CHAPTER ONE: The Whispering Cairn

[Eanwulf]

The next morning doesn't seem to come early enough for the four eager young heroes and sometime before the morning cock has even begun to crow, they find themselves heading off in order to seek their fame, fortune, and glory - not to mention even their potential destinies - within the ancient and mysterious structure known by locals as the Whispering Cairn'¦ Earthday the 13th, the Month of Readying, CY 595
Early Morning Just Before & After the Crack of Dawn
Gathered Back Together at the Abandoned Mine Office

The early hours are cold and brisk as our heroes begin to head towards the Whispering Cairn. Scant moments into their journey, a light rainshower begins to fall down upon their still-weary heads. The sky is dark and cloudy, and the morning sun seems to be all but apparent in the sky as the overly-determined party trudges onwards towards the abandoned mining office to set up camp.

Once having finally reached the office, the four heroes soon learn that it is no longer vacant! Two young half-elves, a brother and sister it would seem, have likewise taken up refuge within the tattered remains of a building and have apparently set their minds upon the task of exploring the Whispering Cairn as well. Through much conversation and diplomacy, much to the grumbling complaints of Kalen and Marak one might add, the two parties eventually resolve their conflicts and agree to explore the Cairn together!

OOC

Taking the time to welcome TetNak and Wayloss to the group! Will just summarize things to explain how they came to be in the office, etc. For ease of argument's sake, just assume that they are good enough to be considered allies and allow them into the fold with only the minimal of protest and/or roleplay adversity.

'¢ Whilst Kalen and Marak loathe the idea of having two additional party members "thin and wane" their share of any treasure found, the pair cannot argue with the fact that there is always "strength in numbers" and have reluctantly agreed to allow the two half-elves to join the party. At least for now.

'¢ Arianna has heard of Alwyn's and Alyanna's family (at least the elven side of it) and knows them to be of reputable reputation and quite enjoys the thought of them (two people of elven descent) accompanying the group immensely! Once cannot even help, at times, but to even think that perhaps she even had something to do with their being there in the first place! /wink

'¢ Brother Jonus, being of kind and gentle heart, has taken his time to try and learn whether or not the two half-elves are truly of an unruly sort. Having deemed them anything but evil or troublesome, the young cleric has then gone out of his way to accept them as a whole. He does however, insist that the two take the Cairn's exploration quite seriously and hopes that they don't do anything to jeopardize the overall well-being of the others!

'¢ As for Alwyn and Alyanna, the brother and sister team has recently traveled to the Cairn Hills in search of fame and fortune. Apparently, Alwyn is attempting to try and follow in his (human) father's footsteps and seeks to find any magical tomes and other artifacts of arcane significance. His overprotective and quite motherly sister, Alyanna, merely seems to be "around for the ride" and to make sure that her brother doesn't wind up getting killed much like their father did during one such sojourn. Overall, the two seem friendly enough and seem to possess the skills of a rugged huntress and rather scholarly cleric.

'¢ And finally, in a nutshell, the two half-evles have found the tombs to the southeast (Cairn Hills) to be too terrible and perilous of a place to explore just quite as of yet, and have headed back towards this neck of the woods a ways, where they eventually heard word of Auric's expedition to the Stirgenest Cairn. Much like Kalen and yourselves, the young scholar has surmised that the trio of adventurers' sights may very well be misguided and has chosen to give the Whispering Cairn (and all its mystery) a looksee of his own.

The following will be posted as if you have all set up a crude base camp within the mine office and have finally headed over to where the Whispering Cairn should be.

After traveling roughly for ten minutes or so east of the abandoned mine office, the newly-formed party successfully manages to locate the entrance to the Whispering Cairn. A wide, monolith-lined portal, partially obscured by underbrush and boulders allows entry into the cairn and appears to be quite vacant. The morning rain has all but drenched the young heroes and they stand frozen and huddled together in an attempt to chart their next course of action. A moderate breeze blows and gusts its way past the heroes, causing the cairn's entrance to moan and whisper in ominous tones; as if it were actually almost beckoning to them to enter!

Action

All players save Alwyn successfully managed to make their DC 10 Search check in order to locate the Cairn's entrance. Unless someone decides to clear the entryway of its debris, it will be considered crossing over difficult terrain in order to gain entry into the tunnel.

Feel free to take it from here!

Additional Image

I wanted to take the time to help remind you which icons are the ones for your characters, etc. so posted this crude map to show you all. Make sure you know your colors, and I look forwards to your replies!

[Wayloss]

Alwyn is found pouring over a small book the half-elf is thin but tall, he seems absorbed by his reading when you arrive. He barely notes the arrival muttering to himself "Alyanna, <murmurs something unintelligible>, is it time.... Oh! Who are you?" He speaks up and his Grey eyes sparkle with intelligence and clarity of purpose. He is robed with utilitarian brown robes but has a holy symbol of Boccob the Archmage around his neck and carries the quarterstaff of his god leaning next to him.
After introductions are made and the group is looking at the entrance to the cave. He looks over as the entrance he was oblivious to is pointed out. "Oh! I think Father must have had friends like you..he never would have seen that clever of an entrance.

[Eanwulf]

The morning rain continues to fall and mixes with beads of nervous perspiration that glisten and run down and along of Marak's forehead. After carefully examining the entryway for several minutes, the proud warrior then comments. 'œI say we leave the rocks and twigs as they are. The footing here seems sound enough and we don't want to draw any unwanted attention to our presence here, now do we?

OOC

Where my dawgs at? Post if able to people, pretty please?

[TetNak]

Alyanna stands next to her brother. She is tall, with gold brown hair, and deep set green eyes. Her high cheekbones and pointed ears give more of her elven heritage than her human ancestors.

One of her ears, however, looks to have been ripped in half. The point is instead flat and scarred over. She does not seem to mind, as her long hair is pulled back in a ponytail and off her ears and shoulders completely.

She wears leathers and clothing of green and brown. On her left arm is a cord and leather bracer on the inside of the forearm. This is likely so the flight of her arrows do not cut and scrap her flesh there.

Her figure is actually narrow and flat. Beneath her armor, her breasts either must be pressed firmly down, or she has none. Her arms are not brittle, but instead are cut with muscle drilled from hard work and labor. Her legs are similar, her breaches are tight fitting and brown, likely to keep them from snagging anything in the woods. Her soft leather boots are scuffed and worn.

Upon her waist is a belt, and a scabbard filled with a blade. But, upon her back are two quivers full of arrows, and of course her traveling back. At her side she currently carries her longbow idly.

The half-elf says nothing when her brother jabbers on, simply looking at the entrance with keen elvish eyes.

[Anorin]

Arianna is a lovely elven woman. Her Blond hair flows well down to her back, and her emerald green eyes, sometimes glaze over as she allows herself to be given to thoughts on matters Arcane.

At first glance one would consider her sheltered, or even soft, but given her composure and confidence, you would be right to guess that there is more to her than a pampered elf.

"I think you're right Marak, better to risk the terrain than delay any longer. Besides anyone else may notice if the brush suddenly disappears, and that would lead to some questions that shouldn't be asked." Silas meows whining that his mistress isn't carrying him and sheltering him from the rain. Arianna scolds him playfully,

Elven

Now Silas, if you're to grow strong, you'll need to walk on your own, and learn not to fear the rain.

This argument doesn't seem to satisfy Silas, but he silences himself for now.

[Trogdor]

Kalen, a halfling of no particular distinction, but with a poise that shows a certain lightness on his feet, sizes the entrance up as well. "No sense wasting time out here where we can be seen," he says. "Best to light torches and head inside to start our explorations."

OOC

Sorry, between computer troubles and my class today it's been hard to post.

[Eanwulf]

Wasting no time, the group quickly makes their way into the Whispering Cairn where they eagerly welcome the tunnel's shelter from the rain. The heroes then busy themselves with their first task at hand, making light. Flickering torchlight soon casts eerie shadows upon the surrounding walls and ever cautious, the party proceeds ahead into the darkness.

In addition to their torches, natural light dimly illuminates a long hallway extending north into darkness. A fair breeze brings with it sibilant whispers that sound almost like sighing breath. It must be a trick of the wind, but the effect is almost lifelike.

The walls bear horizontal bands of deceptively simple geometric patterns at waist level. In places the bands reveal startling detail, but in others the walls look as though they have been hacked apart with weapons or eroded by the rigors of time. Flakes of ancient paint, brilliant purple and a dull mustard hue, still cling to the walls in places, hinting at what must once have been a riot of color. A thin coat of dust coats the floor.

Just inside the darkened tomb, the hallway branches into shallow alcoves to the east and west. Here the walls bear the most significant damage. Dozens of clumsy etchings mar the beautiful ancient masonry like graffiti on a city wall. A clump of soiled cloth about the size of a halfling rests in the rounded terminus of the western alcove.

Outside, the wind picks up, and a chorus of almost human sounds rises from the darkened hall.

---

From the DM

Alrighty, it has begun! Feel free to post your actions and treat things as if it was your first time adventuring, as it basically is! Post any actions, inter-party questions, etc. that you might have. Good luck and glad to have you all aboard!

Map

Made myself a template to use for the party's torchlight. Overall, crude but effective, at least for now anyways...

[TetNak]

Alyanna takes a step forward and inhales deeply. The smell of must, decay, and stale air filling her lungs as she frowns in response.

"We would be wise to be cautious. There could be traps laid in wait for anyone adventuring here."

She waits for the others to make comment about their situation in the underground labyrinth.

[Trogdor]

"I agree," Kalen replies. "I've had a little training in this sort of thing. Hopefully that hasn't been a waste of time. Let me take a look for anything dangerous." With that, he begins to carefully examine where they'll be going to see if there seems to be any traps..

OOC

Any reason not to take 20 on a Search check?

[Wayloss]

Alwyn seems oblivious as they enter the Cairn. He moves immediately to the wall and it's designs. He bypasses the broken ones and starts to ponder the intact designs.
"Oh how wonderful!" he exclaims and starts to remove a piece of charcoal and a sheaf of paper, he presses the paper to the designs and begins to take a rub of the designs.

OOC

If the Grafitti has any significance I'd like lore check and/or relevant knowledge check...