The next morning there was no further rain but the outlook remained overcast with grey clouds overhead. Lorna had fresh bread prepared before the adventurers left the Moorland Magpie Inn. There was lots of activity in the street as the adventurers both old and new set out and crossed over the bridge.

They travelled west into the foothills of the mountains. The road although neglected showed signs of regular traffic. Nearer the river the road skirted a dank marsh from which the foothills rose. Once past the marsh the road threaded through a wooded forest. Beneath the boughs of the forest what light reached them from the cloudy sky was dim. They had a couple more miles to go before they reached the canyon.

OOC Roll for surprise.

11:57, Today: Ben rolled 4 using 1d6.  surprise.

Ahead in the forest the party heard grunting and barking then a herd of elk sixteen in total began to cross the trail about one hundred and fifty yards away. Among the herd was an antlered stag, it brayed loudly at the party when it spotted them.

OOC No one is surprised.

Leah stepped to the front of the group and held her pole horizontally across her body to block the road. She stated, "Do not worry, I can keep us all safe because all we have to do is let them pass."

And then she suddenly shouted out, "BUUYAUH BUUYAUH!" before returning to her normal tone. "That was an elk call so now they will know we are friendly and will cross the road, then we can continue safely. And oh, I forgot. Is anyone here named Ben?"

Ben prays that the 150 yards were sufficient to reduce her call to a gentle "Buh, buh."

"I am Barnabas, Ben for short. I know you meant well, but please don't yell at the wildlife. They may not understand your accent."

It sounded a little absurd to say that, but Ben figures she's gullible enough.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Tue 09 Mar 2021.

 Brandli readies a bullet in her sling, but stops when she hears her companion advise against yelling at animals.  "Aw, damn.  I was gonna show off how good I am at hittin' animals, too.  I'm real good at it." She looks at Leah reassuringly.  "Good dating call, though.  Sounded just like one of them welts.'

Bertilak frowns. "I hope I don't need to waste my one and only spell for the day on wildlife."

Fiene rises early in the morning, and runs a couple errands before venturing towards Stonehell.  He picks up Ermangard and pays her for the days defense of his person.

He walks along, using his 10' pole as a walking stick.  His lantern hangs from his belt until needed.  "Stonehell awaits." he says, waiting for the herd to pass.

Teodore is ready for another assault on Stonehell. He walks silently along with the others, nodding at Fiene.

Uninterrupted the herd moved past and away into the forest. The remainder of the journey was uneventful. The road terminated at the mouth of a narrow box canyon that bisected a high cliff wall. Steep cliffs and tall mountains beyond the defile loomed overhead..

At the mouth of the canyon stood an old curtain wall that has crumbled in places, leaving large gaps. The gatehouse doors lay rotting on the ground before it and spaces between the rusty portcullis allowed easy access.

The experienced adventurers did not note any changes since their last visit two days ago.

OOC I have the current party as follows, let me know if it needs correction.
Ermangard, Orla, Ben, Bertilak, Brandli, Fiene, Leah, Lilith, Teodore, Valerian.

Day: 3. Time: 9:00am. Turn: 1. Weather: Cloudy. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

 Brandli puts a bullet in her sling, but does not fire it, instead keeping the stone and sling in her hand.  "Hey, Orla, I thunk you might want this..." The halfling takes a flask and its harness from her hip and hands it to the priestess.  "Holy man I was with had this, gave it to me.  I don't got a use for it, but you might.  Don't drink it, it's real special."

Handing holy water to Orla Pont.