Mission: Rivers Run Dry

The party heads upriver to find the cause of the dwindling flow. They save a man tapped under a log, fend off a kuo-toa ambush during camp, and eventually come upon a crude dam in the river. Upon approach, four giant beavers stepped out to defend the area. Through Chappy's skills in animal communication, they convince the beavers to move downstream of Farhaven. Surviving a bandit ambush on the return trip, the party assists the beavers in building a new home half a days journey downstream of Farhaven, including a brand of Hestia blessing the new home.

## From the desktop of Mr. Issac Grey (by Issac)

*A preface--given my current quandry and the complete lack of recourse available to resolve it, I have decided to chronicle my time here. At best, I'll sell these memoirs on my return and leave my family something nice to inherit. At worst, they may serve to entertain Lucas and Isilde.*

While Farhaven may be pleasant enough, it's quaint charm evaporates rather quickly when the water dries up. One tends to notice the rather cellar-like smell that most of the residents have acquired and the peculiar grime patina the common areas wear when they miss a day of wash. Clearly, we would need to find the water and reason with it that it might return.

As a group, myself, Mr. Touch, Mr. Waxmen, and Mr. Chap marched upriver to pleasant enough conversation. They were kind enough to listen to my ramblings on the *Great Game*, and we collectively discovered the Mr. Maxwin has a penchant for grabbing anything remotely plantlike and stuffing it into a pot. When a group of unsporting fishmen attempted an ambuscade in the night, they too learned of his tendencies and found themselves in his pot. Regretably, the fish cakes were exceedingly sub-par.

In the end, the water was being dammed up by a beaver nest. Mr. Chaps demonstrated his rather unique talents and somehow convinced the overlarge rodents that they should demolish this d\_\_, and move it downriver, *past* Farhaven-- Good show, sir. And thus, I have come to march with beavers.

As a whole, our journey was largely uneventful. We met some rapscallions in the night, but managed to convince them to flee with a rather splendid defense we put up. The beavers managed to set-up their new home, and I find myself the richer for having such a whimsical encounter with so odd a species.

*Below, scribbled in the margins, are the abbreviations for a game of chess: In it, he plays Black and advances a row of pawns forward. White blunders continuously, and the pawns manage to take several pieces without contest. The game ends without resolution when the pawns reach a mass of white pawns, apparently ending in an amiacble tie.*

## Beavers (by Chappy)

Writing this I am the happiest I've been here since my unfortunate ending. I set out the other day with some more newcomers (Issac, the chess player and  Maxwell the mechanical being) as well as The Touch. It was my first time seeing him since I fell. He didn't seem to recognize me.

The trip was very succesful. We came across a young fella who was trapped under a fallen tree. Says that's how he appeared here. We quickly got him (Johnny) out safely and he headed toward Farhaven with some of our water and food.

We fought some fishy folk one night who came into our camp while were resting. Maybe it wa sthe smell of Maxwell's stew... But it wasn't long before we came across the cause of the river's stoppage. A giant dam built by some giant beavers. I was able to use my animal tongue to communicate.

And they eventually agreed to move their dam to below Farhaven in exchange for our protection and help building the new dam. On the way back we ran across some bandits of a sort. We drove them off but they seemed formidable, it might be a thing to keep  our eye on should their ranks grow and become stronger...

Talking and traveling with beavers has certainly changed my outlook. I've been rejuvenated and now realize there is good in this place, wherever this place is.

## Mission Report - Rivers Run Dry (by The Touch)

Written musings of the man known as The Touch.

“For several days now the hardworking people of this land have noticed that the loca river no longer flows as it once did. Having seen first had the kind of misery a small harvest can bring, this old man readies himself to see what could be done. The Gods were kind enough to guide four additional souls onto this righteous path. A Mr. Issac Gray, strange golem Maxwell and a robed figure of a returned companion. Oh Chappy, what has fate done to you…

...in a sign of the good we were to do, we just happened to come across a struggling man who had been pinned underneath a tree. With teamwork and strength, we free this man and send him on to Farhaven as he too seems to have been transported to this strange land. Being the kind and caring people we are, Issac arms the man with a knife and provides him with clear and concise directions to town. Gods willing we will see him after all is said and done…

Treachery! A grouping of fish people have struck in the middle of the night, violating the sanctity of a well-intentioned camp. It is one thing to protest a trespass when two groups meet under the daylight but it is another to try to kill or capture folk in the middle of the night. If only these fish people were like the merfolk of the Opal Stones. You see, it was the middle of summer and I had been dismissed for the night…

...and so we discover the cause of Farhaven’s plight. A family of large? monstrous?  mutant? beavers have dammed the river, as is their god-created instinct. As fate would have it, Chappy had some sort of animal speech - detailing that these creatures just want a safe home from the Kua-Toa fish slavers. Understandable. Coming to an understanding to avoid bloodshed, we have come to an accord to escort the beavers to a new home, downstream of Farhaven in mutual cooperation. Hopeful safety from fishfolk retribution for them and easy river crossing and a stable water supply for us.

It seems like our outing has turned into a serious test of faith as thieves, human thieves! have the gall to attempt robbery and murder in the middle of the night. Why must men stoop so low when there are so many paths to redemption, Hestia’s blessings? I pray for the thieve’s souls as no life was lost that night. The bandits retreated after our group brought their leader to death’s door. Let us hope he learned a lesson but I fear we will have to deal with that group sometime later. Less they carry on their evil when so many are still struggling here…

… with a spot chosen and accepted the beavers get to work. As a sign of friendship some of us from Farhaven do what we can to help these creatures. A solid tree marked with your sigil Hestia now adorns the top of a mighty natural dam. With any luck this new lake will ease the minds of Farhaven. Now, where can I get a fishing rod?”