The One True Game: According to Hoyle, and Others - Page 3

howandwhy99 · 11th February 2005, 05:27 AM

Ben sat dazed. In his mind he believed he had just encountered an evil god. Later his thoughts would drift back on the event as a turning point in his mind. He felt like something had invaded his soul and was destroyed before it could destroy him. But the old door it opened was now ripped off. Ben felt as if he was no longer safe from the evil in the world. He felt as if he had no protection for his soul.

As to what happened to Darius only the Gods know for sure. He reported prodding the space the red hangnail and been in. It was soft and he felt the sensation of being pulled inward. A used torch then fell out of the space as if from nowhere. Darius had picked it up and pushed it into the opening again and was pulled headlong inside. Was he in another plane? Darius said his surroundings looked like the pool room and he was aside the frightful pool of darkness. Kayla and the others went into the room behind the throne looking for Darius in the interim. They saw a gold coin fall from nowhere onto the floor. Darius confirmed it was his doing as seconds later he too fell into the room as if from nowhere. Darius had jumped into the pool. Kayla told the group there was something called a "portal" between the two rooms though it could not be seen. Uncomfortable about what just happened the group crawled out into the throne room. Kayla made sure she was the last out and hurriedly scooped up all the pieces of the red chalky material that was leftover from the glow stone.

After chewing on a midday snack the group felt ready to keep exploring the caverns. Seeing as the right tunnel was rather short, they chose to head back down the left one. Mirel's hand drawn map came in useful as it pointed out one path not yet explored. Bypassing the sandtrap and double-checking the wax statue cave to see if the barkers had returned, the group decided to turn right at the second fork this time. The path curved to the right here and then straightened out. Those in the rear kept a good watch behind them lest the barkers snuck up. Ahead was a crossway with paths leading forward, left and right. The path to the left was blocked by a another boulder. The cavern forward shortly came to a dead end. And the path to the right traveled on a little ways before sloping down gradually becoming a vertical shaft.

Intrigued by what might be further below, Darius was tied up and climbed and then was lowered into the pit below. Seeing better without a torch he looked out from the wall as he slid down against it. This room was rather large, perhaps 40' across. It was a vertical shaft which looked to have water completely filling the space below. Like a cistern Darius could not see the bottom of the water so he yanked on the rope to be let back up. The short hallway ahead was searched for secret entranced but without luck. Faced with another apparent dead end the party decided to verify the second boulder room across from the cistern room was also an entrance to the bat cave. After some exertion the group’s expectations proved true. It was the second exit Darius had previously spotted. They then traveled back to the wax statue room and slowly entered the bat cave individually via the first boulder entrance. They hoped the tracks of the barkers were still visible to follow.

Ben thought about their original plan to not fight the barkers in the bat room, but chose to keep quiet. With most of the party entered Darius walked into the middle of the bat guano. Dalin used care to keep his torch from the floor. Once the whole group entered Dalin lead everyone forward through the guano. The room was exceptionally large and everyone was silent hoping not to wake the bats above. There were tens of thousands of them. The room's shape seemed rectangular with the left and right walls being about 100' feet apart or more. The far wall was not in view. The message was passed along to give a low shout, if anyone spotted the barkers. After mucking through guano for over 100' Darius said he saw the far wall. It had a single, large, circular cave exit in the center of it. Thankfully no boulder was blocking it.

howandwhy99 · 12th February 2005, 04:14 PM

Pellets flew out of the darkness ahead. The party was under attack! Darius pointed forward and said that seven barkers had returned with slings. Half the group loosed bowshots into the darkness ahead. None were heard to strike. Darius lit one of his arrows off of Dalin's torch and fired at the barkers intending to give the rest a clear view of the targets. WHOOSH! The arrow missed the small figure and ignited the bat guano instead. A pylon of red flame seared over the seven figures difficult to see because of night blindness. Barks, yips, and yelps came from the figures aflame.

The fire began to grow larger burning out its fuel as it went. It was estimated the small figures were 120' distant. Darius, Dalin, and Ben ran forward firing while Kayla, Dram, and Mirel hung back firing missiles and pellets of their own. As the circle grew wider the barkers tried to retreat from it. They began howling now even louder than before. Fearful Brother Ben yelled for a retreat to steer clear of the flame. Darius, Dram, and Dalin kept rushing closing to within 30 feet. Spooked by the flames and woken by the howls a seemingly infinite number of bats descended all at once filling nearly every empty space.

All were lost within a flurry of bats for a couple of minutes as vision was obscured. The circle of fired advanced further outward forming a ring with black charred ground within its center. Members of the party continued to use what weapons they had at hand to swing back at the bats surrounding them. When they began to thin out the group could be seen again scattered about the room. Many had retreated while others had jumped through the flame wall. The barkers were nowhere to be seen. It was presumed they had headed up the central exit tunnel were they seemed to have attacked from. The flame circle slowly burned itself out as those who were outside of it backed into the boulder alcoves near the far entrance wall. The party checked each other over for damage and discarded what equipment was destroyed by the flame.

After regrouping, the band headed into the tubular cave. It was about 10' in diameter and had strangely smooth sides. Even the footprints of the barkers were difficult to follow, but Darius did his best. Continuing at great length Darius noticed the cave gently sloping upward. He said it was due to his dwarven upbringing in the great mountains to the East. They were even further East than the forest surrounding the Keep and Outposts. After about 1/4 mile of walking, light was spotted ahead. It was daylight.

The sight that greeted them upon exiting the cave was a kind one. The cave opened out of the side of the very top of a high hill. The top of this hill was covered in grey-black, slate-like rock which kept most of the trees from growing on it. Surrounding the group on all sides was slow rolling hills blanketed with a forest of trees as far as the eye could see. No sun was in sight, but the ambient light shining through white pillowy clouds in the sky above lit up the land. Fresh air once again filled the band's lungs. Checking for tracks Darius had to admit that somehow he had lost the barkers. Older tracks could be spotted leading out about 15', but after that point the rock precluded any further searching. Darius suspected that some of the smaller crevasses in the cave near its start could have been of adequate size to fit the barkers, if they had tried to hide from the group. Ben made a mental note to be on guard during their return trip.

Darius took a quick look at the tunnel exit as Dalin, Dram and Mirel looked for tall trees to climb to find their bearings and possibly the outpost. Darius noted that the cave had narrowed to only 7' in diameter and the fact it seemed to have been formed by rushing water. The wisewoman Kayla remarked that it might have been formed from a geyser. Being such a high hill so strangely formed with grey-black slate at the top was suspicious enough. Not to mention having a cave entrance being at the top of such a hill. Seeing as the surrounding trees were missing the leaves off of one side it was possible the tunnel had launched water recently. They noticed the rock was wet upon the top of the hill and believed the geyser theory was correct. "No wonder no one had found this particular entrance into Quesquaton," Ben thought. Out in the middle of the wilderness even rangers would likely have no desire to climb into such a place. Lost in thought he did not notice the small groups of bats flying back into the cave mouth.

howandwhy99 · 13th February 2005, 05:47 AM

The three scouts came back and agreed to the best of their knowledge that Outpost Xavier was to the northwest of the hill. None could see the actual outpost, but they believed the tunnel exit faced east. This brought on a bevy of discussion on how the Outposts, Margrave Keep, and the forest were situated. In the end it was decided most of Margrave County was to the west of this large eastern forest named Greenwillow. As the Keep was just inside the forest the outposts were agreed on being a half circle ring blocking Margrave’s entire eastern border along the forest. Where they stood now was not as deep in the forest as the outpost by about a half mile or more. Still, without a proper guide they really had no safe path back to Outpost X without using the tunnel. As it was late in the day, the group decided to head back to the outpost using the tunnels of Quesquaton. Retracing their route did not take too long. No signs of the barkers were seen, but many of the bats had returned to the bat cave, if not their guano.

Finally climbing up the well wall once again the six adventurers walked tiredly to the army encampment. Igor had made the meal for everyone, but Darian did not breathe a word. He did leave quickly afterwards to report on the group's findings to the Elf Elion. Brother Ben and some others in the party were still quite curious about having a creature like an elf nearby not to mention a dwarf. They had never seen either one before. Inside Elion's tent, the large central one within the encampment surrounding the outpost, Darius reported all they had found. What this was word for word only he could say. Darius did relay to the others that the barkers below were really foul beasts called "kobolds". Elion was unhappy about their existence within the Quesquaton caves. Afterwards Darius talked to the soldiers outside the tower and slept along side them too. Dram coordinated the militia watch schedules. Exhausted everyone else cleaned their gear while Mirel made a point of not mentioning the day long chores she had missed. Sleep came quickly.

[DAY 8 - Weddingday, Mao 25th, CY 81]

Brother Ben arose before sunrise the next morn. He roused Darius and they both began to set up temple services for the tower militia and soldiers. Darius being a follower of Thor honored glorious battle and courage during the same. Brother Ben had studied over ten years under a system revering all divine creatures, but only the goodly ones of course. He prepared a speech highlighting the need for camaraderie in the days ahead. Seven days and six nights he had stayed in the outpost and already it felt like home. He had not forgotten the drastic loss of life nor the attacks by the giant. Either could occur again at any moment he knew. But morale was high and he hoped to keep it there.

It appeared almost the whole of the encampment came to attend the outdoor service. Clothes washed and weapons gleaming Ben talked to them of standing firm in the fight against evil. He spoke on how each individual there was vital to defending the County Margrave and their families back home. Asking all to shake hands with the men and women around them he asked them to take the time to learn their new comrade’s names and stories. At the end Ben offered to meet with any one who needed to speak privately. Darius chose to help in this too and lines of people formed outside the tower waiting for the few minutes alone each would receive with either the cleric or the dwarven paladin. Twenty-two in all were seen.

In the meantime Dram spent more time with the small group of tower militia he was training in archery. Testing each one he noted their improvement or the lack there of. Igor walked out of the woods and Mirel and others noticed he had not attended the religious services. He mentioned having scouted in the southeast woods surrounding the tower. Fortunately, no orcs were hunting that morning.

Other work done included the final clearing of the downed trees surrounding the tower. Some of the logs were up to 40' in length after being removed of limbs. Arrows were coated in pitch in case of battle. Kayla acquired some long knives from the army’s supplies in order to protect herself. She managed to get a fine looking dagger for Dram too. Brother Ben would later wonder on the exchange and whether it meant something more. What Ben did not notice was Dalin taking bets with Dram on who would kill the most creatures that day. "And bats don't count!" said Dalin.

howandwhy99 · 14th February 2005, 03:20 PM

And so, once more our brave intrepid heroes descended down the well into Quasqueton. Igor would once again stay at the keep proving his loyalty. It is uncertain what was said to him in private from his reckless foray into the woods by other group members. But Mirel, Kayla, Dram, Dalin, Ben, and Darius all were eager to learn more about this new spot of forest beyond the cavern's other exit. Before beginning Darius asked to check the bottom of the well for any further possible entrances to other levels of Quasqueton.

While no other footholds went past the original entrance, Darius was lowered down by rope over 100' feet to a still pool of water. Checking carefully he spotted movement within. While the others could not see what Darius did, they could hear and felt a tug on the rope as it pulled away hard. Raising Darius back out of the well he said he saw a large snake in the water and that the water was flowing deceptively fast just below the surface. He said this as the group dried him off as the water was also deceptively cold. It was decided no other exits into Quesquaton existed by way of the well.

No encounter occurred in the halls of Quesquaton or the caverns beneath it. Walking outside the first thing the group noticed was the clear sky and the sun's heat on their faces while they stared out from the hilltop. Invigorated to start a new day's adventure, the group set on to exploring the environs around the cave exit. Dram had the best eyes and had spotted a smoke trail in the distance below. A stream was seen flowing right to left in the valley just below the hill.

Scouting from a tree again Dram determined the previous day's guesses were wrong. The cave was in fact facing south. And the spot he took to be the outpost in the distance was not. This meant the hill could be in any possible direction away from Outpost X. "Igor was certainly not going to drop in during one of his surprise visits," Ben thought. The party headed down the southern slope the cave exit faced towards the rolling stream. It was suggested everyone kept the hill in sight in case a person became lost or separated. As they walked the trees thinned out and made for easier travel. Turning to the right they followed the waterway upriver awhile keeping a look out for smoke.

Before they came to the next hill in the ridge Dram spotted the thin tendril of smoke. The band cautiously headed in its direction through a grove of trees. Spotted ahead looked to be around ten humanoid creatures as tall as men. They were dancing around a large old willow tree in a clearing along the riverside. Brother Ben tried to make out the faces of the creatures. They were bloodied about their heads and wore skins beaten into some kind of makeshift armor. Each carried swords and spears while some had crossbows as well. A lithe young woman was in the tree as well wearing only a simple brown dress. “Some kind of worship ritual?” Ben wondered. A mountain lion moved out of hiding in the tree to stand on one of its limbs. The monsters swung weapons at the tree trunk adding to the cuts from before the band’s arrival. Small flames licked from their torches lighting the tree's lower branches.

howandwhy99 · 15th February 2005, 04:45 AM

"ORCS!” cried out Darian and waved everyone forward as he charged and fired his crossbow. Flail in hand, Ben ran toward the right taking cover behind a tree while Dalin circled left using his bow. The remaining three allies shot arrows and slings bullets into the mass of orcs. Six of the orcs drew back from the tree and fired crossbows at the movement in the forest. The woman in the tree began to sing a mystical song with words they could not understand. Each felt a strange feeling and Ben for one knew he was even more compelled to free the woman and her companion. The lion, which Ben now believed to be an ally and friend of the tree-woman, leapt out off its branch and badly wounded one of the orcs. The remaining orcs surrounded it attacking with swords and spears. They were seemingly unaffected by the woman’s song.

The six orcs with crossbows continued to fire into the woods as five of our heroes used the trees for cover. Darius courageously ran straight forward and began hammering upon the orcs around the mountain lion. Dalin ran up and swung his longsword at one of the crossbowmen felling it as Ben ran to try and flank the other side of their line. The six orcs stabbed at the massive lion using their spears and killed it. Mirel successfully hit another with a sling stone.

The tree-woman sang even louder. The fire was beginning to really burn on the lower branches now. The orcs with crossbows dropped them and one attacked Dalin. Dram had been missing with his arrow shots but finally hit an orc which was now turning on Darius. All twelve of the orcs then swarmed the tree and began hacking at it with swords while Darius managed to hammer upon a few of them. Ben arrived on the rear side of the orc ring and flailed missing. The old willow tree began to creak and fell to the forest floor with a loud crash. The lady within screamed as her singing stopped. The group felt the strange feeling stop too.

Dalin started backpedaling pulling out his waterskin which was full of healing fruit juice. Dram shot two more orcs with his bow felling one. Darius continued to press the frontal attack but his fatigue was really beginning to show. Doubtless his field armor was affecting his endurance as did the hot early summer day. The six remaining orcs turned their attention to Darian with the tree now crashed to the ground. Dalin rested taking deep breaths of his own and drank some of the potion juice. Mirel and Dram continued with ranged attacks from the trees while Kayla kept lookout. Dram managed to hit again hoping to drive the creatures off Darius. Brother Ben ran to the lady in the tree and poured some of the healing juice from his own waterskin into her mouth. She had been dying, but not dead.

Mirel killed another orc with a stone and Kayla now ran forward with a dagger killing another. Dalin once again refreshed missed his own target while Darius tried to keep defending himself from the surrounding orcs. They continued to focus on killing the dwarf. Dram killed another with an arrow. One orc turned its back on Darius trying to retreat and the dwarf easily dispatched it. "That’s three kills for Darius!" thought Dalin, so he pressed forward his attack and killed another matching the dwarf in kills. Dalin smiled. Another orc attempted to run managing to slip by Brother Ben who was standing in the branches of the fallen tree. Brother Ben started after it as did Dram a second later stowing his bow and pulling out a sword. All three sped into the woods heading away from the river.

Dalin and Darius now squared away on the last remaining orc. Each landed a good blow and it went down. “Only half a kill each for both of us. That puts us at even" said Dalin. In his own thoughts he began to wonder, "Perhaps what I need is a suit of armor like our paladin. That will clearly give me the best odds." Darius walked over to the tree-woman now standing on her own. Kayla and Mirel joined with Dalin to listen. Both dwarf and the tree-woman bent over and light flared from their hands healing the tree. When Darius had healed Brother Ben in the tower Ben had been restored, but the tree continued to look dead. However, the tree-woman said they were successful in saving the tree. She introduced herself as Greenwillow of the forest. Darius told her his name as did Kayla, Mirel, and Dalin. As a reward for saving her Greenwillow gave Darius a handful of berries. She then looked over at the dead lion and bemoaned her loss. She asked if Darius was willing to join in her in guarding her tree. He declined looking ill at ease.

beer_motor · 15th February 2005, 04:37 PM

Good to see updates - but could you tell it simply from Brother Ben's perspective? It would be really interesting to see what is going on in that slightly amped-up head of his...

howandwhy99 · 15th February 2005, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beer_motor

Good to see updates - but could you tell it simply from Brother Ben's perspective? It would be really interesting to see what is going on in that slightly amped-up head of his...

It took some time for me to decide on which point of view to pick. I eventually decided upon the 3rd person narrator. Most information is not shared openly in character, so half the story would be missing if it was told from a 1st person perspective. It also happens that the narrator is imperfect as I personally don't have all the information others do. But at least the current style relates the vast majority of the story. That said you will see a surprise coming up concerning the writing format.

Also, other players are always able to add a 1st person write up for their character. I believe the narrator style blends better with this potential hodgepodge storytelling without the risk of too much repetition. Players could divulge secrets and personal character knowledge not in the full narration which lends impact as well as insight.

howandwhy99 · 16th February 2005, 05:02 AM

Meanwhile, in the woods north of them, Brother Ben chased after the wounded orc. Dram followed after keeping Ben in sight. Within two or three minutes of running all were beginning to tire, the orc most of all. It stumbled and Ben jumped atop it. He had already planned to knock it out so the others would not kill it. He had thought of capturing one for questioning while in melee and now was his chance. Ben dropped his flail and pummeled the creature's face with his fist. Once, twice, three times he hit it while getting a good look at facial features. What he had taken for just blood was in fact red skin. The face had mongrel-like features, but there was also red wax running down the sides of its head. Curiously, its ears were filled with red wax. "That is why they were not affected by the witch woman’s song," thought Ben. His four companions back at the fallen tree were noticing this same fact at about the same time when Dram arrived up and tried pulling Ben off of the unconscious orc.

"More are coming down the hill in front of us! I can hear them. They will be here any minute. We have to go!" urged Dram. Brother Ben stood up and started pulling the orc looking at his friend for compliance. "We can’t carry him and run back in time. Kill it or they will kill us" Dram said as he ran back in the direction they had come. Ben struggled internally on whether or not to kill the sleeping orc. Dram ran as Ben heard the sound of approaching feet coming down a hill slope in the direction the orc had run. Frustrated Brother Ben ran after Dram before he got out of sight. The orc was left alive.

The two maneuvered their way back in the direction they believed Darius and the others waited. Breaking out into the clearing Mirel's call rang out from the trees for the others not to shoot. The group had readied bows in fear more orcs were approaching. After climbing down they all ran down along the riverside back to the hill cave of Quesquaton. The tree-woman hid while Dalin asked Ben, "Did you get the ears from the orc you were chasing? They’re worth good money once we return to the Keep". Ben did not answer as he had no ears or kills to show for the battle.

Heading back up the hill, the group did not detect any pursuit from the unknown enemy. Their tracks were scuffed over while climbing back up and everyone relaxed and rested once back in the tubular cave. The water outside had dried in the meantime. No barkers, now called kobolds, attacked in the bat room thankfully as the party was still weak from battle. Many of the bats had returned to roost though. At the cavern fork Darius decided to set off the suspected sand trap they had discovered the day before. Prodding forward the sand slid away quickly sinking anything inside it. Darius had roped himself off while the group held the other end and pulled him out each time he looked to go too deep. After a few attempts much of the sand had sunk into a hole which appeared to lip underneath the floor. Darius rappelled down about 60’ and felt what might have been a large stone box or column under the large pile of sand. Off to one side of him were the remains of a human body. It was clad in armor with the symbol of an eagle upon its shield. Did the skeleton move or was it merely the shifting of sands? Darius took no chances as he smashed in its skull with his hammer. The leather armor and shield were in bad repair. A scabbard and busted dagger lay to one side. Perhaps it was one of the slain combatants in the level above from when they had first entered Quesquaton? No matter. The bones weren’t answering any questions today.

Once at the top of the well the group was happy to see Outpost Xavier again. They decided to wait until tomorrow before exploring once more. Darian cleaned his armor of sand and orc blood. He ordered the company to build a makeshift bridge that could be placed over the sandtrap below and then went to meet with Elion in the Elf’s tent. What was said Ben did not hear. Perhaps more of the group joined Darian in his report while Ben worked with the Gresslam Brothers? He suspected that all of the days activities were likely reported. One of the facts Ben learned later was how every creature in the Greenwillow Forest took the name Greenwillow for itself. He learned also the tree-woman was not human, but a 'dryad' defending her tree. With the mountain lion dead she would be looking for a new companion to help her guard it. Fortunately for Outpost Xavier, Darius had not accepted the position.

howandwhy99 · 17th February 2005, 04:47 AM

[Session 5]

The rest of the day would see each of the members working on their own projects or with the troops. Dram worked on training his archer crew and tested them for improvements. Targets were drawn and each member took his turn firing. Dram saw some improvement from the work so far, but each still had quite a bit to learn. Dalin put the pikeman crew he was training through a series of difficult exercises. They were huffing and puffing at the end of his work. Due to the bruises and injuries still healing from the first half the day, Dalin only watched and supervised the drills instead of joining in. Mirel found out Outpost Xavier was slowly being repaired, but many of the basic chores were being ignored. No one had even walked the horses or brushed them down that morning. She worked quietly, but steadily the rest of the day not saying a word of it to anyone.

Dram and Darius looked over the stone masonry work the soldiers and their smith had done to the broken door frame over the last couple days. It looked very nice, but the smith had not known how to rebuild the murder hole from the second floor pouring out on the porch below. The two decided it was better to have a strong, secure door. Dram tried drawing out schematics in the ground with the Smith nonetheless. The 3rd story of the tower was still almost entirely demolished by the Giant attacks from before the band had arrived over a week ago. A great deal of the supplies that were found behind Zelligar's throne room were stored in the 1st and 2nd floors while the stone blocks had been piled up on this third floor and for use along the encircling tower stairs. The holes in the walls created by the Giant's attack were currently being patch up by Militia soldiers. It was obvious to everyone a great deal more work would be needed before the tower was fully repaired.

Kayla spent her time away from the others. Pouring through the old booksfound in Zelligar's library she had several conversations in quiet with Darius throughout the day. Brother Ben did not see whether or not any information was shared with Elion the Elf, but neither did he hear what they were talking about. Instead, he was busy working with the Brothers Gresslam: Goodrich, Rizzle, and Grizzard. Still learning the basics of healing, the Brothers were put on numerous jobs mimicking Ben cleaning wounds and learning bandaging styles. Ever since the army arrived the infirmary stayed empty, but continuous work kept it as clean and orderly a place as possible given the circumstances. In the evening Dalin and Dram took inventory of the food and weapons and set watches. Most were no longer worried about another Giant stike given the one hundred soldier strong army.

Late in the day Elion called our heroes, the heads of the tower militia, to his tent to discuss what was going on back at the Keep. "Captain Devereaux has been promoted to Lady Devereaux. She took temporary command of the county when Lord Margrave took his army in chase after the enemy." Where was that we inquired. "Far to the North and East over the mountains." Elion also informed us of Lady Margrave staying in the city Harling which lay in the center of the county. She had not accompanied her husband. Brother Ben had heard about Harling and always wanted to go. Many thousands of people were said to live there. Elion spoke on about how he and Lady Devereaux had conversed over these past few days, but none in the group dared to ask how seeing as he had not left the camp. The Elf explained how he was an advisor to the Lord Margrave and how he agreed to stay behind in Margrave and assist Lady Devereaux as the acting authority.

Brother Ben was caught up in the otherworldliness the Elf seemed to possess. Very well spoken he told the group of how Quesquaton was originally the first human settlement in these lands. How over 80 years ago Zelligar and Rohgan had arrived in this very same spot and built the tower of Outpost Xavier. Elion explained that Quesquaton was a word from a barbarian tongue, which meant "the death of orcs". Dram looked angrily back at him for this. He knew the language which Elion spoke of was of his ancestor’s and by barbaric the Elf had meant ancient human. Kayla smiled to herself upon hearing the news. Perhaps she already knew some of it? Ben was unsure as he walked out into the starlit night afterwards. Working so hard to protect everyone he had neglected in learning quite who each of them were.

howandwhy99 · 18th February 2005, 04:57 AM

[DAY 9 - Thunderday, Mao 26th, CY 81]

After Ben prayed in the morning and Kayla studied from her books, the next exploration into Quesquaton was mounted. Climbing down the well had become practiced for the group, but a surprise awaited them in the side hall half way down. The door to Quesquaton was closed. Instead of saying the original password "quesquaton" which opened it, Igor pressed the plate next to the Zelligar etching to the right of the door.

"WHO DARES ENTER THIS PLACE AND INTRUDE UPON THE SANCTUARY OF ITS INHABITANTS?"

Ben wasn't in the well when they had first opened the stone portal, but he did remember this loud call echoing up the well.

"ONLY A GROUP OF FOOLHARDY EXPLORERS DOOMED TO CERTAIN DEATH!"

Our heroes chuckled a little at this. Today they planned to search for any final secret doors or rooms as the whole of Quesquaton was now explored in their minds.

"WOE TO ANY WHO PASS THIS PLACE-THE WRATH OF ZELLIGAR AND ROGAHN WILL BE UPON THEM!"

"Qua" said Igor. "Quest" said Brother Ben. "On" said Dram and the door opened.

The central corridor was empty. Igor checked for kobold tracks or those of any others that might have closed the door and found two different types. Both small distorted footprints were erratically about and several points sticking in the sand and debris. "kobold tracks and what I think is the second spider", said Igor. Brother Ben remembered the 7' beast. "Maybe it was simply spear tips," thought Ben, but chose not to say anything. Brother Ben was glad Darius had relented and Igor was traveling with the group again. Hadn't he healed the once-misshapen fellow? Besides Igor was a far better tracker than any of the others.

The secret doors in the two alcoves in the left side of the main corridor were still open. The two on the right were searched again, but nothing was discovered. Heading into the main halls, the group traveled into the pool room as the small footprints seemed to lead in almost every direction. Checking on the crack in the wall leading to the collapsed storage chamber Kayla rediscovered Ben's lost list. It contained the inscriptions encircling each of the pools. Ben made sure to hold onto it lest he misplace it again.

The frightening endless black pool = Speak My Name
The healing fruit juice which looked pink and fuzzy = Restore Health
The greenish clear fizzing acrid liquid pool = Strip Flesh
The murky grey liquid pool = Curse Upon
The green gooey pool = Slime
The icy water pool = Fresh as Mountain Stream (becomes beer when spoken)
The dark red liquid pool = Bordo
Dry, parched pool = Dust in the wind (fills with dirt when spoken)
Flaming pool = Toil & Trouble (fire goes out when spoken)
Empty pool, but with an uneasy feeling surrounding it = Your Worst Fears
Greenish liquid pool = Go to Sleep (speaker becomes drowsy)
Goldfish in water = Here Here Fishy Fishy (when spoken this kills the fish)
Ice (steaming) = Freeze
Heaping pile of gold coins = Fools Treasure (The phrase makes the coins appear or disappear)
Slowly trickling water = Be Silent (There is no sound from this pool)
Incomplete in construction = (There is no writing around this pool.)
Milk pool = Sour Puss (The milk curdles when spoken)
Swampy water with frogs = Ribbett (When spoken the tadpoles become frogs and more appear in the water)
Pool of ashes = Ashes to Ashes
The now empty pool which contained the cloth-wrapped corpse = Arise

The healing juice pool was about half empty at this point. Members had been filling their waterskins after fights. The other pools were filled to within a foot of the brim. The group had an empty quarterbarrel lowered down the well by the guards above. Once full everyone else filled waterskins until the juice was gone. Ben planned to make a tally of available doses once above ground again. The quarterbarrel was tied off and raised back up the well with instructions to store it carefully in the infirmary.

Further down the hallways more footprints could be seen. A collection lead through a series of closer rooms. The armory was still disheveled and full of rusted arms. The utility room's junk piles also seemed untouched. The footsteps led on and past the room with the smashed idol in it.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Spoiler:

MonsterMash · 18th February 2005, 12:21 PM

Thanks for the frequent updates - looks like you've got another reader now too!

howandwhy99 · 19th February 2005, 04:37 AM

Three large rats ran out of the idol room and start biting at the lead walkers. The creatures did not seem a dire threat and only a few members at first pulled out weapons to repel these vermin. Darius swung at one hitting its side, but it did not fall. Dalin, Dram, and Mirel moved in with swords and dagger. The creatures did not seem easily damaged even when a blow was landed. In retaliation the rats soundlessly bit back at the four and each hero was bitten at least once. The damage was minimal, but the four swayed in place feeling nauseated from the wounds. Dram shook off the feeling pressing forward to attack again. Darius shook off the feeling too, but Dalin and Mirel had both succombed to the poison. Quick words were exchanged over who Darius would cure as he could only save one. Mirel was chosen as she was younger and probably more susceptible. Calming light poured out of Darius's hands when he laid them on her brow.

Igor then started screaming, "They're dead! they're dead! The dead have risen! We're all going to die". Unsure of what to do next he slumped to the floor paralyzed in fear and babbling to himself. Kayla and Brother Ben grabbed Mirel and Dalin pulling them back from the combat. Darius smashed one of the rats to pieces with is hammer and virtually no blood squirted out. The creatures were dead like the humanoid body wrapped in bandages first found in the pool room. The other two rats ran back into the idol room and Dram chased after. "Could these be the original three rats we fought when first entering Quesquaton?", Kayla thought. Brother Ben backed away preparing to defend those in the rear. Dalin wheezed and turned even paler. Darius followed after Dram and saw him beating at a 10" inch crack in the floor of the wall where a rat head was darting out of. Both made to guard the opening carefully keeping their hands clear from another bite attack. It was then Igor screamed once more.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaahhhh! The kobolds! The kobolds are dead too!" Igor was shrieking while jerkily pointing his finger down the passageway. Kayla, Ben, Mirel, and Dalin looked up. Advancing towards them in the torchlight was the first row of skeletal kobold forms. Wall to wall the undead walked forwards with easily a dozen or more swarming in from the shadows behind. Dalin strained to stand up and walked towards them bravely attacking with his sword. Darius ran out of the idol room hammer already held high and lowered it onto one of the monsters. Ben grabbed his flail to help as Mirel and Kayla backed down the hallway to fire over their heads. Dram could hear the commotion, but continued to slash at the rat hole and the elusive rats within.

Swiftly marching forward the creatures mired those in front in a swamp of undead kobold. Dalin continued to swing trying to hold back the flow from Kayla and Mirel. Darius swung furiously at all the short little creatures around him as they scratched in vain to get through his plate mail armor. Dram assiduously stayed put even as two skeletons ran into the idol room and flanked him with the rat hole. Ben held the left side of those trying to stem the flow out in the hallway. "These are the same fallen foes we left in the caves from the level below!" yelled Ben. Were they unaffected by the archway because they are now dead? That was strange. Wait a minute... Brother Ben swivelled to his right putting his back to the wall behind him. A kobold attempted to scoot past him, but Ben grabbed his own chainmail shirt and held one hand high. "Get thee back to the grave vile dead," he said. Power shone out from his form and several of the creatures retreated. Even the foes near Dram cowered giving him a chance to focus on them as well.

More kobolds swept over those backing away. Dalin and Darius swung with Dalin hitting off Darius's armor. Kayla and Mirel kept raining sling stones onto the oncoming kobolds while Igor shivered in fright. "What evil lurks before me?" quoted Ben as light continued to shine out from his form. Kobolds swarmed forward and back. Over the next several minutes the battle proceeded at a slow crawl. The creatures swarmed in mass confusion as Dalin and Dram stood like pillars in the sea. Mirel's and Kayla's stones flew doing what damage they could while Dram held off the dead rats and Igor babbled. Ben stepped back while his allies moved forward to where the wave of undead crested at the edge of his divine light.

howandwhy99 · 20th February 2005, 05:22 AM

The creatures did not die easily. Hits did less damage than suspected. It was a battle of attrition as both humans and dwarf tired with each swing and the undead did not. The kobolds were gaining ground pushing past the room entrance. Darius grudgingly gave up foot by foot choosing to back into the idol room and protect Dram. Having no luck at all with the rats in the wall Dram's actions did stop anyone else from being bitten. He had also managed to kill the two kobolds that had outflanked him. Dalin was falling back to where Brother Ben stood as the swarm was split between entering the idol room and advancing down the corridor. He took a full minute to rest himself and between the scratches on Dalin's face and the poison working through him he looked near death himself. Kayla poured some of the healing fruit juice down his throat, but only the scratches healed. Ben stood tall with his hands held high continuing to try and hold back what seemed an unending torrent.

It was at that moment when Igor's instinct for self-preservation finally overcame his irrational fear. "The truth of undeath affects each person differently," Ben would reflect later. Swinging Guido's old sword two-handed, Igor filled Dalin's place in battle. Darius and Dram stood back to back in the idol room. Its smashed offering bowl lent little assistance as a dozen kobolds pressed their attack. Unguarded one of the zombie rats darted back out of the hole. Shouts for help were called and Kayla and Mirel focused their fire on the kobolds attempting to enter the room. Brother Ben paced forward chanting. Divine light had poured out of him for nearly ten minutes. Courageously, Dalin struggled to stand up as the poison coarsed through his body. Step by step he advanced on the kobold skeletons cutting one in half with his sword. "Seven", he counted aloud.

Dram and Darius were finally having some luck in killing the kobolds. It was difficult to focus on destroying one when they moved over each other and then retreated due to the divine light. Igor and Dalin waded forward to the room entrance and seeing their allies' tactics within stood back to back in the door way. Dalin worked to keep further skeletons out while Igor swung his massive sword trying to destroy the ones inside the room. Ben moved forward as bites and scratches began to affect Igor. The cook had neither chainmail nor plate armor like the others. Having fought without rest for over ten minutes straight Darius was staggered by an attack and fell to his knees.

The light from Ben dimmed as he stopped chanting for a moment and grabbed at his waterskin. He rushed forward through the doorway. The creatures clawed and bit at him as he advanced. Igor stepped forward to back up Dram and help him guard Darius. The crooked man Darius had straightened was in a frenzy frothing at the lips while hitting the small skeletons. Many of the monsters in the idol room were now destroyed thankfully. Dram worked the rat zombie back into a corner while guarding his shins from both its bites and the kobold's. Ben made it to Darius's side and poured a mouthful of healing juice down his throat and the dwarf's stamina returned. Now moving out into the hall Dalin ran to his left trying to stave off any attacks on Kayla and Mirel. Both women danced side to side trying to stay in Dalin's torchlight but away from the kobolds. They slung stones at point blank range into the oncoming mass.

Once again standing Darius called out "Retreat!" and began hammering a path through the kobolds to the room's entrance. Ben called on the power of the Gods again and the job was made easier. Dalin made it back to Kayla and Mirel effectively inacting a fighting withdrawal. The zombie rat darted back into it hole as Dram desperately tried to destroy the creature before retreating himself. Igor somersaulted out into the main hallway with the large sword in his lap. Swinging back and forth he managed to hit another kobold. Ben kept calling on the power while standing in the entranceway. Darius pulled Dram back from the rat hole and the four of them ran headlong through the remaining skeletons trying to reach Dalin and the others. Finally together the group was harassed by the few remaining kobold skeletons all the way back to the main corridor. Darius and Dram kept up a rear defense while the others ran down through the main entrance. Igor shouldered Dalin up as he swayed side to side.

Calls were made up the well for a rope. Apparently no one was nearby, but after a couple minutes one was lowered down. Dalin was tied and pulled up and in that time Mirel had already climbed to the surface. Darius and Dram who had been continuously pushed back decided to turn and ran the last few yards out the entrance door. "QUASQUETON!!" everyone yelled. And the stone door slammed shut.

howandwhy99 · 21st February 2005, 04:48 AM

Back up in the outpost Dalin had already been moved upstairs to the infirmary. The band was breathing heavily as many of the militia stared at them. "I cannot heal anyone else for the day" said Darius. "And Brother Ben says the healing juice is not working. Men! Build a stretcher. We are leaving immediately for Margrave Keep. Double-time damn it!"

People ran in all directions grabbing gear and asking what was necessary for the trip. Brother Ben ran upstairs to check on Dalin and saw him sleeping in a bed with the Gresslam Brothers shyly staring at him. Ben had them fetch more waterskins and bandages for the trip while he cleaned the rat bite on Dalin. Stripping him of his chainmail was more difficult. The noise downstairs had begun to decline when Dram and Igor walked up with a makeshift stretcher. Carefully laying Dalin on it he was moved downstairs. The stretcher was tied between two horses which were lashed with some wood in a makeshift double-yoke. Darius took lead with his horse. The other's horses were saddled and bridled as well. Darius explained how Pendra and Certa could not lead them to the Keep as they had gone off scouting a few days ago. And they had not yet returned.

The heroes embarked with a small group of regular army soldiers surrounding them on the road. Only Chervac had been back to the Keep since the heroes and their militia had originally been assigned, but now he stayed behind as did Kayla and Mirel. The trip was long and the dirt road very bumpy. Keep Margrave came into view just as the sun was going down for the day. The team hustled up the pathway to the Keep. It was built upon the raised hill cleared of the surrounding forest and leveled off. "Ho on the road!" came from the watchtower. "Hail" cried Ben. Then Darius spoke up. "We are from Outpost X to the east. I am Sergeant Darius. We have a sick man and need to be let in." The doors creaked open. The troops entered and Dalin's body was rushed to the temple within. Brother Thom who the group had met from their initial stay met them at the door. "The guards brought the news ahead of you. Please come in and bring your friend."

Brother Ben watched and prayed while Brother Thom prepared Dalin's body on a raised plinth. He said Brother Hetrick was now the Father of the Temple. But he could not help Dalin until after he awoke and prayed the next morning. Ben decided to stay and help as he could. The rest of the group went outside and spotted a sign for the local inn. The placard looked like a man with fire in his hands. So that was what Dalin called it. Darius the Dwarf had other business to conduct. He spoke with the guards at the inner gate in an attempt to meet with Captain Devereaux who was in the fort side of the keep. She was the one who originally sent the proclamation conscripting the militia troops. Elion had said he was her advisor as well as advisor to Lord Margrave when he was in the county. Elion had entrusted Darius with delivering a letter to her, but the watchguard were not helpful at all. Finally the Keep's Quartermaster Sgt Keenan came out and told him to wait until morning as "the castellan of the Keep is not taking visitors this evening."

[DAY 10 - Fastday, Mao 27th, CY 81]

Early the next morning Brother Ben met his friends as Brother Thom let them in through the temple's side door. "Come in. Come in. Father Hetrick is about to start." The others watched while Father Hetrick placed leeches on Dalin's body. Brother Ben and Darius each channeled what healing power they had into the body too. Dalin's eyes flickered and he awoke. Negotiations for donating to the temple for services were discussed the previous night, but no one had any regrets in paying that morning least of all Dalin. The sky was clear for a Mao day. The group split up and went in different directions. Some hoped to purchase supplies while other explored the Keep as they had little chance on their previous stay. Darius went straight to the inner bailey and asked about meeting with Lady Devereaux.

The Keep was split in half between townsfolk and guardsmen by a dividing wall. The far side was the inner bailey and headquarters for the guard and the castellan Lady Devereaux. The other half was a small village which the main entrance opened in on. The main gate was constructed in the usual mott and bailey design and a curtain wall surrounded the entirety of the keep with a total of seven guard towers. On the villager's side were a large inn, stables, a smithy / armorer, a tavern, a trading post, a fountain, the temple, a few merchant buildings, and some private homes as well. Ben did not really see what was on the ruling side of the Keep, but he did spot a small fortress rising up along the far wall across from the inner bailey.

howandwhy99 · 22nd February 2005, 03:53 PM

After knocking, Darius spoke with the Keep's quartermaster Sgt Keenan again. "Lady Devereaux is not taking visitors this morning."
"What!" replied the Dwarf, "How come?"
"Her orders. She is not receiving visitors this morning."
"But, I was here yesterday! I have urgent news.
"That's not my problem."
"Fine. I'll wait."

The other members of the group had a little more success. Igor was one of those who had split off on his own. Unbeknownst to the group he had a contact named "Mouse" who ran the local general store. The others met many of the keepfolk too. To them Mouse looked like a very small human always with a smile on his face. What Igor and Mouse talked of Ben could never have known, but after leaving Igor's backpack was much lighter and of a different color to boot. Dram and Dalin both bought extra supplies and personal food seeing the fare was better here. They spent the morning drinking and Dalin tried to get a little dicing started with some inn patrons without luck. Brother Ben stayed holed up with Brother Thom. He had a few interesting things to say himself when Ben asked him about rumors of the fabled Quesquaton.

"Not all pools are water. Some are beneficial and blessed, holy sites. Others are cursed by the Gods. Some have guardians. And some are the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Of course, no one believes these fairy tales." Ben took note and remembered what Elion had said about the importance of the place. He also remembered how quickly the army had arrived after word of it was sent from Outpost Yung. Brother Ben said nothing more of Quesquaton and resolved to tell no one else of it's existence. Thankfully Brother Thom still seemed in the dark. Seeking help anyways Ben asked about any adventuring advice Thom might have. "Keep your gear clean, repaired, and handy. Any item may be useful, and save your life. I’ve known men buy 11’ poles, pounds of iron spikes, and rope by the armloads." Ben thought that was good advice.

Much later on that same morning the paladin Darius banged on the heavy wooden door of the inner bailey again.
"Open up!"
"What do you want?" Sgt. Keenan replied after coming to the opposite side of the door.
"I have a letter for Lady Devereaux from her advisor Elion. It is addressed to her personally."
"Give it to me and I will get it to her."
"No. I have orders to give it to her myself."
"Then it will have to wait until she is accepting visitors."
"When will that be?" asked Darius.
"Who knows? It's been several weeks since she has last seen anyone she does not know well."
The dwarf stood in silence. "I'll tell you what. I will give you the letter, but I need some things from you too."
"Like what?"
"Well, we need more troops and supplies at Outpost Xavier. An extra smith, and. ....."

Darius listed off the necessary equipment the group could use and needed back at the tower. Sergeant Keenan actually turned out to be a pretty nice fellow after learning of the troubles at the outpost. Replacement troops were assigned for the tower militia killed but the number was only enough for what a normal tower was manned with. That meant 20 militia troops in all, not the original 40. A second smith was assigned as well as some extra food supplies and pack mules. A wagon was loaded to haul the whole load.

howandwhy99 · 22nd February 2005, 03:56 PM

In the meantime, Mirel and Kayla worked hard to organize the militia back at the outpost. Mirel tried to sneak out of becoming a supervisor by working at mucking the stables herself; the worst job she could think of. Her plan did not quite work. After the caravan had left Kayla asked some of the militia to organize a watch around the well to make sure nothing came out of it and no one went in either. Mirel could see how nervous the men were when stationed there. Having been put in charge of the tower watch by Kayla she made sure to change the well guard often. In the evening hours Mirel listened in on the soldier's stories around the campfire. Scooting about underfoot she was rarely noticed and always made sure to have a broom or shovel in hand in case anyone got too suspicious about her presence. Kayla, on the other hand, worked hard directing a top to bottom cleaning of the tower. Mirel had noticed her talking with Darius and Elion before the others left with Dalin to the Keep. She also observed Kayla sneaking in and out of Elion the Elf's tent late at night. Sadly the guards around the large tent were too attentive for her to get near enough to hear inside. Mirel set her mind on devising ways to get close enough in future nights to listen in without being caught.

Darius, Dram, Dalin, Brother Ben, Igor, and their new militia recruits left Keep Margrave shortly after midday. On the road back, Igor, Dram, and Darius were having difficulty riding as they were still injured from the underground combat the day before. Then Darius remembered the dozen berries the dryad had given him for saving her tree. He handed one out to each of the injured and took one himself. Igor asked for a second and that was when the dwarf noticed most of the berries looked to have gone bad. Igor ate the second berry anyways. The three felt healed from the meal, but their minds began to reel. For the rest of the trip they needed to trip in the back of the trip, as they could not stop tripping loudly as they tripped along the road. After the trip they arrived at the outpost just after dark. It was fortunate for all they were not attacked on the road. The supplies were unloaded and three sick men sent to the infirmary. Dram and Darius seemed better later in the evening and were reissued their weapons. Igor on the other hand still sang bawdy songs as loud as possible, muffled though he was. "For an unlearned man his vocabulary was quite extensive," Ben thought. It was a long night for Ben and the Gresslam Brothers.

[DAY 11 - Holyday, Mao 28th, CY 81]

At sunrise the next morning Darius woke everyone for their next excursion down the well. He and Ben prayed while Kayla studied from her book. Ben also made plans with the Gresslam Brothers to prepare for a Holyday ceremony with both militia and army regulars when Brother Ben returned. Igor had stopped singing and pointing at invisible snails, but the sleep he had was poor and it showed. Still, Ben was happy he was coming along with the group again to explore Quesquaton. He saw Igor putting quite a bit of food in his pack for a possible group meal later in the day. Darius pulled out the seeds he had saved from the dryad's berries eaten the day before. He had been talking with Kayla the evening before and it was planned that wine might be made from their fruit. With the help of a spade he dug a trough around the back of the tower along its edge. Planting each seed carefully in a line he packed them with dirt afterwards and watered them. After everyone's preparations were complete, the seven traveled back down the well.

Darius and Dalin stood in front with weapons out while the others held bow or sling when "Quesquaton" was spoken. Oddly, no kobold skeletons attacked. The group kept their eyes peeled for the remaining kobolds and began another room-to-room search. The poolroom was checked first and a rather depressing discovery was made. The pools looked to have lowered over the last few days. Ben tried to think back on how high the liquid levels had been when they originally discovered the room. It was hard to tell, but he believed they might have been full to their lip edges. It was decided the loss was due to the kobolds as they had made it through the archway.

Recent footprint activity led downstairs to the second level and the caves below. Igor took the lead with Darius beside him. Igor was their best scout and noticed more point like tracks as well. "Spiders again" he said. Sure enough two large spiders barreled down the long cavern jumping into the torchlight. Darius moved forward and swung at the lead spider. Both look dried and desiccated. The dwarf could see deep cuts in the first spider’s sides with which the band had originally killed it. The second spider looked just as dead, but without the cuts. Igor moved into the shadows and sliced at a spider's legs with his large sword. Ben gave him credit for not running or screaming upon seeing the undead. Mirel and Kayla pelted slingstones on the carapaces of the spiders as Dram's arrows punctured their sides. Brother Ben used his flail to try and break their legs. He was saving his divinely aided strength for turning back the kobold undead when they finally decided to show themselves.

All and all the combat went quickly. The spiders were easy targets after cutting their legs out from under them. And when the kobolds were met, Ben channeled his divine power driving off most in fear so each combat was against small numbers giving the party the best odds. On reflection only a handful of kobold skeletons ended up attacking, but Ben thought they might have learned their lesson. Also, the group might have just destroyed the majority of them during their first fight two days ago. Both possibilities seemed likely to Ben. As they entered the bat cave the group was attacked immediately by thousands of undead bats. Most of the seven backed out of the boulder hole while those with swords or hammers swung at the undead bone-like bats around them. Ben did not want to think about what unearthly power gave them flight, so he channeled his power to drive them off. To his surprise all the bats in the divine light burst into pieces. It was only a matter of time to destroy the tens of thousands still in the bat cave. It took a few hours, but the cleaning was highly successful.

howandwhy99 · 22nd February 2005, 04:14 PM

OOG:

Spoiler:

howandwhy99 · 27th February 2005, 05:20 AM

Our heroes traveled out into the forest from the geyser cave and emerged out into what was a very cloudy day. They made their way back down the hill, to the riverside and headed upstream to visit with the dryad again. The team was hoping she could answer some questions about what was going on in the forest, and also to learn where the Giant laired. Each pulled out a weapon as they walked quietly through the tree grove preceding the dryad’s glade. It was possible more orcs had returned in the intervening time. As a further precaution the group took bits of wax they had brought from the tower supplies and filled each of their ears in case the dryad tried to charm them again with her singing. Entering into the glade of the great fallen willow tree they spotted a large brown bear nearby. Cautiously everyone halted at the very edge of the trees a good 100' away from the creature. Upon seeing the group the brown bear roared and rose up on to its hind legs. The dryad was nowhere insight. No one said anything, but it was suspected that this was the dryad's new companion.

Walking forward Darius bravely called out to Greenwillow the dryad. The Bear roared again as Darius approached. It sounded muffled and underlying it was the sweet hint of a song. "Greenwillow we have returned!" Darius yelled out into the empty air, but none in the party could hear him. Darius walked toward the Bear forgetting his sword was still in hand. The Bear roared a third time in response and charged forward. It rushed into Darius and knocked him to the ground. Everyone saw the dwarf’s armor cave in from the seriousness of the blow. But Darius was made of stern stuff. His platemail had helped protect him from the worst. His hands moved slowly and he lifted his head in agony. The group let go a sigh of relief. Kayla the wisewoman moved forward a few feet into the clearing so she could be seen more easily.

The bear stood up again guarding its kill. Ben moved forward too trying to soothe the beast. He held one hand up and walked forward very slowly with his flail in one hand behind him. As he came within a few feet of Darius on the ground he could see the blood running from the Dwarf’s wounds. The stench of the bear was overpowering and Ben tried not to run in fear. Bending down Ben reached forward to the dwarf with the power of healing shining from his open hand. SMASH! The bear hit Ben tossing him 20' backwards through the air and knocking him unconscious. His lungs and chest felt as if they had collapsed. It would be a long time before he awoke again. Only later he would hear the tale of how he survived.

What he was told was told shocked him. The others slowly moved out of the wood calling out to Greenwillow. The bear was still angry and could smell the fresh blood in the air. Darius pulled out the wax from one ear. His head promptly fell back on the grass. He was asleep. The dryad Greenwillow walked out from behind her tree. Her mouth was moving and a slight trace of her song could be heard. In the meantime Mirel slowly crept up in the grass and began bandaging Brother Ben's wounds. The bear eyed her disapprovingly. But still the bear did not move forward to attack the others. It kept its huge paw on the dwarf. Dalin tried pulling the wax out of his ears too. Unfortunately the song affected him as well and he fell back into the grass asleep.

"We need your help" called out Kayla barely hearing herself. "We want to learn about the orcs who attacked you. They are our enemies as well." Weapons were purposefully stowed and the rest of the group moved out of the woods to stand near Kayla. This seemed to catch the dryad's attention. She motioned the bear back to her and off of Darius. The dwarf stood up slowly his wounds still bleeding. He bandaged himself while trying to take control of the situation. The dryad scowled at the group and Darius heard her ask what they wanted. The others pulled the wax out of their ears as well. Ben was still unconscious, so Mirel woke Dalin to help her drag his body back to the wood's edge.

"I helped you heal your tree. This was only two days ago," said the Darius. The dryad looked at him without recognition. "Don't you remember when your lion was killed?" Only then did the dryad remember. "What have you done with him? Where is he?" she screamed out. The bear looked agitated too. There were several tense minutes where Darius attempted to jog her memory. The dryad mentioned how it seemed like only yesterday she had befriended the lion as her mate. She seemed to have no memory of the group or her rescue and her responses reflected that. The dwarf called out, "We need your help now too. We are looking for a Giant's lair nearby. It has attacked our home. It has been stealing our supplies and eating our livestock. We believe we have the strength to destroy it now. But we need your help in finding the beast."

The dryad stared back with an inscrutable look of innocence on her face. "What of the orcs then?" exclaimed Darius. "They attacked you and destroyed your tree." Upon hearing this news the dryad began to openly cry. "But we want to stop them for you. We want to hunt them down and destroy them before they do the same to anyone else!" But the creature only shook her head. Darius was getting frustrated at this point. His wounds were affecting him. Dram kept one hand on his bow and the other on the nock of an arrow. Igor and Kayla advanced forward to back up Darius now the bear had backed away. Wisely they left their weapons in their packs.

Kayla called out, "We come on word of Elion the Elf, advisor to the County Margrave. We are aids to him and seek your counsel for protection of the Greenwillow Forest." The dryad perked up at this. "I know of Elion. He was here yesterday." The group looked at each other knowingly. "Was he with his brother Marevak" asked Kayla slyly. "They are children" the dryad responded. "I am teaching the ways of the forest. But I was much younger when they were here. Nearly 80 summers have passed since then. Who are you again?" Kayla seemed slightly surprised at the response, but she continued on. "We are messengers of Elion. We are looking for his brother. We also bring news of Greenwillow the Ent who was recently killed. The orcs and the Giant did this." The dryad began to cry again. "We want to stop them before they kill you or your bear." The dryad pleaded for the band to stop the orcs. She cried over the Ent's passing, but her answers seemed incoherent to the group. From that point on she seemed inconsolable. Unable to approach the dryad with the bear next to her, they backed away carefully leaving the woman in her sorrow.

howandwhy99 · 28th February 2005, 04:57 AM

Darius used Thor's power to heal his wounds, but they were very deep and only the gashes had covered over. He could still feel large purple bruises under his armor. Ben seemed stabilized, but he had lost a lot of blood. Mirel and Igor looked over him while Dram and Dalin scouted back the path back to the riverside. The forest floor was rough and they needed to find a means to transport Darius and Ben back in one piece. Darius felt he was more than up for the walk, but swayed visibly when standing. Ben was down for the count. Mirel suggested building a travois to drag Ben back. It was then Igor spoke up. "We can put 'em both in me pack. I don't mind carrying 'em." Ben slept, but the other took turns in expressing their disbelief. It seemed to them the chef was still a bit daft in the head.

"Watch this!" said Igor. Expertly the cured cripple looped the opening of his backpack over Ben's feet and proceeded to pull it over the rest of his body. The peculiar thing was, the pack was of normal size and could never have held Ben. Only it did. "How can your backpack hold so much?" asked Dalin. "Can't yours?" Igor responded. "Well I've never tried actually," responded Dalin sheepishly. And that was that. Kayla looked on Igor with a newfound respect and Dram looked on his pack with a newfound avarice. "Where can I get me one of those?" he inquired sternly. "Anywhere. They sell them at the trading post in Margrave Keep. But you have your own, so why do you need another?" The archer did not answer. He eyed the chef suspiciously.

Still at the edge of the tree grove the party decided on a plan. Brother Ben would ride in Igor's pack with Darius inside to watch over him. Dalin, Dram and Mirel would help get the team back to the cave and safely up the well to Outpost X. Kayla would accompany Igor in case the pack became too heavy for him (or if he away ran in fear, or changed form, or any other trouble the ex-humpback decided to make). Darius carefully climbed into the bag. After entering he seemed to float downwards. 20' down at the bottom he saw the figure of Brother Ben and supplies he took for Igor's. The space was large. The "floor" was about 10' square and seemed to be made of just blackness. The hole above could be seen, but its light did not illuminate into the space within. Fortunately Darius could see given his dwarfen eyesight.

He tried to jump and climb his wait back out without success. Then an enormous hand reached in the top. It searched around in the first few feet of space, but the dwarf could not reach it. Yelling out he heard no response back or outside noise. Then he felt himself drifting upward and all of a sudden the hand yanked him out of the sack. Outside of the backpack the others slowly saw the dwarf emerge like some charlatan's trick in a passing gypsy carnival caravan. First his head emerged, then his shoulders, until Darius was completely out. It was a good first test and everyone was amazed, even Igor, though he tried to hide it. "I called out your name and felt your hand upon mine. We are lucky it worked." said Kayla.

After the initial experimentation, the band traveled back to the cave as planned: Ben and Darius inside the sack. When they reached the archway Mirel and Kayla quickly remembered that those inside the sack could not travel through without being hurt. Unsure if Igor, who could travel through, was enough to ensure his passengers safe passage the group decided on another solution. Mirel was slowly lowered into the sack too. Although she was scared and could not see she bravely explained what those outside the bag had planned. With that she grabbed Ben and Darius's hands and waited to be pulled back out. Igor and Kayla walked through while Dram stood in the archway to ensure everyone safe passage. Only Mirel, Igor, and he had passed through safely before.

Once in the stairway room with the magic archway Kayla stopped the group. Remembering she had not cast her spell for the day she started mumbling words under her breath. The strange sigils in the frame of the archway came clear to her. She finally learned the answer to the riddle. "Speak my name," it said. She told those outside the pack the answer to the archway riddle was the same as the circle. Zelligar needed to be said if they wanted to pass through safely. This explained why the kobolds and rats and spiders could not pass through before, but not why they could once dead. In any case, the band did not stick around to ponder the contradiction.

Now safely above ground, the well guards were let off duty for a few minutes so the discrepancy of the number of the group exiting the well was not noticed. In the privacy of the infirmary Ben and Darius were pulled out of the pack by calling their names. Each was put abed while the others rested for the day. It would be awhile before they would enter Quesquaton again. Brother Ben could not be safely moved, so a second trip to Father Hedrach at Margrave Keep was not an option. Instead, the Brothers Gresslam watched over the two, while rest of the crew took up their daily chores. Later in the evening dark storm clouds gathered over Outpost Xavier. The wind picked up and cold rain began to fall. The soldiers in the yard all stayed in their tents except those unfortunate few who were on watch or patrol. The storm churned wickedly above the tower blacking out all light such that it was difficult to tell when the next morning had come.

howandwhy99 · 1st March 2005, 05:04 AM

[DAY 12 - Sunday, Juna 1st, CY 81]
– [DAY 18 - Holyday, Juna 7th, CY 81]

For the next five days Ben slept without waking. The wounds he had received from the bear were healing slowly and he fluttered in and out of sleep. The Brothers Gresslam watched over him spoon-feeding soup to him when awake. The rest of the Outpost was in sour spirits. The rain poured down and the sun was blotted out from the sky. A morose humor seemed to take hold of the men and several complained of aches and pains. The beds started to fill around Ben by soldiers and militia alike.

Dram helped with the smithy as he could during the day. As a smith had raised him, he knew his way around the anvil and irons. With three ironsmiths pounding away inside the tower it was amazing Ben slept as much as he did, but the work they completed aided enormously in shaping the new third story walls of the outpost. A rebuilt and completed stone tower looked more and more like a real possibility than a dream. In the evenings during that week Dram still felt restless. His large arms were tired from hammering, but his legs were not. So he took off into the wet woods to hunt for food and scout out the land. While he never ventured far into them, he spotted little game or tracks nearby.

Dalin took up with the pikemen he was training from the militia guard. Even with heavy rain pouring down he put them through their practiced routines. Mirel expressed an interest in learning as well. Dalin was willing to train her completely, but she was only interested in shield work. Mirel smiled secretively. In her mind Dalin had failed in tricking her into fighting in front. The whole group improved over the course of the week. By Holyday each of the pikemen instinctively knew their place in the formation wall. They had become experienced in using their shields and weapons as a unit. Mirel proved to learn quickly and with Dalin’s teaching she was using her newly issued shield as well as anyone.

Kayla stayed in her room on the second floor and read. She only came out for food, sometimes for more candles to read by, and to meet with Darius or Elion the Elf. She seemed energized, but did not speak openly about what she was studying. Darius did take interest and started spending time with Kayla throughout the week. What was discussed and learned in private only they could say. Brother Ben, Darius, and Kayla were the only literates among the militia. And though Elion the Elf could read of course, none of the army troops looked to be able to. Captain Radcliffe the leader of the platoon encampment was popular with his men, but he showed a distinctive lack of intellectual training.

After returning from the disappointing meeting with the dryad, Igor looked very upbeat. He made the dinner that first night and started helping more and more with chores. The next morning he helped clean the tower’s floor of much to the dismay of Mirel and made friends with the well guardsmen therein. They were laughing in no time at his wisecracks and humorous antics. Darius made a point of sticking nearby though when he spotted the chef. Apprehensive about being supervised, Igor spent the rest of the week going out on patrols with the army soldiers. He made more friends with the soldiers as well, but it meant he was almost always wet. But neither could he be watched closely either.

Darius managed to supervise in many areas at once. The first night back and for the entire next day he slept in the infirmary. It did not take nearly as long for him to heal as Ben, but his wounds had been potentially lethal as well. On Moonday he met with Elion and Captain Radcliffe. It was decided 50 army soldiers should be reassigned to the Keep. Reports had been coming in. According to Elion bandits were attacking people on the roads around Keep Margrave. The soldiers were deployed later that day. For the next three days Darius split up his time between reading books with Kayla, chatting with the army corporals, reporting to Elion, restructuring the militia duty roster, and assisting in repairs.

On Thunderday night, while Darius was praying to Thor, Ben’s fever finally broke. "Glad to see you up and about. We were afraid we'd seen the last of you" said Grizzard Gresslam. The Brothers filled Ben in on the events of the days he had missed. Dalin related to him his rescue from the dryad. Ben was shocked he had slept so long and felt weak when he tried to get up. More training was planned for the coming week and Darius was sending Ben to Father Hedrack’s temple in Keep Margrave for clerical study. Ben agreed. With the strange weather and sinking spirits a strong faith was needed more than ever within the tower. Fastday morning Ben was packed, his horse saddled and bridled, and by evening he was talking with Brother Thom. Brother Ben’s lessons began right away, but he felt barely up to the task. Holyday was very busy at the temple, but Ben spoke to almost no one but Father Hetrach. He had 29 verses to memorize before nightfall and his head still hurt from the sickness.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diaglo

The storm rages all week long. It rains nonstop. It is overcast and grey when the Sun should be out. And at night it is darker than pitch with streaks and flashes of lightning along with very loud roars of thunder. Work is slow due to the constant downpour. Repairs are slow. Firewood is at a minimum. Morale would be even lower if not for the constant vigil by the NCOs. Brother Ben notices the Keep is clear of all the weather. With the fewer men now occupying the Outpost and Palisade the patrols don't range as far. No signs of Pendra or Certa all week. No signs of the orcs, wolves, kobolds, or the Giant either.