Once in the boat, Seeker will turn to Saralyssa, "It is an honour to meet someone involved in the construction of earlier models of my people, perhaps one day you could teach us what you know so that we can be better able to serve our god." To the rest, "As I said, I am called Seeker, I am a chosen of the Becoming God of the Warforged people, may he guide us to where we should be," the last has the feel of a ritual like prayer, said with as much habit as intent.

Urmdir helps with the boat. "Urmdir Volsung, I was a marine."

Vehicles (Water), using WIS: 8

Saralyssa would be sitting, but nearly vibrating with excitement.  She cannot believe she is getting to be on a grand mission like this, a secret chest, a special key, and who knew what else was going to happen. 

Sitting in the boat Wisp could feel the box pushing from inside her backpack, it nearly took up the entirety, it was a good thing she traveled light. As the others introduced themselves she looked to each and went through her practices in memorizing faces and names. It was imperative in her line of work that a name and face never be forgotten, lest you tell the wrong person the wrong bit of information. 

"I am Wisp, Wisp d'Sivis. My vocation is documentation and communication, but I seem to have found myself a guard and adventurer now. We seem to have been given two options for this box. Return it to Flamekeep, or take it to Fairhaven. Now if I remember my geography lessons well enough those are abut the same distance from Stormhome. So the decision would be land or water it seems, as we could travel up river to Flamekeep or across land to Fairhaven."

The veins on Urmdir and Siggur’s forearms bulge as their tired muscles protest with every movement of the paddle. The party rotates every half hour or so, and within three hours you touch the northern shores of Aundair.

The galleon was heading southwest when you abandoned ship, bound for the military installation of Otharaunt, and from there you would find transport to Wyr and Fairhaven. When you departed the galleon it was halfway to it’s destination, and you now find yourselves on the fringes of the Whisper Woods. The outline of pines, silhouetted in the light of the pale moon, stand in the distance.

"Well, on to Fairhaven then?"  Saralyssa asks as they make landfall.  "I mean, why take it back to the cleric if they are only going to ask us to bring it to Fairhaven anyway..." She states as more of a statement than a question.  "It would be like when they wanted that foolish vapor plug put into the cyborg detinator...  I mean, the thing was useless.  if you put in the vapor plug,  it would do the same thing as the hyper resister anyway... I know all about double measures for fallbacks and whatnot, but I mean, there is a limit."

"That's no small walk their darlin, we should head towards the nearest town and see about securing passage on the rail." Wisp began rearranging things in her pack a bit better now that they had made landfall, if she was going to have to walk she didn't want to do it uncomfortably. On the subject of comfort though she couldn't help but notice her lack of any blankets, bedroll, or any other hiking provisions. She'd never been hiking as a matter of fact. 

Urmdir wipes the sweat from his brow. "Agreed. It is more likely those that pursue the box know where it came from that where it's going. To Fairhaven!" 

LEVEL UP

You all advance to level 2.

OOC: Yay! Wisp just became a little bit better at all her skills and picked up a new spell that might just be helpful as we travel through this forest :)

(OOC: how do you want us to do hp?)

(I prefer fixed HP, but if you want to roll I won't stop you.)

Noting Wisp’s concern as she looks through her belongings, “Did you lose something? And I agree, Fairhaven seems like a good destination, as to path, perhaps not the nearest, where those who pursue us may look, but the next nearest?”

"Then we head south. Keep our back to the water and go straight. At some point we'll hit the Aundiar river. We should stick to these woods the best we can and drag the ship inland a bit. By now they are looking for the lost lifeboat and will be sweeping the shores in airships."  Siggur closes his eyes for a moment and takes a step. It is definitively south-eastern in direction, not exactly 'back to the water'. He opens his eyes and looks towards Urmdir with an expression of mixed anxiety.

"Someone else should take the lead..."

Urmdir smiles and places on hand on Siggur's shoulder. "Come now, brother! We are victorious on a beautiful day, surrounded by battle-tested companions! What more can e hope for?" He begins dragging boat inland a bit, and chopping into manageable pieces using his handaxe. "Sound advice on the route. Those trees should provide ample cover from airships." Urmdir begins heading towards the forest, and pauses, looking back at the group thoughtfully. "Hard times are ahead of us. If any have fear or doubt, there is no shame if you act with bravery when needed. Now is the the time to leave if this cannot be done."

(Survival: 13 if needed)

Wisp shook her head in relation to Saralyssa's question, "Not lost dear, never had. I wasn't prepared for a hike through the woods. I have no hiking equipment at all. It's a miracle I'm not in a dress." she said looking down at her plain common clothes she'd opted to wear on the trip, her tone was calm though, no sign of escalation.

Wisp shrugged her backpack over her shoulders and smiled as Urmdir took charge, "Lead the way Master Urmdir"

"Ready and willing..." Saralyssa says as she glances around.  She starts heading away from the water, but is almost immediately angling off in a wrong direction, needing to be called back as the group continues straight.  "If I knew we were traveling through forests I would have brought a compass..." She complains as she falls back into line, now letting someone else take the lead.

"I can help lead if you'd like (survival 22). And it seems my error is your good fortune Wisp! Not knowing what I might need I purchased a standard travel pack, but I need neither the bedroll nor the rations, so you may have them when we stop for the night if you wish." And Seeker will start moving into the trees.

It is in the early hours before dawn that you enter the Whisper Woods. Unintelligible murmurs fill the night air as you walk, originating from nowhere and everywhere. 

As you continue deeper into the woods, you come across several overgrown paths. You decide upon one that Urmdir and Seeker agree provides the most direct route south. Every mile or so you pass cairns of smooth black stones. Closer inspection reveals that the stones in the cairns are each carved to resemble a humanoid skull.

At dawn you stumble into a clearing. In the center of the clearing an ancient stone monolith towers above you, surrounded by ruins of weathered stone. 

Anyone can roll a History check. Characters from Aundair roll with advantage.

Saralyssa history:  18