Into the Mist Vale

As you look over at the two people sitting in the corner. At first glance they seem fairly non-descript. The smaller one has their back to you and has their hood up so you cannot tell who or what they. The bigger of the two is and older human and while eating is also watching the crowd in the room. Their cloths you notice though looking at seem like common cloths you notice do not have any wear on them and without getting closer seem well made. As you watch them the older one looks at you, his eyes catch yours watching him.

Outskirts is the only real town in the valley. The road here through the pass leads there.

I haven't been there do I only know what I have been told. I think the forest is to the west of it.

The waitress leaves and another swings by with rest of your food and drink.

As you sit and talk, the couple you watched get up and head upstairs to a room. You get the impression the other person maybe female.

As it is getting later in the evening. It seems the merchants are also getting ready to head to bed. The other group who looks to be adventures are still full swing into drinking and gambling.

A few others enter the inn but they seem to be locals.

The mage that had spoke with you seems ill at ease and after a few more comments about him for the way he introduced himself to the inn. He seems to get red in the face and embarrassed and storms out of the inn slamming the door behind him.

As your group forms things seems to settle in the inn.

You leave the inn early that morning beginning your trek into the Misty Vale. The odd couple from the night before is missing but the other adventuring party is still present, not really moving as some still sleep off their ale, while others seem blurry-eyed.

The servant girls are quick to provide a simple breakfast and bundle up any provisions that you ordered. You are then off to find your possible fame, glory and riches.

The ancient and narrow pass runs through the mountains like an axe gash. Steep, moss-covered slopes rise to the
snow-laden peaks that can occasionally be glimpsed through the veils of cloud. Somewhere ahead lies the Misty
Vale, the legendary place where the empires of old stored their wealth and magical artifacts.

It is the rumor of these treasures that has brought you here – the vast riches and arcane secrets hidden among
the ruins on the other side of the mountains. And you are not the first to be lured by such temptations. Since the orcs
started leaving the area, about a decade ago, a growing stream of settlers and adventurers have made their way to
the Misty Vale.

But you know the way is treacherous and fraught with peril. The old imperial roads have crumbled and the mountains are teeming with danger. The Drakmar Pass, where you now find yourself, is particularly infamous. The dwarves of the Kummer Mountains have warned that the humans’ return has attracted brigands and ravenous beasts to the area.

Your fears come true when you suddenly hear a disconcerting cry. You see a figure kneeling in the middle of the rocky trail, only twenty or so meters ahead of you. The figure is one of the two of the couple from the day before. Their back is to you as they hold a staff in their hand and sack or bundle lies at their feet. That is not all that lies there as the other larger person lies at their feet.