In reply to Usopi Venia (msg # 30):

Aphail nodded at Caith and Usopis words, " One might as well kill a bear for the sin of biting a hand placed in its mouth."

" These are not men to understand the pain of loss or such things, let us leave them be."

" The Grey Hills should be south of here if we follow the base of the mountain range."

"Then let us move on," Lann says, walking along.

OOC: marching order?
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:22, Fri 02 Aug 2019.

"Aye: let us move on: best make use of the sunlight to make ourselves scarce while we can." Brannon nods. "South it is."

He readies his pack, keeping his bow handy as they set off.

The trip south with Aphail and Gat scouting ahead and Usopi and Lann following behind Brannon and Caith was relatively uneventful for the most part, the foothills of this southern stretch of the Pagans were less densly wooded than those further north and low gorse and briar bushes were the most common vegetation seen, the air was alive with the hum of insects and many small birds seemed to enjoy the springtime bounty.

As they moved south with the mountains over their left shoulder they eventually came across a great spur of mountains before them, it would take a lot of time to go around but Aphails map showed what seemed to be a pass across the spur.

The companions rested as Aphail went ahead and found what seemed to be an old path worn into the stones leading upward. He returned and reported what he had found.

Aphail sat down wearily and relayed what he had seen, " So which is it? Do we head up and chance that the pass is...passable? Or circle round this spur?  It is spring so there shouldn't be much in the way of snow above...though the melt wasn't that long ago there may be some boggy patches...."

Usopi scratched his chin, "If you feel the path likely clear enough for us to pass through then I see no reason not to take it. The trip around the mountain would be costly in time, and if there are some dangers in the mountains, better we face them then a less capable traveler."

"Let's just take the path. Does it look new or well worn? Wonder if it could be a deliberate path to ambush unwary travelers. But I agree with Usopi, we can save time if we can take it," Lann says.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:32, Fri 02 Aug 2019.

Brannon nods. "We may as well try the path. Either it's a convenient shortcut across the mountains, or it goes somewhere of interest. An elaborate trap, if it is one, but any road through secluded areas may attract its share of bandits... or worse. We best keep our wits about us."

" Well, we have a consensus then. Usopi, mind if I borrow Gat for a little longer.", Aphail began climbing up the old path worn in the stone.

Caith says after some time spent in thought "If I trust in the mapmaker being a careful one, then there is probably a way through as marked, risky though it may be."

She adds in fairness "Alphail has a knack of finding the way though, so I that's a chance I'll take. I agree."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:11, Fri 02 Aug 2019.

The companions began the steep climb up the ancient path finding the going not too slow but the cold greatly increasing as they ascended though the sun was still high overhead behind the occasional cloud.

After an hour or so's ascent they came to a narrow passing between two rocky outcrops and passing through it found themselves in a wide high valley.

Gat ran ahead scaring up a number of grouse from the ground, but that was the only life bar the lichen and plants that they could see.



OOC:( https://www.irishtimes.com/pol...ox_620_330/image.jpg )

Lann surveys the area and wonders aloud,"I wonder what lies ahead. Seems there is little vegetation here yet the altitude isn't high enough to cause plants not to grow."

He surveys the soil to check the quality of the soil.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:29, Fri 02 Aug 2019.

Unlike the almost dry conditions of the mountain slopes around Clann Gars holdings this valley seems to suffer from yearly and violent floods of meltwater which carry much of the broken down stone and organic matter down onto the plains....leaving little behind.

Following the valley wall for the better part of two hours the companions came across a strange site hidden behind a fallen boulder. A flat piece of stone with a horses skull placed upon it and with the skins and skeletons of three adders threaded through the gaps in the skull.

There was a deep eroded hole in the lee of the boulder and there seemed to be small bones scattered at the bottom of it, some 10m down.

Lann tried to recall horses skull and adder snakes. He remembers seeing a horse skull emblem before and wonders if it is related to this. If so; evil is at hand. He whispers his suspicions to his friends.

Caith watches Lann digging a hole speculatively, then offers an opinion of "Nay good crop land. Bit of grazing, aye, but nay for long." in a neutral tone.

The grouse get a long and hungry look, and a restrung short bow in Caith hands, ready for the next flight that rises.

The equine skull entwined with serpents provokes a puzzled look, then concern, as she looks down the pit, and wonders what creature's bones lie below.

"I doubt that's just a horse's grave..." Caith says pensively, then looks to Brannon and asks "Path shrine of some sort?" but then turns to listen as Lann offers his own suspicions on the matter.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:50, Sat 03 Aug 2019.

" Horse skulls and serpents....that priest from the cave of horrors carried such a symbol did he not? And they came from these parts..."

"Yes Rimfaxs priests could be close by. I wonder if they are hidden somewhere to conduct rituals."

Lann inspects the gory artefact from a distance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:53, Sat 03 Aug 2019.

Caith looks up at the valley wall and suggests "If anyone lived here for long, it would have to be up beyond the flood's reach."

"If I destroy this artefact, will anyone attack me? I wonder," Lann muses.

"Do we want to destroy this object of evil?" He asks his friends.

Turning to Aphail, he asks," Do you think there's anywhere here the remnants could hide? And how old is this artifact been here?" Lann asks
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:03, Sat 03 Aug 2019.

Brannon eyes the makeshift symbol with distaste. "You'll get no complaint from me. Any sign of Rimfax is unwelcome, though we should be watchful..."

Usopi turns his eyes to the pass around them, keeping watch for any agents of Rimfax.

"If this is the sign of that god of pestilence then I would rejoice in its destruction. I have seen little else in my life that so gleefully distributes suffering." He says over his shoulder, "Though what of the bones down the hole? A sacrifice? The remains of the meals of another plague beast? We could leave the hole alone and hope it has no continued purpose, but we have left Rimfax's agents unattended before and they have returned worse than when they left us."


OOC - is the hole straight down? or is it more of a slope? I don't know if I think it's a good idea for anyone without lots of armor to go down there, but I also can't climb like.... at all. lol

"I mean if I destroy it will a monster appear? That's my concern. And I wonder if there is a hidden cave or something here," Lann says.

OOC: You should use rope. Your reflexes are not very high.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:05, Sat 03 Aug 2019.

Caith looks grim at the name, and says flatly "If that is what the headhunter priest's patron is named? Then they are nay a God, nor any spirit I would call benevolent."

She looks to Lann and suggests "If that collection of bones is baneful in other ways, then let me look at it for signs of enchantment before ye break it."

OOC: Caith casts DETECT AURA for 2MP to take a second look.

Caith also looks for signs of flesh left on the skull, wondering how recently made it is, and if it was picked clean by scavengers, or unearthed by scouring water.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:09, Sat 03 Aug 2019.

As the crude altar is inspected the companions can note it seems to have some lichen growing on it and seems somewhat weathered as if not tended for quite some time.

Inspecting the hole little can be seen of the bottom and the bones cannot be identified from up here but it seems to have been hollowed out by water over the eons.

A person could perhaps wiggle their way down but it is quite tight.

There is no enchantment to be seen by Caith and the skull appears old and weathered.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:13, Sat 03 Aug 2019.