Their long walk through the valley was largely uneventful for some time. Katia spent the first half hour or so attempting to get her bearings as Theodore searched for food. Although sustenance was plentiful in the area, it seemed like she felt no need of hunger or thirst, even after a long hike. More frustrating to her, however, was the distinct lack of any sign that could point out due north. The sun seemed to not budge in the sky, and as such, most other features in this world that depended on the sun’s positioning were not inherently obvious. She had little idea whether the time in this world were noon, morning, or evening. Katia gave up her quest after about a half hour, definitely feeling unsatisfied that one of her primary functions in the group would not be needed in this area. Her gloomy expression was eventually broken by shadows passing overhead, and she looked up to see an unnatural enemy approach.
 
[color=ed1c24]”Birds!”[/color] Katia shouted out, declaring the obvious as they descended down upon the party. [color=ed1c24]”I think they’re Really Big Crows!”[/color] Again, the indication was fairly obvious that these birds looked ravenesque, but Katia was happy to share the knowledge she had gained from her years of trekking across the forests. Which was to say, not much.
 
Seeing the Really Big Crows descend upon Theodore and attacked, swinging her quarterstaff with both arms at the nearest bird, but seeming to miss, underestimating how poofy giant black feathers could be. She would not make the same mistake again as she leapt onto the bird, slashing her clawed feet along its body in a circular swipe. To Katia’s surprise, the bird disappeared into a shroud of energy which seemed to condense into a dusky gem-like spheroid. She and the gem fell to the ground: Katia with a light thud, and the gem with a crystalline clunk. Not being one to leave potential treasure on the ground, she scooped it up and began to race for the tree.
 
As her claws tore into the tree, propelling her skyward, her thoughts drifted unbidden to the gem she held. The color was of a deep onyx black, and the light filtering through the tree canopy struck the gem with a series of purple sparkles, reminiscent of deep twilight. As Katia held the gem, she thought of the bird... not the deceased puff of smoke, but the majestic soaring creature it was moments earlier. The obvious magical nature of the gem made her wonder its purpose; her only guess was that it was some sort of summoning sphere.
 
When she reached the apex of her climb where the tree likely would not support her form much higher, she glanced back down at the situation below. With any luck, she would be able to hold off the Really Big Crows should they attempt to flee. If they persisted with their attacks on the party, she should be in a good position to slide back down the trunk to assist at a distance.
 
[hider=Mechanics]
[center][h3][color=ed1c24]Katia Lei[/color][/h3][/center]
Katia rolls an amazing and predictable [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/2725]5[/url] on her Nature check to determine the identity of the birds. 
 
Her first attack is with her Quarterstaff: [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/2796]9[/url], and misses.
 
Flurry of Blows (1 Ki, 2 Ki remain)
 
Her second attack is with her Cat’s Claws: [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/2797]18[/url] to hit for [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/2799]7[/url] slashing damage.
 
Her third attack is with her Cat’s Claws: [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/2798]23[/url] to hit for [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/2800]6[/url] slashing damage.
 
Katia then picks up the orb that falls with free action: Interact with Object and begins to climb the tree, using her Feline Agility to double movement to allow her to get as close to the top as possible.
 
[b]HP:[/b] 20/20. [b]AC:[/b] 15. [b]Ki:[/b] 2/3 (Recharge Short Rest).[/hider]
[@The Harbinger of Ferocity] - DM
[@Big Dread] - Haemar is next!