Strife and Pride A Campaign Log

At the River Runner Inn, Kerith and his mother talk about what's been going on in the city as others listen in. She wipes her hands on her outfit as she describes the changes that have been going on in town. It takes a while to tell, but can be summarized quite quickly. Soon after the parade we'd witnessed (just before leaving town to investigate the dragon fang patch), things changed in the city. The Baron's men took over duties guarding the town, taking on routine patrolling and similar duties. At the same time, the Children of Pelor faded into the background... for a very short while. Soon though, rumors of raids filtered in and the Children began patrolling, keeping the beastmen away from the city. However, it was rumored that they never showed up in time to prevent attacks...

Kerith's mother whispered a suggestion to Endrin, that she should see her mother... but be extremely careful doing so. After some further discussion, everyone came up with plans for the day. Koverinos decided to ride out to the wizard's tower and acquire some new spells, Endrin decided to visit her mother, Kerith thought to follow one of the Children's patrols, to see if the rumors were true. Others had more... personal goals, with Hrsai looking up old friends to get a broader feel for the mood of the city, Mareak slept off his hangover, and Ironjaw boiled the flesh from the boar's head he'd taken from the beastman.

Koverinos generously offered his items to make the tasks for accomplishable. Endrin was lent his ring of invisibility, so that she could sneak over the wall and into the elvish ghetto. Kerith borrowed his boats of striding, to that he could keep up with the horsemen. Additionally, Hrsai walked Endrin to the wall and enchanted her with a climbing spell, removing the wall as an obstacle.

Koverinos was granted entry to the tower, where he spoke with the Ice Wizard. The wizard greeted Koverinos with surprise. After Koverinos explained the spells he sought, the Wizard upbraided the other wizards, who had sold him scrolls without teaching him. After calming his master, Koverinos discussed the spells carefully and found that only one spell was available for purchase. Koverinos agreed to the instruction, and followed the wizard to the class.

Koverinos' increased prowess was a source of sensitivity... he wound up hiding his larger spell book behind his boots to avoid pointed questions. The master wizard greeted the class and informed them that he would be teaching them a new spell... Explosive Runes, the spell Koverinos had sought. Koverinos bent to study with a will.

Endrin crept invisibly to her mother's house and snuck inside. Still invisible, she asked her mother if it was safe to appear. "Only in the house, dear," was her mother's response. Endrin removed her ring and greeted her mom. Unfortunately, there was a great deal for her mother to tell her... almost all of it bad. As her mom told her about the seizure of her father and many other council members, Endrin stared at her mother's face, suddenly deeply lined and old. Her mother, an unchanging elf, appeared decades older after only a few weeks apart.

Endrin talked her mother into meeting with the widows of the elvish council, after promising her mother that she would find her father. Endrin slipped on her ring and followed her mother to the first house. Inside, away from prying eyes, Endrin removed her ring and explained the need for haste. The homeowner slipped out and in a very short time the few council members who had not been snatched and the spouses of the many who were missing crammed themselves into the room. They told her that she too had been sought... almost all of the half-elves (and there were never many) had vanished. They had all vanished near the same time, though not all on the same day. No one had seen them taken, and none had been seen again.

Endrin told them that she had to go (as her hour was fast disappearing). She stepped out the door and returned the ring to her finger... vanishing as the door swung shut. She raced for the wall and was alone in an alley before the ring gave out. She returned to the inn unharmed.

Hrsai's investigation was simple, though tracking down his old friends required a lot of walking and some shouting over hammers, saws, and other trades. They had little to say-- yes, the crackdown was pretty much as we'd heard.

Kerith set off after Pelor's patrol, skulking behind them, remaining out of sight. The pace they set was an easy one-- they wouldn't have much time to investigate if they hoped to return before dark. After almost two hours of walking (at a horse's pace), they reached the lumber town. It was burned out, but no dead or wounded (of any kind) remained. Several drag marks suggested a direction that the raiders had fled. The Children fanned out, mostly exploring the town's remnants, with very little effort being spent on following the raider's tracks. Kerith got close to the commander and his aide... they spoke only trivialities, the night's cooking and so forth. As predicted, they set aside their investigation relatively early and set off for town. Just before sundown, the Children, trailed by Kerith, returned to Rudisheim.

Ironjaw fished the skull out of the pot and took it to an ant hill behind the inn, leaving it for the ants to finish cleaning. When he returned inside, he found Mareak awake, downing fresh ale to banish his hangover. Ironjaw joined him. Soon Endrin, Hrsai, and Kerith trailed in. Everyone shared their information, and we turned to plotting. Kerith accepted the ring and went to the Drunken Ogre for a discussion with the bartender... or at least access behind the bar, through the barrel, and into the thieves' tunnel. It was too early-- there were too many watching eyes drinking the cheap alcohol-- so he returned to the River Runner and invited everyone along. They provided quite a sufficient distraction... Mareak's rapid downing of three Ogre's Breaths riveted all eyes on him. His performance provided plenty of cover for Kerith to sneak away.

In the tunnels, Kerith came upon a sleepy guard. The guard told him that the mistress was out, and offered to while away the time with some cards. He turned out to be quite a card sharp; they distracted each other for hours (the deck growing quite thin at times), waiting for the guild mistress and her companion to return. Meanwhile, upstairs, the other companions were busy keeping Mareak upright and drinking the swill that passed for ale in this dive. The ale's quality improved greatly once Hrsai slipped a Purify spell over its contents.

Into the bar came an... affectionate couple, the woman leaning hard against her man, their hands hidden by their cloaks. The slipped to the back of the bar and vanished, swiftly becoming footsteps that approached Kerith in the tunnel below. The woman was distracted by pain... a nasty saber slash stained her clothing under her cloak. Kerith gave her a healing potion... after carefully sniffing it, she gulped it down.

She then told Kerith her tale of woe; despite invisibility, she was intercepted at the gate of the keep and slashed by a guard who was not deceived in the least by the spell. She barely retreated with her life, and had been guided back by her trusted confederate. Kerith told her of the Whitecloaks at the Dragonfang patch, and showed them the map and pouch they'd used. She was deeply disturbed, since only four knew of the patch. She knew, of course, as did a local alchemist. The third was Kerith, but the fourth... was her contact in the elvish ghetto. He was a council member, a spy of sorts. He had not kept her up to date... Kerith's information about the elder's abduction was fresh news to her. Concerns about a traitor percolated, but her injury had exhausted her. Kerith convinced her that he had a useful friend nearby. She wouldn't let anyone not 'of the guild' below stairs, so she climbed up.

Kerith preceded her, gathering Hrsai from his table and dragging him over to the shadowy booth where she had settled. She showed him the blood stains and the lines of blood that remained. Hrsai stretched out her fingers and called upon Elhonna, who cured her. She promised to repay her debt and would not be dissuaded. Hrsai accepted, then departed at her urging.

Armed with the information he'd gathered, Kerith decided that a night raid on the Baron's tower was an excellent plan. He borrowed Hrsai's bracelet of travel as they walked back to the inn. When they reached the green, he whispered his intentions, pointed at the Keep high above the town, and vanished.

His companions couldn't do much any to aid him after that, so they guided the somewhat mobile Mareak back to the inn. Ironjaw smashed the stocks, ripping top from bottom completely, then smashing the remnants.

Kerith found himself atop the wall, balanced carefully, as the soldiers receded. A large hatch covered the entrance to the tower. It looked loud, so Kerith decided to find a different entry. He lowered himself over the edge and rested on the narrow arrow slit. Calling upon his training, he wriggled through the narrow opening and found himself in a stairwell that wound up the outside edge of the large tower. Surprisingly, the interior was walled off- a large circular room rose to the roof. Kerith descended, moving cautiously. At each floor he listened, tentatively identifying the top two levels as officer's quarters, then circling down to a large door that dominated the entire floor. From other signs, it appeared to be the Baron's residence.

Kerith continued his descent along the stairs, coming upon a great hall. Low torch light illuminated a large hall, with heavy log beams supporting the floors above. A dog muzzled about, but ignored Kerith as he snuck across the room. Shadows revealed stairs, which Kerith continued down. The ring grew warm on his finger, the invisibility already half exhausted. The next floor was a checkpoint, oriented to protect from below. Kerith slipped through the few guards and started down the stairs. Half way to the ground floor he paused. Below him stretched the low walls... the ground floor was a deadly maze. The front half of the floor, adjacent to the entry, twisted and turned. No charge could carry through those sharp corners. Archers could easily cover the floor from above as well... deadly. The back half was faintly lit-- filled with cots and chests and sleeping men. The white and gold starburst of Pelor was everywhere in that area.

Kerith retraced his steps, until he reached the Baron's level. He carefully examined the lock, and picked it, but found that it was barred. He circled up a level and tested the locks of the two doors. The first released, but revealed that it was also barred. Not holding out much hope, Kerith tried the next door. The lock yielded to his skills, but when he put pressure on the door, it was blocked. It didn't feel like a bar though, so he worked it back and forth-- definitely a chest in front of the door. Kerith opened the door as slightly as possible, then slipped in, eeling through the narrow opening.

Kerith made his way to the desk, passing by a saber that hung from a clothes peg. He drew out his enchanted light dagger and examined the desk in the thin gray light. (Fortunately, the bed was a four poster with heavy hangings- squinting in the thin light, Kerith was relatively safe. The pair of sleepers continued to breathe quietly. Exhausted, the ring stopped functioning, revealing Kerith's faint form. Kerith skimmed the papers, disturbing them as little as possible. Most were tedious business (provisioning his men and so forth), but a letter from the High Inquisitor caught Kerith's eye.

The letter was vague, but mentioned that the first phase should be complete and that it was time for the second phase to begin. It was generally ominous, speaking of control over the region and the people. It was signed by a high inquisitor, and sealed with a red crook.

Another letter caught his interest, from a different superior-- it was dated from one of the powerful river cities. Its tone was angry... essentially castigating the man for loosing the love and loyalty of the locals. What the hell was he up to? He was supposed to be comforting the people, not harrassing and torturing them.

The breath of one sleeper grew more shallow. Kerith noted that the man was likely coming to consciousness, which would make further investigation very difficult. He sheathed his dagger, returning the room to utter darkness and wriggled out the door. He slipped rope about the stubby feet on the chest and drew it slowly against the door, returning the room to the state it had been in before he'd entered.

As he finished, he heard steps coming from below-- a pair of guards, talking casually. Kerith sprinted up a half a flight and found an arrow slit that faced the darkened waters. He wedged himself in and waited for the guards to pass him by. They did. He remained, figuring that the guards from above would soon return to their beds below. His patience was rewarded, as the shift change did result in a pair of people descending the stairs. They did not see him.

Once they too had passed, Kerith went up the final floor to the tall room at the top of the tower. The door was protected with thick webbing in the lock. Deciding not to risk the attempt, Kerith followed the stair until he found an arrow slit that overlooked the inn. He pointed his finger and appeared just behind the inn. Since the front door was closed at this hour, Kerith crept up the back stairs and into his room. An explanation of his night would have to wait until morning.

Morning dawned cold and clear over the town. Ironjaw was up early, and heard a commotion going on at the green. Grinning, he climbed up on the roof and looked over the scene. Several Children of Pelor were screaming at the baron's men in gray tunics, demanding to know what had happened. The shouting died down, and soon the baron's men were off to gather materials for new stocks.

The other companions rose and descended to the kitchen, where Ironjaw returned. They discussed vauge plans for the morning and split up to accomplish them.

Ironjaw set off pursuing the morning patrol. Hrsai joined him in eagle form. The two followed the group, until it split in two. The path they followed was quite clear, heavily beaten into the ground. The two paths arced toward the river (up and downstream from Rudisheim). Ironjaw followed the upstream troops, while Hrsai followed the downstream troops. Hrsai saw little of interest, breaking only for a rabbit snack. Ironjaw also saw little, but decided to 'rustle the leaves' a bit. He dug a shallow pit for a trap in the road, concealed under dust (as no trees were nearby to provide leaves). The horses came around the bend and one of them stepped in the trap. Over the sounds of the horse's pain, the Children fanned out with vigor. Ironjaw watched from a clump of trees nearby, noting their precision. He also noted how paralyzed they were... they moved not one foot. The soldier put his horse down and they watched, anxiously.

It turned out that the disruption was even greater than he'd imagined. Hrsai's group returned to its spot before the city gates just before noon. The soldiers were clearly expecting their comrades. Their leader waited for a few minutes, but once the delay grew too long he dispatched a pair of runners to the keep. A minute later his men were formed up and marching to the relief of their companions.

The two leaders consulted with each other as their men formed a perimeter. After a brief discussion, the men formed up and rode back to town. Hrsai watched them from the air, while Ironjaw snuck back along the river.

Meanwhile, Endrin took the air in eagle form. She had been tasked by Kerith with finding an escape route from the keep. She circled and flew, marking the extent of the walls and the location of the buildings. With her keen eyes, she noted an out of place shed, which she descended to investigate. Inside, she found a suspicious wood floor. Proud at her information gathering, she took back off and filched a fish from the lake. Once she was out of sight, she dropped the fish and it blackened against the earth. Quite surprised, she tried again and found that the road (or at least the spot of road she'd selected) did not have a similar effect. With dark thoughts on her mind, she returned to the inn.

Kerith decided to return to the keep, using the bracelet once again, in a daring daytime raid. Using the invisibility ring, he slipped from the wall top down to an arrow slit. Contorting himself, he managed to wrestle his way through the arrow slit, enduring scrapes and bruises. He descended the stairs, keeping a careful watch, so as to avoid bumping into anyone or alerting people to his presence.

The room guarded with webs in its locks remained impenetrable, so he continued down to the lord commander's room. With his skill, he easily made his way into the room. The desk had the incriminating letters from the evening before, joined by a new and even more plain letter. Kerith was suspicious about his good luck, but decided on a radical plan. He took the three worst letters, careful not to disturb their seals, and slunk out the door. Down he descended, til he was before the Baron's door. Invisibly, he crept forward and slid the letters beneath the door.

A moment passed as he drew back, then the baron's voice erupted from within. "Guards," the baron called. The guardsmen on either side of the door opened and looked within. They were called forward, bringing the papers to the baron. The baron read for a long minute, interspersed with questions about the man who had slid the papers beneath the door. They claimed innocence- they had certainly seen no person. The baron threatened them, claiming their lives if his room was penetrated again. The guardsmen swore to keep invaders out. They then left the room... as Kerith crept forward, slunk between them, and entered the room.

The baron was very quiet as he read the letters. Kerith was concerned that the Baron had given in to frailty, but angry motions from the bed reassured him. The baron got up and paced. Kerith looked through the windows, in case rapid escape was necessary. When the baron turned back from looking out the window himself, Kerith removed his ring, appearing before the Baron.

"I am an ally, come to help," Kerith told the man. The Baron seemed paralyzed with Kerith's sudden appearance, but at least he did not call for help. Kerith quickly explained that he had acquired the letters and delivered them to the Baron. He had to hint at some of the limitations on his abilities. The Baron snapped out of his shock after Kerith served him some wine.

The Baron listened intently to Kerith's words, occasionally asking him pointed questions. Finally, the Baron demanded, "Isn't it suspicious that these papers were out in plain sight?"

Kerith glibly responded, "And how often are you in his rooms?" The Baron nodded to acknowledge the point.

As they discussed the immediate future, Kerith made suggestions and promised the aid of himself and his companions. He asked for some tools to aid him in aiding the Baron... Whitecloak uniforms, among other things. The Baron promised to work on acquiring such things.

Both were worried about a caravan scheduled to reach Rudisheim the following day. It came from the delta, where the Children of the Sun were strong. Even more worrying, the Baron informed his guest, was that the woman Kerith had witnessed was a nobleman's daughter. A nobleman who lived in the delta.

The extra fact made urgency more necessary than Kerith had considered before. However, he needed to coordinate with his friends in town. He told the Baron that a bird would come in the night, leave the window open.

The Baron laughed. "The window does not open, but I'll go one better and break the pane myself." He laughed again. "I'll present you with a bill when this is over." Kerith chuckled.

The Baron pointed out that the missing papers might make the Commander more suspicious. Kerith agreed, but pointed out that the Commander's mistress was in the rooms, making the return of the papers impossible.

"Leave that to me," replied the Baron. As he got up, Kerith begged him not to kill the guardsmen. The Baron answered, "I can make no promises, but it is better for all involved if you remain unseen."

With that the Baron exited the room as Kerith scrambled for cover. The steps of the Baron and the guards ascended the stairs, followed discretely by Kerith. Hidden by the curve of the stair, Kerith heard the Baron invite 'Lady Masrala' for a walk on the parapets. The four of them (the two nobles and the two guards) set off for the parapet and Kerith entered the room. Carefully he placed and arranged the papers until they looked as he'd found them.

Then he returned to the stairwell, picked out an arrow slit with a proper view, and pointed. He stood beside the inn and went inside to plan with his companions.

Koverinos had returned from the tower that morning. He found the skull Ironjaw had boiled and took it to a nearby smithy. Whistling as he worked, he formed a strong metal cap and twined wire to keep the teeth and tusks in place. Delicate work, but Koverinos's extensive study made the act a relatively quick one.

Soon Koverinos finished his work and returned to the inn, bearing his fine handiwork. Ironjaw was pleased with the helmet and they talked eagerly with each other.

A short while later Kerith came in. He convinced his friends to follow him up the stairs (after arranging for his mother to send up food for the crowd). Once they were safe within the room, everyone explained their experiences. Kerith responded last of all... but his words drove home their new deadline. Everyone began gabbling plans; desperate plots and needs were examined and quickly discarded. Slowly, coherent goals were hammered out and the companions arranged to act on them.

Kerith and Endrin set off for the Drunken Ogre. Endrin spoke with the bartender, who suggested a 'special lager'. She remembered the terrible ale she'd had lest time, so she followed the suggestion. Surprisingly, the lager was quite tasty. She settled into her seat and sipped at the foam while Kerith asked for Mary, the guild mistress.

The bartender told Kerith that Mary was out at the moment, but that she should be back relatively soon. Grinning, Kerith drank a lager and chatted with Endrin, passing the time. A while later Mary entered, leaning close to a man. The man seemed dazed... Kerith noted her disappearance behind the partition. Taking that as a cue, Kerith bought the bartender an Ogre's Breath. When the barkeep's head hit the counter, Kerith arranged him in a rough sitting position and slunk behind the partition.

He came upon Mary and her 'guest', who looked drunk or dazed. Kerith asked the obvious question, "This is the traitor?" The elf's ears made the question almost redundant, but he kept to the formalities. Meanwhile, Kerith subtly searched around and found that he was essentially alone with the Mary and Elreth.

Mary didn't respond with words. She seductively slid her guest's jerkin up... then tightened the cinch while he was trapped inside. She took out a dagger and carved a rune that Kerith had to dredge his elvish for. "Traitor" was the rune she'd carved in his back. Elreth shouted into his tunic, but no one came to his call.

Kerith and Mary discussed the traitor and other developments. Kerith asked Mary for martial aid, to help strike against the Children of Pelor tomorrow. He emphasized the Baron's thankfulness, but Mary educated him on the limits of her power.

"I'm the guild leader, but only because I do what's best for the guild. If I suggest that we make ourselves known, I'll be dead or deposed in less time than it takes to blink." Kerith agreed with her, and together they struggled to come up with a way to be useful tomorrow without exposing themselves. After some discussion, they came to a vague agreement.

That settled, Kerith asked for the prisoner. "We intend to visit the elvish quarter to speak with them about tomorrow. If we had the traitor to show them, it might spur their aid." Mary agreed that it might, so she went upstairs, instructing Kerith to follow with Elreth after a bit. Kerith stuck Elreth with his pommel, sending him into unconsciousness.

Kerith did follow, tugging Elreth's tunic. This had the effect of somewhat concealing the raw wound. When he made it up the narrow stairs, he found that the two patrons were animatedly talking to each other... while facing the wall, and not turning their nose from it.

With a smile, he and Endrin maneuvered Elreth out the back door. The cart he'd asked for was there... filled with manure. Endrin and Kerith arranged the unconscious man, carefully digging him deeper and stacking loose manure over him to conceal him completely.

Koverinos journeyed back to Trevane, his wizardry master's tower. He prepared a careful entreaty and asked his master's aid. Trevane waited for Koverinos to unleash more powerful arguments... and Koverinos did. Koverinos pointed out the beatings that the students faced, the unsubtle pressure that kept even the master away from town, and other nasty developments. Trevane agreed, going so far as to call up Alfonso, a fellow student of Koverinos's. Alfonso's face was blackened, one eye swollen completely shut. Shocked, Koverinos promised to gain aid for Alfonso. Trevane shook his head no, and explained that Alfonso was a strong reminder of Pelor's Children's acts. Koverinos restrained his charitable impulse and nodded agreement.

Koverinos laid out the current strings of power that coursed through the keep-- the Baron's virtual imprisonment, Whitecloak scheming, and more. The clincher, however, was when Koverinos mentioned a mage working with the Whitecloaks. Trevane's anger shimmered, and in a voice still and cold, Trevane said "I'll join you later then. Where shall I meet you?" Koverinos told him to meet at the River Runner, where we would discuss what would work best. Trevane agreed to meet later, and warned Koverinos that his direct aid would be limited... he would spend much of his energies on the wizard allied with the whitecloaks. Koverinos accepted his help, whatever he chose to contribute, with thanks.

Before he turned to go, he dug out the thick and elegantly decorated spellbook he had purchased for himself. With elvish grace, he presented the book to his master. Trevane smiled back and accepted the noble gift.

Hrsai opened his window and transformed into an eagle. With a fierce cry, he took to the air. As he crossed the courtyard, he noticed some kind of training going on. Two of the archers threw coins to the ground and launched arrows at Hrsai. Hrsai broke and dove, as if he had witnessed a tasty morsel, making the two arrows miss widely. Undaunted they drew new arrows to string. Hrsai couldn't do much, as he didn't want to alert them to his human intelligence. This time the arrows came much closer- the second bowman's arrow knocked out a tail feather. Hrsai circled up and flew to the baron's window, conscious of the eyes upon him. The window was unbroken, but when Baron Rudisheim heard Hrsai, he broke a window. Worried, Hrsai hopped through the window and down onto the floor.

The Baron watched closely as Hrsai resumed human form. Quietly they discussed Kerith's requests. The Baron had the uniforms in the back of the closet, but he had no idea how Hrsai would get them away. Hrsai laughed and told the Baron that his clothing came with him no matter his form. A few layers of clothing should work out fine.

Baron Rudisheim chuckled. "I've never seen a fat eagle before." They then discussed the other issues-- the 'secret entrance' that Endrin had previously spotted opened into the kitchen. It would be difficult to move through there without alerting most of the keep. The third request was easily granted-- the Baron's letter of passage was already written and sealed.

"Thank you, My Lord," replied Hrsai. He tucked the letter into his tunic then donned the two white cloak uniforms.

The Baron shifted uneasily. "They let me stay in my room this afternoon... that's about as much as they'll let me do." They smiled that the reordering of the keep approached so quickly.

"I am concerned," Hrsai said, "that I was witnessed entering your rooms. Two of your archers nearly shot me as I entered... but even more so, I am worried that it will look unusual. But I have an idea." After the Baron signed him, Hrsai continued, "Perhaps if you were to ask the kitchen for a quartered rabbit... and let them know that it's for the 'pesky' eagle that your falconer has been working on. It might distract people, at least for a day."

Baron Rudisheim agreed to the plan. Hrasi asked "Oh, when I assume eagle form... would you tie a thong to my foot? It will go well with the story of your eagle taming." The Baron agreed, watching the transformation with evident fascination. Finally he tied the thong over Hrsai's foot.

His mission accomplished, Hrsai launched himself from the Baron's window, carefully displaying his false jesses. Archers had been ready, but one pointed out the trailing leather and shouted at the others to hold their arrows. Smiling, Hrsai circled widely around the city, before returning to the River Runner. The window to his room was much too small for his broad wings, so Hrsai tucked his wings tight and flew through the window. As soon as he cleared the opening he shifted back to his human form, but his momentum flipped him over the bed and he hit the floor with a rattling smack.

Hrsai shook his numbed arms and sheepishly tried to conceal the cause of his fall. The kitchen maid laughed at his fall from bed. Sadly, Hrsai's appointment with Kerith and Endrin kept him from testing the bed with the maid.

Mareak set out immediately after the conference... he had the furthest to journey. He rode his warpony north, back to the village he and his companions had avenged by slaughtering the beastmen. He was greeted grandly, and was soon speaking with the leaders of the town.

He explained to them that the Baron was a virtual prisoner; the Children of Pelor were responsible for the lax patrols that put their families at risk. After channeling their anger, Mareak told them that he wasn't asking them to fight and die. If they showed up, their simple presence would frankly intimidate the whitecloaks. This message was received very well; few of the locals had any illusions of their ability to fight whitecloaks.

Mareak spent the next several hours honing their skills and encouraging them to practice... in case anything should go wrong. They practiced with some spirit. Their bumbling reminded Mareak that they were not warriors at all, and the observation stuck deep. He advised the leaders that they would need to meet at the Drunken Ogre tavern, about an hour before dawn. They told him they'd be there.

Mareak set off for Rudisheim, marching in the dark and thinking back on his training with the dwarves. These villagers were woefully unprepared. It would not be an easy fight.

Ironjaw went out and examined the trails, looking for a perfect place to conceal his traps. Once he found it, he placed his 'distractions', making sure they weren't visible from horseback. Satisfied, he returned to the city, idly hoping that others wouldn't hit the traps.

Endrin, Kerith and Hrsai took their cart of manure to the elvish quarter. When they reached the gate, the noticed something quite odd... six men watched the gate. Five men were the Baron's, but the sixth was a Child of Pelor. Hrsai presented the letter from the Baron, noting the quirked eyebrows... and doubt as to the Baron's decision to issue papers for so minor a matter.

Hrsai leaned forward and whispered quietly, "The Baron is a bit embarrassed about having to hire an elf. You understand, I hope?" Kerith and Endrin continued through as if they were unworried. The guards made no more to stop them, so Hrsai rolled the paper back up and followed after them.

Soon they pulled up in the alley behind the house where Endrin had last met the council. Endrin knocked. When the elvish woman answered the door, Kerith hurriedly explained the manure cart and its content. The elvish council member hustled everyone in, including the now groaning Elreth. Koverinos had caught up to his friends and included himself in the hustling in.

The council was convened below, she told the group. As they moved to take Elreth down the ladder into the concealed basement, the council member whispered a suggestion to Endrin. With a quiet "thanks", Endrin left her friends and dashed next door to her mother's house.

Endrin and her mother talked quietly; her mother hinting at a traitor in the elves' midst. Once the information was indirectly transmitted, she urged Endrin to return next door. Endrin agreed to do so. As she slunk back to the council house, her sharp senses pointed out an unusual movement. Quickly Endrin shimmied up to the roof, where she saw a whitecloak crouching across the street. Another whitecloak, apparently acting as a runner, had turned from the spy and began running back toward the gate. Cursing under he breath, Endrin decided not to pursue the fleeing runner across the rooftops of the elvish quarter.

Meanwhile, Kerith, Koverinos, and Hrsai crept down the ladder. The small room was packed with elvish council members and armed companions, likely bodyguards. Kerith explained who the friends were, and how they came to join the council below. Koverinos added to Kerith's speech by distracting people and casting spells. Unfortunately, the charm spell he had selected didn't seem to work on Elreth.

So, in front of everyone, Kerith and Koverinos sweated out Elreth, leading him into contradictions. Hrsai viewed the room from a step up the ladder, keeping an eye out for desperate movement. Elreth bravely resisted Koverinos' cunning interrogation, until it became clear that he literally could not speak of his betrayal. Once everyone was convinced, Koverinos argued that he should be forced to reveal what he knew. The disgust at their betrayer was evident from the high table. Kerith sensed something more like surprise from the gathered councilors.

Endrin descended the ladder and whispered her mother's oblique warning to Kerith and her other friends... the traitor they had seized was not the only traitor! She also mentioned the runner. Hrsai climbed the ladder, to assist in defense of the house, should the whitecloaks come. Forewarned, the friends were on their toes as Melanya rose to denounce the traitor. She drew out her dagger, spoke angry and transparent words about treason, and prepared to strike down the traitor.

Kerith stood between Melanya and her intended victim as Koverinos explained the need to keep him alive for interrogation. Looking over her shoulder, Kerith and Koverinos saw suspicion (hopefully of Melanya). Kerith then pretended interest elsewhere, taking a step forward and to the side. Melanya struck like a viper... but too slowly. Kerith intercepted her and disarmed her. Koverinos picked up her dagger... it seemed to have a fluid on its blade. Cautiously, Koverinos picked up the blade. In his opinion, he told the council conversationally, "It appears to be evensdrake poison. How unusual for a council member to be so armed."

Melanya shrieked that you would find poison on the dagger of half the council in these days." The council did not defend the long suspected traitor. She was interrogated, but very quickly, given the approach of the whitecloaks. The elves decided that the two could not be allowed to live, to betray again. One of the bodyguards stepped forward with a sharp blade; everyone stepped aside. Council members flooded from the chamber as Kerith begged their assistance against the white cloaks. Up the ladders they swept; a few babbled that their evacuation would distract them terribly. But Koverinos and Kerith persisted; in the end, they promised to send word to the River Runner much later.

The flow of councilors out the door was intense, but, despite fears, the white cloaks did not manifest in time. With a sigh of relief, the friends returned through the gates and walked to the River Runner. They were soon joined by Mareak. Each explained what they had discovered, and final plans were made. Koverinos and Kerith agreed that a vapor to subdue the guards at the tower in the morning would be valuable. Kerith went to a contact to buy the compound, while the companions ate a quick meal. It would be a short night, so most retired early for the night. Kerith worked much of the night, refining his sleeping vapor and preparing many doses.

About two hours before dawn, Mareak went down to the Drunken Ogre, where the townsmen were set to gather. Kerith was disturbed by a quiet knock at the rear door; representatives of the elvish council pledged their support and asked how they could help. Kerith gave them brief suggestions and bid them goodnight. Almost immediately after they left, another pounding at the door. Kerith opened the door and saw a white cloaked man. With much restraint he examined the stranger. His examination picked out arcane symbols in the cloak, and he connected this to Koverinos' master. Of course, this rudeness took a while, abrading Trevane's patience. But they straightened out who he was, and Kerith guided him to Koverinos' room. Everyone awoke, spells were memorized... and Kerith noticed a great deal of activity going on in the keep.

Mareak was amazed at the turnout before the Drunken Ogre. Almost three hundred villagers, poorly armed but eager, had arrived. That was too many for such a dive, particularly at that hour of the night. So he brought two hundred of them back to the River Runner, where he begged the kitchen staff to prepare as much as they could. They got to work on it, after warning him that their larders couldn't feed so many.

False dawn revealed that all of their planning for the assault on the keep was for naught. Across the bridge marched the Children of Pelor and the Baron's men, in set formation. After enchanting Koverinos and his companions, Trevane crawled up onto the roof, where he watched the procession pass. He paid particular attention to a covered litter in particular, tracking it closely. Mareak sent a runner to the Drunken Ogre, warning them not to get involved-- stay out of sight.

Kerith decided that it was a do or die moment and told his friends so. He raced down alleys and streets, getting ahead of the procession. Endrin did the same, going even further and crawling up on a rooftop. Koverinos also raced after them, his enchanted boots making it comparatively easy to get ahead of the procession. Hrsai, Ironjaw, and Mareak were much slower to act. Kerith's abrupt change in plan had to be communicated to the villagers. No one was quite sure how the events were going to break.

Kerith slipped on the ring of invisibility, crept close to the procession, and swung up behind the Baron. Quietly the Baron told him what had changed. The whole procession was headed out to meet the caravan. Kerith pointed out that the results of that could be quite deadly. The Baron responded with a cunning detail... his men had hooks added to their spears, perfect for taking down the white cloak horsemen. Kerith urged him to call out to his men, to order the strike. The Baron delayed, until Kerith told him that he was going to strike. Kerith leapt forward, landing heavily on the Lord Commander's horse's haunches. For a moment he swayed for balance, then struck with his Dragonfang coated dagger.

Kerith materialized as he stabbed. Inspired, the Baron called out, "To me!" His men responded immediately, pulling down the nearest white cloak cavalry. A brawling melee broke out. Koverinos summoned a beast to occupy the Inquisitor General, then launched a fireball at the head of the procession, smiting Pelor's Elite Guard. Pandemonium broke out.

Mareak, seeing the opportunity the Baron's men had created, sent a runner to the Drunken Ogre with orders to attack. The he stood up and gave a lusty speech, galvanizing the villagers into action. Hrsai, Ironjaw, Mareak, Wolf, and Rufus all raced toward the battle, trailed by the villagers.

Meanwhile, Kerith was virtually alone amongst many enemies. Endrin rained arrows down, keeping the Inquisitor general busy, as Koverinos smashed the Elite Guard of Pelor's Children with another brutal fireball. Then the battle became a tangle, with Kerith desperately trying to keep alive against crushing odds. His training with the Way of the Flashing Blade kept him moving and dodging, barely surviving against the Elite Guard that closed on one face and the Captain General on the other. The Baron fought his way clear, and was pursued by the Captain General, freeing Kerith's attention slightly.

Kerith fought until his hand was slick on the blade. He daringly sprung away from the guardsmen who hounded him, slashed at the witch who had emerged from her litter, then activated the bracelet of teleportation, vanishing to safety.

The roar of the villagers told everyone that the battle had turned in the Baron's favor. The Captain General redoubled his efforts against the Baron. Mareak and Rufus rushed to the Baron's aid. Ironjaw seized the opening and launched himself at the Inquisitor General, ending the bitter spell the Inquisitor had begun by snapping ribs with a crushing strike from his greatsword. The white cloak witch, panicking, slaughtered the troops nearest to her, indiscriminately. Trevane exploited an opening, called up freezing winds, and slew her.

Both the Captain General and Inquisitor Generals, bleeding from many wounds, surrendered, and loudly called on their men to do the same. A wave of surrenders followed.

Quiet descended over the battle field. The Captain General remained cocky, until the Baron made an off hand comment that illustrated... exceptional knowledge. He blanched, but the Inquisitor General just got worse. He just sneered as threats and questions were directed at him.

Koverinos hustled out to the carriage, hoping that to find something to explain her twisted decision to work with the white cloaks. What he found shocked him. In a secret compartment he found a necklace... of elvish ears. About thirty ears hung on that string; only with fervent thought was he able to hold down his guts. His anger could not be denied; he stormed over to the dead woman, ice glistening in the sun. He slammed her head into the pavement again and again, until it have with a thump like an overripe melon. In his passion he yelled obscenities and swore to have her brought back from the dead, if only to torture her to death again.

Elsewhere, Hrsai healed Wolf and the Baron. Kerith bound prisoners, Endrin came forward and rejoined her companions. Mareak chuckled evilly and kept everyone nearby on their toes.

Koverinos stalked back and spat at the Inquisitor General. "What happened to the elves?"

The Inquisitor didn't bother to conceal his smile. "I wouldn't suggest swimming in the lake," he replied coolly. Koverinos snarled, but the Inquisitor's reserve seemed unbreakable.

The Baron lead a triumphant procession back to his castle. The Captain General walked with dignity; the Inquisitor was drug by an angry Ironjaw. Down into the dungeons they descended. The Baron could not reassure anyone... the dungeons had been out of his power for more than a year.

The damp walls and sounds of rattling coughing lent little hope. Endrin scoured the cells, hoping against hope that she would find her father... or proof, if nothing else. The Inquisitor's reserve was back; he barbed the Baron and many of the companions. Finally he and the Captain General were tossed in cells beneath the keep. The few living prisoners were taken up to feel the sunshine once again. The Baron and his men scoured the cells, working closely with Kerith and Endrin.

Hrsai, eager to distract Koverinos, suggested that they should examine the caravan. Koverinos nodded and the two proceeded toward the gate. When they got there, Koverinos suggested to the townsfolk that they should remove the cobblestones and close the gate. They moved slowly, until Mareak repeated the suggestion. With his encouragement, they got to work with a will.

Chaos reigned in the city. Everyone was off, involved in specific tasks. Kerith continued advising the Baron, acting as a liaison and something of a bodyguard. Koverinos and Hrsai were interested in riding out to examine the caravan, but found that the city needed additional input. After speaking of her need to find her father, Endrin vanished to seek him out. Ironjaw wiped off sweat from dragging the Inquisitor General to the dungeon and went to join Koverinos and Hrsai. Mareak was kept busy coordinating the peasantry, who were busy removing cobble stones.

Koverinos consulted with Ironjaw and Mareak. Together, they decided to spread the defenders almost evenly, covering the main and postern gates. Koverinos spoke with the elves, who had informally united under Endrin's mother's command. Koverinos spoke with Endrin's mother; together they encouraged the elves to join the peasants in watching the walls, dividing themselves approximately the same way. Rumors of the approaching caravan, and what it might mean, flew amongst the crowd. Mareak showed some of the warriors how to hold ground, borrowing from his recent training.

Finally, everyone discussed the problems of the disarmed Children of Pelor. Several suggestions were put forth. Hrsai suggested that, in the end, it was the Baron's decision. More than anything, had been the point of the fight. In the end, everyone agreed; Koverinos jotted a letter that was carried to the Baron. The letter mentioned the disarmed Whitecloaks, and suggested that they should be imprisoned temporarily or otherwise kept under guard, to prevent an attack from inside the walls at the same time as an exterior attack.

With everything largely straightened out, Koverinos, Ironjaw, and Hrsai rode out to meet the approaching caravan. They did not have far to ride... as they crested a hill about an hour's ride from town, they saw the expanse of troops approaching. There was no mistake... this was no merchant caravan, rather, it was a fighting force, about 300 strong.

They studied the banners, noting those of the Queen's Elite Guard, Duke Remoray and at the end, a Banner of Pelor. They studied so intently that they little noticed the rapid approach... by the time they thought to ride off with the news, it was clear that they had been spotted.

They rode forward reluctantly until the Duke's men asked them to halt. Ironjaw was in the front. Not knowing what the goal of the caravan was, he decided to buy time. He spun a story of terrible plague striking down the city, painting himself as a kind of wanderer who had been kept from the city.

The Duke seemed to take the plague as the judgement of the gods; he told Ironjaw that they would ride ahead and seal the city. Then the Duke explained that sealing the city would mean killing any of the people who left, to prevent the spread of plague further into the empire.

This was exactly the opposite of what Ironjaw had intended. Koverinos asked about the presence of the Children of Pelor in the caravan. Koverinos drew some controversy for asking to address the Duke forthrightly, going so far as to ask permission to look the duke in the eye, so the Duke could measure his sincerity. The Duke stood for none of it. Koverinos explained the failed uprising, and the role of Pelor's Children. In response, the Duke was somewhat unclear (other than at his distaste for speaking with lowborn barbarians and such), but indicated that they were here to 'examine the leadership of Rudisheim'. Further prompting from Koverinos indicated that rumors of the Baron's loss of power were widespread beyond the Barony. The Duke implied that he was here to support the Baron, but no one could judge whether this was a recent decision or the purpose of the expedition.

This encouraged Ironjaw to recant his story of plague. The Duke grew suspicious at such an abrupt alteration of the tale, and discounted almost everything Ironjaw said from that point on. Ironjaw and Koverinos were able to persuade the Duke that the city was balanced with anticipation, and that they should be present to convince the people of the town that the coming force was friendly. Their argument was not strong enough to get one of them dispatched back to the city as the Duke feared ambush even more. He did agree that the two of them should lead the caravan in... just remain within range of the crossbows, please. A minor officer was delegated to speak with them and coordinate with the caravan.

As the caravan resumed, Hrsai fell to the back, fitting into his proper place in the Duke's eyes. Koverinos and Ironjaw led them forward, into the shuttered farming village along the rode. Suspicions bloomed once again among the Duke and his advisors... was the original story of plague true? Koverinos reassured them (through their liaison) that the empty village was a sign of the Baron's strong support-- the peasants had turned out to aid the Baron in the battle that very morning.

Hrsai fell to the back of the caravan, riding behind even the Children of Pelor. He listened intently, but there was no conversation that implied loyalty to anyone in specific. There was little talking at all... the back of the caravan was dusty and most of the horsemen seemed intent on conserving their strength. It was unclear how much of the conference at the front they had heard at all... it seemed to be little, if any. There was evidence that their caravan had been ambushed by the elvish party: Among the riders about a half dozen who had fallen were now draped over their saddles.

Hrsai slowed his horse to fall out the back of the caravan. This did not go unnoticed; a pair of Pelor's Children warned him about the elves' attacks. Hrsai didn't respond, he just drifted out the back of the caravan. They shrugged their shoulders-- if Hrsai was dumb enough to get himself killed, at least they had warned him. As the soldiers crossed the hill, Hrsai turned and continued down the road toward the ambushing elves. He smiled as one elf made himself visible. "I bring greetings in the name of Koverinos and Endrin's mother," called out Hrsai. They arranged themselves, exchanged greetings, and started to speak.

Meanwhile, Koverinos and Ironjaw were at the head of the soldier's caravan. The people manning the walls were taut; it took Ironjaw's shouted, "Open the gate muleheads!" to convince them that he was speaking freely. With a great hauling, the rusty gates swung partially open once again.

A squire bearing a messenger's staff rode through, bearing word of the Duke's presence to Baron Rudisheim. While they waited for the messenger to return, some of the Duke's people took the opportunity to change clothing.

The squire soon returned with a formal invitation; Koverinos and Ironjaw rode into the city at the head of their 'guests'. There was some confusion, but a few words from them to Mareak (who was manning the main gate) clarified as much as they knew. Somewhat reassured, Mareak spread the word that they were not here for pitched battle. Waves of relief radiated as the whispers passed.

Koverinos and Ironjaw rejoined the Duke's procession. They rode across the bridge and into the courtyard incident. Koverinos angered the Duke by riding ahead, to protect the Baron... but he reined in when he saw that his action would cause more harm than good.

The Duke and a dozen of his men rode forward and were invited to enjoy the Baron's hospitality. "A feast has been prepared; I am pleased that you came to join us." Interestingly, none of the men who had crossed the bridge were Children of Pelor, a fact that reassured both the companions and the Baron.

In the feast hall, there was a murmur of surprise as the Duke took the center seat, and a woman took the chair to his right. The Baron sat to his left. The woman seemed to have an elvish heritage... and an interest in Ironjaw. Often through the meal, he often saw her watching him.

Koverinos, Ironjaw, and Kerith all ate at the end of the low table. Once most of the guests had eaten quite a bit, the Baron stood up and gave a lengthy (and rambling) speech about the morning's fight and the heroism of the companions.

Meanwhile, Hrsai and the elves were at the forest's edge. Hrsai explained the fight that morning and reassured them that the Baron would reverse the Children of Pelor's disastrous policies. The reminded him that the Baron had rarely been a friend, but they agreed that less hostility was clearly a good thing. Hrsai thanked them for their efforts against the caravan. He told them that he believed that it was not here to keep the Whitecloaks in power, but also that he had no way of knowing for certain.

Together they decided that Hrsai must come and warn them that the caravan was innocent-- if they did not hear from him, they would assume the worst and harass the caravan as it left. Hrsai agreed to bring them word before the caravan set off.

Meanwhile, the feast dragged on. A bright spot was the handmaid or the woman at the Duke's right. She poured for her mistress and she kept an eye on Ironjaw (particularly at his most outrageous moments). Then, subtly, she moved along the walls and 'dropped' her scarf behind Ironjaw. When he grabbed it, a small bundle of paper rolled out. Ironjaw returned the scarf and kept the paper.

Of course, he could make nothing of it. Koverinos read it quietly to him, while the elvish lady grew flushed at the high table. Koverinos dictated a poem of his people, which Koverinos penned in response. Ironjaw waited for his opening, and sent his wolf forward with the message in its jaws.

All eyes turned to it as the Baron his the end of his speech. The Duke called the companions forward.

Koverinos, Kerith and Ironjaw were the companions present. They approached the head table and bowed quietly. The Duke praised their heroism, citing the Baron's speech. Ironjaw seized the Duke's arm and pumped it enthusiastically, to the Duke's distaste.

Koverinos knelt before the Duke and presented him with the finely crafted Elvish short sword. Well pleased, the Duke removed a medal from his chest and pinned it on Koverinos. Kerith accepted his praise quietly.

Everyone returned to their seats, save Ironjaw who excused himself. Ironjaw did visit the privies, but instead of returning to the hall, he descended the stairs until he stood in the damp dungeons. Two jailors were talking as Ironjaw descended. Evidently they remembered him from their meeting that morning.

Ironjaw told them, "I'm going to talk to that one." He stabbed his finger at the Captain Commander of the Pelor's Children. They hustled to comply, opening the cell and following him in.

Ironjaw and his assistants set the Whitecloak Commander in the rack. Ironjaw began his interrogation, bluntly asking the commander about his goals and attempts. He was making some progress, when he heard footsteps. Behind him, he saw a white cloaked form... the Champion of Pelor, who had ridden in with the caravan.

The captain strode forward and casually swung the cell door closed, locking the commander and his torturers (including Ironjaw) in the cell. He smiled strangely, then strode off.

Ironjaw returned to his torture, and gained a bit more information. Evidently the commander was a pawn of the Inquisitor General, and had acted out of greed. The relations of the three usurpers (the mage, the inquisitor general, and the captain general) were weak; if they had succeeded in their rebellion against the baron, they would have struggled amongst themselves soon after.

Meanwhile, Kerith slipped out of the banquet and crept up the stairs. He began with the Lord Captain Commander's room. Unfortunately, this time they had set an intricate trap that he accidentally set off. The metal of the lock slumped and was ruined, making entry in any way but battering down the entire door impossible.

Under the pressure of time, he slipped next door to the Wizard's room. This time he was able to defeat the lock and slipped into the room. He searched carefully, but found little of interest... no incriminating letters, and little else. He did find a concealed recess in the wall; once he made got the stone out, he found a spell book. Generously, he dumped the book in his backpack (to give to Koverinos later). With nothing else to hold his interest, he exited the room and reset the lock.

He devised a cunning plan to enter the Inquisitor General's room at the top of the top of the keep. Rather than messing with the traps and spells on the door, he would circumvent them by using Endrin's bracelet and entering from the window on the far side of the room. So resolved, he headed down to the lake, to meet Endrin and ask a boon of her.

Meanwhile, now that he was locked in, Ironjaw puzzled a way out. He was just applying himself to the bars when Koverinos descended and unlocked the cell. Together, the two of them asked the commander a few further pointed questions. One of the interesting things they got from the commander, was that the Inquisitor was afraid of fire.

Then, armed with their answers, they went to the Inquisitor's cell. The inquisitor remained bound, gagged, and blind folded. Ironjaw threatened him, telling him that if he did anything but answer the questions directly, he'd loose his tongue.

Despite imprisonment, the Inquisitor managed a veneer of contempt for his two questioners. They tried to needle him with doubt; they implied the Captain General had turned. The heart of their questions was "How far does the corruption extend?" The inquisitor seeded doubts, but never firmly confirmed or denied anyone else's role. He left much unspoken, trusting Ironjaw and Koverinos to misapply it. Koverinos was answered with sneering contempt when he asked where the elves were. "I wouldn't swim in the lake, if I was you," was the most direct answer he gave.

In frustration, they stripped the final cloth off of the inquisitor. Koverinos' keen eyes picked out a blemish... which, when he looked closer, proved to be a tiny tattoo of Nerul. Koverinos' anger exploded, and he began sweeping the torch under the Inquisitor's feet, always slower. "Tell us your god's name," he demanded. Koverinos knew that the dark god's name was never to be invoked... it was viewed as blasphemy.

Finally, the heat and smell of cooking flesh overwhelmed the Inquisitor; he cried out "Nerul"... and died. Evidently the name was a kind of suicide spell; whatever it was, it proved deadly.

Shaken by the Inquisitor's escape from their tortures, they returned to the Captain Commander. It was clear that the two torturers they had left behind had not been idle. They swept off the Commander's cloth, but found no tattoo. They pulled the Commander's arms out of the sockets and intensified their questioning. The answers were tangled, but they came away confident that the commander was a dupe.

They headed up the stairs; Koverinos had an idea about the Inquisitor General's defenses. He bent forward and put his eye to the keyhole...

Meanwhile, Kerith went down to the lake and saw Endrin. Speaking carefully, he negotiated the loan of her bracelet (she was somewhat reluctant, as she'd hoped to explore the lake to find her father).

So Kerith ascended from the lake short in an eagle's form, clutching a rock in his claws. He flew up to the Inquisitor General's window and dropped the rock, which crashed through the glass. Nothing more unusual that shattered glass marked his attempt. So he turned around and dove for a fish, spearing it with his talons. He ascended and threw it through the hole... it hit the ground and flopped about. His strange actions were gathering observers, so he thrust himself through the window and alit on the desk.

Suffice it to say, that despite his caution, the room's magical traps were powerful and deadly. When he transformed back into a man, a symbol etched into the door burst into flame. A wave of Nerul's death essence swept the room, emanating from the symbol. Unfortunately, the spell did not care about arbitrary divisions such as "rooms"... it swept over Koverinos and Ironjaw, slaying them. Kerith, slightly further from the door, felt his life energies leeched, but did not die.

Kerith swept the room, investigating various nooks and crannies, and found that both the armoire and a chest were protected by similar magical symbols. He gave them wide berth. Nothing unusual was found at all (in the open), save a thick book. Suspecting it as a spell book, Kerith lifted the heavy tome to give to Koverinos. As opened the door to investigate the thuds he'd heard outside and was shocked to find Ironjaw and Koverinos lying on the ground... completely dead. He contemplated hiding them within the room, but decided to find help. Since the book was large, he borrowed Koverinos' bag of holding and placed the book inside. Ironjaw was simply too large to deal with, so he descended the stairs carrying Koverinos. He had some idea about finding Hrsai, but didn't make it far at all.

Elsewhere, Hrsai and Mareak were enjoying an impromptu feast at the River Runner. Hrsai's offer of reimbursement for feeding the hundreds that morning was turned aside (though the Baron's would be accepted, the proprietor suggested). They ate, toasting their good fortune. Mareak continued drinking, while Hrsai took the maid up on her offer from the previous night.

Much later, Hrsai and Mareak went up to the castle. As ever happens, Kerith's disastrous triggering of the spell trap was only the first of his problems.

As Kerith descended the stairs, he heard a conversation in progress. At least one of the voices was the Duke's, so he called out for aid. When he turned the corner, he saw the Baron and the Duke, evidently in the middle of some dispute. When he presented his fallen companion, he garnered some sympathy, but the Duke was interested in a different set of facts.

"You were in the Inquisitor General's room when this happened?" The Duke's voice frosted over with suspicion.

Kerith replied casually that he had been. The Baron, evidently primed to distrust by prior conversation with the Duke, was shocked. The Duke, however, leapt forward and began attacking the veracity of everything the Baron had been presented. The Baron, rather than arguing on behalf of the men who had saved him that morning, seemed suspicious himself. The winds were blowing counter to the companions. Fate chose that minute to interrupt.

Well, fate in the form of Mareak and Hrsai. They worked their way up the stairs as the Duke tried to trap Kerith in a war of words and suspicion. He was unable to trip Kerith up, but the Baron was darting suspicious glances all the same.

The guards were reluctant to pass the three along; the companions waited under spear point while a runner went and spoke with the Duke. The runner was back briefly; he whispered to the guards. The guards now "insisted" on our accompanying them, and fell before and behind, boxing the two heroes in.

The Duke widened the interrogation with the two extra bodies, though it did him little good. Hrsai was distracted by the fallen form of Koverinos and Mareak was displaying the legendary stubbornness of dwarves. Kerith told Hrsai and Endrin about Ironjaw, lying dead upstairs. The Duke took this as a cue and sent a pair of guardsmen up to reclaim the corpse.

The Duke's curiosity and the companions' concern for their fallen comrades aligned; the Duke ordered the bodies carried down to the basement and the priestess summoned. Hrsai insisted on staying with his fallen companions, obviously wary. The Duke indulged him, sending him with a few guards to carry the fallen down to the basement.

Kerith's "conversation" with the Duke came to a rapid halt when he mentioned the absent Lady Borgia, the Captain Commander's doxy. That subject of discussion was plainly forbidden.

Hrsai watched as Koverinos was laid on crates in the center of the floor. Soon they were joined... by an elven woman. (Hrsai didn't know at the time, but it was the woman who had sat beside the Duke at the feast; the same woman who had exchanged notes with Ironjaw).

Meanwhile, Endrin was entering the castle from the hidden exit in the shed. She made her way along the path until she found herself in the back of a pantry. She quietly worked her way through, until she could see over a stack of flour sacks into the kitchen. Thinking quickly, she grabbed a bag of flour and held it high. She was fortunate that she did so, as one of the Duke's men was keeping an eye on the kitchen staff.

Endrin carried her large sack out the door and dumped it once she was no longer visible. Carefully she crept about, seeking her friends. At one point she heard a voice... raised high, as if in ritual. She saw her chanting over Koverinos; fortunately, she also saw Hrsai. She slipped quietly inside and listened to Hrsai's explanation of what had happened.

The Priestess set gems on various life points around Koverinos' body. While Hrsai had never seen the ritual before, he recognized the positive energies that she was gathering and directing into Koverinos' fallen form.

It took a while; the gems slowly kindling to life and pulsing strangely, until they came into alignment. Koverinos suddenly coughed and rolled onto his side. Sweat was heavy on the Priestess' brow, but she waved off assistance. Hrsai supported Koverinos, who was weak from his journey back to life.

Koverinos dug through his pack, seeking a healing potion to was away his weakness. He couldn't find it, since it was in the sack that Kerith had borrowed. Meanwhile she had placed the gems over Ironjaw (who drooped comically over all edges of the boxes). The Priestess's exhaustion was plain; sweat was streaking her fine dress in broad swaths. Frustratingly, the flashings of light refused to pulse in order... Hrsai whispered that it meant that Ironjaw might be resisting.

Koverinos tottered forward and whispered in Ironjaw's cold ears... whispering that this Priestess was a member of the noble Children of Pelor, not the corrupt order the Inquisitor had followed. Hrsai prayed to Elhonna, asking her to intervene on behalf of his companion.

Suddenly Ironjaw took a great breath, then another. Hrsai dashed across the room, barely catching the Priestess as she fainted. Calling on Elhonna's gifts, he swept away a portion of her exhaustion... but he could only remove a portion.

The Baron, Duke, Endrin, Kerith, and Mareak piled in, with a dozen guards, packing the room. The questioning of Ironjaw and Koverinos was slight, as they had just approached the door when they'd been struck down. Koverinos told them all about the interrogation, with Ironjaw chiming in at key moments.

Fury gave strength back to the Priestess; she threw off Hrsai's aid and insisted that everyone accompany her down to see the tattoo that Koverinos had mentioned. She also had some questions she needed to put to the Captain Commander.

The Commander cracked when he saw her. She casually verified the mark, then turned her questions on the Commander, after requesting that everyone else give them some space and privacy for her work. As everyone left, they heard him resisting, but without spirit.

The Baron offered rooms in the keep to the companions; Koverinos accepted on the spot. Hrsai and Mareak thanked him, but told him that they would return to the River Runner. The remaining companions agreed to as well.

{Some missing time for most; I don't remember what we did}

Kerith searched the dungeons for evidence of Lady Borgia's escape. He wasn't able to find her exit, though he did find a cunningly concealed exit. Unfortunately, they way it was constructed would make it impossible to conceal if he investigated it thoroughly.

After much searching, Kerith found no trace of her exit. He hurried up the stairs to check with the guards. He passed Endrin, Hrsai, and Ironjaw who lounged under a tree, hoping to gain a space of breath for Ironjaw. Kerith continued past them to ask questions of the gate guard. The guard had not seen her depart, but he hadn't been on duty long. Kerith leaned on his heroism that morning, and the guard reluctantly led him to the sleeping morning guard.

The morning guard was very grouchy, but hid did remember three figures sneaking out to the lakeshore and rowing across that morning. Kerith thanked him and let him return to sleep. As they left, he slipped the evening guard a gold, and suggested that he should buy the sleeping man a few rounds. With a grin, he returned to his post.

Kerith collected his friends from beneath the tree and passed along the information. "They'll probably exit around a half-day to the north; if we leave now, we can catch them."

Everyone agree that Ironjaw was in no shape to ride, and that Koverinos wouldn't be either. So they dumped Ironjaw off at the River Runner, grabbed a quick bite, and rode off... already fighting exhaustion, given their early start and strenuous day.

Mareak's keen eyes kept them from injuring the horses; the moon was bright enough for everyone to see relatively well, but his night vision helped them immensely. Just before dawn the companions slowed, so that Endrin could search for tracks. The first few times they found none, but then they came upon a pair of recent tracks. We hustled our winded horses; a few minutes later, as we slowed the horses, Endrin held up a hand for silence.

She pointed off to the right, where the snapping of brush had caught her attention. Mareak mumbled a warning- someone was moving out there. The companions turned to follow; Hrsai in an owl's form, the others afoot.

The Lady's companion was brave, there is no denying. He stashed her in a thicket, then continued on, making enough noise to draw people. Unfortunately, Hrsai had witnessed his stashing... once the companions drew near, he began whooing to draw them closer.

The companions drew around the thicket and pointed their bows into the brush. Hrsai took off, tracking the fleeing man. Kerith called out to the woman, "Come out, you've not fooled anyone."

Lady Borgia started out, but cursed the brambles. She was fetched out. They called Hrsai back, being completely uninterested in her companion. Endrin rode behind their bound and hooded prisoner.

As they rode back, Hrsai and Kerith reviewed the Duke's discussion. The Lady's presence might be a good thing, but it might not. Best to stash her until they knew better.

They arrived back in Rudisheim at dawn. Despite his exhaustion, Hrsai drew aside to greet the dawn. Endrin and Mareak took their prisoner back to the River Runner. Kerith, fighting twenty-four hours of exertion, drug himself up the stairs to the Baron's door.

The guards were clearly reluctant to wake him, but Kerith insisted. The Baron still had a stocking cap on when Kerith came forward. After apologizing for the early wakening, Kerith whispered that the Lady Borgia had been taken. The Baron snapped to full wakefulness in an instant. After brief discussion, he went to wake the Duke personally.

The Duke was as annoyed, but felt the situation was grave. He told Kerith that he'd be happiest if she was dealt with-- she could not be allowed to speak of what had passed. Kerith accepted the task and left.

As Kerith ascended the stairs to carry out his grim task, Hrsai called out to him. Kerith mentioned the problem, and his reluctance to do anything permanent to an Earl's daughter. Hrsai agreed and told him that his god had granted them a solution.

Kerith went out to buy a gilded cage, while Hrsai entered her room. He convinced her that accepting the spell was the sole alternative to her death. Reluctantly she accepted her fate. When Kerith returned with the cage, she nodded and Hrsai changed her into a song bird.

That was the last of the excitement, until their invitations to a grand feast in their favor was delivered by a herald. Along with the invitation came clothing for the heroes.

[Note: The rescue of Endrin's father was played out in Session 22, but belongs here.]

Koverinos set off to the west the very next morning, following rumors of an elite order of magic wielding warriors. Mareak left soon thereafter, marching back to the city of his people. As soon as he arrived, they occupied his waking hours with training.

A barbarian scout from Ironjaw's tribe came to him the following day. He told Ironjaw that his people had suffered terrible disaster. His eldest brother, Brettar, had found an ancient city in the wastes. Unfortunately, its defenders were strong... they destroyed most of his raiding party and captured the two middle brothers. Brettar fled and refused to return to the city. His father exiled him and called Ironjaw home to serve his people. Ironjaw heeded the words of the messenger and set off for home as quickly as he could.

Endrin recruited Kerith and together they searched for her missing father. They had been cheered by Hrsai's scrying of her father; knowing he was alive lent new urgency to their search.

Kerith covered Endrin as she headed for the homes of the traitorous council people. She studied the woman's house while Kerith looked for onlookers and secret entrances. At Endrin's request, Kerith stepped forward and unlocked the door. The neighbors stares, curious at the goings on, but unwilling to intervene.

They searched from to top bottom, finding several suggestive cabinets and false backs... none of which yielded openings. Finally, in the bedroom, Kerith caught a lucky break. Moving a torch sconce on the wall revealed a loop of string... some kind of a latched opening. He investigated it, disarmed the trap, and revealed the room concealed behind. A bloody altar dominated the room; gilt scribing of a dark god's symbol lent an unreal air to the room. From clues the room yielded, they found a tunnel below. They marched along the narrow length until they came on a... fragrant room. Endrin recognized her father and the traitor's husband as two of the prisoners. A strange elf with dark skin, wrinkled and bark-like was the third man in the room. The three prisoners were bound hand and foot with a thick wad of knotted rope. Endrin rushed forward and called out to her father.

Joyously she lifted her sword to cut his bonds- and was thrown backwards by an explosive shock as her sword touched the knot. Endrin and Kerith compared notes... this room was nothing like Hrsai had described from his vision. Endrin agreed to go get Hrsai, while Kerith went upstairs to investigate further.

Kerith found a bag protected with a symbol (which he avoided), some gold (which made its way to his pocket), and a few further trinkets.

When Endrin returned with Hrsai, he confirmed that the chamber wasn't as he'd scryed. He sought magic, and the entire room glowed brightly, explaining the illusion that had deceived his spell. They carried the three prisoners out of the room and set them in the corridor. They looked much worse out here... as bad as Hrsai had seen in his scrying. Hrsai confirmed that the ropes remained enchanted.

Endrin lent her father her Amulet of Wildshape, while Kerith grabbed the knots. He shifted shape to a cat's form and Kerith yanked off the bonds. They twined and twisted, binding his own arms tight!

Hrsai enchanted him to resist the electrical energy. Kerith cut himself free, his hair on end and arms tingling before he finished. Still, it was success, he stood free, as did Endrin's father.

The imprisoned traitor's husband was second; as he shifted shape, it was obvious that he wasn't thinking along the same lines. The form he assumed was that of a large cat- a dark leopard. Kerith successfully swept the ropes off and tossed them aside before they would catch him. The leopard didn't pause an instant... he immediately fled. Fortunately he was weak; Kerith tumbled over him and Hrsai and Endrin brought him down from behind. After a few blows, he fell unconscious. Endrin snatched off the Amulet... and he resumed a human like form... but entirely different that he'd worn before. He was another dark bark skinned elf, like the other, still bound, who watched the companions warily. They interrogated him and found that he was a scout, from a tribe of two hundred warriors. They were moving south, following game that fled from a deadly cold winter.

They lugged the fallen man upstairs; when he woke they asked him the same questions and got the same answers. His story about assuming the form of her husband was weak, but the companions were unwilling to press him. They settled for telling him of the city's recent change in status, then they all headed down to the cellar and freed him as well.

Endrin took her father home and left them quickly, so that her mother could feed and welcome her husband home in privacy. She returned to Kerith and Hrsai.

Together they all went to the other traitor's house. Kerith did his trick with the lock picks and they were inside. They found the swords and bows of the two northern elves, as well as a bark ring. Investigating further turned up clothing of other council members, but little else. They walked to the edge of the woods, watched the one demonstrate his bark ring, and bid them farewell.

Meanwhile, Ironjaw finished his ride back to his people. His father greeted him and told a tale of woe; almost all of the warriors amongst his people were dead or missing. It was all tied to the City in the Wastes, rumored to be a place of incredible wealth. The city where his brothers had fallen, and Brettar had fled. Whatever it was in truth, it was deadly. Ironjaw persuaded his father to have his brother fetched- he would need all the information about this town that could be found, and his brother had seen it last. When the scout left with the chief's orders, Ironjaw also left.

Ironjaw married a local lass he'd had an eye on and returned to his father the next morning. His brother came in a while later. Father told them that they'd fight to surrender-- if Ironjaw won, the brother would aid him in scouting the city (and searching for the lost brothers). If Brettar won, he'd be reinstated as Heir and this whole matter would be forgotten.

Brettar spoiled this by telling Ironjaw that he'd not return to the city under any circumstances. Papa obliged his eldest, making the fight to the death.

They fought, surrounded by the whole tribe in a wide circle. It was bloody and powerful fighting; two might champions well matched. Ironjaw won, but was unable to pull his blows enough to preserve his brother, who died with forgiveness on his lips.

Ironjaw took his brother out to the town's pyre and tossed him on. Instead of lighting the pyre (which was chancy, given his brother's flight) he prayed. Kord lit the pyre (acting through a gem in his sword's hilt), establishing his brother as innocent.

Ironjaw turned to his people and persuaded them to relocate to his land, since so few wolves and warriors survived. He led them all, save his father and father in law, back. When he passed by the elvish village he dashed in and had them send an urgent request for Koverinos.

After a few days of training with the dwarven defenders, Mareak got an afternoon free. He persuaded the smiths to alter his plate mail to match the Faceless's articulated version. They were loyal to the traditions of crafting, but yielded once pointed out that they'd have a monopoly on the new version of mail. Mareak agreed to pay them well for their extra effort. He also arranged for a smith to begin Kerith's spiked chain; about a week later, Kerith showed up for a final sizing.

Koverinos found the castle of the Eldrich Knights. He watched them duel with both sword and magic, exactly as he'd heard. He dueled a skilled halfling to gain entry... quickly he earned his place. The halfling became something of a guide about the place, keeping him on something like the proper path. Koverinos got a good start on his studies, but had to leave before he had it all down cold. He expects to have to return relatively often, for at least a couple of levels.

Hrsai tended the properties, supervising the immigration of industrious peasants, watching the divisions of land, and so on. He also did some potion brewing and scroll writing, as well as Hallowing the ground of Koverinos' new keep. Eventually he dispelled the symbol protecting the priestess' bag (that Kerith had found)... inside was only mandrake root and a symbol holy to Wee Jas.

Ironjaw returned with his people. He told Hrsai and Endrin about his people's plight. Koverinos rode up on a horse lathered with sweat; together they agreed to all accompany Ironjaw on his quest. Hrsai flew out to Mareak and together they marched north to the fork in the road south of the Elvish village where they met Ironjaw and the other companions.

Together we journeyed into the wastes, where Ironjaw found traces of two sets of footsteps, about a week old (the length of time he'd been gone), heading in the direction of the lost city.