Mark Thomas - Southern Campaigns

The Writings of Chalyb Sequitor - Part I

Various words from the pen of Chalyb, written by Joshua Caulfield, his player. Hopefully these are quasi-chronological.

Letter to Kentaro

While meditating in the quiet sanctuary of your room, you hear a gentle knock upon the door. Calling out "Enter," you see an initiate come in and quietly hand you a sealed letter. Bowing, he turns and leaves.

Turning the letter over you notice nothing unusual about it, it is sealed in red wax, but you do not recognize the emblem on the seal.

Opening the letter you find the following message:

My Dear Kentaro,

I hope this missive finds you well and in good spirits. It has been some time since our last adventures together. Routing out the Sons of Mios as part of the "Spiders", was more than exciting, it was downright dangerous. I and more than a few of my men owe their lives to your quick fists and feet.

I send you this letter to inform you that I have left the service of the empire. After 20 years and only attaining the rank of Sergeant, I see that the time has come for me to move on. I am retiring to a village just outside the empire known as Lope. Many of the men I knew in the legion came here to enjoy the relative peace, and the chance to leave their military service behind them.

I also send this letter to ask for your aid. When we traveled together, you often mentioned of the enjoyment of getting away from the daily routines of the monastary, and of your long term aspirations of finding out the fate of the members of the monastic order which was rumored to have been in the Lisban mountains in this part of the world.

I may have an opportunity for you to do both. Although let me be up front with you that this offer does not come without danger. There is a large track of unclaimed land here in lope. The land was once fertile farmland, but fell victim to a strange "curse" brought on by an odd Tower/Spire that resides on an island in the nearby river. The whole area is "known to be haunted". As you know I discount such tales. I seek to investigate the mystery of this tower, remove the source of the lands discomfort, and claim a small homestead for myself out of the land and bring it back to health.

I am sure you realize that skills such as you possess would be invaluable to me in such an operation. I thought of you, both in memory of our excellent service together and in your capacity as a healer and warrior who would look on this as an opportunity to heal the land itself of an old and festering wound. To accomplish all this, I am gathering a small company together, I plan on naming it "The Company of Steel." Each of the party members will receive a fair share of whatever treasure or items of value we can recover from the tower itself, as well as my aid in claiming a parcel of the currently unoccupied and unowned land. I recognize that material wealth is of little meaning to you, though I suggest that you might use it to further the goals of your order. However, in order to entice you further, I will commit my aid to you in searching through the mountains in order to find the lost monastary and determine the cause of it's fall from the eyes of men.

I enclose details on how I can be reached, and look forward to a response from you. I hope we will soon be traveling side by side again my friend.

Peace and Long Life,

Chalyb Sequitor

Giacomo Brothers

Initial discussion with Giacomo Brothers

It is a lazy day, and you both have been spending it dawdling at the Deep Puddle Tavern in Lope, with wenches and small beers.

A short time before dinner, the door to the tavern opens and in walks a large overbearing man. He is dressed slightly upscale, though not ostentatious. There are a few things that stick out about him though: He stands stiffly, as though there were a stick shoved straight up his... back. He is incredibly neat and clean, which is uncommon in this town. And when he scans the bar his eyes find you quickly and he strides toward you purposefully.

Without comment he sits down and waits silently. A serious expression on his face. Normally the two of you would bully up and roust him away from your fun, but this man exactly matches the description of the potential client you are here to meet, so you don't bat an eye. You do However shoo off the tavern girls you've been flirting with for the last hour or so.

When the girls have left, without preamble, the man begins, "Gentlemen, I take you to be the Giacomo Brothers, Balla and Raphael. Is this accurate?"

You both look at each other, chuckle and nod. Balla begins to say something, but the guy plows on, as though he didn't realize you were about to speak. "I am Chalyb Sequitor. I have recently come to Lope, and after making some inquiries, I have been given your names as warriors of some adequate skill and trustworthy to the extent you don't typically run out on your employers in a tough spot."

You both know exactly where he got his information, and silently remind yourself that having ex-legionnaires as friends is good for business.

"I am undertaking a mission. You are both aware of course of the Bronze Tower of Tranto, The reputed curse associated with it, and the fact that the nearby land has been all but abandoned for some time?" Without waiting for your reply he goes on, "Good. I am gathering a group to explore the Tower, determine the cause of the wasting of the land, rectify this issue, and then claim some of the land for my own homestead. This group will be known as the Company of Steel. I have secured the services of several individuals, and assure you I am no stranger to the use of a blade. However, clearly there is some risk involved in this undertaking, and I would not have you going into this unaware of such."

"I am interested in having the two of you join this group, based upon your skills and reputations. If you agree, I offer you the standard full share of any treasure that can be brought out of the Tower itself, and my help in securing rights to the unclaimed lands should you wish to begin a farm or somesuch. Alternatively, I will pay you an agreed upon fee. 10 gold pieces up front, and 30 upon successful completion of the mission." (Gentle reminder: That's 4 months standard wages, just so you don't think I am being stingy here.)

"I have also become aware that you are familiar with the local Witch woman... Err.. Sorceress, I am not sure what titles they use in this part of the world. Regardless, I seek to acquire the services of a worker of traditional magic, in the off chance that something of an occult nature is at the heart of the issue. I am willing to pay you a finders fee if you can secure the interest of such a partner in our group. I will be happy to negotiate with him or her directly, but I have no method of introducing myself properly to such a person locally."

Giacomo Brothers intro from Balla's Point of view:

It is a lazy day, and you both have been spending it dawdling at the Deep Puddle Tavern in Lope, with wenches and small beers.

Note: The Brothers Giacomo never...I repeat, NEVER...drink small beers. We drink full heady ales from impressively large mugs. Well, as impressive as this bar can provide without bringing out the huge beer horn/shotgun thing.

The mugs *are* impressive. Despite the low clientele (present company excepted of course), the Deep Puddle (named for the huge pool that forms in the low point in the road out front each rainy season, a low point the town council keeps promising to fix but never does) offers pretty darn good beer in large mugs.

(snip) Chaylib speaks, blah, blah, blah...

Balla drains the last of his ale, wipes the froth from his lips with his sleeve, heaving a lusty sigh. He stands, draws his longsword, and salutes you with it. "We accept your terms. If by life or death we can serve you...that is, if by someone ELSE'S death and OUR continued life, we can serve you (gives Raphael a wink)...we will." He sheaths his weapon and plunks back down in his seat.

"...I am willing to pay you a finders fee if you can secure the interest of such a partner in our group. I will be happy to negotiate with him or her directly, but I have no method of introducing myself properly to such a person locally."

Balla furrows his brow and rubs his chin, eyeing Raphael with a quizzical look. "Hm...witch or sorceress?...We DO know a woman familiar with the arcane arts...but she's pretty much settled down now...runs a horse farm now, don't you know. Poor lass, orphaned when younger...Probably not interested in this sort of thing. However, I do stable my horse on her farm...I MIGHT be able to convince her to take up adventuring again, just this once...if the price is right. New roof needed for her barn, and all that. Might be hard to convince her though, what with the danger...you did say possible danger, didn't you?...Hm...How much of a finders fee are we talking here?" (Smiles brightly at the legionnaire...that's a hint Mark.)

Chaylb just stares at you balefully.

Bronze Tower

The Company of Steel,

from the quill of Chalyb Sequitor.

As I write these words, it seems as thought my life prior to my time in Lope was naught but a dream. And not even my own dream at that. As though I had not actually lived it, but that it was being imagined on the spot as it was needed. Since my arrival at Lope, I find myself drawn into life and excited about things in a new way. As though this were some great game and I but a piece being moved by some unseen hand.

Bah, enough of that. Kentaro must be rubbing off on me.

It all seemed to come together the last week of Quaso. I had sold my father's business and taking the small fortune it gave me and my own small assemblage of material possessions I headed off towards Lope.

Lope is a small town, literally on the edge of no-where. Caught between the empire, the eastern kingdoms, the Lisben Mountains and the dark woods to its south, it hides, afraid to stand up lest on of the powers that surrounds it gobble it up. Perhaps it is just such a location, with potential powers all about that keeps it safe from being swallowed.

I had heard of Lope form a few legionnaires who had journeyed here now and again, and others who had retired to its relative quiet. My friend, Vanlenlo, the Keeper of Eria had moved there after his service. I believe it was in order to marry a young lady of no small worth. After marrying her, he stayed in Lope to run her farm.

I traveled down to Lope and purchased a small home in the town proper. Housing my horse at the local stables I happened upon a lovely young maid, by the name of Donnatelli. She lived alone and ran the stables with some hirelings, having inherited them after the tragic slaying of her family. I found it strange that a maid of beauty would be able to live on her own, but was soon to learn that she is a worker of magic, and with no small amount of skill at that.

After spending a few days in Lope, I learned that there was a relatively large parcel of land astride the western branch of the river which had been all but abandoned over time. The locals claimed it was cursed when the Tranto family, who had all but founded the region, fell and their grand island tower fell into disarray.

The land itself is only a short distance from several small towns, and ripe for claiming, once the evil has been banished. Having done my share of evil banishing while a member of the Spiders, in the Legion, I have decided to put together a team and head out to investigate the isle.

First, I called upon some old friends, Vanlenlo and Kentaro.

I began with a missive to Kentaro, it read as follows:

My Dear Kentaro,

I also send this letter to ask for your aid. When we traveled together, you often mentioned of the enjoyment of getting away from the daily routines of the monastery, and of your long term aspirations of finding out the fate of the members of the monastic order which was rumored to have been in the Lisben mountains in this part of the world.

I am sure you realize that skills such as you possess would be invaluable to me in such an operation. I thought of you, both in memory of our excellent service together and in your capacity as a healer and warrior who would look on this as an opportunity to heal the land itself of an old and festering wound. To accomplish all this, I am gathering a small company together, I plan on naming it "The Company of Steel." Each of the party members will receive a fair share of whatever treasure or items of value we can recover from the tower itself, as well as my aid in claiming a parcel of the currently unoccupied and unowned land. I recognize that material wealth is of little meaning to you, though I suggest that you might use it to further the goals of your order. However, in order to entice you further, I will commit my aid to you in searching through the mountains in order to find the lost monastery and determine the cause of it's fall from the eyes of men.

I enclose details on how I can be reached, and look forward to a response from you. I hope we will soon be traveling side by side again my friend.

Peace and Long Life,

Chalyb Sequitor

I followed it up with a similar missive to Vanlenlo, but found shortly thereafter that he was living in Lope, and so delivered it myself.

Having secured a healer and a second in command, I recognized the need for support of a more martial nature. I knew my own skills with weaponry would be complemented by missile and light infantry types. Upon further inquiry with some of the local who had seen some service in the legion, I found that there were a pair of brothers (two of five apparently) that fit my needs well. One being an archer of sorts, and the other being something of a rouge, but good with a blade. I arranged to meet them at one of the two taverns here in lope.

The meeting went along these lines:

It is a lazy day, and they had obviously been spending it dawdling at the Deep Puddle Tavern in Lope, with wenches and small beers.

When I came in they had switched to larger beers, apparently as I was later told from their perspective:

GM Note: The mugs *are* impressive. Despite the low clientele (present company excepted of course), the Deep Puddle (named for the huge pool that forms in the low point in the road out front each rainy season, a low point the town council keeps promising to fix but never does) offers pretty darn good beer in large mugs.

When the girls have left, without preamble, the man begins, "Gentlemen, I take you to be the Giacomo Brothers, Balla and Raphael. Is this accurate?"

I continued, "I have also become aware that you are familiar with the local Witch woman... Err.. Sorceress, I am not sure what titles they use in this part of the world. Regardless, I seek to acquire the services of a worker of traditional magic, in the off chance that something of an occult nature is at the heart of the issue. I am willing to pay you a finders fee if you can secure the interest of such a partner in our group. I will be happy to negotiate with him or her directly, but I have no method of introducing myself properly to such a person locally."

Balla furrows his brow and rubs his chin, eyeing Raphael with a quizzical look. "Him...witch or sorceress?...We DO know a woman familiar with the arcane arts...but she's pretty much settled down now...runs a horse farm now, don't you know. Poor lass, orphaned when younger...Probably not interested in this sort of thing. However, I do stable my horse on her farm...I MIGHT be able to convince her to take up adventuring again, just this once...if the price is right. New roof needed for her barn, and all that. Might be hard to convince her though, what with the danger...you did say possible danger, didn't you?...Hmm...How much of a finders fee are we talking here?" (Smiles brightly at the legionnaire...that's a hint Mark.)

Chaylb just stares at you balefully.

After arranging for these two to join up, I went with them to the local stables and met Donnatelli, again. (The woman I noted earlier who was stabling my own horse. I noted this and reminded myself that Sibrius, my contact, could have just mentioned this earlier. Then again, knowing my own perceptive limitations, it is entirely possible he did.) Regardless, I introduced myself, and invited her along for the adventure.

She accepted, and so did her uninvited houseguest, Ana. Now I am no spring chicken, and I know that my scar does nothing to enhance my personal attractiveness, but this girl was clearly dropped in the ugly stew as a child. Actually, after a moment I recognized her from my time in the legion. A noble brat who's hellion like ways had gotten her into more trouble than Daddy could get her out of if I recalled correctly. Actually it was mostly rumors and soldier chatter that had gone around. But she didn't seem to recognize me, of which I was both unsurprised and grateful.

She loudly interjected herself into the conversation, which was easy with a gentle woman like Donna. I had not planned on adding another member to the group, but after some small consideration, I decided that A) it might be good to have someone expendable along, and B) it might smooth the way with the magical woman if I invited her friend. I was correct, and they both joined.

I had already been down to the local trading store, The Sign of the Four Shovels, and acquired equipment for the expedition:

Canoe
Mules for supplies (2)
tents for everyone
2 jugs extra lamp oil
a dozen torches
50' rope
4 large sacks
food for everyone for 1 week
extra tinderbox with flint and steel
An Axe for chopping wood (a real axe that one could use to chop down a tree, not a hatchet.)

However, I realized upon collecting the gear that I was going to need some sort of cart or wagon to carry the Canoe across the intervening distance. After speaking with Van, he hesitantly agreed to loan me his wagon to transport the Canoe.

I also realized that we were going to need a pair of guards to watch over our campsite in the event that we had to do an extended foray into the tower. Protecting it from wolves and the like. It would turn out that this was an unnecessary precaution, but I felt it was important at the time.

I got the name of a few potential candidates, and headed down to the other local tavern to see whom I could round up. I ended up retaining Pasco, who proved competent and reserved, my kind of people. I also recruited an ex-Legion boy. I can't remember the lads name, but he was acceptable if more than a bit anxious. They were all sitting around having a beer with another man, who decided to take it upon himself to add a few whispers to Pasco's ear during our negotiations. I asked his name, with every intention actually of offering him a job. He explained it was none of my business. So I noted him mentally, finished my business with Pascal, and went and ordered a drink from the bartender, who was only too happy to provide me with the young ruffians name. That was one for him, there had best not be a two.

We left at Dawn on the Morning of the 2nd of Kaionesh. Riding out from Lope I found that my own maps were a bit off, and we were actually south of the break in the river. At this point, having the Giacomo brothers proved helpful. It was the first of many times in fairness.

Raphael produced an excellent map of the local region including a number of small towns which I had not known about. Passing along the road we made good time. Each of the party members had brought their own horse, and the two guards rode in the cart with the Canoe. Shortly after Mid-day we camped and had a light lunch. As Balla was stretching out for a nap, I gave him a small kick and we all got back underway.

We came to the town of Tranto. Apparently named for the Family which founded the area and initially built the tower we were in fact journeying towards. Coming upon the ferry Balla and I had a small confrontation about going into the local tavern for an ale while the Ferry went back and forth. It wasn't really an issue, but he had been challenging me from the beginning and I wanted to see how far it would go. Better to know now if there was going to be a discipline issue than in the middle of a battle. He gave in when he realized I was not. I was impressed, actually. He went to the other side, then bribed the ferryman to get him a pitcher of ale and bring it over. Although outwardly I maintained an air of mild anger, inwardly I was amused at this little rebellion. So be it. They were civilians after all, and letting him perceive this as a victory allowed him to save face and it showed the others that following me would not remove their personal freedoms.

On we went, finally coming to a small wooded area. It was about this point in our travels that several of the group realized there were no animals about. A few flies and typical stinging bugs, to be sure, but no birds, no small rabbits or such, etc. We examined the plant growth, well Donna did, and she and Van determined that the plant life in the area did not seem to be suffering any ill effects.

Skirting around the outside of the woods, we eventually came to a series of low foothills, and in the distance we saw the tower. This added a bit of spring to our step, and we quickly came up to the river and the isle. We chose to camp on a small rise looking out over the river and the isle. Ana wanted to camp at the bottom of the hill, and I told her no. She felt we would be seen on top of the hill, and although I agreed with her, I didn't think this would be an issue. Anything watching us from the isle would have seen us then or as we were crossing the river anyway, and I did not want to be at the bottom of the hill if it rained. As she began to renew her objections I suggested that if she wished, she was welcome to pitch her tent at the bottom of the hill, but that the rest of us would be camping above.

After setting up the camp, Donna, Myself, Balla, Ana and Raphael went down to the waters edge to get a better look at the river and the isle. Van wanted to search in the nearby wooded area for some berries and herbs, and Kentaro decided it would be a good idea to have someone with him. I concurred and we split up.

We spent the afternoon searching the shoreline. Balla has excellent tracking skills and was able to determine that nothing had been in this area for some time. Both Ana and Donna were able to see the boat from the shore, although frankly it looked like a big blur to me. Perhaps I should look into those "seeing lenses" that Doc Embrage was talking about when I was in the legion. Finding little of interest, we made our way back to camp as the sun set. There we found Kentaro and Van had not yet returned. I wasn't concerned, though, the two of them could handle themselves.

We began dinner, and then we learned a dreadful thing. None of us knew how to cook. Fortunately all we had to eat was trail rations and I made my Legion famous Grit Coffee. Kentaro and Van returned with some berries that van spent the early evening meditating over.

Setting watch we dropped off to sleep. We had a long day ahead of us. As I lay down and began to drift off, there was some strange commotion. Apparently some of the others had heard a strange whining growl. They all had a different description of it. Not having heard anything myself I passed it off to first campaign jitters and went back to sleep. Soon I would learn just how wrong I was.

It was shortly before dawn when Balla and Donna were on watch, when they said they had heard a strange splashing sound coming from the river. Waking Raphael they headed down to the water as I donned my armor. Ana found a niche in the rocks to conceal herself, and I found the others down at the waters edge. Balla had been searching in the full moonlight and had found a large wet spot that led to the water. I drew the Sword of Sequitor and commanded it to bear forth light. And it did. I love that sword.

After about an hour of searching and messing about we returned to camp and I began making breakfast.

The 3rd of Kaionesh came and we went down to the waters edge. I brought the Canoe and earned some looks from my fellows.

I had found a good solid rock to secure one end of our guide rope to. Seeing that the river was 100 feet across, we tied our second rope to the first and with Kentaro in the Bow, he, Balla and I pushed off into the water. The river was not particularly rough in this section, and Kentaro was a master at guiding us across. I was very impressed with his skill.

As we reached the other side, I hopped out of the boat and hauled it up on the bank. After the other two disembarked, I pulled it all the way up onto the small beach. We did a small circumference and determined that there was no immediate threat on the beach. So I hauled the Canoe back into the water and Kentaro guided it back to the other shore to pick up the next set of our party.

Meanwhile, I secured the other end of the rope, and Balla continued to search the local area. Kentaro returned shortly, muttering about Van having stood up in the boat and nearly drowning them all. I smirked, and held the craft steady as Van and Ana disembarked. Kentaro quickly headed back to pick up the last two.

When he got back, and everyone was on dry land, I picked up the Canoe and placed it high on the beach, out of the obvious tide line. Meanwhile, Kentaro explained to the others about sitting in a canoe and not standing, and the values thereof.

Setting ourselves into a search order, we began to cover the lower beach. I had determined before we even got here that we were going to take our time and search the island first, to determine what dangers, if any, lay outside the tower. Then once we had a safe retreating point, we would move forward into the tower. I explained this, and the others agreed. Again, I was pleased with this team.

Searching the grounds, we found a patch of flattened grass, which none of us could put a reasoning to. Then we came upon a small rise which led up to the next level of the hill. We passed by it for the moment and completed our circuit of the beach. It was then that we came upon a mound which could only be a grave. Ana was prepared to dig it up, but Van, Ken and I quickly put a stop to that.

Having found nothing on this part of the island, we moved up to the next section. Again forming a search party, we moved through the light forest covering this part of the island. Neither quickly nor quietly I am afraid, but we were reasonably thorough. We eventually came upon a piece of granite, with a curved edge and a broken edge. Carved into the front were the letters TR. We assumed it was for Tranto, and someone suggested it was a headstone. I tossed it into my pack and we moved on.

We had to make our way across a narrow rise to gain the next level of the island, and as we finished crossing there was a strange rustling, and before my very eyes, a group of six skeletal figures emerged from the woods. They were clad in the remains of banded mail, which had been rusting away clearly in the intervening centuries. They bore no weapons, but the bones of their fingers were curved into sharp claws. They made no sound as they drew upon us. Their intentions were clear, and we prepared to defend ourselves.

Balla charged off to one side, perhaps to flank them, perhaps to get away, I cannot say, but it did manage to draw a pair away. The other four bore down on the group as Kentaro and I formed a line between ourselves and the spellcasters.

At first I must admit my own tactics were proving fruitless. After so much time spent fighting living opponents, it was hard for me to adjust to the fact that stabs and slashes were of little value against an enemy who doesn't cut or bleed.

Kentaro, on the other hand, was an amazing display of fluid power in motion. He lifted one skeleton up and laid it out flat on its back, then turning to deflect the attacks of the other. It was truly amazing.

Balla seemed to be having a little trouble as well with his opponents. His brother attempted to aid with arrows, but I don't think he truly considered how ineffective piercing weapons are against opponents without flesh. Ana on the other hand seemed to be firing wildly, and I grew concerned that she would hit friend rather than foe.

As the battle moved forward, I feared we might not be properly prepared for this foe, but then the tide turned.

Vanlenlo moved forward and drew forth the symbol of his goddess. Two of the undead foe turned and began moving off. Meanwhile Raphael called forth a set of blazing fiery arrows from his bow which destroyed one skeleton. I heard some chanting behind me, and saw Donna call forth bolts of energy which set down another.

Kentaro and I found the flow of battle then, and managed to destroy another one, then chased after the retreating foe. Kentaro threw it down, and using my sword as a cleaver I sought to shatter the things bones before it could rise again.

Finding nothing of value, we prepared to move on. Some were growing antsy with the slow progress involved in scouting and wanted to push on to the tower. However I was able to win out after the skeleton battle, and we were soon scouting the third tier of the island. We found little in our search, except a piece of greenish stone which bore an arm and a strange disc shape. Additionally, Donna and Ana noted that at one point along the island there was a rushing sound as if water were moving quickly nearby. Van and Balla surmised that there must be an underground waterway nearby.

Moving on, we crested the final rise to find that the forest growth was thicker here. Moving through it we came upon a stream which seemed to originate somewhere in the top areas center. Giving into the groups need to get to the tower, I decided to follow this stream and see where it led.

We quickly came upon A large fountain featuring a large statue of Phenosh pouring water into a 20' basin filled with churning water. A crack in one side formed a small stream that flowed over the side of the isle to the SW. Ana measure the water and found the basin was more than 10'deep. From this vantage point, we could see the tower rising above the treetops. It did seem to glow bronze in the afternoon sun. We broke for lunch here, and then Ana cast forth a spell to detect magic upon the statue at my request. There was no magic on the statue, but there was some towards the tower, which she immediately made off towards. Vanlenlo prayed to his deity and began attempting to detect evil on the statue and in the surrounding area. Again, non on the statue or in the immediate forest, but some faint evil in the direction of the tower itself. He too wandered off after Ana.

I turned to gather up the group, and found that Raphael was gone. Taking a deep breath I called out to all of them and eventually we gathered up our lost lambs.

Bowing to the anxious nature of the group, we moved up to the Tower itself. The building turned out to be a nice stone tower, made of some sort of goldish yellow stone, attached to a small manor house. The house portion was in near ruins, with the second story having collapsed onto the first, and half of the first having fallen into what must have been a basement or cellar at some point. There was a more recent skeleton on top of the rubble of the eastern side of the house. (But more about that later.)

Moving onto the porch, several of the party members looked into the house via the windows. After ensuring there was no obvious danger, I opened the front door. Raphael pushed past me and through the entryway into what we would soon see was a dining area. Shaking my head, I tested the floor, and found that although a bit shaky, it was still generally sound, and I moved in as well.

Balla followed us, and then so did the others, with Kentaro keeping an eye out alongside Ana, to prevent anything from coming up on us from behind.

We came into the dining area, and Raphael was peering through a pass through fireplace into a second chamber. There were several doors around the room. Balla and I each took one of the two doors in the west wall and opened them simultaneously. Moving through with weapons drawn.

We found ourselves in separate chambers each about 30 x 30 feet long. Both had a half broken wall between them, though we could not see each other. My own room was apparently some sort of Foyer to the entrance to the Tower. It has a small stairway leading down, but the rubble and debris concealed it so well, that we did not even notice it until much later.

Moving into the room, I was looking about when I suddenly felt small teeth sink into my ankle. Yelling, I kicked out, and cast off a skeletal rat like thing. As I turned to smite it, I found myself surrounded. There were six or eight of the beasties swarming out of the debris. Two sat on top of the rocks and glared at me with hollow eye sockets. I dropped lower and prepared for them to leap, I didn't have long to wait.

On the other side of the wall, Balla was also engaged with some of the skeletal rats, and called out for aid. Vanlenlo moved to assist.

Raphael too had his own set of attackers rising up from the ancient fireplace. He and Donna were able to take them down, with what I later would hear was quite a display from Raphael of bowmanship.

Van turned several of the rats into dust through the power of his deity, and Balla smote the others. My own got in a few more hits before I had destroyed enough to be able to concentrate on the remainder. In fact Ana came in to examine the room while I was finishing them off. Apparently she felt I had the situation under control.

I did.

Donna and Ana searched the rooms, while the Giacomo brother scouted around outside. We found a closet/pantry and a kitchen as well as the rooms I mentioned before. There was some tarnished silver and china in the dining room. I took the silver though Balla thought it was probably cheap imitation, but we left the China for fear it would break in traveling. All of these bore the heraldry of what we would later find to be the Tranto family crest.

Donna found a set of keys in the pantry which I had just finished searching. Note to self: Look up next time. We would later find they fit the doors to the tower itself. We also found the kitchen, but there was nothing inside.

Finally we left the house without entering the Tower itself. Did I mention the glowing gold stone walls of the tower?

After leaving the manor house, Donna and Ana saw that there was a skeleton in the rubble along the side of the house. Desiring to impress the beautiful Sorceress I began to climb out to retrieve it. Unfortunately I had not judged the disposition of the rubble well, and fell a dozen feet to land on my back. I sustained some minor scrapes and bruises in the fall, but decided to push on. Climbing back up and over I slipped again, and only barely managed to catch myself from falling into what must have been the cellar regions of the house. Finally I made it to the skeleton, which I cast back to my waiting teammates, who dodged rather than caught it. I made my way back with only a small amount of trouble, and Van snickered at me as he healed my wounds.

So we head out to explore the graveyard we had seen during our initial search of this part of the island. (An actually cemetery with a crypt, rusted iron gate, headstones, etc. not the shallow grave we found at the bottom of the beach.)

Upon arriving, we find the source of that horrible screeching sound. The gate is swinging loose on a hinge. I took the time to oil it, because once I saw it, I started hearing it, and it got on my nerves.

The other found a big mess of bones and Gulls. Apparently they were able to investigate to the point of determining that the remains were of fish, and were unlikely to have been brought up by the gulls due to the weight. Myself I thought it was a reeking pile of crap.

Upon investigating the headstones, we found they were of the Tranto family, and were quite old. However they were generally in good condition. One was broken at the corner. I pulled out the stone piece we had and matched it up. Perfect fit.

Then we moved onto the Mausoleum. It was nicely done. Tasteful and grandiose without being gothic or ostentatious. I pulled out the other stone piece and matched it up to a broken section of wall.

The door were secured but a chain with a lock, Raphael tried to pick it, but failed. So I grabbed it and yanked it off. In retrospect I probably didn't need to yank it so hard, but it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. The bolts ripped out of the stone, and after a moment I was standing there holding a length of locked chain.

The doors wouldn't budge at first, so I gave it a yank, and then had to dodge out of the way as the whole front side of the entrance came crashing down where I had been standing. Sheesh!

Balla was the first one in. Not because anyone had told him to go, he just leapt in. Raphael followed, and I was third. There was a rather nice altar to Phenosh, a pair of swirling water filled Urns, and a set of stirs leading down. Balla and Raphael set right on down into the bowels of the tomb. I went outside and gathered the rest of the group. We followed the brothers downstairs.

The chill was noticeable as we descended into the crypt, and when we came to the bottom of the twisting stairway, we found the brothers examining a pair of Niches in the wall, each of which contained a skeleton. After a cursory examination, we moved forward and around a bend in the passage. On the other side we found two more skeletons and a pair of large double doors.

Again examining the skeletons, more I think to make sure they would not be rising up any time soon than for treasure. We opened the double doors. Inside was a large chamber, dominated by a swirling well in the center of the room. On the other three walls were a series of small stone alters, upon each of which was a skeleton. One wore exquisitely beautiful chainmail, clearly magical, another bore a gold medallion, a scarab, and a black headband (which turned out to be tarnished silver upon examination.) the third had a set of fine boots which seemed as in new condition.

Successful detection of magic and evil determined the chainmail, boots and scarab were magical, the gold medallion and silver band were not. Raphael was not particularly hesitant in acquiring said items, I believe he had to shake the crumbling remains from the chainmail, but otherwise the was a relatively easy grab.

After some further searching, we left the room, and sealed the door. Apparently Balla had forgotten his lamp in the room, but felt it was not important to retrieve it.

With that we left the isle for the day. Returning to camp we rested and received healing. With the light of the sun fading in the west we saw the isle lying there as if waiting like some predator for our return.

Our rest proved short, and we heard the strange splashing sound happen once again just before dawn.

This time, I took off my armor, and with only a dagger and a rope, I swam out into the water and dove down into the murky reaches of the river. I dove and dove for what seemed to be forever. I had not realized the depths of this river. As I came to the bottom, I saw in the riverbed a great gaping hole which must lead somewhere, but my failing breath warned me that my pursuit would have to be short lived. Turning upwards I strove to the surface and upon arriving gasped for air. Realizing at this point my lack of safety, I swam for shore, dried off, and donned my equipment again. I explained what I had seen as I did so, and we prepared to sojourn over to the isle again.

Moving quickly now, we headed directly for the top of the isle and to the manor house. Careful of the unsafe floors we moved to the tower itself and preparing ourselves, we made to enter.

Arriving at the door to the tower, we found that it was locked. Donna took out the keys and handed them over to me. I fit it into the lock and turned it. After a satisfying click I smiled and pulled the door... but nothing happened. It seemed stuck. I cursed myself for a fool, thinking I had just locked it. So I turned the key the other way and then tried to open it again.

Nothing. So the door must be stuck. Looking about, I got a series of blank looks back from my party. Pleased that I was not the only one in the dark, I turned the key again in the direction I thought was opening it, then with three steps back, I crashed into the door.

"SShaazzddoooossh" came a small implosion of energy. What appeared to be an odd form of lightning scattered over the door, and it swung open outwards towards us. Rubbing my shoulder I stepped back and readied my weapons. Inside was an empty room. The was a great spiral stone stairways, and little else. We entered, and ascended.

The second room was much like the first. The was even a door over where we had been standing on the level below. I tried a key and we had the same results as below. Sighing, I put up my equipment, and then slammed into the door in an effort to open it. Again the energy discharge, and the door opened. This time to a narrow ledge of what remained of the second story. Fortunately I caught myself before plunging to the ground below.

Moving upward we eventually came to what must have been a wizards laboratory of sorts, with an experiment table and a desk, as well as two chairs. Donna and Ana investigated the room, and Raph and Balla also looked about. Van seemed content to look out the window at the surrounding environs, and Kentaro quietly seemed as if not to be there at all. I watched the stairways.

The beast was upon us before I had even a moment to give warning. I saw it coming up the stairs and yelled out. As it came to the top of the stairs, I moved myself between it and the rest of the party. Balla was immediately at my side, and our blades prepared to deal in death. The beast stood like a man on two webbed and clawed feet. Yet it stood easily a head taller than I, and I am not short even by Mondarian standards. Each hand ended in a series of huge sharp claws which appeared used to the spilling of blood.

Then I felt a strange power wash over me, and as though I was not in control of my own emotions I felt fear surge inside me. This was not the fear of some nervous cadet on his first campaign, but rather the full blood freezing fear that one has moments before realizing their doom is upon them. I turned and fled from the beast.

Balla began to engage, apparently not afflicted as I was. He took a claw to the gut, but managed to remove three of the beasts talons from the other claw in return. The Donna held open her arms and called out in words that hurt my mind simply to hear. Her robe seemed to bunch up around her, and flaring out it engulfed the beast in a mass of webbing.

Raphael fired off more of his flaming arrows apparently deciding the wall behind the creature was far more dangerous at that time than the beast itself. After that combat continued, with Balla attacking the entrapped foe, and Kentaro releasing me from the grip of fear which had left me cowering beneath the desk.

As I returned to the battle, the creature broke free and fled down the stairs. Naturally, we all pursued, all that is except for Donna and Kentaro. We lost the creature as it dived into a well in the basement, and after a brief search, we returned upstairs.

Donna had meanwhile found a small hidden cache. Raphael searched it for traps, and then opened it, revealing a small chest. Searching again for traps, he found on one the locking mechanism. When he showed me I recalled how we had seen a number of these type of traps in the goblin campaigns, and I used my small knowledge and skill in these matters to gently disarm the trap.

Inside was some coinage, an interesting stone, a vial of stick substance which would later prove to be a healing unguent, and a scroll.

Ana had used this time to review some of the remaining intact scrolls, somehow preserved against the years. She determined they had something to do with the summoning and binding of extraplaner creatures.

We descended from the tower and almost fell into the other stairway, leading down which we had not seen before.

Continuing our exploration, we found ourselves in a wine cellar. And we found yet another swirling well. There was also a huge set of double doors barred from the outside, clearly meant to keep something in. It was at this time I had the strange thought that if Phenosh were indeed the magic behind the swirling waters of the wells, why was that water murky and polluted?

Not having an immediate answer, and receiving some odd looks from my companions, I set myself to raising the bar for the door. It was heavier than I anticipated, and I lost control of it as it fell to the floor.

Opening the double doors we found a grand temple to Phenosh. Complete with an Altar, urns, swirling waters, pews, and a strange crystal Ewer set at the end. We all entered, and I made my way quickly to the Crystal Urn. Donna made the clever move of levitating the bar into the room, and suspending it above the door. Just as she was finishing this, I reached the Urn, and the beast leapt from the well outside the door.

It was completely healed and clearly looking for a fight. It made some strange hissing noise as it evaded the falling bar. I saw Van go stiff for a moment, and then billowing fog began to erupt from him. That Bastard monster must have cursed him somehow. Balla leapt to the attack, as Donna let loose with some magic missiles. Raphael and Ana also fired off some shots, but I was unable to see what happened.

Apparently as Balla engaged the creature, he took some serious wounding, fortunately Van was able to find him in the fog and heal him as he continued to fight. I was busy concentrating on destroying the crystal urn to get at the strange rune scribed skull which was floating within. I called upon the power of the Sword of my ancestors and with its fiery blade I managed to destroy the urn, and then the skull within. This seemed to banish the fog, and revealed the monster which Balla was able to slay at that precise moment. As the Monster died, it seemed to shrink and dry up into the form of a human and then into dust.

Pleased, we searched the temple, finding nothing, but a pair of nicely carved stone statues we made our way off the isle. Apparently Ana wanted to stay on the isle alone with Donna, but that was just weird, so I ignored it.

We returned to camp and after cleaning my weapons and armor, we sank into a well earned rest. (It was of course midday.)

Upon returning to Lope, I found a local temple of Phenosh and donated the statues in the name of our company. Meanwhile Balla set out and got us a good price, with Donna's help for the silver. Donna returned home, and used her magic to identify the purpose of the magical items, this required we spend much of the money from the adventure on buying the necessary gems to perform it with. At the end of the day, we ended up with the following:

Scarab[gm26]--some kind of protective piece--not of low power, nice medium
Boots[gm25]--Water + Floatation
Chainmail[gm24]--Some light protective enchantments(only Chalyb can wear)
Vial[gm30]--Healing Salve (3 doses) Red
Stone[gm31]-Mental Shielding of some sort
Scroll[gm23]--Slow/Spectral Hand
19 gold--after ID gems were purchased and expenses taken out
Medallion[gm28] worth?
3 onyx worth 50 gold ea.

And a sense that we had ended the curse of the Bronze Tower and the Tranto region.

Search for the lonely monastary (Part 1) (Corrected version)

Chalyb's Journal

(The Search for the Lonely Monastary.)

It was raining. For three straight days, it was raining! This did not bode well for our mission, and it really tweaked my mellon! I hate having a campaign delayed by the weather, but I know better than to start a trek into the mountains in the middle of a thunderstorm. So we waited.

It wasn't that bad actually. We were at least reasonably productive. Balla was able to find a trader at the riverdock to sell the three remaining gems to, which provided us with more cash on hand. Some of which i used to buy flowers for Donna. Also, Van and I had the chance to deliver the statues of Phenosh to the local temple/shrine. These two statues were found by our group during the expedition to the tower. We found them in an ancient desecrated family temple to Phenosh, which had obviously been the diety of choice of the Tranto family. I will also point out that I was well pleased with my team in that during a discussion about the Gold medallion, there was little resistance to offering that to Phenosh as well.

When Van and I drove the cart up to the temple, the doors were closed. We went in, Van assured me this was proper in such a rural town as Lope is. Calling out we found the chapel area empty, but pleasent. Following Vans lead we passed through a door at the rear of the chapel. Attached to the back was a small parsonage. Upon knocking at the door, we were greeted by and older woman who bore a symbol of Phenosh. She asked us our business, and I described that we were here to make a donation to the temple. She was skeptical at first, and I continued on quickly. Explaining that myself, Van, and a group of companions (She knew of the Giacomo brothers by reoutation, sigh.) had journeyed to the Bronze Tower in order to investigate the reports of evil there and perhaps freee the land of it's taint. Upon investigation we had found the temple, and destroyed a crystal Urn and Runed Skull which we found there. This banished an evil fog which had grown in the te! mple, and we were also able to vanquich a beast which had obviously made the Tower it's lair.

As I completed the brief recount, I explained to her that we had found a pair of lovely statues of Phenosh, which had obviously been the property of the Tranto family. Wishing to respect the goddess, we returned with them here, and also with a gold medallion which bore the Pheonosh emblem and was upon the remains of one of the family. She at first questioned us as to the fact that we would be willing to part with these without compensation. I assured her we would, although I did mention that we were now seeking out the Lost Monastary, and should be very happy if Phenosh would look favorably upon us. After all of that, I carried the statues into the chapel, and we took our leave.

Finally, we were ready to head out, I beleive it was the 12th of Rolesh. It wasn't sunny, but it wasn't raining either. And we were all anxious to get started.

We decided to leave the mounts behind in Lope. Apparently the permenant mining camp, which we were using as a jumping off point into the mountains was expected to be capable of stabling the horses, but I didn't want to leave them there, so we headed off on foot.

The journey to Tranto took longer than I had anticipated. Mostly because of the mud. By the time we got there I was more than ready for a bath, a beer and some food. Balla had little trouble of convincing me to stay over the evening, especially since the river was flooded and the ferry wasn't running anyway.

We convinced the tavernkeep to let us sleep in the barn for the evening to at least keep dry. Or I should say Balla did, I was not particularly talkative at that point. I have to say, he's got quite a honeyed tounge on him, It's no wonder he is so blessed with the ladies. He even got the tavernkeep to throw in breakfast the next morning the bacon in particular was excellent. I must say, that although these rural towns lack for much in the ways of amenities, the food is always good.

Shortly after breakfast, the Ferryman came in and said, "Ferry's open." Then walked out. Strange chap. However the news and the good breakfast lifted my spirits, and i was ready to be on the road again. Though the day was overcast, we made some good time, and soon came to the woods beneath the foothills.

We knew that reaching the mining campe would be a 2 day journey from Tranto, so there was some short discussion about whether to go to the Tower and camp in it's ruins or head straight up. The discussion was short, because Donna reminded us we didn't have a boat or canoe to cross the water. That was fine anyways, I was not particularly interested in heading back there just yet. We did notice that there were birds chirping and some other signs of animal life returning to the area.

Presently, we entered the woods shown on our map to be at the lower beginnings of the Lisban Mountains. Traveling as we were along a path to the mining camp. (A path, I should point out, which was little more than a pair of ruts from wgons periodically travelling back and forth.) We moved along until we were suddenly stopped by a man standing (armed) in the middle of the road, and calling upon us to halt. My hand moved to my sword, but Raphael was so fast I didn't even see him move as his Bow appeared in his hands. The boy seems to have some skill. He also was looking up and to the left. I didn't see anything myself, but no doubt Raphael was scouting for hidden adversaries.

The man in the road claimed that we were required to pay a toll to use this road as it was a "private thourofare." I called for him to stand aside, no one just halts a group on the road for no good reason. Donna and Ana were scanning the other side, and I could feel the group preparing for a fight. Then I felt Balla's hand fall on my shoulder. I kept silent as he moved forward and began to parlay with the man. I don't recall exactly what was said, but the resulkt was that the man stepped aside and let us pass.

Frankly I was speechless, But moved along as Balla herded us forward. After we had passed about 100 yards or so up the road, Balla turned to me and said, "Well, Chalyb, shall we go back there and take care of them?" I shook my head in disbeleif, "Didn't you just talk us past?"

"Yes, but that's just because I didn't want to be IN the ambush, I'd much rather be SPRINGING the ambush on someone else."

I smiled. I liked his style. Perhaps there were more these Giacomo brothers than met the eye. And as I hated leaving bandits on the road behind us, I quickly agreed. As did the rest of the party. We quickly devised a plan. Raphael, who had some skill at remiaining quiet would travel the right side of the trail. He set off at once. Kentaro and I would be the stalking horse and travel loudly down the main path, to draw the bandits attention. The others would be moving on the left hand side of the path in the woods quietly if possible.

Well our plan work insofar as when we got back withing sight of the bandits, they all focused their attention on Kentaro and myself. I took three arrows in the first volley, and Kentaro and I ducked for cover. The rest is a blur of combat, the few things I do remember: - Kentaro went down quickly, with an arrow in the ear. I thought he was dead at first, and charged the archers in a blind rage. - They switched to blades as they saw me approach, but then another archer stepped into the first warrior and they fell in a small heap. - An arrow sprouted in the chest of the warrior next to me. That boy Raphael did have some skill. - I took down 2, and then gave a start as my feet and then the rest of me began to rise up off the ground. - Balla was apparently accounting himself well on the other side of the trail. - I saw a number of magebolts flash through the wood, as Donna took down one or two of the warriors ambushing us. - Anna and Raphael used their bows to good effect, until Ana's apparently snapped while she was drawing it. Probably due to poor maintenance in the inclimate weather. - Raphael was hurling out a couple of lightning bolts as I was being lifted off the ground. - Eventually, I was able to grab a tree and haul myself downwards again, but by then the action was over. Balla, Donna and Raph had finished off the bandits.

Balla and I searched for track to find the one which had levitated me, while Ana and Donna collected the stuff from the slain bandits. Kentaro had come around, though he was still woozy, and told us that Raphael was running off into the woods by himself.

I sighed, and we piled the captured equipment near the site of the conflict. Van also arrived (We had left him behind due to his abhorance of violence.) He healed all of us, and then stood in front of Kentaro. With a great invocation, Kentaro was surrounded by a wreath of light, and found his ear was fully healed and he felt great!

With Balla, his dog Fausto,and I tracking in the front, the group set off to find Raphael. We quickly determined that Raphael was following the running Bandit. Admirable, but foolish to do so alone. After moving quickly through the woods, we came upon Rapahel unconcious and lying in a heap.

Raphaels Bow and quiver were gone. Balla immediately went to his brother, but I called him away, "Van will take care of him, I need your help finding out where the bandit went!" Donna and Ana kept watch and Kentaro guarded Van as he woke up Raphael. Fortunately, the boy had simply been knocked unconcious by some magic. We found tracks leading away, and were on the hunt again. Raphael was considerably distraught by the loss of his quiver and bow.

After some short time tracking again we literally stumbled upon two men hastily grabbing everything they could from a camp. These were the bandits, and we immediately set upon them. A pair of glowing darts coming over my shoulder told me Donna had been far more prepared than I was.

Kentaro litterally leapt over me and using his incredible techniques stunned one of the Bandits, whom I then put down. Balla and Raph were on the other, and the outcome was obvious.

Apparently it was also obvious to the Bandit. For he surrendered, and dropped hi weapons! But Raphael and Balla were intent upon his destruction. Seeing this, I interposed myself between them and called for them to accept his surrender, and that I would ensure justice was done.

Unfortunately the bandit ran. Kentaro was like lightning, moving to intercept, and then the bandit was on the ground. I had been distracted at that point, and Raphael got passed my guard and was moving towards the bandit to exact vengance. Fortunately Kentaro blocked him, and I grabbed the bandit, lifted him up and shook him soundly, explaining that when one surrendered, one did not then run.

I bound him, and then Balla checked my knots. I must have been caught up in all the excitement, as he had to redo several, apparently much tighter than I had originally tied them.

Donna, Ana, and Van meanwhile had gathered up the belonging of value in the camp, and had found 2 mules, a fair amount of food, and some gold nuggets clearly stolen from other travelers. (Clearly, since the bandit camp had no mining equipment of it's own.) We headed back and picked up the previous equipment we had left from the fight, and headed on along the track towards the mining camp.

We camped outside that night, and moved on in the morning. (Balla managed to snare a rabbit during the night. But since none of us had ever actually cooked a wild rabbit, it ended up being used to feed Fausto.)

We arrived at the mining camp about midday. We asked to see whomever was nominally in charge, but basically got laughed at. We explained we had a bandit to hand over to the authorities. They simply said string him up. I noted at this time that the laws of the empire were not reaching these lands, and that would need to be rectified soon.

After some brief discussion, we decided to hang him. Apparently this fit the local system of justice, and Imperial law allowed for hanging upon the third offense. (1st attempt to rob us, 2nd robbing Raphael of his quiver and bow, and the third was evidenced by their stock of gold nuggets with no mining equipment or rationale. Also, posing as a local authority lent prejudice to the charge.) We gave him the opportunity to Randsom his life, or plead. He was not particularly interested in either, and his last words were, "You will have to live with what you do." I smacked the mule.

Van, Balla, and I buried him next to the grave of a deceased miner, and Van performed the last rites. "May the Gods have Mercy on his soul."

We basically gave the miners 8 longbows and 40 arrows, in return for what food they could spare, dinner, and the saftey of their camp for the evening. Sleeping well, we woke the next day and began a trek deeper into the mountains.

None of the miners had been further north than this, and we had almost no information to go on. The random rumors that Raphael had unearthed suggeted that: assuming there was a monastary (and there was much doubt. Apparently we are the only ones who beleive it exists. Of course no one thought much about the Broinze tower either.) then it was most likely overrun by some sort of humaniod tribe. There were myriad descriptions of the type of humanoids that may have done so. Also the monks there may have worshiped any number of gods or demons according to runor, although the two most likely candidates appeared to be Umekai, Lord of the Gateway to the afterlife, and Shilos, keeper of secrets. Neither of which suggest a happy, friendly group to begin with. (They also likely won't be too happy to see us if we can actually find their Monastary and they are alive.)

The one thing that many of the rumors had in common was that the Moinastary itself and the attending road was likely built by Dwarves in the region. Combined with the possibility that the dwarves may have some record of a monastary, whether they built it or not, in their general locale, suggested to us that they might be a source of more definative information. Thus we chose to follow the river up to a site of dwarven activity recorded on our map.

We set off and crossed the tributary river at a shallow point. It was during the crossing of the river that an unusual occurance happened. Balla was splashing all about and muttering, "Stupid Boots... C'mon! Damn you... How am I going to get the love from the ladies if i can't walk on water?..." Raphael was staring at him, with a wry smile on his face, and I was busy fighting with a mule. Stupid mules! Great for the mountains, not so great at crossing water. Suddenly Raphael looked up. "Hey Chalyb, what's that river dieties name?"

"Huh?!? You mean the one from the tower?" I really wasn't paying attention, so when the mule jerked I landed on my butt in the river. OK now I was in a foul mood.

"Yeah, that one." Replied Raphael.

"Uh.. Phenosh, I think. Stupid mule, c'mon"

"Hey Balla," Raphael called out. "Say Phenosh!"

"Mmmm...?" Balla replied wittily. "OK, Phenosh. So what?" He started walking towards Raphael.

"That's what." Raphael chuckled pointing. Balla was no longer splashing around in the water. He was walking on top of it. Ploink... Ploink... Ploink... He started bouncing all around on the river.

I sighed, "Great! Now help me with this mule!"

Traveling along the river, we began a pattern of stopping shortly before evening and using the remaining light to hunt and forage. Donna found a number of wild yams, which turned out to be excellent. We were also able to bring down a pair of deer on two seperate occasions. Also some mostly rotten apples and poisonous berries showed up, but they were left.

As we moved along the river, we came upon the remains of a house's foundation. It was burned down within the last few months. There was a garden out back that was rotten, but showed no signs of real damage. There were no bodies, and nothing particularly odd. We assumed the house had had a fire at some point and burned down. There were no bodies and little to go on.

Balla found an opening in the hillside. On the following morning we approached it cautiosly. Shouting out greetings in Dwarf, we received no response and entered.

The first room was empty. There were teo opening leading on. Kentaro stayed to guard one opening, and Balla, Myself, and Raphael entered the other.

Raphael discovered a secret cache in the floor which we originally thought was a trap, but proved to be a compartment holding a bag with gold nuggets in it.

At this point, order disintigrated, and Balla and Raph headed out on their own in one direction, and Ana and Donna headed out in the other, with Kentaro guarding them.

I decided to sit in the main entrance and watch the mules. Some might call that petulent, but they better not be within arms reach! Donna discovered a storeroom with lots of ancient equipment, rotten foodstuffs and barrels, and a barrel of stones. (Probably ore of some sort.)

Raph and Ball discovered the start of a mine shaft. One side dead ended and the other broke open into a huge natural cavern. Van assured us that the mules would remain in the main entrance as we explored further.

Naturally I went first. Once inside the other followed as I began to explore. We found the charred remains of three dwarves, and then we were set upon by a great rock beast.

The thing was like a pile of molten rock and gave off great heat, although not damaging, it was uncomfortable to be near. It also lashed out with tentacles of rock, and spat great gobs of acid, one of which hit me full in the chest, but fortunately I was wearing the Magical chainmail and it was not damaged.

The battle was difficult. I was afeared of the Sword of Sequitor being damaged, and so used daggers to attack. Balla engaged the beast with his longsword and dagger in combination, I have to admit it's an odd fighting style, but effective. Personally, I'll stick with my shield. Kentaro, after magically guarding himself against fire, attacked with his bare hands.

- Kentaro released several blasts of energy into the beast with his powerful blows. - Balla struck a number of times, and his weapons remained intact. - I was almost slain by a series of attacks from the creature, and the acid glob, but fortunately Van came to my rescue. - Donna was able to do great damage and eventually slay the beast with here powerful magical bolts. - Raphael wisely remained on guard for more of the creatures.

I breathed an immense sigh of releif when the creature finally succumbed to our attacks, shuddering and falling still. But the Raphael called out as another was upon us from the rear.

- He was able to fire a number of arrows into it. - Balla nd Kentaro move to engage once again. - I remained with Van to be healed of the massive damage the beast had inflicted upon me. - Donna used her magic to create a series of images of herself to ditract the creature, then hitting it with a magebolt, she finally summoned four giant spiders to come to our aid.

This second monster was enraged. Most likely at the death of its mate(?). It destroyed the Spiders quickly, and I was glad not to be the target of those blows.

Finally, I was healed and moved to aid my fellows. At this point the creature's inner light was dim. From our previous battle, this suggested the creature was close to death. Kentaro distracted it from me, and I was able to land the killing blow.

Ana searched through the remains of the creatures, but there was nothing of value.

We gathered the skelatons of the dwarves and buried them outside the main entrance. Then we prepared for camp, and to decide what to do next.

As the dawn's light wove its way through the foothills and into the doorway of the abandoned mine, Chalyb's eyes drew open. As he stood and began his morning routine of stretching and light warm up exercises, he noticed that he didn't have the normal stiffness from sleeping in the wilderness. These dwarves really knew how to work stone. He smiled as he saw the group gather around the fire. Raphael was already passing out his terrible coffee. Although in fairness, it was better than Chalyb's own. Still smiling he gathered up his bedroll and equipment into a neat organized pack, and went to join the others.

After a brief discussion of the party's plans, they struck camp, loaded the mules and set off to the west. Travel through these low hills wasn't easy, but it wasn't anything compared to the Mountains that loomed in the north. Chalyb was not looking forward to moving up into them, and hoped they could avoid it. They trekked for most of the morning west looking for anything that might be a sign of living Dwarven holdings. Ana was doing her usual complaining, but she was stationed at the rear avoiding Mule droppings, so Chalyb (who had placed her there) couldn't hear her.

Turning north shortly before noon, the party trekked for a time until they came to the foot of the true mountains. At this point Chalyb called a halt for lunch. Everyone was pleased for the halt, but a little frustrated that they had encountered nothing. Chalyb let the lunch break go longer than usual, but eventually called the party to order again and they began trekking back east. As they skirted through the mountains, they came back about 2-3 miles north of where the abandoned mine had been, when Ana kicked over a rock and called out.

There were unusual markings on the rock: (picture unavailable)

This symbol struck both Kentaro and Van as odd, something both thought they should recognize, but didn't. Chalyb shrugged it off as a Dwarven territory marker, but Ana cleverly got out some paper and a piece of charcoal and took a rubbing of the markings. The party looked about, and then set off again. It was beginning to get dark, and Chalyb was thinking about how much farther they should press before making camp, when Ana spoke up, "Hey!! Hey Guys!" Calling a halt, they all turned to see what had her in an uproar. "Probably stepped in some mule droppings and wants to change the marching order." Muttered Chalyb to Balla.

But no, Ana had spotted something off in the distance. A light or lights. Chalyb couldn't see anything, but Raphael and Donna both confirmed that there was indeed something like a light further to the North.

(I think Raphael went and scouted out the fort on Balla's command. (As Chalyb was off in the bushes, but that might have been later.)

Chalyb nodded, and taking hold of one of the mule's reigns, began to march south. "Where are you going?" said Ana, stomping her foot down. "I said the lights were to the north!" Her arm pointing out behind her. Chalyb nodded without stopping, forcing the group to follow along. "MMmmm... Hmmm... and what do you think those lights are, Ana?"

"Well I think they are a Dwarven encampment that we've been searching these blasted hills for all week!"

Chalyb nodded again, he was used to this type of argument with recruits. "Yep, it could very well be. Then again, it could be the campfire of a family of giants, or a 'Death Lantern', I think they call them will'o'wisps here in the south, or something else I've never seen before. Even if it is Dwarves, do you really want to march up to their camp in the middle of the night?"

Ana smiled, "I guess not, but why are we headed away from them?"

Chalyb smile, now that was a good question. "We aren't. We are headed towards the abandoned mine we slept at last night. Between the beasts that hunt these mountains, and the potential for more rain or worse weather, I'd like to sleep with a roof over my head where we know we can build a fire and have a defensible opening. Besides, it was Balla's suggestion, so go ask him." Balla's eyes grew round as the sharp-tongued girl turned on him.

The next morning started much as did the former. They had made good time getting back to the mine, and Balla had pulled out a chess set, which had allowed Ana to continue teaching the group the game. She really enjoyed beating Chalyb at it, although he had learned to move slowly and play defensively enough that he could usually hold her off until the set disappeared and the game could be called a draw. Still she had a great time pointing out the flaws in Chalyb's strategy while they played. Chalyb pretended to get riled up, which drew laughs from the group, but he didn't really mind.

That morning Ana was in for another surprise. Instead of packing up his things, Chalyb was stringing his bow. "What are you doing?" Ana Asked.

"We're going to forage for some food to supplement our supplies."

"Now? But we are going to head up to the find the Dwarves. Besides why do we need to forage, we've got almost 12 days worth of food left?"

"Because, the food we have will keep, so anything we find this morning will allow us to keep traveling in these mountains before we have to turn back." Ana's mouth opened to start arguing again. "Hey, talk to Balla about it, it was his idea!" Balla gave him a dirty look.

Ana went and gathered her bow, and joined Chalyb and Rafael as they started walking out to hunt. Kentaro remained at camp, keeping the fire going and tending the mules. He had needed to perform some meditation anyways. Van and Donna headed off in search of berries or those mountain yams or something to supplement the meat.

The hunters stumbled upon some deer, and Raphael got off a beautiful shot to the neck of a tall buck. Ana and Balla managed to take down a smaller doe, and Chalyb just tried not to shoot himself in the foot. Meanwhile, Van and Donna stumbled upon a small grove of apple trees that had some late blooming fruit. Bringing everything back and Balla taking the time to set the meet for traveling, the group found they had added 2 days worth of food to their larder. Of course attempting to cook the food proved all but disastrous, Van meanwhile enchanted a number of the apples into goodberries, which everyone agreed was fortunate. Balla noted, "We really need to learn how to cook." To which Donna replied, "Well don't look at me, I think a Man should learn how to cook!"

After lunch and packing, the group moved out and headed North. Traveling about 4 miles we found ourselves on something of a little used road. Balla noted that there were obvious but infrequent tracks, suggesting some traffic. The group was following this road when we came upon a fortification, off the road and up the side of the mountain. We decided to continue along the road for a time, thinking it might double back soon and lead up to the fort indirectly. However, after moving another half mile or so up, we heard the sounds of horns coming from the outpost. The party decided to wait, and see if they were about to have guests, but after a half our there was no guard detail forthcoming, so they turned and headed directly up the slope towards the fort.

Chalyb left the group at the edge of the obvious killing field, so that if this did turn bad, they would at least have a chance to run, and advanced with Balla to seek entrance. Along the way, Chalyb picked up a stone and held it in his hand. About 50 yards from the gate, Balla pointed out the two flanking towers, with scorpions aimed at them. Chalyb dropped the stone.

"Halt" Came a challenge in Vichese. "State your business!"

Chalyb became unusually charming at this point. Perhaps it was his previous experience with Dwarves, or simple military understanding, he called out at first in excellent underspeach, but quickly switching over to Vichese due to his limited vocabulary. "We come in peace. My party and I are traveling these mountains seeking the ruins of an ancient monastery rumored by our people to have been built in these mountains by dwarves. We seek shelter for the evening if we may, and we would speak to anyone in your clan who might know of these rumors."

After some grumbling in underspeech, which Chalyb could not make out from that distance, and a little more back and forth, the party was called forward and allowed entrance. The fort itself contained a number of small buildings and at least 20 Dwarves who had been manning the walls. Some of whom looked particularly tough. The lead dwarf introduced himself as Grazak and showed them to the stable and then to the Inn. The party stabled their mules and learned that one of them needed shoeing. The stablehand was remarkably friendly and suggested the blacksmith and fierier next door. The party arranged to have the mule shoed, and wandered off to the Inn.

There were two rooms available at the Inn. Ana and Donna quickly claimed one of them and moved in their stuff. Chalyb chuckled, but that turned to a sigh when he saw the beds. "Ah well, another night on the floor." Kentaro, who is also uncommonly tall simply laid out his belongings into a corner stoically."

After a bath and a surprisingly excellent meal at the Inn (Balla had assured Chalyb that dwarves ate rocks!), the ladies retired upstairs to compare notes on magic and make-up. Apparently Ana they both had some knowledge of fashion and the application of paint to their nails and such. (Seriously, the players both sent their characters up to do that.) Donna also cast a magic mouth on the boy's bedroom at Chalyb's request.

Meanwhile the boys headed over to the tavern, where Grazak had said he might be that evening. As they entered, the whole bar got quiet and looked over at them. Chalyb rubbed his sore head and motioned the group to a table near the door. We ordered ales and stouts. Slowly the room returned to normal, but all the new dwarves entering in gave us the "Hairy Eyeball." After the third or fourth time this happened, Balla motioned the Tavernkeep over and bought the house a round. That loosened things up a bit, and soon the group was chatting with some of the Dwarves, when they decided to get into a knife-throwing contest. (The dwarves naturally threw axes instead of knives.) Chalyb initially expected this to turn out bad. Throwing sharp metal in an enclosed space under the effects of alcohol just screamed "bad idea!" but it all turned out well in the end. The stakes were set for rounds of ale, and the loser was required to finish a flagon before the next round. In the first round Balla demonstrated his significant skill, scoring a bull's-eye, and then having his dagger magically appear back in his hand. Chalyb ever the worrier, expected the dwarves to be anxious about the magic, but they were more impressed by the skill of the throw. So, moving things along, Chalyb and Raphael stepped up to throw, and made reasonable showings. Kentaro was sitting back watching the entire affair, and Van was taking a little nap, much to the amusement of several dwarves. (He'd had a hard day.)

Then their champion stepped up. With a flourish, he unsheathed a beautifully crafted axe, and twirled it about in his hand. Chalyb nodded in appreciation for the obvious familiarity this dwarf had with the axe. The dwarf took his position, eyed the target, and proceeded to expertly throw his axe directly into on of the tables that had been pushed against the side wall. "DOH!" went up a gasp from the dwarves, then a series of short barking laughs and good-natured ribbing towards the thrower. He just sighed and signaled for a round of drinks. Chugging his down, he said, "OK, let's try that again!"

This time the Dwarf got the center, and Raphael managed to strike a ceiling beam that was getting uppity. So the party bought the drinks. After a few more throws, the whole tavern was in good spirits, and the party settled in to chatting and drinking. The Axe thrower turned out to be Grazak's Lieutenant, Okan, and he had a number of friends there who were keen on discussing various aspects of the party's travels. The party had already learned from Ana that this clan of dwarves was called the Kran, and they were the least friendly towards humans. But by this point, they seemed pretty friendly.

Chalyb mentioned to the Lieutenant that the group had come upon an abandoned mine, and had some ore from it. Of course the dwarves were interested, so the whole story came out. The dwarves had never heard of such beasts that Chalyb tried to call Smoldering-Rock-Eaters in underspeech, but mispronounced, "Horta" and the name seemed to stick.

As stories began to go back and forth, the Dwarves proudly told of the pair of giants they had recently killed. In fact, the skulls had been preserved and were hanging out back. "Really?!?" Balla asked. Which led to the entire party being herded out back to see a pair of hanging preserved giant skulls, and another round of drinks.

None of the dwarves had heard of the monastery, or the symbol, which the party had stumbled upon under the rock. One of the dwarves said he had seen something that looked similar once, on patrol to the west, but he couldn't be sure. He said that it was in the lands of Clan Vegrin, but they didn't know much more than that. Okan Agreed to look at the ore the next day, and all said a good night.

The next morning, Chalyb woke to a steady rapping on the door to the room. Rising from the floor he managed to slam his head into the ceiling adding to the headache from the ale. It was Donna at the door, and she and Ana were ready to get moving on the days work. With a sigh, the boys got moving and wandered downstairs.

Raphael had apparently been up for a time, as was his habit, and was discussing coffee with the Kavin, the innkeeper. As breakfast was being prepared, Chalyb went out for his morning exercises.

After breakfast, everyone in the group paid for an additional day's stay, except Ana, who expected the dwarves to turn on the party at any moment and force us to run for our lives. Chalyb asked Kavin if there was a place in the fort where the group might purchase traveling food for their continued journeys to the west. Kavin agreed to check on the availability of supplies from the clan's stores and sent the serving-girl to attend to it.

The group went to check on the mules and paid for an additional day as well at the stables. They asked about fodder for the mules and were able to obtain some. Then the party tried to go shopping, but to little avail. They did stumble upon Okan as they wandered around, and he agreed to come look at the ore. The party offered it up to the clan freely, much to the astonishment of Okan. Picking up a piece of the ore, he weighed it, cracked it open with a nearby hammer, sniffed it, and then licked it. Balla nearly had a seizure, and shoved his elbow into Chalyb's ribs, "See I told you!" he whispered. Chalyb just sighed.

Apparently the ore was mid grade iron ore. It's nothing special, but not bad. OKAN asked again if the group really wanted to give it up without getting some money for it in return, Chalyb held Ana back, and assured Okan that the mine was found on Kran lands and the ore was therefore rightfully the property of the Kran. Okan nodded and said, "OK, leave it here and I'll see someone attends to it." After some brief discussion, Okan said he would try and bring out the Master-miner at noon to the Inn. The master-miner might know something about the monastery and road if anyone would. The party expressed its gratitude and continued on about their day.

At noon, Okan showed up alone, and said that the Master-miner had said he didn't know anything about any such rumors, but there was a name associated with western "construction", that name was Vegrim. Chalyb nodded and gave Okan a silver piece, "Thank the Master-miner for his troubles anyways." As Okan was about to be offended at the payoff, Chalyb concluded, "By buying him a round of ale on us." Okan smiled and nodded. "I will."

The party found out that they could purchase some food. Less than they had wanted, but more than they had feared, but it wouldn't be ready until the evening. So they were going to stay the rest of the day. At this point, Ana sighed and paid up for a room at the inn.

The party each went about their business in the fort, resting up and preparing for another trek into the mountains. That evening they went to the tavern, and even the girls came. There was more drinking and storytelling, and Ana got out her flute and played some tunes on it. Donna was invited to dance by every male in the tavern, except Chalyb who seemed to be embarrassed. She was quite worn out by the end of the evening but in great spirits.

The next morning the party headed off into the mountains, to the waves of several dwarves, and the parties full bellies. Traveling west, the party made reasonable time, as they moved slowly through the terrain looking for signs of roads or rocks, etc. Chalyb set a rough course heading west then southwest towards another Dwarven encampment as shown on Raphael's map. Of course Ana argued with him, but Chalyb was growing used to the word battles, and looked at them as another version of chess.

As the day wore on, the group began looking for a place to break for lunch, when suddenly there were a pair of terrible roars up ahead. Looking up, they saw a pair of giant rise from behind huge boulders. Each giant had a great rock in its hand. "Eria's Rump" Chalyb cursed and began charging forward yelling out a battlecry.

Kentaro, who had been behind Chalyb dropped into snake form and moved forward as well, using the technique known in the silver hand as "Serpent Avoids the Falcon."

Balla had already drawn his weapons and was peeling off to the right side in order to flank the giants. Raphael was following and covering his brother. Donna gripped the reins of the mule she led tightly and moved in search of cover, Van did likewise. Ana called out powerful magics and became blurry to the eye.

Chalyb's cried had the intended effect of drawing the giant's attention from the others, and the grunts accompanying the giant's throws could be heard by all. Ducking low, the first boulder whooshed overhead. As Chalyb was distracted by the near miss, the second caught him full in the chest, knocking him down and backwards. The pain was incredible, and only his military training and focus got him back on his feet and moving towards the giants again.

Charging up, Chalyb had the Sword of Sequitor out and leapt towards the giant in front of him. Both giant's drew what appeared to be tree trunks bound with iron. Chalyb avoided the initial clumsy blow of the Giant and thrust into the giant's thigh. Stepping back he felt a touch on his shoulder as Kentaro almost causally moved to him and released the magic of a healing spell. The monk's grace and total composure was amazing.

Meanwhile, Balla had moved into range with his daggers and was preparing a throw. The other giant decided Balla was a better target and moved up to engage him. Ana drew out her bow and fired off a few arrows, but being used to fighting human sized opponents these went wide. Raphael launched some powerful arrows into the giant, just as Donna released a pair of magical bolt into the beast as well. None of these were fast enough to prevent the giant from slamming Balla with the tree trunk.

Chalyb called out, "Ifernus Ignitum" and the Sword of Sequitor blazed forth in fiery glory. Ducking another blow, Chalyb drew in close and with heroic effort carved up one side of the Giant and down the other. The fire from the blade searing the wound as he did so. The Giant screamed out in pain and dropped to one knee. Chalyb took advantage of this to strike deep into the giant's heart killing it. Kentaro's quiet prayers and healing charms accompanied the yells from the combatants.

Balla, recovering from his blow, ducked inside and stabbed the giant he faced, slicing open the carteroid artery and ending its life. Van arrived and healed Balla's wound, then turned and restored Chalyb's broken ribs. Donna secured the mules and scanned the area in case the sounds of combat attracted more predators, but none were forthcoming.

Meanwhile, Ana had already begun searching the bodies. She found a sack of gold nuggets on the larger of the two, but little else of value. The party was getting ready to move on, when Fausto began barking and snuffling along the ground. Following the dog, the party came upon the Giant's lair, and began searching. Donna found a pair of potions hanging in a sack off the giant's lean-to. Later Ana would detect magic and determine that both were magical. (She would also drink both one right after the other in attempting to determine what they were and briefly turn herself into a chicken. Although she doesn't remember the scene, it was hysterical to have the group chasing her around the camp.)

Not wishing to remain at the giant's lair, mainly due to the smell, the party moved on further west. With no further encounters, the party made camp and rested. That evening, Balla's bag produced a cask of fine ale, which was consumed by the group.

The next day passed uneventfully.

The third day from the fort of the Kran, the party rounded a hillock and came upon a group of dwarves. We were initially told to go away, and initial entreaties met with a noticeable disdain and wariness from the dwarves. But then Balla stepped up and turned the Giacomo charm up to full power! He got the dwarves to tell him that they were clan Vesok, and these lands were theirs. We were not welcome to them, and they had no idea about any monastery. Then Balla asked if we could pass through their lands, and Chalyb backed him up offering the gold taken from the giant's as compensation for their time, and some food. After some brief haggling, and a few quick jokes from Balla, they agreed to walk us through their lands and even share some food.

Over the course of the next two days, the party shared their food, and got to know the dwarves of clan Vesok a little better, especially their leader Kazrek, who was very impressed with Van's ability to create goodberries. As relations became more cordial, one of the dwarves suggested that they might know of an old road at the edge of their territory. No one had been on it that they had ever seen, but they would take us there is we wished. We said we did, and found ourselves set upon a worn road that had obviously been built many moons ago.

After camping out for the evening and some foraging turned up a few goats, the party moved along the road. Going slowly and seeking anything interesting we came upon the remains of another stone marker with the same sunburst style symbol. Continuing on we moved up into the mountains, and all attempts at foraging were useless. (We would later find that the lands around the monastery were the hunting grounds of a huge flying predator, but at the time we were confused at the complete lack of game.)

Traveling up along the road, it seemed to be washed out in a few spots, but then came back, and eventually it became a carved space in the side of a steep peak. We carried on, hoping that we were nearing the object of our journey. (Chalyb was growing nervous about the food situation again too.) The cliff face fell off on one side of the road, while the other rose up almost vertically. Chalyb though a great place for an ambush. But after some time, they reached a crest in the road and began a slow descent. Chalyb feared we might have simply stumbled upon an ancient Imperial road instead of the road rumored to belong to the monastery.

After a time though the group rounded a corner and came upon a great stone wall wedged neatly between the mountain and a spire of rock ascending from the other side of the road. Drawing up, Ana decided to scout it out and Rafael moved to the flank to cover her. The wall itself was huge and cut from either the stone of the mountain itself, or with such precision as to make it appear the same. Between the walls was an ancient broken gate. Fallen, but built so well that even now it hung in its hinges. As Ana approached, a ghostly apparition appeared in front of her, "I am the Gatekeeper. I guard the Way. What is it you seek?"

Ana smiled and backing up slightly she replied, "Uhh.. Right! I'll just go get the seeker. Be right back." She then turned and hustled back towards the party. Rafael already had an arrow ready, but as Balla made to draw weapons, Chalyb said, "Don't draw your weapons. We don't want a fight here. Kentaro, this is your deal."

Kentaro moved up, scratching his chin. Hmm....

After a few attempts to guess the password, Kentaro considered that this might be an illusion and attempted to disbelieve. However, after focusing his mind to the attempt, the gatekeeper was still there, suggesting that this entity was real. It became clear we did not know the password, and the Gatekeeper said, "You do not know what you seek." And disappeared, not responding to further attempts to summon him forth. At this point we examined the wall itself and saw it was clearly Dwarven made and in the lower side had a cornerstone with a Dwarven clan emblem. (We assume it was the markings of the maker's clan Vegrin, and Ana made a charcoal rubbing of it.)

We made camp on the road and spent the evening discussing the Gatekeeper and our options. Certainly it appeared we could walk right through the gate. However, most of us believed that doing so would summon the Gatekeeper back promptly, and in righteous wrath. So that idea was summarily dismissed. Likewise, we could attempt to climb or levitate over the walls, but we expected a similar outcome to facing the keeper. So then the option of fighting the keeper arose. However, we were not even sure we had weapons, which would damage the keeper, and it was likely the party would suffer significant casualties if this option was pursued. So the options were to figure out the password, or return to Lope and research it. (Van thought that he probably could find something in the Temple at Lope, and everyone gave him heck for not bothering to do some research before we left!) Kentaro sat off by himself meditating and attempting to recall any info he had on the monastery and why he was interested in it in the first place.

In the morning, Kentaro came forward and assumed a penitent position in front of the gate. "What's he doing?" Chalyb asked.

"Beats me, he's your buddy." Balla replied.

The Gatekeeper appeared, "I am the gatekeeper. I guard the way. What is it you seek?"

Kentaro replied, "Solitude..." The Gatekeeper started to fade away. "...Knowledge and Wisdom."

The Gatekeeper firmed resolidified, "You may pass." Then winked out.

A small cheer rose up from the party. "Wait here a moment." Chalyb said to the others. He approached.

"I am the Gatekeeper. I guard the Way. What is it you seek?"

"Solitude, Knowledge and Wisdom." Chalyb replied.

"You may pass."

And in this manner the party passed the Gatekeeper of the Lonely Monastery.

We found the ruins of a guardhouse on the other side of the gate. The structure remained intact, but anything inside must have rotted away decades ago. After a brief search we continued on down the road. At this point the party's spirits were high at having figured out the riddle of the Gatekeeper.

Those spirits would fall shortly thereafter when we came upon a section of the road, which had been swept, away by a rockslide or some other disaster. This left an 80' span between one end of the road and the other. Chalyb took off his armor and pack, and tied a rope to himself and prepared to climb over and set up pitons with rope between them to use as a climbing bridge. After spending 10 minutes tying and retying the rope and arguing with Balla, he prepared to climb over. Then Donna calmly strode forward and gestured at him. Suddenly he was floating. "Oh, that could be handy!" Said Chalyb.

So now floating Chalyb used his climbing ability to make his way across the cliff and set up the guide ropes. After finishing, he returned and the group began discussions for the next phase. With Donna's levitation, Chalyb could lift and carry over part members one-by-one thus ensuring a safe passage. However, that leaves the mules, which were clearly beyond Donna's capacity.

Donna was able to shine here as well. With her significant knowledge of pack animals and horses, she suggested we tie them up in the ruins of the guard house with some food and water out. Each of the party members took 3 days worth of food, and the more valuable treasure we had accumulated. Then we proceeded to cross the span.

On the other side, we continued out journey. The rode wound down and into the mountain, after a time it made a sharp turn into a narrow rift valley. The valley itself was wooded, with scrub trees and low firs. Beyond the trees we could make out something that looked like a sort of fortification. We entered the vale and made our way through the trees to see what it was. Emerging from the trees, we saw a pair of rubble arcs which had most certainly been walls at one time, and the remains of what might have been a gate or guard house between them. Off to the left was another small building, and they're directly in front of us stood, The Lonely Monastery! Chalyb slapped Kentaro on the back, which led to the Monk stumbling forward a few feet. "Well I'll be! I don't mind telling you Kentaro, I really though this was a wild chimera chase. I mean I agreed to help you out and all, but I never really thought we'd find the place, and whoosh there it is."

After taking a short break, the party decided to search the woods for a bit, specifically looking for tracks and the signs of any foot traffic in and out. There was none, but instead the party found the remains of a number of large beasts that did not live in this terrain and would not normally be found in a place like this. Additionally, there was a large pile of droppings, about the size of Ana's head, well, maybe a bit smaller. Similar to those of a bird. Balla, who had experience hunting, believed that there might be a winged predator of considerable size nearby.

On the alert, the party scanned the Cliffside for any caves or such, but none were seen. So we decided to set camp. That night, Raphael confirmed our fears by describing a great winged beast that flew overhead and headed to the monastery.

The next day, we spent the morning working our way through the rubble of the walls. Beyond a few rats that jumped on Balla and some giant spiders that seemed to find Van a potentially tasty snack, there was little to find. Fortunately, Donna was on hand for the spiders, otherwise Chalyb likely would have stabbed Van a few more times trying to hit the spider. "Hold still Van, this time I'll get him!"

Before noon, everyone was getting bored searching the rubble, so we went on to the gatehouse. Within, Donna and Raphael came upon the remains of a cornerstone that had the same symbol we had seen on the stone trail-markers. There was nothing else to be found by searching. At this point Chalyb had Van perform a detect evil and scan the monastery. It took about half an hour, but Van did determine there was a significant point of evil inside. Ana also did a detect magic around the guardhouse, but there was none.

Moving closer to the Monastery, we circled to the left and examined the outbuilding. The building itself was beginning to fall down, which was a marvel considering if the rumors were true it had been here for hundreds of years. The building appeared to be only a single room, and there seemed to be steam rising from the floor. The Giacomo brothers rushed in and began searching around. "Don't go in there!" yelled Chalyb.

"Bah, nothing to worry about Chalyb the Cranky!" said Balla.

"Yep, good as gold, although there doesn't seem to be anything in here." Responded Raphael.

They turned and began walking back towards the doorway when there was a low rumble beneath them. The both looked down, then at each other.

"uh..." started Balla.

"Oh!" finished Raphael.

With that the floor gave way and they both tumbled down a shaft into a pool of boiling and bubbling water. Apparently, the building had been a bathhouse or steamroom of sorts, and the combined weight of the brothers caused the floor to drop out.

"Ow... Ow... Ow..." The water was HOT!

Chalyb went up to the edge and looked over, "I told you so!" He then started through his pack looking for his rope.

Balla began trying to climb out, and then looked up. "Phenosh!" he cried. With a splash he rose up out of the water, as his magical boots suspended him on the water's surface.

"Phenosh! Phenosh! Phenosh!" Yelled out Raphael, but to no avail.

Chalyb tossed one end of the rope to Kentaro who replaced him at the edge of the pit. The other end Chalyb tied around his own waist. Kentaro made sure Chalyb was secure and then tossed the rope down right on top of Raphael.

Raphael grabbed the rope and yelled, "Go! Go! Go!"

Chalyb began hauling up the rope, and soon both Giacomo brothers were back on dry land. Van came over and began healing them. By the time Chalyb had wound the rope back up there wasn't even a scar.

Meanwhile, Ana had discovered a side door into the Monastery and was carefully examining it. Donna was just trying not to laugh at the whole thing.

Despite Ana desire to go into the side door, the group decided to examine the entire outside of the Monastery first. Walking carefully around the outside, they saw that the stone was Dwarven carved. Smooth as a baby's behind and still standing even though it had clearly been here for ages. Continuing on, the party passed a pair of huge front doors. Theses we set in the center of the monastery in a section of the wall that was 10 or so feet in, and were made of what appeared to be bronze. This was particularly interesting in light of the fact that the side door was made of iron.

Standing sentry to the front doors were a pair of massive and ancient pines. The party moved on past the front doors and saw a pair of huge stained glass windows. As the figure in the glass became clear, Van gasped, "Umekai!" Indeed it was the Lord of Death. Standing a tall faceless figure with a pair of scales in one hand and a mirror in the other. The stained glass was impressive, doubly so considering the likely age of the windows. Chalyb asked Ana to check for magic once again. Doing so she stated in a surprised voice, "There is no magic upon the glass or anything in this area." Chalyb was intrigued, but there would be time enough to figure out what to do about the glass later, for now they had to secure the area.

Continuing on around the monastery, the followed the wall until it merged seamlessly with the mountain behind it. "Odd," thought Chalyb, "There must be a way the beast gets in and out. He looked to the wall and began examining it for the purposes of climbing. It became clear in a moment that there was virtually no chance of him climbing the wall unaided. Turning towards Donna he saw her waiting with a sly smile on her face.

"Yes?" She inquired sweetly.

"Umm... Could I get a boost?" Chalyb smiled.

"Sure thing." She replied and began chanting. Pointing at Chalyb she then rose her hand slowly towards the roof, and Chalyb's body followed the direction her finger pointed. Raphael, realizing that Chalyb was not the most perceptive of investigators jumped on his back.

"Hey, wait for me!"

In a moment they were on the roof, and while Chalyb secured a rope for the others to climb, Raphael was scouting the area. He didn't have to go far when he saw a huge gaping hole towards the rear of the building. Moving only slightly nearer he smelled a terrible reek emanating from the hole. Something had died or was dead down there.

"Well, I think we found the lair!"

They both climbed down and the party regrouped a little ways away. Various good ideas were put forward:

Webbing the hole either before the creature came out or after.
Sharpening a big wooden stick and setting it point up in the hole so when it returned it would skewer itself.
Waiting until night then getting the creature as it came out to feed.
Skipping the lair entirely and going into the monastery.
Going through the monastery to find the lair.
Everyone jumping into the hole in order to prevent the creature from coming out.

In the end it was decided that it would be unwise to enter the monastery and possibly be coming out wounded and forced to face the creature. Also everyone going into the hole was discarded in favor of using missile weapons that we had many people proficient in. So Chalyb and Kentaro climbed up on the roof. Kentaro with Spear ready to back up Chalyb, and Chalyb to draw the creature out. The rest of the party lined up to hit the creature with missile fire when it emerged.

Chalyb crept up to the edge of the hole and looked in. Of course it was dark and he couldn't see anything. So he pulled back and lit a torch. Getting closer to the edge he tossed the torch in. He pulled back in anticipation of the beast! But nothing happened. Crawling forward again he looked into the hole. It was dark, the torch must have gone out.

Chalyb sighed and pulled back again. Drawing out another torch he lit it and moving up to the hole he tossed it in. Again he pulled back awaiting the exit of the beast... Nothing. So he got on his belly and crawled up to the edge of the hole. It was dark, the torch must have gone out again.

With a deeper sigh, Chalyb pulled back from the edge. He took out a third torch and poured a little bit of lamp oil over the end. He lit it on fire and gave it a moment to make sure it caught and was going well. Moving forward he tossed the torch in.

WHHOOOSH! Chalyb was almost knocked off his feet by the rush of the beast up into the air. It was a great scaled thing with wings each easily as wide as Chalyb was tall. It sped off a dark shadow in the afternoon sunlight. A pair of magical bolts sped after it and caught its left wing. A number of arrows shot towards it as well, but there was little additional effect.

Chalyb watched it go out of sight. "Damn!" he cursed. He had hoped it would come back and fight. Then he saw that the fire had caught on something in the room below, "DAMN!"

Chalyb quickly got out another length of rope and tied it off on a crenellation and lowered himself into the room below. About halfway down he heard Kentaro yell, "Chalyb I don't think you tied this right!" The rope started to give way.

"DAMN!" Chalyb fell on his back as the knot released and he dropped into the room. There was no time to lie down and be hurt though, the fire was starting to spread. Chalyb pulled out his traveling cloak and began outing out the blaze as best he could.

Meanwhile, the others saw the dark shadow returning. It was coming in fast and it was coming in Mad! Whhooossh! It drove down upon Kentaro and struck him with its two hind claws. Luckily he was able to dodge enough to prevent being grasped. Unfortunately, the claws raked a set of bloody furrows in his thigh. Using the intense focus of his monastic brotherhood he channeled his pain and anger into the spear technique, "Raptor's Bloody Dance." Moving through the Kata he struck at the reptilian form in front of him, piercing the armored hide and ripping out a section of the beast's shoulder.

Balla, Raphael, and Ana moved away from the building to the point where they could see the beast again. Just as it struck down on Kentaro and drove the Monk to the ground. Donna had cast a spell to create mirror images of herself and was following up with a levitation spell. Van meanwhile had cast a sanctuary spell on himself and was now moving towards the rope at the other end of the building. Chalyb was nowhere to be seen.

The beast drew back its tail and struck Kentaro in the shoulder. Chalyb had never heard Kentaro cry out before, but this time the monk could not contain the agony, passing out from the damage he had sustained. With the fire out, Chalyb had tied a grapple to his rope and was casting it up again to try and climb out.

The archer loosed their arrows, with Balla getting a lucky shot, and Raphael sending forth Blazing bolts of magical power from his bow. They left the beast dazed and confused. Donna, rising up the side of the building let loose her own magic missiles and brought the creature down.

Chalyb, now on the roof, saw Kentaro lying still next to the creature. Leaping to the monk's side, Chalyb drew out his healing potion and forced it down the throat of the comatose monk. Forcing all of the liquid into the monk he called out for Van, who was having a difficult time climbing the rope. With no more of the potion, Kentaro was regaining consciousness, but then the poison surged forth again, and Kentaro passed out.

"Damn!" Chalyb hoisted Kentaro up and ran for the edge of the roof where Van was just arriving. Laying Kentaro's body down on the roof, he saw van begin to prepare healing spells. "No, He's poisoned! Take care of the poison first."

Van shoved Chalyb aside, "Don't tell me how to do my job!" His hands came to either side of Kentaro's face and a green energy flowed out of Van and into Kentaro. A calmness came to the Monk, and the green light washed over his entire body. Then Van began to administer lesser healings to Kentaro, and when that was finished he healed Chalyb's bruises and Burns.

With the party exhausted from the battle, the group removed itself to the woods and made camp.

Around the campfire the evening after slaying the wyvern, the Giacomo brothers are overheard saying (over a rather bad pot of coffee...which Raphael must be getting rather low on by this time):

Balla: "As much as I hate to admit it, that stiff-necked legionnaire actually knows this military stuff."

Raphael: "How so?"

Balla: "Well, he planned the attack on the wyvern. We deployed, the attack was initiated, and it a howling success."

Raphael: "Mmm, true, true. However, it did nearly get Kentaro killed."

Balla: "Did it? I didn't notice. I mean we both saw Kentaro fall but he was back up in a couple of minutes so I didn't think much about it."

Raphael: "Yeah, but you're nearly as blind as Chalyb is. Kentaro barely made it out with his life!"

Balla: "If you say so. But no one else took any injuries."

Raphael: "Except Chalyb when he fell down the hole in the roof."

Balla: "That was his own damn fault."

Raphael: "Because he tied the knot that failed?"

Balla: "No. Because he didn't have ME check his knot before he trusted it!"

[Both drain the last of the coffee from their mugs, exchange glances and then spring to their feet]

Balla (hand reaching into the bag on his belt): "Ready?"

Raphael (his bow strung and at the ready): Ready!

The next morning the group rose early, and after coffee, meditation, and exercising by various members, they headed back to the monastery and climbed up to look over the body of the wyvern.

Between Balla's hunting skill, and Donna's Animal Lore we were able to harvest a number of components from the beast. Fortunately, Balla managed to avoid the spray of poison when he accidentally cut open the Wyvern's poison sack. Of course Ana cried at the wasted poison. The group ended up with:

2 dozen scales
A couple of claws
Several fangs including one long incisor
The left eye (eww)
And the tail stinger, but it was cracked in two by Balla's attempt to remove it.

We skipped digging in for the heart, and Chalyb refused to take the meat for fear of poison. So after stowing all the various parts, we wandered over to the hole in the roof and lowered ourselves into the lair.

The lair was a mess. It stunk from the remains of half eaten things and the oddities of a wyvern lair. With Chalyb standing guard, the group began to search about. Chalyb asked Ana to perform a detect magic and Van to perform a detect Evil. Although there was no evil present in the local vicinity, there was a magical item buried beneath the junk. It turned out to be a shield. Additionally, the searchers turned up a pouch of pearls. There was little else in the lair so far as treasure went.

The room itself appeared to be an old library or experimentation chamber. There were a number of shelves and the remains of books and junk. It was difficult to determine what might have been present before the Wyvern had claimed the room as a territory. There was a huge polished black glass door in the wall to the west, and a set of large double doors to the south as well. The glass door radiated powerful magic, and there were also 2-3 other magical auras behind it.

The party gathered together to determine what to do next.

FINI

Class Free Rules	Martial Arts	Excel Point/Attribute Characters
Character Sheet Archive	Critical Hits

The Physical World	Annual Calendar	Vichese History
Vichese Religion	Knights of the Sun Blade	Order of Trian
Under-dweller Religion	Mondais Religion
The Great Empire	Ancestral Items	The Mithos

Southern Sessions Home	Southern Character Backgrounds	Bronze Tower Introduction
Writings of Chalyb - Part I	Writings of Chalyb - Part II	Writings of Chalyb - Part III
Writings of Chalyb - Part IV	Writings of Chalyb - Part V	Writings of Chalyb - Part VI
Writings of Chalyb - Part VII	Writings of Chalyb - Part VIII	Writings of Chalyb - Part IX
Writings of Chalyb - Part X

The Region Map	The Local Lope Map	Donna's Necklace
Temple and Caverns

The Southern Campaigns

Class Free Resources

Eria - World Resources

Eria - World Maps

Campaign Index

Campaign Maps

The Writings of Chalyb Sequitor - Part I

Letter to Kentaro

Giacomo Brothers

Bronze Tower

Search for the lonely monastary (Part 1) (Corrected version)

Contents

General

Gaming

RPGs

Current Campaigns

Past Campaigns

Eria

One Shots / Other