7/31/2004

Players: Kathi, JC, Chris

Characters: DM & Salaisee, Elendil, Nathan (Nate), Billimiah (Billi), Rixis, Rowan, Nym

We resume our travels after breakfast and fortunately the temperature rises into the low 50's with no sign of rain. We are obviously leaving the last remnants of civilization as we head up into the mountains. We start out with a marching order of Elendil (mounted on Sander), Rixis, Rowan, Billi(Salaisee) and Salaisee(Billi) (mounted), pack horse, Nym (mounted), and then Nate. The weather promises to be pleasant for most of the day but does seem to grow worse as time goes on. We stop for lunch and then resume travelling but as we come around a curve we are faced with a mountain torrent. The stream is perhaps 20 to 30 feet wide and seems to be moving at more than 20 to 30 mp/h.

Elendil on Sander takes a rope and tries to cross. Unfortunately the current is too swift and Elendil is nearly swept off his companion. He clamps his legs around Sander and holds on for dear life. Sander manges to keep his head above water but is battered by submerged rocks for a few points of damage, as is Elendil. Next round Elendil loses contact with the horse as both are submerged by the raging current. Unwilling to lose his companion Elendil releases the rope in an attempt to save his friend of these many years.

As the two are quickly swept quickly downstream Elendil focuses completely on the rescue of Sander. Next round Sander breaks is head above water but Elendil does not. However, despite the rushing water, Elendil catches a glimpse of his horse and makes an effort to catch up.

Next round both Elendil and Sander break the surface and are working toward the far shore as they swim against the current. By now they have been swept far out of site of the others but continue to struggle across the raging stream. With a gasp of fresh air Elendil surges towards his horse but is swept back under as Sander climbs out on the far bank.

Sputtering, Elendil contniues working towards the far shore and finally makes it pulling himsef up on the rocks with a gasp. Returning upstream he reaches Sander and wraps his arms around his companions neck holding the horse tightly in appreciation and apology. Then he realizes how bruised and battered he is and casts Cure Light Wounds on himself and then again on Sander.

As the two begin to return to the others Elendil sees someone in the struggling in the water being swept downstream. He quickly casts Bulls Strength on himself and dives in after whomever it is. It's Rowan and Elendil, after grabbing a the girls arm, begins struggling back to the far bank.  Unfortunately, neither he nor Rowan have the strength to maintain their grip against the torrent, and after only a few seconds they are ripped apart by the water and the rocks. Elendil is now very near exhaustion and only just makes it back to the shore where he collapses for several minutes before again making his way back towards his horse and the others.

When he gets back to the spot where the trail intersects the stream he finds Billi(Salaisee) and Salaisee(Billi) already across having managed to string a rope from one side to the other. As he tells them about his attempted rescue of Rowan, and that he believes her to be lost, Salaisee(Billi) bursts into tears and Billi(Salaisee) then relates the loss of Nate in a bold and daring attempt to rescue her as well.

Elendil hangs his head at the news inwardly berating himself for not explicitly telling the others to wait. He is about to inquire about Rixis and Nym when he sees them returning to the trail on the opposite side of the stream. They use the rope to cross and after some discussion decide that they can not abandon Rowan and will begin searching for her (or her body).

Since there seems to be no way to get the other horses across the decision is made that they shall be set free.

Cairn for Nate.

[Rixis and Nym fnd Rowan the next day and

Next Session 7/31/2004