In which our heroes have a mysterious encounter
We reached Swink without incident. Eldith performed in the local inn for some coin, while the rest of us were just happy to bunk down.
However, there was one incident of note.
We met a strange woman in the inn. She said she knew of us and of our quest, and had apparently been in contact with Gryphon College. Magical contact I suppose. Anyway, her name is Karstia, and there was something - well, I guess I would have to say strange - about her.
Karstia was not an elf, not that I could see. But there was something about her that was almost Iylar in nature. I’m afraid I can’t be more specific than that, but I believe she is someone to be wary of. Anyone who is in casual contact with Gryphon College is not to be dismissed lightly.
Anyway, she had some travel advice for us:
- As the garks (snow monsters) are not active, the overland route is the safer one for now.
- The underground route is shorter, but more dangerous.
- when asked, she said that she knew where the entrance to the tunnel is. If we choose to go that way, we should go about half way up the mountain until we reach a ‘split rock’, and then take the alternate path that starts there.
- she provided us with the name of someone who might be able to help us once we reach the other side of the mountain. A Loari in a town called Shaskin.
I thanked her for the advice, and we settled back to enjoy the evening. Karstia then entertained us with a song, about the fall of the Cloudlords, the Narselkin and the Implementor. She appeared to be singing of events some 2,000 years ago, although that does not match the timeframe Zaris told us (which was about 3,500 years ago). Still it is a long time for even an Iylar to calculate, no wonder the mortals get mixed up and confused.
And then, to bed! At least it has been a pleasant respite this evening, before we trek off again.
However, there was one incident of note.
We met a strange woman in the inn. She said she knew of us and of our quest, and had apparently been in contact with Gryphon College. Magical contact I suppose. Anyway, her name is Karstia, and there was something - well, I guess I would have to say strange - about her.
Karstia was not an elf, not that I could see. But there was something about her that was almost Iylar in nature. I’m afraid I can’t be more specific than that, but I believe she is someone to be wary of. Anyone who is in casual contact with Gryphon College is not to be dismissed lightly.
Anyway, she had some travel advice for us:
- As the garks (snow monsters) are not active, the overland route is the safer one for now.
- The underground route is shorter, but more dangerous.
- when asked, she said that she knew where the entrance to the tunnel is. If we choose to go that way, we should go about half way up the mountain until we reach a ‘split rock’, and then take the alternate path that starts there.
- she provided us with the name of someone who might be able to help us once we reach the other side of the mountain. A Loari in a town called Shaskin.
I thanked her for the advice, and we settled back to enjoy the evening. Karstia then entertained us with a song, about the fall of the Cloudlords, the Narselkin and the Implementor. She appeared to be singing of events some 2,000 years ago, although that does not match the timeframe Zaris told us (which was about 3,500 years ago). Still it is a long time for even an Iylar to calculate, no wonder the mortals get mixed up and confused.
And then, to bed! At least it has been a pleasant respite this evening, before we trek off again.