Chapter One: The Path of Discovery

Bandit 4 swings at Ruus as he moves pasts, but stumbles as Hyun steps down to swing at him keeping her own guard up, but he is able to deflect the blow.

Grontha you aren't sure what the creature is. It has wings like an insect, so could be a magic bug, or some sort of fey. Honey however seems to have a bitter of a better idea. 'It is an Atomie, a fey!' She calls out.

Tomas you are aware of auras of Illusion, currently right in front of Grontha. As he watches there is chanting, and suddenly an evocation aura appears as lightning sparks towards Grontha, before the form appears again, pressing a hand directly over Grontha's heart even as the orc makes her own reactionary attack.

The two bandits still fighting both swing, one at Ruus, one at Hyun, but neither can get past their guarded stances.

Grontha's blow strikes true, causing a shrike from the pixie like creature, though she still manages to dart out of the way of one of Tomas's rays, it missing mostly due to her small size, only to run into the second one. The slightly scorched fairie hisses as she tries to remain flying.

Grontha will look to finish the creature.

Grontha strikes, and the pixie like creature lets out a cry before collapsing to the ground, alive but unconscious. The remaining fighting bandits immediately throw down their swords.

'Heya...mp hard feelings,, right?' One asks even as she tries to edge away, looking for the opportunity to run.

With the roar from Tomas, and the indication they will not be followed al the survivors flee. The young bandit pauses at their unconscious leader hesitating, before deciding against it, disappearing into the growth with the others.

Honey moves towards the fallen fairy, and pokes her lightly with her katana. 'What should we do with this one? Perhaps she could answer your questions, though she seems slippery. We could leave her and move or, or make sure she can't hurt people again before doing so.'

She smiles at Timas 'I am unhurt, though Grontha, you seemed to bear the most of her attacks.'

With the bandit threat out of the way, you continue on. Eventually you come across a set of overgrown ruins, mostly just the foundations. There are foundations of houses and similar building, leading up to what you assume use to be part of a castle, or at least an impressive mansion.
You start setting up in the area as you wait for the rest of the group to catch up. Even as you do soe there is something, as if something is beckoning you through what you assume used to be an entrance way. Yet the terms of the job was clear, wait for the others to arrive then plan.

Eventually the area is filled with landlocked sailors and your guide. Serafina, the sailors captain raises an eyebrow as she lays site on the ruin.

'You do a good job of talking up some scattered stones. You really think theirs anything worthwhile here?' She directs to Jadis, your guid. The mute seems unphased at the unimpressed atosphere in the air as she aproaches what used to be an entrance. Stepping through it you feel maybe you could finally understand the place, even if it is an unforgotten border, yet you curb the urge. You have learnt in your adventuring careers that on jobs the client is present, they can be very picky on what they want done, and will look for anyone to get out of paying.

Jadis pauses at the threshold before turning to everyone else, and pointing at Grontha, Ruus and Tomas, and producing a note she must have written on the journey.

'Here, this is where I stepped through the barrier. Do not be disappointed till you see what lies beyond' She gestures to the doorway, as if expecting you three to step through.

You each have one of the coins on you. Hyun-i while originally meant to join you took the brunt of damage of a jaguar attack as you neared your destination, so for now in hanging back with the sailors as she recovers.