Arrival at Nurok

Azmael and his acolytes lead Merriweather into the central area of the stone circles, to a large alter that looks to be carved from a single stone. Ancient symbols are carved into its entirety and the to ends are carved into the likenesses of hands cupped to receive offerings. They are easily distinguishable as a man and a woman, indicating the All Mother (Beory) and All Father (Obad-Hai).

Merri is laid upon the alter and covered in a heavy blanket fashioned from the pelts of numerous animals. Azmael begins his ritual of prayer, occasionally pouring oils onto a burning censer, causing a heavy smoke to fill the area around where they stand. He reaches under the blanket, grasping Merri's wounded leg firmly, almost painfully. The incantation goes for several moments. Flashes of ligth can be seen coming from under the blanket, and the murmuring of Azmael and the others becomes an almost thunderous cacophony with the local wildlife.

Merriweather feels a sharp pain in his leg, and he can actually feel the tree beneath him shooting roots into his leg. The pain is unlike any he has ever felt, as the flora seeps its thick roots into this muscles, bones and tissues, stitching, binding, burning, mending as the druids work their spell.

Nearly passing out from the ordeal, almost as if the gods knew his limit, the pain fades and the spell ends. When the blanket is removed, you can see the remains of cloth, blood and flesh upon the alter as it slowly fades and into wood. Merriweather's pant leg is shredded, but his leg bears no marks of the damage done by the troll.

A chill wind blows down from the nearby western peaks of the Barriers as you settle into your encampment. There is much thanks to be given as Merri has been returned to full health, but the vision visited upon Hraefn still weighs heavy on his mind. In the safety of the druid enclave, you all manage to get a solid night's rest, waking to a frosty morning.

The dew crystallizes on the surrounding grassland, giving the morning a bit of a white shimmer, though the rising sun melts away any evidence of the cold in short order. Bidding farewell to Azmael and his companions, you continue your journey west to Tycha, the last bastion of civilization before reaching the Barrier Peaks themselves.

The day is bright but chilly as the light breeze pesters you throughout the trip, but it does little to hamper progress. About an hour before nightfall you spy your destination- Tycha.

Founded in CY 569, Tycha began as a lowland camp for a rich copper mine. The land soon proved to be very fertile, attracting folk from around the country in the following years. The last large push for settlement came in CY 571, when deposits of agates were discovered in close proximity to the mine. The predominantly human town, with dwarves making up the largest minority, quickly flourished into a prosperous mining and trading town. Its bustling market saw miners selling their ore and gemstones to merchants from the east, and dwarves trading worked stone and metal goods for Gyri (the name for those people of Geoff) goods like clothing and grain. In CY 578, Tycha received a charter from the Grand Duke making it the official capital of Araul Anterth (one of the city-states of Geoff).

Her walls are higher than many you have seen in other places, probably due to the proximity to giants, and they looks stout. The gates stand open during daylight hours, allowing travelers and traders to come and go as they would, though entrants are asked their business, inspected, etc.

From the looks though, even through one would expect a town so close to danger to have a large contingent of guards about, the town seems abuzz with activity, a lot of it military in nature.

Bram
Looking you over, the guards do a quick search and allow you to pass. "Copper Pot has the best breakfast in town, if you ask me. Quiet, clean, no one there to bother you none. Might get better prices at Miners Lament, though. Jacobius used to adventure so he's partial to the more seasoned folk if you get my meaning, so he tends to cut folks like yourselves a bit of a break. Loves to swap stories, too, so if that's your lot he'd be my choice."

Finding Miner's Lament is easy enough, as most of the inns fall along the main road known as Ventilation Shaft. Numerous alleys and byways are passed before you come to a three story structure. The lower floor is stone while the upper two look to be a combination of logs and worked timber and while its size is impressive, what truly catches the eye is the structure attached to it.

A huge, metal tower-like structure is built over the top, and has several landings accessed by a winding staircase around the outside. The top two levels hold a set of large wheels around which heavy rope is wrapped. The rope attaches to the top of a metal cage that looks like it can be lowered down the inside of the metal structure and far into the ground below. From the looks of it, Miner's Lament has been built around the site of an old mine? Either that or they built the structure to resemble a vertical mine shaft access point. Either way, it is an impressive view.

One thing of note as you move through town is the heavy presence of soldiers; much more so that you have seen even in Gorna, the capital where you started your expedition. There seems to be a high tension in this city.

Your company of guards take the wagons and horses to have them tended to, and you enter the inn. The interior is almost as impressive as the exterior, as the entire place is made to resemble a working mine. A small cart of ore runs along a rail set up high along the walls, propelled by some mystical energy. Lanterns hang on small poles next to each table and from the looks, the cutlery is fashioned to appear as miner picks, axes and spades. Along the far wall is an ornate carved wood bar, and there are a pair of young men tending to the liquid desires of a few groups of men.

Servers move back and forth around the tables, each dressed as if they are about to head into the mine, with thick pants held by suspenders, a leather jerkin and heavy soled boots. One of them, a raven-haired human girl, greets you as you enter.

"Fells free to take any table, gents; and your ladyships." she adds quickly, spying Ilwyn and Etna entering with your group. "Dinner's roasted boar or fowl, your choice. Meal comes with meat, bread and a drink of your choice. We have cooked or fresh fruits or vegetables, should you wish to expand the meal some, but it's an extra 5 coppers to do so. Feel free to flag any of us, bout to get busy with shift change coming up."

She spins on her heal and hurries away, headed to the bar to retrieve her latest orders.