Just thought I'd make some notes about the current scenery and story, partially to organize my own thoughts:
Each of the trees had a face peeking out from the trunk. They were not living faces, but masks: white masks that seemed to be growing out of the bark. Each tree only had one mask, and each mask represented a different animal: a wolf, a badger, a deer, a hawk, a bear. One touch might release the mask from the tree, so delicately were they attached.Each of the masks is made of white wood and covers only the top half of the face. Tyaelaem is wearing a rabbit mask in the same style. Talan took the wolf, and now there's a tiger in its place. It's only recently occurred to me that a fox would be a logical addition, maybe in place of the badger which makes less sense. xD There is currently no light anywhere -- maybe a few straggling fireflies. Simon's torch is the only source of light. Anise can see just fine as long as she has the nightstick. The water of the stream is very reflective and glimmers in the light. Tyaelaem is in possession of a water bottle full of the healing water. On the ground are the skinnings and entrails of Talan's mutilation of the dead monkeybats. More monkeybats are hiding in the trees but won't attack anymore. It has been many hours since you all arrived, and so far there has not been a single glimmer of sunlight. There are more people in the forest who wear masks, who call themselves Kith. There are others who are familiar with clockwork and runes and shooting at people with arrows, who call themselves the Resistance but the Kith call them Pirates. The lantern is made of iron and was forged by the Resistance/Pirates. The Kith -- and the animals of the forest, and anyone who is wearing a mask -- are burned by iron. They consider iron taboo and evil. This is why Tyaelaem made Hania throw away her iron rosary. The Kith also cannot make the runes work. But the Kith have other, potentially formidable abilities, and protection from the forest if they learn to take advantage of them. So, essentially, these are the important factors to consider: It has been a very long night with no sign of morning. People with masks can't use runes or iron tools but are safe in the forest and have access to a variety of forest-based abilities (they are also fair game to any Pirates who like shooting Kith on sight). People who choose to be able to use rune spells, tools, and iron will be subjected to the wrath of the forest but may find some very interesting enchanted/useful objects on the way. The Kith and the Pirates hate each other with a deadly passion. Also you all should probably be feeling a bit hungry and/or tired by now. The healing water should help a lot, but something to think about. ;) Aaaaaalso. Shall we advertise for new characters to join in?
A small girl of lithe build, even after years of picking and pruning wild flowers her hands have remained smooth and soft. Standing around 5'6" she's rather lanky and has been know as a fast runner. Probably from the long summers spent in the forest with her mother. Besides that her physic is rather unremarkable unless you count her obscure blue hair and blue eyes stark contrast against her pale skin.
