[center][h2][color=F0E68C]Asteria[/color][/h2][/center][hr][hr]
After clambering up onto the mound, Asteria observed the monolithic structure. It was obviously an altar. She found it odd that it was on top of the structure rather than inside, but that was an architectural choice probably chosen by the cultural difference of the humans inhabiting this world. Unfortunately, she couldn’t make sense of the symbols, lines, swirls, and circles etched onto the overlapping plates of the altar. Were they religious, functional or magical in nature? Curiously, she put a single careful claw onto the smallest plate, infused her touch with a minor outflow of Mana, and began tracing the various shapes, following each one to the next pattern and the next plate all the way to the largest plate and the last of its etchings. She was considering memorizing the shapes or perhaps taking the time to trace them onto her piece of leather later on as she did so. They were a curious clue, and may perhaps be useful if she managed to decipher them.

When she was done inspecting the altar, Asteria looked around. To the west, she could still see the village they’d come from, if only barely, though the mountains loomed in the distance in all their ominous glory. To the east, the road spread into another plane, until it finally reached a great lake. As expected, its banks were populated. However, that was something they could deal with in exchange for a steady source of water. Besides, there was also a river flowing south from the lake as well, so there was certainly no need to stick too close to an actual town if they didn’t want to.

Asteria then made her way down by the way of a simple jump, rolling as she landed, and just when she was recovering from the impact, Ed alerted her to danger. [color=F0E68C]“Huh? What do you mean? I didn’t stand [i]on[/i] the altar, though I did touch it…Did you see something?”[/color] She looked around, but saw no impeding doom nearby. Concerned, she edged her way cautiously towards the entrance of the building, sneaking a peak around and inside of it. She happened to glance at the plaque, and though the writing was a bit strange at first, something shifted, and she was able to read it. [color=F0E68C][i]Barrow, Lords of Viska, war for Viska, Five Lords…[/i][/color]

Having read the message, she quickly scurried back to Ed. [color=F0E68C]“I don’t think we disturbed anything…but just in case, we could perhaps make an offering?”[/color] She didn’t suggest that out of a strong religious belief, however, seeing how magic existed in this world, being cursed and attacked by the undead because of a sacrilegious act was no longer within the realm of the fantastical. Though she’d attempted reassuring Ed, remembering his utter terror of the undead, she glanced around, trying to sense anything out of place. She briefly activated her Mana Sense, hoping it might warn her if danger was truly approaching.

[hider=Action summary]
Inspects the plated altar.
Traces various shapes on the altar, from the smallest to the largest plates.
Infused her touch with Mana (basically, sending a miniscule outflow of mana to the altar) as she does so.
Observes the surroundings.
Notes the lake and river to the east.
Jumps back down, rolling on the landing.
Takes a moment to recover from the impact.
Speaks to Ed, is confused what the danger he’s speaking of is.
Tries to locate the source of the danger.
Sneaks to the entrance, looks at it, around it, inside of the barrow.
Notices plaque, reads it.
Dashes back to Ed to consult him on the situation.
Tries reassuring him they haven’t disturbed anything.
Suggests they could leave an offering to be on the safe side.
Uses all her senses to ascertain whether there’s any sign of undead, incl. her Mana Sense II.
[/hider]