The One True Game: According to Hoyle, and Others

[howandwhy99]

[DAY 93 – Weddingday, Azer 25th, CY 81]
– [DAY 96 – Holyday, Azer 28th, CY 81]

Several miles beyond the witch’s compound the party finally rested. The next few days were spent riding along, eating when needed, and generally trying to endure the bleak landscape. Sometime during the day on Holyday an eerie feeling came over Kayla and Diedre. The hairs on their necks rose up and they could not shake the suspicion that something was watching them. When they pointed out everyone started to feel the paranoia. “It’s not natural,” said Rose. “I have never felt anything like this before.” Nor had Grog. It was as every rock and every weed stared at their soul. It was slowly disorienting and only Rose’s absolute direction sense steered them towards Kera. Unfortunately the feeling did not go away.

When the sun set Holyday, they made camp and a built a fire again in case wolves wandered close during the night. Darius struck up a conversation with Grog to try and raise his spirits. He had suffered the worse since leaving the littlefolk’s home.
“Where in the mountains did you live, Grog?”
“Grog not live in mountains for long time. Grog live with brother there. Sargen.” Grog explained Sargen was a Full Brother, which sounded like a real ogre, not a half-blooded one like himself. “Sargen and Grog fought in mountains. Back with ogre clan.”
Darius was unsure if Grog meant he had a fight with his brother or fought others together, but felt Grog was in no mood to talk about it.

Ben begun helping Dalin cook dinner and did a poor job of it. The team sorely missed having Igor the chef to help them out. Rose decided to speak up and tell everyone a little more about her own life.

Rose: “You'll have to forgive my forwardness about my background, it seems to make some of you uncomfortable when I talk so openly about how some of you would make a good sacrifice to my Mother, or how the flesh of intelligent creatures tastes. My experience among humans and in their lands has been limited to about the past week or so. My only time among humans has been with the few half-elven rangers who I trained with who made their homes near elven lands. They were more adapted to elven customs than human so I have very little of human culture to compare you too. Some of your concepts are most strange. The little disks of beaten rock you exchange for goods. Your tendency not to say what you wish and encouraging others to do the same. The way your priests are not allowed to marry.”

“You see, everything I know I explained to you before. And what I know of humans I know from you. So I know that Darius seeks to be reunited with his people and is looking for some kind of mount, and that Dram seeks his brother. But what brings the rest of you into this war and now traveling here together?”

Grog: “Lady Elf, there is much more than Grog ever could think to say at even one sitting. But Grog tell you more about Grog if it will help you to understand.”

“Grog was born in the wilds and shown the ways of things by Grog older, bigger siblings. Germac, tell Grog, Grog: half-bree. Grog not understand what Half-Bree mean until Grog and Germac and others try and take new home. Trolls not like us take from them. So we fight. Grog lose many family to Trolls. Some Trolls big and mean. Others weak. One Big Troll give Grog scars (lifts shift to show). Grog flee to stay alive. Grog find the land here in Margray to Grog's liking. Margray place to start new life. Count good guy. Others not so nice. Tell Grog, Grog: Half-Bree. Half Human, Half Ogre. 10 years Grog live and make good in Margray. Count ask Grog to fight war. Grog say no. But Grog promise to keep South safe for Count. He a good guy. So now Grog fight Trolls again. Grog guess Trolls do bad to others in County. Like Dram brother.”

Rose: “Grog I was meaning to ask you, in your inn the girls said I could do things that they could not when it came to getting a man and that you would want to hire me on and not let me leave. As far as I know our parts are the same, Ben, Darius, Kayla, and Dirdre can attest to that, so what would be the difference between myself and any of the other girls?”

Grog: “Grog get all kinds of customers. They make demands of girls, Grog not know about. But cuz Grog smart guy. Grog know that if Grog have more different kinds of girls. Grog make more coin.”

“Gerta brought girls to Grog. Say they need place to stay and sleep. Say they have friends come and visit. Gerta tell Grog that these friends pay to stay at Grog's. And will drink much of Grog's ale and eat much of Grog's food. Good for business. Gerta right. “

“Yuri not like Grog cuz of Grog good business sense. Yuri Sleeping Dragon never wake up anymore.” (Grog laughed at his own joke)

“Grog get idea for Inn after finding Welcome Wench in Homlet. Ostler Gundiroot good guy. He tell Grog about Inn. So Grog take Grog coin and buy inn here in Kusnir. Grog Inn called Welcome Wench. Work for Ostler Gundiroot work for Grog.”

“But strange customers call place Wanton Woman. Grog think they stupid.”

[howandwhy99]

By this time everyone else had stopped pushing around their over-peppered stew and was listening intently. To Ben’s surprise, shy Ormand spoke up next.

Ormand the Redd: “I know not many of you speak to me often. And I do feel somewhat to blame for letting the drunk guy get a way. But Dram has been very good to me. Where he goes. I go.”

Pax: “As a squire to a great and noble knight, likewise, where Darius goes. I go.”

Diedra: “I see much adventure in your futures. And I wish to learn more of this world. Kayla has offered to show me some of the mysteries.”

Ben was proud to hear the loyalty of the troops. He had been unsure before they had spoken up, but believed what they each said now. In response he launched into his own reason for adventuring.

Father Ben: “As a newly anointed father in my faith I seek to shepherd those who seek enlightenment. I also feel strongly protective of the peoples of Margrave and fear that their futures are in jeopardy. Without a true congregation I have taken vows to protect those under my care both within the firelight tonight and others living under the name Margrave. We go to the Dwarven Kingdoms for many reasons, but mainly to ask for their aid in the County's war far to the North. I have heard that dwarves are stout fighters and fiercely loyal. Dwarf-friend Darius shows these rumors to be true. I hope that when we reach there we can convince them to aid us in our cause. Or I feel our trip will have been in vain.”

“If you ask further though, you will see that many here have different investments in our trip. Darius seeks a steed in the southern peaks. And now it appears we may rescue Dram's brother from slaving trolls. {whispers: though I have my doubts on how this might be done.) It was also pertinent to leave the city when we did. One of our own named Eyegore stayed behind valiantly hoping to stave off attack on our band from corrupting forces in the city of Harling. It is possible that others nearby have such agendas as well. So we have been wary of taking on new member to our group.“

“I myself am confused as to your upbringing Rose and the tale you tell. It seems you were born to fairies in a fairyland far, far away, but that being part Elven somehow lowered your status among those fickle and capricious folk. Is it possible that you were at the front lines these last few years and did not know it? Hearty jesters the Seelie are rumored to be and as wild as the forests the live in. I was told you were present when our party met the Drae at the sunken manor house. It is said no friendly eye was cast anon. Your own appearance even gives pause: blue skin, glowing red hair. There is more than one reason not to trust your differences, but I feel an open mind may be the only way to proceed. We require a skilled guide and tracker. You qualify. To gain further allegiance I suggest joining me for prayers in the mornings and dwelling on the unity of the Circle Pendant. But our confusions best are cleared up here and now. What is it you do not understand of the humans?”

“You should also know that we have had other fireside chats before your arrival only a short week ago. Not all have ended well. So do not be surprised, if the others are not as open as I. Forthrightness is a virtue rarely practiced among the fearful and we live in dangerous times indeed.”

Rose: “No I'm fairly sure I was at the front lines only recently, I've spent the last century or so with the elves and the rangers respectively. I am not clear on what your question is. I left the front lines after my first battle...if you could call it that. I was going forth with some other troops when I heard this strange laughing. Then...it was strange...I never saw the enemy or what hit me, I just remember waking up in the elven encampment from dreams of a darkness filled with laughing and screaming covered with spatters of blood. The elf told me I must hurry away. He told me I must go to the west and find reinforcement quickly. He told me to ride as fast as I could over the mountains to get any help I could find. Then he helped me on my horse and I was away.”

“Yes we met the, drae did you call them? They were fae in the form they use when talking with the elves. I have never seen them this close to human lands so I can't imagine what they wanted unless it was to take some of the townsfolk to replenish their larders. Or perhaps mother or stepfather willed it for some reason known only to them. I warned the townsfolk when we returned to stay away from the moathouse but for some reason the little yellow disks had affected their mind, apparently some craving for them was driving them to the fae encampment.”

“But your prayers they confuse me most of all. Darius I understand. His mother coupled with Thor and he is their child, and Thor grants him the ability to heal. My sisters are the children of Mother, and Mother grants them abilities according to her whims. But you serve the gods of law, but how can all of them be your mother or father? And you and Darius supplicate to them like a servant rather than a son. Admittedly I do the same, but then I am of impure blood and supplication is the proper position for me. But I would think being pure children of your gods your parents would let you address them as parent to child not master to servant.”

“And you leave your dead upon the field for them to rot and be eaten by the flies and worms, while in the town I saw many people who were too thin, as if they had not eaten in a long time. What is the purpose of such waste? And your gods are always so sad look how frequently their tears fall from the sky; do you not offer them comfort in their sorrow? I have never known Mother to cry.”

“I am unclear as to why I would pray to this pendant you gave me ex-husband. It does not warm the day like the sun or light the night like the moon. It provides no sustenance like the water and the grasses of the field or the trees and bushes of the forest. It does not cool my brow like the wind or house my food like the earth. It does not cause the birth and death of all creation like mother and stepfather. And it no longer serves as a symbol of our marriage. What purpose does it serve that I should meditate upon?”

“As for my appearance, this trust and distrust is another strange concept I am still coming to terms with. In the fae lands something would either be done or not done or mother would will it. It is a topic that confuses me as it confuses the rangers, but I think eventually I was finally able to put it into terms they could understand. Among the fae the idea of trust was...it made no sense. Someone would either do something or they would not. And that could change without notice. There was no expectation either way and as such there was no want or will in relation to anybody else. There was only what you wanted and what you could do. But when mother willed something it was done. The idea of not doing as mother willed would be as if I were to say to you ‘stop existing at this every moment’. You could not do it. Mother IS existence. And yet your gods of law seems to have an intent that is not followed by all humans. This concept of wanting something and wanting something of others that you call trust is very unknown. I am unclear on what you would want to make this "trust" in me. You wish me to change my skin and hair?”

[howandwhy99]

Father Benedict patted the sweat from his brow.

Father Ben: “Perhaps an archer with an arrow shot you and laughed? If that is the case, you are lucky to be alive. Maybe that is why they sent you from the Front? Do you remember having a wound or new scar from the experience?”

“Do you remember the names of the elves you were with?”

“You also mention Fae as having more than one form. Are Elves or Fey shapeshifters? Are you? There were rumors supposedly in Harling of shapeshifters taking on other's forms. One of the attacks on Keep Margrave is said to possibly have been done by a shapeshifter. Why even our noble Darius had his good name besmirched from an imposter in Harling. From rumors we have heard, these shapeshifters are of evil ilk.”

“As for why the Hommletites explore the moathouse as you call it, I would hope their motivation is simply one of wanderlust and not this greed for coin as you say. Gold and silver metals are valuable in the human lands. Many other metals are minted for use as currency. (Ben takes out a copper, a lead, and a steel coin) These are the most common currency in Margrave. You can see the markings on either side. They are the embossment giving legitimacy to coin. But its real value lies within the metal itself. For example, this steel coin can be smelted with others to create goods like the armor and steel so many of us wear. But it is greed for metals and also gems, which drives many men to their deaths. While useful for commerce, these monies are but a trifle when compared to the real virtues in life.”

“This leads me to your central confusion. Prayers need not be supplication at all, but still a form of worship. Prayers can be out of respect, honor, obedience, and more, not just appeals to the divine for one's wants. Unlike yourself most creatures and humans are not conceived wholly from their Gods or Goddesses. They are born from the coupling of their natural mothers and fathers. While children are taught to love and honor their parents, prayer is different. First off, not all Divine all deserving of worship. We venerate those who have noble bearing and goodly intention. Those who seek to ensure the safety of Men. Many stories are told of how each one made the world and the cosmos around it. My particular order does not deal in the debates of which is true and which is false. Instead we ask followers to venerate all the goodly Gods, so they might protect us from harm. The war to the East is one example of this. Many powerful creatures exist and it is only with courage and faith that we face them. Our own parents can protect us only so much, but Gods like Thor can do much more. So our veneration is not out of fear, but because the Gods and Goddesses ease our fear by protecting us from succumbing to these horrors.”

“A few other points you raised: First, the circlet is a meditation focus. You concentrate on its unity of form. With practice your soul can be strengthened in its desire to stay uniform with the world around it. This is why I gave you the pendant. It is not a marriage gift. We were never married. Nor annulled.”

“Secondly, the men and women of some villages are thin because of the lack of food to feed all peoples. Food is never other people for humans. Nor dwarves. And I believe not Elves either. Those who eat creatures who can speak are called "cannibals". It is a heathen act and not looked upon kindly. It is tied with murder, which we teach as a great disruption to the harmony of life. Neither act is condoned by those of Goodly Faith.”

“And lastly, trust is a topic which would be better talked about in length, and perhaps in private. You see, to travel with us, to take watch, to fight at our side, and to partake in our company you must be trustworthy. It is always difficult to tell one’s motivations. But by observing each other’s actions we learn what these might be. A uniformity of action instills trust that your actions will remain the same in the future - that you will not change sides in mid battle - that you will not divulge us to enemies - that you do not kill and eat us while we sleep. Part of trusting is faith in others not causing you harm, as you would also have trust in us. All of which has little to do with your skin and hair.”

Rose: “Perhaps I am unsure of what happened, I didn't feel an injury either before or after, but I may simply have been healed and knocked out before I could feel anything. But in my dreams the laughter seemed to come from everywhere, as did the screams. More than one plea for mercy was cut off before it could finish.”

“Elven names and fae names are different. Among one another elves have a naming system similar to the fae. In our languages such names are much shorter. It is only among the humans that elves use very shortened names like rose to identify themselves. I could tell you the elven name of the company, but I did not know their human name.”

“Fae are shapechangers but I have only ever seen them in the light in elven lands in their black skinned form. I know they have others but I don't know what they are. The elves and fae have a very...different relationship. You see, depending on the stories you listen to mother has only ever been denied her will either once or twice. The story always begins with Fae wanderlust. They sought out what is new and unknown. To the fae the unknown is something to be embraced not feared. And they came across human lands in their wanderings. The fae were changed somehow upon their contact with human lands. They could see the souls of the dead watching them from the sky as they wandered at night; some said they could even feel them during the day. In fae lands there is only eyeless night, mother assures that. It is a great secret among their people what occurred but when they returned to mother they were the creatures you now know as elves. Change of theirs spread like an infection among the fae. Their forms became locked. They began to age. They retained knowledge of the past. It is said that even stepfather was infected. Some say either he left mother or was cast out by her with the other tainted ones. Some say he was not tainted but used this to distract her while he left her. She ordered all of the tainted ones killed. And there was war. For three days the fae and the elves fought. Until the humans arrived. Tales say it was only a caravan. Looking for a shortcut through the forest. Tales say none survived as the intruders were attacked on sight for simply being present. The fae are never ones to let food go to waste. So they ate what was present. It was said that when the first fae tasted of human flash his gasp of surprise and delight froze the battlefield, and that the land is still in winter to this day. This new distraction made the fae forgot all about the war, as is their nature. And the elves devised a way to keep them distracted using the humans. Thus the Runners of the Black Flame were created to keep the fae distracted with their new taste. Since the fae have little memory, the taste is new and delicious with each meal. If the tales are true then mother has since found a way to protect her children from the corruption of this land. Still the human meat has become an addiction to them. The fae and the elves do not get along. But they tolerate one another. Apparently the fae still have something the elves need. I imagine it's the magic the elves so desperately crave. In the fae lands magic is in the air and the water and the lands. Here it is weak. The elves have developed a way to find the magics they crave like a hungry man smells food. With my upbringing I could not, I am like the desert rat, I do not crave the water that the other desert creatures need so badly, I have enough within me to last for as long as I like.”

“The monies are still very confusing. It’s a quality of the fae. Monies get you things you want. But the fae never truly want. If they desire something, then they either take it or they forget about it and desire something else.”

“I still do not understand these small bits of metal. The earth gives you all you could wish for. She provides food and shelter. You can rest within her like a child in the womb of its mother. So why then do you take her bones, and burn and twist them beat upon them until she screams and is no longer the rock you once knew but a this strange metal substance, with no connection to the mother who gave it to you? You coat yourselves in them for convenience. You use tin cups to drink from when you have two hands. The only metal I have seen that I understand is at the farm. For a farmer the metal he uses to till the earth is his way of showing reverence. He uses metal because the bone of the earth would blunt all other materials. He makes soft beds for the earth to nurture and by the end of the day he himself is as much a child of the earth as any plant. All this other metal it seems to be apathy. A metal cup is easier to use than a wooden one and it lasts longer. Never mind how the earth and the stones were tortured to get it. Never mind you are taking what in only a few thousand years could be soil for growth and forever taking it from the earth's grasp with no intention of returning the gift. It seems to drive men mad. They quest for it. They hunt for it. They kill and die for it. And for what? To gain more matel to be more convenient and start the cycle over again. Why not simply do away with all of it and save the lives and the wasted efforts?”

“But what is strange is that your gods allow this to occur. Though it was far from perfect there is something to be said for a power that is absolute in her domain. Mother's will is never unknown or questioned. It is the law of the fae. All obey it for to cease to obey it is to cease to be. Among here your gods are confused. How can many gods have created the world in different ways? Is not doing so a lie? Do they ask you who may or may not have created the world unless it was this god or this god or these goddesses? It would seem that it would hardly be showing proper respect to a god if they say they did one thing but another god disagrees, I mean which side do you choose? By venerating all of the creators aren't you calling them all liars to some degree?”

“But what do you use to determine a gods intentions? Mother is supremely lawful in that she is the law among her people and such will is inviolate. She is also supremely chaotic in that he laws change with her whims. She is good in that she sees to the continuation of her people. She gives them pleasures and rapture like none known in mortal works. Those that are chosen to sacrifice themselves to mother are reluctant at first but do so willingly once in her presence. She is said to be glorious and that her sacrifices experience a feeling that no words can express. Her beauty overwhelms them and that for any creature so perfect as she to choose one so miserable is an honor beyond imagining. Their bodies are impure shells and they kill themselves in the hopes of leaving their stains behind with the body. And she consumes them, they become one with the godhead, even if they are and she purifies them as she consumes them. And before they die and after death they experience a grace that no mortal could understand and become something greater than themselves. She protects her children and keeps them from harm as often as she encourages them to harm one another. And Mother is evil. She encourages pain and suffering and capriciousness. She allows her children to fight and kill without cause or gain. She sends her servants into the human lands to steal children and leave monsters called changelings that will destroy the parents in its place. Her sacrifices are often tortured mercilessly out of boredom. In the fae lands humans do not fear death. Death is a friend to be welcomed. They fear life, and the fae can keep creatures alive for AGES.”

“You mention the war to the east. It troubles me though. IF the gods can do more then why do they not? It is said that we fight a god that seeks to destroy all that exists. Would this not be a matter better resolved among the gods themselves, why bring mortals into it at all? IF they protect and care for us, why do they not simply fight directly with their own abilities rather than using their servants as channels?”

“I do not understand why you do not eat your dead. The dead become the soil over time. The soil grows the food. Why not simply eat them as they are and save time? What good does burial do to a dead body? It’s perfectly good and can be readily eaten by the hungry, it seems cruel to allow them to starve because the current form is unacceptable and you wish to wait for a more acceptable one. Your dead are of no use to you at all it seems.”

Ben blinked and shook his head overwhelmed. Grog looked bored, as did a few of the others. Dram had been following closely however.

[howandwhy99]

Dram: "You are a funny little fae-creature aren't you? And a skilled jokester to boot! I love the way you keep your cute little fanged face so straight while delivering such a farce! All your creepiness and darkness and "Mothers".....it's really quite a hoot. Pshaw! And who but farmers and meddling old women bury their dead? We burn 'em on glorious pyres sending them home to the fires beneath Thor's forges. What child doesn't know that Thor's fire passes through our fathers' loins to plant our seeds in our mothers' wombs? We are all fuel for that everburning flame."

Rose: ”Now THAT makes sense, the ashes allow one to return to the earth and become one with the land.”

“But you asked earlier what fae and humans taste like. The answer I gave was too quick. It was correct but not accurate. I'll try to put it into terms that mean something to you.”

“Human flesh tastes like the fat of the land. Take any pleasure you've ever had from any meal or drink. The first sip of water after a long day on a dry road. The first bite of beef at dinner after a hard day over the forge. Take all of those experiences at once. That is what your flash tastes like to a fae.”

“Your heart and brain are special though. For your brain. Take any story you've ever been told. Take any song you've ever head any time you've ever danced with a young lady. Remember how all those made you feel. That is what your mind tastes like.”

“For the heart, take every time you've acted bravely. Remember any woman you've ever loved. Think of any child you've ever held with care. Any time you've felt the heat of battle burning through your veins. That is what your heart tastes like to a fae.”

“What does one fae taste like to another? *sighs* There are not words to describe what it feels like. I doubt any but Kayla, Father Ben and possibly Darius would be able to understand.”

“Why are we the only ones could possibly understand?” said Kayla
Darius nodded on agreement. "Why us?"
Ben jumped in. “Perhaps you mean the taste of magic that we have but glimpsed?”

Rose: ”Exactly” (nodding to Ben) “To taste of the fae, the pure fae at least, is to taste of raw magical power. You are tasting of a creature that was old when greenwillow was still a single tree. A creature of raw magical power that fills their being. A creature for who magic is not a learned ability or a granted by the gods, but an innate part of their being. To eat of fae is not to tap the well of magical power. It is to dive in and immerse yourself in the waters. But like all power the price is high. You will not know the thirst for this until you have drunk, and once you have taken your first sip...it will forever haunt your thought with the desire for more.”

[howandwhy99]

Dalin listened politely to the half-fae, and respectfully to Father Ben and others. Patiently waiting for his turn to speak, he sat quietly a moment and then shared what he had to say.

Dalin: "Your openness is refreshing, Rose," he begins, hoping that the lady has not noticed him stealing glances at her, admiring her unusual beauty the past few days. "I have asked myself the same questions many times recently. I have no personal quest, or family members to rescue. My parents, as well as two of my brothers and my youngest sister, live comfortably on their estate, surrounded by their apple orchards. A life there, helping with and perhaps eventually inheriting the family business, still awaits me if I choose."

"My family has regarded me as a bit of a black sheep, although they remain convinced that I will outgrow my adventurous ways and come home to settle down. If and when I do, I have a debt to settle with them. I can only hope that they received my letters and know that I have found my calling. My parents have covered my gambling debts too many times to count. A few months ago, they resorted to tough love and told me if I continued to wager money on games I was on my own. My luck ran out, as it always eventually does, and I was again over my head. This time the county was kind enough to offer conscription as an alternative to debtors' prison."

"Having some training with arms, I have even participated in a few tournaments, I elected to maintain some degree of freedom and try my hand at the military life. I took to it better than I had expected, and found some good and loyal friends there. While I stay out of the investigation and politics myself, we learned some things that I can't simply ignore. If the fight does not go well, our way of life could end. Having served my time, I now have the best arrangement I can currently imagine. First, I am able to exercise my combat abilities in a way that benefits my homeland. But this has also proved a profitable way of living, which gives me the bankroll to feed my true love, gambling."

"The times when I am most happy are when I am winning at a game of chance, preferably despite the odds being against me. Previously I was most able to find this feeling while participating in a literal game, with money on the table, be it cards, dice, drinking, or more creative such games. I know you, Rose, have expressed a inability to understand our use of coin, but surely you can relate to risking something of value, either losing it or winning and gaining more items of value."

"But now I know that I can experience that same feeling when engaged in a battle of arms with a fearsome foe. Again, I am wagering something of value, my life and health. Should I lose the debt may well be all that I have, in the most literal sense. But winning means vanquishing an evil being at the least, and likely gaining ownership of a share of his possessions and a better understanding of why he sought to do me in."

"There remains one other game of chance at which I have not had much opportunity of late. As pleasing as I found the company of a young lady at Grog's establishment, there was no challenge to paying a price in mere coin, especially not when I have the coin to spare. The pursuit of a fair woman is a game I have been absent from for far too long, and I look to correct that soon."

"Father Ben, I have been a bit negligent in giving thanks to your order for saving me from paying that greatest debt. My nights often leave me wishing to sleep in mornings, but I should take this opportunity while we are traveling to keep a proper schedule, starting with joining you for your morning prayers. Please wake me tomorrow in a timely manner, if you do not mind."

Dalin smiles at his companions, and continues to listen to the fireside chat.

Darius looked around at his friends and began his tale shortly after sipping his waterskin.

Darius: "My life. Heh. I find myself around good friends on a mission to rescue a good person from evil designs. Truly there can be no other lot in life."

"Back in the Dwarven Kingdom, I am one of 5 children. My older brother is with the army, a seargeant I believe (Or equivalent dwarven rank). My twin sister is a Hearth Sister, or priestess. Dwarven clerics are very much like our Father Ben here, but different as well, as they never leave the Hearth. Paladins and medics are our only form of healing outside of the home, and the potions our Clerics make for us. My younger brother is skilled in the ways of the scout, though not as proficient in woodlore or combat as you, m' lady. I also have a little sister, my silfar-kahl, who is still too little to venture outside of the mountain.”

“I was a diplomat for relations between the gnomes and the dwarves, and was learning much about the gnomes. I was actually close, I believe, to learning their method of speaking with the stone. However, my visit was cut short when I learned of my mother's illness. My mother was an influential priestess, so they sought out all her relatives to come see her before her passing. My father was there, long retired from smithing. In this, Dram and I are of a common bond, warriors who are the sons of shapers of metal.”

“It was on my mother's deathbed that I swore to take up the work of the church, and was an acolyte before becoming squired to a Paladin there, Durok. My father and my family's influence were apparent, as he was the First Paladin of Thor for our lands."

*Darius chuckles a bit, but refrains from his normal dwarven laughter*

"I am pleased it did, for Durok was an excellent instructor. His teachings in combat, diplomacy, mount riding, and healing have truly assisted me in my travels."

"I was sent forth to Margrave on a diplomatic mission. I joined to assist in the defense of the county because I felt it was my duty. From there, as most everyone here knows, things moved fast, becoming a seargent, then a captain, without ever originally intending of joining the military at all. Now I travel forth once again, looking to do Thor's bidding, to bring the message to my people of the situation here, and right now, to save my friend's brother."

[howandwhy99]

Kayla waited patiently while each of the others spoke; when her turn came she looked from one person to the next and sighed heavily.

Kayla: "I suppose it's time I told you the truth of my past, especially now that you have met Balron, lest you get the wrong impression," she began.

"I was born to a poor family in the town of Holmfaust. It soon became quite apparent to them that there was no way they could afford to raise me as they were already greatly in debt. And so I was given to Balron as a servant in repayment of their debts." She paused briefly as she glanced around to see how this was being received by the others.”

Dram's eyes flashed with anger and his hand moved instinctively to the hilt of his sword at the mention of selling people, especially little girls, to pay off debts. "Scumbags!” he muttered under his breath.

Noticing Dram's anger Kayla said, "Please do not be so angry. I bear them no ill will. Living with Balron I always had food to eat, clothes to wear & a warm place to sleep. That is not something that my family could give me, or at least so I believe. I have always seen it as them giving me a better life & helping themselves as well. If one does not take care of themself, who else will? Each person must be responsible for themself as there may not always be someone there to willing or able to help.”

In a moment she continued, "As I grew older I suppose Balron saw potential in me, he began to train in the ways of magic. I became somewhat of an apprentice to him. I helped him keep his library organized & this like that.”

“At this point let me say that Balron likes to keep to himself & especially likes to keep out of politics. That being said, when he was asked to make a 'contribution' toward the war effort, instead of going himself he asked me to go. He said that if I went in his place he would consider my debt fulfilled. And so now I simply seek to discover where I belong as until now I have been nothing more than a servant."

Rose: "That brings up another issue however. How are we going to get Dram's brother back? How much is it going to cost to buy him? Do we wish to buy some other slaves to return them to their families as well or at least give them a chance at freedom? I've been thinking about it and I have the following ideas. Grog says that people like unusual things. Therefore the most unusual of us, myself and Darius, should probably claim to be slaves of the humans that way people will try to purchase us, which we can refuse, instead of capture us, which would end in a fight. We don't know what laws exist in their land but the laws of slavery must be held firm or the society would not function. Also good sense says that if we break up we should be in groups no smaller than 3, again to avoid capture. I do know that Mother does not do her own shopping, and elves have little use for slaves. If you see an elf with a black badge in the shape of fire he is one of mother's runners of the black flame. They are one of the groups of elves that believe themselves to be superior to humans. They trade humans to Mother and the other fae. I'm not sure what the fae pay them with, but it must be valuable because they do a brisk business and fae don't keep full larders. I don't think you'll see any this far west but it's something to keep an eye out for.”

Dram: "Hmmm. The little blue spook has prepared some interesting food for thought. Hadn't really laid out a plan in my own mind yet cuz we don't know what circumstances lie ahead, but it wouldn't hurt to have a few options at the ready. Grog has more experience with Trolls than anyone else here? What say ye Grog? What lies ahead? Do the blue one's ruses have a chance to trick the trolls?"

Grog: “Trolls not smart like Grog. Trolls ugly brutes. All they think to do is kill and take.”

“Grog travel lands of Trolls. Grog travel in Kera too. Kera not Margrave. Kera have different rulz. Earl Kera small man with beady eyes. The land of Kera not good place for growing food. So they have to make coin some other way. In Kera people dig holes in ground and in hills. People cut trees from Greenwillow. And people in Kera have need of many strong backs and arms. The people of Kera fear the people of the Mountains. Trolls too. Trolls take people of Kera in years gone by. But people of Kera smart. They outsmart Trolls. They give Trolls people not of Kera.”

“That why Grog bring you to Kera first. Maybe Dram brother not given to Trolls yet.”

Darius: “Sounds like they use slaves for mining. My friends, we must be careful while we are there. It doesn't sound like this is the work of a single man, it sounds like it may be us against their entire society.”

Grog: “How good Dram brother at what he do? If he big and strong like Dram he probably sell for 10 gp. If he big and strong like Pax. He probably sell for 20gp. If he exo.. if he blue and fiery like Lady Elf. He probably sell for 20gp. If he carved from stone and have strong features like Darius. He probably sell for 30gp. If he have Royal blood like Darius and he son of Smith... well he could sell for more than fingers and toes on whole group.”

“Indentured servitood normal for Kera people. Slaves more come from mountain people. That why Kera people fraid of dem.”

“Grog family have slaves when Grog small. Grog family keep goblins. They not good workers. They too brittle.”

Darius: "We are not selling me."

Grog laughed loud and strong until his sides hurt and he had trouble breathing.

[howandwhy99]

Darius: “I see one problem with myself being claimed as a slave, and that is my armor and weapons. Surely a slave would not be this well armed, and I do not long to go into the town unprotected. I supposed I could be a slave guard, as much as it detests me to do so.”

Rose: “That might depend on who your master is.”

“Perhaps the famous witch Kayla able to ensorcel the hearts and minds of men to forever do her bidding and you are simply one of the loyal toys of her harem that she uses when she wishes protection when she goes out to pick up some new diversions. Perhaps she has already enslaved Dram and wishes to collect the brother as well to start a series.”

“Or perhaps you are merely broken. It has been said that those raised in such environments long enough lose all hope and fire in their soul and will not go even if the chance for escape is presented. There is no danger of you being anything but a loyal guard because all fire of rebellion was quenched long ago.”

“Perhaps you are one of those who were responsible for the brother getting captured. The war hero Dram, upon returning home to find his family scattered found out what you had done and held your family hostage in trade until his is reunited. He does not worry about you killing him in your sleep since doing so would only kill your own family, an anathema to a dwarf if your words about how you care for them are true.”

“Perhaps you are yourself, but you lost one to many games of cards to the famous gambler Dalin. And now you are honorbound to serve as his slave for a period of time to pay off your debt to him.”

“Perhaps you are a loyal guard of the church from a family that has committed terrible acts that stain your soul, though you yourself are innocent of them. You sold yourself into the service of Father Benedict in penance to ensure a place in paradise.”

Dram stood up and stretched his legs and arms. The sun was gone and the sky full of stars.

Dram: "Well, it seems there's a whole lot of high and mightiness being bantered about the campfire this eve. The night is still long so, if it's all the same to you I'll just quietly suckle my wineskin here...it's as good a mother as I've ever had and she requires nothing of me other than eventual sleep. As you say, my wee strange one, I am obligated by blood ties to rescue Tankurd, my brother.....or die trying. He'd do the same for me. Blood is thicker than water ain't it? My family bonds are strong and I reckon I count these lads and lassies as my brothers and sisters as well (he nods at each in the group). They have aided me in times of need, even helped rescue my father from the clutches of dirty goblin claws, so I am bound by honor to return the favors. Trust? It's simple...you watch my back and I'll watch yours. Kin aside, I am a free man. I choose my path as I see fit. The County is where I was raised as a lad but I never felt like one of her sons. The tales my father would spin late at night about our ancestral home in Guxler (a wistful gaze), now that is where my heart lies, though I've never yet felt its earth beneath my feet, drunk from its streams or breathed its cool, crisp air. What does it matter whether the County is run by buffoons, bugbears, billy goats or dwarves (a wink at Darius)? It's all the same as long as my friends and family are safe and content, I have a full stomach, strong drink in hand (raises the wineskin), a hefty chank in my pouch, and the prospect of some warmth at night. Whatever good the County has done for me in my lifetime has been returned tenfold and I've got the scars to prove the debt is paid. Now that my eyes have been opened to a wider world the County is seeming mighty petty and small. Like Grog here, perhaps I'll buy an inn in Hamfast somewhere down the road, but for now that road stretches way beyond my sight and no doubt forks, twists and turns in unexpected ways. Now, a toast to my friends and the safe recovery of my brother Tankurd! (glug, glug, glug) And by the way, my little blue lady, if'n ya don't wanna keep yer coins, pass 'em on. An inn'll cost a mountain o' gold I'd fathom and I may as well start building it now. Don't get it? I won't hold it against ya, pass yer unwanted bits and scraps of metal to ol'Dram here and I'll put 'em to good use!"

Dram rolled over and laid his head on the earth. He was half asleep before Rose could answer him. "I would, but part of the ranger training is never own more than you can carry on your back. Anything else is donated to help the less fortunate, so I'm afraid you don't quaify Dram." But he did not hear her. The rest of the party slowly moved to their blankets and quietly bedded down for the night. Father Ben pulled Darius aside and walked a distance away from the fire so they would not be overheard.

[howandwhy99]

Father Ben whispers: "You should know that I may have a contact or two in Kera. It is not something I relish, but my family in past generations has been less than honorable. My parents, my brothers, and my sisters all raise horses in Margrave. But we are the black sheep of our family. We were dubbed Selzkin when we arrived, because it was suspected my parents came from Kera originally. The name is not one we have been able to shake off, but I do believe that the lives led by my immediate family have proven us in the community and to the manors with which we work."

*looks off wistfully for a moment*

"It would be nicer to visit the horsefarm, but I do have relatives we could visit in Kera. I don't know what kind of reception we would receive, but one lead is better than none. My father's sister Celestia Wainwright and her husband Sebastion live somewhere within Kera. It is possible we could learn where they are and ask for aid."

"What do you think?"

Darius: “Perhaps that would be a good idea. I would like to see if our names have carried over to Kera by now or not. I hope not, because I would prefer travel without raising attention. Visiting your family seems plausible enough a reason without raising the ire of the locals. How much can we trust your aunt, however? I only ask because of the nature of the land we are about to travel into.”

Ben: "It is possible we cannot trust her or her husband at all. It is possible that she will sell us out because I am of the cast out side of the family. It is possible she may even attempt to capture and sell our band through trickery or some other means as the name Selzkin translates to SELLS KIN as well as SELLS SKIN. I do not know."

"But it is also possible, as she is a Wainwright, that she is a simple maker of wagons. She may suffer from the yoke of indentured servitude as Grog mentioned. She may take pity on Dram's brother and wish to help us. She is likely to be very knowledgeable of the workings of Kera and its Earl too. It is difficult to tell."

"I wanted to mention this to you in private, as the others may have heard the name Selzkin or of my family. I do not want to bring shame to them or danger. I trust you will keep this guarded unless circumstances require otherwise. It is potentially hazardous for my kin and me, if the name Selzkin was defamed in Margrave. Perhaps moreso, if word spread in Kera. Negotiations with Celestia and Sebastion will be delicate to say the least."

Darius: “What I would propose then would be for you to venture forth and meet her, not alone, but not with the entire party. Diedra and Pax would serve best, as they are the least likely to be known at this point. I stand out entirely too much, and should avoid contact until as such time as I can no longer look like myself, and instead as any dwarf. We should wait outside of whatever village or town she resides in, or find lodgings within the town on our own.”

“I don't think we can afford to miss out on the opportunity to learn more about these lands.”

Ben nodded in agreement. Before going to bed Darius woke Pax to take the first watch. All seemed set for the team’s arrival in Kera.

[howandwhy99]

[Session 13]

[DAY 97 – Sunday, Sceptre 1st, CY 81]

The team slept in late Sunday after the long discussion around the campfire. No one relished another day of saddle sores riding through the rough terrain. Grog looked to be tiring as well. Darius convinced Dram to describe his brother in case they could find him in Kera. “He looks like me only shorter… and a little older. He’s a damn find smith”, said Dram.
“Good smith is worth much as slave,” said Grog. This tugged at Ben’s memory.
“What do they do in Kera?” he asked. “What’s it like?”
”Fifth Earl of Kera rules. People of Kera, they mine metal. Bad metal. Not good metal like Margrave or Dwarves”, said Grog. “Kera cuts wood from Greenwillow too.” Grog admitted he had not been to Kera very often. He did not like it there out of everywhere he had traveled.

“Where have you traveled to, Grog?” asked Darius. The half-ogre said he had walked all along the Hellfurnace’s Mountain range. But only on the western side near Margrave. He did not explain why he had not crossed to the west, but quickly continued with his story. “From North Grog visit Radon, Sunstar, Nightshade, Raveneye, Kera, and Margrave. Grog like Margrave best.” Radon was a placed ruled by the Viscount Radon – a short human – and very militaristic. “They are likely at the Front then”, surmised Kayla.
“Sunstar, Nightshade, Raveneye is mixed breeds, half-breeds,” explained Grog. “Council… Feefdum.”

As the day wore away a cool wind a strong, cool breeze picked up from the east. As the group walked into it Grog said they would reach Kera by nightfall. Outside the city were several unprotected territories. They would be at the outskirts of one or another soon.

Rose’s ears twitched. The feeling of being watched was stronger than ever. Kayla and Diedre had been bothered by the sense too. Ben felt least effected. Something was watching them; something in the woods. Rose who was sharing her horse with Darius convinced him to steer towards the Forest. Once in range she called out to whatever animals might be within. It sounded like strange grunting and chittering to everyone else. “Why are there no roads? Grog, don’t the people of Kera ever come to your… inn?” asked Kayla.
“No road. Broken land is here. Caravans are attacked here,” he responded. “People can be sold for money. In Kera. It is a secret, but everyone knows”.

Rose used the human tongue again. “It is always like this. It’s difficult to be certain, but it may have always been like this. The watching.” Ben rode up to her and Darius’s side. He requested a private meeting off to one side with her for a few minutes. After a few grumblings Darius agreed, but he would not leave the horse. The dwarf tried to ignore the two as they talked in private.

Rose: “What is it husband? Have you finally admitted we are married?”

Ben: "No. Just stop for a second.”

“You said before that you had a dream, a dream where laughter seemed to come from everywhere. It is very important to me about the laughter. Do you know whose it was? Have you heard it in your dreams since then? Do you ever feel anything when you hear the laughter? Or do you hear it when you are awake? It is important. It may mean more than we suspect right now. It may also be a key to your own past."

"But this should not be a concern of the others right now either. Likely they will think I am making too much over this thing. So if you do hear it again it might be best to tell just me. To tell me when you hear the laughter and how you feel when you do. Do you understand? Can we keep this in confidence?"

"You know that there are two kinds of secrets that the Gods speak to us of? The first kind is divisive. They can separate us and create conflict, even cause pain because of their existence. This is the type of secret most think of because they eventually become so widely known and the conflict is seen. But there is a second kind, the kind that draws those who know it closer together. The kind where shared confidence strengthens bonds and not severs them. Your telling us your past is like this kind of secret. A bonding. Do you agree? Will you keep this a secret?"

"There are some other concerns I wanted to talk to you about too. You spoke of the history of the Fairy. How they could see souls in the sky watching them in the night. Is this really possible? Can you see such things?"

"Also, our band has had difficulty in the past with shapechangers. Darius may have been framed by one in Harling. Others killed many at the town we were staying in. They burnt down an Inn and...killed a Brother of mine. They worked with an infernal reptile creature with black scales. Some called it a Dragon like in the stories. Is it possible that the Fae would work for such a beast? Perhaps the 'Runners of the Black Flame' as you call them?"

"And where are the Fae lands? Behind the stars perhaps? It is said that the heavens above have a myriad of stories we can never know. Your description of the lands as being eyeless night might give us a clue on where they are. Surely not in the depths of the earth below, no? The flame below the table of land on which we stand would have lit your eyes then, right? But perhaps you were truly blind and not just in darkness. Perhaps you could recall how you came to the world from your lands?"

"As to your own questions it would be best to wait before answering. We are almost to Kera now and it would be best to focus on minds on the difficulty of freeing Dram's brother."

"For such petty issues of greed and avarice we might not need to speak at all. The love of gold by Dwarves is widely spoken of, the love of money and power by Mens, magic by Elves, and now flesh by Fairy. Each is a vice which is best overcome rather than dwelled upon."

"And yes, yes, we will speak of Gods later. And how many do not lie, but speak with knowledge greater than we can learn on our own. And of the use of earth and metal (though Darius is likely better versed in that topic than I). And of Will and of Fate. And of the war to the East. And of the how our dead serve us in ways you may not have imagined. We can save these questions for later."

[howandwhy99]

Rose: I can't remember anything useful about the laughter. It came from everywhere and it sounded vaguely female. It always fades from my mind when I wake like dawn on the morning mist. I don't feel anything in particular when I hear it, it's just laughter. This concept of secrets is strange. Why would I not wish to tell anyone of my past? Am I supposed to be ashamed of it?

I see the eyes of the souls of the dead watch us every night, you do as well. You call them stars. In fae lands no souls have ever escaped mother.

The fae would work with anyone that the whim strikes them to work with. Prolonged work would require something they would continually need though. The runners are elves. Elves are more constant than fae, but to my knowledge they cannot change shape.

The fae lands are next to these. But entry and exit to and from them is barred, stones called "The Dancers". Legends say that stepfather erected them when mother cast him out; to keep her from re-thinking her decision and trying to win him back. Legends say that stepfather pulled them from the earth in his anger when he left her. Legends say that powerful druids erected them to keep away the fae from these lands and mother especially so she could not add this domain to her own. Legends say no pure fae can cross them. Legends say no iron from these lands can cross either. Of course some legends also say that mother breaks from her confinement every year and goes in search of step-father. Legends say the bards and minstrels and storytellers call to her every year for inspiration and she plants the seeds of stories in their minds so that the runners might find fertile ground upon which to reap their harvest. As she goes she brings the cold and ice so beloved to her that keep beautiful things frozen in time, just like her. But she never finds him and it takes half the year for the druids to chase her back into her realms, or if she does find him, he chases her back, and the fight goes on for half the year. I have already told you the story of how I came to be here I fell into a trader's wagon. I fell and when I awake the air was warm and I could see again. The sky was so bright I was dazzled at first. The fae lands have no sun, only eternal winter shrouded in eyeless night. Mother lives in a castle of her own devising, made of a strange material I could not describe to you. Smooth like ice or glass, but warm and opaque.”

“That’s enough!” cried out Darius. “I’m not holdin’ my bloody ears any longer. If you two want to talk, it’ll have to be later.” Darius steered his horse back to the main groups and joined the circle. “If we are going to go into to Kera and find Tankurd, I think we should be undercover,” he announced to everyone. “We will be buyers of slaves looking for a smith to profit from the Margrave war effort. That should explain why we are new to town and our interest in finding Tankurd.” The others silently nodded in agreement.
“You can call me Mard,” Dram said. Dalin took the name Rollin and Pax would be known as Jax. Father Ben thought he would have a difficult time remembering all the names. “Is Pax even known to be anything but a henchman for Darius?” he thought to himself.

“I shall be named Cera, but I believe Diedre, Rose, and Grog should all use their usual names. They have not traveled with us long and should not raise suspicion…” Kayla eyed Rose again. “…much,” she finished. Father Ben said he would take a vow of silence. “Or just go by Father, if anyone asks. No one seemed to have Faith in Kustner. I’d rather wait and see what Kera reveals.” Ormand admitted no one had ever asked his name since he joined us, so he decided not to use a pseudonym either.
“Aye, the name Darius should not be spoken by any of us,” stated the dwarven paladin. “I shall go under the moniker ‘Brin Mjollnir’ from the old stories of Thor when he lost his hammer.”

At Father Ben’s prompting Darius told the story of Thor and how he won his hammer back. Dram knew most of the details too. The northman’s family had long worshipped Thor who Ben had taken as only a dwarven God. The tale was one of warring gods and goddesses and even a strange bit where Thor was changed into a woman. It was not something Ben had heard of before in his studies with Father Stauk-Flezr. Darius told other tales about Thor and his dwarven heritage late into the day. When Darius had left the hold his father was in line to ascend to the Council of Thanes. It sounded like a very important role. In time the day passed and the sun began to set.

“Orlain is first village we come to in Kera,” spoke up Grog. “The Spitting Serpent is the Inn there.” Apparently they were very close and could reach the village by nightfall. Upon Darius’s urging Grog told them a little about Orlane. “They are very wary of strangers and may not let Grog stay ‘cause we arrived at night.” Grog suggested staying inside a cave near the forest’s edge until the morning. Kayla drew the others in close. She suggested the town was probably a dangerous place and may be part of the slaving business. Darius agreed. He told Father Ben not to go into the village until the morning with Pax and Diedre. Then the horses were turned northwards to find Grog’s cave.

The misty hole looked to have burst from the ground. A curved hillock at the edge of the Greenwillow Forest cozied around the hole’s rear side. A dark tunnel sloped down inside angling under the forest. The team dismounted, lit torches, and Rose led a few of them inside to explore first. After about fifty feet or so, the little Fae found a pool of water blocking the end of the cave. Darius used his vision to look in the dark water. It reminded him of an old mineshaft. It would need to be drained to further explore. A quick search of the rest of the cave showed it to be free of debris. Diedre noticed a set of footprints leading in from outside. “Nobody move!” said Rose. She skipped over to Diedre’s side and examined the prints. “Wolves,” she said. The prints were strange as they led up to the pool’s edge, but did not return.

“whoa…” said Kayla who tried to keep her balance. “This is the place. This cave is what is watching us. It is very strong here.” The sorceress sat down to steady herself.
“Is it the witch?” asked Ben. Rose moved up to the water’s edge and called out to it in Common. There was no response. She tried Elven and then Fae. With the last a strange hissing with a male’s voice replied in Fae. “GET OUT” The pool simply bubbled and hissed to Ben’s thinking.
“Trade?” asked Rose. “THROW SOMETHING INTO POOL”, the water hissed and bubbled again. Rose took out two of the mushrooms she had taken from the littlefolk’s lair and tossed them in. The water formed an arm and swallowed the fungi whole. Then it stilled becoming smooth.

“I think we should be okay for the night”, said Rose speaking to everyone else now.
“Are you sure?” asked Kayla. “This is like the blob we found outside Hommlett.” Rose assured her it would be safe. Double watches were assigned just in case and the team bedded down to rest. “What are you doing? Are you crazy!” yelled out Dram at Father Ben. He had been caught red-handed putting rocks under his blankets. “uhh… It’s to keep me from rolling around in my sleep,” Ben said hoping it was at least partially true. Dram simply looked at the priest as if he had lost his mind. Kayla and Pax were stationed at the front and back of the cave as the others slept. Every two hours new watchers were awoken until the morning sun rose.

[howandwhy99]

[DAY 98 – Moonday, Sceptre 2nd, CY 81]

During the night each of the ten travelers squirmed and spoke out in their sleep. The watchers at different times complained of bizarre dreams, but did not discuss the details. When Rose and Diedre awoke to take the final watch however, Rose told the gypsy what she had dreamed. “Maybe you can tell me what this means,” she said. “There was a group of woodsman walking along inside a big forest. Only where we… they were walking was towards was a fallen tree and its stump. Something was oddly familiar about it. Near the stump ran a familiar river; I think it was the Greenwillow River I followed to enter into Margrave. Anyways, the woodsmen were human and looked ready to cut down more trees. Only before they could a volley of arrows flew out killing them.” Rose had not noticed, but Diedre’s eyes had gone wide with fright. “The really strange thing was…” Rose paused. “The fletching on the arrows was black and white – fae arrows, like we saw at the moathouse.”

“I see horrible death in all our futures,” said Diedre trembling. “I had the same dream. I saw the same woodsmen and the same arrows.” Rose looked skeptical. Diedre continued using her cryptic voice, “Perhaps it is some power of the pool. I believe we saw the future. Or perhaps what has already passed. I cannot be certain. But we will all die horrible deaths. Of that I am certain!” It took a few minutes for Diedre to convince Rose she had actually dreamed the same dream, but in the end Rose said she believed her. As soon as the sky turned blue outside the two woke the rest of the team. “We need to talk,” said Rose. The little elven-fae explained what had happened and recited her dream again to the rest of the group. After finishing everyone else admitted to having strange dreams as well. None had dreamt of the woodsmen, but the visions had been vivid. Darius ordered them all to sit in a circle and recount the dreams they just had. “And if any a’you had the same dream, say so. This is strange stuff and I’m still not convinced it’s got nothing to do with that witch.”

Dram went first. “When the dream started I was looking at this gnoll, like Kayla’s friend gnoll back at the Chaos Caves. He was injured, shot several times with arrows. He said something like: ‘a group o’ gnolls has destroyed this village that was… something something’... I forget. But he seemed to think it was important. Then I noticed we were in a farmhouse or a barn. And it was on fire. Outside the open door I could see an entire village being overrun by gnolls. They were torching the buildings and killing the people. That was it really. At the end the injured gnoll hocked up a lung and died.” Father Ben raised his hand. “Uh…I had a dream kind of like that… The gnolls had destroyed the village and were taking slaves. The gnoll captain, of sorts, died spitting blood everywhere.” Darius nodded curtly. “Next!” he called out looking at Dalin.

“My dream was about little blue men.” He chuckled to himself uneasily. “Well, they really were that. They were small, about the size of the kobolds we fought, only not scaly and a whole lot hairier. They had big eyes and skulls, and deep sloping foreheads. And they were all bald like old men. Only they weren’t old.”
”What happened?” asked Darius. Dalin sighed before continuing.
“Well, they were roaming around during the night in the dark. Only I could see in the dark, like I was a dwarf like you.” Darius nodded patiently. “They were all painting each other with fresh blood from a creature they had killed. I couldn’t tell what it was, but the form on the ground was obviously somewhere in the wildlands we have been passing through. That was it.”

Darius asked around, but no one else had the same dream as Dalin. “Next!” Darius called out. Ormand the Redd started softly, “I saw a horribly ugly woman. She was tall and had gray wrinkly skin. She looked right at me like she was going to kill me. I could see she had one green eye and one blue eye. She was some kind of… of half-breed,” he said trying not to look at Grog. “Her face and cheeks were fat and hung down like the aged, only her cheeks had jowls like a big dog.” “THE WITCH!” shouted Dram. He looked around for agreement, but no one else had seen the witch behind the mushroom compound’s wall. Ormand went on, “She said gruffly ‘take this misshapen fellow’ and shoved the skinny Kusnlir man to the ground in front of me. Then two blue men like Dalin described, only I was the same height as they were in the dream, they held him down. ‘Off with his hand!’ yelled the woman. Then I took a big carving knife and cut off Urkwin’s hand, the hand with the glove on it.”

Ormand was very embarrassed. “I didn’t want to cut it off. I mean, he didn’t attack us or anything. But when I, or the dream me, did so Urkwin, that’s what the skinny man’s name is (or was), he started laughing hysterically. He didn’t even scream out when his wrist was cut.”
Darius told him it was just a dream. After confirming Ormand was the only one to have this dream, Darius decided to tell his own. “I was back in Hamfast. I saw the jail again where we had freed the villagers. There were many wagons around. I was sort of walking through town and watching all the activity going on around me. At least two strong humans were inside a smithy shop. They both smiled at me falsely. Lots of small red men, goblins really, ran to unload the wagons. Larger ones, hobgoblins, were ordering the smaller ones about. I couldn’t see what they unloaded from the wagons, but there were no orcs anywhere. That seems odd to me as orcs were the ones who controlled Hamfast. At the end of the dream I saw a group of large hairy beasts dicing behind the smithy. I’ve never seen anything like them before. They were as tall as gnolls and as strong, but with very different features. I do remember the finely crafted armor they had on. They would be very difficult in a fight.”

No one had dreamt Darius’s dream either. Kayla was called upon next to report. “I was flying through the air. It actually felt wonderful and very liberating. I soared over and around mountain peaks. Below me I could clearly see my shadow upon the stone far below. I was a massive creature, with large, muscled wings and cruel, taloned feet.”
“The dragon of Gone’way, perhaps?” asked Darius. He was deep in thought.
“Perhaps,” said Kayla.
”I had this same dream,” said Pax. “The wingspan must have been twenty feet wide. And I had feathers, I’m certain of it.” Kayla looked doubtful. She started again with her story.
“As I flew, I began circling around and round. On the mountainsides I saw little yellow and red creatures. They were running from me in fear. They shouted in the goblin tongue ‘Run! Run! It’s a dragon, I swear! Run!!’” Kayla looked at Pax certain she had been a dragon in the dream. Pax admitted he had not understood the goblin’s speech.

[howandwhy99]

Darius turned to Grog who was last. “Grog have flying dream too,” he said. “Grog miss the mountains.” The big guy looked as despondent as ever. Darius stood up and dusted himself off. “Pax, Rose, Ormand, Diedre. You are to accompany Father Ben to the town. He has contacts who might be living there and possibly help us. Their names are Sebastion and Celestia Wainwright.”
“Why hasn’t he told us this before?” barked Dram. “Does this have something to do with those rocks from last night?”
“What rocks?” balked Rose. “Husband, you have never told me this!” She looked genuinely annoyed.
“It was not to be said,” responded Ben hotly. “These are folks I have never met, Dram. And I cannot say how I know them.” Darius agreed with him and clammed up about the details. He ordered everyone to prepare to leave. Dram stormed out of the cave entrance fuming with anger.

Outside the Dram spotted smoke coming from the south. Climbing up to the top of the hillock behind the cave he scanned the horizon. About a half mile from where he stood at the wood’s edge he saw several buildings billowing with smoke and flame. “Orlain,” he said to himself. Closer he spotted a large mass of men riding towards the forest line. They would pass close to the cave entrance in a few minutes. Outside of the cave Father Ben and his welcoming party had just exited. Dram ran forward and jumped to the floor in front of the cave. He shouted to the five on horseback. “Dozens of riders! Moving fast. (huff, huff) Sacked the town. (huff) Headed this way!” Ben and his followers halted and doubled back. Darius ran outside and started shouting orders.

Everyone quickly broke down the encampment. Rose called out to a bird in the woods nearby. They whistled to each other and then it sped off in the direction of the riders. “What did they look like Dram?” asked Darius. Dram could not make out more than a common armor all wore and a tall banner one rider carried in front. The bird returned, but was no help. It could not understand the difference between humanoids or give good descriptions. The team mounted and trotted their horses towards the oncoming force. The land’s hilly terrain kept both groups out of sight of each other. Rose took point and swung a wide loop around. With her uncanny direction sense the team planned to cut off the marauders. As they crested a small rise Rose saw the other group come to a halt. “We’ve been spotted,” she warned the others.

When they crested the next hill a band of mercenaries was displayed before them. Three covered wagons were in a line along the far side. Several riders and more on foot pointed crossbows towards the team and their horses. All of them were gnolls over seven feet tall. From behind, Grog jogged, finally catching up with the team. “No one make any sudden moves,” ordered Darius. It was obvious the gnoll warband was headed back to the forest with their plunder. Activity could be seen from inside the covered wagons. A rider in front stood up in his saddle and waved a white flag. Diedre supplied a white veil for Grog to wave up high. The gnolls on horseback cautiously dismounted. The warband moved closer together into an oval with the horses in the center and the wagons behind. Each one had a crossbow out and a small shield propped in front of them. Darius looked on appreciatively. He knew a well-trained fighting force when he saw it.

He dismounted and signaled for his friends to do likewise. “See how they are battle scarred? They’ve seen some fighting recently…and from more than just villagers. By Thor, they’re bigger than you Pax!” When the whole team had dismounted (it took some time to convince Dram to do so), three gnolls walked forward with the white flag in hand. “Who can speak gnoll?” asked Darius. Pax said he could. Grog could too. They were accompanied down the hill by Kayla and Dalin at their backs, their best wizard and best warrior. Grog defiantly held the white veil high in the air. “Perhaps I should conduct the parley, Grog,” Pax said flatly.

“Do you wish to buy some of our slaves?” yelled the leader in the gnoll tongue. Pax took a deep breath to calm his nerves.
“How many do you have for sale?”
“Twenty adults. 15 children.” Pax rubbed his chin trying to look shrewd.
“How much for all of them?” he asked.
The three gnolls yipped with laughter. “50 gold”, said the leader staring hard at Pax.
“Hmm…. including the wagons?”
The leader barked. “No! No wagons.”

The terms were set. Kayla asked Pax to try and move them closer to the oval of gnolls. Pax turned back to the leader and made friendly conversation trying to ingratiate himself. He asked to inspect the slaves before purchasing. The leader took Pax back towards the wagons. Kayla and Dalin quickly followed along. Grog was confused and stayed with the two gnolls who began to shift nervously. As they moved the large oval of crouched gnolls shifted direction so Pax and the other two were covered by crossbow as well. The gnoll leader seemed friendly, but his forces had not relaxed at all. Kayla looked knowingly into Dalin’s eyes. She wanted to cast her sleep spell now she was close enough to catch everyone in it. Dalin counted at least forty gnolls in the oval and shook his head slightly.

The leader pulled a small human form from the back of one of the wagons. Inside its’ covered bed were several more gnolls guarding other wrapped bodies. Each one was covered in cloth from head to toe. It was impossible to determine if any were alive or dead… or even human. “We give them something to keep them quiet,” said the gnoll leader. “They should wake up tomorrow sometime.” Pax was not sure he could trust the warrior. The leader spoke again, “No. Sick, but okay. They will vomit.” Pax smiled broadly. He was fearful of what might happen should he lose their trust. A second gnoll slit open the wrappings of the small bundle. A human child of around ten years old slipped out unconscious to the ground. Moving slowly, Pax examined the body. The boy appeared to be asleep.

Just then the gnolls’ horses started neighing loudly. Something had disturbed them. Pax heard the gnoll force creak as it shifted before firing. “No! No!” he shouted waving his arms above his head at his friends on the hill. He looked at the leader. “That was not us. We wish to do business.” Up on the hill Father Ben looked over at Rose. She was whistling innocently, and then stopped. After another tense minute the leader laughed in the peculiar manner all gnolls do and slapped Pax on the back. Negotiations were back on. “Let us go into the forest where it is safer,” he suggested. Pax was not exactly thrilled by the proposition.
“There is a cave nearby. I think we would be safer inside than in the woods,” said Pax. The leader grinned and said no. Each side was too scared of an ambush.

[howandwhy99]

Pax spoke with the leader and everyone else waited out the tense moments. In the end he had bartered down the price to only thirty-five gold for the entire collection of slaves. Kayla pulled out her smallest money pouch and began counting out the price. She used small coins (silver and copper, picking out the lead) to appear poor. “Good?” asked the leader when he was finished counting. Pax agreed. The leader spit in his hand. So did Pax and they shook on it. The leader hollered and waved his hands giving orders to his soldiers. Pax, Dalin, and Kayla dropped back ready to pull their swords. At the same time, the tarps of all three wagons were pulled off and the gnolls inside started unloading the wrapped bodies to the ground.

Pax and the others eased their stance. “You have been very successful,” complimented Pax. The leader was in good spirits and agreed. “Has slaving always been this good? I hear Kera has many people,” said Pax.
“Livinia says this place is open,” replied the leader. Pax took a wild guess.
“A gray skinned witch?”
“You know her?”
“I have heard of her,” said Pax trying to look disinterested. “What did she say?”
“She is not to be trusted. Lavinia traveled from this way before us. She was with her sons and another, a stranger.” Pax shook his head to show he had not seen them. “One of the sons kept pets,” the leader continued. “Animals from the forest. He makes them do bad things.” A low growl like a wild animal grew in the back of the gnoll leader’s throat. Pax did his best to stand his ground. He thought to himself, “the wildcats that attacked Grog?”

“What was the stranger like?” he asked aloud.
“The stranger wore all black and covered its face,” said the leader. “It was hunched over.” Pax’s great intellect sifted through the possibilities. He remembered Igor would have fit the description, but that was long before he had met Darius or the chef. “He’s probably dead now anyways”, thought Pax to himself.
“Lavinia’s failing cost us five gnolls,” the leader rambled on.
“Where was she going?” asked Pax. “Does she live around here?”
“She lives in the caves far away. Through the pass and over the mountains.” It sounded to Pax like Urkwin was not going back to Kusnir any time soon. He decided to change the subject.

“What is your troop called? I see your banner and everyone in the same mail armor. Do you have a name?” The leader laughed again, which got the other gnolls laughing too. He reached into a nearby pack and pulled out a large metal shield. “Your calling card, I presume?” said Pax. The shield was embossed with a tankurd with a skull on the side and had writing in the Common Tongue etched along the bottom. ‘Murylind Mercenary Co.’ He gave it to Pax as a gift. The two chatted on as all thirty-five bodies were unloaded and accounted for by Kayla and Dalin. The rest of the party maintained their position on the hill.

“Are you the leader?” asked Pax. The gnoll shook his head. He explained he was the captain. Their leader was a troll in the mountains eastwards. He smiled broadly.
“He has a bigger, meaner friend though who sleeps during the day. (laughs) Don’t wake him during the day.” The gnoll captain started laughing like he had just told a joke, so Pax join in. When the gnolls were finished Pax, Kayla, and Dalin retreated back to Grog’s side at the bottom of the rise. The gnoll warband stood up and started marching away in orderly lines with the mounted cavalry at their flanks. “I hope we meet again!” shouted the gnoll captain to Pax and gave him a salute. Pax saluted him in return.
“It has been most profitable.”

Father Ben and Rose stayed at the top of the hill to keep an eye on the gnolls in case they doubled back. Everyone else circled around Pax asking him what had happened. He summed up the transaction as best he could. As he talked Darius rewarded him with a few gold pieces for his own. Kayla was deep in thought about the black, hump-backed man. Dalin, Dram, and Grog ignored the dull storytelling and went straight to the bodies. They slit open all of the bundles just enough to learn what was inside each of them. “AAAAhhh!” Grog started screaming. Five of the bundles were actually strange blue men. Four were taller and one the size of a child. Dalin recognized them from his dream. Grog called the short one his mushroom friend. The blue men were taken out of their wrappings and they found the four tall ones were actually dead. “The little one is still breathing,” said Dalin trying to cheer Grog up. But he knew one out of five was bad odds all around. They examined the humans too. All were in various states of health, but none were dead.

Darius called everyone over to Grog’s side. “We need to make some decisions and fast.”
“What are we doing now?” asked Dram boldly. The town in the distance was on fire. The black smoke billowing from it was as thick as ever. There was still the problem of moving all thirty-five of the slave bodies. “We could try pulling them on large litters?” suggested Dalin. They would need to collect wood from the forest’s edge to build them however. Darius was adamant about saving the town. “It’s all these townsfolk have left.” Kayla had an idea.
“What if we collected all the litters and Grog used his sword to grow to Giant size? Then we could pull them all at once?” Darius agreed. He put Kayla in charge of the team and rode up the hill to Ben and Rose on lookout. He recruited them to help him save the town and the three galloped off towards the burning blaze.

[howandwhy99]

As he coaxed his horse down the only road in the small village Darius could see every building had been torched. Several were beyond saving, but some still had a chance. Father Ben and Rose helped him quickly count the dead that lay all around the street. They counted the buildings too and looked for any that might have goods or people inside. It did not take long to survey. Thirty-three buildings once stood, but most would be ash by nightfall. Perhaps fourteen to fifteen bodies were discovered. It was difficult to tell for certain. At least one safe building was found that could easily be extinguished. Rose turned her horse around to go back and tell the others.

Father Ben and Darius dismounted to check for people inside the buildings. The paladin heard suddenly heard coughing from somewhere within a small hay shed. He ran up toward the open door and large dog jumped out attacking him. Ben turned around when he heard Darius shout. Near the edge of town, Rose’s pointed ears picked up the noise as well. Darius grappled with the dog unsuccessfully as Ben ran to his side. “Call off your dog!” Ben shouted into the shed hoping for a response. Behind them Rose galloped up on her horse, leapt off it’s back, and tumbled in behind Darius. The dwarf was struggling, but finally pulled his sword. He swung at the dog with the flat of the blade. Ben heard Rose start barking at the dog, so he ran into the burning building looking for an owner. It was roughly twenty deep and forty feet wide. The ceiling was slowly filling with smoke. Across from the door was a gnoll lying on its back. Nearly a dozen arrows stuck out of its chest. It was dying.

“They left me,” it croaked.
“Call off your dog or we could die!” demanded Ben. “We worked with your company. We even bought slaves from them. We are friends!”
‘Ah HA!!” growled the gnoll. It lifted a crossbow it was hiding under the hay and shot Ben in the shoulder. Behind him Darius saw what happened. He broke away from the dog and ran up to the gnoll. He lifted his sword with its point hovering over the creature’s eye and said, “we mean you no harm. I can even save you, but you need to call off your dog!”
“What’s going on in there?” called Rose from outside. The dog was refusing to listen to her. Taking another tactic, she swung at the dog with the sharp edge of her sword. She hit and it bolted away.

Fear flowed through Ben’s body. This was the dream sequence he had shared with Dram when they first awoke. Ben swung his flail at the gnoll, but the bolt in his shoulder shifted as he moved doing further damage. Darius attempted to deflect Ben’s blow as well. “I am here to protect you, if you need aid,” he said to the gnoll. “It is my duty to protect all in need.” The paladin laid his hands on the gnoll and healing power coursed into the monster. The arrows in its grey-green, rubbery skin pushed their way out. The wounds sealed up and the gnoll’s gaze became more focused. Ben could see it gaining in strength. Stunned by the dwarf’s actions he shook off his fear. In a fit of rage Ben lunged forward in trying to strangle the creature before it fully revived.

He failed. The gnoll deftly squeezed Ben’s head into an armlock and grasping for the cleric’s flail. Darius realized his confusion and swung at the beast missing. Rose had made her way inside through the growing smoky haze. Using her club she helped Darius attack, but only succeeded in hitting Father Ben. Fortunately for him, the blow bounced off his chainmail. Ben struggled to break free of the gnoll’s grasp, but it was far stronger than him now. All its wounds were scarred over. It hunched down and took a bite out of Ben’s shoulder. Darius pulled out a torch and lit it off the flaming walls. Rose did the same, but neither landed a solid hit.

For the next few of minutes the gnoll attempted to devour Ben. It took two more bites out of him mitigated only by his armor and helm. Blood poured from his wounds and weakly Ben flailed at back without effect. Rose and Darius battered at the beast with their torches, but their luck had failed them. Not one blow landed square. Furthermore, all three were getting fatigued from the exertion and smoke. Ben and Rose were coughing loudly. Regrettably, the gnoll was stronger than ever.

Darius swung and missed yet again. “Blast it!” he cursed. Ben swung, but only managed to hit Darius. He was bit a fourth time. Ben staggered in place. He was woozy and could feel his consciousness slipping. Coughing uncontrollably, Rose backed out of the front door. Darius swung again. Another miss. “This is the end”, thought Ben to himself. Before he could fall unconscious however, he felt a muscle in his head twitch. His body pushed up into the air. He screamed, but could see fear in the gnolls eyes. “The Gods will Destroy you NOW!!!” he shouted with his last breath. Darius looked dumbfounded up at the floating cleric. Fresh urine stained the gnoll’s leggings.

“Ben? Get down here right now!” ordered Darius. Rose curiously peered back inside the shed and was amazed by what she saw. The gnoll was being pulled upwards by Ben. It let go and ran towards the exit in panic. Ben bounced up into the ceiling and hung there. Ironically, Rose and Darius landed two devastating parting shots on the gnoll before it reached the street outside. Rose watched it sprint out of town towards the forest. Ben released the muscle in his mind and floated back down to the ground. He quickly healed himself with a prayer and walked out to the street with Darius to one side. “Well that was…” and he fainted dead away.

[howandwhy99]

Dram stood watch on one of the higher rises in the broken lands. His eyes scanned for gnolls coming back from the forest, but nothing had happened since they left. Turning back to the burning village he spotted a figure running toward him. “Hot Damn!” It was a gnoll. “Looks like it just left the fire for the frying pan,” Dram said. He spurred his horse to a gallop. Riding up to Pax’s horse he grabbed the big man’s lance. The crazy-legged gnoll came back into sight. Dram charged lowering the lance just as he reached the gnoll. OOOF! He planted the tip into the ground and nearly toppled off his horse. The gnoll ran by without a second glance. Pax and Ormond were watching to see what was happening and began peppering the creature with arrows. It fell down dead.

Dram rode back to the kill and hogtied the creature just to be on the safe side. From behind him he heard another horse coming. This time it was Rose. He took her back to Kayla who was working in a rocky flat trying to situate all the sleeping bodies within the litters. Only three quarters could fit without crushing some of the bodies. “Father Ben can fly!” exclaimed Rose. Dram and Kayla looked at her incredulously. Rose repeated herself, “Father Ben can fly!” but they simply shook their heads in disbelief. “The town is on fire and we need your help!” That got their attention. The slaving team was regrouped pulling back the wood collectors near the forest’s edge. Grog was ordered to stand watch over the excess slaves until the party returned. Pax took Grog’s sword and grew to Giant-size. “We’ll be back for the second load later,” said Kayla. The caravan moved towards town protecting the large series of litters pulled by Giant-Pax.

Darius found a well in the center of town and filled a bucket with water. He dumped it over Ben’s head. “We are going to talk about this flying business later! Right now, get up and help me save some of this town!” Ben slowly struggled to his feet. Darius was already tossing water on a building that looked like the village inn. Another bucket was found for Ben and the two set about dousing the flames. Then the earth began to shudder beneath their feet. Behind them Pax’s massive form lumbered, towering over anything else in the village. The massive litter was unloaded and Giant-Pax slowly walked back towards the remaining slaves. “Look, more vultures,” said Rose pointing to the sky.

Kayla, Diedre, Pax, Ormond, Dalin, and Rose left the unloaded villagers sleeping in the road as they ran to help put out the inn. Hours passed, as bucket after bucket was needed to quench the fire both inside and out. Pax returned after collecting the remaining villagers and Grog. He attempted to stomp out some of the smaller house fires, but only succeeded in smashing the buildings with his foot. By mid-afternoon the inn was thoroughly soaked but saved. Darius selected a nearby warehouse to douse next. Giant-Pax picked up the villagers, one in each hand, and placed them inside the inn’s front door. A loud BOOM echoed from the far side of the village. Kayla ran over and discovered the remains of a silo blown to pieces. She quickly surveyed the rest of the town as the others saved the warehouse. The process was taking too long. Most of the houses had already been burned to the ground and the larger buildings were infernos comparatively. Thankfully, there were no other silos, but Kayla did locate a general store. “Over here!” she shouted. Darius split the group and buckets.

By the time night fell, four buildings had been saved: the inn, warehouse, general store, and a small, one room home. Inside each the goods and foods were ruined by heat and smoke damage. With the light quickly dimming, the team piled the dead bodies into a funeral pyre alongside a burning building. Father Ben and Darius prayed and chanted holy mercies for the dead. “Hold one minute,” said Darius to Ben. The dwarf pulled a blue man from the pyre. This one was taller like the four others they had found wrapped up. Darius used a pole to search the rest of the burning corpses. “There’s another!” Ben helped him douse the two bodies. No more blue men could be seen. Both of the creatures had their arms manacled behind them. “Prisoners of the town, maybe?” Ben pondered aloud. Checking the pile he realized most of the bodies were of old men. Darius set aside the blue corpses for later study. Late in the evening, when the pyre had finished burning, Giant-Pax buried the ashes in a hole outside of town he had dug up with his hands. “May ye rest in peace”, intoned Darius.

Before resting two rooms upstairs in the Inn were swept out and cleaned. Ash and soot had covered everything, even the tops of the sleeping slaves. Diedre and Ormand the Redd helped remove the wrappings from the saved villagers. Each needed a good washing down as well. A few had blood on them and most an assortment of bruises. Each one was laid down on the floor in the common room. Rose went out to hunt for food, while the rest of the team retired to bedrooms upstairs. A double watch was set, one person inside and one on the roof above.

[howandwhy99]

[DAY 99 – Feastday, Sceptre 3rd, CY 81]

Ben awoke to the sound of birds singing outside the window. Immediately he smelled smoke, but after untying his bed ropes he saw no sign of a new fire. He and Dram were the last to take watch. As Dram climbed up to the attic, Ben descended downstairs. Slaves were scattered all around the floor, so he started counting them to check their number. Before he could get halfway to thirty-one a woman near his leg spit up vomit. Quickly, Ben turned her on her side. Then he proceeded to turn all the slaves on to their sides, but it only caused to wake more of them. As each one aroused he or she doubled over and threw up on whatever (and whomever) was around. Father Ben ran back and forth trying to help, but the common room soon became a vomitorium. Ben ran out the front door before he lost his own lunch.

Several minutes later he ducked back inside braving the stench. The villagefolk were almost all awake and many were helping one another control the sickness. Dram arrived at the bottom of the stairs with Darius behind him. The slaves shrank backw upon seeing the two. In fact, Ben felt they were all deathly afraid. Darius rapidly discovered their de facto leader, a woman named Mathilda. “What happened?” he asked.
“The gnolls struck in the night, just before daybreak,” cried Mathilda. “They came in and killed the men and captured everyone else!” Darius asked if anyone was missing besides the men. The woman looked around. “Some are missing still, some women and children. Where are the men?” Darius did not answer her question.
“We’re going to clean you all up and get you some fresh clothing. Can you help us do that? We need everyone here to follow orders.” Mathilda nodded solemnly

Dram and Ben went upstairs to wake the rest of the team. They were all a little sleepy, but started moving once they heard the noise below. The team members collected what clothes they could from among the saved buildings and inn. Darius looked over all the purchased slaves and could find not a single adult male among them. “This is why they sold them so cheaply,” he thought to himself. “PREPARE YOURSELVES!” he shouted to get everyone’s attention. “We are traveling to Kera very soon. Get ready!” The villagers cringed, but hurriedly started packing what they could.

Outside Dram mounted his horse and left to check for signs of unwanted visitors. Ben prayed near the remains of what had been the funeral pyre. Out of nowhere Rose walked past him toward the inn. She was stretching and yawning. “Has she been sleeping outside this whole time?” he thought. Ben vowed to be more observant around her. Upstairs Kayla and Diedre prepared their castings by reading the books Kayla carried. Dalin, Pax, and Ormand simply sat around waiting for the villagers to finish.

Retracing his tracks, Dram came upon the gnoll carcass he had killed yesterday. (He had killed it in his mind at least). It was still dead. Its friends had not come to collect the body. This was simply another sign of the savagery and disrespect for their own kind. Dram gave the corpse a few hard kicks, but it did not move. He road back to town and pulled up some of the well water for his horse. As he took a sip he noticed it smelled funny. It tasted coppery on his tongue. Using his finger he made himself vomit. “Are you sick too, Dram?” asked Rose walking over. He did not answer, so she took a sip of water. It tasted like metal – horrible. “It’s spoiled with blood,” said Dram. Rose licked her fangs inquisitively. Calling Darius over the dwarf looked into the well. Far below he saw a body partially submerged in the water.

Dram retrieved his grappling hook and rope from his horse. All three struggled to pull up the body. It collapsed over one side of the well. It was human, tall, and obscenely bloated from the water. The stench was overpowering. Chained around its ankles was a block of salt. Darius looked down the well again. He reported that there was another salt block, this one attached to a long metal rod. “It’s for moving the saltlick around the fields,” said Ben. He had walked up unnoticed. The four pulled up the other block and tossed it aside. When asked, Ben had to admit his divine power was far to weak to purify the entire well. He decided to check the corpse’s wounds instead. It was a wise move. “He was killed in battle,” Ben declared. “Not from drowning.” Several wounds penetrated deep into the flesh and blood still oozed out thicker than normal.

Darius went to fetch Mathilda from inside. “Who is he? Your leader?”
“We do not know him”, she answered. Ben reflected that she was not even close enough for a proper look. He guessed she might have seen him killed as the body had died but a day ago. “He does look sort of familiar now I think about it”, said Dram. Dalin, Pax, and everyone else standing around the village square moved closer to view the body. “CERTA!!” several cried out in unison. “The perfect sleeper,” whispered Rose silently. A table from the inn was brought outside and Certa was set upon it. The body was stripped of clothing and they found tattoos underneath. A pair of crossed axes was on his chest. On his back was a large rising bear. Dram recognized it instantly. He was of the Bear Clan in the Greenwillow Forest.

[howandwhy99]

“More and more puzzles are going unsolved,” thought Ben. Darius collected the team back upstairs in the bedrooms for a meeting. “We need to plan our next move,” he said. “The villagers cannot be left here. They have no homes, lodging, or protection from another attack. Even the food Rose collected will run out in a day or two. I have told them they are to prepare for travel to Kera. I think we should take them. What do you say?” Everyone agreed. They began to make plans for overland travel with thirty-one on foot. “Where’s Grog?” asked Rose. The last anyone had seen he was speaking with the blue man downstairs.

In one of the back booths of the common room Grog was snorting happily. The little blue man was telling him jokes in a strange chittering language. They fell silent when the team approached. “I’m glad to see you happy again Grog,” said Darius. “Who is your friend?” The blue man made a honking noise. “Zvart” it said. This was the smaller ones found in the bundles. Its huge head was disproportionate to the rest of its body.



“How did you get here?” asked Kayla.
“Livinia brought us here,” the creature spat brusquely. It spoke swiftly and in a whiney voice. Darius explained to it that we had cleared out his farm.
“It’s a hobbit hole, right?” asked Kayla. Apparently she knew more about littlefolk than anyone else. The blue man honked rudely in response.
“This is Grogfriend,” said Grog smiling happily. “He is a mushroom friend.”
“What about Certa. Did she come with Livinia too?” said Dram directly.
“No. She brought Serta with her. And the other two.” sneered the creature.
“Was he wearing black clothing, or maybe a hump on his back?” asked Kayla.
“No” it honked again. “That was farther on to Kera when we met the gnolls.”

Rose dug a couple of mushrooms out of her pack and handed them to the strange man. “Mine! Mine!” it shouted. “My precioussss…” It cooed as it held the mushrooms. The team asked more questions, but the creature was hardly forthcoming. Lavinia was a customer of theirs. She had told them she wanted the skinny man with the glove on one hand. The skinny man had been paying the Xvarts to stay inside the mushroom farm. “Do you remember his name?” asked Kayla fingering the map they found in her pocket. It honked another “No”. It was never told the man’s name. He had only stayed two nights. He paid and babbled and scribbled all over the walls. Zvart complained about having to clean up after it – and after Lavinia’s sons.

“How many sons did she have?” asked Darius.
“There are four. And a new one now,” the blue man responded slyly. Her sons were half-orc and half-human. He believed Lavinia was too. One of the sons took animals of all different kinds from all over and made them do strange things. Dram leaned over and whispered into Ben’s ear, “Livinia sounds like villain.” Ben smiled. “Live in ya?” he joked back. The blue man honked loudly at them.
“Are you a hobbit or a halfling?” asked Kayla. It began to laugh loudly in a vulgar way.
“We eat halflinghobbitses. We are Xvart. My name is…” Ben lost all ability to understand what it said. The name sounded like a minute’s worth of run together nonsense words and honking.
“What may we call you in short?” asked Darius using his charm.
“I answer to nothing!” it honked back. Darius attempted to smooth over the situation.
“Do you live in very deep holes then?”
“You are thinking of gnomes. We are not gnomes,” it replied disgusted.

The team had just about enough. Darius gave a short goodbye and was ignored for his efforts. Everyone but Grog was ordered upstairs to prepare for the journey. Walking across the common room Darius looked for Mathilda. He wanted to find out just how safe the city of Kera was before leaving. He found her in one of the back rooms whispering to some of the other women. “I have a question.”
“Yes”, said Mathilda smoothly. The other women cleared out of the room.
“Are there slaves kept here or slave traders?”
”No. We farm. We have no slaves,” she answered carefully.
“What about Kera? Do they deal in slaves?” asked Darius. Mathilda hesitated.
“Kera does not slave either. They mine ore.”
“We could take you to another farming village then…” started Darius. She shook her head.
“No. We would prefer to stay in Kera. If you would let us.” This was baffling to Darius.
”Do you know the Wainwrights? Are they here in town?” Mathilda stopped breathing and went still. Darius started again, but she cut him off.
“Are you selling us?” she asked. Darius scoffed at the idea. He tried to clear up the confusion.
Finally he just stated, “You are free. You are all free! Why are even asking me this?”

“Aaaaaeeeigghhhh!!” Mathilda let out a loud, shrill scream. She bolted out the front door of the inn screaming all the way. Darius saw a number of other villagers run out the front door too screaming in fear. It was perplexing. A second later the rest of the team came stomping down from upstairs. They went outside. Not a single villager was in sight. Rose skipped out to the village’s edge and searched for tracks. No recent footprints were towards the east and Kera. Then she noticed a few villagers hiding amongst the remains of a burnt building. She went back to Darius and reported. “They’re hiding from us.” Darius was irritated.
“Fine. Let’s go without them,” he said.

The team loaded up their horses to leave. Father Ben asked if he could hold back for a minute or two. “I’ll catch up.” Darius shrugged in response. Ben went back into the inn’s common room and pulled out some of the parchment he used to write Father Stauk-Flezr. Hastily he scribbled a note: “TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR WAY”. He opened one of his large sacks of gold and counted out one hundred gold pieces. He left them on top of the letter. “I only hope that’s enough to save them” he said to himself. Afterwards, he scrambled atop his horse and cantered to catch up with the party.

[howandwhy99]

The ground under the horses’ hooves became thick with grass. They were leaving the badlands. No one talked for a long while after leaving Orlaine. Finally, before noon Grog broke the silence. “Once Grog keep slaves”, he said. “Grog give it up. Trolls convince owning slaves was a bad idea. Grog was very bad at keeping slaves. Slaves never worked right. Grog not know how to treat them.”
“I’m sure you treated them very well,” said Darius.
“Maybe, but Grog have very hard time carrying slaves everywhere Grog go.” Everyone burst into laughter. Grog joined in though he missed the joke. “Slaves too heavy,” he complained. “And too many. And they squirm all over Grog. Pull Grog’s hair. Complain all day. So Grog give up slaving.”

”I think you made a wise decision,” said Darius. When the laughter had died down he switched subjects. “Grog, we need to find a good place to stay once we arrive in Kera. Do you know of any goods inns within the city?”
Grog nodded roughly. “Yes. Very fine inn. Named ‘Sleeping Horse’”.
Ben looked up. “Uh…Grog. Did you say ‘Sleeping Horse Inn’ or “Sleeping… uhhhh.”
“What the Father’s trying to say,” said Dalin, “is it named ‘Sleeping Whores?’”
“Sleeping Horse” repeated Grog. Only he might have said whores. It was difficult to tell.
“Is it like your inn?” Dalin asked.
“No! Grog inn much better.” Dram and Dalin started laughing again.
“Well, is it like your inn or is it like the Sleeping Dragon Inn back in Kustler?” Dalin tried again.
“Like Sleeping Dragon Inn. Not nice. Not nice people there.”
“Are there women there?” asked Dram loudly.
Grog shrugged. “Some.”

They gave up trying to get a straight answer from the half ogre. Grog still did not know Gerda ran his inn as a brothel and no one wanted to risk his leaving if they told him. Ben thought back to Orlayne. He still felt bad about leaving the villagers to fend for themselves. Something else was nagging in the back of his mind too, something he had forgotten. “Something to do with a table,” he thought to himself. He pulled out his pack and looked for his bowl and utensils. They was not it.
“Husband? How is it you can fly?” asked Rose. Ben was shocked back into reality.
“Rose, I cannot fly. We should not talk of this now. We need to plan on what to do while we’re in Kera. We really need to think of how to find Dram's brother Tankard.”
“You mean the wainwrights?” she asked. Ben groaned.

Rose recited the story of how she, Darius, and Ben had fought a lone gnoll trapped back in Orlain. She said Ben had flown up into the air to frighten the gnoll away. Ben saw thankfully that none of the other members believed her story. They let her continue on without question. All but Darius and Grog. They traveled ahead in front ignoring the story.

By the end of a full day’s travel Kera City finally came into view. It was near nightfall, but Ben could see the full breadth and length of it. He had never seen a city before. Beyond, hills rose up higher and higher until just at the horizon Ben could see a row of tall mountain peaks. Kayla pointed out the city was much smaller than Harling, but the team had spent very little time there. As they approached a road formed nearby. They followed it and passed by several outer farms, small cottage homes, and even a few large outlying noble estates. A large stone wall was built around the city. It was easily twenty feet high with towers along its length every so often. Dram pointed out several large weapons on top that could launch things. “That one there is called a catapult,” he said. He had not forgotten Radcliffe’s teachings. The large doors leading into the city were open wide with an armed guard standing to each side. Without thinking the team rode their horses straight through the gate. Inside were a small square and several houses of various sizes stretching away in every direction. “Hold on,” said Darius. He led the team back outside to the door guards.

“What are the laws and customs of this city?” he asked one of the guards.
“HA! Hahahaha… Didja hear that Franklin? Laws of the city? Hahahaha.”
The one named Franklin said, “Just don’t piss off the Earl. Earl Kera. He runs things here.”
Darius walked his horse towards Franklin. “How?”
”You know, beat him at gambling, taking women he likes, that sort of thing.”
“He’s not usually about these days,” said the other guard.
“Is there much crime in this city?” Ben asked. This brought about another round of guffaws from both guards.
“No. No crime whatsoever.”
”What of the church? For your religion?” he asked.
The two guards looked at each other quizzically. “Religion? What’s that?”

[howandwhy99]

Father Ben offered to teach the guards the tenants of his faith, but Grog was in a hurry. At least that what everyone else said. Once again inside they rode along a wide, main thoroughfare into the heart of the city. Many different sorts of people were walking and standing around. Several side alleyways branched off from the central street giving a glimpse of even more cityfolk. Along the road shops were pushed up right next to each other. They displayed finely carved signs with both pictures and written names upon them. There was a top hat, an anvil, a cauldron bubbling, and more. It was almost too much to take in. Ben looked around for a banner of the city, but there were none. There were no flags or statues or fountains anywhere either. He had been raised to believe cities always had these things. But then he had never visited one before either.

Grog took a sharp turn down one of the dingier alleyways. “Lots of fights at the Sleeping Horse Inn” he said. “Grog like. Grog not been in a good fight for a while.” Farther on they saw a small, seedy tavern built onto the rear of a larger building. “Best ale in town,” declared Grog. Above the entrance door was a small wooden sign. A picture of a horse was on it upside down. All four of its legs stuck straight up into the air. Dram and Dalin burst out laughing again. “Dead Horse Inn,” whispered one to the other. The two dismounted and agreed to accompany Grog inside for a drink. Fishing out some gold from their pouches they handed over the rest for safekeeping, as well as their horses and supplies.

After the three entered the rest of the team rode back up to the main street again. The shops were much nicer looking there and soon they found a large stable. The stableboy quoted them a price of one gold per horse per day, very expensive. The stables were of high quality however so they paid for all eight of the mounts. Darius ordered Ormond the Redd to stay with the horses and guard them. The team tried to memorize their horses just in case of trickery or horsethieves. “You can stay up in the loft,” said the stableboy pointing to the rafters overhead. “One silver per night.” The team browsed around checking the other horses within. They were in good health and well fed. Ben recognized Margrave brandings on many of the horses. He had been raised on a horsefarm. It seemed strange to him, as there were no roads leading back to Margrave. The saddlebags and supplies were taken off to bring with them. Pax managed to carry five.

The sun was down and the city was getting dark fast. They hustled further into the city along the central thoroughfare and soon came to a section where many inns lined both sides of the street. Every inn was richly decorated on the outside. Darius, Kayla, and Diedre separated to price check each one. They read the names as they went. Standing in the street Ben watched the crowd pass by. Most of the people were human, but there were several nonhumans too. He was glad for Darius when he saw several dwarves walking around without fear. Lots of half-breeds were about too. Ben thought he recognized orc and goblin blooded humans. Some were impossible to tell. Rose spotted some half elves, but they ignored her calls for attention. Darius came back with Diedre and Kayla in tow. “The average price is about five gold per night. We’ve decided on a nice one over there for that price,” he pointed. “It’s called The Wyvern.”

Inside was a large, well lit, finely appointed waiting room with plush furniture and tables. Darius secured the team two rooms for the night. Both were next to each other and had two large feather beds, tables, and chairs within. The windows and doors had several locks as well. Ben had never lived so well in his life. Because he was a priest he volunteered to sleep with the three women in one room, while the rest of the men shared the other.

[howandwhy99]

Dram and Dalin looked around the smoky Dead Horse tavern. Unbathed men and women sat suspiciously sipping their drinks. Dalin noticed one table of customers dicing over in the corner. He decided not to join in right away. Grog moved over to an occupied table and sat down. The other occupants stood up and moved elsewhere. Dram and Dalin joined him. “Best ale in town!” said Grog again. A bar wench brought over a pitcher and they started drinking. After awhile Dram noticed a Bard come in and pluck away at his lute in another corner. No one paid him any attention.

Dram and Dalin tried to strike up conversations with some of the other patrons. It took some doing, but they learned a bit of local gossip. Something large had been circling the skies above. Some thought it was a dragon. Others suggested it was something even more sinister. One man bemoaned the fact that almost all the Sky Knights were away. Dalin put two and two together. He guessed the knights were probably Kera’s contribution to the war effort. Another man told them a dark and terrible creature lived in the caves to the northeast. “I shouldn’t tell ya this, but ee’s preparin’ ta unleash the power of several volcanoes to destroy every human and our allies throughout the region.” Dram and Dalin took it with a grain of salt. Grog wanted to know more. He was seriously worried, but the man left after the half ogre took an interest in his ramblings.

A group of licentious, young women walked inside later in the evening. “That’s what I’ve been waiting for,” said Dram. He succeeded in drawing one over to their table. She toyed with him, but did not sit down. She and her companions had heard a new, powerful ogre was rallying warriors to his standard up in the mountains. They were thinking of going to join in. “Maybe you should come?” she suggested. Dram hesitated. Grog did not speak, but his expression towards the woman spoke volumes. She decided not to wait around for an answer. “This isn’t exactly working,” said Dalin stating the obvious. Across the room the Bard finally began strumming a tune. He was pretty good. In fact, he was really, really good. The other patrons stood up and started to cheer. Then began singing along. Overcome with emotion Grog and Dalin stood up too and sang with big smiles on their faces.

“Whoa…” said Dalin. “I feel weird.” Dram felt a bit woozy himself. The music sounded strange to him. “Must be the beer,” he told Dalin. It was uniformly bad. “I need to clear my head,” said Dram. He stood up to go outside for some fresh air. As he walked out the door a stranger bumped into him walking in. The stranger pushed hard. Dram braced himself and pushed back, harder. “I’m sorry,” said the stranger. Dram did not let him by. “I’m very sorry,” the man said again. Dram checked his own pockets for gold, then for his weapon. Both were still there. “Hmmmm….” He let the stranger go by into the tavern. Dram stood outside for a few minutes, clearing his head, and gathered his thoughts. He felt tired from the long day’s journey.

Turning around he went back into the bar. All of the patrons and staff were slumped over in their chairs. There was no music either. Dram took a step inside and saw the Bard hunched over one of the patrons rifling through the man’s pockets. A flash of steel bounced off Dram’s shoulder and brushed near his face. The stranger was hiding behind the shadow of the door. Dram crouched and reached for his sword. Before he could unsheathe it the Bard turned around and tossed a dagger at Dram’s chest, right into his heart. It pierced his cloak and shirt, but it deflected off his hidden armor. Scrambling, Dram backed away towards Grog and Dalin who were both asleep. He shook them, but neither awoke. “There is no need for fighting,” said the Bard. Gracefully, he walked forward, picked up his dagger, and retreated to his stool and lute.

Dram was in no mood for talking nice. Unshouldering his bow he fired two arrows. He hit the Bard straight in the back, but the arrow bounced off his cloak with a metal clang. His second arrow plunged deep into the other rogue’s neck. The stranger fell dead to the floor. Picking up his lute, the Bard strummed a peaceful little tune and Dram realized he had been in the wrong all along. This musician was not such a bad guy after all. “Help me collect my donations,” ordered the Bard. Dram nodded happily. He moved over to the rogue he had killed and searched the body. He recovered his arrow intact and found a solid gold arrow besides hidden in the man’s vest. “I’ll just put this with my other one from the Fair…” He seemed to have misplaced it. “Ah ha!” Secretly he hid his arrow just in case his new friend tried to take it as a donation. Next he moved to Grog and Dalin and tried to shake them awake again.

“What are you doing?” asked the Bard.
“They will help us?”
“No!” The Bard changed demeanor. “I mean… they would want a big share. But let them keep theirs.” Dram moved away to the other patrons and searched for whatever valuables he could find. He collected over two hundred coins. It was mostly copper and some silver, but five gold pieces were in the barkeep’s till. The Bard moved close to one of the young women and pulled out a pair of pliers. He plucked out several gold teeth from her mouth. “Why didn’t I think of that?” pondered Dram. When he was finished the Bard fixed his gaze on Dram again. “I will head back to my room now. You stay here and when I return we will leave.” It sounded like a poor idea to Dram. The Bard went up some back stairs. Dram moved over to wake up Dalin and Grog so they could get ready to go with the Bard too. “Damn fine ale here,” said Dalin groggily.
“What a great time, just like always,” agreed Grog
They went out the door weaving as they walked. Grog dragged a struggling Dram after him out into the dark night. “That one good inn,” said Grog.