Yoren, always smiling
Many would say Yoren always had a smile, for those in need, in passing, or even those who were less than polite. They say he was not one to hold grudges, and was quite a forgiving man indeed. Perhaps, good qualities for someone so involved with the church, and even a good friend of the Archbishop himself.
Especially when that destination is a town full of undead, Yoren thinks to himself. The cleric notes the storm clouds far ahead. He says a quick prayer in the hopes the storm will pass them by without too much trouble.
The four travelers finally come face to the face with the gaping valley. A small path, cut with stone steps leads the way down. Perhaps this place had once been more civilized, not many in living memory could be too sure.
These things matter not to the cleric, for a way forward is a way forward.
Duran puts a hand to his chest, inhaling deeply as he contemplates something.
"Something on your mind?" Yoren asks.
"No, just listening for something," Duran says, "I think you have led us to the best path to get down there, even if the way we took to get here was foolish."
Duran could sometimes get stuck on strange things, although by now Yoren knows he means nothing by it.
The sun glares off the goggle on Helens mask. She takes the first steps down into the valley, and the rest follow.
The going is slow, and often times dangerous. Often parts of the stairs just end, leading either to unstable earth or even more unstable pools of water. In time, the fog dissipates a little. It does nothing to hinder the unease growing in the hearts of the travelers.
Unearthly, shrill shrieks can he heard from the valley down below. In the skies above strange creatures of feather soar. From here, they can even see far off, where the sun sets. Past where the valley breaks, and the mountainous region declines. Far below, Fendora, the capital can be seen, all of its glory illuminated by the waning sunlight.
This land, large and ancient, holds too much to be seen. From the rumored sky city, where the phantoms of dragons watch, ever vigilant Down past the flaming city, all the way into the abyss that is the primordial depths; where creatures of unknown form influence the very nature of the realm above.
More immediate and less wondrous things are on Yorens mind however. From the caves that line the valley, loud erratic shrieks sound out, bouncing off the walls and into the aforementioned places above, below, and on par with the travelers.
Glowing lights reveal some of the caves in the night. The cries of Barbarians in their strange rituals continues by their fires. Somewhere the shrill screams of some unfortunates captured are heard.
Yoren grits his teeth, for all he knows some kind merchants have been taken. Or perhaps even the barbarians own people, as they have been known to fight amongst themselves and offer up even their own for bizarre rituals of flesh and blood.
They come to a vast network or pathways, supplemented by wooden and stone structures for getting around the valley wall. The travelers hide in the mouth of some such caves, as dozens of torchlights break through the dense wall of night.
Deep in the cave do they hide, hoping these strange people are not even going into this cave. Soon they come by, moving slowly. They are dressed in a variety of furs, leather, and mail. The lead having some kind of strange beast fur upon his head. The thing had once had fangs and horn and several eyes.
The barbarian stops at the mouth of the cave, looking carefully as his torch reveals the walls next to him. White symbols adorn them, made of chalk. Yoren cannot be sure what the signs say, as he never learned to read Barbarian markings.
The wild man turns to his followers, letting out three short sounds, no words in particular that Yoren can pick out. The Barabarians husky voice and quiet sayings dont carry through the cave well. But they leave the cave alone and continue.
Duran is the first to move forward after some time, the Barbarians must know of another way, because they do not come back again.
A fireless camp is sure to be the best option, the travelers wrap themselves in fur blankets. The darkness that surrounds them is quite peaceful, along with the embracement of the dark. Duran has first watch, mostly relying on his ears.
Feeling warm, Yoren slowly drifts, there really would be no better time to sleep. Why, even Duran seems to be peacefully....
Yoren tries to jerk himself awake, but it feels as though warm and heavy hands keep him down. A singsong voice echoes from the depths, coaxing him into a deep sleep.
