Thanks everyone for the reviews, I've made my fic chunkier to save you all
from your eyes falling out. Remember to tell me how I'm getting on! This
chapter may be a little rushed but I want to get on to the killy bits!!!!
The man who cried "WOLF!"
After filling themselves up with warm ale the adventurers continued to explore the town of Easthaven. Although mainly a collection of ramshackle huts several buildings intrigued the travellers. "Over there," Melisuan said gesturing towards a soaring wooden temple with deep blue stained glass window and a stone arched door. "It looks like a temple, perhaps we should explore it?" Burt rolled his russet eyes. "Can't we check out the Scrimshander* instead?" He pleaded pointing to a short cabin surrounded in the hanging corpses of drying fish. "Well, I think we should go talk to Hrothgar!" The slightly wounded Sir Ryan said persistently. "No!" Bria said irately "Let's go back to the Inn and ask any other lodgers if they have any useful information about the area!" Asrlya sighed and took of her helmet. "Hrothgar is nearest. We can go see him first," Sir Ryan punched his fists in the air then looking around felt slightly embarrassed. "Then we can go see the temple," Asryla added. Melisuan smirked. "After that we can go to the Scrimshander and then we can go back to the inn, ok?" The party nodded obediently apart from Burt who kicked some snow irritably while muttering something about "fish" under his breath.
Hrothgar's house was easily the biggest in town. It consisted of two rooms; one appeared to be a large living area with an open fire and the other a bedroom. The party shuffled in awkwardly "Hello?" Asryla called hopefully. Just then Hrothgar appeared from his bedroom. "Ah!" He said clicking his fingers "The adventurers!" "Yes," Asryla answered. "Come sit by the fire!" He said motioning them towards a lone red armchair. What followed was the worst three-hours of Asryla's life. Asryla, being a good-hearted elf could not say no to his hospitality sat down timidly clattering her sword. "Come on you lot!" Hrothgar said to the rest of the party. "It's a big seat." Sir Ryan squished up beside Asryla and was followed by the rest of the party. "No room for me!" Bria said, though she later regretted this as she was sat on top of Sir Ryan's armoured knee. "Whatever you do DON'T break anything!" Hrothgar said while looking at the walls of his house which were covered with curiosities "Oh really?" Haulderr said trying to be polite. "Like what?" "Well," Hrothgar began. "Orc...sword...wench..severed eyeball..axe.." The party sat awkwardly as Hrothgar began detailing his life story. All Sir Ryan could see was Bria who was squashing him. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity he stopped. "And that's when I came here!" Hrothgar exclaimed. "Perhaps you'd like me to tell you why you're here?" "Yes!" The party replied in unison. "Well," Hrothgar said. "I think you may be interested in an expedition I'm planning!" "Yes!" A muffled Sir Ryan said who was beginning to suffocate. "Count us in." "Excellent! We embark as soon as possible, just come back when you're ready."
The party left hurriedly and once again entered the cold air of Easthaven. "That was sooo boring." Melisuan said rolling her eyes. "At least you didn't have to sit on Sir Ryan's knee" Bria whispered. "Oh yeah!" Sir Ryan retorted "Well at least you didn't have an Orog* sitting on your knee!" "Well, at least I didn't sign us up for an anonymous expedition!" "Enough," Asryla said spitefully, she was now hungry and her armour had begun to chafe "Let's just get to the temple."
On entering the temple the adventurers were greeted with the smell of pine incense and burning wood. Blue light filtered through the windows and illuminated the floor which made it appear to ripple softly. The temple was filled with weapons, shields and helms on exhibit. At the head of the temple there was a large granite statue of two horses galloping, while being rode by a large armoured figure standing with a foot on each horse grabbing on to reigns. Below it was a glyph covered door. Melisuan stood like a child in a sweet shop her eyes glowing. "That's a statue of Tempus god of war!" She squeaked. "War is but one aspect of the Tempurian faith," An unknown voice said from the shadows. An armoured grey haired man stepped forward. "I am Everard of Tempus," he lifted Melisuan's hand and debonairly kissed it "And you are?" "Melisuan of Sune" She giggled. Sir Ryan stood forward and crossed his arms. "Oh yeah, what's that big glyphic door thing for then?" He asked. "That archaic, glyph covered door protects Jerrod's Stone, have you heard of it?" Everard enquired. Sir Ryan didn't have time to answer. "I have!" Melisuan croaked. The rest of the party where thoroughly unimpressed by all of this. Asryla stood close by polishing her sword and listening for useful information, Burt skipped about hungrily, Haulderr admired a blue war hammer and Bria seemed to be dancing over the light on the floor. "Tell me the story of Jerrod," Melisuan said while coyly twirling a piece of her platinum hair. Sir Ryan began to growl silently.
"Well," Everard said throwing a smirk to Sir Ryan. "Jerrod was a shaman who lived long ago. He brought unity to the northern tribes and led them to victory against the army of Arakon." Bria turned "Arakon, he was an arch-mage from the south was he not? A necromancer I believe." "Yes," Everard said smiling at Bria who rolled her eyes. "Arakon brought an army of mercenaries to fight the northern tribes but as I've said he was no match for them. At first they fought in individual tribes and were slaughtered. Defeat was inevitable but then the shaman Jerrod managed to unite the barbarians and they battled together against Arakon. Arakon was on the brink of defeat when for some reason he opened a portal to the lower planes," Melisuan gasped. "Twisted demons poured on to the battle field, killing hundreds of barbarians and mercenaries alike. It was then that Jerrod saw his god on a high mountain top and took it as a sign to *sacrifice* himself. He jumped in to the portal and instantly the demons vanished, the portal was turned to stone." Everard gritted his teeth. "You don't sound like you agree with him." Melisuan said. "One dies with a blade in their hand for Tempus! Jerrod was clearly a coward!" "But the demons would have overpowered the barba-" "I do not believe the barbarians would have lost!" An awkward silence followed. "So the great stone disc lies beneath the temple holding Jerrod's corp." Everard began but Burt interrupted, grinning. "Look at the time! We best be off to the Scrimshander! Cheerio!" The party left hurriedly before Everard could continue.
Outside the moon shone on the white snow, the Scrimshander lived on the south west of the town near the icy shore of Lac Dinneshere and it only took a few minutes for the party to reach the wooden cabin that smelled of rotting fish. Burt seemed unaffected by this. "Wait" A voice cried in to the night, the party turned to see a sandy haired man waving his arms a few yards away. Burt hopped up to him "What is it?" "You look like adventurers! Please help me, Apsel. A rabid wolf ran in to my shop and when I tried to get the door open the key broke in the lock and it will eat all my merchandise!" "What do you sell?" Burt enquired. "Carved knucklehead trout," The man said. "But please hurry!" Burt turned his matted head to see Sir Ryan bashing the door with his sword. "No!" Burt said. "Watch me!" He picked up a nearby fish bone and expertly picked the chilly lock. The party readied their weapons and entered the dark shop.
It was dark, save a lonely candle and demonic, canine sounds could be heard from the furthest corner. Suddenly the wolf came bounding towards Sir Ryan. It head-butted him in the shin where he had been hit by the little boy and he toppled dramatically like an ancient tree "Llira* protect me!" He cried. Bria lunged forward with her staff, hitting the creature seconds before it would maul Sir Ryan's face. Asryla acted quickly and lunging forward with her scimitar slashed the creature's leg. Crimson blood poured from the wound. Before the rest of the party could act the wolf escaped through a hole in the wall of the shop. Sir Ryan stood up and brushed sawdust from his armour. "It must have come in from there," He said pointing to the opening. "Perhaps we should board up the hole?" "No," Asryla answered. "Let us leave that to the shopkeeper"
Apsel stood at the door to his shop smiling. "Thank you!" He cried shaking Burt's hand. "Take this dagger and here are a few gold pieces. He handed a white-hilted dagger and some coins to Burt. "Can I have some fish to eat instead?" Burt said earnestly.
Scrimshander - A carver of Knuckle-Headed trout. Orog - Ogre/Orc crossbreeds Llira - Goddess of Joy
The man who cried "WOLF!"
After filling themselves up with warm ale the adventurers continued to explore the town of Easthaven. Although mainly a collection of ramshackle huts several buildings intrigued the travellers. "Over there," Melisuan said gesturing towards a soaring wooden temple with deep blue stained glass window and a stone arched door. "It looks like a temple, perhaps we should explore it?" Burt rolled his russet eyes. "Can't we check out the Scrimshander* instead?" He pleaded pointing to a short cabin surrounded in the hanging corpses of drying fish. "Well, I think we should go talk to Hrothgar!" The slightly wounded Sir Ryan said persistently. "No!" Bria said irately "Let's go back to the Inn and ask any other lodgers if they have any useful information about the area!" Asrlya sighed and took of her helmet. "Hrothgar is nearest. We can go see him first," Sir Ryan punched his fists in the air then looking around felt slightly embarrassed. "Then we can go see the temple," Asryla added. Melisuan smirked. "After that we can go to the Scrimshander and then we can go back to the inn, ok?" The party nodded obediently apart from Burt who kicked some snow irritably while muttering something about "fish" under his breath.
Hrothgar's house was easily the biggest in town. It consisted of two rooms; one appeared to be a large living area with an open fire and the other a bedroom. The party shuffled in awkwardly "Hello?" Asryla called hopefully. Just then Hrothgar appeared from his bedroom. "Ah!" He said clicking his fingers "The adventurers!" "Yes," Asryla answered. "Come sit by the fire!" He said motioning them towards a lone red armchair. What followed was the worst three-hours of Asryla's life. Asryla, being a good-hearted elf could not say no to his hospitality sat down timidly clattering her sword. "Come on you lot!" Hrothgar said to the rest of the party. "It's a big seat." Sir Ryan squished up beside Asryla and was followed by the rest of the party. "No room for me!" Bria said, though she later regretted this as she was sat on top of Sir Ryan's armoured knee. "Whatever you do DON'T break anything!" Hrothgar said while looking at the walls of his house which were covered with curiosities "Oh really?" Haulderr said trying to be polite. "Like what?" "Well," Hrothgar began. "Orc...sword...wench..severed eyeball..axe.." The party sat awkwardly as Hrothgar began detailing his life story. All Sir Ryan could see was Bria who was squashing him. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity he stopped. "And that's when I came here!" Hrothgar exclaimed. "Perhaps you'd like me to tell you why you're here?" "Yes!" The party replied in unison. "Well," Hrothgar said. "I think you may be interested in an expedition I'm planning!" "Yes!" A muffled Sir Ryan said who was beginning to suffocate. "Count us in." "Excellent! We embark as soon as possible, just come back when you're ready."
The party left hurriedly and once again entered the cold air of Easthaven. "That was sooo boring." Melisuan said rolling her eyes. "At least you didn't have to sit on Sir Ryan's knee" Bria whispered. "Oh yeah!" Sir Ryan retorted "Well at least you didn't have an Orog* sitting on your knee!" "Well, at least I didn't sign us up for an anonymous expedition!" "Enough," Asryla said spitefully, she was now hungry and her armour had begun to chafe "Let's just get to the temple."
On entering the temple the adventurers were greeted with the smell of pine incense and burning wood. Blue light filtered through the windows and illuminated the floor which made it appear to ripple softly. The temple was filled with weapons, shields and helms on exhibit. At the head of the temple there was a large granite statue of two horses galloping, while being rode by a large armoured figure standing with a foot on each horse grabbing on to reigns. Below it was a glyph covered door. Melisuan stood like a child in a sweet shop her eyes glowing. "That's a statue of Tempus god of war!" She squeaked. "War is but one aspect of the Tempurian faith," An unknown voice said from the shadows. An armoured grey haired man stepped forward. "I am Everard of Tempus," he lifted Melisuan's hand and debonairly kissed it "And you are?" "Melisuan of Sune" She giggled. Sir Ryan stood forward and crossed his arms. "Oh yeah, what's that big glyphic door thing for then?" He asked. "That archaic, glyph covered door protects Jerrod's Stone, have you heard of it?" Everard enquired. Sir Ryan didn't have time to answer. "I have!" Melisuan croaked. The rest of the party where thoroughly unimpressed by all of this. Asryla stood close by polishing her sword and listening for useful information, Burt skipped about hungrily, Haulderr admired a blue war hammer and Bria seemed to be dancing over the light on the floor. "Tell me the story of Jerrod," Melisuan said while coyly twirling a piece of her platinum hair. Sir Ryan began to growl silently.
"Well," Everard said throwing a smirk to Sir Ryan. "Jerrod was a shaman who lived long ago. He brought unity to the northern tribes and led them to victory against the army of Arakon." Bria turned "Arakon, he was an arch-mage from the south was he not? A necromancer I believe." "Yes," Everard said smiling at Bria who rolled her eyes. "Arakon brought an army of mercenaries to fight the northern tribes but as I've said he was no match for them. At first they fought in individual tribes and were slaughtered. Defeat was inevitable but then the shaman Jerrod managed to unite the barbarians and they battled together against Arakon. Arakon was on the brink of defeat when for some reason he opened a portal to the lower planes," Melisuan gasped. "Twisted demons poured on to the battle field, killing hundreds of barbarians and mercenaries alike. It was then that Jerrod saw his god on a high mountain top and took it as a sign to *sacrifice* himself. He jumped in to the portal and instantly the demons vanished, the portal was turned to stone." Everard gritted his teeth. "You don't sound like you agree with him." Melisuan said. "One dies with a blade in their hand for Tempus! Jerrod was clearly a coward!" "But the demons would have overpowered the barba-" "I do not believe the barbarians would have lost!" An awkward silence followed. "So the great stone disc lies beneath the temple holding Jerrod's corp." Everard began but Burt interrupted, grinning. "Look at the time! We best be off to the Scrimshander! Cheerio!" The party left hurriedly before Everard could continue.
Outside the moon shone on the white snow, the Scrimshander lived on the south west of the town near the icy shore of Lac Dinneshere and it only took a few minutes for the party to reach the wooden cabin that smelled of rotting fish. Burt seemed unaffected by this. "Wait" A voice cried in to the night, the party turned to see a sandy haired man waving his arms a few yards away. Burt hopped up to him "What is it?" "You look like adventurers! Please help me, Apsel. A rabid wolf ran in to my shop and when I tried to get the door open the key broke in the lock and it will eat all my merchandise!" "What do you sell?" Burt enquired. "Carved knucklehead trout," The man said. "But please hurry!" Burt turned his matted head to see Sir Ryan bashing the door with his sword. "No!" Burt said. "Watch me!" He picked up a nearby fish bone and expertly picked the chilly lock. The party readied their weapons and entered the dark shop.
It was dark, save a lonely candle and demonic, canine sounds could be heard from the furthest corner. Suddenly the wolf came bounding towards Sir Ryan. It head-butted him in the shin where he had been hit by the little boy and he toppled dramatically like an ancient tree "Llira* protect me!" He cried. Bria lunged forward with her staff, hitting the creature seconds before it would maul Sir Ryan's face. Asryla acted quickly and lunging forward with her scimitar slashed the creature's leg. Crimson blood poured from the wound. Before the rest of the party could act the wolf escaped through a hole in the wall of the shop. Sir Ryan stood up and brushed sawdust from his armour. "It must have come in from there," He said pointing to the opening. "Perhaps we should board up the hole?" "No," Asryla answered. "Let us leave that to the shopkeeper"
Apsel stood at the door to his shop smiling. "Thank you!" He cried shaking Burt's hand. "Take this dagger and here are a few gold pieces. He handed a white-hilted dagger and some coins to Burt. "Can I have some fish to eat instead?" Burt said earnestly.
Scrimshander - A carver of Knuckle-Headed trout. Orog - Ogre/Orc crossbreeds Llira - Goddess of Joy