IC Story Thread: Ch.1, Ad.3 - Black Hand

The eyes of the camp-folk go wide, some gasp quietly, as their gaze flicks back and forth between Cirion and their Bangdu Caun.

And Astalor's eyes flare with rage and his un-burnt hand shoots out to try to grab Cirion's cloak-rim!

Successful or not, his mouth works soundlessly for a few moments around his gritted teeth...

Then he growls dangerously, "I suggest... that YOU be GONE from here ... immediately! ... For you shall find NOTHING but torment, so long as you remain..."

Astalor just kind of growls and mumbles, "Blasphemers! I should have you EXECUTED!!

...

However... a good leader must know when to be merciful as well. And indeed, I bid you, return to your homes, never to return! For the Black Hand rejects you!!"

The campfolk pass awkward glances between each other and shift about uncomfortably, remaining silent.

Then Astalor starts issuing them commands, " You! And you! Help me with my Priests! You! Go fetch the healer-woman from below...

Bring them inside the bastion, I have comforts for them, and you! The Most Faithful! You will be remembered and rewarded, as our empire grows great!"

You find the camp very subdued, it is late in the night by now, everyone has gotten wet from the precipitation of the summoned storm and the air is cold. No one is out around the campfires which are mostly just embers now, and seemingly all of the folk have retired to their tents. You can hear some activity and quiet conversation within a couple of them, but that's about it.

Seasonal snows will be here soon. Anyone who doesn't leave in the next couple weeks will be up here for months, as all regular trails will become impassable.

It no doubt took a lot of effort to move the supplies and what little infrastructure there is here, up here. Your guess is that the intent was to stay the winter if not longer.

Based on what you could see from the courtyard above, there is an interior portion of the ruined fortress.