4/3/2004

Players: Kathi, JC, Davy, Chris

Characters: DM & Salaisee, Elendil, Nathan (Nate), Billimiah (Billi)

Before the others return to their rooms the owner of the Phantom Knight Inn (a short, white haired elf named Tristan) comes to meet them and makes sure that they understand the seriousness of the visitation. He also says that the hotel provides a round of drinks for those present. At this Billi rushes up to get Elendil. Fortunately (or perhaps expectedly) luck had it such that Elendil had just finished up the last of his devotions when Billi begins to bang loudly on his door. The cleric composes himself and before Billi can say anything, Elendil looks at him very seriously and says in his best stern authoritative voice...

"NEVER interrupt me at communion!  Do you understand?"

When Billi nods quietly Elendil sees that his point has been made.

"Now what is so urgent?"

"We got a free round of drinks!" Billi says with all seriousness. "I just had to come and get you."

"Thank you, I'll pass." Elendil replies with a smile. "Yes, you can have mine if you wish."

With that the halfling scurries back downstairs and Elendil closes the door and looks out the window in his room. He can tell before shutting and locking it that the sky is clouding over and the night and the morning threaten light wind and rain.

In the morning Elendil wakes with the early sunlight and is down in the common room before most of the others.  Salaisee (when she comes down) tells us that her spirit guide spoke to her during the night and she is wondering about what the message will mean. "Look for trouble behind a smiling face." Hmm... first the ghost and now this. Elendil considers the ominous overtones but is confident that luck will hold.

Salaisee, Elendil and Nate head for the All Faiths Temple (where Nate allows his eyes to wander the passing lovelys while Salaisee and Elendil observe a moment) and then we go to The Keep of Vigilance (the Temple to Helm) where we may be able to get a scroll of Speak w/Dead. We are met by a young acolyte in plate armor.who asks us (in an officious tone) what it is that we wish. Salaisee and Elendil briefly explain our need and we agree to pay 200 GP and a 200 GP diamond (from group treasure) for the scroll which they do have. An ancient gnome comes out to examine the diamond and claims it is acceptable. Salaisee hands the scroll to Elendil who puts it away in his scroll case.

We head back to the inn, gather our stuff and then get our horses from the stables. Following the caravan trail to Lhuvenhead we exit Everlund through the mountain gate after taking on some supplies in the market. We figure it will take a couple days to get to Lhuvenhead.

As we are traveling in the late afternoon Salaisee, who had gone of the trail to relieve herself, comes rushing back with a squawk. Without realizing it she had peed on a skunk and gotten blasted. She strips off her clothes with the command "Burn them!" and dives into the river to try and clean off the stench. Nate hands her some soap which she uses liberally and then even tries rubbing herslf with wine to cut the smell.

"Let's not stay here." Salaisee says with a sigh. "Come on."

We continue into the early evening and then stop to camp. It's clearing somewhat and there's little wind so it looks as though it may be somewhat cooler than the previous evening. The night passes uneventfully with the regular watch order and after breakfast in the morning we set out again. Soon after departure we approach a large caravan led by several Knights in Silver. We exchange news of the road ahead with the lead Knight and then, as they are travelling past, a foppish crazily dressed young man (with a BIG hair swoop) calls out as if he starving to talk to someone.  We spend a few minutes chatting with him (mostly about his travels) and then allow the caravan to continue.

We stop for lunch and then march on into the afternoon.  The wind is picking up and dark clouds are fast approaching so we hastily set up camp. Just in time too as shortly after getting the tarp put up for shelter the storm really lets loose. For several hours it pours without letup and we a forced to hold a cold and wet dinner. Billi makes up a story about the young nobleman and we agree that the young halfling does have a vivid imagination to go along with his story telling flair.

We return to the usual watch schedule and during second watch Nate hears a voice calling out.

"Hello... Is there someone in the tent? Mind if we come in out of the rain?"

Turning to look Nate sees a two gold elves (both female) accompanied by a LARGE human male. They are leading their horses. They are well armed and look to be seasoned adventurers.

Nate gestures that they are welcome and in the commotion of them getting settled Elendil wakes up and participates in the the introductions.  They've been travelling through the storm and do seem to be exhausted. The gold elf who does most of the initial talking (Mairie) stretches out afterward and is soon asleep. Elendil watches the other who has curled up in the big mans lap for a few minutes to make sure nothing untoward is going to happen and then returns to sleep.

At several times during the night he hears Billi playing 20 questions with Garrack (the human) and chastises him saying to keep it down while he's on watch. Later he hears the two talking again (when they should be watching) but he sighs, rolls over and shuts them out for the remainder of the night.

In the morning we learn that the smaller of the two elves is mute (she shows us a nasty jagged scar where her throat has been cut) and that they are from Longsaddle travelling back home. Billi makes sandwiches for breakfast and sends the travelers on their way with a little extra food. They thank us for the hospitality and then head off resuming their journey. We pack up the campsite and rub down the horses before resuming our travels.

We travel through the morning and during lunch Nate hear a scuffling sound. Before he can do anything a group of six dire rats come out of the surroundings to attack.

MELEE

We dispatch them with only minor wounds and then continue on our way. After a few hours Billi begins to shiver and shake and it becomes obvious that one of the rat bites has taken its toll upon him. As we come over a hill we see Lhuvenhead in the distance.  We are met at a low walled barracade by a soldier who, seeing Billi's condition, lets us pass without harrassment and tells us that there is an inn up ahead on the road called the Singing Stone. As we travel through the small village we notice many handmade flags with religious markings and then soon spot the inn.

We are greeted within by a couple of dwarves (the owners) who appear to be playing chess with a blue-haired moon elf. Nate carries Billi to a room and sets him to bed. Salaisee and Elendil converse with Barry (the dwarf in the brown shirt) and Parry (the other in the green shirt) and then Nate returns. We learn that dinner later will be pot roast, tubers, greens and pie, and Elendil smiles at the thought of it. They stay in the common room listening to the rain and talking until then. Shortly before dinner is ready one of the Argent Legionaires (an attractive woman with black hair and blue eyes) asks to join us. Her name is Mona and Elendil asks if she would like a glass of wine. She accepts and we hear some of the details of the not-too-exciting duty of an Argent Legionaire in summer at Lhuvenhead before the orcs begin their rampage.

As dinner is being served an ancient old gnomish female comes in and is shown to what appears to be a special spot reserved for her. After some discussion she sends over a young man who informs us that she would like to speak with us. We are formally introduced to Cailean who just wishes to make sure we are peaceful and let us know that those who are not peaceful are not welcome. We answer her questions without falsehood but don't offer any extraneous information. This is for certain the individual that Mairie "warned" us about but she seems more officious and professionally curious (a typical village elder) than wary and dangerous.

We return to our table and have a lovely dinner after which the moon elf, who has returned, gets out her mandolin and begins to play. After a good set Elendil excuses himself for communion. He asks for and receives a Minor Restoration which he promptly casts upon Billi after completing his evening devotionals. Leaving the halfling to what he hopes now to be a restive sleep Elendil returns his room for the evenings rest.

End of session.

Next Session 4/24/2004