[h2][center][u][b][color=0076a3]Léon Reverdin[/color][/b][/u][/center][/h2]

Léon trudged along, hefting his war hammer over his shoulder with one hand and leading a rented pack mule with the other.  Long ago, there was probably a road leading to their destination, but today no trace of it remained, and the only way to get the monastery would be to hike through the Amalril Forest.  The rough terrain ruled out bringing a wagon or cart, but the beast of burden behind him seemed surefooted enough to traverse the terrain, and strong enough to carry the shovels and other provisions on its back with little fuss.

[i]It's a good thing we have Tristram with us,[/i] he thought to himself as he glanced at the seemingly endless trees all around them.  Léon knew the basics of reading a map and compass, but it was nothing compared to the skills of a woodsman such as the the perpetually hooded longbowman.  It was something he hadn't considered when putting his group together.  Nor did he consider that given how long the monastery had been lost, it'd probably be difficult to find even if they had a general idea where it was.

Léon overheard Maribel chatting up Finn, asking about what they'd be in for once they reached the monastery.

[color=0076a3]"Normally, I'd assume a monastery to be pretty benign, as far as ruins go,"[/color] he interjected.  [color=0076a3]"They're places where monks and their ilk can live simple, pious lives away from the concerns of the world.  But this isn't any ruin- it was one that was lost during the fateful war with the Dark Lord Orodrunn."

"For those who do not know the stories,"[/color] he continued, now no longer talking directly to Maribel, but addressing everyone, [color=0076a3]"Orodrunn was a divine servant of the Dark Lord Hidroroth.  When his master was slain, Orodrunn took up the mantle of Dark Lord, rallied the remnants of his forces, and began his own dark crusade sought to subjugate the world and all who lived within it.  Nations stood united against him, but his power was far too great to be stopped by mere mortal armies.  When all seemed lost, the twin goddesses intervened, empowering their champion, the knight known as Saint Lilianna, with the strength to shatter Orodrunn's black sword and strike him down."

"So, to answer your question, sister Maribel, it might be a mundane ruin where the only threat is injuring your back while excavating.  Or, it could be that some evil vestige of that dark time is sleeping in the ruin, waiting for someone or something to wake it up."[/color]

[@Lunarlord34][@HereComesTheSnow][@Krayzikk][@Caasicam][@PaulHaynek][@Heartfillia]