Chapter 1: So it begins.

[alver]

"There is a killer about, we're looking for it," adds Ingvar. He offers, "Perhaps you saw it... out there, on the lake, just now?"

[Rex]

Martin looks at Ingvar with a disturbed look. "Just now on the lake? I didn't see anything. Wasn't looking actually, gathering berries. The lord sent you?" He looks geniunely concerned about what might be on the lake, glancing that way several times. "Did you see it, what did it look like? Where was it headed?"

[alver]

Ingvar

"The lord knows that we're here, but he did not tell us to come here. It was the miners, after the attacks at the mine they came to Olokand to ask for our help."

He stares at the hermit, but continues explaining calmly. "The beast has not shown itself to us. It killed one of us and ran towards west. It is now somewhere there," he points towards the shore where the group thinks the tracks continue.

"Have you not seen its large footprints? Felt the forest go still in fear as it passes?"

[Rex]

Martin: "No, I have not seen any of the demon's prints or had the forest go quite. I suspect it is avoiding me but I don't really know for sure. The lord of Loban is many things but unfortunately he is too arrogant to ask for help when he needs it most."

[GreyWolfVT]

Sheamus adds "Well this was a man like form that was not visible until after it killed the fellow back near the mine. We tracked it and it appears to have crossed the water and looks like the tracks start again on the other side."

[Rex]

Martin: "If it is headed west I think I know where it is headed. The Taelda believe that their is a demon called the Old One that lives near here. They used to pay tribute to it at a place called Demon Rock, but now since the village moved after the massacre there this summer no one is paying it tribute anymore. I am beginning to worry it will come for me soon. I can give you directions to it, its about 6 miles from here, west."

[VonAlric]

Rodbert's head twitches up at the last of Martin's words. "Directions? Nay, that would mean the possibility of us getting lost and I think that time is of the essence. Whatever it is, it seems to be trying to escape us, which suggests that it may fear us. Time dictates that you should guide us to this so called "Demon Rock" so we may be able to catch whatever it is before it can escape."

"Martin, our group can benefit from your knowledge and wisdom of these parts. Let us show you the tracks that came out of the water on the far side of the lake so you can see what is running around here. Besides, you would probably be safer with us anyway. It seems this creature has some sort of charm that allowed our companion to be waylaid. By yourself, with that mutt to alert you, might not be enough, especially since there are dogs in the village that didn't alert anyone. But, if you think you can manage by thyself.... well, you are of age to make decisions yourself."

[GreyWolfVT]

Sheamus chimes in again "A demon you say? Well that certainly changes things. I'm not sure we're prepared to take down one of those. I was more thinking it some were-beast or some such thing. Thank you Martin."

[alver]

Ingvar

"Sheamus, the time to fight has come. If you slay this 'demon', your name will be known to every man from here to Olokand. This is a fight worthy of us."

"Old man, what was the tribute paid to the Old One? Perhaps we can offer it the same, to make it come out and show itself."

[Rex]

Martin: "It is easy to find, there is a game trail that runs by the rock, you can't miss it. I would rather not go near there, that place always makes me uncomfortable. They would take game or criminals and throw them into a pit atop the rock. If it was criminals the next time they came, their skull would be on a stake by the pit. No one has ever seen it to my knowledge, the tribute has been going on as long as anyone can remember. Where the Taelda village used to be is about 2 miles northwest of the rock, there is a trail leading from the rock to the village."

[alver]

Ingvar turns to Humfrey: "Should we go and take care of our dead, before we go to the Demon Rock? Do you want to bury his body or take it away from the woods?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Sheamus shrugs his shoulders "Hard to say the trail is still fairly fresh and the dead can always wait but the dead does deserve some sort of honor. I say we continue on the trail."

[Rex]

Humfrey: "I will say a blessing and we can cover the body, I think we need to act and can come back and finish the job once we have dealt with this "Demon"." Hunfrey then says some words and covers Baldwin with a blanket.

Are we heading for the mine, Demon Rock or splitting up?

[alver]

My bad! I thought Baldwin's body is still near the mine. I'm going to go with what has already been said and ignore the OOC talk about making a detour to the mine.

Ingvar considers the responses and nods. "Well then. All have spoken. We go to the rock and see what's there."

If the hermit has rope in his household, Ingvar would like to borrow it. If not, he is ready to depart for the Demon Rock.

[GreyWolfVT]

Sheamus "Well I thought were were hunting the demon but if we are bound to the mine then so be it."

[alver]

Ingvar shakes his head. "No... what I meant to say is, let us go after the demon now. This is what I think everybody has said - Rodbert, you and Humfrey. And I agree with you all."

Hope this makes things clearer

[VonAlric]

Looking to Martin, Rodbert speaks. "If you have some rope around, it may become of assistance to us. Also, the body of our comrade needs to be looked after so no wild creature feasts upon it. If you will not come with us, the least you could do would give the dead some honor."

[Rex]

Martin: "I will watch the body if you wish. I have some rope yes." He heads for his hut, emerging shortly after with a hemp rope he hands to Rodbert. Upon examining the rope Rodbert notes it is about 50' long and older but in usable shape. "Here you go sir, I have some cordage as well, but it won't support a man." He steps back over towards the dog and looks back at everyone, "May your Gods be with you! If I see anyone from the village I will let them know you have gone on to Demon Rock."

[GreyWolfVT]

Sheamus nods and understands Igvar now. "Thank you Martin and be safe."

[alver]

Ingvar gets in saddle again and holds his spear up in salute to the old man. He directs his horse towards the lake, to continue on towards the western shore.