Inas and Marissa join the rising road that leads up through the town of Peryn's Crag.  It is deep night on their arrival as they lead the ponies carrying the unconscious Saliq and Rath.  The town is strangely active, and just as strangely hushed.

No guards stop them, in fact, there appears to be neither guards nor a gate.

The people in the city are about their business, but move quietly and speak in soft voices leaving an odd impression for so much activity.  As to the people, well more than half are gnomes, while dwarves and elves make up a large part, and then a variety of strange races, from a sphynx, at least one storm giant, even some trolls and other usually darker creatures.

As the group moves up the main road, several of the denizens nod in acknoledgement and even a few seem to stop and say a prayer and wave the party onward and upward.  About midway up through the city there is a courtyard where three gnomes in yellow robes step out and one lays a hand on the lead pony. The other two move over to examine Saliq and Rath.

The gnome nearest the front says,  "Welcome to our town, worry not you have done right to come here.  I am Mallach, and will be assigned to you during your stay.  Continue all the way to the top, only Peryn himself has the ability to heal these two. Once they are healed, I will arrange for a place for you to rest."

Mari finds herself speechless, and suddenly very weary. Looking at Inas, she raises an eyebrow as if to suggest, 'Let's get them situated, then find our own rest at the end of a long travel.'

Assuming Inas does not disagree, the party continues up through the narrow but somewhat beautiful town.  The Crag narrows as it rises and despite the night, a spectacular and at times somewhat frightening view of the land beyond draped in starlight is seen between buildings.  At last, they reach a large temple.  It is simple but carved of stone directly from the crag itself.  The wide tall entry is open and has no doors.

Inside is a huge courtyard covered with trees and shrubs and gardens.  It smells of herbs and flowers.  There are walled pools of water throughout as well, and the roof is high and open through many archways casting a pattern of light across the scene.

There is a clear path through the foliage and it is wide enough for two ponies to ride side by side.  Following it, it meanders to the center of the great room where an open circle of smooth stone exists with two chairs setting within it.  There is a small man seated in one chair, the other is empty but he rises and waves you forward. The small man is gnomish, bald with a whispy white beard and wears a white robe.  He rises and give you a most comforting of smiles as he indicates with a guesture you should remove the injured and bring them to the ground.

After helping to gently get Inas and Saliq off the ponies, he studies them for a few quiet moments. "What manner of construct did this to them?"

Bruised and broken, Rath dreamed flitting, disturbing things, while amidst the tattered shadows of his imaginings moved a graceful, ineffable woman in white.

The gnome listens as Inas and Marissa describes the battle and creature that did the damage, nodding a few times, and continuing to check the injured.

Finally, he says, "The bad news is that many golems injuries are hard to heal, the one you describe.  Well, only a few mortals in the world have such gifts.  The good news is, I am one of them".

He closes his eyes and lays hands upon Rath and then Saliq, and in mere moments almost all their wounds heal, not just the wounds, but they are revived, as if they had slept a good nights sleep and awake fresh and rested.

Inas marvels at the seeming ease with which the gnome heals Rath's and Saliq's wounds.  "Thank you very much.  To whom are we indebted for this aid?"

Mari stares in wonder at the miraculous healing, reaches out to touch both Saliq and Rath on their arms.

"I thought you both were going to die," she said. Turning to the gnome, she added, "Your work is a wonder. I stand humble before you, a mere initiate when compared to such strength."

She bows deeply, in court fashion, shaken and awed by the miracle performed.

"I would learn more from you, Master, if you would teach it," she said humbly.

"There are no debts here, nor any power in these hands, I am but a conduit, but am happy to have been of service.  I am but Peryn's current chosen Keeper.  Feel free to use these gardens while you are here to meditate or simply rest, if you seek council, I will gladly share what small wisdom I have".

Saliq gets to his feet, blinking in surprise, his astonishment only growing as he looked down at his uninjured body. 'What happened and where are we?'

"You're in a place called Peryn's Crag," Mari replied. "You've been healed of your injuries. The healing was well beyond anything that I could do."

"I guess one bit of counsel we need is: how do we deal with that golem?  It seemed to be targeting these two; hunting them.  And we couldn't do anything to it."

"Also, we'd like to seek out some folks we know that we believe are here."

Rath opened his eyes slowly and looked around. Afflicted by none of the horrible pains and weakness that he had experienced last time he had been raised from the dead, Rath concluded that either he had not died or he had died and was still dead. This wasn't Hell, because Marissa was here. It wasn't Heaven, be Rath most certainly was here. Then he realized there was another alternatives. The Dream?

But this seemed real. Might was well treat it that way.

He had barely registered the conversation. Now, he carefully got to his feet and looked over the wispy white gnome and gave a respectful nod. For now, he just listened and tried to put the pieces together.

The gnome looks happy to see both the men healed and on their feet.

"My knowledge of golems is sadly lacking, but I will pray on the matter and see what guidance I may be granted.  I will also check the history of healing texts kept in our library to see if they can offer any help.  a If someone else is here that you wish to meet with, Mallach will know where they are and can arrange a meeting." realizing the two were not awake when Mallach introduced himself, he adds, "Mallach is assigned to you during your stay, anything you need, he will be your contact".

With Rath and Saliq healed and feeling nearly perfect, the party leaves the high temple of Peryn.  Saliq and Rath having been unconscious on the way up, marvel at the city that lies below them.  Build on and into the massive rocky crag, it soars high into the night sky, lit from many lights.  It is very busy for the middle of the night, nothing seems closed, and though business as usual for a small city is ongoing, there is a quiet to it lacking in most cities.  People speak softly, the streets and paths are lined with something like sand dampening the sound of wagons and footsteps alike.

Mallach is waiting for you, and quickly introduces himself to previously injured before leading you down the street a short ways to a building on the western side, the sign reads "Clouds Perch".  Inside is a very nice simple inn, with a bar in the main floor, and a stairwell leading up to rooms above.  Mallach indicates four rooms are already reserved for you.  As you look around at the half filled tables, you spy one large enough for the four of you, with just a single other occupant. Derien, the Doorwarden sits along drinking from a clay mug.

Rath spoke with Mallach. "You've got a nice, peaceful city here," he said. "Far cry from Stormhaven. What's the story? You gotta understand this is all pretty strange to us."

Inas says "hmph" and follows with "Yeah, peace and quietude aren't near us often."

Mallach smiles at the compliment of the place,

"It is peaceful in many ways.  Peryn's Crag is the only city I've heard of entirely devoted to the healing of the sick and injured.  Healing goes on all day and night, which is why our town is both active always, and, has made an effort to be peaceful and quiet at all hours. To the extent that is possible.   While we have all the needs of any city, inns, restaurants, taverns, shops, and whatnot, most of what you see along the roads are various homes devoted to specialized treatments.  Only the most dire cases come here from all over the world, strange illnesses, strange creatures and races, unknown poisonings, rare diseases, complex wounds, curses, madnesses.   The fact that most who live here are devoted to the healing of others tends to create a population that is mostly benevolent.  No one is perfect mind you, but yes, it is a very peaceful place".

Mari adds her grin to Rath's and Inas' observations. She mostly listens to the conversations, her thoughts flittering about, from the Wraith and her crew on the high seas to this place of peace and purpose. She feels a real kinship with these folk, hopes that she can learn a bit more about them before they must press on.

"Tell me more of this place's history," she said at an opportune break in the conversation. "Has it ever been attacked?"

Mallach continues to lead the way towards the Clouds Perch as he speaks.

"Stories tell that many ages ago, an older gnomish priest, Vorrik, who lived in the mountains nearby was witness to a terrible battle.  Many of his people were gravely injured or killed and though he did all he could, still, he lost many, and more after that to disease that followed the battle and carnage.  He nearly went mad with his grief and lost his faith, and wandered the many mountain trails alone for many years.  When he saw this lone crag sticking up as it does, he decided to climb to the top, and throw himself off.  However, when he arrived at the pinnacle, there was already an old priest waiting for him.  There was a garden and a well, but no town, no temple.  This priest was the first known Peryn, and he healed Vorrik's mind and heart, and asked him to go forth and bring all the sick, ill, and wounded he encountered to his garden for healing.  It is said, as reward for his service, Vorrik was made young again and became the next Peryn.  Of course, you know how tales are..."  He trails off.


"Attacked, I, uh...hmmmm...never considered it, but now that I do, I don't believe so."

Rath replied with grim urgency to his companions, "We need to find what we came for and get out of here. Trouble's always on our heels, and I wouldn't bring it to this place."

"I am looking for the Lord Mayor's former seneschal to get answers to questions that I have."

Saliq eyes had widened as he saw a familiar face. Walking across the inn's floor he took a seat next to Derien.

'Greetings Doorwarden... it seems we are both far from home.'

Rath stode over to the bar to find what sort of fare this place offered and then joined Saliq at the table. He grabbed a chair, turned it around backward, and sat down straddling it. He didn't join in the conversation unless invited.

As the four adventurers join Derien at the table, a waiter, a young man who is think but nicely dressed approaches.  You find they have mild ale, cider, wine, even apple brandy to drink as well as water, and juice.  The dinner of the evening is a plate of cooked sliced potato's with a stew of mushrooms and lentils and hearty bread and butter.

Derien, never known to being overly engaged, actually smiles as you sit, and nods back to Saliq.

"It is good to see familiar faces.  I apologize for Ingelbern not being here, I am afraid his treatment is still not complete.  How fares Stormhaven when you last saw it?".

For lack of something stronger, Rath asked for ale; and for lack of meat, he set in on the potatoes and stew. Almost he broke his intention to leave the conversation to Saliq to answer the doorman, but he bit back his answer, which might have been snide, cynical, or sarcastic.

Inas answers Derien with one word.  "Odd."  He then adds:  "What is Ingelbern being treated for?"

"I'm sure if you are here seeking him out, you know all is not well inside Stormhaven Keep.  Several key members of the city were ailing with an unusual malady including the Lord Mayor.  Nothing seemed to help, so Ingelbern asked for help from the Guild, and though our master is no healer, he did know about this place.  It is nearly a place of myth to most people, but he had me escort Ingelbern to Peryn's Crag in hope of seeking a cure.".

He leans in and quiets his voice, although he isn't sure its necessary, perhaps just old habits.

"What they found was that he had been poisoned.  They found a stinger lodged in the base of his spine, from what creature, they do not know. So deep, it was invisible to simple examination.   Removing the stinger was difficult, and it began immediately to clear the poison from his body.  But the side effect of this is that he went quite mad."


"The stinger continues to produce poison, even removed, as if it is, itself, somehow alive.  They are having to give small amounts of that poison to Ingelbern to keep him calm enough that he doesn't go completely mad.  They are hoping they can wean him off of it in time by slowly reducing the dose".

As almost an afterthought, Derien adds, "While you are here, do mind being checked....for a stinger?

"Hell no I don't mind!!  In fact, I insist!"

Derien nods, "I'll arrange it, tomorrow morning.  You should probably visit Peryn first thing though."

"I'm with Inas on that one. Though I don't recall any painful stings, one cannot be too careful."

If no more conversation of note takes place, the late night begins to feel even later after a good meal and some drinks.  The party enjoys a rare night in a very nice private room with little chance of danger at the doorstep.

The next morning, during breakfast, Derien returns with several red robed clerics who ask to examine each person, in the privacy of their room.  It takes little time and just a physical check of lower back, along with a spell of prayer and soon everyone is assured they are not "stung".

After breakfast, Mallach arrives and says that Peryn has asked to speak with you again.

A trip back to the high temple shows the town to be simple and nice in the daylight, not so mysterious and lovely though as it had been at night.  However, the opposite is true of the views.  The western view in particular, fog over a great patchwork of green forest and far, far off, deep blue of the see.   Returning to the old gnome, you find him again in the center of the garden, and he greets with a warm smile.

"I have prayed on the subject and also studied the lore of healing we have on golems, and I have some news for you.  It may be incomplete, but it is a starting point.   Vengeance Golems simply cannot be harmed in any meaningful way.  Once put to a task, they will forever work to achieve it.  To create one, requires not only powerful dark magic, but also a very powerful artifact.  The artifact is inside the Golem to give it its immense strength and power it, but if it the artifact is removed,  The Golem will quit its mission and return to its creator, and there before him, it will crumble. Based on the wounds from those who were healed here ages ago, those who successfully stopped such a golem, they were often missing limbs or hands,  so I am guessing the artifacts were often found in the creatures mouth."

"So. We get the artifact, follow the golem to the creator, and finish this." Rath was quite certain that saying it was easy. Accomplishing it would be somewhat more difficult. He turned to Marissa. "For what it's worth, I think you'd look great with a prosthetic hook. Very, uh, thematic."

"I'd prefer an eyepatch, truth told," Mari replied.

"What if we just kill the golem's creator, instead?"