First Encounters

Plot Summary

The group arrive in Emerald Bay to learn that children are being kid-napped. They meet a Bar keep, a human, Jason Magellan, his son, Tommy, was taken a week ago. The group decide to find the Gifts to aid in the search for the boy. The group, including Jason, set off to the newest part of town, it was built just as the kidnappings started. A large hole is found in it with tracks outside. They follow to find that they just stop in the middle of some woods. Enox Sarinox casts a spell revealing where the Gifts are. It turns out that the gifts are in a cave. The group clamber down the cave until it levels out. It continues straight for a while before sloping upwards. As they reach the top they spot a large alter, with the Gifts on top. As they try to approach a Guardian appears, it is Fear, itself. It makes Leokin and Jason to reveal what they are afraid of; water and snakes. The level part of the cave and most of the sloped parts are suddenly flooded with icy cold water. The area near the alter is filled with snakes. Shandor casts a spell and a barrier of fire blocks the snakes from attacking. Everyone gets ready for a battle as the barrier wavers. Kamrock and Shandor begin fighting as the barrier goes down. Shandor casts a spell and the two human Gifts fly towards him, he instinctively grabs one and it begins to burn him. He passes the book of spells to Leokin and the sword, 'Protector' to Jason. A loud wail is heard; Jason realises it is his son's. He charges into the snakes as Shandor and Kamrock try to help. Just as the snakes overwhelm them they disappear. Jason had faced his fear to save his child. Leokin tries to face his fear, the water. As the waves rush to meet the group Leokin steps forward and the waves disappear. Fear reappears and is about to attack when Jason slices it in two. As the life fades from It, it tells how it only took the children because the town was building too close to the Gifts and now that had killed It and taking the Gifts the group would know pain and suffering. It fades into the ground, dead. The group return to the inn, Leokin faints from spell exhaustion. Lesharn falls asleep. Kamrock wants to set sail straight away, but, by voting, the group decide to stay in the inn for the night. The night passes until Enox sences danger. Shandor and him race out of the inn to find a woman under attack from two wolves. A small skirmish takes place between Shandor and the wolves as Enox treats the woman's injuries. The battle ends when Shandor casts a spell which sends the wolves teleporting five miles away. Spells come with prices, however, Shandor is blasted back fifty metres and thunders into the inn wall with bone shattering force. He slumps to the ground with blood trickling from his head as Enox rushes over to heal the wounded Elf.

 

Full Log:

Narrator: The entrance to Emerald Bay’s main town is damaged from fire. From the looks of it a small skirmish took place here. The finely written, gold painted letters of ‘Emerald Bay’ are burnt beyond recognition. The group’s smiling faces fade as the townspeople eye them suspiciously. The group make their way over to an inn and enter. Even the barkeep’s face is etched with fear and suspicion.

Narrator: The inn is large, but dimly lit. All the drinkers are in the corners mumbling quietly. The group left their animals tied up outside as they approach the bar keep. A drunken patron stares up at the group, one of his eye’s is glass. He gruffly says, ‘Ye be wary of ‘It’.’ He crosses the room and leaves.

Shandor smiles at the Bar Keep, 'Fair tidings

Bar Keep doesn't return the smile, 'What'll it be?'

Shandor says, 'Rooms please.'

Mihwen says ‘and a hot bath for everyone’

Dytalorien grins.

Bar Keep growls, 'No rooms since 'It' arrived an' no hot baths.'

Shandor 's smile fades, 'It?'

Mihwen looks at the bar keep..

Mihwen says 'well?'

Bar Keep looks at the group, 'You ain't heard of 'It'?'

Shandor shakes his head

Dytalorien grins, "Obviously not."

Bar Keep says sadly, 'Then you are very lucky.'

Shandor says, 'How so?'

Lesharn says, 'I sense a story approaching...'

Leokin says "I sense danger...."

Dytalorien raises an eyebrow.

Lesharn withdraws a lambskin scroll and a goose-pen.

Lesharn starts scribbling intently.

Dytalorien muses, "Scribbling 'fore he even speaks..."

Bar Keep looks at the group, 'It came a few weeks ago, just after we'd finished building the new section of town, It took our children, including my son.'

Bar Keep wipes away a tear

Mihwen says 'what is it?'

Lesharn nods at Dylatorien’s and adds, 'There's much more to a story than speech alone. The posture and expressions of a being reveals much.'

Dytalorien replies to Lesharn, "Ah, why I'm not a bard."

Bar Keep says, 'Some say wolves, some say bears, I dunno.'

Bar Keep sighs, 'All I know is my Tommy is gone.'

Shandor says, 'Perhaps we can help?'

Lesharn nods at Dylatorien with a reassuring smile and goes about his work.

Leokin says "There must be something we can do to help"

Bar Keep looks surprised, 'Really? Help me?'

Shandor nods

Mihwen says 'maybe we can pay our visit this way?'

Bar Keep takes a deep breath, 'thank you.'

Bar Keep says, 'Well, can you use magic?'

Shandor nods

Leokin says "I am very capable with magic"

Lesharn says, 'You are indeed luck, for you are standing in the midst of magic seldom wielded in one group alone.'

Bar Keep says, 'Then maybe you could use it to find my son?'

Shandor nods yet again

Dytalorien ponders, "Magic to locate a person, why not track him with your skills?"

Shandor takes the group to the side, 'Perhaps we should find the human gifts before we help, we can further help him with them.'

Shandor says, 'The book of magic would surely help.'

Bar Keep stutters, 'Book of m-magic?'

Shandor realising that he had been overheard, 'Yes,'

Lesharn says, 'How long has your boy been gone?'

Bar Keep says, 'Just a week, as I said they only started a few weeks ago, straight after the newest part of town was built.'

Shandor says, 'He could still be alive then.'

Mihwen asks 'when and how have the children disappeared?'

Bar Keep says, 'A great evil laughter is heard, then-then they are taking as quickly as an Elf can blink.'

Dytalorien furrows his brows at the bar keeps choice of simile.

Lesharn gasps in astonishment.

Mihwen 'and its only children?'

Leokin still listens intently

Enox walks in the Inn

Bar Keep weeps slightly, 'Yes, it's like it's making us pay.'

Lesharn whispers to the group, 'children? Sounds like the bait of hungry trolls to me...'

Shandor asks, 'Where is the newest part of town?'

Bar Keep turns to one of the elves, 'the newest part of town is to the south.'

Shandor nods, 'Then we should head there first.'

Enox nods

Lesharn agrees whole-heartedly.

Leokin nods and agreement and notices Enox.

Dytalorien shrugs.

Shandor opens his pack and begins hunting through items.

Leokin says "Hello there..."

Mihwen turns around

Mihwen say 'lets go'

Enox says, ‘Greetings’

Bar Keep looks down at the Gnome, 'I'm sorry little friend, I'd didn't see you there.'

Enox says, "Its ok"

Enox says, "Need some help with your quest for the boy?"

Lesharn nods in the direction of Enox.

Lesharn pats Mihwen on her shoulder and whispers, 'something fishy is going on here...'

Shandor takes out a scroll and looks at it.

Mihwen talks calmly to Lesharn, ‘that’s the human nature..’

Leokin dimly hears Mihwen words.

Lesharn nods at Mihwen with a weary look.

Shandor says, 'According to this the gifts are to the south of the town.'

Shandor says, 'I say go there and hunt around for the gifts.'

Bar Keep says, 'Could I come with you?'

Shandor nods, 'Of course.'

Lesharn shoves his lambskin scroll and goose-pen into his bard satchel.

Enox asks "I thought we were going to search for the boy, but Gifts?"

Shandor turns to Enox, 'The gifts will help us find them.'

Enox "Oh...ok that’s a good thing"

Leokin says "What gift are we looking for exactly?"

Shandor turns to Leokin, 'The human gifts.'

Leokin says "I ...see."

Mihwen says 'cant we rest our feet for a little while?'

Mihwen says 'ten minutes wont hurt'

Dytalorien replies to Mihwen, "It won't help much either."

Shandor turns to Mihwen,' You can take a refreshing drink with you.'

Mihwen looks at Dytalorien, I need a change of clothes

Lesharn asks the Bar-Keeper, 'You wouldn't happen to have some fresh raspberries?'

Bar Keep goes out back and returns with a bowlful of mouth-watering raspberries. 'There you go, free of charge.'

Lesharn licks his lips.

Lesharn smiles and Mihwen and says, 'seems like we will be eating raspberry pie for few more days...'

Lesharn shakes the Bar-keeper’s hand.

Enox takes out of his pack a gnomish dinner

Dytalorien says disgustedly, "I seem to be getting rather sickly."

Enox is starting to eat

Mihwen looks at the bar keep, you wouldn’t have a room where I could change clothes in?

Lesharn gets a linen cloth from his satchel.

Lesharn rolls the raspberries into the cloth and drops the bundle into his satchel.

Leokin eyes the barkeeper suspiciously

Bar Keep tilts his head to the corner where there is a small changing area, 'You can change there, most travellers need a change of clothes after getting here.'

Mihwen thank you Mr.?

Bar Keep says, 'Jason, name's Jason Magellan.'

Mihwen smiles at Lesharn

Dytalorien plops down on a nearby chair and relaxes.

Mihwen takes a bag and goes towards the corner

Lesharn slouches next to the fire-place.

Shandor says, 'Now, now, don't get too relaxed, we need to leave soon.'

Dytalorien nods whilst closing his eyes and falling into slumber.

Leokin asks the barkeeper "Can you provide me with some water to wash my face?"

Bar Keep takes out a bowl of water and passes it to Leokin.

Leokin says "Thank you".

Enox is searching his books for idea's to find the boy

Lesharn cushions himself against his woolly satchel.

Lesharn pulls out a flute and begins playing peacefully.

Leokin removes his mask.

Lesharn looks curiously in Leokin’s direction.

Shandor says, 'Alright everybody, no more relaxing we have to leave now or the day will be wasted.

Leokin scoops a handful of water and dabs it onto his face.

Leokin turns slightly to Lesharn.

Lesharn hops to his feet.

Mihwen appears in a white dress, not too fancy but still looking very good

Dytalorien is pulled back into wakefulness and sighs.

Lesharn extends a hand towards Dylatorien.

Dytalorien blinks at Lesharn, "Hmm?"

Lesharn says, 'never mind.'

Shandor walks to the inn doorway, 'Come along.'

Enox puts his robe on and takes his staff

Mihwen says 'I’m ready gentle men'

Bar Keep excitedly runs to the door.

Leokin says "Please excuse my hideous face"

Bar Keep smiles, 'I'm gonna find my boy, I'm gonna find him!'

Lesharn walks soberly towards the door.

Enox says "Lets go!"

Leokin carries on with his errand and washes the mask.

Dytalorien nods.

Shandor opens the door and enters the sunlight outside

Lesharn exclaims, 'what a wonderful day to hit the road!'

Shandor begins walking to the newest part of town.

Enox eyes hurt of the bright light

Dytalorien taps Leokin, "Hurry my friend."

Dytalorien jogs to catch up to the rest.

Mihwen says 'looks like a nice town'

Bar Keep catches up to Shandor

Shandor stops at the new town wall and waits for the rest to catch up.

Enox says to Shandor "Don't walk so fast, I have very little legs. "

Shandor turns to Jason, 'If this is the new part, why is there a gaping hole?'

Bar Keep states, 'That was caused by It.'

Dytalorien slips in behind the rest.

Shandor examines it, 'It's twice as big as the tallest of us.'

Mihwen asks 'how deep is it?'

Lesharn clears his throat and says, 'you mean four times as big?'

Shandor looks towards the ground outside the wall, small tracks have been left.

Shandor smiles at Lesharn, 'I suppose so.'

Lesharn says, 'I’m not a hunter, but those tracks were not caused by a duck!'

Shandor starts following the tracks.

Dytalorien grins at Lesharn, "Indeed, they were not little one."

Mihwen smiles at Lesharn and thinks for her self... so cute

Lesharn blushes at Mihwen.

Enox is running after Shandor

Shandor turns to the group, 'The tracks end here. I guess we'll just have to find the gifts first.'

Lesharn asks, 'no signs of the boy?'

Mihwen asks 'and where would we find those?'

Shandor shakes his head.

Lesharn says, 'maybe we should try shouting...'

Dytalorien grins, "And bring hordes of beasts coming at us..."

Leokin rolls his eyes.

Shandor examines the scroll again and points towards the south.

Shandor looks, 'It seems there is a small woods over there.'

Mihwen says 'it's a big area'

Shandor starts moving towards it.

Lesharn sighs and says, 'you're right.'

Enox screams over the rest "I got a idea"

Lesharn raises an eyebrow at Enox.

Leokin looks at Enox, "Hm?"

Dytalorien cringes at Enox, "Please refrain from doing that."

Shandor turns to Enox, 'Yes, screaming should only be used in cases of horrible murder....’ He quickly adds, ‘ not that I'm suggesting that's what will happen.'

Enox says "I know a spell called Intuit direction so we have a clue were to find the gifts"

Lesharn says, 'there is a song of a mage that placed to much trust in his spells and was turned into an owl..'

Dytalorien grins at Enox, "Let not Lesharn's little stories bother you."

Lesharn says, 'don't bother me, most of my stories are cynical and sarcastic.'

Dytalorien grins at Lesharn, "As well as ill-timed."

Enox excuses to everyone

Shandor smiles at Lesharn.

Dytalorien decides he should have his weapon drawn...

Shandor enters the woods.

Enox looks not so happy anymore

Lesharn falls behind eyeing the woods suspiciously.

Dytalorien suddenly grasps a previously unnoticed long curved sabre.

Leokin says "The woods....hm"

Shandor says, 'Enox, so will you perform this spell or not?'

Lesharn clutches his satchel very tightly.

Mihwen follows the rest

Lesharn leans against a log taking some weight off his legs.

Enox says "it depends what you guys say?, yes or no"

Shandor shakes his head, 'Enox just do the spell.'

Enox is getting his book and start to perform the ritual

Shandor says, 'Need any help?'

Mihwen looks at Enox and shakes her head..

Enox says "Help is always welcome"

Enox is searching for a herb in his satchel

Leokin taps a foot.

Shandor smiles, 'Good, what do you need?'

Enox asks "Shandor, do you have this herb with you?’ Points to a drawing in his book.

Shandor empties his bag, 'Ah, here it is,'

Shandor passes the herb to Enox.

Enox says "Thank you"

Shandor says, 'It's smaller than the one in the book, will it suffice?'

Enox says "I hope so"

Kamrock says, 'My apologies for my lateness, the gate guards were interested in my pack.'

Mihwen smiles at Kamrock 'bet he didn’t like your little weapon collection'

Shandor looks towards the dwarf, 'Good to see you once more, although perhaps you should try timing your travels better.'

Enox notice that the stick on the ground is starting to spin.

Shandor looks at the stick as it stops, 'It's pointing to those bushes over there.'

Enox says "that’s the way we have to go"

Shandor walks over and pushes the plants out of the way.

Kamrock draws an axe from his back, 'I'm ready for anything these humans wish to throw my way.'

Shandor steps back as a small hole in the ground is revealed

Leokin says "Alright, let's follow the stick!"

Lesharn says carefully, 'I will move last in line..'

Shandor says, 'A cave!'

Leokin looks in awe.

Shandor looks into it.

Lesharn starts trembling.

Mihwen says 'I suggest you stay in the middle with me, Lesharn'

Mihwen says 'so that the fighters can protect us'

Lesharn nods at Mihwen, 'if you wish'

Shandor says, 'Okay, I'll go first, I have better night-vision.'

Enox aks "Anyone wants a Torch?

Leokin ponders "It just appeared out of nowhere...strange'

Shandor clambers into the cave, it's big enough for a fully grown Elf to stand up.

Kamrock says, 'Shandor, I suggest we both walk abreast. Dark caves aren't the night.'

Leokin notices the amulet on Lesharn glow crimson red.

Lesharn withdraws an oaken torch with a firm leather handle.

Lesharn blinks in disbelief at his amulet.

Leokin freezes "Danger.....the amulet does not lie"

Kamrock climbs inside the cave.

Dytalorien grins in anticipation.

Kamrock says, 'Danger or no, we must continue.'

Lesharn peers over Mihwen’s shoulder trying to get a better look.

Enox follows Kamrock

Shandor begins going down into the cave.

Leokin warns the group "We should proceed with caution"

Shandor comments, 'its sloping down, be cautious.'

Mihwen offers Lesharn help before she climbs down

Lesharn smiles at Mihwen and accepts her offer.

Kamrock says, 'Just stop whining, We're prepared for this as well as we can.'

Lesharn mutters, 'perhaps you, but I'm a simple poet...'

Shandor travels down for a few minutes.

Kamrock says, 'Maybe you'd like a weapon?'

Lesharn says, 'I have not held a sword in my entire life. I am a man of the lute and lyre.'

Dytalorien says to Kamrock, "Not all of us are as tough as you..."

Shandor pauses as the cave levels out.

Lesharn says, 'I tell stories, I do not play in them...'

Shandor says, 'Okay, the cave is level now, we'll be fine.'

Bar Keep says,' You say that a lot.'

Kamrock necks to Shandor, ‘that is indeed rather interesting, I hear a drip in the distance.'

Mihwen tries to calm Lesharn 'when we get home you can write a story about this little trip' ;)

Lesharn nods slowly.

Shandor pauses for a moment, 'The cave slopes up from here on.'

Leokin listens carefully to the dripping sound.

Kamrock says, 'Keep up,' and glances back at the group.

Enox says "Be careful for traps"

Shandor arrives at the top of the slope.

Kamrock peers over the slope.

Mihwen smiles 'wouldn’t a mushroom stew be nice for dinner?'

Lesharn says, 'there is a story of halfling that once was lost in a cave, but emerged with a handful of mushrooms...'

Dytalorien says to Lesharn, "Remember I said your stories are ill-timed..now's not the time."

Shandor looks towards a golden alter. 'The Gifts!' A cruel voice starts chuckling

Enox looks at Lesharn and says "its already scary enough your not suppose to make it even more scarier"

Leokin glares at the altar "Could it really be the gifts?"

Lesharn turns pale and his body to stone.

Dytalorien sighs, "Never was good with little ones.."

Mihwen says 'this seems to easy'

Kamrock growls and looks around.

Dytalorien blinks and grasps his sabre more firmly.

Leokin says "Too easy...."

Shandor pauses.

Kamrock says, 'I was expecting a fight.'

Lesharn s face breaks into an ocean of sweat.

Shandor says, 'I sense something.'

Enox gets his staff

Narrator: : A great body forms

Dytalorien watches in disbelief.

Lesharn s face is flushed white.

Narrator: : the shape yells, 'You will perish before you reach the Gifts.'

Leokin is bewildered

Lesharn says, 'perhaps we should turn back...?'

Enox is searching immediate for a spell

Bar Keep shudders, 'I'm scared.'

Kamrock grips his axe handle tightly, 'You will perish before you touch me,'

Lesharn nods at the barkeeper.

Mihwen looks at the body and tries to see what’s it's made of

Leokin slowly approaches the eldritch form..

Narrator: The shape growls 'Ha! Fear is your most dangerous weapon.

Lesharn says, 'that thing cannot be real, I swear by golden grapes its an illusion!'

Shandor looks at the Jason, 'Why are you afraid?'

Enox casts a invisibility spell on Jason so he cant be harmed

Kamrock charges toward the body holding his axe firmly.

Mihwen says you better not try'

Bar Keep states loudly, 'Snakes, snakes!'

Kamrock is thrown back toward the slope.

Lesharn grabs his lyre and sings a Song of Ancient Heroes.

Narrator: the shape laughs, 'Ha, and the other human, you fear WHAT?'

Leokin says "I fear nothing but ...water...

Shandor turns to Leokin, 'Leokin don’t say…too late.'

Narrator: the Shape growls before suddenly turning into a wave of water. Within seconds the level part of the cave is flooded.

Lesharn closes his eyes firmly and sings in a stuttering voice, 'Hero Elscire Pumpkinroot, wielded a sword as big as his foot...'

Dytalorien yells at Lesharn, "Now's not the time!"

Leokin gasps

Narrator: Suddenly snakes swamp everywhere in the cave.

Bar Keep yelps

Shandor mutters, 'Fear, itself?'

Dytalorien mumbles and grabs Lesharn before moving to safety.

Lesharn sings, 'Misses Elyre Bakersmith, baked a cake as big as this..'

Kamrock neatly beheads a snake with his axe.

Shandor quickly shouts, 'Inflameitae!' A barrier of flame blocks the snakes from attacking.

Kamrock says, 'Lesharn Shut up and fight.'

Enox is fighting of the snakes

Shandor yells, 'No, try and touch that flame and you will combust!'

Lesharn whimpers, 'I know not how to fight...'

Mihwen pulls two knifes and runs towards Lesharn

Leokin remains petrified by the flood

Shandor yells, 'Back to the water's edge, NOW!'

Mihwen says take this

Shandor turns to Leokin, 'Don't worry, stay in the middle of the group.

Bar Keep screams, 'Snakes, they're gonna kill me!'

Leokin struggles over to the party.

Mihwen shouts 'someone take care of Jason!'

Enox says "I'll do it"

Shandor turns to Jason, 'Calm down we won't let anything happen. The barrier will prevent it.' The flames start to flicker and die, 'Unless it does that.'

Dytalorien sighs and grabs the Bar Keep.

Enox runs over to the Jason

Lesharn sings, 'Fatty Geryl Muffineater, ate a cow last winter...'

Leokin shouts deliriously "Water , water,,, everywhere"

Shandor yells, 'Kamrock and anyone who can wield a weapon to the front. Archers to the back, we don't have much room so be careful.'

Kamrock charges back up the slope and challenges the dark shape.

Shandor draws a sword.

Kamrock says, 'Basserix?'

Shandor nods and the sword comes to life in a quick loud tune.

Mihwen pull backwards

Narrator: The shape disappears.

Dytalorien moves cautiously to the front grasping his sabre firmly.

Enox shouts "Inviwall" a invisible wall comes and holds of the water

Mihwen hands Lesharn a dagger

Lesharn passes back the dagger to Mihwen and whimpers, 'I cannot.'

Mihwen says 'if something comes too near, cut it like a pie!'

Leokin suddenly regains consciousness..."What, what is going on?"

Shandor lashes out with the blade, killing several snakes.

Lesharn stumbles on a rock sending his lyre flying!

Shandor at the same time whips out the three golden daggers and makes the Tri-blade.

Shandor throws it and it weaves it's way, slicing all the snakes in it's path

Lesharn curses.

Leokin casts several enchanting spells on the fighters.

Dytalorien cleaves at a nearby snake, decapitating it.

Kamrock swings among the snakes, killing them with a touch of his axe.

Lesharn withdraws a small leather bag.

Lesharn opens the leather bag and grabs a hand full of darts.

Lesharn mutters, 'I wish I learned how to use these properly like my Uncle instructed me...'

Enox takes his crossbow and is shooting the snakes

Leokin sees the snakes explode as the darts touches the them.

Shandor uses his open hand to yell, 'Ri-tay, Olan.' The two Gifts on the alter fly through the air. Shandor instinctively catches them, they begin to burn his hands, he drops them to the ground.

Lesharn starts juggling five darts in the air.

Shandor yells at Leokin, 'Grab that book of spells and find something!'

Lesharn watches the darts as they start building up speed in his nimble hands.

Shandor shouts at Bar Keep, 'Take that sword and defend yourself.'

Lesharn yelps, 'what do I do with these juggling darts, they will kill me!'

Leokin rapidly scramble through his book of spells.

Bar Keep does so, the blade seems easy to wield.

Leokin pauses

Kamrock scans around, and apparently seeing what he was looking for charges at a wall.

Mihwen looks at a snake and suddenly it turns back

Dytalorien mumbles, as he reaches Lesharn and deftly grabs several of the darts from the air.

Narrator: Suddenly a loud wailing starts from beyond the alter.

Bar Keep looks up at the wailing, 'Tommy? Tommy?! Is that you?'

Bar Keep rushes forward.

Lesharn cries out as a dart pierces his left hand!

Kamrock stops and stares at the altar.

Dytalorien pins several snakes to the ground using the confiscated darts.

Enox casts blast of heavy wind and the snakes crushes to the wall

Shandor yells, 'He'll be killed, quickly help Jason!'

Shandor charges headlong into the snakes.

Lesharn throws the remaining darts in a random direction and they hit a snake in the eye!

Leokin starts to chant "Estra, mei o nes tra, ala craves tio, resa!"

Enox jumps before Jason

Lesharn cries out in glee, 'I.l..I killed one!'

Bar Keep knocks Enox out of the way, 'I'll save my boy!'

Leokin falls, as a bright light encompasses the whole room.

Mihwen grabs Lesharn's shoulder and turns him around'

Mihwen says look in my eyes

Narrator: A great rushing of water can be heard; the water level is rising!

Dytalorien closes his eyes as the light stings them.

Mihwen sees that Lesharn calms down

Shandor is being swamped by snakes when suddenly they disappear.

Leokin says "The water should not be able to reach us"

Shandor falls to the ground in surprise.

Mihwen says 'you’ve got nothing to worry about'

Shandor says, 'How did they do that?'

Shandor looks at Jason as the Bar Keep hugs his lost son.

Dytalorien blinks.

Shandor says, 'Snakes, you were afraid of them until you had to run though them to save Tommy.'

Bar Keep tearfully nods.

Leokin struggles "I-I don't feel so well. I've used up most of my energy from that last spell"

Shandor turns to Leokin, 'You have to face the water!'

Lesharn sobs quietly in joy, 'I killed one, by the bloody luck of my hand... I killed one.'

Enox says "you see love will conquer anything"

Leokin shouts suddenly "YES! I SHALL FACE THE WATER!!!"

Shandor gets to his feet and leads Leokin to the water.

Kamrock yells over the rush of water, 'Lesharn I shall teach you to fight.

Narrator: the water builds up speed until it is a wave rushing straight at the group.

Lesharn turns away with tears in his eyes.

Leokin allows himself to be guided.

Shandor calls to Leokin, 'Don't get scared.'

Narrator: The water is inches from the group when suddenly it vanishes.

Dytalorien says to Kamrock, "Aye, that is enough...I don't believe he wishes to learn."

Shandor smiles at the human, 'You did it Leokin!'

Mihwen asks 'how are you doing?'

Leokin stands still.

Lesharn sobs and says, 'so much blood, never have I seen so much blood...it is like my aunts grape farm.'

Leokin falls to his knees.

Narrator: The shape reforms on the alter, 'You shall pay,' It roars.

Enox starts to laugh of the jokes of Lesharn

Bar Keep slices it in half with the human gift sword.

Lesharn drops to the ground, his body trembling in fear.

Bar Keep yells, 'You dare take my son! Die you beast.'

Mihwen grabs Lesharn' and looks him in the eyes, ‘concentrate’

Bar Keep brings the sword down.

Narrator: The shape looks as if it's about to die, 'I, the beast? No, you built too close, and now you have found these gifts, you will meet a beast much more powerful than I.'

Lesharn slouches all of a sudden feeling very drowsy.

Narrator: the shape fades into the ground, dead.

Bar Keep looks at Shandor, 'What did it mean by that?'

Shandor shakes his head, ' I do not know, but we should leave quickly.

Mihwen talks in a convincing voice 'just take it easy it's all right'

Enox shouts "We Won!!"

Leokin asks "Is-is it over?"

Shandor turns to Lesharn, 'Perhaps.'

Kamrock lights a torch, filling the cave with a bright light.

Enox nods

Lesharn mutters, 'I bet he meant that dragon...'

Leokin says "I-I-I feel weird"

Leokin faints.

Shandor yells, 'Leokin!'

Kamrock picks Leokin off the ground, ' I shall have Nezai tend him.'

Mihwen talks to Lesharn, 'lets think about today’s dinner'

Enox says "The last spell was to much for him"

Shandor suddenly realises that Basserix is playing a truly joyous tune.

Mihwen says 'now let's get out of here'

Shandor sheathes the sword and the tune stops.

Lesharn looks at Mihwen with a weary look and says, 'I am t.t..oo tired to think about food.'

Enox happily agrees

Shandor turns to Mihwen, 'Let's.'

Mihwen helps Lesharn out of the cave

Narrator: The group quickly leave the cave and return to the inn.

Kamrock says, 'Food, I am very hungry. Perhaps we could eat outside of the city tonight?'

Mihwen asks can someone get Lesharn's lyre?

Bar Keep sobs loud, joyful tears, 'Help yourselves to what ever you want, rooms, food, anything, thank you, thank you.'

Lesharn panics, 'my lyre!? the damn snakes took my lyre.'

Shandor takes the lyre out of his pack, 'Sorry, I saw it lying on the ground.'

Enox says "I always help people in need so its all right Jason"

Lesharn accepts the lyre.

Mihwen says 'look it's alright'

Bar Keep begins talking to his son.

Lesharn says, 'I am sorry, I feel perhaps I am of more trouble than help in this venture...'

Dytalorien slips away unnoticed.

Shandor says, 'No Lesharn, you are very needed and valuable.'

Kamrock says, 'Lesharn, you are no burden, but I'd like to teach you how to fight, just in case.'

Lesharn sobs quietly to himself.

Shandor smiles, 'We need to hear your music after something like this, and I know just the song.'

Mihwen turns to Kamrock 'he maybe would be more comfortable with a smaller weapon like a dagger'

Shandor says, 'The song of Li-arre would be perfect here.'

Kamrock says, 'That was the weapon I thought of Mihwen, do you think I can not use one?'

Lesharn says sadly, 'I would sing it for you Shandor, but alas my right hand was pierced with a dart.'

Mihwen says, sure you can but I think you're more skilled with other weapons..

Shandor begins to sing an elven song, no-one but the elves know what it means but it is beautiful anyway.

Lesharn says, 'I'm an unlucky sight of a bard, not even fit to be called Poet of Eveylee'

Mihwen says 'oh let me see your hand Lesharn'

Lesharn extends his pierced hand towards Mihwen.

Mihwen pulls a piece of cloth from her dress and ties it around Lesharn hand

Lesharn falls asleep in Mihwen’s lap.

Enox says "We haven’t the chance to get to know each other well

Shandor finishes the song.

Shandor cross the inn and leaps over the bar. He ducks out of sight for a moment then pops back up with bottles of Dwarven ale.

Shandor says, 'Anyone fancy one?'

Mihwen asks 'can someone carry Lesharn to a warm bed`?'

Kamrock says, I'd rather get out, we should be leaving for AngleRia soon.

Shandor says to Mihwen, 'And Leokin.'

Shandor turns to Kamrock, 'We need time to recuperate from the battle.'

Mihwen agrees

Shandor grins, 'and nothing says recuperate like Dwarven ale!'

Lesharn mutters something about his mule Appleseed apparently asleep.

Enox says "I am really tired don’t feel like walking immediate"

Kamrock says, 'I shall carry those in need, but surely it would be better to rest on the ship?'

Enox nods

Shandor says, 'Kamrock when we entered the inn it was dark in the sky, I doubt many ships sail now, not even my friends.'

Mihwen askes 'do ships leave the harbour at these hours?'

Kamrock says, 'But, as you know time is of the essence.'

Shandor says to Kamrock, 'you really should study geography, the Harbour is just a quick walk down there, but there is nowhere to rest there.'

Shandor says to Kamrock, 'What do you purpose? We swim there?'

Shandor takes a gulp of dwarven ale.

Kamrock says, 'Ships must sail during the night.'

Enox says "Lets sleep here and we go early in the morning"

Shandor says, 'Exactly Enox, exactly.'

Shandor says, 'And we can't drag Lesharn and Leokin around the town searching for a boat.'

Mihwen says 'and who knows how much sleep we will get on a boat'

Kamrock says, 'Sleep on a boat is good.'

Shandor agrees, 'I do believe some of us get sea sick. Not me however.'

Enox says "I cant sleep on the boat I get sea sick"

Shandor says, 'Shall we vote on it?'

Shandor says, 'All those wanting to spend the night in the inn?'

Kamrock says, 'Well, it is a long sail, we will be sailing for many days, possibly longer.'

Shandor says, 'All the more reason to get a good night's sleep here Kamrock.'

Shandor raises his hand.

Enox says "sleep in the inn"

Mihwen says 'the inn'

Shandor says, 'three votes to one, sorry old friend, it looks like we'll be staying here.'

Enox is making his bed

Kamrock says, 'Well, I shall go and scout for a ship coming from AngleRia, I shall inquire about the sea condition.'

Shandor resigns, 'Fine, fine.'

Shandor says, 'Anyone for a Dwarven ale?'

Mihwen says 'no thanks my friend'

Shandor nods, 'the more for me.'

Kamrock leaves the Inn and heads toward the Harbour.

Shandor turns to Enox, 'Would you like one?'

Enox says "yes"

Enox turns to Shandor and asks "Do you have some nice spellbooks with you I can read?"

Shandor thinks, 'Well, I think there's one in my pack, you could try reading Leokin's new Gift, no doubt it would burn your hand of though.'

Enox laughs

Shandor passes a tankard of Dwarven ale to the Gnome, 'It's quite strong I warn you.'

Enox says "I'll try it"

Shandor opens his pack and removes a tatty spell book. 'I wouldn't spill anything on it; a friend of mine did and now he's half-tree.'

Kamrock rushes back into the Inn looking all puffed out.

Shandor looks at the worn out Dwarf and nearly laughs, 'I thought you could sprint for seven days.'

Mihwen asks 'what is it?'

Enox coughs when he drinks the ale

Kamrock says, 'No ship has sailed in days, they are refusing to launch.'

Enox asks "why?

Shandor says, 'Never fear, my old friend will, not the half-tree one.'

Kamrock puffs, 'The Serpent, they say, is coming very close to the shores.'

Shandor laughs, 'I've had three bouts with that over grown sea worm, it's no challenge.'

Enox is wondering what a Serpent is

Mihwen asked the dwarf 'whom did you talk to?'

Enox is finding some good snacks in his satchel

Kamrock says, 'The Merchant Captain of a great ship, armed with many archers, the ship, called Direshtirania, is in a bad shape.'

Enox asks "Anyone want a snack, its gnomish though?"

Shandor stands up and crosses to the bar and opens a hatch on the floor, 'Wow, there is a grand kitchen down here.'

Shandor looks towards the Dwarf, 'How bad a shape?'

Kamrock says, 'The Starboard side has a large hole in it, He says he lost fifteen archers.'

Kamrock sits at a table and pours a large Ale.

Mihwen says 'this does not sound good'

Shandor laughs, 'You call that bad shape? The ship I was sailing on lost everything but the poop deck and the crows nest.'

Shandor looks down through the hatch, 'Would anyone like anything cooked? I'm not that bad with a frying pan.'

Enox says "But we have magicians, strong fighters, and some other good people so we have a better chance."

Kamrock says, 'He was one of the few to have returned.'

Shandor says, ' Kamrock, my old friend, you are too pessimistic, I have developed a tactic for dealing with the serpent.'

Kamrock looks at Shandor, 'have you forgotten to pay?'

Shandor smiles at Kamrock, 'Jason said we could have anything for saving his child.'

Mihwen stands up 'we don’t want to die tonight Shandor'

Mihwen goes down to the kitchen

Shandor grins at Mihwen, 'I probably shouldn't cook then.'

Kamrock says, 'I hope for the sake of those who can't swim it's a good plan.'

Shandor grins at Kamrock, 'Yes, it's called "Run away while pelting magic as fast as possible"'

Enox laughs loudly

Shandor says, 'Now then, food orders? What would you like? Some nice bacon?'

Mihwen yells from the kitchen 'I’ll decide what you'll have!'

Enox says "Could you make me a real gnomish dinner didn’t had that for some time now?"

Shandor grins and shouts back at Mihwen, 'Fine.'

Kamrock says, 'I have little faith in magic, I have seen it bring it's casters to a bad shape in very little time.'

Kamrock points at Leokin, 'Fine example.'

Enox turns to Kamrock and says "It depends what kind of magic you use"

Shandor says to Kamrock, 'Yet more pessimism, really, we can handle ourselves.'

Enox says "That’s real old magic that’s dangerous"

Shandor continues, 'But if you prevent us from resting our spells will fail.'

Kamrock says, 'Shandor, I have not forgotten you casting the spell on the Mule on our first day of travelling.'

Shandor turns to Kamrock, 'I used twice as much magic today and couldn’t feel better.'

Mihwen comes up from the kitchen with few servants

Shandor turns to Enox, 'Did I recall you mentioning that you had gnomish snacks?'

Enox says "yes"

Shandor says, 'May I have one? I've only ever tasted Gnomish food once.'

Mihwen says the fish in there must have been weeks old...

Enox says "Of Course" and hands over the snacks

Mihwen says enjoy the chicken

Kamrock says, 'Chicken?' buries his head in a large chicken.

Shandor picks up one and take a bite, 'That's wonderful!'

Enox says "Thanks, my Father made those"

Mihwen smiles 'you don’t want to know what’s in them'

Shandor takes a few fruits from his pack, they look nothing like regular fruits, 'You must try one of these, the others enjoyed them yesterday, they taste of what ever you like.'

Kamrock says, 'Never ask a cook how to, it spoils the taste.'

Mihwen says 'very true wise Kamrock'

Enox says "Thanks"

Shandor smiles at Mihwen and says in Elven, 'How could you cook it so fast? Magic?'

Kamrock says, 'I would like a few more of these chickens though.'

Enox is taking a bite and it tastes real good

Mihwen blushes 'well... a little'

Shandor winks and replies in Elven, 'Your secret is safe with me.'

Enox asks "What are you guys talking about?

Mihwen says 'about Lesharn'

Shandor smiles, 'Yes, of course.'

Kamrock says, 'Magic, I'm guessing, I do know a little elven and Magic is a word I have learned.'

Enox thinks...They are lying

Mihwen says 'there is much courage in that little fellow'

Mihwen says 'didn’t you see how his songs effected us'

Shandor winks at Mihwen before saying to Kamrock, 'Have you heard of Krel-do'ni-litfar?'

Kamrock says, 'Nezai has tried to teach me a little, He failed miserably in most of his efforts.

Kamrock says, 'Granurr rastaraffly Almurrni.'

Shandor turns to Kamrock, ' "The pigs are green in winter?" Thor never taught me well, except the curses.'

Shandor looks at Mihwen, 'I wouldn't put it past the Halfling.'

Shandor says to Kamrock, 'I should hope you haven't heard of it, it doesn't exist.'

Enox amulet suddenly starts to glow

Shandor says, 'Enox, why does it do that?'

Enox says "Somebody is in Danger"

Shandor says, 'Who?'

Enox says "Someone near here"

Enox not more then "two, three houses futher"

Mihwen askes 'how is Leokin doing?'

Enox says "I am going to see if I can help"

Shandor turns to Enox, 'I will come too.'

Enox is walking to the door

Shandor follows

Kamrock says, 'It is a little phrase, I'd rather not repeat in Common, it's a sacred phrase

Kamrock says, 'I shall ready us a ship.'

Enox asks "Anyone else coming?"

Kamrock leaves the Inn and heads back to Harbour.

Enox goes to the little farm near the inn

Shandor follows

Enox sees that a women is attacked by wolves and is hurt badly

Shandor shouts, 'Enox, help the woman.'

Shandor unsheathes Basserix.

Enox casts a fast protection spell on the women

Narrator: The wolves look up at the sudden noise

Shandor begins to chant, 'Py-til rando, eiblid.'

Narrator: A great wind sweeps the wolves twenty metres away.

Enox he sees that the spell works and the wolves cant attack the women anymore but they attack Shandor and Enox now

Shandor chases after the wolves.

Enox follows Shandor

Narrator: One of the wolves charges to attack

Enox cant keep up with him so he is going to help the women

Shandor shouts, 'Yillat.' The wolf stops in mid-air

Shandor says, 'I'm trying not to hurt these creatures

Enox starts making a potion for the women

Shandor starts chanting again. The wolves suddenly disappear as Shandor is blown fifty metres backward. He slams into the inn wall and slumps to the ground

Narrator: The wolves appear five miles north of the town.

Enox finished the potion and the women drinks it.

Enox shouts to Shandor "ARE YOU OK?

Shandor is bleeding from a head wound and does not answer

Enox runs as fast as he can to Shandor

Shandor is still breathing but does not move.

Enox is searching his books for the healing spell

Enox thinks its hard to perform but I have to do it

Enox starts working on the ritual

Narrator: A small pool of Elven blood is forming