Today dawns sunny and warm...at least within the area of effect of the numerous control weather spells that various magic users and clerics have cast. Outside of these ranges, though, it continues to be bitter cold.
Scryte jumps out of his bedroll, all eager to start his training today with Who Knows...only to trip and go flying...to land in Occa's lap. Someone has tied his shoe laces together...
Occa sighs and starts looking through all his personal items. "If you did...I will turn you into a toad...or maybe some kind of slime." He shakes his head muttering to himself.
"Well... that is some kind of magic" says Gonzo after trying out the warmth of the new found shelters.
"How much longer do you suspect we are going to hang around here before we go after these dragons and evil clerics you've told us about?" Gonzo is obviously suffering somekind of withdrawel, fingering his sword and rubbing his hands together.
"Gold, lil' fella?" says Gonzo to the thief wanna be... "we gotta relieve some evil owners of theirs and you kin git yer training... just duck when them wizard types show up with their flaming wands o-fire!"
"Occa, is it possible for us to move on and you continue your research into these objects? Or do we have to stay in this wretched cold place?"
Occa says, "Well, really we could be moving...we don't have to stay here..as long as we stop every so often in order for me to cast identifies. Once we have cast that on each item...and this would go a great deal faster if all the mages joined in...liking Pharian and Phil. Anyone else a mage? We could rest by riding on the wagon...then once that is done, we can stop and those who are going could go to Sandas, although I am not sure if there is really a need if we can identify everything and figure out how to use it. So let's get moving...although we are heading North (aren't we?) so it is only going to get worse...it is winter afterall."
Gilstrock looks confused. "It's going to get worse if we head north? What are you talking about? Everybody knows the climate gets _warmer_ to the north. I'm from the South myself, a product of frigid winters with short days and snow-covered ground."
Occa says, "Really? That isn't the case on Delith, my homeworld. It is just the opposite there. Are you from this world then?"
Gilstrock looks a little befuddled. "You're serious? On Delith, wherever that is, it gets warmer to the _south_?"
He sits back. "Hmm. I guess, if you're in a different world, the magic works differently, the places are named different things... heck, why can't the weather work differently? Strange. Oh, and, no, I'm not from this world, I'm from the Runelands. Anyway, I don't _think_ this is in the Runelands."
Pharian responds, "I am quite sure we are no longer on the Runelands, Gilstrock. Hugin and Munin are missing from the sky, as is the Puppeteer. All the stars are unfamiliar to me. Wherever we are, it is a long way away, I think."
Gilstrock looks over at Valdar. "Which way does it work here? Colder to the north? Or colder to the south?"
"Warmer to the south...and much colder to the north," replies the elf-lord. "But, as our luck has it we will not be travelling much farther north. Instead, we are heading inland from about this point on."
He turns to Occa.
"So, you do not wish to go to Sandas, then? It is yours and Pharian's choice, since it is you two who need the spell books that we were going there for. If not, then we can continue on our trek.
"Of course, we can always stop when you're ready and teleport from wherever we are at that time."
So, you break camp and prepare to leave. Scryte begins his training...it will keep him busy and out of everone's hair (you hope) until March 25th.
You head back to the road, and turn north again. Again you enter the ruined city of Frisco...staying to the main road this time. After a bit the road turns east. The city is eerily quiet. You approach a castle...in much better shape than the old, decaying buildings...right at the centre of the city.
A half a dozen heavily armed and armoured guards come out to intercept you.
Valdar rides forward alone to meet them. Words are exchanged and you see the elf hand over a pouch. Its contents are examined, apparently found satisfactory, and you are waved forward.
In the square before the castle is a signpost. It reads -
The Elven Coast Road - East: To Kolumbus Bridge, Demon's Neck and Portsmouth. West: To The Guardian Gates, Castle Tempesta and Omlet.
Pointing north up a lesser road is another sign -
To Drugger's Rush and Koltalla.
You follow the Elven Coast Road east, and soon leave Frisco behind for the woods.
Soon you find yourself paralleling the Rivin River - whose delta you passed through a few days before - as it flows east. The morning passes quietly, and you make fair time. At midafternoon you come to a bend in the road and an intersection. The Elven Coast road turns northeast, leaing the river. Another, lesser road runs south across the river at this point...while a third road continues to follow the north bank of the river upstream to the east.
There is another signpost here...
The Elven Coast Road - North: To Kolumbus Bridge, Demon's Neck and Portsmouth. West: To Frisco, The Guardian Gates and Castle Tempesta.
East: To Grenoble and Tal Annen Pass.
The sign to the south has been broken off.
You continue northeast.
That night you camp under cold, clear skies in dense coniferous woods. Occa casts an identify...on the rope. He learns that it is cursed in some fashion.
Then he rests.