--- # **Morning in the Cave** The morning sun rose over the cave where the party had taken refuge from the previous night's tornado and strange creature attack. As they stirred from their rest, feeling refreshed and invigorated, [[Grumthar]]'s keen senses detected a presence that had eluded the others. Standing nearby was [[Davax Redhide]], also known as Crothar Skulltongue, a towering orc lore keeper with weathered reddish skin and thick scars. The mysterious researcher had been hired by [[Grumthar]] to uncover information about his grandfather, Ragavar Ironfurrow, a former military barbarian whose past remained shrouded in silence by [[Grumthar]]'s father. [[Grumthar]] questioned the lore keeper's stealthy approach, warning him of the danger of standing over a sleeping orc. Davax revealed he had returned with crucial information about Urgen Mossbach, the last known survivor of the Crimson Bastion's warband. This paranoid, half-feral individual lived alone in the treacherous Rotten Swamps near the Ash Wilds. The party gathered around a map to examine the location, realizing it would be a significant detour from their current path toward the Nine Hells. After some discussion, [[Grumthar]] requested that the lore keeper locate Urgen without directly speaking to him, offering payment for his efforts. The mysterious orc nodded in agreement and departed, vanishing around the corner of the cave entrance. [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] expressed her surprise at the lore keeper's remarkable stealth, admitting she hadn't sensed his presence despite her own considerable abilities. --- # **Breaking Camp** The party then turned their attention to breaking camp and preparing for the journey ahead. [[Tarnik]] inspected the remains of the strange creature from the previous night, determining that its chitinous plates could be fashioned into shields and armor, while the leathery hide between the segments would make excellent lining. [[Cub]] offered to help with the leatherworking, expressing interest in developing that skill. Meanwhile, she stepped outside to assess the weather, finding that the storm had passed but left behind humid air and muddy, slippery roads. --- # **Debate on Gods and Strength** As the party prepared to depart, a philosophical debate erupted between [[Tarnik]], [[Volza Redhand|Volza]], and [[Cub]] about the role of gods and personal strength. [[Tarnik]] spoke passionately about how Ganosh had been there for him when he lost his family, while [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] maintained her belief in self-reliance, arguing that when the gods vanished, only personal strength would remain. [[Cub]] acknowledged the power the gods had granted them in their battles against the undead. The discussion eventually turned to their travel route, with [[Bordak]] explaining the dangers of the Spine Mountains, including elves and fiends that lurked in the treacherous terrain. [[Tarnik]]'s attention kept drifting toward Dragon Mountain, where a dragon was rumored to slumber, much to his companions' exasperation. --- # **Journey Through the Spine Mountains** The party ultimately decided to take the shorter, safer southern route to the village of Noa rather than the longer path through Hanaka. They began their journey through the muddy, narrow pathways of the Spine Mountains, enduring two days of travel through cavernous passages with suffocating heat. During their trek, they observed distant creatures on the mountain ridges, one of which seemed to watch them before flying off into the distance. On the third day, as they approached a new area, the sound of cracking stone filled the air. --- # **The Behir Ambush** Without warning, a massive serpentine creature emerged from the rocky terrain fifty feet above the path. The Behir's head lingered menacingly, its eyes fixed on the party as lightning hissed around its mouth. [[Bordak]] immediately recognized the danger and warned his companions to spread out to avoid being caught in a devastating area attack. He retreated to a defensive position while [[Tarnik]] rode Shiv closer for a better look at the creature. [[Grumthar]] climbed a nearby rock formation, and [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] moved into a shaded position, all preparing for the inevitable confrontation. The Behir struck first, inhaling deeply before exhaling a powerful bolt of lightning that struck [[Tarnik]] and Shiv with tremendous force. The crackling energy snapped throughout the entire ridge system, causing both rider and mount to cry out in pain. Before the party could fully react, a second Behir emerged from the ground directly beside [[Tarnik]], its massive form rising from the earth. [[Tarnik]]'s reflexes saved him as he struck the newly appeared creature with his polearm, the weapon cracking against its chitinous hide. --- # **Battle in the Ridge** The battle erupted into chaos as [[Grom]] commanded the second Behir to grovel, causing it to lay its head on the ground in submission. [[Bordak]] unleashed a flurry of attacks on the groveling creature while [[Grumthar]] executed a brilliant tactical maneuver. He climbed a nearby tree and used his weapons to fell it directly onto the first Behir, the massive trunk crashing down and pinning the creature beneath its weight. [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] swiftly moved into position and struck the pinned beast with multiple attacks, her wires and dagger finding gaps in its armor. [[Cub]] called upon the earth itself to erupt around the creature, creating difficult terrain that further hindered its movement while dealing additional damage. Despite being pinned and wounded, the first Behir retaliated with savage fury. It attempted to bite and constrict [[Tarnik]], its powerful coils crushing him and dealing massive damage that nearly killed him. Only his orcish resilience kept him conscious with barely any strength remaining. The creature then unleashed another devastating lightning breath that struck multiple party members, completely obliterating [[Cub]]'s cat companion Tiko in a flash of electrical energy. Undaunted, [[Grumthar]] leaped onto the creature's back, grappling its horns and pulling its head back to expose the vulnerable flesh of its neck. He called out to [[Tarnik]] to strike the exposed area. [[Tarnik]], channeling divine energy into his weapon, delivered a decisive blow to the creature's exposed neck. His polearm sliced through flesh and bone, severing the head as blood sprayed everywhere. The massive beast collapsed with a thunderous impact, and [[Grumthar]] maintained his balance atop the dying creature. After the battle, [[Cub]] investigated the fallen Behirs, identifying them as ancient dragon-slayer creatures that once worked alongside giants. Using her knowledge and skill, she successfully harvested a delicate lightning gland from one of the creatures, suggesting it could be sold for gold or used to enhance weapons with lightning properties. --- # **Arrival in Noa and Infil** The party continued their journey, eventually arriving at the small village of Noa, where they rested and recovered from their ordeal. They then traveled to Infil, a larger fishing town by the river, where [[Cub]] purchased healing supplies and [[Tarnik]] acquired several fishing nets with the humorous intention of using them to catch elves. --- # **Toward the Ketaca Forest** As they prepared to cross the Hells Bridge into lands where elves and Fae creatures were rumored to lurk, [[Tarnik]]'s eyes darted left and right, eagerly searching for any sign of the elusive beings he so desperately wanted to encounter. The path ahead would take them through the Ketaca Forest, a journey that would require weeks of careful navigation through dangerous and largely uninhabited wilderness before they could reach the safety of civilization once more.