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From Endhome I had ventured forth to search for the rumoured lost city of Barakus and the lost husband of the seeress Penelope. Apart from my loyal follower Turnip, I had found an unusual assortment of companions, an Elf Loren Silverleaf, who proved that his race still lives even if they are rarely seen now; Michael de Ashville, an insolent puppy of a warrior, but highly skilled with his halberd and necessary to help in overcoming the threats we may face. There are two followers of Ksarul, on some mission from Imgart, but who seem to be as careful in watching each other as for enemies, the man Armand Gallant is full of his own will, while the female monk Khai is quieter and harder to fathom.

Reaching Branford after three days travel, we took lodging in the inn. Rising early, I breakfasted and left the inn before the others had risen, returning later I found that the fool of a fighter, Michael argued with the innkeeper and tripped him with a halberd. Soon after we set forth for the caves where legend has it that there is a way to the lost city.

Walking through the forest we come to an entrance with doors barely covering it, showing the effects of long ages of weathering and was a supposed warning message posted. Opening the doors showed the cavern widening to 30 feet with steps leading down covered by rubble and debris from the woods.

Entering the caves we were attacked by large rats, two attacking and hurting Nip severly, while anothers bite missed Michael. Michael killed his opponent with his halberd, while I called the cleansing fire of Girru to heal Nip's wounds. The others blows and missiles did not hit, but the rats withdrew with Armand chasing and killing one, the other escaping into the shadows. At the botton the stairs opened into a large cavern.

Entering the cavern it appeared to have been fortified by Orcs at some past time and a mosaic covered the floor. A pallid figure came towards us, stinking of rotting flesh. I called on Girru to smite it with his holy fire and it repelled the foul ghoul, which the others quickly cut down. Examining the body of the creature it proved to have a silver bracelet inlaid with pearls upon its arm. Searching further a locked chest was found, containing a potion, a heavy flail and 28 pieces of copper in a purse. We then moved on listening carefully at the mouths of the tunnels leading from the chamber. From the north came the distant sound of rushing water and at the east less distant snoring.

Following the eastern passage cautiously Nip stops us when she spots a tripwire. Negotiating this we entered another cavern with a crude stone throne in its centre and pile of straw in the north-east corner where the snoring echoed from, with a pile of animal carcasses in front of it. Moving silently over Armand delived the Coup de Grace to the Ogre, allowing us to search through the room. Three other tunnels led from the chamber, north, east and south. We chose to continue east, moving over the debris underfoot as Michael leads us forward and the passage curved north east. Suddenly sling stones ping off his armour and the walls.

Charging Michael encounters two ratmen, with the rest of the party following. He cuts one down while the other attempts to flee south east down a passage. Dark shapes emerge from that tunnel as more ratmen move to attack us, Michael throws the body of the dead ratman towards them before joining combat. Michael cuts down the first before the second wounds him, the third tries to move past and falls to a swing of the halberd, and the next is injured by Armand before Khai drops him unconscious. Loren uses his magic to cause the next to fall asleep before it too is slain.

Following the tunnel we come to an intersection, one side leads to a cave where searching reveals a cave used by them as a camp, inside we find some silver and copper coins. The ratmen attack us again with slings before scurrying away, after debating we move forward, but find ourselves being sniped at. At the next junction a female in a red cape tries to cast a spell, but Nip and Michael injure her causing the spell to fail. Taking my wise counsel the party now withdrew back to the surface to return to the inn.

Day 6 M5
Returning to the caverns we find that a half eaten goblins corpse is on the stairs, with a gold earring glinting in its ear and a finely made, but poorly maintained dagger. In the first cavern we waited and listened, Cam hears the sound of soft footsteps and turns to see a slight figure ducking back into the southern tunnel. Investigating we found it to be the escaped slave who, told us her name is the Lady Isobel in the accent of an Imgartian noble. We persuaded her to wait on our return from deeper in the caverns before pushing on.

Heading east into the cave where the Ogre had lurked Gren and Nip saw a ratman scuttle away down the far tunnel, we pursue them into the far tunnel with the fighters in the lead. Catching the first ratman he was quickly cut down by the fighters, we then turned south towards the cave they used as living quarters and encountered five more 30 feet away from us, Loren chanted an incantation and four fell sleeping, the last fired a crossbow at us, but missed, unlike Nip who hit and killed it. While we finished off the remainder Loren spotted something silvery glittering overhead. Looking closer we retrieved a silver holy mask, taking the mask up we headed forward with a ratman scurrying away in the darkness as we approached the intersection of three tunnels.

Waiting temporarily before the junction, Nip heard the sound of muffled squeaking coming from all three tunnels. Using a mirror she saw three ratmen in the tunnel to our right. Michael charged down into contact and cut one down, I followed, but the foul creature facing me dodged my blow. Nip saw one in the tunnel ahead of our waiting point fired at it and missed. Loren and Gren trailed Michael and myself down the tunnel, sadly I realised that this left my follower alone, where she was cut down by the ratmen that surrounded her.

Ahead of us the ratwoman witch appeared in her red cloak muttering and gesturing, making Michael and one ratman fall sleeping, calling on Girru I fought back the waves of tiredness and swang my morning star smashing the skull of the ratman I was fighting. Loren used his power to reduce all but two of the ratmen encircling us to sleep. Gren charged at the witch and Loren followed him into the cave.

The witch hit Gren with a ray from her finger, but he shrugged it off, while I was cut by a blow from the one ratman still facing me. Michael after being woken by Loren gets up and kills the ratman facing me, while Loren shot the witch injuring her and allowing Gren to launch a blow that cut her down.

Despite using Girru's curing flame on myself I found myself dropped unconscious by a blow from the leader of the ratmen who charged me, and a blow from his remaining follower. Loren raised me to consciousness so that I could heal myself and Nip, he explained that Michael and Gren cut down the leader and drove off the last of the ratmen.

Searching the bodies and caves we came upon varied items, including a gold torc from the leader and rapier of fine manufacture, a potion, scroll and spellbook from the witch and a locked box which opened with a key from the leaders body. Inside was a potion vial marked with a silver cat symbol, many pieces of silver and a damaged water clock. Meeting the Lady Isobel we returned to the inn to regale the locals with the stories of our exploits. Isobel being forced to take employment waiting in the kitchens of the inn to pay for her keep.

Day 7 M5
After a nights rest we returned to the road to explore the caves further, but noticed dark shapes moving through the trees toward us. Taking up a defensive formation we saw three huge wolves come out towards us, Loren tried to cast a spell, but it seemed to fail, Nip hit one with her arrow and I threw Girru's fire at them, but it only singed their fur. Michael cut one down with his halberd, a grey furred one facing me bit, but I parried it with my shield. The remaining wolf bit Michael hurting him, but failing to drag him over. Gren hit the one biting Micael, injuring it.

Loren then succeeded in making the Grey furred wolf fall sleeping, allowing Nip to tumble over and attack the black wolf with her rapier, the wolf bites Michael tripping him and being able to savage him further, for once silencing the boastful fighter. Nip stabs again, but only inflicts a fleshwound, while Gren hurt it with another cut from his scimitar, my morning star failed to connect. The wolf turned and bit at Nip then attempted to run, but was cut down.

Nip and Gren collected some peasants from the village to come and skin the wolves, we then took our grisly burden onwards to the trading post arriving after dark. Negotiating with Ottakar we gained seven pieces of platinum for the skins and our board to stay overnight. Trading the ratman's torc to Ottakar we bought a Greataxe and chain shirt for Gren.

Cambyses Journal continued

Day 12 M5
Following the tunnel having to crouch down with its low ceiling with Nip leading the way, we emerged into a rough hewn cavern having to carefully avoid the tripwire that Nip spotted.

From the cave two exits lead out with Khai and I noticing that the NorthWestern one has daylight showing. Cautiously advancing into the tunnel we hear the sound of a fire and human voices from above. The voices seemed to be arguing about the division of spoils from a robbery, Lars tried yelling threats at them, but (luckily) only brought down scorn and we withdrew and headed up the Eastern tunnel.

Following the eastern tunnel Michael was suddenly entangled in a net, just as the tunnel opened out into a cave. Facing us were six doglike creatures with bows in their hands, staring at us while Armando was cutting the oafish fighter free. Loren, quickwitted as always, cast a spell and five of the beasts fell sleeping, the sixth fleeing down a tunnel directly away from us, jumping over something while it headed into the corridor, and yelping in alarm.

We advanced into the cavern finding it had another exit to the south, and the eastern tunnel seemed to have a faint glint of daylight along it. From both tunnels came the barks of the doglike creatures, so we readied ourselves for battle, with Michael, Armando and myself moving to the southern tunnel setting ourselves to fight the creatures.

A dozen could be seen massing in the tunnel and in their initial attacks Armando and myself were hit, while I summoned the fiery vengance of Girru another hit me, but the holy fire slew five of the creatures and injured another four. Armando fighting with a sword in each hand kills two of the creatures, while Michael cut another to ribbons with his halberd. Nip surprised us by killing one of the beasts with her dagger, while Armando cuts down one more.

In the Cave at the other end of the southern tunnel a bigger one of the dog creatures emerged and could be seen chanting and waving its hands to cast an incantation which dropped Michael into sleep, though not that far from his usual stupor, while I resisted its waves for tiredness with Girru's grace. I stepped over to Armando and healed his wounds. He then charged at the dog creature sorceror, but missed, Nip woke Michael who killed the last of the creatures, while still prone.

The sorceror cast another spell dropping Nip into slumber, but my strength of will prevailed again versus its vile magic. Khai and I moved down into the large cavern to fight the sorceror, while Loren woke Nip and Michael regained his feet. Armando succesfully hit the sorceror and killed it.

Meanwhile Loren had with another spell dropped the dog creatures emerging from the eastern corridor in sleep, before shooting at them with his crossbow, and protecting our flank. He told us that the dog creatures were called Kobolds. It seemed a pity to kill all the sleeping creatures when they could have been put to work clearing the caverns and mining for any valuable resources there, but we needed to leave and return to the tavern to refresh ourselves.

Searching the large cavern and the bodies we found many eggs from the creatures, while the sorceror had two keys, one matching the box from the room with the statue of Orcus, the other unfamiliar and a map.

Moving into the next chamber, we found it clearer of the clutter that filled many of the other caves, and free of traps. A locked box was found which Nip noticed a trap on, but it opened easily and safely with one of the keys, inside were silver pieces, a fine quality shortsword with a pearl in the handle and a disguise kit. Looking beyond we could see another chamber with a statue of a female kobold, but decided that it was time to leave our explorations for the day.

Leaving the caves the way we entered, we returned to the inn to tell of our exploits aginst the kobold horde. On the road we had found many tracks of man size creatures crossing, but decided not to risk investigating.

After dark a wagon appears and pulls into the yard of the inn. Two soldiers wearing the insignia of the overking enter the bar, one is a Mongali man, the other a blonde woman with the cold-eyed look of a killer. From talking to them their names were Temujin and Dionne, and they were taking supplies up to Fort Albin, a remant of our past power, further beyond Ottokar's trading post.

Day 13 M5
The day is spent in healing and recovery, while Loren crafts another scroll. Isabel asked if she can join us in our explorations as a torch bearer as a chance to earn some money, we accepted after some debate.

In the evening we were gathered in the bar of the inn when Temujin and Dionna burst in explaining that they had been attacked by orcs who had pursued them back to the village. Sounds of alarm coming from the edge of the village emphasised their story and quickly we and the innkeeper and his family went to get our armour and weapons.

Looking through the village some figures could be seen in the twilight in the trees directly down the road, while another group of five of the foul creatures emerged to our right. As we spread out to fight the different groups one cut down Temujin while another injured Dionna. Armando moved foward to lurk behind a wagon and ambush the orcs as they came down the road, hitting the first and injuring it.

From the position I had moved to with my crossbow I heard the sound of movement to our left and shouted a warning that more were coming through the trees, sounding like another large group. Loren put many of the group fighting Dionna into a magical sleep, while Michael charges and cuts down one of the group coming through the village. Vali, the innkeeper, moved up and cuts down another orc,
while both Jeana and Yvette move up to combat the group advancing along the road, with some of the flanking group of orcs move into combat with them.

My shot at the remainder of the flanking party missed and two of the foul scum moved over to attack me leaving me injured, while one menaced Nip who had taken up a position in a wagon where she could shoot at the orcs. Loren then dropped these vile beasts in sleep enabling us to deliver the coup de gras.

Meanwhile the others were still fighting hard against the Orcs with Michael and Vali killing more, but Armando getting dropped by his injuries. Loren using his crossbow hits the large Orc apparently leading them in the eye killing it instantly, provoking the last three to flee into the woods. While going to see to Armando's injuries I was surprised by the sight of Khai killing the vile creatures as she has always been opposed to our lack of desire to take prisoners or parely with our opponents.

Day 14 M5
We rested a day to heal the wounds from the previous nights battle, while preparing for our journey down to Endhome. Temujin the Mongali fighter was buried with as much honour as a small village could do him.

Day 15 and 16 M5
Our journey to Endhome was uneventful with just normal merchant traffic on the roads with more to be seen as we approach the city.

Day 17 M5
We arrived at Endhome, and after Loren successfully negotiated with the guards at the gate entered without paying much in duties to the overking.

We started to sell our surplus items including the chain shirts from the orcs, the chronometer, trapped box and other spare weapons and items found in the dungeon.

Day 18 M5
khai and Loren went to the Ksarulite temple, while I went to see Penelope Barmey.

Afterwards in search of equipment, we headed down into the city.

Cambyses Journal continued
Day 19 M5
Khai climbed up the side to the building to capture the remaining guard that had been dropped into a magical slumber, arriving in time to find him waking, she knocked him unconscious again before throwing him down to Michael.

The sound of approaching bootsteps and the clash of armour alerted us to the town guard coming to find the source of the commotion in the temple. We went to their headquarters without a struggle, with our protests of needing to clear out a temple of chaos worshippers being ignored.

After 10 long days in gaol while the guards searched finding servants of the temple and more captives, it was evident that the temple had been used for the worship of Sarkku. The worship of this foul death god being added to the proscribed religions in Endhome. Thankfully we were allowed to retain our possessions, with armour and weapons being returned on our release

Day 29 M5
After our release, we returned to the inn, where Khai informed us of her having discreetly met with Stylus while we were incarcerated.

Day 30 M5
Nip went shopping with Loren, while I went to spread the word of Girru among the citizens of Endhome. In the inn during the evening Armando told us of his encounter with two creatures like the ratmen we encountered in the caves above Barakus trying to kidnap a teenage mongali girl, but that seemed to be immune to his weapons. Later he heard rumours of there being vile creatures able to shift from the form of a man to a rat living in the sewers, only being vulnerable to silver or enchanted weapons.



Day 1 M6

Returning to preach about the cleansing fire of Girru to the masses, I saw myself being observed sceptically by two Thrininan knights. Ten of the locals have started to worship Girru and I will continue to correspond with them and send each a holy symbol once I can get them made.

Day 2 M6
Khai is sent a package from the Academy, containing two bracers which radiate a magical effect, a note is also included warning us that maybe all the enemies were not dealt with so there is a need to be cautious.

Day 3 M6
While getting ready to leave Endhome we found ourselves being watched by a small figure hiding in the shadows, Loren quickly dropped him into a magical slumber. Taking the man up we splashed spirit on his clothes to make him seem drunk and took him to a room to question him. On awakening he tried to negotiate with us, saying he is a Ndalu like Armando, and we should set him free as he meant us no harm. Understandably we found this impossible to believe. Searching him we find a ring and potion which both radiate magic, Armando also discovering a tatto on his wrist that is a sigh that he follows Sarkku. He insisted that the priest Gilgarn insisted upon this, and that all of his party had these marks.

Continuing to question the Sarkkuite, we had to bribe the chambermaid to leave us in peace while we finished up. Then after making sure he really was drunk, we carried him down to the wagon and set out.

After passing the Roadside Inn, three riders could be seen galloping after us. We recognised them as Dagon and his companions, with Gilgarn riding in the middle. We took up positions with Curly hitting the wizard with a shot from his crossbow, but a shot from Gilgarn left Curly lying bleeding. I called upon Girru to use his mace of law against the death worshippers, but it failed to injure the evil mage. Michael rashly charges the enemy and is dropped into a magical sleep, with the third rider in monastic gear dismounting and striking at him with a staff.

Armando charged the monk, but his blows missed their target, with Khai moving up to support. Moorren's magical bolts hits Dagon who falls, but the armoured priest dismounted and cured his wounds. The monk struck Michael again breaking his neck, despite being hit by Armando and Khai. Loren manages to drop the priest into a slumber and the wrath of Girru struck Dagon leaving him stunned on the ground. I ran forward to deal with the priest.

The Ksarulites co-ordinated their attacks on the monk, with Khai knocking him down allowing Nip to deliver the coup de grace. Loren ran forward to kill Dagon. I went to see what aid I could offer Michael using Girru's healing fire to preserve his life, while Loren cured Curley.

Searching our opponents we found many magical items, with the sword carried by Gilgarn speaking to us as it was drawn from its scabbard. It gave its name as Greywand saying it had been made by Astragard to serve Sarassa or Tienru, foul gods of chaos. Armando took it up, but I felt it chaos link was reason to have it destroyed. They had many potions and scrolls which we took up and shared between us. All the bodies had the tatto of the snake of the Worshippers of Sarkku.

Disgusted by the killing of a prisoner, Moorren and Curly left us and returned to the city, while a patrol of guards could be seen cantering towards us. After an hostile interrogation we were told by their captain that we would not be welcome in Endhome for some time as too much violence seemed to be associated with our presence. We travelled far enough to stay at the village of Colwood overnight.

Day 4-5 M6
On our journey north we were passed by a guard patrol heading in the opposite direction. Nearing Bran's Ford at dusk we saw a riderless horse grazing by the side of the road, but were unable to catch it. Later we were told that the bandits had become more active attacking travellers on the road.

We arrived at Bran's Ford after night had fallen, and making our way to the inn apologised to Vail for the prolonged loan of his horse and cart, though a payment helped settle his feelings. Michael was still recovering despite my using Girru's healing fire on him, so we rested for a day, which Loren used to write more scrolls of spells.

Party Composition at this point

Cambyses - Human Clr3 male
Loren - Elf Wiz3 male
Kiru - Human Rgr2/Ftr1 female
Khai - Human Mnk3 female
Armando - Human Fr2/Rog1 male

Day 13 M6
After disturbing dreams we awake in the ancient sacrifice chamber and continue our explorations, going through where we last fought the goblins we found the scene of a recent battle with scattered weapons and dried blood trails leading to a sink hole in the floor as though the bodies had been dragged there. Kiru estimated the age as only 3-4 days ago. The hole looks like it was made by a burrowing creature dropping only about 5 feet. Out of the other door of the room, which had had it's lock smashed, is a corridor with a door facing us daubed in goblin script. Opening it , a corridor with arrow slits along it is revealed and goblin's voices call out to us to halt.

As we explored a dire ferret grabbed me from behind, but Loren killed it with a burning ray, From the goblin's lair we could hear sounds of alarm, so we continued to make sounds of distress, and then withdrew to see if they would send scouts to investigate, but we were disappointed. Searching further in the room with the sink hole we found a secret door into a 20 foot square storeroom with four stuffed dire bears within it, one had a scroll with a spell to cure disease in its mouth. Across the room is another concealed door leading to a passage with a T junction in it.

To the west a human could be seen standing on top of a ziggurat, in a chamber lit by everburning torches. He responded to Loren's friendly greeting by shooting him with an arrow crying out 'Freya, take these lost souls to your bosom'. Eventually we overcome him, but not before I was injured, Khai was dropped unconscious and Armando hit. The room the archer occupied is full of junk. His gear includes a powerful bow of fine make, a well crafted greatsword and enchanted bracers, which Loren recognises as the Bracers of Alcon, a cursed item that brings madness to the wearer. We rest for the night in the bear room.

Day 14 M6
This day we investigated the area where the archer had lurked, finding bodies arranged neatly in the alcove of a human wizard and cleric, even the junk seemed to be in a kind of order. Searching the passage behind a secret door we find a storeroom with winter clothes and vials of anti-toxin, with another secret door taking us past what Khai recognises as the skeleton of a hobgoblin.

Our torches seemed to flicker and dim, and I felt the sensation of warning as we could see a chamber with figures of 2 humans, an elf, a dwarf and an orc, I recognised these as zombies from the stench of decay and used Girru's power to smite them. But the foul creatures rose again, we witdrew to draw them into the chamber where we stood, but until we poured holy water on the bodies they kept reanimating, until we discovered the wooden posts in the room they inhabited and destroyed those too. Again I felt a warning of undead and two ghouls appeared, for once I could not smite them with Girru's power and was paralysed, but the others managed to overcome them.

Searching the remainder of the passages we find a room with a pool in it with inscriptions on the wall including the name of Astragoth and a recipe for holy water. Illuminating a stone we drop it into the pool and about 30 feeet down a grille on the s. wall seems to let water flow outward. The western passage takes us to a junction where two sets of stairs head down to the n &w the ceilings do not drop and Kiru heard sounds from the rafters above , dececding cautiously we were attacked by stirges, but Loren dropped them in magical slumber and we withdrew back to the bear room to rest.

Day 15 M6
Sounds reached us from beyond the secret door including Orcish voices which we decided not to investigate while still recovering.

Day 16 M6
Ghouls entered the room while we rested, but using Girru's divine powers I drove them off, with Khai striking the foul undead with her staff to make them depart faster.

Day 17 M6
Kiru hears a sound like door being forced, but as nothing approached us we remained in place.

Day 18 M6
Leaving the bear room we found that both the doors in the Weasel's lair were open. As we entered the room with the stone heads a lizard lunged at Kiru, missing and was quickly dispatched by Laurne's magic. Going up through the kobold's lair we departed from the dungeons and returned to Bran's Ford, where Vail seemed slightly surprised to see that we remained alive after our extended sojourn in the dungeon.

Day 19 M6
Our travel to the coast was uneventful, resting overnight at a village before continuing toward Endhome.

Day 20 M6
En-route to Endhome we found ourselves ambushed by hobgoblins, but they wore Albine uniforms which Kiru recogised as the 13th Auxiliary core and she persuaded them to leave us in peace using her remainding insignia from the Albine Legions. This made we wonder if there could be scope to try and reassemble the army so we could start to rebuild the Albine empire, which fell before I had time to experience it, but my parents told me many tales of.

Reaching the Roadside Inn we found a sign saying Fel Tarmek died here, as the outlaw chief had been captured before being made an example of. We stayed at the inn prefering to be outside the city walls given our lack of popularity with the guards.

Day 21-27 M6
In Endhome we found ourselves busy selling items we had recovered and purchasing new items. I was busy with my congregation using some of my share of the treasure to buy silver holy symbols of Girru for all of the original 10, and wooden ones for the six newcomers, this has left me little time to write my journal. I thank Girru for his help in surviving these battles and keep looking to aid his worship by celebrating the summer solstice.

Day 4 M7
In Vali's inn we meet another group of adventurers who call themselves Slammer's Band. They are a dwarven warrior Torgek, a human warrior Slammer Kintyre and a Sorgani woman Hofta, with a tame wolf Bright Eyes. Slammer explains that they are seeking to slay the dragon, Zemfyr which inhabits the caves above the lost city. We tell them of our encounter with the foul wyrm and agree to accompany them into the caves to see it out and kill it.

Day 5 M7
Our departure for Barakus is delayed by Khai and Armando being summoned by Stylus for a mission, which requires them to leave us and return to Endhome.

Day 6 M7
Kiru is being aided by an medallion which she has been guided to in the cavern containing the lake, needing to climb up to a ledge to retrieve it from a Sorghani shrine. After this we began hunting for the dragon, needing to avoid it's acidic spray and use our spells and missiles to hurt the beast.

The day passed in combat with the dragon, with it using the river to move around and both it and our party being injured in the battles, Slammer was killed by it when a second wyrm seemed to menace us and most of us withdrew though Torgek taunted us as cowards, and he and Kofta only rejoined us when it was clear that we would fight no more that day. Our inglorious withdrawal saw some of us struggling to cross the river with only help from Kiru and Corren saving me from drowning.

Day 7 M7
We gather ourselves for a final effort to seek out and slay the Dragon, steeling ourselves to slay the fell wyrm. Returning to it's lair we spread ourselves out, with a warning to flee or suffer shouted to us, which we replied to with contempt. I and several others were injured by the creature's acid, and a mist started to spread through the cavern, but Kiru managed to shoot true and slay the beast which fell into the stream, and Loren using his magic pursued and slew a goblin which had been the companion of the dragon.

After Torgek beheaded the creatures body we searched it's lair seeking out any valuable items, being interrupted by two humanoid figures emerging from a tunnel. On hailing them, they say that they are scouts for the drow of Dezavold, the deep elves, we leave them to keep moving on despite Loren looking willing to attack them. Hofta encourages us to leave soon after, which we did with Kiru returning her Sorgani medallion to its shrine.

Day 8 M7
The day is past in rest and recovery from our combat with the dragon, retelling our adventures to the townsfolk, Torgek and Hofta decide to leave us scorning our alleged cowardice in the face of two wyrms. Loren makes some explanation of his hatred of the Dezavold, and we realise the need to watch carefully for signs of their presence when we return to Barakus.

Day 9 M7
We spend another day healing and with Loren scribing scrolls, I give Corren 25 pieces of gold of the hundred that is my share from the the dragons horde. I have also been given an ring which helps to protect me from the battles we face.

Day 11 M7
Resting overnight in the goblins former living quarters we prepared ourselves for the assault on the lair of the Orcs. Taking a door to cover the pit trap, Kitor started to hack at the door with his axe, until the orcs hearing the disturbance pulled the gates open and we prepared to fight them. Led by our warriors Khitor, Khai, Kiru and Armando. My time was spent on healing our warriors as much as fighting the orcish warriors, with Corren slaying two orcs before being laid low.

A prolonged and bitter fight ensued against the orcish warriors with many casualties on each side, with the battle claiming the life of Khitor the Bald bitten by the warg that emerged when it appeared that the orcs were conquered, and our two ratmen companions deserting us. Both Armando and Corren were lying appearing dead and only my healing skills were able to help identify that they still lived and were able to be moved into the limited safety of the goblin's former home. In my mind I can still see incidents from the long battle with Khai using her staff to send orcs sprawling on the ground with them being struck down before they could rise, Loren using the illusion of Elven warriors in an attempt to demoralise the orcs, the kobolds Temek and Sheek fighting bravely against their bigger opponents, Khitor the brave's head bitten off the warg and Kiru cradling the head of the dying warg she had slain.

Day 12-13 M8

Even in our shelter we were forced to keep fighting, with the last watch where Igor and I were standing guard being disturbed by a group of bugbears attacking us, four of the stealthy beasts had crept up on us to try to steal our lives. In the fight against them there were more casualties with Igor and the kobolds being killed, Khai and Loren left unconscious and injured and only Kiru and I defeating three of the beasts before the last fled.

I used my healing to restore Loren and Khai and help to get the others ready to move up and rest overnight with the goblins and allow Corren and Armando to get better through time as well as my healing. Khai and Armando were summoned away by Stylus Kant on the 13th to Endhome, while the remainder of us rested another day before going to investigate the Orc's cave.

Day 14 M7
Returning to the Orc's caves we find rats of all sizes eating the bodies left there, we killed some of the giant ones Lauren drops into an enchanted slumber while the others flee. In the chamber is a large boulder blocking a doorway from beyond which Kiru hears the distant sound of bellowing. There are four alcoves in the chamber each with a plinth and the feet remaining of a lifesize human statue, Lauren spots a chunk of amber in the rubble, but otherwise little of value is in the chamber. Taking the narrow tunnel out of the chamber that the orcs used leads us through into a cave where blinding reflections from a crystal matrix dazzled us, with Lauren recognising it could be valuable, but there was little else of interest in that cave.

Passing through to another large cave filled with heaps of rubbish, Kiru heard an attempt at ambush by orcs creeping towards us. She whispered a warning and moved forward, the Orcs charged at us and we made short work of dealing with four of them. Searching the chamber we found treasure in the rubble and hidden in side caves, with an Elven chain shirt, some gems and many coins including some 45 large pieces of gold. We collected and then spread the treasure between our bags with all being laden down, then returned to the surface to return to Bran's Ford going by the exit close to the lake.

As we started our journey Lauren spotted us being watched by a figure sitting on a flying broomstick, cautiously we continue along the road till 3-4 mies outside Bran's Ford an enormous crashing in the trees revealed hill giant accompanied by an orc, while a goblin witch flies down on a broomstick yelling to "give us your treasure or die". Kiru shot true and striking home two shots from her bow sent the goblin falling dead.

The giant moved up, with our crossbow bolts and arrows going astray and only Laurens ray of fire injuring the evil creature, Swinging its club it delivered a crushing blow to Corren killing him instantly, while the orcs approached and one injured me. I commanded the giant to sleep gaining us time for Kiru to kill two Orcs with well placed arrows and Igor to strike the sleeping giant a mighty blow, but it failed to kill it. Lauren cast a bolt of lightning injuring the giant and killing the last of his orc companions, but the giant was able to stand sweeping aside Igor with his club. My concentration failed me causing my burning hands spell to misfire and the others moved with Lauren hitting the giant again with a ray of fire, but drawing it's wrath the giant charged and felled him. The wrath of Girru struck home and Kiru moved in between me and the giant, evading its blow. I hit the giant with my flame and Kiru injured it, but was herself injured by the creature. I commanded the creature to sleep and while it lay slumbering Kiru delivered the Coup de Gras to kill the foul creature of chaos. After healing Lauren we searched the bodies finding a finely crafted crossbow which I took, three scrolls of magicians spells, a flying broomstick and a gold amulet on the giant.

We took ourselves back to Bran's Ford, returning with help to collect the bodies of our fallen companions. We learned that the giant Bran Bolton had long terrorised the area and his demise was celebrated by the villagers, but with so many fallen comrades it was hard for us to enjoy our victories over the orcs and giant.

Day 15-16 M7
Quiet days spent recovering in Vali's inn before we return to Endhome, with the most notable incident being a young woman calling herself Sev Nuryse asking to join our group as a scout, she had her own equipment and horse so I decided that she should join with us on our journey to Endhome and thence to the Wolf tribe's territory. Yvette is saddened by the loss of her beau, even though we are feted for removing the evil giant's threat to our hosts and the farmers and traders passing through Bran's Ford. We had a wake for Igor and his funeral here, but I determined to take Corren's body back to his family in Endhome before observing the funeral rites.


Day 17 M7
We return to Endhome with little incident and I perform my sad duty with Corren's family giving them 250 pieces of gold to help cope with the loss of his income. In the inn we hear many rumours including that Fort Brathis is now being besiged by the Raven clan. I spend much time with my congregation as well as Corren's family.

Day 18-23 M7
To help protect me in combat I buy a suit of full plate armour, but it will take about a week before it is ready for me, so I spend much of the intervening time preaching the word of Girru and looking after my congregation. Lauren is spending most of his time with the Blue Light wizards at their college, while Kiru is clearly impatient to escape from the confines of the city and return to the open lands beyond and head north into the mountain fastness of the Wolf Clan.

Day 24 M7
After collecting my new armour we head to the slave market and buy two Imgartian warriors from the traders, called Yerun and Tug, promising them their freedom if they stay with us to the new year, when they will be free to choose to stay with us or leave, but in the meantime we will give them a share of our rewards from our adventures and equip them.


Day 25 M7
We depart Endhome heading north towards the mountains, about 15 miles away from town Kiru spotted figures ahead of us, with 12 bandits attempting to rob us. We shouted a warning that the giant Bran Bolton that tried to waylay us now lives feeding the crows so to make way or else. They failed to take the warning and paid the price with many slain before the last six surrender to us. We returned to Endhome with our captives reaching the city as the night fell.

Day 26 M7
We report to Colonel Bondhome of the guards and recieve a thousand pieces of gold and the bandits equipment as a reward, he encourages me to establish a permanent church in Endhome, something I must do once I have the necessary funds, but in the meantime he requests that we try and sweep through Penprie Forest to rout out the remainder of the bandits. We also hear rumours that the ratmen in the sewers of Endhome are getting bolder and need to be dealt with.


Day 30 M7
After three days of uneventful travel north from Endhome into the Duskmoon hills we reach the Wolf clans territory and are escorted into camp to wait for the shaman Torgeanna.


Day 1-2 M8
We spend this time waiting for the Shaman to return to the tribe, meanwhile I occupy myself studying the customs of the tribe and practicing my riding, aiming to be able to sit more steady on horseback for our return journey. I also help with healing, being careful to avoid worrying the tribes elders by too much talk of Girru's sacred flame.

Day 3-9 M8
Torgeanna the shaman emerges from the morning mists and spends time talking with Kiru, telling her that Fort Brathis was burnt by orcs and the Raven clan. After Kiru departs for time training and performing private rites with the warrior society she seeks to join, while the rest of us remain in the village, studying or training in a rare break from our adventurous life. I hear rumours that Ogre clans are heading east to the coast making war on those they meet on the way.

Day 10 M8
For Kiru to be initiated into the Kitfox warrior order Lauren and I have to attest to her exploits including killing the Dragon and Bran Bolton. After our testimony she is duly admitted and a feast of celebration is held, of which my memories are hazy, and we spend the next day recovering and preparing to return to Bran's Ford.

Players:
Loren Elf Wiz 5
Kiru Human Rgr2/Ftr2/Dog Soldier1(custom PrC)
Cambyses Human Clr5 of Girru (Fire/Healing domains)

NPC
Yerud Human Ftr2
Tug Human Ftr2
Torgek Dwarf Ftr 2
Hofta Nap Sor3
Bright Eyes Hofta's wolf familiar