[h3]Deep Forest[/h3]
After a somewhat awkward conversation, Nira left the safety of the tree to go look for food while Femus tried to make use of what materials he had around him. The pixie headed away from their last hollow-tree house, presumably to keep the other pixies that were flitting about from noticing her. She kept an eye out for other monsters, but her main goal was edible plants. 

In this part of the forest, the enormous tree she and Femus had taken shelter in kept many of the other plants in check. The trees weren't so thick, and brush didn't cover as much of the ground. In places where the sun made it through the canopy, many types of plants grew together to fight for the coveted light. As Nira passed over one such plot, she picked up a smell not unlike that of fresh vegetables, but also something a bit sour. There were [b]two long, flowering plants here with blue and yellow blossoms, and the green buds on the stalk that had not yet bloomed were producing the sour-smelling sap.[/b] There were also a [b]couple of shoots of some kind[/b] that reminded Nira of wild onions or scallions. Along with some plain grass, there were also [b]four large reddish-purple ferns[/b]. 

But as soon as the Pixie got close enough to check these various plants out and see if they were edible, something else emerged from the meadow! [b]A burbling green blob of Slime lunged at her![/b]

Back at the Great Kao, Femus began to try and strip the bark from one of the branches. It was quite hard to pull even a single layer off, and under that the woody surface was still tough. He only needed a small opening, deep enough to get to the inner fibers...but, as he peeled it away, a slight tremor passed through the branch. He hadn't felt any wind...but surely that was all it was? His own weight plus Nira's hadn't been enough to shake the branches thus far, though...

Setting the outer bark aside, he began to peel and twist some of the inner fibers into a thin cordage. Using Lesser Force to do all of this was quite difficult, as that Skill lacked the kind of fine motor control that a hand and fingers would have, but nonetheless he eventually got something like a workable string. However, the braided cord evoked an unpleasant memory, and for several moments Femus lost himself in the past...

Visualizing his twisted emotions and sordid memories with his magic, he "spat" more than cast his attempt at emotionally charged Mana at the forest floor. The roughly formed Mana Orb--which took on an unusual purple hue and gave off fumes that burned the nostrils--almost dissipated entirely before it struck the ground, leaving a singed patch of grass behind.

The newly-grown Wisp returned to his work, gathering a few leaves and attempting to fold and bind them in such a way that Nira could wear the roughspun result.

[quote=System:Femus]
You obtained Great Kao Bark x1! 
You obtained Bark Fiber x3!

You are attempting to Craft an Item. You have not yet developed the Crafting Skill, your Item's Quality will be reduced.

Bark Fiber + Bark Fiber + Bark Fiber
Your Crafting Method is advanced compared to your materials.
Your Crafting Method is more difficult due to your species' capabilities.
You are using excess Crafting Materials, your chances of success are increased.
Your Item's quality is boosted.
Your Item's difficulty is boosted.
Your Item's quality has degraded.

Obtained Item: Fiber Cord x1!

Skill Gain: Crafting I (0.9 > 1.0)!
Your knowledge and understanding of mechanics, workmanship, and other such things enable you to craft better items. The process of creating many items is still an unknown to you, but if you ever succeed in such a creation its Sub-Stat Enhancements will be higher than normal.

You obtained Large Leaves x3!
You used Crafting I!
Large Leaves x3 + Fiber Cord
Your Crafting Method is advanced compared to your materials.
Your Crafting Method is more difficult due to your species' capabilities.
Your Item's quality was prevented from degrading.

Obtained Item: Woven Leaf Dress x1! Its quality seems low...
[/quote]

In an attempt to lessen what damage he had to do to the great tree, the Wisp then tried to use his yet unformed Growth skill. He suspected its nature would somehow repair the plant based on its name. As he channeled Mana into the small gash he had made in the bark...he thought, for a few moments, that it began to glow a light green.

Another shudder passed through the branch.
[hr]
[h3]Farmstead[/h3]
[quote=System:Jason]
Skill Rank Up: Telepathy II > Telepathy III (2.95 > 3.0)!
MP Consumption Increased. Thoughts can be "amplified," to the effect of shouting into the target's ear. Two-way communication is possible with a willing creature you have made contact with before, as long as they are within 10 feet, but MP Cost is increased per thought if the other party does not also have the Telepathy skill. One-way communication is possible with a willing creature you have made contact with before as long as they are within 20 feet. When making physical contact with a creature, if they are (1)unaware, (2)not resistant or protected, or (3)not too unintelligent, you may read a simplified version of one strong surface thought within the creature's mind. Creatures that are aware of this ability may be able to protect themselves or otherwise obscure their thoughts.
[/quote]

"Also we were tracking some Goblins and noticed them gearing up for a raid and thought we should warn you. I had hoped to win your trust before revealing myself since my species apparently loves to pull pranks."  As soon as he had said all that Danny slowly walked out of the shadows, hands still up in the air.

"[i]That little green bitch![/i]" Geir practically snarled, his grip on the axe tightening to the point that Danny and Jason could hear the leather glove creak. "I'm gonna--wait." The human went stock still, so suddenly that the two reincarnators probably wondered if some other creature might have shown up. The young man's stance was like that of an animal judging its surroundings, after all...but his mind seemed to be working overtime.

"I knew we couldn't trust a damn talking Goblin...but these guys are talking monsters too...so why...?" He started muttering to himself, then looked sharply at Danny and covered his mouth with his other hand. After a few moments, he had composed himself and stood taller, still holding that axe in a ready position.

"I get it. You've been watching, haven't you!? You want me to go back in there and start something, get the Boss and the whole family up in a tizzy...Maybe so Miiba and that Pixie can escape back to your crew? Or maybe just to rile us all up, make us crazy or paranoid! I'm onto you, Demons!" For the first time he saw Danny in full view, and his upper lip curled as the light from Danny's body glinted softly.

"You're a Poltergeist!" The red head broke out into a wild grin. "But now I know you've gotta be a Demon, in disguise or something! And I bet Miiba is too! I've got proof!"

And red light crackled along the edge of Geir's axe as he charged forward.

"CLEAVE!" The adventurer lunged, aiming for Danny's tiny neck--!

[[Before I add in a bit for Miiba inside the house, I want to see if CoM will post for Scott sometime soon...]]
[hr]
[h3]Monster Party[/h3]
"...You don't seem like a goblin, hm?" Ash spoke quietly from her branch, but she was close enough that the creature could hear her. Again, she saw the glint of teeth under that hood.

"An' you ain't a normal Pygmy Drake." came a throaty voice.

"Suppose I should thank you for your seeming assistance."

"Depen's on how ya think I'm 'elpin', I s'pose." The creature hadn't yet drawn that bowstring back to fire that strange blunted arrow. "Ya want these gobbos out'cha way?"

While they were talking, the fight was still going strong and Torrent had decided to make her move. As she activated her stealth skills and observed the battle, the goblin with the sword attacked the goat again. He moved in from the creature's blind side, where Maya's thrown rock had drawn blood and temporarily sealed the eye shut. As a result he landed a real blow on the animal as it swung its head back and forth, carving a deep gash in its side. The beast bleated in agony and reared up on its hind legs, kicking with its forelimbs. The sword wielding goblin was knocked backwards, head over heels, and it looked like the Four Horned Goat's hooves had drawn blood from his chest as well. Mahya let out a cry as she threw another rock, and though this one hit solidly again, it landed on the goat's shoulder. Rags Nar charged the animal with his shield, tackling against its side before stabbing multiple times with his dagger--some strikes made contact, others didn't.

The one with the pelts and the Stone Knife hung back, and seemed loathe to run into the fray when his allies were swinging weapons around. This, then, was the target of Torrent's attack. She darted out from the brush, unseen and unknown, and leaped for the goblin's throat. Her claws had plenty of purchase on the smelly furs that covered the green body, but as soon as she landed on him the greenskin gave a yelp and began to spin and flail in place--the usual reaction when one realizes they have a snake or some creepy crawly on them. Torrent's fangs missed their mark at his throat, and sank into his shoulder instead. As purple tinged flames spilled around her teeth she savaged her target back and forth--until she felt his knife plunge into her side. The goblin snarled as he threw her off, but dropped to his knees. An entire sleeve of his pelt shirt was gone now, and the flesh underneath looked maimed from the collarbone down to the tricep. He was bleeding badly and his eyes were wide as if he were already about to go into shock, but still managed a clumsy swipe at Torrent with his Knife...

The other goblins were distracted by this for just a moment, granting the goat the opportunity to shoulder-slam Rags Nar away from it. On wobbly legs it started to turn and run--the battle had gone too far downhill for it--only to meet the goblin wearing the frying pan for a third time. This time the tribal monster's wooden club made a solid impact on the goat's hard skull, and it staggered backward.

"Wot th' hell's that?!" Ash's unknown maybe-ally snarled as he drew his bow fully taut. "Pygmy, call it off if'n it's one o' yers--ya want my help, I want them alive!" With a [i]phwip[/i], the arrow loosed--a slight red light crackling at its blunt tip. It traveled fast, and in a mere second struck Mahya directly on the back of the head. She pitched forward to her knees, either stunned or unconscious, but still twitching slightly to indicate she was probably still alive. From here it was impossible to tell.

Then things took a turn towards the even further chaotic. Digbie had emerged from the cavern, and shouted at the goblins up on the hill. As the sigils on his arms flared, he cast Sacred Ground--but in order to extend it far enough to cover himself, Torrent, the Four Horned Goat, and Oberon who was still in the shelter, he felt his [b]MP dropping like a rock.[/b] Still, the goat's wounds began to buzz with a slight aura, as did Torrent's.

"YOUR FAMILLERS CHEATIN', DEMI-GOB!" Rags Nar yelled, pointing at Torrent with his knife. Then he seemed to realize that Mahya was down, but hadn't figured out why yet. "Mahya! Giddy-ap! How you get attacked too!?" Then he saw the arrow lying next to her...

Back in the shelter, Oberon continued to practice his Mana Sense. Once he had keyed in on the area that he thought was Digbie's "aura" represented to his mind as a fog, he concentrated and tried to tune everything else out. Sure enough, darkness faded at the edge of his vision and the concentrated fog began to filter into color...A mostly off-white, slightly blue tinge entered the fog first. Then, gold heavily saturated everything. And now a few other colors, mostly light greens and blues, and the white sparkles here and there were getting brighter...

But then the whole mass moved away, and the Sprite heard stone grating as Digbie left their shelter...

[quote=System:Oberon]
Skill Gain: Mana Sense I (0.8 > 1.0)!
You have sharpened your mental and spiritual senses as well as your physical ones. By focusing upon a single creature or object, you will be able to sense its magical nature in some fashion. Different creatures may perceive this aura in different ways--some may see a colored aura, others may catch unique scents, etc. This is not an Analysis skill, though it may Synergize with some of them. The range of this skill is limited to that of your other physical senses, though in some cases a mana signature may become easier or more difficult to detect depending on factors such as strength, amount, etc. By touching an object or creature, even if they are somehow suppressing their magical power, you have a chance to learn whether or not magic is present. At this rank, you must activate this skill in order for it to take effect. While active it will consume MP.
[/quote]
[hr]
[h3]PixieSlime Party[/h3]
"Surely your world has Divine Spirits as well? How else would its laws of nature work?" Trent asked Ardur when the Hipixie said he and Asura were still learning--this being moments before they were next attacked. He had also looked quizzically at the Slime. "Come Pewter Eyes? What are you talking abou--"

[quote=System:Ardur]
You used Monster Analysis I!
Hob Bones - An undead monster made from the animated skeleton of a Hobgoblin. Like its lower ranked cousin the Skeleblin, its physical strength is lessened while its speed increases, but its durability is roughly the same. Perhaps owing to a Hobgoblin's increased intelligence, these undead are sometimes more dangerous than a shuffling zombie should be.

Skeleblin - Skeleblin, a Skeleton-type Undead-class Monster created from the remains of a Goblin. By nature, Skeleblins are roughly as durable as living Goblins, but their strength has decreased. In contrast, their lighter weight allows them to move more quickly. They retain the ability to use tools to a limited degree. If not manipulated by a necromancer or some other source, most Undead will single-mindedly pursue living creatures with hostility. They do not normally possess self-preservation instincts or any form of intelligence.

Necroslime - Roughly the same in all categories as a normal slime, a Necroslime is a rare form of Undead. It is of limited use to any intelligent necromancer. Its body swells with the gases of decay and its internal acids become even stronger as bacteria and rot fester inside it. 
[/quote]

When the next battle began, Ardur's first priority was to scan the opposition. Doing this cost him valuable time, however, and the battle continued down below. He was able to shout orders to Steve, at the least. Asura called out to Mother Slime as well, but wasted no time in engaging on his own. 

After dodging Trent's Mana Orb, the Hob Bones came back in with its stone knife at the ready. The Squire took the attack on his shield and returned one of his own, but again the skeleton moved out of the way--only for Trent to immediately advance on it, and this time his backstroke hit home. His blade bit into the creature's rib cage, shattering three prongs of bone, but despite the damage the impact only served to knock the creature away and reset their distance. Before it could move again, however, a glob of Steve's sticky webs landed on its feet. The undead clattered its jaw in what must have been anger.

The Skeleblin's bony fist struck Mother Slime, and much like when they had escaped the cave the first time its blow simply bounced off thanks to her big body and Blunt Resistance. She struck it a furious "backhand" moments later with a cry of "MASH!" and knocked the creature to the ground, cracking various bits of it.

Asura's shapeshifting limbs were too fast for the Necroslime to avoid, although as he pierced its body he felt himself burn and sizzle due to its acid innards. The red spikes grew savage branches before Asura ripped them out of the creature, prompting a shrill screech and a belch of something that smelled positively foul. The Necroslime drew back for a moment as it tried to reform itself, but with some sense that it had to keep its opponent away it still managed to spit a green, fuming sphere of acid at Asura.

Ardur now flew down, casting his Shield spell's first rank on both Asura and Trent in quick succession. The human closed in on the trapped Hob Bones, though he did so cautiously with his shield up. It was chopping at Steve's webs with its knife, only for another glob to land on the other foot. Mother Slime bounced up into the air and came down hard on the Skeleblin, if not crushing it then at least pinning it to keep it out of the fray...
[hr]
[h3]Rat Party[/h3]
[quote=System:Ed]
You Equipped Straw Sandals! Your feet feel slightly tougher. With these on, you can run a little faster.
You Equipped Wooden Breastplate! You feel much tougher, though it's a little heavy for your size.
You Equippped Battered Wooden Shield! You feel tougher!
You Equipped Sturdy Stick! It's not quite as Strong as your Short Cudgel.
You Equipped Black Dyed Robe (Shoddy)! You feel a little bit tougher, although it impedes movement a little.

You have the Skill Use Light Equipment. You have the Skill Stronger I. You have the Skill Dextrous I. Some negative sub-stat enhancements have been neutralized.

You are close to Overencumberance due to the weight of your equipment.
Your Vine Belt is overloaded with Inventory.

Obtained: 
Hobgoblin Arm Bones (Average) x2
Hobgoblin Leg Bones (Average) x2
Hobgoblin Ribcage (Average)
Hobgoblin Spine (Average)
Cracked Hobgoblin Skull (Below Average)
Hobgoblin Hip Bones (Average)
Raw Hobgoblin Flesh x30lbs
Hobgoblin Entrails
[/quote]

[quote=System:Asteria]
You are attempting to equip Long Kitchen Knife. This item is not intended for use by your species. You have the Use Light Equipment Skill. You have the Skill Dextrous II. You have the Skill Stronger I. Negative substat enhancements have been negated. You have successfully equipped this item. You feel like your attacks would be stronger and faster.

You used Crafting II!
Long Kitchen Knife + Vine Belt
This is an Unusual Crafting Method. Difficulty increased.
Your Crafting II skill surpassed Crafting Difficulty.

You Crafted: Tailstrap Knife! The skill Prehensile Tail allows this weapon to be used in a versatile fashion.

You used Crafting II!
Vine Belt + Grass Mat
You Crafted: Grass Packroll!
[/quote]

Mother Rat didn't take so well to Asteria's attempt at dress up, almost immediately shrugging her way backwards out of the cloth wraps, her pudgy body wriggling back and forth much like a puppy unsatisfied with its sweater. She reacted more warmly to Edward's ear scritches, but otherwise seemed content to lie down and watch the others work. Ed tested out some of his new equipment, finding that even though his Rat Man body was stronger than a Hobgoblin's, the differences in height and proportion made moving in some of the equipment awkward. Asteria, being a primarily four legged rodent, kept getting notices that her equipment was "unsuitable," but due to her skills she was able to use it.  She wasn't being slowed down anymore, so at this point she was much better equipped than the average rat with no consequences. 

Now that they were safe and secure inside the barrow once more they took the time to discuss what had happened, and see what else they could do with their newfound loot. Ed, in a reluctant but determined fashion, butchered the Hobgoblin. Mother Rat padded over to sniff curiously at the creature's meat, before looking up at the Rat Man. Keeping her eyes on him the entire time, she slowly put her little paws on a piece of hobgoblin goodies--then darted away to a dark corner like a child stealing a cookie.

Asteria was able to store several of the other items in the grass mat with all of their other pilfered goods, and with a vine belt she managed to make a strap of sorts so that the entire roll could be carried like a knapsack. The only problem, however, was that [b]even Ed would be hard pressed to lift this much stuff and carry it over a long distance.[/b]

By the time the two rats finished their crafting, the sun had risen quite a bit. It was now a little after mid morning, not quite noon, and the weather seemed fair. No other sounds of travel had been heard from the road thus far. Would that group they had just seen come back by this same route today? Would any of those villagers make their way towards the lake or the city? And where would the two go from here--it seemed like they had finally made their way out of trouble for the time being and had a reliable, if creepy, base of operations for the moment. Now might be a good time to set some long term goals.