Streng and the Paths of the Dead

cy 4863 Feb 21st - 28th

G-Lest completes a new spell; congregation with the help of his Archpriest Vanyar. Back in the temple of Malakar G-Lest admits he has kept the information of the Key of Zalun from his god but after Vanyar hears the full story he reassures the bishop that all is well. "There are times G-Lest when one must hide things from even our master; but if he is displeased he will soon let you know!"

Streng spends the day visiting thieves and getting a feel for what is required to rebuild Van Myrid. He also seeks out Stelvor Darkblade and re-iterates to him that without a strong city, without a wealthy base any organisation will be weak. During these visits he realises that Van Myrid was virtually bankrupt by Viator Varkos, the former king, and that legends abound of a group of ronin noble lords called the Landless Ones. These men were unwilling to let Viator steal everything they owned so they became skilled at moving their wealth, their families, and everything else so that Viator could not steal it or impose the Black Tax.

Streng decides to gather some nobles together. He hand picks them and soon realises that despite their denials there is more to the story of the Landless Ones than meets the eye. In fact he believes one of them - Ur Drakken - who is present at the gathering, is connected. He decides to follow the man. Ur Drakken is more skilled than any other man Streng has followed; even with his enormous talent he struggles to keep track of the wise noble. Eventually, at a secret fountain in the heart of the city, Ur Drakken gives in. "Ok I am a Landless One damn you!" he says in desperation. But Streng merely smiles and is gone, his voice echoes; "I will find you again when I need you."

Later that day Hamroth declares to Leandra and the rest of the party that there is a council of gods and he must attend. The great Glaennyn lord soars high into the clouds and is gone. Next morning Leandra shares breakfast with the party. Archpriest Vanyar suggests that he is the right man to perform the ceremony of coronation but the party - and Leandra for that matter, are against the idea. Instead they decide between them that an ordinary individual should perform the coronation and it must happen on the first day of Maruk, in nine days. In the background preparations are made and the party busy themselves with various tasks.

Madrina takes advantage of the excellent soldiers now present in the palace and starts to learn unarmed combat whilst G-Lest begins work on a second spell. Scalpel and Veng' Stross become aware that they are constantly being followed by a hooded and robed figure that no-one else in the party can see. Only when G-Lest casts true seeing can he 'see' the figure. Carefully and quietly Streng surprises the man who is equally startled that he can now be seen.

"I am Mandrand," he tells them, "I am like you...immortal because I came back from the dead. The gods and the universe will hunt you down and you will be forced to run until they find you."

Mandrand shows them that they can now reach an unusual dimension, similar to the invisibility dimension but different in that they cannot interact with Grayhawk. Before long Scalpel has mastered the art of reaching this dimension and - effectively - disappearing from view.

Seven days later Vanyar emerges from the council of gods with grave news. He goes immediately to G-Lest's temple. "There is division amongst the gods," Vanyar says, "Jarik Saal has flown west on Hamroth's back and Willowstar is virtually a prisoner in the Elenorian Forest. Add to this an Elenorian army marching north and west to the borders of New Bretonia and we have the potential for a catastrophe...perhaps even a war that will engulf all kingdoms. But that is only part of it. It appears that Illeum Runesabre is dying..."

On hearing the news the party decide to head for Aldegaarde in an attempt to help Illeum. G-Lest theoports them to Aldegaarde but for the second time he finds this mode of travel interrupted. Instead of the dark halls of the temple in Aldegaarde they are confronted by a samll courtyard with several immense pillars. At one end is a small fire with a man crouched over it for warmth. Sulphur is in the air. When the man turns his maimed face in unmistakable, his awesome power makes them almost sick. G-Lest prostrates himself before his god.

"I have interrupted your journey because I have a task for you...one that will bring great power to you if you succeed or destruction of you do not. I am blessed - or cursed - with the gift of seeing into the paths. I can see one such path that will end this war on Grayhawk and cause Illyanth's kingdom to collapse around her. But in order for this to happen you have to murder someone."

The party stare nervously at the maimed god. "I need you to slay Arvial. He is in Limbo under the protection of Hoqar but I know you have the Key of Zalun and can therefore enter Limbo at will."

"What if we refuse?" Streng asks pointedly.

Malakar shrugs. "Then I will take the key and give it to someone more worthy."

The party find themselves in High Priest Stralen's temple but hurry to find Illeum who is in the Grand Temple of Jarik. He is frail and damaged, his sunken eyes tell of terrible pain and he explains that he has slowed the effects of the Void down to buy him time."

"How can we heal you?" Madrina asks.

"Arvial can save me...he has the power. But then I guess you all know that already. I also know that Malakar wants the child dead. Not much of choice is it?"

Streng does not hesitate and opens a door to the Paths of the Dead. The mystical passageway that all dead and lost souls must eventually take before their final resting place in Limbo. The party are close behind him.

Soon they come upon a heavily armed Bretonian guard, an elite member of some warrior cult by the looks of him. Without warning he attacks them; his first blows strike down Madrina but sheer weight of numbers - and Streng's lightning-fast reflexes, send him down the Paths to Limbo. Streng sees Madrina's soul and summons it back with the power of the Kal ring. He knows exactly what to do and forces Madrina's soul back into the body before re-emerging onto Grayhawk where Madrina wakes...she is now an immortal like Scalpel and Veng 'Stross.

The next encounter sees them faced with a Darkland warrior carrying a massive nodachi in both hands. Once more the party engage the swordsman and this time cut him down with little difficulty. They all wonder what other dangers they face before they reach Limbo...