The stone door raised over a period of about twenty seconds then, just as the pool had filled below the column to its original depth, the door suddenly dropped. With a heavy and frightening thud Sothri and Thakk were left in the dark. While the small kobold had some ability to see in the dark, with absolutely no light Sothri saw the tunnel in shades of gray. Thakk, who did not have the kobold's superior vision, was plunged into total darkness as the door closed completely.

Before the door dropped the pair did notice that they now stood in a tunnel, 5ft wide and 20ft high which proceeded straight for 20ft before it turned a sharp corner to the left at a steep angle heading upwards.

The kobold's instincts, honed by years on both sides of these death traps, had served her well. She was well clear of the giant slab when it came down, and looked back up to make sure her recent ally was still with her. She wasn't familiar with the tall grey-skinned folk or what they could do, but from the way he was looking in the darkness...

"Followthesoundofmyvoice," she instructed from the darkness. "Willwarnyouofenemies," she tapped him on the knees with the hilt of her sword, then padded forward towards the corner they'd seen. Took a careful peek around it with her head dipped low then slid back, calling out quietly.

"Uptothecorner." If she saw something around the corner, she relayed what she saw back to him once he was close enough to whisper.

11:25, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 9 using 1d20+1.  Perception Check.

Thakk realized Sothri could see in the dark. Her directions were clear, but he'd rather see in case there were details they could miss. There might be more druidic writing. "Your people live in the hearts of the mountains and the earth? Goliath folk have caves and houses, but we do not live very deep. We need light. You ever seen a mountain spirit? I talk to them, but I never seen one."

He walked right behind Sothri, making sure to be careful not to step on her. He used his staff to help find his way too. For a moment, he regretted not learning druidic magic that could create sustained light; more than in bursts and brief flashes. "I think if there are no light sources anywhere near, I'm going to have to light a torch."

The passageway continued to the left and seemed to spiral in on itself, there was no light within the tunnel and it became increasingly difficult for Thakk to navigate the darkness. Sothri's help and the fact that the tunnel was not naturally forming and had an evenly rising path made it tolerable but uncomfortable. The tunnel walls and ceiling were roughly carved from the mountain and from touch alone Thakk could tell the floor seemed to be carved, or worn, smooth compared to the other surfaces. Sothri had no trouble confirming this looking around in the darkness. The smell in the tunnel was musty with a sting of mould, it did not appear the tunnel had been used in a long time or was used with much frequency at all.

After a minute of walking upwards the tunnel levelled out again, continuing in the same direction away from the pool. Another 20ft and it appeared to reach a dead end, blocked by a similar door to the one recently passed back in the pool chamber.

Thakk did not want to stumble through the dark any longer. When they reached the door, he took the time to stop and light a torch. Only when it was burning properly, did he look down at Sothri to give her a nod and a smile as thanks for leading him so far. He then looked at the door to see if there were any inscriptions.

"Thereisacarvingonth-" the torchlight flared and Sothri shied away from the bright light for a moment, shielding her eyes with a hand until she relaxed and straightened. "Wellyoucansee. There." She pointed at it. "Underthestarpattern. Thinkyourdruidslivehere?"

She looked around, sniffed the air. "Smellsoldhere. Whereiseveryone?"

As the torch was lit the stars on the door began to shine and another grumbling sound of stone on stone started as the door began to this time drop into the floor. It happened slowly, like the last door, and as it dropped the pair were treated to a very unexpected sight.

The door opened into a huge crater surrounded by tall, sheer mountains on every side, it was high in the mountains and almost at the peak. A large pool of steaming hot water ran along the length of the crater, providing an immediate warmth as the door opened fully. Most notable was the green; green grass, green pine trees and green shrubs. Only on the furthest mountain cliffs was there the white haze of snow, the heat from the pool keeping even the falling snow at bay. Fog was dense around the tops of the mountain peak and what would have been simple clouds from the distance below looked like a misty halo around the crater, as if encircling the pool and surrounding lands in a protective embrace.

Animals darted around the open, grassy fields. Deer, elk, rabbits and other creatures seen in greater numbers than ever compared to the frozen wastes below. The animals seemed unconcerned by the intruding pair and a rabbit even had the courage to approach and sniff towards Sothri's foot. Some animals drank from pools of water in the distance, and at the nearest end of the steaming pool waters capybara could been seen relaxing in the hot water in the shallows of the pool. Amongst the rodents bathing in the pool was a white wolf lazing on the edge of the waters, half covered by the warm waters as it lay on its side. The wolf raised its head towards the pair as the door opened and sat up on its haunches, watching.

There were no signs of civilisation, no buildings, signposts, tracks or any material which looked man-made. It was an untouched paradise in the clouds.

The crater looks to be miles across in a rough circular shape and surrounded by cliffs. The thermal pool is 100ft in front of the door and runs far into the distance, it is about 300ft wide.

This time the torchlight seemed to be the key - the light spilled into the stars on the door, and the great slab groaned slowly open. Stepping inside, the sunlight illuminated the open grassy fields and she padded lightly in and out of the cold. All the animals seemed at peace with each other and the seemed very serene. Almost eerily serene, all of them herbivores kept safe in this mystic haven by... by the looks of it, the lone white wolf at its centre. Could that be-

Stepping forward cautiously, she padded across the lawn to greet the wolf, pausing forty feet away to kneel on one knee and greet them respectfully. "Greetingshonoredone. Areyoutheguardianofthisplace? Maywehaveyourhospitality?"

The weapon and shield were laid on the grass, but within the span of her opened hands. Even here she couldn't assume the peace would last.

18:40, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  Persuasion.

Thakk was deeply honored to be in this place. He slowly took in the sights and sounds, and not least the mystical connection he felt to it. It was deeply spiritual. Eventually, his eyes fell on the wolf as well. Could it be Zelinia? A different druid in wolf form? Or maybe a regular animal? In any case, Thakk watched Sothri address the wolf, and he followed by presenting them both. That he himself was part of the Circle of the Stars was quite obvious. He looked around for other passages than the door they had just used. Not that he wasn't very happy to be here, but in the end they were just passing through.

The wolf sat motionless as Sothri approached, eyeing her warily. Its gaze passed to Thakk as he followed and returned to the blue kobold as she spoke.

In a flurry of snow which concealed the wolf a pale elf was revealed sitting crosslegged where the wolf had been when the snow cleared. She wore basic furs and had long white braided hair, Thakk immediately recognised Zelinia. Ignoring the smaller creature she looked to him and spoke in a language unfamiliar to Sothri, [Language unknown: "Uner atiearess men bleardill con neion sicaar. N korousyinmen ca tio ac nthi pread il po lat hat a sitelaomat. Ec sidi any entrutted ev tr ted."]

She turned her head to Sothri and raised a hand to her chest, "Zelinia. Dis is da Astral Grove. Please keep your base insdinks in check while you are here." She struggled with the common tongue but there was an assumption made based on Sothri's race. "You are in Stardancer's company is de only reason you are here, but why have you come?"

The kobold watched with fascination as snow whispered around the white wolf soaking in the hot water - and a pale elf sat there instead. Of course! Why wouldn't a champion of the natural world shelter from the snowy chill with the animals she protected? And she did love the impressive show of magic, even in such small things as this.

"Ofcourse," she excused the warning. "Iwillnothuntortrap." She ventured a smile - a toothy expression, but one a feral soul would appreciate hopefully?

"IamSothri, pleasetomeetyou. StardancerandIseekthewhiteone," she chattered, trying to slow her speech to a pace akin to Zelinia's and only managing to make more sporadic. "Truedragon. Small, seeninthisarea. Hemayseekmore, Iseekonlydirections. Canyouhelp? Canpaywithcoinorservice. Orfoodifyouneedit."

15:19, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  Persuasion to charm the nice wolf lady. It was not effective.

Thakk added to what Sothri was saying. "Sothri is very brave. Our quests are the same, it seems. She is my first ally in this endeavor. We shall go together to the human town to find more." He gave a series of nods, as if he agreed with himself. He still held his torch and looked around again. "Can you tell us where to go from here?"

Zelinia smirked at Sothri's attempted charm but noted her words carefully, "Dru Dragon. Yes." She looked to Thakk as he vouched for the small creature. "Good. Id seem your search for allies began quickly."

She looked between the pair, "I do nod need anyding kobold. You seek de same prey of de Grove." She lifted a thin arm and pointed to the south east, Head dowards de soud-eas, follow de base of the moundains and you will find a human village. Word has reached the grove de village is besed by goblins, driven in purpose like nod seen before. Your quarry may be reladed do de recen' courage dese creadures have."

She stands and walks round the pool heading towards the south-east. "Follow me. I will open de way."

Thakk was happy he already had an ally. Their talk of the dragon had him anxiously looking up in case the dragon was there, although that might not make sense. It wasn't like talking about it would make it appear. Still, Zelinia had said it had been here before, and had taken something from the grove. The dragon could come back.

He quickly followed the elder druid and gave Sothri an encouraging smile, although on Thakk's stone-like face, the expression was very subtle.

Thakk marveled at the beauty of the grove as they headed south-east through it. He hoped he would be back here some day; victorious in his quest, hopefully. His thoughts then turned to goblins, which he had very little experience with. He thought they were small, but wouldn't presume to judge anyone by their size.

Goblins. Stupid big-headed violent bandits. In a previous life Sothri had met with them and even worked with them, but from the vantage point of her new Master she could see them for what they were. And for what they weren't.

But it was strange that the dragon would be working with goblins, and not her own reptilian breed.

She followed the wolf-elf-druid as well, looking up at Thakk and then around at the secluded grove. Some parts of the peace called to her, but it also felt very very quiet. Too quiet. Lonely, in a way that reminded her of her packlessness and she found herself walking closer to the Goliath's side and watching their feet as they headed for the south-east side.

Avoiding looking at the sky which threatened to lean down and swallow her.

The temperature dropped as Zelinia guided the pair away from the steaming pool and to the eastern side of the grove. She was quiet as she traveled and only spoke to point out some of the more interesting parts of the grove as the trio passed. After just under an hour the group reached a crevice in the mountain that was full of thorny brambles. Zelina turned to the pair, "Dis is de way."

The elf chanted and waved her hand and the brambles retreated, allowing a path for Sothri and Thakk to exit. It was only a few hundred feet before the brambles closed behind them and they were once again by themselves. The crevice opened onto the side of the mountain, fog concealed everything at ground level although the tops of trees could be seen poking through from the taller forests. There was a path before them which led down the mountain towards the north and so it was followed, winding down towards the base of the mountains it was later morning as the pair arrived back on the flat ground with the mountains behind them.

A dense fog surrounded the pair as they arrived on the ground it was unusually thick and cold, obscuring vision for more than about 30 feet in front of them.

Please roll Perception checks with your next post.
You can also roll a Nature check to determine anything about the fog.

The temperature sank, and Sothri dragged the thick winter furs tightly around herself as she padded lightly across the snow in the elf's wake. Her foot-claws were wrapped in warm close-woven cloth and then sheathed in soft leather thin enough that she could still feel the texture of the ground underfoot.

She watched with interest as the brambles parted ahead of them, and trailed the druids through it - leaping slightly when the thorns threatened to catch her tail. The narrow crevice felt reassuring, and then when it opened out the fog concealed... almost everything. It felt like she was walking in the clouds, or above the sea with little tree-tips acting like rocks in the waves. Or rather how she imagined the sea would look.

Journeying down the mountain she roamed closer to Thakk's side, from a few paces ahead to a few paces behind. Her weapons at the ready and one eye on the sky.

"Sohowdidyouloseyourarm?" she asked finally. "Dragontookit?"


14:08, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 17 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 16.  Perception!
14:08, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 9 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 10.  Nature!
D

Thakk gave Zelina a respectful bow as the parted ways. He wondered how long it would be until he met her again? Weeks? Months? Years? He didn't know, but maybe the stars did. As they walked, Sothri brought up the matter of his arm. "Yes. Some of the youngsters in my tribe were attacked. Maybe they were foolish to try to spy on dragon. Goliath-folk sometimes to foolish things to see who is the bravest."

"I heard them calling for help and came as fast as I could. The dragon was so big, I was certain it would kill us all. My arm went in a single bite. My spear went deep, however. It fled and we lived." Thakk noticed the fog, but was too busy with his story to pay attention if he could see anything through it. He knew a lot about natural weather though and has seen fog many, many times before.

Perception check 5 (Nat 1!)
Nature check 25!

The odd mist was a mystery to Sothri, her small form all but buried in the deeper mist along the ground. She was, however, well aware of her surroundings. It was cold, bone chilling cold and if not for the proper attire it would have painfully cold fo the small kobold. Thakk was unaffected and while he was aware of the dropping temperature it caused no discomfort to the goliath.

Sothri and Thakk continued as instructed along the foothills and the mist continued for a few miles as they travelled. Eventually the mist subsided as the foothills were covered in a thick pine forest. The peaks of the grove now many miles behind them and the mist cleared the pair continued for more miles to the south east along the line bordering the forest and the mountains.

By late morning they were deep in the forest and traveling south and making good time to arrive at Barrow's Edge by late afternoon. Sothri was alert, her snout shifting from side to side. Thakk, however, was lost in thought.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:24, Tue 13 July 2021.

The mist surrounding them felt very strange, but also familiar. The mist enshrouded her, but did not protect her. She remembered attacking under cover of mists very similar to this one when she served her old master, and being blinded by the fog her hearing was sharp and listening closely.

Wait. What was- there. She turned unerringly through the cold winter mists, and seized Thakk by his hand. "ThakkStonedancerthereistrouble. Thatway, battleanddanger."

She slung her shield on her arm, unsheathed her rapier from the harness on her back, and took off through the early winter snows towards the sounds of those in need.

As her master would wish.

Thakk paled when he realized what the fog was. He explained his thoughts with a whisper to Sothri. "This fog could be made to protect the nest of a dragon. It could be several miles away..." He held up all five fingers on his hand to indicate how many. "...or it could be very close."

They weren't ready to face a dragon now at all, so Thakk moved as quietly and warily as he could, heart pounding in his chest. He was glad to see the fog clear as they continued walking, but made mental notes about the location of the fog should they at some point want to return.

"Battle?" Thakk thought for a second it might be the dragon, but came to the conclusion it probably wasn't. He followed his new friend towards the sounds she had heard.

The sounds of battle grew louder the deeper the pair traveled into the forest. Soon creatures could be seen in battle, the details of the fight were hard to make out from this distance but it sounded like a battle of many bodies. Shouts in common rang out and the screams and squeals of monstrous beings echoed through the trees.

The pair drew closer still and small green skinned monsters stood among the trees, their back to Sothri and Thakk. They were still some distance off but it looked like a wagon was broken in a ditch on the road, a handful of humans could be seen fighting off a horde of creatures that were assaulting the group.

Sothri was talking rapidly under her voice as they drew closer to the besieged humans. She was having flashbacks about raids where she and her band had struck at humans travelling with wagons through small tracks in the wilderness.

It had rarely ended well for the humans.

 Be brave Sothri. He would smile on her. She had to save the humans from a likely grim fate, and she was not alone. "AmgladyouarewithmeThakkfriend," she chattered as she slung her blade back over her shoulder, drawing out her bow as she ran.

As soon as she got within 150 paces of the green skinned swarm, she could start distracting them from their prey.

Thakk gave Sothri a nod and another almost invisible smile. "I think those are goblins." he whispered. If they were taking on these nasty creatures, it seemed wise to get closer; preferably unnoticed. The goliath had never been the quietest hunter, but he tried his best. Once they were close enough, he could hopefully either cast a ranged spell or charge with one of his weapons in hand.

Stealth: 7

Prologue Complete