Mountain Mysteries

(OOC - just rolling portents for divination. 10 7 )

"Mighty kind of you. My thanks", said the tiefling simply. He wasn’t used to receiving items for free, but Vigil was certainly not going to look that gift horse in the mouth. He grabbed a fur coat that fitted his size, as well as a grappling hook and pitons. If they needed to hike up a mountain, they should also prepare some rations in case the trip is prolonged.

Zack nods, "That's very kind of you, thank you." He too picks up various supplies, rations and warm clothing in preparation.

Oriander smiles. "Goliath 'ospitality, friends." He says with a laugh.

(Kalgren, go ahead and come in now.)

'This town is a lot bigger than I recall.' Kalgren muttered as he paced through the streets. 'Curious what a little daylight can do.'

Despite his impressions, the store was not that hard to locate. Kalgren pushed open the door and walked in. 'Going hiking?' He asked when he spotted Vigil and Zack holding travel gear in their hands.

"It would appear so," Zack nods, "Oriander here has offered to take us up the mountain to a potential spot where these things might be holding up. We've been offered to take whatever we need to stay warm and make our way up the mountain."

'Well, that's mighty fine of him.' Kalgren replied as he eyed a pair of fur-lined boots. 'Not much of a nature man myself but what needs to be done, needs to be done.'

He walked over the the goliath managing the shop and asked him for advice on how to best tackle the mountain and the gear he would need.

OOC: I take it we all get geared up and move onto the next chapter? :)

(Yep. So, everyone gets Clothing, cold weather for the trek up into the mountains, sized to whatever you'd like and in one of three colors: brown, black, or gray. If you don't already have block and tackle, someone gets one of these, as well as climber's kit. I dunno if you're gonna ever *use* block and tackle, but better to have and not need than need and not have.)

A smash cut to everyone being ready. Grell, affected deeply by his experience almost being swallowed, has decided to remain in the town for the time being... Reasoning that since he forced his way out of the creature once, they might remember that he isn't an easy meal and steer clear while he is in town. 

Oriander carries a massive ice pick on his shoulder, along with being dressed in somewhat thick but not necessarily furred like your cold weather gear. Upon confirming everyone had their gear, he nods. "'ight. The mountains 're cold, but with this gear, ya'll will be fine. Terrain is rough." He gives a wide, happy grin as if he were excited to have a companion or three on the trip up to the mountains. He motions for everyone to follow and starts walking along the river back going west, where the largest of the mountains looms overhead.

Zack looks at the block and tackle, "Uh, this may be suited to someone a little stronger than I am... perhaps?"

With Grell staying behind, Zack nods, "It will be a shame to travel onwards without you, but I will sleep easier knowing you're here to watch over the town and help the guards in case those things do return."

Vigil will pick up the block and tackle and set it in his bag. He turns to the dragonborn when he explains that he’ll be looking over the town while they are gone.

"Shame you’re not gonna come. Assuming we run into those things again, you’re gonna miss a hell of a fight. But if they do show up in the village again, give’em what for, ok big guy?"

Kalgren panted slightly as he hoisted all of his gear on his back. The warmer clothing already made him feel like he was sweating up a storm and hauling around that much equipment did not help much. Maybe I should pawn off my crossbow. He thought as he hung the cumbersome thing on the side of his backpack. He did not expect hiking up a mountain to be part of his investigation and would have preferred not to but it was their only lead to go on at the moment. The things I do for my spot in the sun.

'Shame to leave you behind, golden boy. We could use that muscle of yours.' Kalgren extented his hand to shake Grell's claw. 'But it's good to know the townspeople have someone watching out for them. Take care, Grell. And don't worry about the scar.' He pointed at his cheek with a cocky grin. 'The ladies dig a nice scar.'

With a final grunt, Kalgren stepped in line behind their goliath guide and walked along the river towards the mountains.

OOC: skirting dangerously close to being encumbered...

Oriander grins as he leads everyone along the river. "Mother Mouth is a cave that goes through to the 'eart o' the mountains. Legen' 'as it that in the 'eart is the livin' essence of the island." He explains, the forest around the party growing somewhat thick as they move along. "The ol' goliath tribes woul' send their youngin's to Mother Mouth to confront themselves. Nobod' had to go terribly far, but those who went down and came up with proof were lauded."

'A cave.' Kalgren said unenthusiastically. 'So how far removed from the sun are we going to be?' He trailed a finger from his eyepatch towards his sun pendant after he posed the question.

"Quite a bit. Mother Mouth goes inta the roots o' the mountains." Oriander replies, chuckling gently. "Legend tells o' a sun below the mount. But no goliath in livin' memory 'as ever seen it."

'A second sun beneath the mountain?' Kalgren wiped the sweat off his forehead so he could raise an eyebrow. 'Blasphemous as that sounds, you have my curiosity.'

"And mine," Zack says as they trek, "Even more so that no one has ever seen it that still lives to tell the tale."

"Legends and fairy tales are cute and all. But most of the time, I found that they hold very little truth to them. Embellished for the sake of a good story.", Vigil starts explaining. "Stick to what you know for sure, that’ll keep you alive longer."

Oriander shrugs, chuckling a little. 

As the group makes their way towards the mountains, the air will certainly get a tad chillier and they aren't even on the mountains proper yet. The river on their right moves along at a quick pace, filling the air with its ambient gurgle. The trees are nice and green, transitioning from broadleaf to pine needles, except for the occasional aspen grove that can be seen, standing out with its white bark through the waves of green and brown.

Two giant lizards slink their way out of the forest, looking over at the party. They seem to be a mated pair, one a dull gray and the other a more vibrant mottled green. They make their way to the river... warily watching the group as Oriander raises his hand to have the party stop walking.

Zack stops as Oriander motions for the group's halt. He looks around, searching for whatever might have made their guide stop (Perception: 9).

'Why are we-' Kalgren turned to their guide. 'Why are we stopping?' He repeated more quiet. He saw Zack looking around and followed suit.

Perception 8