Chapter 5 Beauty and the Beast

Jack, Bhass, Reed, Tasen, Xander and Wrathale run down the hallway for about three minutes until they find a second hall branching off from the one they are running down. They stop to discuss which one to go down and decide to keep heading straight.

After another two minutes, they enter a vast chamber and Tasen, Reed Xander, and Wrathale, see heat signatures with their Infravision emanating from inside and above a small underground lake located close to the door.

Tasen, Bhass, Xander, and Reed turn around and head back down the hall. Meanwhile, Jack decides to pick up a rock and he throws it into the water.

Wrathale suddenly sees the heat signatures start to move and whispers to Jack, “Jack come on we should follow the others.”

Jack turns around and runs toward Wrathale but slips and slams into the stone wall and falls down. He quickly recovers and follows Wrathale down the hall.

****

Everyone, except Wrathale and Jack, enter the hallway they chose not to take earlier and begin to explore it. They keep walking without saying a word and stumble upon another hall but it looks like it curves toward the lake room. At that moment, Wrathale and Jack make it back to the group and walk with them.

The party walks down the hall for about a minute then come to a cave opening. They spend about twenty minutes moving through the cave before the walls make a turn.

Wrathale and Reed both hear a soft Pffff, Pffff, like leather being dragged across stone.

Wrathale says “Something’s following us…”

Xander replies “Let’s keep moving. Maybe we can lose it somehow.”

After about four minutes, they find a door similar to the front gates, except they are closed. Xander and Jack open one of the doors a crack so they can slip through.

They step into an enormous room with a fireplace, a bed, a chair, and a wardrobe all extremely oversized. There is one more thing there, an orb atop a giant pedestal.

Everyone heads over to the bed to see what’s on top. Those who are tall enough to see could see a short Elven female bound by silk cloth on the bed. Reed then lifts Tasen up on top and he cuts the binds and picks her up.

Just as Tasen is about to jump off the bed, the fireplace roars up in flames and a Mountain Giant slowly steps out of the fireplace. It sees Tasen jump off the bed and roars. everyone plugs their ears except the Elf who seems to be breathing but doesn’t wake.

The Giant runs toward where he saw Tasen jump off the bed and attacks.

Before the giant comes into view, Tasen hands the Elf to Bhass who carries her on his back and under the bed.

The Giant misses Tasen and Jack charges with his long sword. He swings and hits the Giant. Wrathale fires with a volley of arrows and hits a few times.

Tasen runs up to the Giant and slashes at its foot hoping to get behind it. Reed also attacks with his short sword but misses. Mee fly’s off of Reed’s shoulder and out of the room.

Xander asks Wrathale, “Do you have any rope?”

Wrathale replies, “Yeah I do, but only up to fifty feet… why?!”

“Just hand me the rope!” says Xander.

Wrathale stops shooting and tosses the rope to Xander.

Bhass run’s with the Elf under the bed and across the room. The giant then slams his fist at Jack and hits him but, Jack still stands.

Jack smiles and takes a swing at the Giant. He hits. Wrathale keep’s firing his bow and is now missing with most of his shots.

Tasen gets behind the giant, while Jack has him distracted and makes a swing. The Giant howls in pain as Tasen cuts the Giant’s right foot off. This results in everyone plugging their ears again.

After the howling stops, the Giant falls to the ground but is still conscious. Reed then takes his chance for a strike and misses.

Mee says to Reed telepathically “There is something out there trying to grab me, but I can’t see it.” Reed translates to everyone else.

Xander takes the rope and uses his psionic power to make the rope float in the air and wrap around the
Giants other leg and begins to pull.

Bhass sits by the oversized chair and watches the rest of the party hold off the giant.

The Giant finds Jack trying to climb up his back and quickly grabs him and throws him at the wall in front of him. Jack slides down the wall stunned.

Wrathale now puts his bow away and charges with his battle axe. Tasen, astonished by what he did, runs to the Giant’s other foot and starts to climb.

Reed runs up to the Giant and starts to swing at the Giant’s side. Mee then says “Can I get some help??? It almost got me that time.”

Xander lets go of the rope, pulls out his spear, and charges at the Giant.

Bhass runs away from the Giant and towards the door. During his running, the Giant grabs one of the bed’s legs and throw’s it at him. It misses him, but hits Xander, Wrathale, also the door, making the door swing open.

Afterwards, a green beam of light shoots at the Giant and hits him in the face melting away his skin. This causes the Giant to scream in agonizing pain. Everyone must again plug their ears.

Mee says “That problem solved and… now for the other one please…” Mee then lands back on Reed’s shoulder.

Reed quickly translates and everyone stops and looks around the room for treasure. They find nothing. When they look at the doors, they see some flat surface creature stuck under the door trying to eat it.

To keep it distracted, they cut up some of the Giant’s foot and everybody tosses a piece onto the carpet creature and bypasses it. They then run down the cave halls to the entrance…

Chapter 4 Mee

The adventurers awake undisturbed behind the giant wooden and steel door. They eat their breakfast and get up and head inside the cave. The cave is wide and moist and damp but they continue to wonder forward. As soon as it becomes dark Bhass lights a torch.

They see two passages to their left and right, one passage directly in front of them and one to the northeastern part of the cave.

From the northeastern passage, the party sees a bright glowing light. Tasen and Reed volunteer for scouting it out. They both walk silently to the side of the doorway. Both Tasen and Reed take a look inside. As soon as Reed pokes his head in he hears a voice in his head saying “Hello.”

Reed doesn’t answer and pulls his head back out of the doorway.

Reed whispers to Tasen, “Did you hear that?”

Tasen replies “Hear what?”

Reed says in return “The voice saying hello…”

“I didn’t hear any voices,” says Tasen.

Reed then walks into the room and says out loud, “Hello?”

And the mysterious voice says in return “Hello.”

Tasen walks into the room and says “What are you doing, there’s no one here.”

They both realize that there are animal cages, some filled with starved to death animals and decaying bones on the ground. They look closer at the cages and see one animal still alive. It’s a giant firefly.

Reed then hears the voice and says, “Have you come to save me?”

Reed says, “No… sorry, but maybe you can come with us.”

Tasen then runs back to the rest of the party and tells them to follow him.

The Firefly says, “Oh… well alright.”

Tasen returns with everyone else.

“So... has any thing happened, Reed?” Tasen asks.

“Just talking really,” says Reed.

“Who are they?” asks the voice.

“Just friends of mine.” Reed replies.

Wrathale says “What’s going on?”

Reed replies “I think this bug thing is talking to me.”

“Bah! Bugs can’t talk... ya dim wit,” says Bhass.

Reed ignores Bhass’s comments...

Reed asks the firefly “How did you get here?”

“Well I remember flying out in the night looking for a meal... when something flew over me and I couldn’t see or fly away, then I was brought here where I was left to die... and now you’re here...” replies the firefly.

“Did something fly over you so you couldn’t see or fly away?” says the firefly.

Reed translates what the bug is saying then answers the firefly “No, actually me and my friends just wandered here really...”

As Reed continues to translate he says “What is your name, I am Reed.”

The firefly asks in return “name?”

Reed replies, “A name- something you call yourself or what you are called...”

The rest of the party looks questioningly at Reed.

The firefly doesn’t respond.

Reed says “What do you call yourself, or what can I call you? Who are you?”

“Well... I am me” replies the firefly.

Reed says, “Yeah but what is your name?... What can I call you?”

The firefly says “I am me... I always call me, ‘me’.”

Reed shakes is head in confusion and gives up on arguing with the firefly.

“I guess we will call you ‘Mee’” says Reed

And the firefly responds and says, “Ok.”

Reed then translates the entire conversation to the party...

They then let Mee out of the cage he was in and Mee shouts as only Reed can hear, “I’m free!”, and flies above the room and lands on Reed’s shoulder.

They then realize that they are not in just an animal torture chamber. They see a metal door on the side of the wall and some skeletons chained to the other wall, except one. They see a rotting human corpse chained to the wall directly in front of them.

The party moves around in the room. Then Jack picks up a rock and throws it at the rotting corpse. The rock hits the dead human and it looks up and starts to moan, softly at first and then louder into a horrific scream. At the same time they hear banging and crashing behind the metal door.

They quickly turn around and find another hallway behind them right next to the one they came in. Everybody runs down the alternate hallway fleeing what ever they may have alerted.

Chapter 3 From here to there....

The newly formed party of adventurers left the city of Here in search of Tarix’s daughter. She was either taken captive or killed because nobody knew what exactly happened. The adventures walked for short periods of time for five days, eating on the move, and sleeping to get to the caravan which was torn apart and the princess disappeared from.

When the party reached the caravan, they found guards shredded, decaying, and missing limbs. The stench of death and decay lingered over the ravaged caravan. The armor they wore was ripped to pieces and dented beyond repair. Wrathale searched for any footprints that were out of the ordinary but there were too many footprints to tell.

Just a few moments later an Ettin came roaring down from the hills. Jack weapons drawn quickly charges at it and Reed and Tasen try to get close. Wrathale pulls out his Bow and starts shooting at the Ettin. He misses and the Arrow hits the ground. Xander takes out his spear and readies himself. Tasen and Reed both hit the Ettin but they don’t inflict much damage

Jack Takes his two handed sword and cleaves the Ettin’s arm off making the Ettin fall to the ground dead. Wrathale takes two scimitars and slices the Ettin’s throat. Then they hear oxygen release from the Ettin’s lungs.

The party then heads up into the hills where the Ettin had came from in hopes of finding the princess. They walk up the hill and there they see a giant iron gate and a cave next to it. They go over to the cave and look inside. Nothing is there but a robe and a few gems. They go inside the cave and pick up the items. Reed, Tasen, and Wrathale can tell that the robe is magical. Tasen is the only one willing to put it on. When he puts it on, it seems to shrink to his size.

(Not knowing how the robe works after he puts it on he tries to guess the command word and says, “Allakazam…?” “Zibbdwah?” “My name is Bob?” As soon as Tasen finishes saying “My name is Bob”, the robe starts to shine brightly with scintillating colors. Wrathale, Reed, Jack, and Bhass are now looking at Tasen like they are attracted to him. Xander however was shielding his eyes from the bright light. Tasen says “My name is Bob!” again and the robe’s magic turns off.

Everyone then snaps back to normal. Xander looked at Tasen and says, “Well that’s a robe of scintillating colors which incapacitates all who are looking at the person wearing it.”

“Ah” Tasen says in return. “But I think we should let Bhass wear it, since he’s the only one who wear’s robes.” Tasen then takes the robe off and hands it to Bhass.

“So what is the word I have to say to activate this thing?” Bhass Asks

Tasen replies “say, ‘My name is Bob.’”

Bhass says in return “Aright.”

Everyone then leaves the Ettin’s cave and heads toward the giant gate. When they get there, Tasen, who is small enough, just walks in between the bars while Jack bends some of the gate bars so that everyone else can get through.

They get through the gate and start to walk down a giant chasm. About two hours of walking later, Wrathale says, “I’ll go scout ahead.” No one seems to care. Wrathale scouts ahead for about an hour before he sees something off in the distance. He signals the group that he sees something and, he starts to run toward it.

Wrathale gets closer to the object only to find out it’s a bear with puss coming out of its injuries and chained to the wall of the chasm. It seems dead because it looks like it has been there for about ten days or more. Wrathale gets close enough to touch the fur and the bear starts to swipe randomly at Wrathale and hits him three times with claw, claw, bite. Wrathale falls to the ground unconscious. The Bear looks around blindly then lies back down. Everyone gets to Wrathale and sees the bear, but with Wrathale lying right next to it they know to not get any closer.

Xander uses his psionic powers to take control of the bear’s mind. Xander quickly says, “Everybody take Wrathale to the other side of the bear.” Jack picks up Wrathale and carries him to the other side of the chasm and sets him down on the Ground.

Bhass quickly runs over and heals Wrathale. Xander lets go of his mental grip on the bear and jumps over to the other side of the bear. The bear shakes its head in confusion then looks around with its pearly white eyes. Wrathale wakes in pain but recovers rather quickly thanks to Bhass’s healing. Wrathale gets up and walks over to the bear, out of range of its attacks, and pulls out his bow. Then he shoots the bear directly in the head.

The party starts to walk down the chasm farther. After about another hour, they reach a gate about the size of the other one but with giant wooden doors that are wide open. They stop and camp behind one of the open doors and sleep the night.

Chapter 2 Bhass, Jack and Tarix’s Daughter.

As they ride into town on the back of the farmers wagon, the farmer says “Well… here we are the city of Here. I just need to stop at the stables for a bit so you folks as can get off.”

Xander Replies “Thank you for the transportation.” And Xander hands the farmer five gold pieces. The Farmer nods and stops at the stables. Everyone gets off the wagon with stomachs growling. With everyone hungry, they head into the inn named The Steady Rose.

They see very few towns’ folk in the inn but, they see a human with muscular arms and an obese man in a robe. A few others seem to just be peasants. Tasen, Reed, and Wrathale head up to the bar. Wrathale generously offers to buy Tasen and Reed food and they smile saying “sure”. While the others get food Xander heads over to the obese man and Well muscled man’s table and says, “Hey how you doing.”

The Obese man Replies, “What’s it to ya Stranger.” in a Western Accent.

Xander says in return, you seem to be a Cleric of some sort how ever, I was wondering if you have had a Vision about a princess.”

The Obese man says, “well first off call me Bhass, Second, I don’t really believe in gods but, I can heal… just if we get in trouble don’t expect me to call on a god or any of the happy crap. Also, no I haven’t had any Visions but there is a poster up about Tarix’s daughter that might be what yer looking fer.”

Xander says, “Well thank you and would you like to join us?”

Bhass blurts out “HA…” “Ya gotta be kidding me. One, I hate all of the people you walked in with because none of em are human. Two, I hate you. And three… what do I get for joining? An item that makes every look human to me? Pfft you’d just be wasting my time.”

Xander says, “Well what time are you using up or do you just not want to go?”

Bhass looks at Xander angrily and finally says, “Fine… Ill go but, my friend Jack comes with.

Jack Roun, who apparently wasn’t paying any attention, says “What now?”

Bhass says, “This person wants us to help his Party go find Tarix’s daughter and bring her back…” Jack nods and continues to eat his food.

Bhass says “So from what I’ve seen we have 5 people… you sure that’s enough?”

Just then Tasen jumps on the tables and says “Hey, you forgot me.”

Then Bhass says, “Whoa… it’s a Midget… haven’t ever seen one before… too bad I can’t cure ya you little shrimp.”

Tasen looks at Bhass Angrily and says, “I’m a Gnome As you can see… and besides you so fat I don’t think you can even see past those Chubby Cheeks blocking your eyes!”

Bhass says well… all be darn your Captain Obvious I hate every thing that’s not me or my friend so back off shrimp. Besides I hate the bunch of ya’ll.” Tasen Hops off the Table and heads back over to the bar and orders a Drink.

Xander says, “Well, anyway, I’ll see you around. We will be leaving in a short while, so don’t go anywhere.

Bhass says, “Can do.”

Tasen Reed and Wrathale get done eating and drinking then walk out of the bar to look around.
Tasen, Reed, and Wrathale start walking to the Library to go find out who made the knife that killed the bartender who died in the last town. They walk into the library and find fifty shelves of books. They walk up to the desk and ask if they can find a book on crafted weapons.

The librarian takes them to a large book shelf, and then he says “Ah here we go. It’s not much but here” he hands Tasen a large book about the size of him but, he manages to lift it. He takes it to a table to look at and reads the name of the book. Created weapons and their Creators. Tasen and the others start to read.
Meanwhile
Xander heads over to the jewel shop to sell the gems they had gotten from there previous battle.

The jeweler says, “well the two brown gems and the green gem I can buy but, the orange gem… phew I’ll go bankrupt if I even try to buy it from ya. I’ll tell ya how much its Worth though, I would say about two thousand five hundred gold.

Xander Replies, “Okay thank you but one thing? Do you know any one that could buy it?
The gem seller says, “Yeah… actually he runs the local library I believe Zid Castura was his name but, most just call him Zid. He should have enough to buy it so… anyway here’s you gold sir three hundred gold pieces and have a nice day.”
Xander replies “thank you and you too” and then leaves the store.

Reed, Tasen, and Wrathale go through every page of the book and find nothing about the knife. But, found things they could get a blacksmith to make so, Tasen buys the book and puts it on his back and Carries it out.

Xander meets them outside of the inn and they split the gold from the gems (Except the Orange one) and every one smiles at Xander who smiles back. Every one heads back into the inn to get something to eat but, Xander says “I’ll be right back I just need to take care of something.” Everyone nods and continues to eat.

Xander walks out of the inn and towards the library and walks inside. Xander walks up the middle aged man and says “hello. Are you Zid?”

Zid replies “Yes and how may I be of service?”

Xander says “here, the jeweler says you could buy it off me.”

Xander shows Zid the Orange jewel.

Zid says, “Ah… hold on a second.”

Zid then reaches from under his desk and pulls out an old kind of microscope. He takes it and examines the jewel. Zid says “I’ll buy it for half price for it has a few cracks in the middle of it.”

Xander says ok and he receives one thousand two hundred and fifty gold.
“Oh and do you know anything about Tarix’s daughter?” Xander asks.

“Ah, Tarix, why yes… it was believed to be that the Princess was on her way to her father’s house when something had stopped the caravan about… oh, say, five days Travel from this city if you just follow the west road out of town. .” Zid Replies.

“Thank you for I have a party heading out for her tomorrow.” Says Xander

Zid says in return, “Best of luck to you then sir and also if you wish to contact Tarix, just come back here and I can get him here as fast as I can.”

Xander says, “Okay, thank you. I will keep that in mind and with that, I will see you later.”

Xander then heads back to the inn and buys himself some food and a drink.

Xander says, “We should stay the night here then leave tomorrow.”

Tasen says nothing to comment after yawning from engorging himself with food.

Reed says “alrighty”

Wrathale nods at Xander. Bhass just sits there watching the group. Jack still eating, says ok well I’m gonna head to bed. Then jack finishes his food and heads upstairs to his room and every one else does the same.


In the morning Reed and Tasen head downstairs and order breakfast. A few minutes later, everyone else does the same. No one talks not ever a whisper. Not till around noon did they get out of the inn and meet by the gates of the city. A little after noon everyone get, together and leave, on their journey.

Chapter 1 The Trampled Pony

Brandon awoke from his sleep at the Temple with a Vision, a Vision of an Elven Princess in Trouble Like as if it was a Distress Call. He quickly got out of bed and told his Elder Priests and left to find a Party for this Mission. In the City of Crek Brandon Decided to Head down to the Bar to find some worthy companions.

Reed and Tasen have just arrived from Rodan they escaped because; the Cities of Rodan hated them especially for their Trickery and Thievery. As they got off the boat They Took off their Disguises hoping none of the Towns Folk knew who they were. Then they headed into the Nearest bar Named The Trampled Pony, Tasen and reed Sit down at the Farthest Table from the door.

Xander starts to walk into town; he sees the Towns folk doing things normally but he occasionally gets a glaring glance from them. He then walks right into the bar.

Brandon sits at the bar and orders a drink he gets a Yellowish Beer from the Bar keep, Brandon Takes a Sip and drinks it a little more. Brandon turns around looking at the rest of the Bar and Notices one Tall Figure at the Back of the room. Brandon Gets up and moves towards the Tall Figure to talk to him.

All of a sudden he hears a Voice come from no where saying, “Hey what do you want?”

Brandon says back “I wish your services Elf.” Reed says in Response “but I was not the one who spoke first.”

Brandon Puts a Puzzled Look on his Face, “But you are the only one I see at this table. How could some one else be here.” says Brandon.

Then a Short Figure Jumps on the Table and says,
“Do you see me Now?”

Brandon jumps Back in Surprise, he says, “I’m sorry but I didn’t see you there.”

“Yeah yeah yeah that’s what they all say.” Tasen Says back

“Any way what do you want with me and my Friend.” Says Tasen.

“Well I need help but all I know is that I had a Vision before this morning and it had to do with an Elven Princess in Trouble. Would you like to come along?” Brandon Says.

“Sure But you have to pay us two gold every day it takes. And I don’t me one gold each I mean two gold each. Tasen replies”

Brandon says “Deal.”

Tasen says “This is my Best Friend Reed Willow root and my name is Tasen Wanderfoot and you’re?”

Brandon Replies “My name is Brandon Armbane, nice to meet you.”

“Well what else do we need to do? Do we head out know or what reed says.”

Brandon says “no we need a Few more People to join the Party before we leave. So keep in touch.”

“Will do” Tasen Replies.

Wrathale and just gotten done Hunting out in the Woods and hopes to make a little bit of money by selling the Deer he killed. He walks into the Trampled Pony and walks up to the Counter and holds the Deer up for the Bartender can see.

The Bartender Whistles back and a Stout Dwarf come out from the Kitchen and Pick up the Deer and Carries it into the Back. Wrathale receives two gold and 35 silver. Just then some Guy at the Bar Punches Wrathale in the face Wrathale Turns Towards the guy and Swings he misses and he hits the guy behind him.

The Drunk man that just got hit Gets up and Punches the Guy that hit Wrathale in the back of the head and knocks him out, after Words they Drunk man just goes back to Drinking his beer. And as quick as a Silver Dart Tasen Looted the Knocked out Drunk man.

After that Display Brandon Walks up to Wrathale and tells him the Story. And Wrathale Accepts.

Xander Sits at the Bar and Orders a Drink.

Brandon Comes up to him and says would you like to help out a Small Party we are going to Rescue a Princess but Before Brandon Could Finnish Xander said “Sure.”

Then two Hooded Figures Walk in the Bar and Sit All the way at the Back of the Bar Past Reed and Tasen. Before they reached the Back Xander Says in Draconian, “Hey.” The two hooded figures stop, then keep going towards the Back of the Bar. A little bit after the two Hooded Figures sit down a Small two bladed dagger Whizzes past Xander’s head and hits the Bartender in the Forehead killing him in one Swift Blow. The Bartender falls to the Ground dead but no one Cares they would just refill their own Drinks. Brandon Walks up to the Counter and Flips a Copper Piece onto the Bartenders Corpse and Refills his own Drink.

Reed then searches the Bartenders Corpse for money but only go one copper. The two Hooded Figures get up and Leave the Bar but no one seems to Notice.

With in a few Seconds the Bar Starts of Fire by the Door. And Xander Yells “Every One Out!” Brandon Tries to Pick up Tasen in the Stampede but Tasen Punches Brandon in the Ribs. Tasen then Drags Brandon out of the Burning inn. Every one makes it out off the inn, all of the People that where Drunk in the Bar just watched the inn Burn down.
Xander Notices the two Hooded Figures in an ally next to the Building. Xander Takes out a Javelin and threw it at one of the Hooded Figures but he over Shot.
Reed and Tasen join Battle in the ally and run in and attack the closest one Reed and Tasen Hit him and he falls over dead Wrathale Jumps out from the Side and Attacks the one still alive he misses. Xander runs in and Punches hit in the Face and the Hooded Figure Falls but before he was done he Threw a Dagger at Brandon armBane it hits him Strait in the head killing him instantly and Brandon dies. After Words they divvy up loot Between the Group and Xander got a nice orange Jewl. They also discovered that they were Draconian’s Then they Where just about to Get horses to Ride to the next city when they saw a Wagon Leaving the City and they Asked if they could ride on it and the Farmer didn’t mind. So then they rode to the Next city. Looking for a New Priest.