The Runelog
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by Christopher Bramley
Edited by Adam Manning
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Chapter 1 - The Giant Gorp
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Introductory Notes for the Curious Reader: We join our adventurers travelling up the Zola Fel River, taking with them the dead body of a newtling, a type of humanoid newt man, seeking magical healing powers from Brighteyes, a priest of the River God who just happens to be an intelligent catfish, in the hope that he maybe able to bring the dead newtling back to life. The adventurers ,Wieldar, Germanicus, Aslack, Elzibar, Theseus and Yetharon the elf are collectively known as the River Voices and have, by the time this narrative commences, achieved more than a little fame in the area as doers of amazing deeds. In previous adventures, their palms have been magically branded with runes. Now, continue gentle reader ....
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The River Voices continued travelling up the River Zola Fel with the body of the dead newtling seeking the healing powers of the Shrine of Kinope and its guardian, the catfish priest Brighteyes. They arrived at the shrine on the second night after the newtlings death. Once they had sought out Brighteyes, he told them there was no magic powerful enough to resurrect the newtling. On hearing this, the adventurers decided to commit the soul of the newtling to the Gods.
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Brighteyes then began to examine the palms of the adventurers and in particular the third and unknown rune which he told them was of Harmony. The catfish came to the conclusion that the rune gave the party the power to extend the duration of their spell of Water Breathing. With this Brighteyes retired and the many pilgrims at the shrine asked the River Voices for their teachings.
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The next day they set out for the city of Pavis, many leagues upriver. As they passed through the borders of Sun County, a land ruled by worshippers of the Son of the Sun, Brighteyes appeared to them along side their boat. He told them of a giant monster or gorp the size of a temple which had come to rest outside the town of Harpoon. He proclaimed that this was the very crisis which Zola Fel, God of the River on which they sailed, had chosen them for.
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With that the adventurers made haste to Harpoon with the aid of their boatman's magical water spirits, or undines. On arrival, it was evident that the gorp, a huge gelatinous mindless bag of blob, was spawning and that action had to be taken immediately. The adventurers approached the camp of the Sun Domers, the people of that land, and asked to see someone in authority. When this request was questioned Germanicus, a follower of Yelmalio (the Son of the Sun), produced a golden shield strap buckle belonging to the bodyguard of Vega Goldbreath, the standard bearer of Sun County.
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Once granted audience, Vega Goldbreath quickly recounted the importance of the River Voices' knowledge and organised a council of all the Sun Dome leaders. On consideration of their information it was decided to divide the forces into three. One force would attack, one would defend against the exploding gorp and one would mop up the micro-gorps. Germanicus and Theseus joined the attack group, Aslak and Yetharon (the elf) sided with the erection of shelters and Wieldar and Elzibar would help mop up.
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With all the forces in position, the signal was given and a barrage of Sunspear spells were launched at the beast. This was followed by the casting of Fire Arrow spells and the launching of rafts on fire at the gorp. This awesome force of this attack was enough to destroy the gorp which exploded in a shower of acidic jelly. The micro-gorps which fell on the land were swiftly dealt with. Wieldar and Elzibar, using their powers of the river, clambered down into the green depths of the river and cleared it of any gorps which had escaped.
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The next week involved the rebuilding of the destroyed settlements and many feasts in which the names of the River Voices were toasted and written into song.
Go onto Chapter 2