Diary of a Misfit

## Unexpected Meetings

The events that occur within these pages are all a true tale. A tale of a strange group and their adventure that took them across Zyreema.

But to begin telling that story I feel it needed to explain just how the strange group came to be. First, let us start with the meeting between a certain Priest and a certain Dragon.

### -The Dragon and the Priest:

Six years before Mordred's invasion of Albion, **Ignithur**, a young and bold Red Dragon on Zyreema, left the safety of the nest he had called home for so long. Officially old enough to fend for himself the young Dragon gazed at the land sought to claim a portion of it as his own, like his many ancestors before him.

It was then that a man came before Ignithur.

How this man came to find him, the proud Ignithur did not question. The man payed respects to the mighty Dragon and seemed to speak wisely, for a member of the Races. He offered Ignithur words of advice and spured him on to be bold and daring "such as befits a creature of his majesty".

The young Ignithur would only later come to realize that he had been deceived. The Elf man who called himself **Malideus** told him of a town, easy pickings for the Dragon, that he could subjugate and rule over. It was not unheard of for mighty Dragons to take such domains for themselves and to protect the locals in return for tribute - so the words Malideus spoke rang true with Ignithur and made him imagine just how mighty he could - nay - **would** become.

But all did not go as the Dragon intended.

The town he had laid siege to did not meekly accept his "benevolent" offer to become their ruler or face his fire. They did not bend to his threats and the took shelter behind the Magically protected walls of their Church. Soon enough, a group of mortal warriors was called to the town to face the menace of Ignithur. The warriors flew a banner of a thorned raven and were led by a strange, but powerful, young priest by the name ofTroy Tasina.

That was the first meeting between Troy and Ignithur, and the moment their fates became intertwined.

What ensued was a failure for the priest. Troy wanted to speak to the Dragon, to reason with it and settle the matter peacefully before anyone got hurt - but flinched before the beast and, while fear took over his better judgment, decided to order battle to begin.

What resulted was the site of ruin. Several buildings had been smashed or burned down before the anti-dragon poisons could kick in and render Ignithur unconscious. Troy blamed himself for the havoc. He believed that there had to have been a better way. That if he could just give the Dragon a chance that it too would see the glory of the Virtues.

And so he prayed to The Light - and so the answer came to him.

In its might, the Dragon did not understand the weak. In its pride, the Dragon was not willing to try. Troy then swore to right his mistake and to redouble his efforts. For if he could not prevent needless bloodshed then what good was he as a priest to Good?

He toiled as the Ignithur slept and finally, behind the closed doors of the Church into which the Dragon had been brought, preformed a great ritual to seal the beast.

That day, the Dragon was no more. To the people of the town, the priest and The Light had brought down just judgement to the Dragon.

Only Troy knew of what he had done. Of how he sealed the Dragon into the form of a Human. Troy resolved himself to lead the boy, "Simon", onto the proper path - regardless of how many years it will take him.

### - The Priest and the Young Druid:

One year after the sealing of Ignithur, Troy keeps up his quest to find the righteousness in others by, in what the people who know him better refer to as "*classic Troy behavior*", going into the border are of Wicklow to preach to local bandits.

Unsurprisingly, this landed him in a makeshift cell next to the bandit camp. Surprisingly however, he was not alone.

It was then that Troy met with **Ozchara**, a young Elf Druid who had also got himself captured after taking a wrong turn in his travels. The two combined their efforts and managed to call for assistance. The bandits ran for their lives once they heard Raventhorn was on their way (Troy preaching to them to change their ways while they ran) and the odd duo was left under the starlight.

Such was the strange meeting between the Priest and the Young Druid.

### - The Blind Eye Detective and the Case of the Lost Puppy:

It was a few day later, a ways away in the city of Wicklow, that a seemingly unrelated event took place.

A puppy, owned by a boy in town, had gone missing. Finding the dog was the boys greatest wish but the guards were too busy to help with something so trivial and everyone else just told him "not to worry" as his pet will turn up later.

But the boy was worried and was having none of that. The pulled out what few copper coins he had stashed away and went to the only person who he heard could help.

**Elizabeth Redwood** - The owner of the **Blind Eye Detective Agency**.

Elizabeth accepted the boys request and began the search for his pup, meeting along the way a strange Priest who got along with animals a little too well.

This chance encounter with what was however, the beginning of a large sequence of events in Elizabeth's life.

On that day she met Troy Tashina.

She aided Troy and the local authorities in the apprehension of cultists trying to set up operation in the city with an act of bravery that one would not expect from a petite blind woman.

And on that same day - she found a lost puppy.

Just in a days work for the Blind Eye Detective.

### - A Rude Awakening:

But her day did not end. Liz was followed by a curious young man who even broke into the former wizards tower she calls home. She chased him off with the help of her friend Gabriel, her raven Watson - and a elaborate setup of traps she has all around her house.

But the boy's mischief did not end there.

Ozchara having finally reached reached Wicklow himself, began asking around. He mentioned two names: Malideus and Troy.

News of this ended up reaching Simon and he grew very suspicious of the newcomer, shadowing him for and entire day in hopes to get a better understanding of his motivations. In the evening, the Elf magically creates a bed of wines outside the city gates to get some rest (his lack of money preventing him from getting a proper bed at an inn). Simon waited until he is asleep to rummage through his belongings, steal his food and read through his diary, again finding the two names in there. Convinced that the elf is dangerous Simon picks up the wooden sword, jumps on his chest and interrogates while threatening him with his own blade.

From there a cluster of coincidences occurred.

Elizabeth, heading to town for some business, walked nearby and noticed the commotion - giving Ozchara the distraction he needed to break free. Simon retreated into the night.

it was on that day that the three: The Dragon, The Detective and The Druid - all met face to face for the first time.

## And so, the Journey begins...

The carriage has been loaded with their supplies and a newly purchased earth drake has been fitted with a brittle.

It was barely a few days after the strange group of people consisting of Simon, Elizabeth, Ozchara and Troy had all met. A few days since they all came together, each for their own reasons, and joined up on their quest.

Their goal: find the person who Oz had been seeking for years, the wanted criminal of the **Fures Linguae** - Malideus.

Troy's connections helped a lot for the preparations. With the aid of his adopted father, the High-Inquisitor of Wicklow, **Albert Tasina** himself, getting the all important travel permits was fairly easy. They headed out as soon as they got their hands on the supplies they needed.

### - The Lone Tower:

Ten days they traveled in peace. The relative safety of the road near the Dusk Cities making the largest threats against them the winding mountain paths and the occasional spurt of bad weather.

After that they had finally arrived at their destination: The Howling Drake inn in the waypoint on the road south out of Wicklow. There, they got searched for clues regarding what they talked about with the High Inquisitor. Two weeks before they left Wicklow, nearly a month prior to the present day, reports reached Wicklow that a group of adventurers discovered something in a ruined Wizards tower located in the woods half a day away from the waypoint. Whatever it was that they found, it was stolen later the same night as a group of Dark Kin circumvented security and broke into the waypoint - taking what the adventurers found and nearly killing one of the adventurers in the process.

What caught the High Inquisitors attention was the fact that the report mentioned one of the the adventurers happening to overhear the Dark Kin in question mentioning Fures Linguae. Under normal circumstances that would just be dismissed as of little relevance, but the fact that they had learned about the adventurers discovery and responded so quickly made Albert Tashina grow suspicions of their intentions. Just as he was planing to have agents investigate Troy came knocking on his door asking about the very organization he was looking into.

A golden opportunity quite literally, came knocking at his door.

And now, more then a week later, The Party (B) had arrived to investigate the happenings-on at the Howling Drake.

Soon enough, the group set out to their objective, the ruined tower in the woods, and after a nights travel - they reached it without incident.

Their investigation of the tower itself uncovered some new clues regarding what was in the tower itself. After geting past the tower natural defenses, they learned about the correspondence between the former owner of the tower, a dwarf wizard named **Bjorn** and a man by the name of **Iplar Goodwin** (with the name **Sandalf** being mentioned several times in the letters they found in a secret compartment in the basement of the tower). They also found two small fragments of a larger stone tablet that contained strange writing (which they copied onto paper) and a necklace they deduced must have belonged to one of the adventurers that came into the basement before them.

After gathering their spoils, the group decided to rest their weary bodies (as they had been traveling for almost the entire night) in the shelter of the tower and head on back to the inn the next day - but then something unexpected occurred.

### - The return to the Howling Drake:

Screeches and hissing filled the night. Noises that seemed far to vicious to be regular feral Magical Beasts filled the air and, soon enough, the group hid in the recesses of the tower just in time to avoid attracting the attention of the pack of Buer Hounds that was passing trough the area.

It was a tense situation, but they got trough without being noticed. Now they had a choice - wait here in the tower to make sure the Buer Hounds get far away and risk facing an oncoming storm which threatened to come down in a matter of hours - or make haste towards the Howling Drake best they could.

They chose the latter.

The waypoint was in the direction the Buer Hounds came from and The Party (B) trecked trough the forest down a path covered in blood and mangled bodies of forest creatures. Their way was filled with peril as soon enough the rain lowered visibility and mud made their footing unstable. It was then The Party (B) faced their first real challenge together as they came face to face with a wounded (and very angry) Owlbear.

After a fierce battle in the rain The Party (B) managed to grasp victory and their spoils (Troy using his magic to shrink the Owlbears body to a size where it could be carried) and continue down their path - finally arriving at the Howling Drake tired, battered and covered with mud.

## The Journey to Goldengate

### - The Nightly Shenanigans:

The Party was tired, but none the less had things they needed to do. Each member split up and after a bit of cleaning Troy and Simon got together to sell the Owlbear to the innkeeper (and surprised the innkeeper when they undid the Magic Troy used to shrink the beast).

They managed to strike the deal nicely - but the rest of the evening soon went into shambles. Simon, not one for the human concepts such as "shame" and "privacy", interrupted Elizabeth during her bath because he wanted to inquire something from her. After numerous ignored warnings to leave, several tossed objects, an angry mob led by the innkeepers club-wielding wife, lots of hiding while Oz got caught up in the mess as an unintended victim and a small life lesson passed down form "man to man" from the innkeeper to Simon - the chaos of that night ended with Simon on dish duty and the rest of the group passing out in their rooms due to fatigue.

Such was a day in the life of The Party (B)

### - Meeting a Sparrowjack:

The next morning, Elizabeth finds someone with a Sparrowjack emblem and approaches him with questions about tablet the charm that was left at the tower. The young man introduces himself as **Eto Guster** and thanks Elizabeth giving him back his charm by telling her how the tablet was stolen, taken during the night. She then takes the opportunity and asks the inkeeper, **Brock Flyweight**, about the name in the notes and learns that Goodwin is the family name of the mayor of Goldengate and Sandalf being a member of the wizard community there.

Meanwhile Simon, after hearing Brock got a "good deal" on the owlbear, went to Mrs. Flyweight to find out the actual price he should have gotten... which was double the price. Thankfully Simon took the best materials to make up for the loss. The Party (B) begins packing up while Troy reported the Buer Hounds to Raventhorn. Just before they left, they convinced Eto to go along with them and guide them on the way to Goldengate.

### - Of Goblins and Harkens:

After traveling for some time, Eto discovers a goblin's arrow tip and warns the party of a band on goblins nearby, and after a bit of investigation, everyone decided to take a detour not knowing of the number of goblins on the road. Everyone sneaked through the forest and noticed some Harken markings and decided to lead the Harken towards the goblins with Troy volunteering to good lead him.

Simon goes and scout the goblins and gets surrounded and Troy gets seen by the Harken and leads him towards the direction goblins (all the while skipping in glee - much to his companions fright). Simon about to get killed by the goblins when a skipping Troy runs through them... and seconds later the Harken burst out from the treeline and attacked the goblins, giving Troy and Simon time to get away.

Their chief, a very large and fat goblin that called Boogz, escaped - leaving behind the other goblins to get eaten by the Harken and dropping his club (which was later retrieved by Oz).

### - The Running of the River Rat:

After learning of the impending Dungeon Keeper attack on Goldengate the Party started asking around for any information about the situation. The investigation revealed two major things:

One) The Keeper is likely to start attacking Goldengate within the day.

Two) There is a magical array in an abandoned dungeon that could teleport everyone to Goldengate in time to help defend the city.

With the only other option for reaching Goldengate being the road that would take a few days at the least, everyone decided to take the gamble on the array in the old dungeon.

### - Like a Shooting Star...:

Arriving at the dungeon we were met with a familiar face, that of the leader of the Busted Wings, Boogz the Goblin. After a brief conflict with the Busted Wings Clan Troy convinced Boogz that not conflict was not necessary and that even he had a place in the light. Boogz was skeptical but consented to leaving the dungeon after a "monetary donation" from Troy.

Upon finding the array and discovering it was meant for transporting a single item to a destination that we could not determine from the array itself. Using the combined knowledge of everyone present we were able to rework the array and provide enough mana to power it. As everyone gathers in the array, it activates enveloping us in a golden light.

And with an explosion of energy, enveloped in a golden light, the Party feels their everything coming apart as the teleportation array sends them... straight into the church of Goldengate! After getting our bearings and getting a quick catch up of the current situation we quickly run to the city wall.

## The Battle of Goldengate

The view from atop the city was one of true strife. Buer Hounds were rushing the wall and boulders were appearing out of thin air onto a catapult which were being fired at the wall. Light Priests were chanting spells to reinforce the wall and soldiers are firing several ballistae onto the hounds. Adventurers beating back the hounds that managed to get past the wards and protective alchemical concoctions burned the Demons as they scaled the vertical walls.

Troy immediately goes to reinforce the other priests in their efforts. Simon rallies a group of adventurers and plans to lead a sneak attack on the catapult. Oz stays on the wall and gets an idea while watching the ballistae fire. Elizabeth helps evacuate any lost townsfolk to the church.

After a while, and several shifts in the battle, the majority of the Keeper's forces is neutralized and the battle is nearly won. In a fit of desperation the Keeper possesses a Buer Hound on the city wall and attempts to enter the city. With the cooperation between Oz and Troy, the Dungeon Keeper's advance is halted and, due to a curse activated from far away that riddled his body with holes, the Keeper dies before reaching his goal.

### - After the battle:

The battle won, the Keeper slain, Goldengate safe, and Party (B) has a day of the three R's: Rest, Recuperation, and Reward. Waking up, Troy goes into town to pray and attend the funeral for the adventurers that died during to the Keepers initial attack, while the rest of Party (B) stays at the *Hundred Adventures Inn*. Oz, after finishing work on his crossbow, leaves the Inn, meets up with Troy and go to the reward ceremony.

After receiving their reward, Oz and Troy receive an invitation to the **Mayor Goodwin**'s manor. While talking with Mayor Goodwin the city Alchemist **Sandalf** entered his office. With a new person in the room the conversation gained new life and after a quick chase into Sandalf's office we gained a few possible leads to the Fures Lingue. The leads we received include Fures Lingue activity in the directions of Summus territory, Galande territory, and a possible target in the lair of the Red Dragon **Flamis**.

With the information we obtained we set off to a cartographer to commission a Danger Map of the area leading to Flamis. After putting in the order we return to the Inn to share and discuss what we have learned with the rest of the Party.

Ozchara and Troy tell Simon what they learned from the Wizard Sandalf and the mayor, that the stone plate they found would help the hobby linguist and historian decipher the lost language of the Giant. They then discuss their next steps.

Simon argues vehemently against entering the Red Dragon's territory in the south, even if that might be the next place the Language Thieves might strike, unless they had a monster on their own he wouldn't attack on sight. Troy demonstratively ignored the suggestion Simon heavily implied in that sentence, which led to the boy not speaking to his legal guardian for the rest of the day. Another lead pointed to Galande, so The Party (B) would travel there next, but not immediately. After sending a request the merchants still waiting at the River Rat waypoint agreed to bring the Party's cart with them to Goldengate free of charge. They would arrive five days later.

In the meantime they geared up a bit. Troy bought a set of light, acid-resistant Armored Worm hide armor for Simon, getting a discount form the armorer for helping defend the city while Ozchara got a crossbow capable of shooting seeds repaired. Then they accepted a quest at the local guild hall of the Silver Eagles to escort a group of local alchemists (the apprentices they met while they were in Sandalf's workshop) into the wilderness.

Their goal was to collect the poisonous Fanta Blossoms, to be used by the local Wizards Tower. The ambush of Green Drakes at night was swiftly dealt with and The Party (B) received their well earned money as well as some selling parts of the green drake. On the next day the Danger Map the Party had commissioned was finished just before the merchant caravan arrived with The Party's cart in tow.

## We Head West!

### - The worlds meekest robbery:

They traveled west on their own, but the night before they reached the next way point, a single goblin clumsily attempted to sneak into their camp and steal their rations. Overwhelmed and disarmed, he claimed his name was **Meek** and he was a member of the Busted Wings. He recognized Troy's name and prostrated himself of the person he called "savior". Upon further interrogation he said that Boogz was leading the rest of the clan through a Portal into the Underworld which led to Meek deserting and attempting to strike out on his own.

Troy, completely taken in by the sob story that was this miserable goblin's life, immediately decided to take him under his wing and convert him to The Light. Simon vehemently argued against it, but was ignored.

***Meek has joined The Party (B)!***

Their travels continued and The Party (B) continued north-west, the road taking them to waypoints that flew the flag of the Galande Kingdom.

At the next waypoint, the **Bossy Harken**, The Party (B) was accepted in after Troy persuaded the guards by displaying his Divine Magic. That didn't change the fact that the guards considered his plan to convert the goblin a futile endeavor. Nevertheless they provided the "don't kill me"-tag the goblin had to wear at all times as his very life depended on it. Praying at the local shrine The Light showed more confidence in Troy's plan and gave the priest a bit of divine inspiration. Troy gathered some of the water from the shrine's well in a vial and used it to wash away the symbol of his former clan that was painted on his back, it magically changed into the holy symbol of repentant.

They did not stay long however. They used what was left of that day to rest and to gather information that will help them in their travels as well as information on the Fures Lingue. They took careful note of bandit activity on the nearby roads as well as made sure to take note of some of the more important wanted individuals. They took especial note of a Fures Lingue member called "Lady Griqua Evol" that was last sighted between the towns of Sunnypeak and Starsong.

### - Yet another robbery that left them with more then what they started with:

Their next destination was the **Mellow Owlbear**. The large, especially fortified, waypoint was built around an immense Hylt tree that cold be seen from many miles away. But just as The Party (B) was only a days travel away from their goal they were attacked by bandits. Their would-be attackers - the **Ziwa Gang**.

The marauders were not large in number. Three people in total, armed and modestly armored, saw The Party (B) and thought they could loot the group of two lanky men and a child (Meek was unnoticed in the back of their cart).

They were wrong.

Soon enough, the two Orcs and the Human they called their boss ran for the hills as they failed to land blow after blow and saw the tides turned against them. One of them, a large, burly and snarky Orc by the name of **Throthgar**, was rendered unconscious by a well placed stone that Simon let loose from his sling and was captured by The Party (B).

Here it was The Party (B) caught an unexpected break in their investigation. While normal adventurers would simply turn over the servants of Evil to justice, the group instead chose to offer Throthgar his freedom in exchange for information (information that only someone living on that side of the World would be aware of). After some convincing (and threats) The Party (B) learned many things that would help them in their search for Malideus and, just to invest in their future, offered the Orc (who promised to stay clear of banditry for a while) some coin if he discovered something new - putting an Underworld denizen on their payroll.

Something that they glossed over when they reached the Mellow Owlbear and were nearly taken into custody due to them traveling with a goblin and being suspected of associating with Dark-kin. Troy however, once again, manages to pull them through and they are given permission into the waypoint (all the while, both with Throthgar and with the soldiers, Troy witnesses others acting on the infamous reputation of Wicklow Priests).

Soon enough, The Party (B) once again welcomed a well earned rest in the safety of the waypoint. As had become a routine, they took the chance to inform themselves about recent happenings on, learning about a Dungeon Keeper suppression forming in Sunnypeak and an expedition being formed in the town of Featherhaven.

### - Long Night in the Mellow Owlbear

After gathering the information for the day, The Party (B) decide they were to spend the night and head out in the morning towards Sunnypeak.

During the Night, Simon goes to Troy and stealthily takes his Book of Seals to look for anything in relation to the Seal that Troy placed on him. Unable to find anything, Simon frustratingly slams the book against the wall waking Troy in the process.

### - Path to the Black Forest:

With preparations finished and map in hand the Party (B) sets off from the **Mellow Owlbear** to the Feygold swamp (also known as the Black Forest). A few days pass while on the road and they hear some travelers had an odd encounter with an unusual green drake. After a few days more they reach the first leg of their journey Harken territory.

They continue on their path through Harken territory, which Party (B) immediately regrets as they come face to face with a Harken. Opting for discretion as the better part of valor, Party (B) turn tail and run, encountering another Harken. With two Harken on their tail the Party (B) run until they reach the bridge, A worn old suspension bridge Is in the Party's (B) path to the swamp. With the crossing of the bridge, Party (B) managed to escape the Harken - or so they thought. After an incident with a stone, Party (B) had to dissuade a riled up beast from attacking further them before returning to their journey.

Traveling through the wilderness at sunset Party (B) gets a little lost and end up at an old fallen waypoint. The waypoint showed signs of being used within the last few days. They had little time to dwell on this discovery as the Party (B) was blindsided by a cloud of Fanta Blossom pollen. Lurking in the cloud of pollen was a green drake that was larger and "greener" than normal. The "verdant" drake fled after it stole the club (and the magic in it) that Ozchara was using. The trials of the day had left Party (B) exhausted and they decided to make camp there to rest for the night. Oz was asked to take watch for the night. After an incident with a pack of regular green drakes was cleared up (by Simon.) the Party (B) had a restful night's sleep (except for Oz who elected to keep watch the whole night).

## The Black Forest

Morning of the next day Party (B) does their typical wake up routine then set off to the Feygold swamp. Not having the impending night fall to obscure their path, this time they reach the edge of the Swamp without trouble. At the edge of the forest Oz investigated the trees and the magic flowing through them to find a strong source of magic within the forest. While Oz was investigating the forest he definitely felt the presence of an evil druid. After discussing his findings with everyone Oz tells Party (B) he should be able to use his magic to keep them from getting lost within the forest. With it being the only clue to the Underworld Portal they had Party (B) entered the forest to find the source of the magic.

Hours pass before Oz realised he had been tricked. His magic had not been successful in keeping the forest from shifting around them. Realising his mistake he redoubled his efforts and is certain Party (B) is on the right path this time. During their travels Party (B) encounters several traps which they evade and disable on their path. Party (B) continues forward until a voice calls out to them from the treeline.

### - The Ranger:

The Party had encountered the infamous "Ranger of the Black Forest" who gave them an ultimatum, a ruthlessly simple "leave the forest or die". Party (B) would not turn back so a fight broke out. While Ranger was monologuing and introducing himself and his two cohorts Simon pelts a rock at him stopping him almost mid-sentence. Party (B) soon found out how "**Krosak the Ranger**" got his moniker as he hurled explosive tipped spears. Soon Party (B) was split, each fighting with a different Orc except for Meek who was hiding nearby.

Simon was fighting **Timber the Body-Splitter**, Troy was fighting an Orc whose introduction was interrupted, and Oz was fighting Krosak the Ranger. The battle went back and forth until Oz finally forced Krosak into a corner. Unfortunately for Krosak, he didn't make a clean escape, he was striped of a piece of equipment that was affixed to his arm shredding his arm in the process. During the commotion Meek fled into the forest. After Krosak's retreat Party (B) was able to fight back Timber and the other Orc. With the battle over for now Party (B) had a moment to rest before continuing their trek.

Meek was missing. He disappeared during the battle after Simon told him to. When Troy went looking for him later, he only would the goblin's dagger burried in the ground and signs of a struggle.

Nevertheless the Party (B) rested for the night and in the morning they went searching for the blach heart of the forest, assuming that the Portal, their enemies and Meek wouldn't be far. Unfortunately the Krosak had been busy the whole night, it seemed, as after a short walk Party (B) found itself in the center of a kill zone of traps. Simon's attempts to disarm them failed and they had to suffer through the Ranger's taunts. But after Ozchara used his control over the local plants to wreck a good portion of the crossbow traps they escaped.

Troy ran off in rage to find Krosak who had told him that he had burried the goblin alive. Simon ran after him to prevent him from doing something incredibly stupid like getting himself killed, while the elf stayed behind to analyze the traps and loot some spears and rare plants.

Near the black heart they met up with Krosak and another fight broke out. In the midst of it the orc called out to his accomplice, the evil druid, to assist him and threatened him to do something aweful to his dearest. Immediately Troy attempted to win over that stranger and promissed him to save whoever that woman was, if the druid would help us in the fight. He succeeded and soon after Ozchara arrived at the scene, Krosak found himself wounded, pinned down, disarmed and surrounded by enemies. His attempts at diplomacy were just pathetic and shortly after he was told that Troy had ties to the dreaded interrogators of Wicklow, the orc sang like a canary. Ozchara was then sent to fetch the burried goblin while Troy took care of the last member of Krosak's pack, the druid.

The dark druid, a miserable undead creature half fused with the corrupted plants inside a hollow tree, peacefully passed away when Troy offered him the soulgem he had taken from the orc and that held the soul of a female. Troy then broke the crystal, releasing the soul.

After a short debate and some more looting, Party (B) decided to escort the orc ranger as a prisoner back to civilization for the bounty and further interrogation, but not before investigating the ruins of a dungeon and the Portal hidden within.

### - Mellowing out before continuing the journey:

The trip back had its hassles.

Since the bridge they came here on was destroyed (by The Party (B) themselves) they had to use another route and cut trough the territory of Red Drakes after certain members of their group nearly feel off a cliff due to being just a bit too hot headed. Also, while on their way back to the waypoint, Troy had a heart-to-heart with Simon. It was not the first time they had such a serious conversation and they both knew it would not be the last.

But, one long overdue conversation aside, the threats they faced on their way back were nothing compared to what they had just pulled trough and they, triumphantly, returned to the Mellow Owlbear waypoint with Krosak the Ranger bound and in toe.

Needless to say their recent actions caused quite an uproar among the local guards. Getting a live bounty claimed was one thing, but The Party (B) had returned after finding out where the Underworld Portal was **after** they dispersed the Dark-Kin guarding it **and** with the Portals valuable Keystone in hand - which was quite a feat.

Gleefully, The Party (B) claimed their just rewards (after hearing some worried words from Lady Mira, who had been taken aback on how much danger they put themselves in) and took a well deserved break. Reward money from the Silver Eagles bounties lined their purses and Oz merrily stowed away the clipping of the Hilt Tree he had got from the Lady Inkeeper.

But there were a few things they wanted to do before they departed for the next stop along their Journey.

Meek could not continue to travel with them as he was now, this the entire group had agreed upon. They sat down, all together and offered him a choice: forgo his journey - or gain the strength to persevere. The little Golbin's heart was touched by their words and from that moment on the members of The Party (B) took Meek under their wing and began to train him in their specialties.

After that was said and done, and some convincing was done to the local authorities, The Party (B) had one final thing to do before they tied up all their loose ends here - probe Krosak for information.

The Ranger had, by his own words, decided to take his chance to become one of the "Good guys" after being inspired by their own little Goblin. His desire to change his ways (loaded with quite a lot of selfish desire as it was) was met with fierce skepticism from The Party (B) but it was sincere enough to save him from the noose.

From Krosak they learned they learned that his former companions, the two fierce Orcs Timber and Grrrggg (both of whom the group found out were wanted men and very dangerous), were still on the loose as they could not have used the Portal to escape. They also gained something they did not expect - the last known whereabouts of Malideus.

## Chase the Hero-Killer!

### - Merchants, Wizards, and Scarecrows:

With new information in hand and a destination picked out, The Party (B) prepare to travel to the Whiny Scarecrow. Simon had gone out and secured travel with a pair of merchants that The Party (B) had done business with before. The Party (B), the merchants and another group of adventurers set out for the Whiny Scarecrow.

While traveling The Party (B) and the other group of adventures exchanged stories and experiences. They learn that the Im Omma siblings and Elei the bard have been traveling quite a bit longer than The Party (B) had. The Merchants that The Party (B) were traveling with had a unique method for keeping the local beasts at bay, a extremely poisonous bird was held in a covered cage in the center of their cart. The bird did its job well, as close to no beasts were spotted, save for one pair of mismatched eyes glowereing from the foliage line.

A while on the road the merchants had to stop and conduct business at a local wizard's tower. Professor Olmek had been researching the ever elusive magics of controlled and sustained flight. Simon asked for a few minutes in private with the Professor during which he asked for the Professor's help with his seal. The Professor told him that there was nothing he could do to help, but he knows of researcher from Ein Sof that had visited him who could help.

After business with the Professor was concluded the caravan departed and continued on their way to the next waypoint.

When everyone reached the Whiny Scarecrow the mood was grim, somber at best. The Party (B) entered the tavern and asked why thing were tense. The answer to their question was that Barn the Wicked had killed the **Hero of Winds** during the Keeper suppression operation near Sunnypeak. Barn had escaped and was being pursued by a group of heroes. Barn was last spotted heading south, presumably to the nearest underworld portal, to the one in the Black Forest.

Hearing this Troy could not let this evil stand, he gathered his resolved and spoke up. The Inn was speechless, then a rumble, then a roar as the crowd rallied behind the idea of bringing Barn the Wicked to justice!

### - Hero-Killer Suppression Meeting:

Thus the Hero-Killer Suppression Meeting began with The Party joined by Elei's group, **Innkeeper Gal**, Guard Captain **Iga Talmar**, Silver Eagle Veterans **Aima Delver**, **Nelbi**, and **Deimos the Ironfist,** and Warrior Priestess **Aryan Malkador**. Before the meeting really began everyone decided to begin Investigating to find whether Barn was going to head the direction they thought of and find out about any Accomplices.

So The Party (B) began investigating. Simon and Aima Nelbi went to talk to the hunters about the local environments for choke points finding one that was on the way. Troy, after he reported in to the High Inquisitor about Ozchara now knowing about Simon's identity, uses his meeting with Albert Tasina to find out and confirm Barn's whereabouts and accomplices while sending word to the original Hunting party.

After sorting through their new information, The Party (B) (namely Ozchara) came up with a plan to use Krosak , the ranger they had apprehended not too long ago, to make it seem the Black Forest, and the Underworld Portal therein, is still active to lure Barn into a trap. The Party (B) managed to convince everyone at the meeting to run with the risky plan with no issues. and everyone headed out to do their assignments

Aina Delver went to slow down Barn by cutting off the direct path having him go around giving them time. Elei, his group, and the adventurers under Innkeeper Gal started spreading rumors about The forest's Portal still being active. and Guard Captain Iga Talmer stayed behind the Guard the Whiney Scarecrow. Ozchara, Simon, Aryn Malkador go to pick up Ranger and the Others Troy, Meek, Nelbi and Deimos the Iron Fist headed to the forest to begin work on the trap.

After splitting up, Simon and Ozchara travel to the Mellow Owlbear to collect the orc ranger Krosak, but he is not willing to assist them in this supposed suicide mission. Simon had to ask Granny Mira for assistance persuading him, but in exchage she demanded a favor which still needs to be specified. After buying two chameleon scrolls, the three traveled to the Black Forest.

Meanwhiile the adventurers around Troy prepared the trap and layed down the seals inside the dungeon. When Ozchara arrived he performed a ritual in the heart of the forest that would allow him to influence the plantlife in a similar fashion as the Black Druid could.

### - The decisive battle:

A few days later Barn riding on a truly monstrous Harken and his two companions, **Akaley the Shadow Quiver** and **Nicer**, a demon-kin, both wanted for crimes in the Galande-Vonderwald border, arrived at the edge of the Black Forest in the middle of the night. They were greeted by Krosak, who was to lead them trough the forest into their trap, with Simon hiding nearby. After some tense moments they started moving on the arranged path and eventually into the former dungeon, making sure to take the long way there so they could buy as much time as possible.

The adventurers outside got restless when Krosak didn't show up as planned. They feared that his cover had been blown and wanted to rush in to save him, but Simon argued that that would have ruin the whole plan. So instead he went in alone scouting until he could pick up the faint signs of life ahead. He was just in time to witness Krosak being stabbed in the back and Nicer mentioning something about an arranged meeting with a Dungeon Keeper to pick them up. Shortly after the earth shook when Barn used some kind of powerful magic to blast open a new exit from the dungeon, ripping the seals and binding apart before they could be triggered.

Barn the Wicked had escaped the trap.

Simon carried the heavily wounded Korsak through the front entrance where Troy could heal him and shared what he overheard.

Again the adventurers wanted to rush into action head first, but this time Troy persuaded them that it would be wiser cut off Barn at their meeting point in the east. If they did that, the Dungeon Keeper would probably delay the pick-up until they were dealt with.

Shortly after they left, Ozchara returned to the dungeon entrance and met up with Simon. They decided to follow the others together with the wounded Krosak and Meek. They would be there just in time when the wanna-be heroes needed saving, Simon said.

Unfortunately the idea to lay a trap at the meeting point failed as it was Barn's group who snuck up on the adventurers and made the first move. Nelbi and Deimos suffered several heavy blows before the enemy even showed themselves. In the following skirmish, the warrior priestess Aryn ran off after the enemy archer in an effort to put a stop to her suppresive fire. All the while, Deimos and Troy were overwhelmed by Barn and his harken – at least until Troy removed the magical mark Barn was using to control the monster. It ran off shortly after. But even without assistance Barn was more than capable to stand his ground against a seasoned fighter in close combat.

Nelbi had a hard time staying alive and avoiding Nicer's poisoned crossbow bolts, the wounds she had sustained when the fight began keeping her on the back foot for the whole of the confrontation. Eventually her body failed her and Nicer took his chance - the demon took her hostage trying to force the adventurers to surrender. Ozchara and Simon arrived just in time to free the unconscious adventurer with a surprise attack. Meek then pulled her out of harm's way.

It was around that time that all the stops were pulled. Chaos erupted the fight would see another monster summoned, the earth shattered by magical flame and the air filled with poisones gas. The Shadow Quiver returned without any sign of the priestess.

Both sides took damage, but it was Deimos who dealt a devastating blow against the warlock (with help from all of The Party (B)) that made Barn call for ordered retreat. He even went so far to order his archer to cover him, but her seal, too, was lifted by Troy. Upon being freed, she lost not a single moment to turn tail, but not before shouting a final insult at her former boss.

But Barn's escape was halted by Ozchara and Simon. Buying them just enough time for help to arrive.

The young hero Xavier Archlight made his flashy entrance. Cowled in bright red light he came down from the treeline and declared that he would be joining the fray. His the cowl of light surrounding him changed color to golden and he charged Barn with all his might. Barn moved to block the Xavier's attack, he knew that he would be able to stop the blow of the sapling Hero with little effort. He would parry the strike, he would push past the adventurers holding him up and he would make his getaway before the rest of the Heroes came ono the scene.

Or at least that was how he thought things would play out.

Simon gripped Barn's legs with unmatched persistence, even though he had been knocked out of the way several times he got back up each time and held onto Barn by sheer willpower - giving the Hero just the opportunity to land his strike and his desperate blow.

Barn fell to the ground in defeat and the battle was over.

In the resulting silence, the words "Tsk! Kill steal," could clearly be heard as Simon spat out. Xavier mumbled some sort of response to Simon's gripe before, he too, collapsed on the spot - Troy looking him over to discover that he had probably been running without rest for days.

Ozchara immediately ran after Nicer but the demonkin eluded the young druid. Ozchara was already weakened from the poisones gas Nicer had released earlier and was unable to keep up a lengthy pursuit.

While Troy provided first aid to the heavily injured Deimos and Nelbi, Simon went to search for the warrior priestess but nearly missed her distorted and brutally mutilated form. Her sword-arm and even part of her torso was completely missing, as if it had been bitten off by a monster made of solid shadow. Simon carried her back to the clearing where Troy desperately tried to stabilize her. While he managed to save her life he was well aware that Aryn would never be the same after a wound like that.

Shortly after Ozchara's return an unearthly tune would make all of them fall asleep. Before succumbing to the spell, though, Oz managed to glimpse at the one responsible, a famous hero and fellow Elf druid.

Simon had a very vivid dream about an angel unlocking a heavenly gate as a reward for his repeated acts of compassion. Breefly Simon was tempted to tell the angel that he hadn't done any of this out of kindness but instead out of a selfish wish to avoid future trouble and even more endless preachings from Troy – but he bit his tongue and instead decided to count his blessings. Also if Troy's annoying lessons could be trusted, there was a chance The Light already knew that. And Simon wasn't willing to think about the things that would imply...

The Party (B) woke up back at the Mellow Owlbear. A magic message in the secret druid tongue warned Oz that his mission was futile and that he should return home to the Green Vale - but it also stated that, should he still not wish to give up, that he should seek out the Deceiver at the Capital of Heroes.

## To the North, With Newfound Glory!

### - An Angel's Watchful Eye:

But before any travel could be done, they first had to come to grips with what had transpired. Everyone that took par in the battle was worse for wear so the first thing Troy did once he had regained his strength was visit the rest of his recovering comrades from the previous battle.

Aryn, the warrior priestess, was wounded very badly and he was told that she was taken by the Heroes to the capital where she could get the help she needed. The rest of the group, albeit heavily wounded, were to recover in the Mellow Owlbear for at least the next month.

Once he had finished checking up on them he met with a slightly tipsy Oz (whom was enjoying a celebratory drink at the bar) and left to meet their last one-time comrade - Krosak.

It was then however, that they were caught up in something unexpected.

The Party (B) met with soldiers bearing insignia of the of Wicklow in front of the detention area. These soldiers arrested them, taking them into holding on command of a Wicklow inquisitor. Soon enough, they found themselves face to face with an **inquisitor Giovani** who questioned their recent cooperation with Dark-kin as well as the suspicious past of Ozchara, which even the Wicklow information network could could not completely uncover.

The recent attacks that have been happening in their wake, all caused by a "strange green drake" only throwing more suspicion onto The Party (B). Soon enough the inquisitor and his retinue took the group to the local shrine, to stand before The Light and make their beliefs clear.

The inquisitor did not predict that he would be standing slack-jawed in mere moments.

As The Party (B) prayed the font at the shrine begun to glow in a warm, golden light. Floating slowly out of the water came a necklace bearing the sigil of the Choir of Compassion and it slowly fell into Troy's hands - signifying that the Choir of Compassion has taken an interest in Troy as a potential Hero candidate. The inquisitor acknowledged the will of The Light and those who serve it and released The Party (B).

### - Sunnypeak - here we come!:

After a few days of rest The Party (B) headed out towards their original destination (albeit after a few detours). The trip itself went well, albeit not without its own troubles.

Adventurers and guards alike complained on how local Magical Beasts were getting to close to the roads, seemingly pushed out of their territories (the The Party (B) soon came to the conclusions that this was a result of Barn's group passing trough earlier, as well as the Harken that traveled with them returning to its own faraway territory.) . Multiple times, they were forced to chase off drakes that got too curious and at one point they even aided a local patrol in scaring off a Harken of the road. But luckily for them, their perilous journey was made easier thanks to good fortune of being welcomed into to wizard tower of Professor Olmeck for a night.

They then made their way to the Whiny Scarecrow waypoint and rested there for a few days while they got their gear in order (all the while being hailed by the local adventurers and the innkeeper for their success in stopping Barn) before continuing their journey. Meeting Spirits and beasts along the way(with Oz stating his wish to return the Aryn's magical sword to its rightful owner) before finally arriving at the bastion of north-east Galande - the fortress town of Sunnypeak.

### - The Closed Peak and the Forest Duke:

The Party (B) reached Sunnypeak, only to find that there was a line of merchants and carts between them and the town. Sunnypeak appeared to live up to its name as a fortress town, more so than it should as it look as though it has been recently reinforced. Deciding to wait in line they played a game of cards while moving through the line. Upon reaching the gate The Party (B) was turned away due to their Wicklow travel permits not having the necessary clearance to enter the town during its heightened security.

Not having access to the town, The Party (B) had some things they needed and that could hopefully be solved by the many merchants around them. After some bartering and persuasion the party secured supplies and safe storage for their cart while they are traveling through the forest in search of The Shadow Quiver and Hekathath.Prepared, The Party (B) set off for the forest.

After reaching the forest and traveling through it for awhile The Party (B) encountered a group of spirits proclaiming that a new spirit had been born. This group of spirits were asking for gifts for the newborn spirit. The Party (B) offered up sacks of gold as a gift. Pleased, the spirits leave to continue spreading the good news and asking for gifts.

The Party (B) continues through the forest until they started to notice how quiet it had gotten around them. Then they saw the dead creatures in the brush. After a quick examination of the dead animal corpses, it is discovered that the animals were killed by Gazers.

The next few days were spent dodging the gazers. Until it came to a point that something had to change, After brief discussion it was decided that the only way past the gazers, was though the gazers. Fighting past the gazers and running through the forest The Party (B) ran face first into a group of assassin vines.

While struggling to get free of the vines, an unpleasantly familiar face attacks Oz eventually breaking off part of his shield and running off into the forest once more.

Past the Assassin vines and farther into the forest The Party (B) notices that the forest was full of fruit and berries. The forest here was different than the forest they had just passed. Looking around The Party (B) noticed that there were some strange tracks. After Troy did a Troy thing the owners of the strange tracks reveal themselves to be Vimples. Troy asks if they could lead us to what we were looking for. The wimples lead The Party (B) to a hollow in a large tree, which lead to a dinning room in the forest.

Sitting at the other end of the table is a beast, not unlike a Harken, in dress clothes, sitting upright with a female humanoid sitting on his shoulder. He introduced himself as the Duke of the forest and said he was grateful for the gifts The Party (B) had given the spirits earlier. He said that he would like to give The Party (B) a favor. They asked to know the current location of Arkklay and Hekatath. The Duke opened up a hollow tree and gestured for The Party (B) to travel through it. On the other side of the hollow tree was a clearing with a old tree and a small hollow underneath.

In typical Troy fashion he marches into the hollow to which The Party (B) was greeted with an arrow flying past their faces and a warning to not move an inch. Concluding with a tense round of discussion The Party (B) and Arklay come to an agreement, she will leave Hekatath in exchange for some supplies and the promise to not follow her. After throwing the supplies in the cave and waiting a few minutes they entered the cave and recovered Hekatath.

## The Road to Starsong

### - Farewell to Sunnypeak:

In the early evening Party B decides to investigate the the phantom thieve in a bit more detail. At the keep they ask for an appointment with the proper authorities, but only are allowed in after they say they have new information related to the case. They met the High Secretary and compared notes. Because she is wearing a maid uniform, Simon forst mistook her for a servant. Because both the thief Felix and Lady Griqua's band of bandits have disappeared at the same time, the current theory is that they most likely escaped to the north, probably to Blightville, a town under Keeper control, and were thus out of reach.

After the meeting Ozshara trained Meek in selfcontrol and willpower near the inn. He later learned from the innkeeper about Lady Mira's friend being injured after hunting the green dragon in the Wheeping Forest. He was currently recuperating at the next waypoint, wounded, but alive. Ozchara immediately relayed the news to Lady Mira.

The next morning Troy and Oz go shopping for supplies and new boots. They wanted Simon to babysit Meek, but the brat was already gone. He had plans of his own. After some searching around he met Clara Florentine at the west gate where she is denied passage. Nobody was allowed to travel to the southwest due to the green dragon still terrorizing the road, but that wouldn't be the case for much longer since the royal griffin riders were already on their way, the guard told Simon gleefully.

Deciding to play nice and save the poor guards from the Lady Florentine's bad temper, Simon started a conversation with the magistra, mentioning that he had a "puzzle for her to solve". She geeked out for over an hour on the topic of magic wards before they finally returned to the innitial topic: Wheather she could help Simon lift his seals. She then asked for more details on said seals and why they were in place but due to Simon's evasive answers she got the completely wrong idea and declined – but not without accusing Troy of bad guardianship and intrusion into "the poor boys privacy" the first chance she gets.

Seeing Clara return back into the city, the guard allowed the Party B through the gate, urging Simon to stay clear of the griffin riders' path. Of course the boy didn't listen and lied to his companions that they better make haste.

A couple of days later in the late afternoon they arrived at the border of the Wheeping Forest where the green dragon hunted. A short while later they were spotted by the Royal Griffin Riders and ordered to stay back for their own safety while they employed their artifact-grade weapons, the Javelins of Rhodes, to attack the beast from up high. The strange looking spears turned into bolts of lightning and homed in on their target with a spectacle that left everyone briefly blind and deaf.

Party B decides to investigate if dragon is dead and perhaps take its hoard.

### - The Weeping Forest and the Green Dragon:

Luckily, finding their goal was not hard. A column of smoke made finding the actual blast site easy enough (though avoiding stampeding Magical Beasts required quite a bit of effort).

The site itslef was still abuzz with power. Small sparks crackled in the air as the partially molten rocks glowed from the bottom of the crater left by the javelins making contact with their target. The smell of ozone lingered in the air as The Party (B) looked around the trench cut into the earth - looking for proof of the Dragon's demise.

Bits and pieces of it seemed to have been splattered all over the trees, much of it charred beyond recognition. A part of what used to be a claw here, a bit of green scaled tail there. But, to their surprise, they found a single, heavily wounded, Elf girl lieing unconscious just a few meters away from the hole.

Troy quickly moved to heal her despite Simon's worries about it being a trap and, soon enough, they managed to get some information about what had transpired.

The girl, a Wizard's apprentice by the name of **Ida Zelena**, had apparently been kidnapped by the green beast and had been toyed with for some time before the lightning came down, catching her in the crossfire and blasting the monster to smithereens. But The Party (B) found some parts of her story dubious, Simon discovering that the remains scattered about the place belonged not to a Green Dragon but to a **Grisaia**.

But they put their suspicions to the side, choosing to trust Zelena's word for now and help her get back to her master's tower near the edge of the forest.

The Wizard, a **Professor Whitestone**, offered them hospitality and a place to rest for the night in return for aiding his apprentice in her hour of need. The Party (B) took up his offer but, once again, something put them off about the whole situation.

Some aspects of the Professor's and Zelena's story did not seem to line up. The situation slowly came to a boil until, the next morning, the group came together outside of the tower in order to pool their information and choose their next course of action.

It was then that the Green Drake that had been following them showed up near the tower, unable to see them or (or unwilling to) come closer due to the towers magical protections, only to flee as if it smelled something that caused it to go into a panic.

That was the final clue they needed - but they were one step too late.

The Party (B) found themselves locked outside the tower and discovered that the second floor had been warded with a spell that prevents sound from coming out. They argued about what to do back and forth until they finally decided to break down the front door and get into the tower.

But the worst had already come to pass.

Zelena had, indeed, been the Dragon this whole time. The blood of the now deceased professor soaking into the floorboards of the second story bedroom, with bloody footprints leading all the way into a basement door that had been hidden bellow the first floor carpet.

Professor Whitestone had not been her only victim. The basement, refurnished into the dragons lair, had been decorated in a macabre style. White skulls and bones lined the shelves in a neat order with an ankle high pile of coins and valuables tossed into a corner, seemingly second in importance. Judging by the size of her hoard she could not have been here for very long – a few months at best.

But they had no time to give the area a close inception or to mourn for the deceased – they had to catch her before she got away.

They left the basement trough a secret tunnel dug trough one of the walls and broke the enchantments the Green Dragon had cast to cover her tracks – soon catching up to her in the forest outside the tower.

She was still in the form of an Elf, her wounds forcing her to limp and lean on a tree to rest after every few steps. She could not get away from them despite whatever trickery she had up her sleeve (though that certainly did not stop her from trying).

The Party (B) discussed what to do with her, emotions flying – until they finally chose to seal her and set her on the path of redemption.

They held the ritual in the tower – the site of her crimes. Under the high noon sun and under the providence Justice, by means of the Holy Sword Hekatath. By the power of The Light Zelena was sealed – unable to return to her full dragon form or to make use of her full former power until she changed her ways.

***Zelena has joined The Party (B)!***

### - Calm moments that we would like to last forever:

Still sore from the ritual Zelena took some time to recover and after she did The Party (B) discovered that her seal of Justice had the side effect of forcing her to speak her mind, much to her chagrin. They decided that Zelena would help them give all of the remains in the tower a proper purification and burial as a start for her rehabilitation.

While The Party (B) was in the middle of purifying the remains the caravan of Clara Florentine arrived and after a brief explanation of what happened (while leaving out some details) Clara was satisfied and proceeded to recover the research that the Professor had left behind. After sometime and a misunderstanding between Zelena and Clara (that was not actually Clara's fault this time) The Party (B) gets back on the road to the next waypoint and inn.

After The Party (B) was traveling for a while, Troy pulled out his mirror to contact Wicklow and update them on the changes to his situation. Due to the severity of the situation Troy pushed through to the High-Inquisitor of Wicklow, **Albert Tasina** himself. With the stress of another dragon following his son and even more paperwork to do **Albert**bid Troy farewell and closed the connection.

Along the way Troy started a conversation that got most of The Party (B) sharing their experiences and pasts with each other. Covering the how everyone met and some of their first adventures.

The Party (B)'s travel was interrupted by a very large caravan of guards and soldiers transporting food. Following a brief discussion with the guards The Party (B) was placed inside a barrier until their credentials were verified and the caravan had passed.

The conversation Troy had started continued covering more recent events reaching an end as The Party (B) was nearing the walls of next waypoint. With the time being passed with conversation everyone had gotten to know each other a little better. Except for Oz who really only shared what everybody already knew, though he surprised everyone by indirectly saying that Zelena looked good near the end.

Once again The Party (B) was stopped by guards, however this time the guards had wands that detected transformative magic. Explaining that Wicklow should have already sent word ahead about them some of the guards left then after a while the guards returned with some paperwork and a traveling permit issued to Ida Zelena. The Party (B) was then let through into the Waypoint.

Inside the waypoint The Party (B) traveled to the inn where they finally met the friend of Lady Mira that they were asked to check in on. After telling him that the green dragon was "taken care of" then dodging questions about the what they meant and what really happened to the dragon The innkeeper came into lecture him on not resting.

### - The Screaming Storm:

As The Party (B) waited for the work on Ozchara's armor to be done, they received startling news from Wicklow. Troy's father Albert Tasina, the High Inquisitor of Wicklow himself, made contact with The Party (B) via the scrying mirror (a strange thing, as it was always Troy that instigated communication in the past) - visibly distraught.

The Party (B) was told that the counter-intelligence that Wicklow was so famed for had fallen one step short. Dungeon Keeper **Malcontent,** a Keeper based in the Vonderwald-Galande border territory, had unleashed an incredible number of **Screaming Winds spells** towards the south. Far too many for him to be acting on his own, Albert could only cuss at how Aphel had gotten the better of them this time.

It was a display of emotion and panic uncharacteristic for the usually collected Albert. Visibly torn and frustrated at his own inability to aid The Party (B) (and his own son), all he could do was warn the group of the impending danger and wish them the best.

It was up to The Party (B) to make a choice. Leave the Crying Grisaia Waypoint as soon as possible and hope to outrun the storm - or stay here face the disaster alongside the other adventurers there.

The Party (B) did not even hesitate in choosing the latter.

They rallied with the locals and split up their roles. Oz and Simon aided in the preparations at the waypoint while Troy, borrowing the fastest Itu they had, rushed towards the storm with reckless abandon. Clara Florentine and her group had not arrived at the waypoint, probably taking longer to arrive due to the extra weight they were carrying. They were from Ein Sof, so they would not know what a Galandian incoming disaster bell sounds like until until the storm was already upon them.

But that day would not be their end. Red Moon already claiming the sky for its own the knights and Clara, aided by Troy, drove to the waypoint with the every Magic they could must to aid them, the storm practically snapping at their heels.

But they made it. Simon noticed the group approaching just in time and soon they were behind the gates. But it was too soon to relax.

Clara and her Spell Knights hurriedly moved to reinforce the wards that protected the waypoint, surprised to find that, courtesy of Oz's quick thinking, the holy blade Hekatath being used as a focus for the ritual to empower the defensive Magics.

From then on it was a fierce struggle. Will their energy and prayers hold out long enough or would the storm engulf them?

### - The End of the Storm:

Dawn begins to break. The first light pierces trough the black roaring miasma.

The defenders had done everything they could. They enhanced the wards, putting every last drop of mana they could muster to strengthen the shimmering barrier that was their only defense against the threat outside. The Party (B) was no exception, even going above and beyond the call of duty. Trough their combined efforts they even fought back, firing blessed ammo at the core of the storm in an attempt to weaken it.

Finally, when the storm was at its most fierce, Simon even decided to risk it all and offer his own mana to aid in the defense - revealing his identity as a Dragon to the few who could recognize the signs from the behavior of the barrier.

But trough it all they pulled it off. When dawn broke so too came their salvation - reinforcements had arrived.

Walking trough the howling storm as if taking a stroll, an entourage of priests wearing attire followed behind a very old human woman. The woman was wrinkly and slightly hunched over. She walked weary gait, but one filled with steadiness and purpose. Her dress, even more than any who followed behind her, was extravagantly ceremonial.

Gold embroidery that shimmered with power decorated a white dress that flowed behind her. The few parts of the dress that were red only served to extenuate the purity of the snow white color of the gown, as if there was not a thing in this world that would dare sully it. A long red stole ran from bellow her neck and over her her shoulders. It was so long that the first two priests behind her carried it several paces behind her, lest it drag along the ground.

But more then anything an observers gaze would be led to what she carried delicately in her hands. A chalice that beamed like the sun itself, enveloping the procession in a warm shimmering barrier that denied the wickedness in the air any and all access. The chalice was filled with a golden flame that moved ever so slightly with every step she took and it was that same flame that snuffed out the storm.

With a prayer that echoed trough the air, silencing the screams of the storm, a column of fire burst forth from the chalice and moved trough the air as if it was alive. Where this column of purification passed Evil ceased to exist - burrowing thorough the storm and piercing its heart with an immense flash.

Then silence.

The screams that had been howling for hours stopped. The black miasma faded as the purifying fire sizzled it out of the air. The assault of winds that had battered the Waypoint turned into a gentle breeze befitting a summer morning.

Then - **cheer**!

Men and women jumped into each others arms and praised the Heavens. Bursting into songs as if they wanted the whole world to know of the relief and joy they felt in that one moment. Truly, that day would be remembered as a victory for all those within the Crying Grisaia Waypoint for generations to come.

### - The Inquiry of the Hero of Ash:

The crowd cheered and relished in the miracle they made reality for most of the morning. From the waypoint over the next few hours they could see a half a dozen storms, each as devastating and horrifying that had been upon them, in the distance fading as they were skewered by a pillar of holy flame.

They hailed as the old priestess, whom they recognized as the **Saint of Compassion**, stepped out of a shimmering Hero Portal and walked back into their waypoint as all the Screaming Storms had been wiped out.

Almost everyone that is.

Meek had positively turned pale and hid himself in the inn soon after the Saint had come the first time. Troy inquired about why he did so but only got frightened ramblings about "The Asher". But that stopped one Meek realized something - Zelena was still outside the inn.

Outside, parting the crowd with while she responded to some of their kind wishes and gratitude for some of her past deeds, the Saint steadily approached the now sealed Green Dragon. Zelena instinctively backed away. Something within her told her that the person was dangerous - far more dangerous then anything that even she had seen in her life.

Then Meek jumped in front of her, short blade drawn and knees shaking: "Get away!".

The crowd, upon seeing the goblin point a blade against a Saint, tensed up and reached for their own weapons.

Troy calmed down the adventurers in a marvelous display of rhetoric but the old woman, the **Hero of Ashes**, reached out her hand which sparked with golden flame towards Meek and asked him if he was true in his desire and his oath to take Good in his heart. Meek must have passed her test for, even though his body was momentarily engulfed in flame, he was not burned in the slightest and the Saint afixed her gaze on Zelena - whom she moved towards next.

Her clothes were slightly singed by the flame that had licked Meek.

Oz jumped before her and exclaimed: "She is not ready yet". He spoke from the heart and convinced the Saint to give Zelena more time, so the Saint opened a Hero portal and left giving them words of warning that their decision is one that bares great risk.

She was gone.

### - We leave for Starsong:

Meanwhile, Simon faced a threat of a different kind. After carrying Clara up to her room he knew he had a lot of explaining to do. She was choking up, realizing that reality far exceeded even her wildest fantasy.

Then her inner Wizard kicked in.

As Troy and Oz helped Zelena and the still unconscious Meek upstairs only to bare witness to very tired and flabbergasted staring at their lady Clara practically tearing of Simon's shirt murmuring incoherent babble. It took two of the Knights to pry them apart.

That said, while rest was much needed, The Party (B) could only afford to relax for so long. Passing out from exhaustion in their beds and waking up later in the day, they preformed final preparations and headed out for Starsong after the following sunrise (all the while taking careful precautions to steer clear of Tangut, who had been searching for Simon with intense fervor).

They left with one regret - Troy did not get to chastise Clare for her inappropriate conduct - but in good spirits.

Next stop: Starsong. Next activity: The Summer Festival!

Well, if they manage to get past the pair of boulder Spirits wrestling on the road that is....

## A World of Many Legacies

### - Festival Cleanup and Into Mellowood Forest:

next morning after award ceremony Party B picks up ordered items, traded Brock for Rascal, trained with fire dancers, Visited a wizard's tower and got the phonic stones repaired and has one more talk with Clara (Ida had allowed her to study her seal in exchange for money used in the scavenger hunt. Clara's knight tells us that scrying on Maledeus is difficult due to him disguising his true appearance.

Surprising tremor in the evening, but people were not that concerned, much.

Next day, adventuring parties visited the office of the Silver Eagles, checking bounty posters, current quests, the danger map and the latest rumors. Meet Whoe and his group. Other groups are going west to investigate yesterday's tremor, Party (B) joins in for part of the way.

After on their own again, attack by green drakes led by the strange large green drake that had accosted them several times in the past. Party (B) fights back, defeat some drakes, Simon jumps on green drake's back. Moral breaks and surviving drakes flee. Simon attempts rodeo to break "his new mount in", but once it's worn out, young druid appears and steals fun, wrapping the creature up in roots. She questions Simon about his intentions and reprimands him for the damage dealt to the forest, which was totally drake's fault.

Rest of The Party (B) catches up, they explain how that drake had been following them since the beginning of their journey, seemingly out to hassle Ozchara. Druid (named **Aga Tealbloom**) claims the drake is a "**Ganon**" - some kind of Magic Beast/Nature Spirit hybrid thing.

Simon tells idiotic story about Oz leaving it defenseless in the forest after first meeting stressed out the beast so much that it had a trigger event and awoke its true potential.

Old druid lady appears and says that Simon is surprisingly close to the truth.

### - The Book of Storms:

After some walking (and Simon teasing the young druid lady that was leading them) Aga lead The Party (B) and the bound Ganon to the heart of the forest and to the hidden glade that the pair of druids made their home. There the group took a well deserved rest while the old lady druid, who named herself as **Elder Ebo**, told them she has the power to divine a creatures future by looking into its eyes and used this power to learn the nature and future of the Ganon.

She explained that the true nature of the Ganon as well as predicting that, should it be allowed to mature and stabilize its form, it will eventually become a creature that will have a great impact on the future. Alternatively, should Ozchara take back the power growing within the Ganon, power that was born due to the influences of Oz's own source of Magic, he would prevent that future but gain great strength for himself.

The choice, she said, would be upon him soon enough.

She also told them of a danger to the west. The recent quake had unleashed some dangerous beings that would bring harm to the land if left alone. The Party (B), albeit some tempted by the Elder's offer to read their fortunes but holding back, moved out to where their freshly drawn map led them.

Their journey took less time then expected thanks to their skillfull navigation, only stopping once and the famous "Wellwishing Hollows" making their journey to there come to a day in total. Their destination turned out to be some old, long forgotten Dungeon corridors opened up by the recent tremor. Investigating, they discovered a book that had sealed several maddened Air Spirits spilling forth its contents.

A tough battle ensued but The Party (B) managed to not only triumph and destroy the book, but also to free the Spirits from the Evil Magic that bound them (and they found themselves rewarded by the Spirits for their effort).

But it was then they uncovered something unexpected, possibly a clue to what caused the tremor in the first place - a map that hinted at the existence of a **Corpse Colossus** to the north of their current location.

### - The Last Prophecy of an Archdruid:

After giving an urgent report to Troy's father, the High Inquisitor of Wicklow, The Party (B) traveled back towards the druid's glade in hopes of talking with them one more time, stopping along the way in order to complete several of the smaller missions they took along their way.

But upon entering Mellowwood the group soon found out something was going on.

All the creatures within the forest, from the smallest insect to the largest predator, all stood still and waiting, facing the heart of the forest and not daring to look away. Aga met them outside of the glade, expecting them as she was told too, sad that once again Ebo was not wrong in her prediction.

The Party (B) was led into the glade and into the small hut near the center, walking by flowers and even the Ganon that were also turned towards their destination.

There, they met with the Elder Ebo, weak and tired, resting on a bed.

There, they talked one last time to the old druid, as she made her peace.

There - she gave her last prophecy:

> *"Be wary of the man you are chasing, he has found the last key they are searching for*
>
>

> *He will do his utmost to deceive you,  he hides between the white spires an buildings of the City of Heroes, seen by everyone but seen by none.*
>
>

> *Should he not be stopped a great evil will come to loom in the future.*
>
>

> *But take heed of your destiny Ignithur, for yours is an important destiny.*
>
>

> *They wait for you on an island beyond the edge of this world, but still within it. You and your group must go to them or else the fate of the world will changed.*
>
>

> *Should you choose to go with them or not, be aware that 5 years from now, in the former Capital of The Light it is you and they that must work together - in order to bring back the Avatar."*
>
>

....and passed away.

And there Ozchara made a choice to set the Ganon truly free, as a being separate from himself and Viridis. Granting it the name **Ganondorf Dragmire**.

### - From Stars to Dawn:

With a flash the newly named Ganondorf had disappeared and Oz was left to rejoin the rest of The Party (B). After mourning the passing of Elder Ebo and being assured that Aga will be okay on her own The Party (B) continue back through the forest to finish what remains of their errands there then back to Starsong.

Once back in Starsong they turned in their quests and meet with Clara again. Following a round of complaints from Clara and a brief conversation on the topic of what help can she offer The Party (B) they part ways knowing that it would be some time before there paths could cross again. With everything in Starsong settled The Party (B) hit the road on their way to the city of Dawnflag and the capital of Galande.

While on the road The Party (B) encountered a strange lady during a rainstorm. The lady was dressed in elegant blue ball-gown and did not seem affected by the rain. Growing suspicions aside they decided to agree to the lady's plea to help a person in dire need. After traveling using the directions provided by the lady, The Party (B) found the spot. There was an unconscious man at the bottom of a pit that was rapidly filling with rainwater. Sometime later they had managed to rescue the man from the rain pit and get him to safety. The man eventually woke and explained that he and his family were painters, that and his grandfather was always talked about a rain-cloud that saved his life once. With the man awake he went on his way.

Later, The Party (B) encountered the blue lady again, this time she was slightly transparent confirming their suspicions. She was a Spirit of some kind, probably the spirit of a rain-cloud based on the painter's story. The spirit thanked The Party (B) and after some conversation the spirit offered up the location of a rare flower as a reward for saving the painter then she disappeared. With the spirit business concluded they set back to the road to continue to Dawnflag.

A some days of travel later, the night Oz had been waiting for had arrived, the night of the Harvest Moon. During this night Ozchara had planed to perform a ritual to create a special druidic weapon for himself. However, Oz's inexperience weighed on him and he was unable to fully complete the ritual. All was not lost as he had succeeded in fusing the ritual components together into a stable form. With bitter-sweet results he returned to the rest of The Party (B) having gained another step in the process.

A few days after the harvest moon The Party (B) makes it to the City of DawnFlag.

The Party (B) was briefly stopped at the gate where they were informed that they need to get the Guard Captain's permission to conduct their investigation inside city walls. After passing through the gates and doing their mandatory prayers in the church, The Party (B) had officially entered the City of DawnFlag. Within minutes of finishing his prayer Troy was met by Sister Fito, a childhood friend and priestess of at the church of DawnFlag.

The Party (B) splits with Troy going with Sister Fito on a trip down memory lane while they walk the town and catch up with each other. Simon and the rest of The Party (B) make their way to the local Silver Eagles guild to see if they can learn any new information, then they travel to the Inn where they agreed to wait for Troy. Troy and Sister Fito traveled the town reminiscing about how things have changed since the last time Troy was there.

Passing by several of the city's sights, like the Grand Librarby, Troy eventually parted ways with Sister Fito to meet up with the rest of The Party (B).

After reuniting The Party (B) went to meet with Guard Captain Yaf. Speaking with Yaf revealed several things, including the fact that he was a huge fan of Clara Florentine's work. Ending their discourse with Captain Yaf, he gave them a letter of recommendation to give to the Head Librarian at The Grand Librarby.

Travel to the Grand Librarby was filled with The Party (B) discussing what they know about Malideus and the Fures Linguae. Shortly after arriving at the Grand Librarby, and after passing the letter of recommendation to the desk clerk, The Party (B) are greeted by Grace Iriot Komilla, the Head Librarian of the Grand Librarby of DawnFlag. With introductions out of the way and a letter shredded a discussion with the Head Librarian about the investigation begins.

The Party (B), through conversation with Head Librarian, discovered that the Tome of Halley is a Research log into the Dungeon Keeper spell Armageddon and that through process of elimination that there was only one language that the Fueres Linguae need to decipher it, a verse of song written in Angelic. They also learn that there was an event, roughly two or three years ago, when Malideus could have had an opportunity to sneak into the capital, the appointment of the new High Priestess. With new information and new leads to pursue The Party (B) thank the Head Librarian, leave her to her work, and exit the Grand Librarby, all the while trying to put together the pieces of their investigation.

[...Arrive in Brightlance, turn in at an inn managed by member of Imaem family. Run around, visit Hall of Heroes, Simon makes scene, meet Leo, Church, visit Dawn Plaza, see birds, need permission to investigate from nobility, scry with Elizabeth, Wicklow and Head Librarian... investigate, learn about Pendant with verse in Angelic ]

Knowing where to find the Pendant, the group asks their Innkeeper for appointment with the head of the Imaem house unly to be told that this would take time. An appointment with their guard captain is much easier to come by, so the Party (B) settles for this. Shortly later they meet Jeo and warn him about the planned burglary. When they ask for permission to investigate in the area the house controls, they name Lady Mira as their bailsman. Still security checks will take days.

On their ways to the great cathedral Simon, Troy and Oz meet Meek and Selina at the central plaza, eating expensive food and feeding the birds while they attract a small crowd.

In the cathedral they meet the wounded sword priestess Arn and Oz deliveres the Sword Hakatath to Arn, but her will is broken and she says she wouldn't return to adventuring even after she is fully healed. Instead she will find and train a worthy wielder for the blade.

Troy informs her of their current investigation and Arn arranges an emergency meeting with High Priestess, bypassing official procedure. The young, awkward woman tells them: "Armageddon written in the Tome of Halley is incomplete and considered worthless. Maledeus will escape during Night of no Moon. His accomplices might use a big ritual that switches him for a manequin in his likelyhood. That ritual might be disturbed by a big light." Then she is called to other duties.

### - Where Does The Liar Hide?:

The Party (**B**) hits a wall in their investigation. Once the meeting with **High Priestess Dain** was over they left to seek the aid of the Wizards of the Walls, once again confirming that a person getting in and hiding amidst the crowds was an impossibility. Night came and went and they got little sleep, the frustration of being that close and yet so far preventing them from having peace of mind.

A new day dawned and, to refresh their minds and bodies, The Party (B) decided on joining the morning service in the church. The grand spectacle of a service in such a huge city was a sight to behold, but they still could not take their minds off of the current situation. Luckily they noticed just the person to help them (at least as far as getting permission to investigate in the area), and found the Lord **Gilbert Imaem** and his guard captain Jio in the crowd.

Still, the conversation did not go as well as some of them had wished, the lord heard them out and granted them permission to investigate within his domain but denied them permission from acting freely within his manor. The best they could do is talk to Jio privately and inform him of all the thing they have discovered since their last meeting. It appeared that the rest would be up to them. But it was then they came to their greatest breakthrough. It was then they figured out that this whole time they were not looking for a person hidden among the crowd or as a statute...

....They were searching for one single Sparowjack that should not be there.

## The End of an Adventure

### - Chasing Bluebirds and Deceivers:

The old man in the square had been correct. While leads were few The Party (B), along with the aid of some ~~easy to bribe~~ good-natured children, managed to find the one attic were, according to a witness, a small sparrowjack had been spotted moving in and out.

They talked their way into the building and investigated the attic and, 132 days since they left Wicklow to start their journey, they finally found Malideus.

A man of cutting words, he goaded them while explaining the plans of the Fures Lingue and the true purpose for which they had wanted to decipher the Tome of Halley - leaving out their true grand plan but providing them with just enough information to keep them listening...

To keep them **there** while his real body hurriedly went trough with the theft of the last key they needed.

By the time the illusion had finished talking and The Party (B) confirmed that his threats were bluffs they had been caught on a back foot. They rushed to the Imaem Manor but they were too late and could only watch from afar in frustration as a single blue bird flew into the distance.

The amulet, the last thing they needed for whatever evil they had planed, came into his hands. Not The Party (B) nor the guards of the Imaem estate capable of stopping the carefully crafted and laid plans of Malideus.

But, even then - The Party (B) did not give up! (although a certain someone *almost* gave up due to frustration. But only *almost* so that does not count.)

They split up and chased. The city was abuzz with adventurers and guards turning everything upside down in search of the villain. Even as he escaped as a bird Malideus took precautions to throw off pursuit but it was not enough.

Troy moved to gain information as he healed the injured Jio, Oz took to the streets like a bolt of lightning following sighting after sighting of the sparowjack and Simon managed to get his hands of just what they needed for the diviners to get a lock on Malideus.

In the end, a confrontation between Oz and Malideus, one weighed down by the history the two shared decided the fate of this adventure. Oz, whose boldness had got him to Malideus before anyone else, kept the warlock in the same location until reinforcements could arrive and, in a combined effort of Simon and Oz, the deceiver was made unable to flee and gave up. His sweetest words and his most cunning strategies collided against The Party (B) and had lost.

The Party (B), at least for this battle, claimed victory.

### - The Epilogue:

It is here that this adventure of this group of Misfits draws to a close.

Thanks to the best efforts of Troy Malideus was handed off to the Green Vale, giving Oz all that he needed to return home clear his sister of blame. The capture of this warlock meant additional defenses could be implemented in order to prevent such an incursion from happening again.

And not just Oz, the rest of The Party (B) got their due rewards for this mission.

But they could not be at ease, the Fures Lingue was still active. Their members fled the Vonderwald borderland as soon as they saw things turning sour for Malideus, leaving him to his own devices. But what he said still lingered in their minds...

"Even if you catch me and stop me here, all you are doing is prolonging the inevitable. You will stop me from getting the easiest means of deciphering the Tome of Halley but all that means is that you will make us search for a different text for the same purpose..."

They were aware, so long as the Fures Lingue and their leader, the Cave Dragon Zelritch, still exist they will keep pursuing their nefarious goal.

But that is for another adventure, for another time. What future is in store for the The Party (B) few can guess. Even so, at least for now, it is fair to say that

***They all lived happily ever after!** (just kidding)*