Page 18

And so it begins....
The Player Characters  
Maskyrs Eye 
The Barons Manor   
On to Qurash 
Lis Crossing 
Next Stop Elmwood
Under Elmwood (part 2) 
Under Elmwood (part 3) 
On the Moonsea and Beyond  New 19.05.05

And so it begins…. Midsummer, 1372DR.

The Wave & Wink Inn, Mulmaster, was the venue for a Midsummer party, hosted by a respected Merchant by the name of Master Frederick.

People from all walks of life were in evidence at the inn, probably due to the subsidised bar and a variety of entertainment. Amongst those present were a band of adventurous people, none of which knew the other, yet later that night, they would be well acquainted.

The trouble was that some enterprising residents of Mulmaster were also present and they earnt their way by providing their employers with business. 

This business covered manner avenues, from adding to the city garrison, to slave labour. From guinea pigs to entertainment, or just an easy way to fill the purse through fines.

Not being used to the ways of the city, a good portion of the inn's patronage found themselves arrested due to a bar brawl and locked in cities jail, to await trial.

Justice is swift in Mulmaster, but even so, it had been a long night by the time the court got round to dealing with the last batch of victims, err I mean criminals. The sun was ready to rise when seven tired individuals were herded into the court room.

As they are listed in the court journal. [top]

Uthrig, Dwarf
Faeril, Elf
Fenny Bridges, Halfling
Gywin, Elf
Xan, Elf
Adalar Tay Mandor, Human
Oskar Dankil, Dwarf

Charges listed : Criminal damage. Brawling. Drunk and disorderly. Disturbing the peace. Resisting Arrest. Assaulting a member of the watch. Actual bodily harm. Possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

As this was the last group to enter the court room, if they couldn't pay their fine, the only was they could repay the city was service in the city garrison for at least five years. 
Fortunately for the group, Master Frederick came to their rescue, though some were not sure that was the case. Through an earlier arrangement, the merchant had a written warrant that allowed him to recruit some guards from the cities jail, for his next caravan. Whether through luck or fate, Master Frederick arrived just in time to serve his warrant and thus take this band into his custody.

The caravan was to leave within two hours and as none of the group had any unfinished business in the city, all were ready to depart when the time came.

The caravan consisted of five wagons and was heady south towards the Vast and their first port of call en-route would be the small town of Maskyrs Eye.

The first few days had been trouble free and because the group were happy to out of Mulmaster, spirits were high.
It was on the third day that things got interesting. The middle wagon appeared to lurch to one side and a moment later, one of it's wheels shattered.
The caravan came to halt and the teamsters gathered around the stricken wagon, to inspect the damage and organise it's repair.
At that moment, a volley of arrows showered the caravan from the tree line, which was quickly followed up by swordsmen, rushing the ill prepared group.
At first it looked as it the attackers had the upper hand, but once the defenders had got themselves organised, the tables turned. This was unfortunate for the attackers, because they had played their hand to soon, when one of the teamsters joined their attack.

With all the attackers dead, people could start the task in assessing the damage to the caravan. There was one dead and several seriously injured, including Master Frederick, but apart from that, nothing was missing. 
Upon closer inspection of the attackers corpses, a crude tattoo of a spider was found on their lower backs. As you can imagine further checks were made on the living, just in case.

With this threat now dealt with, some felt that there dept had been paid, but when it was explained that Master Frederick intended to release them from their duties once they'd reached Maskyrs Eye, all agreed to stay with the caravan until then.

Late the following day, without further mishap, signs of civilisation came into view. Pastures, fields and the odd small building and then the larger buildings that signified a settlement of some size.

Maskyrs Eye  [top]

Not a very large town, in fact only big enough to warrant one inn, so more a village than a town.
A typical western town with buildings to either side, the road from Mulmaster running through the middle and an open sewer through the middle of that.

The caravan moved through to the other side of town and corralled at the livery yard on the edge of town. Whilst a few of the new adventurers helped to look after the wagons and horses, the others made their way back into town. Master Frederick had kindly offered to pay for their bed and board this night and they weren't going to waste a free night.

On the way, one of their number stopped at the smithy and traded in some of the bandits gear. It wasn't in good condition, so only a few gold was earnt, but a few gold is better than none.

As the group entered the Whispering Goat, the atmosphere was far from enthusiastic. Less then half the tables were occupied so the service was pretty quick. 
Nathan the landlord was soon drawing mugs of ale and goblets of wine, whilst the offer of water was quickly declined. 
Nathan's wife exited the kitchen to offer freshly roasted boar with generous helpings of vegetables, gravy and bread to mop it up with.

Whilst the group were eating, a slight figure entered the inn on her own and asked if she may join them. She claimed that she had been at the ill fated party in Mulmaster and had journeyed hard in order to catch them up. 

Later that evening, Master Frederick entered and joined the group. Yet more ale and food was consumed when the merchant left, the group had agreed to remain with his caravan until at least the next town.

The noise level began to drop with people content with full stomachs and a little alcohol and this enabled Faeril, to hear the end of the conversation as the patrons on the next table were about to leave.

Following them outside and engaging them in a chat, the nervous men told her that they and the rest of the village now believed that the inn was haunted, as over the last few months, several people who have stayed at the inn have disappeared. 

With this information, some of the group decided to be vigilant during the rest of the night, whilst others couldn't care less and because of their divided decision, they fell foul to whatever it was that resided in the inn.

Even though a couple of the group did their best to keep awake, something sent them into unconsciousness, leaving only a pair to fend of the hobgoblins that appeared out of the night. Rather than inflicting potentially lethal damage of those awake, the hobgoblins obviously had another motive and clubbed anyone moving into an unwelcome sleep.

Later, much later the group started to stir, to find themselves in a dark chamber with the smell of damp earth heavy in the air. One other person was in the chamber and by the bumps and bruises on his head, he'd faired no better.
Beyond the crude wooden gate, three hobgoblins sat at a table keeping guard, with one of the group moving beyond a dirt curtain that separated this chamber from one beyond.

Unarmed and unarmoured, several of the group decided that they had to break out. So with a little coaxing and a bit of manipulation on the gate, the hobgoblins were engaged in a desperate fight for freedom. A short while into the fight, one of the group found their belongings and the battle turned in our heroes favour as they equipped themselves with weapons other than fists.

After properly equipping themselves and searching the immediate vicinity, it was decided to follow the path of a tunnel, rather than venture outside via a simple trapdoor. 
In time the tunnel stopped at what looked to be a dead end, but with an expert eye in the group, it was noticed that a door did in fact block their way.
Cautiously opening the door, the cellar of an inn greeted them and all quickly surmised that they were back at the Whispering Goat.

Using stealthy techniques, the innkeeper and his wife were taken into the groups custody and questioned at length about what was occurring. In time, the story came out of how a local man, known as The Baron, had abducted their own daughter, forcing the innkeeper and his wife to allow his minions to enter the inn and capture any guest staying at the inn.
As to what happened to the guests next, they didn't know. All they cared about was making sure that no harm befell their daughter.

The group were shown a second secret door behind some barrels in the cellar and told that this lead to the Barons home. So the group, with different reasons as to why, entered the tunnel and after a while, made their way undetected into the Barons manor.

The Barons Man [top]

Using the tunnel, the group entered via a concealed door, only delayed a moment whilst trying to figure out how to open it.
The first room they searched was a games room of some kind. All manner of gaming devices were here, from simple dice and playing cards to tables with holes and targets boards on the wall.

The second room was of a little more interest. From the furniture, which were of good quality, it was obviously a study. The simple décor of the room showed that any wealth had been spent on keeping the owner comfortable. 
The desk was of considerable interest to the group, but it took the workings of Xan to get the draws unlocked. The final draw was a little tricky and either due to over confidence or under skilled, Xan opened it but fell foul to the extra security placed upon it. A tiny needle pricked his finger and the substance coating it soon started to sap his stamina.
Though weakened, Xan was able to continue and the contents of the draw revealed some coin and a letter. The letter shed some light on what had been going on at the inn, as it spoke of shipments of merchandise, hinting at slavery and signed under the name of Black Widow.

Whilst this had bee going on, a secret door had been discovered that lead, via another door, into a vast ballroom. The group now separated. Some went to the double doors in the ballroom, while the others exited through the study's proper door and entered a hallway. 
Moving quietly did not come easy to some of the group and the guards at the front became alerted. The group were not able to deal with them quickly or silently and the cry of `Intruder', echoed through the house. Extra guards appeared from elsewhere in the house, making six opponents in all. 
All but one were dealt with as the last one standing decided to flee. Some gave chase through the kitchen, but gave up once they saw that the guard, together with the kitchen staff were already out of the house.

Searching the rest of the ground floor was done pretty quickly. A lounge and dinning room quickly checked and whilst a couple of the group watched the main staircase, the others used the servant's stairs.

All on the landing seemed quiet and the group started to check the nearest doors to hand. A few more guards were waiting for them and at first, things became tricky with Oskar being felled by a guard. 
Some quick medical attention saved his life, but the panic grew a little more, when a mage came to the guards aid. A moment later though, the guards had been dealt with and the mage tried to run. Even though one of the party had been charmed and believed the mage to be a friend, the chase was on. He only made it back to his quarters before he was caught and cut down. Xan, in his enthusiasm, checked the body of the mage, only to find his familiar. A tiny viper, nice and content in his masters clothing, bit the invading hand and Xan once again felt his stamina being drained away. 

The casual approach nearly caught the group out again as the master of the house now made his entrance.
The door to the mages chamber was quickly closed, but it soon opened again via the Barons boot, much to the surprise of Fenny. 

With Xan almost incapacitated and lying on the bed, the rest of the group faced him off. Even Fenny's wolf companion got in on the act.
It was Oskar who made the killing blow. A mighty blow practically severing the Barons torso in two, certainly ruining the finely crafted armour he was wearing.

Before long the rest of the house was searched and in doing so Rebecca, the Innkeepers daughter, is found. She is unharmed but in a drugged state and doesn't appear to know where she is.
Also found amongst the Baron's possessions is a well crafted Rapier and the short sword he was wielding, was also well made.

Back at the inn, the group are welcome back as heroes. Nathan and his wife are overjoyed at seeing their daughter safe and sound and free bed and board are offered, whilst the group stay in the village.

Later, they are approached by Deltarn, the man that was their cell companion when they were the hobgoblins captives. He asks them to deliver a small package to a friend of his who lives about day or so away. His name is Quorash and he lives in an old keep and is just of the Maskyr's Trail.

On to Qurash  [top]

Having accepted the task to seek out Qurash and deliver the mysterious package, the group head north out of Maskyrs Eye in order to find the trail that would lead to his home.

With half the day gone, the start of Maskyrs Trail is found without any mishaps or any encounters. The directions that were given seem to be spot on as the old elm, that sits at the head of the path to Qurash's keep, is reached with but an hour or so to go before night should fall.

As the group prepare for the approach of evening, a lone figure is spotted making its way along the trail, from the direction that they had been heading.
Some of the group decided upon caution and hid themselves in the underbrush, whilst others awaited the travellers approach.
As it was, no caution was necessary as the individual was a single halfling merchant and his well laden donkey. The halfling was delighted to see the group and asked if he may join their camp for the night.
The night passed with tales being told and information being passed as to what lay ahead for each group and for a time, the merchant tried to get to know Fenny a little better, but the cold shoulder she returned was a clear enough message.

Early the next morning and after a hearty breakfast, the halfling merchant bade the group farewell and continued his journey to Maskyrs Eye.
The party took their time in tidying up their campsite, just in case the merchant doubled back and tried to follow them. But as they set off down the path to the keep, no sign of anyone could be seen.

It was as midday approached, that the group noticed that it was getting colder. Faint traces of their breath hung in the air, yet above, the sun was high and the sky all but clear of cloud.
As each hour went by, it became noticeably colder. A light frosting dusted the path and the surrounding vegetation and when the keep finally came into view later in the afternoon, a few inches of snow covered the ground.

From the edge of the clearing it was obvious that the keep was very old and in disrepair. The two hundred yards to the walls should have been clear of even the smallest of bush, yet bracken and even small trees covered the area. Apart from a heavy wooden door that hung half off its hinges, the keep itself had no visible access points to the ground floor.
What was left of the upper stories looked to be a mere shell and showed that at one time, it would have been rather impressive. Now only the odd finger of stonework reached for the sky, a few ending in crenulations.

The group approached cautiously and just as they were about to venture through the partially open door, a small group of wild dogs who had been scavenging for food on the opposite side of the keep, had picked up the groups scent and driven by hunger, attacked them.
The malnourished animals were no match for the well armed group and a solitary minor bite wound was all that was achieved before the dogs were slain.

Whilst the short combat took place, the halfling bard Noella entered the keep alone and only stopped from progressing further, by the distinct lack of light. Before long though, the rest of the group joined her and a lantern was lit to show the way. 
A closet was examined and amongst the rotting cloaks and other apparel, a few larger than average rats vented their disapproval at being disturbed, but were soon back to sleep, a more permanent sleep.

A waiting room of some sort was the next room to be explored. A small sofa, an armchair and a low table adorned this room. Upon the table was a human skull and a hole in the top revealed a candle within. This room was the first sign of comfortable living. Dust was still evident, but the furniture was dry and in still in fairly good condition.
A single door lead deeper into the keep, but before anyone opened it, the candle in the skull was lit.
The apparition of an old man in robes began to form and an aged voice was heard, telling the group that a great evil was felt in this house. As soon as the words were uttered the apparition flew around the room and disappeared as it flew into Xan. The skull on the table then exploded, sending shards of bone around the room and all light sources were extinguished, plunging the room into darkness.

Once the groups lantern had been re-lit, Xan was out cold on the floor, but appeared to be unharmed. Other checks showed nothing else had changed in the room, except for the destroyed skull and after a few moments, Xan came too and was soon back on his feet. So what was this great evil? Was it a deterrant?

The next room brought a glint of anticipation to a few faces. This was a study of some sort. One wall had book shelves covering its entire length whilst in one opposite corner was a large solid desk, upon which rested a large bound book. In the other vacant corner stood an old tarnished suit of armour, that had seen better days and resting beside that, was an equally old and pitted battleaxe.

Whilst some of the group checked out the desk and studied the book, others took a closer look at the shelves and armour, which proved to be more than just armour when someone got too close. Snatching the battleaxe up in one hand the armour animated and attacked the nearest of the group. Even though the armour was tougher than it's condition made it look, the party soon had this construct beaten and with the enchantment broken, it collapsed to the floor.

Two doors lead from the study. One opening into a storage room for yet more books, all of which just crumbled to dust at the merest touch. That was all except one, which upon closer inspection turned out to be a book safe, containing a strange key. The other door gave access to a large dining room. Some silverware was still evident, but the cabinets along some of the walls could have contained much more.
Three more doors provided exits from the dining room and the first, opened onto a corridor going left and right. 
Turning right, the party discovered, at the end of the corridor, a very well concealed door leading to the entrance hall of the keep. The turning to the left proved to be more dangerous. 
A strange almost hypnotic sound was heard as those searching progressed and it was most likely this that dulled Xan's senses. Just as he entered what had to be the base of a corner tower, which was almost entirely filled with a latticework of crystal strands, he was attacked from above.
All that Xan saw was a large spider of some kind of a beautiful white colour and fangs dripping with its venom and his blood.
Stumbling after the initial attack, Xan managed to retreat back to the dinning room before the spider could attack again. But it didn't need to as the venom had taken hold. With his body temperature rapidly decreasing, Xan was literally being frozen alive. It was only through the quick actions of the rest of the group that kept him alive.
After being wrapped in all sorts of clothing, a fire was quickly set and kept going for as long as possible. The fire was kept large and hot by feeding it all the furniture, doors and even the large dinning room table was cut up and made into firewood.

Eventually, the poison had run its course and the worst was over. It left Xan very weak and shaky. But even in his unstable state, the group decided to press on.
Since the fire had consumed the rug that had been spread over the study floor, a ring pull fixed to a stone slab was revealed. Within was some old silver coins with an unfamiliar stamp and a silver metal necklace. These were safely stowed and the group pressed on.
Leaving the corridor containing the spider alone, the opposite door was opened. A kitchen was revealed, a rather dirty, smelly and occupied kitchen.
Two humanoids of some sort, each with rat like features and covered in fur, were in the process of cutting up some rotten looking meat, with rather dirty cleavers. At the sit of the group, the ratmen turned from their work and with cleavers raised, they attacked.

Yet again the parties opponents are no match and quickly dealt with. The kitchen and its store rooms were quickly searched and apart from disturbing a couple of overly large centipedes in one of them, which were also dealt with, the place is clear. All food stuffs were spoilt, even the meat the rat men were preparing looked unsavoury and no-one ventured to continue their work. 

Still reluctant to approach the spider, the group continue in the other direction. Another corridor is found going left and right. 
Turning right and opening the door that barred their way after twenty feet or so, another corner room, approximately fifteen feet by fifteen, is found.
It looks to be another storeroom of some kind, containing four large crates. But as some of the group enter, the lids to the crates are thrown back and bodies rise from within.
This time a tough battle ensues and even though one of these abominations renders Oskar paralysed, the group win through. That is until Faeril searches the first of the crates. Clumsy in her approach, she sets of a trap. A strange gas is released which appears to have no affect, but as people start to re-enter the room to continue the search, the undead creatures recently slain, rise up again and resume fighting.
This time, the group not only defeat the undead, but they destroy the corpses. Just in case they should attack again. 

This time, a little more care is taken searching the remaining crates. All are found to contain traps and all but the last are successfully avoided. Whether due to a little complacency, or just ill luck, an explosion destroys most of the last crate. Fire fills the small room and a rather singed Xan climbs to his feet to survey the damage.

In destroying the crate, the explosion had revealed a set of stairs leading down, but it was decided that until the group had recovered, checking this lower level could wait, so no one descended the stairs.

After a rest, the group continue. It is a while though before someone notices that Noella was no longer with them and for some strange reason, no-one gave her a second thought.
Going left down the corridor and opening yet another door. A large room greets them. Piles of refuse and debris are all over this room. A sort of path meanders towards a door on the far wall and the group cautiously make there way towards it.
Part way there and seemingly out of nowhere, something attacks. Almost entirely see through, a mass of gel does its best to engulf the nearest of the party.
Fenny is the first and last to be engulfed, but fortunately for her, she is able to pull herself free before any major damage is inflicted.
Panic grips the group. Fenny and her wolf headed back the way they came, whilst Faeril and Xan headed deeper into the keep and Oskar tried to hold his ground. As Faeril and Xan had been the closer to the creature, it was they that were pursued.

With caution thrown to the wind, through the only other exit from the room they went and down the corridor beyond. Pass a door on their left and at the end of the corridor, they opened another door. Into a bedroom and now devoid of light, even their keen eyesight could not tell them if they were still in danger. Little did they know, but they were. Not only from outside, but inside too.
The room contained an old desk and an even older chair in front of it. A large bed filled one corner of the room and it was covered in dirty, greasy bedclothes. Food remnants and other unsavoury things littered the bed as well. 
Unknown to the two recent arrivals, under the bed a large beetle of some kind waited for its next victim. But as the ooze came into the room and lashed out at Faeril, the two elves ran from the room, leaving the ooze and beetle alone and it was the beetle that became the victim.

Somehow, Oskar and Xan met up and entered the room beyond the other door in the corridor, whilst Faeril waited in the large, rubbish filled room. This room contained a large quantity of crates and boxes and a variety of smells. Whilst Xan concealed himself in a corner and licked his wounds, Oskar opened the only other door in this room.

From the large worktables and apparatus that littered them and the floor, this was obviously at some stage a laboratory. Strange substances and broken vials and bottles also littered the room, but the strangest thing in the room was the humanoid sitting calmly on what looked to be a large chair made of ice. Rat like eyes starred at Oskar and a wry smile appeared briefly on the creatures face.

No words were exchanged and even as Oskar charged straight at it, the creature didn't move. Almost as if it knew what was going to happen. With the absence of light, Oskars dark vision wasn't enough to identify the condition of the floor. A thin, but tough coating of ice carpeted the floor and as Oskar charged, his feet went from underneath him and he fell with a thump onto his back.
With his visitor prone, the rat like humanoid stood and as he made his way slowly towards Oscar, he loosed a sceptre of some kind from his belt, making his intentions clear. At the same time, he raised a small silver whistle to his lips and sent a shrill tone echoing through the building.

Oscar got back to his feet and prepared to meet the challenge. After the rat mans initial attempt to bit Oskar had failed, he resorted to using his sceptre and because of the unstable footing, Oskars best efforts just weren't good enough and he found himself being pressed back towards the storeroom and the hiding Xan.
At the threshold, the forgotten ooze entered via the other door, which was still open. Spotting the ooze, the rat man calmly closed the door to the storeroom, leaving Oscar and Xan to face the ooze.

Unbeknown to those in the room, the ooze had already been badly hurt in the earlier encounter and even in their panic, with the aid of Faeril, who now ventured forward to back them up, they still managed to destroy it without any further mishaps.

Spread out as they were, it was time to re-group. This was done swiftly enough and it was also decided, that before facing the rat man, a search would be made of the areas now safe since the ooze had been dealt with. But before they could start their search, noises were heard back towards the kitchen.
Another small group of ratmen had arrived are were intent on dealing with the trespassers. Their efforts though were to no avail. Back together and blocking a corridor, our band of adventurers quickly dealt with this latest threat.
Now free to explore, the filthy bedroom contained one item of interest. A small strong box, with a strange keyhole. The key that was found earlier was tried and it did indeed open the box.
Inside was a an elaborate stick, which was quickly identified as a wand that could detect magic. There was also within a finely crafted dagger and a bag. The bag drew some interest and with some experimentation, it was found that it could hold more than its size suggested.

It was time to face the rat man.

Opening the door to the room where Oskar first met him, nothing had changed. Sitting back on the strange throne, the rat man watched them as the group slowly entered the room.
The floor, as were all surfaces, was still covered in a layer of ice, which made movement very tricky.
Even though a description of Qurash had been provided, after a very brief conversation, the package was handed over. Well not actually handed over, more slid across the ice to the throne. 
The rat man picked up the package, placed it on the arm of the throne and dismissed the party. This didn't sit well with the group, as payment had been promised upon delivery. Having already been given the package, the rat man explained that there was no need to pay them. He had the package, freely given and had not even asked them for it.
This put the groups back up a bit and they decided to use violence to take the package back or force the man into paying up. As they approached, their intentions clear, the rat man prepared to face them. The fight was more a brawl than a fight. The slick surface underfoot, made combat very awkward and blow upon blow went wide. Fenny approached too close at one point, thinking that the rat mans sceptre was already engaged in blocking one of Oskars wild chops. What she hadn't anticipated was the rat mans agility, he partially turned to protect his flank and promptly bit Fennys' sickle wielding arm.
Another of the group received a wicked blow from the sceptre and found themselves stunned enough, to temporarily render them immobile.

Numbers finally won through and the half man, half rat was slain. With his body rapidly cooling on the ice covered floor, his features changed. Gone were any signs of the mans rat like features, but that didn't seem to worry those that happily looted his body.
Had this person merely been defending his home?
Had the group murdered an innocent being?
Again, these questions and many others beside didn't seem to faze any of our brave heroes.

A further search of the lab revealed nothing. There was one door leading from the room and within, they found an old gentleman and their missing halfling companion Noella. Both were frozen, much the same way Xan had been earlier, but as they didn't receive the rapid attention he did, they're in a far worse state.

Moving them to the storeroom next door and setting a fire, they go about trying to thaw them out. All available blankets are used to make them as warm and comfortable as possible, but it would appear that this is going to take some time. So with everything done that is possible, they spend some time to discuss what they should do next next.

During a period of resting, Faeril and the dwarven cleric Uthgar decided to explore a little. Not before long, they are outside the keep and encounter yet another dwarf, Darcrim. They tell him that the rest of their group are inside and to go right on in and say hello.
The greeting he receives from the others did not involve meeting the blade of Oskars large axe. Fortunate for all, the swing narrowly misses and an uneasy stand off occurs before, Xan and co. relax their guard.

With Faeril and Uthgar outside somewhere and with Darcrim in tow, it is decided to investigate the stairs leading down from the corner room. For now, the other corner will be left alone and its inhabitant undisturbed.
Back at the corner and with the aid of Oskar's dark vision, the group descend. The air has a damp feel to it and the walls and stairs are covered with moisture. At the bottom of the stairs lies a wooden shield, which is still in very good condition, as it must have been lying there for quite some time.

The bottom of the stairs opens out into a large chamber, well over fifty feet square. In the centre of this chamber is a large square pool of water, leaving a ten foot wide path around it. It is determined that one of the chambers corners is close to the room where Xan had his cold encounter and the walls in this part of the chamber are covered in a fine crystalline effect.

As the chamber is investigated further and more light is provided, nothing of interest is found. No pictures, engravings or decoration of any kind adorns the walls. When the group turns its attention to the pool, a piece of slim wood about six feet long is spotted, floating roughly in the middle. Nothing else appears to be in the pool and its ten foot depth is confirmed when a small pebble is tossed in.

Fascinated by this pole. The group began to plan its extraction. 
For some reason, no one wishes to get wet and retrieve it in the most logical fashion, so at first a length of hemp rope is thrown so as to straddle it. The rope soon begins to sink and the length lying across the pole soon slips off, sending it a bit closer to the opposite edge.
After recovering the rope, a grappling hook is added to its end and this is then thrown at the pole. Success. The pole is snared and begins to be pulled towards the edge. That is until the pools occupant shows its displeasure at having a grapple thrown at it.
The water elemental takes Xan by surprise and slams him with a jet of water, sending him staggering back to the chambers wall.
Blows are traded from both sides with no one gaining the edge. After a time, our heroes, fall back out of reach after realising that the elemental was quite content to only strike when someone was by the pools edge.
With the pole free of the grapple and somehow back near the centre of the pool, Fenny decides to see if a mere piece of wood is worth all this trouble. After detecting for magic, she declares that transmutation magic does indeed radiate from it and their efforts may well reward them.

After a few more botched efforts involving Xan to strip off and bravely enter the pool, the pole is finally recovered. Through a bit of luck and Xan actually falling in this time, he grabs the pole the group quickly get back out of reach.
During the struggle, a section of wall at the rear of the chamber is noticed to be different from the rest of the chamber and once the group had tended their wounds, stowed their gear and dried themselves off, they investigate.

Keeping well way from the edge of the pool, the section of wall in question was found to be a cunningly crafted false panel. Once removed a large iron door was revealed.
Opening the door proved to be a little tricky. Several efforts were made, but eventually, the groups perseverance prevailed. Even the water elemental appeared to take an interest in their actions, but it didn't interfere.
The room beyond was roughly triangular in shape with four doors leading off it. The first door opened into a storeroom containing some large barrels and upon testing the contents of one, it was found to hold fresh water.

Before opening the next door, Oskar's reckless approach set of a series of traps, that fired bolts from concealed locations in the walls. A few hits were successful, but the group escaped any serious injuries. Once passed the traps, the door opened into a bedroom, containing two large beds, a pair of wardrobes and a couple of chests that sat at the end of each bed.
The room was devoid of decoration, but was surprisingly clean and relatively comfortable and empty of anything interesting.
On the other side of the room, the two remaining doors lead to another storeroom, which still held a couple of sacks of spoiled grain and the last door, opened into a workroom or laboratory of some kind, but this door had been protected by a powerful trap. A fire glyph detonated as Oskar opened the door and it was a rather singed and smoky dwarf that finally crossed the threshold.

Two workbenches were pushed against opposite walls, with one down the middle. All the tables are marked and scarred, evidence of heavy use.
At the far end of the room, sat a desk and a fairly plain chair. All but one draw of the desk were opened without mishap, but the last refused to open, even after Xan had cast his expertise over it.

A more thorough search of the room revealed a secret door in the wall to the right of the desk. A narrow passage ran to the right and after some prompting, Xan reluctantly made his way slowly along it.
After twenty feet or so, a side passage lead to the right, leading the elf another twenty or so feet before ending in a dead end. If it had been pitch darkness, he may have missed the door to his right, but aided by a small light, he proceeded through it.
The smallish room beyond held several wooden racks and frames. A few broken and useless weapons littered the floor and a half rotten wooden shield lay amongst them where the leather arm strap had finally broken under its weight.

The other passageway continued in the same direction and after several minutes of travelling lead to the surface. The opening was very well hidden amongst some thick hawthorn bushes and just beyond what was once the keeps killing ground.

Believing that they had found a relatively comfortable and secure area, the group move the still unconscious forms of Qurash and Noella to the bedroom and began to settle down themselves for a well earned rest.
Part way through the second watch, noises from the pool room, alerted them to company. A gnome and an elf who having met up with Faeril and Uthgar back on the main Maskyrs Trail, had been told of the keep and that the remainder of their party were in dire need of help and that they were going for help. If they could assist them, they would be most grateful.

The greeting that the group gave them was not quite what Lea and Fell had in mind. After finally convincing the group to open the door from the pool room, a stand off dragged on for many minutes. That was until a recently awakened Qurash took a hand in the matter.
The new arrivals were soon chatting with some of our heroes, but others were still a little aloof and the tension in the air was very much apparent.

With Qurash now awake, all the questions that the group wanted to ask, were asked in quick succession. 
It was worked out that he'd been in his frozen state for several months and that he knew nothing of the ratmen that had recently inhabited the keep. The last thing he remembered was being surprised to see a rather large white spider looming over him and it sinking its fangs into him.
This basement level is all new to him as well. The room where the stairs were hidden, he left alone. From a previous quick look, he knew that the former owners apprentices lay at rest there and as he had no need to go into the room, it remained as it was. The former owner was a wizard of the necromantic art and had left or died a very long time ago.
Qurash had lived at the keep for several years and apart from the odd visit from one of his old friends, who were few and far between, he rarely strayed from the home he'd made.

The sword in the block of ice was all new to him, as was the condition of the land immediately outside the keep. He had no idea of how to reverse the effect and seeing as the party had tried more conventional methods in breaking the sword out, it didn't need anyone to detect for magic to realise that an enchantment was in effect.

His orb may show him how to do it, but seeing as the orb had been removed from the keep by Faeril, Qurash was at a loss.

The group decided to seek out Faeril and bring the orb back and so leaving Qurash at the keep, with the white spider in the corner tower for company, they left.

Xan the elven scout, Oskar the dwarven warrior, Fenny the halfling druid (accompanied by wolfie), Noella the halfling bard, Darcrim the dwarven priest, Lea the elven warrior and Fell the gnome mage.

If they returned the orb, broke the enchantment, recovered the sword and saved the land? The next chapter, may just answer these questions.

Lis Crossing  [top]

Leaving Qurash's small derelict keep, the small band of adventurers headed west once more. Their intention was to join up with their travelling companions who remained at Lis Crossing, whilst the orb was being returned.

With the magical sword in the possession of Lea, its cold blade now encased in a nondescript scabbard, the weary group made good speed on their way to the small hamlet that had sprung up around the ferrying point of the wide river.

Having made a round trip on this route already, one or two travellers would have been expected on the road, but there were none.  Still in early summer, the passing days had been kind with next to no rain, so an empty road should have been eerie, but no one seemed to mind.

Realisation dawned on some of the group as the Lis came into view. The Inn that served as a waypoint on the east bank was still there, as was the coral and barn which served those who waited to cross.
Waiting to cross. That was what was odd. 
Last time they were here, there were few travellers waiting for the ferry. If the ferry happened to be on the opposite bank, it soon made its way over and unless it was late at night, none were made to delay their journey for long.

This evening, many people waited. Most must have travelled along the rivers banks, to reach the crossing as the road east to Mulmaster had seen minimal traffic, but then again, no -one had really paid that much attention.

The inn was far busier and upon enquiring of crossing, many eyes in the inn settled on them. The inn keeper and agent for the ferrymen, told how trouble had befallen Lis Crossing and no one was venturing across the river unless they really had to, especially at night and those who wanted to cross after dark, would only do it by getting wet.

It wasn't long before the tale was told of how over the last couple of nights, three villagers had been found horribly mutilated. Deep lacerating wounds adorned the body's torsos and in two of the cases, half their throats and shoulder had been torn away.  Lis Crossing was afflicted with either a mad man, or an enraged beast of some kind and all were afraid.

After much insisting and paying over the odds, the group managed to persuade the innkeeper to arrange a crossing and not long after the ferry finally dropped our heroes on the west bank.
The small fishing hamlet was quiet. The few shops had already shut up for the night, which was very different from the last visit. Even the smell of fish and smoke from the smoke houses was evidently less, but unperturbed, the group made their way too and entered the large inn that adjoined the ferry's wharf.

The atmosphere that prevailed them as they entered was a complete contrast to their last visit. There were fewer people within and no bard performing in the corner as there had been before. There was something hanging in the air, a sense of uncertainty, but above that, there was a sense of fear.

All eyes turned towards the new arrivals and looks of suspicion and hostility could be seen in those stares. No one seemed to recognise the group from their last visit and there was no sign of the three companions that had been left behind.

Having made themselves comfortable at a table and after being served by a rather nervous serving girl, who informed them that their friends were in a room upstairs, our adventurers began to gather in bits of information as to what was going on.

What they learned and this was later confirmed by Fenny who ventured down to the tap room to join them, was that a couple of nights ago, a man had been attacked and his body horribly mutilated. The whole settlement had been shocked as there seemed to be no reason for the death. No vendetta, no conflict, nothing.
The following night, there was a second attack. This time, two people had been slain and in much the same way, with large lacerations across the torso and deep wounds on the neck and shoulders. Again no-one could understand as to why. 
There was no connection between the three, apart from that they lived here and maybe exchanged a few words in passing and that was it. Fear had gripped Lis Crossing with only the fool hardy venturing out during the hours of darkness.

As the group were catching up on news, another customer of the inn introduced himself and was keen to learn of what was happening. As a paladin, he'd learnt from people leaving the cursed settlement, that something was seriously wrong and had arrived hoping that he could help.
As it got later, most people retired to their rooms or settled down for the night in the common room. That was all but one villager.
Whether through having too much drink or just plain crazy, the man insisted on leaving the inn and head home. After explaining that his wife was home alone, several of our brave heroes decided to escort the villager home.

Oskar, Lea and the gnome wizard Fell took up their arms and left with the man. It wasn't too long before they were amongst the dark narrow streets where the residents of Lis Crossing had made their homes and all felt the tension in the air. After about ten minutes or so, they arrived at the villagers abode. He thanked them for the escort and bid them goodnight and as the door was opened, after the sounds of something heavy being moved, he stepped inside to greet his wife.

Unbeknown to them, the group were followed out of the inn by the paladin. He had decided to shadow the group, just in case, but as he followed on, he had the uneasy sensation of being shadowed himself.

As the escort party made their way back to the inn, they all stopped in their tracks as the night air was split by the most horrific scream.
It took them all a few seconds to recover from the shock, before one and all headed back the way they had come towards the sound of the scream

Upon arriving back at the very house they'd just left, they could see that the door was ajar and after a brief check, large scratch marks now adorned it.
As they tried to enter, something was preventing the door from opening fully and after a bit of ministration, Oskar forced his way into the house. As he did so, his dwarven dark vision told him why the door wouldn't open, for draped over a chest of drawers, which must have been used to secure the door earlier, was the body of the man they had just left.
His clothes were already soaked in blood and more was still trickling from the gapping wound in his torn shoulder. His left arm, what was left of it, hung by mere strips of flesh as the blood dripping from the wound had already made a considerable pool of blood on the packed earth floor.

A quick search of the house only revealed another corpse, that of the man's wife. She was lain half on and half of the only bed in the house. The state of her body was similar to that her husbands. There were blood splatters everywhere and from the tears in the woman's clothing, it didn't take a genius to realise what had happened.

The carnage inside the house made everyone very uneasy, but the adrenalin started pumping and the three heroes ventured back outside in a hope that they could track down whatever creature had done this.
At this time, the brave paladin had found his way to the house and after a few nervous exchange of words, it was realised that he was not a threat. Quickly, the paladin, who introduced himself as Jaril, explained his feelings of being watched and the group headed back towards the inn, in hope that some trail could be found. 
A few houses down, some evidence was discovered, but even with the dwarves night vision, the trail was soon lost.

Xan was the tracker of the group, so all agreed that they should travel back to the inn post haste and seek his help.
With our heroes re-grouped and the potential trail of the killer re-located, they ventured deeper into the night, intent on seeking the foul beast that would murder so callously.

The trail sent Xan onto roof tops and whatever this creature was, it was very agile and dextrous. After a time, they found themselves back in the centre of the settlement where the trail went behind the blacksmiths and into the coral beyond. Here is where the trail went cold and a frantic search was made of the immediate area. 
Some were convinced that the creature had entered the stables adjoining the blacksmiths, other were not so sure, but as all possibilities needed to be checked some of the group gained access through a once locked door, courtesy of Xan and into the stables.

The stable is owned and run by the blacksmith which doubles up as his home. From the snoring coming from beyond one door, this would most likely be the smith. Xan was keen to investigate the rest of the stables and proceeded swiftly and silently within. His heavily armoured dwarven friend behind him, where not so silent and by the time Xan had made his way to the hay loft, the smith had been awoken by Oskars clanking armour and was now standing between Xan and the way out. The smith, expecting the worst of someone or something breaking into his home, had armed himself with a heavy hammer and was demanding of Oskar as to why he'd broken in. 
The dwarfs attempt at diplomacy was not having much affect and was further complicated by the appearance of another dwarf at his shoulder. Dargrim had finally decided it was about time that he have a go at calming the blacksmith down and at first, had as much success as Oskar.

After the raised voices had raised some interest from the inn next door, a compromise was reached. It was agreed that they should take this problem into the inn where witnesses were available and it was far more comfortable.

The two dwarves lead the way, followed by the still armed blacksmith, who re-locked the door upon leaving. This left Xan alone in the stables and once things had calmed down, all he was left with was the sounding of breathing from close by.
The elfs low light vision was not helping much since he was inside and this heightened the sense of foreboding. 
Was he alone and trapped with whatever creature had murdered those poor people?

Forcing himself to calm down and take stock of his situation, Xan suddenly realised that the sound of breathing came from multiple sources and once this was known, his intellect told him that it must be the horses in the stalls below.
With renewed confidence, Xan left the stable via the door to the corral. Since this was barred from the inside, it was easy to let himself out. He then backtracked to where he'd last seen sign of the creatures tracks, hoping to be able to regain its trail. Who knows if it had crossed his mind that he was now alone, since the rest of his comrades had gone back inside with the smith and the two dwarves.

Back at the fence to the corral and having searched the surrounding ground, the elf was in the process of giving up, when he as climbed back over the fence, he caught sight of the tiniest of scratches on the wall of the stables. A further check, revealed another mark on the edge of the roof. By standing on the top of the fence, Xan was able to pull himself up onto the roof of the stable and another check confirmed that this had been the path the creature had taken.

Making his way across the rooftop, the elf was soon at the far end and looking across to the neighbouring inn. The gap between the buildings was a fair distance and Xan was tempted to try his luck, but a fall to the ground below was equally tempting fait and once he realised that the creature could be lying in wait in the shadows across the way, he decided that caution was the best approach.

With his nerve gone, the elf, climbed back down to the ground below and cautiously climbed to the roof of the inn. No creature lay in wait and the faint trail lead to the rear of the building. Once again Xan climbed down and found himself close to the inns backdoor, but there were no further signs of the creature's path.
After re-tracing his steps, the elf was certain that what ever it was he'd been following, it had gained entry to the inn and he should warn his colleagues and those sleeping within.

Whilst Xan was outside, a heated conversations was going on inside.
The blacksmith was going on about how the two dwarves had broken into his home and could either be responsible for the murders, or accomplices. 

Dargrim and Oskar, on the other hand, were trying to calm the situation down (with not much success) and convince those present that they were in fact hunters of this menace and had only arrived at Lis Crossing that very evening. Lea, Fenny and Jaril looked on, amused by the efforts of diplomacy being attempted by the dwarves.

By the time Xan knocked on the front door to gain admittance, the conversation was more civil and people were beginning to talk about how to deal with what ever it was that was terrorising the settlement.
The elf was let in eventually, once his identity had been established and all eyes were upon him when in a low voice he declared, "The creature is in the building".

With this statement there was much activity. First the lower floor was searched, as Xan's first suspicion was that somehow the creature had gotten in by the back door.
The innkeepers quarters was searched and his wife woken. All seemed in order.

Next was the search of the upper floors.
The inn didn't have that many guests, since the majority of those passing through had decided not to risk an overnight stop in the cursed place.
The room of Fenny, Uthrig and Noella was as it had been left, with Uthrig still soundly asleep, whilst Noella who had been awoken by the noise of the search, joined in.

Some guests were rather upset by the rude awakening, whilst others were too terrified to object. A room at the end of the corridor held some interest to Noella as it was the only room that was obviously occupied, yet the door was unlocked and no one was within.
After searching through the belongings in the room, Xan arrived, followed shortly after by the occupant of the room. The paladin they'd met earlier that evening.
He was obviously not best pleased and after some hurried explanation and a quick rebuking of the Halfling, the search continued.
Noella returned to her room in a bit of a huff only to be confronted by a rather unhappy Uthrig. But in the darkened room, the dwarf not only seemed different, he sounded different too. 
The Halfling was rather perturbed as creeping slowly towards him and into the light of the candle, came Uthrig, but it wasn't Uthrig.
The dwarf had gone through some metamorphous and his features were all changed. He was covered in fur for a start and hunched over. The best way to describe him would be to say that he was half dwarf and half rat and from the saliva that dripped from his open jaw and the dark intense stare, Noella was certain that his comrade no longer saw her as a friend.

Fearing for her life and with the path to the door blocked by the snarling beast that was Uthrig, Noella took the only course of action she could. With a scream, she dived out of the window and away from certain death.
The beast that was Uthrig, launched itself at the spot where the Halfling had stood, only to find it now vacant. Reaching for the window sill, it peered out and down to the dark street below. There, sprawled on the floor was its target. The Halfling had been agile enough to go through the window prior to the attack, but not agile enough to land with any grace. For a moment, while the Halfling regained her senses, the beast just starred down at its prey.

Downstairs in the common, several of the group had re-gathered and were in the process of discussing what to do next, when they all heard Noella's scream shortly followed by the sound of breaking glass and the thumb of her landing.
Several of the group made their way outside and approached the still prone form of the Halfling, unaware that they were being watched form above.
Oskar was the first to reach Noella and so caught up in his attention of her, he was caught totally by surprise when the beast, launched itself from the window and used the dwarf as a means to break its fall.

The Halfling used this opportunity to scramble to her feet and back out of the way. Before the dwarf could do likewise, the creature made easy work of the helpless target and sank its teeth into his shoulder. A moment later, Xan came to Oskars aid, but in his haste, ventured just a little too close and received a wicked slash across the abdomen from the cruel claws of the creature.

After this initial attack, more people arrived to see what was going on, but only our heroes were prepared to face the threat posed by this abomination.
Spreading out so as to surround the creature, the group were intent in dealing with the problem here and now. The creature had other ideas once it had received a couple of stinging cuts from the groups enchanted blades. 
First it made a faint in one direction, slashing at Lea in a hope of drawing its attackers together and opening an avenue for escape. The plan worked and the beast bolted for the nearby buildings and the shadows they made.
The only trouble was that it took another wound from one of the group as it showed its back in fleeing and the quick reactions of the elves, allowed them to reach the creature in time for one last attack before the night swallowed it up.
It was this last attack that brought the beast down, for the elves carried some of the enchanted weapons the group had recovered in their travels and these weapons had the power to cut through the were creatures supernatural resistance.

As the quiet of the night once again descended on Lis Crossing, our group of adventures gathered around the fallen form of the rat like creature, only to see it morph back into the dwarf they knew as Uthrig.
Tales of were creatures are wide spread across the Realms and most knew that just a wound inflicted by them, could be enough to spread the disease of lycanthropy.
Both Xan and Oskar had been wounded by the creature and needed treatment fast. The elf was more fortunate than the dwarf as Jaril, who they'd met at the inn and who'd joined the fight, bestowed his divine power on Xan and destroyed any threat of disease that he may have been infected with.
This power only came once a day and it wouldn't be until dawn before he could call on his god's aid again. But by then, Oskar could be in trouble.

Someone believed that chewing on the plant commonly known as wolfbane would ward of lycanthropy. But finding such a plant in the middle of the night was going to be no easy feat and no one carried such a plant in their possessions.
Whilst some of the group went about disposing of Uthrig's body, the rest went for a quick forage in the nearby countryside in a hope to find some wolfsbane.

People were very tired by the time everyone had arrived back outside the inn, some of the settlements residents had ventured outside, their curiosity peeked by our heroes activities and a desire to know if the curse on their homes had been lifted.

The residents were overjoyed upon being told that the creature had been slain and by the amount of blood on the ground most were convinced. But the celebrations were short lived, because as the tale of how the beast had been slain, Oskar unwittingly mentioned that the beast had been none other then their companion Uthrig.
The villagers were horrified and soon that horror turned to anger. Some wanted to vent their fury there and then on the adventures, but the more sensible of the villagers, who took in the prowess of this group, rallied their neighbours together and tried to force the heroes from the settlement that very night with threats rather then actual physical actions.

Realising that they had little choice other then shedding more blood and even though they were all physically exhausted, the group quickly gathered their belongings and left. Most of the night was still before them as they trudged into the nearby woods and it was decided to put some distance between themselves and the village, find a camp site and then decide where to go next.

Dawn's light found the group in a small clearing and all of the group still felt rather bemused about the recent events. There were a few resentful glance thrown in Oskars direction, but what had been done couldn't be helped.
As to where to go now, all decided that another settlement was needed. 
Oskar still needed attention as he was now beyond the paladin's help, that is if indeed he was infected. But even so, it wouldn't hurt to consult an experienced healer and it was more likely they'd find such a person in a town.

Going cross country rather then the coast road, was decided as the best and quickest route. It was quite poetic that the very person who needed to get to a town the quickest, was also the person who had denied them the quickest mode of transport.
Elmwood was the closest town and an early morning departure by boat down the River Lis and then the quick leg round the coast to the coastal town, would've drastically reduced their journey time.

So through the woods it was. At least this way it gave them a chance to locate some wolfsbane, just in case it would help and some of the plant they indeed did find. The trouble though with wolfsbane, it's also called Belladonna and taking the wrong dosage could be fatal.
Oskar was persuaded to try and was fortunate not to poison himself, although he did feel a good deal weaker after the experience. The crazy thing is, he had some more the following day.

So for the moment we leave our heroes as they strike towards Elmwood, hoping to find a cure, some answers and maybe even a warm peaceful nights rest or two.

Next Stop Elmwood  [top]

Expelled & Infected.
Having been asked to leave Lis Crossing during the middle of the night, the brave adventurers headed into the woods and made camp for the remainder of the night. Everyone's spirits were rather low and there was much muttering and grumbling. Most directed at Oskar.

Morning brought a fine day, which did little to increase the group's morale. So gathering their belongings, they headed deeper into the woods in a hope that they'd reach Elmwood within time to treat any disease Oskar had picked up.

The journey as a whole was uneventful. Oskar was persuaded to eat a couple of sprigs of Belladonna, but refused any more after its side effects started to be felt.
The only other incident of note was Xan's meeting with a loan half elf . The previous night, he'd ventured close to the camp and those on watch had noticed someone's approach, so had backed off. With Xan taking point and ranging ahead, the half elf met him on the trail. He was quite casual in his approach and was curious about who the group were, what they were doing and why there was an evil taint amongst them.

Xan did his best to reassure him that their intentions were honourable and that they were aware of the taint and were heading to Elmwood in a hope that someone there called cleanse it.
Seemingly satisfied with the explanation and with a promise that he'd be keeping an eye on the group, the half elf merged back in amongst the trees before the rest of the group turned up, leaving Xan alone to explain what had occurred.

Elmwood.
After several days travelling through the trees, the group venture out onto grassland. From the few sheep and cattle, who're under the watchful eye of a young lad, they surmise that they're close to habitation. After a short while, the grasses give way to cultivated fields and a few small farmhouses. Elmwood itself is only an hour or so further on and is reached late in the day.

This small town, well more village really, has tried hard not to swell in size since it was first established. The people are quite content with their way of life and know only too well that larger places of civilization sooner or later attract the wrong kind of attention and as yet, they've avoided any major trouble.

After speaking to one local, they are directed to the only inn that Elmwood boasts, The Still Waters, from there rooms are obtained for the night, hot food and information.
Oskar is keen to locate anyone who can heal him of any affliction he'd picked up and is directed to the Temple of Selune, so off he goes. Most of the others are just quite content to sit and relax in comfortable common room.

At the temple, Oskar explains his predicament and learns that at this time, no help is available. He is told that some preparations will be made over night and in the morning they shall try to help.
With this news, Oskar returns to the inn, only to be sought out shortly afterwards, when a female dwarf and several burly men entered the inn. The dwarf introduces herself as the village constable and that she is here to make sure Oskar will not prove to be any threat to the populace.
After a little complaining, our heroes agree and persuade Oskar to comply with the constable's request. He is then taken to his room and chained up. No chance is being taken of having some were creature roaming around during the night, but Oskar is assured that someone will release him in the morning.

Most have a comfortable night after some good food and excellent ale. The morning arrives and people are awoken to the sounds of cries.
After a few questions, it is learned that three children, a boy and two girls, have gone missing during the night. Obviously the parents are frantic and it's the cries of one of the mothers that were heard.

Keen to help, all but Oskar file out of the inn and join the various search parties. They start at one of the houses of the missing children and having searched its perimeter, tracks are found. To Xan they look familiar, but its not until later that he recalls that these are gnoll tracks.
The same tracks are also found at the second house and both sets join up on the southern edge of the village. They then skirt round to the east and eventually lead the group to a disused well, which has obviously seen too much activity for a well that is no longer used.

Well Well Well.
Adventure is the name of the game and our heroes are no different, so all agreed to venture down into the well and investigate, but first they'd gather their equipment and get Oskar released.

All this doesn't take long, except Oskar insists on returning to the temple first to see about his condition. More tests are made and a few spells are cast, but he his told that if he is infected, the incubation period of lycanthropy has elapsed and nothing short of a miracle can help him now.
A down cast Oskar returns to the well and does his best to continue as normal, which isn't difficult, because his memory span isn't that great. By the time he gets there, a rope has been rigged up and word has been passed to the constable of the groups findings. 
Xan is first down to the bottom, which is about eighty feet and finds a hole in the wells wall. Even with his lowlight vision, it is pitch black as he looks through and a light source is needed.

Before long the entire group have managed to descend the rope. Some with less grace then others, a little bruising but no severe injuries.
The hole opens into a square room, with the well shaft going through its middle. Each wall was a recess in its middle and after five feet a wooden door stands closed.
There are some signs of activity down here and most of which is around the door leading eastwards.
This door lead into a rectangular room, devoid of any furnishings and what decorations were on the walls had been so seriously defaced that there was no way to tell what they had depicted. If there was any exit from this room, it was now hidden behind a pile of rubble and soil that filled the far section of the room.

Deciding to see if there was another way round, the door to the north was tried next. To the group's surprise, they were met by a creature that had the body of a bear and the head of an owl. Its upper torso a mixture of feathers and fur and it was very unhappy to see them.
Xan tumbled past it and into the room that had housed it and soon regretted the action, as he met its mate. Fortunately for our heroes, these creatures were rather malnourished, having been trapped in this room since the gnolls came this way. But this didn't make them any less deadly and several telling hits were scored before both creatures were slain.

Both owlbears were in a pitiful state and Fenney, the party druid was rather upset by their condition. A tentative search of the room, due to the mess, revealed an egg on a make shift nest. Fenney took charge of this with the intention of handing it over to a druid, who she'd learned lived close to Elmwood.
At first no exit could be seen, but upon closer inspection, a secret door was found on the far wall from where they had entered. It was an unusual construction and had a religious symbol of some sort designed into it.
Before long, Xan had the door open and lead the group it the large room beyond. This room was about the same width as the previous one, but it stretched further to the west and then southwest. The walls were lined with shelves and some still contained a number of books, from the long tables and benches, this has once been a library or place of study.
There was one visible exit and from this room and some people believed that it lead to the western door of the first room they entered. But before anything else could be done, the occupants of the room had to be dealt with.
Several robed and hooded humanoid figures rose from the benches and with outstretched arms, they lumbered forward. They didn't put up much of a fight and were soon destroyed with more ease then the owlbears had.

Before this was checked, a search of the library was made and many of the books that didn't crumble at first touch were collected together. During this collection, another secret door was located behind some of the shelves and this lead to a private study and store room. As these were searched, a few items of interest were found, the most impressive being a book of metal, which was identified as being magically trapped.

All this searching was beginning to bore Lea who decided to check out the other door. Happy that it wasn't trapped, she opened it and soon regretted it.
Yet more cloaked figures emerged and these were more horrific then the first. The mere presence of them seemed to suck all heat out of the air, making everyone shiver and their touch literally froze the blood in your veins.
A battle ensued with four of these undead creatures, all signs that they had once been elves, was gone and they attacked with a vengeance and a desire to have others join their ranks, or to feed upon.
At one point, Xan alone faced them. All his colleagues having succumbed to their paralyzing touch, but as he fought on, one or two of his comrades managed to shake off the effects and joined him to finally finish the undead off.
For their efforts, the group obtained a couple of magically enhanced items. A scimitar, a cloak and a pair of boots, but damage had been done to the group and it was decided to rest and recuperate.

Under Elmwood  [top]

Having rested and recuperated, our band of heroes decide to check out the only other exit that they have yet to explore.
They haven’t gone far before they come across an opening from the corridor that leads into a largish room.
The room contains four raised troughs, each full of dry brown earth. The trough at the back of the room on the right also has a near dead plant growing out of it. The plant has grown enough to reach up to the ceiling and through the latticework above. All that can be seen through the latticework is earth and a few roots from unknown plants.
On the walls of this room are very faded designs of natural scenes and over time they have become devoid of much detail.

The two dwarves of the group get the impression that the structure they are in was once on the surface and that over a period of possibly two thousand years, the whole network of rooms and corridors has sunk into the ground leaving no trace on the surface.

As some of group begin to explore the room the near dead plant, suddenly makes a grab for those nearest to it and it catches several people by surprise. Fenney is one of those grabbed and as the plant begins to squeeze, her curse comes to the fore.
The wound she received at the hand of the were rat at the ruined keep had never been cured and enough time had passed for her blood to be well and truly tainted. But this taint would only surface when she became injured.

Being slowly crushed by the plant made Fenney change. Gone was the Halfling and in its place a were rat now stood. Its first task was to destroy the plant chocking her, once that was done, she turned on her comrades. Her first attacks were made by throwing her darts at those she felt most dangerous, but each time she throw one, she first licked the point. If one could penetrate armour and inflict damage, the wound would become infected and another potential were creature would be born.

All her efforts against the rest of the party were in vain and before long she succumbed to the numerous injuries they inflicted on her and fell dead at their feet.

Fenny’s transformation shocked a few and it was decided to carry her body to the surface and bestow a proper burial on her before continuing with their search for the children.

Back down in the underground corridors, our group carried on where they left off.
Outside the room where Fenny had died, there was one other exit, which soon took a right turn. In the darkness, that was either pierced by a few with dark vision, or by the lantern that they carried, three doors could be seen two on the right side of the corridor, but the nearest one was the single door on the left.

Cautiously opening this door, it opened into a large dirty room. Scattered at one end were some long wooden boxes lying on the floor and down one wall, a bench was fixed to the wall. The floor to this room was covered in large flagstones and in one portion of the ceiling, holes could just about be made out.
On one wall, there was a small horizontal gap in the wall about six inches long and stuck in the gap near the top was a piece of broken wood.
Our gnome wizard Fell, decided to see what this piece of wood was all about, so with the aid of a crossbow bolt he tried to free it. All he could do was shift it to the bottom of the gap, which is when strange noises started to be heard.
Those who heard them dived to varying parts of the room, but even as they did, several, including Xan and Dhargrim were drenched in stagnant brackish water that suddenly descended from the ceiling. The downpour didn’t last too long, but long enough to leave those caught, utterly soaked.

The long wooden boxes were found to be empty and it was thought that these had been some kind of storage facility for hanging robes or other items of clothing and no longer held anything of interest.

There was one door from this room that lead into a larger room. There were several high backed benches that filled this room and from the large block of stone that stood on a raised platform at the far end, people deemed that this had once been a chapel or a place of worship.
Several of the benches had been pushed together and from the stench and lice ridden filthy blankets that were still on some of them, it was obvious that gnolls had used this place as somewhere to sleep.
At the end of the room on either side of the block of stone there was a door. The right hand one lead back into the corridor and the one on the left, into a small anti room or audience chamber. There was a desk, a broken chair and the remains of a wardrobe. A smaller door in this chamber opened into a closet and it is here, hidden under a flagstone in the floor where our heroes found a couple of interesting items. One of which was a sickle made of silver with a symbol of sort engraved upon it.

Back in the corridor, the two doors to the right were checked. The first opened into a dinning room, with a large heavy wooden table sitting in the centre and eight chairs wee scattered about. A door form this room lead to a kitchen, a very dirty and smelly kitchen, which could be accessed via the other door in the corridor.
Neither of these rooms turned up anything of interest, so everyone headed back to the chapel where the large block of stone came under examination.

After a bit of effort, it was found that the block could be moved and beneath it a passage leads away. Immediately under the block a skeleton was found, it was missing the tips of several fingers on one hand and from the state of the rags around the bones it had obviously been here for a very long time.
Hesitantly the passage way was explored and after some time, it opened into a large room containing six sarcophagi and a statue of an elf in each corner that had been fashioned from an amazing blue stone, a type of which none could recognise.

The opening into this room was slightly raised, so if any had to enter, they needed to step down onto the rooms floor. On the far side of the room, set into the floor were stairs leading yet further down. It was obvious to all that no-one, let alone a few children had been this way for a very long time and so it was decided to leave and explore later.

Back up again and back into the corridor, it stretch away some fifty feet and opened into a small are before turning to the left. In this opening were a well worn desk and a chair. Neither of which were examined as Lea, who was getting a bored proceeded down the corridor only to find the floor giving way under her.
Desperately she tries to save herself from the fall, but to no avail and plunged twenty feet down to solid floor. More hurt through embarrassment, she picks herself up and waits for assistance.

Xan jumps the opening and collects an end of a rope and anchors it as best he can so that others can climb across. Foolishly, people start to pull themselves across without shedding armour and the going is not easy not only for them but those supporting the rope.
Three of our heroes end up falling off the rope and into the pit and after the second one goes in, they learn to stand away against the walls so that no-one else lands on top of them.
Finally, with a good many bumps and bruises, they resume their exploration of the passageway. Strange that no-one asks how the gnolls got across, let alone the children??

A good fifty feet or so ahead of them, the corridor turned to the left but before that, there were two doors on either side of the corridor yet to check.
The first on the right opened into a small lounge with the remains of two armchairs and what was once a rug. Two more doors lead from this room and both contained very old and very sturdy beds. Just a shame that the mattress and what was left of the bed clothes has seen better days.
In the hollowed out post of one of the bed posts, Xan finds a small number of coin. No of a great value but it’s obvious that the coins are very old.

The door almost opposite opens into a larger room with one exit to the right. The racks and stands in here would have once held a vast array of arms and armour, but all that remains are a few very rusty peaces of metal that might have once been spear heads or a sword and a few odd pieces of armour. Nothing of any use except for a well made shield that seemed to have weathered the test of time quite well.

The door to the right was the next target to be investigated. The door opened into yet another room, this one almost three times the size of the armoury they’d just left. The room was furnished by many bunks, a row along each of the two longest walls. Three doors provided a means of exit, two on the opposite wall at either ends and the third on the far left wall in the far corner.

As people started to crowd into the room and better light was provided, it became clear to one and all that the beds were occupied by something. Blankets, still in reasonable condition hid what ever it was that lay beneath and as the nearest stirred to wakefulness, Lea lashed out with her sword.
You could tell the two words that died on many lips at that moment, without even hearing them. ‘The Children’.
Fortunately for Lea and the children, they weren’t here, but the skeleton that rose from the bed was none too please to be slashed at with cold steel.
A fight ensued with most of the other bunks depositing skeletons to protest at their slumber being disturbed. All but two were dispatched for these should remarkable intelligence for skeletons and left the room whilst the party finished off the other skeletons. This allowed the two intelligent ones to get behind the party and lay-into them from behind with bolts of energy from their fingers
Having taken a battering, the devote cleric of the group, finally managed to get his lords attention and the two skeletons fled from the battle, but our heroes didn’t pursue, for they had been badly injured and the skeletons had disappeared deeper into unexplored territory.

So choosing to hold up in the old sitting room that lead to the two bedrooms, our heroes stopped and rested for many hours to recuperate.

New Arrivals and a Farewell [top]

As they were resting, a large man from the village came seeking them, he had a message for the Paladin Jaril. His church was seeking him and he was to make his way to Cormyr as soon as feasible.

So leaving the hunt for the children in the capable hands of his comrades, Jaril headed back to the surface, leaving behind the messenger, a brutish man, with minimal armour and a large sword. Having nothing better to do and seeing as there was adventure down here, he agreed to take the place of the Jaril and help find the children.

Oskar was chaffing at the bit and wanted to get on. As soon as it was agreed that they were fit to resume, off he went down the corridor taking the lead. Obviously the lesson Lea learnt from earlier hadn’t rubbed off on him, for only a few yards down the corridor he was stopped by a large block of granite that dropped from the ceiling, pinning him neatly between it and the floor.
As his life was slowly being squeezed out of him, our other heroes came forward quickly to his aid. Those with strength or arms took hold of the block of stone in a hope to lift it enough so that the others could pull Oskar free.
This was no easy feat and took, as far as Oskar was concerned, a great deal of time. Each passing second, the rock tried to make a bloody smear of Oskar and as he was being crushed, the healing powers the group had regained through a nights rest, where being pumped into Oskar to keep him alive.
It seemed as if the group were fighting a loosing battle against the block of stone and just when they thought they’d lost, redemption came in the form of a mystery priest who had met Jaril as he exited the well and came to see if he could help.

This extra pair of hands and the extra healing he brought with him, shifted the balance in their favour and the block of granite was lifted just enough for them to haul Oskar out.
A little more caution was taken after this event and after a brief search, a lever was found to secure a second block of stone that would have sealed a second passageway.

A third corridor was checked first, which lead to a room that contained a desk and a couple of well worn benches. One door provided an exit, but this was stuck firm. It felt as if something was barricaded against it on the other side.
Back to the second corridor and this opened into a very large chamber. If Oskar hadn’t caused the block of granite to fall, that corridor would’ve also lead to this chamber.
On the opposite wall stood to large double doors and all the walls were covered with beautiful though faded mosaics of various scenes depicting woodland, the sea, the sky and so forth. Even the floor and ceiling had a design.
All these though had to be investigated later, as the two skeletons that had been forced to flee earlier, were here and waiting. More bolts of energy preceded their attacks as they set upon our heroes.
There were only two of them and they were soon destroyed, especially as there were now two clerics in the group and calling upon the power of their respective Gods, they forced the undead creatures to cower from them.

Now they could examine the room properly. The double doors were solidly blocked and after some discussion, it was decreed that behind them was solid earth. It was recalled that this entire complex had once been on the surface and over many centuries had sunk.

So where were the children?

The only course open to the group was to go back to the earlier collapsed corridor and dig it out. Back down the corridor they went, but first they had to get back across the pit.
Using the same procedure as before, Xan jumped across and anchored a rope. Predictably, the first person to climb across, slipped and fell into the pit. There was more damage to their pride then to their bodies …. Well that would’ve been the case if the pit hadn’t become the new home to an ooze that had been flushed out of its earlier home when the group had activated the old showers.
After a bit of a panic, the others were able to get their colleague out without too much damage bein g down and then started to pepper the creature with arrows. To finish the job, they threw done some flasks of oil and set light to the base of the pit. Good plan.
Well that plan went up in smoke as rather then waiting for the oil to burn away, they decided to resume their trip across the pit. Yes, you guessed it, someone fell in. The ooze was dead, but the flames were hungry.

Eventually, they were all across and preceded back they way they had come. But they were tempted to check out the tunnel under the alter. Back down they went and this time they crossed the room containing the sarcophagi. They reached the stairs that lead further down and nothing happened. Down they climbed and climbed and climbed. Possibly an hour had passed when the stairs finally opened out into a large, large chamber. Their light sources would not reveal the far walls and those with darkvision faired no better.
Some plucked up the courage and entered and eventually, a couple of large pillars were discovered supporting the ceiling that was way above them. At the centre of the chamber that was over two hundred across, was a platform raised to a height of ten feet.
And upon this platform, motionless was the form of a dragon. Its ruby red scales seemed to come alive in the flickering light of the light sources they carried, though its eyes remained still.
Peoples’ nerve began to leave them at this point and though one or two lingered, most decided to leave and head back to safer ground. It was time to examine the collapsed corridor above.

Turning into the blocked corridor, it was decided that a couple of hours should be enough time to clear enough to get them through.
The work was carried out and beyond the corridor continued and at the point it turned to the left, a door could be seen. Also turning left, another door blocked the way at the corridors end. When it was discovered that the first door was trapped, the other door was opened.
This door opened into a room with more pallets lined along either wall. There were about ten in total. This room was examined and when the first of the group reached the back wall, much to his surprise, a creature attacked from through the rear wall.
When the initial surprise wore off, it could be now seen that an illusionary wall was in place and the room was in fact ten feet longer then first perceived.
There was more then one creature, but as they were also undead, it didn’t take too long to lay them to rest once more.

After a search of the room revealed nothing, back to the trapped door they went. It was discovered that as the door was opened inward, something would be fired through the doorway. The plan was to have someone stand to the side of the door and lift the latch, whilst someone a little back down the corridor would hurl a rock at the door, forcing it open and then ducking back into cover and so avoiding whatever fired.
Timing was the key and after sev eral failed attempts were Xan was doing the throwing and Oskar the opening, they decided to swap roles. They had success on their first attempt, but Oskar forgot to duck back into cover and for his troubles, received a rather large ballista bolt in the chest. Ouch.

With the trap disarmed, the group progressed. The room beyond had at one stage been an office. A desk, desk and a broken cabinet remained. Beyond this, was a sleeping chamber, the rear wall of which had been caved in and after some obvious tunnelling work, lead into a more natural tunnel.
Down this tunnel the party ventures, coming to a rusting portcullis. It didn’t take too long to get through this and after cautiously advancing across the small cavern beyond, they entered another tunnel.

By now the sounds of surf could be heard by most and after a few more twists and turns, the tunnel split into two paths. The sounds of water on rock could be heard from the left hand tunnel and nothing but the occasional drip of water from the right.
Checking the left tunnel, it did indeed open to the Moonsea. The opening was well concealed and could only be seen from someone out on the water and if they knew where to look. A large piece of timber had been fixed here in some iron bands and it looked as if it could be run out to help moor a small boat.

Down the right hand tunnel, it eventually opened out into a larger chamber. There were many crates in this cavern, on the far side was an exit and to the left of that, a holding cell of some sort had been constructed.
Moving in as carefully and quietly as only a couple of dwarves in heavy armour can, our heroes advanced. Rising from behind crates appeared several gnolls with rather large crossbows, these were fired and a nasty fight ensued.
Though it went close, the gnolls were slain and our brae adventures, stopped to lick their own wounds. Those less injured explored the cavern and the holding cell. Within were a pair of boys, one of whom was one of the missing children, the other an unknown.
Both were tired, hungry and very scared and after much coaxing and care, they were taken back to Elmwood, much to the delight of one set of parents. But what of the two missing girls?

Back the party went, after some hasty repairs to arms and armour and much healing.
The crates had only contained food stuffs and a few other fairly worthless goods, so on they went.
The exit from the cavern lead down and then opened out into a much larger cavern which was entirely flooded. On the far wall, quite some way away, another tunnel lead off, but how to get there?
A makeshift raft was constructed using the crates and they set sail, but part way across, their raft grounded on rock and after much investigation, it became apparent that the water level in the cavern, rose or dropped with the tide and at low tide, a slim, twisting pathway became revealed and made for an easier crossing.
Abandoning the raft, they continued and about halfway across, they were attacked.
Launching from the water appeared some nasty looking aquatic humanoids that tried to employ a tactic of knocking their target from the pathway and into the water. A sound plan, but luck was with our heroes and they were able to stand firm and defeat this latest threat.

Finally across, on the group went down this new tunnel. A sharp turn to the left, then a short straight and then a sharp turn to the right. Well that’s were they would have gone if a pair of portcullises hadn’t suddenly dropped form the ceiling, effectively splitting the group in two.
As they worked to open one portcull is and re-group, stepping out from around the right hand corner came some more gnolls and opened fire through the second portcullis.
This time luck had deserted our heroes and after several volleys of crossbow bolts, Fell, the wizard, became true to his name and went down, followed shortly after by Xan. The gnolls had the upper hand and the others decided that it would be best to drop back, re-group and come up with a plan to tackle the obstacles, so that they could get to the gnolls and their comrade. They had been close enough to grab the wizards body, but Xan was out of reach.

When they returned with some new recruits, a human priest of Torm by the name of Brother Michael and a halfling by the name of Bosco, the portcullises, were still down, but there was no sign of Xan’s body, nor any gnolls. This time they were not attacked as they raised the obstacles and on they went. Yet more tunnel twisted and turned and a side tunnel was discovered, which lead to a chimney going straight up. After some investigation and a tricky climb, a stone block sealed any further ascent and try as they might, this could not be lifted or removed.

So on down the main tunnel they ventured. At one point they almost lost Noella as some strange creature grabbed her and hauled her up to its hiding place up on the ceiling. Some precise shooting and magics, made the creature drop the Halfling and it fled.

They pushed on and on and after some mishap with a steep slope that had some enchantment cast upon it that made it look as if steps had been carved into the rock, depositing anyone unfortunate enough to slip into a pit at the bottom, the group came upon yet another chamber.

This time a raised voice could be heard in the common tongue. Whoever it was, was berating someone else and sounded very angry. The name Black Widow was mentioned and this set one or two alarm bells ringing in peoples head as it’s a name they’d heard before.

Carefully they peered into the chamber. A couple of rows of bunks could be seen and at the back, a curtain had been fixed to possible create an additional room. Over the stench of gnoll, something cooking could be smelt.
Standing in the room were several gnolls and a robed humanoid. In a far corner, huddled two small children, girls by the looks of it.
In our heroes charged in an attempt to take the gnolls by surprise, but by the time they’d closed to combat, the gnolls were ready. The hand to hand combat was vicious and the gnolls were assisted by some spell casting from the robed humanoid. But the fight turned in the parties favour and soon only the robed figure was left standing.
At one point Brother Michael was certain that a spell of his that would’ve caused his target to freeze in place had found its mark, but their foe kept fighting. Then just as their enemy was about to be trapped into a corner of the chamber, it simply vanished and after much searching, no sign of it could be found.

After some tidying up and after the two dwarves had helped themselves to the stew the gnolls had been cooking, the two girls were looked after. Both were indeed the two remaining children from Elmwood and like the boys found earlier, were very scared, dirty and hungry.
The room beyond the curtain contained a large bed covered in blankets and furs and after breaking into a chest at the base of the bed, items that had once belonged to Xan were found. So were was his body?

All made their way back to Elmwood and a joyous occasion it was too. The parents of the missing children were obviously overwhelmed with emotion and after much slapping of backs and congratulations, a party started at the Still Waters Inn.
Only downside was that Oskar, was once again and with many apologies, secured in a room by himself just in case. He was though provided with much food and ale and this seemed to appease him some what.

**New On the Moonsea New** [top]
Morning arrived and the ship set sail. If all went well, they were advised, the journey would take about four days and as it happened, the weather was fair and a favourable wind was taking them in the right direction.
It seemed that all was going well, but was it going too well?

It was the second night out of Elmwood when the attack came. A thick fog had risen, though none of the group was aware as all were tucked up in their bunks, except Oskar who was still down in the brig.
The sailors on watch were fairly used to a fog appearing from nowhere and though they became more wary, they were unworried.
As the other ship hit them amidships, those in their bunks were instantly woken as they were violently thrown to the floor. Carnage and chaos soon followed, with the sounds of blade on blade and screams of rage and pain. Our heroes struggled to come to the aid of the ships crew and whilst Bosco ran to release Oskar down below, the others engaged.

By the time they made it to the main deck, the fight was well underway and on the deck of their own ship. The crew were severely harried, but with the introduction of our heroes and eventually Oskar, the tide of the fight began to go in their favour, despite the sudden arrival of devil dogs that breathed fire on one and all.

Losses were heavy and what seemed very stranger later, the crew of the other ship were cut down to the man. None surrendered.
The group weren’t without loss themselves. Oskar had drawn the wrath of a sorcerer when he had slain her familiar and she targeted him relentlessly and slew him moments before being cut down herself.

With the fight over, bodies were searched and disposed of. One or two people heard a disturbance in the water and seconds later, the fog vanished.
The other ship was also searched and a lone person was discovered. She was a Halfling cleric that had been seen briefly on the deck of the attacking ship, but had vanished soon after the captain had been slain. Her story was a strange one and she declared that she had no memory of the attack and that the ship was a merchant vessel on its way to Mulmaster, recently out of Hillsfar.
She was confined to the brig and would be handed over to the authorities in Phlan. The ship was striped of as many valuables as possible, but as the captain of their own ship had a deadline to keep, was not prepared to take her in tow or spare any of his dilapidated crew to bring her to Phlan. A drift anchor was set and she was cut loose.

Another two days later and Phlan was sighted with no further incident. The Halfling cleric was allowed, under guard, to treat those injured in the fight and once docked, she was handed over to the council of the city.

Phlan
To the new arrivals, this city housed all sorts of prospects, many adventures and the hope of fame and wealth, or maybe just wealth.
Oskars body was handed over to the only major temple operating in the city, that of Tyr and after a cleric had spoken with the body, they learnt that Oskar did not wish to be returned to the living.
Lodgings were found at the Bitter Blade and a few days of trading followed, though some attempt was made to enquire of what would happen to the pirate cleric.
Some new acquaintances were made as our heroes went about their business. One was a large barbarian by the name of Rek and the other was Amirilyon, who the group had been introduced to at the temple.
Money was a bit of an issue amongst the group and it just so happened that a visiting cleric of Ilmater, by the name of Dirtan, needed some help. In another section of the city, was an old temple and this, he hoped had some hidden items inside. The trouble was, no one knew where they were, if they were still there and of course the whole area was occupied by orcs. The group accepted the job and Amirilyon was asked to accompany them as the clerics representative.

In the meantime, Dhargrim, accompanied by Rek had gone to see the pirate cleric and whilst speaking to the Councilman about possibly getting her released, they got themselves and the rest of the group caught up with another job.
There was a group of Gnolls hold up in a corner of the city. They had been there for some time and if the city was going to prosper and rebuild, someone had to remove them. That someone was our heroes.

The rest of the group were none too pleased as this task was to be done immediately and of course the other job, they had planned to start on that same night.

Gnolls
Bosco lead the way and they were soon over the exterior wall to the gnolls stronghold. Buildings rested around the entire square shaped complex, leaving a large courtyard at the centre. Several gnolls could be seen lounging in the centre, by what looked to be a gallows.
Before long the group were heard and a battle ensued. There were lots of injuries on both sides, but fortunately, the only fatalities were on the gnolls side. The gnoll chieftan put up a great fight and as it died, the circlet it wore rolled off and was promptly picked up by Bosco, who put it on his own head and was rather surprised to find it shrinking to fit his own much smaller head. Trouble is, it wouldn’t come off again.
Next was a shaman of some sort, who put up a struggle, but was finally slain after he had transformed into a bear and had tried to fight its way clear.
Then there was a group of gnoll children. Their guardians were slain by the group, but the children left alive, only to be slaughtered by the cities militia an hour or so later.
Finally there was a lone, rather simple, but very large gnoll that for some reason was not killed by the group. It was accompanied by a pig, which it referred to as master and after hitting the gnoll once Lea, stopped and began to feel sorry for it. The gnoll and the pig wanted to go with Lea and the rest of the group and was promptly clapped in irons by the militia. Someone had an idea of roasting the pig and making an example out of the simpleton gnoll.
During this, Noella had taken quite a battering and enough was enough. She announced to the group that she no longer wished to venture and that it was time to seek a less dangerous lifestyle.

Orcs
With there number one less, the temple of Tyr asked one of it’s messengers to aid them in their next task. He was a human warrior who introduced himself as Bob. He wore plate armour and seemed to be very proud of his large two handed sword.
Bob wasn’t the only new arrival to the group, whilst resting for a few hours back at the inn, a fellow by the name of Laucian, who was known by Bob asked if he could also tag along.

Our heroes managed to persuade a boatman to ferry them across the small stretch of water from the civilised section of the city and over to the orc infested part. They were not spotted and arrangements were made for them to be picked up again the following day.
After avoiding one patrol, they broke into an abandoned house and agreed to let Bosco scout a route for them to the Temple. Bosco returned successfully only to find that light was filtering through some of the broken shutters and who knew if a patrol had noticed this.
Getting to the temple wasn’t a hardship now that a route had been found. Getting in could be. Outside the only entrance stood three large orcs, two of which were well armed.
A surprise attack was decided upon, where they would overwhelm the orcs, break into the temple bringing the bodies with them and hope that no alarm would be raised.

The plan did work, but the orcs were not as much of a push over as the group believed they would be, but finally they defeated them and made it inside the temple with no alarm being raised. Or so they thought.
Inside, the temple was in a right state. It was filthy and much of the interior had been vandalised in an orcs own unique manner. Some of the group kept watch by the entrance, whilst the others began a search. It was a very disorganised search, but finally with the aid of some magics, three hidden caches were found. One was of a collection of magical scrolls, another was of some magical weapons and the last contained the items the cleric was after.

As time had passed and the search went on, some orcs appeared at the front of the temple. None tried to enter, but simply loitered outside. The number of orcs swelled and swelled causing those inside to become very nervous.
Finally only a few of the orcs remained and the group decide that now was a good time to run for home. Combat ensued and rather then get clear and run, most stayed to fight. Not a smart move, because the tell tale signs of more orcs approaching was soon heard. Thing is, when they actually turned up, this didn’t even persuade them to run. This was about to get messy.

Laucian found himself outclassed and was knock cold by one of the orcs. By now Bosco and Amirilyon had moved away and to relative safety and Lea and Dhargrim began to leave via another path. They were just a little too late though as more orcs were coming. Dhargrim rushed back in to aid Bob and Brother Michael, whilst Lea looked on having dropped her bow earlier and was wounded enough so decided not to re-join the fight.
Those still fighting were offered quarter on several occasions but they fought on. Dhagrim dropped and was soon followed by Brother Michael. Lea, on the edge of combat may have joined them if a large gnoll with a pig under one arm hadn’t gotten in the way. The gnoll had his armed severed by the blow that was meant for Lea and promptly dropped the pig. To those that witnessed it, the pig touched the gnoll with its snout and the stump immediately healed over. Time to run.
Gnoll, pig and Lea went one way. Bosco and Amirilyon, who had since been rendered blind because he annoyed the orc leader and so set his cleric upon him, went another.
This left Bob and the unconscious Laucian. Bob decided to surrender.

Finally Lea met up with Bosco and Amirilyon who, fortunately for the group had taken charge of the items the cleric was after. The gnoll and pig disappeared and all believed that the others were dead, or soon to be.
After resting for the remainder of the night in hiding, the depleted group went back to the waterways and signalled for the boatman. At the door in the wall by which they entered this section of the city, they found two large sacks. These contained the bound and gagged bodies of Laucian and Bob. Thinking it was some sort of trap, they left them there and returned to the temple. Laucian managed to free himself and then Bob and in enough time to signal the boatman once more and so ferry them across. These two came out with their lives and little else.

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