Derek finds himself liking Old Grey and his spartan living amongst nature, despite his initial misgivings. Derek admires the old tiefling living on his own amongst the wilds, living with the land. It appeals to Derek in some deep part of his soul. 

Derek accepts the offered tea and mumbles a thank you as he sips at the hot beverage. Derek leans back to savor the tea and look about at Old Grey's living arrangements. Not being very sociable, Derek lets some of the more outgoing individuals relay the circumstances of their awakening.

Holden also accepts the tea, feeling a certain connection to the old man being an “outcast” himself. Holden also waits for others to talk first, willing to wait through the silence awkwardly. 

"That's an understatement," Hush chuckles as he takes his tea, "We just appeared here with no recollection. You wouldn't happen to be able to shed any light on how that might be, hermit?"

Lazarus nods as Hush speaks. He adds, "Where we woke up, there was a cave nearby. Inscribed on it's walls were magical symbols- spells of great power that may be responsible for our memory loss. And there was this strange poem..."

He recites the poem word for word, speaking the last part with a healthy amount of relish. He waits to see what Old Grey makes of it. 

Old Grey shrugs before refilling his mug. The tea has now gone slightly cold. "As I said, I haven't left near my home for years. Magic runs strong in these woods, and I tend not to mess with what I do not understand." He proceeds to drink before setting his mug on the small wooden shelf - it appears to be haphazardly put together, as if the creator had been making one without knowledge as to the process. Turning his eyes to Lazarus, he continues. "Sounds like you have an interesting situation on your hands. I have no knowledge of the arcane, but-" he briefly wracks his brain, tapping his shriveled arm "-a friend of mine may know. The most direct tribe to my home is the Zavas, and I'm sure you can find someone with the knowledge there." 

Picking himself up, he rifles through the small amount of trinkets that line the edges of this shack. After a few minutes, he pulls an aged, wrinkled piece of paper and a nearly dried well of ink. Taking out an ancient quill, he sticks out his tongue and begins to write - it is evident he hasn't written in quite a while. After a minute, he stops and places a folded note on the table.

"Now, I know I don't have much to offer, but if you're headed to the Zavas, I would appreciate if you handed this to an old fellow named Lazino. I haven't seen him in years."

Hush reaches out to take the note if no one else does. "An old fellow? Not a friend then, old man? Or is this the individual that might help us with this whole..." Hush swirls his hand around his head to indicate the memory loss.

Lazarus says, "The Zavas tribe? Are there mages there?" 

He accepts the note and slips it in his pocket. He had always wanted to meet the Wilding wizards- this may just be his chance. 

Luxaene reminds remains quiet, her attempts to keep focus on her goals that were clearly not here. But the idea returning back to society... a relief she should have to be careful not to prematurely relish. 

Her eyes skim the trinkets, her curiosity on their origins and stories. Her eyes fall on the human's question on the culture on the nearby tribe, but she looks away... not to remind herself on the long journey she has ahead of her.

Old Grey shrugs at Hush's words. "He's the one who convinced the magistrate of the Zavas to make me an Outcast instead of put my head on a stake. I owe him a thanks." Turning to Lazarus, he says; "I'm sure you can find some practitioners of the arcane arts in the Zavas tribe. Oh, and last thing-" he interjects, rustling through his pockets, and taking out a very old-looking satchel. He takes out a singular silver piece and gives it a deep, pondering glance before sheepishly placing it on the table. "I've been saving this for a while now. I hope this covers the cost of the letter - I quite literally have nothing else. It has been wonderful having such pleasant company, and I wish you all well in your travels. You're welcome back any time - but for now, if you'll excuse me, there's a patch of blueberries in bloom, and I would loathe to see the Buzzers get them before I can have my share." With that, he begins to pack away the small amount of items that litter the table and prepare to exit the tiny, decrepit hut.

Derek rises when it is apparent they have been dismissed. He nods his thanks to the old tiefling as he offers him his emptied mug. Derek steps to the entrance of the small hut to await the others.

Holden politely thanks Old Grey for the tea and hospitality before walking to the door, and waiting expectantly for the rest of the group to follow. 

Lazarus follows Holden out of the hut. As he does so, he considers whether he should take a peek at the note.

"Well, he's only paying us a pittance for delivering it- we should be entitled to have a look," he thinks. 

The young wizard waits for Old Grey to leave the vicinity before stealthily unfolding the note and reading it. 

Hush follows suit, thanking the old fellow for the tea and leaving him to his day. At the talk of looking at the letter, Hush's ears prick up as that was exactly what he wished to do also. As the letter is unfolded, he will peek over shoulders and between bodies to look over the letter also.

The party exits the hut, hearing Old Grey sing a jolly tune. From somewhere in the building you can hear him call out, "I hope you liked the tea!" before you leave.

Exiting the cramped hut makes the relatively still-cool air from the morning feel wonderfully refreshing. The mist had lifted and the wildlife is in full splendor. Flowers dot the patches of grass and the trees provide some respite from the beating sun and the cloudless sky. You find your way back to the small trail and after two hour's worth of travel it eventually branches into a larger, wider, more weathered dirt trail enough to fit several wagons side to side. The woods begin to thin as you readily approach the Zavas tribe.

Lazarus, you notice Hush is eager to take a look at the note you have acquired. Taking the withered piece of parchment, you carefully unfold it as to not tear it apart, and on it reads, in scraggly, haphazard lettering, "To my friend Lazino, I am still alive and well. The Wilderness has been treating me kindly. I hope Miko's doing fine. Stop by if you can. And to the lovely deliverers of this message, keep your curiosity afloat, but an old Tiefling's messages tend to be rather boring."

Please determine what marching order the group is in. Whoever is first and/or last, please make a Perception check. 

Random roll: 

Lazarus chuckles and shows Hush the letter. "Nothing out of the ordinary. The man has quite a sense of humor." 

He folds the letter and takes his place in the middle of the group. 

Holden will take the back, his Greataxe ready.

Perception: 14

Derek takes the point location as they follow the trail.

Perception: 24

Luxaene walks, shaking her head the at the complete disregard for privacy. "Pittance work gets pittance pay; hardly sacrificing your life..." Keeping her arms close, she does gain comfort in seeing the small wonders in the abundance of life around them as the sight of all the dead trees isn't so far behind.

Luxaene remains just before Holden. 

Hush shrugs after reading the letter and takes up the rear of the group, keeping an eye out for anything that might approach them from behind (Perception: 26).

The group continues their trek down the trail. Those of you familiar with the Zavas territory will know the area to be the crossroads between the Zavas to the West, Frako to the South, Pakora to the South-East, and the Morka to the North-East. Due to the territorial markings, it is often patrolled and watched over - when the Zavas had struck the deal with the Imperium, Imperial guards are known for using this area as a sentry post to keep tabs on the functions of the Wilderlings, rendering this area somewhat hostile and tinging the air with tension. Derek and Holden, you hear signs of movement ahead on the trail - Derek specifically, you make out harsh voices and clanging armor, hinting at the presence of the Imperium.