“Goatkin.” Vark says as the watchman atop the monastery’s turret comes into view. “Shouldn’t give us any trouble, I don’t think. From what I’ve heard they apparently just eat books. Wonder what the place used to be before they moved in.” he muses as they pass.

"If they don't shoot us, we can ask'em. No point starin' at it, though. Keep my arse covered in case there's trouble." Brundir nudges Stonebrow into motion, then raises a hand as the boar trots forward. The dwarf waves a bit, trying to make himself more visible. If the lookout was friendly, he was ready to answer a hailing call. If they were hostile....then hopefully Karakarin and Dumdrengi would be enough.

The figure turns to watch the band of heroes as they pass, but otherwise does not move.

Beyond the frigid cliffs of Mount Judgement lie Mount Cruelty's slopes of brittle, porous rock. Thick plumes of steam curl from finger-thick holes, and no snow stays for long. Some way off the path, great white clouds emerge from a crater. Along its rim, glistening ice feeds a hundred tiny streams that converge at the foggy centre, where a tall wall topped with goat and seal skulls stands. A stone arch in the wall is blocked by an outrageously stocky man in a dirty cowl.

Aiden watches the man's demeanor closely. "Clearly guarding that pass," Aiden says quietly to the others. "What shall we do? Just ride past?"

Vark shrugs. 

“No harm in asking what he’s guarding I guess.” Vark leads Toivoa a bit off the road, trotting to close a little bit of the distance between the Acharnost and the sentry. 

“Hello, friend! Might we was ask what it is you stand watch over?”

"Shelek's garden," the man breathes in a dramatic false whisper. "It is for him and him alone."

“Oh! Yes, I’ve heard of Shelek. I know he guards his fruit closely but… m-maybe he’d be willing to give us a quick tour?” He smiles back to his friends, hoping they wouldn’t mind the little excursion. “We are the Acharnost, protectors of this region. It would be an honor to see this local wonder with our own eyes and also we wouldn’t take up to much of his time, we do have a journey ahead of us.” He beams with his classic tusked smile and puppy dog eyes. “Please?”

Vark senses something akin to a smirk beneath the gatekeeper's stoic features.

"Very well," he concedes with a bow of his head, before disappearing behind the wall with a flourish of his robe.

Inside the now unobstructed gap in the wall, Vark can see an orchard and lush garden of strange plants, laden with heavy black fruit.

“Thank you! We’ll be quick, I promise.”

Vark flashes a smile to his friends before floating down from Toivoa and making his way wide eyed into the forbidden garden.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Aiden says, dismounting from his horse. "Anyone else?"

The fruits of the garden make a mouth-wateringly juicy impression, but Vark's enhanced arcane vision can also make out a magical aura around them.

Val nods her agreement with Aiden. "We tend to always find the bad out in the Wilds. Let us keep our eyes moving, Aiden. Vark will likely be distracted by what he finds here." She says quietly to the human. 

Matteo smiles at Aiden as Val speaks. "Maybe we always find the worst because we expect it of everyone. Perhaps this is just a quiet hermit who would welcome a one off visit from his neighbours. Let's be open minded here."

Grunting Thurston followed the others, tapping Rikkazarik's head for reassurance. 

If anything were to ambush them, he will make them regret that decision.

"Wow,” Vark marvels to himself as he nears the enchanted fruit. He glances around, thinking to ask the mysterious gardener about the charmed aura around the fruit, but seeing no one he instead pulls out the codex and begins to pass its ruby light over the shiny black produce to glean the effects himself, making sure not to actually touch them.

As Vark works with the codex, the gatekeeper emerges from behind the tree, pottering about contentedly. It is unclear how he got there from the gate behind Vark.

Vark shares a polite smile with the gatekeeper as he continues scanning the fruit. After a minute has passed the light fades, and Vark turns to the others excitedly. “These are fascinating!” he says as he begins walking back towards the entrance. “They bear a lotus enchantment, eating one would make you forget all your responsibilities and attachments so uhh, I recommend we don’t give them a taste test.” Turning back to the gatekeeper he smiles broadly again. “Thank you for allowing us to see this wonderful garden! I think we’ll be going now.”

Valaith remains stoically vigilant over Vark while he uses his gifts to examine the fruits and nods as he explains their enchantments. "Yes, we should be on our way."

"You are most welcome," the man replies with a gentle smile. "What is your name, young man?"

forget responsibility and attachment...

The though echoes around Matteo's head. Jex would have taken one, he was sure of that, but the benefit in his situation was inescapable.

"Wait." He holds out his hands "Do you think your master would be willing to trade a fruit? Just one."