[This continues the story of Rogier the bard, a warforged called Gravedigger
and a goliath paladin known as Uthmar Shatterstone. They are on the trail of the
'missing' town of Everaska in the Hills of Lost Souls area.]
DAY 9 cont ...
An so we find our brave heroes, traveling towards the town of Everaska on foot.
It was late spring, but there was a strong cold wind blowing.
As they walked along a flat-bottomed grassy gully they came across a man that
came running towards them. His name was Fennel and he was in a real panic,
telling them about strange lights that had driven 'the sheep mad'!
Maybe it had been Willo-the-Wisps remarked Gravedigger and Fennel nodded in
agreement as he caught his breath.
The heroes continued cautiously on their way. Up ahead the saw a giant goat,
which must have been one of the 'sheep'. With the others approval Fennel,
who was a scout, went ahead and shot the goat.
Then Uthmar and Rogier went forwards, but argued about who should go first.
Eventually they got themselves sorted out and joined the fray.
Another goat and two wisps came charging down the valley and the heroes had
a proper fight on their hands. Gravedigger cast spells and Rogier laid in
with the firebolts. Fennel was charged by a goat and sent flying. He lived,
but with some broken ribs. Gravedigger went over and healed him.
Eventually Uthmar dispatched the last of the goats and the fight was won.
Gravedigger completely healed Fennel and as he did so they talked.
Fennel was just 16 years old.
'I was hired to guide a group through the valley,' said the young fellow, 'but
when we were attacked I legged it!'
'Who is "we"?' asked Gravedigger.
'Some merchants that had hired me to scout for them. What remains of them must
be further up the gully.'
'Than you,' replied Gravedigger. 'Now if I were you I'd run away down the valley
as fast as you can before those two idiots take an interest in you.'
The both looked over to where Uthmar and Rogier were arguing again.
'Cock boy!' yelled Uthmar.
'Vagina girl!' returned Rogier at a similar volume.
It had started as a discussion about what spells Uthmar thought Rogier should
have used in the fight. Advice that Rogier did not gratefully receive.
In the end, they settled down and all together and roasted the goat meat.
Fennel took some of it and tiddled off back home.
Our heroes, now full of roasted meat, settled down to camp for the night.
DAY 10
It rained over night so our erstwhile heroes were somewhat damp when they
set off in the morning.
About a mile along the road they found four corpses of well-to-do commoners.
Uthmar was not happy about the scout abandoning his charges and grumbled about
it while watching Gravedigger dig a big hole for a communal grave for the
four unfortunates.
Uthmar and Rogier made sure to retrieve anything valuable before the grave
was filled in. Once this was done, Gravedigger said a few words and played
his bagpipes, its mournful tune echoing along the valley.
As they walked on, Uthmar, very much the argumentative troublemaker of the
group demanded to know who had the signet ring - the object that was central
to their current quest. After much argy-bargy and accusations it eventually
was revealed it was in his own pocket all along.
As evening fell they made camp. There was no rain and they slept silently.
DAY 11
The heroes continued on their way, following their noses as much as anything
else.
Gravedigger and Uthmar started to 'catch things out the corner of eye', a somewhat
ominous effect, but nothing that resolved into anything worse by the end of that
day's march.
They slept and were visited by pleasant dreams, something they all remarked on
in the morning.
DAY 12
In the morning, the continued on their way. It seemed fairly certain they were
on a main road to Everaska now and it was not long before they arrived at the
very place.
Just outside the town the came across a well appointed camp, with several horses
corralled beside an large ornate tent.
Their was a coat of arms on the side of the tent - a bird, a sword and a holy
symbol. Gravedigger noticed that the crest had a sigil on it of a little known
demonic or devilish lord entwined within it.
As they approached a man came out. He was a knight or something similar and had
his hand on the pommel of his sword.
Uthmar as usual told Rogier that he should do the talking, being the bard, but as
soon as Rogier opened his mouth, the burly goliath paladin butted in.
'It's very quiet, eh?' said Uthmar.
'It's well known in this area what happened to Everaska. Who are you?' replied the
man dryly.
'Uhh, we are just passing through.'
'They are on honeymoon,' put in Gravedigger, either confused or continuing a running
joke. 'I will bury them post-nuptial.'
'Ignore him, he has a screw loose,' said Uthmar. 'We were meant to meet someone here
and to find out what happened.'
'Ah,' said the man. 'Me and my charge are here to do the same. Alas, we have found
out little enough so far. Again, I asked who you are?'
'Uthmar, Gravy and Dickhead,' answered Uthmar.
'Right...' pondered the man. 'I am Marshal Thorne Halvek. If you are here to try
and find out the mystery of Everaska then I suggest you carry out your own
investigations. I wouldn't wish to tell you our findings as they may not be
correct and lead you false. Fresh eyes is better.'
'Uh-huh. Do you know anything about all these shadowy things we keep glimpsing?'
'Indeed yes! It is most odd, but as to the cause, I confess I have no idea. We
have been here for some weeks now and they have been constant in their appearance.'
'And the lady we seek?'
The Marshal went into the tent and returned with Lady Viers. She was tall and striking
in appearance, obviously an aristocrat and used to getting her way.
She looked at the signet ring when it was offered to her. She thought it familiar
and asked where it had been found. Gravedigger and Rogier spun her a pack of lies.
Uthmar tried to correct them, but he had largely forgotten all about the events of
only a few days ago.
'So tell me,' asked Viers. 'What do you know so far?'
Uthmar acted as if he were annoyed at Rogier and indicated that the bard should be
the one doing the talking as he had a better way about him. Again though, as soon
as Rogier stepped forward and was about to speak, Uthmar butted in!
'Well, milady,' tried Uthmar in his best posh voice. 'It piqued our interest and
we wish to be of what we could be of what assistance, ah, we could be offer aid
and forsooth and by your leave and at your service madam and ah... Forsooth!'
Uthmar bowed with a flourish as he finished his speach.
The conversation went on for a while longer and Rogier and Gravedigger were
drawn into it. Rogier mentioned that they had all been getting 'nice dreams'
the last few days. Lady Viers said that she had seen the shadows but had no
dreams. When they all compared notes Gravedigger hissed and quoth:
'I dreamed of a dark tower, sliced by bands of night, a beam of darkness cast across
the land, blighting the crops and slaying all that it touches. I dreamed of a ship
lost on a moonlit sea, crewed by the dead, pushed on its course by the tentacles of
a giant unwholesome god. I dream of a sharp blade, drenched in blood, held in a
quivering hand. tears fall from my eyes, i shiver with cold as i look down at the
loved one I have slain. a once good family, sinks into darkness, once where they
were masters of the denizens of the pit, they are now the slaves. what was once
good became evil. fire and blood! Fire and blood!'
I should note at this point, dear and gentle reader that anything that was going
on in Gravedigger's dreams were not connected to Everaska and were the product of
his own rattled headcase. Or it may have been that he was concerned of the sinister
design on the side of the tent and wanted to gauge her reaction to a ominous
speech.
'I didn't realise beings like you could have such visions,' she admitted.
Regardless of all that, our heroes decided to stay at the camp for the rest of
the day. Lady Viers had a magical Provisions Box which provided more than enough
food for everyone.
Gravedigger was a little worried, but despite everything he had some lovely
dreams during the night, as did his companions.
