Book Three, Chapter Three, �Talking About Which Priests To Kill Doesn�t Get The Demon Summoned.�

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Who are we? We are The Panaga Saga Party, which consists of the Erana Sir Martyn Yanyez De Barbudo, with his manservant Aliester Crawlie and his very familiar goat, Zytsi of Orinane the builder of the new wing of the Temple of Larani in Tashal, Aruth Hempstead owner and driver of the Khuzan War Wagon, and the modest bard Daniel Fichelscher. In addition, don�t forget our loyal henchmen Grimes, Louie and Caleb who make our life more comfortable.

We are in the Felsha Mountains on the way to Misyn and the Temple of Ilvir. It is the afternoon of the 20th of Peonu 725. So we have at least on more day in the mountains and them about a week to our destination. Did you know that winged horses can pull the war wagon at 120 ft a round, which is slightly over six miles an hour? This means that we can fly half a hex a day.

That night we are camped in the wagon when both Zytsi and Daniel see Gargun. At a rough guess, it�s just a mere 120 Gargun. So Daniel woke up Sir Martyn and Aruth as the Gargun charged. We have got a defensible position using the wagon to block in an alcove protecting the NPCs and horses, oh yes and the goat. The Gargun are coming at us along a wide 30 ft ledge, and from both directions. We get a +50 DB when fighting in the wagon.

Zytsi �We aren�t you wearing your armour?�

Sir Martyn �Because it takes 80 rounds to put it on.�

Zytsi �I sleep in mine.�

Sir Martyn �That�s why you smell.�

Larani provided a lot of light, on way or another. There was a moment of confusion as we reorganised ourselves in the wagons before the combat started. Everybody has one to hit, and three who can hit him.

1. Zytsi killed his, Daniel fumbles and misses, Martyn starts inflicting the death of a thousand cuts on one, and Aruth kills one on damage with his quarterstaff. Then Martyn has his second, third and fourth attacks and kills two. Zytsi hits another with a shield bash. The Gargun miss us.

2. A Gargun plummets off the side of the cliff at us, in an uncontrolled manner and doesn�t get up again. Zytsi kills another, Daniel misses, Martyn hits and kills one, Aruth killed one. A Gargun did a point of damage to Zytsi.

3. Zytsi killed one, Daniel finally hit one but didn�t kill it, Martyn killed two, and Aruth killed one. A Gargun hit Martyn a mighty blow in the shoulder; well he isn�t wearing any armour.

4. Zytsi killed one, Martyn killed three, Daniel fumbled again, and Aruth killed one. The Gargun all miss.

5. The next round one shot at Aruth, and missed. Zytsi killed one; Daniel hit his again and killed it! Martyn hit but didn�t kill any, Aruth killed one, steady as you go, one a round consistently. A Gargun did a point of damage to Zytsi.

6. An arrow misses Zytsi. Zytsi killed one, Daniel hit one, Martyn killed two, and Aruth didn�t even hit one. Two Gargun did a point of damage to Zytsi.

7. Larani field upgraded the party for Martyn by inspiring us. Then Martyn got shot in the back rather nastily. Zytsi killed two, Aruth killed one, Daniel hit and killed one, and Martyn took a round off hitting things. The goat leaps into the wagon to save Martyn. A Gargun does 2 points of damage to Zytsi.

8. They shot at Martyn again, and missed. The goat and Martyn swap places. Zytsi kills two. Daniel cuts one�s leg off and kills it, the goat hit one, and Aruth killed one. The Gargun missed us.

9. An arrow missed Aruth. Zytsi killed one, Daniel killed another one by cutting its arm off, the goat killed one, Aruth killed one this round, and they miss.

10. The arrow hits Martyn, lucky the other fell off the cliff and died otherwise there would be coming from both side. Aruth and Martyn swap places. Zytsi killed three, Daniel killed one, and the goat hit one.

11. Suddenly the Gargun on the hillside was lit up in a 20 ft radius light, so he shot at Aruth and missed. Zytsi killed two, Daniel killed one, the goat killed one, and Martyn killed three. A Gargun did 3 points of damage and another did 2 to Zytsi. Martyn got hit again, that hurt.

12. The Gargun misses Aruth with his crossbow bolt, but Aruth didn�t miss and the Gargun died, fell off the cliff and landed on Martyn doing yet more damage to him - what a mess. Zytsi killed one, Daniel killed one, the goat killed one, and Martyn killed one. 3 points on Zytsi.

13. Zytsi killed three, Daniel hit one, the goat kills one, and Martyn killed two. 1 point of damage from the 10th blow to hit Zytsi.

14. Zytsi killed two, Daniel killed one, and the goat killed one, Martyn hit but didn�t kill. 2 points of damage for Zytsi.

15. Aruth shot and killed one, Zytsi killed three, Daniel missed, the goat hit one, and Martyn killed two.

16. They finally ran away as moral crumpled. We killed 64 out of 120 Gargun.

In 15 rounds Zytsi killed 25, Martyn killed 18, the goat killed 5, Daniel killed 8, Aruth killed 9 and the cliff disposed of 1. An interesting round by round experiment I doubt I shall be repeating.

Next day, the 21st of Peonu 725, is the ninth day in the mountains. There we are flying along and we see a group of 12 pilgrims, who rush for cover. We land about 4 miles in front of them, out of the mountains, in a nice leafy glade in a hilly forest. Near the River Gethedon which we can more or less follow. We going to Araka-Kalai, which is in a Moon-like landscape of limestone and sinkholes, called the Misyn. This wagon is going to look unusual as there are no real roads and we may well have to fly across it in places.

The next day we travelling along, clip clop, riding along beside the river. We saw a strange and ugly two-foot tall monkey thing drinking by the river. We talked to it; this might have been a mistake. We tried to leave and it hopped on to the side of the wagon. Its was very talkative, and an eater of rats. Sir Martyn offered it a drink of brandy which it drunk, unfortunately the brandy had 2 doses of a sleeping draught in it so it fell off the back of the wagon. We had to stop to put it under a bush.

That night at about 8 p.m. in the evening we heard noises off, voices. Zytsi and Daniel woke up Sir Martyn. One of the strange monkey things got pushed in to the clearing. They want firewater, and there are 24 of them. We haven�t got any. It slowly gets out of control. They mill around. Daniel try�s singing songs and lullabies, it doesn�t help. Zytsi tells them to sit over there while we check the provisions. All but one does in fact do so. This one watches what Sir Martyn does, and asks if it can pokes his bronze foot, which Sir Martyn condescendingly agrees to. However he does draw a line at having his bronze hand poked. They sing along with �We want the firewater�. We give them a small keg of beer, but there are 24 of them so it doesn�t go far. They are annoying. One tries lamp oil and likes it. So we gave them all our lamp oil and they went away. It took a bit of negotiation but it worked. They are insane and babbling creatures. Anything that can drink lamp oil won�t be worried by a sleeping draught.

At about 10 p.m. a man in soft leather armour hailed us to ask if we had seen any of the short Ivashu. Him, and some mates we didn�t see, are hunters of the Umbathri. They are locals and sell them to the Temple of Ilvir, who sells them on to Golgotha for the arena. A little light relief amongst the death and glory. Umbathri, the Harnic gargoyle, are highly sensitive to magic. They didn�t know that the strange and ugly monkey things ate or drank anything. Oh bugger we accidentally helped them.

The next day we will be going across the moonscape, its half a day to the Misyn. We find the bodies of six men, including the man we saw from last night. (90d between them). Killed by a group of men and creatures (man-sized creatures). Aruth found out by tracking (really tracking) that there were 8 men and 4 beasts. The beasts were exceptionally heavy humanoids, about 6� - 7� tall with short legs, clawed feet and hands, nasty looking teeth, are flesh coloured, crouched down, and have an over sized head. Oh all right the last bit wasn�t just tracking. It beats me why he didn�t recognise them though.

We travel on. It will take a couple more days to get to Araka-Kalai.

On the 24th of Peonu 725 we start to come towards a small village we didn�t know about. Approaching from the north due to the route we took. There are lots of tents, some buildings; the other side of the river is a Temple. Hooray we have arrived. Pilgrims in tents, local tent makers and sellers, souvenirs salesmen sell pottery Ivashu of six types. This we used an excuse to get information about the Ivashu.

The Aklash, �the Vessel of the Choking Wind�, a hulking, semi-intelligent, self-regenerating monster, whose breath causes profound nausea. These were the monsters that killed the Umbathri hunters. �Ah yes� said Daniel �You have to cut of their heads and shove a sword down their necks to actually kill them.�

�That�s right squire. Met them before have we.� the potter replied.

�Just the odd one or two out by the Sorkin Mountains�.

The ever dangerous but fragile Vlasta, who move with blinding speed and are called, because of their anti-social culinary habits, the �Eaters of Eyes�. They look like small (18� tall) T Rexs.

The mischievous Umbathri, who are called the �Bearers of the Mask� because of their alarming ugliness, and are able to blink in and out of existence. They are insane and babbling creatures.

The gentle rock giant Hru, who dwell, for the most part peacefully, in the highlands. Yes and we still don�t understand them.

The Nolah, the �Dank Stalker� or dangerous �Harnic Troll�.

The Ilme of Ilmen Marsh, large Dragon like creatures that aren�t strictly speaking Ivashu, but are worshipers of Ilvir. We�ve met them, of course, ungrateful, cowardly creatures.

We bought 8 pottery Aklash full of lamp oil to replace our oil. It seems to be rampant capitalism here, and exploitation of the pilgrims - wanna buy a souvenir squire. We note that Sir Martyn gets less respect here than he would normally expect to get.

We also heard about the Dark Order. They would be the ones that killed the Umbathri hunters then. The Dark Order is a dissident group of the local order, which is the Order of Ochre Womb. They believe that all creatures are servants of Ilvir and that they shouldn�t be hunted and enslaved. It actually disappeared about 15 years ago, but now they are back. According to the religious souvenir salesman if they stop selling the Ivashu to Golgotha then the Temple of Agrik would get pissed off at them and invade.

There then followed a long religious banter between members of the party as we meandered through the village. Here there are wood workers and potters who are crafting holy souvenirs. There are also tent makers and tent sellers for the pilgrims. The lexicographers can draw pictures of the pilgrims� visit. Basically it�s a tourist trap. How depressing. The river is only 18� deep, so we cross in the wagon and come to temple, with its attached library. It has Telen marble on the front, but ordinary stone on the other sides. It�s about 500 years old and made by humans kind, or perhaps Ivashu kind. The Temple of Ilvir itself is 350 years old, with Corani Imperial style decorations. Having got here we turned round re-cross the river and to book a room at the inn to try up before presenting ourselves to the Priesthood.

There are probably a couple of hundred pilgrims in the village. There are only two Inns - �The Smiling Nolah� and �Lorik�s End�. �The Smiling Nolah� supposed to be run by an ex-courtesan, and �Lorik�s End� is the older of the two. Both are full, but we liked the look of �the Smiling Nolah� so there was suddenly room. So we have a meal, some drinks, and a wash and tidy up. Basically we get ready for tomorrow.

Nice try we have to wait three days before the High Priest can see us. Daniel spends the evenings singing in the Inn. Starting off quietly and build up to raucous drinking songs. One evening he heard in his head the Umbathri join in with �We want the firewater�! Aruth got his leg over every night. Sir Martyn could have had the Inn�s ex-courtesan owner, but he turned her down. So he�s a celibate knight then!

On the 29th Peonu, after our three day delay, we went back. Aruth bribed our way in as they wanted to have another 2 days delay. So we saw the High Priest. It turns out that we are not in the right place. This is Ochrynn not Araka-Kalai. To reach the Pits of Araka-Kalai you have to follow the path called the �Serpent�s Tongue�, passing the five monoliths called the �Gates of Conception�. These are stone monoliths carved with a different inscriptions on each one. One who recites the inscription to the Grandmaster (High Priest) receives a certificate of his devotion. A person who has reached the third Gate is called a �pilgrim of the third stone�, and so on. Basically you have to make a Channelling saving throw to pass each one and then go to the next one.

There is one every 400 yards on the path. We all pass the first one. Did Larani aid us on the second one? Anyway we all got through. At number three Zytsi and Daniel were stopped. Number four stopped Aruth. Number five stops Martyn, which is very, very hard. The sixth and last is supposed to be stand within the court of Ilvir. So we go back to collect our certificates, and some beers. 10d gets the next three day delay removed to this afternoon.

Sir Martyn explains why we want to get to Araka-Kalai. The High Priest says that he can summon the demon, but we will have to do something for him. Oh look it�s a side quest to deal with the Dark Order.

That�ll be the Dark Order dissident group of the Order of Ochre Womb. They say that all creatures are servants of Ilvir and that they shouldn�t be hunted or enslaved. Apparently it disappeared about 15 years ago, but now they seem to be back. Known to have at least eight men and four Aklash. Oh we were right to want you deal with the problem, you already know so much about it.

The Dark Order was a dissident faction at Ochrynn, which existed from 692 to 703, when it went into self imposed exile in caverns below Araka-Kalai. The last contact with it was in 708 and they were thought to be all dead. However recent events (Ivashu being freed and guards being killed, that sort of thing) on whole route of the monster selling trade to Golotha have cast doubt on that theory. So the quest will be kill the Dark Order, all of them. Well they could be followers of Agrik trying to incite a war to take over the Misyn. Or rather Sir Martyn was stitched up by the rest of the party as he was rather worried about doing it. (It got us EPs, don�t knock it).

Over the next couple of days (30th Peonu and 1st Kelen) we hear about the Dark Order. About twenty of the Dark Order went into the Caverns below Araka-Kalai in 703. That�s the Pits of Araka-Kalai; you know where Ilvir lives and works. Also known as the Belly of the Beast. Tave of Kvir was the leader of them. Milkalr of Kalin was a priest who stayed above, and is now dead.

Sir Martyn comes up with a perfect plan. Oh no, not another one. But a legendary prophecy winds us up into believing that we are on the wrong side. It turns out theologically and commercially Sir Martyn is for the current management, but politically and morally he is for the Dark Order. From here on in it can only get worse.

So we go into the Caverns, the Belly of the Beast, to find the Dark Order. A hundred caverns each connected to its neighbour. It�s a multi-level dungeon. Will we go in the Main entrance, or perhaps try to find another one? What do you think - it�ll be plan A as always -� We will go in, mill around, get hurt, then talk to the Dark Order and either attack them or not as the case may be.

OK we go; it�s a mile away by the non-pilgrim non-tourist route. We get there. Nearby is the Tower of Ilvir, a ruined tower in a large pit, which has not been occupied for 600 years. This is the most sacred of all Ilvirian sites. The High Entrance is the way we are using to get to the Caverns proper. The other, or the Pit Entrance, is exceedingly difficult to get to, being by the ruined tower of Ilvir. We might take the goat but we are not the coracle.

The Church is the 1st chamber and you come in 70 ft above the surface of the Cavern floor. Use the carved hand holds or be let down on rope. Magnificent church-like domed cavern with veins of colourful stone and good acoustics. Its 120� x 150� wide. We sleep on it and go in on 3rd Kelen.

We climb down, with rope tied about us, without the goat. Into The Church as described. Climb and make our way carefully south into a chamber six times it size. With many exits going on south, and elsewhere. So we went in sort of backwards direction north and then hung a left into the Dolis Columns Chamber with stone pillars with coins imbedded in them and the Hanging Tapestries, which are the most beautiful sight in the Caverns. South East and along a bit. Find a disused dam and dam house. A dead end. Back past the Hanging Tapestries again.

On our way back we came upon a man, who said �What do you want in our Caverns?�

Sir Martyn �We seek the Dark Order.�

Hooded Stranger �You have found them.�

Sir Martyn �I want a word with you as I�m slightly confused.�

So Sir Martyn talked to him. He might be Tave of Kvir, or he might not. Sir Martyn explains his dilemma. The man says that they can summon the demon to the Arena for Sir Martyn to fight. If the demon is killed in the Arena, which is one of the Caverns, then it is really dead and not coming back. That is where Sir Martyn really does have has to do the deed to solve his problem. It�s what the other Priest is offering. All we have to do for them is kill the current High Priest, his two lieutenants and at least seven acolytes. So we must pick a side and kill the other to get what Sir Martyn wants. We have to wipe out one side of the Priesthood for no very good reason. We go back for more rope. And a long discussion.

See Sir Martyn wriggle on the hook. Nobody is up for priest killing, except for him - probably. We spend an inordinate amount of time discussing this. It is circular argument. People change their minds rather a lot.

Plan A: Kill the Dark Order. The hardest to do as it would involve searching the Caverns for them.

Plan B: Kill the current lot. The easiest, but most publicly damaging to our reputations.

Plan C: Go away and forget we ever came here. Initially very popular with everyone except Sir Martyn.

Plan D: Pay 5000d to the current lot do the ceremony. Massively unpopular with everyone, except Daniel. Sir Martyn did have the money after all in Party Fund B - apparently this is the Trobridge Party Fund. He also explained that Party Fund C is Cudgel�s cash. I�m glad we�ve got that clear.

The other Plan D: Go down into the pit, row across the lake to the ruined tower. Knock on the door and hope Ilvir answers. Not a serious plan, plan D for Duff.

�Oh what fun we can�t decide what to do. Martyn dreamed about it. And had no dream at all!

Plan E Part 1 go back to the Caverns with the rope and the goat. Except the goat votes with its feet and runs away. Plan E was go to the Arena and sacrifice the goat to get the summoning of the demon - yes taking the combat at -25%. Plan E is now officially scratched. The goat comes back. Plan A not on from Martyn - won�t kill Dark Order. Plan C not on for everyone else as we want to do something.

We do Plan F, we go to see the Upstairs Priest again, name of Scalin. Sir Martyn explains that we won�t help either side, but we must summon the demon. Which he, Scalin, can do, but won�t do. A blood sacrifice is needed but all he says about that is �the Lord will provide�. No further explanation is ever given. (Un)fortunately Plan F turns into Plan G as it is being carried out. The High Priest wont insult Sir Martyn so mass murder doesn�t happen and we go away. No body believes it, but we do. Plan C is it potter around and leave so that is what we do. But that was the right one. Larani appears in a dream and tells him about a spare loony priest who lives on top of a spare hole to the Cavern of the Arena.

Oh the clock just went back an hour. Gosh an extra hour of discussion, sorry gaming.

Go for it. Aruth gets a live chicken and rabbit for the sacrifice. We go and see the loony priest. He was expecting us. He is a coarse, elderly cleric prone to making obscene jokes. The chicken and rabbit are not needed. �The Lord will provide�. He skips down the hole in his shack. Martyn flies his horse down and we follow, leaving the goat behind. We go through a number of chambers and end up in the Arena. Largest chamber in the Caverns, 600 ft across, ovalish. The goat is there already.

The demon is a Lesser Black Reaver - a standard monster - AT 20 DB 60, 2 attacks at OB 250 with a Martyn slaying broadsword and doing x3 damage, 1 attack at OB 200 large bash with its shield doing x2 damage, hits 600 and superlarge.

Sir Martyn needs every plus he can get. The goat is the sacrifice. The Umbathri turn up and offer Martyn pint of brandy (which counters the -25 from the goat and gives him double damage). The priest starts the ritual as Sir Martyn goes into his wind up round sequence and after 7 rounds click click click it comes click click click it turns up and .. . . .

They mutually hack at the same time. The Demon does 1 point of damage and it takes in return 72 points of damage and has its head cuts off� - a 91 critical. Sir Martyn�s sword attacks on the two-handed sword table and is slaying against it. That�s it a one round, a one blow contest. Cross a quest off. It�s been following him since first level, now he�s 11th.

It�s the 5th of Kelen, which is Martyn�s birthday. Aliester Crawlie gets Martyn a birthday cake. So we have a quick party before he is very ill for a couple of weeks as a result of one or two of the drugs taken in the wind up rounds.