Excerpted from the journal of Omiata
Dead of Night, April 18-19, 1376 (The Year of
the Bent Blade)
Sitting outside a mage's huge
dungeon in a far away land, I have found my travels and adventures with these companions
to be quite…interesting. In the stillness of the night I delved deep into
thought of what direction this life would lead. Would I be just a dungeon
crawler, reaping fortunes beyond imagination? Would I be left behind to live a
quiet life, or follow a path of great renown? So many questions to be answered,
and so few trusted friends in this strange land. The most troubling was my
departure from the
"It happened so quickly,
I was asked to leave and for what? So I could help detain some derelict rogue
for a common magistrate? Surely they didn't think that little of me."
Maybe they did think that little of me, like a
child they reluctantly put up with until he could survive on his own, and then
glad to be rid of. "And what of Meron Lightfoot?"
I thought. "He said not a word to me after the council which decided my
exile." It pained my heart to be seemingly shunned by one whom I admired
greatly, as much as my own father.
Out of the corner of my eye I
saw subtle movement in the pitch black night. Thinking it was the mages that
ran to the forest when they saw our party earlier I crept into position. My
dagger was at the lurker's neck before he realized he was being stalked and had
time to react. "State your business."
"Omiata"
a calm voice said, and my blade unconsciously moved away from the cloaked
figure. I turned the woman to face me and recognized her instantly from my
guild in the
"Gelina?"
I said in disbelief. "Wha..."
"I must be brief, even
here our meeting is not safe, so listen child and do not interrupt." Then
she continued at a hurried pace. "I was sent by Meron
to give you this message. I have tracked you from Stillsquall.
The Magistrate is friendly with Meron and told me to
seek you and your company at the lighthouse. Through the portal I went and
continued on your path till now. I will have seen some of your party's
handiwork and can tell they are being guided well. Meron
will be proud of my report." She gave a smile and continued, "I am
not to discuss any of our business, only to deliver this note, all you need to
know is written on it." She handed me a parchment then slowly turned me
around.
"Do you see the moon, Omiata?"
"Yes" I said,
looking at the brilliant orb in the sky.
"Follow it."
I felt a brush of wind and
instantly knew that Gelina had re-entered the
shadows. I kept looking at the moon for a few moments more, then my eyes
lowered to the parchment which bore Meron Lightfoot's
seal. Then my twitching nose told me that the ranger Ahmed was on his way to
see what was going on in these bushes. Before I was mistaken for a (whoever the
hell Ahmed was angry at this day), I emerged after pocketing the letter.
Time passed and each of my
companions drifted into a light sleep. Then I read the letter which contained
these words:
"My son,
I have heard word of your
deeds in Stillsquall and I am heartened by the
news. You and your companions have done
well and are certainly on the way to great riches and renown. But know this, you are currently on the trail
of greater danger than you suspect. I
have scryed the stones and talked to Fenmarel Mestarine himself. This is what I know:
An arch-shadow named Gothyl has planned your every step since Daggerdale, and seeks to lure you with long-lost treasures
to her abode in Spiderhaunt Wood. Gothyl was once a wizardess of tremendous power who sought to achieve lichdom some 150 years past. She failed, and has instead become what she
is, and was locked into the Axe of the Dales until Randal Morn accidentally
released her.
It was she who took Randal
Morn, and left the note on the axe. She
hopes to bring you and your friend to her tower in Spiderhaunt
Wood, where she can transfer the spirits of her disembodied apprentices into
your living bodies.
What she doesn't know is that
one of her servants, a Scrag named Shplizzmak, has stolen the Fiend's Embrace, the center of
her power and a mighty artifact of great evil.
It is said to be a dark red and scaly cloak made from the skin of a
demon. It radiates an evil so strong that
Gothyl normally keeps it hidden and basks in the
radiance to feed her power. She has not
noticed it is missing, since Shplizzmak has only
taken to hiding in the ruins of Cold Stones Keep, in the swamp to the north of
Find the Fiend's Embrace, and
you hold the power to shake Gothyl. Destroy it in her
presence, and you will destroy her. Free
Randal Morn, who holds the key to peace in the Dales, and the rewards will be
great for you, your companions, and those you hold dear.
No matter what your fate, my
son, your father Gilderon would be proud."
Having read the letter a
tremendous feeling filled my soul. I was renewed with purpose and
determination. I will share this letter with my companions when they are awake.
But now I feel like I will sleep in peace – for the first time in a long while.
Last updated 04-27-2005 by Skip Franklin (text written by Mike E.)