Story - Part 1 - The way to Icespire peak

Gale follows the horse tracking party to the clearing. As the other start to talk to the creature, he remains behind and look for signs of other creatures.

Foldrat sniffs the pipeweed and is delighted by the smell. "My friend, this is undoubtedly some quality leaf you have here; and of a variety I am not sure I recognise. I will need to visit these folks in the North to learn about their methods for growing pipeweed."

He stuffs his pipe, ignites the leaves, and starts puffing. "So tell me, mister Frazzt... Where were you heading with all these goods in your carriage? You certainly seem like someone who travels a lot."

Josiah has been a little distracted by the beautiful, tiny floating stars, but he stands ready at the edge of the cleaning, waiting to see what the fey creature says...

Vienne holds back, but does follow the others just enough to enter the edge of the clearing. As she has no idea what the creature is she watches. It was SO cute! Unknowingly she gets that face you get when looking at adorable baby animals.

Ahhhh!!! the buglike creature shrieks, drops the berries it was holding and hides behind one of the horses. After a moment of silence it peeks around the horses legs.
What do you mean by owner? They are my friends now! I mean at least I'm their friend in a hushed tone the creature adds They're still a bit shy I think

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Oh yes the northern tribes don't care a lot about the quantity of commodities they have but the few things they produce are very fine.
I was heading to Flowergrove and then off to the south through the low pass. Selling what I procured in the north and getting more goods from the south. It's my first large scale trading trip. I want to be like Salazar the Great, the great trader that had a caravan so large it took a day to pass through a town.
Frazzt answers

"Oh well, you see, these horses are the beloved horses of Frazzt. They fled when he was attacked by boars - which are gone now - and he does need them back. She moves closer to the little creature and the horses as she continues talking. "They are probably very scared. There were so many boars! It's nice that they ended up near you when they fled."

Sitting next to a tree, Garic morons to the others to stay calm. Totally useless as no one is being aggressive but he is trying to reassure the creature.
An owner is like a friend that feeds and cares for animals. In this case the horses pull Frazzt wagon to help him. If they don't go help him now he will be stuck. He needs to get to the other towns so he can help the people in those towns by trading with them.. As he talks he takes a few plant stalks and braids a ring about the size of the creatures head and tosses it over. He then does the same for himself

"It is indeed like my friends here say." Sprout considers the creature for a moment. "Perhaps, we might play with you for a moment instead."

Smelter is more than happy to let his companions converse with the strange, insect-like creature. It's certainly not very threatening, especially when it cowers, so the bearded man puts up his axe on his meaty shoulder, resting it there comfortably as they await a response.

"Nice, I am from Flowergrove myself." Foldrat says to Frazzt. You should talk to the other Dwarves once you arrive in town. We are renowned for growing some of the best potatoes and turnips in the region - at least according to us...

My friends and I are on our first adventure. We are heading to Castle Fearstone on top of the Icespire peak, have you been there? The other night we saw some green lights dancing around the ruins, I wonder what these could be...

The being listens to your arguments, catches the braided ring from Garic and sets it ontop of its head
But I love them toooooo.... it says like a stubborn teenager. It flies onto one of the horse's back and grabs it with its hands and feet.
You know what. I'm just the owner now. I'm their friend and care for them. I know how! They like berries! It shakes its head in response to Sprout's argument
You play with me and then you go and I have no one to play any more. But maaaaayyyybeeee you have a toy I can keep? Something shiny!

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Oh you're adventurers. Well it's obvious somehow. After all you rescued me.
A light on top of Icespire peak... hmmm I haven't really looked at the mountain. It gives me the creeps. But the tribespeople in the swamp around it told me something about dancing lights and that the ghost of the not-ancestor has risen. But they seem to be a superstitious bunch of people so I wouldn't interpret too much into what they're saying Frazzt answers

Not sure if it will work Garic gathers dinner more material, flexible vines and grades, then focuses on shaping then into a doll b similar to the little creature but smaller. After a minute or more he presents his finished work. My little cousins like these. I'm not sure if it is good enough for you though and he holds his work out as if reluctant to do so

Ohhhhh the little being says. It flies down and snaps the doll out of Garic's hands.
I'll call you... hmmm... Twinkle! it says and dances around with the doll. It sits down with it and starts to play with it in the grass.
While the bug-like being is preoccupied you are able to get the horses back to Frazzt. He jumps and claps his hands
Great! Thank you so much! Please let me get you this as a token of my appreciation he gives you a crossbow with strangely shaped bolts that have a thin rope attached to them.
As you are adventurers this will probably be useful for you. It helps you climb unreachable ledges

The sun is starting to set and Frazzt is readying his cart.
Thank you again kind adventurers for your help. Maybe we'll meet again. I'll see that I get to Flowergrove before night sets in. Don't want to meet another bunch of boars in the middle of the night
Frazzt steers to cart down the road and disappears behind the next turn in the road.

As the sun is starting to set you stand before the decision to make camp here or try to walk further down the road in order to maybe find a more favourable place to stay.
Also how do you want to organize your night? Will you all just sleep or will you have shifting guard duties?

Before leaving the bugirl Garic will talk with her and suggest she find other playmates who either live near her and wishes her.

I am for making camp. Best if we find a place to rest with a bit of shelter and take turns on watch, just in case. and he looks around as they stroll down the road, frequently eyeing Gale as the veteran woodsman.

"I agree Garic. No need to push our luck. It may be better to find somewhere less open though." Sprout stands to his full height and scans around for something good.

Foldrat feels very relaxed and tired now that he had food and smoked his pipe. "It has been a long day, we better get some sleep. If someone wants to go first in taking turns I'd be more than grateful - my muscles need some rest after lifting this cart."

Foldrat puts his pipe back in his backpack and looks at the crossbow. "It is a rather ingenious piece of equipment that thing. I'm happy to carry it in my backpack if that's ok with everyone. It will certainly help us in our ascent to the castle."

I don't mind first watch. Do we do 8 x 1 hour shifts or 4 x 2 hour shifts for the watch?
As for the crossbow, someone has to carry it. Might as well be you.

Once a suitable site is located Garic will clear a spot for his bedding and dog a hike to lay a small for in. With the fire dunk on the earth and a ring of rocks around it he goes the small for won't draw to much attention. He then sets about collecting deadwood for the fire. Letting busy setting camp and cooking what he can if his rations Garic buns idly.

Sprout looks around along the road and he quickly finds a spot that's perfectly suited for spending the night.
A short way into the forest trees and bushes form a semicircle creating a perfect spot to set up camp for the night.
While you prepare for rest the sun is starting to set.

Which preparations will you take for the rest? Anything you'll do at every rest? RP as you wish

Vienne tries to help where she can, regretting her lack of knowledge about camping. Maybe this wasn't the brightest idea, but she was here now and threw herself into it.

"Anyone good at scavenging or hunting?"

"Two hour shifts make the most sense to me. We can switch off every other night. I will be happy to take the last watch. I enjoy the sunrise." Sprout will help as he can, being careful to avoid being too close to the fire. When it's time to sleep, he will stand upright near the edge of camp and sink some roots from his feet into the ground for stabilization.