As you talk, you can fairly easily make your way back to the path, and follow it up to the old temple. The slope curves steeply up into series of cliffs, but the path curves sharply back and forth, and can be walked. It's hard to tell how far up the mountain you've actually come by the time you reach the top - perhaps only a few hundred yards, though it seems like the path itself is almost a mile as it zig-zags up the side. Each level of cliff is just about thick enough to support tall, thick trees with spreading branches that hide the transitions between them.

Still, it's easy enough to spot when you've come to the temple. The path dead-ends at a short stone staircase that goes up to a level platform of tar and gravel supported by ashlar retaining walls. This level of the cliffs seems to vary in depth. To your right you can see the cliff face continue up suddenly after thirty yards, but in front of you it seems like it might go back for a hundred yards or more.

The section you've come upon is an old minster that seems relatively intact. It has a steep pointed roof with a high circular window that's long since shattered, a barred iron door, and thin, narrow windows at ground level. Two low walls look like they once delineated sections of the grounds, but have partially collapsed, and the entire area has been overgrown, with the yard on your right partially infilled with collapsed earth from the cliff.

The platform continues along the left wall for about fifty yards until the cliff face turns. You can see a monument or pillar there, surrounded by bush.

Finally, Dewin reports to Bryce that there is a third structure, further in, in a small clearing. It seems cut into the side of the mountain, and presumably goes deeper in. It has the same monumental character as the minster and pillar, but a different set of designs. Dewin can't interpret them, but he reports that they look like other animals.

OOC: Sorry, I was having some issues with MSPaint and my photo collection. Pictures are of the minster and a bird's eye view of the area you're in. What would you like to do?

Quote from: Sigmund;430419"A worthy cause to be sure. What befell this village?" Alric asks as he squints into the morning light.

As we get on our way...
"A drunk burned up the grain stores, burned up the whole supply along with self! We endevour to get silver to help purchase grain and seed for town. Nice folk there. Some of us have been winter working in town waiting for the Spring so we are feeling friendly to help them."

After a pause..."That is story,how you say,in a nuts shell?"

looking about the trail with a smile (a bit to large...) "Hiya, a fine day for trekking. Ghosts not so scary in sunlight!" as I keep a sharp (darting) eye on the surrounding forest,bow swinging at my side.

...as we approach ruins the bow comes up and an arrow gets nocked...scanning ground for signs of activity,crouching to investigate any likely tracks while keeping apace with my companions.

TRACKING ATTEMPT
roll: 54  http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2827087/
Natural Lore: 50 (no specialization in "survival")

Quote from: skofflox;430545As we get on our way...
"A drunk burned up the grain stores, burned up the whole supply along with self! We endevour to get silver to help purchase grain and seed for town. Nice folk there. Some of us have been winter working in town waiting for the Spring so we are feeling friendly to help them."

After a pause..."That is story,how you say,in a nuts shell?"

looking about the trail with a smile (a bit to large...) "Hiya, a fine day for trekking. Ghosts not so scary in sunlight!" as I keep a sharp (darting) eye on the surrounding forest,bow swinging at my side.

Alric sighs in sadness, "If only I had been there, preventing this sort of tragedy is what I study and practice my craft for. I now more than ever feel the desire to lend my aid to this quest." He walks on in silence for a time.

Approaching the ruins, Alric examines the area closely, prepared to craft a spell if needed.

Everyone who's looking around for danger give me Perception rolls

As the group approaches the structure, Norel goes silent and starts looking around for potential attackers.  He walks up the barred door and takes a closer look at it to see if it is truly barred and blocking access inside.

Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;430617Everyone who's looking around for danger give me Perception rolls

Die roll for Alric

Rolled on: 2011-01-05 10:05:37.682932
1d100 → [37] = (37)

Norel's Perception (48%) check fails with a roll of 58%.

Alric, you can see no signs of anything lurking nearby, whether within the trees, on the roof, or behind the inscribed column. If there is anything, it's staying well hidden. The trees cast long shadows and the dense overgrowth could be hiding secrets further within it, though.

Amra, tracking is difficult here due to the surface hardness of the asphalt, a substance extremely uncommon in Dakonia. No footprints or drag marks score the pebbled surface. Though not a severe wind, a stiff breeze rustles the leaves of the trees and disturbs the little bits of detritus that normally reveal someone's passage.

Anyone who wishes may make a Culture (Moragne) test here. Norrel only: You can make this test with a +25%

Norel fails his Culture (Moragne) check (49% w/ bonus) with a roll of 84%.

Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;430617Everyone who's looking around for danger give me Perception rolls

perception skill 43...roll...76http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2827672/

Die roll for Alric
Campaign: In Search of Folly

Rolled on: 2011-01-05 16:24:36.643990
1d100 → [51] = (51)

Culture (Moragne) test

No luck, eh? The church looks.... old!

Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;430979No luck, eh? The church looks.... old!

Heh, is there any writing or carving visible on the outside of the church? Any stones on the ground that look out of place?