[0] Morgrave - Skyship Tower

With the route decided, you head off into the brush. It's clear that something has passed this way before and on a pretty regular basis. Over time, many paths have been formed through this section of the jungle. Smaller limbs are broken or pushed back, and larger limbs grow higher, leaving tunnels through the undergrowth that are slightly taller than the average humanoid, partially obscured by fast-growing vines and leaves.

The ground too, is worn smooth, and only dirt and creepers cover it; the grass is obviously either trampled too often or it's too dark on the jungle floor for much to grow. It makes for good traveling - other than the occasional rock that sticks up through the dirt to provide a convenient tripping post.

Within minutes you've left the beach behind so far that you can't see it through the trees any longer, and now you're in the jungle proper. The paths begin to converge - and as a result, widen - and soon you come to a road that's wide enough to cause a break in the canopy above. It stretches east and west from your position, and to the east you can once again see the blazing light of Stormreach's beacon shooting up into the sky.

You make good time on the road, and before nightfall, you're within sight of the walls. It is however, fairly obvious that you won't make it there before night falls. Do you want to push ahead through the dark, or make camp and rest up?

You march through the night, and soon the moons above you cast enough light that everyone can see - if only in blacks and greys. It's only as you're about to come around the last bend in the road that you hear voices coming from up ahead. They do not sound happy. There are a few breaks in the trees, and through them, you can see a group of five or six waiting on the road, blocking the way to the main gate of Stormreach. You might be able to sneak closer to make out exactly what they're saying, but you can already get the gist of it - they're waiting for survivors of the airship. They're also brandishing weapons.

You've got a decision to make. Do you trust these people? Are they armed because of the dangers of the jungle, or are they planning to attack? Do you go to speak with them? Do you try to get past them to the gate? Do you try to find another way into the city?

From the cruel smiles that spread across the faces of those opposite her, Verin can be well-assured of two things: they were expecting someone to come, and they are decidedly there to help - themselves to your belongings.

The leader of the small group is a elven woman, and she sneers down at Verin. "Aye, we'll help you. Just dump all your valuables out on the ground and then tell us how to get to your friends and we'll make sure you get inside. Won't we boys?"

There are five brigands, three in leather and two robed, but you can't entirely discount the chance that there could be more hidden nearby. Any further observation, though, is cut short by the sound of Verin's rapier scraping out of its sheathe. The time for words and wonderings has been overtaken by a present insistent upon violence.

The elven woman draws her sword, a long curved blade, and moves in toward Verin, while the others hold back, readying ranged weapons - or in the case of the robed figures, simply dropping into a readied stance.

[ +- ] Battle Map