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Chapter 2: A Blighted Land

Turn 47: The Trumpets Sound

“By the way,” said Karzak, “I dinna wanna ferget ta be thankin' ye fellers an' lady fer savin' me hide. But dinna ya think ta scoop up me armor an' me clan axe? I kinda be needin' them if we be ever goin' inta battle.”

“We didn’t see any o’ yer gear up there, Karzak,” explained Nanoc. “I think those rat-guys sold it or something.”

“Perhaps we can go back to the tower and see if we can collect your gear,” mused Luger. “Keep in mind that while you were hanging around enjoying the view up there, we were fighting for our lives on the street and in some very disturbing shop down the street. In between battles with evil spellcasters, giant worms and hideous blobs with mouths, we were blanketing the area looking for signs of the wererats in hopes of finding you. We were only sidetracked from coming to the tower directly by the assaults on us.”

“But,” continued the cleric, “You're safe now and once we get your gear back, there should be plenty of food and ale to make up for your short fast tomorrow evening. However, we must be on our guard during the festivities. We know of at least one rat which got away and we have no idea how many of the blue cloaked spellcasters still exist. After what we've done in the past couple of days, I would expect them to want some revenge of their own. A crowded party would probably be exactly the kind of place they'd prefer to attack us. After what we've been through, a nice feast sounds great, but I think we should come up with a plan for setting a trap for any party crashers.”

This comment provoked a groan from Danton, who sat down heavily on his bed and put his head in his hands:

“Egads!” he muttered. “We must needs be on high alert even at a party?! A party in our honor, no less? Argh! Woodstock is plainly no place to be. Let us skip this party, negotiate with Syll, and begone -- one way or another. If 'tis a party that we want, well, we can stop by the halflings' barge for another go 'round ... while on the way to leaving this dratted place forever. Once I hath loved Woodstock, but now I would depart and n’er return.”

“No,” replied Luger calmly. “Perhaps we'll be fortunate enough that all the other evil creatures in this town have run away after the losses they've suffered at our hands. But, we must make sure to finish what we have started. ‘Pulling the troops out' as the Furyondians would put it, will simply allow what evil remains to rebuild again. We must be sure that we have in fact cleared them out.”

“There is also,” added Luger, looking back and forth amongst his companions, “the matter of the four us being afflicted with the were-rat curse. I can try to remove the curse during the days or nights of the next full moon, but I will likely be too busy becoming a rat myself to cast spells. We'll need a powerful good priest to cast remove disease or heal on us. Will we be able to reach another town with clergy who can do this before the next cycle of Luna? I'd rather not chance it.”

“Aside from that, before we leave, I'd like to have a word with the baron of this town. He is doing nothing to protect his people in the face of these obvious evils. I begin to think that he either does not care or is supporting the evil by his inaction. If this man cannot be bothered to protect his own town, then maybe it is time for a ‘regime change’. Think of it this way, Danton,” added the cleric with a smile, “at the rate you're going, you'll be a hero of every town in the country. The powers that be in Veluna would hardly be able to refuse a hero of the realm, could they?”

Danton sighed and then stood up and began pacing. “Verily, we need to have this rat-curse lifted, and if you lack the power to do it, then we must needs have the local clergy aid us. If they refuse -- particularly after all we have already done -- I'm of half the mind simply to turn into a were-rat and haunt this misbegotten place mineself! So p'raps you'd best explain to me what is required to lift the rat-curse. Do you or do you not have the power to do it? If not, who does? Beyond this, can it truly only be lifted during the full moon?”

His pacing having brought him near the door to the small room, Danton proceeded to kick it—hard—in blind frustration. “Because if you possess the means to lift the curse and if the curse can be lifted at any time, well, then I say we hole up -- and I truly mean barricade ourselves in the Stony Gaze with swords and spells at the ready -- and you heal us, one by one until we art all whole. Because, good Luger, be under no illusions: even if you slay every last were-rat, gibbering blob and evil sorcerer in Woodstock's walls, evil wilt reappear in this city within days, if not hours. 'Tis like chasing weeds in the garden. But this is not mine garden, and I am no gardener. There are weeds to pull in Rastor, and 'tis our responsibility to pull them. Time is wasting! Is it plain to no one but mineself? And how many times must I ask this question, I wonder?”

“I have the ability now to remove the curse,” said Luger, “but it can only be done on the days or nights of the full moon—three consecutive days and nights that will come when Luna rises full next week. But it is not certain that I would be successful if the patient's will is too strong. If it were you, Danton, we would simply have Nanoc hold you while you turn and I would attempt to remove the curse. I would be able to tell if it was effective or not. If it were Nanoc who was turning, he would likely need to be bound in chains in addition to you and Karzak restraining him. But the simple problem is, we're all afflicted. If I were to turn, I'd likely lose Heironeus' blessing and be unable to cast the required spell. Once turned, I'd likely not have any interest in curing myself or anyone else anyway. Hence the need for assistance from the most powerful local priest. After we check on Alein and Torea, I suggest we visit the temple of Pelor and see if there is a priest there willing to heal us.”

”Huh,” grunted Nanoc. “I dunno ‘bout all this curin’ stuff, but I guess I agree wit Luger ‘bout the town. We know what evil is in this here town now, and we can't be walkin' out on it til the job is done. 'Sides like Luger done said we is already heroes of Hommlet, so why not Woodstock, too? That's be sure to help you out, Danton.”

”I dinna know about Danton, but I fer one be welcomin' a grand heroes feast!” said Karzak excitedly. “Even if ya fellers dun allowed me ta be kept chained upside down an' denied me me revenge. The way I see it, Nanoc an' me kin sit at diff'rent ends a' the table and eat our way 'til we dun meets in the middle! What do ya say, big feller? Why not all kick back an' enjoya wee bit a' heroes supper.
Ya dun deserve it too, Danton, after runnin' so fast from them rat-men wearing yerself out an' then fightin' worms an' all that, though worms ta me dinna sound all that fright'ning. An’ as fer yer other discussin, if I kin get a decent axe outta these people fer our troubles, I dinna mind stickin' 'round an' clearin' out the evil seeing as how the constable is usually nowhere ta be found. Are the good folk ginna be puttin' a deputy badge on us at our heroes' feast?”

Danton sighed loudly once again. “Oh, very well. If you all insist, then I shall enjoy this banquet in our honor to the fullest. Indeed, though it fell ill for you last time, I urge you to be in my company at this festivity, for I intend to drink like a fish and breed like a rabbit. P'raps we can find some dwarvish women to your liking, or, if not, at least a gaggle of halfling lasses. But, tell me, is it true that dwarvish women have beards, or are such stories mere slander?”

Karzak chuckled. “Well, now, Danton, that be mighty close to plain-talkin'
on yer part, an’ a fine right improvement it is. As fer the beards, well, all I kin say is, dwarven-lassies have significantly less facial hair, not enough ta properly be called a beard, but I doubt too many will be turnin’ up here, so we’ll have ta find other ladies fer our entertainment.”

Danton laughed bitterly and said, “This hath been enough talk—even for me. Let us be about our business ‘ere the sun sets on us once more.”

As the group broke up, Luger pulled Aseneth aside and whispered to her:

“As much as I think we deserve a little fun and relaxation, Asya, I fear that what enemies remain in Woodstock will likely take advantage of the situation to launch an assault on us during this party. Karzak and Danton have made it clear that they intend to fully immerse themselves in debauchery so it falls to you, Nanoc and I to keep our heads clear. I have no doubt Nanoc would happily drink himself silly if given the chance, but I believe you can convince him to keep his wits so that we are not caught unawares. Truth be told, Danton and Karzak will not likely be missed if a fight ensues. I think we should try to stay together during the celebration and be ready for whatever comes.”

Aseneth nodded. “You are right. I will be ready for trouble and will also be making Nanoc ready. If you see strange things, telling me immediately.”

***

After departing the Stony Gaze, Luger made his way north and west to the Shrine of Heironeous, where he found both Alein and Torea in a much better state than the previous night. Alein seemed fully recovered from the night’s travails and while Torea remained fatigued, at least she was coherent and no longer tortured by waking nightmares. Luger related what had taken place in the bell tower after the party left the two paladins the previous night and then proceeded to question them as to why the baron and other authority figures in Woodstock seemed to do so little to confront the town’s problems.

“When we first arrived,” said Luger, “I was under the impression that Woodstock was closely controlled by the town guard but that has proven to be far from the current state. What has happened? And why have the goodly churches not come to the aid of the town? Why are strange and likely evil priests or wizards able to freely walk the streets unleashing devastating magic upon people?”

“Woodstock has long been a place for dissolute behavior,” explained Torea. “Most who live or pass through here have had little interest in religion. Thus most of the churches here are quite small and their clergy lack the power or the influence to have much effect on the town as a whole. Alein and I have done what we could to keep problems in check in West Hill, but with just the two of us, what more could we do? Only the Temple of Pelor is large enough, and has sufficient resources, to have an impact on the town as a whole. High Priest Forgrim and Sun’s Champion Marith have exerted an influence on the baron in the past and it is they who have kept Woodstock’s debauchery from exceeding all bounds of decency. I do not know what has changed of late, but perhaps it might be worth your while to talk to them.”

“I cannot help but wonder if the baron is either dead or is under the control of someone else,” said Luger. “Perhaps the entire town guard has been eliminated. Something seems very wrong with ‘the powers that be’ in this town. Perhaps Alein might accompany me to the Temple of Pelor and introduce me to its leaders. It would seem that they are the only ones of sufficient power to remove the were-rats’ curse before the rise of the full moon, if anyone in Woodstock can do it.”

Torea nodded assent. “That is a good idea. I am well enough now to take care of myself, and can spare Alein for a few hours. I too would like to know why Forgrim and Marith have not intervened with the baron.”

***

While Aseneth remained alone at the Stony Gaze to study the many unusual items the party had recovered from the sorcerers in West Hill and the rats in the bell tower, Nanoc, Danton, and Karzak wandered Chatterstreet Market, Eastgate, and Southspur. They went first to the bell tower, where they discovered that at least some of the town militia remained active. Two soldiers stood at the foot of the tower and declared that the baron had ordered it closed until further notice. Thereafter, Danton and Nanoc accompanied Karzak while he converted the topaz and amber gems the party had recovered from the tower to coinage and then used the money to replace his lost equipment. Once this was accomplished, the dwarf, half-orc, and Velunese made their way into Southspur in search of Syll the smuggler, but found no trace of the elf.

***

Pelor’s temple in Woodstock was a sprawling stone edifice just inside the Old Ford Gate at the northeast end of town. The walls were carved with the symbols of the sun god and topped with a golden dome that reflected the sunlight and could be seen all across Woodstock. The main dome-topped structure was flanked by two smaller, two-story wings. The central part of the structure had a pair of huge stone doors that were unlocked and flung open when Luger and Alein arrived in the afternoon.

When the pair walked inside, Luger saw that the central area of the temple was one huge, circular sanctuary. Symbols and icons of Pelor were carved into the walls and floor, and a great altar stood at the center of the chamber. Rows of chairs surrounded the altar. On the afternoon of a working day, only a few people sat in silent contemplation in the chairs. A few acolytes moved about in the sanctuary and to and from the two wings at either end of the chamber, and Alein asked one of these if she and Luger might speak to High Priest Forgrim.

Ten minutes later, a tall man approximately 60 years of age emerged from one of the wings and approached Luger and Alein. He had short-cropped white hair and wore a cassock of the same color. Alein introduced the man to Luger as High Priest Forgrim and explained to him that ‘Luger Borchardt’ and his associates were the ones who had razed the Reality Wrinkle and cleared the were-rats from the bell tower. The priest seemed impressed and Luger proceeded to explain the reasons for his visit to the temple.

“All but one of my associates, including myself, four of us all together, have been infected by the lycanthropes’ poison. If we are not cured, when Luna rises full in less than a weeks’ time, Woodstock will once again be plagued by were-rats—and powerful were-rats at that. I am told that only your temple might have the power to cure us before the full moon. If such is the case, we would like to arrange a time when we might all be thus healed. This need not be immediately. Since I suspect that we have not seen the last of the were-rats, I would rather wait to be cured until just before we leave so we are not simply afflicted again.”

“I would be pleased to assist those who have done so much for our troubled town,” said Forgrim, “but I fear that even my power is not sufficient to cure lycanthropy on any days other than those of the full moon. But if your group will come to the temple on the first day of the full moon, before darkness falls and any of you succumb to the curse, both Marith and I possess the power to assist you. Between your power, that of Marith, and my own, the three of us should be able to cure everyone in your group before nightfall. But should we fail, this temple has a room where those afflicted may be confined until the next morning—when the three of us may apply our healing once again.”

Luger nodded. “Then we have an appointment. Our party will be here just after breakfast on the first day of the full moon next week, and we will stay as long as it takes to ensure everyone is healed.”

With these arrangements made, Luger was hesitant to confront Forgrim on why the church of Pelor had not done more to confront the town’s troubles, but the man seemed reasonable enough that the cleric of Heironeous eventually plunged into his second reason for visiting the temple:

“The baron and his militia seem to do little to protect the people of Woodstock. As we fought mad sorcerers, were-rats, and all manner of horrors all across town last night, there was nary a sign of the town guard. Can your temple not press the baron to do something?”

Forgrim sighed and motioned for Luger and Alein to sit down with him in three of the chairs surrounding the golden altar.

“Baron Euphemes has made it his business to promote and ‘develop’ Woodstock as a place of dissolute behavior for many years now,” said Forgrim. “But in the past he at least maintained a degree of order. Something has changed of late, but the baron has refused all our requests for a meeting to discuss the situation. For some time now, he has been ensconced in his keep, apparently unconcerned with the mayhem that increasingly torments the people of Woodstock.”

“But can’t you intervene directly?” asked Luger. “Or force the baron to grant you an audience?”

“Marith and I do what we can,” said Forgrim, “but we are only two. Our acolytes are not soldiers and they are not prepared to fight lycanthropes and sorcerers. But after all that happened last night, I have spoken with Shooma of the Merchant’s Council and we have agreed to demand a joint audience with the baron. She is gathering the signatures of her fellow council members, and we shall present the petition tomorrow.”

“I just hope the whole town won’t have fallen apart by then,” said Luger.

“So do I,” replied the priest. “So do I.”

***

When the party members returned to the Stony Gaze in the late afternoon, Aseneth informed them that she had managed to analyze the various items the party had recovered from the bell tower and the Reality Wrinkle, many of which had turned out to be magic. She presented a ring and three potions to Nanoc, three more potions to Karzak, and a set of bracers and a scroll to Danton. To Luger, she gave a black cloak and three more potions. For herself, she kept two wands, a scroll, and another set of bracers (see character listings at the end of the turn for what each character received).

After the items had been distributed and their uses explained, the party went downstairs for dinner. But as the group went, Danton pulled Aseneth aside, just as Luger had done earlier in the day.

“Asya,” he began, “are you not as concerned as I that the goodheartedness of Nanoc and Luger, a most admirable quality under other circumstances, might end up delaying us here so long that the Oerth is destroyed? And what of your city, this Rinloru? Are you not as frustrated as I at these endless delays that keep us in Woodstock? Could you not use your obvious influence with your boy-toy to help him see the light?”

“What is ‘boy-toy’?” asked the sorceress, obviously confused by the term.

“Er,” muttered Danton. “Tis a term of…endearment…for Nanoc, but one that perhaps might embarrass him if he heard it, so best not to repeat it.”

Aseneth gave Danton a funny look, but did not question him further. Instead, she said:

“We should not wasting time. You are being right with this. But Luger is now saying we must waiting here until these priests can healing all—including Nanoc. As long as we are waiting, might well keep fighting these strange creatures—after all they are having powerful magic we can using when all are coming to Rastor.”

Danton threw his hands up in the air. “So be it. Whate’er comes to pass, comes to pass, but Danton Verbrugge wilt not be held accountable for it. If you somehow live through the coming holocaust, fair lady, make sure the scalds know that Danton alone preached haste and decisive action. But, as is more likely, none but cockroaches in the ashes will have much to speak of when the Tharizdun cult hast laid waste to the Oerth. I give up now, and debauchery awaits, so I shall take my leave.”

Without a backward glance, Danton stalked to the common room, where he was stunned to find Nanoc, Luger, and Karzak seated around a table with none other than Syll the elf.

“Hey, Danton!” called out Nanoc. “We found Syll! He jus’ came walkin’ right in the front door! Ain’t that funny? After all that lookin’ we did, he jus’ comes up ta us!”

“Hilarious, truly. Just how did you find us?” asked Danton suspiciously. “We hath spent half the day searching for you to no avail, and now you simply waltz in our front door?”

“Hey, you’re the big, bad heroes of Woodstock now,” said the elf with a shrug. “I hear they’re having some kinda blow-out for you here tomorrow night. Figured I’d stop by and see if you’re ready to cut a deal. I still got a few loose ends to tie up ‘round here, but I’ll be ready to head out in a couple days—if you’ve got the coin, that is.”

“You certainly seem to have a high opinion of yourself,” said Danton as he sat down, “given that you refuse to provide even the most basic explanation as to how you ‘smuggle’ people through the hills. A refusal to provide references is one thing, but asking us to rely entirely on faith is a pretty big step…especially for 3,000 gold.”

“Look, kid,” said Syll, “we’ve all got our trade secrets. You ain’t telling me everything ‘bout this trip through the hills either. You sure aren’t merchants and there just aren’t a lot of good reasons other than trade to be trying to get through the hills these days. But that’s your business, so if you’ve got the money, I ain’t got no questions. Same applies for you with how I do it. All you need to know is I can get you straight through to Rastor—and right quick. But if you don’t like my price, you can always go the long way around. The Welkwood isn’t really as bad as people say after all, so I’m sure at least some of you would survive the trip. If your mind’s made up, we can stop wasting your time and mine—I’ll get outta here.”

Syll made as if he were about to get up from the table, but Luger motioned for him to remain seated.

“Time is of the essence for us,” said the cleric, looking at Danton. “We have, of necessity, been delayed in Woodstock and it would appear we must remain for some days yet, but once we do depart, we must reach Rastor with all possible speed. If you are willing to apply your skills, whatever they may be, to our endeavors, which are for the greater good of all people, I am sure we can reach a mutually acceptable agreement. Whatever your motives may be, we are not in this simply for the money. Surely our activities of last night have demonstrated that.”

“Yeah, we had a heck of a night!” interjected Nanoc. “We rescued some paladins, fought giant worms and rat-men, and even liberated ol’ Karzak here from the top o’ that there tower in th’ center o’ town! You should’a been there! It was even better than the time we fought that blue dragon at the moathouse!”

“You’ve fought a dragon?” asked Syll.

“Two actually,” said Nanoc, “but Calcryx don’t really count—he was jus’ a baby. But the blue one sure does. That thing dumped Danton in the moat, but the rest o’ us kinda pounded on it an’ made it go flyin’ off.”

“An’ I done once fought a mighty red wit’ me clansmen,” added Karzak. “That’s where I done got all these here…beauty marks,” said the dwarf with a laugh.

Syll seemed impressed. “I once fought a black myself,” he said, “with the help of some former…associates. Quite the battle. Perhaps I’ll tell you of it sometime…if we are able to reach a deal.”

“Frankly this price of yours is absurd,” said Danton. “There will be no deal unless you lower it a great deal.”

“It is a lot of moolah,” said Nanoc with a grimace.

Syll ignored Danton and looked at Nanoc. “So what do you propose?”

“Well, we gotta stay here an’ finish some stuff,” said Nanoc, “but soon as that’s done, we’ll be ready ta go. We could pay ya 1500 gold an’ give ya a share o’ any loot we might come across along the way.”

“What?” spluttered Danton. “Tis sheerest nonsense! Gold and a share of the booty! I think not!”

“Pipe down, kid!” said Syll. “I’m negotiating with yer boss here, not you!” The elf then turned back to Nanoc. “Now, Shooma has a high opinion of you all, and that counts for a lot with me, but I still gotta pay the bills, you know?”

“I hath heard enough of this,” shot Danton. “If I am to be ignored and insulted, then we may as well go and sample the halfling lasses once more, Karzak.”

“I thought we was gonna wait fer the big heroes’ feast tomorrow night ‘fore we did all that again,” said Karzak, “but if yer ready now, why not?”

A look of utter disgust crossed Syll’s face. But he again ignored Danton and addressed Nanoc: “Look, you and the priest seem like decent sorts, an’ maybe the lady too…”

“Thank you,” said Aseneth brightly.

“…but if I’m gonna have to put up with Danny-boy here an’ his big mouth all the time, well that’s gonna cost ya. So, I’m willing to do the job for…2600 gold and a share of any loot we may find along the way—though there ain’t a whole lot to be found just lying around in the Kron Hills. Pretty greedy those gnomes.”

While Danton continued to grouse, Luger and Nanoc exchanged a glance and then the cleric turned back to Syll.

“We accept your offer, but should you fail to live up to your promises or otherwise demonstrate unacceptable behavior along the way, we would have to…reevaluate our decision to travel with you. We will pay you 1300 now and the other half when we arrive in Rastor.”

“It’s a deal,” said Syll. “But I think you need to worry more about bad behavior from the kid and laughing-boy here,” he said, nodding first at Danton and then at Karzak, “than you do with me. Now, I’ve got some other business to take care of in Eastgate, so I’ll be on my way, but I’ll be back tomorrow for your party and to collect my payment. After that, we can sort out just when we’ll be leaving. Fair enough?”

“Sure!” said Nanoc. “And maybe then we can swap dragon stories!”

“Sounds good,” said Syll as he stood up. “Later, princess,” he added with a nod at Aseneth. “I’ll see you on the flip side.”

***

After Syll departed, the party remained at the Stony Gaze for the evening. When they eventually turned in for the night, Luger decided to sleep on the floor of Danton and Karzak’s room rather than make a trip across town in the dark to the Shrine of Heironeous.

That night bizarre dreams troubled the sleep of each of the party members, as images of the bizarre sorcerers, were-rats and stranger creatures they had fought in Woodstock mingled with words that seemed to come from an alien world beyond space and time. The hissing syllables, foreign to those who heard them, seemed to twist and writhe together like snakes in their minds, making their sinister intent clear, though nothing could be discerned. After what seemed like an eternity of this, words suddenly rung out clearly over the hissing, as if howled by a madman: “The bells toll! The gate swings wide!” Then everyone sank into a deeper sleep.

When morning came, Nanoc was the first to tell the others of his dream, and thereafter each was shocked to discover that everyone in the party, including Aseneth, had experienced the same nightmare. No one was sure what to make of the experience, but it convinced Luger that Woodstock’s troubles were not over, however calm the town now seemed in the aftermath of the party’s victories over the were-rats of the bell tower and the sorcerers of West Hill.

With little else to do, the party spent most of the day resting. Nanoc and Aseneth wandered the fair, which seemed to be returning fully to life, and then spent the afternoon by the river with more reading lessons. Luger spent much of the day in communion at the Shrine of Heironeous, praying for guidance to help him find and deal with the source of whatever threat it was that he sensed still troubled Woodstock. Danton was in a positively foul mood, barricading himself in his room until the party started in the evening. Karzak used the day to replace the rest of his equipment, finding everything he needed save for a dwarven waraxe, for in two days of shopping, he had been unable to find a weapon that met his exacting specifications.

In the evening, the adventurers gathered in the common room of the Stony Gaze, and so did a large cross-section of Woodstock society. As the party started, a skilled human bard named Nankiy led a small group of musicians and dancers in round after round of song, while Gell the bartender had his staff provide everyone present the largest, most varied meal that the party had enjoyed since leaving Hommlet.

Among the luminaries in attendance were Lieutenant Shella of the town guard, Shooma the smith, Alein and Torea, Syll the smuggler, and, most interestingly, Erianna, the sister of Baron Euphemes, who attended the party in her brother’s place. Later in the evening, Shooma gave a speech thanking the party for its efforts in Woodstock, and presented Karzak with the finest dwarven waraxe he had ever seen, explaining that she had made it with her own hands.

Although Erianna left it to Shooma to give the speech, the noblewoman gave her personal thanks to each of the party members and presented each with a silver brooch set with a purple amethyst. She gave the impression of singular piety and expressed particular gratitude to Luger, Torea, and Alein. When the cleric used the opportunity to probe carefully as to why her brother seemed to have done so little for the town of late, Erianna assured him that the baron was aware of the town’s problems and doing everything he could to solve them. Luger received similar vague assurances from Lieutenant Shella when he approached her and inquired about the seeming passivity of the town guard. Although the cleric was not satisfied with the answers given by either Erianna or Shella, he could detect no harmful intentions on the part of either (detect evil registers nothing).

Throughout the evening, Luger kept his wits about him and stayed close to Aseneth and Nanoc. The sorceress did not have so much as a sip of anything other than water, and although Nanoc did eat well, he kept his alcohol consumption to a minimum and his wits sharp. The sorceress and the barbarian actually ended up spending much of the evening in the company of Syll, who regaled them with stories of travels to distant places, including a battle with a black dragon called Noak and her goblin servitors in a system of caverns. In return, Nanoc talked of his and the party’s encounters with Calcryx and the blue dragon at the moathouse, as well as many other stories of other creatures they had met and fought.

While Luger, Nanoc, and Aseneth thus remained alert to potential danger throughout the evening, the same could not be said of Danton and Karzak. By the time dinner was over, both were already roaring drunk. Karzak was soon singing raucous, bawdy songs with the dwarves of Shooma’s entourage, while Danton staggered about making unsuccessful passes at every young woman present. Later in the evening he lost control of his bladder and passed out on a bench.

When the party finally broke up well after midnight, Luger and Nanoc had to carry Danton and Karzak to their room and then lock the two comatose adventurers inside. Nanoc and Aseneth returned to their room, while Luger accompanied Alein and Torea back to the Shrine of Heironeous, where he spent the night, surprised that his premonitions of trouble at the party had proven unwarranted.

***

In the cloudy morning that dawned hours later, Luger returned to the Stony Gaze, where he found Nanoc, Aseneth, and Syll in the common room having breakfast. Karzak and Danton staggered in later, and the entire group was still eating some time later when the bells on the tower at the center of town rang out—the first time they had done so since the night of the party’s raid on the tower. The bells rang incessantly, gradually drawing people out of the tavern and onto the street. Curious as to what was happening, the party followed.

Outside, crowds of people walked north towards the center of town, and the party members could now hear both bells and trumpets coming from the north. Passersby could be heard to proclaim that it seemed the baron would finally address the people of Woodstock.

As the party stood in the middle of Eastgate Way, just north of the Stony Gaze, listening to the bells and trumpets and watching the crowds pass by, a clear, loud, low voice from an alley on the west side of the road could be heard: “Hey, heroes!”

Turning to look for the source of the voice, the party members looked down the alley and saw a ten-foot tall humanoid with green skin, deep blue hair, and small ivory horns. It wore some sort of hide armor, but there was little time to observe anything more, for as soon as the creature had the party’s attention, it clapped its hands together and a wave of intense cold sprang forth, shooting down the alley and engulfing everything in its path, including Nanoc, who had instinctively moved in front of the others and stood in the center of the entrance to the alley (Nanoc reflex save: 7+6=13; failure; hit for 26 points). Caught off guard, Nanoc took the full brunt of the frozen blast, but his bulk did at least shelter the others.

As soon as it had fired off its blast of cold, the green-skinned creature spun on its heel and ran down the alley, quickly turning to the left and disappearing from view.

[Initiative: Nanoc; 14, Danton: 16, Luger: 19, Karzak: 14, Aseneth; 8, Syll: 15, Foe: 17]

“Let’s get ‘im!” shouted Karzak. “It’s clobberin’ time!”

“Yeah, I’m choppin’ that guy in half,” agreed Nanoc, unhooking his axe and lumbering down the alley with the dwarf at his side. “That wasn’t nice at all.”

“This could offer a clue as to the town’s continuing troubles!” said Luger, following in their wake.

Aseneth said nothing, but as she rushed down the alley, Danton could see the fire in her eyes and the determination to obliterate the creature that had harmed Nanoc.

“I guess we’re goin’ that way,” said Syll with a shrug as he followed the others. “Specially since I still ain’t been paid.”

Danton scowled, sighed, and accepted the inevitable.

Twenty-five feet down the alley, the narrow space turned slightly to the left and then the path split. Part of the alley continued off to the west, while another part ran south. There was no sign of the massive green spellcasting attacker in either direction.

“Let’s try this way!” bellowed Nanoc, pointing off to the south. He and Karzak charged down through the narrow space, having to jump over and around all manner of garbage and assorted detritus (spot: Karzak 14+2=16, Nanoc: 14+1=15). As they passed by an area where the alley branched off to the west once again, a pair of black-clad figures emerged from the shadows behind them and attempted to stab each in the back. While some sixth sense warned Nanoc of this unpleastant surprise at the last moment, Karzak was caught entirely unawares. Nanoc was still hit by one assassin’s blade, but he was able to spin so that it struck him only a glancing blow (hit for 5 points), but Karzak was taken entirely unawares, (hit for 15 points) and screamed out in pain as the rapier sliced through his armor.

As these two foes separated Nanoc and Karzak from the rest of the party, more enemies appeared. Another man in leather armor stepped out of the shadows farther down the alley, while still another appeared on a rooftop on the west side of the alley and the massive green creature appeared on a roof on the opposite side. As if that were not enough, behind Danton, Aseneth, Syll, and Luger a hooded figure in a blue cloak and a snarling man in metal armor charged into view. More running feet could be heard in the distance.

“It’s a trap!” screamed Danton.

“This ain’t no trap,” hissed Syl. “This is a hit.”

Arrows rained down from the green creature and the man on the rooftops, striking both Danton (hit for 8 points) and Aseneth. At the same time, the figure in the blue cloak drained a potion of some sort and then breathed out a long column of fire at Luger (reflex save: 6+4=10; failure), which the cleric moved too slowly to dodge (hit for 12 points). The armored figure next to the one in the blue cloak cast some kind of spell, and seconds later some strange, misshapen creature that seemed to be little more than endless rolls of flesh appeared next to the man and then lurched towards the party. Farther back down the alley, a strange eyeless gray-skinned humanoid with a two handed sword appeared behind the two spellcasters, apparently running to aid them in their attack.

Luger was the first to react to the situation, rushing towards the cloaked figure who had breathed fire at him and slamming Geistblatt into it (attack: 20+7=27; potential critical hit; 2^nd roll: 19+7=26; critical hit; 19 damage). The strike was devastating, but the sorcerer still managed to breathe fire at the cleric a second time (reflex save: 5+4=9; failure; 5 damage). Because of the close quarters, most of the fire missed Luger, but he was still burned again. Then the fleshy thing that had been summoned by the other spellcaster shuffled forward and flailed at him, but his enchanted armor absorbed the blow. Clearly trying to overwhelm him so that they could move on to those behind him, the armored spellcaster came at Luger with a flail. When the other man whipped the weapon at him, its end ripped a path through his armor and tore into his skin (hit for 9 points).

Luger’s only relief came when magic missiles fired by Aseneth, and, to everyone’s surprise, Syll, slammed into both the fleshy creature and the blue-cloaked spellcaster, knocking the former back and literally blasting the latter off his feet. However, even with the one spellcaster down, with the gray-skinned sword wielder approaching, Luger doubted he could hold on much longer.

Crouching low at the side of the alley, Danton cracked off a bolt at the green-skinned humanoid that was shooting down at him and the others (attack: 7+6=13; miss), but his aim was off, and the creature only laughed as it returned fire and its arrow sank into the scout’s thigh (hit for 8 points).

At the other end of the melee, Nanoc and Karzak each faced one of the assassins that had leaped out behind them, even as a third man approached them from behind and tried to stab Nanoc in the back. Now that they were not taken by surprise, both warriors were able to avoid their enemies’ attacks and to counter effectively (Nanoc attacks: 14+13=27, 1+13=14; one hit; 10 damage; Karzak attack: 16+9=25; hit; 12 damage).

“Nanoc!” screamed Danton as he reloaded his crossbow. “It’s hopeless! There are too many! We’ve got to get out of this gauntlet or we’re all dead!”

“You are right!” shouted Aseneth from where she crouched behind several garbage containers on the other side of the alley. She cast some kind of spell, ignoring the distraction of an arrow that slammed into her in mid-incantation, then grabbed hold of Syll from behind and flew up into the air, carrying the elf as she went.

As she went, Danton fired off another bolt at the green creature (1+6=7; miss), but this shot was even worse than his previous one and it did not even cause his foe to duck. Instead the massive creature shot another arrow back at him, but this one slammed into the wooden wall just above Danton’s head.

Trying to buy the party some time, Luger cast a spell at the gray-skinned creature that had yet to enter the fray, hoping to prevent it from doing so (cast hold person). Unfortunately, the spell seemed to have no effect and an area of utter darkness suddenly appeared all around the thing, making it difficult for him to target it with another spell. However, the area of darkness continued to stalk towards him, even as the man with the flail and the freakish thing he had summoned came at him again. The flail dug into Luger’s skin once more, causing him to cry out in pain (hit for 4 points). Seconds later, a pair of magic missiles from somewhere above blasted the fleshy thing again and it, at least, collapsed to the ground.

Farther down the alley, Karzak called out to Nanoc, “I’d love ta stay an’ fight, but I dinna think the others’re up to it! We gotta go, an’ I can’t fly, so yer gonna have ta toss me!”

“What do you mean, toss you?” asked the barbarian, even as he dodged another strike from the assassin he faced.

Karzak blocked his own attacker’s blade with his axe and then lifted one of the potion vials Aseneth had given him to his lips (potion of levitation).

“Jus throw me thatta way as hard as ya can!” yelled the dwarf pointing over the roof of the Stony Gaze towards Eastgate Way beyond it.

Grabbing the dwarf with his right hand and ignoring the cuts he took from ahead and behind (hit for 3 and 5 points), Nanoc threw Karzak over the building with all his strength. While even his incredible strength would normally have been able to propel the heavily armored dwarf only a limited distance, with Karzak freed of the effects of gravity, Nanoc launched him up out of the alley and high over the Stony Gaze, with the dwarf quickly disappearing from view.

Now surrounded by three foes, Nanoc was hit again and again (3 hits for 17 points total) before he was able to regain his balance and use his newly acquired magic ring to jump right over the heads of his attackers (jump: 18+38=55), fly twenty feet, and land between Danton and Luger.

With arrows slamming into the walls and ground around them, Nanoc hooked his axe in his belt, tore Danton off his feet with his left hand and then rushed forward to grab Luger with his right, just as the cleric was exchanging blows with the flail-wielder (Luger attack: 15+7=22; hit; 11 damage; Luger is hit at the same time for 8 damage).

A second later, with his momentum still carrying him, Nanoc leaped into the air again, carrying both Danton and Luger over the head of the flail-wielding man and far beyond the area of darkness that concealed the gray-skinned humanoid (jump check: 19+38=57). When the trio landed at the far end of the alley, they hit the ground running, turned the corner and continued running until they were back amidst the crowds on Eastgate Way.

By this time, Aseneth had landed Syll in the street and Karzak had managed to control his levitation enough to maneuver awkwardly down to the ground near the others. Staying amidst the crowds in the hope of avoiding another attack, the party moved up Eastgate way towards the bell tower, even as Luger removed arrows and applied healing to the worst of the injuries the party had suffered (all non-domain 1^st-3^rd level spells converted to healing: Aseneth +12, Danton +15, Karzak +13, Luger +36, Nanoc +50 hp).

By the time the group reached the bell tower square at the center of town, everyone was in good shape once again, and, with the tower bells still ringing and trumpets blaring from the direction of the baron’s keep, the party continued to follow the crowd in that direction. There was no sign of any of those who had attacked them in the alleyway.

Despite their relief at the absence of any further assault, as the group approached the baron’s keep, their sense of foreboding grew. Now that they were at the higher elevation of the West Hill neighborhood, they had a clearer view off to the east. Following the pointing fingers of many in the crowd around them, they were shocked to see that a thick column of orange fire rose into the cloudy sky from somewhere in the eastern part of town.

Closer to hand, the crowd grew dense around the northeastern tower of the baron’s keep. Although less than half of the town’s nearly five thousand citizens were here, the crowd looked enormous—and agitated. The morning sky seemed agitated as well, with the heavy black clouds blocking the sunlight.

The noisy crowd began to hush as the heralds’ trumpets sounded again from the keep, the bells on the tower to the south finally stopped ringing, and a figure that had to be the baron appeared on a high balcony near the top of the tower. He looked to be over six feet tall, dressed in a white tunic and purple cloak and sporting a close-trimmed black beard. He raised his hands, and silence spread over the crowd. Another figure lurked in the shadows behind the baron, but his features were shrouded in a hooded cloak.

“Good people of Woodstock,” began the baron, “I address you today with a heavy heart, standing amid the chaos that has befallen our town. Lawlessness and disorder have reigned since the street fair began, and even the efforts of a heroic band of adventurers have not put an end to the madness. While we celebrated these heroes and feasted in their honor, assassins plotted to end their lives.”

“How doth he possess such knowledge?” hissed Danton. “The ambush came not a half hour ago!”

“The guards of our fair city have been decimated in the chaos,” continued the baron. “The streets are not safe to walk at night. Therefore, I am forced to call upon a new force of law, one that will restore order to Woodstock. Let it be recorded that I, Baron Euphemes the Second, have decreed this day these new edicts:

First, the street fair is over. All booths must be removed from Eastgate Way before sundown tonight. Any booths, carts, or wagons found on Eastgate Way at sundown will be destroyed.

Second, the gates of the city are closed. No one shall enter or leave Woodstock until further notice.

Third, the carrying of weapons in the city is prohibited. Anyone seen in possession of a weapon will be arrested on the spot.

Fourth, the temple of Pelor, whose god has not seen fit to defend our city, is closed, and its priests are declared outlaws. A warrant is hereby issued for the arrest of High Priest Forgrim of Pelor and Sun’s Champion Marith, as well as all acolytes who have served in the temple.

Fifth, in order to maintain this New Order in our fair city, I summon to duty all able-bodied citizens who have enrolled in the militia. They are to report to the barracks immediately.

Let the forces of lawlessness know that we will brook no disobedience of our law. Defiance will be punished by death, and justice will be executed without delay.”

As the baron spoke these last words, another figure appeared on the keep above, not on the balcony with the baron and the other shadowy form, but rather on its roof. The creature was humanoid, about nine feet tall, but gaunt to the point of being skeletal. A tail like a scorpion’s lashed around behind it, stinging the empty air, and great leathery wings extended from its back. As the crowd gasped, the baron turned without another word, and he and the cloaked figure with him disappeared into the tower.

With the baron gone, the agitated crowd panicked at the sight of the creature on the tower and soon people were bumping and jostling to get away from the keep as quickly as they could. Literally shoved to the side of the road, the party members watched as the crowd melted away.

“Something terrible has happened!” hissed Luger. “That thing on the keep is not of this world—it is a creature of the lower planes and should not be here.”

As the crowd continued to push past, the cleric gazed once more off to the east, and suddenly he realized the source of the column of fire extending into the cloudy sky.

“That pillar of flame comes from the Temple of Pelor! Look, the golden dome is broken and the fire spurts through it!”

When the others looked to where Luger pointed, they could see that he was correct. The column of fire spurted from a great hole in the temple’s golden dome on its path skyward, shooting hundreds of feet into the air before disappearing into the clouds overhead.

“Well, boys and girl,” said Syll, “I had thought it was about time to get out of Woodstock, but now we’ve got a right mess on our hands. The town is sealed and every one of us is now an outlaw—least as long as we’re carrying weapons.” The elf motioned meaningfully towards the longsword he wore at his side. “I don’t know about you all, but I don’t want to be the last one standing around here with ol’ Plug-ugly up there on the roof when the crowd is gone. Let’s make ourselves scarce.”

No one objected. By the time the group made its way back to the town square below the bell tower, more horns could be heard from multiple directions as the streets thinned of people. As some of the horns drew closer, it became apparent that they announced the arrival of criers repeating the baron’s address through the town.

However, the criers the party saw were far from ordinary. While the man carrying the trumpet, now unfolding a scroll to read, seemed normal enough, the creatures that flanked him were not Woodstock citizens. They resembled goblins, though they stood about six feet tall and had violet skin. Their eyes glowed with unearthly excitement as the crier read the baron’s words. Like the thing atop the keep, these creatures seemed like something from another world. However, with dark clouds overhead, forked lightning crackling the sky, crowds of people running in terror, and a column of fire rising off to the east, the violet creatures seemed more at home in the new Woodstock than did the party.

________________________________________________________________

Notes for turn 48:

Please see my e-mail regarding the timing of the next turn.

Current date/time/location: 14 Srpanj; approximately 0930; Woodstock

Items gained this turn: Karzak’s new equipment (see below)

Undivided Loot previously gained: none

Items used/lost/destroyed/sold this turn: Karzak’s potion of levitation

FOES DEFEATED:

Active party members listed in green.

This Chapter:

Entire Campaign:

Current Status of the Party:

Note: known magic items listed in bold.

Nanoc

AC: 17

Hit points: 60/66

New XP: 150

XP total: 19,381

XP needed: 21,000

Equipment: masterwork great axe, great axe +1, silver-plated short sword, masterwork studded leather armor, 69 arrows, 2 quivers, backpack, waterskin, 24 days trail rations, bedroll, 2 sacks, 2 flint & steel, bearskin, tent, 50’ rope, 1 sap, masterwork mighty composite shortbow, masterwork shortsword, 6 iron triangles with inverted ‘Y’, three black cones made of some unknown substance, a black scepter decorated with a half dozen violet gems, a bead of force, metal scroll tube, a black cloak, two inverted ziggurat pendants; potion of bull’s strength, potion of cure light wounds(X2), potion of cure moderate wounds, potion of water breathing, potion of spider climbing, Aseneth’s House Torquann dragon ring, heavy riding horse and riding equipment, spare light riding horse and equipment, pack mule (mule carries: 3 tents, most of party’s rations and water, ‘peace offerings’ for gnomes), ring of jumping (+30 to jumping checks), potions of cat’s grace, cure moderate wounds, invisibility

Gold: 1960

Silver: 1420

Danton

AC: 15 (16 vs. one opponent)

Hit points: 25/26

New XP: 150

XP total: 18,631

XP needed: 21,000

Equipment: rapier, 6 daggers, light crossbow, studded leather armor, quiver with 33 bolts, bedroll, backpack, flint & steel, thieves picks, waterskin, 24 days trail rations, hooded lantern, gold ring engraved with the name Karakas, 1 sap, 1 metal key from Yusdrayl, Everburning Torch, scrolls with pyrotechnics and melf’s acid arrow, old journal, 8 iron triangles with upside down ‘Y’ inside, 1 protection from fire scroll, 3 scrolls of cure light wounds, 2 scrolls of cure moderate wounds, new journal, notebook, pen, ink, parchment in sealed waterproof box, pipe, tobacco, metal box, whetstone, six packets of tinder for lighting fires, gold inlaid dagger, Journal of Geynor Ton, a folded piece of parchment with a note addressed to someone named Festrath, spider pendant, a wand, tattered black cloak with burning eye emblazoned on it, disguise kit, letter to Master Dunrat, ochre-colored robe, potion of cure light wounds (X2), cure moderate wounds (X2), scrolls of animal messenger and stone shape, potion of love, light riding horse and equipment, potion of spider climb, a dozen vials of lantern oil, masterwork thieves’ tools, scroll with summon monster II, potion of cat’s grace, Rat’s Tail (Rapier +1), scroll with change self, enlarge, and two sleep spells

Gold: 1667

Silver: 1200

Luger

AC: 20

Hit Points: 43/45

New XP: 150

XP total: 14,081

XP needed: 15,000

Equipment: longsword, heavy mace, light x-bow, dagger, 20 bolts, chainmail +1, large steel shield, 3 belt pouches, large bag, 50’ rope, 5 torches, hooded lantern, 3 oil flasks, flint & steel, 24 days rations, silver holy symbol of Heironeus, 3 flasks holy water, 3 healer’s kits, backpack, cleric’s vestment, traveler’s clothing, waterskin, bedroll, iron triangle with upside down ‘Y’ inside, eight cockatrice feathers, scrolls of cure light wounds (2), cure disease, neutralize poison, potion of cure moderate wounds; Geistblatt (ghost touch longsword +1), light riding horse and equipment, 5 vials of Furyondian Fire, cloak of resistance +1 (+1 to all saves), potions of enlarge, reduce, nondetection.

Spell Selection:

Level 0(5): Detect Magic (x2), Create Water (x2), Light
Level 1(4+1): Domain: Protection from Evil

Level 2 (3+1): Domain: Aid

Level 3 (2+1): Domain: Magic Circle Against Evil

Turn Undead attempts left on current day: 7 of 7

Gold: 297

Silver: 1200

Karzak

AC: 19

Hit Points: 36/38

New XP: 150

XP total: 3,750

XP needed: 6,000

Equipment: potions of blur and charisma, backpack, water skin, 7 days rations, aleskin, flint & steel, heavy crossbow, 4 cases with 40 bolts, 2 daggers, masterwork dwarven waraxe, large steel shield, banded mail, short sword, bedroll, sack

Gold: 620

Silver: 1200