Out in the woods, there have been rumors of creatures emerging that should not.

Perhaps the old beast is among them.

Maybe bringing it down can let the long exile end.

But tonight won't be the night it happens, it seems.

There's some sign, some noise in the wind, but not enough track to follow.

Damn.

~~~~~
*cue sad trumpet music*
Encounter roll 36, https://sakkaku.org/dnd-rolls/9133

A man in odd regalia sat atop a tree, looking out for danger. It seemed that not much danger was about.

//D2 EN Patrol roll | 1d100 ⇒ 27

A buckskin-clad head lifts, looking.

"You been the problem folks is talkin' 'bout?"

The man looked at the other man and chuckled. "No man, I am here to solve a good puzzle, and there was one here in this lands." He came down the tree. "Are we hunting bears or some other thing?"

"Some other thing, I reckon.

"What they call you?"

"I am Espee... Like a sword by the same name." He took a bow. "I see... And who are you?"

A hand touches the brim of a floppy buckskin hat.

"Uncompahgre Exile. But you'd said summat 'bout a puzzle?"

"I heard people is going missing... a puzzle and a mystery to be solved. Who is taking this people? Where are they taking them and why?" He smiled.

"Some sign of somethin'...unnatural. No tracks, though. Not tonight, anyway."

He looked around and nodded. "This place seems like a good place to find a hideout. Should we explore?"

"Might could. What all you see fr'm up yonder?"

"Not much... trees and more trees. Maybe a bird or two... Owls hunting out." Espee said with a chuckle.

//Perception Intelect listen (Hunting or investigation training or inability apply) TN 12.

The Exile strains to hear, listening through the wind...

~~~~~
If I've got this right, I'm trained in hunting, so the Difficulty steps down to 3 from 4, for TN 9.
I rolled a 15, https://sakkaku.org/dnd-rolls/9195

The man was distracted by the light glow of the moon.
//D2 EN Trail Patrol Investigation | 1d20 ⇒ 5

Exile would hear footsteps and whispers coming from the woods. Something about a trap.

Eagle strolled leisurely along the trail. He was curious about this creature spotted near town and eager to test out his skills if he did happen upon it.

He was perhaps a bit too preoccupied with the potential of the night that he wasn't paying as much attention as he should be.

-----
D2, EN, Patrolling the Woods, Patrol Roll d100 | 1d100 ⇒ 58

D2, EN, Patrolling the Woods, Perception TN12, (inquisitive inability to notice danger TN15?) | 1d20 ⇒ 2

In a harsh whisper, the Exile hisses out, "Y'all hush, now. Summat's comin'."

A wicked looking knife emerges from somewhere, finds its way into the Exile's hand.

"Should we hide?" Espee whispered. "Is it that guy?"

Eagle walks by, flipping a disc in his hands. He was too busy daydreaming about begin a big hero that he didn't even notice the trapper or the conquistador, neither was a big beasty anyway, nor did he hear any whispering in the woods, things described as creatures don't generally whisper in the woods.