The small tunnel leads to an exterior stone balcony, 70 feet above a steep, rocky slope of scree. A foot-wide ledge winds along the northern rock face to a small cave entrance.
In the distance, far beyond the rocky slopes and caverns, Lost Mammoth Valley reveals itself—a verdant valley strewn with fields of bright flowers and tall green grasses. A shape looms large in the sky, silhouetted black by the sun—a dragon flying right for the caves! From the cave opening, a gravelly voice hisses, “Take cover, you fool!”
Fortunately, the dragon is a long way off, and it doesn't seem to notice Cyrene. The white-scaled wyrm swoops down towards a herd of elk near the caves, which bleat and scatter as they try to avoid the dragon's snapping jaws!
Once the dragon is out of sight, the voice calls out again. "Come on. Quickly!"
The long chamber beyond the cave entrance has all the trappings of a living space. An unlit fire pit, three half-butchered bats, and a bushel of bolts lie in the lower living area. The back of the room is a raised stone sleeping loft, lined with large rocks that provide standard cover to its occupants.
An aged halfling woman in scale mail holds a crossbow aimed at Cyrene. "Close enough! Take one more step and I'll open fire! Who are you? What are you doing here?"
Branwyn is squeezing her way in behind Cyrene. She hears the commotion, and replies to the halfling, “Is Cyrene. Am Branwyn. Cyrene cannot speak, only talk with hands.”
Gesturing to the weapon, she adds, ”No reason point weapon. Will not hurt you.”
The halfling looks between the two of you before lowering her crossbow. "Very well. Come in."
Once the rest of the party joins, the halfling explains herself. "My name is Varilyn Eridge. You can call me Vare. I live nearby. A long time ago, I served in the Mendevian crusades, battling the demons of the Worldwound. I've got some unfinished business here that I need to see through."
”I hate demon.” Branwyn replays the recent ass-kicking in her mind. ”You maybe strong, cannot finish business alone, I think.”
It takes a little longer for the larger man to slither his way through the small space and only appears as Cyrene and Branwyn slip inside the second cave. He takes a moment to survey the valley before noticing the dragon and lowering himself to avoid being seen.
After moving carefully along the ledge, he enters the new cave slowly, letting his eyes adjust to the dimmer light.
"And I am Jorum," he adds with a nod, letting Sabach finish his introduction before speaking.
Vare grunts. "I'll not speak of my business, not here. But if you're keen to explore these caves, be wary. They are filled with dangerous predators. People rarely visit, though there seem to be plenty around todya," she spits. "I'm leaving the caves after dark. You can use this shelter after I'm gone, if you like.
"My home's down in the valley. There are Mendevian soldiers in the valley's southern forest, but I don't live with them. There are also stray demons from the Worldwound invasion here and there, mainly along the northern perimeter."
She looks at Cyrene. "And you saw the dragon. Venexus rules the valley. The Sarkorians who live here worship her. I don't know much about the Sarkorians, but I know enough not to associate with anyone who reveres evil."
”After we explore, find you in valley, can talk business there?” Edging a little closer, lowering her voice, she asks, ”Can have one hint?”
"It's personal," Vare says brusquely. "And that's all I'll say about that right now."
”Am sorry,” Branwyn says, in a way one would normally say after someone tells of the death of a loved one.
Arianda also tries to squeeze through the passage. Despite her lithe frame, she is having a bit of an issue.
Having said all she is willing to say at the moment, Vare gives you a gruff nod before heading out of the caves and into the valley. You regroup and continue your exploration.
Ahead, the meandering, sloping path opens onto a steep, rocky slope that leads down to ground level. The slope is unstable scree, which is far too dangerous for the following to take. You'll have to find another route down for them.
As you are looking at the cliffs across the way, though, you see a trio of gargoyles emerge and fly towards you, intent on attacking!
Arianda works a blessing on the group, hoping to bolster their fighting skills and free others up to attack…
Branwyn ▶️rushes to the outer edge of the group of gargoyles—
—▶️▶️and kicks one!
Unable to match the monk for speed, Jorum draws his weapons and prepares for the inevitable attack.