Stew isn't really Skritch's thing. He swallows a goodberry instead. But he never says no to a steaming hot cuppa' tea. 

He watches. He listens. He sips. 

After a while he asks, but using his scritchety little chippering voice instead of his metal one, "So, er, kobolds? How do you feel about kobolds? For? Against? Where do you sit, er, regarding, er, their current activities and so forth...?"  

At the mention of Kobolds the hunter frowns down at you Skritch. "What business do you have with those foul creatures?" he asks, "It was Kobolds that provided Glemgriss with a village filled with freshly slaughtered bodies to play with. I do not know why you ask this child of Ratatoskr* but I will give an answer that leaves no doubt, when I run beneath the moonlight with my pack about me, I hunt the foul creatures and would do so until none remained if the night would but linger. I am against them."

*OOC: Ratatoskr is the legendary father of the Ratatosk people, who dwelt within the branches of the world tree.  

At this last revelation, Dealuri's eyes widen. "I also like wolves. I named my mount, Wolvie, in their honor. Wolves are strongest as a family and as a group, as well as being individually powerful. My commanding officer sent me on this journey to widen my eyes and improve my fighting so I can help protect our town." You can almost see the gears move and steam come out of her head. "I didn't do her any great service. I just hugged her. Maybe it had been a while since that had happened. Being nice is Dealuri's default attitude, but she was aware enough of the world to know that not everyone was so inclined and definitely knows that no one is nice to hags. "I just want to protect my town, not harm them. I can stand a little pain. Would Loki's mark help me, or would it just cause me harm? 

Skritch says nothing, leaving space for this lost elf to respond to Dealuri. 

But into the hunter’s mind directly he says, "Correct. Answer." and gives a small nod.

Vakas squats down and smiles at the Viltyr, appreciative for the bowl of stew.  He points at Dealuri’s arm and says “Thanks for letting us know.  Such a horrible thing… I’ve never seen such.  Definitely seems to be a curse.”  He looks over at Skritch and says, “Thank you for not eating or skinning him.  He helped us out a lot with that  Glemgriss back there.  Guess it wouldn’t do to put him in a stew… “. He looks over at Skritch and winks at him to let him know he was jerking his tail, smiling and thinks at him “Thank you” when the gold coin is produced for their dinner.  “Anyway, we will seek out a temple.  If we can make it out of here.”  

His eyes open wide when Loki is mentioned, and when he sees the mark on the hunter’s forearm.  He sits back in silence for a moment, listening and taking it in as the questions are asked.  Then wolves and then kobolds are mentioned, and Vakas sits forward, eyes focused.  “Yeah, we have no love for them either.  Want to hunt a good bit of ‘em down, take care of them.  Say, do you have any idea what lies ahead, what lies that way?”  He points in the direction they are traveling.  He is finishing his stew now, enjoying the last spoonful as he listens for the answer.  

Skritch smiles to himself. This Vakas, he thinks, I will have to think up some ways to 'jerk his tail'... No hurry with it.

Unless, of course, we're heading to our doom.

But, you know, we probably aren't. 

Right?

Skritch the hunter returns the nod.

Dealuri your words break the tension, "If you are seeking power you have found it, though it will take time to manifest and it is not without risk as I have already described. You hugged her you say?" He barks a laugh that.

"That is probably the most affection she has been shown in the last century or so, it explains much. As to your question of help or harm, power is a tool in my experience and to help or harm is in the hands of the wielder. It will however bring fear and mistrust and that itself may be harm enough to consider. The choice ultimately is yours, but know that to bear such a mark is a lonely path and even I do not know its full cost."  he shakes his head chuckling, "A hug."

Vakas he responds to your remarks about Skritch, "No doubt our small friend here is a brave warrior and I would never harm a child of Ratatoskr... even if he would make a fine purse." you ask about the lands that lie ahead and he considers his answer for a moment.

"South of here you will find Kobolds to be sure. I sense from your questions that you seek them out for some reason? It is a dangerous land so close to the black wastes. Creatures stray from those lands from time to time in search of food. If you encounter such an abomination I would counsel you to avoid it. Also as your friend will know.." he motions toward you Rachus...

"The black wastes of Helgeroth are awash with goblin tribes, who are not as friendly as your companion here. You may encounter them the further south you go."

 OOC: You still have daylight to burn and a journey ahead of you. The rest has been welcome but you must continue soon. Do any of you have further questions for the hunter or actions you wish to take before continuing on your way?

Skritch has enjoyed the brief break, but he thinks daylight would be best spent traveling south and finding somewhere safe to camp before next dusk. 

He dusts off his furry thighs as he stands. 

"May we meet again," he chitters out loud, "on our return journey, er... I do believe I do not know what I should call you, good elf...?" 

Mentally, he sends, "Perhaps I should have first asked if you were comfortable sharing such a prize with strangers. For that I apologise." 

Skritch saddles Sunhill and mounts up.

He waits on Mastiff back, chewing a wad of Goodberry cud, then spits it out like the tough little prarie ranger he wants the others to think he is. 

But he swallows a bit, which goes down the wrong way and makes him splutter and gasp. And choke and wheeze. And gag. 

For a solid minute. 

Rachus sets his now empty bowl down and makes a motion of tipping a hat he does not have in thanks for the hospitality. He mounts up and says "Agreed let's keep moving forward and thank you sir for the sharing of information" 

Dealuri looks with concern at Skritch and is relieved when he resumes his normal breathing and chittering before turning to the elf. Take care of yourself, please! And thank you for the food and the information. I'm not so great at thinking but you have given me much to consider. Is there a temple down the road? I mean, in case I need it? she asks as she points in the direction they are heading. Judging from the elf's solemnity, she foregoes hugging him and just mounts up.  

Looking South along the trail, Skritch broadcasts, "Shall we?" 

"I am named Baelis." The elf replies to you Skritch with a slight bow to each of you in turn. "It has been a rare pleasure."

To you Dealuri he responds, "There is indeed a temple three days south and east of here. It stands on the edge of the black wastes and is dedicated to Víðarr."

And so the road calls to you once more. You all travel south, the trail winding like a weary serpent through a weary land. The respite was unexpected, and all the more precious for it, a brief flicker of warmth and light amid the grey and the gloom. Now, the sky hangs low and sullen, and the air tastes of damp earth and old sorrow. The trees stand thin and twisted, their branches like gnarled hands clawing at the wind. Yet the end draws near. Just one more night beneath the stars, or what passes for stars in this sallow sky; and by tomorrow’s light, you will reach your destination, whatever it may bring.

Vakas make a survival check as you search for a suitable place to camp for the night.

Vakas survival check to look for a campsight (obviously distracted as he's thinking over the interaction with Baelis) : 7

The march drags on, hour after weary hour, until the last of the sun bleeds away and darkness creeps in from the edges of the world. No shelter shows itself. No caves, no lean of trees, not even a hollow in the land. Only the winding trail remains, stretching on like some cruel jest, indifferent to hunger, fatigue, or the ache in the bones.

At last, you all yield. Hooves slow, then stop. Bodies slump beneath the weight of travel and unspoken doubts. One by one, you make your beds beside the path, if such a thing can be called a bed—rocky, uneven ground that bites at hips and shoulders, cloaks pulled tight against the wind that slips in like a thief.

The cold comes quickly. It whispers through worn seams and settles deep in the flesh. There is no fire, no real rest. Sleep, when it comes, is shallow and uncertain, broken by dreams and the occasional snap of twig or distant cry in the dark. The night presses down, heavy and uncaring, and every hour feels like a siege barely endured.

Dealuri your dreams are fitful and several times you wake with a start, sure that some midnight visitor has drawn close to your sleeping form. You feel its breath upon your neck, you smell the musty scent of thick furs and old blood. In those brief moments between sleeping and waking you are sure you hear the howling of wolves.

Rachus tosses and turns. He does his best to bunch and shape the bedroll he is sleeping in to be more comfortable, but the cold wind has interrupted his sleep more times than he can count. He has had enough and with an angry yank he moves to kneel over his bedroll with his fur trimmed leather cloak flapping in the wind. He presses both of his palms onto the center of the bedroll and then whispers a quick incantation. "Caldus Lectus" He warms the center of his bedroll which will last an hour. Then he crawls back into his bedroll and curls up into a fetal position. Ah finally some warmth. He thinks as he drifts back to sleep. 

prestidigitation 

Skritch (OOC: either before people went to sleep or when each of them wakes for their watch, your call DM) gives each person one of the Goodberrys he'd made earlier. Each one provides sustenance for 24 hours and should prevent them feeling as if they're sleeping on an empty stomach. At least that will be something.... 

(OOC: I believe any remaining when you start a new day vanish, or something similar? So, if they are also good for the beasts then I'll give each of them one as well. Hopefully as a Druid I would know if they work for animals more generally ) 

Skritch curls up, looking forward to making some more for the day ahead first thing in the morn. Being useful, he thinks to himself, is... er... ni-zzzzzzz... 

Vakas wakes from his trance and says “Ah, N’wah!  That rock was digging into my back all night long!  Sheesh, let me get up and stretch…”. Vakas stands and takes a few laps around their camp site, stretching and groaning as he does so.  He takes the goodberry from Skritch gladly, nodding to him in thanks.  He begins to make a fire to warm up, rubbing his arms and legs.  He looks around for the others to wake and begin the day, he looks to the south to see where they are headed and what the path looks like from here.  

"Anyone else get the sense that an old wolf or bear or something similar visited us last night? I coulda sworn something was sniffing me up and down." She raises her arm and takes a sniff before grimacing. "No great surprise why it left, then. And thanks, Skritch, for the berry. It is good. I've never had something like this before. Does it have a name? Maybe you could call it a goodberry." After enjoying the fire briefly, Dealuri mounts her mount and is ready to continue down the road.   

Rachus stretches and slowly pokes his head out of the bedroll. Then the rest of him wiggles out like a strange flower blooming. "Well, that night was memorable. I did hear some twigs snapping and animal noises in the distance but no Dealuri I don't think such an animal came to our camp or if it did, I was deeply asleep. At least that berry did the trick. I am not sure how, but that berry was actually somewhat filling. Perhaps if we encounter a settlement or traveling merchant, we should purchase tents" Rachus then extends his back eliciting a few audible cracks from his joints. He then tightly packs his bedroll.

Rachus then mounts up and is ready to move forward. 

Rachus your efforts are rewarded with a relatively peaceful night sleep and you wake up more refreshed than most.

Skritch your Goodberry gifts save the party from any negative consequences from the poor nights rest. The animals certainly appreciated the unexpected treat.

Vakas you see that the land ahead begins to rise into series of ragged wind swept hills, jutting from the ground like broken teeth, black with rot. The track snakes between them and according to your map will lead you almost directly to the lair of this Kobold menace. (Roll perception to study the land ahead further, or investigation to study the map and its scrawled instructions).

Skritch roll a d20 (Wilderness roll) as you approach the distant line of hills.