The One True Game: According to Hoyle, and Others

[howandwhy99]

Once they were outside again Dram shook off the enchantment. He realized none of the team had come back for them. He helped Grog and Dalin walk back up to the main road. Both sobered as they moved along. Plenty of people still coursed through the streets with lanterns and torches in the night. It was almost as busy as during the day. The three found the row of inns relatively easily, but were not sure which to choose. Dalin spotted the large stable down the road and they turned to go ask about their friends. “There you are!” shouted Darius as he ran across the street to them. Dram told everyone the story of what had happened back at the tavern leaving out the coin he had collected. “Dram,” said Darius patting him on the back. “No more drinking for you.” The others laughed.

Darius showed them back to The Wyvern and up the stairs. Grog barely fit in the door and collapsed on one of the couches in the common room. Pax was alone and awake in their room. He was first on watch duty for the men’s side. The other three went straight to bed. All through the night footsteps could be heard coming and going past the bedrooms’ doors. Plenty of activity went on in the common room too, but Grog snored so loud he never noticed. In the other bedroom Rose was tossing and turning. Finally, she got up and checked under the mattress. Metal held the wooden slates together. She sighed and told Diedre who was on watch that she was going to join Ormand in the stables. Diedre informed Pax and the two of them escorted her to the stables just three blocks down. They were taking no chances.

Ormand was having a rather dull night. He had helped the stableboys brush down and feed their horses. He had also found a truly noble steed, an exquisite white horse stabled on the other side near the doors. It was strong, lean, and was obviously bred for speed. It had a Margrave branding on its flank too. When Rose came in during the middle of the night and lay down next to him his heart pounded in his chest. He furtively looked at her flaming red hair. “I-I found a beautiful horse below,” he stuttered. Rose asked to see it. He led her to its stall and she went and walked right in.

Rose put her hand lightly on the horse’s neck. It neighed as it awoke. Slowly she started neighing back. “My aren’t you a beautiful horse. You must be very special.” The horse agreed. Rose complimented the mare gaining its trust before beginning her questions. “Who rides you?” she asked.
“Lady rides me.”
“She must use a special harness or saddle.”
The horse sniffed. “No metal rides on me.”
“Are you alone here?” asked Rose.
“No… with other horses here.”
”But you must receive special treatment.”
The horse shook its head up and down. “I carry lady, treated better.”
“What does the lady look like?”
”She has short hair.” It thought for a second, “like straw. Pale skin like the sky. She puts things on me.”
“Interesting,” said Rose. “How long have been with the lady?”
“Two moons”
”All here?”
The horse neighed. “This similar to nine sleeps ago. Traveled with sun, over mountains. And before that plains. Before that fields. Then home.”
“What is home like?”
”Home has fighting going on, blood smells.”
Rose thought perhaps the horse had come over the mountains from the Front Lines. “You said the lady’s skin was the color of the sky. Like my skin?”
“Lighter.”
Rose pointed her over to Ormand who stood outside the stall. “Like his skin?”
“Darker.”
Rose had a feeling Lavinia might be closer than they expected. She hazarded a guess. Pointing to the grey stone floor outside the stall she asked again.
“Yes” nodded the horse.
“At last some success,” she thought. Dram had said Lavinia had gray skin. “What about the other horses? Who rides on them?” she asked the horse.
“Little one who can talk to horses. Gives gifts.”
Alarm bells went off in Rose’s head. “Do not tell the little one of this talk alright? In the morning I will bring you some fresh fruit to eat. Would you like that?”
“Sugar”, said the horse.
Rose smiled. “Of course. And what should I call you? What’s your name?”
“Lady calls me Sprite.”
Rose cooed and complimented the horse again. She promised to bring it fruit and sugar in the morning. And reminded the horse to not tell the little one of their talk.

[howandwhy99]

“Stay here”, Rose told Ormand. “I must go back and tell the others what I’ve found out. Make sure you hide and tell me if anything happens. Okay?” Ormond nodded dumbly. Rose flitted out the stable door and out into the street. As she skipped along a sharp point poked into her back. “Your money or your life!” growled a voice behind her. She could feel the metal of the blade irritating her skin already. As she stood there the voice behind her started snigering as if it was some kind of joke. Feeling desperate Rose bolted forward hoping to catch the man off guard. It did not work. The blade slid under her jerkin and into her back. Purple blood spurted out of the wound and the horses inside the stable whinnied. Rose ran as fast as she could. Heavy footsteps followed her, but she quickly outpaced them. She had learned to outrun many an animal in the woods with the Elves. She did not dare turn back until she reached The Wyvern’s entrance.

It was unlocked. Inside the common room Grog was snoring. Several people were milling about as Rose swooned in place. Purple blood had fully drenched the backside of her clothes. She could feel the metal poisoning burn as it ran through her veins. “Help!” she gasped feebly. No one even gave her a second glance. Blindly she stumbled to the stairs and crawled upwards. “Help!” Darius came out from his room seconds later.

Back in the stables Ormond listened to the horses kicking and neighing. From his hiding spot up above he saw a short, enshrouded figure enter through the main door. It moved slowly over to the stall of the horse Rose had called ‘Pixie’. By its size and shape he guessed it was one of Grog’s blue friends. The figure bent over and examined the footprints inside the stall. Then it began neighing to the horse like Rose had. Ormand suddenly felt emboldened to help her. Staying as silent as possible he let the horse noises cover his movement. Carefully he stepped off the loft built above the rear half of the stables and inched his way atop the front stall walls using the rafters for support. When he made it to Pixie’s stall Ormand could see the small figure inside at least ten feet below.

Darius lifted Rose up like a leaf and brought her into his room. He kicked the three sleepers inside awake and deposited Rose in a bed. She protested. “The floor,” she said faintly. He decided to do as she asked. He picked her up again and called upon the power of Thor to heal her weakened body. As Rose’s wounds healed, a torrent of words gushed forth. She rapidly explained what she had learned from the horse in the stable. “I believed it is Livinia’s. She is with several others. We must buy fruit and sugar tomorrow. Ormand the Redd watches the white horse. The blue man group is here. Svarf Svarf!” Rose passed out. Darius started barking commands. “Wake the others! Get your weapons, then follow me!” He set Rose down on the floor.

Ormond watched patiently. While perched above, the little cloaked man continued to neigh at the horse. Several minutes went by and he could feel his legs cramping. The figure looked angry. It gesticulated with its arms and grunted loudly. The horse barely answered. When the man started to leave Ormand put his plan into action. In his mind he had already determined out how to stop him. He would bend down, grab the bar above the stall door, and swing down on top of the little man. Only it when he tried it Ormond’s fingers slipped. FLOP! He landed face first on the stone floor. The blue man darted forward and stabbed him with its dagger. Ormand groaned in pain. Shaking himself he got up and swung wildly with his sword. The man stabbed again and tried to slip past, but Ormond kicked him back in into the horse’s stall. Pixie began to rear. The other horses started neighing again. Feinting to one side the blue man rolled forward between Ormand’s legs. Ormand tried to grab him but missed. The blue man ran out the door and Ormand took off after him.

Darius and Pax ran down to the street as the others were putting on their armor. They hurried towards the stables and Darius saw a small figure run out into the darkness. A few seconds later, Ormand ran out after it. “Follow me,” he told Pax. The chase progressed into an alley. Ormond ran for all he was worth, but the little blue man was faster than he appeared. They turned left and right zigzagging through small, darkened alleyways. The passersby paid them little attention. As Ormond turned another corner, he saw the Xvart duck under a cloak and slip into a hole in the street. The cloak dropped back covering the hole. It was hard to tell, but it was almost as if it was torn from the creature’s back. Ormand ran forward and pulled back the cloak. Pax and Darius caught up and saw him crouched over the hole. It was barely a foot across.

“What is a hole doing in the middle of the street?” howled Darius angrily. Pax observed that he had seen several of them since entering the city. Only this one had no grating like the others. Darius tried to enter, but he was far too thick. The Xvarts had ridiculously thin bodies with large, bulbous heads planted atop. The creature had simply dropped inside. They dropped a lit torch down the hole, but it went out after a few feet. “I’m sorry Darius,” said Ormond. “I’m always in the right place at the right time, but I can never seem to help out.” Darius remembered the thin man back in Custler and reassured him. “You’re a good man, Ormand the Redd.” Pax pointed out that Urkwin might somehow be related to the Xvarts. The four tall blue men who were dead in Orlaine had bluish-grey skin too. “Perhaps he was a half-breed like so many are around here?” said Pax. Darius nodded. Kayla had been calling Urkwin a skulk in private with him.

Darius picked up the cloak and examined it. It felt strange in his hands and was hard to look at. He had always seen through shadows, but this cloak’s blackness had a depth he could not focus on. They made their way back to the Wyvern. Everyone was gathered in one room. Kayla was given the cloak to inspect, while Darius, Rose, and Ormand told everyone what transpired. Afterwards, Kayla told the team the cloak was a fine, oiled, animal’s fur and very well made. She had tested it for magic. And while it was not magical in itself, it could be used for magics. However the only person it fit was little Rose, so it was given into her care..

It was very late, so the whole team went to the stable to inspect it. All the horses were still there, even Pixie. Rose spoke with the horse and confirmed it said nothing to the little blue man. Pax was left with Ormond and Rose to keep watch. His sheer size would likely scare away any other attackers. As he nursed his bruised and battered body, Ormond lamented the fact that all his heroic actions had done were to bring a massive he-man between he and Rose. “Perhaps it’s not meant to be?” he thought before drifting to sleep.

[howandwhy99]

[DAY 100 – Weddingday, Sceptre 4th, CY 81]

Rose was the first to awake. Outside the stable she saw a beautiful sunrise come up over the eastern mountains. When she entered The Wyvern she found a large, gourmet breakfast set up on the tables in the common room. Grog was already eating everything in sight. Rose took a few nice, red apples and walked upstairs to wake the others. They were all still asleep, exhausted from the struggles of the night before. Their feather beds looked exceedingly comfortable and she wished she was able to enjoy one too. Back downstairs she asked the innkeeper for a block of sugar. He handed her a small cup of white cubes. Rose tested one just to be sure. When she arrived at the stables again a number of stablehands were already busy with customers. Surreptitiously, she walked over to Pixie’s stall and dropped the apples and sugar cubes inside.

Later, the rest of the team upstairs slowly woke up and dressed. Father Ben hid under the covers until Kayla and Diedre left. Then he untied his ropes and began his morning prayers. “Ooohh, my head,” moaned Dalin as he walked downstairs with the others. Surprisingly, Dram had no ill effects from the ale at all. Everyone partook of the wonderful breakfast laid out. There were many juices, fruits, roast pheasant, (nearly) poached eggs, and a number of dishes Grog had already finished. The innkeeper pulled Darius aside when he saw the paladin speaking to Grog. Another five gold was needed to keep the half ogre inside.

Without much of a plan, the team split up to explore different parts of the city. Darius and Pax walked down the thoroughfare towards a small castle in the center. “Do you think Lavinia was sent by your enemies in Harling to kill you?” asked Pax. He was worried about his mentor.
“Doubtful,” replied Darius. “Unless she somehow knew we were turning east to Kera and moved to cut us off. But that wasn’t decided until we reached Kustler. In truth, I don’t think she knows who we are.” The pair stopped at a local store and Darius chatted up the owner to learn more about the city. Many guilds operated throughout: the lost key guild, the wheat and flour guild, the guild of the locked box. The storeowner listed quite a few, but there were more than he could remember. “Ahhh,” nodded Darius. “But what I really need is some help around the home.” He paused. “If you know what I mean?” The storeowner held his hands behind his back. Pax saw his palm was open. He fed it. “I will give you some directions to a small building. When you reach it, knock on the window and ask for Bob. Tell him, ‘Zonter sent you’”.

Dram walked off alone. He was looking for local smiths and metalworkers. The side streets were confusing, but he eventually found his way to a district in the city where many craftsmen plied their trade. Dram walked around looking at the shops and inspected their conditions. As he explored he scanned faces looking for his brother Tankurd. The journeymen smiths only complained about long hours and being overworked. Dram asked the headsmith about smiths passing through the city or possibly looking for work. “None,” the headsmith snapped back brushing him off. Dram looked through the swords checking their quality when the headsmith walked up to him again. “Where did you get that sword, might I ask?” He was pointing at the blade he found in Quesquaton. The dwarven mark was showing on its pommel. “Family heirloom,” lied Dram as he pulled his cloak tighter to cover the Elven chain beneath.

Kayla and Diedre found Rose outside studying the street around the stables. She had left Ormand inside to keep watch. “Do you want to come shopping with us?” they asked. Rose was delighted to go. Kayla headed back down towards the citygate where she had seen the store with the boiling cauldron sign. Through a large display window to the street, they saw a perfect crystal ball. A clawed hand grasped the ball holding it up like a stand. The dried up, thin hand was severed at its wrist. They asked about it inside. “Yes. I have received many inquiries about that piece,” said the owner. She was finely dressed and had a unique aura of intelligence about her. “It is one of my favorites.”
“Diedre can tell fortunes,” blurted out Rose. “Maybe she can look at it and tell you about where it’s from?” The owner smiled politely.
”How much?” asked Diedre.
“The crystal ball is six hundred gold.” She said nothing about the hand. Diedre stayed calm and said she would keep it in mind. The rest of the shop held an assortment of goods, exotic powders, bizarre liquids, paper, parchment, ink, glassware, cauldrons, mortar and pestles, and more. Most of the items appeared to have little purpose whatsoever, but Kayla cleaned up on components for her spells.

[howandwhy99]

Upstairs in The Wyvern, Ben prayed. It had been some time since he had the chance to kneel in private for several hours. He prayed for the village of Orlaine. And the city of Kera. And all the slaves he saw in the streets, though no one called them that. Ben prayed for the capture of Lavinia. For the safety of his teammates and their followers. He prayed for the souls of all the people in Kera who had no temple. And he prayed that somehow a temple might be built within. Afterwards he began to meditate on the abbey he had left only a few short months ago. He thought about his family back home as well. This reminded him of the family his parents had run from so long ago. The ones he was not allowed to talk about. He reflected on what he knew of them.

Benedict’s family in Kera consisted of his father's much older sister... Celestia Wainwright (formerly Szelskin) and her husband Sebastian Wainwright. And their 14 children.

The horsetraining part of the Szelskin family in Margrave had dealings with the Wainwrights of Kera. And the union was a good match.

Kera was the fiefdom of the 5th Earl Barthol Kera. He owed allegiance to Count Margrave. Kera's main resources included wood obtained from the Greenwillow. Which was in turn manufactured into lumber and wagons. This accounted for 40% of the Gross National Product. Another 40% came from mining and smelting. However, the ore from Kera was very poor. And as such was usually made into cookware or flatware or as decoration. The remaining 20% came from various ‘other’ services and/or natural resources. The land there was less fertile than in Margrave.

There is a reason Kera was away from County Margrave and not right next to it. The land was poor. The resources were poor. And yet Kera still seemed to keep up its regular taxes...

After a few hours it occurred to Ben that no one had stopped him to let him know what was going on for the day. Stretching his cramped legs he got dressed to go find out.

Darius and Pax arrived back at the inn. Inside the common room Grog was napping and Dalin sat well fed, but bored. “Pax, you’re on guard duty. Make sure the rooms upstairs are safe,” ordered Darius. Then he woke Grog. “The three of us are going on a special mission,” he whispered. As he, Dalin, and Grog were about to leave Father Ben came down the stairs.
“Where’s all the food?” he asked. The waitstaff was busy clearing dishes. Darius told him to stay inside and help Pax. Ben agreed and they left. He picked up some spare food off a platter and called the innkeeper over. “Are you the concierge? I seemed to have missed breakfast. Perhaps you have something in the kitchen?” The innkeeper grimaced and held out his hand. Ben handed over a gold. Then another. And another. Eventually he paid to lodge the team and Grog for a second night. Before the innkeeper could get away Ben asked another question. “Are there any shrines in town?”
”Yeah, the jakes around back.”
”No, no,” laughed Ben. “Places of worship?”
”Yeah. That’d be the plopboxes round back!”
Ben considered. “But where do people go to pray in this city?” Sadly, this exchange went on for several more minutes.

Darius, Dalin, and Grog went down an alleyway near the inn. After a short walk Darius stopped, knocked on a window, and asked for Bobb. “Zontor sent me.” Further down the alley a nondescript doorway opened. Inside they found a small room with stairs descending off to one side. A strong, surly man sat behind a desk in the center. “Hand over yer weapons,” he said. Many were already in weapons racks alongside the walls of the room. Dalin offered to stay behind and keep watch. Darius agreed. He and Grog placed their weapons in the racks, then handed their sheathed swords over to Dalin. With Grog bent over, the two descended down the long stairway.

Kayla, Diedra, and Rose left the alchemist's shop. Rose suggested they go looking for her husband’s contact the wainwright. “That is the smart way of doing things,” said Kayla. After asking for directions they found the local wagon maker close to the entrance of the city. A salesman came right up to them and started his spiel. The three women listened graciously as he tried to impress them with all the newest deals on wagons. It was obvious he was very eager for a sale on what he called “your standard, four wheeled, covered wagon”.

“What about places to hide things?” asked Kayla.
“Coin? Oh sure, under a panel in this model.” The salesman opened a secret compartment.
“What if we wanted to hide larger fair, like people?” asked Diedre giving the man a stare.
“Okay. Okay. Over here this larger model’s seat opens up. See? Whaddya think? I can sell it to ya today!” The compartment could hold one full sized person.
“Hmm…What if we wanted to hide LOTS of people?” asked Kayla. The salesman squinted at her for a second and asked to see some gold. Kayla obliged pulling out a large pouch and removing a few coins. The salesman led them around to the back of the lot to a very large wagon. A full team of horses would be needed to pull it anywhere. Removing a detachable lever he inserted it into a secret hole and began to winch. The entire covered bed tilted backwards revealing a compartment in the chassis underneath. Two people could fit comfortably lying down inside.

“Okay…”said Kayla. She decided to be direct. “We were told to come to Kera seeking the wainwright and to ask about sneaking people out. But this is obviously wrong.” The salesman went stark white. Rose giggled. “He’s at a loss for words!”
“Oh,” said the salesman. “You want the OTHER wainwrights in town. They are close to the center of the city.” He was slowly backing away from them. Kayla pulled out a gold piece.
“You never saw us. Understand?”
The sales man nodded. “Perhaps another gold for my time?”
Kayla handed over another.
“Perhaps one for my silence?” pressed the salesman.
Rose howled like a wolf and barked at the man. He took off running from his own lot. The three ladies left. They decided to find out where the other wainwrights lived.

The stairs were dark, but Darius could see them descend deeper and deeper under the city. When he and Grog reached the bottom a narrow passage continued forward for a distance. Then space opened up to either side. A massive room held dozens of living men stacked and stored like cordwood waiting for the forges. Other men with whips and torches moved amongst the chained bodies. A clear path led forward from the passageway across the space and into another room. It’s interior was lit by flame and a crowd of figures huddled around a man shouting numbers like an auctioneer. “We need to get Dram down here”, growled Darius.

[howandwhy99]

From the Referee:

Races:

Goblins come in many different sizes. They are typically yellow, dull orange, to brick red in skin color. with red to yellow eyes. and hair typically a darker shade of their skin tone, thin and wispy. They stand 4' tall. roughly 50-60lbs. they prefer dark color armor.

Larger goblins come in a red-orange to deep red skin color. with blue noses. yellow to dark brown eyes. and red-brown to gray-black hair, long and straight. They stand 6-6.5' tall. roughly 150-200lbs. They prefer browns or reds for their armor.

Even larger, hairier goblins have yellow to yellow-brown skin color. gray-black eyes. and tan to brick red hair, full coat/ all over. They stand 7' tall. roughly 200-250lbs. they prefer orange to red color armor. or so you have been told.

Orcs are brown to green in skin color. with a bluish sheen. Pink snouts and ears. dark brown to black, bristly hair. and black eyes. 6'tall. 180-300lbs. they prefer black and red for armor.

Kobolds are small dog faced scaly creatures. they have rusty brown to black scales. or if in the sunlight tan to green scales. no hair. small ivory to tan horns on their foreheads. 3' tall. about 25-30lbs.

Gnolls are greenish-gray skin color. with darker shades near face folds and mouth. black eyes and nails. coarse dark hair. 7-7.5'tall. 250-350lbs. they were bred from gnomes and trolls.

Trolls or so you have been told have moss green to mottled green and gray skin. the skin hangs on them and looks thin and rubbery. Black to iron gray hair, thick. dull black eyes. 7 to 10 ft tall. 500 to 1500lbs. fierce carnivores.

Humans range in skin tone, hair color and type, and eye color. typically 5-6' tall. 120 to 250lbs.

Ogres are similar to Grog. 7 to 10 ft tall. 600 to 1800lbs. dull dark green to blue black hair. heavy furrowed brow. coarse hair all over. purple eyes. very clumsy but strong.

Giants are even bigger. 15+ ft tall. 3000lbs+

Hobbits/Halflings look at Farned. 3-4' tall fair to ruddy skin. stocky. curly hair. 60-120lbs.

Dwarves/Gnomes. look at Darius. 3.5-4.5' tall 100-300lbs. ruddy, tan, brown, or gray skin. beards. brown, black, gray, red, white hair. brown, red, blue, gray eyes.

Elves look at Elian. 4.5-5' tall. 70-100lbs. tan to fair skin. Light colored hair.. gold, silver, green, white, blue. same with eyes.

Faeries look at Rose. vary wildly. 6" to 10' 1 lb to 2000lbs. shape, size, color, number of limbs, number of eyes, etc... all vary. another example Greenwillow the Dryad. dark, brown hard skin. 5' tall. 120 lbs. green hair. green eyes.

Spoiler:

From a couple of the players:

Race: Father Ben
Brown hair turning lighter from the summer sun. It's kept cut short and his face is always shaved. Pale yellowish/white skin has become tan over the past months. Brown eyes and ruddy complexion. He stands around 6' tall. About 180-190 lbs.

Race: Dalin Hoyle
Dark hair which used to be neatly cropped but has grown a little long of late. Wears a goatee or neatly trimmed beard, as it is easier to care for than a clean-shaved face. Dark green eyes, a little over 6' tall but only about 175 pounds, he is a little on the lanky side.

The part of Dalin Hoyle will be played by Dave Navarro

[howandwhy99]

[Session 14]

“We’ll be back,” Darius said to the large man at the desk as his friends retrieved their weapons. When he, Dalin, and Grog arrived at The Wyvern only Pax was upstairs. “Where is everybody?” asked Dalin.
“They all went off on their own shortly after you left,” reported Pax. “No one told me where they were going. I’ve only seen Father Benedict standing out by the privies through the window.”
“We need to find them. We might have found Tankurd,” said Dalin.
Dalin went on to explain to Pax about the slavepits under the city. Darius paced around the room silently. Pax was to inform anyone who came back how to enter the pits and to meet them there.
“Damn it all!” cursed Darius. “It doesn’t matter, if Dram isn’t with us.”
“What doesn’t matter?” asked Dram as he strolled into the bedroom.

Grog was left in the common room as he had already started on the complimentary lunch. Before going back to the secret entrance, Dalin asked to stop in and check on Ormand the Redd and the horses. Strangely the hireling was not in the stables, but they soon found him circling around the street outside. “They’re everywhere!” he exclaimed. Ormond had found sewer openings every one hundred feet down all the roads and alleyways surrounding the stables. Not a one had a cover or a grate.
“They probably go all over the city,” said Dram. “That Xvart fart could be anywhere by now.”
Darius ordered Ormond back into the stables and to be ready in case of another attack. Ormond shrugged bored and went inside.

The password worked again. Dalin stayed behind as before. And Darius and Dram went down the steps to the slavepits below. The smell was overpowering. Once they reached the large room of slaves Darius could see Dram losing his temper. The scene was one of nightmarish horror. Feces and urine caked bodies were stacked in long rows. There were over one hundred on each side of the room. Long iron chains threaded through wrist and ankle manacles forcing the prisoners into a prostrate position on top of one another. “Not now,” Darius whispered to Dram. “Let us see if we can find your brother Tankurd first.” When they stepped from the cleared walkway to search through the slaves one of the whip-holding, leather-masked slavers approached, but did he not move to intervene.

The search took a great deal of time. Some of the slaves had the same build and features as the friends in Hamfast Dram and grown up with. A few even held a distinct resemblance to him and his brother, but Tankurd was not among them. Once Dram was certain Darius took him into the auction room on the far side. The crowd of buyers was still gathered in a circle around a podium where a barker stood. “SOLD!” the man shouted. “For three silver!” A young adolescent boy was unshackled by guards from a large board against a wall. Then he was dragged off to one side by his new owner. Dram and Darius watched as an old woman was brought out and secured to the board. The guards were bringing new slaves from a cordoned off exit behind the podium. Darius studied the audience of buyers. It was made up of mostly humans and from every walk of life.

Dram watched in disgust as the woman was sold for a mere copper. He did not want to think about what happened to the slaves that did not sell. Darius strolled over to the guards, so he followed. “I’m only here to buy a smith. Do you have any?” asked Darius. One of the guards shook his head.
“A group came through here not long ago. They wanted to much for it.”
“Really? What did they look like? The owners,” said Dram. “We might be interested.”
The guard stuck out his hand. Six silver described Lavinia and four men. Dram and Darius presumed they were her sons. Four silver more and they learned she had brought twenty slaves with her. Dram continued with the silver one by one until he learned all he could. Lavinia was heading to Aldeweeg. She had sold the rest of the slaves, but had kept the smith. Dram gave the man a goldpiece and told him to say nothing of their conversation. “His word is worthless,” whispered Darius as they exited the auction room. Dram spit in response.

Upstairs Dalin was happily collecting Kayla, Rose, Diedre’s weapons. They had just arrived. “Pax told you the message then?” asked Darius.
“No,” replied Kayla. “We found it on our own. It was not that difficult.” Over in the corner Rose shivered from being so close to so much metal. Darius walked over and helped her to the exit.
“Let’s talk in private. They do not have what we are looking for below,” he said. Dram had already brushed by Kayla and Diedre and was out the door. The group walked back to The Wyvern. Once upstairs, Dram insisted on washing before anything further was discussed. Darius followed suit.

[howandwhy99]

“Are you a believer, fine sir? No? Are you interested in becoming one? Stop! Wait! You young man. Do you know of the heavens above? What of the world that comes after this one? Madam, madam, please stop. Listen to what I have to say. You too can be a believer in the Goodly Gods above. This world is not long for us all. We need something greater than ourselves! I am here to proclaim it!”

Father Benedict stood on a crate behind The Wyvern near a row of outhouses. He desperately hoped someone among the crowd of passersby knew of the Gods. Unfortunately, though the crowd was large, not a single person stopped to listen. He did not give up, however. Every town and village he had passed through on the trip south was yet another sign of the dire need for the Gods. The number of poor and oppressed even in Kera City was unlike anything the priest had ever seen. Coupled with the ever-growing temptation of his curse and the continuing nightmares, Ben was as fervent as ever to spread the tenants of his Faith. He stepped off his crate and circled around to the front of The Wyvern. With any luck he would bump into a friend, like Darius, who might help him.

“Are you a believer? Have you seen the glory of the Gods above? Have you felt the power divine Faith can bring to your own lives?” Ben saw a beggarman standing in a sewer trench along one side of the main thoroughfare. He was dirty, bald, and babbling to himself in a tongue Ben did not understand. Confident, Ben maneuvered across the heavy traffic over to him. “Are you a believer, fine sir? My priesthood heals and cares for those who are in need.” The beggar looked up at him with wild and crazy eyes. Ben was reminded of Igor. The old man paused and his voice dropped low and ominous.

"Though swords reap on the barren heath,
And scythes upon the fruitful field.
Though fire may bloom a funeral wreath,
The quill alone may make me yield."

“That’s interesting,” said Ben. “So, you are a believer then?” The beggarman began babbling to himself once more.

“All I am saying is,” said Darius, “if we purchase slaves, I am going to free them. They can go to the Front if they choose after that.” The team was in the common room of The Wyvern. Grog could not go upstairs and they wanted his input while they made strategy. The meeting was not going as Darius had planned, however. Kayla launched into her retort.
“The greatest threat to Margrave County lies at the Front. We all agree on that. Rose is here to find whatever aid possible and to return back to the Front with it. Be that people, food, weapons, supplies, whatever. If you say strong men and women are available for a mere pittance, I say we give them their freedom and let them help save the County. That is all.”

“Most of the slaves we found below were sorted into lots,” said Darius. “Dram and I asked. If we were to purchase groups of slaves, we would have to do so in groups. That means some men, some women, and even some children. That’s not a fighting force in my mind.” He paused catching his breath. “And not all of ‘em are human either. The humans had tickets on ‘em with a number and a letter. All those of… mixed birth were set aside for some other method of sale. Or hired to sell the others before ‘em.”

“If you’re afraid of going to the Front, I understand,” said Rose who was sitting on a windowsill across the room. “But I’m sure no one from Harling would be hunting for you there, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Darius the paladin harrumphed loudly.
“I fear nothing!” he stated. Rose did not bother to point out his purpose for traveling south.
“Well then, if they have lots of half-breeds like you say, maybe they’ll hire me to work there? I don’t mind the beatings.”
Kayla arched an eyebrow at the fey. “No Rose. Lavinia saw all of us when we fought at the mushroom caves. If she returned, your life would be in her hands.” Rose tilted her head and pondered the thought.

Darius paced the room again. “Lavinia is here,” he said. “I know it. Why would she leave her horse behind instead of taking it back to Alderweg? I don’t think she would do that.”
“But after last night, she knows we are here too. And that we are searching for her,” said Kayla. Darius stopped and turned. His face was red. Slowly he began counting to himself.
“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight….” He stopped. “Where’s Father Ben?”
“Outside by the privies, I think,” said Pax. He looked out the window. “Wait, no. He is in front.” Darius opened the door and ran out into the street.
“Are you a believer, sir?!” Father Ben was standing out in the middle of the road shouting at people as they walked by.
“Damn it Ben, will you get in here!” Darius grabbed the priest by the wrist and nearly dragged him back into The Wyvern.

[howandwhy99]

“Wait!” pleaded Ben. “I have not eaten all day.” Darius was in no mood to listen, but another thing had caught his eye. Four down on their luck mercenaries with weapons and armor sat on a couch in the back of the common room. Grog was actually sleeping on the floor in front of them. Darius let go and walked up to them. Seizing the opportunity, Ben grabbed a plate and began piling it high with food. He looked back at Darius and saw him staring suspiciously at three men and a woman. The rest of the team was still deep in discussion in the front of the room. “Greetings friends!” Ben called over while still grabbing food. “What business brings you to Kera? Why aren’t you at the Front fighting in the war?”

“We’re hired help,” said one man.
“We just came in on a two-wagon merchant caravan we were guarding from Adlerweg,” said the woman. Ben asked what was so valuable to guard.
“Merchant Urkwith…” the woman looked at her companions with a puzzled face. “Erkwith. He did not show or speak of his goods.”
“Fine, fine, I don’t mean to pry. I am Father Ben of the Goodly Gods. Who might you be?” He tried hard to ignore Darius who was staring at the four unabashedly. Ben decided it was best to wait before asking if they were believers.
“My name is Gwenna,” said the woman. “This is Hanz, Miklesh, and Ensler.” She pointed to each of the men in turn.

Darius gazed brutally at the mercenary band. They had overheard the conversation about Lavinia and the slavepits. He knew it. He sized up each one in turn. All four were human and wore similar green cloaks. Gwynna was a young female in chain. She carried spear, sword, and dagger. Miklesh was strong and tall, if a bit older. He had dark skin, curly grey hair, and functional human platemail. He carried sword, spear, and battered shield. Hanz was slimmest and looked weak to Darius. Barely out of his youth, he had studded leather, daggers, a shortsword, and shield as well. Enser was pasty faced. Average age, average human height, chainmail, and sword. Darius noticed a bow by his side. “The brains of the group,” he thought to himself. “And all are warriors. Hmmm…” He wondered what to do. “They know their way to Adlerweg,” he thought. “Maybe they’re just the help we need.”

The rest of the team walked across the room to find out what was going on. Dalin and Dram came last. They had each wrapped leather cord around the pommel and crosspieces of their swords to hide the dwarven mark thereon. Dalin went over to ask for Darius’s and woke him from his trance. “Are there any good places to ambush people along the road to Alderweg?” Darius asked the mercenaries. Hanz flinched.
“There may be,” said Gwenna noncommittally. Darius shifted his gaze to her.
“Do you go to Adlerweg often?”
“We know the road as well as anyone,” she responded.
“Do you know who Lavinia is?” The three men shifted in their seats. Hanz stood up and moved around Grog to the food tables. Gwenna did not break eye contact.
“We know of her,” she said. “We have seen her.”
“You have had business with her?”
”Never,” spat Gwenna.
That satisfied Darius. He offered the group a job, to take them to Keep Adlerweg. Gwynna agreed and the bartering began.

Dalin tapped Darius on the shoulder. “Maybe we should move to our rooms? For some privacy?”
“Maybe we should pay off the innkeeper so he doesn’t say anything?” said Dram sarcastically.
“GOLD! I’ll take Gold!!” the innkeeper shouted jumping up from behind the counter. Darius flipped him a goldpiece, which the man promptly bit into. Ben graciously led the four mercenaries upstairs to the bedrooms. Kayla stopped Darius before he could go up. She had made plans for Rose, Diedre, and herself.
“Okay,” said Darius. “Wherever you need to go, I trust you. Just be back before nightfall. It’s too dangerous in this city.” The three women left. Darius went to continue the bartering.

[howandwhy99]

The sun had reached its zenith and the heat of the day had thinned the crowds outside. Diedre, Rose, and Kayla headed up the main road towards the heart of the city. They were looking for the Earl’s palace, but lavish estates seemed to flourish around the center of town. All had high stone walls and guards at their gates. After a couple of hours of searching, and asking total strangers for directions, they finally found the estate of the Earl. Two guards stood outside the entrance. “We’ve come to speak with the Earl,” said Kayla. The guards looked at each other. Both held out their palms. Kayla thought to herself, “if there ever was a common greeting in this city, this is it.” She tossed a goldpiece to the ground between them. Both dove forward for it doing no little injury to themselves.

Inside the palace a long hall stretched down to two large wooden doors. They were open. Paintings and cloth drapery of great value decorated he hall. Through the double doors was a much larger room with a raised throne and several pillars. Every surface was richly adorned. On the throne sat a small man with sharp features. Several other men stood around him of varying size and dress. The Earl was in conversation, but stopped when the three women entered. “Ah ha! A Fey! In the city no less! And your friends?” Kayla, Diedre, and Rose approached. At the foot of the steps Rose bowed and kneeled.
“I come from the Front. There is great trouble and I have been sent back to appeal for aid from any who might give it. The armies are in desperate need. Our forces require soldiers, and weapons, and any supplies you can offer. Whatever you can send will help greatly. But soldiers and weapons are in direst need. I beseech thee. Please help however you can.” She paused. “I bring a letter from the elven forces.”

Taking a slim, folded parchment from inside her clothing Rose handed it to a servant who in turn gave it to the Earl. He read the note slowly. “It is as I feared. You may take some from me. Stand.” Rose stood up and approached the Earl at his signal. “Go to the armory and quartermaster,” he continued. As Rose stared at the little man his face changed peculiarly. It seemed to stretch towards her and then shrink back again. “Ask the quartermaster for a fully stocked wagon of weapons.” The Earl’s face elongated again. His eyes turned red and then back to black. His face returned to normal. The change reminded Rose of a rat’s face. “And ask him for a stone. He will know what I mean.”

When he had finished, the Earl dismissed them. Another servant led the three out a side door, down several hallways and into a large, high ceilinged, storage room. Rose relayed the message to the man in charge there. “Interesting,” said the quartermaster. “Here. Take this.” He handed Rose a strange yellow stone with circle markings spiraling inside to its center. As Rose held it the stone flashed with light. Everyone averted their eyes except Rose who stared hypnotically into the stone. She saw it spiral out elongating to a point a hair from her face. Then the stone shifted back to its spherical shape and the light subsided. Rose was still a little dazed.
“It will tell those at Adlerweg you are in the Earl’s employ,” said the quartermaster.

Two large doors slid open on the other side of the room. Sunshine streamed through the opening. Then a very large wagon with circle slats around its bed – a wagon without a cover – was driven inside. Four strong horses pulled it into the room. Inside its bed were four long wooden crates. The quartermaster brought Rose and her friends to the back and had the covers pulled off. Rose backed away. One crate held swords, another spears, the third axes, and the fourth bows. “We will reseal them for your journey,” said the quartermaster.
“My journey?” exclaimed Rose. Collecting herself she nodded. “Thank you.” The three women climbed aboard the front of the wagon and Diedre drove the team of horses out of the estate and back to The Wyvern.

“Okay. 23 silver per day for each of us,” said Gwenna. Dram was enjoying the bartering process.
“Are you really worth it?” he said.

Hanz looked over to Gwenna. “We don’t have horses though…” Gwenna groaned.
“19 silver and horses. That’s our offer,” said Darius. Gwenna carefully controlled her face. Four horses cost quite a bit. She suspected the dwarf would not be willing to let her keep them, but she shouted, “DONE” before he could take back his offer. The bartering had took its time and toll. Darius stepped out of the room for a breather. When Ben escorted their four new mercenaries to the common room to wait for further instructions, he noticed Darius standing down the hall. Alone, he came back upstairs and went over to his side.

“Are you okay?” he asked. Darius was in a state of deep concentration. “You know they will want to keep those horses you offered?” Darius looked up at Ben. While bartering the mercenaries had told Darius they would go all the way to the Dwarven Kingdoms, but were wary of traveling to the Front. The four had not even been over the mountains before.
“I can feel it, Ben. It is close, very close…. Perhaps I should head out on my own.”
“I understand,” replied Ben. “I’ve had those dreams too. You should have told me before.” Darius shook his head. It was not what he meant.
“It’s not dreams. I’m talking about my mount. It is close. Perhaps even as close as the mountains by Adlerweg. Only… I feel it is constrained. Something’s wrong. I should leave.” Understanding finally dawned on Ben’s face. He changed his tone trying to sound wiser than he felt.
“All things are in the same direction. Tankurd is in town. Or possibly at Adlerweg. The keep is in the mountain pass to the East as Gwenna has said. Now your mount is too. We will find it soon. Lavinia cannot hide forever.”

[howandwhy99]

“Whoaha!” shouted Diedre. The horse team came to a stop outside of The Wyvern. The pedestrians who had been jumping out of the way grumbled loudly. Rose was learning several new gestures. Grog came outside and started hollering in amazement. His whooping alerted the rest of the team who came outside as well.
”Who’d you steal this from?” asked Dram. Kayla pointed to Rose and proudly explained how the Earl of Kera had given her the wagon free and clear. “Plus huge crates in back with weapons to go to the Front.”
Dalin shook his head in amazement.“Unbelievable! He just gave it too you? This is great! Rose you have to come dicing with me tonight. You’re the luckiest person I know!” Rose had a big grin on her face displaying all her fangs. Then she spotted Dram walking around the back of the wagon.
“Dram! Get away. Shoo. These aren’t for you. The weapons are all for the war effort.”

Darius came outside after everyone else. Kayla and Rose repeated the story at length to him. Rose stepped forward and put the spiralstone in his hand, but it stuck to her palm as she drew it back. “That’s strange,” said Darius. He went over and gave it a tug. It was stuck hard. Rose set the stone down in the street. Darius bent down to pick it up, but before he could Rose dove out over the stone preventing him. “Pax. Come over here and hold Rose for a second.” They tried again. Pax picked up Rose and moved her a few feet away. Darius bent down and picked up the spiralstone. As he did so, Rose screamed out in pain. Her little body rattled and convulsed until she passed out. Ben ran over to her. Even unconscious her body kept writhing in Pax’s Herculean arms.
“She’s gravely injured,” said Ben. Darius placed the stone back on her palm where it stuck. Then he called upon Thor’s might. Healing energy passed from his body into Rose’s. She stopped convulsing, but the damage would need time to heal. Ben and Pax brought her upstairs and put her on the floor in the bedroom.

“Well… that was a bad idea,” said Dalin. Darius stood stoically looking over the wagon Rose had won them. Kayla and Diedre climbed aboard again.
“We’ll store it in the stables until we leave” said Kayla. “I think the crates are too large for anyone to steal without a lot of help, but we should assign Ormond some company on watch tonight regardless.” Darius agreed. The rest of the team clambered into the back and Diedre drove the massive wagon into the stables. Ormond was napping up in the hayloft, but woke and ran down when he heard the massive wagon enter. It had been slow all day. Other than the stableboys, each of whom he knew by name now, no one had even come close to the team’s horses.

Darius paid the stablehands to care and feed the four horses and to store the wagon. Ben arrived a minute later. “Rose will be okay. Pax is staying with her as he watches the rooms. Grog’s with the mercenaries.”
“What do we do now?” asked Dram. Kayla and Diedre left saying they were going back to check on Rose and to study. The other six moved over to an empty horse stall to discuss plans in private with Ormand.
“Well, the slavepits were a dead end,” Darius whispered. No one laughed at the joke. “Hold on! I’ve got an idea. Don’t go anywhere.” The dwarf ran out of the stables and back to the inn. He came back with Rose’s cloak in hand.
“Ohhhh no! I’m not going into any sewer,” said Dram.

Darius told them his plan. They would recreate the scene from last night. With any luck, they might be able to learn what happened to the blue man. Leaving Ormond in the stables again, the team retraced their steps from the chase the night before. Eventually they found the sewer hole. “When I looked in the hole last night all I could see was sewage,” explained Darius. “But Kayla said the cloak was used for magic, even if it was not magic itself. So let’s test it.” Shaking the cloak out he placed it over the hole. It promptly changed into a circular shape and disappeared. The hole’s width had increased commensurably. “What’ya see?” asked Dram. Darius shook his head.
“It’s not normal. I can’t see anything.” To their surprise, Darius stood up and jumped in.

[howandwhy99]

Darius found himself floating in empty blackness. He felt weightless and looked around for an exit. He saw a small hole far above him. Outside were his companions, but the daylight somehow did not enter. “!!!” He tried to shout out, but he could not make a sound. Closing his eyes he willed himself upward. It only caused his body to start spinning around. He tried to stabilize by moving his body around, but he was paralyzed.

“Beware of the blue man group!” shouted Ben into the hole. Dram noticed a wrinkle near the edge of the hole. He reached down and tugged. The cloak lifted into his hands. He started shaking it.
“Darius, get out of there!” The shaking only caused the cloak to stretch into odd shapes. It had an unusual elasticity. Dram pushed and stretched it back into a circle and laid it back down. It was a hole again. With Dalin holding him Dram stuck his hand in the hole. “Darius come out!” He felt a hand grasp his. Slowly he pulled the dwarf out. It felt as he did so. Darius’s body grew heavier and heavier as more of it emerged.

“That was… not pleasant,” said Darius after he came out. “Thank you Dram.”
“It’s some sort of cloakhole!” exclaimed Ben.
“Uh… Darius?” said Dalin.
“Hold on.” Darius knelt down and stuck his hand inside. “Get ready,” he warned the others. They drew their weapons. “Lavinia’s son”, Darius said. He felt a hand touch his own. It did not move. Darius tugged on it. Struggling, he pulled out a six-foot long body from the hole. It had grey skin, was emaciated, and obviously dead.
“Look!” pointed Dram. The body had no left hand. “It’s Urkwin.”
”Ugh!” Revolted, Darius pushed the body back into the hole with his boot.
He knelt down again and stuck his hand back inside. “Lavinia’s Other son…”
“Uh… Darius?” Dalin said louder. Darius felt a hard corner touch his hand. He felt along its edge. The item was large and square shaped.
“What is it Dalin?” said Darius turning around. A crowd of people had gathered watching them in the alleyway. They decided to go back to the inn and test the cloakhole there.

Pax drew the curtains closed in the bedroom. “Should I inform Kayla and Diedre next door?” Darius shook his head.
“No. Their okay.” Forming the hole again he stuck his hand inside and called out for Lavinia’s other son. He pulled on the hard shape and a large chest slowly slid from the hole. Pax helped him and they set it in the center of the room. The chest was two by four feet wide and two feet tall. It had a rounded top and square bottom and was made completely of wood. Darius examined it for traps. There was an old keyhole in the front, but its lid was already slightly open. Peering inside he saw a thin, green film covering the interior of the gap. He informed the others. They made preparations. Pax lifted Rose’s sleeping body and moved her to a bed in the next room where Kayla and Diedre were reading. Then the tables, chairs, and beds in the men’s room were moved towards the door. The furniture was arranged so it could be used as cover. Then the team stood behind and out into the hallway with bows and weapons ready.

Carefully, Pax and Darius lifted the chest and turned it around so it would face the far window and the empty portion of the room when it opened. It was heavy, easily two hundred pounds. Darius and Pax stood on either side of the chest a good distance away and stuck two spears into the gap. Darius counted aloud. “Three…Two…One…Pull!” They used the spear tips to flip open the lid. A green, billowy sheet flopped out covering the front half of the chest and five feet of floor beyond. To everyone’s horror it came to life. Rising into the air it stretched out its sides like arms. It looked like a transparent, green sheet ghost like children sometimes wore. Then its center opened into a wide maw. “WOOOoooOOOoo”

[howandwhy99]

As the green sheetghost rose into the air the team could see two more begin to unravel and stick out the sides of the chest. Father Ben sensed a great evil. He ran forward and slammed the lid back down. The other two sheets were trapped inside, but the first was mostly out. Only its tail was stuck under the lid. Opening its maw wider it emitted a bloodcurdling scream. The unholy sound could be heard resonating throughout the inn. Behind the beds Dalin and Dram froze, paralyzed with fear. In the bedroom next door Kayla and Diedre recoiled in terror. They stuck their fingers in their ears and ran into the hall to find out what was happening, leaving Rose alone in the room. The rest of the team hesitated unsure of what to do.

Ben ran around the chest to the right. He swung at the green sheetghost with his flail, but it dodged aside easily. Darius dropped his spear and pulled out his sword. Circling around Ben, he moved behind the chest. Using it as cover he swung, but missed as well. The sheet shrieked again and the noise reverberated. Father Ben was now frozen in place. Taking care to stay out of its reach Pax jabbed at the ghost with his spear from the other side of the room. His blow landed dead center, but the sheet swirled like the wind around the spearhead. The weapon found no purchase. “Help us!” shouted Darius back towards the door. The paralysis holding Ben and Dram slowly thawed.

Bravely, Darius jumped up on top of the chest’s curved lid. Toe to toe with the trapped creature he swung with all his might. Pax moved around towards the window. Using his spear’s reach he flanked the creature with his mentor. Even with their superior position neither could land a hit. Safe in the hall, Diedre looked to Kayla for what to do. The sheetghost stretched its arms wide and swept over the chest engulfing Darius inside itself. It wrapped around the dwarf’s small form as he pushed at it from the inside. Ben could see him struggling to breathe. “Get out of the way!” warned Kayla. Pax and Ben ran to the front of the room. The wizardess stepped to the forefront and performed an arcane ritual.

Darius could feel the spell’s effects from within the sheet. His eyes closed and he fell to the ground towards the window asleep. The ghostsheet wound even more tightly around him cocooning the still form within. The fear slowly released Dalin from its grasp. Dram ran forward to Darius’s side. Grabbing the edge of the ghost still trapped in the chest he pulled with all his might. The sheet resisted. Dram had actually pulled Darius’s body several inches off the floor. Gwenna and Enser ran upstairs from the common room. Seeing Diedre in the hall they both stuck their fingers in their ears. Father Ben clutched at his torso. Raising his other arm high he called out, “Release Darius you foul beast!” The power of the divine filled his body and shone forth onto the creature, but had little effect.

Dalin ran forward to Dram’s side and tried to help him pull off the ghost, but his hands kept slipping off its slick form. Pax dropped his spear and ran in as well. The colossal man grabbed Dram’s fists within his own and tore at the ghost’s flap with all his might. “Ahhhh!!” cried Dram in pain. The ghostsheet did not rip. Dram tugged his hands away and moved back. Dalin did likewise. Pax saw his effort had only served to dislodge the sheet fully from the chest. It now formed a near seamless cocoon around Darius’s sleeping body. Only Dram’s crushed hand held a small flap. The young warrior had fire in his eyes. Even in pain Dram refused to let go.

A crowd of patrons began to form in the hallway outside the room. Miklesh and Hanz had arrived as well. “What can I do?” said Dalin looking at Dram. “I can’t stab him!” Ben moved over to the chest and called upon the power of his Gods again.
“I said release my friend!” He could feel the power penetrating the ghostsheet. Something was happening, but it was not enough.
“Aim for the armor!” shouted Kayla. Pax moved first. Grabbing Darius’s dropped sword he stuck the point into the dwarf’s chestplate. It dug in deep. As the sheet rippled in defiance, Pax tore a long slit down Darius’s front and leg.
“Success!” shouted Dalin back to the others. Unfortunately, he had spoken to soon. The sheet stretched expanding over the slit and sealed Darius within again.

Father Ben calmly collected himself. He did not call out. He did not gesture towards the creature. Instead, he asked the Gods for all the strength he could contain. It was only a small chance… but it succeeded. Holy power poured forth and washed over Darius and the ghost. Its pale green form quivered and released the dwarf. Then it flew over to a far corner of the room and cowered trying to escape the Gods’ sight. Quick to act again, Pax grabbed the cloakhole from behind the furniture pile and charged the ghost. He swept the cloak high over his head and trapped the creature inside.

Everyone stood silently for a second looking around in awe. Then Ben and Pax ran forward to check on Darius. He was breathing, but barely. Ben could see his skin had turned blue, but his normal ruddy tan was slowly coming back. “Why did the chest come out when he asked for Lavinia’s other son?” asked Dalin. “That thing wasn’t alive, was it?” Ben shook his head no.
“Hold on!” said Kayla raising her voice. “What happened here? Where did you get this chest?”
“Yeah!” said Hanz from out in the hallway. The rest of the team turned around and saw the crowd outside. Taking control over the situation Kayla had the crowd dispersed and the door shut. Gwenna and her men refused to leave.

[howandwhy99]

When Darius awoke he explained how the sheetghost had covered him head to toe. It had slid under and around his armor and even penetrated every oriface. He was still shaken from the experience. “My lungs…my stomach…everything.” Dram and Father Ben made sure the chest was fully closed and moved it under the window. They checked the outside for secret doors or compartments, but could not find any.

Then the team and mercenaries helped move the furniture back to their proper places within the room as Darius told Kayla what had happened in the alleyway. He omitted the part where the crowd had gathered around. “So it belonged to the Zvart,” said Kayla. It was more of a statement than a question. When the room was back in order she asked for a demonstration. Darius laid the cloak in the center of the floor and it became a hole again. The room was full with eleven members of the team now gathered around to watch. As Darius kneeled down Pax picked up his spear in case the sheet attacked again. The paladin put his hand slowly inside. Nothing happened.

“Key” tried Darius. He felt a smooth object come to his hand. He pulled out a large golden key. He tried it on the chest’s lock, but it was far too big. It looked more like an honorary key to a city. He dropped it back in the hole then asked for Pax’s help with the chest. The two put it in the hole for safekeeping before starting again. “Gems” This time Darius pulled out a small, carved figurine. It was made from green stone. “This is jade. Fairly valuable,” he told the others. The figure was of a small, chubby man holding his hands out. Diedre indicated the hands were formed as if to hold some ball or sphere. Darius stuck it back in the hole.



“Another key,” tried Darius. He waited, but nothing came forward. Dram leaned over to Dalin.
“Should we really be doing this in front of the mercenaries?” he whispered pointing to the four along one wall. Dalin rolled his eyes and stood up.
“Don’t you think the innkeeper might show up?” Dalin asked aloud. “Or maybe even the city guard?” Ben told him no and Kayla agreed. The priest explained how the law meant very little in Kera. Dram walked over and locked the door just in case. Darius had already started on the next item.
“Weapon” He pulled out a slim dagger of fine workmanship. Attached to it was a colorful sash. He handed it to Kayla to use in battle. The rest of the team began shouting out different things for Darius to ask for. Dram and Dalin shrugged to each other. They gave up and joined in with everyone talking over each other.

“Hot apple pie,” said Darius. No. “Weapon” No. “Severed hand” He pulled out a grey skinned left hand. “Urkwin’s” he said looking over to Kayla. He tossed it back inside. “Glove” Darius waited for a few minutes to be certain. He explained that sometimes it took awhile for the hole to deliver things, but no glove came forth. “Tankurd” He pulled out a large metal stein and everyone laughed. Except for Dram that is. Darius held up the vessel. It was silver and very well made. Pax saw it bore the same insignia as the shield the gnoll warband had given them. Darius handed it to his henchman to examine. “Hammersmith” Dram watched hoping for a little luck, but nothing came. “Blacksmith” No. “Human” No. “Slave” No. Ben asked to check for paper or books inside. “Paper” Darius drew a folded parchment out. It was a map. He handed it to Ben who examined it. He told the others it was a detailed map of a temple.



Darius went back to the hole. “Scroll” No. “Book” No. “Wand” No. “Symbol” He pulled out a silver bracelet clasped around a paired silver necklace. Each was inlaid with amber and looked very expensive. He handed them to Kayla who saw the bracelet had a long flowing inscription. She beckoned Diedre who could read Elven. “BEHOLD THE AIR IS OPEN” A whirlwind of air issued forth from the bracelet and quickly grew larger. Everyone else in the room jumped to their feet and drew weapons. The air coalesced in front of Diedre. She could understand the wind as it blew. “What do you command?” it said very slowly in Elven.
“Return home,” said Diedre. The whirlwind spun back into the bracelet. The rest of the team breathed a sigh of relief. Kayla took the jewelry back telling Diedre they would talk of it later.

Darius resumed again. “Elion” No. “Elf” After waiting he pulled out a glass vial full of oily dark liquid.
“A potion?” asked Ben. Darius handed it to him to inspect and began again. “Potion” No. “Dwarf” after another wait he pulled out a largish hand mirror with a handle. It was ornately carved from silver, but the mirror itself was unpolished. He put it back in the hole. “Wood” He pushed the chest back in. “Metal” Several pieces rushed forth. He took one. A silver piece. Dram pulled out an empty sack from his pack.
“Here, try this…” he said. Darius held the sack open as he put it in the cloak.
“Coins” Objects rushed inside filling it. “Stop!” shouted Darius. He pulled out the sack now filled with coins and looked inside. There were over five hundred, mostly gold and silver, but some platinum.
“The Motherload!” Dalin shouted. Darius dumped the coins back in.
“Platinum coins” This time the bag only partially filled. He counted about sixty in all.
“Aren’t you glad you joined?” said Dalin to the mercenaries. Gwenna nodded without smiling.
“We like what we’ve seen…”

[howandwhy99]

Darius poured the platinum back in the hole and handed Dram his sack. “Horse” No. “Animal” He pulled out a pair of ivory dice. Darius tossed them over to Dalin and they rolled up seven.
“That’s a sign of good luck!” Dalin said. He leaned over and gave them some test rolls. Each time they came up seven.
“Magic” said Darius. He pushed the chest back. “Food” He felt a bone…and pulled out a steaming hot drumstick. The others laughed. “It’s still hot!” he exclaimed. He tossed it back in the hole. “Zelligar” No. “Rogahn” No. “Certa” No. “Pendra” Slowly a large pelt was pulled out. Dram recognized it as an owlbear skin. It was put back in. “Quasqueton” No. Darius had an idea. He pulled off his gauntlet and stuck his hand back in. “Glove” He waited, but nothing came. “Igor” No. “Mirel” No. “Contentsofthechestnotincludingthesheets” He waited. Gwenna lit a torch in case of another attack, so Darius pulled his hand out before trying again. “Paper” No. “Wood” The chest came again. Book, paper, papyrus, and scroll all were No’s. When Darius would wait only the chest came.

A scream rang out from next door. Ben jumped up, but he could already tell it was not the sheet. In the women’s bedroom they found Rose struggling fitfully in a featherbed. She was still asleep, but having a nightmare. Ben had Pax place her on the floor. Kayla told the others about the metal in the bed and its effect on Rose. Pax stayed behind as everyone else went returned to test the hole some more. “Armor” said Darius. Nothing. “Shield” No. Clothi…” He quickly pulled out his hand. “Gotta be more careful,” he said smiling. “Gem” No. “Rock” They waited expecting a stone like the Earl’s gift. Darius pulled out a slingstone instead. “Sling” He pulled out a pouch of stones and set them aside. “Sling” Nope, so he tossed the bag back in.

There was a knock at the door. Darius hurriedly started to roll up the cloak, but Pax came through the door without waiting. They had forgotten to relock it. “Rose is over there mumbling in her sleep. I thought you should know. She said something like ‘A dragon is in the skies, but the nights are away’. It sounded important.” Darius dismissed him.
“It’s the Sky Knights. Just make sure she doesn’t hurt herself.” Ben reflected Darius knew a bit more than he was telling. Pax backed out of the door and Darius turned his focus back to the hole. “Drink!” He drew out his wet hand. “Hand me the tankurd,” he told Dram. Pax had left it. “Ale” No. “Beer” The mug was an inch full. He laughed in spite of himself and tossed tankurd and all back inside. “Symbol” No. “Barth” No. “Pen” No. “Quill” No. “Ink vial” No.

“Aren’t you getting tired yet?” asked Kayla. “It’s getting very late.” Ben looked over to the curtained window. No light shone through. He had not noticed, but his grumbling stomach said some time had passed. Darius pulled the cloakhole back up and handed it over to Kayla. He instructed her to have Rose wear it. While he was small enough it looked less conspicuous on her. The curtains were opened and Ben saw the sky was black with no moon. Diedre and Kayla left to go study and a horrible noise drifted in the room when the door opened. Grog was singing bawdy songs in the common room below.
“He’s already drunk!” said Dalin. Dram elbowed him in the side and winked. Then he looked over to the mercenaries.
“See what we have to offer?” he bragged.
“Yes. We’ll take ten percent of everything found now and in the future,” said Gwenna. Dram was stupefied.

”Oh no! No, no, no. JUST the future,” said Dram. Dalin began bartering with the woman.
Dram interjected, “The whole lot should get ten percent and that’s it, not apiece like she says.”
“Why?” asked Gwenna. Dram and Dalin looked at each other.
Darius spoke up. “Because we’re seasoned fighters! That’s why.”
“We’ve been back and forth to Adlerweg!” retorted Hanz. Darius took Gwenna out into the hallway and began bartering in private. Ben followed along just to observe. The two finally agreed on terms. Gwenna would pay the three men out of her portion, and in return would receive a full share of future spoils. Both were satisfied with the agreement. “At the moment anyway,” thought Ben. They went back into the room.

“Seeing this was just a taste of our future together.” Dram was trying to impress the other three mercenaries. Darius stopped him and announced the agreement they had forged. Then he walked up and handed each of the four a platinum coin.
“You get this to start and your pick of personal weapons from the Earl.”
“Tomorrow we will all take a pledge in the morning after prayer,” said Ben. Gwenna looked at him as if he were mad. He led the four mercenaries to Rose’s side in the other bedroom. Kayla and Diedra were already counting out the coins from the cloakhole. “I will show you the power the Gods posses.” Ben laid his hand on Rose’s brow. Soft light poured into her body healing the remaining bruises and scrapes. Gwenna was stunned. Ben seized the opportunity to sermonize on what the Gods stood for, but Dram came in and cut in. He kept saying how Thor demanded a different path from His followers.

Ben watched as Kayla leaned in close to Gwenna’s ear. He heard her whisper, “Just nod and don’t speak and those two will leave you pretty much alone.” Ben was astonished.
"Does this mean we have to join the church now?” asked Gwenna.
“No. No, but…” Ben tried to say, but the mercenaries immediately left.

[howandwhy99]

Food was brought upstairs to the bedrooms from the dinner tables below. The team discussed what to do about guarding the stables. When they finished eating the majority of them went to check on Ormand the Redd. They found him inside the stables trying to peek in some shuttered windows along the rear wall. Apparently, one of the inns bordered the stables. It was called called the ‘Foot and Tassel’. Ormand reported that nothing had happened all day. He looked extremely bored. Darius made introductions and then had everyone help him put the weapon crates from the wagon inside the cloak. They were just narrow enough to fit. Kayla suggested they search the wagon for secret compartments. She found a handle under the front seat. BOING! The rear tilted upward revealing a second flatbed beneath. Several ropes were laced around inside. Darius counted. It would hold ten bound slaves, if crammed in tightly. They lowered the bed again and decided to set watch.

”Ormond’s comin’ with us,” said Dram throwing his arm around him. Dalin was already leading around a drunken Grog. Ben was not pleased, but Darius agreed. The dwarf asked for volunteers for the watch. Hanz’s hand jumped up. Enser was more reluctant. Darius set them up in the loft to keep watch for the night. Pax would hide in the rear of the wagon in case there was another attack. When Ben turned around Dram and Dalin had already left with their new drinking recruit. The rest of the team retired back to The Wyvern to sleep.

“Where are we going tonight?” asked Dalin. Dram had no idea. Ormand had not been able to leave the stables since he had arrived, so he knew nothing of the city either.
“The Sleepin’ Horsse” slurred Grog. The half-ogre lurched along. He had already drunk a gallon of the inn’s dinner wine.
“Sounds good to me!” said Dalin. Dram was not quite so sure. He remembered what had happened last time. It was why he had left so much of his coin with the priest. It was becoming standard practice.
“Maybe the bard’ss back” slurred Grog again. He let out a thunderous belch. Ormand nearly jumped out of his skin. He needed the night off.
“Fine,” said Dram. “The Dead Horse Inn it is…”

Around midnight Pax checked on his two fellow watchers in the hayloft above. As he predicted both were asleep. He lied down next to them and woke the bigger one to help him keep watch. About an hour later he heard a noise. The doors opened below and a small blue man entered. It shut the door behind itself. Ensler saw it too. The man looked slightly taller than a normal Zvart. “Probably a mixed race again,” thought Pax as he watched the figure move across the room to one of the stalls. Ensler stood up and began slowly creeping along the tops of the horse stalls to look in from above. The blue man had disappeared to where the white horse was sleeping, the horse they came to watch. Pax quietly crawled over and climbed down the ladder to the hayloft. He walked around the wagon and down the center of the stables towards the door. Ensler was only a shadow in the rafters above.

Pax unsheathed his long two-handed sword. When he came abreast to the open stall he looked over. Five people stood inside around the horse. He wondered how he could have missed all of them entering. One of the figures looked up. Thinking fast he took a few steps further reaching the stable door and then looked back. A woman with blonde hair scowled at him. “That must Lavinia,” thought Pax. The Zvart and three large men with grey skin were by her side. The men were easily as big as himself. “Careful,” he called over loudly. Pax tried to hold a straightface. “We are watching for thieves who tried to steal horses from the stables last night. My men and I are waiting to catch them in the act.”

Enser stopped tiptoeing when he saw Pax. He was not sure what to do. “Get ‘im!” yelled Lavinia. Pax turned and heaved open the door. He stepped outside and started running along the wall to his right. Ensler saw three men sprint after him. He looked back down into the stall. A woman and the blue man exited from it. Then he felt a sword plunge into his back and out his chest. Enser fell to the fell to the cobblestones below. Outside Pax heard a body fall, but the footsteps behind him left him no time to think. They were already catching up. Then he felt a blade tear into his kidneys. He collapsed onto the street spitting up blood. Swords plunged again and again into his back. The light was fading. From somewhere behind the wall of the stables he heard a voice. It was Hanz’s. “Whew! You would not BELIEVE what I’ve seen today!” And Pax’s world went black.



The four ‘nightprowlers’ as they had nicknamed themselves walked back from the Dead Horse tavern late in the night. Ormand was disappointed the fabulous bard had never arrived, but Dram had other thoughts on the matter. Grog had sobered up as the hours passed. “Likely the beer bein’ more water than anything,” thought Dram to himself. He looked over to his lucky friend. Dalin had beaten the odds again and again that night. He had won them all the cost of drinks and twenty coppers besides. When the four passed by the stables nothing looked amiss. They had already promised Ormand a soft bed for the night. When they reached The Wyvern they found several dirty dinner plates piled up outside the bedroom doors and the watch awake inside.

[howandwhy99]

[DAY 101 – Thunderday, Sceptre 5th, CY 81]

The next morning was grey and overcast with clouds. Ben prayed while Diedre and Kayla studied from their books. Rose was still asleep in a hay bed they had made for her. In the other room Dalin, Dram, and Ormand slept in from the effects of night before. When they finally woke up Darius recruited them to go with him to check on the stables. Downstairs they found Grog snoring as Gwenna and Miklesh ate breakfast. The four left the inn and walked down the street. “What’s that!” pointed Ormand. A large crowd was gathered around the entrance to the stables. They ran ahead up to find out.

Darius pushed his way through the crowd. Several guards walked around inside the stables. Just inside the doors he spotted a body. It was stripped naked. “PAX!” shouted Darius and stumbled forward. Two guards came over to him.
“Your friends were overcome by robbers in the night,” one said. “The two bodies were stripped clean. Do you know if they were carrying any valuables?”
Darius was confused. “Two?” Dram and Ormand found Hanz huddled over in one of the empty stalls. His face was badly bruised and he held his side as if his ribs were broken.
“They really worked you over, huh kid?” said Dram. Darius started pushing people away from Pax’s body. When they backed off he fell to his knees and inspected his dead comrade. There were several deep cuts, all in the back.

“They jumped us,” said Hanz holding his sides. He was having difficulty breathing. “Three big brutes and a woman with straw colored hair and blue eyes.”
“Did the blue man return?” asked Dram.
“No… But he may have been the one who struck me from behind. Pax went to run for help.” He gestured weakly over to the body. “They left town. Took everything… and their horses…” Dalin sent Ormand to run and tell the others. Dram clenched his fist and cursed under his breath. Pushing his way out he began running back down the street towards the The Wyvern as well. Dalin helped Hanz up to his feet. Darius picked up Pax’s huge body and began stumbling back to the inn with it. Dalin found Ensler’s body. A guard helped him bring it to the inn as he and escorted Hanz. Before he was half way there most of the team was running up to help.

The guard was instructed to give Ensler’s body to Gwenna. She and Miklesh left to deal with its burial. Father Ben bandaged Hanz’s wounds. He had not prepared to heal anyone that day. Upstairs Darius found Diedre and Kayla. He asked to be alone with Pax’s body in the room. After cleaning it, he carefully placed the corpse into Rose’s cloakhole. “If anyone asks,” he said to himself, “I consecrated you to the God Thor.” Downstairs Dalin looked around the common room. Several gawkers watched on as Hanz’s repeated his story again and again filling in all the details.
“Where’s Dram?” Dalin asked aloud. He had not returned.

Dram felt like his chest was going to explode. “Damn that tavern and its cheap ale,” he said to himself. His Elven chain weighed little, but his legs still burned from running. When he finally made it all the way to the far end of the city, Dram found the eastern gate. He stopped to catch his breath in front of the guards. “Did…anyone leave…in the night?” he asked.
“Yes,” said one. “Lots of people.”
Dram was too tired to protest. “An ugly lady… and three men?” He gave the guards their descriptions getting his wind back in the process.
“Yes. We saw them. They left on horseback.”
“With a wagon?” he asked.
“Noooo…. No wagons. Six altogether. A woman who had straw colored hair, and five other riders.” Dram asked about the others. “The three ugly men you mentioned. Big guys. A small fellow and another wrapped in a cloak. I couldn’t see his face.” Dram asked if the cloaked rider was bound in his saddle. The guard was not sure.
“How long ago did they leave?”
“Oh, about seven hours ago.”
”Direction?” Dram was getting antsy again.
“East” The guard pointed out the gate. Dram tossed him the first coin to come to hand and took off back to The Wyvern at a sprint.

Dalin noticed Gwenna and Miklesh return to The Wyvern after being gone less than an hour. He was glad to see Dram enter in after them. The whole team was inside the common room now. Father Ben called everyone forward to witness the oathswearing ceremony. Hanz complained he was in no condition to do so, but Gwenna would not hear of it. First Father Ben called on Miklesh to honor Gwenna, and then Hanz to do so. He then called on all three to swear oaths of loyalty to the group. As Ben said the invocation he performed a miracle. He remembered how well it had worked back at Keep Margrave and used his detection prayer. He could see auras of all the people in the room emanating. Bright white light radiated around Miklesh. Ben was amazed. His aura was more powerful than any he had seen before, even Darius’s.

Gwenna shone a normal white. Strangely Hanz had no color at all. It was if he had no aura whatsoever, like a rock. Turning his head, Ben inspected his new companions in the room. Grog was rich green. Rose’s sleeping form was white, which surprised him. In the back of the room he saw a darkly purple. It was the innkeeper. When he was satisfied he completed the ceremony. Dram was in an awful hurry to be after Lavinia. In private, Ben mentioned what he had seen to Darius and Dalin. “I think we should have the innkeeper swear an oath to remain quiet as well,” said Dalin.
“I ain’t swearin’ a DAMN thing!!” said the man jumping up and down.

[howandwhy99]

Darius moved across the common room and took off his gauntlets. He laid his bare hands on Hanz. His ribs rejoined, but many bruises still remained. “WOW! Thank you!” He felt quite a bit better. “A voice spoke to me.”
“That was Thor,” said Darius staring him in the eyes. “He is the God of Thunder… And he is a Wrathful God.”
“I will travel with you now!” Hanz said enthusiastically. Hanz bounced up and down testing his body. The bedrooms were packed and readied to go as Gwenna and Miklesh drove the wagon to the front of the inn. Kayla purchased a mattress from the innkeeper so Rose could ride inside the wagon. When the rest of the horses were brought up Darius told Hanz he was to ride on the wagon.
“To heal,” he said with a wink. Diedre pulled the lever under the front seat and the bed boinged backwards. Father Ben was not happy about it, but at least Hanz was not tied up before they closed the lid.

Kayla suggested they stop to cover the wagon before leaving. She knew just the place. The team went back to the wainwright the three women had visited before. The salesman ran in fear when he recognized them. Fortunately another was nearby. Diedre supervised he tied a tarp over the bed’s circle slats. Dram then directed the team to the eastern gate and to the road beyond. It led due east, over the hills and into the mountains.

Kayla and Diedre rode in the back of the wagon with Rose as she slept. Deciding to make the best use of their time, Diedre cast a Read Magic spell to inspect all the things found in the cloak the day before.

Golden Arrow: Human Magic
Dice: Fey Magic
Jade Figure: Elemental Magic
Necklace & Bracelet: Elemental Magic
Cloak: Strange Magic
Potion: Clerical Magic
Mirror: No Magic
Owlbear: No Magic
Dagger: No Magic
Sash: No Magic
Coins: No Magic
Key: Weird Troll Magic
Map: No Magic
Tankard: Dwarven Magic
Stones: No Magic
Dalin’s Rod: Dwarven Magic

Two hours of traveling later, Gwenna said she knew of a shortcut, if they wanted to take it. It would save time. “How long will it take to reach Alderweg normally?” asked Kayla.
“With the wagon? Almost two days, but we could push on come dark.” Dalin pointed out they would lose Lavinia’s trail, if they took the shortcut. The team decided against it and took the main road instead. Darius let Miklesh ride one of the three spare horses. He would be their outrider and watch for travelers. “Or Lavinia,” Dalin added.
“It will be a test of trust like we gave to Ensler and Hanz last night,” said Darius. Miklesh agreed to do his best. He did not want to ride in the bottom of the wagon like Hanz.

As the caravan rolled along Ben pulled out the potion Diedre identified as clerical magic. He did not agree the miracles of faith were the same as magic, but he took of sip anyways. A day’s growth of beard promptly grew on his face. “Ha! It’s a beard growin’ potion obviously,” said Dram. Ben smiled and put it away for later. After another two hours Miklesh doubled back to the wagon. He had spotted two wagons off to one side beyond the next hill. Traffic had thinned out since leaving the city, so it was an unlikely stopping point. The team decided to drive ahead and test their luck. Over the rise a large campfire was blazing below. They could smell the food cooking over it. Dozens of people were talking and laughing.
“Hail!” shouted Gwenna. She counted thirty in the other party. Recognized some of them as fellow teamsters, she pulled the wagon alongside and got down to talk.

“Going to Keep Adlerweg?” asked one man. “We’re headed that way too. It’s not a good sign. The road is out ahead. Something caused an avalanche about an hour further up the road. It’s blocked most the way.” Gwenna asked her employers what they wanted to do.
“The others are headed back to Kera before nightfall.” Darius was off to one side concentrating. He could feel his mount was closer than ever. Kayla asked Gwenna what she would do in her place. “Well, we could backtrack to the shortcut. It’s about two hours the other way. But it would bypass the landslide.” Kayla agreed. Gwenna went back to convince the other wagons to go with them. There was safety in numbers.

Grog was already asking for food from the cookfire. Dram and Dalin were with him. “We’re looking for six riders on horseback,” said Dram. “Have you seen them?” One of the women had.
“They went past several hours ago. They had no wagons, so…” she shrugged. “The avalanche don’t much matter.” Dalin peeked in the bed of the other wagons. They were filled with logs and pelts. Gwenna reported back to Kayla again.
“The other wagon drives have agreed to follow us.” She chuckled to herself. “They’d forgotten about the the shortcut. I also convinced them to follow my plan for guard organization. We’re in the middle spot,” she said with a wink. Then lowered her voice, “that’s good.” The three wagons were turned around. Along the way the other caravans shared their cooked meal with the team. Things were turning out better than anticipated. Two hours later they reached the entry point to the shortcut.

[howandwhy99]

The shortcut was far narrower than the main road. And it led steeply up hill too. After an hour the hills were so tall their tops were nothing but barren black rock. Ahead, the mountains loomed. Wind swirled down from the peaks chilling the travelers. Nothing but scrubby bushes grew in the crags. Most of the day was gone and long shadows stretched across the land. Dalin tried to take his mind off the road by practicing with his dice. He had learned the night before they had an odd tendency to roll whatever number he last called out. Then he decided to test the rod he had won in the MidSummer’s strength competition. Rose was finally awake and saw him playing. “Let me see,” she called out. Dalin was unsure, but remarkably Rose had no aversion to the bar’s metal. She held it up in the air and said, “Hold!” It dropped to her lap.

Rose handed Dalin’s rod back to him. Kayla’s curiosity was piqued however. She pulled the mug out of the cloak. It was full to the brim with beer. She dumped it out. “Heeey!” said Dalin in protest. Kayla called out names of different drinks, but the mug did not refill.
“It must only be once per day,” said Kayla. Rose nodded wondering what she could possibly be talking about. The wagon lurched to a halt. The shortcut had joined back with the main road.
“We may want to rest here for the night,” said Gwenna pointing to a large campsite nearby. “There’s nowhere else until we reach the Keep.”
“How long is that?” asked Dram.
“Another four hours up to the mountain pass.” As the sun set behind their backs it illuminated a thin ribboned road between two mountain peaks.

The second caravan was already setting up camp. Gwenna steered her wagon away from the other two for some privacy. Rose got out and stretched her legs. She searched the ground around the campsite for tracks. Several horses had passed through a half-day ago. “I bet that damned witch set off that avalanche,” spat Dram when he heard. “Tankurd is close! I can feel it!”
“Hmmm??” said Darius. He had been distracted. “Yes. I can feel my mount too. It is very close now.” His eyes searched the starry sky above. Rose heard the horses neigh. She went over and talked with them. They were scared. They smelled cruel two leg scent on the wind.
“It will be alright,” said Rose. “I will return later to sleep nearby. Stay calm for now.” She walked back to the fire Gwenna and Miklesh were building. She sat down and contemplated all that had happened since arriving in Kera. She was now ‘wealthy’ as the others called it. When the rest of the team sat down for dinner she struck up a conversation.

Rose: "So tell me, this mon-E that seems to be so prevalent in these lands. You exchange it for good and services I understand that. But I have no need of anything right now. I wonder. What would be the best use for such...things. Would it be better to spend the coin on extra weapons to send to the front? Better to give it to the poor and hungry who are unable to fend for themselves? Perhaps I could buy out all of the slaves but what would I do with them then? We would have to go back to Kara to get them and then what? It’s too far for them to reach the front? Perhaps they could go back to the town full of young and old, but what then? Maybe the best thing to do would be to reinvest it. That way Dram at least could finally get some real armor so he wouldn't be up front with only his normal leather armor to wear.”

“What think the rest of you?”

Grog: “Ale and Women”

Rose: “ No no Grog, I've chosen not to eat people anymore remember?”

Father Ben: "The church is always in need of money. If we can free the slaves in Kera or send a large contingent of soldiers to the front lines, these would be the best investments. But we have neither the money or influence to stop either right now. Perhaps a small chapel in Kera may be a start to closing their slave trade business?"

"I agree taking the slaves back to Custler or Orlain would do little good as they would simply be collected again."

Rose: "Why would I give money to your church, the Wainwrights don't seem like very nice people for priests of your faith."

Darius merely raises an eyebrow at Grog.

Darius: "My people invest money. They use it to fund their businesses and such. An example would be that my father would spend it on forge assistants and materials before he retired. My brothers would likely spend it on arms. My sister would probably donate it to the church or buy holy relics. I would invest in armor and arms. Perhaps there are some dwarven techniques and metals that you can use without causing you pain, like the rod. When we get to my home, I will show you wonders unlike those seen perhaps in your lifetime. The Great Forges, the Hall of Thanes, the taverns and ale... ah, yes, the Ale. Nothing against your homelands, my friends, but I do miss dwarven ale. I will show you the Great Temple of Thor, the other temples of the gods. The Temple of Dumathoin, Keeper of Secrets. I will introduce you to my mentor at Thor's temple. My brothers and sisters. Perhaps show you the Great Spire itself.... I..."

Darius shakes his head a bit.

"My apologies. I find myself missing my home more with each passing day. Things within these lands move so rapidly. I long for the unchanging stone."

Rose: “Darius, you should look at the longer view. Both of our homelands are static, but that doesn't mean these lands are not as unchanging as our own. Consider the grass beneath your feet. It grows now as it has grown decades ago and will grow decades hence. Life cycles. The young ones grow and die living little longer than the flowers in the field in summer. New ones are born to take their place. Seasons change just as does the day. Time passes and though things appear to change, the rhythm of the world always remains, ever constant in it's flux, like the blowing of an eternal breeze.

Darius considers Rose strangely for a second.

Darius: "I never said I disliked it, so much as that I miss my home. I do apologize to my friends if they felt otherwise."

[howandwhy99]

Dram: "Lady fae, my gratitude to you for your concern over my safety. However, my father's craftsmanship protects me well enough in battle. Now, I could make use of an Elven bow if you knew how to obtain one. I have heard that the enchantments elves place on such weapons make them truer in aim."

Rose turned her attention to Dram

Rose: How can your father's craftsmanship protect you if you aren't wearing armor. I thought he was a smith not a tailor. You don't clank when you move like Darius, so I figured the armor you wore was leather. But you wear nothing but the clothes on your back to protect you. Isn't that somewhat dangerous?”

Ormand the Redd: “Master Dram is made of sterner stuff than that. They'd have to do a lot to cause him harm.”

Dram: "Ahhh my child. You seem to know of many mysteries and oddities yet my protection puzzles you. My father is indeed a smith, a very skilled one, and I shan't reveal his secrets just to satisfy your idle curiosity. Is my word not good enough? There is danger everywhere and I am not exempt. Father Darius wears chain armor yet he has suffered more from the dangers that we encounter than I. Besides, I do not care to sink like a stone in water nor lumber over the ground like a laden mule."

Darius glanced at Dram before shaking his head and chuckling.

Dram: "Nothing against your father's work, but give me good, solid Dwarven steel any day. You should see some of the armors the great smiths have crafted. Armor that could turn away the blows of an ogre.”

Rose smiled furtively at Dram.

Rose: Oh I know where you might obtain the bows you speak of. I know where you could find a bow made of ice that will not break when you draw it nor melt in the noonday sun. Or perhaps arrows that sing when you fire them? A cloak that will make you as invisible as a leaf in the forest, of boots that would make you as silent as an owl gliding through the night air. I know how you might even possibly obtain all of this as well. Though the way may not be easy. I know many things. And yet I don't know how you manage to avoid injury though you wear no armor.

Dram: "Tell ya what. You tell me where and how to obtain these wondrous items and I'll tell you my little secret."

Rose: “The bows you speak of are not elven bows, merely bows of elven make from fine rare woods grown deep within their lands.”

“Elven bows are something different entirely.”

“Make yourselves comfortable, this will take time to explain.”

“Every elf has a tree dedicated to them, planted when they are conceived. When they are married a cutting from each partners tree is grafted together. The tree that grows from this is very special, for it only ever produces so many fruit. When the couple first conceives of a child, an elven woman always knows when she has conceived. They go to The Grove. Find the tree that is the symbol of their marriage and pluck, usually, the only ripe fruit there. If there is more than one ripe fruit the mother will have dissimilar twins. If the ripe fruit has more than one pit, the mother will have similar twins. In any case, the fruit is eaten by the parents and then planted into a vessel at the home. For nine months the pit grows, each day fertilized with a drop of blood from both parents. When the child is ready to be born, the mother is brought to The Grove. The father plants the seed and the mother bears the child. The blood from the birth is placed around the seedling and all remnants are ground into fertilizer for the seedling. For a day and a night the parents stay with the child in The Grove, bonding themselves with the child and the child with the tree. Into the tree a small part of the child's soul is placed bound by it's first blood. The parents see to the needs of the tree and child until the child is able to care for the tree on it's own. For the next hundred years the tree and the child are one. At the child's first century he is brought to his tree. The druids of The Grove harness the soul piece of the child into a branch and then the child breaks the branch off of the tree. Always a small piece of the child's soul is left behind. This symbolizes what is lost from childhood to adult hood and the breaking of the branch is the scars that growth leaves us with. The branch is then ever green. The branch stays with the now adult and is shaped by him as he grows. Druids shape it into a staff, minstrels a harp, warriors a bow, weavers a distaff, etc. In times of war, an archer takes the wood of the arrows from his tree and makes the fletchings from the birds who make the tree their home. The bow and the elf are forever intertwined. For bowmen they are one with their weapon. This is the reason that elven archers have no peer. No archer can know their weapon as intimately as an elf.”

“For you, you want a finely crafted bow made of some unusual woods found only in elven lands. They'll make you ooh and ahh and champ at the bit for it. Make you jump through whatever little hoops they set of one of the "short lifers". And in the end, they will give you what you asked for and you might have been content believing you had one of the finest crafted bows in the world and you might even have believed yourself an equal marksman to an elf. But now you pay the price for your curiosity, the knowledge that no matter what you do, you bow will only ever be second best when compared with the living wood of the elves. A bow made of such you may have seen and may want, but which will forever be out of your grasp. The bow you would get could be found any number of places. You could journey to elven lands, or go to the front lines and take one off of a corpse. But you could never have an elven bow, they will only ever draw for one person and when that person dies the bow will snap, and both body and bow will be ground into fertilizer for The Grove.”

Ben: Ben's eyes went wide. "That certainly not like any birthing that went on at the temple were I was taught. Humans are a little ..uh, messier"

Rose: Rose smiled slightly at Ben. "We still have all of the same mess, and screaming and swearing and blood. The seed is not the child, the seed is what a piece of the child's soul is bound into. The tree and the child are like conjoined brothers, each connected and an integral part of the other. The child is born and grows normally as any other creature in this world. However part of learning to take care of themself as they grow is learning to take care of their tree."

Dram: "Hmmmm. Or so you say Fae woman (though Rose is slightly more believable to Dram now that her floating priest story has been confirmed). In any case, it makes for a good Faery tale that I'll no doubt regale my brats with someday. A very good tale indeed. Whether it be true or not I shall not press further, but in exchange for your offering I will reveal my secret to you. Some others in the party already know of it but I ask you now not to speak of it again."

When nobody else is looking Dram raises his shirt to reveal the Elven chain below. With a wink, "You see, my father was skilled indeed and seems to have had a bit of elf about him, eh?"

"As for Elven archers...I've never seen one unless those cowards who shot at us from the moathouse qualify. I wasn't too impressed to be honest. I'll take my chances agin the best of 'em. Perhaps you could one day guide me to the Elven lands so I can put my skills to a test?"
Rose giggled when she heard Dram’s request.

Dalin: "Investing money like the dwarves, or spending it on ale and companionship as Grog suggests are all excellent options. But you will find no matter what you do that money eventually runs out, and you will end up wanting more"

"If you like, I can teach you how to double your money, with very little risk, and enjoy a few games and strike up a few friendships in the process. Perhaps once we get into town we should look for a tavern."

[howandwhy99]

The night was getting late. Moving to their beds Darius set up a camp watch. The other caravan had already set one too, but the team made sure to have one of their own members awake at all times. During the first watch Diedre heard something flapping overhead. A flying creature swooped down over the fire. She could barely make it out. Remembering Darius going on and on about his mount she went and woke him. She told him she saw a creature with feathers and a head like a deer. “With antlers too!” Darius reached out for his mount, but it was still some distance away. As the watch were switched out, the flying creature swooped by every hour or so. Darius saw it himself during his own shift. .
“Perhaps it is some sister to my mount?” he wondered.


[DAY 102 – Fastday, Sceptre 5th, CY 81]

The next morning the sky was bright overhead far before the sun came over the mountains. A light breakfast was cooked during prayer and study. Before the team gathered to get under way Father Ben asked to check the power of the magic on the items Diedre read the day before.

Combined from before:
Golden Arrow: Very Very Strong Human Magic
Dice: Strong Fey Magic
Jade Figure: Weak Elemental Magic
Necklace & Bracelet: Strong Elemental Magic
Cloak: Very Strong Strange Magic
Potion: Weak Clerical Magic
Mirror: No Magic
Owlbear: No Magic
Dagger: No Magic
Sash: Residual Incomplete Magic
Coins: No Magic
Key: Weird Troll Magic
Map: Weak/No Magic, but written with magic
Tankard: Weak Dwarven Magic
Stones: No Magic
Dalin’s Rod: Subtle/Average Dwarven Magic
Spiralstone: Weak

While the power coursed through him, Ben decided to check for magic on the new mercenaries as well. Miklesha and Gwenna had none. Hanz was nowhere to be found. “Where’s Hanz?”
“Oh crap!” said Dalin. They had left him in the wagon overnight. Kayla raised the bed and found Hanz passed out underneath. Ben saw he had strong magic coming from one of his fingers. Oddly, nothing was there. He grasped Hanz’s hand and felt an invisible ring upon it. Carefully Ben removed it and the ring became visible. He promptly put it in his pocket. Darius came over and pulled him to one side asking if he could wear it.

Darius: “…some of the people we encounter may not be too keen on meeting a Paladin.”

Ben: Ben took out the ring and handed it to Darius in private. "I would be cautious before putting it on. I believe that ring is what blocked the Gods' sight from Hanz's soul. It may simply make a person undetectable to certain power, but it also may have other effects on the soul. You may be right about Hanz's actions being duplicitous behavior, but that may be another effect of the ring. Perhaps I should test him again now it has been removed?"

Darius: Darius nodded to Brother Ben. "Perhaps peering into the wellspring of his soul would be more... fruitful now."

As Darius took the ring he heard a voice in his head. It was Thor’s. “Place not this band upon your person. For it shall make you unknown to me forever more."

He tossed the ring back to Father Ben. “"Um, tell you what. Keep that thing as far away from me as Dwarvenly possible."

Dram walked up interrupting the two. “I’m willin’ to be a guinea pig,” he said. If you're willing, I'll wear it to see what effect it has, if any.”

Ben then handed him the golden ring, but gave a stern warning. “It is a very brave thing you dare. Be forewarned, I cannot say what will happen to you with this on your finger. I suspect you may go mad or worse. You must promise now, before you put it on, to give it back after we test you. Take this stick too lest you feel compelled to write like the dead creature in our cloak-hole."

Then he turned back to Darius. Kayla was standing by his side. “This will be the final test to see if the ring is a means of demon possession as I suspect. If he does not give it back, it is likely of vile nature."

Darius waved his hands when he saw what was occurring. He grabbed Dram by the shoulder before he could put the ring on. “"Thor has spoken to me. He will no longer be able to see me if I wear the ring. Wear it not, for it may severe your connection to him as well. Let one who does not follow the gods wear it, instead."

Dram: “Well, in that case... I thought the priest was just trying to frighten me with his dooms and curses."

Father Ben took the ring one last time and hid it in his pack. It almost felt to him as if the ring were drawing attention to itself. Over by the wagon Hanz had been pulled out and gently woken up. “Ow…my head.” Dalin could see some of the man’s bruises had faded only to be replaced by new ones. They moved him onto Rose’s mattress in the back of the wagon bed. When the team mounted up they noticed a woman from the other caravan approach. Gwenna ran over to speak with him.
“Ready to go?” asked the woman.
“We’ll be under way shortly,” said Gwenna. “Do you have a stone from the Earl?”
“Yes, but ours does not cover you…” Gwenna knew she was referring to the wagons. Then she recalled what Darius had told her earlier that morning.
“Can we go before you? We are in a rush to get inside the Keep.” The other woman had no problem with it.