Nora's Journal - Session One

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=185 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="15ab9c00dduajq.jpg"> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="17" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="9"><B>       </B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="17" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="17"><B>   </B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="17" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="17"><B>       </B><A HREF="id223.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Noras Journal Session Two"><U><B><IMG SRC="00609110.png" border=0 width="9" height="17" ALT="next" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> This is Nora's journal with a day by day account of the campaign.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Journals and Songs</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c899ccff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Nora's Journal - Session One</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id223.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Noras Journal Session Two"><U>Nora's Journal - Session Two</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id145.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Battle of Watchtower Hill"><U>The Battle of Watchtower Hill</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id166.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ortynes Journal"><U>Ortyne's Journal</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=50 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <I>Nora's Journal - Session One</I></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=430 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#FFFBF0" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="3a696963.jpg"> <div> <I>Journal of Nora Fencerunner</I><I>         </I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#663300" FACE="Georgia" ><I>(Written in Draconic)</I></FONT></div> <div> <I>    Game Session One</I></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#663300" FACE="Georgia" ><I>    </I></FONT><A HREF="id223.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Noras Journal Session Two"><U><I><B>Session Two</B></I></U></A><I><B>  </B></I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#663300" FACE="Wingdings 2" ><A HREF="id223.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Noras Journal Session Two"><U><IMG SRC="55d14140.gif" border=0 width="20" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I>4th Cycle - 414</I></div> <bR> <div> <I> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="602" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 952 WIDTH="596"><div> <I><B>1st Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>As my preparations for our upcoming journey near completion, I have taken some time off this afternoon while waiting to interview another potential party member to sip mediocre ale and to reflect on how Matilda Fencerunner's daughter could have ended up in such wildly fanciful circumstances.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>I owe a great deal of whom I am to blind circumstance or to the gods themselves. How many gnomish halfling communities can there BE in Breminor, let alone in Valithra. I know of no others. Strange. And yet stranger still was being born to a master rogue living next door to one of the great gnome illusionists of this cycle. My father and Fonklin Glim Sheppen are two of the strangest and best friends our little corner of the Donoth Highlands have ever known. Together they took me - against my mother's fierce objections - under their collective wing and taught me the ways of silence and trickery. My mother finally ceased her objections to my studies when it became apparent that my quickness of mind and body would soon take me down roads of peril whether I was trained or not. I suppose she finally decided that if that was to be my course, I would be better off trained even by her “foolish pig-headed husband.” And what training they gave me! Tricks, traps, shadows, and illusions! I have only touched the surface of these skills but I can barely contain my excitement in their pursuit. And while my father's teachings come easily to me, it is master Sheppen's illusions that truly call to me when the moon goes down and I am left to my private thoughts.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>But my upbringing is, of course, only the stage upon which I now find myself playing a far riskier role. Recently I was allowed to accompany Master Sheppen again on one of his many trips to Arrazim the Mad's Library in Thrune. While Master Sheppen and Arrazim argued about the ethics of illusion during times of economic strife, I perused “A Treatise on Breminoran Architecture,” by Kelradas Anoror the Learned in the reading room thus trying to increase my growing understanding of architecture. Uncharacteristically my mind wandered and I found myself playing with the bookstand upon which the book sat. Left to their own devices, and quite by accident I might add, my fingers triggered the release on a secret compartment. Within was a roll of parchment with some writing on it and a silk pouch containing an amulet. It was but a simple matter to palm the items into a hidden pocket in my sleeve for later study. That was, of course, when I became involved in the events that have led to my upcoming journey.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>The note I discovered was from a wizard named Tenimos and was meant for Arrazim himself. It explained that Tenimos had discovered a way to change himself into a lich and that he intended to go through with it in order to achieve immortality. It went on to invite Arrazim to visit Tenimos at his tower and to share in this foul knowledge. However, when I later was able to surreptitiously question, Arrazim about Tenimos, he snorted and said that Tenimos had possessed nowhere near enough power to successfully transform himself into a lich. He further said that his friend had barrowed several items of his and that he supposed they were now lost. Well, that was all it took. I surmise that those items are probably just sitting unguarded in Tenimos's tower for the taking by whoever has the courage to seek them out. I have decided then that I would put together a party to help me achieve these ends and to share in the knowledge and treasure which likely will follow.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Of course, I have not mentioned the amulet that was in the pouch, but I will have to expound on that later as another potential party member has entered the tavern and I must set aside this account for the time being. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>2nd</B></I><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#663300" FACE="Georgia" ><I><B> </B></I></FONT><I><B>Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>It has been a long day but I think we are finally ready to start our journey tomorrow morning. I have spent the week gathering equipment and signing on adventurers for this endeavor and I believe I have covered most of the contingencies. I have also hired a cook, an animal handler and two warriors to guard our equipment and camp while my new companions and I are engaged in more interesting - and no doubt more perilous - activities. I think my father might frown upon the added expense of hirelings but he is not here to complain so I do as I will. Our group seems a sturdy lot and includes:</I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="604" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 115 WIDTH="35"><div> <IMG SRC="55e14140.gif" border=0 width="20" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="558"><div> <I>Ranas</I><I> - A cleric of Odan. One of the several big people that make up our growing little troupe, Ranas is someone with whom I was mildly acquainted earlier in my life. He sometimes passed through our small community on his way to or from wherever it was he went in those days. He will undoubtedly be helpful if we encounter any undead, as it seems we must. He hates undead with a passion so strong that at times it clouds his otherwise clear view of the world. I only hope his rigid doctrines do not, through the course of events, end up at odds with the party's greater goals.</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 49 WIDTH="35"><div> <IMG SRC="55e14140.gif" border=0 width="20" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="558"><div> <I>Deseth</I><I> - A human fighter of some renown in these parts. He excels with a longbow, or so he tells me at least. I feel certain we will put this assertion to the test to see if it is boast or merely a confident statement of his abilities.</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 66 WIDTH="35"><div> <IMG SRC="55e14140.gif" border=0 width="20" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="558"><div> <I>Nero</I><I> - A stout fighter of southern descent. His human ancestors I suspect hail from the pirated islands of Sherna. He seems eminently companionable, especially for a human, and has regaled us with tales and songs garnered from his boyhood. If he is only half as good with that massive falchion as he is with his voice we will be well served.</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 99 WIDTH="35"><div> <IMG SRC="55e14140.gif" border=0 width="20" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="558"><div> <I>Forrin</I><I> - A human female trained in the shadow arts like myself. We have much in common. She is quiet but quick with a smile. I feel she is a bit carefree with her use of arcane magic but in fairness I would probably say this about any sorcerer with whom I would have to break bread. She lacks the discipline to study in order to perfect her abilities and seems to draw her magic from the very air itself. It makes me nervous but perhaps we will need even such magics as these in the days ahead.</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 115 WIDTH="35"><div> <IMG SRC="55e14140.gif" border=0 width="20" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="558"><div> <I>Taklinn</I><I> - A dwarven friend of my father's. His family made the unorthodox choice of honing their minds, bodies and spirits through meditation and study in order to better defend the clan. So shocked at this choice was their clan, that they nearly disowned them. He has been a good friend in the past few days. He is quiet but I feel we will need this quiet wisdom in the days that face us. It is nice to have another of the “short” folk on this trip. My companions sometimes make me feel like the lone sapling in a grove of tall trees.</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 66 WIDTH="35"><div> <IMG SRC="55e14140.gif" border=0 width="20" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="558"><div> <I>Geir</I><I> - A big lout of a man but a first rate animal handler. We were lucky to hire him and his wife, Katla, the camp cook. It seems they have earned the disfavor of Thrune's noble houses. I care not for that, and am glad to have someone so expert handling the donkey and helping with the camp.</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 82 WIDTH="35"><div> <IMG SRC="55e14140.gif" border=0 width="20" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="558"><div> <I>Katla </I><I>- A gracious forceful woman whose renown as a camp cook exceeds her husband's reputation as a handler of beasts. I take it her outspoken political views have earned her the disfavor of Thrune's mercenary houses. The nobility's stiff political views are our gain. I am thrilled to have been able to hire such an expert cook.  If an adventuring party travels on its stomach, we should do well indeed in Katla's care.</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 82 WIDTH="35"><div> <IMG SRC="55e14140.gif" border=0 width="20" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="558"><div> <I>Thord and Tahir</I><I> - The two warriors I hired to guard our supplies and our camp. I've instructed them that their primary responsibility is to protect Geir and Katla first and our equipment second. Both have seen some action and Thord bears marks that lead me to believe he has unfortunate encounters with the undead in his past. He is reluctant to speak of it, however, and I see no reason to press the issue at this point.</I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="602" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 3896 WIDTH="596"><div> <I>Enough of this for now, I intend to get a hot bath tonight before the innkeeper and his fat wife go to sleep. It is likely to be my last for several days if not weeks.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>3rd Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>My new companions and I left Thrune today in typical spring weather. We decided to leave the bustling and fascinating city in the company of a good-sized caravan of donkeys heading south. Still it will be good to travel with them as far as Luskan. I have not yet informed my companions of the goal of our journey for fear of prying eyes and ears. That weasel of an apprentice, Ortyne, has a raven familiar that shows up nearby all too often for my taste. While there was little I could do about that in the city - killing another's familiar is a crime in Thrune - I intend to kill the creature if I see him on the road. I feel convinced it is on some nefarious errand of Ortyne's design. It will be good to travel within the relative safety of the caravan's numbers if only for the first two days.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>4th Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>Our second day on the road passed uneventfully. We still traveled with the caravan today and have camped in a merchant's field outside of Luskan. Tomorrow we will continue west alone as the caravan is taking the trade road south. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>It is interesting to watch my new companions come together as a group. Ranas, I suspect is far too serious for the likes of Nero and Deseth (and for me, at times, I must admit) but seems to put up with the fighters' happy go lucky natures well enough. Nero and Taklinn passed the time at the rear of the party, trading lies, no doubt. While I was far to distant to hear, having taken up role of scout, I have no doubt that Taklinn regaled Nero with more stories of his ancestry than Nero could keep in that handsome head of his. It's to his credit that he was able to listen without showing signs of boredom. Nero's breaking formation worried me at first, but given that we're still close to Luskan I felt the risk was minimal. It is good for us to get to know one another. Enough chatter, I still must study my spells before I call it a night and I don't want to keep Forrin awake needlessly. Tomorrow I will send our two hired warriors, Thord and Tahir, into town to buy a ladder. I have decided that I want reliable access to the trees around our camps at night.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>5th Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>Our first day on the road alone-our third all together-has passed uneventfully. The weather seems to be starting to turn bad but that is expected this time of year. I keep a steady eye out for Yvek, but if he follows us he is good at keeping his distance. My companions are anxious to learn of our purpose and I well understand their curiosity and concern; I don't know that I would have trusted myself to such a mysterious endeavor without more information, as have they. Still, we are too close to Thrune. Perhaps I will tell them tomorrow night. If we don't see some sign of Ortyne or Yvek then perhaps I can allow myself the hope that we have left them in the city to their own devious plans.</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="55f46140.gif" border=0 width="70" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <I>Attacked!!! I write this by candlelight as I try to settle my nerves after our first combat. We were set upon by a group of three stirges. Foul creatures that seem to cross the worst aspects of a cat, a bat and a blood-sucking mosquito. It makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck just to recall their horrific appearance. We stopped most of them before they could come among us but one got through our circle of defense and gave Deseth a nasty bite. He struggled with it, trying to keep it away from him and I tried vainly to stab the horrid creature with my dagger. I fear my close combat skills will always be second to my trusty crossbow and spells. Fortunately, Ranas, always quick to bash something, smashed the thing with his mace. The mess was considerable but Deseth, I have no doubt, considered it an adequate trade in exchange for safety from the horrid thing.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>The amulet that I found in that hidden compartment in Arrazim's library is turning out to be invaluable; it gives me the power of dwarven sight. I find that I can see in total darkness. Without it I would not have seen the stirges approach. I have it hidden well beneath my clothes; I don't want to risk even the off chance that it will be lost or recognized. I have a feeling it is perhaps key to our entry into the Tenimos's tower. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>During the fight, Nero got a glimpse of what he believes was Ortyne's raven. Blast the thing! How it is getting around in the dark I don't know. It is something I will have to give some serious thought to. I suppose I may be jumping to conclusions, there are many ravens in the world, but it seems odd that I should cross paths with so many of them. My companions may have to wait another day or two before I will feel comfortable bringing them into the fold. Let us hope that is the last excitement for the night.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>6th Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>The weather turned distinctly foul today. As I write this, wet snow is falling steadily in the woods around us and Geir and Katla struggle to get a cooking fire going while Thord and Tahir set up our tents. Darkness is coming early tonight and I will likely have to make this a short entry. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>We came to a shrine today. It is dedicated to St. Westus. That being Ranas's patron saint, we needed to stop and pay our respects. However our short stop over turned into a project substantial proportions as we discovered that the shrine was suffering from neglect. Ranas was abashed and would have none of our leaving it in such a state. He huffed a bit at the notion that we might move on and threatened to stay and fix it up alone if we would not help him. The big galute. Sometimes I have trouble understanding the logic of the big folk. Of course we stayed and cleaned up the shrine as best we could; none of us has any idea which side of a hammer is used for repairs. An exaggeration, perhaps, but it IS clear that none of us is a carpenter. The crew is making our camp a stone's throw to the east of the shrine. It looks as if our traveling for the day is finished. I must go and help as I can.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>7th Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>We had a surprise just as darkness came over the camp last night. In truth, it is amazing that none of us was killed. We seem to have wandered into the hunting grounds of an Owlbear! It was as huge a beast as any I have seen in many a moon and it's smell was enough to make my gorge rise. As luck would have it, it stumbled into camp while everyone was still awake. We had our hands full, as the beast charged in among our tents and strove to make one or more of us its next meal. Against the odds, none of us was even badly injured - praise Bokali! We decided to wait until this morning to follow its back trail. While our hired help struck camp, I sent Seetna, my owl, to take a look for the owlbear's lair. I have to admit, with the fresh layer of snow during the night, I thought this was unlikely. However the beast's trail turned out to be relatively easy to follow for Seetna's sharp eyes and we will set out for it momentarily. More detail will have to wait until our return from that foray.</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="55f46140.gif" border=0 width="70" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <I>What a ghastly day!!! I suppose I should start back at the beginning, where I left off…We found the owlbear's liar this morning thanks to Seetna's sharp eyes. It was only about a half a mile from the road. It was in the remains of a house next to several graves. A second, younger owlbear was there as well. The creature charged our group, which promptly put several arrows and crossbow bolts into it. We inflicted enough pain, at least, to send it scurrying back into the house. I had hoped we might be able to leave without killing the beast, though I suppose doing so would have been no favor to future travelers. However, as Ranas was conducting the ritual to send the souls of those who lay in the graves on to the next life, it charged again. More arrows brought the beast down but not before it interrupted Ranas ritual forcing him to start over. We scoured the lair and discovered little of value. There was apparently something magical in one of the graves but none of us had the stomach for grave robbing; itself a fortunate thing because I have no doubt that Ranas would have objected violently to any disturbance of the graves. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>I finally decided that it does no good to put off telling my friends of our goal. We hunkered down and I whispered what I could to them. If Yvek was about listening to us there was little I could do about it.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>We traveled the rest of the day with little incident, praise the gods. However, just at dusk we came upon a farm standing close beside the road. Within the walled farm compound a horrible site greeted us; a family of farmers had been hacked to death and stung buy something poisonous. Two adults and three children. We lay them out in the yard by the house while we did a quick search of the compound. We did turn up a magical sword over the fireplace. However while Ranas and I were taking care of matters inside, several other members of the party were checking out a cemetery behind the farm. That is when the true nature of this treacherous act became clear. Nero, Forrin and Deseth were simultaneously attacked by several skeletons and by two archers hidden behind a low stone wall. We had walked blindly and unerringly into an ambush. Several of the party members were injured. Ranas went sprinting to their aid from my side when he heard them yell something about “undead.” As annoying as the priest is sometimes, he certainly showed his metal this day. Forrin later told me that Ranas fearlessly raised his holy symbol before him and blasted the skeletons into dust with his faith and conviction.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Meanwhile, Taklinn and I were starting to circle behind the archers. It was then that I discovered who was really behind this ambush; Ortyne, Arrazim's apprentice!!! But he was showing unusually powerful magic for an apprentice. Almost immediately, however, my attention was jerked away as Yvek, his raven familiar, appeared out of thin air before me. I don't mind telling you it gave my heart a start - I was startled nearly senseless. However, the surprises weren't over. Before my eyes the foul creature revealed its true form as it changed into an imp and lashed out at me with it tail. I barely avoided its poison tipped stinger when the damnable thing grabbed me and started trying to take the amulet from beneath my tunic. I nearly panicked at that point but Master Sheppen's mediations, I think, saved me. I focused my thoughts and managed to utter the words of a spell to protect myself from evil. The spell worked, praise the gods, and the wretched thing was forced to let go. Taklinn tried to grab it but missed. As if things were not bad enough, events began to from bad to worse! Ortyne had somehow managed to bring the bodies of the slain family to life and turn them against us! Soon we found ourselves fighting for our very lives with the recently dead!  The rest of the party killed Ortyne's henchmen but somehow Ortyne got away. His grasp of some of the more powerful arcane and divine magics is extremely troubling. How could I have underestimated him so badly? </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>We managed to fight off this new attack but it was a close thing. How we escaped this ambush without loosing a trusted member of our party is a miracle. Praise be to Ellasil! We finally dispatched the rest of the farm family (for the second time in a day, poor souls) and locked ourselves within the relative safety of the farm compound for the night.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>I think it is clear that Ortyne and his hellish familiar are after the amulet so that they can go after Tenimos's treasure as well. We may find ourselves outmatched. Had I been alone tonight, I surely would be dead now. How does one protect oneself from a wizard and his familiar when they can both, apparently, become invisible at will?! We will have to keep our eyes and, more to the point, our ears, peeled for them for all the good it will do; I doubt they are through setting ambushes for us.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>8th Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>We spent another day in the compound cleaning up and finally putting to rest the farm family that lived here. We met a mounted patrol on the road as they passed by the farm and, for a short while became suspect ourselves in the family's murders. However, in the end, Nero convinced the captain of the patrol that we were innocent and that he should keep his eyes and ears open for Ortyne. In return the captain said the road was clear between here and Cormeer, our destination with the possible exception of a few scattered bandits. We will move on tomorrow morning with the farm animals in tow and with a new wagon and mule. It was that or leave them to starve or be eaten and none of us had the heart for that. We bolted the compound from the inside to prevent evil from filling this empty place, as it is always want to do.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>9th Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>A few hours into our march we noticed a huge beetle scuttling quickly across the road in front of us at right angles to our course. We pulled our cart and wagon to the side of the road to be less conspicuous but not in time to avoid the dire wolverine that had been hot on the beetle's trail. Apparently it considered our pack animals easier pickings than the carapaced beetle because it charged. Gads the thing was fast. The gods seemed to have designed it from all snarling claws and teeth. We put some missles into it but frankly it seemed almost not to notice. It passed through our skirmish line as if we weren't there and headed directly toward the mule we had taken from the farm. I have no doubt it would have torn the poor animal's throat out but Deseth turned as it passed by him and delivered two lightning quick shots from his longbow the likes of which I have never seen before. They were truly amazing shots! Never in my life have I seen such deadly accuracy and I'm a fair shot with a crossbow myself! Both passed through the creature and silenced it's heart before it could even start its leap. I suppose I must now believe to be true Deseth's boasts of being the best longbow man this side of Anthrune Bay. It is too bad there isn't a bard among us, for our group is getting an early start on the stuff of ballad and song.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>We have just finished pitching camp and I am being quietly called by Taklinn to investigate something. More later.</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="55f46140.gif" border=0 width="70" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <I>A troll, by all the gods! Taklinn called me over because he heard something. When I snuck over to investigate, it turned out to be a troll's lair. There were the bodies of two warriors staked outside his cave with their throats cut! My heart wanted to fairly fly from my chest it was beating so hard. A troll is awful news. If what I have read about the creatures is true, they are thoroughly evil and even one such would have sliced through us like a scythe through ripe wheat. I managed to slowly and quietly gather our party together and we moved as quietly as we could to a new campsite an hour down the road in the dark. Better to risk a possible encounter with something else on the road than certain death at the hands of the troll. What awful luck that campsite was. Still, I suppose there is a good side; we shall be able to warn travelers of the danger and perhaps inform the captain if we see him again. A group of twenty mounted guards might just stand a chance against the beast. I must go to sleep or I'll be useless tomorrow. It will be difficult to memorize my spells as it is.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>10th Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>This day started uneventfully enough with the weather clearing just a bit. I must admit I get tired of these overcast spring days. My heart and feet (yes, even halfling feet get cold occasionally) long for the warmth of summer. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>However, the quiet of the day was not to last. As we were nearing Cormeer, we were set upon by a group of Kaddor. I hate their kind with a passion passed down to me from my father. They are the reason that our folk and the gnomes of Willer's End decided to combine our communities for mutual defense. My father forced me and my two brothers to learn to speak Kaddor to better fight them should it ever come to that. As much as I hate the language of these evil vat-spawned abominations, speaking their tongue came in useful today. We were able to capture one of their number. Then, Forrin, calling on some crude but effective spell, charmed the creature. We were able to get quite a bit of information from it before handing it over to the authorities in Cormeer two hours later when we finally arrived at our destination. It seems they are occupying Tenimos's tower, or one very much like it, and there is an Ogre in their number. To make matters worse, there is at least one Kaddori mage among them and at least one Drak mount as well. That bodes ill, make no mistake. And here I thought that treasure might be lying around unguarded. It was a pleasant delusion as long as it lasted, I suppose. At least we got a first look at how the terrain might lie when be get there. For instance, we learned that the front gate is frozen shut and that in order to enter the tower you have use the “back door.” We also learned that some of the walls have collapsed. That could be quite useful when the time comes.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Cormeer at last. It turns out that Ortyne preceded us here. We implored the captain of the guard who met us on the road to take him into custody but to be careful doing so. In the meantime we took care of some courtesy calls. </I></div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></I></div> <div> <I> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="605" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 49 WIDTH="35"><div> <IMG SRC="55e14140.gif" border=0 width="20" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="559"><div> <I>We first dropped our farm animals off at the butcher who also bought our cart; we have decided to keep the mule and the wagon and have also decided to keep our donkey. Geir will now have to earn more of his keep.</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 99 WIDTH="35"><div> <IMG SRC="55e14140.gif" border=0 width="20" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="559"><div> <I>We introduced ourselves to Elondil, the elven head cleric at the temple of Mylassa. We paid our respects and said prayers to our respective gods and saints. She gave us some vague information about Tenimos's tower and where we might find it. Forrin decided to do some snooping around and through magic changed her appearance to that of an elf. I must work on this woman, perhaps she can be shown the benefits of learning over crude raw power.</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 49 WIDTH="35"><div> <IMG SRC="55e14140.gif" border=0 width="20" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="559"><div> <I>Then we went to pay our respects to his lord mayor. Unfortunately that worthy was not in at the time so we left word of our visit and said we would return at a later time for formal introductions. </I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 132 WIDTH="35"><div> <IMG SRC="55e14140.gif" border=0 width="20" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="559"><div> <I>Finally, we made our way to the village's only tavern where we were treated to some information along with a truly spectacular mug of local ale. It is clear that Mylassa holds a special place in her heart for Cormeer. The bounty of its fields and breweries is evident to both the eye and the palette. In the course of our conversation with the tavern keep, we learned of a local adventurer who had gone missing several days before. Since she was the only person who might have more information about what lies around the keep, we determined to see if we could find her. She was last seen heading south of town. We shall try that direction tomorrow and see if we can get lucky.</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 33 WIDTH="35"><div> h</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="559"><div> <I>When we contacted the captain of the guard again, we learned that Ortyne is again one step ahead of us; he departed town this morning.</I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="602" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 3224 WIDTH="596"><div> <I>It is late now and our day has been full. We've taken up rooms at the local inn and I've given our hirelings a week's advance pay as well as a bonus to buy them drink at the tavern. We did of course, pay for their rooms as well. As long as we're staying here, I think I'll turn Katla loose on their kitchen.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>11th Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>We woke to as beautiful a spring morning as I can remember in many a year. There was a slight fog hanging over the fields and the bustle of early morning activity so characteristic of small farming communities. It reminds me a great deal of my hamlet in the Donoth Highlands near St. Toneve monastery and I have to admit I felt a pang of homesickness.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Within an hour we were making our way south. It wasn't long before we could make the remains of a tower on a nearby hill, and father off, on another hill, what appears to be a cave in the side of one of the rock faces. We decided to try our luck at the tower first. Before setting off in that direction, I sent Seetna on ahead of us. My connection with this beautiful bird seems to grow stronger daily. I find it hard to imagine how I might get along without her. She is an extension of my eyes and ears that would be sorely missed if she were not here.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>What Seetna saw brought our climb up the hill to an immediate halt. She heard beautiful singing accompanied by a horrendous plucking on a harp. Some closer but careful investigation revealed a woman chained to a rock singing while a two-headed giant - Ettins I believe they are called - plucked lazily at a harp. It is hard not to conclude that this must be Arial, the blacksmith's missing daughter. This posed our group with a serious problem. There were several of our number, Nero and Deseth if I am allowed to name names, who were all for charging in and taking the giant on immediately; fearing that any delay would put the girl's life in jeopardy. Taklinn and I argued that doing so would be a suicide that could hardly help the girl in the end. None of us is heavily armored and we lacked the experience for such a head on assault even were it necessary which it is not! It will also be necessary for me to select different spells to be effective in such a battle. In the end, we came up with a plan; we decided that we will make the giant an offering (Taklinn assures me that giants are stupid creatures but I feel I must take such evaluations with a grain of salt coming, as they are, from a dwarf). We will bring a pig and three casks of ale and leave it for the beast. Our plan is to then attack it while is lies in an unsuspecting stupor. May the gods look favorably on us for if they do not I fear tomorrow's sunrise may be our last. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>We returned to town to prepare and to gather the supplies that we will need. Elondil gave us a sedative we could mix with the ale that would help put the giant to sleep and the butcher donated a pig to the endeavor.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>12th Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>We woke before dawn today to get an early start. I prepared a set of spells that with some luck should weaken the Ettin and make it less dangerous. In truth, I don't know if my spells will be powerful enough to affect this creature but what else is there to try. I have not felt this nervous about a battle since my brothers and several other townsfolk charged a rampaging Tall Mouther three years ago. I hope we have more success than THAT encounter as several of our townsfolk lay dead before we finally killed the damnable thing though both my brothers survived.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>The plan is for Taklinn to distract the beast by dodging around its feet (the thought horrifies me but he assures me nothing could be easier) while the rest of us take the creature down with arrows and crossbow bolts. In the meantime, I will climb up the backside of the hill behind the tower and will try to weaken the creature with spells so that its attacks on Taklinn are ineffective. I will have to finish this day's entry if the Gods allow it after our attack. Praise be to Ellasil and Bokali.</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="55f46140.gif" border=0 width="70" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <I>Tidings of Woe and Sadness! We won the day but with great loss to our party. The plan started well enough. Taklinn left the pig and drugged ale for the Ettin and prodded the pig with his dagger to cause it to squeal and attract the Ettin's attention. It worked, as far as it went. The creature took the bait and within an hour was sleeping. Alas, that is as far as our planning worked. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>As soon as the giant was asleep, Taklinn charged in shouting obscenities at the creature. It was only then that we discovered that our archers did not have a good angle for their shots. Taklinn no doubt figured this out but bravely went ahead with the plan anyway. What choice was there, our die was cast! For the first twenty or thirty seconds he was able to keep the creature off balance and mostly within sight and range of the rest of us. Unfortunately the aim of our archers had much to be desired this morning and many more shots when high or wide than struck home. My spells were of little use as well. I struck the giant twice with rays that should have weakened it greatly but it seemed not even to notice them. I realized with horror that our band was in real jeopardy and that it was only a matter of time before the Ettin got lucky. No sooner had that thought passed through my mind than Taklinn dodged left when he should have dodged right. The club that the giant hit him with was huge, as big around as a good sized tree, and sent him flying backwards toward me with the crunch of broken ribs. Taklinn noticed me and gave me a wry smile and a wink. There was blood trickling from his mouth freely and I could tell he was having trouble staying on his feet. Quickly I sprang forward and cast a spell of protection on him (while cursing myself for not having the foresight to do this earlier when it might have made more of a difference.) No sooner had the spell taken effect than he was back beneath the giant's legs again; dodging and weaving as he had promised us he would do. It makes me want to cry. Nero, bless him, made two giant leaps to the top of the hill in an effort to draw the giant's attention away from Taklinn. It was a brave move for he was far less protected than Taklinn and a single hit would likely have killed him. However the giant seemed either not to notice Nero, or not to care and instead focused his efforts on Taklinn again. Ranas, seeing that his healing skills were needed, made a desperate dash toward the top of the hill, casting a spell upon himself to make the giant ignore him. Just as Ranas reached Taklinn, however, our luck ran out. The giant got lucky for a second time and this time when his club came away Taklinn's broken body did not rise. Ranas quickly grabbed Taklinn's battered and bleeding corpse and dragged it out of harm's way but the damage had already been done. We had lost a valued friend while he heroically tried to keep the giant's lethal attention from us.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>With Taklinn gone, however, we found ourselves in dire circumstance. The giant was seriously hurt but if it were able to reach any of us the likely result would be another horrible death. It started after Nero who danced backwards trying to stay out of the giant's reach. It was a nearly impossible task in the tight confines of that hilltop. While he did so, the others continued to try to land a fatal arrow without success. I decided to try a different approach. At long odds - but what choice did we have at this point? - I climbed to the top of the tower where I loaded my crossbow and took aim at one of the giant's foul heads. At last, Mylassa extended her favor to us. The bolt I loosed struck home and the creature crumbled, finally dead. I think I must have been crying because my cheeks were wet but in truth I don't remember the tears themselves. We recovered the creature's treasure and escorted the lady Arial back home to her father who offered to make a suit of full plate mail f</I><I>or one member of our party in thanks for his daughter's return. As for Taklinn, Nero has promised to write a song about him and when we are finished here we have determined to take news of his heroic end to his family and clan. Until then, his body is interred under Elondil's watchful eye in Mylassa's temple.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>I am exhausted from today's events but before I can close my eyes I find I must walk over to the temple, say farewell to my friend one last time, and make a prayer for his place at the Table of the Gods. Then, with Mylassa's grace, perhaps I can sleep.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>13th Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>We have spent the past day mourning for Taklinn and seeing that he was sent on to the Gods in a way befitting his deeds. I have to say it has left me both depressed and exhausted; there ARE times when I wish I were stronger. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>But we don't have the luxury to lick our wounds too long. The peril in the countryside to travellers seems to be growing daily though if you talk with the townsfolk around here you'd hardly know it. They seem blissfully unaware of the danger. Either that, or perhaps they find greater comfort in Mylassa's care than I do. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>In an effort to increase my repetoire of spells, I have started looking for arcane spell casters who might be interested in exchanging a spell or two for mutual benefit. This is a sleepy backwater of a town but it does get a fair bit of traffic on the way to other places. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>I have spoken with the others and we all agree that we need to make a reconnaisance of the keep before we try to storm it. I have volunteered for that mission and I'm nervous. This will really be my first solo experience of this kind and getting caught by the Kaddor,... well, I'd better NOT be caught. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>14th Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>This morning I discovered a man by the name of Jutan who just arrived in town who seemed to be a mage. I decided to approach him to see if he would be interested in exchanging a spell or two. I fear this was a rather big mistake. This gentleman, if he can be called that, is decidedly evil. I could almost smell the malice that enshrouded him. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>He refused an exchange of spells, but said he would offer me a spell or two in exchange for information. While we were discussing terms, I noticed an ancient text in his travelling bag that made reference to the ancient city of Azuguri. Just the name of that place gives me chills. Legend has it that the city was a source of great knowledge and power in earlier ages but that with their power, the city's leaders delved into magic that was heretical and dark. The Konlar, in their zeal, finally burned the city and all its inhabitants. Not a living soul survived and to this day the Konlar patrol Azuguri's outskirts (though I understand they don't do this with as much regularity as they once did).</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>In the end, I offered him information on the whereabouts of the troll we encountered earlier in exchange for two spells. This trade left a bad taste in my mouth. Before we parted, he suggested to me that if I learn of the whereabouts of the Eye of Odan, a jewel or gem from Crollath Abbey, that he would pay hansomely for the information. He said he could be found through any of the houses maintained by the Order of Krin in any major city. I said I would remember, but in truth the guy gives me the creeps. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>15th Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>Quite a day. I set out in the wee hours of the morning to take a look around the keep we'll be visiting in force soon. It went better than might be expected. I was able to locate it, climb over the wall, take a look around, and get out. And better yet, without evidence that I'd been spotted. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>The Keep seems pretty well guarded by Kaddor. A lot of it is run down as evidenced by several collapsed walls and a missing tower or two, but there is enough left standing to provide an imposing defensive structure. There was no sign of Ortyne, thank the Gods, but I did hear what seemed to be human voices coming from a house or church inside the compound. The courtyard itself was full of rubble and shadows which was perfect for my purposes but which also may make it more difficult to take when we try since it will provide more cover and concealment for defenders. Storming the place will take some seriuos planning if we are to walk away from it.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>On my way back from this foray, I was greeted by a "Pilgrim." Actually, it was a human female dressed up as a pilgrim. After some tense discussion (in which she sought to determine if I was in league with Jutan, the mysterious mage who I only met yesterday).  We finally determined that we both had a relatively low regard for the man. In fact, I later learned, back in my room at the inn, that woman is one the run from the Krin with a price on her head.  She is affraid that Jutan might be after her. Even knowing as little about the man as I do, I don't doubt her story. He's bad business. After some discussion with the party, we've decided to invite this "Pilgrim-a-la-Rogue" into our  party. We can use another good set of eyes, ears and stealthy feet to good purpose.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>16th Day of Nythoria:</B></I></div> <div> <I>A busy day of planning got busier. We were downstairs eating the evening meal of roast pheasant when Nero was approached by a local boy with a message from the town's jail. It seems one of his relatives, Tish, was tossed behind bars and wants Nero to bail her, and her friends, out of trouble. Nero agreed and it seems our little party is once again destined to grow. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>When we arrived at the jail, we learned that Tish and her two friends (a thug named Sticks and an unassuming monk named Duinadelle - or something like that - were locked up for causing damage to the Bottomless Keg Tavern during a fight with some locals. No one really remembers how it started (right, like I believe THAT) but the damages were minimal and we can use their talents in the upcoming battle at the keep should they choose to join us. Tish seems to be a bow expert, and Sticks, a giant of a man, seems to be a leg-breaker. Dui, as far as I can tell, fights bare handed. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>We have decided, as a group, that we'll be better off getting to know one another better before we tackle something as tough as the keep. Therefore, we set off before first light tomorrow to see what we can discover of the Manticore that has been terrorizing the area. With that  on our plate, I'm glad we'll have the extra bodies to help out. </I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id223.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Noras Journal Session Two"><U><I><B>Go to Session Two</B></I></U></A><I><B>  </B></I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#663300" FACE="Wingdings 2" ><A HREF="id223.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Noras Journal Session Two"><U><IMG SRC="55d14140.gif" border=0 width="20" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Page last updated on 14 March 2002.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>