Camp is made just over the hill out of line of sight. That evening Father Durant, Mister Louglyn, and Dame Cassandra discuss the plan to find the entrance to the Tomb. The leaders announce that Fr. Durant, Mr. Louglyn, Sarge, Barton, and Lars will reconnoiter the hill, as will Geoff and Dawn if they desire (they do). Dame Cassandra looks a bit disappointed, but Fr. Durant insists on taking things slow; not what Dame Cassandra is wont to do. The goal for tomorrow is to find the entrance only, not to rush in. The others are scout and roughly map the island. They are to look for areas that may make good campsites or have been used (or are being used) for campsites. Dame Cassandra says that you're not the only people interested in this tomb when she sees puzzled looks. Everyone is to be cautious in case there are guardians around.

In a scholarly tone, Father Durant explains, "During our search, we will be ever wary of pits and traps. Members will try and poke around for suspect patches of ground. If one should fall in a trap, he or she will stay put and the others will lower a rope and fish them out. We then mark the spot on the map. We will also be on the look out for evidence that others have been here before. Geoff your help would be much appreciated."

"Our plan is as follows. We will approach the hill and scout around its edges--we will map this--looking for any entrances. We will not enter yet; we will just mark them to later identify the most promising entrance or entrances, and make plans from that point. After checking the sides of the hill, we will proceed to the top. At the top, we will also look around for entrances and check out the stones for anything interesting or unusual. Should we meet any monsters, we will seek to destroy them promptly and try to get those fleeing to warn others first."

Mr. Louglyn adds, "Should we meet another party, we will lie low and avoid them (assume they are evil). If they go into the tomb, we will send Lars and Dawn back to camp to get the others. We will then wait and confront the party on their way out."

The night was restless. The excitement keeping you each awake awhile as you lay down for slumber. The sounds of the swamp are distant, almost imaginary. But sleep does come. On your watches along the tower walls, you see the fog still bubbles out of the swamp to roll around the fortress, obscuring the ground. Your imagination makes you see shapes in the mist, always beyond focus, always becoming wisps before you recognize them. The morning sun is welcome.

After a bland meal, Fr. Durant distributes potions, telling each of you that they must be returned if not used at the end of the day. To all he hands two potions of healing. Geoff and Lars receive a potion of invisibiliy, to Sarge a potion of shrinking, to Bart a potion of shape change, and to Dawn a container of Oil of Etherialness. "These," Father says taking five vials from another box, "contain blessed water." Mr. Louglyn quietly asks Dawn what she knows of the Etherial plane. She knows of it, but has never used such an oil before. Mr. Louglyn explains that after the oil is exposed to air, all material it touches becomes etherial in about three minutes. After that, he and the Father extract a few scrolls for themselves from yet more boxes.

You gear up and get ready to leave the tower. Father Durant says, "we would rather not charge across the bog open for all to see; keep in cover as best you can. Stay about 10'-15' apart and move at a cautious rate. Geoff and Lars shall be first rank, I shall follow in between. Barton, Dawn, and Mr. Louglyn in our trail followed by Sergeant Klarpirge. 1