Having gained the trust of one of the Lossoth, Elveaner and Tyelcie head for the main encampment. 'Uolevi sends us' appears to open most doors for them.
Being on good terms with the Lossoth makes life much easier.. warmer and drier particularly. Our heritage seems to hold a little kudos or perhaps it's just novelty, we didn't look too deeply!
....
Elveaner and Tyelcie have been allowed to spend time in a large (by Forochel standards) settlement, Suri-Kyla and shelter from the elements. Offering a basic level of hospitality seems to be a matter of honour but they are careful not to impose, especially with food consumption. There seems no shortage of fish though!
One morning they are awoken by the sound of raised voices, there is talk of a lost hunter from a group who appear to have returned in haste. The elven pair discretely listen in. It appears a man has not returned as expected and since the weather is not so bad there is great concern. On top of this there have apparently been a number of reports recently regarding a group of men seen to the east of the settlement, they appear to be outsiders, something very rare! They mentioned some called 'The Ironspan' .. sounds like a bridge or a long abandoned Dwarven structure at the foot of the mountains.
There follows some dark suspicious talk of incursions and 'Angmar' is mentioned. To the best of Elveaner's knowledge the mountains to the east are impassable this far north so the overheard speculation seems rather unlikely. But ... The lossoth are a strong, level headed people, not given to flights of fantasy ... No doubt they did see something that gave them great concern Both Elveaner and Tyelcie have very long memories and decide they should take a look for themselves, it could not be! Could it?
Setting off the weather is kind and visibility is good on a bright crisp day. The follow the line of the shore east intending to head South along the mountains as they rise up. This way they will come across whatever the Lossoth spoke of, assuming it exists or is not merely an isolated band of hunters from some distant tribe.
The initial journey is uneventful, a well trodden shore line in the larger bay of the settlement, with a few wandering beasts and fishing parties. Up over some steeper hills and out into the tundra, the 'blinding white' as the Lossoth cheerfully call it. Overnight a delightful full moon and beautiful shimmering green light curtains dance around the horizon, a truly inspiring view.
Rested and moving on they settle into the regular crunch their boots make in the snow and make good progress through a small pass and an abandoned beacon down towards another inlet. Both are surprised to see some light tent structures near the water, there iks now sign of movement apart from a few bears, they approach. Clearly some recent fishing activivty .. but seemingly abandoned, a beast is eating from from a bucket of fish.
More structures are apparent and they investigate, they find the body of a man, recently slain by beasts and the remains of fish bones. He is dressed in outlandish garb bearing an unknown mark. The same is the case at other tent shelters men in similar garb and markings, killed by the bears and their fish eaten, and unknown banner is also displayed, these people, who ever they are, came as an organised group, it seems.
