Filmed in the Miracle of Skeletorama!
Once free of the ilithid’s cave, we buried Areon’s blue cat, and moved on into the wilderness. Areon and Beowulf led us toward the settlement of Beorunna’s Well, as Theona thought it was both the closest town, and the most likely to provide us with a safer trip to Silverymoon. There are regular caravan runs and we need safety in numbers! We’ve all given up on the idea of getting our horses back; they’ve surely been sold off long ago.
We travelled all day, and settled into a niche, a depression in the ground, for the night. I had everyone pile their food and water, and blessed the lot for Theona’s peace of mind. We have collected some of it from questionable sources! Areon actually admitted he wasn’t feeling well. The elf has refused to complain when seriously injured, so I was quick to give him a once-over. Sure enough, he’d been bitten by a rat during the underground battles. I cleaned out the wound and used spells to restore him to health as best I could, but promised to pray for the ability to cure disease outright in the morning.
It seemed like I had barely closed my eyes when Beowulf was shaking me awake. It wasn’t second watch yet, though - it was that something had just overflown our camp! Gathered around the fire, we all pulled out whatever we could shoot or throw at the thing which was swooping back toward us. When I saw the wingspan, I feared a white dragon; I caught a glimpse of a horn on its head and no arms just as Beowulf shouted, “Yrthak!” and we all fired. I hit Theona with my shuriken instead, and suddenly the ground in the middle of our party exploded!
As the yrthak flew around for another pass, Areon shouted at us to spread out. Everyone ran for cover away from the fire, toward the rim of the depression. I stayed by the fire, thinking perhaps to give it a target while the others could take a shot. Or maybe I was just guided by Tymora, for the yrthak used the rocks that Rosorc and Theona were using as cover as weapons instead, causing them to explode and doing a lot of shrapnel damage! Rosorc did it some damage, but Theona was barely on her feet. I raced up the hill to heal her as the creature flapped off into the night.
The rest of the night passed uneventfully. Theona took second watch with me to quiz me about “interspecies relationships” again. I pointed out to her that my own attempt had failed badly, but then she implied something about Rosorc and me. I looked at her, I looked at Rosorc... what? I was glad that he stopped mooning after her, but now that I think of it, he does seem kind of sad. Poor Rosorc doesn’t need any more complications in his life, but maybe I can cheer him up without his knowing?
In the morning, I prayed to Tymora and cured Areon’s rat bite fever. We packed up and set out, but it was a wet and windy day. As we struggled along, it got colder. Finally, our scouts found a cave and we settled in around a fire for a few days. Beowulf went out every day to fly around and watch for trouble, Areon made some arrows, and I found some sling stones. Theona talked to me about Rosorc, using elven, which he apparently doesn’t understand. Or else he’s gotten very good at ignoring us! He polished his armor to a fine shine before the weather changed and we all set out again.
The next few days were uneventful, which I thanked Tymora for every night! Beowulf in the sky and Areon on the ground were a good team, apparently leading us around various trouble spots. The only fight they got into, they didn’t even need any help except for looting the body and burying the skull of its last victim. I was passing a little stream the first day when I saw some wildflowers by the bank. I don’t know what came over me, but I picked one quickly and hid it. That night, I managed to tuck it into Rosorc’s beard without either waking him or being seen by Theona, a creditable feat! I suspect Areon thinks I’m nuts, but I hope it makes Rosorc smile. If he gets too worried, I suppose I’ll tell him it was just a joke on my part.
I managed to find a flower or two every day for the rest of the trip. If nothing else, it seemed to get Rosorc wondering about the group he was a part of instead of walking along deep in his own thoughts. By the time we were in sight of Beorunna’s Well, he was sharing out the last of his ale and singing some utterly reprehensible tavern songs with Theona. The two of them had a lot of “the last of the ale” stored away!
As evening fell, we saw the wooden palisade of Beorunna’s Well across the plain. A caravan was just entering the gates. We were soon there, too, and asking for the nearest inn! A good night’s sleep and a proper wash sounded like just the thing! Lucky for us, there were four rooms left. Beowulf and wolf, Theona and Areon, Rosorc, and I each got one. Sleeping out for days makes you really appreciate a mattress and blankets! I did get up in the middle of the night for a trip to Rosorc’s locked door, however. There may not be many wildflowers in the rocky foothills, but that walk across the plain found me quite a few. I hope he notices that none are roses; I don’t want him to think it’s Theona being a tease.
The next morning, we all met at the elves’ room to divide up our treasure. Beowulf used detect magic to separate out anything special, and mentioned that my new staff definitely glowed. This is a rough frontier town, but it has several shops, so we set out to find someone to identify our magical items. With over 2500 gold apiece, we also kept an eye out for anything else that looked useful! The trip to the magic-users’ shop went very well; not only did I get a wand of cure light wounds, but the mage gave me the command word to my staff - of shocking! When he told me there was no limit on the staff’s charges, he got a tip!
Areon found the armory, and we really made some inroads on their stock of mithril. Even Rosorc got new armor, had more spikes added, and headed right back to the mage’s to get it enchanted. I stocked up on shuriken and asked about the local shrines, but there were none for Tymora, so I saved my donation for when we get back to Silverymoon. For that matter, how do we plan to get back? I decided to ask the innkeeper about any caravans back to the city, and found out that the one we’d seen earlier was going that way soon. Beowulf, Rosorc and I went to speak to him while Theona and Areon went searching through the pawnshops for something.
Rosorc, being our best advertisement, did the bargaining. Lukeon, the caravan master, was quite glad to have more folk travelling with him, and even hired us as guards. At 25 gold a day and a 15-day trip, it’s a bonus! I’m just happy to be travelling in a bigger group. We’ll be passing through an area of Uthgardt raiders, the Sky Pony tribe. They’re focusing on dwarven caravans but will attack anyone. Beowulf told us that he expected clear weather for the next several days, and soon we were on the road.
The elves, by the way, did find something in their search of the shops. It’s a silver tiger statue, vaguely familiar. Areon hopes to find another one like it, or even the maker of this one. I guess both of our elves are searching for mysterious artifacts!
The next morning, we headed out. Beowulf handed me a wand to carry for him, while he and Areon continued their scouting pattern. The first day went uneventfully, and the night passed quietly except for Theona suddenly realizing that Midsummer was nearly upon us. She’s wondering what Beowulf and I, the two religious folk, plan to do to celebrate. I’m starting to think she’s obsessed with the human body!
The second day, we passed through the region called the Night Trees; strange lights floated in the woods, and could be seen even from our campsite in the fields outside. We wisely let them alone. The third and fourth days went well, but the weather began to change for the worse. The druid thinks it will be warm and windy like this for the next few days. At least it’s not raining! The fifth day was quiet, except for Rosorc’s growing boredom. He bought all that new gear and hasn’t had a chance to use it on anything! Day six, and that changed. Beowulf flew back to tell us that there is an Uthgardt ambush ahead, maybe six riders. After a little discussion, we decided to keep going, hands on weapons. There’s going to be a fight!
After regrouping, we decided to head south east to Beorunna’s Well, a small Barbarian town. Everyone was relieved and excited to have a relatively close destination for the moment. Ale! was low along with all of our other provisions. We would have to spend time foraging and hunting along the way just to meet our base needs.
Walking along, I whistled a long forgotten drinking song from my youth back in the halls of Citadel Adbar. It was a rousing little ditty about a fine young ale conniseur and a wayward princess..... Snapping out of my inner musings, I stopped my whistling and fetched my ale skin. All of these ale thoughts had peaked my thirst.
Pulling a small draught, I rinsed it through my mouth, savouring the flavor. It was not the Realms’ finest ale but it was enough to raise this Dwarf’s spirit. Placing my flask back in my pack, I grabbed a small hunk of dried meat and slowly ate it as we walked along.
The strangest thing was going on around me. Every time I looked at Theona and Deitricha they were always speaking back and forth in Elven. They’d stare at me, and then there was a scary following round of giggling.
Feeling very self conscious, I tried to check my armour and gear to make sure everything was intact. After reassuring myself I was completely covered and decent, I mumbled to myself, “Clangeddin forgive me. But I will never understand females.”
Several more hours of travel had passed and it was now growing dark. Beau and Areon found us a nice little grove to camp in for the night. Setting up camp, we decided to set our usual round of watches.
Seems Areon had developed some sort of infection in his leg. Deitricha laid her hands on his leg where the original wound was, and prayed very loudly to her deity. Her hands glowed in the dark for a brief moment and then she said, “You should be fine, Areon,” and walked over near me and sat down.
Pulling out her bed roll, she laid it out by the fire and laid down to rest. The Elves had already settled into their meditative state, I’ll never understand how someone just doesn’t sleep, and Beau and Shadow were snoring in unison on the other side of the fire.
Climbing onto a comfortable rock, I started my watch. Being as it takes way too much effort to get my armour on in the middle of the night, I had volunteered to always take first or last watch.
It was a nice night. A very clear sky. The stars shone like an underground cavern of gems in the flickering light of a torch. Trying to forget the seeming betrayal of our comrade Tassar, I looked out into the night. Still, thoughts of our (what seemed to me anyways) short friendship rolled through my head.
I had never been betrayed before by a close companion. Sure, I had been robbed, lied to, and definitely badly beaten but never by someone who I had considered a friend.... What in the nine hells was that?
Quietly I started to call for the others to awake as I scrambled up the hill into a defensive postion. Something very large just flew overhead and it was definitely coming back. I pulled my crossbow and hunched down behind my tower shield, crossbow drawn and ready to fire.
I heard the others scurring around below me to take cover. Right then our now-be assailant flew over head. I launched a crossbow bolt in his direction. Whether I hit or not I was not able to tell in the night sky.
Though I did hear the explosion of rocks below me and the grunting of several of my companions as they were hit by the debris as it flew into the night sky. Seeing everyone but Deitricha had scrambled to some sort of cover, I set about reloading my crossbow at a feverish pace. Heck, that thing was huge. It had to have at least a twenty-plus foot wing span. Not to mention it was ugly as an orc bride on her wedding night!
The beast flew around again to make another pass. I heard Beau and Shadow make several grunts and whimpers of pain as the boulders they hid in exploded around them. I heard the hum of the elves’ bow and crossbow as I left loose myself into the night sky.
Several more passes from the creature went about the same way. Each of us being randomly attacked by its strange sonic attack. Finally, after being hit by more than its fair share of bolts and arrows, it winged off into the night.
Gathering together we found that everyone only had minor wounds. Dietricha had fared the best. She hadn’t even been attacked. After several more minutes of watching the sky in vain I removed my armour, as my watch was over.
Laying myself on a soft, mossy expanse of ground, I closed my eyes to sleep. When morning arrived, I found myself covered with my blanket again and a small flower tucked in my beard. Absolutely freaked, I quickly hid it from the others. My head started to swim. I knew Clangeddin had saved me from things like this. Who? What? Why? Not knowing, or sure I wanted to find out, I quickly slammed almost an entire wineskin of wine in a single gulp.
Then realized what it was and had to rinse it down with the last of my ale. Trying to forget what I had found I started putting my armour on and talking to myself out loud about the strange creature we had seen the night before.
As I ducked out behind a group of trees to take care of some business, I swear I heard a couple of laughing female voices off in the distance.....
We headed out shortly after. The day was relatively nice and the traveling was uneventful. Evening came and went. The only thing out of the ordinary over the next three days’ travels was the more and more ornate flower growths that were appearing in my beard during my sleep. Heck I had even tried staying awake to catch the culprit or culprits. Though to no avail.
We were all glad to see the town ahead on the fourth night. Ale!!!!!! Cooked potaoes and hard bread. What the heck am I saying, Ale!!!!!!!!
Ariving at the gate, we quickly explained to the guard we were here for trading purposes. They welcomed us and let us enter. They even were so nice to suggest a nice inn up the street.
As much of a hurry as we were in for warm food, clean bedding, and lots of ale we still took the time to check the place out a little. It was definitely a barbarian town. Beau’s wolf was not only accepted, heck, it had playmates running through the street.
Interest sated, we went to the Inn. It was a nice place called The Lion’s Den. After acquiring a room, I quickly scarfed down some delicious meat and potatoes and drowned it with a large amount of ale.
Head a little funny, I staggered up to my room. I checked the windows. Then pulled my bed over to block entrance through the doorway as I slept. No flower fairies were going to weave anything in my my beard tonight.
Morning came early. As I staggered to the mirror I was relieved to see the flower mischief had stopped. Dawning my best traveling clothes, I headed for the door. As I opened the door I nearly fell to the floor. A large weave of flowers hung in the doorway. More than a little freaked/scared, I went down to breakfast.
Everyone enjoyed a quick meal. I looked about the group as we ate. Was one of my companions the freaky flower fairie? This is a riddle I must solve and soon!
Breakfast done, we went about the task of splitting up the loot. A large chunk of gold apiece and a large amount of stuff we needed to have identified, so we headed out to town. Deitricha followed along with me, prattling the whole way about some summer feastival thing that had her all excited. I really didn’t understand it, but nodded along sympathetically as she spoke. At some point she seemed very pleased with herself and started to walk in an eerie silence.
Luckily for me, we were at the mage’s. He identified all of the stuff I had been lugging along. As I had figured, the waraxe I had picked up in the dwarven keep was a worthless axe with an illusion on it. Though my throwing axe was a little nicer than I had thought.
As we left we caught Areon and Theona leaving the chamber of another mage. She laughed and tossed me a silver ring. She said, “Its yours. It’ll make you swim like a fish. Even with that heavy armour.” With a grateful smile I gave her thanks.
Stuff identified, I left for the local shop. I sold both of my hand held crossbows I had gotten from the Drow. My beloved spiked armour and spiked shield, the wareaxe and my old throwing hatchet. I picked up all of my base necessities. Much ale. All of the wine had already been dumped on the ground out of my flasks, long before we arrived.
I also bought new very high quality black spiked half plate, a black spiked shield, and a matching set of black chained gauntlets. I tried bickering with the shop keep but he was very adamant on the price.
Being armoured again, I headed for the jewelers. I knew what I had to do.
Clangeddin was to be praised. I bought a large golden holy symbol and placed it on my mithril chain.
Wearing out, not to mention broke, shaking my now light coin bag I headed back to the Inn. With a happily humming Deitricha in tow.
Along the way, we heard that a caravan was leaving for Silverymoon in the morning and that they were looking for guards. Interested, we asked the Inn Keep if he knew where we could find out some information.
Glumly he pointed down to the other end of the bar. The Caravan Master was having a drink. To our luck he was still out some guards. After a couple of drinks’ worth of negotiating we came to a deal.
Twenty five gold goins a day, mounts, and supplies. We agreed to meet him in the morning. Afterwards we went and told the others of our good fortunes.
Tired after a long day I headed to my room. Not bothering to pull the bed over to the door, I just collapsed on it and fell asleep. Soundly, I might add. And in the morning there was a whopper of a flower garden encompassing my entire head. Braided in my beard and my hair. Enough is enough, I thought! I will catch the responsible party and they will definitely pay.
Flowers removed and gear stowed, I headed down and out to take my place in the caravan. Quickly I was given a large war pony to ride. He was not my Cadderly but he would do for the job at hand.
The day passed without event and we made good time. The next five days did the same, with the exception of my new nightly terror. But on the seventh day we encountered something up ahead. The scouts were all a buzz. Excited, I pulled my crossbow and made myself ready.
Someone called back, “Barbarians ahead”. An ambush of sorts, I thought. A wry smile crossed my face. Seems life is funny in its own way. I had been a guard for years to buy my first set of spiked plate. Now I was a guard again because I had just bought my second set of spiked plate.
Though now it would earn its weight in gold. “Clangeddin give me strength,” I yelled, as I pulled my visor down and spurred my mount forward. Now a large smile was on my face as a raunchy battle song burst from my lips......
Well, again not much to tell. We did some shopping picking up a few necessities and other odds and ends then joined a caravan to Silverymoon as guards. Up till now the only thing of interest was an owl that flew past us while we were resting. I say till now because we are knowingly walking into an ambush. They say forewarned is forearmed, but I don’t think they were referring to this situation. Oh well here we go.