Date: 9/13/98

Players: JC, Kathy, Jeff, Kris, David, Davy, Bryan, Thomas, Chris

Characters: Rio, DM, Saunders, A'tora, Vorn, Caland, Erin, Giblet, Lew

Rio, before he unloads again on the dark druid, hears Robin call out that he MUST not be killed in the Moonwell. He gets Caland's attention and the two drag the still held man out of the water and deposit him unceremoniously on land. Suddenly there is complete silence around him. The druid looks about rapidly wondering as to its cause but does not waste his time when he sees nothing obvious. The silence prevents him from casting Cause Critical Wounds on the dark druid so instead Rio wields his new scepter and smashes it down on the mans head. There is a bit of concussive recoil as the scepter goes off with a Power Strike causing a massive amount of damage. Rio realizes that he will not be able to cause that particular effect again for at least 24 hours and that it has drained 5 charges from the scepter.

In a flash of inspiration Rio begins dragging the dark druid toward the Blade Barrier. At Calands questioning look Rio gestures at the Blade Barier and then points back at the dark druid. Caland gets a wicked smile in understanding and grabs the mans feet. The two begin carrying the man toward the magical blade barrier and then with a combined effort hurl the dark druid into the whirling plane of death. The body is literally cut to pieces and the bonebats he had summoned turn to dust.

Rio spends the next round surveying the battle which is finally going well. Only three of the priests are still surviving and one is fleeing through the east entrance. Next round a number of giant eagles fly over the grove. Two head off in pursuit of the fleeing priest and six attack the remaining two. Tristan decapitates one of the remaining and Vorn knocks down and decapitates the other.

END MELEE

Rio and Robin direct any wounded to drink from the Moonwell. Additionally if anyone has any non-metal items that need to be recharged they may be dipped in the Moonwell for renewal. Then Rio attempts to Dispel the Blade Barrier and succeeds. Robin casts Heal spells on Erin, Lew and Tristan and the grove is then cleared of the remnants of battle and the evil participants.

Robin also recommends that Rio dip the remains of the Ria club in the Moonwell. When he does so the fragments fuse together and begin writhing like a hyperstimulated root. At Robins suggestion he goes a short distance out of the grove and buries it. The group stays overnight in the grove to rest, recover and celebrate although the celebration is fairly reserved.

The next morning Rio is astounded and delighted to find that in the burial spot is a small Ria tree. Lying at its base is a fallen branch that is almost exactly the same size and shape as Rio's original club. Rio picks it up lovingly and tucks it carefully away. Then he kneels in prayer, thanking Nara for her guidance, wisdom and the new Ria tree. He then returns to the grove and informs Robin and Tristan of the new tree and tells them all he knows of the Ria tree and the lore associated with it.

Later Robin tells us that a ship will be waiting at the coast to take us to the High Queen. After a short overland trek and a brief sea voyage we arrive to a massive celebration and feast. Seeing Glow waiting at the pier as the ship comes in Rio transforms into a falcon and flies the last 100 yards to her where he becomes human again and scoops her into her arms kissing his wife deeply. The two stay hand in hand throughout the festivities making it abundantly clear that neither are available despite the many offers. Glow conveys the welcome news that arrangements have already been made for Arial to come to the Moonshaes and that she should be arriving before the moon is again full.

The next morning the High Queen brings out a LARGE chest containing LOTS of gold pieces and announces that it is to be divided among the group. She also offers each of the group a magic item from her armory. Rio chooses a War Hammer (+5) and Glow chooses a book, a Tome of Clear Thought.

The next day the group leaves for Waterdeep aboard the Sweet Easterly. When Rio and Glow do not board the ship there is some consternation as the realization that they are leaving the DragonSwords sinks in. As the two say their goodbyes the druid clasps Saunders hand firmly and tells the man to make sure to tell Estaria that if there is anything she ever needs of himself or Glow to let them know. Then to Erin he bows and offers sincere thanks for his friendship, comraderie and protection. He reminds the barbarian that there is much work to be done and that the Moonshaes will always have need of him.

Then, from the small pier, Rio and Glow watch the ship depart and as it fades from view over the horizon Rio closes another chapter in an eventful and fulfilling life.

END OF DM ROTATION