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