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pogre's Blood and Iron in the Mountain King's Shadow - 11/5/07 update
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<blockquote data-quote="pogre" data-source="post: 3873337" data-attributes="member: 6588"><p>Gusil’s Tale</p><p></p><p>“My good gnome we wait with baited breath for your tale,” Count Mergray said rocking back in his chair after the banquet. The Count smiled pleasantly at his other guests for he knew they were in for quite a treat.</p><p></p><p>Gusil began slowly, as he often did. He described the discovery of the legendary book, Eye of the Messiah, and the little tome’s instructions on finding the Crown of the Messiah. He spoke of Sargroch the Haloed, the mighty mage that had urged them forward and encouraged them. He described the finding of the iron crown in the Barrow Pits of the second great king. The crown that was missing seven precious gems. </p><p></p><p>Gusil described the struggle of finding the first gem in the ancient Iron Pits – prison for a devil and home of the Pearl of Chastity. Next was the journey into the deep wood to find the Topaz of Humility at the mystical Singer’s Mill. Then it was on to fight the evil druid and his minions at the Tree of Life for the Emerald of Patience. Onto the four-square temple in the isolated mountains to battle undead for the Sapphire of Piety.</p><p></p><p>Gusil was interrupted three hours into his tale by the loud banging of cups at the far end of the banquet table. The culprits creating the cacophony were Antonious the Fire Mage and Taurus, Cleric of Ra-Atol, neither of the men had gone on the last adventure.</p><p></p><p>“Patience, patience my friends, ‘tis your own fault you don’t know this tale,” Gusil replied with a wink.</p><p></p><p>The rest of the Count’s guests suddenly came to life stretching and drinking after being hypnotized by Gusil’s tale. Many needed to relieve themselves or wanted to a walk a bit, but feared missing even a bit of the bard’s fascinating story.</p><p></p><p>“My friends,” Gusil called out in a loud voice after gulping down some wine, “Let us stretch, have a drink and reconvene for the conclusion of my tale.” </p><p></p><p>The Count smiled and rose and walked over to Gusil. Mergray bent down and put his arm around Gusil, “You have a talent my friend, a great talent.”</p><p></p><p>“Thank you my Lord,” Gusil winked and bounded out of the chamber to head for the privy trough.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Gusil waited. He wanted his audience to get just a bit impatient. He smiled inwardly as he strode into the great hall seeing the tables full of anticipating faces. He started the tale anew…</p><p></p><p>The place of the next gem was at Del Amini, the oasis of the wishing well. The only problem was Del Amini was an oasis in the Salt Desert. The Salt Desert, home of the soul-suckers, those ancient horrid necromancers that pulled their power from life itself. Soul-suckers, one time orc shamans that hovered between life and death and demanded greater and greater sacrifices from the orc tribes. The soul-suckers, the most feared creatures in the world lived in the Salt Desert. The Salt Desert where the oasis Del Amini was, where the next gem was, where the group’s destiny called. Yep, they were going.</p><p></p><p>The pass through the hills and mountains forced the group into narrow gorges and valleys. The normally reserved Olaf constantly complained about the terrain. “Too easy to ambush us,” he constantly warned. As if on cue his warning was punctuated by a flurry of arrows that hit the ranger directly. Olaf gasped, but managed to raise his bow in response. A gentle singing cascaded down to the trail and all could now see their opponent was one of the legendary harpies! Gusil saved the group by chanting a poem that allowed the others to ignore the harpy’s call. Olaf managed to tag the beast with an arrow, but as he reloaded the ranger felt a sharp pang. </p><p></p><p>Appearing, seemingly out of nowhere, a dark-cowled creature appeared next to the ranger and struck him deep with a short sword. Gwena, the dwarf warrior, moved to aid the range and her huge sword blade bit deep into the enemy. Olaf stepped back and shot arrows into the rogue at point blank range. Erik, a skilled rogue himself, stepped over and gave the enemy a share of his twin blades.</p><p></p><p>At that moment, another volley of arrows came from on high. Most of the arrows found their mark striking down the ranger in a pool of blood. Gusil bravely moved up and cast healing magic over the fallen ranger. </p><p></p><p>The enemy rogue, realizing he was over matched, zig-zagged away from his foes. Gwena’s blade was quicker though and nearly cut the rogue in two. Olaf staggered to his feet and was knocked down again in a hail of arrows from above. Erik shot at the harpy and scored a couple of minor hits. Gusil grabbed everyone and dimension-doored right onto the surprised harpy’s ledge.</p><p></p><p>A couple of wide swings from the dwarf’s sword and the flashing stabs of Erik’s blade quickly had the harpy on the retreat. As the harpy took flight Erik sliced into it, slashing the beast down.</p><p></p><p>“If these are the brigands, I hate to see what else we got to face,” Olaf exclaimed when Gusil finally healed him.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Gusil rubbed his eyes again to make sure he was not witnessing a mirage. Teams of camels pulled levitating carpets with cages full of creatures, chained humanoids, and other less identifiable objects. The group debated what they should do as a creature in the caravan broke away and came toward the group. Olaf raised his bow, but Gusil pulled the Ranger’s bow down and called, “Well met!”</p><p></p><p>The creature arrived at inhuman speed and it became obvious it was not touching the ground. His skin shimmered and eyes glowed with a deep mystical quality. “Well met indeed young gnome,” the creature replied.</p><p></p><p>Gusil quickly introduced the group and mentioned they were headed to the Oasis of Del Amini.</p><p></p><p>“Indeed,” the creature replied, “perhaps to do a bit of wishing?” The creature introduced itself as a servant of the Sheik Ali Kersamm, high trader of the desert. He explained the caravan was headed to the camp of the Orc Warlord Mamdoh Mashal to sell their wares. </p><p></p><p>“Dealing with orcs?” Gusil asked.</p><p></p><p>“Orcs of the Salt Desert have clink as well as any,” the Jann replied with a smile. “Safe travels my friends.”</p><p></p><p>“And to you,” Gusil replied with a bow.</p><p></p><p>The Jann left disappearing over a dune toward the path of the caravan.</p><p></p><p>“What do you think they are selling?” Gwena asked.</p><p></p><p>“Slaves,” Gusil replied nonchalantly.</p><p></p><p>“Slaves? I can track them down to wherever they camp tonight,” Olaf offered.</p><p></p><p>“We have a higher mission. Saving a few slaves will only slow us down,” Gusil replied.</p><p></p><p>“Slaves deserve their lot,” Erik added.</p><p></p><p>“I’ll remember that if you are ever captured by the enemy,” Olaf spat.</p><p></p><p>Erik only smiled.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Erik reported back to the group, “The oasis is swarming with orcs.”</p><p></p><p>“How many?” Gwena asked with a grin.</p><p></p><p>“Two score mebbe’.”</p><p></p><p>“We’ll move around and hit them from the north,” Gusil suggested.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, why don’t you lead the charge?” Erik asked in jest.</p><p></p><p>Gusil smiled. “I can dimension-door us to this point. Gwena can call bolts forth from her weapon here and here. If we hit them hard and fast the rest are likely to flee.” Everyone shook their heads in agreement. </p><p></p><p>The group appeared to the north of the oasis. One of the orc leaders charged out. Erik’s blades quickly shred him. Gwena called forth black arcs of lightning from her mighty sword that mowed through the orcs like a reaper’s scythe. Olaf’s arrows zipped out with devastating accuracy. A pair of brave orcs charged out at the dwarf warrior. Their hatred for her race caused them to lose all common sense. Erik moved in behind the orcs and with twin saps had them both quickly knocked out.</p><p></p><p>Within five minutes the entire oasis was abandoned, save dead orcs and the pair of captured orcs. In the midst of the fig trees was a large well. A quick questioning session with the orcs revealed they were part of Mamdoh Mashal’s tribe and were sent to the oasis as advanced scouts. The captured orc also revealed the tribe was a forward group for a mighty army gathering at the place of the tribal councils. Eight tribes had been at the council area and 240 sacrifices were made to Primarch Chronial Haj-Abar.</p><p></p><p>“What is Chronial Haj-Abar, some sort of god?” Gusil asked.</p><p></p><p>“No,” the orc whispered through its broken teeth, “a Soul-sucker.”</p><p></p><p>“Let me kill it,” Gwena said looking at the orc.</p><p></p><p>“No, I see no reason not to let our friend here go to warn of our group,” Gusil replied. The gnome turned his attention on the orc again, “Tell your lord Mamdoh Mashal of us. Tell him we come to kill him next.”</p><p></p><p>“You’re going to let them go?” Gwena asked in protest.</p><p></p><p>“Have faith my lady, there is a reason – always a reason for your faithful servant’s actions,” Gusil answered. </p><p></p><p>The group left the two tied orcs and turned their attentions to the well. It looked remarkably normal with no sign of significant power. Gusil whispered, “Charity,” over the edge to no effect. However, when Gwena dropped a few gold coins in and did the same a voice came back strongly in her head, <em>the sacrifice is far too small for such a wish!</em> The roaring voice nearly knocked the dwarf down.</p><p></p><p>Gwena explained what had happened and this time threw 100 coins down the well. This time the gold came flying back out of the well and a loud voice echoed in all of their heads, <em>It is not enough!</em></p><p></p><p>Gusil asked what the well needed for the gem of Charity and the creature replied that it must have the Iron Flask of Almas. Gusil asked the well what Almas was, where could they find Almas, and many other questions. The well answered that Almas was a great gray giant who preyed on travelers near the Helmus watering hole to the west.</p><p></p><p>The group spent the night at the oasis and after a few more questions of the orcs, they released the pair into the desert with a quick kick to the backside of each. The group then set-off for the Helmus watering hole and the abode of Almas.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>The boulder glanced off the dwarf nearly knocking her down. A hardy guffaw high up on the sandstone peaks boomed across the wadi that held the Helmus watering hole. The adventurers’ eyes rose up the hill to see a towering giant peering down at them.</p><p></p><p>“Hold your fire!” Gusil demanded of Olaf.</p><p></p><p>“Fair Almas I wish to speak to you,” Gusil called out.</p><p></p><p>“Four thousand gold, drink all you want, and leave at morning,” the giant replied.</p><p></p><p>“Done, but I still wish to speak with you,” Gusil called out.</p><p></p><p>The giant laughed, “The four-thousand first wee-one and then a bit of parlay, but only you.” Gusil reluctantly agreed and dragged 4,000 gold coins towards the giant. Once Gusil had reached the halfway point between his friends and the giant, the giant came down quickly out of his cave and scooped up both the coins and Gusil.</p><p></p><p>Almas gingerly set Gusil down in his cave near a fire on a piece of log. “What is it gnome? Speak your piece, but be quick.” </p><p></p><p>Gusil spun his tale, the story of Traydor, the heretic and so called Messiah of Ra-Atol, the sun god. He spoke of the group’s journeys up to this time and ended the tale at the giant’s cave a full two hours later with the question, “Will you trade us the Iron Flask?”</p><p></p><p>“That’s quite a tale,” Almas remarked. “Why does the well need the Iron Flask?”</p><p></p><p>“I don’t know,” Gusil admitted.</p><p></p><p>“Is the well evil?” Almas asked.</p><p></p><p>“I don’t know,” Gusil admitted.</p><p></p><p>“Are you sure you were speaking to the well?”</p><p></p><p>“I don’t know.”</p><p></p><p>“How did the well know of the Iron Flask?”</p><p></p><p>“I don’t know,” by now Gusil was getting exasperated. “Look, I hear what you are saying my friend, is there anything you would trade for the Iron Flask?”</p><p></p><p>“The orc warlord Mashal offered me 200,000 gold for it,” Almas stated flatly.</p><p></p><p>Gusil tried not to appear as perplexed as that number made him feel. “You weren’t interested? What did you reply?”</p><p></p><p>“I ate the messenger of course,” Almas replied. The giant’s voice was full of disdain.</p><p></p><p>“Was he tasty?” Gusil asked.</p><p></p><p>“’Course not, he was an orc. It was a matter of principle.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes. Yes of course,” Gusil stated trying to stay composed. “My friend I don’t know what we can trade you. I know we have nothing materially that valuable…”</p><p></p><p>Almas held up his huge right hand and cut the gnome off. “I’ve had a dream – a vision, it haunts me these many nights,” Almas stated in a low tone. “I see myself killed by the Soulsuckers.”</p><p></p><p>“Soulsuckers, what do you know of these creatures?” Gusil asked.</p><p></p><p>It turned out Almas was quite an old giant and told a long tale of his days of having a fortress and being routed out of it and retreating into the wilderness. A wilderness so lush and thick no one could trace him. He settled in a hill overlooking a river. Then the wilderness changed, it died, and all that was left was a watering hole and this cave-riddled wadi.</p><p></p><p>“It was the soulsuckers?” Gusil asked.</p><p></p><p>“Aye gnome, Soulsuckers, they pull the life out of everything” Almas replied. “I will make you a bargain. I will trade you the Iron Flask for two things: First, you must convince me the well is not an evil entity aligned with the Soulsuckers, and second, I want a blood oath from you and your friends that you will come here and help defend me if the Soulsuckers come to this place.”</p><p></p><p>“That is a fair bargain,” Gusil stated confidently.</p><p></p><p>“Not so fast gnome. Don’t you want to know where I got the Iron Flask from?” Almas asked.</p><p></p><p>Gusil only nodded that he did.</p><p></p><p>“Years ago me and several of my mates went on a mercenary mission into the fiendish lands. There we fought a mighty demon, a balor. Most of my mates were killed, but I survived with a couple of others. It was in the demon’s lair I found the Iron Flask. Now, I know not what it does, but it can’t be good.”</p><p></p><p>Gusil nodded again. “We will fulfill our part of the bargain in any case.”</p><p></p><p>The giant held out his hand and as Gusil reached out to clasp whatever he could of the huge palm, Almas picked him up and carried him back to the floor of the wadi. </p><p></p><p>Gusil returned to his friends and explained the bargain.</p><p></p><p>In the morning they set off for the well again.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p> </p><p>The mid-morning sun brought a most unwelcome sight to the four adventurers – a huge dust cloud moving north to their west. </p><p></p><p>“What of Almas?” Gusil asked.</p><p></p><p>“We must hurry,” Olaf answered. It was obvious to all that the orcish horde beneath that great dust cloud would beat them back to the water hole.</p><p></p><p>When they finally arrived back at the oasis Gusil felt a sudden pang of guilt and shame for not retrieving the iron flask. He reported it to his companions. </p><p></p><p>“Magic?” Erik asked suspiciously.</p><p></p><p>“Seems likely,” Gusil replied.</p><p></p><p><em>You have not brought the Iron Flask!</em> the well boomed inside their heads.</p><p></p><p>“There was a slight problem,” Gusil began. “We might be able to get the flask, but we must know why you need it.”</p><p></p><p><em>That is none of your concern.</em></p><p></p><p>“How do we know you are not allied with the soul suckers?” Gusil asked.</p><p></p><p><em>Would the great Traydor entrust me to guard this gem if I were evil?</em></p><p></p><p>“I don’t know,” Gusil replied. “I do know that some of the guardians we have faced for the other gems were not good entities.”</p><p></p><p><em>What incentive would I have to be aligned with the Soulsuckers?</em></p><p></p><p>“Why do you want the Flask?” Gusil asked.</p><p></p><p><em>You must prove yourselves worthy!</em> the well boomed.</p><p></p><p>“Why the Iron Flask?” Gusil peristed.</p><p></p><p><em>I’ll give you an alternative, bring me the head Chroniol Haj-Abar.</em></p><p></p><p>“The Flask would be easier,” Erik commented.</p><p></p><p>Gusil smiled a little. “You will have the Flask.”</p><p></p><p>Gusil’s companions returned a hard stare at the gnome. Gusil motioned for the group to move off away from the oasis. Once out of the oasis the group debated their next course of action. They eventually came to the conclusion that the well was possessed by an evil entity. Gusil revealed he believed that the Iron Flask captured souls in some way. This information only affirmed the group’s conclusions. “Perhaps we can use the flask against that thing,” Gusil suggested.</p><p></p><p>They immediately set off again to find Almas.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>A huge orcish army was camped in the wadi. The group watched carefully as the afternoon sun rose high and the orcs continued milling around the area.</p><p></p><p>“How many do you think,” Gusil asked.</p><p></p><p>“5,000,” Olaf answered.</p><p></p><p>Erik gave a low whistle in response. </p><p></p><p>“I’ll go in and have a look around,” Erik offered. The rogue set off invisibly and returned a short time later.</p><p></p><p>“Almas is dead,” Erik reported. “They have him on a huge pole in the middle of the camp.”</p><p></p><p>“Damn,” Gusil muttered.</p><p></p><p>The group made a quick plan and dimension-doored into an empty high cave overlooking the wadi. Erik worked his way down to the giant’s cave and found a group of orcs ransacking the place. Picking his way through the orcs, Erik eventually found a hidden niche. Using a gem of seeing he could see the giant’s treasures were stashed there. He quickly went back and reported to the group.</p><p></p><p>The adventurers dimension-doored into Almas’s cave and quickly hacked down the dozen orcs or so milling through the cave. Gwena called the group over as darkness descended over the wadi.</p><p></p><p>The orcs were crowding towards the great pole holding Almas’s lifeless body. They were swaying in unison and watching a group a garishly adorned orc shamans dancing in a circle around the pole. The chanting from the orc crowd grew louder and as it reached a crescendo a massive orc pushed his way to the shaman circle and gave a mighty yell. A flash of grayish light appeared in the middle of the shamanic circle and a dark, gray-cowled creature emerged. A wave went through the orcs as they fell to their knees. A half-dozen or so of the orcs actually keeled over. Even the adventurers felt the effect of having their life forced pulled towards this creature.</p><p></p><p>The creature said something to the great muscular orc on his knees before it. The huge orc launched to his feet and barked orders to gathered orcs. The orcs quickly fanned out and began searching the caves in the sandstone hills.</p><p></p><p>“Did he detect us or is he looking for the flask?” Erik asked.</p><p></p><p>“Either way, they’re going to be up here soon and I’m out of dimension-door spells,” Gusil replied. The group quickly gathered up the giant’s treasure, including the Iron Flask.</p><p></p><p>Employing potions and a few of Gusil’s remaining spells the entire group became invisible. They carefully worked their way up the sandstone hill and into one of the highest caves. By ducking and dodging, the group was able to avoid the orcs until the dawn sun rose. Gusil now cast a few dimension-doors and had the group away from the orc army.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>“So are we tradin’ or are we fighting?” Olaf asked. His tone made it clear he favored the latter.</p><p></p><p>“We need to decide quickly,” Gwena warned as another huge cloud of dust was approaching their position from the south.</p><p></p><p>“It’s a few hours from here,” Olaf reassured the group.</p><p></p><p>“They will probably have advanced scouts though,” Gusil said. “Let’s vote.”</p><p></p><p>The count was four to zero – they would fight the spirit of the well. “Should I use this?” Gusil asked holding up the Iron Flask. “It may contain a powerful soul we will likely have to fight. Perhaps even a greater fiend.”</p><p></p><p>Again the count was four to zero. They moved into the oasis. The well was strangely silent on their approach. <em>You filthy traitors! You are not worthy!</em></p><p></p><p>Gusil uncapped the Iron Flask and large water elemental burst forth. Simultaneously, an eerie scream sounded in their heads as the spirit of the well was captured in the iron flask. The group made quick work of the elemental and Erik jumped into the well. A short time later he emerged laughing, wet and holding the Ruby of Charity!</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Gusil bowed deeply as his audience gave him loud applause. </p><p></p><p>One of the assembled nobles called out, “What of the sixth and seventh gems?”</p><p></p><p>Gusil smiled and replied, “Those tales are yet to come my friends.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="pogre, post: 3873337, member: 6588"] Gusil’s Tale “My good gnome we wait with baited breath for your tale,” Count Mergray said rocking back in his chair after the banquet. The Count smiled pleasantly at his other guests for he knew they were in for quite a treat. Gusil began slowly, as he often did. He described the discovery of the legendary book, Eye of the Messiah, and the little tome’s instructions on finding the Crown of the Messiah. He spoke of Sargroch the Haloed, the mighty mage that had urged them forward and encouraged them. He described the finding of the iron crown in the Barrow Pits of the second great king. The crown that was missing seven precious gems. Gusil described the struggle of finding the first gem in the ancient Iron Pits – prison for a devil and home of the Pearl of Chastity. Next was the journey into the deep wood to find the Topaz of Humility at the mystical Singer’s Mill. Then it was on to fight the evil druid and his minions at the Tree of Life for the Emerald of Patience. Onto the four-square temple in the isolated mountains to battle undead for the Sapphire of Piety. Gusil was interrupted three hours into his tale by the loud banging of cups at the far end of the banquet table. The culprits creating the cacophony were Antonious the Fire Mage and Taurus, Cleric of Ra-Atol, neither of the men had gone on the last adventure. “Patience, patience my friends, ‘tis your own fault you don’t know this tale,” Gusil replied with a wink. The rest of the Count’s guests suddenly came to life stretching and drinking after being hypnotized by Gusil’s tale. Many needed to relieve themselves or wanted to a walk a bit, but feared missing even a bit of the bard’s fascinating story. “My friends,” Gusil called out in a loud voice after gulping down some wine, “Let us stretch, have a drink and reconvene for the conclusion of my tale.” The Count smiled and rose and walked over to Gusil. Mergray bent down and put his arm around Gusil, “You have a talent my friend, a great talent.” “Thank you my Lord,” Gusil winked and bounded out of the chamber to head for the privy trough. *** Gusil waited. He wanted his audience to get just a bit impatient. He smiled inwardly as he strode into the great hall seeing the tables full of anticipating faces. He started the tale anew… The place of the next gem was at Del Amini, the oasis of the wishing well. The only problem was Del Amini was an oasis in the Salt Desert. The Salt Desert, home of the soul-suckers, those ancient horrid necromancers that pulled their power from life itself. Soul-suckers, one time orc shamans that hovered between life and death and demanded greater and greater sacrifices from the orc tribes. The soul-suckers, the most feared creatures in the world lived in the Salt Desert. The Salt Desert where the oasis Del Amini was, where the next gem was, where the group’s destiny called. Yep, they were going. The pass through the hills and mountains forced the group into narrow gorges and valleys. The normally reserved Olaf constantly complained about the terrain. “Too easy to ambush us,” he constantly warned. As if on cue his warning was punctuated by a flurry of arrows that hit the ranger directly. Olaf gasped, but managed to raise his bow in response. A gentle singing cascaded down to the trail and all could now see their opponent was one of the legendary harpies! Gusil saved the group by chanting a poem that allowed the others to ignore the harpy’s call. Olaf managed to tag the beast with an arrow, but as he reloaded the ranger felt a sharp pang. Appearing, seemingly out of nowhere, a dark-cowled creature appeared next to the ranger and struck him deep with a short sword. Gwena, the dwarf warrior, moved to aid the range and her huge sword blade bit deep into the enemy. Olaf stepped back and shot arrows into the rogue at point blank range. Erik, a skilled rogue himself, stepped over and gave the enemy a share of his twin blades. At that moment, another volley of arrows came from on high. Most of the arrows found their mark striking down the ranger in a pool of blood. Gusil bravely moved up and cast healing magic over the fallen ranger. The enemy rogue, realizing he was over matched, zig-zagged away from his foes. Gwena’s blade was quicker though and nearly cut the rogue in two. Olaf staggered to his feet and was knocked down again in a hail of arrows from above. Erik shot at the harpy and scored a couple of minor hits. Gusil grabbed everyone and dimension-doored right onto the surprised harpy’s ledge. A couple of wide swings from the dwarf’s sword and the flashing stabs of Erik’s blade quickly had the harpy on the retreat. As the harpy took flight Erik sliced into it, slashing the beast down. “If these are the brigands, I hate to see what else we got to face,” Olaf exclaimed when Gusil finally healed him. *** Gusil rubbed his eyes again to make sure he was not witnessing a mirage. Teams of camels pulled levitating carpets with cages full of creatures, chained humanoids, and other less identifiable objects. The group debated what they should do as a creature in the caravan broke away and came toward the group. Olaf raised his bow, but Gusil pulled the Ranger’s bow down and called, “Well met!” The creature arrived at inhuman speed and it became obvious it was not touching the ground. His skin shimmered and eyes glowed with a deep mystical quality. “Well met indeed young gnome,” the creature replied. Gusil quickly introduced the group and mentioned they were headed to the Oasis of Del Amini. “Indeed,” the creature replied, “perhaps to do a bit of wishing?” The creature introduced itself as a servant of the Sheik Ali Kersamm, high trader of the desert. He explained the caravan was headed to the camp of the Orc Warlord Mamdoh Mashal to sell their wares. “Dealing with orcs?” Gusil asked. “Orcs of the Salt Desert have clink as well as any,” the Jann replied with a smile. “Safe travels my friends.” “And to you,” Gusil replied with a bow. The Jann left disappearing over a dune toward the path of the caravan. “What do you think they are selling?” Gwena asked. “Slaves,” Gusil replied nonchalantly. “Slaves? I can track them down to wherever they camp tonight,” Olaf offered. “We have a higher mission. Saving a few slaves will only slow us down,” Gusil replied. “Slaves deserve their lot,” Erik added. “I’ll remember that if you are ever captured by the enemy,” Olaf spat. Erik only smiled. *** Erik reported back to the group, “The oasis is swarming with orcs.” “How many?” Gwena asked with a grin. “Two score mebbe’.” “We’ll move around and hit them from the north,” Gusil suggested. “Yes, why don’t you lead the charge?” Erik asked in jest. Gusil smiled. “I can dimension-door us to this point. Gwena can call bolts forth from her weapon here and here. If we hit them hard and fast the rest are likely to flee.” Everyone shook their heads in agreement. The group appeared to the north of the oasis. One of the orc leaders charged out. Erik’s blades quickly shred him. Gwena called forth black arcs of lightning from her mighty sword that mowed through the orcs like a reaper’s scythe. Olaf’s arrows zipped out with devastating accuracy. A pair of brave orcs charged out at the dwarf warrior. Their hatred for her race caused them to lose all common sense. Erik moved in behind the orcs and with twin saps had them both quickly knocked out. Within five minutes the entire oasis was abandoned, save dead orcs and the pair of captured orcs. In the midst of the fig trees was a large well. A quick questioning session with the orcs revealed they were part of Mamdoh Mashal’s tribe and were sent to the oasis as advanced scouts. The captured orc also revealed the tribe was a forward group for a mighty army gathering at the place of the tribal councils. Eight tribes had been at the council area and 240 sacrifices were made to Primarch Chronial Haj-Abar. “What is Chronial Haj-Abar, some sort of god?” Gusil asked. “No,” the orc whispered through its broken teeth, “a Soul-sucker.” “Let me kill it,” Gwena said looking at the orc. “No, I see no reason not to let our friend here go to warn of our group,” Gusil replied. The gnome turned his attention on the orc again, “Tell your lord Mamdoh Mashal of us. Tell him we come to kill him next.” “You’re going to let them go?” Gwena asked in protest. “Have faith my lady, there is a reason – always a reason for your faithful servant’s actions,” Gusil answered. The group left the two tied orcs and turned their attentions to the well. It looked remarkably normal with no sign of significant power. Gusil whispered, “Charity,” over the edge to no effect. However, when Gwena dropped a few gold coins in and did the same a voice came back strongly in her head, [I]the sacrifice is far too small for such a wish![/I] The roaring voice nearly knocked the dwarf down. Gwena explained what had happened and this time threw 100 coins down the well. This time the gold came flying back out of the well and a loud voice echoed in all of their heads, [I]It is not enough![/I] Gusil asked what the well needed for the gem of Charity and the creature replied that it must have the Iron Flask of Almas. Gusil asked the well what Almas was, where could they find Almas, and many other questions. The well answered that Almas was a great gray giant who preyed on travelers near the Helmus watering hole to the west. The group spent the night at the oasis and after a few more questions of the orcs, they released the pair into the desert with a quick kick to the backside of each. The group then set-off for the Helmus watering hole and the abode of Almas. *** The boulder glanced off the dwarf nearly knocking her down. A hardy guffaw high up on the sandstone peaks boomed across the wadi that held the Helmus watering hole. The adventurers’ eyes rose up the hill to see a towering giant peering down at them. “Hold your fire!” Gusil demanded of Olaf. “Fair Almas I wish to speak to you,” Gusil called out. “Four thousand gold, drink all you want, and leave at morning,” the giant replied. “Done, but I still wish to speak with you,” Gusil called out. The giant laughed, “The four-thousand first wee-one and then a bit of parlay, but only you.” Gusil reluctantly agreed and dragged 4,000 gold coins towards the giant. Once Gusil had reached the halfway point between his friends and the giant, the giant came down quickly out of his cave and scooped up both the coins and Gusil. Almas gingerly set Gusil down in his cave near a fire on a piece of log. “What is it gnome? Speak your piece, but be quick.” Gusil spun his tale, the story of Traydor, the heretic and so called Messiah of Ra-Atol, the sun god. He spoke of the group’s journeys up to this time and ended the tale at the giant’s cave a full two hours later with the question, “Will you trade us the Iron Flask?” “That’s quite a tale,” Almas remarked. “Why does the well need the Iron Flask?” “I don’t know,” Gusil admitted. “Is the well evil?” Almas asked. “I don’t know,” Gusil admitted. “Are you sure you were speaking to the well?” “I don’t know.” “How did the well know of the Iron Flask?” “I don’t know,” by now Gusil was getting exasperated. “Look, I hear what you are saying my friend, is there anything you would trade for the Iron Flask?” “The orc warlord Mashal offered me 200,000 gold for it,” Almas stated flatly. Gusil tried not to appear as perplexed as that number made him feel. “You weren’t interested? What did you reply?” “I ate the messenger of course,” Almas replied. The giant’s voice was full of disdain. “Was he tasty?” Gusil asked. “’Course not, he was an orc. It was a matter of principle.” “Yes. Yes of course,” Gusil stated trying to stay composed. “My friend I don’t know what we can trade you. I know we have nothing materially that valuable…” Almas held up his huge right hand and cut the gnome off. “I’ve had a dream – a vision, it haunts me these many nights,” Almas stated in a low tone. “I see myself killed by the Soulsuckers.” “Soulsuckers, what do you know of these creatures?” Gusil asked. It turned out Almas was quite an old giant and told a long tale of his days of having a fortress and being routed out of it and retreating into the wilderness. A wilderness so lush and thick no one could trace him. He settled in a hill overlooking a river. Then the wilderness changed, it died, and all that was left was a watering hole and this cave-riddled wadi. “It was the soulsuckers?” Gusil asked. “Aye gnome, Soulsuckers, they pull the life out of everything” Almas replied. “I will make you a bargain. I will trade you the Iron Flask for two things: First, you must convince me the well is not an evil entity aligned with the Soulsuckers, and second, I want a blood oath from you and your friends that you will come here and help defend me if the Soulsuckers come to this place.” “That is a fair bargain,” Gusil stated confidently. “Not so fast gnome. Don’t you want to know where I got the Iron Flask from?” Almas asked. Gusil only nodded that he did. “Years ago me and several of my mates went on a mercenary mission into the fiendish lands. There we fought a mighty demon, a balor. Most of my mates were killed, but I survived with a couple of others. It was in the demon’s lair I found the Iron Flask. Now, I know not what it does, but it can’t be good.” Gusil nodded again. “We will fulfill our part of the bargain in any case.” The giant held out his hand and as Gusil reached out to clasp whatever he could of the huge palm, Almas picked him up and carried him back to the floor of the wadi. Gusil returned to his friends and explained the bargain. In the morning they set off for the well again. *** The mid-morning sun brought a most unwelcome sight to the four adventurers – a huge dust cloud moving north to their west. “What of Almas?” Gusil asked. “We must hurry,” Olaf answered. It was obvious to all that the orcish horde beneath that great dust cloud would beat them back to the water hole. When they finally arrived back at the oasis Gusil felt a sudden pang of guilt and shame for not retrieving the iron flask. He reported it to his companions. “Magic?” Erik asked suspiciously. “Seems likely,” Gusil replied. [I]You have not brought the Iron Flask![/I] the well boomed inside their heads. “There was a slight problem,” Gusil began. “We might be able to get the flask, but we must know why you need it.” [I]That is none of your concern.[/I] “How do we know you are not allied with the soul suckers?” Gusil asked. [I]Would the great Traydor entrust me to guard this gem if I were evil?[/I] “I don’t know,” Gusil replied. “I do know that some of the guardians we have faced for the other gems were not good entities.” [I]What incentive would I have to be aligned with the Soulsuckers?[/I] “Why do you want the Flask?” Gusil asked. [I]You must prove yourselves worthy![/I] the well boomed. “Why the Iron Flask?” Gusil peristed. [I]I’ll give you an alternative, bring me the head Chroniol Haj-Abar.[/I] “The Flask would be easier,” Erik commented. Gusil smiled a little. “You will have the Flask.” Gusil’s companions returned a hard stare at the gnome. Gusil motioned for the group to move off away from the oasis. Once out of the oasis the group debated their next course of action. They eventually came to the conclusion that the well was possessed by an evil entity. Gusil revealed he believed that the Iron Flask captured souls in some way. This information only affirmed the group’s conclusions. “Perhaps we can use the flask against that thing,” Gusil suggested. They immediately set off again to find Almas. *** A huge orcish army was camped in the wadi. The group watched carefully as the afternoon sun rose high and the orcs continued milling around the area. “How many do you think,” Gusil asked. “5,000,” Olaf answered. Erik gave a low whistle in response. “I’ll go in and have a look around,” Erik offered. The rogue set off invisibly and returned a short time later. “Almas is dead,” Erik reported. “They have him on a huge pole in the middle of the camp.” “Damn,” Gusil muttered. The group made a quick plan and dimension-doored into an empty high cave overlooking the wadi. Erik worked his way down to the giant’s cave and found a group of orcs ransacking the place. Picking his way through the orcs, Erik eventually found a hidden niche. Using a gem of seeing he could see the giant’s treasures were stashed there. He quickly went back and reported to the group. The adventurers dimension-doored into Almas’s cave and quickly hacked down the dozen orcs or so milling through the cave. Gwena called the group over as darkness descended over the wadi. The orcs were crowding towards the great pole holding Almas’s lifeless body. They were swaying in unison and watching a group a garishly adorned orc shamans dancing in a circle around the pole. The chanting from the orc crowd grew louder and as it reached a crescendo a massive orc pushed his way to the shaman circle and gave a mighty yell. A flash of grayish light appeared in the middle of the shamanic circle and a dark, gray-cowled creature emerged. A wave went through the orcs as they fell to their knees. A half-dozen or so of the orcs actually keeled over. Even the adventurers felt the effect of having their life forced pulled towards this creature. The creature said something to the great muscular orc on his knees before it. The huge orc launched to his feet and barked orders to gathered orcs. The orcs quickly fanned out and began searching the caves in the sandstone hills. “Did he detect us or is he looking for the flask?” Erik asked. “Either way, they’re going to be up here soon and I’m out of dimension-door spells,” Gusil replied. The group quickly gathered up the giant’s treasure, including the Iron Flask. Employing potions and a few of Gusil’s remaining spells the entire group became invisible. They carefully worked their way up the sandstone hill and into one of the highest caves. By ducking and dodging, the group was able to avoid the orcs until the dawn sun rose. Gusil now cast a few dimension-doors and had the group away from the orc army. *** “So are we tradin’ or are we fighting?” Olaf asked. His tone made it clear he favored the latter. “We need to decide quickly,” Gwena warned as another huge cloud of dust was approaching their position from the south. “It’s a few hours from here,” Olaf reassured the group. “They will probably have advanced scouts though,” Gusil said. “Let’s vote.” The count was four to zero – they would fight the spirit of the well. “Should I use this?” Gusil asked holding up the Iron Flask. “It may contain a powerful soul we will likely have to fight. Perhaps even a greater fiend.” Again the count was four to zero. They moved into the oasis. The well was strangely silent on their approach. [I]You filthy traitors! You are not worthy![/I] Gusil uncapped the Iron Flask and large water elemental burst forth. Simultaneously, an eerie scream sounded in their heads as the spirit of the well was captured in the iron flask. The group made quick work of the elemental and Erik jumped into the well. A short time later he emerged laughing, wet and holding the Ruby of Charity! *** Gusil bowed deeply as his audience gave him loud applause. One of the assembled nobles called out, “What of the sixth and seventh gems?” Gusil smiled and replied, “Those tales are yet to come my friends.” [/QUOTE]
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pogre's Blood and Iron in the Mountain King's Shadow - 11/5/07 update
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