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Back to Empire on the HPe3000
... and ...
This is a first draft of a story set in the world of Greyhawk.
It is based on a home campaign so some of the people, places and things
may be different. Any helpful comments or suggestions are very welcome.
Thanks
Jason Zavoda
"I've found out to be more careful around this old gnome." Harold
nodded toward Ivo. "I've been doing a lot of listening, ever since we
left Greyhawk, I wish I was back there now, I've been listening. We are a
strange bunch, I know why that old ranger and Gytha are here, but the
rest of us..." Harold shook his head. "We have come a long way to fight
giants."
"But what have you found out my friend." said Ivo. "Have you
noticed anything that we have missed?"
"I can only guess what it is that you two know but won't even tell
each other." said Harold. "I don't know giants or these mountains..."
"Hills." Ivo interjected.
"Hills, Mountains, a couple feet of rock and dirt, what do they
matter. You want to listen or do you want to argue." the halfling
said firmly. He looked from Ivo to Telenstil, but neither did more than
smile. "Like I said, I don't know giants but I know locks and I know
traps. Down there in that dungeon, those weren't made by the hands of
giants, that secret door, that lock which held it, those were some type of
gnomish work. That trap, the one that brought up the gate which held the
manticores, and the one before it that I disarmed, those weights and
balances, that looks like a dwarven trick, and that treasure. I couldn't
tell you how they magicked those traps, but that was a fair piece of work
I'd say, magicwise that is ." He paused then looked at Telenstil. "Are
these giants that spellcrafty, can they wield the magic that fools the eye
and mind like master gnome." he said turning to Ivo.
"No." Ivo replied. "I don't believe that they have such craft."
"I think they are aided by someone," Harold went on, "Evil dwarves
or gnomes gone mad. I mean what gnome with any sense would aid giants?"
"You feel that it was a gnomish behind the traps?" Asked
Telenstil.
"The work is very fine. I would have liked to take that lock away
with me and...Curse me for a fool!" the halfling growled. He grabbed at
his wrist and felt the two empty sheaths in the set of six that he wore
upon his arm. "Hells!"
"What is the matter?" asked Ivo, alarmed.
"I've left two of my magic spikes behind. One in that ogre, the
other in the wall of the garbage chute." said Harold. "I'll never find
their like again. Curse that Henri, I would have drawn up that rope if not
for him. And curse my bad memory."
"That was a hectic moment, be glad that they served you well."
said Telenstil. "They were spent in a good cause."
"We will be going back won't we." Harold said, cheered slightly at
the thought.
"I will, even alone, but we will need to discuss our plans
together." Telenstil said. "I cannot speak for any of our companions."
"I'll be going along." said Ivo. "But we will need to get rid of
those orcs, and what are we going to do with our captive scout?"
"We will have to do many things before we return to Nosnra's
steading." said Telenstil. "We will need to find a better camp for one."
"I thought our last camp was good." said Harold.
"As did I." said Telenstil. "But I underestimated the giants.
Our camp should have been further off, and a smaller place found nearby
where we could retreat to."
"Yes." Ivo agreed. "Several small camps, things like this ledge,
well better than this ledge." he said after looking around. "But many
small hiding places where we would go to once then abandon."
"What is done is done." said Telenstil. "I placed too much
confidence in magic wards and spells, and thought the giants shaman
just an unlearned practitioner of the arts. Now we may have to raid
the steading for supplies and not just for revenge or answers to our
questions."
"Speaking of questions, did you get any answers from what I've
seen?" asked Harold.
"Only more questions my friend." laughed Telenstil.
* * *
(To Be Continued)