After several weary days travel North from Bards Gate, the Coast road finally throws up a change in its endless monotony. A stone bridge, about 20 feet wide crosses a deep chasm, that bisects the road. Beyond the bridge, the land rises slowly into low hills. The map you carry seems to indicate that you are on the right road for the infamous 'Dungeon of Graves', although so far there have been no indications as to its location. All the map seems to show is that it lies somewhere in the vicinity of the Coast Road, close to the Forest of Hope.
Off to the East you can make out the start of the Southern edge of the Forest of Hope, whilst to the West can be heard the distant call of gulls.
The stone bridge has a narrow, low wall along each side. It shows signs of fire damage, as a lot of the stones are blackened with soot.
A unseasonably warm wind is beginning to blow in from the coast and the first signs of a storm front can be seen on the horizon.
As you stand before the bridge, you notice a lone figure making its way down the road from the hills. It seems to be pulling some sort of cart behind itself.
Dartalis squints into the distance, trying to get a better look a the figure coming down the road.
"Odd that someone would be travelling alone on such a dangerous road," he says to nobody in particular. "A farmer, maybe?"
"Indeed my friend, but I find those fire marks more curious"
Theledor adds "I will go take a look" pointing at the bridge, he then begins a cautious approach to the stone bridge, bow in hand.
Dartalis squints into the distance, trying to get a better look a the figure coming down the road.
"Odd that someone would be travelling alone on such a dangerous road," he says to nobody in particular. "A farmer, maybe?"
Dartalis
"Indeed my friend, but I find those fire marks more curious"
Theledor adds "I will go take a look" pointing at the bridge, he then begins a cautious approach to the stone bridge, bow in hand.
Theledor
"Indeed my friend, but I find those fire marks more curious"
Theledor adds "I will go take a look" pointing at the bridge, he then begins a cautious approach to the stone bridge, bow in hand.
Pulling his silver dagger from its sheath, Marcus follows Theledor, careful to keep the dagger hidden beneath his cloak and Theledor between him and the approaching figure.
"I'll come with you."
Joneth the paladin sighs.
"You know, sometimes a man pulling a cart is simply that. But I suppose a good dose of caution is a good thing. Just don't frighten the poor chap to death."
"Do not worry Sir Joneth!" says Theledor for everyone to hear.
"Do I look threatening to you?" Theledor asks the mouse with a wink.
"Do not worry Sir Joneth!" says Theledor for everyone to hear.
"Do I look threatening to you?" Theledor asks the mouse with a wink.
"Not from where I stand," Marcus returns with the same smile that has opened many a closed door. "But then again, I'm on the safe side of your bow."
At Koryn and Theledor's words, Dartalis takes up a more strategic location for a wizard, behind the line of armored warriors, and removes his haversack from his back.
"You may be right, Joneth. But just in case..."
Dartalis raises an eybrow as he peers at the traveller.
"Well, he is definately not a farmer. Not unless farmers have taken to wearing red robes these days.
"And that cart is not filled with turnips, as far as I can tell. Some objects are in it, though I can't tell what they are from this distance."
The figure in red stops at the other side of the bridge. He raises his hand in greeting, puffing his rosy cheeks out, obviously out of breath.
"Hail, good travelers. May I cross, or have the Lords of Bards Gate sent you here to act as toll collectors to prey on humble pilgrims such as myself?"
From this distance, you can see that he wears the priestly vestments of a follower of St. Cuthbert. His only weapon seems to be an iron shod mace, hanging from his belt.
The figure in red stops at the other side of the bridge. He raises his hand in greeting, puffing his rosy cheeks out, obviously out of breath.
"Hail, good travelers. May I cross, or have the Lords of Bards Gate sent you here to act as toll collectors to prey on humble pilgrims such as myself?"
From this distance, you can see that he wears the priestly vestments of a follower of St. Cuthbert. His only weapon seems to be an iron shod mace, hanging from his belt.
"No toll today, good man," Marcus begins, bowing to the man, careful to keep his dagger hidden. "except maybe a blessing for a group of fellow travelers." Again, that smile. "How fares the road ahead?"
Koryn lets his hand fall away from his weapons. "Strange," he thinks, "why is he coming away from the direction of the the Dungeon of Graves?"
Koryn
The rotund, red bearded priest progresses across the bridge, stopping near you.
"Greetings. Waldemar at your service, collector and seller of religious antiquities. Wooden spoons to valkyrie braids, from old dented helms to saint's kneecaps...you name it, I have it. And to answer your question, the road ahead is as always, different for everyone. Prey tell me then; whence are you heading?
He pulls out a chicken leg and begins to munch on it contentedly.
The rotund, red bearded priest progresses across the bridge, stopping near you.
"Greetings. Waldemar at your service, collector and seller of religious antiquities. Wooden spoons to valkyrie braids, from old dented helms to saint's kneecaps...you name it, I have it. And to answer your question, the road ahead is as always, different for everyone. Prey tell me then; whence are you heading?
He pulls out a chicken leg and begins to munch on it contentedly.
Marcus nonchalantly slides his dagger back into its sheath. With a look to the others, he walks around Waldemar's cart, glancing, but not touching, the man's wares.
Running in from a ways back on the road Klor finally reaches the group.
"Jus kuz I ad a bit too much ta drink aint no reason to be levin me behind!!" Klor says between pnat after running a good distance on a pair of short legs. " besides the guy ad it commin ta him anyway....right?"
"An who be this fella?" Klor asks suddenly realizing there is a another face in the group.
OOC: I hope that the slang dosent cause to many problems with anyone. and BTW I usually dont post on weekends.
Marcus see the dwarf run up and after hearing his comment, shakes his head. [i[Dwarves[/i] he thinks. He continues to look at the contents of the cart, searching for anything of decent value.
Appraise-taking 20+6=26
ooc:how do you write in blue?
Marcus see the dwarf run up and after hearing his comment, shakes his head. [i[Dwarves[/i] he thinks. He continues to look at the contents of the cart, searching for anything of decent value.
Appraise-taking 20+6=26
ooc:how do you write in blue?
The cart seems to be full of what appears to be totally useless junk - bits of wood, bones wrapped in bandages that have intricate markings on and various candles.
The cart seems to be full of what appears to be totally useless junk - bits of wood, bones wrapped in bandages that have intricate markings on and various candles.
Disappointed with the carts contents, Marcus walks over and leans against the rock bridge, listening to the others.
"We're heading north," Dartalis says, stating the obvious, then quickly trying to brush by the question. "How is the road ahead of us? Any touble up ahead?"
Dartalis then looks over at Klor, just catching up on his short legs and smiles, trying not to chuckle.
"Trouble ye say? ...I lad, there be trouble..."
He points toward the blackened bridge. "What do ye think dun that then? I'll tell ye shall I... Twas Aragnak the Dragon. Probl'y out defending her territory. If yer travellin' North then just be carefull."
"Trouble ye say? ...I lad, there be trouble..."
He points toward the blackened bridge. "What do ye think dun that then? I'll tell ye shall I... Twas Aragnak the Dragon. Probl'y out defending her territory. If yer travellin' North then just be carefull."
Marcus raises his eyebrows at the mention of a dragon. Now much more interested in the conversation.
Dartalis eyes the cart, looking for anything that a wizard might use.
"Do you not worry about the dragon yourself, or even bandits, travelling this road alone?"
"Oh, dont get me wrong now. I do worry, but yon dragons not stupid. She knows whats worth takin' a look at, and whats beneath her notice. And so far it appears i'm beneath her notice. As fer the bandits, well lets just say I know when to hide and when to run. This is dangerous territory my friends. And if you dont know where your bound then your liable to run into somethin' that wont be particularly to yer likin'. Now, hows about you tell old Waldemar what your after out here...maybe I can help you out...?"
Koryn pulls his mace from his belt loop and bangs it lightly against his shield.
"We were asked to clear out a minor infestation. No big deal really, not when adventurers such as ourselves are dispatched to deal with it."
Noticing Koryn's demeanor, Marcus lets his backpack slide off his shoulder and drop to the ground. Standing up straight, he sits his hand on his long sword.
Dartalis nods courteously to the priest. "Forgive us our rudeness, Good Sir, but we have a matter to discuss in private for a moment."
Dartalis steps away from the priest, then motions to the others and whispers, "Perhaps I'm being overly suspicious, my friends, but I just find it odd that a man would be travelling dangerous roads alone. I gather some of you feel the same way.
"I think we have only two choices. We can either bid the priest good day and travel on, or trust him and see if he can help us find the dungeon of graves."
Glancing first at Koryn, then at Joneth, Dartalis asks, "You are both holy men. What is your sense of this man? Is he truly a priest of St. Cuthbert? If so, I believe we can trust him."
Dartalis nods courteously to the priest. "Forgive us our rudeness, Good Sir, but we have a matter to discuss in private for a moment."
Dartalis steps away from the priest, then motions to the others and whispers, "Perhaps I'm being overly suspicious, my friends, but I just find it odd that a man would be travelling dangerous roads alone. I gather some of you feel the same way.
"I think we have only two choices. We can either bid the priest good day and travel on, or trust him and see if he can help us find the dungeon of graves."
Glancing first at Koryn, then at Joneth, Dartalis asks, "You are both holy men. What is your sense of this man? Is he truly a priest of St. Cuthbert? If so, I believe we can trust him."
Picking his pack back up, Marcus joins the others. "I learned a long time ago that a healthy dose of paranoia never hurt anyone. Then again, I am just one voice. I will go along with the majority." Adjusting his pack back to a comfortable position, Marcus waits to hear the others thoughts.
Sensing a bit of tension rising Theledor keeps an eye around, making sure we're safe or at least that we won't be caught off guard
Satisfied that no dragon is about to pounce down from the sky, the paladin turns his full attention to the priest ... or the person trying to pass himself off as one.
Joneth
In the distance, off to the North East, you see a flash of lightning, followed a few seconds later by a roll of thunder. There's a storm coming.
In the distance, off to the North East, you see a flash of lightning, followed a few seconds later by a roll of thunder. There's a storm coming.
Pulling the hood of his cloak up, Marcus turns to face Waldemar. "Happen to see anyplace we could take shelter until this storm passes?"
While Marcus distracts Waldemar with his question, Dartalis whispers the words to a spell , "Parnatha ekthu itha somen," and discreetly traces arcane runes through the air with his fingers then focuses the magic on the priest.
While Marcus distracts Waldemar with his question, Dartalis whispers the words to a spell , "Parnatha ekthu itha somen," and discreetly traces arcane runes through the air with his fingers then focuses the magic on the priest.
Dartalis
In the distance, off to the North East, you see a flash of lightning, followed a few seconds later by a roll of thunder. There's a storm coming.Pulling the hood of his cloak up, Marcus turns to face Waldemar. "Happen to see anyplace we could take shelter until this storm passes?"
"mmmm...I do recall that there is a place, about a mile from here, just to the North West. It's a short way into the Forest. A game trail runs past a mound of three boulders. Follow that and it comes to a clearing, surrounded by stunted pine trees. There stands a weathered building constructed of pure black marble. That's the only place near here that I can think of. I've never approached it though...always seemed a bit... well...wrong - if you know what I mean?"
"I detect no magic from the priest except a faint aura from his ring and his mace," Dartalis whispers to each member of the Broken Blade. "Perhaps we should take his advice and find this strange, black, marble building he speaks of. The storm seems to be moving closer."
"Or we could make camp nearby, and explore the building in better weather? This may be the place we are seeking."