Kurge Ska'arnDauneth Wyvernspur    You can see the peak of your destination from here despite the mist still dissipating in the morning air, but your attention is currently turned to two hard-faced warriors blocking the path to the Haunted Mount. They look surprised to see you here; considering how the path isn't as travel-worn as some of the other roads you've seen in your journeys, you don't blame them one bit. Then you give a slight start as you notice that both of them have rather exotic features... and one of them has the wings of a butterfly!
   "Halt, in th' name of Lady Rheala, the mistress of these lands!" the man calls out, lowering his spear to bar your way. The woman stays where she is, eyeing you speculatively as she flutters her wings in mild curiosity from where she stands, just outside the guard-booth, the door of which is propped open by a hefty rock.
   You converse with the man, stating your name and your business here. He scribbles down this information on a pad of rice-paper, along with the date and your physical description. As he signs the pass, the woman finally speaks.
   "We don't see many folks comin' this way anymore, not since the rumors of the Antispirit started spreading, and people began moving as far away as they could from this place. You be the first traveler to enter this region in many moon-turns. And probably the first human one in over a twelve-month."
   The man nods solemnly in agreement as he tears off the pass and hands it to you. As you pocket it, he adds, "Aye, she's right. 'Course, I think that foolish nonsense is a buncha bollyvok spat out by ignorant cowards. Haven't seen any of those so-called evil spirits, just the wood and water uns. An' Lady Rheala pays decent 'n has reasonable demands. My last job warren't nary so stable. I 'spect I'd better let ye on through, a'fore ye be changing yer mind on visitin'. The Lady'd appreciate it iffen ye'd take the time to sign the register." He flaps his hand at an open book resting on the rock. "By the by, try not to lose that pass; else th' natives might not take so kindly to ya. And iffen ye get the chance t' visit the Thervoln Village, tell th' barkeep at the Singin' Chalice that Kurge 'n Dauneth sent ye."
   Kurge raises his spear in salute, and Dauneth inclines her head to you before turning her attention back to the empty road behind you.

A weathered tome sits on the rock propping the guard-booth open.

Kurge came from Sweetwater Valley!

Read the Haunted Mount register!
Sign the Haunted Mount register! 		A Dreambook-sponsored register; please sign! I wrote the first one... *sad puppy dog eyes*

   Kurge checks to make sure Dauneth isn't looking before he catches up to you, clasping your arm and motioning you off silently to the side, away from Dauneth's hearing. In a low, excited voice, he whispers, "I prob'ly shouldn'a be asayin' this, but yeste'day I found a side path just a bit further down th' road. Turns out th' gracious Lady's bought a tract of land in tha' direction, 'n ordered it t' be a reserve! I ain't too sure what's up that way since I haven'a got the chance to slip away from my lady love over there--" He gestures to Dauneth with a merry wink. "--But I be jest lettin' ye know 'bout th' place... An', uh, iffen ye happen t' pass by up there... Would ye mind comin' back sometime to tell me what's up there?"
   You can see that his curiosity glinting excitedly in his eyes and you back away nervously, mumbling something about seeing what you can do. Apparently satisfied, Kurge scurries back to his post. {Dauneth murmurs to him without turning her gaze from the road, "You silly fool... The Lady doesn't want anyone snooping around up there 'til she's done building the place, ye know that just as well as I do. Curiosity killed the sabre-toothed tiger, neh?"}

The road stretches onward.
And true enough, you see a tiny side path a little ways on.

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