Brief Recap, End Act II: The adventurers escaped the hall of King Snurre and the Temple of the Githyanki. Thinking Blade had the Obsidian Stone, Humprey used the powers of the Staff of Magi to transport the entire party out of the Hall and to another Plane of Existence. Bibi discovered that the stone they recovered is not the Obsidian Stone, but is instead something called a "Wizarding Stone" by Thae-Rune Ibn.

In a Desert. . .

Ghotu thinks, This is definitely not the Basement of the Fire Giant Hall. Though he is glad not to be in the Fire Giant Hall, he isn't exactly pleased with where he finds himself.

The company looks out from atop a rocky plateau to see a desert panaroma. The sky behind them to the east is a deep blue, while before them the sun sets in a blaze of color on an endless horizon of sand and rock. To their left, the south, they see a city on the coast of a great bay.

None in the party are sure where they are, though Mog tells them they are most likely back on the Wurld because the stars look similar. But he believes they must be a great distance from the Northern Kingdom because of where the stars lie on the curtain of night. Mog hopes to find his people still, but no luck for the orc.

Bardock is still unconscious, though he stirs. Bronk does not tie him up, and prepares for whatever Bardock does. As soon as his brother is fully awake, he looks around like a trapped animal. Snarling, he lunges at Bronk, trying to strangle him and bite his throat.

Bronk, still under the influence of the Strength spell cast by Humphrey, easily subdues his brother, holding his arms before him, and eventually cuffing him into unconsciousness. Bronk is saddened by his brother's condition.

They remove Bardock's armor and gauntlets, and tie him, for they have no other choice. Bronk will not leave him behind, and the others do not suggest he should. Humphrey examines Bardock and sees a tattoo on his neck, a strange and intricate Rune. "Githyanki magic," the mage says, "and potent, if I am any judge of such strange enchantments. This is probably what makes him their slave. I have heard of such spells, though I must admit I've never seen one." He looks at Bronk. "I will consult my master's Ancient History Tome, as well as the Codex, to see if we can learn of any such spell, and how to break it. But I must warn you, the chances are slim that I will find anything useful. That enchantment was cast by someone far more powerful than myself. It will take one of the Great Mages of the Guild to remove the charm."

"Great Mage?" says Bronk. Though he has journeyed to the Southern Cities, he has lived most his life in the north, adventuring on the frontier. Magic is foreign to him, unless it is an enchanted weapon. He has never heard of a Great Mage. But he must save his brother.

"Then we're going to Galay," says the Rasheman.

[Feel free to post a conversation here about what to do.]

With nothing else to do, they decide to make for the city, at least to supply and figure out what they will do next.

Now, I could describe this town in great Tolkienesque detail, but suffice it to say that the climate is temperate late spring (the opposite season from when we left the North), balmy in fact, and the place is a thriving tradepost and port city with a moderate government of whatever description you like--a wise pedocracy of the learned and scholarly, a benevolent syndicracy of business interests, or perhaps an orderly militocracy of honorable warriors. In any event, no one interferes with the company as they enter the town and take up a room in a clean, well lit tavern on a wide, cobble street. You can even imagine a fountain in the square outside the tavern, which is on a hillside overlooking the ocean. Silver moonlight from the new moon on the water.

On the walk to the town Bibi is silent. She can't believe that they are here now, without stopping the ceremony or get the obsidian stone. She studies the stone she does have hoping to discern its purpose. Once they are close to the city she slips the it under the leather wrap around her wrist.

The company provisions itself, and decides to stay a few days in the spacious suites they rent, to heal and allow the spellcasters to regain their magic in full. [All spellcasters regain all memorized spells, as shown on the character sheets. If you want to change them, post the changes, now is the time to do it.] The fighters heal themselves to maximum using Mog's Ring of Regeneration [everyone is at max hit points]. Bardock is subdued the entire time, for he cannot be calmed or reasoned with. Between Humphrey's Ray of Enfeeblement and Mog's Paralysis, he and the party are kept safe.

[Please post any additional preparations you make, or anything else you want to do in this fair port city.]

Mog studies the sky at night and determines that they are on the southern hemisphere, which they had guessed because of the changed season. They learn from travelers that they are south of where they left, a vast distance, thousands of leagues. It will take months to travel the great distance to the Northern Kingdom.

That night Bibi follows Mog out of the Inn as he goes out to star gaze. As they sit under dark sky Bibi asks Mog for his advice. First on the stone that she is carrying and then about her quest for the obsidian stone. She is feeling depressed about her current situation and wonders if her quest isn't hopeless.

Mog shares Bibi's trepidation. "Mog too thought Blade had the Obsidian Stone. Can Mog see this "Wizarding Stone?"

Bibi draws the stone from its hiding place beneath the leather strap around her wrist and hands it to him.

The orcish shaman waves one of his fetishes over the Wizarding Stone, muttering something in his magical language. Mog then looks at it carefully in the dim light of the stars and moon, and Bibi wonders how much he can see. But he is orcish, and Bibi knows they have better nightvision than humans. He also appears to be feeling the runes carved into the stone.

"These Githyanki use powerful magicks. Mog is not certain, for he is no mage, but the runes on this stone speak of great power. Mog does not really understand what they mean, but the runes show that this Stone can move the very stars."

Bibi has never heard of such a thing, and thinks probably it is a symbol for some other power. What good would it be to move the stars?

"But Mog, aren't the stars images of the Gods? Some among my people can read the Gods in the sky. They speak to them, and the Gods tell the future."

"Mog believes the stars are not Gods, but other worlds, far away. The Prime Material Plane is our plane, and all worlds live in the Prime Material Plane. Outside the Prime Material Plane are the Elemental Planes, and outside that, the Heavens and the Hells. The stars move according to Time, and they follow a set path in the sky. Mog has studied them his whole life."

They sit silent for a moment, looking at the night sky. Bibi has never heard this explanation before.

"What of my quest Mog? If they still have the Obsidian Stone, won't the Githyanki summon their Dark Queen? And how will I stop my changes?" Bibi has been lucky since meeting up with the party just over a month ago. She was able to leave the party during her last change, a month ago (just after leaving Chief Nosra's Steading). She should have changed again with this most recent full moon, but somehow Humphrey's spell removed her from the full moon's influence. And when they returned here, the new moon shone in the sky.

"Mog fears they have summoned the Dark Queen, though who can know for sure? We must make haste back to the Northern Kingdom, to warn King Ozrik of our failure on the Quest. If the Codex of Goil-Ward Adz speaks truth, the Gith intend to dominate the Wurld, and enslave all who dwell here. For us, there is no survival without victory. Mog for one will continue to seek the Obsidian Stone, for that purpose at least. So Bibi has at least one to accompany her. And the others will follow as well, for they understand what is at stake."

"What about Bronk?" asks Bibi. Humphrey's discovery of the rune on his neck gave some hope that they could free him of his loyalty to the Githyanki. Magical control could be broken, while true loyalty was permanent and could only be suppressed.

"If Humphrey be right, then we must go to Galay to Free Bardock. Mog fears the mages there, for they wield great power, and their number is too great for us to stand against if they decide to sieze us. But they may also be able to comprehend the Wizarding Stone you carry as well. It's name suggests it is made for a mage's hand, and there are no more powerful mages than at Galay."

Slightly reassured, but not fully satisfied, Bibi silently watches the stars, wondering what they could tell her of her own future.

The first thing Ghotu does when they get settled is to shop for a magic net. He figures a port city such as this one, with ample wealth, is as likely a place to find one as any. In the very first shop he visits, on display is a silver net that shimmers like the scales of a fish. He inquires of the proprieter, a large black man mending a net behind a wooden table, who says, "Jesssss, she is a beauty! A true Net of Entrapment! You are in the market?" He sizes Ghotu up. Ghotu nods, saying, "I was a myrmadon in the gladiator pits of Calderon."

"Really!" The black man stands, he is a full seven feet tall, massively built. He pulls open his vest, showing the scars on this chest and the brand on his shoulder, put on all the gladiators, Ghotu included.

"I won my freedom seven years ago, after defeating the Prince's champion in mortal combat." It is rare that a gladiator could acquire enough wealth to buy their freedom, but from the look of this one, Ghotu believes him. Ghotu himself killed several of his guards to win his freedom, in a successful escape. Ghotu had hunted down Carlysle the Careless several years ago, the man who captured Ghotu and sold him into slavery as a gladiator in the first place.

After discussing the merits of being a gladiator, Mfume gives Ghotu a demonstration of the Net. It is nearly indesctuctible, withstanding Ghotu's toughtest axe attacks. It is ten feet square and has quarter foot mesh. It can be thrown 20 feet so as to cover and close upon opponents. It can be suspended from the ceiling and drop on a command word. It can be laid on the floor and will likewise close up on command. The net can cover a 5' cube. It can be loosed by command. Ghotu guys it for 7,000 gold pieces, which he pays form his personal stash of gems he carries.

Meanwhile, back at the Inn, Blade grows restless. He has never been to this town, and he doesn't want to leave without exploring a bit.

"Come along Bronk, we can only knock your brother out so many times before it loses it's excitement. Besides there is a whole new hemisphere's worth of bar-room tables waiting to have my name etched into them. " says Blade merrily.

Later that night, while well into their cups Blade and Bronk are performing an old standby scam on some of the local bar patrons. Blade has laid out 3 rows of 3 cards face down on the bar. He offers a wager to some of the locales. " you see these cards here? "

"Uh...yeah. " says one stifling a burp.

"I'll bet you a days pay [Not sure what a good avererge would be here, not sure of the money system, but about $50] , that if I go into the other room and you then put your finger on one of those cards for a second or two without moving it, that I can return and be able to tell you which one you put your finger on. "

"that's crazy talk," says the drunk, "your not a wizard are you."

"No, no of course not. Don't be silly. wizards have long flowing beards and pointy hats. As you can see I meet neither of the those two criteria."

The man looks at Blade with much concentratation to make sure he doesn't have a pointy hat or flowing beard. Seeing that he doesn't he says, "All right, It's a deal."

Blade goes into the other room, the man puts his finger on a card, removes hi finger, and then shouts for Blade to return.

Blade studies the cards intently, making a grand show of it, putting his finger in his mouth, pulling it out to test the air, placing his hands just barely over the cards as if to feel the heat emanating from them.

"Come on then. which one is it? you're stalling. " slurrs the drunk

Blade smiles, and says "It is that one," placing his finger same one the man had chosen earlier.

"Well I'll be damned." says the man astonished.

Little did the man realize that Bronk had covertly clued Blade into which card had been chosen by gripping his ale mug with two hands as he sat at the bar. However many fingers Bronk showed towards Blade, told Blade to count down that far in the card arrangement. It was an old scam that the two had devised long ago and never failed earn them so quick cash and bring some excitement to an otherwise dull evening.

The man pays his bet and Blade and bronk go on theire marry way.

As the head toward another bar, a wiry figure slinks out of the shadows, "There ain't no freelancin' in this town...any theivin', scamming, gambling. whorin', or other such elicit affairs are the sole province of the Hoddypog Gang. Now pay up, if ye' know what's goods fer ya."

"The Hoddypog Gang? What an unfortunate name. " says Blade incredulously "Ask me again once you've decided upon a proper name for your little band of thieves. Something with a little more style and panache. Until then piss off. "

The wiry man lunges at blade with a dagger, Blade easily sidesteps the blow, tripping the man with an outstretched foot . As the man scrambles to his feet, Bronk bludgeons him in the back of the head with a hammy fist, then stuffs his unconscious form into an empty apple barrel.

" I knew this was a good idea . We are already making new friends." Blade says to Bronk. " Lets try that place a few streets over that we saw on our way here, the Crusty Leper, it seemed an all right sort of place. "

Bronk grunts in approval and they head off to the Crusty Leper.

In the shadows, a cloaked figure watches, unnoticed by the two fighters as they head to the Crusty Leper. When they are gone, he departs in the opposite direction.

Humphrey has a teleport spell that can transport the party to Galay, the only place familiar enough to teleport so many so great a distance. But the mage seems hesitant to travel there, though it appears to be the only option left open to them. If the Obsidian Stone were still in Thae-Rune Ibn's hands, then it was possible the Dark Queen was summoned. The Northern Kingdom had to be warned of this fact, even as they prepare for war already. For King Ozrik knows of the Githyanki threat, and was mobilizing his troops when the adventurers left Heklamar, only two days ago. They used the Waypoint Maker found in the Steading of Chief Nosra, to teleport to the Top of the Wurld where they found the Hall of the Fire Giants and the Githyanki Temple. It seems to the company like a lot more time has passed...

In their suite at the Inn, Humphrey speaks to Bibi. "Bibi, I will need to keep that stone for awhile to discern it true purpose. Since it was used by the Dark One, it is likely to be necromancy--dangerous magic. Even moreso for one not versed in the arts. If I discover it is something you can use, I will return it. It is probably most useful as a bargaining chip to gain information when we reach Galay. When we reach Galay, I will require each you to address me as Nepal, as I will be disguising my likeness. I do this to be sure we reach the allied wizards we seek, to heal Bardock and to gain more information regarding the location of the Obsidian Stone. Most likely the Dark Queen has been summoned, or will be shortly and the hordes of chaos will begin pouring into our world, seeking to tear the Veil between the darkness and the light, and to conquer those that stand in their way, as well as the kingdoms. When we arrive in Galay, we will seek out the Council of Sages to discuss our next option. This conflict is far from over."

Bibi replies to the wizard "I will give you this stone under one condition and that is that if we obtain the obsidian stone you will turn it over to me without a fight. And I must have a vow from you here infront of my friends." Right after the words leave her mouth, she thinks that this may sound a bit mellodramatic to the group. She has never before refered to any of them as her freind but if the truth be known, Bibi actually feels as though these people are now her family. Yet, she still feel some mistrust towards Humphery.

"I think you give yourself and your friends too much credit young one." The wizard's brow furrows and Bibi sees for the first time a quick flash of anger cross the old mage's face. He quickly quells the emotion, returning to his usual stone-faced visage. "I will make no such pledge as the Obsidian Stone is neither my property, nor the property of you or your tribe. It is an ancient relic that must be controlled, not left in the hands of natives, or a low tier magician, only to be snatched at the convienence of those with true power in the Wurld. However, I will pledge to help you use the stone, or whatever other means to remove the curse that has tortured you for so long. It is a curse that can be removed. If you choose to keep the wizardry stone be aware that you put yourself and your friends in grave danger. It is a magic that you cannot control and you will shoulder full responsibility for the consequences of your actions."

"For hundreds of year my line had kept the stone safe and if you ask me now who I believe took the stone from my people, I would say that it was a wizard. So, perhaps you can understand why I will not turn this stone over to you or any other wizard." Turning to Mog Bibi says "If need be I will release the stone to someone that I can trust."

Seeing the mage's brief show of anger, Mog quietly says, "Truly, we will all bear the consequences of our actions if we fail. Mog says we must put aside these problems until the quest is finished and the Githyanki threaten us no more.

"And we must also not forget that Thae-Rune Ibn seized the Obsidian Stone from the Guild of Magic itself. So who knows how best to protect the Stone? Mog fears the southern mages, but he will go to them for help, we have little choice. 'Desparation will make an Orc wed a Goblin,'" he says quoting part of an old Orcish proverb.

"And the Goblin married the Orc to quietly murder the Orc's tribe, saving his own, if I recall correctly." Humphrey laughs, the tension between the three easing. "Let us not allow desperation to create rifts in the ultimate goal of this quest--to defeat the Dark Queen and her minions. Without their defeat the stone, or your family curse--" he says looking at Bibi, "mean little, for we shall all visit the demons of our dreams. You and I will cross the bridge of the Obsidian Stone if we ever come to it young one. But I suggest you give the wizardry stone to one who might use its power to help us, be it me or some other mage we ally with." Humphrey turns and walks away, ending the conversation.

As Humphrey turns to go, Mog says, "Let us hope the proverb is wrong in this case, mage."

Once the party decides to leave, Humphrey casts seeming on himself, altering his appearance. He now appears as a red-headed spiked- haired, rail thin man, in a grey cloak, riding boots, and carrying a kukri at his side. After doing this, he teleports us all to a grove of trees 1/2 mile from Galay, near the main road. The party is taken by the throng of people clogging the main road, trying to get into the city walls.

Upon arrival, "Nepal" approaches a man with a wagon pulled by two oxen. He offers him 80 gold for it, which the man accepts. He then steers it to the party, who load Bardock into the wagon. The others will have to walk or ride, depending on their preference. Humphrey walks alongside the wagon. "Blade, you've had the most experience handling oxen, can you drive?," Nepal says.

Blade burps, then nearly retches from the gaseous taste and smell of stagnant ale. He had a pounding headache from too much revelry the night before. "No" he replies through squinty bloodshot eyes. "Ask Bronk, women and oxen are nearly interchangeable in Rashemen....and I mean that in the worst way possible. " A lurid mental picture of Bronk naked surrounded by voluptuous women with oxen heads, like minataurs, fills Blade's mind. He quickly runs to the side of the road and vomits.

Bronk stands there for a second. . . looks at Blade and starts laughing a hardy laugh. "HA HA HA......!!!!!!" He walks over to his friend and says, "They are usually pretty tight too." Then smacks him on the back. Apparently the large warrior is not feeling any effects from the night before. "Yes..I can handle the team."

"Use to in my uncles field for years." Bronk starts to scratch his head in a rather comical way. "Thing is....he was the only one in the clan that was a farmer and not a warrior." Bronk says. He Climbs up on the wagon and says, "Let's move."

Meanwhile. . .

Against all odds, King Snurre Ironbelly the Foul survived the curse cast upon him by the evil sprite who invaded his home, that foul human mage calling himself Humphrey.

When he had Thae-Rune Ibn in his hand and he cursed Humphrey, Thae-Rune Ibn understood Snurre's treachery was not of his own doing. As Snurre raised the Wrathgiver a third time, fully intending to end the mage's life, Thae-Rune Ibn willed the Spines of Gulthis into being, a spell with no somatic component, only a simple verbal component. Snurre screamed as three foot spikes sprouted forth from Thae-Rune Ibn's body, impaling his hand. The Spines retracted as instantly as they appeared, and Snurre dropped the mage. Thae-Rune Ibn used his True Sight to discern the Geas cast by Humphrey.

He mused at the human mage's cleverness for only an instant, for he had other matters at hand. He spoke a few words, the most powerful words of magic known to any mage. Thae-Rune Ibn invoked a Wish spell.

Snurre groaned as he lay on the floor, and sat up. His wounds were healed, and he quickly stood, a fire in his eyes. He bellowed in his incredibly deep voice, "WARRIORS, WHOM DO YOU SERVE? I YOUR KING, OR THIS TRAITOR THAG!"

The fire giant warriors halted at the sight of the King, but Thag continued his charge toward the mage, under Humphrey's last magic command from the Potion of Fire Giant Control. Snurre clotheslined Thag as he ran by, then put his iron boot on the traitor's neck. He grinned furiously as he twisted the boot, crushing Thag's windpipe.

King Snurre bowed before Thae-Rune Ibn.

"Very good, King Snurre. Return to the upper level, and prepare for the arrival of Goil-Ward Adz. We summon the Dark Queen tonight."

Posting Instructions: Please post any special preparations or conversations you want to discuss. There could be a discussion of what to do with Bardock or whether to go to Galay, and how. You could also speculate about what to do after that, and what to do about the Dark Queen, if she has indeed been summoned. I am awarding experience points, but this is not yet reflected on your character sheets. I will update them, they are on the list.

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