4. The First Expedition

Jacky reels in his empty hook, glancing at the pale reflection in the water with some regret. "Ah well, maybe I need better bait. One of those crickets ought to do the trick if I could get my hands on it."

Hands on his hips, the halfling takes in the whole of the pool for a moment. With that rushing noise, it probably leads to the waterfall they saw a day ago. "Find anything interesting, lads and lassie?"

For the record, I was physically ten years younger when we started. I want nothing to do with whatever causes that sense of terror coming from above us. I'd like to see the sun once again, Zach says with a shudder, remembering the awful feeling of the specter slurping down his life force like a bowl of rice pudding.

The dread we sense, and the awful cry we hear, is probably an undead presence, friends. The pale fish’c meh-be attest ta dat, as well.
Now, I’ll go up n’ face it, nothin’ll deter dwarven determination, but I understand if de feelin’s dat we need ta bypass it fer now.

The last time we played with the undead, I lost ten years of my life and health. I am not excited about doing it again. I won't leave you in the lurch, Golombek, but I am not leading this charge.

Jacky frowns at the dwarf. "What do white fish have to do with walking dead, Grimidek? I've not heard that before."

"If there's trouble on the ledge yonder, I see no problem in us going another direction."

"Even worst smell than the misty pool room above. Unless we seek an early doom, that way seems too dangerous. We ought to explore this place a bit more, maybe follow this wall?" the elf said, pointing at the right hand wall Grimidek and she had been exploring earlier.

Pale is the color of death, replies our dwarven fellow.

The river at the base of the cliff is fed by the main waterfall, which in turn is fed by the river on the city plateau. There's nothing to suggest any direct connection with this body of water.

Thrudmarr, who had been staring intently into the water at the pale fish, jerks his head up at the mention of undead and ghosts.

"No more ghost! Last one make Zach old man! Find treasure other place."

Keeping the cave wall on your right-hand side you continue to explore southwest. The wall continues in that direction for 30’ beyond the ledge, before turning due west. The river remains parallel to the wall … there’s roughly a 10’ gap between the wall and the shoreline that you’re able to traverse, your passage only interrupted by the occasional stalagmite. In addition to the sounds of the cave-crickets and the running water, you also hear the fluttering of bats.

At the point where the wall changes direction, your lantern reveals an island in the middle of the river, 10’ to the southeast. You initially thought it was the far shore, but you realise that the river must have widened considerably at this point and that you’re actually looking at a solitary rocky outcrop surrounded by water. As you continue to survey the island, you notice a large dark shape moving upon it. It appears humanoid, but is noticeably taller than you - perhaps as tall as 10’.

---
12:40 pm, Basilsday 2nd 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’ (Lantern)
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Well, so much for seeing the sun again. Theobald, dear fellow, you think we can take yonder giant? Zach says as he gestures to the ominous figure.

"Big! But not so big as the stone statues outside the cliffside, eh?" Jacky watches the figure for a moment. It's moving - doing what?

As you continue to watch the large figure on the island, you see them climb into a boat. The vessel sinks noticeably in the water as they settle down and pick up a paddle. They push off from the island’s rocky shore and begin to head in your direction.

---
12:40 pm, Basilsday 2nd 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’ (Lantern)
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Grim watches warily. Let’s stay out of its sight, and see where the figure goes. Then we can either try ambushing it ashore, or perhaps even steal its boat.

Discerning firstly, if it even means to cause harm, of course.

Ella tensed immediately at the movements of the creature and made ready to shoot at it before it ever came close to their shore.

Jacky moves in front of the elf when he sees her draw an arrow. "If you want to do that, do it out of sight!" he turns and whispers to her. "Whoever that is, they might be not be friendly, but an arrow pointed at their face certainly will guarantee it!"

Josephat is right, Lady Ermentrout, don't antagonize before they even come into view. Of course, that didn't stop Zacharias from taking a firmer grip on his shield and letting his hand rest near the pommel of his bastard sword, as the creature approached.

The creature paddling towards you in a simple dugout canoe is a large humanoid with rust-coloured skin. It’s bald, thick-limbed and impressively muscled. A silver cloak draped around its shoulders is in marked contrast to its otherwise simple clothing.

It has clearly seen you and has set its course directly towards you.

---
12:40 pm, Basilsday 2nd 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’ (Lantern)
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Thrudmarr keeps his hand on his axe, ready to draw if the figure proves hostile.

"Big man...more of us though, Thrud no worry."