Sorrow's Song

Plot Summary The Group go for the Halfling Gifts, full of joy. They find a caravan travelling along, containing the Halfling Gifts. They chase it down and take it over. They enter and Nomyn, Shandor's Halfling friend, takes the Gifts. A giant suddenly appears a metre in front of the Gifts. He towers far into the sky, the group cannot see his face.

The group charge... away from the giant. They reach a lake and decide it would be a good place to escape the giant, how wrong they were.

They swam until they were nearly in the centre as the Giant smashed his boot into the lake. Waves as tall as the tallest Redwood tree hurtled towards the group sweeping them everyway, including Isondil being sent deep under water. Shandor disappears underwater too, as Nomyn, still holding the Gifts, bobs in the water as the Giant's foot slammed into the water beside him. The force of it sends Nomyn up into the air. Screaming, he manages to grab onto the Giant's hand and hold onto the Gifts. The others begin barraging the Giant with magic and anything else. The Giant tries to shake Nomyn off, but ends up throwing him even higher, onto the Giant's nearly bald head. As the Giant proceeds to attack the others Nomyn hollers for him to stop. In anger Nomyn uses the only weapon he has, the Halfling Gifts, and hits the Giant over the head.

Suddenly the Giant gives a cry of pain. The Giant is dead. It was killed by a simple strike of the Gifts that created it.

The Giant sways and begins falling. The momentum of the Giant is immense as Nomyn is throw off high into the air. The Giant continues falling, towards the lake. Nomyn crashes into the water. The Giant thunders into the water. Waves as tall as the Giant itself go into the air. Shandor is caught up and flung up high into the air. The force of which has severally wounded him. The waves knock the group everywhere, again, most, too, are wounded. Shandor realises he is dying as he goes. He chokes and mutters a bitter-sweet prayer to Ariea as he glows and disappears - dead. The price being paid (See Session XVI). Faelnon arrives and sees the devastation. He, and others helpers, take the group back to A'lure.

A large funeral is held for Shandor.


Full Logs

[Narrator] The group are still in the A'lure woods by morning.

[Narrator] The feast has been cleared away and a tasteful dining area has been set up for the group.

Shandor sits down at a small table with a small plate of fruit

Dytalorien rubs his head, yawning.

Vaedron yawns and gazes at the food.

Kamrock wanders in, looking very preoccupied.

Dytalorien approaches the table, and grabs a seat, plopping down upon it unceremoniously.

Vaedron sits down and has a small plate of everything.

Isondil walks over to a table and is joined by the elf from last night

Shandor yawns loudly, clearly not having slept the night prior

Shandor takes a bite out of some of the food, revealing in its taste.

Kamrock growls as he picks at the meats on the table.

Shandor mutters, 'It's a pity we have to leave.'

Vaedron yawns and says with a smirk, "Never to tired to eat."

Isondil takes a jug and pours himself out some water

Dytalorien leans back on his chair and sips his drink, "Yeah, pity..."

Vaedron looks at Shandor with a saddened expression, "Leave?"

Vaedron says, "Where are we off to they?"

Jordex flies out of a small bundle of fabrics.

Shandor turns to an elven-server and asks in Elven ~May I have some cranberry juice if you have it?~

Shandor turns to the others, 'I'm not sure where to go next...'

Isondil looks up in concern and say's in Elven ~so soon?~

[Narrator] A voice sounds behind Shandor, 'I do.'

Vaedron turns quickly to the sound of the voice.

Shandor turns round to see Faelnon standing behind the group, he bows and smiles.

Dytalorien grins and waves to Faelnon casually.

[Narrator] Faelnon says to the group, 'I have important news The Halfling Gifts have been found, with no guardian, they were found by a group of humans that are transporting them via wagon train to the human cities. You must stop them and get the Gifts.'

Vaedron rubs his eyes to get a better look at Faelnon then goes back to eating.

Shandor nods, 'We must rid out then!'

Kamrock bows before Faelnon.

Isondil turns around and begins talking to the elf again

Vaedron rubs his forehead.

Dytalorien pushes back his chair, and stands up, "We'd best get ready then."

Shandor nods, 'Finish up your food.'

Vaedron finishes his small plate of food and says, "Shall we leave now?"

Kamrock grins and says in Dwarven, <Ahh, Action at last, I will enjoy this hunting.>

Shandor looks at Kamrock, 'I'm afraid my dwarven is not what it was...'

Kamrock smile, 'Aye, then, Let's head off?'

Isondil looks saddened and mutters in Elven ~why so soon?~

Vaedron hands his flask to and elven-server and says in elven, ~Fill this up for me please.~

Shandor tries to say in Dwarven "We will bite the heads of our enemies" but ends up saying in Dwarven <Enemies will bite beds>

Dytalorien blinks at the dwarf, "Where'd you come from?"

Vaedron watches the elven server return with his flask and accepts it from him.

Shandor quickly stops talking.

Dytalorien arches an eyebrow.

Kamrock grins almost laughing, 'Very good Shandor, that was almost Perfect.'

Dytalorien shrugs and exits the chamber, heading off to gather his supplies.

Shandor nods, 'I'm sure if Thor was here he'd hit me...'

Isondil raises an eyebrow and looks at the Dwarf

Vaedron stands up and says, "If we will be leaving soon I must go get my things."

Vaedron walks off to go get his belongings.

Shandor nods, 'I should get my belongings as well.'

Shandor turns to another elf and says in Elven ~Would you mind getting some horses for me and my friends? Thank you~

Isondil looks at the Dwarf and wonders how he can not know where he is before shaking his head and walking off with his Elf

Shandor runs off to go back to his home, which he hates to leave, for any reason.

Vaedron returns to the table with his items bundled on his back and carrying his staff in his right hand.

Vaedron says with an impatient tone, "Shall we move on?"

Dytalorien re-enters the chamber, busily clasping his voluminous tanned hide cloak about himself. A sheathed saber swings at his waist, he looks about.

Shandor returns with his pack shaking his head, 'I could not find Ariea...'

Jordex laughs a squeaky laugh, 'You try to move quickly, why?'

Vaedron sighs.

Dytalorien chuckles, "No long goodbyes, then?"

[Narrator] ' I did.' A voice calls, laughing. It is Ariea, burdon with pack

Kamrock ties his axe to his belt and straps his shield over his back.

Shandor turns to Ariea and immediately takes a protective tone, 'What are you doing?'

Vaedron turns to see Ariea behind them.

Isondil walks back in talking in Elven to the elf and making the most of his last few minutes with her

[Narrator] Ariea rolls her eyes, 'Going with you of course.'

Dytalorien grins, "Guess we aren't so lucky, this could take a bit."

Shandor shakes his head, 'Oh no you aren't.'

[Narrator] Ariea smirks, 'You aren't going to stop me.'

Vaedron smirks and says, "You are coming with us?"

Shandor says, 'You could get hurt.'

Vaedron chuckles to himself quietly.

[Narrator] Ariea chuckles, 'Without me you would get killed.'

Kamrock laughs, 'So could you Shandor.'

Dytalorien leans against a nearby wall, listening to the brewing conversation.

Isondil walks after the elf and comes back with a new bow and quiver of arrows with a glittering gold one inside the quiver

[Narrator] A halfling runs up to the two, it is Nomyn, an old friend of Ariea's and Shandor's friend ,'I'll protect Ariea too.'

Vaedron looks at the small halfling and chuckles.

Shandor rolls his eyes, he is not going to win this, he sighs, 'Okay, you can come with, but you aren't getting into the fighting.'

Dytalorien blinks and grins, "Why don't we bring the whole city along, it'll be fun!"

[Narrator] Ariea beams.

Vaedron says to Nomyn, "How can you protect her?"

Shandor helps Ariea onto a horse.

Dytalorien rolls his eyes and sighs.

Isondil looks at the halfling and admires his courage for one so small

Vaedron walks over and picks a white horse.

Vaedron climbs onto the horse and waits for the others to follow.

[Narrator] Nomyn turns to Isondil, 'I'll have you know I was the greatest acrobat in all of Tildruin, I can out-manoeuvre the enemy

Dytalorien mounts his horse and gazes into the horizon.

Isondil walks over to his horse and turns around to the elf and says in Elven ~I shall return for you my love~

Shandor jumps onto a horse and picks up Nomyn, putting him on another horse.

Vaedron rubs his sore next and turns to look at the others in the group.

Shandor chuckles, 'Love? You have known her one night.'

Kamrock mounts a horse.

Vaedron chuckles at the sight of such a small halfling on a horse.

Jordex flies next to Kamrock.

Shandor begins to canter into the forest, 'Come along!'

Vaedron races off to follow Shandor.

Kamrock starts off after Shandor

Shandor canters out through the forest. Sparkle the Cat leaps into his pack as he goes. Lestat the Jayle follows at a trot.

Dytalorien taps his saddle before pushing his horse into an elegant canter, following behind the rest.

Isondil rounds on Shandor and say's coldly ' that is incorrect sir i have known her before last night'

Shandor grins, ' Dytalorien, you have your wish, the entire city is following us!'

Vaedron grumbles to Shandor, "You aren’t bringing them too?"

Isondil mounts his horse and gallops after Shandor

Dytalorien mutters and rolls his eyes.

Shandor shakes his head, 'I guess I have to, Lestat I know won't change his mind.' Lestat looks at him and trots ahead.

Vaedron sighs.

Dytalorien shrugs, "As long as I don't have to baby-sit, you can bring as many as you want."

Shandor says, 'Ah, quit whining, Lestat is a good fighter, and Sparkle can, and has warned me of danger.'

Isondil looks around and smiles back at the city and mutters ' Farewell dear city'

Vaedron says, "I guess I really have no say huh."

Shandor grins, 'Okay Dytalorien, we'll have to head back and pick up some more.'

Shandor continues cantering out of the forest.

Vaedron smirks and continues to ride.

[Narrator] Within minutes the group had cleared the forest.

Dytalorien shakes his head, and refocuses on riding.

Shandor speeds up his horse a little.

Isondil rides up alongside Vaedron and nods

Jordex squeaks, 'Such a lovely Forest.'

Vaedron follows Shandor’s lead and rides faster.

Shandor nods, 'And it pains me to leave it.'

Vaedron nods to Isondil.

[Narrator] Ariea rides up beside Shandor, 'Ah, but you have me now.'

Dytalorien remains quiet, his mind contemplating.

Vaedron says, "Was a nice town, far to much excitement for me though."

Shandor nods.

Vaedron gazes up at the sky.

Shandor turns to Isondil, 'So who was that elven-lady?'

Kamrock laughs, 'I just want to return to Mountains and stone.'

Vaedron turns his attention to Isondil waiting for his answer with interest.

Dytalorien speeds up as he falls behind the rest a bit, his cloak flowing behind him.

Jordex sits on Kamrock's shoulder, and cleans his wings.

Isondil looks around at Shandor and say's ' She is an Elf I knew from long ago when I first came to the A'lure woods'

Vaedron spots someone riding up from behind them and says, "Varadrion!"

Varadrion appears behind the group a short distance back

Jordex squeaks in a respectable Elven, ~Shandor, where are we going?~

Varadrion rides up beside Vaedron and greets him

Shandor mumbles, 'I think that way, Faelnon filled me in.'

Vaedron says to Varadrion, "I see you decided to wake up and join us."

Isondil looks around at Varadrion and say's 'Hail friend'

Shandor nods to Varadrion

Varadrion looks at Vaedron and replies "It was much needed rest"

Dytalorien waves casually to Varadrion.

Varadrion greets the rest of the group in turn

Vaedron grins and says to Varadrion, "Yeah sure."

Shandor is suddenly scrated by Sparkle. He picks the cat up, 'I still don't like that name you gave him Ariea.'

[Narrator] Ariea pouts, 'Why not, 'it's a nice name.'

Shandor rolls his eyes, 'Of course it is....'

Dytalorien grins, "It is, isn't it?"

Vaedron chuckles. øùú Jordex flies off Kamrock's shoulder and hovers about Shandor, ~What are we looking for?~

Shandor turns to Jordex who is now dangerously close to him, 'The Gifts, the Halfling Gifts.'

Isondil looks around and mutters to himself

Dytalorien shakes his head, "She's got you all wrapped up, Shandor."

Varadrion chuckles

Shandor turns to Dytalorien, 'That'll change as soon as she gets her dress muddy....'

[Narrator] Ariea, over hearing, 'Hey!'

Dytalorien suggests to Ariea, "Don't you think he needs a ribbon, that frown doesn't suit him well."

Jordex laughs at the Elf, and flies high into the air, searching for something.

Varadrion looks at Shandor and says "A simple wagon train seems like an easy place to get the gifts from"

Shandor ignores all comments and trots forward, talking to Lestat about women, Lestat looks at him, almost chuckling.

Dytalorien closes his eyes, trusting his mount to follow the rest of the group.

Vaedron whispers to Varadrion in elven, ~I don’t think that the wagon is our only obstacle, there has to be more.~ øùú Varadrion replies ~I agree, nothing is ever that simple, especially when Shandor is involved.~

[Narrator] It is midday as the group come across a line of wagons moving along through a valley.

Shandor stops the horses.

Shandor leaps off his.

Vaedron pulls back the reins off his horse.

Dytalorien opens his eyes as the group halts and dismounts in one fluid motion.

Jordex squeaks, 'This lot?'

Shandor peers down at the wagons, 'I'll go up front and cut the reigns to the horses.'

Dytalorien grins, "I'll stay here and nap..."

Vaedron says to Shandor, "What do we do?"

Dytalorien turns serious, "What's the plan?"

Shandor jumps onto his horse and turns to Ariea, 'You, stay here. No arguing. Lestat come. The rest of you, go round to the back.'

Shandor rides away before Ariea can argue

Varadrion draws a dagger and says "Why go up there Shandor when I can do it from farther away"

Vaedron nods to Shandor.

Kamrock laughs, 'I'll go down and watch they don't run away.'

Shandor gallops forward, Lestat keeping up.

Dytalorien shrugs and moves towards the wagons.

Vaedron kicks his horse and rides off behind the wagons.

Shandor mutters something in Elven to the horse before leaping off it, onto the side of the lead wagon.

Varadrion rides off behind Vaedron towards the wagon

Shandor begins climbing along the wagon.

Kamrock rides down behind the wagons and follows the slowly.

Shandor ambushes a sole rider and flings him off.

Dytalorien follows behind the wagons, keeping out of sight of the occupants.

Vaedron rides behind the wagons.

Shandor takes out a dagger and cuts the reigns

[Narrator] The wagon-train comes to a sudden halt.

Vaedron reaches for the dagger in his boot.

Shandor signals the group to surround the wagons.

Shandor climbs up onto the roof of the led wagon.

Vaedron rides around the halted wagon.

Dytalorien muses, "Now we're bandits," before moving around the wagons.

Varadrion draws and watches

Shandor crosses from wagon to wagon, each creaking.

Shandor notices a small hole in one, he peers through it.

Shandor stands up and says, 'I think this is it!'

Shandor crashes through a roof, two guards are there, as is an ornate box, a large one.

Dytalorien dismounts, faces the wagons, and watches intently.

Shandor stands up, dusting himself up, 'Hello there.'

Shandor gulps as the guards charge. He dives at them, taking them to the floor.

Shandor calls for help.

Vaedron climbs down off his horse and approaches with dagger drawn.

Shandor kicks one guard through the surprisingly fragile wagon-wall

Vaedron runs over to help Shandor.

Varadrion rides off towards the wagon Shandor crashed into

Kamrock throws his horse into a Gallop and jumps onto the wagon.

Dytalorien mumbles and sprints towards the wagons, saber drawn forth.

Shandor slams the second guard into the floor.

Shandor stands up and moves towards the box

Dytalorien dodges the guard who lands cumbersomely on the ground.

[Narrator] Inside the box were the Halfling Gifts; a Yew Wand and a Staff of Earth.

Shandor calls Nomyn to pick them up.

Jordex wields what looks like a very small knife.

Vaedron runs over to one of the fallen guards and makes sure he is down.

[Narrator] As Nomyn picks them up the ground quakes, two metres in front of the Halfling a great Giant appears, the wagon explodes as the Giant towers high in the sky.

Shandor rolls his eyes sarcastically, 'A Giant for the Halflings… Oh yeah, that's real original…'

Shandor adds, 'When another race touched the Gifts, they burnt, but when a Halfling touched them, a Guardian was formed, interesting.'

Shandor jumps back away from the Giant.

Varadrion looks up at the giant and draws a pair of daggers

Shandor looks as Nomyn is knocked out cold.

Shandor draws his sword and shouts, 'I think I speak for all of us when I say Graaeeergh!' He charges towards the giant.

Dytalorien blinks and gazes, up, way up, at the head of the giant and gulps.

Vaedron drops his dagger and clutches onto his staff.

Shandor leaps up, high up, into the air, but barely manages to clamber onto his foot.

Kamrock laughs and charges at the Giant.

Varadrion takes aim and draws back his dagger and then asks "Any weak spots people"

Vaedron mutters in elven forming a small ball of fire in his palm and throws it at the giant.

Dytalorien grits his teeth and shouts, "I don't suppose someone has a spell to shrink him down to size!?"

[Narrator] The giant ppers down at the group and laughs a laugh that shakes the ground.

Kamrock swings for the Giants foot.

Dytalorien stumbles about, the ground moving sporadically beneath him.

Vaedron loses his balance and falls to the ground.

Varadrion looks way up, trying to get a clear shot at its eye with his dagger

Shandor is flicked off by the Giant

Shandor grunts as he lands, 'That's kind.

Dytalorien makes a quick, fluid motion with his hands and brings it about in a wide arch launching five daggers at the giants leg.

Jordex flies at the Giant, looking like a mere fly bothering a pig.

Vaedron regains his feet and walks backwards away from the giant.

Dytalorien curses as three daggers miss the intended target, the others bouncing harmlessly off the Giant's skin.

Shandor begins casting a spell. It flies and hits the Giant, but does nothing.

Varadrion keeps moving around, searching for a clear shot

Shandor grumbles, 'What, this guy doesn't feel pain?'

Isondil rides up and dismounts from his horse and takes out his bow

[Narrator] The giant steps forward, trying to squash the group.

Shandor runs for dear life.

Jordex takes out his bow and starts shooting at the Giant.

Vaedron begins chanting in elven forming a bigger ball of fire between his hands.

Dytalorien sprints and weaves about, trying desperately to avoid being crushed.

Kamrock runs quickly for his horse.

[Narrator] Shandor is lifted onto a horse by Ariea, galloping at full speed, 'What did I tell you?'

Isondil takes out an arrow and let's it fly straight at the giant hitting him in the arm

Shandor nods, 'Okay, you've proven your point.'

Shandor jumps back off and turns to face the giant.

Vaedron is almost ready to launch his spell but dodges out of the giants way.

Isondil avoids being stamped on by the giant and mounts his horse

Dytalorien hops onto his horse, manoeuvring it to face the giant.

Vaedron curses in elven as he retries to regain his footing.

Shandor dives out of the way of a foot.

Shandor tries to cling onto it, but was thrown off.

Vaedron runs far away from the giant and begins to cast his spell again.

Varadrion looks around dumbfounded "Is there ANY way we can take him down"

Isondil turns his horse around and let's another arrow fly at the giant hitting him in the leg

Shandor tries to cast a spell, but has to dodge the Giant again.

Shandor yells, 'I don't know!'

Vaedron begins to chant in elven forming another huge ball of flames.

Dytalorien charges toward the giant upon his mount, leaping off he plunges his saber into the giant's feet. The blade bends pliant instead of penetrating.

Varadrion pulls a black vial and shouts toward Vaedron

Shandor shouts, 'There is a lake nearby, it might be deep enough to escape him, come on!'

Dytalorien blinks and regards his long curved saber before being thrown off by the giant's movements.

Vaedron launches his fireball at the giants head but he just swats it away with the back of his hand.

Shandor leaps onto a remaining wagon, runs along it. He jumps off it onto Ariea's horse.

Isondil takes aim and fires an arrow at the giants head only to see it hit it's mark and glance off

Vaedron stares stunned as the giant just deflects one of his most powerful spells.

[Narrator] Nomyn is on his horse, but is still holding the Gifts

Jordex picks up Kamrock and drops him on his horse.

Vaedron runs as fast as he can to his horse dodging the giants feet as he runs.

Shandor urges the horse forward, hoping the others are following.

Vaedron climbs onto his horse and yells for the other to hurry.

Isondil starts galloping after Shandor

Kamrock kicks his horse into a Gallop, following Shandor

Dytalorien curses and races forwards towards the lake.

Vaedron races off after Shandor while looking back at the giant.

[Narrator] The group arrive at the lake.

Shandor leaps off the horse, 'They won't go into that, let's go!'

Jordex looks at the water and shudders.

Shandor turns to see the Giant in pursuit.

Vaedron jumps off of his horse and follows Shandor’s lead.

Shandor grabs Jordex and flings him towards the water.

Kamrock dismounts.

Isondil looks uncertainly at the lake before diving in

Dytalorien grunts, "I hope you're right..." and plunges into the water.

Shandor grabs Ariea's hand and sprints into the water.

Vaedron watches as the water ripples as the giants feet hits the ground.

Shandor begins swimming as fast as he can.

Varadrion looks at the water and freezes

Kamrock swims out across the lake.

Vaedron jumps into the water clutching his staff.

Jordex flies a good distance above the water.

Vaedron swims as fast as he can.

Dytalorien turns in mid-stroke and looks behind him before swimming forward once again.

Varadrion looks at the giant, and back to the water... but still doesn't move

[Narrator] The Giant slams a foot into the water, sending giant waves toward the group

Shandor gulps as he is swept away by the wave.

Dytalorien takes a deep breath as he is submersed by the wave.

Vaedron is slammed by the giants wave and is sent flying into the air then crashing back into the water.

Isondil looks around before being swept away by the wave

Shandor is plunged deep into the dark lake.

Vaedron gasps for air as he struggles to swim.

Shandor barely gets to the surface in time.

Varadrion runs along the shore, obviously not wanting to get into the water

[Narrator] The Giant chuckles, that sound itself making the water shake.

Dytalorien coughs and spits out mouthfuls of water.

Vaedron flails his limbs trying to stay afloat.

[Narrator] The Giant looks at Varadrion he picks up a Giant's handful of water and throws it at Varadrion

Shandor manages to find Ariea amongst the others and begins swimming with her away.

Vaedron is thrown back and forth by the giants waves.

Isondil swims back up to the surface and is hoping to make it to the surface before he runs out of air

Shandor is hit by another wave and disappears under the water.

Varadrion gets hit by the water and is smashed into the ground

Vaedron yells as he struggles to swim, "We can't stay here forever!"

Nomyn is gasping for air as he emerges from the surface, the Gifts in tow.

Varadrion is laying stunned on the beach

Isondil breaks out onto the lake's surface and takes giant gasps of air

Dytalorien grits his teeth, his mind racing.

Nomyn shrieks in terror as a Giant's foot slams down into the water beside him.

Varadrion stands slowly and looks back to the giant, and draws his sword

Nomyn is thrown into the air with such a force that he crashes into the Giant's hand.

Nomyn clings onto the hand for dear life. øùú Vaedron me 's begin to tire and his legs and arms begins to fail on him as he struggles to keep his head above water.

Varadrion struggles to stay standing, but starts to run back to the giant, yelling at Nomyn and the others to leave

Nomyn screams as the Giant tries to shake him off.

Isondil looks around and begins to swim to the shore before he is swept under by another wave

Nomyn feels his body churning and tearing in two.

Vaedron is hit by another wave which causes water to surge into his mouth.

Varadrion grabs onto the clothes on the giants back and starts climbing

Nomyn is flung into the air again by the giant, again upwards. He ends up on the Giants bald head.

Nomyn is screaming louder than ever, he can barely see the lake beneath him.

Varadrion looks up at Nomyn, even higher up, and sighs, but continues climbing

Vaedron tries to swim for shore knowing that he can't survive in the lake much longer.

[Narrator] The Giant shakes everyone off.

[Narrator] Some how Nomyn remains on.

Varadrion falls to the ground, flat on his back

Varadrion lays still

[Narrator] The giant slams a fist into the water, hitting Ariea into the air and back into the water.

Vaedron is almost to the shore but another wave sweeps him back deeper into the lake.

Nomyn snaps mentally. He screams, 'That's IT, you meanie! You awful Monster!'

Varadrion turns and dizzily looks at his friend in the water

Nomyn brings his Yew wand and Staff of Earth onto the Giant's scalp

Isondil plunges deeper into the lake this time but propels himself up with his legs but is still deep under the surface

Vaedron gasps for air as his body begins to sink into the lake.

Varadrion stumbles to his feet and stumbles to the edge of the lake, looks at his friend

[Narrator] The giant screams, shaking everything, as the innocent Halfling hits him with the Gifts the Giant cannot live.

Varadrion sees Vaedron drop under and dives into the water, swimming weakly toward him

[Narrator] The giant stumbles and falls towards the lake.

Nomyn screams, this time in terror as he goes flying off the giant and hurtles towards the lake.

Vaedron struggles to swim up for air but fails.

Varadrion swims down and grabs Vaedron, surfacing quickly, trying to get bcak to shore before the giant hits the water

Nomyn screeches in Halfling |Please heavenly Mother of all save me! Please!|

Isondil frantically tries to get to the surface but feels himself becoming weaker

Vaedron 's lunges begin to burn of the lack of air.

Nomyn Slams into the water and disappears.

Varadrion pulls Vaedron to the surface and begins to drag him to the shore

[Narrator] The giant crashes into the water. Great walls of water fly from the lake, no-one can avoid the water.

Isondil takes one last spurt upwards but fails to reach the surface

Vaedron spits up water as he is dragged onto the shore.

[Narrator] Nearby trees are torn away by the waves

Nomyn hits the surface unconscious just in time to be flung away by the waves.

Varadrion is smashed by the water and thrown through the air, landing and not moving at all

Vaedron is washed back by another wave.

Isondil begins to sink downwards

Shandor hits the water as he is flung upwards and towards the land.

Vaedron is flung into the air by the force of the waves and lands crashing into the water.

Varadrion does not appear to be breathing

Shandor begins praying in Elven ~Spirits, guide Ariea to safety and protect her after my death~

Vaedron is launched into the air once again this time landing a few feet from shore.

Shandor disappears in a blinding flash of light.

Vaedron summons all his remaining energy to crawl ashore.

Varadrion lays still on the beach

Nomyn hits the beach hard, rolling along, bones breaking and blood pouring.

Nomyn is awoken by the pain, he begins screaming for help.

Isondil finds some energy in his aching legs and begins to kick vainly towards the surface but very slowly

Nomyn , by some miracle, is still holding the Gifts.

Vaedron crawls on his hands and knees over to his friend Varadrion.

Vaedron shakes Varadrion trying to revive him.

Varadrion lays still, eyes closed

Nomyn can't move as Lestat's form slumps on the beach. Ariea, too, is pale and unmoving.

Nomyn begins weeping for his friends, Shandor is no-where to be seen.

Vaedron continues to shake Varadrion while saying, "Wake up!"

Isondil takes one last kick towards the surface and this time breaks through to the surface

Varadrion still does not respond

Nomyn looks towards Ariea as she suddenly begins crying. She struggles over to Nomyn simply saying, 'He's gone! Shandor's gone!'

Kamrock rubs his head.

Isondil takes long gasps of air and tries to stay afloat

Kamrock struggles to his feet, looking at the bodies lain on the shore.

Isondil tries to swim towards the shore

Nomyn is suddenly brought to his senses with the harsh reality of what Ariea just told him.

Varadrion coughs and a gurgling noise comes from his mouth

Vaedron sighs and lays on his back.

[Narrator] The horses are being led by Faelnon.

Vaedron opens his eyes and looks at the horses.

Varadrion looks at the horses, but doesn't have the strength to move

Vaedron sighs and tries to get up.

Faelnon leaps off, 'Oh my--- what has happened?'

Jordex flies over from across the lake and settles on Kamrock's shoulder.

Faelnon spots the corpse of the Giant.

Faelnon turns to Ariea, who is weeping, and Nomyn.

Faelnon kneels down beside Nomyn and begins trying to heal him.

Isondil nears the shore and swims slowly over and after awhile reaches the shore and collapses

Faelnon turns and calls to the others on horses to help, they are all healers.

Kamrock manipulates various joints back into place with loud cracks.

Vaedron struggles with all he can to get to his feet but collapses on the shore.

Varadrion looks at the healers walking, the last thing he sees before he passes out

Faelnon begins helping the group onto horses, 'We need to get you back to A'lure.'

Isondil lies motionless on the shore coughing before he passes out

Vaedron nods to Faelnon.

Kamrock refuses any help, 'I am fine and will survive. I've taken harder a hit than this.'

[Narrator] Soon, the group have been places on horses and led away back to A'lure.

Faelnon stops the wounded-baring horses.

Faelnon calls for any nearby Elves to help.

Vaedron breaths heavily.

Kamrock dismounts, laughing gently.

Faelnon says, 'We got message of what the Guardian of the Halflings was, we knew you would need help.'

Faelnon looks around, as Nomyn is being led away on a stretcher, he turns to Ariea, 'Where is Shandor?' Ariea bursts into more tears as two female Elves rush over to her and lead her to a chair.

Vaedron tries to say something but his voice is to weak for it to be heard.

Faelnon orders the elves to carry the others to be healed.

Jordex looks quizzically at Faelnon, and asks in Elven, ~Shandor, he seemed to disappear in a flash, can you explain it? I found no remains of him.~

Faelnon looks at Jordex and looks ten years older and filled with much sorrow, he replies in Elven ~Shandor was bound by an ancient spell, during our past adventures, when he passed away his mortal remains would disappear.~

Kamrock starts to wash the blood from his face and hands.

Vaedron struggles to keep his eyes open.

Faelnon goes to heal the others.

Jordex nods, slowly, ~I had hope that maybe it was a little magic of his, and he survived.~

Faelnon shakes his head, and says in Elven ~He was good with magic, and planar travel, but he was not that good, he cannot escape death.~

Varadrion opens his eyes and looks around, wondering where he is

Faelnon barely whispers, 'A funeral must be held, I will go and tell the others.

Isondil opens his eyes slowly

Vaedron tries to speak again but no words leave his mouth.

[Narrator] A few days past until it was sunset a few days later. Most of the Elves have turned out for Shandor's funeral.

Faelnon is standing on a platform, akin to that which was used on Shandor's Becoming.

Varadrion stands silently, face hidden by his black cloak

Vaedron walks around with a saddened look on his face.

Faelnon stands beside a symbolic pyre.

Isondil looks down and tears fill his eyes

Faelnon looks out to the Elves and others, 'We are here to honour Shandor one last time.'

Vaedron mutters, "I always knew this would happen. Just didn't know it would be so soon."

Faelnon says, 'Shandor was a young Elf, but did much in his life. He forged friendships. He found love,' Faelnon turns to Ariea, who can barely stop crying, 'And he was snatched unfairly from what life had to offer him.'

Isondil begins weeping quietly

Vaedron stand motionless trying to fight back his emotions.

Faelnon says, 'Most of you knew him. All who did liked him. He was that type of person. He made friends even with Trolls! His presence will be missed sorely.'

Varadrion still stands silently, unmoving, but none can see his face

Vaedron lowers his head.

Faelnon begins saying a prayer in Elven. ~Blessed Spirits, let Shandor cross over and join you. May he look upon us and protect us~

Faelnon lowers his head for a moment. Everyone goes silent.

Varadrion mutters something barely audible, in a unknown language

Faelnon turns slowly to a torch-carrier, he picks up the lit torch and places it on the pyre.

Faelnon shouts a phrase from ancient Elven which is echoed around the other elves as the flames take hold of the pyre.

Vaedron closes his eyes.

Isondil looks up at Faelnon as he places the torch on the pyre

Faelnon is feeling weak. He turns to the pyre, even though his friend is not there, he feels as bad.

Faelnon turns to Ariea, who is sobbing, no doubt thinking that she never said goodbye, as he had not.

Isondil looks away from the pyre and tears fill his eyes

Vaedron turns and goes to sit down.

Faelnon takes a small golden medal from another elf. It holds the symbol of Shandor's family, above it is their Guardian Spirit, to each family one is appointed.

Faelnon gently throws the medal onto the pyre, as was the tradition.

Varadrion still does not move

Isondil takes a seat and places his hands over his face

Vaedron pulls his hair back away from his face.

Faelnon turns to the crowd, 'Shandor has passed over.'

Faelnon sighs, 'He is gone.'

Varadrion turns to Vaedron, looking at him under the cloak, and then turns back to the pyre

Vaedron sighs and mutters a short prayer in elven.

Faelnon says, 'Shandor's Spirit is still among us, so let us go, and continue living, with his protection.'

Faelnon takes Ariea's hand and leads her down off the platform, after she has said her own prayer to Shandor.

Faelnon goes over to the group, 'It seems with Shandor's passing your group is leaderless.'

Vaedron hangs his head.

Varadrion remains motionless, looking at the pyre

Faelnon says, 'I know as much as he did about the Gifts, I only hope I can lead as well as him, if you will let me.'

Varadrion walks up in front of Faelnon, drops his hood, and looks him in the eye, for what seems like an eternity

Vaedron mutters quietly, "I welcome you as our leader." and turns away.

Kamrock stands up, 'I can lead, but I need a little help find my way about. So if you would help us.'

Faelnon nods. 'Very well, I will lead as best I can.'

Faelnon turns to the pyre

Isondil remains seated ignoring the group

Faelnon stops still for seemingly an eternity.

Kamrock laughs, 'I'd need a leader, before I could lead.'

Faelnon snaps to view Kamrock, 'How DARE you? You laugh? And your 'friend' has only just died. You are a monster.'

Faelnon leads Ariea away quickly.

Vaedron sits quietly.

Isondil takes his hands away from his face thinking about his last words with Shandor

Kamrock looks at Faelnon, 'I have seen many of my friends and family die. I find the more funnier side to cope.'

Faelnon turns to Kamrock, 'Then you are a heartless person, there is no humour in death.'

Vaedron glares at Kamrock.

Vaedron says to Kamrock, "How can you act like this on a day like this?"

Kamrock growls, 'There is never any fun in Death, in seeing your family slaughtered by Trolls, seeing their possessions burned to the ground, and being the only to escape?'

Isondil looks at Kamrock and words fail him to voice his feelings

Vaedron turns from Kamrock.

Vaedron mutters, "Losses.....more losses......" and walks away.

Kamrock looks at the two, 'I have been involved in may Wars, and have had my entire Family and the city I rule slaughtered in cold blood, I know more than you think about death, perhaps it has made me heartless, but I want to stop it all.'

Faelnon does not look at Kamrock.

Faelnon says, 'That is no reason to laugh at more death.'

Isondil stands up and walks towards the pyre and is joined by Arairdele who fails to comfort him and walks away

Kamrock says, 'I laugh not at death, I cope with death by laughing at my feeble self.'

Faelnon suddenly spots the Old Group, staring at the pyre in horror and sorrow. The Dwarves Thor, Thinn, Totil, the Elf Foilae and Nomyn.

Faelnon nearly jumps out of his skin as the dwarves, in unison, let out a Warriors Death yell.

Faelnon moves over to the other group and begins talking with them.

Faelnon returns in a few minutes, 'I am retiring to bed for the night, there has been too much pain tonight...'

Isondil bows his head towards the pyre and says a small prayer in Elven

Faelnon turns to the others has he walks away, 'How did you know he had died?'

Faelnon listens as Thor replies, 'The spell that bound his soul to his body also bound us together, when he died, we felt it.'

Faelnon nods slowly, 'You felt it too.'

Faelnon disappears off to his home to think and mourn.