Chapter 02: Out and about

[PyroArrow]

Norbold Ernessaeia (Sylvanian Elf Cleric): Scale Mail AC 6 : Hit Points 6 / 6:

Norbold follows Ox and Phoenix along the North side of the drying up riverbed, in the upstream direction.

[GreyWolfVT]

Korin follows the others on the north side as well.

[Nordbo]

As the group approaches Minn's Bend, the sun is low - and the air warm, thick, heavy, sluggish. Following Mush river - for it has now become a proper one - seems like traveling back to the earliest beginnings of the world. An empty stream, soft mounds, a great silence.

Minns_Approach.jpg (141.91 KiB) Viewed 3796 times

[GreyWolfVT]

Korin looks to his comrades "Eh is it just me er does this seam a little too peaceful?" the dwarf asks while scratching his beard.

[Nordbo]

This stillness does not in the least resemble peace. It seems like the stillness of an implacable, brooding force, looking at you with an inscrutable intention.

Making your way through the thicket, the trees open before you, and close behind, as if to bar the way for your return. You are clinging to the skirts of the unknown, in this strange world of hills, water, and silence.

Just as you feel you are about to lose your way, you come to an opening. Across the steely indigo water, on the south side, lined by silvery sand banks, towers a clumsy looking hump of a rock.

It is Minn's Mound, glowing in the putrid light of a sick, setting sun.

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[Storm11]

Phoenix widens his eyes. "Well well well, whose the cleverest adventurers under the sun! Looks like we have found a mound no less. I bet it's called Minn!" he smiles, with a flourish.
"What now oh esteemed comrades?"

[PyroArrow]

Norbold Ernessaeia (Sylvanian Elf Cleric): Scale Mail AC 6 : Hit Points 6 / 6:

Norbold takes in the scene with a bit of foreboding wonder.

Says, "I guess we could start with the opening on the far left and work to the right.", "Or would you prefer the ennie, meanie, minie, moe, approach?"

"Should we knock first? You know in case someone is living here, like rumored lizardmen?"

[Dram]

Ox- Lets approach quietly, no telling what is inside. Maybe we should watch for a while before we enter.

[PyroArrow]

Norbold Ernessaeia (Sylvanian Elf Cleric): Scale Mail AC 6 : Hit Points 6 / 6:

Says to Ox, "Yes that sounds like a good idea."

[GreyWolfVT]

Korin nods his agreement "Aint likin how it glows either."

[Nordbo]

The group agrees to follow Ox' idea about a careful approach, and make their way cautiously down the bushy slope towards the river edge.
The steel-blue water looks fairly deep: the surface is calm, but the river is visibly moving, at a respectable speed. You estimate the distance across to maybe 40-50'.
The foot of the mound seems to be of mud colour, maybe sandstone, and softly sculpted - maybe by the river when it was higher, a long time ago ?
At roughly ground level, you see four openings, about 10-15' high, softly carved into the mound. As it is now early evening, they are in shade and no details are visible. Nor is any sign of life.
Away in the far background the land rises, closing the view with a continuous wooded slope, forming in the distance an interminable rampart overgrown with bushes.

[Dram]

Ox-Lets move up stream and find a safe place to cross the river. Ox moves slowly up river. Moving cautiously.

[PyroArrow]

Norbold Ernessaeia (Sylvanian Elf Cleric): Scale Mail AC 6 : Hit Points 6 / 6:

Norbold follows Ox, saying, "You know I can now even picture Beaver-like Humanoids, in something like that as well, (snicker)."

[Storm11]

Phoenix spurs his pony onwards, happy with the plan. I think it sounds wise to wait a day and do some recon, watch who comes and goes before rushing in myself.

[GreyWolfVT]

Korin shrugs "Eh I'm used ta rushin in bullheaded. I'm used ta a good plan as well every now an then. Beaver men? Norbold yah sure ya aint taken a wack ta the head recently?"

[Nordbo]

(...) you see four openings, about 10-15' high, softly carved into the mound. As it is now early evening, they are in shade and no details are visible (...)

it took best part of the day to get here.

[GreyWolfVT]

Korin then regards the time of day as well "Then again might not be a bad plan ta find a defensible spot to make camp before we head in there."

[PyroArrow]

Norbold Ernessaeia (Sylvanian Elf Cleric): Scale Mail AC 6 : Hit Points 6 / 6:

Says, "Yea, I would not mind some rest, as I am still a bit wozzy from the dang venom. So let us find a spot, set up a watch for the camp and that mound."

[Storm11]

Phoenix agrees about the camp and starts to help look for a place that's defenceable but offers a view of the mound that's not far away from the camp site.

[Dram]

Ox- helps look for a defense able position. I shall take the first watch. Who wants the next watch?