Arrival at Nurok

Sunday, 9 Coldeven 580 CY

A night's pause in Hartland brings a bit of relief to you all as you get a hot meal, some thick ale and a hot fire with which to warm yourselves during the cool night. In the morning you depart, the early morning mist forming a thick blanket along the ground. As you travel, you notice that the trail begins to turn north, angling upward as you find yourselves beginning to enter the lower hills of the Barrier peaks.

The forest thins a bit as the elevation rises, and the trees transition from the thick boughs of the oak and maple to the hardier evergreen and pine. Two days along, your path has turned more westerly, but continues to gently rise higher in elevation. Soon you come to a wide open area. Several small huts encompass the entire southern portion of the road, while a large set of standing stones can be seen about a hundred yards to the north. Set in a circle, some fallen but most still upright, it looks as old as the hills themselves.

"Ríë aras" says Elavain as you approach. "If ya don't know elf, that'd be Crown o' th' Stag. Most common we jus' says Th' Stag's Crown."

Pausing, he adds "We're 'bout a day outta Tycha now."

As you leave the main road to take the path to the stones, you are greeted by three robed figures tending the area around the stones. Your way is blocked by them and one, an unkempt fellow, human, perhaps 35 years of age with long, sandy blonde hair and a beard that has knots of flora tied through it, steps foreward.

"All are welcome to gaze in reference upon the stones, but beasts of burden are allowed no closer, friends. I am Brother Azmael, keeper of this place, along with my apprentices. Do you with to enter the circle? Or are you here merely for curiosity sake? Tithings of a modest amount are requested, as to aid in maintaining the grounds as well as upkeep for those who gather and study here."

Hraefn, as you approach, the two apprentices bow in deference to your seniority, while the Azmael stands tall, offering a hand to shake. "Of course, tithings are not required for a brother of the order. Well met, sir. I am Azael the Stag, keeper of Ríë aras, second to the Archdruidess Reynard Yargrove of Sheldomar. You are welcomed here as one of our own. Our home and land are at your disposal should you have need."

"Aye, your greetings shall be passed to her, brother. As to visiting, she travels in the Sheldomar Valley these days, though she occasionally makes passage in this direction. She has informed us of a vile blight that seems to be taking the land high in the hills. A contingent of men went there not long ago, including Brother Bastion the Owl, but none returned that I am aware. I fear they may be lost. If this is the place you seek, I bid you take care and ward yourselves appropriately. If you find Brother Bastion, he will be found with the token of an owl about his neck. It was given to him by me during the last Solstice, and he was most fond of using it to channel his energies."

Pausing, the druid looks toward Merriweather. "You have a grievous wound there, good sir, one that will take powerful magics to mend. It is not outside my ability, should you require it. The diamonds required are expensive, but attainable, though to do so I would ask a small tithing to our order. Say.... 500 gold?"

"You are most generous, Brother Hraefn." says Azmael, his eyes glittering with excitement at such a large offering. Turning to Merriweather, he says "Agreed, sir. 400 gold to heal your wounds and to tithe to the All Father."