The Ancient Guardian

In the great lake of Ture are hundreds of islands of various sizes, and not all have been completely explored by the Modern Races.  One such island, with rough and craggy coastlines discouraging landing, is quite remarkable and worth a visit.

Once some means of landing upon the island is achieved, the PCs will encounter a forest with unusually tall and majestic trees and little undergrowth.  As they move deeper into the forest, they may come across simple stone homes.
These structures are little more then boxes, but every surface has been carved and polished to a mirror-smooth finish.  Even the joints between the massive stones are so fine as to require a careful search to find.  Each such home has a doorway and a single hole in the center of the roof, obviously to allow smoke to exit.  The interior of these homes are empty, but if the ground is escavated, the occasional piece of broken pottery or ancient flint tool can be found.  Animals of course could use these structures as lairs.

Proceeding past these lonely structures, the PCs eventually find a large clearing in the center of the island.  This clearing is marked by yet another of the stone homes - remarkable in that a small curl of smoke rises from its roof - and a circle of a dozen huge stone pillars.  At this point they are likely to notice strange haunting tones emanating from the circle.

Upon examination, the pillars are pierced by small holes (1” in diameter or so) no further then 6’ from the ground.
This are Stone Flutes.

Before too much searching can occur, or if the PCs enter the stone home, they will encounter someone who has been here for quite some time indeed…

Haruu The Guardian will emerge slowly into view, carefully watching the PCs for any sign of hostility.  He is a tall Alun, nearly 6’ in height.  He appears to be old but still able bodied, wearing heavy, laced leather armor and bearing two flint-tipped spears, a wooden shield and a war-club studded with flint shards.

Haruu is very skilled and equipped well enough to pose the desired level of challenge to the PCs if they attack him.  His armor has been infused with much power and the weapons are far more lethal and sturdier then their appearance might suggest.  He is also a shaman with great power over the elements.

Before the Alun deities left the world, they infused much of what was left of their power into Haruu.  As a result he is immortal in addition to the above details.

Haruu is guarding the circle of Stone Flutes.  These particular flutes, can, with the correct combination of blocked holes, and the correct wind direction, open a gate to allow the return of the Alun gods.  They also can be used to open portals to other locations if the correct criteria is met. 

Unless the PC’s attack, or attempt to damage the stones, Haruu will not take any action.  Haruu speaks no languages apart from Alun and any communication would either be magically assisted, or extremely rudimentary.

Under no circumstances will Haruun willingly reveal how to bring forth the Alun gods.

So what?

1. This can be a simple addition to add wonder from a lost and ancient time.

2. Perhaps some clue from The Scratching Stone led them to this island.  In which case, he may be able to tell them what lies beneath the stone, for he was there when the beast was imprisoned.

3. The PC’s may simply attack Haruun and find he’s more then they expected.

4. The PC’s may discover and utilize the circle for their own purposes.

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