Chronicle

Sun 27 July 1585

A DenConnu returns to Paranis to find out what happened. It turns out that Trosahn was badly hurt by the dragon warriors but managed to blast them with one spell. Trosahn is now spreading nasty rumours about the Party.

B The Party decides to divide. The Main Party will go on to the coast whilst the Small Party will enter the games and then go north with letters from Essini to Ruistor.

Mon 28 July 1585

A The Small Party is formed of Willan, Kneebone, Mig, DenConnu, Guerin and Breddruen.

B A priest gives the Small Party 100 crowns to get as far as Rimdies, the capital of Ruistor, once there another Essini priest will give more money to get to Lehrbahn where the letters are to be delivered. The route runs along the Nystel Tavron to Fundein then north to Creanlan. Overland to Tamtiris and then to Rimtiris in Ruistor then either overland or along the river to Rimdies. Then along the Nystel Sorm [?] to Lehr Sorm [W/R "Larsorn" - Ed] and through Deisthuro or Saalarel (both are mountainous routes) to Lehrbahn. The Small Party are to meet Rallink [W/R "Callinx" - Ed] the head priest at the temple of Essini and give the package to him personally, no one else. The Small Party are to stay in Lehrbahn for a reply and bring it back to Dellias [W/R "Torm Cord priest" - Ed]

C The Main Party set off along the Nystel Tavron towards the town of Shaltimberel on the way to Connelberg. Consideration is given to boarding a barge but this would mean travelling as paying passengers and surrendering weapons. The decision is made to walk, it will take about six days.

D The Small Party remain in Paranis for the games. Kneebone is forced to retire from the boxing after an unpopular choice of tactics. Mig is put out of the hand to hand and boxing but acquires a reputation as a hero under the name Tolin. The others are all knocked out of their various competitions. Guerin and Willan take on a lion with Mig as reserve. Willan is quickly downed so Mig steps in and enhances his reputation further. They defeat the lion and pick up 40 crowns. The Small Party watch the closing games and notice Trosahn in the posh boxes.

Sat 2 Aug 1585

A The Main Party arrive at Shaltimberel. Lucius and Fidella go into town and exchange 300 gold pieces for 250 crowns. They try to by a bow for Fidella but are told that these are only available in Connelberg. Some shops have long swords but they eventually manage to get her a hand axe.

Sun 3 Aug 1585

A The Main Party move on towards Connelberg.

Mon 4 Aug 1585 : 6 Aug

A The Small Party obtain employment as barge guards at 60 shillings a week for the two week trip to Fundein.

Tue 12 Aug 1585

A The Main Party arrive at Connelberg, Lolcorn is 90 miles to the south on the way Funsarn. A massive castle dominates the town. Lucius, Nalin, Rustbulj and Fidella go in to town. There is a big dock area with lots of ships. It is teaming with life and there is plentiful cheap seafood. Fidella purchases a bow and 40 arrows for 160 crowns.

Wed 13 Aug 1585

A Lucius, Nalin, Rustbulj and Fidella seek out the dwarfen trader named Gullin. He says that Kirk is booming and that Ub is a major financial force. Darrius Olmein practically runs the town with Ub at his right hand. Gullin has many business connections with Ub. The Main Party send a letter to Ub enclosing one to Marius Tellman, it will take one or two months to get there at sea.

B The harbour masters son is married to the daughter of the Lord of Cordleham [Baron Nils - Ed] [Triase(?) - Ed] so Meresvale's trade now passes through Darrius Olmein and Kirk. The Christian church has been ousted as a major power in Kirk but there is no news of the situation in Jollwater Bridge.

B Most trade used to be through Salsorme to the north. There is a group of islands offshore from Salsorme whose Governor may have some work for the Party. It seems that trade in a drug called Hlynam (strictly ligit.) is troubled by pirates.

A Gullin is thanked for the information and Lucius, Nalin, Rustbulj and Fidella arrange to have half a dozen bottles of good wine and associated good food sent to him as a gift. Later Gullin sends a messenger to invite them to dinner and show us some of the local action. He also sends some decent clothes for Lucius, Nalin and Rustbulj.

B That evening Fidella learns that Hlynam is in short supply. It is mainly a rich man's drug but prices are now way up. People blame Ruistor especially the King who is not liked. Connel is well respected. It is a proud city.

B Gullin takes Lucius, Nalin and Rustbulj to a fairly posh inn and wines them well (except, of course, for Nalin who doesn't do that kind of thing). Then he moves them on to a private club where there is exotic dancing and good food. Gullin introduces Lucius, Nalin and Rustbulj to a merchant who has dealings with Darrius Olmein and he recognises the name of Nalin. The merchant was in Kirk at the time of the "Chariot of Sustare" incident. He confirms the growth of Kirk and the rise of Ub, and like most merchants speaks Westron. A merchant dealing in Hlynam who Gullin hoped to see is not present.

C Lucius, Nalin and Rustbulj leave at about 3 a.m. after much fine wine and food and a little gambling. Gullin remains in the company of two local "ladies". On the way home four local ruffians try to jump Lucius, Nalin and Rustbulj but they are seen off by Nalin. Lucius is very drunk and has to be carried the rest of the way.

Thur 14 Aug 1585

A In the afternoon Lucius, Nalin and Rustbulj meet Gullin again. He has spoken to Drellin, the Hlynam trader, who will be at the club tonight where we will meet him. Gullin stresses the need to impress Drellin and proposes than on Friday the whole group assemble at his house in full regalia and armour to meet him. Tonight only Nalin and Rustbulj will go.

A Gullin will negotiate a deal with Drellin for 500 crowns for stopping his troubles with the Hlynam trade. However if the Main Party receive a reward from the local governor we will be expected to waive Drellin's debt.

B In the evening Gullin, Nalin and Rustbulj meet Drellin at the club, "The Juicy Mango", he seems both wary and weary. Gullin leads the conversation he is obviously trying to build up the Main Party for Drellin.

C During the conversation Nalin and Rustbulj learn that the town of Salsorme is unusual in that it is a democracy. It handles all trade with Ruistor the country within whose boundaries it used to be. Connel has put a big tax on the merchants, Salsorme has a very powerful merchants guild called "The League of Los Nystel". Drellin suspects that pirates take the Hlynam and sell it to The League who sell it on in Ruistor and avoid Connel's tax. Connel is opposed to the Hlynam trade but is unable to stop it because the nobles use it and he needs their support. The League of Los Nystel once fought and beat the nobles in Ruistor so they are a force to be reckoned with. Perhaps they are strong enough to take on Connel himself? The King of Ruistor owes them thousands of crowns.

D On the way home Hortense's owl which is now invisible startles Rustbulj who takes a swing at it. In retaliation Hortense makes the owl crap on Rustbulj so Rustbulj takes another swing at it.

Fri 15 Aug 1585

A Rustbulj and Hortense have a row about the owl. Hortense uses "Cantrips" to tarnish his armour. It's all very silly and is sorted out in the end. The Main Party get togged up and appear at Gullin's house to meet Drellin. He does a military inspection although he obviously has little idea of what to do. Offa fences with Drellin's bodyguard and biffs him easily. Drellin is impressed. He will take the Main Party to Salsorme and introduce us to the man who handles the Hlynam trade there. He will pay 500 crowns for the Main Party to investigate the matter deferred against other rewards. Gullin draws up a contract and Rustbulj reads and signs it.

Sat 16 Aug to Sun 17 Aug 1585

A Gullin briefs the Main Party. If we want anything bribe. We need contacts in Ruistor, especially in Salsorme. He mentions a dwarf named Falon and suggest the Main Party contact the Archon. [Which one? - (with hindsight)] Gullin also mentions that the Main Party should look out for Count Vlodrin ( who was also mentioned by Dellias, the Essini priest). Gullin suggests that the Main Party should set up a base in Salsorme as there are lots of jobs in that part of the world.

A The Main Party go and purchase some good clothes for 60 crowns.

Mon 18 Aug 1585

A The Main Party embark for Salsorme. The 200 mile journey should take two days.

B After an uneventful journey the Small Party arrive in Fundein. Enquiries are made about getting to Creanlan. A barge caravan is leaving in four days. The journey to Creanlan takes about a week and a half.

Wed 20 Aug 1585

A The Main Party arrive in Salsorme and recruit Dek, a magic user formerly in the employ of the merchant Drellin.

B Salsorme is governed by a General Assembly of citizens and a Council of Archon's. The Archon's are appointed by the Assembly. The Archon Achas is the chief of war, the Archon Amnis is head of the church and the Archon Hchafe is head of trade. The city is owned by the church of Thyme, known locally as Amnis.

B When Connel arrived he appointed a Governor over the Archons who is answerable only to Connel and so overpowers the democratic system. The Governor took the post of Archon Achas and at one time was also Archon Epsi (Chief of law and order) but has handed that position over. The real Archon Achas still claims his post but is currently in exile in Ruistor.

B 60 miles up the Nysorm is Tamduos in Ruistor, a free city controlled by the merchants.

Fri 22 Aug 1585

A The Small Party depart Fundein on a barge caravan for Creanlan. Creanlan is the old capital of one of the mini-kingdoms which has been assimilated into Van Connel.

B In Salsorme, Dek has some Hlynam stolen fairly obviously by Lucius but this cannot be proved. Lucius refuses to submit to "ESP".

C The Main Party take a boat for Yandis, the main island of the group where the Hlynam is grown.

Sat 23 Aug 1585

A The Main Party sail into Waden a small village port on Yandis. Idrin is the local big-wig, he lives on Beacon Island, a small island just off the bay which is reached by a causeway at low tide. The Main Party go to see him and find him in the company of Spendril an elderly religious man. Idrin explains that he is having big troubles. Traders are raided on land and at sea, farmhouses have been raided and sacked, Hlynam supplies in the hills have been stolen and even the warehouse in Waden was raided once. The price of Hlynam has doubled and trebled. Captains of ships and traders are loosing customers and money. On top of this a long stretch of cold weather has caused crop failures and several islanders have died from using crudely refined Hlynam.

B There is an old legend [Arn't they all... - Ed] that soon after the islands were settled pirates attacked and attempted to take over trade, but the islands were saved by Alchon a Hlynam reaper who carried a black hawk into battle. He had many victories over the pirates and defeated them in a final battle during which he was killed. Alchor was buried on a small island and four commemorative towers were erected.. Legend says that he will return when the islands are in trouble [Don't they all... Ed]

B Idrin will pay 5,000 crowns plus as much Hlynam as we can carry to find and resurrect Alchon. The first of the towers is the one in which Idrin now lives and supposedly gives a clue to the location of the other three. Each tower contains part of a key to Alchon's tomb. Idrin takes the Main Party to the second floor where there is a pedestal covered with runes and graphics describing the legend of Alchon. Atop it are three arrows of differing lengths, the longest pointing east south east, the shortest (about one third the length of the longest) pointing north with the middle length arrow pointing west. The Main Party find no hidden compartments or trap doors.

B The Main Party search the rest of the tower and find a secret door in the north wall of the cellar, however Idrin refuses to allow the Main Party through saying that it is private and has no bearing on the mission. Whilst checking out the tower the Main Party encounter Draan, the Captain of Idrin's guard and Jendra, his mistress.

B Immediate to the north are two islands, one nearer than the other, which could be the location of the nearest tower.

Sun 24 Aug 1585

A Hortense sends her owl to fly over the nearest island but it sees nothing. The Main Party go to the Crooked Rat, a local tavern, to enquire about hiring a boat. The initial welcome is unfriendly however after Nalin has flattened one of the local ruffians in a fight things get much more relaxed. Dek chats up a barmaid and asks about a boat. She says she will see what she can arrange.

Mon 25 Aug 1585

A A fisherman agrees to take The Main Party to the nearest island but after searching it nothing is found.

B That evening Dek and the barmaid go off together and the Main Party seem to blame Rustbulj.

B The Main Party are approached by Gallish a local reaper who asks if he and some of his friends can join us. He says that the second island to the north is haunted and that there is quite possibly a tower on Quemel although the reapers don't know of it.

B Later a merchant named Sharon approaches the Main Party. He claims to represent an influential and powerful group on the mainland and says that if the Main Party intend to work there the friendship of this group is essential. Sharon does not believe that the mission to resurrect Alchon will succeed as he does not believe in such things however will pay for any information the Main Party can gather especially if he knows of it before the master merchant. He is especially interested to learn who is behind the pirates.

Tue 26 Aug 1585

A Rustbulj gives Dek a stiff talking too about the barmaid incident. The Main Party take the boat to the "haunted" island with six of the reapers as companions. The group land on the west shore of a thickly forested island where Pintow speaks to a blackbird and learns that there are "towers" to the south east. After travelling for a half mile or so the Main Party see a clearing with a 30 feet tall white stone pillar topped by a carved black bird, presumed to be the hawk of legend.

B When anyone enters the clearing a low moaning sound comes from the hawk and it begins to shimmer. The Main Party proceed south east until Aristides is struck by a thrown hand axe. The Main Party are unable to find any trace of the attacker save some small lizard like footprints. The Main Party find a second clearing containing a pillar and eventually come across a large clearing with the tower and some other ruined buildings. There are lots of lizard tracks around.

B The Main Party enter the building and come under attack from the lizard creatures and come under arrow fire from the forest. Half the Main Party are pinned down outside the walls and the others charge in and engage the creatures. Fidella and Pintow are cut down by the creatures and killed, but the rest of the Main Party finally rout their opponents and take shelter in a small room.

B Some of the Main Party explore the remaining rooms and find a cellar with a secret door leading in the direction of the tower. In the room behind is a large black hawk with a wooden box at it's feet. Before going further the Main Party investigate the tower and find another pedestal like the one in Idrin's tower except that this one appears to have been blown to bits from within. The Main Party can find no way down and so return to the cellar room and try to retrieve the box.

B As the box is moved a loud keening fills our heads and everyone is affected by a "Fear" spell. The hawk changes into a huge black creature with red eyes and attacks Larn and Offa flying through walls as if insubstantial. Larn finishes it with two or three mighty blows.

B The box contains two long metal keys and one small black obsidian one. On the lid is an oval pattern in ivory with an emerald inset on the left and two rubies on the right.

B The Main Party carry Fidella and Pintow back to the boat but before we reach it we are attacked by the hawk again. Most flee as a result of the "Fear" spell. Offa is paralysed and Larn is seriously hurt. Aristides grabs Fearno and attacks but is felled so Rustbulj takes Fearno however he is paralysed. With no one left in sight the bird breaks off it's attack.

B Overnight as the Main Party hide we see a total of 24 birds circling. One from each of the 24 pillars that we now know exist.

Wed 27 Aug 1585

A In the morning there is only one bird about. Larn attacks it and gets bashed again. Because the boat is gone Offa, Hortense and Nalin use their abilities to travel underwater with the keys to the mainland. The rest of the Main Party rest and wait, the absence of the keys seems to have deactivated the birds.

Sat 30 Aug 1585

A After several days the boat returns with Offa, Hortense and Nalin and everyone leaves the island except Beg who has disappeared and two of the reapers who are dead or missing.

Mon 1 Sept 1585

A The Small Party arrive in Creanlan unscathed. [Things have gone uniquely quiet this last month or so! - Ed] Tamtiris is 90 miles overland and a caravan is departing in 15 days. They will pay 30 shillings a week [as guards - Ed] and the journey takes two weeks. Enquiries are made to find some work for the intervening fortnight.

Wed 3 Sept 1585

A The Small Party hear of some possible work in a town nearby called Salabaron which is having some problems with goblins who have recently set up nearby. A local merchant may pay 100 to 150 crowns to clobber goblins which have been hassling the local caravans. Our man in Salabaron is Nedril Mac Doulin.

B The Main Party see Idrin in Waden and he takes the keys and puts them in a locked draw for safe keeping.

B The Main Party then move on to the Bridge Inn where travellers go. Hortense, Rustbulj and Aristides stay behind. Chattering to the reapers the group in the Inn learn that one merchant called Strandle seems to be doing surprisingly well, although all merchants have lost ships. One reaper claims to have seen a ship go down in flames and there are rumours of a massive fire breathing worm working for the pirates. Idrin apparently fought against Ruistor although his level of responsibility is reported variously. The reapers say that his concubine, Jendra, is free with her favours.

B The group return to the Crooked Rat where Dek picks up with the barmaid again and Lucius finds an admiring maiden as do Larn and Bazron, although the latter politely declines. The barman institutes a [lock] in and Jendra arrives and attaches herself to Offa. At closing time when they don't return those in the hotel arn't worried.

Thur 4 Sept 1585

A Early in the morning Hortense gets uptight at the continued non-appearance of the group and tries to persuade Nalin and Rustbulj to go looking for Offa. They decline but Rustbulj sits up and placates her. Offa returns a couple of hours later and tells Hortense some fibs about what happened. When Lucius and Dek return the Main Party make for the boats and leave for Quemel.

B On the way the captain spots a ship apparently in distress but using Hortense's owl the Main Party discover that it is really a pirate decoy. We try to move away surreptitiously but the decoy ship comes after us. The boat is beached and the Main Party take up defensive positions on the island. The pirates use a catapult to hurl lighted bales at the Main Party's beached boat and burn it. The pirates then put down three long boats and head for the Main Party. The Main Party splits into three groups and fire arrows to attempt to discourage the pirates, but to no avail.

B The pirates land and charge. Dek and Hortense make good use of "Sleep" spells and the physical resistance put up by the likes of Larn is enough to panic them but none escape.

B Meanwhile Offa has swum out using the cloak of "Manta ray", ring of "Free action" and "Silence" and smashes a hole under the boat and then smashes the rudder. The pirate boat sinks and when the crew abandons ship Offa smashes the long boats as well. The Main Party find themselves with 35 captive pirates and 50 crowns in treasure.

B An "ESP" reveals Quemel to be their base and Hortense's owl is able to find their settlement in short order. There are some huts and four boats are moored.

C Dek, Offa, Nalin and Lucius row to Waden and Dek reports to Sharon whilst the rest see Idrin. Sharon pays 40 crowns for the information but is very displeased at the fact that we have told Idrin but will not give his reasons. Idrin says it will take a week to raise a force to take on the pirates but that the prisoners should be killed now.

C Down the pub Offa disappears to see Jendra and Dek sees Pella. Pella says that Sharon is bad news. When reporting this to the Main Party Dek is not amazed to hear Lucius say "Pella might be in league with......... anyone!"

D The Small Party travel with a small cart of salt for Nedril and arrive in Salabaron. The goblins are apparently holed up a few miles to the north east. The druid village of Revelin has been attacked. Although the local Lord is unwilling to commit troops he might be willing to hire out a dozen of the local men at Nedril's expense.

Fri 5 Sept 1585

A The Small Party go to Revelin and interview the Chief druid. He says that two weeks ago six goblins stole a cow and were chased off by the villagers. The goblins tried to burn a building but failed however a local man disappeared.

A The Headman mentions some crap burning on the crest field a week or so ago. (It's odd that the Chief druid did not mention this).

B The Small Party scout to the north and find some goblin tracks leading to a clearing about 50 to 60 feet across, at the centre of which is a small two story building of light stone topped by a bell tower. This tower has a cloth draped over it presumably to cut off the light from what is, also presumably, used as a watch tower.

B Kneebone shins up a tree and the Small Party watch overnight. During the night 30 goblins emerge with half a dozen wolves and head north west. There are signs of movement from the bell tower. Before dawn the hunting party returns with a couple of animals.

C Dek returns to Sharon who now admits to being an agent of the League of Los Nystel. As he is walking back to the pub Dek meets a halfling thief named Modo and his henchmen, Calhassan, a cleric of Farah and Soros, a fighter. They join up with the Main Party.

D Idrin furnishes the Main Party with written authorisation to hang the pirates and a promise to recompense the captain who lost his boat. The Main Party members get a boat to Quemel and interrogate the captive pirates using "ESP". Religious and fighting leaders are the same man, his boss is a flashy dresser (possibly a magic user?).

D Hortense's owl sees a boat leave the pirates camp and sail north. Offa swims under using a combination of the ring of "Free action", the cloak of "Manta ray", "Silence" and "Invisibility" and holes the boat and again smashes the rudder. The pirates attempt a repair while Offa tries to confuse them. Eventually he attacks a sailor and looses his "Invisibility". He battles with more of the sailors until he falls victim to a "Hold person" spell and is captured.

D The rest of the Main Party take a rowing boat to attack the ship but it starts to pull away. The Main Party speed up and catch the pirate ship, Hortense "Sleeps" four sailors on the way. The Main Party manoeuvre under the poop deck but become a target for archers through a trap door. We try to force through the trap door one by one but it is far from easy. Soros kills an opponent straight off but Larn is badly hurt getting in and then "Held". Nalin is very successful in his pirate slaying but as Rustbulj tries to join the rest a pirate appears with Offa as a hostage. There is an impasse. Rustbulj is unable to "Hold" the pirate but Hortense "Sleeps" him. However Offa is hit by another nearby pirate as the Main Party attack again. The captain reaches Offa and slits his throat but Rustbulj "Holds" him before he can get away. The remaining pirates flee closing the trap door behind them.

D While Nalin and Lucius batter the door down Rustbulj restores Larn to consciousness however the Main Party now notice that Soros was killed in the melee. When Nalin and Lucius get through the door most of the pirates are chased and killed however the one now in possession of the cloak of "Manta ray" gets away despite attempts at "Hold person" by Rustbulj.

D Looting the captured ship secures 160 shillings, a suit of chain mail, an amulet of "Proof against poison" and the return of our ring of "Protection". A small needle trapped chest is found which, when opened, contains 150 gold pieces, two gems, 400 crowns in gold and some silver plate. The ship is scuppered and the Main Party take two long boats to the island. Hortense's owl sees the cloaked pirate arrive at the pirate camp.

Sat 6 Sept 1585

A A fishing boat called "The Flying Fish" from Waden arrives at the pirates camp. Dran, the right hand an of Idrin, disembarks and greets and confers with the pirate leaders.

B Rustbulj discovers that Offa has been "Charmed" and uses "Dispel magic" to rid him of it. It turns out that he has told Jendra everything about the Main Party's plans and activities [GPN - SHIT!]. Dek and Nalin row to Waden to see Idrin and Sharon.

C The Chief druid says that the building in the clearing is an old temple and the bell rings when death is near.

C The Small Party travel bach to Salabaron to convey to information to Nedril and collect the mercenaries.

Sun 7 Sept 1585

A The Small Party and the mercenaries return to Revelin but the rain is too severe to contemplate action.

B Sharon takes the news of Jendra's use of Offa badly and decides he must leave the island. He will go with Dek and Nalin to Quemel where he will arrange for passage on a merchantman to Syesir [W/R - "Seerseer"].

C Dek and Nalin sail away and rejoin the Main Party. Modo discovers Lucius trying to lift his dagger and he is very cross.

Mon 8 Sept 1585

A Overnight someone or something has suffocated Sharon. Dek and Pella return to Syesir with his body on the merchantman when it arrives. The rest of the Main Party spend their time searching for the tower.

B The day dawns in Revelin with better weather so the Small Party troop set off and approach the edge of the clearing. Breddruen and Kneebone run across to a sheltered area adjacent to the building where a statue of a robed man with his arms extended stands in a state of disrepair. Breddruen and Kneebone climb the walls although Kneebone finds it tough going. There is no noise from the bell tower so they peep through the curtains. Two goblins are seated inside looking bored and sleepy. Kneebone and Breddruen try to stab them as they cling on to the outside wall. Breddruen succeeds but Kneebone looses his grip and falls from the wall. Breddruen manages to get inside and kill the second goblin. Kneebone finally climbs in and ties off the bell rope to prevent it from being rung from below. They then signal Guerin and Mig to bring up troops and Breddruen goes down to join them.

B Willan breaks down a door to reveal a junk room with a ladder in one corner and wolf noises coming from behind the only other door. This door is barred and the Small Party climb the ladder which opens to a small smelly room with more junk and a couple of goblin skeletons. There is no apparent way out.

B Hammering can now be heard coming from the door of the wolf room and there are the sounds of stirring from below the bell tower trap door. Willan leads some men round to the main door at the double whilst the rest follow. Willan smashes down the main door at his third attempt and enters a large room holding about two dozen goblins. At the same instant the wolves burst in to the clearing. Guerin drops a goblin rider with an arrow, one wolf attacks him but the rest hold back.

C Willan and the grots and Mig are doing sterling work at goblin flattening inside as we try to get the rest of the people in. Three bugbears and a goblin in robes join the fray inside and the wolves outside charge the doorway. Goblins are going down like flys but they still keep coming. Breddruen spoils the spell of the goblin magic user with a dagger throw, but Mig takes a "Light" spell in the eyes, blinding him. DenConnu quickly restores his sight and the Small Party fight on.

C Guerin, the sergeant and a grot all slay wolves and manage to get half of the main door closed. More of the troop get inside leaving a grot in the doorway facing a wolf. Mig is blinded again despite sterling dagger work by Breddruen. Willan kills a bugbear. The grot at the door slays the wolf and slams the other half of the door. [Get that man's name! - Ed, later addition - It would appear that his name is ... "Grot"!! - Ed]. Willan is dropped by a bugbear at the same time as Mig drops the leader of the goblins. Breddruen drops the spell caster with a dagger while it was casting a spell from a scroll.

C The goblins falter but then go into a frenzy. DenConnu takes on a bugbear and somehow manages to drop it whilst Guerin takes on the final bugbear and more goblins. Mig fights his way through to the remaining leader type goblin. However the Small Party are now sorely pressed so Breddruen opens the door to make for escape. No wolves are outside so we burst out. Kneebone climbs down from the bell tower to join the Small Party and everyone flees killing more goblins on the way out.

D The goblins follow at a distance but do not attack and the Small Party return to Revelin in a sorry state. The situation is explained to the druid and we ask for cures but he says no! [GPN- Quote of the evening: Tone "What do I need to be a 2nd level um......" Andy ".....idiot"]

Tue 9 Sept 1585

A Breddruen, Kneebone, Guerin and Mig scout the goblin camp while the rest of the Small Party rest and recuperate in Revelin. A number of guards are now posted in the tower. At night two wolf riders and two other wolves come out with 10 or 20 other goblins and mount a frequent patrol the immediate area.

Wed 10 Sept 1585

A The Small Party decide on a night attack against the goblin patrols and so move near to the clearing and hide. Breddruen "Sleeps" seven of the 12 goblin patrol whilst they are in the forest. She and Kneebone then mop up four others by stabbing them in the back then Kneebone knifes the sleepers. Unfortunately the sole survivor alerts the encampment and the bell starts to ring. Two mounted wolves move hesitantly into the clearing but don't chase the Small Party. We bivouac in the forest and the goblins retreat into the temple.

Thur 11 Sept 1585

A At midday Breddruen "Sleeps" the tower guards and Kneebone climbs up and dispatches them. He leaves a rope for the rest of the Small Party to use to get into the tower. The Small Party open the trapdoor and attack from within landing on a sort of balcony on which are 4 or 5 goblins. They are easily dispatched but the alarm is raised.

A In the hall below are a dozen goblins and a bugbear. Arrow fire puts them in hiding and when Willan charges down stairs they flee towards a door at the end of the hall. Willan moves to bar the door to where the wolves are but it opens before he makes it so he retreats. Kneebone lobs in a flask of oil which sets the room, and one wolf, blazing nicely. The balcony is in danger from the fire so the Small Party descend en masse just as the remaining wolves charge out. Simultaneously the door at the end opens and the goblins re-attack. Mig makes good use of arrow fire against them while the rest of the Small Party hammer the wolves.

A The shamen comes out and shelters behind the alter to avoid Mig's arrows whilst he casts a spell, so Mig charges him. Goblins block Mig's path and he is "Levitated" and floats around the ceiling. The shamen then retreats back through the door as other members of the Small Party approach. The remaining goblins in the room are killed and the Small Party set about getting the door open.

A The door opens on to a flight of stairs at the bottom of which is a bugbear behind which shelters the shamen with a scroll. The Small Party hurriedly shut the door and prepare arrows. Willan flings open the door and is distressed to be eyeballing the bugbear which has come right up the stairs and wallops Willan before the arrows kill him.

B By now the fire has taken hold and the whole building is in danger of collapsing so the Small Party block the door with dead goblins and make a hasty departure. The building burns down and at night about two dozen goblins emerge and leave with a bugbear.

Fri 12 Sept 1585

A The Small Party enter the temple cellar but find nothing of interest so we follow the goblins. They attack from an ambush but are easily thwarted. The shamen has escaped but the Small Party is unable to trace him.

Sat 13 Sept 1585

A The Small Party use the day for rest and recuperation.

Sun 14 Sept 1585

A The Main Party find the tower in the south west corner of the island of Quemel.

B Hortense's owl reports that two galleys containing 100 men each [That's impressive counting for an owl! - Ed] sail out of the pirates camp and moor offshore to the west of the Main Party. This is almost all of the pirates.

C The Small Party meet a druid called Halroddin Mac Treskin, he is friendly with a blackbird and a hedgehog. The expanded Small Party return to the goblin enclave and explore. Kneebone and Breddruen find a secret door behind which is a room that obviously belonged to the shamen. It has been stripped. Whilst clearing the rubble the Small Party are attacked by little lizards but beat them off. A door is located which leads to a room containing coffins and eight zombies. After Guerin has killed them all we can see that they all wear silver amulets and two have gold rings all with a spiral pattern.

C A secret door is found by the alter which leads to an octagonal chamber where Guerin, who is in the lead, is attacked and paralysed by ghouls. DenConnu drags him out of the chamber but the ghouls pursue and paralyse Mig however Willan kills them. Shortly afterwards Mig and Guerin recover. Two more ghouls attack. One is got by holy water but the other paralyses Mig, Willan and Grot before Guerin gets it.

C The octagonal chamber leads to a second, smaller octagonal room and a pool behind which is a stone slab with the spiral design cut into it. Breddruen find a smelly red potion. There is something alive in the pool which eats a zombie when the Small Party throw one in.

Mon 15 Sept 1585

A The Small Party discover that running a ring around the spiral design on the alter causes it to disintegrate revealing a silver headed mace. Breddruen "Spider climbs" over the pool and presses some studs on the slab. Something mechanical below the pool operates and the "thing" goes away. Breddruen finds an invisible heavy net stretched across the pool and Mig cuts it down. Kneebone swims down in the pool to explore and is paralysed by what was obviously an underwater ghoul.

B The Small Party retreat and return to Salabaron where Nedril gives us 150 crowns. The Small Party move on to Creanlan.

C The Main Party are on Quemel watching the tower and the pirates. The galleys unload their men and they head for the tower. The Main Party head north to avoid them but the pirates seem to know where we are and continue heading for us. The Main party set a fire break and head back to the tower. Using a "Phantasmal force" and with Lucius "Invisible" the Main Party bluff our way through the tower door and kill the pirates inside.

C The Main Party find a pedestal covered with a cloth on the second floor, it radiates magic. A magical compartment with a trap is found in the wall of the alter so no one attempts to open it. Hortense uses a "Detect invisibility" spell to see the magic users seagull familiar above the tower. It becomes apparent that this is how the pirates have been tracking us.

D The pirates arrive and under a white flag the Main Party talk to the pirate leader, the magic user. Despite objections from Lucius the Main Party agree to be transported unharmed and fully weaponed to another island in order to avoid bloodshed on both sides.

E Drasmar gets an "ESP" vision of Lucius suffocating Sharon and Fearno says that Lucius is very definitely evil.

D During the negotiation the Main Party establish that the pirate leader is a magic user called Kalin, the fighter cleric is called Amalor, the robed figure was Lardrad and the captain was Hronmer.

D The pirates take the Main Party to an island about 50 miles away.

Tue 16 Sept 1585

A Dek arrives on another pirate galley having been collected from the meeting place previously agreed by the Main Party. Kalin says that he might like to change sides and arranges that we can contact him through Telnor in Waden.

B After selling the zombie rings and amulets for 220 crowns The Small Party get a job guarding a caravan and set off for Tamtiris.

Wed 17 Sept 1585

A The Main Party find out that we have been dropped on Gurnal about five or six miles from RevGurnal. Three of Sharon's [W/R = "the merchant's"] men, who were with Dek, come with us. The Main Party get a boat to Syesir.

Fri 19 Sept 1585

A The Main Party arrive at Syesir and see the merchants representative, Spock. He suggests that the Main Party return to Salsorme. He gives us 100 crowns and says that he will contact Kalin.

Sun 21 Sept 1585

A A minion of Spock arrives with a contract for the Main Party to guard a boat going to Salsorme.

Tue 23 Sept 1585

A Drasmar's spell book goes missing. The Main Party suspect Lucius but "ESP" shows it was Modo who is trying to discredit Lucius.

Fri 26 Sept 1585

A The Main Party slip aboard a merchant ship obviously trying to avoid attention.

B During the night the caravan of which the Small Party form a portion of the guard is attacked by ghouls. Using "Entangle" and muscle power the ghouls are dealt with although most of the troops are paralysed and their captain never managed to get his trousers on.

Mon 29 Sept 1585

A The Small party arrive in Tamtiris and discover that a convoy for Rimtiris in Ruistor leaves in three days. The 50 mile journey will take about four days.

A Tamtiris is a big city with a small Essini temple. It is ruled by a Governor from Van Connel.

A Breddruen borrows heavily from the Small Party for funds to find a familiar. She comes back with a ginger cat.

Tue 30 Sept 1585

A The Main Party transfer surreptitiously from the merchant vessel that has brought us from Syesir to fishing boat, there could be some smuggling going on here.

A In Salsorme the Main Party meet Rombas, a member of the League of Los Nystel, there is no secrecy here. Rombas is a major orator in the assembly. He is pretty perfunctory.

A Lucius confesses to the Main Party that he remembers killing Sharon but does not know why he did it.

A The Main Party also see Falon and arrange the transfer of Rustbulj's money, and for him to sell the chain mail, silver plate, gems and Rustbulj's plate mail.

A Salsorme is the biggest city we know of, it is four times the size of Kirk. The biggest temple in Salsorme is to Amnis the God of Time [Previously appeared in W/R as "Thyme" - Ed]. Almost as large is the temple of Nysorm, the river God. The other large temples are to Thrune, the God of war, Dagur the God of death and the underworld and Farah the healing Goddess. The temple to Nirieh, the sea God is fairly big and there is a small chapel to Essini.

B The Main Party check all the temples and pubs for henchmen and set up Rustbulj in lodgings. After a hard day recruiting Dek has found a female fighter called Coralyn; Meskrin and Neskrin, twin Amnis clerics who are probably male have somehow taken up with Lucius (an eyebrow is raised!), Lucius has also found a female elven druid called Druerloth (up goes the other eyebrow!). Offa has found Volcas, a Dagur cleric whilst Nalin has acquired a dwarfen thief named Rorsgin. Modo has found a replacement fighter by the name of Scannon although he is generally referred to as "Yougo".

A Everything was sold except for the silver plate and plate mail for a total of 1,200 crowns.

C The Main Party's magic users pay a visit to Mercselm [W/R = "Merhsal"] a well known and powerful wizard who might undertake some training if we can pay enough. He is pretty offhand though and "Cantrips" a spider into Hortense's pocket.

Thur 2 Oct 1585 : 4 Oct

A The Small Party set off on the caravan for Rimtiris. We are getting 10 marks a day each for guarding it.

Mon 6 Oct 1585

A The Main Party are visited by Caspar, a Salsorme democrat, who may have a job for us. It is within Ruistor and is secret but not illegal, it will require tact and toughness. The job must not be revealed to the League of Los Nystel. Caspar explains that a silver mine belonging to a dwarf named Dori ceased operations about eight years ago. People who are sent to investigate keep disappearing, someone called Lendin was one of these. Caspar will pay 2,000 crowns for information and work to prepare the reopening of the mine which is 35 miles upriver near Achtherel. He wants to know the fate of Dori and Lendin, who now claims to own the mine and if it can be reopened.

A Caspar mentions that Rustbulj's position might be dodgy because of the conservatism of the League and he might need the help which Caspar could offer.

A The Main Party decide to stick to the original mission for the church of Essini and go south.

B The Small Party arrive in Rimtiris and discover that the next convoy for Rimdies is in two days. To relieve to boredom Kneebone and Guerin start a pub brawl, however during the fun Willan accidentally kills a local but it is Mig and Halroddin who are arrested.

Tue 7 Oct 1585

A Kneebone scores with Breddruen whilst the Small Party are waiting in Rimtiris. Kneebone supplies some money to bribe the magistrate who releases Mig and Halroddin due to insufficient evidence. Mig loses his ring of protection whilst in jail. Breddruen catches a respiratory disease.

Wed 8 Oct 1585

A The Small Party set off for Rimdies.

Fri 10 Oct 1585

A The Main Party arrive in Connelberg. Drellin and Gullin are not impressed by the results in the islands but Gullin takes us to the club again where he arranges for Lucius to be dragged on to stage and made to look more of a prat than usual.

B Modo and Rorsgin contact the thieves guild. They must give 25% of the takings from any job to the guild. They are only allowed smallish hits.

Sat 11 Oct 1585

A Dek, Rorsgin and Modo find a likely target and take it. They give 10 crowns to the thieves guild.

Tue 14 Oct 1585

A The Main Party take a boat from Connelberg to Funsarn.

Wed 15 Oct 1585

A The Small Party arrive in Rimdies and meet Tenborro sug Sigguis, a female fighter. Breddruen has recovered from her illness. Rimdies is home to the court of King Telanir. His flag is a crown over a white unicorn. A flag depicting a golden bird on a blue background is also flying, this is the flag of the Knights of the Golden Falcon.

Thur 16 Oct 1585

A The Main Party get a boat from Funsarn to Bresly which is only 12 miles south of our objective of Lolcorne.

Fri 17 Oct 1585

A The Main Party set off to walk to Lolcorne. About three miles to the south of the village we find the ruined temple. As the Main Party explore we are attacked by headless bodies, there is a tough battle which we win. A pack of dogs has gathered during the combat but a combination of arrows and "Entangle" deals with them. Further exploration results in another attack by headless bodies but Larn and Nalin combine effectively to dispatch them.

A The temple seems to be to Nirieh the sea God but there are also Essini signs here. The Main Party find nothing else of interest other than some papers containing about 200 different names three to seven days apart and the dates 12 Feb 1584 and 15 Oct 1584.

A The Main party camp in the temple overnight. During the night Main Party members become increasingly beset by illusions. There is music, singing, screams, fires, drowned priests etc. The Main Party move away but the illusion persist and prevent anyone from getting a good nights sleep.

Sat 18 Oct 1585

A The Main Party move on to Lolcorne, a small basic fishing village, and obtain breakfast at the inn(?). The only leader these people have is the head fisherman Roadal and he is at sea. The Main Party find out that the ruined temple used to be occupied by Nirieh but those priests left and Essini took over apparently peaceably. Then the temple was burned and all the priests disappeared. Roadal and some others saw the burning.

B Rather than hang around the Main Party decide to go the four miles up to the castle. It is very ruined and the Main Party enter through a gap in the wall as the gate has rusted up. The internal buildings are mostly ruined. The main hall contains two long tables which have been patched up with a selection of chairs and stools surrounding them. Bits of stone, metal, wood and sticks have been used to imitate plates and cutlery and on the "plates" are 29 bloated heads, exactly the same number as the headless bodies that attacked us in the temple. Fearno detects no good or evil but as soon as it is drawn the heads start shouting, screaming, laughing or making some other kind of noise. The clamour dies down slowly when Fearno is sheathed.

B Offa, Lucius, Larn and Aristides ascend to a walkway and try to enter a tower. Dek is hit by a crossbow bolt fired from the top of the tower. Larn smashes the door of the tower open to reveal three sahuagin with tridents. Larn steps back and as the sahuagin try to close the door Offa leaps in and attacks them. Although they have a good position Offa kills two with the help of a "Sleep" spell from Hortense, who is hit herself by a crossbow bolt from the gatehouse across the courtyard. All the Main Party apart from the group on the walkway retreat to a room off the courtyard in order to avoid the crossbow fire. However the other doors to this room are broken down to reveal more sahuagin and yet more enter the courtyard from the north tower and the gatehouse roof.

B Coralyn, Bazron and Nalin defend the doors to the room while Lucius and Aristides fire arrows at those in the courtyard, killing five. Two sahuagin attempt to charge the ramparts with tridents but are held back. Then everyone in the courtyard is caught in an "Entangle" spell making them easy prey for the archers. However the hostile crossbow fire continues and eventually everyone on the wall are forced to take cover. Aristides guards Offa's back and eventually the remaining sahalagin in the tower doorway is killed and the fighters are able to enter and explore the tower. Storerooms are found in the basement but there is nothing that connects to the rest of the castle.

B Meanwhile a "Silence" spell has been cast on the room where the rest of the Main Party are trapped. Nalin and Coralyn fight their way through one door whilst Bazron holds the other, Coralyn is dropped soon after.

B Once the "Entangle" spell wears off in the courtyard Larn and Lucius jump down and join the rest of the Main Party in the room. Larn leaps in to join Nalin but fumbles both of his attacks. Luckily he recovers quickly to dispatch two sahuagin with his next two blows!

B At this point a giant, four sahuagin and four undead humans emerge from the north tower. The giant quickly enters the room in order to attack Lucius while the undead lurk in the courtyard. Lucius is dropped quickly so Larn takes over with Yougo whose attacks prove useless as the monster can only be damaged with magical weapons. Even though Larn delivers four mighty blows he is unable to fell the beast.

B Suddenly Fearno appears with Offa in its wake. It plunges itself into the back of the monster slaying it instantly. Fearno then turns to a winged ape with a dogs head and it dies. The rest of the sahuagin flee and the undead are easily dispatched.

B The Main Party follow the sahuagin [???] to the gate tower area and find that the crossbow men are still at their posts. Drasmar casts a "Wall of fog" around the north tower while Dek and Hortense cast "Sleep" on the gate house roof. This enables a hasty exit.

C On the way back to town the Main Party are attacked by spiders but are able to kill them all with arrow fire before they get within 90 yards. We crawl back to the village where Offa opens his mouth and makes the Main Party unwelcome. So we are obliged to retreat to the edge of the forest for the night. [Why doesn't someone do the Party a favour and get rid of that Offa bloke? - Ed]

Sun 19 Oct 1585

A In the small hours of the morning the village is attacked by sahuagin and all the villagers are killed or captured, all the buildings are burned to the ground. The Main Party are too weak to help and avoid watching the impetuous Aristides. [Do what? - Ed]

B In the morning an "Invisible" Modo explores the sea caves. He finds one that is not natural but is unable to enter it due to aquaphobia!

C After an uneventful stay in Rimdies the Small Party get a boat to Lehr Sorm.

Mon 20 Oct 1585

A In Lolcorne Modo the castle [???] hole leading to an underground tunnel connecting one ruined building and the gatehouse and an underground quay. Lucius climbs the north tower and finds that it is empty. The Main Party join him and find a passage leading to some cells and a torture chamber where the last of the villagers hang dead. Further on is a room where the Main Party are attacked by five more of the zombie creatures. These are dealt with by Offa, Aristides and Larn.

A The Main Party then find an octagonal room with a circle inscribed on the floor and red splotches in the stone walls. On the floor is a sack containing a magic sword, 23 shillings, 20 crowns, 2 cheap gems and a magic eagle pendant. After some discussion Lucius takes the pendant and Aristides gets the sword. [GPN - Which is later established as a +2 sword]

B Lucius experiences a vision of two men in this room when it was new. They seem to be summoning the winged ape creature which then attacked and killed them. The sword belonged to one of them.

A Down another corridor the Main Party a white sarcophagus and its occupant, a very badly smashed human mummy which radiates massive evil. Fearno and Offa attack it but it fights ferociously and is hard to kill, but eventually Offa triumphs. The evil in the place is severely reduced. The script an the sarcophagus is in Lagoin and says "MYANAR". Offa sprinkles a vial of holy water around the room which lessens the evil but does not get rid of it altogether.

B Lucius enters another trance and then tells the Main Party that this was the lord who summoned (?) the ape devil.

A The Main Party take the bodies of the villagers outside and then return to the quay. Offa and Nalin swim underwater but find nothing, the whole place seems completely deserted. Nalin returns to the hall containing the heads and smashes them up, then the Main Party spend the night in the north tower.

Tue 21 Oct 1585

A The Main Party head back to the temple area to investigate further but we find out nothing. Once again members of the Main Party are assailed by illusions and various people go into trances and sustain damage as a result.

Wed 22 Oct 1585

A Due to lack of sleep at night the Main Party rest in the morning before returning to Bresly.

B Dek sees the local Lord to explain what happened in Lolcorne, although -he distorts the truth slightly by saying that the attack on the village occurred before we attacked the sahuagin. Modo throws a party and everyone has a high time on the money we got in the castle.

Fri 24 Oct 1585

A The Main Party take a boat to Funsarn and see the military counsellor and give him the same story as the Lord in Bresly. We also give him Rustbulj's name as a contact in Salsorme.

[It is probable that Larn went his own way from here - Ed]

Tue 28 Oct 1585

A The barges on which the Small Party are travelling to Lehr Sorm are attacked by bandits. The captain and his sergeants, who are all real bastards, survive due to the help of the Small Party including "Sleep" and "Entangle" spells etc. Unfortunately they are still bastards when the fight is over. The captain demands that all available cures must be given to him. When the Small Party refuse threats are exchanged, to ease the situation the merchant in charge of the convoy appoints Kneebone as captain but the other guy is miffed. A 470 mark bonus is paid and 270 marks are collected from the booty as well as a suit of chain for Willan and a suit of studded leather for Grot.

Wed 29 Oct 1585

A The Main Party arrive in Connelberg and visit the Military leader and Gullin.

Thur 30 Oct 1585

A Dek, Lucius, Rorsgin and Modo plan a little breaking and entering and pick out some likely targets. On the way to the first Dek and Rorsgin are stopped by the town guard but Dek pretends to be drunk and bribes them. Entry to the house is attained and Dek and Loj the ferret act as lookouts while the others search. In the master bedroom they find a chest in a wardrobe but with a bell attached which will ring if the lid is opened. Lucius attempts to muffle the bell but messes it up completely and wakes the occupants. The man attacks Lucius with a short sword but Lucius lays him out with his fists. This leaves his wife and a little girl who we tie up and gag. In the chest is a gem (later sold for 50 crowns) and 24 crowns, and Rorsgin finds 17 shillings in the kitchen.

A The thieves leave and head for the next house in pairs. Dek goes with Modo and they are stopped by the town guard again. These are different soldiers so Dek pretends that he has been out seeking his recalcitrant servant Modo and bribes the guards to let them by. When we reach the house Modo tries to break in through the window but while he is working the guards turn up and Dek uses a "Sleep" spell an them. At this stage all but Modo give up and return home. Modo goes an to the third house and gets 30 crowns and a green expression having fallen foul of a needle trap. Rorsgin sees the Guild representative and gives him 20 crowns, and then has a wonderful time explaining the nights activities to Offa.

B Dek, Lucius, Modo and Coralyn go on to Salsorme straight away.

Sun 2 Nov 1585

A Dek, Lucius, Modo and Coralyn have arrived in Salsorme and visit Rustbulj and explain recent events to him. He is understanding of their position but urges then to adopt a more circumspect attitude to avoid causing conflict in the Party and the consequent harmful effect that such a conflict would have on the Quest. He stresses his belief that fulfilment of the Quest would be profitable for all.

Tue 4 Nov 1585

A The rest of the Main Party arrives in Salsorme and they also visit Rustbulj. He urges tolerance on Offa and in view of the events at Lolcorne arranges penances for Offa, Nalin, Hortense and Aristides. In the main these involve attending numerous services, however a more strenuous devotion is required of Offa, and Rustbulj suggests a completely vegan diet for one month. Hortense is asked to make her magical services freely available to anyone in the Party who requests them without reserve or complaint.

A Rustbulj mentions that Caspar, the merchant who spoke of the silver mine, has been a regular visitor and has expressed an interest in the Christian church. Rustbulj finds him an open, tolerant man but has been told that there are others in town who will not welcome the establishment of a new church. Caspar has also mentioned two other mercenary groups in the vicinity although neither is in Salsorme at the moment. The religion of Zoral in banned, outlawed and unmentionable.

A The Main Party gather more details about the silver mine and the work that Caspar would employ us to do. The mine opened about 70 years ago and is situated 53 miles away near Achtherel [W/R - "Achwotsit"] which is in Ruistor. It was owned and run by a dwarf named Dori and his family of six or so others. The mine closed about four years ago under mysterious circumstances and Caspar [Who is obviously making up the details because on 6 Oct he said that the mine was 35 miles away and had been closed for eight years! - Ed] will pay us 2,000 crowns to find out why the mine closed, to discover what happened to Dori and his family and if any heirs are still alive, and to find out who owns the mine now. He would pay a further 3,000 crowns for work towards reopening the mine, including squaring the locals. He would refund any reasonable bribes at his discretion, and we can promise further gratuities of unspecified amounts. We may have the option to take up a share in the mine, if all goes well, which has in the past made a profit of 18,000 crowns a year. Dori has no dependants in this area, being originally from overseas, but Caspar had previously sent two dwarves on the same mission as us to Achtherel, one of whom was lynched when they asked about the mine. The other brought back tales of a terrible disease and a great monster in the area. [Another inconsistency - Ed]

A Nalin talks to Falon and finds out more of the other two parties in the area. One is based in Salsorme but currently working in the Fehermes islands. They are headed by Drenike, some sort of magician (could be a cleric), with four other major characters including Maldig, a very useful dwarfen fighter. They are about 14 or 15 altogether and mostly fighters, and have done work for the churches and the League, and seem to be anti-Connel. The second group has been away for 2 years but are expected back soon. They are headed by Connelor an elf hero-type, possibly fighter/magic-user, perhaps more. Others include Melvin a fighter and Sandos a priest of Dagur and a dozen or so others. Connelor has a house in town currently looked after by a steward.

Wed 5 Nov 1585

A The Small Party arrive in Lehr Sorm where the barge captain, who is called Grishnak, is going to try to have us arrested for mutiny. The Small Party plan to kill him with poison but in the end just use "Cantrips" to make him look ill!

Fri 7 Nov 1585

A Kneebone contacts the local Guild with intentions of obtaining some poison and checking if it is okay to "do" Grishnak. Meanwhile Breddruen turns Grishnak greener. Grishnak goes to visit the Farah temple but is still green on his return.

Sat 8 Nov 1585

A Breddruen deepens Grishnak's shade of green. However another visit to the Farah temple does the trick so Breddruen casts the "Cantrip" again only this time she gets a Farah cleric as well. The cleric starts claiming that there is a witch in the town. Kneebone tries to diffuse the situation but fails and a witch hunt ensues! Breddruen and Kneebone are disguised as boy servants of Willan and Grot and the Small Party spilt up into smaller groups.

Sun 9 Nov 1585

A A notice appears ordering Guerin to appear in court but the Small Party ignore it. The town guards question The Small Party about a witch but we manage to bluff our way through it.

Mon 10 Nov 1585

A Kneebone collects the poison from the thieves guild but decides not to "do" Grishnak.

B The Main Party set off from Salsorme for Ruistor and the silver mine, travelling by barge up the Nystel Tavron [Is this correct? The Nystel Tavron runs through Connelberg it is the Nystel Sorm that flows through Salsorme - Ed].

Tue 11 Nov 1585

A Members of the Small Party arrive at a convoy out of Lehr Sorm as two separate groups and manage to get away with it (and all weapons and possessions!). The convoy is heading for Zeim Crell, a fortress about 180 miles away by a southerly route (as northern routes are impassable at this time of year). After that it is about another 170 miles to Lehrbahn.

Sat 15 Nov 1585

A The Main Party land at Braglin and walk on to Achtherel.

Mon 17 Nov 1585

A Modo ("Invisible"), Volcas, Drasmar, Dek, Coralyn and Lucius enter the town of Achtherel while the rest of the Main Party stay in the forest nearby. The group in town are posing as the retinue of Lucius, the Bard, who seeks new tales to tell and new songs to sing. The town is dilapidated and many of the houses are empty. The locals regard the Main Party with suspicion and when we find the only inn the owner appears friendly but overcharges us terribly and asks a price for rooms which is designed to discourage us from staying.

A Unusually the Main Party take the hint and move on to nearby village called Thendir where we find the villagers more friendly and approachable. The head man Moralof is welcoming and the Main Party learn from him of the fear and distrust that the people at Achtherel hold all strangers, and that to mention the mine in that town is to invite death. The rumours are that the dwarf who owned the mine went mad and roams the mine drinking blood. A disease struck the mine and the town about seven years ago killing all the miners and half of the townsfolk. One of the men who worked in the mine tells of the local lord Hoskins who has a castle about five miles away and who never liked the mine because he didn't own it. He also tells us of a wild, nutty old man who lives just outside Achtherel and who is taken very seriously by the people there.

A Scouting through the woods Offa finds an old overgrown road which leads away from the town and appears to go to the mine.

Tue 18 Nov 1585

A The group in the village rejoin those in the woods and the Main Party move towards the mine. The entrance has two gatehouses set into the hill with a portcullis between which is raised about two feet. Beyond it is another similar portcullis. The Main Party block up the outer gate but as Offa attempts to place a rock under the inner one he is struck by an axe from beyond the gate and the rock is knocked away. He sees something vaguely humanoid scuttling away. Aristides comes to his aid and as they place more rocks they are attacked again. The creature is large and headless and is contented to knock the rocks away, but they use a large rock that it can't move and roll under to attack. Nalin, Yougo and Modo follow. Five of the headless creatures wielding halberds are there and beat back our heroes.

A Between the two gates in the ceiling are set a number of metal grills. Hortense uses a reversed enlarge spell to remove one and Modo squeezes up through into a large empty room which covers the whole gatehouses area. There are trapdoors on each side leading down to rooms flanking the area between the portcullises, two winching mechanisms controlling the gates and some kind of rope pull in the back wall. Modo winches up the outer portcullis and then examines the room. He finds a secret door in the back wall but is unable to locate the mechanism. He pulls the rope and the door opens into the area behind the gates but high up in the wall, with a stairway leading down which comes out of the wall only when the door is opened. Druerloth joins him and they fire arrows at the creatures in the room below, which then move away. This enables the rest of the Main Party to get through the inner gate into a large chamber with a passage opposite down which the creatures have gone. Modo explores a little and sees two of them waiting just round a bend.

A Lucius, Offa, Aristides and Nalin advance down the corridor and hurl a flask of oil at the creatures, which then attack. The oil appears to have no effect on them. As the fight is joined the other three creatures hove into view. The fight is hard but Offa and Lucius combine with "Magic missiles" from Hortense to dispatch them. As they die the creatures turn into piles of sand.

A Volcas, Meskrin, Neskrin and the two wardogs remain in the winch room, while the rest of the Main Party continue along the tunnel, which slopes gently downwards in a rough spiral. After about a mile we are 500 feet down and can see a corridor running off to the left. It is about 30 feet long and ends in a pair of impressive double doors, 8 feet high and with no obvious lock. Modo examines the doors and appears to find a mechanical trap, but Rorsgin refutes this and opens the doors.

A They open easily to reveal two more of the headless creatures. They don't come out of the room, so we stand back and Offa fires arrows through the doors at them. To escape from the bow-fire they retreat behind the doors. On a suggestion from Dek, Druerloth uses a "Create water" spell to drench one of the creatures as it lurks behind the door, and Offa and Nalin then charge in to attack. The water seems to have had little effect, but Offa and Hortense combine to dispatch one of the creatures reasonably easily. Unfortunately another takes its place and Offa is forced to fight on. When he kills this one yet another appears and this one hits Offa badly. Aristides takes over from him but is also badly hit, so Lucius joins the fray, and finishes the monster which is itself replaced by yet another. Meanwhile Nalin battles on with the assistance of a "Cure" spell from Calhassan. Lucius is then also forced to retire from the fight and Bazron takes his place. Nalin finally finishes his fight and joins Bazron but then both these two are obliged to withdraw due to the success of the creature. Yougo and Coralyn take their place, Coralyn is downed almost immediately but Yougo is able to kill it shortly after.

A The room revealed is about 30' by 40' and impressive friezes cover the walls, depicting dwarves in a variety of activities. The room has a timeless, still quality, and the carving in the friezes is of the highest quality. There are exits in each of the three other walls. A short corridor leading to a door on the right, a longer corridor ending in double doors on the left, and a corridor extending to the limit of our vision in the wall opposite us.

A However in view of our weakened condition the Main Party decide to retreat to the gatehouse area for the night as that is a more defensible position.

Wed 19 Nov 1585

A The Main Party elect to remain in the gatehouse for a further day to recover more of our strength. To pass the time Coralyn produces some of the games from her pack and some of us indulge in a little gambling. Modo and Coralyn are good, but Lucius is caught cheating.

Thur 20 Nov 1585

A Volcas and the dogs stay in the gatehouse while the rest of the Main Party return to the tunnels. We go past the door we found before and explore the tunnel further. It continues downwards in a spiral and there are a number of small passages off to the side which have been blocked by rubble where the ceiling had collapsed or been brought down. After a mile or so of this the Main Party return to the double doors and re-enter the room with the splendid friezes.

A The Main Party examine the corridor on the left and find a very sturdy door about 40 feet down on the right. There are two locks requiring a key and a combination respectively but the thieves are unable to find any traps. The double doors at the end of the corridor open into a large room with long tables and more of the impressive carved friezes. The pictures this time depict a battle between dwarves, men, elves and eagles on one side and orcs and wolves on the other. Nalin recognises this as a depiction of the Battle of the Five Armies.

B There are no visible exits but the thieves find a secret door in the right hand wall. Lucius opens it to reveal a corridor going 20 feet and ending in another door. The ceiling here is only 5 feet high whereas all the rooms and other corridors we have seen have been 8 feet high. This secret way was obviously for dwarves only. Nalin leads Bazron and Rorsgin down this corridor while Modo examines the strong door in the outer area.

B Nalin opens the small door at the other end of the corridor to reveal a splendid room 15 feet by 40 feet with doors in each of the four walls and more exquisite friezes of dwarfen celebrations and famous dwarfs from history and fables. The door through which he emerged was clearly meant to be secret from within the room. The right hand door opens to a narrow corridor leading back parallel to the way we came in, the door opposite opens onto a room with desk, chair and many books. The books are mostly in Quenya (high-elvish) and the titles show a mind appreciative of high literature. Lucius and Rorsgin examine the desk and papers and find items in Quenya, Lagoin and Dwarfish dealing with the everyday workings of the mine, and the last is dated about six years ago. Lucius finds a secret compartment containing a sealed packet purporting to be Dori's "Last Will and Testament", the deeds of the mine and a charter sealed by the King of Ruistor for setting up the mine.

B Meanwhile Modo has succeeded in opening one of the locks on the very strong door in the corridor.

B Lucius opens the remaining door from the main room to reveal what was obviously a bed chamber but which now contains a Sarcophagus bearing the inscription in Lagoin:-

 Much beloved Dwarf

We cannot give enough love

We remain behind Dain

Thinking of you.

B The corridor to the right joins with a corridor leading of from the first room and has doors 20 and 30 feet down on the left hand side. The first of these opens to a small sitting room with more of the friezes and a bedroom behind containing another tomb. This has an inscription in Quenya:-

 Beloved Son

Whose Axe crashed into his enemies

Blazing with hot blood

Yet no chisel wielded so gently

Teasing beauty from hard stone

Tears from our hard eyes.

B The next room has the same arrangement but without the coffin.

C At this stage the Main Party open the will to find out more about the people who were here. Dori's assets are willed to his wife Rayhua, his son Hannarris, and two companions Aidanalon and Hofgof, and the will is dated 20 years ago. A further search of the desk reveals that Rayhua died 10 years ago and Hannarris 6 months before the final date noted.

D While the Main Party are doing this Modo succeeds in opening the strong door and also succeeds in setting off a crossbow trap and getting 2 bolts in him for his pains. Modo has revealed a 5 foot square area with another door on the other side. Modo finds some kind of mechanism which connects the doors but is unable to fathom it. Modo, Coralyn and Offa enter the "air-lock" and try the other door. This releases a mechanism which bolts the first door and the small area between starts to fill with water through slots that have opened in the ceiling. The trapped three thrash around for a bit before Hortense does a "Knock" spell on the outer door and releases them.

E The Main Party decide to ponder this event while we explore more of the corridors. Another chamber with a tomb in it is found. This bears an inscription in Quenya which we are unable to decipher except for the words "Beloved" and "Khazad Dum". We also find a fourth sitting room bed chamber combination without a tomb but containing a very ornate chess set with pieces made from rare rocks.

E At the end of the corridor is a room with fountains in each of two corners and a statue in the centre. Although the shape of the statue is almost abstract it appears to depict a man crouching or in abeyance. It is as if the original normal statue had been softened and moulded. Dek suggests that this could have been due to a "Stone shape" spell and that the statue might originally have been of Dain. He urges Modo to look for a secret door in the wall behind it, and Modo finds one. As it is getting late in the day the Main Party decide not to attempt the door at this time, but to rest for the night and make a fresh start in the morning. We do however complete our examination of the rest of the tunnel complex, finding the dining hall and kitchens but nothing of any great interest except some excellent dwarfen wine in the pantry.

Fri 21 Nov 1585

A The Main Party examine the secret door behind the statue and after some time Modo locates the mechanism and opens it to reveal a 7 or 8 foot rough passage leading to a cavern. Standing in the opening are two surprised looking creatures (not dwarfen but small) and we hear a distant ringing of bells.

A The creatures are about 4 feet high, with pale almost white skin, large black eyes and bald heads, and are wearing minimal clothing. They are armed with small hammers. As we stand staring at each other the Main Party hear the sound of running feet approaching us and shortly more of the creatures join the group. They are obviously wary and start what appears to be a tribal chant but make no overt aggressive moves. Yougo sheathes his sword and approaches them hands outstretched but they are not impressed. There is a commotion at the back of the group and an important looking individual comes through to the front. He talks to us in Lagoin and asks us who we are and where we are from. He is Threskin, spokesman of the Sereth-Nemal.

A Covering our lights, which are hurting their eyes, and leaving our weapons, Hortense, Dek, Nalin, Yougo, Coralyn and Lucius go with Threskin into the cavern. Those without infravision use the light from small candles given to us by the Sereth-Nemal. Threskin leads us through several passageways to a reasonable size room and seats us, while two warriors stand guard. He then relates the tale of Dori.

B "The Sereth-Nemal have lived in these caverns for centuries beyond counting and memory, since the time of Coltassin who has since passed into legend. My forefathers have served as spokesmen for the people for a time almost as long and the honour passed to me 38 years ago upon the death of my father. The years were peaceful and the Sereth-Nemal lived our ideal life while the rest of the worlds peoples struggled and strove above, completely unaware of our life below.

B Then one day came a dwarf named Dori who mined the hill side and discovered our long-hidden existence. We were concerned that Dori would find silver and bring the Serafim (humans) down upon us. We spoke with Dori and he was understanding but wanted to mine the metals, and so he promised to keep us a secret from all others. He constructed the secret door and told no-one of our people. Dori and the Sereth-Nemal became good friends and exchanged gifts. All came to like the dwarf and he was trusted and revered by the tribe.

B All seemed settled but things were to change. A young Sereth-Nemil was found dead and he had been cut with a knife, a weapon which no Sereth-Nemil ever uses. A guard was placed on the door but these and other tribe members were also butchered. Humans were suspected, Dori helped the tribe with their defenses and trouble for the Sereth-Nemal ended, but for the Dwarfs trouble began.

B A preacher came to the nearby town and preached vociferously against Dori and the mine, and then disease came to the dwarfs and Dori was convinced that it had no natural origin. Dori's son was afflicted and died and Dori swore an oath to kill him who had killed his only son. Then trouble returned to the Sereth-Nemal, more of us were killed by humans and Dori wept with the tribe for our mutual losses.

B Then came the most terrible day of all. A giant worm came out of the heart of the hill and ravaged through the mine killing and destroying. The dwarfs fought valiantly but in vain, Dori wielded a mighty axe fought with the strength of ten, but even this heroic effort was not enough and he and all his friends were slain. The worm continued its destruction of the mine and then disappeared, returning to the bowels of the earth from whence it came.

B The Sereth-Nemal buried Dori in the manner of his family and I carved the inscription on his tomb as best I could. We wept long over his body, for we had lost a true and trusted friend. Shortly after this the sand creatures appeared but as all our other troubles had now ceased we retreated from the mine and secreted ourselves once more in our cavern, which we have not left again. That was four years ago and you are the first Serafim we have seen since."

A Nalin asks Threskin about Dori's axe and is led away by him to another chamber. He returns shortly after carrying a large double-headed axe of impressive design [GPN - A +2 two-handed battle-axe]. The Main Party take Threskin out into the mine area and he is horrified by the atrocity committed on Dain's statue. He visits Dori's tomb and stays there alone for some time, before also paying respectful visits to the tombs of Dori's wife and son.

C Meanwhile the Main Party occupy ourselves with a more thorough search of the records in Dori's desk and to a search for any other secret doors in the area surrounding the "strong-room". Modo finds a door in the small passageway and opens it to reveal a short "L" shaped passage ending in a dead-end, with another secret door. This one is trapped and would bring the whole ceiling in this area down if opened incautiously. The trap is complex and Modo feels that he would not be able to fathom the mechanism. The records reveal nothing further of interest except a reference to a tavern in the town called "The Silverlode" which burned down mysteriously.

C Hortense tries to cast a "Knock" spell on the inner "air-lock" door. It doesn't open it but the outer door swings shut and the sound of running water can be heard.

C Offa swaps his ring of "Protection" and magic shield [GPN - +1] for Nalin's more powerfully magic shield [GPN - +3].

Sat 22 Nov 1585

A The Main Party decide to abandon the strong-room for a while and proceed further into the mine. The main tunnel continues down on its slight spiral but all the side passages leading off have been blocked by roof fails. After an hour or so the Main Party find two pillars flanking the tunnel which appear to have been moulded out of the ground. They are marked with the double triangle symbol " " and radiate magic. Offa tosses a cucumber and garlic on rye sandwich between the pillars and Lally chases after it. As the dog starts gobbling, two man-sized wingless creatures fly down from the high ceiling and attack him. Lally runs back and the creatures fly off.

A Offa, Nalin, Lucius and Aristides form a corridor across the open area for the rest of the Main Party to run through and Hortense casts a "Web" spell over the ceiling area to catch the creatures as they fly down. She succeeds in catching one but the other gets through to Nalin, who dispatches it easily with the help of Aristides and Lucius while Offa deals with the one bound in the web.

A Continuing down the corridor the Main Party come to an area where the ground becomes soft and the leading four start to sink in. Aristides and Lucius manage to get out backwards fairly easily and Offa fights his way out, but Nalin becomes stuck. Lucius throws him a rope but we are unable to pull him out immediately and he gets sucked further in, so we get everyone on the rope and heave Nalin out with our combined strength. The ground appears to be normal rock but when touched it is soft. The soft area extends up to the walls and at least 30 feet down the corridor.

A Offa and Aristides throw one of the flying creatures about 15 feet down the corridor and it doesn't sink, so we try using the creatures as stepping stones but when Nalin steps on one he sinks into it. The Main Party find some planks and place them on the soft rock and they seem to support us. Using them we are able to get 40 feet down the corridor but the soft floor extends further. Transferring the end plank to the front Nalin and Coralyn progress down about 100 feet where they find a thick heavy curtain completely blocking the corridor. They come back and collect Modo, Offa and Deks' ferret Loj before returning. The curtain has some kind of magical glyph on it but Loj is able to squeeze through and sees a large chamber with an altar upon which stands a glowing golden double triangle. Hortense joins them and tries an "Erase" spell on the glyph which succeeds and Offa steps through the curtain. Four of the flying things attack and so he steps back.

A Nalin, Lucius, Offa, Yougo, Calhassan and Hortense come forward and the first four burst into the room, to attack the flying things. We are fairly successful in our attacks but whenever the things are hurt they fly of to the altar, are magically restored and then rejoin the fight. Our guys are fighting a battle they can't win so they retreat to plan. Overnight the Main Party fetch enough furniture etc. to bridge the soft rock permanently.

Sun 23 Nov 1585

A This is the plan.... Nalin, Bazron, Offa, Lucius and Yougo are going in whilst Aristides, Coralyn, Modo and Druerloth are on bows in the entrance way with Dek, Rorsgin and Hortense behind them on slings and spells. Volcas casts a "Bless" spell before the Main Party enter and off we go. Our attacking power is large and the bow fire is able to kill one of the creatures quickly while the fighters hack at the others. However the problem of the altar still persists. Dek blinds one with a "Light" spell and it flies of to the furthest reaches of the ceiling to hide. Shortly after the other creatures join it but not before restorative trips to the altar.

A The altar is roped of with a length of rope which is magical and strong evil is detected from the symbol and the Main Party try to drag it from its place with a rope, with Nalin and Volcas doing the pulling. As they do this a huge fiery creature appears inside the rope and attacks them with its many tentacles both are hit and although Nalin attacks at first he soon withdraws and instantly the thing vanishes. The thing we had "killed" with arrows gets up and flies of to join its companions.

A Dek casts an "Unseen servant" spell with the intention of getting it to pour holy water on the symbol. The flying things get very agitated and when the servant gets near to the altar the fiery thing appears and smashes the flask of water. The fiery creature emanates magic but not evil. Lucius tries to throw another flask of holy water over the symbol to the unseen servant and although the throw is good the catch isn't.

B The flying things attack again and are struck repeatedly by arrows and one gets another "Light" spell on the eyes but the altar sustains them and they attack the group by the door killing Neskrin. Lucius cuts the rope and the fiery thing appears and then Drasmar "Detects illusion" confirming that this is so to Nalin and Offa. Offa is not very convinced but sneaks in and pours holy water on the symbol. The altar symbol stops glowing, the fiery thing disappears, the creatures (gargoyles) turn to stone and the ground starts to shake. Several rocks fall but the shaking recedes and fades away. Nalin starts to cut away the golden symbol while the thieves examine the altar. There are periodic earth tremors of varying intensity and more rocks fall. When Nalin is done the Main Party flee and only just in time for we see the whole roof of the chamber collapse.

C When the Main Party arrive back at the dwarfs living area, Dek and Nalin go to speak to Threskin. They explain recent events and discuss the best way of keeping the existence of the Sereth-Nemal secret. Threskin seems to be happy with the security offered by the secret door but we will do anything else we can think of that would help.

Mon 24 Nov 1585

A Modo ("Invisible"), Lucius, Dek, Volcas, Drasmar and Coralyn return to Achtherel to seek out the wild old man of whom we had heard, to see if he is the priest Threskin spoke of or if he knows anything of interest. He lives in a bivouac on some waste ground, and people from the village obviously take him gifts of food. We do the same and although he eventually emerges from his dirty abode he does not take any notice of us or our questions. A local tells us that he rarely speaks and when he does it is in the form of invective rather than conversation.

B Leaving Meskrin in Achtherel and the dwarfs, wardogs and Volcas in the mine, the remainder of the Main Party head for the castle. When we arrive the guards are cautious but impressed. They think Offa and Aristides are in charge and take the Main Party in where we are greeted by Lord Hoskins. He speaks in Westron with Offa and takes him, Dek, Aristides and Lucius (and invisible Modo) in to his chambers for a chat, while the rest go to the great hall.

B Coralyn hears stories of the dwarfs making pacts with little white demons made of solid silver who send you mad if you touch them or look into their eyes. Then she wins some money at cards.

B Upstairs Lord Hoskins introduces Lady Hoskins and arranges a meal. He tells us he fought in the army of Lord Neiblus against Connelberg and was hammered. Ruistor is a loose kingdom where the Lords do as they please and this didn't help get things organised against Connel. King Telanir did what organising he could. Hoskins is snobbish and not very impressed with the lower born members of the Main Party.

Tue 25 Nov 1585

A The Main Party are asked to leave Achtherel. Lucius is keen to kill the wild old man. Dek, Coralyn, Modo ("Invisible"), Lucius, Hortense and Drasmar go to Thendir, the small village nearby. Offa, Druerloth, Aristides, Yougo and Calhassan go back to the mine.

BDek's story

B Whilst in the village Hortense suddenly gives a loud scream and says that her owl is dead. Dek and Coralyn order a bottle of the finest champagne and organise a celebratory party. Hortense keeps carrying on so Modo takes Loj and speeds of to the mine to investigate while the rest of us follow at a more normal pace.

B As Modo approaches the outer portcullis at the mine he hears the sounds of voices and movement from the upstairs part of the gatehouse. The inside portcullis is raised but the outer one is down. Between them he sees water and blood an the ground. He climbs the outer portcullis and peering through an arrow slit he sees about 20 people apparently from Achtherel. The body of Aristides is being thrown down though one of the trapdoors into the lower area. He is unarmored and all the parties armour appears to have been stacked in this area off to one side. Fearno has been carefully wrapped in cloth. The men here wear the double triangle symbol about their necks and the altarpiece has been set up at the back of the room. The leader sends some of the men off to clean up the gatehouse area between the portcullises, and prepares six large cauldrons hanging over fires off to side.

B Hortense and the others arrive, and Hortense renders Loj "Invisible". Modo climbs the wall again and hears three people discussing the numbers in the Main Party. The leader apparently assumes that we know what is happening, and implies that some of the rest are alive, and will stay so for two or three days. Then the captives will be sacrificed to their God before they leave.

B The ferret, Loj, gets a look into the two downstairs rooms and sees that each contains five villagers armed with crossbows and in one room are some of the Main Party members. Offa and Calhassan are alive but hurt, Yougo looks unharmed, but Druerloth, Rorsgin and Volcas all appear dead. There is no sign of Nalin.

B Loj goes down the corridor into the mine and finds Nalin's battered helmet. He proceeds on to the living area but the door is closed, so he returns. A fire is being prepared in one corner of the upper gatehouse and irons are heated. Ten peasants leave the mine and head back to the town, with Modo following, but he learns nothing and so returns. The uncaptured members of the Main Party decide to circle the hill and come down on top of the gatehouse. As we manoeuvre we hear the sounds of Yougo being tortured.

B Arriving in position the Main Party start with "Sleep" spells from Hortense and Dek on the occupants of the gatehouse. Hortense gets five of them but Dek tried for the leaders and failed to get any. The doors into the mine and both portcullises are closed. One of the leader types runs to the window wielding a wand. More "Sleep" spells take care of all but the three leaders and Loj is send in to gnaw through the ropes binding Calhassan so that he can free the others. Whilst he is there the torturer closes and locks the trap doors. Calhassan frees Offa, Druerloth, Bazron and Aristides. Volcas and Rorsgin are not bound.

B Modo descends the wall invisibly and tries to stab one of the leaders as he peers out of the arrow slit. He stabs the wand wielder in the eye, becoming visible in the process. Bazron, Offa and Aristides combine to force open the trapdoor. Offa and Aristides come up like bats out of hell and are zapped by the wand, sending them straight back down again. Modo is lowered on a rope and shoots arrows in through the arrow slits at the torturer. Hortense lends her ring of "Spell storing" to Dek so that he can use "Magic missiles" via Loj on the guy with the wand, who is shooting "Cones of cold" at Modo. To confuse the issue Drasmar creates a "Phantasmal force" of Modo shooting arrows from the end of a rope at one of the other arrow slits. The wand wielder is downed and as the leader goes across presumably with the intention of curing him he is hit by one of Modo's arrows. Loj purloins the wand and drags it off to a corner. The leader and the magic user take cover behind a pile of bodies. Dek is lowered an a rope to try and obtain the wand.

B In the middle of all this chaos the door at the back of the room bursts open and in charges Nalin at the head of the Sereth-Nemal (Hurray for the cavalry). Nalin attacks the leader and the Sereth-Nemal attack the torturer. They make short work of this task, raise the portcullises and the Main Party gather in the guardhouse.

CNalin's story

C After the rest of the Main Party had left the mine seven peasants arrived at dusk and called to Nalin and Bazron to be let in to talk. Nalin did so and in the course of gaining entry the villagers revealed the mechanism which opens the secret door from the outside. The villagers promised to keep the dwarfs presence at the mine a secret and then they left.

C At about midnight six more peasants arrived panicking and claiming an outbreak of disease in the town. They claimed to need to cast a spell in the mine and Nalin admitted them. They cast a spell in the gatehouse which turned them all into powerful creatures and attacked Nalin and the others and raised the portcullises to admit hoards of the villagers. The magic user with the wand was one of them and Rorsgin and Volcas were killed. Bazron was badly hurt and then "Held", leaving just Nalin still fighting. The wand of "Cold" was used on him and the a "Heat metal" spell which cancelled each other.

D Nalin took a potion of "Speed" and ran for the door and off down the corridor. He reached the Sereth-Nemal just in time and they "Cured" him and made him "Invisible". Bazron was tortured to find out how many members there were in the Main Party and he told of Ophelia a magic user and Eric the cleric. In the course of this he lost two fingers, but later when Offa told them the real make-up of the Main Party they cut the whole of Bazron's hand off.

C Nalin returned some time later to find Yougo being tortured. He tried to signal to anyone who might have been in the woods but got no reply and went back to rest. In his dreams he heard a dwarf telling him to go and help so he raised the Sereth-Nemal and did so.

EOffa's story

E Offa and his crew marched boldly into the gatehouse and were attacked from all sides. The portcullises came down and boiling water was poured on them, killing Hortense's owl. Crossbow bolts assailed them from the walls. Yougo, Aristides and Offa tried to raise a portcullis but Yougo was "Held" and Offa and Aristides had "Heat metal" cast on them. They faked being dropped and when the gate was raised rushed up to resume the attack. Aristides was dropped in reality and Offa was surrounded and forced to surrender. Pathetic. [I suspect this final comment is not Offa's actual words, rather an editorial comment by the transcriber of Offa's words.... but I could be wrong. - Ed]

F The result of all this was the death of Aristides, Volcas, Rorsgin and the owl, (still it could have been someone important) and the distribution of a certain amount of TREASURE.

F The Treasure.

Priests robes [A/C 5]

Dek

Scimitar [+2]

Coralyn

Ring - unidentified

Yougo

Ring - unidentified

Nalin

Horn - unidentified

Dek

Wand of cold

Dek

Boots of speed

Lucius

Dagger [+2]

Modo

Dagger - poisonous

destroyed

20 lb gold symbol

Nalin

Aristides plate mail

Yougo

Aristides chess set

Coralyn

Aristides sword [+2]

Unclaimed

bow (strength +1)

Unclaimed

50 marks and some silver holy symbols

F Offa enters the mine to find the dog Lally, and the Main Party rest in the gatehouse overnight.

Wed 26 Nov 1585

A Aristides and Volcas are buried near Neskrin and Rorsgin in the dwarfs chambers. Modo borrows the second set of Boots of Speed and goes to fetch Meskrin, who reports rumours of trouble-makers at "that place".

B The Main Party walk back to Braglin and sail back to Salsorme.

Fri 29 Nov 1585

A The Main Party arrive back in Salsorme and see Caspar who pays us 1400 crowns, and we hand over the deeds to the mine.

B Meskrin retires from adventuring.

C Background to Salsorme

D The centre of the town is dominated by the square of Ardeniss, beside which is the huge temple of Amnis. Opposite the temple is a semi-circular area where the local popular assembly, the Riparlef, gathers daily. Major characters in the Riparlef are: Xerxes, a powerful merchant who supports the governor; Ledenill, the Archon Eminchar in charge of public works: Lusquat an Amnis priest who stands for law and order and supports Xerxes; Rombas from the League of Los Nystel; Begarel a conservative Ruistor merchant; Thrush a well liked old democrat; Femorem a radical lawyer; Caspar also a radical; The Archon Epsi (defense) supports Xerxes; the Archon Achas (war); Archons for finance, religion (the Amnis high priest) and trade. The chairman is the Archon Ham, an old but astute man. Caspar and Femorem each have high street cred but hate each other. Nelden the governor is hated, and Kimba, in charge of the occupying troops, is really hated. The three watch commanders or Surafs are locals, in charge of 900 local police who patrol the town.

C Trading and business is carried on in a variety of inns and coffee houses.

E A wizard named Mercselm lives in a tower an one side of the town and operates quite openly because of his power. His acolytes have to be more circumspect but there are several of them including Dek and lately Hortense. Sorrig, a female magic user [GPN - 1st level] also joins the Main Party from this source. Mercselm's more powerful helpers include Melik and Foros.

F Marius Tellman writes to Rustbulj stressing the need for quick action on the quest, as events may come to a head in 10 or 20 years. He sends 500 gold pieces to aid the quest.

F The Loldern Essini sends the Party 1,000 crowns via Fallon for the investigation of the Essini temple on the coast.

G Lorris has come across a vague description of 2 noble warriors from the south (presumably Riasc and Nyal) who travelled the great river to the coast and then further to fight Bahl (BAEL ?), who was without his companions. Lorris suggests trying coastal libraries as his searches here are almost complete. He has found nothing on the glyph and would like to come to the coast in the spring. Lorris says there are libraries in the churches of Amnis and Nysorm in Salsorme. (Ten crowns plus two crowns per week to look in either).

Sun 1 Dec 1585

A The Small Party arrive at the large fortress of Zeim Crell. The military are looking for extra fighters to take on a highly organised band of orcs who are raiding hereabouts. The Small Party sign up for the mission. The Knights of the Golden Falcon are in charge of the operation and turn out to be headed by our old friends Farlas and Pallea.

B A caravan leaves for Lehrbahn in five days.

Tue 3 Dec 1585

A In the engagement the orcs and wargs are stuffed with the minimum of effort. The pay is 20 marks a day plus 100 marks for survivors.

A The bardic version of "In the engagement the orcs and wargs are stuffed with the minimum of effort." reads as follows.........

The Battle of Zeim Crell

It was a cold and wintry day that Monday the first day of December [It was a Sunday - Ed], when our band of weary travellers arrived at the Fortress of Zeim Crell in the far north lands of Ruistor.

For over 180 miles they had travelled, first by barge and then overland, in their flight from the township of Lehr Sorm where trouble had beset them so. A private feud with the guard captain Grishnak had blown up in their faces and resulted in a full scale witch hunt centred on our friends, and in the outlawing of the impetuous Guerin.

To escape the town unharmed the beautiful magic user Breddruen, object of the witch hunt, and her not so pretty travelling companion Kneebone, a thief of some small repute, had been forced to disguise themselves as young male servants to their friends Willan and Trendel [previously known as "Grot" - Ed], a fighting duo of impressive stature. Guerin and Mig also went disguised although DenConnu, a priest whose disposition is almost as unpleasant as his visage, had avoided the scandal and was able to retain his identity.

On the barges they were hired to guard as they sailed away from Lehr Sorm, the three factions of the party feigned ignorance of each other so as not to alert suspicion and Kneebone and Breddruen retained their disguises, irksome those it was to someone of Breddruen's sexual appetite to be dressed as a young scruffy servant boy.

It was in this guise that they arrived at Zeim Crell, a large and impressive fortress guarding the southern pass through the mountains and keeping a watchful eye on the local villages and farming communities. It was this ever vigilant military eye that now lingered on a band of marauding orcs out of the north who were raping and pillaging their way across the countryside. Reports of raids on farms and massacres of whole villages by these evil creatures were becoming ever more frequent and the time had come for decisive action.

The Knights of the Golden Falcon had a small fighting force in the area led by a mysterious foreign Lord and his beautiful companion and it was these redoubtable men who were shadowing the orcish force and planning their demise. It seemed the orcs were unusually well organised and in sufficiently large numbers for careful planning to be essential, and for a call to have come to the fortress for volunteer fighters to join the Knights in their assault.

Captain Hammel was to lead 50 of his men in this endeavour and approached our band of gallant adventurers to seek their assistance and, of course, to a man it was gladly offered.

So it was that on the third day of December the 50 troops led by Captain Hammel and the nine adventurers set out to join up with the valiant Knights. And so it was that some of the longer standing members of the party did recognise the leader of the Knights as Farlas, their old friend and companion, now Lord Farlas of the Knights of the Golden Falcon, there with his constant companion the enchanting Pallea, from whom few mens hearts were safe.

Farlas outlined his plan to deal with the fiendish orcs. A small mounted group of our fighters would engage the scouting party of the orcs, now known to be the dreadful Urek Hai who would doubtless also be mounted on those fearful beasts wargs, and try to draw them into a place where the bulk of our fighters could deal with them before they were able to summon help. Having disposed of the mounted section of the orcish force in this manner then the remaining unmounted orcs should be a comparatively easy enemy to overcome, although losses on our side were to be expected, this was to be no picnic.

We set our trap. Farlas led two of his Knights and two of Captain Hammel's lieutenants to seek the orc scouting party. Mig, Guerin and the other available archers would stand ready to fire on the other approaching orcs when they arrived, and Willan, Trendel and the other fighters would guard the bowmen. Halroddin, our newly recruited druid would be ready with an "Entangle" spell to delay as many mounted orcs as he could.

Farlas and his force engaged the enemy, a force of five mounted Urek Hai, and drew them towards the rest of our fighters. Then five more mounted Urek appeared to the north and two groups of two and three appeared from the west. Battle had commenced. Our bowmen were effective against the approaching group of three, allowing only one through to join in the fray. The druids' "Entangle" spell took care of three more from the northern group who were later finished by the archers.

Farlas had matched up against the leader of the Uruk band, a powerful individual who pressed Farlas sorely. Captain Hammel led Guerin and three other mounted men against those surviving Urek not engaged with Farlas' group. Mounted Urek Hai make fearful opponents and soon two of the captains men were down. Although orcish losses exceeded ours the wargs fought and fought on after the death of their riders, making our job doubly difficult. After some hesitation Mig led Willan, Trendel and a number of the captains' men in to join the attack on foot and aid their beleaguered mounted companions.

Mig's approach was to take five foot soldiers and attack the stray wargs, Willan and Trendel just attacked whatever was nearest, and a single blow from Willan was often enough to dispatch a warg. Farlas and Guerin were waving away help and battling single-handed against the two most powerful Urek, showing fine fighting mettle, the stuff of which legends are made.

It came to the point where the mounted orc force was down to just the two opponents of Farlas and Guerin, the rest having been dealt with in spirited style by the men fighting on foot. Still these two waved away help and in valiant style killed these two last Urek and their mounts unaided and to great acclaim.

Farlas' esteem hereabouts was already obviously high, but received a massive boost from his handling of the Uruk leader alone, unaided and without the use of any magic.

With the whole troop in such high spirits and in the heat of battle lust the conquering of the remaining orc force passed without trouble and with minimum loss of life.

The day was a heroic one and will be long remembered by fighting men and song smiths throughout the world.

Thur 5 Dec 1585

A The Small Party begin the walk to the river that runs to Lehrbahn. Lehrbahn is about 40 miles away and the journey will take about 10 days. There are about 70 guards travelling with the Small Party on the caravan.

Mon 9 Dec 1585

A Three hill giants attack the caravan guarded by the Small Party and a small army. The hill giants are throwing rocks and Mig and Guerin attempt to return arrow fire however this makes them a target for the rocks so the desist. Everyone takes cover in the bushes. One of the hill giants stops and continues throwing rocks whilst the other two approach to attack. Willan hits one of the approaching giants twice with thrown spears before skewering it with a set spear killing it outright. The other hill giant is dealt with by Guerin and Kneebone, but the whole thing is too much for the other guards who flee into the undergrowth.

A The third giant keeps lobbing rocks until resistance is crushed [literally! - Ed] then comes and loots the wagons before wrecking them. 150 gold coins of various denominations are found on the dead giants which the guard captain gives to Willan.

A It will take two days to repair the wagons.

Thur 12 Dec 1585

A The caravan guarded by the Small Party resumes its journey.

Sat 14 Dec 1585 : 15 Dec

A In the night when Willan and Trendel are on guard the encampment is attacked by at least 150 gnomes. "Sleep" and "Entangle" spells are effective and those members of the caravan who wake in time kill a few more before the gnomes have had enough. 12 guards [are injured] and one is dead.

Wed 18 Dec 1585

A The caravan guarded by the Small Party reaches the river [Nystel Bahn? - Ed] and ready the boats.

Thur 19 Dec 1585

A The caravan guarded by the Small Party start the journey down river.

Fri 20 Dec 1585

A The barges are attacked by stirges. The only member of the Small Party who is attacked is Breddruen and plenty of people rush to help her. There are hands all over the place. Many stirges are killed and they are driven off before they kill anyone.

Wed 25 Dec 1585

A The caravan guarded by the Small Party arrives in Lehrbahn. Guerin insists on having a Christmas blowout. hardly anyone else in the Small Party know what he is going on about however any excuse for a party. A merry Christmas is had by all.

Thur 26 Dec 1585 : 29 Dec

A The Small Party visit the High Priest of Essini whose name is Rallink and give him the letter of introduction and the message. He gives the Small Party 2,000 marks.

B Kolyn, the captain of the guard, and Ralselig his lieutenant will provide combat training for 30 and 20 marks a day respectively. Kneebone contacts the thieves guild and Breddruen finds a magic user in a nearby town. Trendel goes with her to "guard" her.

Wed 1 Jan 1586

A The Small Party go on a recruiting drive. The services of Lydia Tyr Borealac, a cleric of the Goddess of health and nature [A new age hippy chick - ed]; Voronia Sug Dallon, a magic user; Toncella Sug Lamine, a houri and Jesslyn Sug Monttra, a Farah cleric are acquired.

[The W/R erroneously states the Small Party arrives in Lehrbahn - Ed]

Sun 5 Jan 1586

A In Salsorme Hortense fails to find a familiar.

Mon 6 Jan 1586 : 12 Jan

A By this time all members of the Small party have found various permanent residencies. Mig and DenConnu rent a small house in a moderately affluent part of town and secure the services of a servant boy. Kneebone, Willan and Trendel get a job as bouncers in a tavern, the Mermaid and Otter, in a poor area of Lehrbahn, which comes with bed and board. Guerin and Breddruen take lodgings together nearby, and Halroddin stays in a nearby druidic village.

Mon 20 Jan 1586

A Pelton approaches the Main Party in Salsorme to engage our services for a job in the Fehermes. Under the circumstances we refuse. [What circumstances, who is Pelton? - Ed] In the course of discussions the Main Party learn that Drenike's party is back in Salsorme and Connelor's is expected. Drenike accepts the Fehermes mission.

Wed 22 Jan 1586

A Trouble starts at the "Mermaid and Otter" when a group of local ruffians start to pick on a visiting negro of imposing physical stature. The negro tries his hardest to avoid a fight but the ruffians are determined. Willan and Trendel move in to quell any unwanted violence, whilst the rest of the Small Party, who are all present, hang back to see what happens. The leader of the ruffians has spilt several drinks belonging to the negro and his companions so Willan suggests that he replaces them. He does this but contrives to bump into the negro and spill the lot again, blaming the negro. He gets abusive and strikes at the negro. Willan has had enough and picks the ruffian up to throw him out. As he carries him away one of his the ruffians friends jumps on Willan's back. Meanwhile others in the group arm themselves with broken bottles and one draws a sword. Two without bottles attack the negro who fells them both with a single blow each. Trendel faces up to a ruffian with a bottle and the swordsman jumps to attack the negro. Mig hangs back. Guerin comes in to see what he can do. Willan squeezes the resistance out of the ruffian he is carrying and turns his attention to the one on his back. The swordsman hits the negro and fells him but is immediately smashed over the head with a stool wielded by Guerin. As he staggers Guerin hits him again with the bit of the stool left in his hand and fells him.

A Kneebone is moving in to deal with the remaining ruffian who is armed with a bottle. As he does so he notices someone trying to sneak up on him from behind. He ducks the attack and comes up behind his attacker with a knife at his throat. Willan throws the one on his back halfway across the room and Trendel drops his opponent. This leaves one bemused looking ruffian holding a bottle and Iooking silly, and one in the arms of Kneebone.

A Silence reigns. Kneebone's spine-chilling whisper cuts through as he asks his terrified captive "Do you want a drink then?". He is answered with a slow and cautious nod so he leads the unfortunate fellow to the bar places his hands firmly on it and puts a drink in front of him. The other conscious ruffian is encouraged to raid his fellows pockets for the price of a round and then leave. The unconscious bodies are thrown (hurled) out.

A The negro is removed to a back room and DenConnu is summoned to administer grudging cures. The negro reveals himself to be Franklin Fitzgerald-Moore, currently working as a clerk for some merchants, but basically an adventurer down on his luck. Mig's crude enquiries uncover his magic using abilities. The Small Party agree to meet Franklin at his house on the 27th.

A Kneebone eventually releases his captive after questioning him.

Mon 27 Jan 1586

A - Franklin sort of half joins the Small Party

A The Small Party arrive at Franklin's house in Lehrbahn for their tea date. During tea the advantages and disadvantages of Franklin joining the Small Party are discussed. A compromise is agreed whereby the Small Party will not associate with the somewhat conspicuous six feet nine inch tall negro in towns, whilst enjoying his companionship in the wild.

Sun 2 Feb 1586

A Lopal approaches the Main Party in Salsorme. He represents a fire based religious group from some distance south. The mission involves a 150 mile wilderness trek to an oId temple to retrieve certain items. The Main Party name a price which Lopal says is too much.

Fri 7 Feb 1586 : 10 Feb

A Great goings on at the Salsorme Riparlef. One of the Suraf's resigns because he claims to be continually thwarted in his duty by Kimba and the Archon Epsi. Caspar tears to pieces Bedoun, Nelden and Xerxes. The crowd supports him and the Suraf and Bedoun is pelted with fruit. Xerxes and Lusquat say Bedoun is the only one Nelden will allow. In the end a narrow vote goes in favour of the Archon Epsi. The new Suraf is Gisnak a skilled archer.

Sun 16 Feb 1586

A Farlas arrives with two knights [Irnaggis and Misserch - Ed], a priest of Essini, two henchwomen (Caroline, an MU sloane and Pallea the Houri who stayed with him in Zeimaures), and various slaves. He alludes to another companion called Uspin, a man of the mountains.

B Farlas is here to investigate rumours of troubles in the Fehermes, and to set up a base for the Knights of the Golden Falcon. He can offer potential work for the rightful king and the church of Essini. Telanir, the King of Ruistor is leader of the Knights. He used some knights in the fight against Connel, this caused somewhat of a split in the knights as some of them feel that it violated the nonpolitical stance of the order.

Mon 17 Feb 1586

A The representative of a noble from Ruistor would like the Small Party to sort out some barbarians. He wants us to kill them all, men women and children, and to keep the activities secret from the Thane. He is shown the door.

B Rustbulj and Nalin send a missive to Marius Tellman asking for some Christian clerical help. Farlas hears that Drenike's group is likely to go to the Fehermes islands and wishes to send someone along. Bazron and Misserch, a Knight of the Golden Falcon, volunteer.

Tue 18 Feb 1586

A Lopal talks to the Main Party again about his job. There would be one weeks travel to the jump off point and then a wilderness journey of about 100 miles. Rustbulj is against this expedition but is outvoted. The Main Party eventually agree a 5,000 crown fee with a 4,000 crown bonus and possible use of the library at the temple, all of which is to be confirmed or re-negotiated when we reach the temple.

B Farlas says he would come along, but that he, Kalsket, Pallea and Offa will go to fetch Lorris first.

Sun 23 Feb 1586

A A letter arrives from Dellias, the high priest of the Essini temple, to inform us that Lorris is dead. He was visiting a village collecting details of folk tales and one morning was discovered in his hut apparently ripped to pieces by some strange creature. There was no other sign of a struggle, and no one heard or saw anything. The village priest, of the river god, detected an evil trace in the room, but this had apparently disappeared by the time that the Essini priest arrived. The high priest consulted his own powers, and learned that Lorris was cursed. He received the message "Look for the silver whistle, for this will save part of you, but the weakness will grow".

A Dellias enclosed Lorris' notes and manuscript. He had been interested in folk legends, particularly of Colamnis. A copy of the Lay of Colamnis is to be made in honour of Lorris, who was dearly loved.

Tue 25 Feb 1586

A Farlas, Rustbulj, Coralyn, Caroline, Kalsket and Offa set off for the Essini temple to investigate the death of Lorris.

Thur 27 Feb 1586

A Modo, Calhassan, Dek, Pallea, Lucius, Druerloth, Nalin, Bazron [Obviously didn't go to the Fehermes with Drenike - Ed] and Uspin leave with Lopal for his temple. Hortense and Drasmar stay in Salsorme with Misserch [Also did not go with Drenike - Ed]. Yougo stays in Connelberg with the other knight, Irnaggis.

[Sat 1 Mar 1586

A Halroddin recruits Tenborro, a strong female fighter, to the Small Party.

[See above - Tenborro joined the Small Party on 15 October 1585! - Ed] ]

Mon 3 Mar 1586

A At the Lehrbahn games Mig wins through to the archery final and gets a second place medal. Guerin wins a top ten medal also in the archery. Franklin is knocked out early in the boxing, however both Mig and Guerin get through of few rounds of the one on one combat, and the strongest members of the Small Party combine to win the tug of war.

Tue 4 Mar 1586

A After five days travelling south by boat the Main Party group with Lopal arrive in Scrillise. During the journey Pallea seduces Lopal and Dek casts a "Clean cantrip" on Uspin.

A From Scrillise for carts will take three days to travel inland to Revarlen where the temple of Heslor is established. Whilst on land Uspin travels alone and apart from the rest of the group.

Fri 7 Mar 1586

A The Small Party are engaged by some acquaintances of Kneebone to humiliate four other bouncers, working at the "Tall Mountain", who are becoming a nuisance to the owner. We decide on a combination of cantrips, scorn and restrained violence. The Small Party visit the establishment and seat ourselves at various tables. At the appropriate moment Franklin uses a "Spill cantrip" on one bouncer to make him spill his beer. Willan asks in a loud voice "Are you some kind of idiot?" and the bouncer nods stupidly whilst his friend giggles, thanks to more "Cantrips" from Franklin.

A When they recover their composure they approach and menace Willan who has been laughing at them all along. Another bouncer approaches and trips up due to a "Tie cantrip" on his bootlaces. This provides general hilarity so the leader of the group comes over to restore order. On the way he notices Mig approaching and glares at him. Mig hangs back (MHB). As the leader starts his tirade FrankIin uses another "Cantrip" to drop his trousers.

A Willan pushes away the guy bending over him and Guerin steps in to confront the other of the pair. Tenborro flattens the remaining non-leader as the leader pulls his trousers up, looks around sheepishly and starts yelling and gesticulating again. Willan allows his opponent to strike him and then flattens him with one blow. Guerin tires of fighting normally and elects to try it with one hand behind his back. It doesn't take him appreciably longer to deal with the man. The Ieader is caught in mid rant by Kneebone's paralysation dagger and then has his trousers dropped again. The assembled masses cheer as our heroes carry the redundant bouncers out. They leave town shortly afterwards.

B The Main Party group investigating the demise of Lorris [Hereafter called Farlas Main Party - Ed] arrive in Torm Cord and are greeted by Dellias, the High Priest of Essini. He assigns an Essini cleric to be our guide while we are here.

B The Farlas Main Party are unable to glean much new information about Lorris. He had been researching glyphs, but had come to concentrate on old folk legends, particularly of Colamnis. The original document of the "Lay of Colamnis" is in the Essini library. It is in High Elvish, with some words in the Lost Tongue. It is dated before the Lagoin invasion which happened in 7-800 (the events surrounding Riasc occurred in 347). The only word in the Lost Tongue that we are able to magically fathom is the name of Riasc's first wife, Isfirstemerch, which means "whispering heart".

B The Farlas Main Party visit the village where Lorris was killed but are unable to learn anything further of interest so we return to Connelberg

Sat 8 Mar 1586 : 11 Mar

A At the Heslor temple in Revarlen the Main Party group with Lopal meet Lenhan, the High Priest of Heslor [However see 5 May 1586 where Yosurn is the high priest - Ed] and he gives us the pitch.

A 100 miles south of here and 200 years in the past another temple of Heslor was established near the town of Aflos. This was a prosperous area due to the presence of large mineral deposits, manly iron and lead, but even then it was a frontier town. Over the years the border was pushed back by raiders form the wilderness and the temple was abandoned. Recent research has revealed that some useful religious items, whose value was not realised at the time, were left there. A small scouting group was sent to find the temple and possibly to enter it. They found the temple sealed and apparently unlooted, but did not attempt to enter it, feeling that they did not have the power or ability. The nearby town was found to be now occupied by bugbears. They would like the Main Party to travel to the temple and retrieve as yet unspecified items.

A Dek expresses some concern that we are not being told the whole story, and is very hesitant about accepting this information at face value, but he eventually bows to the majority. Dek and Bazron travel back to Connelberg to impart the news to the others.

Thur 13 Mar 1586

A The Farlas Main Party arrive in Connelberg. Rustbulj intends to return to Salsorme.

A Hortense tells us that someone has entered her room and left a mis-shapen doll with a pin through it and a note which said "death to the witch." She wishes to go to Salsorme under the protection of Rustbulj, but as he will be busy researching he declines to allow her to stay in his house so she decides to travel to the Heslor temple and work in their library. The knight Irnaggis stays in Connelberg to gather information, particularly any rumours which might relate to Trosahn.

Fri 14 Mar 1586

A Dek and Bazron arrive back in Connelberg.

Thur 20 Mar 1586

A Migs' house in Lehrbahn is burgled. As a result Mig and DenConnu are not on speaking terms, each blaming the other. Kneebone secures the return of Migs' bow and armour, and Guerin lends Mig his two-handed sword. Mig was carrying two spell books which are now presumed lost.

Fri 21 Mar 1586

A The Small Party are offered a job by Nelsyn, a carpenter/craftsman in the town, who is known to be the representative of the Thane of Diesfuro, a neighbouring thanedom. Nelsyn tells of two feuding thanelets several days journey to the northeast in an area called Deislomen, whose long bickering has finally broken into outright offense. Valhan of Zeim Gillet is accused by Mandos of Zeim Dranell of attacking and razing one of his (Mandos') towns called Maindees. Valhan in turn claims it was a put up job by Mandos to stir up trouble. The village had been razed to the ground and there was no trace of any villager, either dead or alive. Each house, originally of ten or twenty knights is now busily recruiting mercenaries, apparently for a showdown.

A Nelsyn will pay the Small Party 5,000 marks per week and a bonus of up to 40,000 marks to go and find out what happened in Maindees and to stop Mandos and Valhan from kicking shit out of each other. He will give us a letter of introduction to Tanlen who is thane over Valhan, Mandos and one other and for whom we would ostensively be working. Nelsyn tells the Small Party that Tanlen is a weak character from whom we can expect Iittle active help, but nevertheless we must not offend him by appearing to work over his head. Nelsyn would like the Small Party to leave as soon as possible.

Sat 22 Mar 1586

A The Farlas Main Party arrive at the Heslor temple and are reunited with the rest of the Main Party. We are told that the religion of Nileise worshipping the river god. Nileise is effectively opposed to Heslor, but the latter has the balance of power. The Main Party are told of a particular item to look for at the temple. It is called the "Eagle Stone" and is a scarlet rock about 6" in diameter which rattles when moved. Of whatever else is found anything religious belongs to the church and anything else is ours. They will tell us nothing of the powers of the Eagle Stone.

B While the Main Party wait in the town Dek and Pallea form an association, much to the annoyance of Lopal. Pallea will remain here with Hortense ostensively working in the library.

Sun 23 Mar 1586 : 25 Mar

A Guerin leaves on a mission for the Essini church.

B Halroddin tells the Small Party of a druid in a nearby town whose house has been burnt down. Apparently this was the work of some thugs from Lehrbahn, who were attempting to extract protection money without much success. He asks if we can help to identify the real culprit and bring him to justice. However the Small Party decide there is nothing we can do, especially in view of the time pressure imposed by Nelsyn.

Wed 26 Mar 1586

A The Small Party leave Lehrbahn for Deislomen.

Sat 29 Mar 1586

A The Small Party arrive in Deislomen, at the town of Funshrell. The whole area is inhabited only on the hill tops as the valleys are marshy, thickly wooded and generally unpleasant. However enough space has been, cleared for the town of Funshrell to be near the river in the valley. This is the location of Zeim Shrell the castle of Tanlen. The castle has a wooden bailey and a square stone keep. The Small Party dine with Tanlen and discuss the situation, although he gives us little or no extra information.

B Halroddin, Mig, Willan, Trendel and Lydia go to look at the ruined village but find nothing of interest except a spooky looking castle along the way and a number of roofing slates scattered around the village. "This is a clue!" exclaims Mig, and he proceeds to ask everyone we meet where the slate mine is.

Sun 30 Mar 1586

A The Small Party visit the spooky tower (in the rain). Mig claims to see a boy with a flute at the top of tower and Franklin is scared witless by the same apparition, but nobody else sees or finds anything.

B The Small Party move on to Zeim Gillet. This castle has a stone curtain wall, several stone buildings and two stone towers. We are able to see and talk to Valhan, who is accompanied by an older quiet man who says nothing. Valhan is obviously a strong character and is convinced of Mandos' implication in the affair. Mig makes a few prattish comments.

B At dinner that night Kneebone and Trendel sit at the top table, while the rest dine with the soldiers. The old man reveals himself as a scholar interested in the natural world, coming from the other side of Lehrbahn, who has settled here to study the flowers in the valleys. He mentions that he has some books in the library at Lehrbahn.

Mon 31 Mar 1586

A The Small Party move on to Zeim Mas, the third and supposedly neutral castle. It is about 5 miles to the south, near the village of Holmas, and the Lord there is called Golhof. The flag of Dagur flies over the castle. Golhof is friendly as he greets the Small Party. His land is owned by the monastery of Bel Corru [It's not his land then - Ed].

B Over the fireplace in the large hall hangs a two-handed sword which is glowing faintly. Golhof tells the Small Party that this sword has been handed down from steward to steward after it was originally discovered in the tunnels undernea­th the castle. It has only been glowing for the last year or so, and glows very much brighter from time to time. He has not been able to establish a pattern in this. If the sword is removed any distance from the area it starts to get colder eventually freezing the carrier to death. There are runes on the sword which say the word "Tenhelmir" but no-one knows what this word means.

A Mig asks him where the slate mine is.

B Around midday the Small Party witness a sudden increase in the brightness if the sword, and at the same time the blade becomes colder. One of the men in Golhof's command has wielded the sword from time to time but is unable to tell us anything useful about it.

A Golhof assures the Small Party that he has no interest in the activities of the other two lords and no information concerning the destroyed village.

Tue 1 Apr 1586

A The Small Party visit the castle at Zeim Dranell, which is of similar construction to the castle at Zeim Gillet. On the way we pass a village where one of the houses has a slate roof. Mig asks them where the slate mine is!

A The Lord, Mandos, greets the Small Party in the main hall of Zeim Dranell, sitting with a younger man who appears to be his son and an older grey haired man. Mandos and his son, Benoral, are wearing swords. The older man is Colfax an adviser. Mig asks them all where the slate mine is.

B In the course of our discussions Mig stupidly mentions the tower and Franklin has a fit, casting a spell in the direction of the tower. Mandos and his son are greatly alarmed and the younger man leaps to his feet drawing his sword and claiming that Franlkin is possessed. Kneebone and Trendel do their best to calm the situation whilst Franklin is taken outside.

A Mandos attitude is cooler now but he discusses the village of Maindees with us. He is convinced of Valhan's guilt in the matter. He gives the Small Party permission to the ford to the north of the castle provided we leave a coin on the bank in offering to the river god whenever we do so.

A Mandos suggests that he might hire some of us for a retaliatory action against Valhan at 400 marks a week each, and even talks of a special action to destroy Valhan for which he would pay up to 15,000 marks. He is not willing to employ Franklin or Mig at all.

C The Small party return to Zeim Shrell and visit the small tower at the ford called Crelonnen. The guards there are unable to provide any information except for a rumour of a huge beast with a spiky back roaming the area to the south.

D Mig asks them where the slate mine is. Kneebone suggests politely to Mig that there is no slate mine in the area, that the slates where from the roof of one house, probably the head mans hut, and that the fact that they were all scorched on one side suggests that they were scattered around the village as the result of a "Fireball" or similar spell. Mig stops asking people where the slate mine is.

Wed 2 Apr 1586

A The Small Party explore the woods near the river, moving up from Crelonnen towards Maindees. A ford is discovered which would connect Zeim Gillet and Maindees, but it seems to be little used if at all. Near Maindees Halroddin questions a kestrel about the night of the fire. The bird reveals that the people moved off towards Zeim Dranell (East) perhaps under guard, with a large number of their animals. The Small Party attempt to find a trail but the weather gets worse so we return to Zeim Shrell.

Thur 3 Apr 1586

A Franklin is bedridden with a cold, but the rest of the Small Party return to the woods to seek the trail. We find it leading south and east over a small tributary. We follow the track to a clearing (?) in which there is a large old building. The walls around it are 10 feet high with towers at each corner. Atop one part of the building is a clear glass or crystal dome. There are regular signs of horse (mainly heading west), humanoids and a strange three toed creature. Halroddin speaks to a wild cat and finds out that the villagers where brought here but never re-emerged, and that the humanoids are accompanied by "big hairy things".

B Kneebone attempts a closer look at the building by scaling a wall at the side, away from the gatehouse. The building is a single story with the glass dome at one corner. There are creatures moving about in the dome and a big fIat circular object. Unfortunately one of the Hairy creatures in the gatehouse sees Kneebone and starts to run around the wall towards him. Kneebone resolves to hang on to the wall out of sight and stab up at the creature when it reaches him. He does so and is struggling with the creature when it is "Slept" by Breddruen (the rest of the Small Party having watched all this from the forest). Another creature approaches and kneebone uses the same tactic, killing this one in a single blow. Mig has started firing arrows at other creatures on the walls. As Kneebone climbs down from the wall he notices the creatures in the dome holding the circular object up to catch the sun and brilliant light fills the dome. Tenborro has come to see if Kneebone needs any help but is sent away as Kneebone goes around the back of the building to get a better look at the dome. As he climbs the wall again hairy creatures rush towards the towers on this side.

B Kneebone sees three or four creatures in the dome talking together. Trendel has joined Mig in firing at the ramparts and to reduce the impact of returned fire the Small Party has spread out through the woods. As Kneebone continues to watch the dome from where the orders seem to originate, the gates are opened and eight or nine hairy things (bugbears) rush out to attack the Small Party. An "Entangle" spell is used to slow them down. Kneebone sees one of the people in the dome start to cast a spell and guesses that will be a "Fireball" directed at the Small Party. However he is too far away from the dome to attempt to interrupt the spell in any way, and has no way of warning the rest of the Small Party. Kneebone dare not move from the wall in case the bugbears, now in the towers on his side, spot him.

C Back on the other side of the building the bugbears not "Entangled" are called back to the building. Trendel also guesses what is to happen, and shouts to Willan (who is the only one other than Lydia near enough) to "FLEEI!!". He and Lydia start to cast spells on each other and pray. Mig spots the activity but doesn't guess the significance. He tries to ask Trendel what is happening but Trendel cannot interrupt his spell to reply. Mig decides to flee as well without knowing why and takes the others with him. The "Entangle" spell is removed from within the dome and the bugbears who had been trapped run back to the building. Shortly afterwards the biggest "Fireball" anyone has ever seen goes off right where the Small Party had been standing. Kneebone uses the blast as cover to enable him to descend from the wall.

C Willan was the only one who had run far enough to escape the immediate blast, all the others are caught in it. Soon after the "Fireball" there is a huge blast of fireworks from the burning area and the fire is extinguished. After this has died down WiIlan searches for the others. The only member of the Small Party that he finds alive is Mig, and even he is very badly hurt and unconscious. Willan is forced to abandon Mig's armour and possessions in order to carry him away from the scene.

C When the "Fireball" went off Kneebone was clinging to the wall at the back of the temple [when did we find out it was a temple? - Ed], Willan was running hard and, as mentioned above, had just got far enough away, and Trendel and Lydia were also running and hoping that their "Endure Heat" spells would protect them. Kneebone used the blast as a distraction to allow him to descend from the wall unnoticed and to slip around to the side of the temple and watch the gatehouse. Willan was knocked flat by the explosion but otherwise unhurt, and Trendel and Lydia's faith and wisdom sustained them through their ordeal. Shortly after the fire starts it is extinguished by a "Pyrotechnics" spell. The resultant fireworks would have put Brocks to shame, and resulted in the temporary blinding of Trendel, Lydia and Kneebone.

D When Kneebone recovered his sight he saw the gates of the temple open and a group of bugbears led by humans emerge. The obvious leader is a human wearing plate mail and he give orders to the bugbears in a language which Kneebone doesn't recognise. Also there is a human wearing chain mail and a man who is obviously a priest. The bugbears move off into the forest and return with three bodies. Kneebone recognises Jesslyn and thinks another was Breddruen but is unable tell anything else. Two more men emerge from the temple, one of whom is the spell-caster from the dome. They join in conversation with the other humans but Kneebone is to far away to hear what is said. The leader then shouts more orders to the bugbears and two groups start to circle the temple in opposite directions, one group heading for Kneebone's position. Never having been a rash man Kneebone moves quickly and quietly away and heads back towards town.

D Meanwhile, Trendel and Lydia had scuttled off a short distance to the south to consider what to do next. They decide to go straight to the haunted tower and use it to look out back towards the woods to see who, if anyone, emerges. Anyone moving straight to town have to pass close to it.

C At about the same time Willan has picked himself up and returned to the burnt area to look for other survivors. He finds Breddruen, Tenborro, Halroddin and Jesslyn all dead but Mig, although badly hurt and unconscious, is just barely alive. His bow and arrows are destroyed and Willan is forced to remove Mig's other weapons and armour in order to carry him back towards town whilst keeping as much cover as he can.

D Kneebone, Willan carrying Mig, and Trendel with Lydia are now all moving in the same direction at the same time but somehow they all miss each other. Kneebone is fastest and reaches town quickly where he goes to see Franklin and explain what happened, although he still doesn't know if anyone else survived. Trendel and Lydia safely reach the tower and start to keep a lookout. In view of the effect on Franklin they avoid the top and stick to the third floor.

D Willan is creeping slowly through the forest hauling the unconscious Mig. The bugbears had picked up Kneebone's trail and were following it when they spot Willan. Willan has been travelling for an hour when he notices the trailing group of four bugbears. He can't outrun them without abandoning Mig, so he decides he'll have to fight them. If he can surprise them he might get one or maybe two with thrown spears and then fight off the rest.

E Willan hides Mig in some bushes, being careful to make sure that he can just be seen, and circles back to arrive at a position to the side of the bugbears. They stop when they spot Mig and Willan hurls two of his spears, both of which miss their target. Willan then fails in his attempt to set his remaining spear for the charge, as two of the bugbears rush in to attack him. The bugbears are very confident and seem to regard this as something of a game, however Willan is desperate and manages to kill one with his spear. One of the others takes his place and things hot up. Willan leaves his spear embedded in his first victim and draws his broadsword. The bugbear who has just joined the attack hits Willan but gets his head stove in for his trouble. The bugbear still facing Willan drops his weapon and flees in terror. The remaining bugbear who has yet to get involved is the biggest and nastiest looking of the lot, and he now advances on Willan with menace in his eyes. Willan didn't know it but this was the leader of the bugbear tribe.

E Willan, who has never seen a James Bond film, devises a desperate plan to deal with the situation. He makes no attempt to attack the bugbear but circles through the trees dodging his opponent until he comes to the place where his thrown spears ended up. When he is in a good position he fakes a stumble and grabs a spear and sets it so that the charging bugbear, who fortunately has also never seen a James Bond film, impales itself. The bugbear is killed by this single blow.

E As Willan attempts to recover his spears and Mig he hears the approach of another person, a human wearing chain armour. Willan replaces the spear in the bugbear leader and hangs Mig on the end of it, so that it seems as though they killed each other. Then he hides in the bushes as the man approaches. The man sees Mig, pokes him with his sword and seems satisfied that he is dead. Without investigating further the man returns to his bugbear followers. Willan rushes out, grabs Mig and makes for the tower, which now seems to be the closest cover.

D He makes it, just as the absence of Mig on the end of the spear in the forest is discovered. Willan is extremely gratified to find Trendel and Lydia in the tower and avails himself of a "Cure" spell. Following this the three of them take Mig and go as fast as possible to Zeim Shrell which is now only half a mile away. They make it without further hinderance, dump Mig in a sick bed and go off for a well earned rest. WHEW!!

F When Willan arrives at Zeim Shrell carrying Mig, he finds Kneebone already there, and the two of them get Mig to a sick-bed and call a healer. A "Cure" spell eases Mig's condition but he is still unconscious.

F During the evening a tall, well built, man with shaggy hair and moustache arrives at the castle with a letter from Tanlen, and he asks for Kneebone by name. He is Botam, the son of Nelsyn, and he brings news of the murder of his father. He insists that we leave this matter and return with him to Lehrbahn as soon as possible.

Fri 4 Apr 1586

A Mig is raised to consciousness by the priest, but he is still very weak. His Face and body have been heavily burned and scarred by the fine. The Very Small Party decide to travel to Lehrbahn without Franklin who will follow on later when he recovers. Mig borrows a broad sword and the four remaining members of the Very Small Party [Willan, Kneebone, Trendel, Lydia and Mig - I make it five. Had Lydia had enough excitement and remained behind or is the counting a bit iffy? - Ed] ride off as soon as we can. When the Very Small Party arrive outside Lehrbahn the gates are closed. Botam calls for admittance. The portcullis is raised and six soldiers emerge with a lantern. When they see Botam they immediately draw their swords and arrest us all. Apparently this is for the murder of Nelsyn. The Very Small Party and Botam are taken to the gatehouse and shoved into a tiny, filthy lock up.

A An hour or so later Ralselig, the guard captain [recent promotion (see Dec 26 1585), what happened to Kolyn? - Ed] arrives, and takes The Very Small Party and Botam across to the Gran Dum, the guard tower in the south west of the city, where we spend the night in the cells. [It's been a bit of a bad hair week - Ed]

Sat 5 Apr 1586

A Ralselig returns mid-morning and releases everyone except Botam. Apparently papers implicating Botam where found in Nelsyn,s safe after the murder as they suggest a conflict between Nelsyn and Botam. However people who knew them tell the Small Party that they got on well. There has been some talk that Kelcin, the representative from Tamscorr may have been involved as he was not friendly with Nelsyn.

B The innkeeper at the "Mermaid and Otter has a message from Gillan mac Nelsyn who wishes to see Kneebone at his house. A boy leads Kneebone and Willan to a side door at the house of Nelsyn, which is opened by a large man who has a family resemblance to Botam and Nelsyn. Gillan is convinced of Botam's innocence. When they discovered their father dead, Botam had rushed off to fetch the Small Party. Botam told Gillan to inform the guard but no-one else, and not to let anyone in to look at Nelsyn's papers. However when Calhan's son Bal Redim arrived to take over the house and his fathers position, aided by a man named Deldross, Gillan felt that he could not stop them. These two arrived very quickly after Nelsyn's death was discovered and took away papers from the safe one of which they claimed indicated bad feeling between Botam and Nelsyn. However Gillan says that there was no such bad feeling and suggest that the Small Party discuss the whole affair with Botam.

C Back at the "Mermaid and Otter", the innkeeper tells Kneebone that he is worried about one of the new bouncers called Caerlig, who he feels to something.

Sun 6 Apr 1586

A The Small Party see Botam in prison. He is weII treated but obviously irked at being locked up. He recognises the name Deldross but can't place him. Bal Redim is Calhan's second son and a bit of a plonker. Calhan tried several things for him but there was nothing he didn't mess up, so he sent him to Lehrbahn and instructed Nelsyn to give him reasonable amounts of money and keep him out of trouble. Nelsyn and Botam have had to bail him out of trouble and gambling debts on occasion since then. Botam feels that Bal Redim is too much of a prat to be behind this.

B Lehrbahn is in the middle of four Thanedoms and is a major city in the League of Los Nystel. Calhan is a powerful Thane and is on good terms with the King of Ruistor. Calhan and Nelsyn were also big pals and Botam claims to get on well with Calhan and all three of his sons including Bal Redim.

B In Lehrbahn the council is elected from the Guild of Merchants (five men), the Guild of Craftsmen (three men) and the Guild of Locksmiths (one man). The current mayor is a senior member of the Guild of Craftsmen, but he is just a figurehead, with the merchants holding the real power. Their Guildmaster, Kzar, chooses the five councilmen and holds his post for life, so he holds the reins.

B Kzar has been Guildmaster for 25 years. Before that there was some rivalry with a man named Goroncof, but and agreement was reached whereby Goroncof runs all the connections between the League of Los Nystel and the Merchants Guild in Lehrbahn, whilst Kzar got control of the Guild and the town. Goroncof is now secretary to the League and hence an elector to the King of Ruistor. At the same time Kzar did a deal with an unnamed individual in Lehrbahn and the two now support each other. However the unnamed man is now old and as his power wanes so will that of Kzar.

B Kzar has recently formed connections with the Lodrell church and is doing them special favours, much to the annoyance of the other churches. The High Priest of the Lodrell church, Pattis, has become one of Kzar's advisers. Golgol, the High Priest of Amnis and Lytella, the High Priestess of Farah would like to see their own power increased. Selvenic, the High Priest of the river god Bahn, has considerable power already but is unhappy with the political set up.

B Nelsyn and Botam tried to keep out of all this but Selvenic is a special friend of theirs. Selvenic's son was recently arrested on a trumped up charge and Selvenic believes that Pattis was behind it, Nelsyn secured his release. Because of this Nelsyn may have secured the enmity of Pattis.

B A group of free thinkers meets at an inn called the "Golden Key" which is apparently known to Franklin Fitzgerald-Moore. Nelsyn and Botam had some involvement with them. Onosam, of the Guild of Craftsmen, the youngest and latest elected to the council, was at one time supported by this group but is now opposed to and by them, for reasons as yet unspecified. He is a rare politician in that he has a brain and independence. He wants power for himself.

B Botam is confident that he will become the accredited representative of Calhan as soon as news gets to him and back.

C The Small Party receive a message from Selvenic for Kneebone, Mig and Willan to visit him the next day.

D Kneebone searches the room of the suspect bouncer Caerlig but finds only a collection of ladies underwear to which he adds an item from one of the ladies rooms.

Mon 7 Apr 1586

A As per the invitation Kneebone, Willan and Mig lunch with Selvenic at the temple of Bahn. An acolyte of the church gives a guided tour pointing out relics and treasures in an obvious attempt to impress. Selvenic greets the three cordially and gives an impressive meal. The dining room is small but opulent. Over coffee and liqueurs comes the real talk.

A Selvenic wants to know who killed Nelsyn. He suspects Pattis of being involved (he suspects Pattis of being involved with everything) and sees Pattis as a jumped up johnny-come-lately. He gives us a bag holding 3,500 crowns to encourage our interest in investigating the death of Nelsyn and perhaps "do" other unspecified things for him.

A Later in the day Rallink sees the Small Party and introduces a temple guard called Ralpere, who wishes to go adventuring. Willan and Mig take him off to talk to him. As he is a bit shy and shockable they take him to the worst dive they can think of to test his mettle. Shortly after they arrive Ralpere is accosted by a "Iady" whom he rebuffs. She immediately summons the bouncers and they start to push him about while Willan and Mig shout encouragement from the sidelines. The less Ralpere wants to fight the funnier the bouncers find it. Eventually four of them grab him and remove his trousers, providing general hilarity for everyone except Ralpere. He chases his trousers for a while as they play catch with them. Eventually he hits one. However after he has been hit back a couple of times he gives up and comes and sits down again, trouserless. The bouncers take the trousers off to their table and hang them up as a trophy. Willan is flabbergasted at the lack of spirit that Ralpere showed and takes him back to Rallink in disgust. You should always throw minnows back.

A Ralpere returned several times to the dive bar to try and get his trousers back. Each time he lost another pair. He could be still going and keeping Burtons in business.

Tue 8 Apr 1586

A The Small Party are summoned to Bal Redim's and meet him and Deldross. Deldross appears to want us to give up our investigation into Nelsyn although he doesn't say so. As a solution to his inability to pay us for the work we did for Nelsyn, he offers the Small Party a job for him which would involve leaving Lehrbahn to deal with a recalcitrant noble to the north.

B In the evening Kneebone discovers that Caerlig is in fact a pimp and is terrorising half-a-dozen girls into working for him. Kneebone warns him off and Caerlig departs sullenly with veiled threats about Kneebone riding for a fall.

C The Main Party start the trek to the Heslor temple at Aflos. Dek is very ill but decides to continue. Over the next few days of the journey the Main Party are attacked by giant birds, avoid some giant snakes thanks to Uspin and suffer badly from the cold and persistent rain.

Wed 9 Apr 1586

A Overnight one of the town councillors, named Cassinar, is assassinated. Poisoned by something he ate the previous day. It was known that he took a vile of wine to bed with him as usual.

B During the day Guerin returns from his mysterious mission, of which he will say nothing.

C Franklin plans to charm Deldross in an attempt to discover information that will discredit him and maybe result in the freeing of Botam.

D Ralselig contacts Guerin and Mig and suggests that they raid the house of Golgol, the High Priest of the church of Amnis) to steal documents which will incriminate him in the murder of Cassinar. He says he will supply the names of all the "Glyphs" which guard the residence. The Small Party later learn that Golgol's second in command is a close friend of Ralselig.

E A large drunken individual named Halliponob (aka. Nobby) approaches and challenges Willan, who floors him with one blow, and is later adopted into the Party!

F The Small Party decide to accept the challenge of raiding Golgol's house, using Kneebone, Guerin, DenConnu and Mig. Kneebone makes the initial entry through the bedroom of Golgol's daughter. He uses some of her perfume to get past the dogs in the hall and he and Guerin sort out the two sleeping guards with no problems. DenConnu sorts out the "Glyphs" and Kneebone finds the secret compartment in Golgol's desk which contains the papers we seek, some jewels and a magical glove.

F The papers name four men which Golgol brought into town and paid 2,000 marks for unspecified duties. A contact point of an inn is indicated. On the way out Kneebone opens the front door but leaves all the bolts shot just to confuse any investigation

Thur 10 Apr 1586

A Guerin takes the papers to Ralselig and collects the meagre payment. The Small Party agree to keep an eye on the four men for him, Kneebone arranges this. The four men are two soldierly types, a merchant and a craftsman.

B Franklin is given the glove to investigate before anyone puts it on.

C Nobby introduces a friend of his, a middle aged man named Tressor who wishes to join the Party. He appears to be some kind of forgetful magic user.

Fri 11 Apr 1586

A During the morning four soldiers raid the "Mermaid and Otter" searching for property stolen from the church of Amnis (or, more correctly, Golgol). They have been searching all inns etc.. Their search is fairly cursory and they allow themselves to be distracted by Mig.

B Ranadis, the second in command to Golgol meets with the two soldierly types that Kneebone is having watched. Meanwhile Kneebone arranges a raid on the inn to flush out the other two and search their rooms but he finds nothing.

Sat 12 Apr 1586

A Kneebone is tricked by two men of his acquaintance (whom we shall call Vrasig and Calhassin) and they capture and disarm him in Mig's room. Vrasig questions him about his activities the previous night and strips him to examine his body for wounds. Vrasig says he is searching for the murderer of Bel Nevis (his second in command) and his bodyguard Tim, who were killed last night. Bel Nevis was stabbed front and back but his knife was drawn and blooded. Neither Calhassin, Roschman [Who? - Ed] or Kneebone have any incriminating wounds. Vrasig enlists Kneebone's help in the search for the murderer, and warns that no-one in the Small Party should attempt to leave town. Also found killed in a separate incident where the two men Kneebone had watching the group of four employed by Golgol. In a further incident Franklin's house was visited, the glove stolen, and the house put to the torch!

B Franklin has gained Deldross' confidence and has persuaded him to supply an account of his actions in Lehrbahn, ostensively for delivery to his father. The letter is in code and Kneebone and Franklin set to work to crack the code.

C Farther along the road from Revarlen to Alfos Farlas spots a group of orcs rushing towards the Main Party and spreading out. He, Lucius and Nalin charge off to engage them. Offa elects to remain with the others and use his bow, although the ever attentive Caroline ruins his only good shot with an ill timed hug. Farlas, Lucius and Nalin are busily orc bashing when Uspin arrives and the four of them get stuck in. The orcs soon realise that they are getting the worst of it and scatter. However all those that are visible are pursued and killed. Farlas and Uspin then start hunting for any that might be hiding, finding and killing three and capturing one.

C From this one the Main Party learn that the tribe is about three or four miles off the road to the west and numbers about three or four hundred orcs, 150 of which are fighters. The leader is Oshkok. The orcs themselves are effectively under the dominion of a group of giants who live in some caves about 15 to 20 miles away.

C Uspin, Farlas, Lucius and Modo dash off to look at the orc settlement and find five or six shabby wooden buildings housing the tribe. They estimate 100 adult males and are able to see seven guards.

C The whole of the Main Party trundles over and Dek and Farlas "Sleep" the guards. The Main Party then enter each hut in turn a slaughter all the orcs taking the leader captive. We find a total of 50 crowns worth of small coins and trinkets. The orc leader is unable to tell us anything interesting and is killed by Nalin.

Sun 13 Apr 1586

A Calhan's representative Menir arrives in Lehrbahn with documents from Calhan. He is able to secure the release of Botam and ejects Deldross and Bal Redim from the residency. The documents incriminating Botam are released and Tressor is put to work on them to see if he can prove that they are forgeries.

B The four strangers have upped and moved, but the Small Party are able to track them using Kneebone's friends in the underground. The Small Party decide to attack and capture them and deliver them to the same underground. They are in a second storey room in another inn and Franklin keeps an eye on them using his canary familiar. Willan, Mig and Guerin smash in through the front door and Franklin coincides their entry with a "Sleep" spell which catches the merchant and one fighter. The other two go straight for the windows, throwing them open and attempting to leap out. Kneebone is waiting under one window, clinging to the wall and grabs the craftsman as he comes out throws him to the ground and jumps an top of him. The other man, the fighter, gets out of the other window but Guerin is close behind and catches him on the ground. Kneebone and Guerin both are able to disarm and hold their opponents and some of Kneebone's friends come in from the sidelines to help tie them up and cart them off.

B The merchant type turns out to be a priest of Dagur. All four are handed over to Vrasig for interrogation. The Small Party return to search their room and find a small amount of money and a box which contains a horrible green gas and three small glass vials of liquid, one clear, one blue and one red.

Mon 14 Apr 1586

A On the road to Aflos the Main Party are attacked by snakes which spit poison. Dek uses the wand of "Frost" but fails to kill with it.Coralyn is spat at and bitten but not poisoned, and the three snakes are killed by Offa, Nalin and Lucius. Modo takes the black and gold skins.

Tue 15 Apr 1586

A Franklin and Kneebone crack the code in Deldross' letter. It gives full details of his arrival in Lehrbahn and how he won the friendship of Bal Redim. He paid the thieves guild 50,000 marks to kill Nelsyn, so that he and Bal Redim could take over his house and monies. He appropriated over 100,000 marks of Calhan's funds and prepared the forgeries to incriminate Botam.

A For finding out this information Botam gives Franklin 1,000 marks and free rooms in his house. The Small Party also get a sealed letter of introduction to Calhan for when we leave. Botam says we will be able to claim further monies from him if we go there.

Wed 16 Apr 1586

A The Main Party is attacked at night on the road to Aflos by lions but are able to fight them off. In the course of the action Dek tries to use the wand again and blasts Offa as well as the lions. Caroline manages to get in Offa's way, and then as she is politely pushed aside, steps in the fire.

Thur 17 Apr 1586

A Franklin disappears! He was seen being taken into one of the thieves guild safe houses. Kneebone asks a few questions and is told very firmly to lay off.

Sat 19 Apr 1586

D Lions attack the Main Party again at night. This time the fight is tougher and Dek and Yougo are both hurt, but eventually the lions are fought off or killed.

C The Small Party hear that there is to be a special council meeting tonight called for by Selvenic and others during which a vote of "no confidence" in Kzar will be called for. There is a strong possibility of civil unrest (riots) after such a meeting.

A Vrasig summons Kneebone, Calhassin and Roschman to his house. Vrasig says he suspects the "Golden Key" group of the murder of Golfascin [Who? - Ed] and proposes that the four of them should bump off all the "Golden Key" men at that inn this evening.

B Later that day Roschman contacts the rest of the Small Party and tells us of the plan. He suggests to the Small Party that they join with him in using this opportunity to be rid of Vrasig and secure the release of Franklin!

B When Kneebone enters the "Golden Key" he is surprised to see most of the rest of the Small Party lurking therein in various disguises, but he keeps his mouth shut and his eyes open. The four thieves move towards where the "Golden Key" men are sitting and prepare to strike. As Vrasig lifts his sword and kills his man the place erupts into action. The rest of the Small Party jump to their feet and rush the thieves. Kneebone has been waiting for this and makes no attempt on the "Golden Key" man in front of him but hurls his poisoned dagger at Vrasig, scoring a hit. Roschman has leapt across the table to engage in mock combat with Guerin. Mig takes on the enraged Vrasig. Kneebone attempts to come to Mig's aid, running over and killing Calhassin on the way, but at the critical moment Roschman turns on Vrasig and fells him from behind. It all goes very quiet. Roschman has a quiet word with the innkeeper and leads the Small Party out.

C That evening the council meeting takes place and a vote of "no confidence" in Kzar is called for but only Onosam votes against Kzar. There are the expected riots but peace is kept in the "Mermaid and Otter" with little difficulty. Selvenic apparently recruited and armed some troops to keep order near the temple of Bahn, much to the annoyance of Kolyn and the town guard. Indeed.....

Sun 20 Apr 1586

A ..... Ralselig calls and suggests some work for the Small Party tomorrow, quelling rioters and taking on Selvenic's troops for 2,000 marks. Selvenic offers 6,000 marks for the Small Party to fight against Kolyn. In the event Kneebone and Roschman set up a little ambush for Kolyn and some of his men, and Mig, Guerin and Nobby go and duff up a few rioters for the guards. In the ambush Kolyn is hurt but Selvenic's troops suffer quite badly too.

B Uspin tells the rest of the Main Party that we are being followed by six men, and Modo goes off invisibly to investigate. He reports five men and a dwarf, two in plate and two in chain. One of the unarmored men is sick and all have horses. He has spoken to them and they recognised him apparently by his voice alone, and called him by name. They say they are not following but looking for us and have information in which we would be interested. As a group the Main Party trudge back to talk.

B Their spokesman is Turvey, who wears a chain and claims to be a cleric of Nileise, the river god. He greets the Main Party by name and appears to know a lot about us. He tells us of ongoing political struggle between the churches of Heslor and Nileise, and that a strong force from the Heslor temple, led by their most powerful priest, Tuliem Reimes, had travelled to this temple to retrieve the Eagle Stone. Of the nine people in that party only two survived and Tuliem Reimes is missing presumed dead.

B The Eagle Stone is very powerful and influential and will be used by the Heslor church to raise the nobles of the area in rebellion against King Connel. Turvey believes that this would be a fruitless move merely resulting in death for many of the men of Van Lies, and he wishes to prevent Heslor from obtaining the stone. They wish to enter Mount Quet, where the temple is situated, with us and perform a ceremony which would neutralise the power of the stone. Turvey offers the Main Party 10,000 crowns if we help him, although this would be payable only on our return to Revarlen.

B The Main Party take time to consider his offer.

Mon 21 Apr 1586

A Uspin tells the Main Party that the mountain and temple are at the end of a clear valley just ahead. A bugbear encampment is in front of the temple and could be bypassed so as to arrive at the temple unseen. There are about 20 to 30 adult males in the tribe (100 bugbears altogether).

B The Main Party decide to ask Turvey for more definite information, particularly about the power of the Eagle Stone, and that if he will not supply it we will continue as before. In case they attack us we prepare a battle plan for our defence at their encampment.

B Offa speaks for us but is balked in his attempt to get more information. As he talks Modo sees what he takes to be an aggressive move and backstabs Brin, a mercenary fighting for them, precipitating the Main Party into a pitched battle. As previously arranged Dek and Farlas start to cast spells on the apparent magic users on their side (Caroline was also pencilled in for spell casting but she fainted!), whilst Offa, Nalin, Lucius, Bazron and Yougo engage the fighters, and a "Heat metal" spell is used on Brin and Turvey. Farlas is "Magic missiled" badly and goes invisible. Dek had been assigned to "Magic missile" the sick man who appeared to be sleeping, but this turns out to be a bundle of rags cleverly arranged. As Dek's spell goes off he is hit from behind by an invisible opponent wielding an axe and killed. Coralyn sees this and goes into a frenzy chasing after the now fleeing thief.

B The two clerics on their side start to speak as they defend themselves and Lucius is caught by a "Grovel" command. Coralyn runs down the thief a short distance into the woods and when he pulls a knife she splits him down the middle with one blow. Back in the clearing Nalin fights Brin and hits him badly. Uspin leaps on the dwarf as he floors Lally, [Offa's war dog - Ed] Yougo battles against a cleric and Farlas casts "Spells invisibly" against their magic-user killing him. Yougo flattens the cleric but Nalin and the grovelling Lucius are both badly hit, although Lucius is pulled away by Druerloth.

C Nalin and Offa call for their surrender but get only get blows in response. Coralyn returns to the fray and kills the dwarf with her first blow. Yougo takes on Brin who is polished off by a "Magic missile" from Farlas. Lucius recovers and takes on Turvey, now the only one standing, and wearing very hot armour. He screams "Okay you scum I can at least show you the meaning of honour!" He is surrounded by Lucius, Offa, Bazron and the berserk Coralyn. Offa is fencing and trying to get him to surrender and the rest of the Main Party stop. Suddenly Offa attacks Lucius apparently at the behest of Fearno. Lucius fights back and hits Offa. Modo and Yougo see this and also attack Offa. Lucius is screaming for Farlas to do something. In the confusion Coralyn kills Turvey, and finding no more enemies to fight, totally ignores Offa and the rest, and goes off to play a dirge on the harp over Dek's body.

D Modo attacks Offa with a will as Nalin tries, unsuccessfully to push him away, and when Lucius knocks Offa out Modo leaps on him on the ground with a knife. Nalin continues to try and get Modo off, as Modo appears determined to kill Offa. Lucius and Farlas join in the attempt to restrain Modo but Modo gets in an apparently killing blow. As soon as this happens Modo collapses in remorse, but Farlas continues attacking him! Lucius tries to drag Modo away whilst Yougo defends him.

D A faint white glow appears all around Offa's body. Nalin takes Fearno and immediately attacks Modo. Fearno is glowing very brightly and the glow around Offa increases. Lucius picks up Modo and runs off with him. Nalin chases. At this point Caroline wakes up sees Offa apparently dead and faints again.

E Shortly afterwards Nalin returns saying that he was unable to catch Lucius and puts Fearno back in Offa's hand, but Keeping hold of the blade. The glow around Offa's body and the sword gets brighter and brighter. Farlas asks what is happening and Nalin tells him that he is "eradicating evil". Suddenly the light is extinguished. Every wound an Offa's body, new or old, is completely healed, but he is very definitely dead. Nalin takes Fearno and hands it to Farlas, who sheathes it.

F Using Calhassan as a messenger Farlas informs Modo that he can return to the Main Party under arrest awaiting a fair trial. Modo declines and he and Calhassan leave together. Yougo remains with the Main Party. Later Farlas asks Uspin to find Modo's trail.

G The remainder of the Main Party loot the dead bodies. Two sets of plate mail and two sets of chain mail are recovered. One set of plate is dwarfen, the other goes to Yougo and the small set of chain is given to Coralyn. Lucius gets a bow [GPN, +1], 12 silver tipped arrows and three ordinary arrows. Farlas gets a magic sword [GPN, +2], a scroll containing "Detect magic", "ESP", "Levitate", "Lightening bolt" and "Water breathing" and a spell book containing "Charm person", "Find familiar", "Magic missile", "Sleep", "Invisibility", "Levitate", "Fireball" and "Phantasmal force". Caroline gets a magic dagger [GPN, +2], Nalin gets a magic hand axe [GPN, +1] and Bazron gets a magic single handed battle axe [GPN, +1]. Druerloth gets a scroll containing "Resist fire", "Speak with the dead" and "Cure serious wounds". In addition to the chain mail Coralyn also gets a white minty potion from Turvey's body and an unidentified ring from the magic user. In addition to his plate mail Yougo also gets a magic shield and mace [GPN, both +1]. A magic mace [GPN, +2] is saved for Rustbulj. There is also a total of 100 crowns and a magical silver clerical symbol with gems.

H Having looted the bodies and divided the treasure the Main Party decide to retrace our footsteps and acquire much needed clerical assistance. To achieve this the six horses from the defeated group are taken and as many Main Party members as are able will ride.

I There are rumours in Lehrbahn that Selvenic has had private discussions with Kzar. Rioting is much less widespread tonight.

Tue 22 Apr 1586

A The Small Party have dinner with Rallink. He has finished his perusal of the heavens and consultation of the deities, and has prepared a document of his conclusions for delivery to the Essini high temple. However he wants the Small Party to travel down the river Nysorm to Salsorme and seek out the leading Knight of the Golden Falcon there first.

Wed 23 Apr 1586

A A proclamation in the city square is made saying that an advisory council of the religious leaders Selvenic, Volapar, Golgol, Lytella and Pattis is to be formed. The council will have no real power over the city council but will probably have substantial influence.

B Kneebone buys the land on which Franklin's house stood from him.

Thur 24 Apr 1586

A The convoy departs taking the Small Party to the Nysorm for our journey to Salsorme. It will travel via Calhan's capital, and Menir will accompany the Small Party.

A The Small Party journey up the Nystel Bahn for about 100 miles to the town of Zeimfuro. The journey will take about ten days and will be undertaken at Botam's expense. Menir (Calhan's representative) will travel on the same barge convoy. Other passengers are a Lady and her twin blonde daughters who about five years old and a nuisance in the extreme. The convoy makes nightly stops, usually at dilapidated way stations.

Fri 25 Apr 1586

A Donal nem Lehr, a representative of the merchants guild, the League of Los Nystel, introduces himself and thanks the Small Party for getting him out of a scrape in the "Mermaid and Otter". He tells us that he "owes us one" and buys the Small Party a meal.

B The little blonde girls are being a real pain and Nobby goes to remonstrate with the mother, the Lady Miella syg Bressel. During the course of this he accidentally knocks down her door. The lady is not impressed and the staff of the boat seem unhappy also and say that the matter will be taken further.

C At the evening meal, Kneebone introduces Herra mac Helm, the thief who failed in an attempt to backstab Kneebone when the Small Party arrived in Lehrbahn. Herra has been working for Kneebone and, as Kneebone will be leaving the Small Party soon, he suggests Herra as a suitable and trustworthy(?) replacement.

D At Midday on the forth day that the Main Party are journeying back from the temple at Aflos to Revarlen Uspin arrives with an arrow in his arm and warns of barbarians. He suggests the Main Party flee or prepare to defend ourselves. It is decided to continue and try to get out of the territory as quickly as possible.

D A little later Uspin returns and suggests the we accelerate, as there is now a large group of barbarians bearing down on us from the side. The dwarfs reluctantly mount up behind experienced riders and the Main Party speed up to a canter.

D Further down the road the Main Party ride in to an ambush by a small group of barbarians who release arrow fire from the road side. Uspin charges in from nowhere and kills one but the remaining four give chase. Uspin engages them and Lucius and Nalin help him. Between the they easily dispatch three however the last barbarian attempts to ride off but is chased down by Lucius who is on foot!

D The Main Party ride on as fast as possible and appear to leave the rest of the barbarians behind.

Sat 26 Apr 1586

A Before the barges transporting the Small Party set off for the day the Captain and the leader of the guards come to discuss Nobby's antics. As Nobby has already paid for the damage to the door and the Lady does not seem to make an issue of it, the matter will be dropped (this time).

Sun 27 Apr 1586

A One of the little brats mysteriously falls from a barge into the water. Franklin (who just happened to be nearby) dives in to save her. However the child can swim better than Franklin and reaches the shore unhurt. Franklin bangs is head on a barge.

Mon 28 Apr 1586

A The Main Party are attacked by six giant ants on the road back to Revarlen. They are easily dispatched with the aid of a "Sleep" spell from Farlas.

Tue 29 Apr 1586

A During the night the Main Party are attacked by seven trolls. They prove to be tough opposition by Farlas makes great use of the "Stinking cloud" spell and all the trolls are eventually killed without serious injury to the Main Party.

B The boring journey of the Small Party is briefly interrupted by the discovery of a destroyed way station. The destruction is apparently random, with timbers and earth thrown about all over the place but there are no discernable tracks. A trail of destruction leads off into the forest. The barge captain makes a cursory investigation but is not inclined to delay his journey. The Small Party wimps out of going off on our own despite the enthusiasm of Nobby and Mig.

Thur 1 May 1586

A The Main Party arrive back at Revarlen.

B The Small Party arrive in Zeimfuro. Today is the Mayday carnival. Menir takes the Small Party to the palace and installs us there, and then we go out on the town. The Small Party drink and join in numerous small brawls and NOBBY BEATS WILLAN AT ARM WRESTLING! Nobby takes on all comers and surprisingly is beaten once himself!

Fri 2 May 1586

A Calhan is unavailable today.

A Investigations reveal:- The main temple in Zeimfuro is to Bahn. There is an Essini temple (to which DenConnu goes). The Lady Miella's husband is a guard captain missing presumed dead, in the Deislomen area.

Sat 3 May 1586

A The Small Party meet Calhan. He asks us for details of what happened in Deislomen. We discuss the matter for some time and are asked, to stay in the castle while Calhan considers the matter (and our reward).

Sun 4 May 1586

A Herra makes contact with what passes for the thieves guild. It is very weak. Most of the talk in town centres around the events in Deislomen. The Small Party decide to send Willan and DenConnu to Salsorme with the Essini message while the rest of the Small Party will return to Deislomen for a second attempt. The Small Party have heard of some druids who are now there and who seem to be investigating the temple. [Mind you don't get the Small Party and Main Party temples confused - Ed]

Mon 5 May 1586

A Willan and DenConnu continue the journey from Zeimfuro to Salsorme. The remaining members of the Small Party [I wonder who they are - Ed] inform Menir of our plans.

B Hortense finds a reference to "Gamlic the demon" in Revarlen, it is merely listed as a demon. Later she discovers a reference to a battle between the forces of good and evil taking place to the south of the city of Cusli. The details seem to match up with the battle the Main Party have previously heard of [The Battle of Five Armies (see 20 Nov 1585), The final battle at Torlich (by the sea) (see 10 Feb 1585) - Ed] although no other names are mentioned. Hortense can find no other references to Cusli [In the kingdom of Desus? (see 22 Oct 1580) - Ed].

C The Main Party return to the Heslor temple in Revarlen and meet Yosurn, the high priest. [On 8 March 1586 the high priest was Lenhan - Ed] The Main Party tell him that we met a group from the river god Nileise who were trying to destroy the Eagle Stone. We explain that after we had killed them all in combat we were too injured to stand a chance of successfully completing the mission which is why we returned. There is disagreement as Yosurn will not send any Heslor priests to assist the Main Party.

D The Main Party try to recruit clerics in Revarlen town.

Tue 6 May 1586

A After getting knocked back by the high priest of Amnis in Revarlen the Main Party find we are being followed by a balding middle aged cleric [Coffchomi - Ed]. He is not very forthcoming but seems to be tagging along behind Scannon. Scannon was known as Yougo but now that Modo has left he has mentioned that he prefers to be known by his proper name.

B Almost immediately the Main Party bump in to two men and a lion. The youngest man is called Woden and he introduces us to Lusch the lion and Brutzch mac Woden his son! Brutzch looks much older than Woden. Woden explains his life story which includes missing 23 years while screwing a mystery woman. He returned to find a son born to him who is now older than he is!

C The Main Party recruit another two people in a pub [Vequar and Su-Lan - Ed] and Caroline and Hortense decide to take a rain check on the return trip to the temple.

D Farlas agrees to wield Fearno until a suitable replacement can be found.

E In Zeimfuro, the Small Party meet with Calhan again. He is pleased that we want to return to Deislomen as this was to be his suggestion. Calhan warns us that the situation has deteriorated, with some open fighting between the two sides recently. His scholars have found some details of an old fire temple in the area and mention of a specific sword created to combat it. We tell him that we believe that this is the sword in Lord Golhof's castle. Calhan tells us that he cannot command Golhof to give us the sword, as he cannot risk alienating another Lord. Calhan will however give us a letter of introduction and any equipment we need.

F To aid the Small Party Calhan introduces Belar a cleric of Thrune.

Wed 7 May 1586

A The Small Party obtains all the necessary equipment, Nobby even gets a suit plate mail.

B The Main Party - Nalin, Bazron, Lucius, Druerloth, Woden, Brutzch, Vequar, Su-Lan, Coralyn, Scannon, Coffchomi, Farlas and Uspin set off for the temple in Aflos with Lusch the lion in tow.

Thur 8 May 1586

A The Lady Miella asks to see the Small Party and requests an escort to Deislomen where she intends to investigate the disappearance of her husband. Mig settles an a price of 100 marks. The reward does not impress Nobby.

B Guerin reports that his food tastes odd.

Fri 9 May 1586

A The Small Party leave Zeimfuro for Deislomen with Miella. It is about 150 miles away.

Sat 10 May 1586

A In the evening the Main Party are ambushed on the journey back to Aflos by some barbarians. The ambush happened as people were foraging. The Main Party manage to regroup and a lot of barbarians are killed however Uspin is "Entangled" and some get away. One barbarian is taken hostage and plied with drink. Unfortunately he falls unconscious so we kill him and move camp.

Tue 13 May 1586

A After an uneventful journey the Small Party arrive at Zeim Shrell. Miella mentions that she might be willing to employ the Small Party to find her husband and we argue about a price but fail to agree.

B The Small Party speak to Tanlen, the Lord, and give him the letter of introduction. Tanlen tells us that Valhan and Mandos have hired more mercenaries and that the level of violence has increased. The Lord Falco, Miella's husband, disappeared while leading a party of guards into the area containing the temple. This was about four weeks ago.

Wed 14 May 1586

A Herra reports that some druids were in the area a couple of weeks ago but haven't been seen since. Miella asks to see the Small Party again. Mig gives her all the information concerning the sword but fails to negotiate a deal. Tanlen says he cannot help us with the sword.

B ln the evening Herra is arrested. He was working with a local thief called Cosh, who escaped, and doing a few burglaries.

Thur 15 May 1586

A The Small Party agree with Tanlen that Herra will be released after a day in the stocks. The rest of the Small Party go to Zeim Mas and discover that Miella is ahead of us. After a while we see Golhof and attempt to negotiate for the sword. Golhof listens but tells us that Miella has also asked for the sword and he have to consider the matter.

A In the interim the Small Party see Miella again and after much tortuous and bitter negotiations agree to accept 1,000 marks now and her support in obtaining the sword if we will help to search for her husband. There is an additional 3,000 marks if we find him.

A Lord Golhof sees the Small Party and Miella together and says that he never had any intention of giving her the sword and is amazed that the Small Party has agreed to work with her. Lord Golhof is prepared to give the sword to the Small Party as he sees the fire temple as a real threat. He instructs Telian to accompany us and never to let the sword out of his sight.

B The Small Party return to Zeim Shrell and get Herra out of the stocks. We discuss options and decide to split in to two groups to gather information on the druids.

C Guerin's group of Guerin, Nobby and Herra will go via Zeim Dranell whilst Mig's group of Mig, Belar, Franklin, Telian and Miella will go via Zeim Gillet

Fri 16 May 1586

A Guerin's Small Party group finds out that the druids are a small force and there are conflicting reports about when they were last seen. Estimates range between one to four weeks. No one seems to know where they are now. Guerin's group decide not to stop at Zeim Dranell as it will be a waste of time and they do not want to meet Lord Mandos at the moment.

A Guerin has been feeling ill all day and is now in great pain.

B Mig's Small Party group meet a druid called Grennell in the first village they come to. He says that the druids were not druids at all. They had been travelling between the castles and at Zeim Gillet Valhan saw them immediately.

C The "druids" turn out to be Trendel, Lydia and someone they have picked up. They left Zeim Gillet about six days ago.

Sat 17 May 1586

A The two groups have rejoined and Guerin feels a bit better but Herra is now feeling ill as well. The Small Party goes off to Zeim Dranell, Franklin thinks it diplomatic to stay behind as he has already let off a "Fireball" there. At a ford the Small Party meet a troll which shouts menacingly in trollish. Eventually the Small Party send for Franklin to interpret. He says that the troll is asking for money. Everyone throws a silver piece except for Nobby but the troll allows everyone to pass anyway.

B The Small Party reach the castle at Zeim Dranell and announce that the Lady Miella seeks an audience with Lord Mandos. We wait a long time. Franklin is in town trying to find out about Trendel and Lydia. After an hour Miella gets stroppy again.

B After another hour Lord Mandos sees us. Mandos is not impressed and feels the whole thing is a plot by Valhan. After and unpleasant scene we leave.

C Mig, Nobby, Belar, Herra and Telian form a scouting party to go to the fire temple. After crossing the rive the scouting party hear noises. Mig investigates and finds a bunch of orcs. The scouting party decide to camp in the forest. Herra is very ill. Nobby and Telian take the first watch and Mig and Belar do the second.

Sun 18 May 1586

A About half an hour before sun up Mig hears a noise about 50 yards away and surprisingly manages to wake up Nobby without making a noise. When the sun has risen Mig goes to investigate and is attacked by two bugbears. He dispatches one with a single blow and the other one scarpers.

B The scouting party [or the rest of the Small Party- Ed] decide to go to Maindees (The deserted village) to see if we can find any information about Trendel and Lydia. It turns out to be a wasted trip. When we get back to Zeim Dranell the rest of the Small Party are there.

Mon 19 May 1586

A Franklin has left messages around and about for Trendel and Lydia so the Small Party hang around in Zeim Dranell to see if anything crops up.

Tue 20 May 1586

A The Small Party continue to wait at Zeim Dranell. Eventually Franklin's canary finds Lydia and Trendel and returns with a message. Apparently they are at Dolcaspin and will be with the Small Party shortly.

B The Main Party pass the spot on the journey to Aflos where we had previously met Turvey having had only a few minor encounters in the preceding few days.

B This time the Main Party meet a Dagur cleric called Chem. He is attending to a very sick man who is on the ground. Chem says that he is on a solo mission to rid the Heslor temple of undead. The man on the ground is gibbering about the Eagle Stone and other things using a multitude of languages. His condition does not improve throughout the evening.

C Late in the evening Lydia and Trendel turn up in Zeim Dranell. They have information about the locale. There is a band of informative orcs who say that "Salamen" inhabit the cave, there is a back entrance [to the caves? - Ed]

Wed 21 May 1586

A Early in the morning the Small Party set off for the caves.

B In the morning the raving loony with the Main Party is no longer raving. He says his name is Tolley and tells us that the life of the eagles is effected by the Eagle Stone. It has been moved but he thinks that it is still in the temple. He has never been inside the temple as he is by himself. Tolley drifts back into insanity.

C The Small Party arrive at the caves without incident and enter. After a couple of hours the Small Party are attacked by giant rats, some are hacked up and the rest run off. Some hours later the Small Party come across a large airy cave with a lot of bats. We make it across the cave but Guerin falls in the guano.

C About an hour later two fiery bats attack Mig. He is injured but establishes that he is not affected by fire. [Could be something to do with the ice sword - Ed] Whilst traversing a cave Mig and Guerin are attacked by another bat but escape unscathed.

C Later a bunch of lizard men wearing armour rush at the Small Party. Franklin says that they are fire newts. Franklin "Sleeps" three of them and we eventually kill another five but one escapes. The Small Party retreat a few caves and make camp for the night as Herra is very ill.

D The Main Party decide to act on what the loony has said and return the Eagle Stone to its home. We move on towards the temple with Tolley training along behind. A great deal of time is spent formulating a plan to do over the bugbear's camp. The plan goes astray immediately [don't they all!? - Ed] when only a single bugbear is affected by three spells. The Main Party press on with the attack and eventually kill 48 bugbears. It would have been more only 48 was the whole village. Scannon managed to kill ten of them in only fifteen blows!

D After a bit of "Curing" the Main Party investigate the bugbear village. There is a lot of crap, some late goblins and 300 crowns.

D An invisible Farlas goes to check out the mine. [Mine? - Ed] When the Amnis cleric [Coffchomi] walks half way to the mine Farlas spots some bugbears on the cliff face.

D The main body of the Main Party go back to get Chem, Tolley and the horses leaving Farlas, Vequar, Coralyn, Nalin and Bazron in the bugbear village. Nothing happens until the rest of the Main Party return and Wodin gets another attack of "Lightening bolt"-itus and starts destroying the cliff face with them. Farlas climbs the cliff and finds two holes and one blasted dead bugbear.

D At dusk the Main Party light the hut of the chief and set up camp down the cliff face a bit. The night passes uneventfully.

Thur 22 May 1586

A The night in the caves passes uneventfully for the Small Party. In the morning Herra has improved but is still not up to much. The smell is indescribable. Continuing investigations reveal some chained villagers guarded by a fire newt. The guard escapes and the Small Party release the villagers before continuing the search.

A The Small Party hear a commotion up ahead, Miella is sure that she heard Lord Falco's voice so we run towards the noise. The Small Party break in to a large room with a number of people, including Falco, chained to the walls. There is a group of fire newts in the room two of whom are mounted. The Small Party engage them whilst Miella frees Falco, Belar and six other fighters.

A An impressive man made even more so by his plate armour enters the room followed by a cleric. At a command from the cleric the few remaining fire newts (Nobby having felled three in three blows) turn tail and run. Having heard stories about "Fireballs" the Small Party run fast in the other direction and just manage to escape the "Fireball"!

B The Main Party enter the mine singing "Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go" to lift our spirits. The mine is explored but nothing of interest is found other than a hole up and a hole down. Farlas is lowered down the hole but finds nothing to a depth of about 80 feet. He then climbs up the hole and after about 500 feet he comes out on the other side of the mountain. This takes until mid afternoon.

A The Small Party quickly work our way out of the cave complex with 12 villagers, Lord Falco and six fighters. A good days work! [No treasure, how things have changed!! - Ed] The Small Party lay a false trail before collapsing in the bushes.

Fri 23 May 1586

A It's pissing down on the Small Party. We hack away until mid-day but four of the villagers fall unconscious so we jack it in for the day.

B The Main Party turn our attention to the temple. Whilst pondering how to get in Wodin enters a trance like communication with an eagle who asks us to retrieve a large stone and bring it out. The stone bridge leading to the temple gate is very unstable and soon collapses. The Main Party spend ages rigging up a rope bridge which Scannon then falls off. He gets hauled out [of a moat? - Ed] with something grabbing his leg. Uncharacteristically Scannon seems unable to hit it, but when he finally makes contact it is with impressive effect.

B The Main Party enter the temple through a small hole made in the wall. Moving through the early part of the temple the Main Party have a lot of trouble with some guardian figures. We dispatch them in a very disorderly manner. The Main Party are so badly hacked up after this that we decide we will have to wait where we are for two days! [I have to admit that I was the original scribe of the record at this point and exhibited a tendency to "gloss over" and "paraphrase", this paragraph is a particularly fine example! - Ed]

Sat 24 May 1586

A Two villagers with the Small Party have died overnight. Herra regains consciousness and we hoof it [on foot - Ed] through the tree carrying six unconscious villagers. The Small Party make it to Zeim Dranell where our arrival causes a bit of a stir.

A Mandos turns up and makes arrangements for the villagers to be attended to. He asks all the conscious people to his chambers. When we explain what happened Mandos is embarrassed by his previous attitude. The Small Party hit the sack.

B In the temple the Main Party cast a lot of spells, the emphasis being on "Cure".

Sun 25 May 1586

A The Small Party are now very popular around Zeim Dranell. Mandos and Valhan patch up their differences and decide to mount a joint campaign against the fire temple.

B The Main Party now feel able to continue searching the Heslor temple. Farlas finds two secret doors and a button. Farlas presses the button and there is a mighty explosive bang. Everyone turns round to see a smoking pile of flesh where Su-Lan was standing! No one saw exactly what happened.

B Lucius finds a latch on one of the secret doors. It opens and the Main Party enter a long corridor which arrives at another door via a left turn. There are sounds coming from the other side of the door. We steel ourselves, open the door and there in front of us....... is a small empty room! Sounds are coming from over to the right and there is a feeling of evil undead in front of us. Farlas, Chem and Nalin rush off towards the undead whilst Scannon and Lucius go towards the sound in order to guard the rear. After a number of attempts to get the door open Farlas eventually "Knocks" it open to reveal a table surrounded by eight chairs containing armoured skeletons. There are some shadowy undead shapes floating in the air. Chem initially "Turns" about half of them and the rest attack Farlas and Nalin. Luckily Chem is able to "Turn" the rest quite quickly. Nalin kills a skeleton and one of the shadowy apparitions lets out a shriek. Chem backs the shadows into a corner where Farlas and Nalin hack them to pieces but not before one of the shadows gets a hit on Nalin. A raid on the now dead skeletons reveals some money purses and gems.

B Scannon, Lucius, Nalin and Farlas now go after the noise that Lucius can hear. We come to a door and can hear noise behind it. Lucius breaks the lock so Scannon breaks the door down with such force that he crashes straight in to the globular mass in the middle of the room beyond. It grabs him. After hitting a tentacle, Scannon discards his mace which hits Lucius! The battle continues until, after escaping from the grip of the tentacles, Scannon ignores advice and leaps in to kill the thing with a single blow.

C The Main Party continue our investigations and are sufficiently alert to notice that we were not sufficiently alert to notice Coralyn's disappearance. We conduct a search through the parts of the temple we know but cannot find her so have no real alternative other than to continue investigating the temple with the hope of coming across her later.

D The investigation comes to a frustrating pause at the discovery of a spiral staircase descending to a bank wall. The Main Party consider that there must be a secret doorway somewhere along it's length however repeated meticulous but time consuming searches fail to reveal anything. During this Vequar gets fed up and wanders off as well. The Main Party take a kip in the corridor. Vequar returns later having investigated another stairway going down. This one ended up in a room with some more metal statues.

Mon 26 May 1586

A The Main Party continue our investigation of the spiral staircase in the Heslor temple and Vequar wanders off again. Eventually Scannon gets so fed up that he too goes off and finds some stairs going down two levels. He reports back and persuade the rest of the Main Party to follow him.

A The Main Party eventually find a room which seems to be dedicated to a fire god. Later we come across a mausoleum after Scannon has demolished the door with his mace. Later still the Main Party think we have found the Eagle Stone although it is not the colour we were lead to expect.

A The Main Party also develop a suspicion that Tolley is none other than Tuliem Reimes the high ranking Heslor priest sent to recover the Eagle Stone. After a bit the Main Party kip for the night.

Tue 27 May 1586

A The Main Party continue to search the Heslor temple and steadily go up levels. Vequar's body is found.

B The Main Party have a fight with some metal men. Nalin kills all of them. We find a room containing some books, Nalin gives Farlas a ring of "Fire resistance" and he goes to select a book. Before he gets to them a fire elemental is summoned from a pillar and attacks him. It can't hit Farlas so it goes for Nalin as he hit it well. After Nalin has twice taken damage from the fire Nalin drops to the ground even though Druerloth has cast "Resist fire" from a scroll. The elemental then toasts Druerloth!

B Everyone except Farlas leaves the room. Farlas dispatches the elemental and is unscathed. He takes two books whilst employing the standard elemental despatching routine. Druerloth is put in the temporary morgue with Vequar and the Main Party spend the night in the elemental room.

C Farlas challenges Wodin and a heated argument develops. It is brought to an end by Wodin who storms off.

Wed 28 May 1586

A There is a discussion between members of the Main Party over what to do about the map of the temple which Wodin had with him when he stormed off. It is decided that it will be impractical to retrace our steps so a new map is started by Lucius. This means that it will be utterly useless! The Main Party continue with our investigations, quite incredibly we follow Scannon's directions for a bit and not unsurprisingly go round in a circle. However Lucius has taken over directions by this time but that doesn't prevent us from going round in another circle!

A After wandering all over the temple again the Main Party find a new room with three columns in it. There are also three doors. Lucius breaks the lock on one of the doors and the corresponding column animates. It is a caryatid column. We kill it, smash down the door and enter a room shaped like an hour glass. There is a sarcophagus at the far end of the room and some armoured statues. The wall murals suggest that this is the tomb of a fighter war hero.

B The Main Party decide to retreat to the room with the three door and columns. A long discussing develops about what to do. Scannon does not take well to these bouts of inactivity and he kicks one of the doors despite being told to leave it alone. Scannon gets a bit of action when the corresponding caryatid column animates and attacks him. However Scannon realises he has miscalculated just before the column kills him. Unfortunately for Scannon he had only just miscalculated as Farlas kills the column at almost the same moment! Scannon's possessions are passed to Coffchomi who seemed to be following him as there is no other candidate. Coffchomi gives away most of the items including passing the magic shield over to Farlas.

A The Main Party continue investigating the temple and carry the body of Scannon towards the exit. When we get the temporary morgue Scannon's body is dumped with the rest. The Main Party find the statue room and Farlas goes down an "Enlarged" rope to investigate. When he comes back up Farlas suggests we go and get the Eagle Stone.

C A lot of negotiations have been going on at Zeim Dranell during the course of which the Small Party realise that we have not received any payment for our services! We decide to go and see Calhan.

C On the way to Calhan the Small Party stop at Zeim Mas to return the ice sword. However when Mig places it back on the wall he finds that the sword has immediately returned to his back! Eventually Mig decides that he has no option other than to remain behind with the sword.

Thur 29 May 1586

A Farlas remembers that he had forgotten that he has a "Levitate" spell on a scroll! The Main Party decide on a plan which involves transporting the Eagle Stone on a shield on which the "Levitate" spell has been cast. Tolley and Lucius descend into the temple on an "Enlarged" rope whilst the rest of the Main Party take an hour and 20 minutes manoeuvring the Eagle Stone up the levels. The shield is then edged through a gap made by cutting away three bars and is successfully lowered into the room. The Eagle Stone is then moved towards the alter and tipped into the hole left for it with a resounding crash.

A The stone closes around the rock and the whole alter heats up. Lucius decides to head back up the "Enlarged" rope whilst Tolley attempts to consecrate the alter. Unfortunately before Lucius even gets to the rope a vaguely humanoid fiery shape forms above the alter and moves to attack him. Lucius rushes up the stairs hotly pursued by the fire elemental. [A joke! - Ed] A body of water appears in the air (it looks as if Coffchomi has done something) and falls to the ground where the elemental had been. Tolley continues chanting through all the mayhem.

B Lucius turns on the fire elemental but collapses immediately on engaging it. At this point Tolley finishes his chant and all goes quiet. Farlas attempts to cast "Lightening Bolt" from a scroll at the fire elemental which seems to be attacking him now. Farlas becomes invisible so the fire elemental sets about all and sundry. Luckily the Main Party are able to dispatch it just as it reaches the balcony and just before Coffchomi casts another "Create water" spell. Although he had time to stop, Coffchomi casts the spell anyway and everyone gets wet!

B The Main Party hasten down the rope and just manage to get to Lucius before he dies. Coffchomi pumps him full of "Cure" spells so Lucius avoids a trip to the rather full room which is acting as a temporary morgue. Tolley starts mumbling and asks for the book. Farlas gets Nalin to give them to him and after everyone has climbed back up the rope Farlas hands the book on to Tolley.

C After a number of magical interruptions caused by Coffchomi (who eventually leaves) Tolley completes his spell. The alter stops flaming and cools down. Tolley starts another spell however there is no obvious effect at the end of this one. There is a feeling that the world has got a bit better. Tolley becomes cognoscente again and explains that he has just banished a demon from under the alter. He asks the Main Party to help him return the Eagle Stone to the Heslor church. In return Tolley agrees to let the Main Party remove the undead but not to violate the tombs.

D The Main Party carry the bodies out of the temple complex and Farlas "Levitates" everyone across the chasm after Coffchomi fell down it three times! Wodin is waiting outside and it is apparent that a certain animosity still exists between him and Farlas. There is a disagreement over the distribution of armour which degenerates to the point where Wodin accepts Farlas' offer of a duel. Wodin is eager to use "Lightening bolts" but after a long and tortuous negotiation come slagging match a trial of strength in the form of best of three tug of war is eventually settled upon. This will take place after Coffchomi wakes up.

Fri 30 May 1586

A Farlas starts the day by winning a close and exciting tug of war 2-1 against Wodin.

B The Main Party check what is left to distribute. The items from Scannon have already been distributed by Coffchomi and Druerloth had nothing worth giving away. Vequar has leather armour, a ring, a potion and some bags of jewels and money. Uspin reports that Coralyn had buried Su-Lan with him and then she had gone.

C Elsewhere a council of war is being chaired by Tanlen concerning the fate of the temple near Maindees. Lord Falco has 60 men at his command whilst Valhan and Mandos can supply about 20 each from their personal guard topped up with about 15 mercenaries each. Included in these numbers are about 10 archers in Falco's contingent with about 6 from each of Valhan and Mandos.

C It is decided that a diversionary frontal assault followed by a diversionary assault at the rear then a full assault at the front might be best. It is also decided that Mig should scout the rear whilst Falco goes to look at the front. As Mig is reticent to go Falco brings up the subject of the sword. A fierce argument develops during which Mig nearly manages to off load the sword. However Golhof intervenes and insists that Mig keep the weapon. During the argument it becomes clear that Telian has elven blood.

Sat 31 May 1586

A Falco scouts the front entrance to the temple but is unable to establish a great deal. Round the back Mig notices that the tracks of the reptiles did not come out of the temple. The cave system is now blocked by a rock fall.

B The Main Party spend the day outside the temple at Mount Quet taking rest and recuperation.

Sun 1 Jun 1586

A In the early hours of the morning during the second watch the Main Party are attacked by bugbears. They include a number of undead and a (the) shamen. After a closer than usual contest the remaining bugbear flees and the Main Party go back to sleep. The rest of the day is mercifully uneventful.

B It's raining in Maindees. This makes an assault on the "fire" temple ill advised.

Mon 2 Jun 1586

A After a quiet night the Main Party follow Uspin down a track to the bugbear camp. After a couple of hours we get to a little wooded box canyon. Uspin points and grumps "They're in there". Farlas does an invisible scout and Uspin reports that there are at least 50 or 60 bugbears.

A The Main Party make an attempt to draw them out by making a noisy midday camp. However the bugbears do not rise to the bait. Lucius suggests that we send in an "Unseen servant" to wander around. Several members of the group immediately point out the glaring flaw in Lucius' idea - the bugbears will not know that the unseen servant is walking around their camp as they will not be able to see it!!

A In the end Nalin, Uspin, Farlas and Lucius go in to root out the bugbears. Farlas reports that they are sleeping in caves at the side of the canyon. On their way back to the Main Party Nalin, Uspin, Farlas and Lucius are ambushed by some bugbears. There is another hairy fight during which Wodin blocks the canyon with a "Plant growth" spell. However we are able to withdraw. The Main Party gather our horses and ride off into the mid afternoon lashing drizzle.

B It's raining harder in Maindees.

Tue 3 Jun 1586

A The weather has improved in Maindees so the troops move out. The plan is honed and a group of Valhan, Mig, Telian, Belar and about 35 soldiers and mercenaries go off round to the back entrance to the temple. As soon as they are gone Falco and Mandos decide to amend their part of the plan by doubling the time scale from four to eight candle burnings (hours!).

B The team at the back get through the blockade quickly and without incident however there is another blockade a bit further on. After breaking through the second blockade Telian goes ahead and hears footsteps running off. Telian goes after them and gets attacked by two lizard creatures for his trouble. Telian is killed but, of course, no one else knows this so the group carries on oblivious. There is soon a feeling that something is wrong and a brief search reveals a lack of Telian.

B The group continue through the cave system until they hear a speaking sound. Mig and six others rush forwards into a lit cavern with lizard residents in time to see a man disappearing out the back. After two rounds of melee Mig gives the order to "Run like hell!!!". The lizard men do not follow. A huge burst of fire explodes in the next door cavern and six die. The mercenaries are getting restless but agree to continue after a "Bless" spell is cast.

B The group are attacked but the attackers are routed and the group continue. Some stairs are found leading to a room with more stairs. Another "Fireball" goes off killing nine mercenaries, a tenth mercenary, Valhan and his cleric are injured. This is too much for the remaining mercenaries who run away.

B Mig rushes up the stairs. The top is a dead end. A small amount of demoralisation is becoming apparent and the group go back down into the caves. Mig and a few others go to investigate the big room. At the top of the stairs a secret door is eventually discovered. It leads to a dark room. When a torch is tossed in it would appear that there are a lot of bugbears in there! Valhan is hit by a crossbow bolt.

B Mig manages to kill a human in the room and the bugbears split. A flash of heat and light occurs, this is obviously meant to appear to be a fireball but it is no the genuine article. The group move on to the entrance hall and climb out through a window. The gate house is now visible so they start firing arrows at it.

C At seven burnings 16 fighters step out of the forest in front of the temple. There is immediate arrow and crossbow fire from the temple which kills three of the soldiers and injures eight others so the soldiers retreat into the trees. A tree is felled to make a battering ram whilst six men go round to the side of the compound and make it across the open space only to be pinned against the wall by hostile fire. The men in the trees shoot arrows at the bugbears who are moving to attack the six at the wall. The bugbears draw back so the six soldiers are relatively safe.

C 20 soldiers and five archers are sent off to the other side with seige ladders. The remaining men are building two large wooden shields. When they are ready twenty men set off using the shields as cover. The group behind one shield is badly shot up however the other shield makes it to the temple with the soldiers behind it unscathed. The 20 men and five archers sent off to the side make it to the temple as do the soldiers who were required to zig zag across the open ground in front of the temple. One of the seige ladders is blasted by a "Fireball".

D One of the first men to top the wall is Falco who immediately sets off after some bugbears towards the gatehouse. Unfortunately the bugbears make it to the gatehouse just in time to pile inside and slam the door in his face. The defenders fall back into the temple building and Mig and Valhan get into the gatehouse and are able to let Falco in. Falco raises the portcullis and Mandos eventually arrives. There are 66 attackers left alive including 22 archers.

D The door to the temple is charged with the battering ram. The door is "Glyphed" and seven soldiers are toasted and the battering ram becomes charcoal. Mandos persuades five men to set about the temple door with axes, meanwhile Falco goes off to skirt the building. He returns with only half his force who are sporting a very expensive if rather overdone tan.

E The door to the temple is finally breached and seven groups of five men are sent through. The groups lead by Mandos and Falco make it as far as the crystal dome room at the same time. ["Mandos has 20 seconds in the dome whilst Falco has a massive 35 seconds" says a strange bald headed man - Ed] They smash a very large mirror under the dome which is over a deep hole with fire at the bottom. They continue on and find Mig who tries to throw the sword down the hole. Mig is unexpectedly successful at chucking the sword down the hole. Unfortunately he finds himself unable to let go and disappears down the hole with it!!

F All is not well in the temple so Falco, Mandos and the soldiers left alive scarper as quickly as possible. This turns out to be a good move because as they run away the temple turns into one of those massive destruction action scenes from an Arnie film.

Wed 4 Jun 1586

A After keeping the Small Party waiting in Zeimfuro for a day Calhan eventually sees us. The Small Party explain what has happened and ask for some cash. A fee of 20,000 marks is agreed to be split between the four members of the Small Party in attendance, Nobby, Guerin, Franklin and Herra.

Thur 19 Jun 1586 : 16 Jun

A After 16 days travel the Main Party arrive back at the Heslor temple at Revarlen. We have 400 crowns, six small gems, a jewelled gold bracelet, Tolley and two spell books. The Main Party have an unpleasant exchange with the High Priest as a result of which the spell books are removed from our possession due to the overwhelming number of Heslor priests. Tolley also stays at the temple. When we leave the Main Party leave a message stating where to find us.

Fri 20 Jun 1586

A The Main Party fail to gain entry to the Heslor temple. During the evening Pallea returns in a state of agitation. She has ben beaten up. Wodin seems incapable of getting round to taking action so the Amnis cleric [Coffchomi - Ed] cures her.

Sat 21 Jun 1586

A The Main Party are summoned to see Yosurn (the High Priest of the Heslor temple) who is eating his evening meal. He grudgingly throws a bag containing 5,000 crowns on the table. The Main Party take the bag and leave. When the money is counted there is no surprise that the bag only contains 3,852 crowns.

Fri 27 Jun 1586

A The Main Party get to the port. Wodin announces that he, Brutzch and the lion are leaving. There is much feigned sadness (well, a little) and Wodin is given the leather armour after all! Chem is asked to carry the grey metallic smelling potion on behalf of the Main Party. Lucius tests the ring and establishes that it is a ring of protection. It is better than the one he already has so Lucius gives his ring to Bazron and keeps the new one. The money is split into 214 crown shares and distributed between the rest of the Main Party, members getting additional shares based on their experience. [GPN - One share per level]. Brutzch is give a random gem as well which leaves five.

Sat 28 Jun 1586 : 30 Jun

The Small Party finally trace Rustbulj in Salsorme.

Mon 7 Jul 1586

A The Main Party arrive in Salsorme having picked up a Knight of the Golden Falcon at Connelberg on the way back. On arrival the Main Party are informed by the harbour guard that we must surrender our weapons. The guard suggests that he could accept a "toll" for "tools", "art treasures" and "religious artifacts" (we get a mace through in this category!).

B The Main Party go to see Rustbulj where we meet up with the Small Party - Hortense, Drasmar Feld, Willan, DenConnu and another Knight of the Golden Falcon named Algammon. He is an elf.

D There is another Christian cleric named Maurice Tyr Christos who has been sent to help in the Quest by Marius Tellman.

B Guerin, Nobby, Franklin and Herra are already here.

C It is decided to run a trial by holding the hilt of Fearno. Everyone passes and at this point Coffchomi announces that his name is Coffchomi Tyr Amnis.

D The Party take on a cleric named Temlin.

E At this point the reunified Party is as follows:

• Nalin
• Bazron
• Hortense
• Lucius
• Guerin
• Pallea
• Drasmar
• Farlas
• Willan
• DenConnu
• Franklin
• (Uspin)
• Nobby
• Coffchomi
• Chem
• Herra
• Irnaggis
• Kalsket
• Misserch
• Maurice
• Algammon
• Temlin