You set out down the Devil's Road. Even though there is still nearly three feet of snow on the ground, and the road has not been travelled since it came down, underneath it all is a hard surface which affords better footing. So, you make better time today. Early in the afternoon you appraoch a fair-sized river. Jo-owrn tells you that it is the Baska River, and flows virtually the entire length of the valley. The river is about 500' wide, and a stone bridge spans it.
You cross the river and continue west. Ahead, the Mountains of Fire are drawing slowly closer, though the Road seems to be veering slightly north of them, aiming for a wide valley opening.
Night falls, and you set up camp in Kelar's tent again. All seems quiet, until Kelar - who had been sitting by the window - notices two beautiful, dark-haired women outside, inspecting the exterior of the tent closely. They are wearing light coats over silk breeches...rather lightly dressed, considering that it is only about 7F outside.
Jon asks, "Hey, Jo-owrn, what are these beautiful creatures?"
"They look like women to me, Jon," the ranger replies dryly.
Noticing the women, Raz his on his feet at once. "Just great..more strange creatures from the depths of the abyss. This is the last thing I need."
Raz looks to Farad.
"Any ideas?" he asks.
Raz then casts invisiblity upon himself and moves to the back of the tent.
Farad shakes his head. "Don't jump to conclusions. Every traveller we see isn't a monster."
Farad's eyes gaze off... as if he's looking at something very distant.
Britan gets up and watches the two girls through the window just to see what they are up to.
"Hey, Raz, come look at the little Lassies outside here, They kind of stick out with their light clothes and all in this freezing cold."
Raz, invisible, says, "You might want to back away from the window, Britan. I know they're beautiful..but I'll bet ya 10 gold pieces that they are deadly too."
"You know, Raz, you're probably right. I just wonder what their secret is." Britan backs a little bit away from the window. "Man my curiosity is really piqued with these girls."
Aldarin attempts to cast a Charm Person spell out of the window at one of the lovely ladies.
She seems unaffected. They do not notice his attempt, either.
Ayazin stands ready to support his companions with a Summon Insects spell (and his scimitar).
The elf refocuses his gaze and draws his sword. "Looks like they will be trouble."
Farad turns toward Laurie. "Perhaps they are undead. It would explain their dress at least. Want to try turning them first?"
"I can do that," says Laurie, and begins to get dressed.
"I still won't trade this tent for anything....but I sure would like to know what it is that attracts these things. You would think that creatures wouldn't want to be out in this any more than we would." says Kelar as he prepares to follow Laurie out.
"You know, right now I wouldn't let you trade this tent. It has made life a lot easier this trip."
Britan watches out the window to see what happens with the turning.
Jon asks, "Anyone got a spare magical weapon? I have a bad feeling about this..."
"Why will they be trouble?" Beth asks. "Even if they are trouble, will the trouble be directly from them? Or are they innocents fleeing from another trouble, and by fleeing to us hence bring us trouble? Unless we know they are hostile, we might want to reserve our attacks."
Laurie pauses, just about to open the door. Leslie is at her side, but invisible.
"Well, all I'm going to do is turn them," she says. "If they are undead then they will be in trouble. If they are not, then they will just stand there, wondering what I'm gesticulating about. After that, the ball is in their court."
The high priestess opens the door.
"Boo!" she says to the women, holding up her holy symbol.
"EEEEK!" shriek the women, recoiling before the iron sword of Tyr, and flashing you their fangs as they do so. They then turn and flee for the woods.
Beth shrugs. "Undead, then. Vampires, maybe? Will they come back?"
"Not if they know what's good for them," says Laurie.
Britan sits back down.
"Maybe they will come back with reinforcements. But if we are lucky they won't come back at all."
You are lucky, then, for the rest of the night passes without further incident.