[h2]North Caves[/h2] [hr] [@Unkown58][@Lucius Cypher][@King Cosmos][@Kazemitsu][@Crusader Lord] [hr] While Esfir, Lazash, and Akeno debated whether to run from the cave, try to hold off the roaring creature, or to hold their ground lest they be seen out in the open, the very creature they were all terrified of...[b]was silent[/b]. No more roars came echoing down the cave. The sound waves soon were absorbed by the rock, and the quiet soon reigned once again. There were no mushrooms left, only a pile of ash, and all that remained of the beetle was currently in Lazash's hands. There were no sounds of stomping footsteps, no claws raking into stone. [b]Just the dull, dark silence, as chill air settled in the cave.[/b] The outside remained clear as well, as Grunthor and the others had seen several rustling, scurrying shapes hurry away just as the Runts themselves were considering. But none of those monsters returned yet, and their pattering and skittering sounds too had gone silent. Further up the trail, the waterfall continued to spill its misty contents, and the stream continued to meander swiftly downhill. [b]Everything else was still.[/b] [hr] [center][h2]The Forest[/h2][/center] [hr] [@Rune_Alchemist][@Timemaster] [hr] [b]Carmina's ability failed to activate[/b], as a buzzer only she could hear brought up an error message from the System. It seemed using the Sing skill required her to...well, sing, or at least speak in rhythmic verse as she'd practice before. And despite her careful movements and Svarok's support, without her song there was one determining factor between the two Orc Runts and the goblin. Carmina did everything [i]slowly[/i] as she circled. The goblin, on the other hand, [u][b]bolted[/b][/u] as fast as his scrawny legs could carry him. Though they had been trying to flank the creature, there was still plenty of space between the two young orcs for the greenskin to dive through the bushes. He paid no heed to any branches scratching his face or brambles underfoot as he ran in a panic, squalling the whole way. [b]If they threw a weapon, or gave chase, it was still possible to catch him[/b]---but unlike when Svarok had pursued him earlier, he wasn't intentionally going slow this time to lure them into an ambush. They would have to decide fast and move faster, without regard to anything else in their surroundings, if they wanted to catch the mischievous monster. Of note, however, was that the goblin wasn't heading south towards the mountains, but rather [b]east, deeper into the forest...[/b] [hr] [h2]Orc Camp[/h2] [@ReusableSword] [hr] [quote=SYSTEM:Agar]Mangled Tainted Harpy has been dismantled! Eviscerated Tatzelwurm has been dismantled! Some components have been damaged or are unusable. Usable Items Acquired: Tatzelwurm Fangs x2 Sharp Tatzelwurm Claw x1 Tatzelwurm Eye x1 Broken Coilbone x1 Tatzelwurm Hide Strip x3 Tatzel Venom Gland x1 Raw Tatzelwurm Meat, 8.5 lbs (13 lbs w/ bones, blood, viscera, etc) Harpy Teeth x2 Broken Harpy Talon x2 Harpy Talon x1 Harpy Wing Membrane x2 Harpy Screech Valve x1 Raw Tainted Harpy Meat, 7 lbs (11 w/ bones, blood, viscera, etc) Item Obtained: Charcoal Crafting Process: Charcoal + Tainted Harpy Meat Usable Items Acquired: Raw Harpy Meat, 7 lbs Powdered Weak Tatzel Venom Consumed: Raw Tatzelwurm Meat New Ingestion: Tatzelwurm - 40% Ingested Skill(s): Tatzelwurm - Further Progress Required You've discovered Compatible Skill(s)! Tatzelwurm:[list][*]Slash [*]Poison Attack [*]???[/list] Ingest Skill? OR Continue Biomass Accumulation?[/quote] As Agar called out to the Head Hunter, Shamar slowly turned towards him. Her knife hand flicked a bit of gristle from the blade to the dusty ground, and she wiped one hand on the hides she wore. As she took in the runt's two kills, one of which he was in the process of eating, she raised an eyebrow. "Oh really nowz..." she said in a higher pitched, not quite melodious voice compared to the throaty gravel tones of most male orcs. "Well. I can see youse had a su'cessful hunt already, little Runt. But real scowts gotta be able t'do more'n kill stuff gudder." She looked over Agar's head, back at the camp, and thought for a moment as she tapped one slender, black nailed finger on her chin. Then she smiled, showing her sharp canines. "Alright, if'n ya wants to be like me... [u][b]den take yer pick[/b][/u]!" She reached into a pouch on her belt, and pulled out a [url=https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1094242197211185182/1156740193945129021/cc0aa6fc4475b83b0c70eb7b8765543d.png?ex=651611c1&is=6514c041&hm=93aed438c84e7d83b3ce3e68bc37f3b0c30f61ff0f8663fbd6819ed9bc74cd3e&]bright green mushroom[/url]. "Ya can either go to da [b]Deep Forest[/b], which is [b]Norff of dem High Cliffs to da East[/b], and get me [b]five[/b] o' these here [b]Turtleshells[/b]...or..." She gestured back to the camp. "You can go [u][b]sneak[/b][/u] into dat dumbass [b]Bogaht[/b]'s tent, [b]over near da biggest firepit on da souff side o' da camp[/b], an' bring me his [b]gold pouch[/b]!" She sniffed. "And it better not be empty when ya bring it back!" [quote=SYSTEM:Agar][b]New Optional Quests are Available:[/b] [b]Quest Giver:[/b] Head Hunter Shamar [b]Quest Details:[/b] Choose ONE:[list][*]Go to the Deep Forest, and gather 5 Turtleshell Mushrooms [*]Sneak into Bogaht's tent and retrieve his gold pouch without getting caught[/list][/quote] As she watched Agar mull over his options, Shamar crossed her arms and idly twirled her tanning knife between her fingers. "Ya betta choose quick, Runt. Da Deep Forest is [b]at least an hour's walk[/b] from camp, and it's already [u][b]noon[/b][/u]--an' trust me, ya don't wanna be out after dark at [i]your[/i] size. But, Bogaht usually takes a long nap right after lunch, so if ya wanna grab his stuff while he's [b]outta his tent[/b] then ya better skedaddle over there..."