Inas points at the names of greatest interest to the party.

"Do you have any idea how long ago these two passed through?"

The dwarf squints at the names, and then turns and talks to his two comrades for a moment, "Best guess is about two months ago".

When everyone has signed and money turned over, the dwarf takes the book back, glancing at, then frowning,  he hands each person back their coins.

"Next time, announce who yeh are, your money is no good here, you are always welcome in the Mountain Home.  If you are in a hurry, I could have some stout hill country ponies waiting for you at the shelter"

"Well, an unexpected courtesy," Mari said. "You have my thanks, at the least, though I'd be glad to supplement your pay. Still, I know there's pride involved, and reputation, so if thanks will suffice you have it in more than spades."

So saying, she bows to the gatekeeper in the formal way of dwarves as thanks.

Rath had been about to drop the coins, despite the offer of free passage. He had more than a life-time's worth of wealth, after all. But when a dwarf turns down gold, you listen to him, because it's about something more important than gold, and, for a dwarf, that's pretty damned important.

So he nodded his thanks. "We might be in a hurry. I won't forget your help."

He waited until after they were on the move again to ask Saliq. "Any idea why the Doorwarden came this way? Got to say, that bothers me and I can't say why."

As predicted, the road is smooth and well made, and makes for easy travelling.  You pass several paths heading down and a few stairs and few roads heading up, but each is marked and it is easy to follow the axe with three slashes.  It just about dusk when a large stone house comes into view, built just a few yards off the roadway.  There are already lights inside.  To one side is a small stone stable with a wooden roof, and four stout ponies are hitched up inside, poking their heads out the open half doors.

Inside, there are 20 beds, only two of which are occupied by tall slender elves.  There is a well in one corner, full to the rim with cold clear water, and several tables with comfortable chairs.  The two elves are seated at one table enjoying a meal and drinks.

there is a small staircase leading up to a closed loft, and from there a dwarf emerges.  "Ah, you are expected, I have hot stew, and beer.  There is another well around back if you wish to wash up before settling for the night.  Pick any beds you want.".  She speaks near flawless common.

"Many thanks, sister," Mari replied. "We are tired, and hungry." So saying, she heads to the well outside to wash her arms and face. When she returns, she'll have whatever's on the menu.

Saliq shook his head at Rath's question. 'No, unfortunately not. I've been more often away from the Guild than present... I admit I'd hoped to build up more of a presence there but that seems unlikely at the moment. I'd advise caution until we can find out more.'

The illusionist appears pleased with their quarters and gives a courtly bow to the dwarf lady. 'Thank you, we appreciate all this.' He can't help but reflect how the treatment contrasts with Stormhaven!

After taking time to clean the dust off, and settle in, a fine simple meal and rich beer is served.  The food is odd, spice wise, but filling.

As you finish your meal, one of the elves walks over, and nods,

"Greetings, fellow travelers, may we join you for a round of drinks before we retire?".

"Sure," Inas says. "Take a seat."

Inas is a bit wary.  He usually is, but . . . while he has a respect and appreciation for the elves (given their common interests), he has not known them to typically be outgoing.

The two elves pull up chairs, and sit down, producing a bottle of wine to share if anyone wishes some.

Their common tongue is not perfect, but they are surprisingly friendly for elves, and eager to practice the language.  They introduce themselves as Aldon and Dalyor, elves of the Great Forest.  They have paid to take the road through the Mountain Home and under the mountain, heading eventually to Wildelands to the east.  There is rumored to be an elven nomadic tribe that lives in that far land and they are seeking to confirm their existence.


A pleasant enough conversation is had (please feel free to elaborate on it or not) before they head off to rest for the night.

After a good nights rest, the party sets to leave in the morning.  The mountain ponies are already out front and are saddled, each has a small pack with an oat mix of food for the animals.   In no time at all, you are moving quickly along the road.   Although the little ponies don't run, they keep a smooth and steady pace and require very little control.   Only when you come to a split in the road, either one heading up or down, do they slow down and wait for some nudge of foot or pull on a reign to guide them.

The day is cool and clear, and the views below the mountain are beautiful.  The mountainside dropping away to a stretch of land, sometimes clumps of forest, mostly large rolling plains of grassland, and in the far distance, a deep blue sea.  You pass several resting areas with wells for both travelers and their mounts.  After midday you pass another resting home.

You only pass a few other groups of travelers and all them dwarves.  One crew in  particular looks like they are inspecting the roads.

The further you travel the more you can see a huge mass of green dominating the land to the northwest, it is the largest forest you have ever seen.

Before dark, the path begins to slowly head downward, and even as the long shadows of the mountain ingulf you.  You see an archway, and several dwarven guards.  It appears you have reached the end of the toll road.

By now, the compass is reading southeast.

The guards wave on through the gate, and you soon find you are back on a more traditional road, mostly packed dirt, that follows between the looming peaks of mountains and an ever thickening forest.  The ponies seem to never tire and you make it some distance from the gate before darkness begins to fall.  It is as the shadows of the mountain creep across the landscape that Inas quietly catches everyone's eyes, and indicates that something is following the party, staying parallel within the cover of the forest.

Inas retrieves and activates his figurine, commanding it to fly and spy.

Marissa keeps her eyes front, but loosens her spear from the holser at her thigh.

It only takes a few moments for the owl to fly up above the forest, then circle near silently down through the canopy and find what is tracking the party.   Although Inas can see it too in his minds eye, he isn't sure what is it.  Though as large and grey as a stone giant, it has few features other than basic humanoid shape, head, legs, arms.  Only one eye, and one gash that must be a mouth adorn its face.  It has only three toes and  three fingers on its huge feet and hands.   And surprisingly, it moves through the thick woods with very little disturbance.

Inas describes what he sees. "I-- have no idea what it is.  Could be an elemental force of stone . . . "

"What does it look like?" Mari asked.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:43, Mon 25 Nov 2019.

"It's large and grey, basically humanoid.  It has one eye, and three toes and fingers.  It's big -- as big as a stone giant, and just as grey.  And despite that bulk, it's moving rather deftly through the woods." 

"Delightful," she murmured. "Did you happen to notice any weaponry, perhaps a maul or club of some sort?"

Rath was little concerned with the creature of stone. It was at least a tangible threat, if a threat it was, which was a relief in contrast to the machinations and mysteries they had been dealing with.

"I say we take the direct approach. It's following, not attacking. So let's go see what the damned thing wants." He smirked. "And if it wants a fight, well, I don't mind obliging."

"Let me get some directions."  He tries to ascertain direction and distance to the mysterious creature.

As the owl takes another sweep through the trees, Inas guesses the creature is about 75 feet behind the group and another 25 deep into the woods.

Saliq was looking pensive. 'I suspect I know what we are facing. I have read of Vengeance Golem, horrifically powerful constructs created and controlled by ancient Magi. They were used specifically to hunt down one target.'

"Yay us!  I guess there's no point in trying to avoid it."


Inas readies his bow and some of his enchanted arrows.

As each member of the group turns and grabs weapons or braces themselves, the forest near them seems to shiver and then part.  The creature that emerges is a walking nightmare, some 18 feet tall, its mouth when opened shows two short tusks, and its only eye seems fixed as solid glass.  It resonates with power and strength.