Neverwinter Forest miles outside of the eye of the storm

Open for anyone really, though I'd particularly love folks from STM to join and give a shot at actively recruiting Mordecai. :3

Miles upon miles of trails had been crossed in order to reach what was in Mordecai's mind, the end of the road. He had come skirting up the coast in all manner of weather for some time now, only delving off of an unspoken path when it suited him. This happened to be one of those times, though it was hard for him to really place what it was that drew him inward towards the nestled region. Maybe it was the curvature that pulled him in, the way the mountains seemed to rise up from the flatland and forests like old gods standing watch. Or maybe it was simply the sights and smells that would have naturally pulled anyone in, like a flashing neon sign against the pitch black belly of a seedy city in the middle of the night. He had passed through more than one place teeming with life, notably his own species. Each one of them had their own little cultures, little rituals and laws that he found intriguing (or annoying, depending on the situation), and all of them reminded him of his own starting roots.

But none of this was particularly on his mind when he had once again broke from the beaten path into the overgrown dank that comprised yet another forest. For him, foraging had become a commodity in living, much easier than flat out attempting to hunt and inadvertently pissing off some scouting party. And in the already budding warmth and humidity… it was far easier to find someone's leftovers than bother scenting out what was still living. Like an ever-thinning wraith standing out against the vibrant foliage, he maneuvered with relative ease, pausing periodically to gather himself and his surroundings. He was alone for now, but the pressing smells of others lingered in the muggy mid-morning air. It wouldn't hurt to be on guard, but even that was of no thought to him. He was already on guard, a conditioned response that had long been ingrained in his mannerisms.

Mordecai had no real way of knowing, but he was willing to wager a fair bet that was someone was close. He sniffed once, as if to clear his airways and pushed on nonchalantly however, weighing his odds and tempting to see if anyone would actually try to smoke him out. Forests were always full of something, if not food then surely some company.