7. Return to the Halls

Jacky nods when the group decides they'd rather head back up. "It's a couple hours to sundown still if we start heading up now. What should we do till then?"

You hear the distant rattling of dice …

The remainder of the ascent to the plateau takes an hour and forty minutes, and is uneventful. It’s about half past five when you finally make it to the cliff gate at the top of the Long Stair, flanked on either side by its ruined towers.

I’ll refer you to the map of the ruined city as a reminder of its layout and possible sites for exploration.

---
5:30 pm, Totsday 25th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’
---
Billie, Mule: 120’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

"We head towards the Inn, yes?" the elf asked, noticing a degree of hesitation that could not be solely explained by the fatigue of the afternoon's climb.

The ruined city covers the entire extent of the map ... everything inside the fragmented outer walls.

The structure in the middle of the river is a mostly destroyed citadel consisting of a couple of towers (one partly intact, the other strangely pristine), the remains of a curtain wall, and a larger fortification that is in a poor state of repair.

"Better get a move on," Jacky says. "Let's go by the river - I think I saw some bridges last time that we can cut across."

Which are the bridges that Jacky is referring to? There are a couple due west of you, to the south of the lake. Or there is also one just to the north of the lake. And indeed others further north than that.

You're currently at the Cliff Gate, southeast of the obelisk.



---
5:30 pm, Totsday 25th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’
---
Billie, Mule: 120’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

"I won’t go any closer to the dragon tower than I must," the elf commented as her companions considered the different bridge crossing the stream.

As the group walks on, Jacky considers his new boots and experiments - clicking his heels together, deliberately lengthening his stride, skipping and so on - to see if there's any latent enchantment on them that he might trigger.

Ruined City
You enter the ruined city through the southerly Cliff Gate at the top of the Long Stair and proceed along the wide cobblestone boulevard until you reach the inscribed granite obelisk that you investigated previously.

At that point, rather than continuing to follow the boulevard as it turns to the north towards the pyramid, you strike out through the ruins of the city towards the bridge at the northern end of the lake.

The lake itself appears artificial, seemingly having been created by damming the Swift River. The lake’s water is cloudy with silt and dotted with lily pads and reeds. At its western side, it blends seamlessly into a swamp. Away to the southwest, you see a crocodile slide from the muddy bank and into the water.

It takes you about 20 minutes to pick a route through the rubble and overgrown foliage of the ruins and arrive at the bridge. It is a narrow (5’ wide) footbridge, constructed from iron. Whilst pitted with age, it appears sound.

Just to the north, on your right, there is a lagoon with the remains of docks built from cement. They are in poor condition and on the verge of collapse.

---
5:50 pm, Totsday 25th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’
---
Billie, Mule: 120’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

"Ware the swamp creatures" Zach said, watching the gator slink under the still surface of the fetid morass.

Thrudmarr has been unusually quiet during the trek up the stairs and through the city, trudging along with heavy steps. The rubble and overgrown streets held little interest for him after their previous exploration. Striking out in a new direction though his head raises with renewed curiosity.

"Big lizard!" he points out excitedly upon spotting the gator.

"Never seen one quite as big as that before, oh my." Jacky agrees. "Let's hope that it stays inside the water."

As they get closer, Jacky looks for any way to get across the lake to its opposite shore. Can they reach it by foot?

Well, you have the maps of the ruined city. They are detailed enough that you could plan a route, but let me know if any of their depictions need further explanation.