Lazlo shows his find to the group. "'Dawson's Afterbite Salve'... This some kind of snake oil or is it actually useful for something? Huh I wonder if this was made by the Dawson. Of Dawson's Creek."

"Wow," Kallista says wistfully, looking at the wood while Grimbuld talks about it.

Grimbuld takes a look.
"Well I'll be, it's genuine." he says, looking surprised.
"I know of him. He was a fairly well known alchemist with a long and storied history." ((Snrk))
"Well hurry up old man, I don't wanna wait for our lives to be over while you tell the tale." Kina interjects.
Grimbuld shoots Kina a glare before he continues.
"He wasn't a charlatan. He specialized in antidotes for various venoms and poisons. Eventually he came upon a formula that could neutralize nearly every poison one could encounter in the wilds. Not only that, but it takes ages to spoil. He also developed a clever way for customers to know when the salve was going bad; it turns from pink to purple when it's lost its potency. Plus, it's a salve, so it acts quicker than a potion, which has to pass through your body before it can neutralize anything. I've heard it stings like a bastard though, so you'd better hope you aren't bitten in any tender places. Quite a good find. Pretty valuable."

Aelar looks hungrily at the wood.  "Let's take some boards with us.  What do you think, Kallista?  I'd love a bow from that stuff.  How about you?" 

He listens to Grimbuld explain about the the flasks Lazlo found, "Wow...good one, Lazlo!"

"Huh..." Kallista says. "Oh, uh... no. I'm fine, I dont need anything. Im grateful for what I have right now," she adds quickly.

“Thanks, Aelar! Oh for sure I’d like to try my hand at making a longbow outta those boards!” 

Quote from BaconExpert982 >>

"Huh..." Kallista says. "Oh, uh... no. I'm fine, I dont need anything. Im grateful for what I have right now," she adds quickly.

Aelar looks at her fondly. "Yeah, sure, Kallista.  Like you weren't just drooling over the boards." He lowers his voice so only she can hear.  "It's OK to ask for what you want.  You're not with the people who took you in, anymore.  We all love you."

He then moves to the boards and picks one up, testing the weight.  "Kina, how many of these could you carry?"  He hands her one.

ooc: How much does he think they weigh?  How many could he carry?  Also, is there anything written anywhere, like on the walls?  In the office in drawers or anything?

Quote from SrDeebs >>

“Thanks, Aelar! Oh for sure I’d like to try my hand at making a longbow outta those boards!” 

"You and me both, buddy!  I can't wait to try!"

"I just," Kallista stammers. "Well I dont think we should take all of them and if everyone else wants one I'm fine with what I have..."

"But Kal- you'd put it to good use! What good are they doing anyone here. Any day now they could be food for termites- you're doing the wood a good turn." Lazlo says to Kallista. "But as you like."

((The boards are roughly 7 feet long so they would be very awkward to carry for Aelar. Kina, however, can lash them to her sides and she's strong enough to carry 6 boards with no problem. Each board is 40 lbs, and measure 4 by 10 inches for depth and width, respectively. ))

Grimbuld watches the party examine the wood, then regards Kallista.
"It would be good training for you, Kallista. You SHOULD know how to make your own bow, if you're going to be a respectable ranger." he states.
"Or, failing that, at least your own arrows. I'm not giving you my collection. You have your own collection to build up." he adds, then clears his throat, as he admires the quality of the unique wood.
"There's a tradition that rangers in this area observe to save the very first arrow you craft. It's just superstitious ritual..." he says, though he doesn't sound very convinced of that himself.

The captain rubs his chin.
"None of us here know much in the way of magicks. I think Morley over there knows a few cantrips, but we're everyday soldiers here... so the only thing we DO have on hand are just our rifles and spears... maybe a handful of crossbows, we haven't maintained them in weeks, though."

"OK, beautiful, tell me how to get these strapped on," Aelar says to Kina.  Following her instructions, they get the boards strapped on.  "I guess that's everything," he says.  "Shall we go?"

ooc: I'm guessing he didn't find anything with writing on it, either in the office or the drawers or anywhere else in the place?

"What kind of ritual?" Kallista asks, curious

Erich sigh soundlessly, "We have to make do with whatever we have currently whether we like it or not. Prolonging the fight is not an option but spearing in without proper preparation is suicide. We should work together with the karsh in fighting them to at least increase the chance. Let us spread the proper way of killing those creatures to the soldier. Once they know where they should aim, we can lessen their mental burden. At least, this creature is not unkillable."

“Its probably a black robe, candles, full moon kind of a ritual.” The satyr wonders aloud, allowing his imagination to run rampant over any sensible scenario.

((Oh dammit, I forgot that part, sorry Wolf.))

Aelar finds numerous old documents, much like Kallista did, but it largely pertains to shipping inventories and reports from logging expeditions.
There's also a few personal effects that have been left behind by the former employees, mostly journals complaining about working the unreasonable hours and dangerous exposure to wildlife in the area. It seems in the past that the stirges have been a major problem as not only do they prey on workers, but they attract the attention of the animals that in turn feed on them, making the mill an attractive shelter for the vermin.
If there's anything specific Aelar is looking for, Hyre's unique research skill will definitely come in handy, cutting the time needed to find what he's looking for.

Grimbuld addresses Kallista's inquiry.
"It's a little morbid. Because being a ranger carries so many risks and... frankly some don't even leave a body behind due to a hunt going poorly, there's a huge huntsman's tree that grows near Blackrock lake that the arrow is shot into as part of the ranger's funeral. Keeping your first arrow not only is a reminder of your growth, but also to treat every hunt like it might be your last. We're a cheery lot." he states.

The captain makes a face.
"We've shot them plenty of times in the head, it doesn't seem to do much good. They don't seem to even really need their eyes. I've seen one of my men put a hole clean through; what's behind those black pits is this pale blue light where the eye should be." he comments.
"Awfully hard to decapitate something with bullets and spears, mind you." he adds, then goes towards the processing deck in the outpost.
"We only have a few long blades, but we have plenty of butchering cleavers to go around. They'll cut off a head easily enough."

Aelar turns to Hyre.  "I'm wondering if there are any plans or diagrams in here.  Something that would show us how to make something, something wonderful, or cool, or even useful.  Also, maybe a hidden space or area where treasure or valuables were kept."

Hyre has been leaning on the door while the others searched the place. He wanted to go. Not that he wasn't curious at all, he just kept the journey's goal in mind, and knew they shouldn't linger there for too long. 

Now, he peels himself off the wall and comes to observe the papers Aelar was looking through. "Make something? I'm doubtful. Even if it is well constructed, this is just a mill. They cut wood here, but send it to be crafted elsewhere. I also doubt any valuables were left here when the people left. I assume anythin more valuable than this pile of wood would have been taken." Nonetheless, he sits next to Aelar, and quickly searches every page for such plans. He doesn't expect to find anything, but he has reached to conclusion that he can make sure of that faster, thus leave this place sooner. 

Research? 8.