In the afternoon you pass between the Chetwood and the Midghewater march before you turn slightly eastwards toward the Weather Hills. Jari keeps engaging you in conversation, asking about where you come from, why you have gone wandering, or what you will do with the vast treasure you are sure to find in the hidden valley. Along the way Jari also tell you more of his Great-uncle Bori. Jari claims that his family has always been unjustly mistreated by the jealous Dwarves of the Blue Mountains, and that his uncle was a traveller and treasure-seeker of renown. Why, he entered into lost Dwarven cities in the Grey Mountains, and who knows what fabulous gems and jewels he found there? The Dwarf-lords of the Blue Mountains threatened to take Bori’s hard-earned gold with fines and taxes, and rather than yield up his treasure to them, Bori buried it.
Young Thomas' nerves improve and by the end of the first day he chatters away merrily, talking about how happy his father will be when he brings all the treasure home. Diarmoc closes up even more, barely speaking a word and he often stares into the fire when you stop to rest. Sometimes his eyes tear up but if asked he blames it on the yellow grass.
The slight overcast holds up as you walk and provides great weather for travelling. On the afternoon of the second day you climb a gentle slope and before you reach the summit you hear the cawing of a large murder of crows. As you come all the way up you have a great view of the Weather Hills ahead but also the large gathering of carrion birds feasting on something by a collection of cliffs just below you. The gristly sight of mannish remains in a heap by the cliffs chill you to the bones.
Despair! The Company has been so unlucky as to have been subjected to a terrible ordeal, an occurrence that is most likely connected to the slow rising of the Shadow. Everyone in the Company gains 1 Shadow point (Dread). Everyone gains 2 Fatigue points.
You may reduce or cancel the effects of Dread with a Shadow Test (VALOUR).