It is has been a very long day and night. Maurice, Dril, Alric, Kazier, and Talia are all exhausted, covered with blood, dirt and sweat from the many battles that have been fought. Their tiredness is countered only by their curiosity, which keeps them from going to their bed chambers to get their well-earned sleep. That curiosity is in the form of an iron bound chest which is before them, one that has just recently been liberated by the chaos-cultists which have plagued the land.
They are all at the Drink and Fight Inn. The unconcious Jinx has been taken to the local Temple of Rellian where she will be taken care of. Her battle with the Knight of Discord has taken it's toll on her. Joining them is Ganam Oore, the slightly mad elf who had just recently been cured of his nightmarish lycanthropy, and Methos. Methos has just returned from a quick trip to visit his brother at his nearby keep. He's surprised so much has happend in the short time he was gone.
Talia has her lockpicks out, ready to try and open this mystery chest. However Kazier wants to give it a shot first. He takes out his custom crafted tools and goes to work. To his surprise the pick he uses snaps off in the lock causing it to jam up.
"That's amazing," says Alric somewhat sarcastically.
Dril goes in now to give it a go. The dextrous Sprig's little hands go to work and he takes the broken pick out and in turn opens the well-crafted box. There are no explosions or flying darts, so cautiously everyone peers inside to see what they can see.
There are 300 gold coins, a leather satchel, six vials (3 dark and 3 clear), and a strange, metallic cylinder.
"Oore, you are the scholar. Can you read this?" Asks Maurice.
Ganam takes a look at it but can't place the strange carvings on the cylinder. However Methos carefully examines it and is able to decypher a single word. "Mardor." Nobody seems to know what that means.
A curious Kazier opens the leather satchel and reaches inside and cuts his hand. More carefully he checks it more slowly and draws forth from it a longsword. It is very well crafted with fancy gold inlay. The satchel itself is magical, for it is far larger on the inside than it would seem. Kazier thinks that fifty books could be stored in it, a very valuable piece of equipment.
The items all seem harmless enough, but Maurice is worried they might have some chaos taint to them. It is decided they will go to the Temple of Rellian to have them looked over by professionals. Hopefully they might be able to give them an idea about what some of these things can do. It is also a good excuse to go and check in on Jinx and see how she is recovering.
The group goes down to the bar below. Even though it is very late at night it remains open, Derig 3-Tusks is ther providing service to all those who need it. There are quite a few guards there who had gone to the cave. They are drinking it up, trying to forget the horrors of what they saw there.
Those who went to the caves clean up in some hot baths prepared by Derig and his wife. The rest stay out in the bar and have a few drinks. Getting clean is very relaxing, and though tired, the group has enough energy to go on and travel to the temple.
Outside the Inn is Dril's warg, just curled up into a ball of fur. Bundling up they start going up the road towards the Temple of Rellian. It is very, very cold, the harsh wind here at Bird Keep cuts through even the thickest of materials. Snow begins to fall and Ganam thinks it will turn into a blizzard.
The Temple is not too far away from the Duke's palace. It is a large place, with stained-glass windows showing events of Rellians life and many candles giving off a yellowish illumination this chilly evening. Three hundred people could easily come here and worship.
Going inside it's very warm and comfortable. There are several fireplaces with burning logs keeping the temperature up. There are a few people in prayer here, giving thanks or asking for guidance. The recent events against the chaos-cultists have brought more folk out than would be usual for such an inhospitable evening. 
They are let in to see Jinx in small groups, provided they do not try to disturb her. Jinx is in bed, sleeping. She's wearing just a plain, white shirt. On her shoulder is a tatoo of a shield in outline with a ringmail suit and a crossbow across it. The tatoo looks familiar to Maurice but he cannot place it. Methos sees it as well, and reveals that he has seen a similar tatoo as well.
Before returning to the Inn, Maurice goes to one of the Altars of Remembrance and lights two candles. They are for his departed friends, the fair Earil-Gania and Gashnak. He prays to Rellian for Jinx's swift recovery.
Back at the Drink and Fight Inn they arrive just as Derig is escorting the last of his patrons outside. Everyone goes in (except for Dril's warg that just sits down in a snowbank), and head to their various quarters to get some sleep.
Alric and Talia get re-familiarized with each other in a dresser drawer somewhere. Methos stays with Maurice and hears the mad orc mumbling strange things in his sleep. He tosses and turns quite a bit, not at all the peaceful meditation of an elf.
The next day everyone slowly wakes up and dresses, stumbling down to the now very active bar below. It is very chilly here, but this is Sigel and it is not known for it's warm weather. It is lunchtime at the Inn and everyone is busy. Derig and his wife keep food prepared, three young and cute serving girls run about, and an anonymous pixie buzzes around keeping patrons drinks filled. Everyone sits down and eats it up, savoring the fresh food.
To the surprise of almost everyone, Duke David comes to the Inn with a small retinue of his guards. His men drop two heavy bags off at their table. In it is 400 in gold. "Here is your reward for helping destroy the cultists," says a grateful Duke. "Thank you for your service to Sigel." He quickly leaves, having many pressing issues to deal with.
After dividing up the money evenly, everyone gets a share of 87 and a half pieces of gold. It is not a fortune but it will certainly help some. Alric is a bit unsure about all this money, he's not very big and can't carry it. He knows he'll have to have it converted to gems or something in order to cash in along with the rest of the group.
Finishing up their meal they decide it is time to go and see Jinx. Outside the snows are very deep, and there is still some coming down. It is very cold, but it all does look rather beautiful. Dril wades into the drifts of snow and realizes he will need some snowshoes here.
Going to the temple they quickly find Jinx, who is up and smiling. She gives a big hug to Maurice, Kazier, and Dril and a smaller one for Alric and Talia. Jinx is dressed in a simple priest's robe now looking much better than she did the night before. Her recovery after the fight with the Knights of Discord is going well, and she plans on spending some time here at the Temple of Rellian. The man to see about looking over possibly chaos-tainted artifacts is Father Aldred.
They go to meet him and see that Ganam Oore is already there talking to the wizend man. Introductions are made and Father Aldred is shown the various items that were within the chest. Using his powers he detects no discernable evil from them but does pick up some faint magic emanations from the cylinder, ring, and sword.
Carefully examining the cylinder, Aldred cannot decypher any more of the sigils on it. Jinx wants to go to the library to try and study up on it, as well as the Knights of Discord. She already knows a bit about them. They are servants of Marg, named for various aspects of it's evil. Intrigue, Deception, Trickery, Madness, and Souls are their designated titles. Jinx wishes to learn more about them, wondering which of the five she had helped destroy. Draman Del was their old base of power, and she believes they might have gone there to regain their strength.
Methos wants to join Jinx in this study but Aldred puts a stop to it. "You are a practitioner of magic, not of divinity. I am sorry, but you are not welcome to go through our sacred texts here."
Both Alric and Methos just shrug. The group decides to stay at Bird Keep at least a week before moving on. It will give everyone some time to recover and regain their strength. It will also give them the opportunity to spend some of their recently earned gold and relax a little. Jinx remains at the Temple and will do her best to identify the remaining items they have.
Dril goes to a cobbler and has some special child-size snowshoes made for him. The cobler also shows Dril how to layer his clothes and stay warm in this frigid environment. The sprig learns a lot and is pleased to know how to do these survival tricks. Later on he gets his elven dagger edged in silver as well as some silver shot for his pistol. He also gets some of his dragon-hide armor re-worked. It will greatly help him in future battles.
His warg stays close by him, and he gets many unfriendly stares from the locals. The surly sprig doesn't mind, for his mount is one of the best friends he has ever had. At night it stays outside the Inn, settling down in a snowbank. It seems to know that attacking and eating people here would be . . . unwise. Dril gets him lots of meat scraps to tide him over.
Alric uses his money to get him a customized suit of leather armor, one that will not interfere with his flying. He also gets his money exchanged for gems and jewels, making it easier for him to carry. Talia goes along with him, the little sprite and pixie make a cute twosome.
Ganam Oore gets some customized leather armor made for him as well. Sure he's a scholar, but after his incident against the chaos-cultists he's doing what he can to protect himself.
Kazier has some metal claws made that will retract for one of his arms. He thinks it will help him some when he is fighting with his draenam knife. It will at least be a surprise when the blades suddenly appear when he's facing down an enemy.
Methos looks for some poison to help augment his combat ability. The stuff is impossible to find here in Bird Keep. It is a thing assassins and rough killers use. He thinks he might be able to find some down in Holaf or Greyhelm.
Maurice has his saber silvered. The Knights of Discord and lycanthropes should be made especially vulnerable to his weapon now.
Maurice, Ganam Oore, Methos go outside the city and practice their bow skills. Ganam has some exceptional archery skills and Maurice feels he needs to work on his own. Even though he's an ‘elf,' he rarely uses his bow anymore. All three practice for quite a bit, polishing rusty abilities. There is some discussion about Maurice being an orc, but he insists he is not. "Reality is what you make of it," he says with a wink.
Later on for fun Ganam makes a leather sled and has fun going down the hills around Bird Keep. Methos and Maurice watch him in some fascination, thinking that the elf is crazy for doing that.
That evening, at the Inn, Kazier, Ganam, and Maurice decide to go looking for some romantic interest. Alric has Talia, and they are already quite content to buzz with each other merrily. Methos and Dril, perhaps wisely or perhaps not, decide it is not worth the effort to go and try and chase down a woman or two for a night's companionship. The surly sprig and aspiring mage take a table by themselves to watch the others make fools of themselves.
There are not many overly attractive people here at the Keep. It is a harsh land with harsh people and it takes it's toll on them. Still the trio with overactive libidos keep an eye out, hoping to find some fair damsel to sweet talk. Each of the three has their own unique way of working the art of courtship. Ganom thinks that flowery speech and gratuitous flattery will help serve him best. Maurice believes behaving like a proper elf wishing to explore the boundaries of pleasure is the way to go. Kazier thinks that licking his eyebrows will be all the talking he'll need to do.
As the evening progresses more people come to the Inn getting it more and more crowded with more and more possibilities. From a back corner, our 'romantically' starved heroes examine each and every woman that enters. A brief discussion is then held to the lady's possible potential and then dibs are called.
A buxom human lass with dark hair barely in her twenties comes in from the cold. Ganom, a thin elf, has always found such fleshy people pleasant. He goes over to her and begins to work his charm. The girl seems quite pleased by the attention and before too long they are over at their own private part of the bar to chat it up.
Some time later the doors open and two visions of loveliness step inside, shaking the frost from their furred cloaks. Kazier and Maurice instantly zero in on them, recognizing that these are no mere bar maids or commoners. Both are elven and appear to be cousins. One has hair that is bright red, two blades across her back. The other looks like a huntress, with a forest green cloak and pulled back hair the color of snow.
Maurice stands up, runs his fingers over his 'moustache' and goes to them. "Greetings fair ladies!" He says with a courteous bow. "Would you care to sit with my self and my friend and drink ludicrous amounts of alcohol this chilly evening?"
The two women look at him with wide eyes, look to each other disbelievingly, back to him and then burst out laughing. Kazier joins Maurice and does his wink and tongue trick, giving his best sister seducing smile. "Hey, we'll buy the booze!"
The white haired maiden gives a small smile and sighs. "It has been a long day and I certainly could use some interesting company and drink."
"You don't look like you are from around here," says the other. "My sister and I know almost every trader and adventurer in this area. You both kinda look like your from out of town."
Maurice gives a toothy grin and nods. "Very true my dear. I am Maurice le Chavilier and this is Kazier. We both come from the distant province of Brudic and fight for Prince Marcus and Corvel."
The white haired woman inclines her head, still trying not to giggle at the lunacy of all of this. "I am Amy Cedar, and this is my sister Alex. We serve Duke David and are defenders of Bird Keep." Looking more closely at the unusual acting orc, she sees something she had earlier missed. "You do indeed wear the King's Colors," she says almost in a disbelieving tone. She can sense there is something very different about these two people.
"That is true, my lady. I and my companions are here to help Fiery Dave in any way we can and have already been of some service."
The red haired Alex finds herself also sensing something strange. "Well, I suppose you have some interesting stories then we can talk about over some ale?"
"Of course!" Says Maurice, light glinting off his teeth, a wild almost manic look in his eye.
"We elves will have a great night of tale-telling and revelry, of that I am certain!"
The Cedar sisters look at each other, puzzled. Together they both look back at the grinning orc. He seems quite odd, wearing the King's Colors, elvish armor, and even looks to be clean. Very strange for a brutish orc.
Kazier steps up and whispers. "It's a long story babes. Don't mind him, he's just crazy."
The four sit down at a corner table and do indeed drink great amounts of alcohol. Over the course of the evening the two Cedar sisters learn a bit about the odd pair that is so clumsily hitting on them. Over much talk it is learned that all of them hold a great hatred of the cursed Goblins. The sisters had lost their father to them some time back and have done all they can to avenge him.
The discussion of goblin fighting plus the showing off of wicked battle wounds inflicted by such monsters makes it a fun night. However, before it is over, the two elven girls invite their new companions over to see their home which is relatively near. By this time only Maurice can stand steadily, the others are all quite wobbly and very drunk.
Once there Kazier takes the more refined Amy to her room and then demonstrates on her the dextrous skills of his tongue. "Mmmm, your skin is so nice!" He says slurringly as he looks down at her, lithe, pale form.
The white haired huntress laughs, pulling him to her. "It certainly is! It also covers my whole body!"
Amazingly, Alex does not find the strange Maurice repulsive and is attracted to him by his very elvish and gallant behaviour. Taking off his shirt she can see that his barrel-chest is very muscular and has an almost unbelievable number of scars running across it. Lightly she touches her fingers to his chest. "You've been through a lot."
"Dear Alex, I have such tales to tell . . ."
Before he can finish his sentence Alex wildly throws herself at him in a passionate embrace. Her arms feel the scars on his shoulders, arms, and back. Quite quickly they both find themselves making mad love amidst a room full of pillows.
For both Kazier and Maurice it is a very nice night.
Back at the bar Dril and Methos just continue to sit back and drink, eating a few pork rinds and watching the drunks get into scuffles. Ganom, like Alric and Talia have all left hours before.
"Do you think they got lucky? Maurice and Kazier?" Asks Methos, sipping up on another ale.
Dril almost pops a rib from his explosive laugh. "HA! Not in a million years." He tips back his gray hat and rubs at his missing eye which continues to itch.
Methos nods. "Yeah, I don't think there's enough alcohol in the world that could be drunk to make those two look good."
Dril raises his stein. "Ya got that right."
Several days pass by and the guards from Marigor arrive. They have trudged through a lot of snow to come here to assist Duke David with his cultist problem. However they are too late to help with the fight so they take it easy until the snows ease up some, before heading back home.
Prince Marcus moved the Corvel seat of power from Blaris to the ancient seat in Marigor. Marcus did not trust the court in Blaris, since his brother was assassinated there. He was raised in Marigor, and he has friends and people there he could trust. Corvel is now ruled from the same throne as Stephen the first 667-724, and his predecessors. Castle Marigor was built by St. Barlo himself, the first ruler and founder of Corvel, where he ruled in 116-66 pre.
Jinx comes to the Drink and Fight Inn, where everyone else is staying, each night for dinner. She is looking quite well. Her energy that she had lost curing Ganam of his lycanthropy and her battle with the Knight of Discord has come back. Many hugs and drinks are sent her way.
Having done a lot of research at the library at the Temple, Father Aldred has gone through many books and tomes and is able to identify all the items the group has. The longsword is magical and is especially good for hacking up lycanthropes and undead. The little ring is also enchanted, and is able to send out blasts of explosive flame several times a day. The clear vials are healing potions, able to repair damage a body takes very rapidly. The dark vials have tainted animal blood in them.
The metal cylinder is the Staff of Mardor. It seems as though it came from Akrindor through the Cursed Woods to neighboring Corvel. It was the property of a priest called Mardor. With the proper command it expands rapidly into a staff, a fighting pike really.
There is some discussion about who should get what. For the most part the items are given to the individual who could best use them. There is no bickering, for they all realize that to fight such deadly and myriad enemies they need to all work as a group.
Alric takes the ring, and it shrinks down to fit his little fingers. Magical indeed!
Jinx is given the Staff of Mardor, it should come in handy when smiting the unrighteous.
Ganam Oore takes the blade, hoping it's abilities will make him a better warrior.
Kazier retains the enchanted satchel, putting the healing potions into them. When the times arises he will be able to get them to the right people as the situation permits.
Derig 3-Tusks keeps their drinks coming as well as a lot of food. They begin to discuss what their next course of action should be.
Dril is cold and wants to return south, but there is a lot of ways they could go. They could go to Holaf to fight the Kilmoorian invasion there. Cooper's Point is also a place they could go, to investigate the smugglers who are aiding the enemy. There is Draman Del, the border city where the Knights of Discord seem to have gone. Of course they could always stay at Bird Keep and help Duke David agaist the Ice Goblins and find the spy in his court. Many ways to go but decisions need to be made.
Just as they are about to decide on a course of action there comes a massive commotion from outside. Steel is drawn and they rush through the doors. Many guards are running to the walls, the horns of alarm are now sounding. Bird Keep is under attack!
A huge horde of Ice Goblins is charging the walls of the city, through the woods from the east. Before this slavering mob of inhuman monsters is a man running as fast as he can in tattered clothes. He is just a bit ahead of them but the Goblins will soon overtake him and it will be his end for sure.
All along the walls of Bird Keep the city guards begin raining down arrows at the onrushing goblins. They have had many recent battles and are ready to fight. These creatures stand taller than a man, wearing savage furs and wielding crude weapons. A few of the infamous curved headcatcher blades are with this mad mob.
Maurice turns to Dril. "Go get the man on your warg! We'll cover you, hurry!"
Without hesitation Dril leaps atop his snarling mount and it goes rushing over the snows, through the closing gates. Maurice, Ganam, and Methos string their bows and nock arrows, preparing to kill any goblin that might come near their friend.
Alric buzzes overhead of Dril, and Kazier leaps off the wall and gives chase as well. The deep snows do slow down the dark garbed elf some, but he does his best to keep up with the sprig and his warg.
Getting to the tattered man, Dril hops off the warg and practically throws the man onto his mount's back. "Go!" He yells, hitting the warg on the tail and it goes running back towards the city as fast as it can with it's heavy burden. Drawing daggers Dril turns to face the goblin horde.
Overhead Alric decides to use the offensive power of his newly acquired magical ring. He extends his hand and a massive burst of fire jets from the ring. The ball of flame explodes into the congested ranks of the goblins, blowing them into the air and into pieces. Those that survive stumble about, trying to put out the flames that have caught them on fire. Even though he's slain a great many, there are still dozens more.
At the wall the archers fire, and arrows plunge into the charging foe and many that would have made it to Dril do not. However there are still quite a few that come bounding and leaping at the smallish sprig, who starts madly parrying their frenzied blows. One sword plunges into his arm, staggering him, but he keeps on his feet.
Pushing himself as hard as he can, Kazier passes the warg coming his way and get's to Dril's back. There they fight side by side, some goblins circling around them, a ring of enemies bent on their death. With slashing daggers and blades the two rip into the multitude of foes, turning this way and that, doing their best to keep the snarling goblins at bay.
Dril and Kazier battle against the nearly overwhelming odds that threaten to wipe them out. A sword slashes diagonally across Kazier's face and Dril takes a stab to his armored chest. Though goblins are falling all around them, their blackish blood staining the snow, they are beginning to weaken from the their accumulating injuries.
From the distant wall, Maurice, Ganam, and Methos continue to fire their arrows into the goblin ranks. Many take several hits before they collapse, for these are a tenacious enemy. As they get closer Ganam begins to miss more and more. This causes him to curse in frustration. Methos steadily picks off hurt goblins, taking down available targets as they appear. Maurice growls and there is hatred in his eyes, he hates these things as much if not more than the Kilmoorians. His ferocity lends strength to his fighting prowess and many goblins topple from his arrow shots.
As the doors to the city begin to close the warg runs through the small opening. Jinx is there, immediately using her powers to help the haggard man. Talia flies around her head, not sure of what to do, worried about Alric.
Having used his ring quite effectively, Alric now buzzes down to close range. Drawing on his highly effective magical powers, he begins to energy blast the goblins. He vaporizes heads, arms, faces. As his comrades get hurt he also sends some healing magics their way, staunching the blood flow of their multiple injuries.
The goblins charge the walls of Bird Keep and Maurice, Methos, and Ganam leap off into the enemy tide. They hack and slash around them, lopping off various appendages. Blades plunge into roaring faces and chop through torsos and necks. Battling as best they can, the goblins cannot get the best of the city's defenders. Many guards do persish in the fighting, but the soldiers of Bird Keep prevail in the end.
After several minutes of intense fighting the attack is repulsed. Hundreds of goblin and human bodies litter the area, their blood intermingling on the frozen battlescape, very few goblins get away. It was a very large attack, greater than any they'd had over the past ten years. The wounded goblins are then finished off by the victors, knowing it is the same mercy they would have received had their positions been reversed. Only one is kept alive for questioning.
The wounded and dead are tended too, the halls of the Temple of Rellian are soon filled. Duke David moves among them, showing his concern and admiration for those who had defended the city so bravely. He is proud of his people, but the relentless fighting seems to be taking a slight toll on him.
The man who had run before the goblin horde has been taken care of by Jinx. He's doing better, though it is obvious from his emaciated frame and scarred back that he has gone through a lot. Jinx has given him some water to make him comfortable. He is Lord Byron from the city of Aevor. He has a dwarven cast to his features, having a large nose and bushy beard. His extremeties are blackend from enduring the intense cold, but Jinx is hopeful she will be able to save them through her powers.
Aevor is next to the large city of Draman Del, and Kazier and Maurice know of this place. It is in the Cursed Woods between the nation of Akrindor and Corvel, near Brudic their home. It is at a vital spot for it keeps barbarian invasions away that try to cross over into the northern territories.
Byron explains that the city of Dramandel and Aevor were overwhelmed by a monstrously huge force of Ice Goblins. They were also working with regular goblins, having put aside their differences. This made for an absolutely terrifying enemy. The defenses fought as best they could but could not hold up against their numbers. He was one of the few who survived and was taken as a slave by them some weeks ago. He and other survivors were taken to a mine up north, where they were forced to dig for precious minerals and ore to help the goblin war machine.
A shadowy figure appeared in their camp and drained the life force of several of the goblin warriors. Seeing an opportunity here, Byron and several others ran into the forest. He was surprised that such a huge force came after them, but he realized that the goblins had wished to keep their close proximity to Sigel a secret. His comrades fell behind and were killed, and only through sheer force of will did he manage to make it here, to Bird Keep.
The group discusses this for a bit, and think that the shadowy figure might be one of the Knights of Discord. Sure both the Ice Goblins and the Knights are evil, but they seldom work well together.
"What are we going to do now?" Asks Jinx.
"We'll go where we are needed, as always," replies Maurice with a toothy grin.
TO BE CONTINUED . . . .
Chronicled by Ken Paynter aka...Maurice leChevalier
Back to Session 13, Forward to Session 15