A day after he teleports to Sandas, Occa returns.
He grabs Acco-lite and Cannon Fodder and immediately teleports out again.
Late in the afternoon he returns again...alone.
The weather is very warm and sunny today.
Occa says, "So, is Darian's training done? Shall we continue on our way?"
Gilstrock stretches out on an appropriate grassy hill, sipping a cold one. "Yo, Occa, what was that all about? What happened to the clones?"
Occa says, "They are simulacrums, not clones. They are cleaning my house out. Monsters have infested it, sadly."
"Simernawhatsits?" Gilstrock says. "What kind of monsters? How do monsters infest your house?"
"Well, it appears that Sandas has been overrun by undead. So, they are all over the place. Plus the house hasn't been tended to for a few years."
Darian looks worried. "Should we go back and help out? I mean, what is Sandas doing to combat this problem? We've a powerful group here and we could save some lives..."
Gilstrock shivers. "You mean like zombies and ghouls and stuff? Hate those. Ghosts and vampires particularly give me the creeps."
Occa sighs and says, "Well, we could just wait around for Darian to get done."
"You wanna join in the training?" Gilstrock says. "We've got a wrestling session planned for later today."
"Uh, no, thanks." Occa says. "Hey, can I have some of your blood Gilstrock? I could use someone like you running the guards at my house."
Gilstrock regards Occa. "You're gonna make a clone, or simernawhatsit, of me, aren't you? Hmm, not sure I'm so fond of that idea."
Darian looks uncomfortable. "Sorry about the waiting. Guess I'm not a very quick learner. Either that or Gilstrock is a slow teacher."
Darian grins at Gilstrock. "But, you never heard me say that..."
"Ha!" Gilstrock says, wiping the froth from his mouth as he finshes a draught of ale. "The problem is you use your brain too much! All that spell casting is bad for your fitness!"
Darian smiles. "Well, one of the advantages of using your brain is that you don't have any wounds at the end of the day... And without me, you'd have to endure all those nicks I give you."
"As fur as going ta Sandas ta deal with da evil dat has come up der, me dinks dat da biggies wez is dealin wid here might have some connections ta dat as well and we might do more good ta take care of our business here afore we go on a cleanup mission", pipes up Gonzo, kicked back in a dwarven crafted Andy-rondack lawn chair he knocked together to ease the load on his tired feet during these down-times. As he moves around, one leg comes off, dumping him onto the ground followed by a round of curses as he sets about repairing the not so crafty handywork.
"Da sooner we finish up here da sooner we kin git back ta dings", he says as he goes about his repairs.
"Yeah," Gilstrock says, definitively. "I'm with Gonzo."
BrightAxe stops his eating and drinking pondering, "As a cleric of Sylverbeard, I have surely been educated beyond what I needed to obtain happiness." He sighs and then speaks aloud "Gonzo, thou speak true; we party, we finish this marauding of these dwarven homes, and we continue upon other areas that need our assistance." A loud belch will finish this off for emphasis.
"I'll help you with your house cleaning, Occa," says Robert. "I've been sitting around this camp for over a year, now. Some action would be a nice change...and I'm sure to find it in Sandas."
You aren't sure if he's talking about the house or something else...
Valdar is not present at this time.
Darian shakes his head in astonishment at Brightaxe's words. "I don't understand you folks. I realize we've a job to do here, but every indication tells me that it's going to take a few more months to deal with all those areas that Acco-lite mentioned. While the people in Sandas are threatened at this moment by the undead."
"Occa, how bad are things? And what kind of undead are there? Is the local populace organized and fighting back? I seem to remember that there were a lot of temples in Sandas. Surely, the local clerical population is dealing with the threat? Along with Ray Jay?"
Occa says, "I couldn't find Ray Jay. However, the local clerics were doing a good job of keeping things cleaned up. They had just lifted the curfew the day after I got there. It is mostly clean up now...not battle."
"Do you know what kind of undead they have been finding? And how bad did it get? Were there any pitched battles?"
Occa says, "All manner of undead, but I don't think there were too many of the more powerful like vampires, liches and ghost types. I am sure there were probably lots of pitched battles."
Darian shakes his head in astonishment. "Did anyone have any idea why there are undead in Sandas? It seems strange that they'd infest a city the size of Sandas. I wonder if something bigger was directing them there..."
"Hey," Gilstrock says. "You never save anybody if you run every time you hear about a new set of baddies. Finish what you're eating before you start the next meal, that's what I say."
"I'm sure the folks in Sandas will be reassured by your philosophy, Gilstrock. But, I remember the people that I met in Sandas when I visited and I think of the little children being slain by skeletons and zombies and other horrible things and I can't believe that what we're doing now is more important."
Occa says, "Well, unfortunately, you and Gilstrock should stay here in order to continue your training. I was thinking that the others might want to go."
"Way I see it, we've got us a responsibility to the folks in Borderland Keep." Gilstrock says. "You weren't around when we started this, but as I occasionally reminded myself, we aren't _here_ for just a barbecue either."
"Where's the Borderland Keep? And what folks? I thought we were clearing out a den of evil beings simply because they're here and they're evil."
Gilstrock says, "Um, not Borderland Keep. No idea where that name came from, just sorta popped in my head. Whatever the hell the name of that little town we were in was, nearby. Where everyone was afraid of the dragons.
"Actually, the real reason we're doing this is Valdar. The elves have had trouble from these Dragons and things, so got us to clean them out." Gilstrock shrugs. "Everybody needs help. I decided long ago I couldn't save the world myself. So why kill yourself trying? Well, why kill yourself too many times, anyway. Do what you can, and have a good time, and lots of meat and drink as you do it."
Darian listens to Gilstrock's explanation with a straight face that is plagued with minor explosions of chuckling.
Gilstrock heaves a big sigh. "Still, if you are set to go to Sandas, we can suspend your training. I don't recommend it. Better to get your training when you can. But I'll go with you, if that's where you all are going."
"I'm going. I value your training quite highly, but this is more important to me."
Gilstrock looks over at Occa. "But, erm, is there any way to get there other than teleporting? Teleporting gives me the creeps, kinda like vampires give me the creeps."
Darian makes a list. "Okay, I've got teleporting and vampires. Anything else that gives you the creeps?"
"Well, allright," Gilstrock says. "You know when you're eating a great big leg of turkey? Muching along, thinking, gee, this meat is good. Then, after you take a big bite, you look in the turkey leg, and amongst the pinkish meat you see magots. Lots of them. And what's worse, some of them have just been bitten in half. Then you feel this crawling sensation in your mouth."
"_That_ also gives me the creeps," Gilstrock says.
Darian shudders at the thought. "Right. Discovering maggots in your food after you've taken a bite of them and the food. Yuk!"
"Don't worry...I have teleport no error...there is no way I can mess up. No worry about ending up 6 feet under or 200 feet up." says Occa in his usual soothing voice.
"We have a saying in the Silent Runelands: When Swapper has the CPU, everybody's process suffers. Now, I really have no idea what that means, but it might have something to do with all this," Gilstrock concludes.
"If you don't understand the saying, why are you using it?"
Occa says, "Well, unfortunately, you and Gilstrock should stay here in order to continue your training. I was thinking that the others might want to go."
"Gilstrock, what would be the consequences of not finishing my training now? I mean, I'm not you, but surely I could be useful in Sandas. I'm having a hard rationalizing the time spent here training with saving people's lives. Can I just pick up the training where I left off at a later date?"
Occa turns to Gilstrock.
Occa says, "A simulacrum...not a clone. Well, I can understand, many people don't like a copy of themselves out there." He shrugs.
"I hate to be a stick in the mud and all," Gilstrock says, "but the idea of more me's makes me feel a little ill."
Occa says, "I have had that reaction before. I am not sure why, but it isn't abnormal. I suppose it has to do with that whole individuality thing." He chuckles and says, "Anyway, no biggie. The seargant I have is pretty good, but I don't know him as well."
Jesse chimes in. "I'll go. I've never seen the city and would like to help as well. I can provide some good magical backup is you will have me."
Occa says, "Well, it's settled then...let's make a quick trip to Sandas. I will show you my house...we can do a run through there if it isn't cleared out. Otherwise, we can contact the city and see if there is anything we can do to help with the undead within the city."
Arrrgh! steps up and volunteers as well...
Occa teleports everyone who wants to go to his house.
Suddenly you appear on the grounds of a large old mansion. It is early evening. The weather is much hotter and more humid here than it was in the mountains, and the sky is overcast.
Looking at the derilect house that Occa has purchased, Jesse and Arrrgh! get the strangest feeling of deja vu...
The grounds of the place are large and encircled by a wall. A rusted iron gate opens out onto a street. You get the impression that the house is located in a fairly decent residential neighbourhood. Several outbuildings are on the grounds of the house...and a gravel drive leads up to the front of the house from the gate.
Marching up and down in front of the house are ten soldiers, being yelled at by an eleventh soldier.
A group of men and women sit on the grass watching.
You spot Acco-lite and Cannon Fodder 2 loitering about nearby, as well.
Nothing seems to be getting done.
Darian looks at the house, the yard, the gate and the soldiers. "Um... Nice house you got here, Occa. Tell me, why is everyone out here? I thought they were supposed to be clearing the house."
Gilstrock says, "Sheesh, it's hot here." He draws his Frost Band and presses the cold blade against his forehead. "Ahhhh," he says.
Gilstrock then looks over at Occa. "Whelp, Occa, it's your show. What do we do next?"
Occa says, "Don't call me a whelp."
He goes over to Cannon Fodder and says, "Why isn't anything being done here?"
"I'm a chaotic!" Cannon Fodder whines. "My organizational abilities are nil."
"AAAAaaarrrrghhhh!!!!" Occa screams. "I am a chaotic as well! Good lord man, pull yourself together."
He sighs and says, "Gilstrock, are you sure I can't have any of your blood."
Darian rolls his eyes. "Occa, maybe you should hire someone who can think and organize to deal with this mess in your absence. Like a seneschal..."
"Besides," adds Acco-lite, "We thought we'd wait for you to come back before going inside...that place looks creepy."
"Aren't you supposed to follow my orders? Good lord man!"
"But I'm a chaotic as well," the simulacrum replies.
"Hammer and nails...hammer and nails... Whack! Whack!" says the carpenter...over and over.
Occa says, "You there man...start fixing the porch."
"Whack whack!" replies the carpenter, and goes over to inspect the porch.
"LEFTRIGHTLEFTRIGHTLEFTRIGHT!" yells the sergeant to his troops.
A butler comes over with a laden tray and offers you all martinis.
Occa takes one and says, "Thank god, someone doing their work."
Darian says, "No thank you. I don't want my senses being dulled when we get into that house. Shall we get going, Occa?"
Gilstrock takes a martini. "What the hell is this?" he asks, looking at the dainty little glass. He pulls out the olive, holding it between the tips of his fingers as if it were a maggot. "You got an ale?"
The butler looks at Gilstrock as if he were a cockroach, sniffs, and walks away.
BrightAxe will imitate the sniff of the butler with a horrendous snort "dat's right, my good man" he'll wink at Gilstrock and Gonzo "Gimme a Lager for gentleman, and I would be pleased to belch in unison with your god's wishes with Silverbeards respects."
He'll give a dwarven whisper to the dwarves... "a little class will shut ole stify up."
Occa says to the sergeant. "Please stop marching. Setup a barracks in one of these other buildings. Post two gaurds at the gate and then setup a rotation of shift for those gaurds. Also, have 2 gaurds patrol the grounds at all times. See if we can setup something on the wall for a lookout."
"RIGHT AWAY...SIR!!" yells the sergeant in Occa's face.
Darian involuntarily snaps to attention.
He says to the rest of the people. "First thing we will do is check these outer buildings. Once they are checked, the rest of you need to work on getting them cleaned and in order."
The maids and servants nod and curtsey.
He looks to the group and shrugs. "Oh well, I was hoping they would have the place in better shape by now. Sorry." He then says, "Let's check these outer buildings. Once they are looked over, we can start in the main house."
"Cannon fodder, use your wand of enemy detection and walk around the area out here."
Cannon Fodder will do so with a grimace on his face.
Occa says to Darian, "What is it I need again?"
"A seneschal. You know... They're used by royalty mostly as master of ceremonies for feasts and such. But, I've also known them to run households for their masters. They're paid very well, but they oversee the day to day things that need to happen. And they're in charge of all domestic help."
The group of you follow Cannon Fodder, and do a circuit of the grounds.
The grounds measure 290' X 310'...oriented east-west. East of the property is a graveyard. Behind the property to the north is a temple of some sort. A street runs along the south, and another runs along the west side. The entire property is walled. From the southeast corner, there is a 20' wide gate in the 80' - 100' section of the south wall. Also as measured from the southeast corner, there is a small stone building against the east wall, in the 120' - 140' section. It is 20' square, with a door in the west wall, north corner. 10' north of this structure is a stable (30' X 70', oriented north-south, also against the east wall; door in 10' - 30' section of west wall). In the north wall, in the 220 - 230' section as measured from the northeast corner is a small gate that opens into the temple grounds to the north.
There is a small pool in the middle of the back of the property.
The wall surrounding the property is 10' high.
The southeast corner of the house is set 110' north of and 90' west of the southeast corner of the property. From there, the east wall of the house runs north for 80' (doors in 20' - 30' and 50' - 60' sections), west for 60' (door in last 10' section), north for 10' (door), west for 10', south for 10', west for 60' south for 80' and then back to the southeast corner. There is also a door in the south wall, 60' - 70' section as measured from the west side. A 20' wide verandah with a hole in its floor runs for 110' along the front (south) from the west end of the house. A short flight of steps ascends it in front of the door.
The entire property is quite overgrown with scrubby bushes and trees.
You follow Cannon Fodder about, as he waves his wand to and fro.
"Enemies in the southeast corner," he says, as the wand points at a gnarly old tree.
A few moments later the wand pulses again, pointing at an area of heavy underbrush in the northeast corner of the property.
Just before you complete your circuit of the grounds the wand pulses a third time...pointing at a small hole in the ground towards the southwest part of the property.
A butler with a hunchback, a clubfoot and only one squinty eye comes shuffling over to you as you complete your walkabout.
"Beggin' yer pardon, Master," he wheezes up at Occa, "But the carpenter sends his regards...an' kindly requests that you please dispatch with the monster under the porch so that he can fix it?"
Two guards have been stationed by the front gate, and the sergeant is yelling at the other men.
"Sergeant? You might want to keep folks away from the northeast, southwest and the southeast corners. There seems to be enemies in those areas and we wouldn't want anyone to get hurt." says Darian.
"YES...SIR!"
Darian involuntarily snaps to attention again. So does Occa.
"I've got to stop doing that..."
Occa says to a lackey, "Do you know where Connie is? She is the one that sent you over here. Could you go to her and give her this note." Once he finds someone who knows where Connie's offices are he sends them to her.
Occa writes out a note to Connie saying that he needs a Seneschal to manage his estate and if she could find him one. He also mentions that if she is willing to run the estate herself, she could run her offices out of his home. Just as a possible barter option.
"Connie sold you the house or just provided you the servants and men-at-arms?" asks Darian.
Occa says, "Why do you ask? Do you know Connie?"
Darian shakes his head. "I've no idea who she was. I was just curious. If she sold you the house, I'd wonder about hiring her as a seneshal. If she provided the people, then she's probably pretty good."
Occa says, "She did both."
He shrugs.
Darian looks suspicious. "Then I would wonder about the quality of the people she hired for you. Although, the butler seemed competent."
The runny-nosed boy takes the note and leaves.
"Occa, can you come up with a map of all this for us? Seems like we could break into teams and tackle a few things at once if we had something on paper to look at.
"Sure, right after the critter in the porch, I will."
Occa smiles weakly and looks at the other members of the group. "Uh, sorry, I didn't think this place was THIS infested. Good lord."
He walks over to the porch first and says to the carpenter. "What is in there?"
"Whack whack whack!" replies the carpenter, making appropriate gestures with his hammer.
Darian looks at Gilstrock and draws his sword. "Shall we go take a look? We probably should all go so that until know what we're up against."
Occa sighs and walks up to check it out.
Climbing up the steps to the verandah, the mage looks looks through the hole in the floorboards to see what is lurking underneath.
Suddenly there is a spray of something from below that engulfs Occa. He gags and staggers back...blinded and nauseated.
Out of the hole in the verandah floor jumps a giant skunk, which then runs down the steps and away into the underbrush.
"Phew...Master!" says Igor the butler, catching a whiff.
"Whack whack whack!" says the carpenter by way of thanks, and he sets to work...at the end of the porch upwind from Occa.
Darian moves upwind from Occa. "Um... do you know a spell to get rid of that smell? It's worse than a stinking cloud..."
"But, maybe you should try one of the other places. You might frighten away whatever is in there."
Occa says, "Aaargh!" He says, "Anyone have a cantrip to get rid of stenches?"
He then says, "So much for that critter. Let's go check out the rest of the grounds. Let's start with the North East."
He heads over that way.
Darian puts a hand on his shoulder. "Why so glum, chum?"
Occa says, "Well, I didn't think this property was so bad and now I stink to high heaven! I will have to sleep like this till tomorrow when I can memorize a cantrip to clean myself up. What a pain! Hey, I don't even think I have cantrip anymore. Blazes!"
He then changes his mind and walks over to the gnarly tree in the SouthEast Corner and will cast unseen servant to start digging around in the brush and around the tree.
Occa says to Darian as he does so, "Why do you ask? Do you know Connie?"
Darian shakes his head. "I've no idea who she was. I was just curious. If she sold you the house, I'd wonder about hiring her as a seneshal. If she provided the people, then she's probably pretty good."
Occa says, "She did both." He shrugs.
Darian looks suspicious. "Then I would wonder about the quality of the people she hired for you. Although, the butler seemed competent."
Occa says, "You are suspicious, aren't you? No need to worry."
"Yeah," says Robert to Darian. "Lighten up. Life is good. If she dinks us around then we'll kill her."
He grins.
Occa sends his servant over to the tree...
Darian rolls his eyes. "I didn't mean that way." He looks over the estate. "It's just this place is in such bad shape. I'm thinking that Occa got taken."
Darian keeps his sword ready.
Occa does not reply.
Instead, he speaks a word and disappears...reappearing instantly just outside of the gate leading into the property.
"Hail invisible one," he says to the thin air. "What are you doing here?"
The unseen servant dies.
"Occa, what's going on?"
BrightAxe clears his disorientation, then looks plainly confused.
Occa says, "There is an invisible thief like person over here with a mask on. He has been watching us and I want to find out why."
He regards the air before him.
"Can you strip his invisibility from him? Or tie him up?"
"Jesse, isn't that your job?" asks the man in full plate.
Occa says, "Sure, but I thought I would talk first."
Darian casts detect invisibility.
A disbodied voice asks "Do you own this house?"
The elf with a white streak running through his hair says, "That's a strange question coming from someone who's sneaking around. What is it you want?"
"'Sneaking around' is such an ugly term...I prefer observing unnoticed...at least I was until your mage sensed me."
"As for what I want, I thought I just asked."
The mage says, "My name is Occa and yes, I do own this house...at least since yesterday. We are in the process of cleaning it out. Why are you interested in this place?"
You notice a very strong skunk odor coming from the mage.
The butler comes over and offers a martini to the unseen person.
"No thanks...I'm on duty." says the voice to the butler, before saying to Darian, "Now, now...that's not very polite. In fact, that could be construed as very hostile. As for watching you, that's not completely true...in fact, until you mentioned you were going to kill some woman, I wasn't interested at all. I'm just curious about the house."
"And it's polite to sneak around. That could also be construed as hostile. And what's this about killing some woman? I don't remember anyone saying that." says Darian.
Zanax shrugs invisibly "Someone said something about if a certain woman dinks you around, you'd kill her? The one who sold you the property?"
"I said it...about this Connie lady," replies Robert the fighter. "I was just joking."
"Oh." Zanax replies, not totally convinced.
"Now, why don't you show yourself?"
Darian rolls his eyes. "Ah, yes, I'd forgotten about the lame attempt at humor that was made by Robert. But, I wasn't aware that he was shouting it aloud. You must have been quite near us to have heard it."
Zanax shrugs "Good ears."
Darian rolls his eyes.
Occa says, "Well, that is why I spoke and didn't just capture you. Now, why are you interested in the house? And who the hell are you? And why are you wearing that mask? Excuse me for being rude, but you are invisible and spying on us. So speak up quickly. My patience is on it's last leg ever since that skunk got me."
Moving upwind from the mage, the voice says, "Pleased to make your acquaintance. My name is Zanax. As I said, mostly observing...checking out it's relation to a disturbance inside the city. Any problem if I take a closer look?"
"I just told you why I'm interested in the house. I wear a mask because it suits me and because, as you perceive, being invisible doesn't prevent people from recognizing you. As for spying on you, I told you I wasn't until you mentioned you were going to kill some woman."
"Zanax. Okay, thanks for the intro. Uh, why do you think it is related to the disturbance in the city? Just because of the temple and graveyard?" he chuckles and says,"You really don't think there is a connection do you?"
Zanax pauses a moment and replies with some anger in his voice "I think you take the disturbance in the city too lightly. Last night undead roamed the streets freely, killing many people and destroying many buildings. That temple over there belongs to the Gods of Trouble." (Occa will notice Zanax's fists clenched tightly by his side.)
"Well, that's one reason we're here." He looks over at a huge, burly man. "See, Gilstrock, I told you we're needed here. This is more important than killing dragons and such."
"Zanax, are the people safe now? Or is there still danger from the undead?"
"The Baron called out the guards last night. Whether or not they will be safe tonight is hard to say."
"Well, we'll stay the night and help out if it's needed."
"As for a connection, this house is rumored to be haunted. I have come to investigate, that is all. Why is it being boarded up?"
Darian looks over at Occa. "You bought a haunted house? Occa, I hope you got a really good deal..."
Occa sighs and says, "Actually, she said it was all cleaned up. I think I have been taken."
BrightAxe asks "And why is an entertainment center like a haunted house cause for glum?" He thinks to himself that next the humans will invent non-alcoholic beer.
"Who sold you this house?"
"Apparently someone who wants it cleared out properly." Occa shrugs.
"Her name is Connie. Likely Connie the con-artist. Occa, I'd be curious to know if you really own this place... The deed might be a fake."
"Ah...the one Robert threatened to kill."
"Darian, no need to be so forthcoming with information. Zanax here isn't so forthcoming, so let's stop the information exchange until we know more about this guy. As for the deed...we will see. I will check into it."
"Oh... Sorry, Occa. It's just he didn't seem like he was very dangerous, that's all. Of course, he won't tell us who he works for, so I suppose that person could be dangerous."
"I'll shut up now."
"I'd listen to Occa if I were you Darien...the last time I openned my mouth to strangers, I got into some serious trouble with my superiors."
Occa says, "Are you trying to stir up trouble, Zanax?"
"Um...not that I'm aware of...I just believe that good advice should be listened to, that's all. It's true, by the way...what I said about getting into trouble."
Occa says, "I doubt he is dangerous, but whoever he works for might be. Can someone detect alignment on him."
Another mage walks up who looks exactly like Occa in every detail. He says, "I can."
He pulls out a rod.
Occa says, "Thanks Cannon Fodder."
"No problemo, Occa."
Cannon Fodder points the rod at Zanax.
"Yuck!" says Cannon Fodder. "I hate him already! He's Awful...errr...Lawful Good!"
"You are a slime," says another man to the air where Zanax stands, also dressed as a magic user.
Darian shuts up for maybe two seconds.
"Others say that the thieves guild is involved..."
"Occa... I hope you got a very very good deal."
"And who do you work for? The Baron of this area?" asks Darian.
"Who I work for is of no concern, although I work to eradicate evil from this city. As for the Baron, I do not know him personally, although I have met his son."
"You have the look of a thief about you, Zanax. I'll take you at your word, though, and believe you're here for some purpose other than stealing."
"My name is Darian Trist. I'm a fighter and a mage."
"Pleasure to meet you Darian. I had no idea that the place was owned by anyone. I hope you checked the house for squatters."
"Occa just bought it recently, I believe. As far as squatters go, Occa found a giant skunk. Hopefully that's it."
"It is a fact that there have been known evil entities inside this place. Many attempts have been made to rid this place of such beings. Perhaps you will be more successful."
"What evil entities? Ghosts? Demons? What?"
"I don't know...I haven't been inside, yet..."
Occa says, "Yet?"
"Well, I wanted to take a look around..."
"...and I wasn't told what type of monsters lurk inside. You could easily find out by finding the others who ventured inside before. Last I heard, they were at Yuri's Castle...although, rumor has it that he's not there and probably kicked them out. I believe the Baron's youngest son was part of that group, although I cannot confirm that."
"Might be worth looking into, but I doubt they will be much aid."
Zanax shrugs "They probably know a lot about the inside of the house and what lurks in it."
Occa says, "Doesn't matter. Whatever it is, it will soon be dead again and won't be haunting my house."
Darian looks at the others of the party. "Yuri? Who's Yuri?"
"You're not from around here, are you?" asks Zanax.
"Nope, this is my second time to Sandas. The first time, I met this absolutely splendid arch-mage who answered a few of my questions about my abilities."
"A woman, perhaps?"
"Yup. Named Ray Jay. Why? Do you know her?"
"I've met her once...quite a temper she's got...not to mention she can't seem to keep secrets. Her assistant is much more congenial."
"She was quite cordial with us. She offered to help me, although I haven't stopped back to see if she's been able to. Occa, could we visit her before we go back?"
Occa says, "If she has returned, sure."
"She's been out of town? I guess that makes sense. Someone that powerful must have people wanting her help all the time. Makes me wonder why she offered to help me."
"She's not back yet. I was there this morning and saw her assistant." says Zanax.
"Did you ask when she'd be back?"
"But, I grew up near Greyhawk. These folks tell me that was on another world. Since most of them have been around, I believe them."
"Hmmm...another world, eh? Sounds exciting! Tell me, do they have dragons and demons there as well?"
"Well, they've got dragons. Never saw a demon there, though. I suppose there's probably demons. I mean, there are elves, humans and dwarves here and there. Why wouldn't there be demons?"
"Sounds fascinating! Perhaps I will visit this Greyhawk someday."
Darian shrugs. "Not much different than this place."
"My work is done here and I'm ready to leave. Assuming you're moving in, I figure either you'll get rid of the evil, in which case I'll be very happy. Or the evil will drive you out, and I'll know that there is still work to be done. Do you have potent magic to protect yourselves and your workers?"
Robert smirks.
"Is the Pope Catholic?" he replies...then he wonders why he said that.
"We've got potent magic, but I'm thinking we should've brought Orlon along. Brightaxe can afford us some protection, but Orlon's the heavy hitter in that area. Occa, can you bring him here? And maybe Al as well? Or at least Valdar."
Zanax asks in a confused voice "Is the *what* *what*??? Nevermind, I take that as a yes. Well, you've been warned about the house. Occa, mind if I take a closer look before leaving?"
"Actually we rely upon brawn and our wits." interjects BrightAxe.
"Oh." replies Zanax again, not entirely convinced.
Occa says, "Well, we are clearing the grounds right now and then we are going in to clean it out. I doubt we will have tons of trouble, but you are welcome to join us. I don't think I would recommend you going in by yourself, besides it is my responsibility. I am assuming, btw, that you are working with a group and you are doing recon for them? Were are they? Are they also interested in exploring this house?"
"Hmmm...how long before you go inside? I have other pressing problems...As for doing recon, yes I am working for another, um...group. They're not interested in exploring the house, just getting rid of the evil inside it."
Occa says, "Probably within the next 20 or 30 minutes at most. Probably alot less."
"Hmmm...then I would be happy to accompany you inside!"
Angst pops out of the woodwork, next.
"Can your wand tell you how powerful the enemies are or is it just that they are hostile to us, for if they are all as the last one then we will look a little silly as we charge down a couple of moles with two delayed blast fireballs?" he asks Cannon Fodder.
CF moons him.
"How about we do this differently and check to see if they are more friendly to me. If they are undead then the rest of you can then charge at them?"
Angst then approaches the gnarly tree slowly and quietly so that he will not disturb any beasts that are there.
Nothing happens...until he is under the spreading branches of the tree...at which time a tentacle-like appendage drops down from above...wraps itself around his neck...and proceeds to haul him up into the air, choking him as it goes...
"Oh dear," says Robert.
Darian chuckles. "Well, these folks certainly act superior, but we don't really have a leader or anything, so I'm not worried about getting in trouble. The group kind of moves along on its own momentum."
"Ha!" Gilstrock says. "Don't listen to my student here. He knows his place. He uses his brain too much, too. Can't even finish a meager class, because he's gotta go run off and save the world or something."
Occa lights up the evening with a little magic...
...his magic missile spell bounces right off of the old tree with no effect.
Next he directs a lightning bolt at the trunk...which blows a not inconsiderable chunk out of it.
It still holds the ranger, though...who would be choking to death if not for his stoneskin spell...
Angst draws his bastard sword and swings at the tentacle...cutting it in two and freeing himself.
He drops to the ground...but another tentacle immediately grabs him.
"Ah...this is where I see your wits and brawn in action!"
Cannon Fodder says, "Here is a map folks, so far."
He makes a paper plane out of a piece of parchment he has and throws it at Darian.
It hits Darian in the forehead...and sticks there.
"Gee, thank Cannon Fodder. You'll keep it up to date?"
Cannon Fodder says, "I was thinking I might do so...if you want to, though, you may."
"No, you can keep doing it. I like your method of delivery. How'd you come up with that?"
He says, "There are monsters in the Southeast corner. I guess that tree attacking Angst. In the Northeast corner in the underbrush and in the Southwest corner in a small hole."
Gilstrock waves his hand dismissively at Darian. "Ahh, save the elves here, save the humans there, just so long as we get fed."
"This is my first time to Sandas, so I _really_ don't know who Yuri is," Gilstrock adds.
"In short, he's a powerful and well respected Paladin, who happens to live in a castle just a few days ride from here."
Occa says, "Okay. Why don't you drop your invisibility for a while and then we can all just finish the ground and then head into the house, okay? I am only recommending that till we have worked together a bit, I do not mean to be offensive." He heads back toward the gnarly tree and recasts unseen servant. He then sends it over to rut around the tree.
"I say...are you addressing me?" Zanax says with an edge in his voice, turning to the person who called him a slime.
"You're the only slime present...since Al isn't here," the man - whose name is Acco-lite - replies. "I think."
"I see..." Directing his voice at Occa "Interesting...companions...you have there (obviously referring to Cannon Fodder and Acco-lite). They remind me of a certain half-orc I know..."
Occa says, "Well, they have had to tolerate a paladin for awhile, so you can understand their disdain, can't you?"
Zanax shrugs "Depends on the paladin. Personally, most of the ones I know are pretty decent...it's the ones that are extremists that I tend to avoid."
Occa says, "That is what Al is. So, now you understand."
"Awww, c'mon Acco," Gilstrock says. "This fellow can't be so bad as Al; Al's a Paladin!"
Gilstrock notices that Angst is still in difficulty.
He runs forward, dropping his spear and pulling out his flail. He attempts to grab Angst's ankle and misses.
He starts flailing at the branch that's holding him.
"Release him, you unfavored son of a Sierra Club dropout!" Gilstrock cries to the tree.
He damages the new tentacle somewhat with one swing...then mashes it again.
As he does this, he keeps an eye on other branches of the tree. A tentacle drops towards him.
"Don't grab me, you rotting worm-infested practitioner of photosynthesis!" He says.
It ignores his tirade...grabs him...and strings him up beside Angst.
Arrrgh! moves forward next...accompanied by Robert.
Darian moves forward to help as well, trying to sever the tentacles holding Angst and Gilstrock.
"Jesse, Pharian and Occa, you might want to try more lightening bolts. Those seem to work better than magic missles."
Angst attempts to hack at the creepers/tentacles that are holding him and Gilstrock up.
"This stupid tree does not know when it has had enough"
"Can one of you mage type cast flame arrow or another fire based spell at the base of this stupid tree"
"Unhand me, you pathetic excuse for a gallows!" Gilstrock gasps out as he attempts to continue to mash at the tentacles with his flail -- this time at the one holding him.
Mashing it twice, the tree lets go of him.
The crowd continues to grow as suddenly a proud looking man displaying the holy symbol of Thor pops in.
"Howdy, Orlon!" says Robert, as he goes into battle against a tree that has already had Angst and Gilstrock strung up from its branches.
A tentacle drops towards him but he chops it off handily with his glowing bastard sword.
"Well said!" Gilstrock says, continuing a conversation. Pointing in the direction of Zanax, Gilstrock looks at Occa and continues, "I like this guy."
"Actually," Gilstrock muses, "Al's not all that bad a guy. His sword, though, is outta hand."
In a confused voice "What does his sword have to do with it?"
"It won't shut up," Gilstrock says.
"It talks?" Zanax asks.
"Unfortunately, yes," Gilstrock says.
"Unfortunately. And it has some rather strong and loud opinions." replies Darian.
"Surely it means well...I mean, this paladin and sword are dedicated to fighting evil, right?"
"Well, yes, as the first step. Then everybody who is not good. Then everybody who is chaotic. Then everybody who is not lawful good. Then everybody who isn't _really_ lawful good. Then everybody who isn't pure in their heart. Then everybody who is perfect." Gilstrock pauses. "And, then, I guess, itself, since there won't be much else left."
"The sword is a bit out to lunch, even for a Paladin's sword," chimes in BrightAxe smiling inanely trying to recover his merry demeanor in the midst of this apparent chaos.
Occa rolls his eyes and this constant chatter and says, "Do you two abhor silence?"
Cannon Fodder says, "You are projecting Occa...you are the one that can't stop chattering. Besides, you are just upset for buying such a dumping infested house. Moron."
Occa says, "Don't pull that psycho-babble on me, runt! Remember, I can make more to replace you!"
Cannon Fodder says, "Oh sure, oppress me then! Don't use me as your scapegoat!"
Occa sighs and magic missles the tree again.
The spell bounces off of the tree without hurting it.
Zanax listens to the banter and then says to Gilstrock, "There are worse things than a talking sword."
"You got that right," Gilstrock says, smiling.
Zanax steps up and becomes visible, draws his long sword and hacks at the tentacles holding Angst. "That's quite some protection you have there...I don't think those tentacles have even hurt him!"
You see a young man in leathers, masked.
He severs the already injured tentacle and Angst is free.
While he is doing that, though, another tentacle drops on him...but he dodges it.
Occa lightning bolts the tree again.
This spell gets through...and more bark and wood splinters.
BrightAxe will use his axes on the tree all the time thinking that axes might actually be useful even in the woods.
He damages it slightly.
"Fine," says Pharian before he casts a lightning bolt at the tree.
The bolt bounces off of the trunk without damaging it.
Jesse also replies with a lightning bolt.
Hers gets through...blowing the trunk clean in half.
The tree teeters...as the fighters beat a hasty retreat. Then, the tree slowly topples over with a crash.
"Occa, my man, you need to get you a new gardner," Gilstrock says.
There is a thin shriek from nearby...as you see a glimmering shadow-thing rise up out of the bushes and rapidly disapate into the atmosphere.
"What the hell was that?" Gilstrock asks Occa.
The butler comes around with his tray, again...this time laden with mugs of beer.
"Ahh... now that's more like it!" Gilstrock will take one of the mugs of beer and down it, belching when he's done. No more than one mug, though, for Gilstrock is well aware that this is no time to be getting drunk.
It is getting towards dinnertime.
"Nice shot." Darian says to Jesse.
Jesse blushes at the complement, and then bows, with a flurish, to Darian.
"Thank you, you are too kind. It was a group effort."
Darian bows back. "Oh, I agree, but your shot finished it off. Something about the tree made magic missles and lightning bolts bounce off which is strange..."
Darian looks up at the sky for a moment. "What was that thing?"
Darian grabs a mug. "Thank you. Hey, Orlon! Glad you could make it."
Zanax wipes the sweat from his brow and sheathes his sword. "Well, that was a good, but short, workout! Oh, I just remembered several things. One is that there is a dungeon under this house. And two, There are tunnels which lead to the temple of the Gods of Trouble. Sorry I forgot to mention them earlier."
Occa sighs loudly as he heads to the Northeast. "Well, if you remember anything else, please let me know. A dungeon...yikes."
Zanax shrugs "Well, I did warn you about the house being occupied and being involved with the temple earlier. Somethings occassionally I forget."
"This place keeps sounding worse and worse. Occa, how much did you pay for this catastrophe?" asks Darian.
Occa says, "Shut up with those questions already!"
"Easy big guy. Can't take a little teasing, can you?"
Occa settles down and says, "Uh, of course, I can!" He smiles grimly.
Cannon Fodder laughs and says, "Too much it would seem." he giggles.
Occa says, "Maybe we should just reduce the temple of trouble to rubble. That would be the fastest solution."
"True, but who would be pissed off?"
"Who knows."
Darian looks confused. "Why would he be upset? Does he belong to the temple? If he does, maybe you shouldn't mention it. Then he won't be upset."
Occa slaps his forehead and says, "Aaargh!"
"Yes?" says the dwarf.
"He's right here. But, I thought you were talking about Who Knows."
Zanax shakes his head with a confused look on his face.
Zanax looks over "If that's truly your aim...I know where you could get some help..."
Occa says, "Are they evil? If so, maybe we should just level that place first before wasting our time on the house."
"Who's the 'they' you're are referring to as being evil? The temple is most certainly evil and I doubt you can 'just level that place' as easily as you think. Else, it would have been a long time ago." says Zanax.
"Of course, I mean the temple. Who else would I mean by that? Good, then we will take care of them. As for 'just leveling the place'...probably not, but I bet we have the best chance in all of Sandas to do it. Why don't you get your group and we can plan an attack. That sounds like a ton of fun."
He smiles happily at the idea.
"Too bad Al isn't here for that. He is a damned blender when it comes to evil clerics."
"I'll be sure to pass a message along. Where is Al?"
"Pass along a message? Why? Isn't your group in Sandas?"
"The group I'm referring to is in Sandas...but as I said earlier, I'm not staying long...I've got other pressing business."
"If that's true, why are you still hanging around? Is there something you need to see? If so, we should go there next so that you can get on with your pressing business."
"Well, I need to take a closer look at the house and Occa said that you were venturing in soon. So hanging around another hour or so couldn't hurt. Especially, if I find some useful information."
"Al is back at our base camp. He was busy talking to his sword last I saw him and he wasn't interested in accompanying us."
"Ah...He's quite attached to his sword, isn't he?"
"I think it's a mutual thing."
"He's also quite fond of that talking sharp metal weapon he found," Gilstrock says, absently, staying focused on the bones Occa seems worried about.
"Hey," says Angst, "I thought this was going to be a quick one day jaunt to tidy up after the undead had been defeated, and what is the connection between the house and the temple. Are you holding back some information about this place Occa or did you forget to mention these at the base site?"
Occa says, "No, I am not holding back anything."
He looks over at Zanax and says, "If you want to get the rest of your group, maybe we could all talk about the next step here if we decide to go that way."
"It seems to me that you were stuck with a white elephant from a real sultan (Grin) or is it sultanna"
"If you want to spend some money i have this worthy cause caleed Against Noisey Greater Striped Tomcats
of which i am the founder member"
Occa throws Angst a dirty look.
Cannon Fodder goes and searches around the tree for treasure. He will use detect magic (no charge) from his rod. "Any goodies here?"
He detects none.
Occa heads up toward the Northeast corner of the compound to investigate that area. He says, "There is something over this way toward the Northeast corner in the underbrush."
"Hi Zanx, Thank you for your assistance, Let us move on to the next place"
Angst follows after Occa and the unseen servent to the next encounter
Zanax heads over to where the shadowy thing went and then to the northeast corner where Occa said something was hiding. He finds nothing unusual.
Once there, Occa sends an unseen servant into the bush to try to scare whatever is there out.
The servant returns clutching a handful of old bones...a mixture of human and animal, it seems. It also carries out an old leather pouch and a rusty longsword.
Unless the party is attacked with an unseen servant crashing the bushes, BrightAxe will step towards the butler and offer to relieve the butler's load by a mug.
A maid comes up with a tray of hor'deurves, next.
The servant goes back into the bushes...and comes out with more bones.
By the time it is finished there is quite a pile of them...mostly dog - as in canine - bones...but with an almost complete human skeleton as well.
Cannon Fodder tries the wand...and it points at the pile of bones.
Opening the pouch, you find inside 17cp, 11sp, 7ep, 6gp and 2pp.
It is still daylight.
"Lets check out the hole in the ground next and see if there is another animal down it or if there are dirty rats??" suggests Angst. "Which god is worshiped at the temple or is that part of the mystery?"
Occa says, "I think it is the god of trouble."
"That's *Gods*...as in plural."
Zanax briefly examines the long sword.
It is a cheap blade of no value.
"What does that wand do?" Zanax asks.
Cannon fodder says, "Detect enemies."
Occa says, "Orlon, could you dispel on these bones? They must be the enemy or something." He pulls out some holy water and dumps it on the bones to see if that has any affect.
Gilstrock will get his flail back out and will cautiously approach to within about five feet of the bones. If they make any sign of moving, he will begin to to mash upon them.
The bones sizzle and dissolve when the holy water touches them.
BrightAxe grabs an hor'deuvre.
"Occa, I don't care what anyone says," he says after finishing the food. "I like this place, it has the best service I've ever seen."
He looks around a bit more and talks to himself, "Just put a still over there, a temple to Clangeddin Silverbeard here, a weaponry over there, an armory near this tree, and drop a mountain range just on the other side, and this place would be perfect. 'course, eventually all the undead would be dead, maybe we could find monsters to breed and put them in here for the entertainment..."
Occa heads toward the Southwest section of the grounds to the little hole.
Darian shrugs. "Okay. Occa, maybe we should look at the house next."
Occa says, "I was thinking of fumigating it. Going to the top floor and sending a cloudkill through it and into the dungeons below. Could even send it over to the temple."
Zanax looks interested "Sounds great! What's a cloudkill?"
Occa says, "It is a cloud of poison gas that kills almost everything it comes into contact with...won't do any good against undead, but anything living will die unless it can flee quickly."
"Can you flood the entire house, dungeon, and even the temple with it?" Zanax asks somewhat excitedly.
"I doubt I can do both...but I could do the house and then do the temple. That would only live the big boys to deal with at that point."
Darian's eye glaze over momentarily as he reviews the spell in his mind. "Ah, yes, that might do the trick. But, you realize that it won't affect the undead. Do you know how long it lasts until it is safe to walk where it's seeped? I mean you're talking about casting in your house..."
Occa says to Darian, "I can dispel it when I will, so it won't be a big deal. The undead will be all we have to contend with...they will be the ones to watch out for."
Darian slaps himself in the forehand with his hand. "I keep forgetting about the dispel spell."
"As far the undead go, we've got Orlon and Brightaxe to help deal with them. And we'll go in loaded with magical items at the ready. Just have to watch out for things sucking us dry, that's all."
Zanax mumbles something about "...other sword..."
"If you need another sword that's more powerful, just ask. I'm sure Gilstrock or one of the others has a sword you could borrow."
Zanax looks concerned "Well, so long as we agree that's it's only for this little foray. I don't like 'borrowing' equipment that doesn't rightly belong to me."
Turning to Gilstrock "Would it be alright if I borrowed a long sword from you? While my sword does have a few other powers, it's enchantment as a weapon is not so great."
"Errr, sorry," Gilstrock says. "We have a right armory back at base camp, but I only brought with me what I'm carrying on me. Means I've only got Thawbreaker here."
Gilstrock draws the sword at his side. As he does so, water vapor in the air condenses on the cold blade, so that it is covered with small droplets.
"I could lend you Thawbreaker if you like," Gilstrock says, "and I'll stick with my spear and flail. Thawbreaker is my favorite weapon, though. Let me know how much you need it."
"Ah...a Frost Brand! Truly a wondrous weapon. A companion of mine has a similar weapon. If your spear and flail are not as potent as Thawbreaker, then I think it best that you hold onto your sword. I have a more powerful short sword, than my long sword, that is, but I am not proficient in it."
"By all means, let's get started! I'm anxious to enter and take a look around." says Zanax.
Occa says, "First the grounds...we don't want something coming in behind us. For all we know, it could be a purple worm over there."
Regarding the cloudkill plan, Gilstrock says, "Doesn't that sound a little too 'scorched earth'? What if there's... you know, prisoners and stuff?"
Cannon Fodder says, "Well, we will bury them. Besides, they shouldn't have become prisoners to begin with, I say."
"I wonder if your friends will remember that if you ever get captured."
Cannon Fodder says, "I expect Occa will." he shakes his head and mutters, "Damnable awful goodie goodies."
"Pay no attention to Cannon Fodder. He is a simulcrum of Occa. He's a little testy sometimes, but he's generally an alright fellow. He's got a bad attitude because Occa makes him do the scouting. That's why he's got the name he's got." explains Darian.
"What's a simulcrum? Is that why he looks like Occa?"
"A simulcrum is a duplicate. Occa made a duplicate of himself to feret out the dragons we are fighting so that the whole party didn't fried every other day. Cannon Fodder is not as powerful as Occa nor does he have all of Occa's memories, but he's got some. And he's got a different personality that at times is a good offset to Occa."
Occa shakes his head and says, "Loose lips, sink ships, Darian old boy."
"I'm sorry. Zanax wasn't supposed to know that?"
"Maybe it's lucky for you he's a good guy..."
"Oh no, I meant, he wouldn't care if I were a prisoner. If I got in the way....too bad, I expect."
Occa smiles.
Zanax frowns "Well...that's not very good then. Quite callous, in fact."
Occa sticks his tongue out.
"Loose lips may sink ships, but a tongue sticking out is likely to be bit off!"
Occa laughs and says, "That may be true....but you'd better be magic missle resistant." He smiles.
"Is one of your priests powerful enough to cast Commune? Then we could ask some questions and find out!"
Walking back to the southwest corner of the property, you see that the soldiers are setting up tents near the stables. The carpenter is still hammering at the porch. The servants have brought a dining table outside, and are laying it for dinner.
In the southwest corner is a small hole in the ground.
As you approach it, two large insects come scuttling out at you. They look to be a cross between a spider and a scorpion...with long antennae as well.
Angst leaps to the forefront, sword a swinging. Arrrgh! is at his side. The ranger takes a bite...but again his stoneskin saves him. He brings his sword down on the thing and kills it.
Arrrgh! is missed...and he fans with his flail, both heads missing. Angst helps out...but misses as well. Finally, Arrrgh! connects twice, and the second monster is history.
Zanax examines the corpses "Interesting creature...I wonder just how poisonous it was? Are all your battles this quick?"
"Usually faster," Gilstrock says. "Occa and Pharian and Stiff just start looking at the monsters funny, and they're all dead before the rest of us can even get a decent battle cry out."
"At least," Gilstrock says, musing, "that's what happens half the time. The other half of the time, it's all of us that are dead."
"Anyone up to some hole searching?" asks Darian, peering down said hole.
Cannon Fodder checks out the hole and area for goodies.
With his plethora of detection devices he detects nothing.
Occa says, "Okay, time to fumigate the house." He stops suddenly and says, "Opps, I forgot...I don't have cloudkill memorized. It will have to wait till tomorrow or later tonight. let's explore the upper levels of the house and then I will send it into the basement in the morning. Okay?"
Gilstrock shakes his head. "You magic users. It's always you can't do something until the next day." He looks over at Darian. "See, Darian? With a good warrior, all he needs is his health and he's always ready to go, right now."
"True, but being a bit of both, I get the opportunity to massive damage at a distance before closing and totally dismantling an opponent."
"I'll try and get someone from my group here tomorrow to talk to you. They probably have some useful information for you if you're going to venture into the dungeon to clear it out." says Zanax.
Cannon Fodder says, "Sounds good to me." After checking he will go to the house with Occa. First thing he will do is activate the wand. "That should last for a turn...so let's hurry through the upper levels of the house."
Zanax draws his sword, turns Invisible, and follows.
Gilstrock holds his spear in one hand and his Frost Band in the other as they go in.
You enter the house through the front door.
The first room you enter is a foyer (20' X 20': 10' west, 20' north; door in west wall south corner, door in north wall east corner). Once richly frnished, now everything is broken and dirty. There are two chairs, a small couch and a table with a smashed vase on it in here. A portrait of a grandmotherly old woman smiles benignly down upon you.
You open the west door...which leads into a large living room (30' X 50': 20' north, 50' west; door in east wall north corner). A formal room, it is well furnished, with six leather armchairs, three couches, four smaller chairs and eight tables in here. All but one of the couches are covered in dirty sheets. One last sheet lies on the floor in a heap. It is covered in blood...and upon closer inspection you realise that it is not a sheet but the body of some large creature.
Zanax pokes at the sheet...wondering what it is.
Paintings of pastoral scenes complete the decor.
Passing through the east door, you are in a passage. It runs east and north. To the east it runs for 30', turning north after 20, with doors in the last two sections of the south wall, and another door in the north wall. To the north is runs for 10'...turning west in that section.
You go north and look west.
From the back wall it runs for 30', turning north after 20'. There is a door in the west wall facing you.
You go west and look north. From the south wall it runs for 40' and ends. There are doors in the last 10' sections on either side...and in the second last 10' section of the east wall as well.
You open the door that you are standing beside...to the west.
This opens into a smaller living room (20' X 30': 10' north, 30' west). A less formal place, it is furnsished with easy chairs, couches and tables. A pair of paintings of distinguished-looking men gaze over the scene from the north wall.
You return to the hall and open the next door up...to the east side. This opens into a library (20' X 30': 10' south, 30' east). Its walls are lined with shelves...but the place has been mostly trashed. Only one book is in here...it lies on the floor.
Zanax looks for a title on the book.
You open the next door on the east side. This leads into a den (20' X 30': 10' north, 30' east; door in east wall south corner). Large, comfy-looking leather cahirs are scattered about (four of them). There is a fireplace to the north, along with tables, bookshelves (bare) and a desk. Papers lie scattered about on the floor around the desk.
You open the last door on the west side. This opens into a dining room (25' X 30': 5' south, 10' north, 30' west; door in east wall north corner). A large, well-worn wooden dining table with eight chairs dominates this room. There are smaller tables along the walls, and several cabinets. There are more portraits on the walls. A tipped over dumb waiter lies by the southerly door.
You open the door. This is a small storage room (10' square). Apart from some broken china on the shelves which line the place, it is uninteresting.
You go back down the passage...following it back to where you entered it from the large living room.
You go east and open the north door...stairs going up.
You open the first south door...and see the foyer again. A man with a pitchfork regards you from the picture on the wall.
You look north up the passage before opening the second south door. It runs for 60' in total, before ending at a door. There are also doors in the east wall, 10' - 20' section, 30' - 40' section, and 40' - 50' section. On the west side, there is a door that you know leads back into the den.
You open the door to the south...beside you...and see a large dining room (20' X 40' (20' south, 30' east; door in north wall east corner). This formal room has a long oak table with a dozen matching chairs. There are small tables and cabinets along the walls. A shield with two crossed swords hangs from the west wall.
You open the door in the north wall...and see another passage running north for 40'...turning east after 30'. There are doors in the east wall, 0' - 10' section and the west wall, 10' - 20' section.
You enter the hall and open the east door. This leads to the kitchen (20' X 30': 20' south, 20' east; door in east wall north corner). It is filled with a fireplace, ovens, tables, barrels, benches and cupboards.
You open the east door. You are looking outside.
You return to the passage and open the west door. This opens into a child's play room (20' X 20': 10' south, 20' west, previously noted door in west wall). In here are innumerable toys: wagons, dolls, blocks, books, a rocking horse, a smashed jack-in-the-box, and broken toy soldiers are everywhere.
You pass through the west door, into the passage beyond, and open the next door to the north. This room is a sewing room (20' X 20': 20' east, 10' south). In here is a loom, tables and piles of rotted cloth.
You return to the passage and open the last door on the east side.
This door leads into a large breakfast room (20' X 30': 10' north, 30' east). A row of boarded up windows lines the north wall. Apart from some tables and chairs, the place is uninteresting.
You go back again to the hallway and open the door at the end.
You are looking outside.
You go back in, pass through the play room, and go down the other passage.
Looking around the corner to the east, you see that it only runs for another 20'...before ending at a door that opens outside. There are two doors in the last two 10' sections of the north wall.
The first door opens onto a flight of stairs going down... Three dried out corpses lie on the stairs at the top...and a faint trail of dried blood can be seen running down the steps.
The second door opens into an empty larder ("L" shaped: right wall runs north for 20', then west for 20', south for 10', east for 10' and south for 10'). Apart from some broken boxes and a pile of bones in the northwest corner, the place is barren.
Nowhere on this floor have you noted the presence of any enemies.
It is early evening.
From outside comes the smell of cooking food.
"Lots of junk here Occa. You'll have a great time cleaning things up." Jesse says. "It needs a woman's touch. Perhaps Tracy can help you."
"Damn! Now my other sword would really have come in handy. I guess we'll have to start searching for the entrance to the tunnels and dungeon. Unless, you're planning to stop for the day." Zanax says.
Later on, after the extensive exploration, "Well, can we go to this dungeon that the invisible fellow spoke of."
"Whelp, Occa, nothing in here," Gilstrock says. "Let's go see what's for dinner."
You see that a large firepit has been dug, and that a large suckling pig is being barbequed. It will be awhile before it is ready yet, though.
Hanging around outside, though, you spot another dwarf...Gonzo...looking a little disoriented.
He wanders over and joins the party.
Everyone is present now but for Al.
BrightAxe will catch Gonzo up... "Hey Gonzo, we got lost found Occa's amusement house where we can have battle and drink beer and eat between." He'll think a second then add, Smile and add "It still needs a still and such, but I think he's done a good job, whaddaya think ?"
"Me thinks dis place too much like thin-walled cave. Me like Halls of Gallahad better. Youse gots to imagine dem wid lotsa dwarven folk singin and dancing in dem... not dose nastie infiltrators we been fighting deez last monts." replies Gonzo.
"Occa, did you notice any stairs going up?" asks Darian.
"Yes, let's check out the upstairs and then get dinner." Occa says.
"There were stairs going up." Zanax points them out to Darian.
"Maybe we should go up, before going down then. (Got lost with all the descriptions)"
"Cannon Fodder, do you have a map, yet? Might be useful so we can find any secret doors easily. Without Valdar's sword, we're going to have to find them the hard way."
You head back in and go upstairs to the second floor. Occa, by the way, has already been through the house with Connie...now he is making a more thorough inspection.
The stairs end at a passage running east - west...for 10' in either direction. To your right is a door in the south wall (the stairs go down to the south as well). Directly across from you is a door in the north wall, and to its left is a third door. In the west wall is yet another door. There are several small oak tables along the walls. The whole place is dusty.
You open the door in the south wall: stairs going up to the third floor.
You open the door in the middle of the north wall: beyond is a room (20' X 20': 10' east, 20' north). This is a nursery. The walls in here are painted pink. There are two cribs, some small chairs, a playpen, a chest of drawers...and toys everywhere.
You open the last door in the north wall: a bedroom (20' X 20': 10' west, 20' north). In here is a bed (unmade and with a slashed mattress), a chest of drawers, a table and two chairs. Some bones lie scattered on the floor.
You open the door at the west end of the passage: beyond is another passage...running south for 50'. There are doors: in the west wall (as measured from the north end): in the 0' - 10', 10' - 20', 30' - 40' and 50' - 60' sections; at the end in the south wall; and in the 20' - 30' and 40' - 50' sections of the east wall.
You open the door to the west...right across from you.
This opens into another living room (30' X 40': 20' north, 40' west; door in south wall east corner). Like the other living rooms, this one has chairs, couches, tables and bookshelves. The tabletops have bits of broken china atop them.
You open the south door, and enter a breakfast room (20' X 40': 20' south, 30' west; door to hall in east wall). In here is a large table with eight chairs, set with china. Six dead volts lie on the floor.
You return to the hall and open the next door down...in the east wall.
This opens into a bedroom (20' X 30': 10' south, 30' east; door in north wall west end). This room has been totally ransacked at some point. All of the furnishings are smashed.
You open the door in the north wall...and see a closet (10' square). Nothing is in here, but for some old, shredded clothes.
You return to the hallway and open the next door down...in the west wall.
This leads into a bedroom (odd shaped: right wall runs west for 40', south for 20', east for 30' (door in last 10' section), north for 10' (door) and the east to close up). This room is luxuriously decorated in a most feminine style. There is a large, four-poster bed made up with now rotted and mildewed covers, a table with lots of jars and bottles atop it, chairs, a couch and a chest of drawers.
You open the door in the eastern section, and see another closet (10' square). This closet is filled with fine ladies clothes...all remarkably well preserved. Some of them lie in a heap on the floor, but most are neatly hung.
You open the door in the south wall of the bedroom. This leads into another large bedroom (odd shaped: right wall runs west for 20', south for 30', east for 40', north for 10', west for 10', north for 10' (door), east for 10', north for 10' (door), then west for 10'). This room is richly decorated in a masculine style, with a large bed, a table and a desk in the northwest piled high with old papers. There is also a chest of drawers, some chairs and a couch.
You open the east doors.
One opens into the hallway again. The other leads to another closet (10' square). The closet is filled with men's clothing of high quality...again well preserved.
You return to the hall and open the door at the south end.
Another bedroom (20' X 30': 20' south, 20' east; door in east wall south corner). This place is trashed. About a score of dead huge centipedes lie on the floor.
You open the door in the southeast...revealing a closet (10' square). The closet is bare.
You go back to the hall and open the last door...in the east wall: yet another bedroom (20' X 30': 10' south, 30' east; door in south wall east corner). In here is a large bed along the east wall, a table, chairs and a chest of drawers.
Opening the door to the southeast reveals a closet (10' square). A pile of bones lie on the floor.
You head upstairs again...to the third floor...
Jesse looks around. "Anyone see a pink bunny?" she asks deadpan as she looks at the dead volts. "Occa, it seems that things have been well explored here. It's not too bad, can you do the trick with the broom that Micky the Mage was able to do? That could help clean up things."
Zanax inspects the mens clothes in the closet.
Zanax pulls one off the rack and examines the label. Holding it up to himelf, he asks "How does it look?"
As he does so, he seems to change slightly...becoming even more handsome than before.
"Nice decorative touch... Occa, how long has this place been abandoned?" asks Darian when he sees the centipedes.
BrightAxe will catch Gonzo up... "Hey Gonzo, we got lost found Occa's amusement house where we can have battle and drink beer and eat between." He'll think a second then add, Smile and add "It still needs a still and such, but I think he's done a good job, whaddaya think ?"
You head up to the attic.
At the top of these stairs is a landing (10' X 20': 10' south, 10' west; stairs up in north wall to your right; door in west wall.
Opening the door, you see a room beyond (20' X 40': 10' north, 40' west; doors in north and south walls in the east corners). In here are piles of junk...old furnishings, clothes, knick-knacks and stuff. Nothing appears to be of value.
Also lying on the floor are the bodies of seven people...humanoids...who almost look to have been put together from spare parts.
You open the north door, revealing an even bigger room (20' X 60': 20' east, 20' north, 30' west). In here is more junk...again, nothing is of value.
You go back and open the south door, to find another room like the last one (20' X 60': 20' east, 20' south, 30' west). Once again it is filled with junk...plus the body of a creature similar to the ones that came out of the hole outside.
You head upstairs again...to come out into an observation room ("L" shaped: left wall runs north for 10', east for 20', south for 20', west for 10' and north for 10'). The walls are almost all windows...boarded up. There are several armchairs in here...all facing outwards. A floorboard has been pried up, revealing an empty space under it.
You head back downstairs and outside. From the barbeque pit comes the aroma of spareribs. The table is laid with platters of cole slaw and salads, baskets of rolls and bowls of fruits.
Igor comes shuffling over to Occa.
"Master! Dinner! It is served!"
It is early evening.
Zanax looks pleased about how good he looks in the clothes.
"Really? More handsome? Is it magical?"
Before leaving the house, Occa will wizard lock the door to the basement. Once outside he gets the seargant and says, "The house has been cleaned out except for the basement. I would like two guards on the door to the basement. If anything happens, I want them to run and fetch us."
When you get back outside...
Occa looks at the dinner and says, "Very nice."
BrightAxe feels it's time to eat.
Gilstrock sheathes his sword, sets down his spear, and rubs his hands together. "Mmmm," he says, "looks good!" He beings to do what he can to demolish the available victuals.
"Well, it's best that I be going now. I have some of the information I needed. It's been a pleasure to meet you and I'll be sure to pass the word to my superiors. Enjoy your dinner!" says Zanax.
Darian sticks out his hand. "It was nice to meet you Zanax. Hope we'll see you again some time."
Zanax shakes Darian's hand "I'm sure we will."
Through mouthfulls of rib, Gilstrock echoes Darian's sentiments. "Yo, Zanax, well met." He gives Zanax a high sign with one hand, while the other hand busily stuffs his face.
Darian turns back to the table and begins to dole out food onto his plate.
To Zanax, Occa says, "Nice meeting you. Come again if you get a chance."
"The pleasure was all mine. I hope that the next time I do see you, that this house and dungeon will be free of evil. Good day all!"
Darian turns back to the table and begins to dole out food onto his plate.
Orlon waves to Zanax as he produces a jar of very mild sauce to put on his ribs.
Zanax turns invisible and departs.
Occa sits down at the table and chows down. Once done he says to his hirelings, "Okay, time to fix up the house. It has been checked for beasts...there are none within and the basement is sealed."
He gets a couple of guards and says, "Cannon Fodder will take you around to collect all the dead within. Pile them near that large gnarly tree."
They do so.
Once all the bodies are piled high, he disintegrates them.
He will say to the party, "Find a room in the house if you like to camp out. I am going to memorize for tomorrow. We will fumigate first and then clean out the rest."
Darian looks at the house critically. "I don't know. I think I might prefer to stay out on the grounds tonight."
Occa says, "Suit yourself. I am sleeping in a bed tonight."
BrightAxe will find a bed himself... see what the big fuss is all about as it were.
Occa says to Acco-lite, "Can you guard the basement door with the guards?"
He then heads into the house and goes into the dining room and begins studying.
You settle in for the night...