Interlude

Somewhere along here, I think, would be a good time to revisit an idea from earlier, specifically, the Githzerai monk. I don't know exactly what I want to do, but it feels like a good encounter. While crossing the ridge, the characters gradually become aware of an unnatural calm. The birds have become silent, and the wind seems to have stilled. Roll perception checks, with DC15 to realize the source of the effect seems to be coming from up a narrow defile to the left of the trail.
If the party is successful on their perception rolls, not only do they notice the effect mentioned, they become aware of a faint trail leading up the defile that didn't seem to be there previously. Anyone who fails the perception check doesn't notice the trail, and fails to understand what people are telling them if they insist it is there. They can still move up the trail along with the others, but they won't perceive it as any different terrain.
The trail leads up into the hill for a little over a mile, ducking around and behind ridges and outcroppings that conceal it from anyone traveling along the side of the hill. Its magic also prevents its discovery by passersby. The monk has a small cabin nestled against the cliffs at the back of the defile, and can be found sitting on his porch smoking a pipe, calm and serene, when the characters arrive. He sensed them passing, and allowed them to notice the serenity of his vale and find the trail to his door. He will wait patiently for them to address him before speaking, and while he has a sense of their journey and information to pass along, he prefers to be patient and careful in what he reveals. He also likes to be cryptic, though whether that is his style or level of knowledge, he keeps to himself.