Astarion peers into the distance and frowns. "But I am not sure we should keep going right now. The sun's almost set and fighting our way through a village of goblins sounds like a terrible idea." He points. "Bodies and destruction all over. Smoke over there. It's not just the temple they took over, I believe."

"Agreed. .... I'm tempted to go find that owlbear and see if it'll share its den. Mm. Probably not, they're very territorial and we'd need to bring our weight in food for any chance of placating one. Guess I'll start asking birds for directions, then."

"...asking birds for directions?"

"Mhm. They're not very good at finding specific good places for making camp, but they're quite good at giving an accurate overview of the area to find us the most tactically viable location. And from there it'll be, mm. Probably rabbits, here, if I can get any of them to come out. Squirrels will do, but they really don't understand why we won't just go up trees, like 'sensible mammals.' As they put it."

"Well, don't let us stand in your way, gorgeous. Do your thing."

"Yep! Feel free to make any requests if you have camp preferences," she says cheerfully, and then she makes a motion with her hand and speaks a short phrase, and just. Actually starts addressing birds. She is perfectly intelligible as she does so.

One robin gives them directions in exchange for several strands of red hair and one (shiny) button, and from there she starts politely bribing squirrels with treats from her pack. They have an excellent and secluded little camping location in record time, nice and hidden and with a good view of the surrounding area.

...well, then. That, uh. That happened. Honestly he's not going to complain.

And he did manage to procure some camp supplies, too, back at the Grove! They can eat and all that, and then get ready for sleep.

"Can your animal friends keep watch for us?"

"Nnnnnot reliably. I could persuade them to try, but." She makes a face. "Without spending a while searching for something clever, the ones here are easily distracted and have better things to do than tolerate our silly requests that don't make sense. Best if we take watches. That was the argument for the owlbear, actually, we just actually wouldn't need to take watches when in an owlbear's den."

"Hmm. Maybe something to think about in the future, then."

"You're an elf. You don't sleep."

"Darling, but I do need my beauty trance, I get so cranky if I skip it. Or if I'm woken from it. But, yes, I can take half the watch again."

"Thank you for your service."

From there, they work out the rest of the watches among themselves, and get everything as hidden from notice as it can be. With a druid present, that is very.

"Now why don't we partake in the grand tradition of our civilisation of bonding over this meal," he says when they're getting their food. "Shadowheart, I don't think we've heard much from you."

"That's because I haven't said much."

This earns a small, amused snort from Ivetrielle.

"Why don't I start. I'm from Baldur's Gate, I'm a magistrate, I've lived there most of my life, I enjoy long walks in the rich and fancy areas of it, pretty things, pretty people, and long fancy baths."

"Good for you."

"And where are you from?"

"I don't know."

"...you don't know?"

"I do not need to know to serve lady Shar."

"Well, where were you before the nautiloid kidnapped you?"

"Baldur's Gate."

"We must've run in different circles, then."

"We must have."