Lowlife, Scoundrel, Bandit Queen

I realize another potential issue as I head back to the cliff, before I can even begin to climb it. It's about something I haven't considered yet. Something I really should have considered though. Smell. Just how good is the sense of smell of that creature? I suspect so far that it's mostly hunting using its eyes, searching for prey from above and that probably is true. But I can't exactly rule out that it has a decent sense of smell too.

Especially considering its apparent defensive weapons I shouldn't be surprised it it were wary of unfamiliar smells around places it visits occasionally if not regularly. Places like a pond where it can drink and scratch its back without much trouble. It could interpret an unfamiliar smell in a place like that as a threat. And if it feels threatened it might react in ways that could turn out to be unfortunate for me.

Oh yes, if it decides to eliminate a potential threat before it can get it in turn, that could end real bad for me. And I was just about to potentially lead it back to my hideout. I'm tempted to curse myself out loud but refrain at the last moment.

I guess, I need to come up with a plan and I better do it fast, as I don't want to be caught out in the open. What I come up with on the fly is simple, but it should work. Well, hopefully it will work. I need to move about a bit. Lay tracks that cross each other often enough to provide a serious distraction. A fake campsite or two probably won't hurt either. Just a fire that will burn out quickly without spreading and a spot where I can lie down for a moment or two. That should do the trick.

With my mind made up, and a little progress for my [Tactics] skill as a reward, I climb back to the top of the cliff in a hurry but without neglecting the aspekt of stealth. As a result both my [Climbing] skill and the [Stealth] skill improve a little.

I feel a little better once I'm back up there under the cover of actual trees. As much as I would like to return to my tower hideout right away, even if just to drop off the scales I got, I have to lay some false tracks first. I'll have to get some of my supplies later to prepare those fake camp sites anyway, but first I need to keep moving.

First off I keep moving straight ahead, in the direction of the next hill. Well, as straight as anyone can move in a forest anyway that has gone untouched by human hands for decades or more. After a while I reach the foot of said hill and even find what would otherwise be a comfortable and moderately safe spot to set up a camp, under the canopy and in between the roots of an old oak.

If I try I can just barely make out the top of the tower from here. As it is, I just sit down to catch my breath for a moment or two. That will have to do. Then I resume my track again. Instead of following the curve of the hill in the direction that would take me closer to the tower I head the other way, further away from it and closer to the quarry turned monster lair.

Eventually I come across a rock formation jutting from the ground. Different layers of rock folded up against each other if I had to guess. As it is one of this layers must have been softer and eroded away, leaving a gap wide enough for me but little else in between.

That spot too would be a half decent campsite on another day. This time around I even gather a little firewood and some tinder fungus nearby and stockpile it in the rocky crevice. Not enough for a serious campfire, but enough for a little smoke. The rock will even keep the fire from spreading out of control. And as an additional benefit, my [Survival] skill improves a little too.

I really hope I'm not giving away any hideouts other forest creatures usually would use, but so far I haven't seen any signs of the forest lynx or any other creature worth mentioning here or at the old oak. Well, there were plenty of creatures at the old oak, but when flying giant lizards are concerned squirrels and small birds don't really count. They'll manage somehow even if the scaled menace pays them a visit.

Alright, I 'm done here. Paying close attention to the sky above, as well as my surroundings otherwise I'm off again. Back in the direction of the old oak even if I don't retrace my steps exactly. That by itself might looks suspicious after all, thus I avoid it.

The old oak serves as a point where I can get my bearings again. I still don't head to the tower this time around either though, even if I go in the general direction, following the curve of the next hill beyond the cliff. My destination? The site where the much larger group for the fungal infection emergency quest set up camp. It probably won't be untouched, but it should still be noticeable. And maybe, just maybe, whatever lingering smells of so many people there might still be will further distract a potential apex predator following me.

Of course I once again have no guarantees, but in my opinion it's worth the effort. Well, we can't all be seasoned rangers. I still feel that Núira or even her younger cousin would have a much easier time.

The thought makes me stop dead in my tracks. My [Change Shape] ability, could it possibly mask my smell too? I blush, as I realize this thought would have been worth some consideration a dozen times over at least. I feel so stupid, thinking about it only now.

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I come to quick conclusion. I may not have any actual clue if it works, but I have Mana to spare. Thus I'm going to give it a try. At worst it won't work. At best it won't even be necessary. If it turns out to be necessary though and does work? Well, all the better then. With that decision made I resume my stealthy trek through the woods. It doesn't take me too long to reach my destination either.

Nature is reclaiming the old camp site, but it still stands out. Especially the fire places and the makeshift fortifications which essentially were just abandoned. I check the sky carefully before I venture out into the open, heading to the spot where I slept. I don't linger long, but while I look around a smile finds its way onto my face. It seems we didn't use up all the firewood back then. There still is some left. Good, that saves me some trouble.

One last look around earns me some more progress for my [Perception] skill and reassures me that I should be unobserved. Now where did Núira sleep back then? Right, it should have been over there.

I step over, loosen the strings on my clothing a little and focus on my special power. A considerable amount of my Mana drains away and the desired change washes over me. My [Change Shape] racial skill does improve a little as a result, but I barely can spare that aspect any mind. Instead I adjust my clothes a little more and fasten the strings again.

Then I get moving again. I still don't head back to the tower though. Instead, the creek is my target again, as if I were heading there from this campsite to get some water. And of course I have to watch the sky in addition to my surroundings all the while. That is really bothersome. And it doesn't get better as time passes either.

I actually stop at the creek to quickly refresh myself, but I don't dare linger any longer than necessary. And besides I don't spot anything here that would make it worth the time. No crabs and not fish either. Thus, back to the old campsite I head, once again without exactly retracing my steps. And I can't just stop to rest up yet either. Well, I can stop to catch my breath, but not to actually rest up. Not yet anyway.

On my way to the tower I spot something different as I detour through the woods, a little from the cliff for a change. A stand of mushrooms I have not spotted before. They look vaguely familiar. I blink in surprise and slow down for a moment.

I may be in a hurry in general, but I still need something to eat for later anyway and since I don't have the peace of mind to do any actual hunting a different kind of edible mushroom would be a welcome change.

Well, there is only one way to make sure they are edible. No, actually, there are at least two, but I don't plan to just eat some and wait to see if anything happens. Thanks, but no thanks. Not right now anyway. Maybe another day when I have an urge to unlock a poison resistance skill in a rather painful and unpleasant way for some reason. Thus I use the other approach. I focus and activate my [Identify] skill. A little of my Mana drains away, the skill improves some and works as advertised.

[Chanterelle (Mushroom, Common) – A common mushroom that can be found growing on moderately moist ground in the shade of trees just about anywhere in temperate forests. It's a favorite of foresters, foragers, hermits and bandits alike, as its a tasty ingredient used in various recipes of campfire cooking. A handful make for a decent meal. Category: Alchemical Ingredient, Properties: ???, ???, ???, ???]

Now that sounds promising. I'm tempted to harvest some right away, but I don't have my pack along and my hands full with the big scales I gathered. I guess I'll have to return and get some after I deposit my current bounty at the tower. With fresh vigor I resume my trip to the tower.

Back at the tower I climb the tree once more and slip in through the rooftop access right away to be out of sight. It's a little wired how effortlessly familiar I'm with Núira's body, but I won't complain. Maybe it's because I'm finally getting used to changing shape a little more often?

Once I'm back down to the ground floor I drop the unwieldy scales with the rest of my things and sit down with my back against the wall next to the doorway to the stairs to finally unwind a little. At least that is my intention at first, but as I sit there, my gaze comes to rest on the makeshift barricade blocking the door.

That barricade has been good enough so far, but it wont even slow down a scaled giant, like the one haunting my thoughts right now. The very flexible tail with the nasty stinger could probably smash right through it and reach just about any spot inside this room. That doesn't exactly inspire confidence. I probably really shouldn't sleep here tonight. Not in the room above either, now that I come to think of it. It's almost as vulnerable due to the rooftop access. The room I turned into a shrine to Fox below might be better, except it still has windows and sleeping there feels kind of sacrilegious anyway.

Damn it! That really only leaves the stairway. Maybe on the landing just beyond the empty door to the makeshift shrine? That sounds better. It should be slightly more comfortable than sleeping on the actual stairs too. If I can catch any actual sleep anyway.

I slap my cheeks. It's no use to think about the night yet anyway. I still need to head out once more after all. On one hand to complete my distractions and diversions. On the other hand to gather the mushrooms I need for dinner. Oh, lucky me!

I quickly grab my pack before I can make up any excuses and leave the tower once more, earning another partial increase for my [Climbing] skill on the way out, as well as one for my [Running] skill as I hurry through the woods. And, as I do my best to stay unnoticed by predators and prey alike, I of course improve my [Stealth] even if just a little as well.

I don't detour to the old oak this time around. Instead I head directly to the faux camp in the rocky crevice and light the fire there. It won't be burning for long, but that's quite alright. It's only a distraction after all. Next I head directly to the old camp and repeat the process there, using one of the old fire places and the firewood still stocked there. I put a little of the latter into my pack too.

Curiously enough it's then, that my [Tactics] skill improves again just as my [Survival] skill does too. I guess this whole scheme of intersecting trails and faux campsites counts for something. Lets hope that monster isn't too smart either.

My last stop on the way back to the tower is the stand of mushrooms I spotted earlier. I harvest a little more than just a handful this time around. I plan to cook not just for me after all. In addition to dinner this secures a little progress for my [Foraging] skill too.