Beastland wanderings

[Anastasia]

A third hour of nothing. As you go...

"Alyssa?" Jarem walks at your side, "What's it like now?" he asks, without preamble.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa raises an eyebrow, "Interested in what's in store, perhaps? Well... Feel... More. Of everything. Stronger, faster, healthier. Like the most perfect version of myself, in a way. There's... a drive? A sense of purpose and being that are closer to each other than I ever experienced. Like... who and what I am are coming into focus with each other more and more. It's a bit hard to explain."

[Anastasia]

A beat.

"I meant being a tireless spirit." Jarem says as he keeps going along. "No fatigue, no need to rest or no pangs of hunger."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Oh... Well... Boring, honestly. Well, not entirely. You know when you've come in after a long day and your hungry and thirsty, and sit down for a meal? When you finish that last bite and just kind of slump in content and when that first cold drink sends shivers through your chest? I don't get that anymore. Those were good feelings. Now it's just... More hours to do things with.

That's not a bad thing, really, but I miss falling into my pillows and bed when I'm tired and my eyes are starting to burn."

[Anastasia]

"An old question an elderly old warmaster asked me: To what limit do our frailties define us?" Jarem questions aloud.

[Iron Dragoon]

"That's a fairly simple philosophical question, though the trap in those is that one person's answer will never be a perfect answer for another. They help define achievements and give context to experiences."

[Anastasia]

"There's nothing wrong when you lose your limitations and weaknesses," Dolmaya steps up as you talk. "There's little to miss once you get used to it. A mortal body crumbles, collapses, wthers. You were still young when you died, Alyssa. You did not know the caress of age."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Age is defines the experiences mortals use to build the foundation of personality and understanding. Tell me, how has your opinion of having children changed between now and when you had your first child? Mortality may be a weakness, but weakness and strength define each other. Mortality is necessary."

[Anastasia]

Perception.

[Iron Dragoon]

Perception:

Take 10 for 68.

[Anastasia]

"Hm." Jarem says, a moment of consideration. At the same time you hear it - a branch snapping towards your left, loud enough to carry.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa spins, calling out, "LEFT!"

[Anastasia]

The party all turns, spells and magic ready.

A cry out. The sound of footsteps, fleeing.

'A solitary hunter,' Jessica sends a moment later, 'No harm, we startled him away.'

[Iron Dragoon]

"Most likely, but let's do a quick sweep as we continue. Let's not make assumptions and let a scout for a larger group set us up."

[Anastasia]

Perception then.