Leaving the Khard part 2

"Sooner or later we are going to have to fight this thing," whispered Brumbar.

Snow took no such precautions. In normal tones he said, "I calculate that we can be here for sixteen hours before the spell breaks."

"Where is here?" asked Brumbar, still whispering, and looking around.

Leaving the Khard part 1

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I can't decide what I like least," Snow offered, sneaking a glance at the withering noonday sun.

Shepherd Brendan looked at him, interested.

Brumbar only grunted and scowled, but then again, the knight had been grunting and scowling for days.

The drover, Saeed, on the other hand, ignored the lot of them. He was the only Southruner in the group and he seemed unaffected by the heat.

Snow continued his complaint, "I can't decide whether it is the sand in my boots or the glare in my eyes."

Graverobbers of Bylos part 4

"The deed is done, my lord," said Brumbar before the assembled court of the Satrap of Bylos. He stepped forward, "My companion and I have planted the black sand and the candle you gave us. Your back door is about to be permanently closed."

The Satrap leaned back and swirled his steaming black wine in its golden bowl. "So you say."

Graverobbers of Bylos part 3

"You know what I hate?" asked Rojer of anyone who would listen.

Snow and Brumbar ignored his grumbling, but the two men lent to the company by the Emir of Bylos did not. Instead, they jabbered at him in dahlese and covered their lips with a finger.

Snow interpreted. "They say that we should talk less because this is a place for the sleeping dead."

Rojer clapped his hands together and the sound of it echoed in the crypt. "Exactly! I hate that every time I seem to get some coin in my pocket, I end up with you two in some place forsaken by man and gods alike and trafficking among the dead."

Grave Robbers of Bylos part 2

"That is my mother's earring!" Nazeer exclaimed, loudly. "She gave the pair to my sister on her death bed."

"Your sister will bring a war, your grandeur." The voice speaking belonged to the vizier in the small court of the Palace of Bylos. He was an old man, bald and lame --leaning upon a staff too long for him. He bent down and spoke quietly.

The emir pursed his lips and settled into thought.

Grave Robbers of Bylos part 1

After the battle in the Valley of the Three Lions and the unfortunate incidences regarding Ivy's death, the party found itself in Bylos, resting and recuperating. Southrun hospitality is widely known and few will enjoy it like those who are guests of honor of an entire city.

The Origin of Shepherd Joscius

Joscius had seen battle before he entered the Arcade. Beneath the walls of Wanderhalt, as the armies of men sallied forth to break the great goblin siege.

It was in the shield wall that he met Prefect Crispin.

Earns nickname "Old Mule"
Graduates after 3 years in the Arcade.
Tapped to join the Most Learned Brothers of Wr. Planos
Mission to find Shepherd Dalen (tall, blond-haired, blue-eyed male with some Northrun blood)
Joined by Ahlam the Priest and Sir Calem his "brother" (a ward of his noble father).
Journey to Southrun.
Put on the Island of Nasik
Fought the Hag
Carried to mainland by the Hermit

Playing with the Dressing: Part 2 of the Profligate Nephew

Attalah and Shael made inquiries about Watersedge and discovered all that they could about the recalcitrant debtor, Symen Strathurst. Two things he had in common with all who held his debts is that he always seemed to be out of town, and always seemed to be "returning in a week." They also discovered that the petty noble had business interests in furniture and in a few local fisheries. It was the furniture that peaked their interest.

The Profligate Nephew

The House of Agnolo has run the Bank of Aqilia in the Free Provinces for centuries, and seldom has a problem collecting from its debtors. But the Free Provinces are across the Dagger Sea from Westrun, and from time to time the nobles of the Eight Kingdoms do seem to forget that they have debts to pay.

The Pearl of Certain Perils

How aptly named, this Pearl of Certain Perils.

Traveling by means of the pearl's magical portal, the party finds itself out of the proverbial frying pan and into the fire.

 Is this the Khard?

The Daughter Damaskos

In Laketon, Lady Carma and Onogg the Goblin Priest were approached by the Prefect who bid them to deliver a message to the Prefect of Treft so that the troubles in Twin Peaks could be eradicated. Carma and Onogg agreed, leaving the rest of the party behind for a few days.

The Judgement of the Sea King

In my former letter, I wrote of Crustis the Reef Giant and his introduction at court. In this I speak of Nan Fung Lee Mai and her retinue and all that they suffered before the King of the Reef People. It is a tale I heard from reliable sources and I wrote it almost immediately after the events that transpired.

Crustis of the Sea People

I will never forget that fateful day during the monsoon season. It was the kind of day that looms large in a man’s memory. The sort of day that makes one realize that Erenth is a much larger place and home to many more creatures than most can imagine.

The Terror South

An excerpt from the Tale of Five Terrors
as told by Will of Jaehn.

After traveling 22 days the party comes to the point at which the southern servant to Bouzir says the party should make contact with the Terror in 6 hours time.

The Death of Ivy

Help my memory.

The Skeleton Way

After reuniting with the caravan and curing the hobbled pony, the party sent the caravan on alone while they investigated a massive footprint of a humanoid which they estimated to have been over one hundred feet tall. The trail of said humanoid, while very old, went into the sparse forest and perhaps accounted some strange features they saw from the air.

Getting a Clue

With Rensen, the pregnant concubine safely returned to Chidak the Daizu chieftain, the party set out once again for the City/State of  Chiro. Along the way, Snow's new armor became a matter of some intrigue. As an expensive and well-crafted suit of leather it conferred excellent protection, it was also noticed by every thieving heart. Most of which also tried to make it their own -- even when the attempt was clearly ill-fated.

The Way of the Sword

Having resolved issues in Laster Shores, the party was made aware of a kidnapping and went to investigate. Apparently, a visiting dignitary was carried off by persons unknown. That dignitary was none other than Rensa, the concubine of a wealthy and ruthless Daizu Wang. The Wang, Chidak of the Red Dawn Tribe, had a reputation as a remorseless and indefatigable enemy. For that reason, the local priest, Shepherd Hutan, thought it best for Laster Shores if the ire of such a one did not get kindled against the town -- which he would surely hold responsible.

Kiss Kiss Stab Stab

After being feasted and celebrated in Merrydale, the party set out for destinations East. They bid their grateful hosts goodbye at the Old Coast Road and fell in with a passing caravan.

Two men-at-arms responsible for guarding the caravan were grateful for the company of knights. The itinerant half-orc priest traveling with them made fast acquaintance with the Paladin Brumbar and the half-orc knight Deathstroke.

Briefly: From the Library of Samantha Rose

Dear Diary,

I have not trusted a man since I was 13 and the old herbalist tried to have his way with me. Instead, I have dedicated myself to the arcane arts and to Drawmij my master. I have attempted to master the old knowledge -- to bend matter, energy and time to my will. So it is strange indeed that these last few days I have felt powerless over something as insignificant as my heart.