Meetings in Carpathia, and Introductions
We six companions met in Carpathia, discovering we had a common purpose: to travel to the land of Hoven. My recent battle companion in Berium, Davrik, introduced himself to the others first, as an Elemental Mage and warrior, attending in place of his lord Silvermoon, now King of Jurawicca.I followed, explaining that I, Dariyan, was an Air- and Light-mage, originally from Eneldore in the west. My sword and target shield with its red dragon device were plain enough. The burly human to my right was named Snider, travelling to Hoven on business of his own. He carried an axe, and wore leather armour. A common soldier, then. But he also said that he practiced the art of Black Magic - I moved away from him slightly, curling my lip; the antithesis to the White Magic that I practiced. The brash curly-haired human across from me bore himself as noble, and indeed wore a noble's red embroidered tunic and chain mail covered by leather. He introduced himself as Lord Hjelmar-the-j-is-silent Bjornstern, and announced that he had vowed to safely return his cousin the late Lord von Hoven's ashes to their resting place, as was our goal. Last to identify themselves were two young humans, Kita and Garlexa. According to their story, Kita had been a prisoner of those foul beasts of the swamp, orcs, yrch! for several years; I don't know how she stood it; to finally be rescued by her brother. He immediately went up a notch in my estimation. A fighter, like me he had a sword and target-shield, though his armour was leather only. When asked why they were going to Hoven, they replied that it was safer to be away from the Orcs. Davrik asked if they'd heard the phrase 'from the frying pan into the fire'... Kita was not well equipped. She had a dress I could only hope she could run in, and an off-balance sword stolen from an orc. I could see others of our party had also marked her as likely doomed. She mentioned she had the talent of giving First Aid to those wounded in battle - and we saw we would have to protect her, to keep the healer alive should I go down. How comforting for me, to rely on an almost unprotected human girl. Davrik, damn his curiosity, asked her whether she thought during that evil time she had eaten elven meat, to which she replied apologetically that she almost certainly had. A very strong feeling of revulsion overcame me, surprising in its strength (not just ic!), and I shared a sickened look with Davrik, though just managing to retain control of my earlier lunch. We later talked about formation fighting - as I had been trained in the Guards back in Eneldore as a youngster, I preferred the right side of a shield wall. We had two shields at the front that would give us a strong formation, with fighters behind and to the side and two spell-casters - black magic though one dealt in - and the girl in the protected middle. Davrik kept our little group together in fighting order, and was our armourer.First aid and a healer (myself) would be essential. Little did I know then how much we would be needed, as would my light spell.
The Beginning of the Journey Towards Hoven: First Battle
A commoner approached us, Dougal, of Lord Hjelmar's retinue, (Player GM) and told us that the Soldiers of Hoven carrying the urn of ashes had been attacked by tentacled creatures. We formed up and sallied forth to help, marching briskly until we reached the battle site, and arriving in time to kill one creature while more clustered, for the moment unapporachable, on the other side of a small ravine (ok, irl a 1 1/2m ditch... poetic licence please!) Two unconscious soldiers were in sight, I rushed to heal one propped up against a tree, saying the required incantation in Elvish and ritually binding the man's arm with a bandage. He revived, healed, and I turned to the other, who had been lifted up and woken by the human girl. After he was healed he stammered something about the fiends questioning him about the Library in Hoven, but he said he did not give them any information. Apparently some of the creatures had taken the urn of ashes. He and his companion stumbled off through the forest towards the road, intending to get to Hoven for reinforcements. There came a call as one of us discovered another body - at the bottom of an overhang, lying in the river. Kita managed to get down to him, but was unable to wake him, so she borrowed his helm and small shield for protection. At the moment it was unwise to mount an expedition to drag the soldier out because of the menacing - but not advancing - creatures on the other side of the river. We decided to deal with them first. I noticed that my sword hand was wet with the first soldier's blood (oc: or dew on his arm?), and cursing, wiped it off. The hilt of my sword was still slightly slippery, and I wished for my old sword, which had better grip, but was heavier and not so good for travelling in general. On a count we thew ourselves at the other bank and managed to scramble up. Though the first round of our spells missed their evil targets the second two hit: stone hands grasped the leg of one creature and a second tentacled creature was magically joined to the first with a siamese curse. They did not last long under our encircling swords, and neither did the other foul thing. Then, looking round, I noticed a somewhat ethereal-looking woman huddling under a tree. (Hah, Elven eyesight strikes again. Well, once anyway.)
Sonja's Story part I, and the Knocked-out Soldier
As all of our opponents were dispatched, the others gathered round. The lady was overcome by the attention, and told us that nobody ever noticed her or talked to her. That did not, to me at least, explain why the evil creatures had let her alone. Davrik speculated that she might be a dryad, since she seemed to like a particular tree. Lord Hjelmar remarked to me that she seemed to shimmer. I do not remember much of the conversation as I automatically took up the role of guard, carefully and repeatedly looking round the surrounding forest for any sign of more evil creatures. Upon questioning, Sonja said she knew nothing of an urn or ashes, but offered to ask the river for us. It did not give an answer. She said her friend Bruno might be able to help. Davrik cast Earth Strength on Snider, who was then able to rescue the body of the soldier, and drag him up onto the bank. He did not seem to be completely dead; though my Healing did not work, and my Purify spell likewise failed. The Black Mage tried Posession, but that also failed - as I guessed; how could they expect black magic to work where white did not? (as I commented, quietly) Sonja was very distressed by the soldier's silence and sleep, and demanded we wake him up so he could talk to her and stay and be her friend. We told her that we would go and see Bruno, and we would see if he could suggest something to help the soldier, who appeared to have some kind of black poisonous growth on his face. We promised to come back as soon as possible, and that the soldier would keep her company till we came back.
A Long Walk, Meeting Bruno, and of Potions
Sonja tearfully pointed out a vague direction to us, uphill through thick undergrowth. Formation was called for and somehow I ended up in front with no idea of where to go. Eventually we decided to recross the stream and look for the road, and after a bit of scrambling and cursing made it past the worst of the trees and back to the road. It curved on and on mainly uphill, with sets of steps and occasional bridges. Eventually as the twilight deepened we came to a large clearing on the side of the hill, strewn with tall plants. Someone was working in the field; I first thought a farmer checking a crop, but he turned out to be an alchemist gathering certain leaves and plants. The smell of various crushed herbs was strong. This, in fact, was Bruno, and he was an alchemist. The others gathered round him to ask for information. Again, I took guard of the downhill side of the road, while Snider checked uphill. I gather that Bruno had an idea how we could wake the soldier; there was a rare potion that required thirty mushrooms such as the red one he had. However, he had not the time to collect them himself, though he told us where they could be found, right down the bottom of the path past Sonja's turnoff, under overhangs and at the base of trees. We would also need a vial of some description to pour the made potion into. So back down the hill we trotted to look for thirty small red mushrooms.
Backing down the Path: Merchant's Meeting
As we went back down the path it began to get darker. Coming to a bridge, we heard a nasal voice complaining. Seeing us, a richly clothed figure introduced himself as a wealthy merchant, and his servant hanging behind him reminded him that they had to move quickly to reach the inn by full dark. He lingered long enough to see if any of us needed to buy anything; and as it turned out he had a small crystal flask perfect for our purpose. However, his starting price was fifty kopeks. Davrik and Lord Hjelmar, even by starting at a tenth of that, were not able to get him much below 35. Then Davrik, disgusted, suggested we 'send the women in, to do what they do to twist men round their fingers'. Or some similar masculinist nonsense. I just looked at him and commented that I was an Elf and not a human. He just shrugged and muttered. However, Kita's simpering and fondling did their work and the bemused merchant said 'Twenty!' I did not believe we could get a better deal so shook on it quickly when he threw in a free shrunken head. I had a little more trouble cajoling other members of the party to cough up money. However we secured the first thing we needed in good time.
Journey to the Crossroads - Shadows Attack
We continued on and were almost to the crossroads when I decided to make a Mage-light spell and readied myself for it, then suddently we saw something on the road before us - a sinister black form, cloaked in shadow. I incanted my spell and lit up the area. A second dark form lurked behind. Weapons seemed to have no effect on the Shadows, and their very touch drained one's spirit leaving icy cold fear behind. They advanced. We retreated, and the formation broke. 'Ruun awaaayy...' hissed one of them, reaching out at me with evil claws. Everywhere our party was scattering, trying to keep away from the persistent stalking shadows. Several of the others in our party were also beating round the bush. However, also in the forest was a Necrotaur. The Shadow followed me into the forest edge as I stumbled backwards among the trees and logs, my cloak and sword catching on branches. I belatedly turned off my magelight to stop it following me, plunging everything into darkness. I evaded the Shadow and lit the light again, realising my comrades could not see. Three of us were on one side of the Shadows and the others on the far side, the wrong side. The Necrotaur had stayed in the forest below the path. Davrik distracted the Shadows on the far side while the humans tried to circle round above them, and to circle them himself. I kept the light upward so they could find their way down.
How Not to Find Mushrooms I - the High Path
We noticed the Necrotaur still roaming the forest floor down the hill - where we now realised the greatest stock of mushrooms were said to be. We decided, unanimously, to leave the foul undead thing alone and see how many mushrooms could be found in the second place we were told to look. It did not appear to want to leave its territory so we thought it best to leave well enough alone for the moment. I switched my light spell to a more direct beam and we began to look around. But not for long - a sound of drumming and a high-pitched cackle preceded a zombie attack, and a necromancer controlling it. Another Shadow also attacked, though this time it seemed our cold steel was having a slight effect. Several of us took turns slashing at it and trying to avoid its claws, until its shadowy form was rent enough to be destroyed. A few people needed healing in the aftermath of the two Shadow battles, and I dealt to that while lending the light spell to Davrik, who began looking for the red mushrooms. I took a restorative swig from my flask and wondered briefly about pulling out my sparse dinner of bread and dried meat, but there did not appear to be time. Only about a dozen mushrooms were able to be found at the higher place so it was reluctantly decide that someone should have to dare the Necrotaur's wrath.
How Not to Find Mushrooms II - Beware the Necrotaur
The path forked at that point, hemming the undead beast in, and I kept my light on it while Davrik lit a candle-lantern. Our plan was that Davrik would go down one path and Snider the other; Snider would taunt it until it followed him away, then run back up the path, meanwhile Davrik would gather mushrooms until it noticed him and came back, then he would run and Snider would taunt it out again. Lord Hjelmar covered Davrik's entry to the path, Snider covered the crossroads and other path, and I covered the higher path with Kita and Garlexa at the rear. I believe Douglas was along there also. The first pass went as planned, though on the second the Necrotaur got onto the path after Snider. He called up the hill for us to retreat. Luckily it gave up and went to chase Davrik again. Then they came back up the hill to count the mushrooms, some of which had been trampled in our earlier escape from the Shadows and Necrotaur. We lacked but eight to make the needed thirty - so there was nothing for it but another dare into the necrotaur's territory. Taunted yet again, the Necrotaur stepped even further up the path the third time, giving Davrik time to collect the eight mushrooms, but scaring those of us up the path until it gave up and went back into its dark dell. The mushrooms were counted to a third time, and Davrik brought out a candle lantern to light the way up the hill, returning my light spell.
Back up the Dark Path, and Down Again
With the mushrooms collected, we tromped on up the path to find Bruno again. Noting barred our way as we travelled uphill. I was on tailguard, shining the magelight ahead of me and lighting up the trail for myself and those ahead. At the front went the person carrying the lantern. Looking off the trail on a corner I saw Bruno, sitting hunched in his cloak, and called the rest back - they had gone past without seeing him. (Another one up for Elf eyes.) We apologised for being back so late, and gave him the mushrooms. It turned out that not only were our mushrooms bigger than his one, but we had thirty-two, and would not have needed so many. Remembering the last trip into the necrotaur den, we grimaced at each other. he said there were enough to make three doses of potion, and set about crumbling different herbs into the pouch. Finished, he poured the potion into the vial, and then asked for payment. I pointed out that we had found both more mushrooms than necessary and of excellent quality, and others that we had risked our lives to gain them. Bruno was not convinced. Then whoever had taken the skull given with the flask offered it to him, and Bruno thought that would do as payment, and waved us a cheery goodbye, reminding us that the potion must be taken by drinking. So we set off back down the path again to find Sonja and the unconscious soldier in need of our help and presumably knowing where the urn containing Hovens ashes was, suddenly remembering our original quest.
Sonja's Story part II, and the River
As we neared Sonja's home in the forest we heard her screaming and calling to us to hurry. However, we were already hurrying as fast as the treacherous nets of vines in the undergrowth would let us. Snider arrived there first, with a mighty leap across the ravine, and later said that he just saw something vaguely evil and perhaps tentacled running off into the bushes. Sonja angrily and tearfully (good at being tearful, Sonja) asked us why we hadn't come faster. We explained as best we could that the undergrowth slowed us down and we came as fast as we could. The soldier was gone and she said he turned into a horrible monster and ran away when we came. So much for the potion we had worked so hard for. Now we had to calm down Sonja, still tearful, as she told us that she was murdered in that very river by her husband, William, before Hoven became a city and was not known as Hoven. She said that she was cursed to live here forever unless a man fell in love with her. And looked round hopefully (and still tearfully). We looked at each other. Who was to commit the sacrifice? She wasn't noble, therefore Lord Hjalmar seemed to think it out of the question. She wasn't an Elf, which theoretically put Davrik out of the running. Eventually Garlexa said he would return and talk to her after our duty to Hoven was done. Of course, she wanted him to stay now. But she was happy that someone would stay and talk to her, so she offered to help him look in the river for the urn. So they clambered down the bank and poked about in the river. I took the time to quickly pull a russet apple out of my bag and devour it. Suddenly, he was gone, sucked under the water. She told us he had been taken downstream to find the urn, and grimly we set off downstream to find it and the missing Garlexa, never suspecting her part in the situation.
A Battle, and the Ghost of von Hoven Appears
We climbed down the choked streambed among the muddy pools and vines and fallen trees. The going was slow and difficult - I was at the rear with the light again. However, along the sides of the stream banks, blue-green lights glimmered at us: glow-worms shining like dim stars. The front of the party soon came to a small cliff and I passed the light forward so they could see to climb it. Personally, when the light ws passed back and it was my turn, I decided to go up the easy way. Which seemed much easier. we went along a ridge a little further, then saw an eerie blue light through the trees, in a small space within the forest. We were quickly set upon by numerous tentacled Dark One followers and Shadows, though we could still see the ghost's uneartly glimmer through the trees before us. We fought our way through and Lord Hjelmar gave a cry of dismay as he saw the ghost of his erstwhile cousin, Lord von Hoven. He pushed through our ragged formation to speak with the ghost. For a time the monsters ignored him as I distracted the Necrotaur that was his closest foe, the trees hampering my movement somewhat (in fact, for a heart-stopping moment my shield became caught in a bush) However I managed to knock the foul beast down. In a minute however it had recovered and sprang for the Lord, injuring him before I was able to kill the Necrotaur again. I was able to catch the Lord Hjelmar as he swayed and heal him with my magic. The bodies of the Necrotaur and a zombie lay at his feet. From the side my fellow Elf, Davrik, called 'Another Dark One! Attack it!' and we two ran up the steps, swords forward. He read a spell quickly, and stone hands grew out of t he ground to capture and hold the foul one's leg, clamping it in place to be attacked and killed. We looked round to see that the ghost had retreated along a path, and had uncovered finally the urn containing Lord von Hoven's ashes. The ghost told us that the Necromancer and the Dark Lord had gone to Hoven to find a secret document in the Hoven library which would enable him to take over. He imlored us to stop this atrocity, and save Hoven, conveying his ashes there with all speed.
Attempting to Finally Get To Hoven with the Retrieved Ashes
We climbed back out and found the road, with the ghostly form preceding us. As we followed the road, several citizens ran past us, shouting that Hoven was burning, or Hoven was captured, and hundreds of Dark One followers were after them, or thousands of evil creatures swarming the city. We would have pressed on, but the ghostly von Hoven strove to stop us, telling us that the city was overrun and we must go back to Carpathia. Lord Hjelmar was all for sallying against the Dark Forces and finding the library and returning his cousin's ashes to Hoven as he had sworn. Someone else said we could go back to Carpathia and return later with an army. Davrik argued that perhaps a small party such as ours would be able to go where no army could, and perhaps complete our mission - or die trying. I must admit it galled me to have to travel back to Carpathia with our mission unfinished, but as we huddled in the road discussing it, we did indeed hear the hordes coming, and so we were forced to flee with the precious ashes back to Carpathia, alive to fight another day.