3. Mystic River

Mystic River


  • @aa7b1bb3c7:

    Dear Master Z
    I write to you but, I am sure you are well aware of the threats from west. I have cleared the area across the creek from orcs several times. Now there are rumors about gnolls venturing further north as well. You should let your workers know to take extra care travelling north from Norwick. Not only are the gnoll younglings aggresive but they are also carrying some pest of sort. If any of the workers show signs of infection they will not be let inside Peltarch. Perhaps you should make sure that a healer travels with them.

    This will ofcourse have an impact on the cost of the construction I am certain, but plague stricken workers cannot work. I will pay for a healer should it be necessary.

    Sincerely
    Mystic River


  • @44ecb3fda1:

    Hello Miss Mystic,

    I hope this letter finds you well.

    I, too, am concerned about building on wetlands. As I told you before, it is very difficult…and costly. In addition, as I was heading to your plot, I was jumped by no less than 10 or so orcs. I fear you have not picked a very hospitable location for your home. That said, we'll do the best we can to manage the water and the orcs.

    As far as costs, I can't give you a decent quote until you tell me the direction you want to go.

    Are you looking to cut costs as much as possible and still have a solid structure? Do you want the highest quality? Or do you want something in between? This will help me decide which materials we need to gather.

    Since I did not hear back with regards to this, we've been focused on gathering stones for the foundation - stones are stones. As for the wood, we've been gathering pine and maple to keep your costs down. We were hoping for some oak, but have been unable to locate a decent grove to harvest.

    Estimated costs (this includes the actual material cost, labor of gathering, and the shipping of the materials).

    Rock for foundation: 5,000 (we will need a lot more if you want a wall)
    Pine boards: 5,000
    Maple boards: 1,500
    Oak: 3,000 (estimated)

    We are still gathering, so these prices will go up. But we have gathered most of what we need, so they won't go up too much more.

    Draining of the land: Unknown (Few hundred to several thousand gold)
    If it's surface water/runoff, we can divert it around your property pretty easily. If it's ground water seeping up because your land is below the water table, it will be costly. You're looking at a few thousand gold - mostly in labor.

    Building the structure: I estimate the labor to build your home to be around 10 to 15,000 gold. It will be more if we have to hire guards to fight off orcs.

    Interior elements: Roughly 2,000 gold (mostly for the large iron cauldron).

    I hope this gives you a better idea of how much it will cost to build your home. Please let me know if you have any questions.

    Sincerely,

    Z

    She sighs.."very well…" reaching for a quill and paper

    @44ecb3fda1:

    Master Z

    Please accept my apologies I did not understand I had to be so specific, but here my point of view regarding the building.

    Pine is a good wood to build with. The bigger, older pines are best, especially white pine, but I think almost any variety will make fine for the lodge…IF you keep the wood dry and well off the ground. It states in the book I picked up that the first log should be placed at least 20 inches off the ground on a rock/stone foundation. Also, give nice wide overhangs on the roof to keep the rain away.

    When it comes to the finer wood like oak and cherry these are meant for the cabinet, tables etc...

    Yes, I am well aware of the threats from the west, I have been discussing this with my friends, if you need to add a fee for the risk of building I ask you to return to me with a suggestion. However, lets be positive and call it an additional success fee.

    I have no need for a wall, if the orcs come they will crush the wall anyways, it be a waste of my gold. I should prepare an enchaments, like I did with Marias tower, to protect the structure against the creatures, perhaps as rumors say even fire.

    If you wish I may propose a dinner at the Mermaid for the two of us to discuss this further should you find it being of value to you and if you can find the time that is

    Sincerely
    Mystic River.


  • A letter is delivered to the foreman at the construction site, a letter addressed to Master Z

    @bc59c33dd4:

    Master Z, I am aware that the bulk material building the lodge is delivered to the site. I can finally let you know the deal is closed with the land owner and we can commence the work. I am still slightly worried about the swampyness. On my trips collecting interior trinkets for the lodge. I picked up a book explaining a little bit about "building proper foundation". Perhaps we need to dig a hole to see how much water there is and how shallow of a hole it is to spring water. Perhaps a drainage pipe need to be built, relieving the land of excess water, then filling the gutter with rubbles making it easy for the water to find its way to the canal nearby. Naturally you are the expert on these things I should not worry and leave it all to you.

    Also I may remind you I am still waiting on the quotas, it would be nice to know how much this will cost me. How deep into my pocket need I to dig?!

    Kind regards
    Mystic River


  • CAREING CORRESPONDANCE

    Romulus leaves a note under Mystic's door.
    @35e567038d:

    "Hello Dearest!

    I looked for you in all the usual places after my return from Neverwinter, but didn't find you. I did a lot of scouting over the past few days and wanted to specifically warn you about one thing I found. First of all, I saw the site of your new house. Logs, barrels, and other equipment have been delivered to the site, so it looks like construction is beginning. Congratulations.

    However, I continued past the site to the northwest (invisibly) and after crossing the creek, I spotted two orcs west of the north-south creek near the farmlands. I did not engage them, but made my way to Peltarch's west gate to report the danger to the City Defenders. Shallyah told me that ocs have been seen in the area west of the farms on several occasions recently, and that this area is no longer considered safe. Since it is so close to your building site, I thought that you ought to know.

    Be careful!

    Romulus"

    An envelope is delivered to the legion tower to Romulus

    @35e567038d:

    My Dearest Romulus,

    It is good to have you back in Narfell. I have been quite busy looking for interior details for the lodge and I am expanding my trips passing the border of Narfell, you know, I want to find that true genuinine item that make the lodge also look like a home.

    Regarding the activity west I am very well aware of that. I am working on an enchtment to protect myself from the horrible things I hear about. I have spent some time with the elf Raryldor and he told me the threat is real and should not be taken lightly.

    It warms my heart knowing you are thinking of me and that you worry of my well being, but dont forget to take care of yourself as well. We dont know yet what horrific creatures dwells deeper west in caverns. You too should be careful!

    Love
    Mystic

    PS. Send my warmest regards to Gnarl should you see him about


  • Carrying paper tubes under her arms Mystic meets Master Z just outside the southern gate of Peltarch .

    "Greetings Master Z" she extends a hand

    "How good to see you, come… walk this way with me will you" she flashes him a bright smile

    They immediately turns right (westward) their trail follows by the water and after a while they arrive by an opening between some trees. There is a old willow hanging over the water. A placequite serene, maybe a bit marshy but perfect for a mage. The sheltering shadows from the willow and close to water. It is private yet in a distance, she can see the mighty walls of Peltarch giving a sense of comfort.

    "I am still working on the final agreement of the purchase of the land. What do you think?"

    She rolls out one of the tubes she been holding under her arm and hands him the specifications on the interior of the house

    "As you can see there is a large open area, one bed room and a facility for enchantings to be made. Oh… and here are the list of all the furnitures etc that I need. My hired miner Iathouz has already started gathering some supplies and made ingots, he is quite helpful and would be a good addition to the union."

    She hands him another tube of paper

    @f64d0ec302:

    One Bookcase
    One Cabinet
    One Bear rug
    One big Cauldron
    One round table
    One alchemists workbench
    One large Oven
    Seven chairs
    One chest
    One queen sized bed

    Master Z looks around and nods

    "Not too bad…

    It's a nice location, now that the Orcs are cleared out. The ground is a bit swampy, though. That'll make it harder to build. We'll have ta go with a stone foundation. Wood rots too quickly when it's exposed to constant moisture. "

    Another nod

    "This land won't do fer planting crops. Every home must have a garden, and you'll need ta be growin' herbs fer enchantin' stuff. We'll have to build some planters boxes or somethin'. "

    "Other than that, I think we'll be okay. Stone would be best, if you have the coin, but oak would work well, too. It's strong and resistant to moisture, insects, and fungus."

    "The other items will be no problem. We'll get on those after the structure is built."

    "Very well then Master Z I am looking forward to what you can come up with and the cost for it… lets us head back before it gets dark"

    She hands him a few other notes, gently touches his elbow nodding at the direction to Peltarch, an honest sign to show him appreciation for the time spent and that he should take the lead walking back


  • Another letter glued on the door, as the union master opens the envelope a puff of lavender parfume fills the room..

    @020598de47:

    Dear Mr Z

    Perhaps, we should find a time and place to discuss this, I will bring with me the building plans and we could perhaps also visit the land I am looking to purchase. Please let me know of your availability.

    Sincerely

    Mystic River


  • @3da0631449:

    Dear Ms. River,

    Excellent, I will inform my guild members, and they shall begin gathering some resources for the project. And, yes, Elidor is a member of our guild. So, I will speak to him, as well. We can craft everything you mentioned in your letter (furniture, desk, bed, chest, etc.), but they should probably wait until the actual structure is built.

    I will start working on a price bid. If you already have building plans drawn up, it would be very helpful to see them. If not, I'll make my best guess, and we can work from there. Approximately, how large will the structure be? Where will it be built? Knowing the size and location is important, so we can make good choices on the lumber to use for the project. Also, depending on what you need, we may already have some cured wood in our storage.

    As far as costs, are you looking to cut costs as much as possible and still have a solid structure? Or do you want the highest quality or somewhere in between? This will help me decide which materials we need to gather (pine vs. oak vs. redwood, for example). Please let me know, and I will be able to give you a more accurate quote on the price.

    Finally, I don’t believe I know Iathouz, but he’s welcome to join us as we look for resources.

    Sincerely,

    Z


  • A large black cat is circling the Union Hall in Norwick, it appears holding an envelope in her mouth. After carefully securing the area, hizzing at anyone coming too close, the cat settles by the door. An hour pass… nothing happens. She finally spits out the envelope landing in the dirt like a fur ball, she pushes it with her nose close and up on the door. With her front paws she pins it to the door licking it like a stamp. After a while she carefully one paw after the other lets go.. et voila.. the envelope is glued firmly in place. With a slow content blink and purring she seems quite satisfied with her own little miracle and returns into the woods.

    @383805e0a2:

    Dear Mr. Z

    You are truly a heaven sent, and certainly I remember you although our encounter was brief. There are many things needed for the construction of the Enchanting Lodge. Strong timber to build the foundation. I am a sorceress and not a skilled woodworker, but I would imagine the following is indeed needed: baulk timber, girder; joist; and rafters. Maybe pine would do well for that but to be honest I have no idea. When it comes to furniture like chairs, cabinet, alchemist desk and bookcases that should be made in birch or pine.

    I did ask Elidor to make me a table of red cherry. I do believe he is a member of the union, perhaps you can speak with him.

    I have two other special requests and of the absolute best cabinet work you can offer, that is a queen sized oak bed and a chest.

    Regarding metal work I like a large cauldron approaximate 1 meter in diameter. I am also looking at an owen, however not sure if it will fit.

    I have hired a miner, he is not currently a member of the Union but I am sure he could be enrolled. His name is Iathouz.

    This is my requests for now, I have already found the building site. My negotiation with the land owner has already commenced.

    Please return to me should you take some of the above mentioned assignments. Enclose any of your suggestions, terms of agreement and quotas etc

    Kind regards

    Mystic River

    OOC as my language isnt english I have no idea if the wood work for the house foundation is the right ones 😄


  • @cb915f7608:

    Dear Ms. River,

    We met once, a long time ago, but I'm not sure if you remember me. My name is Z, and I’m a master of the Crafters Union based out of Norwick. I hope this letter finds you well.

    I'm writing you because I have heard that you seek resources for a construction project. I would like to discuss this with you and offer the services of our guild. We can assist you in any or all steps of your project - building design, location, choosing and gathering resources, construction, furnishing, and so on.

    If you are interested, please send word to me at the Crafters Union headquarters in Norwick. I look forward to hearing from you and helping with your building project.

    Sincerely,

    Z


  • Ursine Battle Ring

    Blood and scorched fur covers the enchanter’s workbench. The Dire bear pelt iss fresh enough to still be dripping onto the floor, and the occasional wisps of rising smoke gives casual testimony to the violent nature of the great beast’s demise. The smell is horrendous. The gamey aroma of rendered fat mixed with the pungent odors of burned hair and greasy unwashed fleece assaults the nostrils.

    Mystic lights candles in the darkened room, and the flickering glow almost seems to bring life back to the bear’s remains, like it was still breathing shallowly in a deep dreamless sleep. For a moment her imagination shows her a vision of the enraged bear tearing the lab apart to get to her, it’s powerful muscles driving tooth and claw through wood and bone…

    The silence of the room ran counter to the violence in her mind. Taking the bear had been a close thing. Close enough that the thrill still lingered in her spine and tickled at her toes. She felt so… alive.

    The gold of the ring is cold in her hand. She sets it on the hide, then carefully removs her jewelers tools. It had been a long time since she set a stone on a ring, but the old skills were not forgotten. She examines the spell crystal for the umpteenth time, looking for the flaws she would never find. It was indeed perfect. The stone would be the basis of her enchantment. There would be no cauldron this time. The crystal would be the lock, binding the enchantments together and holding them permanently in the ring. It would have to be tuned first.

    She takes the crystal and rubbs it across the bear’s wool again and again, feeling the charge building like lightning in her hand. Reaching inside herself, she could sense energy flowing from the pelt and wraping the bear’s essence around the crystal, opening it up for her magics and threatening to take a part of her with it. She augments the essence with her own, building on the bear’s strength with a spell that enhanced it even more. She wound it around the ring, and into the stone, setting the first half of the enchantment. She unstoppered a vial, swirling the deep crimson blood of the wyvern, watching as it stains the very glass. She fortifies it with a resistance spell and then pours it onto the stone, turning the blue crystal a luminously vibrant shade of purple as it consums the blood and magic entirely. Another protection spell follows and she gives of herself to bind it to the first enchantment, and then to the ring itself. It did not set easy. The magics strikes back at her like a living creature, threatening to engulf her. She exerts her will upon it, cajoling it, forcing it, hammering it down into place, until finally it binds to the gold and crystal, becoming at last a permanent enchantment.

    It takes her a few minutes to catch her breath again. Perspiration matted her hair and rolls down her face. How long had it been? Minutes? Hours? In the end, it didn’t matter. She crosses the room to a reading stand and poures herself a glass of wine with a trembling hand, raising it in a toast to herself.

    Another success.


  • As she looks upon the well dressed boy handing over a letter, a tingeling sensation runs through her body. Normally…. well through prior experiences this would have meant there was a minor victory or a success of a small task fulfilled.

    However, this time she felt a bit uneasy as she couldnt breath and for a brief moment she felt fear. This was an unusual sensation because the fear felt was for herself and what would come next.

    "What have I done?" she whispered in her head

    But the situation didnt call for uncertainty, she cleared her throat and smiled at the boy, opened a pouch and then dropped a few coins in his hand.

    "You do not need to wait, I see to it that my response will be delivered accordingly"

    She quickly returned to the back lounge by the fire. She took her time, letting her fingers trace the contoures of a beautiful decorative crest sealing the envelope. It represented wealth, and a future unlimited.

    She paused almost afraid to open it, she had been tricked too many times before, and her paranoia she was a master to hide appeared it self through trembling hands finally opening the sealed correspondance.

    ..holding her breath.. she read the letter… then she closed her eyes...

    "What have I done?" she whispered

    An hour passed... she opened her eyes reached for her book, a piece of parchment and a quill.


  • A letter is delivered directly to Mystic's hand by a finely dressed young boy. He bows elegantly, and waits for her to read the letter, then offers to take a reply to his lord.


  • A second letter is left with Miss Lauren at the Oscuran Library

    @eca9d0ffd2:

    To whom it may concern

    I thank you for your swift response regarding the use of your facility. I can present both references and the gold required as needed. I will contact the gentlemen that for certain will vouch for me in order for a meeting with the Herald can take place.

    I have currently one creation to be done, and I wish to start immediately if possible. With the hopes of a continued cooperation.

    Kind Regards
    Mystic River


  • A reply is penned and left for her at the library

    @f3be2ea097:

    To Mystic River,

    As you are not a member of the Blooded, you must present yourself to the herald with one willing to sponsor you who IS Blooded, to be authorised for use of our facilities. This includes a bond of ten thousand gold, which will be returned to you once you have finalised your study and use of enchanting facilities, less any damages or costs involved.

    Should you fail to act according to the instructions of the Red Falcons to whom the library belongs, the bond will be forfeited in full and you will be ejected from the library.

    House of the Red Falcon


  • And another letter is left with Miss Lauren in the Oscuran library

    @6665c4b13f:

    To whom it may concern

    My name is Mystic River, I am not a citizen of Oscura but is frequently seen in this town and I have many friends here. The place I have come to appreciate the most is this beautiful library, a place to seek knowledge and more so a place in where you can be left alone and dwell in tranquility. Furthermore, I have noticed that this library even offers the most fabulously equipped echanting facility. With this letter I will ask about the possibility to use this facility for both study and enchantings. If so, please leave me a note with one of the Red Falcon brothers to pick up on my next visit.

    With the hopes of a positive response
    Mystic River


  • Mystic flips open the heavy leather bound book, and turns the stiff pages looking for something.

    “There!” she calls out

    Moments later..

    She lights four candles and places a bowl in the middle. She pours some water from an east running stream and sprinkles down dried flowers of the lavender. With an amused grin she watches them simmer on the surface. With a ladle she scrapes down some beeswax from a jar, just enough so that the sweetness doesn’t overpower but enhances the scent of the lavender; she stirs the mix gently then lets it sit for a while.

    She loosens the Athame from her belt and with its sharp silver tip she pricks the top of her index finger and four tiny drops of blood falls into the bowl. She reaches for a piece of parchment and lets it soak. While placing an uncut rose quartz upon it to hold it in place she whispers;

    Magic stone you draw to me,
    all love that is mine rightfully

    As candles burn she calls for the strongest splendor and follows with the chanting of:

    Come to me now, my charm is that great,
    this is your fate, you cannot escape
    My new love so precious for me you fall,
    capture by my power and my call

    A few days later a letter is delivered. As the letter unfolds a puff of refreshing lavender scent fills the room.


  • Mystic's Jewel

    Lightning smote the midnight sky revealing the boiling clouds that the new moon took pains to hide away. Thunder rolled up the valley, shaking the ground and causing the leaves in the trees to dance before darkness once again smothered the landscape. The wind howled in behind the night and brought a drenching rain with it, that in moments soaked a scantily clad Mystic where she sat cross legged watching the storm, leaving her cold and irritable.

    It was time.

    The chamber of enchantments was ready when she entered. Dull red coals glowed moodily in the hearth, daring her to awaken them. She stoked the fire with cedar splints, but the heat did little to warm the chill of the chamber. Already the shadows had gathered as if sensing something important hung in the air. Shaking off a shiver, she muscled the large copper cauldron over the flames. She ladled in cold water from and east running stream and followed with the beeswax from which the familiar sweet scent emanated. She drew her dagger Athme from it’s sheath with deadly purpose. Tonight, there would be a sacrifice made with blood.

    She crushed two sprigs of sliverleaf with the dagger, adding one to the cauldron, and rubbing the other over the bare skin of her left arm. She reached out with her arcane senses, feeling the lines of power pulsing through the room and pulled them to her, tying them into the energies in her own blood. With an incantation and a gesture, she divided the flow to form two spells, empowering both the Strength of the Bull and the Splendor of the Eagle, enhancing her own essence with them. Her eyes closed and she regarded the shadows cavorting about the room through the cold radiance they cast. One would suffice.

    She picked the gold ring off the workbench, she held it tightly in her left hand. Athme’s tip felt cold against her forearm as she drove it into her skin. Dark blood welled up and ran down her arm as she severed a vein. The shadows closed in, their hunger making them bold. Mystic chanted as the blood continued run. The ring pressed tightly into her palm swelled with the beating of her heart, losing in substance what it gained in volume, until it became not so much a ring as and ethereal golden hoop.

    “With this band of enchanted gold,
    I seek to be a shadow’s bride,
    Of which ever one should be so bold,
    To prove it strongest of the pride.”

    The shadows set upon each other in a cacophony of snarls and squeals, but it did not take long for one to establish its dominance over the others. She beckoned it forward, allowing it to taste the blood that continued to flow freely down her arm. Her head felt light as the shadow pressed for more, drinking her essence, pulling her strength and will from her in a moment of horrid ecstasy. The room spun and she struggled to keep from fainting as the shadow gorged, the other pressing in close, hoping for a sip of what remained. Despair and agony tugged at her. Control. There must be control. Her whisper was soft and faint.

    “On the edge of death so cold,
    To make us one the shadow tried,
    This wedding band shall be its hold,
    And it shall know I lied…”

    She looped the ethereal hoop around its neck, the band contracting with sudden murderous strength. Too late the shadow realized it was trapped and fought to escape as the band choked off its squeal. Mystic wrestled it down to the floor and the rest of the shadows scattered in sudden panic that they might share a similar fate. The firebrand spell came to her lips as she fought with her prize, and lanced out among the remaining shadows. Her anger grew at their arrogance. All that remained were small burning husks.

    “Did you think you could have me?” She snarled. “You thought to feed on me, take what is mine for yourself. What you’ve drained from me will heal, but what I take from you will last eternity.” Her laughter was cold and ringing.

    The ring pulled the shadow in as it contracted to it’s normal size. Mystic studied it for a moment. The gold shone through the wet blood in spots with a deep luster. If she looked closely, she see tendrils of darkness swirling around it in random pattern. The enchantment needed to be completed.

    The ring went into the cauldron to be followed by a rose, deflowered one petal at a time.

    “Petals of the Rose, King of flowers,
    Eternal symbol of beauty fair,
    With this ring I grow my powers,
    On the spirits of those who dare.”

    She cast the earlier spells into the cauldron, then used a shield spell to tie them off to the ring, sealing the shadow permanently inside. The cauldron sizzled then burst with a cloud of blackened smoke, extinguishing all the fires in the room. Darkness reigned once a gain, save for the faintest glitter of gold.


  • Mystical Belt of Charisma

    The hiss and crackle of burning cedar splints mixed with the pinging of an empty copper cauldron heating on their glowing coals echoed off the wall of the chamber of enchantments. She gazed into the flames, preparing her mind and body for the task ahead.

    The ladle in her right hand plunged deeply into the bucket of icy cold water from an east running stream, then doled its contents into the caldron, flashing to steam as it touched the scorching side. Three more ladles full chased the first before the water reached the bottom in a rolling boil. A large lump of beeswax followed, melting slowly, releasing its warm sweet scent into the room. She spread out the coals, allowing the enchanting oil to simmer as she carefully stripping the foliage from the herb commonly known as silverleaf with her prized dagger Athme. The herb had long been sought out by alchemists for it’s subtle influence on the mind and its connection to the moon. Some even said it had the power to conceal that which one wished hidden. Laying out the leaves, she bruised them with the flat of the blade, then formed them into a small nest. Taking hold of a pair of blacksmith’s tongs, she removed a smoldering coal from the fire and breathed life to it before settling it into the nest of leaves. Careful not to burn her fingers, she wrapped the leaves around the coal, adding more until she could hold it in the palm of her hand and only feel the faintest of heat emanating from it’s searing center.

    **“Fire burned as passion’s element take,
    alluring enchantment shall it be
    Those with passions tempered, leaders make,
    fascination by all who’ll see.

    Leaf of silver and drop of blood not dried
    tribute to the Mistress given.
    Forge the bond that may be tried,
    but never shall be riven".**

    She dropped the leaf wrapped ember into the cauldron, then held her left hand over it as she pierced a finger with Athme’s tip. Blood danced circles around the blade leaving wisps of purple hued smoke in it’s wake before falling into the vessel. The chamber darkened and a chill presence tickled at her shoulder, playing at the edges of her hair, caressing and cajoling. She could feel its hunger. The shadow leapt from her shoulder onto the workbench and picked up the ornately tooled leather belt. It danced around Mystic, holding it high, then around the simmering crucible. The belt splashed into the potion and the shadow returned to her shoulder.

    She used the ladle to meld the enchanting oil with the components. Allowing it to steep, she could feel the eddies of power in it. Closing her eyes, she felt the drops of her blood disseminate into the mixture. Focusing, she started her chants, drawing the energies of her blood and passing it along to that lost to the cauldron. Empowered Eagle’s Splendor followed Shield, twisting into the belt, wrapping around it, then bound to it by the force of her will as she added Empowered Bulls Strength to it as well. The belt would make the wearer feel a rush of strength and confidence, while others could sense the charm and magnetism they exuded. The other ties would be lost in subtlety.

    She was stronger now and the enchantment didn’t drain her as the others had. Yes, she had grown considerably since her last enchantment. A smile pulled at the corners of her ruby lips. The world was full of possibilities now.


  • Sitting in front of the fire with a black large cat at her feet and the big leather bound grimour in her lap, she flips pages reminiscing about her past while sipping a hot cup of lavender tea. She stops at the page and traces with her finger the contours of a drawing depicting deep purple colored bats hovering over a large Troll. To the left there is a description.

    Maggar
    Maggar's the Troll chieftain in the lands west of Fort Koll. Troll country. Breeding bats whose bites makes you fall asleep. He also keeps a small army of Trolls, so be careful passing through the Fort to the last frontier    .

    The memories return on their own. The early days on the isle, when friendships were first forming…

    Three of us were hiding in a patch of switchgrass outside the cave as the line of trolls shuffled past with their peculiar bowlegged gate. There were seven of them altogether, including three of the monstrosities the natives referred to as Alphas.

    The smaller ones were almost ten feet in height, with rubbery skin of a mossy green and claws like the talons of the great raptors of the peaks of the nearby Azumet mountains. They reeked of fetid swamp water, and I found myself happy to smell it, because it meant we were downwind so they couldn't scent us. We could have almost reached out and touched them.

    The young Tormish knight next to me breathed a sigh of relief as they passed. "That was close."

    I nodded in agreement, too scared to speak. It was a real risk coming here. My two companions were both new to the Isle, and were not seasoned warriors. Pherdur I knew. I had been showing him around for a while, but the flame haired cleric along with us was something of a mystery. They called him Red Lion, and he was supposedly a cleric of some thunder god or another. I really didn't know.

    We tensed as the grass behind us swished suddenly, but relaxed at the sight of the darkly dressed elf when his head popped out of the weeds.

    "That was the hunting patrol. It's clear to Maggar, except for a few of those bats. I figure we have about an hour before they come back."

    "Iathouz, do you have to sneak up on us like that?" The deep base of Red Lion's voice seemed to entirely match his large portly frame.

    "I rustled the grass, what more do you want?"

    "I can think of a few things." I chimed in. "Like that star sapphire you were talking about."

    "Big as your fist."

    The four of us made fists simultaneously, then we all looked around at the disparity in fist sizes.

    "Hers. It's not that big."

    "How do you even know it's there?" I asked

    Iathouz flashed an I know something you don't smile. Typical. "Because Ar Darcarna was in there a day ago after it."

    "And he didn't get it?"

    "No, he got his ass handed to him and he beat tracks to the exit."

    "Are you sure?"

    Smirk. "I watched it myself."

    "Is there a reason you're following Ar around?" Rumor had it the elf was spending a lot of time around my sister, and I was very curious as to what he was up to. His comings and goings were best described as ghostlike. His smile vanished in an instant, and it was enough of a tell for me to know he'd just given something away that he hadn't wanted to.

    "We need to get moving."

    "Agreed," added Pherdur, standing up.

    We broke from the tall grass and headed quickly to the cave. Pherdur taking the lead in the finest of knightly traditions: charge in unknown where even the celestials fear to tread.

    Red Lion asked the question at the cave mouth. "What about the bats? I hear they put people to sleep with their bite."

    Iathouz paused. "Oh. yes, well it isn't their bite, it's more their." He made a gesture with his hand coming from his mouth and spreading out in front. We all got it. Sound. "You let me deal with the bats."

    "I'm more concerned that Ar had to retreat from Maggar. The man is part beast." I didn't mean to point out the obvious, but someone had to.

    "There's four of us," the elf replied. "What could go wrong?"

    The bats were easy enough, although we had to wake Red Lion when we were done with them. We continued down the long dripping passage until we reached a fork in the cave. Troll droppings and bat guano were everywhere.

    "The wide passage goes directly to Maggar's Chamber, the smaller one goes there as well, but it narrows considerably further. Mystic, get these guys prepped, then take them in the front way, I'll take the narrow passage and get behind him. Give me two minutes to get in position." With that, the elf disappeared down the narrow passage.

    "You don't want any spells?" I called after him.

    "Never," was his fading reply.

    Maggar was almost eighteen feet tall, a green mountain of trollish muscle, covered in bursting purple puss nodules that healed back over to reform again. The odor in the chamber was overpowering, and all the bones strewn about made the footing look difficult. Pherdur and Red Lion made a skirmish line and advanced.

    "He's not he-re." Pherdur bemoaned over his shoulder through clenched teeth.

    "He'll be here.." I replied hoping.

    Maggar's piercing scream of rage deafened us. The two men closed with Maggar as I cut loose with a firebrand spell, watching the fiery darts sail into their target striking true. and doing nothing. Pherdur struck a mighty blow with his blade which only left the thinnest of lines across the beast's stomach as the toll caved his shield in with one brutal punch. The line cut by the longsword healed almost instantly. I shot off an acid arrow spell as my hearing returned. It impacted on Maggar's chest in an acridly smoking mass, but still failed to do anything. The troll sliced through Red Lion's breast plate leaving bright red furrows across his chest.

    "We're in trouble!" Yelled Pherdur, fighting for his life.

    Red Lion cut loose with a lightning bolt that passed through Maggar and cut a furrow across the back wall. The elven cry of surprise mixed in with the bellow of pain from the troll as it staggered back. Iathouz struck with his bastards swords into Maggar's back, biting hard and sending puss and troll blood spraying everywhere.

    The troll turned on the elf. I watched in horror as the deep cuts on it's back filled in and the burns from the lightning bold scabbed over. The troll snatched the elf off the ground and raised him to it's mouth. A rending troll is brutal killing machine. There are few things that compare. It sank it's teeth into his shoulder holding him in place as it's claws shredded him, then grabbed him again, spinning the limp elf around its head a few times and throwing him into the back wall, where Iathouz slumped to the floor amidst the gnawed bones of other victims.

    So much for elven planning.

    "We're leaving!!" I yelled, reaching out to touch the two men on the shoulder. My invisibility spell cloaked us as the Troll turned back in our direction. The troll sniffed around for us as we moved back. Out of the corner of my eye I caught the slightest movement from the elf. He was alive at least. I hoped it was a potion he held in his hand. Then he was out of sight. The troll caught our scent and charged towards us. A guttural shout came from the chamber in a language I didn't understand. Giant I think.

    The troll stopped dead.

    Then it raced back into the chamber, as we took our opportunity to run in the other direction, stopping only when we came to the fork in the cave to catch our breath. The cries of rage drifting down the tunnel gave us a good indication that Maggar was not in pursuit of us. Red Lion set to work with his healing arts, restoring Pherdur and himself.

    We argued briefly over what to do. Pherdur wanted to go back and save the elf. Red Lion and I knew it was all ready too late. In the end, we finally convinced Pherdur that we would need more help to return.

    Sounds of battle erupted down the passage towards the exit. Not wanting our escape cut off, we raced towards the noise. A trail of freshly dead bats lead us to an Alpha troll stumbling around headless, and then into the entranceway where six trolls had our elf pinned to the wall. How he got past us I still don't know. Pherdur and Red Lion charged, but I ended it in short order with three firebrand spells that left the trolls in smoldering ash heaps.

    The elf slumped down the wall, bleeding profusely as I approached him. I was mad.

    "Another one of your failed trips! I hope your satisfied! We all almost died! Don't you ever."

    The little bastard was smiling.

    A blue sparkle came from his hand as he tucked something back into his pocket.

    "I'm not entirely disappointed." He said dryly with a wink.

    The sneaky little bastard.

    Hmm.. I wonder if we should make another attempt at the Trolls out eastwards, last time it ended badly....


  • EXPLORING

    Curled up on the couch in front of the fire, Mystic cradles her hands around, strangely enough… a hot cup of tea. By her side is the leather bound book in which she keeps all her notes, charms, and journals. Her eyes catch a piece of paper sticking out and she flips it open... to find something she had completely forgotten... Once while she was walking south, exploring the hobgoblin land, she found what seemed to be an escaped piece of paper, from what seemed to be a note or from a book, that had been set aflame. The only thing left readable was:

    ….uth land
    Mar... Ha...s
    20 ing... ore

    "Interesting!" She whispered to herself.

    Although her journey through the underdark had been valuable for many reasons, it had been a very long and uneventful excursion. As much as she treasured pieces of intelligence, such as a fairly safe passages through the land, above or below ground, the trip had been a bit too quiet. A few bats, a cloaker, some elementals, and couple of formians were nothing that made her heart quicken. The journey of exploration had, however, been brightened by her friends, and she was very grateful for their willingness to come in support, as well as the patience they showed to walk all that way with her.

    Now this piece of information… might prove to be something entirely different.

    "I might call for another excursion", she murmured.

    She shuts the book, puts the cup down and gather her things before she heads south