It is our third day back at Oleg's outpost and what would you know, but a contingent of brothers of Caiden Kaileen have arrived unannounced! Can you imagine? I am overjoyed...to speak hops, barley, malt, etc. w/ knowledgeable individuals (other than Ix, who's more of a scholar than a brewer). I was in heaven, so to speak.
Leading wagons and carts this contingent of monks were heading north of Littletown for a trip to a special temple...or so I imagine. The abbot, one Montalv, was a little close-mouthed about their true intent, but I did make friends with Rialdo, the master of ceremonies as well as the strange little man (a halfling, so they say) named Nori the Red. As a "gardener" he had loads of knowledge about the growing side of brewing, and I learned a lot in terms of planting and growing my own barley and hops for a "remote temple".
We had an excellent time overall with the monks, and I think that my compatriots were able to see how our order operates. I was sad to see them go, and I can't say that I wasn't at least a little tempted to go with them. I do miss the temple life, and while I just love this adventuring life, my brewing skills are atrophying. I must set up an operation soon.
Oleg seems to think that we should go back and speak with the Sword Lords after we've completed our charter. I suppose he's right. The rest of our group is on the fence though, I'm not sure what we're going to do. But nevertheless, that decision doesn't have to be made for a while yet. After looking at our map, we have nearly 1/2 of our charter to discover.
We set out with 14 days of food, our intent was to head into the areas that we have yet to explore. Yes, we're back at it again. Finally.
A few days into our journey we come across what I had thought to be a stone cairn of some type, maybe an ancient burial mound. But lo, it turns out to be some type of a house. And guess what? Inside we discover the symbol of Gyrona! This goddess must surely have had a very strong following in this area. But why? I can not fathom how a religion would survive for long out in this desolate area. I do have to remember though, that it has not always been this way.
Inside this structure we find a skeleton nailed to the wall with over 100 nails! The hackles on the back of my neck instantly rise. Elsbeth enters, as she is a keen eyed trap sleuth who can deactivate all but the most magical of traps. As she enters though the temperature drops drastically and she appears to "fight" something. Winning, she turns to us and warns to keep back, this place is protected by a powerful magical ward.
After checking the inside she determines that besides the "haunting", the place is relatively safe. My hackles are still up though... As we enter a vision comes to us: A young woman is being nailed to the wall by an older woman. She is being told that she has failed and that even though she is loved by this older woman, she is now Gyrona's." Harsh punishment indeed.
We release the skeleton and there is a visible drop of the tension in the air. I think that we have successfully set the spirit free.
I am exhausted now...This trial has been especially troubling. I will rest now, and write more later.
