<strong>The wilds of Dra Sirdu</strong><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Roll Results</div><div class="spoiler_body">In order: Eshalu's roll is successful. Finding a game trail in such an unfamiliar location is probably a little bit harder than it would be in more normal circumstances, thus making it a Fair challenge, which she beats.<br/><br/>Now, as Eshalu's roll and the ensuing travel will take up the majority of the IC element of this post, I'll cover the results of Reliyian's ridiculously good roll (as, apparently, she either goes big or goes home, so to speak). Not only does she notice are the plants altered, as mentioned in your post, but gradual travel into the forest will reveal that the altered traits are suspiciously similar to the oddities (relative to mainland flora) in the native plants around you. The island doesn't merely alter: it actively assimilates. This, of course, raises the question of whether or not all those crops will be edible, in another ten to twenty growing seasons/generations.</div></div><br/>Eshalu's search quickly came to fruition, though it also required moving somewhat further into the woods. Whatever predator had formed this trail had not yet attempted to prey on the human settlers or their livestock. As one might expect from such a supernaturally fertile land, the trail was somewhat wider than the sort formed by a wolf, a cougar, or some other, similarly mundane predator. Perhaps the island hosted a colony of the primeval predators so glibly described by scholars as "dire." Then again, perhaps the local beasts had simply increased in size to more easily take advantage of the incredible bounty of life available.<br/><br/>Unfortunately, this same regional vitality made discovering which sort of creature (or creatures) had trod this trail significantly more difficult. What few paw prints the elf discovered had already been terribly distorted or entirely covered by soft, green, newly-sprouted shoots. By the same token, efforts to completely avoid disturbing the landscape were both doomed and somewhat pointless. Tracking the group would be extremely difficult within a day or perhaps less. Within two, it would be nigh-impossible.<br/><br/>The wide, relatively open trail allowed for much quicker travel than the initial shoving through undergrowth, and by midday, Aeryn (or whoever had retained the map) would recognize a few landmarks through the undergrowth which had been marked to indicate the first third of their journey. Most notably, a tree loomed in the distance so large that other, smaller trees could be seen growing. Indeed, the map had noted that particular tree in several locations on the map, indicating relative orientation to aid a less experienced traveler in determining their exact location.<br/><br/>The map also noted a location suitable for a campsite not too far from their current position. Though, given that they still had much of the day to travel, that information would likely be of much more use on the return trip, if ever.<br/><br/>Their current location also indicated that Vin had guessed quite accurately about their rate of travel (or, perhaps, had simply gotten lucky). If their current trail did not meander or twist out of the way too terribly, they could make it to the ruins before nightfall with a doubling of the pace. Of course, doing so would hold its own concerns: unknowingly sleeping in the shadow of the arachnid warbeast (if, indeed, that was what it was) might have been responsible for the disappearance of the first group sent this way.<br/><br/>Expediency aside, the day had quickly grown into something positively marvelous. The thick canopy overhead provided plenty of shade for those who preferred, but at the same time didn't fully blot out the bright sunlight. What few clouds filled the sky held no threat of rain or other ill weather.<br/><br/>While all of this might distract from the island's true, sinister (or at very least, savage) nature, the party is quickly given a reminder, as fierce grunting, thumping, and even the occasional roar slowly became audible. At first distant, the sounds quickly grew louder and louder. Something large, and quite possibly angry, was coming their way at speed.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">The Approaching Threat</div><div class="spoiler_body"> Depending on how this plays out, this may very well lead to the game's first combat. It will mostly be a test run, to see how you guys measure up to what I anticipate your combative threat level to be, so you don't need to worry too much. Of course, if you want to take another approach, such as hiding, running away, or trying to calm down the approaching threat, those are perfectly legitimate approaches, as well.</div></div>