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Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter

"Yes. In fact, I am glad to see these structures, for either there are folk who may aid us there, or they are abandoned ruins with treasure in, or they are filled with monsters or evil-doers who wish ill upon us. Two-to-one are good odds, in my opinion."

28th Springmonth I
Early Morning

The adventurers break camp and make for the stone structures. As they ride closer, they see that the structures are not overly tall, being only a story or two in height each presently. It appears that the ruinous buildings have been partially cannibalized for their stone; it is thus possible that perhaps some of the buildings were once taller. There are no more than nine or ten, and they are close together.

A few shortish trees grow in between the stone buildings, likely sheltered from the scouring winds of the open country or any wandering herds of grazers by the old buildings. Once more, the youths from Durans Well do not detect any smoke from cookfires, nor any sounds of habitation. No crows, ravens, or vultures circle the gathering of buildings, therefore likely ruling out the presence of fresh-slain corpses.

Cadmus the Confused

"Let's tie our mounts to these trees and investigate the buildings. We can patrol the exteriors, looking for any tracks and peering in any open windows and doors."

Tacitus the Multiloquent

"Sure, but lets not spend all day doing it. We can check the hearths for secret panels and then lets be on our way."

Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter

"That plan makes sense. After we have patrolled the streets, I think that two of our number - perhaps Decimus and myself - should keep watch over the avenues, so that nothing surprises the other two (that being Cadmus and Tacitus) as they focus their senses on the interiors of the buildings."

Decimus Numerous

"That plan makes sense to me and at least out here my magical skills will not lead to cries of witchcraft or chaos."

Cadmus the Confused

"Sounds like a good plan to me."

28th Springmonth I

The adventurers spend two hours in a thorough search of the structures. Whatever items of value once were here must have long since moldered with time or been borne away over the years. The interiors contain nothing other than leaves and sticks which have blown in, as well as moss and mold which have grown in some places. Old birds' nests are the only real sign of recent habitation.

Tacitus, however, takes it open himself to search each and every hearth for a secret panel. He finds no such cunning contrivances, but while searching one hearth, he happens to take a gander up the chimney. He finds that a leather jerkin has been shoved up the chimney. Although quite covered in dust and soot, and seemingly have been used as a support for a mouse-nest, the jerkin looks to be of fine workmanship indeed. The leather is still supple and undessicated.

Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter

"If we ever need to lay low for a winter, it would be good to remember how to find this place. For now, let us be on our way."

Tacitus the Multiloquent

"Ha! I bet this jerkin is magicked up. What do you think?"

[sblock=OOC]
Can our MU carry this in a saddlebag, since he's the least encumbered?
[/sblock]

Cadmus the Confused

Before leaving Cadmus casts the spell that enables him to detect magical dweomers and examines the armor, in addition to casting his gaze about the ruins in a general fashion.

28th Springmonth I

Although having little to no personal experience with enchanted items, Cadmus is familiar with the proper process for detecting the presence of such things. After prudently performing this preordained procedure, he becomes highly confident that the jerkin has been imbued with some dweomercraft of one sort or another. As he glances around the rest of the ruins, Cadmus finds no readily apparent signs of further sorcery.

Decimus Numerous

"Let us pack that jerkin away into my saddle bags then move on again, this huge tree must be getting closer to us now".

MonsterMash wrote:Decimus Numerous

"Let us pack that jerkin away into my saddle bags then move on again, this huge tree must be getting closer to us now".

Cadmus the Confused

Cadmus agrees.

28th Springmonth I

Having spent two hours searching the ruins, the party devotes the rest of the day to riding northwestwards.

29th Springmonth I

A few miles after breaking their fast and leaving camp, the adventurers sight a trio of black bears at a distance of one hundred yards. The ursines peer dimly and sniff at the adventurers, and then begin walking away at a casual pace. The horses seem skittish and alarmed, but not quite likely to bolt.

Cadmus the Confused

"Er, let's give them a wide berth," suggests Cadmus.

Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter

"Agreed," Alfius confirms.

Tacitus the Multiloquent

"I wouldn't mind having a fine new bearskin cloak, but today is not that day."

29th Springmonth I

The rest of the day continues uneventfully, marked only by an absence of further anomalous animals.
30th Springmonth I

The adventurers observe odious ordure, seemingly deposited by great kine of some sort. The grasslands are much trampled, as if fractious herds have been trampling the ground hereabouts of late. A sense of foreboding hangs in the air, and the adventurers launch into a wild, highly involved discussion of bovine life-habits. They are utterly absorbed in this conversation, and when it ends, they find that the are no longer in an area so trampled and befouled. The rest of the day passes without incident.

1st Springmonth II

After travelling for a few miles, the adventurers sight sixteen wild oxen emerging from the cover of an area of taller grass. Four of their number are large, long-horned bulls; the rest are a mixture of cows and calves. The females and young begin retreating, while the males paw their hooves on the ground, snort loudly, and lower their heads menacingly; they are quite obviously preparing for a mighty charge.

Tacitus the Multiloquent

Tacitus wheels his horse and flees.