The Scourge of the Ratmen [Scarred Lands] - Updated 1/26

[Broccli_Head]

Thanks a lot of the history of the Titan's War. I've read it before, but always enjoy a retelling.

....noticed Kratys Freehold....

I am really enjoying the story, btw. Never played in the Scarred Lands, but I really like the setting. I have Ghelspad and Termana, R&R I, CC 1&2, D&D, Mithral and Hollowfaust. Unfortunately, we have so many games right now. So many games...so little time....

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Bump so that you can find it to post the promised New Year's update.

 

[Amaroq]

Laugh! I'm back. Thanks for the bump! I do keep it bookmarked, so I can always find it.

That retelling of the Titan's War is fairly a paraphrase from the Ghelspad book, I tried to put it in character, knowing that not everybody is familiar with every campaign setting.

Kratys Freehold - yes! That's one fun thing about writing these from so far in the "future", as it were - I can try and build a little foreshadowing into it.

Here's the next issue - Happy New Year, everybody!

 

[Amaroq]

Issue #5: The Smugglers, Episode 1 of 5

16th of June, 2002​

Issue #5

The Smugglers​

After rescuing Fox’s son, Reginald, from the spider goblins, we return to our investigation of the tower.

We spent several days in Southport, learning what we could. We have learned the secret of the lights, that they were signals from a group of bandits on land to smugglers on board a ship. The smugglers are selling people to slavery at the hands of the ratmen, exchanging human slaves for ratman poisons. We have a plan to stop them.

Chuck has met another Vigilant, Jim, who rescued us when the spider goblins threatened to overwhelm us. He is keeping his identity concealed in town, but helped nurse Chuck back to health when the youth was stabbed in a bar fight. When he learned of the smuggling scheme, he offered to meet us outside of town and join us in trying to halt the smuggling.


It is shortly after dawn on Hedraday, the 12th of Charder, 150 AV. We are gathered at the Laughing Ogre Inn for an early breakfast. We have been resting, for the most part, for three days, and everyone is fully recovered.

Chuck, the young Vigilant, explains the plan to those who have not yet heard it. He keeps his voice low, lest we be overheard. “We’re meeting Jim outside of town,” he tells us, “And going back to the tower to the south. When we get there, we’re going to try and use the signal lantern, pretending to be that mage, Delonia, and her cronies, so that we can lure the smugglers to land and capture them.”

Brunhilde, the tall, loud, red-headed mage who helped us rescue Reginald, shakes her head. “I am afraid that I cannot accompany you. I have to take care of some business in Lave, and I cannot tarry here longer.” Lave, the capital of Vesh, is a day and a half’s journey north of us.

Stone says “I am going with her, to protect her. I’ll try to catch up to you, when I’m back.”

The half-orc monk has been a stout fighter, and Paks says, "I'm sure we’ll miss you."

Brunhilde pulls out the scroll which we found in the spider’s cave. “You should take this,” she says, offering the scroll to Miriel. “I’m done studying it. It contains an illusion spell, minor image, which I think Jim might be able to cast, as well as two arcane spells, shield and ghost sound.”

“Thank you for your help,” Miriel says.

Brunhilde wishes us luck on our journey, and we wish her well on her business. We finish the meal together, and Fox packs us some sandwiches, enough for lunch and dinner today.

Miriel suggests stopping by the temple of Madriel to ask for her blessing on the mission and pick up a potion of healing. Chuck, Goldpetal, and Miriel contribute two pieces of platinum each, giving us six platinum, which is enough to buy a single potion of healing. The high priestess, Verenia is, as always, pleased to see Miriel, and gives us her blessing. “Madriel shines her light on you all,” she says, “And of course, you always have my blessing.”

On the way back to the inn, we discuss taking horses. Goldpetal suggests that we not, in order to more easily pass through the forest. Chuck and Miriel think it would be better to take horses, and Paks doesn’t care. After a short discussion, Miriel decides that we should take the horses, and the rest of us agree.



The four heroes head south along the road, and meet Jim at the appointed place. He waits for us astride his large horse, a magnificent bay with a white star on its forehead. The Vigilant wears a dark cloak over chain mail, and has two swords sheathed, one at each hip. Strapped to his back is a beautiful long bow.

He hails us as we ride within range, and the five of us ride south towards the tower.

Chuck rides alongside Jim. “We found a scroll we think you could use,” he says. “It has an illusion, minor image, and two arcane spells.” The similarity between the two is striking – though his bow and horse are not as fine, he wears a similar kit: dark cloak over leather armor, a sword at each hip, and a bow strapped to his back.

“I could cast the illusion,” Jim says.

“Miriel, give it to him,” Chuck says.

As Miriel hands over the scroll, Jim says, “Great, this will come in really useful. Okay, here’s my plan. We’ll use a lantern to give the signals, and lure the smugglers to the cove. With this scroll, I can create an illusion of Delonia and her henchmen, which will fool the smugglers even more.”

“But…” Chuck says, “They may already know we’re looking for them. They took my notes, at the bar.”

“I’m willing to take that risk,” Jim says decisively. “If they don’t know, we’ll be in great shape.”

Chuck looks satisfied to follow the elder Vigilant’s lead, but Paks and Miriel exchange worried glances. We have had word that Delonia escaped, and when Chuck was stabbed in the bar fight, somebody whispered something about “For the tower.”

As we near the tower, Goldpetal suggests, “We should track.” The elf is, like all his kind, slightly built.

Jim chuckles. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but as we’ve been traveling, I’ve been checking both sides of the road for tracks.”

Chuck looks at Jim with respect, and says, “I’ve also been tracking, looking for significant changes in the road.”

“Have either of you seen anything?” asks Miriel.

They both shake their heads. “No,” Jim says, “Nothing of any significance.”



We reach the ruined tower around dinnertime with little incident. None of our woodsmen have seen any tracks, and we have seen no sign of the strange halfling, Fergus, or Delonia. The tower itself was once circular, and stood almost eighty feet high. It has fallen over, and now rubble is strewn southwest from it for over a hundred feet. The base still stands, white stone walls about fifteen feet high, with a forty foot diameter. As we learned in our first visit, holes in the walls offer room for those inside to shoot out, and vice versa.

It looks unoccupied. We ride towards it. “It looks like we’ll get the usual coastal fog,” Jim says, as we draw within a hundred yards. “Which will make it very dark, this being the night of the new moon.”

Goldpetal suggests, “Miriel, why don’t you go up to the top of the tower and maintain a lookout, since you can see in the dark?”

She shakes her head. “I won’t be able to see through the fog,” she says, “But we should look through the whole tower and make sure there’s no one there. A watch up top is a good idea, as well, to make sure no one can sneak up on us.”

“We should remove the ladder that goes down from the edge of the cliff to the beach,” adds Chuck.

When we reach the large doorway of the ruined tower, we dismount. Jim, Chuck, and Goldpetal check for tracks. Jim looks at Chuck with an eyebrow raised. Chuck shakes his head. “I see only the tracks of the youths, Randall and Reginald, from a few days before.”

“Very good,” Jim says, with approval in his voice. Goldpetal gives him a bland look, as though unimpressed.

We all enter the tower. It remains empty. Paks begins hobbling the horses, while Miriel says, “Chuck, come stand watch with me.”

“Great,” Jim says. “We’ll explore.”

Chuck and Miriel head up to the ruined second floor of the tower. They don’t see anyone or anything around the tower, but they stay up to watch.

Jim, Paks, and Goldpetal head down through the trapdoor. In the crypt, they find the rotting bodies of three ghouls, from our previous visit. The smell is almost overwhelming. There are some rats, but no other signs of occupancy.

The rooms that were once occupied by the smugglers don’t have anything in them, but Goldpetal looks over at Paks. “These look like someone has rummaged through them since we left,” he says, brushing a lock of his long dark hair out of his eyes.

She looks thoughtfully around. “Yeah, you’re right,” she says. “That table’s been moved, at least.”

The three searchers go out through the tunnel to the beach, and remove the ladder, bringing it back up to the tower.



We gather on the top of the tower, to discuss our plan of action. It is sunset over the water, which is just beginning to widen from the Hornswythe River into the southeast corner of the Blood Sea. It is a beautiful sunset, and, as Jim predicted, we can see a bank of fog rolling in.

“I’m not so sure about your plan, Jim,” says Miriel. “If they’ve had warning, we may be the prey, not the hunters.”

“I think it’s a risk worth taking,” Jim says. “There should be no problem fooling people into believing Delonia is there, with this spell. We hide in the dark, and start shooting at the boat when they start coming in.”

Paks says, “We could try the classic Trojan horse...”

Chuck laughs. “What, build a wooden model of the sorceress?”

“No!” exclaims Paks. “We hide in crates and get them to load them on the boat.”

Jim looks dubious. “There are probably a lot of people on the boat.”

“We should try to lure them into the tunnel,” suggests Goldpetal. “We can trap them there.”

“That might work,” Jim says, “But they might be suspicious. That illusion won’t hold at close range. It’s a big beach, and we can all hide in the shadows.”

“Yeah, that worked before,” Paks says in agreement. The setting sun glints off of her chain mail, giving it a reddish hue.

“We should split up,” Miriel says decisively. “Two of us will give the signals, then come down, while everyone else hides at the beach.”

“We could take cover behind the various bits of seaweed and driftwood,” Paks suggests.

“There are plenty of niches in the cove,” Goldpetal reminds her. “Without a torch, it is black enough that humans can’t see.”

“Too bad we don’t know the signal for ‘bug out’,” says Chuck.

“Why?” asks Jim with a half-laugh.

“So we can send the boat away and not have to fight them all,” explains Chuck.

“Very smart,” Jim says. “No wonder Steve picked you. Unfortunately, we don’t know that, nor would it put a stop to their trade.”

“Okay,” says Paks, “So we adopt Miriel’s plan. Who stays at the top?”

“Goldpetal and I,” answers the priestess. “We’re the ones that can see in the dark.”

“What about the illusion not working at short range?” asks Goldpetal.

“That’s easy,” says Paks. “Delonia’s figure should turn and head up the tunnel when they arrive.”

“What happens when the boat doesn’t make it back to the ship?” asks Chuck. “What if the whole crew comes ashore?”

“Then we’ll just capture the ship,” says Jim optimistically.

Paks looks alarmed at his incessant optimism, but Miriel speaks before she can give voice. “They probably won’t come to shore,” the half-elf says, “Not knowing what they’d be facing.”

Chuck teaches Goldpetal and Miriel the rhythm for the signals, and then all the fighters go down to to the beach to get set up, while Goldpetal and Miriel stay atop the tower with the lantern to signal.

Chuck suggests lighting the cavern, and Jim says there should be a torch with the figure of the sorceress, to lend it credence. We light two torches, as it was the night we first met Delonia. Then the threesome down at the beach array themselves in hiding. Jim asks Chuck to stay close to him, so they all hide in a group, well away from the illuminated area.

Miriel and Goldpetal plan to come down after giving the signals, with Goldpetal in the lead with his bow drawn. They will stop before the lighted area of the tunnel, in order to get a different shot on the smugglers and keep them from running up the tunnel.

Everyone is in place.

 

[Amaroq]

Issue #5: The Smugglers, Episode 2 of 5

Miriel watches out to sea, while Goldpetal watches inland. It’s a cold, cold night, and between the fog and the lack of moon, it is very dark. Through the early part of the night, the fog renders it impossible to see. By around eleven, the fog begins to thin somewhat. Miriel draws her peacock-embroidered cloak more tightly about herself, to ward against the bitter cold. Finally, shortly before midnight, she spies a light out to sea.

“There it is,” she whispers. “The first signal.” She lifts up the lantern, and gives the second signal. The third signal comes in answer, and she gives the confirmation signal. “Goldpetal,” she hisses, “Can you see anything through the fog?”

“I think I can see it,” he answers, “It might be a big schooner; it’s hard to tell in this fog.” He glances away, and scans the land around the tower one last time. With the fog, he can’t see much of anything. The two listen, straining to hear anything, but the fog blankets the night in silence, and all they can hear is the waves against the cliff edge.

Miriel and Goldpetal rush down through the tower to the cave, Goldpetal in the lead with his bow drawn, and Miriel watching behind with her spear ready. They stop inside the tunnel, hidden in the shadows thirty feet along the corridor, outside of the lighted area.

The three waiting in the cove hear the splashing of the oars and muffled sounds from the oarlocks. Paks readies her sword, while Chuck has his bow ready. Jim is still concentrating on the illusion, but holds his bow ready in his right hand.

We can see a light; the people in the boat have a torch. There are twelve people aboard a large rowboat. There are two men in the bow, peering forward into the night. One is an older, thin man in a robe. Next to him, holding the torch, is a very tall man, with an angular, patrician face, his hair and large cloak billowing in the wind. There are four oarsmen. Manacled together in the center of the boat are six miserable-looking slaves.

The older man says, “Something doesn’t feel right, Virilius.” We can hear his voice carrying clearly over the water, although he spoke softly.

“I agree, Sambelay,” says the man he addressed as Virilius. “Something is wrong.” In a voice clearly accustomed to command, he orders, “Get the men ready.”

Jim’s illusionary Delonia gives a wave of greeting, but from the top of the cliff a woman’s voice shouts “Virilius, it’s a trap!”

At a quick word from Virilius, the well-trained oarsmen immediately start rowing back out to sea. The old man casts some sort of spell, and a thick fog stars pouring out of his fingertips. Within moments, we can't see anything at all.

Jim grabs Chuck with one hand, while he grasps his medallion with the other. “I’m casting waterwalk on both of us,” he says. Chuck drops his bow on the beach, as he and his mentor draw swords. They rush towards the boat, running atop the placid waters of the cove as though it were firm sand.

Paks recognized the woman as Delonia, and attempts to impersonate her voice. “Wait, wait,” she cries. “Don’t leave me! Come back!”

Jim and Chuck run across the water. Jim reaches the boat first, and begins exchanging blows with Virilius. They are both expert swordsmen, and at first neither scores a hit. Chuck attacks the wizard, Sambelay, with both swords, cutting him with the longsword and forcing him to stop a spell he was chanting.

As Virilius and Jim are trading blows, they also trade insults. “You are no match for me, boy,” Virilius tells the Vigilant.

“Your days are numbered, Asuras swine,” says the Vigilant, parrying a blow.

Virilius, never taking his eyes from Jim’s blades, says “Bjorn, distract them.” One of the oarsmen takes a boathook, and uses it to grab one of the slaves and throw him overboard. At the same instant, the mage casts a spell, and suddenly Jim sinks into the water, his waterwalk abruptly ended.



As Chuck and Jim ran into the fog, Paks started heading back to the tunnel, long sword held in her right hand. She sees Goldpetal and Miriel waiting, and Goldpetal nearly looses his bow at her. “They’re getting away,” she says. “But Delonia is upstairs. Follow me!”

The three of them run up the tunnel underneath the tower. When they reach the room under the tower, Paks listens to see if she hears anyone in the tower room, but she doesn’t. She heads up the ladder into the tower, and runs to the front door, where she sees Delonia running away into the darkness.

“After her, she’s getting away!” Paks yells, plunging into the night in hot pursuit. Delonia is heading south, past the area we have explored. Goldpetal runs to the door and shoots an arrow, but he misses. Miriel starts running after Delonia and Paks.

Paks, weighed down by her chain mail, seems to have no chance of catching the mage, but then Goldpetal casts entangle. Delonia is running through tall grass, and the grasses immediately start wrapping around her ankles and calves. Within seconds, she is brought to a quick halt.

The rogue mage turns and casts a magic missile at Paks. A bolt of sickly green energy streaks from her fingertips, and penetrates Paks’ chain mail, catching her in the chest.

The young warrior shakes it off. She runs up closer to the sorceress, yelling “Delonia! Surrender!” Paks starts circling around to the south, cutting off her retreat, and shouts to the other two, “Come at her from different sides, so she cannot escape.” Goldpetal and Miriel approach cautiously, from opposite sides, surrounding her at the 120-degree points of the circle of entangling grass.

Delonia is thoroughly entangled by the tall grasses. Miriel, standing outside of the entangling grasses, draws her sling, and her first shot whacks Delonia in the head.

Paks yells, “Have you surrendered yet?”

Delonia says nothing, and continues struggling with the grasses. Paks shoots an arrow at her, but misses. Goldpetal comes up to the edge of the circle and fires his short bow, also missing the sorceress.

Delonia realizes that she can’t get away. She puts her hands up, spreading them wide so we can see that they are empty. “Okay, okay, I surrender!”
“Okay,” Paks says warningly. “But don’t try anything when the entanglement goes away.” Miriel pulls out her coil of silk rope.



Down at the cove, Chuck is still standing on the surface of the water, but Jim has sunk into it up to his neck, and is forced to swim, an awkward task with swords in his hands, and near impossible with chain mail. He can do little better than tread water. Chuck yells, “Slaves! Help us, and be freed!”

“Chuck, get the slave!” Jim commands. Chuck runs over, reaches down, and grabs the slave by the tunic, preventing him from sinking.

The smuggler with the hook has started rowing again, and the small boat is making progress away from them. “Jim,” Chuck asks desperately, “Should I follow the boat?”

The spellcaster in the boat casts another spell. The rowers start moving a lot faster, and the boot shoots away. As the boat disappears into the fog, Virilius shakes his fist and says “You haven't seen the last of me! No one crosses Virilius Asuras and gets away with it!”

Jim doesn't answer Chuck's question, and when he looks over, he sees his mentor slipping beneath the waves. Chuck pulls the slave over to Jim, and takes him by the collar of the tunic as well. With three people’s weight, Chuck sinks into the water halfway up to his calves, and each step is difficult. He starts pulling them both slowly towards the shore, through the spooky fog.

By the time they reach shore, Chuck checks on the slave, and finds that he is not doing very well. He looks malnourished, and the cold from the water has leached most of his energy. Chuck begins freeing him from his bonds.

Jim, however, looks around the cove, and finds it empty of the rest of the group. “Where is everyone?” he asks. “Let’s go see what happened.”

They each grab one of the two torches by the doorway of the passage. Jim leads them up towards the tower, while Chuck supports the slave, who leans most of his weight over the younger Vigil’s shoulder. There is no sign of what happened to the other three.



When Chuck and Jim reach the room underneath the tower, Jim stops Chuck, pointing at the floor. “Hey, what’s that?” he asks quietly.

Chuck looks where his mentor is pointing, and sees a small shoe print, about the size of a child’s foot. The whole party is wearing boots. He looks around to see if there are any other prints. “It looks like four people went up the ladder,” he whispers, “This small print more recently than the other three.”

Jim gestures for silence, and Chuck starts quietly up the ladder. The trap door to the base of the tower opens without a sound, and when he pokes his head up into the tower, he sees a halfling in the shadows by the door of the tower, looking out. He doesn’t seem to notice them.

Chuck puts a finger to his lips, and then motions Jim up. As Jim climbs, Chuck tries to sneak up on the halfling, gliding soundlessly towards the door with his sword in hand. He taps the halfling on the shoulder with his free hand.

The halfling yelps and jumps a foot in the air.

“What are you doing here?” demands Chuck roughly. The halfling turns towards him, and he recognizes the same sneaky halfling who he had seen several times in Southport over the previous three days.

Though he received quite a shock, the halfling has his wits about him when he first speaks. “I’m looking out the door,” he says, stating the obvious. “What are you doing here? I’d just like to say that I’m amazed at your composure, Chuck. Not only can you run through mist and water and do nothing useful, but you can also ask straightforward questions. Good thing I decided you weren’t worth following.”

Chuck stares at him darkly, as Jim approaches with an arrow knocked. Neither of them look like very friendly, but the halfling stands his ground. He looks exasperated. “I was also trying to stop the slavers,” he explains.

Chuck looks very suspicious. “Perhaps we could have cooperated?” he asks.

“I want nothing to do with you, sir,” the halfling says. “I serve the Lady Miriel.”

Jim rolls his eyes. He steps to the door, and looks outside, where he sees the tableau. Miriel, Paks, and Goldpetal have surrounded the sorceress, who is thoroughly entangled by the grass and vines, which have wrapped their way all the way to her waist. Paks and Goldpetal have arrows ready, while Miriel seems to be readying some rope. “Chuck, don’t take your eyes off of him for one minute,” he says, and heads outside to see if the others need any help.

Chuck kneels and begins to rummage in his pack for flint and steel. As soon as his attention is off the halfling, the halfling says, “I’m going out to greet my mistress.” He steps quickly outside the door before Chuck can react.



“Here. Warm up,” Chuck says, dropping his flint and steel next to the slave. He steps to the door, and sees that the halfling is not fleeing, and is, in fact, approaching the rest of the group.

As Jim draws within a hundred feet of the three heroes and their prisoner, he calls out, “Ho! What’s going on?”

“We have this one entangled,” Paks yells back, “And she has surrendered to us!”

“Nicely done!” says the Vigilant, as he reaches the edge of the entangling grasses.

“She’s given us her parole,” continues Paks, “And we’re going to tie her up.”

Goldpetal looks at halfling, who is approaching. Chuck straggles along behind, long sword in his right hand, looking unsure whether he should attack or treat the halfling as an equal. “Who are you,” the elf asks the halfling. “Why are you here?”

The halfling retorts, “Why are you here? Who are you?”

“It’s our job to be here,” Goldpetal answers implacably.

“Yes,” says the halfling, “I know it’s your job, Goldpetal. It’s also mine.” Though most of the others are watching this exchange, Paks keeps a close watch on the entangled Delonia, who seems to be considering escape.

“Who sent you?” demands Goldpetal.

The halfling responds tauntingly, “Who sent you?”

“Grilliam sent us,” answers Goldpetal.

The halfling draws close to the group. “Who sent him? And who sent him?”

“The gods,” the druid responds. “Do you claim to be a god?”

The halfling shakes his head. “No, I’m just me.” He approaches Miriel, with Chuck immediately behind him, but unsure yet if he means her harm.

Goldpetal looks over at Paks, and informs her, “The entangle is about to expire.”

She nods. “Chuck,” she calls, “Bring me your manacles.” Chuck looks at the halfling dubiously, but then returns to the tower, and his pack, to get a pair of manacles.

Miriel looks the halfling in the eye and asks, “Do I know you?”

“Why, no, madam, not yet, but I know you. I am Milo, and I have been sent by Madriel to serve you and protect you.” He kneels down and reaches out, taking her hand and kissing it as though he is a courtier.

Miriel says to the halfling, “I haven’t heard of you from Madriel or Verenia.”

“I have my honor,” he responds. “What more do I need?”

Miriel shakes her head. “I don’t know you.”

“Isn’t Madriel the goddess of mercy?” the halfling responds.

“What does mercy have to do with it?” Miriel asks, an almost incredulous tone to her voice. “I don’t trust you yet. You had the chance to meet us before, and instead you show up here, under suspicious circumstances.”

By this time, Chuck is returning from the tower with the manacles. He and Jim come over to Paks. Chuck hands her the manacles. The two Vigilants draw swords, and Jim calls out, “Sorceress, if you try anything, you’re dead.”

The entanglement subsides. Paks approaches Delonia, with Chuck and Jim guarding her. The sorceress offers no resistance, and Paks secures her with the manacles.

Jim switches from sword to bow, and stands where he can watch both the halfling and the bound sorceress.

Chuck walks over to Miriel, and asks, “Miriel, do you want a set of manacles?” He glances meaningfully at the halfling.

To his surprise, she declines his offer. “No, it’s not right to manacle someone on suspicion alone. Just keep an eye on him.”

Jim calls, “Chuck, don’t let him out of your sight.”

 

[Amaroq]

Issue #5: The Smugglers, Episode 3 of 5

Paks begins to interrogate Delonia. She is surprisingly gentle and compassionate, for a mercenary sword. “Delonia, what’s going on?” she asks.

“What do you want to know?” asks Delonia, kneeling with her hands manacled behind her back.

Paks asks, “What's the smuggling plan?”

To Paks’ surprise, Delonia begins to tell all. “I was hired by Virilius Asuras,” Delonia tells her. “We trade slaves to the ratmen at the swamp. They give us poisons, which Virilius sells at a high profit.”

“Do you know his contact in the north?” Paks asks. The rest of us gather around, each listening intently, and quietly, even the halfling.

“No, I don’t know,” the sorceress says, “But these were very rare poisons. I hope you sold them; they were worth a ton of money!”

Paks smiles, gently. “Yes, we know. Who’s your contact with the ratmen? Where and when?”

“SySy,” Delonia says. “She runs an outpost at the swamp, we trade with her there. I don’t want any more contact than that with the ratmen. They’re pretty gross.”

Goldpetal, who still has his bow out, though now pointed at the ground, asks quietly, “Does she trade with anyone else?”

“I don’t know the details,” Delonia explains, “But she’s the only rat person who will trade with humans, and she’s got a pretty good business going. She’s neutral and has contacts with all the various tribes.”

Paks continues her questioning. “What’s her outpost like?”

“Well, I know there’s a cave complex underneath it, but I haven’t been under there and don’t want to.”

“How many guards do you travel with?”

“Just a few,” Delonia answers. “No one wants to go in the swamp; we travel light and go in and out as quickly as possible. The ratmen are dangerous, but the money is good, and Virilius is very powerful.”

“What was the going rate?”

“Three hundred gold per delivery, but I had to pay the others.”

Paks studies Delonia for a long moment, and then asks her, “Would you be available for hire?”

Delonia looks absolutely incredulous. “To you guys?”

Paks grins. “Well, we keep running into each other,” she says with a shrug.

“I’m sure Grilliam could test her loyalty,” suggests the halfling helpfully.

Delonia pales at the mention of Grilliam. “I’d be happy to work with you, if you don’t take me to Grilliam,” she says.

Chuck suggests, “Why don’t we let the slave beat her up? He was the only one of us who was harmed by her actions.” Nobody pays him much attention.

The halfling asks Delonia, “When and where is the next meeting with SySy?”

Before she can respond, Paks says, “You don’t have to answer him. He’s not with us.” She glares at the halfling.

Miriel interjects, to Paks, “We can’t not take her to Grilliam. We agreed with him to take her back.” She turns and looks at Chuck. “What happened with the boat?”

Chuck coughs, and looks a little embarrassed. “They got away,” he says. “The sorcerer was too powerful. They threw a slave out to distract us. We saved him, and left him in the tower.”

“Let’s go back to the tower,” Paks suggests, “And continue this indoors.” She helps Delonia to her feet, and we begin walking that direction.

As we walk back towards the tower, the halfling, Milo, takes Miriel by the elbow, and tries to draw her away. She refuses, shrugging off his attentions. “I need to talk with you,” he tells her.

She shakes her head. “If you have anything to say to me, all my friends may hear.”

“I must speak with you alone,” the halfling says insistently.

“Why don’t you go to the top of the tower?” suggests Goldpetal.

Jim looks suspiciously at the halfling, and tells the elf, “Not without Chuck.”

“What about somewhere outside,” Paks suggests, “Within bow range?”

“No,” Chuck says.

“Okay,” Milo says. “I’ll agree to Chuck watching, as long as he stays out of hearing range.”



We reach the tower, where the slave has a nice fire going. Jim, who is soaking wet, goes over to the fire to warm up. Chuck gets his flint and steel back.

While Miriel, Chuck, and Milo go up the tower, Paks and Goldpetal stand guard outside, and discuss Delonia.

“So, how can I rescue this woman?” Paks asks him.

“I don't know if I’m interested in rescuing her,” Goldpetal says. “If we can use her, that’s great, but…” He looks away from her, staring out into the darkness for a long moment before continuing his sentence. “She’s selling people to these unnatural creatures. She deserves no mercy.”

“I do not sense evil in her,” Paks says. “Perhaps we can save her from herself.”

Goldpetal is thinking about something, and again they sit in silence for a minute before he speaks. “All the smugglers are going to do is find another smuggling point. If we shut down this one, they’ll go somewhere else. If we can use her to get at the ratmen...”

“Or the smugglers...” suggests Paks.

“If she’s just a pawn, they’re far worse than she is,” Goldpetal decides. “But how do we convince Chuck and Miriel? Or do we? Do we try to convince Grilliam?”

Paks says, “Convincing Miriel is easy: Madriel is the goddess of mercy and compassion. Have mercy and compassion here. Convincing Chuck, now, that’s a little harder.”

Goldpetal looks thoughtful.

Paks continues, “And then there’s always the question of, can we really trust her? No matter what she says?”

Goldpetal hits on a suggestion. “Do you think we could convince Grilliam to suspend sentence, contingent on her helping us?”

Paks says, “For me to trust her, she’d basically have to renounce the whole scheme, and renounce any loyalty to the ratmen or to Virilius. If that’s not enough for Grilliam...”

Goldpetal laughs darkly. “Funny, that would make me trust her less. She doesn’t stay bought.”

Paks shakes her head, frustrated. “Well, then there’s the whole idea that it would be under duress, anyway.”



Miriel and the others come back down from the tower. The priestess looks thoughtful, while Chuck continues to regard the halfling with dark suspicion. Before they can say anything, Paks requests, “Miriel, can I talk to you for a few minutes?”

She takes Miriel outside, and outlines her concerns. “You seem very set on bringing this woman to justice,” Paks says. “I don’t feel the need for justice here. Madriel is the goddess of mercy and compassion, and I think this is a time for mercy. Also, if she is to be sentenced to death anyway, it would be better to give Delonia a chance to redeem herself first.”

Miriel looks thoughtful. “Well, I certainly think it’s a good idea to let her redeem herself, and if you’re willing to take responsibility for her, I’m willing to do it. But I really don’t think it's a good idea to trust her. Do you have any reason to think that this is a workable idea; that she will actually try to do good?”

“I don't sense any evil from her,” says Paks. “Do you think you might be able to convert her?”

“That’s something that’s really beyond my experience,” Miriel answers, “But I have great faith in Madriel, and I think that if Delonia’s at all willing to try, she could be converted.”

Paks still isn’t convinced, herself. “Convert or die is an old story,” she says, shaking her head.

Miriel quickly grasps her concern. “I’m not so sure that a conversion under sentence of death will really mean anything – she might still try to escape.”

“I think that there’s a chance,” says Paks.

“Well,” says Miriel, “As I say, if there’s a chance, I’m sure Madriel can bring some good out of this. But what do we say to Grilliam? I don’t want to lie to him.”

“Nor I. Definitely not,” says Paks fervently, remembering how Grilliam reacted when Delonia lied to him. “I would just like to give this woman a chance to redeem herself before we take her to him, and if she’s successfully been converted, then we ask Grilliam for mercy.”

“But again, what do we say to him? Do we tell him this?” asks Miriel.

Paks shakes her head. “My plan was to get that all accomplished before we see him again.”

“It sounds like that means going to the swamp now,” says Miriel.

Paks nods. “It’s either that, or taking her to the temple of Madriel, rather than the temple of Hedrada, first, and having a senior priestess try to convert her.”

“That would work for me,” says Miriel. “If we take her to Verenia, since we’re serving the town and council, we haven’t violated our agreement with Grilliam, and we’re doing the right thing by both Delonia and our contract with Grilliam.”



Paks and Miriel rejoin the rest of the company by the fire, to find that the rescued slave is speaking. “My name is Thar,” he says, apparently in response to a question.

Goldpetal says to him, “The slavers were going to sell you to the rat men.”

Thar looks horrified. “They were going to sell me to the Slytherin? Thank Tanil you saved me! That’s a fate worse than death.”

Milo asks, “What would they do to you?”

“They eat the flesh of slaves,” says Thar. “They have evil breeding programs. They practice all sorts of torture! Haven’t you heard?”

Chuck shakes his head. “We’re not from around here.”

“Neither am I!” exclaims the former slave, “But I’ve heard!”

Thar’s story is that he lived in an area called Durover, which was overrun by Callastians, who sold him into slavery. He’s passed through many hands since then; recently he found himself on an island in a stockade, from which a bunch of slaves were rounded up onto a ship. The next thing he knew, he was being pulled out of the water by Chuck. He finishes his story, and adds, “Thanks again for saving me.”

Milo looks at Paks, and asks, “Did you reach an agreement with Delonia for helping us?”

Paks shakes her head. “No, there's no agreement yet.”

Chuck asks Delonia, “Who have you informed about us besides the wizard, and who stabbed me?”

Delonia, though bound, has been left without a gag in her mouth, and she is free to answer. “I have no idea.”

“Who else have you told?” he continues, “And who did you talk to when you escaped?”

Delonia says, “I just ran out to the woods. I was waiting for Virilius to come so I could restart operations. I didn’t expect you guys, but when I saw you, I hid out to warn my benefactor, and it looks like it’s going to be my death.”

“Maybe not just yet,” answers Paks. “I’d like to talk to you about that. There’s...” She pauses, takes a deep breath, and starts over. “I’d like to save you if I can, but I’m operating under a commission from Grilliam to break the slave ring and bring the perpetrators to justice. The only way I see to save you is a religious conversion.”

Delonia laughs bleakly. “Are you serious? A religious conversion? You know those Hedrada worshippers, if it's not on paper, they don’t believe in it.”

Paks shakes her head. “No, I was thinking of a conversation with a priestess of Madriel.”

Delonia rolls her eyes. “Oh, even worse! They just talk and talk and talk. Couldn’t you just put me out of my misery?”

“Well, if you’d rather die...” Paks looks very sad.

Delonia stares into the fire for a while. “I guess it’s better than death... Yeah, I’ll talk to her.” She looks up earnestly. “It’s not so easy to convert, though. I’m a follower of Enkili, and he’ll be pretty mad if I convert.”

Paks nods. “I can certainly understand your concern.”

“Enkili’s been very good to me,” continues Delonia. “My luck seems to have run out, but, you know, that’s bound to happen... I can talk to your priestess. If it’s a choice between Grilliam or Verenia, I’ll take the latter.”

“I was hoping you’d say that,” Paks says with a smile.

Delonia chuckles to herself. “A choice between death or boredom. I guess I’ll take boredom.”

Paks smiles wryly. “Unfortunately, our group has several factions. One wants to let the slave Thar beat you up; others don’t trust you. But talk to the priestess.”

“Well, we’ll let things take their course,” says Delonia.

“If you’ll help us against SySy, maybe Grilliam will let you live,” suggests Milo.

Paks looks at Delonia’s face. “I’m hoping if you can swear off of the slave trade...”

Delonia nods. “I see where this is leading. If you want me to help you go to the swamp to help talk to the ratman trader, I can do that. If it’s my life at stake, sure,” she says. “Slaving is just a way of making a living, you know.”

“If I can get that to be your sentence, would you honor it?”

“Sure,” Delonia agrees sincerely.

Milo asks her, “When is the next meeting with SySy?”

“Usually we head out the next morning in that cart... that you guys stole... and then take the horses... that you stole... and then get down there in a couple of days.” At Delonia’s response, Paks is biting back laughter, which she sees reflected in Chuck’s eyes.

Milo continues with his questions, now that Paks is letting him ask them. “You only meet Virilius once a month?”

“Yeah, it’s a cushy job,” she says. “We sit around the rest of the month. You broke up the best gig ever!”



“So,” Miriel asks, “How do we manage this mission to the swamp?”

“You don’t have to be in much of a hurry,” Delonia answers. “We never rushed to get there, and Virilius’ ship probably won’t send messages.”

“Why not?” asks Chuck.

“They won’t send anyone near the swamp, because they don’t want to mess with the Foamers, the ratman pirates.”

Jim nods knowingly. “They’re ratmen that ply the seas around the swamp.”

“How do we get there?” asks Goldpetal. “Surely they will have guards posted.”

“I was thinking,” answers Miriel, “That we could take the cart – we have the right one, even – and disguise some of us as ‘slaves’ while the rest of us are the ‘guards’.”

“If Delonia agrees to help us, that could work,” Paks says.

Chuck glances dubiously at Thar. “Not if they’re all as emaciated as this fellow.”

“That’s hard to see, under a blanket,” Jim answers.

“This is great!” Milo enthuses. “Let’s go now!”

“We have a lot of things to do in town,” says Paks. “Let’s go there first.”

“Yeah,” says Miriel. “We have to take Thar to the healers, and pick up the cart. Maybe we can hire some men at arms, as well.”

“Should we rest here a little while?” asks Chuck.

Miriel shakes her head. “No longer than it takes Thar to dry out.”

Chuck nods once, and says, “Okay, I’m going to go get my bow.” He heads back down to the beach.

Within an hour, we are mounted and ready. Goldpetal rides in front. Paks rides with Delonia, with Chuck on the next horse, keeping a close eye on the manacled prisoner. Miriel takes Milo, while Jim goes last and carries Thar.

 

[Amaroq]

Issue #5: The Smugglers, Episode 4 of 5

We arrive back in town without incident, arriving in the early light before the dawn of day. It is the 13th of Charder, Wildday. Jim pulls his dark hood down over his face, but rides with us. We head straight for the temple of Madriel.

The priestesses are already awake, giving dawn prayers. They take in Thar, sympathetically, and promise that he will be well cared for. Miriel, Paks, and Delonia go to talk to Verenia about the plan.

As the three women reach Verenia’s quarters, she welcomes Miriel and Paks warmly. She looks at Delonia with one eyebrow raised, and asks what she can do for us.

Paks explains the problem. “We have a commission from Grilliam to round up the smugglers. We went to the tower last night, where we found Delonia and recaptured her. She is under a sentence of death, but we would like to give her a chance to redeem herself before that sentence is carried out. Can you have senior priestess talk to her?”

Verenia studies Delonia’s face before answering. “I’ll talk to her myself.”

“I hope you can convert her to Madriel,” Paks explains. “I don’t see any other way for her to be saved. Then she can help us, paying her debt to society that way.”

“I see what you want,” says Verenia. “I appreciate and understand your feelings of mercy and compassion, and your desire to give the opportunity for redemption. These are all traits that Madriel brings out in us. Everyone deserves a second chance. I’ll talk to the notorious Delonia. However, slaving is wrong, even to Madriel, and Madriel doesn’t believe in forced conversions. We will only trust in her change of heart if she converts of her own free will. Nonetheless, I will talk to Grilliam and see if he will allow her to try to help you capture the smugglers and free the slaves.”

“I understand,” says Paks, “And she does have a strong faith already.”

Verenia nods. “Give me a few moments.”

“Thank you,” says Paks. “I have faith in the gods.” She gives Delonia a long, compassionate look. “Good luck, Delonia.” Delonia rolls her eyes as Miriel and Paks step through the door.



While the women are talking, Milo goes into the temple to pray. Chuck follows Milo to watch him. Milo manages to duck under a bench, and disappear. He sneaks over and surprises Chuck, tapping on his belt pouch. Milo looks quite pleased with himself, but Chuck is far from amused.

When Miriel leaves Verenia’s office, she goes to the dawn rites and finds Chuck watching the benches, standing in the doorway.

Jim says, “That halfling is so much trouble. Chuck, you can bring him to the Inn if you want, or I’m sure he’ll find us. How much trouble can one little halfling make...” He looks, but Milo has disappeared from view again. “Oh, no...”

Milo sneaks up, expecting not to be noticed, but Jim spies him and says, “Oh, there he is now.”



We all gather outside the temple, and make a brief plan. Paks decides to wait near the temple, and goes to a nearby bakery for a fresh loaf of bread. Milo goes with her. Miriel decides to stay at the temple for the dawn rites, and talk to Verenia when she’s ready. She says she’ll meet everyone back at the Laughing Ogre for lunch. Goldpetal goes to the woodland shrine to meditate. Chuck and Jim go to the Laughing Ogre for food and rest.

When Chuck and Jim arrive at the Laughing Ogre, Fox greets Jim as an old friend, saying, “I’m so happy to see you, Jim. You’re never here enough. I feel safer with you around, even though there’s usually trouble when you show up! How’s Rick?”

“He’s still running things, even though he’s getting old,” replies the Vigilant. Though this is the first he’s heard of Rick, Chuck guesses from their conversation that Rick is a senior Vigilant, maybe Jim’s boss.



When Miriel finishes the dawn rites, an acolyte arrives with a message from Verenia, telling her that Verenia has contacted Grilliam, and that Miriel should go now and come back to the temple after lunch to discuss with Grilliam what should be done with Delonia.

Miriel leaves the temple and looks for Paks, but doesn’t see her, and heads back to the Laughing Ogre.

She finds Chuck and Jim and gives them Verenia’s message, then has a small snack and goes to lie down until lunch, as it was a long night with little sleep.



Paks finds a bakery, but when she arrives there, she notices that Milo has disappeared. She selects a loaf of bread, and as she pays for it, inquires if the baker knows of a shrine to Enkili.

“There isn’t actually one in town,” he answers, “But you could always go down to the Conch and Trident and gamble. Enkili is a god of gamblers and sailors; sometimes worship is just a roll of the dice.”

That doesn’t suit what the serious young warrior is looking for, so she goes out of town to pray in a field, instead. She takes out a coin, and begins a prayer. “Please, Enkili” she prays, “Do not take offense at my actions. I hope that my actions were your way of giving Delonia luck.” She pauses for a moment, contemplating the coin in her hand. “If I have acted according to your wishes,” she prays, “Let this coin come up heads.”

She flips it high in the air, and catches it. It lies in her palm, heads up.



At the Laughing Ogre, over lunch, Chuck asks Jim about Milo.

“I don’t really know much about him,” answers the elder Vigilant. “I’ve never seen him before. He’s clearly a sneaky git, following you around all week the way he did. I tried to follow him, but even though I’m a good tracker, he still got away from me. I don’t really like halflings anyway, but this one...” He shrugs. “He gives me the willies. He’s trouble.”

“That’s no reason to tie him up,” says Miriel, who has come down from her nap to dine. “We can but see if his actions match his words.”

Paks arrives midway through the meal, feeling immeasurably reassured after her prayer. She joins the group at our customary table in the corner. Goldpetal joins the group shortly after she does.

Milo is the last to arrive, and when he does, the halfling asks Fox, “May I take a room, sir?”

Fox looks at him, and says, “Certainly, for my usual rate of two gold pieces per day.”

The halfling blanches slightly. Miriel suggests, sweetly, “I’m sure you can stay at the temple of Madriel.”

Milo glances at her, and says, “I’ll consider it.” He steps out into the courtyard, to sleep under a tree in Fox’s garden.



After lunch, rested, all of us go to the temple.

On the way, Chuck and Jim both express a lack of trust for Delonia. Even though he doesn’t trust her, Jim thinks she could be used.

We find Grilliam at the temple, in Verenia’s office. Verenia is seated, while Grilliam stands behind her right shoulder. Delonia is with them, standing in the far corner, and she meets Paks’ questioning look with a smile and a nod. She is no longer wearing the manacles.

Grilliam tells us, “I heard about your exploits, scaring off the smugglers and capturing this Delonia. You’ve proven your worth, and started to earn the money I gave you. Hello Jim, thanks for helping out. This is a very serious matter.”

“Yes,” Jim says, “Slaving is very serious.”

Grilliam looks at Paks. “Well, I’ve heard your plan for giving Delonia a chance. I’m willing to waive the death sentence if she helps you to get into the swamp and raid this trading post.”

“Yeah,” Jim says, “I think we could use her. That’s exactly what I want to do; this is a good group, and I think we could put an end to this smuggling and slavery, at least for now.”

Chuck again suggests, “What about letting Thar have vengeance?” Everyone else ignores this, as it doesn’t fit with anyone’s plans.

Miriel outlines the plan of posing as Delonia’s convoy, and asks Grilliam about providing us with some armed men.

“I’ll have to think about that,” the priest of Hedrada answers.

Jim asks Delonia, “How many men did you typically go to the swamps with?”

Delonia says, “Just a few. It wouldn’t be good if you showed up with a lot. I usually brought six slaves, with four men at arms.”

Milo suggests, “It would probably be suspicious if you showed up with a halfling.”

Delonia shakes her head, and gives him a bright look. “No, we had plenty of halfling slaves. King Verduk has been selling you off.” Milo looks quite disappointed at this news.

“Could we really disguise ourselves as slaves?” asks Chuck.

“Sure,” answers Jim, with his customary optimism, “At least for a cursory inspection.”

“We could get up to the door at least,” asserts Miriel.

Grilliam decides, “I don’t think I can spare any men.”

“We could hire some men at arms,” Jim says speculatively, but then shakes his head and says, “No, I’d rather go with people we know and trust.”

Miriel tells Grilliam, “Well, okay. I guess that’s why you hired us. Is there any help you can give us, though, perhaps some healing potions?”

Verenia glances at him, and then offers, “Yes. We can provide you with some healing potions.”

Jim says, “I think the group of us can handle a group of rat men.”

“Ten, yes,” Paks says. “Hundreds, no.” She looks over to Verenia. “Did Delonia convert?”

The high priestess tells us, “No, she has not converted. However, Grilliam has waived the death sentence if she helps us, on her solemn word of honor.”

“Excellent,” Paks says, giving Delonia a warm smile.

“We are agreed, then,” Miriel says. “We’ll go back to the inn and rest; it’s been a long day. But we’ll set out for the swamp tomorrow.”

As the rest of us leave, Verenia takes Miriel aside. “Grilliam and I,” she tells the young priestess, “Have laid a geas on Delonia to ensure that she assists you faithfully.”



Back at the inn, we talk over our plans and what has happened so far.

“Is there anything else we should do, before we set out?” asks Paks.

Chuck suggests, “We could tell the harbormaster about Thar’s experience, to see if we can find out anything about the island.”

Goldpetal disagrees, pointing out, “We already know that we’ve been watched in that part of town.”

“We could have Grilliam send someone,” Miriel suggests.

Milo suggests, helpfully, “Of course we don't want to go to the harbormaster during the day, but I can go down there unseen in the evening.”

Miriel looks at him firmly. “No. We should let Grilliam do it.”

Paks asks Fox, “Where might we hire men at arms?”

The innkeeper answers, “All the adventuring types in town are already with you, and there are no real mercenaries around. You might be able to hire some wanderers down at the docks, but I’m hardly sure I’d trust them.”

“Can you leave a message for Stone,” asks Chuck, “And tell him where we’re going?”

“I’d be glad to,” Fox says. Chuck takes him into Fox’s office, and shows him the map, and where we will be.

We all go to sleep. Delonia and Milo stay in Goldpetal’s empty room; nobody else will trust them, and Goldpetal wants to go out to the outlying woods near town to meditate.

 

[Amaroq]

Issue #5: The Smugglers, Episode 5 of 5

We awake before dawn for our morning meal. It is the 14th of Charder. Fox provides a bunch of old blankets and rags, for our ‘slave’ disguises.

Just after dawn, before we set out, Verenia shows up, unexpectedly, looking for us. “I had a very prophetic dream last night,” she says. “A giant swan came to me and gave me this prophecy, and showed me much about your future.”

Verenia's Prophecy

“Many perils lay before you,
It will be long ere we meet again,
And some of you may not return.

Three titans bestride your path
Mormo, Chern, and Gormoth:
Wicked, vile, and tormented.

Witch of Red, Witch of Green
Serpent mother Mormo
Is their Queen.

Beware the Witch in Green
For she is death!

Beware the Witch in Red
Filled with deceit and lies,
Still the truth will out.

Chern, lord of disease,
His minions fester like
a fouled wound.

Gormoth, the Warper,
Twisted, Lord of Pain
His torments a final test.

Milo, newest companion:
Between light and dark lies shadow.
Your lot has been cast,
But for good for ill?

Goldpetal, Faithful of Denev:
The land is wounded, it cries out in pain!
The marsh is twisted, foul.
All is not what it seems.

Chuck, the Bereaved:
You stand between two great losses.
One behind, one before you.
The trial will make you stronger.

Jim, ever Vigilant:
Beware the twilight and its warden.
Many are seeking you,
Do not be found!

Paks, Brave swan:
Madriel has chosen you,
Tempered in a forge of trouble,
Are you worthy of the Redeemer?

Miriel, the True:
Gifted healer!
Your skills will be sorely needed!

At your time of greatest fear,
Surrounded by suffering and pain
Remember Madriel's Tear!”​

We sit in silence for a moment, very impressed. Verenia says to Miriel, “This was a real sign. Our temple has long hidden one of Madriel’s greatest artifacts, Madriel’s Tear.”

She takes a small phial of crystal out of her robe, and gives it to Miriel. There is a glint of gold inside. “Our legend is,” she says, “That after Madriel tricked her mother Mormo, this is the tear she shed for her betrayal of her mother.”

We have all heard some version of this story. Mormo was Madriel’s mother, the queen of serpents, full of magic and lies. Madriel helped the gods fight her by using her powers of healing. Her healing powers were painful and draining to Mormo, since she was full of evil and pain. Madriel regretted having to do it, and it was very traumatic for her, but she was compelled to, to help the people who were being destroyed by the titans.

Miriel asks, “Was there more to the dream?”

Verenia says, “No, this very dire prophecy was all. I wish you the best, and I will ask Madriel’s blessing for you.” She closes her eyes. “Blessed Mother,” she intones. “Grant your blessings to these, who you have chosen, as shown to me in your dream. They travel into darkness; let them always know your light.”

As her words conclude, we each feel a shiver of chills run up and down our spine. The power this priestess possesses is incredible, and we feel the power of her blessing. When the moment has passed, she says. “And here, take these.” She hands Miriel two more healing potions. We already had one; Miriel distributes the three potions, one each to Chuck, Paks, and Jim, who are most likely to need them.



We leave for the Mourning Marsh, following the ever-familiar road south towards the ruined tower. It’s an overcast, grey day. We’re traveling with five horses altogether. Jim’s horse is a fine, bay stallion named Star, which he is riding. The two good horses, which we borrowed from the inn, are hitched to pull the cart. Nobody is riding in it; Paks is driving. We’re trying to spare the two nags which we captured from Delonia, for the trip into the swamp, so the rest of us are walking alongside. Goldpetal is in the lead, while Chuck walks at the back of the company, the better to keep an eye on Milo and Delonia.

As we walk, people try to refine the plan.

Milo suggests, “When we get to the swamp, why don’t some of us ride ahead and scout, while the cart comes behind? We could leave the horses nearby to help with our escape if needed.” The rest of us had been planning on leaving the best horses at the swamp edge, and taking only the slowest nags into the swamp.

Jim says, “The swamp is very dangerous, and your asking for a swift death if you don’t know what you’re doing.”

“We should stick together,” Miriel says, “If it’s as dangerous as Jim says.”

“I think we should visit the standing stones,” Goldpetal says. “They’re marked on the map.”

“I’ve been up there before,” Jim says, “But it’s been a while. Maybe we should check them out to see if people are worshipping the Titans again.”

“We should stick to our plan,” Paks says.

“I may be able to extract some information from the land there,” Goldpetal offers.

“Is it out of our way?” asks the warrior.

“No,” Miriel says, “The road marked on the map leads from there.”

Jim nods, “Yeah, that’s how I remember it.”

Milo asks, “Delonia, have you gone there?”

With the threat of a death sentence no longer hanging over her, she is much more cheerful, and has been displaying a sunny, pleasant disposition. “Sure,” she says. “We used the standing stones as a landmark to find the road to the swamp.”

“You never actually got close to the stones?” asks Milo.

“Oh, no,” she answers fervently. “We never climb up the hill. That’s where people worshipped Titans. It’d be crazy to go up there!”

Paks says, “Those of us with metal armor should be guards; that would be me and Jim. Delonia will drive the cart; the other four of you are the slaves.”

Though Milo and Chuck grumble at this, when Miriel agrees with good grace, the plan is set.



We move more slowly at the pace of the cart than we have while walking to and from the tower, so it’s getting dark by the time we reach the tower. We go in to the tower, and begin setting up camp. Milo goes up to the second floor, the roof, to see what he can see. Chuck brings up the ladder from the room below the trap door.

Jim asks, “Should we put a bale of hay over the trapdoor?”

Paks smiles. “We’ve done that before,” she says, “But no. If anybody comes, we want to hear them. Should we set an alarm with something noisy, maybe some chains or manacles?”

Jim looks at her judiciously. “I know an alarm spell.” He casts it, and then explains, “If any creature larger than a small rat crosses the threshold of the tower, or even enters that room beneath us, the spell will make an audible noise that ought to wake us all.”

After camp is made, and Miriel has cooked dinner – and she is a fine cook, whose meal is as satisfying as most served in the Laughing Ogre – Jim says, “You know, this is the first time we’ve all been just sitting around together. Do you have any questions about the swamp? I’ve been there a lot.”

“Are there rodents of unusual size?” asks Paks, jokingly.

Jim smiles. “Yes, lots.”

“So, what are the worst dangers of the swamp?” she inquires.

“Well, the ratmen, of course,” he replies. “There are many tribes, always warring with each other. There are the Diseased who worship Chern; they infect humans and free them into the population to spread disease.”

“Are they the poison makers?” asks Chuck.

“No, those are the Forge Crawlers. I don’t know them, but I’ve heard about them. Then there are the Gorgers; they feasted on the blood of Gurak the Ravenous, and now they're filled with an unquenchable hunger. They really like to eat people. Then there are the Twisted, they might be even worse, they worship Gormoth the Warped. They’re all mutated, with extra arms, legs, double tails. They like to take human prisoners, torture them, and perform foul experiments on them.”

“You know,” Delonia says, “SySy is part of a tribe of witches. I think they worship Mormo. I know she can cast spells.”

Goldpetal asks Jim, “Are there elves in the swamp?”

Jim looks at Goldpetal thoughtfully. “When I explored the marshes, there were a lot of elven ruins. I think elves used to live there. Once I penetrated deep into the march and I saw this giant tree, swarming with ratmen; I think it used to be an elven city. Now it’s been made into a ratman city.” Goldpetal looks horrified.

“Why is the swamp so terrible?” asks Milo, curious.

It is Paks who answers. “Saraya tells the story that, when the gods killed Chern, they interred his body under the Mourning Marshes, and that’s why it’s become so twisted and vile.”

“That’s true,” says Jim. “And the Diseased tribe has been striving for generations to bring him back.”

“Could they really do that?” gasps Miriel, aghast. “How?”

“I have no idea,” he says. “I don’t believe they could, but, then again, who knows.”

Milo chimes in, “Even if they could, the gods defeated him once, and now it’s nine to one!”

Goldpetal shakes his head. Though his features are young and fine, his eyes look very old and sad. “You are too young to remember, but the Titan’s War is not something any of us would wish to experience again.”

“Personally,” Jim adds, “I don’t ever want to see Chern. He caused enormous devastation among elves and men; they say he destroyed a whole race of elves.”

Goldpetal says darkly, “He did worse than that.”

A melancholy silence overcomes the party. Not even the warmth of the fire cheers the room. After a time, Jim changes the subject. “Be careful not to stray too far from each other or even off the path; there are some dangerous creatures in there.”

“Do the paths shift?” asks Goldpetal.

“Sometimes,” Jim says, nodding, “Especially near the swamp hag's place. She has all sorts of tricks, and she’s tamed all sorts of nasty beasts.”

Paks starts on her initial line of inquiry again. “We’ve already run into giant spiders and spider-eyed goblins. Are there creatures in the swamp which are unrelated to the ratmen, but equally harmful?”

“Sure, tons,” Jim answers cavalierly.

“Like what?”

“Giant frogs.”

Paks smiles, looking at him quizzically. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”

Jim explains, “They have sticky tongues which can pull you into their maws.”

Paks asks “How big are they?”

“Twenty to twenty-five pounds.”

“I could handle that!” Paks exclaims, confidently, patting the hilt of her trusty longsword.

Jim just shakes his head at her. Ironically, now he is as disgusted by her optimism as she has been by his. “There are also giant lizards, as big as ponies with giant spines. There are mire worms, twenty feet long with poison that will kill you almost immediately. There are snakes, rats, mosquitoes, giant insects, and spider-eyed goblins, but the rat men like to capture and eat those.

“There's also the hag,” he says, “The locals threaten their children with her, saying that if the children aren’t good, the swamp hag will come and put them in her Death Bag, from which no child has ever escaped. Whether that’s true or not, we should definitely avoid her. She knows all sorts of spells, primarily illusions, and there’s rumored to be some connection between her and panthers. We’ll stay away from her.

“And then there's one more thing. Have you ever heard of Swamp Gobblers?” Jim looks around at all of us. We all shake our heads.

“This is another great old legend. They're supposed to be weird creatures; they sort of look like furry bipeds and they’re voraciously hungry. Usually you can get rid of them just by giving them food and they’ll go, but if you fight, they’ll be vicious.” Jim glances at Milo. “The story is that they’re a race of halflings who found themselves in trouble and prayed to Enkili for luck. Enkili answered their prayer, and said, ‘Yes, but you must play a game with me.’ They agreed, and he pulled out a huge die, with many facets – over three hundred sides, and on each was written a different number.

“He told them, ‘I will roll this die once. If I roll anything but 162, I will lead you to a place where you'll be free from trouble. But, if I do roll 162, you'll have to live with my curse.’ The halflings tried the die a few times, and debated whether or not they could trust Enkili. But, the die seemed fine, so they decided to take the bet. What they didn't know is that the die always came up to the number of pimples on Enkili's ass, which he can change at will. So, they lost, and they were turned into hairy bipeds that are always hungry – swamp gobblers! They steal food. At least, they start with food, but then they steal and eat the horses, and then the people.”

This story, too, is met with a lengthy silence, as we all contemplate the wisdom of bargaining with the Trickster, Enkili. Paks glances surreptitiously at Delonia, but the sorceress is staring into the fire, lost in her own thoughts. Finally, Miriel asks Jim, “Do you know the trading post, and that part of the swamp?”

“No, not really,” he replies.

“Why do you go to the swamp at all?” asks Goldpetal. Thanks to Chuck’s keen eyes and knowledge of the Vigil, we suspect that he is a member of a sect of the Vigil whose task is to watch the swamps and the ratmen. The elf, however, wants to see what Jim will tell us.

“I go on missions,” he answers, with apparent candor, “Keeping tabs on the rat men. They’ve been more aggressive and vicious lately.”

Paks asks, “What’s typical in an establishment like the trading post? How well staffed is it likely to be?”

“It depends on the tribe,” Jim tells her. “If it’s the Disease tribe, they’ll be very well organized. The gorgers, on the other hand, aren’t very organized.”

“What if it’s the tribe of witches?”

Jim shrugs. “I don’t know about them. All the tribes have huge warrens underground, though.”

With these fine thoughts, we trail off to sleep, one by one.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

On the third page!?! This should not be. (And it won't, if I can help it).

Excellent as always.

 

[Amaroq]

Thank you. Its so nice to feel loved!

Sorry that this week's episode has been so late in coming, I've been tied up in work with a big deadline looming, and haven't had time to integrate my editor's comments. I should be posting it later this evening, however.

The plot begins the first cycle which developed towards our current epic storlyine, and one phrase of Verenia's Prophecy is explained.

Incidentally, our next play-session is tomorrow, which will be Issue #28 - we've a long way to go, yet, to catch up!