The trek northwest is mostly uneventful after the canyon. There is little doubt you are still being followed: some nights, you can spy another campfire way off in the distance. But any time you investigated, the site was deserted. For now, the Mantis seem content to follow.

Sial turns out to be a genial enough traveling companion. Heis an interesting conversationalist. But he gives little away. His chain demon companion says nothing. At most all you can do is confirm what you already know: he's an ally. For now.

Two days in, you spy the mountain range you are looking for. Skirting the foothills, you come within sight of the spire you were told to look for two days later. If Krojun was right, the tower that serves as the Moon Clan's winter camp is at it's base.

As a refresher, you are here to pick up a 'truthsayer' from the Moon Clan. You need him to serve as a witness for your upcoming impression of an all-you-eat buffet at Purple Worm cafe

You are a half day out when you come across the scenes of a battle. Well. A massacre. Seven dead barbarians lay in twenty two seperate piles. From what few pieces remain whole enough to tell, the tattoos covering their bodies have a lunar theme to them. Zuni is able to use her knowledge to determine the group was attacked by some kind of large beast, though what sort of beast she can't say for sure. The battle was fierce however. The dead hunters were not amateurs. Best guess is the massacre occured this morning.

It also appears another party of about ten to twelve people on horseback came by here an hour or two ago. They left going north, following the tracks of the beast. Whatever it is.

Selvin occasionally took to the air to scout a bit, but didn't stray too far from the party, and mostly stayed close to the ground. No sense in making it TOO easy for them to be followed after all. He doesn't like leaving an enemy at their backs, but there wasn't much they could do about it - he tried several times but could never get anything but an abandoned campsite for his troubles.

And he didn't really like nor trust Sial or the demoness he kept on a leash, so it made him slightly cranky being on edge so much. Enemies behind, potential enemies standing next to him - but at least a few people he could trust with him as well.

The site of the dead barbarians was a bit disheartening. Was that from a purple worm, or something else? "Soooo...They're left in piles but not...really eaten....for the most part, so I'm guessin' not a purple worm? Wonder what happened....an' who came this way before us." He shook his head. "This is an ill omen."

He let out a sigh and started forward after a long pause.

You wend ypur way along the base of the mountain. Soon Selvin spies the tower you are in search during one of his fly-ups.

The tracks of the beast head straight for the tower. Of course they do... sighs Chandanar.

The tracks of the horse party veer to the east a bit. It seems there is a large encampment of people a half mile away from the tower. They look like barbarians, possibly the Moon Clan you are searching for. About 100 people. But its hard to make out details from this distance.

So...go see the natives? Or you guys wanna head to the tower?

Zuni looked from the tower to the encampment and sighed.  They were getting closer their goal of being eaten by a giant worm and the closer that they got to this goal, the more that she was really not liking this idea.

"No sense rushing up to the beastie and getting eaten when there is no one to witness it." she said.  "We'd better get out Truthsayer first, which means walking into that camp of barbarians."

Selvin listened to Zuni and then slowly nodded. "Sure, might as well see who they are an' if they are who we're here t'see." He gave a shrug and turned.

Then he stopped and let out a sigh. He looked back. "Man...I just had a thought...I really hope it's not that same guy who's been stalkin' us, here with a lot o'friends again. What's his name...Krojun?" He shook his head and chuckled.

Then he started towards the camp assuming no objections.

"We can only hope as much...though he seemed more amenable last time. Maybe he likes us afterall," he said, following behind. Even if he expected this was who they sought, green fingers checked his spell pouches, double checking for each and every ingredient to make sure he had everything he needed. The last thing he wanted was to be unprepared.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 6):

Just as a refresher, Krojun is a current frenemy who seems to have a thing for Zuni. The Cinderlander is the one who ambushed you. Just in case. This part of the AP has a cast of thousands.

Oh and ya'll are healed up and spelled up. Thanks.


Riders come outto greet you as you close half the distance. These barbarians are strikingly blonde. Their blue eyes would fit right in among the northern climes. But their dusky skin and the thin layer of Ashland grit mark them as residents of this dust pit.

As with all the pther clans you've met, these barbarians are covered in ritual tattoos. But theirs are lighter in pigment and have an obvious lunar theme. It seems you have found the Moon Coan.

The riders circle you, through no one makes a hostile move. The lead rider, a middle aged woman with a serios looking spear clutched in one hand nods to you. May the Night find and cool your steps. I am Afada. Come you in peace?

Chandanr elbows one of you and whispers, Don'tvay orgetfay we avehay that oberay from the tentacle lacepay.  He must be referring to that robe you picked up in the place you met Sial. It is supposed to be a relic of the Moon Clan.

Also, Izzy, didn't you pick up a moon tattoo there?
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:52, Sat 19 May 2018.