Out of the archives of endless adventures the friends had, comes many stories. Some are comical. Some are tearful. And still others are filled with valiant heroism. This is the tale of one such heroic occasion.

The friends had been enjoying the sport to be found in Kaesora for some time now. They had, on many occasions made their way to and from the Kaesora library. They knew the area well and felt rather secure in whatever they may decide to do in the old temple. It was a beautiful, sunny day on Kunark and Gillivray, Phiona and Elberath were eager to get some adventure started. However, Alwynn was not yet available to join them and they didn't want to do anything too drastic without their trusted druid friend. One of the three, at this time I cannot recall exactly which of them, suggested they look around Kaesora for a spider known as the Runelord. The other two quickly agreed, thinking this would be just the spice they needed to fill an otherwise boring afternoon.

Upon making their way to Kaesora, Gillivray pulled out his map of the place. Looking over it carefully he said, " Ya know, we usually drop down this tunnel to the left. However, I see here on my map that if we drop down this tunnel straight ahead, we'll land directly in the Runelord room."

"Oh! That would save us lots of time and peril." Elberath added. "I think we should do that!"

Phiona, never caring where they went as long as they went together, quickly agreed. So, the three friends made their way carefully to the edge of the drop off and peered down. The drop was long, but not perilously so. They could see no danger below that should concern them. All together, they leapt off the edge, landing with a hard thud, a bruised knee or two, but otherwise uninjured. "Wow! We should have thought of that sooner," Gillivray said. They were all feeling rather pleased with themselves for discovering such a fine short cut.

It was about that time that Gillivray peered out of the corner they had fallen into, to get a look at their surroundings. No sooner had he stuck his head out to get a better a look, than six or seven massive spiders spotted him! He tried to jump back into the corner, but it was too late. He had been seen. "Apparently, the Runelord has guards!" He cried, "Run for your lives!"

Elberath shouted to Phiona, "GATE out!"

Phiona searched her memory for a second and cried, "I can't remember the spell!"

By this time, Gillivray was swinging his mace for all he was worth, but quickly losing ground to the onslaught of spiders. One of them managed to get a good bite in. He could feel the poison coursing through his veins, and knew his strength would not hold out. With his last breath, he uttered, "RUN!"

But there was no where to run to. Elberath and Phiona were trapped. The exit far above them through the passage they had just dropped through. There was no way to ascend the wall of that narrow passage. Before them was a seeming wall of angry strathbone spiders. All anxiously awaiting either of them to make a move. Then, as a single body, the spiders charged, quickly bringing down the frantic bard and distraught shaman.

The little group had to recover their belongings. Everything they had worked so hard for, now lay at the bottom of a hole, in the depths of an unfriendly temple. How were they going to accomplish this? They spent long minutes in discussion over the best course of action. Gillivray finally stated, "I am the strongest among us. I will recover our things!"

Phiona feared for her husband and said, "But the path is wrought with danger. How will you recover our things? I'll not sit by and watch you die!"

Gillivray was adamant. He was not going to let everything they had worked for rot at the bottom of the cavern. He was also not going to allow his friends to risk their own lives to recover them. Without further discussion, he entered the temple. He was sure that if his faithful warder could hold off the guards long enough, he could recover what was needed. Calling forth his warder, he jumped into the crevasse! Within minutes he was surrounded and defeated by the hateful spider guards.

Undaunted, he formed a new plan. If he could survive long enough to lure the guards a safe distance away, he could then return and recover their things. He relayed this plan to Phiona and Elberath. It had merit, so off he went again into the temple. The plan was partially successful, except he did not survive as long as he thought he could. The guards were still too close. But he believed in this plan and returned another five or six times, each time being defeated but managing to pull the spiders a little further each time away from their gear.

Once he felt they were a safe enough distance away, he entered the temple yet again, confident this time he could get their things and get out of there. But fate did not see it that way. The guards had returned and he was once again defeated. It was obvious they were going to need some outside help. They called upon their guild mates for assistance. Tertrastrike responded quickly. He was older and wiser than the friends, who admitted their over-confidence got them in over their heads. In a matter of minutes, Tertrastrike had recovered their belongings and saw them safely out of Kaesora.

Gillivray lost much skill after his valiant attempts to help his friends. It took him two weeks to recover the losses and repair the injuries. His tale of bravery, compassion and self-sacrifice will forever be remembered in the annuls of time.