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"Unless you were minded to give it a nudge," replies Xolkin speculatively. "..the Leadership, I mean." He looks at Vic with a strange intensity.

***

When finished near the church with Xolkin Vic enters the Inn to see Kella making bread. She not only looks secure and content but also radiantly beaming. "Morning, boys! Another bright new one, it is!"

Val will prepare his belongings can get ready to move out.

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Does Vic have any further words with Xolkin?
Or with Kella?

Val will drop by Kella room before leaving and say. "We are heading out to the forest. Are you coming with us or are you staying behind? I don't trust these new fellows so be careful."

No Vic is ready.

Vic, ready to leave, goes off to look for Unbar.

Meanwhile Val, having gathered up his things, finds Kella not in her room but in the kitchen. There's a wonderful smell of freshly baked bread. Kella looks happy. "Thanks fot the concern, but I'm sure I can look after myself from a few hillbillies."

Vic reaches the south gate just as Unbar emerges from the castle.
Taking his time the dwarf crosses into the village without mishap.

What next?

"Let's head out in the forest by following the footprints of the villagers." "I will take the lead."

The group are joined by Isaril as they gather by the drawbridge.
Two of Xolkin's people offer to operate the drawbridge.

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Anyone that want to try and pick up any detail from the tracks can make a Survival skill check.

[1d20] = 3

Val can barely pick up his own footprints.

Unbar stands patiently watching the large fellow peer at the tracks.
"Got a direction?" he queries.

Vic chuckles when he sees the big mans face wrinkle in thought.

"We might be in trouble. He is thinking..."

"Maybe we should go help him."

Vic will go take a look at the tracks.

Survival(Wis)(2): [1d20+2] = 11+2 = 13

Val does indeed pick out his own footprints as well as other humanoid tracks in the grass and dirt west of the drawbridge..

Vic takes over and manages to distinguish between tracks made by several dozen villagers fleeing north and some smaller humanoid tracks heading from the north into the village.

Isaril puts the icing on the cake pointing at two* sets of large wolf tracks heading into the village and by estimating the goblins at about a dozen*.

The group follow the tracks northwards into the forest.
The tracks join and continue alongside a tiny stream that flows from the north to the south.

A short while later the forest goes unnervingly silent and you notice there's a general movement of small wildlife heading southwestwards.
"A moment please," asks Isaril, who casts a spell and then steps out to greet and snuffle at a badger.

Isaril returns and says, "Orcs. Headed this way. What do you want to do?"
He strings his bow and checks his quiver.

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*These are about the same numbers as those foes already taken down.

"Let's setup an ambush. Big man, you ready to smack some Orcs?"

Vic will try to hide "off to the side" if applicable to the surroundings, getting some spells to mind.

==========================
Time to remind myself what this character can do.

Isaril offers, "I'll bring them to you, along this track."
He casts a spell on the group and then morphs into a wolf and bounds off into the forest.

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The spell, 2. Pass Wihout Trace, grants +10 on Stealth checks made by any member of the group.

"Agreed, let's ambush these orcs." Val will hide in the bush with Vic but on the opposite side of the path. "Let's take out the back foes after they walk past."