IC Story Thread: Ch.1, Ad.3 - Black Hand

The man pauses as the crowbar clunks down next to him, but says nothing. However he also doesn't touch the implement, as commanded, and just continues to chip away at the hard and rocky soil with the rope-splitter.

The paper of Black Speech is as inscrutable as ever, and the tome is indecipherable for all (however the contents of both could likely be understood by scholars in Gondor), the only thing at this point which is understandable to your group is the map these travelers carried...

The map is well drawn and easy to follow, you estimate the destination to be just six hours hike or so away. The sun is ready to set though, and so it will be well after dark by the time of your arrival.

The location is called "Cuilen Marnhir" on the map. Translating roughly to "Clouded Spire" in Westron. And indeed as you turn ever-more upslope as you follow the map, you see that you are pointed toward one of the tallest prominences around - the peak of which is surrounded in gathering clouds.

The path marked on the map takes you across and up increasingly rocky slopes and scree fields, but thankfully no actual climbing is required. However traversing this terrain in the dark is still treacherous, presenting poor footing and no protection from the cold night winds.

After getting about halfway there, you have traveled what might be considered the duration of a normal days travel. You can push on the final few hours to Cuilen Marnhir, or you can make camp for the night?

You must go a bit out of your way to find even a semi-sheltered spot. Something to knock down the wind, and also to keep your resting spot and any activities out of easy sighting by anyone who might be looking.

But it is doable, and although it is not a comfortable night, you are able to get what rest that you can.

The morning light comes with a chill breeze, but the intensity of the sun helps.

Looking forward to the unknowns that are to come, it's hard to imagine that Clouded Spire is capable of being concealed much better. Looking up the slope to where the map is leading you, you would guess that... whatever it is that awaits there... it must be positioned at the top of one of these rocky escarpments that loom above.

You can estimate that it will be very hard if not impossible to approach it during the day unseen if there is any sort of watch.

Lacking climbing gear, it will be a very difficult, dangerous, and slow climb. It will require tremendous athleticism and great fortitude, from each of you, and it will require each of you helping the others the whole way.

Standing at the bottom of the cliff, which you figure must end at or near the grounds of Clouded Spire - particularly in armor and with weapons - it's a very daunting prospect. And needless to say, Skunktail will have to be left behind.