Following the river north, the Company of Strangers set out, leaving the small town of Moonwatch behind. There are wagon ruts along the river, perhaps the only connection to the larger world in this area, branching off occasionally to end at isolated farmsteads. The farmers, seeing the adventurers, stop working at their chores and, leaning upon hoe or axe or shovel, stare at the motley crew of travelers; upon their passing, continue with the back-breaking labor.
The sun continues to creep westward in the sky, drawing longer and longer shadows upon the ground. A hot day, the sun beats down on the group, drawing beads of sweat on foreheads and staining clothing with perspiration. Here and there, fish can be seen breaking the surface of the river waters, lazily swimming downstream.
Two hours of uneventful travel later, the forest looms large before the group. Overhanging branches provide a canopy of shade along the riverbanks, noticeably dropping the temperature and making the walk all the more bearable. Insects and the chattering of forest creatures provide a backdrop.
Hours later, the trees of the forest suddenly give way to a large, bare clearing dominated by a weed-choked temple. Its peaked roof, festooned with demonic gargoyles, is largely intact, although its windowless walls are cracked and crumbling. The main entrance to the temple, two mammoth, ironbound doors, yawn open, exposing nothing but darkness beyond. Although obviously abandoned and in disrepair, the structure exudes a quiet malevolence made all the more haunting by the waning light of the setting sun.