Ralo/Morgana
Ralo's flight from the village would be quick and easy, were Morgana not so frustratingly earth bound. Still, the elf girl seems to move steathily enough, moveing from house to house, slinking along walls. No one spots her, most people being inside for dinner at this time of day. Although the thought of someone coming around a corner and seeing her hugging the wall is strangely hilarious. Thinking of this, Ralo moves a bit higher to keep vigilance.

After some shuffling around for twenty odd minutes, she finally clears the outer wall, and begins moving down the hill the Coel sits a top of. Sure enough, ralo is able to spot the lightning-blasted elm with little difficulty.

The pair move down the hill, Ralo giving his wings a rest on Morgana's shoulder. Soon they are within sight of the tree, as well as the human smith beneath it, although he has yet to see them.

Is that Alexander? Ralo whispers to Morgana, pointing at the man at the tree.

Spotting the figure sitting underneath the tree, Morgana nods.
Yes, that's him.

Alexander. Are you allright?

Alexander looks up from his review of his belongings somewhat startled. For a second he is unsure of who speaks, then he recognizes the woman from the cell. Yes, Morgana. I knew that Bryce would be true to his word. Hearing a buzzing sound above him he grabs his sword, Who is there?

Morgana laughs.
My apologies, Alexander. Allow me to introduce you to my companion, Ralo. Ralo, this is Alexander.... Ralo, will you please come down here?

Morgana/Alexander/Ralo - The Blasted Elm -8:10pm

As they get the first good look at each other, Morgana notices something different. Alexander/s right eye is now framed by a crescent moon shape and three stars in blue, the symbol of Mynbruje.

Alexander is perplexed by the sight of a miniature human with wings. It takes a minute to recall a discussion that he had with a trader when he was younger. You're a windling aren't you?

Oh, is it so obvious? I was trying to get away as a flying troll. Will have to work on it.

Ralo flies to the nearest branch and sits down. He grins and eyes up the young man.

Hey Morgana, didn't you say he's not a questor? Why does he has the symbol of Mynbruje? Looking at Alexander, Ralo continues
So what are your plans now?

Morgana tries not to laugh and instead rolls her eyes at the windling.

Alexander, please excuse my friend. He's faint with hunger and I think it's affecting him... we should go though. Bryce mentioned the town militia. Once they find you are gone, Elder Hammond and the Council will have them begin searching for you. I suggest we be long gone by the time that happens.

Laughter and humor are needed in times like these.

Ralo flies from the branch he has been sitting on and examines Alexander more closely, literally buzzing around him.

Dear Morgana, you didn't think about our horse, I just realized. Alex, do you have a horse ready? I doubt it, though.

Morgana's mouth drops open.
Hati! I can't leave Hati. We needed to hurry, so I just didn't think.. oh no, I have to go back. But, yet, she still so weak, another trip like the one we took might kill her. She's safer there. Oh, but what if she doesn't understand.
Morgana stops speaking, her face twisted with worry. After a moment, she realizes that Ralo and Alexander are simply staring at her.
What?! I happen to have a very special connection with Hati.

You sound like a Cavalryman I met a long time ago.
And no, don't think about that "special relationship", you dirte little windling.

Even though Morganas seems to be worried about the fate of her horse, Ralo has to grin.

Yes well, horses are extremely special creatures.
Pulling herself together, Morgana misses the grin on Ralo's face. Turning to regard Alexander again, she speaks.
I think we should head for the Hound's Gate, whatever it is, it might hold some key to this mystery.

Won't you try to sneak into the village and get your horse? If we hurry, the milita still might not notice that our little questor here is missing.

No, I can't risk it. Hati's too exhausted to make the trip and I refuse to do anything that might jeopardize Alexander's life further. We're going to have to make the journey on foot. Though, if you allow me to cast a spell I can speed our walking pace a good deal.Morgana turns ands regards Alex, waiting for his answer.

Of course, ma'am. By all means. Turning to Ralo, Alexander says, I meant no offense sir - merely, I have never seen one of your kind before. Turning back to Morgana, Ma'am, I do believe that your choice to not go back for your Hati is the best for now. Yes, let us go on to the Hound's Gate. I do not know why but Garen went there to seek release.

Morgana nods and gives the village one last pained look, before turning back and beginning to weave the spell that will carry them to their destination.

Spellcasting Test

Effect Test

No offense taken, Alexander. It just wasn't the best way to greet a windling. And as the young lady here pointed out already, I'm so hungry, I could eat a troll. That said, you don't have spiced fish with you? I would kill for it now.

I am afraid not, master Ralo. Having been recently released from prison myself.

Oh, you would be surprised what people hoard on the most unsual places.

Alexander give the windling a very curious look and then shakes his head. Very well, shall be off?

Morgana, Alexander/ Ralo -Coel - The Blasted Elm - 940pm

The walk to the Hound's Gate is a long and difficult one. Coel it's self is just at the base of the foot hills, the Gate near the top. Unfortunately the quickest and easiest path is straight up from Coel. Through the necessity of circling around, the group must go up and down many hills and gullies, and the all pervasive underbrush. Thankfully ,the most dangerous thing encountered are only a few snakes.

With Ralo guiding from above, the trio are able to find the quickest routes. Ralo of course finds the Hound's Gate first. It's a forbidding edifice, 60 feet of cut black stone adorned with the stone likeness of mastiff hounds. The four towers at the cardinal points each have a a hound's head carved in to their sides. The massive gate of blackened iron is set within a gate house formed to resemble a walking in to a mastiff's mouth. Even though this place has stood for centuries, virtually no stones of the walls lay on the ground around it.

As the trio approach the fortress on foot, they hear the baying of hounds.

Well, that's certainly ominous. Ralo, do you think you can fly up and scout it out for us?.... maybe they have food... you never know.
Morgana smiles and looks for a spot to sit. (preferably something with cover)

Perception tests for each player please.

Perception Test


I'm hungry, but not crazy, mylady.

Contrasting his words, Ralo readies his bow and flies towards the Gate.

Ralo

Perception Test = 9

Astral Sight



Aware of the dangers that might lurk in the shadows (and the howling of the dogs), Ralo moves forward, towards the top of the gate.

What in the world...
Alexander, there's something over there.Being careful not to walk over the dog tracks, at least until she can take another look a them, Morgana approaches the "thing" in the bushes.

Ralo

Morgana

The 'thing' in the buses is clothed, or was, in typical farmer garb. Albeit heavily torn. It looks like the remains of a body. Several parts, an arm, a head, part of the left leg, are missing entirely. Besides that, it doens not appera to have been scavenged on, 'merely' torn apart. The body is rotted. It looks like it's been dead for weeks, maybe even a month.

Oh my God... Morgana whispers softly.
Turning, she takes another look at the dog prints. How big would the animal have to be to do that to someone?

Evidence Analysis

morgana

Turning to look at Alexander, she tells him of what's found.
Whatever did this to this man, .. it was a hound of some type, obviously. It stood at about this tall Morgana indicates the height, placing her hand at mid-rib and would have weighed over a hundred pounds. It would have resembled a very large mastiff. Have you ever seen anything like this before?
Worried now, about Ralo, Morgana scans the skies for his form.
Perception Test

Ralo is hovering near the gate it's self, about 20 feet off the ground, 10 feet from the gate, looking around.

I can't see noone here, neither hound nor horror. But the whole place is strange. It's safe in the astral and at the same time it feels as if there is no magic here. Like a "magic void".

He flies a bit higher in the air, waiting for the others to come closer to the gate.

Perception Test


Alexander shakes his head. No, I have never seen such a creature.

Alexander

Approaching the gate, eyes alternately scanning the area and watching Ralo.

When Morgana is close enough to call out to Ralo without raising her voice, she urges him down.
Ralo, come down for now. I'd feel safer if we approached the gate together.
Taking the opportunity while she has the chance, Morgana attunes her matrices to contain the following spells: Flame Flash, Mind Dagger & Iron Hand.
If there is a void, my magic might not do anything, but I'd rather be safe then sorry.
Thinking back to her education and schooling, Morgana tries to remember everything she knows about magical voids.
They might work differently here but, they still must be fundamentally the same, right?

Morgana/Ralo/Alexander - The Hound's Gate - 9:50 pm

Attuning Matrices here is like trying to sew in the dark. You screw up a lot. It just doesn't want to go your way. Either it will take twice as long, or you can move away from the edifice out of the void zone.

The whole place feels odd. Especially for Alexander, who can't help but feel a bit weaker. Much of his muscle is brought from hard work at the forge and the magic fueling his strength.

Dropping her attempts to attune in sheer frustration, Morgana instead pulls her sword from it's scabbard.
Screw that. Moving on...

Alexander raises his sword and moves closer to the Gate. Turning to Morgana and Ralo, Alexander says, The body is, or rather was, Galen. It would appear that he got the release he wanted. Did either of you see the carved runes on the side of the fortress? I also saw a crack, about three feet tall and a foot-and-a-half wide near the base of the fortress over there on the right.

Morgana turns and just stares at Alexander.
What? Where in the hell? I'm over there examining the body, and nooo.. nothing, like "Hey, I know that guy." or "Hey, look over there at those runes." or "Hey, look over at that mysterious crack. Noooo... Just sitting there... *glare*
Muttering under her breath, Morgana turns to look over at the rune covered wall and crack that somehow she missed.

Morgana

From your limited experience, the runes appear to be the sort to coutner horrors used in kaers. The fortress is apparently a citadel, an above ground haven sometimes used against the horros during the Scourge for those without the resources to dig a kaer. It appears that this citadel survived the centuries of darkness in tact.

Morgana, I am sorry. Keep in mind that I am still coming to grips with all of this. Only a few months ago, I would have sworn that this place was haunted, yet here I stand. Alexander goes over to show Morgana where the runes are.

Feeling somewhat placated, remembering that just a few hours ago he was imprisoned and going to be killed... Morgana decides to give him some leeway.
I see them. The runes were designed to protect this place during the Scourge, it appears that this was a Citadel, a type of protection used when a kaer could not be built. The runes are not degraded or destroyed. It would appear this place survived intact... which is strange, you would think a place known to be haunted would be a place that fell to the Enemy.
Morgana stares for a moment at the long crack, contemplating.