[Paradise Lost] Alone in the Dark

[Kane]

After a poor night slumber, you awaken the next morning just after dawn. Your body is screaming for more rest, but you still have perhaps a day's worth of food and water, and there may be a horde of goblins yet on your trail.

[DaGreatJL]

Upon waking, Phillip looks to and fro, and selects a relatively flat spot in the growing light. After clearing a spot about three feet square of leaves, sticks, and other debris, he kneels down, and begins to pray. "Lord of Light, who guides the path of the righteous, please grant me forgiveness for sinning against you by calling upon the dark arts that are like filth in your eyes. Do not turn away from me and my companions for my transgression, and help lead us on the path to civilization. I will gladly serve penance for my sins when I again kneel before your alter. May your Light shine down on us all, and we feel warm and content always."
After finishing his prayer, Phillip continues to kneel, his head down.

[Kane]

Philip> Someone must have heard you. As you get up after saying your prayers, you think you can spot a narrow trail leading through the trees to the south.

[Verrain]

Hob awakens with a groan. "Feels lie I just laid down." He grumbled wincing at the stiffness in his shoulder. Hob takes a moment to examine where the goblin bit him before greeting his companion.

"Morning."

[Ubby]

Caught up in his reverie of vengeance, Galanthas awoke with a start. It took him some moments to regain his center as he was surprised and angered that he had fallen asleep. He reclaimed his focus by using the meditative techniques taught to him by his mentor, the Ranger Aethalan. Galanthas could even hear his old master... "Anger leads to the bitter and dark path of one's spiritual downfall. You must not lose your center to anger lest it destroy you. To control you anger, regain your center by breathing deeply and..." Galanthas reflexively peformed his spiritual exercises as he'd done many times before.

After several minutes of meditation, Galanthas descended from his tree, still struggling a bit to control his thoughts of revenge, and rejoined the party.

"Morning," said Hob.

"The Sun's peace upon you Master Hob," replied Galanthas. "Are you injured? If a vile orco has struck or bitten you, I hope you have sufficiently cleaned the wound. I have heard it said that with men, such wounds will fester and cause fever. Do take care."

Galanthas then noticed the thin nervous man, Philllip staring off towards the south. Galanthas approached. "Have you seen something Master Phillip?"

[DaGreatJL]

Phillip looks up at the elf. "I believe the Lord of Light may have sent us some guidance." Phillip points to the path. "I am certainly not versed in forest lore like yourself, and so am not the one who should judge such things, but might not that path speed our travels?"

[Kane]

Galanthas> The path that Philip points out to you is very faint, but it is definitely a man-made path. It is going south, which is the direction you were travelling in before.

[Ubby]

"Very good Master Phillip. Your faith has served you well." Galanthas was genuinely impressed with the discovery, but he hid his skepticism that it was anything other than the eccentric Phillip's luck. Still, the power of men was as undeniable as it was mysterious. Perhaps he should not be so quick to judge.

Saving the philosophical debate for another time, Galanthas bounded down to the path. While it did not appear to be a game trail, Galanthas feared (and perhaps secretly hoped) that it might be a trail used by the filthy goblins. Galanthas carefully examined the first 10 or 15 paces of the path, searching for any sign of a track that might indicate who used the path and for what.

[Kane]

Galanthas> The trail is old, but well-preserved under the trees. The tracks were made by a human who wasn't carrying very much weight with him. Your guess is a scout.

[Ubby]

Galanthas looked to his companions and said, "Master Phillip is indeed a correct. This is indeed a purposeful path and not merely a game trail." Galanthas took a knee near the track he discovered and began to trace it with his finger, outlining it to all. "This appears to be made by a boot of human craft and not left by a vile orco. Perhaps a scout. In any event it is a sign of civilization. Good tidings my friends." Galanthas arose and pointed southward. "I suggest we follow it out of here and see where it leads us to."

[Verrain]

"One path looks as good as another to me." Hob shrugged. "Let's try it." Hob washed down a bite of dried beef with a mouthful of water for a meager breakfast and waits for his companions to lead the way.