The party was used to going on with a loose plan so when they appeared outside what Allanan had alluded to as Ara-Kari instead of the tower it was not a surprise. Ulthok had to assume that Allanan had only been to the island next to Cyclop's island. This field was a place that Allanan knew well enough to send them without error so there was something important about this area. The party could see the outline of the city, but there was also single large structure off to their right. Could this have been where Allanan had spent his time? Besides finding way to get to Cyclops island there could be useful information there.
The Halfling saw Roan and Rayne start to scout the area.

"When our rangers return we need to move. I think we should investage that Castle. Allanan sent us to this field because he knew it, there may be answers in there that Castle can help us in the city,. We need to know more of why this city isn't over run and controlled by Cirath Ungol." Ulthok looked to Cor to see if felt the same.

"What we need to find is nae in the castle or the town. Our path leads to the isle and for that we need a boat. We can try the docks or try to find a solitary fishing boat along the coast. Docks seem a better bet to find a boat but harder ta borrow one."

With the party undecided whether to seek out a means of getting to Cyclops island at the town, castle or in the words of Cor directly to a source, a dock.
The parties two rangers decided to commence a quick search of the area to gain any information, what they found was interesting.

Though the path was made of stone and gravel both Rangers saw that there was a well worn pair of threads running down the center as that made as if from wagon wheels. Along the paths edges they also could see the recent bare foot prints of large creatures, clearly humanoid in nature, most likely that of giants. However no sign's of any real vegetation or that of other animals were visible.

As the Rangers did their thing Sirene did hers delving into her knowledge of the ancient past. From what she could remember Ara-Kari had once been a well know pirate haven ruled by who was unknown. Some rumors said a demon other tales told of dark skinned elves and another spoke of some form of god yet the truth of things was hidden. What was clear that some time after the end of the 2nd Trilogy War, this war, the city was destroyed. The exact year again unknown in the fog of the past.

As the party waited for the Rangers return and anything from Sirene the party suddenly could hear coming around a bend behind them the noise of wagon wheels and feet. Quickly seeking what little cover was available the party just barely was able to hide. In only a few minutes the party watched as 3 wagons and six giants, all in heavy armor, moved past them. Driving each wagon the party could see were a pair of dwarves, like the giants in heavy well made armor. The wagons themselves pulled by a pair of pale blue golems unlike seen on the mainland, at least in the party's time. The wagons themselves made of heavy oak and iron were clearly weighed down, their cargo hidden by tarps. However as the wagons passed the parties hiding place a loose flap revealed within a pile of pale bluish stone. Cor being a dwarf knew it for what it was, Mithral.

Within a matter of ten minutes the wagons, dwarves and giants were past headed where for the moment unknown. The party alone once more alone to ponder their next move.

(DM OOC: Ok here is my day late post I hope it helps you to decide what to do next, Castle, City or Coast. Good luck.)

Within a matter of ten minutes the wagons, dwarves and giants were past headed where for the moment unknown. The party alone once more alone to ponder their next move.
Roan Fenstrider felt his nostrils flare and eyes glare as his Species Enemy, six Giants, passed his hiding place on the way to an as yet unknown destination.

Motioning to Rayne, the Human Ranger/Cleric followed the wagons from a safe distance, making sure he was both down-wind and out of ear shot from the Giants and their companions.

Roan knew both the Giant and Dwarven tongues, so he was intent upon ascertaining the destination of the wagons and Giants, whether it be City or Castle.

Once their destination was determined, he planned to report back to the rest of the Party.

Meanwhile, he would continue acting as though he were hunting game, in case he was discovered.

As the party waited for the Rangers return and anything from Sirene the party suddenly could hear coming around a bend behind them the noise of wagon wheels and feet. Quickly seeking what little cover was available the party just barely was able to hide. In only a few minutes the party watched as 3 wagons and six giants, all in heavy armor, moved past them. Driving each wagon the party could see were a pair of dwarves, like the giants in heavy well made armor. The wagons themselves pulled by a pair of pale blue golems unlike seen on the mainland, at least in the party's time. The wagons themselves made of heavy oak and iron were clearly weighed down, their cargo hidden by tarps. However as the wagons passed the parties hiding place a loose flap revealed within a pile of pale bluish stone. Cor being a dwarf knew it for what it was, Mithral.
As the clattering sound on wooden wheels on a road became audible, Rayne moved as quickly as possible to the nearest cover. Keeping as concealed as possible, she quickly scanned the carriage. The 2 pale blue golems were like nothing she had seen from her time. They were massive. There were also giants, and dwarves with them. Holding her breath, though the creatures most likely couldn't hear her anyways, she watched them pass.

Motioning to Rayne, the Human Ranger/Cleric followed the wagons from a safe distance, making sure he was both down-wind and out of ear shot from the Giants and their companions.
Following Roan, Rayne did her best to keep something between the road and her; if someone else, like another wagon, came along the road, she wanted something to duck behind if something did come along. As well as keeping pace with Roan behind the wagon, Rayne kept a look out for anything else of note.

Ulthok had stated his case to take the path to investigate the castle to their right. But Cor, in his way, felt they should just find a boat. "What we need to find is nae in the castle or the town. Our path leads to the isle and for that we need a boat. We can try the docks or try to find a solitary fishing boat along the coast. Docks seem a better bet to find a boat but harder ta borrow one."
The mage shrugged," Well if we start with that Castle then we may find a boat less guarded. If not we could then check the shore line as we work toward the city." But before anyone could answer they all heard the sound of heavy laden wagons crunching the dirt and stones of the trail. The party quickly sought cover. Ulthok and Peri vanished from sight.

From their hiding places the party watched as six giants, all in heavy armor, guarded three wagons moving past them. Driving each wagon was a pair of dwarves, like the giants in heavy armor as well. The wagons themselves were pulled by a pair of pale blue golems unlike any seen on the mainland, at least in the party's time. The wagons, made of heavy oak and iron, were clearly weighed down, their cargo hidden by tarps. However as the wagons passed the party's hiding place a loose flap revealed within a pile of pale bluish stone. The wagons moved slowly taking about ten minutes to pass out of sight. This was reasonably the answer to the pair of ruts in the trail.

When the party gathered again Ulthok said, "Those wagon will lead to where boats are docked. This is a mining road and that ore would be sent somewhere for processing. Those Dwarvs may or may not be friendly but at least they aren't Orcs. I say we follow and take our chances with Dwarvs instead of pirates."

Lothor joined the rest of the group in hiding while the carts and their entourage passed by. He made sure as he did so that he was watching behind them - and back up the path from which the strangers had come. With all eyes likely following the group as it passed, he wanted to be sure that someone was looking the other way. This didn't smell like a trap, but it wouldn't be the first or last group to have a straggler bringing up the rear.

After the group passed the warrior kept his eyes on the path behind them, but participated in the discussion. "Dwarves? It is not just the dwarves we would need to deal with if we follow the carts. For mining carts they are extremely well guarded, especially if those golems are more than just oddly shaped ponies. Still, Ulthok seems right. Those carts are likely headed towards a boat. Let us follow the carts at a distance."

Siréne watched the wagons go off into the distance and nodded in agreement. She did not relish the thought of facing golems, but that seemed the only obvious danger. Friend or foe, these dwarves were guarding their wagon, not seeking to ensnare a host of time travelers.

"If we must follow the wagons then let it be," Siréne spoke, addressing Ulthok and then the others. "But we must tread with caution. Let us move in secrecy and silence."

With those words, she awoke the magic in one of her rings and vanished from sight.

((Using Invisibility from Ring of Elemental Command))

Alyia's hands instinctively went to her sword hilt under her cloak, as the wagon an giants past. After being in an almost constant state of battle, the spell she half brought to her lips quelled as she realized the other were finding cover.

crouching low in a small dip beside a tiny scrub bush which was more dried twig then bush. Alyia noted that it felt empty to simply sit an watch the giants lumber past skirting the wagon.

Alyia's eyes were fixated on the large blue golems her mind racing over the spells an magic which the creatures would have been conjured for an from.

As the wagon's passed Alyia eeked out from her respective cover an odd air of relief an a mix of anti-climatic tension balled in the pit of her stomach.


In a second Sirene vanished from sight.

Alyia pulled a small piece if dried an pressed ration meat from her pack she chewed on it a moment. an with a sigh hefted her pack making sure her cloak kept it well covered.

The golome's pricking at the back of her mind.

Cor watched the wagons pass and saw the metal ore they contained. A part of him heard the call of the mithril. "We could follow the wagons but that would lead us to large cargo ships that are heavily guarded. Not exactly what we are looking to find. It pains me ta say that stealth is more important now than force."

The party still unsure of where to go watched as the 3 wagons and their crews moved past. Deciding that they needed more information they quietly followed the wagons as they moved further East. However within the span of ten minutes the party could see that the path before the wagons spilt. One way turning to the North (the city) the second of the twin splits continued to the East (castle).

Finding places to hide, yet still be able to watch the wagons, the party were able to see that two of the wagons and five of the giant guards headed North towards the city. While the third wagon, the one with the loose flap, one giant and the dwarf drivers broke off and headed East. Clearly castle bound.

Once again the question had come to the front.... Castle or City or something else...............

(DM OOC: Ok very short post as you guys really gave me nothing to work with Hoping for a clear plan of action soon)

"Well lads and lasses, make note that today a dwarf says ta leave the mithril alone. Tis interesting but ultimately makes no difference to our job. We need ta find a boat to the island. Lets give the outskirts of the city a look first and see if we can find a small fishing boat." Cor set out towards the village.

Ulthok was fairly amazed to hear Cor say, "Well lads and lasses, make note that today a dwarf says ta leave the mithril alone. Tis interesting but ultimately makes no difference to our job. We need ta find a boat to the island. Lets give the outskirts of the city a look first and see if we can find a small fishing boat." For Dwarv to resist the lure of such a cherished ore spoke his determination on his plan.

As Cor took the trail toward the city Ulthok fell in behind. After a few steps he looked back at the party, "Well?"

As Roan and Rayne followed the wagons, the rest of the party did as well. Hopefully, the wagons would give them some clue to which direction would be better to go. Unfortunately, the wagons split up in direction: one went to the city. They were back to the initial issue of where to go now.

"Well lads and lasses, make note that today a dwarf says ta leave the mithril alone. Tis interesting but ultimately makes no difference to our job. We need ta find a boat to the island. Lets give the outskirts of the city a look first and see if we can find a small fishing boat." Cor set out towards the village.

As Cor took the trail toward the city Ulthok fell in behind. After a few steps he looked back at the party, "Well?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Rayne followed behind Ulthok and Cor. There was little point sitting around and arguing: after all, they had their own time to get back to.

Letting the invisibility vanish, Siréne joined the others as one and all made way to Ara-Kari. It seemed as likely a path as any in this unknown world. It was a boat they needed, and a city of pirates would surely have those to spare. Her instinct was to follow pathways of magic, but without any knowledge of what they faced, a traveling spell could cost them dearly. Caution held her hand.

As they walked along, thoughts of Ara-Kari and its dark history floated through her mind. This place was dying, and it could claim them as easily as any other threat.

"We must tread softly in this," Siréne spoke letting urgency carry her voice. "I may not be able to remember every detail of this city, but Ara-Kari has a dark history. Of that I am certain. Whether it is ruled by demons or men has been lost in the sea of time, but it is a dark place and it is destined to die. We must not be caught in its death throes."

Pausing, the enchantress looked to her companions. "Moreover, It was spoken that we are walking into a city of thieves covered in wealth. Simple logic would tell us to disguise this. I have magics that can deceive and hide. Should we enter this city, it would be wise to walk under a veil of magic."