Chapter 2.2: First Encounters in the Dim

Seeing as how Jonel doesn't have any kind of night vision, I think he would opt to watch with someone with better vision than him.

As the two groups walked through the Dim, a spat of silence seemed almost oppressive. The wood elf eventually spoke, breaking the curtain.

"Nature is equal parts magnificent and terrifying. More than that though, it simply is. I don't believe in punishing animals for doing what they do. That's why I took such issue with the bear... it was investigating because it smelled food. Would it have attacked us? Possibly, but we'll never know because some of us attacked first and provoked the conflict.

I'm no longer mad, but I find it does provide a serviceable example.

You might notice I had no issue killing the boars. They were aggressive. I fully expect people to defend themselves against aggression. In fact, people should. Which is why this issue with Orlane bothers me so much... it's insidious. People don't defend themselves, because it doesn't feel like aggression."

Theran falls silent for a moment, reflecting on his past before continuing. "I used deception once. It was not my proudest moment. Perhaps that's a part of why these spiral-adorned manipulators bother me so strongly... they remind me of a shadow I carry with me."

The warrior nodded along with Theran’s words. She too regretted that the bear had to be beaten to an inch of its life, but they did spare it in the end.

Chase must have seen much in the way of unprovoked violence in his borderland. That might explain it, she thought. In what mattered, however, in the violence of man against man, the ranger had shown good instincts and loyalty to the team.

Myrtha feeds some more wood to the fire. She wondered once more how Joseph must be doing. If he was still alive. A shiver ran down her spine.

Chase is surprised to see this woman caked in mud her expression is concerning also. "Are you alright? Are you alone? Lost?" His guard is still up and he is ready for anything.

Chase realizing this woman is dead and remembering the others talking about encountering undead will backout and move out there. This is and evade and escape situation. Chase will start heading away from where the others are to get these undead headed that way. He thinks the party has done enough fighting the last couple if days. When has gone a few hundred yards he will lay the torch on a rock and then head back to others. Being at home in the woods he should have no problem getting back to camp. He will make sure he isn't being followed first though.

Chase will give the signal as he nears camp and will tell Mrytha and Jonel "Be extra vigilant and let the next watches know. I ran into more undead in the woods. I gave them the slip and led them away so we should be good. I am going to get some rest."

Myrtha donned her armour with practiced ease, as she received Chase’s account of what had transpired during his solo scouting.

"Ok, we’ll keep an eye out for walking dead people," she commented, without a shred of irony. She had never seen or fought such creatures, so she took a rather distant view of what encountering them might entail. "Any luck following the bandit’s tracks? Were they from Orlane?"

Of course, the warrior wouldn’t push the exhausted warden to give a detailed report at this stage. She pointed out the remaining boar meat in case Chase was hungry, and took a watch position opposite to where Jonel would choose to stay, so that the two sentries covered the entire area.

Jonel wakes up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He listens to Chase's report.
"More undead, huh? That's no good. Glad you're safe."
He takes his place across from Myrtha.
"These zealots must have a proclivity for necromancy."

Upon hearing the undead report, "Seems there is a necromancer about." Just the same armored Manthis drops his heavy armor to sleep as needed.

Rosemary gives Manthis some dinner. "You need your strength. We've got the watch for now. Rest up."

"I don't like the undead. It breaks the natural order," Theran replies with a shake of his head after hearing the report. Still, he sits down to meditate now that his watch was over.

"Thank you for saving me some boar Myrtha. I will let you all know what I discovered in the morning so all hear and I don't have to repeat it." He will take the boar and move off to a spot to eat and some quick sleep.

"Good that you have it all scouted out. Last encounter with Undead was not very favorable & safe."

Arya ate heartily, her naturally athletic build requiring a significant portion of sustenance each day. After a brief wash and her evening prayers, sleep claimed her swiftly and deeply. Fortunately for the weary party, she remained blissfully unaware of the nearby undead presence. Had she known, her inherent zeal for eradicating such abominations would have undoubtedly led her to request a hunt, especially if the numbers were manageable. The thought of wandering undead, breeding further death and potentially swelling their ranks, was a concern that would have spurred her to immediate action.