Sapphire:Sessions:20040619

June 19 - September 25, 2004
GM: Bobby J.

It is the morning of Long Days 10, a beautiful day. A few hours past sunrise, Jinto Salvatore awakens, gets himself something to eat in the kitchen, then heads to the library. He has a ring, shortsword, and dagger to Identify, and so many books to read!

About a half-hour later, Chalker Jackson gets up and gets himself some breakfast, has another look at the strange empty vault, then goes outdoors for a walk around the grounds. He notices the fresh tracks of two horses leading from the stable out towards the road. Chalker enters the stable and ascertains that one of the missing horses was the one Aliana had been riding. He also finds Josh Andrews, who had fallen asleep in one of the stalls. Chalker calls out his name; Josh awakens and (for no apparent reason) slaps his thigh. "Uh, must have been a fly," he says. Chalker tells him Aliana is gone and "you should have known when she left." Josh replies that he hadn't heard a thing. Chalker figures that Aliana must be an elf "because of the bullcrap way she and Jinto talk to each other" and therefore might be a mage.

They head for Aliana's room; the room is otherwise undisturbed, but Aliana's possessions are gone. Chalker says there's no reason to chase after her; "I'm sure she's going to be fine."

Chalker returns to the kitchen, where Runis Silverear is preparing himself some breakfast, and gives him the news. Runis says, "Maybe she made her decision," adding that she had to have taken rather less than her share of the loot.

Josh finds Jinto in the library casting a spell on a ring. When the spell is done (it failed) Josh asks Jinto whether Aliana had said anything about leaving. Jinto replies, "So she is gone -- interesting."

The morning passes. Jinto is holed up in the library, of course. Chalker attempts to learn more about the weird empty vault and the tower's strange dark windows, finding nothing but frustration. He and Runis question their one captive, a goblin mercenary. The goblin said he was from a village in one of the Coastal Kingdoms, and had been working for Dendave for the past two years. The mages had used terms like "doorways" and "weapon emplacements" but he didn't understand what they were referring to. The goblin seems willing to tell them anything he knows, but unfortunately, what he knows isn't terribly useful.

Around noon, the front door opens. Runis does a quick head count, picks up his axe, and heads in that direction, followed by Chalker. Rounding a corner, they see it's Aliana followed by a stranger. She says she found him being tracked down by a soldier from Bicarn. Chalker says, "Oh, you've brought us a spy," and Aliana replies, "He's not a spy, Chalker; he's not good enough." She introduces the man as Aurora Borealis, known as Rory. He is a human who stands almost 6' tall and has longish brown hair. His clothes are rather tattered, his bare arms and face are scratched and bruised, and there is a bloody bandage around his right leg.

Runis prepares a travel pack and gives it to the goblin, and gives him directions back to the main roads and warns him to avoid the massing troops. Chalker sends him on his way with the cheery words, "If we see you again, we'll kill you."

Everyone gathers around the table as Josh serves lunch in the kitchen. Jinto says to Aliana, "Oh, you're back," but otherwise there is little conversation at first. Finally Aliana broaches the subject: "So... the rest of you have decided to stay here?" Jinto says that people might start coming through the gates, but quickly reconsiders and adds that the crystals Runis removed from the 'control panels' will probably keep the gates closed.

Josh thinks he needs to go to Silene to find out what his next 'mission' is. He says he wants to hire the rest of us, even Rory. A lengthy discussion ensues. Josh seems surprised that anyone would not want to continue on together, as he is offering a big (unspecified) bonus and a large increase in monthly pay, and the "team" had worked so well together. Aliana doesn't like the way Josh refers to his "boss man"; she can't quite put it into words, but it gives her a creepy feeling, and she wants no part of Josh's strange god (or any of the gods, for that matter). She acknowledges that she left early in the morning because she is searching for something; no, she doesn't know where it is, and no, no one else can help her find it. Runis wants to know why Josh has to go to Silene anyway, when it's already known that a priest of Asserah there is looking for us. Josh quickly dances around that, saying it doesn't have to be Silene, but he "has a feeling" it should be a fairly large town for his 'employer' to contact him in; for instance, Caldor, the capital of Pitern. Aliana asks Chalker about his motivations; he says he's "watching the war."

Eventually it is tacitly decided that the group will stay together. Since Silene is a border town, it is very likely to come under siege soon, so the group will head for Caldor instead.

Rory sleeps in a real bed for the first time in quite a while. He actually has to bring in a couple of rocks to make it comfortable.

The next morning (Long Days 11), the group sets out after breakfast. The weather is good but the going is a bit slow since they are driving on secondary roads. Also, Runis is practicing wagon-driving under Josh's tutelage. Still, they make a little over 12 miles that day, and stay at an inn (marked on Rory's map).

Long Days 12 passes much the same. Roads and weather remain good. At their lunch stop, Rory seeks out the commander of a Pitern garrison, says that Bicarn "tried to kill me for being a spy!" and gives the commander a copy of his map. About an hour before sundown Jinto feels a slight shiver and knows that something happened back at the tower. The Sapphire Diamond shows him a vision of Bicarn soldiers marching past the keep without appearing to notice it.

Late in the morning of Long Days 13, the group is approaching Caldor, a walled city of some 30,000 inhabitants. A guard meets the group at the gate and waives the 'entry tax' since the group is here to trade horses; he gives directions to the military 'procurement area'. Runis asks him where the Dwarven Quarter of town is; the guard replies that there isn't one, that no dwarves live in Caldor to his knowledge, and only a few elves. "Are you going to set up a smithy here?" Runis glowers, "No, we're not *all* good at that." Asked about the best inn in town, the guard recommends the Oak Leaf. The group is able to obtain the five remaining rooms at the Oak Leaf; Runis, as usual, will stay in the common room.

Runis and Jinto go to the procurement area and sell seven horses and tack for a total of 75 gp, 6 sp, and various sets of armor for a total of 37gp, 5sp. Chalker had also given Jinto the letter of credit from Tardartin to cash in.

Aliana goes to the marketplace, and Rory walks the town, memorizing streets so he can map them later (having realized that it's possible to get into a lot of trouble just for drawing a map). Chalker heads for the most popular bar in the city, called the Bloody Pail. He hears "Bicarn will be attacking -- it's just a matter of how soon." The King is so worried about invasion from Bicarn that he's pulling troops from Pitern's northern border (with the orc lands) and sending them south. Chalker, giving his name as "Jinto", mentions an orcish presence farther south, along with goblin mages. This news gets him asked to speak with Duke Sinnit, a member of the King's privy council.

As Chalker starts to leave the Bloody Pail, he notices a weaselly-looking guy sitting at the bar watching him. He seems to want to follow Chalker but is restraining himself for some reason. Chalker turns around, goes straight to the bar, orders himself a beer, and says "Hi! I was hurt and insulted that you didn't follow me." Weaselly Guy (WG) replies "I was concerned about Andrew", the man who had asked Chalker to speak with Duke Sinnit. WG is Andrew's brother. Chalker says, "Now when I leave, that lieutenant over there will be watching *you*." Chalker adds a phrase in elven, and WG replies. "What I told Andrew is true -- I thought someone should know."

Chalker leaves and wanders the marketplace. Before long he notices a couple of kids following him, doubtless preparing to steal his purse. Chalker magnetizes one of the kids' knives and sticks it in a nearby woman's butt. In the resulting fracas, guards start arriving and the kids run away.

Aliana, while she's out shopping, has lifted a wealthy man's purse, extracted 13 coppers, and put the purse back, all without being noticed.

Rory notices that while there are large temples here devoted to Solash and Santash, there is also a large temple of Asserah.

Chalker meets up with Aliana and tells her about "Jinto's" upcoming meeting with Duke Sinnit. He begins returning to the Oak Leaf so he can receive word of the meeting, and Aliana shadows him. Soon someone starts following Chalker, an agile-looking young man with dark hair wearing middle-class clothing, sandals, and a belt knife, walking with a short staff. Chalker turns down an alleyway, and as the young man follows, Chalker is right there saying "Hi." The man repeatedly denies that he is following Chalker. Aliana, coming up close behind, notices Chalker's expression become duller. Nonetheless, Chalker manages to pull out the man's belt knife and plunge it towards his foot; the man utters what sounds like a prayer, and the knife stops an inch from his sandal. Aliana then steps up and cold-cocks the man with the pommel of her shortsword. The knife continues its plunge into the man's foot. Rory walks up as Aliana and Chalker discover that the man bears a holy symbol of Asserah.

[July 3, 2004]

It is Long Days 13 in the city of Caldor, capital of the kingdom of Pitern. Chalker, Aliana, and Rory are in the mouth of an alley standing over the prostrate form of a priest of Asseraah. Chalker removes the knife from the priest's foot and replaces it in the priest's sheath. He remarks that it's odd that Pitern is withdrawing their troops from the north. Aliana thinks that the church of Asseraah has marked Chalker as an intelligence gatherer.

A passing merchant wanders up, asking if help is required. He identifies the priest as Thorkel of the temple of Asseraah. The group makes assuring noises, and the merchant leaves.

They drag Thorkel farther down the alley and Chalker seats him on a box. Aliana casts Foolishness on Thorkel, then Chalker revives him first by patting his face, then by stepping on his injured foot. Thorkel says that Lucius assigned him to follow a person matching Chalker's description. Lucius is Thorkel's superior in the temple; he is assigned to Special Projects, and reports directly to the High Priest, Haldin. Thorkel describes Lucius physically as being about 5'8", slightly overweight, black hair with gray streaks. Lucius wants Thorkel's report "urgently and precisely".

Chalker points out, "You feel foolish now, don't you?" This leads Thorkel to believe that his own Foolishness spell rebounded off of Chalker, and he blurts out, "You reflect spells?" He had examined Chalker's aura, which did not reveal him to be a mage. He says he will report that Chalker has a false aura and has a mage following and protecting him. Chalker draws him into a relatively brief theological discussion ("Isn't Chaos insane?") wherein Thorkel reveals that he is quite fanatical in his worship of Asseraah.

Chalker hands Thorkel over to Rory to help him back to the temple, saying "See you later." Then Chalker shadows Rory and Aliana shadows Chalker. Their departure is well-timed, for Aliana glances behind and sees a merchant (different than the one who approached them) and two city guards rushing into the alleyway.

Upon reaching the temple, Thorkel thanks Rory for his assistance. Rory says he'll be sure to put their temple on his map. Thorkel says proudly, "Our temple is rising in status." He calls to two acolytes, then asks Rory's name so he can pray for him.

Rory goes into a temple of Saroorel (Roo), the deity of Fate. There he makes a donation and says a prayer, then heads back to the Oak Leaf Inn.

Meanwhile, Runis and Jinto are getting jewels appraised. The ring and three pendants that Jinto wants to keep as part of his split are worth a total of 50gp. In all, the gems and jewelry are appraised at 120gp. These have not yet been sold, in case other group members wish to take jewels instead of coins.

Jinto departs from Runis, indicating that he wishes to visit the temple of Solash and then find a library. Runis goes to the Merchant's Guild and places the loot there for safekeeping, making sure they're aware that "Jinto the Mighty" has an interest in it. Included is a note from Jinto that he retained the ring and the three pendants.

Runis goes to the Oak Leaf. He checks the stables first, but Josh isn't there. The desk clerk hands Runis a note from Josh that reads: "Attending a meeting with Enigma - should return tomorrow. P.S. - The innkeeper holds a package for the group." Runis goes looking for dinner and the innkeeper; the former hasn't begun yet, and the latter isn't around. He joins Rory at a table in the corner of the tavern. Rory has ordered some ale and begun drawing street maps of Caldor from memory. Later he starts handing them out to various people, telling them of other inns where they might find rooms (the Oak Leaf is at full capacity).

Aliana lingers briefly outside the Oak Leaf to listen in on some travelers who just came up from the south. They (mostly merchants) had fled in anticipation of an invasion. Armies are being conscripted in the southern duchies and Silene.

Chalker takes a seat at the table and asks Runis, "How many people followed *you* today?" He relates how he was followed by a priest of Asseraah. Runis: "Did you tell him to quit doing that?" Aliana joins them. She asks Chalker for whom he's watching the war; he says "I won't say." Runis: "Are you watching the people war or the god war?" Chalker: "I'm accidentally involved in the god war." Is the god war between Solash and Asseraah?

Chalker wonders aloud -- why *us*? Who is special among us? He asks Runis where he ranks in dwarven society, and asks Aliana if she is royalty. Aliana remarks that Jinto obviously has the favor of Santash, since the Sapphire Diamond has chosen him. She suggests that the outsider god, Enigma, has put the "mark of doom" upon the group.

A representative from Duke Sinnit finds Chalker to finalize the arrangements for their meeting this evening. He gives Chalker a sign and countersign for the driver who will pick them up. The man comments, "The situation in the city is tense." Chalker replies, "Watch the priests."

The innkeeper comes up and places a sack upon the table with a note. The note reads "Bonus - first installment" and the sack contains 20gp. Chalker: "I like a man who'll buy my love." Aliana pockets her 5gp share.

Runis goes up to the stage with his drum and begins the first set of his evening's performance with some traditional dwarven songs in his native language. These are very well received, and before long the tavern is packed with patrons.

A slender young elf girl slides into Runis' vacant seat at the table. She says her name is Beliana, and she brings the message that Jinto is staying the night with her parents. They live in a forested enclave to the south of Caldor. "They have some conferring to do." She slips back out through the crowd, passing practically unnoticed.

Aliana slips out of the tavern a little bit ahead of Chalker and Rory, and sets up where she can watch the front of the inn.

As Chalker and Rory are leaving the tavern, a barmaid tells them that a few hours ago, someone had come around giving out their descriptions, looking for them. She thinks they were from the Thieves' Guild. She didn't tell them anything. Chalker says next time to bring the guy over, or get his name. She says she's seen the guy with a certain red-haired pickpocket named Joseph.

Runis sees three priests of Santash entering the tavern. He indicates that they should be seated at his table.

The Duke's man exchanges sign and countersign with Chalker. He was not aware that he had been followed by at least two people, one of whom leaves down an alleyway. Chalker and Rory lead their contact back through the inn and perform a few other evasive maneuvers. Aliana follows their follower until he loses track of Chalker and Rory, then she hops onto the back of the Duke's carriage as it drives off. The carriage heads into the better part of town. Aliana jumps off inside the grounds of the Duke's estate but before the carriage stops.

Chalker and Rory are led into a room full of books and maps. Rory, naturally, begins examining the maps. Chalker locates a couple of spyholes -- empty at the moment.

Duke Sinnit enters. He appears to be in his mid-40s, with steel-gray hair (and a slightly receding hairline). His skin is suntanned and scarred, and his face has a weathered look. He has a rangy body with lean, whipcord muscles. He wears a fine embroidered shirt and trousers. A sword and a fighting knife hang from his belt.

After introductions are made, Sinnit says, "Andrew thought I would be interested in your story." Chalker mentions the orc attack at Crossroads in Tydeil (about 300 miles south of the orc lands) and asks the Duke, "Are you looking at the whole picture?" Sinnit says there has been no serious orc threat in over 100 years; recon parties have reported nothing; the latest recon returned just three weeks ago. Chalker points out that the orcs bore the symbol of Asseraah. Sinnit: "Chaos Lord has been known to stir the pot." Chalker says he was followed today by a priest of Asseraah. Sinnit: "You're saying that Chaos Lord was associated with well-trained, organized orcs." (The Duke himself says he particularly honors Santash and Aakbarath.) Sinnit says they still have garrisons on the northern border that could handle raiding parties, though he admits that a force of 50 is largish for a raid. He says that Edrick, King of Pitern, will not believe the involvement of Asseraah. There is dissent within the Privy Council about how to handle these threats. Sinnit suggests that Bicarn may attack Tydeil as well as Pitern, as they covet Tydeil's seaport, Patire. Pitern has valuable mines near Caldor.

Chalker needs to know the *real* reason why Bicarn is attacking. Why does Bicarn, which has no history of successfully waging war, believe they can attack two countries at once? Sinnit says, "I fear Bicarn has the blessing of Gauder [war god]."

The weaselly guy that spoke to Chalker in the bar is named Tyler. He is Andrew's brother, but he works for Baron Napor. Sinnit: "Could Tyler have overheard your conversation with Andrew?" Chalker doesn't believe so.

Chalker asks bluntly which of the dukes follow Asseraah; Sinnit says none, but he's beginning to suspect there must be one. Chalker urges Sinnit to send his own recon to the orc lands.

Sinnit: "Right now, King Edrick is upset with me. Would you mind repeating some of this testimony for the king?" Edrick is in his early 40s and has a reputation for being indecisive. Chalker agrees to talk to the king tomorrow. Sinnit, in turn, will send scouts to the north. Sinnit says that Baron Napor has been bending the king's ear quite a bit lately, and has way too much influence for his station. Napor is in charge of the city guards.

Sinnit asks Rory his specialty. Rory says he's a mapmaker and that Bicarn shot him. He points out garrison locations on Sinnit's map.

Chalker agrees to ride in the royal carriage to see the king. He, er, explains that the elf that will probably accompany him is Sinto, but likes to be called Jinto. The Duke remarks that he doubts "Jinto" and "Rory" are their real names, anyway.

Chalker and Rory enter the Duke's carriage. Aliana slides in from the other side, next to Chalker. She points out where people are watching the Duke's manor, and Chalker waves to them as they depart.

Runis concludes his second set with a tale of Santash and the dwarves, then goes and sits down with the three priests. They greet him respectfully in the dwarven tongue. He tells them of his journey from the mountains to the southern coast, and that a member of his group has been blessed with the Sapphire Diamond. The priests extend him the full hospitality of their temple. Runis asks if there has been a particular disagreement among the gods. They reply that Santash's high priestess has detected a special disagreement with the Lord of Darkness. Also, the gods of Chaos and War have been attracting an undue number of followers, and the Temple of Darkness has doubled its number of priests and acolytes over the past three years. They see Runis' appearance in this part of the world as a potent sign. Runis gives them 3sp. They bid him good evening and leave the tavern.

Chalker and Rory rejoin Runis. Chalker says they're going to see the King tomorrow, including Runis. Runis: "They won't let me in with my axe." Chalker: "Yeah, but didn't you break someone's face with your head?" Aliana arrives, and Chalker tells everyone of his meeting with Duke Sinnit.

Richard II, King of Bicarn, is considered a very shrewd man. He worships Gauder (war), Santash, and Bar (vengeance). Again the question arises: Bicarn is not known for winning wars, so why would they initiate a two-front war? Possibly Tydeil is unaware of any threat, as we saw no troop buildup there when we passed through less than a month ago. The four of them discuss for a time, but there seem to be several pieces of knowledge that they don't yet have.

Aliana asks Runis if he could pray to Santash and perhaps be granted a revelation. Or perhaps the High Priestess of Santash would share her awareness of the god war.

Chalker wants to examine the "dancing lights" that appear over Rory's head when he sleeps, so he borrows Rory's room key. Runis settles onto a pallet in the common room. Aliana goes to her room to try to rest. Rory works for a while on the map he plans to give the King tomorrow. Chalker waits for Rory to fall asleep, then enters his room. He examines the dancing lights both physically and with his special powers, and they swirl in random patterns, unaffected.

Less than an hour before sunrise, Chalker awakens to a soft tapping at the door. A woman's voice softly calls, "Chalker..." It sounds like the barmaid who earlier had told him and Rory that someone was looking for them. With his special sight Chalker looks through the door. He sees a slender woman dressed all in black, a sword and a blowpipe at her belt, a bone stiletto upraised in her hand. She calls again. "Chalker... I need your help."

Aliana, who has barely been able to sleep, comes alert at the sound of the tapping. Opening her door quietly, she sees three people in front of Chalker's door, two men and a woman, dressed all in black.

Runis, who was otherwise sleeping very soundly, awakens at some out-of-place noise. Then he hears the unmistakable metallic shhhing of a sword being withdrawn from a sheath, and sees a man (M4) a little more than a step away from him.

Something goes thump on Rory's floor; he wakes up and his dancing lights go out. He sees a man (M3) approaching his bed, a dagger in his hand.

One of the men outside Chalker's door (M1) starts to turn toward Aliana. She tosses her rope, lassoing M1's forearms.

1. Chalker swings his door open from several steps away and, using his magnetic power on her belt, jerks the woman (W) into the room. Aliana pulls the loop taut on M1 and steps back, jerking the rope. M1 pulls back. M3 steps toward Rory. M4 steps forward and thrusts his sword at Runis, missing the dwarf but hitting his pallet. Runis grabs his axe and readies it. Rory rolls off his bed onto the floor.

2. Runis parries another sword blow from M4. M1 tries to jerk Aliana, but loses his own balance and stumbles to one knee. W spots Chalker, flips into the air, and hurls her bone stiletto, which Chalker dodges. M2 (the second man outside Chalker's room) aims his crossbow at Chalker. M3 sneers, "You can't get away," and steps around Rory's bed. Aliana fast-draws a dagger and stabs M1 in the throat. Runis swings his axe at M4's leg, and M4 screams in pain. Rory kicks up at M3's groin, hitting his thigh instead.

3. Chalker uses his magnetism to close and lock his door. Aliana steps past M1 and stabs M2 in the back. M1 bleeds. M2 swings his crossbow at Aliana, but misses and the bolt goes flying. W leaps and kicks at Chalker but misses. M4 winces in pain. M3 says, "That wasn't very nice" and steps away from Rory's bed. Rory rolls under the bed and across to the other side. Runis gets to his feet, readying his axe.

4. M3 says "Oh sh--" and runs around Rory's bed. W snap-kicks at Chalker's sword wrist, but Chalker parries with his sword and slices into her leg; she looks surprised. M1 stabs Aliana in the leg and she cries out in pain. M2 swings his crossbow at Aliana and misses again. M4's sword strikes Runis in the chest. Aliana cuts M2's throat. Rory grabs his sword and unsheathes it by flinging the belt and scabbard, catching M3 in the chest. Runis strikes M4 hard in the torso, knocking him back a yard; to the others in the common room, he shouts, "Get out of my way!" Chalker feints with his sword, then grabs W's sword out of her scabbard and slams it into her foot.

5. Aliana cuts M2 across the forehead and he falls unconscious. M1 drops his sword, then loops his bound hands over Aliana's head. M4 trips over someone and falls backward. M3 thrusts at Rory but strikes only the floor. W smashes at Chalker's face and he parries with the flat of his blade, then he stabs W through the heart and she falls unconscious. Rory swings at M3's crotch and misses. Runis moves toward the exit (at a speedy move of 5, since he is not encumbered by his heavy armor).

6. Aliana spins around in M1's grasp and stabs him in the gut. M1 tries to slam her into a wall, but she manages to avoid the brunt of it. Runis hears a lot of yelling and keeps running for the stairs. M3 strikes Rory in the leg. Rory tells M3, "Now I got ya! My magic sword cuts people!" and he proves it by slashing M3 in the face. Chalker heads for his door, unlocking it as he approaches.

7. Runis reaches the top of the stairs and sees Aliana struggling with someone. Rory hits M3 in the face again; M3 staggers and collapses. Chalker sees Aliana in a clinch with M1, her back toward Chalker. Aliana stabs M1 in the gut; he goes limp, dragging her to the floor with him.

Runis yanks open Rory's door and shouts, "You okay?" Rory: "He ruined my nightgown." Runis: "Me too."

People come up the stairs and meet Runis and his axe. They tell him they finished off M4 and have sent out a call for the city guard.

Chalker cuts Aliana loose from M1 and raises her up off the floor. Chalker and Aliana drag M1 and M2 into Chalker's room.

It is the morning of Long Days 14, about a half-hour before sunrise.

[July 17, 2004]

It is Long Days 14, about 30 minutes before sunrise, at the Oak Leaf Inn in the city of Caldor in the kingdom of Pitern. Three dead assassins lie on the floor of Chalker's room. Aliana searches the woman, Chalker the two men; all three bear the mark of the Assassins' Guild. The woman's bone stiletto bears some kind of crest upon it; the stiletto is well-made and expensive. She does not look like the barmaid whose voice she had imitated. Rory and Runis come to Chalker's room and help carry the bodies downstairs.

Aliana fades into the shadows as three city guardsmen show up at the inn. Their leader, Ed, says gruffly, "What happened?" Runis replies, "You let the Assassins' Guild back in town, that's what!" Ed glances around. "I noticed they have no weapons. Where are they?" Runis: "Confiscated. They didn't need them anymore." Ed: "I need to see them. Where are they?" Runis: "Over there, next to my axe."

Chalker comments, "They didn't seem to be very good assassins." Ed: "We're not a very big kingdom." Chalker, ironically: "When I talk to the king, I'll tell him what a good job you did." Ed, snidely: "Then some noble wants you dead? Good luck!"

Chalker tells the innkeeper that one of the assassins had used his barmaid's voice. "You might want to check on here. I'd hate for anything to have happened to her." The innkeeper thinks the stableboy will know where she lives.

Chalker requests someone to clean their rooms "without taking anything." He asks, "Do assassins often come here to assassinate your guests?" The innkeeper replies in an apologetic tone, "It's never happened before."

Aliana, checking Jinto's (unused) room, finds that the lock had been picked but the room is completely undisturbed. Had there been a sixth assassin, who departed when he could not locate his target? Aliana finds Rory and asks him to have some food sent to her room, then goes to her own room and bars the door so she can tend to her injury.

While Chalker enjoys a free private bath, Runis and Rory have breakfast in the common room. Jinto, having been away overnight, walks in. Runis greets him with a cheery, "Are the bodies still there?" Jinto, puzzled: "What bodies?" Runis: "The assassins." Runis and Rory give Jinto a brief synopsis of the attack. Rory draws an Assassins' Guild symbol for Jinto, who claims never to have seen one before.

Runis says to Jinto, "The little elf girl told us you were all right... Did you learn anything?" Jinto begins a rambling discourse about the fragments of Venettian history he had been able to glean from the city's library. Meanwhile Chalker comes downstairs and joins them at table, reassuring the innkeeper, "Just for the record, we don't blame you."

Runis says to Jinto, "I need to borrow the Diamond." He wants to take it to the Temple of Santash and ask some questions. (The Diamond didn't manifest itself when Jinto visited the Temple of Solash yesterday.)

Chalker says lightly, "Should we venture into the city to give them more chances [to attack us]?" Regarding his upcoming court appearance, he muses, "The king is relatively weak and insecure. I think taking an elf and a dwarf would be too disturbing."

Now that the common room is almost deserted, Aliana slips downstairs and joins them. Jinto gives the name of the elf at whose home he stayed last night as Elvorfindir. Jinto is annoyed by Chalker's continuing to identify himself as "Jinto" or "Jinto the Mighty". Staring Chalker in the eyes he says sternly, "Please refrain from spreading my name around any more than you already have."

Rory goes up to his room to finish working on the map he will present to the king. Runis and Jinto head for the Temple of Santash. Chalker wants to visit city guard HQ and file a complaint; Aliana will follow him.

On their way, Runis and Jinto pass by the Temple of Asseraah -- they're doing a brisk business. At the Temple of Santash, one of Runis' visitors from last night is preaching. He sees them and comes to greet them. Runis asks to see the High Priestess; they are shown to a small private chapel.

Runis grasps the Sapphire Diamond and speaks to it. "Hey, rock. If we're going to continue to work for you guys, I have to know about this Enigma guy." The response from the Diamond is "Enigma?" with lots of echoes. Runis goes on, "I think we're being led into this god war of yours, and I want to make sure I'm on the right side." After a long pause, the Diamond replies, "I'll get back to you later." Runis hands the Diamond back to Jinto, who gets the impression that the sentience within the Diamond has gone -- elsewhere. Runis states, "I like Josh's money, and he seems to be a good man in a fight -- but I don't know about this Enigma."

Chalker reaches city guard HQ. Aliana sets up in a cranny outside where she can watch the front of the building. The guy at the front desk recognizes Chalker -- "Ed told us you'd had assassins after you." The watch commander, one Captain Armand, steps out to meet Chalker. He is quite tall and very muscular. Chalker comments that there are fewer troops within the city, and Armand acknowledges that "another three or four companies went south this morning." Chalker: "Any idea why five or six assassins would come after us?" Armand: "No." He adds that the Assassins' Guild had 'reconstituted' in the area between three and five years ago. Chalker says he wants to match the crest found on one of the assassins' weapons to the royal coats of arms. Armand takes on a hard, cynical tone as he states, "Ed didn't mention such a thing." Chalker gives him the cynicism right back: "I hope we don't have to keep meeting like this." Armand, sneeringly: "Take it up with the Baron." Chalker is shown books containing copies of various crests, but he doesn't find a match. As he leaves HQ, he says (mainly to himself), "They are mad at me and scared of me at the same time."

A Priestess of Santash appears and greets Runis and Jinto. Runis explains they're here to pay their respects and to show the Diamond. The priestess says in awed, hushed tones, "I never thought I would ever see... It's rare to see it outside the Calventine Empire... Great things are underway."

Runis explains to Jinto that the hierarchy of the temple is in disagreement as to what things portend. Jinto asks the priestess whether the gods have chosen sides. She replies, including both the dwarf and the elf in her glance, "As your own alliance demonstrates, Solash and Santash seem to be in agreement. The Lord of Darkness has been working to persuade the others of the First Chosen, and has possibly enlisted the god of pain [Aaoo], but we are not given to know. The rest are waiting to see." Runis snorts, "Typical -- they want to come in on the side that's ahead." Jinto asks specifically about Saroorel; the priestess responds, "I don't know where the Mistress of Fate stands." Yasseph usually aids Santash and Solash -- after all, she aided in the preservation of the Calventine Empire -- but there has been no clear sign that she has joined with them yet this time.

This priestess believes that things are going to bust loose any time now, but she grants that the High Priestess thinks that things will still take months, even years, to build up. The High Priestess is very busy these days, but she could send an acolyte to notify them when she has more time to meet with them. The priestess has no thoughts as to who sent the assassins, "but they are probably operating under the auspices of Dar [Death, aka Damarot]." Death, being neutral, would not hinder Chaos unless it was necessary to maintain the cosmic balance.

Chalker returns to the Oak Leaf Inn around 10:30 with no problems on the way. In checking with the innkeeper, he learns that the barmaid had been found alive, but has no memory of yesterday at all. The innkeeper has paid for a healer for her.

Chalker goes upstairs and knocks on Rory's door. From within, Rory calls, "Nobody's home." "Rory, it's Chalker." "No, he's two doors down."

Jinto and Runis move on to the Temple of Solash. The priest to whom they speak wants to keep the ring Jinto gives him to examine (taken from one of the mages at the keep) to study a while longer, saying "Whoever used it was insane" and there are hints of Aaoo about it. The priest is very persuasive; Jinto talks him out of keeping the ring anyway -- and the priest is glad of it. Jinto asks to speak with the High Priest and is told he may do so after lunch.

Jinto and Runis go to the Temple of Yasseph, where they are definitely noticed. Jinto performs a brief devotion to Yasseph and gets a good feeling about it.

Chalker decides to visit the Temple of Mensep. (Aliana, observing from atop the inn's roof, has seen a sentry watching the inn, but the sentry does not follow Chalker.) No one pays any attention to him. Chalker approaches a priest and gives him a silver coin; the priest says a blessing over the coin and drops it into the alms box. Chalker shows the priest the crest upon the bone stiletto; the priest does not recognize it, but he shows Chalker into a library with many books containing various coats of arms. Chalker prays, "I don't have a lot of time -- please point me to the right book." His prayer must have been heard, because he soon opens the book which lets him identify the crest as that of a duchy in the kingdom of Zondel. From the priest Chalker hears, "The First Chosen are in the process of deciding who will lead them in the next stage of their being... Mensep will remain neutral unless things become too unbalanced." Chalker departs, returning to the inn for lunch.

Runis and Jinto are ushered into the audience chamber of the High Priest of Solash. Jinto asks about the god war and gets the standard answer -- the gods are deciding on a new leader. This time the choice seems greatly in dispute. "The Walk," a time during with the gods are allowed to set foot upon the world, will occur later in the year.

When the High Priest touches the Sapphire Diamond, a glow surrounds him, and for the next five minutes there is silence. At the end of that time the glow diminishes, and the High Priest places the diamond around Runis' neck. "This will be an especially contentious discussion among the gods... This Diamond is an entity of Solash... Your group has somehow become a pivotal point. Your free will and decisions will make a difference, though you will not be used as avatars... Most of the First Chosen will eventually have to take sides."

Jinto asks the High Priest for advice. "Follow your beliefs; follow your spirit... I know I want you to thwart Asseraah and promote Solash... Solash and Santash are indeed allied; Yasseph is 'on the fence'... I know I am being painfully ambiguous... The Diamond will try to influence you toward Solash, but it is by no means omnipotent." Runis, cheerfully: "Time to kill orcs!"

Jinto asks, "Should we seek the other objects of power?" The High Priest replies, "As you fulfill your goals, you may encounter those objects... but do not wait for them to come to you." The Diamond sensed a danger to the Calventine Empire from this place, so it came here.

Though Jinto tries his best to wheedle more information, the High Priest seems reluctant to tell all he knows. He leaves them with the words, "Pray to bring Yasseph into the fray."

Runis and Jinto head back to the Temple of Yasseph. While Jinto prays, Runis talks to the Diamond. "Is it later yet?" The Diamond responds, "I do not have all the information you asked for... The being Josh Andrews -- the interests line up with Santash and Solash -- and he is not from this plane of existence." Runis: "Yeah, where he's from they wear funny hats." The Diamond continues, "Indications are that he has been sent here to act as a catalyst... I am still trying to get information on Enigma... he is not any of the First Chosen or their children... This has proven quite difficult... I am not pleased with this answer." Runis nods assuredly, "He's an elf."

At 2:30pm a carriage pulls up in front of the Oak Leaf Inn. Rory and Chalker get in. Aliana follows the carriage as it wends its way toward the palace.

Chalker and Rory are greeted by Duke Sinnit. He tells them that the king is quite agitated at the moment, having recently had "a tiff" with his son, Prince Taldridge. The prince as well as the queen will also be part of this audience. Chalker: "Who's smarter, the king or the queen?" Sinnit responds that the queen isn't necessarily smarter, but she could influence the king negatively if Chalker chanced to anger her.

The herald announces "Jinto" and Rory. Chalker voluntarily hands his weapons to the Captain of the Guard (who is impressed) and nudges Rory to do the same. Chalker addresses the royals, telling them about the orc and goblin 'hunting party' the group had encountered to the south. As Chalker tells his tale, the king asks him questions, but the prince merely frowns as if in thought.

Chalker gets to his main point: "The orcs are in the north; you're moving all your forces south. Your northern flanks seem thin." King: "My troops and scouts are sufficient." Chalker: "It seems odd -- so much effort to draw your attention to the south." King: "Bicarn is said to be attacking Tydeil also, but I think they are bluffing. My advisors say Bicarn will throw all their forces at Pitern."

The prince interrupts: "Jinto, who are you that we should give you this information?" Chalker: "I came here to inform." Prince: "What proof do you have of orcs?" Chalker produces one of the insignia taken from the orcs; one of the advisers studies it and proclaims it to be a fake! Chalker quickly senses that the king is no longer interested in his story; he says somewhat bitterly, "I see your knowledge and advisers and young prince have it all under control."

As the royals begin to study the map Rory has brought, Chalker scans the prince. There is a ring in his pouch, but Chalker cannot see any insignia upon it. Rory tells the king how a Bicarn commander tried to have him killed. The king does not appear to be a brilliant tactician.

Frequent glances from the prince make it obvious that he doesn't like Chalker. Chalker smiles.

Baron Napor is announced, and the king has him shown into the audience chamber.

The king suggests the orcs were imposters. This gets Chalker's dander up, and he objects strongly. Rory wonders, "Could they have been rogue orcs who changed their symbol?" Suddenly there is a murmured conference among some of the advisers, and one of them declares "my comrade misread the symbols... this is the insignia of an orc tribe from about fifty miles north of our border."

As Baron Napor approaches the throne, Duke Sinnit is staring daggers at him. Chalker intercepts the Baron and scans him; Napor is wearing a symbol of Asseraah next to his skin. Chalker brings up the assassination attempt. "I have heard," Napor says brusquely. Chalker: "I was concerned that you be aware. That's a lot of assassins for a small city." The king's attention is piqued; he does not seem to have been told about the assassins. The prince exclaims, "Father! Put me in charge! We will ferret out the assassins... since the Baron cannot." The Baron responds, "We are calling in a seer to track them down. We have been pursuing them for years. They will be in our dungeons in a few days." Sinnit speaks up, "If you do not, you will answer to Earl Basset," and he smiles dangerously. The king says, "We must give the Baron a chance to rectify this." Chalker: "The orcs may be a nuisance, but the King should be aware that there are assassins in this city."

The prince speaks up loudly, "Who is this man? How do we know you're not an agent of Bicarn?" Chalker intently continues to address the king: "I am not a Bicarn spy. I am insulted that you accuse me without knowing my heritage. I am from the coast, and we came to give the king information." He says that one of the assassins before she died identified herself as being from Zondell; the king says they have no dealings with Zondell, as "we are so far inland." Sinnit says, "I have said before that I believe assassins are being imported here from outside. There is an Assassins' Guild here."

As Chalker and Rory reclaim their weapons and depart, a vivid debate rises behind them. Duke Sinnit sounds very happy. Chalker asks for one of the Duke's men, who wears a symbol of Cor beneath his shirt. "The Baron is a follower of Asseraah -- and is wearing a holy symbol right now." The guard smiles. Chalker continues, "You are wearing a symbol of Cor. If I can see yours, I can see his... right?" The guard repeats the message, "Jinto says the Baron is wearing a symbol of Asseraah." Chalker says to Rory, "Let's go before the dungeon gets us."

Aliana is casing the Temple of Asseraah. Priests are watching everywhere. She can see some kind of creatures beneath the eaves of the building. She spots a route up the side of the building where she thinks she won't be seen, but as she climbs she knows she's been spotted. Strangely, the person watching her from a window seems to stare in her direction for some time before he finally rushes off.

Aliana climbs high enough that she can see that the creatures are bats, moving lethargically in the daylight. She suddenly begins to feel very fatigued and climbs in through a window. A bat hits the shutter as she closes it, but another bat slips through. She slashes at it as it flies past; it squeaks and flutters as it falls to its death... down the belfry. The bat draws the attention of three or four people. Aliana works her way into the main building and locates a small disused room to rest in. She can hear the voices of several people searching the outside of the temple. She goes looking for one of the hidden staircases that are certain to exist in a building this ancient, and she finds one... but it is clean and obviously frequently used.

About 5:30 Jinto and Runis are passing the Temple of Asseraah. Jinto notices several robed people inspecting the roof. Jinto casts Shape Air to give them a stiff breeze. To his surprise, he stirs up a wind of such power that it catches the people's robes and they are blown off the roof, screaming as they fall.

Inside, Aliana hears screaming and running. Voices come to her. "A priest and three acolytes were blown to their deaths!" "Did you feel Yasseph moving?" "No..." "Was it the intruder?" "No, but he is still in the building." "Inform the High Priest!" And then on the other side of a wall she hears a voice she recognizes -- Thorkel, the priest who had followed Chalker. She catches fragments of his speech. "Yes, I hired the assassins... How was I supposed to know she should not have taken it... The master has complained to the High Priest... He will discipline me... I wanted it taken care of before the meeting... shouldn't have left her in charge if she was inexperienced... all the guildmasters were out of town..."

Aliana hears searchers in the secret passageways. At dusk she makes her way out the back side of the temple through a boarded-over window. Two bats try to follow her, but she manages to give them the slip.

In the tavern of the Oak Leaf Inn, Runis has begun his first set. The house is packed to hear the dwarven bard. After cleaning up a bit, Aliana slips, scarcely noticed, into the tavern. She notices a couple of not-very-sober city guards staring at Chalker. Sitting at the end of the bar is a man who would appear to be a merchant, save for his lack of jewelry or other ostentatious display of wealth... and the number of daggers hidden about his body. He, too, is glaring at Chalker.

Chalker picks up his ale and boldly walks over to the "merchant". A quick scan reveals an assassins' guild tattoo on the inside of the man's thigh. The man slurs, "Yeah? Want somethin'?" Chalker: "Why is an assassin of your level with so many weapons being so obvious?" Man: "You cause a lot more bother than it seems worth. She should not have taken the contract." Chalker: "You could leave now." Man: "I haven't been hired to kill you yet." Chalker tells the man how many weapons the man has and where his assassin's mark is, and reiterates that the man should leave. The man refuses, but says he might kill Chalker for free.

Meanwhile the two guards rise and move toward Chalker. Aliana passes close and casts Daze on one of them, then knees him in the back of the knee and makes him sit down. Chalker, meanwhile, uses his power to get hold of one of the man's daggers... which is coated with a viscous liquid, and there's a vial concealed in the man's money pouch. Aliana Dazes the other guard and sits him on the floor. Chalker moves away from the assassin, who seems not to pay him any more attention.

Chalker uses his power to pull the dagger and plunge it into the assassin's back. The assassin plucks it out, stands up, turns, and stares in Chalker's direction. "You don't think I'm immune to my own poison?" he sneers. "Do you really want to fight?" Then Rory comes up and lays his magic sword on the man's shoulder. The man loses his composure, and he cries out, "My reputation is ruined anyway -- let's dance!"

The assassin (AS) hurls the dagger at Chalker, but Chalker still has control of it, so it moves slowly. AS utters an oath and fast-draws another. Rory calls out, "Magic sword, cut him!" and swings, but AS dodges. Jinto activates his delayed Dexterity spell and maneuvers closer. Aliana steps closer, drawing a dagger and holding it low to her side.

Jinto draws his sword and casts Shocking Grasp. AS seems aware of all four of his opponents; he steps aside and punches at Chalker but misses by a wide margin. Chalker swings his sword at AS but misses. Aliana stabs at AS's right kidney; AS dodges. Rory swings; AS dodges (barely). A tavern patron who happened to get caught in the middle of this outbreak... faints.

Chalker swings and AS dodges easily. Jinto calls out "Surrender, assassin!" and strikes AS's leg; the sword does not penetrate to the flesh, but the Shocking Grasp delivers a jolt. Rory yells "Cut him, magic sword!" and strikes AS solidly in the lower torso. Aliana tries again for a kidney, but AS dodges even though she is attacking from behind.

AS, not slowed by his injuries, kicks at Chalker's leg, but Chalker parries with the flat of his sword. Jinto recasts Shocking Grasp and targets his sword at AS's other leg, but AS dodges. Chalker also swings at AS's leg and is dodged. Rory swings (without the magic words) and is dodged. Aliana stabs AS in the back and he staggers.

Jinto concentrates on a spell. Rory swings and misses. Suddenly, using his injured leg, AS steps off the unconscious patron and somersaults clear over Chalker's head, striking at Chalker as he goes (but missing); AS lands on the other side of Chalker and starts to run. Chalker whirls and stabs AS in the back. Aliana hurls her dagger and buries it in AS's back. The assassin falls unconscious.

Runis continues his set, not missing a beat. Aliana reclaims her dagger. Jinto makes as if to give first aid to the assassin, but Chalker stops him. Jinto reasons that they could question the assassin, but Chalker casually crushes the assassin's throat with his foot. Rory slits open the assassin's pant leg, revealing the guild mark for all to see. Aliana remarks to Chalker, "Perhaps your friend Duke Sinnit would like a trophy."

Chalker goes and slaps the two guards out of their daze. "It's your fault you got fired. You made the Baron angry." The guards claim not to recognize the Assassins' Guild mark. Chalker tells them, "Keep being mad at me." The guard wants to take the assassin's body to Baron Napor. Chalker (surprisingly) lets them.

Chalker, Aliana, and Rory go up to Chalker's room. Chalker wonders aloud why that assassin had been staring at him. Aliana shrewdly replies, "You killed his daughter." She adds that the priest Thorkel had sent assassins against them, even though Chalker had spared Thorkel's life and Rory had walked him back to his temple.

[July 31, 2004]

After finishing off the assassin, Chalker, Rory, and Aliana withdraw to Chalker's room. They all agree that a group discussion is in order. Aliana goes to the top of the stairs and listens; Runis is just about to begin the rousing finale to his second set, and she is loath to interrupt him (and draw attention to herself). Chalker wanders over to Jinto's room and convinces the taciturn elf to join them. Stalwart Rory demands "What's the password?" before he'll let anyone back in.

Chalker: "I've invoked the wrath of the Chaos god." Aliana: "It's become unhealthy to be associated with you.... Why did you attack the assassin in the inn?" Chalker: "He seemed angry." Aliana: "I have sneaky; you have blatant."

Runis walks in, and the group finally takes time to bring each other up to date on what they've learned during the day. Aliana describes the creatures guarding the Temple of Asseraah; Jinto says they are called taddarita, evil bats that hate humanity and can cast minor spells like Fatigue and Trip. Chalker and Rory describe their visit to court; Chalker says the prince didn't like him, but he left the king thinking about the things he'd said. The royal theory is that Bicarn will only fake attacking Tydeil, but really concentrate on Pitern. The crest on the assassin's dagger was from Zondell, one of the so-called peninsular kingdoms (several hundred miles and a sea journey away). Jinto wonders, "Why are foreign assassins here?" Rory wisely goes downstairs and fetches up a tray of food for everyone. Jinto suggests that the orcs encountered at Crossroads had been gated through. Aliana queries, "Chalker, other than making people angry, what is it that makes people want to kill you?"

Runis relates the episode with the rock and the High Priestess of Solash. [In my previous notes I had the high priest as being male.] "Jinto and me and our companions are going to be a focal point of the god war. I took it to mean I'm to keep killing orcs." Jinto mentions that the "god walk" is coming in about three months' time and will last for thirty days. The rock had also said that "Enigma's motives are in alignment with Santash and Solash at this time" and "Josh Andrews is from another plane of existence." Jinto helpfully explains the concept of 'planes of existence' in terms everyone can understand.

Aliana wonders, "What happened the last time there was a god war?" Those who remember their history respond that nations fell, and there were realignments in the alliances among the gods. "What's the trigger for this one?" No one god has been ascendant for the past 1500 years or so; perhaps Asseraah has decided it is his time. Asseraah and Santash are diametrically opposed. Gauder, god of war, is in ascendance in both Bicarn and Pitern, and is apparently in league with Asseraah. The priests of Solash want to bring Yasseph in on their side.

In the course of discussion, Chalker realizes that Duke Sinnit is a prime target for assassination, and resolves to speak with him tonight. Runis dons his armor. In a low voice Chalker asks Aliana to protect Jinto and Rory. Chalker hires a carriage, and at a little past 11:00pm they head for the Duke's estate.

Jinto decides to meet the man who has been constantly watching the inn, taking him a plate of food. "Call me Mister Salvatore." The man gives his name as George and tucks into the food eagerly. George: "Watching pays well. ... You're part of the group that's been stirring up the city -- you're either pretty good or pretty bad. ... Sometimes I get paid three or four times for the same information!" He claims to be a freelancer; "I do have some auxiliary eyes." George knows their group numbers Mr Salvatore, Jinto, Runis, and Rory; a few times he's caught a glimpse of another shadowy figure, but admits he's probably just been seeing things. (Since Jinto has distracted him, George fails to see Chalker and Runis board the carriage.)

Jinto pays George a silver piece in exchange for a 'tidbit'. George quickly offers, "Royal guards moved on the city guards and took over their positions, starting about an hour ago." Jinto: "You should stay here -- we like to know who's watching us." George grins, "There's a big market for knowledge of your activities." Just recently he had sold same to agents of Baron Napor, the priests of Asseraah, and an agent of the Prince. George thanks Jinto for the food and ale, and Jinto heads back into the inn. Through the shutters Aliana sees George stealthing away to take up a new position.

At the Duke's manor, the Duke's man to whom Chalker had told Baron Napor's secret greets 'Jinto' and asks pleasantly why he's out so late. Chalker replies, "People keep trying to kill me, so I can't sleep." He tells the guard that his group had killed the master assassin. The guard says the Duke isn't in -- he may be off interrogating the Baron. Chalker: "The Duke may have an internal problem; one of your guys is a spy." Guard: "I'll pass the word to the Duke as soon as he returns." Chalker takes leave of the guard with a jaunty "I need to make myself a moving target." He pays the driver a silver piece to go to the main city guard station. The city guards there do not look happy. Not all of them were replaced by royal guards, mainly the leader types, the ones most loyal to the Baron. The place is very, very busy. Many of Duke Sinnit's retinue are here. Chalker and Runis enter unchallenged, Chalker declaring "The Duke has summoned us." Some of the guards, eyeing Runis's axe, murmur that he must be the executioner. Runis: "Has the Baron got a bean in his head? We may have to remove it."

A few of the Duke's men escort Runis and Chalker down into the dungeons into an interrogation chamber. Baron Napor is chained and shackled to a table. Questioning him is Duke Sinnit, and standing nearby is a mage (later introduced as Vieloth). Runis: "There's some concern for your safety, sir." Chalker scans the Baron's head, but doesn't find a bean. The Duke tells them that with the authority of the King, he has instituted massive sweeps to pick up those who were part of the Baron's conspiracy.

The Duke, Chalker, and Runis adjourn to a separate conference room. Chalker: "You have a spy in your house. The assassins knew about the meeting with the king. The only people I told were my companions, so the only way they would have known is through your end." If a coup is in the works, the Duke is a prime assassination target due to his military status. The Duke nods thoughtfully; it fits in with current events. News has come from Silene that two of the top battle commanders there have died, probably assassinated.

The Baron was already in the Duke's custody when "those two drunks" brought in the assassin's corpse. The Baron so far has only admitted to trying to increase his position, but hasn't confessed to anything traitorous. He will not say when he went over to Asseraah. Runis pulls out the Sapphire Diamond. "Perhaps this will help reveal the truth." Duke Sinnit declares, "You must have been sent by Santash to me to save the kingdom."

Back at the Inn, Jinto casts a delayed Force Dome in case of intrusion. Rory works a "chair lock" on the door. Jinto fusses about the lights keeping him awake, so Rory rolls beneath Jinto's bed. Aliana, too keyed up to sleep, keeps watch through the shutters.

Vieloth, the wizard, says that the Baron is resistant to his truth spells. Runis shows the Diamond; Vieloth, astonished, says "One does not lightly impose one's will on the Diamond." (Runis: "Tell me.") Vieloth, a follower of Cor, has just begun to hear of the god war. Runis declares in his rolling bardic tones, "Be at ease. Santash and Solash are allied against Asseraah."

Runis speaks with the Diamond, then says aloud, "Cause the truth to come from this man!" A tendril of silken light reaches out from the Diamond to touch the Baron. To Runis the Diamond says, "Question him at your leisure, though I cannot compel from him anything he doesn't know."

The Baron becomes a veritable fountain of information. His wife's younger brother first brought him the word of Asseraah, "the best of the First Chosen." He speaks repeatedly and worshipfully of "the purity of Chaos." His personal tasks were to facilitate the placement of spying devices, and to arrange the assassinations of the King and the Duke. He had paid Master Assassin Orlander -- who the Duke confirms was the man killed in the bar -- three weeks ago to kill the King tonight; two or three royal guards had been corrupted to open the way to the king. The Duke was also to have been killed tonight; the traitor in his house is a man named Jorgeson.

In the north, "Our Lord of Darkness" raises orc armies that will sweep across the countryside and purge the land all the way to the coast. These armies have already been on the move for several days, and should reach Caldor in four or five days. At that time, the Baron will rise to a position of great importance.

As everyone listens in fascination to what the Baron is spilling, Runis suggests that another royal witness (besides the Duke) should hear this. The Duke makes a wry face, but agrees and sends for the Prince.

Chalker has been asking too many questions, pointing out too many things to certain key people. Also, a priest cast an oracle and revealed that Chalker was important. That is why the Temple of Asseraah is after Chalker. Much of the temple's recent growth is because the Baron funds and encourages them. Also, he has let the word get around that if you follow Asseraah, the city guard will be "nice" to you. Thorkel is the young, ambitious priest who cast the oracle; he was confused as to why a foe who had him in his grasp would then let him go. The Baron thinks Thorkel resides within the temple rather than having a separate house. The Baron has been able to come and go at the temple without being observed because he has what he calls a "trinket" that disguises him. He raves, "I know you're going to be a big help to me -- together we'll be unstoppable!"

Through the shutter, Aliana sees sixteen or seventeen people hauling along five people bound in chains; they are led by a young, self-important fellow who Aliana guesses must be the Prince. Messengers rush up to the Prince and speaks with him urgently. The Prince argues with them for about five minutes, then angrily gives in and follows them away. The Duke, meanwhile, is extracting from the Baron a list of names of all those loyal to him. The Baron obliges, adding that he has also met a master assassin calling himself Ender.

A courier arrives with a message for the Duke. Duncan sends news from the border that they have encountered a large force of orcs there. The orcs were practically on top of the scouts before the scouts ever saw them.

The Prince comes in, looking put-upon, glaring at the Duke. Runis drops to one knee. "Your Highness, do you know what this is?" The Prince, who evidently didn't pay much attention in his history or theology classes, doesn't immediately recognize the Sapphire Diamond. Runis explains that it is an entity made by Solash, and uses it to compel the Baron to repeat the tale of the invasion with all the details. The Prince listens and seems to believe it.

The Baron reveals that three different orc armies, each numbering several thousand, are moving toward Pitern. There is a "central masking temple" which allows the orcs to move undetected, which coordinates their movements and prevents them from fighting each other.

Chalker asks pointedly, "And who were you going to kill after you killed the Duke?" Baron: "That asshole right there," pointing to the Prince.

The Prince, rather humbled, asks the Duke if there is anything they can do against the coming onslaught. Runis suggests they hurry up and devise a treaty with Bicarn against the orcs. He picks up his axe and states, "I can't kill 24,000 orcs. I can try." The Prince says he'll tell his father. "You might be good envoys for the peace effort." He invites Chalker to bring his companions and come to council in the morning. Runis and Chalker suggest they pull back their border forces; otherwise, they'll simply be overrun and slaughtered. Perhaps the temples can communicate with their counterparts in Bicarn to speed the information along. Vieloth also volunteers to contact other mages.

Chalker asks why Bicarn is attacking in the first place. The Duke says they're expansionist. The Baron adds that the War God may be pushing them. Runis suggests they inform the High Priestess of Solash. The Duke suggests that Runis and Chalker go get some rest; "At least I see a fighting chance now." Runis asks the rock what to do with the Baron; the reply comes unhesitatingly, "Turn him over to Santash's justice."

The Baron is taken by carriage to the temple of Santash, through a city now obviously under martial law. Runis has the Baron make confession to the priestess of Santash. The Baron has neither regrets nor remorse for his actions. The priestess has the Baron taken away, saying, "Justice will be measured out." Runis offers a prayer to Santash, and asks the priestess to pass the word about the approaching orc armies. "Make sure Bicarn gets the message as well."

Around 3:30am Chalker and Runis return to the Inn. Aliana lets them into Jinto's room. They tell her there are a hundred thousand or more orcs arrayed along a 150-200 mile front, controlled by Asseraah from a central temple. Aliana asks if the goddess of truth couldn't divine its location; perhaps a small force could get through to disable (purify) the secret temple.

Chalker: "I've been -- unfortunately -- a soldier sometimes." He thinks the peasantry should not resist the orc invaders. Neither Aliana nor Runis think that's a good or practical idea. Unlike perhaps other races, orcs will ravage and pillage whether they meet resistance or not.

Runis returns to the common room, posts a "Do Not Disturb" sign on his upright axe, and falls sound asleep. Chalker and Aliana each return to their rooms.

Around 8:00am (Long Days 15), Jinto and Rory go down to breakfast. Sitting at one of the tables is Josh Andrews, eating. He greets them, saying "Sorry I was gone so long." He says also, "Enigma wants us to stop the orcs." Runis comes in. "Good morning, Josh! You ready to see the King?" He tells them that 'Jinto the Mighty' and 'The Mapmaker' are going to meet with the privy council. Chalker enters as Runis tells them, "The Baron succumbed to Santash's justice," and relates other news from the night before.

Jinto once again sternly tells Chalker not to use his name. Runis cackles, "You got told by the elf."

Josh says that Enigma offers them ten gold pieces per month as a retainer, plus payment and bonus for each mission they undertake. "You pick which ones you want to do." Runis asks him, "What does it mean that you're from another plane?" Josh: "I'm from another dimension -- place and time -- reality. Enigma transports me." Runis: "Like a gate?" Josh: "I never step through a gate. I just pop from one place to another." He doesn't know how it's done, "whether it's magic or psi or tech or whatever."

Around 9:30am Aliana sees three royal couriers enter the inn. As they come toward Chalker and Runis, Runis hands the Diamond to Chalker, who hides it away. Chalker says that the mapmaker and "our out-of-town friend" (meaning Josh) will go with him to the council.

Before he goes with Chalker, Rory places a tray of food at Aliana's door, knocks, and departs. Aliana gratefully takes in the tray, and watches out the window as Josh, Chalker, and Rory ride away.

Jinto decides to go to the library to do more research on how to use the gates and where they are located. Now that he has a better idea of what he is looking for, he anticipates greater success.

Runis is going to the temple to ask guidance from the High Priestess of Solash, but first he goes up to Aliana's room with a tray of food. "Can I talk to you?" She lets him in. Runis starts to talk about what the group needs to be doing; he seems a bit taken aback when she tells him, "Runis... this isn't my fight." She wants nothing to do with the gods; neither does she want to be their pawn.

At the council, information is coming in from everywhere. Bicarn attacked Silene this morning. Orcs rolled over the garrison on the north-northwest border -- 8000 orcs vs 500 soldiers. Having had a little forewarning, some people were able to evacuate. The forts were being evacuated in an orderly fashion. The orcs had not spread across the entire border yet. The duke in the southwest part of Pitern has seceded to Bicarn. The duke in the north central part of Pitern was assassinated last night. Estimated time is four days till the orcs reach Caldar. If Bicarn would agree to a truce, they could hold Silene for a week. The prince says to make truce with Bicarn, deal with the orcs, then with the disloyal dukes. Chalker discusses strategy and troop movements, including a slow retreat from Bicarn (to reduce casualties on both sides while the treaty is being negotiated). The orcs will hit Bicarn within a few days. Rory suggests gathering as much food as possible in preparation for a siege. Chalker tells the council he and his group will deal with the magical threat.

Runis talks Aliana into going and watching over Jinto. "You know how he is." He gets so immersed in his research that he becomes totally unaware of the outside world, much less any danger. Aliana pooh-poohs the notion that Jinto would be threatened at the library, but agrees to guard him.

Runis enters the Temple of Solash, which is abuzz with activity. (He had passed the Temple of Asseraah, which appeared strangely quiet.) He is ushered into the High Priestess's chambers, and tells her about the secret temple. She anticipates his request: "And you want the location of the temple. We will begin the rituals to try to find it." Runis suggests as a starting point that they look to the northwest into orc country. He adds, "If you can't give me the information, I'll go get it from the temple of Asseraah." The priestess replies dryly, "I would prefer that I give it to you." The temple of Solash will continue sending word to the other temples, and prepare for the influx of refugees.

As Aliana approaches the library, a too-dark alley catches her attention. She can see several small ratlike creatures scurrying about, and recognizes that they are some sort of mystic constructs rather than real animals. One of them skitters out of the alley and paces near the front door, as if waiting for it to be opened so it can dash in. In fact, there is an elderly man shuffling in that direction who probably does intend to patronize the library. Aliana ties her rope to one of her daggers and throws the dagger at the creature, intending to impale it and haul it up where she can examine it. However, she misses and it scurries away.

Aliana moves along the rooftops and looks down into the dark alley. Kneeling in the alleyway, out of sight from the street, is a priest surrounded by five "rats". Intent on some sort of ritual or enchantment (possibly attuning the creatures to his will), the priest is caught completely unaware when Aliana draws two daggers, leaps down on top of him, and drives a dagger deep into his body. The priest is too stunned to resist as Aliana cuts his throat, and when she does this the "rats" vanish and the unnatural darkness goes away. She recognizes the priest from her previous day's excursion in the temple. She arranges his body, covers his face, and leaves his holy symbol of Asseraah in plain sight upon his chest, taking the contents of his purse (a few silvers and coppers) and a magical talisman that was attached to his sash.

Aliana returns to the library and peers in through the window. Jinto is indeed there, surrounded by books and papers, immersed in his research, a rapt expression on his face. Truly, nothing exists for him this moment except the joy of creating a new spell.

Chalker asks the Diamond the location of the secret temple. In stark contrast to its complete cooperation last night, it responds sassily, "I do not know and it is not my province to find out. That is a task for lesser beings." Chalker, with an inward sigh, exerts his willpower and tries again. This time the Diamond is more forthcoming; the secret temple is about 110 miles north-northwest of here.

Runis reaches the library about noon. He watches Jinto at work for a few minutes, not wishing to interrupt. Jinto gives thanks to Cor for his divine inspiration, and asks that god to join "our side" in the god war. Jinto then lights his pipe and settles back with a sigh, admiring his work. Runis goes in when he sees Jinto close a book. Jinto tells him, "I've discovered a way to get us right to the secret temple... if we can get within fifty miles." It depends on how close the temple is to a Venettian power point (it's probably built right on it, or at least very close). Or we could go from one Venettian power point to another. The keep where we broke up the ritual is also a power point, and there are at least two others, one near Alpina and the other near a river junction. Jinto will need the crystals Runis took from the control panels (and which currently are housed at the Merchants Guild) to make this work. Runis suggests the group could begin their journey in a northwesterly direction, and the temple of Solash could contact them remotely through the Diamond once they had divined the secret temple's exact location.

Chalker, Rory, and Josh have returned to the Oak Leaf Inn after the council meeting. While Rory and Josh make preparations to depart, Chalker speaks with the innkeeper. The innkeeper is very pleased with the money he's made from featuring the dwarven bard. He expects to have to house some refugees, but promises to make room for us if and when we ever return. "Your group was involved in the purge last night? Could you, uh, put in a good word for my establishment?" Chalker says he doesn't think he can do that. Then he asks whether the innkeeper's cousin -- the city guard who had recommended the Oak Leaf Inn to us in the first place -- was one of the ones purged, and the innkeeper quickly assures him he is still on duty. Still perched atop the library, Aliana notices a dark-robed priest (despite the Avoidance spell on him) who stops a few blocks away, seems to listen for something, then suddenly shakes himself and hastens away in a different direction. She follows Runis and Jinto to the Temple of Solash.

The acolyte assigned as their liaison greets Master Dwarf. Runis verifies that the High Priestess could contact them remotely through the Diamond, as she is now attuned to it after having worn it yesterday. Next stop is the Merchants Guild to collect the crystals, then back to the Oak Leaf Inn.

Outside, Rory and Josh have the wagon loaded and the horses hitched and ready. Runis asks, "Did they keep him?" and Josh indicates that Chalker is inside. Josh says, "Chalker presented a plan, and they began to implement it immediately."

Josh wants everyone to meet in Chalker's room. Aliana slips in through Chalker's window and gently wakes him up, then lets the others in. Josh again apologizes for being gone so long. "If you wish, Enigma will keep you on retainer for ten gold per month -- you choose where to go." After stopping the orcs, there are at least two more missions Enigma wants them to do. Josh opens his saddlebag and distributes five medallions, saying that they are translation amulets -- but due to conflict with the local deities, they will not translate ancient Venettian. The amulets are also an identification device that marks anyone belonging to Enigma's group (he acknowledges that someone could steal an amulet). Chalker asks, "Do we get to meet Enigma?" Josh replies, "Probably not. He doesn't want to disturb the deities here (more than he already has)." The amulet needs to be touching skin, or separated by no more than thin cloth, in order to work. While the others put on or pocket the amulets, Aliana states firmly, "I refuse to wear the symbol of your foreign god." She also refuses the retainer fee.

[August 28, 2004]

Refugees and food flow into Caldar, while our group bucks the current and makes its way toward the north gate. The Captain of the Gate spots us and expedites our departure, clearing traffic out of our way. A mile north of town, the road splits into a Y and we take the northwest fork. The road is in good condition. Many soldiers are milling about, and farmers are working to bring in their crops and collect their belongings so they can retreat behind the walls of Caldar. Aliana rides point; Josh Andrews rides drag. Rory rides back and forth between Aliana and Josh, mapping.

Chalker spots a couple of black birds circling high above us, out of bowshot range. He points them out to Jinto. The elf comments, "I could fly up and get rid of them." Rory retorts, "Why? They'll just send something worse." Someone quips, "Hot air rises -- we should be able to use Chalker as a balloon." The air is fairly calm, and Jinto casts Body of Air upon himself and floats upward.

Jinto sees that the birds have the shape of crows, but they are the size of eagles. While he is rising toward them, the birds change their formation, one of them rising and circling about 40 feet higher than the other. Jinto casts Shocking Grasp; the lower bird intersects him, goes limp, and begins to fall. The other bird starts to fly away; Jinto hits it with Lightning but it continues south back toward the city. Jinto throws another lightning bolt but misses. Jinto casts a Dexterity spell to aid in his pursuit.

The first bird hits the ground; Aliana notices it changes shape [John: "Yeah, it gets flatter!"]. Instead of a bird, she and Chalker find a human, bloodied, clad in black robes and bearing a symbol of Asseraah. Aliana recognizes the man from her visit to the temple. She composes the body and covers his face with his hood.

The other bird has been gradually spiraling toward the ground, and comes in for a bad landing. Jinto zaps it twice more, and this bird also transforms into a black-robed man wearing Asseraah's symbol. Jinto zaps the symbol, then smashes it between two rocks. Amazingly, the man is still alive -- but not for long, as Jinto bashes his skull in with another rock.

By this time Jinto is some distance from the group, unhorsed, and too fatigued to cast any more spells. Aliana rides back out ahead while Chalker rides back to pick up Jinto. "Come, O mighty one." As Chalker hauls Jinto up behind him, he comments, "I must change my opinion of you. You may be truly mighty."

The group continues to ride, passing through mostly-deserted small towns, meeting many refugees streaming southward. Around 4pm we meet a mounted patrol; they inform us that orcs are moving 'methodically' south-southeast. At that point we are a couple of miles from the border between the duchy of Sinnit and that of Tolbert. Tolbert's keep is called Tolden, and it lies about 18 miles away.

At 5:20pm we reach a border post manned by three royal guards. They wave us on through, having no orders to stop anyone going north.

Around 9:00pm it is getting dark. The orcs are not due to reach Tolden for another 24-36 hours. Runis suggests we camp. Aliana finds a good defensible place a mile or so away from the main road. Josh lights a fire and begins preparing the evening meal. Chalker takes his crossbow and scouts the area on foot; he can see a town to the northeast.

Over dinner we discuss -- who knows about our mission? Does the Temple of Asseraah know what we're trying to accomplish, or were the two shapeshifters simply watching us on general principles?

Jinto still has a ring he took from a wizard back at the keep. The ring is warded, he tells us, and he hasn't been able to get it identified -- in fact, it started to affect mentally the priest he had taken it to. He places the ring in the campfire and casts Ignite Fire upon it; the ring takes on an appearance like 'contained liquid'. Runis fishes the ring out of the fire with the hook on the end of his axe, then smashes the ring between two flat rocks. There is a sucking sound, then a small explosion; the rock splits and all that is left of the ring are a few bits of metal. Jinto says that "a weight has been lifted" from him.

Runis's watch is uneventful, as is Aliana's. Chalker feels a friendly 'something' questing for him -- the Sapphire Diamond starts to glow. A message: "It's been a long and trying day, but we finally have the information you seek." Chalker fetches writing implements from his pack (kicking Jinto as he goes by, on GP). The secret temple is north-northwest from us 'as the eagle flies', 68 miles away, 2 miles from the river. Chalker wakes Rory; "I'm talkin' to the Diamond; I need you here," and tells the priestess, "We have a mapmaker." The priestess instructs Chalker to bring Rory into rapport with the Diamond for easier communication. Rory feels a 'click' in his mind, feels a trace of Chalker's mind, hears the strong voice of the High Priestess, with the Diamond holding it all together. Rory suddenly feels as if he is looking down from a high mountaintop upon the land stretching out below him, and using that viewpoint he spends the next half-hour updating his map. He notes that we are four miles south-southeast from Tolden. At the end of that time, the High Priestess says, "Very good. Hopefully, that will assist you on your route." She adds that the temple is heavily masked, and they have no information on the location or movement of the orcs. "Good fortune. May Solash go with you."

At the end of his watch, Josh Andrews awakens the others. Chalker murmurs, "I dreamed the Diamond was talking to me." Over breakfast, Chalker relates the events of the night, and Rory picks up the story. The roads are good up until the last five miles before the secret temple. Orcs will probably not be coming that way yet. We depart at sunup and reach Tolden in about an hour, then use Rory's maps to skirt the city.

Runis asks and Jinto explains that we will wind up at the Venettian powerpoint about a quarter-mile from the secret temple. Rory: "I like to see where I'm running."

About 9:00am Jinto flies up to see if he can spot the orc armies. He sees a horde of orcs marching in ranks, with a trail of fire and destruction in their wake. These are currently around 20 miles away. There is another army away to the north-northeast, and yet another. Jinto reports that we have "an unfavorable ratio of orcs to dwarves." Runis quips, "Yeah, not quite enough orcs."

Around 11:30am we reach Tussen, the city where the good roads end. Runis calculates we'll reach the 50-mile mark and still have four or five miles between us and the orcs. Tussen is stockaded and nearly deserted; military patrols are shooing stragglers out of the city. Aliana begins picking out a path for the wagon, with Rory riding beside her checking his maps.

About 2:00pm we pass the magical green line and find a secluded place to stop. Jinto, after another trip airborne, says that the orcs are passing about five miles to our west, with their outriders approaching within about a mile.

Jinto has his notes and all his required components. He thinks he can get set up within 25 minutes. He directs Aliana in helping place the crystals, and borrows the Sapphire Diamond from Chalker. Chalker and Josh go on patrol; Jinto tells them "be back in 15 minutes." Rory makes fire arrows, and Runis watches out for the elf.

The crystals are placed to Jinto's satisfaction. Everything is set. We gather together. Aliana draws her sword and dagger. Jinto invokes the Diamond's help...

There's a sudden sensation as of rushing down river rapids that leaves Chalker feeling exhilarated. But Runis and Jinto both throw up, and Aliana collapses to the ground. Chalker and Rory see that we're standing to the south of an enormous dark temple. The group is atop a marble surface about the area of a small house, covered with various symbols, including a holy symbol of Solash. The ground around it appears excavated or perhaps vaporized. The dark temple is only an eighth of a mile away, but it is surrounded by unnatural darkness. Symbols of War and Chaos are barely visible. Neither guards nor anything flying can be seen.

Rory and Chalker check on Aliana. Rory props her up in his arms as Chalker pulls back her hood and bathes her face with water. Chalker steps back as Aliana awakens and utters a brief cry, clutching at Rory. Chalker reaches over and pulls her hood forward, then helps her stand. Aliana, speechless, stares daggers at Chalker as she regains her equilibrium.

Jinto, having recovered, breaks this tableau by coming over and commenting that the Venettian magic is concealing us from the temple, even though we're so close to it. From our vantage, a trail goes off to the left toward the river a few hundred yards away. The ground around the temple looks to have been trampled by a huge army. Aliana, with her eyesight, can tell that there are gargoyles and creatures of the Mother of Night carved upon the temple's facade.

Runis declares he wants to circle the temple and get a look all around it. The group begins to discuss their approach. Jinto, consulting with the Diamond, is told that the main sanctuary of the temple holds up to 2000 worshippers; the doors on the west side of the temple are the most direct route to the sanctuary; there is a 'consecrated point' (altar?) in the center of the temple. The Diamond is blocked from showing him where people are located in the temple. The front doors are wide enough to drive a wagon through.

Runis reasons that since the Diamond had said we would all use it at some point, Aliana should take the Diamond and enter by stealth while the rest of the group charges in through the front. Jinto says he could cast Body of Air and sneak in that way, but Chalker insists that Jinto's spells will be needed to help with the distraction. Finally Runis borrows the Diamond and addresses it. "Hey, rock. We're fixin' to go in there and put you on the altar. That should take care of it, don't you think?" The Diamond says it cannot determine who would be the 'optimal' person to place it. "You're not much help, are you?" Runis says; the Diamond sulks, "You're no jewel yourself." Chalker comments, "As our IQ goes down, we start to agree with the dwarf."

Aliana takes the Diamond from Runis and tucks it in next to her skin. She sets off toward the temple and disappears into the darkness.

Jinto mounts his horse, and Runis, Rory, and Chalker climb into the wagon; Josh snaps the reins and shouts "Hyah!" As they circle around the temple, Josh continues to holler, while Runis sings an orc-killing song. Jinto outpaces the wagon, lines up his horse in front of the huge iron-banded wooden doors, and concentrates on Shape Air. A heavy blast of wind strikes the right-hand door and it flies open. Runis maintains his balance as Josh makes a wide turn with the wagon and rolls up the ramp. Through the doors, Jinto's horse veers to the right; Jinto tries another Shape Air on the inner doors but they hold. Josh swings the wagon to the left and pulls up the horses. Runis, Chalker, and Rory bail out of the wagon. There are several doors leading into the big sanctuary. Runis pounds a door with his shield, knocking it open. Jinto kicks another door open. Chalker turns a handle and walks in. Rory follows Runis.

They emerge into a huge room, with fully 100 yards between themselves and the altar. The altar bears symbols of Asseraah, and secondary altars are marked with symbols of Gauder. There are rows upon rows of benches. A balcony extends overhead.

Standing behind the main altar is a robed human flanked by two orcs. Another four orcs are arrayed to either side. At least a dozen batlike creatures flutter in the rafters. In the aisles are eight wolves, two of which have glowing red eyes (shadowwolves).

Runis marches up the aisle, Chalker to his left, Josh to his right, and Jinto and Rory behind him. Rory nocks his bow, aims at the priest, and fires. His arrow reflects back from the priest, and Runis deflects it.

One shadowwolf heads for Chalker, the other for Josh, and the other six wolves charge Jinto, Runis, and Rory. Jinto throws Lightning but misses. Chalker fires his crossbow straight through a red eye into the shadowwolf's brain. Rory fires an arrow through a wolf's front leg. Josh's crossbow bolt hits a shadowwolf in the vitals.

One swolf reaches Josh (who verbally questions Enigma's lineage...), the other skids up to Chalker. Josh drops his crossbow and draws his sword. A wolf snaps at Runis's wrist and misses, and the others try to flank him, climbing over the pews. "Come on, puppies," Runis encourages them. Four of the orcs start foward; they are clad in hard leather armor, metal bracers, and reinforced helmets with nose guards, and their shortswords are drawn. Rory fires at a wolf on Runis's shield side and misses. Runis swings at a wolf, laying open its belly. Chalker eyes the priest's iron-shod staff, slides past some kind of ward, and gets control of it. Jinto's sword strikes a wolf in the vitals, adding Shocking Grasp damage. Four bats dive from the rafters toward Jinto.

Runis tries to bash a wolf, but loses his grip on his shield! It lands a short distance away as Runis swears loudly in his native language. Jinto hits a wolf in the vitals (+ zap). Josh swings for the vitals and his stroke glances off the swolf's hide. In return, the swolf bites Josh in the torso. A wolf snaps at Runis but misses. The wolf Rory wounded falls off a pew and stuns itself.

Another wolf snaps at Rory, who shoves his bow at its mouth, but it gets him in the left arm. A wolf growls and snaps at Jinto, just out of range. Orcs and bats continue to approach, the bats obviously targeting Jinto. Rory jumps on a bleeding wolf and stomps it as he passes, moving down the aisle toward Runis's shield.

Jinto swings and misses. Rory grabs Runis's shield and flips it over (straps up) so Runis can grab it, clipping a wolf in the process (yip!). Josh staggers and his sword flies into a pew. Chalker starts moving the priest's staff behind him. Runis lops off a wolf's foreleg.

Chalker swings the staff forward... and it bounces back from the priest. A wolf misses Josh. Another wolf snaps at Runis's legs. Severely wounded, one of the swolves falls down. The other swolf leaps at Jinto, who parries with a double-damage Shocking Grasp. The priest notices something, turns and grabs for his staff -- and misses. Runis grabs his shield, then turns toward the wolf that just tried to bite him. Josh runs over, jerks his sword out of the pew, and turns. Rory draws his sword and runs toward Josh.

Runis attacks the most un-stunned wolf, which dodges. Jinto casts Destroy Air at the dive-bombing bats, causing a sound like a thunderclap. A wolf leaps at Runis, hits him in the shoulder, and bounces back (Runis's armor keeps the dwarf from harm). The gutted wolf passes out; the three-legged wolf misses; one wolf turns to chase Rory; another wolf misses Josh. Two orcs run toward the altar (and away from the doors). The priest faces his staff (turning his back on the fracas) as if he thinks an invisible person is holding it. Rory runs down the aisle. Chalker grounds one end of the staff and swings the other at the priest's head, striking a glancing blow. Josh swings at a wolf's vitals, hitting hard. Two bats hit the floor; the others recover, and Jinto resists some kind of spell. Several more bats dive toward Jinto and Chalker.

Jinto takes a step and casts Destroy Air on two bats which fall to the ground; he stomps on one of the bats. Chalker raises the staff and arcs it toward himself. Runis bashes the wolf that is trying to chase Rory; the wolf stumbles badly and dies. Another of the injured wolves collapses. Josh hits a wolf in the leg. Rory reaches Jinto's aisle, yells "Magic sword, cut him!" and distracts the wolf.

One bat is flapping on the ground; eight others are heading for Jinto. Jinto steps on the flapping bat -- squish. A wolf attacks Runis's axe arm but gets only a mouthful of metal. The two orcs reach the altar; the priest turns around cursing as his staff floats away. The other orcs keep charging. Josh swings and a wolf dodges. Rory swings and kills that wolf. Runis swings and kills another wolf.

Josh says to Rory, "Follow me," and heads toward the approaching orcs. Three of the bats triangulate Chalker, and eight are around Jinto. Jinto gets a crazy smile on his face. The two orcs take up guard positions as the priest begins to pray. Runis swats a bat with his shield -- thunk. Chalker draws a knife and flips it into the air.

Jinto casts Create Fire all around himself; the bats fly away from him. The orcs keep charging. Runis feels flames at his back (but Jinto reasons the dwarf is tougher than the fire). Chalker takes his knife and slashes at a bat, missing. Rory sprints toward Josh. Runis slashes a bat in two.

Jinto pulls out a potion. Chalker feels sudden fatigue; he fast-draws his sword and swings at a bat (using his Bat-Fu) but misses. Runis 'sprints' along, singing about orcs and their mothers the elves.

Runis continues sprinting. Josh closes to within four yards of the orcs. Chalker hits a bat, which falls, but he feels more fatigued.

Jinto swallows his potion. Runis keeps sprinting. A door opens behind the altar and Aliana appears; the priest and his flanking orcs have their backs to her. One orc swings wildly at Josh, who parries. Jinto suddenly feels fatigue loss. Chalker swings and misses. Josh strikes an orc.

Rory runs past Josh and the orc. Jinto pulls out another potion. Runis slows down. Josh parries the orc. Chalker feels more fatigue loss, and one of the bats peels off. Aliana draws her knife and walks quietly but quickly toward the priest. The priest raises his arms and the staff returns to his hands.

Rory hamstrings an orc, which collapses. Jinto drinks his potion. Josh says to Rory "Good job" and sprints up the aisle. Chalker swings and misses. Aliana rushes the priest and slams him into the altar; the priest loses his grip on his staff and it clatters to the floor. Runis swings and splits open an orc's face, then grins at his partner, who swings at Runis and misses. Several bats flutter away from Jinto up toward the ceiling.

Rory follows Josh. Runis bashes an orc in the face (wiping the dead bat off his shield). An orc turns toward Aliana and utters a curse. An orc swings at Runis but misses. Josh starts screaming to draw attention to himself. Even with Aliana on his back, the priest starts incanting. Chalker sheathes his sword and concentrates. Jinto cancels the flames and starts forward. Aliana slits the priest's throat, but he is still alive and conscious.

Aliana slashes the priest's throat again, and this time he goes deathly still. Chalker pushes the priest's staff under a pew and aims his crossbow at an orc. Josh and Rory, both screaming, run closer to the orcs. Jinto gets up to where Runis is. Runis slashes open an orc's torso. Jinto speeds by, and Runis mutters, "Damn elf."

Aliana draws out the Diamond; it practically leaps into her hand. She slaps it against the altar. It seems to melt into the engraved holy symbol of Asseraah. Chalker shoots an orc in the vitals, killing it. Jinto shouts in Elvish, "Behind you, Aliana!" Runis moves forward, saying "Save an orc for me!" An orc steps back from Aliana in horror.

Jinto sprints closer. Chalker sprints toward the altar. Runis drops to his knees and starts praying to Santash. Aliana holds the priest down and presses the Diamond to the altar.

One orc flees out the door. The altar begins to shake and vibrate beneath Aliana. Jinto sees the altar shaking and jumps behind a pew, where he starts muttering prayers to Solash. Chalker sees a haziness around the altar. Runis continues praying fervently. Rory gets a solid hit on an orc. Josh and another orc clang off each other.

Jinto and Runis keep praying. Chalker begins to pray. Rory runs past an orc. Jinto takes an opportunity swing and hits an orc in the vitals.

Jinto shouts, "Get behind something!" as he takes his own advice, ducking behind a pew. Rory yells, "I'm trying!" as he hits an orc. Runis and Chalker pray. Aliana opens her hand, leaving the Diamond on the altar, then drops out of sight behind the altar.

A beam of light touches Jinto and Runis, forming a triangle of intense light. Rory looks at an orc and says "Run away" and it does! Chalker sits down in a pew.

The floor collapses into a chasm (the edge of the hole stopping right where Aliana is lying), then erupts into a column of light. The entire temple begins to shake. Jinto and Runis each recover, then run for the doors. Rory comes looking for Aliana; she sees him and runs toward him, and he turns toward the door. Josh grabs the wagon and the horses and leads them outside.

Seeing two orcs fleeing toward the river, and catching sight of an orc encampment, Runis shouts, "Let's go get those orcs!"

[September 25, 2004]

Runis sayeth, "Let's go kill orcs!" And lo, we made it so.

Runis and Rory climbed aboard the wagon as Josh hopped into the driver's seat. Aliana had run out ahead on foot; Chalker on horseback soon caught up and, with a peculiar smile on his face, offered her a ride. Glaring at him, she answered, "We have something to talk about later." She took his hand and swung herself up on the saddle behind him.

Ahead of them are at least a hundred orcs fighting a force of maybe 15 humans. There is a very thick rope stretched across the river, either blocking passage or providing a way across. Aliana locks her left arm around Chalker's waist, swinging her sword in her right hand as Chalker rides into the orcs.

Runis shouts from the wagon, "The temple is destroyed, and you're next! Save the orcs, I want some of 'em!" Jinto, riding behind the wagon, casts a Dexterity spell upon himself (critical success), and starts throwing Lightning when he gets within range.

Aliana espies a wounded human being hard-pressed by the orcs. She leaps acrobatically from Chalker's horse to go to the man's defense.

Josh slews the wagon around, broadsiding several orcs as he does so. Runis leaps from the wagon into the fray, smashing an orc to the ground with his shield. "Aw, stand up!"

Rory looks behind us. The temple continues to collapse. He sees a robed orc, struck by Jinto's lightning, regain his feet, trace the symbol of Asseraah, and start a wailing chant. Rory draws his magic sword and charges the shaman, who glares at him with hate-filled eyes.

Chalker reaches the rope stretched across the river and starts hacking at it. Upriver he can see a grounded flatboat; there's something peculiar about its tiller.

Rory cries out "Magic sword, stab him!" He strikes the orc shaman, whose chant becomes a scream as the sword severs his hand.

Runis makes up a new term, "d'orc" meaning "dead orc". He happily styles himself "D'orcmaker" as he bellows an improvised song and continues to bash and chop.

Rory stabs the shaman through the upper chest, killing the orc. At this, the morale of the remaining orcs seems to crumble. Over a hundred orcs flee, leaving sixty or so dead. Runis tears eight different types of insignia from the d'orcs.

Some of the humans express gratitude to Aliana as they tend to their wounded comrade. She cleans her sword on an orc cloak, resheathes it, and goes looking for her horse.

A tall man, dressed like a bard and wearing a starburst insignia, approaches Chalker and Jinto. Chalker recognizes him as Quyllen Sackneson, known as Starsinger. The bard is wearing two magic rings and carrying a magic staff. Chalker can see he wears the symbols of the gods Cor and Mensep. He introduces himself and his mercenary leader -- a broad-shouldered man called Proudstar -- and thanks them for their help. He asks who their leader is, and Chalker points out Josh.

"Your companion saved Neal's life," Starsinger says; Neal is being given healing potions and will survive despite his serious injuries. "You six destroyed the temple?"

Starsinger explains that he hired the mercenaries to accompany him as he explores the north lands. They didn't know about the war until they reached Silene, and then they hurried to get out of its path. They plan to follow the river northward and see where it takes them. Their flatboat has a magic tiller that enables it to sail upriver -- "a gift from a rich benefactor." (At this, Chalker recalls rumors that Starsinger had spent much time in the court of Bicarn in the last several months.)

Starsinger recognizes Chalker's accent and tells him, "I've been to your country." Chalker quickly changes the subject.

Starsinger wants to see the fallen temple. Chalker asks, "You haven't made Asseraah angry, have you?" and advises him to be very cautious, as the temple is still collapsing.

Chalker, Jinto, Runis, and Rory regroup with Josh. Chalker says to Josh, "Well, it appears we're done with this job, but this time we don't have a castle to stay in. Where should we go?" Josh lists three possibilities: a guild stirring up trouble in the Coastal Kingdoms; an evil kingdom to the north; and trouble in Alpina. Josh adds quickly that Enigma only offers these as suggestions, leaving it up to "the locals" to "determine their priorities."

Jinto remarks that the powerpoint will conceal them from orcs, so we can camp there for the night. "Maybe Aliana is waiting there."

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