Mists over the Musarde, Chapter Four

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

"I am thinking you are correct, Norzak. But a ritual for what?" He steps closer to the stones, examining them for signs of any familiar rituals or enchantments.

[Lord Skybolt]

"I think it might be for some type of teleportation magic " Alain says after a thoughtful look at the circle of stones .

[JMaytr]

"Whatever the stones are for, this blood looks only an hour old."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

"Yes. Teleportation, I am thinking. And its aura is strong. Perhaps Van Diecks means to have a head start." He purses his lips. "Or maybe it is a trap." He pauses, lights a cigarillo, and gazes thoughtfully at the stones before blowing smoke through his nostrils. "Only one way to find out. Shall we?"

[steveflam]

Norzak unsheathes his blade, looking at everyone. "I be in agreement. If it be a trap, I be gonna cuttin us up some stew or sommeat! Noone gonna play us fer fools, I promise ye. I be gettin tired o this place ta be honest."

[JMaytr]

Jonathan steps into the circle of stones, still staring at the blood covering them.

[ewancummins]

As soon as Jonathon steps into the circle, those of you with detect magic in effect see a ripple of energy rise from the stone circle, then rapidly evaporate. Jon himself feels only a faint tingling sensation, and it lasts but for a few seconds.

The boy remains where he stands.

[JMaytr]

"That felt odd." Jonathan says. stepping out of the circle of stones.

[ewancummins]

The native search party has been silently watching as your party examines the circle. Now, one of them speaks-

''Witch-rocks! This is a bad place. Blood has been spilt here- black magic!''

[steveflam]

"Be lookin like thet other place. Mebbe some type o word o power or spell be needed to make them rocks covered in blood werk." The dwarf is relieved that Jon is still amongst them. "Glad ye be still with us, laddie. Be careful round them rocks, son. Dinna wanna lose ye ta some bad magic."

[ewancummins]

While your party discusses the queer stone circle, the hunters search the periphery of the little clearing for tracks. The two hounds crouch low, alternately whining and growling.

The breeze picks up, shaking the leaves and branches of the surrounding trees. The blue skies overhead begin to darken as fat purplish clouds creep into view, blocking some of the sunlight. A light rain begins to fall. Distant clouds are rent by a flash of lightning. A few seconds later, the rumble of thunder reaches your ears.

[ewancummins]

meanwhile, in the Keep

''My queen, I have brought you this wretched man- he is a friend of your enemies. ''


Van Diecks kneels before the beautiful apparation. He motions towards his bound prisoner, who lays supine on the cold flagstones of the dimly lit chamber.

''Very good, I am pleased. Bring them to me, dead or alive. Either way, I shall bend them to my will. Go now. ''

Gaston Van Diecks gets to his feet, a savage grin on his face.

''With pleasure, your grace....''

[JMaytr]

Jonathan looks at Norzak

"The other circle you speak of...what did it do? If this circle is magical, can we tell what type? They say those are witch rocks, and I felt odd while I was standing inside them."

Jonathan looks at the other members of the search party, including those from Wat's camp. He calls out to them.

"Did anyone find a source for all this blood? Is there a body nearby? A corpse? It's fresh..."

Jonathan stops suddenly a thought attacking his mind. He walks back to the circle and cuts the palm of his hand with his silver knife. He drips the crimson fluid onto the rocks until all of the stones have had a taste. He then steps back into the circle.

[ewancummins]

Jon vanishes in the twinkling of an eye. Where the boy had stood a second before is nothing but air.

[Lord Skybolt]

Alain on seeing what seems to activate the stone's magic repeats the same steps that Jon preformed just moments ago . While doing this he says to the rest of the party "I think Jon just found out how the stones are used !!! I'm going to follow him to back him up ."