2 PM: During the mild heat of the spring day {75F}, the team continued to travel north and were shaded by nutterlunn trees along the way. The river, noted as the Twinetear, moved along casually to their right, but seemed to hedge them towards the gorge as the elevation climbed to 3500'. Frequently, someone would check the dropoff to their left and point out that a false move would plunge them over the edge to the sharp rocks below. The group said virtually nothing along the way except for Nanith who embellished one of his many stories of his past exploits. Vrai became progressively more alert and intent on his rabbit-hunt. He was able to locate many particular hares as they darted around the forest floor, but nary an arrow hit its' mark.

4 PM: The cliffs plateaued allowing a level walk and the river held 50 yards to their right. The group continued on, but the weakness of Teflar and Oktavianus was starting to show by their continued stops along the route. During the last hiatus, the ranger rested atop a strange column of stone. Oktavianus pointed this out as no ordinary boulder, but a tompled pillar! When this became noticed by all, one by one more blocks of these structures were discovered; many half buried in the soil and overgrown with yellow-green moss. Several broken columns were seen tompled across the far ravine and several pieces had fallen over the cliff where a wide chasm opened up at the bottom in a broad, sandy gulf.

A twinge of curiosity gripped Aramil. Stepping lightly among the broken stone, he realized that much of the soiled facings was covered in ancient runes. Glancing briefly towards his companions, he asked " Anyone have any idea what this place is, or should I say... was?"

Oktavianus came alert and scraped off as much lichen as he could to determine what type of structure once occupied this area.
The dwarf was able to note that the pillars were well-worn, fractured in most areas and were quite possibly used as supports for a grand open-walled mall.
" They are letters of my people." he stated bluntly " But they are twisted in a way where any interpretation is lost. Possibly goblin or some such." With a scowl, the priest brought his hammer down upon a nearby pillar. His weakness was evident and he breathed hard after splitting open the rock. Nothing special was revealed.

" I don't know what it could be." Nanith replied as he poked the nearby supports with his dagger. " Maybe it's the final resting place of some long-lost tribe." He walked around the pillars inspecting them from every side, scraping away more of the moss as he went along. " Maybe it's a ritual site for an evil druid cult." He shrugged and winked at Roslyn. " Should be worthwhile to investigate."

The ranger, through his fatigue, was able to find countless small campfires littering the woodline. " Some effort was made to hide this evidence from casual scrutiny. I'd say they had burned less than two months ago."

Erelis stood at the edge of the cliff and peered down with puzzlement.
" I think I see lump carvings in the clifface." He waved the others over and looked to the guide. " What is the best course from here, Roslyn? Is this river going to overtake us?"

The druidess looked north for a moment and replied " Eventually yes. It winds left into the deep valley about five miles from here."

Just then, a short, stark whistle gained the attention of the team. Looking over towards the woods, they saw Vrai dangling two dead rabbits from their hind flanks. A broad smile revealed his pleasant nature and he was sure that his food supply would not have them starve anytime soon. Vrai loped over to the group proudly displaying his catch upon the nearest pillar. His previous dour sincerity, in which he imbued his words, were replaced momentarily with joviality. " Unfortunately comrades, I have neither a cookpot nor a knife with which to skin these two fine specimens. Nor do I have tubers or herbs for a stew. Could any of you assist me in this matter?"
Only a knife and a shallow pot were collected by the fellowship, however. Nanith literally bounced around the archer with complete ecstacy and stared at the hares with fanatical eyes. Attempting to create a broth, the hobbits went to gather water and they headed for the river in earnest.

Happy that things were finally falling his way, Vrai commented on their surroundings. " These ruins are comforting. It's nice to be reminded that nothing we do really matters, because we're all going to be dead someday." Whistling a cheerful, nihilistic tune, Vrai watched Oktavianus, Teflar, and the others rest against the trees with low energy.

6 PM: Shadows drew up along valley cliffs while the gang chewed what they could of the tender rabbit meat. There wasn't a lot to be shared but it was the best culinary display they had. This was the team's first hot meal out in the wilderness. They all agreed that they would camp here this night and make a decision on where to go at first light. Until then, energy reserves were restored by early sleep and little conversation.