Brief Recap: Recently, the party arrived in Trajia to discover that mages of the Magocracy had taken control of the city, apparently aided by Protectors--the elite and most trusted guard of the Guild of Magic in Galay. The reason for this strange alliance became clear when they learned that the treasonous Krossus had come into possession of the Crown of Acererak. The party comprised Trenin, Ghotu, Bibi, Fyona, Mog, and a strange monk named Yama Takagi who arrived with Humphrey from Galay and who is from an order dedicated to destroying the Crown and Scepter. Humphrey told them how Krossus came by the Crown, and they learned from a Protector that Krossus had used the Crown on the entire Assembly of Mages and was in the process of taking over the Free Cities and Trajia.

The party learned where Krossus made his headquarters, and with the help of a religious artifact that created silence, they killed Krossus and almost got the Crown and Scepter. But as soon as Krossus was slain by Ghotu's axe, the demon Swolv appeared and took the Crown- -and Humphrey--back to the Nether Wurld. Bibi ended up holding the scepter. [DM NOTE: IT may have been the other way around--Bibi might have ended up with the Scepter, I can't remember.]

The Aftermath

Killing Krossus is not nearly enough to restore Trajia to its rightful order. The few mages of the Magocracy remaining in the city have disappeared, leaving much grim evidence of their presence. In their investigation of the city, the party learns that the mages sacrificed hundreds of Brothers in a gruesome ritual. Hundreds more citizens were also killed.

The party does what they can to help establish order in the city, and eventually prepares to leave. They are now fully provisioned, with mounts, and are ready to go. The problem: Where to go?

Mog says that if Krossus used the crown on the mages of the Guild, then great trouble may wait in Galay.. Yama points out that spellcasters who are commanded by the Crown eventually go insane, as Mog did, while non-spellcasters merely develop hatred for the crown user. It appears that Krossus is in league with the Magocracy--he was in fact a spy for them--and if he was able to command the Assembly, a very large number of good mages may be dead or insane.

The party sits on their mounts outside Trajia's northern gate.

"We must move north to see if what the protector told us was true. If the Free Cities have also come under the influence of the Magicracy, then it will only be a matter of time before they set their sights on the rest of the North. The old days of tyranny are not forgotten by many among their order. If it is as the protector said then we must get word to the other regions in teh north that may come under attack." says Trenin.

Bibi tells the group that Fyona had suggested that she go to the Prophet and ask him what she should do with the crown. So last night she left the crown with Mog and went to see the Prophet. (transport via plant)

The rest of the party decides to wait in Trajia for Bibi's return. The trip takes several days, because Bibi must find a tree of a species that also exists within easy travel of Ura, the Prophet's city. This she does--an ancient twisted desert tree east of Trajia.

When Bibi arrives at the city, she heads to the Palace. [Anne, we will conduct the rest of your encounter in private.]

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Meanwhile...

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" Humphrey writhes in agonizing pain as he nearly slips into unconsciousness. He is smacked awake by the Demon's servant. "Soon you pain will end Humphrey... soon the girl will meet you here and master will have another to focus his hate upon." The imp laughs, "but then he will give you to me..." hahahahaaaahahahaa aaahaahhhaaaa!

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Meanwhile, this time down south in Ura, the end of Bibi's meeting with the Prophet...

The Prophet claps his hands and a desert warrior of these southern lands steps from behind a curtain. He wears a long curved sword at his right hip and his skin is dark from a life in the desert sun. Bibi, being a Druid, senses some divine power in this man, as though he is blessed.

The Prophet says, "Bibi, this is Abu. He will protect you with his life as you do your holy work. May Modi Guide you." The world suddenly dissolves around Bibi and then materializes again. She finds herself back outside Trajia, next to camp, directly in front of Ghotu who was standing watch. Abu is with her, including his mount and all his equipment.

Ghotu, apparently unperturbed at Bibi's sudden apparation with a stranger, casually calls to the others, "Bibi's back."

"What news do you bring, druid-child? " asks Trenin. "And who is this stranger with you?"

"Actually, I just made his acquaintance myself. So.," Bibi turns to Abu.

"I am Abu, humble servant of the Prophet. By his order, I now serve the chosen." Abu bows to Ghotu. "I am most pleased to make your acquantaince sir." Abu is of small build, wearing traditional Southland garb, including a felt cap. This is Troja." He pats his warhorse. All notice the horse is of the finest quality."

Trenin pets the Troja's nose and whispers something to it in Elvish. Troja whinnies, good naturedly.

Trenin continues, "Regardless we must address the issue of what to do next. I have no desire to travel to the Magocracy as it will most likely be hostile terrority. Going to Galay may be risky as well and would serve no purpose other than confirming if the Mage's Guild has been driven insane by teh influence of teh crown. This would be nice to know, but I feel that it is more important to travel northward, past the magicracy, Galay and the Free Cities to inform the regions further north of teh events taking place. If we do not tell anyone and we are captured or killed, tehn teh magocarcay will have teh elemnt of surprise on their hands if tehy decide to invade further north.. If we can make it to the Druids of Dunore or teh Sylvan Brotherhood, then word could be spread rather quickly throughout the Northen lands. We can always return south afterwards to investigate further."

Bibi replies, "I agree. We should head north to inform others and I must return to Dunore anyway."

"We must travel to the obsidian stone. Do you know of its whereabouts?" Abu says.

"Yes, I do...what do you know about it?" Bibi assumes that the Prophet told Abu about the stone.

"I know very little, only what my master told me." Abu replies.

Posting Instructions: Please post your actions for the round.

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