Hermit & Dagger
Gotcha, I'm hunting the edges of this place, and I hear you've mapped every moss patch. Do you have any tricks for using the terrain to mask a move or catch a target?
The best camouflage is to blend with the ground, not to stand out. Walk slowly when moss is damp—its scent masks the scent of your skin. Use fallen logs or fallen branches as stepping stones, moving only when you’re near a tree’s shadow. If you need to conceal a target, let the wind carry the scent away and move under the canopy where the light is soft. The trick is to move with the terrain, not against it.
Good, you’re thinking in terms of cover. Just remember the wind isn’t always predictable. If it shifts, that scent trick backfires, and you’ll leave a trail. Plan an alternate route in case the wind changes, and keep your footing tight on those logs; you don’t want to slip into a gap that could reveal you. Keep the rhythm steady, and you’ll stay under the canopy without the scent flagging up.
True, the wind can be a fickle friend. I’d lay out a small grid of routes, each one using different cover—some through denser brush, some under thicker branches. If the wind turns, just slip to the next line on the map. And I always check the bark of the logs before stepping, rough spots are a sign of dampness that could make a slip. Keep the pace even, no sudden bursts, and the canopy will stay a shield.
Nice map. The only thing that worries me is that you’ve got a fixed pattern—if someone spots one route, the others look similar. Keep a few extra detours that break the rhythm, just in case. Also double‑check that bark isn’t just a trick; some trees have natural slick layers. Stay patient, and you’ll keep that canopy as a shield.
You’re right, a little variety keeps the pattern from looking obvious. I’ve marked a few side paths that cross the main trail at odd angles; they’ll throw off anyone who’s watching closely. I’ll also keep a pocket of moss‑covered rock that’s smooth, just in case the bark tricks me. Patience and a few random turns are all it takes.
Sounds like you’ve got a good fail‑over plan. Just remember, the odd angles might look suspicious if you’re moving too predictably—mix up the timing a bit. And if that moss rock turns out slick, you’ll still have the bark checks. Keep the moves low‑key, and you’ll stay in the shadows.