Though some of the other guards seem thoroughly ashamed, others are more than content to stare defiantly back at those trying to make mock of their refusal to investigate the town.  After all, maybe it was a trap?  Couldn't let the wagons go unprotected, especially not when they were being [i]paid[/i] to protect them.  Obviously they couldn't abandon their employers like that- it would be so unprofessional!  That being said, it also made perfect sense to permit a few [s]foolish[/s] [i]brave[/i] individuals to go on ahead and scout things out to make sure nothing was amiss.

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[img]http://oi66.tinypic.com/2zz0xac.jpg[/img]
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As the first couple of [s]foolish[/s] brave individuals reach the town gates, one thing that might seem strange is the fact that the drawbridge is down- not the sort of thing you would expect from a town in any sort of trouble.  Yet, the watchtowers that flank the gate seem to be abandoned.  Not only that, but right there in the middle of the road is a large rock embedded in the ground.  Roughly three feet each in diameter, you can see a fair few of these rocks scattered across the town even from where you stand.  Large holes punched through rooftops and other shattered wreckage would imply that these were some sort of projectile that has recently rained down upon the town.

The source of the constant bell ringing is fairly obvious.  Immediately to your left as one walks past the guard towers is a wooden temple.  You can see stained glass windows depicting images of birth, the dawning sun, trees, and unicorns.  The front door is wide and the bell continues to ring incessantly from the slender steeple that rises above the temple's main floor.


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The caravan has stopped just on the map, along the dirt road that ultimately leads to the drawbridge and close to that small bit of greenery where the road first comes onto the map from the West.

[b]Tortetarte[/b] is all geared up and ready.

[b]
Marcon[/b] is also ready to roll out with Tortetarte.

[b]Galen[/b], heading right on out after some blistering words, will be reaching the gates.

[b]Anchor[/b] will also be reaching the gates along with Galen, with his divine senses not picking up any trace of particularly sinister presences.

[b]Theren[/b], accompanying Galen and Anchor while really focusing on his surroundings can hear some very faint clattering from further into town along with what sounds like a rather panicked chicken.

[b]Ealwald[/b] has not yet made his move.
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