Chonk, after the events of the last few days it is nice to settle down for a while as the afternoon light fails and enjoy the green and somewhat cuboid scenery. Pwok wanders out and settles on your lap and loudly berates any of the sheep who draw too near. The chicken does not forgive so easily it seems.

(Roll a D20 and add you proficiency modifier to see how far you get with your stick and how long it might take to complete)

You do manage to wash out the bloody bedrolls but they will not be dry enough for use this night. Luckily the farmer has bedding to spare so you will not spend the night in discomfort. You hang the rolls out back ready for collection in the morning.

The farmer is happy to share with you the information about his farm. He describes it as being around three hundred chunks in size, a term of measurement you are not familiar with, but sounds close to an acre. Besides the main farm house there is a large barn and workshop in the next valley over. The farm has been in the family for years and was built generations ago. When ask about how they cope the farmer gives a sigh,

"We have help from the village, but I will not lie it has been hard. Especially since I lost my partner." his eyes fill with tears again and he shakes his head. 

The farmer knows little about the north other than it being cold and even less about South Haven. "It's the biggest city in Overland, south beyond the Elderwood." he says with a shrug.

As to the sheep he shares your confusion, "The undead seem content to leave the animals be. It's what made me think to experiment on them in the first place. I do not know why."

The conversation continues into the night until you all settle down at last for an evenings rest. Pwok scuttles back to your side Sindri and settles down to sleep.

Everyone take level 3 as you fall into a restful sleep!

"You realize that you are catching on to the secret of success. It's just a matter of concentration."

Chonk takes his time working the piece of wood, stripping away the weakest wood and exposing the heartwood. He follows the grains and lets the wood itself dictate the shape and length of the staff.

Progress: 8

Chonk you manage to get a solid few hours of carving done here and the basic shape is there. Two more sessions like this one and you should have a weapon worthy of your skill.

Sindri awakens bright and early the next morning, giving Pwok a pet as she stirs.  Feeling quite rested and a little stronger than the night before she sits up and tries something new...

Casting Speak with Animals she asks Pwok, "How did you find us in the first place?  Are you a friend of Notch?"

Chonk wakes with new vigor. He is quiet and unsettled. This morning something is different. He feels inexorably drawn to the sword in his pack. He draws the sword from the pack and lays it across his lap while sitting in the lotus position and he meditates over it. As he focuses his thoughts, he feels his Ki binding itself to the form of the sword. But that is not all. He looks towards the unfinished branch of wood, his walking stick leaning against the wall, and suddenly the Ki makes him see it in a new light.

Sindri, as you speak to the chicken it looks up at you in surprise and cocks its head to one side, "Wolves going to eat me in the forest. Notch saved me. Sent me to greet new people. Yes, Notch is friend. Sindri is friend!"

Guroz wakes up, the images of the farmer is bestial transformation clawing into him. Yes, he was able to survive, but what if there are bigger zombies out there? More cunning bandits?

He will be prepared. 

Similar to Chonk, he makes the most of the now much calmer surroundings. At first light, if all seems quiet, he heads not too far outside... practising his form with the Greataxe; maintaining control within a complete swing, getting used to the grip at all angles and balance the weight with the weapon with his own weight distribution through his whole body. 

Lefaris joins the others in the morning. She seems a bit more posed, a bit more aware of herself. With a smile for the others she watches them as they do their morning activities, content to wait until all are ready. Once it appears everyone has finished she would speak up. "Shall we bring the good news of the farmer and his daught'ers safe status back to the village then?" She asks the others. "I am certain the merchant, though likely upset at the news, will still want to hear of the demise of his own pack mounts." She seems a bit more articulate than she had the previous day.

The farmer and child prepare you a hearty breakfast of home baked bread and honey, washed down with flagons of cool water from the nearby well.

As you are making ready to leave the farmer hands you all bundle of the tasty bread and honey. (You can all add one ration to your inventory)

Is there anything you would like to do before setting off back toward the village?

Chonk will gather and stow his crisp, clean bedroll and blanket and find an appropriate strap with which to hang his sword, ready for a quick draw.

”Thank you for your hospitality, Farmer.” He will say and then kneel to Child, “You take care of him,” motioning to Farmer with a smile.

He will hitch up his backpack, grab his walking stick and step onto the porch, waiting for the others. He draws in a deep breath and prepares for the walk back to Needlehole.

Lefaris says her farewells to the farmer and the child. She has the potion bottles to identify still, but would wait until they were back in the village to do so. She strides out of the house with the others.

Guroz gives this thanks for roof and food, "the town will be looking forward to seeing you both again. Can you see when things will be back up and running again?"

The Farmer bids you all a safe journey and promises to send a cart along to the village within the next few days. You make your way back across the valley toward the main road. 

You soon come across the scene of yesterdays battle with the mutant sheep. It seems the wolves have done their work during the night and both the sheep and the dead lama have been dragged away, leaving only bloody smears on the grass. The bodies of the bandits are also missing when you reach the road and little sign remains of your fight. 

As you re-join the main road everyone roll for perception.

During the walk, Chonk has been testing the flexibility of his walking stick. He bends the shaft this way and that, imagining it a long bow, if the form can be coaxed out of the rough material.

He enjoys the feel of the square sun on his face and the gentle breeze. As the party re-attains the larger road, he studies the area.

Perception: 15

Sindri also enjoys the walk back to the village but wonders who did clean up the bandits?  Thought it was strange but didn’t let it bother her.

perception 18

Lefaris looks both ways down the road as they rejoin it...

Perception is an 18, rolled in the Game Log

DAY : 2   Biome : Hills

Llama

Chonk and Lefaris you have been walking for around an hour when you both notice an large white furred animal wandering off to your right. Too large to be a sheep, you quickly realise that it must be the merchants other Lama!

It stands about 60 feet away with its back to you.

"Sindri I think the merchant's other pack animal is over there." Lefaris whispers, nudging Sindri. "You are much better with animals than I am, can you see if it will let you catch it?"

"Oh sure!  Wow, good eyes, so glad you saw it!"  she casts speak with animals again and slowly heads towards it.

"Hello little one... you looking for some food?  I'm here to help you.  Do you mind if I pet you?  Most animals enjoy it."  She walks up to it and pets it if it allows her to.  "Would you like to come with us?  I know someone who is really missing you."

Sindri, roll for animal handling with advantage.