In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 32):

I think so.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 32):

Looking out over the forest at the lights, Boris took a swig of wine and ate some fresh bread. He had loaded up on supplies and left some silver behind to cover it.

"Aye. That place was accursed. Something was off with our journey back. I have spent many a time in the forest and covered countless leagues, and we should not have arrived back here so late. I think if we'd have stayed there we'd have been trapped."

He snorted at Ondrea's suggestion the villains were behind this. "Foolishness! Not the Saracens we seek, they are brutes and not of a magical nature. No. This was CLEARLY witchcraft. This is a Witchery kind of thing, mark my words! We're probably doomed just by eating this tainted food and tainted, yet delicious, wine.

"Anyways, we may go back to the village and see what changes have occurred during the Black Sabbath of the devilspawn this evening. As for watches, I shall take the first one. The rest of you get some sleep. I shall wake you, good Stoney, in two hours time."

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 34):

"Boris how about sharing your wine, really quickly?"
A quick drink he hands the wine back. 
"Thank you, and othing sounds better than lying down for a minute.  This tracking through the forest & exploring cities has made me a little tired."
Taking one last swig of wine, Stoney lyes down for some sleep.

Sleep comes easy to the weary group as all but Boris settle in for the night.  Wounds are cleaned and redressed and you share some of your bounty freely, grateful for such a find.

OOC: Having made it this far, you each have earned 2000 xp.

Ondrea awoke at her allotted watch time and sat up with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders as she watched her sleeping companions. Looking out over the village she spent some time watching it and then their surroundings as the sun gradually tipped itself over the horizon.

Once first light made it possible she began to prepare breakfast, a selection of cold meats, cheeses and crackers as well as rye bread and some light beer to wash it down.

-

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 36):

Boris shared his winskin with Stoney. He almost skipped his prayers before waking Stoney for his watch, but decided the devilry and witchcraft of the strange village meant their souls needed all the help they could get!

When he was done he woke Stoney for his turn at watch. "All right my friend, time to cover your watch."

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 38):

Waking up to a pleasant surprise of a wineskin.
"Nothing quite like a drink to start off your shift."
Taking a long sip and savoring the flavor in his mouth.
"Ah!  Thank you my friend."
Wiping his mouth with his sleeve.  then positioning himself so he can watch out over the city and camp at the same time, or with little movement of his head.

In reply to Stoney Applesmith (msg # 39):

When Larz woke up in the morning he spent some time looking off towards the town. If someone had set it on fire there should still be smoke rising in the morning.

He packed his bedroll and sat down next to Ondrea and pulled out some jerky and a block of cheese wrapped in cloth. He broke of a hunk of cheese. "Anyone else want some of this before I put it back away?" he asked.

Then he turned to the warrioress, "Well, we managed to survive another night above ground. What's the plan for today?"

No other sights or sounds, aside from what one would expect, arose throughout the evening.  As the morning light washed across the landscape, no smoke was seen rising from the village.

In reply to Larzander Gunderzen (msg # 40):

"Of course I will have some, please."
Grabbing a nibble.
"This is delicious, thank you."
Packing up his gear getting ready for the day, and of course taking a drink, Stoney asks.
"Well what should we do next?  Seems like there are no tracks out of the cave, or down to the village, other than what we made ourselves.  Did we miss something back in the cave?  Who lit the fire inside?  A lot of questions, here."

In reply to Stoney Applesmith (msg # 42):

"Yes Stoney I was wondering if we may have missed something inside or did we even find out if the ruffians we had been chasing were using it ?" She served the other breakfast and the took a plate for herself.

-

In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 43):

"Thank you, Ondrea," he said, accepting a serving of breakfast.

"I think there was one last villain we found was here? Did we locate him?

"But if not, I say we return back to the town. We did not find proof that this is where the Saracens came from. But at least the temple cave and the mysterious town should be worth something to the noble or warden of that ville.

"During my watch I observed many lights at that strange town. Perhaps we may see what became  of it?"

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 44):

"Either way i'm fine." Larz replied. "No doubt we missed something in the cave, else we would have encountered someone."

"As far as the town, we could head back there and investigate, but I seriously doubt we'd ever find anything." he continued. "I came here by ship, there's no where to go on a ship, but during the night nearly the entire crew vanished without a trace. Probably the same thing happened down there." he said pointing towards the town. I'm sure there is a logical explanation, but I'm pretty sure I really don't want to know what that may be. It stinks of magic, and foulness."

"Yes we need to check the caves again and if nothing is found then we can either assume we have the wrong location for the village attackers or that they are smarter then us and we shall never find them. We could stake out the trail and wait hoping they will engage in another attack on the village if the cave yields nothing ?"


-

In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 46):

"Ok, caves it is then.  Should we go back to the town and stock up on supplies?"
At that comment panic sets in, as Stones quickly checks all of his wine/sater skins to make sure he has enough liquid for a while.
"Dont want to run out of food or water while spelunking."

Any particular place you're heading within the caves or just simply going back through to the other entrance?

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 48):

OOC: I think we were going to take our time and look for anything we might have missed.

In reply to Stoney Applesmith (msg # 47):

Boris followed along while commenting, "I think that other village offers some mystery that might be of value to the town.

"For our route back to Port, we avoid the forest we came through on our journey north. First, go back to the village, gather supplies. Then travel west until we meet the main highway. From there we travel south along the road."

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 50):

"So you do not wish to go back through the caves ?"

-

In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 51):

"We can look in the caves for anything we may have missed. But no, it's the Godforsaken swamp I do not want to go through! Let's take the coastal road instead."

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 52):

"I am good for whatever, but I think we should re-supply if we need to at the city."
Opening his pack to look at his own supplies.
"Actually I am pretty good.  Boris I'll do what you want to, since divine power is on your side, too."

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 52):

"Right that is probably a wise choice. If everyone is ready should we get an early start ?"

-

OOC: Just so I'm clear, first you're going to re-explore the cave and then head back down to the town?  Or do I have that reversed?

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 55):

Go to the cave first I think.

Inch by inch you work your way back through into the cave system.  Before long, you are once more treading down the very same halls you had originally passed.  Leaving no stone un-turned, you discover no further passages, concealed or otherwise.  You have only two areas you did not venture into, the back doorway in the 'alter' room and the secret passage first discovered upon entering the cave/temple.