[Continued] - Valorei/Elves - 2 April, 1 VC

[Keehnelf]

My map has gone missing somehow--need to make another look through some stuff tonight so I don't make an error in your travel!

[AleBelly]

I'm fine with you just putting us in the big treasure room of the ancient elf stronghold. I'd hate for you to go to all the trouble of finding the map!

[Enoch]

The little halfling huffs. "Well! I merely voted 'north' because there was talk of a demon-wolf running around to the east. No-one told me we were 'friends' with this beast, although I think it rather unlikely--wolves are not domesticated, you know; even if they may seem friendly. Still, if you-all think east is best, then east it is.

"I just hope we don't all get eaten by wolves. That wouldn't do at all."

[Marullus]

Baxtaw- It was the second attempt to enter the ruins. I was brought into the group after the first attempt. They had lost a member in that first attempt from being a attack from skeletons. when they activated a trap in which the skeletons outmatched them. On the second attempt there was trap after trap in which encountered. We had finally made it to the final chamber. There was a Sarcophagus in the chamber when the seal was broken a smoke rose out and overcame my friend. Then he my friend Ulf attempted to him down. And when we did the smoke rose out of my friends body and then overtook Ulf. We ran for our lives from the ruins. We watched it exit the ruins. And then went back to recover the body of our fallen comrade.

Nihilius looks concerned as he listens to Dram. "I am deeply sorry for your friend. Tell me more of this smoke. Of your friend. Perhaps, if we should encounter him, we might have a chance to effect a rescue of his body or soul." He scans the horizon as they near, and pass, the ruins in question.

[/I hope I am remembering everything correctly. color]

I think it was Njord, not Ulf, who ran off possessed.

[AleBelly]

"Nowhere out here is safe" says Varas flatly. "If you want safe, you can keep your ass perched on a stool in the Briarbeard." he begins east, even if he's alone.

Man, he's grumpy today!

[Keehnelf]

I'm fine with you just putting us in the big treasure room of the ancient elf stronghold. I'd hate for you to go to all the trouble of finding the map!

I don't think you'd like that room very much at your current power level, actually...

[Keehnelf]

Correct: Ulf didn't run off possessed, he ran off with Mummy Syphilis and needed to find some penicillin.

[MonkeyWrench]

No need for Varas to run off east alone, since Val is already leading the group east!

Which i've stated he did... twice! Double east! So east it hurts!

Valorei looks at Olympia as she runs up to the group as they are heading off east, "Olympia! I was worried you had slept in and would miss our departure!" He nods as she offers him her advice, "I see... I shall take your words to heart, with our... past experiences with each other and the new ones to the group I did not want to overstep bounds, as it were." he offers her a sheepish grin before lowering his gaze and continuing to walk, east.

As Varas rebukes the halfling, Val comments in as well, "Well, he is not a demon wolf, per say, to be truthful I doubt anyone here truly knows anything of the suspected druidic shapeshifter, other then him being more powerful than us. I personally have met him once or twice and have yet to see him in any form other than a large black wolf, he may even be an elf! Which could explain him not wanting anyone to go east towards the elven city or ruins... they may not be ruins at all quite honestly, he may be more of a border guard to keep the unwanted from there... hmm... It is certainly interesting to speculate on the possible origins of our "Mr. M". But above all my new friends, we are adventurers, we are from the same stock! those that do not run from danger but rather take it head on! Braving the risks to acquire the treasures the danger hides!" Valorei spreads his arms as he walks, "Each adventurer holding a different item, each a treasure of their own! It could be a magical weapon or armor, a book holding advanced and ancient spells, or perhaps even a bit of knowledge that had been lost for ages! And of course," he gives a wink to Varas, "It could always be something worth a mountain of gold."

[Keehnelf]

April 2, 1 VC - 11:20am

The party heads east into the wild, under a clear sky with only a few small and scattered remnants of cloud that skip gaily from east to west as the sun raises itself toward its zenith. After a few hours of travel, Baxtaw sights the knoll in which the ruins lie off to the north of the path. Most routes east of the town will pass somewhat close to the hill, and the easiest path between ridges and clefts in the stone has been worn as a visible, if faint, trail from west to east, leading directly to the ruins and then continuing faintly onward to the east as well.

[MonkeyWrench]

Baxtaw sights the knoll in which the ruins lie off to the north of the path. Most routes east of the town will pass somewhat close to the hill, and the easiest path between ridges and clefts in the stone has been worn as a visible, if faint, trail from west to east, leading directly to the ruins and then continuing faintly onward to the east as well.

Just making sure I am reading it correctly, the road that the group is currently walking on curves north to the ruins that Baxtaw came from? Does the road then curve off going east before actually hitting the ruins? Or is it inevitable that we at least have to touch down at the ruins?

[Keehnelf]

The worn path, followed a number of times by adventurers, heads east from Vaul and then curves from your current position north toward the ruins. A fainter, less worn path continues eastward, but it's little more than a sign that a group or groups of people have traveled through the area before. There are no roads here. Nothing inevitable about it--just stopping here narratively because there's a feature in the distance and you should have the option of stopping off or continuing straight onward immediately, or having a discussion, etc.

[AleBelly]

"I have no desire to visit the ruins; I say we continue east" says Varas. The fresh air seems to have done him some good, but he's still a bit crabby.

[OGRE MAGE]

Wendall pipes up.

Baxtaw, perhaps you could share the entire tale of your exploits into the ruins while we camp tonight. By the sounds of what you've told us so far, I don't see any indication that we will find out anything about the lost elves in there.

I second the idea of continuing onward to the east and avoiding this place for now. I don't know who this Njord guy is but, He.....Sounds.....Hidious!

[MonkeyWrench]

gotcha, thanks for the clarification Keehnelf!

Valorei looks at the ruins, "I agree, while it may be nice to stop and see what historical value they possess I believe that from the testimony of Baxtaw here the ruins would be more trouble than worth... Let us proceed in search for untouched places."

[Keehnelf]

OK, three votes is enough to keep you guys moving on, especially with the expedition leader in agreement.

[Marullus]

Nihilius continues with the group East, but doesn't join their chorus. He seems intense as the ruins pass by, watching that direction with a hint of longing. "Yes. Continue on, to new discovery."

[Keehnelf]

April 4, 1 VC - 8:00am

The party continues on its way east, leaving the mysterious (or not-so-mysterious) ruin behind. The rest of the day passes uneventfully, with no sign of trouble or of unusual landmarks, as does the day after. The moor seems to stretch on and on except to the south, where the foothills of the mountain range called Sheol's Teeth loom ominously close, impossibly massive and impassable. The part wakes on the morning of the third day of their travels to a light and pleasant misting of rain that clears up soon after they begin breaking camp. At the edge of sight to the east, the horizon is darkened from north to south--perhaps a new range of hills, or a forest of some kind awaits in that direction.

Please deduct two days' rations apiece.

[OGRE MAGE]

Well......forest equals Elves right? Let's get moving!

Wendall memorizes Sleep and Magic Missile today.

2 days rations deducted

[AleBelly]

Varas wakes early to feed Mustard, stroking her mane affectionately. He swallows hard and looks towards the darkness to the east. "Yes, let's continue east."

2 days' rations and animal feed deducted

[Marullus]

Nihilius has a rough two days. He doesn't bellyache or burden others, but for anyone watching him closely, he goes through a wide range of experiences and emotions in himself. He begins exultant. He inhales deeply of the brisk air, walks with a spring in his step, and points out items on the horizon with his sharp young eyes. The first night he sleeps deeply, the well-earned rest of physical exhaustion. The second morning he was horrified by the blisters on his feet, the stiff soreness of his muscles. His reaction to his own body is a mix between indignant and horrified. He muttered to himself phrases like, "you've got to be kidding," and "it was never like this," reacting to his body as if it were a foreign thing that he is putting up with. At one point he muses aloud regretfully about Arkthalian liniment. Like a first day on a new horse, he is unfamiliar with its cues. His body is weak and awkward, out of sync. Overall he is moody and insular, making no move to strike up conversations as he did on previous days. By the second night he is threadbare and exhausted, leaning heavily on his tall walking stick and limping, continuing through his own power of will but looking longingly from time to time at the horse.

When it comes time for the discussion of direction, he speaks with focus and a steely determination, massaging his calf muscles as he speaks. "Onward and eastward. Until we find the remains of these civilizations. There is no reason to slow now."

(Two days of rations deducted.)