Kern nods and lopes off in the direction of Stagfell.
Deep in the wilds of the Tors of Levenies (Hex 0926) you come across a deep gorge in which runs a swift river. Kern recognizes that this must be the Little Sellen river which emerges from the mountains to run through the Greensward miles to the west.
Here, the Little Sellen plunges down from a mighty waterfall to the north, falling into a wide pool of black, frothing water. In the center of the black pool stands a massive, hundred-foot-tall limestone pillar of weathered stone—the last, lonely sentinel marking where the cliff’s edge once stood in an age long past. At various points on the island’s top, plumes of black smoke waft up into the sky.
"What a beautiful sight... but who builds a settlement atop a mile high island?"
Turning to Alister, he suggest "We should see who lives here. They might know something about the area."
Aristu absorbs the view before responding. "Someone who can fly, apparently." He looks at Alister, "Shall I whip up some flight spells? Or do you want to send over a scout first?"
"It might be worth having Kern do his trick as a bird to scout from a safe distance and see what is making those plumes. It would be good to know if this is actually a community, and if so what makes up the community." Mikhail suggests.
Alister nods, as he looks up the pillar. "Kern, see what you can find up there. But keep your distance. They might have spotted us already."
Kern takes a running leap into the air and morphs into a hawk.
He beats his wings before finding a thermal to soar on, lifting him high into the air where he takes in the scene below.
Piotr, you can reach the summit with your clairvoyance. Do you want to, given Kern's flight?
You spot some sort of regular pattern on the shore of the island. You think they're tracks but you'll have to fly lower to get a good look.
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Kern lands swiftly after taking in the scene.
"That's not just any smoke. It some sort of noxious gas from deep within the earth. If I would have flown any lower, it would have likely been a problem."
He looks to Aristu.
"It may be best for you to whip up some flight for us if we want to go over those gases."
"Was there any sign of living creatures? If it is just a natural gas from the depths it may not be wise to investigate closer." Mikhail says.
Kern nods. "I saw what looked like tracks. It's definitely worth investigating."
Mikhail looks around to see if there is a way up and down with out needing to fly.
"Will we be in danger from the fumes while on the surface of the island?"
Now that he's landed, Kern notices tracks here too.
Piotr points to where his magical vision revealed the path.
"Not sure where that leads, but it looks like a path. I don't see any sign of boats, so probably some creatures that can swim or breath water."
"So it's not signs of inhabitance? Just a gas vent from below?" Alister seems to shrug and about to turn to leave where Piotr spots the pathway. "Ok, let's at least follow it to see where it leads." He nods to Kern.
"Indeed."
Kern gestures to the dirt.
"It's something large, and perhaps an equine creature. And some people, all here at different times."
Mikhail draws his blade in and follows along behind Kern.
How do you get over there? You're not fish monsters.
Yes.
There are two sets. One on your side of the river and one at the edge of the island.
DC 20 Athletics (Swim) check.
"I can cast flight on myself and three others - unless someone has a boat folded up somewhere."
"I can probably swim over, or if you cast fly on me I can ferry people across." Mikhail says.
"I can cast flight on myself and three others - unless someone has a boat folded up somewhere."
Alister laughs and pulls out the small box he had found in Varnhold. "I had forgotten about this." He touches the button and the boat begins unfolding.
Kern stands with his arms crossed as the boat unfolds.
Pft, humans and their inventions. I don't know why we couldn't just swim. Or walk on the water.
"At least we'll all stay dry." Kern says with a smile to the group.
The boat unfolds into a large rowboat with a sail, just large enough for the whole team to get into.
Row row row the boat. Or not so much.
After swinging about in the current for ten minutes, Mikhail gets the hang of this and crews the boat to the shore of the island. On the muddy shelf of a beach, you can see the tracks head towards the foliage Piotr spotted earlier.
Kern lithely hops onto the shore and bends down to investigate the tracks here.
Behind thick foliage, Kern finds a narrow tunnel entrance leading into the spire. It is dark and cool inside.
"What the devil is this place?" Alister stares up at the pillar and then into the tunnel. "I suppose we'll never know without going inside." He draws his shortbow and then casts Light on the tip of it.
Mikhail draws Civility and steps out of the boat. He motions for the others to go forward and follows behind in case something comes out of the water after them.
Kern stares up at the tall spire.
"Perhaps we should start from the top?"
Kern scans his eyes down toward the opening.
Aristu pulls out a wand and with a quick spell he places his own magical light on it. He moves to mouth of the cave and peers inside.
The spire and the cave both appear to be natural features, but the back of the cave continues on in a rough-hewn manner that speaks of intelligent hands long ago. It travels more or less straight back into darkness.
Kern will lead the way.
Piotr casts Light on his staff, ensuring that the party should have adequate light. With that complete, he calls Corb to his shoulder.
Mikhail waits for the others to actually enter to follow behind.
Alister follows close behind Kern.
This darkened passageway is decorated to the north and south with alcoves. Midway down the hall, just before the second set of alcoves is another archway carved in the stone. Upon its lintel are various runes and symbols. The northern alcove just beyond this arch holds an ancient amphora that has broken open, spilling its contents into the corridor. Several valuable items lie in the dust.
At the bend in the tunnel, a pile of rubble marks where a wall of stones once blocked the passage further into the complex.
You note that the way the wall collapsed indicates that it was broken down by a powerful force from the north (the inside).
"It looks like the wall was collapsed from inside. That much rubble would have required a lot of force." Mikhail observes.
"It looks like a human came here to this amphora and back out. And something large came out. And most recently, hooved creatures going into this cave and onward."
Kern says as he points out the disturbances in the dust.
Piotr peers about at the contents of the chamber, tryng to make sense of what he sees.
"There was a warding or alarm on the archway, but its power is now spent. That is what the runes mean, anyway," states Piotr.
Kern, I agree with you. I wonder why the human, or humanoid, did not take the entire contents of the amphora. What do you think?," he asks his companions.