3 Thrax Guards, Freja the long suffering arrive, following Coraline.

Peaches, a lovely white war filly with a peach saddle, Deliverance, an albino falcon, Stormy, a silvery gray hunting hound, Rosalie, a lady in waiting arrive, following Reese.

Dash the Guard Corgi arrives, delivering a message to Coraline before departing.

It is a bright morning in the far northlands of Whitehold or at least the lands around Whitehold. Where it is autumn in Arx and there was crispness in the air. In the lands of Whitehold there is a bite that leaves a burn to the skin after prolonged exposure and a dry feeling with every breeze. Even though it is not winter there is snow on the ground, in the treets, and the encampment of forty Halfshav troops with 10 archer, 10 calvary, and 20 pikemen is out in the wilderness operating as the central location from which the scouting parties (including this fine group) head out from no more than a days ride.

The scouting group considering of Lord Arik, Princess Coraline, Dame Morrighan, Sir Jordan, Violet, and a mysterious other person who is yet to be determined but shall be named later traveled northwest from Arx proper via boat up the river until they reached the foot of the mighty mountains. From there they crossed the mountain pass into Halfshav lands and after a brief stay in a trading town reached Whitehold proper. The trip took a week on its own and then another two days to reach the location they wished to scout out. Horses are lovely animals but it seems the scouting parties won't be using horses instead keeping them back at camp.

Bright and early, really bright really the sun reflects off the white snow and it's probably not a great experience for people who are not the morning sort. Lord Arik stands by a fire with a cup of whiskey in hand and some warm porridge in a bowl in the other. No spoon for the man instead he tips the bowl back and pours it right into his gob. He is adorned in plate armor through and through with a thick fur cloak around his shoulders, not the stealthiest of patroling attire or the easiest to carry long distances.

On the journey North those who know Violet well would likely see a whole other side of her. Though Arik may remember it somewhat from Stormwall. Fierce and focused during the morning and all through the rides. It is only in the evening when she seems to relax, her keen eyes no longer constantly moving over their surroundings. Once a scout always a scout perhaps.

This frosty morning she was up with the dawn and walking the camps perimeter. A morning person she seems to be and while she smiles, there is that same air of seriousness and professionalism. The morning porridge is finally grabbed from the pot over the fire. She laddles a goodly portion in and then settles on a log by the fire. Dressed in her leathers and a thick wool cloak made to blend with the northern forests. "Uhhh...you got a little..." She points brushes at her own chin while looking pointedly at Arik's beard.

The party makes it deep into the wilderness around Whitehold without much trouble. They are left alone, likely largely because of the size and power of their group. They are too much of a force for most bandits to consider them a possible mark and also dangerous looking enough that most just want to lay low from them. The wilds seem pretty normal with the forest having its regular sounds. Large animals are mostly not seen as they keep away from the party too, but birds, insects, squirrels and etc are all about doing their normal forest things. The trees and plant life looks as expected. If one studies things closely, they might notice more though. It also is cold enough to cause discomfort to some.

Arik checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 24 higher.

Arik checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 7 lower.

Felicia checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 7 higher.

Morrighan checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 4 higher.

Felicia checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Morrighan checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 23 higher.

Coraline checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Violet checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 0 higher.

Violet checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 36 higher.

Fire was a marvelous thing, especially up this far North where the cold can be so biting - but it's home, and weather that Morrighan is largely adapted to. The dame sits near the fire, long accustomed to gross early mornings, perched upon a log, garbed from head to toe in her exotic leathers, silently observing the flickering flames, how they waver and dances about. A velvet cloak is pulled about her shoulders, the interior lined with fur, adequate enough to keep the chill at bay. Brahm is nestled into the hood, kept safe from the cold, warmed by the fur and the redhead's body heat. One hand absently rests on the pommel of her rubicund blade, though slung upon her back is a well crafted alaricite trident.

Coraline has rolled a critical success!
Coraline checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 23 higher.

Jordan has rolled a critical success!
Jordan checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 62 higher.

Jordan checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 15 higher.

Felicia is used to bright morning's, and plate mail, but snow? Snow is a whole nother level of cruelty in her book. She makes it all of about three steps out of her tent, stops, and then goes back into it, apparently deciding that a shirt is not nearly enough. Waiting until she's fully armored and got her cloak on, that at least counts for cutting out the windchill as she schluffs her way over to the fire with a wordless nod for Arik and Violet as she goes about the breakfast thing with the mostly dead alertness of one who is used to having to move before her brain truly registers the 'awake' thing.

To a traveler used to going great distances, and someone who's recently gotten way too much into survivalism, cold and tracking seem to be every day things. His surcoat keeps him comfortable enough through this cold that the plate underneath isn't chilling his limbs off. Jordan whistles some happy tune about star-crossed lovers on the road, one hand on the reins of his destrier, the other near the hilt of his sword.

It is early, but for Cora that isn't unusual, predawn training being a standard thing. She too is professional while out here, eyes moving, ears listening. While she still jokes it is with less energy, all of that going to being prepared. Her own jaunt in war having given her a healthy dose of professionalism in such situations. Getting grub she finds a spot she can perch to eat quickly hardly noticing what she is eating, it just disappears.

3 Thrax Guards have been dismissed.

Freja the long suffering have been dismissed.

It isn't until the bowl of porridge is finished and handed off to one of the guardsmen to toss into the bucket to be scrubbed later. When Violet points out some porridge in his formidable beard the Halfshav man tries to lick his lips first to catch it and then uses his thick leather gloved hand with metal along the back to stroke at it a few times getting most of it out, just not all of it. He doesn't seem to bother continuing the exercise as he wipes the porridge-y fingertips against his hip to clean them and muss his reddened armor. Out of the entire group it might seem Arik is the least professional but the most at home as he lets out a long breath forming a haze of fog from the chill. "Well this is it, from here we start the patrols on foot... Should be slow going but then we aren't in any rush."

This is a hardy and tough party and so far everyone is okay in the cold. All seem to feel it and yet nobody is slowed down or truly harmed by the chill. Coraline seems specially immune so it, not shivering or drawing her cloak closer in or seeming bothered at all.

As they study the area Arik fails to notice much beyond the basics, but luckily he is with a group of alert folks. The other all notice at set of tracks heading to the northwest. The tracks include a range of sizes, suggesting they were made by men, woman, children, a few horses and even dogs. It looks as if a tribe has traveled toward the Northwest and recently so.

Jordan is able to pin point that were probably here about a day ago and considering they have kids and the like, they could probably catch up with them. They likely even made camp at some point or could have been heading toward a villiage. He guesses they had about 20 adults, 10 kids, 2 horses and 4 dogs.

"Alright, we've got about thirty people, twenty adults, ten children. I'm going to guess this is a small settlement's worth of people or something, they only have two horses and about four hounds." If it's time for them to do their patrols on foot, Jordan slides off of Volare and takes hold of the reins, dragging his mount with him. He's vigilant, eyes steely as he looks from one side, then to another.

Violet watches Arik's bold attempts to get the porridge out of his beard and mostly succeed. Meanwhile she stayed as close to the first as possible, polishing her own morning meal off. As they ready up and start scouting for likely options she follows behind Jordan, bobbing her head in agreement. "They may be jumpy then, if they've that many children," She suggests after a moments thought. Her green cloak is pulled a little tighter around her. This poor Halfshav has been gone far too long and the cold, while not hindering her, has her doing a shuffle and rub worse than Felicia to keep warm. And it seems to have put a faint scowl on her face to boot.

Eying the signs of travel Cora looks to see who else notices ans seeing signs many of the party do she waits to see what the next step is. Setting her now empty bowl to soak she listens to the discussion.

Felicia adds her bowl to the wash collection, nodding her agreement with Jordan's assessment before enquiring,"We leaving enough behind to make sure that no-one decides the camp looks like easy pickings while we're gone?" is what she elects to ask of Arik and Violet jointly, going through a brief stretch before she takes a scan of the surrounds, and perhaps, Wrecking Ball in particular. Even if the Crownlands bred warhorse with his ears set flat is no doubt giving her the equine equivalent of irritated disgust for being out there, in the cold, instead of the nice warm royal stables.

A gloved hand slips into her satchel bag, procuring a few bits of dried meat, lifting them up to her hood where Brahm pokes his beak out, gobbling them up with relish. Morrighan pushes herself up to her feet, keeping close to the fire, though her gaze - what's visible of it - looks off in the direction of the tracks, and where they lead off to. The dame eventually eases away from the warmth, snow crunching underfoot, cloak swishing about her ankles as she moves to loiter near Jordan, sucking lightly on her teeth as she looks to the northwest.

Arik conveys a few instructions to the men... Stay here... Come look for us if we're not back by nightfall... Don't drink all the whiskey while they're gone. The last seems more serious than should be needed and the Halfshav Lord drains his own cup of whiskey before making his way outside of the camp towards Jordan, Violet, and presumably the others are following along. His bear fur cloak sways with a confident stride and he looks about not noticing anything except the general movement once Jordan all but points it out. In fact not a single man or woman at arms is accompanying the scouting group. And unlike some of the others Arik doesn't seem to have a horse rein in hand. "That seems a small group... and not one that would be traveling this close to winter. It's not as if thirty odd people can survive outside of a settlement, not even shavs." he says with a rumbling voice and a confident tone, but Jordan is on point so he follows along.

"I am thinking they got raided or attacked, so stay sharp; because if they're fleeing, that means there's a bigger threat right behind them. Not that we can't take them, we've got a few fine knights here." Jordan does hesitate but he draws Wayfarer all the same. The alaricite is lighter in his hand, and that besides, if they're about to get into a fight with some possibly hostile band of raiders, might as well be cautious. "Commandant Marjawn, mind making sure that's not the case, please? If it is, whistle or something, so we can flank them," he looks to Arik for confirmation, then to Morrighan. The redhead earns a smile in greeting.

Arik wields Frostfang the Sword of House Halfshav.

Arik certainly nods in agreement with the directives from Sir Jordan and likewise draws Frostfang from its sheathe, the ice like blade catching the light and sending some glare off into the trees and sky as he walks along with it.

Drawing her own sword Cora stands and prepares for trouble.

The party continues through the wilderness, heading in a northwest direction. They make quite a bit of noise and are not bothering to try and conceal their arrival. Eventually they come across a small Shav village that looks to be some sort of winter camp. Some of the shavs in this area will camp in one place for late spring through early autumn and another place for mid autumn-early spring. It is mid-afternoon and most are busy. Shelters are being put up, food is cooked over fire pits, younger kids run about and older kids seem to be helping with set-up or watching the younger children. A few sturdy mountain ponies are grazing and a few hounds run free through the camp.

They hear the arriving party, because well they are impossible not hear. Some of the warriors have their weapons drawn. The work stops and the kids are ushered into one of the shelters and hopefully aware from any fighting. Three archers have bows drawn. They show no signs of no being an abnormal tribe, but they also show no signs of having bent knee. They seem to be speaking in Northern Shav.

"Enough armored people with their blades out and they're going to assume that we're here to attack them." Felicia notes, squinting askance at Arik's blade. Her hand rests on Persuasion's pommel, but she elects not to draw it for the moment as she tromps along with the group, the black-and-white badger fur at least trying to offset the gleaming sunset hue of her rubicund, muted as it is beneath the King's Own tabard.

"Ho!" Arik calls out in an easy mannered and fluent Northlands Shav. He makes a point of hurrying his stride and sheathing frostfang though he does take the time to do it in such as way as to flash the legendary blade for any of the warriors to see. "I am Arik of Halfshav, what are your people called?" he says having slowed his step once reaching the front of the group so he doesn't walk into a hail of arrows.

"One of you who can speak Northern Shav, please let them know we're here in pea- oh, you got it, my Lord," Jordan nods to Arik, and lowers his blade, the other hand held up as if to signify that he is here in peace, and means no harm. There's even an effusive smile to follow that.

Violet shoots Felicia a smile that is tight and meant to be reassuring. "Aye. We've our home camp well take care of," She assures her before turning her gaze back to the trail. As Jordan makes his suggestion she nods her head once. "I've a signal whistle," She tells him with a little smirk. It doesn't take long before she realizes that the tracks were not made in haste. As one might if fleeing another force. So she is able to catch back up to them soon enough, happy to keep an eye on their backs. Though the noise that the group makes occasionally makes her cringe, even as she walks fairly quietly through the brush and snow. This is the part where she just melts into the back of the group and plays shadow while Arik takes the lead. Sure she can speak the language, but that isn't why she's here.

Sheathing her sword for diplomacy sake Cora remains vigilant and hand at the ready but not obviously.

The Shavs seems wary. One young mother ushering children into a shelter, is downright fearful. Her breathing is elevated and her cheeks are damp with tears. She likely thinks the party is here to kill them. She chases after a toddler, looking frantic. The warriors are men and women both. They range in age from young adults to older adults, because in a small Shav village they are probably not picky about who fights. A man who is about fifty steps up to Arik, giving the more empathic the impression he is the leader. He seems calm, but with a subtle thread of tension to his form. "I have heard of your family." He says, speaking in Northern Shav. "I am Cord and we are the White Fox Tribe. What can we help you with?" He says, but he doesn't sound very welcoming. He meets Arik's eyes and likely wants them all gone sooner rather than later if possible. They are not invited into the camp, offered food or anything that would suggest a true welcome.

Violet checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 20, rolling 31 higher.

Arik remarks in Arvani to his own scouting group, "I wouldn't relax... This cannot be all of them." and then he clears his throat, lifting his voice to the man 50 paces ahead.

Felicia's watching those she can see, carefully, alertly, her hand on Persuasion's pommel, but she's not here to alarm or attack, so she stays in the open, calm and observant. She's mostly having to rely on the tonation between Arik and the seeming 'leader'. But is endeavoring to strike a balance between preparedness and trying to project an air of non-violence, at least.

"I have not heard of you." Arik says as he takes a half-step to turn and wave to his companions all armored and some with mounts beside them. "We have been traveling the lands, looking for signs of people. Why is your village so small, your tribe so few? Has something happened?" he asks in an easy mannered and fluent shav dialect. He flashes a wolfish smirk at the leader though from fifty paces away it might not be clear how 'pleased' he is to find them.

Violet is able to split from the party and sneak closer to the camp without being seen. She comes across a woman of about forty who is behind a hut. The woman is crying and hasn't seemed to notice or maybe doesn't even care that a party of warriors has arrived at the village. Another woman comes over to her, speaking in Shav. "Come on Oella, pull yourself together, camp is being invaded. Get up. You can't mourn forever, she is lost to us, but your nieces and nephews still need you."

Beneath her raven skull helm, Morrighan's jaw works, her arms folding loosely over her chest, as she observes the tribe of shav, noting the looks of fear from some and the guardedness of others. Her sea-blue gaze trails after the children, perhaps watching on to ensure they're safe enough and out of harms way, should anything come to pass. They swiftly flick back to Arik when he makes his approach, and the dame follows suit at a distance, though keeps her weapons, for the moment, sheathed. She does, however, keep a hand near the shaft of her trident, keeping an eye on the Halfshav and the settlement before them.

The leader's discomfort seems to linger, but he keeps his calm. He continues to speak in the language of the North. "More are coming, but not until tomorrow. As I am sure you know Halfshav, things are always happening out here. We will survive though and there are more of us. Why are you looking for people?" He says, sounding suspicious as he asks the last question.

Jordan remains there, not understanding a single word. He looks at Arik, then at Morrighan, and clearly, the hostile way the villagers are reacting to their arrival doesn't seem to make him any more likely to sheathe his sword. The others can, of course. He won't. Instead, he's looking at them with curious, but cautious eyes.

Arik in an Arvani aside for his companions, "If they attack us, make for the tree-line. We don't need to slaughter a fearful handful." he clears his throat and lifts his voice for the leader and village to hear.

Violet moves her way around the camp on silent feet. Though she pauses to take in the woman being comforted, she doesn't reveal herself. That lies the way of disaster, as making them scream by coming out of nowhere would be a 'Bad Idea'. So though she wishes to assure them invasion isn't the plan, that is not her place here. She continues, scouting and noting numbers and dispersement of the camp.

Not understanding any of the words Cora just keeps her eyes open for body language instead still ready for trouble.

"We look for people for this is Halfshav Land. Halfshav villages hunt and live and tend these lands. We seek to protect them and all the tribes that will live in peace within our domain. I do not know when last you spoke with my family, but know we are not here for slaughter." Arik says in a confident and rumbling voice. He even takes his hand off frostfangs hilt and lifts it up high in a showy gesture which also shows he is in full plate mail. "Winter is coming, will you be able to finish your encampment in time? Mayhap for news of happenings we can help you finish a portion or two." he suggests with a lingering look at the leader with hard frosted eyes.

Arik checked charm + intimidation at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Violet checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 49 higher.

Coraline checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Arik checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.

Felicia checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Violet checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Jordan isn't even trying to 'read' their expressions. Instead, his jaw is set, and he's lowering his visor. Being that intimidating sight in armor and a surcoat works better for him than trying to be friendly to hostile people. Good thing he's not the diplomat!

The leader seems intimidated by Arik. He didn't become leader though by being super easy to frighten off and he still manages to hold his calm for the most part. The woman who was frightened has her toddler and is running to a hut with the child in her arms. Arik certainly has her frightened. The leader's fear is more subtle, a catch to his breath and a drawing back of his shoulders. "Halfshav land." He says musingly and maybe nervously. It is not good for a small tribe be on land a noble family is claiming. "I am glad you are not here to cause us harm." He finally says, apparently a man of logic. "Come be welcome." He says, gesturing toward a fire pit in the camp. "We have not spoke with you family in a long time. I think we will finish in time, Lord Halfshav."

As Violet studies the camp she notes that there are bit more people here than the tracks suggest, hinting that they came here from different angles or maybe some were at the camp first. She counts up about thirty warriors, ten non-warriors adults, fifteen children in varying ages, five horses and seven dogs. The numbers are estimates. The children are being protected seeming. The warriors are spread about, looking more defensive than anything.

Coraline, Felicia and Violet are able to gage that tribe is a defensive mood, likely seeing this party as a possible threat. They seem to be troubled by something and a few are certainly mourning. They show no signs of behaving oddly or in a way that wouldn't be expected. Even the wariness seems normal considering.

"We're going to go up and join them. If you don't speak shav, don't let your guard down. Keep an eye for anything of note and don't assume they all don't speak Arvani. Just pass along news as you can, smile a lot. Very big and wide gestures." Arik explains to the group with him in a quick stint of Arvani. "If something happens, fall back to a hut and we'll shelter inside." all of that hopefully pitched quietly enough in Arvani not to be heard by the Shavs and then...

"Be at ease." Arik says in a lifted voice and an easy manner Northlands Shav, he motions for Morrighan to come up and explains "This is my friend, Morrighan a Knight of Redrain. She is of the lands and speaks our tongue." he explains as if offering up a friendly face that isn't Halfshav, though with Redrain's conquering ways whose to say it's better. All the while he's walking closer to the camp and the fire.

Violet makes her way back to the group. Using the taller individuals as a shield she moves slowly to walk up and just behind Arik. Any attention given her by the leader is returned with a polite nod. She holds no aggression in her stance or her expression as she speaks quietly in Arvani.

"Oh this ought to be fun." Felicia can't help but offer with dry amusement, offering her own smile before she prowls after Arik towards the fire. She does keep an eye on the movement of the camp, just to be on the safe side,"On a scale of none to the Lyceum, how concerned should we be about the possibility of poison?" she enquires as discreetly as she can.

Putting on a pleasant friendly smile Cora's eyes keep moving and keep watchful. She joins the move towards the fire but only nods to Arik in respinse not that she thinks he will see her.

The leader has a smile of greeting for Morrighan that seems polite. "Redrain knight, be welcome." He says but one of the warriors nearby does seem a concerned at /Redrain/. The firepit has stones and logs about it for sitting and it doesn't seem very fancy at all. The kids are mostly in a hut and a few warriors head over there to be protect the hut. A couple of the Shavs join the firepit, but most keep their posts. A woman comes over with a hug of home brewed mead which she offers first to Arik.

Two women come from behind a hut. Violet heard the talking before. "Husband I heard one say they want to help, if they are will help then let them find our daughter." She says to the leader, seeming emotional. The leader seems torn. "My wife, Oella and Oella these are guests of Halfhav and Redrain."

With notice given that they're to approach the camp and join up with the shav tribe, Morrighan dips her head into a brief nod, following after Arik, though pauses for a moment to glance back at the rest of their scouting party. Once they're all on the move, the dame, as she has thus far, remains quiet, a figure of iridescent black from head to toe with a helm like that of a ravens skull with a mane of dark plumage that cascades down to her shoulders. Her features are largely obscured, the only part visible that of her eyes, ones that shift towards Cord when greeted. "Well met, leader of White Fox," she responds fluently in Northlands Shav, tipping her head forward at the man, respectfully.

"That's why you bring your own food and offer to share it with them," Jordan points out to Felicia, tapping his head. "Good thing I brought the damned fruitcakes I eat as rations, a whole loaf of them. And some dried meat, too." When Morrighan and Arik start doing the diplomacy thing, he glances over to the non-Northerners in this party, "If we need to fight, let's hope it's not against them. I'm fairly sure they're expecting an attack given what his Lordship just told us."

Arik lets someone else answer the question of poison because the man just accepted the home brewed mead and tipped it back to train a full half of it before holding it out to the leader in offering to share the mug. "Be at ease Oella, I am Arik of Halfshav. Tell me what has happened for these are Halfshav lands and all that happens we can help." he seems to be pressing that narrative about Halfshav lands pretty frequently when he speaks but he offers a grin, not a smirk this time for the emotional woman.

Violet's eyes snap to the women who emerge from behind the hut as they appear while she settles into a seat beside Arik. "And how long has she been gone?" Violet asks of Oella. Because time could play a factor in whether the daughter is found or not. Though she accepts whatever drink is offered, but only seems to drink and then infrequently.

Felicia just grunts for Jordan's words. She can see that one of the women arriving is in a state, electing to settle herself as comfortably as she can with as friendly a smile as she can produce at the fire for all that she can only understand the snippets being spoken in Arvani she at least endeavors to make an effort at the be friendly but wary thing.

The leader looks toward Morrighan once again, having a nod for her. He has taken a seat at fire pit. When Arik tastes the mead he will note that it takes like one would expect of home brewed Northern Mead. It is sweetened with honey, flavored with Elderflower and quite strong but that is all pretty standard. The leader takes the jug, has a drink and then hands it over to Morrighan.

Oella draws closer to the fire, looking toward Arik and then Violet. "Not long she was captured by a beast. Can you help us and get her back?" The leader seems torn as his wife speaks, maybe torn between hope for his daughter and fear about excepting help.

"Jordan." Arik calls in Arvani and motions to Violet. "She is going to translate for you," he explains in Arvani and then switches to a heavier Northlands Shav, "Tell my companion this is Violet of Halfshav, one of my people. She and this man will help us find her, tell her everything." he explains to Oella and Cord alike.

Arik elaborates in Arvani, "You and Jordan will handle tracking so share everything with him. Morrighan find out how many more people they are expecting before winter comes."

"All right," Violet says amicably as her eyes focus on Oella. A faint smile crosses her lips meant to be reassuring. "I'll do my best to find her. Were there others taken? When did this happen exactly? Where was she taken? Describe the beast and in what direction it was. Describe your daughter and any others that may be missing. And lastly, what's her name?" Violet speaks in Northlands Shav. Her native tongue it rolls out without any accent, much like Morrighan. The edge of these woods is where she grew up, after all.

Taking in a deep breath, Morrighan lifts her gloved hands up, grasping at her helm, temporarily pulling it off to reveal herself. Her fiery red curls are pulled back into a low bun, enough to keep it out of her way and easily tucked into place whenever the helm is worn. The jug of mead is regarded curiously for a moment, sidelong glance sent aside to Arik, but ultimately she takes a swig, then passes it along. She gives a subtle nod after at the Halfshav's request, attention then flitting towards that one guard that didn't seem to enthused about a Redrain being present. "You there. Would you be able to tell me how many more of your people you are expecting before the winter comes?"

Oella heads over to Violet and she is all super eager for the help. "Thank you. It happened about three days ago. It happened near our previous camp, our summer camp. I don't know where she was taken. I wish I knew. If I knew I would go and try and to get her back myself. The beast is about this high." She says lifting her hand so it is about the height of her chest. "But huge and walks on four legs. He is like no wolf I ever seen. A monster. It has dark fur and yellow eyes that glow. My daughter is very beautiful. She has black hair, blue eyes, pale skin and is soon to be married or was soon to be marry. Her intended tried to rescue her." She says and shudders. "Her name is Brielle. She is very gentle. A healer." The woman says, rambling on.

The leader seems concerned, but nods in response to his wife. "We would very much like Brielle back. If such is possible." He says somberly.

The warrior looks to Morrighan. "We got lots more of us." He says, trying to sound tough. "Four times as much when they all get here an we have a champion. My older brother who is the best warrior in these areas to. He could defeat any of you if challenged."

"I'll help track," Jordan inclines his head to Arik, then waits for Violet to get her answers in Shav. In the meantime, he's checking their surroundings, studying what might be defensible spots and what are spots one must yield in order to remain defensive.

Violet nods slowly as Oella gives her the information. "All right. You will need to give us directions to your summer camp," She says as she pulls out a notebook and charcoal. She has to strip off one glove and even beneath it her palm is wrapped in a woold strip. Quickly she jots down those details give. "How many in total went after her? I just want to know how many people we might potentially be looking for..." She turns to Jordan and begins to translate it all into Arvani for him...and everyone else as it happens who doesn't speak Shav.

Arik lingers near the fire as things begin to progress and the conversations break out. Since everyone is engaged he looks around and spots Coraline and Felicia. "Either of you spot anything?" he asks with a look around the immediate area and back to them before conveying, "The tribe was attacked at another site they camp at. Leader's daughter is gone, her match to be married to is dead. We'll take a little jaunt and see what we can do... Sound like it's a big wolf, like up to my chest, mayhap the Princess' shoulder big." he indicates Coraline with the remark.

"That so? No specific number?" comes a response from the dame, keeping to Northlands Shav, her brows held aloft while studying the warrior and his tough exterior. It draws a wry smile upon her face. "My, a Champion even, did you hear that?" Morrighan says aside to Arik, but her attention shifts back towards the other now that a challenge has sort of been issued. Kind of. "I'll gladly meet him in a spar to test his mettle - but I think it important first to see to the retrieval of Brielle, don't you think?"

Violet adds in, "And possibly tainted if it's eyes are glowing," She says in Arvani and with a faint frown on her face.

I havent seen anything yet but i am prepared to hunt for it." Cora says with a nod. She leans over to speak to Violet quietly being closer there.

"Just the tracks, coming up." Felicia offers, with a glance towards Violet for the word 'tainted',"I can go and take a look, but truthfully you'd probably get a better result from handing me a bloody goat leg. I'm not likely to be able to sneak up on the beast, but if it has a taste for redhead's in shiny metal, we can probably supply." she grins broadly,"Admittedly my forest knowledge sort of comes from the Menagerie, more than anything? I saw a griffon once, but well, yes."

Cora laughs at what Violet says and nods.

The warrior who was talking with Morrighan looks over to Violet. "I can show you the way there." He says. Oella then continues. "Five of our better fighters when after her." " She says. The warrior then turns back to Morrighan. "My brother would defeat any knight of Redrain." He says, not seeming to be a fan of Redrain!

Arik looks around the encampment at his people, the shav people and then back to Felicia. "Well by the sound of it we will have plenty for you to do shortly." he says in a confident and rumbling Arvani. When Morrighan mentions the champion and when he makes a confident remark in shav Arik replies in Northlands Shav, "Can he defeat the Sword of Whitehold?" a wolfish smirk on his lips.

The Warrior looks to Arik. "He absolutely can." He says about his brother. He seems pretty over-confident.

Jordan checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

"I can probably sneak up on the beast. I also am dressed for sneaking up on it. It could also be just a dire wolf. But better to be prepared," Violet adds in Arvani before turning to the warrior. He gets a firm nod. But her attention is mostly for Oella. "Aye. All right then," She says in Shav. Out of habit she starts to translate all the Shav being tossed back and forth to Jordan. Including the warrior's boasting and Arik's. Or at least giving the gist of it as she tries to keep up.

Once Violet translates that part about the challenges, before Jordan starts to walk to find the girl in question, he does add, "When you two are done challenging the Shavs to duels, let the rest of us know, please? They're just trying to overcompensate for their feeling of defenselessness."

Arik walks along with the group with the warrior evidently pleased.

The warrior who is called Ben another warrior called Raven agree to escort the party back to the old camp. If they party follows they will find these two shavs know the woods well and this area quite well. Ben spends much of the trip bragging about how awesome his brother is. Maybe Jordan is onto something there! They reach an abandoned campsite without much trouble. The camp was abandoned carefully. Fires were put out, food was cleared away, huts were pulled down and so forth. Still it s easy to tell that a large group of few hundred people once lived here.

During the trip Arik doesn't remark on the brother who is amazing nor does he even speak just walking along with a confident stride. He lingers near the middle to the back of the group now seeming to keep an eye on everyone including his own companions.

Cora ignores the chatty Ben and inspects the camp looking for their fluffy yellow eyed prey.

Violet is more than happy to take the road back. On the way she takes notes and small markers, helping to note the map brought with them. Along the way she asked about the beast and if it had been seen before, or if anything was known about it. When they finally arrive the size of the village makes her pause. "What happened that your numbers have dwindled so?" She asks Raven, finding the bragging Ben to be a bit too prickly for straight answers.

Violet checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Arik checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 24 higher.

Morrighan checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 24 higher.

Felicia checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 24 higher.

Coraline checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 14 higher.

Raven looks over to Violet. "Well things have been hard and the beast got some of us, but our numbers are not as dwindled as they seem. We are just split up at the moment." She says in Northern Shav.

Jordan checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 11 higher.

Felicia's got no idea what the two shav warriors are chattering about, it's all white noise to her at least. Which means that she's for once quiet and paying careful attention to their surrounds. The size of the empty camp does give her pause and make her look towards Arik and the others with a pointed loft of her brow before Persuasion is drawn and the knight goes prowling off in search of a sign.

As the party tracks they eventually find a set of very large prints about a mile away from the camp and to the west. The tracks are canine like in nature, but they are far to large to be that of a normal wolf. They tracks are maybe a week old.

Morrighan listens on with amusement to the brother bragging Ben, though her features are once more obscured by her helm, having slipped it back on when they left. She follows on in relative silence, keeping her cloak pulled about herself, every so often glancing back to ensure Brahm is enduring well enough - and he is. Now and again the corvid pokes his head out from the redhead's hood, loosing a raspy croak, head swiveling left and right, surveying his surroundings before ducking back into his fur-lined nesting place. "There's been a lot ' talk o' beasts lately," she begins to say, switching back to Arvani. "Beasts meanderin' about th'city, beast killed Cassius, now beasts even here. Makes one wonder."

Arik wields Frostfang the Sword of House Halfshav.

Violet is a bit busy asking about the Beast. So probably no surprise other find the tracks first.

"I have seen giant beasts in the city as well. something strange is happening to be sure." Cora says softly eyes never leaving the trail and the surrounding area.

"I care more about this beast than the one plaguing the city." Arik remarks in Arvani as the tracks are found but not by Violet instead the group seems to pick up on them rather quickly. "Mayhap we can drag it back and give it to Pravus, tell them it looked just like this." he remarks in a poor taste in dark humor.

"Well, that's not normal," Violet says as she eyes the large print. Crouching beside it she tilts her head this way and that, then begins to cast about the area. Slowly she begins to look about to find the furthering of these rather unusual tracks. And as she does she begins to take in the look of the woods and area around them suspiciously. Those green eyes are faintly narrow and they turn first on Mo and then Coraline. "We should speak softly. This may be a week old, but this is the creatures territory. I best move out ahead on point," She says with a glance at Arik.

Arik makes a waving gesture with one hand in agreement before saying in a quieter voice, "Jordan in the lead, Morrighan in second. Coraline and Felica in the middle, I will take the rear."

Cora nods first to Violet then Arik and her hand eady to draw.

Ben and Raven seem frightened. Ben more so than Raven. "We will keep guard he here." He says, trying to cover his fearful concern.

Arik conveys a sentiment in Northlands Shav, "If it comes back behind us, scream very loudly but do not run." such a reassuring man.

"Just give me enough room for Persuasion, she needs a bit of space." Felicia offers with a glance at Arik, seemingly with no opinion to offer about beasts in general, if one discounts the way her lips are pressed tightly together. Perhaps more accurate to say she's reserving her comments to herself, the large lump of rubicund masquerading as a sword held low and careful for now.

The party is able to follow the tracks largely due to their great survival woods skill, but also due the tracks being very large. They walk and walk and eventually it is late into the afternoon. They see a large cave in the distance.

Felicia wields Persuasion.

Coraline wields a slender ember-hued rubicund longsword.

"You may want tae care more if'n it's th'same type o' beast," Morrighan remarks back to Arik, a little vague, but there's caution in her tone and an on edge look to her eyes. She turns from him, reaching around to grasp at the shaft of her trident, pulling it from her back. "I'm sure they'd jus' love tae have it an' mount it on a wall," comes a dry mutter, voice low. "Brahm, take tae th'trees, follow close." At command does the feathered beast poke his head out, taking flight to the trees without so much as a sound.

Morrighan wields a barbed alaricite trident.

Seeing the cave Cora draws her sword eyes going everywhere ears straining to hear anything.

Violet checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 20, rolling 26 higher.

Felicia checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Arik walked along for that whole while not really speaking though Morrighan gets a smirk from the man, frostfang swaying with his steps the tip pointed to the ground. By the time they come up to a large and forboding cave. "Jordan and Morrighan, swap with Coraline and Felicia. We don't want trackers to get blooded." he offers though the rational for the mixup is unclear in truth.

Violet checked perception + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 21 higher.

Morrighan checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 20 higher.

Morrighan checked perception + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 5 higher.

Arik checked perception + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 7 lower.

Felicia checked perception + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 12 higher.

Coraline checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 15 higher.

Coming from inside the cave is noises. There is sound of something walking around that seems large. A softer sound of a female whimper can also be heard. Although Arik, he cannot hear any of this.

Felicia is content to sneak up, well, as well as she can in full plate, and perhaps surprising herself with her general ability to not clank like a thousand windchimes, but there's whimpering and noises and there's a look towards Arik and the others. There's a reason why the redhead is known as the Wrecking Ball among the King's Own. Caution is probably warranted, but, well, she's either got enough confidence in herself and the others, or she's just lost her mind as she elects to take hold of Persuasion in both hands and raise it before whistling sharply in the direction of the cave and calling out,"Heeeeerrreee boy! Come on puppy, come see what the loud noise is! I've got a surprise for yoooooouuu!"

Jordan checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Violet moves ahead of the rest and follows the trail. Up towards the cave and off the main path. As the cave comes into sight an arrow is knocked to the rubicund bow she carries. Silent feet move through the snow and bushes as she approaches the cave with extreme caution. A glance back and she moves back to the rest, "It's probably heard you all, but I'm still good. My suggestion is set a trip trap for it and draw the thing out. I can hide and pick at it from a distance. And...I'm not getting anything solid. It could just be the area, it could be the creature. But nothing solid," This last bit she says looking directly at Coraline.

"I'm in the lead?" Jordan looks dubiously at Arik but nods nevertheless, taking point. Wayfarer is drawn, and as they get nearer and there are wolf sounds and something that seems to give him a chill down his spine, he ponders. "I'll lure it here, unless anyone has any better ideas. I mean, if it's something... evil ... I suppose the alaricite and the plate can come in handy." He suggests.

Jordan looks at Felicia as she... pretty much does exactly that. "I suppose it bodes well to get ready."

Violet's mouth kind of falls open and she looks at Felicia. "Or we can do that," And she is moving swiftly into the bushes and fading into them once more as she moves for a good flanking position on whatever comes out of the cave.

Felicia does what anyone would do, Arik certainly is grinning a reckless grin as she baits the beast. A few orders are issued in quick succession, "Draw it away from the cave... Violet get the girl if you can, Morrighan protect Violet and the child and keep the beast from running into the cave." and with that Frostfang is brought up into an aggressive slant across the Sword of Whitehold's body.

In back, in front, Morrighan doesn't mind much where she is, and so she moves along with Jordan towards the cave, taking note of the sounds that come from within. "I dunnae have much by way o' a plan. If'n it's abyssal, this could get verra dangerous, if'n it's jus' a direwolf, we might manage, but at least we do have alaricite an'..whatever else," she says, lowly, bobbing her head into a nod of agreement at Jordan. With a change in plans, a look is cast back at Arik, then to Violet, and gives another nod.

Cora nods to Violet with complete understanding looking in concern at the sounds coming from the cave, hand tightening on the sword.