Chapter Two - Goblins Under Blyth

Turn 2a

Nightshade translates what you say to Demorak.

"You ask of the sword, of it, I know very little. But I will summon Larchon, he is the historian around here. He knows some of the sword history and the history of Coleth under Blyth. He can answer many questions and you will not need the services of Nightshade for he speaks English and various other languages."

Demorak departs. It is a half an hour before Larchon appears. He is extremely handsome halfling. Brown haired, dark eyed and dressed in fine blue pants and vest. His shirt is of the puffy sleeved variety and of course his feet are bare. He smiles upon entering.

"I am Larchon and you must be the adventurers that I have heard about. The ones that Clerics believe will help us in our situation. " He bows.

"Anyway, I heard that you have questions about the sword in the center of town. Well to understand that sword I must give you a bit of a history lesson about this area. Coleth under Blyth was a Dwarven town for as long as recorded history states. It was called just Coleth then and there was no Blyth. The dwarves built the underground lake that you first came down in and built the crystal right into the rock, a marvel of engineering really. Well, they lived here peacefully for quite some time, but then the goblins came. It started with just a few skirmishes in about the year 75 but they kept escalating for another 50 years. By 120, they knew that they had lost to many people and the goblins just kept coming. The goblins themselves were unusual, possessing large mouths and what seems to be 2 separate digestive tracts. The old books that I have read state that the goblins would sometimes bite the heads off of dwarves and swallow them whole. But I think that that may be just a rumor. " He smiles warily.

"As I was saying, by 120, it was over and the dwarves knew that they had lost. They abandoned the city and moved what they could. They left much behind for when the goblins saw what was happening they launched a full scale attack on Coleth. It was a sad day for the dwarves, they lost hundreds of people to the foul beasts. But some escaped and told the tale of the doomed city of Coleth. "

"What happens next is only a legend and I can find no conclusive proof, if it did or did not happen. The goblins were celebrating their victory, when a Dwarven warrior appeared carrying the Bladifors, the sword that we assume is resting in our square even that is up for debate. The warriors name was lost but some suggest that it was a dwarven god that was enraged by the goblins actions. I have another theory, but I will suggest that in a minute.

This warrior, according to dwarven legend, attacked and slew all the goblins in the area but with the hundreds of goblins that knicked him in battle he was mortally wounded when he came to face the king of goblins. They fought for hours and in the end, the goblin King was slain, but so to was the warrior. His dying action, was to shove his sword through the goblin king and pin him to the cave floor. The power of the sword was such that the goblin king was turned to stone and in truth if you closely look at the pedestal in which the sword stands it does sort of resemble the petrified face of a goblin. "

"My theory: I dont think that there was a dwarven warrior. I think that what the goblins ran into was a dragon coming to claim the treasure left behind by the dwarves. The dragon killed them all and this sword was a favorite treasure of his and therefore placed it in the pedestal on which is stands to admire it. I draw my conclusions based on several facts. There are dragon claw marks all over this cavern, many are faint because of years of water dripping and erosion but they are there. Dragon bones have been found in the back in a cavern not far from here and from the size of them I would say that it was a big one. "

"I have a few problems with my theory as well, but I will make them evident to you after at the end of this tale. My people came here in 350 and found only the sword left standing. Everything else was ransacked and taken away. We found this place and built what you see here. The sword became sort of symbol to the clerics and they evolved many a story about it to amuse the children. One is the story of you coming here now. I myself never believed that but I will reserve judgement because yesterday I would never have thought I would be here telling you this tale. So, to make you understand the problems with my theory I will elighten you to them. 1) whoever ransacked the place left the sword. Why? It slips easily enough from the pedestal and anyone seems to be able to touch it. 2) Sort of related to 1 though, My people have a habit of taking things. Why has no one stolen it before now? 3) Now this one shoots the whole dwarven theory I think. The blade is scripted in Elvish. I quote: Night is my companion and solitude my guide. I will be the one to hold you down and take your soul away. Granted my elven is not that good but I translated it as best I could. 4)Most dwarven blades are always labeled by name, but It never refers to itself as Bladifors that the dwarves supposedly called in the dwarven legend. The blade is very elegant and you know dwarven construction, Solid and well built but never elegant and dainty as this blade is. Therefore I think the dragon may have stolen it from the elves and came here. "

"You are welcome to inspect the blade yourself. It is magical, we have checked. We have also paid to have it identified but all anyone can get from it is that it is a sword with powers that are as yet unrevealed. "

"By the way, if you are interested, history is starting to repeat itself. The goblins are starting to attack again and so far no one has been killed but we have seen them moving around out there and they have been seen in the company of humans mostly wearing the symbol of a hydra. We are unsure of the significance of the hydra symbol, a religious caste perhaps or simply a mercenary company. We just dont know yet. We have traded with the world above but we are reluctant to ask humans for help. They could be worse than the goblins, seeing as some of the humans are working with the goblins. "

Larchon will hang around to answer more questions if you need. He will leave if you need to discuss things in private.

For those of you inspecting the sword in the center of town. It is a short sword sticking up out a pedestal. The pedestal is made of granite and has a carved relief of a face in it. It could be a goblin but it looks more like a picture of a contorted persons features. It has been eroded with time and really could look like anything if you look at it long enough. The blade of the sword looks normal with the elvish script etched in the side of it. It says just what Larchon told you "Night is my companion and solitude my guide. I will be the one to hold you down and take your soul away." The hilt is plain with no visible markings and no special hand grips of any kind. Just a leather binding around the handle to give you a better grip than just bare metal. For those of you daring enough to touch and pick it up. It is very light and a good solid weapon. Definately of Elvish make but more than that it is difficult to tell. If you hold it for awhile you seem to want to put it back into the pedestal. Nothing overt but a definate push in your mind to put it back. Kind of like, when you were a kid and your parents told you to be careful with something, you want to put it back just in case something did happen and you didnt want to get blamed for it.

Turn 2 - supplemental - Keridwynne shares a vision

Keridwynne replies to Nightshade's insight regarding Bladifors perhaps meaning "blade of force" with genuine awe in her voice "Mistress, I stand in reverence to your powers of reason, such a thought would never have entered by mind." and curtsies to Nightshade. If anyone seems to be interested she will also disclose that she has discerned from her study of the sword that it is made by The Lady of The Lake, she who wrought Excalibur. I can tell because of her workmanship, and because of the metal, dannite, which is unique to her forge. This one was obviously intended for an Elven hand.

The next morning, any who are present see Keridwynne (who has slept on a couch in the parlor rather than retiring to a private bed chamber) sit straight up in her sleep with a gasp. She immediately rises and rummages in her pack. She pulls forth a piece of parchment and begins to scribble furiously. If anyone asks she will reply that she was given a visionary dream that seems related to the inscription on the sword in the stone. When the party is awake and assembled, she explains about the vision and that she periodically gets them from the "powers of the universe". She said this one came in the form of an Elven ballad that was sung to her over and over in her dreams until she has now memorized it, and written it down. She asks if all know Elven (I assume so since everyone appears to be of at least some Elven blood) and then she sings this song to them. Anyone who wants can read it as she has written it as well.

Listen as the wind blows
from the caverns of the mind
voices lost in language
memories dropped in time

Night is my companion
solitude my guide
would I spend forever here
and not be satisfied

I would be the one to hold you down
and take your soul away

Through black worlds I have stumbled
so many times betrayed
dying to find an honest word
to see the dark enslaved

I speak to you in riddles
you speak to me in rhyme
my body aches to feel your touch
your words keep me alive

I would be the one to hold you down
and take your soul away

Into the night I wander
it's morning that I dread
another day of knowing
the path I fear to tread

Into the sea of waking dreams
I follow without pride
nothing stands between us here
I will not be denied

I would be the one to hold you down
and take your soul away

"I have some personal theories, the main one I have is that there is some warrior trapped in that stone, who once wielded the sword, and wants to be released to fight with it again. I'm not sure what she wants (it was sung to me in a female voice I've never heard before). The other thought I had was that perhaps the sword itself is the entity singing. Gives me the shivers, whoever it is, perhaps because I touched both sword and stone, and drew it and took notes about it has connected to me in some way."

Notes preceding Turn 3

NightShade, Yes you can certainly follow this Tieron look alike for awhile.

He travels down all the back alleys never crossing streets that are lit or very busy. He always waits for others to pass by. He is very obviously making sure that almost no one sees him. He slips out of the village and starts traveling back toward what Demorak called the place of goblins and hydra people. He is met soon enough on the path by the ugliest looking goblins that you have ever seen. Enormous creatures with mouths capable of swallowing several small boulders. Dressed in mostly rags covering their naughty bits, but with weapons a plenty. Swords crossed across their backs and daggers strapped at various locations around their body. You hear a brief conversation before you turn back.

Tierons Look alike says, "It is done. They will be gone by tomorrow one way or another. The Prime Minister will do as he has been told. Bladifors will be ours by the next day and Coleth will fall again before the goblin hordes."

One goblin speaks, "But the prophecy is going as it stated. How do you explain that?"

"Coincidence, nothing more. A group of adventurers falling through the roof at the wrong time, with a staff that glows. "

Goblin: "My people will not fight as well with fear in their hearts. "

"By this time tomorrow, there will be nothing to fear. The sword will be ours, Coleth will fall and Blyth will be next. " Tieron lookalike laughs and turns the corner.

The other goblin that did not speak turns abruptly around and stops, his eyes searching the darkness. He makes no indication of moving leading you to the conclusion that he is posting guard. With no great way to get around him, you return to Coleth and the party.

Tieron
The song that Keridwynne sings is known to you. It is called Possession and was written by Mishalla Nightraven an elven bard in about the year 150. It is a standard song that most elven bards are taught to sing. Jeron and you both learned it years ago.

Other note,
As Rich does not seem to be answering this email game I am taking over the character.

9am November 5, 522

Larchon raps at you door carefully and opens it a smidgen.

“Are we all awake? Ah I see that Master Rich is not. Prime Minister Gorath is expecting you at your convenience. Down this corridor to the right, First corridor to the left and the door at the end of the hallway. I hope breakfast was to your liking. “

Larchon excuses himself and closes the door behind him. No one says much least of all Tieron as Talorc kicks Rich awake and starts for the door. Rich is quick to awaken and soon follows the rest of you out the door. The directions Larchon gave you are easy to follow and you arrive at an open doorway. Gorath greets you at the door. He is short even for a halfling, he is stubby too but extremely wide. He has many bulging muscles, hardly what you would call a halfling. He must have been an adventurer at some time judging from the scars that he carries including one large one, well faded with time, but still there, stretching horizontally across his forehead and nearly reaching the tops of his ears on both sides of his head.

“Greetings fellow adventurers. I am Gorath, Prime Minister of Coleth under Blyth. I have heard of your arrival from Demorak. “

His English is flawless without accent. He gestures to the chairs around a large oval table. Gorath moves around to the head of the table so that his eyes face the door that you just came through.

The room is well lit with a fireplace just behind Gorath, many torches line the wall even though the room is not very large. The wooden table and the matching chairs are the only furniture in the room. But the walls in between torches, hang many paintings. Pictures of Halflings in most of them eating but a few in which they are drinking. Only one stands out to you as a bit odd. It is a picture of a halfling fighting a Goblin. This halfling bears resemblance to Gorath. Probably just a portrait, but maybe a political ad as well. The table you are seated at is piled high with all sort of breakfast pastries and various foods. Most of you have already eaten and the sheer sight of all this food is making you kind of Nauseous. Only Rich who has just awakened partakes of anything.

Gorath gestures to the table, “Please help yourself. Really there is little that I think that we need to discuss. “

The door closes with an audible thud. You saw a guards hand just before it closed.

“Guards are for your protection and mine. As I was saying, you are free to go. I will supply you with all the things that you need to take you back to the surface world. Maps, food and so on. I realize that some people think that you could be the saviors of our city, but I would not want to wish that upon anyone. Demorak believes highly that you will help us. But to be honest, I think that he calls alarm over a few goblins and has a bad dream one night and calls it a prophecy. You arrive in a similar fashion as his prophecy and he goes nuts stirring up the population with goblin invasion stories and whatnot.”

“Let us not forget about Larchon, he regales you with tales of a sword in a stone. Bladifors, the sword that no one wants. Nobody has even bothered to steal it in 400 years. Larchon is just bitter that I won the election and he did not. By Yondalla, the sword doesn’t even have any powers that we can identify. All our mages get is “As yet unrevealed” Bah. I say it is unrevealed because it is faking it. “

Gorath rambles on and on about nothing in particular. He never even seems to take a breath to let you get a word in edgewise.

Footsteps in the hallway, Nightshade picks up a sharp whistling sound. The sound of a dagger sailing through the air. A soft thunk at the door and the sound of a body sliding slowly to the ground. Footsteps, large and running with a hollow echo bouncing down the corridor. That hollowness is also felt in the pit of your stomach as you realize you have been trapped again. You all stand and whirl toward the door. The door opens forcefully. Two goblins burst through the door. Both throw daggers. Rich had his back to the door and takes one deep to the back. The other sails at Nightshade, Tieron his face impassive, his hand faster that you can see moves out and strikes the dagger in midair. He holds on to it and is about to reverse its course. The motion to throw is set and then he thunks it hollowly into the wooden table before him.

“Jeron” is all Tieron says.

Jeron walks through the door, his face is sweating with exertion. Before him he holds Bladifors.

“This sword puts up quite a struggle brother, but I will master it. It is a matter of will. Don’t bother to resist, I have goblins backed up all the way down the corridor. Each of them willing to give their lives to kill one of you. By the way your friend down there doesn’t look very good. I think that I will release him from his pain. “

Jeron strikes down with Bladifors and misses. Its tip buries itself next to Rich but not in him. He pulls back and strikes again. Misses again, just to the left a bit.

“Damn sword, you” Jeron points to the Goblin that threw the dagger that hit Rich, “Kill him and take his sword from him. It could prove to be useful”

The Goblin pulls another dagger and moves toward Rich.

That looks like a good cliffhanger don’t you think? Each of you will have Turn4 obviously in your inbox as well as a private note which wont make any sense at all until you read this.

Tieron
A note to tell you a few things that you notice and have a little time to contemplate.

Jeron is obviously not himself. His expression pained, eyes are streaming tears down his face. He looks like the time that you had to put his pet hamster out of misery as it was dying. He couldnt do it. Even as he stabs at Rich, his movements are off. Each time he thrusts at Rich, you notice that his eyes flash blue and the same flash is represented in the eyes of the Hydra symbol that is upon his chest. The Hydra symbol flashes first, Jerons eyes and then the jab at Rich. Make of that what you will.

Nightshade
You turn and see that Gorath is gone. Nowhere to be seen. But you thought that you heard a click from somewhere around the head of the table and turn just in time to see the chair that he was sitting in rise up from the ground.

Talorc
Fear is in the Goblins eyes, that is standing quite close to you. He is terrified of you. He is sweating bullets and big globs of spit are oozing down his jaw. Smile for him if you wish.

Well that was mighty quick in the turnaround, so I have written the next part. Should you have any comments or improvements that we could do to the game, feel free to email me.

"Stand back Brother, I don't want to have to hurt you." Jeron says.

Tieron advances still. Jeron moves back a step. He holds the sword up as if to strike. Jeron swings. Tieron never moves. The sword misses wildly. Jeron backs up a step more and is halted by a goblin directly behind him trying to gain entrance to the room. Meanwhile in the room, Nightshade pulls her bow and fires a shot. It flashes out the door and down the hallway. Somewhere in the distance you can hear a goblin shout, "Oh my foot my only foot." Keridwynne hurls herself across the floor, sliding bodily along the ground. she is singing but slides up to Rich and you see her hand glow a tinge yellow and then dissipate into Rich's body. The wound on his back starts to seal. His breathing improves.

Talorc grins widely at the goblin. The goblin nearest him is sweating profusely and starts to move away from him. Talorc starts talking to him. It is too much for him. He collapses in a heap, fainted dead away.

Keridwynne and Talorc nearly simultaneously sing and speak the words of the song. "Would I spend forever here and not be satisfied"

The sword Bladifors leaps from Jeron's hand. Its flies, twisting as it goes, hilt first to land in Talorcs open hand. Green flame bursts from the hilt and envelops the sword. It speaks

"I am called the Blade of Force by some. By others I am Orkrist the Goblin Slayer and today I will be SATISFIED."

Talorcs grin widens if that is possible.

Jeron looks down at his empty hand. He stares down at it confused and slowly looks up. "Tieron help me. " His eyes seem clearer now and his voice is low, hollow and filled with emotion. The hydra symbol on Jerons chest glows intensely for a moment and then the Hydras eyes build in intensity. Tieron rushes for Jeron. The Hydras eyes explode in blue fury and leap forth from to touch Jerons eyes. The impact is great and slams him across the room. He slithers down the wall and lays in a pile. Tieron is immediately there.

Nightshade drops the bow and pulls a short sword. Her movement swift and sure. She sees Keridwynne trying to fend off the goblin but Keridwynne is no match for its strength. Nightshade moves behind the goblin and with a single thrust, plunges the sword deep into the back of the goblin.

Keridwynne, in saving Rich's life, has earned the goblins attention. It had made several swipes at her, but her agility was better that its fighting prowess and had missed thus far. Suddenly the goblins maw opened wide and Keridwynne has images of the stories she heard about these goblins being able to bite the heads off its victims. Instead the mouth gouts blood and falls to the floor. Its fall is ridden down by Nightshade who sword is protruding from its back.

More Goblins rush through the door.

Tieron rushes to the side of Jeron. With a quick motion, Tieron slices the hydra medallion from Jeron’s cloak. Tieron steps back in horror as he sees Jeron’s body change form. No longer Jeron the half elf, but in his place, a humanoid creature made of a silver jelly like substance. It tries to reform to Jeron once more but can not quite make it. What you see is a creature with distorted Jeron facial characteristics, for a second it looks like your brother and then it collapses fully and flows into a puddle on the floor. It is still and looks quite dead. The Hydra medallion starts to laugh. A long low chuckle forming into a full belly roaring laugh. The laugh is familiar and it only takes a second to realize that it belongs to Gorath, the leader of the halflings who is now mysteriously missing.

Tieron turns with rage and hatred, forming on lips are the words of magic. The first goblin through the door is thrown backward as if struck by a great impact. Tieron pulls his short sword and wades into the combat.

Talorc throws his dagger at the invading goblins. It imbeds itself into a tapestry next to the wall. Shrugging, he wades into combat. Bladifors the sword is casting off a eerie green light. Weaving his sword in a figure 8 pattern, he swings wide as the first of his attackers is suddenly thrown backward as if struck by some unseen force. This leaves an opening in Talorcs defenses and one that is taken advantage of by another. His short sword impacts into Talorcs side and when withdrawn blood is seen cascading down the side of his leather armor staining it red. Talorc staggers slightly from the blow but recovers quickly. His second attack rings true and scores hard to the Goblin, shattering bone in the creatures upper left arm. From down the hallway, a echo of shouts of pain can be heard. Looking up to see what the commotion is about, Keridwynne and Nightshade look to see all the goblins down the corridor are bleeding from the same wound in the upper left arm.

Tieron slashes hard at the nearest goblin and connects. His blade biting deep into the neck of his attacker. With surprise, the goblin falls bleeding profusely from wounds in his neck and upper arm.

Talorc, his grin wide, brings the blade about. His swing is close but the goblin is quicker than expected and its a clean miss.

Nightshade moves about to attack a goblin from behind. Her stroke clean and true. Her thrust goes deep into the back of the goblins throat and pushes out through the Adam’s apple in the front. It slides off her sword with a sickening sucking sound.

Keridwynne looking around sees that Rich is alive and will revive in moments but stands her ground to defend from oncoming goblins. None come.

Talorc thrusts Bladifors forward. It pierces the goblin in the chest and stills its heart. All goblins in sight of Bladifors grasp at their hearts. Like dominos tumbling down one after the other the hallway is now littered with bodies of goblins. All dead all pierced cleanly through the heart. Goblins turn the corner at the end of the hallway to see the carnage that has happened to their brothers. They hesitate and in that moment see Talorc and Tieron rush out the corridor. Their faces bathed in a green light, blood dripping from their swords. It is more that they can handle. The run as fast as legs will carry them. Some goblins fall in the mass hysteria, soon trampled to death from their own kind. Talorc rushes forward, stumbles and doubles over. His side gouting blood badly, he is unable to go on. He falls back against the wall of the corridor and slides slowly down the wall streaking blood on the wall as he goes. Keridwynne rushes to him.

“Bad but you will live. “ she says. Words of healing follow next. Talorc’s wound closes.

DM note: That is it for this part until you decide what to do next. I will list options to you and things that you could follow up on.

Gorath, the halfling leader is missing from the room and his laughter was heard from the Hydras medallion.

“Jeron” is some sort of shapeshifter and replaced the real Jeron whose location is unknown as of yet.

You have maps to get back to Blyth if you so choose, given to you by Gorath and can be confirmed that they are real by Larchon or Demorak.

You could finish off the goblins once and for all with Bladifors if you so choose.

You could also hang around, heal up and identify things,

You could do anything else you can come up with.

The next note you will receive from me will be your xp for turns 1- 5.

Everybody having fun yet?

Turn 6a

Tieron and Nightshade head toward the chair that Gorath was sitting in. It is not very ornate but of extremely sturdy construction, made entirely of oak. Nightshade sits in the chair and leans back lifting up the front legs. An audible click Is heard and the chair starts to sink into the floor. Tieron not one to be left behind jumps onto Nightshade's lap and rides down with her. The last thing you see as your eyes sink below the level of the floor is Talorc starting a fire with some leaves.

Deeper and deeper you descend into the blackness. Your infravision is picking up slight traces of heat but most of it seems to be coming from your own bodies. The tunnel you are descending through is made of smoothed stone and not much bigger that the chair you are sitting on. You plunge for another 50 feet or so and then come to an abrupt halt. Before you is a tunnel that slopes upward rather steeply. It too is made of smoothed stone and made for someone that is much shorter than elves and half elves. You will both have to stoop to traverse this corridor.

'You can get off my lap now, Tieron.' Nightshade says.

'Oh,' Tieron says slightly embarrassed by the situation. Tierons infravision glow brightens around the cheek area as do the tips of his pointed ears.

Tieron gets up quickly and moves into the corridor. Nightshade gets up. The pressure on the chair releases and it starts to move back up the shaft. A little panicked that there only way back up is heading up, Tieron moves his hand around on the wall and finds a release lever. With a pull, the chair reverses its course and comes to settle back down once again. It seems like it is going to stay put.

Tieron moves forward down the corridor, Nightshade close behind. Five minutes into the walk light can be seen. As you approach, you find that it is nothing more than a continual light rock set into the wall. A rock is set into the wall at about 50 ft intervals making it rather bright in here now. The corridor is roughly arched shaped with 4 ft maximum height in the center. It is a little claustrophobic in here especially for Elven characters who are used to open spaces. Thirty minutes later and you realize that because of his size, Gorath could be sprinting down this corridor. The corridor dead ends into a wall. Looking around you see a manhole cover above you. It lifts easily out of its fittings. When you do so a torn piece of paper floats down rocking back and forth on the air currents. Nightshade catches it in her hand. Tieron wanting to continue the chase jumps up through the cover and finds himself in an alley. Typical dead-end alley, a few stray cats strutting, some garbage and at the end of the alley a very busy street. Tieron rushes down the alley and steps out into the street. He recognizes it as Blyth and the main street where all the markets and stores are. Swinging around to see if he can see Gorath anywhere you see no one that would match him. He is gone. Noting that the two stores are an apothecary and a barber that flank this alley and also noting that both of them are closed, Tieron moves back down the alley.

Nightshade sees Tieron approach. From his slouching posture, his low hanging head and shuffling gait, she can already guess that Tieron didn't see Gorath. Tieron just shakes his head as he approaches.

Well you may not have caught him but at least I know where he is going.' Nightshade states holding up the paper, 'Seems old Gorath has something to do in Newcastle upon Tyne in week. He jotted down the address on the back here. The Little Bear 118 10th Street, Newcastle upon Tyne 2 rooms starting on the 12th of November. Seeing that today is the 5th and Newcastle is about a day or two from Blyth. I think that we could follow the old bastard to wherever it is he is going and off him there.'

Tieron smiles slightly and says 'well then shall we return'.

He motions with his hand for her to go first. Nightshade slips back down the manhole cover. It is an hour later before the Tieron and Nightshade return to find Talorc still in the same room but this time he has his hands deep inside the guts of a goblin and is pulling various organs and bits of things that you don't want to know about out of them and storing them in jars. You leave quickly to find Keridwynne. She has to be doing something more appealing than this.

In the game it will be November 7, due to the fact that Talorc/Keridwynne will be identifying for all of November 6. So do as you see fit for that day.

Turn 6a - Keridwynne's Vision

Late evening, November 6

Keridwynne and Demorak leave Coleth under Blyth heading back to their first encounter with each other. A lake above which is a quartz arc of stone. The sun is just setting letting the last rays of the sun play out as a prism across the water. Neither of them speaks for their is no reason to and even if they could it would be useless. Language being a barrier between them.

Keridwynne wades into the lake up to her ankles, arm outstretched as if grasping for the ceiling. Demorak looks at Keridwynne and sits down at the edge of the water. Crossing his legs he bows his head and starts to chant. Keridwynne stands for a long time, clearing her mind and opening her thoughts to the Lady of the Lake. She thinks of Jeron and his well being. Time passes, minutes then hours. The lake which had a few ripples playing across it suddenly stills.

Jeron, where are you? Keridwynne thinks.

An arm raises out of the water soundless and ripple free. Before Keridwynne reacts to it. The hand falls and the water starts taking shape and color.

Jerons face appears. It floats under the surface of the water. Jeron face contorts and turns to one of pain. His face sweating and an intense heat glow is behind him. He tries to get away and a scream of pain washes over his face. The image backs out. Jerons cell to a castle with only three towers, the fourth left in ruins. Slate gray and cold looking. It sits on a piece of land that steams. The picture pulls back a pool of water around the castle and then a forest. A forest unlike any you have seen. Trees that are old but moss covered and great carpets of moss hang down from their limbs. Snakes move in and out of the moss and creatures that walk upright but look as if they descended from snakes dance about a fire, brandishing crude spears and bone swords. The vision backs up farther and gains in speed. Out of the marsh and into a light forest, the vision backs up to fast for you to see all that dwells with in the forest. With speed faster than the swiftest horse can run. The vision backs up into a town. The name of the town on the sign says Catterick. The vision ends in the town with the sun rising in the east the direction from which you just came from.

Keridwynne awakes. She is in a bed somewhere in a house. Demorak and Larchon stand over you.

'Good you are awake your party was concerned.' Larchon states, 'time they say to go prophecy bearer.'

'What happened after the vision?' Keridwynne asks.

'Demorak said that after you and he saw the vision you passed out and fell into the water. He scrambled to get you and pulled you to shore. He could not revive you and carried you back here. You have been sleeping ever since. '

Turn 6b - Goblin fun

Evening on the day of November 6, 522

Talorc has just finished identifying the items with Keridwynne. He has retired to his room to rest up but he feels restless. Bladifors rests as well. A soft pounding at your door can be heard. You get up to answer, just in case you grab Bladifors. You open the door it is Larchon.

'Talorc, We could use your help if you arent to busy or too tired.'

'No really Larchon. What is it?'

'We have a situation over near the stables. We were rounding up the last of the goblins that had gained entrance to the city and we have about 10 of them pinned down in the stable but they are giving us trouble. We have tried to flush them out but to not much avail. We were hoping that you could scare them out or get rid of them with that sword of yours. I have tried to find the rest of your companions but Keridwynne has left with Demorak on a vision quest, Tieron left this morning to get his dog and horses for the rest of you, Rich is still under the care of Demoraks clerics though nothing physically wrong, he suffers still. Nightshade is gone and I dont know where she went.'

'10 you say?'

'Yes and one of them is the leader we think.'

Talorc stands and stretches out. His side gives him a little twinge of pain. Keridwynne healed your side back up but a little pain is still persistant. She said that that would fade as well in a day or two.

'Im game. Lead on.'

Larchon leads you through the town toward the stables at the very edge. He explains that they have barricaded themselves into the stable and the halflings dont really want to burn the stable down to flush them out. They would in fact be willing to let them leave if they just would trust them enough to walk out. But of course these are goblins and they dont trust much of anyone.

You see the stable. It is a single story structure with a flat roof on top. Its front has two doors one for the people to enter and another much bigger door for the stable hands to lead the horses to their resting places. The back wall is set against the wall of the cavern so obviously no back door. The whole stucture is made of wood and could be easily ignited.

'You know the easiest way is still to burn the structure down.' Talorc says.

'We know, but all the horses in their would burn as well.'

'Is that really so bad?' Talorc asks with a wicked grin crossing his face.

Taking a second long glance at the stable. He comes up with an idea. Yelling in the orkish tongue, 'Greetings goblins, I am Talorc of the Heath. I am the bearer of Orkrist the Goblin Slayer. Surrender or I will be force to kill you.'

A reply is heard in the same orkish tongue. It is two word reply followed by a lot of goblin laughter. 'Fuck off'

Talorc turns to Larchon. 'The sides of the building have no windows, so Im going to need a ladder. When I get to the roof make a lot of noise as I chop through the roof and then I will engage them in battle. Once I drop through rush the door and we will attack from two sides.'

Larchon nods and move around the men stationed there. One scurries off and returns soon with a ladder. They place it against the stable. They hand you an axe and you crawl up to the roof. You nod as you bring the first stroke of the axe to bear against the roof. The halflings go wild screaming obsenities and just about anything they can think of. They more than cover the noise of you chopping a hole. The whole is wide enough to permit access for you. You drop down into the hole. You land in a crouching position, as you look up a horses feet are coming right at you. You slip a little and cant avoid getting out of the way fast enough. His feet connect square in the chest. You are thrown backward into the gate with a loud thud. The gate latch breaks under the impact of you. You sprawl onto the hallway. Your wind has been knocked out and there might be a broken rib or two. You look up to see a large goblin striding toward you. His giant maw is open and slobbering. From his ears dangle, loops of gold and silver along with a bone pierces through one ear. His clothing is not much more that a large red sash over one shoulder and going down to cover his waist. You scramble to you feet. You chest stains to take a breath. Pain rips through you. You draw Bladifors. The gobin reaches back with one great hand and slaps you hard. His strength is great. You reel from the blow and stagger back. You begin to think that this was a really poor idea. You swing and connect with the creatures mouth, splitting it open even wider. His face turned from the force of the blow. Shrugging it off, he turns his head back around and spits a little blood. He pulls around a staff made of wood. He pokes at you, but you deflect the blow. You parry back and forth for sometime. You notice in the background the sounds of the hobbits fighting. The goblin is pressing you back. He is good. An idea strikes. You pass by a very excited horse and fling the door open. You edge around the corner. The goblin steps in front of the door and is hit fully in the face with the back feet of large black stallion. He staggers back. You step back out smiling. He is on the ground shaking his head to clear it. You rush forth. He tries to come to his feet, but you are there. You thrust the sword deep into his stomach. He cries out in pain. He brings his staff around and smashes it into your knee. You feel the bone creak but it doesnt break. Withdrawing Bladifors you plunge it down again and again. He stops moving. Bladifors's had been making a great deal of noise. Shouting and so on but it suddenly laughs a great laugh and quits. One more thrust to make sure he is dead. You look down the corridor and see a bunch of dead goblins. Bladifors greenish cast flickers out.

Larchon approaches. 'They are all dead. Are you alright?'

'Been better but I'll live.'

Larchon takes you to Demoraks clerics where they fix 3 broken ribs and a fractured kneecap.

Derek, this was just to let you have some more fun with the goblins. The big goblin didnt really have much on him, but feel free to take the staff, sash or earrings off of him. Nothing magical, but the earrings could be worth something. The clerics heal you to full and you will be fine by the time I write turn 7. Which I will write this afternoon since I am playing hookey from work. ;)

Turn 6c - Tieron

Tieron follows the map from Coleth under Blyth back to the surface. It takes about 4 hours but you arrive on the beach staring out to the sea. It is a short climb up the cliff to the town of Blyth. You find your way back to Sir William Dohertys place. The door is closed but not locked. You see the door has been forced but that was probably because of the hydra people. You slowly open the door. It is fairly dark in here. But you still recognize the foyer that you were originally brought into. Seems strange to think that it was just two days ago that you were here, now that seems months away. The last time that you saw Gates he was playing in the backyard out by the pond. You light a lantern and head out the back door. Gates is not here but you didnt expect him to be but you had to check anyway. You call his name but no response. Maybe he is still around or maybe he went back to the stable with the horse. You start looking around here for things and clues to Gates whereabouts. You head back into the library where you saw that broken wand. It is still hanging in the same place. This room is wreck though, books scattered everywhere. Seems that the hydra people were searching for something. Difficult to say if they found it or not. You wander over to the wand. Upon closer look you see that it is not a broken wand but a piece of a broken staff. Its broken tip is charred as burned in a large fire. In all a 5 inch piece of the staff is still here. It was covered with runes and writing, of which only a little of it can you read. 'H. Blackthorn'

You reach up and touch it. It is cool to the touch but does not bite you. You retrieve it and slip into your pocket. You turn your attention back to the room. It is pretty much a hopeless cause, but you decide to try anyway. You recite your detect magic for the day. A book lying on the ground glows slightly. It is buried by other books but you grab it quickly enough. You pull the staff piece out. No magic left here. Something odd catches your attention the fireplace seems to be glowing. Not the fireplace exactly but a brick along the back wall inside the fireplace. You quickly walk through the rest of the house to see if anything else glows but nothing seems to. Your time expires and you return to the fireplace. You duck and step inside the fireplace. The brick is low on the wall and if there were a fire you would have never noticed it. The light of the fire would have masked this entirely. You touch the brick. It is warm to the touch. You give it a push. It moves. You push it further. It sets back into the fireplace with a thud. A cool rush of air washes over, but nothing else seems to happen and the brick snaps back out into its normal position. Curious, you wonder. You climb back out of the fireplace and realize that this not the same room that you left. It is a room with about the same dimensions but there the similiarities end. It back end wall is covered with a mirror that runs from ceiling to floor and wall to wall. This mirror covers an area of about 10 foot by 10 foot. It is the only thing in the room. With the mirror in front of you, you seem to walk toward yourself as you approach the wall. Either William was extremely vain or this thing can do something you think to yourself. Just what you arent sure. You examine it closely but it still looks like a mirror. You finally touch it. Its cool to the touch but as you continue to touch it. It starts to become flexible. You soon see you hand pass into it. You pull back in hesitation. You step back from the mirror and notice that it now shows you a picture of Coleth under Blyth. The picture is the town square where Bladifors the sword rested. Its pedestal clearly visible. The scene is moving and realize that this is a gate to Coleth. That makes things interesting. Before you decide to do anything more you should find Gates and check on the horses. You go back to the fireplace and push the brick again and find yourself back in the library.

Ps the book is a spell book housing 2nd level spells. I will detail them in a later note.