Rowan did just that, heading for the exit with her shield at the ready, a handaxe in hand in case of trouble.

Approaching the portal a warm breeze blew into their faces. The scents of summer; marigolds, honey suckle, pear trees, and wild onion, assailed them. It was familiar, but somehow unfamiliar. The sounds of elk mating calls echoed across the grassy rolling hills through the portal. Distant pines towered over a small pond. It was unlike anything they would cross for hundreds and hundreds of miles. If not thousands.

"So. The real question. Do we investigate, or return to the cart and stop minor traffic collisions on the road?"

Una looked back at her companions, clearly liking the former more

Maria screwed her face in confusion, "What in the old one? This is peculiar to say the least." she gingerly poked her hammer through the portal, testing it to see what would happen.

There was a glint of light on the hammer's head. Sunlight from the distant lands reflected off the dense metal like a tiny bolt of lightening. It reminded her of the northern steppes in the Spring.

"We investigate. Boldly."

Pushing forward, Berskenna moved into the light, staff in hand as she leaned on it to look up and down at the beautiful scene beyond . . .

Rowan was less bold, more cautious. Moving quietly as her mail would let her she followed behind the elf mage

"So t'll me, Berskenna. I ken tha' the halflin' can work her magic because she made pact with some spirit or someaught, but wha' manner of elf magic makes you so bold?"

"It isn't a pact, it's a contract of employment!"

Una proudly produced a small flame in her hand as she walked out to walk with the others

"Not quite sure if my employment is still ongoing, mind . . . was shown the door rather abruptly. But I can still do the magic!"

Nearby the sound of drums began to beat. It was close, less than half of a mile, or a little less. The drums had the unmistakable sound and rhythm of a ritual of sorts. The tempo was too fast for a march, to metronomic to be a dance, and far to ominous to be safe. As the drum beat carried on for several moments there was a low, but definite scream under the sound. A scream of pain, or despair, for only a person in agony could make such a sound.

"I have the magic within me. I studied the runes and ancient glyphs of a civilization who once ruled my land. Though they are diminished and withdrawn, their power still flows in both their former land and subjects. My tribe worships this power and maintains the wards long placed there."

At the sound of drumming and screaming Berskenna was off like a shot towards danger, hands gripping her whorled and graven staff

Rowan moved ahead, calling out to Maria as she passed the others with her shield before her

"Sister, watch everyone's backs, we need to keep togehter."

Una took her place between all the big people, the light flames dancing on her fingers as she tried to keep step with everyone. She was excited . . . though struggling to see around everyone's backsides

They way was old and slightly worn still, but it was obvious that no one had used the portal in a long time. The remnants of their path led them through a stand of sycamore trees. Bushes, knee high to the dwarf, of bright purple and studded with rosy flower gave their location away.

They were in the Valley of the Night Fires. Sister Maria had grown up in the west, even traveled near the valley, it was known for two points of infamy; those rosy flowers were a powerful narcotic and more than one cult dedicated to demonic entities utilized the flowers in the dark rituals. She furrowed her brow, the valley was on the other side of the continent from the Wetlands. And soon enough the sun would be down. And the flowers would begin to glow.

In reply to Game Dude (msg # 93):

Maria bit her thumb "These flowers, they're dangerous, night bloomin things we should go back. "

"Dn't need to tell me twice!"

Rowan took Maria's warning seriously, shepherding the squishier two back with her to the portal

"But they're so very lovely!"

Una frowned, but Maria's concern was spur enough

Picking up a rock and enchanting it to glow, she dropped it and followed after the others

"You there!" A voice roared. It was a man standing waist high in the narrow glen ahead. "Stop there!"

He looked back into the direction they were headed but the woman couldn't see what he was looking at. He waved to others while pointing towards them.

"This way. The old way must be open. Hurry! Hurry!" He shouted to whomever was behind him.

Rowan paused, reluctant to follow a strange man, but he was talking about an 'old way'

This simply had to play out, and Rowan nodded to Maria as a signal

"We cn't stay too long. But les'go see what 'e wants."

"That smells like adventure!!"

Una was off like a shot following the man

Berskenna flourished her robes and followed, staff in hand. She held off on enchanting until she saw what danger they were in

"Hey! I said to stop. You three there, stop now!" He was a tall man in a peculiar set of robes. He was carrying a staff of gnarled dark wood. "In the name of the Omnipotent One hold! Or I will use magic to stop you."

A pair of others, a very attractive elf maiden and a gloomy looking Half-Orc brute joined the man. They too wore the odd robes. The Elf raised her staff and a bolt of blue-green lightning arced out of the end and shattered a nearby tree.

"You will hold in the name of the Omnipotent One!" She yelled at them.

"Ah. Ya were speakin' to others."

Rowan humoured the man, stopping and sheathing her axe, but keeping her shield strapped and her head up

Una did not stop, approaching with a wide smile and an extended hand

"Una Emberkettle! Please to meetcha! What are your names and occuptations? This behind me is Sister Maria, Rowan Ambercrown and the mystically guided Berskenna."

OOC: Persuasion 12

Berskenna ran a thumb over her staff, the runes and bands of metal starting to glow

"There is no need for this violence and anger. We stumbled here by accident, please explain your reason for anger and we will assist you!"

The robed Elf approached and looked them over one at a time. The fashion of her clothing was uncommon. She carefully assessed their appearance and sniffed at the air around each in turn.

The Man and Half-Orc stopped several paces back and took up a position to either side of the faint trail. The Half Orc held up an amulet and began a ritual casting while the Man kept them under close scrutiny and the immediacy of his staff.

(OOC: Please make rolls for Arcana, History, Perception, and Insight. Thanks ladies.)