[Erevan Burkwood] [Session 4 - Level 1] [Part 2]

After walking for a few hours the group arrived at a cliff face. There were scratch marks along the rocks where animals had clawed their way up. It would take a while for everyone to climb and Erevan wasn’t positive his hunting companions could climb well.

Thinking pragmatically Erevan tied a rope around his sled and tied the other end to his belt loop. He grabbed the four-hundred-pound ballista and began to climb with one arm. His other arm secured his siege weapon over his shoulder.

Erevan felt a hint of pride at the dumbfounded silence that followed. The others watched in shock at the feat of strength. It was inhuman of him to say the least.

“Take it steady.” Jaeger called after Erevan.

He hugged the cliff side, carefully stepping up onto small ledges, and weaved his way across the paths until he reached the top.

Erevan secured his ballista in place, locking the legs, and jamming stands into the snow. Erevan then wrapped the rope around the end of his ballista. Using it as a jury-rigged pulley he began to lift the sled from the ground below. He kept pulling until he was able to get the sled up onto the cliff.

After untying the sled he lowered the rope and lifted up each of his companions one at a time. Two in the case of Darton and his piglet. The others cast strange glances at Erevan, Celise whispered something to Jaeger. Erevan didn’t pay it any mind as he pulled the dwarf onto the cliffside.

“So how are you as strong as a god?” Darton asked as the others watched expectantly.

“Just an incantation to lighten one's load.” Erevan answered.

“So the mystery boy is magical and strong.” Kalile elbowed Celise.

“And he has ears.” Erevan turned and continued dragging his sled through the snow.

Erevan found the trail quickly with some help from Kalile’s sharp nose. Once they had found the wolf’s trail Darton’s boar picked up the scent as well and led the way. Celise noted they were upwind of the wolves. She quickly informed the others that the group's scent will give them away.

“Venoth,” Erevan muttered an incantation and the wind whipped around them as if blocked. The wind does not pass through them or pick up their scent.

The party marched uphill following Erevan and as they reached the crest Celise took note of something off. She bent down and touched the soft petals of a flower. The group stopped, turning around to look at her, and Erevan was surprised as well to see flowers poking out of the snow on an otherwise barren hill.

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Erevan turned around quickly and took in their surroundings. His eyes finally settled on something and the others noticed what he saw. The top of the hill had no snow, there was nothing on the ground, and none falling from the sky.

In a wide circle, the grass here is green and lush. Amid the untouched meadow were dozens of flowers with purple and white petals. Erevan knelt down, placing a hand on the earth. The ground was warm.

“Do any of you know what’s going on here?” Erevan asked and looked around.

“No.” Kalile said flatly.

Celise didn’t answer and Darton shook his head. Jaeger scoffed and Erevan locked eyes with him as they stared each other down.

“What do you know?” Erevan raised a brow at him.

“Only what I don’t. This land is ancient. Been home to many creatures and magics. Nations rise and fall in the North. This could be any sort of magic or any ancient anomaly.” Jarn explained with a high and mighty attitude.

“Magic?” Erevan considered the man's words before facing an open palm towards the ground. He muttered an incantation. “Draoidcae.”

“What spell are you casting now?” Kalile asked.

“Detect Magic,” Erevan replied quickly. “I sense something, it feels like it has a dark aura, but originates from creation magic.”

“It’s not a priority right now. Let’s complete the mission first.” Jaeger said.

“Yes sir,” Erevan said with a huff as he straightened himself.

The party continued on their way and headed down the other side of the hill. Erevan and Celise stayed on the trail as the piglet started to struggle with the scent. The hills grew taller and taller until it took an hour just to climb one.

The party crested a hill and below them was a large orc encampment with dozens of tents. There were wooden palisades that lined the village like a fortress. And two orcs stood on guard outside the gate, two stood on platforms on either side of the gate, and a couple figures inside the village spotted the group as well.

There was no hiding on the side of the hill. Jaeger started to step backward.

“We must have lost the trail. Let’s circle around and try to pick it up again.” Jaeger ordered.

“No. The trail leads here.” Erevan dragged his sled down the hill.

Erevan was not followed by the others as he approached the gates. But he did not waver, nor did he tense, for he did not wish to give any provocation for a fight.

“Kya ar du kho vilse ho?” The orc spoke in Old Pod speech.

Erevan knew the language was common among orcs, trolls, and golbinoids. A secondary common language developed long ago on the savage islands to the south. Though Troike Burkwood had taught him the basics of a few languages.

He had asked, “Are you lost”, and Erevan was far from it.

“Don’t tease the worm. Speak his language.” The other orc sneered in Old Pod.

“No need to indulge me,” Erevan said in the same language. “We are attempting to locate a pack of wolves. If you or your camp have any information we would barter for the info.”

“The worm is impressive.” The second guard said.

“I will take him to Warlord Graw’aud.” The first guard nodded and signaled for the gate to be opened.

“I am honored. May my party follow?” Erevan asked.

“Of course. The laws of hospitality will be honored.” The first guard nodded as the gate opened.

Erevan turned to the group. Kalile was translating the Old Pod speech to the party. Celise was glaring daggers at him, and Jaeger was shaking his head in disapproval. Erevan waved for them to follow and they quickly did with some reluctance on Jaeger's part.