2. The Ruins of Arden Vul

Assuming the plan is to press on towards the inn, which route will you take?

You could continue due north, up the cobbled boulevard, towards the northern gatehouse, before turning west once you’re outside the city.

Or, from your current position at the pyramid, you could strike out north-west, as the crow flies, through the city ruins.

Here’s a link to the previous post with the city map as an aid to your decision-making…

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6:50 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Vasco, Thorcin Thief 1: 6/6, 120’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

"Let's stick to the road," Jacky suggests. "Maybe we'll have the chance to bump into other explorers along the way."

Grim gazes at the pyramid’s statue through curious brown bulging eyes. He makes careful dwarven approach, only close enough to glean a few stoney statued details.
Aye, we stick to de road, friends. We should get to an inn hopefully ‘fore dark.

Ooc: Can our clerical dwarf recognize the statue?

When the sounds of struggle died down, Vasco peeked and noticed that the tree has got back to its normal position while the other members of the party had likely escaped as there were no corpses on the ground. He avoided the place as best as he could and moved ahead towards the pyramid in search of everyone.

No, you’re too far away and it’s obscured by the marble pillars that support the stone canopy.

Beyond the pyramid, you continue north along the cobbled boulevard. This eventually arrives at a gate on the northern edge of Arden Vul. Unlike anywhere else in the city you’ve come across, this site has been renovated. The area around the gate has been cleared of rubble, and the two towers that flank the gate have new doors.

Atop each tower are two Thorcins wearing studded leather armour. Upon seeing you approach, one of them shouts down "Well met travellers. You’ll be looking for the Broken Head no doubt?"



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7:10 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Vasco, Thorcin Thief 1: 6/6, 120’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

"Hello!" Jacky calls back up to the guards. "Yes, if that's what the inn yonder is called! Bit of a funny name," he adds the last at a normal volume to the others. "I bet there's a good story about it waiting for us from the innkeeper."

Ella nodded in response to the man’s question. "We seek a place to rest. Would the Broken Head be such a place? We are glad to see friendly folks on this side of the climb," she added, smiling softly.

Northgate
"Aye, the Broken Head’s the inn round these parts. Old Kettle-Belly will look after you. Come through the gate, and then it’s just a couple of hundred yards yonder," replies the guard, pointing to the direction of the setting sun in the west

"I’d get a move on though, you don’t want to be out here after dark. We’ll keep an eye on you from up here, make sure you get there safely."

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7:10 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Vasco, Thorcin Thief 1: 6/6, 120’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

Grim thanks the guards with customary dwarven Hmph!
Well now, we’re much obliged!
Grim waddles to the gates and enters.

Vasco looked up at the guards with a wary gaze and then walked towards the direction of the inn.

Zach sighs and follows, his now nearly thirty-year-old joints creaking in protest. Zach wants beer he laments yet again.

"Thank you!" she shouted back at the guards above, before following the others in the direction they had pointed out.