"Yeah, jerky sound good?" Nicote pulls some out. He himself will eat up his apple (do those things even spoil?) and then eat a bit of the jerky- he'll leave the tins of food for when he can sit down and eat hem properl.

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=74910&page=218#2177 Author: Falconetti Time Posted: 8/17/2021 at 6:23 AM Dawn -- The other three take it all in, nodding. "Sounds like a plan," Daavun agrees. "We're fine, and it's best we get as much as we can done while we can. You rest - I'll keep things running and let you know if anything comes up." The two mercenaries move to get groups of the snow-clearers for their respective tasks, Daavun following after. Quest log updated. You're left alone at the edge of the camp, a moment of calm after all of the chaos. Now all that's left is for you to find somewhere to sleep and take something from your pack to eat. Tired, hungry

Asteria gets up and tries to find a place to set up her tent near Numbat and the pups before eating a couple of items out of her pack.

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=74910&page=216#2157 Author: Falconetti Time Posted: 8/13/2021 at 5:41 PM Morning -- The food you have just now will last you around a week, which would be enough to reach the Central Territories if you head straight there. But who knows what could happen on the road? They do say money makes the world go round - and there are always plenty of jobs going. As you watch gold coins are exchanged for goods between customers and traders. A squabble breaks out over on the other side of the market as two orcs argue over the same item, much to its merchant's distress. One wall which borders the square is dominated by notes and ragged posters declaring jobs to be had and displaying important notices. Various goblins and orcs pick over some of the papers, probably looking for the same quick jobs as you. Otherwise, Boulder is a big city with a large population. Various streets lead off of the market square and onto other parts of the capital, if you wanted to wander and find work out there.

Pike watches the two orcs argue, his eyes wide even though he should be used to fights and arguments breaking out since they were common in his household and elsewhere. He begins to trek around the orcs and the fight before spotting the merchant's expression and feeling.. like an idiot, according to his family. The notes and posters could wait; he would try to help someone along the way.
So, Pike scampers forward to see what the orcs were arguing over. If he had the item, he would simply hand it over to one and the other would get the merchants item so they would both get the item! Even as hes thinking this, Pike knows that it probably would not be so easy.

(Course - we'll see what happens...)

Evening
--
You remove the cobwebs, revealing no more inscriptions. Just a simple wooden box, other than the sun carving and the suspiciously solid-looking lock.

Maybe something made the owner believe it was safe enough where it was.

You try your room key, and as expected to no avail. The key is too big for the chest's lock. The wooden casket looks sturdy, so it may be difficult to open by force. There is also the possibility that doing so may damage whatever is inside.

But then again, who knows whether you will be able to find the key? Breaking the box may be your only option.

Dawn
--
Knight nods enthusiastically, gobbling down the offered meal with a grateful expression. "Thanksh," he says with his mouth full.

1 apple, 2 units of jerky consumed. 4/6 jerky pack remaining. You no longer feel hungry.

Once your party has finished eating, you push on northwards at a faster pace. Over the next few hours you split your time between keeping up a jog and slowing to walk for a breather. At one point, you see the silhouette of a bird in the skies behind you. It disappears behind the thin clouds and you don't spot it again.

You pass over rolling hills and by lone trees in the vast grasslands, splashing through shallow streams cutting through the landscape. Deep green and gold grasses wave in the breeze and part for you as you travel, giving way to bursts of colour as late wildflowers bloom. You hear the buzzing drone of bees at work for a brief time before you leave them behind once more.

It's mid-afternoon by the time you see the Crossroads rising on the horizon. The others look relieved.

Dawn
--

Numbat and the pups are near the northern edge of the camp, out of the way of the snow-clearers. The pups sleep in a small, fluffly bundle alongside a pair of upturned crates, snoring softly. Numbat has just finished putting up his tent when he turns and, seeing you behind him, shrieks.

"Oh!" he blurts. "It's just you. Sorry."

You place your tent.

2 units of Chillfest Pud consumed. 1/8 Chillfest Pud remaining. You are no longer hungry.

Morning
--
As you near, you see that the orcs are arguing over a roll of material. The goblin merchant appears to sell various practical cloths and fabrics, with some animal leathers on display across his counter. He looks hesitantly glad when he spots your interested, perhaps hoping you'll be able to stop the bickering.

One orc snarls, "I saw it first!" she places her hands on her hips and stares down the other.

"I don't care," the second responds, spittle flying as her face grows steadily more stormy. "You 'aven't got enough coins for it anyhow. That means it's mine!"

"I can barter for it - you interrupted me while I was trying to make a deal. So step back, shut up, and let me finish," she orders.

You don't currently have the desired item they want so much - you'll have to think of another way to resolve the conflict.

"Finally." Nicote grins. "Never been so glad to see civilization before now. Hey, you think they forgot about me breaking into that warehouse?"

He kind of hopes Newt is still in town, it'd mean he wouldn't have to apy for a message to get sent. Then again, Newt might just kill him on the spot...

Well he's being overdramatic but it'd still feel like he was getting stabbed if he got forced into doing Newt's branch of work with him.

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=74910&page=219#2186 Author: Falconetti Time Posted: 8/18/2021 at 2:37 PM Dawn -- Numbat and the pups are near the northern edge of the camp, out of the way of the snow-clearers. The pups sleep in a small, fluffly bundle alongside a pair of upturned crates, snoring softly. Numbat has just finished putting up his tent when he turns and, seeing you behind him, shrieks. "Oh!" he blurts. "It's just you. Sorry." You place your tent. 2 units of Chillfest Pud consumed. 1/8 Chillfest Pud remaining. You are no longer hungry.

"Sorry to scare you Numbat," She looks at the pups worriedly, "We've really pushed them hard haven't we? I don't look forward to returning Emberpaw to his parents but at the same time I know that's probally what's best for him. Are you alright?"

She wanted to get some rest but at the same time Asteria understood that the team's mental state needed checking in on constantly or trouble could stem from the slightest ill will.