Mountain Trails

(DM map notes: lets assume the english labels there are written in dwarven... it might as well be written in Dwarven, as hard as that is to read!)

The party moves out of town along the main road. Except for a small boy who quickly darts into an alley at the party's approach, and an occasional face in a quickly closing window, not a single soul is encountered.

The main road leaving Grabenhorst passes between two enormous trees, and then opens up onto a wonderous view of the mountains. To the northeast are a pair of sharp peaks, so close together, as to imply they came from the same geological event. To the northwest, is a crooked snow-covered peak, and to the immediate west is a darkened round mountain, that strangely lacks any snow cover at all.

As you proceed down the heavily forested road, the party notices many foottrails vanishing into the trees. Not all of them lead anywhere obvious: Flen explored one, and found that it ended at the trunk of a large tree. He spent a bunch of time insisting that there must be a secret door hidden in the tree, but ultimately concluded that it was just a tree. Actually, Rhiannon had to physically threaten Flen to leave the tree, and return to the road.

The party continues until they can see that the forest trees stop before a large clearing ahead. From the safety of the trees, the party sees a large fork in the road: one road continues northward, and another westward. At the fork itself, is a tall wooden tower with a bored looking guardsman sitting at the top.

Rhiannon (with her keen eyesight) holds the party back with a raised hand, and stares at the tower for a few moments. "He has an elven crossbow... Yes, definitely elven, though I don't recognize the styling." Her face turns to a frown. "We should be careful here. I'm betting there is a good reason he has such a fine weapon."

The Investigation Begins

The party with its new member exit the merchant building and return to the guard watching their supplies. After retrieving their things, the guard informs the group that Snorri has paid for a couple of rooms in the Inn to be used by the group. With they day waning, the party appreciates the danger of traveling into the mountains at night, and chooses to take advantage of Snorri's hospitality, and get some rest.

The following morning, the party awakes quite early. After a quick morning bowl of gruel, the party gathers up their gear, and organizes on the porch, just outside the front entrance. The main street passing in front of the Inn is strangely empty, devoid of merchants selling their wares, or dwarves marching into the mountains. The morning air is brisk, but the rising sun and few clouds mark the beginning of what appears to be a beautiful day.

A Friendly Face

After securing the supplies with the Guard, the party heads to the building earlier pointed out by Snorri. The door is ajar, and the room inside is fairly dark. Despite Snorri's contention that tradesman could be found here, there appears only to be two people. The first, a balding old dwarf, sits on a stool in the back corner. His eyes are closed, and the grating buzzing sound indicates he is deep in slumber.

The second, a human female, sits atop some boxes piled along the wall. She is writing in a small book by the light of a candle on a shelf next to her, and humming to herself. As the party gets a better look, she is wearing forest green tights that leave nothing to the imagination, and a tight fitting brown vest beneath a cloak. Long golden hair spills out from under a "cute" green hat with a pink feather, accenting a silver dagger in her belt. What appears to be a hand-painted long bow and quiver, leans against the wall behind her.

She looks up at the party and smiles warmly. "Well, hi there!"