Chapter 1: So it begins.

[Rex]

A quick tour of the last known locations of the victims leads to naught. If there ever was any evidence it is gone now.

Moving out for the mine/hermit is next then. Who is going and are you on foot or mounted?

[alver]

Ingvar heads to the forest, mounted, accompanied by Solvi.

Would move at walking pace. I think all PC-s wanted to go. Don't know about the followers.

[VonAlric]

Rodbert & Earnest will be mounted on the mules, making sure to secure the stock in their room first.

[GreyWolfVT]

Sheamus is apparently mounted as that is what the others are doing and has his 'squire' with him.

[Rex]

Everyone rides out for the mine. Not to long a trip, you imagine with wagons loaded heavy it would take considerably longer. Everyone is on the alert for Orcs and Wargs, but none are spotted. Humfrey's great cat seems nervous and stays closer than usual.

At the mine. The mine enters a small hill side and is surrounded by a large clearing. There is a large bunkhouse and a small forge. It doesn't appear that anyone or thing as ransacked the place since the miners abandoned it recently. There is no evidence of smelting so they must be hauling it off as ore and smelting it elsewhere. Sheamus notes what appears to be a smaller trail heading west that fits the description of the route to Martin's shack. The great cat seems to be hanging even closer and more on edge, as if it is afraid of something.

Actions?

[GreyWolfVT]

Sheamus "Can't be good if the cat's stayin back something must be up that path other than Martin." the burly man of little else to say points out.

[alver]

Ingvar looks excited and speaks in a low voice. "That's good. We are close, that is very good." He dismounts and goes to check the mine entrance, to see if it is muddy or dusty enough that any interesting tracks would be visible. He also wants to see how high and wide the entrance is.

[VonAlric]

"Earnest! Let's keep a watch out around this clearing as they look about. That cat knows something we don't." Both Rodbert and Earnest will concentrate on watching the tree line of the clearing while the rest are looking about. Both men will have weapons drawn, Rodbert having his sword stuck point down in front of him to allow for casting as the situation warrants.

[Rex]

Everyone becomes extra cautious with the strange behavior of the great cat. The mine entrance doesn't appear to show any recent tracks of any kind. There is almost a stillness to the air, as if the wild itself has grown quite.

Humfrey suddenly speaks up, loudly "Where is Baldwin, I thought he was here a minute ago"

Looking around no one sees Baldwin, and he was definitely with you not long ago.

Actions?

[alver]

Still at the mine entrance, Ingvar stays very quiet and tries to listen. He concentrates on any sounds coming from the buildings, or from the woods.

[VonAlric]

Rodbert hisses to Humphrey. "Blast it! Humphrey, is there any magic around here?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Sheemus dismounts and takes his axe up ready for any battle that may ensue "Baldwin?" he says skeptically.

[Rex]

Humfrey mumbles softly and looks distracted for a moment as he slowly walks his horse in a circle. The he lifts his head and looks about. "No magic here but ours. I can only detect out about 60 paces or so, I have a few more minutes so lets go back up the trail the way we came." He turns and starts his horse back the way you came at a walk.

Everyone begins to move, Ingvar and Sheamus on foot back towards the way you came. A couple of minutes latter Humfrey suddenly speaks loudly, "This way, something magical." Suddenly Humfrey and his horse surge into the forest, spear coming around as Humfrey tries to navigate the forest, quickly lost to sight but not hearing as his horse crashes through the undergrowth.

Actions?

[GreyWolfVT]

Sheamus gets back on his horse and attempts to follow Humfrey

[alver]

Ingvar follows on foot, spear in hand. He picks his own path through the woods, trying to anticipate the direction Humfrey is heading to hopefully catch up with him.

Ingvar is very fast on foot.

Solvi will stay on the road for now.

[Rex]

Sheamus and Ingvar rush through the forest, not far off the trail (maybe 40 paces) they discover Humfrey just dismounting from his horse and the body of Baldwin.

Both of you look around as Humfey tends to Baldwin. You don't see any evidence of anything here. Just a strange eerie silence.

Humfrey finally speaks. "He is dead, I couldn't save him. He was radiating magic when I first saw him but it must have ended when he died. It looks like something ripped his throat out. No evidence he even tried to defend himself. Look for drops of blood maybe?"

Both of you find some blood, not much just a few drops, it leads roughly west.

Actions?

[VonAlric]

Seeing Solvi staying on the road, Rodbert pulls up short. "K'nor's Teeth! Splitting up like this when we don't have the first idea of what we are dealing with! Earnest! Halt here for a moment. Humphrey said 60 paces so he can't be far from here. Let's listen but be wary. Solvi, be ready."

Rodbert has sword drawn and ready. After a few moments, if he doesn't hear anything, he will call out to the others.

[Rex]

After listening for a moment Rodbert hears Humfrey say "He is Dead" you don't think it is very far in.

[GreyWolfVT]

Sheamus starts looking for any tracks or footprints that would indicate what killed the man.

[Rex]

About 50 paces from where Baldwin lay Sheamus finds 3 tracks in some softer ground. Larger than a big man's print, roughly the shape of a barefoot man's. Maybe 18" by 6", no claw marks. You lost the blood trail about 30 paces after the body.