E'lar shrugs.

"Told 'em we weren't prey."

Sue gladly flips the rabbit to Tastie as she replys to Gabin, "Vermeillon?  shoot, I think it's normally about a 2 day hike?  Not sure though, that's if memory serves me right of course." and she chuckles a bit at that.  And to Remi, "Yeah, I think we'll be fine, we're not far at all, and have no intention of lingering."

“So uh you can talk to animals?  That’s  cool and helpful.  So uh are you a druid then?” 

(sorry not going to be replying much anymore on weekdays, just got a new job)

"Well then, we should probably be on our way too then. No lingering and all that. You know." Gabin starts to walk away, but turns around a the last moment, "Oh, um... is there a LOT of aggressive wildlife in these parts normally?"

(congrats on the new job)

Phil looks back as the couple is walking away, "We typically aren't out like this, only head to town when necessary" drops and shakes his head, then looking at his wife, "this is what we get for trying to be spontaneous"  

The two head on out and soon after they disappear over the ridge as they head home.  Their fire has about died to embers and nothing is left around the campfire.  You start hearing birds again and other woodland sounds now that the fight is over.

After you’ve said your goodbyes to the couple and gather all your belongings, you head off on the trail heading North.  Once you find your rhythm, the scenery is quite breathtaking as you hike, with the evergreens, snow and the mountains.  You’ve all but forgotten about the tiger attack as you travel, enjoying the wildlife of the birds, a few rodents and even some wildflowers that bloom in clumps along the way.  

It’s not a steep incline as you hike through the morning, the six of you chat as you go, learning more about each other and your reasons for coming to Vermeillon in the first place.  Before you know it, the sun is creeping up and is now beating upon you from straight above.  As you realize it is lunch time, your stomach starts to remind you of that as well.  You aren’t sure if where you are is an actual trail or not, because as you look around it is too difficult to tell.  But there are a couple of bushes nearby with wildberries on them.

Tastie

The tiefling chomps and tears into the rabbit, "Aww, cuties.  Sad though, just wanted a little you-know-what time in the woods and BAM! snow tigers!  I hope they stay spontaneous!"  Tastie will grab a few bits of charcoal and stuff them in a pouch, lamenting and pouting a bit at the fact that she didn't get a snow tiger - meat, claws, pelt, or teeth.  She'll check Remi's leg though, just to be sure a claw didn't lodge into this thigh...

((Do any birds or other animals return to the area within 10 minutes of the attack?))

Quote from Spiderwrangler >>

((Do any birds or other animals return to the area within 10 minutes of the attack?))

 No, after all the commotion with the people and all, it takes longer than that for birds and animals to return.

Through a series of terse answers, E'lar reveals the following:

• he is not a druid

• he is a Warden of the Wild, sworn to preserve and seek balance between developed civilization and the natural places

• he cannot take other forms, he's not a druid

• he gains the ability to cast spells through his deep attunement to nature

• seriously, not a druid, he wears metal armor

The more insightful among the group might get the sense that he kind of views many druids the way an environmental activist seeking to make real change might view a bunch of dirty hippies.

Remi turns to E’lar and says “Not a druid?  You’re just kidding yourself mate.  You're the most druidy druid I’ve ever met ya tree hugger!  Heh!  Not a druid!  Tryin to pull one over on ole Remi aren’t ya?  You are a good healer though, I’ll give you that…”. Remi claps E’lar on the shoulder and lets out a chortling laugh as they walk toward Vermeillon.

Remi totally thinks E’lar is a druid.

On occasion during the long day, Elirion speaks longingly of the study of the history, of maps, and of matters arcane, but even as she does so, there is a sadness in her voice. As she describes different mapping styles and, indeed, different ways of recording history itself that each culture adopts, she seems at ease. As she recounts particularly odd systems, she is animated and engaged; "Some more hidebound elves for example like to recount the whole history of the world before covering more recent events 'to put it in context'" she says with a shake of her head and clear disdain. "Kobolds...well their history reads more like a grudge list, starting with recent events and working back into the mists of time. But, whatever the style, each still records important events that can be correlated. I am ... I was ... part of a movement trying to extract facts from subjective history by understanding the circumstances and motivations of the writers themselves. Magic helps a lot with that. Especially necromancy. But...well...some people debated the validity of including the views of the long-dead in official histories. Revisionist they call it, but I..." She is about to continue but winces as a misstep pulls recently healed flesh.

"Anyway. Those are times past. Now...now I work to erase the mistakes of history, but occasionally I can indulge myself." She smiles and says no more, lost her own thoughts.

The group comes to a point where they realize they are no longer on a path.  Not sure if the path is just really covered up or they took a wrong turn at some point, they cannot tell at this point.  Dusk is on its way, and according to the people you met, you have at least another day ahead of you, that is if you’re not lost.

Along thier journey as they talk about E’lar is totally a druid, Lanky says “Well, wouldn’t a druid say that?  Or uh lets say disguise themselves as non druids.”  Lanky grins, humoring Remi before adding, “Um not that I think you are lying, just a thought.” 

Eliron speaks of many diffent ways of arcane, and alanky snaps out of a daze. “I know some arcane.” He creates a green fire on his halberd, obviously passionate. “I learned it from some human knights that taught me how to fend for myself. I would like to know more to get a greater advantage in fighting. This spell is more useful in groups of enemies are together but it also makes for a good roast, crispy bacon, or seared steaks… sorry I am a bit hungry.”

 Lanky looks at the sky. ”Who wants to be on first and third watch?  Since I can see in the dark I will take second.”

E'lar sighs. A lot.

He nods sensibly at Elirion's talk of history and maps.

When the talk of camp comes up, he looks to Elirion and Remi.

"Trance in shifts?"

((Essentially 1-2 elves always awake and on watch. One trances from 1-4, one from 2-6, one from 4-8?))

Elirion nods at Lanky's remark regarding the arcane, "I would be happy to teach you, should that be a thing you would like to learn."

When the discussion of rest comes up she says, "There are a few things to do before I rest, and only need a few hours to recover, so perhaps a later shift for me."

Tastie will take a watch regardless of the elves.  But she’ll also look around for tracks to see if she can find some food. 

Remi nods at E'lar, "Yep, good idea.  Trance in shifts.  What order would you like?  I could go first, you could go second behind me, Elirion third."  

Remi considers Elirion's words, nodding at times, interested, but completely out of his realm of thoughts.  As he is sitting and resting, he wonders to himself, "Must make note about the entrance, options for access and defense.  With most people scared of the boogeyman around this place, what a wonderful spot to set up a base of operations.  Keep your eyes open, Remi.  Opportunity awaits."

Tastie, please make a survival check.

Elirion, you do your ritual and find your familiar bird, after sending him up to try and map out the area, you see Maerin below and the way you have come.  Noticing how the path disappeared quite a bit ago and you all kept along the same trajectory.  As you look through your bird's eyes to see where you need to go, you cannot see a path from the air, but can tell you're close to about halfway up the mountain.  Around the peak of the mountain there is a thick fog, you cannot see a town, just fog.

The rest you make camp, figuring out your nightly watch as dark grows near.  

Elirion relates what she has found to her companions, adding "Perhaps in the light of day, things will become clearer..."