Sapphire:Sessions:20031108

November 8, 2003
GM: Bobby J.

First adventure for our new TL3 fantasy characters, set in the world of Erethel. We begin in the coastal kingdom of Tydeil, where five people are "just passing through":

• Runis Silverear - dwarven bard
• Jinto Salvatore - elven mage and scribe
• Chalker Jackson - human with the power of magnetism
• Aliana - mysterious cloaked female
• Josh Andrews - human cowboy. Nope, he's not new; he's here recruiting for a mission.

[November 22, 2003]

Our crew made good time to Crossroads with no sign of bandits. The only sniff of trouble was when Simon Tardartin, the Factor, chose to bypass a certain "wide spot in the road" rather than have lunch at the inn there; a few of us noticed some of the patrons giving the Factor some dirty looks. We set up camp at Crossroads. The Factor seemed anxious until Taver's wagon arrived and the cargo was transferred to our wagon. As evening approached, Chalker suggested a watch schedule with three shifts.

Well into the second watch, Chalker noticed two orcs, one carrying a crossbow, outside the perimeter fires to the north, studying our camp. Quietly Chalker began arousing the camp. Aliana slipped off into the woods. The orc with the crossbow began moving away northward; she followed him to a clearing. About two dozen orcs were listening to a goblin mage who was fingering a magical amulet at his throat. The goblin gave orders to attack the camp, take the thing they had come to get, hold the elf for questioning, and kill everyone else. Not waiting to hear more, Aliana rushed back to camp.

Meanwhile, Josh and Chalker had subdued the other orc spy and hauled him into camp for questioning. When the spy refused to cooperate, Chalker invited Runis to kill the orc; however, the dwarf refused to slay an enemy who was bound and disarmed. Aliana hurried up and breathlessly told of the imminent attack by the goblin and "about 20" orcs. The spy laughed at this report, though we didn't know why until later...

In a brief strategy meeting, the group decided that the teamsters should remain to defend the camp while the rest went out to intercept the orcs. Runis, wearing chainmail and shield and wielding an axe, marched away from camp singing a battle song about killing orcs. Josh went with him. Jinto, Chalker, and Aliana moved off into the darkness.

The good guys soon realized that they were opposed by *two* companies of about two dozen orcs, each led by a goblin mage. Runis shouted tauntingly, "Stupid orcs that can't even govern themselves -- and have to be led by a goblin!" At this, two squads of orcs charged the dwarf and his companion. Josh fired his crossbow once, striking an orc. At this Runis cried, "By the gods, a fine shot! We'll get that one back!" Josh drew his sword to meet the onslaught.

Chalker began using his special power to magnetize the orcs' weapons, causing them to do unpredictable things. Suddenly belt knives would fly out of scabbards and cling to a sword blade, and sword blades stuck to each other with a clang.

Jinto cast a spell upon himself which he had prepared ahead of time, and proceeded to demonstrate his skill as a swordsman and fencer. Aliana leapt from the shadows and slashed the throat of the nearest goblin, who in the next instant Jinto stabbed in the vitals.

To the good guys, battling against overwhelming odds, the battle seemed to go on for hours, though objectively it lasted only minutes. Alternating between axe blow and shield bash, Runis chopped and smashed and shouted his way through the orcs. Jinto slashed and cut and parried with exquisite grace and skill. Chalker wielded his magnetic powers, and swords were flying everywhere. Josh wished he had the use of his pistols, but he acquitted himself very well with the sword. Aliana's long knife flashed as she stabbed mainly at throats and spines.

The goblin, who had built up a large fireball, finally hurled it, striking Runis squarely in the chest, then began muttering as if preparing another spell. Runis strode inexorably forward and smashed the goblin with his shield. The goblin edged away from Runis and started muttering again, and now Runis' axe hewed off the goblin's right arm.

The goblin turned to flee. Seeing this, the morale of the remaining orcs crumbled. Runis shouted after them, "Run, cowards, run!" Runis, Jinto, Josh, and Aliana each pursued the fleeing orcs for a short time. Meanwhile, Chalker ran back to Crossroads and found that fifteen orcs had attacked the camp.

[December 6, 2003]

While the others chased after the fleeing orcs, Chalker raced back to camp. Taver was on the ground trying to bind his ankle (his foot had been severed), and his driver Blaine lay dead. Tardartin's driver had chained several horses together and was directing them to trample the orcs. Chalker helped kill and drive away the rest of the orcs.

Everyone gathered at the camp and wounds were bandaged. The dead orcs were left for the scavengers. Josh and Aliana stood watch until daybreak.

With the remaining goblin mage tied up so that he couldn't cast spells, Jinto made the top of his head itch. After Chalker and Jinto enjoyed breakfast, they began questioning the squirming goblin. Jinto scratched the goblin's head and relieved the itch, which may have made the goblin more amenable to answering questions. The goblin gave his name as Soto and claimed that he, the other goblin (Tinden), and the orcs were on a recon assignment. (As Chalker commented, however, "Two goblins make a recon. Two goblins plus fifty orcs does not make a recon.") Soto was under a painful compulsion not to tell who he was working for, but he was able to convey that it was a priest of Asseraah. He also said that "the Elves are always interesting," and Jinto mentioned that he had heard rumors of war.

Chalker and Jinto couldn't decide what to do with Soto. It didn't seem right just to kill him, but letting him go was asking for trouble. Jinto pulled out a coin and, with a prayer to Zeph, flipped it. The coin came up heads, indicating they should spare the goblin's life. Aliana walked over, uttered a few arcane words, and touched Soto's head, and Soto promptly fell asleep.

Although the goblin had spoken of "getting the item we came for," Simon Tardartin protested that he carried no cargo that anyone should be particularly interested in.

Aliana protested to Josh Andrews that she had not hired on to fight battles. Josh responded "life is dangerous" but after several of the others chimed in, he decided they might be entitled to an unspecified amount of hazard pay. He also agreed to pay all medical expenses for the remainder of the "mission". Josh mentioned that he was unaccustomed to keeping track of payment and expenses, and that later he would talk about having us hire on with his "boss".

Tardartin's caravan headed north out of Crossroads, and after a few days' travel arrived at Brayson, more of a trading post than a town. Things were peaceful, though there did seem to be more guards around than necessary. The group stayed for a full day, long enough to do some shopping and for Aliana to get some arm and leg armor made.

After several more days the caravan arrived at Twin Forks. There was a very noticeable contingent of guards here.

[January 3, 2004]

We begin in the mid-afternoon of the 2nd day of the month of Long Days (June). Chalker has just released Dannon, a thug who tried to attack him, telling him "Go tell Arthur that Jinto is coming." Chalker walks into a nearby tavern, the Red Bucket, which is a soldiers' hangout. The place is pretty busy, and Chalker sits himself down at a table right in the middle of the room. He orders bread, cheese, and two mugs of mead. He soon espies a sergeant in the corner, goes over to him, and gives him the second mug of mead. Master Sergeant Tal Barkley explains that the reason for the expanded garrison is increased bandit activity along the border. Chalker says he is with a "fellowship" accompanying Simon Tardartin. Barkley is interested in Chalker's report that they ran into a large orc party, and impressed that so few people were able to deal with the orcs. Barkley will pass the word up the line about the orcs.

Aliana slips into the tavern and comes up to Chalker. She is fidgety. She tells him she was followed but gave them the slip. When Chalker says he was accosted, too, Aliana says they should tell Josh Andrews. Perhaps they've been singled out because they are associated with Tardartin. Chalker takes the bread and cheese he'd ordered and gives them to Barkley before leaving with Aliana.

Chalker and Aliana find Josh at the stables and tell him of the attacks. Josh also makes the inference that they have something to do with Tardartin. He says Tardartin is at the Merchants' Guild, and the three head that way.

Runis sees Jinto doing scribe's work, translating a document from Elvish. He notices a suspicious, scruffy human in line. Runis gets in line. Jinto notices that the scruffy man's coin pouch contains rocks(?). He has a tattoo on the back of his hand, a Thieves' Guild mark. He doesn't act nervous, but he does seem intent.

The next woman in line addresses Jinto in accented Elvish (though she is not an elf), introduces herself as Lady Dian Alson, and invites him to dinner; he reluctantly declines. She asks him to write out an invitation to Sa'tire Belandrie. Jinto recognizes the name of a famous Elven Mage/Fighter of high rank.

In Dwarvish, Jinto says "watch the scruffy one" and Runis nods. There is an altercation going on at another booth involving 4-5 soldiers, just as the scruffy man steps up to Jinto. He hands Jinto a paper and asks him to read it to him. It reads, "Meet me tonight at warehouse so we can finalize the deal." He dictates a reply, "Will be there on time with full payment." Runis thinks the man is listening for something. Jinto studies the five coppers the man extends to him, then casts Spasm (under cover of a sneeze). The man drops the coppers, glances at his pouch, and cries, "I've been robbed! This elf took my money!" Runis clamps an iron hand on Scruffy's arm, and Scruffy begins accusing him too, so Runis gets hold of another patron as a witness.

Guards arrive in response to the commotion. They recognize "Scruffy" as a two-bit lunk named Pidel. "Who would be dumb enough to give *you* money?" one of the guards jeers. Runis turns Pidel's arm, and a guard slits his sleeve to reveal the tattoo. Pidel mumbles, "I just don't like elves!" and Runis replies, "Me either. You just weren't smart enough to bribe the right guards!" Jinto writes out a statement and gives it to a guard. Runis pulls Pidel's dagger and gives it to a guard. Runis follows the guards as they march Pidel away.

At the doors of the Merchants' Guild, Josh presents a token that gains them entrance. He leads Chalker and Aliana through the mazelike interior with confidence. Josh gives a page a copper to take a message in to Tardartin. Chalker and Aliana notice four spyholes; one is 'empty' but radiates magic.

Runis sees that the guards really do take Pidel to the lockup. He points out to the guards that Pidel and another thug, Vernley, were working in cahoots. He mentions "fifty orcs at Crossroads."

Tardartin pays for a meeting room that is protected against magic, and is given a magical figurine. Chalker immediately asks him, "Who's Arthur?" Tardartin doesn't know, but will find out. It is decided that they need to check on Jinto, Runis, and Talro. Talro has a lady in town named Alice, but Tardartin doesn't know her address. He gives Merchants' Guild passes to Aliana and Chalker.

Jinto pays a visit to an Elven home. There are only 8 or so elven families in Twin Forks. "Interesting times are approaching."

After Aliana buys herself some riding gloves, she and Chalker go looking for Jinto. They find him leaving the Elven home. The three of them start checking bordellos (at Aliana's suggestion) and soon locate Talro. Chalker fills Talro in on the situation, and gives the madam 5 coppiers to send word to him if Talro gets in any trouble.

Jinto buys some tobacco, though what he can find is not of good quality, as supplies have been disrupted.

They reach the inn; Runis is there, and Tardartin soon arrives. "Arthur" is a mid-level broker (fixer) and a provisional member of the Thieves' Guild. He has been in town about three weeks. The Guild is nervous around him, possibly in part because of the relic of Asserrah he wears. He has been hiring people around town.

Jinto feels a glow from his "pager" stone; it is time to return to the elf house. Aliana shadows him. Chalker and Runis go look for Arthur.

Aliana waits concealed outside while Jinto meets with the Wise One. The latter is aware of Jinto's "friend"; Jinto explains she is shy and will not want to come in. Jinto tells about the attack by the orcs and goblins. WO says "There is unrest in the human kingdoms." He has recently come from the Calventine Empire. He shows two powerful artifacts to Jinto, and offers him the use of his choice. Jinto's knowledge of history and the occult tell him that the items are the Sapphire Diamond (created by Solash to aid the Calventine Empire) and the Green Lantern (an object of power not associated with any particular god). Jinto chooses the diamond. The Wise One says there is strife among the gods to determine who will lead them for the next eon. Jinto describes his companions to the Wise One.

Outside, Aliana sees someone try to sneak over the wall to the Elven house. The person starts to scream, then vanishes.

Chalker and Runis come to the street corner where a "bigwig" named Danal hangs out. (Danal: "I thought elves and dwarves didn't like each other!" Chalker: "They both like me." Runis: *snicker*) After some negotiation, Chalker gives Danal 3 silver to locate Arthur. Before too long a minion named Carl leads them to a ramshackle two-story building.

Runis, with no thought (or possiblity) of stealth, runs *through* the front door and up the front stairs, singing a song about nasty goblins. Chalker goes more quietly up the back stairs. Runis confronts Arthur and swings his axe; Arthur parries with a pair of double-edged shortswords. Arthur says nastily, "Santash will be unhappy tonight," and he and Runis go at it. Runis realizes that Arthur is very good with the swords, so he quickly changes tactics with a slam attack and a head butt. Arthur collapses, unconscious. Meanwhile Chalker slashes up a couple of goons, then steps aside to let them flee.

Runis grabs Arthur's amulet and slides it across the floor to Chalker, who uses his power on it. They find several bags of money, and Chalker finds a parchment written in a human language he can't read. They rouse Arthur back to consciousness (rather roughly). Arthur kind of admits having sent the orcs, but claims he didn't send any goblins; he thought Tardartin was easy pickings. "The Tardin's quest must not succeed -- the Guild will make you pay." He will not say the name of his guild; "your filthy ears are not fit to hear it." Chalker, with clairvoyance, sees something embedded at the base of Arthur's skull. Suddenly he and Runis notice Arthur's two swords floating through the air. Chalker immobilizes one sword, and Runis strikes at the other, spinning it 180 degrees. Chalker pokes the sword at Arthur, who begins a chant (or prayer?). Chalker smacks Arthur and he stops chanting. Runis flips Arthur face down, then with a prayer to Santash for mercy, splits open Arthur's skull and removes the small stone. It is about the size of a lima bean, and bears the sign of Asseraah. Runis displays Arthur's severed head to the watcher in the street. The two swords are extremely high-quality with ornate sheaths.

Jinto emerges from his talk with the Wise One and tells Aliana about the godstrife and the artifacts.

Runis and Chalker sell 500 markers they found at Arthur's place to Danal for a tidy sum, which they split.

Runis, Chalker, Jinto, Aliana, and Josh all reach the inn and go up to Josh's room. Arthur's stone is seen to be magic, and his amulet shows clerical magic of Asseraah. Jinto says the group will recover artifacts of the gods and use them in the struggle. He shows the others the Sapphire Diamond, and says that the other two artifacts are a Green Lantern and a Lucky Coin.

Chalker gazes into the Sapphire Diamond. He perceives something flitting around inside it like a living thing. He is given to know that each person in the room will use the Diamond, but not who it is meant for.

[January 17, 2004]

Runis and Chalker split 200 copper pieces with the group (40 apiece). Chalker tells Runis he could see the bean in Arthur's head because he wanted to. Jinto analyzes the amulet taken off of Arthur, drawing on the power of the Sapphire Diamond. The amulet is a locator beacon and communications device, and enhances a different attribute of its user every 24 hours (so possibly Arthur had increased dexterity). It also bears a corrupting spell to turn the user toward Asseraah.

Jinto smashes the amulet with his sword hilt. The amulet turns to a pile of dust and melted metal. Jinto feels 'disconcerted'.

Runis cleans the gore off his armor... in the common room. Other people give him lots of space. He picks one of Arthur's teeth out of his chain coif.

Next morning, Runis picks up his repaired shield from the dwarven blacksmith. He tells the smith to inform anyone who owes Arthur money that they don't owe him anymore.

Jinto comes to breakfast and tells the others about the amulet. Josh wonders aloud whether "someone" should check on Tardartin, whereupon Aliana reminds Josh that *he* is Tardartin's bodyguard. Josh heads for the Merchants' Guild.

Talro arrives at the stables, tired but happy, about the same time the rest of the group does. Josh arrives with Tardartin about 9:00am. As we leave Twin Forks, Chalker hands Jinto the 'bean' that had been implanted in Arthur's skull.

The River Road runs generally north. There is quite a bit of traffic today (Long Days [June] 3), including a mounted patrol of 12 that rides past. We have an estimated 5-7 days' travel to reach Silene. The weather is overcast.

Jinto, casting through the Diamond, learns that the 'bean' linked Arthur's mind to his two swords. (The swords are virtually shatterproof and do magically enhanced damage.) The bean is also a 'beacon' to allow possession/body swapping. Jinto experiences the strange sensation of discontinuity again, this time stronger. Runis notices Jinto staring vacantly at the sword.

There is some discussion as to whether or not to destroy the bean. Some think its destruction will bring unwanted attention to our group. In the end, Jinto smashes it; those watching closely see the bean vaporize an instant before Jinto actually strikes it. Chalker gives one of Arthur's swords to Jinto and keeps the other.

Late in the afternoon, the group arrives at a camping area. Several other groups are already here, setting up. Runis remarks, "If fifty orcs show up this time -- there won't be enough to go around." Josh and Talro set up camp; Aliana waters the horses; Chalker sets our perimeter. Three watches are set for the evening: Talro; Runis and Josh; Aliana and Chalker.

Runis visits some of the other camps to drink and sing and converse. He shows around the orc insignia; one man recognizes one of the insignia, having seen it many days ago to the north of here.

The first two watches are uneventful. Chalker and Aliana converse during their watch. Both of them notice a shadowy figure moving along their camp's perimeter, but then lose sight of it. A little time later, the figure briefly appears again near the horses. Chalker immediately gives chase, and the man flees into the woods. The man is about six feet tall and wears dark clothes, a sheathed sword on his back, and a belt knife.

Chalker gains slowly on the fleeing man, even though they have to cross a creek, and the latter swings himself up into a tree. As the man attempts to climb among the branches, Chalker uses his power to drag on the man's sword and unbalance him. As they both hang in the tree, trying to knock each other loose, Chalker's power draws out the man's belt knife and levels it between the man's eyes. Then Chalker hears the slight sound of a longbow being drawn, and two arrows fly at him.

Meanwhile, Aliana finds a footprint near the horses. She checks her horse's hooves and finds a pebble in its shoe. She awakens Josh, then springs into the woods after Chalker.

The man falls from the tree; Chalker kneels on him and punches him out. He picks up the man and begins dragging him backward, well aware of the bowmen still out there. As Chalker wades with his burden across the stream, Aliana comes up behind one of the bowman just as he looses his arrow and strikes Chalker in the thigh. Aliana yanks the bowman's head back and slashes his throat. She then moves around to where the other bowman was, finding only a quiver, which she takes.

Runis goes out to meet Chalker and carry the unconscious man back to camp. Runis recognizes the man as having been part of a group of adventurers he had talked with earlier. Jinto notices there are four people missing from that group, and one from another.

Jinto tries to remove the arrow from Chalker's thigh. Unfortunately, his first cut goes astray, adding another gash.

Runis drags the unconscious man to another camp, followed by Chalker and Jinto. The leader of that group introduces himself as Banyan Tyler, and identifies the unconscious guy as Verrarid. The three absent members are Thyden (the young woman who had welcomed Runis earlier), Cedar, and Arib (a hunter). Tyler says "the thief is impulsive" and denies prior knowledge of their actions.

Runis goes over and questions a half-elf in a nearby camp, who has recently returned from the woods. The half-elf says he found one dead bowman and saw "the girl" heading north.

Chalker revives Verrarid roughly. Verrarid claims he had simply come to rob the group, but found nothing in the wagon to steal. He says Thyden is "tricky" and came up with the backup plan. He also says the whole group was in on it. Tyler quickly says he's lying, that Arib was infatuated with Thyden and would do anything she wanted. Verrarid blames his "malicious streak" for trying to lame their horses, and blames Thyden for wanting to rob the group in the first place.

Jinto touches Verrarid and prays to Solash that Verrarid can only speak the truth from now on. Power flows from the Diamond through Jinto into Verrarid. Verrarid says Thyden was given operational authority; Thyden never does anything unless Banyan tells her to; "We only knew as much as Banyan would tell us;" the plan was to slow the group down and pick us off one by one; "Isn't that what we were paid to do, Banyan?" Tyler mutters something rude about mages.

Runis asks, "Who was it that set you on us?" Tyler says, "It was just a contract." Chalker uses his power to pull Tyler's sword; Tyler calls out, "Whoa, let's talk!" He claims that Arthur hired them on the 1st of the month. The idea was to slow us down, then evaluate our camp the next night. They would receive the other part of their payment in Silene, from a contact wearing an amulet of Asseraah.

Chalker asks, "Do you feel obliged to fulfill your contract now?" Tyler replies, "I have no desire to fight you." He is offended by someone's remark, saying "We're not bandits," to which Jinto responds, "No, you're murderers for hire."

Chalker stabs Verrarid in the thigh twice -- once for himself, once for trying to lame the horses.

Runis suggests that Tyler and his people accompany us to Silene. Tyler wants to talk payment. Chalker tells him to give up their weapons. Tyler protests. Jinto throws a Force Dome over them. They disarm.

Runis remarks to Cedar, "Elves are really bad."

Many of their weapons are magic. Runis remarks, "No wonder they couldn't give us their money. They already spent it."

Aliana had overheard that Thyden had headed north, and gone off in pursuit. She eventually spots Thyden jogging along the road. Aliana tackles her, ties her up, and marches her back to camp.

The half-elf (Edalenidd) from the other group offers to deliver Tyler's group somewhere, for a small fee. Tyler's cash has been found, and Chalker tells Tyler he can keep 1/4th of it "so you can maybe buy your lives." Chalker keeps 1/2 the money (10 gold, which he later divides with his group) and gives 1/4 (50 silver) and six of Tyler's group's horses to Edalenidd. Jinto claims the best of the horses, remarking that it's time he learned how to ride. Runis suggests that Edalenidd take the bunch back to Twin Forks and turn them over to Danal, "compliments of the dwarf and the other guy."

Aliana comes in with Thyden. Chalker stabs Thyden in the calf.

Aliana and Josh go check on the bowman, Arib. He is indeed dead. Aliana takes his bow and quiver. They cover the body as best they can.

Next morning as the group hits the road, Aliana asks if we couldn't just bypass Silene. Talro says he knows a way.

It begins to rain on Long Days 4, and the weather worsens on the 5th. Travel gets a little easier on the 6th and 7th, and at the end of Long Days 7 the group camps beside the road.

[January 31, 2004]

Long Days (June) 8 brings a sky with scattered clouds and partial sun. Jinto begins taking riding lessons from Josh. After about three hours' journey, we leave the main road and turn to the north-northeast, which will allow us to bypass the city of Silene. At noon we stop for lunch near a brook, about three miles from the Bicarn-Pitern border. Not long after we resume, Aliana notices a game trail leading off the path, and something hidden there. It appears to be a military supply cache covered with tarps. The boot tracks that haven't entirely been eradicated by recent rains indicate that someone was there about five days ago.

We cross the border into Pitern without fanfare or incident. Around 4:00pm we emerge from a narrow trail onto a two-lane road, and turn east. At this point we are 17-20 miles from our destination.

Tardartin reveals a bit more information. He had paid a seeress, who told him that the goods we seek are being held in a small keep, with a three-story tower, manor house, and a couple of outbuildings. The goods had come from a kingdom to the north (which Tardartin did not name) and were being transported to the coastal town of Patire on their way to the Calventine Empire. The caravan was ambushed by a large, well-armed force consisting of mainly humans.

Tardartin brings what looks like a copper coin out of his pouch and flips it to Jinto. The coin is magical and will identify the items. On one side is the symbol of the Calventine Empire surrounded by five unknown symbols; five empty circles are on the other side.

Tardartin reveals that the seeress told him he would have a better chance of retaking the items with a small force than a large one.

In answer to a question from Runis, Tardartin says at least three of the items are aspected toward certain gods -- Solash, Yasseph, and Santash. Runis suggests that the theft may not have been politically motivated after all, and may instead be related to the godstrife.

We stop for the night at an inn in a small town. The town has temples to the gods of Earth and Healing, and shrines to the other First Chosen (minimal for Chaos and Pain/Insanity). Jinto visits the shrines for Solash and Yasseph. Runis listens for gossip. Chalker walks about the town. Aliana sleeps on the inn's peaked roof so as to be able to hear if anyone comes into the town.

We set off a little after sunrise on Long Days 9, the 20th day of our journey. Runis wonders aloud if the priest of Asseraah is looking for us; we decide probably not (and if so, probably in the wrong place).

Around 11:00 we come to a small farming hamlet, which Talro says is the last one before the keep. Runis wants to ask the merchant about supplies to the keep. Chalker "the Talker" goes in. The merchant is low on supplies -- a couple of guys from the East bought stuff a few days ago, enough for a medium-sized family. There were two men and a woman, probably starting a new homestead. They weren't very talkative, and one of them men looked "a little rough". The Royal Pitern patrols only come through here a few times a month, and there is an old abandoned fort directly to the south. Chalker buys a short bow, arrows, and a wheel of hard cheese. He walks out with his booty -- and the stuff he bought.

We set off again. Around noon we pass a new-looking trail that leads NNE, possibly to a new town. We continue eastward. About 40 minutes later we find a road that leads off directly south; it has been camouflaged to look less-used, but we can see it has been significantly used by wagons, horses, and feet. We observe no sentries, human or magical, as we pass.

A mile beyond, Talro pulls the wagon off the road and parks it well into (medium-dense) woods near a stream, about 75 yards off the main road.

Jinto reaches for the Sapphire Diamond -- and it's gone! Chalker checks, and now he is wearing it. Chalker looks into the Diamond and asks where the artifacts are. He feels a 'discontinuity', then it is as if his viewpoint is "riding a sunbeam" as it arcs high into the air and back down. He sees from a bird's-eye view a circular building, a rectangular building, and two outbuildings. As his viewpoint draws closer, these resolve into a corral, barn, and tower. There is a man atop the tower, and another walking around near the corral. There are about a dozen horses in the corral, and one wagon near the barn. The woods come within about 20 yards of the rectangular building, and about 40 yards of the tower. Hills about 3/4 mile away overlook the tower. Chalker borrows paper from Jinto and sketches the area.

Then Chalker borrows the copper coin from Jinto. "What do the five symbols on the coin mean?" Chalker immediately utters five phrases in an unknown language. Jinto recalls from history that the language is of a high-level magical human empire, the Venettian, which existed 5000 years ago.

Josh understood the five phrases ("It's a knack I have") but when he tries to translate them for the others, he cannot articulate or even write the words. "Enigma said I should keep a low profile," he shrugs.

Again gazing into the Diamond, Chalker repeats the first phrase. The flickering pattern changes, like a kaleidoscope. The second phrase causes a shift in the pattern. With the third phrase, Chalker sees a chest in a room with a desk, levers and pulleys, crystals, and a robed goblin standing over it. The stone walls are straight, and one wall bears inscriptions in Venettian. There is no obvious door. There is a glowing sheen over the entire scene, and some of the crystals are glowing. Chalker feels a sense of danger, then he feels "pushed out".

Meanwhile, Jinto plans to cast the Flying Carpet spell to get us quickly to the keep. He suggests using the false bottom of the wagon as his "carpet"; both Tardartin and Talro look shocked that he knows about it. Talro fetches a canvas instead.

Chalker tells the Diamond to tell him how many people are between us and the keep. It reveals a single orc in the woods. The orc is young and strong, armored in field plate, bearing a shortsword and shield, and with a magic dagger on his belt.

Chalker stealths 100 yards into the woods, but finds no one. He returns, then utters the 4th phrase into the diamond. He gets a view of an alchemy lab. The person working in it is wearing a red cloak over black pants and shirt; he appears to be in his mid-30s, medium height, with long wavy hair and green eyes. The man is wearing a silver bracelet, which Chalker is given to know is the fourth item. After he is "pushed out", Chalker gets quite nauseated and throws up.

The fifth item is a small box in an alcove between two stone (closed) archways. Gold wires lead from the box to the archways. This time upon leaving the vision, Chalker passes out. Runis throws a blanket over him, and Aliana puts a bolster under his head.

An hour later Chalker wakes up. The Diamond is gone. Jinto doesn't have it. "Aliana, do you have the Diamond?" "I don't want to know." Chalker describes the visions he saw; Jinto recognizes the Gateways.

A little after dusk falls, Runis awakens and ascertains that he isn't wearing the Diamond. Aliana removes it from around her neck and hands it to Jinto.

Talro and Tardartin will stay with the wagon. Aliana instructs them that if anyone comes back other than us, run.

Jinto, holding the Diamond, prays to Solash and Yasseph and casts his spell. The Diamond sparkles and glows, and *something* draws energy from Runis, Chalker, Aliana, and Josh. All but Josh feel connected to one another through the "carpet". We rise into the air and head for the keep.

Atop the tower is a goblin looking out over the stables and the road. He is clad in soft leather armor and is carrying a longbow and broadsword. He walks to a different part of the tower every few minutes. He seems to be scanning to treetop level but no higher, so he doesn't see us. We also see a human male hiding in the woods near the road.

Chalker and Josh simultaneously fire their crossbows. Both strike the vitals, and the goblin dies instantly.

We land on the roof. Jinto hands the goblin's broadsword to Josh. Chalker locates the trapdoor, which is slightly camouflaged. He stares through it with clairvoyance and sees a ladder leading down. Runis pulls open the trapdoor and starts down first.

The uppermost level consists mainly of a huge alchemy lab which contains a large glass "window" into darkness, a seating gallery with a similar window, and a bedroom. A stairway leads down.

Aliana moves silently down to the next level. She can hear a small animal, possibly a dog, moving about in the next room. Chalker with clairvoyance sees the dog pacing near the door, wearing a spiked collar. Aliana casts a Silence spell, and Chalker uses his magnetic power on the collar to strangle the dog. This room appears to be an officer's quarters. Papers in the room indicate that there are 12 beings in the keep -- four orcs, five humans, three goblins -- and that this place started to be set up three months ago, the "goods" were delivered four weeks ago, and the "researchers" have arrived.

Aliana opens two other doors on the level, which lead to storage closets. Runis finds a wall across the ring corridor with a door in it; Chalker joins him, looks through the door, and sees wires attached to a flywheel such that if the door is opened, the wires go slack and release the flywheel, which hurls some sort of powder. Working very meticulously, Chalker maintains tension on the wires while he opens the door. (Runis, who only sees Chalker staring intently at the door, asks "Are you all right?" Chalker: "There's a trap in the room. I'm trying not to die.") Chalker uses a wire to jam the flywheel, and notices that the other wire leads to a crossbow mounted on a tripod.

This room is a very fancy bedchamber with a four-poster bed. Behind a curtain on one wall is another of the dark glass windows. Jinto looks through the Diamond through the window; a beam of light emerges and lights upon a dresser drawer. Jinto opens the drawer and finds an ebony wand. Chalker pulls out the copper coin, and one of the spots is now filled. Aliana takes the opportunity to slip a jewel case from the dresser into her pouch.

Aliana goes downstairs. She can hear two male voices arguing; one sounds like an orc. They are arguing over the duty roster. The mercenaries need to get ready because the mages are about to do something.

[February 14, 2004]

Aliana, listening closely, thinks she hears at least three people: an orc and a goblin talking, and someone else moving around. Then a female voice barks, "We're already late -- get a move on, you jackasses." Aliana and Chalker charge through the barracks door, surprising the woman (a tall, muscular human female wielding a morningstar). Aliana grabs hold of the woman's hair, yanks her head back, and slashes her throat. The woman fights back, but Aliana's dagger finds her heart.

The goblin charges toward the intruders, drawing his sword, while the orc exits through another door and starts shouting an alarm. Runis shouts to the others "take the orc" as he attacks the goblin with shield-bash and axe-blow. Within seconds the goblin screams for mercy, throwing down his sword. Runis knocks him out with a shield to the face and starts tying him up. Meanwhile, Chalker slashes the orc's legs, preventing him from running, and stabs him in the mouth to stop him screaming. Between them Chalker and Jinto (using Shocking Grasp as well as his sword) finish off the orc.

Jinto, with his "eagle ears", can hear people moving around in the manor house, but they don't seem to have heard the alarm. The group takes time to block a few doors before moving up to the manor house.

About 20 feet behind the door, Jinto hears someone, a goblin by its accent, in ringmail muttering "Where are those jerkoffs?" Chalker and Josh ready their crossbows, open the door, step around it, and fire in sync; the goblin drops dead.

The group does some hurried exploration, finding darkened rooms with rich furnishings. Jinto raises the Sapphire Diamond and intones, "Show me the way to the ceremony." A beam of light flashes down a corridor, around a corner, and up a flight of stairs. Following this path leads the group past a large library; Jinto gazes around it longingly, but continues on.

Jinto and Aliana can hear chanting in an unknown language. Runis peeks around a corner and there, down a wide corridor, stand two large orcs in scale mail, one armed with a bastard sword (Orc 1), the other with a shortsword and small shield (Orc 2). Twelve feet behind them is a man in hard leather, wielding a battleaxe. Runis steps out, shouts "Hello, boys, come and get me!" and steps back around the corner. But the guards don't come, and the chanting continues. Chalker and Josh step out and fire their crossbows, both striking the orc with the big sword, and the fight is on.

As the group charges forward, Aliana spots an orc (Orc 3) in scale mail, hidden down a dark corridor. She veers off and engages him. Josh follows, but the corridor is so dark he can't see anything, so he goes and grabs a torch.

Runis runs right between the two orcs, heading straight for the human. Orc 2 yells the name "Dendave!" Jinto attacks Orc 2 and is parried... but his Shocking Grasp spell still delivers a mighty jolt. Orc 1 thrusts at Jinto, but Chalker with his power yanks the orc's sword out of his hand where it hovers in midair. Dendave turns and runs away from Runis.

Jinto strikes Orc 1 in the arm. Orc 1 draws a magic dagger. Dendave keeps running, veering to the right out of Runis' sight. Runis arrives at a bend in the corridor; three yards away guarding a door is another male human (H2) in scale mail with a shield and broadsword. Chalker drives the hovering sword into Orc 2's boot.

Jinto strikes Orc 1 in the chest with sword and Shocking Grasp. Runis cruises in, ready to fight; Dendave swings and Runis parries. A shield bash from Orc 2 brushes off of Jinto's armor. Chalker attacks Orc 2, who blocks with his shield... but the shield breaks.

Jinto hits Orc 1 in the brain and kills him. Orc 2 swings at Jinto but misses. Dendave attacks and Runis blocks with his shield. Chalker stabs Orc 2 in the vitals. Runis chops as H2 but it glances off the man's armor.

Jinto manages to hit Orc 2 in the foot. Dendave and H2 swing at Runis but do no harm. Jinto notices another human male (H3) armored in soft leather sneaking up behind Runis and shouts a warning. Runis bashes H2. Chalker and Orc 2 are fighting.

Jinto impales H3 in the vitals, but H3 seems to shrug off the pain. Runis' axe glances off H2's armor, and Dendave's swing clangs off Runis' armor. H2 swings wildly at Jinto and misses.

Chalker gets in a heavy blow to the vitals, and Orc 2 dies. H3 tries to chop through Runis' shield, but Runis turns and he misses. Dendave's thrust clangs off of Runis' armor. Runis rewards H3 with a bash to the vitals, and H3 falls.

Runis and Dendave parry each other. Chalker sees Jinto fighting and hears Runis around the corner, and he runs up behind Runis.

Jinto casts Shocking Grasp, then kills H2 with a strike to the chest. Runis' bash skids off of Dendave's armor, and Runis in turn parries Dendave.

Chalker uses his power and is able to twist Dendave's helm slightly. Runis invites Dendave: "Care to run?" Dendave tenses, so Runis swings and Dendave parries, then Dendave swings and clangs off Runis' armor.

Aliana and Josh have finished off Orc 3, and as Aliana administers the coup de grace, both she and Jinto can hear the chanting reaching a crescendo. Chalker twists the helm around so it covers Dendave's eyes, then Jinto fells him with a swing to the vitals. Jinto shouts "Open the door, Runis!" and the dwarf begins bashing at the lock. Jinto tries to cast Dispel Magic at the nearest of the four chanters he hears inside the room, but something counters his spell.

With Runis' second bash, wood splinters, the lock shatters, and the door flies open. The room is very well lit with glowing crystals; rising power fills the room, and even the four mages are glowing. Nearest to the door is a male goblin; to his right is a female human, to the left is a male human, and across is another male human. The other four items of power are glowing in the center of the circle formed by the mages.

Aliana somehow doubles her running speed, zooms past Josh, and reaches the doorway. Jinto raises the Diamond and once more invokes Dispel Magic... something "clicks into place" and begins to build up. Chalker rushes into the room, scoops up the bracelet, then angles toward the female mage. As Runis swings his axe at the goblin's back, a beam of energy emerges from Jinto's fist, connects to Aliana, the bracelet in Chalker's hand, and Runis' axe. As Aliana falls unconscious, a huge explosion incinerates the four mages! Jinto passes out, and Runis and Chalker feel drained.

Runis checks Aliana's pulse, and it is strong. Chalker thinks about opening the big chest, but something warns him off; he tries to peer inside with his clairvoyance but is blocked.

The room is full of crystals set into control panels. Chalker asks Josh to read the Venettian writing on the panels, but Josh can't say the words. Runis raises his axe: "Should I destroy the panels?" Something in his mind says "No"; Runis spins toward the Diamond (clutched in Jinto's fist) and growls "I wasn't talking to you." Runis removes two crystals from each of the ten control panels, figuring this will disable them (and they're nice crystals, too).

Chalker notices that Aliana's leg is bleeding, so he puts a binding over her armor. Chalker, Runis, and Josh discuss "the guy by the road" and figure he's probably running away by now.

Chalker asks aloud, "Why should we give Tardartin the artifacts?" Josh replies, "Tardartin paid us to do it, and I think it's what Enigma wants."

Runis marches over, takes the Diamond from Jinto's hand, and yells at it: "Hey! How are we supposed to get these things where they're supposed to go? I'm not riding with Tardartin all the way to the damn Calventine Empire!" A voice in his head replies, "I completely agree." The big chest starts to glow, and the voice continues, "Talro and Tardartin are now protected. They will be able to deliver the items. You have more important things to do." The other four magic items (besides the wand in Jinto's scrollcase) are a big box, a little box, a bracelet, and a hand mirror.

Aliana regains consciousness and offers to go fetch Talro and Tardartin. Josh goes in pursuit of the remaining mercenary. Runis, Chalker, and Jinto start looting the place.

Aliana reaches the wagon and announces to Talro and Tardartin, "The deed is done." She leads them to the manor, then tells Runis she's going to look for Josh.

Runis asks Tardartin what route he plans to take. Tardartin says he'll go through Silene, then down to the coast. Runis growls, "What part of 'I don't want to go to Silene!' don't you understand?" Tardartin says he has a "good feeling" about getting safely to the coast. Runis sells silks, spices, and various knickknacks (from the loot) to Tardartin, keeping a couple of pouches of high-quality tobacco.

Chalker finds an empty vault seemingly containing only a beautiful landscape painting. He just *knows* there must be something else in the room, but he can't see it.

Jinto happily investigates the library, which is chock-full of books and scrolls. To his dismay, however, most of them cannot be removed from the library. He does manage to take a few scrolls written in Venettian and figures someday he will be able to translate the ancient language.

Nearly five miles from the keep, Aliana finally hears the ringing of swords. She comes upon Josh fighting the remaining mercenary. She hurls one of her daggers at the merc's throat just as Josh lands a final fatal hit. Josh retrieves her dagger and tosses her the merc's pouch, and they ride back toward the keep.

The group helps load the five magic items onto Tardartin's wagon. Chalker lets Tardartin take the painting until he can come to bargain with him. Tardartin gives Runis 7 gold and a letter of credit. Though it is the middle of the night, Talro and Tardartin drive away.

Aliana, Chalker, Jinto, and Josh spend the night in the keep's sumptuously-furnished bedrooms, while Runis takes the barracks all to himself.

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