"He can give us the information on his colleagues," Coby considers, rubbing his hairless chin, "and has a score to settle.  His desire for revenge may be of use."

He walks over to Vijan, gesturing for Jorn to follow, shortswords drawn and ready.

"Oi, get up, you!" he shouts, prodding him with his toe.  "You're in big trouble, you are!"

[Private to DM BadCatMan: Trying to keep Vijan in the game, should his player be able to rejoin us.]

Viijan groaned and rolled over, splashing into a puddle. It seemed that he wouldn't be moving for quite a while.

While the Slove and Jorn watched him, Coby and Tulin dashed off to fetch the city watchmen, who it turned out were harder to find as they'd all been taking shelter from the incessant rain. Coby and Tulin returned with a squad of leather-clad pike-wielding watchmen in tow.

Some watchmen shackled Viijan and carried him off to the gaol, still unconscious. The lead watchman took their statements, and Tulin took the lead. The merchant was curiously evasive about the events, instead painting a tale of simple muggers ambushing him in the alley, with "these good and brave sirs here coming to my rescue." Coby, Slove and Jorn couldn't help but go along with the story, between the flattery and the occasional promise of a reward.

The watchmen cleaned up the mess, while a priest passed around healing magic to fix the worst of their injuries, especially Slove's.

Finally Tulin led them back into the tavern, where the first thing he did was to buy stiff drinks all round to steady his nerves.


OOC: 12 hp cured for Slove; Jorn at full health

"We shouldn't tarry overlong," Coby tells the others.  "They've already got a head start, and there's no telling what foul magics they plan with that cursed relic.  We've got to get it back, and into the hands of those who can dispose of it as soon as possible."

Slove looked at the dwarf giving him ugly smile.
He then turns to Coby.
"Slow down Coby.  Make sure you have what you need."
He then turns to Tulin.
"I would skill like to know how you lost the item and how far into the forest you where.  Such information maybe more valuable that just running into forest.  for that mator why did you end up in forest in first place."
Slove clearly want some answers before running after the others.
It clear Slove understanding of forest make him less ready to run into it then others.

"Yes, Slove," Coby rolls his eyes.  "I'm not suggesting we dash off immediately.  I merely suggest we hurry up.  I may be able to track the others if we pick up their trail, unless they can disguise their passage magically."

Before leaving the watchmen, Jorn thanked the priest for his healing.

As he enjoyed his drink, he listened to Tulin, and only nodded as Coby and Slove asked their questions.  He didn't seem to have anything to add or ask yet.

[Private to DM BadCatMan: Is there anything I can come up with from a Knowledge check?]

Tulin mopped his brow, clearly shaken by his experiences. He took a long sip of his  drink, and began his tale. "I run a business exporting and importing goods, all around Aglarond. Some days ago I was approached by a man from Sembia, he wanted me to transport a small item of treasure from here to Glarondar: a drinking horn carved from the horn of a black dragon, bound in platinum and studded with jewels. A tacky thing, but he said a collector there would pay handsomely for it."

He took another sip and went on. "So we loaded up the wagon, my teamsters and guards and I, and we took the road across the Yuirwood. With permission of the Masters of course. But... the journey took rather long than I liked. I was anxious to complete the task and receive payment. I think now that the horn made me uncomfortable, I wanted to get rid of it as quickly as possible. And the payment at the end was an incentive, of course."

"So when we came across what looked like a shortcut to Glarondar, I felt an urge to take it. Uh, the Masters of the Yuirwood aren't particularly strict about trespassing, you see, but still, I'd rather they didn't know..."

"The forest became thicker and more overgrown, but we made good time. When it came time to camp for the night, we looked about for a suitable place. A scout discovered a small clearing, so we headed for there. But there was a problem..."

Now he glanced guiltily in the direction of Slove. "There was a stone circle, like the ancient elves of Aglarond used to build. It was intact. Now, we didn't touch it or interfere with in any way, and we certainly didn't go inside," he insisted. "But there was no other option. I'm really sorry. The Masters probably won't approve, so I'd really rather this stayed between us."

"So we camped, with no problems. Well, uh, young Dynn had nightmares of bizarre monsters, but nothing else. But the next morning, I went to check on the horn - I don't usually, but I felt I had to - and it was gone."

"We looked about everywhere for it - but not inside the circle, certainly not - hoping it had been simply lost. My men are honest, and I've confirmed that none of them was responsible. Finally, we had no choice but to head back to Furthinghome. I went to apologise to my client, but he was nowhere to be found, which worried me more. Later, I heard rumours that he was a mage of power, and the name he'd given me was false. That worried me even more."

"Hoping to have situation resolved quickly and discreetly, I came here in search of adventurers to find the horn. Though I didn't expect Dragon Cultists."

The merchant produced a scroll and unwound it on the table to reveal a map of Aglarond. With a pencil he dotted in a trail leading through the forest, and marked an X at the end, deep in the Yuirwood. "You'll find the circle here, at the end of this trail."

[Private to Jorn Brightcaller: Knowledge (History) 22, Knowledge (Arcana) 18: In ancient days, the Yuirwood was home to the elves of Yuireshanyaar. When humans and orcs began to encroach on their territory (Untherite settlers on the southern coast and later invading orcs in the OrcGate Wars), many of the elves fled to another world, leaving behind ruins and monuments to their culture, including mysterious stone circles.]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:57, Fri 15 Feb 2008.

"How can we contact the Masters?" Coby asks, "For permission to enter?"

Jorn added, "Sounds like the horn led you there. I remember that the old Star Elves of the Yuirwood built lots of circles before they left this world for some hidden realm, but I don't remember any stories about evil, and the Masters work hard to protect the wood from evil powers.  I can't imagine what a horn that was obviously so evil was connected to in that wood.  Might be interesting to find out though."

"Did young Dynn tell you more about the monsters from his nightmares?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:44, Sun 17 Feb 2008.

Slove looks at Tulin Fairweather.
"What ever wrong you did I think the lost of the item has paid for it."  The simple answer tell Tulin that slove considers the subject closed.

"It would be best to contact the master first.  They may have additional information.  If we really lucky they know where the horn is."

He then think about whole picture.
"What are we going to do with item if we do get back.  I want know before we start."

"I have some contacts among the Harpers," Coby says in a low voice.  "They can dispose of this cursed thing safely.  That's actually why I'm here - hunting the horn.  But our opponents are already on its trail, and they won't stop to ask the masters of the wood for permission.  We have to get going."

"I thank you." the merchant nodded and said to Slove.



"It was Dynn's turn for the watch. He was meant to wake the next man, but had obviously fallen asleep. The next morning he said that he saw, well, claimed that he saw... hideous creatures. A monster with four arms and two heads. A skinless dog with no head but a huge snake sprouting from its back... He claims that he saw them appear in the circle before he fainted dead away." He shuddered and tried to dismiss the idea. "But if that were so, then why didn't they attack us as we slept? No, he's got to be covering for falling asleep on watch. Dynn is an excitable lad, and I think he ate too much cheese before bed."



Tulin shook his head. "You don't find the Masters. They will find you, at the forest's edge or thereabouts. And please," he added "Remember to be discreet."

Coby nods.  "Right.  I'm for setting off right away.  Do either of you need any preparation?"

"Unless the creatures he saw were summoned from somewhere else and the circle held the bound..."

OOC: Any ideas what they are?
06:52, Today: Jorn Brightcaller rolled 21 using 1d20+6. KS: Planes check.



Jorn shook his head. "I'm ready."

"Could have just been a vision," Coby suggests.  "Often they include creatures that exist nowhere but in the mind.  I think they're called metaphors."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:07, Sun 17 Feb 2008.

Slove was not really intersted if the why and if over monster the man thought he saw.

"I am always ready to move Coddy.  I have all I need."

Slove starts to walk of slowly.
"See you soon Tulin."

Coby gives Tulin a smile and a wave before heading off after Slove.

"Slove," be begins slowly, "I may have misjudged you, and I apologize.  Let's try and work together peacefully to defeat this evil."

[Private to Jorn Brightcaller: Jorn could think of a dozen creatures with four arms, but two heads was rather more difficult to place. Given the vague and unreliable description, it was hard to say what the creatures might have been. But the dog-like creature nagged at him somehow, like something out of a long forgotten nightmare.

Once, when he was but a small child at his mother's knee, she'd told him tales of  a boogeyman out of dwarven myth: Gormauth Souldrinker, the Lurker Deep Below. His hunting hound was said to be a dog with runes for skin and no head but a snake's maw erupting from its back. The beast hunted and devoured young dwarves who strayed too far from the clanhold and into unexplored caves.

Clearly it was just a tale told to frighten young dwarves. Nothing like that could really exist...]

"One more thing..." Tulin interrupted, and reached into his purse. The merchant produce a handful of coins which he passed around. "For saving my life. Thank you. There shall be much more if you return with the Grail."

"If they show up, I shall tell your acquaintances what happened. If they are willing, I'll shall send them after you as back-up." He took off his floppy hat solemnly. "I wish you luck."


OOC: 100 gp each.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:44, Sun 17 Feb 2008.

Rising back out of his thoughtful reverie, Jorn shuddered as though at some half-remembered nightmare.

When he was handed the coins, he bowed his thanks to Tulin. "And thanks for the wish of luck as well.  I only hope that we don't have to sink to luck instead of knowledge."

He glanced at his companions, the bag jingling in his hand. "And maybe we should use this to speed us along our way.  I don't know about you, but I would certainly travel faster on a horse than on these short legs.  And while I have some rations, if this trip runs longer than a tenday, I'll be getting hungry.  With a horse, I can carry more food as well."

OOC: Looking for:
Light horse      75 gp
Riding Saddle    10 gp
Saddlebags        4 gp
20 days feed      1 gp
10 days rations   5 gp
This message was last edited by the player at 02:11, Tue 19 Feb 2008.

Coby quickly heads out to the livery stable, eager to finance a new mount.  He'd name him Felix.

[Private to DM BadCatMan: picking up:

light horse    75gp
bit and bridle  2gp
riding saddle  10gp
saddlebags      4gp
rations (10)    5gp

leaving him 4gp for his stash.]

Slove give Jorn a sideways look.
He wiggles his noise is unpleasent way.
"You know what I think about the stupied animals.  Only good for eating."
He again wiggles his noise.
"Food however maybe useful.  It stop me having to run around trying to fill your fat belly and so wast time."
Slove grins at dwarf and winks.  He then heads off with him find some food.

OOC:
10 days rations.  5gp

Coby stares after Slove.  "He's riding with you," he tells Jorn.  "If he refuses to ride, he's staying behind.  We can't afford to move at an unmounted pace."

Slove turns to Coby.
"Leave me behind if like.  I don't care.  But if you stand by your statement then you must put your money and life behind it or shut up making such stupid comments."
Slove spits on his hand.
He says something in elvish which clearly a clerical oath.
He then says it in human.
"Solonor Thelandira who I serve.  I will walk to forest and you can use a normal horse from stables in town.  If you leave me behind I will give 10% of all I ever gain in money to your god.  If however I prove that in race I could get to the forest before you on your horse with all your luggage then you must spend 10% of all your money on buy land back from your human kind and turning it into free forest that any may hunt feely in.  You yourself but become it guardian.  With temple to your own god as well.  That only far."
Slove look a the boy dead in face.
"Are you willing back up your words with clerical oath and your life work or are you just blowing of wind?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:48, Tue 19 Feb 2008.

Coby laughs.  "Elf, only a fool would make or take such a bet, and only a fool's god would sanctify such an oath.  Unless you worship a god of trickery, you should beg forgiveness for attempting deception in your god's name, to earn something so petty as coin."

He turns to go, calling over his shoulder. "Use divine magics to expedite your travel to the wood if you must, but don't think me some fool who doesn't know the powers of the gods."

He raises his hands to the sky.  "Lady Tymora, should the elf Slove never say another foolish thing, I vow to wager 10% of my earnings in your gambling halls!"

He turns to Jorn, laughter ebbing. "I'm serious.  I'm not waiting for him."

Slove falls in with Jorn.
"Do you think Coby will ever stop telling me what a can and can't do?"