CH 1: This Place Sucks

[JadedDM]

"That's alright," Hollidan says. "It's none of my business, anyway. Didn't mean to pry."

[HorizonsDream]

Echo waves her hand at the paladin, dismissing what he asked in the first place. "This group probably doesn't travel very far, what with all the people, does it?"

[JadedDM]

"We've been traveling for a few weeks now," Hollidan says. "Over time, the group has become larger, although not by a whole lot. We've mostly been searching for clues and hints of where the shield might be. Only recently have we found a solid lead. That's where we're heading now."

[HorizonsDream]

"And what is this solid lead?" Echo asks.

[JadedDM]

"We've found documentation, very old, that suggests that the shield might be in an old temple that's in the mountains to the north of here," Hollidan explains. "It was abandoned centuries ago during a war with the Khergits, then forgotten about over time. With any luck, the temple still stands and the shield is still within."

[HorizonsDream]

"How long do you think it will take for us to get to that temple?" Echo asks. "I mean, with all of these people, I assume it will take longer than normal."

[JadedDM]

"I'm not sure," Hollidan admits. "I'm not familiar with this region. The priests are in charge, you'd have to ask one of them."

[HorizonsDream]

"So what exactly is your duty here in the middle of this group?" Echo asks.

[JadedDM]

"Mostly, I protect the Pharise," Hollidan says. "But the group is so big, that if an attack comes from any direction, we might not be able to act fast enough to help. That's why we're split up. One paladin up front, one in the middle, and one in the back. So I guess in a general sense, I'm supposed to protect the whole middle of the group, really."

[HorizonsDream]

"So I guess that means that I am under your protection," Echo says. "It also means that you are somewhat protected to, by being in the middle," she points out.

[JadedDM]

"Yeah, it's probably the safest place to be," Hollidan agrees. "That's probably why they stick me there. I'm not as skilled as Cadegund or Argis."

[JadedDM]

After leaving the gates of Rotwein, the pilgrims began heading north by northeast. There are no roads in this area, which makes travel difficult. The roads were destroyed in the last war, and never repaired.

Echo rides in silence after that, but the group is hardly the same. There is much talking, laughing, joking and carousing among the pilgrims throughout the day.

They stop a few times for meals and to feed and water the horses, and to rest. But they encounter nothing of note throughout the whole day. When night falls, they push onward, lighting lanterns and torches to illuminate the way. The clerics use Light and Continual Light spells, as well.

After awhile, the group is halted. A pilgrim approaches from the front of the group and speaks with the Pharise. Having heard the message, the Pharise then turns to Echo. "You there, scribe. Come here. I have been told there's a small village close by here. Do you know anything about it? Would it be safe to stay the night there?"

[HorizonsDream]

"I don't know anything about the village other than the fact that I knew there was one around here somewhere," Echo states with a shrug. "I haven't heard anything about any of the villages nearby being unsafe. It is up to you on rather you want to stay there or not."

[JadedDM]

"Of course it is up to me," the Pharise says with a frown. "And I thought you grew up in this area. That is all you can really tell me? Hmph; hardly proving your worth so far." Turning away from her, he tells the pilgrim, "Tell Bulwark to press on. We'll stay in the village and then move on in the morning." The lad nods and heads off to the front of the group.

[HorizonsDream]

Echo rolls her eyes at the Pharise. "Yes, because it is normal for young girls to travel this far from home by themselves," she says.