"Enelye, let's go the way we did last time. I'd rather go a way we know, rather than run into some new folly."

Which Way?

Hrothgar sat astride his horse outside the entrance to the Village of Harm. Should he go North and then west to the Last Bridge, over the River Ox, then southwest through the hills to the Tower? Or simply go back to the Tower the way the shepherd led him to the tower initially, crossing the River southwest of town?

Hrothgar, What will you do?

"On to the tower, then." Hrothgar said.

On the Road

Hrothgar, Enelye, Caradog, and Jorgen met at the gate to Harm, armed and ready to explore the Tower of Udd further. Hrothgar, emboldened by the healing draughts the preist had given him, spurred his horse down the road to the Tower.

(You can follow the New Kings Road and cross the River Ox, then overland through the hills, or cross in about the same spot you came back from which is roughly a straight line to the tower. River is swift, but you made your fording rolls last time) See new map:

Hrothgar, What will you do?

"Allright then," Hrothgar said. "Rest up tonight, we leave tomorrow first light."

No response

No one bothered to approach Hrothgar. No one even bothered to look up. It was clear that the rest had more pastoral lives.

Hrothgar, what do you want to do?

"Great!", Hrothgar said. "Anymore?"

Alrik

The clean shaven man, after being rebuffed by the serving girl, stands up, carefully wipes off any crumbs from his clothes, straightens his jacket, and walks casually over to the corner table.

"Good day sir", he nods to Hrothgar."Lady." nodding to Enelye. "I am Jorgen Alheim. I may be of service to you. I have a good sword arm. And since my luck here seems to be wearing thin, I would enjoy a new opportunity. I am in for a full share." He extends his hand to Hrothgar.

"I like this guy," Hrothgar turned to Enelye. "A bit creepy, but we need bodies. Write down his name.
Next!"

Caradog

(used without permission)

The giant of a man finished his stew, wiped his mouth on his arm, grabbed his dirk, and walk right over to Hrothgar. "I'm in. Full share. I'm ok with a sword." He leaned down to Hrothgar and said unbelieveably delicately and quietly. "I'm better at other things."

He then turned around and headed to the bar and ordered a pitcher of ale. HE drank from the pitcher like a tankard.

Hrothgar, What do you do?

"Anyone else?" Hrothgar shouted to the crowd. "No fops need apply."

WHAT!

"Well sir! I have never been more insulted. I do not know how you do business. It is a simple contract. I do not wish to do business with you sir. Now or Ever!

Ulf stands up quickly, upsetting the table and spilling enelye's and Hrothgars drinks. Ulf strides quickly away andtoward the front door of the Weary Tankard.

Hrothgar what do you do?

Hrothgar took the paper, studied it closely, lightly scratching his beard. He then proceeded to tear the contract into small scraps. "This will make fine starter for the camp fire." He glared at Ulf intently. "A handshake does fine where I come from".

An agreement

Ulf scratched his beard, looked at the merchant he was travelling with, then turned to Hrothgar, "You have a deal. Shall we sign an agreement as such?" Ulf reached into a satchel slung across his chest and hanging to his waist and pulled out a bundle of parchment sheafs.

"I just so happen to have one made up here," He said rifling through the papers. "Here we go." He sat down at the table. Pulled out an ink well and pen and began to write on an already almost fully filled out paper, read and murmuring aloud as he read and filled out the rest.

"I, the undersigned, do hereby agree,....mummble mumble mumble, one full share in all proceeds from said journey, and until such time....mumblemumble mumble, in addition rations as described ... mumble mumble mumble...but does not include... mumble mumble, therefore I," He turned to Hrothgar, "Hrothgar is it?" He wrote it anyway knowing ot was his name. "I Hrothgar, do hereby agree and certify that this debt will be paid....mumble mumble mumble...this second week of summer."

He slid the paper over to Hrothgar. "Please do sign on the line so we may execute our agreement." He extended his hand forward with the pen for Horthgar to sign.

Hrothgar what do you do?

Hrothgar gave a slight growl. "Everyone splits the shares even. In this case three ways. I'll pay for your grub, but you can sharpen your own damn sword."

The corner booth

Hrothgar sat in the corner booth, in relative darkness, across from Enelye.

The man in the slashed leather jerkin got up from his droning companinon and walked directly over to Hrothgar.

He stood in front of him, confident. "My name is Ulfwick Fornier. Most everyone calls me Ulf. I have a steady sword arm and could stand to be away from that yacking fool. I must demand a full share, plus traveling rations and a new edge on my blade. If that is acceptable to you I shall be available to accompany you on this, well what ever it is you are doing." He waved his gloved hand in disregard. "Please let me know, directly so I may end my association with that pratteling old fool." Pointing over his shoulder at the man he was sitting with.

Hrothgar What do you do?

A proclamation

Hrothgar, still wearing his magic cloak, jump atop the nearest bench.


"Citiznes!", he shouted above the din,"I beg but a moment of your time. I am Ranor, servant to mighty adventurer Hrothgar." Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Enelye rolling her eyes. He continued "we seek brave retainers for a perilous quest. All will enjoy an even split of what treasures are found. Gentlemen, and ladies, there is glory enough for all.

Those interested should come to this corner table", he said pointing.

Hrothgar hopped down and retired to the back where he could remove his cloak and return as the mighty Hrothgar.

Hmph...

HRothgar got up and walked to the one nearest to their booth. It was the giant of a man, eating ferociously at his stew.

Hrothgar what do you do?

"Let's try 'em all." He got up from the table and approached the closest one.

Weary Tankard - Interior

"What are you wearing Enelye?" said under her breath as she sat down.

Hrothgar told her the story of Apollonius, and his generosity and Hrothgar's good fortune.

"Well I spoke to Lord Northewode. Gruff fellow. Not full of meeriment or life at all it seems. Somber and sullen. He was very interested in our daggers and where they came from. He was also puzzled by the ease at which we found them. Most of those kind of relics were discovered and melted down or destroyed generations ago." Enelye paused, "I think he wants to make sure the evils that parts of his ancestors wrought are not coming back to haunt him in the present. The books and the mysterious scrawl were all very disturbing to him. He said to raze the tower if we needed to, he didn't care. But as Lord, he insisted on updates when we come back and forth on anything related to the Northewode legends and name. I kept the books to see if it would help us."

Another pause...

"He was an adventurer you know. Pretty good at it as well. Most of Harm was built out of his coffers. Appollonius was one of his travelling mates. He talked a bit about that as well. He is maimed now, and old, but would have been quite sight in his day."

"So I assume you want to go back. I would like to as well. We had better see if we can find another sellsword to help us."

Enelye scanned to tavern. It was time for the midday meal and the tavern had become quite full as  they had talked. Merchants, tradesmen, craftsmen, and some travellers crowded the tables. Several potential people stood out as neither farmers or merchants. A littleling woman in the corner who was deftly drank flaggons of beer and ate massive amounts of pie at the same time, a very trim and clean man in travelling clothes, who was trying very hard to seduce the serving girl, a massive man, soft around the middle, in a very worn padded jerkin, hungrily scrafing stew, with a large dirk prominently laying on the table next to him, and finally, a foppish sort of man in a slashed and embroidered black leather jerkin with a soft cap with a long white-tipped blue feather coming out of it sat impassively as another man he was sitting with droned on with big grand gestures.

"Any of those look good to you?", she said to Hrothgar.

Hrothgar, what do you want to do?

"Enelye, keep yer voice down. It's me, Hrothgar." he said in his real voice. "Sit down and try not to attract attention."

Enelye

Enelye walked into the Waery Tankard. She looked around for Hrothgar. He looked at her sideways from his corner booth as she walked in. She looked outfitted for travel, and no worse for the talking to from the Baron.

She walked over to the barkeep, who pointed her in the direction of Hrothgar. He still had his hood up, concealing his face. Enelye looked at Hrothgar with a puzzled look then walked slowly to his table. Upon reaching it she said, "Rufus tells me you are looking for me? I do not think I recognize you sir. Who may you be and what may I help you with?" She stood in front of Hrothgar casually, but defiantly, not knowing it was him.

Hrothgar, what do you do?

"I'll have beer while I wait for her," Hrothgar said.

Rufus

"She was in here last night talking to a somber gent. Haven't seen her but the other one lit outta here after the Captain of the Guard smacked him in the face." Rufus chuckled," I reckon the other one and the elf got into some places they shouldn'ta. They went west onto the Marches. Came back with some treasure, but also got a boastful, pain in the neck, killed. So I reckon the Baron wanted to hear their story." Rufus , casually cleaned the bar. "So, you be buying anything, or maybe some lodging? I'm all talked out."

Hrothgar looked around and saw several people already enjoying the Tankards sweet ales and dark draughts.

Hrothgar strode over to the bar and slapped a few gold pieces on the bar.
"Have seen an eleven woman?," Hrothgar tried to pitch his voice different. "She would have been here earlier in the company of a tall handsome, dark haired fellow. She then left with some of the local constabulary".

Weary Tankard part Deux

Hrothgar strode into the Weary Tankard, his face concealed under the hood and cape. The barman looked at him strangely. Hrothgars face was not his own, an amalgom of everyman. It was a little unsettling to look at because of its plastic nature. And futher, it was a nice day out and the cape made him look suspicious. But some folks preferred to be anonymous these days.

"Name's Rufus, get you somethin?" said the barman to Hrothgar.

Hrothgar threw on the cloak, mounted his horse, and made way for the Weary Tankard.

On with it

"Well then, I am sure you can do all that you want. I am most puzzled by the fact of how long and hard was the journeys for us to secure the artifacts of Uddilon's demise nad you found one, on one trip so close to Harm." Apollonius scratched his stubbly face. "This may mean nothing, a lost cache unearthed by accident. Or it could be something else. Either way, I am sure Jeremiah would welcome the scouring of the Tower if it is over run by vile things. and maybe you will know more of this mystery when you are done."

"Since you seem eager for your friend to return, and eager to be back exploring, I will assume she is a traveling companion. And one seeking adventure?"

Hrothgar nodded. He simply did not care about the intrigue and the history of these people and their fall. Apollonius seemed a nice enough fellow, and apparently had sought and secured his fortune and fame by his hand, like Hrothgar simply wanted to do. He thought of abandoning Enelye, but realized he needed her bow and sword. And a couple others if he was going to do this again.

Apollonius continued."Well then, I will talk to Jeremiah and have him call off his hounds. and you should go try to find some more like minded sword hands if you are going to go back to the Tower."

He raised his bulk up from the chair with an unnatural grace and moved over to the chest. He reached in and pulled out a tan, worn, sack cloth cloak with a hood. It also had a simple metal broach and chain to secure the cloak together when worn.

"You may find this useful while you are in town. At least until I can talk to Jeremiah." He handed it to Hrothgar.

Hrothgar thought, "Great a cloak crappier than the crapp one I'm wearing now." Hrothgar grabbed the cloak. "Thanks" he said.

"You seem overwhelmed by your fortune. Take of yours and put it on", said Apollonius.

Hrothgar removed his worn cloak and put the scratchy, tattered cloak on and clasped the broach and chain.

"Put the hood on", said Apollonius.

Hrothgar put the hood on. "OK so its a crappy cloak with a hood."

"Now look into this mirror," said Apollonius plainly.

Hrothgar looked into the polished mirror. In front of him stood his boots, his legs, his body and chest, his arms, but not his face. It was a face he did not recognize. A simple face, without definition, odd, plain, blank, shadowed under the hood of the cloak. Startled, he quickly pulled back the hood and his true face was revealed.

He had never seen magic like this before. He had only seen the magic of the Battle Mages. Fiery and fearsome. This was sublte and it unnerved him.

"The hood, while up, will create in the viewers eyes, a different face. Like a mask. At first it will be non descript and plain. As you begin to use the cloak and experiment with it, it will make all manner of faces. Concentration and practice are the key." Apollonius smiled. He couldn't resist the urge. He took the cloak from HRothgars shoulders, unclasped the chain and put it on. At first the face under the hood was a young fine haired and suntanned youth. It then shifted to a gruff, battlescarred and stubble face old mercenary, it then morphed into a blue, misty, glowing god-like face, completely smooth, then a fearsome orc, and finally a old crone.

He took off the cloak and handed it back to Hrothgar, who stood stunned by the display. "You see it just takes some practice."

"Come with me." Apollonius pulled Hrothgar back into the church. Light was streaming into the church now, truly transforming the church to a kaleidescope of color and wonder. Apollonius went to the alter, fished around underneath, and pulled out three vials. He quickly filled them up with holy water from the flowing font. Next he went back into his room and returned with a leather bottle with a strap and stopper. He filled this too with water from the font.

He began weaving a picture in the air with his fingers again. Again the bule light seemed to follow his motions. The blue light spilled from the opening of the leather bottle. Then he stopped.

"Take these. You will need them. The vials are holy water. To be thrown at evil, vile creatures. They will be aghast at its presence of pure goodness and light. The canteen is full of enchanted water. It will heal your wounds, thanks to the goodness and light of All Father Purl." Apollonius handed them to Hrothgar. 

Apollonius was clearly excited.. Roused to action and drunk on preparations for adventuring. Hrothgar nodded, "Apollonius, would you be interested in accompanying us to the Tower." Appolonius stopped and  looked at Hrothgar. "I thank you son, but my place is here. To help the people of Harm get through their daily lives. They need me. And I them." Apollonius seemed slightly older, slower and less radiant now.

"I think you should be on your way. It is mid-day and the cloak should shield you on your way to the Weary Tankard. You'll find help there. Sword arms are always available for a price. Although their skill varies. I will tell your friend she can meet you there. Watch for her, because she will not recognize you if you have the cloak on. Good Luck. I will talk to Jeremiah when he will see me." Apollonius led Hrothgar out the door. Apollonius breathed in the fresh air deeply. "Yes sir, fine day!" he said to no one in particular and smacked his hugely round belly.

"Hullo my dear, come inside." A simply dressed woman was carrying a small child wincing in pain, holding his arm. "He was climbing the apple trees and fell and..." Apollonius closed the front doors to the church and Hrothgar was left standing on the stone stairs.

Hrothgar waht do wish to do?     

"Well, he can keep his bloody daggers for all I care. I just want him out of my hair. I'm headed back into that tower for treasure. Nothing more.

Interesting

"Well, I had no idea Jeremiah was looking for you. He is hard to take at times when he is being lord of the manor. Did he say what he wanted?"

Hrothgar replied simply about the dagger he had sold, and where and how he found it, and fetched one of them from his saddle bags and brought it to the Cleric to show him.

"Well, my son," Apollonius traced the cresent and dagger shape on the scabbard of the knife with his sausage like fingers. " I believe this would have sparked Jeremiah's attention." 

Apollonius stood up and walked over to a chest behind his desk, unlocked it with a wave of his hand, opened it and dug around inside. He pulled out a small wooden box. He pulled out three silver chains, with a medallion at the ends. He brought it over to Hrothgar. One had the cresent and dagger embossed on it. The other had a giant tree and roots, and the other had a embattled round tower. They were old coins and well tarnished.

"These are necklaces from the history of the Northwode Family. Jeremiah, myself and a few others, retrieved these after many months and much hardship in the West. We each kept ours to remind us of our bond to Jeremiah, and his to us. They were acquired at great cost. Each blazon represents one of Lord Northwode's sons, four generations ago. The blazons were given to the sons as their symbol of manhood, independence, honor, and fealty to the Northwode name. They were to be the bastions of light in the wilderlands of the west. They all failed. Some bravely, some not." He hands the dagger back to you.

"The ruin you explored is the long abandoned, and long silent, or so it was thought, wizards tower and complex of the first son of Lord Esmoor Northwode, Uddilon. An inquisitive and thoughtful lad the stories say. With peircing light blue eyes. And with an all consuming desire about the heavens, stars, and the ethereal. Some say he was marked by the gods when he was born. He had a gimp arm and a stooped back, and a purple mark the size of a hand across his face. But his palsy did not affect his mind, or his legs. He became a renowned runner, thinker and wizard. Until his curiousity led to his downfall."

"His brothers Etherbert, and Simon were destroyed in the fall, as chaos pushed so violently against the west, driving everyone eventually east. Jeremiah, is the son of Thomasyn Northwode, son of Robert, son of Etherbert and is the current Lord Northwode, sole survivor of a very proud family."

"So you can see why he might have some interest."  

   

     

  

"Brother," Hrothgar started, "you've been kind to me, so let me tell you about myself."
He took a long draw from the mug. "My father, the loving parent that he was, sold me off to the legions when I was eight. Though I be but 19 now, I have fought in six campaigns, trudged across countless leagues, been beaten, screamed at, and given orders most of my life. So, when I show up in your quaint little village, and the first thing that happens is an order to show up for local lord, you can imagine how I felt."
He lowered his mug and eyed Appolonious.

Come have a drink, son.

Apollonius pats Hrothgars horse and whispers to him. He stamps his feet and then begins eating attentively the tall grass next to the wall of the graveyard.

Apollonius puts his arm around Hrothgar. Hrothgar drops the lead to his horse and walks contentedly with Apollonius into the back of the church. You enter through a side door towards the

"This is my humble hosts church. He has been a force of light and power and conviction in my life. May he bless you in yours." He holds two fingers up, with is thumb out to the side and makes a wide circle in the air with his hand. The wide circle turns into a spiral that breifly glows blue trailing Apollonius' hand.

He turns to Hrothgar, I think I could use a drink. He pulls Hrothgar into a side door that leads to Apollonius office. It is a simple room. It has a desk and a comfortable chair, bookcases and a map table, a wardrobe without doors that is stuffed with rolled up scrolls, and a seating area with a fireplace, two reading chairs and a rug of some beast that is not readily recognizable. Above the the mantle you notice an enormous iron banded and studded cudgel. It is inscribed with runes and symbols, of which you recognize the one that Apollonius just inscribed in the air out in the church's aisle.

He guides you to a seat by the fireplace, goes to his desk and pulls out a bottle and two short glasses. He fills the glasses and hands you one. You notice the glass is crystal clear and heavy. You have never seen a glass as exquisite. The spirits are warm and burning and they go down your throat. And you feel revived and full of energy.

He comes over and fills his massive bulk into the other chair by the fire. "Here's to your health son. You look like you could use it." He takes a long draw off of his glass. "So friend, tell me of yourself and your lass. Maybe I can help."  

Hrothgar, what do you do?        

Hrothgar folded the note, and slipped it into a pocket.
"Our meeting has been delayed,"he said, and turned to the priest. "Is it alright if I stay here till she arrives?"

The Note

Hrothgar opened the not. It was written in very beautiful script.

"Hrothgar,

I have been summoned to Lord Northewode's keep because of the daggers we sold. I don't think they mean me harm, but want to discuss where we found them and what we saw. They mentioned they were summoning you, but I suspect that has not gone well. I will meet you at the graveyard when I am done. I have discovered many interesting things in the tomes I secured from the Tower.

Enelye"

"Is everything alright son?" questioned Apollonius touching Hrothgar's shoulder. "Why don't you tie your horse up here and we can talk?"

Hrothgar felt an overwelming sense of goodness slowly creep over his body from his shoulder to his toes.

Hrothgar what do you wish to do?

Apollonius

"Well, I'm no Father, except to my daughters, but I would welcome you to be my Brother, and I yours," said the holy man. He chuckled at the father comment. It was a remanant from the old, failed religion of the west. "I am Apollonius, High Cleric of Purl, and this is His Church. I am its caretaker and caregiver."

"I don't believe I recognize you from around here. Is your lady friend from around here? Maybe I know her father. Maybe I could help?"

As Apollonius was speaking to you, you see Enelye leave the front of the Collective House with the guards of Lord Northewode. She walks and talks to the sergeant in what appears to be a pleasant manner. She is carrying the books she took from the Tower. She follows the guards up the hill to the keep.

As she disappears behind the keeps' gate, the halflling boy from the Collective House walks across the street and up to Hrothgar. He hands him a note and runs away.

Apollonius chuckles at the boys' hurried run away from the grizzly looking Hrothgar.

Hrothgar, what do you want to do? 

"Well, you've caught me, brother. I guess you could say it's mischief". Hrothgar tried his most sheepish look. "I'm waiting on a lady. Her father's not particularly found of me, and this was the only place I thought we could meet."

Hrothgar waits...

Hrothgar darted to the church to the north of the Collective House. The town was bustling as it was almost mid day. The road between the collective house and the church was dotted with merchants and farmers, coming and going to the pallisaded main part of Harm.

Hrothgar dismounted and lead his horse to the back of the church near the graveyard, shielded from the main road, but with a clear eye to the front door of the Collective House.

His horse grazed and he watched.

"Hallu there my good fellow!" said a boisterous voice behind Hrothgar as he peered around the corner of the church. " Is there something I may assist you with?"

Hrothgar turned to see a hugely rotund man in blue, faded, peasant cloth robes tied with a piece of frayed yellow dyed rope. His puffy cheeks and bulbous nose show a face thais almost entirely red and he seems to be breathing somewhat heavy with each sentence."My name is Apollonius and this is my church. Well, his church, but mine to run all the same. Are you looking for someone or are you up to some mischief?"

Hrothgar what do you do?

Getting the message

Hrothgar froze. Enelye saw him, but gave no indication she had. She kept talking to the soldiers. Hrothgar pointed to himself, then pantomimed running really fast. He slowly backed out.
He dashed over to a halfling lad who was feeding Hrothgar's horse an apple.
"Boy." Hrothgar tried not to shout. "You there, boy." Hrothgar began mounting his horse.
"When the elven lady inside is done talking to those thugs, tell her Hrothgar awaits her at the old church." He flipped the lad a silver piece and put spurs to the horse.

Ride On!

Hrothgar rushed into the stable and grabbed the reins to his horse. The stable master was supposed to take off her saddle and wash her, but he was laying face down, drunk in a pile of hay, oats, and his own filth. Hrothgar mounted his horse and saw the side doors to the stable were open to the stream and the orchard and fields outside the pallisade, where the horses from the stable grazed. A stable boy was in the doorway, walking a grey mare outside. Hrothgar shot past them and dashed to the stream. He oriented himself, jumped the stream, and headed to the Collective House, where Enelye, and most other "touched" races stayed when they were in Harm.

The Collective House was really a great sprawing mansion sitting just to the north of Lord Northewode's keep. It was run by Fenius Lighttouch, a halfling who had gained some renown, and wealth years ago for his exploration of some parts of the West Marches. He now ran a boarding house/sanctuary for demi-human people who were staying in Harm. It's gardens, inn, and tavern were closed off to human, unless they were accompanied by someone staying at the House.

Hrothgar had dropped Enelye there as they made plans to reunite in a few days to continue the exploration of the tower of Udd. He raced there now, the hhigh hill and keep of Lord Northewode looming above him to his right. He rode right into the rear courtyard, scattering a few halflings and not even disturbing  a rotund dwarf sleeping in a chair. He dismounted and raced into the garden, assuming Enelye would be studying the books she had taken from the Tower. She was not there. He raced inside to find her and as he turned the corner to the lobby he saw her standing next to three other soldiers in the livery of Lord Northewode.

They have not seen you yet.

Hrothgar, what will you do?   

The Chase Continues

Hrothgar tore out of the front doorway to the Tankard and turned right. He headed for the stables for his horse. He dodged around four saddled horses that stood at a hitching post and then turned the corner around the Inn Keepers tower and sprinted to the stable. They wee open, since it was mid morning. and there stood Hrothgars horse in a stall eating oats. His pursuers had not rounded the corner yet, but soon would.

Hrothgar what do you wish to do?

The Chase is on!

The Captain turned to flip the barkeep a few silver coins for the busted tankard. "Sorry Rufus, this one had an attitude about seeing his lordship. I'll buy you a spirit at the Marsh next time we have a chance."

As he had turned his head to speak with Rufus, so did his men. As they all chuckled, Hrothgar bolted out the front door and into the walled courtyard of the Inn and Tavern. The front arched gate was open. It was 30' away from the front door. Four horses were saddled up and tied to the ring out front.

The day is drizzling rain, and mud puddles are starting to form on the courtyard grounds.

Hrothgar, What would you like to do?

"Well, seeing as you asked so nicely,"Hrothgar said as he wiped the blood from his lip. "Barkeep! If my men ask where I'm at, you can tell them, I'm in the company of these fine gentlemen".
He flipped the bartender his coin and walked out with his escorts. As soon as he was free of the inn, he took off running...

An armored fist struck Hrothgar in the jaw, (3pts). The Captain had reached over lightning quick and struck Hrothgar. Knocking the clay tankard to the floor and shattering it. (end of surprise round)

"You have one more chance to walk to see Lord Northewode, otherwise you will be dragged there by horse Do not delay in making your decision." The Captain stood with an easy stance, but one that was fully prepared to strike or give the command to.

Hrothgar, what do you wish to do?

Hrothgar wiped the foam from his mouth and burped. "The only thing I NEED to do, is finish this ale. I owe no allegiance or fealty to this Lord, and am therefore not at his beck and call. Come again in the morrow."

Hrothgar at the Weary Tankard

Hrothgar sits at the Weary Tankard Inn and Tavern. He takes a well deserved draw from a strong stout beer the Tankard is known for. The barwench comes over and asks if he wants another. It not even lunch time. He nods and she shuffles off to retrieve another tankard.

Hrothgar scans the room for potential hirelings to help further explore the Tower of Udd. Enelye indicated she would join him at the town gate tomrrow at dawn to move further. She told Hrothgar she was thankful of their new arrangement. She would receive half, as would Hrothgar, of all they retreived, but she would be totally responsible for all of her expenses and she would be responsible for paying half of all group costs, like retainers. It seems that Hrothgar had found a partner.

Enelye had indicated she had some things she wanted to do before they went back. Hrothgar had too. He fixed his armor, bought a crossbow, and went to the Church of the Sun for some blessed water to hopefully combat the undead that seem to infest the ruined tower complex.

As Hrothgar drained his second tankard, a group of well armored men, with tabards emblazoned in white, red and gold came in, looked around, stared at Hrothgar, and came over to his table.

" Are you Hrothgar, adventurer?" The man asked. He was tall, with a neatly trimmed beard and was obviously an officer or nco of some kind. "Are you the Hrothgar who has recently sold these daggers?" He pulls the two bronze ceremonial daggers from a pouch dangling from his belt? "You need to accompany my party to Lord Northewode's Keep to explain where you retreived these items and whatever questions he may ask. Please, this way." The  officer points towards the door motioning for Hrothgar to follow. He has three other soldiers with him, all weraing chain armor, with swords. One stands in front of the door.

Hrothgar What Do You Want to Do?

Hrothgar, refitted and ready

Back to Harm

Hrothgar and Enelye leave the library, knowing that more awaits them, even though no doors were found in the room.

They travel back through the scriptorium, over the hallway trap and to the cellar. They climb out of the cellar to find the day to be mid afternoon. Standing on the ruined tower they can see the stream they crossed to climb the hill to the tower, the thick grassland, rolling until it gets to the River Ox. And beyond that the rolling forested hills. And beyond that, the last bastion in the West, the Village of Harm.

If they hurried, they would be to Harm by dusk. Just in time for supper.

Even with as battered as they were, and as sorry they were at the loss of Rhian, it felt good to be out of the ruins of Udd. And breathing fresh air helped.

Hrothgar walked down the stairs and began his journey to Harm. "Come on Enelye, we can make it by supper time, then a soft bed, and tomorrow, we sell this stuff and find some more people who would like to help us clear out this tower."

~

The trip back to  Harm was uneventful, as both had hoped. The crossing of the River Ox in May was no easy feat, but they had both survived and now were back about to cross under the makeshift wooden gate that marked the entry to Harm. The gate and the wooden pallisade were the latest precautions the village leaders and merchants had taken to protect their interests and themselves from the ever increasing banditry and maurauding humanoids and beasties that now roamed the countryside. It was never like this when the Kings Frontier Forts and Garrison Towers were out west. Now only one fort remained, and none of the Kings army remained in the west. Untold numbers of towns, and villages lay in ruin, or were just unihabited as the people streamed back to the Kingdom, right on the heals of the retreating armies. It hadbeen 2 generations since the Exodus.

So Harm decided to go it alone. Because its leaders and merchants and business men and religious leaders hoped one day it could be the City in the West. So Harm has encouraged explorers and adventurers and warriors to come protect it, and better yet, to take back the West. 

"Come Enelye", Hrothgar said."back to town. We'll see what we can get for this treasure and return healed, better armed and in greater numbers. You can have Rhian's share."

Afterward

Hrothagr sighed, raised his sword and managed to hack off what was left of Rhian's head in two swipes. He met Enelye's horrified glare. "I don't need him rising up and biting me in the ass," he said.


"Let's see if there's any treasure in here. These creatures were here guarding something. After that, we're leaving, and I want enough money to hire some more muscle to come back this place, and clean it out proper."

Hrothgar searched the book shelves and found nothing. The books were rotten beyound use. But inside of one labeled " The Etymology of the 'Malus occidentalis mobilius' and other Bipedal Vegetation" was found a large glass vial with a luminescent green liquid.

Enelye found a chest concealed under one of the tables with a rotten red cloth over it. The chest was not locked. In fact the locking mechanism was torn away. Enelye carefully opened th lid and found it was not trapped. Inside was a small black chest. the inside of the chest was lined with white silk and was still intact and showed no signs of rot. Setting in the silk were two black pearls, the size of a childs fist. Also at the bottom of the chest was a silver skeleton key.

Enelye coveted such a find and considered placing them in her pockets, when she noticed that Hrothagr had walked up behind her. "What did you find?", he said. "Black pearls," said Enelye, embarrassed that she had thought to take them for herself. "They probably came from a merchant who got them form the Shi hul Morrah, the Sea Elves. They dive for them and coax them from the Giant Oysters. They are very rare. It is a great prize.Oh and a there's a key at the bottom of the chest."

Enelye stood up and closed the box. She wrapped the box tightly with twine from her backpack and put the box in her backpack. She walked over to the round table in the center of the room. Several books lay open on the table. One had the cresent moon and dagger symbol from the bronze daggers, scrawled on the inside cover. It had no writing on the spine. On the first page was scrawled, "To the troublesome Etherialist who can now call this tower his own. I hope you keep your head in the clouds, son, but always remember, the flesh is weak, but the mind can live on forever. signed Your Father, Lord Northewode"

The pages are now very faint and the book is well worn, almost rubbed clean. It is also water damaged, not from sitting in water, but from the pages being dripped on. Nothing more can be read in the torch light. Also on the table are crumpled up scrolls with broken wax seals.

Also strewn about the room is a collection of coins, 59 copper pieces and 93 silver pieces in total.

Against the western wall stands another upright wardrobe. Hrothgar opens the wardrobe to find rotten clothes hanging in the wardrobe.

Hrothgar what do you wish to do?   

The Library

Hrothgar stormed forward at the shadowy figure. He swung in a great arc(miss), but the Ghoul was quicker, and met Hrothgar half way, gruesome, filthy claws flailing out front, gnashing his teeth.(hit claw,claw, 3 pts dmg.)

As Enelye knocked an arrow, the zombie to her right lurched forward hungrily and swiped at her, landing a blow on her arm(hit, 2 dwg).

Enelye kept her focus and let loose a fearsome shot at the ghoul that streamed right under Hrothagr's arm and into the crouching creatures throat. It let out a terrifying shriek. (hit 8dmg).

Rhian pulled himself into the room and swung lazily at the other unengaged zombie, but missed. The zombie tried to grab rhian with his hungry hands, but missed.

The Ghoul slashed at Hrothgar as he recoiled from the bow shot(1 dmg).

Rhian gathered himself and swung as hard as he could at the zombie. He was so tired. His aim was true and he hacked into the side of the undead menace.(6dmg).

Enelye backed up, but was agian assaulted by the hugry zombie on her right.(1 dmg)

The fearsome wound Rhian had just put into the zombie he was attacking left it utterly unphased. It reached forward again and grasped Rhian's arms as he struggled to wrench his axe free from the rotting tissue sucking at it. And Rhian should have just let go. Zombie was huge and fat, and very intent on making rhian his next meal. It sunk its rotten teeth into Rhian's face and neck and tore huge chunks from his skull. His armor was drenched in bloody gore as the minster continued to feed. Rhian fell to the floor, with the zombie still attached to his face, feeding. (6 dmg, Rhian killed(-3))

Hrothgar heard Rhian's screams to the left, but dared not turn around. He advanced on the ghoul as it retreated and smashed its skull with a well placed down stroke.(2 dmg, killed ghoul)

Enelye dropped her bow and drew her sword to fight off the zombie that was on her, missing in the exchange, as did the zombie.

Hrothgar turned to see Rhian laying on the floor twitching as the zombie fed. He rushed forward to engage it but in the dim light stumbbled over the debris on the floor.

Enelye, carefully gathered herself and lunged at the zombie, skewering it through the eye cavity and scrambling its brains. It fell to the floor lifeless, again.(9 dmg, killed zombie)

The last creature continued to feed on Rhian's corpse. As Hrothgar and Enelye circled the creature it noticed the other meals and stopped and lunged at Hrothgar, Hrothgar snapped the creatures head to the side with a viscious smash from the flat of his sword. (5 dmg)

Finally, Enelye drove her sword into the creatures head, severing it from its shoulders.

Enelye and Hrothgar looked at each other for a moment, panting and bloody. Then they rushed to find Rhian's lifeless, bloody mess of a body. Rhian clearly was dead, his face half eaten, his neck and arms with huge gouges of flesh missing.

Enelye muttered an elvish prayer under her breath and backed away.

Hrothgar, what do you do?    

"Eleyne!" Hrothgar shouted."Put an arrow in that ghoul. Rhian, keep these rotters off me. I'm taking down that foul beastie".
Hrothgar lowered his shield and charged the ghoul.

F%ck these doors

Hrothgar tried to quietly break the lock. Who knew what could be on the other sideof the doors. It didn't budge. Hrothgar had had enough. He asked Enelye for her mace.

"Screw it. Whoever is on the other sid eof these doors heard us anyway." Hrothgar swung at the lock with all his might.

Pieces of the lock flew ion all directions, showering Rhian with metal shards. "Hey, look out!"

Hrothgar handed the mace back to Enelye and kicked the doors open and stood in the doorway to the room. He threw his torch in on the stone floor so it would illuminate the room.

Before him stood what was once probably a very nice library, larger than the writing room he was in. Shelves still lined the walls some even still contained books. in the center of the room a round table had several books and scrolls on it. On the western wall was a cupboard and a large wardrobe. Both closed. Litter and smashed chairs and wood cluttered the floor over a rotten rug. The room smelled of death. Recent death. As Hrothagr and Enelye scan the room, two figures stand up and start shambling toward them, rotten hands out, mouths open, yellowed eyes fixed on new food. 

Both Hrothgar and Rhian notice another, more shadowy figure crouched at the back of the room.  It is hairless, sickly blue green in color, with a menacing mouth full of pointed teeth. It is staring at you more like an animal than a mindless construct.

Hrothgar what do you do?

The Double Doors

Hrothgar checked the door and inspected the locks. They looked untrapped, but they were locked.

Hrothgar what do you wish to do?

"Everyone take a dagger," Hrothgar said."They may come in handy later as a key or a talisman to protect us from whatever evil lies beyond."
He walked carefully over to the door and examined it, paying close attention to lock especially.

Still searching

"Yes, it seems to be", Enelye said.

"I'll check the bodies", said Rhian. "Or what's left of them. I found some writing stuff on the shelves, doesn't look like much to me."

Enelye walked over to the shelves. She clearly saw that the writing insturments had value. she grabbed them up and stiwed them in her backpack. "Maybe these can be sold for some profit."

"Well, look what I found." Rhian held up a bronze dagger, sheathed and on a belt on the first skeleton he searched.

"There is another here", said Enelye.

As each was searched. Each carried a ceremonial bronze dagger on a red leather belt. Enameled on the scabbard was an cresent moon, facing down, with a dagger-like wedge cutting through the center.

Hrothgar, what do you want to do?

Hrothgar stuffed the remaining scroll in his bag. "Rhian, is there anything of value amoungst these rotters?"
"Enelye, is that door locked?"

Searching

"Enelye," Hrothgar panted"check those doors with your elven hearing. Rhian, check the shelves and I'll check the wardrobe."

Enelye crouched and put hear ear to the doors. All she heard was silence.

Rhian checked the shelves and found a couple of ink sticks, a crystal ink well, spare writing quills, and some sheets of paper.

I'll check for traps. (None found)

Hrothgar opened the wardrobe. It was loaded with tied scrolls. All were rotten save one at the very bottom. It looked untouched by age and weather.

Hrothgar, what do you do?

Storming the Scriptorium

Hrothgar screamed as he entered the room. The room was dark but burst to light with Hrothgars torch. Destroyed tables and chairs littered the room. He saw four skeletons begin to rise from the floor, swords in hand, with black shadows for eyes.

Hrothgar stood in awe of the reanimating skeletons(surprise, missed). Evil magics were indeed at work in this place. Enelye leapt into the room and swund her long sword hitting a skeleton triying to stand (surprise, 5dmg). Rhian gathered himself and charged into the room running into another skeleton not yet fully standing(surprise, 5 dmg).

The skeletons came on and were now fully erect, ready to guard the room, or cursed to spend their imortality as prisoners of it. Hrothgar gathered himself and smashed into the third skeleton with his sword.(4 dmg). Enelye gracefully swung again, smashing the undead in front of her to pieces(5dmg, kill). The other skeletons attacked, but failed to strike, but Rhian skeleton fell to the floor after a horrifying smashing blow to the head.(7 dwg, kill).

Hrothgar battered his skeleton to the ground and smashed through its sword arm then skull as pieces of bone went flying(2dmg, kill). Enelye sidestepped a blow from the final skeleton, and smashed his ribcage with her blow, but he kept swingin,(dmg5). Rhian swung wildly at the final skeleton and connected a glancing blow that crushed his left arm.(dmg 4).

Hrothgar moved forward and with the pommel of his sword smashed the creatures skull like and egg shell. It fell to pieces and lay motionless on the ground.(5 dmg, kill).

Everyone panted heavily at the quick encounter. and afetr a quick check, realized noone had been hurt. A victory after early close calls.

Hrothgar, you notice that the room contained what appear to be writing desks, some smashed, some intact, chairs, a couple of shelves and a wardrobe against the western wall that is still in tact. An ornate double door, similar to the one you just came from is on the wall opposite of where you entered the room. Debris and paper litter the floor is places. Black and gold ink cover the walls in places where it looks like ink wells havebeen thrown against it and exploded. Shards of crystal cover the floor as well.

Hrothgar, what do you wish to do?

Screeeeee......

"Baldur's balls" Hrothgar cursed under his breath. The door made a loud creak. He looked at Elenye and said "oh, well".
He drew his sword and kicked the door hard to open the rest of the way, He gave Lugurian warcry and charged in...

Hrothgar tries the door

Hrothgar grabs the door handle and gently tries it.

The handle moves and the door does not seem to be locked. The handle is well made, but makes a slight grinding sound becuase of its condition.

Enelye asserts some authority

"How about if I try. I have no desire to walk into a trap." Enelye gently brushes Hrothgar to the side." My ears," she touches the tip of one of her long pointed ears, " sometimes hear things a human wouldn't."

Enelye listens intently at the door. (2)

There's something moving on the other side of this door. Shuffling, not mechanical. Maybe more than one.

Hrothgar, what do you do?

Trying the door

Hrothgar moved his torch about the door, looking for traps. His next move was hand Rhian his torch and try the door.

Nothing...

You hear nothing...

Hrothgar, what do you do?

Hrothgar listens

Hrothgar put a finger to his lips to let the others know to be quiet. It was mostly for Rhian who was still sputtering up water and hacking. He put an ear to the door....

Onward

Once he had gotten Rhian out of the trap. Hrothgar sat and thought, " I bet I can bridge th trap with some of the floor debris from the collapsed tower."

Hrothgar went back to the door to the tower. He cautiously opened it and searched for any signs of movement or rat activity. Seeing none, he grabbed some timbers to drag down the passageway to bridge the trap.

He placed the timber across the trap, making a 4' wide walkway of roughcut timber across the trap.

He then crossed the trap, as did Enelye and Rhian.

You see before you a carved wooden door, bound in iron. The door casement is made of stone and is carved into many symbols and many different languages. You make out a general theme from the writings and carvings and specifically "Through this portal-as in all thingsin the known and unknown world-knowledge is power. Carvings of books and scrolls cover the door along with scripts and symbols.

The door looks old and is covered in mold at the bottom from all of the water in the hallway, but seems stout and strong.

Hrothgar, what will you do?