Post
by waysoftheearth » Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:37 am
waysoftheearth wrote:
Much to Victor's disgust, the company reverses the laden cart back down the bumpy hillock and plots a wide course around the shadowy crevice... Though it is labourious, this ploy seems to pay -- for no wild beast is encountered as the company circles about the cave, nor as you trek on through the grassy hillocks and make for the gatehouse on the east side of the ravine.
In all it is hot work despite the fresh breeze which sweeps the tops of each grassy ridges; climbing and descending the uneven rises encumbered as you are with gear and cart. But by midday almost a mile has been covered and all are reasonably pleased with progress. You have circled wide around the cave and now approach the second gate house.
Those scouting ahead of the company peer over the next grassy ridge to espy the tumbledown gatehouse that is Saxxon's redoubt -- where the brigands lair.
It stands some four score yards ahead and is clearly occupied for a lazy curl of smoke climbs up from some cook-fire before being whipped away by the cold wind.
A narrow tracks circumvents the grass lands and arcs in toward the gate house from the east, where upon it meets an open portcullis. Strangely, nobody appears to guard the open gate way.
Farther off in the east can be seen the shadow of the Wild Wood, but more immediately to hand, those ahead see that the gatehouse bridge which used to span the ravine -- connecting Saxxon's gatehouse (on the east side) to the Ogre's gatehouse (on the west side) -- has partially collapsed. But Saxxon's Men appear to have constructed some contrivance for spanning the gap, much like a movable draw-bridge. The timber works are current drawn up by numerous ropes so that the bridge is impassable.
Meanwhile, back with the main company, stomachs are rumbling and legs are tired. It has been a busy morning, and it is well past lunchtime.
What to do?
[f=32]
Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak,
lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges;
torch[/f]