Rumblings in Buc's Den

[Thane ir'Wyndan]

It was a small almost forgotten isle at times.  Rarely visited except by those who were seeking a place to disappear for a time, to fade away from prying eyes and ears.  It allowed one to meld into the shadows, sometimes to vanish forever if you tried hard enough.  But that was about to change.

For some days strange rumblings had been occurring deep below the island.  The inhabitants had felt them but this was an isle where you kept your head down and your eyes lower.  No one had made any attempt to learn or attend to the tremors, most content to just sit and wait it out.  Finally the tremors had grown so intense that a small group of locals could take it no more.  They stepped away from their cups which had been filled and emptied many times while planning their search, picked up their blades and ventured down into the caves below.  From there they were swallowed by the earth for all anyone knew, they were never seen again.  Even in a place such as this though, some people noticed and some cared and rumors began to reach the mainland and the ears of people who did care.  And so it was that outsiders came to the isle and began a quiet search for the cause of it all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When the first strangers arrived they spent some time exploring the island, speaking with a few locals until they were directed to Dai at the tavern.  She was known as a tavern rat, a fixture who was rarely noticed but seemed to notice everything.  Dai spent her days gathering the one precious resource she could, information, and delivering it into the hands of those who needed it or wanted it.  This day a most unusual group of men and come looking for information; Vendim and Tanis, Rithik and Loff'ta, rare it was to see men and orcs walk together upon the isle but they dealt in coin and Dai dealt in her information.  They spoke quietly in the crowded tavern, spoke of tremors and missing people, shadowy men and whispered words.  It was with a last nod that she gathered coin and pointed them towards another, an importer who could guide them further.

Kane was nothing if not a pragmatic soul and when four armed stranger entered her place of business her first reaction was worry.  That worry did not disappear but it did abate somewhat as she took a measure of these men, they did not seem thieves or thugs but there was a hint of nobility about them, even the orcs who were strange upon the isle.  Nobility could make a man do strange things and unpredictability made her nervous, but she decided to trust these men who said they had come to help with the tremors.  "Perhaps you would find some answers along the lost road".. that was the last bit of info she was able to give and pointed them towards the jungle beyond the bathhouse.

Much searching eventually brought them to the caverns and tunnels below and it was with steadied arms and determined hearts they began their search.  Though the tunnels ran long eventually they were to find small signs: a mysterious purple scale, a broken pitted swordblade, a small pool of blood, and a mysterious crack going deeper into the earth.  As they stopped to consider these clues, a rumbling come from below and strange purple serpent like creatures broke from below.  It was a short, intense battle but the serpents were quickly slain.  With short pants and hushed words they ventured on, splitting up and heading into the dark and silent tunnels.

Deeper in the tunnels small caches of goods were found: gold bars and coin, bolts of silk, an engraved bowl, rubies and a small ceremonial dagger.  Barely was there time to make note of these goods before a scream came out of the darkness.  A daemon, tall and evil who tore into them with anger and vengeance, she attacked not alone but with others of her ilk.  Though pressed hard the heroes rallied and sent them back into the dark.  Gathering the treasure and debating again about where to go, our heroes headed out of the tunnels and back into the light above.  They had many questions and few answers but for now at least a start, they were not done here, not till they had answers.

[Thane ir'Wyndan]

Our heroes had spent some time talking and plotting but seemed to have no leads and then as though granted by the gods, another quake struck Buc's Den and once again they answered the call.  Already graced with luck and foreknowledge they went directly into the tunnels.  Slowly did they descend and being their searching, wary of the wyrmlings from the day before.  Deep into the tunnels they went, and there found new evidence of of what they were not yet sure.

In the far reaches, almost as deep as they could go they found diggers.  Weak and dirty but without any hesitation the diggers flung themselves at the heroes who slowly stepped towards them.  They could not free the miners save by releasing them from this life.  A search of the bodies revealed naught upon them save some ragged clothing and an old slave collar.  They probed deeper and at the furthest reaches found a strange glowing rock.  A purplish stalagmite, beckoning in the dark and when they approached to inspect a familar screen broke the gloom and a daemon again stood before them.  The battle was short, chaotic and violent but with teamwork and skill they did dispatch the fiend.

Further exploration was cut short by deeper rumblings and as part of the roof collapsed above them our heroes returned to the surface.  It was as they passed back up that once again serpents creeped from the depths to strike at them.  These were weaker than before though and barely slowed their ascent.  But a small glimmer in a shallow pond revealed a twinkling purple gem the same hue as the stalagmite had been.  Pocketing the gem they returned to the surface to decide a course of action. 

Quick discussions lead them back to the "importer" Kane in the hopes she had more information.  Some banter and the exchange of gold bought them some interestings goings on about town.  Kane spoke of a jewelry maker who had come to the isle and was asking about gems.  She mentioned that a locale fisherman named Stephan had been seen with this jeweler the previous night at the tavern so they decided to head there in hopes of finding Stephan.  As they reached the tavern and before they could entered they saw a woman stumble out deliriously.  She headed south for a ways and then collapsed, dead.  No marks were found upon her body and one word was whispered by all, "poison".

Further south they finally broke free of the jungle and reached the shore line, a short ways off they found the remains of a house and there the fisher Stephan.  He spoke tersly of being at sea for the shockwave and returning home to find his home in ruins and strange men ransacking what was left.  When he tried to stop them he was attacked and left for dead.  Our heroes asked if anything was missing and he said he had nothing of value save a necklace he had traded from the jeweler.  Stephan spoke of it being a gift for his sister and that he would go to stay with friends.  Our heroes were able to get the jeweler's name, Ecogni, and then precious little else from the man.  With that he turned and would speak no more.

Some further searching of town finally put them in touch with a jeweler but his name was Alanno.  He said he was trading for a new gem found upon the isle and nothing else.  Several rounds of barter finally resulted in an exchange of a finely made necklace for the strange glimmering gem they had found below.  With a short laugh he cast a spell and disappeared as soon as he had the gem.  All was not lost though, he had left behind a map and a strange locked chest.  After consulting with a skilled mapper and locksmith our heroes found two pieces of information.  The map showed a town to the north, Vesper and the chest contained strange purple ore and a note with a short message.

"The beast is stirring too fast, we fear the mage is slipping.  Have the knife dulled as soon as possible."

[Predatory Beauty]

Rumors spread from city to city. It was the same any where you went it seemed. Someone saw something, and told the tale, others carried it further away from where it originated. The trouble was with each recant of the tale, was that every one added their own twist, names were changed, and more and more of the truth was lost. From Vendim Rayne first heard of the tremors in Buc's Den. The news had not fully caught her attention with all the work that currently occupied her days. Hunts for the precious gold, Or wondering's around the forests gathering herbs for the clinic, Harvesting crops for the bakery or just carefully culling the wild heard's that wondered in to Marketvale with their mad tempers. Was little time to pay attention to rumors at first. One can only keep to themselves for so long.

Why would a Drow care about the trifling's of some scurvy pirates, cut throats and thrives in Buc's den? Why would they care for any one other then themselves? Why would Rayne be any different? So many people had pointed out she was a drow, or at lest she looked like one. Questioned asked about her living in such a place as the Vale, others asked why she cared about them at all. Some went so far as to watch her with suspicious eyes confused that she would keep company with a Half Elf, Wolves, Felines, Orc's and Humans. Under the white hair and midnight skin was more then Drow, Half Sidhe, She had her fathers heart and could not pass up the rumors any longer.

Vendim had called her to The Pirate city to join the party he lead, what help she could offer thus far was unknown. But each that joined had something in the way of strength. Weather it be knowledge, skills with solving riddles, a strong arm, magical talents or popping locks. The city was quiet, strangely so, The air smelled of that fresh salty sweetness and fresh tropical rain. So many faces she knew, Vendim, Rithik, Keely, Loff'ta (sorry for those I left out, I could not remmber all the names) and a few others met at the south east end of town taking account of all that had gathered. Silently She followed in their trek to the fisherman's Dock. What clues they had said something about a ship leaving in the dead of night with a fast number of chests and crates loaded on board before departing. Only one person walked the warf this day. A fisherman who had been present when the ship departed Buc's Den the night before. It cost the part a good 10,000 gold to get answers from him. 1,000 gold per answer to each question they wanted to ask. After a while of conversing with this old man they were on their way to vesper to see out the ship that fled in the night.

First logical place to look for a shop would be a the docks and ports in Vesper... But what ship captain would dock in a city harbor and deal with customs who did not want to deal with the law? Together each dock was checked till it accrued to them to check the shore lines. A small beach front in Vesper offered the perfect place for a ship to anchor  close enough to shore to unload cargo. Excitement maybe, or tactful thinking on the part of the men leading the party. Most rushed in and waylay the armed pirates who lifted sword and cutlass to stop them from their task. It all happened so quickly, The class of metal rang out in the air, body's scattered across the ground with three full chests laying upon the beach near the water. It was the gold chest that caught Rayne's attention, Picking it up out of one of the pirates dead hands moments before they were set upon once more...

This creatures were so odd in color! A deep hue of old blood mixed with water so it was more fusha then red any more. Serpent men sprang forth from know where! As if conjured up from the sand under their feet having laid in wait for the right moment to strike! The battle was once more swift but confusing...These beasts matched in color to the items the party had found a few days earlier in their quest to solve these growing problems. At its end they found another item of great interrest. A roled parchment in the hull of the ship anchored off the sandy beach. They had pieces of the puzzle but no solid answers yet. The gold box that Rayne held in her hands was locked, and none among the party had the skill to work it open. Out side help was needed... and the person called was not one Rayne was swift to trust.

Inara the cat, a Thief by trade and someone she had met only a short time before.... Tension was high between the two, Rayne's distrust and dislike was not easy to keep hidden. Only a week or so before had Inara come to the Tavern in Marketvale. The night Rease had proposed, a night that should have held no ill or stress had been interrupted by the valed threats made by the feline visitor even after she had been asked to leave. What had transpired between them had set the relationship to what it was now. But for the better of her companions and the quest they were on. Rayne laid the chest down and allowed the lock to be worked by the feline before her. Inara had a talent for locks, that much Rayne would give her, the lock was worked in swift timing opening up the chest to reveal a silvery looking colar with a stone that matched the color of the serpent men that had attacked them.

"Keely should try it on." Someone said it but Rayne's fingers were already running the smooth finish of the collar. "No I will... " Why she had said it confused her, but even so her hands lifted the collar to her neck clasping it in place... Despite the warning from Vendim... all the others watched. What happened then... who knew, not even Rayne can remember what had taken place. She had been standing thee among friends and then she was gone. No memory held of what took place in that moment of blinking from one place to another... no memory of even putting the collar on till someone had told her so. Found standing in the middle of the Back bed room of a shop in Vensper, Vendim, and Keely had been the First to find her...

Home, all she wanted was home, yet still she wore the collar around her neck, having to be reminded to take it off, erged even before her reluctant hands managed to draw it from her neck shoving it back in to the gold box and in to the bag that rested on her hip. Let those gathered think what they like, Irana's comments about her being unable to part with the item were cast off,... Gladly would Rayne have given the small chest to Vendim to watch over... but something would not allow her to part with it...

You would think that was where it would end. Put it in the not, leave it alone, keep it safe until it was needed. Not so easy. Later that night, recanting the story to Rease in the tavern and explaining the stresses of her day the Old Wolf asked to see the collar that to Rayne looked more a fanciful piece of jewelry then a object of ownerships mark. This inanimate object seemed to live and breath with a form of magic all its own. Opening the box at first it looked normal, as it had in the early part of the day... But now it twinkled and glowed, glimmered and beckoned to be touched and adored... If Rease had not drawn her away from the box, who knew what would have happened. What was this trinket? and what power did it have? Only time would tell...

[Predatory Beauty]

Weary from the days journeys and fighting, it was only the clattering of horses hooves under her feet that kept her awake on the ride home even as short as it was. With just a few whispered words, surely she could have arrived at the door step of the tavern, stabled her mount and climbed the stairs to the master suite with little trouble. Longing for a bath, and a few hours slumber after washing the blood off her face and weapons. But ride she did. Stepping though the gate in Magincia being whisked away to the forests out side of Bitania's gates some miles from Marketvale. The only reason for this was the time it offered to think and contemplate her worries for what had been going on in Buc's Den, and In Vesper now it seemed. Trouble was spreading, not only to those cities, but in to the loves of the people who sought to mend the damage those of evil intent sought to sew across this peaceful lands.

Often she road that trusty shadowy steed that vanished from under her like a ghost the moment she left the saddle. But this day, no ghostly apparition carried her hence down well traveled roads. Live flesh and muscle moved under the leather saddle and woolen blankets, the scent, the feel and the sounds of the beast mixed and mingled with its troding steps. They were as an orchestra in tune with each other lulling her body in to a state of relaxed calm though they did little for the mind.  So much to think over this day, and with her she carried many clues to solving this mystery. Each one frightened her, yet at the same time drew her in. A necklace, a book, a burned fragment of a letter and... a small sculpture made of the same element as the necklace/collar they had found.

The Tavern insight brought an easing to her shoulders, Letting her mount lead the way so her gloved and tired hands could rest carefully upon the gold box she still clutched protectively. Stabling the best in the courtyard of the tavern, Those steps just beyond the door looked so much longer then they had when she left the tavern... Up three flights, a soothing bath, clean cloths, her cleaning kit for armor and weapons and a warm bed waited.... But it was the brown leather Journal she would spend the most time with before sleep robed her of her present conscience state. "Home at last."

______________

An Hour latter she sate with her back against the head board with a small angeled writing board upon her lap. Its pillowed bottom resting comfortably upon her thighs and an angle so the candle light caught it just right. Rease had been attentive the moment she had come home. Seeing to her weapons for her, leaving them polished upon their racks before he took himself in to slumber. Now the Old wolf slept with a faint glow of amber light cast across half his face and one arm laid over her thighs just waiting for her to slid down under the blankets. Crackling of the fire, a cricket chirping out side the window in the grass below and the scratching of a Goose Feather Quill etching against parchment was all the sound in the room.

Once more I find myself opening up your pages my dear friend.
So much has taken place this day I scantly remember all the details... Not with out looking in to the very notes I took down. New faces did I meet this day, Just a few had joined the party seeking answers of the Pirates and their mysterious master. My companions had spent the early part of the day gathering more clues. Clay seemed to come in to possession of a Ring, and Rhat a collar, though it was lifeless as cold Iron, while the ring pulsated with a magic of evil intent.

I know not all the details, but the names that had been found in the ledgers Inara stole from the Jewelers shop in Vesper seemed to be among those we visited this day. My days chores and responsibilities to the Guild as well as to Marketvale kept me tied up till mid day... in to the early even when I finally joined my party. A meeting with a Lady Silena... i think this was her name, A Teacher at the Magic school in Moonglow revealed on to use more clues... For the ring was meant for her as an Engagement token from her betrothed Thadous. From her we learned more of this odd Metal all these items seemed to be made of... Was hard to hear from the back of the room, But I keep back this day letting Caly and Rhat ask most of the questions... They both seemed to be full of them and in possession of the items found this day.

The Name Jesurian The Mage came up tied to the metal and the art of controlling ones mind by magical means. Using a foci in order to intensify the controllers ability to keep a strong willed subject under their boot. Whee he was she could not tell us, nor could she let us see the sampels of metal the school had in their possession... Another delay but more clues to counter the set back. Along with the Mages name came the messenger boy Kelron the wolf, who had carried the message of an order from the Lady Silena to Ecogni... this man who seems to be the one we seek most of all... He is a villien and has taken lives, usde innocent people to gain power for himself... Or his Master who we can only suspect will show himself soon enough.

A warning to the Lady Silena, Not to put on the ring, I know what it is capable of doing to someone... I can only suspect the ring works the same as the collar... and I still can not remember the span of time I had vanished from the others.... Or how I came to be in the jewelry shop in Vesper where they found me... And Caly says no harm came to me... Pains me to see how callous a remark could be made to me by a friend... per hasps the rift between us is not yet filled... and mayhap's never be. I can do no more then I already have to fix that... I do miss my friend.

My last words with Lady Silena were in private... for I had to ask something very personal... That time I have lost... she has promised, if there is a way to get it back, she will do what she can. I will hold on to my hope I will remember before this is all over... From there we rushed to meet Thadous, when we found him he was in tatters. Someone had waylaid such a beating upon him that he could scarcely get to his feet. Still they had questions to ask him... All I could do was offer what healing I could while they spoke. I felt at lest a few broken ribs that only time and rest can heal. Willow bark and mugwart mixed in with a little wine to help the pain I set Aleo, mint, and ginseng for his open cuts in a salve I keep on me for my own cuts and bruises and clean bandages. Only other thing I could offer was my shoulder to lean on for the walk back to his office and the advice to sleep and rest as much as he could.

From Thadous we retrieved a small stature of a fish, and clues more so that lead us to the messenger boy Kelron. So on the move we were again, taking to the beach on the south end of town were we found the lad and from him... Learned of a small camp of Pirates  on the Southern tip of the beach. What few more clues we picked up from Kelron about Ecogni I will not write here... I will not even speak his name unless I have to... To do so can often give more power to them. I wish to weaken him not strengthen. I could have done with out the blood shed, but some times it is a necessary evil. Down the beach we sacked the Pirate's camp finding the men unready for us the element of surprise speared us any causalities.

From the fire came another Pirate... His name I can not seem to recall... He found unlike any one I have seen before, with such brutality and strength it took all our party to bring him down. Every thing was in a haze, confusion set in and every one rushed to find any more clues on the dead mans person as they could. He fell at my feet, leaning down I pulled a book from his hands while Rhat snatched the collar he had around his neck just as my hand reached for it... I was sickened to find the book written in blood! dark, and inky looking with the smell of old parchment and decay that comes from spilled vitae.

I did not see who took the pirates head, My eyes were occupied with reading over the strange writing. I had to give up, for it makes no sence to me. We will take it to Lady Silena and see what she can make of it. But before that I will travel to the Library in Britania and see if I can find any thing to help translate it... If not there I will go to the lyceaeum in Moonglow and search the books in the libraries there.

Fae was with us this round... Was good to have her along, I enjoy her company and she always has a smile that can brighten even the stormiest of days. If it had not been for her dragon and her spells we may have lost more in the battle with the pirates. Vendim's mighty Hammer and Rhat's ken bow along with Shen's melee skills tipped the balance in our favor. We survived another day... with more questions now... so many more questions... I can not think any more. So with this my friend I close....

You keep my secrets safe... for this I give you my thanks.

Upon her closing words a small butterfly was drawn on the bottom of the page. One that matched the formation upon the ring that hung from the ringlet around her neck. The journal closed and lap desk settled on to the floor. Sleep drug her down... what dreams came would hopefully be sweet and comforting as the arms that held her.

[Thane ir'Wyndan]

The day and been stormy when the ship set out from Buc's Den.  Rowdy men who were strangely quiet as they loaded and set sail to try and ride the storm to norther shores.  But heroes were vigilant and kept their eyes and ears open for hints and they caught word of the leaving and hurried to Buc's Den to try and catch the ship.  Coin freely given earned them info of a strange chest loaded onto the Sea Cutter and indications of their heading.  Remembering the map they had found they headed north to Vesper to await the ship.

They waited and searched the docks and then realizing they dealt with unsavory men and dark business they headed to search the beaches.  It was into a short and bloody melee that our heroes ran, slicing down pirate who said nary a word as they feel like wheat before the scythe.  Only one escaped, the captain Esteban who was a known and wanted criminal in the city.  Searching the hold a few chests of jewels were found along with a small golden box, cleverly latched and trapped.  Still it proved easily undo by the sea-cat Inara and inside lay an exquisitely worked and jeweled necklace.  Rayne lifted it and tried it on and vanished in the wearing. 

A brief discussion lead them to a secret bar under the tanner of Vesper.  Loff'ta knew of seedy people and the places they visited.  Our heroes arrived during a guard raid upon the bar but in the confusion found a payment left for Esteban signed by the man Ecogni.  It was with steeled will and hearts that they headed quickly to the jewelers and here they found the drow Rayne, some what dazed and with no memory of having vanished.  Within the private dwellings there they found a book, a ledger of names that would prove useful as they continued the tracking of Ecogni.

[Thane ir'Wyndan]

Terrible tremors struck the isle again, this time when they arrived to investigate the isle above was populated by the purple wyrmlings and the caves below by stronger, stranger versions.  Deadly poison dripped from their fangs and several were brutally assaulted before the creatures were slain.  Deep within the cave a small glowing purple pillar was found, tiny writhing eggs around it.  When the nest was gently disturbed a large demon-snake erupted from the earth and tore into those near it with a vengeance.  The beast was slain after a great struggle and the eggs then safely removed.  A sigil on the pillar was accessed and sent a gate to Vesper, into the home of Ecogni.  Calyaira was wise enough to mark this sigil down and it would prove useful later..

A quick scan of the ledger had revealed several interesting names, chief among was Thadeous Protaj, the Vesper harbor master.  After conferring for a few moments, our heroes headed off to the docks searching for a face to place to the name.  He was easy to find and after exchanging some words and mounting tension, a simple ploy was used.  Told that they had a ship waiting to dock, Thadeous went to inspect the hold and was quickly taken out into the bay.

Quickly realizing he would throw his life away in an attempt to fight, Thadeous submitted to questioning.  He told them that he had bought a wedding band for the lady Von Tholan of Moonglow and he would be proposing to her in two days time when she arrived in Vesper.  The band had been purchased from Ecogni and was made of the same strange glowing material as they had been finding in the slave collars.  Reluctantly he gave them the ring for a promise they would check on his love.  As they left to find Seline, Thadeous headed off to find another associate of Ecogni.

Arriving at the Lyceum it was easy to find Seline.  She was a teacher of the arcane there and met our heroes with a smile.  That smile quickly vanished as they exchanged words and questions.  Her look became more and more grave and finally she could doubt it no more when she was shown a copy of a magic sigil that had been on a summoning pillar.  A soft sigh escaped her lips and she explained to those who sought such info, "this sigil belongs to the mage Jesurian.  He once taught here but was banished for practicing mind control.  He escaped before we could capture him but his research was confiscated."  She mentioned he had been seen heading into the wilds west of Yew the last anyone had seen of him.  Further questioning revealed he had one student who had graduated the Lyceum after his banishment, a Frances Vander from the town of Yew.

Before they left they showed her a sample of the ore mined from below Buc's Den and the egg.  Seline mentioned a legend of a creature called the tonovaki.  A dragon-like creature that lived below the earth and whose blood had hypnotic powers.  They theorized that if this creature was real, this was how Jesurian had completed his research.  Seline grew worried for her love Thadeous and asked them to return to check on him while she consulted further tomes within the library.  She also mentioned a former student of hers named Kelron who lived in Vesper and might be able to help them.

Returning once again to Vesper and searching first the docks and then the bar they found Thadeous beaten but alive.  He said he had gone looking for Esteban but had been attacked by his thugs.  After his wounds were tended they returned to the customs office and it was found that the pirates had robbed his office of a small statue Seline had given him, also from Ecogni's shop.  Despair seemed to settle over Thadeous, he bemoaned his lack of strength in dealing with the pirates and asked that the heroes would find and deal with the pirates.

They headed to the beach again and found Kelron there, he lived in a small fishing shack.  He proved friendly but didn't seem to know much but did say that a group of pirates had made a camp at the end of the beach.  With a smile he ran off into town and it was time.  Our heroes prepared themselves and slowly approached the camp, a handful of pirates managed to buy time for Esteban's arrival.  This fight was the harshest yet, no quarter was asked or given and both sides tore into each other.  They finally slayed the pirate and watched as the body quickly dissolved.  At the camp they found a few items of interest: an elaborate slave collar was on the dead pirate, an arcane treatise written in a dark ink, the small statue stolen from Thadeous.  And within the fire a small half burnt note-

"We have been betrayed by Jesur.."

[Thane ir'Wyndan]

They gathered what they had and spent some days studying, trying to make sense of it all, but still something seemed to just barely elude them.  With heavy hearts they returned to lady Seline at the Lyceum to try and learn what was within the book they had and none could read.  She studied the writing for a time and with a sigh and heavy heart, told them it was a summary of Jesurian's work.  They knew now time was growing short and they needed to find him as soon as possible, Seline with some reluctance showed them to a magic scrying tower the Lyceum used sometimes.  Offering up an elaborate slave collar to use as a starting point, they watched as Seline activated the tower.  A beam of light shot off to the north and after long minutes she quietly whispered.. "the beam leads to Yew."

Before their departure the drow Rayne also spoke a moment with Seline and was given a bracelet that would help prevent mind control, it was untested but it was their best hope for the moment.  A short conversation about what to do next was quickly interrupted when strange crystal beings appeared from the air itself just outside the room and descended upon our harried group.  The fight was short, almost easy after some of what they had gone through.  The crystal shattered beneath their weapons and spells and did little more than delay them a few moments.    It was as they spoke that Loff'ta approached the tower and upon touching it vanished but such went unnoticed by the others as they spoke and exchanged terse words.

Arriving at Yew seemed to cause some confusion as the party quickly scattered, but finally all arrived at the grape arbors near the winery and there met a most unusual man.  His name was Francis Vanderbilt and he quickly confessed to aiding Ecogni and offered up his own life as his only chance at repaying his debt.  No matter what was said to him, his head was downcast and his body slumped.  Repeating only his need to die he rebuffed any attempts at question or aid to him, it was only when he was questioned about the strange treatise they had found that something stirred within him.  Raising a head that seemed frozen, fingers digging so hard into his palms it true blood he spoke a single sentence with conviction, "It.. is... meaningless."  Several times he repeated this as he was questioned and then he fell silent.  Rayne and the others remembered the bracelet that Seline had given them and felt that perhaps Francis was under a compulsion and this could free him.  Without protest they slipped it over his wrist and then the screaming started.  Arcane flames shot over his body, burning and consuming.  Within just a moment it was done, the body charred and lifeless.  All they found was small gold signet ring, a coiled snake with eldritch runes and the small bracelet Seline had given them.

Slowly a coldness settled over them, the same thought occurring to each in turn.  The bracelet, and that death had been meant for Rayne.  Confused and at a loss they returned to the Lyceum, hoping to find Seline and some answers.  But again all they found was those crystal minions, en mass this time but still easily destroyed.  Inside one of the dorms there was blood, but it was old, animal blood and clearly meant to imply an attack but it fooled not our heroes.  A determined search by them all found a small journal near the house, it appeared to be Seline's diary.  The last entry spoke of how they would all finally be removed at last, but the hand writing changed as it crossed the page, becoming more erratic and masculine.  Our heroes stand at an edge now, it seems each lead is closed in turn.  What will the next step be...

[Thane ir'Wyndan]

Long days had past and people thought that perhaps, at last the isle had grown quiet but it was not to last.  Vast tremors tore across the island and again heroes took up the call.  Many heroes arrived on the island and soon realized that it was quiet, far too quiet.  No people walked the streets or were to be seen.  All that was found was strange purple crystals that shattered when struck and released a dull violet haze.  Several creatures had taken on a strange purple hue and they were the only life to be found.  When they approached the entrance to the tunnels below, wyrmlings attacked but were easily dispersed.  Bones littered the area but the gentlest of prodding reduced them to dust.  The tunnels below were equally silent, at least for a time.

As they explored and searched, the source of the rumbling was seen at last.  The creature of legend, what Seline had spoken of with doubt proved true.  The tonovaki ripped from below, attacking and tearing before disappearing into the earth again.  Attacking swiftly and then retreating just as fast, it dogged their steps through the tunnels and the surface for some time before they were able to subdue it.  Returning to the tunnels now to explore in safety, much searching brought them to the mining site they had found long ago.  Bodies there were the only sign of life, that and a small egg case.  Destroying the egg seemed to end the threat but it was not to be.  Another creature, this one larger and stronger then the first appeared.  Each strike was furious in its power and it laid low our heroes before vanishing and not returning.

Weary now with pain and fatigue they pressed onwards, slowly but still with resolve in their hearts.  They at last found a strange site, a glowing blue crystal surrounded by flashes of light.  Study brought no answers and our heroes felt stumped.  What to do, where to go?  All they could think of was to return to see Thadeous, see if he knew any answers.  Travel to Vesper was quick but the customs house was empty.  Heading to the docks they heard from a worker there that Thadeous and Seline has left for their honeymoon to Yew some days hence.  Fearing the worse our heroes raced onwards.

They reached the city and spread out to search.  For a time nothing was found until they arrived at the Abbey.  There, in the small chapel a most gruesome sight.  On the floor the bloody, beating heart of Thadeous was found.  With horror and retching, they picked up the heart and something, instinct perhaps told them to take it to the crystal they had found below Buc's Den.  When the heart was placed near the crystal a flash shifted it into one of the sparkles of light.  Slowly it dawned upon our heroes that other keys were needed to unlock the mystery, keys they would soon come to find...