Volume #3, Issue #3. (Feb 1, 1995)
Subscribers: 158
Contributors: 8
Delivery Man/Publisher:agl1@le.ac.uk
Genesis Man/Founder:digdug@iastate.edu
Hack and Slash Man/Editor:msphil@birds.wm.edu
- Forgotten Realms
- SpellJammer
- Mystara
- Ærth
- Original
- Unknown
- G.U.R.P.S.
- Campaign Journals
Reporters this issue:
Matt Brooks, (mcbroo@infotech.ts.wm.edu)
Vincent Gray, (vince@sscl.uwo.ca)
Richard J. Pugh (rjpugh@aol.com)
Daniel Goncalves (dlr@vision.inesc.pt)
Mike Phillips (msphil@birds.wm.edu)
Mike Knudsen (knudsenm@ohsu.edu)
Tim Loud (jloud@gamma.is.tcu.edu)
Andy Merritt (amerritt@armltd.co.uk)
Waterdeep: ADVENTURING COMPANY RETURNS
An adventuring company which had gone north with a caravan to look
into what was causing the disappearance of some wagon trains has
returned, and the story they are telling has some questioning its
validity. However, the teamsters who accompanied the caravan are not
contradicting them.
The group claims that, a scant four days outside Waterdeep, the
clouds turned dark, and greenish lightning began to flash all around
them. Two priests not affiliated with the adventuring band began to
set down powerful wards to protect the caravan from attackers. As the
sun set, fiends and demons appeared, and began to assault the caravan,
but the wards held. Some of the people accompanying the caravan had
remained outside the barrier to battle the fiends. A group of undead
marched onto the battlefield, and threatened to overwhelm the barrier
with sheer numbers. Faced with allowing in the minor undead, or the
titanic demons, the priest who had remained inside the wards,
Adominus, chose to allow the undead in.
The adventurers fought them furiously, and although some were
wounded, managed to defeat the undead. Soon after they put to final
rest the undead warriors, the female priest who was outide the wards
was knocked unconscous by a fiend. Kantal, a paladin of Ilmater who
was leading the caravan charged to her defense, but was forced to stop
to battle the demons who had felled Delsonora. Tintagel, one of the
adventuring band, raced out to carry Delsonora back in, but on his
return, was noticed by a demon, who turned to attack the burdened
dwarf. Before the monster could reach Tintagel, Tyl'Gain an elf, shot
an arrow into the fiend, causing it to lose its stride, and that gave
Tintagel time to get back behind the safety of the wards.
By the next morning, the fiends were gone, and the caravan
proceeded on its way. Here the tales grow uncertain, as the group
claims to have met a creature the like of which are unknown on Faerun.
The female humanoid was described as being about as tall as a dwarf,
but with elven ears, and an innocent face like that of a young human.
She claimed to be a mage, but the Moonshaen of the group, after a few
ales in the Dripping Dagger, was heard to say, "If tha's how reliable
and uncontrollable magic is, I'm gla' I dunna use it!" Unfortunately,
the person in question remained in Leilon and did not accompany the
party back to Waterdeep, so none of this can be confirmed.
Matt Brooks: mcbroo@infotech.ts.wm.edu
Pre-time of troubles: Waterdeep
SVG'S LEAVE WATERDEEP
The adventuring group SVG (generally known as the Silly Vicious
Goons), departed Waterdeep in the middle of winter, stating the city
of "none of your d*mn business" as their first destination. Our
usually "reliable" party source, the gnomish illusionist Ora, was
unusually reticent, but did mention plans to sell vast quantities of
gems in a caravan city, and then to proceed to a distant, vast,
abandoned elven city near a Harper stronghold ... Precise details,
were, regretably, unavailable.
The ranger Abel did not accompany them: as he has been recruiting
servants, low-level fighters, etc., it is assumed that he has opted to
become the castellan for the party's stronghold near Silverymoon. The
party appears to be planning on establishing a co-operative operation
at that site, with the mages, clerics, and fighters all setting up
their high-level operations there.
Vincent Gray: vince@sscl.uwo.ca
Go back to index.
REWARD OFFERED FOR TWO RENEGADE ARMADAS
Official Press Statement from the Imperial Elven Navy
Waterdeep- Admiral Gidion Stardawn, chief admiral of the Evermeet
Imperial Elven Navy, has offered a substantial reward for information
leading to the capture and/or recovery of two Elven Armada Ships.
One of the fugitive ships is the IEN Wanderer, commanded by Rear
Admiral Resika. The IEN Wanderer is a Monarch-Beta class Armada that
was returned to service about a century ago as an exploration craft.
Resika has been an outspoken opponent of Stardawn for quite some time,
and according to records, has cast his loyalty with Admiral
Leafblower, Stardawn's primary opponent. However, since the allegance
of Admiral Resika has not been determined at this time, Stardawn is
anxious to reach him.
Admiral Leafblower, for his part, is supposed to have given Resika
special orders to travel to a special base somewhere beyond the known
spheres. Leafblower and Resika have been long friends, and if the
rumor of these special orders are true, then it is likely that
Leafblower is attempting to field a new fleet to oppose Stardawn in
the growing civil war.
There has been no recorded sighting of the IEN Wanderer in almost
six years.
The second missing armada is a Swallowtail-Gamma class battleship,
named the Cecropia Dawn. The craft was last seen in Solaris, where
it served as a flagship for Rear Admiral Falconbane. The craft was
assumed destroyed when the Mosaic citadel was destroyed (as reported
in the last issue of the FNN-TAJ), but recent inteligence has proven
that this is not the case. The Cecropia Dawn was sited in Delcospace,
apparently after being torn through a phlogistin vortex. The citadel
appeared damaged beyond repair, but the primary hull looked to be in
perfect order. In fact, it is reported to have been recently repaired
of extensive battle damage. Several days later, the same armada was
seen leaving Delcospace, sporting a new citadel. The Elven Navy has
been known to remove the citadel sections of armadas during upgrades
and drydock. This new citadel is assumed to be a restored hulk,
fitted to the existing primary hull.
The current operators of the Cecropia Dawn are unknown, but they
have painted the ship a dark blue with gold and silver trim. Anyone
seeing this armada is requested to bring it to the attention of the
Elven Navy without delay. Full schematics of this renegade ship are
available from the navy.
*** Response ***
From the Spelljammer's aid society.
In light of the recent actions by the now shattered Elven Navy,
the Spelljammer's aid society encourages everyone reading to *NOT*
report either of these missing ships to admiral Stardawn, or anyone in
his command. The fact that they are asking for help in locating these
ships indicates that they are no longer able to keep their own fleet
commanders in line, and that they are no longer worthy of trust. The
Spelljammer's Aid Society will double any financial reward offered by
the navy regarding the wherabouts of these two ships.
Richard J. Pugh: RJPugh@aol.com
Go back to index.
Kingdom of Karameikos: Specularum
ELVEN REFUGEES ASK KING FOR ASSISTANCE IN RECOVERING CLAN RELICS
Diplomats from the clans of the elven refugees from Alfheim were
received by King Stefan Karameikos today. It was found that the
nature of the ensuing discussion was to request military help in order
to go to what once was the luxuriant Canolbarth forest, now Aengmor,
and retrieve some of their clan relics from the Shadow Elves. The
elven diplomats claim that there still are many secret places of
worship the Shadow Elves didn't have the time to find yet, and in
those places there are a lot of sacred objects that have passed from
father to child in those clans.
It was the diplomat of the small Clan Aerendil, one of the few
survivors of that clan, that more vehemently defended a military
incursion into Shadow Elven territory to retrieve those relics. It
would seem that the Tree of Life of that clan remained behind, when
all that defended it were killed by the Shadow Elves.
Kingdom of Karameikos: Threshold
UNDEAD RAIDS EXPLAINED
A mage and his friends that were rescued a few days ago form an
undead raid in the Altan Tepes, organised a meeting with the local
authorities, including both the military and clergy. Retameron Antonic
himself attended. They had an explanation for the recent undead raids
that have been taking place in Karameikos and the neighbouring
countries, for quite some time. According to their story, some
ancient evil was released from a crypt in Esterhold a few months ago.
The release caused great devastation to the surrounding areas, and the
party was unable to stop the creature from escaping. It was not like
anything they had every seen! All the attacks made, magical or
otherwise, didn't seem to affect it in any way.
The creature was clad in black and the darkness covered it's face,
giving no clue to it's nature, although the body appeared human.
Some of the party's hirelings died a few days after confronting
the creature from a strange rotting disease they were not able to cure.
Since then, the party has been chasing the creature, and it would
seem that it has great power over the undead, perhaps being one itself.
The party has no doubt, due to the increase in power and organisation
from the raiding undead, that the raids are the creature's doing. Its goals
are not yet known, but, by the way it travels, it seems that it is looking
for something or someone.
The Hollow World: Alphatian Neatharum
NEATHAR ASSAULTS ON THE RISE
Attacks from the Neathar tribes have increased in number. The
attacks are now very different from what they used to be. Instead of
random, scattered, raids, the attacks are becoming more organised and,
thus, making far more damage and victims than they used to make. There
is undoubtly someone organizing the attacks.
Meanwhile, the new floating continent that appeared some weeks
ago over the skies of Haldemar remains unexplored, since all skyships
that approach it loose control and no one has been able, so far, to
fly above it.
Floating Ar: MAGIC USE BECOMING UNPREDICTABLE NEAR SUNKEN CONTINENT
Magic use has been increasingly dangerous, since the sinking of
Alphatia. The effects of even the most common spells are got very
unstable, probably due to the enormous amount of magic energies
released during the sinking. Damage has been unadvertedly made to
people and buildings. However, some mages seem to begin to understand
the changes to the arcane laws, and are using it to their advantage.
Kingdom Ierendi: Ierendi City
SHIPS CREWED BY UNDEAD SIGHTED ON THE SEA OF DREAD
Sailor merchants that just arrived from the Savage Coast through
the Sea of Dread reporting disturbing news. During the voyage, they
were intercepted and attacked by a ship whose only crew were undead of
several types, mainly skeletons, and ghouls. After that, they spotted
two more ships of the same kind but were able to outrun it. Both were
heading the same direction, in the middle of the Sea of Dread.
Daniel Goncalves: dlr@vision.inesc.pt
Go back to index.
Vargaard: Grandmark: Tremayne
MARKTHEGN MAKES OFFERS FOR MAGICKAL CREATIONS
Markthegn Tarrant, the ruler of Grandmark, has offered rewards for
the delivery of magickal items of any kind, and he has standing offers
of employment for those skilled in the magickal arts.
Although his call has so far netted items of only minor sort, his
officials have expressed hope that Items of Power might find their way
to his country. Some dissidents, typically Kellts with family in the
country of Wildedge, to the northeast, have expressed concern that
such a call may result in artifacts of great power which would be used
to subjugate Wildedge.
Falcondonia, the nation to the south, has indicated through
diplomats and embassies that the acquisition of items of great power,
in direct rivalry with their own possessions, may be considered an act
of war. There have been hints that the Forbidden Scrolls of Grosapis
will be unfurled again, and Falcondonia may attempt retribution
against the upstard Grandmark.
Afrik: Ægypt: Keshi Oversight
AEGYPTIAN NAMED KESHITE GOVERNOR
A distant relative of Pharaoh, Nefer-amun-re, previously involved
with the Ægyptian delegation to Keshu, has been named the Governor of
the Keshi Oversight. Unrest continues in the broad expanses of plains
which make up most of Keshu, and the Ægyptian hold is tenuous at
best.
However, with the timely completion of two of the planned lines of
fortresses, Ægyptian forces are solidly entrenched in the cities.
Pharaoh has expressed sorrow over the necessity of the action, but he
maintains that the border had become unstable, unsafe, and Keshi
incursions into Ægypt had increased to an intolerable point.
Meanwhile, the new governor has announced his intention to start a
small school of Dweomercraeft as a remote campus of one of the schools
in Ægypt (which one is unknown at this time). He hopes that the
Keshi will be positively influenced by the Ægyptian rule, and that
the temperament of the oversight calms down.
Mike Phillips: msphil@birds.wm.edu
Go back to index.
Rumors
A war party of mountain dwarves attacked the village of Valdwin
last week. They had come into the village stating that they we're on
a quest and merely needed supplies but in the dark of night they
destroyed Bagmoors trading shop and killed Bagmoor and twelve of his
relatives. The knight Comralain subdued them and they are currently
being held in the stockade.
I've heard that the Githyanki are warring with the Drow. A slave
merchant told me that the Drow holy city of Tristnic has been put
under martial law after some mysterious calamity befell it. There's
word that Drow all over the world are coming to the surface to recruit
humanoids for their war. Oddly though, their raiding in Westchester
has all but ceased.
Mike Knudsen: KNUDSENM@OHSU.EDU
Go back to index.
Time Travel/Cross Worlds: Magpsi
Personal log with unanswered questions by exploration team
members (in parenthesis) and [GM notes in square brackets]
Cross Worlds Travel. Civilization Encyclopedia.
Entry 2/16/93 - 6:50 pm.
Alternate Earth. Located Q7. Class: Weird Parallel. Year: 1988.
Major Difference: "Magic and PSI suddenly appeared this year"
[GM note: Magic from Basic Set only; PSI powers limited to power
5]. Name: Magpsi (mixing of magic and psionics).
Current date: January 8, 1988 (8 days since Magic/PSI emerged in
all people [Normal Mana]).
Changes so far:
Law: Reading an Aura is like getting a fingerprint and is
admissible in a court of law. Elementals and their evidence is not
admissible unless a jury consists of at least 3 different,
disinterested magis can "monitor" responses. Mind Reading is
infringement of Freedom of Speech, Civil Rights, and may only be done
in Law Enforcement after Miranda Rights are addressed. Mind Reading
requires at least 3 different PSIs to "monitor" responses. Drug use
to "encourage" growth of PSI and/or magic is controlled to research
only.
Society: The Rule of Three (3 magis and/or PSIs) pervades nearly
all society (commercial business, especially). Divination and other
Future Seeing (Clairvoyance) powers are required to register by law
with local authorities (this is controversial). Since ANYone is
liable to have some power (magic and/or PSI) active or latent, that
power is considered benign until PUT TO USE. (This, of course, is hard
to detect if a person has a high skill of hiding it. And what do you
do with active powers that can't be controlled? This is merely social
custom? More research is needed.)
Transportation: Teleportation is common enough to have effected
all transportation; airlines are especially hard hit, while motor
companies count on Teleporters to use cars for longer trips (since
such a lower power is available, all areas of transportation has seen
a leveling out instead of a decline).
Communications: Telerecieve and Telesend is revolutionizing the
computer industry; but again, such a low power has had a leveling
effect on telephones. Letter writing is down.
Culture: new art forms are emerging (clay shaped by random
thoughts,) while Psychometry and other Past Seeing has revealed the
answer to a few mysteries.
Warning: There are some places of such strong Psychosometric
Auras (death camps, for example), that they are avoided. [Power 5
means only 5 years back can be read, so many older mysteries remain
unsolved.]
Among highly skilled segments of the population, there are areas
in the cities where like-minded powers will converge. One example is
a Food Creating area (no more starvation), which is overseen by the
FDA. Universities almost always have magis or PSIs in research. So
will Law Enforcement.
Religion: magic and PSI are viewed as neutral, it is how it is
put to use that defines its evil or good intent. This is the
"standard" in more open countries.
All religions accept Higher Powers ("they've always been here,
just not to this extent" to "this is a gift from Allah") and are not
threatened by them. What is harder to do is explain them in some
workable scheme. Current theology holds that Powers were within us
all the time, but are not a sign of Divine Grace (this is hotly
debated).
Other notes:
- simultaneous transmission of an obscenely pornographic "novel"
by Telesend (letter writing down but self publishing up) resulted in a
high demand for research into Mind Block Electronics.
So far, no luck; PSI power seems to be unconnected with non-
living circuitry (can't produce the strangeness that a human brain
can).
But some drugs can "scatter" thoughts; these are being
researched.
This means no disembodied brains or beings of pure energy in such
a low-powered world because PSI depends on living brain tissue,
consciousness, intelligence.
More research needed on:
Question: will a MAGICAL mind block affect PSI?
Magic is channeled through the soul, will, body in this
Alternate. Are there others where it is more of an X+Y=Fireball
Alternate Earth?
Dedicated powerstones "magic resistance -- but will it affect
powers of the mind? ....... yes."
[GM questions: in this campaign Magic and PSI both depend on
body, IQ, intelligence, but there IS a difference, so perhaps MR
resists a PSI mind blow of, say -6.... but not as a generic default.
PSI resistance will stop your body heating up, not a fireball thrown
at you? Magic Resistance won't stop a PSI from heating your body (or
air around you?) but might stop a mental blow?]
PSI is quicker, but magic is more powerful.
More research needed on:
if telepathy is common, is there a world government (like a TL3
society, only better run?)
What is the state of magical forgery?
Teleportation and the space program, what effects? [GM note:
with power of 5 and high skill, a Mage/Psi COULD teleport a sealed
city to the moon, and from there to other planets and so on.]
levitating things, so building is faster or safer or both
can you teleport away fog? No, but you could purify air.
create gasoline?
are there dedicated powerstone for your car that runs on mana?
Elementals are dangerous if you can't control them! some are
benign (imagine an Earth Elemental like the The Thing in
Marvel comics driving a dirt truck). But they can perform duties
[simple to complex perhaps at increasing/decreasing modifiers].
[GM note: Mind Wipe would be strictly controlled and powerful
people protected with best Antipsis and mindblocks available [this
campaign starts 8 days after "emergence", so some of this is for the
future]].
HISTORY:
How it happened: at first people thought it was wish-fulfillment,
when, on day one, everyone the world over could levitate and/or Ignite
Fire.
With the crude attempt of a mind wipe of the American President
(1988 - Bush), panic began to ensure. The third day, a team of Mental
Control-types partly restored the president. The early days were thus
characterized with raw power and low skill in PSI and magic.
Some S. African, Middle Eastern cities and Communist countries
were ruined in the Power Wars.
Open warfare on the 5th day in S. Africa lasted only a few hours,
until enough protection could be ensured on the higher levels that
made attacks near impossible while ordinary people suffered guerilla
actions by mind and magic. This continues to a lesser extent.
Meanwhile, frantic research continues today (the 8th day) into
WHY this happened. No one knows.
This day saw the complete delesolution of Bush (failed to restore
memory) and the swearing in of Quail, a powerful mind-blocker/Magical
Resistant person.
Also, law enforcement quickly passed new resolutions (see Changes
So Far), while in other parts of the world saw Martial Law (Africa,
cities in Russia, India, Siberia, Japan, China).
(The Berlin wall fell before the 1990s of Earth-Prime; in fact,
pieces of it were teleported to surround the Kremlin complete with
their guards. Saddam Hussain invaded Kuwait only to be defeated by US
magpsi forces; fate uncertain: Khaddafi; Castro.... Note the name
changes from Earth-Prime. Interesting.)
Use of drugs suppressants and relaxants all "deafen" intellect
while stimulants, alcohol, hallucigens will make magic and PSI
erratic, unpredictable.
Theories: (Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed.):
"Objective magic: magic is a thing by itself, entirely distinct
from religion, recognizable by certain characteristics, and traceable
to a definite psychological origin..."
Tim Loud: jloud@gamma.is.tcu.edu
Go back to index.
SESSION 12
After some brief discussion the party headed back to Greenmoor
immediately. Some wild boars attempted to attack, but were easily
avoided. Thus everyone arrived back in Greemoor shortly after dark.
2 rooms were booked at the Pick and Barrow and everyone settled down
for the night - a watch being set up to keep an eye on those still
afflicted by the undead.
Sat 27th Dec
Padur, Parvil and Eddie recovered from their ordeal during the
night, and apart from a slight weakness were back to normal. Paddy
fetched Maril, a cleric of Tymora, who administered some holy water to
the still afflicted Mairenne, Caljuin and Finbar, but it did little
good.
Mid morning Robert Perne, Valdora and another paladin, Winlack,
arrived. They were filled in with the latest news, and possibilities
were discussed. In the end Robert Perne stayed put with Caljuin,
Finbar and Mairenne while Mob, Eddie, Paddy, Parvil, Padur, Val and
Winlack went off to the witch's cottage hoping to find out more, or at
least get their hands on her again.
At the cottage, one of the horses managed to get loose while Eddie
and Paddy took a look around the back and the 'Lathander contingent'
(Val, Winlack and Parvil) knocked on the front door. Noone seemed to
be in, so Eddie went in the still broken back window. The place
seemed somewhat tidier and somewhat lived in, and the strange grey
creature was nowhere to be seen. Several books lay on the table.
Looking through the hole in the roof, Eddie saw thatmuch of the
stuffhad gone, including the box with the rod in it. Examining some
of the books, Eddie failed to understand much, as it was mostly in
some strange form of elvish. Books which he looked at included: one
on the weakpoints of the elvish anatomy, a strange book of calandars,
a book with a picture of a tall thin tower in it and a book on the
care and maintenance of broomsticks.
By now Val and co were inside and also looking around. One book
looked evil, and had Death in its title, so Val started the fire and
burnt it. Val picked out a flask whuch seemed evil and took it
outside. Eddie shouted a warning, and tucking the two of the books
(Elvish Anatomy and Strange Calandars) into his backpack ran for the
woods closely followed by Paddy. Outside Val openned the evil flask
and the grey creature rematerialised. Having been warned about it Val
and her contingent fled, and so everyone returned to Greenmoor ASAP.
Mob, Val, Winlack and Parvil all cured those who were wounded, and
plans were made for the next day. No messengers arrived from
Clearwater, so it was assumed that no ransom notes had turned up on
the wedding day itself (today).
Sun 28th Dec
The same group returned to the witch's cottage hoping to catch
her, or trace her with the wand of tracing if she fled. However, once
again she wasn't there, and there was no sign of her having been there
since the party were. A detect magic found a magic potion labelled
"quick casting", and a faintly magic book to do with lead and gold.
Val detected a slightly evil presence in Eddie's backpack - which
turned out to be the book on the Elvish Anatomy! Eddie promised to
get rid of it before the next day. Val and co started building up a
fire and put some books on it, hoping to attract the witch with the
smoke if she was in the area - but she didn't come.
Eddie managed to open one locked drawer in the back room and found
some electrum in a box. After taking a cut (with a little for the
onlooking Paddy) it was put in the party kitty. The other drawers
were broken open and some gold found, which was put into the kitty.
Since there seemed little else to do everyone headed back to
Greenmoor where Cal, Mairenne and Finbar having been attended by Maril
and then cured more ended up fully recovered, though seemingly
permanently 1hp worse off.
SESSION 13
After discussing the options, the party plus Robert headed back to
Clearwater, arriving late in the afternoon. They filled the Baron in
on the recent developments, and he was disappointed to hear that
Melinda hadn't been found, and that the mystery was still wide open.
However, he suggested that the party talk to Fortha, as he was very
interested to find out all the party had discovered.
Thus everyone went to talk to Fortha in the library. He had many
questions after being given a full rundown of the party's activities.
He was particularly interested in the witch, her cottage, the secret
valley of the undead, the witch's rescue by the supposed demon, the
current owners of the second magic ring, the orcs and the books from
the witch's cottage. When the books were mentioned, Eddie left
discretely and had a look at the two he had a bit more closely - and
found a date ringed in the calendar. The date was the 1st of Jan of
the New Year, ie. in 4 days time! Mob went to look for Eddie but
didn't find him. Fortha was keen to look at the witch's books and got
into a discussion about the preservation of books with Mairenne.
Fortha also put forward the idea that the witch might be part of a
coven, and when she was out she might be visiting other coven members
- one of whom might have Melinda even now!
The party left Fortha agreeing to return after dinner with Eddie
and the books. However, Eddie returned to the library alone and spoke
to Fortha about the books - with the possibility of selling them to
Fortha if he should be interested. Fortha was allowed to keep
themboth for study for a while (but was asked not to discuss the Elven
Anatomy book with the party).
Returning after dinner the party (inc Eddie) were asked to return
some time later as Fortha was busystudying the calandar book. When
they returned later still Fortha had discovered that a sacrifice of a
soul was to take place at midnight on the 1st of Jan, possibly
Melinda's soul. Possible locations for such a sacrifice were
considered, and Fortha got out a book which he leafed through. Eddie
spotted a drawing of a tower which he had seen in one of the witch's
books. Therefore this book was looked at more closely -it had
descriptions of this tower, called The Climbing Stair, which Fortha
knew about anyway - it seemed an unlikely, but possible, place for a
sacrifice. "The Dungeon of the Hark" was mentioned, and was described
as lost dwarven halls (so lost that there was no mention of where they
were). The Tombs of Deckon Thar were also mentioned and turned out to
be the secret valley the witch had taken the party to with all the
undead. The book described the tombs as the sacred burial mounds of a
long dead tribe of ancestor worshippers - extremely sacred to the
tribe, and unknown in its precise location. The last place described
by the book the mound with a standing stone in the Bluestone Heights -
it sounded like the same one Algurun had hired the party to go to to
find the green gem, so the party already had clear directions to get
there. It was also stated that this mound had been used by many
groups for evil purposes.
Possible actions were formulated bearing in mind that a trip to
either the Climbing Stair or tye Bluestone Heights would take
virtually all the time available - a trip back to the witch's cottage
was out of the question. The Baron was informed of the new
possibilities and two groups were formed. The main one was to go to
the Bluestone Heights (Mob, Caljuin, Mairenne, Eddie, Paddy, Val,
Winlack and Padur). The second group would go to the Climbing Stair
(Finbar, Robert, Parvil, two more of the Duke's paladins, and two of
the Baron's men). A messenger was sent to Secomber to prepare fresh
horses.
Mon 29th Dec
The main party left before first light and rode swiftly to
Secomber, where fresh horses awaited them. Following the river east
on the north bank the travel was quite hard. By nightfall the party
had reached the fork in the river near the Bluestone Heights and had
started looking for somewhere to cross.
During the night Paddy and Val smelled smoke, and Paddy spotted a
campfire when he climbed a nearby hillock. He snuck closer to
investigate and found himself surrounded by dwarven watchmen. Co-
operating, he was taken into a camp of about 70, almost all dwarves,
and was introduced to Delgoth, the leader of the dwarven caravan.
After some friendly banter Paddy returned to the party's camp [he had
discerned that the dwarves were true-bred elf haters].
Despite this, during her watch Mairenne went to take a look at the
dwarven camp for herself, and was surprised and called on to stop by
the dwarven guards. She fled, and was called on to stop twice more,
during which time several crossbow bolts had hut her! Eventually she
gave herself up and was dragged into the camp, where she was
questioned and tied up. Back at camp, Winlack, the other half of the
watch became worried and woke up various people. Eddie and Paddy
ended up going along to the dwarves, and rescued Mairenne, but not
before she had made herself 70 enemies!
Andy Merritt: amerritt@armltd.co.uk
Go back to index.
Jeremy Pemberton