Well I'm no scout. What do you guys suggest?

Looks to Per for leadership. Branbrig is mounted on a bison that was taken from the followers of Red Kare. He says that he feels a stronger kinship to the stinky beast than he ever did to a horse. Its name for some obscure reason seems to be Blossom. Everyone seems to accept this name remarkably easily.

Death to predark! Let's got get it!

Don't worry, boys, you'll get your fill of pre-dark soon enough.

scans the horizon and picks a suitable landmark.

For the first leg of this patrol, we'll head out northwest which is roughly towards the rightmost peak of those mountains.

points in the intended direction.

We'll maintain that course for a day or two then turn to southwest which will bring us to the river. We'll then follow the river at a safe distance back to Blunt's stead. Any comments or questions about the route?

Sounds good to us. Right boys?

Right, let's go get it.

Oh, by the way if we do see any predark we'll be attacking it. Have to at least try. If it looks too gross the rest of you ride for help while the boys and I tackle it. Can't expect non-Uroxi to be as dedicated to predark slaughter as we are, right boys?

Err, that's right.

No, you won't without my permission. I want this land cleared of pre-dark as quickly as possible, but I'm not about to waste men on suicide attacks without a damn good reason. If the target is large, we will leave it alone and report it to Blunt. Otherwise, you and the boys will be allowed to deal with it however you please. But the decision to attack is mine alone, understand?

Let me make something quite clear. My first loyalty is to my god. He tells me in no uncertain terms that I must kill predark when I can. My second and lesser loyalty is to the clan and its chieftain. If the situation does not involve predark I will follow your lead as Blunt placed you in charge. When it comes to predark it is my decision whether to attack it or not. If anyone gets in my way my god makes it quite clear how I am supposed to treat them. I will not be and cannot be soft on predark as it it I who will answer to Urox not you. If I decide a suicidial attack is called for I will do a suicidal attack. No one he turns to look at the boys and I mean no one else has to follow me but do not try and stop me.

Smiles.

Are we all clear on that?

Fair enough. Now let's get moving. This land isn't getting any smaller.

Say Branbrig, what's your position if we spot some pre-dark and we want to follow them to wherever they come from? Do we have to kill them right away or can we track them back to their source to get the whole lot all at once?

and since we're planning ahead about fighting pre-dark type of weapons do we have for dealing with pre-dark things like blobs? I can call Finovan's aid with a searing bolt which may do some good.

If there seems to be some chance that we can catch a group of them in their lair all the better. Personally I prefer to slaughter all but one and follow the survivor to its lair.

Grins.

Of course once Urox's fury is on me letting one live is kind of hard. You can take some comfort in the thought that I've never killed anyone on my side...yet.

Looks thoughtful again.

Hmm, a searing bolt would be good. I can summon wind daimons and use gusts of wind to attack foes as well. Missiles are also good. Frankly I don't care to get into close combat with blobs either. It's hard on the weapons and armour. Almost makes me wish we don't see any.

I said almost.

Hey you lot. What's that you smell?

Ahh this morning's porridge? Pretty bad it was too. Can't think anything be worse. Har har.

dodges a swipe from Svart

Geez boss, I smell something funny, kinda mouldy.

That, my boys, is the smell of the pre-dark. What say we check it out?

without waiting for confirmation from anyone ...

You two ride up front and see if you can take us to it.

Uhh right boss.

The boys look to Branbrig for instructions.

That looks like it might be awfully corrosive to armour Branbrig. Also hard on axes, not to mention skin and flesh. How about we try some group target practice?

(says Orlev who has a geas against using missile weapons but doesn't particularly disapprove in this case).

Wrong. This is how we handle a gorp like this.

Turns to the boys.

Gather as much firewood as you can and as many long poles as you can, the longer the better. Bringthe wood here and tie it into bundles about this big around.

Holds his hands about ten inches apart. The boys turn to run and get the wood.

And mind your please and thank you's to the local daimones and spirits.

Waits for them to come back and never lets his eye off the puddle. The boys soon return with armloads of firewood and the requested long poles. Branbrig stands stripping the branches from one particularily large branch and waits until the bundles are tied and then instructs the boys and everyone else to grab a pole and stick it into one of the bundles. Branbrig has meanwhile lit a large fire downwind from the blob, again without taking his eyes off the blob.

All right, everyone got their bundle in there good and tight?

Waits for verification from everyone.

Gnup keep an eye on it and holler if it even ripples. If you don't I'm eating your nuts for breakfast tomorrow.

Gnup gulps and nods his head. Branbrig strips his armour and clothing off and standing naked he calls upon Urox to protect him and bless his club. [He asks for a 8 point "Protection from chaos" 12W vs a 20 and a ^6 for his club "Great Blow"]

All right everyone light your bundles and then approach it from every direction and hang your burning bundles over it. When I say now drop your pole so the flaming bundle lands on the wee beastie. If it starts moving run for it. I'll take care of it then otherwise it'll be barbecue.

Shrugs.

And if it's fireproof I'll still take care of it. Everyone ready?

The burning wood lands on top of the blob and then slowly sinks into it. For a moment the blob turns cloudy but then it clears again. There is no sign of the wood or fire and no apparent damage.

Branbrig gives a great shout and swings his club. You can see his club strike the blob a mighty blow and the blob wobbles violently as would a water skin if you struck it. The club passes through the blob and by the time it clears you can see that the far end of the club has disappeared and it slowly seems to be dissolving upward. Branbrig drops the remains of the club with a curse.

In a moment the blob stops vibrating and there it stands, apparently undamaged.

Damn. Fire proof and resistant to damage.

Looks around for a huge rock. Calling upon Urox for aid and using his Strong he gives a mighty heave and lifts it up. Straining he carries it over to the blob. He drops it on top of the blob. Waits to see what happens.

The other thing we can try if rocks don't work is to hit it with magical blasts. Anyone know how to throw lightning bolts? I can summon a wind daimone or use gusts of wind but something makes me think they won't work. We might have to wait to see if the Chaos Cleanser can deal with it. And I don't mean wait here, we can come back later. I don't think our chaotic little blob is going anywhere.

Keeps watching the rock.

I don't have a lightning bolt but on a slow count of three I can call a searing bolt... ONE

Snorri lets loose with a searing bolt from Finovan. ( do I have to state power or anything?)

Just then Snorri lets loose with his Searing Blast, and a charge of fiery lightning passes right through the blob. The effect is *interesting*. It's like you poked a needle through a water skin. There's a brief jet of fluid from the blob which quickly cuts off. Wherever the fluid lands, there's a sizzling and a patch of ground is now blackened.

Meanwhile, the blob appears to wobble a bit and the rock slowly slides down the side of the blob and falls on the ground beside the blob. Branbrig risks an inspection of the rock and says its very clean, like its been polished.

Puts his armor and clothes back on and gets ready to move on. Looking to Per for guidance.

Shall we?

turns his horse back on the original course and gives it a kick.

You also notice some shiny objects in the depression where the blob was formerly 'sitting'.

Branbrig turns his head to glare at at Snorri

Snorri coughs and clears his throat

froblem. We've got a new problem. It must be following us waiting till we are engaged fighting other pre-dark then it will jump us. Do you think that shinny stuff down there is pre-dark tainted? Maybe you check it out. If it is Pre-dark tainted we should get cleansed or bury so no comes anlong and touches it. If it isn't pre-dark tainted... Should ride out in different directions to see who blobby is following?

Bloody marvelous. I can be the first devotee of Urox to ever have a little predark follower.

Keeping a close eye on the blob he heads back to the depression to check out the shiny things. Using Sense Chaos he will attempt to see whether they are contaminated or not. He will also poke them with a stick first to see whether they eat wood or skin. After checking them out and giving them to Per for safekeeping if they're clean he says.

This is ridiculous. I cannot be followed around by a predark monstrousity! Urox send me your strongest scouring wind to rid me of this predark!

Calls upon his Scouring Wind feat and divine intervention from Urox to destroy the blob.

Meanwhile, the other people 'play' with the blob. It does not appear to be following anyone in particular. Sometimes it follows the closest person, sometimes the slowest moving person and sometimes the largest group of people. It doesn't move very fast though and is easily outdistanced.

Branbrig then calls upon his Scouring Wind, and a blasting whirlwind of sand and grit does appear and swirl about the blob, temporarily frosting its surface. However, Branbrig reports that he did not feel Urox's presence and the blob's surface soon clears.

What are you waiting for get digging while I find me a big rock. The rest of you keep that damn blob busy.

Towards nightfall, you lure the poor unsuspecting (gullible) minion of pre-dark to the hole, where it plops down. Branbrig hastely piles the big rocks on top of the blob. You watch for a while and nothing seems to happen. Blob stays in the hole, rocks remain on top of the blob.

So, that leaves the decision as to where to camp for the night and what to do about the remains you found earlier.

Shrugs

... if we get her that is. Either way I wouldn't touch them and I'd suggest we put some distance between us and that blob. It must have killed those broos..

reflex spit

...or someone dumped the bodies on it. Either way we should put some distance between us and it.

Looks to Per for leadership.

Let's throw a cairn over the blob's left-overs and then get out of here. I don't want to have to deal with this thing in the dark.

The night passes by uneventfully, as does the next day and night. You eat well, as pigs seemed to literally pop up everywhere you look and its an easy matter to bag one for the day. On the morning of the following day, Per heads the party back down into the valley and towards the river.

By late afternoon, you start to see signs of past settlement. Fields (now fallow) and buildings (now fallen) begin to appear until finally you get within sight of the river itself. Some of the buildings appear to have been burnt out and you do find signs of long past fighting (hacked in doors, ...). Branbrig, and occasionally the boys, also sense the effluvia of the pre-dark. Mostly old, but not all, and quite wide-spread.

Later on, you reach the river itself and find that you have arrived at a point where the river forks into two smaller streams. Just across the closer stream, you can see the remains of a major settlement. It's obviously been uninhabited for some time (decades) and equally obviously is the fact that many of the buildings have been burnt down. You would judge the stream fordable though you haven't approached too closely yet. By now, its quite late.

If it's strong enough I suppose I could. We could always pull back a ways and wait until morning to investigate. If the big blob left the river I think our home stead would have been attacked already. A good watch will help nonetheless.

Branbrig's idea seems sound to me. We'll find out more in the light than in the dark.

Well into the night, the watch wakes up everyone and says that they hear sounds from over the river. At that very moment, an uproar that is very obviously a battle begins (from across the river, say 100m). You can see almost nothing but an occasional flash of reflected light, but you can hear a mix of voices and animal noises and the sound of clashing weapons.

Orlev spends a moment peering off into the distance and reports back that he believes that Broos and humans are fighting. Branbrig excercises his feat and agres that the stench of pre-dark is strong.

Branbrig what is your opinion on helping the brave pre-dark fighters in dire need of aid we hear and see fighting so bravely? What a great a chance to find out from humans around here the lay of the land. Orlev how many humans and Broos would you say are fighting there? An extra dozen fighting for the humans will make quite a difference.

Starts to saddle horses with Erik & Ulf

My opinion? CHAAAARRRGGGEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

Jumps over the ruined wall and disappears into the darkness. As he runs (slowly at first) he calls upon Urox's protective magic (going for a +4) and offensive magic (again, going for a +4 edge for each axe). He also waits up for his weaponstorms as they need more seasoning, plus they reduce the multiple opponent modifiers:->). In combat he will swing twice at separate opponents while betting heavy).

CHAAARGGGEEEE!!!!!!!!

The right flank has more open space boys. Let's come in from there.
Tactics: 13

Drawing his bow

It's dark make sure you have a clear shoot boys.

Uses - affinity Movement 17 (Burst of Speed) - to quickly get to the right flank looking for clear shoot. But tries to stay out of close until Ulf & Eric can catch up. Ulf & Eric ride after trying to catch up.

All three take up Branbrigs battle cry of

CHAAARGGGEEEE!!!!!!!!

Branbrig heads straight for the noise of the battle but slows down to prepare his feats and allow his weaponstorms to catch-up. They reach the river at about the same time as Snorri but directly across from the fighting.

Orlev has mounted Swiftheels and is prepared to follow Branbrig and the others at Per's command.

He shouts out that the battle appears to be breaking up into small skirmishes, with a small group battling immediately in front of Snorri (can engage with missiles) and a larger group in melee near Branbrig (would have to cross stream and close to engage).

Charges through the water screaming.

URRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOXXXXXXXXXXXXX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Orlev, follow Branbrig and the boys through the centre. Cedric, guard the horses. Hend, you're with me.

gets out his bow and heads for the right flank at a run.

Odayla, grant me clear sight (Hunt Aff 18) and let my aim be true (Hunt Aff 18).

Snorri fires on Broos that are unengaged. Ulf & Eric follow Snorri's directions if they have trouble telling Broo from human in the dark.

If Snorri can not find any more Broos that are safe (small chance of hitting humans) targets he will call on Finovan to aid three of them to cross the river Movement affinity:17 and charge across the river into meele.

The figure on the other side starts to back along the river while feverishly defending itself. All of you immediately let loose at the broos and the giant snail, who were clearly not expecting an attack from your side of the stream. All the broos are struck and one seems seriously injured. One or two shots bounced off the snail. One Broo lets out a grunting sound and the whole lot jump back into the stream where you can vaguely see them. You let another round of arrows off to unknown effect.

The figure on the other side appears to be injured but still standing. It seems to be trying to watch both you and the stream.

****

Branbrig and the boys (followed by Orlev) go crashing through the stream which seems to be about waist to shoulder deep at that point (Orlev rides over the surface actually). Reaching the other side the whole lot of you go careening into the ruined buildings. One lone broo is encountered and quickly cut down and then the main battle is reached.

Two roughly equal lines of warriors appear to be hacking away at each other. After a moment of indecision you determine which side is the broos and charge into them. Battle is immediately engaged and almost as quickly a series of loud grunts break out from the broos and they start to retreat. A few broos appear in the back and begin to fling stones at the humans. The humans you've joined shout and redouble their attack, two doing prodigious leaps over the combatants in an attempt to engage the Broos who are tossing stones.

UUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOXXXXXXXXX!!!!!!! Kill them all!

Branbrig attempts to cut his way through the line and then attack whoever seems to be in charge of the broos.

Snorri, Ulf & Eric ride their horses over the water (Finovan willing) to other side.

Amber Clan comes to your aid brave fighter of pre-dark.

The three horse men [plan to] ride past the lone fighter and on to engage the main group. At first firing arrows at any safe target then trying to close from behind the Broo line.

Stones continue to rain down upon the main group of humans until the stone throwers are engaged by the two humans who leapt over the Broo line earlier and Orlev, who has ridden behind the line to attack the Broos who appears to be commanding the party. Brilliant flashed of light begin to erupt from that Broo temporarily dazzling everyone looking in that direction.

The Broos take advantage of this distraction to make a break for it and most manage to disengage and head for the stream. A few of the other humans and your group attempt to pursue but now the purpose of the stones becomes clear.

Strange noisome noxious spirits rise from the stones and engage you in spirit combat. As you struggle with these spirits the Broos run away.

Half-way across the stream (which is about 10 meters wide) the three broos and giant snail erupt from the water and attack the horses. Snorri, Ulf and Erik switch to spears but Ulf's mount is quickly disemboweled and he goes pitching into the water and disappears beneath the surface.

The man on the other side of the stream runs forward and raises his hand.

Chaos stalks my world.
Broos have bruised me, the Hand has pawed me.
I have taken up the impossible path,
And seek those who must aid my task.
You are not the first of my friends.
Others walked with me to Heal.
The Devil took them, they died.
I failed to save them, chaos grows.

Coome Sistar Barch, they offaring ha be mad.

The broos grunt madly at each other and start to head for the far shore and the standing man when several things begin to happen. First, Ulf is literally spat out of the stream and lands with a thud near Per, Snorri and Erik. He is bleeding badly and appears to be unconscious. Next, come a sound like a giant egg being smashed against rocks and for a moment green ichor stains the water.

The broos have nearly made it to the far shore when, with an agonised grunt, the rearmost Broo disappears backwards under the surface. The next Broo also disappears under the surface with a wail but the last Broo makes it to the far shore and stands clear of the stream. The Broo turns to scream defiance at whatever seized its companions. At that instant, the water rises directly in front of it, assumes a vaguely feminine form and impales the broo with a lance of water. The broo topples face forward into the water and then disappears beneath the surface. The feminine figure collapses back into the stream. The stream is still lashing about in a frenzy.

Sistar Barch, I giv yee thanks.

Chaos grows, but naw this day.

The water immediately returns to normalcy.

The bleeding man looks across the stream and shouts at you.

Coome or stay as yee would. I go to help mine.

And with that the man turns and runs towards the sounds of the main battle.

Meanwhile, a group of warriors which had gone in pursuit of Branbrig et al pulls up behind them and then circles to link up with the lone figure. A brief conversation occurs over there while Branbrig and Per catch up with each other (shouting across the stream). Orlev arrives as well, reporting that all the Broos have fled (all the ones capable of doing so anyway).

Once more a figure approaches the group.

You be a heortlander? From 'cross the mountains? Well, you be a long way from home then, for certain sure.

As for greetings, tis not a deed to be done in the dark, not in these parts anyway. Tis not safe to give your name to all that walk and talk in the night.

I will tell you this though, we will go back from the old stead a ways that a ways, and there purify ourselves. We shall find each other in the morning and then see what's what.

Be this acceptable to you?

Oh, I see it's quite all right for us to expose ourselves to the dark and predark but not for them.

Snorts and shrugs.

Fine by me, tomorrow it is then

He turns and walks towards Per.

Sorry about giving them the impression I'm in charge but since I've already opened my big mouth there's no reason why you should risk whatever they're afraid of too. Tomorrow you can call all the shots.

Turns to go check on the boys.

Unfortunately, long before morning arrives, several of you start to complain of severe headaches and start to shiver violently. Suddenly, Gnup Borgson starts to vomit and then collapses. A quick look shows that he is unconscious.

This is not good. I will try and call on Urox to drive the evil spirit from his body but there are no guarantees he will hear me. Someone should go ask those other warriors whether they have a healer present. I doubt that Gnup will live much longer without magical aid.

Looks at Cedric.

You're the silver tongued one. Take my other weaponstorms and go.

Stands and holds both arms over Gnup.

Urox, bane of chaos, this follower of yours is beset by evil spirits. Lend to him of your strength, mightier than that of any other so that he might fight them off and live to battle in your name again. My life is yours already as is his. Help us so that we may continue to slaughter your enemies.

A harsh gritty wind begins to blow and swirl in the area, first fitfully but quickly building up to gale force. People capable of moving pull back from Branbrig and Gnup's body.

With a sudden arcing of his body Gnup jackknifes and appears to inhale the windstorm. His body is tossed and jerked about is a most peculiar fashion (almost like there's a windstorm inside) before Gnup is suddenly stretched upright and vomits out the windstorm and some pale foul mass which is quickly shredded once in the open. Gnup collapses and Branbrig feels exhausted (-2 to all skills for this scene).

Soon afterward, Cedric and Per come back accompanied by several other figures. One is the figure who had spoken to Branbrig earlier while the other is the figure who had fought done by the stream.

This second figure takes one look at the party and quickly separates one group (those who fought near the stream) from the other (those who fought in the main battle).

You be clean. Best stand away while I deal with the others. I'll have to move them part-way to the other side for this.

With that the man starts to inscribe a circle in the ground that reminds some of you of Bjarni's (the Kolating shaman) work. When he completes the circle he addresses the second group...

Naow, you must stand in here so that we might see what else walks within you all.

Orlev quickly moves into the circle. What about Branbrig and his 'boys'?

All praise to the Bull in his might for helping us, his followers. We dedicate, as always your slain enemies to you. And now Gnup will live to slay more of your foes all thanks to you.

The boys join in with Branbrig's praise, none louder than Gnup.

Into the circle then lads. We'll let this shaman see what foul little otherworldly beasties we may be infested with. Hopefully he'll be able to rid us of them.

Branbrig and the lads enter the circle to stand beside Orlev.

The shaman peers into the being of each of you. Gnup is quickly cleared but he pauses before Svart and Grim and starts shaking a feathered rattle. Both of them begin to feel very odd until in one swooping motion the shaman reaches into each of their mouths and withdraws a pale wriggling slimy mass. These he balls up and then flips outside the circle where they quickly disappear from sight.

The shaman, visibly tired now and supported by his clanman, begins to chant again but his clansman holds up a restraining arm and asks that you do not leave the circle just yet.

Once this is established, the other man introduces himself as Olaf Rock-fist, leader of this warband, and his (shaman) companion as Walker, and that they belong to the Black Rock clan. He invites you and your party to join his camp for the remainder of the night and he then requests that you go back to meet his chief Bjorngold Broo-slayer, who would be most interested in hearing from any new people in the area.

Looks to Per. Turns to the shaman.

You have my thanks Walker. If ever you need a favour that doesn't violate any of my sworn oaths just ask and it shall be done.

Turns to Olaf

Olaf, we'll gladly join you for the remainder of this night and then travel with you on the morn to meet your chief.

Turns to Walker

And my thanks as well Walker. We are poorly prepared for fighting Broos and you aid was most timely.

Returns to Olaf

Indeed there is much that we can learn from you about these lands if you are willing to teach us.

Early the next morning you break camp and head up the stream, deeper into Black Rock lands. You occasionally pass small parties of Black Rocks and you note that all of them are armed or have arms close at hand.

A few questions on this and other matters reveals that the Black Rocks have been fighting the broos for decades (and slowly losing). Recently, about 15 years ago, the fighting intensified and the Black Rock clan was pushed out of the stead you fought in last night. The land there has been poisoned by disease spirits and many of the Black Rock clan have also succumbed to various virulent virus (OK spirits, I liked all the v's). You gather that the Black Rock clan has been pushed back into less desirable real estate further up the valley.

You also discover that the Black Rock clan worships a darker version of the Lightbringers (similar to the Torkani). Argan Argar has replaced Issaries and Xiola Umbar has replaced Chalana Arroy. While not common, this form of worship is not unheard of.

Finally, the Black Rock clan tell you something of the political neighborhood (see map at top of page). To their north is the Red Rock clan. They are allied to the Black Rock Clan and also worship a similar (dark) pantheon of Lightbringers. To the south is the White Sky clan who they have had historically friendly ties with but have not seen much of them these past decades because the Broos control the best travel route between the two clans.

Towards late evening, you pass a fortified watch tower (Broos says Olaf, too often they get all the way up here) and that's where you spend the night. Another day brings you to a stead which Olaf announces as Chief Bjorngold's residence. Looks like pretty hard scrabble land to you.

Chief Bjorngold has apparently been forewarned as he is coming out to meet you, accompanied by his bodyguard. The whole lot are covered in blue tattoos (no armor) and wield large wooden two handed swords edged with obsidian. Must be Varlanaorlanthi (a particulary wild and primitive form of Orlanth).

Once the ritual greeting has been gone through ...

gestures to a table and benches that has been setup in the common area

and tell me your story.

That so? Here to stay are you? Then Amber and Black Rock have things to talk about.

I know you're an exploration party but there's not much beyond here that we can't just tell you about. If its all the same to you, I'd like to send Reinhart here back with you to speak to your chief and clan ring so we can decide how things stand between our two clans. Reinhart is our clan lawspeaker and will have authority to make any necessary decisions. Olaf there and Walker and some of the boys can come along as escort as well if that's all right.

So what do you say?

after Chief Bjorngold nods in agreement, Per leads the group to a corner of the hall.

If any treaty is to be negotiated, it really must be between the two chiefs. It certainly wouldn't hurt us to have some friends in the area and we have a common enemy. So, unless anyone can think of a reason not to have the emissary accompany us, I'm inclined to let them join us. What do you think?

The more the merrier when it comes to slaughtering predark.  Besides we need neighbours for our young men and women to marry.

Whoo hoo!!

I guess I'd better make it official then.

leads the group back to the main party and addresses Chief Bjorngold.

We would be honoured to have the Black Rock clan ride with us and to receive your emissaries at the Amber stead.

Cheering goes up from the community.

You are free to mingle, Snorri finds some willing to roll the bones, Branbrig and his boys find the Varlanaorlanthi to be fairly pleasant company, Orlev gets to discussing local legal precedents with Reinhart (who is perhaps the meanest looking law-speaker you've ever run across), Cedric gets to tell a few stories and makes some new friends, Cat-boy almost gets himself killed but no one is quite clear why. In short, you have a pretty good time.

The next day you head back down the valley, but on the north shore of the Birch. The Black Rock tell you that this is the safer shore as the pre-dark don't like to cross the water much. You spend a couple of days following the birch until you meet back at that point where the Birch and the Ash become the Oak (and where you first met the Black Rock). You follow the Oak for another day or so but then the Black Rock tell you head away from the water once the Sounders River gets close as the Sounders is 'cursed'. Besides, this is getting to close to the main Broo stronghold and they occasionally come across the river, either by a ford or through other means.

So, with only minor encounters, you return to the Blunt's stead where you are greeted with much excitement. 

This map shows what knowledge about the western end of the valley the Black Rock people have shared with the Amber Clan. It also shows the route the scouting party took.

End of Scene 1

This page last modified June 14, 2001

Email me at oliver_bernuetz@hotmail.com.