Journal Posts

Ryner moved through the docks with a purpose. He was tired of shady dealings with the Jacks. Tonight he would find Curthain and Kira, and maybe a few of the other friends he knew. The jacks were going to-- was that Rhius?

The dragonborn had just glanced down an alley when he spotted the dark elf, trying to escape some hooded and robed figures. He had a pronounced limp, probably from dealing with these characters. Ryner sighed to himself, "It pains me to help him," and quickly leapt up onto the rooftops.
From his vantage, Ryner could make out more of the scuffle. He even recognized their gear, "The Keyholders... Interesting." The white keys on the rooftops responded to Ryner's intrusion by knocking him backward, off the roof, "hnn...Well, at least I can rule out diplomacy."

Down the alleyway, Curthain was moving to speak to a drunken Duggin when he, too, saw the dark elf attempting to evade his pursuers, "If anyone's killin' him, it's going to be me!" Before he could rush in, however, Kira slipped into view and lit up a torch, "Be wary, one of them mentioned something about an abomination." Curthain smiled, "Heh, looks like the band's getting back together". Mord came up on his flank, "You could say that." "Mord! Good to see you, now get fightin'!"

The leader of the keyholders was surprised to see these mercenaries coming to the aid of his prey, "This is official business of the church! By order of Hokalas, The Riftmaster, I order you to stand down!" Behind him came a contingency of rhiln, startling Duggin, "Run! They're on'ta us! They'e gonna find out wha' we did!"

As Kira blasted a few keyholders off the roof, she ordered a fast retreat, "The Keyholders likely have immunity here! We do not need an incident with the rhiln! Run!" Curthain looked at the dark elf, "I don't know who you are, but I don't like them. Come with us."

Once they were safely away from their attackers, Kira turned to the drow, "So, what is it that they want?" The dark elf sneered, "Don't call me an it, I have a name. Call me Saeryn." Ryner stepped in between the two, "My kin, the Servants of the Swift Sword, once had the ability to judge a man's soul by simply looking at them," he turned to Saeryn, the golden patch over his missing eye flared, "Unfortunately, that skill was lost to us in a previous age." Saeryn sighed, nervously. Ryner continued, "I know something of the Keyholders. They work to keep magic in balance. When they called Saeryn an abomination, they didn't mean his skin," he turned to Saeryn, again, "You are a sorcerer, are you not?" The drow smiled, "Perceptive."

The dragonborn's glowing eye dimmed, "By the oath we swear to The Swift Sword, I cannot allow harm to come to an innocent. Being born is not a crime," before Saeryn could interrupt him, "Please, do not make me regret this burden."


As the heroes approached Ryner's orphanage, they spotted a figure on the porch. "Jacks...", Ryner surged forward, sword in hand, when he heard the figure scream in terror, "Noo! I am looking for Ryner! I need his help!" Mord chuckled, "The big one, there, is Ryner. You better talk fast." The woman pulled back her hood, "You do not know me, but you know my husband, Fordril Senden. We were assaulted earlier this evening by a crazed halfling woman. She told me not to go to the rhiln. I came to you, hoping you could do something." Ryner sheathed his blade, "My apologies, please, step inside."

Norlel explained that she and Senden had just returned from dinner with her parents when their doors and windows burst open by a powerful blast of wind, "She stood in the doorway, angry and cackling. She knocked Senden unconscious and took him away. I didn't know where else to go. Please, you must help find him." Kira questioned her on the magic the halfling seemed to posess, "Did she have any identifying marks..maybe an amulet or..." "A Symbol, yes...of a.. hammer. With lightning bolts." "Weyyel, The Storm Lord. That makes sense."

Norlel continued, "She said he was to be sacrificed tonight for his crimes. I don't know what he could have done to deserve this." "Sacrificed," Kira interrupted, "That sounds more like Ill Luck. The two are closely related, though. We could be dealing with a theurge, a priestess of two gods. They're rare..and dangerous."

Using some of Kira's contacts, the heroes were able to locate a cave that the halfling was probably using. It was, however, nearly 40 feet down a cliffside. As the heroes descended, Saeryn slipped. He would have fell were it not for Curthain's quick action. He leapt out of the cave, grabbing the falling dark elf and the rope simultaneously, swinging them both inside the cave mouth. Kira lit a torch and Ryner woke the magic in his shield. The ground was solid, but covered in water. The water looked tainted; likely from a sewer drain depeer in the cavern. As the tide rose, so did the water in the cave. Mord offered up a sense of urgency, "If we're not quick about this, we'll all drown. Well, the armored ones, anyway."

Inside the cave they found the halfling standing behind Senden's unconscious body, tied to a stone slab. There was religious imagry of both The Storm Lord and Ill Luck covering the walls. The halfling cackled, madly, "As I expected! My minions, destroy them!" The wind in the cavern came to life, as small tornados formed and moved to strike.

It was a strange battle, the halfling was less intent on killing them as she was looking for someone. While the heroes cut down her shardstorms, she called out for one of their fallen friends, "Where is the halfling!!?!? Where is Nolan?!" Hearing the name of his friend, Curthain flew into a rage, "He is dead! Fear not! You will meet him, soon!" The halfling dodged the insane strikes of the barbarian, if only slightly, "noononnnono! I need him! He cannot be dead!" In between singing, Kira's curiousity was piqued, "Why would you need him?"

"They stole it! Don't you understand!!?!? They stole the child of the storm!", the halfling half screamed, half pleaded, "I tried to get it back from the Bastion man, but he was too powerful!! I need the thief!!"

Kira's mind raced, Child of the Storm. Old sailor's talk of apowerful relic of The Storm Lord that, if posessed, could control the seas, themselves...So that's how the Golden Alliance is doing it,"Give us Senden and we will retrieve the child for you." Mord was confused, "Who has this child?" Kira was irritated by Mord's interruption, "Not a person, Mord. A child of the sea, a pearl." The halflings eyes widened, "Yes! Yes! You know of the child! You get it for Skorka, then Cosolen is not destroyed by Noala!"

With that, she slipped under Curthain's legs and ran off into the sewers. Mord looked down at the water level quickly rising to his waist, "Remember that urgency I spoke of? GET MOVING!" The heroes rushed through the sewers, moving through the darkened tunnels by Saeryn's sight and poor sense of direction. More than once, they fell into shit smelling foulness one can't even imagine, but kept together and eventually located a storm drain. They ascended into one of the eastern markets in the dead of night. A group of rhiln were patrolling the area and spotted the heroes.

As the rhiln approached, Curthain recognized the leader. Rhilnd Dolnel looked them over, "Strange night this is. One would normally question why a group of armed men are climbing out of a sewer... But, I'm sure Founder Senden here would confirm you were assisting him with some repairs, correct?" Curthain looked puzzled, but smiled, "Yes...Repairs." Dolnel then locked eyes on Saeryn, "I am under orders from Keyholder Minon to find a dark elf criminal. Unfortunately, I don't know what a dark elf looks like. If you see him, please report to me right away. Let's go, men". With that, the rhiln moved on out of the market.

The party cleaned the shit off their clothes and armor back at the orphanage while they tried to decide what action to take.

They were called heroes. The adventurers had set out from the Harken in hopes of gaining information on the orcs in P'Bapar pass. Unfortunately, with little time and no reinforcements, it was up to them to stave off the orc horde. They soon found there was an even bigger threat to the people of Cosdol, for within the bowels of the Legasa Peaks slept an ancient earth titan of unfathomable power.

Stonefang had been trapped by the dwarves long before Brandobia was formed. The orcs disturbed the binding ritual and stole the body parts that bound him. The heroes took on this charge, as well. And in the end, they were victorious--though at great cost.

Nolan Kapran, the sly cutpurse was killed in the halls of P'Bapar. The swordmage, Aldus Colden was also slain while battling the orcs at the citadel outside the pass.

The Archduke E'Dos Kalanasi II, of P'Bapar, personally thanked the warriors for their brave efforts, including a monetary reward of 500 gold pieces. They were royalty within the walls of P'Bapar. Armors were cleaned, weapons were sharpened, and the wine poured like the falls above the pass. Fame is fleeting, however, and the city soon went back to work, with the orcish horde having been disbanded. The heroes decided it was time to head back home.

They hitched a ride with a trade caravan headed for Cosolen and tried to enjoy a nice, quiet journey home. The dwarf, Duggin, decided to come along. With his first, Serka, now dead, he had no home to head toward. The ranger, Mord, was only heading along in hopes of securing some good work as a caravan guard. And so they headed out, all save for Kira, who elected to stay behind and seek study with the eladrin, Shifryn.

Back in Cosolen, life returned to normal. Curthain found that the ring he procured for Tiberio was, in fact, not the ring he was sent for, causing much undo stress in their relationship. Ryner found he had new troubles, as well. The Jacks were leaning heavily on him for payment, and were now expecting Ryner to pony up to Nolan's debt. Zandi, Nolan's uncle had been beaten severely and his shop burned down. Hurrel, for his part in helping Nolan, had lost an eye and was hobbled. Iola had taken them both in under her protection, making the Jacks even more angry. Adding Daggo, Ryner had many mouths to feed and a growing debt with the orphanage.

Meanwhile, Duggin struggled to find work, as his reputation for being a follower of the Overlord had impared his ability to find employment. Being a decent tactician only helps put food in one's belly during war. Mord suffered a similar fate. While he could pick up work on the docks, or doing other menial labor, few Brandobians trusted the half-orc.

Kira, on the other hand, fared quite well. Shifryn was, by all accounts, a savant with magic. Whether it be his swordplay, singing, or study of spells, the eladrin was a master. He helped Kira fine tune her voice, showing how the vibrations worked in harmony with her blade. While she was still a novice, her skills would greatly improve under his tutelage. Unfortunately, Shifryn was called to his home in Doulathanorian, ending their studies for the time.

And so continues our stories in these Simpler Times.

As Aldus hurried through the maze-like caverns, he had to wonder if his initial suggestion to simply scout out the pass would have been a smarter tactic. The heroes were struggling against the orcs and he couldn't think of anything that would help turn the battle. Rounding a corner, Aldus' heart sank further; the heroes were ensnared in the webbing of an ettercap! He sprung into action, slaying the webspinner quickly and moving to aid his friends against the remaining spiders.

The battle went like many before had; a victory, but with significant pain. Mord was seriously wounded and Ryner didn't look like he'd survive another encounter. Unfortunately, they'd find little rest in the dark pass.

As they made their way back toward the chanting dwarves, they were ambushed by even more orc. These were just as deadly, though fewer in numbers, and put up one hell of a fight. When the last orc fell--taking Ryner and Aldus down with him--the dwarves ended their protective ward and healed the heroes with what magic they had available.

"Thank the gods you've come at last! With the orcs dead, we can seal in the titan forever. Quickly, give me the rest of his fragments!" Gwendar, as he would later introduce himeself, was the leader of the shadowed chain dwarves, a group of dwarves dedicated to the preservation and protection of the wards that bound the titan, Stonefang, to a prison beneath the mountains. He despaired to learn that the orcs still had two of the fragments, "Without the heart and eye, we cannot bind the titan. He will escape and destroy everything in his path."

The heroes offered to recover the missing fragments and return them to the sacred circles. One of the dwarves, Duggin, offered his aid in recovering the items. After some rest, they made their way out of the pass in search of the orcish leader.

Once outside, they saw the full might of the orcish horde as the army of P'Bapar fought a vicious battle in hopes of securing the pass. The orc chieftan was nowhere to be seen. Aldus surmised that he was hold up in the citadel below them and, if they could kill the chieftan, it would severely weaken the orcs' resolve in this battle.



Curthain surveyed the pass from his view atop the tower. The orcs' defenses had been crushed, though not without great cost. Kira looked over her allies while Mord checked the Citadel doors. Duggin shook his head over Aldus' body, punctured by too many an orc arrow.

Death once again claimed a prize in P'Bapar pass...

Rangrim was dead serious when he said this pass through P'Bapar was dangerous. As if the swarm of stirge weren't enough, an earthquake saw fit to allow a group of ravenous giant spiders entrance into the pass. The heroes barely managed to fend off the verminous creatures. With little rest, they moved onward through the pass.

Their trek was halted, however, not far into the deep. A giant stone slab blocked any travel into the eastern pass. Sticking out through a crack was the severed arm of a crushed orc; no doubt his death was at the hands of the retreating dwarves. Nolan found a gate-house that likely controled the blocking wall, but also found it to be heavily guarded. Iron cobras, dwarven turret-mounted crossbow repeaters, hammerer constructs, and a portcullis hampered their ability to move forward.

The cobras were of ingenious design--no doubt made by the dwarves to both honor and mock Bloodcurdler--and proved more than a challenge for the intrepid heroes. They slowed the advance of Ryner and Curthain, giving the turrets plenty of time to pepper the room with bolts. Alas, Ryner was too bruised and bloodied from the previous encounters to withstand so many brutal attacks; he fell in the hallway. Kira muttered a draconic curse as she was forced to leave him behind in hopes of avoiding any more turret fire.

Down the hall, Nolan fared much better. He'd slipped past the portcullis and went toe to toe with one of the cobras. With the help of Aldus and Curthain, the cobra was swiftly dealt with. Nolan saw luck on his side. Everything was going so smoothly. If only he'd thought to honor Ill Luck. They say the luckiest always honor the discordant one, and that those who don't suffer a horrid fate. Nolan was no exception. He'd dodged and ducked many a strike from the hammerers once entering the gate-house, but his own hubris got the best of him. Stopping to mock how slow the automatons were, he was smashed in the back and down a crack in the floor. The fall was too much; Nolan landed head first on the ground, dying on impact.

The remaining heroes dispatched the hammerers and Kira found that using magic she could alter the turrets to obey her commands. Aldus helped her disable them all while Curthain leapt into the crevasse in hopes of helping his small friend. The others lowered their heads when Curthain produced Nolan's body.

They slumped into the gate-house, both exhausted and in despair. Despite wanting to stay on alert, sleep quickly consumed them all.

While Nolan and the others were both relieved and happy to see Ryner's recovery, there was little time for celebration. The letters confirmed that Nazin had other plans, including a blockade on trade through P'Bapar pass.

Aldus, the spy from Cosdol's Military Academy, volunteered to scout out the pass and provide information on the orcs in Redthorn's employ. Ryner, eager to put his injuries behind him, was all too ready to head out. Nolan reluctantly agreed, only because a reward from the Cosdol government had to be better than a simple pickpocket job. The heroes of Harken gathered their supplies, and some horses from Dar's stable, and began their journey toward P'Bapar pass.

After a day's ride, they settled in at a nice quiet roadside inn. Quiet, that is, until the heroes were recognized. Cheers erupted and kegs were tapped in celebration. Daggo was treated to his first ale, and his second, and many more. The spirits and song were interrupted, however, with the arrival of a devilish looking man. He stood nearly eight feet tall with ebony skin and horns jutting out from his forehead. His sharpened teeth flashed in the firelight, "Heroes of the Harken, I bring a message from my employer", he drew forth a bloody sachel, emptying the head of Dar Gremath on the floor, "This is the only reward you'll reap for your interference."

The brutish tiefling drew his flamberge and began his attack. The heroes rushed in, only to find he was much more than a smile with a sword. The tiefling's mastery of infernal fire was impressive. And with the fire's foe curse affecting them; Curthain, Nolan and Kira suffered grevious burns. The tiefling was outmatched, however, and moments later he lay on the ground, convulsing from the lightning coursing through his veins. Before any could speak, a shadowy noose slipped around his neck, choking the life from the beastly man. Aldus traced the noose to a rafter, where a shadowed figure dropped into view. "Rhius", Ryner said, with caution, "What--" before he coudl finish, Nolan interrupted "--The hell were you doing up there?! You could have helped us."

Rhius was smiling beneath his silvery mask, "But what's the fun in that? I was hired to kill this man, Lividius. He is dead, so I thank you". Nolan sneered at him, "You can thank me with half your bounty."

"I think not, friend Nolan. But I will owe you a favor. Now, stand back, I hear the decapitating a tiefling can bring forth hellfire." It was only a rumor, but that didn't stop Curthain from flinching.

Nolan looked at the head of Dar on the ground, "Rhius, if you've been tracking this man for days, how come you didn't stop him from killing Dar?" There was a pause from the drow, "What? Please don't tell me you've gone from grave-robbing to protecting the weak and innocent already? I wasn't hired to keep anyone alive", he chuckled, "somehow, I feel I would be very poor at that task." Ryner's eyes flared, "You have your head, now get out of here. I hope we don't meet again."

After the mess was cleaned up, the innkeper offered a toast to the heroes, even breaking out an aged bottle of Basiran Gold for the occasion, "You are truly heroes, may your stories be told forever. Preferrably the one about killing a demon-man in my establishment. Remember, the name is Roade Side Inn, and my name is Stannen."

The following morning had the heroes set out for the pass itself. With a brief stop in the village of Napalido (also known as Timbervale), the heroes confirmed that a horde of orcs had invaded the pass, forcing the Glintshield dwarves to retreat. Their leader, Rangrim, provided what little information he could. Unfortunately, it was obvious he was not part of the battle, and had little idea of numbers or how well armed the orcs were.

It was up to the heroes to investigate on their own, then. According to Rangrim, the west entrance to the pass was old and not in good repair. After the retreating battle, the orcs had even damaged up the bridge, making it near impossible to get across. And without sentries to protect from the wilder animals, a flock of hippogriffs had nested in the area, attacking the heroes when they ventured across the bridge. Along the waters edge lurked the rare and dangerous archerfish, as well, making for a particularly wet encounter.

With the beasts dealt with, the party turned their attention to the great P'Bapar pass, a near forty-mile expanse through the Legasa Peaks. Legend says it was created by giants enslaved by Kalamar during the war with Brandobia. The two stone giant pillars olding the entrance open lends credibility to the story.

As the heroes huddled in the small cathedral, arguing over what to do, the body of the warlock lurched forward. Reanimated by hellfire, the burning corpse raised its arm and gestured at the remaining warriors, "You know not the beings you oppose. My servant may be dead, but I shall curse you with the fire's foe. Be warned, you will burn, and I will enjoy it." The body then crumbled in the intense heat, while hellwasps vacated the body. As the body immolated, fire struck Curthain, Kira and Nolan square in the chest, burning a sigil into their skin. Kira shook her head, "This is not good. A fire's foe curse will make us very susceptible to fiery attacks--" Curthain interruped, "Of which they have many." "--Exactly."

Before they could finish, the door was kicked in and the man-at-arms, Gareth stood before them, "Who are you and what are you doing here?" Kira's eyes flared, "I said when we met again, you were a dead man.. Get him!" Nolan palmed a dagger, but Curthain wasn't moving. "Bring your master to me, and after I cut off his head I'll show you why I'm here, cur!" Gareth sighed as he lowered his crossbow, "My name is Aldus and I'm here to do the same. If not for your interruption, Nazin would already be dead." Curthain eased up on his sword, "who sent you?"

"I am here on behalf of Dar Gremath. He requested aid from my family. I felt more lives would be saved if I assassinated Redthorn. Unfortunately, your actions drew him out of the keep and into battle. If we move quickly, we can still get the job done. However, we must secure the safety of Baron Stockmer, first. Nazin will have the baron killed before we can stop him." Nolan looked to Kira and Curthain, but both just shrugged. Without Ryner and Lucan they were severely handicapped, and this guy seemed to know his way around the keep. Curthain stepped forward, "Very well, we'll do it your way. But if you're lying, you'll die."

The heroes sprung out of the cathedral to take the guards unaware. Nolan scrambled up the tower and slipped through an embrasure to keep the drawbridge open. Kira set to distract and befuddle the watch, while Curthain and Aldus made their way inside.

It was there that the battle truly begun. Dragonborn mercenaries guarded the tower, striking furiously at the heroes. Though they fared no better than the outer guards, they did weaken the heroes and slowed their advance. Below, in the kitchen turned gaol, the baron was locked away. His guards, two brutish enforcers led by a wizard, were playing cards when the sounds of battle surprised them. Nazin personally chose them to guard his most valuable asset, and he chose wisely. The guards struck with speed and skill while the wizard assaulted their senses with thunderous strikes. Adding to their struggles was another of the summoned tar devils. Were it not for the devious skill of Kira and Nolan working together, the heroes would have been felled there. Nolan blined the enforcers with a barrage of daggers and allowed Kira to trick them into falling in the great fireplace. Aldus then displayed his impressive powers when teleported the surviving enforcer away from a deadly strike on Curthain and into the chest of the wizard. From there, it was a simple clean up. Nolan checked to ensure the Baron was ok and Curthain helped bind some of Kira's wounds. "My thanks, heroes. But you must kill Nazin Redthorn. He will not stop. I will reward you richly for your aid. Go to the dining hall and remove the sconce. You will find a secret passage that leads you into my chambers. Redthorn does not know of this passage and will be caught unaware."

The heroes did as instructed and launched a surprise attack on Redthorn. As aldus burst through the doorway, Nazin turned to address his assailant, "You?!? Traitor! Guards! Kill them all!" Curthain lunged toward the warlord and brought his mighty randrel down in a powerful swipe. Unfortunately, Nazin was expecting the attack and diverted the blade toward the dark adept, who shattered the blade with her magic. The barbarian stumbled back in shock, "NO...no..." Nazin smiled, "As the sword breaks, so does the warrior!"

The dark adept then turned her attention on the heroes, only to be brought down by the quick thinking of Nolan. Kira burst her eardrums with a splitting sonic scream leaving only the dragonborn guards and Redthorn. What followed was a bloody battle between desperate enemies. Curthain was without his magical blade, but not without a weapon. His broadsword was more than sharp enough for the skin of a dragonborn. Aldus channeled magic fire, bursting about with his magic, while Nolan stayed under foot, slashing and cutting at his enemies.

Kira then brought forth a song of triumph. The heroes were invigorated to win, but Nazin was no simple soldier. His strikes eventually brought Aldus to his knees, and a glancing blow on Curthain ended the barbarian's rampage. All that remained was a tiring bard and a rogue out of tricks. "Where's your dragonborn, little one? I see the elf has gone missing, as well? It looks as though you may come up...short." Nolan's eyes rolled, "Seriously?!? Your final words are going to be a bad pun?" Kira then laughed viciously, "Oh, poor redthorn, no allies and soon to be dead. You can't even handle a midget with a knife." Nazin's eyes lit up with rage, "Know your place, woman! You dare not speak to me!" He lunged forward, completely ignoring the halfling. Nolan smiled, "Big mistake", the halfling spun around and leapt upon Redthorn's back, burying the dagger deep into his neck, "Shhh...it'll all be over in a moment." With the last remaining gasps of air, Nazin Redthorn was dead.

Kira slumped against the wall, surprised that her gambit worked. Nolan just nodded and looked to his comrades, "Should we wake them? They look so peaceful." Kira chuckled as her magic brought them into consciousness.



Before the heroes had a chance to rest, the door burst open to reveal Dar, bloodied and grinning, "Victory! We couldn't let you have all the fun. After you entered the keep, we prepared an assault to buy you more time. The guards were preoccupied with that infernal drake of yours, making it easy for us to take the gate. My thanks to you, friends. You've saved us all."

The baron addressed the heroes afterward, "We owe you our lives. All that we have is in debt to your brave sacrifice. I will reward you with what little we have left, and ask that you do not take insult to the paltry offering. Know that you are heroes of the Harken, and your money is no good here. Quarter will always be provided while you travel within these lands." One of the Baron's servants arrived with a laquered box and pendant, "This is the sigil of the house of Stockmer. Long has it been in my family and it has brought us great fortune. Please accept it as a token of my appreciation and gratitude", he then presented the box to Kira, "You fight much like my daughter did, with steel and song. She perished against the Iron Circle, but we hid her sword away. This is Harmony, her songblade. It better fits the hero you are than that rusty blade at your side." The sword was beautiful, clearly not made by man. When waived about, a trail of residuum shimmered in the air, and the sound of silver bells could be heard. The baron bowed low, "Again, my thanks to you, heroes. Rest as long as you like, you are always welcome in Stockmer Keep."

It was a crisp morning in Wanden. Dar Gremath shouted orders to the villagers-turned-army. Including the elves Eriyel promised, they had two-hundred ready to meet Nazin Redthorn's Iron Circle. Unfortunately, it was about one-hundred fifty villagers and roughly fifty soldiers against a fighting force of two-hundred well-trained and well-armed soldiers.

The heroes were all too aware of the odds and each did their part to help even the odds. Lucan worked with the farmers to flood the fields, reducing cavalry attacks. Nolan and Kira set traps and created a number of forced entry points into the town, ensuring the fight would be on their terms, should it take to the village streets. Meanwhile, Curthain and Ryner instructed the fighting men and women in the best tactics for fighting. Ryner inspired the troops with banners and bravery, while Curthain showed all the weak points in a man's armor--such as the eyes, groin, feet, and any other dirty trick he'd ever learned. By the end of the day, campfires were spotted at the edge of the farm steading--Nazin's army had arrived. There was little else to do now, save for pray and rest.

None were surprised when the battle begun. Due to Lucan's flooding of the fields, the army was forced to move at a much slower pace. A whole score of soldiers were brough down by the various animal traps and punji sticks hidden throughout the fields. The heroes took center stage and prepared for an all-out assault as the soldiers marched through the mud.

The kobold vassal, Daggo, held Ryner's banner furled up, "Release now, master?" Ryner's lips curled, "Do you see Redthorn?". Daggo thought for a minute, "Can't see anything, master." "Then, not now."

The first wave was halted against Curthain and Gnashers onslaught. Knocking all enemies aside, Curthain struck a severe blow against the enforcer, nearly felling him. Curthain over-reached, though, and suffered a retaliatory strike that knocked both him and his beast prone. The enforcer wasn't overly armored, but he was a physical brute, stronger than anyone Curthain had ever faced.

With Curthain down, the heroes lunged forward; hoping to aid their fallen comrade. Ryner and Nolan leapt over the low stone wall to engage the enemy, while Kira's words confused and befuddled the soldiers. From atop the farmhouse, Lucan controlled their movement, slowing the enemies progress and allowing Curthain the time he needed to recover. Moments later, the skirmish was over. The head of the enforcer was in Curthain's hands; the body slumping to the ground.

There was little time to celebrate, for this was one of many battles taking place. All around them, the heroes could see and hear signs of battle. One in particular had Dar's men harrased on two fronts. The far side were a group of soldiers, while the nearer was commanded by a dark adept and her summoned tar devils. The heroes charged onward, interrupting the adepts surprise attack. "Now?", asked Daggo. "Not yet, Daggo! Wait until I give the signal!"

The adept didn't see it coming. With expert precision, her minions were brought down, leaving only the devils and the adept standing. Lucan then charged forward in wolf-form, dazing the warlock, while Nolan launched off the back of the druid, burying his dagger in her throat. The blood burned off the black and red blade. The heat tickled his skin and singed Nolan's arm hair. It relished in the drinking of death. Without the warlock, the devils were little match for Curthain and Ryner's assault. And, once again, Kira's magic healed the body and spirits of her companions.

After finishing off a lagging soldier, Dar rushed toward them, confident in their emerging victory. He slowed to a halt before reaching Ryner, however, and stared beyond in disbelief. As Ryner Turned, he heard Daggo, once more, "Now, master?"

Nearly fifty soldiers approached; a surprise reinforcement from the Iron Circle! Atop a black warhorse sat a warlord in similarly black plate-armor. A banner waved with the Iron Circle standard next to the warriors. Ryner spat and turned to engage, "Yes, Daggo, now."

Nazin smiled as he gave the order to charge...

Eriyel offered aid on one condition. The heroes had to first prove themselves. An enemy of the elves was housed within the ruins of Dal Nystiere. If the heroes killed Yisarn, the woodsinger elves would aid the Harken against the Iron Circle. Once again, the party was placed between rivals they had no quarrel with. However, this time they had a personal stake in the mission. Access to Dal Nystiere was necessary to recover the item Tiberio hired them to procure. Yisarn would likely be an obstacle, either way.

the forest surrounding the entrance to Dal Nystiere was covered in the fine, silky webs of giant spiders. Lucan narrated to the heroes how this edge of Lendelwood is commonly called the "Ungoal-Del", or spider haunt. His keen eyes spotted a number of giant spiders hiding in the trees, preparing an ambush. Just ahead, the party also spotted a small wagon of drakin make. A group of kobolds sprung out, hoping their numbers might intimidate the heroes.

Despite their size and speed, the spiders were quickly downed and, in the process, the heroes managed to save one of the spider's victims. He was a peculiar looking fellow, garbed in black, with a silver mask hiding his features. The man known as Rhius offered a debt for saving his life. He offered to assist in killing the wizard in Dal Nystiere. Curthain, not known for insight, or too strong to care, accepted Rhius' offer and the heroes prepared the ritual to enter the Eladrin Ruins.

When the portal closed, the party found themselves surrounded by kobolds and vicious bloodseeker drakes. It mattered little, as they crushed the former dragonborn slaves with ease. With the kobolds dead, Nolan quickly grabbed anything of seeming value. A couple scrolls, an old eladrin tome, and some arcane components were all he could appraise before Rhius opened the locked doors*.

Much to his chagrin, the drow found himself caught in a deadly webbing of some sort. A spider, easily four times larger than those above ground, covered him in a radiant glimmering web. It was then that the heroes met Yisarn. He was no man, at least not anymore. The skeletal remains of the bandit were held together with necrotic energy. With a wave of his hand, lightning burst outward, stunning many of the heroes and launching Rhius into a spiked pit. The unexpected might of Yisarn, coupled with his skeleton warriors and that damned spider, was nearly too much for the heroes. It took everything they had to muster a victory against him.

When at last, the spider fell, the heroes slumped to the floor in exhausted victory. They survived, and the elves would honor their end of the bargain. And, though Curthain's sword was broken, Kira thought it may be possible to mend it with one of the scrolls she found.

Ktulu

*Items of Note: Rituals - Brew Potion, Make Whole, Affect Normal Fires, The Eladrin tome is an accounting of an eladrin' wizard's time in Dal Nystiere, probably worth upwards of 200-250gp to a collector or sage. A map with a layout of Dal Nystiere. 100 arcane components

In Yisarn's library on the shelves there is an old lacquered box containing 4 agates (50gp each), a platinum ring of eladrin design, and a pair of leather boots inscribed with elvish "Alda-Heryn" or Lady of the Trees, Boots of the Dryad