(G32 - BG - Thu)

In the first room we entered on the first floor we encountered another bullywug, but
Charro dealt with it. It was a strange room full of curio's and interesting objects.
The next room was a training hall and the next was a kitchen. I remarked to the others
how unusual it was to see a kitchen on the first floor of a building - quiet unlike
Waterdeep, what strange notions foreigners have!
From the kitchen we went to a balcony and found two frogmen watching the street from
this vantage point. Eriss and Charro soon killed them off though.

Also on this floor Charro found a shrine to Shaundakul with which he was most impressed
and he left an offering of coins.

We went from room to room after that but discovered no more intruders, so continued
upstairs to the second floor. Up here were three large bedroom, the first two being
empty we found our final quarry in the third.

Tied to back to back chairs were Lavinia, Corra and two people I recognised as members
of the Jade Ravens.
Also here were the half-orc and the shaman. I tried to convince Drevoruz that this was all
a dreadful misunderstanding and that Harlis Javil wanted him to stop all this silliness
but he didn't believe me and tied to strike Lavinia.
Much to everyone's surprise she was free of her bonds though and leapt away and escaped.
Next Charro struck the half-orc with a sonic ray type spell that greatly injured him.
The shaman summoned a huge ape that attacked us, but Charro held it back and Lavinia
set two of her dogs on it (the dogs having followed us up the stairs.)
Eriss bravely leapt past the ape and cast Burning Hands, that was enough to finish off
the half-orc and injure the shaman. I had hit the shaman with a couple of arrows so he
was pretty much on his last legs. Eriss finished him off with her club.

So, we had saved the day! But not quite. We released the Jade Ravens, but I discovered
poor Corra was dead. The Jade Ravens were Tolan and a man that would not give his name so
I tetchyly christened him Bob. They explained that two more of their number were still
missing so we resolved to search for them in the cellar.

I collected Loblobtoob on the way, the chiefs mate, and down we went. We found Leeamay
in the most bizarre of predicaments. She was dressed in nothing more that a table cloth
onto which silver tableware had been tied. Chasing her around the room was a hungry
looking rust monster. Delighting in this torment the chief and two henchmen looked on.

Since we outnumbered them a good deal, we managed to persuade him to release the wench
in return for his mate and safe passage.

Later we fond the last Jade Ravens, a dwarven druid called Cascus, who was injured but alive.
I should add that we had also seen dead bullywugs in several rooms and the garden and also
a dead badger. Myself and Cascus talked in Druidic for a moment and it turned out the badger
was his and I sympathised with his loss.

So, that was that, we helped Lavinia to tidy up and evening turned into night. Charro
said his farewells and I was about to ask Eriss if she fancied a drink after all that
hard work but I got the impression that Lavinia may not of wanted to be left alone.

She told me that since all this business had began she had been practicing in swordplay,
I assume that's why she had set up that training room on the first floor. She said she
would need some more time to consider her next move, as we still had not located her
brother. She seemed to be leaving something unsaid though so although I had been planning
to go back to the shop I offered to stay at the manor for a few days and she readily
accepted my offer.

My thoughts turned again to poor Mashai, whose mortal remains lay on a remote desolate
shore east of the city. Corra too was dead now and although I had not known her well
she had seemed like a nice person when she laughed at my badger antics. I had wanted to
crawl into a bottle and maybe have Eriss help drown my sorrows but I resolved to be
strong for Lavinia who has more than her fair share of problems.

As an aside, I wondered if I might not come up with a name along the lines of the Jade
Ravens. After all, myself, Nobby, Raz, Shifty and maybe Eriss could be counted as a similar
sort of band of stout adventurers. I will have to put it to them and see what we can come up
with, something like the Pie Shop Heroes, Damsels Rescued - Villains Dispatched - Discounts given
for bulk orders!