Known World

Into the Tomb

(19-Jul-05)

"Bjorn" : Bjorn Idle (Darryl Sherwood), Human Paladin of Methuselah
"Butt" : Butt Ugly (Shane Barr), Human Fighter
"Rusty" : Rusty Bones (Steven Krijnen), Alcatraz Gnome Optics Abomination
"Sir Reynold" : Sir Reynold Lightbringer (Ian Luxton), Human Paladin of REAL
"Pox" : Pox Sore (Andrew Earl), Half-elf Tea Leaf

Pox Sore, Thief Extraordinaire (or was it just "Extra-ore", to rhyme with "sore"?) and full-time half-elf wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve. He looked around blearily, through half-shut eyes.

"What the fuh..?" he mumbled.

There were large tracts of grass, and trees in the distance.

He scratched his head and looked around. Not a building in sight.

"Where the hell am I?" he spat.

The last thing he could remember was downing yet another ale, followed by a rum chaser, then grinning lewdly at the buxom barmaid, then blackness.

"Bloody Gretle," he growled. "Trust 'er to pull zum kind of prank..."

His musings were cut short. A group of people were approaching. There were five of them. One guy in armour on a big horse, carrying a glowing shield ("Pala-bloody-din of REAL, I bet"); three on foot, one tall and blonde, with an hour-glass on his shield, one in lincoln green ("oh how original - bloody ranger tosser"), the other in chainmail with a deformed growth on his head ("hang on, that IS his head"), and something else. Pox tried to focus, but it was too disturbing. A short creature, flesh and clothes, and all nose. And there was something wrong with its skin. Covered in weeping sores, some of them infected. Yuk.

Pox stood up tall. The paladin nudged his horse closer, then bellowed "Friend or Foe?!"

"Friend," yipped Pox.

The paladin came close.

"Well met, stranger," he said. "How come you to these parts?"

"Um... I'm Pox. Out of Noah." Adding ruefully "Where-ever Noah is now."

"'Tis three days by foot and five by boat to Noah," said the paladin.

Pox's jaw dropped. "Gretle has outdone herself this time," the thought silently. But said "I fear I 'ave been teleported 'ere as some joke."

"This is dangerous country, Mister Pox," said the paladin looking Pox up and down. "And someone of your... erm.. stature ... and lack of supplies ... may find it very difficult indeed."

Pox nodded glumly. "I guess."

"But you are welcome to travel with us," the paladin intoned philanthropically.

"Uh I guess, sanks."

The rest of the group had arrived. The paladin introduced everyone:
"I am Party Leader, and Sir Reynold LightBringer, of REAL"
"Bjorn Idle, Temple Fighter of Methuselah" gesturing to the Jilarky blonde creation.
"Rindy Bowel-wind, Ranger" gesturing to Mr Lincoln Green.
"Butt Ugly, fighter of Ill Repute and Manners Worse" pointing at the ugly man with the growth.
He then paused and appeared to be steeling himself. He then pointed at the mass of sores and nostril hair: "And that is Rusty Bones, Alcatraz Gnome, Priest of thrin svrbrd and Hedge Wizard"

"Thorryn Silverbeard?!" exclaimed Pox. "What, ze heretics? What's a REAL follower doing travelling with zem?! I sought you killed zem on sight."

Rusty grinned, but it looked more like his face was turning inside out.

"Needs must, when evil arises," muttered Reynold. "By the way, what is your profession, Pox?"

"I'm a Locksmith."

Looks darted between the others and they all involuntarily felt for their money pouches.

Pox was brought up to date on the mission.

That evening, they reached Shelter Five. The building was all but destroyed so they had to camp out.

On second watch, there was a strange rustling sound. Pox & Rusty woke the others.

A strange corporeal mist approached. It enveloped Rusty.

Pox realized with his non-magical longsword that he could not touch it. The rest of the group seem to be well-magicked in the sword department, so he sensibly let them do the work.

The other hacked at it and finally it dispelled. Leaving Rusty badly wounded.

The next day passed peacefully and the group arrived at Shelter Six.

This shelter was intact, so they barricaded themselves tightly inside.

During second watch, more of the mists attacked, but the door held and noone was hurt.

The next day the group arrived at the Tomb of St Lumen.

There was a ring of blight surrounding the tomb and the air was very hazy. REAL's pure light was none too strong on the ground.

Traipsing across the blight went well at first ... until skeletons started to form out of the ground. A short battle ensued, and the group finally made it to the Tomb.

Sir Reynold breathed a sigh of the relief. Evidently REAL's power was still strong within, and the tomb and its contents had not been harmed by this foul undead blight.

Inside the tomb was a test. A blinding white column of light. Sir Reynold had done his research well and proclaimed "Whomsoever is pure at heart, may safely reach in and take the items within."

He tried himself, but only got a burnt arm.

Everyone tried, all got burned.

Outside, night fell. Almost immediately the rustling started and several of the corporeal mists could be seen flitting through the blight.

Butt Ugly went out to taunt them. He was immediately enveloped. Luckily he had presence of mind to stumble back into the Tomb. There, REAL's holy light, shining brightly in the tomb 24/7, soon burned away the mist to nothing.