Oh. Okay.
Generally, support Aylia's efforts in intel gathering.
I want to monitor how the Baron prepares to leave, and who leaves with him, and so on at this time. I'm want to know what he's leaving with, so I'll be able to tell if he arrives with extras or some missing. I want to note what he feels the need to pack, and what he doesn't. Who has last-minute things to do or say. and so on. I'm looking generally for stuff that he might be keeping hidden, secrets and spies, and for oddities in his provisions and planning. things you'd think he'd need that he doesn't, and things he needs that he shouldn't. even the best spies need logistics support, and the logistics are probably easier to find than the spies are.
Between the two of you, the picture that emerges is not one of treachery and deviousness, but almost of normalcy. Perhaps a bit of incompetence as well. At least, in regards to battle, preparations, and logistics. The whole thing feels like, fro mthe baron's part, it was put together by an amateur, and from the others, like they are very little interested in anything beyond their personal situations - evidenced in part by the larger retinue of the baron, including a couple of messengers that keep him in contact with the base, albiet rather inconsistently, and the smaller, more luxurious accommodations of the others. The exceptions are the fanged woman and the vase creature. The fanged woman takes an interest in everything, albiet in small doses, and as if from afar. The vase being seems almost philosophical about it all. If there is a spy, he or she is doing an excellent job of blending into the normal workings of the groups. if there is treachery afoot, it is within well established groups. Next turn will be their trip to the war camp, so you'll be able to tell then if he leaves with more or less than he arrives with.
"No. Cat will not go into hole. It is predator in grass and tree, but prey below ground."
Dar'yajira refuses to go into the tunnels, stating the above. Even if Alaran tries to argue, Dar'll ignore him and head to the Durnvale; he's rather irritated with the mechanists in general, and now Al in particular.
((I'll see about sending you a PM soon. Oh, and the storm was rather inconsequential for me--I got hit with nothing worse than a power outage.))
Alaran looks at you quizzically, and nods thoughtfully. "Reasonable, though unfortunate for the situation at hand. Well, if you find anything else of interest, let me know, okay?" Alaran generally leaves you to your business, so he doesn't even notice you are leaving, at least not until it is too late.
Miles later, through forest and vale, you find a well worn cart track and the familiar sensations of nearby human settlement. Your little map shows you being right on top of one ofhte Durnvale markers. You meet with the local cats, and learn from them that life in this settlement has been unchanged in the memory spans of the cats. Farmland is tilled, the blacksmith's workshopp is noisy and hot, the mill and barns are full of mice, the gods are worshipped in season, the chickens are just awful, as chickens are wont to be. It seems time and excitement have passed this place by. As for mystical humans, the cats mention an old crone who makes funny smelling concoctions out of grass and leaves, and sometimes the dirty parts from under the ground, and a set of three old men who tend the shrines and the local temple, bless the children on Last Day, and genreally advice and care for the humans of the town. "Good people. Even leave out fish and cream for cats, except the one that sneezes when we are near. But even he never throws a boot at us."
Noir quietly takes the piece of bread offered with a smile and sniffing it she blinks as she takes a bite and them gives a warm smile and a hug at the person who gave her that.She begins to gently get up and fly
Thank villager with a warm smile and a hug and fly off to find the others.
Where are you looking for the others?
Crouch down, hold sword ready, move torwards a tree between me and the source of the noise. Peek out and try and get a good look at the thing
"Remember, aim for the legs, knee joints."
Sneak quitly closer to the noise.
Scale a nearby tree, and nestle in. Try to locate the source of the noise.
Terrance climbs a tree and settles in, high up. The other two sneak forward and all three find a large, box shaped thing on treads, swinging a large cleaver or something at another felled tree, and blowing fire out of a nozzle at some brush, which is slow to catch fire. It is puffing white smoke out the top of it's box, and lots of clangs and whirrs are going on. THe box is at least eight feet to a side, and the top of it is ten feet from the ground. It has three treads, and no obvious entrances. Several antennae and other mechainsms protrude from it, mostly along the top, but a few are on the front and lower down as well. You're not getting this one into a farmer's cart, that's for sure.