Pigeon Puzzle | Forest Exploration

[keep_hallways]

There is little strange about the entrance to the forest today. There are no storms of pigeons, no legions of spiders; nothing but trees, twigs, and a few animal trails leading in. Save for the gathering of adventurers outside, it could seem like just another day in the Keep

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[thequeensown]

Talia had returned to her barracks room long enough to stock up her belongings before meeting up at the forest's edge. She had secured her pair of scimitars, identical to Kevas', and her wrist worn cross bow and bolts. Tucked safely into the doe skinned boots she is wearing are several daggers that she is more than trained in the use of.

She found various gear that would work to protect her body, including a hardened leather underbust and bracers for both her wrists and shins. She was lucky enough to find pieces that seemed to work well enough with her weapons.

What Talia lacks for in size, she makes up for in speed, and she was trained to take advantage of it by Valdemars' weaponsmaster, Jarvis. She is good at hand to hand as well, although she prefers not to let anyone close enough to need it.

She eyes the trail ahead of her, shifting from foot to foot as she waits for the rest of the forest going volunteers to arrive.

((OOC: As said in the chatroom, but repeated for anyone not around: If it comes to Talia turn and I'm not around or am holding things up, please skip me. I can catch up as need be when I tag in next. I'm allowing player control to my team members should it be needed. Talia can scan the area ahead for living entities with her empathy, so long as the mods consider them scannable. I trust y'all!! xoxoxo))

[sacredbrand]

The first thing Nel looked at, after the other woman, was the beaten path. Maybe it was the way they needed to go. Maybe they needed an animal trail, not the worn one, but second-guessing would do them no favors.

Nel caressed the hilts of her blades and touched the sheaths, tracing where she knew the runes were inscribed. She took in the forest's clear and unpolluted air. Branches of awareness spread from her person, feelers threading, testing, tracking the energy of life and motion in their surroundings. Nobody'd get flanked on her watch.

[before_wisdom]

Asma had made sure to stock up on anything she may need during this little adventure, mostly a decent selection of blades large and small, should the situation call for it. Aside from that, she's quick on her feet and knows a fair share of hand-to-hand combat, and... well. Her entire island was nothing but dense forests and swamplands. This terrain won't be anything new to her.

[kptn_sparrow]

The captain swaggers up to the lot with a grin on his face. Oh, womenz! and he takes another gander at the equipment upon them and how they all moved. Pointy women.

Well this should be interesting.

"Would any of you ladies have an inkling which way we should head?"

He carries his sword, the flintlock, and everything else that he arrived with upon him. Including Mum. The pistol was useless though, the shot in it was all ruined. Replaced with squishy beads of a kind he hasn't seen before. Still, no one had to know that part. He was the protector, right?

[doctoral_bird]

Aw jeez this all sounds like it could be dangerous, but that damn little note's gotten Malkus all curious. After lurking through the entries in his journal, reading about how apparently others have gotten similar messages, our doctors decided that perhaps tagging along with a group would be the safest option!

That being said, Malkus seems terribly unprepared when he arrives. The only thing he seems to have on him is his bag full of bandaging tape (Safety first, after all! Never know when a bruised elbow or scraped knee might appear).

"Erm...Hello, everyone."

Jesus, this group looks as if they're preparing for a war rather than a simple expedition into the forest. What exactly do they expect to find in there? Malkus hasn't taken much time to venture out into the woods, so of course wouldn't expect much in terms of danger, other than the usual forest beast. No worries though, these people seem well enough equipped to handle mostly anything.

[thequeensown]

Talia watches as everyone else arrives, eying the pirate with a certain amount of consideration. Still, the man was here to help and they needed the manpower just now. When everyone has arrived, weapons seeming on hand for everyone .. everyone except Malkus.

The Herald eyed the man speculatively for a beat and then gestures to the path before them, answering the pirate.

"I think the path laid out before us is the best .. Joe said it changes, so I cannot see any reason to needlessly trek off path unless need be .. unless anyone thinks differently?"

She looks to her companions, open to suggestions and opinions.

[sacredbrand]

Nel tugged at her scarf. "If we had larger numbers, splitting up would be viable. As it stands we can't afford to lose anyone." Mostly true.

"Our best option is to follow the clearest path, and hope whoever's crossed before us doesn't take exception to our walking it."

Boot-clad feet carried her closer to the beaten earth. She looked not at the forest veil but through it.

[before_wisdom]

Asma nods once in response to Nel's suggestion. This one has a good head on her shoulders.

"It would be wise to have some sort of formation as well. Staying in a singular group is fine, but it won't do us much good if we stay in a disorganized cluster. If we want to do this efficiently, we should make sure that all sides are accounted for. We can't leave room for a potential ambush."

[kptn_sparrow]

Jack pulls out his compass and is promptly thwarted as the needle flickers from one woman, to the other, and the next.... it was not being helpful at all. He was going to take point, but, it seems to have been decided for him.

"I'll take up the rears-ERR rear! Behind! Make sure that no one could sneak up upon us and surprise us like." Because that was noble, right? I mean these women were organized and again, rather pointy. If they were like Elizabeth... Vie? ... "We'll keep the bird-man in the middle. Seems to best, wouldn't you agree, mate? "

Malkus, that last bit was addressed to you.

[doctoral_bird]

Malkus stares around at everyone, trying to step back a bit in order to bring less attention to himself. Poor fellow hasn't had much social interaction in awhile and is rather shy as a result, specially around the ladies. Perhaps he can stand far in the back, keeping to the background rather than-

"Wait, wh-what."

The doctor turns and gives the pirate man an awkwardly blank stare, staying silent for a moment.

"...If you're sure, I suppose."

Middle it is, then? Poor Malkus doesn't understand the need for any of this organization. These people are acting as if they expect a fight... Sh-Should Malkus be expecting a fight?

[thequeensown]

Talis nods in agreement as the need for organization is voiced as well as the need to not upset anything before them. That earns Nel a respectful look and she nods to Asma, looking to the woman.

"Far better to be organized than not .. If we encounter anything in there we'd do best to be in a position to protect one another."

She takes this moment to lower her shielding, and exhales slowly as her empathic channels open to their surroundings, unhindered for the first time since her arrival. She does not pry into those of her team, but they're open thoughts are there. Instead she opens herself to anything other than her team, making certain their patterns are familiar to her. It's about then that she becomes aware of Nel's own expansive reach, feelin the power the other woman wields.

It's different than her own empathy, but she can feel Nel's touch around her. She studies the woman for a beat before making a small sound of appreciation. This would certainly make it harder to be snuck up on.

She then looks at Jack, choosing to ignore his charming slip for the one being and nods. "I believe you will be safest as such, aye," she says softly. She looks then to he other two women, "Who's on point?"

[sacredbrand]

And likewise, Nel registered Talia's influence, hovering and testing. Far from irritated at what some might see as invasive, a hot spark of relief uncoiled a knot of tension between her shoulder blades. More eyes were always welcome.

The man dressed like a brigand didn't merit even a glance for his verbal jumbling. Not the time, nor the place.

She turned sharply to face the others en masse. "If no one objects, I'll take the frontguard."

[before_wisdom]

"Fine by me. I'll take the left flank."

And Asma moves to take her place; best to get everything in order now so they can get a move on. However, there's still something else that should probably be addressed.

"Aside from that, it would be best to know everyone's strengths. That way we can know who can be relied on for what purpose." As it is, Asma can take care of herself, but quite honestly she'd rather know whether or not she'll need to babysit anyone while on this trip.

[kptn_sparrow]

Jack goes into a proper fencing position and salutes Asma, "I've my sword, and my impeccable sense of balance."

Really now. For the swagger, drunken stagger or sea-legged sway... he's never fallen .

[doctoral_bird]

"U-Uh...Well..."

Malkus nervously glances at Asma, then down at his trusty medical bag, clutching the handle with both hands.

"I'm-...somewhat of a doctor- I mean-..."

He nods, what's the worst that can happen on this trip? Nothing that he can't handle with his doctoral abilities! Even though he's no good at diseases, Malkus should still be able to handle most injuries! Yeah! Confidence!

"I'm a doctor. As far as fighting goes...well...not so much-..."

Confidence lost.

[thequeensown]

"And I'll take right flank," she replies without a moments' pause. She had no qualms about taking a flank position, knowing she is capable of holding her own. She glances at Asma though, understanding her need for reassurance.

As Malkus explains his own abilities she silently curses, but then shakes her head. "We might need you .. do not be apologetic. All hands and eyes are welcome and appreciated."

Yeah, she felt that slip in confidence, buddy. She then gives her response to the group at large. "I don't wear anything I cannot use .. " Her tone is not boastful, simply matter of fact. "I have training with my crossbow and blades, well enough to keep my Queen alive, and hand-to-hand should it come to it." She exhales, but now is not the time to hold anything back.

"I have empathy and can turn it back as an attack if need be, channeling negative emotions and memories onto a target .. it's not pretty .. but it is effective." And she hoped it didn't come to it.