Mountain Guide

393 AC - I hope Crowbar has managed to make progress, because we've had to backtrack to shelter from the elements. A gentle wind in the distance can turn into a torrential downpour miles away, as they say, and the rain that fell on us is the perfect proof. I stick my head out and notice that the rain has calmed down a bit. The landscape is now shrouded in mist. The mist drifts along the crops in dense, lethargic blankets… But how do we know if this calm spell is just temporary? There's only one way to be sure. Well, there are several, but this one serves multiple purposes, and with the limited Mana I have left, I need to optimize.

With a thought, I materialize a groundhog. For a brief moment, I wonder whether I should give it some rain boots, but I decide not to. An umbrella and climbing equipment will be much more useful. It watches me and grunts when I push it towards the exit. The stories say that the Ancients had a long-held belief: When a groundhog emerges from its burrow – this cave should suffice – and it saw its shadow, it meant the cold weather would continue and it could go back to sleep. If it didn't see its shadow, spring was just around the corner. It's at the entrance to the cave now, and looks back at me imploringly. I cross my fingers. Go on, little one. It takes a step.

FEN