On the return journey from Khoram the trail of a large band of foot is crossed leading to & from Ilmanar’an. Rashid and Rajir ride ahead to investigate, and in time see a plume of smoke rising in the distance.

Ilmanar’an is burning.

riding into the square through the shattered gates and smouldering palisade, they see a crucified figure. Raschid rides directly to it, and stopping to examine the wretch, is surprised by the ghoul!. Paralysed on top of his patient horse, with Rajir unable to get Lightfoot to move, Raschid is pinned under Lightfoot's falling body as it too is struck down by the ghoul. Rajir cleverly draws the ghoul off with harassing fire, and keeps its attention until the magi arrive with the baggage, whereupon Djan and Rabaht cut down the ghoul.

Surveying the scene, and Raschid healing himself once he has control of his body again, the situation looks grim. A lone rider comes into the village, the survivor of one of the roving patrols who makes his report. through the night some scattered survivors trickle into the village, and the situation comes clearer. In the night, a horde of undead of varying degree descended on the village, slew the sentries, and overran it. Of the inhabitants but four families survived, with four footmen and one horsearcher lost.

News comes from Benin that Ogrekalé has also been attacked by the Orcs! Valikar lies wounded, but Ogrekalé was held, with minimal losses, Holding off a force of 150-200 orcs, some half dozen Ogres

Sending the Gnolls back to Aq’Quallat for later questioning, along with all the surviving peasants of Ilmanar’an, the weary group ride to follow the trail of the undead. their spirits sink as the trail leads inexorably towards the Tower of Danalazar. Nearing the tower, they find themselves literally in the shadow of the dragon, as it flies overhead, apparently scouting the hills. After a short debate, Hamar and Nazeem reluctantly order a retreat to Aq’Quallat.

Finally returning to Aq’Quallat, the party rest. Raschid and Hamar ride to Ogrekalé where a wounded but swiftly healed Valikar relates the tale of the siege.

They return to Aq’Quallat, at the same time as an Elven trade mission arrives, poling rafts upriver. The elves are welcomed, and their cargo discreetly inspected. Mead, ElfApples, Carved boxes of fantastic complexity, and the very rafts themselves are left with the constellation, on the understanding that return payment will be made. Two score of elf crafted arrows are also purchased with virtue up front.

As the Elves are departing Nebunnaddar arrives on a flying horse. He has with him Fana’is, brought in response to the Constellation’s hasty summons. A swift council is called, where Nebunaddar is informed of the situation, and it is agreed that signal towers will be woodformed in all towns and villages, with an intermediate tower being built between Zunshit and Baranul’an to be staffed by Zunshit.

Instructions are sent for the hiring of more troops, a trade caravan is begun to muster for the elf goods, and an expedition to discover the other frontier towers sets off.

Hamar, Nazeem, Raschid, Rajir, Djan and Rabaht, with a squad of light foot and light horse set off by way of Ogrekalé. Slowly scouting their way up the Mentamri river they finally find themselves overlooking a small intact Keep and bailey. Rajir goes ahead to scout it out and drawing closer makes the discovery of a statue in the main gate, seemingly poised to enter the bailey. Circling the walls, Rajir spies another statue, poised in the act of scaling the wall...

Cautiously retreating to the main group, he makes his report.

Conferring, Nazeem and Hamar boldly decide to inter the keep, having made themselves invisible first. Stealing through the gates, and finding the statue to be of an orc, they quickly reconnoitre the Bailey’s inner court, and then make to the door of the keep. Their stealthy opening of the door quite undone by a bell being tripped by it, Hamar and Nazeem withdraw to the gate, prepared to fireball anything that appears.

Shortly, a figure does appear, A Medusa! On sighting it, Nazeem’s heart Stops. And then haltingly restarts. Chanting words of power the Magi unleash a fireball, and then with a ghastly scream ringing in their ears, withdraw from sight. Peering by means of the reflection of his sword blade, Nazeem surveys the slumped corpse of the Medusa.

In the shadow of the wall, the magi wait, and sign for the rest of the team to join them. Advancing with caution, Rajir hears on the wind the soft clank of a door opening. Frantic signals are made to the magi, who spy through the gate, and see nothing. turning his uncertain gaze up the wall itself, Nazeem catches sight of a second Medusa coiling over the ramparts, preparing to drop upon them. A hasty magic missile is cast by the Magi, as the medusa lands between them. desperately maintaining their link, and averting their gaze from its hideous face, the magi blast it once more, but still it stands, and lashes out with it’s snaky locks, snaring Hamar, and sinking a multitude of poison fangs into his neck and face. As Hamar drops, his face blackening, Nazeem shields his eyes, and sweeps behind him with his sword, to be rewarded with a jarring shock up his arm, and the sound of his blade biting home. The Medusa is Slain. But so too it seems is Hamar. As he writhes in agony on the ground, Raschid and Rajir do all they may to aid him, but their skills are of no use in the face of the Medusa’s virulent poison. Raschid uses all the power he has, to dull the pain and remove the fear of his passing, but Hamilbar, Hamar the Ant-Slayer, dies.

Bearing his corpse inside the Tower, a slow and thorough search is made. It is well appointed, and filled with much wealth. After a brief discussion, it is decided that Hamar shall be burnt atop the tower in the first light of the morning. His pyre is lit, and with Nazeem's power returned, the keep is surveyed for Magic, and Virtue, revealing much of each.

The Medusae had an Enchanted mirror, a number of magical potions, a small collection of Books, much jewellery (2R) and a small amount of coin.(100m)

The Medusa head (2v) and the two orc statues show virtue, and once the Orc statues are broken apart, their hearts of Stone (1v ea) are recovered.

On return to Aq’Quallat, the treasures are analysed and found to be a Mirror of Scrying, two healing potions, two antidotes, and a potion of strength. Amongst the books are scrolls of Detect invisibility and Protection from evil 10’r.

• Chapter Twentyfive

 Create your own free wiki!HelpPublic, not yet premium Privacy Policy RSS