[h2][color=9e0b0f]Welcome to Castle Grimm[/color][/h2]
[h3]Day 1[/h3]

It was a tiring journey for both foreign groups as they trudged up the narrow and treacherous path on their respective sides of the Dragon Fang Mountains.  Aside from the occasional trader that dared the path it was obvious that few used these once forgotten roads.  The rare animal would poke its head out to watch these strangers march along to a section of the world forgotten by the world for many years.  The mountains were rugged and unforgiving as they kept climbing up and up, seeming to the top of the world.

For both groups the first sight was roughly the same, a large stone gate and coarse looking walls blocked their paths.  Gargoyles and archers stared down at the respective groups.  The gates would remain shut until their identities could be confirmed by the guardsmen who occupied little guardhouses on the outside of the gates.

On the West side the guardians of Grimm would see those hailing from the White Rock Confederacy, a collection of states that had alliances with each other.  The members that made up their group were quite varied with many different occupations represented, though a good many appeared to the the rough and tumble type one would not want to meet if they were in a bad mood.  Of a smaller portion were merchants and those of repute who owned a decent amount of wealth and land who came no doubt for lucrative negociations.

On the East side were those from the Onyx Empire, a strong kingdom with vassal states underneath.  Unlike the Confederacy, which seemed to have quite a few mercenary types, the empire had quite a few strong looking soldiers and knights in their party.  Their strong looking armor and weapons showed off how the Onyx Empire had invested quite a bit in their military.  Along with the soldiers were those who were nobles in rich finery and a few skilled artisans of metal and engineering who were no doubt eager to see what wonders could possibly lay inside.

Neither side really had any idea what lay beyond that initial gate that seemed to glare down at them.  The outside guardsmen walked up to the respective parties and demanded the letter of invitation from Castle Grimm be handed over for inspection before allowing them in.  The designated group leaders quickly located the letter and handed it over to the guardsmen who inspected it thoroughly while the rest waited and watched.