Tolð 15-22, 652 DR. Large toads are killed in the marshes outside Cænden. Marsh spiders attack the village and are beaten back, but not before Mishara receives an ugly facial wound. The townspeople are given militia training. Alcèrra is escorted to Kyrm Oryroð so that she may meet with the hosting Temple.

Continued from Burying the Dead.

Alídor, 15 Tolð 652

The group returned to Cændan, the day’s light failing with night’s approach. Within the Cænden marsh, Jak stopped, smelling something nearby. Mishara peered into the dim recesses of the marsh and found several shapes in the distance. Enormous toads leapt from the marsh at the group. Jak’s spear met one fully, causing it to rupture across Jak and Alcèrra. Mishara turned and began firing a barrage of arrows at the amphibian attackers, and soon all were dead with one having leaped into a deepe. The group returned with large toad legs and the town gathered to celebrate, dance, and sing the night away; a pleasant break in the chain of unfortunate circumstances having come to the town in recent days.

Kændor, 16 Tolð 652

That night, while manning northbridge Jak was again attacked by a giant arachnid with a hard black shell and intricate golden designs. While killing the creature back he suffered a stinging wound to his shoulder, and returned to town. On his return he began to stagger and his vision blurred, but was able to find his friends and healing. Townspeople gathered in the streets, and Ronad went to meet the foe, gathering on the north road. He returned injured as well with tale of two more spiders. Mishara and Jak went to engage the creatures, but one climbed a silky thread into the treetops and circled away toward town.

The second spider killed, the group returned to town and began a house to house search until they came upon a hut on the far side of the main isle where silky strands had descended from the trees. Jak went to the front door, while Mishara peered into the broken shutters. As Jak kicked at the front door, Mishara was bit in face by slobbering mandibles. He stabbed at the creature as his vision blurred and his face began to sting. Jak circled the house and skewered the final monster. Two inhabitants were rescued from their silky bindings.

The next morning a small contingent left on three boats from Cænden to a culvert near Wesridge, where it appeared the giant spider webs had originated. The group spent an hour or more severing the strands and returned to town, where the people gathered under vigil for a night, while awaiting the spider return. The night passed without incident.

Malídor, 17 Tolð 652

The following days were spent training the townspeople with the use of spears and bows.

Amdor, 18 Tolð 652

Training townspeople.

Wōdìndor, 19 Tolð 652

Training townspeople.

Iyldor, 20 Tolð 652

On the 20th of Tolð, the group left for Oð. Within the North Square the group watched the beginnings of a public execution by hanging, administered by figures in white and black robes.

Irídor, 21 Tolð 652

Traveling through the City of Oð.

Roydor, 22 Tolð 652

After a day and a half of travel through Oð, the group came to Adwell’s Folly, a good inn on the Temple Square. The innkeeper told them of an iron statue that had been stolen and is being searched for by the Temple. In the morning, the group followed his directions and found a similar statue standing quiet and still in a dark alley. Afterward, they pushed their way through the bustling Temple Square, along the Iron Colonnade, and up the stairs of Kyrm Oryroð. They were greeted by two priests and finally given audience with Ichmel Sucorun, Craftsman of Roð. Ichmel and they talked at great length about various Dekàlan faiths, and events happening in and around the City of Oð. The group was thereafter invited to stay in the Temple until they could secure other quarters within the City. Each was led to a separate room, with Mishara being given a windowed chamber so that he could see the distant tree lines above the Iron Wall that surrounds the Pryard.

Continued in Trouble in Temple Square.

Characters

• Alcèrra Nàdrelan
• Jak of Cænden
• Kaithah Argentale
• Mishara Mythdaras
• Cereggen Ronad
• Dadra Rumm
• Ichmel Socorun

Played: 19 Apr 1997