Sha-gravis uses eyes of night to benefit Tesfaye Hemlock & Saffron.  300’ darkvision for 1hour, “Sorry Saoirse you take lead I’m not good with maps and such.  Just anxious to be away.”  

Suddenly, the dimness of the fading light gives way to a world alive with life and movement, as Selune's gift to Sha-Gravis opens all of your eyes to the fullness of vision usually reserved to the nocturnal world. It is not that the world appears brightly lit - it is that the darkness conceals no details from you.

Saoirse feels this change (although her night vision was already excellent), as she is binding Muro's hands and feet. The knots look good - adapted lashings finished with paired half-hitches on the back side. She would trust them to nid two logs together at a chosen angle - and then to put all of her weight onto the higher log. A normal person would not be able to break free. A lycan... she hopes it's strong enough. Saffi seems to approve of the bonds, and quietly nods her affirmation.

Muro's pupils have dialated to cover almost his whole eyes - or maybe the irises and sclera have shrunk back. It is an animal's face that stares back at Lam as he hoists Muro over his shoulder and begins to move West, and though the long, threatening incisors are bared in an instinctual threat, Muro does not resist. "I'm sorry for what's coming," He squeaks.

All of the movement and life that Hemlock has always known takes place during the night are plain to see in a way that he has not had the joy of experiencing before. The last birds settle into their nests, porcupines emerge from their burrows, stealthy foxes, weasels, and owls are plain as day as they perch or stalk. It would be quite pleasant, if there was not so much other stress at the same time. You can hear shouting coming from the keep, and then a bright light shoots out from the keep - clearly a signal for any remaining HMC personnel to hurry home. A few moments later, a matching light shoots up from the West - an HMC group has seen the signal and responded. Saoirse remembers that there was a second mark of an HMC presence on that map...

Sha takes the rear of the group, between the others and the keep. He is acutely awar of each small clinking sound coming from his armor.

Hemlock walks wide eyed as he sees the forest more clearly than ever before. When the light shoots out from the keep though, he brings his focus back to the task at hand, pushing on as quickly and quietly as he can.

Looking about he tries to spot somewhere that would make a suitable hiding place should they be followed.

Perception: 10+5=15 (Passive: 15)

Hemlock notices a hollow underneath a skyoak tree as the approach it. The oldest of these trees they've seen in person so far - it's a good 30 feet wide at the trunk base. There's an opening big enough to crawl under the root system, just the sort of thing that would make an excellent place to adapt and build a home for a young Firbolg, or a natural cave for a bear looking for a place to hide out the winter.

They also pass near the site where an old hemlock tree has recently fallen, and thick bushes and brambles have grown up in spot where the canopy opens. It's an imperfect hiding place, and an uncomfortable one. 

As you travel west, you've been going parallel to a road, keeping it north of you. Another group is coming along that road, headed in the direction of Coldwater Keep. You're a good 100' from the road, so you shouldn't be noticeable unless someone's actively looking for you, or you're loud. The group headed to Coldwater are loud, carrying equipment and taking a wagon or two pulled by horses. You would have to get closer to see more of them.

Hemlock points to the base of the skyoak tree, "We could stop to rest there".

"Unless you all want to push through until we get to the Village Tree?", he adds.

When he hears the other group on the road, he stops still and hunkers down.

Upon seeing the bright coming from the second HMC location, Saoirse curses. Were the difficulties ever going to stop? And that of course isn't the last of it, as the group notices the sounds of yet another group coming their way in response to Coldwater'd calling.

Though they are not that near, it would be just the perfect time for Muro to yell and attract their attention. They definitely cannot risk that. So when Hemlock asks about the oaktree, Saoirse turns to him and says:

- That oak tree you found is a blessing! I'd say we should hide until that HMC group passes by. They shouldn't hear us but - and she eyes Muro - let's not push our luck. I wouldn't spend the night in it, though. I think I prefer doing that in Village Tree. 

She waits to see if the rest agrees and if they do so, walks to the oaktree carefully. But before entering, she tries to look for any sign or sound that could indicate that it is already occupied.

Sha goes over to verify the tree root den is safe and suitable.

The root cave is clearly large enough to enter, and from the outside Sha can't hear anything concerning. Looking inside, he can see exactly what you would expect: loose, light brown, loamy soil, with an open area where the skyoak's roots and the topsoil have conspired to make a roof and a hollow, as some ancient trunk or other vegetation has rotted away underneath the tree over the centuries. The soil is disturbed around the large hole - some creature or other has dug this entrance a little wider.

Tesfaye has perked up quite a bit now, and has even taken the time to double-check Saoirse's knotwork, giving her a big thumbs-up. They have calmed down a bit, and is now watching Muro's transformation with abject fascination and muttering to themself. "I wonder if this process has any magical relationship to druidic transformation. It has little in common with the polymorphic theory - originating from within rather than without. That would of course, make the magical potential harder to isolate..." They notice one of you glance in his direction. "Sorry! Thinking about arcane theory helps to distract from... well, possible death."

Muro is about equally rat and man now - significantly bigger than he was in his halfling form, though still small enough for Lam to carry. He is squirming a bit, but is still in control - he has not begun to truly fight against the ropes, scream and shout, or to try to attack Lam. so far so good.

“Here and here signs of animal habitation, it however doesn’t look currently occupied.” Sha looks at Saoirse puts his hands up as a gesture of deference.  As Tesfaye begins speaking Sha raises a talon to his maw and makes a ‘shh’ sound.

Lam’s eyes flick back and forth as he watches each of his companions. He glances at Muro and wonders how big he is going to become. He tries to keep Muro in as comfortable position as possible, considering the fact that he is tied up and hoisted over Lam’s shoulder. He knows that every second they delay is more time for Muro to transform and cause problems- but he also knows the group passing by presents a clear and present danger, and that as well as Sha, Hemlock and Tesfaye are keeping up, they have to be tired. Stopping for a bit could help.

Lam investigates the root cave, then shrugs with his free arm. Whatever lives in there is probably not fun to deal with, but it doesn’t appear to be there right now. Lam doesn’t dare speak, but he watches everyone, willing to follow whatever they choose to do.

Saoirse chuckles at Tesfaye's comments regarding Muro's transformation. That may not be the best time to be focusing on the arcane theory of how a nice halfling can turn into a murderous were-rat, but they have unknowingly help the fire genasi to let out a little of the anxiety she's been feeling for hours.

After Sha and Lam finish checking the interior of the tree and the tabaxi gestures for her to come inside, she shows a little doubt. The risk that they end up being visited by the "owner" of the root cave is hight, but it stills seems like the best course of action for the moment. So she nods at her companions, exhales and in she goes.

Once inside, she'll stay near the entrance trying to stay alert to any sounds indicating that any kind of creature is approaching the oak tree.

As soon as Saoirse gets all the way down into the hollow, her magically assisted eyes can see an even larger underground area than expected... and on the opposite side of it, a great brown bear is lying on her side, her heavy head lifted to stare directly at Saoirse. Her teeth are bared in a silent but unmistakable warning, and her motivations are clear: three cubs, small enough that they must have been born during this past winter's hibernation, curled up on her belly. One of them is drinking from her teat, tiny suckling noises. The mother bear is 30' away on the other side of the hollow, awaiting any movement from Saoirse. The great tree's taproot is a central column in the hollow, and there are no other creatures or threats there.

Tesfaye sticks their head into the hole behind Saoirse, ready to awkwardly crawl in after her, temporarily blocking the exit.

Hemlock tarries a moment by the roots outside, taking a closer look to see if the cave has a current occupant and what it might be by any tracks.

Survival: 16+5=21

It is now clear to Hemlock that a mother bear and three cubs have been using this hollow as a nightly den, and when he takes a moment to focus, he can be relatively certain that it was her she slept through the winter, as well. A recent scat and disturbance in the soil suggest that the bears have returned home for the night. 

Hemlock knows that, despite being very protective of their young, brown bears avoid fighting when possible. Still, asking to share a den with a mother and cubs... she is unlikely to accept the guests.

"There is a bear here, and three cubs", Hemlock whispers urgently to those in front of him.

"We cannot stay here. I have an affinity with animals, and even if she accepted us, there is no way she would allow Muro to stay in his state".

Whilst he waits for the others to retreat out the hollow, he keeps an eye and ear out for the group on the road, making sure they haven't heard or seen them.

Perception: 13+5=18

Sounds like it’s time to head over to the fallen hemlock tree and shrubbery.  Sha waits for Saoirse and points back at the alternate hiding spot.  “Sorry I should’ve gone in further.”

Lam stands guard outside the root cave as the others enter, still holding Muro. When he sees Hemlock whispering to the ones going in, he knows something has gone wrong. Maybe the cave is occupied after all- or there are signs the owner will return soon? He watches Sha head over to the hemlock tree but keeps by his post at the root cave, watching his friends at the entrance and also listening for any changes from the group on the road.

"Holy f@#$&....!!!" is Saoirse's thought as her eyes meet the bear's. Her body tenses instantly. She can feel her heart beating furiously and her basic instincts screaming at her to turn around and run away inmediately. That would have been the normal reaction hadn't she been trained in the ways of Blood Hunters. "Calm your mind. Calm your body. Don't let fear rule you. Observe the foe in front of you. And then act. Act on what you see. What do you see, Saoirse?".

A bear. A mother. Three cubs. A clear warning. 

The blood hunter breathes once. Twice. Three times. Without moving a single muscle, she listens to what's happening outside the tree. Hemlock's whispered something. Tesfaye was entering just behind her and she can hear their heavy breathing as he's crawling inside the root cave. She needs to warn him:

- Tesfaye - she whispers , sill not moving and not breaking eye contact with the she-bear - don't come in. Get out. Slowly. 

Saoirse will wait until she hears the tortle has left an opening for her to exit the cave before she turns her back to crawl outside. 

Tesfaye awkwardly crawls backwards out of the entrance again, shuffles over to open the way, and then simply retreats into their shell. A muffled "let me know when we can stop panicking" comes from where their head has tucked in. "I can't take any more of this." 

Muro seems to be having similar thoughts, as his huge ears twitch when Hemlock mentions his name, and the fact that he would not be accepted (by the bear). However, he has no shell to retreat into, and is slung over the shoulder of a creature he had previously only heard of in scary folk tales, and so he begins to squirm and thrash, straining against the ropes that he can't quite remember he agreed to. The knots hold firm, but he begins to squeak and screech. The sounds are all beast, at this point.

As she hears more activity outside of her den, mama bear stands on all fours and pushes all of her cubs underneath or behind her. She is not advancing at Saoirse yet, but every muscle is tensed and ready (roll animal handling as you try to navigate out without agitating her further).

Saffi joins Sha in the tangle of underbrush by the hemlock log, her stance low but her crossbow ready.

The HMC group continue along the road, moving at a slow and cautious pace. Carried lanterns are lit at the front and back of the group, as twilight continues to darken towards night. They are moving at a steady march, and do not seem to slow or change pace when Muro has his outburst. If they do simply continue along the road, then this should be the closest they pass to your party. Hemlock is able to make out more clearly now the size of the group through the 100' of forest between you and the road - at least 4 dozen people, 5 horses, three wagons. 

As the large group of people don’t seem to hear Muro, Lam releases a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. That’s at least one thing that might go their way. His heart is racing as he takes in the situation. Tesfaye is upset. Saoirse is still in there, and it is becoming increasingly clear that something is in there with her. Something big, given the entrance it made. The only thing preventing Lam from rushing into the den and making everything worse is the more pressing matter, the thing that makes it hard to think about anything else: the were-rat screeching in his ear.

Lam knows that he must remain calm. He knows that stealth is of the utmost importance right now, and that Muro’s emotions affect his transformation… but it’s so hard. He doesn’t know the right thing to do to help his friends. His heart still racing and his eyes showing almost the same wild fear as Muro’s, he forces himself to remain still and keep his hold on the squirming were-rat, and then speaks as low as possible, aiming to let only Muro hear. He tries despite his emotions to keep his tone even and low. “It is ok. We will find safety. And food. And rest. Nobody here wants to hurt you.” He hopes that is true. He does not know what is in there with Saoirse right now. “But we must be quiet.” He keeps murmuring to Muro, feeling that he might lose it himself if he tried to do anything else with the screeching in his ear.