EternalWarriors

Act I: The Steading of the Hill Giant Chief

Brief Recap: Last turn, the party encountered and fought with the dark one. Nearly defeated, the party allows the dark one to escape just as they meet a strange wizard named Humphrey Beauregard. Humphrey tells them about the obsidian stone and what the dark one might do with it, and asks that they help him in his quest to stop the dark one. Bibi cast two healing spells, one on Blade [Blade is now at 17/106 hit points] and one on herself [Bibi is now at35/60 hit points]. Bibi also confides in Blade that she has lycanthropy, and that the obsidian stone can either allow her to control her curse or cure her entirely.

Beneath the Steading

Bibi and Blade return to the others, where Humphrey talks to Ghotu, Mog, and Bronk. Fonkin Hoddypeak and the human engineer are there as well, the latter having remained behind the party and avoided the fight with the dark one. The engineer is eager to return to civilized lands.

Though some in the party do not trust the newcomer Humphrey, they allow him to join their expedition. Ghotu is the most accepting of Humphrey, followed by Mog and Bronk, who seem to be warming to the aging wizard as he tells them more about his mission and where he is from. Bibi, Blade, and Bruce keep their distance, and remain very wary of the newcomer.

The party opens the door through which the dark one passed, ready for an attack if necessary. There is none. The passage dead ends in a relatively small room (small for the giant steading, that is). Within the room in the center of the floor is a black chain laid in a figure "8" shape. Though there are no exits to this room, the dark one is nowhere to be found.

Both Mog and Humphrey look at one another, recognizing what the chain must be--a "Waypoint Maker." By coiling the chain into the figure "8" shape, and uttering the proper incantations, the user will be instantly teleported to some distance location. Judging from the fact that the chain is in that shape now, this must be how the dark one escaped. But to where?

The room is not empty. In fact, the company quickly discovers that they have found Nosra's main treasure room. In a large chest they find over 23,000 gold pieces. In another, they find over 4,000 platinum pieces. Two smaller coffers together contain: 41x100 gp gems, 13x500 gp gems, 8x1000 gp gems, 17x500 gp jewelry.

There are some barrels in the south side of the passage. Almost instinctively, Ghotu graver goes over and kicks them all open. To his surprise, one of them disappears as he kicks it, and another coffer appears in its place. Obviously this one was protected by an illusion spell. Within the coffer is a black scroll tube containing a map, and instructions on the incantations for operating the Waypoint Maker. Mog and Humphrey inspect these, and they realize that both are inscribed on flayed human skin. They cannot immediately tell where the map leads. There is also a book there written in a language the party members do not recognize.

Also hidden in this corner are what appear to be several magic items. There is a ring, three javelins, a belt, some small jars, a small stone with a rune on it (which Blade recognizes as belonging to his Goddess Tymora), another small jar, a quiver with 20 arrows, a haversack, and a large human sized suit of scale mail. All these items go into Bruce's portable hole for future identification and division, as does all the other treasure found except the map, the book, and the chain. Mog takes these.

Blade pockets the stone with the Tymora rune on it.

"Blade grows brave," says Mog. "Or has he forgotten the Girdle of Masculinity to Femininity that our old pal Tabor, now Tabina, tried on without identifing first?" Blade does indeed remember Tabor, a thief who used to adventure with them from time to time. In one haul, they had found what they all assumed was a Girdle of Giant Strength. Tabor tried it on then and there, and was transformed forever. Last Blade had heard, "Tabina" was whoring in the southern cities for bronze pieces, so ugly was the thief.

"Though," continues Mog, "It do got your goddess's mark."

Humphrey says, "I recognize the language of that book, it is similar to that of another book I have." Here Humphrey is referring to the history book his master had used to identify the obsidian stone. Humphrey does not know where his master got that book, but the writing is definitely the same script. Humphrey had just begun learning to decipher the alien script when he had to flee the south. He still carries his master's book, as well as all his own spell books. He had taken all his most valuable items with him when he fled. Now he carries all that he owns, for he is wanted in the south by the Guilds, who believe him guilty of treason and the theft of the stone.

Mog says, "When we return to civilized lands, we will study the book together to learn its contents." [Brian, does Humphrey agree to this?] Mog continues: "We will also try to find where the map, and possibly the Waypoint Maker, lead to."

"Yes, we shall study it together, though if it is of the same sort as the book I just mentioned, it will be magic only a wizard can understand. But I appreciate any opportunity to shares arts with a shaman, good sir."

Bibi interjects "I am also interested in the map. If there is anything I can do to help I will do it."

"Yes, you too can assist with the study of the map if you like. All the party may assist, or all that agree to stand with me against the coming onslaught." says Humphrey. Humphrey eyes the girl, perhaps noticing something about her. Perhaps merely noticing her beauty. Bibi cannot tell, but either way, it makes her uncomfortable.

After they have searched the upper and lower levels, the party gathers all their loot and prepares to depart the steading. Nothing of value is found in the upper levels, because the orcs have ransacked the place. However, the adventurers do find a serviceable wagon in one of the barns behind the steading. Bruce and Blade leave to gather the horses and equipment the party stashed in the rock bluff to the south of the steading (when they first arrived).

Bronk and Ghotu load Nosra's head into the wagon, and wrap it with a tarp and tie it down. Before they cover it with the tarp, Mog douses Nosra's head with lime powder (which they also found in the giants' barn). He says it will prevent the smell from becoming too awful.

As the Bronk and Ghotu load the giant's head on the wagon Blade takes a stroll with Bibi.

As the two walk out ahead of the party, Humphrey says--"I shall catch up with you. I have something more I must investigate inside." he then dissappears into the caves.

"Tell me more about this curse of yours. Do you become a wolf or some other creature? Is there any cure that you know of? Do you have an aversion to silver in that form? When is the next full moon? [they probably would have talked about this earlier, but we didn't continue our conversation]

"The return of the stone to its place in my locket is the only remedy that I am aware of and that is not cure. But it is said to allow me to control the change. Although I have little memory of the changes I have been told that I become a large black cat (jaguar) and as fair as I know I am not bothered by silver or anything else. I am afraid that the full moon is coming soon but my time underground with the orcs has left me a bit unsure. I need to find out. I may need to leave the group for a few day and meet up later."

[NOTE FROM DM: The next full moon may be in only a few days, Bibi knows she has not changed in weeks. She always changes on full moons, she suspects, though she doesn't always remember it. Mog may be able to tell you more accurately when the full moon is, he watches the skies.]

Bibi asks Mog to speak with her alone. She tells him everything about her illness and the stone. She pleads with him to help her and not to trust Humphrey. She also finds out from him when the full moon will be and makes plans to leave the group for a few days.

Bibi leaves the group the day before the full moon and plans to meet them in three days. She head out into the wilderness hoping to stay away from anyone or anything she might harm.

Approximately a day before the party reaches the meeting place with Bibi, Humphrey returns to the party.

When he arrives, after the party sits down to eat some rabbits he has brought with him, Bruce says "I do not trust wizards. Always coming and going, as if on some secret errand for the devils."

Humphrey, looking at the pot-bellied warriors, finishes his sentence ". . . or for the gods, warrior, for the gods."

The day after the full moon, on her way to rejoin the group Bibi comes across a herd of wild horse lead by a large gray stallion. She has always had a love for horses and was the best trainer in her tribe. Bibi uses her animal friendship to gain the trust of horse and then fits him with a bridal fashioned from some rope she was caring.

With the speed and endurance of this magnificent animal she reaches the spot where she was to meet her friends a full day before they arrive. She spends the day working with her horse. She casts friendship again and charm to try to increase her bond with the horse. By that night the horse sleeps lying down with her on his back.

During the night, she feels as if someone is watching her, and she awakes, sweating, as if from a bad dream. She falls back to sleep and only vaguely remembers the experience when she awakes.

It is a long journey home.

Check out the newly updated Trophy Room for running totals of all the creatures killed, experience points earned, and treasure gathered so far on the adventures of . . .