The plot thickens....

So...off we go and return to the others, and Fergus tells them that some spirit or deity or some such told him that a big bad was on it's way. Our majik users and priestly healers needed rest, as we had depleted their abilities, so we set up a watch and let them rest, hoping that we had some time before "it" would show up.

During my watch, Max muttered something about devouring us all, so that put me on edge... We can't ever be sure he is completely trustworthy since the whole possession thing- or whatever that was....

As far as I know, the other watches went quietly, and the resters got their majiks and stuff back. It didn't take long and we began to hear noise on the steps. Some guy tried to get us to help him do what he wanted. He admitted that he worked with Buttnell, or whatever the guy's name who's been letting the goblins overrun this hill. He even tried to buy me with JEWELRY...sure the stones have value, but my loyalty is not for sale. (At least not for a little jewelry, but I digress.)

He left and moments later another figure appeared. Appearance and declaration showed him to be a being from a lower plane. Fergus declared him evil, and we prepared attacks. The creature ignored an opening volley from Darg and Fergus and claimed tobe in search of absolution. The soft headed monk allowed it to come closer, saying he had to allow a creature begging for forgiveness and absolution to be given a chance to do so. Blah, blah, blah....

Of course it attacked as soon as it could see everyone, and it took some mighty blows to take it down, and finally finish it off. So much for being devoured.

Fireside Tales

...and a fine story that is. That reminds me of a tale from the great Southern sands. Have you never heard the story of the Sye'hib'yhus? They are spirit daemons that haunt the deserts of my home. A man will be asleep in his yurt when he is awoken by the sobs of a woman. 'Pon looking outside, he sees a young maid collapsed in the sand near the flap. She stirs and sees the man, crying out in relief. A story spills from her honey'd lips. ‘Tis a story of how she is a princess and was hawking with her father or brother when her horse was spooked by a giant scorpion. The horse ran in a terrified blur. Across the sands her horse sped until she was thrown.
Hearing this, the man notices that her chador are ripped and askew showing peeks of her soft skin beneath. She tells of wandering until the smells or sound of the camp drew her. If only the man would invite her in she says, he would be rewarded, she says. Perhaps the reward from her father would be a steel weapon, a fast horse, or some other reward that is closer at hand. If the man is fool enough to let her in to his tent, to invite her in, he is almost certainly doomed. The spirit cannot enter one's dwelling unless invited and will have no powers over you if you stay within until the rise of the sun.
If she is brought in she weaves a mighty spell so that the man's wits are addled and his limbs heavy. He will do her bidding but there is little enough that she wants. Just to be kissed. Once the kiss starts though it is the beginning of the ending for the man. The next day, his kinsmen will find the man's body frozen as if embracing a lover but dried as though he'd been buried in the hot sands for a month for the she daemon stole his soul from him and left him a husk.

Stinking Goblins...literally.... (an update by Uta the dwarven warrior)

Ok, I like being in underground quarters, generally, but this place is a mess. Rak, Darg, Fergus and I cleared the tunnels of goblin corpses, and as a finishing step, the Hydra (Darg called if "Fluffy") was dragged out to the center of the flooded lower level, and left there. As we were preparing to do that, Max and Argos returned from whatever sissy thing they were doing. Something about flying to a village, and getting a bath. If that is all they were going to do, why did it take half the morn to decide to do it? Not to mention the most of the day to actually do it.

e a bit, since we were already in the boat...ach, I hate boats and water!...and found a couple of tunnels that had not been mapped yet.

I was in the front of the boat as we went down a narrow tunnel that hadn't been explored yet. It had passages opening up on each side, each about 5' across, and one with stairs rising out of the water. Darg suggested we see what was at the end of the passage before exploring the stairs. That seemed reasonable, so we did. The narrow, flooded passage opened up to room about 20' x 20' with vaulted ceilings. There was mildew and mold everywhere. Another narrow passage led off this room, and within 20' it had a sharp left turn that we couldn't negotiate in the boat. I asked Darg for an oar, to test the depth of the flooded passage, but I couldn't find the bottom.

We backed the boat out, turned around in the room, and returned to the two passages that we had seen on the way in. Darg and Fergus decided that I should stay in the boat, since the water was, most likely, over my head. They went up the stairs.

I am not sure what they found, but they returned, after several minutes, at a run. Fergus was in front, and I barely was able to retrieve his lantern before it was doused as he headed from the stairs to the boat. Darg was right behind him. As I asked what they found, Fergus nearly yelled that he had received a message and we had to get back to the others. I don't know what kind of magiks he practices, but he seemed to be sure. So, off we go.

And then he was gone...

The bottom of that boat smells like old rotten wood and boots. Of course, from my perspective most of the world smells like that. You can't imagine how lucky you are to have so much body between your feet and your nose.

Okay, so I pop out of that old rower and what do I see but that danged Fluffy trying to eat Darg. Either that or Darg was trying some new game of fetch where he uses his own body parts for the treat.

Max was threatening to burn her up and Darg was petting it with his axe. I decided the best place to watch was from around the corner, because with that big pool behind me I kept getting an itch down my spine that said "Hey, you sure would be an easy shot with your back to me like that." My spine is usually right, so I chose a nice corner with two good stone walls to say "I'll cover you from here."

Max was winding up for some sort of mojo flinging just as Rak put his arm about elbow deep into Fluffy's chest. I sure do prefer cleaner ways of putting animals to sleep, but dwarves do as dwarves do.

Darg looked a little on the concerned side when Fluffy dropped, but Max looked downright ticked when he noticed that fella in the side room taking pot shots at him. I thought Max was a pretty easy target just standing there, but that guy completely missed. (Darg says that the guy whooped up on him and Fergus says he's an assassin or something, but I wasn't that impressed.)

Everyone charged towards the room to give that guy what for, when he poofed. Darg got all freaked out and ran away. He's still suspicious about magic I think. He claimed the guy could teleport, but I don't think I believe that.

Max filled the room with webs, which I thought was rather clever, to see if the fella was still in there. When he didn't move (or shriek like a dwarven lass when I threatened to burn him) I figured that he must have moved out of there pretty quickly. If I were him I would have made for the entrance, so I headed up that way.

Darg was hiding in the medusa's room, so I let him know I could see him (to get his goat...hiding? good golly he's the size of an outhouse) and beat feet for the top. When I got up there I found two things. First, the weather to be less than kindly. I can't imagine him wanting to go out there. Second, were boot prints that only led inward. Those two things together make me figure that he's still in here somewhere. Besides, there weren't any friends or pets outside so he appears to be here alone and that makes it a fun little challenge to find him. I really hope he is around, somewhere.

After getting back down I started to check our water and food...suggesting that everyone check their gear. If this guy is an assassin I don't want anyone keeling over from poison just when they are useful. I have a few tricks to protect ourselves while we sleep and maybe put enough of a crimp in his style that the bearded fella just might give me a chance to get at him.

In the meantime, I'm going to wait and see just what happens next.

Swamplands

Here is what things look like from where you stand now.

Beginning of the trail

This is a spot not far from Ensley Keep, near the start of the trail that leads to the top of Venswort Hill. Late springtime.