The cave nestled into the hillside, its mouth draped in a blanket of vines. There's not much nearby - it was a 2 mile hike to the nearest kome and the land was barely fertile enough to sustain more than the occasional goat. Even if that wasn't the case, nobody local was looking to get too near a fabled entrance to the Fate's abode. By the time you arrive, the Helios has driven his chariot firmly into dusk and a soft orange light covers everything in soft yellows.

Much to your surprise, the cave is not abandoned. Rather, every couple of minutes a new character seems to be arriving. Are they here with the same goals? A lucky coincidence.

Hi everyone! Thanks for taking part 😁 Please introduce your characters to one another, we'll get started once everyone's arrived

Remaining Fate Points: 120 (will edit as used)

A young women hikes up the trail. She is weirdly pale for a local, but looks human otherwise(Not always a given in this time and place). "I'm Cyntheia, seems we have a bit of a group here. Did you all get dreams as well?"

Galis stands at the foot of the cave, his breath steady despite the climb. The thin red cloak flutters behind him, its deep crimson contrasting against the earthy tones of the hillside. Beneath the cloak, his armor glimmers faintly, weathered but resilient, he is wearing an ancient Spartan helm, battle-scarred and imposing, the crest, once vibrant, now frayed with age. It rests firmly atop his head, casting a shadow over his eyes that seem to house a flame always flickering. 

Quote from PrincessCallia >>

A young women hikes up the trail. She is weirdly pale for a local, but looks human otherwise(Not always a given in this time and place). "I'm Cyntheia, seems we have a bit of a group here. Did you all get dreams as well?"

“Yes, I have been plagued by many nightmares, in which I have seen me commit many heroic deeds, and many not all of which led to my demise. I could not rest easy so I found a path to the home of the Fates. I want to alter my fate to something less deadly, a future where I can help my people. I presume it is the same for you?”

Cyntheia seems surprised at what you tell her about her dreams, "My dreams are not nearly so specific. Mine offer less knowledge on who was doing the deed, just the deed and it's results. An arrow shot into a monster's throat. A nameless person holding a ship against the storm. An attack on a city, then it still standing the next day with all of the attackers dead. I came because they are clearly a sign from the gods, and I cannot interpret them. Am I to do something, or watch what others do? That is not something I can answer alone."

*Just going to get started, and the other two can join us when ready*

The sun dips below the horizon, and the evening sky turns a deep dark blue. The cave mouth beckons

Quote from PrincessCallia >>

A young women hikes up the trail. She is weirdly pale for a local, but looks human otherwise(Not always a given in this time and place). "I'm Cyntheia, seems we have a bit of a group here. Did you all get dreams as well?"

 The gentle clop of hooves against the stones sounds from behind them, as a mounted figure makes their way up to the cave. As they get closer, it becomes apparent that the man is not mounted on a horse - rather, his torso seems to blend seamlessly into the chest of said horse. He looks younger, his horse half a soft dappled roan color, black and white spots covering his haunches and back like fallen snow. His human half has a deep olive skin tone that almost matches that of his fur, with doe-brown eyes and curly black hair that hangs over his eyes,a small rat-tail braid lying across his shoulder tied neatly with a golden ribbon. He’s armed with a spear and a backpack, as well as some light armor worn over a cropped ivory toga that allows his horse half to freely move without the fabric getting in the way. The man has a cheerful smile on his face, looking around at the others. “Chaire! I wasn’t expecting company. Though I do think dreams are fairly common for most people.” 

A jay just gives up on trying to fly through the air above the cave. Folding up its wings it just falls 50ft from the air, plummeting to the ground besides the group. In a split second it will hit the ground. Would probably take 5d6 fall damage if this was a D&D game.

Galis looks at the jay in shock as it plunges towards the ground. He takes a step back

Seeing the centaur ride up, Cyntheia replies to him, "Dreams are, but ones that encourage a person to travel all the way to the cave of fates are not. I'm Cyntheia, what should I call you?"

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she notices a bird stop flying.

Cytheia is shocked by the jay, but considerate. "Birds can show auguries, and we are near the realm of fate. I wonder what that signaled to those who know the auguries."

Hearing the hoof beats stop ahead, Eximus reigns in Argento. The stallion, well trained, prances to a stop with barely a sound. It's hooves making only the slightest thud on the trail. Eximus slips from the saddle and takes up Argento's bridle. As the partners creep forward voices start to become distinguishable and it becomes apparent that they are here because of the dreams. 

"So be it."   He thinks. Eximus straightens up, adjusts his breast plate, and helmet then strides forward towards the group. He laments for a moment that his armor has suffered from the road. He would have polished it but time has been against him. Soldiering on He arrives just in time to hear Cynthia's last words. Raising a hand in salute Eximus hails those gathered.

"I am Eximus Animus! I heard what you said as I approached. I too seek the fates. What is this " augury" and will it get me to them?"

.

The bird hits the ground and keeps falling, deep below the earth. It leaves little trace but a few feathers, arrayed in a rough arrow pointing into the cave. The augury is unusually clear.

"Well I suppose that's clear enough." says Eximus. He proceeds to unload his steed. He throws the saddle bags over his shoulder, grabs the rest of his gear, and finally undoes the belly strap in the saddle. He pushes the leather seat off onto the ground. He gently drags the reigns back up and over Argento's head. After releasing the bit and bridle, his places his hands on the horses cheeks, pulling the large head down so their foreheads can touch. Eximus stands up his farewells expressed. He gives Argento's neck a hard shove followed by a slap to the rump. Eximus turns and strides to the cave opening. Just before he enters he looks back at the rest.

"Well let be at it then."  Then he enters the cave.

Cyntheia sees him enter, and says, "Though it was nice to meet you, I believe he has the right idea. Standing outside of the cave will not solve our problems." She then takes a last look around, as though memorizing the area, adjusts her daggers to make them easy to unsheathe, and steps into the cave after Eximus.

When you brush past the vines, the cave is lit by the last of the twilight. The scalloped floor and walls form a thin corridor sloping up into the hillside. Cyntheia can tell from her time in the wild that this was once an underwater stream, carving it's way through the rock. The light doesn't penetrate to its end, but from what you can see it'll be a bit of a squeeze at points for the centaur and the horse.

*cant post for the next 5 days. Going camping and probably no wifi.*

Quote from PrincessCallia >>

Seeing the centaur ride up, Cyntheia replies to him, "Dreams are, but ones that encourage a person to travel all the way to the cave of fates are not. I'm Cyntheia, what should I call you?"

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she notices a bird stop flying.

Cytheia is shocked by the jay, but considerate. "Birds can show auguries, and we are near the realm of fate. I wonder what that signaled to those who know the auguries."

 The centaur watches the bird, kneeling down sadly by where it fell and whispering a short prayer. He stands, and looks toward the cave. “Anatolius. You’re right, though I was hoping it wouldn’t be an underground endeavor..” He clops into the cave with a nervous smile, trailing after Eximus, greeting the stallion first before doing so. 

In the lead, Eximus pauses to pull a torch from his gear. A few strikes on some flint and the cavern is cast in flickering light. The centurion hold yhe light high and continues on.

With a reliable light source from Eximus, you're able to pick your way through steadily, rising upwards for a nauseating number of metres. Consistently squeezes that seem unsurpassable for Anatolius, but they always turn out just wide enough.

Without a special effort to keep track of how far you've climbed (6 points for any character), your character will lose track of their time and travel in the cave. 

After some time, the cave passage opens out. A simple door of wooden slats blocks the way forwards. It's not locked and firelight peeks through its cracks.

Quote from BlackBear_ >>

*cant post for the next 5 days. Going camping and probably no wifi.*

*Fair enough! Just drop in again when you can*

Quote from cynophobia_ >>

 The centaur watches the bird, kneeling down sadly by where it fell and whispering a short prayer. He stands, and looks toward the cave. “Anatolius. You’re right, though I was hoping it wouldn’t be an underground endeavor..” He clops into the cave with a nervous smile, trailing after Eximus, greeting the stallion first before doing so. 

The prayer isn't answered now, but somewhere Anatolius knows it is appreciated.

Eximus steps to the door and presses an ear up to it. He listens, then tries to peak through the crack, before slowly opening the door.