(Any strength check needed to break this open?)

Alexia silently watches the others gather around the chest or begin to repair camp. Just loud enough to be heard, she says, "I'm going to go make sure we aren't bothered by any more animals." She then turns and begins to climb the tree again, headed for a high, secluded spot that will put her at least momentarily out of sight of the others.

Arc ponders Azrael's question and is happy to have someone to talk to.  "I suppose my existence is not that different from yours really.  I came into existence in the Dwarven laboratories in upper Kapflochland.  The main artisans were Gnomi Runekrafters.  The Dwarfs and the Gnomi have a relationship based on mutual interest as the Dwarves have the large factories and laboratories and the Gnomi have the expertise.  The worshipers of Krieguna and Todwaschen had influence in the area and apparently some of that rubbed off on the forged that like me.  I can't tell you exactly when I became self aware but eventually, at least as far as we can tell, most if not all of our casts became a race all our own.  A large group of us were able to escape the Dwarven lords and established a colony of our own in the high forests of Kapflochland."

"You must understand, it wasn't just the treatment of the Kriegzeug; that is what we are called by the lawmakers; that caused us to rebel.  We don't feel pain and most of our thinking is how can we accomplish the tasks at hand.  But when we saw cruelty to others, some from our hands at the orders of the dwarven lords, the more curious and thoughtful of our kind decided we needed to take action.  Unfortunately they destroyed our most thoughtful leader before he could escape.  Arcast 26.  I consider myself his disciple and now wander the land trying to understand the existence of other races like you and lend myself to helping others.  I have begun to develop my own code of ethics but the implementation of such a code proves very difficult I find.  There are so many competing interests in the world and trying to determine who is right and who is wrong is not straight forward.  I do what I can to make judgement in truth and stay out of the way when things are less clear."

Arc stops talking hoping for a response of some kind.  He asks a simple question.  "What do you consider your purpose?"

Lucina watches everyone, hearing Alexia's statement she nods watching her disappear out of sight before she goes closer to the wounded in order to keep a close eye on their wellbeings in case things took a turn for the worst.

"You'd be surprised to find some humans treat humans just the same," Az begins having marveled at Arc's tale with visible surprise and interest on her face before her reply. "I...I often struggle to understand others as well and as for my purpose...." she trails off looking thoughtful her expression flickering darker for a moment before looking back at Arc, "to prevent others from needlessly suffering at the hands of those who know better but choose to do harm," she adds curtly. The young woman's expression seems almost triumphant as if she's just discovered her purpose in that moment of being asked. "I hope... we both can avoid those who seek to harm us as well. Are these dwarf lords still in pursuit of you...of your kind," she asks anxiously next.

Arcast spends the time talking by creating a pair of tents from the canopies of the wagons and nearby sticks. They won't last through a strong wind, but they'll keep away mosquitoes and a light rain. Hopefully the weather is on your side, as the wagons ad their contents are now exposed to the elements.

Alexia climbs back into the trees to keep a watch, warily watching out for dangerous animals. She doesn't see anything that strikes her as a threat. The wildlife of the jungle is slowly creeping back into the void left during the fight. She notes the interesting lemurs that blink between trees, as well as flying squirrels with bat-like wings scouting for nuts and fruits.

Lucina remains with the wounded Garun and Ishaz, ensuring that they are comfortable and not deteriorating further from their wounds. Lenk and Yanny linger nearby, keeping watch over Garun. Lenk is spinning the flintlock pistol used by his brother around his index finger. They do not seem to be displaying the discomfort that they showed earlier in the journey by being alone with somebody carrying the Ravenni bloodline. 

Valen, Conor and Galius lean over the small chest as the second bolt is broken from the leverage of the hatchet and dagger. As the lid is pried open, the blobs of wax lining the crease give slight resistance, stretching and eventually coming free with an encouraging pull. Tilting the container to catch the light of the moon, the three men peer in and squint in the low light at the contents. There appear to be four corked glass vials packed within, one of which is shattered. One of the vials contains a coarse sparkling violet powder which reflects the moonlight it catches as it refracts through the glass. Another vial contains a powdery white substance with an appearance that can be likened to flour. The final vial contains an indigo dye pigment which appears to have boiled from the heat of the fire. From the coloured residue caked on the glass shards and the inside of the chest lid, it's safe to assume that the broken vial contained this same ink.

Corrigan addresses Azrael, "Honestly, I've never seen Ishaz so anxious about a job. I think he's just starstruck to have been hired by Guildmaster Kwenthro. We're used to selling wines on behalf of the Barmouth Vintner's Guild, but the Glassblowers are one of the most well-respected organisations for leagues around. He was furious when I was late to the meeting point in Staple. Never seen him that angry before". The grizzled man looks up at the starry night sky with a pained expression before fumbling with and struggling to light an oil lamp, "We need to decide if we're risking the sleep through the night without our comforts,  if we're heading back to the road, or if we press on through the jungle". He shares a worried look with Az, exacerbated by the dramatic dancing of the newborn flames casting deep shadows on his face, "I reckon taking a late penalty on that payment is worth surviving. Then again, I just see to the mules, what do I know?"

Galius casts light to try and get a better look at the contents of the chest, and specifically the glittery substance.

”You don’t think these were part of the cargo, do you?”

"Hard to say," Valen mashes his mail coif, making the cap underneath resemble scratching his head, "Merchants have their own plans, and the hired muscle is rarely told if there's worry over theft. Two of the reasons I've never liked escorting: you never know if you're defending goats or gold and your employer makes a fortune only to throw a pittance your way."

"If the others agree I think we stay the night and return to the road tomorrow unless moving forward on this shortcut will get us to our destination without spending another night in the jungle," Az replies. "How much farther? Who knows the way," she asks Corrigan.

"Well, only Ishaz knew the shortcut, and he was reading from a map. I'm sure we could get back to the road easy enough in a day, then it's another three days to the outskirts of Barmouth." He uses the flame of the lantern to light a small pipe, before taking a deep inhale and looking a little more relaxed.

Up in the trees, Alexia murmurs a soft greeting to the lemurs and squirrels, then moves into an area screened by trees. Kneeling, she begins a soft prayer under her breath, trusting Riannis to both keep watch and warn her if one of her fellow guards approaches.

Riannis, barely restraining her curiosity, does as she's told for now and keeps an eye on the others in the clearing as well as the surrounding forest.

Arc responds to Az while working.  "Lord Glandenblade would love to take me back if he ever finds me.  He considers me to be his property.  However I have not heard that he is actively searching us out or even that there is a bounty on my head.  The political climate has shifted in the favor of sentience to a small degree in most populated areas and the war Lords want to appear to respect those laws.  I don't plan on traveling in areas that would put me in this danger but you never know.  He may decide to hunt me down someday."

"I...I...am sorry you are hunted," Az says sincerely to Arc. "Know I will never allow such a fate to find you," she adds earnestly before finishing their work on the camp. Going back out to where the party is gathered she says out loud for all to hear. "We are to remain here friends?" she asks curiously after Corrigan's explanation which she shares with those still looking at the chest who might have missed it before she adds. "We should speak to Ishaz about the reasoning for the shortcut before moving to the road or moving on," she then moves towards where the seafolk rests to speak to him.

OOC: Would giving him more heals help my efforts to speak to him?

Ishaz is currently unconscious due to his injuries and is not susceptible to more healing. Only the passage of time or more powerful magic can rouse him.

Your group spend another few minutes contemplating your situation before making do with your current area. Some of you take the tents, others sleep more comfortably in the open air with the smells and sounds of the jungle close. Lenk and Yanny take the watch for the night with the understanding that they can rest on the wagons during the journey tomorrow.

As you all bed down for the night, with the calming sounds of the local creatures helping to drift you all into sleep, you can't help but think of how close you came to disaster.

The next morning, you are awoken by the cracking light of dawn seeping through the leaves overhead. Lenk looks exhausted, and currently picks through the camp wreckage by the light of dawn, keeping quiet to avoid disturbing you. Yanny yawns near the mules, who he has outfitted and connected to the wagons. The lone mule is attached to the wagon missing a barrel, and even then looks like it may struggle. The other wagon has all six barrels as well as Ishaz and Garun, the latter of which seems to be conscious and feeling the bandaged area at his belly.

Corrigan rises from beneath one of the wagons, hoisting his pack onto his shoulder. He takes a handful of nuts from his pocket, and picks out a few of the nicer looking ones for himself before feeding the mules.

As the light bleeds into the jungle, the true carnage of the night is apparent. The roots enclosing the camp are completely blackened and shrivelled, and large scorch marks rise high up into the trees. It would appear that you were lucky not to have a full jungle fire to deal with.

As Lenk makes his way back over to the wagons, he shoos a couple of spindly 3 foot tall birds from his way, which hop along the ground and quietly 'caw' in annoyance.

Alexia sleeps on a branch above the camp, quite at ease among the jungle noises. The light wakes her early, and she climbs down to the forest floor carefully, wincing at the damage to the tree. "Sorry," she murmurs softly to it. Feeling much better after her sleep, Alexia sits on a rock by the edge of camp and watches the others from beneath her hood.

Riannis spent the night continuing to keep watch, flitting around the perimeter of camp and occasionally going invisible. When the sun comes up, Riannis (visible) flutters over to Alexia and alights on her shoulder, promptly lying down and going to sleep. Alexia shoots Riannis an amused look, then goes back to watching the rest of camp.

Conor rises early and checks over his wounds, then quietly trying not to draw attention, moves over to the chest and the items in it they discovered the previous day. Praying to the Warmfather for a little inspiration he looks over them carefully, and tries to determine what they are without damaging them or risking harm to himself.

Casts Guidance 2

Investigation 10 

Looking over the items with a little more light, Conor determines that the vials contain a white calcium carbonate powder, a rare dye pigment worth a handful of gold coins, and a vial of finely ground amethyst. He estimates a market value of 40-50gp to the right buyer.

"Well if you do die, then at least we will have a little compensation for your questionable shortcut, shame the others saw these as well." He says with a wry smile.

Leaving everything where it was he continues with his morning routine, checking and packing his gear, ready to leave quickly if needed. 

While that’s going on, Galius takes a walk around the camp and lets everyone know he’ll be having a brief prayer over Ladle’s death shortly, and inviting anyone who’d like to attend.

”Feel free to say a few words, or don’t. It’s not required.”

He’ll take an extra moment with Corrigan.

”I’d appreciate your presence especially. I’m not sure anyone here knew him any better.”

"Are you planning to say the prayer in camp?" Alexia asks Galius quietly when he tells her, keeping her head down.