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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 1498496" data-attributes="member: 16069">The Wednesday Knights.SESSION XXXIII.Fryday 17th Mork 2000The first line of defence.Characters presentLiandri Male Half-Elf Rogue level 2 Wizard level 1 (Kev. M.)Endrin Male Human Bard level 3 Sorcerer level 1 (Wayne)Bob Male Human Ranger level 2 (Emma) Whirlwind Male Human Fighter level 1 (DM)Xeolus the Zombie (DM)Mallaria Female Half-Elf Barbarian level 2 (Tomo)Sayon Female Elven Fighter level 1 Thief level 1 (Erin)Mallaria and Balsag clash, struggle, and then fly apart, their weapons clatter to the floor. Meanwhile the other Knights are laying about the scattered remains of the Goblin/Stickman defenders, however others are arriving, three more of each. Mallaria pulls out her hand axe and lets it fly missing Balsag and whizzing by Endrin’s head. Balsag launches a punch and Mallaria is sent sprawling. She fumbles for her second hand axe, and lets that fly- it buries itself in the huge Bugbears abdomen. Then she’s on her feet sword in hand, Balsag staggers upright, likewise re-armed.The Knights are winning all the other fights, Liandri notches an arrow and lets it fly, another Goblin crumples; Endrin stabs out and another one bites the dust; Bob slashes cross-bladed and a Stickman is reduced to tinder; Whirlwind cuts and parries and another falls.The only casualties of the piece are Sayon who is still wheezing on the floor and ZX, who alas, has finally come to rest- one leg a foot shorter than the other.Balsag stumbles and Mallaria launches a massive overhead attack, her two-handed sword bites- through the huge Bugbears shoulder and into its chest. Balsag sinks to his knees, and then mutters through bloodied lips-“The darkness comes for you. I’ll be waiting.” Then slumps forward- dead.The other confrontations are likewise coming to a conclusion- the Knights are victorious.The Knights check the bodies, and discover a Goblin still hanging on to life- Bob patches him up as best as he can,“We’re going to have a little chat with you.”Sayon meanwhile has been dealt with, the arrow removed and Bob’s healing hands (he’s got the gift, the big lug) have made Sayon comfortable, a potion of healing to restore her vitality. Meanwhile Liandri has nicked off back to the study, rifled the shelves, and discovered all manner of things- scrolls and books, he’s filled a sack with “stuff to read.”The area is secured- a dull and dirty guardroom, with one wall collapsed and a huge cave beyond. Bob and Endrin look out through the many twisted and stunted plants, trees and bushes that choke the cave- Endrin swears he can see a light in the distance.Mallaria and the newly energized Sayon grab the Goblin and take him for a wander.“What the feck’s in the cave.”“Big boss.”“Who’s he then?”“Belak.”“What’s he like?”“Crazy like a woof.”“What power does he wield?”“The power to end you elf… [he notices Mallaria’s pointed ears] elves.”“Oh yeah.”Mallaria takes her two-handed sword rests it on the Goblins chest, smiles, then leans on it- it slips in, and through.“Thanks for that.”In remembrance.The six Knights are gathered in a half circle, in the center of them lies the body of Xeolus the Zombie- lacerated and hacked at, missing one foot, burnt to a cinder, and smelling faintly of elf piss.“He was a good man.”“He was a better Zombie.”“More tolerant.”“Tolerable.”“I’ll miss him.”Everyone turns to stare at Mallaria.“He made me angry all the time- I like that.”“Do you want to say something Endrin?”The silence stretches.“Err… no. Liandri?”“He… he… tried to kill me once, but then again he saved me- he was alright, I suppose- I’ll not miss him though. Whirlwind?”“Never met him really- he seemed, I dunno, alright, I suppose.”“Sayon?”“Yeah- I’ll go along with that.”It falls to Bob.“He tried to do the right thing, he meant well, in his heart I know that he wanted only for good, it was just, he was just…”“An annoying feck?” Liandri offers.“Actually I was going to say, he was just fifteen.”It sinks in.“Oh.”The silence settles.Liandri draws out the whistle to play a last post-“Peeeeee…”Zombie Xeolus sits up and opens his eyes.“Feck I forgot about that.”“MOVE NOW.”The Knights scatter as Mallaria, in one move, draws her two-handed sword, circles once, and decapitates ZX where he sits.“Leave him. In peace.”Then stalks off, the others mooch about a bit, trying to find words.In silence they tighten straps, heft melee weapons, ready missile weapons, re-locate scrolls and potions- for ease of access; ready for the final confrontation, Belak and the Twilight Grove ahead.The Twilight Grove.Sayon and Liandri head off, the advance party- they make fair headway through the thorny vegetation, there is indeed a light ahead. Settling down a hundred yards or so from a collapsed (built) stone wall, Liandri bills and coos at Eric (the Lightning Lizard) and then lets him loose to find his way forward.As Eric skitters off the bushes move around the pair of Rogues and the Stickmen come- half-a-dozen and in a rush, the two down one each before hot footing it back to the cave entrance, and the Knights- Eric is still out there. The Stickmen do not follow.The second time all the Knights head forward, and when the collapsed walls are back in sight- the two Rogues head off again, knowing that support is not too far away.Through a gap in the walls they spy and elderly man dressed in leather and robes, with a long beard and leaning on a staff seemingly talking and staring at a huge dark misshapen tree- Belak. He looks, for want of a better word, a bit “crazy”, possibly like a “woof”.They creep back to the Knights but are once again attacked by the Stickmen- this time the rogues are ready- Liandri kills both in a moment.Plans are made. The Knights creep forward, silently, as close as they can to the walls- alas the plan is somewhat scuppered when Bob falls over and yelps like a dog- he spends the next few minutes picking thorns from his face.Belak has gone. Then Sayon spies him, looking out from behind the tree. Liandri has other news- he points into the branches of the tree- a huge frog balanced there, seemingly on look out. Mallaria straightens up and strides towards the walls, the other Knights creep and follow-Whispered, “What’re you doing?”“Trust me” Mallaria quietly replies.She steps over the low wall and into the clearing before the tree- Belak steps from behind it, grinning like a woof.“I am Belak, the outcast, who are you?”“I am Mallaria, I‘m an outcast too.”Mallaria looks up at the tree, and the frog.“It’s beautiful is it not? It lives, it breathes, it’s so strong- so full of life… and death. They say it grew from the heart of a vampire staked to the ground here- the stake still had life, and thus it grew.”Belak stares in awe at the tree.“You have battled long and hard to get to my Grove- to what end?”“I’ve come in search of adventurers- Hucrele’s, a brother and a sister?”“One is here with me- a supplicant to the tree, she has been accepted, taken in- her life altered forever, devoted to the tree through the living sap that flows in her veins.”Out of the shadows steps two figures, a handlebar mustachioed Paladin, Sir Bradford, in heavy armour- sword in hand; and a beautiful young women in robes- clutching a dagger- Sharwyn Hucrele. The two stand stock-still, like statues, they look, well- woody.“I wish to be accepted.”“Then hand over your weapon.”Mallaria moves forward proffering her sword, Liandri and Sayon begin to inch forward trying to stay hidden, Bob and Whirlwind are still waiting, Endrin pulls the wand from his belt- a glazed expression on his face, he whispers to himself-“Kill Sir Bradford.”Belak hisses at Mallaria.“Give me the sword.”Mallaria twists and turns in order to attack, but she’s not quick enough- Sayon and Liandri burst from cover. Belak lurches backwards to the tree, his arm outstretched, muttering strange sounds, from beneath the sleeve of his robe a wand points out. Suddenly the roots and foliage surrounding Mallaria, Sayon and Liandri grows at a terrifying rate- only Sayon tumbles aside, the other two are caught. Sharwyn moves quickly to stand in front of Belak, eager to take any blow aimed at her master. Endrin appears from behind the wall, wand pointing at Sir Bradford.“Mordus.”Three missiles streak out from the wand and slam into the Paladin, who is moving slowly towards the entangled duo- he slumps to the floor- dead.The vegetation parts, Bob and Whirlwind are confronted by three of the Stickmen- battle is joined.Belak moves back behind the tree, while the tree itself bends forward and lashes at Liandri and Mallaria, who scream to be free.Sayon dodges forward towards Belak but is blocked by Sharwyn- she proves no barrier and is stabbed through the heart, she slumps to the floor dead.The frog leaps down into the melee, its tongue lashes out and grabs Liandri around his wrist.Endrin stands statue, slowly becoming aware that he has killed the Paladin- as ordered. (See Turn 18.)Mallaria looks up, cursing and is caught in the gaze of Belak- she suddenly feels a whole lot more receptive to the Dark Druid’s suggestions.Bob leaves Whirlwind fighting the last of the Stickmen and rushes to Liandri’s aid- fighting the huge frog that is trying to drag the Elf into its maw.Belak sees his opportunity and makes his break for freedom, Endrin wakes as if from a dream and sees the Dark Druid running straight for him, and the cover of the vegetation behind him. He draws his sword and readies himself for the confrontation.Mallaria shrugs off the vegetation, snapping and bending the creepers that hold her, then at full pace she rushes at Endrin, just as Belak approaches, Endrin is grappled and knocked to the floor the crazy Barbarian begins to pummel Endrin’s face and chest.Three more of the stick creatures arrive adding to the confusion and tying Bob, Whirlwind, Sayon and Liandri up. The tree bends low and swipes at the quartet, although they’ve done their best to move out of the trees range- except for Liandri of course who’s still trapped by the entangle spell.Belak looks back at the confusion then drops a Flaming Sphere in the path of any that would follow- it rolls towards Mallaria and Endrin who are soon caught in the blaze. Endrin catches on fire- his screams are long and loud, and enough to wake Mallaria from the charm she is under.Belak moves swiftly into the vegetation, which seems to bend to allow him to pass.The frog is eventually defeated and while Sayon and Whirlwind fight the last of the Stickmen- Bob frees Liandri from the creepers.Liandri reacts swiftly and rushes after Belak, hurdling the Flaming Sphere in the process.  The vegetation closes as the Elf approaches making it much harder for him to follow the Dark Druid.“Quickly”, screams the Elf, “he’s escaping.”Mallaria by now is distraught-“Pelor, what have I done”, the barbarian screams dragging away from the Flaming Sphere the dead (?) body of Endrin the Bard.Bob is soon at her side, pushing the Barbarian away with a look of pure hatred on his face, he searches for the signs of life and soon after is relieved to feel a weak pulse.Mallaria uncorks a potion of extra-healing and Bob allows her to pour the contents slowly down the Bard’s throat- soon coughing and spluttering Endrin opens his eyes, and grasps Mallaria tightly by the arm.“You…”Mallaria is speechless.Elsewhere Liandri moves as swiftly as he can through the solid wall of thorns and spiny plants which scratch and claw at his flesh. Breathing hard, he screams again.“COME ON… HELP ME YOU FECKERS.”Sayon has joined Mallaria and Bob, who still cradles Endrin in his arms. Endrin thrusts the Wand at Sayon-“Take this… kill the <cough> fecker… Mordus.”And with that the Bard’s eyes close again.“He’s ok- he needs to rest, GO. Go get the bastard.” Bob delivers the last hissed through gritted teeth.Sayon is soon up and running, Mallaria with a hunted look on her face tags along behind. Bob swiftly motions for Whirlwind to come over, he directs the warrior and is soon also committed to the chase.A fog begins to roll into the clearing- Belak has, it seems, lit several smoke sticks to cover his trail.Hidden within the vegetation Bob and Sayon make their way through the thorns, Bob trying his best to follow the Druid’s trail- he soon realises that Belak has the ability, common to many Druids, to pass without trace.Mallaria is on a mission, the cuts and scratches of the spiky plants go unnoticed- she bleeds from a dozen wounds, and yet she presses on- the plants ripping at her arms and exposed areas. Blood trickles down from her scalp and clumps of hair, ripped out, mark her passage. The rage is nearly on her she fights for control- tears streak her face.Liandri moves more slowly, the air seems to be thicker here, he tenses.Suddenly there is a bright blue flash maybe twenty or so feet ahead of the Elf- a lightning strike.“Aaaaaaaaarrrrgggghhhhhhh.”Liandri cannot help himself- he smiles, “Eric”, he whispers. The vegetation parts behind him and Mallaria steps into the clearing- Liandri turns swiftly and holds the crazed Barbarians glare. He sees fear, hatred and sorrow. Liandri motions forward and the two press on, they’re soon through the vegetation and back into the guardroom in which they made their stand against Balsag, the Goblins and the Stickmen.Belak limps across the guardroom, he turns round as he hears the two approach, the Wand comes into his hand and another Entangle spell is fired at the pair, both dodge aside. He then swiftly heals himself and hefts his sickle as Liandri and Mallaria approach.The swing and sing of weapon upon weapon greets Sayon and Bob as thirty seconds later they too emerge from the vegetation. Mallaria is raging, Liandri is cut badly already- Sayon points the Wand at Belak.“Mordor.”Nothing happens.“Feck.”Bob looks for an opening but Mallaria is all whirling steel, he cannot see a way to attack.“What was it?”Liandri stumbles out of the combat, Bob is swiftly at his side- the Elf is bleeding badly, Bob holds Liandri still and shoves a potion of healing down him, while the Elf fights to be heard.“Mordus, it’s Mordus you feck- now DO IT.”“Mordus”Three balls of energy fizz out of the wand and slam into the Druid, he winces in pain but fights on.“Again.”“Mordus.”But this time nothing happens, the wand’s energy is spent- no more than a useless twig.Liandri screams and then dashes back into the fray, alas at the same time Mallaria in her anger attempts a roundhouse stroke with her two-handed sword. The stroke never reaches Belak, instead Liandri approaching from behind takes the full force of the blow- the elf staggers back and slumps to the floor. Bob moves again while Sayon looks on, frozen to the spot.For Mallaria the fire still burns however, Belak grins and hefts his scythe cutting a great gash down the barbarians side- but not enough, not nearly enough- Mallaria grits her teeth and delivers stroke after stroke at lightning speed.The Druid is caught, unable to escape, the end seems to last an age and yet it is over in less than twenty seconds- Belak drops his scythe in an attempt to halt the barbarian’s anger. The final blow comes overhand down through Belak’s neck and shoulder and into the chest cavity almost splitting the druid open. A silence descends only Bob whispering quietly, reassuringly, to Liandri who is miraculously still alive.Nobody talks.Not for hours.Aftermath.Still in silence the Knights have gathered back in the chamber with the dark tree, the bodies have been searched and stripped of valuables. Belak’s body has been thrown at the base of the tree-, which still moans and lashes out ineffectively.A fire is built and banked, rags are made from the garments of the dead and soaked in wine or oil, wrapped around arrows- the first volley is loosed.The tree cinders and chars, blackened streaks, sap bubbles and boils, it seems to shudder and sway as if it is trying to escape from the fire- the Knights watch.Sayon, who still registers a heady mixture of terror and excitement, is holding up Liandri who’s still very groggy. Endrin, battered and bruised, one eye closed, one half-open squints at the fire held up by Bob, who’s face, as ever, registers little, his hand in his pocket is wrapped around the rosy red apple he plucked from the tree. Whirlwind stands next to Bob content to lean on his axe and be warmed by the flame. Mallaria stands yards away from the group- the outsider, staring straight ahead, if not considering her nature, then perhaps her future.It burns for a while and they watch it knowing that ultimately they have failed, their only hope for success is to find Talgen Hucrele, the warrior. They all bear the scars.Satyrday 18th Mork 2000Rap upAnd of course Talgen is found, and of course he’s dead. Part of the throne used by the Goblin leader, in the tower with the massive hole in the floor, turns out to be a brass bound chest- inside of which is the grisly, chopped up, remains of the missing Hucrele.The Knights trudge, stumble and limp their way out of the Citadel- the journey back to Oakhurst is completed in silence, there are no encounters. Endrin goes to see the Hucrele family to break the news, leaving out some of the more horrifying details- needless to say the Hucrele’s are heart broken. Faced with the grieving family- Endrin departs, still needing Bob for support.The appropriate authorities are informed of Karakis and Sir Bradford’s death, the Knights take rooms at the Inn, a separate room for each- they sleep and dream and eat and heal, and when they can, they talk.Time passes and yet for the Knights it seems all too slowly.And thus endeth the session that is numbered 33.This scenario was of course “The Sunless Citadel”, by Bruce R. Cordell who’s a lovely lad, he’ll go far- mark my words. Next week… The Lost.</blockquote>

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