<strong>Ada Stonewrought<br/>Atop Fairweather<br/>Forest Crossroads</strong><br/><br/>Two paths that lead to the same place.  One through the forest, dark and sheltered.  The other beneath the roiling sky, open and bright.<br/><br/>Ada dropped the reins around the pommel as he looked down one path, and then the other.  Having grown up on a farm beneath the open sky, he had never been fond of forests.  They were dark, dangerous places, full of lurking predators and hidden places.  In the open, a man could see for miles.  In that forest, in this rain, Ada would be lucky to see the horses at the front of the wagon.  And gods knew what kind of condition the forest paths would be in.  The last thing he wanted was to be bogged down in the middle of a forest with a broken wagon wheel or -- gods forbid -- a lamed horse.  He didn't fear bandits or wild things.  This close to the Academy, less than half a days ride away, the forest would likely be plucked clean by hunters and villagers, and the paths traveled enough by armed men that brigands would think twice before settling in.<br/><br/>It suddenly struck him how odd it was that the Grandmaster would send this motley group to investigate Kalem-Vor, especially when any man on a swift horse could reach, scout, and report on the old fortress within a day's time.  Why send the wagons and their would-be teamsters, so slow and unwieldy?  The Grandmaster obviously expected trouble, and the razed hamlet proved that to be a wise suspicion, but perhaps there were other forces at work here.  Hidden motives.<br/><br/>Maybe it was a trap.<br/><br/>Setting troubled thoughts aside, he lightly tugged at Fairweather's reins, prompting her to walk towards the road that wound around the forest.  "We'll have to camp tonight, unless you want to rush into Kalem-Vor reckless and exhausted," Ada said, to no one in particular.  "And I'd rather not camp in an unknown forest, even this close to the Academy.  The long road's the best choice."<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>Voicing his thoughts atop Fairweather.</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>