I was setting at the Serpent's Tooth inn in village of Farram after having toured the town and found absolutely nothing going on. I had been talking to the Fire spirits of  the hearth to find out if anything EVER happened here. They told me about the time that the inn keeper put some oak in the Fireplace and how good and hot that burned and that it burned all day before needing to be replaced with a new log. I finally got them off the types of wood that they like and the typed used here and was going to get to the good stuff when they started to point out the noise out side. I look up hearing two voice carrying over the conversation in the inn. The patrons and barkeep look up then go back to what they were doing. I get up and move to the door and look out. I see on this moon less night by the light given off from the lamps in the Inn. A large, insect-like creature straight from a nightmare, that was as big as a  pony.  The creature had two claw-like arms and a whip-like tail, resembling a huge scorpion more than anything else. A mist could be seen raising from that creature at points like steam off a warm river at night. The creature seemed to flow from one potion to another as it prepared to attack.

        Facing off against the creature were some intrepid heroes. I knew that they would need my help for what they faced was some horror or horror construct. Getting up from the ground before the creature was a dark skinned elf, readying himself for battle even as he raise off the ground. What could be a human could be seen dragging someone away from the battle. A Short way down the road stood a Troll with a Bow almost as tall as I was drawing back getting ready to strike. I barley caught sight of a form moving behind the creature. The form resoles in to what i think is human wearing a dark cloak as it strikes out at the creature, successfully striking it. He yells , as he attacks, "What is this thing?", his voice cracking with fear. The form of the creature ripples, like a lake with a rock dropped in it. When the ripples stop the creatures form is not as solid as before, with mist raising from were the weapon entered its form. The creature gives a backhand swipe at the form with its claw, missing but catching him with it's tail, across his face and chest,  as he dodges the claw. The creature pulls back it's other claw launching it at the fallen elf. As the claw streaks toward the elf it transforms into a large wicked looking spike. The Elf quickly raise his shield barley blocking the spike. The elf quickly raises to his feet keeping the shield in front of him as  the creature prepares to strike again. A small X appears between the creatures eyes from somewhere. I notice the other human talking to the form that he had dragged away. I think what to do? AHHHH. I draw my arm back in imitation of the great hero Karies preparing  to throw his legendary javelin. As my arm reaches the point farthest back frost forms on my fingers and a shiver goes through my body. I think to my self about how much I hate the cold.

        As I make a throwing motion a spear 5 foot long and made of ice forms and flies at the creature leaving a trail of frost through the air striking the creature in the side.  The creature seems very surprised by my unexpected attack as an arrow flies from nowhere to strike it between the eyes. The Elf now on his feet begins to dance with unbelievable grace, seeming to barley touch the ground, looking for a opening. As my spear of ice opens a large rent in the creature  it loses it's form and becomes a cloud of dark mist. It then reforms as an amorphous blob of semi-solid looking dark, rolling  mist with three tentacle-like arms bearing hundreds of small hooks and a single glaring eye gazing balefully at the Elf. The Dark cloaked Human hangs back for a moment, but see that the Elf plans to attack take his chance and attack with what i now see is a short sword. He slashes one of the tentacles that is at hand, opening a rent that leaks mist. The creature lets lose such a  mournful wail that freezes my blood. the night fades from view leaving  a  vision of a limitless, dark expanse  -- blacker than the deepest night or pit I have ever experienced.  The
cold of the expanse sucks at my  life worse then spell could, but the expanse has a malignant intelligence as well.  I  feel my  soul beginning to fragment and be absorbed into this intelligence.....

        I break lose from the vision coming back to reality I see the cloaked human shaking his head. The others stand transfixed with looks of abject terror and despair on their faces.  After feeling that cold I know no cold i create will have much affect on that creature. I sweep up a hand full of dirt from the ground preparing another spell. The cloaked human  dodges through the tentacles to the Elf's side yelling "Wake up!" as his short sword snakes out at the creature. striking a area that a tentacle was seconds ago. The creature then notice him it's eye sinking into it's form and raising facing the cloaked human I know if he dose not get help soon he will die.. Three tentacle strike out at him. The first he is about to dodge with a spin, but in doing so he step right into the second and third. One hitting him in the chest and the other catching him around the legs sinking there hooks into his leg. He lets out a Scream of pain. It was not all for nothing for his bravery had wakened the Elf from his nightmare. The Elf again begins his dance of death looking for a opening.

    The clocked human painfully climbs to his feet keeping his sword out in front of him looking for a way out. Know that we will need help I move towards the Troll yelling "Wake up big one!" at the same time I throw the dirt in to the air. The magic gathers around the dirt and transforms them to crystalline darts that streak toward the creature striking it in the side and back. As the creature is distracted by the sudden attack the Elf  takes his opening and strikes sinking his sword to the hilt in the creature. The creature lets out a soul wrenching scream of despair and dissolves again into a black wreathing cloud and then disperses. I stand ready for another attack as the troll and human regain there composure.

        The cloaked human winces as he steps on his bad leg, but flashes each person a smile. He says "Ok, whatever it was, I am not doing that again, not to help anyone! Oh, I am Jac by the way" he says. He starts to smile again bu this  time his smile is interrupted by a look of pain. "I was just in the neighborhood when I heard that man come running by." He looks badly hurt. I know we are going to have to get him somewhere to rest soon.

        The Troll seems a little shake but is hiding it well. He then asks, "Whom may I thank for ending the spell I was under?"  I bow deeply my tail coming up over my back sliding under my hat and lifting it off my head. "I am Thalin Sunburst Elementalist and adventure." As I rise i low my hat back to my head and adjust it. The Troll says, "Thank you. oh fair T'skrang.  I, Chemlich Y'ga of the Blackrock Clan, am in your debt.  I hope someday I might be able to return the favor if you are ever in need.  Perhaps you would like travel with my friends and I to the nearest inn so we can discuss our experience and get better acquainted?" I say "Sound good to me I have been looking for adventure."

    The Elf cleans off his sword, checks its edge for any imperfections and then smoothly slides it back into its sheath.  Dusting the dirt off his clothes, he looks over each of the others surrounding him. The Elf   nods his head in greeting and says "I am glad to meet you, T'skrang.  Your spells aided us well against that creature.  I am Ce'biam Daggeur, warrior and wanderer.  You seem to have some knowledge of what we just fought, could you possibly fill the rest of us in?" I say "I have heard stories of such creatures. Many a ng.  Did you learn why that creature was attacking him in the first place?"

         Jac asked "You ok there? You took a bit of a beating from that..... thing. Bit like the time I saw a man go a few rounds with a bear"'. At that Ce'biam smiles.  "I'll be fine after a good nights rest, and perhaps some tender care  by one of the local tavern maids... thanks for asking.  I think we should look to the wounded man here," Jac gestures down at the fallen man in the care of Aleric.  "He is obviously far more injured than I. Lets get inside somewhere where we can discuss this in some comfort and see that his wounds are tended for.  I don't suppose you know of a good inn, eh?" Alaric speaks. "I think your suggestion is sound, Ce'biam. These streets are not the safest of places... However, I fear moving this poor man too much until we know the extent of his injuries. "I do not know how he first came in contact with the creature. He spoke long enough to express his fear of it -- he spits when he yells, by the way -- but then he fell unconscious before I could ask him any questions. "Now, how shall we arrange to transport him? I think it best to hold him to one position as much as possible until we can establish the extent of his injuries." I tell them " Why Friend we stand in front of a Inn here. It the Serpent's Tooth and it has good food and a stiff drink which  i think we all need." I ask Jac "Do you need any help?"  Chemlich  bends down and picks up the fallen Human.  Alaric takes hold of the victim's bag and scoops any dropped contents back into it, probably along with a little dirt. Jac turns to Thalin and says "Thanks for the offer of aid, but I can manage, really." With that Jac hobbles across to the inn, wincing as he does so. Jac mumbles to himself  "Swiftwing would not approve of such stupid action And what do I get eh, a sodden sore leg and head'. With that Jac looks up And smiles, "Lets get in there then my friends."
 
        Chemlich say "He's more exhausted than anything." He doesn't even wake as Chemlich carries him into the Inn while Alaric carries the sack. We walk into the Inn. The inside of the inn is plain enough:  there is a fireplace with a fire burning, about a dozen tables with chairs at which sit about half a dozen patrons, they look up at you as you walk in and then quickly look away, sheepishly.  The proprietor, a grizzled old Ork with an eye-patch and a wooden leg, tends bar Ce'biam looks around for a barmaid and his  disappointment shows on his face at not seeing any. The walls are decorated with nets, sails, rudders, etc. The old Ork hobbles out to greet you as you enter, "G'd evenin' to ya", he growls personably, "looks like ya had yerselfs a bit of excitement t'night.  Ya lookin' fer a room?"  He takes a look at the man Chemlich is carrying and whistles, "He doan look too good!"  The Ork say " Ya can stay in the  common room upstairs, which will cost ya  5 cp each. Ya can store ya gear up there, or I will store it in a locked room for ya for an additional 5 coppers." The others pay the  Ork he then takes us  up a flight of stairs in the back to the common room where Chemlich laid  the unconscious man down and Chimlech splints his ribs, the man dose not wake the whole time.  we then all  return downstairs for a bit of refreshment and Chimlech examines and dresses Jac's leg, declaring the wound free of any pois ons. Chemlich L ooks to me and said "Do you know what that black monstrosity was?  Does it live near here? What could it have wanted with the little man?" I reply as i said earlier friend it is some type of horror construct what type or were it is from I do not know. Or why it is after that man is unknown also." After a light dinner and a few drinks we head up to the common room and fall into a restless sleep.

     I jerk wake early the next morning to the sound of a scream. I look around to see the others looking around also  I quickly realize that the injured man from the other night has regained consciousness -- volubly.  One of the other patrons spending the night here , a particularly ugly Ork, moves to quiet the man with his fist until he sees Chimlech's baleful glare and meekly withdraws. We  quiet the man and Grab our gear. Then bring him downstairs, as he is still quite upset.  The proprietor hobbles out to see what the excitement is all about. I explain, he glares at glares me  with his good eye, I keep a smile on my face the whole time,  and limps back into his room, muttering something about you better not be expecting breakfast. The little man's gaze darts to each of our  faces and he asks, "Wh-what happened?  Where did that thing go?"  I  explain that We killed, or at least drove off, the thing the man sighs with relief and looks at you with deep respect.  "Thank you for saving me", he says.  "That thing would surely have killed me.  I wish I had some way of repaying you...." I, always wanting to know more about enemies of the great heroes of lore, ask "Sir what he knows about the creature."  "Precious little, and more than I want to", the man replies.  "I don't know where it comes from or what it is, other than it seems to be the Prophet's curse upon my village and manifests itself in the form of what most terrifies us -- I can't stand bugs, so it appeared to me as an insect.  It hunts down the one who's fear created it and then, when they are dead, runs amok.  I lucked out, it only seems able to manifest at night -- I almost believe it is made of darkness.  It first found me close to dawn and I was able to stay ahead of it until daybreak, when I just kept running."  Sighing wearily he continues, "I kept up like that two days until I ran into this town, and you know the rest."

        Chemlich joins Ce'biam in listening to the stranger who was attacked by the creature last night.  Ce'biam and Chemlich both ask "Who is this Prophet?" Chemlich asks the little man," What did your town do to the Prophet to be so cursed, if that is the right word?" I quickly offer to aid and so do the others. The little man beams at the several offers of aid, and turns quickly to thank us, wincing in pain as he torque's his injured ribs.  "Passions be praised!  You are just what I was sent for!...  And without even an
offer of reward!"  Holding up his hands and wincing again, "Of course, you will be rewarded anyway, such as it is." "But I'm sorry, my brain is addled and I'm still telling my story from the middle.  Damn me for a fool, but I haven't even told you my name, and you having saved me.  I am Maegnor Thruss from the village of Caerid's Stand, four days journey south and west of here." Smiling ruefully, he continues, "Or two and a half if you don't stop for rest.... You asked  about the Prophet.  He wandered into town about two weeks ago.  A magnificent old man dressed in simple white robes, crowned with the wisdom of age and yet hale as the mightiest warrior.  Long, flowing hair and beard of the purest white and a voice you had no choice but to listen to and heed; indeed one could do nothing but scorn those foolish enough to gainsay him."  Maegnor sighs, "We were fools, and perhaps deserve our fate to have been so taken in. He preached that a celestial conjunction would soon occur and that at that time the world would pass away and be re-made; the Scourge was an attempt by the Supreme Creator to cleanse and redeem the world, but the attempt had failed and creation would have to be unmade and begun anew.  He said that he had been blessed by the Creator with the opportunity to chose twelve souls, save them from the coming destruction and teach them the Creator's peace.  He said that after much searching he had chosen our village because our lives were simple and uncorrupted by the evil of this age."

        "He preached his message to all of us, and we welcomed him into our homes, but he soon selected a group of twelve young men and women, not yet come of age, upon whom he lavished his special attention.  These were his chosen, the ones whom he would redeem from the coming destruction. When the day came for the Prophet to depart with his chosen ones, three of us, I among them, decided that whatever he had told us we were not going to let a stranger take our children from us.  We managed to raise a small group of those of strong enough will to question the Prophet's words and confronted him as he was about to leave."  Maegnor shakes his head sadly, "We were pitifully unequal to the task.  He had but to raise his hand over us and all command over our bodies was lost, we could but watch them march away.  Before he left, however, he pronounced a special curse on the three of us who had led the opposition against him.  He said that because we allowed our selfish fears to govern us and tried to prevent these children from their deliverance and from attaining knowledge of the Creator, those fears would destroy us. That night Tayla was killed, torn to pieces.  No one saw what killed her, but a neighbor said he heard what sounded like a great snake hissing -- Tayla always hated snakes, ever since she lost her daughter to a viper.  Then the next night Onsem was beset by what folks say looked like some kind of cat; they managed to drive the creature off (though we lost two) but Onsem is quite mad.  At the same time four more were slaughtered by what was said to be a three-headed serpent. That morning we had a meeting and it was decided that if I left, perhaps the beast would go with me.  Seeing the nature of the
Prophet's vengeance, we fear we have crossed a Horror, or at least one's servitor; I was to go to Trosk and seek out heroes to fight these creatures and recover our children.  We...." Looking around nervously Maegnor asks, "Did you recover the bag I had with me?"  Alaric hands the man his bag and he opens it on the table.  It contains many copper coins, as well as some silver, and various semi-precious trinkets.

        Maegnor continues, "We collected what wealth we had, everyone contributing, so that I would have something to offer the heros when I found them.  Some of you have already offered aid without even asking about payment -- I am humbled by such generosity.  Still, if you will help us, the payment
 is yours." I quickly say. " My offer to help still stands but I will only take what i need for expenses for I aspire to be a hero and a hero would not accept a reward. I am sure that we will find plenty of treasure along the way."
 
 

Jac turns to the Innkeeper as we head for the door, a smile on his face. " Thank you for such a bumpy nights sleep good innkeeper. I enjoy scratching myself to sleep of a night ' and I advise to put some stew into the stew, If I wanted water, I would have gone to the horses trough." With that, Jac hastily turns and smiles to himself and his companions, stepping lightly outside, feeling his leg stronger beneath him. Aside from a few pains still Jac feels refreshed. " Do theses horror creatures have much treasures?  I would be interested to know. Just out of curiosity of course." Jac smiles.