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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
Harold wandered back down the hall with Little Rat in tow. Ivo
and the ranger had come along as well, the four walked to where the
gibberlings carpeted the floor but went no further.
"What are we going to do with them?" asked Harold.
"We need do nothing for now, they are helpless in the light."
Ivo told him.
"What if there are more of them?" Harold wasn't satisfied with
the old gnome's answer. "What is beyond this hall?"
"Who can say..." Ivo began, but the ranger interrupted.
"There is a huge hall with pillars shaped like many beasts,"
said Harald, "and there is a pit at its center, but I only saw a small
part the chamber."
"You should have waited for us," the halfling said with a tinge of
anger, "you were supposed to come back and say if you found anything."
"I'm better at giving advice than following it." Harald
smiled at his friend. "But I'm glad you showed up when you did. You
were supposed to leave me and have Telenstil head north."
"I know when to take your advice and when to ignore it." said
Harold. "Ivo, what is this place?"
"I don't have the answers." Ivo looked down at the small
gibberlings. "Some think the gibberlings to be created beasts, some
enchantment may have spawned them. This may be a wizards home of old
or a temple of some sort." the old gnome mused. He felt the blocks which
formed the floor, traced the seams and followed them to the wall.
"A temple," said Harold, "I don't like that."
"I don't care much to be in some wizards hall or a temple." the
ranger began to clear a path through the gibberlings. He used his feet to
sweep the piled bodies against the walls.
"Ivo," Harold called to the gnome, "Ivo!"
The old gnome was lost in thought, his mind running along the
grain of stone, following the smooth seams that showed where one
stone black ended and another began. "Harold." he said without turning.
"Do you have another lightstone?" the halfling asked.
Ivo shook his head. "No, that was my only one, but hand me a
torch and I will cast a spell. It won't last like the stone but it
will not use up the torch or go out if you drop it."
* * *
"Gytha I wish you would rest before you try this." Telenstil
said quietly.
The cleric had taken a metal cup from her pack and blessed
its contents, plain water she'd poured from her canteen. "This needs
to be done, it is something that I should have done before."
"I know you Gytha. If you did not attempt this back when we were
on the hill then you had good reason." said Telenstil. "The evil that
has cursed Derue is strong."
"The Saint is stronger." Gytha said firmly.
"I am no priest, I do not seek to test your faith," Telenstil
said to her, "but Gytha you are not your Saint, you have done much today,
do you have the strength? Please think on this before you act."
"I have thought," said Gytha, "It is not my strength that matters,
only my faith. I know what needs to be done, no matter how great the
evil the Saint is stronger."
"Can I help you? Can any of us?" Telenstil asked.
"Your magic would slay Derue before it harmed what curses him."
said Gytha. "I am ready now." she carried the blessed water and her metal
staff and stood above Derue.
She breathed deeply and bowed her head. "Saint aid me..." she
began.
* * *
(To Be Continued...)