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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Deuce Traveler" data-source="post: 5907184" data-attributes="member: 34958">Ok, enough delay.  It’s time to continue our adventure. When I check the Acaeum.com site it lists the B10 module’s title as Night’s Dark Terror.  However here in FRUA it is listed as B10: Assault on Raven’s Ruin.  Amazon.com has a TSR module on sale named Assault on Raven’s Ruin, and it is mentioned favorably on that awesome grognard site, Dragonsfoot.org, but is has no module designation, ‘B10’ or otherwise.  I’m not sure what is the disconnect, but I am pushing forward.  Maybe someone else can shed light on the mystery.<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_-Ogdmp5Tdo/T6yMF-aTGTI/AAAAAAAAAao/Sk8h2vID8kA/w653-h436-k/Raven00.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />“As the village draws near, you check your swordbelt, and your mage friend peers into his spell component case.  The priest sighs, adjusting the cross that hangs about his neck.”  No he doesn’t.  We never purchased a holy symbol, a problem I hope to correct soon.  “Over the past few weeks’ journey you have stocked up on all the equipment your funds would allow you to carry, to be prepared for whatever adventure you might find.”The game opens up shortly afterwards with a travelling merchant approaching the camp and asking ‘May I help you?’  If we had not purchased goods at Specularum, we would find a perfect opportunity to do so here.  You can’t see it on the screen below, but there is also some minor fire animation in the picture which is a nice touch.<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VWtAFtHglIU/T6yMGbg8ujI/AAAAAAAAAa4/QWl7kDIWrZ8/w324-h215-n-k/Raven01.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />Note that the color scheme and font is different from the one before.  I think they are equally ugly.  I also messed up the party order when I started, going in reverse in my selection.  The mages are still in the middle, so we are fine for now but I will change it as soon as able.  Scott DeWar will go first, since he is a fighter/thief and we are going into an underground dungeon filled with bandits, and I’m guessing that there will also be traps.Well this is disturbing.  The merchant is similar to the last few, as in he doesn’t sell holy symbols.  Merchants must be atheists and anti-church in this world.  I purchase nothing from him.  The party only has 10 gold coins currently, so it is not as if we could make a huge impact.  After leaving the merchant we are treated to another frame by frame cut scene.“Your adventures have brought you west of the great city of Specularum, in the Westlands, where threats of humanoid invasions become a bit less nightmare and more reality with each passing year.  Many towns and villages dot the countryside hereabouts, and most seem very similar to the passerby.  But the trained ear picks up rumor of adventure... You have finally arrived in Kleine, a small fishing village.  You hear the distant sound of the plunging cataract, as its water rushes into nearby Lake Ostrel.” I move forward a few spaces.<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lyhSZFvlois/T6yMGIpKXNI/AAAAAAAAAas/wCW2SFJrlOk/w324-h215-n-k/Raven02.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />“As you have heard, Kleine is a peaceful, pleasant place.  But something is not quite right. The townspeople seem oddly tense, as if they were expecting something bad to happen.  As you move into town, you see notices posted and you hear the sounds of the town crier in the distance. I fix my parrty order and take another step.  “The town crier sees you and quickly walks your way as he belts out his message. ‘A threat to Kleine! Our village is threatened by vicious humanoids. They have stolen a valuable item from our town officials. The town council wishes to hire any people who are brave enough and strong enough to deal with this threat and return the item to us. Respond to Councilman Baur at the Melodious Harpy Tavern.’” Get away from me you freak! “The crier walks off, repeating himself to anyone within earshot.”Well, I could go there... but first...<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7e_klx7yJ3Y/T6yMG1jR-WI/AAAAAAAAAbA/Bij40qDE8Kw/w321-h215-n-k/Raven03.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />“You enter the quaint chapel of Kleine. Brothers of the order meet you at the door and welcome you to the altar.”  I go looking for the chapel shop.  I still need that holy symbol.  I really don’t know if there are undead in this module or not.  “The village priestess greets you at the altar. ‘Welcome to Kleine, travelers. I fear you have come at a bad time for our village. Vile thieves pillage during the night, making it so that decent folk fear to sleep. Councilman Baur spends day and night at the Melodious Harpy, trying to find a band willing and capable enough to stop this menace.’”  I ask her about the situation.  “The priestess frowns. ‘The Scepter of Truth was taken from the temple, but no one on duty saw the act, even with guards posted. Even though most of the attacks are clumsy in appearance, there is a cunning force at work in Kleine. I fear for the village if the scepter is not returned.’” Jinkies gang!  A mystery!  It looks like they are not selling holy symbols here.  I truly hope there is no undead about... maybe I can search for a general store...Ha!  I was just kidding, but I enter a building and “A woman stands behind the counter in the general store.  She looks very tired and her first instinct as the door opens is to touch the stock of a loaded crossbow. ‘Ah, travelers. Welcome to Kleine. How may I help you?’” You can start by taking that itchy trigger finger off your crossbow.  I ask her about the village.  “The woman sighs heavily as if your words remind her of something she had nearly forgotten. ‘Thugs is all they are. Thugs and humanoids. Not worthy of the Raven. He was a scoundrel, but he was a damn fine one. The man had finesse. These creatures leave broken window frames, door knobs lying in splinters in your doorway, and they run away at the first sign of light. Cowards, all!’” Ok... she makes them sound more like rambunctious teenagers rather than a marauding horde.  I check her meager supplies, notice that she does not sell a holy symbol, and bid the oddball woman adieu.It’s not just her, the whole town seems a bit off in regards to Raven.  Another holy symbol-less merchant had something similar to say.  With a sigh I stop my fruitless search and head over to the inn.“The Melodious Harpy is not difficult to find. There are a large number of people inside, more than you would expect in such a small town. This must be a very popular place for the locals. Many of the tables are occupied by farmers, and some of the discussions are quite loud. You hear mention of ‘cursed goblins!’, and ‘right under our noses’ and ‘Raven’s Ruin’. A few of the townspeople look you over as you enter, some with suspicion, others with hope. Near the door, just to your right, is a well-dressed young man with a pile of papers in front of him. He looks at you expectantly.”<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kdNwwVdGioE/T6yMG4hXb6I/AAAAAAAAAa8/102fqFSNDRQ/w327-h215-n-k/Raven04.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />I step to him. “The man at the table motions for all of you to sit and waits patiently for all of your companions to gather chairs before beginning to speak. ‘My name is Councilman Baur and I speak on behalf of Kleine. I am glad you have come! As you must have heard, Kleine is threatened by goblins. Nasty little critters.’” Dude, come on! They are crafty humanoids, not an infestation of locusts. “’They are organized, and they have been raiding nearby farms. Supposedly, they have a base at Raven’s Ruin, and perhaps the thief Raven is leading them, for they have stolen our valued Scepter of Truth. If you end the threat presented by these creatures, and return all they have stolen, we will pay you fifty gold pieces each. What do you say?’ Councilman Baur shuffles through some papers, awaiting your answer.”  I say that’s a lousy deal, but since we are down to our last 10 gold pieces and need to eat, we are on board.I ask him about Raven and Raven’s Ruin: “Raven is a human master thief who retired in the region several years ago and built a keep. Little is known about him, and he seldom dealt with anyone in the village. He has not been seen in two years, but rumor has it that he has now returned. Raven’s Keep is a sprawling underground complex that has fallen into ruin since he disappeared. It is in the burning hills just a few miles from town. People avoid it because it is supposed to have many traps to keep intruders out. And now the goblins have added to the danger with their traps and snares. Their most recent incursions have left a trail just north of the Harpy, and if you look there you will certainly find it.”  Traps, huh?  Scott DeWar is about to earn his keep.  Too bad he lacks thieves tools as no one sells them.About the humanoids: “The goblins built Raven’s Keep years ago, and then Raven sent them away. They have lived in the forest but recently returned; probably when they found out Raven was gone. Of course it is possible that Raven called them back. They must have some leader organizing them.”About the Scepter of Truth: “The Scepter is magical. Anyone touching it must speak only the truth, so it is very useful in legal proceedings. It is a well-carved, three-foot wooden rod with gold and silver inlays. Someone stole it from a guarded building in the middle of the night, and the guards saw nothing. The guards have been thoroughly questioned. They had absolutely no motive to steal the Scepter, and the Council has confirmed their innocence. Of course, no one has a motive for stealing the Scepter, but sneaking into a guarded building and stealing something important is just the type of thrill-seeking theft typical of the Raven.”About the treasure: “The Scepter must be returned, and many keepsakes have been stolen from farmers and merchants. You must agree to return those items as well, and the Council will look over the treasure when you return. The Council is not interested in anything else you find in the ruin.”I have nothing left to ask and am incredibly poor, so I accept his offer.  “Councilman Baur extends his hand, then proffers several documents for you and your companions to either sign or make your mark. When all is in order, the Councilman motions to the hearth and bar. ‘If you’d like to get some rest before entering the forest, the Harpy comes highly recommended.’” Nah, we’re good short a holy symbol and thieves tools.  Next, we leave to be heroes... again...</blockquote>

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