Strife and Pride A Campaign Log

The friends sit in the River Runner inn, talking over ale and elvish wine. It was a quiet afternoon, similar to so many others shared throughout their childhood. Kerith's mother kept an eye on the gathering of friends as she waited tables.

Gasric, the owner of the goods store "Far Trader" next door walked in. Everyone's eyes were drawn to him- particularly to the stump of his right arm. A stump that had been a whole arm only few days ago.

Angrily, Gasric explained his terrible reversal of fortune. "On my last journey, our caravan was stopped by Elvish Bandits as usual. One of my men thought that there was no need for us to pay the toll- which I was reaching for when he acted so impulsively. As he drew steel, pandemonium erupted, and a bloody fight broke out. One of the bandits was slain, as was the firebrand who started the fight. But not before I had lost my arm."

"Nor was that all that was done. 'A life for a life' demanded Raneric, the bandit leader. With that he seized my beloved daughter Lowena."

Endrin piped up, "She was ever my good friend. She treated me far better than most." Emotion ran high, and we set aside our mugs and went next door to the Far Trader.

Gasric explained his hopes- not a brutal assault, or an impossible rescue attempt, but simply a delivery. "In this box is an heirloom, which Lowena will recognize. Do not open it yourself- simply deliver it to her." Simply stealing her away would not work, for she was so despondent over her sullied status that she might not live long after recovering her.

We discussed the difficulties, with Hrsai bringing many difficulties to light. But for a friend, we could do no less, and we had many advantages. Around town, Pelor's white-cloaks harassed Koverinos and Endrin for their Elvish blood, but that same blood would aid our efforts in the Elvish camp.

Koverinos settled our debate by pledging to do all in his power to see her free. Gasric offered us great assistance- horses and caravan for us to ride with, if we wished. He suggested that the contents of the box could be used to ransom his daughter, as a last resort. But he did not wish to lose his family heirloom if it could be avoided.

After some planning, we returned to the inn to finalize our plans (away from Gasric). We discussed the major alternatives- to go with the caravan and meet with Raneric when he came to claim tribute, or to go quickly and have Koverinos get into the elven city to plead Gasric's case (or at least gauge the elder's understanding of the situation). Too quickly, Koverinos had to return to his master's armor smithing shop- it was his half-day, but he had to spend it working on his journeyman piece. In his absence, Endrin, Kerith, and Hrsai finalized the details. A caravan should follow, but at lease a day behind- providing a second option if Koverinos should fail in his plea. We four would precede the caravan and ensure that Koverinos made it alive to the Elvish city. (Which none of the rest of us had ever seen). We informed Raneric of the time for the caravan and got his pledge to have horses ready before sunrise the next morning. Well settled, Hrsai asked his companions to find him along the trail in the morning; in the last year he has grown unused to sleeping in the city. His companions agreed to look for him, and waved as he set off, avoiding the south road.

Koverinos continued his work, banging and shaping his novel locking shield until night fell. Not tired, but remembering the distaste the locals have shown for his late night hammerings, he decided to rest. In the morning, the friends assembled and swung onto their horses, leading Hrsai's horse. They exited in the gray of false dawn and encountered Hrsai on the road as the sky turned pink. They entered the forest at a steady gait- Koverinos told them that it was a hard day's ride to make the elvish city before nightfall.

Later that morning, Rufus, Hrsai's loyal dog, began acting strangely. In their haste, the companions paid him little attention. A while later they watered the horses at a cold stream. A man stepped out and fired an arrow to gain our attention. It worked- Endrin and Kerith took cover behind a large tree, while Hrsai dove for the cover of a rocky shrine. Koverinos drew his blade, but hissed as an arrow skimmed by his face, neatly abutting the previous arrow. Koverinos switched through his languages, asking the attackers who they were. For it was revealed that the bandit had two younger companions.

After some hasty introductions, each side had revealed little. The father introduced himself as Phelps, and his sons as Daedril and (xxx). After the companions introduced themselves, we agreed that we were continuing along the trade road. Phelps and his sons decided to join the journey- after all, there is safety in numbers. We noted our horses, but they told us that they would keep up. With a shrug the discussion turned to other topics.

Phelps explained the shrine- it was a fat hermaphroditic god, a long passed god of fertility. It showed signs of recent gifts- wildflowers and runes. Koverinos asked a great deal about the statue and the runes, finally breaking out parchment and copying the runic symbols from the wooden coins they'd been carved upon. (Actually, he first tried to take up the wooden disks, but Phelps sternly suggested that he should not interfere with the sacrifices to a poorly understood god.) Endrin scanned the ground and found a number of small footprints. Unfortunately, the many prints we had tracked over the ground overwhelmed the few impressions she had found. We might have spent all afternoon beside the shrine, if Hrsai hadn't reminded Koverinos of the need for hurry. Koverinos reluctantly agreed and put away his equipment. Together we set off, Phelps running in our midst and his sons paralleling the road.

After running for a good while, Phelps suddenly drew up limp, claiming a sprained ankle. Koverinos and Endrin went to tend him, but came away suspicious. Hrsai and Rufus kept a careful eye forward, while Daedril and his brother faded off each flank. Time passed as the father was tended to. Finally Hrsai returned to offer a hand, but was interrupted by Phelps. "Where are my sons?" Phelps demanded. Hrsai mentioned that he saw them slide off the flanks to keep watch, but Phelps insisted that something unusual was at foot.

Hrsai sought Daedril, but was quickly joined by Koverinos at Kerith's suggestion. "Better to stick in pairs," Kerith suggested to the elf. Together Hrsai and Koverinos came upon Daedril, who stood staring out into the forest at a gray blur. The blur soon resolved itself into a large gray wolf. Daedril shook and frothed at the mouth, aiming his bow at the great beast. Hrsai's urgent call (mimicking Phelp's birdcall) seemed to shake the fascination that had seized Daedril. In an instant Daedril loosed the arrow, but it flew wide.

Together Hrsai and Koverinos warned Daedril that his father was concerned about both sons. Daedril explained that the wolf was partially tamed, a companion of the Wolfkin.

Daedril and Koverinos raced toward the far line where (son xxx) had vanished, trailed by Hrsai. As Koverinos and Daedril ran for his brother's last known spot, Hrsai explained to the others that Daedril had seen Wolfkin. Phelps recognized the name and strode into the wood while warning us that we should make ready- the Wolfkin are savage fighters and swift, fighting beside their great wolves. A cry from the trees told us all was not well; Daedril and Koverinos found the brother- rather, his corpse. A single fine cut to the throat was the only sign; there were no signs that a struggle had taken place.

Phelps spurred us to action- Daedril and Koverinos brought the body to Hrsai's mule, Merry. The corpse was bound into place and the anxious group swept into a gallop, Koverinos and Kerith bearing father and son behind them. Wolf howls trailed the companions as they fled. After ten minutes, Rufus was winding and the sounds of pursuit were fainter. Sliding off the horses, everyone walked briskly for fifteen minutes then remounted and resumed at a trot.

Much of the afternoon passed at a rapid pace, with the travelers keeping a wary eye for pursuit. Finally we crossed the (xxx stream), a moderately defensible place. Phelps (who seemed even more suspicious- Endrin had noticed that his 'sprained ankle' was quite inconsistent) insisted on burying his son. After discussing Koverinos' shield as a digging implement, Kerith remembered a shovel. The rocky ground soon yielded a good sized grave and the boy was laid to rest. The cairn stones were stacked and some plans were discussed amongst Hrsai, Endrin, and Kerith. Koverinos spoke a prayer for the dead in Elvish, which inflamed Phelps. Phelps and Daedril finished with a quiet (and exclusive) ceremony. From a distance we saw them each shed blood upon the grave.

As we finished our planning they rejoined us. Koverinos casually let them know that our destination was the elvish city, much to his friends' consternation. He felt we could reach the city soon after nightfall (no more than two hours after). Wearily, we swung up onto the horses (redistributing father and son behind Hrsai and Endrin) and continued our journey.

We were intercepted by an elvish picket- an angry elvish picket. Koverinos told them that we had business in the city. They sought a pledge from him. He hesitated and quietly assured them that his three childhood friends were perfectly safe. The other two were companions of the road... but they had saved his life.

With that, they led us to the town, preceded by calls in code. A counselor met us outside the town and snarled at Koverinos, "How dare you bring this filth to our town?" Phelps returned a steady, mocking smile. The counselor led us into the town, with a guard deployed along our sides. He made veiled references to Endrin's parentage, and seemed pleased that she had made the journey. The guards watched Phelps and Daedril particularly. A crowd drifted in to watch the proceedings, pointing and exclaiming at the humans. Hrsai cursed his lack of elvish, and understood little of the many goings on.

As the travelers walked, the guard steadily slowed, separating Koverinos and the counselor from the remainder. Once separate, Koverinos was berated for being too dimwitted to realize the evil that he rode with. The elder explained that they were worse than highwaymen, they were worshippers of the god of slaughter. He suggested keeping Koverinos at home (in this elvish city) as his education was clearly incomplete. Shaken and angry, Koverinos stewed as Hrsai was brought forward.

The elder was direct- why did they flee from the wolves? How little connection with nature must Hrsai have to fail to recognize the noble wolf companions? Hrsai answered simply and directly, displaying his ignorance and revealing a lack of experience that the long lived elf took for granted. The elder dismissed him, acknowledging that his having survived in the woods a year was an accomplishment. Hrsai fell back as directed, rejoining his friends.

With the elder's attention again undiluted, Koverinos was instructed in dispensing justice to the foul worshipers of Erynthul. As instructed by the elder, Koverinos steadily demanded that the two remove their equipment and clothing- they would be given fifty paces head start. The father disdainfully complied, stripping off his clothes with a sneer. His bare flesh revealed lurid tattoos. The son collapsed into a heap; he was struck with a spear butt to render him unable to resist and had his clothing and possessions torn from him.

Phelps and his son were led to the gates of the city, where Koverinos sentenced them for their crimes. Koverinos followed the formal sentencing with a ringing denouncement of their duplicity. The son woozily followed his father away from the town; Phelps gave his son no support at all. Just shy of fifty paces, the father turned and called down a curse in the name of his god. Before his tongue stilled, he and his son were struck by dozens of arrows, slaying them instantly.

Meanwhile, Endrin was gathered in by her extended family. She went away with them and was feted and given many splendid gifts. She heard tales of her mother's valor and courage; most of these relatives seemed saddened that her mother had left their community for her father. In the conversation, Endrin found that her mother had been bound to silence about much of her heritage by strong oaths. One aunt remained separate, but Endrin finally approached her and they spoke briefly. The aunt gifted her with (xxx).

Elsewhere, Koverinos was anxious to attend to business, but realized that he could do little as Hrsai and Kerith were dependent upon him for lodging. It had been a long day- begun before sunrise and now stretching into the long hours of night. He led his companions to his father's house. Koverinos was berated for not sending notice ahead, shaming his father, who had no time to purchase appropriate gifts.

Koverinos' father presented Kerith with an elegant sword, his own. Masterfully, Kerith complimented the elf, and persuaded him that his son's friendship was too fine a gift to accept any others. The father then drew out a mithril box which he presented to Hrsai. Hrsai conscripted Koverinos to translate and attempted to politely deny the gift (as Kerith had successfully done), but failed.

Koverinos taught Hrsai elvish for "thank you", and was prompted by his father to provide him with common for "you're welcome." Gifts given, a quiet meal was set out and devoured by the hungry travelers. The humans thanked their hosts and retired to the guest room they had been provided. After settling them in, Koverinos returned and talked quietly with his father as the humans drifted off to sleep.

His father was full of warnings about the duplicity of humans. He predicted that they would soon betray Koverinos. Koverinos replied, commenting on the great good and strong drive that resulted from their mayfly lives. As the evening came to a close Koverinos and his father huddled over a candle, discussing the future.

It is early in the morning. Koverinos and his father quietly discuss the mission that brought him here. After a few disparaging remarks, his father tells him that the council anticipates them. Everyone gathers for a hurried breakfast.

Without delay, we hurry from breakfast to the council chambers. Their guards keep us cooling our heels outside, the maidens and their crossed spears formally barring us. Eventually we are admitted. They ask Koverinos to explain his motives. Koverinos orates on behalf of Lowena, at great length. Kerith quietly translates for Hrsai, and Endrin remains a quiet shadow.

After further conversation, the council summons Hrsai forward. Hrsai answers a series of questions, naming Elhonna as his goddess. A councilwoman seals a letter in wax and hands it to Hrsai, asking him to deliver it to Raneric. Hrsai accepts the commission.

They then set off, with a side trip to Avendril, the Elvish smith. Food is packed by Koverinos' mother, which the travelers gratefully accept as the depart the town. Levora, a maiden skilled with the bow, guides us.

Two hours later we reach an overlook and break for lunch. The smell of cooking meat rouses Koverinos and his companions who track the scent to a cook fire, tended by a dwarf. Introductions are exchanged and lunch passes gracefully.

At the ford, Endrin pointed out signs of a camp across the river. Levora tells everyone that they are not elvish; after a brief discussion, everyone decides to continue to the next ford, avoiding the possible bandits.

After a long while, Hrsai points out a shadow in the sky, circling overhead. Soon the rocky path opened on a meadow. The eagle, far larger than we had imagined, dove toward us. We broke and his in the trees at the meadow's edge; thwarted, the eagle circled overhead.

A brief discussion later, Mareak and Hrsai moved to the center of the clearing, bright metal drawing the huge eagle's attention. As it dove, everyone made ready to strike it or shoot it as it drew nearer. Koverinos spoke words of magic and its dive became freefall; the great beast stunned itself in a powerful impact. A cursory glance told Hrsai that it was stunned, but not completely impaired. He hurried his companions along, and they swept across the river before it could recover.

About a mile beyond the river, Koverinos found a cave. Curious, he and Mareak entered the cave. In its depths a woman watched them approach. Koverinos led the way; suddenly Mareak called out a warning. A small viper had crawled out onto a ledge behind Koverinos, trapping him deeper in the cave. This was no random chance; many snakey sounds were soon heard from deeper in the chamber. Answering Koverinos' evident curiosity, the snakey woman challenged him to a game of chess for stakes he would name. In response, she would name the second game's stakes. After a tense evaluation of the situation, he agreed to play with his freedom as the stakes.

The played a tense game. Koverinos began on poor ground, yielding pieces and position early, but he strongly reversed his poor beginning and resolutely marched his pieces to victory. "Checkmate" he declared, smiling at his foe.

As he left, she marshaled her snakes and set on him. He fled, guarded in his retreat by Mareak. Soon everyone was atop their horses, urged by Koverinos to flee. The horses took no more than two steps, then stood stock still, ignoring their riders' urgings. Hrsai's mount yielded momentarily to his urgings, but he could convince no other horse to move. Then the snake lady and the first of her snakes emerged.

With flights of arrows, backed by Mareak and Levora's skilled axe and spear work, the battle was won. Rufus and Hrsai winced at poisoned wounds, but were able to keep the poison from incapacitating them. While others tended their wounds, Koverinos decided to investigate the lair, aided by Kerith and Mareak. Detect magic exposed a hidden cave behind the main, as well as illuminating certain objects on the fallen snake woman.

After the hole into the second cave was enlarged, they entered the hidden room. There they found that many items that responded to his spell. Meanwhile, the others prepared a meal of the snakes, and prepared for the approach of evening, setting up camp. The night passed uneventfully.

The next morning, the cave was burned. The companions then set off for the bandit camp.

Koverinos met Raneric at the edge of the encampment; Hrsai handed over his letter. Koverinos spoke briefly with Raneric in the leader's tent; Raneric told Koverinos that the matter was one of honor, to be addressed by the two concerned people directly. Koverinos rose and went to confront Renshi.

Meanwhile, Koverinos' companions had found Levora. She was making lunch with a single aid, which Hrsai distracted while she was refilling water pails. In that calm space, Endrin slipped the box Lowena's father had entrusted to her to the girl. Lowena drew forth a bright blade and walked toward the tent Renshi held.

Koverinos called out to Renshi, who came to the flap. He started to speak, then his eyes rolled up in his head as Lowena slid a dagger into his back. He slumped into Koverinos' arms; from there Koverinos carried him into the tent and placed him on his mattress. Lowena showed signs of shock, and Koverinos directed her back to her duties. Mechanically, she obeyed. Koverinos removed the fine Mithril armor that Renshi had worn and slid it into his own pack.

After a meal filled with concealed tension, Raneric finally went to investigate Renshi's absence directly. He returned and thrust Renshi's blades at Koverinos, saying "you forgot to take these blades when you took his armor." Koverinos truthfully explained (quietly) that he had done nothing to kill Renshi. Raneric leapt to the proper conclusion and told the companions that he would wait one hour before telling his men. The companions gathered themselves and Lowena, then moved toward their horses, fear of retribution and the deadline filling their thoughts.

The companions set a brisk pace; for the first hour and a half the trail was familiar, since we were retracing our path. Levora understood little, but agreed to guide us back to the elvish city. Lowena was recovering from her shock; she rode double with Endrin and contributed little as plans for escape were discussed.

At the fork we continued back along the trail to the snake lady's cave, but only for five minutes-- long enough to set a false trail. Endrin took charge and led the group over stony ground until they came across the direct trail. Then, following Levora's lead, the pace picked up, pushing as fast as the low trees would allow. Soon the trail cleared and the horses were able to gallop at times.

As the companions neared the river, they remembered the rough camp and slowed. As the first hut came into view, Lowena shifted to Hrsai's saddle. Hrsai, Lowena, and Mareak rode forward, covered by the bows of Kerith, Koverinos, Endrin, and Levora. Rough men emerged- the Wolfgar.

Hrsai greeted them, and told them of their need for haste. The Wolfgar waved them along with few words, trying to piece the urgency together, but not asking directly. Koverinos almost explained too clearly, but caught himself, and applied his energies to crossing the river safely. Ten minutes further along the trail Kerith found a good spot for a rockslide. Everyone else rode forward slowly as he set the slide. It rumbled and blocked the pass- not impassably, but covering much of the area with dangerous scree. Satisfied, he rejoined his companions.

About an hour after nightfall the group broke for a meal. Endrin noticed shapes in the distance. After her quiet warning, Kerith snuck amongst the trees until he found a position where he could observe the shadowy shapes. Koverinos enchanted a stone with light and cast it towards the forms. The light revealed them as drow; fearing to provoke them, he extinguished the light. After a tense half hour, the companions decided to ride on- certainly it would be foolish to sleep with drow about. As they passed, Kerith dropped from a tree to horseback. A few hours later, in the middle of the night, they saw the elvish town in the distance. Koverinos wished to go into the town and explain what happened. Endrin decided to do the same- she was unwilling to let her reputation be slandered, ruining the new relations she had found. Kerith, Hrsai, Lowena, and Mareak decide not to trust the whims of elvish justice; Hrsai tells Koverinos and Endrin where they will rest, and hands Koverinos a sprig of Mistletoe to include in any true missive.

Koverinos and Endrin enter the city and go to their respective houses.

Koverinos woke his father and explained what happened in the camp.

Endrin woke her grandmother and explained what happened in the camp.

Hrsai, Kerith, Lowena, and Mareak travel for a hour and find a clearing by a stream. They set camp and a watch. Kerith occupies first watch with setting trip lines; Mareak, on second watch, hears a line trip. He wakes Kerith; together they find a wounded wolf. They wake Hrsai who removes the arrow and cures the wounded beast. Everyone returns to sleep (save Mareak, who continues to watch).

The next morning, Koverinos and Endrin each awaken early and eat breakfast. Each dresses in as elvish a fashion as they can; Endrin is dressed in clothing borrowed from her cousins. They go to the council, where nine counselors await them.

Each explains their actions and intent as clearly as possible. Each sticks to total honesty. Endrin, having kept her word (and as a sneer at her impure heritage) is dismissed. Koverinos is held to a higher standard- in twenty four hours he must return and pronounce a sentence upon himself, to be ratified by the council. It poses a thorny problem- how to balance the demands of honor yet remain essentially free? He asks advice from his father and many others about the town.

Endrin sneaks away and bears word of the trial's results to Mareak, Kerith, Lowena, and Hrsai. Mareak and Kerith join Endrin and return to town to give advice and support to Koverinos. Hrsai keeps Lowena with him, fearing to deliver her within easy reach of elvish justice.

That evening Koverinos speaks before the council, pronouncing his sentence. Every five years he will return with a magic item to place on Correllan's altar. He responds to counselor's questions, explaining that the requirement will demand more of him than money; the crowd seems to believe that so harsh a penalty is the high end of honorable (but does not cross into conceitedness). The council authenticates his sentence and sets him free.

Endrin says goodbyes to her family, who remain supportive of her. She, Kerith, and Mareak march back into the woods, to rejoin Hrsai and Lowena. Koverinos and his father also speak; reassured, Koverinos is directed to a wise woman in the woods. He seeks her out and presents her with the many enchanted items gained from the snake lady.

She agrees to identify the many items in exchange for the chess board that Koverinos offered her. Much expensive gold dust later, she named each item and its purpose. Koverinos then copied the spell from her and departed with the items.

Around a fire we chatted, catching up on the trial and its aftermath. In one conversational lull, we looked up and found an elf emerging from the tree line surrounding our campsite. Mareak and a few others tensed, but none reached for weapons.

Clevadoran, the wild elf, tersely warned us that driders have been spotted in the forest. Koverinos mentions the drow we spotted the previous night. Clevadoran replied that the driders are not the only nasty creature they've encountered more of late... evidently, they are being driven south.

After further conversation, Clavadoran offered our gathering protection, but was reluctant. We told him that we would keep a double watch. He agreed that it was wise. As we spoke, a female companion of his emerged and spoke to Clavadoran. We thanked him for his warning and he joined her, setting off through the trees.

We discussed moving on, but decided to keep our campsite and instead set double watches. Koverinos and Lowena shared a quite first watch. Kerith and Endrin shared second watch... as they waited, Kerith heard a noise. Searching, Kerith found a small creature in a tree nearby. There was the sound of a quarrel whistling through the air as Endrin and Kerith launched arrows back at their attacker. The bolt impacted just beside Hrsai's previously slumbering form.

Everyone breaks into action; a hail of arrows chase the drider away. Moments later a huge drider came bursting into the clearing, a Dwarvish Urgosh raised overhead. From the trees Kerith responded by trying to lasso the beast, or its weapon, but his throw was too rushed. A wild melee erupted, with wolf-pack tactics working from the two sides, and arrows from Endrin and Koverinos slamming into the twisted, once dwarvish creature.

Kerith swung down on his rope and joined Mareak in attacking the beast from the rear. As the large drider fell, Endrin caught sight of the small one, which was circling the battle, trying to pick off the combatants with its crossbow. She turned and fired a devastating shot into its middle; it chittered and fled.

Kerith, Endrin and Hrsai followed. It lept into the trees and almost evaded the persuers, except for Endrin's keen tracking. They cornered it in a tree and fired arrows up into the tree, until it fell, screaming, to the ground. Triumphantly, the three drug the small corpse back to their campsite.

The next morning Clavadoran returned to the campsite and was greeted by Mareak. (Hrsai was bust greeting the dawn). Koverinos, spying Clavadoran's companion, invited the two to join us for breakfast. they accepted with some reluctance. Koverinos explained the night's battle; they were properly impressed. After breakfast they departed.

On Koverinos' suggestion. we tried to track the drider tracks. Endrin did exceptionally well, but after about an hour we hit a rocky patch that concealed all traces of their passing. Hrsai suggested that we should make haste to return Lowena to her anxious father; with everyone agreed, we set off for Rudisheim.

The journey was uneventful, with one exception. As we crossed the final bridge, Endrin spied an approaching party. As they drew nearer, their gleaming white tabards and golden suns proclaimed them Children of the Sun. Hrsai sent gray strider into the woods, and everyone bowed deeply and respectfully as the riders passed. The riders didn't glance a second time at the kneeling travelers, and soon passed out of site. With unconcealed relief, the travelers rose and completed their journey into Rudisheim.

Proudly, the companions presented Lowena to her father, Gasric. He was overcome with happiness and asked the travelers to keep the horses he had lent them, with his thanks. He added a treasure- 150 gold sovereigns to the reward, and would not be dissuaded.

After celebrating their success, the companions split up. Hrsai returns to the woods he loves, joined in the first leg of the journey by Mareak, who is returning to his beloved home beneath the mountain. Kerith set off for the Wizard's tower, and Endrin spoke with Avendril, an elvish bard who has long made the River Runner her home.

Gasric leads Kerith to a fighting school. There, Kerith is introduced to Tendra Maralis, leader of the Way of the Flashing Blade. She leads him about, explaining aspects of the school. Then she calls out a novice and makes sure that Kerith is also armed with a rattan sword. In three swift strokes Kerith strikes the novice, utterly defeating him.

Tendra seems only slightly surprised and somewhat pleased. She leads him further and selects another, more experienced student. The fence for somewhat longer, Kerith displaying great flexibility and adaptability, but the student's skillful reserve opens up Kerith long enough to land a touch. Kerith surrenders gracefully. The teacher invites her to join them. Kerith accepts and moves in.

We left Endrin speaking with Avendril, the Elvish bard. Avendril suggests than Endrin ought to return to her mousy, almost invisible demeanor. Endrin agrees and heads for home, cautiously. Her caution is rewarded when she spies two Children of the Sun waiting outside her home.

She circles and approaches along the back, climbing over the low fence. She finds her mother sitting in the dark, curtains drawn. Mother tells Endrin that the Children came soon after she left; the neighbors now shun the family. An Inquisitor was recently in the area, which might explain the neighbors' fecklessness.

She suggests that Endrin should leave; Endrin agrees. As she packs, Endrin tells her mother about meeting her elvish relatives. Mom packs a week's worth of food and presses her last five silver into Endrin's hand. Endrin accepts the gift and thanks her mother for her warning. As Endrin leaves, she sneaks 5 sovereigns onto the table.

Endrin crept back to the inn, imagining the eyes of every passing soldier upon her. She notes that far more Children of the Sun are about these days. Inside the inn, Endrin quietly passes along her mother's warning-- and tells them that she will join Hrsai in the woods.

Koverinos arranged to delay his smith work and journeyed out to an island in the middle of the river. The way was guarded by one of his former reading students- a bully of sorts. Koverinos dazzled him with magic and was escorted in to the tower at the center of the river. There he engaged in several weeks of intensive study, mastering ice magics.

Mareak returned to his hometown beneath the hill, bearing the gem set in gem bauble back to sell. He sold the enchanting gem to a gem-smith friend of his. The price was exorbitant- enough to finance a set of solidly crafted armor. He made arrangements to have the armor made, and honed his skills.

Endrin caught Hrsai at the edge of the woods. Together they entered and wandered about for a few weeks. One day Hrsai wandered off and came to a clearing. There, an enchanting woman set a rhythm that intrigued Hrsai. By the end of the day, Hrsai had mastered the one rhythm, and was hungry to learn more. For the remainder of the week, Hrsai returned day after day, learning the primeval pulse of the forest. Finally, he put his learning into practice and called a fine alter from a living tree. It marked the last day of his studies; she presented him with a fine laurel crown which she twined in his hair. Then she walked off and vanished.

Six weeks after they last parted, the six friends found themselves back in the River Runner, as if they had been subtly compelled. As they gathered, sounds of a procession drew everyone's attention. The Children of the Sun, joined by the Commander of Pelor, rode down the street.

Everyone noted the deeply quiet streets, particularly the absence of all demi-humans. The presence of so many extra Children of the Sun drew eyes. Two of the Children wandered in to the River Runner. Endrin withdrew into her self, and Kerith's eyes were hot on their backs. The two Children start harassing a drunk at the bar, making the bar taught with anxiety. Koverinos cloaked himself in a simple spell, and, disguised as a rich merchant approached the bar.

He distracted the two Children and bought drinks, tipping the bartender wildly. Soon the Children were explaining their philosophies, and Pelor's. Koverinos wanders away, and subtly taunts them with a spell that taunts them, apparently from a nearby alley.

More information is required, everyone decides. Kerith heads out to gather it. He winds up at the Drunken Ogre, following a lead. He buys an Ogre's Breath, then gives it to the barkeep. The barkeep drinks... and falls to the floor in one smooth motion.

A tiny woman calls him over when the barkeep hits the ground. She guides him through secret ways below the bar, then below the river. He meets a pair of fellows who discuss current events with him. Among other things, they reveal where dragon's tooth, a powerful poison available locally, can be found. (They also warn him about the isolation of the various demi-human communities.

Kerith thanks them and leaves, returning though the tavern. Exiting, he sets off south, towards the elvish ghetto. He soon picks up a very obvious pair of escorts-- no, three. Two are normal Children, but the third is a sergeant wearing a beefeater. They are quite obvious about their pursuit. As he draws closer to the ghetto, they close the distance. Finally, they unnerve him enough that he starts altering his route, occasionally frustrating them. Eventually, he gives up the approach and returns. The footsteps trail off as he leaves the area.

They exchange tales, and everyone agrees that town is become too dangerous. We go by the job board to find a job, but find none that truly appeal (and that don't seem to be traps.)