2. The Ruins of Arden Vul

The Long Stair eventually leads you to a gateway that provides entry to the city of Arden Vul. The gate itself has long since disappeared, allowing any visitor to pass unimpeded through a 40-wide gaping passageway between two looming towers. The city walls were once 20’ tall and some 15’ thick. However, many sections have collapsed and those that remain are rickety. Ahead of you, a 50’ wide boulevard, paved with large cobblestones that are buckled and cracked with age, leads into the city.

What immediately strikes you is that the city is largely a ruin. To your right (east), barely any structures still stand; it is as if some great cataclysmic force has flattened this area of the city. To your left (west) many of the remaining foundations appear to have been charred by an enormous heat. However, these events clearly happened many centuries ago as vegetation has since reclaimed much of what was once a thriving city.

Of the structures still standing, your eyes are drawn to a great pyramid, directly in front of you away to the north, and a tall obelisk, about 50 yards ahead of you in the middle of the cobbled boulevard.

I will add two maps to the "GM Maps" thread - a plan view that gives you an accurate impression of the layout of the city, and a more illustrative perspective that better captures the flavour of your surroundings. You are currently at the gate at the top of the Long Stair. You won’t be able to see everything that is shown on the maps from your current location, but everything depicted will become clear to you shortly.

You reckon you have a couple of hours of daylight still remaining.

---
5:50 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’

Ellagel was eager to remove the ropes tying the ragtag group together, and she helped to cool the ropes so their storage and future use would be made easier. She looked about, with an unhidden degree of awe at the setting.

This was a young town in elven eyes, but its anchoring in time was powerfully demonstrated by the layers of history that came up to meet them: the natural topography, mastered by Archontan architecture, brought low by extreme heat and massive desolation, and then the traces of nature reclaiming its rights.

"To the tower then? We should have a better view… maybe find that inn, or the ‘easy entrance’ we’ve heard about."

Fine with me, Lady Elmer Fudd, I could use a strong drink myself.

As usual, Ella did not react to Zacharias’ inability to remember her proper name; on the way to Arden Vul, she had come to understand the man’s behaviour as some kind of cognitive impairment. It actually endeared him to her: she found Zacharias’ company and manner of speaking heart-warming, and she was sure that the warrior would be deadly serious when it came to his professional skills.

"I wish I could afford a drink!" she commented. Her six coppers would not take her far.

"Oh! Pointy house is easy way in! Thrudmarr remember now." He taps his head, proud of recalling this information.
"Ella lady have no coins for drink? Thrudmarr share if we find any. Friends share good things!"

Jacky whistles as he takes in the destruction that must have befell the city. "What happened here? Did an earthquake visit the city?" The halfling is vaguely aware such things happened in human lands, though he's certainly not seen one himself. At least, not yet!

The granite obelisk is 10' square at its base and it rises 35' in the air. You can also see that it carries various inscriptions, although you are currently too far away to discern the details.

You can see no obvious reason why this structure has survived amidst the wider devastation.

The obelisk could be climbed by a thief. Other classes would need some sort of assistance.

---
5:50 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’

Jacky taps the tallest from the group's elbow. "Well? Do you see the inn?"

Ella motioned with her head at the Pyramid rising up from the vegetation some 150 yards further.

"Bet we'll have a better view from there."

She too, was quite small — towering at 4'4" — and couldn't see much from where she stood.

Jacky claps his hands together. "A fine idea, Ella!" He waves Zacharias over next to the obelisk. "Give me a boost so I can shimmy up, would you?"

"Be careful, friend Jacky! Stone look slippery." Thrudd stands under the obelisk and holds his hands out as Jacky tries to climb, as if ready to catch Jacky if he falls.

You approach the obelisk that stands in the centre of the cobbled boulevard just ahead of you. Whilst Jacky makes friends with the structure, the rest of the party has a chance to inspect it.

Although weatherbeaten, it still stands proudly amid the utter ruin around it. Up close, you can see that it is incised with bands of inscriptions and images. The former are in Mithric and contain references to the "Twelve" (the major imperial deities of antiquity - see the Lore thread), as well as a long list of Archontean names. For the first 8’ feet of its height, the images are largely of humans interacting with large lizards, of humans riding on the lizards, of humans putting various creatures to the sword, and so forth. Above this level, the images turn to a single theme: the sun.

An exception to this artistic program is found in a wide band of stone on the south face of the obelisk at about 5’ in height; this band is completely clear save for a deeply incised image of an ankh (about 1’ tall). Running above the ankh-shape is the following inscription in Mithric:

The Beacon shall be revealed to those who bring midday life to the Sun, the Moon and the Stars.

---

Jacky may, of course, make another attempt to scale the obelisk. Just bear in mind that a roll is required for each 10’ of climbing, and that falling damage increases rapidly with height (OSRIC page 124). Even a fall from 10’ could knock Jacky unconscious. Each attempt will also take a turn.



---
6:10 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’

Vasco looked around the ruined city observing and noting all the broken buildings ahead. He was bit taken aback by the scale of the structures and stopped moving to take in the scenery. When he heard that there was an inn somewhere here, he looked around trying to notice any settlement with people. An inn will be nice but he didn't had any money to spare anyways.

As Jacky pointed at the obelisk and attempted to climb up the structure he went close and gave him a hand. Next, he took out his own rope and tied it around the obelisk and his waist to secure himself when he will try climbing up. After Jacky, he tried to climb the obelisk trying to reach up and probably tie the rope to create a foothold.

"Look! People riding big lizards!" Thrudmarr grins, clearly impressed by the idea. He can't read any of the writing though.

As Vasco prepares to climb after Jacky, Thrudmarr watches with concern. "Be careful, friend! Little Jacky easier for Thurdmarr to catch, not so sure about catching you."

Grim lends kind dwarven help. Tying rope and stationing himself to catch potentially-falling comrades!
Eh, why’re ya climbin’, exactly? It’s just a monument, n’ we know what the script all says. Do ya think dere’s a hidden way to get inside it, r’ some-such?! Just seems an awful unnecessary risk, ta me.

Yes, friend Thrustmore, I see people on lizards to, together with the funny scratchings. Does anyone know what language they are?

"Oh, that'll be Mithric," Jacky says, patting his rumpled clothes from the tumble earlier. He translates the text for the group.

How did you know that, Jason? Are there letters in Mithric that sound like Archontean?

"Why, I can read it, friend Zorbo," Jacky says, picking up on the warrior's game of names. "Plenty of time on the Big Ship to study a new language."

With the additional support and security of the rope, Vasco is able to shimmy up the obelisk and get a good view of the surroundings. Searching for signs of the reputed inn, he does spot a column of smoke emerging from the chimney of an intact building away to the north.



From his vantage point, Vasco will also be able to observe most of the landmarks indicated on the map. If you’d like further details on any specific ones, just let me know.

---
6:20 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’

Vasco felt like he was up in the sky or on a ship mast platform. He shaded his eyes and looked around, "Wow, I can see a lot of things from here. I see smoke way in the distance...probably chimney smoke. That can be our rumoured inn. I also see waterbodies and streams on the west side. Looks like a large one with some scattered structures." He squinted his eyes to focus.

The "per round" movement rate is generally used for melee. It assumes movement without any degree of caution.

Cautious exploration movement rates are "per turn" ... in your case, 60' per turn if mapping, or five times that rate if not mapping. So, unless you want to move incautiously and run a much higher risk of running into unnoticed trouble, you're most likely moving at 300' (six square on the city map) every ten minutes.

These are the remains of two colossal statues. All that is left of the one on the eastern side of the river is the pediment and two enormous marble feet and ankles. The one on the western side is of a seated and robed figure - it is missing its head but is otherwise complete.
It is the partly intact remains of a building.
Yes.
Yes, it looks like a walled citadel - a keep or donjon surrounded by a curtain wall with towers. It is mostly complete but in a poor state of repair.

Ella admired the obelisk in silence, trying to commit as much as she could about its features to memory. There was an obvious historical sense to the scenes depicted on the monument, and a perspective from which the story was told. If she had more time, and enough parchment, she might — at a later time — attempt to copy the reliefs on each face of the obelisk. For now she mostly attempted to discern patterns in the telling depicted in stone, and determine if each face of the obelisk corresponded to a specific time, dynasty or some other abstract temporal divider.

Thrudmarr watches the others examine the obelisk for a few moments, his eyes glazing over as they start speaking words he doesn't understand. "My-thick? Arch-on-tean? Big words make Thrudmarr head hurt." He shifts from foot to foot restlessly.

"Big stone boring. No moving parts. Can't eat it."

He starts to wander a few steps away, kicking at loose pebbles on the ground. "We go soon? Thrudmarr say go to inn smoke, find food. Sun will sleep soon."

I see, Joseph, that begins to make sense. Zach slowly sounds out some Mithric consonants as the rest of the group decides where to go next.

Grim takes a moment to observe the obelisk, and silently offers dour dwarven prayer to fallen heroes long past. Monuments like dis oft serve to honor fallen friends. We’re on hallowed ground, especially in light of…well, all de destruction.
Grim waddles around the obelisk. Assisting Ella in investigating the stonework and any hidden passages.

That's fine. If Zach is going to make a conscious effort to learn Mithric, then we'll say that he has a certain chance to be able to understand any Mithric that he comes across. That chance will improve over time provided he keeps up his studies.

Correct ... for elves, learning additional languages over and above the ones that all elves know requires an intelligence of 16 or higher (OSRIC page 4).

Scouting the obelisk at ground level, neither Ella nor Grim find any concealed elements or suspicious anomalies apart from the ankh-shaped recess.

In terms of the symbolism of the obelisk, Ella knows from the rumours gathered before the expedition that there is a strong affiliation between the ancient Archontean god Thoth and light, so maybe there is a connection there to the sun imagery?

Might the lizard imagery be a reference to the "hoppers" you’ve heard mentioned?

There’s a slight chance of the list of names meaning something to Ella and Grim. See if you can roll under your intelligence on 4d6 for Ella, 5d6 for Grim.

---
6:20 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’

Ella considered the names.

Having mentally noted all the landmarks and interesting places he had seen from this position, he started to climb down. Upon returning to ground and untying the rope, he conveyed all the findings to others. "Looks like we need to move up a few distance to reach the inn, I spotted a keep ahead also. Maybe we can comeback later and check that pyramid ahead?"

Makes sense, Vixen. Anyway, I'm getting thirsty.

Ella recognises a few of the names inscribed on the obelisk. They are all previous emperors of the Archontean Empire.

---
6:20 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’

"Friends fall down? Where?" Thrudmarr looks around, confused.
"Inn? Drinks? Thrudmarr thirsty too! We go now?"

"I'm afraid I'd be a poor teacher, Zimba," Jacky admits as the other man practices his words. "I never finished the study book - too much work! Translating that one bit's about the start and end of my Mithric."

The halfling leans back against the obelisk while the others poke around, thoughts already drifting toward what he'd have for dinner tonight.

No worries, Jezebel, I’m sure that Griffon or Vorpal can help me. Thank you!

Having told the others that the names on the Obelisk correspond to those of Archontean emperors, which made a lot of sense, the elf made ready to continue down the road towards the Inn. The fact that their path would take them next to the pyramid was obviously exciting for the archer, and she kept looking about, still fearing some threat might jump out at the party at any moment.

You leave the obelisk behind and proceed northwards up the wide cobbled boulevard that is lined with ancient oak trees.

Here’s an artist’s impression of the path ahead …



The boulevard eventually opens into a larger square. You get the impression that this was once a grand forum, but today it resembles a war zone. Stumps of pillars, broken off between 3’ and 8’ in height, line the outer borders; the busts that once sat on these pillars lie on the pavement, staring unceasingly at interlopers. The paving stones are tilted, stained, and cracked.

Small trees have grown up here and there, and stumps of larger ones dot the pavement. Only three large trees remain, including a massive and ancient oak in the centre of the forum, and two majestic maples in the southern section.

Looming on the square’s east side is a 45’ tall tower built from granite blocks. Like the obelisk, it appears all the more formidable by standing intact amongst the surrounding rubble. Entry appears to be through a pair of massive bronze doors. No windows grace the tower until the final 10’ of its height.

In the northwest corner of the forum lies a collapsed building that is now little more than a rubble-filled cellar.



---
6:40 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’

Pretty views, but I thought someone said there was an inn. I could use a beer or three before we descend to our deaths.

Ellagel’s gaze was attracted to the granite tower, and in particular to its bronze doors. She looked for any sign of writing, or any symbols that might suggest the edifice’s purpose or function. She didn’t, however, risk approaching the building. Her eyes darted from the doors to the windows crowning the building, her reflexes as an archer suggesting her party might be being watched.

"Wait...which one inn? Doesn't look like much of an inn..." Thrudmarr scratches his head. "Cool statues though...maybe they make statues of us when we become heroes!"

"Well, we haven't got to the inn quite yet," Jacky says. Seeing Ella's trepidation, he keeps his distance from the tower too but waves the party to move forward. "Let's move quickly. I don't want to be caught out here when night falls!"

Grim marvels at the trio of trees.
Must be strong trees, for to withstand all the devastation.
Grim approaches the large middle tree and inspects it.

Vasco watched the tower with interest and then turned to others saying, "The Inn is further ahead. Lets proceed catuiously. We can again comeback for this tower later."

Grand Forum
The massive bronze double-doors are 8’ tall and are carved with symbols of ibises, baboons, moons, glyphs, and multiple iterations of the Archontean alphabet.
The tree is, unquestionably, the largest oak Grim has ever seen. It is also extremely old and must have been here for centuries. As the dwarf walks the circumference of the trunk, he notices a couple of items imprisoned amongst its roots. One is a small shiny object … an item of jewellery of some sort. The other is a larger piece of shaped stone - perhaps a statue, or part of one. Neither of these items would be easy to retrieve - they are securely embedded and entangled within the tree’s roots.

---
6:40 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’

"What've you found there, Grim?" Jacky wanders up by the dwarf. When he spies the sparkling thing nestled in the roots, he taps his chin. "If you're keen on that bit of jewelry, I have fish hooks and some twine. We can try to tug it up, if you'd like."

Surely Grim’s sense of dwarven greed, coupled with adventurous curiosity, overtakes the moment. As our dwarven fellow pursues the shiny object!
Aye, Jackey! Let’s see if we can dig this thing out!

At the sound of Jacky and Grim’s discovery, Ellagel turned to look, but she did not approach the tree. She scanned its massive branches, looking for any sign of hidden creatures. Once satisfied of the absence of any immediate threat, Ella turned her attention back to the bronze doors. Did the recognisable iterations of the archontean script actually form words?

Jacky pulls out a brightly feathered fish hook and loops twine through the hoop. The twine he twists around itself to strengthen it. Dropping the hook amid the roots, the halfling tries to snag the sparkling bauble.

Zach remember the last time the group went after shinies, about ten years ago for him—literally—and stays back from the fishing expedition.

Grand Forum
No words. All the letters of the alphabet are present, at least once, but they are in an apparently random order.
Jacky quickly realises his attempt at fishing is futile. The object is too deeply buried and entwined within the roots. He would have to cut some of the roots away in order to retrieve it.

---
6:40 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’

"Oh well, I suppose it's not going anywhere," Jacky says to Grim, pulling up the empty fish hook. He casts a glance up at the darkening sky. "We can come back for it another time. It's been waiting there for who knows how long, another day or two won't hurt."

"Thrudmarr have axe! Roots no problem for me!" Thrudmarr takes a few experimental whacks at the roots with his battle axe.

Thrud - can you roll to hit and damage please ... +4 to hit as it's a stationary target.

Grim waddles back and away from the axe of ol’ Thrud! Our dwarven fellow gazes brown bulging eyes upon the shiny object. Simply trying to discern just what it is, exactly.

"Thrudmarr chop!"

Vasco eyed the shiny jewellery embedded in the roots and stood beside everyone watching Thrudmarr's attempt at chopping the roots. He wondered about how the item got embedded in the root in the first place. Turning to the sky he watched the horizon and then proceeded towards the granite tower and its bronze doors. He checked to see whether there was any keyhole in there.

Ellagel did not approach the group seeking to recover th shiny object, as she was concerned that the party might attract attention with all the hacking. Her eyes kept scanning the different spots she feared might hide assailants.

Grand Forum
As soon as Thrudmarr’s axe bites into the roots of the oak, the tree erupts. Every branch, from the mightiest limb to the smallest twig starts to shake. Birds roosting in its canopy fly squawking into the evening sky. Most disturbingly, a deep, resonant growl that emanates from within the bowels of the trunk echoes across the plateau.

It is clear that the tree intends to defend itself. Currently, only Thrudmarr is in melee range. Please everyone declare any spells or your general actions for the coming round of combat.

In other matters …
There’s no keyhole in the bronze doors. The tower is 45’ tall (see above). Sunset will be at around 7:30 pm - less than an hour away.

---
6:40 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’

Here we go again; we'll all be dead before we descend ten feet. THORSTEN, MOVE AWAY FROM THE TREE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DIE. Zach is well out of melee range. He would prefer to fight goblins and kobolds and not 100 foot tall sentient trees.

"Onod!" Ella exclaimed in her native tongue. From afar she determined her measly arrows would be of little use against such a magnificent specimen of that ancient race. "Thudmarr, RUN!!!" the elf cried out, pointing northwards, toward the general direction they suspected the inn might be.

"Tree angry! Tree very angry!" Thrudmarr shouts. "Thrudmarr sorry, tree! No more chop!"

Hearing his companions yelling at him to run, Thrudmarr doesn't hesitate. He turns and starts running full speed in the direction Ella pointed.

At the sound of roots erupting and gravels shifting Vasco turned back to spot the enormous tree which has now risen to attack the party. Feeling horrified at the prospect he quietly shifted to the otherside of the tower and ducked down to hid himself. There was no way he would hit a massive living tree with slings and stones.

Jacky skirts a wide berth around the animating tree, keeping away from any inconvenient branches. He backs off as far as possible while still keeping the rest of his companions in his sight.

Grand Forum
As the oak has no intention of going to all the trouble of moving for a minor irritant such as Thrudmarr, can I suggest that Thrud attempts a "Fighting Retreat" rather than simply "Fleeing"? If he flees, the tree will get an immediate additional attack at +4 to hit. If he performs a Fighting Retreat, not only does the tree not get a bonus attack, but Thrud may parry by subtracting his to hit bonus from any regular attack by the tree.

Thrud’s still in big trouble if he loses initiative, but at least this gives him a chance.

If you haven’t already done so, can I suggest you read through the various combat actions on pages 126-128 of OSRIC. I don’t mind helping out in these early stages as we all familiarise ourselves with the system, but I’m not always going to provide that safety net and will take your declared actions at face value.

Thrud - please roll for initiative (1d6). You want to roll high so that the tree goes later in the round.

---
6:40 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’

The picture is not a true representation of the tower. The windows are all towards the top - you estimate at probably the tower’s 4th level - approximately 30’ above you. There are eight windows in total, two on each side of the square tower, and each window is 8’ wide. There is no glazing in the windows - they are simply wide openings.

"Thrudmarr sorry, tree! No more chop! Thrudmarr leave now!" Thinking better of fleeing out right, Thrudmarr begins to back away slowly instead, keeping his axe raised defensively between himself and the animated tree.

Grand Forum
(An easy initiative win for Thrudmarr, so he's able to execute the Fighting Retreat successfully. The oak does not follow up.)

First one giant branch and then a second crash down into the space just vacated by Thrudmarr, splintering the paving stones.

With the threat repelled, the oak gradually calms down and resumes its regular tree-like state.

---
6:40 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’

"This way!" the petite elf cried out, beckoning Thrudmar and the others to follow her north of the square, away from the tower and towards the pyramid, and from there to the structure that we have so far assumed is an inn.

Thrudmarr, still breathing heavily from the excitement, breaks into a wide grin as he watches the tree settle back down.

"Tree alive! Tree fight! Thrudmarr never see that before! Very exciting!"

He turns to Ella as he catches up to her. "We fight magic tree! We big heroes now!" he declares proudly. "People tell stories about us! Thrudmarr the Tree-Fighter!"

As they continue moving, he continues to jabber excitedly, "We do big things here, people make statue out of us too! Thrudmarr can't wait to tell home about magic tree!"

We're going to die of old age before we even step foot in the halls—especially me Zach thinks as he contemplates the wonders of arthritis.

Pyramid of Thoth
You continue north, leaving a growing wake of chaos trailing behind you.

The next landmark you encounter is the impressive Pyramid of Thoth. This is another structure that stands out for its intactness amongst the wider ruins. Its base is 90’ square and it rises to a height of 45’ above the floor of the city. Marble steps on each side of the pyramid lead up to a 30’-square platform, on top of which is a stone canopy supported by marble pillars. Underneath the canopy is a large statue of a humanoid figure, but you can’t make out the details from your current position.



---
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’

"You tallfolk have so many fancy buildings," Jacky remarks. "It must have taken forever to collect all that stone!"

Though the pyramid is an awesome sight indeed, the halfling would rather spend his night at the inn. If they can make it there!

Ella is silently impressed : not so much by the building, but by its imposing silhouette in a waste of overgrown ruins.

She nods along with Jacky. Returning to this ought to be their first order of business, once they had located this inn and rested from their day's march.

"We should press on...", she stated curtly.

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…

---
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?"



---
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."

---
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.