[center][h1][color=chocolate]Edward Marsh[/color][/h1][/center] [hr] As Ed recuperated his stamina, he could not help but observe the strange hooded figure that seemed to take an interest to the bandits they had helped kill. The figure showed some sense of respect for the human bandits but little to none for the kobold and hobgoblin corpses when the tossed them into the wagon with surprising strength from such a seemingly frail form. As quickly as he had appeared, the figure and his mule driven cart were gone. [color=chocolate]That was weird.[/color] The ratman thought to himself as he laid his head back down. The System had alerted him of the new skills he had obtained and that he was experiencing a fast rate in experience growth. After a while of controlled breathing and stretching out sore muscles, his body had now fully restored his vigor and stamina. He was ready to conduct their scouting mission and, if fate favored them, begin taking the bandits out with unconventional tactics used by guerilla forces when faced against an overwhelming force. Though as the sun bid its farewell to the land and the moon having just started its jaunt across the sky, the temperature dropped. Though this time he is more prepared than last night. His cloak and breastplate added layers had helped insulate his body and keep the warmth in, but still felt a little chilly. So he began to repeat the process he did last night where he visualized himself absorbing the surrounding heat and keep the cold at bay. Though he couldn't say the same for Asteria. Ed leaned a little forward and whispered to her. [color=chocolate]"How you holding up, Asteria?"[/color] Ed whispered to her. He waited for a short moment for her reply, but he was only met with silence. [color=chocolate]"Asteria?"[/color] Ed asked again. Moving forward slightly, concerned for his companion's wellbeing, before finally understanding the lack of reply. She was looking straight at a Myrminor scout who had popped its head out of the ground. [color=chocolate]"Ah, shit. Those bugs again."[/color] Ed cursed under his breath before lowering himself to make it harder for him to get detected. He gestured to Mother Rat to keep low as well before turning his head back to Asteria. [color=chocolate]"What do you want to do about our buggy friend over there? We can sneak by well enough without any issue; I can practically smell the smoke from over the hill over there. Or if you like, we sneak up to it and finish it off quickly before we make a ruckus."[/color] Ed was good to go for both plans. If they decided to kill it, Ed would sneak up on the bug and try to finish it off if Asteria's attack failed. Giving them more food and material for future use and consumption. If they decided to ignore it, Ed would follow Asteria's lead past the Myrminor and keep going to their original objective. [hider=Stats] LVL: 8 HP: [color=Green]Healthy[/color] SP: [color=Green]Energetic[/color] MP: [color=Green]Full[/color] Effect/s: [b]Peckish:[/b] No negative effects. High recommendation to eat some food. [b]Dry Throat:[/b] No negative effects. High recommendation to ingest a drink. [b]SKILLS:[/b] Unspent Skill Points: [color=red]0[/color] Current Skills: Monster Analysis (1.7) Magic Analysis I (1.0) Overwork (1.55) Dynamic Eye I (1.15) Rabid Fit II (2.1) Smash I (1.6) Focus I (1.0) Warcry (1.05) Mana Strike (1.0) Point Strike (1.0) Strengthen (1.0) Breath Control (1.0) Beast Sense II (2.95) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Mental Resistance I (1.1) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Alert I (1.35) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Harder I (1.0) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Faster I (1.1) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Stronger I (2.725) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Muffle II (2.45) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Dexterous I (1.55) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Use Light Equipment (--) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Use Medium Equipment (--) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] __________________________________ SKILL PROGRESS: Material Analysis (0.6) Tremor Sense (0.05) Telepathy (0.2) Mana Shape (0.8) Shield (0.5) Mana Shell (0.5) Soil Manipulation (0.7) Crafting (0.8) First Aid (0.1) Meditate (0.5) People Sense (0.4) Plant Analysis (0.2) Swift Swimmer (0.4) Charm (0.05) Repel (0.025) Stealth Kill (0.3) Blunt Resistance (0.1) Prehensile Tail (0.6) Minor Heal (0.05) Iron Gullet (0.4) Taming (0.2) Suppress Presence (0.6) Inspire (0.3) Pierce Resistance (0.2) Double Skill (0.1) Deception (0.3) Lucid Dream (0.2) Stone Shot (0.05) Mana Sense (0.1) Flame Aura (0.1) Guidance (0.2) Intimidation (0.2) Charisma (0.3) Slash (0.1) Cleave (0.2) Blood Drain (0.1) Spiritual Awareness (0.1) Sensory Resistance (0.1) Fire Resistance (0.05) [b]Inventory:[/b] - Vine Belt (Shoddy Quality) x 1 [color=green][b][Equipped][/b][/color] [list][*] [Empty] [*]Flame touched crystals x 2 [*]Short Cudgel (Unknown Quality) x 1 [*]Sturdy Stick (Unknown Quality) x 1 [*]Stone Knife (Unknown Quality) x1[/list] - Wood Breastplate (Unknown Quality) x 1 [color=green][b][Equipped][/b][/color] - Straw Sandal (Unknown Quality) x 2 [color=green][b][Equipped][/b][/color] - Black Dyed Robe (Shoddy Quality) x 1 [color=green][b][Equipped][/b][/color] - Battered Wooden Shield (Unknown Quality) x 1 [color=green][b][Equipped][/b][/color] - Great Club (Unknown Quality) x 1 [color=green][b][Equipped][/b][/color] - Grass Packroll (Unknown Quality) x 1 [b][Dropped][/b] [list][*] Healing Herbs x 1 [*] Nullven Cone x 1 [*] Flint and Striker x 1 [*] Tainted Crystal x 1 [*] [Empty] [/list] - Assorted Insect Parts x 1 [b][With Asteria][/b] - Hobgoblin Meat x 10 lbs. [/hider] [hider=Action Summary] -Observed and noted the strange hooded figure and regarded it as a very strange random encounter. -Took note of the hunger and thirst status along with the System notification. -As night fell, felt warmer than last night but still a little chilly, so repeats the process of visualizing of him absorbing heat to repel the cold. -Checks on Asteria and discovers that she had spotted a Myrminor scout near their position. -Gestures Mama Rat to keep low and gives the options to Asteria and acting as appropriate to the decision. [/hider]