The Runelog
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by Christopher Bramley
Edited by Adam Manning
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Chapter 3 - Into the Rubble
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A quick check of the calendar revealed that the date was Windsday, Stasis Week during the Sea Season of 1618 S.T. The adventurers left the market place of New Pavis, the city of thieves, and went to Gimpy's Tavern in search of employment. There were various courier jobs available but nothing of interest arose. They spent the night there listening to a group of Stormbullers boasting about their recent expedition into the Rubble. This was a large ruined area dating back to the original city of Pavis, abandoned to all but ne'er do wells centuries ago.
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The next day they awoke to find an acolyte of the River god, Zola Fel, requesting their immediate attendance at the River Boat Temple. Whilst hurrying through the city streets, Aslak noticed that they appeared to be unusually crowded. On asking why, he was told that the Lunar barracks had been burnt down during the night. The consensus of opinoin was that the Stormbullers were responsible and a public show of strength by the Lunar authorities seemed inevitable.
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Chen Sha Shal, the new high priest of Zola Fel, greeted the River Voices and told them about a new sighting of gorps. Apparently they were coming from somewhere in the Rubble. The priest emphasised that the reason why they were granted their powers was to rid the river of this plague and he urged them to make haste.
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The River Voices rushed off to prepare. Theseus took the opportunity to enlist the aid of some Stormbullers eager to escape the attention of the city's authorities.
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Once in the Rubble they followed the river downstream. Keen eyed Elzibar, the pirate, spotted a dust cloud heading towards them. It turned out to be a war party of zebra riders. Their leader, named Nefatarl, told them that Dark Trolls had raided their village and they were seeking vengeance.
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The party continued on horseback until they came to a ruined settlement. Wary, the riders dismounted and advanced cautiously. Out of the ruins leapt a shade, an elemental being of darkness, accompanied by two daemons. These set about the Stormbuller berserkers, leaving two dead and the others frozen or temporarily dazed. The shade was quickly destroyed.
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Then a band of Dark Trolls ran from the ruins, screaming and frothing from the mouth. The adventurers took up their positions to meet the onslaught. Elzibar was overcome with despair but managed to hold his footing but Yetharon, the elf, was paralyzed with fear at the sight of the foe. The worshipper of Orlanth, Wieldar Goodwin, clambered over the ruins and up onto a decaying wall to face a troll. When a troll leapt over to fight him, disaster struck as Wieldar lost his footing and fell painfully to the ground far below. Germanicus cast his net over Elzibar's adversary and moved round to prepare for another. Aslak was engaged in a slugging match with one troll, desperately parrying the blows of the maul but failing to pierce the troll's armour.
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Theseus was more successful. As his opponent missed his attack, Theseus connected with a kick which shattered the troll's elbow. Howling in pain, the troll backed away and another took it's place. Wieldar, unnoticed, had recovered by now and sneaked around the back of the ruins to where the Matriach Troll, the ruler of the gang, stood. Sensing his opportunity, he charged to attack and dealt the troll queen a powerful blow. To his astonishment, his mighty greatsword failed to draw blood and he beat a hasty retreat.
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Germanicus, defying the magical assault cast on his mind by one of the trolls, just managed to block a devastating attack which he could not evade resulting in his spear being bent. Theseus, spurred on by his success, laid himself open by a clumsy parry. His troll opponent's maul bit deep into his leg. The warrior collapsed but continued to defend himself desperately from the floor. At that moment Aslak found an opening and delivered a mortal blow to his opponent.
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When Theseus gravely wounded another, the Matriach Troll cried for a ransom of two thousand guilders. The adventurers accepted this offer with a great deal of relief and set about tending their wounds.
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Go onto Chapter 4
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Go back to Chapter 2
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