Across the border to Darguun

"What have you got there then?" asks Dirk approaching the group who are still studying the designs they found inked onto the inside of the gem pouch.

"Er, have a look for yourself." Replies Dua, "We think it might possibly a map of some kind, although to where or what we have no idea. Have you heard of Il Yannah?"

Dirk spends a few moments studying the inked designs, turning the map round and round one way and then the other. "It could be a map" he concludes, "strangest one I ever saw though. If it is a map then the X in the middle is interesting. X usually marks the spot of treasure right lads?"

Dirk spends a moment chuckling to himself.

Various possibilities are suggested and dismissed by the group over the next ten minutes, as the bandits are secured into their prison wagons. Eventually Avalon speaks up.

"That first symbol, it looks like two mountains. Could they be the hills we passed through on our way here? Where we stopped to ask for directions and Janin was lucky enough to try that old ladies cabbage soup." Six heads turn to the northwest and peer back to the two hills.

"Because if that symbol does represent those hills, then couldn't the second symbol represent this large mountain that we're on now?" Everyone nods thoughtfully at the Halflings insightful suggestion.

Dirk hops gleefully from one foot to the other. "So, we've got a potential treasure map and we're already two steps along it? Wonderful! The problem now is how to get rid of these bandits quick sharp."

"I thought that the plan was to return to Starilaskur and hand them over to the highest bidder?" Avalon enquires.

Dirk raises an eyebrow for a moment. "Selling them to the highest bidder? Sounds like slavery to me. We could do that I guess, I'd have thought you guys would object to that though."

Avalon nearly chokes on Dirks interpretation of his idea. Hawk clarifies the point for him though.

"No, not slavery. Turn them over to whichever authorities will pay the highest bounty."

Dirk looks a little glum as the thought of a quick profit vanishes as soon as it had arrived. He spends a few more moments thinking. "You know, I'm sure that I recall hearing about an old fort in these mountains. They converted it to a prison when the war ended. Perhaps if we can find that place we can off-load the bandits and get started on this treasure map before anyone else does?"

There are a few suspicious glances as Dirk's plans seem to have taken an un-expected turn yet again. Dua vocalises his concerns.

"Dirk, what exactly was your plan when we got these bandits? The whole 'scheme' seems to be a little vague. We headed eighty miles into the wilderness on the rumour of some bandits, which...appears to be true. Now we're changing direction to find some lost fort-come-prison that you've never mentioned before?"

Dirk shrugs. "Look, I'm a businessman. I go where opportunity presents itself. We came out here based on a rumour and got lucky. The plan was to take the bandits back to Starilaskur and claim the bounty. I had no idea that we'd find some mysterious treasure map. As a businessman you have to seize the initiative and go with the most profitable plan."

The group have a quick vote on whether to trek back to Starilaskur or to try and find the mountain prison. Dua and Janin raise concerns that putting the bandits directly into a desolate mountain prison might mean that they don't get a fair trial. As such they all eventually agree to take the bandits back to Starilaskur.

Thankfully the journey back to town is largely un-eventful. One of the bandits in the wagon, a short human lad, with curly blonde hair, spends most of his time whispering vicious threats at the group. Promising to find them, and slits their throats in their sleep. The other bandits seem to laugh quietly at the thought of revenge, none of them seem to try and act upon it though.

The city guards check the bandits over and escort the wagons to the city courts where Dirk begins vigorous negotiation over the bounty for them. Various hand gestures are made on both sides, feet are stamped and a few unusual words from less well-known languages are muttered. Dirks' stubborn Dwarven mettle eventually manages to talk the bounty up to 20 gold per bandit, from the original price of 15 gold per bandit.

"Here you go, sixty six gold each, and twenty gold for the ten days wages I owe you." Explains Dirk handing out the money. Avalon looks a little confused, a little embarrassed and a little annoyed.

"Er....Dirk. What about the other bit?" Dirk feigns a perplexed look, much to Avalons frustration. "You said you'd pay me double, for being Dragonmarked!"

Dirk does his best to look surprised. "I did? I don't remember that. Maybe if you'd actually done some of the work that I'd asked you to, then I’d remember, but seems as you didn't, I don't."

"Oath breaker!" exclaims the proud Halfling, anger clearly shown on his face.

"Whatever" mutters Dirk, not really caring. "Right, so now what?"

Avalon seizes the opportunity to suggest some changes to the working relationship with Dirk. "Dirk, this map that WE found while YOU were getting the prison wagons. I'm going to officially invite YOU to work with US on finding where it leads to. I propose that you no longer pay us, that instead we work together mutually."

Dirk wrinkles his nose at the thought of having to regard former employees as equals, but the point about not having to pay wages wins him over and he agrees to Avalon’s proposal. "Okay, in that case I’ll not be providing food for you all. It's midday now, let's spend the rest of today getting supplies for a couple of weeks trek through the mountains and meet at the Horn Blowers Inn at sundown. Assuming that old Amelie has rooms for us. I'll try and get rid of these prison wagons in the mean time."

Everyone heads separate ways to do their own little things. Hawk spends the afternoon buying some good mountaineering equipment. Vaelas heads to the Horn Blowers Inn and sits pensive in a corner. Janin heads to a House Sivis message station and sends a report to his superiors in Thrane.

Dua has some luck doing some research at the sages guild. He manages to find out a little about "Il Yannah". His luck seems to run out though when trying to find out information about the crystals that they found. Firstly the sages seem to know nothing and then he tries asking a number of the local gem smiths. Unfortunately all the local gem smiths seem to be gnomes, and they don't really give the Kobold chance to speak before kicking him out of their shops, one gnome even draws a dagger and threatens to chase him if he didn't get out fast.

Avalon has the most intriguing afternoon. Firstly he manages to purchase a reasonable quality map of the countryside south-east of Starilaskur, heading into Darguun. Secondly he heads to the House Jorasco enclave where he is given some surprising news.

Cade d'Jorasco, the son of the enclave owners greets Avalon again. He bows, almost formally before warmly shaking Avalon by the hand. "Brother, welcome back!" Cade goes on to explain that he wrote a standard letter to the house Jorasco council asking that Avalon be formally recognised as a member of the Dragonmarked House, and the response he got was quite surprising.

"Not only did they formally accept you, but the letter came from Ulara d'Jorasco, the house Matriarch herself, AND she clearly stated that you are to be made to feel very welcome and that a number of our resources are at your disposal. I've never seen quite such a response before to this kind of request."

Avalon's eye grow wider and wider as Cade talks, excitement and pride taking it in turns to flood his emotions. He feels nearly four foot tall by the time Cade has finished talking. "Well, I'm not sure why our house Matriarch replied personally, but presumably it is because I am Kaiser, heir to my tribe and in her wisdom Ulara recognises the significance and might that the Stone clan would bring house Jorasco."

"Perhaps" states Cade thoughtfully. "Anyway, I have these items for you as a welcoming present." Cade hands over three potion bottles and a ring bearing the house Jorasco emblem. "The ring is forgeable unfortunately, so it doesn't prove absolutely that you are who you claim to be. Thankfully though the cost of forging them are prohibitively expensive for most to afford. It should hopefully open a few doors for you, don't trust your life on it though."

Avalon and Cade spend a couple of hours chatting about house business. Avalon offers to use his Dragonmark to help heal anyone in the enclave that requires it. Cade accepts his offer and a series of sick and injured individuals are ushered onto the great stone healing bed that resides in the enclave. Avalon heals each in turn before drawing on the power of his Dragonmark finally leaves him almost too weary to stand.

By early evening everyone has completed their business and meet up in the Horn Blowers Inn, common room. When everyone is present, Dua relays the information he has discovered about Il Yannah.

"Not much is known about Il Yannah locally, or maybe even on Khorvaire. I have managed to piece together a few scraps of information though. It seems that 'Il Yannah', also known as The Path of Light, is the religion or belief system of the Kalashtar."

"It seems to be a belief in perfection of the soul through purity and strength of body and mind. Most of the followers of this Path of Light are supposed to be honourable and just individuals. Who is to say though if this is accurate or just propaganda. At least we know a little more now though."

Six days later the heroes find themselves stood on a mountainside looking down into the savage country of Darguun, wondering what dangers they face. Dirk is the first to voice his concerns.

"Lads, I've never been to Darguun before, but everyone knows we're likely to face deadly peril at every turn. We should probably spend some time putting together a few suggestions of how we're going to tackle this, what tactics we're going to use and what to do in various situations."

A few ideas are bandied forth before Hawk interrupts the discussion. "I see water. The sun glistens off a lake many miles south east of here. That could be one of the next symbols on this map. We should head there."

"I also see smoke there, there and there." He adds pointing in three directions within Darguun’s borders. "We should discuss whether to avoid those or not."