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Vincent's Laboratory Notes and Footnotes (Updated December 30, 2007)
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<blockquote data-quote="Altalazar" data-source="post: 3294474" data-attributes="member: 939"><p>Book III</p><p></p><p> Notes – Chapter Thirty-Nine – Another good idea – Fruits of Research</p><p></p><p> The troglodyte younglings proved to be useful for my research. My most important find was that living troglodyte flesh was actually much more offensive to the olfactory nerves than dead and decaying troglodyte flesh. Proving what I already instinctively knew, which is that many types of living flesh, for many reasons, is much more unpleasant than dead flesh. This proved especially true when it came to troglodyte cuisine, though there was a certain spicy rush when consuming their living flesh, this can only be appreciated if one does not immediately expel the fresh meal. </p><p> My experiments thus complete on them, I stored them for travel, as rations were low, and based on previous delicious snacks with our sorceress, I decided that her flesh was not going to stay long on her bones, so I ended her unlife and, with the whistle, picked up the troglodyte chief as my new erstwhile companion. His first duty to me was to carry our fresh troglodyte-veal rations for our long journey back. I tasked the large alabaster beauty with carrying our sorceress rations, and ration her we did, because such delicate flavor is somewhat addictive. Though strangely, still, the Marshall did not seem particularly interested in my stews. Perhaps he favors other flavors. I will have to keep trying out new recipies on him. My large alabaster beauty also carried our emergency kobold jerky goblin rations. </p><p> Thus well stocked for our epic journey, we returned to the road to civilization, much to Willow’s sorrow. She and I certainly enjoy being out in the fresh woods. She wisely sees the decay inherent in the city stomping out the living nature, and I can see all of the flesh wasted on the living serving a similar polluted purpose within civilization’s cobblestoned prison. </p><p></p><p> Notes – Chapter Forty – Awakenings</p><p></p><p> The Marshall took and sold most of our valuables, starting with the Durgeddin weapons. I assume he managed to get a good price. All I know was that he came back and gave both Willow and I nearly ten thousand gold coins each. Willow immediately spent all of hers on various things, including a breastplate made entirely of wood. It was very nice. I’m not sure what else she spent it on. I was too busy researching and assimilating my research notes. I had much to transcribe! In the magical arena, I have discovered a magical formula that can allow me to control the undead, any undead. I was so excited when I saw it, I had to tell Willow right away! I also found another necromantic enchantment that allows me to touch at a distance, something Willow said would keep me out of harm’s way. </p><p> In my research, I discovered something most exciting! There is a way to give a spark of intellect to my mindless friends, or the “quiet ones” as I call them. But it requires magic well beyond my meager skills. But then I thought perhaps the Great Old One could help me, and I was right!</p><p> I found him where I usually do, in his crooked cottage on the edge of the woods that stretch back to our own empty cabin. As I thought of that empty place, I wondered if our parents were ok. I will have to go and check on them the next chance we get. I’ve almost learned enough to help them, though I still think it may be some time before I can put that knowledge into action. </p><p> The Great Old One peered at me from the cracks in his repeatedly-patched door and asked me what I wanted. </p><p> “I want to awaken my quiet friends,” I told him, and gestured to my four alabaster men, my large alabaster man, my troglodyte, and my dragon. “Please, can you help me? I can pay,” I said as I showed him a handful of platinum coins. </p><p> His eyes widened, then his gnarled hand reached through the wooden planks on his barely-intact door and his dirty fingers opened on his palm. “One hundred ninety-one platinum, it will take,” he said. </p><p> I eagerly scooped the coins into his hand, and then stepped back, my eyes darting back and forth between my friends and his bloodshot eyes peering through the gaps in the door. His dirty hands, fingernails curled at the ends, both appeared and he began to whisper words of great necromantic power. Dark energies flowed out to my friends and enveloped them, and then their eyes, dull and lifeless, turned bright, and they all began to look at one another, and at me. I was so excited, I forgot to take notes, and just stood there gasping with delight. </p><p> From what I later remember, I spent some time talking to them all, telling them all how much I appreciate them all, how much I valued their friendship. We all held hands together and I told them stories, taught them games, and we had a grand time. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. My friends could finally talk to me, and share my dreams! I told them of my plans to save my parents, and they all listened with rapt attention (after I ordered them to do no less). </p><p> I could not wait to show them to Willow, and to the Marshall as well. Now his orders to them would be much more effective in a fight, and they would be able to independently plan as well. I gave each of them a potion for them to drink if they were injured, giving several to some, and told them to drink it as soon as they were hurt, unless they were in no immediate danger and could come to me for healing. I did not want to lose any of my friends! </p><p> I also bought chain shirts for them all, even the dragon, along with a few more weapons, greatswords all. Now they were well armed and well protected, and able to heal themselves. And the Marshall’s special talents will now give them full benefit, which ought to make them invincible! Dead flesh is strong!</p><p></p><p> Notes – Chapter Forty-One – Mysterious Keep Beckons</p><p></p><p> I returned to Willow and told her the good news. I discovered that not only was all of her gold gone, she still wanted to buy more things, so I bought some armor for Breeze, though it did take some time to find some that could be adapted for a wolf. He looked a little uncomfortable in it, but then I would be too. The studded leather shirt I had been wearing was proving too difficult to work my magic in, so I removed it. </p><p> I bought a cloak to protect me, along with more potions for my friends, and a wand of curing for my lab assistants benefit to complement the one Willow bought. Our nearly depleted wand was given to the Mute Bard. </p><p> Willow and I then retreated to the forest and I had my newfound awakened friends help her pick berries and gather tulips in the wild. We had a wonderful time together. We were one big happy family again. </p><p> Some time later, the Marshall found us in the woods and we arranged to stay outside an inn on the edge of town while my lab assistants stayed inside. The Marshall had a dwarf with him, named Makkal. He first told us we had a job that would pay us each a thousand gold coins. I said, “Great! Let’s go,” and then I said, “wait, what are we doing?” </p><p>The Marshall explained that there was an abandoned keep, Brightstone Keep, that used to protect a lucrative mine known as Brightstone Mine, a great source of iron ore, gold, and gems in its day. The Marshall told us that there was trouble there, and trouble in town as well. The military was occupied elsewhere, leaving the town at night free for brigands, and the sheriff and town council were unable to do much about it. </p><p> The Marshall said that the head of the council offered us one thousand gold coins each if we were to deal with the keep menace. He then said, “it is rumored that undead and ghosts walk the keep.” </p><p> “A keep of undead,” I said, excited. But then I thought for a moment and was confused. “Wait,” I said, “so what are the undesirables that they want to get rid of?” </p><p> The Marshall replied, “The rumors could be wrong, and there could be other things in the keep.” </p><p> “Ah, ok, I understand, and perhaps those other things are keeping the poor undead hostage!”</p><p> With that matter settled, we retired for the night. My large covered wagon and horse was parked by the inn, and I slept underneath the wagon, while Willow slept in the trees nearby. My friends kept watch in the wagon above me and in the woods by Willow. The Marshall suggested I keep them out of sight in town. I considered this a very sensible suggestion. After all, it wasn’t safe out at night, what, with all the brigands about town. I would not want any of my friends hurt in the night while I slumbered. </p><p></p><p> Notes – Chapter Forty-Two – On the Road</p><p></p><p> In the morning, we set out, Makkal going along with us. The Marshall explained to me privately that we need not worry if he is going to betray us or otherwise act in a bad manner. We could just kill him. It is hard to argue with that logic. I wondered if regular dwarf flesh had a different consistency than the gray dwarf flesh we experienced earlier. </p><p> The road at first was well-traveled, so I kept my friends in the wagon, out of sight, to protect them from bandits. Willow was concerned that the poor horse had to work to pull the cart, but he was willing to do it. </p><p> We stopped for a short while for a meal during the day, and I offered some of my stew, as always, to the others. We were off to the side of the road, so my friends could come out and stretch. The dwarf came out and saw my friends sitting in a circle, talking and playing cards. </p><p> “Wait, the sheriff hired THIS group?” he asked incredulously. “I’ve got to give it to you guys if you managed to get the Sheriff to approve this.” </p><p> “The Sheriff did not see our whole group,” replied the Marshall. </p><p> “Still,” the dwarf said, “that is impressive.” He then explained that he had a few run ins with the Sheriff himself,, and so that was why he was not hired by him. </p><p> Back to my stew, the dwarf approached as I was offering it, and he agreed to try some. He seemed to really like it. He asked me for the recipie. I promised him I would get it for him, though I told him it involved a unique ingredient that we had in short supply. (After all, I thought to myself, we only have the one ex-zombie, ex-Gulthias-tree supplicant, ex-living human sorcerer, and she can only go so far), but I did thank him for the complement and gave him seconds. </p><p> He was less impressed with the offered kobold jerky, and side of troglodyte sticks, and so he did not ask for those recipies. Which was just as well, since I did not make the jerky. We finished eating and resumed our travels. </p><p> Once we reached the intersection with the less-traveled road to the keep, my friends could finally get out and walk and talk with me as we went. My large alabaster friend took over wagon-pulling duty, giving our horse the chance to rest in the wagon. At Willow’s suggestion, we positioned the horse’s rear end off the back of the cart. </p><p></p><p> Notes – Chapter Forty-Three – Glowing Red Eyes – Damn, wrong type of eyes!</p><p></p><p> It was starting to get toward dusk when my normally dull ears heard something in the deep underbrush on the left side of the road. My normally blurry vision happened to resolve itself there on two red glowing eyes, barely visible through the brush. My heart beat faster, could it be more potential friends for me! But no, charging from the brush on the other side of us was a giant wolf, and it went right for Rolo, one of my alabaster friends. </p><p> At the same time, another one struggled out from the side I saw, much slowed by some quick entangle magic from Willow. Before we could react, the wolf was on top of Rolo and nearly destroyed him. Bad wolf! To make it worse, he knocked Rolo to the ground, and things looked grim. Rolo shrieked for help. And Simon came to the rescue!</p><p> Simon, another alabaster friend, ran up to Rolo and grabbed him, taking his own wounds from the wolf in the process. He then dragged Rolo away from the beast, next to me, where he was safe. Rolo stood up and pulled out a small skull, unstoppered it, and drank down his healing potion. The magical fluid went through his jawbone and then melted away into his open rib-cage where it vanished as his bones mended themselves back to normal. Rolo was safe! Simon waited by my side for my own healing magic, saving his skull for later. I could not heal him at once because I was sending a ray of weakness toward the red eyed wolf to the left, which struck it squarely between the eyes, slowing it down. </p><p> Brunt let go of the wagon and moved his large bones over to the right-wolf, joined by my lab assistants, who then quickly overwhelmed and killed that wolf. The second wolf was then surrounded and finished off as well. Willow was sad to do it, but that is life in the wild. </p><p> After they were dispatched, Willow followed their tracks back to a small cave where there were two large wolf pups. She quickly rescued them and placed them in the cart, with the horse, who then decided he wanted to walk beside the cart. No wonder the wolves attacked us. There was no food whatsoever in this area to eat. And there was nothing for us to eat, either, beyond our stores. The Marshall again suggested we eat, ANIMAL flesh, the flesh of the wolves, and I threw up all over my boots. </p><p> “That is just so disgusting! How can you keep saying that? That’s like cannibalism,” I said, and Willow silently agreed. She left the wolves out for carrion and we prepared to continue on. We did collect the wolf skins. Then Brunt picked up the wagon hitch and we walked the rest of the way to the edge of the forest before the keep. </p><p></p><p> Notes – Chapter Forty-Four – Keep on the Borderlands in Sight</p><p></p><p> From the road, we could see the keep in the distance, on the side of a mountain. I sent up Blackberry, my dragon, to scout from the air and then report to us what he saw. He said he saw humanoid shapes walking the three towers of the keep, but he did not get close enough to see what they were. He also said he saw trails up the side of the mountain that would allow us to approach the keep from above on a relatively unprotected angle. The only problem would be how we would then climb down to the keep. </p><p> We approached closer for a climb up the mountain, and eventually we were close enough to determine that it was orcs in the towers. I hope the orcs haven’t hurt any potential friends in there. The only thing weaker than orc flesh is orc brains (at least, that’s what Trosty, my other zombie friend, told me). </p><p> We left the horse and cart and pups in the edge of the woods and started our climb up the mountain. We decided to go in the day, hoping the orcs would be nocturnal, and even if they weren’t, we could not see in the dark and they could, so we need not give them that advantage (so says the Marshall – my friends can see just fine). </p><p> Once we had climbed around and above the keep, apparently still out of the vision of the orcs, we had a problem. How to get down? But Blackberry solved that for us. He helped lower everyone down by rope, flew some others down, and then he flew down last, taking the rope with him. </p><p> At the base of the keep, we saw an entrance to the mine, an entrance filled with tracks of humanoids, orcs and humans and others, heading in and out. Finally, we find a source of food! The Marshall and Willow debated whether to enter the mine or the keep first. We did not want to leave anyone behind us in either place, but then we settled on the keep first, because that is bound to be where the military might is held. After all, that’s what the keep was built for – to protect the mine. We then entered the keep through a hole in a wall and crept up on a large winter wolf tied to a well. </p><p></p><p> Notes – Chapter Forty-Five – Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (Well, White in Color at least) – Then Towers of Orcs</p><p></p><p> The white wolf was rather hostile at first, but Willow talked to her and calmed her down. She was well-fed, but she had been beaten by the horrid orcs. Willow offered to free her, but since she could not pick the lock on the chain around her neck, and since the wolf would not let anyone but Willow touch her, Belor had to talk her through it. She eventually succeeded, and freed the wolf, who slowly crept off. We then turned our attention to the first tower. </p><p> Belor moved quietly into the first tower, and we followed. On the first floor, we found nothing of note. On the second floor, Belor discovered that the orcs there were asleep in their beds, and he helped them to remain in bed indefinitely with a quick slice to each of their throats. Finally, we have some food. </p><p> We heard footsteps above, and they must have heard us, because we heard shouts from above, in orcish, which Belor quickly replied to. Belor called them down, and two orcs descended. We quickly surrounded them and killed them without too much difficulty, though it was noisy. The orc above seemed unsurprised by the sounds of combat. I looked at Trosty, who then nodded to me, seeming to say “see, I told you so,” with his glowing red eyes. </p><p> The Mute Bard opened up the trap door to the roof again, and tried to send the remaining orc (that we could see) into slumber. The first try did not work, but the second did, and then the trouble began. The orcs twenty feet away, across the gate, on the other tower, who apparently do not care about fights, do care when they see an orc fall. </p><p> Thinking quickly, I sent Blackberry over to their tower. Unfortunately, while he is strong and powerful, he is not quick, and by the time he got there, they had descended into the tower. Or rather, the ones who had not been put to sleep by another bardic spell descended. To cut them off, we all ran down the stairs of our own tower, outside, and then into the base of their tower. We met in the middle and faced six orcs and their sergeant in an epic fight that ended with a large jerky and stew resupply of orcish flavor. </p><p> Not wanting to break our stride, we ran to the other tower, and before they could escape, we slew those orcs as well. Now we had a lot of work to do, and we had to act fast, before other orcs in the keep could react, and before any of this nice, fresh meat could spoil.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Altalazar, post: 3294474, member: 939"] Book III Notes – Chapter Thirty-Nine – Another good idea – Fruits of Research The troglodyte younglings proved to be useful for my research. My most important find was that living troglodyte flesh was actually much more offensive to the olfactory nerves than dead and decaying troglodyte flesh. Proving what I already instinctively knew, which is that many types of living flesh, for many reasons, is much more unpleasant than dead flesh. This proved especially true when it came to troglodyte cuisine, though there was a certain spicy rush when consuming their living flesh, this can only be appreciated if one does not immediately expel the fresh meal. My experiments thus complete on them, I stored them for travel, as rations were low, and based on previous delicious snacks with our sorceress, I decided that her flesh was not going to stay long on her bones, so I ended her unlife and, with the whistle, picked up the troglodyte chief as my new erstwhile companion. His first duty to me was to carry our fresh troglodyte-veal rations for our long journey back. I tasked the large alabaster beauty with carrying our sorceress rations, and ration her we did, because such delicate flavor is somewhat addictive. Though strangely, still, the Marshall did not seem particularly interested in my stews. Perhaps he favors other flavors. I will have to keep trying out new recipies on him. My large alabaster beauty also carried our emergency kobold jerky goblin rations. Thus well stocked for our epic journey, we returned to the road to civilization, much to Willow’s sorrow. She and I certainly enjoy being out in the fresh woods. She wisely sees the decay inherent in the city stomping out the living nature, and I can see all of the flesh wasted on the living serving a similar polluted purpose within civilization’s cobblestoned prison. Notes – Chapter Forty – Awakenings The Marshall took and sold most of our valuables, starting with the Durgeddin weapons. I assume he managed to get a good price. All I know was that he came back and gave both Willow and I nearly ten thousand gold coins each. Willow immediately spent all of hers on various things, including a breastplate made entirely of wood. It was very nice. I’m not sure what else she spent it on. I was too busy researching and assimilating my research notes. I had much to transcribe! In the magical arena, I have discovered a magical formula that can allow me to control the undead, any undead. I was so excited when I saw it, I had to tell Willow right away! I also found another necromantic enchantment that allows me to touch at a distance, something Willow said would keep me out of harm’s way. In my research, I discovered something most exciting! There is a way to give a spark of intellect to my mindless friends, or the “quiet ones” as I call them. But it requires magic well beyond my meager skills. But then I thought perhaps the Great Old One could help me, and I was right! I found him where I usually do, in his crooked cottage on the edge of the woods that stretch back to our own empty cabin. As I thought of that empty place, I wondered if our parents were ok. I will have to go and check on them the next chance we get. I’ve almost learned enough to help them, though I still think it may be some time before I can put that knowledge into action. The Great Old One peered at me from the cracks in his repeatedly-patched door and asked me what I wanted. “I want to awaken my quiet friends,” I told him, and gestured to my four alabaster men, my large alabaster man, my troglodyte, and my dragon. “Please, can you help me? I can pay,” I said as I showed him a handful of platinum coins. His eyes widened, then his gnarled hand reached through the wooden planks on his barely-intact door and his dirty fingers opened on his palm. “One hundred ninety-one platinum, it will take,” he said. I eagerly scooped the coins into his hand, and then stepped back, my eyes darting back and forth between my friends and his bloodshot eyes peering through the gaps in the door. His dirty hands, fingernails curled at the ends, both appeared and he began to whisper words of great necromantic power. Dark energies flowed out to my friends and enveloped them, and then their eyes, dull and lifeless, turned bright, and they all began to look at one another, and at me. I was so excited, I forgot to take notes, and just stood there gasping with delight. From what I later remember, I spent some time talking to them all, telling them all how much I appreciate them all, how much I valued their friendship. We all held hands together and I told them stories, taught them games, and we had a grand time. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. My friends could finally talk to me, and share my dreams! I told them of my plans to save my parents, and they all listened with rapt attention (after I ordered them to do no less). I could not wait to show them to Willow, and to the Marshall as well. Now his orders to them would be much more effective in a fight, and they would be able to independently plan as well. I gave each of them a potion for them to drink if they were injured, giving several to some, and told them to drink it as soon as they were hurt, unless they were in no immediate danger and could come to me for healing. I did not want to lose any of my friends! I also bought chain shirts for them all, even the dragon, along with a few more weapons, greatswords all. Now they were well armed and well protected, and able to heal themselves. And the Marshall’s special talents will now give them full benefit, which ought to make them invincible! Dead flesh is strong! Notes – Chapter Forty-One – Mysterious Keep Beckons I returned to Willow and told her the good news. I discovered that not only was all of her gold gone, she still wanted to buy more things, so I bought some armor for Breeze, though it did take some time to find some that could be adapted for a wolf. He looked a little uncomfortable in it, but then I would be too. The studded leather shirt I had been wearing was proving too difficult to work my magic in, so I removed it. I bought a cloak to protect me, along with more potions for my friends, and a wand of curing for my lab assistants benefit to complement the one Willow bought. Our nearly depleted wand was given to the Mute Bard. Willow and I then retreated to the forest and I had my newfound awakened friends help her pick berries and gather tulips in the wild. We had a wonderful time together. We were one big happy family again. Some time later, the Marshall found us in the woods and we arranged to stay outside an inn on the edge of town while my lab assistants stayed inside. The Marshall had a dwarf with him, named Makkal. He first told us we had a job that would pay us each a thousand gold coins. I said, “Great! Let’s go,” and then I said, “wait, what are we doing?” The Marshall explained that there was an abandoned keep, Brightstone Keep, that used to protect a lucrative mine known as Brightstone Mine, a great source of iron ore, gold, and gems in its day. The Marshall told us that there was trouble there, and trouble in town as well. The military was occupied elsewhere, leaving the town at night free for brigands, and the sheriff and town council were unable to do much about it. The Marshall said that the head of the council offered us one thousand gold coins each if we were to deal with the keep menace. He then said, “it is rumored that undead and ghosts walk the keep.” “A keep of undead,” I said, excited. But then I thought for a moment and was confused. “Wait,” I said, “so what are the undesirables that they want to get rid of?” The Marshall replied, “The rumors could be wrong, and there could be other things in the keep.” “Ah, ok, I understand, and perhaps those other things are keeping the poor undead hostage!” With that matter settled, we retired for the night. My large covered wagon and horse was parked by the inn, and I slept underneath the wagon, while Willow slept in the trees nearby. My friends kept watch in the wagon above me and in the woods by Willow. The Marshall suggested I keep them out of sight in town. I considered this a very sensible suggestion. After all, it wasn’t safe out at night, what, with all the brigands about town. I would not want any of my friends hurt in the night while I slumbered. Notes – Chapter Forty-Two – On the Road In the morning, we set out, Makkal going along with us. The Marshall explained to me privately that we need not worry if he is going to betray us or otherwise act in a bad manner. We could just kill him. It is hard to argue with that logic. I wondered if regular dwarf flesh had a different consistency than the gray dwarf flesh we experienced earlier. The road at first was well-traveled, so I kept my friends in the wagon, out of sight, to protect them from bandits. Willow was concerned that the poor horse had to work to pull the cart, but he was willing to do it. We stopped for a short while for a meal during the day, and I offered some of my stew, as always, to the others. We were off to the side of the road, so my friends could come out and stretch. The dwarf came out and saw my friends sitting in a circle, talking and playing cards. “Wait, the sheriff hired THIS group?” he asked incredulously. “I’ve got to give it to you guys if you managed to get the Sheriff to approve this.” “The Sheriff did not see our whole group,” replied the Marshall. “Still,” the dwarf said, “that is impressive.” He then explained that he had a few run ins with the Sheriff himself,, and so that was why he was not hired by him. Back to my stew, the dwarf approached as I was offering it, and he agreed to try some. He seemed to really like it. He asked me for the recipie. I promised him I would get it for him, though I told him it involved a unique ingredient that we had in short supply. (After all, I thought to myself, we only have the one ex-zombie, ex-Gulthias-tree supplicant, ex-living human sorcerer, and she can only go so far), but I did thank him for the complement and gave him seconds. He was less impressed with the offered kobold jerky, and side of troglodyte sticks, and so he did not ask for those recipies. Which was just as well, since I did not make the jerky. We finished eating and resumed our travels. Once we reached the intersection with the less-traveled road to the keep, my friends could finally get out and walk and talk with me as we went. My large alabaster friend took over wagon-pulling duty, giving our horse the chance to rest in the wagon. At Willow’s suggestion, we positioned the horse’s rear end off the back of the cart. Notes – Chapter Forty-Three – Glowing Red Eyes – Damn, wrong type of eyes! It was starting to get toward dusk when my normally dull ears heard something in the deep underbrush on the left side of the road. My normally blurry vision happened to resolve itself there on two red glowing eyes, barely visible through the brush. My heart beat faster, could it be more potential friends for me! But no, charging from the brush on the other side of us was a giant wolf, and it went right for Rolo, one of my alabaster friends. At the same time, another one struggled out from the side I saw, much slowed by some quick entangle magic from Willow. Before we could react, the wolf was on top of Rolo and nearly destroyed him. Bad wolf! To make it worse, he knocked Rolo to the ground, and things looked grim. Rolo shrieked for help. And Simon came to the rescue! Simon, another alabaster friend, ran up to Rolo and grabbed him, taking his own wounds from the wolf in the process. He then dragged Rolo away from the beast, next to me, where he was safe. Rolo stood up and pulled out a small skull, unstoppered it, and drank down his healing potion. The magical fluid went through his jawbone and then melted away into his open rib-cage where it vanished as his bones mended themselves back to normal. Rolo was safe! Simon waited by my side for my own healing magic, saving his skull for later. I could not heal him at once because I was sending a ray of weakness toward the red eyed wolf to the left, which struck it squarely between the eyes, slowing it down. Brunt let go of the wagon and moved his large bones over to the right-wolf, joined by my lab assistants, who then quickly overwhelmed and killed that wolf. The second wolf was then surrounded and finished off as well. Willow was sad to do it, but that is life in the wild. After they were dispatched, Willow followed their tracks back to a small cave where there were two large wolf pups. She quickly rescued them and placed them in the cart, with the horse, who then decided he wanted to walk beside the cart. No wonder the wolves attacked us. There was no food whatsoever in this area to eat. And there was nothing for us to eat, either, beyond our stores. The Marshall again suggested we eat, ANIMAL flesh, the flesh of the wolves, and I threw up all over my boots. “That is just so disgusting! How can you keep saying that? That’s like cannibalism,” I said, and Willow silently agreed. She left the wolves out for carrion and we prepared to continue on. We did collect the wolf skins. Then Brunt picked up the wagon hitch and we walked the rest of the way to the edge of the forest before the keep. Notes – Chapter Forty-Four – Keep on the Borderlands in Sight From the road, we could see the keep in the distance, on the side of a mountain. I sent up Blackberry, my dragon, to scout from the air and then report to us what he saw. He said he saw humanoid shapes walking the three towers of the keep, but he did not get close enough to see what they were. He also said he saw trails up the side of the mountain that would allow us to approach the keep from above on a relatively unprotected angle. The only problem would be how we would then climb down to the keep. We approached closer for a climb up the mountain, and eventually we were close enough to determine that it was orcs in the towers. I hope the orcs haven’t hurt any potential friends in there. The only thing weaker than orc flesh is orc brains (at least, that’s what Trosty, my other zombie friend, told me). We left the horse and cart and pups in the edge of the woods and started our climb up the mountain. We decided to go in the day, hoping the orcs would be nocturnal, and even if they weren’t, we could not see in the dark and they could, so we need not give them that advantage (so says the Marshall – my friends can see just fine). Once we had climbed around and above the keep, apparently still out of the vision of the orcs, we had a problem. How to get down? But Blackberry solved that for us. He helped lower everyone down by rope, flew some others down, and then he flew down last, taking the rope with him. At the base of the keep, we saw an entrance to the mine, an entrance filled with tracks of humanoids, orcs and humans and others, heading in and out. Finally, we find a source of food! The Marshall and Willow debated whether to enter the mine or the keep first. We did not want to leave anyone behind us in either place, but then we settled on the keep first, because that is bound to be where the military might is held. After all, that’s what the keep was built for – to protect the mine. We then entered the keep through a hole in a wall and crept up on a large winter wolf tied to a well. Notes – Chapter Forty-Five – Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (Well, White in Color at least) – Then Towers of Orcs The white wolf was rather hostile at first, but Willow talked to her and calmed her down. She was well-fed, but she had been beaten by the horrid orcs. Willow offered to free her, but since she could not pick the lock on the chain around her neck, and since the wolf would not let anyone but Willow touch her, Belor had to talk her through it. She eventually succeeded, and freed the wolf, who slowly crept off. We then turned our attention to the first tower. Belor moved quietly into the first tower, and we followed. On the first floor, we found nothing of note. On the second floor, Belor discovered that the orcs there were asleep in their beds, and he helped them to remain in bed indefinitely with a quick slice to each of their throats. Finally, we have some food. We heard footsteps above, and they must have heard us, because we heard shouts from above, in orcish, which Belor quickly replied to. Belor called them down, and two orcs descended. We quickly surrounded them and killed them without too much difficulty, though it was noisy. The orc above seemed unsurprised by the sounds of combat. I looked at Trosty, who then nodded to me, seeming to say “see, I told you so,” with his glowing red eyes. The Mute Bard opened up the trap door to the roof again, and tried to send the remaining orc (that we could see) into slumber. The first try did not work, but the second did, and then the trouble began. The orcs twenty feet away, across the gate, on the other tower, who apparently do not care about fights, do care when they see an orc fall. Thinking quickly, I sent Blackberry over to their tower. Unfortunately, while he is strong and powerful, he is not quick, and by the time he got there, they had descended into the tower. Or rather, the ones who had not been put to sleep by another bardic spell descended. To cut them off, we all ran down the stairs of our own tower, outside, and then into the base of their tower. We met in the middle and faced six orcs and their sergeant in an epic fight that ended with a large jerky and stew resupply of orcish flavor. Not wanting to break our stride, we ran to the other tower, and before they could escape, we slew those orcs as well. Now we had a lot of work to do, and we had to act fast, before other orcs in the keep could react, and before any of this nice, fresh meat could spoil. [/QUOTE]
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Vincent's Laboratory Notes and Footnotes (Updated December 30, 2007)
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