The Runelog
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by Christopher Bramley
Edited by Adam Manning
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Chapter 2 - The Journey to Pavis
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Following the defeat of the Giant Gorp, many feasts were held in the River Voices' honour. During the night before their departure to Pavis (a city upriver) Brighteyes summoned Wieldar and Elzibar. He cleansed them of their maladies during a magical ritual and gave them this prophecy; "to the one who has bad dreams, beware the man in flames". That night Germanicus was stricken by nightmares of being consumed by fire.
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The following morning, Germanicus awoke to find his money pouch on fire. On opening it he discovered that the coin given to him by the Sun Domers was ablaze. Tossing it to the floor the coin melted and turned into ash. The adventurers said their farewells and proceeded upriver with great haste.
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That afternoon a boat approached them from the direction of Pavis. On board was a merchant who tried to sell them his wares. Aslak, wiley in the ways of trading, soon realized that this Varnlez the Erudite was an unscrupulous con man. Uncovered, Varnlez sold the party information regarding the food shortages in Pavis.
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Concerned by this information the adventurers called in at the village of Amble to stock up on supplies. After a quick excursion to the local alehouse, they travelled upriver to spend the night at a friend of their boatman. Again Germanicus was haunted by dreams of fire.
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In the morning the early rising elf, Yetharon, saw a streak of fire far off in the distant sky. With this news it was decided to make an early start. As the morning progressed, the fiery streak grew in size to manifest itself as a huge man riding upon a Griffin. Germanicus instantly recognised him as Monrogh, a servant of his god, Yelmalio. A dark foreboding overcame him as Monrogh was only sent to speak to mortals who had disobeyed Yelmalio.
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Monrogh landed on the river bank and summoned Germanicus. He accused him of breaking the solemn oath he had made to Yelmalio to protect the elven folk and then sought to destroy his soul by blasting the life force from his body. His companions' attempts to save him were futile and as his life source was drained Germanicus pleaded for his very existence. Finally Monrogh relented. He presented Germanicus with the Option: to regain his soul and follow the Light or keep his spells but be banished from the Light forever. Germanicus chose the Light and he was returned to the Heroplane, godless and contemplating his future.
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The adventurers proceeded up towards Pavis and the Rubble, a ruined area outside the modern city of New Pavis. After an inspection by guardsman of the Lunar Empire (who ruled that land) they passed through the Rubble unmolested to New Pavis.
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Once in the city of New Pavis, the adventurers split up. Yetharon went to the rich quarter and succeeded in stealing a pouch containing a family seal, thus condemning that family to obscurity and ruin. The others sought audience with Chen Sha Shal, the new priest of the river god Zola Fel who had replaced the Reverend Amina. They gave him a message from the Reverend Sa'ar and then went to the Ingille Warehouse to hand over the trade dispatches from Corflu.
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In the market place there was a disturbance. Five dark trolls held a young boy and bragged how they were going to "teach him a lesson". Theseus, the worshipper of Humakt the Death God, tried to calm the situation but the troll leader wanted to satisfy his honour. Theseus then challenged the troll to a test of strength by arm wrestling, on the condition that if he won the boy could go free. A table was brought up and a hush fell about the crowded market place. Theseus and Slorangob faced each other and began. After a period of stalemate, Theseus overcame the troll to the appreciation of all watching. Slorangob, gracious in defeat, offered the friendship of the trolls in the Rubble. With this event over the party returned to their abodes to consider the future.
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Go onto Chapter 3
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Go back to Chapter 1
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