“War” whispers Shan behind Alex’s back. She had awaken and had moved silently next to the half-elf. He didn’t know she could be so stealthy. 

Her glance were sad

”I guess that the dinner with the Forest Master and the flight with the pegasi are going to be our last pleasant memories for a long time. “

She closes her cape that were open by a cold gust of wind.

”She has returned and her children walk the earth again. War is upon us.” 

Kinlin "watching the sunrise, that's eastern way seams the way we need to go if my bearings are right"

" is everyone here and alright, lets eat and get to making useful daylight'

Kinlin looks over to Xorn and gives him a lightly concerned look as to what has happened and why the  flying creatures did not take them all the way

survival 10

As Escarin wakes, the others already moving and the clear signs that they are not where they expected to be cause him to jump up.  He sees Shan talking to Alex and pauses before going to join them as he looks around trying to get his bearings. He hears Shan whisper to Alex but cannot make it out. Moving to the two of them he says "Something has gone wrong, hasn't it?  We are still a long way from our destination I assume.  Do you know where we should head now?"

Geoff awakens just as he hears his friends voices trail off, seeing that they are in a grassy meadow and obviously not past the Eastwall Mountains as Forestmaster said.

He sees the others gathered looking towards smoke off in the distance and goes to join them. "What has happened? We are not where the Forestmaster said we would be."

Alex

"No we are not where we need to be. I fear we still have a long walk in front of us." As the last word fall from him mouth Alex looks to the East with great concern. "I just hope we are all strong enough to make it thru these trials."

"Look to what Geoff carries, Alex, I believe we have been given the strength, and I believe we have the talent to be what is needed of us." Escarin puts his hand on Geoff's shoulder, "Now is when we will find ourselves."

Alex

"Yes Escarin, we have been given a great tool to help us but do we have the strength the weld it properly? We have no idea what is on the other side of that mountain. We do not know what awaits us in Xak Tsaroth. We have seen that the stars are changed, that a great evil is returned to the land. Yes, good is trying to help but will it be enough. So many questions." He then stands and gathers his stuff, slinging his bearowl cloak over one shoulder and his bow over the other. "We have many miles to cover so we should probably get moving."

"It seems like it might be about faith then, do we have enough?" Escarin shoulders his own backpack and prepares to move out.

To give you a better understanding of where you stand. 

You are at the western edge of The Eastwall Mountains, a path coming from the west leads into the mountain range to the east. You are in a meadow, on top of a hill and all around you are to the west rolling hills that become the Abanasinia Plains where wandering human horse tribes live. The black smoke to the west is probably from one of their main villages, Que Shu, and it is about half a day to go there. To the east beyond the mountains, the soil becomes moist until it turns into a great swamp. No one really goes that way so you have little information and you'll need to rely on your wits and skills. You estimate that you are 4 hours from the Forsaken pass ends and a day and a half to the ruins of Xak Tsaroth.

“What is sure is that we have breath enough to waste it making ourselves questions we cannot answer” says Shan winking to Alex “Omens are grim that’s for sure, and I pìty that people. But we could help them better doing what it was asked for us. We have the Staff Bearer with us, and we are the Ghost Conners! (Is this word right? I want to say the ones who conned the ghost... ) “ she smiles trying to get over her own sad mood, but the black smoke that raises in the air weighted too much.

”Let’s focus on the task at hand. We need to move fast, we could take breakfast on the move... “

Quote from Phadeout101 >>

History 20

 

Geoff puts both hands on his staff as he leans slightly on it then says, "Agreed, all we can do is move forward. Forestmaster said all would be answered in time, so perhaps we'll find answers along the way. We should probably get going if we're ready." Geoff reaches into his pack for a few nuts and dried fruits from a ration, intending to eat on the way.

Xorn awoke among the prairie grass. Running his hand through it as his head clears from the magical sleep. 

Hearing the voices of others, he sits up and rubs his eyes yawning. It doesn’t take long befor he sees the roiling smoke and he stands and surveys the immediate area. Realizing the group was still safe, he calms for a moment. Gather up his weapons and preparing his pack, Xorn over hears the others discussing matters of doom. 

“Ok people. Looks like we’re walking. I for one am glad to be off that flying horse. Couldn’t even do its job and get us across the mountain  It’s time to buckle down...” he walks to each person and hands them a large apple orange or kiwi that he had stashed from the forestmaster’s feast  “... and stop thinking about all the doom and gloom. Let’s keep focused on the goal, keep positive and keep moving forward.”

Grabbing as much of the heavy gear as he could to take the burden off of everyone else, Xorn begins heading down the hill to the east.

 [ooc] Everyone gets 7 temp hps. 

Geoff puts the Staff under his cloak on his back, takes a kiwi from Xorn with a nod of thanks, then stretches his legs for a very brief moment before saying to no one in particular as he watches Xorn walk down the hill, "Might as well start walking; Time is short. We'll be fine."

He catches up with Xorn down the hill and takes a bite of the kiwi as he walks with his spear in hand, using the butt end as a walking stick.

Escarin moves to follow and heads off with the others, eating an orange from Xorn as he goes. "I wonder what happened to the plains folk. If we had more time we could investigate but.." He shakes his head sadly and continues east. 

The Forsaken Pass rises from a pleasant meadow in the foothills of the Eastwall Mountains. The mountains are rugged but not as high as in the Kharolis range; only a few peaks lie above the tree line. The pass winds through seven miles of heavily wooded terrain; aspen and conifers line the trail through the pass.

There are a few wildlife but nothing large enough to threaten a group like yours.

The pass has rarely been traveled since Xak Tsaroth fell. The trail is widely overgrown and almost vanishes in places.

OOC: I m going to need a survival check. DC10.

After a few hours of walk, you come upon a lone fortress, once mighty.

The only structure in the pass is an ancient fortification that once defended the pass’ eastern approach. Most of its walls have long since collapsed to rubble, but the ruins have unmistakable dwarven runes carved into the rock, runes of blessing and protection. Any magic they once might have had has long since dissipated. 

Survival 20

Kinlin stealth24

will scout ahead slightly of the party 

just enough to keep them in sight

" I will see you not see me for a few ""haha"