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I actually think we can very much avoid combat if we meet. The wolf's a good conversationlist, if a bit brusque, and Numen would like to speak to him.

Numen shifts his weight confidently as the group prepares to move.

North and then west works for me. Let's march.

April 20, 1 VC - 10:20am

The party heads north, intending to keep clear of the black wolf's lair as they make their way into the forest, hoping to locate a tree of the sort that Lug seeks before turning east (not west) toward the Finger of Doom. Their day-and-a-half long trip across the moor is quiet and calm, the signs of wolf and goblin that had once been ubiquitous in this territory seeming to be slowly erased by the passing weeks and the informal war taking place between the two groups and the newly-arrived adventurers of Vaul. It seems only a matter of time before resources dry up, and while goblin numbers can usually be counted in the hundreds, the wolves at least seem to have been significantly thinned.

The edge of the forest looms after mid-day of the 19th, and the party forges boldly ahead in search of the Jarban tree which might lie somewhere within. The heavy cloud cover and rain that had dominated the landscape for much of the past week has passed, leaving the undergrowth spongy and the colors of the leaves bright and scintillating under the angled light of the April sun. Occasionally, the group sees clear sign that goblins inhabit these woods, but no sign of goblins themselves.

The next morning, Lug and Orrin catch sight of a clump of trees and rock just off their path that reminds them of something. As they confer briefly, they realize that they are near the path that they took after leaving behind the witch's tree. If they so chose, they could probably find their way back there within a few hours.

Please deduct two days' rations apiece.

Lug describes the witch's tree as best he can, and asks Adrienne if that tree might have the type of wood he needs.

Two days rations deducted.

As they prepare to get moving in the morning, Orrin tells the tale of the witch and her tree. He tells of Lug being bewitched by the nubile woman, of Lars climbing a tree and threatening to burn hers down if she didn't comply. Of the wolves that they ran off.

Mostly though, he tells them of the possibility of further treasure beneath the roots of the witches tree.

"We did come away with some fine things, but I have a feeling there may be more there. Perhaps we can reason with her, and she can tell us where to find the tree that Lug is looking for. I'm sure she'd be happy to see him, and even more sure that she can tell a Jarban from an oak.

One thing though: if we do travel that way I would use all caution as she is capable of charming anyone who comes within earshot. I would take pains to somehow render yourself immune to such charms, perhaps by blocking your ears or humming loudly to yourself in her presence!"

2 days rations deducted.

"I have some of her hair!" boasts Lug. "Dunno what it's good for, though..."

Kennit doesn't like the sound of a witch who put a charm on Lug, but he does like the sound of money.
""What do we do if she bewitches Lug again? It might not be so easy to club him from behind this time. It sounds mighty difficult to hold a conversation and ask directions with our ears plugged, perhaps we have the women question her...?" He motions to Naila and Adrienne.

"I like the sound of this Lars guy. I think we would have gotten along."

"Lars was a good guy," agrees Lug. "If I ever catch this Wendall monster that killed him, we're gonna have more than words, I promise you that."

Remus comments, "I hate to sound like the evil one of the party but, you say she already bewitched a friend of yours? Well, why don't we just head in and take her out? Plug our ears so she don't turn us against eachother and then loot the tree she claims?" The older human shrugs, "Mages and wizards are one thing, but I've never known a good Witch or Warlock and asking her directions could just as easily direct us to some bottomless pit...but that's just a suggestion."

Zhym wrote:"Lars was a good guy," agrees Lug. "If I ever catch this Wendall monster that killed him, we're gonna have more than words, I promise you that."

Jems eyes nearly pop out of his head when he hears Lugs words. He only hopes that no one noticed. He remains even quieter now, still realizing that nobody has spoken a word to him yet.

2 days rations deducted

Aren't you glad you're two and a half days out into a hostile wilderness with this (very large) band of psychopaths now?

I just hope I can continue to convince them that they REALLY need a cleric.

I'm a little surprised Jem came along, considering the evil sword.

His job is to do good in the world--maybe he's hoping to destroy it somehow.