Time passes.
It has been a wet September in Sandas, with rain almost everyday.
Darian, Orlon and Oh Well complete their training today. Gonzo has returned from wherever he was, and with him is a strange looking young dwarf. He is strange looking because you have never seen a dwarf in a black pinstriped power suit before.
Pharian will be finished his training in four days. At that time, Stiff would like to take whoever wants to go, around the latest round of magical pools.Stiff would also like someone to accompany him when he takes the otherparty (from the Black Keep) around to the first lot of pools as well.
"Yeah," Gilstrock says, "I'll go. These pools, they still make me nervous,but last time seemed to go pretty well."
Gilstrock also volunteers to accompany Stiff and the other party.
"I will volunteer to accompany you on both trips, Stiff. It's the least I can do for getting a chance to copy spells from you."Pharian says, "Well, I will sure go along to the new magical pools, but as for being a bodyguard at the others, Gilstrock is better at that sort ofthing than I am."
Angst also offers to go with Stiff and give him some support."I will also bring one or two of my henchmem with us. if you will allow this."
"Stiff, my friend, I will join you in the latest soiree around the dungeons of Earth and as payment for all that you have given me, I will accompany you with the other group." Salaam says in a thankful tone.
Orlon informs the party that he will be taking a sabbatical. He will bestaying at base camp with the others.
"I'm sure my companion Op Code will be glad to contribute to the party's success."
"It'll be good to work with Op Code again, Orlon, but we're going to miss all of your awesome priestly powers."
Orlon blushes, "Why thank you. But I'm sure that Jerry can take care of things."
Darian looks confused. "I thought Jerry was a druid/fighter..."
"Bbbbbbb," Orlon flaps his lips with his finger. "This just proves that Ineed a sabatical. The party will be OK. Occa won't lead you wrong."
Darian looks at Orlon as if he sprouted two new heads. "Excuse me? You want us to follow Occa, the chaotic? I like him and all, don't get me wrong. But follow him, that thought's a little frightening."
"Darian , I believe he meant me," Salaam says. "Jerrold and I haveadventured together in the past on our world. Heh, without hair, he looks a lot like me!" he says with a smile. "If I am correct, Jerrold is at basecamp right now, exploring the fauna and flora of this world."
"Well, I remember Flora," says Pharian. "But who is this woman, Fauna?"
"Yeah, that's the ticket," Orlon gasps.
Darian nods. "That makes more sense. I don't think I realized that you two look alike. Perhaps when we return to camp, you two can stand next to each other. But, while I'm glad to have you back with us, Orlon will still be missed. It's a shame you can't both go with us."
"Don't worry. I'll be on call for if you ever need my services," Orlon reassures Darian.
"Thanks. The way things have been going for me, I'll probably need you."
BrightAxe looks around like he's gotten over a huge head cold and informs Stiff that he would like to make both pool rounds with him. To the new dwarf he says, "Must be some fine armour you're wearing there,magical?"
The dwarf looks down his nose at Brightaxe without saying anything, thenlooks at Gonzo curiously.Gonzo introduces the young dwarf, "Dis be me youngest brudder Gizmo...give him a hearty welcome. Me brudders sent him along wid me ta assess dafeasibility o' re-inhabitating and further stablizin' da regions o' da Hallso' Gallahad we've cleared o' da evil beasties. Iffin we has time, on ourreturn to base camp, I'd like some aid in touring that area for his appraisaland den we kin send him on back home ta make his report."
"If any o' you has any concerns bout dis plan o mine, please tell me afore mefamily an' friends decides to take me up on me plan. I want me brudder Gizmoshould have all the good wid da bad ta take back wid him so's me family kinsee da truth... da whole truth an' nuthin but da truth."
"You a mute then?" queries BrightAxe curiously. "If you would like, we can try some healing. Are you a follower of Clangeddin?" he finisheswith a smile.
"No, I serve Vergadain," replies Gizmo. "I was just surprised that you would not know a 600gp suit when you saw one."
"HEY HEY HEY! Brightaxe me friend... dis be me brudder... dontcha goinsultin him, I tol' him you was good folk and worthy o' his friendship." interceeds Gonzo.
"He didn't insult me," says Gizmo reassuringly. "Why don't we talk about it over a cup of cappucino?"