[HQ Ignorance] Scene 19: A Dogged Escape, or Soon-to-be-Dogfood?

[Lev Lafayette]

To an outsider, the Fellowship glowed. They floated
slightly above the ground, and their eyes were
otherwordly. To those knowledgeable of such things, it
was clear that they were breaking boundaries between
the mundane plane and the godplane; they were
heroquesting and matters of space and time were
uncertain.

The Reindeer Spirit perked up its ears; something, or
someone, was near. Karala cocked her head sideways as
her spirit ally impatiently stamped its forepaw three
times on the stone floor of the dungeon before
departing.

At the front of The Den, the Fellowship debated on
their actions. Azhur suggested that Aalmon, Icthya and
Jareena engage in the intrusion; a smaller party would
be have a greater chance of success, he claimed. In
addition, a prisoner of such standing would be likely
in a place of Power. In the mean, Azhur prepared the
others. Mounted trollkin with battle lance. Trollkin
with explosive gourds. These would be the secrets of
the Fellowship.

The entry to The Den was simple enough; the stronghold
was the heartland of Telmori territory and, as with
all heartlands protection could be lax against a
specialised force. Within, the intruders saw the
effects of quiet, but hedonistic town. Only on one
occassion were they challenged by a young Telmori; 
Jareena initially used soothing words against the
wolf-man, whilst Baros and Icthya sang their
enchanting lullaby. Soon the young wolf-man, partially
by song, partially by a night of wine and meat, was
sleeping soundly. [Success versus failure] At this
point, the Reindeer spirit appeared, beckoning the
Fellowship members to a great hall in the centre of
The Den.

The next challenge was the entrance to the great hall.
There, with blue tatooed Beast Runes emblazoned across
their chest, stood two great Telmori, naked in the
evening cold, clearly sober and without obvious arms.
Again the Fellowship attempted their means of
seduction to sleep; this time Jareena used the peace
rug, along with the singing duet. This however was not
a successful, for the guards were elite Telmori,
sober, and not easily seduced. [Success versus
Success] They approached cautiously towards Jareena
who sat unmoving on the Peace Rug and chanted directed
rites of non-violence as the soothing tunes filled the
air. Then, as quick as a flash, Aalmon Far-Rider
struck with the flat of his axe, knocking one
unconscious and threatening the other. [Success versus
failure]. The incorrigible Tanuki soon had them tied
in impossible knots [two levels of critical success
versus normal success]. 

Within the great hall were all the signs of
debauchery; men and women lay randomly on fur rugs,
half-emptied tankards of wine and half-finished plates
of meat were abound. In the darkness, there were some
sounds of a few who were awake; some groaning in their
sleep, some groaning with sensuality with a partner or
more. The silver path of the Reindeer spirit led the
way and none issue challenge.

The Reindeer led the Fellowship members down into the
dungeon, whereupon it was a simple means to liberate
the guard from his keys. In the four cells of the damp
dungeon there were two evident prisoners, the shaman
Karala and Thaneora, whom Karala indicated was a
Telmori who could suppress the transformations; she
indicated her desire to be freed.

Exiting the dungeon and returning to the great hall,
Aalmon noticed above a fireplace two small clubs with
iron casings on stands with the Runes of the Mostal
embedded into them. Several bodies lay between him and
the weapons. Also, among the sleeping Telmori, was
Estevan, the well-groomed leader of The Den. 


       
____________________________________________________________________________________
Get the free Yahoo! toolbar and rest assured with the added security of spyware protection.
http://new.toolbar.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/norton/index.php