Snake's Demise.

"Good morning, I am looking for the Fimbulbottom. Regarding the disappearance of your townsfolk and a certain Snake's Demise."

Tyr tried to give his most courteous smile and bowed trying to make a good impression.

Tyr upon meeting the elder offered him his only real thing of value. A parcel of dried mushrooms. "Hail Wise One." He said in reverence and bowed his head. "I gift you magic mushrooms in thanks for allowing me your time. They will open your mind and senses for a half day." He placed Fylgja on the floor and sat next to her. "I am Tyr Called Fox-Foot. The She-Fox is named Fylgja."

As he scratched between Fylgja's ears he listened carefully to the ancient hobbit and when indicated he asked what bothered him. "I seek to know what, and where it is. As well as the name of its legend. And if there have been disappearances like these in the past." Tyr used to spending long periods seated and listening kept his attentive ears open for The "Fimbulbottom" to instruct him. His head was bowed and he did not make eye contact, for in his culture the ancient were highly revered. Tyr seldom met grey haired people, due to the longevity of his own race - they all bore important wisdom.

Peli is about to follow Tyr, whom she notices after the man waves to her, but then the arrival of Thallan, Baelrick and Daglin promptly distracts her from the idea, and between introduction and breakfast the halfling decides to leave the odd man to his devices, hoping that he himself finds them later. Although he didn't formally agree to join, he didn't seem opposed either, after all!

"Don't be shy, I have a lot of food for everyone! Baelrick, do you want to try this here salad? I heard that lettuce - and greens in general, - are good against hangover! Although the man I heard it from was drunk himself, so I wouldn't bet on it. And Daglin, I made you a pie! I hope you like it!" Peli is delighted to share with the others and happily joins them in conversation as well - nothing is more pleasant than good company and good meal combined, and it's been a while since she had the former.

She looks up once Artur mentions yesterday's confrontation, and waves her hand. "Thank you, but it is alright, Artur, I am sure it was just a misunderstanding! Flaring tempers, all that?" Peli reaches over to pet Bean, who has curled up by her feet and wags his tail in response. "Speaking of, I wanted to ask something about yesterday too, Thallan! You threatened to remove my finger, but you were wielding a bow. Does it mean you can cut off a finger with an arrow?"

"Well, to be honest, (he says between bites) I've never (munch, munch) tried it before. (pauses to think and chew, sips some hot tea)

I guess (munch) all things considered (munch, munch) it's quite possible (munch, munch)...

by the way (munch, munch)

YOU...ARE (munch, munch)...AN...EXCELLENT (munch, munch, munch) CHEF!" he swallows some hot tea with honey.

"As I mentioned, we were in the heat of things.

A little one came running into the tavern frightened as all get out, and so we didn't know whether we faced man or beast. According to the tike's description, yon wildling is quite a terrifying site, those children probably had nightmares, the man was woefully ignorant of the fact he sent little children running away in terror.

I only wanted to protect these good people from harm. My good graces do not extend to my enemies, which I perceived him to be until I realized he meant no harm. Please forgive my enthusiasm at that moment.

When I saw that the man had not noticed that he frightens children, I chalked it up to ignorance, on his part and mine...mostly his of course.

I firmly believe the little ones should remain innocent for as long as possible, in this world there is enough darkness for all of us.

FINE FAIR! Umh,umh, umh! Good stuff! Thanks again milady...Wheatstalk, if I remember correctly." he smiles, satisfied and bows again to her, in the casual fashion of nobility, rather than the extravagant ones he saves for his queen.

Baelrick laughs off the situation, seemingly unconcerned by the Knight's worry about violence against the holding. "I've only one finger for the elves, and I dare say they'd try to dismember it if I ever presented!"

He helps himself to the fare provided by the halfling. It was indeed quite delicious! If he had learned anything in his journeys, a skilled chef was worth a dozen armed guards. She would be a welcome addition to his coterie.

"I thank you for your time and tale. It has given me much to think about. It is my aim to go investigate." Tyr said and as if on queue he heard the commotion from outside the residence. "I beg your Pardon, I believe that racket is my responsibility and must make haste." Tyr rose and scooped Fylgja up before she moved to explore the halflings house. "I can see food is the boon of your culture, when next I am at your door I will carry plenty of it." He bowed and carefully rose thanking the younger halfling as well not wishing to wear out his welcome.

Baelrick is about to open his mouth with some smart remark about the painted bison (that's what the man called it, right?) when suddenly the wild man burst from a home and scurries to it, defending the creature from the diminutive woman. Naturally, Baelrick returns to his biscuits. Nothing to see there.

"I assume, then, we are depart for Snake's Demise once the food is gone? I fear my welcome in this town may be waning."

"Aye, you have the right of it Baelrick. If I stay here any longer, I might have to find a lascivious woman. Even an elf has to slake his thirst for other things from time to time! Ha!"

It became rather obvious with his docile nature the massive creature was barely a yearling though an impressive specimen. It lowed, agitated by the loud noise. And even turned to a false charge. When that didn't deter the halfling woman the Bison lowed again, it sounded quite afraid.

Tyr didn't even have to call Thorbjorn, when the Bison saw him it fled from the halfling woman. By the sounds of the distress call it made, it was clear Tyr had imprinted on the Bison and whatever he did had made quite the impression. It was hiding behind Tyr putting him between his head and the halfling woman.

"Ah you are quite fearsome and fearless good woman. "

After collecting the Bison he herded it back to the group and told him what he had learned from the "Fimbulbottom."

Baelrick scratches at his beard while Tyr speaks, small flecks of remaining biscuit drifting to the ground. "So, Janos might still be there. I can see why he was so interested, if half of what you are telling us is correct. Let us be off, then, and find that magician." It is noticeable that he seems more concerned with the disappearance of Janos than of the townsfolk.

"I agree, but it begs the question: Would the missing townsfolk be found at Snake's Demise if it is indeed cursed?"
He follows along with the others but is skeptical they will find the missing halflings at Snake's Demise.

Tyr was giddy forging ahead at the front of the trail. He walked astride Thorbjorn holding his staff-sling inhand and a bag of rocks on his hip.

"Nothing grows in cursed land." Tyr said as a matter of fact. "I believe we just entered the domain of a massive Kraid."

He looked up in the trees eager and ready for something. His eyes trained for movement and signs of spoor. Searching sectors actively. Trusting that Thorbjorn would stop if he smelled the reptile, the Bison and Serpent were natural enemies.

"It's always interesting, Kraids, you never know if you're the hunter or hunted."

Not completely comfortable with travelling alongside that many folks at once but eager to participate in whatever conversations arise as they travel, Peli alternates between joining the others and wandering off to walk alongside their group, but a little way to the side. Her spirits are quite high, both from her natural tendency towards optimism and from feeling flattered at all of the compliments offered earlier to her cooking, and there is bounce in her step as she once again pops up from the undergrowth upon hearing Tyr speak.

"What is a Kraid? Is that a dragon?" She stops next to the man and joins him in looking at the trees, though likely seeing much less than him. Or is that whatever lives in sludge pits, like described in the nightmares? The scaly serpent?"

"Kraid is large hood snake." Tyr replied in his broken Mannish. He nodded to a small tree about 18 feet tall and three feet in circumference. Switching to Elvish to articulate a more complex idea. "A fully grown female grows that size. But some..."

Tyr points to a Boulder about four times the size of the Bison next to him. "There are skeletons in my homeland that size. But my people hunted them to extinction well, at least in the north." The weary tone he said it implied it was a very costly endeavor, but for a snake of that size likely necessary. "Many died young, Kraid is a very dangerous predator I just hope this one does not spit."

Daglin is happy to be accompanied by people who know their way around the open air, and can appraise the danger of the region. Even though he hasn't this expertise himself, he knows a little about the mountains themselves. He tries to think about what he can contribute given what he sees around him.