The Isle of Endegar

cy 4862 - Arrogan 17th - 19th

Illyth and Mevik help Viscount Taymar from his plate armour as the warrior continues to vomit blood. Despite both their skills with wounds they are unable - initially at least - to stem the flow. They receive help as four individuals see their dilemma and come to their aid, they are; Kuraluk, a Mosharak priest of Jarik Saal, Barra Din, a Merkand Assassin, Damula Darkbreaker, a Myrid paladin of Elena, and Taryn Bzar, a Menelothian ranger.

Kuraluk tries to cast cure light wounds and when he realises that his spell fails he informs them that the wound can only be treated at a temple. He tries protection from evil instead and this stops the blood temporarily allowing both Mevik and Illyth to clamp the wound shut.

They head north. Later that day they see a wrecked galleon in the bottom of a valley hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean. Mevik uses the Time Scope and sees the fall of the ship; it was a flying vessel with a Drenai crew assaulted by dragons and their spell-throwing riders. Kuraluk finds tracks on the ground as well as a severed arm in the middle of the road; he and Barra Din go in to investigate with Taryn and Damula close behind. Kuraluk finds the owner of the footprints; a Jandraki man pinned to the ceiling by two large stakes. Recently slain he drips blood onto the party. From the dark recesses of the ship comes a hulking monster, stooping low because he is too big for the space.

The ogre giant lays about them with a huge fist and the four companions draw weapons to fend it off. Kuraluk leaps forward and lashes at it with his tanto, the vicious blade opening the beast's jugular and ending the fight. Further into the ship the ogre's lair becomes apparent - as does a shimmering great axe suspended magically in mid air. Mevik scope the axe to reveal it to be the legendary Drenai general Drusor Luckwarden's first weapon. Barra Din speaks to it and manages to take it and secure it on his horse. Kuraluk buries the Jandraki before they move on.

Next morning Taymar is slightly better. The wound still festers and he is prone to vomiting but a good nights sleep helped the warrior regain some strength. Kuraluk spots the tracks of two enormous beasts that move quicker than a lion and the party become cautious.

The valley is different to anything they have encountered before. Gone is the harsh greyness of the Olshay Range to be replaced by green fields and luscious orchards. This paradise contains massive creatures and when a gigantic rattle snake appears before them they draw their bows. After a few failed attempts by the archers Taryn puts a shaft through the rattler's eye and into its brain. Barra Din is upon the beast immediately and milks the fangs for many pints of venom.

Later down the same track a spider appears, it too larger than a horse. Mevik is the first to react on this occasion and his first arrow is deadly; the spider is slain before it can reach the party. All around them the plants too become enormous, some of them appear to chatter to themselves as the party move by. On the road before them they discover a gruesome scene. A Jandraki groans and signals for help; he is badly wounded and lies amongst the scattered remains of his fallen comrades. His legs are missing and Kuraluk casts cure light wounds to stop the bleeding.

He is called Listus, a Jandraki hunter, he tells them that they have reached the fabled Valley of Endegar. "On the isle in the centre of this lake is wealth un-imaginable! Any man who reaches is will be richer than all the kings put together!"

The island is set in the middle of a small lake. He is taken back to a time of pre history, a time when Promethius created it. The Father of Creation stands beside one of his sons (Varn or Fatal) and speak; "This island will capture men's greed my son."

There is a sudden burst of noise and a massive lion with a mouth capable of swallowing a horse whole charges at them. Quickly the party start to launch arrows but the tough hide of the lion is difficult to penetrate. They draw swords and knives but Mevik leaps into the forefront of the fight. His steel-tipped staff of Azael is brought to bear and when it makes contact with the enemy it vaporises the beast instantly.

At the edge of the lake Illyth gives them a warning. "You are insane to even contemplate crossing. It is a trap." But Kuraluk, Taryn and Damula are more determined and build a crude raft, enough to see them to the Isle of Endegar which is tantalisingly close. That night the rest at the water's edge. Barra Din and Kuraluk are on guard when  - to their horror - slimey grey mermen drag the Jandraki called Listus under the water to his death.

Next morning - despite Illyth's continuing warnings - the raft sets out for the small island. In the water the faces of stricken men, arms outstretched, plead for help but none is given as the three companions strive onwards. After the small beach they move quickly to the centre of Endegar. Trees lined with solid gold leaves await them, blossoms that reveal diamonds, rubies and other precious gems are everywhere but the three friends ignore these riches.

In the epicentre of Endegar is a stone slab that resembles an altar, overgrown by weeds and disused it seems a stark contrast to the riches beyond the perimeter. Kuraluk sits down and casts withdraw to contemplate what is happening. Damula kneels and prays at the altar but Taryn is more direct; he touches the ancient stone and a man appears.

"Congratulations," a grey bearded man says with a smile. "I am - or more precisely was - the chancellor of Promethius and you are the first to pass the test. May the blessing of Promethius be with you always..." The man vanishes. Taryn senses the awesome change in the three of them, his spirit sense able to detect a profound alteration.

Damula strides confidently over to Promethius' pro-type altar and lays her axe, Eye Opener, on the cold stone. Sparks emanate from the blade as it is charged by the ancient stone and she knows that her goddess is pleased by her success. When they return the faces of the fallen are gone from the water. On dry land Mevik uses the Time Scope to survey them; he can see the event but it is blurred and indistinct. Kuraluk ponders the information from his contemplative spell as Taryn leads them out of the Valley of Endegar.

Illyth regards the two paths out of the valley and asks the ranger; "Why that particular path Taryn?"

Taryn stares at the two tracks and shrugs; "Instinct my lady...pure instinct tells me that one path is safer than the other..."