Chapter One: Sweet Dreams are Made of These

[Brian]

"Obvious enough," Liandral says.  "Regardless, we've got to figure out a way to get you, the Lorekeeper, and the draughts of life to Stormwall Keep."

He points at the map, looking up meet everyone's eyes briefly.

From what you can see of the map, most of the nothern half is labeled, "wastes," and has no features in it other than that it's ... well ... a waste.

The southern border is a continous wall of mountain, with a single pass showing.  Stormwall Keep sits squarely in the center of that pass.  You're near the center, by Liandral's indication, near a large crescent of mountain range that sits north of the Keep.  The curve of the range is pointed towards the Keep.  "The original shield mountains," he says, tracing a finger over the curve, "will be innacessable.  We'll need to veer around it.  The western foothills are unkind, but we must make haste.  The Dreadmarch draws ever nearer, and we must get to Stormwall before the nights fall."

The lady nods, peering at the map.  A pass is indicated on Rez's map, right through the center of the crescent, which would be a more direct route than going around the mountain range.  "What is this?" she asks.

"That," the elf says uncomfortably, "is not a route we should take.  Hadrick ... Shuker attempted to cleanse that path long ago, but it fell to darkness, and when he entered it, he fell, too.  Oh, Borin, of eld, made the pass once, but it is far too dangerous.  Our need is not so great as of yet.  We will head west then, Madame, if you approve, and then from there directly to the Stormwall."

The lady looks doubtful, but nods.  "Masters Durant, Shuker, and Lorekeeper?" the lady asks, turning to look at Paul, Rez, and Ginrai in turn.  "Sir Bloom?  Do you have any other ideas?"

[Huitzil]

Paul speaks, lowly, not as if he were muttering under his breath, but just as if speaking in a conversational whisper, but conversing with nobody but himself. His eyes are far-away and unfocused on anything.

"They delved too greedily and too deep, and disturbed that from which they fled..."

[Brian]

Liandral blinks at that, and turns to look at Paul oddly.  "One of the other Lorekeepers at Stonewall said as much.  Is it an old tale?"

[Rezantis]

Rez makes a strangled noise, trying not to laugh.

[Brian]

"I apologize," Liandral says, bowing his head to Nathan.  "I should not speak so lightly of the hall where your ancestor fell."

[Rezantis]

Rez composes himself.

"No offense taken.  I was just surprised to hear that, er, quotation," Rez  returns the nod.

[Dracos]

Dracos glances at Rez, "Aretheyus en Tolkien, ne?"

Dracos looked over the map as the lady requested, seeing if his eyes could determine any routes other than what the elf had suggested.

Dracos

[Brian]

Your only other option would appear to be over the mountain, or around to the east, which is a much longer route, as you're relatively near the edge of the mountain range already.

[Dracos]

Dracos shakes his head. "As good a route as any it seems."

Dracos

[Ginrai]

Ginrai checks himself out to see what he's dressed in and if he has any sort of weapon with him.

"One question before we leave: who here has the ring?"

[Brian]

In response to this question, the lady actually blushes, and looks directly away.  Liandral merely looks confused.  "This has been a trying day," he says after a moment, rolling up the map and handing it back to Nathan.  "We should leave.  Is there anything else you need here, Loremaster?"

Looking down at yourself, Ginrai, you see you're wearing a thick brown robe.  underneath it you've got thinner leggings and a tunic, but you're kept reasonably warm.

You're carrying a staff about as high as you are tall.  You have a small knife suitable for eating tucked into your belt, and a number of pouches which contain things like dried powder (of what, you're not sure) and small glass beads.  Perhaps some of them are jewels; you're not certain.  You've also got a pouch with some money, but not much.

In addition, you have a pack, and in it is a tome, which looks pretty weighty.  It's also locked, but unlocks itself when you touch it.  You don't have time to read through it (or really, even glance at it) at this moment, though.

A necklace around your neck bears a flat silver disc with a hole in the center, the edges inscribed with numerous intricate markings that you don't know the meaning of, and apparently, both of your ears are pierced (the earrings aren't coming out, either, unless you're willing to give up a bit of ear with each of them).

You've got no facial hair that you can feel, and your hair is probably to mid-way down your back, dark, and braided intricately (there are four strands of hair, instead of three).  You're wearing pretty comfortable boots, though.

[Ginrai]

'Hopefully I know some spells to help defend myself if needed.  I wonder if I'm able to change into a wolf while here....'

"Nothing else at this moment.  I think it would be best if we leave now."

[Brian]

"Agreed," Liandral says, nodding.  After everything is packed up, he heads to the door that most of the human bodies lie near.  "Take any provisions you feel we can use, but don't overburden yourselves," he warns.  He then waits for everyone to follow him.

The lady stays near Bjorn, expecting him (apparently) to lead the way.

[Ginrai]

Ginrai follows Liandral and waits for the others to finish taking anything necessary.

[Rezantis]

Rez digs through some of the packs belonging to the bodies, trying not to gag, and divides all the food he can find into a small pile , before stashing as much as he feels alright carrying into his own bag.