This is the good life. The master is set up in Falcon Hollow’s finest room, surrounded by roasted duck and suckling pig. He was even given his very own cask to pour freely from. All at no cost for running off the kobold horde. Things aren’t so bad for me either. The master will never know that a cooked chicken or two didn’t make it to his room and even better I got to inspect the wenches for plague before allowing them in the masters’ bed. As a devoted servant I was…very thorough.

A full week of this was completely arranged while the master convalesced, and I crafted Darkroot’s limb into a new axe handle. At least it was before that holly siren knocked on our door. The whole lot of the those trouble makers filed into the room. The master in his drunken stupor thought they arrived to pay tribute for his heroic deeds against the kobolds. This was further cemented by the gift of a rare healing potion from Mr. Rowe, which healed his wounds completely. Then the siren Kara kissed the master in a way that would make an Argonite whore blush. I knew the guise of a Templar was false all along. Fearing wraith of the master the Mage bestowed a magical stone to Brond, which pleased him. Convinced that their request to see the Mistress of the Woods was for tribute, Brond immediately got ready to travel. By that of course I mean I dressed the master, packed our traveling gear, sought out fresh rations and poured the remainder of the cask into a pony keg, which I carried.

Shortly before dusk on our first day of travel we heard sobs from a young child. That always-moving elf darted into the woods and returned with a young girl no more then ten winters. She heralded a tale of abduction by the kobolds and of her escape. She spoke about a sacrifice of her fellow peers to occur in a few days time. The company decided to continue on to the Mistress and upon their return deal wtih the kobolds. Already past the point of no return the child would stay with us until returning to town. I had never seen the master around children, to my surprise he was quite gentile with the poor thing, but I’ll be damned if she’ll eat before me tonight.

After falling asleep to the old ghost stories Mr. Rowe was telling it shouldn’t have been a surprise I awoke to a nightmare. Three six-feet tall wolves leaped at us. The elf awake and already standing kept one at bay with his arrows, but not the other two. One attacked Kara and a second landed between Mr. Rowe, who was shielding the child, and the Elf.

Next the master rolled to his feet axe at the ready and struck the wolf biting at Kara. With a mighty blow sending it flying into a large rock. Taking advantage of the prone and confused creature Aranwe fired three quick arrows into it, finally stopping it. Then Mr. Rowe yelp out. I looked over and the young girl turned into a werewolf and howled causing the two remaining wolves to frenzy. They focused their undivided attention on the Elf. Meanwhile the Mage cast a spell at the one of the furry creatures. That got the attention of the werewolf who was barely held at bay by the mages’ staff. Brond went to the aide of the Mage, but even after a mighty swing her wounds began to heal.

With a loud thump my attention was brought back to the two dire wolves, one of which just pounced on Aranwe taking him to the ground. Kara and Mr. Rowe did all the could for him, but they were unrelenting. The master landed a powerful swing sending the werewolf flying, she began to frenzy and bit into the master’s shoulder, which turned him enraged. Mr. Rowe put down the last dire wolf, but all were wise enough not to get close to the wild and destructive melee generated by the two beasts. The werewolf nearly dead from Brond’s blows and the Mages’ magiks, the Elf finished it with a single arrow through the werewolf’s neck.

The next morning nearly dead Aranwe lead us out of camp and to the Mistress’ grove. Once again we entered the strange woman’s home. With the pony keg running low I was pleased the master once more was given that fine mead to drink. The master pledged my services to prepare refreshments, but the Mistress preferred Kara’s help. I don’t know what happened in that kitchen, but when they returned Kara pledged herself to the service of the Mistress. All were shocked, except the master who continued to be oblivious to anything not involving him. The fireballs kept coming when the Mistress told us that Mr. Rowe was not only infected by the plague, but that he has been hearing the voice of the shadow lord. To remove the taint he must perform five selfless acts. Mr. Rowe’s response to the Mistress showed me, this would never happen.

Despite Mr. Rowe’s insults the Mistress said she would help stop the plague as long as we vowed not to reveal her assistance. No one objected. The cure was handed over and the Elf was given some salves to heal his wounds. The master recited his heroic deeds against the kobolds and awaited tribute. To my surprise the Mistress played along and gave him a map to a secret well guarded by powerful foes. But once ever 50 years any single item placed with in would become magical.

Before our departure the Mistress told use that Asssha Guk and the Kobolds are going to sacrifice the stolen children to raise forth the demon Baal. This being beyond the ability of Kobolds, another dark force must be behind it. The same force that is seeking the blood of the divine. Which Kara admits to having used to posses but no longer. The Mistress pointed out that those who seek her may not know of her fall from Andraste’ grace. With the cure in hand we were instructed to follow the path out of the woods and we would be back in Falcon’s hollow.

The others set forth as the master and I…discussed research of the treasure map, while the Mage spoke privately with the Mistress. After following the trail for only moments we returned to Falcon’s Hallow. Now finally we can return to our six day plan of eating, drinking and wenching. I hope that cure doesn’t act too fast I’d hate to miss out on any further inspections.

What a day. We finally got back to town this morning. I never thought it would feel so good to smell the stink of unwashed bodies, overflowing sewers and the ripe undiluted smell of corruption. I wasn’t back in civilization for two minutes before I was approached by a voice from the past.

Turns out that I was not the only one who was on the trail of a cure to the plague; in fact, a cure has already been acquired and I will have it in my possession by the end of the day, assuming that we can protect the orphanage. Strange, in the past I would have likely helped to protect children anyway, but ever since I fought those darkspawn things have changed. I actually considered asking for additional coin to protect the little bastards. Strange… Anyway, my task was completed successfully. The Kobolds stood little chance against the Barbarian.

To be continued…

Narrative

A robed figure can be seen moving through a dark passageway. The only sounds are that of the travelers echoed footfalls, occasionally accompanied by the distant dripping of water and falling pebbles. The traveler leaves what can be seen as a large tunnel to enter a cavern the size of a large village. The traveler passes ancient statues and other structures moving with a strong sense of purpose.

Finally they pass through a large archway into a separate area. The stoned carved to look as a temple. Along the sides, set into large alcoves are are 6 towering relief statues curved from the stone walls. Of the 6 monoliths only 3 can be identified, the others features seem to have been worn smooth by time. Of the identifiable statues they are;

The Creator:
A male dwarf with one eye, one foot resting on an anvil. In his hands is a dwarven axehammer.
The Maker:
A male human with the sun in one hand and a shield in the other.
The Teacher:
Elven male in robes, bow and arrows on his back, open book clutched in his hand

A presence can be sensed from 3 of the statues as the traveler pulls back her hood revealing Urgathoa, the Witch of the Woods. A faint whisper is heard as the divine commune with her.

Urgathoa: Yes, I have heard your call so I have come.

The Creator: faint whisper…

Urgathoa: Yes, but for how long can you hold out… The dwarves and elves hold the shadow at bay true, but neither are winning that fight. The Dark Lord is ever patient, relishing in the lost of life his war brings.

The Maker: faint whisper…

Urgathoa: The child you sent me was not ready for the full presence of your betrothed. The shock of loosing that presence, even for that brief time, nearly drove her mad. Yet… there is a strength in her… but it must be her own if it is to fully grow.

The Teacher: faint whisper…

Urgathoa: No… it cannot be by direct will of the gods that dawn be returned, for there are places still that you cannot touch… and it is those places light must be restored. (sigh) My thoughts remain the same, the lands must unite to end this blight. As it was, so it must be again… the world needs hope… the world needs heroes… the world needs Wardens…

In town…

…the day starts early for Kára, she has suppressed her faith, and taken a more darker demeanor. Marching out of the shop with Aranwë and Nicodemus following at a distance. After a few stops she ends up at the Lumber Mill Inn marching right up stairs and kicking open Andrew Rowe’s door. There is a tense moment when the rogue fears the worst, that his dealings have been discovered. But years of training allowed him to keep a cool head, until he new exactly what she wanted. It became clear that his secret was still safe and she merely wanted him to track down the perpetrator… so that she could kill him. With a smile on his face he agreed.

It was a short time later that the rogue, after loosing a couple of young men following him, met with Wolf Claw at an abandoned warehouse just outside of town. In addition to getting his cure for distracting his companions, Wolf made him another deal. If Rowe helped him capture the paladin Kára, he would in turn ensure that the Antivan Crows knew that only Brond destroyed the Murder that was looking for him. He also knew Rowe had the Tear of the Moon and would help him find the Tear of the Sun. together they could find and split the treasure it is believed these two stones unlock. To seal this deal he also gave Rowe two healing draughts. Rare and expensive potion.

Agreeing, the rogue said he would deliver the Paladin within a few days at the place Wolf mentioned… an old burned out orphanage a few miles from town. He even managed to make it feel like Kára’s idea to show up without her companions when he pretended to come clean to her.

That done, the group made a brief stop to Brond. The barbarian was seriously injured from the battle the day before. After tribute was paid to him in the form of a kiss from Kára, a healing potion from Rowe and a glowing stone from Nicodemus they headed out to see The Witch of the Woods.

Along the way the found a lost girl, she claimed to have escaped the kolbolds which had stolen a number of children from town. Which the child seemed sweet, her true nature was revealed that night as dire wolves attack the camp and she transformed into a young werewolf. While victorious, Aranwë was injured very badly, while Brond’s battle rage lingered long after the Jeva was slain.

Once before Urgathoa, Kára further surprised everyone by being humble in Urgathoa’s presence. After a brief discussion the old woman gave a concentrated cure to Kára and a map to an enchanted pool to Brond. She also revealed that Andrew was tainted by the shadow, that it would corrupt his soul unless he did 5 completely unselfish tasks. Andrew’s response was less than polite.

Finally she spoke of an agent of the Dark Lord moving in these parts. That he is most likely behind the all the troubles. Also that 50 years ago the when the Kobolds last attacked they had been manipulated by another hoping to free the Demon Bael. She believes this may be the case again.

Knowing that time was precious the old woman had given them another gift, for as they stepped out of her clearing they appeared on forest edge over looking Falcon’s Hollow. Saving them a day to a day and a half of travel and avoiding other possible dangers in the woods.

With cure in hand, and town in sight spirits seemed to rise as the group moved towards Falcon’s Hollow.

Blackroot is dead, felled by the mightly blows of the imbecilic barbarian. I’m not sure why he
keeps that grubby little man around, (or why he stays, considering how he’s treated) but they
certainly make for interesting travel companions. I think the grubby one would steal the teeth out
of his mother’s head if there were a profit in it (and of course, Rowe would slay any of
us for 5 sovreigns).

But I digress. I’d love to study Blackroots remains, but the urgency of our errand precludes such
a study. Perhaps I’ll be able to come back and at least make observations on how the “Living Wood”
(as the druid calls it) is reclaiming the “Dead Wood”. If I ever make it to an academy of study,
I might turn my notes into a book on the subject of druidic magic…

Speaking of the druid, she claims that Greenbeard is leading us to see “her”, who seems to be some
local hedge witch. The druid and the elf (who stepped out of the trees like a ghost…I’ve really
got to get my hands on that acorn for study!) seem to hold her in some reverence, though it’s hard
to tell with either. I guess we’ll head this way…I’d not care to anger the treant…at least not
where any vines can reach my neck.

As we’re walking along through the woods (speaking of, I don’t know Andrew and Brond are going on
about, they’re quite quiet and conducive for study) and I was pondering some peculiarities of
Ranulf’s Third Postulate on energy lattice convergence, I hear some such nonsense about “where did
they go?”, as if someone could get lost in the woods with an elf and a druid around. I round the
bole of a large tree and….my magic disappears, completely. I look around, and see that we’ve
entered a large clearing…and the trees surrounding it have knotted themselves together so tightly
that escape appears impossible.

The girl goes wild, shouting Andraste this and goddess that, while I calmly begin probing the limits
of what must clearly be a very powerful spell. I’ve made no appreciable headway, when an…elven(?)
crone appears, and she’s by far the oldest member of that race that I’ve ever seen. I’m not sure
how old an elf has to be to actually look ancient, and I’m certainly not going to ask, but it
must be very old indeed.

When they notice her, the girl and (surprise, surprise) Andrew, immediately attack, as if such a one
could be harmed by their weapons…fools. I eye her warily and wait to see what she wants. There’s
more back and forth from the girl and Andrew….more Andraste’s might and protection…blah blah
blah…I wonder if the girls use of her name gives the goddess as much of a headache as it does me,
but no matter. At any rate, the result is that the girl and Andrew storm out of the clearing, and
the rest of us are invited in for tea.

Once we’re settled (with the morons exclaiming over how this is their favorite drink…ye gods they
act like they’ve never seen magic before)(though, to be fair, her magic is on a level far, far,
above mine), the Mistress of the woods (who I see now clearly deserves that title) speaks of trade
and asks us in her strangely compelling way about how we came to be here. The elf relates his
journey here from Arcania, and while this doesn’t completely surprise me, it does make me all the
angrier at his response every time the girl calls out “malefecar” and threatens to cleave me with
her goddess blessed blade. I hadn’t thought any of the Elder race would be so besotted with a pair
of (very nice, if I’m being honest) teats so as to lose all sense, but I guess there’s a first time
for everything.

We continue around the room, with everyone relating their stories, all the while the grubby little
man is cleaning out her cupboards. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she didn’t know what she was
getting into when she struck that deal with the barbarian, but she truly has little use for all such
things. I beseech a bit of knowledge from her, and she grants me a crystal. I can feel its power,
so I’m sure that it will grant me much wisdom, once I can plumb its secrets.

She reveals that Rat’s Tail is her personal code for the essence of Azur and confirms what the elf
told us about the location of Iron Bloom mushrooms. She offers to transport us there but, to the
surprise of no one, the girl ruins that plan; so we set off on foot towards the Dwarven monastery.

As we arrive, I’m contemplating the crystal…trying to divine a way to discover the secrets it
holds, when the elf calls out for us to arm ourself and runs for the corner of the building. I
don’t see anything at first, then notice some kobolds and begin striding forward, preparing spells
for battle. Whoa! The druid casts a spell and one of them (I suspect the one that’s inside
casting spells) calls out in Draconic for them to kill the one that cast the spell. Two of them
appear above the gate and take shots at me, one of which flies wide, and the other gets caught in my
robes.

There’s something not quite right about these kobolds…they’re acting far more ferociously than my
studies would have led me to believe. Perhaps they are corrupted by the darkness…I shall study
one of them if I get the chance. There aren’t many of them, and with the druid and I encasing them
and then taking them out, they don’t really stand a chance.

After the battle, we discover a drawing on the walls of the monastery, showing a large dragon head
breathing fire onto a small town (Falcon’s Hollow, perhaps?) and labeled “Asssshaguk”; which,
roughly translated, means “Chosen One”. With this and the elf’s exploration discovering large
numbers of kobolds moving through here, might indicate an attack on the town is imminent. Once we
find the mushrooms, we set out hurriedly back to the town.

Once we arrive at the town, we have some difficulty at the gate, but get inside without much
incident. The girl, the druid, the elf, and I head to the apothecary shop, while Andrew goes to
speak to the mayor and the barbarian heads to the inn. The girls aunt begins the process of brewing
the cure, and I agree to watch it over the night, so she can get some sleep. The night passes
uneventfully, but we are all surprised to hear the town bell start ringing. It sounds as though the
attack has begun! The elf runs off, while Chulik and I wait for the girl to don her armor.

Once she’s done, we head towards the sounds of the bell, which are coming from near the inn. When
we arrive, we see a dense fog, and a battle underway! Brond seems to be in the fog (at least, I
infer that from the bellowing coming from within), and the elf and Ordo(Ordo?!?) seem to be battling
some kobolds near the inn door. I fire a mystic bolt and the one nearest Ordo falls, when several
more rush out of the allies to either side! I flinch back, and reflexively summon up Duraz’s
Bulwark…a spell I’ve not cast since that last day at the Academy.

Thankfully, it forces the kobolds to divert around it, while Chulik summons vines around two of them
on her side of the street. I shred the first two around the wall with and set my back to the wall
before I’m surrounded. I block several blows, and frantically parry and strike as fast as I can
(let me take this time to offer my heartfelt thanks to Magistra Viola Tolriadin, your extra staff
drills kept me alive today….I hope you made it out of the Academy so I can thank you in person,
even though my knuckles hated your lessons at the time). I quickly fell the two I shredded, and
then encase one of those remaining. By this time, the battle is mostly done, and we finish off the
last few stragglers. I never got a chance to see this “Asssshaguk” the others speak of, but their
burns speak to his power.

We return to the apothecary, to find that the potion is spoiled and the reagents stolen…clearly
not the work of kobolds, even their shamans. As I pen this entry, I’m resting in the Lumber Mill
(I could have sworn it was lumber camp…ah well, no matter), with a heavy heart as I hear the
coughing of the plague infected. I hope we can replace the reagents soon enough to save them…

Ah finally we can rest, that foul treant Blackroot is no more and the souls of his victims no longer linger in these woods. The master is pleased at renaming the haunted woods to Brond’s woods. Well camp is set, food has been served, now it’s time to get some much needed sleep.

Curses the master awoke me and “asked” me to work on his new axe handle. Hmm, bruises are always worse in the morning when you awake. I wonder if my eye will still be swollen in the morning considering I won’t be sleeping tonight.

Why is the sun so bright this day? Thanks be to the master for giving me this swollen eye. It’s that much less sunlight I have to see. Where in the heavens is Chulik leading us now? The masters’ patience won’t last forever. He longs for good tavern.

Finally she is telling us…what, we are going to find the witch of the woods! No one finds her, witches find you and then feast on your heart and finish with your soul. Even the master doesn’t like this idea. On the bright side at least it’s another day of gold from Mr. Rowe. With all these sovereigns the master will never notice a few gone missing. What to buy…wooden teeth to replace the ones the master let lose when I failed him by serving him bacon when he asked for pig. Or I could buy a nice large figured-whore for the evening. Yes, yes journal, it’s no contest, the whore it will be.

By the gods’ that Elf Aranwe almost scared last nights’ stew out of me. Some one should but a bell on him, if he insists on coming out of nowhere like that. The master doesn’t seem to care that the Elf knows the location of a Dwarven Monastery, which should have Iron Bloom, an ingredient necessary to the black plague cure. Brond demands the elf hand over the acorn to show us the way out of these infernal woods. The elf hands it to him, but it does nothing. Chulik insists we are almost to the Witch and continues on.

Oh great our guides get too far ahead and leave us. We move faster to catch up and enter a clearing, yet the path behind us is gone, replaced with a wall of trees. Kara is very upset, something about not being in the maker’s presence any longer. She beings hacking at the trees, the master hefts his axe, about to help when out of nowhere the old elven witch appears. Appearing out of nowhere must be an elven trait. Stupid elves.

Wasting no time Mr. Rowe tosses a dagger at the witch and Kara charges her. Both are frozen in place. The master who hates magic, hesitates on whether to attack her or not. I pray he doesn’t, she feels powerful. I wonder how old an elf as to be to get that winkled?

The witch explains that no magic but hers works in her home and that attacking her isn’t the best first impression. Kara demands to be released. She and Mr. Rowe are allowed to leave. The rest of us are welcomed into her hut. Wow she must have minotaurs over often to explain the reason for such a large chair. It fits the master perfectly. Over tea she asks of everyone’s tale. I didn’t know both the elf and the wizard lost their kinsmen to the Shadow Lord’s minions. That must be why they treat me so poorly. They must be afraid of making new friends only to lose them.

They ask about the Rat-tail ingredient and discover it’s simple raw magic that the Wizard Nicodemus can provide. The master offers trade with the Witch, but for all her power she has no skill for trade, I fill my sacks with plenty of herbs, spices and dried fruits for the price of nothing. I guess no one can be great at everything.

After tea she tells the others that a darkness is coming and they will need each other if they wish to survive. I know this isn’t true the only one the master needs is me. I’m sure she meant the other’s need the master and I. Yes that makes more sense. The old witch offers her help in the future, but only if Kara can humble herself to ask for it.

As a boon the witch offers to send us right to the Dwarven Monastery, but only if all of us chose to go. Aranwe speaks to Kara and reports back. Apparently she declined, so now all of us will have to walk. Dam that girl, she’s as stubborn as a mule.

We leave the glade and find Kara and Mr. Rowe on a shinning white stead. Brond demands his horse. Knowing the only end to this would be a near death beating so I told the master that the Elf has them. I did so not out of malice to the elf, I knew he could out run the master in the woods and would be safe, probably.

The master angered that we must now walk, refuses to travel a step further watching another ride while he walks. With a whistle Kara sends her mount away. A slow day later we reach the Monastery. The Elf reports tracks of 60 or more kobolds having recently traveled towards Falcon’s perch.

The elf spots something and readies his bow. A moment later little creatures called kobolds attack us. The Druid entangles a few of the filthy things in strangling vines while the Wizard incases two bolters on the roof in stone. From the other side of the roof two bolters attack the master. He charges making an amazing leap to the ledge of the roof and quickly pulls himself up.

The elf and Kara kill a few more and Mr. Rowe climbs up to the roof. I can’t be sure but it looked like the elf shot at Mr. Rowe, only narrowly missing. Mean while the master taking pity on the puny creatures throws his axe to me, to guard and he begins to slay them with his bare hands. Once they can get through the magical barriers placed on the kobolds by the druid and wizards the last few are finally killed.

Aranwe finds the iron bloom with in the forge. The others convince Brond to return to town with them to battle the kobold hoard headed that way. They all believed Brond agreed for the glory, but I have a feeling this time it was for the ale.

When we finally return to Falcon’s Nest the gates are closed and the mayor has declared martial law due to the plague. We of course are let in. The master and I head to the tavern as the others return the cure ingredients to the herbalist woman.

Another day passes as the master drinks and feasts. Last night enough ale is left behind to get a few tastes myself. I suppose more then a few since I don’t remember what else I did that night. I did awake with a stray dog licking my bare bum in the alley. Maybe it’s best I don’t remember.

Just as I was enjoying watching a show held for the children at the tavern and getting a late breakfast ready for the master the town bells ring in alarm.. I got to the street with Mr. Rowe the same time as the master did.

A dense fog approaches, sounds of torn flesh and screaming townsfolk pierces through the mist. Mr. Rowe offers double gold if Brond defends the children inside the tavern. Aranwe arrives to help. Rowe and Brond charge into the mist. I can’t see much more then small shapes and the masters’ axe swinging about.

The elf’s arrows drop kobold bolters one after another then a half man half-dragon flies out of the mist landing in front of Aranwe. He calls himself Asssha Guk, the uniter of all seven kobold clans. Unshaken the elf attacks the dragon kin, he deflects the arrow with a wing and opens his mouth spewing forth a torrent of flame, nearly reaching all the way to me. I quickly move back as the elf narrowly dodges his flaming sword. A second flame burst proves too much for the elf and he goes down. Asssha Guk must have seen the small shapes in the mist get fewer and fewer, because he left the elf to be killed by two near by kobolds and returned into the mist.

While trying to sneak into the tavern the two kobolds about to kill the elf spot me. They must have thought was I was preparing to attack so they charged. The second one got a piece of my leather. Normally I would have run, but the entire town was over taken by these creatures. Nope, the only choice is to fight my way into the tavern. The elf was again back on his feet and fighting the Kobolds with me. Finally the one blocking the door is killed and I get inside.

From the window I see Kara, Chulik and Nickodemus arrive just in time as more kobolds come form the alleys. I am ashamed to admit it, but I was pleased to see them arrive, even the girl Kara.

Safe inside the tavern I took a moment to get food and drink at a table left abandoned. Just as I had three links of sausage in my mouth, wretched kobolds busted in through the back door and went for the children. The innkeeper and parents gave a hardy fight back to them, but in the end the numbers were too great. I did kill one kobold that was taking a bite out of a serving wench; he never knew what hit him. Stupid Kobolds. Finally Aranwe, Kara and Mr. Rowe burst in the door and chased after two kobolds running off with a little girl.

Looking back through the window the master was chopping through kobolds left and right. The druid has several trapped in her vines and for some reason a wall of earth was in the middle of the street. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t there a few minutes ago. A strange horn bellowed and the mist retreated back onto the river. And just like that the attack was over.

After tending to the master’s many many wounds, one of which was already patched by Mr. Rowe, I went to the Apothecary to replenish my ointments. The other where there staring at a knocked over cauldron. They said the cure for the plague was gone and so where the ingredients required to even make more.

Not that anyone asked my opinion, but it doesn’t sound like the work of kobolds. In my experience only men are so evil as to doom an entire town to a slow agonizing death like the plague.

Narrative

The view zooms in on the twisted glade of Blackroot as a robed figure is seen walking towards a large mound of fresh green vines. The vines colors are a stark contrast to the dead trees around it. The robe figure begins to incant with hands out stretched. With a quick motion he cuts his hand, allowing the blood to drip on the mound. The chanting continues until a gnarled and blackened sprout begins to grow. The chanting stops when it grows to about a foot tall. A face then appears on its stalk.

Blackroot: Master, you have not forsaken me. You again grant me new life.

Sinister: A life short life if I do not hear value from your words. Speak and determine your fate. (The green vines seems to be trying to entwine Blackroot but he is fighting them off)

Blackroot: The fleshlings were MUCH more powerful than you said master… the large humans blows struck like an avalanche and he was resistant to my life drain.

Sinister: Yes yes… That is Brond… a force of nature to be sure, but one I can handle. Speak of the others. The especially the mage.

Blackroot: There were two that cast magic, master (still struggling with vines but looking stronger as he drains the life from one of them).

Sinister: WHAT!!!

Blackroot: One I did not see but called forth lightening like a warden of the woods.

Sinister: Yes the mage, I expected him. But there was another?

Blackroot: (Looking even stronger, the vines stop attacking) A women in the metal of men called on the name of the human god and then hit me with the light of the divine. She also freed the souls that I had captured.

(with a bit of contempt) I thought only Izradors might was allowed to touch this realm master.

Sinister: (yelling) The only reason she even breathes is because she is no threat to Great Lord

(more calmly) and she never will be.

Blackroot: I’m sorry master, I did not mean to presume.

Sinister: You are sorry, but not unexpected so. (laughter) I had a feeling you would fail me so I already put another plan in motion. One that will end this fellowship for good.

Blackroot: Master I am already feeling stronger… give me a moon… no half a moon and I will hunt these woods for you again. I will…. Aarrrrgggh (painful cry as he erupts in flames)

Sinister: (Silently stares with a sadistic toothy grin until Blackroot is turned to ash)

The robed figure turns and leaves the pile of ash stepping out of view, the buzzing of flies can be heard moving away.

After getting some rest we travel through the forest but this time to see the mistress. I’m so very excited for my new friends to meet her. Except for the mean one … he really should have been entombed.

Anyway as we get close, Aranwë returns from his trek to the man village. He says the things have gotten worse with news of the sickness now known. Also that the leader of the village had died and his second had taken over the town. Still… this dark talk could not diminish my mood, but what happened next surely did.

The clearing of the Mistress is a secret place but in the mortal realm. Unlike Greenbeard who now lives in the blessed woods. The Mistress is older than the first tree. She is very wise and powerful. I could not believe how Kára and the mean responded. Shortly after they entered the clearing Kára began attacking the trees and then to my dismay the Mistress herself. Or at least she and the mean one tried to. Barely a step in the Mistress direction before they were frozen in place like a leaf in winter. I was so happy the Mistress simply let them leave… but was really sad Kára missed tea. I could tell the Mistress was sad too…

But the mistress still helped and told the group what rats tail was. A bit of essence of magic. hmmm glad Kára didn’t hear that part.

After the Mistress read everyone’s history she allowed them to continue on their journey to the old dwarven temple. There they found the mushrooms they sought, and the kolbolds they didn’t. The old ruins were over inhabited by a large group of kobolds. Only a handful remained and were defeated easily. But Scrawls on the walls told a terrible tale. That a dragon named Assshaguk was going to burn Falcon’s Hollow.

With this news the group traveled quickly to town to put the potion together and share the cure. The first night went as planned with the mean one heading off to warn the new mayor of the pending attack. I was surprised he volunteered for that. Brond and his toady went to eat and drink, while the rest stayed with the herbalist as she the prepared the mushrooms and moss. In 24hrs it would be ready to be cured in the holy light and the essence of magic.

But again fate was unkind, late morning the new mayor showed up to with two bodyguards asking a lot of questions and apparently aware that Kara traveled with a Mage and an Elf. Also that she was blessed by the Maker. He even had some details of the groups recent adventures. The group did their best to down play these tales abut where how these rumors started. Apparently it was the talk at the local tavern. Oddly, the mayor was not aware of the Kobold threat.

It was only a short time later when the town bells rang and the cries of attack could be heard. The Kobolds had arrived…

The fighting was fierce but mostly centered around the Lumber Mill Inn. There Brond, Ordo and the mean one, fought the first way of Kobolds and defending the children that were in the Inn for the Harvest End Festival (initially a ploy of the mayor to have the kids checked for plague sign). The mean one seemed intent to protect the children, offering to pay Brond even more gold if he kept the scales away. Perhaps I was wrong about him.

The battle was going well until Asssha Guk – the Dragonborn arrived. He nearly roastedAranwë to death and even cook Brond a bit. The group started to falter under the barrage of spell and flame. Fortunately Kára and the others arrived to help. The little green scales began to drop in great numbers when a horn sounded. Assshaguk seemed torn… but reluctantly called a retreat as he fly away in to the mist.

The battle was over, for now.

It was not until later, when the group (except Brond) returned to the Roots and Remedies to find Laurel unconscious on the floor, the simmering kettle overturned and the remaining regents missing.

Hope faltered as the group were at a loss as to how this could have happened. Nearly a week of effort to collect the regents, and now they are gone. Even Kára has renounced her faith.

With the plague itself no longer a secret and fear slowly gripping the town it seems truly a shadow has fallen over Falcon’s Hollow.

If only there was some clue…

Oh Andraste, why have you forsaken me?
You granted me a holy sword and your divine powers but told me nothing of this world.
I stayed with my herbalist Aunt even though she tried to practice watered-down magicks because I owed her that much for taking me in after I fled from my father’s plans for me.
As a mere peasant girl, with your Love, I was able to cure disease in the village but then I was forced to seek roots and arcane magical aid to cure this current pox. But I went along with it because I thought it was in your divine plan.
You show me what I thought was my True Calling, to go with Sebastian and fight armies of Darkspawn alongside a High Cleric, only to find that Fate farther out of reach.
I realize now that the power of the divine is truly not what it once was – that both Life and Arcane magic are now superior, that the world is changing – or perhaps the druid is right and this is the way it has always been. Where trees can hold Your Right Hand captive and an old witch can completely severe my tie with you …
Is it true by not taking her magical teleport that more in Falcon’s Hollow will die because of lost time? How can this be good and right?
You have shown me the future before; why did you not show me that the cure would be lost after we worked so hard to retrieve it and I guarded it for two days without rest?
I may be wrong, but I even suspect that there may be a completely mundane cure available somewhere, somehow.

Perhaps the failing is mine and not yours; after all, you are a Goddess.
In any case, I will leave my Templar armor and Freedom’s Call with Sister Leliana.
I will dress in tight leathers and wield a mundane bastard sword.
I will take with me a normal steed from town and ride as fast as I can to the dwarven structure to retrieve replacement iron bloom mushrooms while I will ask of Chulik to go back to Greenbeard and beg for more elder moss. I will tell her to promise the old tree that we will owe him yet another favor – one that I myself will repay if no one else seeks to return to those dreadful woods. Then, along with Nicodemus – yes, I use the mage’s true name now – we will have all the elements of the cure again but one. Perhaps you will channel your Love through Leliana or Sebastian? But it will not be through me. Never again through me. I will put my trust in the mundane things of this world – of flesh and of cold, hard steel. I will learn from the one true might which still exists in this world – I will watch him closely and ask him to train me and try to pattern my fighting style after The Barbarian.

For, hear me, Oh First Saint of the Maker – I am your paladin no more!

Forgive me, Andraste, for this time
My prayer to you, I will say in rhyme.
In honor of Greenbeard, the Elder tree
Who begged of us to hear his plea:
Take with us, Chulik, a pretty young guide
Whose knowledge of the forest, there was no need to hide

A clearing she found with a most perfect pool
But if you thought we were alone then you’d be a fool
Andrew and the mage, all they wanted was a bath
But instead invoked some corrupted nymph’s wrath.
Fighting underwater I’ve now learned to hate
Especially when wearing a full suit of plate.

Next came the vines and more than one ghost
All thanks to Blackroot, the worst kind of host
Hiding under his blanket, from Andrew’s eyes came a tear
But thanks to Andraste I had nothing to fear
The thief at first turned away from the light
But ultimately prayed and did what was right

The Fiend revealed, with bark the darkest of blacks
A solution Brond had in the form of his axe!
Two more components of the cure we must seek
With hearts that are pure and abilities at their peak
Aranwë, the elf, come back to us soon
Maker, keep my head clear, I will try not to swoon.

…so clearly my calculations show that the taint of these evil creatures is cleansed better by fire, as demonstrated by Shannon’s Third Anti-Contagiographic Theorem. I think the fire spells I’ve studied in conjunction with this should be sufficient to prove my conjectures. I’m a little hungry…let’s see if it’s time for a meal yet.

Hmmm, why are we in a cage surrounded by treants? I must have been deeper in thought than I realised. They’re saying something about us agreeing to kill “Blackroot”, whoever that is. Where did the elf go? Ah, their leader, Greenbeard has given us what we need in return for us slaying this Blackroot thing. Ah, they’re releasing us…and a figure is approaching, looks to be some kind of forest savage. Whoever she is, she seems to get on well with Greenbeard and the other treants, so perhaps she’s a nature priestess of some kind. As I recall from lecture they call themselves “druids” or some such. Her name appears to be Chulik. Perhaps I’ll get a chance to discuss the nature powers of the forest wardens with her…I’ve always been fascinated by the source of their magic, and we only had a couple come through on occasion at the Isle where I studied. Looks like the “merchant” Argyle Fitch has gotten himself in trouble again, but Chulik has managed to talk the treants into releasing him, so we’re on our way.

I must say this is the most pleasant walk I’ve ever had through the forest. It almost reminds me of the tended paths near the Isle, they’re so smooth and free from rocks and other debris. Perhaps the druid or the treant has something to do with this…if so they have great power. After we left the “Blessed Wood” and entered the “Living Wood” (whatever those are…they sound a little made up to me…though I must admit that the trail here is a bit more like I’d expect from the deep forest), the druid found us a beautiful campsite with plenty of space and a stream with a pool. I look forward to finally bathing…I think it’s been at least a month. Argyle immediately runs and jumps into the pool, fully clothed, of course. I setup my bedroll and follow him in, somewhat less exuberantly. I don’t think I’ve splashed around that much in the water since I was a child. Of course, that was before I had studied Thurfield’s Tractati Magicae Aquae, now all I see when I look at a stream like this are those damnable equations the magisters made us do over and over to calculate rate of flow…bah! Let me wash my robes.

Now to relax….wha? Giggling? Hmm…what are such beautiful nymphs doing out here….such soft skin…long silky hair….Andrew is talking about himself…he’s definitely not a nice person, as I suspected.

I come to myself and shake off their influence in time see that they’re draining Andrew of his vitality. Apparently they found me too skinny for their tastes…thank the gods for small favors. I shout out for help and since I’m in the water, conjure a magic missile on the nearest one, who turns from Andrew and hisses, looking almost reptilian, before she restores her masque. I scramble back out of the water, then one of them gestures and I’m swept back into the pool by a limb made out of water! I struggle a bit more with her, then I make my way out of the water. The gods crazed girl had come running up, but I don’t see her now…perhaps she’s in the water? One of the creatures is gone, but the one that was attacking me is about to get some attention from Brond, and just like that, the fight is over.

I don my loincloth again and walk back to the fire to thank Kára for her help in the pool. She holds her nightly prayer, and I’m surprised when the rogue doesn’t join in. He could certainly use her ministrations, for that I fear he’ll slit my throat for my last 10 gold, like he did his best friends. Everyone settles in for the night, since the druid is staying up to pray, I catch some sleep, until she’s asleep, then I start my watch.

After an hour or two, I go over near Kára and tell her that Andrew was in their clutches for some time, and truly does need her goddess’ help. We continue with a bit of theological discussion, and she seems surprised that I believe the power of the gods…as if I would doubt it.

I’m settling back in, when I notice some ghostly figures approaching. Despite some vines from the forest that enwraps us in their clutches, and some truly blood curdling howls from a couple of them, we manage to dispatch them fairly quickly…once we do the trees around us come alive with malevolent laughter! Apparently Blackroot dispatched these to “take care” of us. After some banter back and forth between him and Brond, we set off to face Blackroot, with the trees lighting our way, like will-o-wisps through the mist. I hope we don’t end up like their victims….[to be continued later]

Well there runs off the elf, carrying his herbs back to town. Good riddance can’t trust anyone who turns down perfectly good skunk pie. I wonder why Green Beard’s cage is still around us. I thought this was all settled. He is just standing there, he better have not fallen into some ancient slumber. The master will be furious if left in a cage, something to do with his childhood in Argon. Finally the roots retreat back into the earth as our freedom is returned to us. Greenbeard speaks again something about us needing additional help.

Obviously the old tree doesn’t know about my master. The old gods save us if we have to travel at the pace of a treant. No wait; it’s a woman, a handsome woman at that. The dreadlocked hair and the piercing in her lip, she reminds me of the Del’acka jungle women the master and I were captured by a year ago. I would have wished to stay longer if their queen did not get so upset when the master denied her marriage proposal, such fair times…Wait a moment, what is that fool merchant doing now. Oh curse a donkey he just insulted the old tree. Entombed! Did that woman just say Mr. Rowe was being entombed?

But with a might swing the master broke the root and Kara helped him out of the soil. Requiring no further encouragement we set forth to the Haunted Woods. Along the way another argument broke out between the paladin, the wizard and Mr. Rowe. Believing a fight would ensue the master demanded his chair.

Cruse these knots! But I managed to place the chair behind my master just in time. Then that little dragon appeared again, staring silently at Kara. It must dislike her as well; perhaps I won’t snatch it, snap its neck and cook it with carrots and star root…yet.

No blows were traded, but the master demanded the wizard change the dragon into a crow. To my surprise he did. Then just as I was getting my pack situated everyone just started going, I was 20 yards behind before I got the chair folded, stupid pin! I could have sworn the forest was closing in around me, but Ordo is too fast to become tree fertilizer.

For the benefit of our guide Chulhic the master commanded we stop for the night. With a nice pond near by the men decided to bathe. Wasting no time Mr. Rowe jumped in, clothes and all. He must have thought one of us would have stolen his clothes. His purse yes, but his clothes never…they don’t fit, I’ve already tried his boots and his extra pair of under clothes one night while he slept. I guess I’m just too much man.

The wizard went in while I started on my masters’ boots, all ways a painful process. It’s so much easier when he is passed out. The guide went off to pick berries. I heard the sound of giggling from the pond very strange, but the master is nearly ready, I should prepare as well. Just as I was loosening the strings on my trousers Kara fled into the woods, for berries as well I’d imagine.

A few moments later the wizard called out “Attack!”. At least that’s what it sounded like. Kara is running, yep must have been a cry for help. The master is confused. A lot of splashing and yelling is heard. Then Brond entrusts me to go and have a look. Halfway there I see the naked wizard scamper out of the pond and then a hand of water drags him back in. I hear Kara spouting some prayer to her goddess and then suddenly stops.

When I arrive I don’t see Kara, but scale-clad women are attacking the Wizard and Mr. Rowe. I run back to the master, out of breath and manage to get out the word’s snake women. By the time Brond jumps into the pond one is dead already. The master strikes the creature with his axe and surprisingly from below Kara runs it through with her sword.

After dinner I’m pleased to see Mr. Rowe grow tired of the prayer sessions and refuse Kara. Perhaps soon my master will as well. She tired to get me to pray again, but I made it clear, I serve only one master, I am no whore.

Late into the night the Wizard talking to Kara awakes me. Something about Mr. Rowe. I can’t make all of it out, but there is something wicked about Andrew. Nothing would surprise me now about that mysterious man. Between you and I journal, next to the master I fear Mr. Rowe the most.

Later I awake again, Kara has just awoken Chulhic and then I see them…ghosts of hanged men. They are coming for us. I wake the master but I am ready to avoid his trashing. With all my focused on my master I didn’t notice the moving vines, it grabs me and begins to tighten around my neck. Brond destroys two massive vines in a single swing. Two ghost let lose a terrible moan. An unnatural fear rolls down my back. I am frozen as the vines pull me towards the tree, where I am sure I will be hung like those ghosts. Then I freed as the master cleaves the vine. The ghosts seem invincible. At the most dire of moments Kara invokes the name of Andraste and banishes the ghosts.

Blackroot appears in the shadow of a tree, laughing at us. Brond fells the tree, but it just appears in another. Angered the master demands Blackroot show himself. The dark spirit agrees to show us the way to him. Already awake and upset the master begins marching. Chulhic speaks of a trap and Blackroot is strongest at night. She pleads we way till dawn. Both Brond and Kara refuse to be swayed, at least till a sickly Mr. Rowe asks for prayer and healing. The master refuses to wait, but is convinced to stay by Chulhic and wait for an audience to his glory. The master’s patients are renewed by Chulhic’s message. After what seems to be a painful prayer we set out again.

Everywhere I feel the spirits eyes on me. All is made worse when the path opens to a gnarled grove. I am certainly not one with nature, but even I could feel the pain of the forest here. The trees are decorated with hanged travelers and trappers. I hate to see a man hanged, that’s the worst. It’s so difficult to search their pockets.

The ground begins to shake from across the grove as a massive black barked tree up roots its self. Glowing blue eyes appear. It speaks of learning to eat the souls of treants and then men, but most recently it has accepted power from the dark lord.

The master tired of this long journey to free these haunted woods, told Blackroot he would be reduced to kindling feed our campfires. Then with a howl the master charges, Blackroot stepped forth to meet his charge, but then stops. He bellowed out four ghosts and commanded the vines to attack. This kept the others busy while the master fought Blackroot.

As the four were finishing up the vines and ghosts, the master was trading blow for blow with the giant tree. Eventually causing the giant creature to give ground to Brond. Finally surrounded he was over whelmed by Kara’s holy light, Chulhic’s lightning and the masters’ axe. It died cursing the Shadow Lord.

The master took a limb for the tree for me to fashion into a new axe handle. The woman who must be a druid covered the thing in fresh roots and called down a drizzle of rain.

Great two baths in a single day!