Genome merely grunted at Burgee's words with a roll of their eyes. Nor do I intend to try bird. Whatever happens happens at this point. I will do as we agree'd, nothing more, and nothing less. For I have no faith you lot will survive the spider. You are more impressive than first anticipated, but all that really means is that I underestimated you initially. Genome shrugged and began to pace as the group continued to talk amongst themselves. Genome seemed 'done' with everything, they clearly weren't happy but like a worker at a job they hate. Pacing around waiting to get it over with.

Gwen however, who had been silent up till now Ignore the *****. We'd be glad to have you, even if only as an extra body. We'll be glad for your help. Atleast if the danger we face is truely as grave as Genome keeps wanting to insist it is. However considering everything that's happened so far, I'm going to say I 'have my doubts' Myself and Ja.. my compatriots were captured but then these folk, Including Paavu showed up and saved us. So short of this 'spider' being some master warrior, or something akin to Elminster, the great mage, or even perhaps Lyrael Silverhand I doubt this spider is much more than a brain behind an operation thats managed to convince Genome that he or she is more than they really are.

Rose nods her head in agreement. She still had doubts but Gwen's confidence inspired her and gave her hope. Yes, we are glad to have to. Now, I'm sure we would all like spend more time to get to know one another but we are unfortunately in a bit of a rush. Shall we continue? Rose moves to start continuing along the path not really waiting for a response.

"Yes, unfortunately Malman we are on a bit of a time crunch. We don't want our quarry to escape."

Pfft, is all Burgee has in response to the wench. He smirks a bit and falls in line ready to move forward as he thinks back on Paavu. He shakes his head and looks up at the dwarf. Hopefully you're half as good as your friend, Burgee thinks to himself. Though he didn't see eye to eye with the goliath very often, Paavu was true and strong. "We do have to go, but you will be a welcome addition."

There is yet still a solid good half a minute, if not a little less, before Malman finally nods for a solid minute. For while Gundren had already told him most of what had been said, it was bare bones comparatively, and had not involved much regarding Genome. In fact, nothing at all had been said there, considering the other dwarf's limited knowledge. But whereas others seemed almost hostile in her regards, the hill dwarf was skeptical for now.

"Mn. Sorry. It takes me time sometimes to think. But I iz ready. Though do stay fairly close to me, if you will. My connection to the wilder places affords me some magics that aughta to help with pursuers and things best avoided going forward." On that note, Malman raises the staff and smoothly says a command in dwarvish, summoning its power to alter and call upon the natural forces of the world to ever so faintly yet effectively obscure the position of those around him. It would mean his having to call upon the magic again at ever hour, but such came as naturally to him as breathing. And so, he'd hardly forget to do as much. "Lead on then, Genome."

As everyone more or less continued to press the urgency of the situation, and whoever could got within range, even Genome, all of those involved feeling somehow quieter without even trying. The day drug on, and everyone's feet eventually got sore, causing a need for camp eventually. Everyone settling down to a very cold, and crisp night, though unlike before - the night was crystal clear, and Selune shone down on everyone brightly. Rose finally saw what she had been likely waiting for, Malman too had the glow, as did herself, Burgee, and Cirrus, though the glow on Gwen was fading but still there. What that meant, Rose was unsure. 

The fire was made and the rations eaten, and for once the night was calm, no surprise ambushes, or encounters. The morning comes and you all sit down for first breakfast, knowing you're all coming a little closer... one more day after this.... before Genome says you will all reach the place you all seek. You all notice that the area seems.. quieter... more silent than it should be but no matter how hard you all may or may not try, you don't feel any eyes on your backs, or anyone stalking you. The aura of the general area just feels .. off.

(Malman gains 250 EXP, everyone else gains 150 EXP)

Malman intended to say nothing of the strange air. It was discomforting, for sure, but walking under the protection of the world itself for so long left him somewhat inured to such things. Yet after maybe a minute more of travel, he sighed to himself. "Genome, wasn't it? What do you know of this area specifically?" He asked, as a more wary and armored Yue padded along beside Rose, keeping a close ear out.

Perception: 13.

"I don't like it," Burgee whispers. He pauses a moment for Genome's response but then quietly, and quickly, shimmies up a nearby tree to see if get a better view, or sense, of the surroundings. (Investigation or Nature: 8)

Gwen can see that everyone seems tense, while Genome just smiles, soaking up the tension just a bit, but makes no moves to assist or hinder. Gwen sighs, and looks around the area.. She can't seem to notice anything going on, though she feels it too. Well we don't hear or see anything, and it doesn't feel like we're being watched..... So what the hell could it be? 

Ah as much as I enjoy your nervousa, I can't believe not a single one of you  have ever been near a leyline. Obviously where we're going is going to be raw, and potent with magic. And as we get closer, you will feel ever increasing magical pressure. We're nearing the mine itself. The map is neccesary to unlock the mine itself. Nw if you fools are done dawdling because the magic is tickling your buttholes, can we continue? I'd like for one of us to die sometime tomorrow. 

After any responses, Genome continues to lead the way. Taking stock, you all realize your rations are extremely low, Malman having just shy of ten, and one other having about eight or nine.. but split between six people...... Wouldn't last more than another day. The next night is also calm, the pressure of the area seeming to keep most creatures away from it, the night going on uneventfully, and the morning is actually a little warm. You all have just enough rations to eat this morning. Its then that Genome reveals This is it. The entrance. Through those trees and into that tunnel. An hour after that and you should be inside the area proper. Whatever you do here now, is up to you. I expect you'll force me to tag along. 

......Uh huh. Well, what's the plan guys? We have enough food for the rest of today, and then we're out, so we can't drag this out.. not that we weren't in a rush anyway... But whatever planning we're going to do, we should do it now. I say .. just to be safe, we have Yue watch Genome away from the group, so we can plan without them overhearing it... better safe than sorry, right Rose? 

SITREP

The group is very low on rations. I have already subtracted the days rations, and you have somewhere in the range of 12-16, so you have just enough to maybe last a day and a half before running out. You're directly in front of the Entrance, and there seems to be no one around except for yourselves and Genome. 

Time is also running short, as every hour that passes allows the enemy to be that much closer to achieving their goal. And yet, you CAN FAIL. The enemy won't wait around for the heroes to 'find him' like in a video game. I have already determined how many hours before the enemy suceeds, and the campaign will be deemed a failure.

Combat itself will not consume hours, but every 4th 'check' will. Or to reiterate to assure understanding, every ability check costs 15 minutes. Combat will however cost 15 minutes if it goes beyond 3 rounds. This is for simplicities sake of keeping track of time - both for myself and yourselves - and so you can correct me if I state the 'spent time' incorrectly.

I will allow you all up to TWO posts now to plan, and regardless of post length, the entire planning phase will cost no MORE than a single hour of time. If no checks are made, I will state when '15' minutes have passed. Remember, while making no checks may speed up progress, it will also open you up to being ambushed, trapped, etc.

TL;DR

• Every 3rd round of combat = 15 minutes.
• Every ability check               = 15 minutes.

I'm gonna try and spice this up with an arcana check to see if this unsettling feeling has any magical origin and what it might be: (18)

(I made that check before he added the stuff about the leyline. I might have known that we were approaching one. )

After the sling of insults and snide remarks out of Genome, any remote since of goodwill out of the dwarf all but complete evaporates. He doesn't outright become hostile the creature though, preferring to simply and wordlessly brush them off. But the moment they took even one action that could be misconstrued as hostile, and the dwarf would do nothing to protect them.

As for the rations situation, the Hill dwarf is hardly bothered by it. Maybe there's a complaint or two about "it's gonna be a couple of lean days" muttered at some point, but no more. The others concerned looks however are enough to warrant him to finally step up and say, "Would rather not drag this out either way. But, would not worry about food. Provided I live, and weave in area not interfere, I can conjure something to sustain us past today. As for friend-" He looks pointedly to Genome, having spoken before any took action to try and set them aside. "Unless know shortest path to where foe lies, no point in keeping around." His eyes narrows. "But waste time subduing as well. So. Come of own accord and help and reward, or leave. But if latter, and we see again, company not welcome." He further emphasizes that point by tapping his staff against the palm.

"My suggestion. Others choice. Your choice." He then looks to the rest. "Cannot otherwise afford fight everything. If can circumvent, then we do so. Can summon shroud yet still to help, but prepared to fight way through, we need be. Agreed?"

"I quite agree Malman, I don't think there's much we can do in terms of grand strategy. We are essentially walking through a hallway towards our climactic showdown. Anything we can manifest to hide our approach will be invaluable. I could perform a ritual to talk to an animal and get it to scout out the area ahead of us, but I fear that would take too long to be worth whatever meager informations we might get. I don't think we have any means of checking if this cave is trapped, so we may just have to hope that it isn't and rush through. I don't think we have any means of going faster, either."

"If anybody has an alternative or additional support they can provide, either whisper it while we walk or just go ahead and do it."

Rose nods in agreement with Gwen, opting to plan away from Genome. Listening to everyone else Rose continues to nod in agreement. If Genome can help us get to our goal quicker I saw we take him. Otherwise, unless he has some other information we need, I think we let him go on his way. I don't trust him but I doubt he'll comeback to get us. He seems confident we won't be coming back, but also knows the spider won't be pleased with leading us here. So he shouldn't be in our way. I will give you all the blessing of Selûnes sight as we progress. A lack of light will prove no obstacle and there will be no limit to the range which you can see through the dark, but I can only give that blessing to you all for about half an hour so we need to use it wisely. Last thing as well, Burgee, Rose places a hand on his arm and he feels a slight caress of magic flow through him. That should help keep you vigilant. (Adv on next initiative roll)

I believe that is all the prep I can do for now. I'm eager to catch up to this spider and put an end to them.

"Genome! You are relived of duty! feel free to do as you please. I'd imagine you are keen to get out of here, lest the Spider find you and punish your treachery. Treachery we very much appreciate, I must add. Fare thee well!"

"As for us, we must make haste." Cirrus begins the final stretch of the groups journey. 

(will allow another 16 hours or so before proceeding.)

Burgee eyes Genome carefully as the discussion of their dismissal comes up. Still feeling they are somehow responsible for the death of Paavu. Should have let him, Burgee thinks as he watches them.

"I have a few tricks that may help," Burgee adds as he taps the staff and a protective glow surrounds him. "Anyone else need a hand?" He asks.

"I certainly wouldn't turn it down if you're offering some of that warding magic." If Burgee is willing to use another mage armor win Cirrus he will remove his armor.

(Will be updating in a few hours. Have to walk somewhere to make sure my internet doesn't get turned off)

"My pleasure," Burger responds to Cirrus as he taps the staff.

“Okay, now that we’ve each done or said what we can do to help, I think it’s high time for us to set out. It’s been an honor to serve in your company. Now unless anyone has something else to do, I think once Malman grants us with greater stealth, I think we can go (unless he already did)”