Time: 18:30
Weather: 47 degrees, pouring rain, sunset in 30 minutes
Location: .5 miles east of the STEADING OF THE HILL GIANT CHIEF; Milkwater Valley
Nearest Safe house: the First of the First Men, 5 miles south
Magic in Effect: None
After a quick respite at this perch, the party would then ride five more miles through the tangles of pine forest lining the MILKWATER RIVER, accompanied by a trio of rangers assigned by the Watch to serve as guides and support. The group reached an abrupt clearing and their target faded into view.
These guides were left to tend to the party's horses as the heroes, now on foot, approached THE STEADING...
A pair of 15-foot-high doors made of ironbound logs formed an entrance to the stronghold. Thicker logs comprised the walls, packed with thick mud mortar. The thatch and wood roof inclined toward the middle, reaching a height of thirty feet at its peak. The stronghold had no visible windows, but a squat watchtower overlooked the entrance. Smoke rose from a single large chimney, curling into the dark grey sky of a heavy downpour
A log guardhouse stood apart from the main stronghold, but was connected by a palisade wall of vertical logs some 15 feet in height. Heavy log doors set into the palisade lead to a courtyard lodged between two buildings.
From the main building, an occasional boom of perverse laughter and sadistic jest pierced the sound of the pouring rain...