Journals of
Thorolf Redbeard Shieldbreaker of Clan Iron Tree

My name is Thorolf Redbeard Shield Breaker of the Clan Iron Tree, son of Norur the Smith, son of Ovur the One Eye Zun Smasher, son of Duor the Mighty Elf Slayer, son of Noro the Nimble, son of Dali Firehand, son of Fari, the Hammerer of Trolls, son of Balain, Ogre's Bane, son of Bazanthar King of the Lost City of Kiraz, son of Balak, Hunter of the Chaos Stone, and this is my story...

I was born in the Century of the Anvil, Decade of Oak, Year of Steel to Norur the Smith and Dalip the Healer in Dalip's Willow Steel Year (88th) as the last and final son. I have three older brothers, two older sisters, and four younger sisters. When I was in my Silvered Hickory Year, I entered an apprenticeship with Uncle Bolain the Armorer to the priests of Sarajin. I learned the trades of armoring and weaponsmithing from the greatest smith that ever lived.

When my apprenticeship was in it final year of study, my home clan's stronghold was attacked by the vile and hideous armies of the zun and their Agrikhan leader, Skull Biter. My family requested aid from the priests of Sarajin to assist in driving the zun back. I was hastily trained in the arts of the priesthood and war. We marched on the armies of the zun and encountered the vanguard of Skull Biter's army three days out from the Clan Iron Tree's stronghold. The battles were severe and deadly many of my companions and foes alike fell. During the seventh day of battle, our position was charged and over run by none other than the Zun Elite Guard led by Skull Biter himself.

I was knocked to the ground, wounded and dazed. When the confusion cleared, I was faced by that dreaded zun general, Skull Biter. Seeing my allies and friends lying all around and the wounded being butchered, I, without thought, charged and slew the despicable Skull Biter. I then hoisted his head to the heavens and shouted in triumph. The loss of their leader disheartened the Zun and they retreated leaving the stronghold of Clan Iron Tree to its defenders.

After the Battle of the Iron Blood Plain, I, Thorolf entered into the Martial Order to the God Sarajin, becoming a Forgelighter, since it was portend that I should, and I could never hope to accomplish the weaponsmithing skills or armoring of my forebearers. That is the story of my life prior to adventuring, and this is my life since.

I was released by the Forgelighter Primate to gain knowledge of the overland, it's dwellers and whether or not the Overlanders would assist us in our war with the zun. I made friends readily with the warrior pilferer, Rico Suave, Half Elven and his friend, Valerian Talon, warrior shek p'var of the gray elves, due to my generous nature and drinking skills. It seems these fighters of elven blood prefer to chase women than to fight the zun and others that would stand in their way. One of Rico's lady friends offered us a job to escort another elf and his box to the overworlder city of Thalspar.

We left the tavern where we met our employer. I am, from my first impressions, not impressed with him, he seems aloof and haughty, and the box seems a normal box excepting the noises emanating from within like a rat scratching on wood. There is one thing I can say about our traveling companions that is a benefit, the elves seem to create potions at will especially those that heal wounds.

During our first night we traveled the road north until we reached the first caravansary. We rested during the day as best we could considering that we were attacked by three humans. Now humans are on a whole a fairly trustworthy lot, but they are also capable of deeds that would rival the atrocities of the zun (at least from what I've witnessed thus far). Off the bodies of these dead humans we took a small fortune, one long sword of exceptional quality, and one long sword and a golden ring that I detected as having residual spell emanations. The magical long sword and the golden ring were left in the care of Rico since he seemed to have some ability to use the weapon and was the worst wounded of our group.

A side note about our Elven traveling companions, Jaelyn and her brother are spell flingers known as Jenzig. To the Overworlders, it seems these Jenzig wield considerable power. They are stingy with its use though, as they will not freely cast them to aid the party (without monetary compensation), for the protection of their own life, or that of their boss. I will give them this, they are more greedy than the greediest gnome and stingier than the stingiest dwarf. I not like these Jenzig except for the magical powers that they wield. If we could arrange a bargain with them, they could greatly assist in the reclaiming of Dalmalk and other Homeforges from the zun and their allies.

We arrived in the town of Velsha and have arranged for a place to stay the night. I asked the Holy Order of the Savoryans to determine if the fine long sword had any latent magical emanations of powers of the Way, unfortunately though the quality of the weapon is superb, it was never imbued with such powers.

The next day started out like any other. I prayed for guidance from Sarajin and went about my daily rituals of polishing my weapons and armor. I finished my devotions and found out that my cousin Nori from my mother's side of the family was in town. While I was eating my breakfast, Valerian approached me with the idea of stealing the box. I reprimanded him and suggested he never even think such a thing around me. I turned back to my breakfast. I was almost finished when a disturbance from up stairs told me it was time to stop eating.

As I went upstairs to investigate the noises and smells, I saw that the door to the room where our employer was lodging, had been burned and bashed in. Rico lay unconscious on the floor apparently the victim of the thief's attack. The box was now missing. Needless to say, our employer was not pleased. So, I contacted the Paladins of Larani to investigate the theft since I was out of my league.

The Paladins of Larani were unable to determine if the thief was still in the inn, but there were horse tracks in the dirt outside leading out of town. Luckily for us Nori was in town, since he is a Tracker. I asked the Paladins of Larani for a Writ of Search & Seizure to go after and retrieve the box, since the loss of the box doesn't show well on my reputation.

Nori left that night to follow the tracks to try to catch up to the thief. During the middle of the night, I was awakened by Nori's voice in my head needing help as he was under attack by zombies. It now appears that our thief is more than just a thief... but a Odivshe (necromancer) as well!!!

We left to follow the directions that Nori relayed to us. As we traveled to him, a quick battle ensued, and we defeated the zombies. Whereupon, we went back to the inn to finish the night out in comfort since Nori lost the track and it would be easier for him to regain it in the morning.

The following morning Nori picked up the track of the zombies and followed it through the day. We were heading towards the east and deeper into the Zun holdings. During the night, we were attacked by four greater zun that inflicted great damage on the party, but Nori and I being of the People were fighting in our element against our hated foes. Three great zun fell early and the fourth fled. Rico and I being the only ones standing made chase to keep the zun from reporting our position. Rico tried to follow as fast as he could and fell in a pit that the zun was able to leap over. Feeling that the zun was getting away, I asked Sarajin to make the zun "stop" allowing me to catch up. Charging the zun, I was eventually able to defeat the him, but was jumped by four more zombies laying in wait. Rico, Valerian and I were able to dispatch them after a taxing battle. Typical of the greater zun, their treasure was minimal. Nori continued to track the zombies the next morning until we came upon a wide major river. We decided to follow the river east towards the zun held areas.

We traveled for about half the daylight and encountered an elderly man on a barge of cattle heading for Biridazine and other points north of that to sell his cattle. We procured transport from him. During the three day trip to Biridazine, there was a stranger on the shore. Nori contacted with the Way to find out whether a person on a boat with a box and a strange crew had passed this way or not. He confirmed my suspicions, that indeed, the thief is traveling towards Biridazine.

We arrived in Biridazine without incident and landed on the docks. I found out the town law prohibited the carrying of large weapons without permission. So I went to the Larani paladins to gain permission for my companions and I to retain our weaponry. Upon the advice of the Larani guards, I also attempted to procure a room for myself and my companions.

It seems that Valerian came into some money somehow, so I am suspicious that possibly he might have had something to do with the theft of the box. My opinions are founded on the fact that he approached me with a plot to steal it, and is now able to pay his own debts, whereas not long ago he wasn't able to even buy his meager dinner for the evening. At this point I'm going to keep my suspicions to myself, my superiors, and this journal.

The evening we arrived in town to take a break from the road, Rico, Valerian and I decide to go down to the bar for some entertainment. Valerian and Rico, the gamblers that they are, found a man with a strange card game he called "The Deck of Chance". Valerian drew one card and was surrounded by a glow and a smallish box appeared at his side. At this time I noticed the strangers eyes seemed to change their colors right before our very eyes, clearly indicating this man was more than he appeared. Tempting fate, Rico drew three cards. On the first draw, his long sword (that he recently determined to be able steal a man's life force) disappeared. On the second draw, he drew the same card which produced no further results. On the third and final draw he (Rico) vanished.

Valerian and I were stunned. I asked my deity, Sarajin, if he knew where Rico had gone, but I received no reply. I asked the stranger where our friend had gone. He merely shrugged. But, he did offer to get him back for us, if we accepted a quest (that he guaranteed wouldn't violate my priestly principles). Once again in addition to owning such a deck and his eyes, his being able to return Rico and quest us bespoke his power (which must have its limits because he needed us). Upon Valerian & I accepting the quest, Rico reappeared still missing his sword. The quest is to bring down the Church of Agrik, nothing more nothing less. This leaves the quest wide open for interpretation, as long as we continue to hunt down and slay the followers of Agrik and to bring down his temples.

The next morning, we (Rico, Valerian, Nori, the Jenzig mages and myself) agreed that we had lost the box. Being no longer required to adventure together in search of the box, we parted company with Jaelyn and her brother at that point. I will remember not to cross Jenzig's in the future.

Looking for something to do, we noticed a flyer announcing a contest for adventurers. Valerian, Rico and I figured that this would be a grand idea to enter this contest to try and improve our monetary situation. We were informed, that the test consisted of ten tasks and would be awarded points on how many of the party completed the tasks. We entered and completed the tasks with a perfect score, winning four enchanted items, a longsword with wishes, a ring that easily identified liquids, a pouch that duplicates any non-enchanted/non-living items placed within, and a potion bottle that creates potions. We each also won a gold medal, a life time membership to the Biridazine adventurers guild, and a small gemstone trophy.

At the post-contest revel, Rico and Valerian, tried to pick up some ladies to celebrate the victory with. Well true to form, they obviously the picked the wrong two ladies since a brawl broke out. Somehow Nori and I ended up drug into it as well. Lucky for them that we did enter the brawl, since the main antagonist was a Priest of Agrik. Man, do they stink! This Agrikhan priest incited six other people near him to a berserk rage and attacked us. Unfortunately for the Agrikhan priest, he had picked on the wrong priest of Sarajin. I killed him and the other members of his party, with the help of Nori, Rico, Valerian, and a well timed spell from the Jenzigs Jaelyn and her brother. It would appear they decided to watch the competition and congratulate the winners.

Rico, used the first of the two wishes for the return of his sword and ring he lost to the cards. Then passed the Wishblade to Valerian for his use, since neither Nori or I can use the longsword.

The next day we bade Jaelyn and her brother (what is his name anyway?!?) yet another final farewell. We went to the Adventurers Guild to see what our membership entitled us to. We found that there is a bounty on all zun, a bounty of 25 dram per left ear. We decided to try to make some quick money and assist in our quest with the downfall of the Church of Agrik and kill some Zun. This would turn out to be a very large mistake, since even though we slew seven, we fell into an ambush in which Nori, Son of Dali, Son of Ovor, was slain.

After the battle we slunk back to town like a beaten stray dog. I brought Nori to the temple of Peoni in the hopes that the life that had been cut short might be restored. The priests of Peoni were not pious enough in their beliefs to be granted the abilities necessary to return life to the dead. This I do not hold against them. The death of Nori is my fault. This being the case, I took his body to the temple to Sarajin with the request that they transport his body back to my family crypt in the Iron Tree Clan's Stronghold to be buried with honor among our ancestors.

In an attempt to avenge Nori's death, I agreed to go with Rico and Valerian on a caravan escort job, escorting a cloth merchant, his daughter and wares from Tychuss to points north. Well, not even one day out and we were attacked by magic when the merchant and the other guards were on a rest break. All I remember from this attack is falling asleep and falling off of my horse. When I came to, the wagon and it's contents were afire. Hoping to save the majority of the contents of the wagon, I beseeched Sarajin to douse the flames with his holy water.

I saved most of the cloth and clothing, but it appeared that the bandits weren't interested in those. As the merchant discovered when he inventoried his belongings, his gem stones and his magical daggers were missing. Torlak thanked me by paying me in full, but I didn't feel right accepting his money. If I was more financially able I'd have turned him down. Rico and Valerian got into an argument with Torlak about their pay. Torlak originally wasn't going to pay them, but in the end he decided that they did earn one days pay.

After our botched job with Torlak we went back to Tychuss and tried to find another job, other than guarding caravans, and hunting zun. I told Valerian and Rico that I was going to go to my temple and they could meet me there later. They told me that they were going to go to the lia-kavair (thieves guild...) The lia-kavair? I know that Rico practices thievery, but I didn't actually think he used it against humans and the friendly races. I figured he used it for the advantages it bestowed in combat and scouting out the enemies of the good races of the world. And Valerian, he is a warrior mage! Of what use is a lia-kavair to him? Instead of going directly to the temple, I trailed them to the thieves guild. At least, I think it is the thieves guild, in so far as they had to wait outside this door in an alley while they talked to someone on the other side... These findings I brought to the attention of the local authorities and the paladin's of Larani. The Larani really weren't interested in this minor guild, since it was the in their words, "a victimless crime guild".

I don't like adventuring with Rico and Valerian, but I will continue to travel with them because I am not so sure now they are not responsible for the original box theft. If my theories are true, they will have to answer for their crimes to me.

After dealing with the Paladins of Larani, I finally went to the temple of Sarajin to see if I might be able to improve upon my current "preferred weapon". I was able to give them six crown and my original hammer for a strongly enchanted battle axe (a much more suitable Sarajin weapon). I also traded the newest spell that Sarajin granted me and the potion bottle I won for an enchanted suit of chainmail armor.

Rico and Valerian wouldn't remember anything if I didn't continue to remind them. They never came to the temple of Sarajin when they were done, and I didn't see them until the next morning at breakfast back at the inn. Back at the inn, they were discussing a new job notice they saw on the post outside. It asked for all adventurers willing to earn great pay for great risk. Well after the loss of Nori, I'm willing to take almost any risk to avenge him. The job is to recover an enchanted boat that travels across land as easily as it crosses water. Our new employer, Sulcar by name, is willing to give us twenty crown apiece to recover this item. He gave us a map and the promise that we could have whatever other treasures we found. Rico made a deal to procure Zun Killing Arrows from him since the boat was deep in the zun territory.

We left that very afternoon and made camp near the zun borderlands. Luckily our second trip to the border wasn't as hazardous as our first trip had been, when we lost Nori. That night passed without incident. We were trying to stealthily pass into the zun held lands, so I created a zone of silence around me to make our passage quiet. But no matter how quiet we are, a pit-fall trap will still be set off by passing over it.

Ambushed for the second time into zun lands. Rico got taken down by a poisoned dart while I was in the pit. Then the next thing I knew it hadn't happened, but I had memories of it... Then arrows started streaming into the group. The other two dropped. After healing Rico from his fall into the pit, I attempted to surprise the ambushers by asking Sarajin for his protection from this evil. I loaded both crossbows and played dead. The bandits looked over the edge of the pit and saw me "dead". They started to climb down and I opened fire on them, killing one and missing the other. The other obviously wasn't amused at the fact I tricked them and he tried to attack me. His short swords skidded off my new mail armor, and I dispatched him with one hit. I then climbed on top of my pony and using it like a ladder hopped out of the pit and charged toward the bandits in my view. There were three with short bows waiting for me to kill them. The target of my initial attack dropped under the ferocity of my charge.. then there were two. Instead of attacking me with their short swords, they used the arrows they had... Poison!!! No wonder why Valerian and Rico went down so easily. They do not have the heartiness of the dwarven ancestors in their blood. Then never even hit me, but instead were hit by their own comrades by arrows from behind me. I quickly dispatched these two enemies and turned to attack the new ones. I charged into their mass again, but not before Valerian and Rico awoke. They attacked with missile fire of their own... Ho!!! They are not dead!! At least not yet. The three of us made quick work of the remaining bandits.

For our troubles we looted the bodies and tossed them into their pit. The pit that they'd have had used as our graves, now it is theirs... Nori, these bandits are for you!

The next day started the continuation of the avenging of the death of Nori. We continued to go after the "Boat" for our employer venturing deeper into zun territory. We traversed through thick almost virgin timber. About midday, Rico needed to hunt for his lunch and shot a rabbit. He went to retrieve his game, but took an overly excessive amount of time returning. So Valerian and I went in search of him.

What we encountered was an abomination... a tree was trying to eat him. I scanned the foliage to try to determine exactly what we were pitted against, but Valerian immediately found himself under attack. I went to assist Rico since he didn't seem to be faring so well (and was much nearer the creature's gaping maw). Valerian is a loose cannon that I'm glad is on my side. His spells do some very strange things, like digging pits and as a result of what he calls "surges". I only hope that these surges don't sputter out when we really need them. We killed this "tree" and upon closer inspection it would seem to be a wooden cousin to the Roper or Storoper (more commonly found in the wilder nether regions of our world) of the sages texts. Rico and Valerian had taken many wounds, but none so sever that they couldn't continue traveling. Valerian received the brunt of it's attacks. Rico must have had some protection from the attacks of the "tree roper" because after all the crushing, he was thrown better than fifty feet in the air and could still ride a horse.

After riding out the day, we made camp and I created the nights dinner. An exceptionally good fare, if I do say so myself. It appeared that Sarajin was very pleased by my activities since the food wasn't the standard fair of tasteless food that disappears at the end of the day. It survived a second day before disappearing. As Valerian was on guard and reviewing his spells, we were attacked (or should I say, he was attacked) by six zun and one zun shaman. These lowly zun initiated combat by throwing a fiery potion at Valerian which set his spellbook afire. He deftly doused the flames with my help. I killed my first opponent and moved against the shaman. Valerian and I must've been thinking the same thing because we slew him with two very well placed blows. Rico slew his opponent and the rest fled at his request.

We stacked the dead after searching them. Valerian found a scroll with zun words inscribed upon it. I'll not touch it. Rico found some money and weapons. I took all the weapons that we had taken off of the dead bandits and zun. I wrapped them in a bandit's suit of leather armor and slashed them in a bundle on my pony.

We finished off the night and I regained Sarajin's blessings for the next day. Riding point, I encountered a group of three large zun drinking at a stream in front of us. Rico and Valerian attempted to slay them with Rico's special zun arrows received from Sulcar. One went down on the first shot, then another from other arrows. The third went up the bank and attempted to hide in the woods all the while shouting for someone that wouldn't appear. Valerian has the guts of a Battle Rager. He walked out of the bushes and hurled vile insults at the zun in its native language. Which nearly made me blush!

The zun seeing a lone elf must've thought him an easy mark, because he quickly charged from the woods to engage him. Not so, Valerian dealt him a great blow. His horse was not so lucky. The zun laid it open with a crushing blow. How that horse stood was nothing short of a miracle (from Sarajin, of course). Seeing that Valerian might've bitten off more than he could chew, Rico and I entered the fray. With teamwork, we slew the zun, but much to our chagrin, a human shek p'var was lurking among the trees. Waiting for us to dispatch his hairy and stupid friend (and consequently gather into a common area before he opened up with a blast of fire). Rico and Valerian to suffered massive damage. Valerian being hurt held back, while Rico and I went to give the mage what for. Valerian attempted to embattle our foe in a dual of dweomers. Rico and I, with very well placed blows, ended his miserable existence. Eventually the armor from the zun cooled sufficiently to the point where we could search the bodies. Not much in the way of wealth other than the superior quality of the chainmail they had on them. Rico found a magical anklet on the mage as well as a scroll (similar to the last one) that Valerian took. I took the ears from the zun. Seven less zun in the world to terrorize the good people, and seven more down on the way to toppling the Church of Agrik....

The next day things took a turn for the worse, we were jumped as the sun arose and we were breaking camp. Least zun with poisoned blowgun darts took Valerian and Rico out of the action immediately, while the peppered me with the darts, ahh the Blood of the Dwarven ancestors ran strong in my veins allowing me to slice one of the zun from crotch to crop as Valerian is so fond of saying, but then the true measure of the toxins took effect and down I went.

I awoke to find myself and my companions trussed up like a deer headed for the stew pot without a stitch of clothing or gear on or about my person. Quickly and surreptitiously looking around noticed that we appeared to all still be alive and bound on a raft of some sort with Valerian on my right and Rico on my left. Valerian awoke and started struggling against the bonds that held him captive, being weaker in strength than I he wasn't able to break free and since I was tied better than my compatriots neither was I. After Valerian and I got kicked a few times, I whispered to him to let me try to break free first before he tried anything else since I should be able to get loose before him.

When I broke free he didn't try to break free, instead he cast a spell that put all the zun on our raft to sleep. Then I felt a sickening lurch... we weren't floating on a river... we were flying or rather FALLING!!!! As the raft raced toward the ground, Valerian cast another spell and I grabbed onto him and Rico to ensure any fate that Valerian had was shared equally by all three. We started floating towards the ground and watched the other raft (yes, there was a second raft and by the looks of it they have all our gear and items) fly away towards a mountain peak!?! A Mountain! Here on the plate? That's not possible there are no mountains on the plate only small hills. Me thinks we aren't at home anymore... we after safely landing and surveying the surroundings we definitely aren't on the plateau. But some other place, the trees and flowers even the grasses were alien. Looking around on the dead zun, we came up with brass bits, one short sword, one spear, two broken spears, an enchanted ring as well as two scrolls, one for Valerian and one for myself.

Reading one of the scroll sections Valerian created a raft and the recovered ring caused the raft to lurch and rise into the air. Ah-ha, we might yet catch those thieving zun!!! Using the spells granted me by my piety, I caused the trees which were blocking the raft from rising out of the forest to make a clearing and we were safely on our way.

After traveling for about a day at tree top level we decided to make a camp and sleep through the night. Luckily nothing happened to us that night or I'd probably not be able to continue this journal. Valerian tried to make the raft rise again so we could resume our trip, but to no avail. So, he gave me the ring and bid me to try my best. Well it did as I'd hoped, and we soon resumed flight in search of those zun thieves.

After about two hours of flying at tree top level one of the trees reached up and attacked the raft!!!! Well when that happened, I lost control of the raft and it started to go towards the ground. Fearing we would have to fight another carnivorous tree with only the meager weapons at our disposal, I used one of the sections on my scroll and to summon a large wall of fire to engulf the tree and thus, allowing us to escape. Out of the fire and into the Abyss!!! Ahead lay the second largest zun encampment I've ever had the misfortune to encounter, and us poorly armed. There were what appeared to be at least a thousand zun with roughly twenty greater zun and Agrikhan priests.

Hoping to infiltrate the encampment Valerian used another section of his scroll and made us all invisible, but we had to stay close to him or the spell would malfunction. We went into the camp of our enemies and ran into trolls, least zun, true zun, a strange large man with no visible body hair and skin of a reddish hue, and this beautiful raven-haired human, but were unable to find our belongings. Hoping that I could bring the raven-haired beauty under my charm, I asked Sarajin to grant the ability unto me, but failed to sway her. On the second attempt she was alerted to my presence and summoned the guards. Thinking fast, I attempted to tackle her and missed and fell flat on my face. She picked me up with surprising strength and gave me the sweetest kiss I've ever had.

My memories for the next few minutes were clouded. All I remember is she was insistent about information concerning my friends. When it appeared she would get no information from me she called some of the zun over to take me to my "quarters" for the evening. All I wanted to do was stay with her. Oh well... The zun brought me to this tent with a large metal post and manacle in it and locked me up... some "quarters" these were. So much for "zun" hospitality.

Within minutes, Rico and Valerian are unlocking me but I'm visible so we can't continue to search the encampment. Rico leaves and a few minutes later returns with two more short swords, a spear, leather armor, and a buckler shield for me. We attempted to act like a guard patrol and leave the encampment.

The next week and a half we surveyed the encampment and I attempt to gain access to a spell I'd only heard of from more pious priests. I was unable to get the spell to locate the items stolen from us by the zun. Thinking possibly that the items were in the large central tent with a stone slab in it, Valerian still having the benefit of invisibility went and scouted it out. For a shek p'var he is a good thief. He came back a few hours later with descriptions of the antiquated runes written on the face of the stone vault(?).

We formulated a plan. That night at dusk we reinfiltrated the camp in the guise of a returning patrol that had an unsuccessfully hunt for supper. We went and relieved the guards on the tent with the vault... Trolls!!!! Well known for their endurance in combat and their sense of smell, but not for intelligence, they never suspected our mastery of the zun language!!! The stupid trolls fell for it and we commenced to examining the stones.

Yes, they had runes on them, ones I've only seen in smatterings during my religious instruction back when I was an acolyte still dreaming of the First Circle. I was able to determine that the runes related to ancient elves, some other nonsense and of Sullnor (an unpopular mythical afterlife)!... when I finally figured out the sullnor rune and started to pronounce the rune the slabs started to silently slide open revealing stairs leading down into the depths. Hoping these stairs would lead to a place I had envisioned in my dreams, we proceeded down.

I digress for a moment, in my dreams I saw fifteen or twenty sarcophagi filled with warriors and their afterlife trappings in a large stone chamber, perhaps a large family crypt. I knew the one man to the right a few from center was me, or rather not me but who I was in the dream and that I was not dead. There was no way to tell if I was underground or not because the man I felt to be me was an overworlder. Though the place obviously had a caretaker because of the visible light sources. What use does the dead have for light?

We traveled for about half a days light down until we came to an end of the stairs many thousands of feet below the surface and at this depth I was beginning to develop a headache. We traveled along the passageway until we came to more stairs leading up again and we followed them. I was beginning to feel a little apprehensive, because we were below the forbidden depth, the depth that all dwarves know is to spell personal and quite possibly racial ruin. We only went up again for about one third of a days light and it ended at another similar stone.

Pronouncing the rune sullnor, this slab also slid open and reveled a room with stairs leading up and down across from each other. The up set led to a room with nothing in it, but the down set led to a stone that looked like a human grave marker. Nothing in these rooms radiated any dweomers and my headache began to slowly subside. Looking above the seal-slab I noticed a airduct leading up and a faint breeze seemed to emanate from the duct. Using the Way I went back to the headstone and tried to communicate with it... a large tall black rectangle appeared on its surface as if an open doorway into a pitch-black room... it's imbued with powers of the Way!

I asked it to show me our items. Nothing happened. In frustration, I touched the black surface of the stone and my hand passed through! I stepped into the stone thinking of the crypt I had envisioned (though I could not clearly remember any details of the place), hoping that maybe it was a gate... to no avail. I then decided to try a place I had just been, the room with the rune stone and whoosh I was there. My suspicions were confirmed it is a means of teleporting! Valerian went back to the stone sealing slab and tried to communicate the desire to rise through the tube. Whoopee!!!! It worked, he started to rise. After he got to the top Rico went, followed by myself.

Topside we found ourselves in a bare stone building with a circular opening to the stars. The stone construction here was identical to below, a seamless dark marble with no discernible chisel marks. This place, thought impossible, looked to be a natural construction or possibly the handiwork of the gods. Though apparently non-magical, we all sensed a feeling of peace and security that we have not felt in many days. Outside the building we found it was domed and the granite dome was clear when viewed from within.

We determined we were most likely in the eastern portion of the plate. Traveling west, we hoped we would get home. We traveled west for one day and encountered a small patrol of zun. Knowing we were outnumbered if we stayed, we quickly slew those we could and fled. We continued our westward trek until we hit a trap and whereupon we decided to change our path slightly. Apparently we lost any zun that were trying to track us.

The next morning encountered a jaguar in a tree. We still possessed only meager equipment and supplies, so I asked Sarajin to relay friendly overtures to the jaguar. Hopefully we wouldn't have to fight it and die this close to friendly territory, but might be able to turn this to our advantage. It worked. I now have a companion that I'm going to teach a few useful tasks. I shall call him Swartzunak, meaning Black Bane of Zun.

We continued homeward with our new companion and a few hours later we heard noises in the words ahead of us. Valerian and Rico went to the left to flank and I went up to Blackie to hopefully get the drop on whomever would be in these woods this far east. Well apparently we weren't as far east as we thought. Elves!!! It was a hunting party for the nearest elven village. They were cautious of us (with good reason), but after confirming that we were not in league with zun (it appeared so, since we were outfitted as zun) they dispatched a small detachment to take us to their village.

Their village Ty'karalis was like a great hedge made from living trees encircling the entire village. They had a distinct shortage of metal and many other niceties, but despite this we proceeded to get reoutfitted in a more civilized manner. The entire village would stare and gawk at Valerian wherever he went. Evidently his artsy sword dancing is viewed as a living legend here. It is a shame he cannot spend more time here schooling others in his craft. As part of their trade agreement for supplies, Rico and Valerian accompanied a patrol whose duty is to stop any excursions of zun into their lands. The village elder and I seemed to hit it off remarkably well, I think I have found a lifelong friend in him even if we weren't working out trade agreements. In the end, I arranged diplomatic treaties between the Elves of Ty'karalis and the People of Clan Iron Tree so that weapons and raw materials could be exchanged to enhance both our peoples ability to stave off the eastern zun hordes. When I wasn't in the negotiations, I was working on forging a great axe to temporarily replace Glarzunak the Axe that was stolen from me by the foul and cowardly zun.

After about three days, Rico and Valerian returned from the patrol with Glarzunak and all the rest of my items. They had apparently gone back and retrieved all our items!! I am in the debt to Rico for returning Glar. Rico at this point told me that Valerian was acting funny and extremely covetous of some worthless gemstone. Fearing foul magicks were afoot, I went with him to see him in the hopes of countering any corrupting magicks. I am ashamed to admit this, but I did have to use a slight bit of trickery on Valerian in order to aid him. I told him he looked hurt and I asked him if I could heal him. He accepted and I attempted to remove any curses controlling his actions. Since then his condition seems to have improved.

His normal greedy yet noncovetous look is a welcome sight to the other. Despite the change I shall remain vigilant to his mental health. Later, he then told me that it he felt an overpowering urge to possess the gem itself, so I asked him if he felt the gem needed to be destroyed. His only response was to hand over the stone tightly secured in a pouch so that no one else could fall under it's sway. I took it to the forge and smashed the accursed item. I could feel Sarajin's approval upon me as I left the anvil. With that we again set out for Tychuss to relay the information we've learned and hopefully to get some answers to these recent events.

After about two hours out of Ty'karalis we encountered some very large and ferocious bears. I attempted to avoid combat by speaking with them to determine exactly why they were attacking us. It appears we violated their territory and they want us dead. There was no reasoning with them so they had to die. Once again I save my party members from a fate worse than death... becoming Lunch!

We continued our westward trek and didn't get too far when we are attacked by giant wasps which poisoned Rico and Swartzunak. After Valerian and I finished off the two that were attacking, we heard more approaching from the south. I prayed for our paths to be hidden and we picking up our companions and ran as fast and as far as we could. It's not right to meaninglessly slay forest creatures. After a scant few more hours, we all heard singing coming from somewhere behind us as well as the buzzing of the ever present wasps. Valerian appeared enamoured by the singing so I mystically bound him and physically dragged him along. When Valerian finally snapped out it and came to his senses, we made camp for the night.

Shortly thereafter, Valerian on first watch studying his spells was to find out he was not the only one awake. Out of nowhere a huge stone came crashing squarely down on Valerian. A more perfect shot could not be made. Indeed, it almost crushed him. Seeing that he was still barely alive, I dropped my backpack within his reach with the instructions to drink of the Peonian Elixir in the hopes that he would benefit from the Peoni blessings. Ahhhh... the enjoyment of slaying Giants... it's been many years since I've seen, let alone fought against giants. This made me feel young again. Needless to say, the giants were no match for one of the People. If only Nori was here we would have had fun bringing these giants to their sure doom. After slaying the giants we went back to our camp and tried to get some sleep. Rico and Valerian weren't themselves in that last combat. They almost seemed to be performing some dark comedy of melee errors, Rico throwing away his weapon yet again, and Valerian buffeting at the Bear to no effect. Too pitiful to look at. But then again, I was having too much fun killing giants to really take notice during the fray.

Then when it was Rico's watch. Rico heard someone rustling through the trees and drawing near. He awoke us and bade us make ready for an attack and stealthily slipped into the wood trying to circle behind our attacker in hopes he would get the drop on them. She... yes she, approached our camp. A very beautiful and alluring young woman of indeterminate race, but something didn't feel right, she was EVIL and meant us harm! Screaming my battle cry I rushed her and dealt her a mighty blow. The image wavered and we were able to see what she truly was, a medusa! Of all the things in my life that I fought this was the most challenging, but being of true faith in Sarajin he guided my Axe and Rico's sword to slay her. Hacking off her head and placing it in one of my large sacks we decided it was then safe to search her body. She had only a small hunting knife that I kept. Now that the battle was over and the spoils collected I went in search of Swartzunak and sadly found him, dead, poisoned off in the trees. He was a true friend and I mourn his loss. I buried him and went looking for Valerian, and found instead a Valerian of Stone. It appears that Valerian had met the gaze of the medusa and was petrified.

Rico regretfully retrieved the sword Valerian acquired from Ty'karalis, which evidently housed a rather bitter water djinn. Without any other recourse and after a heated bargaining session, Rico asked the sword to restore Valerian. In the blink of an eye, Valerian was back to normal and whole again.

Setting out for Tychuss again we encountered a group of dogfaced humanoids known to the People as gnolls. Remembering that I still had a zun fire potion left I hurled it at the lead gnoll and it exploded wiping them out. Remembering back to Ty'karalis when Rico returned my equipment, he showed me some more things he recovered, among them were two gemstones. One of which Valerian said had some type of Summoning ability... Summoning!!! A constant uncontrollable stone of monster summoning... That's why we were constantly being attacked! Ah the insights are now starting to come to me. After Rico put it away we continued uneventfully back to Tychuss and made the city gates without further incident.

Once in Tychuss, we returned to our normal rooms for the next few days to rest and recuperate. I then went in search of a way to trade a zun scroll of life restoral that we took off of our former captors. Going to the temple of Save K'nor I relayed all the information of the stone domed building, the other side, the encampments, the suspected properties of the headstone, and the rest of the areas that we encountered as "guests of the zun". I also informed him of the apparent strengths and weaknesses of the encampment and described as best as I could the human mages and Agrikhan priests we saw. He seemed very disturbed by the news of the raven-haired lady that kissed me. He pulled a large dusty tome twice the Age of People off the shelf and showed me a sketch of her. Yes that was her, he then went on to inform me that this "lady" has been around for at least an elves age, maybe more, and that wherever she appears death and destruction are sure to follow. In exchange for all this information about the other side of the stone slabs (since none of the Savoryans with all their abilities and knowledge were unable to cross to the other side), he gave me a map to a place which holds a bath that is said to give a bather enhanced wisdom and foresight, and 10 Gold Crowns. This information was priceless and I feel that they got the best end of the deal.

The next morning I dutifully went to the Barracks of Sarajin and made my devotions and petitioned for an audience with the High General of the Temple. Upon receiving my audience, I relayed all the information I had given the Savoryans and also the layout and apparent defenses of the Encampment of the Slab. I then produced the scroll from the dead zun, knowing that it contained mystical and sacred spells that are not normally granted to the Warriors of Sarajin (and I knew we would someday need these spells) and offered to trade the scroll for better armor, a mystical two-handed battle-ax, my due tithes, a promotion in the Order of Sarajin, and access my friend Rico to barter with the armory for improved weapons and protections. My debt to Rico is now paid in full! And my temple never ceases to amaze me... they provided me with chameleon armor for use in the native environs of the forest and tunnels and an axe. The axe was more than I expected, it was crafted by the hand of Sarajin himself as a relic version of his own axe, I am truly a favoured of Sarajin now.

The next morning Rico and Valerian were anxious to gather up our things and get underway to recover the magical boat, I seem to be missing things and where did this axe come from, looking through my journal I notice that a few pages are ripped out!!!

Ripped out I never rip pages out I just try to salvage them as best as possible and go on... but ripped out... I go downstairs to talk to the inn keeper and it's not the same one it's not even the same inn this one is ran by a Dwarf named Grimdal one eye of Clan Icingdeath, and he says we are partners in this Inn... I don't remember entering into any partnership, but I do recall being his partner.

I go talk to Rico and Valerian to see if maybe they can tell me where I got this fine 2 handed Axe and this splendid armor at. They have no recollection either and Rico has weapons and bracers that he doesn't recall getting. Hoping that maybe I could get some understanding of all this I go to the Barracks of Sarajin and ask around about this Axe and armor and if they remember where I might have left my Axe at. They were of no help they kept referring to some scroll that I had and traded for.

Oh well it seems like a good trade I just wish I could remember doing it. Rubbing my head in confusion I finally noticed the Three sets of Crossed Battle-axes denoting my rank of Axemaster of Sarajin I thought I was only an Axeweilder. I guess I am more favoured than I thought. Ow my head hurt at this time, hoping for some answers I go talk to my Savoryan Way Master!?? Since when am I friends with a Master of the Way? Let alone a Savoryan. I told him that I needed some one to open up my mind and to see if there was any damage causing these lapses in my memory. He didn't know anyone who could do this for me but would look around, he then told me I didn't have any memory losses here yesterday when I asked to have him look into getting a similar treatment for Rico's memory loss.

Rico had lost memories too it seemed... Time to try to back track... Rico says that he doesn't recall meeting with people that he knows and he went to ask them for any insight. After he checks with his friends and we try our best to determine where and when we might have lost any memories it's come down to the fact that it happened after I visited Ali'zam Barim of the Way from the Temple of Save K'nor. Save K'nor... The Lord of Knowledge and secrets, he or one of his devout might be behind this. Time to go pay a visit to their temple during one of the Services they have. Rico and Valerian decided to tag along, and frankly I'm glad they did it wouldn't be too hard for someone to come along and confuse me even more, and possibly take advantage of me.

Well, we arrived at the temple just as service were getting underway... Way... Grinning I decided to try to use what little bit of the way I have. Using my ability to the best effect I know I open my mind and poured it out. Well it seems that this was disruptive of their service since one of the Priests came right up to me and told me that I was disrupting his service and would I please come talk to him in the hallway. Sure what did I have to loose except possibly more memories. When we got to the hall he informed me that my actions were extremely disruptive and if I didn't want to be banned from ever entering his temple in the future again I was to refrain from using that ability ever in the temple. I explained to him that I was hoping to get some enlightenment and not being a member of the clergy of his church I knew that the Temple of Save K'nor also was a haven and place of contemplation for Users of the Way, and that I had a feeling that my friends and I lost memories and it possible could he find some way to figure out whether I had or not actually lost memories.

He said he didn't know of anything that could restore memories if they were blocked off from a my access, and that may I should contemplate it here in the House of Knowledge for a while, I informed Rico and Valerian that I would be here for 24 hours or until my memories came back. I got my memories back and I can feel that I know I'm still missing something, but a Deal is a Deal and Save K'nor is an entity not to be trifled with he may not be as prevalent as Sarajin or as dreaded as Agrik, but knowledge is as true a power in the multiverse as any other.

After getting my memories back I went back to Rico and Valerian... they will never learn I returned 36 hours after they left me... Their memory must still be affected... I suggested to Rico that he go to the temple and pray for insight and to make a donation, with that I sent him out the door with eight gold crowns with the instructions to bring me change.

Ithen rewrote the journal to put it into the proper order and this is the re write of it.

Valerian refused to go to the House of Knowledge, he is too proud to pray, let alone actually worship a entity of not of his people. Well now that our memories are back Rico and I figured we might be able to help Valerian indirectly by having him bathe in the Pool of Ages that the Savoryans told me of. We arranged with Grimdal to borrow horses and gear to head east with. First we headed to my home, Clan Iron Tree's Stronghold, only about six hours away, and there I left a copy of the journal to this point with Nori's Father, Dali with instruction never to open the scroll case and if I died to forward it to the Librarians of Save K'nor here in the Stronghold. Making an offering of Bloodgeld I left after visiting my family and former mentors here. It was good to be home, but I had unfortunately ulterior motives to being here, and asking for and getting permission to enter the stronghold old map room I marked down some of the lost Forges on my copy of the map in the hopes of possibly getting to stop by and check them out while we are in the area.

Leaving at sunrise we set out for Ty'karalis, the elven village to see how they were doing and to stock up and hopefully procure items from them for Valerian. We got there just before sunset that day. I sought out the village elder, in the hopes of procuring elvenmail for Valerian, well they just weren't going to give it up and wanted to know if Valerian was willing to become the Protector of the Village. If he agreed, he would be given the mail as a sign of the pact when we returned. Valerian readily accepted, I then had a side bar discussion with the Council of Elders and informed them of my thanks and to please not make fun of Valerian's memory loss, his memory loss apparently caused him to loose access to some of his spells, so the elder wasn't to happy that he just made a pact with a flawed shek p'var.

He consulted his tomes and librams and figured that if we traveled at night during the time when Siem's power is in it's waxing state that maybe Siem would be able to help him through his dreams. Heeding this advice we left at sundown the next night and traveled through the night and as the sun was raising we made camp but were attacked by a panther, with only minor discomfort, since the panther attacked me but Rico slew with a well placed sword thrust to the heart.

We slept through most of the day but shortly after the high sun hour a bedraggled human stumbled into camp beseeching us for help in escaping from the Zun and Trolls that were hunting him for sport. Well this human claimed to be a merchant from Cherifar and since I didn't sense that he meant us harm we agreed to assist him, since we loved to kill zun and trolls. I gave him my spare short sword and small shield and told him to defend himself as best as possible while we setup an ambush on these zun.

Aahhhh it was a fine thing to finally turn the tables and use their own tricks on them. Two zun with trolls on a leash soon came into view I called upon the might of Sarajin to blow them away. My spell struck one of the zun full in the chest. He and his friend released the trolls. Rico then threw the last remaining zun fire potion that he had at them and charged.

One of the trolls made it to the merchant and knocked him down Valerian sent mystical missiles screaming into a zun and I invoked a granted power of my priesthood creating my Squad of Twins with the Instructions to attack the zun and the trolls. My twins were great the trolls and zun were significantly distracted by the appearance of so many of the People that they fell quickly and Rico was in his element. Then an oops, he literally threw his enchanted rapier at the troll it took short, but confusing work to finally bring the zun and the trolls down. When combat was finally done and none of my companions were killed, I basked in the joys of combating trolls. It is almost as fun as fighting giants.

The merchant from Cherifar was slightly hurt so I laid my hands upon him curing him of his wounds. Informing him to head for Ty'karalis and to ask to speak to the head elder on my behalf, hopefully he could get home in one piece. I hope we can encounter the rest of his party and set them free prior to them becoming sport and lunch for the zun.

We made camp that day using a benefit from Sarajin and settled in to sleep... I drifted off to dream and the next thing I know is that I am talking to Ilvir, and he is saying it is not my time. It appears that I was somehow enchanted to leave the camp and wonder out into the woods where my attacker was waiting to slit my throat, and that Rico and Valerian (great guards that they are) were able to bring me back to Ty'karalis where the priests of Peoni were able to revive me. After being revived I healed my wounds as soon as I was able and after two days was up to complete health.

We once again set out for the pool of enlightenment. We traveled for most of the night until encountering a Deer drinking from a pool in a clearing. Rico and Valerian saw and pointed out to me a strange looking semi-ethereal creature with four eyes and six arms... it appeared to just sit there and watch the deer. Then when it noticed us, it fled like a swift breeze. We were unable to track it, so we made our way towards the pool once more.

It's starting to feel like we might never get there. Still more delays, a building made out of the same stone of unreal hardness as the domed building loomed before us except that this one was shaped like a pyramid with eight sides. To make a long story short, we met a person similar to an elf that was able to provide us with some type of device to prevent those that would wish for us fail in our quest to topple the church of Agrik from being able to locate us.

Traveling through the far eastern forest, we found trails, quite possibly a zun highway of their side of the realm. We encountered two zun walking these paths. Brave Rico attacked them and was knocked down by one blow from an obviously enchanted wooden club. After slaying the two zun and being unable to revive Rico, I smashed the wooden Club. There was a rush of at least a million souls that surged through my body. Rico awoke, but wasn't amused... Apparently, he was in some other realm and lost his magical rapier. When he came back the rapier that he just found was no longer enchanted.

Rico decided it wiser to travel off the "beaten" path. I grudgingly followed behind Valerian and Rico. Well, this wasn't as wise as he thought. He triggered zun tripwire traps that smashed zun fire-potions. Flames and deafening blasts shook the region for what seemed like hours.

We eventually got back on the trail proper and came to a crossroads of a sorts. Here we found one of the caravan guards from the Shezar merchant caravan crucified as a signpost. So as not to alert the zun of strangers that do not approve of their evil ways, I said the prayers for the dead and vowed to return set up a trick of my own at this crossroads that these zun would never forget. Continuing towards the Pool of Wisdom, we were fooled by a similar pond (my two fool-hardy friends dove into the murky waters and I reserved to walk in). Valerian was almost eaten by a large fish (probably a gar), but due to quick thinking wasn't and instead that which wanted to eat him, was instead eaten.

We encountered three priests of Agrik and five wights. After a pitched battle, well used tactics, and strategy on the parts of Valerian and I we were able to dispatch the priests then the wights. Rico wasn't lucky.. he actually was touched by a wight and isn't the same. I hope we are able to restore him to his former self...


Update by three friends of Thorolf: Grimdal One Eye of Clan Icingdeath, Ali'zam Barin, Contemplative Master of the Way, Student of Save K'nor, and Dali, son of Ovur, Uncle to Thorolf, Father of Nori.

After Thorolf, Rico and Valerian failed to return to Ty'karalis, we the above three ventured and tried to reconstruct as best as we could the route taken by the Searchers of the Roots of the Earth. We came upon mounds deep within the zun held lands. These mounds had numerous undead in them. After searching the mounds, we hunted down many zun and other of those allied to them. We came upon the mound that held Thorolf, or what was left of him. He was intact physically, but he had succumbed to the wights. Thorgirzunak had failed him. Thorolf wasn't able to reach Sarajin's might within the Axe and surrendered the Axe to our care to be brought back to Tychuss and the Barracks of Sarajin.

As we were making our way back to the civilized areas we were ambushed. We were forced to flee the zun and trolls that pursued us. During the escape, the Axe was lost about 3 days east of Ty'karalis in thick pine woods near a gar-infested lake. I, Dali, am of the reasoning that Thorolf will recover the Axe and to be kept on his person until such a time as a true Forgelighter can take up the quest of ridding the stain of Lothrim the Foulspawner and his zun from the hallowed halls of the mythical golden city of Kiraz. Thorolf was the best hope to come along since the the Ascent to the Plate to rid the world of zun. It will take a true champion to resume the quest to greatness.


Original author was Jeff Hartke,
but has been edited by Avathar Valcana for campaign reasons.