The Journey Continues...

Far 27th Dravago, 998 Y.K.

With the Displacer Beasts dead and dawn almost there the Crimson Fists get down to the serious business of skinning the dead beasts. After a few hours of hard work the group have five fine pelts (and one badly mangled one).

It is decided to head back to the cave that was spotted earlier to investigate if the Displacer Beasts left anything worth looting. There is no way the child could match the speed the group will make so Ajax and Clian decide to stay at the camp-site to protect him.

*Ajax comments
The child's safety absolutely being the reason Ajax and Clian volunteer for duty which involves them being left alone together.

The rest of the group head swiftly back and find the cave empty of living creatures. They do find the skeletons of two Shifters which they believe must be the two missing scouts that the Shifters of Woodgard had asked them to look out for. Kapek collects their bones and stores them in his Heward's Handy Haversack so they can eventually be returned to their people for proper burial. They also uncover some money and gear which they help themselves to.

This done they quickly return to the camp and split the money up evenly (with Clian getting a share). Then Kapek casts 'Easy Trail' to increase their speed and they head on to their destination.

Good time is made that day and no problems occur (for once). The following day (28th Dravago) passes without event and it is not until around noon the day after, that the Crimson Fists almost inevitably run into trouble.

Sul 1st Dravago, 998 Y.K.
4. The Briarvex Hunting Party

1.00 p.m.

As the group are travelling along they hear crashing noises from ahead. Quickly the group take up ambush positions and wait for the next challenge the Reaches will throw at them.

Soon the waving of the undergrowth indicates creatures moving towards their position but the scrub is too high for the group to make out what they are and they can only grip their weapons tighter and wait. Suddenly the creatures burst into sight, giant stag beetles thundering towards them.

Lorric and Ajax leap from ambush (though of course Lorric's concealment was slightly better than Ajax's ) and bring down the first beetle while Kapek's boomerangs and a mounted charge from Anvil bring down a second.

Suddenly however the plants around them stir unnaturally and twist to entangle the surprised group and Clian lets out a yell of alarm as a weird, green creature emerges to attack her. Kapek identifies it as a Vine Ogre or Briarvex.

Quickly tearing themselves free of the grasping plants Kapek, Ajax and Lorric rush over to their left flank to aid Clian. Kapek approaching first is struck a terrible blow by the creature but to his horror the blow is not all the creature can do as the thorns it left in his wound come to vicious life and start to burrow bloody paths into his body.

On the right flank Anvil urges Stampede forward to flank the two remaining Stag Beetles but as he moves round another Vine Ogre strikes at him from ambush and then moves to the centre where Katerina waits unprotected.

One of the Stag Beetles moves to attack the rear of the four engaged with the first Vine Ogre but before it can affect the melee Kapek and Ajax bring the Vine Ogre down. The respite is short-lived as next second two more Vine Ogres appear and the plant life moves again at their command trapping Lorric firmly in their creepers.

In a flurry of blows Ajax kills one of the Vine Ogres and then using his War Shaper ability to stretch his limbs strikes out and kills the Stag Beetle threatening their rear.

Anvil engages the last beetle as yet another Vine Ogre appears. Stampede crushes the last beetle underfoot but Anvil is struck by a Vine Ogre and finds that its thorns will burrow into him as willingly as they will into his fleshy comrades. Meanwhile Clian slays one of the Vine Ogres with her flaming scimitar while Ajax discharges all of the magic for the day of his Healing Belt into her, healing some of her wounds.

Kapek finishes the last Vine Ogre threatening them while Anvil strikes at the last Vine Ogre only to see once again Stampede steal the kill from him by finishing of the creature with a well aimed steel hoof.

*Anvil comments
Anvil does feel as if the kill was stolen from him, indeed he need feels that way, as long as the foe is dealt with it doesn't matter who deals the killing blow as long as everyone feels as if they aided the group in some way. Should there be a tally Stampede is a direct extention of Anvils control and does only what it is directed to do, unlike Kapek's dinosaur mounts.

The group pause for breath and while thorns are dug out from wounds and healing magics applied Clian explains that the Vine Ogres are attracted to shiny objects which they store in pouches in their body. The Crimson Fist need no encouraging to loot the bodies and a fair haul of coin and gems is the result.

As the group heads on again Clian explains that just before nightfall they should reach a river across from which rises an impassable cliff. They will have to cross the river and then move along the base of the cliff until they reach a path around it. She goes on to inform them that they must make this journey as swiftly as possible as giant spiders live in the cliff. These creatures won't come out while the sun is shining directly on them but as the sun moves and the ground is put into shadow they will start to emerge. Therefore tonight they will sleep on the far side of the river and then at dawn cross and move along the cliff's base as fast as possible.

Just as the sun is setting they reach the river and set up camp.

In the night a giant spider passes near the camp but Anvil, who is on watch, decides not to attack it and the creature moves on. When the next day Lorric is informed of this he declares they should have killed the creature, others argue as it wasn't yet threatening them is was the right thing to leave it alone. Arguing the point they move on.

*Anvil comments
Given that the creature appeared to have no desire to approach the camp Anvil didn't feel the need to break the sleep of his companions. Given the debate that happened when Anvil suggested killing the infant and weak goblinoids that worshipped a dark and foul god, Anvil is still trying to work out how the rules of morality work.

Mol 2nd Nymm, 998 Y.K.
5. The Impasse

3.00 p.m.

The journey along the base of the cliff is nerve-wracking, although assured they are safe as long as the sun shines on them the occasional stirring of long spidery legs from cracks in the cliff does nothing to put the Crimson Fists at their ease.

When noon is reached and the sun begins to descend, putting the cliff in ever increasing shadow the feeling gets worse. Kapek decides to take Hurricane up to reconnoitre and Lorric goes with him.

Soon they reach an area where webs have been laid along the ground, to act as trip-wires in the group's opinion. Ajax argues they should leap or fly over it but he is over-ruled and the decision is made to burn the webbing away. Ajax leaps over the webbing so it can be burned from both sides at once.

As the webbing begins to burn the ever observant Lorric notices spiders emerging from the cliff. Ajax smugly points out that this means he was right but Kapek replies that they don't know what would have gone wrong if they'd used his method. Ajax points out that by that reasoning if he was wrong he was wrong and if he was right he was still wrong as other stuff could go wrong. Kapek considers this and agrees with this interpretation.

This doesn't do anything for Ajax's humour nor does the fact that the spiders are soon joined by two Cave Trolls. As the creatures scuttle towards the group Kapek swoops down on Hurricane and he and Lorric open fire on the enemy.

The Crimson Fists troubles are only just beginning though as a strange, slime-covered monstrosity lumbers on to the battlefield. Only Anvil recognizes the creature, identifying it as a Vaporighu, a weird Outsider.

The Crimson Fists are trapped between two waves of spiders so with an acrobatic movement Lorric leaps from Hurricane to engage the spiders attacking the group's rear as Ajax meets and slays the first spider to assail their front.

As the enemies close in on Ajax, one of the spiders spits a stream of sticky webbing at him which he narrowly dodges. Deciding it is time for the big guns Anvil draws his Wand of Fireballs and launches a fireball at the enemy.

*Ajax comments
Ajax hadn't really been convinced that the Wand would be a good investment when Anvil first suggested the group buy it. Now he regards it as vital to the Crimson Fists survival.

*Anvil comments

Anvil feels now more than ever that focusing his training to reach the ability to craft wands is vital to the group, having burned and destroyed more than one of the giant spiders and cave trolls with careful use of the fireballs.

It catches two of the spiders and one of the Cave Trolls but while the spiders perish in the blast the Cave Troll not only survives but instantly begins to regenerate his wounds.

Kapek sweeps across the field, targeting the Vaporighu with a clutch of force boomerangs but to his horror they bounce harmlessly off his slimy skin. His horror only increases as the creature smoothly rises into the air and strikes at Kapek. The Vaporighu also seems to grow in power and stature and the Crimson Fists are struck by a wave of fear but all push down the fear and fight on regardless.

On the ground one of the spiders webs Anvil but this doesn't stop him incinerating it with another fireball, though again the Cave Troll survives the blast. It lumbers forward striking Ajax then seizing him in its powerful grasp and begins to crush him, desperately Ajax plunges his short sword into the creature again and again but still it won't fall.

Up above Kapek strikes at the Vaporighu with his tangat, only slightly harming it and then notices that where its slime has adhered to the blade the tangat is starting to pit and smoke, with a deft twist of the wrist Kapek flicks the slime from his weapon before it is ruined completely.

The Vaporighu it seems has still more tricks up its disgusting sleeve as breaking off from Kapek it flies down to the central melee and breathes a cloud of poisonous acidic gas over friend and foe alike.

Lorric having killed the spider threatening the rear tumbles across the battlefield and rips into the Cave Troll grappling Ajax. More spiders fire their webs missing the nimble Lorric but trapping Katerina, thus denying the group their main source of healing.

Clian slices Anvil free of the webbing that had trapped him and Stampede and he leap forward to engage the unoccupied Cave Troll, dealing it mighty blows and then seeing Stampede (in what is becoming a habit) steal the kill by finishing the beast off with a kick. (Lorric is heard muttering something about developing Horse style Kung-Fu)

The last Cave Troll releases Ajax from its crushing hold and turns and strikes Lorric but is quickly cut down by the newly freed Ajax .

The Vaporighu's lingering breath paralyzes Katerina but Snowdrift, her loyal Unicorn, removes the poison before it can do any more harm.

Lorric leaps high into the air to strike at the flying Vaporighu but his blow bounces harmlessly off it and its slime eats the boot right off Lorric's foot.

Two more spiders scuttle up and web Anvil to the spot, despite also being targetted the nimble Lorric rolls away and the webbing flies harmlessly past him. In a fit of annoyance Anvil blows both the spiders apart with a fireball.

Meanwhile Ajax, Kapek and Lorric have engaged the flying Vaporighu and the last two spiders. Lorrics fist do little to the creature and Ajax's sword hurts it only a little more and every blow that brings the weapon into contact with the creature's slime threatens to be its last. With the situation looking desperate Anvil yells if his comrades are all right with him fire-balling the fight without hesitation they agree and Anvil launches a fireball straight into the heart of the conflict. This finishes the last spiders and seems to actually hurt the Vaporighu.

In a bravo move Lorric leaps high and strikes the Vaporighu with his tankard stunning the creature and causing it to crash to earth.

The Crimson Fist don't waste this opportunity. Anvil fireballs the downed creature, his wondrous back-pack Embattle adds a flask of Alchemist Spark and Ajax a flask of Alchemists fire. It is enough, the creature is transformed into a burning mass of foul smelling flesh and is no more.

*Anvil comments
Anvil is so pleased that he and his aids (Embattle, Guardian and Stampede) are working so well together and have become a very effective force.

*Lorric comments
Whilst Lorric recognises the effectiveness of Anvil's small army of machinery, he is beginning to wonder when Anvil will be creating a mechanical monk, halfling killing machine and warshaper, rendering the rest of the party redundant!

As is by now standard procedure, the Crimson Fist muse on the best method of looting their fallen adversaries. The bodies themselves have nothing, so it is decided to search the crevices in the cliff face from which they issued. Anvil uses his artificer skills to make himself small enough to fit into the spider lairs, then he and Kapek carefully explore them. As they do so, Lorric arranges to burn the webs out of those caves which the intrepid pair are not currently occupying.

Loot is indeed discovered, but more interesting are the crude paintings of volcanoes that adorn the troll caves. The lair of the Vaporighu contains a large volcano-themed icon, with writing above it that Anvil identifies as either Abyssal or Infernal. Since he can read neither of these tongues he simply copies the symbols down for later translation.
They emerge, and the group presses on, noting movement still in the forbidding rock face as they pass. By evening the ground above them has dropped dramatically and the group is relieved to be out of the brooding shadow of the Impasse.

Zol 3rd Nymm, 998 Y.K.
Having crossed over to the top of the Impasse, the Crimson Fist make their way through broken, rocky terrain and thick woods. Clian assures them that the going will be easier tomorrow, but does mention that they will be taking a slight southerly detour in order to avoid a dangerous keep, which apparently dates back to the Daelkyr Wars. This keep seems to fascinate Lorric.

Wir 4th Nymm, 998 Y.K.
6. The Ruined Keep
As they travel through more open woodland, the Crimson Fist do observe a blasted area to the north, the vegetation blackened and dead, and the wildlife strangely missing. From their vantage point atop Hurricane, Kapek and Lorric see that this area is about two miles in radius. At the centre is a large cylindrical keep, surrounded by smaller towers. Despite Lorric's best efforts, he cannot persuade either Kapek or Hurricane to go any closer.

Zor 5th Nymm, 998 Y.K.
7. The Hollow Oak
The woods get denser again through the day, and the ground becomes softer underfoot. By the time the Fist are ready to camp, it is distinctly boggy.
During his watch, Ajax spots several figures approaching and warns first Anvil, then the others. The newcomers, mainly shifters but also including two humans and an elf, wait on the outskirts of the camp, their weapons held above their heads in what the group feels is a gesture of peace. Their faces are covered in markings, which Clian identifies as those of the Ashbound, a militant Druidic sect violently opposed to civilisation and the use of magic.
The leader, a shifter, identifies himself as Stresk Lightstep and his group as the Hollow Oak. With him is his second-in-command, a female shifter called Zelfra Blackfur. He asks leave to join the camp and share the hospitality of the fire.

This is greeted with some suspicion from the Fist, especially from Anvil who is naturally concerned about their anti-magic attitude. Lorric asks Stresk if these beliefs are going to cause any problems while the two groups are together, and the shifter replies that they are hunting larger prey. Kapek, weary of this distrustful attitude and mindful of his people’s traditions that call for solidarity between travellers in the wilds, invites the Hollow Oak to join them. The halfling does not relax his guard though.

However, the evening passes in cheer and good fellowship. Stresg explains that the prey they seek is a group called the Burning Tree, members of a maverick sect of the Children of Winter, known as the Nightbringers. These people they believe to have taken up residence in Six Falls Ravine and, more disturbingly, may have awoken an entity called Mistwing. This dragon, reputed to have been “formed of darkness” when it flew out of the Gloaming, has been dormant for around two hundred years, and was centuries old even then.
Lorric asks about the Keep, and learns some of its lore. Oramellyx Keep is assumed to have been a battleground during the Daelkyr Wars, and was under the command of a Beholder. This creature fought against something that came from the canyon area, but the nature of this foe remains unknown. It was, however, not the dragon Mistwing, as the Daelkyr Wars were millennia ago.

*Lorric comments
Lorric did enquire if the Ashbound were prepared to offer a reward if we killed the burning tree first, and as they were reluctant to accept, suggested a wager instead. (Which they also, unfortunately, refused.)

The Crimson Fist are also made aware of a rumour from the south of the Eldeen Reaches, near Droaam, that a creature called a “Tarresque” has been sighted, travelling east towards Breland with a citadel on its back.

Far 6th Nymm, 998 Y.K.
8. The Sacred Wellspring
The Hollow Oak leave before most of the Crimson Fist are awake. The day is quiet and easy, and as evening approaches the group become aware of a feeling of calm and tranquillity such as they have not felt in a long time. Clian explains that they are approaching a place sacred to the forces of nature.

The source of this serenity is a clearing in the woods, with a pool of crystal-clear water and a moss-encrusted monolith. The group are warned not to offend the spirits of this place, and not to touch the water, although drawing it from the pool is permitted as long as one is not greedy. The water has healing properties if consumed within the grove, and even if it is taken away, it retains some of the blessings of nature. Kapek asks Anvil for a vial, which he carefully and reverentially fills with water from the pool. Lorric also takes this opportunity to fill his waterskin.

The group camp near the clearing. Clian says that she and Ajax will head off to scout the route to the ravine, which is now only a day or so away. If they are not back by morning, the group should press on along the trail and the two shifters will catch them up.
During the night, Anvil is as usual hard at work crafting items for the group, when he is surprised to have his technique criticised by the child. This is the most animation shown by the child, who seems to be weakening again after a period of stability, for quite a while, and Anvil seems happy to discuss crafting with him. After the warforged sees the merits of the child’s suggestions and adopts them, the child loses focus again, responding to Lorric’s concern with the single word “ill” before relapsing into his usual state. Lorric, mistaking it for “ale” offers the child some beer.

Sar 7th Nymm, 998 Y.K.
The day passes with out event and the group make good time.

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."

Liberation...

The Crimson Fist slid down the pipes, picking up speed until finally they shoot out of the pipe and are dumped into a sewer, somewhere under the Ashblack region of the Cogs.

The Crimson Fists pick their way carefully through the sewers until they emerge into one of the areas where the industry of the cog occurs. They find a friend of Anvil's and ask if he knows where there is a pool of lava (having been told that is the best way to destroy the Claw and finish the job).

Encouraged by a few gold pieces Anvil's contact leads the Crimson Fist through some of the tunnels to a lava pool. Anvil wastes no time and hurls the Claw into the lava.

The Claw floats gently on the surface of the lava for a second and then slips gently, and anti-climatically, under the surface. Nothing happens, then a small bubble comes up from the depths, followed by another, then a bigger bubble. The Crimson Fist withdraw hastily as more bubbles form.

Finally a large bubble forms and from it emerges a mighty white tiger-headed figure floating serenely over the lava.

This awe-inspiring figure introduces himself as Yshtamar.

He thanks the Crimson Fist for freeing him from and offers them his thanks in the form of information. Though he points out he might be a bit out of touch.

When asked how he might be defeated (as he has already cheerfully warned the Crimnson Fist he is evil) he warns that he can change his shape at will and say's that the power of the gods is an anathema to his flesh. Also when asked about the Cult of the Crawling Below he expalins they worship Ixtchamel'Traa a demon-god of the Abyss. He also warns if the avatar of this god is here it bodes ill for all.

Finally he warns of the return of the thirteenth moon, then he vanishes leaving the Crimson Fist with the disturbing feeling that letting him free was a very bad idea.

*Kapek comments

It also leaves Kapek wondering about the true motivations of their employer, Halais ir'Lantar.

Sharn Inquisitive, Sul 8th Dravago

Skyreach Tower Quarantine

The area surrounding Skyreach Tower, in the Downstairs district of Middle Menthis has be quarantined in the last few days due to prevalent disease. There have reportedly been scores of outbreaks of both Filth Fever and Blinding Sickness. Although there has been no official word on this matter, residents are claiming that the recent outbreaks are caused by the vermin problems that have recently been reported in the area.
The fear of residents in the higher wards of the tower are that this blight will spread to their neighbourhoods unless the City Council does something to investigate this matter. House Jorasco has already reportedly signed dozens of contracts with the wealthier residents of the tower as a precautionary measure, but that is of no help to the poor and needy of Downstairs.

Blinding sickness is known to be spread through tainted water and can weaken the victim to the point of helplessness whilst also causing permanent blindness.
Filth Fever is generally spread by rats and other sewer dwelling creatures, and is thought to be transmitted by bites. This disease can cause weakness, lack of co-ordination and in the worst case, death.

A spokesperson for councillor Savia Potellas gave the following statement:
"We are currently investigating the situation involving Skyreach Tower, however, our resources are stretched to the limit. Teams of sanitation engineers have been despatched into the sewer systems in and around the affected area but so far there have been no definitive conclusions. A relatively recent shift in the foundations occurred and the preventative measures taken at that time have prevented further investigation."

A brief seach through the Sharn Inquisitive archives has revealed the following report from around 85 years ago, detailing the foundation shift mentioned.

Sul 8th Dravago, 923 Y.K.
Cityquake
Menthis Plateau was shaken to its foundations in the early hours of Sar 7th Dravago. Fractures and chasms opened throughout the interior structure of the tower and many people were killed or simply vanished. Investigations drew to a halt as swarms of vermin spilled from the cracks and the old chambers were sealed to prevent further incursions.

The Crimson Fist exit the underground swiftly, emerging into the Blackbones district and they then travel up into the Downstairs district of Middle Menthis, just outside the Iron Gate area. Only to discover that the Iron Gate area was quarantined by the city guard who weren't letting anyone in or out. Apart from Lord Paxor ir'Somera who the sharp-eyed Lorric noticed speaking to the gaurd and passing through the cordon. Lorric calls out to Paxor but he keeps walking.
The Crimson Fist eat (and in Lorric's case drink) a hearty breakfast and then went to report to the ambassador and get paid. They reported what had happened to them and the destruction of the claw. The ambassador was both fascinated and disturbed by what had happened particularly the emergence of Yshtamar. When asked what Yshtamar had told them the Crimson Fist decided this fell outside their original agreement and bargained for a bonus which the ambassador agreed to. They then informed the ambassador of what had been said which seemed to disturb him even more. The Crimson Fist then decided to split up and meet back at their house.

*Kapek comments
The Ambassador's words do much to allay Kapek's suspicions, and he believes Halais was duped. Of course Halais is an Ambassador, and therefore a highly paid professional liar . . . .

Lorric notices a strange, immaterial creature in the corner of the room but as he dives to grab it, it vanishes. From his description Ajax indentifies it, with help of his new Third Eye of Improvisation as an Ether-Gaunt, a strange creature that inhabits the astral plane.

Time passes. Anvil works hard crafting a magical shield for Ajax and a boomerang-creating quiver for Kapek.
Kapek forges a cold iron Sharrash for himself from iron taken during their clash with Wing-Clipper.
Lorric visits his old sensei, Sorewyn of the Long Arm, and greatly impresses him with his Drunken Master style fighting.
Katerina finds a job for Kalen and helps her set herself up in a new home, to which Ajax happily contributes.
Ajax continues his investigation into Kalen's father. He discovers that her father was indeed involved with some dodgy dealings and is advised to consider him dead for both Ajax and Kalen's continued safety.
During this time Lorric again catches an Ether-Gaunt near the child.

*Kapek comments
Kapek is not particularly pleased at Ajax having invited a stranger into their house, but now she's here there seems little option. He suspects some of the others feel the same way.

Once back at home the Crimson Fist are informed that the child that has been entrusted to their care is ill, feverish and muttering. Anvil realised the language was goblin and was able to understand fragments; "of the lost mark", "the 13th scion" and "he's here".

Sharn Inquisitive, Sul 15h Dravago

Sharn Cloaked in Darkness

Ash falls on Sharn. In the depths of the worst rainfall recorded for centuries an inferno has consumed the lower quarters of the city's towers. Like the tainted lungs of a dying dragon, the belly of the city has blasted the lofty spires with a poisonous cloud of ash and soot. To make matters worse the city is locked in a seemingly perpetual cycle of black skies and torrential rain that occasionally fade into thick dirty fog that leaves everything it touches coated with black soot.
The end can not be far behind, it's coming is foretold in the voices of the ravens that feast on the flesh of the dying that lie scattered throughout the region surrounding Skyreach Tower's lowest levels.

It has been a tough week for the residents of Sharn. One week past, a mysterious explosion in the Cogs spawned a fire of unprecedented proportions. Ashblack and Blackbones continue to burn bright, their foundries fuelling the spreading flames. The inferno still rages below the city, and the fire brigade, the watch and most of Sharn's mages battle the blaze night and day. Plumes of smoke choke the sky and heavy rain falls in torrents from tainted clouds. The city is shrouded in grey and black.

The skymages usually see to it that Sharn's spring-times stay a little drier than the surrounding areas. However with the fires raging in the cogs, Sharn's City Council has requisitioned the skymages to help deal with this catastrophe. Without the skymages asserting their power over the elements above the unusual rains have not passed. What's worse, the coal-black smoke rising like an angry shade from the burning Cogs taints the storm with poisonous vapour. Rain, fog and soot fill the air as one, plunging the entire city into darkness. No storm like this has ever been experienced before on Khorvaire, and many residents of Sharn believe it is the sign of an oncoming apocalypse akin to Cyre's day of Mourning.

Mol 16th Dravago
After eight day's of rain and fire Martell Cannith pay's the Crimson Fist a visit. He is deeply worried about the child ,who is growing weaker by the day, but he has a plan. In the Eldeen Reaches dwells Palomino N'ehar, prince of the Oaken Fief. Palomino can enter Thelanis, one of the Fae realms. Time passes differently there, Martell hopes that if the Crimson Fist can persuade Palomino to take the child into the realm he will gain valuable time in which to work out a cure.
However the child has only about a week to live and the Eldeen Reaches are far away, the Crimson Fist must get him there quickly. Martell doesn't mention what happens if the child dies but the threat comes across very clearly to the Crimson Fists.
The cost of getting there in the time will be extortionate and Ajax feels that after all they have done for him the debt they owe Martell is dicharged if they escort the child. Martell offers to pay 15% of their travel expenses and will not be moved to pay anymore. Again he makes it clear the Crimson Fist must do this or else!

*Ajax comments

Ajax was furious about being threatned in his own home but he wasn't ready to fight Martell and his allies just yet. Still he grimly swore to himself Martell had used up his last bit of gratitude and the group would have to look into getting Martell off their collective backs.

As Martell leaves he suggests they call in any favours they may have. Ajax suggests that after liberating the Lighthouse at Bluescar, House Lyander may feel well disposed to them and lacking a better idea it is agreed to try this.
House Lyander are indeed grateful for all the Crimson Fist have done to keep the shipping lanes open and offer to let the Crimson Fist hire an airship to Greenheart in the Eldeen Reaches for a 75% discount.
At noon the next day the Crimson Fist board the airship Skystar for the journey to the Eldeen Reaches.
Anvil headed to the university library to investigate certain things the adventure had brought up and to research what the book ( the Libris Phasmatis Socius) he had found among the Calliginous Dyad's treasure contained.
Katerina went to collect some armour she had ordered some days earlier.
Kapek returned immediately to their house to be re-united with his beloved animals.
Lorric went to the nearest Watch-house to report the man-eating lizards they had just encountered. The Watch were initially interested but when the fact that this occurred in the Khybersgate came up they quickly lost interest. Disapointed Lorric went on to the Deathsgate Adventures Guild where he posted a notice asking for adventurers to join him in exterminating the lizardfolk
Ajax heads to find the elven sisters he had met at the Street-Kind ball so many weeks ago. He is shocked to discover their dwelling is an improvised tent behind a Smithy. He found one of the sisters, Kalen E'ressar, living there in abject poverty.
Ajax buys her a bath, some clothes and then a meal during which she tells her tale. She and her sister had lived happy lives until their father had disapeared. When their money had run out, they had been forced out of their house and reduced to living on the street. Even worse her sister had thought she'd seen their father some days ago and followed him into the area now quarantined.
Ajax offeres her a place at the Crimson Fist's house which she happily accepts. He takes her there and she is accepted by the others, particularly Katerina who takes her under her wing.