Session 5: Trek to Ten-Towns

Agna managed to use her magic to trap the giant owls deeper in the cave. With the creatures contained Izuhn manages to easily dispel the evil energies animating the elementals.

Upon entering the cave, the tattered group finds it spacious and warm, even the wind seems unable to ruin it. At the back of the cave, a tiny stream flows from a rack in the wall and collects into a pool, which is safe to drink. With the elemental problem solved, the cave looks safe enough to start a fire and rest until the storm ends.

As you search the naturally formed cave to find the tiny stream, you notice that it contains a number of tunnels and small empty chambers, most of which quickly become completely dark. From them you hear occasional drips of water and some weird echoes, probably from the other members of the caravan exploring the cave.

As Adaia mentions the possibility of it just being warmed, Nass steps out from one of the tunnels. "Ah yes, I think she would be right, it is much gets pleasantly warmer in the tunnel." she looks back into the fading light of her torch. "I guess we are deeper in the mountains than we would have though. Also..." she stops to look at the ring, not recognizing it, "Maybe some dwarves want to look at this... I think, this tunnel might not be natural. I didn't see the end of it, but the rocks are clearly worked stone half way."

Helda approaches from behind the moment Nass mentions the dwarves, "What yer saying? There's no record of dwarven works in this area. Ye think it might be someone else?" She moves to check the ring. "Difficult to say. Maybe Beorne would know... wait! Dinnae that well dress fella have one as well?"

As you discuss the tunnels and the ring, Ezahne shows up, trying to keep her breath stable She points to the cave entrance, obviously distraught "The ... the... the guard..."

Nass looks at Agna, surprised by her reaction. At first, it looks like she is going to stand up to the orc, but then she suddenly goes quiet and moody, grabbing her white weasel pet and taking it to the corner of the cave, where she complains mostly to herself that "...it's not safe if someone life there..."

Adaia suddenly realizes that there is only one individual in the caravan that is dressed way too well for an expedition to the north. Godric Orchard, the same human who had to be dragged out of the snow as he refused to leave without his flask. However, she is brought back from her thoughts as Ezahne mumbles incoherently and takes them to the cave entrance. "I. The guard. He was wounded by that beast. I just check if he was... Could find him. I retraced, maybe you know. Wounded was behind. And then then" She stops just outside the cave’s mouth, where you find what’s left of Ibrahim. For lack of a better description, he's been torn limb from limb and their component parts arranged in an unusual geometric pattern in the snow. "Was it. The Ogre?"

The only indications of what happened are the tracks of a large creature, a bear perhaps, quickly being erased by the wind-driven snow, making it impossible to track the creature. Whatever it is, it is probably still out there, waiting in the storm.