as written by the cavalier Olmas Lurecia, himself.

Sunday, 11 Arodus

Still need to buy better ink. But I think I know how to make do wi h this for now. Dammit!

Anyway, Kali, called out, in Elvish, for me to come to her. She conjures up two horses, and quietly tells me at least one escaped out the back and we need to make sure they don’t create more trouble for us. Riding quickly in that direction, we quickly came across a mutilated body. It hadn’t reached the perimeter. Does that mean …

Something between a purr and a snarl sounded way too close, and we both turned our horses and rode back towards the house. It turns out that while these magical horses weren’t too bad, the magical lions were better and tended to gain on us. Two lions took up pursuit. On an open field, we’d have been lion food. But we both aimed for the exit with the rune, hoping that if we shot through it the lion would be trapped within. And fortunately for us, we were right.

I had a brief glimpse, I think, of Etayne in the doorway of the house looking first surprised as we approached at a high rate of speed, and then concerned as she saw why. I’m a little concerned myself that her apparent response to that was to close the door.

Meanwhile, Kali talked to Nihali, who told her that the escapees, as it were, had been handled by the cats. But she called them le pards. Dammit!

If I’m not mistaken, leopards are faster than lions. It’s good that they stopped when they did. The only other alternative would have been to try to lead them somewhere harmless (to us, like a party of arriving revelers). Which, it turns out, Nihali said was coming up the road. We took our horses off the road to quiet their hooves, and cautiously rode towards them, as much to check them out as to check for escapees meeting them.

Encountering none, we turned back before reaching the group. Returning cautiously to the perimeter of the yard, it appeared that the leopards had disappeared. Although, I suppose they could have been hiding in wait, but we both had the impression they were there for protection, not ambush.

We encountered the rest of our group exiting the house. Apparently they’d questioned Asvig and he’d died rather than answer their questions. And from all appearances, it was not his choice. His wife at first held us responsible but realized from our questions that perhaps he was wrapped up in more than she knew. Technically, the wereguild had been satisfied with Asvig’s death, but we still didn’t have the sword. We had more work ahead of us. When the rest of the group had left, they had left with the understanding that business between us and Asvig’s wife was concluded. Neither of us was happy with the result, but neither could dramatically improve on it either.

An uneasy truce. She did not know where the sword was, but if Snorri had it, it would probably be valuable. And a funeral boat is not just a means of saying goodbye .. it’s a means of taking it with you to the afterlife. Could the sword be on the boat?

About this time we heard the other party coming closer. We all hurried off into the bush. They had been preparing for the party (and a couple of them were already well prepared, if you get my meaning) so they weren’t really looking around much. We did overhear some comments about Stone-Eye that suggested whatever he’d died of had not come up suddenly, but rather had been noticeable for a while. “He ain’t been right for a few weeks” is what I recall hearing.

Moonday, 13 Arodus

Technically, it’s now Moonday, but yesterday is running smoothly into today with no interruption for sleep. We decided we needed to go to Flyn’s and let him know of our failure, but we were surprised to find when we got there that light shone from within. It was after midnight by this point, and although we’re not familiar with Fynn’s normal sleep habits, it seems late by almost any standard.

He was still awake, talking with someone by the name of Ookshaka. She looked bruised, or battered, andwsa worried that her husband Ulf had gone missing and that Asvig might be responsible. We grimly told them both that if he was responsible we’d never get a confession now …

Our interest in this was doubled as we heard more of the story fro Ookshaka. Two weeks ago, in response to our need for a guide through the north (we suspect) Asvig had imposed upon the guild for the guides to be busy for a while. Now Ulf had chosen to remain independent and claimed no allegiance to the guild, but Asvig had asked to hire him specifically for a special job over the next several weeks. Asvig was not happy when he’d refused.

And now he was missing.

But there was no body, no blood, just a strangely missing person. And it occurred to us that if the sword was on Stone-Eye’s funeral boat, maybe they’d try to get rid of Ulf the same way. It cemented our belief that we needed to inspect that boat.

Fynn and Ook looked at each other. The boat, it turned out, would be set ablaze at sunrise. There’s a good chance it had already launched, with a lengthy “fuse” so that it would be ablaze at sunrise. Ook said she could bring kayaks, however, for us to paddle out if we wished. Since the boat would be solely drifting, at the mercy of wind and tides, we stood a good chance of catching it.

Sigh. But still no rest. This will take its toll on us eventually; our spellcasters must be feeling it even more acutely.

And since, technically, that ends another day I shall report, again, that Qatana is still alive.

4am, Moonday, 13 Arodus

We found ourselves at Spearshaker’s Point, with Ook quickly explaining how one uses and balances in a kayak. Reluctantly, I left my armor at the caravan because armor and water simply don’t mix. Aside from the maintenance required after any lengthy exposure to water, there’s the whole idea that it makes me dozens of pounds heavier, in a medium where walking on the bottom is a poor choice. Ook said she’d meet us at a temple afterward and wished us luck.

The kayaks were all two-person, and we were bringing an extra one on the assumption that we’d be bringing back a sword, an extra person, or both. That meant two of us were riding solo – Sparna and Etayne. I rode with Qatana, in a half hearted attempt to keep her, well, I don’t know, I guess safe. Or maybe to stop others in the group from being annoyed by her. Or maybe to punish myself for some past or future misdeed.

Before we could launch, however, I noticed something in the water. It actually wasn’t too subtle. A giant crab was lying in the water near our kayaks, and rose up as we approached the shoreline. Apparently we looked like food, but food doesn’t bring sharp objects to dinner like we do. A tremendous amount of crab meat is available to us now … I wonder how long this will remain edible? I do like crab the few times I’ve had it.

Focus. Need to stay focused. But a little melted butter … focus.

We finally boarded the kayaks and took off, which allowed me to experience Qatana talking to me about the importance of Groetus. I reminded her that the end of the world was not happening at this instant, and that we should stay focused. But in terms of focus, I fear she had the better of me, because all I remember is replacing her words with visions of a great seafood breakfast. And regular, synchronized stroking to get us closer to the future funeral pyre that was our goal.

Etayne tipped over, and needed a little help. Otherwise, nothing of significance happened.

Finally we reached it, tying three kayaks to port and two to starboard. First item of importance was killing the “fuse” of embers that would otherwise burn through and set the boat on fire in a couple of hours. We hoped to be long gone by then, but why take the chance?

Radella and Ivan thought they heard something down below and went to check. This was an ordinary longboat, but with some planks laid across the gunwales to create an upper ‘deck’ and of course a lower one as well. Since we felt particularly vulnerable out here – none of us are really sailors – we (myself, Etayne, Kali, and Anavaru) stayed up top watching for unpleasantness while they (Rudella, Ivan, Qatana, Sparna) went under to find what was down below. We heard noises and the “corpse” topside was nothing but a mannequin.

It wasn’t too long before I spotted two boats in the distance, approaching us. They looked to be camouflaged to approach secretly, and each held four people dressed all in black. I doubt it was any local fishermen. Meanwhile, down below I caught bits of sound indicating there was a battle of some sort. Kali and I discussed how to best address the advancing figures. What we came up with (mostly her) worked very well.

When the figures got within range, she dropped rocks on them. That damaged some of them individually and their boats generally. At the same time, Nihali had been convinced to try dropping some alchemist’s fire on one of the boats. We held our breath as the flask bounced harmlessly off one boat, but then onto the other, shattering into flames.

Attackers started drinking potions of invisibility, but not being at the boat yet meant that as they entered the water, it was still apparent to our archers where they were. One, then another, then more found themselves at the gates of whatever afterlife they believed in. The very last one did in fact reach the boat, but when we offered him the opportunity to surrender, he replied, as though a mantra: “We are the shadows of the night. We are not the first and we will not be the last to come for you.” So we shot him.

Meanwhile, I was a little surprised to see our companions emerge from below carrying … well, a lot! They had not been counting, of course, but Sparna thought we’d brought up at least 12,000 gp worth of items and coins. Old Stone-Eye had apparently been some sort of undead, but true to funeral pyre form, the boat had indeed been loaded with his wealth and belongings.

But not the sword, and not Ulf. However we were able to recover from the four ninjas who had not sunk too deep …

[260] 4 things that look like eggs with delicate shells
[261] 4 potions
[262] 4 tindertwigs
[263] 4 daggers
[264] 4 MW shortbows
[265] 4 MW short shaft w/point
[266] 4 closefitting suits (MW)
[267] 4 jade raven statues
[268] MW thieves tools

We set the ship ablaze, Etayne gleefully using a spark, and made for shore. I don’t believe we got everything that was on board, but we got a good fraction of it and time’s just working against us. I am ready to take a good sleep, even though now day is breaking. Closing my eyes is all the darkness I need …

as written by the cavalier Olmas Lurecia, himself.

Oathday, 8 Arodus

Ugh. Ink vial cracked at some point.  Made a mess in my pack.  Can probably be clean d, but running low now; must be brief. Qui l not
work ng right.

Went to Ullerskad. Small.  Q tana still alive.

Fireday, 9 Arodus

Is Gorum temple in Ul erskad. Corpses not touristy.

Got maps. Ka i worr ed.  All normal.

Qatan  st ll al ve.

Starday, 10 Arodus

Arrive Kalsgard late.  Kel a happy.

Population seg egat d by caste here.  Noth ng new ther .

Qa ana  till aliv .

So ebody must sell ink he e. Th s is f c ing anno i g.

Sunday, 11 Arodus

Kelda g ne. Bumm r, she was gr win  on me.

No camp ng. City rooms! (Kas mir with car van.)

Amei o bei g touristy.  Went with to gu rd her.  Kali to .  Others went elsewhere; saw stuf .  Talke  abo t it.  Raven . Migh  find F yn.

Bought ink; not good.  Less pig ent than I’m used to; still hard
to  ead. Better tha  none at al  I s ppose.  Stil  annoy  g.

So much to rec rd. Frus rati g to b  out  f ink!

All wer  fol owed toda . Wor isom .

Kelda brou ht presen .  Nic ! Magic s abb rd!

Aft   talk, prett  sur  we ca  find  Fly .

Lots of st pid rave s ever whe e.  Nihal  says “ord nar “.

Qata a expl de birds.  B rds fly of .

Hey! Local cus om say  we can kil  Asv g Longt ews! Whol  gro p in
fav r!  Off to kil  him and r cov r swor .

Find plac .  Sneak up. Party. Battl ! Subdu  Asvig. Dies whe questioned, but not voluntarily.  Suspect magic – geas?

Wait, that last is all legible.  What’s up with …

Stupid ink. Pigment settled out?  Must shake

That’s just great. I apparently must stopper it, and shake it every single time I want to dip the quill,  and then if I’m quick to dip teh quill, it actually loads useful ink onto the quill.  If I don’t shake it, whatever they used for pigment settles back into the vial within about fifteen seconds and I get the results above.  NOW I find out.

BTW, Qatana is still alive.  Another good day.

[Apologies to you, the reader of the annals.]

as written by the cavalier, Olmas Lurecia, himself.

Oathday, 19 Erastus

The unusual (and hard to kill) deck-a-pod lay in pieces before us. I quickly examined the alcoves and sarchophagi, and found this seemed to the remains of various commanders at Brinewall. Was this our “secret behind two seals”? Were the seals the hidden doors, or perhaps a sarcophagus?

In any case, there was more cavern to explore. The deck-a-pod seems to have been carrying/wearing

[242] wand of scorching ray [30]
[243] circlet of +2 charisma

The caverns were lightly aglow with what Etayne exclaimed were phosphorescent spores. He giddily collected some.

Kali commented that deck-a-pods were normally not this big.

To the south we followed the cavern to a room with a flat table upon which sat a number of items, the most disgusting of which was a still pulsating leathery pouch from which goo was leaking. Etayne looked at it thoughtfully, and poked, discovering there was enough liquid associated with it yet that it was able to make a loud plooook sound.

Surrounding it, though, we found

[244] +1 light steel shield w/image of Brinewall on it. Later analysis
revealed it was magical +1 75% of the time, and ordinary 25% of
the time.
[245] +1 returning star knife
[246] a magical pearl which would allow a wizard to recast a spell he’d
cast earlier even if he’d not had time to relearn it
[247] Ring of the Ram [10 charges] – With the group’s permission,
I took possession of this one.
[248] a compass of sorts, silver w/gold accents. On command, can shine
per light spell. +2 on survival checks to avoid getting lost. It
also has room for an ioun stone which would then function as
expected for that type of stone.

There was also a pile of gold (later found to be 2620 pieces) as well as a pile of gems (later assessed to be worth about 1750 gp).

While counting and assessing the gold and gems, Qatana also came across

[249] darkwood + silver disk under a moon (faint transmutation). A
similar disk (with a sun) had been taken earlier. The matched
set was likely to be important at some point.
[250] stone statue of Paizuzu which grants the bearer +4 CH

Qatana was less interested in a +4 bonus and more interested in destroying anything of Paizuzu, so she took up the statue and made to dash it to the ground. But in an awkward movement, she drove it all the way to the ground and broke off it’s wings; having done so, it reappeared, whole, in her hand. As she moved away from the spot, she felt a great heaviness. The statue had been cursed, and seemed to burden her as much as a large heavy rock would.

Thus burdened, Qatana asked the group if anyone had remove curse. None did. I caught Sparna’s eye and it was clear we were both thinking the same thing – this might be less of a curse than one might think.

We explored the remainder of the passages and discovered Qatana tended to stay to the rear of the group and was almost always the last to enter a room. I believe Sparna actually grinned at me. Well I don’t recall the actual physical expression but I could feel the grin from across the room.

Returning to the kitchen, we started working on a door that had resisted opening earlier. It seemed not to be locked, so much as just stuck. Radella and I threw our bodies into it, and it sprung open. Once opened we discovered the smell was awful. This may have once been a laundry room, but it was now full of fungus or mildew. Water seemed to be running down the walls, the was a green mound w/purple mushrooms in the center of the room. Etayne commented that the purple mushrooms looked like some that are known to throw spores that …. We quickly decided there was nothing to be gained in exploring this room, and closed the door.

It was probably my imagination, but it seemed that the green mound w/purple mushrooms had started to move closer as we were closing the door.

Consulting the blueprints she’d snagged, Qatana remarked there was only one staircase we’d not yet explored. We crossed the castle to reach that staircase, and descended. An iron lattice, fitting into the ceiling and floor, blocked our advance. We noticed a pair of slight depressions in the wall, and in a flash had pulled out the two disks we’d discovered. They fit perfectly, and the portcullis lowered into the floor.

The dust before us swirled in an unfelt wind and then formed the not-quite-solid figure of a samurai warrior in a defensive posture. Some in the group recognized it. Kali was the first to say, hesitantly, “Rokuro?”

The figure paused and its posture changed. The shoulder slumped and it suddenly looked tired. “I know that name,” it said, in a voice that was both a whisper and a question. The sword pointed at a place on the wall. “Take this to my child. I’m no longer worthy.” And in a swirl, but again without any obvious wind, the figure evaporated.

Radella searched the area that the figure had indicated and did indeed find a secret alcove. Inside lay three darkwood boxes. We found box #1 was unlocked by Radella and found to contain 4267 gold Tien coins and two rings:

[252] ring of chameleon power
[253] ring of improved climbing

Chest #2 had seemed locked but yet seemed to open to Radella’s touch. It contained only one thing: another box (which radiated magic) but defied Radella’s attempts to open it.

Chest #3 also needed to be unlocked but yielded a variety of magic items.

[254] bracers of defense +1
[255] necklace of fireballs (1 5d6, 2 3d6)
[251] bag of holding [type 1]

Since Radella took the ring of improved climbing, I took her ring of climbing [123].

A full day, indeed. We went back to the cemetery, and asked Spivey: no, it turns out she couldn’t remove the curse from Qatana. Kali sent Nehali back to the caravan, and Nehali returned with a note stating that Ameiko still slept uneasily.

We slept only slightly more easily. We felt we had recovered important artifacts but were unsure of how they should be used. Tomorrow we would go back to the caravan.

Fireday, 20 Erastus

Upon returning to the caravan, we found the first order of business was introducing Spivey and Kelda. Then we went to see Ameiko, who was still asleep/unconscious. We laid her hand upon each of the chests and the mysterious box, but her touch evoked no change in either her or the objects. Then Kali figured out it was a puzzle box, and if you pushed there and pulled here, it would –

I had time to see there was a small stone statuette resting in the compartment she opened before there was a flash and –

There was an army of monsters, with glaring eyes, and tusks, wearing strange armor and wielding exotic weapons, emerging during a storm from a vast forest, then attacking a country I somehow knew to be Tian, and –

My head hurt, and –

There was a young royal stood with a friend by his side. Suddenly, the friend grows nearly three times in size and is wearing a suit of jade armor. The jade warrior draws a sword and kills his friend, then holds the bloody sword aloft in triumph, and –

My heart hurt, and –

There was a young Tian man selling a beautiful sword to an Ulfen man in exchange for a bag of gold. And –

My soul hurt, and –

There was Ameiko! waking from her deep sleep, but she was dressed in royal garb. She was within the arms of a jade throne.

And my body hurt, and –

The fog cleared and I was staring at the astonished faces of my companions, but then I felt like someone had tried to put an entire bucket of water into a single cup, and I was that cup, and –

I knew. Somehow I knew, and I knew that they knew.

I knew that the land that had been invaded was Minkai,

and I knew that the man I’d seen murdered by the warrior was Emperor Shigure of Minkai,

and although I had barely known Ameiko before we started this journey, I knew Ameiko Kaijitsu’s true family name was Amatatsu, and that that was royal blood,

and although I had no reason to because I’d never met him, I recognized the young Tian man selling the sword as Ameiko’s grandfather, Rokuro Kaijitsu,

and I knew that he was formerly Amatatsu Tsutoku,

and I knew he had sold the family’s sword Suishen to the Ulfen merchant Fynn Snaevald in the city of Kalsgard to finance his family’s flight from Minkai,

and I knew that Suishen is intelligent, and could tell us much more about the Amatatsu family if we were to find it,

and I knew –

I knew – Ameiko is the heir of her line.

And I knew all this like you know in a dream things that you have no right to know, but you do, as casually as you might draw a breath.

And with a blend of horror, fascination, and disbelief, I understood that I and all my companions were also now heirs to the throne, should Ameiko fail to reach it.

And I understood all that the Seal was capable of, and that others still sought it even today, even after all these tens – hundreds? – of years.

And … and … Ameiko awoke.

She too had had the visions and as overwhelming as this experience was to me, it had to be even moreso to her. It was her family and her heritage, just when she thought she’d understood it.

We were all a bit stunned for a moment by the amazing amount of information we’d absorbed.

A quick but intense discussion was had. Ameiko recovered quickly and the adventurer in her was quick to assess the situation and decide the right thing, for her, was to go reclaim that throne. Not that she had ever dreamed of being a princess, queen, or empress – in fact she commented she’d kill the first person who addressed her as “your Highness”. But given what she knew now of her heritage, she was confident of her path.

The rest, less so; hence, the discussion. It was fair and right that everybody have a chance to reassess their goals and desires in light of the flash flood of information that had just been pushed into our brains.

In the end, it was decided a few (Ameiko among them) needed to tie up some loose ends and/or make some arrangements for a trip that might take weeks or months and from which we might not return. But each and every one of our original party did commit to following Ameiko. Kelda offered no opinion; she’s a quiet type and perhaps she’s still looking forward to going home to the north.

The Seal was able to issue remove curse to Qatana and we decided to move on to the next largish town, which is Riddleport. From there, people could get teleported back to Sandpoint or Magnimar or wherever they wished to take care of whatever they needed to take care of.

Watching my companions, I’ve decided that I need to upgrade my weapon. I’ve been watching Ana using a great sword and admiring how it seemed adept at dispatching opponents more quickly. I like my great axe, but I have to be able to pull my weight, as it were, in defeating foes, and I need to use every advantage I can.

Starday, 28 Erastus

So while we paused in Riddleport, I acquired a masterwork great sword [400 gp] (I’d like to get it enchanted some day), as well as cold weather gear for both myself [16 gp] and Kasimir [32 gp]. As much gold as we have acquired, I still feel poor whenever I go to a shop that sells anything other than stone knives or apples. How do people afford some of this stuff??

Today we left Riddleport. We will have days between cities, again. Jol, I think, is the next.

Fireday, 3 Arodus

We will arrive late in the day. Supposedly this city is known for its formidable odor.

===

Um, yeah. It has an odor.

Starday, 4 Arodus

Relatively boring trip, except there is an unusually large black bird .. a raven? … that seems to be following us.

Now that we have this artifact-that-evil-things-scry-for, every bush looks menacing, every animal is a familiar, and every person is a potential instrument of death. But still, that raven looks odd.

Sunday, 5 Arodus

Okay, this is a little freaky. We just entered and exited a dark woods (in a single day) and the raven was waiting on the other side. Immediately after we left the forest, it flew off. Someone noticed it had a red feather or two and sure enough it did. Same one. Ominous.

Moonday, 6 Arodus

We’ve arrived at a crossroads late in the day, and decided that this was a good place to stop. Kali went on and on about how this was too exposed, but we’ll set guards. It’s fairly flat here and you can’t move an attack force by river noiselessly.

I admit that the raven is unnerving, but you can’t be jumping at shadows.

===

Well, yeah. Who sends 40 soldiers to attack a caravan of maybe 15 people at most?

While Kali is trying to emphasize we didn’t heed her warning, she’s missing the point that I was right too. We had guards, so we received advance notice because the guards (kelda, I think) did indeed detect the force approaching camp. And you couldn’t actually move that force noiselessly – we heard their boats approach. And the rivers did technically limit the attack quadrants, since they couldn’t fight effectively standing in water.

In any case, Kali was instrumental in the defeat of the forces. We faced about half of them, while Sandru, Ameiko, and the rest of the caravan faced the other half. Kali cast a spell which made the ground rough and uneven and sharp; simply walking it on it caused them to injure their feet. Ivan field-tested that necklace of fireballs, to good effect. Qatana used her sonic burst. These area effect spells helped start the invaders bleeding before they ever got close to us, making them easier to kill once they did.

Unfortunately, one thing I had not considered is that everyone who was on guard was also not in armor – including myself. This made me a bit more vulnerable than I wished. There is something called “sleep armor” that I may have to look into.

But they are dead. No clue who sent them, other than they all wore golden armbands with an engraved lion head on them.

After a brief discussion we decided that although boats and oars probably had value, there was more value in having the source of the attack wonder what happened than in letting them know they failed by selling the boat and oars on the open market.

And back to sleep.

as written by the cavalier, Olmas Lurecia, himself.

Wealday, 18 Erastus

We consulted briefly and determined there were a few areas on this level we had not yet inspected. Qatana quickly whipped out some paper and a pencil and started taking notes. Looking over her shoulder, I shook my head. When had she had time to take such copious notes? Did one of her mice tell her to do this? How did she focus long enough?

Perhaps that’s not fair, but I must say I’ve learned more about Qatana in the last several weeks than I’d learned about her in total, previously. And I have to hand it to Shalelu – she has much more patience and understanding than I ever gave her credit for.

One area we inspected was what used to be stables in the courtyard. Our first hint that things would not proceed harmlessly was when I heard a voice say, “Oh, they’ve come this far! Get them!” And so began the Battle of the Two Spiders and the Ettercap.

Etayne, of all the people who should know better, took the point on this one using her Burning Hands to good effect but not without getting bitten by a spider. I attacked both spiders and the ettercap, connecting in general, but it was Etayne, Qatana, and Sparna who ultimately moved them all to another plane.

Returning to the room we first encountered the troglodytes, we did a more thorough inspection. While nothing of monetary value was found, we did find scraps of paper that appeared to be from reports the night the castle was overrun. We took away from the reports that the guards in the castle, anyway, thought the violence had started first in the village and didn’t think the castle was in danger until far too late. It’s hard to tell if the attacks were serial or simultaneous, but we do know now with hindsight that the castle guard underestimated the seriousness of what they were seeing.

We did find [231] dice made of bones, which suggested they were pretty firmly entrenched here.

From the trog room, we went down the stairs, where we found 8 more troglodytes. We quickly retreated, expecting to pick them off one at a time as they exited the stairwell. Kali cast grease about three steps down, thinking to make them even more unstable as they emerged, but what it really did was prevent them emerging! Two did stagger to the top, but I’d say twice as many ended up slipping and falling back down the stairs. Finally, they stopped trying. Drat. We’d have to go flush them out anyway.

What started as a rather simple attack plan ultimately evolved into a complicated theatrical presentation. It was effective but at the same time almost comical. It involved a sonic burst, a color spray, obscuring mist, and – this was the kicker – a 7 ft dwarf. Yes, Ivan cast enlarge person on Sparna, who subsequently went in and kicked troglodyte butt. The sonic damage weakened them, the color spray knocked several unconscious, and the fighters (Radella, Sparna, and myself) made short work of the rest. Their leader looked buffer than the rest, but Large Sparna knocked him into next week with one of his powerful blows.

Meanwhile, Ivan and Kali inspected other doors in the hallway outside, finding an armory that had apparently been picked over before.

Nevertheless, between the armroy and the fallen troglodytes, we found

[232] +1 cold iron morningstar
[233] armor (half plate)
[234] masterwork heavy steel shield
[235][236][237] heavy crossbows
40 crossbow bolts
[239] case of 10 flasks of alchemist’s fire

Etayne took two of the flasks. The rest we left behind for now.

The next room we inspected looked to be an old kitchen. There was dust in here but for a couple of detectable paths. One was obvious, and the other was more subtle. We followed the subtle path first, which appeared to be corby-created. After several very complicated locks, Radella unlocked the last to find we’d exited the castle. This was a well-secured bolthole. And it wasn’t well-secured only to hide it from view. The wet walls around the last door suggest that at high tide, this exit is not navigable. Leaving the doors open could actually flood some of these lower levels.

The other trail led to another cavern which ended abruptly before a deep pit. A few black feathers were scattered near the edge. Was this a means of execution? More likely, we realized, is that this is the source of the corbies. This may be the way to their underground world, and also the source of any reinforcements should they decide to do so.

We returned to a room I’d peeked into briefly before we checked out the kitchen. It had a low walled cistern in it, and we now inspected this room more closely.

Radella and Qatana heard snoring from behind one of the doors. They opened the door and found two ogres, one noticeably larger than the other, sleeping next to what was left of a centipede that had to be as big as a horse. The big one woke up at the intrusion.

Sparna and I moved closer at that. Ivan stayed back.

Qatana then had the strangest conversation with the ogre, who was not exactly the sharpest blade in the drawer. She almost had it convinced we were here to take its order for fresh food when an arrow went thwack and stuck in its chest.

Ivan had become impatient.

Ogres may not be bright, but what they lack in intelligence they make up for in sheer strength. Qatana, bless her heart, was able to cast hold person on the big ogre. That allowed us to concentrate on the small ogre. I found out that he apparently has quicker reflexes than I’d thought when I tried to sneak closer to attack him and received a horrendous blow for my efforts. It left me near death, but fortunately my companions were able to finish off the ogre before he could beat on me again. The big ogre was then dispatched easily, since he was unable to move.

Looking around, we noticed what seemed to be a prisoner, probably potential food. We freed her, and allowed her to take her gear from the other side of the room. She carefully introduced herself as Kelda Oxgutter from the north. Her companions had not made it even this far, having lost their lives when their boat in the lagoon had been attacked. She was suspicious of us, but seemed to reluctantly and perhaps temporarily accept us as allies. I suspect there is yet more to her story that she has not shared.

Meanwhile, killing the ogres yielded

77 gp
dead turtles
[240] a masterwork but filthy dagger
[241] a nicely polished rock which, if crushed, struck, or broken would
summon an earth elemental

To the north, a passage led back to the kitchen but to the east it led to a grate over the entrance. The grate looked formidable, but apparently one of the keys we’d picked up was sufficient to unlock it. This appeared to be a crypt.

But, unfortunately, a defiled crypt. Tombs has been previously desecrated and perhaps looted. But quickly what drew our attention was not the destruction. It was the image of what one of our clerics identified as the image of Pharasma at the far end of the chamber.

Kali immediately suspected trickery – how often do gods visit this plane anyway? – and started an intense scrutiny of the apparition to determine if it might be an illusion. Meanwhile, it engaged us in conversation. The image reminded us continually that this place was holy and we should not desecrate it. She told us that we should lay down our weapons before proceeding further – another suspicious statement. Why would a god fear our puny weapons?

Then Kali determined it really was an illusion. This was no god. Now to find what was casting it.

It was Kali again who spotted a creature high up near the ceiling. It seemed to have many arms but it wasn’t clear if it was holding on or floating. Did its voice raise a note when it realized we were ignoring its warnings?

Ameiko’s mumblings returned to me. “The key you seek lies in the grip of the 10-handed one. His fear is your greatest ally.”

Did it fear us?

With that we were all struck by something one of the clerics identified as unholy blight. It hurt most of us substantially, and weakened some of us even more. It seemed easy to hit, but difficult to damage.

“His fear …” Could it be that its own beliefs could hurt it?

“Finally,” I announced loudly. “I have a use for my bolt of Destroy God!” I grabbed an ordinary crossbow bolt and shot it.

It missed miserably. But as it clanged harmlessly into the ceiling above it, the creature shuddered and moved away. Did it fear even being touched by it?

I had no reason to believe my bolt would have harmed it, but perhaps the fear generated by not hitting it was even more important. Using all my skill at bluffing, I stepped forward and sequentially clapped my hand on the shoulder of each of my friends in front of me. “It will take the blessing of Desna to defeat this. Through me may she grant you the accuracy to destroy this beast in a ray of holy light!” A couple of friends looked at me like I was crazy, but it was working. The creature started wailing to Paizuzu to save it. The fact that Kali somehow managed to summon a light archon that really was doing real damage to it only underscored the bluff.

Ivan was firing cold iron arrows and finding they seemed to do lasting damage as well. And suddenly with a loud noise and a disturbing and loud explosion (“save me Paizuzu my father!”) it became messy purple bits as Qatana hit it with one last sonic blast.

And we paused to contemplate what we’d just experienced and learned.

as written by the cavalier, Olmas Lurecia, himself.

Toilday, 17 Erastus

There was still much to explore. Certainly down was an option, but it was pointed out that the (upper part of the) tower to the NW had not been fully examined. So Qatana (naturally), Ivan, and Sparna headed up the stairs. I stood watch at the base, along with Anavaru, Radella, Etayne, and Kali.

There they encountered a harpy whose name was Zaiobe. I’m told she could only communicate telepathically, and then only by touching a person. Harpies are known for their songs which can harm mere mortals, but this one was apparently different. She was much more into reading and studying. She made them an offer: if they would help her kill her boyfriend, Kikonu, who apparently was some sort of demon, then she would let us have free run of the castle.

(When I heard of this later, my first thought was that we could probably achieve the same by killing her, but the fact that she made the offer first seemed to sway some of the party. Plus, I’ve no idea how easy it is to kill a harpy (although killing a demon sounds harder and more dangerous.))

Anyway, she’d apparently been here for some time, and was able to tell us the corbies were here already when she’d arrived many years ago.

It seems her boyfriend was from Tien and was feared there. But he was also the playwright whose work we’d found earlier, and she had tired of his efforts to be “king of the corbies” and consummate theatrical director.

She recommended attacking him outside the castle. He does have raven wings, if he chooses. In hindsight, if your victim has wings, wouldn’t you want to attack him in a small room? Ah well, live and learn.

Zaiobe arranged to meet Kikonu at a location outside the castle, and we arranged ourselves well before that. Ivan enchanted a weapon for Sparna just before Kikonu entered the small building we were in. He brought with him four corbies, but he approached first, proudly saying something about fresh changes to the play.

Qatana and Etayne attacked two corbies, while the rest of us attacked Kikonu, presuming him to be the tougher opponent. At first he looked angry and called to Zaiobe (“we can take out these intruders together!”) but he understood what was at stake when Zaiobe fired a flaming arrow at him herself. At that, he teleported directly to her.
Ivan used an external bane arrow on Kikonu to good effect, and Sparna also dealt a hard blow. I tried the same, but all I got for my trouble was the empty swish of my axe and a fairly deep cut from his odd looking sickle-on-a-chain. That wouldn’t have been so bad, but one of his corbie buddies got in two solid hits as well, and I fell to the ground, gravely wounded.

I awoke again to Qatana standing over me, with sounds of battle still going on around me. Kikonu lay prone and bloodied near me, and his head was at an unnatural angle. As I struggled to my feet, I saw the last of the corbies fall, denying me some small measure of revenge.

Zaiobe said it was ok to take whatever we wanted from his body. Qatana healed me more and I was back to full strength.

Before we closely examined Kikonu Etayne took both blood and feathers from the body. Witches. Anyway, we found

[218] Kusarigama – I’m told this is the name for the sickle thing. It’s
+1, and once per day its wielder can summon a giant wasp. Not
surprisingly, it is named the Dancing Wasp.
[219] small leather pouch
[220] 4 vials of ink
[221] 5 shiny pearls
[222] dark wood and silver disk. Intricate drawing of Brinewall.
Radiates transmutation magic but we couldn’t identify it.

Zaiobe announced she was flying back to the castle and would see us in the morning and flew off. But instead of doing so, she circled around and started shooting arrows at us. Although she had an advantage on us by flying, there was adequate cover around and she had just seen us defeat a demon and four corbies. Some beings just don’t know when to declare victory.

Naturally her first flaming arrow hit me. As we scurried under the bushes and trees, Ivan got off two shots that both hit her, so her next arrow hit him. Anavaru, Radella, and Ivan again all hit her with arrows, but I continued to have abysmal aim. As Kali and Radella hit her again, she paused in her shooting to heal herself. But if she needed healing, the battle was already decided. Radella nicked her again, but Ivan’s arrows hit vital organs and she fell to the ground. Which also bruised her up a fair amount.

On her body, we found
[223] potion cure moderate wounds (Sparna)
[224] potion cure moderate wounds (Radella)
[225] chain shirt
[226] composite long bow +1 (STR 12) (Ivan)
[227] holy symbol of Pazuzu (wood)

We took stock at this point and realized we were low on spells and we’d be smart to call it a day. Returning to the cemetery, Spivey healed me back up before we slept for the night.

Wealday, 18 Erastus

I awoke feeling much more refreshed than I expected. I felt quicker on my feet, stronger in my swing, and more invigorated than I have before in my life. I hope this is a good sign.

We returned to the castle knowing we had an unknown number of lower levels to explore yet. In the back of my mind, I keep thinking that if we can rid this castle of the evil in it, it will somehow be ours to take, but of course that’s ridiculous. The best we can hope for is to find whatever is causing Ameiko to sleep unnaturally, and cancel it, kill it, or reason with it. But although she has understandably done little fighting to date, she’s as much a member of our party as anybody, and it’s a basic tenet of my order to protect and defend all in our group, and I have felt helpless as she continues her troubled sleep. Before we went to sleep last night, Kali sent her bird Nehali with a message updating those back at the caravan of our situation. I presume if there was a significant change we’d have been notified by the same mechanism.

Anyway, back to the castle. We checked out Zaiobe’s room and realized that some of her reading material was quite interesting indeed. She had a set of blueprints for the castle in her room, and Qatana took these up immediately. It allowed us to determine that we had indeed explored the upper levels completely, but unfortunately the contained no clue as to what may lie below.

So down we went. We immediately came across a pungent odor and several creatures that were shorter than most of us. Looking around, I realized that a few of my companions found the odor more than merely pungent, but most of us were able to defend against the creatures when they attacked.

My axe seemed to hit a bit better this day and it didn’t take long to for us to dispatch the four of them. Opening a door we found what was apparently their sleeping quarters, with four only roused by the door opening. I again had good swings and killed two of them myself. Another door opened to what appeared to be a pet lizard, but it attacked and was thus dispatched as well.

Exploring the rooms in this area we quickly came across an ornate room which reminded me of a “throne room”. But the creature in here was no royalty; it was an ogrekin hideously consuming flesh of an unknown origin. Seeing us it showed no fear, but instead commented that it found half-elves tasty, Really? I moved closer to kill the abomination and it nearly killed me in a single blow. Note to self. Ogrekin are not ogres but neither are healthy to be around. Before it could do anything more to me, Ivan and Radella laid it low.

It possessed a [213a] +1 flail and 140gp in a small sack.

Next we entered what appeared to be a ballroom. It was Qatana, I think, that noticed the pillars supporting the roof were not symmetrically aligned within the room. We concluded this room was the victim of budget cuts.

We found a couple of small storage rooms, mostly debris filled but one, still, with a case of 20 masterwork cold iron arrows, and a single flaming burst arrow. Five each of the cold iron arrows were given to Sparna, Ana, Radella, and myself, and Ivan took the flaming arrow.

Outside another door we heard a voice inside that seemed to be talking to an elf. As we listened it sounded more and more like the creature was talking to a captive elf, not an elf visitor, so we entered. The room was filled with various stuffed animals, and it was addressing an apparently fresh, apparently stuffed elf. In other words, an abomination. Kali cast glitterdust on it but I went in with the axe swinging and challenged the creature, inflicting some grave wounds.

But the thing was unearthly quick – in fact, somebody in the party called it a quickling – and were it not for the glitterdust we’d have quickly lost track of where it was. As it was, the dust was its undoing as the fighters quickly began to beat on it, but when it ran away Ivan was able to quickly nail it with an arrow, and it dropped to the ground dead.

We found five vials of spider poison [226] (which is probably how it immobilized its victims while still keeping them awake, as it proudly told us) and an unremarkable short sword [227].

While we explored some rooms around the “art exhibit”, Etayne and Qatana each wandered off on their own to a small garden with a murky pool. They took it upon themselves to poke into the pool, disturbing a giant beetle which began to chase them. The first we knew of this was when the ran into the room panting and slamming the door behind them. We could hear scratching on the door but the door opened towards the bug and it couldn’t figure that out. Qatana decided to attack it from the rear and ran from the room towards another door into the garden.

This was foolhardy to the maximum; there was no reason to kill it when it couldn’t open doors and we’ve no need to go looking for trouble. But Qatana insisted. So I chased her and when she had to stop and try opening a door, I tried to take her to the ground. I failed and she opened the door, ran into the garden, and found that some of our group had run upstairs and shot at the bug from the open atrium above, and it was already dead.

I think my order assumes that the people in your group do not intentionally put themselves into meaningless danger. Others in are party are (correctly) mumbling that I run out of battle randomly but it’s because I’m following Qatana to protect her. But the others need protection too. Ideally, we’d all stay together and work cooperatively but that doesn’t seem to be Qatana’s style. It would pain Shalelu if she were to die, but neither should I allow the others to die because I was trying to protect Qatana from herself.

A dilemma. If only I could consult with Shalelu, I might understand this better and come up with a more nuanced solution. When we return to the caravan, I shall talk to her about this.

And in the middle of that short introspection, off Qatana went again, to a small room beneath the armory. As she entered a room there was a moaning sound and something that used to be a man stumbled after her. It wore a dragon shaped helmet, but it looked like undead … or at least what I’ve read undead should look like. It reached out and touched her and the touch was obviously painful. However Anavaru struck it hard, killing it, and Radella ended up striking a strong blow to its companion that killed that one.

Qatana was shivering and said the touch had been cold. She seemed less … resilient, too. If it was a wight, which we were believing might have been the case, then it may have taken some life force from her.

We examined the one that had touched her and found a +1 longsword [228] and the helmet, of course [229]. There were some pieces of armor [230] that Ivan thought he might be able to mend.

Logs found in the room revealed this was probably the captain of the Brinewall guard. It also gave us some idea of how the castle was overrun. This was not a long siege; it was an overwhelming attack. Men dressed in dark robes .. it reads as though there were several different types of attackers, corbies being but one of them.

We paused for a moment to consider all this.

as written by the cavalier, Olmas Lurecia, himself.

17 Erastus, Toilday

Before we left to go to the castle, we asked Koya for a fortunetelling.  She agreed, and after some shuffling and concentration, drew a single card.

“The locksmith,” she said carefully, and paused. “Puzzling.”

We waited for her to say more, but she seemed to be staring at the card like it would talk to her.

“What you seek is complex.  The key is there but whether you can turn it remains to be seen.”  We looked at each other, and then at her. For her part, she gazed at us, then solemnly collected her cards and walked away.

I guess it is the nature of fortunetellers to be a bit mysterious, even to their friends.

We took off for the castle, or actually, the town first, since we’d pass through it on the way.  And actually, that wasn’t even quite accurate either, because before we reached the town we would reach a dilapidated, partially collapsed lighthouse.  Nehali had been circling, and reported back to Kali that there was a dead sea drake in the lagoon ahead.  That sounded a bit ominous – anything that could kill a sea drake might be a considerable threat to us too.

The undergrowth was fairly thick and tangled.  Kasimir was able to make his way through with only mild difficulty.  This continued until we reached the lighthouse. I dismounted and quietly told Kasamir to “watch”.

The growth around the lighthouse was also vigorous, but it wasn’t completely overgrown – just long neglected.  The roof had caved in, and there was plenty of rubble around.  No magic, according to Kali. Entering carefully revealed .. well, lots more rubble. Grubbing randomly through it, though, we found a partially crushed

[202] strongbox

which had done its job, because inside was an uncrushed

[203] rusty key

plus 93gp.  Kali scowled momentarily and then smiled. Ivan stared at the key and looked away.  And we now had a

[203] shiny key

I noticed that from this vantage point we actually had a pretty good view of the castle.  There was no movement. Looking down into the small bay and dock (even though the lighthouse was collapsed we were still on higher ground here) I could see what seemed to be a northern longboat at one of the piers, but judging from its odd angle, it also appeared to be unseaworthy.  Whoever had arrived in it was either no longer alive, or at the very least no longer able to return.  From here we could also make out the buildings of the village, although not with any detail.

We made our way down the trail from the lighthouse to the town.  We noticed what appeared to be a cemetery to the south.  We simply took note of that, for now, and began to inspect the town.  We suspected that although we’d seen no movement at the castle, it was probably not uninhabited, so I dismounted Kasimir and instructed him ‘quiet’, inspecting the town on foot with the rest of our team.

We found a deserted town square.  Buildings appeared to have been less ransacked (although we did find some of those) and more simply attacked.  That is, it looks like the town “dug in” when the attack came, and the attackers needed to break in doors and/or windows to get inside.  As a rule, it did not appear that people here ran off – they hunkered down and fought.

And lost.

We were interrupted by Kali.  Nehali was feeling a sharp uptick in fear.  She returned summarily and said, “human sized birds”.  Apparently we were close enough now for her to discern inhabitants of the castle.

Beware the birds who wish to fly but cannot.

And so one of Ameiko’s mumblings came true.

There was nothing of value here in the town.  The battle had in fact been lost, and either as a result of that or some time after, it had in general been looted.  Mundane things of low value were still to be found here and there.  From the harbor supply store we availed ourselves of some remaining ropes – never know when you might need another line.

We turned our attention to the cemetery outside of town. Although the fence surrounding it appeared rickety, the gates looked downright ornate.  And polished.  And resplendent.   A stark contrast to the rest of the area.  The gate was flanked by statues of Desna, and inside the cemetery almost looked like a lord’s garden rather than a cemetery. Inside, another statue of Desna held a basin of water which proved to be holy water.  We took some, and then refreshed it.  According to our clerics, the new water immediately became holy water as well.  As we beheld this, a small fairy or sprite emerged, hovering, from behind a nearby tree.

Spivey, she was called, and she was in part responsible for this garden/cemetery/holy place.  She had served a cleric living here (but since passed – eaten by a plant?) and had settled here by the statues of Desna after that event.  She told us much about the terrain.

The sea drake?  Swooped too close to the water and crab-like creatures had pulled it in.

The human birds?  They did not fly but they did come out to hunt about once a week (and it had been several days since their last hunt.)

She said she was willing to heal us, if it were needed, and to consider the cemetery to be a safe haven if we needed such.

After a brief discussion, we decided we needed to gain entrance to the castle. A horse in the castle would not be of great use and arguably would be some hindrance, so Kasimir would be left in the cemetery (with Spivey’s polite nod.)  We decided to try to simulate a hunting party returning.  While we had no idea if one was actually out, we were hoping that confused gate guards might open the gate out of habit if we identified ourselves as such.

We split into two groups: Qatana, Radella, Sparna, and Ivan in one, and myself, Kali, Etayne, and Anavaru in the other. We slowly and quietly brought ourselves within a few dozen feet of the front door, hiding in shrubs and undercover near the door.  The door did not appear to be the classic castle portcullis or drawbridge; just a pair of sturdy looking doors.

We first tried making animal sounds to lure them out.  No such luck. Finally, in undercommon, we called out: “Open the gates for the hunting party!”

And that worked. Four bird people – somebody called them corbies – two corbies came out.  And I immediately saw a flaw in our plan.  While we were battling our foes, anybody inside held a tremendous advantage over us.  That is, they could simply close the door.  It might not be brave,  but it would be very prudent, and we’d be left with an alarm having been raised and still no entrance to the castle.

As the others set themselves upon the four corbies, I ran to the door. Inside two more corbies looked surprised and ran towards a lever which, I assumed, would do exactly as I feared.  If they succeeded, I’d be separated from my friends but on the inside, at least.  Perhaps I’d still do some good.  I swung at one and connected solidly with my great axe.  Then Kali surprised me, leaping to my side and dousing them both in irridescent colors.  Color spray!  Both their eyes glazed over, and I killed one easily.  The second, immobile one also quickly bled out.

However, before the color spray, one of them had made a sound which very much sounded like an alarm.  While we’d all gained entrance to the castle, it was doubtful that we had the element of surprise any more.

Qatana looked over the door mechanism, and decided they should remain open.  To that end, she took the levers that operated the outside gates.  Now the mechanism wasn’t broken, but would be difficult to operate quickly.

I quickly did the same with the inside one.

Sparna heard talons running away overhead. He quickly ascended the ladder and poked his head up.  He saw a corby disappearing around the corner. I scurried up as well and Qatana and I gave chase.

We went as far as a turn which would have broken line-of-sight back to the group and I paused.  We didn’t want to separate the group too much.  We gathered everyone again and proceeded on a more sedate pace. We got close enough to see that they seemed to be readying a catapult. Apparently the one we followed did not know we’d followed him, and they were now making ready to send stones or boulders upon us when we entered the courtyard below.

Didn’t work out so well, for him.

Knowing that the rest of the group was behind me, I ran in and engaged the first enemy, taking care to leave space for other combatants to step in too. My great axe connected again.  Imagine my surprise when the second “warrior” to rush in was Qatana! Who leveled a pretty decent blow upon the second corby even as my great axe laid the first one out. Radella came in and finished Qatana’s foe.  Wow – dead in about 10 seconds.  We may have regained the element of surprise, because it’s possible every corby who knew of our entry is now dead.

We were now off the parapets and into the castle proper, and we began a quick but stealthy reconnaissance.  It didn’t take too long before we heard, rather than saw, a maintenance crew coming up to us.  They weren’t armed, but corbies, as luck would have it, are bipedal, beaked, and sport talons at the ends of their “wings” and feet.  So even unarmed they can provide something of a battle.  Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve seen any armed yet.

Anyway, these four had our entire group to fight against. Again, while we couldn’t avoid the sounds of battle, we wanted to make sure that none of them escaped to explicitly sound an alarm.  And we were successful: award killing blows to Sparna (2), Radella, and Anavaru.  Although I have to imagine the bodies and blood will tell their own story.

Ugh. Somebody should call a maintenance crew 🙂

Continuing our exploration, and led by our chief risk taker, Qatana, we found what seemed to be the ghost of a small child.  Or so I might guess, except it seemed to have the skull of a fox.  Qatana, moved by pity, became its first victim as it literally stole her voice.  I attempted to intervene, but found that after it struck me I was seriously tired.  It struck me again and I became exhausted. Radella was finally able to step in and end its attack.

We had no magic to return Qatana’s voice or my stamina, so we simply waiting, hoping it was magic that would expire.  And thankfully, after an hour, it did.  We had ample opportunity to inspect the artwork on the wall here, which seemed to depict an attack: ninjas with throwing stars, bird people with talons, and ogres with –

Wait, ogres?  Ogres attacked here too?  In collaboration with the others?  Clearly what felled Brinewall was not a chance attack or a lapse in security.  Somebody put a lot of planning into this.

As we inspected more rooms at this level, it became apparent that they were being used as bedrooms by the corbies.  One room appeared to house only one (judging from the number of feathers) while the rest seemed to house multiple corbies, despite not being particularly larger.   Were we going to meet a commandant?

No.  The next room we searched was a temple. Or used to be. Well, used to be, and still was, but it had been desecrated and converted.  And the priest/priestess (how does one detect sex on these creatures?) was still here, caked in blood.  A statue of Desna had been seriously altered, and now bore the visage of the demon Pazuzu, complete with four wings and a scorpion tail.  The artwork here reflected the new decor, and didn’t really brighten the room.

The priest led off with a thunderclap that not only deafened some of us, but actually injured us it was so loud. Anavaru and Qatana led off with hits first, but soon the rest of us were engaged. I formally challenged the creature and I felt an invigorating rush run through me as I struck it solidly.  For my efforts, I received a bolt of lightning from it. The healers began healing and the fighters fought bravely, and it was Radella who again dealt the killing blow.

Inspecting the body, we found

[204] scroll of cure moderate wounds
[205] scroll of cure moderate wounds
[206] scroll of dispel magic
[207] wand of inflict moderate wounds [12]
[208] studded leather armor
[209] masterwork longsword
[210] silver unholy symbol of Pazuzu

Searching the room closely, we were able to find a small hidden alcove that this creature had been unable to find.  There we found

[211] 4 +2 evil outsider bane arrows
[212] small chest
[213] scroll of cure moderate wounds
[214] scroll of remove disease
[215] scroll of restoration
[216] phylactery of “detect standing with deity”

I guess that last is used to tell if your god would approve of what you’re considering. Or maybe it’s not even that powerful – maybe all it can tell you is that that last thing you did wasn’t a particularly good idea.

The clerics tried to restore the statue of Desna but it had been too badly desecrated.   Mere prestidigitation wasn’t going to cut it.

We found one disquieting room in which some spirit or effect caused the walls to be gouged and stained with blood before vague figures appeared.

Having explored nearly all this level, we returned to a room near where we’d entered. There was a desk with overflowing papers. Kali snagged some to inspect them and burst out laughing.  It was a play written from the perspectve of the corbies, describing the experience of one who found himself transforming into “a bitter human”.

We found a door leading to the outside – it was locked but surprise! our shiny key from the lighthouse worked just fine.  Outside there was a solarium which had been converted into a sort of bat habitat with tarps … complete with a huge bat like creature. It tried to attack us so we killed it.  It had a horrible screech.

At this point, we paused to catch our breath and decide on our next strategic move.  It might be time to go down a bit deeper into the castle.

as written by the cavalier, Olmas Lurecia, himself.

24 Sarenith, Sunday

Kali asked for about 15 minutes to study a new spell. The rest of us examined the caves more thoroughly, especially the pools. Some were actually 8-10 feet deep, but still, we found nothing of interest.

After a brief discussion, the group decided to traverse the Witches Walk and find the 3rd X on the clumsily drawn map. We noticed that slightly right of the path, there were strange footprints. Swamp monster?

We found a saggy shack. While the “warden’s” house had looked to be in some disrepair, it at least also looked lived in. This looked like it had been abandoned, with heavy grown of moss and sagging walls, roof, and even floorboards. Large rodent tracks were evident around the shack.

Oh no. Rodents? Where was Qatana?

Oh of course. She was heading in. At least she waited a bit this time. Qatana, Anavaru, Ivan, and Radella were at the door; Qatana listened, heard more skittering, and excitedly went in. Meanwhile, I and Kali stayed outside; ultimately, I decided to inspect the back of the house. We have been seeing too many strange tracks not to be cautious. Etayne observed with a bit of awe in her voice that this really had all the classic looks of a witches house, and moved closer to the door.

Inside, however, there were in fact some dire rats, and they began to attack those inside. Qatana, Etayne, and Ivan pretty much took care of them without much help from the rest of us.

I found nothing out back. Although I heard some scritchings in the wall back there, I began to make my way back to the front when I heard the sounds of fighting at the front door. By the time I got there, the “battle” was over, and I was astonished to find that Qatana had dispatched a rat herself! She never ceases to surprise.

It as clear that the place had been unused for months. There were signs of an explosion and then … then we found the decaying skeleton in tattered clothes. It had been wearing a womans robe, and the head was oddly elongated and one arm hand ended in talons. It looked like a transformational spell or potion had gone very wrong.

Casting detect magic, we found a bit of magic off in one corner of the room. There was a niche in the corner that held … a tiny human, specifically the head of a human and the body of a rat or large mouse.

“A ratling” Etayine infomred us. “Probably a familiar.”

The little creature had spunk, I’ll give it that. When one of us asked another, “What language might it speak? CAN it speak?” it replied with a little attitude: “I CAN speak Common. Now leave!”

He had the attitude that it was his house now … and I suppose there was a case to be made for that. Qatana continued to try to make nice to it and for her efforts she got jumped upon and bitten.

I rolled my eyes a bit. This “battle” had gone far enough. Etayne cast Daze upon it, which made it all the easier for me to simply but gently grab the ratling, remove it from Qatana, and advise it to settle down.

Radella had the great idea of offering to put the witch to rest with a proper burial. THAT the ratling stopped and listened to, and agreed to.

After having done so he was in a much fairer mood, and he even shared a map that his mistress had created of the entire swamp. Qatana eagerly copied that down. The 3rd X is another shipwreck, although the ratling warned us it was in poor shape.

Now on much better terms with the ratling, and with him resigned to a rather lonely life, we left. The wreck was just as he’d described. It had a Tien glyph that Kali dutifully copied down for translation later.

It was Kali, too, who reminded us we had not examined all of the goblin “fortress” (I will continue to use that word in quotes as it was about as sturdy as two syrup sodden pancakes leaning against each other.) We returned to the fo- I mean place, and did indeed find 23 more gp, as well as

[124] skyrockets [3]

We resolved now to return to Sandpoint and collect our bounty.

However, halfway to the main road, we heard a rustling, a squeal, and then bones snapping. This unnerved us all, so I stepped off the path a bit, looking to see more.

We did. We all saw more, and many of us will remember it far longer than we might like. It was a creature like none I’ve seen before. It had gaping jaws, but they were sideways. Its knees bent the wrong way. Its arms and legs ended in sharp and dangerous looking talons. And it either did not know common or chose to talk in grunts and clicks. This must have been the Swamp Monster.

I and my Greataxe drew first blood (?!) from the creature, but Anavaru followed up with an equally strong blow and killed it.

Some said this was a creature that some at Sandpoint had seen in days past, and that it was evil and unnatural. I could certainly believe that last. There wasnt a bounty on it, and yet it seemed menacing. And it was so unusual! We decided to take back the whole corpse – it wasn’t that far, and people wouldn’t believe just a description.

We did turn a few heads when we walked into town, I must say. And the sheriff congratulated us on a job well done. He called the Swamp Monstar a “sinspawn” and confirmed that they’d been seen in the town a few years ago, but not since. He added 500gp to the goblin money, a welcome surprise.

And now it was time to go to the Inn and talk to Ameiko.

I’ve not seen her much and I don’t know her well, certainly as well as Shalelu does. But she seemed to genuinely rotate between shaken, happy, and angry. She clearly needed some time to digest its contents, and invited us all back to dinner that evening when she could tell us more about her family and what this letter meant to her. She said we could keep everything else, which meant an additional bounty for us. in the end, I received the equivalent of 959 gp plus 6 sp. Added to my 18.9 previous, I now had a total of 977 gp and 15 sp.

It was time to upgrade.

I was able to find masterwork chainmail for sale for 300gp, and perhaps more importantly, a masterwork comnpound bow specially created to take advantage of my strength (+2), but that cost twice as much. I bought 60 arrows and sold my ordinary longbow and my scale mail, leaving me with a total of 121 gp and 1 sp.

And then the dinner.

There were others there I was only vaguely familiar with. Ameiko and Shalelu, of course, and everyone from the goblin group. There was also a man named Sandru who owned wagons in a caravan, and an older woman named Koya who has apparently travelled with Sandru in the past.

Ameiko started out by thanking us all again. This old letter apparently means a great deal to her. She has decided it is time to take her boots out of the closet and follow the lead that this letter provides. She wants to go to Brinewall and solve this final mystery about her family. It is no small journey, and it will involve more than just a couple of horses. and tents. Ah, that is why Sandru is here. A caravan.

A caravan? Why, that’s perfect! Kasimir would be ideal for that situation. Others in the group were buzzing too, and soon it became apparent that if Ameiko was going to make this journey, she was going to do it with the assistance of everyone at the table – including Shalelu. We would be a team, for once, instead of opponents-in-training.

Kali was doing some figuring – apparently travelling is practically second nature in her family! – and we determined we would need more wagons and supplies than Ameiko’s 2000gp stake in this would provide. Then I remembered the jewels from the chest … and that contribution from our group added another 1500 gp to the pot. That put us over the edge. This was really going to happen.

Koya did some fortunetelling. I’m not a big believer in that sort of stuff ordinarily. She displayed five cards but it was all very cryptic. There was mention of cyclones, and attacks from all sides, and something about foreboding. And a place of strength. All very confusing.

2 Erastus, Moonday

Today we left Sandpoint, and began our adventure. We are bound first for Galduria and expecting to take about 3 days.

4 Erastus, Wealday

Reached Galduria. Made a profit on the goods we traded! Bonus! No unusual events.

5 Erastus, Oathday

Relatively short trip to Wolf’s Ear. Again profitable.

7 Erastus, Starday

I suppose we should be glad that scouting and guard duty is so boring. But it is so boring. Today we reached Ravenmoor. We should reach Rodericks Cove by 9 Erastus.

9 Erastus, Moonday

Reach it we did, but not, this time, without incident. Our scouts found an ambush waiting for us: 4 ogres lie in wait a few hundred yards ahead. We discussed our strategy. We’d quietly set up a place to shoot fireworks and arrows behind where they were waiting, and surprise them.

Almost worked. We need to practice this a bit more. I rode out to fight them, but I was the only one there. Skyrockets and arrows were flying, but arriving on my horse meant I got there faster than everyone else, and that meant I was a target longer. Chain mail helps, but it doesnt make one invincible! Eventually we did destroy all four, but not before I was very near death. Thank the gods for the healers!

We recovered about 2 cargo units of miscellaneous valuables that I presume had been obtained from careless or hapless travellers. I was told they’d probably bring about 400gp each.

On tp Riddlesport.

11 Erastus, Wealday

Riddlesport. A large town; certainly much larger than Sandpoint. I realized today that our journey has taken us past Crying Leaf. I note with some discomfort that although I had no plans of “stopping by” that it bothers me to be so close and not stop by.

Our journey to Brinewall will be the longest, and it will not end in a city so we must bring more food and supplies. It should be a week there, and then a week back, and I expect we will spend several days there helping Ameiko investigate things.

15 Erastus, Sunday

Ameiko has been pale and very tired for some time now, and although I don’t know her well I’d say she is ill. She waved it off, but “I’ll be fine” is much less effective when one collapses a few seconds after saying it. Koya checked her over, and everyone with any kind of healing checked her over, and she simply appears to be sleeping. But way too soundly and restlessly.

And she has been talking in her sleep. And only in Tien. Fortunately, Kali is knowledgable in this tongue.

“Beware the birds who wish to fly but cannot.”
“1 treasure beyond 2 seals in the 3rd vault.”

17 Erastus, Moonday

“Beware the cuckolded cuckoo. It is in his shattered silent love that you should seek aid.”
“Key. Key. The key you seek lies in the grip of the ten-handed one. His fear is your greatest ally.”

“Grandfather waits in the dark but he knows no who he was.”

We’ve reached a point where the caravan can proceed no farther. We’ll have to go in ourselves: Shalelu, Sandru, and Koya will care for Ameiko. It’s so … oppressive here. We’re probably about a half mile from the castle.

as written by the cavalier, Olmas Lurecia, himself.

23 Sarenith, Starday

Although we had dispatched many goblins, we’d not yet found the king, nor had we explored the whole complex.  Although part of the group stood before a likely pair of double doors, the group as a whole was still fairly scattered.  I hurried to the double doors, arriving at the same time as several others.  Radella had examined the doors and declared them to be free of traps.

Qatana waited for a moment, which gave me a chance to get closer to her.  But then for some reason, she illogically decided to open the doors and step in.  She is far too impetuous.

The room held goblins, including one that appeared to be the chief.  It was decorated in typical goblin fashion, with poorly preserved dog and horse heads adorning the walls.  Although decrepit and smelly, the room seemed to be their equivalent of a throne room, judging from the elevated “chair” that had been constructed for one of the goblins.

Meanwhile Etayne had gone below the room (to the ground) to get a different view of things.  The floorboards were imprecisely laid, which allowed him to get a vague idea of what was happening above.  And what was happening is that a bunch of goblins had moved in on Qatana as the chair goblin gestured and made a sound that was clearly an order to attack.

It didn’t take long for Qatana to get injured.  I managed to kill one goblin with a single blow but there was eight of them altogether and it was a bit like trying to kill a cloud of mosquitoes.  Fast little buggers.

Some of the goblins began to attack me, and although I have decent armor it only takes a few lucky hits to make me hurt.  Chief goblin fired off a skyrocket, of all things, and several of us were blinded or injured when it exploded … of course, so were several goblins. Chief must be an inherited position because he clearly hadn’t outsmarted all the other goblins.

Kali threw a color spray out, and between that and a couple more axe flurries, and we had a room full of goblin corpses, including one bearing two 250 gp ears.

We also found

[101] 5 +1 arrows with animal bane (2d6 extra damage)
[102] 2 potions of cure light wounds (one to Sparna, one to me)
[103] skyrocket
[104] 6 regular arrows
[105] MW composite longbow
[106] chain shirt (small)
[107] spear

There was a small “bedroom” just off this room (similar decor plus a bed with ratty looking blankets).  Qatana had been making notes about each room we’d visited, and suddenly announced that there must be something behind a particular wall.  I bashed it with the axe, and she was right – there as another small room, closet really, but it held an intriguing looking

[108] beautiful red chest

Someone said it appeared to be from the Minkaui kingdom of Tien (sure, ok). There were delicate edgings of cranes and frogs.  Opening it, we found

[109] 6 MW shurikens
[110] a long hairpin with a red pearl at one end
[111] a folding fan: one side had a painted picture of a gecko among cherry blossoms.  the other side had a scrawlings representing far lesser skill in art. In fact, they looked like a crude map of part of the swamp, with 3 x’s marked on it.

There were also 329 silver pieces and 112 gold pieces.

Technically we’d come to kill the goblins, retrieve their leader’s head for extra reward, and return to the town to claim said reward.  But now with this fan in front of us, we seemed closer to something bigger. Maybe worth more money.

We quickly decided to check out the closest X on the map.

On the way, we noticed some of the apparently skeletal footprints again. It appears that perhaps they were going – or rather, returning to, if I read the tracks correctly – the same way we were heading.

After about a mile, we found an odd sight. There was a two masted Chelish ship that was here on land.  Somebody – goblins, I suspect – had actually built a fence around it, apparently claiming ownership. A pile of goblin bodies laid out in an orderly pile outside the ship suggested, however, that merely demonstrating ownership had been insufficient.

I’d judge it had been there for maybe 20 years. There were goblin tracks everywhere, but there were more recent ones of skeletons. It had obviously  been on fire at some time in the past, and there was writing in a strange script on the side of the boat which was probably its name. If this ship ever held anything, it seemed the goblins had plundered it.

We returned to the goblin fort, retrieved the chest, and briefly talked about what to do next. The day was waning. We decided to visit another X, although we’d probably get there late in the day and might wait to seriously examine or explore whatever the X represented in daylight.

We returned to the regular road, but then turned off to the “witches walk” after a time.  Arriving at the edge of the swamp, we again saw bony footprints.  People began muttering to themselves, asking, what good is a sword against something with no flesh?  I think my great sword will still do good damage against a skeleton, should we meet one, but others are considering alternatives.

As night drew, we could see about 2000 feet away another shipwreck. There appeared to be a cave entrance nearby.  The skeletal tracks entered the cave.  We decided going into a dark cave that was inhabited by skeletons, at night, was not the best idea. We set up watches, and camped out closer to the road.

I suggested we might set a few traps that would make a racket if tripped, just to give us extra time if something got past the guard and tried to sneak up on us.  The group agreed.

The night passed uneventfully.

24 Sarenith, Sunday

Bit of trivia I picked up from another in the group: the Witches Walk is called that because, legend has it, it leads to Megus, also known as the Swamp Witch.  Legend has it that sometimes she comes to town for things, but that nobody has ever really cared to follow her back and visit.  Bit of a recluse, apparently.

Meanwhile, Qatana tried to estimate the number of skeletons that made these tracks, and concludes it was 6-12.

So we approached the cave – clearly, this was where we needed to go. Again, Qatana pushed past and went to the head of the group. I can’t imagine facing Shalelu if something were to happen to her, but I need to talk to her about her impetuousness, or she’s going to get herself killed in spite of the rest of us.

A clicking sound greeted us, which could be bones tapping or something else, like spiders.  And before we could try to determine one way or another, Qatana went deeper and yes, confirmed there were two spiders in the cave.  I rushed up with her and swung, but missed.  The corridor was narrow here, and our options were limited.

We managed to dispatch the spiders, and Qatana was off again in another direction, like a hummingbird flitting between flowers.  While the rest of the group entered the spider den, I followed Qatana.  I’d always expected that leading a group on a quest would involve me strategizing about where to go next, not reactively running to hastily protect someone who was apparently moving randomly.

She was standing near a pool that appeared to have some depth to it … maybe or maybe not over my head, but deep enough to hide something in it.

Meanwhile, I gathered from the noise behind us that something had been living in the spider den and disturbed. I found out later it was a giant amoeba.  Sheesh. I can’t be everywhere.

It was quickly dispatched (I think Sparna may have finally killed it) and the rest of the group soon joined us. We arranged ourselves, and continued moving forward, staying away from the water to our left as much as possible.

Ivan, I think, threw a glowing rock into the room, revealing a large cavern with piles of bones scattered throughout. Piles of bones which seemed to have some ragged armor attached to it.

Nothing moved.

I couldn’t help but believe that these were the skeletons and they would come to life at some point, so I approached the pile nearest me and began to try to remove the armor.  If it was going to come to life, I’d rather it didn’t have armor.

And by golly, they all came to life an stood up.

Qatana, instead of retreating, tried to attack.  She’s not really a warrior; it’s not her forte.  There were shouts of trying to retreat into the corridor so they could not surround us, but skeletons were emerging from the water too, and in short order it was not possible to retreat without giving the skeletons free blows at us as we passed.  We weren’t quite surrounded, but we were at least flanked.  And some of our stronger fighters were stuck out of position .. or rather some of our more vulnerable people were stuck nearer the front.

Ivan shot off a “blunt arrow” (I thought that was weird when he first mentioned he had those, but now I see the wisdom in these strange weapons_ and it connected.  But then we found the skeletons, once standing, were not slow to move and everyone in the front found themselves under multiple attacks.

Several of us found ourselves near death, including myself.  Qatana was, I thought, sure to leave this plane but in a very fortunate turn of events she was able to heal herself with a potion faster than I’ve ever see anyone do.  Ivan reached out and healed me when I thought I was in similar straits, but I fear I offended him when I, rejuvenated, immediately moved into thicker battle, not realizing that he himself was particularly vulnerable at that time.  I must remember to scan 360 before deciding on my next move since battle situations can change so quickly.

Ultimately we did defeat them without any deaths, but barely.  Now with time to look around the cavern, it was apparent that there was another exit than the way we came in.  Resolutely, we all marched that way to see if there were more undead waiting to attack us.

We were not incorrect, but this was a different creature.

There was but one, and it was sitting on another, grander chest. Qatana, of course, threw a rock at it, and like the other skeletons, it slowly rose.  This one’s armor appeared real and useful, and its eyes glowed from empty sockets. It was dressed in a foreign manner. As it stood, it scanned us like a hawk, and then turned to me. It pointed at me with its sword, and said a single word in a language that I didn’t know – and yet I knew what had happened. I knew how to respond. This is what it meant to stand in this role – to be identified as the champion to be defeated, the mark to be measured against.  Somehow this long dead champion had identified me as the main threat, and in its strange language, issued a challenge.

“I accept your challenge,” I replied. “And challenge you in return. To the death.”

I did not know if I could defeat him, but I also knew I had companions who could both join the attack and heal me during the battle.  But I didn’t fully realize the truth of that thought.  The battle, such was it was, was anticlimatic.  Sparna quickly disarmed him of the fine looking sword he held, and it was all but decided from that point. Radella found her inner warrior and unleashed some amazing blows before Anavaru finished it off. I had but one swing at it, connecting, but feeling as though I hadn’t really answered the challenge honorably.  Perhaps I should have asked my compantions to stand down first and given me a chance to make good on my challenge.  Perhaps next time.

This chest, a jade and cherry one, held amazing things like the other. Being bigger, it held bigger things.

First, there was the sword that had fallen from his fingers at Sparna’s beckon.

[112] +1 wakazashi. Once per day it could cast shield on another
companion if touched by the wielder. It had seven shrikes
coiled on a branch.
[113] a bronze key
[114] cherry and jade chest, lined with red velvet, opened by [113]
[115] 5 potions of cure light wounds
[116] 2 potions of cure moderate wounds
[117] 3 potions of lesser restoration
[118] wand of identify [19]
[119] MW Chain shirt
[120] MW cold iron wakazashi
[121] 11 fireworks (desnan candles)
[122] 4 skyrockets (as we’d found in the goblin fort)
[123] ring of climbing

and a pile of coins: 7640 silver pieces, 842 gold pieces, jewelry worth about 1100 gold pieces.

In addition, while examining the sword, we discovered a small hidden panel. A miniature scroll was concealed within.  It was also in that foreign script.  Kali smiled, and said, “I memorized Comprehend Languages just in case something like this came up.”

The scroll was a letter to a son – specifically, as she read on, to Ameiko’s father from Ameiko’s grandfather. It spoke of heritage and honor. “I was not angry at you. I was angry at myself.  The next few days will show.  The box holds our family’s treasure. It is in a secret vault under Brinewell Castle. Enemies will believe our line has ended; this is an advantage, because our enemies will never stop.”

It said more, and in more flowery language.  But clearly, Shalelu’s friend Ameiko was heir to a heritage that she was not aware of.  Or was she, and she was hiding from it?

Is there a greater quest, a greater cause here?  The possibility stirs my blood.

as written by the cavalier, Olmas Lurecia, himself.

22 Sareneth 4712, Fireday

I’d come to Sandpoint at the advice of Shalelu, who seemed to feel I needed to make a decision. I was feeling some gentle pressure from her to take up the life of a ranger, which by no small coincidence was a largely accurate description of Shalelu’s life, but I was leaning towards a more … a more principled life. A more ordered life.

Not to say that Shalelu was without principle! But she seemed to spread herself thin. Mentoring me, caring for Qatana, and calling no town her home yet every town her responsibility … I felt something with a more singular purpose suited me better.

As a member of the Order of the Dragon, I would be bound by vow to the protection of a particular group, or cause. I would be judged by my steadfastness and bravery rather than by how many people I knew or how many places I visited.

I would make my mark by how well I focused, not how well I wandered. It was well and good that Shalelu served the region at large, but I’d come to desire a more immediate and practical way to display my skills.

So while Shalelu seemed to feel I needed to think things through, I was already pretty sure I knew where my path would lead when I got to town. On this particular Fireday afternoon, I went looking for Shalelu. I know that when in Sandpoint, he sometimes heads over to the Rusty Dragon – apparently she knows the owner (but then who doesn’t she know here? ) Shalelu was not immediately evident when I headed over there late afternoon, but there appeared to be lively discussions at several tables. I spotted Qatana sitting at one table so I sat down.

The discussion at this table, and apparently at the adjacent tables as well, was about the recent announcement of a bounty for goblin ears. Apparently the town had had a similar bounty in the past, but it had been discontinued for some time. Quite recently, however, the sheriff or mayor had announced 10gp per ear was being offered, meaning 20gp per goblin (unless you had the misfortune to kill one that was already half harvested.) There was substantially more available should we kill the chieftain of the goblins: 500 gp.

They’ve been getting more aggressive and waylaying travellers between here and Magnimar, in and around the Brinestone Marsh. Dead (or broke) travellers is bad for business, but Sandpoint is small while Magnimar is large. Magnimar won’t put any effort to fixing this problem, so Sandpoint had to.

Well, ever since she warmed to me (a little) I’ve been a little protective of Qatana. Although I’m sure she’d brush it off if I said it out loud, sometimes Qatana … well, she has an odd approach to things. She lives by the moment, sometimes with little consequence for the next moment. Anyway, she showed verbal interest in this goblin hunt, and upon rapid reflection I realized that she herself really had no way to kill goblins, that I knew of. But several around her quickly huzzahed the idea and it occurred to me that my dilemma had solved itself. I had a purpose, and a group to protect. With some trepidation but little hesitation, I joined the group. It would have been better had we formed on Oathday, but I could tell this group wasn’t going to wait another week for the right day to come around again.

The group consisted of

Qatana – a human body filled with quirks and topped with tactlessness
Ivan – human with a bow
Sparna – a heavily armored dwarf with a big pike
Radella – a sword, yet she claims to be stealthy
Etayne – another ranger? or a magician? not heavily armed
Kali – young wizard
Anavaru – more bow and a — horse? apparently this was an in joke
among many, but her horse looked an awful lot like a camel to me.

Ameiko came over to talk with us and temper our – their – enthusiasm. It was she who suggested we introduce each other and briefly describe what skills we bring to this rag tag group. She also provided some information that she’d heard about the goblins: apparently they are members of the Licktoad tribe, they seem to be concentrating their attacks right along the edge of the bog where the main road passes closest, and also to be careful of the “soggy river monster” that lives in the swamp. She also suggested there is a person or creature living in the swamp who calls himself (or who has been named) the “warden of the swamp” and he might know more about the goblins.

Armed with this and a healthy dose of optimism, the group disbanded briefly to gather supplies and then rejoined an hour later at the south bridge. And off we went, many brimming with confidence. Because we’d be operating in the swamp, I was reluctantly convinced to leave Kasimir in the stables.

We proceeded south to one of the fishing trails leading into the swamp. Ameiko had said taking that trail into the swamp should take us, eventually, to the Warden. After we entered, I noted that the tree cover got denser and thicker, and as my thoughts flicked back to my mock hunting with Shalelu, I involuntarily kept looking up at the trees. She always tended to go up.

There was rustling and a splash off to one side, as something seemed to find water.

And we came across a soggy looking, rickety bridge. While this was just a swamp and not a raging river, I don’t think anybody was interested in getting wet at this point. Kali, however, announced she could fix this, and after casting a spell she called prejidistashun (I think) the bridge did seem less mossy and more sturdy. We crossed without incident.

Off to the left, there was a squeal like a pig that ended abruptly.

Another bridge was cleaned by magic, and another bridge crossed.

And a third.

And we started to make out tracks other than ours. One was alien looking – three toes but human sized. There also seemed to be halfling tracks, but human sized as well. Some of the human ones covered the halfling ones, implying they came later. But both were relatively fresh.

What did Ameiko say? She had gestured at the dwarf and said, “it’s said he’s about your size”. Perhaps the halfling prints were his, then, but did he have a companion, or was he in danger?

Finally we emerged into something of a clearing. There was here a swampy looking lagoon at the edge of the bog. And a building, of sorts. It appeared a little mossy and soggy and in a similar state of disrepair as the bridges, but perhaps everything here is like that after a few days. I swear I’ve never felt such dampness before. It was a two story building, and the halfling tracks led to the house, suggesting we were in the right place. The human tracks led towards the house too but to a different side.

We called out but there was no response. Anavaru and Qatana hurried to to the door and called again. This time the door opened. A halfling stood there, bleeding from several wounds. “Now is not a good time for visitors,” he said. We ignored that and asked him about goblins in the swamp – were they the ones who injured him? He seemed confused and replied hesitantly that, yes, goblins had injured him.

Ivan pushed his way to the front and healed the man. Just like that? Sheesh, do I have another Qatana on my hands? The man seemed surprised too, but hesitantly thanked him.

Then Qatana did something dangerous but not entirely out of character. She quickly stepped past the halfling into his house, asking as she entered, “Do you have mice?” She looked anxiously about before muttering, “is that the pantry? Always mice in a pantry” and moving into an adjacent room.

Our unwitting host didn’t know what to do with that, and awkwardly began something of a tour. Sparna guarded the outside front of the building. Anavaru started apologizing for Qatana as she entered the house. Kali entered and asked, “Everything okay” and Anavaru in a stage whisper responded “put a lid on Qatana, willya?”.

Meanwhile, the halfling almost got whiplash from watching people enter and move through his house. “You should, uh, you should definitely go take care of the goblins now before they hurt somebody else. In the swamp, the goblins in the swamp. Right away.”

Meanwhile, Qatana called from the pantry, “No wonder you don’t have any mice. There’s a friendly little viper in here. C’mere, you.” And even though the halfling was already injured, I swear he paled. “Viper? A snake? No, no, snakes are bad.” Kali called out, “Qatana, he’s scared of snakes, and you’re freaking him out!” But also cast detect magic, and looked around the entryway. Anavaru looked at the halfling and her eyes narrowed; she told me later she could tell he was being untruthful about something.

Outside, Radella had found signs of a struggle on the far side of the house. Judging from the tracks, it probably had occurred not too long ago. She called out to Sparna.

However, inside, the halfling was trying to compose himself and saying, “Ok, everybody needs to get out right now” while still occasionally glancing into the pantry where supposedly there was a snake.

I continued to engage the halfling in polite conversation, even as he tried to convince people to leave. Something was very strange here and even I could detect that his answers were odd and forced. Still, if anybody, we were the ones in the wrong here, having essentially forced our way into his house. And he’d not attacked us or anything; if anything, he seemed to be the victim of an assault.

Meanwhile, Qatana had entered another room nearby and found cases of snake food and yes, live mice! Ivan asked the halfling, “wait, why do you have snake food if you hate snakes?”

“Kill the snake!” responded the halfling. “Kill the snake, then go kill the goblins! Go now!”

Qatana smiled and headed upstairs. Ivan shrugged at the halfling, and followed her up. The halfling clearly had a look on his face that said, “When did I lose control of this circus?”

Kali’s detect magic had found some sort of lingering magic on the halfling. “Qatana,” she called up in Elvish, “we need to get you down here; there’s some sort of magic.” Meanwhile, I opened the door to another room from the entryway, and it seemed to contain a room with no roof, a high wall, and … snakes!

Surprisingly, the halfling replied, in Elvish, “that’s probably lingering from your friend.” Kali looked sharply at the halfling, and the halfling started up the stairs.

Sparna and Radella came back in. That meant Qatana and Ivan were upstairs, and the rest of us were downstairs, with Anuvaru feeding mice to snakes in the open roofed room. The halfling was slowly moving from frustrated to angry. Kali continued to call up to Qatana, “Hey, I need you down here”.

I followed the halfling up the stairs, saying, “Hey, you’re injured; you should sit down and rest.” Meanwhile, the halfling got about halfway up the stairs before Qatana, already upstairs, turned and asked, “hey, if you’re afraid of them, why do you have snakes?” The halfling stopped and gave her a level look, saying in a stern voice, “That’s it. Leave my stuff alone, and Get Out of My House.” Qatana did not move, and he said, “Fine then.” He shapeshifted into some sort of creature, about medium size, and slashed at Qatana, connecting and drawing blood.

Blood having been drawn and safety having been threatened, I now felt comfortable attacking him. Well, that and the fact that he could change shapes and so clearly wasn’t actually a halfling. But most importantly, he’d threatened my charges. My first swing at him missed, but my next swing connected soundly and Sparna, who had run up the stairs, polished him off.

But where was the halfling? Was there a halfling?

We found him unconscious in a secret room upstairs. Reviving him, we found him not at all hostile but instead grateful. He called his attacker a “stalker” and said they lived in the swamp. Not a lot of them, and they usually stayed away. That’s one reason why he keeps snakes – they really don’t like them. But they can take the appearance of their victims, which this one obviously did.

His name is Walthus Prodstone, and he invited us to stay for dinner. We asked him about the three toed tracks, and he said, “That’s the swamp monster! Terrible thing. Claws for hand AND feet. Legs bend the wrong direction. Jaws open wide – it’ll eat anything!”

He was so grateful at our intervention that he offered us his enchanted cloak.

[100] cloak of resistance +1 (small)

Being small, Sparna was pretty much the only one who could wear it. But he did appreciate it.

“The goblins,” said Walthus, “are largely at the southern end of the swamp. I’d stick to the paths to get there; the swamp monster is much more likely to find you (and harder to battle) in the underbrush than if you stay on the paths. And the swamp is so dense through there that you’ll likely not gain any time anyway. The goblins have constructed a crude fortress; while it will be difficult to approach undetected, you’re most likely to find the bulk of them and/or their chieftain there.”

We set watch for the night, but we will take off in the morning.

23 Sareneth, Starday

We wound our way through the swamp the same way we came until we returned to the road. We then took the road to the area where both the attacks had been happening and Walthus had said there was a path into the swamp that the goblins were likely using.

Sparna asked if the bridges were high enough, and the goblins small enough, that they could hide under the bridges. Taking the time to inspect, roughly measure, and consider, the answer is yes. Something to think about.

Following the path from the road, we entered the swamp again. Although the early morning sun was burning off the mist, it was no less moist and dank.

It wasn’t too long before we came across goblin architecture – that is to say, scrap lumber vaguely arranged as walls, windows, and structures. There used to be a gate to this “compound” but it looked like it had been broken down. There was a pool just inside the gate, but it was algae-filled, and perhaps more insidiously, there were remains in and around the pool. Some bodies were burned.

There were footprints but they were both human sized, and apparently skeletal. Could we be dealing with undead? I’m not sure we signed up for that, and I’m also not sure if we’re prepared to handle them. Judging from the footprints, though, it appears goblins have fled the compound.

Now that we were inside, I could see that most structures were actually empty underneath. It appears that the useful part of these structures were on the second story. Sparna climbed one of the ladders and almost happily proclaimed, “Goblins!” and entered.

I glanced around and thinking to approach from another entrance, chose another ladder nearby and climbed it, hoping to meet Sparna from a different direction in the same building. When we first entered, the goblins were cowering, but when they saw who we were, they stopped and attacked.

Clearly, whatever had been here was more fearsome than a dwarf wrapped in a tin can. Or a half elf carrying a great axe. From below, Ivan shot a glowing arrow into the room and not only hit a goblin but lit up the room, making the attack even easier.

The next several minutes were a blur, as we took out goblins and moved to the next building. Eventually, everybody ended up on the second level, either attacking or healing. For my part, I got winged once but was quickly healed by Ivan. In general, I either missed, or gravely wounded a goblin. A great axe is fantastic on these little critters.

One thing was clear. The goblins are happy we are us, and not someone or something else. Something to think about. But first, we do need to clear out this area …