[GAME] - Blenheim's palace in sight!

Lafayette paced back and forth as Garf proceeded to question the old man. The affinity between the old storyteller, now revealed as a sorcerer, and Garf (such as it was) had led the bounty hunter to suggest that he be best to ask the questions. Garf began to ask the old man who he was, and unsurprisingly Garath was less than forthcoming. The old man just repeated the same thing, "He knows you are coming". Garf repeatedly tried to get out of him who this "he" was, but Garath would just smile and reply, "You know who". There was no fear in the old mans eyes, rather they were the eyes of one that has been around the world and who viewed his current predicament as a minor inconvenience.

Lafyette gradually grew more impatient, and before long headed over to where Garath was tied. Garath smiled, and prepared himself for the old "good town guard/bad town guard" routine, evidently having seen it before. Lafayette grabbed the old man by the hair and lifted his head, looking into his face. "Look old man, tell us who knows we are coming, and we might let you go, ok?". Garath laughed derisively, but as he was about to speak a crossbow bolt suddenly pinged through the night and struck him squarely in the heart, killing him instantly. Quickly, Garf, Lafayette and Brad spun in the direction from which the bolt had come. "Stay here", whispered Lafayette, who then burst off into the night to track the assassin.

Garf laid the body of Garath down, sighed, then signalled to Brad that he would take the watch while Brad could get some sleep. Their night passed uneventfully, and as the morning began to dawn, Lafayette returned, shaking his head at Garf's questioning look. The trio settled down to some breakfast, although the talk was sombre. The events the previous night had left a sour taste in the mouth. They had obviously been too trusting to take Garath at his word, now the old man was dead, and they were no nearer to solving the mystery of the disappearance of Lord Blenheim and his family. Presently, they broke camp and continued north, occasionally hearing the sounds of a large group of men shouting in unison coming from the direction in which they were headed. They came to a bridge, at which point the land changed remarkably, from scrub and brush in the mountainous foothills in which they had been travelling to a well manicured lawn and trees. Garf and Lafayette exchanged glances then Garf headed over the bridge with Brad following. Lafayette, however, found it impossible to cross, finding an oppressive force preventing him from crossing the river every time he tried.

Several hours, and several hairbrained schemes later and the group were still no further on. Garf and Lafayette made their way forward under Lafayette's instruction to scope out the palace up ahead, while he set about trying to solve his predicament. Garf and Brad made their way through the little copses of trees on the lawn, eventually coming in site of the house. It was a large stately home, with a semi-circle of gravel in front, surrounded by a low wall. They suddenly heard the sound of footsteps coming vaguely in their direction, and tried to silently hit the wall for cover. Garf's mail armour jangled noisily as they dove for cover and the guards spotted them, rushing over with swords in hand. They were dressed the same as the monks that had assailed the party all the way north, but with the deadly addition of swords at their sides. "We'll jump them on three", whispered Garf to Brad .. "One .. two ..", "Wait wait", whispered Brad, "Is it go on three? Or three and then go?". Garf rolled his eyes, roared, "THREE!" and leapt out from his hiding place to assail the guards.

Brad focussed on ripping the weapon out of the hands of his guard, while Garf swung his broadsword liberally in the direction of the second guard. Brad swiped the sword from the monk then laid into him with his fists, while Garf scored a telling blow with his broadsword. Presently, the two monks were dropped and a weary Garf slumped down, bleeding, behind the wall. Brad looked at him grimly, then put Garf's arm around his shoulders and the two made their way back to the bridge, finding Lafayette stood there with a stupid look on his face.

Flashback - An old Abbot's warning (Garf)

As Garf walked into the corridor the door to Bishop Kempos office closed behind him. He stood for a while uncertain of what had just happened. The opportunity he had just received was quite amazing. The prospect of a Church of his own was exciting to Garf. Under other circumstances he would have put it down to his high academic achievements but he couldn’t help thinking that the events of the previous night must have a bearing on his situation. There was only one man within the monastery that Garf truly trusted with a matter such as this. He walked down the corridor towards the room of Abbot Dias-rut. The Abbot had been Garfs mentor from an early age and he had always found him to be a wise and honourable man. He knocked on the door ‘Enter’. Garf walked into the room to find the old monk sat in his chair. He looked frail and tired but this was no surprise to him. In recent weeks the Abbot had fallen ill, and although he had managed to hide this fact from most of the other monks those close to him had seen the true extent of his ailment.

“Ahhh, Garf”, the old man gave a weak smile. He was pleased to see his student, he had always liked the young cleric. “How may I be of service to you today brother”. Garf moved closer to the abbot “I have had news from Bishop Kempo. He has asked me to travel to the city of Weddenvale and take over the Church there”. The Abbot looked thoughtfully at Garf “That is indeed an honour for one as young as yourself”. Garf nodded respectfully “I have been asked to leave immediately. I was hoping you may be able to offer me some advice”. Garf could see the Abbot was tired and the effort of maintaining his concentration on the conversation was beginning to take its toll on him “Advice hmmm, let me think..... “. The Abbott sat back in his chair and his head fell slightly to one side as he began mumbling. “Advice ...yes ...” the abbot paused as if searching for a distant memory and then the concentration on his face faltered “Garf could you please pass me some water”. Garf walked through an arch into a small ante room to the Abbots chamber. A small jug and a metal goblet stood on a table in the corner. Garf filled the goblet and was about to return when he heard the Abbot from the other room. “Garf, the pendent on the table, the one on the right. Could you please bring it for me?“ Garf looked down at the pendent. It was inscribed with a symbol of Kord and from the other markings on it he could tell it obviously held some magical power. Under normal circumstances this was the kind of thing Garf would avoid. He had heard stories of what happened to the unwary who naively meddled with such objects but Garf trusted his mentor and obediently carried it back to him.

The abbot seemed to have become paler in Garfs momentary absence. Garf passed him the water and he took a small sip. The abbot started to speak and Garf leaned in closer to hear. “I have no advice for you young Garf, my current ailment has robbed me of much. I can however offer you the pendent you are holding. It will protect you on your journey” The old man coughed as his words became broken. Garf put his hand on the Abbots shoulder “Perhaps you should rest now I have troubled you enough ...” The abbot grabbed Garf by his robe with both hands and the metal goblet fell to the floor with a dull metallic clang. The sudden burst of strength from the sick old man surprised Garf as the Abbot pulled him closer. The look in the Abbots eyes had changed, his eyes were wide with fear and his voice was reduced almost to a whisper. “Don’t underestimate someone tall and reverent inside” he stared into Garfs eyes for a moment and then slumped back into his chair.

Garf stood, shocked at the sudden outburst. The Abbot sat there mumbling the same phrase and Garf could tell he was exhausted and no longer even aware of his presence. Unsure of what to do for him Garf thought it best to let him rest. “Goodbye old friend. If I find a healer in my travels who can help you I will send him here” .

Garf left the room and made his way down the corridor. He did not know what to make of the Abbots warning. It would seem that the abbots illness had started to affect his mind but Garf resolved to heed his warning none the less, the least he could do for his mentor was give him that much respect. As he walked back to his cell Garfs mind turned to the prospect of his new Church with excitement and without really noticing his paced quickened as he made his way to make his preparations for the early morning departure to Weddenvale.

Quiet conversation at the Temple of Osiris

Location ‘The Dale-lands’ in a forest north of Cormyr.

Two clerics are walking in a courtyard devoted to the religion of Osiris.

/Sister Layla: Tis a lovely day in the Osiris land this morning Kamilah.

/Brother Kamilah: I agree Layla. It is a very glorious morning. One perfect for an occasion as special as today’s. You will be attending the ceremony for the dead and the indoctrination of our new members Layla?

/Layla: Of course Kamilah, its something which our noble god insists on attendance for and something which is a great honour to be part of. Which ceremony of the dead will the high priest be leading on this fine day?

/Kamilah: The death of our religions clerics during the hellgate keep war. An ordeal our noble order went to war for, following the assassination of Pandorren, a great patriarch of Osiris’. He will be honoured equally.

/Layla: Of course: I read of Pandorren during my religious studies. Where is he buried, somewhere near mount Osiris I expect?

/Kamilah: Unknown Layla. His body was never recovered. He was fighting alongside his brother when an assassin shot him in the back. A battle between his brother then ensued between the assassin and his accomplice, a magic user of some considerable power if I remember the teachings correctly.

/Layla: I was never taught this in my schooling.

/Kamilah: Perhaps the books they used during your time were considerably condensed as opposed to my time. Nevertheless, it is true. Apparently an explosion occurred, which wiped out a section of the town where the fight was occurring. Many people perished. Nothing remained of Pandorren.

/Layla: That’s quite a tale Kamilah.

/Kamilah: I agree. Interesting enough, if you believe in folklore, the prophecy does however speak of his imprisonment by the demon Lillith, a vile creature of the nine-hells and that sacred scroll, which could resurrect or free Pandorren. It all sounds abit far-fetched to me I have to admit. As you know Layla, you must have a body present to perform a ‘raise dead’ spell.

/Layla: I agree completely. There is no other way to retrieve the individual’s soul to a body.

The two clerics walk off and enter the church of Osiris, at the base of mount Osiris.

Flashback - At an unknown time (Kempo)

Abbot Dias-rut sat in the anti-chamber awaiting an audience with the Bishop kempo.

/Bishop Kempo: Abbot Dias-rut. How honoured I am to have you back in Waterdeep, at the church of Kord. It has been to long old friend.

/Abbot Dias-rut: The pleasure is all mine Bishop Kempo. The Abbot kneels and kisses the bishops ring. I come to you Bishop on a private matter, which may require your attention. May we speak in private?

/Bishop Kempo: Of course Abbot, follow me into my private chamber.

The bishop leads the Abbot down a series of corridors and enters a private study on the south side of the room.

/Bishop Kempo: please take a seat Abbot. What troubles you my son.

/Abbot Dias-rut: Bishop, you know my devotion to the word of Kord.

/Bishop Kempo: you are one of Kords most loyal servants, a real credit to his greatness.

/Abbot Dias-rut: Thank you bishop. Please do not smite me when I say this, but lately, I have been questioning Kords intentions, and feel dis-attached to him. I feel I want to be, well … in the service of someone else. I cant explain it, its just how I feel. It’s very odd but my heart is strong and my mind is made up. Please don’t be offended with me bishop.

/Bishop Kempo: I’m not offended at all Abbot, relieved actually. Do you love and believe in me Abbot.

/Abbot Dias-rut: absolutely bishop. I would follow you to the end of the realms if you required it of me.

/Bishop Kempo: Very well, I have a proposition for you Abbot …

Some flashing lights occur within the context of the room, and one final thing is heard. I accept your proposition Bishop Kempo, whispers Abbot Dias-rut . . .

Flashback - Five years ago ... (Lafayette and Rampen?)

Location: The sharp sword tavern (Near Baldur’s gate), a roughneck bar where only the lowest forms of life exist.

Timeline: 5 years to present game-day

/Andor: Jade: how good of you to take me up on my invitation, and ride across halfway across Cormyr and the rest of the realms to meet me.

/Jade: How could I refuse Andor, with such a tempting offer. Jade stretched her long bare arms, and indicated to the table, which Andor occupied. I see you have the right wine already poured and a satchel no doubt, containing the payment, which I expect for each job, whether or not I complete it.

/Andor: of course Jade, you know me, I’m a man who appreciates and respects employees with the right requisite skills, to perform the highly demanding jobs that I offer. And of course having the right looks never goes amiss.

/Jade: Your such a lying son of a jackal, but I appreciate the flattery nevertheless. What is this job on offer? You met my ostentatious fee without hesitation and even added a further 30% if I met you straight away. I know your wealthy Andor, but 500,000 gold pieces is quite a paycheck to sign.

/Andor: it is indeed. But nevertheless I have brought your payment. Andor points to the portable hole contained within a small satchel. And you know my word is good Jade, I have never failed to pay you.

/Jade: very true Andor.

/Andor: have you completed the first objective? War is coming, and certain obstacles need to be removed before the ‘Major’ plan can go forth.

/Jade: the first objective is complete. Jade tosses Andor a schematic for the city Selquinta, located on the ruins of dragonspear castle. You can see Andor, the annotations where Sentries are located, key building, and so on, all as we agreed. I took me 11 months of work and much … *cough; * … to achieve that level of detail. I’m sure you appreciate the fine details of my work

/Andor: well done jade, excellent work. That city is of highly strategic importance. And what of the second objective? Has mayor Rampen been removed from office, and had his head decapitated from his body.

/jade: you sound like you dislike the individual? Jade smiles evilly.

/Andor: I have never met a more stubborn mayor in my life. Refused all of my bribes to step down and leave peacefully. Even had the audacity to kill two of my men, piss on my gold, and send it back to me.

/jade: I have to admit; he has a certain style about him. But yes, the second objective has been completed. I employed 3 bounty hunters to take him down. He killed two of them with a single strike with is sword, but the third got the jump on, and after a brawl, which most bar-fighters would respect, Mayor Rampen, went down.

/Andor: he killed him ! ! !

/Jade: no. The contract wasn’t specific enough, so he brought him to the Bounty Hunters guild dungeon, and is awaiting collection by me.

/Andor: have you paid this ‘bounty hunter yet for his services. What was his name?

/Jade: Lafayette. And no not yet.

/Andor: Ah, you have plans for his as well. Your not going to use that old ‘staff of withering trick on Lafayette, and age him to death instead of paying his fee.

/Jade: Of course I am Andor, he a bounty hunter, and no longer of further use to me.

/Andor: Andor laughs. Well, I feel sorry for him, what a terrible way to go. Death by aging.

[GAME] - Garath is not what he seems ...

Though a leaden sky still threatened overhead, the snow that had dogged the companions throught their journey mercifully held off as they began their fourth day of travel to the palace of Lord Blenheim. The old man, Garath, continued to entertain the adventurers as they made their way through the foothills. They did not see a living soul as they travelled, and it was up to the old storyteller to keep spirits up. "Give us a tale, old man", demanded Lafayette. Garath, being the talkative sort, was not about to refuse and launched into a tale of tragedy and woe called, "The Princess with the face of a Gnoll", a truly sad story of unrequited love and jealous betrayal.

Presently the short day turned from light to darkness and the companions sought out a suitable place to camp. It bemused the small man with the white beard that trailed them throughout the campaign that they never stopped in daylight, but that was their choice. Lafayette, ever the antagonist, attempted to goad Garath into gathering wood and starting a fire, but as the old storyteller pointed out, he was a rather unwilling companion of the group and was not about to do their work for them. Grumbling, Brad walked off into the woods and started poking around for firewood. Presently, with a compfortable fire going and tents pitched, the group were well fed and thinking about bedding down for the night. It was Brad's turn to take first watch, a duty to which the young barbarian took without complaint.

Before sleep, Lafayette again started to question Garath, sensing motives that may or may not have been nefarious in nature. When the old man's answers grew evasive, Lafayette set upon him and starting trying to rifle his pockets. Garf looked on aghast, "Stop assaulting the old man! You can't do that!", he shouted. Lafayette was indignant, "Of course I can! He's hiding something". For his part, Garath kept trying to whack Lafayette on the head with his staff. Lafayette persisted in rifling the old man's pockets when Garf came up and tried to pull him away from Garath. Lafayette shrugged Garf off easily and turned back to the task in hand. Garath reached into his pocket and concentrated for a moment. "The cleric is attacking you, you should defend yourself", was all he said. This seemed like the most perfectly reasonable suggestion in all the world, and Lafayette immediately left Garath alone, and turned to run at Garf. Swinging a punch, he connected with the cleric and was about to knock him out, when Garf tapped him on the head with his mace. Lafayette fell to the ground dazed.

The respite was only short, Lafayette was quickly on his feet and seeing Garf as a threat. The two men grappled for a short while before realisation dawned on Garf that Lafayette had fallen under some devious trickery. "Wait! I'm not attacking you!", he yelled at Lafayette. The bounty hunter blinked twice and the spell left him. Both men spun quickly towards where Garath had been standing, only to find a tree where the old man had been. A quick search for tracks revealed none, and the two adventurers surmised the old man must still be around yet invisible. He had shown himself to be a little more than just an old storyteller, and the companions were taking no chances. Garf wildly poked at the air, while Lafayette made a firmer search for tracks around the spot where they had last seen the old man. Lafayette's dog picked up the sorcerors scent and immediately went to a puch where the old man kept his things. Garf followed the dog and took out a map that the old man had been carrying. "Can you make anything of this?", he asked Lafayette. Lafayette took the map and began to read. Without warning, a brown mist began to emanate from the map, which shortly coalesced into the hideous form of a huge snake! "Gods!", cried Lafayette, as the snake reared, bared its fangs and lunged at him. The bounty hunter drew on his reflexes and threw himself aside as the snake struck. When he had finished rolling away, Lafayette quickly looked back. The snake was gone, and in its place stood Garf with a stupid look on his face.

They continued to search for a while, and when no further information was forthcoming, Garf agreed to take his watch and set off as Brad returned from the watchpost. Some hours into Garf's watch, the young Cleric's daydreaming was interrupted by the sound of quiet footfalls back at the camp. In characteristic fashion, Garf froze, and lay frightened at the watchpost straining his eyes in the dark to see who was moving about back at the camp. The dog began to bark at something. This roused Lafayette, who poked his head out of the tent just as his dog, Fluffy, charged the now materialised form of Garath. The old man was taken by surprise as he tried to sneak away from the camp, as Fluffy launched himself at him! The dogs attack was enough to set the sorceror off-balance, and he got a nice mouthful of Garath's robe. Garath recovered himself quickly, and reached out to lay a hand on Fluffy. Icy tendrils of cold spread from his five fingers into the body of the dog, which quickly went limp as the life was literally frozen out of it. Lafayette yelled in anger, and dragged himself to his feet, pulling one of his throwing axes from his belt and hurling it in Garath's direction. Garath tried to dodge, but the axe caught him a glancing blow on the shoulder, causing a yelp of pain. The sorceror then again began to wave his fingers in the now familiar way of a sorceror, and within seconds a green web appeared to shimmer its way into existence around Lafayette. Lafayette dived to the side when he saw what was happening and narrowly avoided encasement in the web. Garf had recovered himself at this point and ran back through the woods to loose a bolt in the direction of the sorceror that went high and wide.

Lafayette bullrushed the old man, and connected with his midriff with some force. Garf jumped over to the fray and also tried to charge into the fight. At the last moment, the grappling pair rolled to one side, and Garf's charge was interrupted by an upturned tree root that sent him sprawling on the floor. Garath broke free from Lafayette's grip and tried to escape, but fell headlong over the prone Cleric, who grappled him, Lafayette then got involved again and together they kept the old man down. A few punches to the side of the head later, and while Garf prevented the sorceror from gettting at the assorted objects in his pockets, Lafayette had Garath hog-tied and propped up against a tree, looking less than pleased with himself.

"Now", growled Lafayette menacingly, "We are going to have a little talk, you and I"

Flashback - Five years ago ... (Lafayette)

Timeline: 5 years prior to present in-game date.

Location: The firedrake in pub in the city of Cormyr.

Two warriors appear to be having a chat in the bar.

/Mylo: Have you ever met Bakari Monsoon before Phar?

/Phar: I know he's a bounty hunter like one of us, and yes, I have met him once. You not seriously going to invite him on our hunt? This guy is bad news.

/Mylo: What makes you say this Phar? He comes highly recommended and we need help with this highly skilled sleazebag that were currently hunting. Or rather the pair of them.

/Phar: He’s abit weird is all Mylo.

/Mylo: Weird, how?

/Phar: We’ll his left hand is false, and he has a spring-loaded blade contained somewhere within the stump.

/Mylo: That’s colourful.

/Phar: He also hangs out with a vampire … Popular rumour says he lets the bleeding thing feed off of him ! ! ! Its not natural Mylo. The guy is creepy and bad news.

/Mylo: we’ll I have to agree with you there. But nevertheless, he’s got some bloody good skills. Did you hear of the bounty he recently brought in alive; Lord Pelias.

/Phar: Lord Pelias … The bleeding guy is crazy. Would skin you alive. Executed his own mother for sneezing during breakfast, and the waterdeep gazette reported him “ “ biting a horses eye out for the fun of it” ” ” Nevertheless that’s a very impressive mark captured.

/Phar: so you have enlisted the help of this bounty hunter, along with us two to hunt two men down. That seems a little over the top, don’t cha think? Hardly sporting.

/Mylo: This hunt will require him. Were hunting two top-notch scumbags and each one is worth a kings ransom if we succeed. Funny enough, Bakari said he would help us for free on the second hunt.

/Phar: wow … free help.

/Phar: Ok Ok Ok. He can come. What’s this convicts name were hunting?

/Mylo: The first is some loser called Rampen. Apparently the guy has more enemies than a King’s executioner. And the second one is some religious crank. Oh there is Bakari now …