Attempted, theft, and return

We got Krieger brought back to life. It seems someone thinks my group will be the one to stop the Yuan-ti threat. The past two days just whirred by as we were repeatedly whisked between towns by magical means to have Krieger resurrected and to have meetings with powerful people who had information for us. I contributed quite a bit for Krieger's spell but it's worth it. His ideas on communal party property are misguided but he's stalwart in battle. It buys me lots of time to use my arcane tricks and to pick my spots when I resort to my daggers.

I have also seen the most impressive wizard's library and I can barely remember where it was or to whom it belonged, the day was such a blur.

It appears the Yuan-ti know we're after them and what we're carrying. I awoke in our inn with one just pulling the box I found out of my pack. We were able to deal with him and his two accomplices quickly and recover our property. I also discovered the Yuan-ti are using misinformation against us with local lawmakers. Taking that paper off the mayor was so easy and was so informative! I don't know if I'll be able to resist helping myself again given a similar opportunity in the future.

We also discovered the Yuan-ti have a major weapon to use against us in this fight. We were miles away from Gatwar and the Granite Temple was two or three times again that distance but we still felt the earth shake and saw the bright light. The devastation in Gatwar was beyond belief.

Gromjin has already proven his worth by solving the clues in Gatwar and leading us through the bogs so we could catch the bugbears. I'm glad none of them got away to warn others. It's also good no one noticed that I hit the one that tried to flee right in the back with my thrown dagger well beyond the light that Civlis created. I even searched him in the dark while everyone else was distracted! We found more notes from the Order of the Black Worm looking for help to find something in our territory. If we weren't stopping their pleas for help, they would have promised away all their treasure before they found anything.

That Ulrik is getting more annoying all the time. He's incessantly singing and now that whole effort to get his pony down the cliff. I don't know how we'll get back up. We'll probably have to go around the long way with all the prisoners we rescued.

The passing of Krieger

I hate snakes. First we were plagued by vampires, then demons, and now the theme is snakes.

My parents made treasure-hunting sound like so much fun but I think that’s only because I was getting the highlights from their two perspectives. The endless trudging between towns, getting lost in all the damn forests in this area of the world… It’s wearing on me. And now, watching Krieger squeezed and pummeled to death by that more snake than man Yuan-ti. After the first snake-man looked into my eyes so that I felt compelled to back away, I was then useless from just twenty feet away. It’s just getting to be too much.

I don’t know why I’m out here and how I ended up with this bunch. The past few months have just flown by. We were pressed into service and have had no time to get to know anyone before death has taken them. I’m the last of the original group with which I first went down into the Bastard’s cellars. Torvald, Nazdreg, Friar Gregory, and now Krieger are all dead. At least we have Krieger’s body. Maybe we can convince his soul to return so that he may fight again.

Not that his return would improve my situation. Sure, he meets enemies head-on so Civlis and I can concentrate on using magic without a monster in our face but his ethics are so twisted, possibly by the loss of his mentor. He drives us on without rest so we can help the people of the area but he vetoes any helping each other. Civlis is the same. He and I could both benefit by sharing our arcane knowledge but he also feels no need to cooperate with those who, for now, are closest to him. Bizarre that they’re so eager to help those they barely know but look at me with such suspicion. And the lectures when I helped them with that figurine! Only death could shut Krieger up on the subject.

I want to help others and I do my best to achieve that but it gets me nothing in return. Maybe it’s time to look out for myself a little more and do whatever makes me happiest.

The passing of Friar Gregory

I've done it! After the stories my parents told me, and the few items my mom showed me, I've found my first wondrous item since I embarked on this adventure. With the note stuffed in it, I assume it's been given to the dragon to try and buy its service. But now this item has come to me, though I buy it at a great price. But, I guess I should start at the beginning of this little episode.

Once we were ready to leave the Bastard, which I don't know if I care to return to since it's under its new "captain," we travelled back to Civlis' home. We got there to find the elves packing and leaving. Their numbers were being depleted as their hunters and scouts were not returning from trips outside of their borders. The seven archers who survived the attack on the Bastard had also not returned.

We mapped where most of the disappearances seemed to be occurring and noticed a pattern to the Southwest. The village leader, Servitus, accompanied us as we set of to look for better clues. We suffered one attack from a crocodile which would have dragged Friar Gregory to his death if Krieger hadn't stepped up and nearly chopped the crocodile in two. Signs indicated that we might be dealing with some ferocious crocodiles further up the river.

We came to a waterfall with a large crocodile sleeping underneath. Under Civlis' direction, we built a platform above the falls which Krieger was supposed to use to drop down and catch the crocodile unaware. Krieger had barely set foot on the platform when it gave way and he was swept over the falls. Luckily, we had secured him with a rope and we were able to pull him out of the water right away. A second attempt and Krieger and I were safely down beside the crocodile which we finished off before it could wake up.

I could detect the thoughts of another, larger crocodile snoozing just inside the dark cave. We decided to shuffle inside and, when our newest party member, Ulrik, saw that we were close enough, Friar Gregory would throw in some light so the others could see and Civlis would summon one of his magical beasts to help us fight the master crocodile. Or so we thought.

Just as we were about to strike, I sensed another, more powerful mind and saw a large, green head at the end of a long neck come towards us. The source of the strong, unidentified chemical smell, which had been troubling me, became apparent as Krieger, Servitus, and I were doused in chlorine. We were in the layer of a green dragon but the world went dark to me.

I don't think I was out long when I awoke to see the Friar standing over me. Servitus was attempting to influence the giant crocodile, as druids are wont to do, but Krieger didn't want that threat still around and dispatched it. Now, indecision gripped our party as we had a dragon roaming around its lair in the dark. We didn't have a good idea of its power so we didn't know whether to attack or fall back. It knew to attack and we were again sprayed with a great volume of acid. Krieger then sounded the attack.

Friar Gregory, Krieger, and I went invisibly into the main area of the lair while Servitus went down the other passage. I sensed the dragon squeezing through a hole so I webbed him in place. While he tried to free himself, Krieger and Servitus attacked from opposite ends of the dragon's small passage. Even I was able to move in and find two points of weakness while it was distracted by a mighty blow of Krieger's which, unfortunately, went astray. Civlis delivered a precise fireball from the far end of the lair. The dragon was able to get away from us and spew another blast of acid. I had learned enough from my previous two soakings so I anticipated the blast and was able to completely dodge out of the way. Friar Gregory and Servitus were overcome by the acid. I ran to Servitus' aid while Krieger and our new friend, Ulrik, went to help Friar Gregory. Another fireball and the dragon was looking to flee.

The dragon came in for some parting shots but Civlis and Ulrik both fled. (Poor Ulrik, he wandered into the Bastard just a few days ago and then found himself face to face with a dragon! I looked at him with my arcane sight and determined that he had just the weakest of divine magic about him. His power will grow quickly if he hangs around with us much more.) Again, I could tell that more acid was coming and I got out of the way but poor Friar Gregory, still lying on the ground, was helpless as the edge of the acid blast fell over him and pooled around him on the floor. As the dragon looked to finish its escape, a last barrage of magic missiles from Civlis brought it crashing to a halt.

It fell to Civlis and me to inspect the hoard while others tended to the hurt and made sure of the dragon's demise. That's when I found the small, silver statue. Civlis was distracted by something else so I slipped it into my haversack. I know I have the best skill to unlock the statue's secrets and then I'll reveal it to my friends. We had to clean up quickly as it seemed we encountered the smaller of two dragons which lived in that cave. I don't know what we'll do with the Friar. We have the gold to bring him back to life but we have to find someone powerful enough to perform the rites. Though, he may choose to serve a little closer to Pelor.

Children of the night

"Death to the weaklings! The snake tribe shall triumph over all. Are we not the bravest, the most clever, the most daring? We planned our assault on the hated southlings in three parts, in the darkest part of the night. The Snorri twins would take command of our two giants and the main party of the assault to try first and direct assault up the side of the west wall. Yrthm would transform to an animal shape and drop a master and me on top of the magus tower to slay that small threat. Offan the trickster would wait until others were drawn off and then raise the main gate; he would control the greatest strength of ragers, ettercaps, little poison brothers, and the masters who would accompany them. Lastly, our wyvern riding little sorcerer brother would circle and support where needed. How could their pathetic forces deny us?

But somehow, they did. Somehow, the bastards were aware of us. The giant brothers were hurt before they could get the ladders up, and even thought they did damage, they were driven off too fast.

Something was happening at the front gate too; they couldn't get the portcullis up, and had to come up over the wall to get in; Offan misted through the gate and dispersed the small threat from the militia with his tricks, but could not get it open still. Our sorcerer brother crashed too early; there were strange enemies afoot, and they were mobile and wrecked the little brother before he could unleash his strongest magic.

I landed, though. My speed was furious, and the burnt man trembled at my coming. Two strokes and the mage was down. However, another rose to meet me, some man hiding behind a shield. Magics swirled from behind him, which stole my strength and forced me down. Yrthm tried to back me up, to slay these foes, but it all changed so fast. The druid was slain in two lucky hits and fell down to the bottom of the wall.

Lying... dying... we went from victors to defeated in only moments. I could hear the master below me moving through the tower. It's clear he retrieved what he came for, but it mattered not for our tribe. Something monstrous had trapped our strongest down below the main gate and they could not climb. The giants flung the Snorri brothers over, but they were too little too late. I pulled myself to the edge of the tower. I watched Offan die. The small brothers had scattered. We would not succeed this time, and our masters would not be pleased. I earned my place on our totem though, but failed."

- Yogham, Long Arm of the Long Snakes


Memorable highlights:

• Gary Glitter does some seriously good work. Zanita hides under a table.
• "Civlis, avenge me!"
• New phrase: a frivolous omelet
• Friar Gregory learns to wield the Force-kin while working under Matron
• Sergeant Gont is fun to role-play, consarn it

Deal with the devil

"It ain't right.

I had my day already. When the Stormcrow were captain, or Shaulk the bloody, things were right. Enough men, enough engineers, enough magic to bleed our enemies. Now we got nothing what will serve, no planners, no eyes, and no gnomes to back us. I ain't a captain, never were, and this is what comes of handing lordship over to a sergeant too old to know what's best. Ennis and Matron still done nothin, so now the kids is forced to call the shots as best they can.

So far, they ain't been wrong. They seen to the countryside around, recruitin' elves and green warders and whatnot. They made it back from bein' captured by bandits, barghests, an even Heartwood Rot, and there ain't none that went worse than him. There's still trouble out there, but they done their dooty. The Long Snakes are on the move, and they're being supplied or led by these snakey Yuan-ti. That prolly means they ain't going to do the usual thing and try to batter us down, so even with the warning we got, we needin' to be watchful fer new tricks.

Even so, we're still too skinny on the ground. Half-starved villagers will be easy meat for barbarians and their pals. So now we got to shake hands with the devil, as it were. Downstairs we went; Mazzarbul forced me to a dark deal, but I done my dooty, as I always done. Shaulk allus said you got to save the most you can by any means you can... I jus wish the price weren't so high. Still, with the new captain's help, we got a reasonable chance. Ain't nothin that'll come at us from below, and anyone coming at night is in fer a shock. Hah!

And now we wait. We don't even got enough men to mount a proper watch and form work parties. That Elfy druid sent a clutch of shooters, but they ain't enough to make much difference. We got arms and armour aplenty, but not enough seasoned hands to hold them. We're in it deep fer sure, unless these kids can pull our asses outta the fire again."

-Old Gont, former sergeant and town leader



Selected highlights:

• Vampires with frickin' lasers
• Dire daschund = fearsome opponent with a gas attack
• Civlis almost gets his Elf status revoked for conduct unbecoming the master race
• "Wait a moment... with prompting, Krieger remembers to turn and critically chop the druid behind him into bits."
• "Yay, I'm useful!" Baezel

Garden of Heartwood Rot

"The most sserendipitouss thing! Rescued by a party of blundering humans at the final moment.

Volunteers for the masster are happily in short ssupply, so I was ordered out to scout and recruit. However, all the villages and camps I tried were depleted; of necesssity, I went further west than I preferred. Although I was pleased to see the Samarkandian infiltrators performing their roles, by an appalling chance I was waylaid by a Woodwife. She led me to this erstaz garden, uncaring of the horror that awaits fauna here.

The ancient treant known as Heartwood Rot has decayed; his focus is now tending his groves of trees by feeding them the bodies of the dead and dying. His twissted but uncompromising logic is that fewer interlopers and greater nutrition are both achievable with one sstroke.

I ssuffered such agony on those trees. He punctured my entire body twice to impale me on two nearby branchess, then caused them to grow. This foul creature has learned something of druidic magic from ssomeone, curse them to the ebony pits of the Abyss.

As I hung, suspended and dying, I heard the ssoundss of Humans and Elves approaching. they were pursued by wargs and forestkith, and were so distracted by their pursuit that they did not notice the obvious clues of that garden. Heartwood Rot animated the nearby trees, killed the pursuers, and captured the pursued to join me in the trees.

However, they won our freedom. They convinced the insane shepherd to keep watch for further pursuit, and their hedge wizard managed to escape. Over-compassionate that they are, two of them felt obliged to endanger themselves and free me from my agony. They even used healing magic to repair my physical trauma! I did not stay to be interrogated (I know far too much that these humans musst never learn), but did not take advantage of their lapse to kill them; I am required now by Merrshaulk's law to preserve the lives of those two at least once.

They did not see me transform into viper form, but I cannot return home now until all my tasks have been discharged. Curse and twist these wretched apes! They think they are safe behind the walls of their ancient forts; what strength are walls that stand empty? The masster's coils are tightening even now, and ssoon this land shall be ours to rule."

- Ochorr, Yuan-ti half-blood



So many highlights:

• "This is your second ultimatum." 
• Things can never get too loamy for an Elf
• the first time a trap-finder has decided to take 20 on their removal roll. Also, the first perform checks!
• a penetrating discussion of earth elemental orifices
• "This is your one chance today to be useful!"
• Nature trail to hell, indeed. Big escape sequence.
• We were up $h1+ creek with Harry Smears, pinching and flowing and... yuck.

The Foyer of an Elven Mausoleum

It seems I have been missing some of the lessons people have been trying to teach me in life. My mother showed me little pin traps and similar small devices that you might find in a lock. I was merely fascinated by them but I could tell my mother had real skill with them. I never pushed her to learn more about them. In my wizard's college, magical traps didn't interest me even though I was the one trying to get around them to have a look at artifacts or more interesting magic. Not learning these lesson better has come back to haunt me.

After some debate, the party decided to do our captors' bidding and head into our prison, this Elven mausoleum. I pressed Civlis for a few more answers about what to expect but he seems reluctant to share much about Elven lore with us, especially me. I found and disarmed the first pit trap well enough but I misjudged disarming the second one I found. I was lucky to have a quick spell available to keep Krieger and myself from crashing at the bottom. At least one other adventurer had met his end down that pit. His body had been down there a while and I didn't have the stomach to see if he carried anything of use. After that slip, I was rattled. It took a few attempts to get past a sleep trap and the summoning trap is still active. I have a better idea of how to deal with summoned panthers now but they were tough when we weren't expecting them. One had me in its jaws and I passed out from the pain until Friar Gregory helped me. Civlis could have dispelled one of the magic traps but he seems to be holding his spells in case we meet something bigger later. Maybe he knows more about this place than he's sharing. The friar did tease him about wasting a Fireball on that illusion.

The tomb of the Elven hero, I forget his name as I have trouble with the Elven language, was a disappointment for me. I would prefer a little more time in the library. He was a warrior and surrounded himself in death with warrior's garb. We should have given everything to Krieger; it all suits him the best. I guess it was okay for Civlis to take the sword. He uses his sometimes but his skill doesn't match Krieger's and that may be where it's of more use. I had my hopes up for a few interesting devices. Before we leave, I should take a better look around.

I hope there's still more to be found down here. I don't think our captors knew why they were sending us down otherwise. We haven't found anything to really increase our odds of beating them in a fight. The spells we found in the library would be good but I don't have time to write them in my book. Civlis and I could use a few days to add some spells from the walls, the scrolls we've found, and each other's books to our own spellbooks. I wonder how long it would take before the bugbears came down to look for us in the mausoleum! Maybe if the friar could summon some food for us, we could stay a few days. I gave half of my food to Lanfell so all I did this morning was study my book and tighten my belt. Hmmm... Maybe it was working on an empty stomach all day that affected my trap-finding.

Baezel

Lanfell the lost

"The third last day of my life dawned in the village of King's Lynne. I have never been so out of my head with the drink, but it was also the sorrow that had unhinged me... all my friends were hanging out at the forest's edge, waving grotesquely in the wind. No one in the village could have made me to go out there again after the horrors I'd seen, because of all the grief I felt; meanwhile,  some miserable brute was about to murder me and pretend it was in the King's name, so of course I had to take them under my wing before they walked into a death trap.

He and his stupider-than-thou companions at least had the sense to listen to me when I told them to head for safety; they started back up the road towards the Bastard. They wanted to head right on by the Cliffside Inn, but my ranger's senses told me something was wrong... too many things didn't add up, you develop a feel for these things after you survive in the wildwood by yourself for a time. The brute spent too much time shouting at the house; when you're a man of action like me, you know when you're giving your enemies too much time.


As I predicted, they ran into trouble. If they'd attacked quickly with the element of surprise, I'm sure no one would have been hurt. Instead they concocted some over-fancy plan, with tricks and fakes and invisible wizards and bison battering rams. No one was listening to sense, but I knew I had to save them from their own short-sightedness. I leapt the wall and charged right through the front door, surprising all the bandits inside. At least the others had the sense to follow, but of course they stumbled on caltrops and got tangled in nets; they were next to useless. No, it was my swift sword that won the day, coolly capturing the innkeeper-imposter Rezzyn and ending the fight.


After a night's recuperation, the fools opted to swing into the forest. I guided them forward to the bandit's main camp, which I had been observing for some time. I had been waiting for a good opportunity to surprise them, and thought that the bumbling group of cityfolk would provide a handy distraction. Sadly, my erstwhile companions did that latter part all too well, tripping an obvious early-warning system and separating too early without waiting for my plan. A couple sickly panthers ambushed the others, but of course I couldn't help while guarding the enemy commanders; turned out the brute had no skill with a blade whatsoever, just waving it around uselessly while getting mauled. The dark one panicked and fled, Sandals just stood and watched it happen, while the cowardly wizard tried to hide in the bushes; it could not have been a more disastrous rout. It took the whole bandit camp to wrestle me down, but even I have was overcome.


We were propelled through the brambles, and there was never a moment when I might have escaped; I knew that while I could burst my bonds at any time, the helpless fools I was with would be killed out of hand. I suffered in noble silence all the way to the encampment of Keszimir, a notorious werewolf sorcerer lord. He barked and howled his delight, and I knew that the bloodlust was on him; in moments, one of us would die. I was by far the greatest threat to him, and knew that Keszimir secretly feared my strength, so I made the ultimate sacrifice. I stepped forward and volunteered for death so that innocents might live for a few hours more. "Til death take me", indeed."



Selected Highlights:

• "Make a smellcraft check."
• The triumphant return of Lanfell the Magnificent
• "Excuse me, Mr. Dee. Your sneakers are untied!"
• Civlis postulates a working theory for double invisibility
• This battle sets a low-water mark for intra-group cooperation.
• Far from a green rage monster, we demonstrate the powers of annoyance
• "Dear Baezel, As you might have guessed, we have been captured by rangers. No doubt, you are examining the scene right now, as their camp is immediately to your left. They have decided to take us to - "                  - hasty message scrawled in the dirt by Civlis

The Inn and the prison

I don't know if this is what my mother had in mind when she sent me off with two of her friends and said, "go have an adventure." The place where her friends left me for a while quickly ran out of locals to solve their problems and I was pressed into service with an interesting bunch of characters. I was sad to lose Torvald, and that spell book we found, but Civlis has seemed more of an adventurer. It's probably all that hunting experience he continually boasts about. I've been feeling useless in almost every situation. Father had many good stories to tell about adventures he recorded for our lord and the wondrous items those heroes had found. Even Mother used to tell some pretty vivid stories of adventure, and even showed me some wonderful, magical trinkets she had come across though I don't know where she got them. It made adventuring sound wonderful.

Killing at least one of the demons that has been troubling The Bastard was great since it allowed us to get out and look for help. The trip to the other stronghold down the road was nearly fruitless. I tried to get Civlis to let me add a few things to our little wish list but it seems it would have been useless anyway. The stronghold we visited is even smaller and less well equipped than The Bastard. They also have their own problems. We cut down a number of Rangers who had been killed and strung up just outside the walls. We dragged one poor Ranger out to help us go back to The Bastard but he would have served us better staying drunk under the table and would be more alive than he is today.

The only good we've really done since leaving The Bastard is cleaning out that thieves' den at the old inn. We thought something wasn’t right so, while Krieger talked, I used my magic to read minds. The “innkeeper” claimed to be there alone but I sensed 16 minds, most of them hoping we were coming in and looking for a fight. After giving them a chance to give up without bloodshed, we stormed the place with Civlis working his way around the back to cut off escape and Friar Gregory watching the front door in case anyone got past us. Krieger's become like a man possessed when evil is around and the bison Civlis summoned were a real step up from the fire beetles he used to summon.

The night in the inn, after we had routed those bandits and before we went looking for their main encampment, has improved things for me. I was able to figure out two more of the spells I copied into my spell book from borrowed books before I was expelled from school. One proved quite useful as Friar Gregory's Spiritual Weapon and it finished off that Displacer Beast with only minor trouble. The second beast really hurt Krieger. I guess that's why the others were taken captive so easily. We shouldn't have let Civlis scout so far ahead of us. There was no sign of him throughout the whole fight and I hoped he was also out alone in the forest until I was able to get a count of the number of prisoners the bandits had taken to that first camp. I was a little far away to see clearly but it looked like the leader of that camp ate Lanfell right in front of the others! My useless feeling was back as all I could do was follow my friends to the two camps. I was completely out of spells and I need to avoid a straight fight. It would have taken a raging barbarian with a Greatsword to fight all the bandits, wolves and hobgoblins alone.

I got only about ten seconds into my attempt to sneak in and get my friends out of their prison before I was discovered and locked up with them. Oh well, we're unharmed, we have all our stuff and we're all back together. Civlis said our prison is an old elven burial mound. I think there's more to this place than he's telling us but I'm eager to explore it more anyway. It'd be better if the only way out we know about wasn't back into the hands of our captors.

Civlis and the Demon

Will wonders never cease!? This most recent expedition was by far the most exciting (and frightening) of them all! The group decided to face the demon stalker head-on - naturally I agreed to go along with the idea for fear of betraying a sensibility that could be misinterpreted as cowardice.

We started by visiting some of the people of the Bastard in order to procure some supplies and advice on combating demons. The cranky mage with the burnt face grossly overpriced his magic ink (unfortunately we had no alternative), and we were forced to listen to yet another lecture from the long-winded matron who provided no help at all when we asked for advice on fighting demons.

Finally we set out, and much to my relief we took a familiar trail toward a Halfling village I’d visited during one of my earlier bear-hunting expeditions. Along the way I managed to scare off some tree-stalkers with a few cantrips – I believe the rest of the group was sufficiently impressed. Krieger had a name for the tree-stalkers, though as I write this I cannot recall what that name was…

After a few hours of hiking through the forest and mountains (I kept my balance the whole time!) we finally arrived at the village, though it was immediately clear that something was wrong– no Halflings! Only a few starving dogs wandered the streets – due to some inexplicable paranoia we kept a close eye on them the entire time. We checked a few of the houses (Baezel seemed intent on stealing from their homes), and then Baezel climbed in to their boarded-up temple via the watchtower and let us in. Horror of horrors! The entire village had been slaughtered and hung from the temple rafters! It was a sight I shall never forget as long as I live – and perhaps even longer! It didn’t help matters when the starving dogs arrived and began feasting on their former masters…

When Baezel had climbed the temple, he had pointed out a green, wild-haired creature some distance away that was leaving the village. Curious…

As we began to ponder the green creature’s role in the slaughter, the demon suddenly appeared outside the temple and began to attack. With no time to think, I resisted the urge to flee and promptly turned myself invisible. Krieger had obviously taken his vow to become a mortal shield very seriously – without any hesitation he stood toe-to-toe with the demon and took the full force of its attack! Friar Gregory stood behind Krieger, healing him and blessing the group’s weapons so that we could hurt the demon. I used my craft to summon forth a pair of celestial bison and commanded them to gore the demon. Baezel inexplicably threw a small pastry which struck Krieger in the back of the head, though Krieger didn’t seem to notice.

The demon was obviously weakened by Krieger’s repeated strikes – it fled by teleporting itself up to the rafters inside the temple (where I was!) and fixed its stare directly upon me! I called to the group and they returned inside to continue the battle. Baezel threw some sparkly dust at the demon, though that seemed to have no effect. Remarkably the pinnacle of the fight came when one of my bison jumped up and crashed through the rafters and demon, sending it to the ground and smashing its head in! Thank goodness Halfling temple rafters aren’t particularly tall.

The aftermath of the fight was a bit of a blur – I do recall that we decided, out of respect for my former Halfling acquaintances, to burn the temple and bodies as a sort of funeral pyre for the village. Baezel stole some of the temple treasures, but I suppose that’s okay because Krieger let him. I must say that I’m eagerly anticipating our hero’s welcome when we return to the Bastard.

Krieger's vow

"At last the fiend reveals itself. The stalker in the shadows is none other than a demon, a foul spawn of the Abyss. It has slain the arrowhawk, many of the adventurers, watchmen in the fartower, travelers on the road... anyone it can using its power of teleport. The Babau has even been preying on some of the wild boars in the forest, a fact that has been angering the nearby ogre Yoorg and his dire boar steed. The demon seems indiscriminate in the murders it commits, trying to cause as much suffering as it can. Victims are usually killed outright, but we discovered at least one case where a man was staked out and left dying in the midst of a nest of traps.

I think it unlikely that this Babau is behind the infestation of Fogolindell or the Gauth guardian across the great bridge. The lesser eye tyrant who attacked us needed no prompting, and had been there for some time. Stirges are a greater mystery, but not one too complicated; the miserable crates the stirge eggs arrived in show all the hallmarks of shoddy goblin workmanship. I only wonder how they convinced the gnomes to accept the offering of food.

I sleep easier tonight, as my purpose has become clear. I am not wise enough to follow in the steps of my order, but I have still been shown my path. Too often of late, I have failed in my duty to protect my compatriots, allowing them to fall or abandoning them to save others. This shall not happen again. This I vow in Bahamut's name: I am become the mortal shield, the defender against the demonic. Bahamut has shown me the way. I will be protector of those who suffer. In Bahamut's name, I will not rest until I have driven the blight of these demons from our world."

The Following Dark

"In time, he will call me master... but for now, I bow before his will. These so-called Heroes must realize they have no chance against his strength. This group of misbegotten fleas have only just discovered who they are dealing with, and don't even know his full power. They reported being trapped in the mausoleum with Mazzarbul and his spawn, but begged their way out when the master explained that it was not destruction that drove him, but self-preservation. Even such mewling fools as them will sooner or later discover the truth; they live at his pleasure, and only so long as they remain useful agents of change.

But they do his work well. Already they have slain a choker, a swarm of giant rats, a horde of ghouls from some unnamed place, driven off a goblin tribe and what sounds like an earth mephit, and most impressively, killed a bulette by dropping a heavy elevator platform onto its back. It sounds as if they are absolutely destroying the catacombs to accomplish it, but they may yet find the stalker in shadows which the master spoke of.

This party of misfits have discovered a true curiosity, an ancient shrine to Maglubliet molded in old times by goblins and buried deep in the ground. It has a foul presence, and calls to the unclean ones below, but the weapons (shield and mancatcher) are genuinely powerful items, the first to be seen here for many a long year. I wonder if it also calls to the stalker?

The fools have done nothing yet to secure the surrounding lands, but... I wonder, have they met the boar? Forged some sort of alliance? That oaf would not keep to any deal longer than a few minutes, but who can say. This will require closer watching. And they did allow the Highwallman's mate to be carried off by an arrowhawk by accident... or not? How do the pieces fit together? Or is this some play by that corrupted Matron to bring about my downfall? Faugh! Where is Torvald when I need him?"


-Ennis, acting mageguard of The Bastard


Selected highlights:

• He's like Ironman, shining his highbeams everywhere
• Other than the feces,...
• The party is learning that there are times to deal, times to fight, and times to run. Yay!
• We introduce the phrase "Gong-esque" in Maglubliet's shrine
• Meet Civlis, racial supremacist and liar
• [I need an Arnie-style one-liner about dropping an elevator on a shark. Suggestions?]
• Winner: "Going down!"

First Days

"Well, it were hard for them. I'm truly sorry I'm too old for the dark, because what they needed most was leadership. No experience, no idea of what they was facing, no help. Down in that hole, with danger on all sides... anything could come outta the dark at 'em.

The first that went down mostly died. Several was hurt or sickened right at the start by giant rats. Shem was nailed by a giant harvestman spider right in the middle of a fight - imagine watching a man you knowd for your whole life get eaten right in front of you. Hells, they even treated with goblins because the goblins wasn't actively trying to kill them. You know your fortunes are low when goblins seem like handy allies. And what's this about an alter to Maglubiyet right under our rock? That ain't good... ill luck to have an unholy lump like that tunneled right up our arse.

Chesamei didn't come back neither, but he weren't killed. That Krieger feller said his master just called out, and little Ches just walked over to him. Makes me wonder if they dint have something set up before; who would jest join a enemy like that? Same thing for that shy kid Torvald. Lured out by some choker in the dark, and then turned over to the enemy. It's worse that we ain't even seen his body. Krieger's so broken about it that he's forsaking his path. Makes you think, though... how come no one else in town has the stones to go down that hole? I ain't talkin about the young friar, who's so green that he thinks he don't need boots to wade in muck, but Matron and Ennis and the others. What's stopping them?

And now it's worse. Vampires and the like. Ghouls what eat people. I heard they mostly eated the goblin tribe already. Hells, we were all gonna end up like that before Friar Gregory went down with 'em. They all got whupped, but at least they brung back some food for everyone. Now we got grains, potatoes, leeks... enough to last a few weeks more for sure. We got to trade for food this winter, and winter is coming. It's gonna be lean, even if these pups win through. And still no word from the gorram gnomes.

But I'm starting to think they can do it. Sure, they ain't met anything serious yet... I dunno if they have a plan for when they meet the true vampire, not just his little spawn. But they shown they can fight, and think, and win."

-Old Gont, former sergeant and town leader


Selected highlights:

• "Oh right, I can't really see in the dark because I'm not a demon." - Beazel, daily
• "I have failed." - Krieger, about Torvald
• The difference between the Germanic and dramatic: one works hard, the other is hard work.
• Friar Gregory: Sandals of doom and the faith to sustain, awesome character play
• "So, you're done helping then?" - Civliss, to Beazel
• When you try to kill a vampire, he gets cross