A Clearing in the Woods

Zor 26th Dravago, 998 Y.K.

3. The Pasture

The next day Clian informs the group they are approaching a hunting reserve. The area has been cleared of trees to create an area where nobles can hunt. She explains the group can go round the cleared area and reach the lodge where the hunters guest by the end of the day. Skirting around the area will however cost them half a day for the extra distance. On the other hand if they cross the hunting area they might be shot at by mistake by hunters.

The Crimson Fists debate and decide that they can't afford the time as they have no idea how long the child has. They will take their chances and cut across the hunting reserve.

The reserve is a massive plain of grasslands with the grass neck height, bordered on one side by a lake. The Crimson Fists cut straight across the centre of it. Ajax and Clian, who both leave no trace of their passage, move out stealthily to flank the group to surprise any who might be following them.

Kapek takes his glidewing, Hurricane, up to do an aerial survey of the land and check out if the Lodge is occupied. Kapek is on his way to the Lodge when he spots six paths cutting through the grass on a course to intercept the group. He recognises the creatures as Displacer Beasts.

Kapek manoeuvres Hurricane until he is facing along the line and then dives down on them unleashing a storm of force boomerangs as he passes along their line.

The rest of the group alerted by Kapek's attack form up and Anvil casts several spells to enhance the group .

As the creatures approach hidden by the long grass the sharp-eyed Lorric spots them first and charges forward to attack one but he is quickly surrounded by three of the beasts. The rest of the group charge in to support him and lay into the Displacer Beasts.

Meanwhile Kapek having reach the end of the line of creatures pulls a tight Immelman turn and goes back up the line again, strafing as he goes with his deadly boomerangs and slaying two of the creatures.

The remaining three beasts realizing they are outmatched attempt to flee but are chased down and slain.

Anvil informs them that the hide of the Displacer beasts are a vital component in the making of Cloaks of Displacement. They begin to skin the beasts and are able to get five whole skins from the beasts (one is spoiled as they learn how the creatures must be skinned).

Lorric spots a cave off in the distances with dark shapes moving around inside which they assume are the rest of the Displacer Beasts. Lorric wants to finish them off but Ajax argues that there is no need to kill creatures who are not threatening them and the decision is made to move on and leave the cave unexplored.

They travel on the rest of the day in peace and set up camp. Watches are set as normal (with Clian joining Ajax on his watch) and the group settle down for the night.

Far 27th Dravago, 998 Y.K.

5.00 a.m.

The first two watches pass quietly, Lorric slumbers by the fire and Ajax and Clian retire to her tent. It is on Katerina's watch that Anvil hears noises out beyond the edges of the camp. Anvil quietly wakes Lorric and Katerina wakes Ajax and Clian. As stealthily as possible the group prepare for combat as the noises continue outside the circle of the light cast by the camp-fire.

Suddenly a huge Displacer Beast dives out of the darkness on the west side of the camp and attacks Kapek. Clian cast 'Spike Growth' to protect the east side of the camp. Ajax charges over and slays the Displacer Beast attacking Kapek.

Three more of these huge beasts charge in from the east but their charge grinds to a bloody and painful halt as they hit the area Clian had cast Spike Growth on. As another two of the beasts appear on the west side of the camp.

Just as the Crimson Fists are realizing exactly how much trouble they are in the night gets worse. A Displacer Beast so huge it dwarfs even the large beasts that had been attacking them so far hurls out of the darkness at the south side of the camp.

*Ajax comments
As the pack-lord thunders into the camp Ajax wonders if the gods are playing a joke on him by miraculously resurrecting him only to take that life several days later. Still if he has to die he is happy to do so in the company of his comrades. So rather than run he hurls himself against his enemy with renewed energy.

Moving with a speed and power that is truly frightening. Its path takes it straight through where Lorric is concealed and he takes one look at the mountain of muscle descending on him and dives out of the way. The creature powers into the camp, tentacles snapping out a full 20 feet in front of it before stopping just before it collides with Anvil's clockwork horse, Stampede.

The Crimson Fists are now attacked on three sides by foes who outnumber them, outsize them and whose blurring shapes make every blow a coin toss if it will land.

Clian cast 'Entangle' catching two of the Beasts still ensnared in her field of spikes. Lorric and Kapek engage one of the creatures that attacked from the west and Ajax takes on the other, leaving Anvil to face down the pack-leader on his own.

Two of the caught beasts struggle a little way forward, ripping themselves with every step on the spikes but the third one breaks free of the spikes and charges Anvil and Stampede, who are getting soundly clobbered by the pack-lord.

Lorric and Kapek slay the beast they are facing and rush to aid Anvil. Katerina rushes up to Anvil and heals him. Clian falls back to Ajax who is still engaged in a bitter struggle with one of the beasts.

The two beasts caught by Clian's spells crawl forward step by slow, bloody, step before finally coming to a complete halt.

With the aid of Clian Ajax finishes off his beast.

Kapek takes awful punishment from the pack-lord and when Katerina rushes forward to try to heal him she places herself in range of it's deadly tentacles and is struck fiercely by it twice.

Clian and Ajax rush over. Clian to heal Kapek and Ajax to engage the pack-lord.

One of the beasts that had been trapped by Clian finally breaks free and limps into battle.

Despite his heavy wounds Kapek hurls himself at the pack-lord determined that either it or him will die and with a savage blow from his Tangat puts the creature down.

The entire group attack the only free Displacer Beast and quickly finish it while its last surviving pack-mate struggles desperately to free itself from Clian's spells.

The last Displacer Beast is still trapped so the group draw their missile weapons and shoot at it and shoot at it and shoot at it before the creature finally expires having never actually managed to get into combat with the Crimson Fists.

As the last Displacer Beast hits the ground the whoops of triumph break out. Ajax embraces Clian, proud of how her magics had saved them, Katerina moves to heal the wounded members, Kapek performs a halfling war-dance (while eying the pack-lords hide greedily) and Lorric, of course, has a beer.

Niern, Greenheart and Beyond...

Zor 19th Dravago, 998 Y.K.

Niern

On the evening of the 3rd day the captain calls for you and points to the horizon. Off in the distance you can see several lights flickering by the shore of the vast Lake Galifar as the daylight fades. The lake is so large that from your current location it could be easily mistaken for a sea. Off to the west the vast Eldeen Reaches spread as far as the eye can see, an expanse of rich hues of green that rise and fall beyond the horizon.

“We should be there within the hour, get your things together, we won’t be hanging around. You have enemies that I could do without.”

And as evening becomes night the Skystar begins to drift lazily downward. The rope ladders are dropped over the sides and the cargo hold is opened from below, allowing you access to your mounts and other equipment.

“Travel well”, says Syrina, “Your enemies are sure to be hot on your trail.”

Watching as the Skystar takes to the night sky, you find your gaze being drawn to the eastern sky, the ring of Siberys is radiant this evening, but you find yourself wondering about what darkness lurks in it’s shadow?

The Crimson Fists make their way to the Inn through the gathering gloom when Lorric notices someone stealthily pursuing the group. Quietly Lorric slips into the darkness and begins to stalk their stalker. Moving unseen Lorric moves up behind the stranger and then launches himself upon him fists flying. Quickly Anvil charges the mysterious stranger down upon his mechanical steed and sends him flying.

The group quickly surround their badly beaten stalker. Who, somewhat to their surprise, declares " Get off me you idiots " in a very loud and very familiar voice. It is Ajax !

*Ajax comments
Ajax had planned to sneak up on the group and then jump out and suprise Katerina. Sadly as a rogue Ajax makes a damn good barbarian and the only suprise is when he gets ambushed by Lorric.
Who has really hard fists.

The group are suspicious and quiz the newcomer with questions that only he could know the answer to. He answers accurately (or as accurately as they would expect from Ajax) and this combined with his unique interpretation of Elvish convince them it is indeed their comrade returned from the dead.

The group retire to the inn, where Lorric orders 17 beers ( and then grudgingly gives four to his comrades). The Crimson Fists eat and drink as Ajax tells them of the strange events that have befallen him since last they met.

*Lorric comments

Having ascertained (as best they can) that Ajax is indeed really Ajax, Lorric rather sheepishly apologises for beating their stalker repeatedly, but does explain that he has not seen anything like this miracle before. The dead do not normally come back! On that basis Lorric probably takes the most convincing that it is really Ajax, but he is very glad to see his comrade back in the land of the living nonetheless.

*Kapek comments

Kapek feels that no apology was necessary; Ajax's return to the group was done in a spectacularly stupid manner. Of course this goes a long way to convincing Kapek that this truly is Ajax, despite the unlikelihood of his miraculous resurrection, since surely only Ajax could be so foolish . . .

As they talk and drink Ajax notices a lone female shifter drinking herself into oblivion from a bottle of whiskey. Remembering what the Ether-Gaunts had said about the most unlikely guide being their best choice Ajax approaches her.

She introduces herself as Clian and agrees to guide the group for 2 gold a day.

The next day the group rise early and Katerina discovers a wonder waiting for her. A unicorn has appeared from the woods, a gift from her patron deity Olladra. Ajax uses his ability to speak with animals to attempt to converse with it but the somewhat confused creature replies in clear Elvish and introduces itself as Snowdrift.

With their new companion and their hung-over guide the Crimson Fists set off.

Sul 22nd Dravago, 998 Y.K.

Greenheart

The road to Greenheart is an uneventful journey. The only signs of life are the occasional group of hunters that either cross your path or are heading in the opposite direction. The road itself is reasonably well kept, although overgrown and boggy in places, the occasional fallen tree has been cleared from the track and so you make good time.

The skies are clear and the days are growing warm, the vast forest around you teems with life as the seasons begin to change.

Hunting is good and the rich green smells of the forest fill your hearts with renewed zest for life. Occasional clearings by the roadside show signs of recent camping and you take full advantage of these areas as night falls.

The road is relatively straight as it weaves its way through the ancient trees, although the undulations of the land offer views and vistas both through and over the surrounding forest.

As the day grows dim on the third day of travel you smell the faint aroma of wood-smoke drifting on the air and it is not long before you can hear the sounds of gentle song, the chopping of wood and the playful shouts of children.

As you continue the trees around you begin to thin out a little and you see the first signs of civilisation in the form of wooden walkways within the trees. Subtle movements betray the presence of bowmen that watch as you approach the town of Greenheart.

As you approach the area you can see that the forest canopy is clearer here, the few trees that grow are less dense. The area undulates with grassy meadows and blossoming orchards, in the centre of this clearing is perhaps the largest tree that you have ever seen, a mighty greatpine dominates the low knoll that it rests upon, surrounded by several stone circles. A makeshift wooden platform that has been manufactured out of natural materials, stands some 30 feet high by the side of the greatpine. Dwellings surround this clearing within the trees, connected by walkways, there are signs of dwellings dug into the earth and there are several groups of tents that dot the area.

Townsfolk wander to and fro, finishing their days work, carrying lumber or game to their homes. Mothers call their children in for their evening meal, all in all this is an idyllic scenario.

Lorric is horrified to discover that Greenheart has no inns and sets off to discover ale accompanied by Clian.

Kapek takes Reaver off into the woods to do a little hunting for the ever hungry raptor.

Ajax wanders off to speak with Shifters not from Sharn for the first time in his life. Determined to learn what he can of his people and their society.

*Ajax comments
Strange as it may sound having grown up in the Fallen Ajax has practically no idea what Shifter society is actually like. He finds an old Shifter chopping firewood and offers to help. As they work they talk, Ajax tells of life in Sharn and his new friend explains how the Shifters of the Eldeen reaches live. Ajax is suprised to discover they have neither money nor government, nor any real need of them.
When the wood is ready they return to the old Shifters home in the branches of the tree and share a mug of ale. Ajax likes the idea of the peace and simplicity of such a life even if he's not sure it would suit him.

Anvil and Katerina, sensibly stay with the child.

Lorric finds a friendly group of people who offer to share their fire and their ale in return for stories. Lorric fetches his companions and they all settle around the communal camp-fire. The Crimson Fists entertain their hosts with stories of their adventurers.

The group also take the opportunity to quiz their hosts for any information that could help them in their quest. They learn that little is known of the Six Falls area as nobody has returned from it for a long time. They are warned however that the area borders the territory of the Ashbound druidic sect. Their hosts suggest that the group should speak with Oalian, though in the morning as he doesn't like to be disturbed at night.

Upon returning to their own camp Ajax is presented with a gift from Anvil, a silver amulet that should preserve his life when he is mortally wounded. Ajax is touched by this thoughtful gift crafted by Anvil himself.

Meeting Oalian, the Great Druid

As you approach the 210 feet of pine that is the Great Druid Oalian, the earth shivers beneath your feet, before becoming a tremble. Great root tendrils burst from the earth and poise themselves around you threateningly. A deep and booming voice resounds from the tree ahead of you and as you look up you can see a gnarled and knotted face glaring down at you.

“Why do you return to this place ‘Stormcrow’?”

A thick root-stem wraps itself around Clian’s ankle, lifting her into the air, a deep trench is torn into the earth as the root carries her towards the tree, before a thick branch swings down from the heights and takes a firm hold of her, holding the shifter mere feet from the Great Druid’s face.

“I was hired to show these people through the forest,” she struggles to reply, “They seek Six Falls Ravine.”

“You have brought a darkness to this land ‘Stormcrow’, and now you seek to continue your work?” the tree asks.

“No, no, I seek only to help those who would help the Reaches. Six Falls has long been cold, perhaps they will bring a new spring to the grey, curse that clutches the heart of the realm.”

The branch releases the unfortunate shifter and you watch as she bounces down the trunk before hitting the ground with a crack of bone and a deep grunt of pain. The tree fixes it’s gaze upon you, “Come up here so I can see you better little ones.”

It gestures to the platform with one of its mighty boughs.

Somewhat concerned by the treatment meted out to their guide the Crimson Fist carefully approach Oalian but he does them no harm. The Crimson Fist and Oalian speak cordially, it turns out Oalian has heard of Palimino though apparently he has not been seen for around 5,000 years.

Oalian also confirms that there is a gate to Thalanis in Six Falls called the Seventh Pathway.

The group returns to their camp where Katerina curiously pokes the injured Clian's wounds ( a bad habit she seems to have developed) before healing her.

The Crimson Fists and their guide set out once more. As they travel they exchange tales and Clian tells her tale.

Clian Raincaller, the tale of the Stormcrow

The first time she came here she was just a child. Her parents had brought her to be blessed by the Great Druid. She was just a child but Oalian had refused to bless her, claiming that the stars were badly aligned for her birth. Her parents felt great shame and left the Eldeen Reaches, trying to put this bad omen behind them. They moved from place to place until they arrived and settled in the Eldritch Groves in Aundair. Bearing in mind that this was a time of war the journey was not without peril or tragedy as she lost her father to an assault on their camp by a group of Eldeen rangers, they killed him as a spy before she and her mother managed to escape.

When her mother passed, taken by illness Clian decided to travel once more. Living by her wits she managed to make it to the wondrous city of Sharn.

For a time she worked with various groups, until she eventually settled into a routine with a company known as “The Seekers of the Perfect Jewel”.

This group formed in Sharn late in the year 982 YK. They were originally commissioned by House Tharashk to transport Eberron Dragonshards from the Shadow Marches into Sharn for processing. They earned a good name and respectable profit for themselves, the work was tough at times but this only strengthened their bonds with each other.

In the last years of the war they heard news that House Cannith was paying extremely well for expeditions heading to Xen’drik in search of lost magics or weapons that could be used in the war. They signed up immediately, not knowing that this first expedition was to be their last.

Upon arriving in Stormreach they hired a drow guide, Velaroa Ssellmar, to take them deep into the jungle where a vast temple complex was said to lie crumbling with age.

On the journey, which took weeks, several members pressed Velaroa to quicken the pace, he explained that certain marshy areas must be avoided due to the fact that disease was rife in them; more gold persuaded him that the risk was worth taking. It was here that several members of The Seekers contracted a strange Yellow Fever, today some have died from it, and others are still suffering.

The group made a discovery carved into the wall of a vast and dangerous temple deep in the Xen’drik jungles, in a ruined city known as Pra’xirek. In the centre of this extravagant carving was an Eberron Dragonshard. While the group tried to chisel the gem from it’s setting, the group’s wizard, Selthen Frey, began committing the pattern to memory. He recognised it as some kind of vast and intricate Schema, although he was not sure of it’s purpose….

The group were disturbed by the guardians of he place and had not choice but to flee the area, as they were leaving the pattern slowly faded from the wall to nothing, leaving just a gem firmly embedded in the wall.

Within a matter of hours the wizard fell ill, fevers wracked his body, his lucidity waxed and waned. When he tried to plot the schema onto parchment he grew more ill and the quill and parchment both crumbled to nothing. He knew he had to get help so the group returned to Sharn and enlist the help of Morgrave University and House Cannith. That was the last the Seekers ever saw of their wizard. House Cannith paid them for their services and with heavy hearts the group decided that it was time to retire on their profits. They were strictly bound to silence on the matter by House Cannith, but that was 10 years and 1200 miles away.

Clian's tale strikes chords with the group. The description of the child as containing the power of a great Dragonshard and the fate of Clian's wizard comrade seem to close to be a coincidence. Ajax wants to tell Clian of their mission but his comrades disagree, there is a short but lively debate in which Ajax is outvoted by his comrades and so he agrees to not tell Clian.

After three days brisk travel the group reach Woodgard.

*Ajax comments
Ajax loves travelling through the forest. The new scents, the new plants, the new tastes, the new animals to hunt, all fill him with joy. He practically bounds along each day, rushing off from the group to explore each new sight and then rushing back to them with endless energy. Even though he was born in the Fallen, this is the place he truely feels he belongs.
His happiness is made complete by his growing closeness to Clian who gifts him with a special braid in his hair, infused with the magic of her druidic arts.

Into the Wild Wood

Wir 25th Dravago, 998 Y.K.

1. Woodgard

After 3 days of pretty uneventful travel you arrive at the small shifter village of Woodgard.

A small, apparently natural clearing in the thick forest has at its centre a silvery pool of purest water. In the trees, burrowed into the ground or in simple shelters are the homes of Woodgard’s inhabitants.

Clian is recognized by the Shifters of Woodgard, but to the Crimson Fists relief she is warmly welcomed. The Crimson Fist are welcomed and food, stories and alchol shared.One of the Shifters rubs Ajax up the wrong way by refering to him as a whelp and when he tells a story Ajax deliberately tops it with one of his own. The Shifter challenges Ajax to match his words with action. To the cheers of the locals and the Crimson Fist they fight a friendly boxing match which Ajax wins.

The Shifters are inspired and in short order Kapek, Anvil and Lorric are also challenged. The Crimson Fist acquit themselves well with Kapek and Anvil winning (and Lorric only losing through poor fortune).

The Shifters also mention that two of their number, named Veltrith and Dhren, are overdue to return and ask the Crimson Fist to keep an eye out for them.
The night is a haze of drinking,fighting, eating, story-telling and fighting and the Crimson Fists are delighted by the hospitality of Woodgaurd.

Zor 26th Dravago, 998 Y.K

2. Felldrake Attack

The next day the group are travelling down a dry and deep river-bed when they hear lizard-like hissings from above them. They look up to see a group of Spitting Felldrakes perched on the bank, fifteen feet above them. The creatures spit streams of acid down upon the surprised group.

As the group reel from this attack, another of the creatures appears in the river-bed and spits at the group.

The creatures must have thought the height and bad terrain between them and the group would protect them but they reckoned without the speed of the Crimson Fists. Ajax leapt straight up the bank to engage one of the creatures, Lorric sped around the battlefield like lightning and Anvil rode down one of the creatures, his mechanical steed crushing it to a pulp beneath its iron hooves. Only Kapek couldn't match his comrades speed but didn't need to as he instead slew one of the creatures with a stream of force boomerangs from his new item. ( Crafted for him by Anvil).

In short order the Felldrakes are dispatched.

The Skystar

Zol 17th Dravago, 998 Y.K. - Lyrandar Tower

Within the Docking bay, hundreds of shuffling people—most of them standing in long lines—are waiting to board the next airship. Along the north and south walls are two large areas filled with chairs. Together, these lounges provide seating for more than five hundred people. House Lyrandar provides refreshments, such as fruits and water, free of charge to the waiting travellers. The safety of the airship passengers using this docking port is of paramount concern to House Lyrandar. No fewer than fifty guards patrol this room at all times.

As you are waiting for your ship to dock you hear a ruckus across the lounge. As you watch you see several guards trying to extract a shabby looking old man from the lounge area, and he is protesting loudly.

“I must reach Xen’drik and look once more upon the great Dragonshard. It is the salvation of all of us. We will all perish without the wisdom of Eberron.” 

As the old man is ushered past you his wild hair and beard are brushed aside. You can clearly see a necklace hung with several large crystals.

The old man stares at the child as the guards drag him past you, a look of terror and hope crosses his face and his eyes seem to clear of the madness within. He raises a shaky hand and points.

“You have found it, the boy is alive. He must be returned, the World Born Dead seeks him, we will all perish…”

The guards continue to drag him off and as they do you are approached by an official looking gentleman, “The Skystar is ready to board now, please follow me to dock three”.

The group tread cautiously across the bridge (very carefully not looking down) and board the Skystar. They are greeted by Captain Syrina d'Lyrandar, a very attractive elf. She is, in short order, hit on by Lorric and warned by Anvil not to let Lorric near any levers. She quickly retreats and lets her first mate conduct the tour of the Skystar.

Following the tour the Crimson Fist meet up with the Captain in the lounge where she answers their questions. These are, unsurprisingly, mostly about the defensive capabilities of the ship and how the group can help out in the event of an attack (and whether they can use the ballista).

*Lorric comments

To everyone's amazement, (including his own!) Lorric somehow manages to sweet-talk the Captain into allowing him to try and fly the skyship. Unfortunately, he is unable to get the air elemental to comply with his wishes, and the attempt is short lived, before the Captain takes the wheel again.


Lorric is nontheless delighted that he was allowed to give it a go, and feels suitabily ready to try again, and if the group are attacked by sky-pirates, thoroughly intends to try to appropriate their skyship.

The journey will take 2 ½ days travelling in a straight line although it is explained that you do have to avoid the Skyraker Forest as unseasonably icy winds from the Greywall Mountains are slicing through the skies above it. You are informed that the “Uttercold” is restless these days.

Wir 18th Dravago, 998 Y.K.

As twilight approaches the “Skystar” enters a bank of light mist that diffuses the red light of the sunset, covering everything with a vivid red glow. The glow gradually fades as the sun falls below the horizon and the crew begin to light the watch-lamps about the ship.

It is not long before you find yourselves in a silent darkness with only the gentle creaking of the soarwood hull and the ever-present breathy sighing of the air elemental bound into the ring that surrounds the vessel.

No stars can be seen tonight and as the darkness deepens the captain gives explicit orders to the bound elemental and heads into her quarters. As with last night most of the crew retire below deck to eat, drink and rest for the night, leaving only a night watch on the deck to keep an eye on things. Every half hour the watch rings the Watch-Bell.

Late on the night of the 18th, all is quiet. Kapek and Ajax have retired to bed. Katerina is in her cabin, checking on the health of the child. Anvil is sitting in the prow of the ship, quietly crafting and Lorric is getting in some serious drinking in the ship's lounge. Despite his heroic alcohol consumption it is Lorric who spots the strange intruders first. Balls of metal from which sprout a whipping nest of metal tentacles, floating sinisterly down the corridors of the Skystar.

Lorric yells the alarm and charges one of the creatures.

Kapek leaps out of bed and grabs his weapons. Ajax however remains defiantly asleep.

On the upper deck Anvil and Lorric engage one of the creatures. On the Quarter deck Kapek pulls open his door to run straight into one of the creatures, he pulls back into his room, drawing it in to him. He recognizes it as one of the Stormclouds of Thoon, a construct created by the Mind flayers. Kapek also spots three more of the Stormclouds heading down the corridor towards Katerina's room.

Despite the full scale battle going on outside his room Ajax slumbers peacefully on.

From the Upper Deck Anvil heads down the stairs to ensure the safety of those below, leaving Lorric to slay the first of the Stormclouds before rushing down to join in the main battle. This noise finally awakens Ajax who rushes out of his room to attack the constructs in the narrow corridor of the skyship. Katerina pokes her head out of her room and is yelled at by everybody to bar her door.

Electricity suddenly flows and sparks across the constructs bodies and arcs of electricity leap from each of them to fill the corridor. Only Lorric's acrobatic training saves him but Anvil and Ajax are not so lucky, taking the full force of the attack. (Kapek and Katerina are in their rooms). Despite the damage it seems to do them the constructs discharge electricity again and Ajax drops to the ground, a smoking husk.

This is the high point for the constructs though, weakened by their own attacks and already damaged they are soon dispatched.

In the aftermath of the battle Katerina rushes out to see if anything can be done for Ajax but he is beyond even her magic. She sadly heals who she can.

*Katerina comments

Looking down at the smouldering corpse of her dear friend Ajax, Katerina feels as though she has let everyone down. She has one role in the group and in that role she has failed. Looking round at the stalwart faces of her companions she feels a rush of emotion. Hiding her tears she tenderly wraps Ajax's body in a blanket and whispers a prayer for his soul.

The Crimson Fist are just beginning to discuss what, if anything, can be done for their fallen comrade when the yells of the Skystar's crew attract the attention of the surviving members of the group and they descend into the Cargo Hold. There they find the door to the cargo hold smashed open from the inside and in the hold eight smashed pottery jars of the right size to each have held a Stormcloud. The pottery jars are marked as coming from Vralkek in Droaam. It is lost on no-one that this is where the crate in which they first found the child was marked as having come from.

This information is only just starting to be digested when suddenly the alarm sounds from the Upper Deck. The Captain hustles Katerina back to her room and promises to guard her and the child.

Rushing to the Upper Deck the Crimson Fists see three, strange, winged creatures flying behind the Skyship. These are identified as Destrachan, although the fact that they are held aloft with great leathery wings and a ring of writhing tentacles around their mouths indicates they are not normal specimens. The rear one is observed to be ridden by a Mindflayer. As they watch, two of the creatures move to flank the Skyship while the one ridden by the Mindflayer remains in position behind of the Skystar.

Anvil produces the wand of fireballs he had purchased the day before they had set out and blasts the creature. When this is followed by a stinging bullet from Lorric's sling the creature peels away into the mist.

As if on some unheard signal the creatures flanking the Skyship both charge toward it, screaming hideous, damaging cries. They land on either side of the Upper Deck.

Kapek charges the creature on the left (noticing as he does that it too is ridden by an invisible Mindflayer) striking it a mighty blow with his Tangat. Anvil finishes the creature off with a flask of acidic fire and the smoking bodies of creature and rider topple gently off the ship.

Screams erupt from below decks, which the group recognize as the Captain.

Kapek and Anvil charge the creature on the right, which turns out to not have a rider and quickly finish it. Meanwhile Lorric hurls himself below decks ( no doubt spurred by the chance to rescue the Captain) to find the last Mindflayer trying to force its way into Katerina's room. Catching the Mindflayer by surprise, Lorric quickly attacks it dealing devastating wounds before Kapek leaps below decks and flings two of his trademark boomerangs at the aberration, slaying it.

Simultaneously on the Upper Deck the last Destrachan and its Mindflayer rider (still smoking gently from the fireball) land on the front of the ship. The Mindflayer attempts to exert some strange power on Anvil and Kapek but bolstered by Anvil's magic they resist and attack it.

In desperation the Destrachan leaps off the ship and dives for the fog cover but Anvil is ready and once more blasts it with the wand of fireballs. It is the fatal blow and the controlled dive turns into a death dive as the still flaming creature and rider plunges into the fog cloud.

The Crimson Fist check on the Captain, the child and Katerina and discover they are all intact. It is then noticed that sometime during the chaos of the battle Ajax's body has mysteriously vanished.


In the aftermath of the battle the group examine the dead Mindflayer. They discover it has a familiar symbol branded onto it, a symbol they had last seen in the underground complex from which they had rescued the child.
Anvil and Katerina harvest the Mindflayer's brain and pickle it. Lorric then decapitates it and mounts the head on the bows of the skyship (from which the Captain removes it the second his back is turned).

Ajax's Long Sojourn
As the world around you slips into shades of grey and the agony finally ends you find yourself drifting across a drab grey monotone wasteland. You wander for a thousand lifetimes through the tormented souls that have lost their identity, but their purpose is their own and they are lost somewhere deep within themselves, whatever motivations and aspirations they had in life have long since died and now they wander aimlessly, shades overcome with apathy and the heavy pull of the earth beneath their feet. But worse than that, they are what you will someday become. Screaming to the sky with the realisation that Ajax of the Black Claw is no more you fall to your knees and let darkness wash over you.

A shift somewhere either in or around you stirs your senses and you feel a pull, somewhat like you need to vomit and then in a flash you are bathed in light.
Every moment is pure torture as you realise that your nerves are burning and recoiling, your eyes sting as you try to open them, sharp contrasts baffle your tired mind, agony fills every pore of your being and as you force your eyes open you find yourself faced with a vast vortex swirling in a warm off-white sky.
Turning your head slightly to look around, you find yourself laid upon a stone table upon the peak of a vast pyramid, surrounding you are the cyclopean ruins of a vast city that stretches off into the distance and beyond the bounds of the city you see only silvery swirling mists.
Standing by your side you see a single white figure, its face covered with a vertically bisected mask. Dozens of colourful, prehensile tendrils emerge from behind the mask like a mane of thick fleshy hair, in a split second the mask flicks open revealing a horrifically alien morass of facial organs and orifices. I leans close to your face, you feel at once emotionally numbed and mentally drained by its very visage.
A soft voice in your mind soothes your worries, "The Awakener awakens. Arise Ajax of the Black Claw; lift yourself from your grave..."

Ajax gets up in a great degree of confusion.

Hauling yourself to your feet, your head swims in pain and for a few moments you fear that you will not be able to remain conscious, but a few deep breaths resolve the feeling and your surroundings fall back into focus. The pain in your flesh gradually begins to subside.
"Welcome back, Ajax of the Black Claw. Are you aware of what has happened?" says the spindly white aberration that stands by your side, an ethergaunt.

"I'm aware. I died, I went to the afterlife, it sucked. How long was I dead for? Who are you?"
…Long pause…
"And what do you want in return for bringing me back?”

"How long have you been dead....?" the creature pauses for a moment before you hear it's voice once more in your mind, "That would depend upon where you are in relation to the event of your crossing over. However long you think you have been dead, then it has been that long."
"I am one of many that watch over that which lies beyond infinity, it gestures to the vast dark vortex in the sky, and in return for your salvation I ask that you embrace your destiny, your ward is most precious, perhaps the single most precious thing in the entirety of existence."

“So the Kid is still alive? I thought I was in the afterlife much longer than that." Shakes head.
"Never mind I'm sure time works differently. So the deal is, I'm not dead and in return I guard the Kid no matter what, right? Fair enough I acknowledge the debt of Honour I owe you and will guard the child to the utmost of my abilities. But I reserve the right to still loathe Martell, that tight git."

“I do not feel that you fully appreciate the gravity of the situation, Ajax of the Black Claw. You and those who bear the mark of the fist bathed in blood are the ones who will decide the players in the final battle, you have already watched as the gates to the bone castle opened and fought back the dark thoughts of Xoriat. You have liberated, the wild madness wreathed in chains, the white tiger walks the face of Eberron once more, these have all been your decisions and others remain inert through your actions. Your path has only just begun….
It points once more to the vortex above, “Look closely, you will see a darkness that orbits the Horizon. Should that body reach the centre, then it is time to pray to your Gods that there is something beyond everything we know to exist, for at that point it will all cease.

"Hold on one goddamn minute. If I don't fully appreciate the gravity of the situation it's because we never get a straight answer from you types.
I may not know cosmic mysteries but I know we will work better if we actually know what we are trying to accomplish and what we are fighting against. All this enigmatic stuff is no help whatsoever.
Answer some questions, clearly and concisely for once”

The creatures face writhes with no emotions that you can fathom; you can however presume that it is not happy at being spoken to in such a fashion.
"We are forbidden from interfering with the paths that people choose to take, but ask your questions and I shall answer as best as I can. You have to understand that our minds do not work with any great degree of compatibility with some of the 'lesser' races and this usually results in confusion."

“Well as it seems you need this particular lesser race. What is the child going to do that is so important?
Why won't he communicate with us?
Who is trying to kill the child?
Can we trust Martell?
How do I avoid going back to that horrible afterlife when I finally die?"

"The child is a vessel, it contains an element that was etched within a great Dragonshard and expanded upon by the giants of a land you know as Xen'drik. If the child dies, then everything it contains dies with it. The child is going to 'do' nothing, but he must survive."
"He is under the influence of a powerful poison that fogs his mind, which is already heavily clouded by the patterns woven into what was the blank canvass of his thought processes. The child will not communicate until the poison is purged, and even then it is likely that your lesser minds will not understand."
"There are many who would see the child dead, and they are not always what they seem. As there are also many who would see the child live, and they too can not be judged by their actions, although their motivations may be far removed from your lesser thought patterns."
"There was a time when Martell d'Cannith of the Midnight League was not to be trusted, but his actions moved the path of destiny and the realisation of the consequences changed his perspective."
"The only way that I know of that will allow you to 'avoid' your afterlife, is to avoid death. The elves of Aerenal and their Undying Court, or the followers of House Vol have both found pathways to salvation."
“I will take you back to Eberron; I believe you were headed for the village of Niern. Head for the ‘Sleeping Seacat’, you will need a guide through your next chapter, those that appear most unsuitable, are often those that you seek.”
The creature takes your hand and you both take to the air, flying through silvery space, passing through mists out of sight of the ominous vortex. In moments you find yourself standing on the outskirts of a small lakeside village. The afternoon is growing late and the lights of cottages are flickering in the fading of the day.
To the west the land is filled with thick woodland and a vast lake disappears over the horizon to the north and east.

"Thank you."