<strong>Ada Stonewrought<br/>Near the Corpses<br/>Smoldering Hamlet</strong><br/><br/>Ada rode beside Nalin as the dwarf approached the center of the hamlet.  His eyes were red from the smoke as he took in the village.  There had been two dozen or so buildings, and all but a handful were piles of ruined timber, smoldering under the afternoon sun.  Nudging Fairweather forward with the heel of his boot, Ada peered into the still standing structures.  Small houses, built of timber and mud, their furnishings minimal.  They seemed abandoned, but Ada didn't dismount to find out.  If anyone was still alive and hiding, they probably thought his merry party to be bandits or looters.  They wouldn't want to come out, and Ada didn't want to make them.  Sooner or later, outriders from the Academy would show up, and the survivors would be gathered up and taken back to safety.  Ada wanted no part of it.<br/><br/>It took him three minutes to move between the three houses, riding in a rough circle within the ruins of the hamlet, leaving him beside the dead orcs.  Normal horses would have panicked near the corpses, eyes reeling as they tried to flee the scent of the dead, but Fairweather was no normal horse.  When Ada dismounted next to Tha'ael, his mount shook her head and nibbled on grass not two paces from the blood soaked bodies.<br/><br/>He peered over the elf's shoulder at the map.  Now<em>that</em>was interesting.  Who or whatever had done this had been methodical.  Either they planned it, or they took their time to mark off each building as they pyt it to the torch.  The wounds on the orcs were odd as well.  They seemed the likely suspects for the raid, but their manner of death seemed too close to an execution for him to be sure.  And only three hours ride from the Academy?  Brigands wouldn't dare come so close to the local seat of strength, and certainly not orcs.  A dark suspicion began to grow in his mind, and Ada cast his eyes to the rugged peaks that lay before them.<br/><br/>"I agree with Tha'ael," Ada said suddenly, the first time he had spoken amongst them.  "There's nothing left to be done here."  He looked at Elise, reluctantly making eye attack, but letting no sign of his unease touch his face.  "Kalem-Vor lies amidst those hills tiefling, and I'd wager we'll find our answers -- and whoever planned this attack -- there."  He nudged the stiff hand of the nearest orc with his boot.  "I say leave these were they lay, for when the Academy guardsmen show up."<br/><br/>Ada bent and, if no one objected, picked up the map, folding it and sliding it up his sleeve.  He reckoned it would only be polite to return it.<br/><br/>He had a sudden thought.  Whoever had killed these orcs had done so for one of two reasons: for revenge, or to tie up loose ends.  Maybe they had been in a rush, and forgot to cover any tracks they may have left behind.  Ada slowly examined the ground around the orcs, attempting to find any hint of tracks left by their killers.  [Survival: 18 (http://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php)]<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Stats</div><div class="spoiler_body"><strong>Ada Stonewrought<br/>Level 5 Human Sorcerer</strong> (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=584077)<br/><em>Searching for tracks in the ruined hamlet.</em><br/>HP: 29/29<br/>Subdual: 29/29<br/>Hit Dice: 5d6<br/>Init: +5<br/><br/><strong>Saves</strong><br/>Fort: +1<br/>Reflex: +4<br/>Will: +6<br/><br/><strong>Defense</strong><br/>AC: 14<br/>Touch: 13<br/>Flat: 11<br/>CMD: 15<br/><br/><strong>Offense</strong><br/>Melee: +2<br/>Ranged: +5<br/>Bow of Alister: 1d8+1 (x3), 100 ft.  Magical.  Point-Blank Shot, Arcane Strike, Gravity Bow (2d6+1)<br/>Claws (x2): 1d4 (x2).  Magical.  Uses left: 8/8 rounds<br/><br/><strong>Spell Slots</strong><br/>Cantrips- ∞<br/>1st - 7/8<br/>2nd - 5/5</div></div>