The pursuit had started about mid-morning in a low-land forest leagues from anywhere that might even be thought of as civilized… A monastery that could be aptly called in the middle of nowhere had first appeared as a columb of black smoke seen through the sparcely leaved trees that resided over a carpet of autumn colors layering a road that was, to be kind, backwater in description. But, the roadway had been termed a “shortcut” between the self important sounding town of Richmont and the city of Pendath on the coast… a relatively short and easy week’s travel away.<br/><br/>But, with all great adventures, things never really go as planned…<br/><br/>The gates of the walled complex had been open to the short lane that split off from the road; a central structure roiled with smoke and flames as men in simple brown robes passed buckets of water from a deep well to be thrown into the 2 story building that was obviously a loss, but perhaps might be contained from buring other buildings nearby. A number of bodies laid about the ground, dark blood turned the tended gardens to crimson colored foliage. An elderly orc monk told the story of a band of men who had saught lodgings for the night and of the sudden and violent pre-dawn murders and theft of the relics within the temple’s basement… 4 weapons of both great power and subtle curse that had been placed into the care of the monks and the dire conquences that could be on the horizon if the weapons were lost to evil hands.<br/><br/>Without more than an hour’s delay, the companions had taken up the chase and before mid-day, the trail had changed and turned onto little more than a mountain path. Another short hour later, the weather had turned and snow began to fall heavily. The further the adventurers rose into the mountain rage, the worst the weather became and the more difficult the trail became.<br/><br/>By the best guess of the party, it was now late afternoon, the temperature was below freezing and a strong wind was gusting through the pass of what was clearly once a well established road but has been long unused. The snow was up to nearly the knee and showed no indication of slowing and the path more treacherous with each step… signs of landslides and brush choked the old roadway and disbris threatened the unwary under it’s layer of snow with each step…<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body"><br/>Anyone tracking the thieves may make a tracking check. Movement is halved due to the conditions.<br/><br/>Anyone may make a perception check.<br/><br/></div></div>