Grugga sends Zip out with the orders: "Maintain 30 foot distance in front of us, 15 foot altitude above the ground, follow these tracks *points*, and if the winds interfere with your stability, return to us."

Perception (Zip): 9

Zip manages just fine in the light wind inside your ‘bubble’ but it has difficulty spotting the blue lion’s tracks from the air and it is slow going.  At times you have better luck on the ground and catch up to Zip.

From time to time you draw closer to the creature, sending it crashing deeper into the forest and sometimes drawing out another angry call.

18

You notice a fox has joined you in your dry bubble.  It does not come close, lurking just at the edge where the rain stops.  It eyes you warily but otherwise moves when you move and stops when you stop, doing it’s best to stay dry.

Gruuga looks to Leelan, "Do foxes do that? Or are we being watched?"

Leelan took notice of the fox at Grugga’s mention. He noticed it following the group. 

"Doubtful. Foxes would usually avoid interaction with potential threat, such as us. This specimen has me somewhat concerned."

Grugga scratches his chin. "Might these be the 'children' of the forest? It's a little early in the riddle, but..." he shrugs and asks for an apple tart. He kneels down and offers it to the fox with arm outstretched.

5

 The fox runs away from Grugga’s advances, circling through the underbrush to the other side of the dry bubble around you.

“Toss it one of the cupcakes.” Rohuzar gestures to the fox 

When a tart is tossed toward the fox, it first retreats back into the brush... but then slowly follows its nose to the treat.  It sniffs once, then takes the tart down in one gulping bite.  It then returns back into the brush where you can see its eyes watching you.

Leelan, while this is going on, you notice something.  In addition to the fox, you have also gathered a collection of birds with you.  The tree tops in your little bubble are filled with robins, woodpeckers and a few smaller song birds.  As you move west and trees are left behind bubble and re-enter the rainstorm, the resident birds hop and flap to the next tree to stay inside with you.

Grugga scratches his head and ponders aloud, "Could they really just be sheltering from the storm? Maybe this happens with the rangers, too, and the forest creatures are used to the phenomenon... In any case, the lion was next on the riddle. We have to wait for it to turn on us... shall we?"

Can I divine the nature of this bubble of storm protection we have?
Base roll: 20
Arcana +5, Investigation +3

Grugga:

As the group continues following the "blue lion," Grugga looks contemplative. He alternates between looking at his feet, looking at the animals flocking in their sphere of protection, and the storm raging everywhere but around them.

Finally he speaks up, "I've been thinking about the situation we're in. I don't think it'll come as a surprise to you all, but I don't think this is a natural storm. It was waiting here for us..." he shivers, and probably not from the cold, "I can practically see the magics in the sky keeping this storm in place, but it should be impossible for anyone or anything to control such a massive weather pattern." 

He pauses and looks torn on whether to continue or not, but finally he chokes out his last thoughts, "This bubble protecting us... I don't think it's friendly. I think it's a formality because we've followed the ritual so far. I don't know whether we should make a run for it or if we're in too deep and need to continue. But I know there's something extremely powerful waiting for us at the end of this path, and I know that today's the first day I wish I had just stayed in Pentwater since I got here..."

"Indeed. An astute observation.", remarks Leelan. "Whatever creature is causing this magical weather anomaly is undoubtably powerful. I would argue, however, that it could be reasoned with. After all, unless the ranger we’re looking for is behind this, it is not our target. We’re merely passing by."

He looks around to see whether his companions agree with his assessment.

Rohuzar nods. “And the little critters vith us? Do ve give them more of our payment in gifts?” 

"I admit I know very little of these things but if I had to guess Maggie herself is behind the storm and we are just passing through her forest, trying to appease her. I am not sure but I think we should stay on the track of the blue lion for now." Aubrey suggests.

Grugga shrugs at Rohuzar, "I don't know... the riddle says knock on the tree, follow the blue lion, and give her children treats on bended knee. In that order. The fox didn't take one when I kneeled down... they might honestly just be normal animals trying to escape the storm. What do you think, Leelan? Would that make sense?"

"In all honesty, it could be a bit of both.", answered Leelan. 

Rohizar bends down on one knee and holds out a cupcake. 

11 

Rohuzar hold out one of the tarts.  The fox continues to refuse to emerge from the underbrush and take it from him.  A few of the bolder chickadees and sparrows hop down to lower branches and give sideways bird glances at the treat but none dare come close to the Orc.

Guilim watches the fox but his thoughts are more focused on the comment about the storm from Grugga. He grips his halberd tighter, moving closer to the others slowly.