The One True Game: According to Hoyle, and Others

[howandwhy99]

[DAY 80 – Thunderday, Azer 12th, CY 81]

In the morning Father Ben helped the team prepare for their journey. Lord Ratcliffe was with them at the gates as they loaded up all the horses. Having learned of their departure only that morning he ordered a guardian to travel along with them. The dirty red-bearded dwarf shambled over and introduced himself again as “Cyrus... The Black.” The group nodded with half smiles and gave the dwarf a horse. He was to ride with Kayla and Igor to the west. It was then Ben discovered the travelers would split up temporarily. Most would go with Dram whose father lived in Hamfast to the south, while Kayla and Igor went to buy supplies in Hommlet to the west. Both were on Dram’s map and the two roads eventually led to Holmfaust Kayla’s home. Everyone waved goodbye and the two teams walked their horses down the winding hill as one. It was only then Ben realized Mirel was not around to see them off.

At the bottom of the Keep’s ramp Kayla, Igor and Cyrus split off waving back to the others. Dram took lead for the southbound crew. Pax, Darius, Dalin, and Ormand the Redd followed beind. The day’s journey was slow going, so Dram started asking Pax where he was from. The huge man interested him. Pax was easily seven feet tall and perhaps twice the weight of Dram who was considered large by most. Perhaps it was envy which spurred him as he was now only the second strongest in the group. Pax bellowed out simple answers in his deep voice as his horse struggled to carry him. “I am originally from the Keep, but I had just returned from my outpost when Darius hired me.”
“Ahh...” Dram paused. “How in Thor’s name did you get so... BIG?”
Pax smiled, “I don’t know. I don’t even exercise”

Dalin thought back on his conversation with the slaves. He had learned only yesterday about Cyrus’s involvement at the Chaos caves. He wondered why no one had thought to ask the dwarf of his actions there. What intrigued Dalin however, was one of the slaves. When he heard the name Reynaldo last eve he had nearly spit up his wine. Tracking down the slaves was simple as they were still held under the protection of the watchguard. To Dalin, Reynaldo looked the picture of a knight even in rags. Dalin offered him his plate armor. He apologized to Ronaldo about the scratches. The former slave stopped him. “No. I am Reynaldo…not Ronaldo. You say it wrong. And I am not from this Claris of which you speak. I am REYNALDO!” He beat on his chest. Dalin thought it was simply best to agree and back away. Perhaps he was wrong.

By mid afternoon a tower was sighted down the trail. “Hail on the road!”
“Hail in the tower!” called back Darius. Two youths came forward with spears in hand. They jumped to attention when they recognized Captain Darius. Introductions were made all around and the team settled into the small tower. Outpost Bayer was a great deal more comfortable than Xavier ever was. Dalin suspected the other twenty-four were too. The tower militia brushed down their horses and prepared what food they had. The team simply let them run around while they tried to impress Darius. They decided to camp in Bayer for the night. No one knew how far Hamfast was and the map had no measurements. In the evening, Dalin introduced some of Outpost Bear’s soldiers to dicing. He won ten coppers before sleep got the better of him.

Cyrus was pleased simply not to have to walk. It had been many a year since he owned a horse. He was determined not to sell his newly won dagger for coin just yet. Of the two he traveled with the bug-eyed man looked dull enough, but the woman in robes had a refined look about her. Not to mention a rather large purse on her belt. He did not think it wise to ask where they were headed, but he did inquire when he had to give back the horse.
“Oh? Never. It is yours to keep” the woman responded.
Cyrus peed himself a little when he heard her. “By Gods I’ve found me the Motherload!” he thought to himself.

[howandwhy99]

The hours passed slowly. Getting bored out of his skull just riding along Cyrus tried counting the trees along the roadside. Before long he realized he was sleeping. He could hear the clip clop of the horses’ feet and also a man’s voice.
“Something we ought to consider getting is a cask of Dargon's Breath...or two... maybe something stronger if it's available. If we don't have explosives it seems like the next best thing.”
Cyrus’s eyes popped open. “Ya don’t happen to have any with ya right now, do ya?”
The man’s eyes cut back to the dwarf, but then he smiled toothily. “Nay. We jus’ needin’ ta be tallyin’ our order.”
Then the woman asked Cyrus to ride point a few yards up ahead. He had a feeling it was more of an order then a request. Looking around he lamented the fact there were no more trees about. The three had exited the forest while he slept.

By dinnertime Cyrus had built up quite an appetite. The hand of luck was smiling on him though as a small village appeared around the bend. To his right some massive building was being constructed out of stone. “Poor job of it”, he thought. Other buildings were wooden and scattered about amidst several trees. The road curved toward their center. As the trio passed the locals, some of them gave Cyrus the Evil Eye. He had seen it before in Margrave, but it seemed to be more popular of late. Cyrus reached a split in the road and halted. He knew of the Inn on his right. A square wooden sign showing a buxom and smiling girl holding a flagon of beer stood beside it.
“The Welcome Wench. Looks t’ be the only place in town.”
The others stopped too. “You reserve us three rooms while I-gore and I make our purchases. Then stay until we return” said the woman.
Cyrus nodded. Then she gave him four gold pieces, far more than he needed. He did his best to keep a straight face.



The downstairs interior to the Wench had quite a few people in it for the sun being up. Cyrus counted seven not including a serving wench and potboy.
“Bring me some ale!” he bellowed to the tall rotund man behind the counter. “Somethin’ I won’t spit back up.”
The serving wench seated him and started listing off all the brands and styles they had while the rest of the room looked on. Cyrus interrupted her.
“What’ve ya got that’s dwarven?”
“There is no dwarven ale or mead as the roads south have brigands who…”
”If it ain’t Dwarven, it’s CRAP!” Cyrus said loudly. The serving woman flinched away from him.
“Bring me some ale anyways. What can I get fer four gold?” he said slapping his coins on the table. The bartender offered him fifty drinks of fine ale.
“Start pourin’.”

One of the other customers approached and sat at Cyrus’s table. A lean, younger man he looked out of place with all the County troops gone to the Front. He introduced himself as Elmo and asked about what Cyrus was doing in Hommlet. “Just passin’ through”, he said. Cyrus did not feel much like talking, but the other man seemed not to notice. He talked up the little town and introduced the others in the room too: Ostler the fat barkeep, Spoon-wah in nondescript clothes, Turko and Zert in furs and armor, Danny, boy but almost a man, and someone else in a farmer’s get up. Cyrus pretended to pay attention and asked for more ale. He was enjoying the fun of drinking the Inn under. It had been many a day since he had gorged himself so.

Elmo went on about how traffic was slow due to bandits on the road. He seemed pretty interested on whether or not Cyrus had met with any. The Spugnoir fellow asked if he was an adventurer. Cyrus told him he was simply a dwarven warrior like in the stories. The funny man offered him a contract to go exploring in a run down estate out of town, “to find the lost gold there. And treasures beyond your imagination. Jewels. Weapons. Books.” A few of the others in the room took notice; the two in furs especially.
“Books?” Cyrus looked dubiously at the thin Spoonwa, “that’s not treasure.”
“What about a book that contained every word in the entire language? What of that, hmm?” said Spoonwah.
Cyrus gulped down the rest of his ale, “that would be the longest book ever written. And a damn waste to carry with gold around.”

[howandwhy99]

Cyrus asked if anything actually interesting happened in Hamlet. Then he remembered he was to be on the look out for one or two people who were dangerous. Elmo told him a list of folks who had come and gone through town recently. Cyrus was well into his cups by then though. All he could remember was to tell the man and woman that their “Zerkle” had arrived the day before. By the time he dutifully finished off his fiftieth ale he was feeling fairly warm. So ignoring the others he moved closers to the fire pit and closed his eyes for a short nap.

Kayla and Igor doubled back once the dwarf entered the Inn. Igor had picked out the general store and the main reason they had split off from the others was to purchase supplies there. At least it was one of the main reasons. There was no sign, only full sacks of grain and some large wooden barrels stacked outside the door to mark the building’s purpose. Inside a wide variety of wares were set out on the floor and on shelves. It was more than Mouse had ever displayed. Haggling with the man behind the counter, a jovial fellow named Gremag, was difficult. In the end they purchased several weeks worth of cured rations for the whole team and a massive vat of lamp oil. Gremag watched as Igor declined his help with the vat and placed every item in his pack instead. Once finished Kayla and Igor split up to deal with private matters. They walked off in opposite directions as the sun set.

“Here cleric, cleric, cleric. Heeeeeere cleric.” Igor stumbled though the warren of building blocks near the unfinished temple to the northeast of town. The structure was by far the largest in Hommlet and still not complete. Ahead over a dozen elderly workers still toiled in dusk’s light while setting stone and mortar. Igor felt a tap on one shoulder. “Ack! Me bad spot.” He turned and saw a priest behind him and straightened back up. “Just an ol’cookin’ injury.” After explaining how he worked for Lord Ratcliffe in Margrave Keep “as ‘s personal chef” Igor managed to convince the cleric to sell him some healing potions, one then and one in the morning. The Father prattled on a bit and Igor’s training kicked in. He made sure to listen to every detail. Other than his name, Father John, there was not much to learn. Building was slow, but completion was within sight. Only now the priest worried the Old Faith was making a comeback. When full darkness fell Igor took his leave, but decided not to head to the Inn quite yet.

Circling around a thick grove of trees the Hommletites apparently kept well tended in the center of town, Kayla saw the sun setting on a small stone tower atop a low rounded hill. It was the place she had been told to look for. Climbing up the hillside she saw a door open in the tower above. Two men exited, one as if in a dream. “Rufus?” she called out. The one in armor waved her forward with a smile.



Inside the tower was an expertly decorated abode designed to suit both men’s sensibilities. After introductions and pleasantries were made the conversation became more esoteric. Rufus posited a divine exculpation of mystic energies, but not arcane listing off their contrafibularities in support. Kayla listened attentively. She was back in her element of choice. Time slipped by unnoticed until the witching hour. Feeling drowsy Kayla nevertheless remembered to show the red, powdery, chalk of the Godnail to the two men. Neither knew what to make of it, but offered some potions and a scroll in exchange for a small portion. Warily they collected a pinch in a steel vial without touching it. More was promised in the future for another scroll which had not been on hand. Goodbyes were said as the night was already half passed. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t Burné.” Kayla said.

She left and walked with a torch back toward the Inn. In the starlight she saw a skulking figure move out of the shadows. It giggled gleefully. “Igor?”
“At your service m’lady.” Igor bowed in the torchlight. The two entered into the Welcome Wench and spotted their dwarven guardian asleep upon the floor. Rousing the innkeeper they finally found a place to rest for the night.

[howandwhy99]

[DAY 81 – Fastday, Azer 12th, CY 81]

At the crack of dawn the team at Outpost Bayer loaded up their horses and began the ride to Hamfast. After only a few hours of riding Dram began to recognize the woods around him. As he had grown up in Hamfast he knew a little of the Greenwillow Forest surrounding the village. As they traveled closer and closer, Dram realized he had neither seen nor heard any residents along the way. He quieted the other four as they ate their noonday meal. When the team came to the edge of the wooded town center it looked completely deserted. They decided to dismount and approach silently on foot. Dram led Dalin and Darius, while Ormand and Pax stayed behind with the horses.

The three ducked between the trees and homes. Dram spotted a large wooden pen with at least thirty or so people in it. They crept over and whistled to those inside. The prisoners in the pen were all older men of the town. Upon seeing Dram oneee started hollering, but other men quickly quieted him. Everyone held their breath and waited. Nothing happened. Then one man approached the wall near the team. He whispered to them to crouch down and make themselves harder to see. His name was Sam. Bit by bit he explained how the town had been taken over by goblins and how they were using the villagers to dig tunnels below and forge weapons above. During the day the goblins slept in the houses to hid from the sunlight. But they had other traitorous humans routinely checking the pen.

Dram searched through the prisoners’ faces, but could not find his father. Sam said he was still in the constable’s jail because of a debt owed to the town. “What? Where’s the mayor?” Dram asked incredulously. Another prisoner explained how the mayor and sheriff had actually been working with the goblins. So were some of the other townsfolk. After seeing the rest of the town chained, whipped, and made into slaves the mayor helped lead a revolt along with some of the other original sympathizers. Unfortunately, they failed. Now every human was watched more closely by the goblins. “What happened to the mayor and the others?” asked Darius. Sam stayed quiet and no one else responded.

Darius attempted to coax out the truth. Sam and a few of the prisoners admitted to having initially joined with the goblins. Then someone forced the mayor forward from in back of the prisoners. Frightened, he explained that the goblins were originally brought in to help create weapons for the war effort. The County desperately needed as many weapons as possible and the goblins worked for practically nothing. Only now, the goblins had taken over Hamfast. No one bothered to explain why troops from Margrave had not come to free the town yet. Sam said that no visitors ever came through, but large wagonloads of weapons were still carted out westwards towards Harling. From another prisoner, Darius learned the humans below ground were kept inside tunnels between the different houses. The humans were forced to dig these tunnels all over beneath the town.

Darius pulled his two companions back to the horses and collected Ormand the Redd and Pax. He stressed the need to be as quiet as possible. He, Pax, and Dalin removed their plate armor. Dram told the others he was leaving to go find his father. Dalin offered to help, but Dram ran off circling around to the far side of town. The other four snuck back to the prisoners’ pen. Dram ran until he was outside what he knew to be the sheriff’s home. Looking in a window he saw his father tied up inside. The building looked empty otherwise. Dram pried open the door and entered. His father stared at him in disbelief. Dram removed the gag. “Dad!” “Son!”

[howandwhy99]

As the two gruff men tried to hold back the tears Dram recounted what he had learned from the prisoners outside. His father confirmed the story. He also knew of much larger and hairier goblins in the tunnels below ground. They had arrived after the town was taken over. He also explained how the Skunraker Brothers were working with the goblins and had previously paid off the mayor and sheriff to allow the creatures into Hamfast. Then he cursed them for joining with the goblins after the creatures took over. With grim determination Dram pulled out his coin pouch and counted out the debt his father still owed. He left the pouch on a table in the room. Dram’s father said he had finished the armor he had been working on so long. But the buyer had never come to collect. Dram moved to leave, but his father refused to go. “I have to collect the armor. I can’t go without it.” Knowing how stubborn his father could be Dram gave in. He scouted outside first and then followed his dad to the Hammersmith family forge. See background for full story

Motioning to help, the two strained with all their might and shifted the large forge anvil to one side. In a small compartment below Dram’s father pulled out a light metal box. In it was a fine mesh of chainmail armor made of something like burnished silver. He asked Dram to put the armor on. It was now his gift to his son. Dram took off his leathers and put on the chain. He gleamed like young warrior-king. The armor was incredibly light and did not scratch him at all. His father explained that it was deceptively tough and would keep him safe. Dram pulled his leather armor back on over it and could hardly feel the fine chainmail underneath. It was difficult to tell he even had it on. At last they left to join the others and escape.

Darius had asked the prisoners to prepare for travel. But Dalin waited to open the pen door as long as he could to give Dram some time. The lock was made from steel, but the gate and pen walls were made of wood and easy enough to cut. When they finally saw Dram running toward them with his father Dalin cut open the door and started leading the prisoners out in single file. Shouts rang out from the adjoining house. Three men ran outside and straight into the awaiting Pax and Ormond. It was the sheriff and two of his lackeys. None were armed. “Not a word or you will all die” Pax threatened. The three snapped shut their mouths. Dram ran back to the sheriff’s house while the team tied up their ‘new’ prisoners. Dalin led the freed men out of town. Darius tore off some of the sheriff’s clothing and gagged him and his deputees. When Dram returned he tossed a large pouch of coins in the constable’s lap. “The debt is paid. Gil Hammersmith is free.”

The five heroes counted themselves lucky as they mounted up and escorted the escapees north. The pace was very slow. Dram introduced his father, Gil Hammersmith, to his friends. After an hour Darius ordered the men to keep heading north until they reached Outpost Bear. He hastily scribed a note and handed it to Sam to give to the outpost commander. He told them to seek out Father Ben once they arrived at the Keep. Dram’s father decided to ride south with his son and they made a makeshift saddle for him on a packhorse. Feeling confident they turned toward Holmfaust and the rest of the team.

[howandwhy99]

Exhausted from the long ride and events in Hamfast Darius directed the hauling of supplies to Inn’s sleeping quarters upstairs. When Kayla’s whereabouts were explained to him he started hiking to the Wizard’s tower just outside town. Some of the team followed along. Darius ordered Pax back to guard the horses. At the tower the crowd of visitors huddled in a downstairs sitting room. Kayla made introductions again. Catching the old man’s attentions Darius launched into an explanation of everything that had happened since their team had first met and started exploring Outpost Xavier and Quesquaton below. It took some time to tell as he included the details about Elion (now a rat), Marevak (his lost Elven brother), the fire, the disappearance of Lady Devereaux, the team’s new titles at the Keep, Father Ben’s absence, and the petitioning of the dwarven troops. While he did not remember every detail he did explain their tardiness due to Hamfast’s goblin infestation.

By the time Darius had finished it was late evening and pitch black outside. Balorn was lost in thought about what he had just heard. Realizing they were in the presence of a powerful wizard the other members started asking him to examine some of the items they had found during their adventures. Waving his arms about and murmuring under his breath, Balorn examined each of the items in turn. A few were magical, but he was especially taken with Darius’s ornamental dagger, which had been found in Zelligar’s quarters. When they finally left for the evening Kayla accompanied them to the Inn. At the door her mentor handed her two books on magic to read during her journeys.

All along the walk back Darius could not help but think he had missed a number of important details in his retelling. At the stables he spied Pax and Ormand the Redd up in the loft. They were taking turns watching the horses for the night. The others were already headed upstairs to sleep. Darius saw Cyrus snoozing near the bar drenched in ale like a drowned rat. “Wait! Kayla. What did you do with the rat?”
“I gave it to Balorn. He is going to try and return Elion to his normal form.” She answered.
“But didn’t you say you were contacted by Elion in the forest?” Kayla nodded. “Couldn’t that message have been real? What if that rat is a spy? Or possibly even Barth?”
Kayla’s eyes went wide with realization. Shouting and pounding on doors the entire team started assembling in ragtag fashion.

Darius reached the tower door first. He pulled on the handle, but it would not budge. Kayla was behind him and whispered something. The door flung open. Darius quickly searched inside. Finding the sitting room empty he crashed through the opposite downstairs door. Beyond was a bizarre conflagration of glasswork, shelves, and jars. Kayla was bounding up the stairs already behind him. As quick as ever Dram shot into the tower. “Upstairs!” Darius called to him. The large man stomped up as Darius followed. At the top landing was an open doorframe but within it was a plane of stars. It was like nothing Darius had ever seen before. The stars moved as if he were flying into them. Kayla was nowhere to be found.

Dram and Darius hurled themselves into the star field. Both bounced back. Pain jolted through their bodies when the touched it. Dalin climbed the stairs behind them. Below the rest of the team was trying to squeeze their way into the tower. “What in Thor’s name are we doing!?” shouted out Dram.
“We need to save Balorn!” Darius shouted back. “The rat is not Elion. Grrr... We need to get through that door!” He pointed to the stars. Dalin tried hurling himself through and disappeared. Ormand the Redd and Pax climbed up the stairs at the same time. Darius leapt forward and closed his eyes. He was not shocked this time. Somehow he shook off the magic and tumbled to his feet on the far side. Raising his hammer high he saw Balorn, Kayla, and Dalin standing around a stinking pile of goo in the center of the room. It was much larger than the rat Darius remembered. The rest of the room had bookshelves in every wall. More books were piled in shelves and on podiums as well.

Balorn dismissed the star field behind him. When those in the hall entered, he explained how the rat creature had not been Elion as they suspected. Balorn called it a ‘shapechanger’. He had neglected to tell them about hearing rumors of shapechanger activity of late in Margrave County. The story of Barth and the Dragon before now confirmed their meddlings. He luckily dispatched the rat before it could cause any harm. Balorn explained how the creatures were also much like rats: where there was one, more would surely be nearby. With the commotion over he handed a few more books to Kayla. These were all about shapechangers and shifters of all stripes. Then he led them out his tower. Below Balorn noticed the door to his lab broken down and glared in frustration. After everyone exited he closed the front door without a word of parting.

[howandwhy99]

[DAY 82 – Holyday, Azer 14th, CY 81]
– [DAY 83 – Sunday, Azer 15th, CY 81]

The following Holyday was spent traveling on horseback on the road to Harling. None of them had ever been to the capital of Margrave before much less a full on city. The traffic on the road was heavy with wagons and walkers. Some others were on horseback too and twice riders cantered past at a quick pace. Igor guessed these were messengers either for the militia or perhaps the nobility. More than a few faces stared at Cyrus and Darius. As dwarves they stuck out in the community of mostly humans. By the end of the day the team had reached the outskirts of the city. Houses and farmlands edged up against the road, but were mostly scattered. Igor and Dram tried to find lodging in one of them, but without luck. The team bedded down for the evening along the roadside near a fallow field. Watches were kept, but practically no one passed by during the night.

Igor spoke with Kayla during their watch. She had not yet received word from the Circle of Mages in town. Balorn had written a letter of introduction for her and explained how she could contact the advisors. Igor confessed he had not heard word from any of his contacts either. No one along the road seemed to recognize his signs or be willing to. Kayla worried about the dwarven hatred as they entered into the city. The assassins at the Keep knew their faces. Barth, Turko, and Zert might have fled to the anonymity of the city. Igor volunteered to disguise everyone, so they might ride openly which was easier than trying to hide the horses. Kayla agreed.

In the morning Kayla spoke to Darius and he announced the plan and need for disguises. Igor surprised the others by having an especially deft touch at disguise work and helped them all with their efforts. Dram’s father Gil was disguised too at Dram’s insistence. He said the word of his father’s freedom had not yet spread, but his crimes might have. Cyrus begged off a disguise. “Been ‘round humans near most m’ life. So I don’t care what they think.” Igor backed him up in this. Few if any knew of Cyrus’s guardian role for the party, so he was allowed to operate openly.

The group rode their horses for several hours as the city grew around them. At first the houses grew to a single line on both sides of the road, then an Inn was seen. After awhile the homes stretched two rows deep and continued to grow from there. Small shops and businesses were seen hawking their wares. Igor saw nothing unusual, but on a couple of occasions they were heckled for riding with two dwarves. In mid-afternoon they crested a final rise in the road and saw the outer wall of the city proper before them. Guards were posted to either side of the road’s entryway to the interior city. As they approached they realized that none of the traffic through the gate was being stopped. However, the team decided not to chance entering with the dwarves. Looking inside the gates the tangled mass of streets and single story homes had grown to fill every space. Instead they decided to split up and meet back in front of the gate square just before nightfall. Kayla made everyone promise not to drink while in the city. “The secret of our trip must be kept.” They nodded in agreement, even Cyrus.

Originally Posted by Dram

Splitting off with his Father and Ormand the Redd, Dram complied with Kayla's request and made a conscious effort to avoid drinking establishments. (He was not as hardy as Cyrus of the 50 Ales!). He made certain to fully cover his new chainmail under his disguise and to hide the golden arrow he won in the archery contest during the Midsummer fest contests. He did his best to hide his quiver under his cloak too and disguised his unstrung bow as a walking stick (the bowstring was pocketed but ready). His dagger was hidden but handy. Hammer, spear and longsword went into Igor's sack. The same set up went for Ormand the Redd too. Dram's father, Gil Hammersmith, was still looking pretty weak and bedraggled and wasn't armed or armored. Dram, Ormand and Gil, when asked, were pilgrims passing through Harling on their way to the little-known "Shrine of the Purple Raven". They had taken a vow of silence during their trip. Dram asked Kayla to draw up a note stating as much so that it may be presented to any overly curious cityfolk. If they were forced into a speaking situation, Dram appointed his father as spokesman since he knew the least (and Dram hadn't filled him in yet on all the recent details of his life).

Kayla and Darius found a street vendor hawking sightseeing tours of the city and decided to join. Two other people were to walk with them, but left when they saw Darius. The hawker led them around the Outer City pointing out interesting sites. The two tried to pry out more information and rumors from the man. This was not too hard, but he refused to converse with the dwarf no matter what. In fact, Darius noticed no one spoke a word to him and avoided his gaze whenever possible.

On the other hand, Kayla learned quite a few interesting pieces of information. It seemed trade within County Margrave was booming. It was better than any had ever remembered it. Apparently a group called “The Skun Brothers” was buying up all the ore anyone could provide. Darius growled at this, but decided not to say anything. Kayla tried prying into deeper secrets with a few gold. She did not think much of the result though. Their guide seemed to think bad storms had ruined the year’s crops because the Gods were angry and trying to scare all of Margrave. Many were returning to the Old Faith because of it. To Kayla it sounded like another false superstition. When the tour came to an end, Kayla did her best to hide Darius inside a small, easy-to-miss tavern and inn. It was a little ways from the gate square, but rooms were cheap and the bar dingy. Afterwards, she went looking for Igor.

[howandwhy99]

Dram, his father, and Ormand, walked around the Outer City trying to keep their bearings the entire time. It was easy to get lost even outside the city walls it seemed. Dram risked short snatches of conversation with his father when no one was looking. Trailing behind suspicious characters the trio attempted to listen in on conversations. Two brutish and burly looking men made a good target. Their talk was getting dull when all of a sudden one mentioned, “the slaves from Hamfest show some promise for a good price.” Dram’s father nearly choked when he overheard. Dram had to grab him and pull him away before he did something rash. He told Ormand the Redd to track the two, but he came back a short while later with a bloodied nose. Dram laughed heartily when he saw and helped bandage the wound.

Ditching his original disguise, Igor dressed as an aging tanner. His eyes were sharp and he knew several of the signs to look for as he walked through the streets. Entering the Inner City he stayed close to the surrounding wall as the warren of paths and alleys was impossible to follow otherwise. A few lead coins steered him in the direction of a counting house. Behind the back a man smoking a scandalously carved piped glanced at him. Igor made contact. Bartering coins one by one he picked up the local scuttlebutt about the city. He even learned of some contact points for different guilds. Then the man blabbered something he obviously thought was safe to mention. He had just heard “the ore quality and weapons being made for the war effort are a front for the Black Market.” Igor chuckled at how nothing was truly secret in the sewers. He killed the man quickly so he would not let out a scream. Leaving the body with a specific mark upon it, he could only hope it would teach whomever the man’s informant was to keep their mouth shut.

Dalin had different plans in mind. He took his horse and turned back down the road from whence they had come. It took three silver, but he finally obtained a sensible enough map for directions to Clares and the Lady of Clares’ estate. As Dalin rushed down the road alone his mind drifted back to a time when he had spoken with Father Hetrack about the armor.

Father Hetrick: "The 3 rings are the heraldry of Sir Ronaldo of Clares now deceased. The Chalice symbols place him in the Order of the Chalice. A smaller sect of the Order of the Crown."

"They believe in virtue above all else. The Order of the Crown holds allegiance to the Church only in matters that deal with the nobility. In all other matters they follow the tenets of the nobles. Some times this leads to disagreements between the Church and the nobles."

"But since most of the Church comes from the nobility... well lets just say it is family squabbling."

Since the time he had heard Hedrach’s words he had worn the armor whenever possible. Even as fancy as it was, he was proud to show it off. A full two-hour ride later winding around the plots of many large estates, the manor of Ronaldo came into view. Dalin stripped off the false hair and teeth Igor had loaned him. He washed and polished the plate armor filigree a bit too trying to look his best. He had no appointment, but was led in to meet the Lady Clares straight away. To his surprise she was actually quite young and very beautiful. Dalin did his best to act proper, but he did not really know how noblemen acted. He did learn more about Ronaldo. Apparently he had left no heirs. Upon her wish, he recounted some of the tales of his adventures embellishing a little where appropriate.

Then she asked him to stand and pose in the armor of her late husband for her. He apologized for the filigree being somewhat marred. To his surprise the Lady then gifted it to him. “Use it to honor my late husband.” They sat and talked for a while more. Dalin learned more about Clares and the armor he wore. Her Ladyship asked him more about his future travels and if he had news about the war. He admitted he did not know anything having been at Keep Margrave so long. She asked if he had ever met the cruel dwarf Darius when staying at the Keep. She had heard he was using Lord Radcliffe as a puppet. Dalin gulped. According to Lady Clares all the nobles were abuzz about the depraved Darius’s attempt to overthrow Margrave using the armies of the dwarves. It was at that point when Dalin excused himself saying he had to return to the city before nightfall. He was pushing his horse so hard during the run back that he nearly forgot to don his disguise again.

[howandwhy99]

Cyrus mused. The K-la woman had told everyone to go find rumors. Then she told them not to drink. But she had dressed up the others in silly costumes. In retrospect he decided the rules were not meant for him. He was not part of their group. “I’m their guardian, ain’t I?” he said aloud. He decided to go find a pub. Four hours later and he was being thrown out of his tenth pub for the evening. Apparently people in Harling had some sore feelings towards dwarves, especially one by the name of Darius. He did not know the poor slob, but he felt sorry for him already. After being booted out of an eleventh, Cyrus crawled over to an alleyway with a bottle of ale he had managed to grab on the way out. Night had fallen by that point, but he did not much care. No one snuck up on a dwarf in the dark.

It was then he heard some familiar voices through a window behind him. Cyrus climbed atop a couple of crates to better listen. Inside was a tavern he had yet to visit. The voices were the same as he had had heard on the ride south.

Originally Posted by I-gore’s & K-la

(I-gore)”…remove all the leaders, manufacture a threat to deal with and county margrave will be begging for competent leaders to help them fore the “enemy” takes them over, then give the hired enemy a quarter of the kingdom as payment. It’s just speculation on my part though, someone else could easily be inside the county now plotting the same thing, with a small mercenary force to "help" him "fight" the "enemy".”

(K-la) “The only theories I had so far concerned the war already going on. Someone interested in making sure it went their way. I was thinking that perhaps we were only still alive because they were hoping we would find whatever it was Elian was talking about in Quasqueton (if it's in the caves or something). Whatever it is, it seems to be something everyone wants. And it must not be the dust because I asked Elian about it. If that were what it was we would know. I think that may be part of the point behind…”

CRASH!! A cat screeched. Cyrus had lost his balance and fallen to the alley’s dirt floor. He cursed noticing his bottle of ale had broken. Not wanting to be found out he took off at a drunken run back into the pub he had crawled out of. Tossing down a drink he spotted on a table he kept on running and dove out a window into another alley. Cyrus knew the breaks. He did not bother turning around while he ran. He just hoped the man and woman had not seen him. It took a little while, but he finally found some of the group he was protecting near the city gate.

Originally Posted by Kayla

Late in the evening Kayla, discreetly as possible, approached each of the party members and told them, "I managed to secure what is believed to be a safe place to stay for the evening." She gave each of them directions to the house and continued, "Please meet me there later, I need to talk to everyone. Oh & please be sure to keep up your disguises & keep as low a profile as possible. And by all means, when you come to the house please be sure that no one is following you."

Kayla brought Darius to the abandoned townhouse early. She told him of a slander which was ripe throughout the city. Apparently Darius was thought of as cruel and greedy. She had heard a dozen variations herself. All said that he, Darius, was really in charge of the Keep. She had yet to hear anything about his arrival in Harling, but she had sent Igor out to learn more. She thought it best they went back to the Keep however and abdicated their positions like Father Ben. Darius urgently wanted to leave, but not this way. Before he got a chance to answer Kayla however, Dram, his father, and Ormand walked in. For being late evening Dram seemed very wide-awake. Most of the remainder of the team trickled in during the next hour. Only Igor and Dalin were missing.

[howandwhy99]

Diaglo: There were two rooms on the main floor (a cooking/eating area and a main parlor/ sleeping area) the house had a loft above with more bedding and access to the roof too.

Kayla: "I've found out that the dust from the stone that Daruis smashed can be harmful if it remains on you. Apparently it taints any mortal who touches it with a residue that begins to affect them with a foul taint the longer it stays on them. I was advised that we should clean ourselves with an acid to make sure that none of it is left. I asked Igor to look into securing an acid weak enough, or that could be diluted enough, for us to be able to handle it without serious harm. "

Darius looked at Kayla quizzically. "You mean this substance is evil? Even now, smashed and destroyed, this... powder... can actually do us harm? I will do as you ask, and wash my hammer, in case any lingers."

Kayla: "Apparently so. The suggestion was also made of cutting hair to make it easier to wash, or even removing it entirely if you'd rather, but if you think you can wash it thoroughly without doing that, then I wouldn't worry too much about that."

Darius: "You are certain this place is safe?"

Kayla: "As safe as anywhere else we might go, to the best of my knowledge. I've been told that we should be fairly safe here, or at least in no more danger than anywhere else. That's the best I can say."

Dram: “Sister Kayla, if I may be so bold as to inquire, what is your source of information and how can we rest assured that the advice being provided is sound? The false Elian rat appeared to provide sound information as well.”

Kayla: “My information comes from one of the members of the council of mages. All indications, and I have confirmed this with other sources, are that he is not a member of the guild here. He has other sources that are his own. I don't know who his sources are, but I believe it to be creditable information. If you have reason to believe otherwise or to doubt then please do share.”

Darius: "Where do you propose we go from here?"

Kayla: "Well as we spoke about before, I think we need to go to the keep & resign our positions, assuming capable replacements have been found. We also need to make sure Father Ben is safe & fill him in. We also need to make sure that he cleans himself well. Since it seemed to be affecting him when it was whole, I would hate to see what might happen to him now. For all we know it might be worse or quicker in his case. I have no idea. There is also the other matter we spoke of about the..." Seeing Dram's father is in the room Kayla stopped herself & said, "Perhaps it is best that we not get him involved in all of this. The less he knows the safer he is."

Dram explained to his father that he couldn't explain right then but that he and his friends were in trouble. The need for secrecy wes paramount. He told his father to speak to no one and to watch the building from the outside, looking for suspicious activity

Kayla: When Gil was no longer among the party she continued, "There is also the matter of the goblins." She looked right at Dram and sighed heavily, "Things aren't always as simple as they appear. There is more to the story about the goblins. They were brought in by an order from above. Someone- be it Margrave or Deveraux-saw the need for cheap labor. They made an offer to your father's competitor & he took it. In turn he employed cheap labor & provided weapons to the front. Eventually one of the more "civilized" tribe of goblins was allowed to take over completely. The idea being cheap weapons now & when the war is over we'll just kill them all & be done with that. The problem with that, beyond the obvious, is that it may also put the surrounding towns in danger. Who knows if they will decide to attack their neighbors or not."

Dram: "With all due respect, I don't give a rat's ass about Hamfast or the County Margrave for that matter. I have no love of goblins or any of their kind, but my home is lost to me. My home and family business destroyed, my father unjustly imprisoned, my forced conscription into an army to fight a war I don't understand. All of these things were achieved without the help of goblins. My service to the County ended months ago. I retain no rank in their army and I do not take their orders. We've been through much together and my allegiances lie solely with my friends and family. Goblins, Hamfast, Devereaux, Margrave all be damned. If we are to return whence we came, I say, "What's in it for me?”

Kayla: “My thoughts were of those who you may not have found to free & those living nearby who may suffer at the hands of the goblins and any who might wish to return. However none may fall with in the latter catergory. I have no personal stake in it & so if all of you would rather leave it be, then so be it. I am merely relaying information so that we as a whole may make a decision about what to do next as fully informed as possible”

Dram: “I understand Sister Kayla. Perhaps I spit my words out a bit too strongly but I've got a bitter taste in my mouth. I guess I would gain some small satisfaction in bringing down the rival smiths (the Scunraker Brothers). And the goblins, well..... Also, I agree, Father Ben should be warned if the dust poses a threat. Wouldn't mind having a "conversation" with Devereaux as well. For the time being, I will heed your advice and remain a silent pilgrim.”

Kayla: “The only thing about that is that we don't know what happened to Devereaux.”

Dram: “That is a problem indeed.”

At this point a much altered Igor entered. He was carrying 4 buckets of water, 2 in each hand. He was bald, his scraggly blonde locks no-where in sight. His skin was a bright red with a raw look to it, like someone who's either been out in the sun to long or been scrubbed hard with a brush. The air around him had a mildly sour smell. Amidst the talking and while trying not to draw attention to himself, he placed the buckets on the table, and took out a strong, although not entirely unpleasant, smelling bottle of clear liquid and put a little into each bucket swirling the bucket around a bit after each. He then took out a number of stiff brushes, the kind you might use to brush down a horse, and several bars of soap. He then went to stand off in a corner and watch the debate.

Kayla turned to Igor, "Thank you Igor." She then looked around "I guess we should get started? Who wants to go first?"

Dram was anxious to be cleansed but did not want to go first. He also was not willing to cut off his hair.

As she stood waiting for a response, Kayla's eyes glazed over for a moment & then suddenly she murmered,"Greenwillow..." She seemed to shake the far way gaze and then looked around and said, "Right before we found the rat I received a message that I believed to be from Elian telling me he was in Greenwillow. We found the rat that we thought was him, so we never followed up on it thinking it was a trap. Perhaps we should find out if those things can gain someone's memories without killing them. If so Elian might still be alive. If there's anyone left alive who would know the truth about the goblins & who might have sent out Barth, Elian would most likely be the one. It's at least something to think about."

The ‘Greenwillow’ stuff creeped out Dram. He was also taken aback by Igor's new look. "Uh, Sister Kayla, why don't you show us how it's done? You're probably more in need of cleansing than anyone else since you've handled it the most. The more I think about it, the less I think I actually ever touched the stuff. Can it contaminate us over space? What if someone inhaled it? By the way, what did you do with the remaining powder?"

Kayla "I don't know what happens if you inhale it. And as for being contaminated over space, I would think the only time that might have happened was when Darius originally smashed. I used some of the powder to barter for scrolls & potions. The man I was bartering with is making another scroll for me & will give it to me for some of the powder as well." Kayla then took ones of the brushes and scrubbed off her hands to show everyone else how to do it as Dram requested. Then said, "If you will excuse me I intend to wash out my clothing as well just in case." She then went to the other room to wash herself fully, including her hair & her clothes.

[howandwhy99]

Darius stepped forward after Kayla finished. While he scrubbed himself down he refused to cut his hair or beard. “No self respecting dwarf would ever go without a beard!”

Cyrus leaned over to Dram and whispered: "Hmmm... I wonder how much it would be worth to the scroll making man that what he is handling poison? Not nice stuff. Plus the fact the yer'all scrubin' and shearin' every bits of yerselves would be of interest too, I bet. If'n you want to coax the name of her scribner outta her, I will go in with you on the reward."

Dram: “Hmmm. Reward?”

Cyrus looked back at him with a greedy eye. “Perhaps not. Who can say?” He then hopped up and approached Darius who had finished cleaning. Cyrus was careful not to get any of the soapy water on himself. “Why do they name you ‘the Black’, Cyrus?” Darius asked looking at the dwarf’s obvious red beard. “Maybe you should wash up next?”
Cyrus gave a wry laugh. “Naaaay. And it be Cyrus the Black. Ya got it backward. It’s fer me sense o’ humor y’ see.” He did not explain any more, but his answer gained him some strange looks.

Cyrus asked Darius where he got his armor and weapons. He looked over at the fine dwarven made plate and asked about its background too.

Darius explained that his armor and weapons were his inheritance, with the exception of the axe, which he acquired later, as well as the sword. His father crafted them long ago, and gave them to him when he came of age.

Cyrus: “Dwarven made is the very best. I miss the hold. The warm brew. The cracklin' fire of the forge. It was a pleasure to see such a fine peice o' armor such as this being fit together. And wakin' up with ale on me face after a long night in the festhall. Truly days to be remembered. That reminds me. When is you and I going to have a drink off? Haven't had another dwarf around to give me a bit o' competition in some time.”

Darius chuckled at the thought. "Though my human friends can make a good ale, I would wait until we can get true dwarven spirits to attempt such a contest. We would probably go broke trying to complete such a contest here. My father was once a master smith within the dwarven kingdom, but recently retired to prepare for his position on the council of thanes. Some think my sister may follow in his footsteps, I personally think she will be a silversmith. My other brothers and sister took paths more similarly to mine, but it would not surprise me to see my older brother leave military duty to take over as head of the household, and the family smithy. Right now, my uncle runs it. That was the last I heard about it, before being sent to Margrave. For all I know, my father has taken his place on the Council."

Darius began to tell stories of the hold. Of how the bearded women and men fought hard to make strong lives for themselves in the mountains.

Darius: “There is a legend of an Axe of the Dwarvish Lords. There is also another one concerning Moradin's Hammer, a replica of which the Lord Thane holds. And yet another involving Splinterstrike... a blade used to kill multitudes of Orcs.”

When these were mentioned, Cyrus quickly spoke up that he would join Darius on a quest for any of these weapons. His blood was pumping and he seemed very certain of his words.

Darius: “The stories told in my youth about the Axe included tales of great battles fought. The ax ewas wielded by some great warrior or other and with the death of the warrior usually also in the battle. It vanished, only to be found or used again in another tale.”

”The Hammer made the dwarven race; by Moradin's hand. It was used also to chisel a place in the mountains and hills for the people. When hurled it caused a loud boom-thunder and boosted morale of all dwarves while causing fear in their enemies.”

”Splinterstrike killed the last Hordeking Orc Garnash. It was also stolen by the Orcs after the battle. And is one of the reasons dwarves hate orcs so.”

All three weapons made Darius contemplate such a journey as Cyrus urged. Especially the hammer, and the return of the other two weapons to dwarven hands was certainly a worthy aspiration to him, especially that of the sword. Darius resolved that, if given the opportunity to return to the dwarven kingdoms, he will look into the written histories and historians in regards to these weapons for any clues of their current whereabouts.

Darius ruminated: “The dwarven records are literally written in stone. And the council of thanes is the best bet to learn from the elders, historians, and the high priest. Although, every parent has told the tale of Moradin's Hammer to his and her offspring at one time or other and it is partially mentioned at the opening of every prayer and council session.

As Darius told his stories, the rest of the team scrubbed down and looked for a place to sleep for the night. The loft overhead still had hay in it and most made their bed there. Dram brought his father in from the outside. He told his dad he was very worried. Dalin had not yet returned and the moon was high overhead.

[howandwhy99]

[INTERLUDE]

Father Benedict was becoming more and more distressed. His troubles sleeping had grown steadily worse the last two weeks. He meditated in the basement of the temple in hopes to learn what he should do. He was dizzy as well so much of late. The praying did not take the dizziness away, but did make him feel closer to the Gods. In fact, he felt almost as if he was soaring in the stars along with them. He remembered he had always loved the stars as a child. In the temple he had been taught the stars were the souls of all good men and women who die. It was a testament to the power of Goodness in the world as there were so many of them. Everyone knew the stars were uncountable.

Unfortunately, his stress did not subside. Ben had a terrible feeling the world was falling apart. Meditation normally helped to bring him to peace. Collecting himself he attempted to reorder his thoughts again. The Reverend Father Stauk-Flezr was far away across the County. Father Hedrach, the previous priest, had been killed. In his stead the newly anointed Ben had taken on the mantle of Fatherhood and faced the same threats as his predecessor. He did not know if the Dragon would return, nor if another attack would be levied. He did know for certain what others only whispered about. Lady Devereaux and Elion the Elf were no longer inside the Keep’s walls. Where they might have been taken though he could not say.

Ben pushed further back in time. His first real appointment had been a failure. Over twenty militia had died on his watch while at Outpost Xavier. Now Brother Thom was dead too. In truth, he had made friends. And he did count himself lucky to be their ally. But now they were gone. And the leader or actually the Lordship of Keep Margrave was Radcliff. He had seen Ratcliffe’s comic behavior. Ben felt sure he could trust the man, but hardly could he convince himself to rely the Radcliffe’s ability to secure the Keep. He stifled a yawn.

More than anything, Ben felt unsure about what to do next. Of course, he would keep helping the townsfolk with advice and giving Holyday sermons just as he always did. He had even taken up strolling around the Keep talking lightheartedly to residents in an effort to keep up morale. But Father Ben was more and more certain he had done the right thing by asking for a replacement. He only wished Darius and his friends could speed the new cleric there in a day. Feeling drowsy all of a sudden, Ben laid down on the stone floor of the meditation chamber. He dozed in the candlelight.

He was dreaming again. Dreaming of the attack on the Keep. He saw the Dragon hovering in the air. He saw himself cradling Brother Thom’s headless form. Realizing it was a dream Ben fought to change the outcome, to reverse the truth of what had happened. The dream world contorted around him. RAP! RAP! RAP! Ben could hear an urgent knocking. CRASH! Cracking his eyes open Ben realized the candles had gone out. RAP! RAP! RAP! Groping around he climbed the staircase to the congregation room above. His body ached horribly. He could feel the bruises darkening all over his body. He had no idea how he had just fallen so hard on the floor below. He put it out of his mind.

Taking a lit torch Father Ben peeked out the window in the front door. “Who’s there?” He counted eleven elderly men huddled in close with looks of fear on their faces. He quickly let them in. One named Sam introduced himself, but then his words started tripping over themselves. He explained how they were refugees from Hamfast. How Dram and a “shining dwarf” had rescued them from certain death. How they had slogged day and night to reach the Keep. And how the gate guard had to be bribed to let them in.

Ben did not know what to make of it. He assured them they were safe and set them up in the temple for the night. As the only other soul in the temple, there was plenty of spare space. It took a few hours to warm, feed, and clean the men, but Ben did not feel so tired. He urged them to bed as it was after midnight and they followed his bidding.

[howandwhy99]

Less than half a candlemark later, however, more visitors were at the door. This time Father Ben greeted several dour looking watchguard. “Release the criminals within!” one commanded. Ben told him he had no criminals, but only a few good men who he gave holy sanctuary too. The watchguard did not look happy at this. Father Ben brought his face closer to the peephole and summoned all his priestly splendor. “Tomorrow morning I will seek audience with Lord Radcliffe and straighten this affair out. If you feel the need to pound on my door, or heaven forbid, burst open this temple that is your business. I will not answer. Dawn is but a few short hours away and we all know how our Lordship likes to sleep late. Perhaps you will explain the damages to the temple when I go to wake him?”

Ben shut back the peephole and retired to bed. When dawn arrived he decided it would be best to rouse his wards early. He hoped for more coherent answers.

Father Ben & Hamfast refugees
Father Benedict sat down in private with the leaders of the refugee group and questioned them about why they were in town. He was looking for any information about what was going on outside of the Keep.

Tom, the mayor, and Sam told Ben about Dram and his father. About how they were imprisoned on trumped up charges for loitering or dereliction of duty at the other smithy. About the goblins increasing in number and eventually taking over the town for the most part. About how the Smith and the Sheriff and at first the Mayor (who also seemed very repentant) sold the weapons to the army for use in the war. They also told him how Dram returned and the shiny dwarf and how they fled to Outpost Bayer at Capt. Darius suggestion.

Father Benedict then asked about any illegal activities the group may have committed en route to the Keep. He tried not to alarm them.

None. They spent the night at the Outpost and then pushed on to the Keep in the morning. Darius said to tell Father Ben they were on their way to Holmfaust before going to Harling.

Satisfied with the answers from the group so far he told the refugees to lock the door and let no one in the temple while he was away. He then traveled with the guard outside the door to speak with Lord Radcliffe about a number of issues. He requested a private meeting, if possible.

Audience was granted. Ratcliffe seemed a little upset though.

Father Ben asked why the men in his temple were wanted as criminals.

Lord Ratcliffe:“The sheriff from Hamfest sent word that the refugees are in fact escaped prisoners. That they placed him in irons so they could make good their escape.”

“Also, the Outpost Bayer had a letter with Captain Darius’ writing.” (Ratcliffe handed it to Ben)

Ben remembered Lord Ratcliff could not read. Scanning over the letter he saw it was in Darius’s dwarven influenced script. It was addressed to an unnamed Sergeant at Outpost Bear and described what the refugees had already told Ben. How the village of Hamfast had been taken over by goblins and more besides. It also carried instructions on feeding and housing the thirty men the letter was sent with. The recipient was to then to escort them here to Keep Margrave. Ben reflected there was not nearly thirty Hamfastites back at the temple. He wondered what had become of the rest. Folding the letter again, Father Benedict explained to Lord Ratcliffe the details of the treachery in Hamfast.

[howandwhy99]

Lord Ratcliff and Father Ben
Ben: "I have found the supposed escaped prisoners in very poor shape. They tell a story of Dwarf Darius releasing them and taking Warrior Dram's father with them to the South. The refugees (or perhaps escapees) tell a different story about the current state of Hamfast. Tom, the actual mayor of Hamfast, tells of a hundred goblins having slaved for the town to forge weapons for the front. However, he implored to me that the entire town was enslaved when the goblins rebelled. That every man, woman, and child of Hamfast now slaves away at the smithies forging weapons. I don't know the new destination of these weapons, but I fear it is the work of the enemy."

"Another man named Samuelle told me of how a rival smith accused Dram's father of dereliction of duty and even now aids the goblins in their brutality. How all the leaders of the town including the Sheriff were put in irons. And how only by the work of friends Dram and Darius did they escape and flee to Outpost Bayer and from whence to here."

"I must say that I believe these folk and that is why I have yet to turn them in to your custody. It seems that the path is clear. A military force lead by a true hero must travel to Hamfast and see to the truth of these stories.

“Returning prisoners is a simple matter and they are safe in the temple. If you must have them in the prison, please let it be under the care of the temple parishioners and myself. Once the truth is discovered about Hamfast, then their fate can be decided."

"I suggest we put our heads together to decide what like-to-be hero will lead the military force. It cannot be I, as I am still reading over numerous letters and have need of supervising the builders of the keep and temple. Perhaps you know?"

Ratcliffe seemed rather bright of mind that day.... “It is as I feared. I have sent for Sgt Keenan Powell already. The Sgt will take a squad with him to the town to get a better idea. The weapons have traveled to the front for the Army. So for good or ill the goblins are serving our cause. My guess is the Black Market has a controlling interest in the sale of those goods.”

Radcliff asked that the men be moved to the prison just in case. He ordered Father Ben to release them to the watch. Ben acquiesced.

As he had rarely seen the Lord since his fellows left, Father Ben took the initiative and started asking more questions. In his heart he was worried. Ben knew he was in a dangerous position as Father Hedrach had been when he was in charge of the temple. He also knew Lord Radcliffe’s guilelessness would potentially lead the Keep into even greater peril unless someone else made more competent decisions. Ben started formulating a plan on how to protect the Keep and its inhabitants in spite of all the pitfalls.

He asked to see any and all of the reports from the Outposts. “Where are they going to?”Ratcliffe inquired. Ben explained he needed to transcribe them for records purposes. The Lord shrugged and pointed to the letter from Darius. It was the only communication he had received.

Father Ben & Lord Ratcliffe
Ben: “What of word from Harling and Lord and Lady Margrave? Have they been in contact since your ascension to nobility?

Radcliffe: “No word from Harling from Lady Margrave. No word from the front from Lord Margrave. No word on Lady Devereaux's whereabouts still also.”

Ben asked of Lord Radcliffe's ascension into the position of Captain and his military accomplishments too. He tried to keep this short. Ben wondered how such an untutored man could come to a position of authority.

“I served under Lady Devereaux as a Cpl and then eventually as a Sgt when she was Capt of the Watch. When she became Castellan. I became Capt. I became Sgt when Capt Devereaux mount was slain. The Sgt at the time took an arrow in the throat from a gnoll archer. Capt Devereaux charged me with taking the men back to the Keep while she went to defend the fallen Sgt. Her mount, Skywalking, died carrying the two of them clear of the ambush site. She walked back to the Keep dragging Sgt Katana's body. Skywalking was left in the field.”

Benedict then asked about Radcliffe's knowledge regarding Guido, and also of Darius.

“Guido became Cpl of the watch when I replaced his older brother. Sgt Darius is a fine gentleman. But he is not quite right in the head.” He thought aloud, "I can't read." (laughs)

Ben: “Do you mean that Guido's older brother was the Captain of the Watch before yourself?”

“No, no. Guido's older brother was the Sgt of patrol. I was corporal and Lady Devereaux was the Captain.

[howandwhy99]

Father Ben contemplated the rocky ascent to power of Lord Radcliffe. He decided to change the topic.

Ben: “How exactly does the messaging system at the Keep work? Who is sent with word and where? Is this paid? Is it an honorary position? How is confidentiality kept?”

Radcliffe: “Word is sent by courier. Usually on horseback or by coach. Sometimes with homeing pigeons to Harling. And when Elian was around it was sent by magic. The messages all go to Lady Margrave in Harling. Only trusted messengers are sent and with sealed documents.”

“What of all correspondences up until this time? We were under the impression they were all destroyed during the attack. Might Harling have copies of these? Or Lady Margrave?” In response Lord Ratcliffe decided to give Ben his wish: access to any and all papers he requested. Ben asked to start skimming whatever was immediately available. It amounted to only one book. It was a ledger recording the accounts on how heavily overdrawn the County was.

Father Ben did learn from the ledger however the accompaniment of the Keep. There were currently 150 regular army troops, 1 Capt. (the former quartermaster), 4 (was 5) Sgt, and 10 Cpls at the Keep in rotating shifts. The 23 of the 25 remaining outposts had 10 volunteers and 1 Cpl or Sgt.. Outpost yung and white had 10 volunteers, 10 regular army, 1 Cpl and 1 Sgt each. There were roughly 50 noncombatants in the Keep too. There had been no attacks on any other outposts. Though as Ben already knew bear had seen some activity because of the refugees.

After returning to the temple Father Ben greeted the Hamfast refugees with his unfortunate news. He tried to offer it in the best way possible. “Prison might not be so bad”, he said. “And I will come by to make sure you are treated well and fed.” But the refugees refused to go. In response they prepared to burn down the temple, if threatened with force. Seeing their newfound reasoning, Ben decided another tack might be best.

He said he would put them up in the temple and explained that he could only help so much. He talked on how the Keep also needed a great deal of work done. If they felt healthy enough to do so, they might help in repairing the temple or main Keep. He said Lord Radcliffe sent Sergeant Keenan to root out the Goblins, but that because of the war all of Margrave needed strong-willed and able-bodied folk to fight for it. If they were willing, Ben could point out many areas for volunteer work. This work would show their value to Lord Radcliffe and prove his mistake in trying to imprison them. It would also help make fellow Hamfastites, who should soon be freed, feel safe back at the Keep. And allow them to ensure that goblins were not allowed to do such a thing again. Ben finished his speech waiting expectantly

The men begged for sanctuary.

The next day Father Ben examined the remains of the Inn. It was in partial repair. It looked like the repairs were advancing even faster then before. He found the reason. Reynaldo had joined the crew. Ben bartered with the construction crew. He was trying to find work for the refugees. It did not take much urging. There was plenty of work to be done still even weeks after the fire and attack. Travelers were coming back and looking for a place to stay. A makeshift space inside the Inn was the only spot for them.

Father Ben sent a word for Mirel’s parents. He wanted to learn the whereabouts of Mirel. When they arrived he asked them if they were the ones who taught her to count so well. They had. Inspiration hit. Ben asked if they could do accounting for the keep. “To tally the number of businesses and types. I was hoping Mirel could help as well.” He told them he wanted to learn the number of families within the Keep and the number of members in each. Father Ben explained that the current troubles required that each and every life be looked over. He said especially they would need to keep a strict eye out for visitors since the fire. The number and descriptions of all Inn patrons would need to be accounted for. Mirel’s parents seemed to take it all in stride.

Two day’s later Ben heard a knock at his door. Mirel had finally turned up. She did not enter but dutifully gave her report. “There are roughly 50 comers and goers to the Keep. The staff of the shops and the kitchens and so forth.” This was in addition to the soldiers. Then she handed the priest a large sack of coin. She said it was for the church and to look after the keep. “I am too young for such money. It’s for healing herbs. ‘Cause they cost so much. Why do I need it? I ask for what I need and people give it.” Then she scampered off. Before she was out of sight she turned back, “I’d rather give it to you then to Igor anyways. Dalin says we can trust Igor with our lives, but not our gold.” Then she left. Ben simply stood in the doorway with a confused look. Later he counted the money. It was over seven hundred in gold, nearly all Mirel’s share of the treasure from Quesquaton.

[howandwhy99]

[Session 11]

Dalin arrived at the townhouse shortly after midnight. He had paid several gold trying to track down the rest of the team. The only one awake inside was Darius. The paladin said Pax was supposed to be keeping watch on the street from the roof above, but somehow the big man must have missed Dalin. As quietly as possible the two climbed up to the loft and out a trapdoor onto the roof. There Dalin reported what he had learned about the nobles believing Darius to be an evil mastermind and traitor. It was no surprise to Darius. “Kayla said as much to me last night in private. We talked about returning to the Keep and resigning our commissions. Dram didn’t seem to care which way we went. I would be careful around him now he has his father back.” He told Dalin to get some rest. After ordering Pax to keep a closer watch on the road, Darius climbed back down to watch the front door. He dwelled upon the slanderous news of his ruined reputation. When he and Pax’s watch was over he roused Kayla and Igor. He was happy to tell them Dalin had returned.

Igor disappeared into the night as Kayla waited on the rooftop. He returned only a short time later. Kayla was always surprised at how efficient he was at his occupation. Igor had very bad news. His masters had already learned Darius the Dwarf was somewhere within the Outer City. The nobles were outraged. Some thought he may even be planning an attack on Harling. If a dwarf army were brought to Margrave, another war could start. Therefore, the dwarf prince was to die. Igor was sure some guild experts had already been dispatched; perhaps even a few freelancers. The whole team was in grave danger and needed to leave, not just Harling but Margrave County altogether. Kayla had not seen Igor so genuinely frightened before. He told her to gather the others and leave with all speed just before dawn. He himself was going to try and lead away their attackers with whatever distraction he could manage. “If I am successful, you should have the time you need to get away.”

Kayla was in shock. Igor led her down from the roof and to the front chambers. There he started unloading all the team’s gear from his backpack. “Have them load the supplies on the horses. There should still be room for some of you to ride.” When finished he slung his pack back over his shoulder. Then he dressed in all black and smudged black pitch over his face and hands. He and Kayla talked for a short while more about what needed to be done at the Keep and where they might meet up again. The rest of their conversation was more private. Going back to the rooftop Igor admitted one last thing to her. It was possible he too might be given an assignment. While he would risk his life that night to save the team, to refuse his masters meant certain death. And with that, the would-be chef departed.

Kayla woke Ormond the Redd and Cyrus for the next watch. She gave explicit instructions to Ormand. He was to wake her as soon as his watch was over. She also preferred if he were on the roof to serve as lookout. She did not trust their new “guardian” to do so. Cyrus tried to stay awake by pacing around downstairs. He was scared. How was he supposed to know the stupid dwarf he was with was named Darius? His eye fell upon the paladin’s armor. Curious, he looked over the rest of the group’s items too. It was true they were a rich bunch. Up above on the roof Ormand stared out over the starlit city. It was an amazing spectacle to behold. His thoughts wandered back over the day’s events. He was certain Dram’s father did not like him. He had not said as much, but Ormand felt he could tell. Working for Dram was hard, but he had come to love it. It was as if the adventures of his youth had come true. And the people he got to travel with! For the first time he was in a real city. Why at least four different women had talked with him that day! As he remembered he flushed bright red all over again.

Voices of cityfolk drifted up from the alleyway below. Ormand the Redd had actually talked back to one woman. Well, stammered actually. The voices below became louder. One started bellowing out a song. “I’m Darius the Dwarf I am, Darius the Dwarf I am, I am…oof!” Ormand heard metal clanking and lots of people cheering or maybe jeering below. It sounded like a parade. Ormand recalled the woman’s name was fair Beulah. She was stunning. Smashing and hitting could be heard now. Ormand wondered if one of the pubs had just let out. He stared up into the night sky. The wind had picked up and clouds now blew over. Raindrops began to fall. It sounded like someone was knocking on the door below. Ormand thought Cyrus would probably get it. The dwarf was stationed right there. The rain picked up and really started pouring. As the pounding continued it became more frantic, but then stopped. A loud scream rang out. “Why doesn’t he check on that?” thought Ormand and he ducked inside to get out of the rain.

[howandwhy99]

Darius was already awake from the scream and looking around. Dram woke up too and lit a torch. Both remembered the attack on the Keep. Then Darius noticed all of the team’s supplies had been neatly piled in the front room. Dram started waking the others and realized Cyrus was missing. “My armor is missing!” yelled out Darius. He picked up his hammer and ran to the front door. Outside a crowd was dispersing pulling coats over their heads to protect from the rain. Darius spied the body of a nude dwarf lying in a puddle. It was all tied up. Carrying the wet Cyrus back inside, he untied him and slapped him awake demanding to know what happened. “OOHH… me noggin’!” Cyrus held his head in his hands. He looked to have been given a serious thrashing. “Where ‘re me clothes?” he asked. “You can have clothes when you explain yourself, now talk!” shouted Darius.

“But… a dwarf can’t go without pants!”
“Talk!” said Darius cutting him off. “Where’s my armor?”
“Okay, okay. I was mindin’ me own business when I saw sneak in here a group of foul thiefs. ‘cause I had no torch lit they did’na see me. They grabbed yer armor first. Pro’lly ‘cause it was so shiny bright, right? So I jumped ‘em. I knocked two… nah three down with one punch. The rest bolted out o’ here an’ I chased ‘em. Out in the street tho’ they had a whole army. I swear t’ ya I fought as bravely as any, but they got the better o’ me. Stole me clothes right off me back! Wicked, wicked folks ‘round these parts.”

It was obvious Darius did not believe him for a second. “I’m sorry ‘bout yer armor. Tis’ not my fault” Cyrus apologized. It was then Kayla rushed over. Dram had just woken her. She ordered everyone to pack up their gear. They were to leave immediately. “Why?” Darius implored. She dragged him over to the corner and started whispering everything they had to do. The rest of the team groggily packed up their gear and loaded the horses. None were too happy about the early rising. By the time the rain stopped and the sun had started breaking over the horizon they were a good hour’s ride from the city walls. Darius had marched Cyrus through the rain and city streets in the nude. “I need pants!” Cyrus had kept calling out along the way. “Tis not right t’ do such a thing t’ yer own lovin’ kind.” No one else said a word, as they did not want to incur the paladin’s wrath.

After another hour of travel the two worked out an agreement. Darius took Cyrus’s plate armor for his own and he gave Cyrus a blanket, albeit a small one. The team marched on through the rest of the morning. Both they and the horses were still very tired. At noon Darius finally called a halt and they set up a makeshift camp along the side of the road in a field. Short one-person watches were set. No one had trouble sleeping, even in the bright sun and heavy Azer heat.


[DAY 84 – Moonday, Azer 16th, CY 81]

Pax woke Darius. “My turn?” asked the dwarf. Pax simply pointed to fallen jumble past the campsite. It was some sort of creature fallen from a horse. Not wanting to alarm the rest of the group he let them sleep a little longer. Darius ordered Pax to turn the little woman-thing over. She was dressed in leaves and as thin as small as an Elf, but her skin was light blue all over. Only her hair and eyes were a different color being a bright fiery red. Her hair almost looked aflame. The woman was taller than Darius, perhaps four feet in height. She wore leather armor cut for her body and was covered in leaves and twigs. Darius laid his hand upon her brow and called forth the power of Thor. “Be well for you are restored.” The creature opened its eyes. “החיצ” Darius had no idea what it just said. “ښ ٺظ” the creature tried again. This was a little recognizable. It sounded like something Elian would say. He decided to wake Kayla.



Kayla stared in disbelief at the creature before her. It looked somewhat like an elf, only different. There was an untamed wildness to the woman. “The front... needs help...they chased me...first week of riding...horse exhausted...not eaten...” it said in Elvish. After the creature caught its breath, Kayla continued in Elvish: “Who are you?”
“I am a princess of the Fey” it responded.
“FAE? But Fae… EAT people, don’t they?” asked Kayla.
“I do not each flesh. I am the result of the Fey Queen dallying with an Elven male.”
Kayla wavered for a second. “What is your name?”
“Red rose of the trellis outside my window that I look upon…” A very long flowing description continued to pour out of her. “What may we call you simply?” tried Kayla stopping her.
“Rose.” The Elf-Fey pulled Kayla closer exposing her fangs. “I need to seek out help!”
Kayla tried to push away. The woman was stronger than she looked. “We can help. It’s okay.”

[howandwhy99]

After a long discussion, the creature fell asleep again. Kayla turned to Darius and Pax and spoke in the Common Tongue. “She admits to be Fae or at least partly!” Kayla exclaimed. “I can’t believe it. She traveled here all the way from the Front. She must be working for our allies and Lord Magrave!”
Darius was a little more dubious. “But can we trust her?”
“Well, yes, I think so,” said Kayla. “She has seen the fighting at the front lines. She has a message to deliver.”
“Are you sure she’s telling the truth? Fey are tricksters” said Darius.
“Yes. She told me at the Front they were fighting goblins, and demons, and strange abominations. This makes sense! Remember what we heard about the Chaos Lords?”
Darius nodded. It looked like he had another charge to take care of.

Later in the day Cyrus awoke. Dropping his hand back down to his side he cursed. The fool humans had taken his dagger too last night. Why oh why had he been cursed with such an unappreciated sense of humor? He recalled that he had looked awe-inspiring in Darius’s armor. But it certainly was short-lived. Searching around he noticed only the human named Dram was awake. He also noticed a newcomer who had bedded down near the dwarven paladin. Cyrus waited to see who the next watch would be. When Dram woke the elderly man named “Da”, he knew his chance had come. Pulling his blanket slowly away, Cyrus crept into the high grown crops. Without any other option he picked a direction on the road and started walking.

“Damn!” thought Darius. He just noticed the grubby dwarf was missing. As he began dressing in Cyrus’s old armor he realized the old dwarf was not the only thing dirt-clad and smelly. It was already late in the day, but the team packed up and took off on the road to travel east. Along the way Kayla started explaining why they had to leave in such a rush. False rumors of Darius being hated and taking over the Keep had spread throughout the city. She did not know who started them, but she and Darius had decided to go back to the Keep and give up their positions. Igor had left before everyone else to acquire their replacements from Lady Margrave. He was the one who suggested leaving in the middle of the night to keep their identities secret. “Afterwards, we plan to leave Margrave entirely. It is the only way to ensure Darius’s safety. He could still be attacked, if we remained at the Keep” Kayla explained.

No one had said anything up unto that point about their new blue companion. It might have been because of the events the prior evening. No questions were brooked or inquiries asked. After an hour or more of riding Dram spotted Cyrus. No one even looked at him now as he pulled his blanket up over his head. Darius grabbed the dwarf and tied him to one of the packhorses. Cyrus seemed almost grateful. After sunset the sky darkened and looked like it might rain again. Darius took point leading the horses along the road with his darkvision.

Up ahead, Darius spotted a caravan of wagons pulled alongside the road. They had a campfire built and were playing music. As the team overtook them Kayla, Dram’s father, and a few others recognized the people as “Travelers”. They were a band of wanderes who had a bad reputation. Darius hailed his arrival and everyone stopped for a bit. Seeing Cyrus still tied up on the packhorse and in clear view of the Travelers, Darius finally decided to relent. He asked the colorfully dressed folk around the fire for any clothing he could buy for the dwarf. After ten minutes of searching for something that fit, Cyrus was dressed in the most garish, ill-fitting, incredulous, and bawdy ensemble imaginable; a hodgepodge of Travelers clothing of all kind. Trying to make amends Darius gave Cyrus the spare battleaxe he carried with him. The older dwarf did not look pleased at all.

[howandwhy99]

Kayla began examining the many colorful wagons. One had a sign with an open hand upon it. Intrigued Kayla knocked. A young woman with long flowing hair answered. “Yes! Please come in! I will read your fortune, yes?” Kayla did not enter, but the woman came out to her anyways. Seeing the woman grab Kayla’s hand, Dram and Dalin rushed over fearing an attack. “You will go on a long journey,” said the woman reading the palm. “It will be dangerous. You will have many adventures.”

Kayla laughed. She asked the young woman’s name. “I am Diedre the Seer. I see your future.” She looked at Dram and Dalin. Some of the other team members started to walk over. “I will read your future too, yes?” Many of them agreed smiling. The fortunes told were rather simple. Afterward Kayla entered the woman’s wagon for a short talk. Dalin noticed several flickers of light go off inside. He wondered just exactly what Kayla was up to. When the two women came back outside Diedre unharnessed a horse and pulled it up alongside Kayla’s. It was announced that Kayla had found herself an apprentice.

It seemed odd, but Diedre left her people quite willingly. She waved goodbye and the team was traveling again. The time was close to midnight, but no one was tired. After only another hour they reached Holmfaust. Most of the rooms were full at the Red Lion Inn, but Darius managed to secure a few beds in the hostel room from the innkeeper. The rest of the team had to sleep in the stables. Even though the hour was late the common room was bustling with people. Kayla and Diedre went upstairs to converse, while everyone else relaxed and listed to the most recent gossip. Darius was not nearly as shunned by the common folk here. He felt a little safer, but did not want to press his luck. So instead he took Cyrus up to the bar and bought him a fine meal.

Tongues wagged on all sides in conversation. Dalin and Dram had their work cut out for them as the tried to join in different ones. Warily the two maneuvered around the patrons making sure never to bring up Darius’s name. Unfortunately, the topic came up nevertheless. They heard ‘Darius the Dwarf’ had replaced a commoner lord named Strom Miller and now was openly commanding Keep Margrave. Ducking around, Dram heard another farmer talking about how a man named Gil from Hamfast had quite a price on his head: a whole cow for whoever brought him in. Taking his father by the hand, Dram quickly led him to the room upstairs. Next, a flutist struck up a tune and Rose came out of her hiding spot in the corner. She began singing a Fey song in her own tongue. The farmers and townsfolk of Holmfaust stared in amazement. As she finished tears were flowing down their faces.

Sensing a challenge, Cyrus stood up on his bar stool and began a song himself. “There once was a lass who owned a bucket. She couldn’t walk straight, but boy could she…” “STOP!” shouted Darius. “I too have a song to sing.” Darius started a drinking song with several verses. Changing the dwarven words to Common though, the tune was a little off. But no one seemed to care. Between verses he pounded his tankard on the bar to keep in tune. Once they learned the chorus the whole crowd joined in. Apparently the anger against dwarfs was not as deep as Darius had first believed. Afterwards, all the humans who had tried to drink along with the song were passed out on the floor.

Later that night, after everyone was asleep, Cyrus opened one eye. He had only feigned dozed an hour having rested while tied on horseback. Tiptoeing around, he gathered some things: shoes, a bit of coin, some of Darius’s clothes, and other miscellaneous supplies. Piling up the clownish clothes he had been given he wrapped the blanket he had been wearing around them and left the Cyrus-shaped bundle under the bar. Then he snuck away in the early morning light. The rest of the team slept in the following morning. The constant traveling had worn them thin. When Darius finally awoke Cyrus was nowhere in Holmfaust to be found. “What happened to him?” he asked.
“It is obvious, no?” replied Diedre the Seer.

[howandwhy99]

[DAY 85 – Feastday, Azer 17th, CY 81]

By the time everyone was gathered and accounted for it was late morning and very hot. Darius gave a report on Cyrus having stolen from him and deserting. He asked anyone else with missing gear to step forward. No one moved. Later, after packing the horses for afternoon travel, there was a debate upon which path to take back to the Keep. Dram and Dalin wanted to head east back through Hamfast and to cause some more damage to the goblins. Kayla and Darius thought a fast, safe trip through Hommlet was more appropriate. Standing up, Dram mistakenly pointed to the north road as the one he shouted about going no other way. Darius relented without mentioning the mix up. It seemed not everyone remembered which road led in what direction.

As they passed by Balorn’s tower just outside of town Kayla called for a stop. She wanted to report to her mentor. Coming outside and closing the door behind him, Balorn did listened quietly to Kayla and the team’s new plan. After abandoning their position, they would be passing by again in a few days time. It would be the last time he saw her before leaving Margrave. Then Kayla introduced her new apprentice Diedre. Balorn shook hands in his usual reticent manner. Rose stood behind Dalin hoping not to be noticed. Darius handed over his ornamental dagger, which Balorn had prized so highly before. When it left Darius’s hand the tug it had on his soul from when he had first acquired the it was released. He mentioned this to Balorn. The two came to an agreement: Balorn would keep the dagger until Darius return, and then he would tell the dwarf everything he could discern of it. From over Dalin’s shoulder Rose noticed the dagger had a Fey inscription on the hilt. It read “Flame”, but she kept that to herself.

It was several more hours upon the northern road and dusk fell just as Hommlet came into sight. Kayla took Diedre and and separated from the others after entering town. Making sure she was not followed, she went and knocked on the door to Burné’s stone tower. Rufus was the only one at home though, so she passed along Balorn’s warning about the red powder and how to wash off. Rufus thanked Kayla and gave a warm welcome to Diedre. He also warned of trouble on the road. Bandit activity was reported to have worsened recently. The rest of the team went to reserve rooms at the Welcome Wench. Along the back wall Dram examined some wanted posters and recognized one with a drawing of his father’s face. “Out! Back out!” he commanded. Darius went in alone read the posters: one whole cow. The hunt was still on for Gil Hammersmith.

When Kayla and Diedre arrived back, Darius led everyone outside of town. With Drams’ father a wanted man, he was not willing to stay in Hommlet where someone might recognize him. After a mile or more of riding in the dark, the road entered into the Greenwillow Forest. No one was willing to risk its dangers, so they set up camp outside it. As they cooked dinner and settled in it seemed the animal noises from the forest were particularly loud. Frogs were croaking very loudly all around the encampment. Rose tried to understand what they were saying, but it was simpleton frog jabber. “Frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog, frog.”

Ormand the Redd and Dram took first watch. Dram tended the fire as Ormand collected dried wood from near the forest’s edge. Everyone else was just finishing up dinner and brushing down the horses when all of the animal noises suddenly stopped. Drawing back to the campfire Dram and Ormand knocked their bows. A soft hissing noise came from deep inside the forest. It grew louder. Then Dram spotted some sort of blob sliding along the ground as fast as a horse could gallop. It passed through the trees and underbrush destroying everything its wake and engulfing all before it. Nothing it touched even slowed it. Within an instant the blob stopped in front of the encampment. In the firelight it looked like a gooey ochre greenish-yellow mass. It was easily ten feet across and had skeleton bones sticking out of it. Dram recognized some of them as human.