January 29, 2005
Chapter 9: Dark Omens
The trail into and through the Desertmouth Mountains proved to be easier than expected. The Company travelled for three days in relative peace, all the while gradually winding their way higher and more or less west. It was looking to be a pleasant journey when they discovered their first warning sign - a high pole, decorated with human skulls and bones in the center of the path. Ominously, a black crow sat perched on the marker, cawing out the message it carried - "death to trespassers". Moving through the narrow canyon, the party found more markers lining the path, until at last they saw a high wooden wall, strectching from one canyon wall to the other, barring the path. A heavy closed gate hung in the center of the barrier, and more skulls and spears decorated its top. Instead of cautiously approaching, however, the party was shocked when Auriga, having fought depression since her near-death in the Spiderhaunt, suddenly ran forward to investigate the door. Before anyone could shout a warning, a deep, spike lined pit opened and swallowed the young priestess. Thomasin and Leif retreived her body, and laid her to rest beneath a cairn of stone.
Pressing on, the Company discovered an abandoned village beyond the gate. It was unclear, but the remnants of a battle indicated that the inhabitants - most likely non-humans - had fought bravely but in vain. Suddenly, overhead, a large winged form appeared - a dragon. The beast made several passes over the valley before dropping in to the attack. Ash and Thomasin ran for a nearby cave, but Leif, possessed by the power of the dagger, stood his ground and actually issued a challenge - in the beast's own tongue - back at the dragon. Only via Thomasin's quick intervention was Leif spared a grisly death as the dragon, enraged, bombarded the ranger with its acidic breath weapon. Fleeing the destruction outside, Thomasin, Leif, and Ash moved deeper into the tunnels...
Posted by Terrepin at January 29, 2005 05:12 PM
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