September 16, 349
The next couple of days are uneventful as the party makes its way across fields and hills.
September 16th dawns and the party sets off again. Off in the distance can be seen a mountain.
The party assumes that this is Bullshorn Peak, their destination. The terrain is getting more
challenging and the party encounters steam vents, sharp cliffs and jagged abrasive rocks. The
north side of the mountain is covered by a glacier. The party was told that what they are looking
for was at the summit.
Sarah frowns. "An almost impossible to attack position without
something flying in the air, and we know how possible that is. Dragons
from legends, maybe. How anything could survive up there for long
without magic is interesting though."
Reg nods at Sarah's comment saying, "Good point, we had better be on our guard."
Reg looks around at the other group members and says, "I think we had
better check to make sure we have the supplies we need to make it up this
moutain. Does everyone have warm clothing and such?"
Urwing mentions "Those that come to train here surely do not climb the thing. I think we should
check about the base. Surely there is an entrance into the mountain somewhere. Lets scout
about and see if we can find any trails. They should lead to a door or perhaps reveal where one
is."
Reg nods, looking a little embarrassed, "good thinking..."
Elderitch nods, "I can take a look around and see if I can pick up a
trail or something that will lead us to an entrance. I'm sure I can
locate the huge prints a legion of Minotaurs must leave when passing
through such an area." "Would anyone like to accompany me?"
Looking toward the others.
"We should all stick together," says Tabrina. "There are too few of us to
risk splitting up the party."
Reg (the latest "yes"-man on the tonight show) nods in agreement
saying, "Okay, so let's get moving. I'd like to find this entrance before
we are spotted".
The other party members nod in agreement. As Elderitch looks around, he sees bird-like
creatures soaring high above. They appear to be half human half hawk. The hawk-men seem to
be congregating in an area on the south face of the mountain.
Soon after, El and the party hear the sounds of marching and armor. Hiding behind rocks, they
see a sentry of five minotaur troops march by.
The party spends the rest of the day looking for any trails, being on the lookout for any more
sentries. It is noticed that the south and east sides of the mountain are covered with vegetation,
whereas the west side is devoid of any. The north side, meanwhile, is covered by a glacier. From
the base of the glacier can be seen a structure directly above, up in the mountain. The party finds
a place to settle down for the night and plan their strategy.
Sarah looks up. "Looks like I called it, alright. Whatever they are
doing they don't want anyone else to find out. Do we have the right
equipment to continue, or should we return to town for supplies?" Sarah
took a good look at the vegetation full sides.. How hard did they look to
climb? Could they expect intruders from that direction?"
Elderitch announces, "I think we should still search for an alternate
way in. I have known very few structures to not have a back door,
whether it be hidden or not."
The party settles down for an uneventful night. The next day, Septembeer 14, dawns overcast with
a slight breeze. The party quickly packs up and continues their search for an alternate route up
the mountain. The morning is spent searching, but to no avail.
All morning, the party notices that bird-men are flying overhead as if they are watching the party's
movements. After awhile, a few of them land and introduce themselves. They are known as Kyrie.
Resembling a bizzare mix of hawk and man, they stand upright, about the same height as an adult
human. They have a human torso and head. The arms are actually wings, but they have human
hands halfway out from the body. The legs are long and wiry, and end in bird-like claws. They are
covered with brown feathers.
One speaks to the party. "Hello, we have been watching you for awhile. We wonder why you are
in the area. We are an old race that is near extinction and we need your help. We used to range
far and wide on Krynn, but are now limited to the island of Mithas. We used to be able fly over
water, but we can no longer because the minotaurs have a device that we need for navigation. We
think that they are holding it in the tower on this mountain, but we can't get in to find out. Will you
help us?"
Sarah scratches her chin thoughtfully at the sight, but makes no comment.
Sarah smiles. "If you can get us up, I don't see why not. It
shouldn't be that hard to find such a device. We would have to know how
big it was, of course."
"Sure, we'll help," says Angus with a smile.
Urwing looks up at the birdmen. "We will gladly help you reclaim what is yours.
Do you have any information on where this object is? Do you know the best way
to enter the mountain?"
The birdman replies "It is called the Northstone. It is a green talisman about the size of a small
fist. It is somewhere in the castle up the mountain. As for getting there, to the best of our
knowledge, the best way would be climbing the mountain, unless you have some magical way to
get up there. If you like, we could direct you up the mountain, although that may draw the
attention of the minotaur patrols. As for carrying you up there, our size makes that impossible."
"The patrols are mainly on the south and east faces of the mountain. They are active mainly
during daylight hours. The easiest route would be on the west side, but there is nothing but grass
to help avoid detection from the patrols.The north side, with the glacier is the most hazardous,
but the patrols generally avoid the area because it can be perilous walking around there. It is
rumoured that a Yeti dwells in the area. When can you start?"
Sarah looks thoughtful. "After we decide which face to climb, we will
need to buy equipment depending on the side we climb. Can you give us
more information on the north side? They would never expect anyone to
try to reach the fortress from that side."
"If you can bring us some extra rope, and some spikes, we can start right
now."