I cross the stream and then follow the others until they come to the steep hill with the foot and hand holds. Seeing the elf teens climb it and then stop as if in shock, I tether my horse and climb the hill. Getting to the top I stand up and look in the direction the elves are.
" Wait here Ghost." He looks at me reproachfully and sits down to wait. I clamber to the top to see what the issue is up above
Out of Character: : Thanks for the cloak Jason!
Edited: Kyrroeth on 24th May, 2018 - 2:12am
As everyone make it up to the top of the ridge and look down into the valley to the north the site that greets you is of utter destruction. It is like a huge scar on the world. The one majestic trees that were shaped by the elves with their raised gardens and beautiful sculptures are now gone. Nothing remains of the elf teen home the destruction goes so far as to leave mostly bare rock in the valley like all living material was destroyed so that it would never grow back. Looking at the teens you see all of them stunned like never before and tears running down their faces at the overwhelming destruction to their homeland.
I stare at the sight, "This was not the work of goblins. What could have done this? Why?"
Offering what comfort I can, I'll let the elves work through the shock for a time before suggesting that we move on. We still need to see the place, try to determine what happened.
In the meantime, I'll direct Ping to survey the area and return to report on any threats or anything else of immediate import.
Edited: daishain on 24th May, 2018 - 2:12pm
Once the group begins moving again, I'll move to the edge of the devastation. I check the soil and damaged vegetation, looking for signs of acid scarring, burning, accelerated decay or other methods that were used to destroy the area. Also checking for signs of a blast pattern, like shadowed outlines, striations in the ground or fall alignments.
Specific Action: Search as investigation with Inspiration. Spot with same, if needed.
Edited: Gknightbc on 24th May, 2018 - 2:41pm
Upon coming up the hill and looking in the direction the elf teens are, my heart breaks at seeing the devastation. I offer comfort to the teens as well as to Q and B in elvish as tears stream down my face.
I will go with the others to site to see if I can help figure out what may of happened to the settlement.