[Sat Dec 28 15:56:12 PST 2002]

Azaer grabs a few pieces of fruit and awaits the others downstairs.

Jarl sits at a table and looks about the place

Balthazar yawns, "Well folks i'm off to bed i'll see you all again in the morning.

[Jarl]: "aye, they never be calling ye late for anything lad. good night"

Syrenia gets up with a yawn..."Aye let's get some shut eye in a bed...I bet we won't see one for a long while. Good night." With that, Syrenia goes off to her room.

Gar looks at the group..."Seems you'll have had quite a time by the looks of it..."

Azaer moves up to the rooms for some sleep, climbing the too large stairs.

[DM]: Peering around the dining room, there are only two folks in the room a young human male sitting at a table by himself, and then the innkeeper himself who is fetching your keys.

Azaer comes back down the stairs. "Ya know Jarl, I might be up for a few rounds. What ya say?"

Jarl looks over to the human male, seeing as everyone is heading for bed. "ye, be from ere lad? ye buying?"

Gar looks a Jarl..."Daggersford, to the south"

[Jarl]: as he turns to see the halfling coming back down the stairs

[Azaer]: "Sure, the first few anyway." Azaer orders a few ales and moves to the table.

[Jarl]: "that a boy, I knew ye would fit in just fine here"

[Gar]: And you...if I may ask...where does such a unique group come from?

[Jarl]: "come on over lad, if ye likes, tell us about old daggerford"

[Gar]: Only if you let me buy the round...and make the toast...

Borathor walks around the inn peering through the frosted windows to the frozen outside. "daggersford you say? Isn't that near the city of Waterdeep?"

Jarl finishes off his ale, getting ready for the one the halfling's going to buy

Gar to Borathor...Ahy that it is...you have heard of my fair city?

Jarl shifes hearing waterdeep 'hmm"

Gar comes over to the table..."Again, good sir, my I buy you and your firiends the next round?"

[Borathor]: "indeed i have been by there once or twice and thats a bit farther then south from here my friend. Its not only south but west. So what brings you over this far to the frozen wastes?"

[Azaer]: 'Well I am a local, just met up with these fine folks. I decided to see what was what around here and needed some travelling partners. This group looked sturdy enough." nods to Gar. "Sure I am always up for an ale!"

Gar "Bar Keep, whatever they want, I am buying... Please..."

[Jarl]: "sure thing, I'll have another round or two"

Gar looks over at the party..."was working my way up north, clearing out mines for some of the locals...was in the Western half of the bloodstone mines last week...

[DM]: Sitting back meeting new folks and having a couple of drinks the innkeeper makes his way over with another pitcher to fill your goblets. "Would you like to run a tab, fine sirs?"

[Jarl]: "take a seat. my name be Jarl Ironstar, but I'm called many things depending on the situation" he laughs

[Gar]: Yes please...a tab with be fine...Thank you... Please forgive my rudeness, the name is Gar...Gar Daggersford, same as the town...

[Azaer]: 'Watch yourself lad. Tabs can be a bad thing." Azaer grins and nudges his head slightly towards Jarl.

[DM]: "No thank you" with a smile the innkeeper nods and turns back towards his small bar. Wiping a table with a rag as he goes by.

Jarl frowns "so what have the mines been like?"

Gar leans forward and grins..."Sometimes they can be a challenge...and sometimes they can bring honor..."

[Azaer]: 'Oh I am Azaer Ael-Koth by the way, professional explorer."

[Gar]: The mines...busy...very busy...lots of good work... extends hand to members of the party...starting with Azaer...

Azaer grabs his hand firmly and shakes it, "Nice to meet you!"

Jarl wipes his hand then shakes Gar's when it comes around "what kind of monsters have you seen in these mines, I heard something about giants?"

[Gar]: "Oh Giants, Orcs....I hear tell that even an Umber Hulk was sighted...though I have not see it myself...thank Tempest"

Azaer nods in and listens intently. 'What kind of giants would be in mines?"

Jarl looks over at Bor, to see if he's going to ask the obvious question about Gar's last name. Then goes back to listening to Gar talk about the mines

[Gar]: "Hill Giants I think, it was only my job to clean them out, physically...not fight the monsters...though I did run into a few of the beasts..."

[DM]: Chatting between yourselves the door opens as a burly man dressed in animal hides from head to foot comes in and makes his way to the innkeeper. Where he grabs and pulls up a chair to speak with the man. Looking over his shoulder once at the lot of you he turns away about his buisness.

[Gar]: "The mines are great though...HUGE!!! And they say that the Dwarves are coming back...or so they say..."

[Jarl]: "very good," he turns to Azaer "take a listen?"

Azaer nods to Jarl.

Borathor sniffles then walks over "My name is Borathor Ravenwood, just like the Raven and wood." Nodding as he sips upon his drink then makes his way back to the window to look out. All the while casting a glance over at the furry man who came in.

Jarl looks to Gar "what dwarves are coming back and how/where?"

Azaer gets up and heads over to the bar to see if they have anything like fruit or chips that they can move to their table. He starts looking around the bar.

Gar extends his hand..."Gar Daggersford, just like the town...My honor to meet you..."

[DM]: The innkeeper makes his way over to Azaer "Anything i can get you?"

[Gar]: "Well, from what the men were saying that the word was getting out that the dwarves had heard about the mine and were coming back to the area in numbers..."

[Azaer]: 'I was lookin for something we can munch on at our table. Also, I am interested in woodworking and was just taking a look at your bar here.

Gar looks at the Innkeeper "Steak, if you have it...I have the hunger of an ox tonight!"

[DM]: Sitting back talking you hear a thud from upstairs then all grows quiet as the innkeeper and stranger peer at the ceiling for a second or two and shrug it off.

Azaer blinks and looks at Gar.

Gar looks at the party..."What brings you here?"

Azaer goes back to the table and says, "Jarl, check on Syrenia and the others?"

Syrenia comes back downstairs rubbing her head while mumbling..."Beds are too small..."

[Azaer]: 'Oh, nevermind."

[Jarl]: "good to hear, they be coming back. so...." he looks to the roof

Azaer grins

Syrenia sits down at the table..."Got any wine 'keep?"

[Jarl]: "so your name is the same as the city, why is that?"

[DM]: Innkeeper nods, and brings over a bottle of wine setting it upon the table, as he writes something down on a piece of old paper. 'Very good blend it is." Nods and turns away back to the bar.

Gar stands when the lady sits... "Gar Daggersford, at your service..."

[Azaer]: "Better check that tab Gar. You may leave with nothing." Azaer nods knowingly.

Syrenia nods to the keep without looking at the bottle and pours herself a drink...She looks up at the man and turns to Borathor..."Who's he?"

[Gar]: "Daggersford is just a family name...nothing special"

Jarl almost spits out his ale. then wipes his beard

Borathor turns from peering out the window. 'He is from south of Waterdeep."

[Jarl]: "how long ye been away from daggerford?"

[Gar]: "Daggersford, actually...was just noticing you when came in...Oh, about seven, eight months..."

Syrenia looks at the man suspiciously..."He is, is he...Well that's just great..." She shakes her head and takes a sip of her wine.

Jarl looks to Syr, then sits back into his chair to let her talk

Azaer keeps an eye on the big man with the furs discreetly.

Gar looks at Syrenia..."Have I offended you somehow, me lady?"

Borathor walks back to the table, "just to be sure let us see your fingers with no gloves on of course."

Jarl grins from ear to ear, but doesn't saw a word

Syrenia looks into her drink..."And of course he just happens to be strolling here..." She sighs..."Where's Balt where you need him."

[Borathor]: "He's sleeping you know its past the paladins bedtime." leans into Gar waiting to see his hands.

Gar places both hands on the table...

Syrenia looks up at Borathor..."I doubt they wear it all the time Bor."

Gar both hands are weathered but in tact...

Borathor looks up, "Well i dont see any rings on him."

[Jarl]: "ol, he's to big and thick to be one of them kind anyway" looking at Gar

Borathor looks back at Gar, "You didn't by chance lose a ring with a rams head upon did you?"

Gar checks pockets..."No, but I do have these two silver rings..."pulls them out of pocket...

Syrenia shakes her head..."What about that black knight Jarl?" She then looks to Gar with no warmth on her face..."Soo...how's the good queen of Waterdeep doing lately?"

Borathor grunts, "Very well." Then heads over to look out another window. "Its snowing travel is going to be slow."

Azaer mutters to himself. "Only live once I guess." Azaer gets up and moves over to the big man in the furs putting on a smile, "Hullo there! I noticed your furs, what kind of creatures are they?"

Gar turns to Syrenia..."Plotting to take over Daggersford from what I understand"

[Borathor]: "Heh they be from wolves four times your size my little friend. One swipe and you'd be dinner indeed."

Syrenia shrugs..."Well atleast she's showing her true face now..."

[Gar]: "I take it you also are no fan of the Queen of Waterdeep...."

Borathor listens,'Hmm maybe Jarl will see what we been saying along now."

Azaer nods to the large man. "I am just curious about things like that. Did you hunt them in the mines? I don't know much about wolves."

[Borathor]: "No they hunted me, i just happened to be the victor."

Syrenia nods..."You could say that..."

[Azaer]: 'Ugh, I have never had wolves attack me. I would just run I guess. So you from around here? Azaer says with a curious expression on his face."

[Jarl]: "if Jarl does, then Jarl will see she is brought to justice, same as before"

Syrenia turns to Azaer at the mention of 'running'..."Ohh great..."

Gar looks confused..."Running...???"

[Borathor]: "North i hail from the north."

Azaer nods to the big man. "Coming here for the mine money? What brings you to the mining town. Its kinda slow here."

[Jarl]: "So Gar what's the standing relation ship with Waterdeep and her neighbors?"

[Borathor]: "I come for ale and you ask to many questions for such a little folk." Grunting as he swallows down his drink.

Gar takes a sip and sighs..."Waterdeep is such a large city and we are but a minor town, only 800 or so. But there are rumors that the Lords of Waterdeep want to expand both north and east... And if they do expand, they will expand into our lands. Our farmlands, forests, water...and it would be theirs for the taking...The city guard numbers more than our entire town!"

[Jarl]: "Lords?" he looks to Syr and Bor "are any of the smaller cities thinking of uniting against a Waterdeep push?"

[Azaer]: "Sorry just curious is all, I am just recently out of Bloodstone. I came up to see the sights. Not much here though. Well I won't bother you anymore. Well met." With that Azaer moves back to the parties table.

[DM]: The stranger mumbles to the innkeeper about pesky little folk aren't they." As he gets a refill of ale.

Syrenia scratches her head..."Well..."

Gar "No, they have other worries...When I left, Daggersford was having trouble with a small band of lizzardmen...I...I...wanted to stay but my gods told me that I had to leave..."

Azaer motions to the barkeep. When he arrives he says, "Buy a round for the big man on me, tell him I said thanks for the talk."

Syrenia shrugs..."They were some rumors about the Tame lands...but other then that I don't know..."

Gar looks at Syrenia with big innocent eyes..."What rumors?"

Syrenia sighs..."Not sure something about revenge but as of yet, nothing came out of it..."

[Jarl]: "to bad no one knows to much about the ruler of waterdeep or even better the want to be rulers. hmm?"

Gar to Jarl..."You seem to think that the Queen may be up to something?"

Borathor snickers, "We know all we need to know about the Ruler, question is who will replace her when were done."

[Jarl]: "that's what the winds tell me, we will have to wait and see what turns out"

Gar smiles..."Ahh....I understand..."

Syrenia looks up to Borathor..."How about that other heir we rescued?" She takes out her mirror and closes her eyes over it.

[Jarl]: "what was the heir's name? did he have any old allies or ties with any of the other cities?"

Gar looks down then at the party..."I know that this maybe sudden, but I really don't want to keep digging in the mines...I have four years with the town Militia, and am skilled with the sword...I would like to tag along and if you think prove myself to you, join you.. I have my own equipment and provisions...I would stay out of you're way...I just don't want to go back to the mines..."

Borathor laughs "Prove that wont be needed but i guess you should know the claus we have to join our group." Laughing as he drinks down his flask of wine.

[Jarl]: "it be fine with me lad, but them two you have to get past" he looks to Bor and then to Syr

Syrenia looks up from her mirror..."Hmm...Bor what was his name again?"

Borathor rubs his chin. "Duke something or another."

Gar looks to Bor and Syrenia, with a smile of hope and youth...

Syrenia turns to Gar..."Hmm...you know who was the other heir of Waterdeep?"

Borathor looks at the others, "What? You all tell him about the claus, i don't care either way, you all can bury them."

[Jarl]: "a friend in daggerford would be good to have" to no one and everyone

Gar looks down..."No, no...I don't sorry...but I can help you find out if you want!"

Syrenia glances down at her mirror..."Ahh well...I need his name to find him."

[Jarl]: "didn't you help him at one time? and you can't recall his name?"

Syrenia shrugs and puts her mirror away.

Gar Stands..."If it their name, my lady, you shall have it...!!"

Borathor grunts, "We have helped a lot of folk and i don't recall half of them. It will come to me sooner or later."

Syrenia crosses her arms across her chest..."I did die two times since that happened...cut me some slack."

[Azaer]: 'Enthusiastic fellow isn't he?" Azaer grins goodheartedly towards Gar.

[Jarl]: "Gar, how well do you know your way around this area and the mines for that mater?"

[Gar]: "Not very well...I was put into a wagon and taken to the mines...I just got here yesterday...Returning from the Mines" takes a seat..."Good Innkeeper of the House...has my steak finished?"

[Jarl]: "I see. well i will talk with the smithy in the morn then and see if the tunnels or mines be a better way to get to the peaks we seek or if over land is better"

[DM]: The innkeeper washes down the bar as he pours water upon it and wipes it down. "Steak? No one said we were serving meals at this time of night sir. The cook has gone home for the night."

Gar looks at the innkeeper..."I ah...er...thought that I...ah...ah heck, jerky again!"

Jarl turns to the man at the bar "hail, there ol killer of wolves, ye don't happen to know these mountain like the back of ye hand do ye?"

[DM]: The man turns and shakes his head before looking at the innkeeper, "See i told you the little ones are pesky."

[Jarl]: "aye, the little ones always be talking the loudest. but I say this an ale a answer, how about that?"

Syrenia leans back on her chair with her wine in her head..."Hey Bor...give the kid the mail."

[DM]: The man turns back to Jarl, "well you should know your kind mined most of them, or is it they all fled when the beasts came?"

[Jarl]: "not from here, couldn't say. I know sometimes you have to know when to leave and save what can be saved"

Borathor looks at Syrenia, Mail what mail?" Looking at her as if hit by a rock.

Syrenia rolls her eyes and smiles..."Plate mail..."

[Jarl]: "guess ye not be to thirsty, well, let ye be then" he turns back to the table

Borathor looks to the others then to the kid as Syrenia called him. "If he dies your cleaning the goo out of it next time." He then puts the sack on the table. "You dig for it."

Gar whispers to Azaer "Ask him what kind of beast he is talking about...or do you know..."

Syrenia rummages through the sack and throws some plate mail to Gar..."See if you can fit in there."

Azaer perks up at the mention of beast. Turning to the man he says, "You mentioned a beast, what kind of beast, if you know that is."

Gar looks at Syrenia..."But..but I have armor...would you like me to hold this for you???"

Jarl winks "I think 'my lady' thinks you would look better in a nice tight set of shiny plate mail"

Syrenia rolls her eyes..."Pfft...ya right...I just thought it protected more then chain mail..."

[Azaer]: "I don't know much about metal armor, but plate I would think would be better than chain. The more to keep the meat protected eh Syrenia?" he says grinning.

Gar smiles ... "If the lady wishes it, then it shall be so..." looks at Jarl..."I will put it on first thing in the morning..."

Jarl grumbles "okay, let me have a look at that chain ye be wearing" he looks at the quality of the chain as per the make of the plate

Syrenia nods to Azaer and then turns to Bor..."I'm keeping the bag...I keep botering you for stuff might aswell keep it with me."

Jarl looks over Gar's chain mail

Syrenia takes another sip of her wine.

Jarl nods to Gar "see the plate will make your shoulders look bigger, just make sure she gives you the mid section of the plate as well. the plate be better for protecting you lad, it's better make then that human chain"

Borathor yawns, "Well be it to me to tell you all what to do but i myself am going to hit the hey, hopefully i'll stay in, not like others." Looking to Syrenia as he heads upstairs.

Jarl finishes his ale and follows up the stairs "good night, thanks for the drinks"

Gar looks to Jarl, "I trust you're right...thank you for this...you may have it back any time you wish..."

Syrenia grumbles to herself while shaking her head..."Come on guys...he's right...we've got a big day tomorrow." She gathers the stuff from the bag and heads to her room.

Azaer agrees. "Time to get some sleep. Long travels ahead I will wager". He takes one last gulp of ale and heads upstairs.

[Gar]: "Inn keeper the bill for my friends..."

Azaer takes a last look at the burly man as he heads upstairs to see what he is doing.

[DM]: The innkeeper talles up the bill, "That be 8 ales, a pitcher of ale, a bottle of wine hmm that be 1 gold and 7 silver, sir."

Gar gives the innkeeper 2 gp, 2 silver...and how much for a room for one tonight?

[DM]: "5 silver for the room."

Gar gives and addtional five silver..."Good sir, please have a large meal ready in the morning"

[Gar]: "Bacon, Eggs, Breads, Fruit for my friends...would that be possilbe?"

[DM]: Innkeeper nods, "The cook gets in at dawn."

Gar smiles..."Fine, fine...thank you so much, now, which is my room?"

[DM]: "Upstairs and to the left."

Gar smiles and heads upstairs to his room..."Thank you again...Jarl...will you wake me?"

[DM]: With a cozy night at the inn you prepare for tomorrows adventure to the Ice Peak. After much thought on the matter you decide the first course of action should be to locate the missing heart stone, before any other aventures of the known area take place. In the morning with a quick stop to the supply stores and a stop by the weaponsmith you'll be all but on your way. With that you lay back to sleep listening to the howling winds of the night air blowing by your frosted windows. Thinking how you never informed your new friends exactly what you are up to.

Azaer stretches and puts the finishing touches on his gear before heading downstairs.

Gar puts on his new plate mail, grabs his pack and heads downstairs...to a good breakfast...

Syrenia packs her gear and heads downstairs for breakfast.

Gar looks for his new traveling company, eager to start anew...and for the first meal of the day...

[DM]: Making your way back down the stairs you see the dining hall is empty as the innkeeper goes about places chairs and stools upon the tables as he wipes them down. Turning to you all, "Something wrong with your rooms?"

Azaer then rolls over, and keeps on dreaming.

Syrenia runs back upstairs before anyone sees her.

Gar yawns in his room...

[DM]: The innkeeper just shrugs and goes back to his cleaning.

[DM]: Morning comes when your awakened by the inn keeper going about the halls knocking upon doors, informing those within that it's time to wake and leave or purchase another day. The cold morning light glistens through the frost upon the windows breaking the light up into tiny rainbow looking rays as it penatrates into the room. Taking a quick peek out side you see the snow stopped and has only added a couple of inches over the night.

Gar looks for his new traveling company, eager to start anew...and for the first meal of the day...

Syrenia makes sure the sun is up before leaving her bed and heading downstairs.

[DM]: It is indeed daylight outside beyond the icy windows.

Syrenia sits down at a table and orders breakfast.

[DM]: Making your way down into the hall you smell lingering in the morning air the flavor of roasting beast, and fresh breads. Looking about the area you see only three folks have arrive or exited thier rooms and have gathered in the hall to get a bite to eat. Two being of elven stock sit at a waiting table in a hot debate over their morning meal, while the other of human stock clad in armor and winter clothing sits at the bar sipping on drink quietly to him self.

Gar puts on his new plate mail, grabs his pack and heads downstairs...to a good breakfast, looks to Syrenia..."May I join you?"

[DM]: The innkeeper comes over with a couple of hot plates of some roasted beast with eggs on the side. "These are for you and your friends." He then turns and places a pitcher of milk on the bar.

Syrenia looks up at Gar..."Hmm...of course..." She shakes her head as she begins to eat her breakfast.

Gar smiles and sits..."Thank you..." Then to the inn keeper..."Thank you...Looks good!" and starts to eat with great hunger...

Azaer has returned to the keyboard.

Azaer sees the food and his eyes light up. "Food! He makes his way to the table and begins eating." In between bites Azaer says, "So we buying some thick clothing or what? Looks cold out there."

Gar looks to Azaer..."I don't mean to be rude, but where are we going?"

Syrenia nods..."Aye we will before we leave." As she finishes her breakfast she gets up..."Excuse me..." She goes over to the two elves.

[DM]: While you are all eating Borathor finally makes his way down the steps as Bal come in the front door carrying a bundle of furs and sacks. "Morning folks i did a little shopping while you all slept. I think i got it all winter garbs, shoes, a mule, ropes, extra food the basics you know."

[Gar]: "Morning..."

[Azaer]: "Great! Don't have to mess with it then." He continues eating. He looks to Gar and says, "I dunno really, into the mountains is the most knowledge I have. Gotta ask the others."

[DM]: Syrenia chats with the two elves over at the other table as they eye her up and down then offer her to join them.

[Gar]: "Ah Borathor, what do we need the this for? I never really did get an answer last night of where we would be going?"

Borathor looks at Gar "I'm Borathor, thats Bal or Balthazar with the furs."

Gar lookes embarrassed..."Sorry...bad with names..."

[Balthazar]: "I'am Balthazaar Delamontang Knights of Fustidio please to meet you."

Gar stands, impressed with meeting a Knight..."I...I...I am Gar, Gar Daggersford, like the town..." extends his hand then thinks better, as if the night is too good for him to shake hands with...

[Balthazar]: "Yes, indeed like the town." Shrugging as he dumps the gear upon one of the tables.

Azaer keeps eating as he watches the rest of the patrons.

Balthazar extends his hand in a firm handshake as well as giving the man a trained look. "Yes, well met indeed."

Gar looks to Balthazaar..."I met your friends last last night and, and, I asked to join them, though I don't know where we're going yet..."

[Balthazar]: "Oh no where fancy just into the frozen mountains."

Gar smiles..."Near the ten towns? It's just that my father told me stories of ...the ...ten towns..." Then hearing how much of a child he sounded like, Gar quiets down...

Balthazar shrugs "Ten towns never heard of them."

Gar looks at Balhazar, "what are you, er, we going into the mountains for?

[Balthazar]: "We are on a Royal mission where it leads us we don't rightly know."

Borathor snickers, "What he is trying to say is we are going into the mountians to take care of some buisness and a few things might die in the mean time."

Gar whispers, "Royal Mission..." His heart swells with pride..."If I may be of help, you have my sword..."

Balthazar smiles, "Well that is very noble of you but it's best you keep the sword your going to need it with us."

Gar smiles again..."It is yours...I am at your service..."

Jarl walks back into the Inn, "so everyone ready to go? Azaer, do ye knows the way to the peaks?"

Gar digs in his money pouch..."How much do I owe for this equipment?" Having finished a huge meal...

Balthazar laughs "Don't worry about it you can lead the mule for your share."

Borathor looks at Jarl, "Of course i'm ready i was ready yesterday."

Gar laughs...more of a chuckle..."Sure...Sure.."

Syrenia comes back to the table and grabs some winter gear..."Well...all ready?"

Jarl looks about the table "anything in my size?"

Azaer looks through the gear and takes out the obvious sized equipment and a large bit of rations.

Jarl walks over and looks through the gear sense no one seems to hear him. "Azaer, do you knows how to get to these ice peaks or do we need to find a map maker?"

Borathor shakes his head "Well when you all figure out when your leaving i'll be out at the mule Bal got, just another beast to lose later."

Syrenia follows Bor.

[Azaer]: "As for the peaks, all I can do is aim you from here on out its beyond me." Shrugging he takes a few more bites of breakfast.

[Jarl]: "didn't the last one he got get put down but a large bolder?"

Gar looks for the innkeeper to pay for the meal...

Azaer takes a few more pieces of fruit and heads out the door towards Bor and Syrenia.

[Jarl]: "Bor, does your map show the peaks we seek?"

Gar thinks that Azaer has a good idea and takes a few pieces of fruit also...

Borathor shrugs as he pulls out his maps, "Lets see. I see a bunch of mountains but nothing named the Ice Peak."

Gar joins the group outside...standing next to the mule...

[Jarl]: "inn keeper, is there a map maker in town or someone that knows the mountains really well?"

[Jarl]: "it be to cold to be just wondering around lost in the mountains"

[DM]: "I know the mountains fairly well i have been here for quite a few winters, what is it your looking for? Which part of the range?"

[Jarl]: "Bor, show the man your map. something called the ice peaks or the like"

[DM]: Innkeeper looks at the map, "Oh you mean the Ice Peak Falls?"

Jarl nods 'that's then, aye"

[DM]: "Yeah lot of old mines over there its beyond the frozen swamp to the east. I could make you a crude map of the area of of memory. Wont cost you much." Smiling as he looks to you.

Jarl nods "very well, any know monsters the inhabit that area?"

[DM]: "Heh you mean what monsters don't live there. Just the ones that like it warm."

Azaer groans.

Jarl watches the innkeeper draw up his map and looks to Bor's map for ref, from time to time

[DM]: The innkeeper breaks out a quill an ink vial and begins to drawl upon a piece of parchment. Mumbling about trees here, and swamp there, and oh a mountain here. After a few mintues he gives you the piece of paper.

[Jarl]: "that should work, how much we be ye need for that map?"

Azaer speaks up, "how far would that be from here to there?"

[DM]: "heh 5 gold should do it, its better then what you have no detail on your map. Hmm i reckon two maybe three days travel depending how quickly you move."

Azaer nods.

Jarl digs into his pouch and hands him 5 gold

[DM]: "Thank you come again wont you." Nods as he clears away some of the dirty plates and goblets you all left behind.

Jarl takes the map and heads out to the road "Bor you want to lead, the first part looks to be wook and swamp. here take a look"

Borathor looks at the map, "It has a trail. Good makes things easy enough just follow the road."

[Jarl]: "yes" and he places the map into his protected book case before putting it away

Azaer makes shure his gear is tighly secured so it doesn't rub his body. "We all ready?"

Syrenia leans on the mule..."Aye..."

Jarl nods "lead on "

Gar smiles, "That I am..."

[DM]: Leaving Virdin and setting off for the Ice Peaks the first part of the journey through the eastern part of the valley passed quietly. Now, the wind is still, and heavy clouds have darkened the afternoon skies. The sparse forest within the valley slowly gives way to a vast marshland. The trail from valley leads into a sea of tall grass and thick fog. Patches of mist hug the ground, and the mountains of ice stand tall in the distance. The cries of marsh birds and the croaking of frogs oddly enough at this time of year, come from all directions.

[DM]: Slowly, you begin to feel the pelting of rain at it begins to fall. The tails of giant leeches and snakes occasionally slither across the trail and wind into the marsh before you. As the trail twists inward, the fog grows thicker. Finally, a stone bridge rises above the mist and fog, offering the first sign that more then animals live in this bleak swamp.

Syrenia walks on the bridge and continues on.

[Jarl]: "Azaer, want to go scope out the bridge before we get there?"

Borathor looks about the swamp, "You know for it being so cold up here why are the frogs and toads out in the water not ice?"

[Azaer]: 'Sure I guess." Azaer moves ahead cautiously and moves off the road advancing towards the bridge from the side. He tries to see underneath from the right side before he goes to the bridge itself.

Syrenia turns to the new guys..."Hmm...it might sound strange but what date is it?"

[Jarl]: "that's a good question. If you happen to spot a good druid or rander remind me to ask them"

[Azaer]: "27th of Marpenoth I believe."

Gar when the party crosses I will cross along with them...

Syrenia nods..."ahh..."

[DM]: Continuing onward into the swamp you round a winding bend to see up ahead the rotting carcass of a giant leech, lieing off to the right side of the trail in a clearing. Two dark figures scramble off the top of the leech and dissappear into the marsh grasses. Proceeding up towards the clearing you look to the grass for any signs of the scavengers that were feasting upon the rotting beast.

Jarl watches as the halfling checks out the bridge, waiting for some sign

Syrenia looks over Borathor's shoulders..."So...any tracks?"

Azaer becomes immediately wary and removes his sling from his belt and keeps it in hand with a bullet inside. He grins sheepishly.

[Azaer]: "Just in case."

[Jarl]: "hmm, looks like we will have some followers soon" looks to the marsh grass

[Azaer]: 'Something was eating a giant leech. That can't be good."

GAR starts towards the bridge...

[Jarl]: "well lets keep moving, maybe if we leave their food alone they will leave us alone"

Syrenia shrugs..."Yeah...I guess..."

Azaer keeps his sling ready and follows the lead, his eyes peeled on both sides ofthe road.

[Balthazar]: "Anyone willing to eat leech probably isn't interested in gold or fighting us, I would think."

Azaer nods.

Syrenia shrugs..."We're more food..."

[Jarl]: "that's what I'm hoping lets just move quickly around this little site"

[DM]: Making your way up past the dead beast the grass stirs as 12 half rotting creatures jump from the grass and attack you from both sides.

Azaer groans.

GAR scraches his face..."Don't like the fact that they ran away...don't like at all..."

Balthazar draws his sword

Jarl readies his axe "damn dogs"

Syrenia grins and chants as 5 images of her appear.

Azaer will try to back up quickly into the group and attack with his sling.

[Jarl]: "a solid circle or box would be a good formation, keep them from our backs"

[Balthazar]: "Yes, sounds good to me."

[Azaer]: 'Ok we have 7, a box with me in the middle slinging would be great!' grins, " Oh wait 6".

Syrenia begins to chant in her arcane language and as she utters the last phrase 5 images of her appear.

Jarl holds up his amulet "burn ye beast's of undieing, back to the ashes from which ye came. by Moradin's hammer"

[DM]: With Jarls words of faith it seems only two of the creatures truns away and leaves.

[DM]: The first wave of beasts attack as they go after Azaer missing him Another at Balthazar, with the third upon Syrenia missing both of them. But the fourth comes in and stikes Borathor across the chest. Other then digging his flesh it doesnt seem to bother him much.

Borathor attacks with his main weapon missing the beast cleanly.

Balthazar slashes at the nearest ghoul, but misses his mark somehow.

Azaer draws his shortsword and makes a slashing defensive attack as he tries to back well away from the creatures.

[DM]: Azaer slips in with a swipe of his short sword striking one of the creatures in the right leg.

[DM]: The ghoul turns to try and return the favor but misses.

[DM]: Another one of the strange beasts attack upon Bor missing him.

Borathor swings with his secondary weapon striking the beast across the chest.

[DM]: 4 beasts rush in upon Bal, Jarl, and Gar missing the three of you every time.

Syrenia begins a different chant while weaving her hands in an intricate pattern. As she finishes, she points towards the ghoul attacking Azaer and 3 magic bolts head towards it.

[DM]: Syrenia strikes her magic down upon the beast terrorizing Azaer and destroys the creature as it fall to the ground.

[Azaer]: "Whohoo Syrenia!"

Syrenia 's five images smiles at him.

[DM]: The beast mingle into your line back and fourth trying to put there claws into your flesh, but as of yet they are unable to do so, missing Jarl ,Gar, every time.

[Jarl]: still holding his amulet out towards the undead, "be gone with ye filth. run from the fires of the forges" five of the dieing flesh seem to turn and move away

Borathor tries to take advantage of the fleeing beasts but is unable to.

Syrenia yells out..."Hey we're gonna have to destroy them all so stop sending them away."

[DM]: The beast comes in and strikes at Syrenias image but misses her.

[Jarl]: "aye, but fleeing targets are safer to hit, use ranged weapons"

Borathor lands a square tag upon his beast across its mid torso. The beast screams in a brief moment before falling to the ground.

Syrenia 's five images grin..."Ohh I'll blast 'em."

[Jarl]: "no fire in the swamp!"

Azaer puts his short sword away and readys his sling.

GAR takes a huge swing at the nearest Ghoul with his bastard sword, misses.."Curse you foul beast!!!"

Balthazar goes after the nearest one in sight, running after him if necessary.

[DM]: Looking across the swamp you see 7 beasts have fled into the grass, two are dead, and three still stand and fight on.

[DM]: One of the three remaining beasts attacks upon Syrenia missing her or an image of her.

[Azaer]: Azaer whips his sling in a fury and sends it at the nearest creature.

[DM]: Azaer sends a bullet at the creature hitting it in the right side doing some damage but not enough to stop it.

Borathor strikes out hitting one of the beasts across the left side. Sending the beast to the ground.

Syrenia chants again sends forth 3 bolts of magic towards one of the fleeing beast.

[DM]: Syrenias attack of magic upon one of the fleeing beasts strikes it true but the creature still disappears into the swamp.

Jarl lets his amulet fall back to his chest as he smashes the closes undead, that's still fighting, with his shield, while grabbing his axe missing the beast, as he is getting his axe ready

[DM]: One of the beasts slips through as Borathor gloats over his kill and claws him down his back.

GAR takes a huge swing at the nearest Ghoul with his bastard sword, takes a huge swing at the beast with his two handed bastard sword striking the beast.

[DM]: With Gar's mighty swing the beast is sent back to the after life as it remains crunble to the ground.

Borathor swings missing the last beast.

GAR Yells..."For the Glory of Tempest!!!"

Balthazar swings at one of the ones attacking the new group members or spellcasters.

[DM]: Balthazar swings with his mighty two handed sword striking the beast and sending it following the other one to where it came from.

[Balthazar]: "Hmm.. What was the matter Jarl? You should have had more effect than that on these creatures."

Syrenia sighs..."So...do we go after them?"

[Jarl]: "ye all said ye wanted to fight with them, so Jarl stopped turning them"

Borathor wipes his head, lets look for the lair they will come back to us when Jarl's faith wears off."

[Azaer]: "I say Turn em!! Turn away!" Azaer shivers with obvious digust. "Now I gotta clean my sword!"

[GAR]: "Do we want them following us?"

[Azaer]: 'I vote no. If we are voting"

Balthazar nods "I'd rather not let them roam around anyway."

Borathor counts his fingers, "Can't be to bad its only 7 of them."

[Jarl]: "I don't think they will want to follow us, but killing them would be a good idea, so they don't harm anyone else"

[GAR]: "Nor do I want them to catch us at night when the foul creatures are at us while only one or two are awake..."

Syrenia nods to Jarl..."Yeah...I say we go after them."

Syrenia glances at the ground..."Hey Bor...can you follow they tracks?"

GAR looks towards the party..."Bandages anyone?"

[Azaer]: 'I really vote that we don't follow, what happens if they have another whole group there or something?"

Balthazar shakes his head :"I'm fine, thanks."

Azaer fidgets.

Borathor looks at the ground, "They went into the swamp i can't see under muddy waters."

Syrenia shrugs..."We kill them too..."

[Jarl]: "if any need healing, i can most likely be of the most help"

[Balthazar]: "Yes, getting to them may be a problem, come to think of it."

Syrenia turns to Borathor..."Crap..."

GAR thinks about the Plate Mail he has on..."Ah no...no trail, let's think about this..."

Borathor looks around "Send the halfling." Smiling at him while he says it.

[Azaer]: "Whew!" Azaer smiles, "I mean aww man!" He grins at Syrenia. 'No way!"

[Jarl]: "whom was harmed, let me see the wounds before they get infected"

Syrenia takes out her broom..."I could find them..."

GAR smiles "That's mean!"

[Balthazar]: "I think Borathor got hit a few times." turns to Syrenia :"You know that's a good idea. Perhaps it will help us find the fortress as well."

Borathor nods, "I was struck by then rotting beasts." Turning back to Azaer "Come on we can tie a rope to you and toss you it would be like fishing."

Jarl looks over each of the wounded "Bor, can you see if they had a lair close by from where they came from?" he will clean them out and dress them first and use magic on anyone that needs it

[Azaer]: 'Umm I don't think so. I am much to valuable to this adventure!" grins.

Syrenia nods..."Alright...I'll see where they head...and I'll come back"

Borathor nods, "Send Syrenia in the air she can get a better view."

Azaer groans.

Syrenia gets on her broom and goes off into the direction of one of the fleeing ghouls.

Azaer begins to search the dead dead bodies for any type of loot.

[Jarl]: "Gar, you were hit as well?"

GAR moves back to the mule, protecting it and the gear...

Balthazar chuckles :"You know dead minions like this rarely have much on them..."

[Azaer]: "I know but you never can be sure! Just checking"

GAR looks to Jarl..."Nay, they couldn't thouch me, thank the gods!

[Jarl]: "everyone else okay?"

Azaer nods to Jarl.

Balthazar nods

GAR looks back to the party..."But where did they come from?"

[Jarl]: "Bor, any luck spotting if they had a lair they might have come from?"

Borathor shakes his head, "No seems they came right from the grass and jump from the dead thing here back into the grass. Where ever they are they are out there." Looking deeper into the foggy swamp.

Balthazar takes a brief look at them to see just how old these bodies could be

[Azaer]: 'Hrmm I think our best course of action would be to continue on to our goal. Like Balthazar said, how much booty could they really have?" nodding enthusiastically.

Azaer grins.

[Jarl]: "well anything else or we ready to move on?"

[DM]: Trying to figure the age of the beast is impossible with the surroundings they live in, but from the looks of them as they are they look as if they were a hundred years old.

[GAR]: "Protect yourself, if they can come up from the ground...maybe they can travel underground and come back...do we wish to stay here?"

[DM]: With that said Syrenia flies by overhead of you going west.

[Balthazar]: "I guess we should head west then."

[Azaer]: 'I think she is just still scouting the area. Lets stick to the road!"

Jarl looks at the worm from a distance as we walk by it "anyone know what kind of worm that thing is?"

[GAR]: "Lead on"

[Azaer]: 'It look slike a slug."

Syrenia flies down to reach the group and hovers above their heads..."They went into a hole a ways to the rightof the trail."

[Balthazar]: "No, look at the mouth there, that's a leech."

Azaer groans.

[Balthazar]: "Albeit a large one."

[Jarl]: "Syr, if you can see the hole and are a safe ways away, you might as well hit it with your fireball, just make sure we are all a safe distance away"

Syrenia smiles..."Sounds good...head the way I go..." With that Syrenia flies off heading to the hole.

[Jarl]: "aye, but we will stay back from the blast"

Balthazar heads for the cave.

Azaer moounts the mule and follows the rest of the party, riding on top of it and keeping his eyes bigtime peeled.

GAR follows, bringing up the rear

[Jarl]: "Bor, we need to stay back some ways, till after the blast. I've seen the effects of a dark elf's magic underground when she hit a pocket of gases. big boom"

GAR keeps checking to the sides and rear about every 30 seconds...

Jarl looks to the sky and waits for the booming fireball

[Balthazar]: "The gases can explode?" stops

Borathor looks to Jarl then back up to Syrenia who flew off. "Can i ask when you sent her off to blow the place up?"

[Azaer]: "Explode? Eh? I vote against exploding." Azaer nods vigorously.

[GAR]: "Boom is Bad..."

[Jarl]: "I did say stay a safe distance back didn't I? and it will go boom"

Borathor looks around you all, "Hmm Jarl isnt this fog and mist all around us gas as well?"

[Balthazar]: "Why, you think something happened, Borathor?"

[Jarl]: "i she stays back and sets it off right at the entrance or right inside it, she should be fine, even a fireball only has so much range and it's not all solid gas. lets move back even more, just to be safe"

[Azaer]: "Ok well all this talk of exploding, I am going to move the Mule all the way back to the road. Sounds safe enough to me."

Borathor crouches down behind the dead bug and waits for Syrenia to do her thing.

Balthazar shrugs and moves back.

GAR will stand next to Azaer

Azaer puts his hands over his ears.

Jarl knells down with his shield set before him, in the direction syr went

Balthazar kneels, ready to cover his face if the blast comes this far.

Azaer panics watching everyone prepare and jumps down and hides behind Jarl.

GAR just stands there next to the Mule...looking for the fireball...

[DM]: Sitting, hiding, waiting for Syrenia you see the swamp light up in a blinding flash, followed by the sucking in of air as it blows over your back to her direction. Peering over you see flames licking every direction as they roll towards you all.

[GAR]: "Oh, this can't be good""OUCH!!!!"

Balthazar gets up, not in too bad a shape, having been shielded rather well by his armor and crouching. "Does anyone need help?"

Azaer screams in agony and rolls on the ground, slapping at the fire that is roasting him.

[DM]: The mule is alive though having burnt hair and some of the gear on fire and smoldering upon it doesn;t help it.

[GAR]: Since I am standing next to the Mule... I try to put out the gear

Balthazar goes to lay hands on Azaer

Borathor looks out into the swamp"Well the fog has lifted, but i dont see Syrenia."

[Balthazar]: "Gar, just pull the stuff off, then put it out."

[Azaer]: "YES! This was a bad idea!" Azaer screams being a bit of a baby.

GAR pulls off the stuff...

[Azaer]: 'Bless you Balthazar! I was near deaths door I tell you!" pants and rubs the smoldering from his clothing.

Jarl lets go of his shield while it cools, taking most of the flames "man..that was warm" as he pats himself off

Balthazar nods and goes to help with the mule.

GAR looks to Balthazar, "If you can, I can use the touch of the gods, but only if those around are less off them I..."

[Balthazar]: "Sorry, too late, I can only do it once a day."

Jarl wraps his burnt hands "so everyone still in one peice, not extra crispy?"

[Balthazar]: "We should head for the cave. Perhaps this blast of air injured Syrenia, she was in the air after all."

GAR pulls his healing pouch from his pack..."Ointment for the mule?" He offers some to Balthazar

Azaer nods to Balthazar. "Yes, hopefully she is alright."

Jarl walks over and bandages Gar's burns

GAR thinks about Syrenia..."The lady..."

Balthazar grunts "I'll go then."

GAR looks at Jarl..."I thank thee..."

Balthazar sets off towards ground zero

Jarl then casts a white light over your burns

[GAR]: "Should we all go?"

Azaer hops onto the mule and follows Balthazar.

[Jarl]: "anyone else hurt? lets go and find her" he runs off in her last direction grabing his shield with a protective cloth as he goes "everyone else okay?" as he continues to head towards where Syr had gone

GAR will take the mule in hand and try to make him move to the same area as everyone is moving...

[Azaer]: "I am fine thanks Jarl, Balthazar healed me."

[Jarl]: "Bor do you see her yet?"

[DM]: Making your way off into the direction Syrenia had gone you see the grass is burnt but not completely as only the tips and edges seem damaged. The farther you go the more the grass is burnt up and in some places gone altogether. Up ahead you see some sort of mud creature crawling across the ground.

Borathor shakes his head, Then spots the mud man as he grabs his bow and readies and arrow.

Azaer gets his sling ready, puitting a bullet into it.

[Jarl]: "wait.."

[Balthazar]: "Wait"

GAR protects the Mule

Borathor turns ,"What?"

[Balthazar]: "Well, it might be someone covered in mud."

[DM]: The mud creature looks to be mansized.

[Jarl]: "lets see what this creature is or isn't first"

Borathor shrugs, "Fine you go check it out."

Jarl waves to the creature

Balthazar jogs towards it, hand on hilt just in case.

Jarl follows axe in hand

[DM]: Standing around watching you see standing in one place to long you begin to sink into the mud.

GAR brings up the rear not moving fast thanks to the mule...

Azaer begins walking the mule around to ensure it doesn't sink. Trying to find a place for it, moving it back towards drier land.

Borathor looks around for something solid to stand upon, while moving about trying to find good footing."Come on hurry up i don't want to get stuck here."

Balthazar keeps moving, and helps it up once he gets to the "creature" if it looks to be Syrenia once there.

GAR moves with Azaer and the Mule...

[Jarl]: "in the nine hells, sinking mud" he runs as fast as his lags will take him

[DM]: Making your way to the beast you see it is completely made up or covered in mud, if its Syreniashe has seen better days.

Balthazar frowns and goes to her, laying her out so she doesn't sink. "Jarl, she's going to need your help."

Jarl graps the other arm of the mud creature and keeps moving with Bal till they step on solid ground once more

Borathor yells out, "Make sure it isnt one of those dead things!"

[Balthazar]: "Heh, I think we'll manage if that's the case."

Syrenia turns on her back and says with a dry voice..."Well I finally got to blast something." She chuckles weakly.

[Jarl]: "take one arm, I got the other, lets get it out of the mud"

Balthazar nods and helps.

[Jarl]: "it was a hell of a blast it was, took the hair right off me toes it did, lase" once in a safe loction he will help clean her up and see to her wounds if any.

[DM]: After finding and recovering Syrenia you make your way back out to the trail where its as dry as it gets in the area.

[Jarl]: "Syr, are you okay? "

[Balthazar]: "Seeing her crawl in the mud, I'd say she needs help, Jarl."

Syrenia shakes her head weakly..."Well...not really..."

Jarl starts to work on her wounds "ye gots your broom?"

Jarl then brings his amulet out and passes it over her body "Moradin, one has played in the fires as hot as a forge, please allow me to heal her wounds" "Bor, look for her broom if you can"

[Balthazar]: "Use your magic detection spells, if it glows, you should be able to spot it.. It's probably too light to sink at least."

Borathor nods and slips off into the swamp to her where abouts. Before long he is out of sight.

[GAR]: "You know, that was a heck of a fireball and I bet everyone saw it for miles...that can't help us any"

Balthazar chuckles and nods

Syrenia chuckles..."Would you go after who did something like that?"

[Jarl]: "well girl, ye got burned very well, thats all i've got for not, let me het a potion out"

Borathor returns a bit later, "I didn't see the broom but i found the lair."

Jarl gives her one of the healing potions, here take a drink from this"

Syrenia takes a sip.

[GAR]: "You would only go after them once..."

[Jarl]: "do you remember from where you lost it, I can cast magic detection and try to spot it"

Syrenia sits up..."A little ways before the hole"

[Jarl]: "can you walk?"

Syrenia gets up and nods..."Come on...let's see if it killed them."

Balthazar heads for the lair as well

Azaer groans, but moves the mule and follows the others.

GAR follows...

[DM]: Making your way back out into the burnt swamp, you find what looks like a hole in the ground that had grass around it.

Syrenia goes to look for her broom where she landed earlier.

[Jarl]: "could your mirror locate the broom?"

GAR "the grass didn't burn, like it was protected...humm"

Azaer stands on top of the mule and begins searching the grass around the hole for Syrenia's broom.

[DM]: Wandering around the area of the hole Borathor slips down into the lair. While the rest of you look for the broom.

Jarl begins chanting as he looks about the area

GAR picks up the broom..."Looking for this?" takes it and gives it to Syrenia...

Azaer applauds. "Nice find Gar."

[GAR]: "My lady, this is yours..."

Syrenia smiles..."Ahh yes..." She takes the broom before going after Bor..."He should really wait."

Jarl looks at the broom then Syr

[GAR]: "Who, who are we missing?"

[Jarl]: "lets go"

Azaer yells out as you enter the large hole, "I will watch the mule! Hollar if you need me!"

[GAR]: "You want me to go in or stay outside?"

Balthazar goes down into the lair as well

Syrenia yells from the hole..."Get in here."

[DM]: Crawling down in the hole you see the remains of burnt up beasts strewn about the small den. borathor is in the back digging in the mud.

[Balthazar]: "If there's undead down there, I have to find them."

Azaer groans. slips from his horse and enters the lair.

Balthazar looks at borathor :"What do you think is in there?"

[Jarl]: "if there be undead down here they be dead, dead"

Syrenia takes out her shovel and starts to help borathor.

[Azaer]: 'What you all diggin for?" Azaer beings searching for anything of value.

Jarl searches the walls and stone/mud work

GAR is still outside with the mule..."You want me to come in or not???"

[DM]: Looking at the mud floor you see there are quite a few copper pieces mixed within.

Borathor looks up, "I found this" holding up a muddy looking string or piece of rope.

Azaer yells, "Naw, nothing here so far. Watch the mule, yell if you see anything, A string? Nice find!" Azaer grins jokingly.

[GAR]: "OK..." I start to brush the mule...trying to get the burned hair out with out hurting it too much...

Syrenia turns to Azaer..."Hey Azaer start picking up the coins..." She picks up the rope and puts it in the sack.

[Balthazar]: "Maybe it was for a mechanism?"

[DM]: The 5 of you dig in the den moving the remains back and fourth uncovering several pieces of jewelry and a small lead box.

[Balthazar]: "Hmm.. A box..."

Azaer picks up anything of value he sees, wiping it off and putting it in the center.

Borathor shakes his head, "Its not a string its a bracelet."

[Azaer]: 'Ahh very nice! Want me to check that box out?"

Syrenia hands the bracelet box and jewelry to Jarl..."Keep this until we're finished."

[Balthazar]: "Open the box, it's doubtful, but it.. it is lead and you know what that might mean."

[Jarl]: "oow, won't that look cute on your wrist, check it for traps if you can"

[DM]: Other then the remaining copper there is nothing here of worth.

Azaer nods to Jarl. Azaer takes the box up and begins to meticulously examine it for traps.

Syrenia starts counting the copper pieces.

[Jarl]: "we could make camp hear, if we remove the burnt bodies, that is"

[Azaer]: 'I don't see any traps on this thing. examines the box and the lock if there is one.

[Balthazar]: "Open it then."

[DM]: There is no visible lock on the case.

[Azaer]: 'Ok my work is done, now who wants to open it?"

Balthazar frowns and opens it a little impatiently.

[DM]: Opening the box you see a piece of black velvet covering a fist sized yellow heart shape stone.

Syrenia raises and eyebrow..."Wow."

[Balthazar]: "You know, this is almost too unlikely to be true. Do we have any way of knowing if it's real?"

[Azaer]: "I can try to appraise that if you want. Any gems or jewelry."

Borathor looks at the box, 'Is that what we came for ?"

Azaer nods to Balthazar. attempts to make an appraisal on the stone.

Balthazar pulls it away "Don't touch it."

[Azaer]: "Oh, ok.

[Balthazar]: "We need tongs to handle the real one, that might be a way to verify it's authenticity but you might be killed."

Syrenia blinks..."You don't think?"

[Azaer]: "ahh then by all means."

[Jarl]: "bah! the priest said that a master thief had it in his mountain hideout. I don't think this is it, I can check it in the morn, with detection magic"

Balthazar nods "Let's be patient then." he puts the box in his personal pack.

Borathor nods, "Maybe the thief didn't make it past the undead."

Syrenia shrugs..."What now?"

[Jarl]: "me don't see a master of anything being taken down by these weak undead, a lich or better maybe"

Borathor looks around, "no bodies though of anything laying about. Except for the dead dead things there."

[Jarl]: "do we want to move on or rest here? I'm thinking the rest of the way should be somewhat safe for the next day or so"

Syrenia keeps counting the copper.

GAR yells down the hole..."I say we move, if these things can raise from the dead, what is to stop them from doing it again!"

[Azaer]: 'Up to you all, I ave been healed up so can keep watch outside the hole with the mule so those wounded can heal up.

[Balthazar]: "You know, if this is indeed a fortress of assassins, it might actually be safer to hide it outside than inside. I still doubt it's real though."

Borathor stretches in the hole shaking his head at Syrenia, "Well can't say she doesn't get her hands dirty.

[DM]: While you debate on leaving this festering den of death Syrenia sits back stacking a mud pile of copper as she contiues to count.

[Jarl]: "well lets keep moving then"

[GAR]: "I really think that it would be safer to move on"

[Balthazar]: "I agree. Let's go then."

Syrenia waves them off..."I'll catch up..."

[Jarl]: "okay"

Balthazar chuckles "It's just copper you know."

[GAR]: "I will take care of the Mule for now"

Balthazar gets out and heads for the trail again..

[Jarl]: "don't mind the assassins they might be following you" as he follows Bal out of the hole

GAR heads off to the trail...third in line...

Syrenia yells..."I'll pay 'em off with the coppers..."

[Jarl]: "just throw it at them, would be better luck"

[DM]: You leave the den save for Syrenia who stayed behind to count copper, in no time at all you are back to the trail which looks as empty and dark as it did before you left it.

[Balthazar]: "You know, if we went off to get killed because of a doubt about this stone, it'd be rather stupid. Perhaps we should stay put until it can be checked. I know I should have said it in the cave, but still..."

Jarl looks about as they walk to see if the fire burned this area as well "I really don't think this is it, way to easy, and a master thief, don't think so"

[GAR]: 'I don't know...I feel that just staying in an area that had undead is not the safest place to hang out..."

Borathor walks back to the trail eating what looks to be a frog. While carrying his wine in the other hand.

[Jarl]: "frog legs? " "and if there are more undead that call that hole home, we would be sitting ducks when they came back"

[GAR]: "I agree. No safer to keep moving..."

Borathor nods, "Yeah they are all about already cooked for you. Means other things that didn't get cooked will soon be smelling it."

Balthazar shrugs "Fine, let's go." He marches down the path in the direction they were headed

[Jarl]: "yes, fresh cooked meat will draw some creatures"

Borathor looks at the others, "If your worried lets just go back to the inn, only took us a half day to get here, or just out to the woods where the ground is hard. I feel better in the trees anyway."

[Jarl]: "worried about what? just stating some facts is all. Just eat ye frog and keep moving"

[Borathor]: "I mean if we stay here bad idea, and if we go on just to camp as far as we know its more swamp. So why not camp in a place we have already been through. Fine fine you want a bite?" Handing the frog towards Jarl.

[DM]: Moving on after defeating the dead you come to a second stone bridge ahead, rising above the mist the hugs the marsh ground. It appears to be built in the same manner as the first one had been done. Moving closer you get a wiff of a foul smelling stench that hangs in the air near this bridge. Just up ahead on the otherside of the bridge the trail splits up into a four way intersection.

Balthazar nods to Borathor :"That sounds good to me."

[Jarl]: he shacks his head *no* and keeps walking

[Jarl]: "Az, want to take a look for us?"

[Balthazar]: "This intersection doesn't match the map..."

Azaer looks at Jarl, "What? It looks like the last one stone more then likely dwarvish in make. Nothing under it." Looking as he leans over to see under from about 10 feet away.

[Jarl]: "I was meaning, as you know, to scout out to see if an ambush waits for us at the bridge" shrugs "never mind"

Azaer looks back under once more "Yeah well as you see there is nothing there."

Jarl follows Bor onward if he so continues

Balthazar shakes his head

[DM]: Proceeding onward across the bridge and up to the intersection you see the trails have been marked by someone or thing before you. A skull of some humanoid beast sits atop a stake in the mud near the right path. The skull of another type of beast rests on a pile of stones near the left trail. Straight ahead of you sharpened stakes protrude through the muddy trail. The trail ahead of you is wider then the trails to the left and right.

[Balthazar]: "I'm no coward, but this is an unnecssary risk"

Borathor stops at the intersection, "Ok well now should we take that as a hint or decoration?" And begins searching for tracks along the muddy banks of the marsh.

[Jarl]: "stand back" "lets see here" as he takes his hammer out and flips it into the air to see where it lands, not to high or anything "go ahead Bor, sorry"

GAR is still standing with the mule...

Borathor stops and looks at Jarl then the others, 'Well there seems to be many web footed two legged beasts moving through out this area."

Jarl hammer lands pointing towards the south most trail "what do you think? my hammer tells me this one"

[Jarl]: as he picks it up and cleans it off

Syrenia comes down from the sky and lands behind the group..."Hello."

GAR looks to Jarl..."I follow your lead"

[Jarl]: "so how many copper did you count?"

[Balthazar]: "I insist we turn around. This is foolhardy to the extreme. We have an assassin's lair ahead, as well as whatever these creatures are. If this stone even has 1 in 10 chances of being real, I think it's wise to get back to safe ground to check it."

Syrenia takes out a sack..."3241...but I only took 2000 with me...anyone want any?"

[Jarl]: "they make for great skipping stones"

Borathor nods "For once i have to agree with the tin can, we should seek safe shelter until we know. Whats a few hours more?"

[GAR]: "nope, I think that we should head back to the Inn"

Jarl shakes his head, "Syr, do you have any detection magic?"

Syrenia shakes her head..."Hmm...Identify..."

Borathor turns to the others, "Like i said just go back to the woods they are safer then the swamp if you don't wish to go back to Virdin."

[Jarl]: "that would take a pearl, right?"

[Balthazar]: "I'll pay the damn pearl."

Syrenia nods.

Balthazar shakes his head

[Jarl]: "Bal, the priest never even told us what the damned thing looks like, did he?"

Syrenia goes over to the mule and attaches the copper bag to it.

[Balthazar]: "No, which means that even if we head back over there with the wrong stone, they have nothing to say."

GAR looks to Syrenia..."Copper Pieces...2000 of them...what a treasure

[Balthazar]: "Seriously, you've lost many friends on foolish ventures. Do you really want to risk this one? My order exists to preserve lives, and I think this suggestion serves that goal best."

[Jarl]: "aye, go ahead and check it, might as well"