The Stone Hunting Lodge
The Stone Hunting Lodge
In a glowing glade within a hollow of the low southerly foothills of the Mountains of Wisdom stands a small rough-stone hunting lodge. This quaint rectangular single-story edifice was rebuilt from the ruin of an ancient outpost tower by the Arārim, that at times acts also as a handy first respite for those mortals that stumble into Fairyland and who, sooner or later, come to realize that they cannot so easily get out once they've gotten in.
The lodge is almost completely surrounded by a low bushy hedge that also encloses a small grove of five or six large trees on the north-east side. There is a wooden gate to the east, where the entrance track arrives at the property from the main trail that leads out of this hollow in the hills and heads south-eastward.
Behind the lodge, climbing upward to the west and north, are steep rocky slopes interrupted by short cliffs and covered by intermittent vegetation - these being part of one of the larger prominences of the roots of the mountains that jut out southward and form the region known as the Crown Vales. A private track loops upward and behind the lodge from an exit on the south east of the grounds, and disappears around a bend and further up into the hills going north.
If this grove of trees that mostly surrounds the lodge were not so tall and dense of canopy, then beyond the hedge, to the north-east, eastward and all around to the south, would be seen thick forestlands extending outward into the misty distances, while the towering peaks and their billowing storm-clouds loom over these lands from the north.
Upon closer inspection, you notice the lodge itself is larger than it appears from a distance, and that the front door is rather tall - enabling a seven or eight foot individual to pass through without bending too much.
Notable items in plain sight:
1 There is a stone obelisk of irregular form standing in the southern end of the enclosed garden area. It and a small fir tree act as the gateposts of the south-west exit that leads to the climbing hill path. A stone bird-bath stands in the shadow of the fir tree.
2 A pair of roughly-carved wooden chairs sit upon the north side of the veranda of the lodge. One is smaller than the other.
3 There is a decorative but sturdy wooden buckler leaning against the larger of the two chairs.
4 Small white butterflies flit about from tree to bush and back again.
5. The fragrance blowing gently on the airs down from the north-west is truly wonderful, like unto the opening flowers of the San Pedro cactus.
6. Laying on the veranda: empty scroll-cover.
The hunting lodges of the Crown Vales all keep a wooden tablet register mounted near the front door, where any dangerous or important sightings are logged. These registers are kept reasonably up to date, depending on Ranger traffic, so that any visitors taking refuge in an empty lodge might know what to keep an eye out for.
MOST RECENT UPDATE:
Rangers have reported recent sightings of Bokwús in the glens to the east of the lodge.
You realize after some time examining the lodge and it's garden from where you stand, that sighing upon the wind, you hear what seems to be a distant voice whispering...
"Is this your first visit?"
Less visible near the lodge building:
- bloodstain and tarnished fork [to spot: 7]
In the corners of the property:
- light footprints (humanoid) [to spot: 9]
Knowledge(3+): From the north-eastward the great river known as the Tyāra leaves the high places and winds it's way south and westward, wrapping around this area in a wide arc to where it is joined by the Daevaḥa just to the south of this lodge. From there, the combined stream continues onward to spill into the Middle Sea in the province of Ålaweh Öhlär.
Knowledge(4+): The nearby vale of Daevaḥa Creek is one of a few translation nexus points that seem to see a greater-than-average number of mortal incursions (most of them unintended). There are many such hunting lodges all over the Inner Sea region, but this one is unusual in it's primitive design, resembling many structures erected by menfolk Outside. Thus, to the elves, this lodge and this little corner of Fairyland is a useful place to acclimatize new visitors and prepare them for any initial sightseeing or other adventures they would be interested in undertaking - and perhaps eventually to gird the foreigners for their Great Quest: to find a way back to the familiar lands of men.
Knowledge(5+): So it is that this particular lodge, it is said, was the place that the Traveller (*) was first succored by the small trooping host of Ana and Ara that discovered the interloper wandering confused, frightened and alone while on their return from a pilgrimage to the shrine of Kalathé beneath the Great Cataract Cliffs to the north-west.
Knowledge(6+): This lodge is situated somewhat south and west of the valley waymeet (*) near Daevaḥa Creek (*) (ie. the lodge is found in square I-3 [that is, i-3] on the map (*) of the Mountains of Wisdom. It is located at the base of the foothills, north of where the stream of the Daevaḥa joins a greater river flowing south-west)
Knowledge(7): It is also worth mentioning that crossing over the great valley of the Cataracts to the north-west, and then entering the next wide vale beyond that, one finds the ranch dwelling (*) of the old Speaker of the King (*).
Location Key :: "(The) Stone Hunting Lodge"
S, T, Ö, N -- H, U, N, T, I, Ng -- L, O, J.
See also: