Lydin's Story Part 6

Continued from Lydin's Story Part 5

Day 86
It seems like it has been forever since I have been able to rest. It seems the days just blend together into one long nightmare. Each day is a constant battle from wake until sleep to fight and destroy these creatures.

We have lost Lex and Slee... I do not remember when. I can barely remember anything. I can scarcely remember the last time we left the safety of town. We fought our way throughout the woods to a cave. Then battled through the caves to here.

I am surely going mad. I have even dreamed of fighting myself. The walls seems to close in on me at night and the air becomes thick with death during the day. I tire of battle, I tire of death, I am sick of killing.

Day 87
Finally a day without the constant pressure from the undead. We have found Lex. He is badly injured. We find a sanctuary we can rest in. I feel strange. New forces are at work here that I do not understand. I feel the awakening of powers within me that I do not understand.

I can no longer fully trust my companions. Especially Gworeth. Hawber has sworn never to harm Scratch again but can I trust him? Even Scratch seems strange. He no longer seems to answer my call when I need him. If I can not trust Scratch who can I trust. Andarymar openly mocks me and Pandarus seems distant to me. Are these my friends or my foes...

I try to sleep but I can not sleep without worry form these thieves and cowards. I feel a burning in my soul that will not go out. Finally I feel the release of sleep taking over but will I awake the same man?

Fire, Friend or Foe

Yuegarian has some how managed to light the bridge and burn to would be assailants to ashes. He is being quite stupid because he lit the bridge from the wrong side, trapping himself, but at least he singed Hawber. While our instructions were to make sure no evil got across, I assumed that we would do so by slaying our foes, but burning the bridge is okay as well. While I am enjoying the fire show, two new wanderers show up from the direction of town but don't appear menacing until one of them casts a spell on the bridge and Gworeth attacks. The sound of steel clashing echoes thru my ears, I watch and see the other members of my party attack the two new interlopers, and with one of them engaged with Hawber, I take my shot....the voices daring me to fire with out taking time to make sure Hawber is clear, instead I try to fire fast and low....not particular about which I hit.

It ends quickly, when get ensnared by Lydin, as the whole battle was a misunderstanding and the two new foes are allies of Lex. But now I notice that we are not out of the woods just yet, for a real danger has emerged....Tugwyn has come to taunt us with his new undead minions. While we dispatch the undead Tugwyn escapes again. After this battle, Cedric appears to let us know of the battles that ragged thru the night, and that we should now advance on the cemetary and kill the evil that resides there.

We rest and then begin the long journey, tracking our way thru multiple battles until we reach the cemetary. When we arrive a trap is sprung and once again Hawber is hurt along with our new ally Adrymar. The injuries our minor but cause us to be more careful. We follow a path thru the woods and discover another trap, this one a warning mechanism. With no way to disable it, we gird ourselves for battle and press on. We are not disappointed, for the battle begins with dead creatures and living alike, giants, wolfves and men. We dispatch the giants (I myself take one down in hand to hand combat, despite no help from our new mage.....he is busy protecting the cowards in the back), the wolves are scarred off and the archers are slaughtered. During the fierce battle the coward Tugwyn emerges once again to taunt us, but seeing our inevitible victory runs away yet again with his tail between his legs. Although the undead wolves are an abomination against nature, Tugwyn's cowardice and traitorous behaviour have the voices and myself agreeing.....TUGWYN MUST DIE.

One departs, one joins

After Lydin was finished checking Scratch's wounds, he moved on to check the wounds of the remaining party members. The five some and Scratch were of again. Tugwyn's mind is racing over the possible outcomes and when should he leave. There is a voice inside his head now talking to him. , telling him to wait. Tugwyn knows this voice is real being not like the voices Paradarus hears.

The party is moving again. They are under attack again. The undead came from behind them. It must have been ambush. The party is in trouble. Tugwyn's is running of in to the woods- laughing. Lydin calls but there are no response.

Gworeth is fighting to his life. Hawber manages to turn around to get in to fray. Paradarus is left behinds wait for a chance. Yue and Lydin decide to go the forest to go around the fight and flank the undead.

Paradarus manages to get into the battle, by reaching over Scratch Around three of them have take some hit but are still stands. Scratch is tearing to the undead, now his natural instincts have kick in. Lydin comes out of the forest and instantly is hit.

Yue in his rush to join the battle gets tangled up by a tree. Yue panic?s thinks it is the undead. Then he realizes it was just a tree and he needs to get into the battle. He knows the party needs him. He manages to get untangled, just to get tanked up in a down tree. Because of his fear for his friend?s life and the embarrassment of getting tangled up in his playground, blood starts rushing to his head. He manages to get free again and there is the clearing.

He sees a clear and starting running for it, hoping it is not too late

The party is getting hurting. There are too many of them. Scratch is bleeding, Paradarus is bleeding, Hawber is bleeding, Gworeth is bleeding, and Lydin is bleeding. They are all bleeding, badly except Yue who is lost in the woods. Lydin is scared, and does no what to do. In his moment of desperation he calls upon is cleric ability and received an inherited evil spell dead watch. He needs to save his friends. He casts the spell, hoping there are no ill effects.

Yue runs out into the clearing ready for battle, but the clearing is empty. Listening he hears the battle behind him. He runs back in the forest, fearful of what he will find and shamed the skills he is so pride of fail him.

Lydin is able to see how close is friends are to dead, scratch is hurting bad, he is running to heal scratch. Hawber, Gworeth, Paradarus are fighting a good fight, but are slow losing.

Out of the forest burst Lex,? Die you all unholy scrum, die? and takes on the nearest creature to him. Lydin is move over to heal Paradarus who is whooping o his feet. A number of undead have fallen, but there are many more standing.

Yue finally appears and takes no time to engage and kill an undead. Lydin is healing Hawber, and notices two creature watch the fight. One alive creature, one undead creature; the battle is stating to turn around there are only a couple of undead left.

There is laughter as a magical light hits Hawber. It was Tugwyn, Hawber suppress the urge to go running after him. Lydin notices the one life creature he now knows is Tugwyn leaving with the other Undead Creature.

With the Help of Lex and Yue they party finishes the reaming undead of. Lydin?s Gods grant him power of evil to use for good. Lydin understands what happens, but will remember the reason, why?

The party takes little time to composite itself, has darkness approaches and the forest comes alive, to run back to the Fletcher house. Arrows rain down on the party has they run back to safety.

When they reach the Fletchers house the greeting is not pleasant, but he lets them in. The Fletcher was upset that they return before the task was complete, Lex does not go in, he as business to take care of.

After Lydin was finished checking Scratch's wounds, he moved on to check the wounds of the remaining party members. The five some and Scratch were of again. Tugwyn's mind is racing over the possible outcomes and when should he leave. There is a voice inside his head now talking to him. , telling him to wait. Tugwyn knows this voice is real being not like the voices Paradarus hears.

The party is moving again. They are under attack again. The undead came from behind them. It must have been ambush. The party is in trouble. Tugwyn's is running of in to the woods- laughing. Lydin calls but there are no response.

Gworeth is fighting to his life. Hawber manages to turn around to get in to fray. Paradarus is left behinds wait for a chance. Yue and Lydin decide to go the forest to go around the fight and flank the undead.

Paradarus manages to get into the battle, by reaching over Scratch Around three of them have take some hit but are still stands. Scratch is tearing to the undead, now his natural instincts have kick in. Lydin comes out of the forest and instantly is hit.

Yue in his rush to join the battle gets tangled up by a tree. Yue panic?s thinks it is the undead. Then he realizes it was just a tree and he needs to get into the battle. He knows the party needs him. He manages to get untangled, just to get tanked up in a down tree. Because of his fear for his friend?s life and the embarrassment of getting tangled up in his playground, blood starts rushing to his head. He manages to get free again and there is the clearing.

He sees a clear and starting running for it, hoping it is not too late

The party is getting hurting. There are too many of them. Scratch is bleeding, Paradarus is bleeding, Hawber is bleeding, Gworeth is bleeding, and Lydin is bleeding. They are all bleeding, badly except Yue who is lost in the woods. Lydin is scared, and does no what to do. In his moment of desperation he calls upon is cleric ability and received an inherited evil spell dead watch. He needs to save his friends. He casts the spell, hoping there are no ill effects.

Yue runs out into the clearing ready for battle, but the clearing is empty. Listening he hears the battle behind him. He runs back in the forest, fearful of what he will find and shamed the skills he is so pride of fail him.

Lydin is able to see how close is friends are to dead, scratch is hurting bad, he is running to heal scratch. Hawber, Gworeth, Paradarus are fighting a good fight, but are slow losing.

Out of the forest burst Lex,? Die you all unholy scrum, die? and takes on the nearest creature to him. Lydin is move over to heal Paradarus who is whooping o his feet. A number of undead have fallen, but there are many more standing.

Yue finally appears and takes no time to engage and kill an undead. Lydin is healing Hawber, and notices two creature watch the fight. One alive creature, one undead creature; the battle is stating to turn around there are only a couple of undead left.

There is laughter as a magical light hits Hawber. It was Tugwyn, Hawber suppress the urge to go running after him. Lydin notices the one life creature he now knows is Tugwyn leaving with the other Undead Creature.

With the Help of Lex and Yue they party finishes the reaming undead of. Lydin?s Gods grant him power of evil to use for good. Lydin understands what happens, but will remember the reason, why?

The party takes little time to composite itself, has darkness approaches and the forest comes alive, to run back to the Fletcher house. Arrows rain down on the party has they run back to safety.

When they reach the Fletchers house the greeting is not pleasant, but he lets them in. The Fletcher was upset that they return before the task was complete, Lex does not go in, he as business to take care of.

Lydin's Story Part 5

continued from Lydin's Story Part 4

Day 76
I awake in the morning and treat the wounds of Scratch and Yue. Afterwards I return to sleep and rest. The battles in the preceding days seem to have taken a toll on my mind and my spirit as well as my body.

I awake again and realize with a start that it is approaching noon. Yue is awake, he is quietly cleaning and oiling he crossbow. He has not said much since he lost himself in the woods. I get the feeling he is hurt that even with his woodland skills he was lost for so long. There is a hurt in his eyes that I can not heal. I wonder if I have the same look in my eyes.

I go to look for food for myself and for Scratch. Yue looks up from his task but makes no move to follow or to speak.

I trail down the hallway towards the Fletcher's kitchen. I hear voices form the kitchen. One voice is the Fletcher's. The other is a familiar voice, but one I can not immediately place. This voice is angry. The Fletcher argues that the time is past, "It is too late!" he cries. The other voice snaps back at the Fletcher. Admonishing him.
"Remember your place, remember your duty, remember your destiny."

I move closer to the kitchen I see a flash of light. I enter the kitchen to see the residue of a transportation portal spell. The Fletcher is alone.

I ask him about the other voice I heard in the kitchen. The Fetcher seems to think I have been spying on him. "That was the voice of out master, Lord Cedric." the Fletcher growls. "Were you listening to our private conversation?"

I don't remember what I said to him, but it convinces him that I was just traveling to the kitchen. I gather some food to return to Yue, but turn to find him already in the kitchen. We eat with the Fletcher. He reminds us of our duty. As if the horrors of the past days could be forgotten. Our host tells us of Lord Cedric's plan. He has a massive force gathered to the east. He will strike tonight.

Our orders are to hold the bridge and protect the town. I am only half listening. I make the correct sounds to show the Fletcher that I am listening to his instructions but I am drifting into deeper thoughts. "Yes, I understand. We must protect the bridge at all costs." I tell him. He nods, as if to tell me that I had better follow his instructions. My mind drifts to the events of yesterday, what happened to me when I cast my spirit at these beasts and they fled form me like leaves before the wind. The Fetcher is staring at me. I search for what he was saying. "Of course, we would destroy the bridge rather than let the lifeless monsters use it." He starts to wave his arms and shout. "Of course, we would never allow the bridge to fall." That seems to calm him again.

Yue also stares at me. I search his eyes, for some sign of what he plans. Our group was so unified when we first left our sinking prison, but now we are more and more separated by our own mistrust. Especially since we were betrayed by Tugwyn. What secrets does Yue keep from me? What secrets do I keep from him?

Again I notice that the Fletcher has stopped talking and is waiting for an answer. I am at a loss. I do not recall what instructions he was pressing when last he spoke. Thankfully Yue speaks for me. "We will wait for the signal, and strike into the heart of the forest. We will kill these undead lords, vampires, or whatever they are. We will not fail."

"Yes, yes." I murmur. Is this our fate, to become the victims of the undead? To be killed and return as these monsters? Not for the first time I think about releasing Scratch. Allowing him to make his way back our natural homes. I again do not, knowing that even if Scratch knew the way home I need him too badly to release him. Maybe later I can free him.

"Is there a temple in this town?" I ask. I am not sure why I ask this, I need no temples. My temple is the forest, the plain, the lake, the mountain. Wherever the spirit of nature resides is where I worship. My now I feel a pull to a temple of man.

"As I have told you every time you have asked of the temple," replies the Fletcher, "we had a temple, near the guard house. The temple disappeared shortly after the creatures started attacking the town. I start to think you are ill, the way your eyes stare off. You look at me, but you do not see me, you look through me. What do you see druid? Do you see me? Or do you see only death, as I see only death. I spoke in haste yester-eve, you may return to my home for as long as you serve Lord Cedric." The Fletcher slowly and deliberately meets my gaze, then gives Yue the same piercing look. He stands from the table and stalks out of the room.

"We should find the others." Yue barks at me as he stands also.

I nearly send him to go himself, but Scratch bites my hand and pulls towards the door. "Yes, " I answer, " we must find our allies and return to the forest."

As we leave the Fletcher's I see the crazed beggar that always predicts my death. Hawber is following the beggar, for once staring at something other than his reflection. I walk up to the beggar, awaiting his proclamation of my doom. He smells of illness, at times it is almost like I can see something in his soul that is fractured. I try to give him a fresh Logan berry. I earlier prepared the berries, such that they have the power to supply a full meal in just a single bite. The beggar pulls away from me.

I notice a medallion around this beggars neck. It is a symbol I half recognize. I grasp the medallion and fire and pain shoot down my arm. I spy our new companion Lex watching me. Lex comes over to me and pulls me away from the beggar, and he runs off.

We follow the beggar to the guard house. Once inside the beggar just disappeared. We find a concealed trap door in the floor. Following the stairs under the floor takes us to a small underground cathedral. The same symbol that the beggar wore, the same symbol that burned my hand and arm adorn the walls.

Pandarus, Yue, and Hawber are collecting holy water from a case on the north wall. I ask Lex about the symbol. He laughs and pulls out a medallion of his own. "Like this one?"

"What does it mean?" I ask.

"It is the symbol of my faith. We are dedicated to eradicating the undead menace. I did not believe that it was true but now that I see it, I can not deny my own eyes." He points to my hand. "You should not grab the symbol of a powerful cleric, they have protections that you can not comprehend. This homeless beggar is the high priest Elderage. Years ago I studied under him. When our church first sent Elderage here he was but an alcolyte, sent to establish a mission house.
This he did. Eventually more of the faithful revealed here. Including my brother. Recently the undead started to win the battles against Elderage. " Lex paused, looking deep within himself as if knowing the answer but not knowing if the answer is the one he wants.
"In rare cases, very rare cases, " Lex continued, "a high priest will give himself up to protect his followers and his church. Elderage must have made this sacrifice, although I do not know how. He has caused his own insanity to save his church and only the defeat of the threat will allow him to return to health."

We climb the stairs and leave for the bridge. We cross to the far side and take up positions to defend the bridge. I start to question why we have all our strongest warriors north of the bridge when a group of skeletal undead breach the clearing from the north. Hawber, Pandarus and Gworeth smash these enemies as the close within reach. Only two get through, and of those one turns north along the river and one head directly for the bridge. Scratch and I bring down the beast heading to the bridge and Yue chases after the one flees north.

Another group breaks free of the trees. These again are repelled. A third wave engages us. This group includes Orcs! Hawber and Pandarus are killing the Orcs as well as the undead. More and more are breaking through. Yue returns just in time to slay a monster as it approaches the bridge.

Another group is chased into the clearing around the bridge. Again Orcs are with the undead. The orcs seem to be attacking the undead, but they also attack Hawber. Pandarus is swathing through the Orcs like a sythe through winter wheat.

Another group steps into the clearing. These are men! Several men accompanied by these foul abominations surge towards the bridge. Gworeth and Pandarus attack form the North. Yue fires his bow again and again. Hawber, Lex and I attack from the South. We are being over taken.

I call out to the forest for assistance and a badger breaks from the bushes and attacks my assailant. Sinking his claws into the warriors leg he distracts the warrior so that Hawber can crush him entirely.

When the next beast enters the clearing my heart stops. A rotting giant of a man. Is this a troll? Or maybe was this a troll would be more accurate. Obviously dead the shambling giant moves towards Pandarus. Gworeth and Yue start firing missiles at the beast. Hawber falls before me, as does Scratch! They killed Scratch! I fly at my enemies slashing with my sword. One after another falls before me. Gworeth and Yue have engaged the giant. I check Hawber and advance towards Scratch. The giant falls to Lex.

I look around our enemies are dead or fleeing but at what cause. I go to Scratch and bind his wounds. I use prayer and magic to revive him. I do the same for Pandarus and Hawber. Looking at the gashes, bites and bruises I wonder if we won or lost.

We retreat to the very edge of the bridge, to rest and prepare for the next assault. It has only been moments since the first beast appeared but I feel like it has been hours. My heartbeat is pounding in my chest, sweat coats my arms and chest, fatigue drags at my legs as I pull Scratch to the safety of the bridge. I know the night has just begun but I wish that I could just let the night take me, let sleep erase my memories and my pain.

Lydin's Story Part 4

continued from Lydin's Story Part 3

Day 74
We retreat again to the Fletcher's house. He takes us in but warns that we have a job to do and can not continue to come back to his house whenever we want. He encourages us to rest and return to the forest.
"Our common master has tasks for us all." He says, "You should complete your tasks as soon a possible."

We return to the room we have used in the past. I sink into a deep slumber, trying to forget the horrors of recent days. During my rest I start to question my dedication to the forest. Is it enough? After a long and restless night I awake and start my morning prayers. I start to beseech not just the forest but all of nature, reaching out for help in my battle against these abominations.

I receive no answer.

Day 75
With fear in my heart I prepare for another trip into the cursed forest. I hardly notice my companions. Scratch comes and gently paws me. I am amazed at his size, he seems 6 months old, not a dozen days. I feed and groom him, it makes me feel better that I am making a difference, even if it just my cat.

I am starting to get more and more leery of Pandarus he seems more and more blood thirsty everyday. I watch him as we move towards the forest. He walks next to Yue, as the walk the seem to be having a conversation but it is almost like Pandarus is having a conversation but it is not with Yue.

Hawber as usual is more concerned with his reflection that the reflection of this dying forest in the river we are crossing. Gworeth is joking with Tugwyn, and as we go into the forest Gworeth stops joking, and Tugwyn starts smiling. The little gnome scares me, he seems more at home within this perverted landscape than with us.

We start traveling into the forest, following the paths we have taken before. Striking deeper into the woods. I take Scratch and show him signs of passage. He smells the woods, he tracks that smell. He learns quickly. I have asked the forest for a powerful spell for Scratch. When these beasts attack today they will find his bite bigger than his bark.

Hawber yells that creatures are coming from the right. The group tightens up and prepares for the assault. Scratch starts for growl to the left. I feel the bile rising in my throat. "They come from the Left as well!" I yell.
"And the front!" Adds Pandaurus.
"and behind!" Giggles Tugwyn.

I lose my focus, I feel Scratch heading to the front to assist with the battle. I grasp Scratch and whisper a spell over him. "Go, my friend. Rend the monsters. Cleanse the land." As he lopes off to the battle the creatures break into the open. I move to the front, but I start to find it harder to breath. The forest starts to close in on me. The creatures are closing in, they are all around us. I have to gain space, I have to escape, these creatures must leave.

I feel a warmth inside myself. I feel like I am more alive than before, power fills me, the very earth seems to be feeding my strength. "Begone from my presence foul creatures, lest you face my wrath!" It seems to be me speaking but it sounds unlike me, the forest, no the land itself is speaking through me. The foul beasts attacking Hawber start to flee. I am exalted, the power to defeat these beasts is within me. This power is terrifying, is this the answer to my prayers, or is this the terrible path that Tugwyn has taken.

Gworeth and Hawber are attacking the beast that have not fled. But they are being overwhelmed. We can not get past to help. Yue grabs my arm and leads me into the woods. 'We can circle around, I will strike with my bow as you take these monsters from behind." Almost immediately we are separated. I hear him cursing, but I can not see him through the underbrush. I break through into the trees into the clearing. I am not where I anticipated. The creatures tear into my arm.

I slash the creature and it drops at my feet. I start to feel like we can defeat any of these creatures. The last of these beasts is defeated. Scratch returns to me and is looking smug. I ruffle his fur and look around for my sword. In the melee I dropped it to free up my hands for spells. I finally feel like we are making a difference.

Suddenly a mass of creatures steps onto the path. My heart sinks, the feeling of power I had only a moment ago is starting to retreat. I start to feel the despair rising again. These creatures are too numerous. We will be overwhelmed and destroyed. Scratch is fighting bravely, he is dragging these creatures down and killing them. Pandarus and Hawber are striking them down but are being slowly weakened. I feel the warmth filling me again, I call forth this power again, but it has no effect.

Once again I am filled with horror and fear. Scratch is hurt. I strike out to him and call forth the
power of the forest to heal him. Hawber is hurt as well, as is Pandarus. I heal them as well. Another wave of these foul beasts stalk down the path towards us. Yue finally reappears from the forest ready for battle. The tide of battle seems finally to be in our favor. The creatures are being overpowered.

This is when Tugwyn finally snaps and flees into the woods. I call after him, but his only answer is laughter. Fiery blasts we have seen strike our enemies are now striking us. Hawber is the first to feel there burn , then Yue. Now the undead start to overcome us again. Only the arrival of a mysterious warrior saves us. He helps slay the last of the creatures and heal our wounds. This warrior is named Lex, and he has agreed to accompany us back to town.

We limp back to town fearful of another attack. We arrive back in town and go directly to the Fletcher's house. He is not happy to see us. He tells us that we can rest and recuperate but this will be the last time we will be welcome in his house. I am a bit surprised that Lex will not join us in the Fletcher's home.

I again retreat to our room and collapse. It has only been a few hours but it feels like days since I awoke in this very room. Scratch senses my mood and curls up by the door, being my guard, allowing me to sleep.

Back to the woods

The sun was well in the sky, when they left the Fletcher's house. Their mood was almost jovial. They have new weapons designed to fight the undead, the party of ex- slaves were feeling safe. He did not care or know that it was a false sense of security. They were off with a skip in their steps. Their memories of the two nights ago are dull and pushed back to the furthest reaches of their minds. Were the party over overconfident? Only time knew.

The band of ex-slaves traveled along high river banks towards the bridge that crossed the river. By the groove made into the rock this was an ancient river, which was quite powerful at one time. Now it was a slow moving river had hinted at it previous glory days. It would have been a beautiful scene if the "Band of ex-slaves", had taken the time to enjoy it. The sun was high in the sky, causing the river to reflect back the sun rays, giving the river a bluish haze. Making the river almost seemed alive.

Hawber was spending his time looking at himself, try to convinces himself it was o.k. to be bald. I am a rebel dwarf, I do not need hair I am quite the sexy dwarf. Still he wonder why he as still a virgin. Must be women are afraid of a dwarf who is so sexy. Lydin was traveling the grasslands with Screech and Scratches. Pandarus was having a discussion with Pandarus about what to do about those talking voices. Gworeth is daydreaming about his old master, what fun they had playing pranks on each other. Yue was dreaming about running in a dew soak meadow, naked.

Everybody was to busy daydreaming to see the look of uneasiness in Tugwyn's face. He was not in a happy place. He was in emotional turmoil. He as utterly confused and ashamed about his feelings towards the undead. The undead we calling him, he could not resisted anymore. He was not sure it wants it to. These were his friends, well all except Hawber, but still they shared a common bond. He could not turn his back on them, but the undead. That were he belonged. If I could just talk to someone, maybe Lydin, but how would he feel now since Lydin has found faith. I am alone among friends; no, we are going to my friends. I am losing no - I am finding myself, yes my friends I am coming; tell me went the time is right HEEEEEE.

The "Band of Ex-slaves" marched on, to the bridge, over the bridge, to the forest. , stopping just short of the forest edge. Everyone had a skirmish grin on their face, except Tugwyn, who had beads of sweat rolling down side of his face. Paradarus got a little suspense of everyone smiling, could they hear what he hear? What did they know? Why haven't they told me? Wait, I can make them tell me.

All daydreaming stopped at the sight of forest. A cone of silent was placed over the Group; it was Tugwyn's turn to smile. It was time, for Tugwyn to faces his destiny and take what was rightfully his.

The "Band o f Ex-slaves" begin there search for death, by marching to the forest during daylight. They had enough smarts or luck to keep searching during the day. Nobody knew or talk about what they were looking for. They just searched, hoping to find something, and death itself would come out to play.

Lydin was working with Scratch to track these undead creatures, but Scratch was all ready the trail. Scratch was taking them to a clearing where these unnatural breast would cross there path. Every inch of Scratches being hate it these creature.

Walking threw the small clearing in the forest, the forest comes becomes undead. Creatures of the night came pouring out of the bush. Lydin was quick on his feet fire a magical stone he had prepared earlier, which was always true to it target. Then, the fighters step up and took the lead; Yue, Hawber, and Paradarus , with the rest of the party falling in behind.

The undead creature varied in size and type. Some have meat on there bones and other just bones. One of the skeletons was huge. Twice or three time the normal size of a human. There was also a four legged skeleton beast, which might have been a wolf before.

Hawber and the Giant skeleton square in a dance for life and Scratch becomes total enraged at seeing the abomination of nature and ignore his companion and takes off towards this creature. Tugwyn from the rear fire magically lights at the Giant to help Hawber, but he is in aw. Yue and Paradarus each are fighting multiply enemies try to hold the line.

Paradarus and Yue are managing to take care of a couple of creature, but there are so many. Hawber got a couple of hit on the giant, before the giant managed to hit him - a couple of times form the giant and Hawber is knocked down. He is mortally wounds it. Lydin rushes to his aid and Gworeth seeing the situation step into Hawber places.

Scratch breaks out of the tree to fight the undead wolf, Lydin was thinking quickly, he bandages Hawber and then he gives Hawber one of his special potion they got from the Fletcher place.

Yue falls in battles, Lydin is a busy person. But Yue managed to take out a couple of creature and Paradarus is doing well, but he is wonder why the voice have not spoken?

Gworeth steps into battle,"punt" Gworeth falls in battle. He is nothing more then a speed bump to the giant skeleton, but it was enough of a bump to allow Hawber to back to his feet and Paradarus to step into battle with the Giant.

Hawber as takes on a couple of the undead creature to the left of the Giant. Lydin manages to get Yue back to his feet, but down goes Paradarus. Lydin was on his way. The giant Skeleton is killing them. The party has to take the giant out. Tugwyn is preparing a spell watching Yue his jail mate go down bought some humanity to him. These creatures are trying to kill my friends

Hawber seeing Paradarus fall and wants to redeem him, disengages the creatures he was facing to fight the giant. Yue step into Hawber places to fight the creatures he was facings. Paradarus is back on his feet. Those potion has keep the party alive to this point

Scratch is victories over the skeleton wolf, taken only minor damage. He is onto his next target. Now Scratches natural instinct has taken over and he wants to rid the world of unnatural, fowl tasting abomination.

Hawber and Tugwyn engages the giant, Hawber hand to hand and Tugwyn with magic, down fall the mighty creature. The remaining creature were easy work after that.

The party looks like dead warm over, but not dead or undead. It was a hard fought battle but the "Bands of Ex-slaves" were victories. They almost die, but Lydin loses this memory very quickly. To the rest of party it was sobering experience.

Reading in Chronological Order

Because the posts appear whenever they are added I am going to maintain a post of the different stories in chronological order so you can read the stories in order.

Jason's Campaign
Dream State

A Ships Voyage
Lydin's Story (Part 1)

A Helping Hand
Lydins Story (Part 2)
Pandarus Voices of Battle

Meeting Place
Lydins Story (Part 3)

Mystanamyr's Cat
Mystanamyrs Cat
Cast of Characters
Act 1
Scene 1 To Take Up the Chase
Scene 2 Taking To the Hunt
Scene 3 The Chase Begins
Into the Market (Draft... coming soon)

The meeting Place

The shack that was on the edge of town was one room shack, previously a guard shack. There was nothing left in the shack, but garbage and all the windows were board it up. The group caught into there nightly routine pretty quick, mainly because they were tried. The Hawber was to take the first shift. Lydin and Tugwyn, start their nightly ritual of praying and studying respectily. About half into his watch, Hawber spots a creature roaming around carry what like a person over its shoulder. He wakes up rest of the party, he got his wish a reason to wake everybody up (he did like being alone, a fact he would fiercely deny). The creature had not notice them and were slowly moving away, but the dwarf need to show how mucho he was 9 he has a couple of issues). He felt ashamed that he actually ran from a battle, his father or brother would never run way). So he shouts out to the creature, "Come here you wimp." That turn around the creature, and they immediately spot the dwarf standing there, dropping the body and they started towards Hawber.

The creature was not alone; it had two skeleton guards with him. Lydin loses his cool and starts yelling at Hawber demanding to know why he done that. The two skeletons get their first and start attacking. The Dwarf and Yue block the doorway, with the rest of the party fell in behind them. Lydin forces Scratch to take up a position near Yue, with Lydin himself sticking close to his cat. The battle start with Yue and Hawber both taking multiply hits. The only saving grace for the party is the creature is block by the skeleton and cannot get a full attack in. Paradarus and Gweryth came up great idea during this battle, which is to light a lantern and thrown it behind the skeleton and hit the creature. . It took a couple of try before the got the lantern lit and at the last minute Gweryth comes to his senses and stop Paradarus from thrown the lantern. Gweryth realized it would be like a beacon to the once dead creatures after them.


Scratch gets hits and run away from the battle causing Lydin to leave his post to attend the cat?s wound, the battle keeps getting worst. Gweryth hit Yue in the head with an arrow while trying to shoot the once dead creatures and Yue is down. Paradarus steps up into the battle engaging the remaining skeleton.

The dwarf took out another skeleton and now was engage with the creature. The creature had hit Hawber a couple of times and it seems that each hit was during little physical damage but was causing the wounds of some mental distress for Hawber. But The Dwarf was holding his zone for now.

Lydin tries to help his felled comrade but end up falling on top of him. Two more skeletons appeared with scimitars ready to join the battle. They were attracted to the yelling from before. The come up one engaging Paradarus and the other one trying to engaged the dwarf. The dwarf was clearing house he took out he creature and was ready for the skeleton Tugygen was in entangled by the look of these creatures. He found the creatures were beautiful. And while trying to fight them his mind was elsewhere. He was firing a bolt he misses and accidentally hits Paradarus and he was down. Or was it? Could he actually prefer these once dead creatures over his party members? Lydin managed the cure Yue enough of his wounds and so he was able to join in the fight. That was the turn point in the fight. Yue getting back into the battle and take his original spot. Lydin was turning into a nurse taking care of the wound it, but the alternatives were deadly.

They managed to manage quickly get kill again the skeleton after that. It was over for now. Lydin was still pissed at Hawber and orders him to clear up the miss. The dwarf listens to Lydin starting to assume a leadership role, or was he lucky that Hawber did not see the command the way as he see a happy face.

The rest of the night the party did not sleep well except for Paradarus. Who had not wakened up since his fall in battle. Lydin was sure he would wake up!
Has soon as there was light after the Fletcher house the party goes. Two minutes after leaving the shack they run into their buddy from yesterday. He looks at them kinda puzzled and says you are a .........live. You last it longer then the rest. But it does it matter, you going to die". From that moment on the party referred to him has the prophets. And maybe they were in over their heads.

They make it to the Flechters house in relatively quick time, and when the Fletcher answers the door he notices that Paradarus is down. He runs out and mummers some wounds and lays it hand on him not once but twice and is on his feet looking better then he ever did.
Once inside the party relays to me the night happens, the Fletcher did not look shock.

"I was afraid of that ", he said." Do you have any experience fighting the undead besides last night"? The party answered in unison no.

"Well" the Fletcher says "let me tell you what I know about the undead. Use must blunt weapons against them and the creature that like a man was a vampire and they are very dangerous creatures". He spends the next hour lecture the party on fight the undead with specially emphasis on the vampire. Tugygn listen to this had to suppress and couple smiles and almost giggled one. Then he takes them into a secret room and tells them there are weapons here that are especially made to fight the undead. You can take anything in this room to help you on your quest. Nobody ever question him on where the weapons can from or why he had such a large cache of weapons.

In this room there was a weapon rack the length of the room and on the opposite side there was bookcase full of books mostly on how to fight the undead. There was another bookcase that was filled with potions on the near wall and in the center of the room was a small laboratory. The party stay there awhile to makes sure they had the best weapon and potion to aid them. They were ready to fight the undead, or so they thought. They were in for a very rude awaking.

The Helping Hand

The beach was made up of golden sand. Fifty paces from the shoreline the sand was gently overtaken by tallish yellowish grass, mixed with small scrubs. In the distances to the east there was tall, thick forest, it must be ancient. To the west was a smaller forest and the middle of the forests was grassland. Behind the forests, in the skyline was a huge mountains range, which has snow cap peaks.

The Ex- slaves had nowhere to go and had nothing to do but wait. The party was planning plans and strengthens their resolve never to be slaves again. When a Smaller group of horse broke away from the main body, the break way group consist of five of horsemen and two people who appear to be walking.

The party had a banner a sun over a dried up snake. This triggered a thought about the Serpents Daughter in Lydin, but he lost it. His fear of snakes would not allow him to go there.

When the smaller group of horsemen where within 20 paces a man spoke the leader? Have no fear; we are not here to harm you in anyway, just to talk and maybe help. This took the party back; it was all so painful long sense someone spoke to them with respect. Tugwyn shed a single tear.

"I am Sidric, the rightful ruler of this land, and I arrange your escape from slavery. Your capturer was my brother Denric. Our father ruled this land for 20 peaceful year, but since is dead we have been at war. I want to hire you to kill my brother and get your revenge. "
The party of enslaves was taken back by revelation and offer. They should have though about want been being offered, but the change of revenge against their Grog and now Denric was an offer to good to refuse.

The party of ex slaves was now working for Sidric the self proclaimed leader of this land. Also, Yue recognized the walking member behind Sidric. They were slaves on the ship. He did not know them, personnel, but he passed them several times on the ship, and he also spotted the number braid it into their arms.

"I though more of you would have survived the escape, but oh well here are two more of your ships companions. Go in the small village, along the path to your right and find the Fletcher. He will have orders and what ever else you may need." Also, Sidric stop speaking turns around and waves forward a human male, as he gets close the party recognized him as a member of the ship's crew. Raged started to build up in the party members, has Sidric starting speaking again, "this fellow here is the spy I had plant it board the ship to help you escape. He also managed to get most of your crew of the ship for you? Now go and be discreet."

The party with two new members began to wonder around the beach for a couple of hours trying to get their bearing. Then they decided it was time to find the village and ultimate the Fletcher. It did not take long form them to find the town path to town and short time later the town was in view.

There was a large statue, about 10 hands in high on the outskirts of the town stood a. It was once a very fine statue, but not is was weather beaten and neglect. There was inscription on base of the statue, but it is illegible. The statue is of a man with an insignia of his chest of a snake ad sun side by side at peace. This trigger a thought in Lydin mind again. But it follows a path he is a feared to follow. His fear of snakes and anything to do with snakes stops him. He is hoping his love does not depend on it,

Has they enter the town an old what look like a beggar runs up to band of ex - slaves singing? You?re going to die you?re going to die. This rattles the party a little. Not so much about what the beggars had said, but how he said it. It had a property feel to it. Once they hit he town they were indecisive about what to do next. Ultimately the party split up with Lydin going one way and the rest of the party going another, both trying to find the town?s Fletcher. They will have to learn to stick together or die.

Lydin and rest of the slave party arrive at the Fletcher house at the same time. They knocked on the door, a fat bald man answers the door, Hawber, uses his big voice asks if he is the Fletcher. The man, turn a little white and rushes him inside. Don?t ever call me that outside, there are to many of Denric's spy around.
Lydin tries to introduce himself, and the Fletcher cuts him off. I know who you are; I know what you are doing? And I know what to do? Sidric sent a runner ahead.
Now you are here, there are couple of rules here, you can stay here has much as you need, but never wander around my house. Two I will never let you in after night and I will never give you permission to enter my home.

Now it is getting late, do you want something to eat? The party sits down to a meal, their first meal has free men, or so they think. Lydin even gets some meat for his special companion. The Fletcher, so he was called so them a room a large single room for them to slept in. It was a simple room, but it began to look a lot like the rooms on the Serpents daughter. There first night of freedom and now they realized just how lucky they were and they were never going to be capturing again.

The party start a guard rotation, when Pandarus taking the first watch. Something thing came unhinged in his mind (from his time with Grog) and there were a lot of screaming and voice. Not all of the voices and screams where coming through his ears. During Gworeth watch his old personnel surfaces and he decided to play a practical joke on Hawber, but part of it was he was alone. He need it a friend. Gworeth goes over to Hawber and starts painting a happy face on the dwarf and during this time Hawber wakes up. Hawber is confused and scared, by what he sees and over reacts. He stands up and hits Gwareth with all the might his dwarf body could muster. Gwareth his knock on conscious from the blow and if it was not for Lydin quick action would have died on the floor. Hawber did not feel any remorse and stare at himself in his finely polished weapon. He spends a lot of time looking at himself, must be over compensating for something.

The party did not get much sleep that night, for their dreams were filled with Grog and his two bugbear guards. The Fletcher gave them breakfast and old them what there orders were for now. They were to go to a small forest northeast of the village and find out what going on there. He tells them about strangest sights and sound and he suspects that Denric is mustarding troop there.

About noon the party?s start of going north looking a bridge to across the river that runs east of the village. The party finds the bridge across a very cautious manner. After a couple hours have passed and party has crossed the bridge the party comes to the east of the forest Scratchs has start it acting very weird and Lydin is getting worried.

The group wanders around in the woods for a while, following what look like humanoids tracks. The forms arrowhead formation where the Hawber and Yue, cover the right and left flanks while the remainder stays on the main path. Lydin is trying to teach scratch how to track, but the leopard club is uncooperative.

The party did notice the amount of time that passed since they enter the forest; it was starting to get twilight. The party begins discussing what to do, start thinking about setting up camp for the night. Yue decides to go look for an area to make camp for the night.

Has soon as Yue left to look for a camp, the forest seems to come alive. There were a lot of were noise coming for the east. The party readies their weapons, arrows ready. Pandarus, almost shot Yue has he came backing out of the woods. He was scared and should be. Out of the woods come six humanoids figures that were all bones they were dead from many years before they began alive again.

Hawber was to the west and was not aware of the going now. The battle for the ex - slaves to life ensured. Scratch was scared beyond belief, and natural instinct took over, and pisses, hoping distract his enemy and run to freedom. Lydin was shock and disappointed with scratches actions. Yue try to shoot the skeleton scratches has they attack.

Tugwyn starts murmuring some words under his breath and light s coming shooting out of his hand and hits one of the undead. Hawber hears the commotions comes runs. Pandarus hits one of the skeletons sends bones flying in all directions. It was quite the blow. The battle end a short time later, with non of the party seriously unhurt. They were meant shaken with some wondering if they were safer in the hands Of Grogs.

The last skeleton falls apart, and the party hears more sounds from the same direction has the last has before and they start running towards what they thinks is the forest edge. The party his running with all the speed they have, against the sounds of approaching humanoids. The come to the forest edge patting, trying to get their breath. The sounds that were chasing them has stop, but to the east there is a strange sight. There is a meeting-taking place. Soldiers wearing the same insignia it the serpent daughter?s crews are meeting with monster. They are the only way the party can describe it. They see of skeletons, but the other creates make the skeletons look friends. Most of the party is scared for their lives except Tugwyn, is fascinated by what he is seeing, especially by the leader of the monsters. Even during the battle before he was having of wonder and admiration for the skeleton. Lydin on the hand his at his wits end, he is ready to call upon nature to hold his enemies while he runs for his life, but does practices some self restraint and holds off. None of the meeting party has noticed them, so he is waiting. If they notice them, he is gone.

A person step out of the monsters, Tugwyn finds this person very appealing. The soldiers drop down a person, Yue has a since he has seen this person before. The person who is surround by the monster seems to bite the other man, and there is a lot of screaming, has the solider begin to walk away.

After seeing this event the party starts running for the village. The party cross the bridge so fast as they can, Lydin and Yue debated about burning down the bridge while Pandarus is total unhinged at this time, the voice are talking in his head, telling him to burn the bridge. Wait is Lydin and Yue the voices in his head or can they hear them to. Pandarus is unsure, but has him now.

The group of ex-slave makes their way to the village, and then they realize the Fletcher will not let them in after dark and the reason for this is unpleasantly clear now. Go are going to the hut where they met the beggar, or was he a prophet.

Lydin's Story Part 3

continued from Lydin's Story Part 2

Day 69
We are forced to shelter in a ruined house in town. The windows are all blocked but the door is open. After that ship I doubt I will ever sleep with the door closed again. The upper floor is collapsed so we are in a huge single room.

Tugwyn and I start to prepare for the next day while the remainder of the group start to rest. Yue is going to guard us while we study. During my prayers Yue starts to wake the group, as he has spotted more of these foul creatures in the streets and heard more screaming outside. Hawber, Yue, and Gworeth watch the door and all seems to be well.

I am trying to complete my prayers but the noise is overwhelming. Hawber yells something out the door. Yue and Pandarus start to ready missiles and Gworeth comes to tell Tugwyn and myself that the creatures are approaching the door.

Hawber stands in the doorway and draws his weapon, it suddenly strikes me strange how shiny his weapon is. He is still yelling at the creatures outside. Tugwyn looks out at the creatures and starts to smile. I am starting to get the feeling he likes these monsters. I can not understand how he can not be completely revolted by them. I am still looking at Tugwyn's strange smile when I realize I have lost track of time. The creatures have reached the door and are attacking Hawber. One looks like it might get past Hawber and into the room.

Scratch has come to my side, after yesterday I have started to work with him and teach him to guard and attack. I look at the creature trying to get past Hawber and tell Scratch to attack. Scratch is afraid but the training is starting to take affect. He leaps at the creature keeping it from sliding past Hawber.

Gworeth, Yue, and Pandarus are firing their weapons over Hawber and Scratch. I am scared that one of them might hit Scratch by mistake. The creatures just keep on coming. They have completely blocked the door now. I start to look for an escape. There is none! We are trapped! I start to hear our half orc tormentors' laughter, I know he is not here but the laughter and the fear are real. I start screaming "Don't leave the room! Don't let them in!" I fear we will never be free of this trap.

Scratch is hurt. This monster has dug is boney claws into his shoulder. Scratch bolts from the door, retreating to the back of the room. I go to him and bandage his wounds, pray over his wounds, and use herbs to stop the bleeding and ease his pain.

Pandarus has stepped into the doorway to keep the monsters at bay. I move up behind Hawber to help him as he looks like he is badly hurt. I pray a blessing on Hawber to return his health and strength. Tugwyn is beside me and he is tiring quickly. Pandarus looks bad, I think the creatures have hurt him seriously. Tugwyn shoots and hits Pandarus! Pandarus falls. I leap across to help him but I stumble and fall over his body. He is conscious but he is very badly hurt. Yue drives towards the door to keep the monsters outside.

I feel the panic starting to rise again, but I swallow it and drag Pandarus over next to Scratch. I bandage his wounds and play for his spirit. As I prepare to apply herbs I hear Gworeth scream. Yue has fallen to the creatures! I rush back to help. I drag him back next to Pandarus and pray for his spirit. He seems to recover but is still unconscious.

I return to the door to assist. Tugwyn is casting spells over Hawber into the creatures in the street. There seems to be more of them that when Pandarus fell. Hawber is cleaving the monsters. Their fouls bones snap as he smashes them with his axe.

Finally we are victorious! The last of the creatures are destroyed. We remove their corpses as much as we can and we await the dawn.

Day 70
At dawn we take our fallen comrades and return to the fletcher. He says some words to each of the wounded and they are restored! I am in awe of his power. We speak of our trip across the river and our battle last night. He advises us. He and Tugwyn talks of the use of weapons and how these foul creatures are not hurt by the weapons we are using. They tell us to use smashing weapons like clubs, staves and hammers.

Fletcher takes us into his storeroom and allows us to rest and re-equip. I prey for guidance and I am able to seek weapons that have been augmented with the craft. One staff in particular draws my attention. Tugwyn tells me it has a magick aura to destroy the undead.

Each of our group selects new weapons and armor. Hammers, maces, staves and clubs. These weapons will give us the power we need to destroy our enemies and return them to death.

Day 73
We set out again into the forest.

We cross the rope bridge and start off down the same path we took recently. We are much better prepared this time. We know what to look for and what to listen for. I am still struck by how little grows here, this is a place of death. I work with Scratch showing him how to search and track. How to watch for signs. How to watch my back.

Now that we know that bows and missiles are ineffective I have taken out my sling. When we hear these abominations approaching Yue, Pandarus, and Hawber stand firm in a clearing and await our enemies. I pray over some stones as my master taught me. To my eyes they glow with power. I know these will strike true and with more force than normal. As the creatures enter the clearing I launch a magicked stone with my sling. I strike the lead creature but many are following him. I fall back and allow Yue, Pandarus, and Hawber to meet these creatures.

More creatures enter the clearing. One is huge! I launch another magicked stone at this giant. I am sure I have hit him but I see no effect. Pandarus and Yue are striking down these smaller creatures as Hawber attacks the giant. Tugwyn launched glowing sprays and fiery darts at the giant. He again has that eerie smile when observing these abominations. I have Scratch at my side, I am afraid to command him to attack.

Gworeth moves forward but can not reach the creatures.

I fire my last magicked stone at the giant, but then I wish I had kept it as I see a true horror. These creatures have a wolf-like beast that is dead and still moves. I wish I could destroy it but I can not. Scratch has left! He saw this wolf beast and ran into the trees. I do no know where he has gone.

I want to follow but Hawber has fallen! I rush to assist Hawber but as I do Gworeth steps into his place. I pull Hawber out of the battle and tend to his wounds. I apply some herbs to his wounds and get him to drink one of the potions Fletcher gave us. Hawber is up and off to defend Yue, who is standing but strangely still. It is as if he has been turning to living stone. Hawber pushes him aside to gain access to the creatures beyond him.

I stumble forward searching for Scratch when I see that Gworeth is down. The giant is starting to step over him. I bring out my staff and throw myself at the monster. I feel the impact of my blow but I feel strangely warm and cold at the same time.

I pull myself to my feet and lurch towards the fight. Scratch is no where to be seen. Hawber is again attacking the dead but not dead giant. I feel about my self and realize that I have been sorely injured but saved by someone. Gworeth is trying to help Pandarus and Yue has recovered from his comatose state.

I am a bit confused. I see Scratch beyond these monsters. He is hurt but stands over the wolf beast, seemingly triumphant. I step forward and call for a prayer of healing for Hawber. It appears he has broken open the wounds I bandaged earlier. I do not know how long I was unconscious for but much seems to have changed.

Tugwyn is still casting spell into the giant. I step forward and crush a skeletal warrior using my staff. I step up next to Yue and crush another. Finally Tugwyn's spells and Hawber's might bring down the giant. We have but one or two enemies remaining. Gworeth manages to crush one while I sweep the other from the forest floor.

Now I can check and see how we are doing. We all look tired an hurt. It has been only minutes of time but it seems like hours have passed. Scratch is bleeding again, I pause to help him with prayer and herbs. He has done well defeating this wolf abomination.

We must quickly repair and respond as the noise of the battle has most certainly awoken the forest to our presence. My mind starts to reel as I move from friend to friend checking if I can assist with their wounds. We are beaten and bloody, hurt and wounded. But we are ready again, ready again to face this evil enemy. Pandarus and Yue have gathered the remains and started to burn them. Gworeth has gathered the bits of clothing, armor and metal the things have worn.

I am glad to see the wolf monster burn. I start to hope that we can cleanse this forest and return her to growth and glory.

A Ship's Voyage

The cargo ship "Serpents Daughter" methodically moves through the waves. On the surface this ship looks like any other cargo ship. But beneath its deck lay many dark and hideous stories, which would make descent people sick. The ship's crew took pleasure in seeing and creating pain; and there were many smiles from the crew. The crew itself consisted of goblins, hobgoblins, orcs, humans, drow, halflings, bugbears, and other evil beings. They were united under the same banner (a serpent eating the sun), but were united by evil, for evil purposes.

The ship itself consists of many decks. On the Main deck, that's where the animals are kept for trade. There are horses, dogs, cows, and other common domestic animals. There are also exotic animal such as tigers, zebras, lions. At the beginning of this voyage there were many more, many were lost because of crews neglect and size of the load.

The lower decks are where the real valuable cargo was kept; the slaves. Some will not make to the end, but that ok. They will be food for the animals. "Waste not, want not" was the captain's motto. The slaves came from various areas, his clients wanted variety and he provided. This trip was very fruitful with elfs, humans, dwarfs, halflings, and gnomes.

The slaves were kept inline by half orc and his two bugbears companion. Grog the half orc made the rest of crew look like saints. His past time was torturing. He loved it. If he had his wish, he would sail around the world, getting new victims. It was all he wants it to. But the captain kept a tight leash on him now, after the last voyage.

The captain had to threatened the crew include Grog with walking the plank, if any more slaves were killed because there were to many loses. Weeks after wards, Grog imagined what it would be like to torture the captain. Noticing the change in the crew's mood and the ship becoming dangerously close to a mutiny, the captain brought in some changes. The slaves would take over all non - sailing chores, provided nightly entertainment. And to Grog he made one special concession. Grog would be able to kill any slave he want once ever fortnight and if Grog so decide to forgo killing a slave the captain would pick a crew member to dead at his hands once a month. This made Grog very happy, for there is nothing like fresh pain screams of a die creature.

On every expedition Grog always picks his favourites to tortures. Every slave got their fair share, but these brought him the most enjoyments. This trip he had created a special torture chamber for them.This torture chamber had is own cell. The cell was an eight feet by eight feet. The were no lights. They were kept in the dark until playtime.

Grog had four torture chambers through out the ship, but this one is where he kept his pets Lydin Yue, Tugwyn, and Gworeth. Grog like the way that Lydin, a human, would block the pain for a while, but then the flood gates would open. Gworeth, an elf, would screams at the sight of Grog. Grog loved fear as a king loved being adored. Tugwyn, a gnome, would squeal and cry. Grog loved to see adults of any size cry by his hands. Yue, another elf, was a strong, slender being, Grog loved to see such as powerful being screaming for their lives at his hand.

Grog also loved power. Torturing gave Grog power in two ways. It gave him the physical power over individuals, but also gave him power through knowledge. At the start Grog did not listen to his victims, but over time he learn that people would sell their souls, and some did to him, to make him stop. In the rare cases were people resisted, he still gained valuable information. People would talk about happy times, sad times, the weather, their favourite things, basically anything, to forget about the pain and Grog listen. It was power and he soaked it all in.

It was Grog's idea to use the slaves for ship chores. Grog learned from the slave their occupations, their likes, and dislikes. He used this knowledge to help the captain with his problems. The captain was grateful and gave Grog something he want it, more power.
The ship made first of his two stop before the ship reaches its originating port. Here was where most of the animals and slaves were sold and Grog got a surprise.

It was many months since his pets came boards the ship. He thought their backbone was long gone, but he was wrong. After a night of heavy drinking with his bugbear guards, he decided to have some fun with his pets. He was going to lets his bugbear pals torture them under his watchful eye. When the two Bugbears, whom were anxious to start, enter their cell, Yue and Lydin gave charging out. Tugwyn, and Gworeth, froze. The look on the face said much, but their minds could not force their bodies to move after months of torture. Lydin came out live a madman, charging for a Brazier that was lit on the sidewall. Yue, try to fight hand to hand with Grog. The two bugbears came out of the cell and close the cell door and began to watch. It was a funny sight. Lydin was tried to lift a Brazier with his bare hands and Grog was laughing and Yue had the look of a killer in his eyes hitting Grog. The two bugbears step in after a while to take care of Yue, while Grog played with Lydin. In a matter of seconds both were unconscious in seconds. There would be no training this night.

It was a long, but pleasant night for Grog. He punished and punished his pets all night. A part of him was happy, they had tried something. He was getting a little bored. It put back the joy back into torturing again and he was happy.

Several days had past, when he was awoken by aloud crash and the boat stopped abruptly. He gets up to see what happens, and realizes the boats is taking on water and orders his bugbears pals to get him a boat, there leaving. Grog wished he could take his pets, but he was sure he would see them again. Has the ship crashed into the unknown object one of the ship's crew snuck in to the cell area, where Grog pets were kept and unlocked the cell door. That would have to be enough.

It took a couple of seconds for Yue, Lydin, Tugwyn, and Gworeth to realize what was happening. Once they realized the door was unlocked and the boat was sinking, they came charging out of the cell. Maybe a little to fast, as they claimed the stairs and opened the door to the ship's main deck Yue, who had take in the lead, was hit and fell backwards, taking the group with him, tumbling down over the stairs. After they groups, untangle themselves, they move back up the stairs a little more cautious. Once they reached the main deck, they realized the ship was abandoned.

Even after months of torture and confinement the party moved in action, with surprising spend. Lydin moved to save animals, which saw himself as the self-appointed protector of the animal kingdom. Yue, went looking for a boat and Grog. Tugwyn and Gworeth went looking for their weapons and equipment. Lydin managed to release most of the animals with some help from Tugwyn. Yue found a boat, but it contained Grog and was sailing away. Gworeth could not find anything useful but spotted land to the east.

A quick survey of their situation, they realized they had one option for survival. It was to jump and swim for their lives. The party jumped into the water, reaching for any piece of wood or floating object they could find. Yue , made to shore with relative easy. Gworeth and Tugwyn made to shore, but they had a couple of scare moments. Lydin almost drown three or four times. It was shear determination that kept him alive.

As Lydin, come out of the water, he immediately turns his attention to finding his animal companion, screech, and a leopard. He looked at all animals as his companions, same as any humanoid, but from a special bond with screech on the ship. He spotted his friends track and follow them into a near by bush. He greatest fear is realized, she is dead. Lydin is filled with the feeling of dread and failure. He let down a friend, when they need him the most. Little does he know , he is the reason she survived to this point but is trail of blood leading way from her, and their was a strange sound. Lydin recognizes the sound ? Its a young kitten, Screech was pregnant. Screech got her dieing wish to have her baby free.

In their search for Lydin friend the party never noticed the large group of horsemen, which gather up on the beach. There is no way for the party to run. The horsemen, who numbers were close to hundred men, approached slow. There was nothing for the group to do, but wait.

Lydin's Story Part 2

continued from Lydin's Story Part 1

Day 68
After reaching the town we search for the fletcher. He welcomes us into his home and provides food for my new charge.

We gain important information from him and are granted housing for the night. Strange things happen during the night. Several time during the night we hear screams and see lights. Yue, Tugwyn and Gworeth leave to investigate.

Near morning Gworeth is attacked by Hawber. I heal both and warn them that we must work together to survive, especially in untamed towns like this one.

We leave the fletcher and strike out into the forest. This forest is not a happy place. The undergrowth is harsh, game is scarce. Someone has over hunted to allow a live and vibrant place to reach this point. We reach a rope bridge and cross the river. The far side of the river is where our enemy is massing his troops.

We see many many tracks. The path we are on is used by a great number of people. We follow the path as far as we dare. Yue is attacked from the east side of the path. We look but can not find a source for the attack. We move on but are more cautious.

As dusk approaches I take Screech to find a suitable place to camp. Deadfall is everywhere, but wee need a place where we can safely light a fire. A good stone to defend with would not hurt either. No more than 50 paces from the path I hear a group moving towards me. Screech scents them and is fearful of the scent. I slowly back towards the path and safety trying to see what is stalking us. Whatever it is, it is not natural to these woods. This may be the force that has choked the life out of the forest.

I back onto the path just in front of my enemy. Gworeth and Pandarus have heard the foes approach and have drawn weapons and are ready. Behind me they come out of the woods. They are dead but they move. My masters have taught me of the foul creatures but I have not seen them before.

As they move towards me I think of what my masters have taught me. I have no skill against this type of foe. They move towards me and I am scared. I see Pandarus slash at one of these ugly forms and it falls to the ground. Perhaps if I unleash the forest to trap these abominations I can help the forest kill these monsters. Tugwyn moves past me, he seems to be happy to see these things. He makes some gestures and a dark colored blast takes a creature right in front of me. Part of the creature falls to the forest floor, but it still sinks dirty claws into my arm. I try to keep from retching.

Gworeth and Yue have engaged another group. I slash at this creature in front of me. I falls to the forest floor. I try to put myself between These foul things and Screech. Pandarus slashed through another creature. Hawber is beside me. After attacking Gworeth last night I am unsure if he is there to help us until he crushes the beast that is trying to reach Tugwyn. Tugwyn launches another spell that carves a gaping hole into another of the creatures.

After that each moment blurs into the next. Another of these creatures scores a deep scratch across my chest. Thankfully these creatures are defeated. I would like to burn them, to erase there presence from the world, but it would be too dangerous in this forest. We can not stay here. We start to make our way back to the town. We see a group of men in the distance. They seem to be talking with a group of these monsters we have defeated. One of the men appears to be a prisoner, he wears a sun sigil. I know I should recognize the sigil but I can not seem to recall why. These creatures boil my blood I want to trap them, to cut into them, to use my hands, my teeth, to kill these men that will talk with these monsters.

The men leave on of their own to be attacked by the beasts. The screams, the screams are maddening. We move off to the bridge. We hear the pursuit getting closer. We clear the bridge and watch waiting for these horrible creatures to break through the trees and start to cross the swinging ropes. Hawber is ready to cut the bridge, Pandarus and Gworeth try to stop him. Long moments pass as we wait and watch the far shore. No enemy appears.

We retreat to the town hopefully the fletcher will grant us house guest again this night.

Lydin's Story Part 1

Day 1
I am taken captive! I should have known better than to trust men who wear snakes as sigils.

Day 12
I am alone on the ship except for my cellmates. Yue, Tugwyn, Gworeth and myself shared a small, smelly, room. At times I would grow so tired of that room and of those people, I would wish that the smelly orc and his guards would take me into the torture room. It was painful but it reminded me that the world was still there, that if I waited and took my chance I might still breath free under the trees before I die.

I was not the first taken, Yue and Tugwyn were already in the room when I joined them. Gworeth joined shortly afterwards.

Day 25
I keep sane by counting the hours until I can go an be with the animals again. Time is strange in this room but I think they let me out once a day to care for them. My friend Scratch is up top, she is not doing well. I fear she will die. Some of the guards have been mistreating the mounts. I am doing my best to help them recover.

Day 45
It had been a long time since I have seen the forest.

Day 65
This evening we plotted an escape.

I would hide behind the door. Once that rotten orc entered I would slam shut the door and Yue, Gworeth would attack the bastard while I secured the door. We hoped to kill him and use his weapons on the guards that would surely come to save him.

Day 66
It did not go as planned. After weeks of the same pattern the guards entered the room! Yue and I shared a long look and both bolted out of our prison. We knew we had but one chance. If we could just kill the orc we might have a fighting chance against his guards. Months of being malnourished and torture did us in. Unfortunately, I did not have the strength left to harm the orc. I managed only to burn myself quite badly. Yue made crude attempts but he too failed to score the kill we needed. We had hoped that Gworeth and Tugwyn would be able to win free, but the guards closed the door to the cell separating us.

In the end we managed only to make the wraith of our captures to fall on us rather than our comrades.

Day 67
I awoke to a horrible sound and the floor beneath me shuddered and slid me across the room. Tugwyn tried the door and it was open! A chance for freedom! In our rush to escape we all fell over ourselves as we attempted to exit the room. Once we climbed up onto the top floor we saw immediately that the ship was sinking very quickly.

I rushed to save as many animals as I could. Scratch was already in the water, I play she makes it to shore. One of my dogs is dead, the others are weakened by the crash. Many of the other animals are injured. I doubt I will save many, but I free those I can.

Many of the animals can not make the leap into the water, few of those will make the shore. I hope they have the strength to make the swim. I hope I do. Gworeth and Yue have returned they have not been able to locate our 'friend' the orc. Tugwyn is still in the boat looking for our gear. We can not wait for long we too must make a try for shore. Tugwyn returns empty handed.

We all leave the boat together. I try to help the animals along the way but I am too slow, too tired, I have not recovered from the escape attempt. I do not know how but I make it to shore. I suspect Gworeth pulled me the last half mile. Yue and Gworeth seem to have made the trek without as much difficulty as myself and Tugwyn. His frail form is motionless on the beach. I crawl around looking for signs of Scratch.

If I have lost her I am lost.

I finally find her trail. She is hurt, the trail is bloody. I follow it into a thicket. I can not find her, I have failed her. Finally I stumble upon her, I can feel her fur, now we are whole again. I am too late! Scratch is dead! I can not look at life the same way, how could I have let this happen. She looks whole but the blood trail leads away.

Retching I leave my friend and follow the blood trail. Scratch has done what I could not. I could not save her, but she saved her cub. I did not even notice she was carrying a litter. I will care for him better than I cared for his mother. Screech, I will call him as he is already exercising his lungs.

When I return a group of men riding well fed animals meets us on the beach. Our number has grown by two. Hawber and Pandarus were also captives on that boat. The men talk to us about our enemy. They wish us to assist in revenging their lord on the man who killed Scratch. I agree to this mission.

Alas my dogs did not make the swim successfully. I see signs that some of the other animals made it. Perhaps later we can track some of them and recover what we can.

We move on to a large town to the north. We must find the Fletcher who will assist us further. This is badly used land. It is colder than I am used to and has been over farmed and grazed. There is no game to hunt, no roots for the pot or berries for health and good cheer.