[Sat Feb 16 20:18:34 GMT 2002]

Breaking the surface you find yourself standing at the foothills of a mountain. The cold winter winds howl above you as the wind swept cliffs cast their snowy layers to the valley floor. Peering out across the valley you see no signs of life in your view, their are no tracks in the snow in your area other then your own.

Syrenia leans against the rock face and breathes deeply..."Finally out." She quickly looks out to the valley and sighs..."Now we need to find civilization..."

Borathor pulls his cloak over his head and then looks to the sky to determine which way is North and then to start home. He thinks a moment then after a few mumbles begins to backtrack.

[Tollong]: "will witch way do we go?"

Taking a second look from before you still do not see where you entered through the ogre lair, or the cave set high in the top of one cliff.

[Tollong]: "Jarl you said you know the mountains well which way dwarf"

Balthazar looks at the ground before him, trying to make out the rough trail he thought he'd gotten a glimpse of.

Jarl looks to the sun "well we be needin to head west, me be thinkin. Any of ye know which way that is?"

[Balthazar]: "Towards the setting sun then."

Borathor points west and looks to Jarl as if not sure if the dwarf is rite.

[Tollong]: "that’s toward thew setting sun"

Syrenia looks down at the dwarf..."Hey dwarf...you have any healing spells left?"

Bilgrom dangles from one foot to the other, trying to keep them warm, he also wraps his cloak around himself and sighs. "Aye. We’s should be hurryin’. Before t' civilization finds us frozen!"

Balthazar chuckles "Yes but we have to make sure we set off in the right direction first."

[Jarl]: "we seem to be on the western side of that mountain range that should be the Earthspur."

Tollong starts walking west and trying to make a path for the others to follow

[Jarl]: "aye I have some healing left do ye be needin some?"

Bilgrom simply follows the trail, "An trail must certainly be leadin' to civilization, I say!"

Syrenia nods..."Aye...my wounds are still bleeding..."

You head out to the west hoping, soon enough you will spot a landmark or at least reaching the coast.

Jarl nods, "well let me be seeing them then" he places his hand over Syrenia's wounds

Syrenia smiles and nods in thanks to the dwarf.

Borathor takes a quick look around for any other evidence of an animal trail or anything besides the others tracks. He takes a few minutes scanning the entire area thoroughly.

Tollong walks on with bloody shirt showing treading westward

Bilgrom glances down into the valley and tests the depth of the snow, "I's don't want no stinkin' snow up me boot to t' waist!"

Jarl nods "always willing to help. Bil let me see ye wounds as well"

Valin moves over near Borathor, "Whatcha doing there, Bor?"

[Jarl]: "there ye be lad that will have to do for now"

Balthazar pulls up his boots and socks.

[Borathor]: "I was just making certain that I did not miss anything obvious", he then looks up at the Ranger and smiles, "It is sure good to be outdoors, sure you feel the same!" as he pats him on the shoulder.

Bilgrom nods to Jarl in thanks as he makes his way behind Tollong, in his tracks. "Hopefully there be no long t' go 'til we reach civilization!"

Balthazar walks along as well, looking about as he goes and doing his best to "walk lightly".

[Tollong]: "well we better be finding a place to stay warm by night fall it will get cold up here"

Jarl follows the others walking about the formation seeing to everyone’s wounds "I just hope we find it without to many monsters before-hand"

Proceeding out into the snow, covered valley the winds wisps small shards of ice about striking and stinging your exposed flesh. Movement though slowed isn't so bad buts creating a problem or two for the smallest of your motley group of travelers.

Syrenia looks at Bilgrom..."Hey Bilgrom...walk behind Borathor...it might be easier..."

[Tollong]: "Jarl if you would see to these cuts "

[Balthazar]: "Yes, that is going to be necessary quite soon Tollong. I know I have a tent large enough for two, probably 3 if crowded."

Valin looks at Bore, "Well yeah I like the outside too but tracking in snow why bother let the others spot them and lead on. Unless you’re trying to identify I think your just wasting time." Pats Borathor upon his shoulder and moves onward.

Borathor sees that Bilgrom is having a hard time and stoops down to him." I am strong enough to carry you a good distance to give your legs a rest. I need you in top form if something unexpected happens"

Tollong stops for Jarl to look at him

Jarl looks over Tollong's wounds

Borathor smirks at Valin's remark and then looks back to Bilgrom. As if expecting a reply.

[Jarl]: "I've only got one let lad, If you can hold out till we make camp. I will give it to you then if we do not need it before that"

[Tollong]: "I will make it " Tollong starts back making a trail

Jarl continues to blow through the snow

Balthazar does his best to step in the right places and to kick the snow where it will help the shorter ones though, even if it won’t help much.

Borathor shrugs, getting no response he simply moves on, just mumbling.

Traveling for better part of the day your legs grown numb from the frozen hills, when you see a small niche like cave opening or split in the face. The opening is some 8 or 9 foot high but only 2 or so feet wide.

Borathor points to the sheltered niche and smiles, "Let’s warm up over there"

Balthazar goes over to it tentatively. Looking for any signs of ambush, and the like.

[Tollong]: "ok lets go in we got anything to make a fire " Tollong starts looking for any brush or wood

Jarl walks forward looking for any other tracks into the cave "does it look like anything has called this place home?"

Bilgrom points to the niche as he rushes forward, "My feet's be gettin' sore and me fingers no longer feel me sword. We’s should go there!" With that he begins walking this way.

Proceeding to the cave opening you find it sits some bit up the side of the cliff 15 feet or so but has a snowdrift built up upon it. Glancing, the snow surfaces you see no visible tracks of anything being near the opening in some time at least. The snow still continues to pile up here from the blowing winds.

Bilgrom smiles, "Might be somethin' flyin’. Should I's go see?" He looks questioningly at the others. Smiles as he has already began climbing; he spends a moment looking for the best spot to place his hands on.

[Tollong]: "no let the fighter’s go first to clear it out

Jarl nods "yes a good scouting of the inside before we just go blustering inside would be wise"

[Balthazar]: "If we clear that snow out it could be alright."

Tollong walks into the crack looking for anything in it

The fleet footed strange as it may be for a plump halfling to be Bilgrom scurries his way up the snow drift towards the cave opening.

Balthazar watches him go up and listens.

Jarl waits outside the cave using the wall of the cave or the snow bank as a block against the wind and the cold

Tollong follows behind Bilgrom

[Bilgrom]: He peers within quickly and then hurls himself up on the ledge, he quickly drops and starts crawling into darkness, trying to see as far as his eyes allow him from here on. He hides into darkness just at the entrance.

Borathor waits outside, watching the cave entrance and trying to listen.

Tollong begins to climb as he makes his way he sinks deeper and deeper in the snowdrift.

Tollong struggles to make it up the drift

Jarl shakes his head at Tollong, as he blows on his hands to keep them warm

Bilgrom looks down at the others and eyes Tollong making his way up with a frown, "It seems t' be widening up in there. Ye’s want me t' check it out further. It’s small. Ye’s might have an hard time gettin' here!"

[Tollong]: "well I can crawl in it will keep me alive another day hopefully"

Syrenia sits down with her spellbook in her hand..."I could try to fly tomorrow and see if I can see any cities or villages." She turns to watch the others..."What do you all think?"

[Balthazar]: "If 'm not the only one with a tent, we just have to make camp next to a ledge, that way the snow wont cover us."

Bilgrom eyes Syrenia as he has paused, "By. Huh. Myself! This is a brilliant idea. Lady wizard!"

Balthazar nods

Syrenia shakes her head..."And what would you do if you'd fall?"

[Balthazar]: "Bilgrom, if the crevasse is that deep, it's just as risky resting in as it is out... I would think."

Tollong lies down and slowly drags him self up the side of the drift trying to prevent hi sinking when he finally reaches the halfling.

Balthazar chuckles, "I haven’t fallen out of bed in some time..."

Bilgrom fades into the darkness again after adding, "I will go see how deep it goes!"

[Jarl]: "we can tie a rope inside that cave and pull ourselves up if need be" to anyone that is still outside the cave

Balthazar shrugs and looks about for any ledge that could accommodate an 7x8 tent...

Tollong tries to make his way inside the small opening

[Bilgrom]: It is fairly obvious that the little hint is a bit overexcited by the fact that they are out of the cave, he comes back outside and waves to the others while throwing a rope down, "It be empty. And there even be an rock tha' can be used as an chair!"

Looking about the area you find the drift or a nearby mountain base shielded by the winds suitable for a tent of that size.

Jarl tries his best to stay warm while he waits for the others to return

Tollong makes his way into the opening

Bilgrom shrugs and notices they want to stay outside in the frozen lands, he climbs back down with no more to add and plops down near the base of the mountain, wrapped in his cloak.

[Jarl]: "well, what did you find inside the cave?"

[Bilgrom]: "An inhabited li'l cozy cave in there. It looks tha' way. At least."

Jarl nods "well better then out here, me be thinkin. Can ye tie a rope in there that way we can climb up into the cave?"

Bilgrom points to the rope, he has thrown when up there. "I's be just waitin' on ye's t' climb up there!"

Jarl looks about "I wonder if the elf from the dungeon is following us, you know the one that had that strange ram like ring on his finger?"

Syrenia raises an eyebrow at the mention of the ring...

Jarl heads for the rope. Tests its strength then starts slowly up the snow bank, pulling on the rope as he goes

Syrenia opens her pouch and takes out a ram ring from a pouch..."Did it look like this?" She shows it to the dwarf.

Jarl looks back as he climbs "it looked like a ram.ye all saw it when ye was with him didn't ye" and continues to try and climb

Bilgrom once Jarl has made his way through the rope work, joins him quickly with great agility and an easy climb.

Jarl makes his way to the cave with the help of the rope.

Borathor waits his turn and then he climbs up the mound, using the rope for assistance. Once reaching the top he finds a place to sit down and rest, out of the wind and cold.

Jarl looks about then waves down to the others if it is all clear. "Come on and get out of the cold" he goes to find a nice spot in the cave to sit down

The rest of you make your way up the rope as Balthazar brings up the rear.

Bilgrom makes his way through the tight opening in the cavern and uses his torch still in order to have a better look within. "Tollong. Where’s he be again?"

Squeezing through you find yourself within a dry cold but not freezing cave, looking about there appears to be nothing out of the norm other then a natural table like stone sticking out of the wall with another stone upon the floor as if it was a chair. There are no signs of life nor does it look like any have been here.

[Jarl]: "remember to pull the rope up with you so that nothing unwanted uses it to get in here tonight"

Bilgrom scratches his chin as he walks around the room, bored. "This be lookin' like an desk t' me."

Borathor looks around for dried leaves, sticks, etc. He looks to the others seeing Bilgrom's torch and replies, "Lets get some fire"

Bilgrom eyes Borathor, "Inside?"

Jarl will walk about the cave to examine the stone works for anything of interest

[Borathor]: "Near the entrance", he laughs slightly...

Bilgrom shrugs at Borathor, "I's guess then. It’s can be stoppin' t' cold air from entering' t' cave. Yes!"

Balthazar goes over to the large "chair" stone and runs his hand over it to see how smooth it is.

[Borathor]: "I could build a wall of snow to block the wind and the fire would be just outside the opening"

[Balthazar]: "Yes, snow would do it for sure. Anything to block the main wind would help, even with the top of the opening unblocked."

Tollong leans against the wall and gets some rest.

Looking about the area there are no sticks or twigs lying around nor are there any, strange markings other then three crude like carvings of straight line about 4 inches long. The chair is nothing more then a large natural stone in the cave.

Balthazar looks about and finally decides to pitch his tent a few feet from a wall.

Jarl runs his amulet over his hand as he mumbles a few words "anyone be wanting a berry?"

Bilgrom smiles at Borathor and pats him on. Well. The knee "Perhaps we's can stay outside them's cavern networks next time. An’ bring some firewood on an pony!"

Syrenia smiles at Jarl..."I would."

Jarl hands her one and sets the rest on the table like stone after eating one himself

Balthazar looks at his tent. Then the cave and shakes head before putting it away again.

Syrenia plops it in her mouth as she glances at her ring again..."So Jarl...was that the ring you saw?"

Jarl nods "aye, just like it. Did you not see it before?"

Bilgrom grabs one of the berry and smiles at Jarl, offering him some bread to accompany his short not really tasty meal.

Jarl grins, "no thanks. I will be fine"

Syrenia shakes her head..."I didn't see it on him..." She looks down at her own ring..."He's an assassin." She stands up and goes to stand next to Borathor..."He must've followed one of us...but he will try to kill us..."

Bilgrom shrugs and munches upon bread once again; he eats hungrily even tho the berry has satisfied him for a full day. "This bread be good! Even afta' we's been down there for weeks. Well. Days!"

Balthazar takes a berry and eats it, since it's time for the evening meal anyway.

[Jarl]: "so Syrenia, what does the ring mean? And you let him out? All by Clangeddin's twin axes what a bad choice"

Borathor looks to Syrenia at the mention of assassin’s. "I know we must always be aware of those dark things. The lady wizard, "Saying the word wizard in disgust must pay!"

Syrenia glances at Tollong..."He did...and we aren't sure what it means..." Shows the ring to Borathor..."I took this from one who tried to kill us before...and it seems the elf we freed wore one too."

[Borathor]: "That was a mistake we won't make again."

Jarl walks over to just before the door and begins to cast once more. A shadowy winged creature rises up from the fog "there that might help if our assassin wishes to enter this cave tonight"

Balthazar sets his pack down against a wall and sits against it. "Who'd this other wizard?"

Syrenia looks at the ring intently...trying to figure out it's meaning.

[Jarl]: "well we will be needing watches, throughout the night. I would suggest two per shift"

Borathor looks over at Balthazar and liking him so far he manages to curb his manor into a gentle smile. "Oh, just some lady who I would like to not discuss, but since you travel with me maybe you should know. The thing is once I tell you, then you will all be in danger too. So what will it be?"

Syrenia turns to Jarl..."Not you...we need your spells..."

Jarl runs his hand over his amulet "I can take my time on guard during my praying time as long as another is with me"

Balthazar chuckles and with a smile says, "I have to start making enemies sometime, go on."

Borathor looks around hoping to have gotten at least a few of the minds present to acknowledge what he just said.

Valin shrugs doesn’t matter to me we need something to do now anyway.

[Borathor]: Seeing no one taking the chance but Balthazar he looks over to him and smiles, "Perhaps another time in private Ill tell ya more"

[Jarl]: "all, tell ye tale."

Bilgrom nods in agreement, "Speak t' him in private. I's not want t' be mixed up whiff tha'!"

Balthazar nods and starts setting out his bedroll, trying to put as much air between him and the cold stone ground.

Valin laughs, "Just think if it was Bilgrom he would have never shut up by now. "

Borathor sits against the wall ignoring the comments flying about. He takes a deep sigh and the big boned elf falls fast asleep.

[Balthazar]: "I'll take the first watch then." he says as he sits up on top of his spot.

[Jarl]: "well after ye story me be needin to pray, so me and another be takin first watch. Know that if any of ye see that shadow beast start attacking something he be my spell and is on our side"

Balthazar shrugs "Alright, second then. Make sure to wake me." Falling asleep quickly.

Syrenia nods to Balthazar and Jarl and settles down near Borathor and sleeps.

Borathor rolls over and farts then begins to snore loudly once again...'ZZZZz."

Jarl sits close to the other person that is on guard and in site of the cave entrance, before beginning to pray

Syrenia wakes up from the sound and moves farther away while mumbling about Borathor’s snoring.

Jarl will wake Bal before starting his prayers "lad we be needin two to a shift for safety reasons"

Balthazar nods and sits up groggily...

Most of you try and rest while others stay on watch for the beginning of the evening hours. The winds howl past the opening of the cave, giving you that warm feeling on being somewhat indoors.

[Borathor]: "zzzzzzz"

Bilgrom wraps in his cloak after his meal, using his backpack as a pillow for all it matters, and falls into deep reverie quickly.

Balthazar shift in his seat, doing a few sword drawing exercises to stay awake.

Jarl continues his prayers

Sometime passes as Jarl finishes with his prayers, nothing has changed other then the wind seems to have picked up and made the howls louder, and fill the cave with more cold bone chilling air that finds its way in.

[Jarl]: after finishing with his spells he stands guard keeping the entrance and Bal in sight at all times until the three hour watch is over

[Jarl]: After the watch time has passed he walks over to wake Bil and Syrenia for their turn at the watch

Balthazar stands and stretches

Syrenia yawns as she wakes and whispers..."Fine, fine..." She sits up and keeps watch.

Bilgrom stirs in his sleep and mumbles, "'stupid dwarf." As Jarl eyes him with his dangerous look he extends his arm, "What. I didn't say anything."

Balthazar gets back down in his spot, wearing his surprisingly comfortable magical plate mail...

[Jarl]: "Bil ye turn to watch keep an eye on the door as well" after he is sure they are both awake he finds a place to unroll his blanket, takes his armor off and wraps up in his blanket

Bilgrom makes his way to the door and realizes that being that small, he can't even see over the door, so he shrugs and goes back to sit at the stone desk.

Syrenia gets up and takes watch so the others can rest.

Bilgrom decides his help is not required he just falls back to sleep 'accidentally'.

Syrenia yawns again as she goes over To Borathor to wake him up and then does the same to the other ranger..."Your watches boys..." Settles down on her bedroll and begins to sleep.

Morning finally comes when you’re waking to the sounds of breaking wind, roaming about the cave. Opening your eyes and sitting up you see Borathor walking back and fourth and eating something. While Valin rests sitting against the wall.

Syrenia wakes up and takes a quick breakfast before gathering her things.

Jarl sets up and grabs some dried meat from his pack "so when do we leave?"

Balthazar packs up his things, trains for a few minutes, then eats.

Syrenia smiles broadly as she says..."Time for me to scout now." She picks up her spellbook and begins to turn the pages..."Ahh here we go."

Jarl rolls his blanket back up and puts it away before getting back into his armor

Bilgrom eyes the ranger and shrugs, staying seated up against the wall he watches them, "So. Where will our great adventures be takin' us on tha' beautiful." He looks through the door hole for confirmation. "Back to t' sea, me says!"

Syrenia makes her way to the dwarf..."Could I get some healing before I go?"

[Balthazar]: "I'm willing to go anywhere for the right reasons. The sooner I can find a worthy quest the better."

Jarl nods and places his hand over her wounds once more. "Ye know if we didn't get clobbered so much"

[Bilgrom]: "Send me some o' yer good magic again. Good dwarf. And cleric." He blinks happily and smiles jokingly, "y’know I love ye!"

[Balthazar]: "I can help as well, although I've noticed my skills are more useful in emergencies."

Jarl looks at Bil and his wounds "me thinks you just like the feel of me hands." snorts*

Syrenia nods to him and thanks and makes her way to the cave's entrance before beginning to chant and gesture to bring forth the magic of the spell. As she finishes, she begins to float one feet into the air..."This is gonna be fun..."

Bilgrom continues joking with Jarl, "Yes. Yes!"

Syrenia closes her eye's to cast another spell with different arcane words and gestures.

[Jarl]: "I think we should wait for anymore healing, we don't know what we will face this day. If I have healing at the end of the day I will heal all I can"

Balthazar goes to watch the wizard take off, having nothing better to do.

Jarl runs his hand over Bil head "be healed and be have"

The others begin their decent down into the valley and the cold winds of the range once more.

[Jarl]: "he follows the others

Syrenia steps, out into mid air and with a giggle takes, flight along the cliff and snowdrift circling as the rest of you climb down.

Bilgrom watches the lady fly and shakes his head, "I's could fly better if I's tied a rock to my legs an' throw meself off an cliff!"

Jarl grins wickedly for a moment "if you really wish to?'

Bilgrom smiles and climbs down the cliff quickly, dropping the last ten feet into the snow, assuming it will be harmless.

Upon reaching the ground you look out into the valley as Borathor once again heads to what he believes is west.

Syrenia begins to cast another spell with different words and gestures. It finishes with her disappearing from sight..."I'll head west and try to see a town or a village."

Bilgrom joins Borathor quickly as he departs, "Let's be gettin' t' town and spendin' all that money we have got."

Balthazar follows. Taking rear guard this time.

Jarl plows along someplace in the middle of the group

You head on for an hour or so with no sign of Syrenia in the air or on the ground.

[Balthazar]: "With any luck the wizard will find a town." Walks along steadily, though ill at ease with his warmer weather clothes...

Jarl continue along, keeping an eye out for Syrenia or any other creature that might be passing by or trailing us "there be any tracks or anything?"

Bilgrom whistles, arms crossed over his chest as he proceeds into the snow, "Dum de dum, dum, dum... sooooo... what's be our next plan. Where we's headin'?"

Borathor shakes his head; "Nay seems the local wild life is smart enough to stay indoors."

[Balthazar]: "I think we all want to get to a town or city> Once there, I'll be looking for something to do."

[Jarl]: "well we will end up heading to the port that the ship is docked at and go from there after we get to a town of any type"

[Balthazar]: "I will want to see this ship of yours."

Traveling on for better part of the day you begin to wonder if she just flew off and left you all. For there still are no signs of neither her, nor any extra, set of footprints along with your own.

Bilgrom begins to look worried about the lady, he glances all around in the sky, it appears he holds her disappearance with a lot of concern, but then just when you think he's about to explode he blurts out, "She be t' one tha' can define magic items!"

[Balthazar]: 'Haha, well, she's probably just having trouble finding us. I'm sure flying is more complicated than it looks."

Jarl nods "well we need to get to the ship before to much later in the year. If we wait to long the seas will be unsafe for passage and I would like to have her back in a home port for the winter"

[Balthazar]: "Yes, an investment like that must be taken care of."

Jarl nods "I would like to do seasonal repairs on her as well. Maybe even get a second ship if all went well"

Bilgrom shrugs and pumps his chest, "We's shall go north o' t' sea then." He then thinks about it. "Ooh well. Sea’s not tha' bad!"

[Balthazar]: "I've only been at sea once, and it was not a very pleasant voyage."