"We must recover and deliver the orb to Andris." said the weary sailor named Jerry. He had arrived in Lerilin, after a storm wrecked his ship. "I have to deliver the orb. It cannot be lost!!!". Convincing the poor sailor that we would complete his delivery for him...for assuredly he was in no shape for traveling, not even having any pants to wear...he sent us off with two warnings...."Be careful, there are many after this orb. They will kill to own it." and "Watch for the Serpents, they always find their way to a shipwreck."

With these warnings ringing in our ears, we set off....3 adventurers on a task that was surely too great for us alone.....

Day 80 of the Blue Moon, year 433

There were three of us to begin this journey, some of us would make it to the end of this day. One thing was sure, we would learn to trust the warnings of a shipwrecked sailor before we were done.

Jedd, Varto and I left Lerilin that day a little bit nervously, knowing that there was trouble ahead but determined to keep our word to Sailor Jerry. I sent out messengers to alert others and bring us assistance, as is my custom when I encounter unusual events these days. I keep pages in each town now for this express purpose. Soon word came back, the Rebels would come. Then word came that they wouldn't come, only having druids in the area at the time, they didn't think an ocean adventure would render them much use. Ah well, it was worth a try, as they are usually up for adventures. Another message came back that Siegal would meet us on the bridge and Negithy was en route. This made me feel better about the coming adventure.

After repairing a broken boot heel on the path from Lerilin, I caught up to the others on the bridge. Having discovered Siegal had gone ahead, the three of us started heading south, as the sailor's directions dictated. I was caught up with a Water Elemental shortly after, and when I finished with it, I looked around and I saw none of my mates in sight. Cursing men and their constant haste, I started paddling again. However, in my moment of feminine righteousness, I forgot the wise words of Sailor Jerry. "Watch for the Serpents.....". Oh dear. One serpent, two serpents, three serpents, four....oooOOOoooOOOooo. Crap. Well, nobody's perfect. I never said that did I.

One of my messengers came to find me with a message. Thankfully he was smarter than I, and had avoided the serpents. Seeing me ghosting, he ran back North and found Nel the Cleric, bringing her to the island with Jedd and Negithy to aid me in resurrection. Proceeding onto the island, I found Siegal in the company on a man called Fortinbras. Siegal whispered to me that this fellow had been talking to trees, and was generally raving. Madder than a Hatter, this fellow was indeed. He was babbling about the orb, desperate in his search to find it. He had the stench of evil about him, and I recalled Jerry's other warning..."there are others that will kill to own it." This madman was just crazy enough to be dangerous, even without the addition a powerful orb.

Jedd and Negithy had found a chest, so we went to see what was in it - naturally I took the contents - I am a rogue after all. Fortinbras came running up and demanded what in the hells we were doing!! Little did I know that this was his campsite and the boys had destroyed his shelter.....oh dear. Well, I'm not known for my diplomacy when I dislike someone, and I was already at that sentiment when it came to this Fortinbras and his mad search for the orb. For the record, I did give him back his stuff from the chest, and apologized for the boys chopping up his tent....again thinking of the haste of men with a chuckle.

Siegal called me over to where he had found the remains of Jerry's ship washed up on shore. Among the debris was 2 tarnished necklaces and 2 pieces of Merfolk Hair, but nothing resembling an orb. Fortinbras followed us to the wreck site and was running in circles talking to himself. He got down on his hands and knees and started scrabbling and digging in the sand. I went to look at what he was doing, and saw something shining in the sand near him. I covertly picked up the shadowed orb and slipped it in my pack, but unfortunately was not fast enough, and he saw what I had.

Calling me all sorts of foul names he suddenly started to glow with magic, and summoned 2 groups of huge sand spiders, setting them to attack me and my party. I could have stealthed and run away with the orb, but my honor as a knight wouldn't let me desert my companions, even to keep the orb safe. We fought well enough against the spiders, but he summoned more and more, until the island was covered with about 50 sand spiders. I followed Forty to the water's edge and stealthed, hoping to get behind him for a stab. Unfortunately he cast some sort of paralyze field spell which revealed me from stealth and paralyzed both me and Bittel. Then, with his druidish powers, he summoned 5 sea serpents from the depths, and having me pinned against the water's edge, he surrounded me with his serpents and spiders - 5 on each side. I drank as many Full Heal Potions as I could, and managed to stay alive for several bites, but with an additional fireball from the mage, and so many creatures surrounding me, the world faded to gray.

I believe that at this time, most of my companions had also succumbed to a ghostly state, although Siegal did manage to both stay alive and clear the island of spiders. He came to stand by me as I patiently....well, sort of patiently...listened to the ranting of Fortinbras. The man had a foul tongue and hurled continuous insults at my ghost, however it was beyond his power to move me from my corpse. So the orb was safe. I don't know if he could understand me or not, but he did reveal that he wanted to use the orb to raise the undead and increase his powers. The Ghost of Bittel agreed with my ghost that this was surely unnecessary, as well as potentially catastrophic.

At this time the work of my Lerilin Messengers began to pay off. Iceane was the first to arrive, much to my delight, and I filled him in on the situation as well as the powers of Fortinbras. We knew more people would be coming in all haste, so waited for the reinforcements. Lenard, Cadwallader, Iadne, and finally Daystra showed up, and perhaps seeing that he was potentially over matched, Fortinbras disappeared from our presence with a final flurry of threats. The Clerics kindly resurrected our party, and someone lured the serpents away, so we set out for Andris with the Shadowed Orb safely in my possession.

The journey to Andris was uneventful but for an angry serpent who didn't care to have his back stabbed, although there was an inexplicable tension running high through the party. This was not done with yet, and as we entered Andris City, we wondered what was to come. After some questioning of the locals, we found a stranger who was awaiting a package from a messenger. I approached her cautiously and the others stood around us, protectively watching the surrounding. The conversation with this lady called Arelintha proceeded as follows:

(Arelintha): Hello. *says shortly*
(Jedd): Hello
(Tyler): Greetings
(Iceane): Greetings.
(Arelintha): Where is that fellow?
(Iadne): Greetings....
(Negithy): What fellow, Ma'am?
(Shayde): greetings
(Jedd): Jerry?
(Shayde): are you looking for Sailor Jerry?
(Arelintha): A messanger is supposed to be bringing me a package.
(Jedd): Jerry is resting at Lerilin after a shipwreck caused by the green one
(Arelintha): Hmpf.
(Shayde): I am the messanger
(Arelintha): I should never have trusted him.
(Shayde): I apologize for the delay
(Arelintha): He smelled of ale.
(Arelintha): Oh?
(Shayde): what is in the package?
(Arelintha): *looks closely*
(Shayde): what is this package you await?
(Arelintha): You don't quite look like the one I was expecting.
(Shayde): no
(Arelintha): It is an orb
. (Shayde): he was shipwrecked
(Arelintha): A very special one.
(Shayde): I have your orb
(Negithy): *nods*
(Jedd): The Green one escaped...
(Arelintha): Oh you do!
(Shayde): do you know one named Fortinbras?
(Arelintha): What a lovely girl.
(Shayde): a mage?
(Shayde): do you know of him?
(Shayde): he killed many trying to get this orb
(Iadne): *frowns*
(Shayde): he wanted to use it for Evil
(Arelintha): Fortinbras? Never heard of him.
(Iadne): Shayde,
(Negithy): He killed a number of us.
(Iadne): we know nothing about her.
(Shayde): he wanted to use it to raise the dead
(Negithy): Naughty fellow.
(Bittel): I feel stupid
(Jedd): He caused a shipwreck as well and killed others
(Arelintha): He sounds like a horrible little man.
(Shayde): Sailor Jerry told me there would be a merchent
(Bittel): when I walked past Arelintha she was looking for a messengeer
(Iadne): If what you possess is of such a high value, you should be careful, whom you pass it to.
(Shayde): you do not look like a Merchant
(Jedd): Shayde is the messenger. She has the orb
(Arelintha): I am a merchant of sorts. A merchant of fortunes and unusual items.
(Arelintha): A collector, if you will.
(Negithy): Oh?
(Shayde): What will you use the orb for?
(Negithy): And you sent for this orb?
(Jedd): A Seer....
(Arelintha): I did.
(Negithy): Ah...
(Iadne): I know of a wizard, who could use that orb, she is powerful enough.
(Iadne): She could tell of its magical contents.
(Iadne): And judge on whether its wise to pass it on.
(Arelintha): Well, I wish to gaze into it and see what truths might lie within.
(Jedd): I don't like any idea of using such an orb. Do you know what the green one said?
(Shayde): what about it being used to raise the dead?
(Arelintha): And it will be another fine asset for my collection.
(Jedd): It may have been behind the blood runes and recent uprisals of undead.
(Arelintha): Raise the dead?
(Shayde): yes
(Jedd): Yes...the green one mentioned its powers
(Shayde): Fortinbras said it could be used to raise the dead
(Arelintha): Ugh. How unsanitary.
(Shayde): that's what I thought
(Shayde): he seemed determined
(Shayde): he will kill you if he knows you have it
(Shayde): I wouldn't want to put such a lovely lady in danger
(Arelintha): I very much doubt that.
(Negithy): *smiles*
(Arelintha): I have foreseen my own death.
(Shayde): oh?
(Arelintha): Thirty-four years in the future.
(Shayde): how....disturbing that must have been
(Iadne): Pff...
(Iadne): I've died plenty of times...
(Arelintha): Will you give it to me please?
(Arelintha): I could reward you all...
(Iadne): A reward?
(Iadne): What for?
(Shayde): I am satisfied you are the correct person
(Shayde): we do not require a reward
(Shayde): it was an honor to serve
(Arelintha): *smiles*
(Arelintha): Thank you, dear.
(Jedd): *bows*
(Shayde): *curtsys*

After this conversation, I asked Arelintha to tell us what she saw in the orb. She led our party to the town square, presumably for the best light in which to see whatever she was to see in the orb. At this point others arrived, Crisian, Cassandra, Sophina and Shawer joined the audience. When Arelintha looked into the orb, she saw fires, darkness, and creatures with many eyes. She saw a man in red and a man in black... and that is all she told us. There was a smudge of some sort on the orb, which she tried to rub off. I apologized for the fingerprints I may have got on it, as it was difficult to protect the orb from the bites of those serpents. As she rubbed harder at the spot, a Lich appeared among us!!!! She continued to rub at the orb as a battle with the lich began, and later reports told me that she shook the orb once and a second lich appeared!!! She cast a couple of fireballs at the Liches, and ran for the East gate of town, outrunning all who thought to pursue her. She was not seen again.

A lengthy battle ensued with the 2 liches, the first one was taken care of fairly quickly, but the second grew to great power as we fought to overcome it.. The battle was fought bravely by all, and I thank the clerics for their healing and speedy resurrections that allowed me and the other plates to resume battling almost immediately each time we were put to death. It lasted for some time, but eventually we were victorious. At the end of the battle, Senator Morgans appeared with the Andris guard.....rather too late in my opinion.

Demanding to know what had happened, I requested permission to relay my tale. The kind senator listened closely and in her wisdom asked a couple of questions I had not thought to find out the answers to.....namely the origins of the orb. Feeling humbled, I apologized for not having the foresight to ask this important question of either Jerry or Arelintha. As I completed my tale, I spotted a flash of green from the corner of my eye, and turned to see Fortinbras at the edge of the square!!

Senator Morgans ordered him to stop so she could question him, and requested that we surround the evil one. We did try, however he was a mage with druidic powers, and merely teleported himself out of our circle. He ran for the West gate of the city, and we followed in pursuit. As soon as he was out of the gate, he summoned more groups of Sand Spiders to block our way and made his escape. Cadwallader managed to strike him with all his might, but whatever magical armor the mage had cast, deflected the mighty warrior's blow. The mage disappeared into the mists.

This brings me to the end of this tale. There was a little more discussion with Morgans, where she thanked us for securing her city, and requested that if anyone sees Fortinbras again, they are to alert her immediately. She passed out some of her most mouthwatering gingerbread and left us to tend our wounds from the battle and to prepare for the upcoming Blue Moon Festival. I hope to find out more about this Shadowed Orb. Perhaps I shall consult the scholars in the great library of Andris when I am there for the festivities.

My messengers kindly made these fine sketches for me to share with you at this time. I thank the hard work of these loyal servants of the Cavalier Knights, for without their tireless aid, our ghosts would still be listening to the ranting insults of one Fortinbras, the crazed mage.

Best Regards,
Shayde, Shadowalker
A Cavalier Knight