We were a few more days along the shadow road before we reached the mine near the Black Fortress. As we stepped out into real sunshine our eyes balked at the intensity of the light. Even after a short journey on the shadow road our things seemed to have faded slightly, who knows what might happen to someone that spent a longer time behind that gloomy vale. We decided to walk to the Black Fortress to talk with General Whitebeard and his team of experts about any possible way into the underworld. Our guide said she would wait here a day to recharge before travelling on, she was apprehensive about travelling openly in the dwarven lands. We all said our thanks and goodbyes before heading off to the fort. Once we got to the Black Fortress we were taken to the throne room to meet with the general. Whitebeard was happy to see us but quite shocked by the news about Lord Avgost. "The foul undead have gone too far this time. I don't imagine Queen Urzula will sit still for this. What's to be done about this!?" "That is what brings us here Sir. We have been tasked with the Archdukes rescue and ask of your knowledge to help us get down to the underworld relatively safely. Any secret ways or points of interest that could be of assistance would be most graciously accepted." "This is most troubling. The dwarves do know of ways down but nothing with any safety but that is not the real issue here. Once you get down there your life energy will be like a beacon to the dark-folk. There is nothing I can help with in that arena but as fortune would have it, the wise one Trehild Shardspike is visiting us at the moment. We could go and speak with her in the library." We went to the library to meet with Trehild and had an interesting conversation. Wrendell managed to speak loud enough for her to hear our request but her answer was not a simple one. Our only choice, it seems, is to make an epic journey to the Southlands to meet with The Gravebinders. Further south than the river kingdom of Nuria Natal is The free City of Siwal. It is the home of a Grand Necropolis where the Gravebinders prepare the dead for their journey to the underworld. Trehild suspects that the Gravebinders may be able to mute our life force in some way that will allow us to travel the underworld without raising suspicion. Siwal is approximately 3000 miles over land, sea, and river. A journey that would take at least six months, a time frame we just can't manage. We were going to have to use the Shadow Road once again. Hopefully our guide will be still around. Strom says "I had better get back to the mine quickly to make sure Selvyn doesn't leave. I don't much enjoy being here in the town anyway. Don't worry about it guys, I'll go make sure she waits for you." He grabs a bag of food from the kitchen and heads out into the night. We spend the rest of the day replenishing our supplies and preparing ourselves for another trip into the shadows. "Let's make the most of this evening's entertainment." suggests Samba, "We need to buoy our souls lest the dimness crush our spirits." "Spirits. Why yes. The first round's on me!" replies Wrendell "Oh no." groans Lea, " I can tell this is going to get messy." I have been practicing my dwarven ballads and tried my best and was able to keep up with the locals. A fun night was had by all. The next day we gathered our things and returned back to the mine to meet up with Strom and our guide. A new agreement was made with Selvyn to guide us once again on the shadow road. The destination being the Southland Freecity of Siwal. "I'll try to get you as close as I can, but when traveling that far anomalies are not completely unexpected. Do not fear though. We will tread carefully." The first day of travelling we came upon a small band of ShadowFey along the road. They wanted our particulars for their records and claimed the authority of the Moonlight King. I stayed out of the conversation while Wrendell did most of the talking and Samba almost got himself tangled in a tarry with the female leader of the Shadowfey. In the end we managed to leave with no more than a kiss goodbye. The next few days were mostly uneventful. We moved deep into a dark shadow woodland conspicuous by its almost complete lack of wildlife. The only animal that has been seen is a lone crow that appears to be following us. The road goes into a kind of wooded gully out of which the road looks like it will leave the forest and head out onto a rolling plain. On our last night in the forest we were distubed by a creeping darkness and slow building cold mist. Those of us not sleeping thought it only a spooky night time effect of the weather but we were proven horribly wrong. From out of the darkness came an army of shadows. I brandished my Holy light to banish the evil shade but, through some force of evil, the more powerful shadows withstood my aura. Not only that but they rushed forward in a vicious wave of hatred almost overwhelming me. Wrendell calls out his battle cry bravely holding the line. The shadows closed in on Nickolai who was sleeping but he seemed to be at home in the gloom and brushed the darkness aside. He wielded his vial of sunlight but shadows pushed back against that as well. The hateful shadows surged in, completely enveloping me. I could feel the heat being drained from me and fell to my knees. "Sister Adelind, Hear my prayer!" I held the shred of robes aloft but could barely lift it. I collapsed to the ground with the shadows swirling around me but my companions came to my aid and soon defeated the shady foes. We spent a few hours recuperating before setting off again. One out of the valley and the forest we found ourselves traveling across a dry rocky plain. Selvyn assured us that we were heading South. The vague hint of sunlight, to our left in the morning and to our right by the end of the day, always seemed to be just beyond the horizon. During the next few days of somber travel we saw no signs of life except for the crow that is definitely following us. Then one day we came upon another traveling group of Fey. This group was much larger than the last time we encountered anyone but were similar in intent. They were very keen to find out who we were and what our plans were. The fey seemed to a travelling troupe of entertainers. They put on a ballet about the fleeting nature of success which concludes with the idea that our desires will ultimately betray us. There was plenty to entice the unwarey but I think that none of us were tempted. The warning to not indulge while on the Shadow Road is still strong in our mind. The show ended with a spectacular display of pyrotechnics which, as they faded, so to did the fey entertainers that performed for us. By the end of the following day we reached the banks of a slow flowing river. Time to rest again but looking into the inky black water didn't give me a good feeling. I wondered if camping here would be a safe choice. Looking around there were not many other options though.
