1.2 Shadows of Ourselves

You set off up the hill and travel for about 2 hours. As daylight begins to break you reach the top of the moor and start to descend on the other side. As your eyes become accustomed to the new light you realise that what you thought was more mist is actually the smoke of multiple chimneys. A small compact village is nestled into the foot of the moor. The road proceeds down into the village and beyond. A statue stands in the centre of a village green - a figure with a rake in it's hand. As you continue towards the village you encounter an ornately carved wooden sign. It says "Litton Hill".

The village is coming to life around you. There is a large welcoming inn in the main square called the Golden Emblem. A man stands unloading barrels from a cart and throwing them down a hatch. as he bends down to pick up another barrel you see a painted sign on the wall to the left of the Inn door.

"Vacancies. See Elber Montanion within."

Elber Montanion is a large, jovial man who looks unburdened by the weight of this mysterious land. He greets you with a smile and you all order food and drink and a room for the next few nights. The nights are comfortable although the mists are heavy and you don't venture out much after dark, taking your lead from the locals.

Word has got out round the town about the presence of adventurers and on the third day you receive a visitor. A Sir Leighton of the Sunguard, the elite knights in the service of a certain Sir August. He explains that Lord August has heard of your arrival in town and awaits an audience with you. Sir Leighton explains that it would be more than his job is worth to return without you.

"He simply advised that I should bring you to him, and quickly. He also intimated that he'd have my head if I didn't. He said that the Devouring Dark demands that we all fulfill our duty and act on orders effectively."

The large castle of Lord August is an austere building at the far end of the outskirts of Litton Hill and would be forbidding were it not for the warmth and light emanating from it. The grey stone itself gives off a slight gleam and a golden radiance pours from the windows.

Sir Leighton leads you into the appropriately named Grand Hall of the Sun, which seems alive with light. Polished gold and silver adornments catch every flicker from the innumerable candles and send them bouncing riotously across the room. In the vaulted ceiling overhead, a galaxy of crystals hang and stained glass windows splash pools of colour on the stone.

Lord August, however, isn’t in a particularly sunny mood. He wears radiant golden armour and a grim
expression as he speaks to a tall, statuesque woman in rustic robes. Their conversation continues as Sir Leighton and yourselves approach, and neither seem concerned with keeping secrets.