The five set off after the Golem as it moved through the depths of the Iron Mountains.  The Starless Road went on for many miles, and it took four days from entry to exit.  Always easy and flat, every once and while, stopping to rest for the night.  The golem always moving, but so slowly that boredom rises in following it.  Even a night's rest is easily made up by midday, and then again, hanging back, seeing small bits of it dripped by the wayside.

On the fourth day, you emerge on the eastern side of the mountains, and pass out of the dwarven realm, down the last highways and follow as the golem heads mostly South, more of less back towards Stormhaven.  The weather is cool but nice, the skies clear.


You have a good two weeks or more at this slow pace before coming near to Stormhaven, if that is the golems destination.  But, something doesn't seem quite right.  It all seems too easy maybe, something is tingling at your instincts.  Or maybe, the slow pace is just getting on your nerves.

The next week is rather easy actually, heading mostly south along a path that needs not a master ranger to follow, the golem stomps in nearly a straight line, mindless, and through or over anything in its path.  It's not aggressive, never engages in a fight, but if its path is through a farmers house, the house is crushed.

The party of five spends more time trying to protect those in its forward path, than anything else, it moves so slow and straight, it becomes rather easy.   It continues to degrade, by the end of week, it is only twelve feet tall, and nearly lost all its defining facial features.  Still, an uneasiness is rising in the parties minds.

PM

Inas seems more at peace on the long trek following the now-decaying golem.  Perhaps it's just being in the outdoors . .  . he is, after all, a ranger.

As they traveled Doc remarked, "Hey, I'm curious how you all operate.  Is Saliq you're team leader?  I only ask because that scroll was pretty expensive and I didn't see anyone discuss it."  It doesn't seem like he's overly concerned.  The question was much more academic in nature.

Saliq seemed like he had something on his mind, and had for a few days now but Doc's question startled him back to the here and now.

'To be honest I don't think we have a leader. We decide matters as a group.'

For another week you travel on, mostly through the wilderness as the golem takes a straight path, not bothering with roads, more of less on a south and east direction.  By the end of the week, it is clear you are not heading directly to Stormhaven, but somewhere north of the great city.  You are camped on the 8th day after leaving the dwarven Iron Mountains,  not far off a roadway that crossed you path.  One of the few you've seen.   Finding an area clearly used as a campsite, you settle in a set watch.  You foodstores would be running low but the clerics in the group are able to pray forth fresh food and water and thus keep you replenished.

You haven't even gone to sleep when you hear travellers on the road, several horses, a few wagons, riding with lanterns lit and moving slowly.

One rides ahead of the others and approaches your camp.  A young man, in riding clothes, he has a short sword but no armor to be seen.

"Friends, I hope.  Could we trouble for any supplies you might share.  We are low already, what we brought with us has spoiled.  If not, we shall pass by in the night and not trouble you.  Several of the men and children have the Windham plague upon them and are quite ill.  We'd not share it with you"

In reply to Inas Eoinsson (msg # 4):

PM

'We may be able to help you friend.'

Saliq glanced at the party clerics, raising an eyebrow.

Inas also looks to the clerics.