Otis brought with him a map of the area showing Hommlet, Nulb and the temple in  their approximate locations.  He marked it up with the druid's bowl and traced out a route to the south of Nulb that they could follow to the temple.  This was almost entirely within the Gnarley which would shield them for prying eyes but had the obvious dangers of traveling through it. The distance was approximately 12 miles and would take the better part of a day if they were being cautious.






This message was last edited by the GM at 00:08, Thu 11 Nov 2010.

Iviana fairly quivers as she looks at Otis's map, a sparkle in her eyes that matches almost exactly those of the ferret peering over her shoulder.  She shakes her head sadly, though, and says softly, "Poor Nulb.  It really can't help but fall under the shadow.  Thank you, Otis."  The solemnity in her tone isn't entirely matched by the eager tension in her muscles.  "We should probably keep the map here; we don't want to risk it leading anything back here, should it be dropped, or...should its holder fall," she suggests.

With a longing glance out the cave entrance, she adds, "I'd suggest leaving in the morning...perhaps a little before first light.  We don't want to get there after dark."

"It's not that complicated.  Let's memorise it and dstroy it."  Tindo looks at the map when it is offered, and few moments later after it is shown to her.  "Okay I'm good."

OOC:  In my book anyone with a 19 int has to be good for a photographic memory.

Yew looked at the map, too. He muttered to himself as he also endeavoured to commit the route and its limited landmarks to memory.

"The trail heads south and curves around to the east, bending left all the way there. About a third of the way to the temple it crosses the road I travelled to Nulb."

It seemed straight forward enough.

Gwythe glances briefly at the map, tilting his head to one side. "I'll take it if you don't want it." he says to Tindoome. "Worth too much to throw it away."

"We should leave the map with the dryad, she can look after it so it doesn't fall into hands unworthy." Ronalt suggested after looking over the map and mentally noting the various landmarks.

Kalador looked at the map. He wasn't good at memorizing things, but he did his best. He said, "Leaving it with the dryad might be a good idea,but whart if someone discovers she has it or attacks her on general principle?"

"I think we worry needlessly.  The map is not detailed, and it doesn't really tell us anything other than a general location.  Besides there are no written instructions other than easily found landmarks.  Let's just give it to Gwythe for safe keeping and take the chance he's not going to be killed and plundered before we can get to him."

"Have you tried to catch a dryad on her home turf?"
"It will be safe with her." Ronalt replied.

"It tells us little we don't already know," Iviana agrees, "But hopefully, the things we seek don't even know this place exists, and it says that very clearly.  The dryad seems a good choice; she's already as endangered by our association as she's going to be, I'm afraid," she votes.

(OOC: Gwythe doesn't care where the map goes, it's no use to him except for its value. The idea of destroying it just seemed bizarre, so the Dryad having it is fine)

The next morning started fine but chilly, they quickly packed and having given the map to the Dryad moved off in the direction indicated.  Most of the route was not a trail taking more the form of animal runs though the undergrowth. The going was dry and firm to begin with, but there were places where streams had backed up producing boggier ground.

With Ronalt taking the lead, they had little problem finding their way.  Several times he guided them past forest creatures and in the marshier areas steered them around likely places for giant toads or reptiles.

Mid afternoon and the clouds rolled in... Rain began to fall, light at first then settling into a steady downpour.  Those with bows did their best to protect the strings but all were pretty well soaked through by the time they got close to their goal.  Almost perceptively at first, the woodland began to thin out.  This was not the edge of a forest they would expect but more some sort of blight on the land driving the living wood into decay.  Perhaps it was the malign presence of the temple or perhaps some natural cause, the overall effect was depressing.

OOC: there are four hours of daylight remaining and by Ronalt's estimate you are about a mile from the temple.

Gwythe initially looks around with interest at the land that they are travelling through, but as the rain starts to fall pulls his hood over his face and walks along downtrodden, uninterested and simply seeking to reach their destination.

As they get closer he stops, interested in the thinned out trees. He breaks off a branch and inspects it closely, before throwing it to the side of the path and following along behind the others.

Turning to Ronalt Tindo asks, "It's probably less likely someone is on the lookout for travellers in this downpour, but is it safer to approach the temple for shelter and to investigate now, or do we wait for the night to pass?"

"Well I would prefer to observe the temple to see if their is a roving guard patrol. However with this rain, I can see the need for folk to get into someplace where it is dry. Even if it be in the evil temple."
"Lets move a little closer and observe the temple using the lay of the land to hide our passage."

OOC: Is Yesil still with the group?

Kalador didn't mind the rain. He thought it was somewhat refreshing. Kalador agreed with observing the temple first. He said, "I agree with observing the temple. We can then tell when the guards come on and go off duty perhaps."