Executive Summary:

70 Spring 2946

We set out for Oakmoss. En route, we discovered that the lean-to we'd made earlier had been crushed, stomped as if it had been trod by a giant elephant, perhaps. Well, maybe not. Nevertheless, we camped at this point.

71 Spring 2946

Oakmoss

As we walked into town, we were lured by the performance by a bard named Dalan. He was a tall tan-skinned male with three bongo drums and a vest full of throwing knives. He said he was here to teach in the new school—a school that none of us had previously heard of, but I don't think the rest of us traveled much in those circles. Nevertheless, we felt ourselves inexplicably drawn to each other and compelled to combine our forces for the betterment of our newfound group.

The festival had ended by this time.

Alas, we, well, at least I, hungered for something to do in this town. Although I had not considered myself cosmopolitan by this point, I began to understand the concept of "backwater" by now. Annah's constant bickering about a lack of activity probably brought me over to that point of view.

I went to the posting board. There were many offers for classes.

I asked Lisa about her silver charm. She said it was a "silver rose," which was a magical item that would change into a real rose when one had found one's true love. It had been owned by Mistress Gift. Then, she left to speak with Dalan.

Sheik ran up to me exclaiming that adventure was afoot! The carnivale of late had been attack by varlots! We proceeded to round up our newfound acquaintances. Annah was only to eager to leave as it involved leaving Oakmoss. Imrahil suddenly arrived—just in time. Lisa was eager to help people in trouble. Dalan followed providing theme music.

To learn more about the incident, we went town to the gate where we heard there were carnys.

There were three of them. They said they were ambushed and that more of their number were still there and injured. There were 30 carnys. The bandits, who numbered between five and 30, set fire to some of the wagons including the stage and the instrument wagon.

We left post haste, "Dan" leading the way. During our swift walk, "Dan" complained of fever. Minutes later, he collapsed, cold and clamy. Dalan and I had to carry him the rest of the way.

Suddenly—ambush! I faced three bandits and killed them all with swift justice! My companions dealt justice to the others.

Annah interrogated one of the ones that didn't die. Her name was Erin and she said they worked for "Kevin." Imrahil gave Erin some sort of palsy. Meanwhile, Erin said Kevin worked for "the man with the horns." The horned man lived in a cave somewhere in the woods. Then, Erin succumbed to the palsy inflicted by Imrahil and went limp, but still lived. We moved on.

Carny Carnage

There was much carnage of death and destruction and one survivor, a little boy.

Later, Corwin and seven other Oakmoss guards rode up to assist us. Corwin agreed to track the bandits. He estimated 10 horses but could not tell how many people on horses.

River

The bandits tried to throw us off their trail by going into the river. Corwin found a three tracks leading from the river. We chose to follow the track that was the group of two.

Woods

After a great deal of following, the two split up. We chose to follow the one that seemed more heavily burdened.

The track led back to the main road. There, Corwin lost the trail. Wonderful! So, we went back to the last time the two split up.

Shrine

We found a horse tied to a shrine. At last: results!

I went immedately inside the shrine. Inside was a well-dressed elf named Nillian of House Griffin. He claimed no knowledge of either bandits or the carnivale. Given his apparent station, I figured he was not a bandit and suggested we follow the trail of six horses. Dalan chatted up the fellow, learning he was on a quest for a gem to use against the White Lady.

He mentioned that he has a sister, Ezmya and that Ambassador Freol Felinae is ambassador of Darthus to North Arlen.

Anyway, we continued.

Woods

After walking forever yet again, we found again a place where the trail of six split up. One trail led away so we followed that—back toward Oakmoss. However, Corwin said he couldn't continue.

So, we returned to Oakmoss.

Oakmoss

I got a good meal and private room for myself even though they were both quite expensive.

During the night, there was a shriek of shrieking proportions. The claimant claimed dragons were eating his cows. I donned my armor then joined the crowd outside. Based on the victim's description, the monster responsible was not a dragon but, at most, some sort of lizard.

Hiram's Farm

The inside of the barn was crawling with lizard creatures! One of them scared me almost to death—I had to run away else my heart leap from my chest! When I finally came to my senses, I ran back and saw two trying to get away! I chased after them and killed one.

Help came from town, healing Lisa who had been most savaged while I had been away. I also took advantage of her healing powers.

Come the morning, I understood that a strange power had awoken in me. . . .

Quotes

"Aren't there carnys in peril?"

"Who're you?"
"I'm angry. Let's go."
"Fair enough."

"You alive? We're gonna bury you."

"The river? Isn't the river patrolled for brigands and such?"
"What? Sure, by gunships."

"I have crossed the river—there is no need for clothes."

"Don't turn evil."
"Yeah, you don't want to get the golden flow or whatever it's called."

"Are there spiders in there?"
"No."
"I don't trust you."