The Runelog

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by Christopher Bramley

Edited by Adam Manning

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Chapter 6 -  The Retreat and Return to the Pool of Porchango

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With all their supplies spent, the River Voices had no option but to return to Pavis. Germanicus, Wieldar and Yetharon crawled back through the tunnels and to the surface. As they were readying themselves for the journey ahead, they were suddenly attacked by missile fire. Yetharon was struck down, a bolt embedded in her head. She was brought back from the brink of death by Germanicus' healing magic. The missile fire ceased and the ambushers demanded that the adventurers surrendered their arms. The ambushers were clearly followers of Cacodaemon, a chaotic cult, and the adventurers were most unwilling to succumb to them. They fled across the marshes to the sanctuary of the newtling village. At the village they collected their horses and made the uneventful trip back to New Pavis.

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Back in the city, Theseus spent the night at the temple to Humakt, God of Death and War. Whilst there, he was asked to show his left elbow to Krogar Wolfhelm and a gnarled old priest. When they observed a birth mark in the shape of a death rune, they gasped and bowed to show their reverence.

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Meanwhile the others had sought shelter at Gimpy's Tavern. The air was ripe with anti-lunar sympathies. Word soon passed to the local watch who interviewed all men present. As the watch tried to arrest a haughty looking man, Wieldar obstructed a militia man resulting in the felon's escape. Wieldar was led away to face a night in the cells and the stocks at dawn. It later transpired that the felon had been none other than Tarvis Merlyson, the only contact between Pavis and the Sartarite rebellion. Wieldar's brash actions might eventually bode ill for the Lunar occupation of these lands.

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The following day was freezeday, movementweek, seaseason, 1618 S.T. It was also the local market day. The adventurers procured all the necessary equipment required to return to the Big Rubble . The most notable event was the purchase of a scroll which hinted to the whereabouts of the Crown of Yamsur, a Yelmalion artefact of great worth.

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The next day the River Voices entered the Rubble for a second time. As they passed the Puzzled Canal, a sea elf stopped them and told Yetharon that if she was to be rid of her vile appearance, she must deliver the killing blow to the creator of the Gorps. With that he dived into the river.

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When they arrived back at the pool entrance it was decided that Wieldar should remain on the surface to warn of any unwelcome beings. The others went down the hole and into the cavern where they had encountered the Walktapus. Strangely, the beast's remains were missing. Then, without warning, Yetharon fired an arrow into the pool. Instantly two Walktapi emerged and struck Yetharon down for a second time. The Walktapi were dispatched after a fierce fight and Germanicus only just managed to revive Yetharon.

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Using the shaft in the roof, the River Voices made their way to the cavern with the big pool around which stood a score of Manlings; tiny humanoid creatures. As the River Voices approached the pool, four giant Gorps surfaced and advanced towards them. The party let forth a barrage of oil and fire and using their torches like clubs managed to destroy three, one of which had almost smothered Aslak.

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Go onto Chapter 7.

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Go back to Chapter 5.

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