[Sat Oct 06 20:06:19 GMT 2001] Top of 23

You have spent the night on the summit where upon the following day you were over come by a rockslide, which took the life of yet another group member. Isreal finally took his last dirt nap, as he did not recover from the act of Mother Nature.

Jarl sets on his blanket eating a handful of berries.

Syrenia yawns as she wakes up and watches the group for a moment, wondering who will die next.

Balthazar is seated against a rock, sorting out his things, cleaning clothes and armor...

Borathor stands, looking over the rubble and debris. He is still wounded from the fight in the cave. He sighs as he looks over his wounded arm and hip. "Make sure we put all we found in the cave together so that everyone gets a fair share" He then turns and looks to Syrenia and smiles, "Maybe you should keep the sack like always"

Syrenia grins..."Fine by me..."

[Borathor]: "I say we divide all of the gold now so no one is weighed down." He then looks to you all for input on the subject.

Balthazar shrugs and says: "It is only natural everyone gets his fair share..."

Bilgrom is curled up against a rock next to Valin as he looks out towards the sunrise and sighs, "These fella's ought t' bring us on strange 'adventures, I tell ye. I wonder if it be wise enough t' travel with 'em but Heh. It always be fun!" He slides forward on the rock and pushes himself without the help of his hands, landing on his feet with a smile he reaches in a sack attached to his belt and takes out a few vegetables and dried meat, which he tosses down his throat hastily. "I be sayin' we divide t' coins too, and split them items for people who be needin' 'em most. Like these daggers I's got here." He takes out two daggers, Isreal's daggers, to give an example.

Syrenia nods to them as she takes out a large sack full of gold..."So fill it up people..."

Balthazar looks at Syrenia and arches an eyebrow "I have yet to take but a speck of gold while travelling with you."

Borathor nods in agreement to Bilgrom's words. "That is what I am saying, but things like Jewelry and other things we can sell will be kept in a sack until we reach a suitable area to sell or use them"

Bilgrom points to Elina, "Not me ye be needin' t' tell that to, y'know."

Syrenia turns to Valin and Bilgrom..."Get your coins in the sack and we'll split it all."

Bilgrom shrugs, "I be havin' no coins from t' cave ma'am."

Elina pouts, "But can't I just wear it until then?"

Bilgrom takes out 7 silver pieces and cocks his head, "My fortune."

Jarl frowns, "coins from when. I have collected no coins on this trip the gems but Russ died with them"

[Balthazar]: "Who wears or carries it matters not to me as long as it is shared evenly when the time comes to do so..."

Borathor watches as the conversation takes a good turn. He realizes that these people may be trusted and are at least brave. He sighs a moment while packing away his share of the gold into many compartments on his person.

Syrenia shrugs..."Alright..." She begins to split the coins into multiple piles and then gives a pile to each of the members of the group.

Bilgrom digs in his share of coins and pours them into his backpack, having no other container to pour them into.

[Balthazar]: After some extensive work shaking the sand and stones from his things, Balthazar smiles as he admires his reflection in his sword. He then grips the hilt and concentrates, making a light blue haze very briefly surround him...

[Borathor]: "Ok is everyone ready to get moving?" in a loud assertive tone.

Syrenia closes her full pouch and turns to the dwarf..."So Mr. Dwarf...where do we go now?"

Valin nods and accepts his share, putting them in his pack with the rest of his money.

Balthazar sheathes his sword dramatically and waits for Jarl's response as well.

Bilgrom glances up at the man with huge weapons and cocks his head, "To where? I thought ye be not part o' this mage adventure or somethin'?"

Jarl takes a look at the map.

Bilgrom throws his backpack over his shoulder afterwards and stretches his arm, "No matter. Bilgrom be always ready t' move!"

[Jarl]: "well we continue on the way we been heading it looks"

Borathor looks down at Bilgrom and smiles, " I am in for the ride it would seem. I don't like most mages anyway." His face shows anger for a moment, but it is quickly replaced with a solid grin.

Syrenia pokes Borathor in the stomach..."Hey! Watch what you say you"!

[Balthazar]: "It is my duty to spread the word of Fustidio to the world, I am ready as well."

Bilgrom nods and turns at Valin with a smile, "I stay on foot again today, me friend. It be safer in them regions!" Hops behind Jarl and follows intently, taking good care of his footsteps as he watches the rock below.

Jarl rolls the map back up "well ye all be ready to move out?"

Valin smiles " Alright, if you have trouble just ask..."

Borathor laughs at Syrenia's nudge, "We will have to deal with that problem some day. I just hope its not to soon." He cracks a halfhearted smile at her once again.

Syrenia grabs Borathor by the arm and begins to walk towards where they where heading..."I know...but let's not thing about it now."

Elina watches everyone move out then looks over to Isreal's remains, "Hmm guys shouldn't we bury him first, I mean we did bury the others why not him? Besides he is half covered by rocks already."

Syrenia stops and turns around..."Didn't the big hairy men do that already?"

[Jarl]: "it be hard to bury one in solid stone unless ye gots some good ideas on it?"

Syrenia sighs and points to the fallen rocks next to him..."Bury him with rocks..."

Elina nods, "Why don't we bury him above ground under the rocks, or you do not to it that way in these parts?"

Balthazar nods and starts gathering rocks, not putting them on the body just yet

Bilgrom shrugs as he watches them figuring out the proper way to bury him.

Jarl shrugs and helps Bal with the rocks

[Balthazar]: Once enough rocks are around the body, Balthazar places some carefully on the body, eventually covering the whole thing with Jarl's help.

Valin also goes about helping with that task, looking about for appropriate rocks.

Borathor listens in and not really commenting on the stranger's fate. He simply awaits a decision from those who actually knew him. Instead, he stands there eating some of his rations. "I think I will hunt today", he mumbles to himself.

After a short time you have gathered enough rocks to cover his fallen body, as the last stone is placed over his face, you look onward into the range.

Syrenia stands back and looks at them burying Isreal. "You can actually hunt things here?" She looks to the barren lands of the mountains.

Bilgrom shrugs as he watches the humans and dwarf at work, "Can I join ye. Sire? I am trained in huntin’. But I do not use a ranged weapon though."

[Jarl]: when finished Jarl will say a few words of praise and remembers to Isreal, and wish his spirit a safe journey.

Syrenia bows her head an instant as Jarl gives the fallen thief his last rights.

Valin looks down at Isreal’s rocky grave, nods solemnly, and then turns to move back towards the rest of the group.

Borathor looks over to Syrenia, "Of course, the land teams with life. I can hear its heartbeat and its breath on the air." He then takes a deep breath holding it for a moment then realizing it. "This is what it’s all about my friends"

Jarl nods a final farewell to Isreal before heading on into the mountains

Syrenia looks up at Borathor..."Don't forget to skin them..."I might make myself some new boots..." She looks down at her old boots." I could use new ones."

Balthazar smiles at Borathor’s comments but says "We must be moving though, the faster we leave these mountains, the faster you will all be safe."

Bilgrom watches the pile of rocks, in which the thief was buried in and cocks his head, "Well I haven't seen much of ye. But I'll remember ye by yer daggers!" He turns around and follows the dwarf.

Borathor nods to Syrenia and then he glances towards Bilgrom, "Sure, I could always use another to help"

With the rockslide behind you and taking care of Isreal's remains, you make your way down even further into the range before noticing a menacing looking large cat that sits atop a boulder keeping a sharp eye on every movement you make off to the southern side. Laid back as if soaking in the sun its only movements is its head as it slowly turns to keep pace with you.

Bilgrom glances at Borathor with interest, "That t' kind of game ye be seekin', I be guessin'?"

Syrenia nocks her arrow to her bow..."Nice pelt..."

Jarl stops "any ye good with cats? Might want to work ye skills on that one before me has to works me axe on her"

[Borathor]: "No. Not the type at all that cat is a great animal and not meant to be eaten, at least only in emergency."

Balthazar gives him an odd look; surprised to see a ranger put animals in hierarchy.

Bilgrom shrugs as he rubs his chin, "Does not matter t' me anyway. I just be wantin' t' watch ye at work."

Syrenia sighs..."Ya you're right." She puts her arrow away with another sigh..."But could've been some really nice boots."

Borathor walks slowly towards the cat making a low hissing sound. He seems to be trying to sooth the cat in some way. His steps are nearly silent and each with the lightest spring.

Jarl will continue on slowly as long as the cat doesn't seem to make any sudden moves

Valin shakes his head and frowns as he looks over at Syrenia, mumbling.

Bilgrom follows after Jarl, not wanting to be too far away behind, as his legs are not as fast as most everyone's.

Valin also keeps moving with Jarl & Bilgrom, not really caring for Borathor's demonstration of the fact that he can befriend animals.

With Borathor’s actions of moving closer the beast leans backwards and up some but does not attack or flee from the approaching elf.

[Balthazar]: "Give word when we may continue on our way..."

Borathor gets up within an arms reach while still attempting to sooth it. He finally reaches out and strokes it on the head. After fishing in his pack for a moment he produces a piece of rabbit and gives it to the cat. He then walks his way back towards the rest of you.

Heading into the evening hours you find your self once again on an upward climb as you have reached the crevasse where two mountains join as one. Getting only an hour or so of travel in before the night falls upon you, you find yourself once again camping on the side of a mountain with no feasible places to make camp other then where you drop and sit for the night.

[Balthazar]: "We have made good progress today, despite the terrain..."

Borathor looks around the area for any signs of life. He examines the ground thoroughly with great detail. After a few minutes of that he plops down and closes his eyes. "Can anyone heal wounds?"

Valin finds a suitable place for him to curl up for the evening, before going about his usual routine of drinking a bit of water and eating the rest of the ration he nibbled on in the morning.

Bilgrom scratches his head as he looks at the crevasse, "So, mister the dwarf. We have t' climb more mountains or go in t' crevasse?" He walks over to Valin and unpacks his goods; he forms a pillow with his backpack.

[Balthazar]: "I can do nothing to heal wounds until tomorrow, I'm afraid."

[Jarl]: "aye me cans if Moradin be willing...what ye be needin?"

Syrenia UN-slings her bow from her shoulder..."We better have two watchers tonight."

Balthazar sets his bedroll, not bothering with a tent tonight.

[Borathor]: "Well, thanks. My hip and arm took some abuse it seems." looking at the wounds.

Elina looks around for a spot to sit before she looks around at Syrenia with a squint before opening her book to study her magic.

Valin looks over at Syrenia " I'll take first watch...."

Syrenia nods to Valin..."I'll stay awake with you." Looking to Elina..."Alright...let's exchange spells..."

Bilgrom glances at the lady opening her book to study and then over to Syrenia who is not studying, "Say m'lady mage. I took them two daggers from the thief whose fell yesterday. Ye think ye could check 'em fer me, huh?" He holds out two daggers before her.

Jarl brings his hand and symbol over the wounded areas of Borathor as a white glows falls upon those areas

Valin pulls his longbow free of his shoulder, plopping himself down on a rock, facing out from the center of the camp, watching for anything moving out in the darkness.

Bilgrom shakes his head, "Oh wah. Ye two do yer thing I be guessin’."

Syrenia shakes her head to Bilgrom..."Not now..."

Balthazar kneels and does a few rituals...

Settling in for the night after a good days travel you look off into the clear crisp evening skies when you notice a small dot that takes off from the peak of a mountain to your south before heading in your direction. As you continue to look the dot grows where you see it is a winged beast with which looks like three heads atop long necks.

Borathor looks better, but is still wounded. He smiles at Jarl, "Thanks, anything you can do me is appreciated"

Syrenia yells..."Everyone up!" Nocking an arrow to her bow and begins to aim at the creature.

Bilgrom cocks his head as the creature approaches and opens his mouth widely as he watches, instantly he scans the surrounding area for cover.

Balthazar jumps to attention with a metallic clang

Jarl starts to pray beside the base of the mountain. You see a mist forming wyvren like form above the general area again

Borathor arms his bow and takes aim, waiting to see if it is aggressive.

Balthazar heals his wounds with his powers before the beast comes too close

Valin hops down behind the rock he had been sitting on, notching an arrow on his already readied bow. " Hold your fire..." he says, low to the rest of the group.

The beast closes in directly at you not veering off in any other direction you catch a better look. Seeing one head is that of a Dragon, while one is of a full mane Lions head and the third if your eyes are not playing tricks on you, looks like a horned Billy goat. Carried aloft by two massive wings of a bat like nature. The beast circles above you well aloft above you as if checking you out.

Bilgrom jumps behind Valin and covers behind him, "What fire. There be nothin' fer me t' fire, ye idiot!"

Balthazar draws his sword

Borathor fires at the beast and reloads as quickly as he can. The bowstring releases the arrow with a loud twang.

Syrenia let's her arrows fly.

Valin sees Borathor fire and likewise, releases a pair of his own arrows.

Bilgrom shakes his head as he hops from one feet to the other nervously, "Damned be these winged creatures o' t' mountains!" He draws a dagger in each hand and leans against the closest rock, sweating obviously on his forehead.

Balthazar crouches for better defense until the beast flies low enough for him to strike

Before to long it heads back towards the south away from you as your arrows fly up towards it causing the beast to circle back into a dive upon your location.

Jarl takes a guarding position and waits for the beast to attack

Borathor fires again, growling that his first two sailed off into the air.

Valin fires as many times as he can at the beast.

Borathor fires his arrows as they sail past the beast into the air, Syrenia fires twice striking the beast once as it turns to attack upon you.

Bilgrom holds the blades of his daggers, ready to launch them at the creature as it gets within ten feet, before running off towards the north.

Balthazar runs to the beast, and slashes at it with a leap if necessary missing the mark lands and tried to run back for another run...

Elina stands leaving her studies as she cast a spell forming purple light about her where you see 3 images of her step out from one another making 4 of her total.

Borathor observes the strange beast while putting way his bow and pulling out his bastard sword and long blade. He clangs them together and then tries to bury the bastard in its leg. "This sure is one strange beast. Its a bit mixed up if you ask me" Buries the sword deep into the creature’s leg. Blood run’s down onto the hilt as he moves it around to get more flesh.

Bilgrom fires off his two daggers, he spins around and sprints off away from the party, without watching the result of his daggers, and he dives behind the first rocks or boulders he can find, "Valin ye go fetch my daggers me friend!" He shouts from behind. As one of the daggers pierces the creature's left wing and sticks on it.

Borathor then follows with the other blade, it too finding the creature's leg.

Syrenia takes aim once again and quickly releases an arrow and fires another before the first one comes close to the Chimera. The arrows strike deeply into the creature.

With Syrenia’s arrows plunging deep into the beast it comes in for a landing and charges along the mountainside into your camp.

Jarl stands his ground, slashing at the creature's main body his swing missing its mark

The beast charges into the camp clawing Borathor and Balthazar, before striking Borathor again with a hind leg as it misses Bilgrom with its horns, but lands its bite from the lion head upon Valin and missing Elina with the dragons bite. Before returning once more. As the beast sets for another charge Valin lay face down in the dirt while the rest of you fight on.

Syrenia hacks at it as it comes by with her longsword. She succeeds and let's a line of blood along it's side.

Bilgrom shakes his head as he sees his cover is not really sufficient he runs back in hurling two other daggers with a cry, or squeal, of war. "Feel me weapon, filthy three-headed creature ye!" The daggers cut through the air as he reaches for his shortsword and one of Isreal's daggers. The tow daggers strike true into the chimera's torso.

Balthazar leaps into range again and attempts to strike the chimera with his sword missing again.

[Syrenia]: As she slashes with her longsword, she brings in her short sword to stab the creature and succeeds, driving it deeply in it.

Syrenia swings driving her blade deep into the beast as it roars aloud in pain before falling to its side kicking its feet and moving its multiple heads about before becoming motionless.

Borathor cleans his blades off and then sheaths them. " I sure am glad that is over with"

With the battle over and all accounted for you bind and lick your wounds to prepare for any further attacks that may be fall you in the night. Keeping a wide eye open to the skies you see no other growing dots or anything else for that matter flying near or by in the general area. A glimpse to the deep night sky reveals a shooting star heading off through the sky towards the north for a brief moment before burning out in the sky.

Syrenia moves over to the fallen ranger and binds his wounds..."Got a bleeder here Jarl."

Bilgrom runs his hand over his arm then legs, he looks excited. "Ah ha, I be not wounded ye filthy beast!" He runs over to the chimera and retrieves his four daggers.

Balthazar watches calmly as Syrenia and Jarl tend to Valin...

Borathor finishes binding his wounds as best he can. He then sits down and tries to rest once again.

Syrenia moves over to the creature and searches it for any valuables.

Balthazar tends to his wounds, making sure to stop the flow of blood at least...

Jarl runs his amulet over the wounds of Valin as he chants

Bilgrom walks over to Valin and cocks his head as he looks down at him, "Me friend be okay soon, ye think?"

Elina looks about with no other dangers present she dismisses her images and returns once again to her studying only adding to it at the moment.

[Jarl]: "hmm that thing didn't look to normal wonder if it could have been something from that mage?"

Licking your wounds from the battle you hear the kicking of rocks when you turn to see a lone figure coming up the mountainside.

[Balthazar]: "Perhaps... "

Syrenia looks to the south..."I think its lair should be south since that's where it was headed...should we go and investigate?" She looks to the group for support.

Bilgrom hops back behind the rock and peers above towards the direction of the noise.

Balthazar gets up to face the newcomer

Jarl stands beside the mountain base looking to this new person "aye if ye wants to takes a look walking smithy that be fine just let us know what ye spot"

Tollong comes walking up the mountainside trying to keep his footing "What ho there all hail to the camp"

Borathor stays seated as the stranger approaches. He appears tired and now more wounded than before. He closes his eyes and rests...

Syrenia looks to the figure..."Hi..."

[Balthazar]: "Well met stranger, I am Balthazar of the Knights of Fustidio. What brings you to these treacherous mountains?"

[Tollong]: "I be a traveler from the south I be looking for a party to join with now that I be free "

Tollong, an elf tall and lean slider and graceful but muscular he bears scars on his arms and hands lead into the parts of his body you can see his face is untouched. His chiseled jaw gives way to his green eyes not the greatest looking elf he still bears the blood of the high elves.

Borathor opens one eye and looks over to the stranger, "Hello there!" He then looks over to Syrenia and replies, "I think just because it was flying south doesn't mean it lived south. I think we should stay on course and find this mage so we can move on to better things"

[Jarl]: "so ye came to the Earthspur’s to find a party for what and why?"

Valin takes this moment to go out and retrieve the arrows he fired in the battle with the Chimera.

Syrenia looks up to Bor "Better things...you got plans for something else after this?"

Borathor smiles at Syrenia, "Just the usual."

[Tollong]: "I was helped by the dwarfs the spoke of the party in the mountain I had a dream of the party an I saw a light now I have followed you trail"

[Borathor]: He pauses a moment and then continues, "You know, go back to Waterdeep and visit a few friends. I figure it will take a long time to get there and I am in no real rush"

Jarl sits waiting for the new elf to answer his question

Syrenia shakes her head..."We aren't ready yet. I'm not ready..."

Valin returns with his arrows, keeping his distance from the new comer.

[Balthazar]: "Well, an ambiguous story indeed, yet I see not any reasons to mistrust you... As far as I am concerned, the more the merrier, and the more the safer..."

Bilgrom leans against the rocks and flips a dagger in his right hand, looking the stranger up and down.

[Borathor]: "I know, I know, but we will be by the time we get there"

Camping into the night Elina finishes with her studies and lies back trying to get some shut eye before morning comes once again.

[Jarl]: "ye had a dream? " smiles "what did ye dream tell you lad?"

Syrenia looks to Elina and nods..."I need sleep too." She settles down next to the mountainside and dozes off.

[Tollong]: "well I have never be a mage if that be what you mean but I have put faith in my drink and I saw several blank faces and the mountain and so I came here"

Valin decides to get some sleep as well, curling up in his previously claimed spot, falling fast asleep rather quickly.

Balthazar arches an eyebrow at the elf, but retires to set his things for the night, confident Jarl will conclude the same as him about the newcomer.

Bilgrom nods in agreement as he watches his friend going to sleep, and wraps himself around his own cloak, using his backpack as the pillow again.

[Jarl]: "well follow if ye wish me be Jarl Ironstar of Clan Malthin whom be ye?"

Borathor stays awake with his bow in his lap. He sits with his back against the cliff face.

[Tollong]: "I am Tollong that is all I know I have lived as a slave for the past several years but I will follow"

Jarl frowns, "a slave no man should be a slave to what were a slave to?"

Borathor raises his arm towards Tollong, "Borathor, glad to meet ya"

Bilgrom opens his left eye and glares at the new-coming elf and sighs as he mutters under his breath. "Sure, ye are too-long". Closing his eye and fakes snoring, he slowly falls asleep afterwards.

Elina raises her head and looks to the others, "can you keep it down some of us are trying to sleep." As she resets her necklace and lies back down.

[Tollong]: "I was a pit fighter for a westerner slave trader I have killed many a man in my life, nice to meat you Borathor did you say"

[Jarl]: "hey Lass, me thinks it my turn to wear the little necklace"

Valin is awoken as well in the chatter, catching the last bit of Tollong's statement about killing " That is nothing to be proud of...." he begins falling asleep again.

Borathor nods to Tollong and then replies, "Ok, let’s get some rest. We will need curing and as much energy as we can tomorrow"

Jarl walks over to his blanket and wraps up in it "well night then"

Resting through the night you once again get a decent nights rest as you wake to the cold morning once more. Being along the side of the mountain this day, you don't feel the effects of the blowing winds above that crest over the peaks.

Jarl opens the map back up, looking to get an idea on how many days of travel are left and if we look to be still on course

Tollong gets up and starts to pack up taking a drink of water and some rations then gets the rest of the group up

Valin awakens and drinks some of his water, as well as eating a bit of this day's ration.

Borathor rises and looks around, "Ah, another glorious day under Mother Nature's veil. He then pulls out some food and looks to the area that lies ahead.

Valin stretches silently, before gathering his gear for the day of travel ahead.

[Borathor]: He rubs his now fresh wound and looks to Jarl, "Can you do anything for me?"

Balthazar rises and starts his breakfast, some rather stiff looking cakes and some dried fruit...

[Jarl]: after looking over the map Jarl will chant a few words and open his left, revealing a small number of red berries looking to Borathor "here eat three of these" he hands you three berries and eats the fourth one himself

[Borathor]: "Jarl if you like maps you should get a look at mine. I think you will come to appreciate them" He then pulls one of two rather large scroll cases from his backpack and after a moment reveals a detailed map of a large area. He then pops the berries into his mouth and swallows them down. "Thanks alot"

[Jarl]: "aye ye gots a map of this place do ye?" As he looks at this new map

Balthazar breaks his last few pieces of hard cake and swallows them, taking a drink quickly afterwards.

Tollong grabs his shield and starts up the mountain with the party

Syrenia stretches as she wakes up and then looks up at the sun..."Which direction are we heading in anyway?"

Bilgrom rises abruptly from his sleep as he hops onto his feet, "Mornin' people! How ye sleep t'night?" He grabs Valin tosses his waterskin back into his backpack he steals it from his hand and drinks some water, after handing it to him back. He runs while staying immobile and does some exercises, "I'm ready!"

[Balthazar]: "Thank you, I slept quite well." As he also goes through his morning routine

[Jarl]: "hmm hey Elina come look at this. Maybe that other mage told ye more then he told us" as he continues to look over the map for the most likely place for the mages tower or home

Tollong has returned to the keyboard.

Elina gets up and struts over to take a look at the map, "Hmm nope they know more then me I was in a frame at the time."

Balthazar goes over to examine the map with Jarl, curious to see just where he is...

Borathor frowns at the map knowing how far from home he is. "That map has served me well and is very accurate to my best knowledge."

Bilgrom doesn't find it necessary to see the map, he sits back on a rock and looks up at Valin with a shrug, and "I wonder when we be movin' today."

Balthazar gets back to his exercises, nodding to Bilgrom after his last comment...

Syrenia crosses her arms across her voluptuous chest..."Come on...let's move."

[Balthazar]: "I would help, but this is far from the lands I know... Folk seeking refuge from others usually build in the place that is best hidden, all the while being accessible for practicality purposes..."

Borathor gets ready for the day while the others look at the map a little longer. He waits for them to finish so he can put it back into its protective container.

Valin nods as Syrenia speaks, agreeing with her.

[Balthazar]: "Very well..."

Tollong grabs his shield and starts up the mountain with the party

Balthazar straps on his backpack, and his sword belt...

Jarl compares the current location to the larger map to see how close we are to the great worm area

Bilgrom remains seated on the large rock, dangling his feet into the air patiently.

Balthazar gets shakes out a few folds in his armor, patiently waiting for everyone to get going...

[Jarl]: "well as soon as me knows for sure how close we be to the great worm we can be moving on"

Syrenia rolls her eyes and begins to walk..."Figure it out while we walk."

[Balthazar]: "Ahh. But I think the good dwarf is correct... Fustidio said, The well written plan leads furthest."

Tollong keeps his eyes open as they walk watching for danger

Hiking up the mountainside refreshed from your rest your travel well into the afternoon once again climbing in some areas you reach the top of the mountain to once again look down upon another valley of rock. With the grim outlook you know you still have a few days before reaching the Earthspur that lies beyond the coming valley that the dwarves spoke of.

Valin begins to follow Syrenia, hoping Jarl will listen to her suggestion.

[Jarl]: "aye if ye wants to go ahead and be me guest" he rolls his map up and places it into his bag "let me know if we going the right ways okay missy"

Bilgrom slides on the rock and lands on his feet, he throws his backpack atop his shoulders and nods at Jarl, "Great worm ye say? Me meet one of 'em great worms in t' desert miles away t' the west from here. I was alone against it, I was thirsty and had nay ate fer many days when I met it, I tell ya! I's kick it in t' side and stuck me shortsword up its y'know what. And it fled after I's dealt with it, it was nay easy but I's scared it, I tell ye!"

Borathor takes his map back and rolls it up before putting it away in its case. He shrugs at the comments of both Jarl and Syrenia and walks silently along side of her.

Valin looks out over the steep mountains, then back at his halfling friend " You want a lift across that?"

Syrenia sighs as she watches the valley below...

Bilgrom nods to himself as he follows next to Valin, "I's laughed at it as it burrowed an' fled to the north into t' deep sands." He turns to Valin and shakes his head at Valin, "Me small feet and hand carry meself much better than ye, Valin!" He laughs sharply and pokes him on the leg.

[Balthazar]: "We learn from our travels, thus this voyage will have been worthwhile..."

Jarl looks about the valley and the cliffs trying to find the best and fastest way to cross them

[Balthazar]: "You seem to have led an interesting past, my friend."

Jarl slowly follows the chosen path to cross this valley

Balthazar follows, seemingly tirelessly...

Syrenia follows the dwarf carefully.

Tollong follows breathing in the thin air

Bilgrom cocks his head as he watches the great valley below, "Ye think me should put on crampons if we be t' climb?"

Borathor checks the ground again with detail, taking his time. He then stands once again and begins to trek into the valley beyond.

Once again on a downward trek you make your way well into the evening hours before looking for a camp when low and behold just up ahead is a small rock out cropping. That juts out from the land in a lean to fashion giving at least a roof if not walls for your nights sleep.

[Balthazar]: "That seems to be a good place to rest, I think."

Bilgrom decides his opinion is not needed in this situation he simply stares at the good campsite with interest.

Jarl heads for the rock out cropping

Tollong I will take the last watch I need some sleep

Valin raises an eyebrow at the sight of a suitable campsite " That is mighty suspicious," he says as he approaches it.

Borathor moves near the rocks, inspecting the area with caution. His footsteps are near silent as he sniffs the air and looks along the ground.

Balthazar also goes to the outcropping

Elina giggles, "yeah watch the ground under the stone be quicksand." Laughing as she drags her tired bones along.

Bilgrom nods at his friend Valin, "Ye be right me friend. Why don't ye go and check 'round here for them tracks, I don't want t' camp in someone else's home."

[Jarl]: upon setting up camp Jarl will heal both Borathor and Balthazar

[Valin]: " We just happen to find a perfect camp spot on our path... I wouldn't be surprised if something shows up to bid us a greeting this night...."

Borathor looks at the others and smiles, "Just tracks of some small birds"

[Balthazar]: "Yes, we must stay on our guard as always..."

Bilgrom glances at the lady, looking desperate, "Me good ladies. I find that one of them daggers is easier t' lift than the others, would ye please take a look at it, please?" He cocks his head with a sad look.

Tollong curls up and sleeps

Syrenia shakes his head..."I don't have the spell ready..."

Bilgrom glances over his shoulder at Borathor and smiles, "Well Heh, we met a lot of great winged creature. It be about time we met some small and cute ones!"

Jarl chants once more as the now familiar mist form raises into the sky directly above the camp

Bilgrom turns his head again to face Syrenia, "What spell be that'?"

Balthazar chuckles in his loud, clear voice

Borathor laughs lightly at Bilgrom's jest...

Elina smiles down upon the hairy child, "Sorry but I have tried before and failed so it will be sometime before I can try again little one." covering her knees by draping her skirt over atop it.

Bilgrom shakes his head as he walks away muttering under his breath, "And what they be useful for then?"

[Jarl]: after his castings Jarl finds a quiet place to pray

Syrenia shrugs to the little man..."It doesn't matter does it?" She yawns and settles down to rest.

Balthazar takes a place next to the rock wall

Valin finds a sleeping spot, preferably one where he can comfortably rest with his back to a large stone, where he readies for rest.

Bilgrom shrugs, "Well if I were knowin' what t' dagger be good for perhaps I can be usin' it at its best is all."

Borathor looks rejuvenated from Jarl's healing touch. "Thanks again", he says in a low even tone.

Camped down now for a few hours you spot another group of goats upon one of the peaks outline by the setting sun focusing in on them you see it's a nanny with its young. They don't seem to notice you being they are off quite away and look to be going down the far side of the peak.

Bilgrom wraps his cloak around himself as he walks over in a corner and hides in the shadows provoked by the rocks, "I have been takin' first watch tonight, ye all get some sleep."

Borathor takes advantage of Bilgrom's offer to watch and he rests against a large rock. "Bilgrom, we will hunt tomorrow. These rations bore me"

Balthazar smiles in his sleep

Valin sighs as he begins to fall asleep, mumbling at Borathor's comment.

You drift off to sleep once more. To find yourself waking to a brand new cold day of blowing winds looking about you see a bird of prey diving down into the valley apparently spotting its morning meal. The irony of it is the clouds that spread out across the sky appear to resemble the bird of prey.

[Tollong]: "that is a sign look at the clouds"

Balthazar gets up to do the usual...

Valin gets up and drinks some water, before eating a bit of the day's ration. " Hmmm.... Interesting...."' Watches the bird & the clouds as he gathers up his gear.

Bilgrom sighs as he watches into the sky, "I sense magic." He reaches into his backpack and takes out half a loaf of bread he eats piece by piece, "Anyone wants bread?" He offers some of it to the others.

Balthazar looks up from his meal and shakes his head

Borathor wakes and takes a bite of his rations, then washing it down with some water. "Ah, another day to celebrate. Jarl did my map help you any?"

Syrenia wakes up and eats some of her rations before preparing to set of for another day of walking.

Tollong looks about and keep a watch of any trouble

Balthazar finishes his meal and sits to start his exercises, saying, "Only a few more days, and we will reach this mage of yours... We will soon know if this quest will be a success or not."

Elina yawns and stretches as she gets to her feet and packs her things up while eating on some dried meat. "So how much farther do you think we have to go?"

Borathor nods at Balthazar, "That is good news. These mountains are vast and we should do well if we work together like we have been doing thus far"

[Balthazar]: "Well, from my experience in travelling, I'd say 5 or six days... but I have never been in such mountains...'

[Tollong]: "I hope the day brings something great for us "

[Balthazar]: "Indeed, success is a temple built by many..."

Elina shakes her head, "Temples, great things, I just want to live to talk about it later, and maybe thicken my book some along the way."

[Balthazar]: "Knowledge is a most noble quest... Is written in the scrolls of Fustidio."

Bilgrom shrugs at the mention of knowledge, "Why do ye paladins have to pursue noble things. Them most of the time not even worth yer time!"

[Borathor]: "Well then shall we get moving along?" pointing towards the valley.

[Elina]: "Fustidio, what is this Fustidio? Where do you hail from exactly, if you don't mind me asking?"

[Balthazar]: "Ahh. But how does one draw happiness from the world when one does not know the world..."

Elina takes her gear and waits to follow the others onward.

[Balthazar]: "I hail from the Land of the two Princes, in the Border kingdoms..."

Jarl begins to chant again this morning, and a handful of berries appear once more

[Balthazar]: "Fustidio was a wise, and great knight who created an order to help the world."

Valin shakes his head at all these attempts to sound wise " Is it not better to appear idiotic, rather then open thy mouth and remove all doubt?" " Come on, less talking, more walking... All this discussion won't help us get out of these mountains...."

Moving out once more only a couple days away from the valley of the Earthspur you make your way to the base of the mountain near midday before having to climb once more over the next one. Spending the rest of the day in relative peace you make your way to the mountain peak just in time to look out across the range before the sun sets. Peering of the summit you see some remains of snow but better yet, the mountain now dies out into a valley of rolling hills. After the decent tomorrow morning your travels will get a little easier.

Jarl walks about handing a berry to each that want one

Valin accepts one.

Balthazar arches an eyebrow at Valin, rather surprised, but says nothing.

Borathor takes one of the berries and eats it down.

Elina nods and takes a berry as Jarl comes by.

Balthazar holds his hand up and shakes his head, as he mustn’t eat out of mealtimes...

Syrenia takes one from the dwarf..."Thanks."

Bilgrom shakes his head as he looks at the berries, "You'd probably make me pay for one anyway. So Heh."

Borathor moves away from the others, vanishing from view. ...

Balthazar watches Borathor move away with concern followed by a shrug...

Elina looks around for a spot to rest in for the night. "Well, at least we will be in the hills tomorrow, my feet are sore from all these rocks." Rubbing her foot through her boot.

Balthazar chuckles

Bilgrom smiles at Elina as he watches his feet who are still in perfect condition, "That's right. And I be gettin' back on top of Valin's shoulders." He continues walking with the others.

Valin smiles " I agree, I'll take the soft rolling hills over these jagged peaks any day..."

Syrenia looks around for a good camping spot.

Balthazar halts and waits for the others to choose a campsite

Bilgrom shrugs as they come to a halt, "We's could possibly continue walkin' through t' night an' sleep when we reach t' hills? I have a feeling t' place would be safer."

[Balthazar]: "Possibly, but if we continue, we may be tired, and vulnerable if we come under attack..."

Settling in for the night to come you snuggle up in blankets and cloaks or any other means you have brought with you to keep warm from the chilling winds that come with each night into the dawn.

Bilgrom shrugs at Balthazar as he lets loose one of the straps of his backpack, "We might be asleep and helpless too. Who knows." Shrugs and sets his bed quickly next to Valin's.

Syrenia sits down and watches over the group.

[Balthazar]: "The same is possible in the hills," he says with a smile as he sets his bedroll

Valin curls up as he begins to sleep eager to get to the morning.

Elina finishes rubbing her feet as she grabs a bite of rations to eat, 'I wonder what Borathor is doing out there, think he got lost?"

Bilgrom shrugs and curls up under his cloak.

Syrenia shakes her head..."He's gone to hunt...I just hope he remembers to bring me a skin."

[Balthazar]: "I know not... and prefer not to speculate quite yet...' Kneeling to murmur a few words before settling down.

Elina lies down propping her head up upon her pack and tries to get some shuteye.

[Borathor]: After a few hours Borathor returns to the camp empty handed. He plops down and goes to sleep in no time flat.

Bilgrom makes sure someone is on watch before he definitely falls asleep.

Syrenia grins silently as she continues her watch.

Getting a chance to finally sleep through the night you wake to the sounds of baa'ing some bit off, as you rise to see two sheep traveling the range in search of uncovered grass and roots from the snow. As previously found out before the morning breeze coming down from the north chills you to the bone as you ready yourselves once again for the downward trek into the valley.

Borathor moves near the sheep before taking aim with his bow and firing...

Syrenia stands up and un-slings her bow. She slowly nocks an arrow to her bow and takes aim, just in case Borathor misses.

Bilgrom glances over at Borathor as he rises from slumber; "These should be good for ye." He stretches his arms while he remains under his cloak and waits for everyone to be up before getting up himself.

Valin shakes his head at the two archers as they shoot for food.

Balthazar rises to begin his morning chores...

Borathor strikes the male sheep with his arrows dropping him into the snow that quickly turns to red.

[Balthazar]: finishing his meal quickly, he says, "That will weigh us down considerably..."

Borathor rubs his eyes as the arrows find their mark. He then reloads and attempts to shoot the other one, if it is still there.

Syrenia puts her arrow away with a smile..."Nice Bor."

Elina looks up in horror, "Aww he killed her mate you meanie."

Valin is mumbling and cursing under his breath, only audible words are ' what a waste....'

Borathor fires again striking the female sheep, killing her. To keep them both together She drops some 15 yards off from her mate.

Borathor moves up to the killed animals, where he begins to strip them of their meat and skins. He leaves very little for the buzzards and other scavengers. After an hour or so he is done and then walks over to Syrenia and hands her the semi-clean skins. "

Bilgrom finally gets out of his poor bed, adjusts his cloak and throws the backpack atop his shoulder, "I be guessin' we eat better once we reach t' hills whatdya think?" He smiles as he looks up at Valin.

Elina looks over at Syrenia, "Well, I guess you got your pelt now. I hope you enjoy it". Crossing her arms and crossing her leg as she sits upon a boulder. While shaking her foot in a fast short motions back and fourth.

Valin frowns " Hope you enjoy your pair of boots" he looks over at Borathor " I hope you are no longer 'bored' by your rations...."

[Borathor]: "We will eat well for the next several days. Shall we eat something now or later after we move onwards?"

Balthazar watches the whole scene, not wanting to get involved. "How do you plan on keeping all this meat good? We don't have the time to smoke... nor do we have salt, I'm afraid..."

Elina grabs her gear lets eat later, before something comes from the remains you left splattered all over the mountain side."

[Borathor]: "Valin if you wish to starve or live on dried or salted meat until its gone that is your choice. I live off the land and wasted nothing. I have done no wrong and I have trouble even thinking you don't agree."

Syrenia looks up and smiles ignoring Elina..."Thanks." She puts them in her bag to let them dry later.

[Borathor]: "I say we cook as much of it as we can. I have some salt that will help keep it."

Valin smiles at Borathor " Good for you, you deserve a cookie...."

Syrenia shakes her head to Valin..."What...you only eat fruits and vegetables and don’t wear any leather? Stop being an hypocrite Valin."

Balthazar sighs to see they will spend most of the day preparing food, but doesn't say anything.

Valin looks over at Syrenia " I'm not a hypocrite.... I did not say it was wrong to eat meat, I merely meant I disagree with the killing of those animals.... "

Elina laughs, "Heh didn't say I wouldn't eat any I’m not foolish just thought killing the mates were cruel."

[Valin]: " We have plenty of food on us, why take another life?"

Borathor smirks at the rude Valin and then instead of furthering the conflict he simply laughs at him and turns to the others. "Well shall we move or cook some of the meat?"

Balthazar clears his throat rather loudly

[Syrenia]: "Why? We don't know the next time we'll reach a town. I don't want to starve just for your principles."

[Elina]: "Couldn't kill the others one the other day anyway they had a baby already with them.'

[Balthazar]: "I think we should get this over with... cook the extra meat, and let us be on our way."

Bilgrom licks his lips as he stares at the meat, "It looks tasty but. Let’s move on, them's mountain be filled with all kinds of things."

Valin laughs and smirks at Borathor in the same fashion, then looks over at Syrenia " Then don't, I certainly won't starve or trouble myself for yours...."

[Borathor]: "Syrenia, they just don't understand hunger. I for one have found hunger to be very unhealthy and will not go there again while I have the ability to hunt the land"

Elina sighs, "Now if Malakai was still with us he would just eat the left overs raw."

Bilgrom raises an eyebrow and shakes the thought out of his head.

Jarl smiles

Balthazar listens to Borathor and looks like he has something to say, but he seems to keep his control. "We must find wood to cook this meat, if we don't want to become the destination of every predatory creature in the area..."

Syrenia takes out the skins again and lays them down on the ground, letting them dry.

Bilgrom stares at Syrenia, "Perhaps while he be cookin' t' food ye can check me item too?" He pulls the dagger out of the sheath.

Borathor puts the meat into large sacks and salts it as best he can. He takes his time and makes sure that the meat will keep as long as possible.

Bilgrom shakes his head, "Forget it. I think he be not cookin' now."

Syrenia shakes her head again..."No and stop asking...I'll do it when I'm ready."

Balthazar grinds his teeth together

[Borathor]: He then takes the excess meat and cooks it after starting a fire. The process of finding kindling and actually starting the fire takes about an hour, but before to long he has one going and has begun to cook large chunks of the meat on thick sticks.

Bilgrom shakes his head, "Seems like ye never will be or something. What be more important than that to ye?" He hops from on foot to the other.

Elina gets up and goes over to Borathor here I have a sack of salt I only need a little bit for my spells. Town is only a few days back."

Jarl sits on a rock continuing to look over the maps "ye knows the more salt ye adds the more water ye be wanting to drink" looks back to the maps

Sitting around a small fire cooking meat sending the burnt flesh smell of spices through out the range, you notice quite a few birds above circling the area as they begin to land near where the sheep were killed.

Borathor continues to cook the meat, tearing off portions that are done and handing them to anyone whom is hungry.

Bilgrom shakes his head, "I'll be very surprised if we see not only birds. There’ll be more of 'em winged beasts 'round here soon!" He watches the sky intently.

Balthazar looks up to the birds and shakes his head

Some of you have seen these birds before as they stripped Isreal's old mule to bones in a matter of hours.

Syrenia eats some of the meat handed to her.

Jarl looks "great the dead will lead more death our way we should be moving ASAP"

Balthazar eats a bit of the cooked meat...

Bilgrom walks over to the carcass, and watches as the birds feast upon it, "Should I be addin' some more meat t' the pile?" He shouts to the others as he draws a dagger.

Elina takes some of the meat and finds a place to sit, 'Ouch it’s hot!" Burning her hands as she tosses it about before grabbing hold with her cloak sleeve.

[Jarl]: "when will ye all be ready to move?"

[Balthazar]: "More than willing and more than ready."

Valin stands, having been ready to leave for hours.

Bilgrom shrugs as he sheathes the weapon back in his belt and walks back to the others. "I's agree with t' paladin there!"

Elina stands with juices of meat smeared on her face, "I can eat along the way."

Jarl nods "well then we are off" as he starts to move once more into the mountains

Borathor finishes cooking alot of the meat. He stashes away some while stamping out the fire. He then takes a chunk and eats it as he walks.

Valin follows the dwarf.

Balthazar looks at the messy elf with a grin, and shakes his head...

Proceeding on down the mountain you catch a glimpse of a cave with some sort of strange beast going inside into the darkness from what you good see it looked like a large bird of sorts with brown feathers. With the cave set near the valley floor and still a good bit away, leaving you to ponder just what you saw.

Balthazar follows those leaving

Syrenia puts her skins away and runs after the group.

Bilgrom smiles at Borathor as he is finally done, "I count on ye t' save an piece fer me later."

Syrenia glances at the cave.

Borathor points at the cave and ponders a moment; "Do you think that's the place?"

Jarl will may his way slowly to this cave

[Balthazar]: 'I think I know what it may have been..."

Syrenia unslings her bow and nocks an arrow to it as she follows the dwarf.

[Jarl]: "aye? What ye think it be?"

[Balthazar]: "We had large feathery beast like bears with beaks in the forest of my homeland... It is only a hunch though, I warn you all."

Syrenia unslings her bow and nocks an arrow to it as she follows the dwarf.

Bilgrom glances at Borathor showing a bit of curiosity, "There is only one way t' find out. We’s fought many winged creature we's can probably take on an brown bird." He shrugs as if it weren't a challenge for him.

Elina shrugs, "I don't know but were aren't going to charge another lair are we? Are luck has been pretty bad with that lately."

[Balthazar]: "Indeed I would consider it a waste of time..."

Syrenia shrugs as she approaches..."Might as well kill it now before it ambushes us from behind."

Continuing down the mountain where sometime after midday you reach the valley floor once more looking out over the rolling hills, your best guess would put that cave a few hours ahead off to the right in the base of the mountains.

[Valin]: " Why are you fellows seeking out this mage again?"

[Balthazar]: "I believe they seek his staff... why, I do not know."

Bilgrom laughs at Syrenia, "What if we ourselves ambush it from behind?" He draws his shortsword two-handedly and slashes through the air with a twist of his hands; "I could jump on its back and boom!"

Borathor continues moving along while eating on some meat. He washes each bite down with a large swig of water; some of it runs down his face and onto his chest.

Bilgrom shakes his head as he hears the mention of staff, "Not a staff, bah! Them are useless t' me, I can tell ye."

Jarl continues on in the direction of the cave

Traveling onward close to sunset you spy the cave some 300 yards away, getting a better look at it you see its about 10' foot high and roughly 8' to 10' wide at its opening. From up in the peaks the bird like beings was almost as tall as the cave.

Valin continues to follow, his bow notched & ready incase anything hostile appears.

[Balthazar]: "I may have misunderstood, that would be a mark of poor attention on my part..."

Syrenia blinks..."What the hell is that thing?"

[Borathor]: "Hmmm maybe we should stake the cave out for a while and see how many of them things are there"

Bilgrom shrugs at Syrenia, "I's say we circle around and come from the side so we be not alarmin' them big birds. Then we's can make them come out and hit!" He swings again with his shortsword, his eyes glimmering as he watches the blade.

Valin shrugs " Then, you guys wanna go kill them? Hmmm?"

Jarl stops once they get closer to the cave but still a safe distance from it "how about one or two of ye lighter foots go and see what you think about what is in that cave and numbers as well"

Valin smiles widely as he comes to a stop alongside Jarl

Elina nods, "I agree we don’t know what they are never the less how many they’re maybe in there."

Borathor looks to Syrenia and smiles, "Why don't you do your vanishing act and see what is in that cave?"

Bilgrom looks over at Valin, "We's could use one of them plans I told ye about back then in t' dwarf camp. Y’know. Bait and stab!"

Syrenia shakes her head..."They'll smell us...can't hide from those..."

[Balthazar]: "The beast I spoke of occasionally killed inhabitants of the area from which I hail... They were one of the reasons the stronghold of the order was constructed there... It remains an assumption though..."

Borathor now has his bow out and is looking at the cave and into the sky. His head moves back and forth as he does so.

[Jarl]: "well never the less we need to pass by the cave and I would like a good head count before we go storming into that place"

Elina cross's her arms "Why not put your pelts on and then you will smell like a sheep to them?"

Balthazar coughs in protest

Syrenia grins..."Do I really want to smell like a sheep before them?"

[Balthazar]: "I suggest we try to avoid the cave."

Bilgrom laughs at Elina, "And what do ye think these things like t' hunt?" He also laughs at Balthazar, "Bah. This place is intriguing. I's vote fer not avoidin' it."

Borathor waits for everyone to decide hoping they keep it down, so that the things don't notice them.

The rolling hills about you are vast, and by passing the cave will pose no problem.

[Jarl]: "why? Can any one tell the number of tracks outside of the cave? That might help us some"

[Balthazar]: "I have spoken what I feel it wise, I leave the rest to you."

Bilgrom shrugs at Jarl, "By doin' that one would have t' walk next t' it."

Borathor looks to Jarl and replies; "I can't get close enough to the cave to do that without being seen"

Valin shrugs " I 'vote' we avoid them.... There's no reason to risk bloodshed...."

Elina nods, "I second that with the recent rash of deaths lately we should leave it, if it has nothing to do with the mage we seek."

[Jarl]: "well think on this then it is soon to be night and they most likely hunt at night."

[Borathor]: "Does the mage we seek live in a cave or what?" folding his arms over one another.

Syrenia shrugs..."I say we go for it...don't want it to attack while half of us are asleep."

Bilgrom shakes his head at Valin, "Ye people be extremely weird, I tell ye!" He scratches his head in confusion, "When there be a 150 feet high cavern, ye go for it! But oh, WATCH OUT YE there's a cavern at ground level, we should be avoidin' it!" He rubs his chin and shakes his head in disappointment.

Elina nods, "Yes, the mage does live somewhere in the mountains in a cave. That’s what we do know."

Syrenia unslings her bow and settles it on her knees.

Jarl looks to Bil "well then friend walk over there and tell us how many be in there"

[Borathor]: "Well then this could be a potential place for the mages home. Those things could serve him in some form."

[Balthazar]: "I spoke against the first cave, I speak against this one. It is unnecessary risk, but I will strive to protect others no matter what their decisions are..."

Bilgrom shrugs at Jarl, "Well bring one o' 'em trackers with me and it be fine." He points to Borathor, "He is good at that’."

Elina looks over at Syrenia, "Why don't you turn Borathor invisible so he can go see if there are tracks over there by the cave?"

Valin nods " Well, those that are going up there, I wish thee luck...."

[Borathor]: "That I am, but I will be seen if I get to close"

Syrenia shrugs..."If he wants to..."

Borathor nods to Syrenia...

[Jarl]: "I would like to keep those with good bows back so they can cover you if you have to run out of the place"

[Bilgrom]: "We's can circle around and lunge the cliff the cave be in." He rubs his chin again thinking. "But ye will need the spell once ye there, as far as I know one does nay remain invisible forever’."

[Borathor]: "Ok, do your magic on me." He is standing there waiting so he can check out the cave.

Elina snickers, "if you would have just shared your magic I would have already done it." Mumbling to her self. "Ahh we left Isreal's spellbook! I didn't get it."

Syrenia nods as she begins to wave her hands in an intricate pattern combined with arcane word, she finishes and Borathor disappears from view..."There you go. Try not to get killed, will ya?"

Borathor vanishes from sight and then replies from thin air already some distance away, "I'll be right back"

Balthazar stands ready to help if need be, but for the moment he remains with the others.

Valin walks over towards a bush or whatever is available, seeking cover incase any nearby animal becomes agitated.

Bilgrom shakes his head, as he watches nothing leave towards the cave, he follows the voice, "Bah. He better not be seen, or me effect o' surprise might be ruin, I tell ye!"

[Jarl]: "okay those of you with good bows and ranged weapons be ready if they run from the cave to cover them" Jarl move to a mid spot between the bow men and the cave, to hide and watch

Bilgrom follows Jarl, wondering what his plan is. "We should nay charge against 'em big birds, I tell ye. Ye should listen t' me and use stealth."

Valin is unsuccessful in his attempts to hide himself, and just does his best not to stick out for any over flying beasts.

Syrenia taps the bow on her lap..."I'm ready."

Elina digs through her pack "Oh darn I thought I had it, guess I left it." Tucking away some sort of metal thing.

Valin has his bow readied as well, remaining silent he simply nods to Jarl.

[Borathor]: Ok listen into the cave and look

Balthazar remains between the cave and the "archers", ready to take on the beasts or protect the archers if need be.

Jarl finds a good rock to watch the cave and still remain somewhat hidden, if he needs to surprise a monster passing by

[Borathor]: After a while a voice booms out of nowhere, "There are five or more of them from what I gathered. The cave goes down further than I could see and they are definitely in there"

Bilgrom spins around towards the voice; " 'Them' ye say. What be them's?"

[Borathor]: "Them being the bird like things of course"

Jarl looks back "what do they look like exactly?"

Bilgrom laughs, "Hmm. that be not helpin' much, but good work, I tell ye! Ye see anythin' shiny within?" His eyes widen as he listens on.

[Balthazar]: "I suppose no more details were visible."

[Borathor]: "No, I didn’t want to be discovered so I didn't go in further to see"

Bilgrom ponders as he hops from one foot to the other, "Hmmm. if them birds are stuck in them's cave. They are easier t' fight than if they off in the wild flying' freely. We’s should ambush them in some way." He looks at Valin and shrugs.

Valin speaks up " Anyone actually know what these beasts are?"

Jarl stands and looks about for the paladin 'we don't know that they be evil or not. What kind of feel ye gots for this cave?"

Syrenia shakes her head..."We haven't seen them..."

Borathor replies, "I have never seen anything like them in my travels"

Balthazar shrugs and seems to concentrate...

[Valin]: " Any sign that they are carnivores?"

Bilgrom shrugs as he continues listening, "If ye could describe them I's probably would know. I's have seen pretty much everythin' there is t' see I tell ye."

[Jarl]: "and any of ye mages detect evil?"

Syrenia shakes her head to Jarl..."Nope."

[Borathor]: " There was no sign of that, but I would assume they are"

[Balthazar]: "I feel a very calm neutral... like animals, or other such things... I still think we should continue to the location the dwarves indicated..."

[Jarl]: "well we are going to have to check the cave out it could be the mage's after all"

Bilgrom shrugs at him, "I's be thinkin' ye paladin could only see evil, and ye could not tell if somethin' was of good spirit or neutral." He rubs his chin as he continues watching intently at the cave.

[Valin]: " Well, they may leave us alone, so, unless some of you take pleasure in killing something, we should move on...."

Syrenia sighs..."5 is alot...maybe we should move on. What do you think Bor?" She looks where she hear Bor's last words."

You sit out front of the cave debating your options for some time, nothing goes in or out of the cave and only a few birds can be seen over head.

Jarl looks about "well go in or move on?"

Bilgrom laughs at them as they argue, "We's could wait until two of 'em are gone from t' cave and strike!" He swings with his shortsword again.

Borathor replies to Syrenia, "I think the cave could be a place for the mage to live based on what you have all told me"

[Balthazar]: "Well Bilgrom, it's more complicated than that... I feel something, but it is not evil."

Elina shutters, "They were some pretty large birds I don't want to become a little worm for one."

[Valin]: " Besides, why would a predator attack a strong and large group when things like sheep are wondering the hills, these beasts will probably leave us alone...."

Syrenia nods to Bor's voice..."Then we should wait for one to make its way out and shower it with arrows."

Bilgrom shrugs as he looks up at Elina, "I's prefer that over being an mage's appetizer."

[Borathor]: "Valin if this is where the mage lives and we pass it by, then we fail. I am not blood thirsty, but how do we know until we look?"

Jarl shrugs 'well then we go in I would like some sheath in front to lead the way and watch for traps"

[Balthazar]: "If we find nothing at the Earthspur, we have to come back through here anyway."

[Valin]: " Our curiosity shouldn't be paid for in those creature's blood...."

[Borathor]: "I leave it up to you all. I don't know where the mage lives and am here to assist you as best as I can."

Jarl he leads the group safely around the cave and continues on to the Earthspur’s

Passing by the cave not trying to bring any more attention to yourselves you cross over a few hills before finding a spot to camp for the evening. With scattered patches of grass you find this still rocky area more hospitable then the mountain ranges you have been in the last few nights.

Bilgrom shrugs as he sheathes his shortsword, "We's come back later and see if these birds have jewelry too." He laughs and continues on.

[Jarl]: at the campsite "any of ye need healing?"

[Balthazar]: "No, luckily, but thank you."

Valin shakes his head as he goes about his usual routine before settling down for the night.

Syrenia shakes her head..."I'm good..."

Borathor finds a place to rest after checking over the area a few times for any tracks. He then sits, and pulls out, some of the cooked meat and offers, it to anyone who wants some.

Elina nods, "No I’m fine thank you."

Syrenia accepts some of the meat and eats it before beginning to study her spellbook.

Borathor shakes his head to Jarl and replies; "No I am fine for now, but thanks"

Balthazar sets his things on the ground and cleans his things...

Bilgrom shakes his head at Jarl, "No, I's be not needin' any healing since we met. Can ye say the same, huh?" He spins around to show them his unstained clothes and no wounds.

Jarl nods and begins to chant bringing forth the misty winged creature then finds a spot to pray

Balthazar does his usual evening ritual

[Jarl]: "well lad when ye run and hide behind the first rock ye can find ye will not be needin much healing" laughs.

[Balthazar]: "I will keep watch for the first half of the night, who will take second watch?"

Jarl begins to pray

[Borathor]: "I will take it tonight. I have slept the past few nights and am well rested."

[Balthazar]: "Usually watch s split among many, but... as you wish...

Elina eats some rations and gets a drink before settling in to get some sleep.

Balthazar settles for the night

Borathor then closes his eyes and begins to snore lightly. He has left the meat sack out for everyone to use. The meat has been cut up into small pieces.

Jarl is off praying to busy to deal with Bilgrom

Camped down for several hours Jarl appears to be finished with his prayers as most of the others have gone off to sleep.

Balthazar props himself up against a boulder and keeps his sword at his side for the watch...

Borathor sees Balthazar sleeping and realizes he is on watch first. He gets up and stays alert figuring he will just wake him for the second shift.

Syrenia yawns as she finishes her studies. She watches the area for a moment and then goes to sleep next to Bor.

Jarl will walk over and tap Bil on the shoulder "ye turn to watch"

Bilgrom rolls over as Jarl taps him on the shoulder, draws his dagger and places it close to his neck, "Ah! Ye crazy wakin' me on t' shoulder!" He pushes himself up without use of his hands and goes on his watch.

[Jarl]: "aye lad next time it be me boot then if ye liking. It be your watch"

With another peaceful night you wake to a fairly chilled day which isn't as bad as the past few days up in the range. Heading out over the rolling hills you can see the large looming mountains to come the Earthspur's are finally insight.

Jarl hands out some berries in the morning

Balthazar takes a berry, nodding in thanks

Syrenia quickly gets one and eats it..."Thanks again." She smiles and gathers her things.

Bilgrom is already up in the morning, walking back and forth in the middle of the campsite, "Y'know that wyvren over ye head Jarl. It be nay a good idea I almost triggered it last night."

Valin accepts one, and shares it with his halfling friend if he wants half.

Balthazar does his routine

Bilgrom shakes his head at Valin, "Do nay waste half fer me. I be needin' nay of this mage trick meself."

Borathor wakes up and stretches his arms towards the heavens. He then eats some of the stored meat and washes it down with some water. Then after looking around a moment and rubbing his eyes he replies," Ok, shall we get moving?"

Valin shrugs " Suit your self" he eats it, then begins to gather up his gear.

Jarl shrugs and laughs " well Billy boy if ye trigger it, it be your pain not mine"

Bilgrom shakes his head as he looks at Jarl, "Next time I's won't get up for yer watch then."

Balthazar gathers his equipment, and waits for everyone to get ready

Jarl shrugs not seaming to care about Bilgrom's reply

Bilgrom throws his backpack atop his shoulders as he munches onto the other half of the bread loaf, shaking out of his head the thought of eating meat in the morning.

Jarl looks at the map and begins to move on

During your 1st hour of marching cresting over a hill you see fifteen graves marked by head stones, the stones are tilted and seven are knocked over for it appears to be a large puddle or pond of mud in which they stand. The markings upon the standing stones are worn and faded from time making it impossible to read from a distance.

Valin points to the graves up ahead " Anyone else think we should go around those?"

Balthazar stops... "Hmm. I would prefer not to leave this place as is... Perhaps we should set these stones again? Restore some dignity to the site?"

Jarl stops looking at the graves "I wonder graves out in the middle of no place hmm"

Bilgrom shrugs, "Heh. Probably there be somethin' buried in t' pond fer sure. Not sure we be wantin' t' see what it is."

Borathor looks at the gravesite and nods to Balthazar, "Yes I think we should go around"

Valin nods, and begins taking a course around the graves.

Jarl continues on around the gravesites

[Balthazar]: "Go around? I wish to replace these stones... to see them laid out like vulgar stones is... difficult."

Syrenia shakes her head as she always keeps her eyes on the gravestones..."I'm not touching or nearing them."

[Jarl]: "well okay set them if you like we will wait for you to inspect the site first then come help you"

Syrenia follows Jarl.

[Balthazar]: "There are only 7... Give me a moment, I will do it myself.'

Bilgrom shrugs, "Ye go swim in t' mud. We’s wait fer ye."

[Valin]: " I understand your feelings Balthazar... But...."

Balthazar enters the water very tentatively, testing for depth...

Jarl takes out his amulet and holds it in his right hand "hmm"

[Valin]: " There may be consequences for going over there," he says as he watches Balthazar go readying silver tipped arrow.

Balthazar grabs a stone and tries to replant it. To make it stand, at least.

While watching and reading over the stones as Balthazar sets up the falling stones the mud begins to bubble as fifteen beings of rotting flesh emerge from with in its grasps. Slow to move and fairly uncoordinated the beings emerge with rusty swords and armor that drip globs of mud blurring the flesh from bone and mud as they prepare to attack and take you back to the underworld with them.

Balthazar jumps from the mud

[Jarl]: "bah me knew it" he holds his amulet out before him "By Moradin's will begone fail undead"

Syrenia draws her silver longsword and blue short sword and advances on the undead creatures.

Bilgrom cocks his head as he walks over to Valin and hides behind his legs. "What be that. Huh?" He peers to the side to get a view as he draws his shortsword and the light dagger.

Borathor lands his blade on one of the creatures...

Borathor attacks killing one of the beasts as Jarl turns six of them away as they flee back into the mud.

Borathor lands his blade on one of the creatures...

Borathor swings dropping another into the ground.

Tollong attacks striking one of the dead but it does not fall.

Balthazar strikes at one with his blade and misses

Bilgrom seeing how he stands no chance against that many creatures he simply gets in the way of them and Valin, he decides not to attack and simply go with the defensive, foregoing every attacks in order to parry with the blades.

Syrenia goes up to one of the zombie and backslashes it with her short sword and manages to open up the zombie’s chest with her slash. Hacking with her other sword to finish off the creature, but catching the smell from it’s earlier wound she misses.

Valin releases a pair of silver tipped arrows at the nearest undead creature, frowning in addition to a 'I told you so' look. The projectiles arc through the air towards their target, both burying themselves in the Zombie.

Valin strikes one twice in the gut as its bones crumbling and break sending its upper half to the ground as the legs take a few more steps before falling down as well.

Elina chants sending a purple hue about her creating 3 images of her self as they step out wards from her.

The five remaining beasts slowly attack upon you as one strikes Valin in the are with its claw like fingernails.

Bilgrom dives to the side as he finishes tumbling, he raises his shortsword towards the zombie that clawed Valin, "Take that', ye horrible walkin' stench of death!"

Bilgrom’s roll in the dirt and stick to the stomach sends one of the rotting creatures to the ground.

[Bilgrom]: The sword cuts into the rotted flesh like butter, he pushes on the creature with his feet to remove the blade from it and it falls to the ground.

Elina chants and points her finger towards one of the beasts striking it with a ray of white light.

Bilgrom notices the zombie has fallen, while he is surprised he does manage to swing at another nearby zombie with Isreal's dagger.

Syrenia steadies herself from the smell and then stabs at the creature with her short sword and drives it in deeply.

[Bilgrom]: Unfortunately, it is wide from the target.

Borathor lands his blade on one of the creatures...

Balthazar shouts "I came to set you to rest, this wasn't what I had in mind, but it will do!" as he slashes at an unharmed zombie. As he slashes the creature with his battle sword, but somehow doesn't seem to do much damage...

Borathor lands his blade on one of the creatures...

Borathor strike's sending the injured rotting creature to the ground.

Jarl lets his amulet fall back to his chest, as he takes his axe back up "thank ye father, we can handle the rest" as he heads into the graveyard walking in swinging his axe about aimlessly

Syrenia steadies herself from the smell and then stabs at the creature with her short sword but misses again.

Tollong swings’ striking the beast square but it is not enough to drop the creature.

Syrenia brings her silver sword to slash at the creature’s head. She succeeds and hacks away part of its face.

Borathor tries to take a head count on how many are left standing. He does this while still trying to get into position for yet another attack.

Syrenia chops off the injured ones face as it crumbs into a pile of rotting dust and dirt.

Valin releases another pair of arrows into the nearest Zombie " Thanks Bilgrom..." he winces a bit at his arm while nodding appreciatively at his halfling friend

Looking about the battlefield you see only two of them still standing at this time. The two beasts seem to aimlessly try and strike any of you but fail to do so.

Syrenia runs up to another zombie and tries to run him through and does so with great force.

Bilgrom looks very confident as he launches himself against the remaining zombies, slaying one of them seems to have put him in a different state of mind, his eyes are glimmering as he sends the blade forward at one of the creature's crotch. "It's an shame ye filthy undead can not feel anythin' down there!"

Bilgrom’s blade finds what lefts of the creature’s crotch as it breaks the bones from it hip joints sending the creature into a crumbling pile of bones and dust.

[Bilgrom]: The blow is surprisingly strong from the small halfling, the zombie is lifted up in the air about an inch and it crumbles to the ground.

Borathor reaches out with his bastard sword once again and attempts to hack the abomination back to hell. He slashes the air stylishly before lunging forward and finding its rotting flesh.

Borathor swings sending the creature flying into many pieces as a cloud of dust and falling bone and cloth are all that remain, as the pieces begin to hit the ground.

Elina wipes cold sweat from her fore head with the back of her hand.

Bilgrom scans the area for the zombies that ran and sighs, he looks down at his shirt and smiles, "Well I's be glad them undead have no blood. Me shirt would be stained now. Huh."

Jarl looks about "well I guess ye can finish fixing them headstones now if ye like" as he walks back out of the muck

Valin quickly goes about retrieving his arrows, while holding his wounded arm away from the rotting piles of bone & flesh.

Syrenia sheaths her sword and looks at the undead creatures..."They really stink..."

Balthazar snorts at the dwarf's comment, as he gets out of the muck.

Bilgrom cocks his head as he smiles at Jarl, "Now dwarf. Am I still t' useless. Huh?"

[Jarl]: "sure ye be of some use never said ye wouldn't be" as he walks away from Billy Boy

Tollong looks over at Balthazar, "So you still want to stand them up?"

Syrenia goes in the pool of mud and starts touching the bottom for items.

Bilgrom looks down into the pile of mud and smiles widely, "Them's zombies be guardin', I tell ye!" He laughs sharply as he bends over the muddy water for a better look.

[Balthazar]: "Actually, yes I do want to set them."

Bilgrom nods at the lady; "Ye read me mind, lady! I's don't want t' drown in that' pond Heh." He turns to Valin and walks over to him, whispering something to his ear. Patting Valin on the, well the lower back.

Tollong shakes his head and waits to see what the others wish to do.

Valin looks down at Bilgrom smiling, and returns the pat " Thanks for the assistance back there...."

Bilgrom walks over to each of the remains, hoping they kept their belts on when they were turned into these foul beasts.

Jarl walks over and places his hand on Valin's arm as a white glow passes over it

Bilgrom gathers the swords in a pile next to the corpses.

Valin nods to Jarl " Thank you, kind sir...."

Balthazar finishes straightening the stones...

Jarl nods "just let me know if ye finds anything in that muck"

There is nothing of value on the creatures; their swords and armor are all but rotted off, and or away.

Bilgrom once he is done sets himself besides the pond, watching Syrenia intently.

Elina rest herself upon the ground as she watches Syrenia work.

Syrenia goes into the mud deeper which brings the six that fled back up from below.

Jarl stands back from the muck and waits

Syrenia makes her way out and draws her dirty swords again.

Valin sees the 6 that sank into the muck rising up, and unslings his bow, readying for combat.

Elina stands immediately and prepares herself for the next round.

Bilgrom shakes his head as they come back up, "Get out o' there m'lady." He decides to wait to see if any creature gets close to him, should one do so he will counter attack quickly.

Tollong attacks striking one of the beasts shattering it into a cloud of dust and bones.

Borathor attacks striking one square but not enough to send it back to where it came from.

Elina completes her spell and send forth two bolts of white light.

Elina strikes the injured one as it crumbles downward into a pile of bones.

Bilgrom does not take any chance at going into the water, he waits on the shore for the creatures to come out, twirling his weapons patiently.

Syrenia sighs and begins to hack away at one of the closest zombies with her short sword with an overhead slice that missed horribly.

Elina smiles as the creature crumbles and ready herself for some face to face combat.

Jarl once again stands chest out with his holy symbol in hand, "Begone you fail creatures return to your eternal rest."

The creatures once again return to the depths of the mud.

Balthazar gets out of the muck, again.

Bilgrom glances at Jarl curiously, "Hey dwarf, why ye be sendin' all t' fun down in the mud?"

Syrenia turns to Jarl..."Stop that! We won't know what there's down there."

Jarl looks about at the bubbling mud as they once again submerge beneath it. "Now stay out of there this time so they don't come back."

[Balthazar]: he then places his hands in the muck and concentrates

Valin lowers his bow, returning the arrow to its quiver.

Balthazar gets up and walks away to wipe himself off...

Syrenia shakes her head..."It's not as if we can't take them?"

Elina frowns as she watches the creatures retreated back into the mud.

Jarl shakes his head "Fine then go back in so they come back up again."

[Syrenia]: "Your fault...your turn..."

Valin readies his bow & arrow again incase they do lure the undead beasts up.

Balthazar seems to have had enough with the mud; satisfied he did all he could for the dead.

[Jarl]: "I'm not worried about destroying them so I’m not going in and getting muddy."

Bilgrom laughs at Jarl, "We are want t' see what's buried below, I tell ye many beauties" he waits on the border, tapping his foot with both his blades hanging to his side.

Syrenia looks at Balthazar..."Don't you want they souls to be free from those horrible prisons?" She grins as she talks.

Balthazar gives her an emotionless stare before getting back to cleaning himself off.

Bilgrom rubs his chin with his right hand, putting the two hilts of his blade in his right hand, "Aren't ye paladins the opposite o' 'em undead. Them’s be pure evil and ye pure goodness?" He cocks his head.

[Balthazar]: "So they say."

Syrenia nods to Bilgrom and turns back to Balthazar..."What kind of paladin are you?"

Bilgrom grabs the skull of one of the zombies and tosses it into the mud to disturb its inhabitants.

Elina picks up a stone and tosses it into the pond as they rest around her squabbles.

[Balthazar]: "You may break these creature’s bodies, but that will not release them... it seems to be the place itself that is cursed..."

The skull flies and smacks into the mud making a suction sound as it sticks into the thick muck.

[Balthazar]: "What kind of paladin do you think I am? I came not from a mold..."

Bilgrom shrugs at Balthazar, "And if we's remove them's creatures from t' place. Then t' curse will be gone, I tell ye! I fight many o' 'em before. And that' be t' way t' deal with 'em!"

Balthazar cleans his sword at last, and sheathes it

Syrenia grunts in a un-lady like way..."They're all the same..."

Borathor looks over at Bilgrom, "Is there any thing you didn't fight a lot of?"

Syrenia picks up a rusty sword and throw it in the muck.

Elina giggles but kept silent other wise.

Bilgrom grunts as he sheaths his blades, "Well bah. I's would have t' find somethin' I did nay fight t' know."

The items thrown stick in the mud as the sword splashes in and is submerged by the toss.

[Balthazar]: "We are the same? You must not have met many."

Bilgrom glances at Syrenia suspiciously, "How about ye go m'lady. Ye already all covered in t' mud!"

Valin shrugs as he darts into the mud, going in about 5 feet, then turning to go back out.

[Balthazar]: "As for you Bilgrom. The place curses the souls, not the other way around... they will rise again even if we have sent them back today..."

[Valin]: " Who wants to tease the undead...."

Valin runs into the mud where he sinks up to his waist as 4 creatures emerge once again from the mud.

Jarl throws his arms up, "Fine do it your way I’ll wait."

[Elina]: "If that’s the case we should destroy the curse of this place and free them."

Bilgrom shakes his head at Balthazar, "I tell ye, it be not what ye be thinkin’. We have got t' kill them!" He smiles as his friend does the work; he draws his blades out again and runs over to his side.

Syrenia raises her swords and turns to Jarl..."And I thought you loved to fight..."

Elina ready her staff for the battle.

Balthazar strikes the beats again, and misses again.

Bilgrom reaches for an almost worthless dagger he bought in town and hurls it in direction of a zombie who's trying to get too close to Valin. Both of the daggers hit the creature straight into the chest, crushing its bones inside its empty torso.

Elina strikes at the closest creature with her staff hoping to land it on the creature.

Syrenia goes up against one of the creatures and slashes at the creature's ribs with her short sword, managing to hack nothing but air.

[Bilgrom]: "Valin, fetch my daggers before they sink in the mud please!" He shouts, fearing the worst if he decides to jump in the mud.

Elina miss the creature with her staff and regains her composer quickly.

Valin targets a zombie that hasn't been hit yet, and releases a pair of arrows for the beast to get acquainted with. The arrows pass over their target, and fly far enough to land on solid ground.

Borathor swings landing a strong hit into the creatures shoulder as it breaks apart and falls to the ground.

Syrenia hacks at the creatures head but she loses her grip at the last moment and misses.

Borathor attacks’ again striking another hard but is, unable to finish it off.

Tollong swings sending his sword across the puddle to the other side.

The three creatures attack once more as one manages to cut Balthazar across his arm.

Borathor strikes the one of the injured ones crumbling into a pile of bones.

Balthazar tries again and misses.

Elina aims at the creature again and lets out a scream as she tries to crush it with her staff.

Bilgrom draws his weapons and stands back next to Valin, where he places himself in a defensive position and foregoes all attacks in hopes he can protect Valin from flanked attacks.

Elina misses her creature once more.

Syrenia comes in again with her short sword to chip of a few bones from the creature and succeeds sending chips everywhere.

Syrenia strikes again sending the other injured one to the ground, leaving only one creature remaining.

Borathor swings once more striking the beast in the side as its right arms falls off to the ground but it fights on as if it didn’t even need it.

Valin releases another pair of arrows at the nearest zombie, watching them sail through the air brings a frown to his face as they sail right out of the muck puddle

Tollong runs around the mud puddle and retrieves his sword.

Syrenia strikes true once more sending the one no flesh beast back to the ground in pieces.

Syrenia comes in running to finish off the remaining creature with her silver longsword. She uses her longsword as a spear and tries to run it through. She succeeds and goes through its thorax. Sheathing her swords and makes her way again into the pool of mud.

Elina stands near the pool as she watches Syrenia.

Syrenia makes her way into the pool where she sinks down right beside Valin in the muck.

Bilgrom sheaths his blades and smiles at Valin, "watcha say ye go fetch me daggers in there, and see if anything else is buried in there."

Balthazar gets out of the muck once more, visibly annoyed.

Valin returns his bow to it's spot as he makes his way deeper into the mud pool, retrieving Bilgrom's daggers.

Jarl shakes his head, "So you happy now your stuck in the mud."

Syrenia turns around and yells out..."Throw me a rope just in case."

Valin turns and walks back towards Bilgrom & the shore.

[Balthazar]: "never have I seen a group so inclined to violence... " Tries to get the muck off of his clothes again, but in vain

Jarl nods at Balthazar's words. "Yup they are a bunch of young folk what can ye expect?"

Valin exits the mud and hands Bilgrom the two daggers he was able to find " That's all that I could find, how many did you throw?"

[Balthazar]: "Age has nothing to do with it I'm afraid..."

Valin comes out of the mud and you see he has no boots or shoes upon his muddy toes.

Syrenia yells out again from the muck..."Hey the rope..."

Valin walks around the edge of the pool to where his arrows landed, and puts them back in his quiver

Balthazar walks away from the group a bit and leans against the nearest thing he can use to rest a bit

Borathor snickers as he tosses an end of his rope to Syrenia.

Bilgrom nods in appreciation to Valin, "Thank ye me friend." He turns to Jarl and shrugs, "Against them undead? I be surprised by yer reaction towards these undead, aren't they yer worst enemy in themselves?" He cleans the blades and sheaths them in their respective compartment.

Syrenia ties it around herself as she goes in deeper...testing the ground for solid objects with her feet.

Valin shakes his head " Damnit, I will have difficulty across the mountains on our return trip...."

[Jarl]: "I had turned them that’s what I do, I don't have to kill everything."

Elina giggles again as she watch Syrenia gets deeper into the mud.

Valin rubs his toes in the grass before going back into the mud pool, retracing his steps in the hopes of finding his boots.

Syrenia spends a good bit of time in the mud but comes up with nothing.

[Balthazar]: "When destroying them you did not free them... you probably merely disturbed the dead even more... We would need to find the cause of this darkness, if we wished to solve this."

Bilgrom shrugs, "They be freed from them's muddy prison now anyway."

Syrenia sighs..."There's nothing...Pull me out Bor."

Borathor pulls Syrenia out and she to has lost her shoes in the mud.

Bilgrom shrugs, "We are most likely t' find the source o' this strange grave, I tell ye. T' mage I bet he be playin' with the dead himself."

[Balthazar]: "Perhaps..."

Syrenia grins down at her muddy feet..."Well I'm glad were out of the rocky part of the mountains."

Valin emerges from the mud pool, holding only one of his boots. Then goes over to the fallen forms of the zombies, looking for one that had a boot he could wear, or a pair if luck is with him.

Bilgrom looks down at his boots and laughs, "I's can lend ye me boots Valin. Them’s might be smelly but they keep ye feet warm an' good. Me feet be used t' the ground itself, them's boots be an luxury!"

[Elina]: "How much longer are you planning to stay playing in the mud?"

Searching over the remains you see that all their garments are rotted beyond repair or use.

[Balthazar]: "Just what did you expect to find, Syrenia?"

Bilgrom removes his boots and steps aside them, "Them's be fit for both me and ye feet."

Syrenia shrugs..."Who knows..."

Valin smiles " Thanks for the offer, Bilgrom, but I doubt they would fit me...."

Bilgrom shakes his head as he hops back in the boots quickly, "Great then." it seems almost like his offer was only out of good manners, for he is smiling widely.

Valin looks around for any bushes or something with leaves in the area.

[Balthazar]: "To disturb the dead in hopes of perhaps finding treasure..."

Bilgrom spins around and stares at Balthazar, "T' dead does nay walk."

Syrenia points at the bones and rusty armor near the edge..."Ain't bothering anyone...they were out here."

Valin gives up on finding a replacement for his missing boot, and just wears the one.

Balthazar shakes his head, obviously having had enough trying to convince these people for one day...

Valin begins walking in the direction they were walking in before, moving oddly due to the fact he only has one boot.

Syrenia follows along, without shoes.

Elina nods as they finally decide to move on and follows Valin.

Bilgrom cocks his head as he watches Valin moving out, and follows.

With the dealings of the dead and sending them back to whence they came once more you once again travel through the rolling hills for the rest of the day in peace. Where you march into the evening hours and debate on finding a location in which to camp.

Balthazar follows

Valin keeps his eyes out for anything with leaves so he can make a bottom foot protector

Bilgrom shakes his head as he notices Valin looking for something to put under his foot, "You should have used me boots, Valin. Ye can cut t' bottom if ye want."

Balthazar points to a clearing which is slightly more elevated than the surroundings and says I think that would be an appropriate place to camp..."

Syrenia looks about for a good campsite. Shrugs..."Fine by me."

Elina nods. "Sounds good."

Valin nods in agreement, and begins moving towards the campsite.

Bilgrom shrugs, "Maybe. I be wonderin' what decides t' stroll by tonight." He walks aside Valin and looks at his wounds, "Ye should have 'em checked me friend."

Camped down for the evening you rest peacefully under the stars. A steady breeze blows from the north bringing cold air to roll up and over the hills about you. Howls of swirls and gusts can be heard as the winds are shifting from hills and the mountainside disrupting its natural current.

Valin realizes something, takes his empty sack from his belt and puts it on his foot " I wonder why I didn't think of that earlier...."

Balthazar sets his things down

Borathor camps down and begins to eat some meat.

[Balthazar]: "If you want I can give you an old blanket to cover your feet... it isn't a pair of shoes, but your feet will not be as harmed...'

Tollong lies down flat with his head propped up on his pack watching the skies.

Elina sits herself and starts to memories her spells.

Valin goes about his usual routine, once again, and goes to sleep as soon as he can.

Bilgrom wraps his cloak around himself and motions everyone to sleep, "I's shall take an first watch t'night."

Jarl goes over and sits with Borathor and shares in the meat.

Bilgrom considers questioning Syrenia on identifying his dagger, but realizes it will only worsen the case.