Dushino says "Let's investigate that old rock outcrop." it leads up to the giant carving of the sabremaw's head it looks like it was placed that way. You instantly agree as there is probably an actual sabremaw in the cave that is marked "SABREMAW HEAD", and not going in seems like a good choice. "If I am dead I don't need to die again and get into this thing two layers deep!" you think to yourself flippantly.  Lukindar sights tracks leading to the mountainside, tracks filled and glowing, full of the same bluish snow the dock worker collected earlier. "Look! Surely this was the creature's path."

You all follow Lukindar, who follows the trail back to the southern side of the plateau and find an ancient, twisted Etheria tree. The old tree, large and willow like, its blue leaves hanging down on supple drooping branches,  a wide base of gnarled trunk and solid wood supporting the glowing mass. A message is etched in blue letters into its bark. Little Zelnard, who you guessed correctly was the youngest in your party, was running up to the tree like an eager child running up to receive ice treats from Maeka. "Shouldn't we scout the area first?" you prompt Dushino, "You know, "sabremaws" and everything." Dushino calls out to Zelnard,"Be wise young friend", and you are thoroughly unimpressed by the lack of gravitas everyone in your party is showing. And you think why do they all speak like they are from another century? You sure you are back in time somehow in this body but still you...your thoughts trail off as Zelnard now at the tree runs his hands over the rough and warty trunk of the centurial structure and he attempts to read its carved message, words overgrown with solidified sap and bark regrowth.

 "I think it says..."Place the mark of the guardian to pass …" You think Zelnard is an impertinent and annoyingly young water mage by now and is running around without precaution, making this quest more dangerous than it needs be. He snaps his fingers. "The creature's tracks!" He explodes with delight "that's it!" "What's it?" you ask with little patience for a junior mage from a long time ago. "Can you let Kazrod have a read?" you ask the young mage, "I mean he was good with the recitations back there and seems to have a talent for language." Kazrod seemed impressed you were paying attention and smiled at you as he walked up to the scarred message and removes his glove and runs his fingers over the symbols and signs. He asks Patrice for her notebook, and scratches an imprint of the message onto a sheet of paper torn from the journal. Once on paper he reads it aloud. "Place the emblem of a hunter guardian to pass". "I am of the Bear Clan we are brawlers and scrappers I have my emblem with me but that won't do." Patrice explains. "And my emblem is Stealth of Panther Clan, I know many who are hunter but they are back in Ridoan", Dushino tells the group. You feel like suddenly you can actually be useful. "We could summon Larki and if a warrior of the hunter clan has lost their emblem in the last few days then she could bring it to us". Dashino and Patrice both look at you stunned and almost in unison say, " A guardian would never lose their emblem, its their hard won identity taking them years of training to achieve." Then Patrice like an automaton says, "I just completed first round training and I protect mine with my life." "Yeah, OK "Patty" I get it", you respond quickly to her and suddenly your idea doesn't seem so good and you fall into silent contemplation for a few moments. Patrice then suggests a Guardian named Bamdad but Dashino reminds her that he trains in the Bordrad Marshes. Then it comes to you, "Dashino, you said you know many Hunter Guardians, It's almost sunset where would one be right now?" He ponders a moment then says, Balzak is probably at the Tavern in Ridoan, he always finishes his day there regaling us of his exploits" You point at Dashino, "Probably?" you question. "No, he's there, he's always there." Dashino suddenly uncharacteristically nervous. "Then I will send a fire message, I saw Talik do it." "What's a fire message, and who's Talik?" Lukindar interupts. "I'll explain later, right now I am sending a message to Balzak to give up his Hunter Emblem when the sprite Daemos appears. If I do that will he give it up?" "Mph, No!" scoffs Dushino. "Then tell me what to say in the fire message that will get him to hand it over!" you say quite forcefully. "Oh right," Dashino thinks for a minute. "Say,..ah..no, ask if he remembers the sleeping Jaguar in Whispering Woods last year and then tell him that Dashino needs his emblem." You know that Dashino's message must mean something to this Balzak so you do what you have seen Talik do, pulling out puff powder from your satchel and uttering the cyptic message into the rising smoke. A streak of fire shoots off in the direction of Ridoan and you summon Deamos with a clap of your hands and an incantation. Deamos apparated right in front of you and you describe the Tavern in Ridoan, The Hunter Emblem and ask it returns the emblem to you immediately. You add a "please" as you have never actually done this before and everyone was watching. Just as your party tires from standing and begins to sit down on rocks and the ground Daemos appeared but there was nothing in its claws. You say cringingly in your head, "It didn't work," and then remember that you have to hold out your hand under the sprite. From nowhere the hunter emblem dropped into your open palm and you have the way forward. 

"Who are you?" Zelnard asks, "And how do you have all this knowledge of magic that no one knows?" You tilt your head slightly, speak down and smile at the 13 year old, "I read!' you say with an air of sarcasm that makes you feel quite satisfied.  

Which one is the Emblem of the Hunter Guardian? Enter your choice by description into Thy Quests below.