From Danger and Darkness to Darkness and Danger V3.2

Croft thinks he finally figured out the puzzle on the door. He says its a nursery rhyme. I have no idea why he would know this, but as I have said he is a strange one. Every one has tried to open the door and failed and nearly impaled by spears from hidden traps within the door. Croft takes his turn and to our surprise and relief the door opens just as we hear an orc battle horn. We look into the dark, dank portal then look back at a sure death we push forward into the darkness with unknown dangers.

Devil Horn says something and the Dor'Thain's hammer lights up like a bright torch. We close the door shut, hoping the trap resets but more importantly hoping the door will hold off the fast approaching orc war party.

We look around and see a dusty chamber and see a mummified dwarven upper torso laying on the floor. His chain mail shirt rusted solidly into one piece on his paper thin skin. There is a few side rooms leading off the main chamber, we decide to take a quick look around before we go any further into the darkness. We could use more tools to help us succeed in our quest.

But even with death and one door holding an orc war party at bay and the unknown and uncaring darkness ahead of us, I can't help but teasing the Big Guy. He is looking at everything so seriously and with so much concentration, he never noticed me sneak behind him and scream BOO! at him. He jumped and almost hit his head on the dwarven made ceiling. He half heartily swung his axe at me, which I easily dodged, he wasn't too happy but I noticed Croft giggled a little bit. It was worth it.

In several places I found hard metal disk with dwarven faces stamped on them and many hard rocks of pretty colors red, green, blue and clear, but not shiny like my buttons. When I showed them to the group no one seemed to care except for Wendall. His eyes narrowed and twinkled and he said I will hold on to these baubles, no use weighing you down with them. I saw no use for them and handed them over, but I noticed he looked at them the way I look at a new shiny button. Maybe I should start collecting these too.

In the last room we find a very large metal chest. It is locked but shows no signs of rust or disrepair. I am able to pick it but barely. I was going to check to see if was booby trapped but Devil Horn realizing I could not possibly lift such a heavy lid came up and being the strapping human he is lifts up the lid before I even think to warn him. Out comes spinning blade over my head and sinks deep into his thigh. He did get the lid open though, silly human.

We hear the orcs pounding at the door and hear quite a few screams as well. We all smile knowing some stupid orc just got stuck with a spear. We look inside the chest and see a dwarven dagger made of mithiril with what Croft says are dwarven runes. I have no idea but it's nice. We realize we need to get a move on, we aren't sure if the door will hold or not. We don't want to stick around and see off toward the darkness. Croft puts the dagger in his pack for now.

We go through the winding tunnel part natural and part worked. It goes down and down, all the time getting darker. Light is unnatural here as we all are. Only Croft and Wendall seem to be at ease here. I am feeling overwhelmed by the sheer weight of the stones over my head. Breathing is become labored not from exertion but from anxiety. I don't know how deep I am, I don't know where I am going and I feel at any moment the mountain will crash down on me like an ant under Devil Horn's boot.

We finally reach what appears to be the bottom, the tunnel opens up into a huge natural cavern. There is a small pool being feed by a stream, stalactites and stalagmites are like a strange rock forest. I feel just as insecure, but I gain my wits finally. I take note of my environment and somewhere in the distance I hear a faint clicking sound. It reminds me of the summer locust in the plains.

We decide to rest near the pool of water orcs be damned we are all tired and hungry. Croft notices white milky looking fish in the water. He tries to catch them, but he is hopeless. I go over flick my dagger a few times and catch us some fish. Lorn makes a wonderful white fish and wild mushroom stew. After the meal I take a quick walk around and I notice orc tracks in the silt, relaxing is over we have to be on the move soon but for now we we take up watches and get some much needed sleep.

During my watch a couple wild orts come to the pool to drink. As soon as they notice me they run away like a bolt from a crossbow. Not long after I hear a roar, barely noticeable if it were not for my elven heritage I am sure. What ever made that noise sounded big and angry. I hope we do not meet it and find out.

We continue to walk guided only by Croft's supposed knowledge of Dwarven markings. He is so smug, one of these days I will slap him so hard he won't be able to smile. The trail is pretty easy going considering that most of us aren't comfortable being under a million tons of earth. Our first natural challenge was a five foot crevice that could be easily traversed, but some of the smaller ones couldn't really jump. I guess if you fell it would hurt a lot or more than likely kill you considering we had no idea how deep it was. Croft threw a rock and it was several seconds before we heard it hit anything. But we got over it with little problems, a slip here and there and we were on our way again. On the other side I saw something so bizarre it's hard to put into words. There was a big pile of sand or silt with bones sticking out of in all different angles as I looked closer I realized this was excrement from a very large creature. Maybe falling down the crevice would not be such a bad idea after all, better than being digested and squeezed out the arse of some giant monster.

We traveled a little further until we looked down and noticed we were walking in a pool of black, foul smelling sticky stuff. It was spread out into a shallow pool surrounding a huge shape. It was black and looked like it had a shell like a bug or crab, two legs and pincers where hands should be. It's head had huge eyes that looked somewhat humanoid. It was a scary looking thing even though it was dead. Lorn said she had heard about these monsters and they were called Thorn. I just know I didn't want to come out the wrong side of that thing no matter what it is called.

We leave the dead thing and move on it is of no concern or use to us. We see a crudely dug out crater in wall and floor and see the remains of several orts, giant bugs and countless other creature we could not recognized not only because of unfamiliarity but also due to decay and whole parts chewed off or just gone. It was a gruesome scene, the kitchen of a Thorn was not a place I wanted to be. As we turned to leave a huge black shape filled my vision, it was another Thorn charging toward our group. It reached out with it's one and only pincer and skewered Wendall before he could even turn around, the monster flicked him off it's pincer as if it just swatted a fly. We took up positions around knowing this may be our last fight, but we could not and would not run. I had no desire to be in close combat with this giant man-roach, I backed away as melee began. Devil Horn and Lorn stood toe to toe with the monster each scoring hits and being hit. Croft was working toward it's flank, like me he didn't want to be near that pincer. Devil Horn seemed to go limp and stop fighting we knew there was trouble and I screamed and concentrated at the same time. The Thorn went limp and Devil Horn was back in the fight, he took his axe and cracked open the giant bug, Lorn beat on it, while Croft spiked it's rear. By the time I got near it, it was a broken pile of black ichor and shell fragments. I knew that it was me that brought the monster down, but I just wasn't sure how I was able to daze it like that. Wendall was dead and Devil Horn was wounded. Lorn knew she could not help the poor gnome and Croft did what any pragmatic creature would do, he took Wendall's things that might further our mission. Devil Horn healed himself somehow and we started to march on.

We travelled for two more days into a darkness so dark that it seemed to steal the light from the Dor'Thain's enchanted axe. In the distance we hear metal banging on metal, we knew there was a fight near us, but did we want to go near it? Probably not, but according to Croft we were on track to meet dwarfs soon. That is when we heard orc grunts and dwarven battle cries. We had no choice we had to help the dwarfs if we could. As we neared the battle scene we saw orc and dwarf bodies cut up every where. The orc bodies were at least two to one if not three to one of the dwarfs. There was several orcs alive though and only two dwarfs still standing.

Our small band goes to the aid of the last two fighting dwarfs even though they are better fighters they are out numbered five to one. Devil Horn charges in, while Lorn unleashes her power on the orcs. Croft goes in search of an unaware target and I notice one of the orcs is bigger and wearing better armor. I assume he is the leader and I decide to go after him. Still wondering about what I did to the Thorn I attempt the same feat on the orc leader. I scream an orc obscenity that Croft taught me while concentrating at the same time. He just stands there looking dumb. I get behind him and stab into his back finding a kidney he drops to his knees, with a wild chop from Devil Horn's axe finishes what I started. The rest of the orcs go down and so does one of the dwarfs. We took a bit of a beating, but were able to help at least one of the dwarfs while destroying more orcs, always a good thing.

The surviving dwarf thanks us for his rescue. He is saddened by the death of his brother in arms, but welcomes us as friends. He introduces himself as Golan of the Cardel Clam and welcomes us to come with him into the Poledrum Holdfast. We readily accept, we are road weary, lost, hungry and need a real rest. We follow Golan toward his home.

We head down a winding path that has iron poles dug into the stone with orc heads atop each of them. Golan places the large orc head that I killed on top of one of the few empty poles and we head down. The orc heads look older and drier as we go down. This is obviously a warning to the orcs, one they don't seem to understand considering there was more orc heads than I could count.

We came to a spot on the path that narrowed and at the end was a carved dragon head with it's mouth wide open, presenting a doorway so low that I had to duck, poor Devil Horn and Lorn had to crawl through. I had to admit though it was inconvenient it was a good way to stop any orc march. We went through the dragon's maw for several minutes and it opened up into a larger path way.

We continued down for a few moments longer when we reached a large stone and iron gate. We looked up and saw spears and cross bows pointed at us. If we moved or spoke wrong we were dead. A voice rang into our ears, before we could speak Golan says in Trader's tongue that we are his friends and he vouches for us. The gates slowly open for us, but the spears and cross bows are still trained on our every move. As we walk through the gate and it shuts behind us, I could not help but be glad I wasn't an orc right now.

To Find the Witch Queen 3.1

We marched toward our destiny, not really quite knowing how we will find the Witch Queen just knowing we have to. Wendall takes us down the path back the way we had come only just recently. We are still being kept magically awake by the elf dust. We had traveled, fought and traveled more. We were very near Kurgan Falls when exhaustion first started to appear. We decided to set up camp and do our normal watches. I never was woke up for my watch and we all slept through the night and woke up dizzy, hungry, and twitchy luckily we were safe from animals and orcs. It was worse than ale, I will never do that again unless it's really necessary. Croft wanted more, but thankfully there wasn't any more to be found.

We ate and headed back down the falls. The giant walking stone statue was still in the same position we left it, truly a statue now. Devil Horn headed toward the pool to fill up his water skin when he noticed something odd. Dark shapes began to grow larger and head toward him, large smelly bubbles broke the surface. The smell was sickening. We backed up, we knew something was wrong. Out of water came dark, twisted, wounded and dead goblins. They may have been dead, but that didn't stop them from attacking us. The difference now they didn't use their weapons that hung to their sides, now they used their teeth and hands turned into claws. We realized in our haste we had not beheaded our former kills now we faced the Fell. Fortunately for us they were only a few and we were able to dispatch them with relative ease, with just some minor scratches and bruises. I killed two with little effort. This time we made sure they wouldn't rise again. We cut off all their heads, built a small fire and burned their skulls. Devil Horn threw the bodies in the water trying to skip their bodies across the small lake.

We quickly left Kurgan Falls behind learning a valuable lesson, never ever leave your dead with out making sure they stay dead. We march for a few days, foraging and hunting as we go, but making good time. Lorn makes these little berries that taste good and fill you up, it's kind of weird, but I'm not complaining. We hear an animal noise and smell a noxious oder of rotting flesh. Out of the brush a crazed ort charges right into Croft and the Big Guy. Luckily for them it just brushes them, it continues down the path crashing into everything. Devil Horn picks up a rock bigger than me and tosses it at the sick ort. The rock sails down the path and you hear the spine break before you hear it scream one last time. I head down toward the now dead ort. I gag a little when I realize it has huge infection on it's leg. It looks like it was cut and the cut turned rancid with infection. That explains why it was acting so odd. I take my skinning knife out and begin to gut it. We can't use most of the meat, but we can get enough for a fresh meal. I roughly butcher enough meat for us to have a couple meals. There is no time to preserve the meat, so we leave the carcass for nature after we move it off the path and clean up the mess.

Lorn and Croft turn the ort meat into a bland stew. I have had better but it was nice to have fresh meat. I curl up in my blanket and go to sleep knowing I will have to wake up soon enough for my watch. I was dreaming about the most beautiful jungle elf and she was just about to take off her top when Croft wakes me up. I really don't like that gnome. He has that annoying smile I just want to slap him. I go find a quiet place to take my watch and mediate on my surroundings. When its time to wake up the Big Guy I am still in a bad mood and I need a good laugh. Considering this human is almost three times taller than me, I guessed his ear canal must be three times bigger as well. I began to suck on my finger covering it with spit and stick it right in his ear, I was wrong his ear canal is probably five times bigger and my finger goes all the way in. He jumped up like a maiden seeing a snake for the first time. I giggle something terrible, he yells and I say it's your turn. I feel better and go back to sleep hoping to find the elf maiden again, I had a snake I wanted to show her.

The next day we think we might be on the trail of a possible orc camp. We are tracking some boot tracks that are so trampled it is hard to tell what they are. Croft and I scout ahead and begin to follow a stream. We see three human kids fishing. They looked so scrawny and ragged. They see us as soon as we see them. We wave to them and walk toward them. They look nervous and are chattering as we get nearer one of them bolts off. I chase after him, while Croft stays with the other two kids. For a sickly boy, he ran fast, he did have the advantage of knowing the game trail better than me. I almost caught up to him, when we left the cover of the foliage and ran into a clearing full of armed humans, just as ragged and dirty as the children. There was more than I could count in the moment, I turned completely around and ran as fast as I could the way I came.

I ran until I saw Croft who was still with the kids, who stood amazed with their mouths opened wide and their eyes even wider as they saw Devil Horn walk toward them. I took a couple deep breaths and reported what I seen. We talked to the children who although seemingly scared were friendly toward us. They said they would guide us to their camp. We followed them to the encampment where all of the humans came out to meet us in formation with drawn weapons. The boy that I chased now was carrying a spear. The two children who were with us dashed away and motioned for us to follow. We do so tentatively, but we keep our weapons sheathed and away. A large Dorn who appeared to be the leader stepped forward from the formation toward us. He introduced his self as Gweth Oran of the House Oran. He says he speaks for the group and is as close as a leader they small group has. I looked more closely at all of the group, they were so ragged, not a button in the group of about 30 humans mostly Dorns.

We go into a shack and talk with Gweth, we tell him about the razing of Durgis Rock and the slaughter of so many dwarves and refugees. He told us a similar story about a loose alliance with the Astan Clan. A clan of Dwarves and Darros that were eliminated by the Shadow. Genocide is in full swing and I couldn't help but think it had something to do with the tube we were carrying. Devil Horn told him we were sure there was a band of orcs around here and that it wasn't a good idea to stay and suggested they come with us to find safety. Gweth said they were hardy fighters and ready to face any challenge the orcs had. It was false bravado and we all knew it. This group was already defeated they were just waiting for the killing blow. They gave us food and shelter for the night. It was nice to share hospitality with others after so much misery in the last couple of weeks. Although the fare was meager it was wonderful. After I ate, I pulled out my orc skin packed in salt and began to work it some. Two of the kids we meet earlier wanted to help me. I gave them fat and rocks and they each took a leg and worked the fat into the skin. They made lots of mistakes, but it was just an orc it was okay. I just smiled and gave some hints on how to make the job smoother.

We slept very peaceful with so many people around us, but I still couldn't help but think that this camp will be destroyed soon as well. That morning we asked Gweth one more time to leave with us and he just rubbed his bald head, smiled and wished us luck. Are all Dorns this way, I have heard stories, but Lorn and her brother are the only Dorns I know and well they are just off anyways, or maybe that is what Dorns are like.

We say our goodbyes and continue on our way until Croft notices something on the trail that looks like a Dwarven marking. It is a good thing Croft noticed these markings because the orcs we were looking for were now looking for us. What we thought was a small patrol looks to be more like a horde. He suggests we follow the markings and we all agree. We follow it for a short way until we come to a well hidden spot that has a door with what appears to be a puzzle. We have to solve the puzzle fast, we can hear the orcs horns and drums beating a path to us. That seems to be the way it is, in order to find the Witch Queen it will be many trials and tribulations before we ever find her. I hope we all survive.

A Second Goodbye V2.7

Devil Horn and Croft were arguing on whether or not to open the silver case that that Wooden entrusted into the Big Guy's hands. I am as pragmatic as the next guy, but I felt this was no time to worry about petty items and it wasn't that shiny anyways. I reached up and grabbed it and I wondered what would happen if I opened it. Immediately my body felt cold then it felt as if I was melting. I let them know that if they decide to open it I don't want to be any where near them, because I am pretty sure they will die a terrible death. They gave up arguing about the case then they started arguing with Duncan. They are starting to trust my instincts, I just wish I could.

Duncan was demanding we follow him to Silvervein and we are insisting that we have to go find the Witch-Queen. Duncan did not want to hear it he wanted our skills to help protect what is left of Durgis Rock. We tried to make him understand that our mission was bigger than Durgis Rock, but he was too distraught to comprehend anything but protecting who was left and finding a hole to hide in. I completely understood, but now I knew I could hide no more. Destiny seems to have a plan for me whether I want it or not. I will never be able to settle till this darkness is no more, or I am dead. I fear the latter is more likely.

We go back out among the survivors of Durgis Rock and help take care of the dead. We burn the bodies and salvage what we can. I went back to the Great Hall and took the book I seen the first day I came to live in my new home. I liked the pictures and the leather work. I couldn't read, but that didn't matter it was pretty. I skinned an orc and packed into salt, I was thinking of making it into something later, maybe armor or a practice dummy. I need more practice with my new weapons. There was a short sword I picked up too, just for something to trade with later.

I over heard Amond talking with Devil Horn and Lorn that there was humans in the Rock with large dog like creatures, they were looking for Elven spies. I think they just missed each other. I wonder what that was all about.

We were packed and ready to leave. Duncan pleaded with us one last time to follow him and again we stressed the importance of finding the Witch Queen. He wished us luck, put his head down staring at the ground and marched the pitiful remains of Durgis Rock toward Silvervein. Wendall and Croft were chattering in their annoying language Croft finally shuts up which is a rarity for him. He and Wendall said that our best bet was to head west and our first real stop would be a place called Bayden's Bluff on the Sea of Pluria. We asked Wendall what kind of place it was and he just smiled and said it's a place where things happen, with a knowing smile. He said that like we knew what that meant. Croft said it is a place to get supplies and transportation. It will be hard for the humans especially to travel and the Big Guy sticks out worse than a tree on the Plains. He said it would be safer and faster for us all. We all agreed but we had no idea where we were going, only generally west. Wendall said he knew the way.

I took a deep breath and looked back at the place I had called home only for a few months and I was already having to say goodbye because of orcs again.

The Fall of Durgis Rock V2.6

We rushed as fast as we could to aid Durgis Rock, but what we saw was heartbreaking. There were goblins and orcs every where, the main gate had been shattered, and there were three walking stone statues destroying everything and everyone within reach. We saw many dead and dying, but still heard heavy fighting in many places, hope was not lost yet. We heard a lot of noise coming from the Great Hall area, we hoped that many of the dwarves had moved there to make a stand. The elves said they could attack the horde in the open, but that someone needed to let the dwarves in the hall know that help was here. Croft and I volunteered to deliver that message.

I told Croft to follow me and stay close. I took him to a well hidden crack in the wall and disappeared. After a bit of disorientation, probably from the fairy dust, I led Croft toward the Great Hall. As we were traveling through the marmoset holes, we could hear battle erupting, the elves and the rest of our group must have launched their offensive. We slide our way through several twist and turns, until we were standing underneath a trap door. I was amazed how well Croft could move, almost as well as I. I will keep an eye on him and his buttons. Stealthily we opened the door and scouted around. We saw a single orc picking through what he thought was loot. Together we snuck up behind him and cut him down in a flurry of quick knife cuts, again Croft showed great skill. At this point my blood was boiling I needed to do more than just kill this orc, I wanted to humiliate it. I kicked it over, grabbed it scrotum and sliced it off, I wish he was still alive. I emptied out its contents on its bleeding body, I plan to make a small pouch which I will keep my trophies in it, or maybe I will just toss it away.

We made our way out of the small room into the Great Hall, we heard orc voices coming from the Hall of Heroes, we made our way to the front doors and opened them wide. At our feet was the old silly dwarf, Snurry cut and mangled to the point that I only recognized him because of his over sized leather helmet covering his face. We look out through the rock and I saw Riane casting fire everywhere, orcs and goblins were screaming and running around in total chaos. Devil Horn, Lorn, Wendell, and Duncan came charging toward us. Croft and I motioned for them to be quiet and come this way. We led them toward the Hall of Heroes, where we had heard the orcs. We shut the doors to the battle outside and headed toward the orcs and hoped it wasn’t too late. As we approached the noise we could all take cover with trappings of the hall. We saw four orcs tearing the Hall of Heroes apart. There was about a dozen dead dwarves laying all over hacked up, there was two to three times as many orcs laying dead as well. The remaining orcs were throwing down the books and urinating on them, cutting up the painting and destroying the beautiful dwarven sculptures. What they wanted they were putting in a pile, but mostly they were destroying things out of hatred and ignorance. Croft noticed their weapons and shields were leaned up against a column and he said he wanted to sneak in and move their weapons before we do anything else. I thought it was crazy, but he said, “What’s the worst that can happen they see me, you all charge in and save me.” He said that with a huge smile on his face. Amazingly he just walked right in, moved all their weapons that he could barely lift, smiling all the way. He motioned for us to attack, Devil Horn charged in with his huge axe screaming at the orcs. They looked stunned for about a half a second, they reached for their weapons that weren’t there. Croft laughed, took out his knife and went to work. After about thirty seconds there were three dead orcs and one that was knocked out. We all had taken some hits, but it would have been much worse had it not been for that crazy gnome. We tie up the remaining orc, we plan to question it later, but right now we have to find Wooden. In the pile of dead dwarves we hear a faint hoarse mumble, it’s the Dor’Thain. The Big Guy moves a few bodies both orc and dwarf to get a better look at our leader. He is trying to move, but it looks hopeless. There are six javelins sticking through him in various places, green foam is spewing from his mouth as he coughs up black blood sporadically. Devil Horn bends down and does his best to save his life. Wooden grabs him and thrust a silver tube into his hand, and says to him, “Swear you will personally place this into the Witch Queen’s hands.” Devil Horn takes an oath that he will, with that oath the Dor’Thain of Durgis Rock breathed no more. Duncan and Devil Horn both scream at the top of their lungs for revenge.

Lorn helps up tend to our wounds as fast as we can so we can join with the few remaining dwarves and drive back the invaders. I check on the knots to make sure the orc is secure and we head back into the fray. What we find is devastating, that battle is over, but the price was high, too high. Most of the inhabitants of the Rock, were dead or dying. We begin the grim task of looking for the people we know and hoping they were okay. Most of the males who could fight were now dead. We see the old and the females tending the wounded and ritually decapitated the fallen of Durgis. I find Baylah smashed against the a stone wall, with a stone construct not far away, no longer animated with arrows driven through its body. It looks like he was beaten into the wall like a nail, he lay broken and crumpled. The snow elf who I hoped would be my mentor was no more, I would honor the best I could. I collected his weapons and claimed them as my own. The fighting knives would taste orc blood again, and I would learn to use his bow. The quiver was empty, but I was sure I could fill it again before the day was out. His magnificent cloak was shredded beyond repair, but I still took it as if it was just made. I also relieved him of his armor, it was of an unknown leather and colored red and white. I am not sure what I will do with it, but I would not let his memory fade away. I said my last good byes and cut off his head, I did not want to face him in battle as a walking undead. As I went to find my companions I saw Herg among the dead, I thought to myself I won’t be making those five scabbards for him after all. It all saddened me and reminded me why I was here. This was the second time in my short life that I had two homes completely destroyed.

I found my friends inside the Great Hall talking. They said that the other elves were also dead, but that their heroic fighting had saved a lot of lives today. We decided to wake up the orc and question him, Croft had received the small black rock from Raine and had figured out how to make it work. He thought he could wake up the orc that way by placing it on his head and making it get hot, unfortunately it go to hot and cooked what was left of the orc’s brain. Duncan came in and said the Rock was preparing to leave and head to Silvervein. He said to gather what we could carry and help take care of the dead, Durgis Rock is no more.

The Next Day V2.5

We woke up, had a light breakfast and began to prepare for the march back to Durgis Rock. Croft chattered freely with everyone, there is just something shifty about his demeanor. As we were preparing to leave, we could hear a strange noise, everything was difficult to hear because of the rushing sound made by the Falls. We looked out and saw about a dozen small gangly creatures heading our way herding a moving stone statue. It was a terrifying site. The group immediately took up arms and made hasty battle plans.

Baylah stepped outside the doorway and almost completely disappeared in plain sight, I followed him the best I could. There was something about his cloak that made him blend in so well, like magic. He headed straight toward the bridge where some of the goblins were managing to get ahead of the moving rock that looked stuck on the bridge. Baylah took out two of the monsters with out breaking stride and just vanished into thin air. I searched in vain for him and suddenly realized I was alone and staring at a giant animated statue and more goblins than I could handle. As I struggled to find Baylah, several arrows flew over my head and took out several of the creepy things heading toward me, I look back and saw Eiram shooting arrows as fast as he could. Before I could turn back, as unbelievable as it sounds lighting shot from Riane’s hands and hit the statue, which even more unbelievable didn’t do anything, other than make three of the goblins seem a bit more nervous and hesitate. With there hesitation, came their disaster, the bridge gave way and the stone monster fell through, it was so large you could still see it from the waist up and it was trying to crawl back on to the bridge. I knew I had to act and act fast, I wasn’t sure how those three goblins were making the statue move, but I knew I had to stop them. I ran and jumped over the statue and landing right in the middle of the remaining goblins on the bridge. There numbers were a lot less now, arrows were flying every where some hitting goblins, others smashing off the giant. I saw several darts fly by and land safely in the water doing absolutely nothing.

Baylah reappeared and began cutting down more of the offending monsters. I also started beating my way through their ranks with my atharak. I heard the Big Guy running toward the bridge chopping the remaining few down like kindling. It was amazing to watch the elves just decimate the goblin war party. Baylah and I took down the three goblins that were concentrating on the animated statue and it just stopped moving half in the water and half slumped over the bridge. They were wearing shinny necklaces and I confiscated two of them for my collection. I tried to ask Baylah how he could hide so well, seemed even better than me and nobody can hide better than me. He either didn’t understand or ignored me. I grabbed one of the corners from his cloak. He spun around and grabbed it out of my hands and motioned for me to stop it. I just giggled, I knew now it was the cloak, I want one. The rest of what they had was pretty much junk. We left the bodies where they had fallen and hurried off as quickly as we could toward Durgis Rock before more came. This was a mistake we would pay for later.

We gathered up our things and set out on a fast paced hike back through the hills, with Duncan leading the way. It is so funny to watch the gnomes try to walk fast. They look like chickens walking in a strong wind, you are just waiting for them to fall over at any second. We had been on the trail for almost two days when I heard an all too familiar sound. I heard orc war horns faintly carried on the winds. I let everyone know what I had heard and told them to be on the look out. Not long after that we spot a dark shadow coming toward us on the trail. It looks like an orc, but we aren’t sure. Taking no chances Croft and I scout ahead while the rest wait in the cover of the trees. It was agreed if it was an orc we would try to capture it and talk to it. I had no intentions to talk to an orc, I guess that is why then sent Croft. As we got closer we realized it was a wounded orc crawling down the path. It was barely moving. Croft said he was going in closer, I was preparing my knife to slit its throat, when in my amazement, Croft did what I was thinking. We hurried back to where everyone was waiting, Croft said matter of fact that it was an orc, but it had died before we got there. He looked at me and I didn’t say a word. Maybe he isn’t so bad after all, but I still don’t trust him.

We all moved forward, some wanted to examine the orc, me I was so full of hate and fury that I wanted to sit it on fire. All my memories, fears and trauma hit me like a thunder clap, I was just stunned and was going through the motions. When Devil Horn seen the body he noticed lots of scars up and down the orcs arms and said they were kill marks. This meant according to the Big Guy, this was a veteran warrior with many kills to his name. I thought good, now he is dead. Someone suggested we camp and I was all for that, my head was spinning with horrible memories. Duncan wanted to get back to Durgis as quick as possible, because he was convinced it was under attack. We had been traveling for a long time and some of us were tired. He said it didn’t matter he had to get there as quick as possible and help his clan. He headed up the trail on his own. We talked a little bit and were confused on what to do. I was no help at all. We knew it would be better to fight rested, if we even needed to fight. But every moment mattered for the people back at the Rock. The elves offered us another choice. Riane said we could take this magical dust that would allow us to continue for another full day and night as if we were fully rested, but the down side is we would have to rest for two days after. We agreed to take the dust. We immediately were full of energy and couldn’t sleep even if we wanted to. My mind was on revenge and I was ready to kill me some orcs. We quickly caught up to Duncan who was glad and proud to see us. He said I knew you would come and we headed up the path as quick we could. As we got closer to Durgis Rock we could hear sounds of battle, see smoke and we knew that Duncan was right.

At the request of the Dor'Thain V2.4

I was minding my own business, preparing some leather to make the last few items of my punishment when Cort stormed into my stall. The Dor'Thain wants to see you now. I said, "But I haven't done anything wrong, and I almost done making everything he requested." He said forget about that and follow me now or I will drag you there. I dropped my tools and shrugged my shoulders and said, "lead on." Cort looked at me like he would rather make me do some sort of exercise, I giggled and motioned for him to hurry up. He sighed loudly and said something in dwarfish that probably meant, "Why me?"

When we arrived at the Great Hall, Lorn and Big Guy were already there waiting in the foyer. Cort barked at me, "Stay here and be still." I waved him on, he bit his lip so hard I think he drew blood. I looked up at the two walking mountains and said, "What's up?" Big Guy said, "I was summoned and I obeyed the Dor'Thain as you should." I giggled. Lorn rolled her eyes and said, "Just wait and see." Then it was my turn to roll my eyes. I said, "Be right back." Before they could protest I disappeared in to a crack in the wall.

I snuck through the marmoset hole and headed toward where I heard the Dor'Thain. It sounded like he was arguing with Moody, a dwarf who often disagreed with the Dor'Thain and some said he wanted to be the Thain. I couldn't make out what they were saying, because they were speaking in dwarfish, but I knew the conversation was over when I heard Cort report to the Thain all I understood was my name and a curse. I slipped back through the crack and stood near the two humans. At about that time Moody burst through the doors and looked at us with contempt. Cort motioned for us to come along and it wasn't until then did my companions know I was already there. They looked at me a little funny but didn't say anything.

Wooden, our Thain said he had a very important mission for us and he needed people with our particular talents. I had no idea what he was talking about. I asked him what he meant. All he would say that it was very important and that it may change the balance against the Dark One. To me that was kind of like an ant talking about taking on an ort, but who knows what dwarfs think, or any other race other than halfings and their kin. Devil Horn just said, "As you command." Lorn as well, did not question him. I said what's in it for me and he just repeated the same answer as before. I pretty much knew at this point I had to go and I was tired of making rope anyways a walk would do me some good.

He would not give us any more details at all, his reasoning was for not only our safety, but that of the folks of Durgis Rock, for should we fall this information could not fall into the dark forces hands and lead back to here. It was for all our futures that we succeed, but if we fail it should not bring doom upon us all. This didn't sound too encouraging in the least, but what choice do I have now, I already said okay and I had a sinking feeling if I said no, Cort may try to break my hands.

The Dor'Thain said something to Cort who nodded and walked out of the hall, a few moments later he came back with a strange looking dwarf in tow. He wore furs and soft leather boots and he only sounded like a bull walking through town, compared to other dwarfs he was remarkably quiet. I had seen this one around a few times, but he always came into town and left quickly and quietly. He paid his respect to Wooden and turned to us. Wooden said this is Duncan he will be your guide. Duncan suddenly looked very important as if he was in charge. He moved over to join our little group.

Wooden said, "Good look to you all your mission is more important than you know, you must not fail." At that point I think the Big Guy bowed or saluted, it would have been funny if he would have hit his head on one of the beams. Duncan said follow me. We all did that of course, what else would we do, we didn't know where we were going. He asked us if we were prepared to travel for at least a week. Everyone said they needed to get a few things first. They agreed to wake up at dawn and leave. I protested, because I don't like to get up so early, because I spend a great deal of time sneaking around at night and I need a little extra sleep in the morning. Duncan quickly reminded us that orcs travel at night and it is safer if travel during the daylight hours. I just said, "Whatever." I needed another knife so I went to Herg and asked him if he had one to spare. He had a very nice knife and scabbard that I had made, so I knew it was good quality work. He wanted me to make six short scabbards for the knife, I was able to negotiate that down to five. I agreed that I would make them when I come back. Normally Herg would have never agreed to that condition, but he knew how important the mission was, everyone in the Rock was counting on us. I gave Devil Horn 50 feet of rope, then I went off to make sure my buttons were safe and secure while I am away and maybe add one or two more to my collection before I set out.

Duncan wakes me before it is even daylight out. He says to me to hurry up and get ready. I try to roll over and go back to sleep, but he nudges me with his foot. I get up and look at him with my eyes still blurry. He kind of looks like an ort with the mange. That makes me giggle and I begin to wake up. I gather my things and meet the rest of the crew, the Big Guy is wearing what looks like a tent to me, I try so hard not to laugh at him. He looks so silly most of the time and what makes it worse he is so serious all the time. Lorn is hardly dressed at all and I have stuffed extra padding to stay warm. We set off on our journey with out a clue where or why we are doing, only that it is important. I am pretty sure we are dead. We all almost immediately begin to ask questions of Duncan. All he says is that we are probably heading to Kiergan Falls and it is important. Honestly I don't think he knew more than that. But that didn't mean we didn't keep asking him over and over. He would scout ahead and be gone for up to an hour at a time, he would often bring back small game with him. We never went hungry and Lorn had these amazing berries that tasted so good and made you feel all warm inside. I stayed away from her home brew, I just don't have a head for alcohol. It slows me down too much. We pretty much travel like this for about three days, slowly going down the mountains, eating fresh game and berries and asking Duncan the same questions over and over again. Then we heard the roar of water falling and knew we must be getting close. We asked Duncan one more time what we were doing. He finally said we are here to meet some Ambassadors that will help us overcome the dark struggle we now face. This is Kiergan Falls now we go and meet our guest. We are dead for sure. I start walking down the trail singing a hafling funeral dirge.

We cautiously made our way down the falls and we could see the ruins of what was once a small Dwarven community. Most of the stone buildings had collapsed, and the roofs and caved in. There was a large tumultuous pool at the base of the falls and the ruins were on the other side. A stout stone bridge traversed the stream. I scouted the bridge and made my way toward the building that seemed most intact. It would be dark soon and that looked like it might be a good place to camp and who knows what shiny things might be laying around lost. As I approached the doorway, I heard voices. I motioned back to the group to be still. I slowly headed back toward the bridge and said I heard voices inside. We all readied ourselves in case we needed to fight, but Duncan was positive this was the party we were here to meet and escort back to Durgis Rock. Now he tells us, Dwarves are so conservative and don't trust anyone.

As we slowly advanced toward the voices it became apparent they were not trying to hide themselves and seemed to be waiting for us. There was several voices and most were speaking in the Trader's Tongue, I over heard one say where are our escorts? As we approached the door we were all shocked even Duncan. Inside the crumbling building stood three elves, elves like I had never seen before. The Big Guy and Lorn were mumbling something in their own tongues and Duncan hid a smile on his face. There was also a couple gnomes inside as well. One was very old. They were as ready for combat as we were, but when Duncan spoke quietly to the old gnome all was smoothed over quickly. Duncan introduced each of us, while the old gnome spoke for the other group. He motioned toward his fellow gnome and said, "This fine young fellow is Croft." Croft smiles to us all as if he has known us all of his life. He continues by telling us about the elves. This elf is named Eiram and the other magnificently dressed elf is named Baylah. Then he speaks about the woman almost reverently as he says her name is Riane. She remarkable looking, she was very beautiful, but what made her so amazing even otherworldly was her eyes. They were pure black, there wasn't any white showing at all.

We sit down have a small meal and begin to get to know one another. It was odd, the room was filled with the warmth of a big campfire, but there was no flame or smoke to be found only a small black rock that emanated heat. It must be magic, it isn't very shiny though. We agree to leave in the morning and set watches. I drift off to sleep, seeing shiny black eyes in my dreams.

Back to work and Vidar V2.3

What I smelled was some of the best smelling food I had ever smelled in a long time. My mouth was actually dripping saliva I was so hungry suddenly. I went to get me some food when I saw the biggest human I had ever seen, and she wasn't too bad looking either. I could have climbed those mountains all day and night. She looked at my drooling and said, "You must be the latest drifter they told me about, Nago right? Close your mouth and sit down. I am Lorn. Now eat."

I gladly did as I was instructed, this woman could probably pick me up and use me for a childs toy, I had never seen anyone so big, except maybe orcs. She set down a plate of food and told me this one is on the Dor'Thain, you will have to earn the rest or go hungry. I just greedily started shoving the food in my mouth and nodded my head in acknowledgement. As if the day couldn't get any stranger, the ground began to shake and I looked back and saw the biggest thing I ever seen. He must have been ten feet tall and dressed in rags and not a button to be seen. I asked Lorn who he was and she said, "Oh that's Devilhorn, he's a good guy." I laughed when she said devilhorn, I had no idea what that meant, but I thought it particularly funny. Lorn looked at me disapprovingly and walked away.

I finished up my food and walked up to this mountain of a man and said, "I hear you are a horny devil." He looked at me kind of sideways and said in a deep booming voice, "No, I am Devilhorn" I just giggled and said, "I am Nago nice to meet you big guy." Then I walked out to find Vidar. I heard him mumbling about darkness, powers that should not be known, if they only knew. He must be crazy, but I liked him, hes like a big puppy dog.

Vidar on the other hand was like a she-wolf with a full litter of puppies and another on the way. He told me I was late and this wasn't the proper way to start off a business arrangement at all. I apologized to him saying, "I didn't know we had a set time to start." He just grunted, then said let's get to it. This is my offer you can take it or leave it but I won't bargain with you. I said let's hear it. Vidar then began to talk about the theory and glory of orts and ort herders. I tried not to fall asleep after the second hour of his lecture. He noticed I was nodding off and hit me with his his staff. That is when he said to me, there was no way I ever seen an orc in my life I couldn't even dodge an old dwarf's crook. I got very angry and called him every name I could, I am sure he didn't know what most of what I was saying, because I said it in halfing. Then I got very close to him and said don't ever say that again, I watched my whole tribe be destroyed. He hmpped and said, probably because you were sleeping on the job. I pulled out my knife and put it under his armpit and said take it back, he just hmpped again, then took his Sheppard's crook and tripped me, took my knife and put his boot on my neck. Then he said it's like this boy, out of every five hides I give you to tan, I want one back. Take it or leave it. I knew I had been beat in more than one way today. It was a hard lesson, but one I would remember. I will control my anger more carefully from now on.

My shop and home was set up in the stable at the inn. It was a dreary, tedious live, but one that I could manage. I was able to tan enough hides to turn into items that I could trade for food and other items. I "found" some buttons from time to time. I even got to know the big guy a little bit. But I was still angry at Vidar for blaming me for the destruction of my tribe. One day after Vidar dropped off an ort hid, I noticed it's head had somewhat of an orc shape to it. That gave me an idea.

I carefully skinned the whole head ensuring it was all intact. I worked many weeks making the leather as supple as I could. When I got done with it, from a distance it did have the cast of an orc on it. I added some scaring, and other trinkets to make it look more fierce. I made an outfit to go with it, to make it look like a warrior. I tried it all on and I made a terrible looking orc, but it would work. I waited for Vidar to make his weekly visit to the stable and I was waiting for him dressed as an orc. He came in shouting for me as he usually does, he walked right past my hiding place. I had prepared some hay and boxes so I could climb up and look taller. I was at the top of my spot when I threw a fake spear and yelled at Vidar in my best orc. When he turned around I think he wet his pants and his skin turned purple. He grabbed his horn and began to blow, this wasn't something I had thought about, he was calling for help and I was in trouble. Vidar came right towards me and I didn't know what to do, but run. I really hadn't thought this through well at all. I tripped with the baggy outfit and started running as best as I could. I found one of the marmoset holes I had been exploring and left my disguise there. I could hear Vidar cursing the air in Dwarven. I knew if he caught me he wouldn't be happy.

I thought I would wait him out by doing some exploring. Unfortunately his horn had caused the town to be in quite an uproar. Everyone was looking for a small orc or goblin that had run-a-muck and possibly killed me. I was in real trouble now. I decided the only thing I could do was to turn myself in and hope for the best. I went to the inn and came out in a secret spot in the pantry, where Lorn was waiting for me with a broom in her hand. Looks like I finally got the rat that has been stealing my food and the goblin that scared poor Vidar.

She picked me up by arms and I just went limp, I knew I had no choice now. I didn't say anything. She was taking me to see the Dor'Thain she said. As we were heading to the Great Hall, Vidar was shaking his fist at me. I saw a few giggles and I relaxed a little bit. When we reached the Great Hall, Cort was there and he dragged me to a side chamber I had never been in before. He sat me in a chair, looked down at me and said, "Wait and don't move." I am not sure how long I waited but it seemed like days passed. I was too scared to move and I had to pee so bad. When I didn't think I could hold it much longer, the Dor'Thain came in with Vidar and Cort. Cort had the mask in his hand. Vidar looked like my Uncle did, right before he punished me, Cort looked like he wanted to kill me and well the Dor'Thain was trying his best to suppress a smile. I had hope, but I remained silent.

Cort threw the mask at my feet and said, "Do you think this is funny?" I didn't answer him. Vidar bit his lips in fury. I was quiet. The Dor'Thain said, don't let this happen again, understood? I quickly said yes. Now to ensure you don't do this again, you will pay Vidar double what you normally pay him for the next two months and will make me 1000 feet of robe, 25 belts, 15 harnesses, and 100 mugs. Do you think that will keep you out of trouble, I dropped my shoulders and nodded yes, clearly beaten and humiliated, but it was worth it just knowing that old fart pissed his pants. The Dor'Thain bent down took the mask and said, "Now get back to work."