Yul will avoid introductions and avoid further confusion for the man.

"Not just now, Joe. Let us see what Nortis has to show us first. It may be useful to part the mists when it can do the most good."

Morlock suggests to Hrolf and the others that most of the group remain here with the wagons, while a small number go with Morlock and Joe to investigate Nortis's 'thieves'. Volunteers please take one step forward.

On the way, Morlock continues, more quietly:

"I have no idea what these other treasure seekers might be, but frankly it wouldn't surprise me if they are just rats or something. Nortis seems to drift in and out of coherence, as far as I can tell. I rather suspect he will prove to be quite beyond our help, but he seems to be largely harmless, at least now we have his rod. I suggest you keep that safely out of his sight. With luck he's already forgotten it even exists."

Mel will take a step forward to volunteer.

Exploring being the core of the Joe persona, he steps forward too.

Dunn will look around distractedly and wander over to say hi to the new guy, instead of volunteering. But when everyone takes off, he'll go with them. As they walk, Dunn will ask the guy questions, like asking where he comes from, how long he's been here, does he have family back home, would he like to see a magic trick. Dunn will absently juggle two bean bags in one hand while we walk.

Dunn will also be scanning nearby rooftops and building corners, looking for eyes looking back.

Nortis answers Dunn's questions, but isn't especially gregarious about it. He explains that he was born in Zhentil Keep but has wandered for most of his adult life. He's been here for a few months. He has parents and siblings, but no wife or children. Dunn's magic tricks and juggling make him stop in his tracks and watch, captivated. A little poking from Morlan gets him moving again.

Hrolf, by the way, offers to have all of his men stay behind at the tower and put up a flag for members of the other two groups to see should they pass this way. If anyone requests that some of his men come along with your group, he will offer two of his finest warriors.

Nortis leads you through and across and underneath the mounds of rubble that make up the ground here. It's slow going, but you are able to get some use out of rope bridges and climbing pitons placed by previous explorers when needed. There are deep pools in the low places, and loose, difficult footing in the high.

At one point, you scramble up onto the sunken roof of what was once a temple of some kind and are able to get a better look around, picking out a few landmarks and standing structures. The scene is dominated by an unfinished pyramid (little more than three stories tall, but obviously intended to stand more than a dozen stories upon completion), a remarkably well-preserved temple to a god that Mellonion doesn't know, an old castle keep gone half to ruin, but with a remaining wall and part of a connected structure still standing, and a lone firepit with tent, donkey, and wagon tucked into a crease in the rubble.

"There!" Nortis says in an excited whisper, moving to point out the camp. You see a middle-aged human woman there, sat on a wooden stool next to what looks like an old well. A relatively new wooden brace and pulley has been erected over the hole, with a thick chain hanging down into it. The woman looks distraught, and emotionally weary. Her fire has long gone out and her donkey complains audibly for lack of food and water.

"Let's get them! Finally!" says Nortis, looking for a way down from the roof on this side of the building.

Morlock thanks Hrolf but says that it is better to keep his finest warriors back to guard the camp. A small group might travel faster and draw less attention.

Upon sighting the woman's camp, and Nortis's reaction, Morlock grabs him by the tunic/jacket and hisses: "Not so rash, my friend. Let us approach as if we are friendly, the better to conceal our true intent."

Morlock leads the small group down towards the encampment, no weapons drawn for now. He keeps Nortis close and within easy reach, and silently signals Joe to be ready with his tattoo cure.

As they approach the woman, Morlock keeps his hands open and in plain view and announces:

"Hail and well met, fellow explorer. Do not be alarmed. We mean you no harm. You look to be concerned for something. Is there anything we might help you with?"

Nortis nods knowingly to Morlan's suggestion.

When Morlan announces his arrival to the woman, she looks up with surprise. She has the look of someone who would be weeping if she had any tears left. Spotting Nortis, she draws a dagger from a sheath hidden on her thigh and clutches it in both hands as she stands.

"Stay back!" she rasps. "I told you I'm not leaving without my boys!"

Joe looks to the well, "what's happened?" he asks, "we might be able to help"

It seems possible that something hangs over the city and drives seekers mad, but Joshua doesn't worry. He knows he has the power of a wish keeping his mind free of such entanglements.

For whatever reason, she lowers her blade a bit and looks hopefully in Joshua's direction.

"My boys, Davik and Danis... they were down in the tunnels during the last earthquake and haven't come back out!" she wails. "I tried to look for them, but there are too many passages."

She points a finger at Nortis. "And that one keeps coming round here, threatening me!"

Nortis spits in her direction. "Liar! Your boys are down there stealing my gold!"