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Age of Worms Storyhour [Updated December 26, 2006]
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<blockquote data-quote="Spatterlight" data-source="post: 2978473" data-attributes="member: 42734"><p><strong>Session 1</strong></p><p><em>June 16, 2006</em></p><p></p><p>Scorch leaned back in the chair, his legs sprawled out in front of him on the rough table. Over a bewildering array of dirty bottles, stained wooden plates heaped with small greasy bones, and an overturned tankard, the gladiator watched a mongrel tear into a three-legged dog. The vicious bite drew a spray of bright arterial blood, sending one of the filthy serving girls squealing and the mangy denizens of the Feral Dog into a roar. Scorch distractedly watched as the dying dog was taken to the kitchen and the betters settle their scores. He was not surprised when a disagreement over a wager came to blows.</p><p></p><p>"So, this is how it ends for our kind." Scorch thought, his good right hand unsteadily lifting a bottle to cheer the doomed dog. His drunken mind wandered and as always it settled on that day, now ten years past. The distant buzz that must have been crowds yelling. The smell of the sea and blood and sweat, the blue-green of the marrow's scaly hide as it jerked him to his feet by his face. A sudden swelling of sounds, howls of approval and screamed jeers. And then falling, dirt, a cracking of bone, and darkness.</p><p></p><p>A sudden blow to his head catapulted him to the present. The gladiator tried to spring to his feet, but as he was sitting with his boots on the table, he instead went sprawling. With a mighty crash, the table fell and all its contents went flying. Scorch stumbled to his feet, his face flushed with embarrassment and anger, preparing to deliver a crushing blow to whoever threw the first punch.</p><p></p><p>Instead, he saw Max putting his sheathed rapier back into his belt. Calmly he pulled a comb from a pouch, smoothing his slick hair back into place, "Really, Scorch! I am not sure if you are aware of this, but the sun has not even reached its zenith!" Scorch stared blankly for a moment, his mind reeling. The halfling continued, "And I can not have my prime talent wasting his valuable time here. Now, I suggest you take a brief constitutional. We have business to discuss!" Scorch lurched out of the Feral Dog, holding his hands up to his eyes as the bright sunlight stabbed at them. Behind him, he could make out the sound of catcalls and fought the urge to go back in.</p><p></p><p>Staggering into the center of the large square that formed the center of Diamond Lake, Scorch spun around to confront the halfling as he came out of the Feral Dog. Scorch thrust a single dirty finger at his manager, ready to explode into a drunken tirade. Max nonchalantly glanced at the gladiator, "Well then, that took a few coins to straighten out. It will, of course, come out of your earnings." Scorch sputtered for a moment, unsure what to say as the rage left him. "But they have been fewer and fewer in these latter days." Max continued, "However, it seems that too might change. Walk with me, Scorch."</p><p></p><p>Scorch, his anger now forgotten, walked the muddy streets of Diamond Lake with the halfling. "An opportunity has presented itself that may make us both quite rich. It has come to my attention that a trio of treasure seekers out of Greyhawk have recently entered town." The halfling stopped in his tracks, nodding to the side, "Well, speak of the devil, there they are! Do you see them?" Across the street, in front of the general store stood three people, speaking to the owner and apparently asking for directions. They were clearly explorers and adventurers, but that was not what caught Scorch's attention. The larger of two men, handsome and young, wore an oversized belt signifying a high rank in the gladiator circles of Greyhawk. Scorch growled, "I see him." </p><p></p><p>Max nodded and moved on, "Do not stare then. It appears that they are seeking information on the Stirgenest Cairn, which has long been played out. However, there are other cairns in the hills that might still hold treasure of elder times. One of which I have recently discovered is called the Whispering Cairn. The children of the town use it as a play space, but to everyone's knowledge no one has gone very deep into it." Max continued, in a lower voice, "Particularly after that unfortunate business about that girl disappearing." </p><p></p><p>Scorch furrowed his brow, "Wait, wait. What that last part?" Max looked up, smiling angelically, "Children play there and it is largely unexplored. I hope I am not going too quickly for you." The gladiator gave him an icy glare, but said nothing. Max continued, "As I was saying, we must act before they do. It is only a matter of time before someone points out they are looking in the wrong place." With a theatrical movement, the halfling swirled around, stopping Scorch. "So, how would you like to expand your horizons a bit? I think the title of treasure-seeker and adventurer suit you quite well. In addition, I have already lined up some excellent talent for this expedition! Really top-notch people."</p><p></p><p>Scorch scratched his heavily stubbled chin with a dirty hand. "Adventurer, huh? This isn't another scam like that one you got me involved in Free City is it?" Max feigned hurt, "We have discussed that many times. Really that was a series of extremely unfortunate events over which I had no control ..." The gladiator cut him off, "Whatever. I'll do it. I need the coin something bad. When are we going?" Max looked up, "Unless you have more pressing engagements, we shall leave post-haste. I hope, with your busy schedule of drinking, you can find the time to ..." Scorch shot him another angry stare that silenced the smirking halfling and said, "I'll be back with my stuff."</p><p></p><p>The gladiator weaved his way back to the Feral Dog to get his last remaining possessions; his blades and armor, his helm and shield. As he approached the Feral Dog, his thoughts were broken when a shrill voice called his name out from across the square. Turning, he saw it was Natasha, her red cloak flapping wildly as she ran. Scorch instinctively put his good hand to his temples, preparing for the onslaught, as she raced to him. She hit him like a tidal wave; all news, gossip, names, rumor, girl insight. Threads of information wove and twisted, and like a drowning man, Scorch tried to grasp at anything to keep afloat -- "My father is such a bastard. Did you know he..." "Uh-huh." -- "Did you see the gladiator in town?" "Yep." -- </p><p></p><p>And finally she arrived at something he seized on. "So, me and some of the others are thinking about going to the Stirgenest Cairn and see what we can find. Come with us!" Scorch nodded for a moment, "Yeah, we're not doing that." Natasha looked dejected for a moment as the gladiator continued, "Max has something cooking. Something about a place called the Whooshing Cairn. No, that's not right. Whispering Cairn?" At the mention of the Whispering Cairn, the girl's face lit up, "I've been there! Most of us from town went there when were children...It's a very eerie place." Scorch gave a grunt, "Well, that's where I am going. If you want to lead the way, grab your stuff and meet back here." The girl nodded and darted off, disappearing around a corner. The gladiator watched her go, feeling the first twinges of a headache creeping up from the base of his skull. Deciding he could use a drink to calm his nerves before he got his equipment and left, he entered the Feral Dog once more.</p><p></p><p>Several hours later, Max and Natasha guided a woozy Scorch to the spot outside of town Max had chosen to gather his team of treasure hunters. Standing in the shade of a tree were three figures. Scorch immediately recognized one of the people and staggered forward, "Doctor Voo! How's it going, man?" The cleric of Wee Jas smiled, his strange eyes turning toward the gladiator, "Good mon, no worries." The gladiator pumped the cleric's hand, "Glad to see you." And then, in a drunken whisper, he added, "I wanted to say, man, I don't know what you gave me the other week. It tasted like crap, but hey, the problem downtown is all good. Thanks!" </p><p></p><p>Lurching around, he took a look at the other people, a dim flutter of recognition drifting across his sodden brain. His eyes first settled on the pretty young lady standing next to Doctor Voo. The gladiator openly ogled her for a moment, trying to remember where he had seen her before. The girl took a step back and wrinkled her nose at the train-wreck before her, "Wow. I didn't think he could smell worse than last time I dropped medicine off for my brother. But I was wrong." Hearing her voice, Scorch remembered that this was Aiyda, Doctor Voo's uppity little sister. </p><p></p><p>Unable to think of a snappy comeback, he turned his attention to the last figure. This one he knew. It was Sergi, Natasha's older brother. Scorch grinned, mocking her immaculately dressed brother, "Hey nerdlinger, nice outfit. Extra fancy!" Already staring in disgust, Sergi turned to his sister, "Seriously, Natasha! What do you see in this uncouth barbarian?" Before she could answer, Max gave a shout, "Enough!" Looking around, he smoothed his cloak, saying, "It is of greatest importance that we move out. I believe we have only a limited time before those treasure hunters make their way to the Whispering Cairn. We must make haste." Amidst some grumbling, the group set out along the lonely road toward the cairn.</p><p></p><p>With Natasha in lead, the group traveled for two days. Late in the afternoon of the first day, the group was attacked by a colony of stirges. During the fray, a mysterious elf and his pet wolf sprang from the forest, assisting the beleaguered group. After the fight, Natasha introduced the elf as Cypress, a friend of hers. The quiet elf explained that he was on an errand of importance, but agreed to travel with the group to the area near the Whispering Cairn, as that was were he was heading anyway.</p><p></p><p>As twilight approached, the group decided to stop for the evening. The group made camp, but it soon became evident that Scorch had come completely unprepared. Having no tent, bedroll, or even rations, it was only the kindness of Natasha that saved him from a long cold night. Accepting her offer over the protests of Sergi, Scorch proceeded to crawl into her tent, his knees popping loudly as he crouched down. The evening passed without incident, the moon riding high in the cloudless sky.</p><p></p><p>The next morning, Scorch emerged from Natasha's tent, seeing Natasha standing next to Aiyda across camp. The bard gave him a withering look as Natasha excitedly whispered something in her ear. For a moment, Aiyda's eyes widened, but then narrowed into a hard stare of unadulterated disgust. Not liking the look or where this was going, Scorch began to put on his armor, when Natasha bounded over and began to help him. Scorch looked helplessly to the sky as she fussed with one of the armor's straps, asking for the third time whether it was too tight. Glancing to one side, he saw Max silently laughing as he preened himself. Catching the eye of the halfling, he growled "Shut up." Looking under one arm, he saw an astonished Natasha staring up at him. Sighing, he nodded at Max and said, "Not you, baby. Him." With a grin, the halfling snapped his tin of pomade shut and smoothed the last errant strand of hair into place. Jumping to his feet, the halfling turned to the others, "Let us away! Untold riches await us!"</p><p></p><p>The group moved out and by noon on the second day, Natasha, Aiyda, and Sergi, all of whom were locals, guided them off the main road. They followed a weed-choked side path they assured the group would take them to the cairn. Before they arrived, however, they stumbled upon a crumbling building surrounded by a low ruined wall. Aiyda, remembering a story a barfly at the Emporium had told her, mentioned that it was an old mining office. Natasha went to one knee, taking a look at some vague patterns in the dirt and lingering over several broken lengths of grass. Glancing at the office and then looking back to the group, she said, "Looks like something has been here lately. Whatever it is, it is definitely not human." </p><p></p><p>Deciding to take a look in the office, but fearing there may be monsters afoot, the group drew their weapons and approached the building. Scorch took lead and with a resounding crack, smashed in the door with one well-placed kick. Inside a large room, several startled lizard men were already jumping to their scaly feet to meet the invaders. Biting and clawing, they crowded the door and Scorch hacked into them. Seeing he was blocking one of the few passages into the room, he moved in. As he did, a side door swung open, revealing a large lizard man with a spiked club and tortoise shell shield. This thing, obviously their leader, yelled in their savage tongue and gestured to the back of the room, where a large set of doors could be seen. Two of the lizard men broke off and swung open the door.</p><p></p><p>From within, several large lizards lumbered forth to join the fray. The others in the group had now entered into the room as well, hacking at all manner of reptile. Scorch bellowed a challenge to the leader of the lizard men and soon the two were locked in melee. The gladiator desperately tried to pierce the creature's defenses, but each blow was turned away by scale or shield. With a savage blow, the lizard man clubbed Scorch, dropping him. The others in the group fought vigilantly with spell and steel and soon the lizard men and their pets were defeated.</p><p></p><p>The battle, however, had taken its toll. Scorch was revived through the curative magics of Cypress and Doctor Voo, but soon their spells were exhausted on the many wounds of the group. Max, who had not been hurt in the battle with the lizard men, decided to take a look around. Climbing into what was once a kitchen through a broken window, the intrepid halfling soon found trouble. While rummaging through a collapsed shelf, he accidentally disturbed several snakes that had made their lair there. The halfling leapt through the window to escape and ran back to the front door of the building, screaming all the way. Scorch, hearing the yelling, strode through the building to see if Max was hurt. As he made his way into the kitchen, the serpents spotted him and attacked. After a brief but tense battle, the snakes were defeated.</p><p></p><p>After much discussion, the group decided to take a cursory look around the office for any more dangers. In the room the lizard man leader had been in, the group found a ragged nest and also made a gruesome discovery. A dead man in armor lay crumpled in one corner. Examining the corpse, Doctor Voo concluded that the man had been taken by violence and judged the wounds the work of the lizard men. Speaking up, Cypress quietly stated he had been looking for this man and that he would have to leave soon to report his death. Finding a few trinkets under a loose floor board, the group quietly moved back into the kitchen. After searching around a bit, a door was found that lead into a pitch-black basement. Descending a rickety staircase, it soon became apparent that the basement was filled with rats and the group only took a brief look around. However, the quick search was fruitful, as a number of mining implements and an old box filled with coins were found. </p><p></p><p>Weary from the battles of the day, the group decided to spend the rest of the day recuperating. They set about cleaning up the old mine office a bit, for it seemed an ideal base camp for their forays into the nearby Whispering Cairn. Doctor Voo suggested they give the dead man they had found a decent burial and lead the brief ceremony. Scorch refused to assist in any of the activities, instead lazing about on the sunken porch of the office, watching the others go about their work. Natasha got her revenge that evening after Scorch had fallen asleep. She carefully smeared poison ivy inside of the gladiator's armor and boots and the next day, it was only a pungent ointment provided by Doctor Voo that saved him for the terrible itching.</p><p></p><p>For several days, the group stayed at the office, still recovering from their wounds. Each night, they could hear the rats in the basement moving about. Deep one night, the rats slunk from the cellar and struck. Max and Sergi, who had been sleeping in the main room, were struck and only managed to give a strangled cry before being swarmed by the little monsters. The others soon managed to make their way into the room to fight the giant rats. Having lost the element surprise, they were quickly dispatched by the remainder of the group. The next day, the group recovered and Cypress and Doctor Voo assured that no one would get sick from the unclean bites of the great rats.</p><p></p><p>Fully rested and a couple days later than anticipated, the group gathered one morning and set out for their ultimate destination: The Whispering Cairn.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Spatterlight, post: 2978473, member: 42734"] [B]Session 1[/B] [I]June 16, 2006[/I] Scorch leaned back in the chair, his legs sprawled out in front of him on the rough table. Over a bewildering array of dirty bottles, stained wooden plates heaped with small greasy bones, and an overturned tankard, the gladiator watched a mongrel tear into a three-legged dog. The vicious bite drew a spray of bright arterial blood, sending one of the filthy serving girls squealing and the mangy denizens of the Feral Dog into a roar. Scorch distractedly watched as the dying dog was taken to the kitchen and the betters settle their scores. He was not surprised when a disagreement over a wager came to blows. "So, this is how it ends for our kind." Scorch thought, his good right hand unsteadily lifting a bottle to cheer the doomed dog. His drunken mind wandered and as always it settled on that day, now ten years past. The distant buzz that must have been crowds yelling. The smell of the sea and blood and sweat, the blue-green of the marrow's scaly hide as it jerked him to his feet by his face. A sudden swelling of sounds, howls of approval and screamed jeers. And then falling, dirt, a cracking of bone, and darkness. A sudden blow to his head catapulted him to the present. The gladiator tried to spring to his feet, but as he was sitting with his boots on the table, he instead went sprawling. With a mighty crash, the table fell and all its contents went flying. Scorch stumbled to his feet, his face flushed with embarrassment and anger, preparing to deliver a crushing blow to whoever threw the first punch. Instead, he saw Max putting his sheathed rapier back into his belt. Calmly he pulled a comb from a pouch, smoothing his slick hair back into place, "Really, Scorch! I am not sure if you are aware of this, but the sun has not even reached its zenith!" Scorch stared blankly for a moment, his mind reeling. The halfling continued, "And I can not have my prime talent wasting his valuable time here. Now, I suggest you take a brief constitutional. We have business to discuss!" Scorch lurched out of the Feral Dog, holding his hands up to his eyes as the bright sunlight stabbed at them. Behind him, he could make out the sound of catcalls and fought the urge to go back in. Staggering into the center of the large square that formed the center of Diamond Lake, Scorch spun around to confront the halfling as he came out of the Feral Dog. Scorch thrust a single dirty finger at his manager, ready to explode into a drunken tirade. Max nonchalantly glanced at the gladiator, "Well then, that took a few coins to straighten out. It will, of course, come out of your earnings." Scorch sputtered for a moment, unsure what to say as the rage left him. "But they have been fewer and fewer in these latter days." Max continued, "However, it seems that too might change. Walk with me, Scorch." Scorch, his anger now forgotten, walked the muddy streets of Diamond Lake with the halfling. "An opportunity has presented itself that may make us both quite rich. It has come to my attention that a trio of treasure seekers out of Greyhawk have recently entered town." The halfling stopped in his tracks, nodding to the side, "Well, speak of the devil, there they are! Do you see them?" Across the street, in front of the general store stood three people, speaking to the owner and apparently asking for directions. They were clearly explorers and adventurers, but that was not what caught Scorch's attention. The larger of two men, handsome and young, wore an oversized belt signifying a high rank in the gladiator circles of Greyhawk. Scorch growled, "I see him." Max nodded and moved on, "Do not stare then. It appears that they are seeking information on the Stirgenest Cairn, which has long been played out. However, there are other cairns in the hills that might still hold treasure of elder times. One of which I have recently discovered is called the Whispering Cairn. The children of the town use it as a play space, but to everyone's knowledge no one has gone very deep into it." Max continued, in a lower voice, "Particularly after that unfortunate business about that girl disappearing." Scorch furrowed his brow, "Wait, wait. What that last part?" Max looked up, smiling angelically, "Children play there and it is largely unexplored. I hope I am not going too quickly for you." The gladiator gave him an icy glare, but said nothing. Max continued, "As I was saying, we must act before they do. It is only a matter of time before someone points out they are looking in the wrong place." With a theatrical movement, the halfling swirled around, stopping Scorch. "So, how would you like to expand your horizons a bit? I think the title of treasure-seeker and adventurer suit you quite well. In addition, I have already lined up some excellent talent for this expedition! Really top-notch people." Scorch scratched his heavily stubbled chin with a dirty hand. "Adventurer, huh? This isn't another scam like that one you got me involved in Free City is it?" Max feigned hurt, "We have discussed that many times. Really that was a series of extremely unfortunate events over which I had no control ..." The gladiator cut him off, "Whatever. I'll do it. I need the coin something bad. When are we going?" Max looked up, "Unless you have more pressing engagements, we shall leave post-haste. I hope, with your busy schedule of drinking, you can find the time to ..." Scorch shot him another angry stare that silenced the smirking halfling and said, "I'll be back with my stuff." The gladiator weaved his way back to the Feral Dog to get his last remaining possessions; his blades and armor, his helm and shield. As he approached the Feral Dog, his thoughts were broken when a shrill voice called his name out from across the square. Turning, he saw it was Natasha, her red cloak flapping wildly as she ran. Scorch instinctively put his good hand to his temples, preparing for the onslaught, as she raced to him. She hit him like a tidal wave; all news, gossip, names, rumor, girl insight. Threads of information wove and twisted, and like a drowning man, Scorch tried to grasp at anything to keep afloat -- "My father is such a bastard. Did you know he..." "Uh-huh." -- "Did you see the gladiator in town?" "Yep." -- And finally she arrived at something he seized on. "So, me and some of the others are thinking about going to the Stirgenest Cairn and see what we can find. Come with us!" Scorch nodded for a moment, "Yeah, we're not doing that." Natasha looked dejected for a moment as the gladiator continued, "Max has something cooking. Something about a place called the Whooshing Cairn. No, that's not right. Whispering Cairn?" At the mention of the Whispering Cairn, the girl's face lit up, "I've been there! Most of us from town went there when were children...It's a very eerie place." Scorch gave a grunt, "Well, that's where I am going. If you want to lead the way, grab your stuff and meet back here." The girl nodded and darted off, disappearing around a corner. The gladiator watched her go, feeling the first twinges of a headache creeping up from the base of his skull. Deciding he could use a drink to calm his nerves before he got his equipment and left, he entered the Feral Dog once more. Several hours later, Max and Natasha guided a woozy Scorch to the spot outside of town Max had chosen to gather his team of treasure hunters. Standing in the shade of a tree were three figures. Scorch immediately recognized one of the people and staggered forward, "Doctor Voo! How's it going, man?" The cleric of Wee Jas smiled, his strange eyes turning toward the gladiator, "Good mon, no worries." The gladiator pumped the cleric's hand, "Glad to see you." And then, in a drunken whisper, he added, "I wanted to say, man, I don't know what you gave me the other week. It tasted like crap, but hey, the problem downtown is all good. Thanks!" Lurching around, he took a look at the other people, a dim flutter of recognition drifting across his sodden brain. His eyes first settled on the pretty young lady standing next to Doctor Voo. The gladiator openly ogled her for a moment, trying to remember where he had seen her before. The girl took a step back and wrinkled her nose at the train-wreck before her, "Wow. I didn't think he could smell worse than last time I dropped medicine off for my brother. But I was wrong." Hearing her voice, Scorch remembered that this was Aiyda, Doctor Voo's uppity little sister. Unable to think of a snappy comeback, he turned his attention to the last figure. This one he knew. It was Sergi, Natasha's older brother. Scorch grinned, mocking her immaculately dressed brother, "Hey nerdlinger, nice outfit. Extra fancy!" Already staring in disgust, Sergi turned to his sister, "Seriously, Natasha! What do you see in this uncouth barbarian?" Before she could answer, Max gave a shout, "Enough!" Looking around, he smoothed his cloak, saying, "It is of greatest importance that we move out. I believe we have only a limited time before those treasure hunters make their way to the Whispering Cairn. We must make haste." Amidst some grumbling, the group set out along the lonely road toward the cairn. With Natasha in lead, the group traveled for two days. Late in the afternoon of the first day, the group was attacked by a colony of stirges. During the fray, a mysterious elf and his pet wolf sprang from the forest, assisting the beleaguered group. After the fight, Natasha introduced the elf as Cypress, a friend of hers. The quiet elf explained that he was on an errand of importance, but agreed to travel with the group to the area near the Whispering Cairn, as that was were he was heading anyway. As twilight approached, the group decided to stop for the evening. The group made camp, but it soon became evident that Scorch had come completely unprepared. Having no tent, bedroll, or even rations, it was only the kindness of Natasha that saved him from a long cold night. Accepting her offer over the protests of Sergi, Scorch proceeded to crawl into her tent, his knees popping loudly as he crouched down. The evening passed without incident, the moon riding high in the cloudless sky. The next morning, Scorch emerged from Natasha's tent, seeing Natasha standing next to Aiyda across camp. The bard gave him a withering look as Natasha excitedly whispered something in her ear. For a moment, Aiyda's eyes widened, but then narrowed into a hard stare of unadulterated disgust. Not liking the look or where this was going, Scorch began to put on his armor, when Natasha bounded over and began to help him. Scorch looked helplessly to the sky as she fussed with one of the armor's straps, asking for the third time whether it was too tight. Glancing to one side, he saw Max silently laughing as he preened himself. Catching the eye of the halfling, he growled "Shut up." Looking under one arm, he saw an astonished Natasha staring up at him. Sighing, he nodded at Max and said, "Not you, baby. Him." With a grin, the halfling snapped his tin of pomade shut and smoothed the last errant strand of hair into place. Jumping to his feet, the halfling turned to the others, "Let us away! Untold riches await us!" The group moved out and by noon on the second day, Natasha, Aiyda, and Sergi, all of whom were locals, guided them off the main road. They followed a weed-choked side path they assured the group would take them to the cairn. Before they arrived, however, they stumbled upon a crumbling building surrounded by a low ruined wall. Aiyda, remembering a story a barfly at the Emporium had told her, mentioned that it was an old mining office. Natasha went to one knee, taking a look at some vague patterns in the dirt and lingering over several broken lengths of grass. Glancing at the office and then looking back to the group, she said, "Looks like something has been here lately. Whatever it is, it is definitely not human." Deciding to take a look in the office, but fearing there may be monsters afoot, the group drew their weapons and approached the building. Scorch took lead and with a resounding crack, smashed in the door with one well-placed kick. Inside a large room, several startled lizard men were already jumping to their scaly feet to meet the invaders. Biting and clawing, they crowded the door and Scorch hacked into them. Seeing he was blocking one of the few passages into the room, he moved in. As he did, a side door swung open, revealing a large lizard man with a spiked club and tortoise shell shield. This thing, obviously their leader, yelled in their savage tongue and gestured to the back of the room, where a large set of doors could be seen. Two of the lizard men broke off and swung open the door. From within, several large lizards lumbered forth to join the fray. The others in the group had now entered into the room as well, hacking at all manner of reptile. Scorch bellowed a challenge to the leader of the lizard men and soon the two were locked in melee. The gladiator desperately tried to pierce the creature's defenses, but each blow was turned away by scale or shield. With a savage blow, the lizard man clubbed Scorch, dropping him. The others in the group fought vigilantly with spell and steel and soon the lizard men and their pets were defeated. The battle, however, had taken its toll. Scorch was revived through the curative magics of Cypress and Doctor Voo, but soon their spells were exhausted on the many wounds of the group. Max, who had not been hurt in the battle with the lizard men, decided to take a look around. Climbing into what was once a kitchen through a broken window, the intrepid halfling soon found trouble. While rummaging through a collapsed shelf, he accidentally disturbed several snakes that had made their lair there. The halfling leapt through the window to escape and ran back to the front door of the building, screaming all the way. Scorch, hearing the yelling, strode through the building to see if Max was hurt. As he made his way into the kitchen, the serpents spotted him and attacked. After a brief but tense battle, the snakes were defeated. After much discussion, the group decided to take a cursory look around the office for any more dangers. In the room the lizard man leader had been in, the group found a ragged nest and also made a gruesome discovery. A dead man in armor lay crumpled in one corner. Examining the corpse, Doctor Voo concluded that the man had been taken by violence and judged the wounds the work of the lizard men. Speaking up, Cypress quietly stated he had been looking for this man and that he would have to leave soon to report his death. Finding a few trinkets under a loose floor board, the group quietly moved back into the kitchen. After searching around a bit, a door was found that lead into a pitch-black basement. Descending a rickety staircase, it soon became apparent that the basement was filled with rats and the group only took a brief look around. However, the quick search was fruitful, as a number of mining implements and an old box filled with coins were found. Weary from the battles of the day, the group decided to spend the rest of the day recuperating. They set about cleaning up the old mine office a bit, for it seemed an ideal base camp for their forays into the nearby Whispering Cairn. Doctor Voo suggested they give the dead man they had found a decent burial and lead the brief ceremony. Scorch refused to assist in any of the activities, instead lazing about on the sunken porch of the office, watching the others go about their work. Natasha got her revenge that evening after Scorch had fallen asleep. She carefully smeared poison ivy inside of the gladiator's armor and boots and the next day, it was only a pungent ointment provided by Doctor Voo that saved him for the terrible itching. For several days, the group stayed at the office, still recovering from their wounds. Each night, they could hear the rats in the basement moving about. Deep one night, the rats slunk from the cellar and struck. Max and Sergi, who had been sleeping in the main room, were struck and only managed to give a strangled cry before being swarmed by the little monsters. The others soon managed to make their way into the room to fight the giant rats. Having lost the element surprise, they were quickly dispatched by the remainder of the group. The next day, the group recovered and Cypress and Doctor Voo assured that no one would get sick from the unclean bites of the great rats. Fully rested and a couple days later than anticipated, the group gathered one morning and set out for their ultimate destination: The Whispering Cairn. [/QUOTE]
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Age of Worms Storyhour [Updated December 26, 2006]
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