Date in Real Life: Sunday, 8 January, 2023
In Game Day: Khamesh, the 16th of Sawol
“So, which of these challenges shall we deal with first?” Hector asked.
“Let’s go kill something,” Philip said. “That sounds like fun.” Edward and William nodded their agreement.
“As long as we don’t die, you mean,” Hector pointed out.
Philip laughed. “Haha, good point,”
Leja tapped her lip thoughtfully.
“Leja?” Hector asked.
“An item of superior quality, eh?” she said.
“Are you thinking of something to make?” Hector asked.
“What if we split up?” Starflower suggested. “Since Leja is an inventor with the highest crafting abilities, and Hector isn’t much of a fighter, how about the two of them go to the forge and see about crafting something, and the rest of us go to the mines to hunt this beast.”
The idea seemed acceptable to everyone, so they split up. Hector and Leja made their way back to the iron forge, while the others returned to the entrance to the mines.
“Danger. Do not enter. Doom.” William read the signs painted across the boards that were stretched over rocks blocking the entrance.
“I guess our first challenge is getting in,” Starflower said.
“Psalm 118:20, This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. Psalm 118:20.” Edward declared at the rocks.
Nothing happened.
“It’s not really a gate,” Starflower said.
“Muscles, then,” Philip said. They easily tore off the wooden planks with the warning messages, but had trouble moving the rocks.
“Matthew 7:7,” Edward grunted, “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7.”
“It’s not really a door,” Starflower said, straining against a rock. Just then, it finally came loose and rolled away from the opening.
“Here we go,” William said. The rocks started moving more and more easily, and soon they had a path cleared.
“Hey!” a voice came from behind them. They turned to see a dwarf approaching them. “What are you doing? There’s a ferocious beast in there!”
“Yes, we know. We plan to kill it. Your council of nobles asked us to,” Edward explained.
“But, but... you’ll be killed!” the dwarf sputtered.
“Maybe, maybe not. We’ve had experience slaying beasts,” Philip said. “Check out these troll claws!”
“Those might be fake,” the dwarf said.
“How about you stand watch for us?” Starflower suggested.
The dwarf looked around, alarmed. “Me?”
“Yes, just make sure if anyone sees the open cave that you explain to them what we’re doing,”
“Okay,” he nodded. “But if you don’t come back out in a tick, I’ll have no choice but to assume you’ve been killed, in which case I’ll have to collapse the cave again.”
“Sounds like a wise precaution,” William said. “What’s your name?”
“Daretreal Battlemaker,” the dwarf said proudly.
“Thank you for your important service, Battlemaker,” Starflower said dramatically.
“Let’s go,” Philip said, leading the way into the mine shaft.
“Let’s see what we’ve got to work with,” Leja said as she and Hector arrived back in the iron forge. Peggy the water horse hung back a bit with the stray donkey that was following it around.
“We could try talking to some of the workers,” Hector suggested.
“Good idea.” Leja surveyed the worksite, picked a dwarf at random and marched towards him. “Hi there. How are you doing?” she asked.
The dwarf banged a hammer down on a work piece half heartedly. “Fine.”
“What are you making?”
“A dagger,” came the short reply.
“Are you okay? You don’t seem to be putting much effort into it.”
“I’m fine. Good meal of mushrooms. Work to do.”
“You don’t sound happy.”
The dwarf didn’t reply. He swung the tool again, adding to the din of metal on metal in the forge.
“Do you have iron ore I can use?” Leja asked.
“Lots. Help yourself,” the dwarf grunted.
“Thanks. I’m going to make something.”
“Good for you.”
“Is there anything you’d like to make that you haven’t made before?” Leja asked.
“Purpose,” the dwarf said bitterly as he banged on his dagger-in-progress.
“Hmm... Hard to make that in a forge. Do you guys have molds available? I’m looking for something to make hollow bars about this big around,” she held up her hands and made a circle a couple inches in diameter. “And also really thin strands, like wire.”
“If you’re looking for hollow, you might be better off using a flat sheet and rolling it,” the dwarf said.
“Yes, good idea, thank you... sorry, what is your name?”
“Helur Flaskchin,”
“I’m Leja, this is Hector. Can you show me where the molds are, Flaskchin?” she smiled sweetly.
Flaskchin sighed. “Right over here,” Flaskchin said, getting up from his workbench and leading them to some shelves.
“What do you use for soldering?” Leja asked as they went over to the molds.
“We have ingots of an alloy of tin and lead over there that we melt and use as needed,” the dwarf pointed at a cart at the side of the room.
“Great. I’ll also need a hide of some sort for the seat.”
“Seat? What are we making?” Flaskchin asked.
Leja smiled. The dwarf said “we.” They had his attention.
“Have you ever heard of a bicycle?”
“A what? No, I guess I haven’t.”
“It has two wheels. Do you have molds for wheels? Surely you’ve made carts?”
“How would a cart work with two wheels? Or is it like a wheelbarrow?” Hector asked.
“No, you ride it. One wheel directly in front of the other.”
“Wouldn’t it fall over?” Hector asked.
“Once you get going, it is just a matter of balance.”
“I think you’re going to have to draw this for me,” Flaskchin said, producing some parchment. “Show me your plans.”
“Another intersection,” Philip said.
“Got it,” Edward marked the wall with his sword again.
“I’m sensing evil off on the left. Let’s go that way,” Philip said.
The tunnel eventually opened up into a larger cavern.
“Skeletons!” William cried out, pulling out his sling.
“Despair!” The skeletons wailed. Philip counted four of them. “Why strive? You will all end up like us one day! Death is the inheritance of all!”
“Christ in you, the hope of glory!” Philip called and charged towards them. He pulled out his donkey jawbone, anxious to test it in battle. He swung the jawbone, and felt the Holy Spirit empowering his movements, as if he didn’t even have to think. He felt like he was watching himself in slow motion. Whack, smack, clobber, first skeleton down. Crash, smash, bash, second skeleton down. All in only a few seconds. The other two were further away, and the others were able to make short work of them.
“Not so bad,” Regulus commented, licking his paws.
“I doubt those were the beasts the dwarves were concerned about,” William said.
“These look like dead dwarves, in fact,” Starflower said, examining the remains on the floor.
“I thought they seemed a little short,” Edward agreed.
“Let’s separate the bones and move on,” Philip directed.
The party continued down the mine shafts.
“I smell sulfur,” Bill commented.
“Dragon?” William asked.
“Fire, anyway,” Edward pointed out.
“This doesn’t seem like the sort of place a dragon would hang out,” Starflower said. “Narrow tunnels. No other way out. They’d be more likely to have large throne rooms and exits and many servants.”
“Something else that can use fire, perhaps,” Philip said. “Unless this connects to the dragon throne room.”
“I don’t think we’ve travelled that far east. The dragon was supposed to be the next peak over, according to where all the villagers kept pointing,” Edward said.
“How sure are you?” Starflower asked.
“Actually, I’m not very sure. I got pretty turned around in the Minotaur lair.”
“I think we all did,” Starflower reassured him. “Plus we’ve been underground for who knows how long? Days, perhaps.”
“I sense evil,” Philip stopped. “Right around the corner.” He peeked. “It opens up into a larger chamber. I can’t see anything other than what is right in front of me. A few spots of orange, perhaps, like the embers to a dying fire.”
“Listen,” Starflower said. They paused. They could hear something shuffling around and moving, as well as some eerie moans and the distinctive creak of bones.
“Ready or not, here we come,” Philip said quietly. They charged into the room.
“Who’s that?” a deep voice called out. A burst of flame shot at the ceiling lit up the room. They could see a hideous troll at the other end of the room. Not a cave troll, but some different breed they had never encountered before. There were also four skeletons and three barrow wights arrayed before the fire troll.
“We’re your doom,” Philip announced. “What are you supposed to be?”
“A Cacus Troll. I like your axe. Can I have it?”
“Not a chance,” Philip said. “Christ in you, the hope of glory!” he hollered as a battle cry, charging towards the line of undead creatures in front of him.
“I like your bear, can I have it?” Starflower asked, turning to William.
“Only if you give me your lion,” William replied.
“The lion isn’t for sale. I want both animals,” Starflower said, crossing her arms.
“Well, the bear isn’t for sale either, I want both animals,” William returned, also crossing his arms.
“Not a good time for arguing!” Edward called, a sword in each hand.
Just then, flames came shooting out of the troll’s mouth, straight at Starflower.
“Aye!” she screamed. Her spiritual armour flashed brightly, absorbing most of the blast. When the flames subsided, she was still standing, but with burn marks on her face and clothing.
Starflower drew her bow and nocked an arrow. “I want your fire breathing ability!” she hollered across the cave. She let an arrow fly. It missed.
“Why fight?” the voice of a skeleton came to her. “Even if you win here today, you’ll still end up dead one day later and be just like us. Why struggle? Despair of life and embrace your final destiny!”
Starflower’s face fell. She sunk to her knees as Bill charged across the cavern and bowled the skeleton over.
“He’s right. What’s the point?” Starflower mumbled out loud. “No matter how hard we fight, there will always be more dark creatures. We’re not making a difference. There’s no point.”
Edward was busy hacking a skeleton to pieces, with Philip by his side.
Philip chopped down a barrow wight. A bluish haze floated up from the carcass. “I banish you in the name of the Overlord!” Philip said in a commanding voice. There was a high pitched scream and the spirit dissolved.
“Can I have your swords?” William asked Edward.
“Stop coveting!” Edward snapped.
“What are you talking about?” William asked, hurt in his voice.
“The Overlord tells us this in the Sacred Scrolls!” Edward yelled. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
“Whoa,” William said, shaking his head.
“Get to Starflower,” Edward said. William nodded and doubled back.
The troll sent a line of fire at Philip and Edward, but standing together, their spiritual armour glowed brightly, apparently absorbing all of the flame.
Regulus found himself facing two barrow wights. He tried to leap between them to get a better position. One scratched him mid jump. Regulus turned and snarled, swiping at the walking bones. Philip hacked the other one down, praying to banish the spirit a moment later. A heat blast came roaring at Regulus from the troll. Philip’s shield of faith briefly flashed across Regulus, absorbing some of the heat. Regulus was knocked down under the flames. He struggled to his feet, covered in second degree burns and some of his fur missing.
The troll reached behind him and held up a dwarven battle axe. He wound up and threw it at Edward, sending flames after it. The axe hit Edward, scraping his shoulder, but the flames were absorbed again.
“It’s like fighting dragon fire!” Philip called out to the others. “Our shields of faith combine if we stick together. “Get behind me, Regulus!” Philip said, cutting down the last barrow wight. “You too, Bill!” The animals moved to obey.
Flames came again.
“Starflower!” Edward yelled.
Starflower looked up, just in time to be engulfed in flame once again. “Aye!” she screamed, dropping the rest of the way to the ground.
“Stop, drop and roll!” Regulus yelled.
Starflower rolled a bit, wondering why she was bothering. Maybe death was inevitable, but pain was sure unpleasant! “I’m almost dead,” she said quietly. “I can feel it.”
William skidded to a stop right beside her. “Starflower, get up!”
“What’s the point? I’m going to die anyway and be one of the undead.”
“No, you’re not. Our future is with the Overlord. We’ll be with him for eternity. Like Philip was hollering earlier. Christ in you, the hope of glory. Remember our hope!”
Starflower sat up with a moan. “You’re right.”
William helped her struggle to her feet and take cover behind Regulus and Bill.
“So, can I have the bear, then?” she asked.
William sighed and looked up at the ceiling for a moment before looking back at her. “No. Be content, Lion Warrior. As it says in the Sacred Scrolls, ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.’”
Starflower’s eyes brightened. “Thank you,” she said.
“Slings!” Philip was yelling.
Starflower looked around. All the Barrow Wights and Skeletons had been dispatched. They were now focusing fire on the Cacus Troll. She looked at her bow, then collapsed against Regulus. “Whoa, I think I need medical attention,”
“Fire again!” Philip yelled. Several more axes had been thrown at them. A few more fire blasts. The troll was staggering around, as if becoming more sluggish and disoriented.
A final volley of stones were slung, and the creature fell, and didn’t get up.
“It’s over,” Starflower breathed a sigh of relief.
She looked around. She and Regulus looked like they had been cooked in the fire. Bill was fairly banged up. William was bleeding. Edward had been hit by multiple hand axes thrown from the troll. Philip had scorch marks on his armour, and looked tired.
“We need Hector,” Starflower croaked. “Why’d we leave the healer out of this fight?”
“We’re all alive,” Edward pointed out. “I have a bit of healing skill. Anyone have medical supplies? I have a few medicinal herbs.”
“What’s this?” Starflower asked, picking up a flask from the ground where Regulus had been scorched.
“I was praying for Regulus when he got flamed,” Philip said. “Perhaps that’s the Overlord’s answer.”
“Go ahead, mi’Lady,” Regulus said to Starflower. “You look like you need it more than me.”
Starflower opened the bottle. “Oh, it’s that bitter healing potion. Ugh. Here it goes!” she drank quickly, and grimaced violently as it went down. “Oh, that’s nasty.” She stood up. “But it works!”
Hector held out some food to Leja. “Don’t forget to eat. You need to keep up your strength.”
“Thanks, Hector,” Leja said. “We’d probably be done faster if we weren’t making so many mistakes. Looks like we’re in it for the long haul,”
“Hey, here comes the others,” Hector said, standing up. “Wow, you guys look a little worse for wear.” The team staggered towards him, dragging body parts of some strange creature.
“Fire breathing troll,” Starflower explained, staggering in while dragging a large troll leg. “Got any med kits? We’re not doing so well. They took us to the dwarf doctor. He had some burn salve and some bandages, but that’s about it.”
Hector leaped into action, administering more first aid and praying his Renewer prayer over some of the members of the team.
“Fire breathing troll, you say?”
“And undead. Skeletons and barrow-wights,” Edward added.
Hector looked at the troll carcass they were dragging around.
“There’s no burn marks on it,” Hector commented.
“Must be fire proof, like dragons,” Edward said.
Hector looked at Philip. Philip’s eyes lit up.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Hector asked.
“We’re going to make fire-proof armour,” Philip said.
“There’s probably enough skin here to make two complete outfits,” Hector observed. “Have you showed it to Smelttank, yet?”
“Yes, we just came from there. He was leading a class of dwarven warriors. They weren’t very skilled, though,” Philip said.
“What did he say?” Hector asked.
“He says we have his vote on the council.”
“Nice.”
“We’ll probably have to go back into the mine,” Starflower said.
“Oh?” Hector asked.
“Yea, there’s a couple of caverns we didn’t explore. There might be more skeletons lurking about. We want to make sure we’ve made it safe.”
“Okay. Well, rest up, grab a bite to eat and we’ll see you later,” Hector said. “We’re busy here. We’ll probably be at this all day.”
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