Department of Exploration, Adventurers and Defence: Stone Face Caves

The Myste-Hass Calender

26/07/2022

A group of individuals assemble in The Halls of Myste-Hass to meet with the the Adventurers Liaison, having seen posters advertising the Department of Exploration, Adventurers and Defence. The liaison, Eliza Falstaff, opens the door to her office, introduces herself and beckoning in those waiting outside. Bill, Crassus, Duke, Garrett, Garton and Steve head inside. Eliza explains that the Council seek to make secure all the surrounding land up to the Northern Pass.

The Stone Face Caves, the location the group are being sent to secure, are to the North East of Myloch's Way - near the Tower of Dariss. D.E.A.D has certain expectations of those embarking upon its work:

• That the location is to be cleared of any monsters, animals or criminals that may be residing within.
• That any loot recovered may be kept by those who find it, but that all magical items must be reported
• The layout of the location should be mapped
• Any stone chairs or thrones should be avoided at all costs and reported back
• Any iconography or writings should be recorded where possible
• The return of various materials will be rewarded
• Those embarking upon these tasks must report back within 24 hours, if they do not return, a recovery team will be sent in 48 hours.

With their briefing complete, the group head north along Myloch's Way, and then east in to the woods adjacent to the road. Hearing a cart approaching from the north, Garrett sneaks up to the road's edge to investigate. the cart appears to be being escorted by a Helvettian and a couple of other guards, with a man and a woman at the reins. Garrett decides to shadow the vehicle for a short distance. Meanwhile Duke searches for tracks leading eastwards within the woods towards the potential location of the cave, Crassus and Quinn follow.

Steve steps out into the road in front of the carriage, calling out to the drivers to see if they would be interested in buying his magic beans. The drivers politely refuse. Garrett steps out, inquiring about the contents of the cart. They indicate that they have come from north of the Northern Pass in order to trade. Both the drivers and the guards have an almost unnaturally easy-going attitude. As Garrett pushes forwards to attempt to get a look inside the cart, the female driver prompts the guards to see to him. While Steve tries to talk down the situation, Bill and Garton emerge from the woods. Bill quizzes the female driver about their intentions. She continues to calmly tell Garrett to mind his own business. The male driver steps down towards Bill and Garton. The group decide to leave and not press the issue on the road. The drivers wait for the group to be gone from sight before re-mounting and getting on their way.

As Duke presses on in to the hills, with Crassus and Quinn in tow. Quinn, who has left a druidcrafted path behind them, points out some craggier areas to Duke, who explains that he is "taking them down wind" to avoid "trolls". As the others catch up, they head over towards the craggier area to investigate. As they explore, the group find an outcrop of rock that resembles a face and a set of cart tracks that lead towards a screen of scrub obscuring the cave entrance. The group move in to the cave, the first few feet consists of hewn stone, but as they progress in the stone becomes more natural in form. After a short distance, a stack of crates can be seen against the cave wall, just in front of a pair of stone columns. Hyal's Warehouse is stencilled on the sides of the crates, and upon further inspection it transpires that they contain small amounts of a powdered substance concealed within. Attempting to press further in, Crassus and Garett get blasted by a lightning trap that runs between the two columns. After taking some time, Garrett is able to disarm the trap, allowing them to continue onwards.

Steve pushes forwards towards a sound at the back of the cave. He discovers a doorway, beyond which, the walls once more return to hewn stone.

Writing in progress...