howandwhy99
Adventurer
[DAY 47 – Sunday, Jinto 8th, CY 81]
The party left Keep Margrave the next day. After traveling back five hours along the path to the remains of Outpost Xavier, they came upon a divide in the road. “Captain Radcliffe said to take the right road for Outpost Young,” said Darius. After two more hours travel the forest around them had become thick and the trees stretched high over their heads. Igor scouted a few yards in front of the main group and kept a lookout for tracks. He came upon the remnants of a massive spider’s web, which had barred the road, but was now burned down. He cut off a portion for possible use later. When the others closed with him, he moved into the woods and scouted nearby. Igor spotted the remaining husk of a large spider hanging hung from a web over a hundred yards distant in the forest. When he met back the others they decided not to investigate further.
By dinnertime the team arrived upon at a small hill with a tower atop. Guardsmen greeted them at the roadside before they could get too close. When it was discovered who they were the entire band was brought up and introduced to their leader: Sergeant Keenan. “Good to see you again”, he said. He was a gracious host and shared his company’s food. In return the group was asked to tell its tale about Outpost Xavier. Igor gave a cursory retelling leaving out many of the secret details, but he did embellish when it came to him fighting the goblins and ogre at the caves. His listeners were delighted and inspired upon hearing their actions. The other members examined the outpost with the help of corporals Seth and Reginald. It was exceptionally efficient. Guards patrolled a half-mile perimeter every hour and supplies were categorized, counted and cleaned daily. Its militia members were a mix of seasoned veterans they had met before and twenty fresh new recruits.
Dram climbed to the top of the tower and scanned the surrounding forest below. Darius and Keenan joined him. Keenan pointed out the location of where Xavier used to be, but it was difficult to see. The surrounding wilderness seemed to keep the spot hidden. Darius tried drawing another map with Keenan’s help, but found it difficult. He placed Outposts Yung and Wight and then tried to find where the Caves of Chaos would be. Neither he nor Dram could find the horseshoe-shaped hill though. Darius told Keenan about the spider they had found. The sergeant related the tale of how his men had hunted and killed the giant beast. He seemed quite proud.
When the sun went down songs were sung and Brother Ben felt like he had been welcomed home. He almost felt ashamed as Xavier had been so old and run down compared to Young. One of the soldiers approached him then named Rufus. He asked Ben about the Gods and how he had joined the clergy. Brother Ben tried to put the best face he could on how he had worked long hours as a youth in a temple back in Margrave County. However as the evening drew to a closed he saw the same man talking with Kayla. “I best be careful with what I tell others,” Ben thought to himself. “It seems occult worshippers are everywhere these days.”
[DAY 48 – Moonday, Jinto 9th, CY 81]
Saying goodbye to Sergeant Keenan, the team backtracked to the fork in the road and turned down the middle route. Shortly after midday they reached the massive pit, which had once been Outpost Xavier. The surrounding forest was in full bloom now the rain had stopped, but each traveler had sorrow in their hearts. A massive mound of mud had collected at the bottom of the great hole so it was not quite as deep as was before. Darius rappelled down, but found nothing he could recognize. Heading back up, he asked if Igor might know of a way to the caves overland. “I may, I may,” he said. Dram and Igor led the group into the woods. Both climbed up and down trees trying to scout out the area and used the sun as a guide. South and east they hiked through the thick forest, while trying to avoid the underbrush. Gnats and other insect bothered them throughout the afternoon. After a few hours Igor found booted footprints leading away to the east. The party followed them to a riverside. Searching along its edge Mirel recognized they were back along the Greenwillow River.
The party left Keep Margrave the next day. After traveling back five hours along the path to the remains of Outpost Xavier, they came upon a divide in the road. “Captain Radcliffe said to take the right road for Outpost Young,” said Darius. After two more hours travel the forest around them had become thick and the trees stretched high over their heads. Igor scouted a few yards in front of the main group and kept a lookout for tracks. He came upon the remnants of a massive spider’s web, which had barred the road, but was now burned down. He cut off a portion for possible use later. When the others closed with him, he moved into the woods and scouted nearby. Igor spotted the remaining husk of a large spider hanging hung from a web over a hundred yards distant in the forest. When he met back the others they decided not to investigate further.
By dinnertime the team arrived upon at a small hill with a tower atop. Guardsmen greeted them at the roadside before they could get too close. When it was discovered who they were the entire band was brought up and introduced to their leader: Sergeant Keenan. “Good to see you again”, he said. He was a gracious host and shared his company’s food. In return the group was asked to tell its tale about Outpost Xavier. Igor gave a cursory retelling leaving out many of the secret details, but he did embellish when it came to him fighting the goblins and ogre at the caves. His listeners were delighted and inspired upon hearing their actions. The other members examined the outpost with the help of corporals Seth and Reginald. It was exceptionally efficient. Guards patrolled a half-mile perimeter every hour and supplies were categorized, counted and cleaned daily. Its militia members were a mix of seasoned veterans they had met before and twenty fresh new recruits.
Dram climbed to the top of the tower and scanned the surrounding forest below. Darius and Keenan joined him. Keenan pointed out the location of where Xavier used to be, but it was difficult to see. The surrounding wilderness seemed to keep the spot hidden. Darius tried drawing another map with Keenan’s help, but found it difficult. He placed Outposts Yung and Wight and then tried to find where the Caves of Chaos would be. Neither he nor Dram could find the horseshoe-shaped hill though. Darius told Keenan about the spider they had found. The sergeant related the tale of how his men had hunted and killed the giant beast. He seemed quite proud.
When the sun went down songs were sung and Brother Ben felt like he had been welcomed home. He almost felt ashamed as Xavier had been so old and run down compared to Young. One of the soldiers approached him then named Rufus. He asked Ben about the Gods and how he had joined the clergy. Brother Ben tried to put the best face he could on how he had worked long hours as a youth in a temple back in Margrave County. However as the evening drew to a closed he saw the same man talking with Kayla. “I best be careful with what I tell others,” Ben thought to himself. “It seems occult worshippers are everywhere these days.”
[DAY 48 – Moonday, Jinto 9th, CY 81]
Saying goodbye to Sergeant Keenan, the team backtracked to the fork in the road and turned down the middle route. Shortly after midday they reached the massive pit, which had once been Outpost Xavier. The surrounding forest was in full bloom now the rain had stopped, but each traveler had sorrow in their hearts. A massive mound of mud had collected at the bottom of the great hole so it was not quite as deep as was before. Darius rappelled down, but found nothing he could recognize. Heading back up, he asked if Igor might know of a way to the caves overland. “I may, I may,” he said. Dram and Igor led the group into the woods. Both climbed up and down trees trying to scout out the area and used the sun as a guide. South and east they hiked through the thick forest, while trying to avoid the underbrush. Gnats and other insect bothered them throughout the afternoon. After a few hours Igor found booted footprints leading away to the east. The party followed them to a riverside. Searching along its edge Mirel recognized they were back along the Greenwillow River.