Send a spelling or grammar correction to: Tracy Johnson
This site sponsored by Agenda Games LLC
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
"We have very little water up here." said Talberth. "But I can use
a small spell to remove this dirt."
"I will let it stay awhile." said Ghibelline.
"As will I." Harald said as well. "There is a clear stream below,
I will enjoy a soak."
"I need to study, I will have to rid myself of this dirt before
I touch my book." Talberth reflected for a moment, then cast the spell.
With a gesture he wiped the dirt from his hands and robe.
"This oerth is a most honorable covering," said Telenstil, "but
I must consult my grimoire as well. Talberth if you will."
The young mage used his power once again and with it made the
drying mud slide away from the elf's clothes and skin.
"Now, we had best break camp soon," Telenstil told them, "But
before we do, we need to talk."
"What is there to say." the little thief said glumly.
"Hey! Hands! Hands! Use spell, clean hands!" cried out the
young orc. little Rat pranced about and held up his filthy hands for
Talberth to see.
"Get away!" yelled Talberth.
"Come my friend," chided Telenstil, "it is a small spell, you
still have it prepared, do you not?"
Talberth scowled, then cast the spell. It fought against the grime
already caked on in layers atop the orcs skin, but the magic proved the
stronger of the two. Dirt both old and new fell from Little Rat and
pattered around his feet in a small pile."
Little Rat rubbed his hands together then wiped his palms across
his face. He licked one hand then scrubbed at his arm."Look! Magic, all
clean!"
"Powerful magic there." said Harald.
They had no fire and few supplies, but what they had they shared
among themselves. The orcs had raided the giants kitchen and had taken
what they could stuff within their belts, but they had eaten it all in one
frenzied meal. Gytha set aside a portion for them as well.
"A waste of good food." Harald complained.
"Maybe it would be better to leave them here." Talberth suggested.
"Perhaps," Telenstil said then cleared his throat. "First though,
we need to decide on our next step. My friends we came here to discover,
and to punish, as best as we were able. We all began this quest knowing
something of what to expect, beyond that, beyond the depredations of
Nosnra and his kind that brought us here, we possessed merely guesswork
and rumors. Some of what we came to find has been found. That map, now I
hope safely in the hands of my Queen, will be of help to those concerned,
your leaders, your kindred or your patrons. I do not feel that the map
alone has been enough. For myself I cannot return home till more has been
done."
"Yes, I say yes. We must kill Nosnra and as many of his kindred as
we can." said Harald.
"Wipe them out!" called out Harold.
"Yes, that would be well." said Telenstil. "Let me speak." he cut
short any further replies. "Henri said to us that Nosnra was just the
finger on a hand, I agree. Killing him and all his kin will not end this,
delay it perhaps for a time, but cut down Nosnra and another will rise to
take his place."
"Like a tree." said Ghibelline.
"No, more like a weed." Telenstil said. "These few score giants,
they are powerful foes, but throughout the hills and mountains there are
many more. What I saw on the map were names of chiefs, more clans than
the number of giants that people Nonsra's hall. It showed these lands,
and at their borders where the great mountain chain takes hold, it showed
the route that their allies would take. It did not name them, but from
what some of us have seen they are the giants of the frost and snow, their
ambassadors and scouts have already arrived, and these cold monsters
are greater beasts than any of their hill dwelling kind."
* * *
(To Be Continued)