an opening from Akia's retreat, lets fly with her bow and arrow.

* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+6: 16,6 = 22.

* Sebrinia rolls 1d6: 1.

* Sebrinia's arrow flies directly at the bear, but the tip lodges into a fleshy part of its skin. It snarls angrily, but doesn't seem very hurt by it.

SteelBrow growls, sounding something like a bear himself, approaches the bear and swings his axe in the general vicinity of it's face.

* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+6: 2,6 = 8.

SteelBrow misses, seeming more to fan the bear than anything else.

The DM says, "And... initiative."

* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 13,4 = 17.

* Norry rolls 1f20+4: 3,4 = 7.

* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+6: 18,6 = 24.

* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+1: 17,1 = 18.

Sebrinia says, "er +5"

Sebrinia says, "Sorry."

Ethkin is not available. (N/A)

The DM says, "Alright, go for it, Sebrinia. It's in melee combat with Steelbrow now."

Sebrinia strings another arrow, but sees little opportunity to use it.

Sebrinia moves to see if she can find a better angle.

Sebrinia moves to the side and seeing and exposed side, lets loose.

* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+2: 5,2 = 7.

Sebrinia frets at her being too hasty as the arrow flies off harmlessly into the brush.

SteelBrow, prefering to repel rather than harm the beast, fights defensively.

* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+2: 7,2 = 9.

SteelBrow swings his axe futilely in the beasts face.

The DM says, "Akia, you're up."

Akia, seeing that the dwarf has the beast in check, gets an advantageous position and lobs a ball of flame at the creatures.

Akia says, "Creature"

* Akia rolls 1f20+8: -10,8 = -2.

* Akia rolls 1d8: 7.

* Akia rolls 1f20+8: 17,8 = 25.

* The ball of flame misses the bear cleanly, but Akia manages to not set anything else afire.

The DM says, "And... Norry."

Norry jogs quickly to Akia's side, and lays his hands on her wounds.

* Norry rolls 1d8+2: 2,2 = 4.

* With Akia having run away, but new threats presenting themselves, the bear attacts its next closest target - in this case, the plated dwarf.

* The first swipe finds flesh, digging a gouge out of Steelbrow's skin, but his stout armor stands up to the second swipe and the bear's gnawing teeth.

The DM says, "Initiative."

* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+5: 7,5 = 12.

* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+1: 6,1 = 7.

* Norry rolls 1f20+4: 30,4 = 34.

* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 30,4 = 34.

The DM blinks, then shakes his head. "Akia or Norry... you can definitely go."

Akia moves in a bit closer, hoping to have better accuracy at closer range, then lobs another ball of flame at the creature.

* Akia rolls 1f20+8: 14,8 = 22.

* Akia rolls 1d8: 7.

* This time, the ball of fire strikes the bear directly, and it snarls in pain as its fur and skin is heavily seared by the flames.

Norry makes a wiggly-fingered raising gesture and a wide swath of vegetation, beginning just in front of Steelbrow and extending for some distance, writhes to life, grasping and wriggling.

* The bear looks around in almost comical surprise as the forest comes to life around it, and it is quickly held fast, straining unsuccessfully to break free.

The DM says, "And... Sebrinia, you're up."

Sebrinia takes aim yet again with the bow and fires at the impeded bear.

* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+6: 4,6 = 10.

Sebrinia's arrow whizzes within inches of the bears head.

The DM says, "Steelbrow, go."

SteelBrow swings his axe back and around for a harder hit.

* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+5: 14,5 = 19.

The DM says, "Um...."

* SteelBrow rolls 1d12+4+2: 8,4,2 = 14.

SteelBrow strikes hard on the beasts nose, splitting the skull.

* The bear falls limp, held fast by the writhing growth of the forest.

SteelBrow stumbles back towards the campfire, "Norry?"

Akia flops to the ground and bleeds a bit.

Sebrinia, seeing the bear no longer a threat, runs over to Akia and Norry.

* The bear oozes a bit as the vines and roots squeeze tighter.

Norry rushes over to Steelbrow, and touches his wounds.

* Norry rolls 1d8+2: 4,2 = 6.

Norry asks, "Is everybody all right?"

SteelBrow says, "I'll live."

Akia looks up at Norry, not hiding her gaping wounds, "No, not so much. I think I'll just... bleed here a bit more."

Sebrinia looks on with concern.

Norry tends to Akia a bit more.

* Norry rolls 1d8+2: 2,2 = 4.

Akia gets up, obviously still in a bit of pain, but at least no longer bleeding profusely.

Akia says, "Thank you."

Akia grimaces, "I think..."

Akia says, "...I think a career in bear wrestling is not in my future."

SteelBrow asks, "Which direction to town?"

Sebrinia offers a hand to help Akia up off the ground, and then on impulse, touches Akia's shoulder.

Norry says, "Well, bear wrestling could be in your future, but I think you'd find it a short and unsatisfying career. With a terrible retirement plan."

SteelBrow groans at the bad joke.

* Sebrinia rolls 1d4-1: 1,-1 = 0.

Akia grins, pained.

Akia turns to Sebrinia with a quizzical look, "Did you...?"

Akia says, "Huh."

Sebrinia recoils slightly and says, "What..... just.. happened?"

SteelBrow starts scouting around.

Akia half smirks, "You... don't know?"

* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+1: 14,1 = 15.

Sebrinia shakes her head vigorously and wrings her hands.

SteelBrow points south, "hey, this way back to town."

* Akia rolls 1f20+7: 3,7 = 10.

* The plants stop writhing while everyone tends to Akia.

Norry says, "Shall we then? I could use some time in a common room. I mean, I could use a night in an inn, that is."

* Akia rolls 1f20+1: 13,1 = 14.

Akia shrugs, "Well... perhaps you're picking up on this." She holds a hand out, and a lick of flame dances lazily above the palm of her hand.

Akia says, "Or maybe... Norry's gift. Though it feels a bit different than that."

Sebrinia watches with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Sebrinia asks, "What... exactly do you mean?"

Akia looks a little distant, then looks over at Sebrinia, "Well... I dunno. It's just a guess, really."

Sebrinia looks obviously befuddled.

Akia says, "We... should head back to town before any more bears come."

Norry says, "Yes, let's do."

SteelBrow asks, "You two coming?"

Akia follows along.

Sebrinia nods and clears away the mental cobwebs, following behind Steelbrow.

Akia ponders aloud as we walk, "So... wait... what did we come out here to do? Did we do it?"

SteelBrow marches towards town at a moderate pace.

SteelBrow says, "We certainly made a dent."

* The forest here is still moderately thick, but not enough to make passage overly difficult. You continue heading south, blazing your own trail, going slightly downhill.

SteelBrow says, "but I don't know undead to just rise on their own."

Akia tries to keep an eye out for incoming bears and other critters.

Norry looks warily up at the trees. "No, they don't rise on their own." Then he riffles through his quiver. "They don't lie back down on their own either."

* Nothing else bothers you as you travel south, although you do disturb several birds and small rodents that scatter as you approach. Some complain at you from safely out of reach. You travel for a couple hours, finally reaching the edge of this forest, and you see what you think is the masoleum off to the southwest, with the outlying town coming into view farther below.

Akia looks behind, straining to see where exactly we came from.

SteelBrow continues a steady march towards the town, and inn.

Akia considers for a moment.

Sebrinia asks, "Weren't we looking for an evil wizard?"

Norry glances askance at Sebrinia. "YOU were."

Akia freezes a portion of the nearby foliage, then follows Steelbrow.

SteelBrow says, "eye, we were."

Norry says, "And you kept it pretty close, too.'"

SteelBrow pauses, "did you just freeze something?"

Akia says, "I did. Wanted to mark the spot so we could find our way back easily."

Sebrinia wonders aloud, "Why would you freeze the foliage? Oh...."

Sebrinia ponders, "What if it melts?"

SteelBrow says, "Ah.", and continues on.

Akia says, "Then it will be wilted."

Norry glances back. "Won't it thaw then?"

Akia says, "I fully expect it to."

* You reach the town shortly afterwards. Some of the occupants glance at you with clear curiosity as you head towards the inn.

Sebrinia puzzles over the extent of the marker Akia is using and to what goal.

Akia says, "I wasn't about to burn it and accidentally set the forest ablaze."

SteelBrow largely ignores the townsfolk as he heads for the inn, and the bar.

Norry perks up as the inn draws near, a veritable spring entering his gait.

Akia grins a little, watching Norry.

* The four of you reenter the Coronet and Cabbage Inn, which isn't very busy at this time of day. Space to sit is is readily available most anywhere inside.

SteelBrow heads to the bar, pulls out a few coppers, "Got any cider handy?"

* A barkeep none of you recognize nods to Steelbrow, "Aye," giving all four of you an interested look, and quickly produces a mug of cider for the dwarf.

Norry says, "Have we missed teatime? I'd certainly enjoy a honey cake and fruit pie, though crisps will do if you've got them."

SteelBrow lays down the coins.

Akia sits herself down on a bench at a table near the far wall, visibly relaxing.

Sebrinia settles into her seat comfortably, lost deep in thought.

SteelBrow takes the mug and sits near Akia, leaning his pack and axe against the wall.

* The barkeep smiles to Norry - perhaps he has some experience with hobbits, as he says, "I'm sure we can find something for you," and signals for a couple of the serving maids. One goes over to assist Norry with what he wants, and the other he murmurs something to, who then heads through a doorway, further into the inn.

Akia opens a tired eye and peers at Steelbrow's mug, "That looks tasty."

SteelBrow says, "Didn't get much cider back home. Certainly none this good."

SteelBrow says, "Lots of good mead and ale. Not so much cider."

* The maid assisting Norry replies apologetically, "We don't have any honeycake," then brightens up, "but there is still apple pie left, and fruit cobbler, if you are willing to part with a bit of coin."

Norry asks, "Well how much coin are we in it for?"