The Viscount's Gambit

cy 4862 Jun 10th - Jun 15th

In the sights of Gatsol’s lethal musket Shihan ceases to attack. Viscount Taymar tries to stop the bleeding but the assassin turns him away; "I’ll live," he says. Once more calm descends on the group who pick up the pieces from their devastating fight. Four of their number lie dead around them and after dealing with the bodies they are soon on the way north once more.

Malaras becomes a necromancer. The minds within the Xenarth Stone will ultimately try to influence the wielder, their malevolence will steer the wielder towards a dark path. But necromancers are immune to the effects of such evil influence; this forces the minds within to serve their new master…their new dwarven master.

In the Forlorn Hills they are met by four travellers. Mevik, a Nadir martial artist, Ellivin, a Muhaki warrior, Persidium, a thief, and Sakkarrim, an Eren sorcerer. Viscount Taymar hires them immediately as bodyguards and Malaras casts stoneskin on each and every member of the party (apart from Gatsol). At night Gatsol does not sleep, alone with his thoughts he sits at the highest vantage point above the camp to watch for danger. Shihan is never far away in the shadows. Despite the best efforts of the viscount there is still tension between the Bretonian and the elf.

Next day Malaras casts deep pockets through the stone and is surprised by the level of augmentation.

In the middle of the path they follow a single arrow is stuck in the ground one hundred yards away, the fletching marks it as elven and Gatsol brings the party to a stop, his keen eyes and experience know this is a trap. Malaras casts ESP and can sense hundreds of minds (though no Marraqs) – elven archers awaiting ambush. The dwarf immediately casts invisibility and blur on the entire party. Gatsol climbs the nearest ridge (Shihan follows him in the shadows) as the party carefully ride across the exposed ground.

Malaras polymorphs into a swift and flies up high around the ridges, he is able to spot many of the elves but realises that his spells have worked, the archers are not aware that the party trundle slowly towards safety.

Shihan is close to Gatsol. The Bretonian is expert at sneaking around but the assassin discovers another side of the musketeer. Gatsol mutters under his breath at regular intervals; Shihan realises that he talks to Snork – his long time friend – Shihan wonders whether Gatsol is losing his mind.

They reach the next valley and relax. Suddenly an arrow hits Taymar – who is at the head of the group – in the face. Astonishingly it bounces harmlessly away (stoneskin) and is quickly followed by two others. He wastes no time and spurs his horse at the lone elven scout. He opens up the elf’s stomach and the archer flees for his life under a barrage of attacks from the rest of the party. It is Taymar, however, that shoots the archer in the back of the head and slays him.

That night Malaras and Shihan climb up into a rope trick to talk privately. Whilst the rest of the party guard a shadow arrives. Viscount Taymar puts an arrow through it’s body but the creature is unharmed.

"I have a message from the emperor," the undead says. "There is an insurmountable force lying in wait to the east; head north to the lake."

Malaras climbs down from the rope trick. "Give the emperor a message from me, shadow. Tell him I am beginning to dislike certain elves."

A discussion about their journey takes the rest of the night. Eventually Taymar makes a decision; "We go south. Once we get onto the Nadir Plain we can cut east and get a ship into Myrid, it’s the last thing the elves will expect."

Viscount Taymar leads them south and east. With the elves concentrating their search to the north and in particular on the border with Myrid they move quickly unhindered. After a full day in the Forlorn Hills they encounter nothing. Malaras shadows the party as a swift and sees empty, barren hills for miles around.

On the top of one such hill they spot a ruin. Mevik, Ellivin and Persidium go up to investigate whilst Taymar and Gatsol cover from a few hundred yards away. It is a ruined Malkar temple. The three companions can see movement within so with weapons drawn they approach. On the ground they discover remnants of an altar and the remains of a pentacle. They also discover a cauldron that is still warm.

From the shadows comes a crone. An old woman who mutters curses and insults at them. Ellivin wastes no time and cracks her skull with a warhammer as Persidium kicks over the cauldron. Both Persidium and the martial artist Mevik keel over in agony. They vomit blood, insects and even rats all over the floor. Ellivin is unharmed but realises that the crone is alive once more! He stoves her head in a second time as Taymar pulls the two vomiting men out of the cursed temple. Immediately they recover.

Persidium hurls burning oil at the crone and – when she is ablaze – moves down into the crypt to explore further. Ellivin follows.

As the turmoil at the ruined temple takes everyone’s attention Shihan strikes. He grabs Gatsol’s neck and tries to break it instantly. Somehow Gatsol wriggles free and tries to bring the musket to bear but Shihan is lightning quick, his quarterstaff strikes time and time again at the struggling musketeer. Gatsol suffers many wounds from the dangerous staff; when his musket is disarmed he realises that the end is close. In desperation he tries to punch Shihan.

The assassin drops the staff and in one rapid, fluid motion catches Gatsol’s arm. Before the staff hits the ground he has already struck twice with the dagger, the second blow punctures the musketeer’s eye socket and the Bretonian is dead. Shihan efficiently searches the body, his main concern being the musket.

As he touches it, however, he feels a threat to his soul. Some unnameable force (probably demonic) tries to grab his soul. He drops the musket like it was hot metal. Viscount Taymar is more practical; he wraps the gun in a spare fur and places it safely over his shoulder.

Meanwhile Ellivin and Persidium are in the crypt. The find a secret compartment barely wide enough to get their arm through and nothing much else. Ellivin tests out the gap with his warhammer and discovers a howling wind beyond. With Persidium helping him he reaches with his hand into the maelstrom. Incredibly he can feel slimy fingers, a hand wanting to be saved. But Ellivin feels a ring on the finger in the maelstrom and – swiftly – he grabs it. The secret compartment grinds shut as Ellivin snatches his hand back.

He wastes no time in placing the mysterious ring on his finger…