Tolin's Observations

It wasn't long before we found ourselves standing in the library. Rasp had a heyday as he ran from shelf to shelf looking at everything there. His eyes lit up as he realized how much knowledge was in front of him. Smash and I walked behind him just watching. Astounded at the chance at gaining a better understading of his world Rasp started grabbing books. Now mind you I don't normall have a problem carrying treasure. But I will admit that carrying books is not my idea of treasure horde. (Tolin's Note: I do understand that information is a powerful weapon but we are currently located in the middle of our greatest enemies stronghold thinking about borrowing some books.) Rasp was ready to sit down and start reading - Smash though made sure that he realized this was a bad idea by stuffing books into the portable hole. Ready to start a commontion, Rasp quickly stopped when he saw the angriest of golems prepared to start comeing at us. (Tolin's Note: I think it thought we were stealing books so it got angry and wanted to beat us up!!)

Moving swiftly, Smash scooped up all of the books in one quick move. Rasp grabbed one of our spare portable holes and captured the enraged golem. Lucky us we had a new weapon! It didn't take us long after to find the larger and more impressive treasure horde of the Zhent, and boy was it awesome!!!! Standing outside of the room were 2 very alert guards prepared to take on anyone trying to get it. Rasp tried his hardest to see into the room but was prevented from scrying it. Ahliana made a suggestion about picking the lock and knocking out the guards- but was quickly silenced by the ability to just etherial jaunt into the room. The details of our horde shall not be listed here- but it will be noted that not even a grain of sand remained in the room once we were finished looting. Yep they lost everything. But what about coins, you ask? Well Smash did some calculations- yes she used her toes- but figured out that we could steal the $$ the Zhent was hoarding with out fighting.

I'm not going to tell you all how but we made a bottomless hole of coins. Lots of coins. Scrooge McDuck hole of coins. But in all of her wisdom Smash figured out how to destroy the complex in such a manner that confusion would mask our escape. Well we collect up all of these coins in our hole and make swift our escape. Not more than a few blinks later explosions could be heard rocking the building. If someone was listening they could hear the laughter of a party of adventures that had snuck into a highly guarded place and left robbing it blind encountering no conflicts- but they didn't cause they were too busy trying to put the fires, find the $$, stop the enraged golems from killing everyone.

Moments later we found our way out to the meeting spot in the field. Chuckling and laughter spread through out the party as we waited for Thurge to show up. During our recap of fun to everyone else, Thurge randomly showed up. He smiled as he was handed the sheaf of papers. Bowing deeply before us he gave us his thanks. Waving his hand we were all teleported back to the Chimera. It was somewhat unnerving to be suddenly returned back home. Thurge handed something from his robe to Smash- it looked like a flute. Turning to Ronin, he laid his hands on him and nodded.  He began walking from the party when Rasp decides to be Rasp. Flagurantly addressing him in a non-respective manner he starts asking him questions. Heated conversation led to Rasp learning more about the abilites of magic and the history that ran deeper than books tell. After a moment of conversation, it was easy to see the amount of respect that suddenly returned to Rasp. Their conversation ended abruptly as Thurge turned and left. Not appearing irrated in the slightest, just as though he was finished, he left. Nothing would have shown that he had been there.

That night we all sat aboard the Chimera and reflected that which we had been part of. Where we were going and who we would step on. What would the future hold for us?

Well there is a decent amount that could be said about this place. Not many of them would be nice. The place smells of unwashed humans, nasty never been in water giants, and orcs. There are other miscellaneous things running around like goblins but none of them have a funk nearly as bad as the previously mentioned. Yeah it's hard to believe that human smells worse than goblin but apparently it's possible. (Tolin's Note: I wonder how an entire army that stinks is able to defeat other places? I mean the defender should be able to smell them from like miles away.) But here we go into the depths of this tower. The map is quite handy as we start going through the place. Our priestess is inside giving directions keeping my hands free in case I have to do some crazy acrobatics. The system is amazing. No guards are able to get into a position to find us. (Tolin's Note: Everyone is in their standard place in the portable hole. Between Rasp and Myself we've fashioned a pretty non-descript necklace that has a stone in it that looks like a plain rock. The hole is placed over top of it to hide it. Inside the hole we've added some furnature instead of just standing around. A crystal ball was purchased to give us potential forewarning or other fun reasons. Needless to say it's quite cushy inside the hole......)

So here I am sneaking down the halls avoiding many mishaps. I've got navigator lady inside trying to find anything worthwhile as I'm running along. Anything taken is a bonus at this point- not that it's needed but getting new things is nice. The guards have no clue that I'm there. Their loud clunky feet overpower my soft nimble walking and their smells cover my own. It's a veratible thief's heaven. Ascending the stairwells is about the only resistence that I have. The map only shows one level at a time. So we have to becareful that we go up them and not walk right into some angry workers. Luck was with us (and I'd like to know how that was possible) but we soon arrived at the targeted room. Getting inside was a since. Grandpapy Nimblefingers made sure all his boys knew the quick and easy way to gain enterance to anywhere. This lock is nothing compared to what he taught us to open.

The room was dark and quiet. Abandoned. The man who hired us obviously worked here and left in a hurry. There are still scattered papers covering any sign of the actual desktop.  Agility and finesse opened the drawers and chests in the room. No sign of the target anywhere. We were about to leave when something inside my head was buzzing telling me that something was wrong. Taking a look around the room I searched for potential hiding spots. Not noticing it before, my eyes stopped on a painting in front of me. Rasp inside the hole was nice enough to mention to me that it most likely had a spell cast on it preventing looters from finding it. I  ran my hands around the edge finding the release easily. It slid to the side revealing a locked wall closet. The lock appeared highly complicated and far above my skill level to open. Treasure Retrievers are a stubborn lot and don't give up easily. Touching a stone on my bracer I shifted slightly into the ethereal plane. Chuckling to myself, I poked my head into the locked closet.

Sitting there waiting to be rescued were our papers. Rasp stuck his hands out the hole and grabbed everything in the locker. There were heavy footprints that echoed from the room next to where we were. Overhearing some of the conversation from the hole, I discerned that anybody this high in Darkhold was probably not someone to mess with. We held where we were as long as the walking continued. It soon left the room and started heading to the room we were currently located in. Not a good place to be. But it was nothing to shift through the wall to were the person was previously located at. I could hear Rasp make mention that he wanted to fight this guy. I made mention to him that it would be a bad idea since there was most likely only one person who roomed this high up. My suspicions where quickly confirmed as Ahliana said his name. It was identified by Rasp himself as the leader of Darkhold- not some one we want to be messing with. Not to fear though since halflings are good at getting out of really bad situations.

Remembering my current state compared to reality, I shift down through the floor. (Tolin's Note: Let's see this guy follow me here! Ain't no one going to catch me cause I'm the gingerbread man!!!!) It was a faster ride this way bypassing a lot of unnecessary fighting. There's a message in my head to stop going down. Apparently the map was showing some treasure vaults located on the level below us. They were minor in size but held potential for information. (Tolin's Note: Rasp really wanted to start grabbing books and finding papers that would give us any insight to workings of the Zentarium. Well any workings to be exact) I agree wholeheartedly. (Tolin's Note: What kind of thie....um treasure retriever would I be if I didn't stop to collect things on the way out??? That's right a bad one) So this means its time for a plan. One that would make us richer and more powerful than before. (Tolin's Note: In case you haven't been paying attention

Feeling rightous and just, Rasp and I spend some time collecting resources and supplies for Garibee. It's the least we can do since it was our fault the Rune Mage showed up. But he's going to need a hand next time he shows up. He realized that he was shorthanded when he left, so he's going to go looking for some helping hired hands. (Tolin's Note: I apologize for that) I should send the Rune Mage to talk to Nose since he nose a couple good hands to help out.....

Anyways. All of us are sitting around talking about what happened with Garibee and delievering some supplies when we are approached by someone. A wave of awe passes over us as he speaks to us. I need people like yourselves to perform a mission for me, he asks. Rasp feeling invulnerable starts getting smart with this man. Not the wisest of choices. This man is dressed in purple robes, carries no weapon and has eyes that glow. Even untrained in the ways of magic, one could easily figure this man for a powerful being. The man introduces himself as Thurge. Someone working for another. He explains that his employer needs something retrieved from Darkhold. Rasp of course interjects something here about why not doing it himself. Thurge mearly grins and informs us this is a retrieval mission. His power would devastate the area and then the items would be unretrievable. To stress his point he lets us know of our growing reputation and how our skills that earned us that title would be useful. He instructed us to gather our supplies needed and he would meet us at our ship.

During his absence an hour passed. Gathered waiting besides myself and Rasp where: Smash, Ronin,and Ahlania (the priestess). Taking a small group into this scenario would be a much better choice then marching in with our army. We gathered here on the deck and waited for Thurge to show up. It seemed that as soon as everyone shared this thought he appeared at the bottom of our plank. Rasp of course had to express an opinion of his inability to come aboard. Thurge calmly replied on how it was rude to just walk in unannounced as he ascended the plank. A pissed off look is all that came from Rasp (Tolin's Note: Later on I heard from Rasp that this person oozed magic and he was unable to understand why. This is a normal piss Rasp off scenario.). Thurge instructed us he would teleport us to Darkhold and then retrieve us when we were finished. An opinion of how he would do this was expressed from someone. And the only reply was a smile coupled with 'I will know'. We held hands as instructed and were off to Darkhold.

Setting down in a small field at the base of the mountain we took in our objective. Thurge had some more instructions for us before he let us loose. Reaching inside his robe he brought forth a map that had the layout of Darkhold on it. It apparently showed everyone walking around the hallways and what was in each room.  Very handy tool. He also told us we were looking for a list located in a room at the top of Darkhold. Nothing that should really hold us back would be here today. Turning to each other and setting down a plan of attack no one noticed his exit. No matter- as long as he comes back for the pick up.

So here I am pumping my little legs in hope of removing this force of destruction from the town of Garibee. I can hear him pounding the ground behind me getting closer. This fool has no idea what I have in store for him. I can hear his curses to my family as I reach into my pocket.

BLINK!

He's stuck looking around wondering where I'm off to. Pitiful fool hasn't an idea that I've planeshifted and he can't follow. Casting spells as he looks I around I can only surmise that he is trying to search for me. Rasp in my chest lets out a little giggle as he reminds me that the hole opens to the Prime Material Plane. Fire spews forth from my chest engulfing the Rune Mage. Even on a different plane you can still smell burning flesh- normally it's pretty nasty but today it is a sweet scent. Slappy the Rune Mage lets out a mighty howl as he shrugs off flames licking his skin. (Tolin's Note: watching some one's wounds close after 4 fireballs land right on his head is a most unnerving thing). I can hear Rasp's curses to the Rune Mage as he begins casting again. A portal opens and a shadow dragon is called forth. (Tolin's Note: it wasn't real. Any of it. Rasp is taking a stab hoping the Rune Mage is a fool to fall for it.) Slappy believes the fient and begins fighting the shadow dragon. Unfortunatly for us his back begins glowing with an eerie light. We blink only to have a rather large green dragon in front of us.

The dragon fight was rather spectacular. I don't have the words to describe it. But in the end neither won. The shadow dragon was sent away and the green one was torn to shreds. Coming back to the Prime Material Plan I feel that something is not right. It feels as though this was just the begining of the fight. Halfling senses save me as I dive out of the way. Turns out that Slappy had one more trick up his sleeve that we hadn't figured out yet. Like Regeneration. As he was putting himself back together he transformed back into himself. Laughing maniacally he reforms in front of me.

Needless to say this really pisses us off. Rasp continues to cast spells at Slappy- I'm not sure what most of them are but I believe he's trying to off balance him. On another note I try for every cheap shot that I can take. Thankfully the Rune Mage is decently sized and I'm a little guy. Weaving through his legs and ducking around his bulk is a sinch. He tries to stomp on me only to have his eyes taken away from good 'ole Rasp. Foolish mage. One could say the same to us as we keep attacking him and have him regenerate himself. But then it happens, I'm rolling around his left side when a sparkle catches my eye. A single golden ring reflecting light brilliantly in the darkness of our war. Summoning all of my possible strength I aim my attack at his hand. It must be quite painful having a halfling dagger remove your hand in one cut. Too bad I'll never find out from him as I pick up his hand and take off. Rasp casts a spell to make me move faster sending me off quickly. I can hear him behind me running trying to catch up but this fool is far too slow to keep up- especially bleeding as much as he is.

Running away was just a ploy to take him farther away from Garibee. As soon as it seems like a good idea we teleport back to Waterdeep. I just went toe to toe with the Rune Mage and lived. Not to mention left with an awesome trophy. I think I'll mount it in the office somewhere. This ring however is mine.

Returning from our Whack-a-snake trip we sat aboard the Chimera and recapped our story for Oskar. He seemed interested in staying on after this mission and wanted to be part of our future plans in Garibee. This brought curiousity from Rasp and myself. With not much to do for a bit until more intel was gained on the last remaining gangs, we decided to check in with the city we promised to help.

Months had passed since we last walked down the town streets here. It was no surprise that no one remembered us here. Soon though they will be unable to forget us. We walked around looking for signs on how to defeat Cheaty the Rune Mage. His system for guarding the pearl was intricate and very well developed. As the merman had told us- he had reclaimed it from them multiple times. Little wiser each time he added more and more to make it pretty much untouchable to theivry (Tolin's Note: Unfortunatly for him we are the best and will be at what we do). Rasp stood there looking at the multitude of runes and magic that guarded the pearl from removal. I guess he gaged the best course of action was to toss a couple Rasp Specials (Fireballs) and see what happens.

From our vantage point in the sky we can see mutiple explosions rock the building. Turns out the fireballs set off the magic of the runes and traps. A few breaths later, we see a white wall surrounding where the pearl had been sitting. Garibee townspeople gathered around the location of where the momument used to stand. All dumbfounded as to what had happened. Rasp taking the initative began whispering things to the crowd about how the gods are unhappy that the pearl has been kept here (Tolin's Note: Humans are foolish. Any voice they hear in their head that identifies itself as a god they believe. No wonder they are so behind the times).

Well watching the Garibbians spread this news was amusing. It spread like wildfire through the crowd with a quickness. The wall disspated leaving the pearl there alone on it's pedestal. Invisible, I snuck up to it and grabbed it. As soon as the news of the angry gods reached the ends of the crowd, Cheaty the Rune Mage made an appearance. Now it was not unexpected that he showed, however neither of us had a contingency for when he did. This was cause for us to teleport back to the Chimera. A few moments passed while we sat and waited. Looking at each other we felt sorry for Garibee. Had we left the pearl alone they would not be in peril right now. Taking a few breaths and heading back we stood outside of the city ready to handle the situation that we created. Rasp inside my chest and I holding the pearl I stood at the edge of town calling for Cheaty. He was needless to say quick to respond. His movements were a lot quicker than we had expected and were forced to move our plans up in execution. I started running from the town in hopes of pulling him away from the innocents.