"You certainly do not have to join us, Malvyn." Kira looks to Mei, "I thought you might like to practice some prayers before we come to Disyn's Grotto though."  The day's light is rapidly fading, but a bright red glow remains to the west where the sun has dipped behind the mountain peaks. The darkness of the stone cliffs provides a beautiful contrast to the lightly glowing sky.  

Guardok looks around at the fading light and shakes his head.

"The best we could do in the fading light would be to set some traps, but we don't have any", he says, thinking back to what they would do on the road if they were stuck between villages and towns for a length of time. "I suppose I could try and use magic though", he then adds thoughtfully.

"I will give it a go whilst you do your prayers", he decides, and heads off away from the bustle of camp. He will create a small hide for himself and wait to see if any appropriate animals will come close enough to try and freeze.

"Oh,  no, yes, of course." The purple-skinned tiefling says as he realizes he wasn't really asked to pray. He nods to Guardok as the genasi heads of to hunt. Malvyn meanwhile tries to find a comfortable spot where he can do some reading. He would offer to take the first watch if Kira decides it is a good idea to have someone awake at all times.

Guardok heads off, finding a small, wooded area not too far from the camp site to set up his hiding spot. It seems relatively quiet as he stays alert for any animals. 

Kira nods to Malvyn, accepting his offer. "Probably not a bad idea. Perhaps Mei and then I can watch, followed by Guardok?"  

She then leads Mei away from the area the group had chosen to set up their tents, if she is willing. "I can teach you some of our prayer songs. We sing to honor the passing of the light, the coming of the nights, and the day that Disyn has given us."  The two move to a slightly raised area where the mountain peaks to the west can be more clearly seen, along with the dazling colors on the horizon as the sun sets.  She signs a few songs, slowly teaching Mei the words. In between they have time to just rest and meditate on the little prayer. 

The time passes for Guardok and he just doesn't see anything. He's ready to give up as the shadows are getting longer and he starts to stand.  There's a bit of a gap in the trees and he can see to northwest that there is something there. As he looks, he thinks perhaps it is a statue, as it is grey like stone. It seems to be in a seated position, with its arms resting on its knees. Only, there are at least four other arms. At the top it seems to have a vaguely bald head-like shape, except near where you might expect eyes there are sharply angled rectangles jutting out. And then you notice the head-like structure turn ever so slightly. 

The movement brings your attention to its surroundings.  There are tall evergreen trees that are tiny specks to you that seem to be right next to this thing. You had thought it much closer, but it must be many many miles away. Which makes it hundreds of feet tall!  After the tiny shift of the 'head' you do not see any other movement. It's hard not to wonder if you just imagined it. 

Guardok stares into the distance for a long moment before giving up and catching anything and returning to the others. When he does return, he looks a little confused.

If the others are there, he will say after a few moments, "That was the oddest thing. I swear I saw a stone statue with six arms. And the strangest eyes". If the others aren't there on his return, he will say it shortly after they return.

(OOC: What is the plan here? It seems a little strange to go too much further without Mei involved)

(OOC - I've been trying to go slow. Heard from Mei a few days ago, and she was hoping to get a post in this week. So yes, I'll probably wait to this weekend to see where we go.)

When they've returned to the campsite, Mei settles back in and tries to make a nest of the bedding she brought to do a bit more meditating near the fire. And definitely doesn't doze off. At the sounds of Guardok's footsteps, however, she cracks an eye open to watch his return, having much enjoyed watching his exuberance this whole trek.

Both pop open with the force of her full attention at his words. "A stone statue? With six arms!" There's a contemplative tilt to her head. "Did it seem like a ritual site? Or... ceremonial space?" She looks to Kira then, wordlessly asking if she's seen the statue herself.


(I'm so sorry you guys! Real life has been kicking my butt lately. So sorry you've had to carry things along without Mei!)  

Kira had returned just a bit before Guardok made it back.  When he explains what he saw she responds to Mei's wordless question. "I have never heard of such a thing."

(Would Mei have joined Kira for the songs and prayers to Disyn?)

(History check for trying to recall info about something like what Guardok saw.)

(AH YES sorry! She would have joined her, yes! And a 12 for History oof)

When Mei returns to the camp, she notices that it does not seem as dark as she would have expected.  Her dark vision seems to have returned. 

She vaguely recalls there was some stories about extremely large creatures in Arcaivos, but cannot really remeber details.  

"It was difficult to tell, Mei", Guardok answers. "It was way off in the distance, as tall as the trees, and I could swear it turned its head. I guess the light was fading though, so I guess I imagined it".

"Perhaps we can go and look when the sun rises?".

Back at the campsite Malvyn listens with great interest to what Guardok shares and tries to recall any information on what he mentions.
History: 14

Malvyn also vaguely some stories about such a creature. But no details.  

"It would be interesting to have a look." The purple-skinned tiefling chimes in, looking at Mei and Kira. "Could it have any connection to Disyn?" He asks curiously.

Kira looks back at Malvyn a moment, then over to Guardok. "Where did you see this exactly? We should focus on Disyn's Grotto first before we contemplate any side trips." She seems pretty firm in her suggestion and moves to where she has her tent set up, ready to retire for the night. Or at least until time for her to take her turn at watch.  "Wake me when it's time." 

"Well, it was a long way off. I really just meant we could go and see if we can see it from a distance, rather than walk over there. But maybe we could get closer on the way back", Guardok replies.

He isn't sure what the order for keeping watch is, so echos Kira, "Wake me when it is my turn, unless I am first?".

"I'll take first watch and wake you in a few hours." Malvyn says to Guardok with a small smile, then trying to settle in for his watch the best he can.

Perception if relevant: 17

Malvyn takes the first watch, with nothing eventful happening. Then he wakes up Guardok to take the next watch.  His turn also is uneventful. He isn't quite sure who was going to take the next watch but decides on Mei.  She actually feels quite refreshed after just the bit of sleep she's had.  

Nothing else happens throughout the night, with Kira taking the last turn.  With the first signs of sunrise, Kira moves towards a spot across the path they've been following where she can look down into the lands near Silkmeadow and can better watch the sun rise. 

Malvyn would wake up fairly early, going a bit grumpy realizing there would be no coffee at all this morning, he would definitely need some solution for that if he was to make more treks in the future. He would find a spot to silently watch the sun rise together with Kira, his thoughts going to Aurora, wondering if she would find the sunrise pretty, perhaps even romantic. With these thoughts as his company he slowly nibbles on some rationed cookies and dry fruit.

Guardok wakes early as he always does, but rather than focussing on the sunrise he performs his morning exercises. Some stretching, some sword practice and perhaps a short run.

If he does go for a run, he will make sure to go to the place from which he saw the large statue in the distance, to see if it is visible this morning.

He would happily allow anyone to join him for the stretching and run, but will move away a bit for the sword practice.