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1st Kanos

After arriving in Dhurghumlund by ship, Darius (and his dog, Jax), Dalrylshana Ni Linfada (and her cat), Morin and Jarek respond to the posting by Beryn Lock (apparently a priest of Pelor) in Pen Duras and meet him in the the Scaled Room at the Inn of the Wyrm. A brief discussion is had: you are to acompany Beryn to Stetterick to see what is amiss there and recover, if possible, a certain item that he is quite secretive about.

The item is in three parts; each has a different alignment. The piece in Stetterick's alignment is evil but the pieces, when together, balance each other to become neutral. The wielder's alignment is then the deciding factor.

50gp per person plus a top quality steed are the payment, as well as the any other items that you may have the opportunity to plunder. Your destination, it is revealed, is also the resting place of an ancient vampire. And moreover, Beryn believes that the Emperor of Karubai, powerful and dangerous, is also searching for this item

2nd Kanos

Splendid horses are mounted; Hogun (who was guarding the Scaled Room the previous night) has gone ahead. Karnak is the additional member of the party - a barbarian and seemingly Beryn's bodyguard. Dalrylshana tests her steed with gusto and the party sets off without mishap or event, with one curious exception when Beryn coaxes what looks like a small owl from a crate in the cart, whispers to it and sets it on its way northwest.

That night, though, there is an encounter with dire wolves that the company would surely have lost but for the calling off of the attack by a werewolf, flanked by a worg ("These children are no threat, Beryn Lock. You are of no concern"). Beryn appears sorely troubled by this encounter, but his mood swings as ever and recovers fairly well.

Karnak (especially), Darius and Morin are wounded but Beryn reveals himself to have healing powers and mends the wounds with his staff.

3rd Kanos

The party are joined by Hogun and Kin who were waiting at a bothy (a small stone shelter) near the woods, and the enlarged group head in to the woods as the weather is good and time can be made. That night's watch is thankfully eventless.

4th Kanos

The party sets of early, having made good time so far, and keen to arrive at Stetterick in daylight. Morin, Jarek and Dalrylshana go ahead to scout the town in case of problems, Hogun accompanying them to look after the horses. The rest of the group travel calmly, Beryn and Karnak in the cart and catch up the advance party in time, Beryn's owl's return being the only noteable event in the quiet woods.

Stetterick is a shell of a town with many, many dead. The advance party has ascertained that the church seems to hold the only obvious living souls. Beryn is in a foul mood, apparently having learnt that the Emperor of Karubai has nothing to do with the present state of Stetterick, but that he now likely knows of the search for the item. After some heartless words from Jarek, and a sad glance towards the orchard, he recklessly drives the cart to the church; the company fan out, caution and experience taking over.

The town's centre is the church, an inn, a huge well and an iron statue of a dragon holding a sword and shield. Beryn greets the priest, Cornelius Harlack and the party learns that the town's problems began with a mining accident that revealed some old underground passages and released skeletons, zombies and cavewights - at the very least. Furthermore, the werewolf you encountered earlier is called Ghurzak (a name that Morin reacts with passion to) and he, his wolves and a sorceror destroyed much of the town before heading off towards the mines.

The townsfolk have been stuck in the church afraid of undead and wolves since then; Beryn persuades them all to head to Pen Duras and Hogun goes with them.

The company strengthen defences and rest uneasily as undead wander the town during the night, unable to broach the positive aura of the church.

5th Kanos

It's not long after a rainy dawn breaks, having converted the church to a temporary barn for the horses and picked some provisions from the inn, that you arrive at the mouth of the mines, following Cornelius' map. After a couple of hours and a few easily dealt with skirmishes, the party arrive at the newly uncovered passages and pause to take water.

Easy advance is made until a door is encountered with magical iron letters that reformed themselves into the common tongue from draconic as Beryn read them; it's a riddle and it takes some head scatching and an almost an hour to solve, but Kin provides the crpytic clue's answer and the party move on, Dalrylshana a little worse for wear after some time-passing imbibing of wine..

Within the next room, a search is made by Jarek and Morin for anything that might lead them further as the room seems to be a dead end - a symbol (the alchemical symbol for air, in fact) is discovered on the floor slightly above it and having the appearance of smoke. A light banter descends quickly into fierce words and a disastrous fight almost breaks out between Morin and Jarek. It has been building for some time and is fortunately halted by strong words from Darius. Beryn is less than impressed but the party recovers composure and after Kin blows across the symbol, a ramp lowers to reveal an unseen route - unfortunately, and rather mysteriously, Beryn announces that he cannot go any further and the party must continue without him.

Passing through the doorway, the party is attacked by two Yuan-Ti, themselves disoriented after appearing out of thin air - the battle is quickly won, though and the party are victorious and barely injured. The in-fighting reduced, they appear more of a team for the first time.

Checking the bodies, some loot is found and identified by Beryn, who looks after for the slight wounds inflicted. The party regroups, Jax left behind with Beryn again and move onwards, armed with some healing potions and tanglefoot bags.