[Runequestprax] Chapter 14: A Tale To Tell

[Lev Lafayette]

Chapter 14: A Tale To Tell

Storyteller, (Lev)
Phoebe, Dragonewt Initiate of Zola Fel and River Horse Spirit Cultist
(Michael)
Red Mouse, Zebra Tribe Initiate of Zola Fel (Sean)
Honest John, Pavis Initiate of Eurmal and Zola Fel (Rick)
Zammon, Rhino Tribe Initiate of Storm Bull (Gawain)
Praxelites, Sun County Initiate of Yelmalio (Jay)
Mountain Strides, Agimori Initiate of Lodril (Karl)
Antonia, Antelope Tribe and Lunar Lancer, Initiate of Daka Fal and Seven
Mothers (NPC)

1618 Solar Time, Sea Seaon

In the name of Yelm the Sun, and Yelmalio, Son of the Sun God.

>From multiple sources we have learned some strange truth of the curse
that Muriah has placed upon these lands. Honest John, visiting his old
"friend", Treasure Trove Hubri, chanced upon a document from the second
age that spoke of a heretic of the Lhankor Mhy sages named Gilherad that
seemed to have powers that made him as invulnerable to damage as rumours
of Muriah's abilities. The Duke has taken me aside and asked me to lead
an expedition to kill Muriah, as has raised the reward to two hundred
wheels; at last something for all my efforts on his behalf! The first
place to visit seems to be Gilherad's old observatory near Arrowsands.
Indeed, itt is of great fortune that I now have contacts in that area.

At the observatory, we chanced upon some runes etched into the
stonework. They seemed to be some sort of map that provided directions
and landmarks indicated by runic associations. With some difficulty wer
calculated the necessary journey. A Dragonewt rune stood out in
particular, which Zammon recognised as being a landmark for a giant
demi-bird skeleton. Five leagues from Condor Crags to the first
waterhole; then another fifteen to the next, then another six to the
demi-bird skeleton. We made calculations, ably assisted by Strides and
the Red Mouse and collected both horse and water for the long hot
journey that lay ahead.

At the first waterhole we encountered a tribe of rhino riders, about
thirty in total. It turned out that they were Zammon's family. Their
leader, Grettir Longhorn, seemed much pleased with the return of their
'son', but others such as the priest Mosha were far less enthused and
was particularly horrified to discover that Zammon was now working for
the Lunar overlord Duke Rauss. I though that the two may even come to
blows, until Zammon explained the nature of their mission.

It was revealed that the tribe had been near the other drinking hole
some days past, when two women enticed one of their number away, a rider
named Talrent. When the rhino returned without Talrent the riders
approached the waterhole to find his body, the flesh consumed in
entirety and the head removed. A score of broo were also present
including one in an iron mask, which we recognised as Qad. We revealed
our mission to destroy these broos and even Mosha was placated.
Talrent's rhino was awarded to Zammon in a great ceremony and
established a mind-link with the beast. The following morning we
continued on our way.

A few days later we arrived at the second waterhole, and began to scout
the area. No sooner than we had started than we attacked. Out of the
waterhole itself came a disgusting Walkatapus, which breathed poison
about. Broos poured from the mountain sides in great number, including
one with an unnatural leaping ability and a poleaxe, who felled Zammon
(who, once again, was tranformed into a zombie). Antonia was also felled
in this battle, and Strides sorely wounded. 

It was then that I felt that all would be lost, so I called upon Yelm to
release the bolt of sunlight from which I had surrended Power some years
ago; the bolt struck true upon the broo priest Qad but somehow he
survived. Eventually however he was overcome by a Sleep spirit which
Phoebe released, causing the priest to fall from the cliff. Oddly, the
female broo Asha jumped after him in an apparent expression of suicidal
romance. Could it be that even broo have such feelings?

We camped overnight with heavy heart and sought to recover. Zammon's
rhino did not recognise the zombie that his master had become and
wandered off. We took the path along the narrows with great caution,
lest we were ambushed by more broos. But after a while we came across
two clear landmarks - the entrance to a undergound shrine of some sort
and a sudden hill upon the plateau. On the plateau itself was a campsite
with a number of ogre children, the very same from Black Rock! We
quickly gave chase and destroyed them rapidly then returned to the
cavern.

As the scroll indicated (bless you Honest John), there was several
hundred steps leading down into the earth. As we began our descent,
Zammon fell to the ground as his spirit entered his zombie body. Unable
to explain the event, he said he felt the wind of Storm Bull carry him
across the desert and fling him into his corpus. Wondering at this
miracle, we continued and finally, reaching a watery chamber we sought
to continue our journey through the other side. However a great number
of ghosts attacked us, and sought to control our spirits. Phoebe, ever
careful summoned the Second Sight within her, yelled 'run' and turned up
the stairs. When a 'woman' of that Power turns and flees like a crested
dragonewt, or a trollkin, one does not need a second opinion. We fled as
far from the scene as fast and as quickly as possible.

Taking account of our circumstances, we decided the only possible way
was to take some of the vile hazia and engage the spirits directly. On
our way back down however, Phoebe was mentally contacted by the spirit
of Ormelius who had originally sought to defeat Gilherad. After
inquiring of the state of the world (for he had not been 'outside' for
some centuries), he informed us of the need to destroy the crystals
embedded in the Thanatar altar within. He was however, bound to attack
us if we approached. Phoebe argued with Ormelius that he should waste
his magic before attacking us, thus he would be easy to defeat and we
would fulfil his obligations.

With the plan in action we entered the watery chamber and this time
Zammon, Strides and myself leaped across into the corridor beyond. The
others were attacked by ghosts as we ran into the Thanatar temple. In
there were the two remaining ogres of from Dyksund Caverns, Meakan and
Aliuma and the Thanatar priest known as Drueke. We combatted these
beings for a while and go the better of them, although one called upon
Cacodemon for her rescue and escaped. Smashing the heads, we freed the
ghosts and then smashed the embedded crystals, breaking the Gilherad
enchantments that protected Muriah.

Making our way as quickly as possible to the hills outside near where
the tents were located we quickly found a cave entrance. Instantly we
were attacked by many broo, so I summoned a lightwall to protect us and
controlled its movement. This proved most successful against these
numbers as we formed a protective wall, confusing the creatures greatly.
Honest John, however, guarding the rear, noticed another group of broo
coming down the hillside towards the cavern entrance. Dispatching the
last broo, I turned the Lightwall and thus provided protection once
again, as a giant horse broo was felled. Bringing up the rear of the
broo was a young girl who obviously commanded the force which we could
only assume was Muriah, somehow trapped in the body from decades ago.
Phoebe, never the greatest shot, through a slingstone at her and with
great luck struck her square in the forehead at a distance of some
thirty yards, knocking her to the ground. Recognising the opportunity
Zammon and Strides charged forth, scattering the broo and engaging her
in melee before she could bring her magics to the fore. Within the
minute, Muriah, the witch-queen of Malia the disease mistress, lay dead
upon the ground.

In the distance Red Mouse had recognised a group of some two score bison
and rhino riders approaching and had gone out to meet them. Upon their
arrival a tale was told; Zammon's rhino had returned to their camp
alone, so the priest had cast some Divinations to discover what had
happened. With the truth revealed and the importance of the mission
considered, a number of Storm Bull had called for Divine Intervention
from their God, and one, a young woman named Temla, had succeeded,
although it had stripped away almost all her Power. Zammon's death
crystal was taken from him and it was crushed under rhino foot. Temla
was married to him, in a very sombre ceremony, and the following morning
the riders left early.

We slowly made our way back thinking of our victory, and undoubtably
Zammon considering his new responsibilities. However on the way the sky
overhead darkened, and a great storm came. Zammon's people knew of this,
he exclaimed, it was the famed Eternal Battle, a moment from the Godtime
when the forces of Law fought Chaos. True enough, suddenly ghosts and
skeletons of all sorts of beasts - troll, high llama, scorpian man, even
a dream dragon - came from the storm and engaged us in battle. Zammon
strangely was left alone, until there was a thunderclap and appearing
near him was a nine metre festering broo, a captain of Ragnalar, a
demigod. Zammon charged the monster with his rhino, but it crushed the
rhino's head under its giant hoof. Zammon rolled on the ground as the
broo sought to crush him underfoot, and eventually he leaped to his feet
and started to climb the broo. The monster tried to grab Zammon, but he
held tight. Finally, when it seemed that he would be crushed in the
creatures arms, the Godtime moment vanished and he fell to the ground.

Was that our first HeroQuest? Later we would discover that Storm Bull
priests and others would remark of a new vision of the Godtime they saw
where a Storm Bull warrior fought in the manner that Zammon did. What
would have happened if Zammon had won? Is it possible that by changing
the past we can change the present? I pondered upon these questions as I
travelled northwards, in answer to a request to attend the court of
Solonthos Ironpike.