So, my friend, how have you enjoyed your freedom from the army? I imagine by now you must have obtained your back pay and purchased the farmland you told me about. What was it you said? The richest brown earth in the northern counties? Well, good luck to you with it.

As for me, my friend, the High Lord of Shurdale has seen to it that I shall not bore easily. Yes, as I predicted, my summons was no mere thank you for a job well done. Once again he has teamed me with some of the same crew I told you about before, but also with a few new members. You will of course remember the paladin, Hunter, of whom I told you. Yes, same as always (but wait, that news gets better, I'll come back to it in a moment). There's also Ruby, our, er, expert treasure finder, and Dag, the most capable mage I told you about.

But we're also teamed with Xorn, a dwarf warrior, and, I'm told, a bashkar no less. Can you imagine that? A dwarf and a bashkar. Like either alone is not tough enough. Luckily we're on the same side. We also have a nightblade named Loki to keep professional courtesies with Ruby in the absense of our less than reverend Reverend who has wisely chosen not to recross paths with Hunter. Meanwhile, Dag can talk magic with Garan, a pop-eyed illusionist who also has some strange side talents for dance and the flute. With that combination, I'm rather surprised he isn't performing on stage somewhere instead of accompanying a mission like ours. Also rounding out our now magically balanced party is Kiley, whom I am told is an expert Seer. It's kind of a comfort to have a Seer along. You remember what Lieutenant Mallakson always said about information being a better weapon than a sword sometimes.

And here's the interesting part: to round out our group, we have one of the High Lord's own Brightblades, Valguard. As near as I can tell, he's really here to keep an eye on the lot of us on the Lord's behalf. So far, he's being as tightassed as Hunter ever was, and I can no longer guess which one of them will drive the party nuts first. Well, you know what a Fr'antalk officers can be when you're trying to get anything done. Hopefully once he gets to know us, he'll learn to look the other way at the appropriate moments, like the paladin did (at least, I presume he was intentionally looking the other way).

Well, at least they didn't classify the mission or anything, so here's what we're up to: You remember last time when we brought a pile of powerful artifacts back from the dungeons of that old Sorcerer? Well, one item in particular came to be a problem. It was the skull of some old time sorcerer that got turned into some kind of powerful vessel for sorcery magicks back in the old days, and the High Lord had some war sorcerors trying to unlock its powers during the final days of the war. Someone screwed up, people associated with the research were found dead, and the skull vanished.

Now, I don't profess to understand how they pieced the rest together, but there's apparently some school of sorcerers in a foreign land across the ocean a ways where they believe the stolen skull ended up. Needless to say, Hunter was lecturing us sternly about how this was a perfect example of why we should have turned such a blatantly evil relic over to the Church for proper destruction, and apparently the Church heirarchs themselves are quietly rather annoyed with the secular government for letting it loose on the world.

Myself, I didn't see what the big deal was at first, but apparently this thing is really powerful, and really evil, and now that the war is over, no one wants it anywhere but crushed to powder after a proper disempowerment ceremony by the Church. So naturally, guess what lucky bunch of saps they got to go and steal it back again? Aren't we leading the charmed existence?

Now that wouldn't be so bad, if we didn't have to trek way out of our path first to try and pick up some protection along the way. There's some old tomb or something at Scarborough where I'm told there's some kind of book that contains powerful protective magicks that will shield us against some of the nastiness this skull can be used to lob at us, especially considering its being held by a whole school full of sorcerers. Now, that's fine, and I agree we don't want to walk in there naked, but it's just like the army, old pal. Walk over here, because we actually want you over there.

Well, we started out from Shurdale, and headed out at a reasonably good pace via the south roads, stopping the night in Greenhaven, where we had only some minor excitement with a drunk who couldn't find his room. Loki did something that, er, encouraged him to sleep it off --- soundly, and I "lost" his sword out a window as an added precaution, but other than that and a serious discussion (and a surprise waltz) between Valguard and Ruby, nothing really too exciting hindered us on our stop. So anyway, I'm writing this from a port in Daltimore, where we're about to board a ship called the Vulture (charming, no?) I'm going to seal this and drop it with a courier tonight, because who knows when the next time I'll be on dry land will be.

Anyway, good luck with the farm. Assuming I survive this crazy venture, I'll drop by and see how you're doing next time I'm in the Valley.

Your friend,
Andros Margravar

---

31, Season of New Planting, 1453

Yarram, you old son of a wolf,

How are you doing? Well, by the time I reach a place to send this it'll probably be next year, so you'll have a harvest to tell me about, but I'm going out of my mind on this ship with nothing to do, so I figured I might as well start another letter. I never imagined. I'm a foot soldier, for God's sake. I can't figure how navy troopers manage it. My quarters on the Vulture are a shared room below decks about ten feet wide by twenty long, and the only real furniture is some hammocks strung at varying heights, and a table which I've commandeered to write this.

We're lucky, really. No one has been seasick, exactly, although Xorn has all the usual distaste for water that one normally associates with dwarves and has stubbornly tied himself to the center mast, insisting he won't budge until he sees dry land within easy jumping distance.

We had our first real excitement today, and it's about time. My friend, you can't imagine how boring a ship can be when your just a passenger. Well, anyway, about what happened. It was like this: I was up on deck, staring at the distant point where I assumed we are eventually going to see land. Dag was up front, and off to one side. (Curse me for a land lubber, but I think sailors call it "starboard"). He was working out some new spells he'd picked up between now and the last time I'd travelled with him, and I was rather amused to see a globe of water suddenly pop up out of the briney deep like a bubble full of water floating past the ocean's surface. It bobbed and weaved, and Hunter was going to try some target practice with some expendible, low quality arrows, when Dag explained it was actually an elemental servant he'd summoned up for practice.

Now, I suppose that's how they snuck up on us, because just about everyone on the ship was over at the rail watching this thing ducking, bobbing and hovering alongside us as we went, when we were unexpectedly hailed by another vessel off to port (assuming I got the original direction correct, my friend).

This cheeky fellow who led them was a scraggly looking one, who claimed we were entering dangerous waters, and that he and his men would be more than happy to see to it that we reached the nearest shore safely -- and the only cost would be our ship.

Hunter, had strode over to the other rail by the time this speech had ended thanked him with mock courtesy and advised him we were rather attached to our ship and would prefer to make our own way, drawing chuckles from several of our group and the crew of the Vulture .

The pirate (there could be no doubt, afterall) was not as amused, and told us that we should in that case prepare to be boarded for he would be taking the ship anyway, at which point, a brief battle began. I only managed to lob a single sling stone their way, since the whole lot of the cowardly fiends had large round brass shields that only occassionally exposed a target, but Hunter did manage to re-emphasize his earlier message by putting an arrow into the captain who had threatended us.

Then Dag got into the act and it was all over for them. His shot a lightning bolt that chopped their main mast, effectively crippling the ship, while his newly summoned watery friend slipped up behind and washed over the ship, knocking several pirates into the ocean. Our own captain aboard the Vulture lost no time taking advantage of the chaos. He ordered us to full sail, and the pirates were left behind, shouting and cursing while they struggled to put out the fire started by the lightning bolt and pull their stranded commrades aboard. Needless to say, without a mast, they would not be following us. If they were very lucky, they had oars aboard or they may never have seen land again.

It was a nice enough way to break up the monotony, though I have to admit, there is little satisfaction to fighting from a ship's deck. I got no chance at all for melee in which I am most heavily trained, and my friend, have you ever tried to aim a sling from the pitching deck of a ship at sea? Not an easy task, I assure you. I still look forward to getting off this ship. Maybe the dwarf has the right attitude afterall!

Yours,
Andros

---

Episode Two

Entry from Hunter Derekson's Mission Log

His Enlightened Lord

High Bishop of the United Combat arm

The Church of the One True God

Shurdale, 34 Season of New Planting, 1453

Your Most Enlightened Lordship,

I continue to strive for a thorough and accurate record of this mission for the Glorious Holy archives. As I have recorded earlier, I have continued to journey with the motley assortment of characters the secular government has seen fit to inflict upon me. Why this mission was not left to a band of well armed Holy Knights is beyond my perspective, but I am sure that your Enlightened Lordship is privy to agreements of which I am unaware.

I begin this, the second part of the record two days after the defeat of the pirates. We left them to deal with the loss of their mast and continued on to our first port of call, York.

The docking was an uneventful one, the ship arrived in the early afternoon on a balmy spring day. Our captain informed us that we would only be docked for three or four hours while he restocked and took on a new cargo. York is a city of the Southron Barony, so I went ashore to present my credentials at the Holy Church.

It is my extreme shame to report that some of the rabble assigned to this mission took the opportunity of my absence to lend themselves to mischief. I will pray long on this, but I digress.

After my departure the rest of the party apparently broke into two smaller groups; those who intended to get drunk, and those who intended to peruse the shops of the village and then get drunk. Apparently my stern lectures on the evils of overindulgence fell on deaf ears. The drinking party consisted of or erstwhile party leader Andros, the dwarf Xorn, and Garon the Illusionist. They went straight to a tavern and began the dual task of imbibing and attempting to start trouble. Andros apparently saw an old army friend, so he left the others at a table to reminisce about the war days. Meanwhile Xorn entangled himself in a minor dispute between two sailors. Weapons were drawn, threats exchanged, and shortly thereafter the sailors lay dying on the floor. Town guards, drawn by the sound of screaming, charged into the bar. Garon apparently was able to disguise the bodies while they made their escape.

The others perused a variety of shops, although I gather from their excited demeanor (and in the case of Loki, the King's "Agent" extreme smugness) that they were able to acquire some interesting and probably poisonous items. I did notice that the King's Brightblade Valguard was carrying a new shield, but the others were less than interested in describing in detail the extent of their purchases. They found the tavern where they had agreed to meet and were, of course, stopped by the town guard. In confusion they decided to wait in another tavern across the road. Apparently there is no lacking for taverns in York.

It is at this time that I returned from the local church. I was in a good mood, the brotherhood of the Paladins of York had welcomed me like a lost son. I was fed well and attended a conference with the council. They agreed with my concerns over the implications of this mission, and were kind enough to donate six more of the healing abass leaves. I made a small donation and expressed my gratitude as I left.

Incidentally, the Bishop of York extends his greetings to Your Enlightened Holiness and renews his ties to our own brotherhood. Considering the danger which our secular government has placed them in with the loss of the evil artifact to the unholy order within their own borders I believe that it would behoove our order to strengthen our ties with the Holy Church of York.

I did not need to ask where my companions had gone, I knew that I would be able to follow a trail of alcohol and eventually find them. When I saw the town guard stopping people at a seedy looking tavern I knew that I had reached my destination. My heart sank even further when I observed that they were stopping any patrons from entering. I approached and attempted to bluff my way inside to see the extent of the damage. It was then that I learned the fate of the two argumentative sailors. The guards were looking for a wild eyed dwarf who wielded a battleaxe. He was reported to be in the company of several human warriors.

I accept responsibility for this unnecessary violence. Had I not entrusted these Fr'antalk (you must excuse my reference, I am but a soldier), these Godless rabble to stay out of trouble during my absence those sailers might be home with their families even now. I will pray for their souls and contemplate some form of penance for my compatriots.

I crossed the street, assuming that any of the party still standing and not wanted for murder would seek out the nearest alcohol supply. I was not disappointed. Valguard, Loki, Ruby, Dag, and Kiley were therein, drinking spiced wine and looking lost. I sighed in exasperation and tried to collect them, in order to return to the ship.

It is at this point that Loki, the king's "agent" told me of her purchase of a rather powerful poison. I suggested. for everyone's benefit, that I carry it, but she politely declined. For the moment I accepted, knowing that I would be praying for guidance on this matter as well.

Your Enlightened Lordship, it occurs to me that our secular government is less than completely forthcoming on matters of policy. I wonder if this entire mission is not only a subterfuge, a way of obtaining Church funds and protection for a mission of their own. This will bear further thought as well.

With little urging I was able to convince the remaining members of my party to finish their drinks and return to the ship. We exited the city without incident and entered the dockyards before encountering the missing members, disguised yet again through the spells of the illusionist Garon. It was then that I met Andros's friend.

Your Enlightened Lordship, I must confess, I went against my training on this matter. Andros's friend and fellow warrior is an Orc. I almost killed the beast on the spot, but something held me back. Perhaps my instincts are wrong, perhaps I would have better served our Lord the One True God by dispatching it without thought, but for reasons I am not yet ready to explain I hesitated. Andros seemed to have an easy, friendly relationship with the beast, perhaps it was the calm, almost humorous demeanor of the Orc that was so unlike his kind, I know not what the reason, but I held my sword.

If this was an error in judgement, our Lord will inform me at the end of my days.

The ship departed without incident, apparently the town guard had not thought to stop incoming and outgoing sail traffic. We sailed for another full day, reaching the small town of Mary, near Scarboro by the evening. The party elected to find an inn for the night. I agreed, more than willing to spend a night in a dry bed on firm land. Mary boasted of one tavern, the Sheep's Head, which had several available rooms over a large common area. We arranged for two rooms and retired after a short dinner.

The course of the evenings events either support or undermine my position on the Orc, I withhold judgement pending further observation.

I drew the first watch, along with Garon. Together we sat in the hallway outside the rooms and watched diligently as nothing happened. The common room drew quiet below us as the evening drew to a close. We awoke the next watch, Ruby and Loki, and retired to our respective rooms.

I awoke sometime later to the sound of shouts and screaming. Thieves had managed to scale the wall to the window of the room I occupied and were in the midst of robbing myself and Valguard when the watchers interrupted them. Loki was already on the floor, drawing a throwing dagger from her side. The thief who threw it was ducking under Valguard's bed. I became aware of movement to my left. I looked over to see another thief drop my purse and make for the window.

The Orc placed his considerable bulk in my thief's way, bellowing a war cry. Acting on instinct, I rolled and drew my trusty morning star, striking the retreating figure with a weak backhand blow. It had little effect, but it did manage to unbalance the knave, sending him stumbling into the less than tender embrace of the beast. One hit with his notched battle axe sent the thief to his final judgement.

I looked over in time to see Loki dispatch the second thief with a rather talented double bladed attack.

The battle was over before it had a chance to truly begin. I recited a short prayer over the thief who had attempted to make off with my purse and turned to the other. Our Lords Brightblade was scrabbling about on the floor, searching for his lost purse. Loki and Ruby were tending to minor wounds, so after a repetition of the prayer for lost souls I turned to help them. A crunching sound interrupted me. I looked up in time to see the Orc begin to dine on the body of the first.

I know this is the nature of the beast, and I had to agree with Loki when she quietly lost her dinner in the corner. Perhaps this addition to our party will be beneficial, but I am not sure yet.

I have to be sure before we reach the wizard's stronghold. I sincerely doubt that the Orc could be swayed to do something as subtle as undercover work, but one never knows.

I have several misgivings about this mission. I will sleep lightly from here on out.

---

Episode Three

From the Journal of Loki

It can easily be said that adventure abounds this group. We can hardly go a day without trouble. Our trouble with the thieves was quickly taken care of. Hunter did his praying thing over the dead bodies after he healed Ruby and myself. Xorn found some guards to get rid of the thieves' remains. (Or what was left once the orc finished with them.) Valgard awoke to find himself one coin purse lighter. He questioned the group but I decided to stay quiet about my find. We settled in for the rest of the night with Andros and Gorac on watch.

Dawn approached without any more incidences. After a complimentary breakfast we headed back to the ship where the mage was waiting. He now had three of those strange balls about him. (One of water, one of earth, and one of air.) They are bewildering but the mage offers no explanation. Thus far on this journey the mage has said little and it is hard to state his place within the group. As we boarded the ship, we noticed four missing sailors. The captain seemed nonchalant so I did not worry about it. There were plenty sailors to get us up to Scarboro. We set sail down the coast of the Westlands. The party members relaxed and did their own things. I enjoyed the view of a beautiful sailing day. As we traveled down the coast, I saw many different trade ships traveling to and fro. From the corner of my eye I noticed two ships coming closer. They were positioned between land and us. The others were alerted and the boats were closely watched. We sailed like this for some time until the crew noticed our wind was dying down. Our ship was slowing and the other two were gaining on us. I went to the other side of the ship where I saw two other ships heading in our direction. Moments later our ship's wind died out completely; however, the four boats had full sails. It was realized that we must have been hit by a spell of some sort. To bide time, the mage cast a spell that slowed the first two ships. Kiley also used a spell to see what was to happen.. She saw that it was not to be a friendly meeting. This was when all hell broke loose.

The action that took place is all a blur to me now. Everything seemed to happen so fast. Valgard shot the first flaming arrow followed by Xorn. They both hit one of the ships but caused little damage. Hunter, in the meantime, was shouting this entire "Stop in the name of the church!" mumbo jumbo. The mage was able to cast cobalt and froze one of the intruding ships. It disabled the vessel but I still saw movement on the decks. Arrows started flying between ships. Ruby was able to land a flaming arrow to start a fire on one ship. Then, right before my eyes, Valgard takes a flying leap and lands on one of the opposing ships. It is now realized that there is a mage on every ship this posed as a major problem. Arrows are still flying. Ruby is hit in the back while Xorn gets one in the arm. Suddenly, some sort of spell is cast to the middle of our ship. Some of the party members were knocked off their feet and knocked unconscious. (Our mast was also shattered from the spell.) When all was clear, I rushed to help the wounded party members. Ruby was badly injured and I prepared to remove the arrow from her back. As I tended to her wounds there was much going on around me. I heard much shouting and explosions, but saw little of the battle. I saw Andros and Gorac shooting at the other ships; however, Xorn was nowhere to be seen. The mage sent those ball things to attack the other ships. Kiley and Gavin were watching the battle from the side of the ship. Suddenly I felt a heat to my back. I turned to find that the ship's bow was ablaze. Soon after, the stern broke out in flames as well. There were no worse conditions. I was helping Ruby on a flaming ship with arrows flying through the air. Gavin then stepped in and cast a spell that brought a ball of water out of the sea and dropped it onto the bow of the ship. The fire was quenched but the damage had been done. When I finished with Ruby I was able to get a view of the other ships. One was still frozen, two had broken masts, and one had a flaming hole in the sail. There seemed to be a lot less arrows and movement on the other ships. I saw that Xorn was transported to another ship to do some damage. I asked Gavin to transport me to another ship so that I may join the battle; however, the klutz landed me in the water instead of on a ship. As I treaded water, my party members finished the battle. Valgard was able to help me out of the water, as hurt as he was.

Our ship was destroyed so it was decided to salvage one of the enemy ships. The only one that was seaworthy, which happens to be the one I am on, has a hole in the sail. As I write this now, the others are trying to pull this ship over to our busted ship. I wonder how they are going to get Xorn back to the rest of us. I have a feeling that this action is only a preview to what is to come during the rest of our journey to Scarboro. I hope the party is strong enough to endure what we have been sent to do.

---

Episode Four

(As described through a conversation between Xorn and Garon.)

After the dust settles from the battle with the scorpions the party ventures forth towards Scarborough. As Garon stops to adjust his pack Xorn approaches to strike up a conversation.

Xorn: "Enjoy that scuffle?"

Garon: "Anything we can all walk away from is good enough for me. I just wish I didn't have to sit back and watch as much."

X: "Xorn wanted to help more because Gorac's arse was getting handed to him. But Dag's spheres of death killed most scorpions and hunter took out the last."

G: "I had my doubts about those spheres but they proved quite useful. I can't help but think that Gorac would have been better off by following Kiley's vision and sticking with the group. At least he would have kept his ear intact."

X: "Gorac will end up dead if he keeps this up. Ah, Xorn doesn't trust him, or any orc for that matter. If Hunter and Valgard trust him enough to be in the party then Xorn will let him live, but Xorn be watching... Damn orcs."

G: I'm sure Hunter and Valgard are too. Everyone showed their worth in this last battle though. I noticed you got the first kill."

X: "Xorn enjoyed the competition greatly, even though the scorpions were weak. Xorn also wanted to kill the beast attacking Valgard but Xorn didn't want to steal his 'glory'. Speaking of Valgard, Xorn thinks he's a funny little lad. He always rushes into battle hunting out blood, yet he tries to be a refined and righteous boy when we're not confronting our enemies. He's a great warrior but he's no Xorn. Right?

G: "You could take him. You may end up coming to Ruby's aid if he doesn't agree with her plans for the venom she extracted from the dead scorpions."

X: "Ah, Ruby's a cute one, although she's a bit too skinny. Xorn needs to take her to a pub and give her some ale and meat, then she'll be ready for Xorn!"

G: "Riight... You happy to be on dry land?"

X: (grumble, grumble) "If we ever board a ship again there will be hell to pay. In York I said we should ride to Scarborough by horseback, we would have avoided that whole pirate incident if we stayed off the ocean. Nothing good comes from the sea; and Xorn doesn't appreciate being placed in crates and carried to shore. What is Xorn? Cargo? Arrrggghh."

G: "Would you have rather swam like the rest of us? The trip ended up being fairly profitable after looting those ships though.

X: Yeah, we did find a fair amount of gold, but who knows how expensive the towns will be over here. They have huge silver mines so I sure they have much money. Although, the captain was pleased when Hunter gave him a gold necklace. He then fled very quickly."

G: "He did seem very happy to be rid of us. I wasn't too sure about crossing this desert but it has turned out much better than I had expected."

X: "Anything beats the sea. Xorn just glad he's on solid ground."

G: "Indeed. The rest of the party seems to have gained quite a lead on us we had better catch up.

X: "Oh yeah, the faster we get to Scarborough the faster Xorn gets some ale!"

---

Episode Five

Diary of Ruby, Shurdales, er..., proactive health agent.

This encounter with the HUGE scorpions went a hell of a lot better than the last. This time the damn things only severed Gorac's ear instead of a spine, like what they did to poor Evergreen. Luckily, I had that spider webbing - may help to heal Gorac's ear. It's supposed to be good for clotting. Since no one got stung, there is that much more poison to add to my collection. I got to drain much MUCH more of their venom and Gorac got to wear a necklace crafted out of a tail tip and pincers. Now, onward to Scarboro.

Our uneventful journey south to Scarboro took about a day and a half. We passed a few merchants along the way. When dusk approached we settled in and made camp off of the path. So much for trying to remain unseen. It so happened that sometime on our journey Dag, who on our off time got the skill to make hovering balls that float, decided this time to make a blue sparkling one. Oh, how nice. Anyway, our night seemed to go on uninterrupted.

In the morning Kiley recounted her magical dream. It was something about a lake north of Scarboro with a large rock and a big entrance. Now, I didn't understand if the entrance was in the rock or somewhere behind it. But from how everyone reacted we need to go there to get that thing that's supposed to protect us from the evil sorcerers who stole our skull.

We continued to journey south to Scarboro. As I was walking I heard Loki shout something. Me being in the front did not hear the wagon that was approaching from behind. It happened to be a family of farmer people. I bought onions and carrots from them. As we continued to journey, I saw a BIG town up ahead. Hopefully, this is Scarboro.

Dag, his bouncing friends, Xorn, and Gorac stayed outside of town while the rest of us went on ahead. We decided to enter town in two groups. I was with, OF COURSE, Valguard. He INSISTED that I be in his group. You know, I think he likes me. Someone of his pristine image having a thing for Halflings; hopefully this doesn't carry over to young children as well. We were joined by Hunter and Andros. I can't believe the Paladin, Mr. Holier then Thou, actually agreed that there are benefits to my collection. See, poisons are good.

Now this is the best part. I still giggle when I think of this. Me, a thief, poses as a devoted pilgrim on a journey to make homage to the local church. Ironic isn't it?? Thank the gods that Hunter did all the talking. I had a hard enough time trying to keep a straight face. Me, an aspiring poisoner, have an understanding with the one "true" god - I send him souls, he sorts them out, and rewards me by more poisons. I have to admit the church did have many nice and shiny golden jeweled encrusted objects. IF I was able to get a hold of one of these, I would be sitting pretty. However, I do have a little bit of a conscience. One thing I do not do is steal from a church, well not lately anyway. As I gazed about, I did catch that the Church had a potion of true healing. We would have to buy it (or how the priest refers to it: donate) a 100 gold !! Needless to say, we didn't have that much handy. I also heard the priest tell Hunter that there has been increased sorcerer activity throughout town. Gee, wonder why? I still can't believe Thaddius sold us out. One friend I thought I had has SOLD ME OUT!!!! If the Paladin could have just left his hands off of the Reverend, NONE OF THIS WOULD BE HAPPENING !!!!!!

When we left the church we passed Kiley, Loki, and Garon. Hunter mentioned something in passing as we walked to the herb shop. (Hunter did tell Kiley to trade the necklaces for gold then meet us at the herb shop.)

As we entered the herb shop Valguard desperately rushed over to the shop keeper and begged him for something to repair tendons. I listened carefully to his pathetic whining while quickly browsing his wares. My eyes did catch some mild poisons among his merchandise. I knew what I painfully had to do. I went over and interrupted Valguard, who was still suffering from sticker shock, after hearing the price of 300 gold for just one herb. I motioned the shop keeper out of ear shot of the others and starting bargaining with my collection. I was able to trade most of my spider venom and blue bug poison (from the Crush-urim insect to be exact) after a lot of haggling for much needed healing herbs and something to repair Valguard's damage shoulder. I obtained some additional vials in hopes of replenishing my stock.

We met up with our other group and Hunter got the gold we needed to bribe the priest for the potion of true healing. Before we left town we purchased plenty of ale for Xorn. We would not want to suffer the wraith of a sober dwarf. It is best to be safe.

We made our way back out of town to the others. At first glimpse I saw two heavily mud covered warriors grinning from ear to ear and only two of Dag's floating friends - there were three when we left. I was afraid to ask. Xorn did not acknowledge us , but did greet the ale like a long lost friend. I see how we rate. I was able to apply the salve to Valguard's shoulder and bandage it. It should heal in about two days. Thank the gods, we're all tired of hearing him cry about it.

Loki, Kiley, and Garon were able to talk to a book shop keeper who knew of the lake. I believe they called it Lang Lake. What they were told matches Kiley's dream the night before. They mentioned of some type of danger that surrounds the lake, believed to be involving the water. Other then that, they couldn't elaborate.

We decided to journey back north to our previous camp site. It happened to be in the same direction as the lake. We passed a couple of merchants on our way back to the camp site. We found a new site, since our old site was occupied and settled down for the night.

---

Episode Six

Dag recalls...

I awoke at the end of the second watch. By looking up to the stars. I would assume about four hours have passed. All is very quiet. I can see our two watchers and faintly hear the horses from the campsite across the road. It seems odd to be up so early this morning. I have been having to meditate for entire nights as of late in order to recharge myself, but yesterday I was not required to engage in much spell casting. Actually, the only spells I used was to create my newest elemental servant, the light elemental. It was a shame to have to replace the earth elemental, but it was too heavily damaged from the battle with the scorpions.

I am kind of partial to my newest servant. It has a pleasant blue electrical makeup that reminds me of ball lightning. Unfortunately, I incurred the party's wraith when I summoned it. They seem to think that it will point us out to everyone in 100 miles, but as long as I keep it in some cover at night, this should not be a problem. I had to summon the light servant for I feel that the added strength of this elemental will be sorely needed in the next couple days. They may complain now, but the light elemental is the most powerful servant I can conjure.

I am surprised by the constant questioning I receive when casting spells or summoning elementals from our present group. This would never have been a problem with our first party. Those were much different days when Andros and I would act as unofficial leaders. It was necessary on our first mission to act as mediators between our over-zealous good party member and our much more numerous not so good party members. Andros who acted as such a strong leader in our first mission, now seems to have lost all interest. He just blindly follows the knights, with barely a comment.

I can understand that Andros must feel snubbed by his superiors. He must feel that after our important mission to help win the war against the Drakes, this mission is beneath him. Andros did not even get promoted and gets reassigned on a retrieval mission, on an item of no military importance. He must have a lot on his mind.

As for me, I have low importance with this present group. With the caliper of our newest members, I only seem to supplement some firepower when necessary. Even my lore and research abilities pale in comparison to our seer. This might explain the reasoning behind the training I received on summoning and controlling of elemental beings. Word has it that one of the head Guildmages gave the direct order requiring this training. I must say I was most surprised. This obscure training is rarely given except to certain high level mages. I can now see the logic behind this. Controlling elementals seems to make people paranoid and fearful of your intentions. I must meditate on this subject further.

At breakfast, Kiley relates her latest dreams. Thaddius went to Scarboro to seek out our party. A team of three sorcerers were killed by the skull when trying to attune and research it. The skull flared out with a large energy charge and felled the researchers. Kiley also saw the lake. She was able to home in on the cave and the "infamous" bush, but could not push her view beyond.

Her dreams give me some thought. It is intriguing that Thaddius is personally trying to seek us out. I can not understand this. Thaddius, after he was paid for the information involving the skull, would be expected to be far away and spending it up. Maybe he is just looking for a rematch with the paladin.

We continue up the road looking for the path that leads to the lake with Ruby leading the way. After a while, she states she has found a old overgrown path that leads off of the main road. I trust her judgment, but can not see anything here that would lead me to believe that this is a path. Therefore, I send one of my servants up 400 feet to try to confirm the path or at least see if I can view the lake. By seeing through the elemental's senses, I can barely spot a meandering path that goes through heavy forest and leads to a clearing in the far distance, what could possibly be a lake. We travel slowly with Ruby in the lead carefully trying to follow the path with the help of my airborne scout.

At early dusk, we still did not reach the lake, so we continue on until we come in sight of it. Due to the warning about the dangers that surrounds the lake, we decide to backtrack about a ten minutes walk to an area we spotted that might serve as a decent campsite. When setting up camp, Ruby spots some fresh game tracks. Ruby convinces Gorac to go hunting with her. Of all party members to be Ruby's pick for a hunting mate and she picks the orc. I would assume that the assassin, Loki, would be a better choice. What does this foretell, when a poisoner feels better with a bloodthirsty orc who eats raw humanoid flesh than an assassin. After a short while Gorac comes back to camp with a very large boar draped over his shoulders. The resemblance between them was amazing, with the boar only being slightly more hairy.

Ruby offers to prepare the meal, but Hunter conveniently declines her offer and cooks the meal instead. I did overhear Hunter mention to Valguard never accept any "cooking" herbs from the halfling. After a hot cooked meal, watches are set with everyone feeling a sense of danger from the proximity to the lake. I decide to send my servants out to help with the watches. One was sent straight up and the other two were sent to hover at tree height between us and the lake. They will mentally alert me if they spot anything.

During second watch, I am interrupted out of my meditation with the light elemental mentally screaming in my head. Quickly changing my perception to that of the light elemental's, I was able to discern movement in the woods. Alarmingly, I could not see any heat sources. The assumption of undead at the lake seems to be confirmed. I quickly alert the members on watch to help me wake up the rest of the party, except for Kiley. She had left explicit orders not to be awaken.

I gather my elementals and have them lower themselves toward the ground. I am shocked to discover a group of stone golems slowly advancing through the woods. Fortunately, stone golems do not move fast. This gives us a couple of minutes in order to prepare for them. I shall use my elementals greatest advantage against the golems. The blinding speed of my servants should allow them to maneuver to hit the golems from behind and to dart away before they can retaliate. They can no doubt destroy any one of my elementals with just a blow.

My GOD, there are six 10 foot tall stone golems advancing towards us. I am not sure if we could survive against even one, let alone six of them. They are very similar in construction to my elemental servants. In their case, instead of binding part of your spirit to an energized swirling mass of elemental material, you bind your spirit to a carefully crafted block of stone. This process is very time consuming and requires a large expense of magical energy. However, this leads to an extremely powerful and long lasting construct that can last for many hundreds of years. Do to the lack of an entire lifeforce, they have a lack of intelligence, but more than make up for this in pure brawn and unending persistence. Golems are often controlled as I control my servants. They are given one command at a time. If the controller dies, the golems will follow the last command that they were given. I will be able to determine if the golems controller is close by, if they make any changes to their actions. The servant's hit and run action seems to be very successful. The light elemental is especially effective since it concentrates electrical charges, impacts, and heat blasts to the affected areas. Whenever it hits a golem there is a shower of stones.

By the time the party engages the golems, most are severely damaged. Still they are capable of killing any of us with a glancing blow. As they approach, I cast a lightning bolt at one and a shock bolt at another. Both spells hit squarely. I am sure the lightning bolt should dispatch at least one, but it only seems to stun it with minimal damage. The shock bolt knocks the other over, but it is able to get back up. Now I am considering running, but the rest of the party forms a skirmish line and intends to try to fight. There goes Valguard, running up to the golems. He runs up, pokes his sword at one, and runs back to our group. He did not even swing his sword at it. I guess he was just trying to scare it. He then runs back and starts to dig in his pack, while the real fighters engage the golems.

Gorac grabs a large rock and starts smashing one of the golems. Surprisingly, he was able to do some serious damage. He took chunks out of its leg, arm, and back. The golem must have already been damaged with some serious cracks for this bashing to have worked. Andros was much better equipped for this battle. His mace of impact was able to break off large chunks of the golem. Andros was struck by a golem, knocked back and was disarmed. He responded by retrieving his mace and finishing it off.

Hunter was hit by a glancing blow. He fell back and furiously tried to recover but could barely parry and move out of its way. Garon casts a back cloud around the golem's head that blinded it. The light elemental used this opportunity to strike at the back of its head and decapitate it. Garon then casts the black cloud onto another one.

Xorn engages a golem with a typical dwarven ferocity, but was only able to inflict minimal damage. He did very well on blocking it from advancing and killing our more vulnerable members. Meanwhile, my elementals were able to keep the other golems busy from attacking our party by incapacitating them in less than a minute. The combined attacks of our fighters from front and the servants from behind quickly finished them off.

These golems were either originally heavily damaged, inferiorly made, or especially vulnerable to elemental attacks. I wonder if the composition or spiritual makeup of the servants somehow serve as an achilles heel against them. I have many questions for my superiors when I return. All in all, the battle could not have gone better. The party only suffered minor wounds and bruises, that should heal in a couple of days. I am looking forward to the foray into the tombs which we should get to tomorrow morning. Of this entire mission, this is the most intriguing part for me. It should supply us with a number of magical items and old texts to research.

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Episode Seven

Game overview from Valgard's point of view

As I awoke the next morning after our pathetic battle with the golems the king's party and I set out towards the lake in search of this mysterious rock with a bush behind it. As we approached, some of the King's party members grew very cautious, like a bunch of scared little children. We found the bush covered with thorns and I proceeded to hack at it. I discovered an opening behind the bush. Then some of the other king's party members decided to join in and help clear the opening. Then Ruby, our little supposed expert treasure hunter, proceeded to check out the entrance and check for booby traps. I despise booby traps; they're such a cowardly way of defending something so valuable. If it were up to me, a couple of noble brightblades would be more than enough. After Ruby investigated, she reported that there was a shaft leading down quite a few feet. As we lowered a rope to climb down, the mage sent an elemental down to check out the situation. It saw that the shaft opened into a large round room. Ruby decided to start climbing down to check things out for herself. She was halfway down when the mage reported that he lost touch with the elemental. We could only presume that a trap destroyed it. Ruby reached the bottom and declared the room had no traps. Each of us then proceeded down the shaft one at a time.

Once down, we saw the shaft entered into a large room. While Ruby scoured the room, Hunter, Andros, and I proceeded forward to discover a long hallway. The mage ordered one of his elementals forward. As it passed the midpoint of the room it vanished. Wondering what caused it, the mage began digging around the floor. He discovered a buried rune that destroyed magical creatures. The mage was now out of luck, or so I thought. As some of us walked forward down the corridor, the mage's third elemental appeared in front of us. I could only surmise that he used a spell to get it here without passing over the rune. As we continued, we came to what seemed to be some sort of rune puzzle to open what was left of a door long since destroyed . Ruby came running up and stated that Gorac gave her a map of the tomb and it had the solution to the puzzle. It seems awfully suspicious that this beast just happens to have a map of the tomb we were traveling to. I will keep my eye on this one. I was anxious to try my magically enhanced sword with the ability to absorb spells so I poked at the rune to see what would happen. I soon had my answer, nothing happened with the rune; however, most of the King's party members screamed out in fear that we would all be destroyed. This made me angry. Who are they to yell at a brightblade, one of the king's finest warriors. After everyone else fussed with the rune, we continued down the corridor. A few minutes later we came to what appeared to be trip wires on the floor. They were positioned several inches apart running a couple feet down the corridor. I suggested that we throw a grappling hook across the wires and pull it across to trip them. Because I didn't have a grappling hook I asked the other of the King's party members. There were a few that did not agree with my plan fearing some great catastrophe if we triggered them. My only concern was that if we didn't disarm them we might forget about them and trip them when we were leaving this place. Ruby was the one with the hook and also didn't agree with the plan so she wouldn't give it up. Instead we all leaped over the wires. At the end of the trip wires there was another corridor to the left. We took that corridor and came upon a room with three doors. Each door had a rune above it and there was another on the sidewall. Kylie came up and translated them for us. It appeared to be a riddle of some sort about which door to choose. Once we figured it out, we went through the door and came to a second room with another set of doors. We solved the second riddle and went through to another room with a third set of doors. Before we could solve the third riddle, Andros foolishly went ahead us all and opened a door. Suddenly the roof collapsed and I jumped out of the room.

After the dust settled, I turned to see what had happened and was faced with solid stone where the room once was. I instantly thought to myself "what the hell came over Andros in order for him to do something so stupid". Could it have been a spell of stupidity? It seems that since he met up with Gorac, he has not been himself. Maybe this beast has some sort of control over him. The King's party realized that Hunter and Andros were not with us. It could only be assumed that they were in a room on the other side of the stone. Realizing there was nothing I could do, I stepped aside to let the King's party get to work. As Gorac frantically searched for something to chip away at the stone, I offered him my war mattock. I was very surprised by this act to save his friend's life, but it may just all be an act. I still have my doubts about his true intentions. Then the mage decided to step in and use a spell to crack the rock. When the spell had little results, he sent his last elemental in to try to chip away at the stone. After some time had passed, Garrin used a shockbolt spell to widen a crack in the stone. The mage sent the elemental back to work and I went to explore the rest of the corridor. I heard Ruby call out to Loki so I ran out to the main corridor to see what she was doing. That was when we decided to explore more of the main corridor. I found a closet that had nothing of use. Ruby then showed us on the map that there was a fake wall. We couldn't figure out how to get behind it so Ruby and I decided to explore elsewhere. While we were back at the first rune, Gorac and Xorn got to work knocking down that fake wall. Now all we can do is wait to see if Hunter and Andros can successfully be saved.

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Episode Eight

Further editions in the diary of Ruby, Shurdals version of the Pink Panther

Lately, I don't know what's wrong with Andros. First he is his happy self. Then he becomes very quiet. Now he is extremely impulsive and mad. It seems he is suffering from some type of possession or dementia. Personally, I think he is wacked out of his mind. Hopefully whatever the cause, Hunter can cure him while they are stuck. Meanwhile, while Dag and Garon continue rescuing them, the rest of us explore more of the dungeon.

We are able to break our way through the "fake wall" making an opening the size of a doorway. Thinking back upon our actions, I believe this to be stupid on our part. Think about this... When we first entered this dungeon, two of Dag's elementals were destroyed by the writings inscribed on the floor. We found the first room by the trip wires destroyed by some sort of explosion. The "hidden closet" that we found up the hallway was completely ransacked. However the "fake wall" was completely intact even though we had part of a existing map showing the exact location. Now, were the fake wall and the floor writings to prevent someone or something from escaping??? Well, I guess it's too late to find out.

After we are finished destroying the "fake wall" we decide to explore on up ahead. Kiley did her intuition spell three minutes into the future and foresees us solving some sort of puzzle. She decides to cast an additional three minutes and sees us further down the hallway. Since we are an adventurous group we journey on. I decide to light a torch. Infra vision will only let us see temperature changes and heat sources. It will make it a lot harder to detect undead, markings on the walls, and traps. This dungeon seems to be full of those interesting markings our magic users call runes and it's important that we will be able to see them.

Valguard decides to take the lead. However, I cannot let him lead alone because an impulsive fighter may just get us all killed. He is not as attuned as I am with dungeon exploring and trap detection. Now, what does a knightblade know about dungeons? He knows as much about dungeon scouting as I do about casting fireballs. We are able to make out in a distance a bunch of wires hanging vertically from ceiling to floor. As we get closer we see some writings on the wall. Kiley translates them to read; "Choose the true one". There are three columns of buttons under the writings with each containing seven buttons. Each column contains the same markings that Kiley translates to W-R-G-F-O-K-D. Our map shows the solution to be G-O-D. Valguard pushes G in the first column, O in the second, and D in the third. All of a sudden the wires that were in front of us fall to the ground.

We continue on again with me and Valguard leading. The hallway turns right. Up ahead it continues straight, to the right 20 feet to a doorway, or to the left 40 feet to another doorway. We decide to go right. While studying the door I find a trap mechanism containing a poisoned needle. I am able to disarm it but could not obtain the needle for my personal collection. Looking further around the doorway I could not find any more noticeable traps. I try the door but it's locked. Just as I was about to pick the lock, Valguard notices, about the same time that I do, there is scratching behind the door. Kiley does her intuition spell again and sees a pact of ugly demons too numerous to count. We decide to retreat; that is for now anyway. Loki leads the way to the other doorway. Loki motions me to the front so that I can survey the doorway for any traps. I find the same trap mechanism as the previous doorway. I am able to disarm it in no time at all. This door is also locked. I notice the same scratching sound from behind this door as well. Gorac and Valguard suggests that we fight these demons. They devised a plan where they both will open the 2 doors simultaneously and let the demons run into each other. Pretty dumb considering we do not have all of our magic users and fighters presently with us. I turn their idea down and suggest we check back with the rest of our party and find out what progress they have made in rescuing Andros and Hunter.

On our way back to rejoin the rest of our party Kiley remembers more details regarding these demons from her past training. She describes them down to the minute detail that they have opposing thumbs and carry no weapons. She calls them "man demons". She says that they crave flesh but are also known to be suicidal in a battle. Great! Just what we need....suicidal demons!!!

We make our way back to the rest of our party. Garon lets us know that Dag's elemental is most of the way through the ceiling block. We decide to continue to explore around. This time we turn right at the "fake wall" and explore the hallway along the "hidden closet". From the looks of the map there should be some sort of a trap in this hallway. Me and Valguard carefully lead the way followed by Xorn and Kiley then Loki and Gorac. Kiley does her intuition spell and only sees us a further way down the same hallway. All of a sudden we hear Loki scream. We stop abruptly to turn around and see no visible sign of Gorac. Loki gasps that the floor fell from beneath them and he is trapped between the floor. Luckily Loki was quick enough to jump out of the way. Gorac could only grab the edge of the floor to break his fall. Valguard and Xorn push down on the piece of the floor that Gorac is wedged in between in order to free him. He is safely able to pull himself up. It's good that he is not hurt. We realize that part of the floor is set upon a fixed pivot allowing only one of the sides to raise while the other falls. It is pressure sensitive. When we were all standing on the area our weight stabilized it. As we moved across, the weight shifted allowing the floor to pivot.

We decide to continue to journey on ahead in the same order as before. We follow the hallway, turning as it turned left. Up the way we stumble across another pivoting trap. This time we were not so lucky. As Xorn and Kiley cross the trap, it gives way. They both fall through. Since Gorac and Loki were behind them, Valguard and myself push down on it so that Gorac will be able to lift and hold it open. We call down to them. Kiley answers that she is okay since she was able to cast levitate upon herself but Xorn is lying on the ground looking to be unconscious. We lower a rope down to Kiley so she can tie around Xorn so that we can pull him up. We hear her squeal about a snake that is crawling out of a crevice. Those magic users, they're all so squeamish. We yell to her to hurry. She tugs on the rope to let us know the knot is tied. She levitates in order to guide Xorn, as me and Valguard pull up the rope. Kiley is still saying something about the snake but I didn't catch what she said. As Xorn approaches the top there is a gorgeous 6 foot pit viper attached to his left arm. Cool!!! Muscle poison, that is if the dwarf leaves any for me. As we roll him up Valguard gracefully swings his sword and chops the snake in half. Valguard accesses Xorn's injuries while I free the snake. Quickly I grab a vial out of my pack hoping to bottle what venom I can for my collection. Valguard says he only seems unconscious and does not show signs of being poisoned. Gorac and Loki are able to make it across safely while Kiley levitates on the opposite end of the trap preventing it from pivoting. Gorac gets a tiny snack compliments of the snake.

Shortly thereafter we see Dag's elemental fly towards us. Hopefully it means that Andros and Hunter are rescued. Kiley flies back with the elemental to rejoin the rest of the party. Hopefully she will recount our findings and warn the others about the two pivot traps. After a few moments pass we see the rest of our party approaching. Dag looks to be flying his way holding down the traps so that the others can pass.

Much discussion happens among our party. We find out that Hunter pushed Andros out of the way of the collapsing ceiling and was trapped in a room that contained many cursed items. Unfortunately they looked directly at one of the items and lost their sight. We have no idea how to cure their blindness or if their sight will return. Thankfully they are still alive. They could have been killed by the falling ceiling. Hopefully in the time that they were trapped in the room, Hunter exorcized whatever got stuck in Andros to make him act so weird. Our episode ends here.

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Episode Nine

Updated entry to Hunter Derekson' s Mission Log

Your Most Enlightened Lordship, It is with the utmost humility and penance that I return to regular entries in my mission log. For a short time I was considering abandoning my mission and martyring myself as befitting a Knight of the True Church upon encountering a terminal situation, but I get ahead of myself. The True God will judge me upon my destined hour.

I begin this log with the explosive entrance of Dag's light elemental, which freed Andros and myself from our granite prison. I affected an outward appearance of cheerfulness for the sake of my fellow blinded warrior, but inside I was preparing myself for an ending worthy of song. The perfect scenario presented itself almost immediately, as the other members of the party told us of encountering locked rooms which held at bay dozens, if not hundreds of demons.

It would be perfect. A Church Knight, enfeebled by blindness and doomed to live out his days in some remote monastery was not the ending for the line Derekson. I would die a true hero, blazing a path of holy destruction, blinded but unafraid, surrounded by evil but defiant to the end. The family Derekson would live on in song and story.

Intent on these thoughts, I allowed myself to be led meekly along with the party as Ruby and Valguard led us to a long rectangular room. Andros, the unconscious Xorn and I were led to the center of the floor and left without ceremony. I examined Xorn as best I could and cast healing 3-30. He did not wake up, but I could sense that he was breathing easier. Andros was no trouble, the irascible fighter had already eaten, rolled up in his bedroll, and was snoring lustily.

God favors the innocent and the unbalanced.

I sat and began praying for strength in the upcoming battle. Across the room I could hear a sudden fracas. With my abandonment of the mission I had lost all interest in the doings of the remainder of the party, but this drew at least a portion of my attention. It seems that they had encountered three chests. One contained a wooden shield, another silver coins, the third gold. From the shouting I gathered that Loki had dug into the silver and been claimed by a curse. The King's agent was busily stuffing coins into her pack, disregarding the warnings and cries of the others. There was a scuffle as Valguard attempted to stop her physically and was slashed with a dagger for his efforts. I heard Dag casting a spell and Loki started snoring in mid screech.

There followed much discussion over how to handle the cursed coins. I heard a merry jingle (intermixed with the tinkle of breaking glass) as someone apparently upended Loki's pack. Valguard sat nearby, swearing quietly.

I must digress at this point to recommend that your Enlightened Lordship consider enacting some form of long term sense deprivation class for Knights-in-Training. The loss of my sight has brought out my other senses in a way which has to be experienced to be described. I am aware of the breathing and small sounds of my companions, and am learning to distinguish between them by sound alone. I can feel the heat of the wounds as I try to heal the injured, it seems that I can almost visualize the flow of blood through sinew and flesh. I believe that a properly enacted training program could be a benefit to my brothers in training.

To return to my dialogue, I examined Valguard and cast healing 1-10 on him. Another disturbance arose, apparently Ruby had succumbed to the curse while trying to clean up the scattered coins. Valguard yanked himself away from me and leapt at the halfling, landing with a grunt on the stone floor. I heard a tremendous crash, which I at first thought to be part of the ceiling collapsing but then realized was Goroc body slamming Ruby. It seemed to take all the fight out of the thief, but miraculously did no serious injury. They tied Ruby up and left her on the floor next to the similarly bound Loki. Goroc, muttering under his breath, swept the remainder of the coins up and stomped off with the chests. From further down the hall I heard a faint crash as the orc dumped them in the pit traps. A useful solution, I had to admit. The party settled into a sullen silence, so I returned to my prayers.

The following morning rose with what to me was a true blessing straight from the true God. It was dark and blurry, but it seemed that my sight was returning! Almost too fearful to believe, I woke Andros and consulted with him. It was true! The true God must have plans for me further than a glorious death match against a horde of demons, for the curse of blindness was wearing off. I vowed to survive my encounter with the demons in order to bring glory to his name.

I was distracted from these revelations by the sound of muffled complaints. Loki and Ruby were still bound securely, although they were awake and seemed alert. Reasoning that since the powerful blindness curse was wearing off, their curse had probably also worn away. I untied them and stood back, ready to intervene should they attempt to attack anyone. At Valguard's request Ruby unlocked the third chest again. They examined the shield it contained closely, then drew it out. Dag was able to identify it as a Lake Shield, which offered magical aids to protection as well as possessing the unique ability to act as a small floatation device. It could carry a full grown man, or a large payload of equipment over water.

Valguard already possessed a magical shield, so since I was the only other party member who carried one it was given to me. I accepted greatfully and gave my old shield to Andros, who would be needing it if his vision was as bad as mine. We gathered our equipment and prepared to continue looking for the talisman which would protect us from the sorcerers.

According to the map, another room was somewhere beyond the far wall of this one. I was useless in a search, so I stood back and watched as Loki and Ruby studied the wall. They found a hidden door and Ruby disarmed a dart trap with frightening ease.

Enlightened Lordship, I would recommend that Ruby be employed by the church to study and make recommendations on our own locks. I dislike the idea that we could be this susceptible.

We started into a hallway which sloped gently downhill. Ruby and Valguard, in the lead, paused suddenly. I was unable to make out what they were studying, but the answer became clear soon enough. The floor, descending at a slight angle, was at this point submerged in a shallow layer of water. They hesitated for a long moment, trying to decide if it would be too dangerous to continue, but were unable to find any traps. Dag created a water elemental and sent it ahead to explore the hallway. It encountered a door a short distance away and stopped while we caught up. Ruby picked the lock and Valguard opened the door to a large room.

It was enormous for an underground chamber, nearly seventy feet to the side with a very high ceiling lost in shadows above. The floor was completely submerged in dark if shallow water. Along the far wall I could make out some dim shapes which the others told me were barrels.

I was possessed of a reckless mood, and strode across the room without concern. Something was troubling me, but I could not tell what. Three quarters of the way across the floor suddenly dropped away, and I splashed into deep water. Fortunately I was holding the lake shield, and was able to use it as a floatation device. I continued heading for the barrels, finally finding the floor again in front of them. I heard splashing behind me, apparently someone else was crossing as well. My vision at this point was little more than light and dark shapes, so I was unable to tell who was in the room, but a sudden shout brought me to full alert.

Demons! No wonder I was feeling uneasy. Several winged demons had been hanging on the ceiling, immobile as they hibernated. Our light and sound had disturbed them. Apparently Valguard and Loki had both followed me across the deep section, I could hear the King's guardsman shouting warnings to the rest of the party and the unmistakable sounds of Loki's daggers being unsheathed. A harsh roar told me that Goroc was in the middle of the room. Andros called from the far side, announcing that the rest of the party had retreated into the hallway and he was guarding the entrance. I assumed his vision was as bad as mine, and was glad that he had accepted my old shield. We were going to need them.

As I was thinking of shields I was suddenly slammed back in a flurry of motion. Instinct and training took over, I was swinging my morning star before I was truly aware of the attack. I made contact, the demon fell back, screaming.

And the battle was on.

I heard Valguard nearby to my left, shouting his battle cry. Beyond Loki was screaming in mingled pain and outrage. Goroc roared, drowning out all other sounds for a moment. I found out later that Valguard and Loki were both fiercely attacked, barely escaping the first round of battle with their skins. From above I could tell that Dag was keeping demons busy with his elementals. Goroc traded blows with a demon, both too tough and stubborn to realize they were hit. With my weak vision I could not tell how Andros was doing, but I did see a flash and streak of light from the direction of the door, accompanied by a lot of shouting. Another flash of movement to my right, another swing, and I made a hard strike against another (the first again?) demon. It slammed to the ground, screaming, so I took the opportunity to smash it into paste.

I was fortunate, the others, aided by Dag's elementals, had destroyed the remaining demons. I spoke with the other fighters in turn, and found that each had dealt with a furious battle. Valguard had traded blows with one for the length of the battle, taking serous injury but surviving to triumph over the beast. Loki had been badly hurt by the demons first strike, barely making it back to cover by the barrels. Goroc had fought like a wild beast, ignoring wounds which would have dropped another member of the party while defeating two creatures. Dag's water elemental had done well, swooping and striking from behind, killing two before they were aware of them.

Andros's story was the most interesting. As blind as I was, he set himself to guarding the other members of the party. He drew his mace of impact, raised his shield, and readied himself to strike anything moving. A bright object flashed overhead, and he struck, making hard contact. It seemed to shower a flash of light and spin away. Later he found out that Dag had summoned a light elemental to join in the battle. It soared out of the hallway and shot a bolt of energy at an attacking demon (not realizing that the diving monstrosity was attacking Andros). The fighter's impact mace hit the light elemental just as it loosed it's shock bolt. The demon was fried, the elemental nearly killed, (Dag treated to a world class headache) and Andros was left wondering what had happened.

The sounds of battle died with the last demon. Since I was already on the other side of the deep section, I turned my attention to Valguard and Loki, preparing healing spells.

The episode ended at this point.

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Episode Ten

Further entries in the journal of Loki

As sounds of the battle against flying demons ceased, we set to heal the injured. I, being near unconsciousness, was helped by Hunter. Valgard and Gorac also needed healing. Miraculously our near blind members, Hunter and Andros, came through unscathed. The battle was brutal, yet it served as an excellent distraction. While the party members either fought or hid, I was able to complete my primary mission. I found the hidden room and collected my prize. Now my full attention may be turned to retrieving the artifact and skull.

As the other party members slowly filed into the room, they started exploring. It took a few minutes for them to realize the open doorway behind me. Surprisingly, no one questioned how it opened. Ruby inspected it to find nothing but a small empty room. The attention of the party members then turned to the six barrels. Kiley, with her sense of presence, touched each barrel to find that two were evil, two were magical, and two had no presence. While Kiley did this, the mage sent one of his servants down into the deep water. A few moments later he informed us that there were a maze of tunnels underwater. One of the tunnels led to a room filled with the flying demons, and a few were now swimming our way. Soon we saw a line of bubbles moving through the water. We prepared for another battle; however, the bubbles simply stopped where one of the dead demons had fallen.

Suddenly, with little warning, Valgard foolishly thrusted his sword into one of the barrels with evil presence. The barrel exploded, knocking Valgard into the deep water. A horrific skeleton stood in the place of the barrel. The first thing I noticed was the eerie, glowing, yellow eyes in the sockets of the creature. I could see rotting flesh still clinging to the bone, and on the top of this thing was a golden crown. Garon was the first to react by sending a shock bolt. Gorac and Ruby started in with their crossbow and bow. They continued to shoot and shock bolt the skeleton until it was knocked to the ground. Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw a lightning bolt fly out of the water followed by a demon. Hunter, who was prepared for this, swung his enchanted morning star and instantly killed it. My attention returned to the skeleton. Ruby approached it and swung with her sword, embarrassingly missing the creature. Her second swing proved better and killed the skeleton lord. Amazingly, right after Ruby's fatal blow to the skeleton, Valgard popped out of the water foolishly yelling, "Did I get it?". The audacity of that question was almost humorous. The rest of the party resounded with a unanimous "NO!"

Hunter then decided that the second evil barrel must be destroyed. As he moved to smash it, Kiley screamed out, "It is another lord skeleton, beware!" Hunter and Valgard discussed a plan and put it to action. Valgard smashed the barrel, and as the skeleton was released, Hunter killed it with his morning star. The golden crown on the top of the skeleton's head dropped down and disappeared under the water.

Ruby found the crown of the first skeleton and wanted to keep it. Kiley checked the crown for evil presence and found the presence to be strong. Anyone that wears the crown will be overcome by the urge to kill anyone and everyone in their sight. Hunter used his morning star to destroy the crown. It was also decided to find the second crown before one of the demons do. So one of the mage's servants went into the water and appeared a short time later with the crown. Hunter quickly destroyed this crown. After the crowns were destroyed, Valgard busied himself inspecting the rest of the barrels. He opened one with a magical presence. As he lifted the lid, a shining light spilled over the edges of the barrel. Wide-eyed and grinning, Valgard pulled out chain armor. He put this on and quickly opened the second magical barrel. Again I saw the light and he pulled out a bird cage with a metal bird perched inside. The last two barrels were opened and we discovered they only held oil.

The party decided we had better leave so we swam across the deep water (Kiley needed some assistance). As we entered the hallway, a great ball of air formed in front of us. The mage, without warning, had made another servant. We came into the room where I had been tied up by my party members to keep me from taking the silver. Being in here stirs up some bitter feelings. It was decided that we should rest here for a couple of hours. Valgard and Ruby kept watch.

As we woke, Kiley told us that she had dreamed of the objects we found. It turns out that the chain armor that Valgard is now wearing is actually Armor of Heroics, which means that whenever Valgard is committing a heroic act his armor it extremely strong yet does not impede his actions. I could see Valgard's eyes light up by this news and could just see him imagining all the heroic acts he will accomplish. I just hope that his head doesn't get him or the party into any unnecessary trouble. The bird in the bird cage is able to sing. This was all that Kiley was able to dream of the bird. Hopefully she will get more from another dream later.

Once we were all ready to continue, we stepped back into the main hallway. The mage's air servant went ahead, sweeping the ground for any danger. Large clouds of dust flew into the air. Walking down the dim, dust-filled corridor, it was difficult to see ahead of us. We turned a corner and continued for about 50 feet when the mage announced that there was a door ahead. The air servant stopped. The dust settled. Before us stood an old wooden door. What is behind it we do not know. It could be the artifact that we are looking for or it could be another battle waiting to happen. I keep getting the feeling; however, that someone will die before we leave this tomb.

---

Episode Eleven

The following passage retells the thoughts of Xorn En-Dal after he wakes from his extended "nap".

*Moan* *Mumble, mumble*

What just happened? How did I get here and where the hell am I? My head is killing me. Damn! The last thing I remember is jumping over a trap of some sort and not quite making it to the other side. Guess I got knocked out by some freakin' creature. Hopefully the other party members killed the beast.

Damn. Looks like everyone's getting ready to leave this room. I'm freakin' starving and parched. Wonder if the holy man has some ale for prayers or whatever he does. Nah, I won't ask.

What's the hold up? Ah, Ruby must think the door is trapped. I don't know why they're so cautious about every …

"The door's trapped. Looks like several darts line the frame," Ruby mentions.

Yeah, she's got a knack for these types of things. It's a damn good thing because most of the party members are so fragile they wouldn't be able to withstand a couple of blows here and there. Not everyone can be a conditioned warrior like myself.

Hmmm… maybe I'll have time to eat some rations while we wait for the thief to disarm the door. Ah yes, salted beef. Not quite a roast but will do.

"This doesn't look good guys," exclaims Kylie. "Apparently we have guests in this room, also. They don't look like anything I've ever seen or are anything we should mess with in my opinion. Several creatures, I'm guessing three, exist that resemble extremely large, mutant frogs with two or more snakes protruding from their backs. I noticed one of the "snakes" spit some liquid, which I guess is an acid or poison. I don't think we should enter."

I don't know how this kid knows these things. She has to be a spy or some other being; it's just not human.

"Ah, we can take 'em. Let's enter," states Valgard.

"Dinner!" Gorac chimes in with authority.

"I don't know. From my knowledge, these types of beasts aren't of this realm and their long-range poison will do too much damage," Dag points out.

"I'd have to agree on this. There are many demons that we need to eliminate first. Plus, our party needs to rest up. Especially Xorn," mentions Hunter.

Xorn: "Xorn don't need rest. Xorn feels very rested and needs to kill some beasts."

"I think it would be best to rest for now and the kill the demons that are on our trail. We have too many creatures on the loose right now," states Hunter.

Ahhh … looks like we'll be resting since most others are agreeing. Oh well, maybe I'll feel better after the rest.

**

** The party rests **

**

*Yawn*

Another lovely day in this hellhole. Hey, why's everyone in a hurry to get out of here. I guess we're going back out to the hallway. God, if I fall down another pit, I'm going berserk on everyone's arse and leaving this place!

Looks like Ruby and her cohort Loki are heading down the hall. Apparently there's something on the map. Eh, who cares? Time for me to sit on my arse and eat some more breakfast.

"I found another secret door!" exclaims Ruby.

Dammit! Better get over there.

"It's not budging. Damn! Hey Gorac buddy-ol'-pal. Think you can open this door for me." asks Ruby.

"You have to ask? No problem." mentions Gorac.

Damn! He ripped the door right off its freakin' hinges. That character sure packs a punch. I'd love to get into a confrontation with him; he's probably the only that would give me some competition around he.

"Thanks hon'. I can see a door about 90' down the hall. There's another secret door on the other wall also. What do you think?" mentions Ruby.

"Just to forewarn you I know the door down the hall is trapped," informs Kiley.

"Hmmm … I still think we should eliminate the remaining unholy beasts. We know of two rooms packed with them. Not to mention the ones under water that could be on our trail," exclaims Hunter.

Xorn: "Xorn agrees."

Good, looks like the party is agreeing to fight these evil beasts. I have yet to fight a demon and cannot wait to swing my axe into one. They seem powerful and should be a great foe.

Ah, it appears we'll rest for the night and journey in the morning.

"Let me heal you a bit, Xorn," say Hunter.

Xorn: "Thanks you. Xorn feel a bit better."

My head and back and legs and, god everything, is still killing me. Hey wait, I forgot about these leaves the King gave us. If memory serves me correctly these mustard leaves should do the trick. I'll sleep well tonight.

**

** The party rests **

**

*Yawn*

Can't wait to fight these demons. I had a great night sleep and had splendid dreams of the upcoming battle. Guess we're off!!

We're finally here! Time to die!

"I suggest Ruby unlock the door and then the fighters move in starting with me, of course," suggests Hunter.

"Great, I'll follow you," says Valguard.

"I naturally should be third if Valguard is second," states Andros.

Looks like I'll be the fifth member since Gorac's going in fourth.

"I'm also going in," mentions Loki.

"After everyone enters the room I'm sending my servant to blockade the door to protect us. I don't want any demons to get out," say Dag.

Sounds good to me. Keep them inside where I can kick their unholy arses! Looks like their taking their positions. Ruby's ready to open the door.

"It's open," screams Ruby as she darts to the hallway away from the demons.

I can't even see what's happening. Damn! I can hear Hunter fighting but there are too many people in front of me. God, hurry up!!

We're moving a bit. Sounds like Andros and Valguard are swinging. Come on!!

Ah, there goes Gorac rushing towards a demon. Looks like they're forming a wall and pushing the demons back. Nice hit Gorac! Looks like he killed one and there appears to be several lying on the ground already. These things must be weak! Dammit! Death awaits!!!

Xorn: "Ahhhhh…"

Nailed one, but didn't kill 'em.

Xorn: "Uhhh!"

What the hell hit me and why am I on the ground? Where the hell's my freakin' axe? Damn you! … Ah, there it is. Die bastard!

Hit him again, but he won't go down. How are the other's doing it?!?

"Die!" Hunter wails as he slays the demon with one mighty blow.

Damn he's good. Are there any others remaining? Ah, there's one by Loki … Damn, she killed it. Looks like nothing left …

"Ahhh…" screams Valgard.

What the hell?!? He hit Gorac twice … Damn Gorac! Did he just kill Valgard? Hit him once and knocked him to the ground. What the hell was Valgard thinking?!?

"Oh my God!!!" says Hunter as he rushes toward Valgard's body. "Try to drink this Valgard!"

Must be some healing potion; although, I'd leave him for dead. If he attacked me I wouldn't let him take another breath. Gorac was too kind. Seeing the demons must have possessed Valgard. But how? And why was he the only one acting like this? That bastard better give some answers!

Here comes the remaining party members to collect the goods.

Xorn: *Humph*

What's that large glowing mound in the middle of the room? Here comes Dag and the others. I'll let them mess with it; I could care less. Ah, a treasure chest. Maybe I'll open one and finally get something from this mission. I haven't kept one useful thing yet. It either goes to Valgard, Ruby or to the freakin' church. What the hell?

"Xorn," whispers Ruby as she approaches. "I mentioned to several others already that I'm going to use a special essence on Valgard. It'll make him tell the truth for several hours. No one has a clue why he attacked Gorac and we don't what this to happen again. If I don't use it, he probably won't say what happened or will lie to us. I just wanted to mention this ahead of time."

Xorn: "Ha, ha! Thanks! This should be interesting. If the essence is still working after you're done, can Xorn have some fun with him?!?"

I can't wait to play with the little man!!

**

** The End … or is it? **

**

---

Episode Twelve

The Mental Ramblings of Goroc Jaggedtooth

Son of Og and Wielder of Skull Splitter

Temper problems? He say he have temper problem? He say too he think Goroc look like deemon. Me no think Goroc look like deemon. Goroc Ork. He know what ork look like. He no hit Goroc in any other fight with deemons. Why he hit Goroc this time? Me think he afraid Goroc want be chieftain. Goroc no want to be chieftain. Goroc head hurt when he have to tell others what to do. It no matter. But if he afraid of Goroc, he stoopid to make Goroc so mad. Me almost kill him once. Me finish job next time. Maybe next time they no think Goroc kill him either.

So the hunter say he to protect Valguard now. Say he make sure nothing happen again. Hmm... if Goroc going kill Valguard, he have to kill the hunter too. Shame.

Humph... Goroc getting awfully bored of them all looking around room. Nothing here. We go now. Oh good, the hunter want to go kill other deemons. Maybe now we move. Big deal. So they open boxes. Why they no ask Goroc open boxes? Goroc use ax to open boxes. They have tiny girl always do it. She must have many keys. Why they always have that useless girl near when they open something? She never fight, but she always know what in things. She must have put all this stuff here. Maybe this her house? If this her house, why she no know way around? Why they so happy Goroc have map? And if this her house, why she put so many deemons in it? And why she let us kill them all? Maybe deemons took house from her, and we clean it out for her? Maybe, but me no sure.

Goroc head hurt again. Too many questions.

The hunter happy, they find shield in box. He already have shield. Besides, shield for weeklings. Goroc no need shield. Goroc strong. Even short man no use shield. But he have funny looking ax. He no make up mind which end to use. Hey... what he doing? Why did he put sock on his hand? Why he talk to his hand? Goroc think he hit on head too hard. Must have loosened dwarf’s brain. Shame. He used to be good fighter. Oh well.

They say that if this funny looking glass thingy break, the whole mountain will go boom. Good thing Goroc no break, huh?

They finally ready to go kill other deemons. Strange girl say that deemons are real bad. VERY BAD. Hmmm... the hunter and Valguard to go in. Crazy Dwarf say he go in too. Good. Hope he take stoopid sock with him. Hmmm... Goroc have idea. If deemons as bad as strange girl say, Goroc can lock others in and have deemons kill them and they no can escape. No more Valguard. Goroc have such good ideas sometimes.

Humph... Magic Man send his flying balls in with them. Goroc shut door behind dwarf, but two balls got in. Now they have help in there. Maybe this no work after all. Only thing Goroc do now is wait.

And wait.

And wait.

Me wonder what happening in there. Maybe Goroc should have gone in to fight? Me no scared of deemons. Goroc just hope deemons kill Valguard.

Oh great. Magic Man say that they almost kill all the deemons. This was stoopid idea. Goroc should have gone in and kill deemons too. Humph. Guess no reason to hold door now. Me wonder what they looking at in other room.

Me hear door open. Humph, they kill deemons without Goroc. Maybe they no need Goroc? Hmmm... the hunter and dwarf are both breathing funny. Maybe not as easy a fight as Magic Man say.

Everyone go into new room. Empty. Oh well. Whe two small girls keep looking at the walls? Me no see anything. Stones look same as rest of place. Why they still looking? Can we go now? There must be other things to kill.

Oh... Girls find a little room. Guess the door looked like the wall. How they see it? Why didn’t the strange girl tell them it was there? This is her house anyway, isn’t it? Maybe she no want them to find it.

Oh well. Just junk behind the door. Bags and boxes. Nothing to kill. See, junk. Bags just have shiny stones in them. The one box has a book in it. Didn’t we come in here looking for a book? Does this mean we are leaving? There are still things to kill. The strange girl is going to want the rest of the deemons out of her house. Why are they fighting over the book? Must be special book. Oh... they just fight over who get to open book. Let the little girl open it. She has a lot of keys. Maybe one will fit its lock. Oh! The key is in the box. Oh well.

Hmmm... The other box has funny looking pants. They look silly. The other box has strange bracelets. And the last box has a piece of glass.

Just a lot of junk.

I guess they found something else in the tiny room. Hmmm... a stick. Oh wellmaybe we build a fire with it.

Me getting bored. Wonder what else Goroc can find in here. Me want to break something.