McButterpants - OSR - Temple of Elemental Evil

Background:
The party entered the town of Hommlet looking for adventure. They toured around getting to know the residents there. While they were there, they heard about an old ruined moathouse nearby that may house monsters and treasure. The group, eager to make their mark, traveled to the moathouse ruin to have a look. Before they left, they joined some fellow adventurers that were eager to search the moathouse as well. Little did they know that Zert, a human fighter, is actually a spy for the Temple, and Kobort and Turuko are only out for themselves.

Last Session:
Scene:
The party have made their way through the moathouse and into the dungeon. They had already searched quite a bit of the dungeon their last trip. They opened a door in one of the tunnels and were surprised to see three human guards dressed in black clothing with golden eyes embroidered on their tunic and on their cloaks. The party was ready to fight and the description of the location was for the guards to attack the party, but the dice had a different plan. I interpreted that to mean that Zert had warned the guards here and they were ready. A signal from Zert and the guards demanded surrender of the ranger, Zindra (she was suspicious of Zert).
This was interesting. Zert is a spy for the Temple. Kobort doesn't know this, but notices the exchange. He takes this opportunity to backstab the party. Kobort stepped in and grabbed Urden the thief and puts a dagger to his throat.
I interpreted this to mean that Kobort was able to secure Urden. Turuko was smart enough to know what was going on and drew his bow on the party (Kobort & Turuko were always watching the rear). The party now surrounded and out numbered decided to give up.

Current Session:
Scene:
The party is ordered to drop their weapons and surrender. They are pulled into the next room and note that there are 12 guards and 3 higher ranked officials. The party is told to sit and wait with the guards watching on. After a short while a young, handsome man decked out in black armor enters the room. A golden eye is painted on his breastplate. There is no instructions to this scene. The book provides an explanation of Lareth. He is an evil priest looking to rebuild a force of fighters to gather loot and restore the Temple of Elemental Evil to it's former glory.The young man is very charismatic. He knows what they are up to - facing the horrors of the dungeon in hopes of finding treasure. He has Zert turn out their coin purses. They've amassed 11 gold and 46 silver so far. "All of you risk life and limb for a few coins each? Why not work for me and earn untold wealth?" I assume this is a rousing speech and give him a rollGiven the roll, I assumed that those that were Neutral or Evil would be roused to join. Lasos, Spugnoir, Urden and Furnok saw this as an alternative to death. Rikard, Zindra and Tiberious were not moved, but Zindra and Tiberious are smart enough not to speak out. Rikard on the other hand is rash and a crusader for Trithereon. He has sworn to fight against evil and oppression. He doesn't know that this group is connected with the temple, but is probably smart enough to know they are evil.Rikard stares at the young man for a long time, rage boiling in his veins. "I will join you." He says in a low, almost inaudible voice.Lareth returns Rikard's gaze; a knowing smirk on his face. "You will join us, eh? Somehow, I don't believe you." He turns to his master lieutenant ready to order Rikard be put to death when Lasos speaks up. "M'lord. Let me speak to my friend. I'm sure I can convince him to reconsider. He would make a powerful ally."Lareth pauses and turns to Lasos. "No. That won't work. I can't have someone in my employ that might potentially cause problems later on." A smile creeps across Lareth's face. "I have an idea. I need you to prove your loyalty. This man ..." Lareth points to Rikard "needs to die. Your first test of loyalty will be to kill him for me. If you don't, he will still die ... and so will you." With that, Lareth leaves the room back to his chamber.

End of Scene

Scene
The guards take Lasos and Rikard into an adjacent room. They also drag the rest of the party in to watch. All of the party members, except for Lasos and Rikard are held at sword point and made to watch the fight. Rikard is stripped of armor and weapon. Lasos is relieved of his weapons, but allowed to keep his armor. He decides to strip off his plate and shield to offer a fair fight. The scene begins with everyone encircling the two fighters. Lasos and Rikard circle each other. They search for opportunities to escape, but there are too many guards. The gnolls step out from their lair in the next room. The brute of a leader stands at the front, his arms crossed. His pack lined up to his sides watching the impending combat, yipping with excitement. The energy in the room picks up as the fighters circle each other. Lasos works to give the guards a good show. He and Rikard exchange blows, but nothing serious. Lasos grabs Rikard and attempts to get him into a choke hold. He gets in close and whispers "You need to prove your value or I'll have to kill you." Rikard breaks away. "I cannot. I am sorry, but I will not join this group." With that, he raises his hands and stands ready.

More people begin to file into the room. Six new guards, but dressed differently. They don't have the golden eye embroidered on their black tunics. Instead, they are wearing the colors of Rufus & Burne. There is some confusion as these guards push their way into the room. The leader searches the room and when he finds one of the sergeants, he crosses the room ignoring the fight. The room goes silent. "Your dogs have been pillaging too close to town! The townsfolk are getting concerned and rumors are circling the town. People are scared. You were told to keep your activities quiet!"

The sergeant turns to the leader of the gnolls "Was this you? You were told no closer than three leagues to the town!" The creature bares his fangs and hisses "Members of my pack have died in your raids and we have not been given a full share of the take. We were promised more! There is more to take near the town." The sergeant pokes a finger into the creature's chest. It stands at least a head taller h than him, but he seems unafraid. "You get what you get! Lareth will hear of this. He will flay you and your pack alive for raiding near the town." With that, he turns to leave."You dare to threaten me, human." With a flash, the creature swings a massive battleaxe looking to split the sergeant in two. A gasp from the crowd is all the grizzled veteran needs to signal the attack and he rolls out of range.

Battle breaks out between the gnolls and the guards. The creatures lash out at Temple Guards and Keep Guards alike. The gnolls are fierce fighters and swing their massive battleaxes in wide arcs. Guards are cut down one after another, but the numbers are not in favor of the wild creatures and soon they begin to fall. It takes a few rounds, but soon all of the gnolls have been cut down - every last one. During the combat, Lasos and Furnok managed to secure swords and stepped into the frey. The rest of the group shuffled into a corner to avoid being hit. The battle finally ends, leaving six guards and the two sargeants. They are about to turn on the party when Tiberious steps forward and in intones something while gesturing at the group. Suddenly, all of the guards but one fall to the floor. Only the sergeant that poked the gnoll leader in the chest remains standing amid a sea of broken and bloody bodies. Rikard, Lasos and Furnok wrestle him to the ground and bind his hands and feet. The group, amazed at their luck, l look around at the sleeping guards and consider what to do.

Scene:
The party pushes their way into the chamber of the new master. The room is avishly furnished with thick rugs covering the floor, finely detailed wall hangings, soft chairs and a large, thick couch. On it is seated Lareth. He is reviewing documents and speaking to his lieutenant. "What is the meaning of this!" The lieutenant barks as he turns. His face goes pale at the site of the group.
"Hold!" Jamys raises his hands in surrender and places himself between the party and Lareth. "Killing us would be the easy way out. We are outnumbered, but don't confuse your advantage with a definite win. We are both very highly skilled. A battle will leave at least a few, if not all, of your party dead. I have a better idea. You are here looking for treasure, correct? Well, you can leave with a fortune you could only imagine. Allow us safe passage and it's yours." Lareth reclines back in his chair and raises a brow. "You surprise me Jamys. I did not think you had it in you." He turns to look at the group "It is true. There are great treasures hidden nearby." He says, his face serious.

"Why not just kill you both and take this treasure? It looks like there is plenty here to satisfy our needs." Lasos says as he looks around the room.

"You are a blight on this town and surrounding areas. Killing you will save many." Rikard says, wringing the handle of his mace.

"And risk the ire of some very powerful enemies. So far you have only killed foot soldiers. Killing me will come with repercussions. Trust me, you are not ready to face that challenge. Take your rewards and celebrate your success. Don't be foolish and bite off more than you can chew" says Jamys.

Lasos looks at each of his companions in turn and considers their options. They are down three - two of those were skilled fighters. Some of the group, like Spugnoir and Tiberious are fragile and would offer little help. He and Rikard are without armor, barely able to grab their weapons before entering the chamber. There is a lot of risk here. "Fine. You are free to go. Show us these treasures and leave." Rikard attempts to plead his case, but Lasos talks him down. "We will meet them again. The next meeting will be different."

Scene 3The party makes their way back into town. It's now dusk and the street leading into town is dark. Lasos smells campfire in the air and notes the settlement just outside of town. About a dozen ramshackle tents and lean-tos have been hastily constructed along the edge of a copse of trees. A flicker of firelight can be seen from a central firepit. There is laughter and talking from the figures sitting around the fire. A voice calls out from the group "join us for a drink!"This group has come to Hommlet to build the Keep for Rufus & Burne. They talk openly about how the work is hard, but pays well and how Rufus & Burne are great and generous men. There is mention that the Viscount of Verbobonc has been financing the build. The funds are in payment for the service that Rufus & Burne have provided to keep the kingdom safe. While the workers live in tents and wattle huts now, the goal for each of them is to build a home and become a part of this community. Lasos is careful with his questions and is given no indication that there is anything nefarious with the owners of the Keep. He is unsure of what to think. The Keep guards were in the Moathouse dungeon and did stand side by side with the Temple guards. The talks between Ostler and Canon Terjon. The cold shoulder given by Rufus and Burne at their first visit. What is the truth? He will need more information before confronting anyone.The group continues to talk and share wine. Zindra is her usual quiet self. She feels uncomfortable around so many strangers and instead secretly plays with her toy horse. She has had the item for most of her life. Her father gave it to her when she was just a child. Looking at it reminds her of home and her parents. She takes care not to pull the head back so the music doesn't play, but fingers the intricate carving of the mane. She looks up at points in the conversation to see who is talking. The scar on the man's forehead is plainly visible in the firelight ... that scar. She's seen it somewhere. Zindra looks back down at the horse and searches her memories for that scar. Then, it's there. Standing across the river, just across from the Moathouse. He was the one that stopped. He was the one that looked back, holding her gaze. She remembers that scar. Zindra does her best to control the recognition from crossing her face.It is getting late and the workers have an early morning. It's been a long day for everyone. Lasos and the group say their goodbyes. Rikard had been in conversation with one of the older members of the group. He leaves with "I will make arrangements with the moneylender. Tell the others to check with him." With that, the group leaves.

Once they are on the road again, Lasos asks "What was that about the moneylender?" Rikard looks at him with a content look on his face. "I was called there to help these people. They are hard-working, good people looking for a place to call home. We have amassed a small fortune today. Trithereon guided me here to help these people rebuild their lives." A small, barely audible voice from the back of the group says "Maybe not all of them are good people."

Scene 4:
Zindra does not go back to the Inn with everyone else. She lets them know that she is going to check on something. Lasos & Rikard offer to join her, but she explains that they would be more of a hinderance in this case. She needs to be careful and keep out of sight. Urden nods to her. He is willing to give her back up. She nods back and the two duck off the road into the bushes and disappear. Not long after, Zindra and Urden are back near the worker's camp. They set up watch in an orchard just west of the camp. "There he is." Zindra says quietly to Urden. She remains perfectly still squatting behind one of the apple trees. Kilrent excuses himself from the fire and makes his way to the road. He turns west and heads towards town. Urden & Zindra wait for him to pass, then follow at a great distance. It's late at night and the road is quiet. They would be noticed if they follow to closely. That said, they have no trouble keeping track of the lone Kilrent as he makes his way up the road. He does not turn in towards Rufus & Burne's tower as expected, but continues along the road towards the centre of town. He heads north and turns off the road towards a large wooden building with shuttered windows in the northwestern part of town. This is the last building before the church. Outside the door of the building hangs a shield and a lantern, suspended from chains. The shield has a sword and wedge of cheese painted on its face.Urden moves in closer to see if he can catch any of the conversation. Urden squats near a window. He is close enough that he can hear Kilrent speaking to two men. Kilrent relays the information of the group heading into the Moathouse earlier today and returning tonight. He tells the men all of the information gleaned from the conversation around the fire. Lasos & the rests of the group were quite guarded, but still shared more than they probably should have. One of the men, named Gremag, grills Kilrent for more details. Rannos is quieter, but poses the question "Do you think you can join the party and get more information?"He is concerned that one of them saw him running from the Moathouse. He is not interested in risking his life. "Are you sure? It would pay well." Rannos says."Fine. We will find another. Here, for the information." Urden can hear coins clatter on a table. He decides that the exchange is coming to an end and that it's best to leave. He heads back to Zindra and gives her the full details of what he heard.

Scene:
Lasos, Rikard and Tiberious end up at Hroth's house the next morning. The upper half of the front door is wide open, allowing the cool morning breeze into the house. Lasos knocks on the door frame to be polite, but can plainly see the old man, his wife and a younger man sitting at the kitchen table just inside the doorway. They appear to be finishing up breakfast. Hroth looks up and welcome the group. He offers to get them something to eat. Lasos and Tiberious turn down the offer, but Rikard is quick to accept. "Looks delicious! Thank you very much." Before anyone can say anything, he's opened the door and grabbed a seat at the table. Hroth gets up and pulls a pan from the hearth and dishes out of eggs while Rikard tears a hunk of bread. Lasos gets over his initial shock at the speed of which Rikard made himself at home and continues. "We were wondering if you had found out any more information since we last left."
Interpretation
Terjon is scared. He had not planned to get in with those at the Temple, but the pressure was intense from the start. He had tried to reach out to the Church of St Cuthbert in Verbobonc, but his messengers did not make it. Each note he sent was returned to him tainted with the blood of the messenger. He was finally visited by
The two of them threatened him. "They have the backing of the Viscount himself! Who am I to oppose them? You are best to shut your mouth and get in line out find your friends and family hanging from the trees in your field." Lasos looked confused "They have the backing of the Viscount of Verbobonc?" With that, the young man jumped up so quickly that his chair toppled behind him and skittered across the kitchen "Not True! They lie, papa!"

Rikard's head shot up when the young man jumped. He brandished his spoon in surprise and almost choked on a mouth full of food. "The Viscount would never join with the Temple!" The young man shouted. Hroth held up his hands to quiet the man. "Not so loud, Elmo. You never know who is listening. We are still being watched, I'm sure if it." Hroth turned to the men. "You'll have to forgive my son. He's a good boy, but can get excited." Rikard begins chewing again, the whole while staring at the boy. You can't really call him a boy. He stands well over six feet, bordering on seven and is solidly built. "Are you interested in joining us to check things out?" Rikard says after swallowing. "We could always use another sword." Elmo smiles "No sword ... axe ... battleaxe!"

Scene: Attack on the Tower
The party spent the afternoon discussing plans on the best way to enter the tower. Zindra provides details from her visit to the tower. She gives a general layout and details on guard numbers and locations. They wait until well past nightfall when everyone is asleep and steal towards the tower. The streets are quiet - not a soul on the road. Zindra, Urden, Furnok & Tiberous make their way up the road quickly. They move quietly and turn off the road well in advance of the tower. The others, mostly clad in heavy & noisy armor, follow behind slowly, attempting to stay back far enough to avoid raising any alarm. This group ducks into the grove just off the carpenter's house and remain hidden behind some trees. They watch as the rest of the group duck into the shadows to avoid attention while making their way to the tower.Urden and Furnok sneak up to the tower. They stick to the shadows and move slowly, attempting to avoid notice. The guards call out from the top of the tower "Who goes there?" Both Urden and Furnok step out onto the path and raise their hands. "Ah, my good friends!" Calls out Urden. He slaps Furnok on the back and lets out a loud laugh. "I told you we couldn't sneak up on them, hic." Urden staggers along the path and claps his hands as he laughs. "I was quiet as a mouse, too. Hehehe." Furnok stands dumbfounded for a second, but then recognizes the ploy and also plays at being drunk. "Ti! Hey, Ti! We've been found out. Come out before you get a … hic … a crostbow bolt between the eyes." Tiberious steps on onto the path and staggers towards the other two. The three of them make their way down the path and Urden begins singing a bawdy song. The others join in.The guards are amused by the three fools. It's been a string of very boring nights and a little entertainment will help pass the time. They watch the three sing and joke and trip over each other. The group finally makes it to the top of the tower steps. Urden almost topples off the edge of the steps, but Furnok manages to grab him by the collar and pull him back in. The guards laugh at the fools, bending over the battlements. The guards notice Tiberious has stopped playing at being drunk and is now gesturing and incanting something."He's casting something!" The guards duck in behind the battlements, then come back over aiming crossbows at the magic-userThe bolt catches Tiberious, splitting his cloak at the shoulder and drawing blood. Tiberious is turned in the middle of his spell and it is lost. "Run!" Yells Urden. The three of them rush down the steps and jump to the base of the tower before any more bolts are loosed. They hear the cry of alarm from the top of the tower. "Well. There goes the sneak attack."

The rest of the group looks on from cover as lanterns light up the top of the tower. Voices call out in the night and light shines through arrow slits facing the steps. "We need to get closer in case they send some guards to capture the three." They move, but take their time. They allow the excitement to wear down a bit, moving ever so slowly towards the tower. The get as far as the edge of the trees, then are forced to stop and wait. It's 40 feet of open field between the trees and the bottom of the hill. It's another 40 feet to the base of the tower.The tower remains solidly shut for a long while. Suddenly, a heavy wooden drawbridge is lowered from the tower towards the stone steps. A door situated behind the drawbridge opens and 3 guards step out from the tower and make their way across the bridge and down the steps. Tiberious calls to the charmed guard and asks him to come over.There's a clash of swords as Urden and Furnok fend off the attacks of the guards. Tiberious uses his sling to whip rocks from a distance, he continues to call over the guard and help shield him from any harm. The guard is confused as to why he's attacking the other guards. "Don't worry, I'll let you take me in. I just need to help protect my friends. I'll try not to hurt anyone."
The three are taken. Tiberious asks his new found friend to keep their friendship quiet for now. "Come to visit me when things settle down a bit - before first light."

Scene 1: Prisoners
The three are led into the tower and towards the stairs leading to a lower level of the Keep. Urden watches as the drawbridge is retracted and the heavy front door barred from the inside. He is pushed down the stairs past a storage level - what is most likely the ground level outside. The stairway ends at the next level down. Two horses are tethered in the room, eating from a large heaping of hay. The horses look up as the group descends the stairs, but quickly return to their meals. A guard (not the charmed one) pushes Urden into one cell, Tiberious into another and Furnok into a third. They are chained to the wall in manacles and the heavy wooden door is closed behind them and locked from the outside.It is quiet for a few hours. Tiberious looks around his cell for any hint of possible escape, but it is very dark. The door is solid and has no window. The only light filters through the crack under the door. Tiberious is unsure if anyone is on the outside listening to their conversations. Still, he feels it important to check on his friends. "Urden! Can you hear me? Are you alright?" Urden curses up a storm, then finally confirms he's fine. "Furnok! Can you hear me? Are you alright?" Furnok is one cell further away. His voice comes back muted, but clear enough. "I'm fine. Just getting comfortable." Tiberious shifts and tries to get more comfortable, but the manacles keep his hands well above his head while he's sitting on the ground. It's not long before his arms go numb and he has to stand to get the blood flowing again.

A knock on the door gets Tiberious' attention. "Uh. Excuse me ... sorry, I must have forgot your name. Strange. I feel like we're good friends ..." Tiberious stands and calls out to the door. "Ah. Thank goodness you've come back. It's Tiberious. Not to worry about names. Me and my two friends have gotten ourselves into a tough situation. Please. It's there any way you can help us? Do you have a key for the lock?" The voice behind the door is silent, then. "I don't, but I might be able to get it. I could get into a lot of trouble, though. Maybe if I just talk to the Lords. I might be able to get you out." Tiberious cuts in. "I know it's dangerous for you, but I have a feeling me and my friends are in serious trouble here. Come on now. You can at least try. Do it for me." The voice behind the door eases. "Of course. Let me see what I can do Tiberious." A short while later there is another knock. "Tiberious. It's me, Gavyn. I'm sorry, but I can't get the key. The Lords are both very busy and Waylon won't let me into the room. He's on watch until sun up." Tiberious considers the situation for a while, then asks "I have some friends outside. Do you think you can let them in?" Gavyn responds "Maybe. I'll offer to Relieve Rell. He's watching the main floor. Still, the drawbridge will alert those at the turret." Tiberious is sweating now. "Here's what you do. Drop the drawbridge, then head up to the turret and chat with the guards at that level. Tell them something to distract them. Maybe Rufus or Burne need to head out early today. Just get them away from the wall."

Scene 2: Attack the Keep
Lasos, Rikard, Zindra and Elmo have slowly crept closer and closer to the Keep. It has taken hours and some close calls, but they finally positioned themselves close enough to make a run for the wall. They've been racking their brains trying to figure out how they're going to get inside when the drawbridge begins to lower. The guards on the tower call down to the gate, but no one responds. The group waits to see who exits, but the doorway remains dark. Lasos is watching the guards on the tower and see them turn away as if chasing to someone. "Now's our chance. We need to make a run for it."The party rush across the grassy hillock in the dark and reach the stairs. They sneak up the stairs and make their way across the bridge. Zindra keeps her bow knocked and trained on the turrets to see if the guards look down, but they are engaged in conversation. The group is able to slip into the tower without being noticed. The inner hall is quiet and dark. The hearth on the other end of the room is down to embers. A set of stairs sits just off the hearth and leads to a lower level. There is a set of stairs hugging the wall, leading up to a higher level.Lasos is about to turn to Zindra and ask her to scout up the stairs, someone starts down the steps. Lasos and the others duck in amoungst the tables and chairs hiding in the darkness. The figure continues down the steps. He pauses midway, looks back to the upper level, then continues down at a faster pace. He rushes across the floor, making his way to the lower level. There is something in his actions that makes Lasos curious, if not suspicious.Zindra grabs Lasos at the arm. "It's Ostler." she whispers. Lasos nods, then signals to the others to follow. They make their way to the top of the stairs. They can hear Ostler on a lower level and the nicker of a horse. Lasos indicates to Zindra to move ahead. She sneaks down the steps to the lowest level and sees Ostler working a key into a padlock on one of four doors at the other side of the room. Zindra signals to the party to hold and watches. Ostler disappears into the dark room. She can hear him talking to someone, but unable to make out the words. "I'm going to check it out. Stay here." Zindra whispers. With that, she races down the steps, quiet as a mouse.

Zindra pulls her short sword, just in case Ostler and his friends exit the room. Just then, she hears a familiar voice. "Why not just ask for our assistance then?" says Urden. "Why be so secretive? You had all of us believing you were mixed up with some evil plot." Ostler responds. "I don't know any of you. How was I to know you could be trusted. Not many can be trusted these days. I had a conversation with Hroth yesterday afternoon. He told me about your exploits at the moathouse. He also explained that you are looking into Rufus & Burne. It was only then that I knew I might be able to trust you. When I heard that you had been captured, I knew that I had to do my best to get you free. Quick, we don't have much time. The Keep will wake soon enough."

Zindra moves back towards the stairs and waits. Ostler appears out of the door and looks up at the steps. He almost jumps out of his skin, then recognizes Zindra and lets out a huge sigh of relief. "I'll get your friends out. Please, leave the Keep immediately. We'll talk later at the Inn. I promise to give you as much information as I can." With that, he releases the other two and then heads up to distract the guards at the top of the keep to allow the group to escape.

Scene: Secret Plans
The party is invited into a side room in the north east section of the Inn. Ostler closes the door behind them and waits for them to be seated around a large circular table in the center of the room. The hearth is cold as it's an unusually warm day. The group is quiet and watch Ostler. He walks up to the table and leans over one of the chairs. "How much do you know about the Elemental Temple?"Ostler goes on to detail the history of the area and the Temple."So, you believe that the Temple is building up power again?" Lasos asks. "We have seen enough signs that some evil is infecting the lands around here. We thought you were a part of it." Ostler shakes his head. "No, I'm not. But, I have been gathering information. I had to find out what I could. Rufus & Burne seem to be connected somehow, but I have not confirmed their involvement."

"We met their guards at the moathouse. They fought beside the guards there. The leader, Lareth, said that he had powerful allies. He must have been hinting at the Temple." says Lasos. "What of the Viscount?" Elmo stiffens at the question. "The Viscount is not involved!" He barks and slams his hand on the table.

"How can you be so sure?" Lasos asks. "Isn't he funding Rufus & Burne? Why would he fund the building of the Keep here in town unless he was involved?" Elmo looks Lasos in the eyes. "He is not involved! I will bet my life on it." Lasos settles back in his chair. He maintains eye contact with Elmo, but is unsure what to do. "I am almost certain that Rufus & Burne are associated with the Temple. You are certain that the Viscount is not involved, but he funds their build … how do we make certain?"

Elmo looks away from Lasos and faces the rest of the table. "We go to Verbobonc and explain all of this to the Viscount." Rikard sits up in his chair. "Are you mad? If he is involved, we are delivering ourselves to him. We will be hanging from manacles or hanging from the gallows before sundown. There has to be another way. Terjon said that he attempted to send word to the Viscount and all of his messengers disappeared. I will not be going to Verbobonc." Others around the table nod in agreement.

"I agree with Rikard. Going to Verbobonc without knowing for sure is folly." Says Lasos. Elmo stands "Fine! I will go by myself." Lasos sits up. "If the Viscount is on our side as you say, tell him that we need reinforcements. We are not equipped to take down the temple." Elmo nods. "I will do my best." With that he leaves the room.

"What do we do about Rufus & Burne?" Lasos asks Ostler. "Do we need more proof? Do we stop them now? Or do we wait until the Viscount sends reinforcements?"Ostler looks around the table and in a quiet voice says "We take them out."Ostler takes a seat at the table "Burne is very interested in exotic treasures. He is willing to pay handsomely for specific magic items. I think I have an idea what will get us in front of him.""I can lure him to a location by telling him I know of someone with a magical wand. The owner is willing to sell, but he wants to keep things quiet. He would understand. We need to prepare to take him down. Realize that he is a powerful magic-user. He won't go easily. We can question him after that." Lasos nods in agreement. "We'll need to plan this out and find a place where we are away from prying eyes."

Scene: Ambush Burne
Everyone hides in the cellar. Tiberious, Zindra and Spugnoir are hidden among the crates and barrels. Lasos, Rikard and Furnok are behind the door of the storage room - adjacent to the summer kitchen where Urden sits. He has agreed to act as the interested seller. It is very late at night. The bar has closed down and patrons of the Inn have gone up to bed. The party await Ostler to bring Burne down into the cellar.Ostler is surprised when Burne opens the front door of the Inn and is followed in by 6 guards. "You brought so many men. Do you believe that was necessary? I am worried you might scare the seller." Ostler says. Burne is at ease and waves his men to sit down. "No need to worry. They follow me everywhere these days. We had a break in at the Keep and everyone is nervous." The men take seats at the table. Two stay outside and watch the road.

"Come now. Show me to your seller. I am curious to see what he has brought me. Has he attempted to try any of the charges?" Ostler shakes his head. "No. He is not comfortable with magic and was worried it might be cursed. He won't touch it with bare hand. He says he can feel the power in it." Ostler motions for Burne to follow him. "This way. He's down in the Summer Kitchen away from prying eyes." Burne calls to one of the men at a nearby table. "Branimir, keep the men here. I will call if I need you." He turns to Ostler. "Can you grab them some ale before we head down. They might as well enjoy a drink while they wait." Ostler nods. "Of course. I'll get them right away."

Once the drinks have been served and the guards taken care of, Ostler shows Burne through the kitchen and down the stairs into the cellar. "Must we make such an effort? This seems like a lot of secrecy for such an exchange. Did your man steal this magic item from a prominent family?" Burne seems annoyed with the trip down into the cellar, but gives no indication that he cares who owned the item before. Ostler continues down the stairs. "I apologize. The seller is very private." They exit off the stairs. Ostler pulls a torch off the sconce on the wall and indicates towards a room to the left. There is a faint glow of light coming from the room. "He is just in here."Burne looks into the kitchen and sees Urden seated at a table. "So. You have something you wish to sell" Tiberious stands up from behind a barrel in the dingy cellar and gestures towards the man in the lit doorway. He calls out a command in a low, but forceful voice. Burne feels something tug at his mind, but he is able to wave it off. All of a sudden, Lasos, Rikard and Furnok push their way out of the storage room directly in front of Burne. They are on him before he can react. He manages to say "What is going on here?" Before they are upon him. The three tackle the man and attempt to secure him and cover his mouth to keep him quiet.Lasos tackles Burne and slams him to the ground. Urden comes up and slams the butt of his sword hilt into the back of the man's head. Burne groans after being hit in the back of the head, then struggles against his captors. He tries to pull away from Lasos an cry outBurne struggles against Lasos, but the fighter has put all of his weight onto the magic-user and holds his hand firmly against his mouth. Burne struggles to cry out, but only manages low, muffled sounds. "Quiet or we will slit your throat!" Lasos grunts into the man's face. Eventually the magic-user stops struggling and looks around wide-eyed.

"Sorry about this, but it's the only way I can think of to get you out of here without alerting your friends upstairs." Lasos pulls the man close and gives Urden a clear shot with the hilt of his sword. The strike knocks the magic-user unconscious.

"Quick! Bring him this way. We need to hide him before the guards get suspicious." Ostler rushes to the other side of the room. He grabs at something on the wall, then pushes a panel aside. The group moves up behind him and shine the torch into a dark room behind an opening in the wall. "Keep him in here and keep quiet." He says to Tiberious and Spugnoir. Ostler looks to the rest of the group. "There are 6 men upstairs. What do we do with them?"

Scene: Guards!
Ostler heads upstairs and pours the guards another round. They inquire about Burne. Ostler says that Burne is inspecting the merchandise and has a lot of questions. He was told to get everyone another drink and tell them to get comfortable. Four guards are seated in the common room. Two are still outside.The guards pay him little attention, but greedily grab the drinks.
Lasos & Rikard work on a plan to lead the guards away. There is a set of stairs in the secret room where Burne is being held. It leads up, but no one is sure where and Ostler is upstairs pouring drinks. "Urden. Will you check the top of those stairs. See where they end up. We'll stand ready to fight if it should open into the common room." Lasos says.

Urden makes his way up the stairs and carefully lifts the trap door at the top. He has to push a rug out of the way, but soon looks down at the others. "It leads to the private room where we met with Ostler earlier." Lasos considers the option. From what he remembers, the only exit from that room is into the common, but there are stairs leading up to the top floor.

"We don't want to cause Ostler any trouble. Maybe we should just call the guards down and deal with them." Lasos says. He looks at Rikard and the rest of the group. "Remember. These people are killing and robbing innocents from this town and surrounding areas. They have put themselves in with the evil Temple. They made that choice. I am out of options. I don't see another way without getting Ostler in trouble."

The others nod in agreement. "Ok. I will call them down the stairs. Rikard and I will confront them. Zindra and Tiberious, you back us up from down here. Urden and Furnok. You take the stairs up and come down after they have descended. We'll have them from both sides." The rest of the group agrees and gets into position.

Lasos calls up the stairs. "Ostler! Come down. Something has happened to your man." Ostler is surprised by the yell from the cellar. Branimir stands and the others follow. "What? Did he say something has happened."The four of them rush down the stairs into the cellar. Ostler is caught off guard when Urden and Furnok emerge from the eastern room and rush across the dimly lit common room to follow the guards down. The guards rush down the steps. They have yet to draw swords believing that Burne may have been hurt by a cursed item. "Where is he?" They say as they leap off the steps and check the summer kitchen to the north. "Oh. He's indisposed at the moment." With that Lasos & Rikard rush the group.Lasos strikes out with his sword and slashes the captain. Branimir is caught off guard and lifts an arm to stop the blow. The sword crashes into armor, but the force pushes the guard back. Rikard swings, but the guard drops back and avoids the blow. Zindra stands up from behind a barrel in the cellar and unleashes an arrow that catches on of the guards deep in the chest. He groans and grabs at the shaft that is sunk half way into his chest. Tiberious stands up beside Zindra and whips a stone from his sling. The rock catches the third guard in the temple and splits the skin. Blood sprays from the wound and the man falls to floor, dazed.The captain is quick to respond. He draws his sword and calls out. "We are under attack!"Blades ring out as steel clashes against steel. The group exchange blows, but most are parried. Urden manages to sneak up behind the guard with the bloody brow and slides his blade deep into the guards back. The blade pushes the leather armor in the front. The guard has little time to react. He lets out a sigh and slumps to the side.Seeing the three guards he came down with fall, the captain drops his sword. "I yield!" It is at that moment that the other two guards start down the stairs, swords drawn. "Hold your weapons! Do not attack. We are outnumbered. It was a trap." The two guards drop their swords and raise their hands. Urden grabs one and pulls him down the stairs. Furnok grabs the other and does the same.
"What have you done to our lord? Where is Burne?" barks the captain
"He is not harmed. We need information. You have put your fate in the hands of the wrong people. You will probably hang for this." Says Lasos.
The captain juts out his chin and ignores the comment. "Show me to my lord!"
"I'll do no such thing. You have been captured and will be put in holding. You will answer for your crimes. The Viscount of Verbobonc will deal with you." Lasos watches the man's reaction to see if the name has any impact.The captain reacts as if slapped. He is unable to hide the fear in his face. "You will never make it to the Viscount. We have scouts all along the trail to Verbobonc." but his demeanor is unable to hide his true reaction. The captain has lost some color in the torchlight and his face glistens from the sweat.
"Well, we will find out. You will have some time to consider your fate." Lasos turns to Rikard and Urden. "Tie them up. There must be a jail of some sort in this town."

Meanwhile …

Spugnoir had moved to the secret door that blocked this room and pulled it aside slightly. He watched the ambush from the safety of the private room. With his back turned to Burne, Spugnoir did not notice the man struggling against his binds. A small blade is pulled from a sleeve and Burne works the ropes that have bound his wrists to the chair. He cuts through the binds on his right wrist, them focuses on the left. He cuts the rope lashing his feet to the chair. His luck is good. Spugnoir is totally engrossed in the fight in the next room and does not hear the man move up behind him, but feels the bottle of wine strike him hard against the back of his head. He feels the cold liquid spray his neck, then goes dark.

Scene: Spugnoir AwakesSpugnoir wakes in the dark. He is soaked with what smells like red wine. He lifts himself to his knees. The pain radiates through from the back of his head. He remembers watching the battle in the next room, then darkness. He searches around in the darkness for his pack and finds a torch. It lights up the room showing the tables, chairs and benches that litter the middle of the room with bunks lining the walls and barrels of oiled weapons in the spaces between. Burne! He realizes. Spugnoir scans the room with the torch. Gone. He decides to check the cellar to see how things progressed. We were winning before I was knocked cold. he thinks. He quietly opens the secret door and looks into the other room, first with the torch held back in the darkness, then out into the main cellar room.When he pulls the door aside, he is almost face to face with Tiberious and Zindra. "Ah. Sorry we took so long. We needed to get the guards over to a secure location until we can get some more information from Burne. says Tiberious.
"Burne! He's gone!" Spugnoir yells.

Scene: Apprehend Rufus & Burne
"It's time to take back the town." Ostler thinks to himself as he heads out to raise the town militia. They started with the potboy, stableboy and groomer at the Inn. They sent those men out to the corners of the town to wake the rest of the militia and have them gather at the bottom of the hill to the Tower.

Lasos, Rikard, Zindra, Tiberious, Spugnoir, Urden, Furnok and Ostler made their way east towards the keep. They checked in on the houses on the way and asked for the able bodied men to take arms and join the militia. It took time, but eventually the bottom of the hill was dotted with torchlight. Six dozen able-bodied men, women and full grown boys backed the party, ready to give battle. They all wait for the signal.Ostler and Hroth lead the group up the hillside and along the trail to the foot of the tower. "Open the doors and surrender. We don't need bloodshed. Call your masters to the parapet so that we can resolve this peacefully. You are greatly outmanned.""The bloodshed will be on your end. You cannot win this battle. We will lay waste to all of your men before you can breech these walls." Unseen by the group below, one of the guards rushes off to advise Rufus & Burne that the full militia has come to the tower. "Go back to your families."

"We will not leave until we speak to Rufus & Burne. Call them." Ostler calls back. He is met with silence. The group set up positions around the Tower, spreading out and preparing for battle. The archers in the group have set up far enough back to get shots off at the parapets. Urden and Furnok use this time to inspect the wall of the Tower. They each locate a spot that should offer a reasonable climb and begin their ascent. They drop most of the items from their packs, but keep their weapons and ropes long enough to throw down for others.Both scale the wall easily. It takes them a few minutes, but they are able to get up to the top. They had picked their way along the back of the tower, away from the confrontation happening in the front hoping to use the distraction to catch the guards unaware.Urden and Furnok crest the tower, pulling themselves through the embrasure. As they drop onto the floor of the tower, one of the guards turns. "They are scaling the walls!" Both Urden and Furnok run to the door of the center tower. They throw the door open and see a ladder that extends up to the top of the center tower and descends lower into the tower. They both immediately rush for the ladder and start down. They can hear voices above them and see two guards looking down from the trapdoor to the top of the center tower. Both guards aim crossbows down into the lower level, directly at Urden and Furnok. Furnok is first down the ladder, so both bolts rain down on Urden.Both bolts smash into the stone floor of the lower level. Urden and Furnok continue to climb. Urden is just about to step off the ladder when the two guards on the main tower burst into the room above. The guards from the top of the center tower have begun to climb down the ladder, giving chase.A door to the left opens and Furnok is face to face with a middle-aged man in chain mail. "Well, what do we have here?" The man growls as he draws his sword.One of the militia circles round to the front and signals that Urden and Furnok have crested the tower. "Guard!" Lasos yells up. "Guard! We are getting impatient." There is no response. Seconds pass, then minutes. "Something is wrong here." says Lasos. "We need ideas." The chatter gets louder as everyone discusses options for taking the tower - some not as silly as others. Suddenly, there is a voice that calls from the top of the tower. "We have your two men."

There is a standoff that takes (2d6 = 7 hours). The negotiation between the two groups is tough, but there is no bloodshed. Eventually Rufus & Burne realize that they are trapped and outnumbered. The also have limited food, so a siege could potentially last for a few weeks, but then they would struggle with hunger. They consider sending word to the Temple for reinforcements. Would the Temple inhabitants take the town by force and tempt the ire of the Viscount of Verbobonc? They were unsure.

Scene: The High Road
Now that the town is presumably safe, the able guardians of Hommlet - Ostler, Hroth, Elmo and the militiamen - can surely see to it that the town remains clean of the taint of Evil hereafter. Elmo had returned about a week after the standoff. He brought word that the Viscount is offering a high reward for those that are willing to tackle the fountainhead of wickedness - the Temple. Some of the group are excited for the recognition. Lasos is thrilled that his name has reached the Viscount himself. Rikard is happy to honour Trithereon by ridding the world of this taint. Others in the party are excited for other reasons. Both Urden and Furnok have become fast friends. They raise their eyebrows at the mention of reward. Treasure on top of treasure sounds good.

Elmo brought with him a contingent of guards from Verbobonc. The lead brought word of what to expect. He explained that the Temple is located in the hills nearby the village of Nulb. The village is about 2 day's journey afoot along the High Road from Hommlet, a bit longer via the Low Road. It is said that Nulb has returned to a semblance of normal activity. This is questionable, for the place has always been rumored to house thieves, brigand, smugglers and pirates. But as Nulb stinks of garbage and filth, the Temple reeks of the foul corruption and pervading evil from whence it was spawned. They thought the Temple and it's cult of Chaotic Evil was defeated. Looks like the evil has been allowed to fester while unattended.

The lead goes on to explain - the cult of Chaotic Evil was based on the premise that the elemental forces of the universe are chaotic and opposed to mankind. The Temple of the cult sought to destroy all works of Good and disrupt order. Fire was regarded as the first elemental evil, and it's penchant for Chaos fitted the premise of the cult. Water was likewise worshipped as an even more powerful force of Chaotic Evil, in the form of floods, storms and raging seas beating upon the land and ocean vessels. The epitome of Chaotic Evil, however, was regarded as a combination of air and earth, represented by blackness and corresponding with the demonic abyss. This combination was regarded as a complete negation of matter.

The cult grew powerful and rich, attracting followers of the worst sort and offering them safety within the walls of the Temple stronghold. From this stronghold the followers would ride to rob, pillage and lay waste to the lands about, tithing the cult from the spoils of the carnage. Captives from the raids were brought back to serve as sacrifices. It is rumored that a demon took up residence in the deepest level of the dungeon.

When the Temple of Elemental Evil flourished, earthquakes, storms of all sorts, great fires and flash floods struck areas nearby with seeming capriciousness. All of that ceased when the Temple was assaulted and sealed. The following days were filled with warnings from the townspeople of Hommlet. They urged the party to go elsewhere and seek fame and fortune. Yet the lure of such adventure beckons this group. Warnings against loss of life - or even worse fates - did not counter the irresistible pull of treasures secreted deep underground, of monsters still unbeaten, of mysteries to be unraveled. The party, emboldened with the success in town, felt that with care and cunning, luck and great deeds, caution mixed with boldness and daring - they can achieve exploits of the stuff of Legend!

The party set out early one morning. They had given their farewells the night prior. Now with the sun barely cresting the horizon, they make their way east along the main road. They pass the shops and farms, past the abandoned tower and continue on beyond the new construction of houses in the east end. The High Road passes close to a dilapidated farm. The group reaches it in the late morning. The road passing the farm appears disused and disquieting, little more than an overgrown dirt track flanked with sickly, discolored shrubs and nettles. Harsh bird cries mix with the low croaks, echoing around the area."An abandoned homestead, eh? Well, I’m never one to leave a place like this unchecked. You never know what people leave in their walls and then forget about it." Furnok wastes no time on a response. He rushes along the crude path of square stones that had been laid, leading up to a low stone wall and beyond. The path continues past the wall and winds its way to the front of a modest cottage.In his excitement, Furnok catches his foot on one of the loose stones and takes a topple into the yard beyond the wall. The rest of the group guffaw at the misstep. Furnok does not look back. He regains his feet and continues on to the front door, his cheeks flush with embarrassment.

The dwelling shows ravages of time; gaping holes are evident in the western side of the roof and the front door has fallen in. A disused wagon sits alongside the inner stone path.The house is silent. He looks into the gloomy structure. The door opens to what looks like the main seating area of the cottage. A collapsed table with two broken legs can be seen. A few more pieces of broken furniture are visible in the gloom. There is a sideboard with cabinets hanging askew and shattered clayware dishes litter the floor. Furnok moves into the room and begins to search. He moves around quietly, but digs into the litter looking for anything of value. When he looks into the wreckage of the sideboard, three giant red centipedes slither out of broken cabinets.Furnok lets out a yelp as he draws his blade and slashes at the creature.He cuts the head off the long, thick insect. The body continues to wriggle, but stops shortly after. He back peddles across the room until he hits the wall. The other three creatures skitter across the floor towards him. "I can use some help in here!" He yells to the party outside. The three creatures reach his boots and crawl up his legs.He feels the pincers cut into his pant leg, but he's able to pull away before it breaks the skin. At this point the others enter the farmhouse. "Get these damn things off of me!" Furnok shouts as they enter the room.Lasos skewers one with his dagger. The small creature wriggling on the end of the blade.Rikard grabs the insect and squeezes it in his fist. Urden grabs the head and slices it off cleanly with his dagger. He is laughing at this point. "Thank goodness we were here. You could have been stung to death by some bugs." The others join in the laughter. All except Furnok. "I'm glad I'm amusing you today." with that he climbs the ladder to the loft. "I've already checked this room. Maybe someone could check the room opposite? There is a chance that some gold was left behind."

At the top of the ladder is a small loft that holds three small beds, a heap of old wool blankets, leaves and refuse. Some stains and small puddles indicate that the roof above is in poor repair.Furnok steps off the ladder onto the loft. The floor is spongy directly ahead. He tests the floor to the side and notes a more secure path. A figure materializes in the corner of the loft. It's a middle aged man with two daggers sticking out of his transparent chest. "A ghost!" Cries Furnok.Urden is behind him on the ladder and notes the apparition. The apparition screeches and it's face distorts. The skin seems to rip from the face as it's skull pushes forward, the mouth agape as if disjointed. Urden slides/jumps down from the loft. Furnok follows in a similar fashion. "Run!"Both scramble down the ladder and rush out of the farmhouse. The others in the party close behind. Once out in the yard, they turn back to see if the creature follows. They can see something float past the door, but it does not leave the farmhouse. "Well, so much for some easy gold." says Urden."There's still more hiding spots for a bit of gold." Furnok doesn't waste any time and searches the wagon. It is piled with old, dusty hay. He moves the hay around, but does not find anything in the wagon.He continues towards the decrepit barn. The structure has not been well maintained and has been clearly ravaged by the elements. Only thin strips of peeling paint remain, and the walls are riddled with holes and gaps. Once inside, the barn's main area is covered with moldy hay and still holds a few rusting tools. Eight stalls that may have once held horses appear to stand empty. A wooden ladder leads to a loft above. "Maybe there's another ghost up there." says Urden with a smile on his face. Furnok frowns. "That is not funny. We were close to joining that thing in that farm for the rest of eternity. We should be more careful." Urden furrows his brow. "We?" The two of them move further into the barn. They search the dark corners of the place looking for any movement. Furnok checks the tools, the canvas sack and the wood pile, looking for any sign of treasure.They search the lower level, but find nothing of value. The two make their way towards the ladder when something floating down towards them. "Another ghost!" Screams Furnok. The shape is different though. It is not transparent, but quite solid. There is also nothing humanoid about it.A massive 6' spider slowly descends from the loft on a long thread of webbing. It appears black in the gloom of the barn, but the red hourglass patter on it's back shines as if glowing.

Scene: Rikard and the Ghost
Rikard stands on one of the flagstones staring into the darkened doorway. A restless spirit lives in that home. He feels that he should deal with it. He walks up to the door and looks in. Rikard has not faced a spirit before. He's uncertain what to expect and decides to stay outside. Instead, he calls in to the house. "Spirit! Are you able or willing to speak with me?Something moves past the doorway. It's so in the shadows. Rikard can't make it out, but it's certain it's the ghost. "I am willing to help. I am a follower of Trithereon. My goal in this world is to help others."
"If you are here to help, why run away as you did?"
"Well. To be truthful, you have us all quite a fright. We did not know you were up in the loft."
"I have been here for too long. I have been challenged by many looking for treasure. How are you different?"
"I am a man of my word. I will help you. I just don't know how." The figure moves closer to the door. Rikard can just about make out the daggers in his chest.
"You have been hurt. Was it done by someone searching your home? An adventurer?"
"Yes. They attacked and killed me. Left me for dead. You could help me. I need you to do something for me."
"Yes, of course. What can I do."
"I need you to move something in the house. Will you come in?""I am sorry. It is me alone. The others have gone to the barn. Do I need to enter the house to help?""I will not attack. I need your help, but you must enter the house."Rikard, assured that he is safe pulls the door open and steps into the roomThe ghastly figure shifts. It's face contorts into a horrible grimace. Rikard realizes that he's been tricked and grasps his holy symbol. He holds it out at the creature. A wind whips through the room and the symbol lights up. "Away with you!" Cries Rikard. The creature cackles "It has been too long. I will not be thwarted this time. " It reaches out a hand and thrusts it towards Rikards chestRikard pulls back just before the hand touches his armor. "No! You liar!" Rikard stumbles back and crashes against the door. He turns and rips the door open almost pulling it from its hinges. He throws himself out into the sunlight, certain the creature's cold, dead hand is only inches from his back. Rikard scrambles along the gravel path. When he turns back, the creature is gone. The door creaks as it slowly swings inward and comes to a stop. The farmhouse is dark and empty again. Rikard begins to laugh. It's low at first, then it builds. The joy of surviving this creature washes over him and he is giddy with the realization that he's survived. Rikard moves around to the side of the house where there is no window and lights a torch. The farmhouse is old and dry. It doesn't take much for the flames to take. Soon the house is ablaze.

Scene: Spider in the BarnUrden steps back into the barn. The massive spider blocking the only exit. He yells to the group outside. "Come! Lasos, Zindra ... everyone. Draw it's attention. Furnok and I are no match for this creature." Zindra draws her bow and fires.The arrow flies wildly into the and disappears into the darkness of the barn. Lasos runs up and leaps over the spider's abdomen his blade in both hands. He lands on it's back and skewers the creature. The sword digs deep into the thorax. The blade's point breaking through the soft shell of its underbelly. The monster emits a terrible, unearthly cry and turns to view what has landed on its back.

With its attention pulled away, Urden signals to Furnok to attack. They both move up. Neither makes any noise. Urden stabs at the spider, his sword glancing off of a leg. A spurt of warm, dark blood sprays across his hands. Furnok has the better vantage and brings his sword down hard across it's head. The blade sinks deep and the spider shudders before collapsing onto the barn's floor. Blood spills from the wounds and darken the hay around it.

Urden slumps back onto the hard floor and looks up at Furnok. "You're antics have almost cost us our lives twice today. Are you done yet? Can we continue on or will you not be satisfied until we bury one of our own?" Furnok waves aside Urden's concern. "The hard part is done. Now it's the time to search the lair and find the real treasure."

Urden nods. He is annoyed, but decides its best to follow the half-elf. He knows all to well that if Furnok searches the loft on his own, there will be no treasure. Furnok starts up the ladder. It creaks under his weight. He makes it to the top and disappears into the loft. "Wait for me." Urden barks, unable to keep the annoyance from his voice. He grabs the ladder and starts up. It also creaks under his weight. Urden lifts himself onto the floor of the loft and looks around. Stored in the cramped loft is a large coil of rope and an open wooden box filled with decrepit tools. The remains of a block and tackle, festooned with cobwebs, hangs from the central rafter. In the corner of the loft hangs the remains of the spider's last meal: two desiccated goblin corpses wrapped in silk. Urden rushes up. "What have you found?"
"Nothing so far. Looks like they have some barely usable scimitars. I was just about to check for purses."Urden looks closely at the half-elf. Furnok smiles and stops pulling at the webbing, pealing his hands from the sticky strands. "Well? Are you going to help or just watch?" Urden steps up and grabs the strong, silk strands and starts to cut them away. The bodies eventually drop to the floor and the two thieves search for treasure. They find 5 silver coins hidden in a soiled purse at the hip of one of the bodies. "We almost died for a couple of tankards of ale." Urden looks at the other man with disgust. "Let's go before we lose more light." Furnok feints surprise. "How was I to know. You know how it is, there is risk and reward to everything. The reward does not always match the risk. Still, you have to try. " Urden ignores his friend and steps out onto the ladder and climbs down. It creaks loudly, but holds. Furnok slides down the ladder. His mood surprisingly light given they only found 5 silver. Furnok fingers the silver chain in his pocket. He figures he can get 60 gold for it.

Scene: First Night on the Road
The farmhouse fire was a full blaze when the group headed back to the main road. They could hear the thunderous howls coming from inside the inferno. The spirit was most likely frustrated by its inability to staunch the flames engulfing it's home. "You've made one hell of an enemy there, priest. Does it bother you that you are leaving that behind?" Urden asks.

Rikard does not look up from the road. He has quiet since they left the farm and has not looked back, no matter how violent the cries from the farmhouse. "It is too strong a match for me. I will need to prepare myself and come back. I must exercise it from this place so it does not hurt others. I would do it now, but that would most assuredly be a death sentence."

The group continue their trek along the High Road. The detour to the farmhouse wasted valuable daylight, so they did not stop to each lunch. Instead, the ate rations while still on the road. Daylight is starting to fade when they come up on the moathouse. The group was discussing the possibility of staying the night in the upper floor of the moathouse or even delving into the dungeon and looking for a locked room. Zindra listened to the conversation, but kept to herself. She had spent her life sleeping under the open sky. She finds no comfort sleeping under the shattered ruins of the castle, nor climbing into the monster-infested hole. There is plenty of room to run or hide up here in the open. The arguments start long before the group reaches the moathouse, and continue as they stand at the edge of the drawbridge.Half of the group wants to enter. The other half wants to remain outside. The group takes a vote and Lasos, Furnok and Urden vote yes. Rikar, Tiberious and Spugnoir vote no. The tie inflames the group as they argue over the benefits and risks of both sides. Rikard is the one to notice that Zindra had not cast a vote. He raises his hands to quiet the group. "Zindra. You have not voted for either option. What do you want to do?"

Zindra had stopped listening to all of them a while ago. She had moved off to the side and taken a seat upon a fallen tree. When her name was spoken, she looked up from her small silver horse trinket. "You can do as you wish. I will not stop you. I will sleep under the stars where I feel most comfortable. You can enter that tomb and hope that it provides protection. I will not sleep in there, not even in death."

The others look at her in silence. A smile splits Rikard's face. "It appears the youngest amoung us is also the wisest. The vote has been decided. We are a group. As a group, we'll stay out here in the open. Let's prepare camp before it gets too dark to see what we are doing."

Everyone has their duties. Some cut wood for fire, others search for roots and berries. It is too dark to hunt, so they are forced to eat from their rations again for dinner.

Scene: The DruidSpugnoir is shook awake. It's still dark and the cool chill of morning bites at his face. "You're up for watch." says Urden."Yes. I'm up. Thanks." Spugnoir says as he stretches and yawns. "Did you have any challenges in the night?" He asks of Urden.

"No. It was quiet." Urden says. The yawn is contagious and he returns it. "I'm off. Hopefully, I can get a few hours before we move on again." With that, he is gone and sliding into his bedroll.

Spugnoir gets up and moves close to the fire. He wraps his blanket close around his shoulders and stokes the flames. He pulls the new spellbook from his satchel and unclasps it's band. The parchment sheets shift a bit as he opens the book, but he catches them before they scatter. He's done this many times before and the movements are subconscious now. Spugnoir turns the pages. There are so few with writing. If only he could find his old book. Damn the person that took it. He feels naked with so few spells to choose from. Still, he needs to prepare for the day. He returns to the first page … Web. He hasn't had much chance to use it yet, but it's there if he needs it. Head down, he uses the firelight to illuminate the page and sets to memorizing it.The sky begins to light up as the sun rises. It's still early, but the camp should be waking soon enough. Spugnoir has allowed the fire to die down a bit and dropped his blanket. The morning is cool, but comfortable. He can hear the birds calling to each other in the trees around them. He takes a stroll around camp, searching the forest from various angles. It's been an uneventful watch - just like he likes it. Spugnoir pauses. There is a noise in the distance. It's not a bird song, nor is it the wind in the branches. It's talking … maybe mumbling. Someone is out there. Spugnoir sneaks back into the camp and shakes Lasos awake. "Eh. What? Is it time to break camp already?"

"Someone is coming." says Spugnoir.

Lasos rubs the sleep from his eyes, "What? Where?" The fighter moves smoothly and silently. He grabs his sword as he gets up and pulls it from it's sheath.

"Listen." says Spugnoir, "I think it's coming from the north. Someone is talking."
Lasos strains to hear the noise. He hears it and grabs Spugnoir's shoulder. "Wake the others. I'll move in to see if I can determine how many." Lasos moves into the bushes. He does not have enough time to don his armor and runs off in only his breeches and his gambeson. Spugnoir wakes the rest of the camp and kicks dirt onto the fire. Everyone draws a weapon and keeps quiet as they wait for news. The talking continues. Spugnoir can only hear one side of the conversation. The other must be speaking quietly. Although, the companion may not be speaking at all. The voice barely takes a breath before continuing. He's not happy, whoever he is.

There is a shout of surprise and the talking stops. Spugnoir hears Lasos interacting with the owner of the voice and there are a few minutes of back and forth before Lasos's voice calls out from the trees, "It is fine. An old man on his own."

A few minutes later Lasos emerges from the trees with a strange old man. The man is a good head shorter than Lasos, bent and frail. He's dressed in a heavy woolen cloak, the hem of which was mud-stained and tattered. The hood was barely able to contain the mass of hair and grey beard. Wild eyes peered out from under thick eyebrows and searched the area, looking from one person to the next.

"Amber. Amber Hillbuckle at your service." The man says and bows slightly. He keeps a hold of his long staff with both hands, as if the move to bow might topple him over without the help. "Apologies for waking you. I thought I was alone." He says, looking back up. The wild eyes fall on Spugnoir. "I am alone much of the time. Sometimes my conversations can no longer be contained internally. I don't realize it until I find myself yelling at a tree or a bush. Then it's time to settle the argument and move along." He smiles at Spugnoir and what teeth are left, are stained yellow.

"That yelling will get you into trouble, old man." says Spugnoir. He points to Lasos. "My friend here could have cut you down before you even realized he was there."

The old man continued to smile, "Yes. You are correct. I should be more careful when on the road."

"Where are you headed?" Spungoir asks"South. Yes, south. Maybe as far as the Welkwood, but I tend to stick to the Gnarley Forest."

"So, you know this area?" says Spugnoir

"Oh, yes. Spent my whole life in these woods. I know them well." the smile broadens.

"Interesting. We are looking for a temple outside of Nulb. Have you come across it in your travels?"

"The Temple of the Elements? Oh, you don't want to go there. It is very dangerous. Evil is building in the town and around the Temple. Regular folk are in danger. Many have lost their lives and their fortunes. It's best to stay here. The Temple grows in strength, power and wealth. You will only find death going there."

"Yes, we are aware." says Spugnoir, he looks over at Rikard and gives him the slightest of nods, then returns his gaze to Amber. "We are on a mission and need to get to the temple. Can you show us the way?"

Amber's eyes narrow and he searches the group, "What mission? Only evil attend that temple." The old man takes a few steps away from Lasos and digs into a satchel at his hip. "I may appear old, but I can handle myself well enough. I won't allow that temple continue to grow in power." He pulls some dried herbs from the satchel and grinds them in his one hand.

"Hold, old man!" Spugnoir cries out and raises his hands in surrender, "We are also looking to fight back the evil there. We have no quarrel with you."

The old man's eyes brighten and the smile stretches across his face again. "Well, why didn't you say so?" He takes the handful of herbs and pops it into his mouth and begins to chew. "Any chance you have some fresh game? I haven't had a decent meal in a few weeks." he mumbles through the mouthful.

Spugnoir drops his hands and stares at the man in confusion, trying to keep up with the change in the man's demeanor. "Nothing at the moment, but I believe Zindra was going to try to catch something for this morning."

"Excellent!" The old man smiles and makes his way towards the camp, carefully picking his way around the trees and into the camp. He moves at a decent pace and seems rather nimble for a man his age, but he does lean heavily on the staff. "I'd be happy to take you to the Temple … after a good meal of fresh game, of course." The old man sits on a log near the fire and attempts to stoke the fire alive with his staff. "Do any of you have something that will warm my insides? It's been a while since I've had anything stronger than stream water to drink." The old man's eyebrows wiggle up and down as he licks his lips.