[PbF] Funnel World!

Half a day's hike up the west face of Hvitr's Horn lies the Forsaken Fell, a desolate mile-long stretch of rock where once stood the hamlet of Kaldhammar ("Cold Cliff"). The hamlet had grown up around a monastery, populated by warrior-monks who studied and trained in contemplation of Hvitr, the Storm of Justice. But this peaceful retreat did not last, for there came a time when the earth shuddered and black smoke billowed from the Horn -- portents of an imminent doom. Even before the people of Kaldhammar could gather their belongings, a great flame burst forth from the summit, the sun was swallowed by a cloud of ash, and a river of fire poured down from above. The hamlet, the monastery, and all who lived within were consumed in hellfire from the heart of the mountain.

And there it lies before you now: A scattering of stone foundations and half-drowned walls, locked in a flood of black rock. An ancient lava floe, frozen in place since before anyone can remember, imprisoning the ruins in a centuries-old embrace. A broken archway, a heap of rubble that may have once been a tower, a line of stone columns with their tops shorn, as if by a giant's scythe.

Tufts of yellow grass grow up through the cracks of the Fell, twitching in a cold breeze. The shoulder of the Horn stretches above you into the low-hanging clouds. Below you, sparse fir trees cover the lower slopes and foothills, leading down to your village, your home, in the middle distance. Meervold huddles on the shore of the Baldesmere, as if on its death bed.

Constable Arkif led you here, and now all eyes turn to him. He clears his throat.

Arkif, what do you say?

Everyone else, wait for Arkif to speak; then, what do you do?

Arkif

I clear my throat and rub my temples with the thumb and forefinger of one hand. Heave a sigh and look up to address the small mob.

"Citizens, listen up please. Despite my advice for you to remain in the village while I investigated up here, you have chosen to follow. Well, so be it. No law against it.

I think we are of one mind that whatever has been happening down in the village, this place is the source. Keep you're eyes open and look for anything out of the ordinary up here. Signs of our missing friends and relations.

We aren't soldiers. Most of you have never even held a spear let alone a sword. But what we do have is numbers. Try not to wander off and if you spot something, yell so we can hear you."

Valga:
This is my first time to being so close to "The Cradle", I bow my head in reverence and offer thanks to my goddess Nyajba for bringing me this far. I then grasp Her symbol tightly to my breast and humbly pray to Her to guide and protect us on this mission.

Fride
"Well said, Arkif!

I know many of you are wonderin' why Ol' Fride decided to come along and not stay at home with her knittin' like the other ol' folk. Well, bollocks to that *spits* I don' know one end of a knitting needle from 'nuther. But if there be haulin', diggin or liftin'? Me and Yamir (pat my ox) will do you right. What better way to celebrate my 75th year, yea?

Solvi:

I obey orders and hang close, but glance all about this place and see if anything of value, or potential value, remains in the vicinity. I've come along on this trip partly for curiousity's sake, partly to find anything that may have been left behind that I can sell to city folk

Jorda:

I roll may eyes at the attempted inspirational speech and step almost imperceptibly back from the group. The only reason I'm with these clowns is because my grandmother has disappeared and the best way to get her back is with some suckers, er, backup, to help.

Gunnva:

GUNNVA NEED FIND PEOPLE SO GUNNVA TRADE FISH!



Thorgana:

(swigs Dwarven whiskey to maintain the buzz)
Alright, ladies! Let's get on with it! Something is wrong here and we need to figure it out. The sooner we get finished, the sooner we drink!

Brother Thunke

"The morning has blessed us Fodar, now keep us strong through the work of this afternoon."

- Grips his staff and moves toward the front of the group.

Ligri

- keeps quiet, follows

Illaudga:

Curious of this haughty outsider, I sidle up near him. His attitude towards my adoptive home concerns me. I nod my head in greeting towards him.

Hafle:

*cough*"I share your sentiments, Thorganna. This evil has been allowed to perch above the town for far too long. I may not ha' been a soldier, but I's seen mah share of scrapes. Now I intend to cleanse this place in the name of *cough* Aegis. I just hope it isn't my last voyage."
I walk past Thorganna and slap her on her back. "I would be happy to have your hammer guarding my back, Thorganna." I continue to make my way to the front of the knot of people. "Now let's get t'huntin', Arkif."*cough*

Steini: Bemused by the soldier comment I salute, “Aye”. Surveying the rag tag group that has assembled I can’t help but think to myself that the wild has much to teach these folks and it will be of great interest how they take to her lessons. I make sure to catch Brother Thunke’s gaze and grumble under my breath, “This one I’ll keep watching.”

Gera: Hearing my brother address “the group” it was not difficult to pick out the less than subtle tone and language used to show his displeasure in my being here. Does he imagine we are still children? His role as protector ended long ago, as I have had to remind him again and again. I quickly flash as large a smile as I can muster, knowing it will annoy him, and move along with the rest of the group.

Salbja

The Universal Music is strong here and flows through me. I dance. The others don't hear it. They need to open their ears and their hearts....

Oh, look at that flower. I stop the dance to pick the flower. The petals are amazing. Each one made of a million million tiny parts...and each of those parts a million more...and...oh wow...I'm freaking myself out...

Did "Johnny Law" say something? I hope it wasn't important.

Gudfu

Listens to Arkif impatiently, wishing they could get on with whatever they are going to do. Looks around at the top of the stone columns and tries to work out what could have cleaved the top off in this way. Smashes up a few bits of blackened lava that cover the tops of the nearby columns with her hammer.

Etirr

Gently strokes Essies head and whispers a few sweet nothings in her ear. Shouts out "Yes, let's find the monk" at an inappropriate time when everyone else is silent and contemplative. He thinks that everyone is on the same mission, to find a monk to give him the legal papers that proves marriage to Essie. Etirr is pretty dim.