Your journey begins

You climb into Aegis's stall and are relieved to see that he is tacked up already. You open his paddock door as quietly as possible and walk the charger out into the muddy yard. You climb onto his back and spur him with your heels.

There is no need to ask him twice. The horse takes a running start and leaps over the fence, landing heavily on the other side. You dare to take one last look back at the abbey, smoke rising from the broken windows on the northern wing, and your anger weaves itself into your resolve.

"I will not fail you, War Mother," you mutter through clenched teeth. "I will make sure Thoros and the other daemons pay the price."

Your heels drive Aegis west at a gallop, over the rolling green hills and away from the coast until you reach the Victory Road. You know enough about the countryside to know of three paths to the distant city of Gerlangen. It will take you two days and two nights to reach the city by horse.

The Victory Road will take you there most directly, but that road travels through the Blauwalt, a dark forest that is frequented by bandits and worse. You have traveled this way before, and during the many hours spent traversing the forest your caravan's guards were very nervous. Riding alone will make you a prime target.

The more rural Splinter Road winds through small villages and may allow you to stop and seek help among the locals. A good thing, since you have no money or provisions. You might have to work for a bit of coin. The Splinter Road does meander through some less savory communities, like the mining town of Slurry and the outcast colony of Oublet. The road also crosses a bridge often captured by orc clans who kidnap and ransom travelers.

That leaves the Stone Road through the black mountains of Kyssyr. It will be difficult riding for Aegis and the caves and tunnels the Stone Road traverses are near the hunting grounds of the deep elves and their allies. It is said that few fates are worse than capture and enslavement to the sadistic deep elves. You have never traveled the Stone Road, but know that the gnomes operate a strange ferry and can be convinced to take humans more quickly to Gerlangen.