"Rolling with it?", Kiafra says not quite understanding what Korin means until Elielle's reply makes it a little clearer.

"Quite so, we roll with it or we die. We live in strange times, but this is certainly the weirdest situation I have come across. The plains are vast though, and can be weird", he explains.

He doesn't relax as they walk, not at all convinced they are safe on the path. There is nothing to stop one of the locals get to them at all.

"Where did you learn about curses like this?", he asks Korin after a moment.

Korin seems to consider the tribesman's question in silence for a minute. Finally, he answers. "There's a group I work for, we get a handle on things like this. Strange curses...Old magic best left forgotten. We try to make sure no one accidentally stumbles on it and hurts themselves - or worse, tries to use it against others." For a moment it seems like he wants to say more, opening his mouth to speak. Then he decides against with a small shake of his head.

Suddenly, you hear a loud crack like wood splitting to your left. Your guide stops, eyes narrowing as he peers into the trees. "Do you see anything?" He asks quietly.

OoC: Moving forward! Perception checks please!

Elielle is quite curious at Kiafra's question and listens intently to Korin's answer. "I hope we will get to hear more about this later," she says, stopping though at the cracking sound.  She peers about the area as they continue to move along. 

(Perception: 10)

Kiafra looks at Korin a little suspiciously having heard he keeps an eye on strange curses and old magic, and is about to ask a follow up question but is interrupted by the loud crack.

He spins around to look in the direction of the sound, also peering into the trees, his trident poised and ready.

Perception: 7+4=11 (Passive: 14)

Victor Zeroyavich

Victor whirls at the sound of the cracking wood, his already on edge mood spiking alongside his heartrate. As he does, the stone in his hand buzzes, and he feels the urge to look down, as he feels a strange, tingling sensation crawling up his palm, onto his wrist, and along his arm. Anyone else would notice that spirals of blue energy have begun twisting themselves around his right arm like thick vines, and they slowly creep up his arm towards his shoulder.

OOC

Perception check: 19; Hoping for something either really good or really bad (What? Don't give me that look! Nat Ones are fun. And, if he rolls low, he'll look down at his arm and see the magic that isn't entirely intentional)

"And what group is this?" The young man breaks the silence he's held since they left the odd rabbit-person.

As the wood begins to crack, Darren turns his head to the left, scanning the trees for signs of movement. 

Perception: 16

As you all scan the woods, nothing immediately catches your eye...Then Darren notices a sudden movement, something slithering along the forest floor towards the road. He just barely has time to shout out a warning before writhing tree roots shoot forward onto the path.

Roll initiative! If you roll above a 10, go ahead and take your turn.

Kiafra is focused on what is happening above ground, but it only takes him a split second to react once he sees the roots have entered the path and are a danger.

He moves to protect the others if he can, and plunges his trident down towards one of the roots. He then attempts to push the root back with his shield.

"Stand away", he advises the others as he sets himself, taking a deep breath as he tries to remain calm.

Initiative: 7+7=14
Movement: Steps between the roots and the others
Action: Attack the root with his trident (1 handed) - To Hit: 4+6=10, Damage: 6+4=10 [piercing]
Bonus Action: Shield Master Shove (5ft away) - Athletics: 8+6=14 - Contested by Strength (Athletics) / Dexterity (Acrobatics) if shoving is even possible

(Elielle Initiative: 17)

Elielle had focused on the sound when they heard it, leaving answers to the questions for later.  She was a touch worried though, not sure what new strange hazard this might be. Seeing Kiafra step forward to get between the group and danger, the halfling takes a couple of steps back.  Hoping that root might be as susceptible to fire here as places she's more familiar with, she makes a motion and calls out the words to cast Fire Bolt.
(Spell Attack: 25, Damage: 5 fire)