So, contrary to most designers, I have run the same setting/rulest for the super longhaul.
 
I began GMing 33 years ago, T&T 4th ed and 0D&D.  I ran the typical young  campaigns, moved up and learned, tried again, ran Tolkien's MiddleEarth and Moorcock's Corum Bro an Mabden, and 3 more campaigns before I started Celtricia, the year I turned 18.

This campaign was not planned to be my setting for the next 25 years.  But I finished High School as I ran my first groups in it.  I took it to college, where I probably played it far too much.  It came with me through a number of relationships, My later stint in college and my grad school days.  And I am still running it today.  One of the most gratifying parts is that 3 members of that original group from the winter of 1983 are playing in one of the two live groups I run in the Boston area.  That particular group contains characters made in our GuildSchool system 13/14 years ago.  My other live group, the Igbarians, is a baby of a group, having started 5 years ago, and had a near TPK 3 years ago, so most of the 7 players in that group are running characters 2 or 3 years old, though 2 players are starting new ones due to some player idiocy a few weeks ago.

One of the other gratifying parts is new players and groups.  I had an online group lose a few characters and need to regroup recently, so I started another online game.  A 2 hour a week think, it's all CBG players, with 3 players who made characters and got serious and a pregens that run as NPCs or pickup PCs.  

I've had two sessions so far, and it has gone well.  I'm going to post some of the background material and the logs so far.
--make that three.  
Make that four.  Crazy roleplaying fools.
MAKE THAT 6

EDIT--SESSION 11 IS TONIGHT, 11/3
And session 15 tonight. 12/1
session 18 tonight.
Session 23 happened on 1/20/10  the group has grown, and this is the group's page  5 players.
Posted notes on session 31
And now session 37 has been posted.

have not updated the front post here for a while, though many other sessions have been posted.  did session 52 last night, posted some notes for that.

Session 55 tonight.  The group ended up tripping a trap on purpose (hello?) and got shoved down an ancient shft to the caverns below.  They are trying to find their way back...

We did the write up for session 61 last night.  
4/16/11---session 71

as of 5/1/12, i just wrote up session 118.  Never really thought this online game would go on this long, with no signs of flagging.

AS OF 8/1 we have written up session 128 and going strong.

The Island
The Steel Isle lies off the south-western tip of the Bright Lands Plutocracy, around 80 miles off the mainland at the closest point, south-west of the city of Hobyt Inn.  It guards the northern entrance to the Tarn Bay, and also acts as an unfortunate breakwater in the Noreasters that would othewise roar right up the bay, Perhaps all the way to Orbi.  The Steel Isle is 94 miles from north to south, roughly it's longest dimension, but no more than 42 miles east to west.  Due to coves and crevicves, it encompasses a little over 3000 square miles.


The Steel Isle has been home to quite a few settlements in it's history, but it is best known as the, or one of the, primary receptacles of the Venolvian cultural remains.  Steel Isle was one of their earliest and longest lasting settles areas, with some historians giving it precedence as the original birthplace of that old island empire.  In any case, ruins still dot much of the island, though sometimes they are newer, Marcher-era ruins atop the older Venolvian ones.


It has a number of large hills in the center of the western coast, while much of the rest of island is covered in moor. The hills are called the Ensight Hills.  The southern moors are much more overgrown and wet, while the northern ones are drier, covered in Vneersberry and Reddle.  There is also one large green forest just south of the Ensight hills.  The Forest is called Cherio, and the whole southern part of the Forest, and much of the south-western tip of the isle, is covered by the Velonici Swamps.
 

Like much of Celtricia and the Cradle area, there are large areas of open wilderness.  Lizardmen, trogs, and gnolls wander in tribes and build rude settlements, while tales of insect-armored skeletal figures haunt the fireplaces late at night.  Small wonder that most sane folk stay close to the settled, protected areas.

Overview
There are 6 real population centers on the Steel Isle, but the largest is Steel Isle Town.  Build on top of Stonto, a Venolvian town, there are still some older sections and buildings, old white fidikmarple structures in the old Venolvian/Wintric fashion, as well as many in the Marcher architectural style.

The other major settlements aer Colapus in the far north, Scar's Cove to the South, Tarbio, Ovxentown, and Toxamus to the West.

 

Over twelve thousand souls make Steel isle Town their residence, built on the western center of the island, nestled into a cove, with a pair of hills behind the buildings (north-east and south east), with a swampy area to the south.


Steel Isle town was originally a captured port called Stonto,  repopulated by the Grey March after they broke the Venolvians Power.  However, the immense distance between the Island and the Grey March quickly dissolved direct control.  And while it has been a property of the Bright Lands, Argus, and even Coom Isle at different times, Steel Isle Town is currently an independent city-state, albeit one that is a supporting member of the League of Stenron.


The main areas of town are:

 

The Docks.

The Leeward Docks

Merchant Row

The Bazaar

Courtyard Row

The Lower Hill

The Upper Hill

 

Politics
Baron Vor of the Order of Stenron is the leader of the town, and he has a council of twelve town leaders he works with, as well as a few commitees. Please note that he governs this large town, not any other part of the Island.  They recently got permission from Steward Julian of Trabler to hire the Scarlet Pilums to be the town guards here, supplanting the former militia.  Sir Essan holds the rank of captain of the Scarlet Pilums.

The Town Council is called the Council of Steel, however unimaginative that may be.  They meet in the main governmental building, a huge old Venovian temple-castle with a redone Marcher-Era roof from a few centuries ago.  This is called the Quegan, and it lies on a small sward of grass, with a ditch that was a small moat many centuries earlier.  Many of the larger buildings, especially on the Hill, are of similar Venolvian vintage.

 

There are four main rank delineations used in common politcal delineation (allong with countless minutae),  Squire is the title of an established member of a knighthood or Guild.  Sirrah is a senior member of that Guild or order.  Sir is a leadership position below that of the head of a guild.  Siran is the title of actual leadership, the Commander.

Mercantile situation
Steel Isle Town is the largest port on the Steel Isle, and has a good sized fishing fleet, that both feeds the town well, promotes the maritime community, and allows for some good trading.

Steel Isle's northern hills are a source of ParsingBrax, as well as Meteroic Iron.  While many of the old Venolvian Mines are sitting open and unused, there are a few groups who have recently retured to these in the last few decades, and are making money for their guilds.  The Charsteels are one such independent guild in Steel Isle Town.

Steel Isle is the stopping point for all watercraft coming from the ruined Delvan continent, and some enterprising guilds have set up shop taking orders for them at a small premium to circumvent the need for these traders to continue the hundreds or thousands of miles to Trabler, Argus, the Grey March, or the Bright Lands.

The trade in old Venolvian artifacts is also very good business, and both Hobyt Inn's Trikelicce Guild and Igbar's Sceding Tree take the Lion's share of this business.


Religion
The Largest church in town is that Lawful Triumverate, followed by the the Church of Madrak of the Earth and then Arlieng the Guide. Many other smaller ones are also present.  So the daily observances found in the rest of the cradle area are no less present here.  Also, there are rumors of a hidden cult, the Dark Way.  While it is only a tale for most townsfolk, the eclesiastic community is a little less pleased about it .  The Churches hold almost as much power as the government.

List of Schools, Steel Isle Town

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a list of guilds/factions that the players can belong to.  In the Guildschool Ruleset, the players ahve to choose one major and maybe one minor affiliation.  The Experience modifier (how fast they gain ability) for each of their skills is determined by this, so this is actually one of the most crucial decisions the players make.

Warrior

The Order of Stenron

The Scarlet Pilums--the mercenary group recently hired.

Armor of Trade-Ogleic's Knighthood

Bowyers of Ceminiar--Ceminiar's honor guard

The Mysteriarchs of Lathe-Martial Brotherhood

The Blue Turtle Samurai-Honorable brotherhood

BoneKNights of Orcus-Wardens of the Boneyard

 

Mystic

Collegium Arcana-The Huge multinational Mage Guild

The Tower-weather mages of Air and Water

The Steel Libram-A small outpost of the Igbarian Sages

Vasko's Brew--Alchemic branch of the Blackstripes

 

Bardic

Trombic Fanfare--Brassy and bold

 

 

The Underworld

The Eye of Steel--Kasaraks local Eye

The Karin Machination--The Assassin branch of the Eye.

The Blackstripes--Heliopolis' Coom Isle group

Holders of the Straight Way-Belial's Assassins

The Laughing ones-Pilferers and influence peddlers

Burrow Boys-Dockside bulleys.

 

The Churches

The Church of The Solid Earth (Madrak the Mighty)

The Church of Black Humor (Jubilex of Chaos)

The Grey Church (Amerer, the Balance)

The Church of Obscurity and Fate (Darklingm Lord of the Night)

The Church of Direction (Alrieng, the Guide, and Oblimet, DevilDuke of Direction)

The Church of the Green Mother (Vernidale)--Nature mothers.  Very popular church

The Church of Belial the True and Clear (Belial)

The Shrine of Ogleic, the Tradelord

 

 

Mercantile

Gurellium Traders--Merchant Marines

Schen Traders-Exporters with branches all over the Island

Vaarstead fine Liquor imports-UNDER THE sCEDING tREE

Hamis Bowyery-The finest bows, metalrecurves a specialty, as are crossbows.

Grisley IronMongers-Guild of 6 Blacksmiths

The Sceding Tree-Large Master Merchant Guild that speculates in many markets.

The Venolvian Empire

In the third century before the 'modern' age (some 1100 years ago, approximately -300 RON), the trade between on the Argonia Ocean was burgeoning.  The Argussian Empire's northern trade routes became heavily laden, with the Blue City Plutarchs (which would become the Bright Lands) and the Arcane City States (that would become Orbi) by sea, and they Traded with the Astrickon Traders and the Onoconians by land.  The Ancient cities of Hagenos and Lestchian created mysterious artifacts, and all the northern groups risked much for access to the power and splendor of the State of Winter, further north.

Pirates started operating in the quiet areas between the Tarn Bay and the Argussian ports to the south, and so the merchant ships became convoys, complete with triremic warships, though heavily sailed to take advantage of any air mages or weather mages.  Though some operated from the coast, most of the pirates came from Grace Island and Steel Isle, two very large islands that bracketeted the entrance to the Tarn Bay.  Larger Coom Isle, to the south, also was a jumping off point.


Both of these islands were large enoguh to support decent sized population, and their proximity to the Tarn Bay, the 'Golden Ship Road' made it perfect for waylaying ships and then escaping back to the mist-shrouded islands.


The Tarn Bay itself was a large inlet, one that cut a swath between the Northern Argussian marches (Today's Trabler) and the Blue Cities (Today's Bright Lands), then elbowed north, allowing sea access to the Arcanic city states (Now Orbi), and the northern tip of the Tarn bay extrends within 140 land miles of Fabled Winterloo.  So for the sea traders, the Tarn bay was a goldmine, and for the priates, it was a spiderweb, they felt, and they were the spiders.
 

The next centuries found the Far North fighting each other and an army of Undead , while the Argussian Empire battled Gastax to the South.  Shipping and mercantile activity increase, as did the piracy.  Coom Isle became more of the pirate Haven, while Steel Isle and Grace Island started to become more traditional ports, albiet with a still strong bucaneer influence.  By -100 RON, the pirates and the some ports on the islands were working together under what they called 'the Sea Lords' and what the Argussians and the other trading empires called the 'Pirate Lords'.


In -94, the growing town of Velonici became the capital of the Sea Lords Holding, and in -90 the Sea Lords took on the name of the Venolvians, which translates into "The Uniters" in the Anarch language.  The Pirate Lords of Coom Isle were loosely allied to the more official grouping of the other two islands. By -50RON, they have a flag, and the Amererian religion and the Entropic religion are fighting for control.  This battle for the faith of the Venolvian's never really ended.  The population is burgeoning, and they have taken on an architectural style similar to the Wintric/suprosian era.  It is at this time that the wire sculptures of insects and birds begins on the Steel Isle as well, spurred on by the entropic influence.

In -16RON, the last independent holding on the Steel Isle, Tal Irishi, falls to the Venolvians (See the Story of Meganna, the Fairy Queen), and even the Coom Isle pirates fly the flag of the Venolvians,


This was a time of rapid expansion for the Venolvians, a golden age of economic and cultural enhancement and nationalism. At the same time that the North was imprisoning the Dreadwing and the Theocracy of Nebler was officially founding their country, The entropic churches forced the capital to move from Velonici to Kulranik City, on Coom Isle.


History is never a vacuum, and eveything that happens has a ripple effect.  The first century in the Reckoning of Nebler was a turmultuous time throughout the cradle area.  The Astrickon Traders came into being to the west of the new Theocracy of Nebler, the Arcanic Table in the Mystic City states combined, and started to force out the old Devilkin backed families, Atros Beasthurion Armed the Omwo~ of the Black Forest, and the State of Winter moved slowly into the former Igboniat areas.  The Venolvians were incredibly busy as well, expaning onto the western Coastal mainland of the Cradle area.  These areas were wild and empty, and for decades other countries were almost unaware that the Venolvians were creating settlements in what was nominally in their borders.

 

Venolvia continued to expand over the next few centuries, and their navy controlled and tithed the areas their ancestors had plundered.  Their entropic water magic was extremely puissant, and their merchant guilds were lossely controlled by their governtment.  Labor was taken care of by their slaves, called the 'Beast-men', gnolls, Lizardmen, and Korang's Fratrecanis. They minted coinage, and were very active mining on the mainland, as well.  The wealth and expansion also served to exalt the upper class, and Steel Isle became the gathering spot for the well to do, with vacation Villas and pleasure palaces.

 

In 240RON, the Venolvian navy (still called the 'Reavers', in honor of their past) crushed the militant merchant fleet of 'The Inn', the most puissant of the  Blue Cities, and this officially announced the Venolvians to be the major empire along the Western coast.  The other countries and states saw the Venolvian expansion but did not want to confront them directly.  The Northern coastal part of their empire (now the western coast of the Grey March) had expanded into 4 major settlements and dozens of minor ones.  By 390RON, the Blue Cities officially joined together to form the Bright Lands Plutocracy, to stand against the Venolvian sea power.


In 418RON, there was a major disaster in the north, and over half of the military power of the Venolvians disapeared almost overnight.  No records survive from it, but the 'disaster' is noted in many secondary sources.  Also notable in this time was The Argussian Empire becoming a real ally of the Venolvians, though this may be in part to protect their somewhat fragile holdings in the Northern Argussian Marches.


In the late 400's, Sir Jon of Triston, of the State of Winter, led the Wintric Army against the Venolvians in the North.  Details are hard to come by, but by all reports he destroyed their main temple complex first, then marches with sword and fire thorugh the Venolvian settlements.  Before 500RON, he has sacked and salted every one of their settlements, on his way to earning the title 'Saint Jon' by the Lawful Triumverate.


Reeling from this, the Venolvians tried to recover and recouperate, but the Marcher fleet of Wind followed the retreating forces to the Islands, and combined with the Bright Lands forces, they sacked both Velonici and Kulranik City, essentially destroying the Venolvians completely by 515 RON.  


The Marcher forces actually left colonies on Grace Island and the Steel Isle.  By the 700s, the venolvian settlments were all ruins or coopted into local governments.  Their stonework was coopted for new work, their statues pulled down, the temples now housed different Gods.    

Their islands are now only a pale shadow of a former empire, the populations of these outskirt areas are barely a tenth of what they were at their peak.  Proud as it was, the Venolvians reached a quick height, and fell far.

Dramatis Personae...


Current Members
 

•Hamish Haldane - PC - Delvan Human Chandler/Water Mage/Swordsman prodigy. De facto group leader. Foundling of the Gurellium Traders, now of journeyman rank. One of the more varied caster in Steel Isle Town, now is the master of a grey Thunderbird familiar.
•Maximillian Carchedin- PC - Vanir Omwo~/Kann Klaxik Cross. Cousin of the fallen Mior Carchedin and Armiger of the Arcanic Swords. His might is pre-eminent. Maintains a regular correspondence with his grandfather.
•Wurnik Woundhealer - NPC - Zyjman Orcash from the Church of Amerer the Gray also part of the Bowyers of Ceminar. Notoriously clumsy.
•Brother Cameleye - NPC - Hobyt (Shrum?) from the Church of Obscurity and Fate. Well versed in tracking and trap skills. Sneaky git.
•Vermortis Tygea - PC - Mixed Human Knight of the Armor of Trade. Survivor of a shipwreck that was attacked by golden masked cultists. Rescued by the party and joined with them to exact vengeance. Wields the Nacdilis.
•Carmen Ondradet - PC - Rebellious teenage Hobyt friend of Wurnik, from the Bowyers of Ceminiar. She has an unhealthy sense of entitlement. The Parties first crack shot, compared to Wurnick.
•Astell Arsaim,- PC -  Mixed Human knight of the Bone, and neophyte priest of the Church of Obscurity and Fate  
•MazAbd - PC - Omwo~ scholar of the Steel Libram
•Moss - PC - Human
 

 

Former Members
 

•Kellik (retired) - PC - Half Orcash Gnome Blue Turtle Samurai. Known for a short temper only calmed by combat or wine. Established an Inn and Tavern in Steel Isle Town.
•Mior Carchedin (dead) - PC - Slain on the second bridge by Death Cultists.
•Hsui (dead) - PC - Omwo~ sage of the Steel Libram. Was recued while fleeing for his life from cultists. Slain by some gnolls on the 2nd floor of Vexchian.
•Simon Smith (dead)  - NPC - Mixed Human Bone Knight of Orcus. Not fond of Torture. Carries the title of Sirrah. Slain by a heavily armored Cultist while defending Hamish.
•Gordin Edelman (In Town) - PC - Gray Marcher Human. Gartier sized, near-enough. Found captured by The Party and set free, to promptly join them on their quest. From the Church of the Solid Earth.  Staying in town after being rescued.
•Toden Hodd TorZyjman (out of action) - NPC - New Gartier priest of The Shrine of Ogleic as well as part of Armor of Trade. Taken out of combat after a werewolf ripped off his arm. Will be returning with the group to Vexchian now that he has recovered from his wounds.
•Rampan the Red (dead) - NPC - Red Hobyt pyromancer from the Collegium Arcana. Totally obsessed with fire and prone to bouts of overly complex speech that leave everyone around him confused.  Slain when Carmen pushed him down a flight of stairs after he got hit by a spear trap.
•Stormhammer Lenden (dead) - PC - Human Gurellium Trader. Knows Hamish. Fell off a rppe bridge after being hit by a crossbow bolt fired by a cultist.

Transcript from the First Session...
(Cleaned up, without all the OOC)
Striding into the Offices of Chorbit are the Gartier Knight of the Armor of Trade, Toden Hodd TorZyjman and the orcash Bowyer Wurnik Woundhealer.
They join the gnomic Squire Kellik, Omwo~Mior the bowyer, and Hamish Haldane, Delvan Human Mage of the Tower complete the group of five. Each of these stalwarts belongs to a guild that works with the Sceding Tree...and all are here as a form of repayment, as well as an opportunity.


It is Tokush 1, the First day of the month of Winds, 895 RON. Cold outside, maybe 30 degrees, with snow still coming down.
The openning montage is in the large and richly appointed offices of the Gnome/Red Hobyt Chorbit, Trader Secundus of the ScedingTree of Steel Isle. He's imposing, despite his size, and has done well for himself here, though the Sabre at his side does not look out of place. He's got salt and pepper hair, with the pepper still getting the better of the battle.
Golden sunlight pieces the high windows, belying the frost bearing sea winds of early Tokush. The assmbled explorers can't help but note the way precious metals all over the office catch the warm sunbeams. The ceiling lamp, an electrum and silver loop is covered with fanifule winged insects perfectly placed in a braid. In the far right corner of the room, a full set of burnished scalemail chased with silver sits, with a wing motive on the shoulders and a mandibular faceplate. Ancient Venolvian work, to be sure, and worth a seargant's months wages at the least. And more items of this genre litter the tall office.
"It's not that it's especially dangerous, my friends" he goes on. "it's more that we haven't found tell of a really new site in quite some time."
He looks down at the ancient, ruined scroll on the massive Ironwood desk behind him. It looks like the morning sunlight will set it aflame, or that a breeze would blow the parchemnt's disparate parts into oblivion. There must be some serious magics holding it together.
"However, I am not saying that is especially safe, as it is to the south of the city." He sighs and picks up some notes on newer paper, "We can't be totally sure where this 'Vexchian' is...That's what the author calls it in the old notes we found, 'Vexchian"...but he does mentions some cliffs around it, and a stream, and a large forest spreading north from it."
He picks up a another square piece of thick paper.


"Our maps may not be perfect, but we do know there are cliffs in the southern Cheriot, in a very wet area, where the swamps and the forest intermingle." He looks up at the explorers. His eyes are somewhat clouded, but with what, none can say.
The room is quiet, waiting for him to continue. Finally, he puts the map back down.
"Of course, with the man-eating, Scalik tribes down there, it probably won't be totally unopposed", he says referencing the Lizardman groups that infest the swamps. "Which is why we have an armed group going to find it." He picked up the map again. "Also, the last major Venolvian find did include the corresponding ravenous undead Venolvian spirits."
Chorbit stands in profile, one hand on his hip. "I'm sure I don't have to tell you that even on a normal exploratory trek, we never know when we're going to run smack into an old Venolvian boneyard. The Steel isle was one of their central posessions." A brief smile crosses his face. "In other words, with as many old graves in as small an island as this one, be ready for undead"


He reaches behind the desk and pulls out two small wooden chests, places them on the desk, then pulls out two more.
"We at the Sceding Tree have been doing this for a while, and we want you to succeed...to bring us back things to sell. TradeLord knows we're in this for a profit." He picks up the first wooden box, which is reinforced with leather and small studs. "This is a Field healers kit. You're getting two of these."
He moves to the third box. Darker, with black leather reinforcement. "This is a trackers kit. It has a notations journal, magnifiers, and a few odds and ends."
He picks up the fourth box, a small affair, not even a foot long and very narrow. "I'm hoping you need this, actually. It's a basic lockpick set some friends at the Scarlet Pilums got from a contact. Best not ask how."


"Well, with these, and the map, we wish you the best. Ishma's Blessing"
Chorbit looks at the group again. "Now, you're a tough seeming crew, it seems."


Kellik looks everyone over one by one, sizing each up with squinted eyes, his scarred face settling on them in turn one by one... a slight smirk on his lips.

Chorbit: "Who needs the field healer's kits? Speak up"
Wurnik:" I can use one of those kits, Sirrah"

Mior_Carchedin glances around, and then says,"
Pray tell, Chorbit. How... numerous.. are these lizardmen?"
Chorbit says, "The Snakeyboys??? Down in the swamp, they're like A klaxie on dick. Tons swarmin' about the swamp areas below the forest."

Chorbit hands a field healer's kit to Wurnik. "Only one healer?"
Kellik looks over at Wurnik, catching his eye. "Just remember to keep me healthy... that is if you like your head on your shoulders"
Kellik chuckles to himself
Wurnik says, " From what I hear, I'm going to be busy with healing!"

Hamish_Haldane says, "Such pessimisn, surely we will not be in such dire straights"
Toden clears his throat. "I have a little healing ability. I will take the other kit for the good of the group."
Mior_Carchedin shrugs, and says," Fine by me."
Chrobit smiles. "That's the spirit, boyo."
Kellik says, "Relax Wurnik this should be fun. It's been too long since I knocked heads"

Chorbit "Now, does anyone need the tracking kit?"
Mior_Carchedin says, "Toss it over here."
Chorbit hands the wooden case over
Mior_Carchedin rummages through the contents.

Chorbit :"Now, I am hoping someone might need the pick and tools I carefully provided"
Hamish_Haldane looks around, then says,"Now my good Chorbit, how "aware" are people outside this office, about this discovery?"
Mior_Carchedin "I have some.. experience with locks. Perhaps it would be wise for me to hold on to that."
Toden looks over. "Yes, perhaps you should Hold onto that"

Kellik is leaning against the wall, arms crossed in an arrogant manner as he chews his lip... he seems a bit impatient

Chorbit says, " Any other questions about this map, or what is expected? I promise you, we'll give decent value ."
Mior_Carchedin smirks, and says, "Good value, eh? No advance payment for something so... valuable?"
Chorbit gives a little false smile. "I have A donkey waiting with field rations by the south wall, and watered wine. You'll be rewarded if you bring anything back."

Hamish_Haldane looks around, and says, "Hmmm, does anyone need to purchase anything else before we depart?"
Mior_Carchedin says, "I can't imagine anything else I could possibly need."
Wurnik says, "I packed well before I left the guild. I figured it was time to travel..."
Chorbit rolls his eyes upward a bit. "You'll have more than enough to spend when you come back, I'm hoping for all of our sakes."
"Those of us who do come back", says Hamish.
Kellik smiles and says, "Watered down wine, cheap field fair to eat, rocks for pillows, and lots of blood to spill, Ishma's luck, lets get going!"
Mior_Carchedin says, "Hold on one moment, anything specific you'd like us to keep an eye out for, Chorbit?"
Mior_Carchedin glances dissaprovingly at the gnome.
Chorbit cocks a thoughtful eye. "Mior, the last find was an old Venolvian fort, but there was still a good amount of their weird, insect-ish statuary. Worth quite a bit. The collectors really eat it up."

Kellik gives Mior a toothy, defiant, grin

"Just statuary then? Nothing more ..exotic?", asks Mior.
Hamish_Haldane says, "Statuary? Seems a rather heavy kind of treasure to be looking for, no?"
Chorbit shrugs. "I think most of it you'll know when you see, but these statues, even small ones are in demand." He points at Hamish. And the bigger ones you may get later, as they may be heavy, but worth it."

The five leave the richly appointed tradehouse, and make their way to the south wall, going down the hill area through the bazaar.
There is a little light snow, but none is sticking. It is first hour after noon, and there is foot and mounted traffic all around.
Kellik rubs his hands as he walks, as it is just above freezing.
The crew has an argument who should carry the map, ending with Mior, who can read and write in westic, ending up with it.

Hamish_Haldane says, " I almost think we should be departing by darkness"
Kellik sneers, "pssh..."
Hamish_Haldane perseveres. "Less chance of someone following us"

(Mior continues to make his case about the map, although none are left arguing with him. "I'm acquainted with maps of all kinds, guys.")

Wurnik turns to the two in the front, looking concerned "Why, friend Hamish?"
Kellik rolls his eyes, "Ack, lets get this train going says I. I'll knock anyone's block off that comes bothering us!"
Hamish_Haldane says, "Who knows who else this Chorbit has spoken too, a find of this magnitude, statuary and all, should be kept secret."
Mior_Carchedin sneers, "Hmph, none of the unsavouries in this sad excuse for a town are worth our worry."
Toden grins "Aye, my friends!"
Hamish_Haldane shakes his heads ruefully. "I seem to be the minority then, shall we depart then?"
Mior_Carchedin looks over the map
Kellik seems amused at being called friend.

Toden says "Tradegod knows we have a ways to travel!"
Mior_Carchedin says "Why, after me dear *friends*.", and turns towards the low wall.
Mior_Carchedin starts walking.
Hamish_Haldane falls into step behind the Omwo~
Kellik grins. "Besides it's colder than an omwo~ at a diplomats fair."
Mior_Carchedin glances backwards
"Lets get moving," says Kellik, "it will keep us warm."
Kellik gives Mior another grin and follows the group

" I will lead or follow, but the road is beckoning.", SAYS Toden.
Mior_Carchedin gets the map out as they walk. Everyone looks at it and comments.
Hamish_Haldane says, "How far away does the map show the ruins, Mior? I think you can just see the curve of the pentagram at the bottom."
" It's a fair trek. ", says Mior. "I'd wager it's about 15 miles."
Toden looks at the map. "Fifteen miles through the Moors and swamps???"
Mior_Carchedin says, "I would advise we stick closer to the coast for now. Little reason to go further inland. Looks more like ah, 12.5 miles, really"
Kellik : "Sounds good to me, Lead on."
Wurnik " Makes sense"

So the group gets to the south wall, where there is a little gate, and lo, a an angry orcash and a human wait with a heavily laden donkey. Both wear the leather over tunic that is the armor and uniform of many of the merchant guilds.

The human holding the donkey looks at the five of you. "He's giving all this food to just the five of ye?"
Mior_Carchedin leans forward. "I'd wager the gnome eats more than you'd think."
Kellik belches
Toden" "Tos said at the table, the smallest ones make noble war"
Hamish_Haldane remarks offhandlednly, "Perhaps we are meeting others on our way west my good man?"
The second one, an orcash in leather, just grunts. "Take her, then, we'd love to get warm" the two look at Haldane, clearly not having thought of the possibility.

Hamish_Haldane takes the reins of the donkey from the human

Kellik glances over at the donkey. "I wonder how much wine one of these hauls?"
the donkey shudders
The Orcash in leather snarls. " Arr, take er, then."
Hamish_Haldane glares at the offending beast, while the two tradeguards depart for "The happy Strumpet", a distracting inn with a poor reputation.

"No seriously though" Kellik walks over and attempts to peer in the packs. "How much wine we score?"
*Mior_Carchedin snorts derisively
Kellik finds there are 2 large skins of 'Bastion's Best'
5 loaves of way bread
92 cuts of dried travel meat
and 48 bagels
Mior_Carchedin asks, "No cheese!?"
Kellik shakes his head. "You elves and your cheese."

Hamish_Haldane snatches a pieces of travel meat, and starts leading the donkey out of the city. It is closing on second hour.
Kellik says, "Well nothing fancy, especially not watered down."
Hamish_Haldane keeps walking. "Let us be off"
Kellik, still looking in the wine, remarks "but good to have something"
Wurnik smiles "Next time for the cheese, friends. We'll be able to afford it"
Kellik follows Hamish.

The group goes south, through the moors that are on the southern edge of town





Stands of low trees and hills, and countless little streams interrupt travel. Here and there, a trail goes for a while, then ends. A few fortified farmhouses are passed as the group makes it's way cross country, heading south and a little east, looking for the coast.
Mior_Carchedin tries to peer though a small copse. "Ah, rolling hills, rustic farmers. Not a cheese to be seen. What a civilized island."
Toden says "Amigal, there is much in our future. How shall we march?" The group has been going through the tall grass and moors in a line.


Kellik says, "I'll take the rear, good to have someone who can fight in the back"
Wurnik snickers.

Hamish_Haldane says "I'll lead this beast (indicating the donkey), perhaps in the middle of our caravan?"
Kellik mutters "Not to mention I can make rude gestures at you celing kissers from the back."

Hamish_Haldane looks at Wurnik. "Would you care to be in the front?"
"I'm a doctor, not a miracle worker.", says Wurnik.
Mior_Carchedin: "Much as I hate to have a gnome behind me, I suppose it makes sense."
Wurnik raise his bow..."Not first rank. Howzat"
Mior_Carchedin reconsiders "Although, a gnome in front is nearly as bad, especially when you're downwind."
Wurnik..." But shooting over a gnome is pure gold!"
Toden says, " I can help in the front...Who is with me"
Kellik mutters, "Just be sure to shoot over me. I'm at prime height for your sweet spot."

Hamish_Haldane asks, " So, Toden. How did one such as yourself end up involved in our little adventure? And Mior, do you need to take the lead as our tracker?"
Toden rejoins "Mior, the middle part id best for you, unless you track"
Mior_Carchedin sighs, "I suppose it would be best for my keen nose to be in the lead. None of the rest of you could smell out an ox, let alone a lizardman."

Toden looks back. "The Prime of the Platform told me we had many debts to the Sceding Tree, Hamish. According to him, we had been ahead in that reckoning for as good long time, but recently they had done us a few good turns."

By now an hour has passed, and the group has made some little progress,
with almost a mile traveled. The cold temperature is bracing against the exertion. The snow is no longer falling.


Hamish_Haldane says, "I am happy to say that I am not familiar with the scent of a lizard man, my good Mior. So perhaps you are quite correct"
Toden remarks, "Nor am I honestly!"
"I am," says Kellik. "Like an omwo~ but not as bad."
Kellik wrinkles his nose
Mior_Carchedin ignores the gnome.

Hamish_Haldane changes the subject. "So...an hour out of the gate."
a copse of trees rears up on the coastal side, with a farmhouse made of stone to the west of you. They are both about 150 yards to the south.

Hamish_Haldane :"Anyone care for a bagle?"
Wurnik nods. "Yes, honestly. I'm a tad nervous."
Mior_Carchedin snorts. "Hah, without cheese, I'll save it till I'm dying of hunger."
Hamish_Haldane takes a bagel, and hands Wurnik and Kellik a bagel each
Mior_Carchedin looks for, any native plants with medicinal properties I can look for as he walks.
Kellik rips off a piece of bagel off of it with his teeth and chokes it down.
"hard as a rock"
Kellik takes another bite
Wurnik takes a look at Kellik, and thinks about handing him his bagel.
Hamish_Haldane, his mouth half full of bagel says, "Should we stop at the farmhouse, and perhaps find some more palatable stores?"
"Not that a good bagel can ever go wrong "
Kellik says, "You got something to trade them other than hard bread, tough meat, and watered wine?"
Kellik finishes his bagel with a forced gulp


Mior_Carchedin suddenly point, "Hark, dear friends, I spy something moving in the eaves of that copse."
Kellik looks over, and says, "What do you see?"
Hamish_Haldane, in between bites, says, "Hopefully it won't bother us until I can finish my bagel."
Kellik unlimbers his rapier. "Does it look like it needs killing?"
Hamish_Haldane hastily crams the rest of the bagel into his mouth

Mior_Carchedin says, "It seems to be.. a number of four legged beasts."
"I know plenty of things that have 4 legs that need killing," Says Kellik hopefully. He seems overly excited
Toden rejoins, "Aye!!!" The group is probably 100 yards away now, steering between the farmhouse and the forest.
Mior_Carchedin counsels caution. "Let us be wary as we pass by. They are man-height at the shoulder."
Kellik takes the side of the group nearest to the copse of wood.
Hamish_Haldane asks, "Are they hairy?" as Wurnik unlimbers his bow.

Mior_Carchedin squints. The rest of the group still has no idea what he is seeing. "There's three.. I don't recognize them. Some kind of horned deer."
Wurnik nods "Probably Argussian Deer, I'd think..."
Kellik smiles. " Hey, Meat!"
Mior_Carchedin looks over to the off side. "Dangerous, Wurnik?"
Wurnik nods. "Not a major threat, but they are tough and violent."
Hamish_Haldane smiles. "Seems we won't need to trade for some fresh meat. "Wurnik or Mior, could you perhaps bring one down?" Mior shrugs. "I've hardly known a dangerous deer."

Kellik nods, a light in his eye. "A good challenge."
They are about 75 yards from the copse when the deer emerge from the woods.

Hamish_Haldane shakes his head. "How dangerous could a deer be?"
Kellik shrugs. "Better by far than what we have to eat."
Hamish_Haldane draws his silvered rapier while Kellik kellik spits.
Mior_Carchedin draws a bead.
[07:05 pm] * Kellik positions himself 10 feet in front of mior
Toden "Kellik, shall we move forward and wait for a charge?"
Kellik nods "I like the sound of that", noting the two foot high grass.

Hamish_Haldane yells to the two in front. "Kellik, let me enchant your rapier."
Kellik shrugs. For Deer? "if you want", and holds it up for Hamish.
Hamish_Haldane moves up and begins to move his hands in a wave pattern, right behind Kellik, as the deer begin to charge.
Hamishes hands glow blue
Then Mior's bow sings
And that;s an arrow arching, arching...and landing on a big Argussian deer! It staggers a bit, and falls behind the others a bit.
Kellik grins and turns to face the charging deer, as his rapier suddenly is surrounded by an icy glow.


Hamish_Haldane charges towards the wounded deer, as Mior shoots again. He drops his bow as he shoots, burying an arrow in the dirt 5' in front of him. "Blasted biting flies."
Toden and Kellik are a little out in front, awaiting the deer charge.
Wurnick shoots a hunting arrow. And hits a tree.

Kellik laughs. "I think the archers have had too much to drink."
Kellik must have been thrown off by the laugh, as he trips as he slashes. The Deer tries to gore him as he goes down, but he rolls away from it.

Kellik is all worked up as he rises. "Come on you ugly hunk of meat!!"

Mior's bow sings again. The arrow arches up and then lands in the Huge Deer's shoulder.
2 arrows sticking from it, it plows forward

Kellik slashes at the deer as it turns back around to him, drawing blood, then a blue-white Gout of frozen water erupts all over the deer!
Kellik howls "I can already smell the venison cooking!", as the deer staggers.
Hamish_Haldan cackles. "More like freezing my friend!"
Kellik bursts out laughing
The deer collapses in a heap of freezing blood.
Hamish_Haldane Cheers! "Well done Kellik!"
another deer tries to gore toden, but the horns scrape harmlessly over his studded leather.
He lashes out with his axe and crushes the antlers and head.
Another deer lies flat, and bloodied/

The last deer, with 2 arrows in it, stops and wheels, as Miors bow sings again. The arrow hits the deer in the back, and it collapses
Mior_Carchedin golf claps politely.

Hamish_Haldane was running towards the farthest deer, but slows down, now that they are all down.
Mior_Carchedin pats Hamish on the back. "You'll get one next time."
Kellik smiles. "Good work...so which of you is good at skinning and gutting?"
Hamish_Haldane sheaths his silvered rapier

Second Session

The group is standing around the three huge argussian deer they had brought down. They are in the moors a mile south of Steel ISle Town, a copse of wood to the east, a low farmhouse and other buildings 100 yards to the west.
It is cold, around 30 degrees, and a little windy on the moors. Patchy old snow is on the ground, amonsgt the old grasses.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mior says, "bleesh, I should have got a light compound instead of a light long, I'll do that next time we're in town."

It's long after scond hour in the aftenoon, the 5 of you stand among the Argussian deer corpses.

Mior Goes to retrieve his arrows, finding one broken irretrievably. That was the one he attacked the ground with. Mior_Carchedin looks forlornly at the broken arrow
Hamish_Haldane says, " This is a ridiculous amount of meat, do you think we should see if that farm house has a smoke house or something?" referring to the farm house to the right of their track.
Mior_Carchedin says, " Mayhaps he would be interested in buying it off us."
" That is brilliant.", notes Toden.
"If anyone is resident.. anyways., " says Mior as he peers at the farmhouse.
the long, low farmhouse is 100 yards to the right of the explorers.
Hamish_Haldane says, " maybe we could trade some of it to get the rest smoked..."

All notate it has a fire coming from the smokestack, whilst Kellik is strapping his collected antler onto the groups pack animal for now

Hamish_Haldane says, " ok, the next thing is. How do we move roughly 1800lbs of deer meat?"
Kellik says, " I don't care, whatever we do with it as long as it tastes good and I get some"
Mior_Carchedin looks over, and says ,"Toden, you're a strapping fellow, up for some heavy lifting?"
Toden looks aggrieved.
"Did anyone bring an axe", asks Kellik
Toden: "Aye, I fight with a Bhuj!"
" We could try making a sled for it."m notes Kellik doubtfully, noting they weight in at 500-650 lbs each
Wurnik syas "A mixed blessing, to be sure"
Mior_Carchedin sasy, "I'm going to go over to yonder hovel to first see if the rustics are interested in buying it before we waste our time."
Kellik says "that or we could always try skinning and gutting em here"
Hamish_Haldane exclaims, "You know what, the farmer probably has a cart or some beasts, let us go over and see what is around the farm."
Kellik says, " and haul the pieces..."
Hamish_Haldane looks at Kellik funny... "like Mior says"
Kellik snarls, "Bah! Whatever..."

Mior starts, and the rest follow, to the long farmhouse
Except Kellik who stays put. "I'm not letting that meat go unguarded"
Kellik finds a nice place to sit in the (to him) tall grass and starts carefully wiping his sword, slightly annoyed from being ignored


The door is thick, and well made, of Darkwood painted grey
Hamish_Haldane raps on the door three times quickly
The sound does not echo, and the door flies open
Note : rollHamish rolled at 8 for Social CC. You can see how skill rolls really dictate the flow of the game and force roleplaying.
A slightly disfigured, strong hobyt stands in front of you with a loaded, cocked arbalest. He looks the group over, and brakes into a smile.
"Well, by the Hosting God, " says he. "Is that Hamish Haldane???"
Hamish_Haldane grins widely, and says, "Indeed it is, how are you,friend?
Mior_Carchedin is taken aback. "I take it you two know each other."
the hobyt puts down his weapon, and says in accented Westic "Ogliec knows, of course we do!!! We both have worked the Tradegod's way for the Guellium Trders!"
Mior_Carchedin leans forward conspiratorially
Hamish_Haldane says, "My friend, We recently had an encounter with some Argussian Deer, nothing too troubling. But now we have quite a bit of meat on our hands."
The ugly hobyt smiles again, the scar on his face dancing, " Hamish here was the most talented apprentice in adecade1" * Hamish_Haldane blushes slightly
Mior_Carchedin suddenly looks deflated, but rallies with , "Well friend Hobyt, what say you, want to but some meat?"
The Hobyt smiles again, " I'm Shurumm Heatherhands. You say you have fresh deermeat?, on top of old friends?" He looks quite eager
Hamish_Haldane laughs. "More than you could imagine Shurumm, do you have a wagon?", he asks.
Shuruum says, "" Aye, two. What kind of deer, and how many?"
Mior_Carchedin tries to peer past the Hobyt to look into the farmhouse
Hamish_Haldane says, "Three Argussian Deer I believe", looking to Wurnick to confirm.
Wurnick nods. "Aye, three BIG argussian deer, my fine friend. Fat, and healthy"
Hamish_Haldane says, "Oh indeed, a healthier specimen you would not see. Aside from being dead that is"
Shuruum's eyes go wide in disbelief. "Three of the big, nasty ones?? Jublex' word, or really?"
"Would you care to bring out a wagon, and we can go inspect it?", says Hamish. "We left a member of our group behind. I'd like to introduce you."
The Hobyt nearly runs over the explorers getting the wagon.
Hamish_Haldane walks back towards where we fought the Deer, and the rest follow.
Mior_Carchedin calls over to Shuruum, and Kellik notices the group returning.
Hamish_Haldane says. "Great news Kellik, the farmer was a friend of mine, he seems eager."
[Kellik cocks an eye. "Eager to what?"
Hamish_Haldane says, " just eager in general...I should say, we'll have no problem trading or selling this meat"
Mior_Carchedin is speaking to the hobyt. "Anyone else living in that big house with you, Shuruum?"
Wurnik follows Hamish, while Toden goes with the farmer

Shuruum says," My wife and brood are all there. And the ladies will want some as well. Quite a fortunate turn"
Kellik climbs up on the nearest carcass
* Mior_Carchedin looks nonplussed
Kellik, "I ain't going this whole trip with nothing but dry bread and travel meat."

so it is almost third hour when the wagon, led by 2 donkey , and the rest of the group, area all back with Kekkik
Mior_Carchedin peers across the field and spies the gnome making a fool of himself, he looks somewhat amused.
Kellik is still expounding. "...deaths door, thats why we brought these ugly slabs of meat down! Food!"
Toden, "Aye, how fortuitous for us!"
Hamish_Haldane says, " Well, we don't have to sell all of it, but I don't think we can travel with anywhere near all of it, Kellik"
Kellik grimaces theatrically. "You best make sure we're left with some."
Hamish_Haldane says, "On my honor Kellik, I will make sure."
Mior_Carchedin looks over to the farmer. "Eh, what do you say, Shuruum, can we leave some here for you to smoke and pick it up on the way back?"
Shuruum looks at the huge piles of deer. "Hamish, my friend, three of them? Ogleic's name, you were not using the words of Jubilex. How did you kill these babies?"
Kellik says, "You skyscrapers... sometimes I wonder if there's anything between your ears."
Kellik jumps off the deer
Hamish_Haldane says, "It was my companions good Shuruum," "and he introduces Kellik to Shuruum and his brood'
Mior_Carchedin grins winningly and strikes a pose near the deer he killed.
the hobyt stepos forward, "I am Shuruum, what is your name?" he says to Kellik
Hamish_Haldane says, "Kellik took one down himself! so did out gartier friend Toden, the last was downed by Mior."
Kellik looks shurumm over for a second
Shuruum looks over the group in turn. ""I am mightiuly impressed. I have enough food for the family, and a bit for the ladies. What do you ask?"
Mior_Carchedin wishes he knew how much the deer were worth, though he thinks he has an idea.
Kellik says, "I ask that these rockheads... especially the white-eyed ninny over there doesn't trade off all the meat."
Hamish asks, "well, Shurrum, do you have a smokehouse? or some way to cure the meat?"
Shuruum..." Aye, a smokehouse and a butchery, so shall we smoke one for ye, and I take the others in trade?"
Mior_Carchedin, says "Yes, that would do."
Hamish_Haldane crosses his arms. "How about, you smoke one for us.you take one
and we take half on one fresh"

[note]this was followed by another bad roll.. and another bad one by Mior[/note]

Shurrum says" My friends, I need some for the ladies. The family will be fine, but I owe them. "
Hamish_Haldane sighs. "Alright, but we keep the antlers and the skins. How does that sound?"
[20:50] Since you seem to be such a good friend of Hamish's.. how about 25 goodwives for the deer and a half?
SHuruum rolls his eyes. " So I'll smoke one an a half, butcher one, and give half to the ladies."
"We'll take a maybe 20lbs of decent cuts from ours to supplement our current supplies. How does that sound?", says Hamish
Kellik says "how long will butchering and smoking take you?"
Shuruum looks at Mior..." The ladies need some, m'friend." Then he looks over to Hamish
"Friend Hamish, that sounds like a deal I could manage"
Shuruum looks over to Kellick..."I can have iot done by tomorrow am, at l;east the part that will hold you up."
Hamish_Haldane looks to the group
Mior_Carchedin shrugs
Hamish_Haldane says, "Anyone have issues with this? Seems fair to me."
Shurrum says "And 10 goodwives for the scion of Demongorgon asking for money, I suppose."
Hamish_Haldane laughs
Mior_Carchedin rolls his eyes
Toden asks the hobyt..."Where shall we sleep, friend Shuruum?"
Hamish_Haldane says, "Alright, lets begin loading these monsters" [note=Argussian Deer are 500-800 lbs]
Hamish_Haldane busies himself with loading the deer into the cart
Mior_Carchedin looks over at Toden, Hamish, and Wurnik, "Yes, you do that."
Mior_Carchedin stands to the side, yawning.
Shuruum says, " I ahve a low barn, and much hay. Will that suit. Friend Hamish will stay in the house, as a guildmate."
"I think I'd rather sleep in a tree." Says Mior_Carchedin, "Maybe I'll do just that."
Kellik asks, "hey anybody got some tinder, I need to set fire to a tree tonight"
Kellik grins
Wurnik says, " My friend, a tree is not as comfortable. Take comfort while we can..."
Mior_Carchedin sighs in an exaggerated manner
Hamish_Haldane grabs a piece of dried meat from the donkeys supplies.
Hamish_Haldane while chewing says,"Alright, its settled then, lets get this meat moved!"
Mior_Carchedin sighs, "Fine, I acquiesce. A barn. Whatever. "
Shurruum says, " I will tell my wife and 2 daughters to prepare deer for all of us, with wine and sheerbean." The ladies won't send their wolves for days"
All of you struggle to get the meat on board the wagon.
Mior_Carchedin struggles half-heartedly
And before 4th hour, the smell of peppar, sea salt, and tender deer is all around you.

This is the rest of session 2
------------------------------------------------------------------

Hamish asks, "So, Shurumm, these ladies you are indebted to. How did this happen?"
Mior_Carchedin eyes the silverware
Kellik's mouth is watering
Shuruum nods slowly..."The Ladies? Nay, I owe them. They speak to the trees and beasts, they are protected by the curse of Vernidale"
Kellik makes a face. "ugh"
Hamish_Haldane looks at the hobyt farmer, "Protected you say?"
Mior_Carchedin says, "Hah, curse. And there's werebeasts in the woods too."
Shuruum node. " Aye. They have been here long before my time. They are witches, but a little meat and wine, and I have no livestock problems"

Kellik smiles, "speaking of wine..." and eyes Shuruum
Hamish_Haldane says "How far away are the Ladies? We're going a ways south.... Perhaps we could stop by on our way. I'd like to have a chat with them"
At this point, a healthy hobyt teenage girl in a white dress with all the right curves brings the out2 bottles.
Mior_Carchedin pockets a fork while everyone is distracted.


Chorian Burntwise 888 in both bottles
Mior_Carchedin peers deeply into the bottle
Kellik smiles partly at the wine and partly at the hobyt being as she is rather "easy on the eyes"

Mior_Carchedin smiles slyly
shurrum says, " My girls work hard on the homestead, but good wine is a man's best reward!"
Hamish_Haldane lifts a hand. "Cheers to that! "

Kellik says, "good wine is a man's right"
Mior_Carchedin chinmes with, " Yes, the best reward. Who would even think of being rewarded with anything else? Not me, says I. Nothing else to reward myself with here."
Hamish_Haldane however refuses the wine, and takes wateronly
Vreeg_GM> the curvacious hobyt smiles at Hamish Haldane
Kellik sniffs at the wine
Mior_Carchedin downs a glass slowly
Hamish_Haldane grins back at her weakly
the deer come off the spit easily, and with that and warm Omik bread and the vegetables, the aura of good food is overpowering
Mior_Carchedin starts eating unusually fast, and is done quite before everyone else.
Kellik takes a taste of the wine, savoring the bitterness. He savors the food and wine, he seems almost a different person at the table
the girls and Shuruum enjoy the wine as well. There are 3 younger boys and a 4 yr old girl as well
\ Mior_Carchedin eyes the gnome warrily
Shurrum, " Friend Kellik the wine seems not to be lost on you."
Kellik surfaces a bit..." I'd rather lose myself than lose my wine". He takes a bite of the deer and then another sip of wine, enjoying how the flavors mix
Shuruum Mior_Carchedin peers about
(the other girl is whispering in Hamishes ear
Hamish_Haldane Stands from the table quickly, and says. "I.. err, must excuse myself for a moment/"
Hamish_Haldane beats a hasty retreat outside
Kellik throws Hamish a 'go get her' wink.


the very cute hobyt girl looks bemused
Mior says, "Shurrum.. your humble abode is quite rustic. Er.. common. Commonly charming. Quite charmed, yes."
Wurnik frowns at Mior.
Kellik finishes off the glass and the last bit of his meat. And continues by absent mindedly eating a bit of bread
Shurrum smiles. "It is a simple life, but satisfying. And, this bounty of the best meat...simply providential. Ishma smiles on all of us"
Kellik says, " my stomach smiles back"
Toden lifts his glass.
Mior_Carchedin leans back "Yes, satisfying. My complements to the chef."
The merely cute hobyt smiles back.
Hamish_Haldane wanders off towards the woods, making sure he isn't followed

Mior_Carchedin says, "I think I shall retire for the eve. We needs must set out early, ruins to see, lizards to meet."
Shuruum holds out his hands. there is a bread pudding, and a sweet mead to end off the meal
Kellik is suddenly hungry again, and Wurnik sits back down.
Mior_Carchedin waves off the dessert and heads for the barn.
The girls both smile at Kellik's appatites
The dream-worthy one brings over the mead bottle, "More sweet stuff, noble warior?"
Kellik looks frankly at his host "Well shuruum, any place that has food and drink this good is good in my book"
Kellik accepts And chuckles at being called noble warrior
Mior_Carchedin rummages through the barn looking for hidden valuables.


Back in the house, Shuruum beams. "Honestly, friend Kellik, it is the best type of night. This meat will ake my life easier in many ways. And the Ladies will approve."
Mior_Carchedin gives up exhaustedly after finding his twentieth old boot.

The rest of the group starts to wander back to the barn.
Wurnik, Toden, Mior and Hamish are both in the barn now. Kellik, the 2 girls, and Shuruum are left in the firelight drinking"
In the barn, Hamish_Haldane says, " so, Mior my good friend, do you think we should go and visit these Ladies?" "they might have some obscure bit of lore, regarding our destination?"
Mior_Carchedin says, " Hm, it might do to find out what powers walk these woods."
(IN the house, Kellik the gnome tells shuruum and his girls a few omwo~ jokes, and they all crack up.)
Shuruum ,and both girls laugh for minutes, the very curvacious bends over so you can see her huge chest.."

Wurnik, back in the barn..."aye. Any help we can get..."
Hamish_Haldane says, " the er... nice lass... told me they live off to the south. It is on our way"
Mior_Carchedin says, " These forests are so unfamiliar to me, nothing like home. I would be interested in meeting those who live here."
Hamish_Haldane recounts the directions he was given. "Just after a bridge, the first we come across she said"
Wurnik says, "Aye, they might have much to tell us.  What harm, i wonder?"
Hamish_Haldane, " agreed, we can let Kellik know in the morning. he seems to be enjoying himself. Goodnight my fellow travelers"
Hamish_Haldane doses off


Kellik says, "Well thanks for the wonderful time, not much chance for that when you're travelling like this. "I better go make sure the rest of them aren't raising hell"
Hamish_Haldane node, "agreed, we can let Kellik know in the morning. he seems to be enjoying himself. Goodnight my fellow travelers"
Hamish_Haldane doses off


Back in the house Shurrum says, " Kellik, nice to have youy qal here. I shall rouse you at dawn."
Kellik bids them good night and winks at the good looking hobyt and heads off to the barn

Mior_Carchedin climbs up to the loft to look at the stars and falls asleep
Wurnik and Toden sleep at the entrance, to watch
Mior_Carchedin dreams of deer that he never recieves any money for.
Kellik walks in to see them asleep
Mior_Carchedin dreams. "mrhhh.. just one... one silver piece"
Kellik grabs a piece of hay and amuses himself by tickling mior's nose.
Kellik eventually gets bored and heads over and bunks down next to the gartier


Mior_Carchedin dreams of deer recede into horrible nightmares of scantily clad gnomes

SHuruum wakes you all in the am...
Mior_Carchedin wakes looking shaken and covered in a cold sweat
It is around 15 degrees outside, though 40 in the barn
kellik looks refreshed, Toden comes back from his morning run.
It is now 5am , Tokush 2
Mior_Carchedin walks outside, yawns and stretches
Toden smles at Hamish. "I could get used to travelling this way"
Mior says, "I'd rather a pallanquin."
Hamish_Haldane mutters forlornly... "Or a wagon"
Hamish_Haldane busies himself loading the donkey, as Wurnick laughs.
Mior_Carchedin pets the donkey absent-mindedly
Kellik and Toden compare notes
Mior_Carchedin looks their way and grimaces
by 6am, the group heads south fortifies with hot Om bread.
Hamish_Haldane, "After some discussion last night, I think we should stop and see these Ladies"
the Sun is coming up, warming all a bit.
Mior_Carchedin stops whistling a tune from his childhood
Wurnik, " Aye, hamish"
Mior_Carchedin says, "Yes, Hamish, these ladies. We must speak with them."
Hamish_Haldane says, "So, there's a pass after the first bridge we cross or track really"
Wurnik asks, " Can any of us track at all?"
Mior_Carchedin shrugs
Hamish_Haldane says, "Not I, strictly a son of the city here, Wurnik"
Mior_Carchedin says, "I'm acquainted with the woods.. but have nary had much a need to track anything."
So the group travels for an hour, and the moor grows more wild.
Mior_Carchedin keeps a nose out for beasts


You have wandered through the thick grass and the thousands of small streams. The dead grass is high and whip-strong, coursing with the cold wind. The planars of Winter have not given up their grip here, though a few days of less cold have brought on some feeble promise of future greenery. Harsh bird-call is heard here and there, and wolves can also be heard far in the distance, competing with the wind.

Occasionally, a white column or a bit of rubble can be seen holding out against nature, or cleverly placed by the ancient builders on dry hillocks. This Tenimarple testimony is abundant enough to revise the explorer's estimate of how densly populated the Steel Isle once was.



After walking through a few miles of this, and skirting swampier areas, underbrush grows, and the few trees give way to ful copses of trees. The trees often cut the wind, and some of the inner ones are showing signs of waking up from the winter.



The ground is still mainly flat, but to avoid the really marshy areas, the group goes up and down a few small hills. Water can be heard more often, and after coming over one rise in a forested area, the group comes across an ancient bridge spanning a large stream. On your side of the water, there are virtually no signs of what should be a road leading up to the ancient span.

The winter mosses cover much of the 80' span, and in places it seems to be crumbling under the weight of ages. Obviously an ancient Venolvian way, it seems to be the best way over this watercourse.


Mior_Carchedin sighs. "Alas, it becomes ever more clear this island was once so much more." He mutters about miserly hobyts and disgusting hovels
Hamish_Haldane looks around. "This must be the first bridge, everyone be on the lookout for a track after we cross."
Toden says, "Aye. This span is a marvel of ancient hands" It is now 8am, and the sun is above the scattered trees.
Wurnik nods "These old folk knew their stuff. How old is this work?"
Mior_Carchedin points at the large number of human, omwo~, klakik, tracks going toward the bridge. Wurnik ins amazed, once shown.
Mior_Carchedin says. "No-one heard anything about Chorbit hiring a second crew? Have they? "
Kellik. Says, ""humans? Orcash?? who comes this way?"
Hamish_Haldane, "Ah, that bastard Chorbit. Sold us out...Mark my words, there will be a reckoning when we get back."
Mior_Carchedin says, "Well, I'd rather that than bandits."
Mior_Carchedin, "It is suspicious, though."
Hamish_Haldane glowers... "A big score he says, lots of statuary he says. I'll show him statuary..." mumbles off ranting.
Wurnik says," I am not sure. But at least, by this span, I feel like these ancients had some currency."
Mior_Carchedin grins at the mention of currency
Hamish_Haldane shakes his head. "If I meet these chumps, I'll teach them for moving in on our score"
Mior_Carchedin says, " Well, we'll just have to see what's left, won't we?"
Hamish_Haldane nods again, "Do you think perhaps its those people from the gate?"
Mior_Carchedin sniffs derisively
Wurnik.." Those poltroons... perhaps...Toden first?
Hamish_Haldane smiles, "then Kellik?"
Mior_Carchedin is still mad... "They didn't seem to have more than one brain to rub together between them. Not a chance."

The group crosses one at a time, as per Hamish, to be safer

Mior looks around..."The path seems to be over here."
Hamish_Haldane, "lets follow my friends, to the Ladies we go"
Hamish_Haldane grabs the donkey
Mior_Carchedin says, "Lead on then."
This path is ancient, and the group can see a fieldstone or two, as well as a bit of brick on occasion
so the group travels and moves down this path, well tracked and well travelled
Mior_Carchedinlooks up from the path. "I'm kind of surprised really, who comes out this way?"
Hamish_Haldane, "I think Shuruum mentioned Vernidale's Cursed...so, watch out for werebeasts!"
Mior_Carchedin examines the fresher tracks more closely. "Mere hours old.", he says.

another hour passes, as the group moves slower as Mior tracks carefully
Mior_Carchedin asks, "We're tailing someone."
Hamish_Haldane says, " is it the same people from before?"
Mior_Carchedin says, "By the bootmarks, I'd wager you are right."
Hamish_Haldane rubs his jaw. " hmmm, probably not the bumbling fools from the gate...Perhaps Chorbit did not sell us out..., we shall see"
Mior_Carchedin shakes his head..." At least ten have been this way."
Hamish_Haldane is taken aback. "hmmm, should we proceed stealthy like? I don't think we could fight 10 at once."
Mior_Carchedin says, " I don't think they're expecting us." and then stops, confused by the ground.
Wurnik. takes out his bow. " Not 10 trained warriors, honestly"
Mior_Carchedin finally looks up.... "This small track here.. to the west...Only.. wolf prints. The others go on to the south."
Hamish_Haldane grabs a bagel, "Anyone else care for a bagel?"
and he chews thoughtfully
Mior_Carchedin waves him off absently, while looking at the wolf tracks
Hamish_Haldane says, " weres do you think?"
Hamish_Haldane shudders. "or... something worse?"
Mior_Carchedin shakes his head again..." Unknowable and only one way to find out.
Hamis tosses Wurnik a bagel
Mior_Carchedin says, "Still ten going south. They all go along that way."
Hamish_Haldane says, "Ok, follow the wolves or the 10?"
Toden asks, "what did they tell us about the ladies?"
Mior_Carchedin says, " Let us meet these wolves to the west. Our ladies perhaps?"
Hamish_Haldane looks at the others. " They have some of Vernidales Cursed, powerful? witches, more then 1 know about. thats all I got, I had to er... excuse myself, rather early in the night.'
Mior_Carchedin raises an eyebrow
Hamish_Haldane blushes slightly
Hamish_Haldane clears his throat
kellik grins
Hamish_Haldane clears his throat. " Ok, so lets follow the wolves?"
Mior_Carchedin shrugs. "we can always backtrack."
Hamish_Haldane nods. "Agreed."
the group travels west, through lighter moors
the trees become less, but the hills become more
the group comes down a hillock, and finds 2 huge, black wolves on either side of them...gigantic, and growling...it is 1st hour after noon, and all has gone wrong.
Hamish_Haldane says, " Anyone know what a were looks like? Cause if these are, I dont think we should kill the Ladies pets"
Mior_Carchedin eyes widen, "Uh.. yeah.. whichever."
Mior_Carchedin edges behind Toden.
they do not attack, but growl softly and move behind you
Mior_Carchedin says shakily , " Well, how about we keep going then? Seems like a good idea. Yes, forward. Moving backwards never won any races."
Hamish_Haldane does not take his eyes of the wolves. "I concur good Mior"
Toden seems surprisingly philospohical. " Hmm. Geryon and Vernidale either smile on us, or shits down our throats."
Hamish_Haldane stands beside the donkey
Mior_Carchedin looks back at the wolves nervously
Hamish_Haldane moves forward sticking close to the pack animal



the omwo~ ladiy screams at you, and runs away the other direction
Hamish_Haldane yells, "gah! Wait!"
Mior_Carchedin calls after in omwo, but one wolf follows her, the other growls menacingly
Mior_Carchedin yes, "Wait!"
Hamish_Haldane, "Look, my furry friend I have no wish to hurt you, and reveals the top inch of his rapier"
The Lycanthrope growls at the group...aggressively.

There were 2 werewolves, protecting the druidess'. But as we are playing by the rolls, the druidess REALLY got skeeved out by the city-slickers, and sicced one of her wolves on them.

Now, this is a beginning group of adventurers, so even one werewolf is a tough fight for them. But the the way combat works in guildschool, numbers have a lot to do with stuff, especially with the high damage potential.

The role play was again exceptional, especially at the end of the combat.

Session 3---Enter the Werewolf.

The Were Growls at you, green Eyes ablaze.
Kellik and Mior are in the front,
Hamish and Toden are in the rank about 5 feet behind the front

Mior_Carchedin holds his silver fork out wardingly and begins moving to the rear of the group
and Wurnuik is in the back
Kellik draws his rapier
Hamish_Haldane says, "Toden, try and hold it up, and Kellik, let me enchant your rapier."
"good idea, " says Kellik.
Hamish_Haldane draws his rapier and moves towards Kellik, who holds up his rapier.
Toden steps up in front of Kellik to draw the giant Wolf's attention, and swings with his Bhuj.
Toden is not even close, the quick beast bounds out of range.
Mior_Carchedin unlimbers his bow and knocks an arrow
the wolf fades left, as Wurnik and Mior draw arrows, Kellik takes a defensive stance holding up his rapier for Hamish to enchant, and Toden pulls his axe out of the ground and tries to draw the creature.

Hamish's hand light a bright white and blue, and the rapier takes on a white-blue glow.  Hamish has cast coldnsap.

Kellik screams, "ok you half-breed moron come get what's coming to ya"
Kellik holds the rapier up in an offensive stance
Wurnik's bow sings, but the arrow bounces off the creature's hide
Mior also shoots an arrow, which bounces right of the creature's hide. Clearly, this creature in unnatural...
Toden's axe swings at the creature legs, but miss mightily.
* Mior_Carchedin 's eyes grow wide as he begins fumbling with his fork and a length of twine
The Great wolf jumps for Toden, a huge furry mass of dark hair and claws.


Mior_Carchedin hurriedly ties his silver fork to an arrow, then frowns at the ungainly device, as The wolf rips at Toden's throat and right shoulder, blood gushes and the gartier's arm is ripped clean off his body! Toden falls gurgling to the ground as the giant wolf wheels on the group.


Kellik is now beyond pissed. "YOU BASTARD!!", he screams
Kellik jumps at the wolf
Mior_Carchedin screams in an undignified manner
* Hamish_Haldane just stops, frozen in shock

the wolf ducks back from Kellik, and dodges another arrow from Mior.
Wurnik's bow sings as kellik alone tries to keep the creature form the group. Hamish is behind him a pace, trryingt to stay calm and cast 'ColdSnap' on his own weapon.
Wurnik, in his panic, shoots the sky
Hamish'shands glow blue white once more, and his rapier is lit with blue fire. Both Kellik's and Hamish's rapiers are sputtering white-blue drops of ice.  Both Kellik's and Hamish's rapiers are enchanted with Coldsnap.  

Hamish charges the were , screaming, "TODEEEEEN!!!!!"
The wolf, seemingly unimpressed, jumps at Kellik. It is tired of the dance, huge, 250 lbs at the least.  It's eyes flash green
Mior_Carchedin nocks his forkarrow
Kellik has a fell look in his eyes, even as the creature tries to overbear him, snapping and biting.

Kelliks right leg has a vicious rip down it, bleeding profusely, but he roars and does not even hold up, and levels his rapier


Kellik's rapier zips over the giant, uninjured wolf.
Mior's bow sings again. The arrow wobbles in the air, due to the silver fork tied to the front of it.
The arrow slides over the wolf's spine, drawing a bit of blood
Hamish Haldane uses Kellik to get position to the left of the wolf, and darts in to stab at the wolf, but slice thin air.
Wurnik shoots an arrow, trying to catch the wolf diving.
and manages to ht the ground. "Damn the Unbalance!!!", he yells.
Hamish's rapier comes around on the backstroke.
Hamish gets closer this time, but the huge wolf is too nimble .
Mior shoots an arrow as the wolf jumps at Kellik's other leg, going very low to hamstring the Gnome.

The arrow ricochet's off the wolf's thick hide, but slows it a bit.   A bit of blood begins to flow...

Suddenly, the group feel an uplift, a momentary feeling that all things balance in the end...
Wurnik has cast an apprentice heal spell on Toden succesfully...without an arm, Toden is badly hurt, but he is alive...


The wolf again fails to overbear Kellik, who defends the group steadfastly. Both of Kelliks legs are now bleeding heavily, and the wolf is grinning a wolfish grin.


Wurnik comes up behind Kellik, and his hands glow. The gnome warrior feels the power of the balance enter him and his wounds lessen. Kellik has a glazed look in his eyes but is still determined to rip the guts out of the thing that nearly killed Toden.
Hamish has gotten back into position, and dances forward, feinting right and driving the rapier home
Kellik has a glazed look in his eyes but is still determined to rip the guts out of the thing that nearly killed Toden.
Hamish catches the were jumping away from Kellik, squarely in the left chest, and the blade gushes blue-white water as it contacts and drives into flesh.
The wolf is bleeding, wolf jumps at Hamish...but the wound drives it off-balance and he misses Hamish, as the delvan human ducks under the bite.
Hamish_Haldane laughs in the were's face. "Yield you mangy dog!"
mior shorts another arrow, "Grandpapa! Guide my arrows true!"
Mior's grandfather is hard of hearing, as the arrow flies wide.
Kellik, bleeding and angry, tries to stab the were as it dodges the arrow.



Kellik catches the giant, bleeding wolf full in the throat as it turns to him, burying the rapier as the giout of white-blue frozen water bursts into the wound...the were looks quizzical for a second, then collapses. It's throat is a ruined, bloody pulp.
Mior_Carchedin applauds
Kellik jumps on the thing and starts stabbing the crap out of it in rage
wurnik sits down, then goes back to Toden
"DIE... YOU... BASTARD", screams Kellik as he works.
Mior_Carchedin picks up his forkarrow and kisses it
Hamish_Haldane lets out a sigh of relief, saying "Well done friend Kellik."
Kellik finally collapses to his knees, blood flowing down his legs

Hamish_Haldane walks over to Toden
Mior_Carchedin sighs. "Like Grandpapa always said, never trust a man with green eyes and too much armpit hair."
Hamish_Haldane lets out a strained laugh
Mior_Carchedin looks confused for a minute pondering his recollection of that statement and shrugs.
Wurnik is putting a huge bandage on Toden's arm.
"Toden.. I don't know what to say. None of us expected that, says Hamish quietly.
The glen is quite, as Toden sobs quietly.
Wurnik's spell has him functional, but with the loss of a limb he is maimed for life.
Hamish_Haldane says, " I think we should return to the farm." Hamish_Haldane ponders for a second, then puts Toden's severed arm onto the donkey.
Wurnik. Says, " I agree...Toden needs succor, and cannot go on"
Hamish_Haldane says, " Kellik, can you walk?"
Kellik pries out one of the wolves teeth
Kellik groans, "I'll manage."
Kellik gets up roughly and walks over to Toden, and puts the tooth in Toden's hand.
Hamish_Haldane attempts to build a fire
Hamish_Haldane looks a little digusted. " Anyone have something to start a fire with? I think we should destroy the corpse, I don't want it revived"
Kellik sits down next to Toden, not saying anything... just puts his hand on his good arm reassuringly
toden nods absently
Mior_Carchedin says, " Well, that was adventurously misadventurous.. er.. yes. Mayhaps we should leave as soon as possible?"
Mior_Carchedin eyes the corpse warrily

And the Explorers try to find safety, battered and bruised...
Session 4-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


It is almost third hour, and the group starts slowly going north
Hamish_Haldane cuts off the were’s head, with Toden’s fallen Bhuj.
Mior_Carchedin sniffs the air warrily
Hamish_Haldane grabs a bagel
Hamish_Haldane says, “Anyone else care for a bagel? I know it isn't the best time... “
Mior_Carchedin cringes. “Hark, yon wolf cries for we have slain it's brethren.”
Wurnik takes a side of Toden, who is nearly comatose and white, and the group totters north
Mior_Carchedin totters along
Wurnik says, "Mior, what did you say? About a wolf?”
Mior_Carchedin looks at the orcash, “ Oh, a little while ago, didn't you hear the wolf baying? It sounded.. almost mournful..”
wurnik--"No, I heard nothing." he looks worried
Mior_Carchedin says, “ This was a fateful meeting, an outcome desirous for none involved. Alas, what can be done?”
Kellik snarls, “ it was desirous for me.”
Kellik shambles on on unsteady legs
Mior_Carchedin whittles a Sauroid as he walks, it doesn't look very good.
Hamish_Haldanem shakes his head…” desirous for none involved is damn right”




The group moves north as quickly as it can go.
Hamish_Haldane shifts some bagels around and puts the were’s head inside a bag on the donkey.
“ This is one beast that won't come back to haunt us”
Mior_Carchedin shudders. “ Yes, hopefully.”

the travel is slower, but as he sun is getting lower, they pass over the old bridge. the air seems to quiet as the sun drops.
Mior_Carchedin chuckles. “Such a familiar bridge, I swear we had another arm last time we were here.”
Mior_Carchedin thinks no-one heard him
Hamish_Haldane frowns, “In poor taste Mior “
Kellik kicks mior in the shin
Mior_Carchedin griomaces, “Ow!”
Kellik snarls, “ shut your mouth whiteeye”
Mior_Carchedin glares at the gnome
Hamish_Haldane raises his arm “ok ok, calm down”

Toden does not notice the by-play, doggedly refusing to be a burden
Hamish says, “ it hasn't been a good afternoon for anyone…hopefulyl Shuruum can put us up for a bit and we'll go from there.”
Mior_Carchedin walks up to Toden.. . “Here, I made you a Sauroid."

[Note : sauroid]
guys, you'll note there a few times I change a term or something to be more setting specific.

Toden looks blankly at it.

"Mior, how far to the farm from here?", asks Wurnik
Mior_Carchedin looks at the map
“I judge about two more hours…maybe three.”
Kellik looks at the staggering group. “We're gonna need to rest then.”
Toden bites his lip, as Wurnik looks to Kellik...
Mior_Carchedin says, “Bah! Rest is for the weak! or gnomes.”
“or the wounded, “ says Hamish.
Wurnik. Looks at the ground nearby. " Can anyone make a fire??? ANYONE?"
“Why don’t I slit your legs open and cut off your arm... and then we can hear you say that again”, asks Kellik.
Hamish_Haldane says, “I sure can't.”
Mior_Carchedin ignores the gnome some more
Wurnik frowns as he sits Toden down "Crap. My city-state for a tinder box."
Mior_Carchedin rummages around “I swear I had one somewhere.”
Hamish_Haldane nods, “Indeed friend Wurnik.”
wurnik. SHRUGS. " Yes, well, let's have a bagel. and some wine."
Mior_Carchedin attempts to make a fire bow
Hamish_Haldane breaks out bagels and strips of jerky all around
Kellik finds a place to sit down
Hamish_Haldane pulls something from the donkey. “Ok, this shoudl raise our spirits a bit”
Hamish_Haldane tosses Kellik a wineskin
Kellik, smiles, then says impishly, “ I've got better”
Mior_Carchedin chews distastefully on some jerky as he works on the firebow
[Kellik pulls out a bottle of Tolerance Red Chias he'd been hiding on his person
Hamish_Haldane smiles at Kellik, “ haha”
Kellik Holds up a hand. “Not much, just a sip each”
Kellik passes it to hamish
Toden perks up a tad
Hamish_Haldane says, “A toast to our victory then!”
Hamish_Haldane takes the smallest of sips and passes it to Toden
“Chod the werewolfs...", says Toden
Toden takes a gulp, passes to Wurnik, who takes a sip
Mior_Carchedin holds out his hand impatiently
Hamish_Haldane wags a finger…” Mior…” he says in a low tone.
the group sits on the ground for a few minutes and gets their legs back
Hamish_Haldane turns to Mior. “ why were you carrying a silver fork of all things about your person?”
Mior_Carchedin lifts his shoulders… “uhhh, it's a good luck charm. grandpapa gave it to me.”
wurnik passes the bottle to Mior
Hamish_Haldane nods. “ Well it was certainly lucky for us”
Mior_Carchedin takes two hurried sips
Kellik cocks his eye. “what fork?”
Mior_Carchedin hands the bottle back to Kellik
“that Mior used to bleed the were”, says Hamish off-handedly.
Kellik sips the last of the wine
Mior_Carchedin shakes his head. “ It doesn't concern you gnome, really.”
Kellik sighs and tosses the bottle off into the bushes
Wurnik nods at Mior, "Aye. Clever and desperate, friend Mior."
Kellik considers going back to get the bottle for bludgeoning omwo~
Mior throws the firebow down in frustration, froaning at his mass of wood and string that won't make a fire.
Kellik says, “ toss me a strip of meat and a bagel would ya”, as he pops Hamish’s Wineskin.
Hamish_Haldane hand a bagel to Kellik, and a couple strips of meat
Toden looks over and his stump twitches
“My Thanks.”, says Kellik.
Kellik tears into the tough meat and bagel
Toden whispers bleakly..."Chor it all."
Kellik washes it down with some more wine and hands the wineskin to hamish
Kellik looks over at toden.

The light is started to fade a bit, as the sun moves behind the treetops
Mior_Carchedin looks up. “Sooooo, are we ready to go yet? I mean, this is nice and all. But.. yeah.”
Hamish_Haldane takes a swig, passes the skin to Wurnik
Mior_Carchedin looks about nervously
Kellik looks at Toden… “that was a hell of a thing you did... jumping him like that... brave, foolhardy, and worthy of a song or two.”
wurnik takes a big sip
Toden lifts his head a bit. ..."Heh.."
wurnik stands up
Hamish_Haldane glances at the orc
Kellik struggles up to his feet
Mior_Carchedin glances about, “What?”
Wurnik puts a hand to Toden, who struggles back up
Mior_Carchedin looks askance at Hamish, who seems jumpy.
Hamish_Haldane says, “If another were jumps out of the bushes at us, I'm going to skin the thing”
the group starts to move north again...

Hamish_Haldane keeps his rapier out, and leads the donkey
mior finds the trail, as he is familar with it and the plough and sickly are in the sky as the group sees the farmhouse


“ thank the fates”, says Hamish
Kellik whistles a marching tune
Mior_Carchedin says archly, “ Ah look, yon familiar hovel beckons.”
Hamish_Haldane sheaths his rapier and runs up to the door, and raps on the door three times quickly
Toden is almost falling. Mior_Carchedin yells, “ Shuruum, time to get up!”
Kellik walks up and steadies Toden “come on, just a few more steps and you can rest”
Shuruum opens in a flash, and sees the wounded Toden "OOOch, I feel like the center of town!"
Mior_Carchedin looks all innocent. “Oh, hello.”
Hamish_Haldane says, “ Shuruum, wake the brood. Toden and Kellik need help”





The daughters come out in a flash, and get a few chairs, as Shuruum lets the battered group in.
Hamish_Haldane moves his head close to Xhuruum. “ I'd also like to have a word with you, preferably off to the side”
Mior_Carchedin looks pained, “And I'm deathly hungry, soup sounds, grand, Would you be so kind?
Mior_Carchedin grins winningly
the fireplace is already lit, and the group can see a meeting was in session.
Mior_Carchedin peers about
Kellik is helping Wurnik get Toden in where he can rest
>There is a red hobyt in a red robe and a human with a demi-lune sitting by the blaze. Both make room for the damaged Gartier and his careful guardians.
Hamish_Haldane brings the donkey to the barn, and returns with a bag full of stuff
Mior_Carchedin glances at the Hobyt out of the corner of his eye
Hamish_Haldane says, “ Ah, you have visitors. On any other night, I would hate to impose Shuruum, but you can see we're in a sorry state.”
Shurrum says, “Actually.they showed up just an hour ago, looking for you fellows. “
Hamish_Haldane turns to glare at the new comers.
“Well, tell us about yourselves, oh valued new friends.”says Mior.
Hamish_Haldane says, “ And why pray tell, are you looking for us?”
The Hobyt stands, as does the human.
Kellik checks toden who is in a chair.
the Hobyt says " I be Rampan, an apprentice at the collegium Arcana. My friend Simon and I were recruited by Chorbit of the Sceding tree to aid you.”
Hamish_Haldane puts a hand on his chin. “hmmm”
Toden Moans
Mior_Carchedin shrugs and smiles. “ Well, help for my.. ourselves is always useful.”
Mior_Carchedin holds out his hand to the Hobyt as a friendly gesture. Rampan smiles...and puts out his hand.
Hamish_Haldane keeps glaring at the Hobyt
Wurnik asks Kellik to lift his pantlegs.
Kellik refuses. “Not till Toden’s looked to.”
Kellik points at toden
Simon says, " I can see Chorbit was not wrong."
Mior_Carchedin cocks an eye. “Oh?”
Kellik sits down on the floor, leaning against a wall, as the more plain, dark haired daughter of Shuruum brings out a tureen of oxtail soup.
Mior smiles his large, most artificial smile. “Oxtail, delectable! Thank you fair maiden.”
Wurnik goes and heals Toden again

Hamish_Haldane looks at the newcomers. “Well, welcome to our group then. Rampan, you said, and friend Simon?”
Kellik looks over at Toden, who is not looking at the food.
the curvy daughter, blonder, winks at Kellik, and rings out soup spoons
Kellik catches her eye and smiles roughly
“Shuruum,” says Hamish, “ do you think I could speak to you outside a moment, “
shuruum nods
Hamish_Haldane grabs the sack he's been carrying around and moves outside

The scene outside is dark, with both the twins (the moons) being out of sight. The bright stars give a little light in the frigid night.
shuruum looks up at Hamish. “what happennd?"
“The witches”, says Hamish
Shuruum’s eyes go wide.
Hamish_Haldane Pulls out the were’s head. See this? See Toden?”
Hamish_Haldane clenches his fist. “They attacked us for no reason Shuruum.”
" " Not good..." says SHuruum. “They have always been fair.”
“ No, not good at all”, says Hamish in a dark tone.
Shuruum repeats " they have always treated us fairly..."
Hamish_Haldane says, “ Well, must be nice. I didn't see any fairness today. Just a diseases that needs to be purged.”
“ Did you attack first, or come with weapons drawn?", asks the Hobyt farmer.
“No, “ says Hamish. “We did not We were walking, we wanted to speak to them about who lived around the ruins. And some strange tracks we found”
Shuruum shakes his head. "Hamish, I will provide shelter, but I will not attack the ladies."
Hamish_Haldane glowers. “The witch sicced one of her were’s on us. I wouldn't ask you to attack them Shuruum, I know you’re no warrior , but I meant to tell you two things/”
Shuruum shakes his haad. " I know not the ways of the ladies, Hamish. But I will not attack them."
Hamish_Haldane holds up a finger. “ First, there is a second were out there. So be on your guard, and keep a close eye on your family.”
“Secondly, don't get involved with them anymore. They will die, “
SHurrum looks quite upset. " Aye, but I might have to hire a guard or 2"
“talk to Chorbit, RETORTS Hamish. “If he asks, spin him a tale or something. Say were renting…Charge him outrageously “
Shuruum shrugs... " I will try to do so."
Hamish_Haldane grins wickedly. “Now, lets go back inside. Oh, and more thing Shuruum…I'd stop paying tribute to the witches if I were you/
He stuffs the head back into the bag and goes inside

Back inside, the room is warm and safe. Toden is being fed by Wurnik.
Mior_Carchedin makes casual conversation with Rampan and Simon, all while eyeing the silverware.
* Kellik closes his eyes and sighs, just leaning against the wall, relishing the rest, his legs feel like butter.
Mior_Carchedin finishes his soup and slowly slides the spoon down his boot then sits back as if nothing happened. a bead of sweat rolls down his temple.
Kellik looks over at mior, struggles to his feet and walks over
Kellik reaches suddenly into Mior’s boot and pulls the spoon out, and hands it to him
“ you dropped this”, he says.
Mior_Carchedin smiles nervously…” Oh. I.. err.. uh, was just cleaning it. on my sock.”
Kellik looks at him knowingly before heading back to the wall
Mior_Carchedin looks around…” Right, Rampan?”
Rampan seems distracted. " Huh? Sure. Whataever. I'm going to go burn something...I like fire..."
Mior_Carchedin looks amused. “ Yes. Fire. Always good.”
Hamish_Haldane laughs. “Haha, well looks like we won't be lacking a campfire anymore, Wurnik.”
Shuruum re enters the room. " I have opened the barn again. This door will be bolrted tonight, so knock loud if there is need.”
Mior_Carchedin eyes shuruum knowingly
Wurnik says, " Ceminiar smiles on us...Finally."
Mior_Carchedin nods. “ Quite.”
Shuruum looks over at Kellik " Toden will be bedded down in the couch here."
Mior_Carchedin hmphs loudly
Kellik moves over and leans against the couch
Simon walks over to Mior, “ Friend Omwo~, is there a problem?"
Hamish_Haldane waves ahnd. “ Ignore him Simon”
Mior_Carchedin shakes his head. “ Oh, no, not at all. Merely some phlegm caught in my throat.”
Simon nods.
Hamish_Haldane Says, “ So, Simon and Rampan, are you two fresh out of the city?”
Rampan has a burning brand he walks outside
Simon picks up from him…" Aye. Hamish"
Hamish_Haldane nods. “Souds good”
Hamish_Haldane eyes Kellik
Hamish_Haldane says, “ Kellik, about ready to hit the hay?”
Kellik nods. “ sounds good”
Mior_Carchedin strides ahead of everyone else for the barn
Simon says, “ " I am Bone Knight, on loan to the sceding tree. I am to aid the three of you in your duties to Chorbit."
Hamish_Haldane seems relieved by this.
Kellik obviously is adamant about staying by Toden for the night
Rampan is running around with his fire stick, out in the yard…
Mior_Carchedin watches him amusedly
Hamish_Haldane asks, “Did Chorbit mention anything interesting Simon? or.. no?”
“A Bone Knight... is he expecting a lot of undead?”, asks Mior
Kellik nods off, leaning against the couch... oblivious to the fact that he's still covered in blood
Huge white smokepuffs erupt from Rampan's hands outside
Simon, who is walking outside, says, " He did not say. Merely that he sent you undermanned, as he felt."
[Hamish nods a bit. “Well...”
Mior_Carchedin says, “ Interesting that he sent us anyways.”
“Aye, Mior…lets just say I'm glad your with us, “says Hamish
Mior_Carchedin says, “ At least he rectified his error. Perhaps a bit too late for poor Toden.”
Hamish_Haldane says, “ Simon, I want to warn you before we start out…there are some witches that live in the woods, they command some weres…They WILL die.”
Hamish_Haldane looks right at Simon…” and if you stick with us, you'll have to be part of that.”
Simon seems unperturbed. " I gather, from what I was hearing, Toden met the teeth of a werewolf?"

Mior_Carchedin shrugs. “ If we come across them. No use wasting time on wolves when valuable statuary beckons.”
Hamish_Haldane says, “ Quite, anyway I'm exhausted good night everyone”
Mior_Carchedin says, “Remember our debt to the sceding tree, Hamish!”
Wurnik is already snoring.
Mior_Carchedin climbs up to the loft again
Hamish_Haldane says, “ Mior, I doubt you will let me forget our debt” Then falls asleep
Mior_Carchedin says, “ And Rampan, don't burn the barn down. Please.”
Mior_Carchedin nods off to sleep while watching the stars
Rampan puts out the fire. "Sure. Whatever. Alwyays more tomorrow."

at 6am, the group is awakened...
Mior_Carchedin wakes in a cold sweat again. “This barn is cursed, I tell you!”
Kellik is snoring next to toden
Tokush 3, 6am, 36 degrees
Hamish_Haldane yawns
Wurnik looks beat.
Hamish_Haldane rouses himself. “ Alright everyone, are we going to head out to the ruins now? Or does anyone need to do anything else?”
Rampan is bright eyed..." Hey!!!"
Mior_Carchedin shrugs
The lovely, curvy daughter of Shuruum gives Kellik 3 loaves of braided bread
Kellik kisses her on the cheek when nobody is looking
Shuruum tells Kellik and Hamish that Toden is still asleep.
Hamish_Haldane says, “ Shuruum, you can take care of Toden right?”
Shuruum nods. “ I will send to Steel Isle town for a proper healer.”
Kellik finally notices that he's covered in dried blood
“Many thanks, we need to head out”, says HAmish
Simon comes out of the barn. “How far to the ruins?"
Kellik is still looking at his torn pants. “House of Death, I must have been out of it to miss that.”

Mior_Carchedin says, “ Well, always a pleasure Shuruum. We thank you for your kind hospitality.”
Hamish_Haldane looks at Simon. “A days walk? We walked for a few hours last time but didn't make it”
the cutie giggles at Kellik., The other daughter rolls her eyes
Kellik rolls up his pants and looks at his wounds

Wurnik? " Best time to heal you is now, Friend Kellik. I can spend our walking time recovering energy.”
“ok wurnik”, smiles Kellik.. “do your worst”
Wurniks hands glow a soft blue as he reaches out to Kellik’s legs. The rents in his legs disappear.
Kellik looks down at his legs. “Thanks. Would someone happen to have any pants?”
Hamish_Haldane takes a piece of jerky and chews on it patiently. “I don't believe any pants of mine would fit, friend Kellik”
Simon shakes his head. " No pants. Hopefully, we'll be able to buy a new wardrobe after this"
Hamish_Haldane nods. “ Many things will be bought, that’s for sure.”
Mior_Carchedin 's eyes glitter
Rampan runs ahead of the group....screaming something
Kellik looks at shuruum... “what about you... I don't have much to trade”
Shuruum shrugs. “Iwill have the girls let out s few pairs of pants, but nothing now will fit.”
Kellik shrugs and goes inside to say his goodbyes to Toden, whom he finds asleep. He hugs the buxom daughter of Shuruum, and follows the others.

the group starts south, and soon catches up with Rampan
they head through SHuruum’s south field...the track is more familiar, and though clouds come up, the way is clear
“Ready to get this damn statuary hunt over with?, “says Hamish, as Kellik catches up.
Kellik is huffing and panting.
They travel south and wind down the moors, moving quickly on a track they are beginning to know. Down a small rise, though a cose of trees and through a long moor, and they come to the bridge.

Next session...back to exploring!!!!!

Session 5, part 1
Wherein the group finds out the toll on the bridge...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

so, 4 hours from midday,  the group comes to the bridge just south of Shuruum's farm.
Mior_Carchedin sniffs the air for trouble
Mior_Carchedin doesn't notice anything
kellik runs out a little in front.  He has since sliced off his pants and is wearing shorts since the tangles were getting in the way
 
Simon  says, "Kellik, I will take the front rank with you!
Rampan is 20 feeet off to the right
"This bridge is wider than I remember, " says Mior, shrugging.

Hamish_Haldane asks, " Cross one at a time? or in groups?"  The span is 10' wide.
Mior_Carchedin tuts.  " Tis only a bridge Hamish, and I don't smell any trolls."

Kellik crosses, then he looks back.  "what are you waiting for elf?"
Mior_Carchedin Looks up.   "There are new tracks here.  Different from before."
" New,  since yesterday?, " asks Wurnick.
Hamish_Haldane draws his rapier
Mior_Carchedin is looking at the ground.  “ Only a few.  But yes, new since yesterday.  This bridge sees much more traffic than I'd expect.’
Mior_Carchedin looks around to emphasize his point
SImon pulls out his demi-lune
Hamish_Haldane  looks around..  “ hmmm, I begin towonder what Chorbit wanted us to be equiped for”
Mior_Carchedin nocks an arrow cautiously
Kellik pulls out his rapier
Hamish_Haldane watches Simon and Kellik go over the bridge
“Did someone see something?,” whispers Kellik to Simon.

Back on the near side, Hamish_Haldane looks back to everyone…” New tracks! From yesterday, best be on our guard”
Rampan, who had been looking up at some clouds..." Mayhap Chorbit analyzed the probability of mixed race combat distributions and sent us to ameliorate the negative statistical connotation."
Hamish_Haldane looks at the Hobyt askance
"These clouds are cool", finished rampan
Hamish_Haldane shakes his head.  “Errr, that could be it... yes, nice clouds, time to cross the bridge, Rampan”
Mior_Carchedin cocks an eyebrow
Simon and Kellik cross the bridge slowly, but arrive on the opposite side with no issue.

Mior_Carchedin looks around, “I wonder where they went.”  Then he whistles, like an eagle.
Wurnik has an arrow out...Rampan has a whistle.  But they all cross the bridge.

Simon says" Come, brave Kellik.  Anon."  Of course, Kellik is already ahead of him.


the group continues down the path alert and ready, as the sun moves up in the sky.  The temperature is getting into the low 40's
Hamish_Haldane manages to get a piece of jerky our one handed, and begins to chew thoughtfully.  “So, we should make the ruins today right?”  
Mior nods  “We could.  I refuse to say more than that.”
" Hamish, I hope so...", says Wurnick.

after an hour, they come to the split, where the small path goes right, but the main path goes south.
Kellik stops.  “Which way?”
“ Uhhhh,” says Mior as he consults his map, “South, unless you want to play with the wereladies again.”
“Last time we went right, I say let us continue south, we can deal with the witches another time,” says Hamish.  “We need some statuary to finance us.”
Mior_Carchedin looks up in supplication.   "I am in complete agreement."
Kellik looks down the road
Mior_Carchedin looks down…”Yes, the tracks go south as well. “
“fair enough,” says Kellik, “ I don't care.”
After  going ahead a few paces, Mior says, “  knee I think we may meet our fellow travelers soon.”
Kellik starts down the south road, Simon following closely.
 Hamish_Haldane follows leading the donkey.


The moors are getting wilder, with thicker underbrush.  The smaller groupings of trees are becoming small woods, and the undergrowth gives way to wetness more often than before.  The folds in the ground also give way to actual hills, and at their bases the group finds themselves fording busy, wide streams covered in treacherous, thinning ice.  At the top of the hills, the sun has melted any trace of ice.  The trees and underbrush, far less on the hill, has started to bud in places.
After a few hours of such travel past the first bridge, and two hours past the side path to the ladies, the explorers go up a steep hill, following the tracks that Mior detected before.  This track gets easier and easier as the group goes up the hill.
As the intrepid explorers crest the hill, the path remakes itself into an actual ancient road, similar to some of the ones that lead out of Steel Isle Town.  The well placed stones have endured centuries of neglect, but are still intact.
At the very crest of the hill is a weathered milestone, cracked and scarred by the whips of erosion.  A few marks on it and its perfect square base betray the hands of civilization.
It is about 44 degrees up here...warmed by the sun, there is actually a lot of greenery pushing away the winter.
At the top of the hills, the sun has melted any trace of ice.  The trees and underbrush, far less on the hill, has started to bud in places.
kellik enjoys the warmness... his bare lower legs were getting a bit cold


 
Hamish_Haldane looks at the ancient milestone.   “Ah, signs of civilization again.  This road should let us make good time.”
Mior_Carchedin 's hair  blows dramatically in the wind, he feels strangely refreshed.
Rampan. Looks at the milestone.  "Kind of cool...Venolvian substratan deteriorated directional indicator.  Righteous."
Kellik looks at Rampan oddly
Wurnik looks at Rampan funny
Kellik looks back.  “whatever you're drinking... I want some”
Rampan giggles.
Mior_Carchedin  smiles.  “ Yes Rampan, and soon there will be statuary for all of us! “
Mior_Carchedin obviously had no idea what he said
  "I like statues, “ rejoins Rampan.  “The substratan chronology determinate might make us wealthy!"
wurnik shakes his head.  He is lost
Hamish_Haldane says, “ Yes Rampan, we sure hope so...”
“bah!!”, saya Kellik.  “ come on lets keep moving”  He looks over to Simon and says under his breath, “or I'm going to go crazy trying to understand this loon.”



The group becomes more upbeat.  The downslope is also partially laid with flagstones, though less than on the top, and the underbrush increases.   The explorers see some trees in the southern distance that are only found in swampier moors.  They go another twenty minutes.   There is the sound of water, and then, around a bend, another bridge.


The group comes around the bend and down towards the second bridge, in much better shape than the first one they crossed three hours before.
Mior_Carchedin shakes his head.  “There sure are a lot of these old bridges.”
Hamish_Haldane stops the group.  “Alright, same drill as before then, cross in groups?”
Mior_Carchedin SNORTS.  “ Bah! Enough with your drills! It's a bridge!”   He strides boldly towards the centre of the bridge.

[/I]

Suddenly, a 4' ball of purple light erupts almost on top of Mior, crackling and popping as it rolls onto him !!!  Mior screams in agony
Kellik draws his rapier, as Mior_Carchedin cries in pain
Mior_Carchedin makes a pained retreat towards the group, stringing an arrow as he limps back a few steps.
Hamish_Haldane quickly ties the donkey to a tree.  “Anyone see where it came from?”
2 figures jump out of the bushes at the far side of the bridge, one in ringed leather, one in studded leather, both human, a female and a balding male.  They start running up the bridge as the glowing purple ball continues towards Mior’s retreat…Their armor is covered in chalk bone markings, and the ringed leather human is female
Hamish_Haldane tries to slow the Blue Turtle Gnome.   “Kellik, let me enchant your sword.”
Kellik  holds up a hand. “hold on.”Kellik calls across the bridge.  “What in blazes do you nuts want?”
The 2 humans rushing up the bridge  are 30 feet from Mior at this point and closing.

[/I]

the woman calls out as she rushes, " Death rules all of us ...Death over all!
Kellik Snarls, “death over you maybe!”  and he charges her, moving up the bridge, followed by Simon.
Hamish_Haldane sighs, and begins casting Coldsnap on his own rapier.

kellik and simon move as one... though  Mior_Carchedin is sweating in slow motion, watching the guardians close on him, as the ball of purple fire flares and tries to run him over.  He finally gets an arrow fitted while dodging, backpedaling, and bleeding.
Mior 's arrow slices down the Bald man's arm, drawing blood!

Kellik whoops a war cry as he charges
Mior_Carchedin nocks another arrow, but as he gets it to string, and the others start to catch up to him, the female reached Mior and stabs at him with her gladius.
She stabs Mior in the chest as he nocks his arrow, burying her sword fully in his chest…blood spurts and sprays over her and Mior as he crumples.
Mior_Carchedin gurgles as he slides off the blade to the ground.[/size]

Session 6, a battle finished, a friend made.
finishing the battle from session 5.
-------------------------------------------------
Mior_Carchedin stares forlornly at his pooling blood as his vision fades to black "If only I had listened to grandpapa.."

kellik reaches the midpoint of the bridge, where the two antagonists stand over mior
Kellik dives at the girl who downed mior, but he misses his thrust as she jumps to the right.
there is a purple, pulsing, glowing ball of chaos rolling around the Kellik and Simon.
the man with the scythe swings at Simon, missing him
the purple ball of sparks rolls into Kellik and Simon.
kellik dodges it, simon is shocked by the ball, then
the female with the gladius swings at kellik, as wurnik comes up behind simon and heals him. Simon and Kellik hear him repeating "the blessing of the miracle."
the woman misses kellik as simon swings at the man
Simon's demilune slashes at him, but skips of his boiled leather. Kellik swings at the woman, trying to move from outside in, as she cannot duck into the Demilune.
His rapier takes her through the stomach, and she falls down messily, her abdomen punctured as the blade goes in deeply.
"NOBODY kills the Omwo~ but me!", roars Kellik.

By now, Hamish has enchanted his rapier and reached the combat in the middle of the bridge. He dodges past the ball of purple fire, and tries to zip by the orcash/human wilding the 6' scyth.
Kellik turns to the man as he tries to take a cheap shot at Hamish. Hamish tries to roll under the unexpected Scythe-swing, but his right shoulder catches almost the full brunt of the wicked blade, and blood and chunks of gore fly from Hamish's shoulder.




Simon stabs at the bald man with his demi lune
And Simon pikes on his right side, penetrating through the leather armor.
the orcash human gets stabbed in the right side, and stumbles, then recovers.
Hamish rolls down the other side of the bridge, bleeding heavily from his mangled right shoulder.


[/I]


the ball of purple glowing light tries to roll over Simon and Kellik, popping and crackling. They both try to dodge whilst battling the orc/man on the bridge.
kellik and Simon dodge the exact same way, and run into each other, then the little chaos ball plows into them ripping at their atoms with the power of entropy.
"I'm gonna kill whoever hit me with that", yells Kellik.
Kellik looks around
[/I]

Wurnik's bow sings as the group hears muffled curses on the far side of the bridge.
Wurnik's arrow flies past the bridge into the trees at the other side, ...a shriek erupts and is cut off suddenly..the ball of purple light winks out.

[/I]

The bald orcash human turns slightly at the shriek behind him; Kellik's sword takes him in the throat...and goes out the other side.
"Give my regards to Mior", says Kellik.

and...quiet.  The stillness of the wet moor is only broken by the harried breathing of the surviving combatents; even the birds hesitate to break the quiet.


Hamish_Haldane lets out a moan from off to the side of the bridge, and wurnik rushes forward.
Kellik kicks the big brute over
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin lurches slowly to his feet, grabs his Shamsheer and bursts out of the trees... and stops to a halt. "What happens here? Who are these brigands?", he says as he gestures at the corpses.
Kellik ignores him for a second and heads over to the side of the bridge looking over, "Hey, hamish, you dead?"
Hamish_Haldane groans. "not..... quite"
Kellik nods in satisfaction. "ah... good"
Hamish_Haldane lets out a second moan."... I wish.....I were."
Kellik tursn to Wurnik, who is already going by him. "hey wurnik you might want to tend to the wounded/"
Kellik looks over at the New Omwo~. " who are you?"
Wurnik runs up to the bleeding hamish, starting to mouth the words of the restorative manrta, the 'Blessings of the Miracle."


...then he trips as he casts
the ground is healed.  
He spits and tries again...The mantra is spoken, he touches Hamish..and Hamish'es Shoulder, which looked like he might be scarred for life, closes up most of the way. "thanks Wurnik," says Hamish.

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin eyes the others warrily "I say again, what happens here?"
Kellik repeats himself , "who are you??" as he holds up his rapier.
Hamish_Haldane stands up slowly, and leans against the bridge
The nw arrival says, " I am Maximillian Vandredheim Hamrenkanazzer Volstshorn Carchedin, first son of Vandredheim Carchedin, member of the Arcanic Swords.."
Hamish_Haldane says, " I doubt he's one of them Kellik. he didn't show up till we killed the rest."
Rampan, wh has been carefully lining up the bodies while checking them , turns suddenly and says, " I know you!!!"
Kellik, sidways to Hamish..." hey I prefer being rude to being stabbed!"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, "I was aboard ship near Steel Isle.. I do not know how I got here."
rampan is jumping up and down now. " You are one of our armsmen! At the Collegium!"

" I don't know if rampan knowing you brings me comfort, or fear", says Kellik. He cleans his rapier on one of the dead guards tunics and sheaths it
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin looks at the red hobyt with the bowl cut hair. " I apologize friend Hobyt.. for I do not recall you. My head still aches. I believe I was drugged."
" Carchedin..., " says Hamish. "Any relation to our late Mior?


Simon picks up the body of slain mior, whose eyes are staring aimlessly.
Kellik says, " funny... annoying as hell. But I miss the bastard."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says " Mior is a cousin of the lesser branch of my family. I was sent by my grandfather to return him to Lestchian.."
Kellik reaches up and closes Mior's eyes
Hamish_Haldane goes into the woods to look for the Hobyts corpse.
he walks by Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin, who looks shocked "He was a cousin...What has happened!?"
Kellik says "this little wench downed him" and kicks the girl's corpse "I had my way with her for that."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin marches over to his cousin's corpse and stares at it forlornly. He bends down and places his hand on Mior's forehead and mutters an indistinguishable prayer.
then he begins removing Mior's clothes and armour. "We must burn the body before sunset. It is a tradition of my family."
Kellik nodes. "ok." Rampan continues joyfully looting the corpse of the bridge warriors.
"well he's the one to ask about burning", says Kellik, pointing to rampan.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin eyes the indicated Hobyt askance
Hamish_Haldane drags the Hobyt mages corpse to the bridge, and Kellik searches the woman's body
Rampan hums to himself. ..."Tatata, we'll burn after we find..."


Hamish_Haldane turns to Wurnik. " Congratulations Wurnik, you managed to hit someone! A damn fine shot."
wurnik looks pained...' yes, about time..."
Kellik grins at hamish's soft jibe
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, " First, I must harvest the heart of my dear cousin. It must be placed on the wall of the dead."
[/I]
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin picks up Mior's dagger and carefully removes the heart, gingerly placing it inside a bottle of strange fluid.

Hamish_Haldane goes and gets the donkey
* Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin mutters another prayer
Kellik takes the gladius and hands it to max
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin looks up
Kellik says, " her payment for your relatives life"
Hamish_Haldane is by the beast of burden. " Alright, I guess the extras can fit onto the donkey... although I don't know about the scythe"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin sasy, "I thank you.. " to Kellik.
* Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin stares at the sword
Kellik grins wryly. " it may come in useful"
Kellik takes the girls pendant. "a proper trophy"
Hamish_Haldane walks over to Max, who is still staring at the sword. "We've been known to run into weres, so silver is always nice"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin raises an eyebrow[/SIZE]

More of Session 6.  Corpses on both sides.
-----------------
Simon says, "Aye, friend Kellik.  You fight well", while some of the others start to go through the arms and armow they have aquired.
Hamish_Haldane says, " Well, I think its time I upgrade a bit."
Wurnik looks over the dead bodies.  "Fuckers"
Hamish_Haldane grabs the hardened leather and argive
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin is still sorrowful, understandably.  "I must know.. under what circumstances was my cousin involved in this group?"
Hamish_Haldane says, " Mior was our groups tracker, we've been hired by the Sceding Tree to get some statuary."
Hamish_Haldane says, " Here Wurnik, for you."  as he hands him the Hobyts pendant
wurnik takes the pendant, and the armor.
Kellik takes the hobyt's silk armor
Kellik looks at Rampan, as the Hobyt is piling sticks around Mior
" The book and I will be frieds, I assure you, " says Rampan to now one in particular.
Hamish_Haldane hands Simon the ringed leather...Simon is thrilled.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin is still talking to Hamish.  "I see, would you allow me to take my cousin's place in your company? I must avenge myself on the Lord of these scum."

Kellik slips off his hardened leather and puts the silk on then puts his armor over it
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin  pauses for a second.  " And I must know why I was brought here.  A little curious about that as well."
Hamish_Haldane looks at Kellik, then walks over to the gnome.
" Any problems with a new Omwo~?, " says Hamish under his breath.
Kellik sasys, " as long as he doesn't go stealing the silverware I'm fine."
Rampan looks aver to Max..." Fate's handmaidens speak loudly in our ears, roaring their will.  Listen, tall one."
Hamish_Haldane nods to Kellik, then takes a step back to the group at the mid point of the beridge.  "Simon, I'll take your Soft Leather if your done with it."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin perks up an ear in Rampan's direction, asSimon gladly hands the armor over.
Kellik shakes his head.  "don't listen to rampan too much, you'll go insane."
Rampan takes out a white pipe, and lights it, as Hamish goes into their bags.
"Alright, tonight calls for some good steaks, " says Hamish.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin tidies up Mior's possessions into a neat pile while waiting.
Kellik looks up at the sky.   Tribin has dropped below the trees, and only Gerin barely remains above them, bathing the area in a reddish glow.

[/I]
Wurnik is Nodding at Hamish...."Aye, my friend.  A feast."
Hamish_Haldane says, "we've still got 20lbs of Argussian Deer to eat, so let us feast in victory and remembrance."

Rampan says loudly, " Any last words for the rapidly stiffening one?"
Hamish_Haldane looks over to Kellik again.  " Kellik, do you want this Argive?"  Kellik shakes his heqad.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says to all, " His words have been spoken. It would be an affront to repeat them."
Kellik clears this throat.  " Mior, never did care for you but I hope you choke that wench when you meet her."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin inclines his head towards Rampan.
Hamish_Haldane says, " Have an uninterrupted journey friend Mior, "
Rampan waves a hand over the body, and closes his eyes.   a lick of flame pops down onto Mior's body...and a blue-white flame whoofs up quickly , engulfing Mior's mortal remains.  Rampan walks out of the flame slowly.
Hamish_Haldane picks up the argive.  "Alright, I'll take this shield"
Kellik and Wurnik sit over in the grass,  off the road just on the far side of the bridge.
Wurnik says" I am pretty toasted on spells"
" let's have some rest", says Kellik.  " I'm worn out after that."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin stands watching the pyre, and Hamish says, "let's camp on the bridge, its fairly defendable.  they won't be able to circle us easily."
Hamish_Haldane is checking out the bloodstains on his new armor.  " Its not pretty, I'll probably have to get it died next time we're in town."

" So what do we do with them", says  Kellik pointing at the three bodies.I vote toss them over the side of the bridge/"
"Anyone have any rope?, asks Hamish_Haldane. " I'd hang em from the trees as a message.  if not, over the side is good"
Wurnik says "Toss them over the side."
Kellik heads over and checks the hobyt making sure there's nothing left on him, then he shoves him over the side
Hamish_Haldane stands up.  "Over the side, then."
Rampan is looking at the leather book.  "Hmm.  I wish I had 'read magic'.  This is a spell book
Hamish_Haldane looks over his shoulder, which is not hard with a Hobyt.   "Interesting, a lot of spells in it, Rampan?"  Hamish continues past.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin straps Mior's dagger to his belt. And pockets a strange looking fork.
Hamish_Haldane begins to drag the bald orcash/man over to the edg.
Rampan. says idly," Nice handwriting." Kellik helps hamish with the body.
" over the side with you baldy, " says Kellik.
The corpse belches as they move it.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, " Wurnik, your talents with the bow are most superb. I thank you and gift you my cousin's arrows."
Wurnik shakes his head.  " You saw my best shot of the Hawaak, my friend."
Kellik helps hamish push the bald man over then goes over to the woman
Kellik gives her body one last kick then starts to drag her over too
"I can read magetongue, would that help with the book?, " asks Max.  Rampan hands it to him, then Rampan starts another fire.  (he lights it of Mior)
Hamish_Haldane looks around, " So, what was it these brigands said before they killed Mior?", as Max starts making faces into the spellbook.  Spells are written in magetongue, but he does not know these words.  
Wurnik has started cooking the steaks.   The smell is indescribably wonderfu;.  He adds peppar.
Hamish_Haldane says, " Death something?"
Kellik nods.  " something about death to everyone"
Hamish_Haldane helps Kellik move the woman
" only ones dead though are them, " says Kellik as they work.
Kellik chuckles
Hamish_Haldane shakes is head.  " And Mior"
"Simon, your'e a Bone Knight, asks Hamish, "ever see anything like these pendants?   Skull livery would be your area of expertise, I'd think."
Simon's brow furrows.  "" Aye.  I remember when Voohrees was speaking about the cult of the Dark One, he mentioned these as an ancient sigil of theirs"
Hamish_Haldane rubs his chin.  " Dark One... "
Rampan says, ""OOH.  Now That smells something special..."
Hamish_Haldane says, "I thought they were erradicated or died off or something.  Theyhaven't been seen around these parts for a while."
Simon thinks for a second.  " in the last dacade on Steel Isle, there has been a resurgence, though most priests and politicians think it is just a bunch of crazies trying cleverly to prey on the minds of the impressionable.  Today in the town, there are rumors of late night meetings, of old families meeting in secret crypts or in old Venolvian ruins."
Kellik sits down  "lets eat,", as Wurnik works the meat.
Hamish_Haldane says, " Well these folk were certainly crazy.", as Kellik pulls out a big loaf of braided bread.
Hamish_Haldane continues , " We could probably get some coin for this information since we have the pendants as proof."[/SIZE]

Session 6--
Wherein the group cannot catch a break.
__________________________________________________
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin takes a mighty bite out of the defenceless steak
Tribin has dipped behind the hills, and even red gerin is behind the trees.
so most of the light comes from the cookfire on the bridge, and the pyre at the south end of the bridge.
Rampan is loving the steaks as well, and Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin munches loudly.
Wurnik asks, "What is the order for the watch?". As Kellik samples a steak.
Hamish_Haldane is still consumed by the last fight. " I wonder who we can sell the information about these Dark Way people to?", he mutters...
Wurnik says, "I'm sure many of the churches would want to know"

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin clears his throat. " I will take first watch, " says the newcomer.
Hamish_Haldane, snapping out of his thoughts, says, " I'll take last watch"
Kellik says, " I'll watch the inside of my eyelids", as he munches on the steak
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin watches the darkness, but can't see a thing for the glare of the fire
Hamish_Haldane crouches next to Wurnik, as he cooks. "Well you give us an in with the Gray Church, and our friend Toden might know some people from the Shrine."
Kellik looks at them thoughtfully. " wonder where a guy could find some proper spices around here."
Hamish_Haldane begins to eat his steak, and Rampan says, " I have some acid...that's a little zipppy..."
Kellik looks at rampan oddly.
By now, everyone is clustered sitting around the cookfire at the center of the gently arching bridgespan. The whole Bridge is just over sixty feet long,

Simon stands and covers his mouth with his hand, then says, " I shall man the middle watch this evening. Friend Max, wake me beofer mIdnight, and we shall share an hour."
Hamish_Haldane beams. " Excellent, that seems settled", and he finishes his steak
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, "Aye, Simon, I will do just that."
Hamish_Haldane stands and stretches. " Well, I cannot wait to get moving again. Good night to all."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin waves at Hamish. " I shall see you in the morn."

Kellik is still sitting up leaning against the railing of the bridge half an hour later. Max has kept the fire well tended, but the night is very dark, the stars partially blotted by clouds. Rees on both sides of the rivers give kind of an enclosed feeling to the bridge.
Kellik looks over at max
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin listens intently to the enveloping night
" so what's your story, " Says Kellik
Rampan draws some glyphs on the dirt near his head, everyone else is asleep
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, " My story? What's to say. I am the first son of Vandredheim Carchedin. A well acclaimed knight of the Arcanic Swords by all accounts." He looks out off the bridge, down towards the south. "My father taught me nearly everything I know of arms."
Kellik rubs his chin, " arcanic swords eh? seems familiar... so how's you end up down there?" Kellik points to the bushes under the bridge.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, "well, I myself am an armiger of the order. You might say a squire. I know not how I ended up here. I was aboard ship heading for Coom Isle, I woke up here. I suspect I was drugged."
The insects are quieter now, and the sky black. Kellik and Max are somewhat absorbed.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, " I had been searching for...
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin pauses
" my cousin. As a favour to my grandfather. He... fled the city on the night of his wedding. Confusing business."
Kellik chews his lip, and from the darkness, Rampan giggles.
The gnome says, " your whole family sounds rather... interesting"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin nods absently. "Orbi is an interesting land, you should consider visiting some day. You may stay at our family holdings in Lestchian, if it pleases you.."
Kellik says, " I might take you up on that offer if fate catches up with me again."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, " But I digress, should you not sleep, Kellik? We must be up early."
Kellik chuckles to himself and crosses his arms in his lap and closes his eye. "Aye probably."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, " A good night to you, then."


Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin sits in wait, and watches the passing of the moon to judge the time.
He has a peaceful night, though the trees on both sides of the bridge seem lively in the wind.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin nudges Simon gently awake, as the night owls make soft noise. "It is the deeping hour of the night."
Simon gets up quickly, and stands. He buckles his armor, having slept in it but unbuckled. "Ah, Max. Thank you."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, " Not a problem."
" How goes the watch?", ask Simon as he picks up his long demi-lune.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin nods out into the night. " It goes peacefully. I have no trouble to report."
Simon starts to nod, then his eyes flare wide, and he suddenly points behind Max, " Look!!"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin turns abruptly, and gasps at the strange figure shambling up the path from the south. Max and Simon see a strange creature limned in the twin moonlight. A man's body with a goat's lower part, some 8' high,. With a huge generous mouth and long, flowing black hair.


Kellik is sleeping soundly oblivious to it all and dreaming of fine wine and finer hobyt females
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin hisses, " It looks like.. a...What do you call it Simon? A Satyr?"
Simon..."So tall, though"
The hulking manshape wields a long metal pole, silver and sharpened on an end, and wears a strange mangled piecemeal armor.
It hisses at the two on the bridge. It is standing on the south side, beyond the burnt-out pyre
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin quietly nudges Kellik awake with his boot, as he girds his Shamsheer
Simon is rousing Hamish...kellik starts to come awake with the hard nudges, and Wurnik is already awake.
~Kellik yawns, "ugh if it isn't morning yet someone is going to die"
It hisses again, displaying a forked tongue, jogging forward towards the bridge.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin puts his finger to his lip urgently, and points.
Hamish_Haldane calmly look s where Max's finger points. " That is probably the problem Kellik"
Simon says, ..."No horns..."
Kellik looks over at it, and hisgnomic features screw up"...what the hell?"
Hamish_Haldane blinks slowly. "This is a dream isn't it?"
~Kellik starts to put on his leather armor, and Hamish_Haldane draws his rapier (he slept in his armor), and Wurnik strings his bow.
the large creature takes 2 very quick steps forward, it is only 15' in front of the group.
Kellik shakes his head. " You're gonna get a bad back from sleepiong in that armor, Hamish ."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin step behind Kellik, and starts moving his hands up and down.
Kellik grabs his rapier
"can't we go one day without some oaf harrassing us?", says Hamish through gritted teeth.
Kellik smiles, "you can hug him if you want, omwo~"
Hamish_Haldane snarls, "maybe later. I'm casting ColdSnap on my rapier. Hey, can I cast it on yours?"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin hefts his small metal hammer in his right hand in slow motion, and a light blue glow starts over it. His pupils dilate, also in slow motion.

The creature brings the five-foot thin rod up, as Hamish's hand takes on a white and blue light
Hamish lights Kellik's rapier, which takes on a silvery-blue frosty sheen.
Kellik finishes knotting up his armor best as he can
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin 's shoulder muscle twitches in slow motion
Kellik snarls, " blasted freaks interrupting my sleep..."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, "a rippling cascade of muscle it is."
Hamish_Haldane yells, in a comradely tone, " Is there anything we can do for you my good... sir?"
In response, the creature rams the shaft onto the ground, and a purple-red spark erupts from the ground, then starts racing towards the explorers. It branches and crosses, running across the bridge in quick, random pulses.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin blinks in slow motion.
"Pez and Bones, Says Simon.
Kellik spares a glance for Hamish. " ok discussions over", as Wurnik's bow sings.
He mutilates a tree
Hamish_HaldaneSays, " its ok, Wurnik, you come through when it counts"
the strange sparks come at the group, dancing and popping. Behind them, the huge goat-man hisses and moves towards the explorers.
The white, purple and red fire zips along the ground, hitting kellik and simon.
SImon jumps out of the way, but the fire whips arounbd Kellik's armor...
He is unharmed.


Simon brings his demilune into play, whipping it downward as he steps forward. Though the thing is fast and sinuous, he connects.
"Dang it," yells Kellik, " ... there goes 2 silver children!"
Kellik glances back at rampan
The demi lune bounces off the makeshift armor
Hamish_Haldane frowns. " that does not bode well.", as Simon nearly loses his balance.
Rampan shrieks from behind the party..."Mother fornicators!!!!"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin glances back in slow motion
the strange little balls of lightning zip at Kellik and Hamish.
they are flying all over the place
Kellik manages to dodge, but the purple and red sparks crawl up Hamishe's legs
Hamish's armor protects against the sparks, and Hamish breathes a sigh of relief.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin accidentally drops his hammer
Simon, Kellik are in the middle of the bridge, Hamish is coming around the right, then Max moves around the left. The eight foot creature whips it's silver spear around, holding it's ground.
kellik darts his rapier forward as the strange giant creature closes again.
kellik stabs the thing in the right side, and the reapier almost penetrates, but then the white blue flares, and a strange hissing roar comes from the huge creature as the Colsdnap flares.


Hamish whips at it as Kellik has distracted it, and it is bleeding from the wound slightly.
Somehow, the large thing ducks out of Hamish's path as it swings the spear around
Hamish moves forward a it, as the balls of light streak around the center of the bridge, bouncing into the flanks and hitting him and Max.
Both of them thank their armor for protection. Then Wurnik's bow sings
Wurnik's arrow pierces the ugly beast's right shoulder deeply, lodging nearly 8" through the armor.
green blood spurts, and the creature loses balance a bit.

A thrill surges through the explorer's party. Hamish tries to strike from the left side, and says, "This thing has green blood....!"
The creatures swoon causes him to miss his strike, though

Kellik's rapier snakes in from the front of the group, as Rampan swears even louder from the back "Matriarchal rear passage takers!!!"
as the large thing dodges and falls away from Hamish, Kellik buries his rapier under it's armpit, up to the hilt.....green ichor spouts everywhere, mixing with the gout of blue white ice water from the Coldsnap spell....and it falls to the ground, barely twitching.
Kellik pulls his rapier out of it, and looks over to his friend. "thanks, Hamish"
Rampan is sitting on his ass in the back pouting
Hamish_Haldane speaks into the sudden quiet. "Anyone have any idea what in the eighth house that was?"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin adds, " where did the electricity came from?"
"Rampan, did you recognize those spells?", asks Hamish.
Rampan retorts, " Chaos something."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin stares at the corpse of the beast loudly, yes, he can stare loudly. " This beast is an abomination against nature."
Hamish_Haldane says, " hmm Chaos, that is definitely planar sounding. Think it was a demon?"
Wurnik comes up from the back..."OK, who is dying, who is hurt, who is bleeding, where do I set up triage?"
Kellik says, " we're fine Wurnik... unless you want to operate on this cadaver."
Wurnik looks nonplussed. "What do you mean? we always get whacked..."
The large creature stinks prodigiously, and is smoking a bit. Max says, " It was said my father met his end against an unnatural beast, it was said it as well had green blood."
Hamish_Haldane nods. "I know, it makes me uneasy"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin pokes the corpse with his shamsheer.
Kellik wipes his blade off on the grass
Hamish_Haldane says, " Well done Kellik"
Kellik nods in a preoccupied way. "This bridge is unlucky. I say we pack up and haul out at first light;
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, " Yes.. I am in agreement." and he looks back at his cousin's pyre for a moment.
Rampan notates the very bad sewed together armor on the creature's huge body, obviously the remnants of earlier victims and the silvery metal staff
Hamish_Haldane looks over. " What about its spear?"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin picks up the staff and examines it asKellik pulls off his leather armor.
" ok the next thing that interrupts us... I'm gonna put my rapier through its crotch", says the gnome.
Wurnik goes back to sleep [/SIZE]