The Chronicles of Kulgar Hakonson

THE GIANT'S LAIR THE RETURN OF NOLLIN THE SMOKEPOWDER INCIDENT ASSAULT ON DRYCBURH'S MANOR XAXAMAIA (PART 1) XAXAMAIA (PART 2) CHAPTER 5.3: OF SWORDS & MAPS (PART 3) Kulgar Frances Nollin Circh

The Giant's Lair [Monday 30 July 1984] [p187-190]

05 Dec 03 cont: Dullstrand: Kulgar sells his two remaining bottles of Five-star wine to a private collector named Nivien for 60 gp each.  He also sells his gem for 18 gp and Fran sells his silver cloak-clasp.  They then purchase a pair of riding horses from a crooked stable keeper named Ontler for 40 gp each.  The horses actually belong to two other travelers, though, so Kul and Fran swiftly ride out of town towards Pitchfield.

Later: Fran finds blankets and a cloak in the saddlebags.  He also discovers a wooden scroll case containing a map [E] of the surrounding area.  They use this map to plot their route to Scant.
 

Night: Kul kills a small cow for food.

06 Dec 03: Kul and Fran ride through hills.  As they pass through a ravine, they see that the path ahead is blocked by a huge boulder.  Fearful of an ambush, the thief and barbarian climb above the ravine, but see nothing dangerous.  They then ride back out of the ravine and up along the ridge.  Once past the boulder they notice a large cave and descend to investigate.  Inside they discover a broken chest and many large furs.  Underneath some furs is hidden a large sack with coins and a chest full of junk.  As Fran attempts to lift up the sack and leave, Kul senses some very heavy footsteps headed their way.  The sack is much to heavy to run with and Kul plans to run, for he knows a giant is approaching!  He and Fran sneak past the boulder and spy a hairy giant strolling up to the cave.  They then clamber up the side of the ravine and make for their horses.  They mount quickly and ride off as behind them they hear a savage, angry scream, "No!  No passage without pay!"  The angry giant gives chase, but he is soon left far behind.  Once they have made it to safety, Kul and Fran stop to rest a bit before riding onward.

07 Dec 03: Cloudy, breezy and cool.  Ride through the hills.

08 Dec 03: Clear and cold.  Travel through hills.

09-10 Dec 03: Travel across plains.

11 Dec 03: Travel across plains and arrive at Pitchfield.  Kul spends the night at a brothel.

12 Dec 03: Travel south-west across plains.

13 Dec 03: Travel on road across plains.

14 Dec 03: Travel.

15 Dec 03: [Frances' 20th birthday.]  Travel.

16 Dec 03: Travel though hollow highlands.

17 Dec 03: Travel.  Arrive at Naerie and resupply.

18 Dec 03: Travel across plains; through Idee.

19-22 Dec 03: Travel across plains and into the Iron Hills.

23-25 Dec 03: Travel through the Iron Hills.

26 Dec 03: Travel and arrive at Irongate.  Kul and Fran stay at the Red Flask Inn.  Fran buys a fur jacket as it has been getting colder.

27 Dec-02 Jan 03 [CY 579]: Travel across plains towards Scant.

03 Jan 03: Travel across plains and arrive at Scant, Onnwall.  Kul visits the blacksmith and pays [the remaining 25 gp] for his chainmail bernie which he previously ordered to be made on 01 Nov 03 [p166].  They find that a ship is leaving on the next morning [bound for Greyhawk].

04 Jan 03: Kul and Fran work as sailors for their passage aboard the ship.  They must pay to transport their horses as cargo, though.

05-08 Jan 03: Sail towards Greyhawk.

09 Jan 03: Sail and arrive at Greyhawk.  Kul and Fran argue.  Kul wants to leave that night, but Fran insists on staying overnight at an inn.  Kul visits the Silver Unicorn asking about Circh.  He discovers that she is about two weeks ahead of them.  He resupplies and leaves town as it begins to snow.  Kul rides west and sleeps outside while Fran sleeps comfortably at an inn that night.

10 Jan 03: [Kulgar's 21st birthday.  Kul's Strength and Wisdom stats each increase by one point due to maturity.]  Fran rises very early and catches up to Kulgar.

11 Jan 03: The snow stops. Kul and Fran ride and arrive at Dyvers in the midafternoon.  They enter a tavern...

The Return of Nollin [Sunday 05 August 1984] [p190-193]

11 Jan 03 cont: In the tavern in Dyvers, Kulgar and Frances overhear a conversation concerning Circh.  Apparently she was caught in Littleberg, but then escaped!  Kul and Fran wait outside of the tavern and question the two men involved in the conversation when they finally exit.  They explain that a merchant from Littleberg passed through about a week ago on his way to Greyhawk and told them the news.  Kul (in need of cash for supplies) sells his club.

12 Jan 03: Clear, cold and very windy.  Kul and Fran resupply for the five day journey to Littleberg and depart from Dyvers.  They cross the Att River by ferry.

13-14 Jan 03: Gloomy.  Ride onward towards Littleberg.

15 Jan 03: Gloomy with snowfall.  Ride onward towards Littleberg.

16 Jan 03: Ride onward through blizzard conditions and arrive at Littleberg.  Kul and Fran visit Vetrel, a glassblower and old friend of Kul's from his time living in the small town.  When asked about Circh, Vetrel explains that about two weeks ago there was talk of her being caught, but she was said to have escaped only about two days after.  Kul also discovers that there is a short-cut trail leading from Chendl past Crockport that will shave one day off of their journey [to the Whyestil Lake, where he hopes to catch up to Circh.]

17 Jan 03: The snow continues to fall.  Kul and Fran resupply.  Kul finally sells his bow and arrows to get some money for traveling food.  [Because of the injury to his left hand (suffered on 16 Nov 03), he can no longer wield a bow with the same skill as he did before.]  They then depart from Littleberg on horseback.  Kul makes a fur tunic from some materials that he bought in town.

18 Jan 03: The snow finally stops.  Kul and Fran continue on.

19 Jan 03: A gloomy day.  Kul and Fran continue on.

20 Jan 03: Kul and Fran ride onward and arrive at Chendl in the afternoon.
    Soon, Kul and Fran enter a tavern and interact with the locals.  Fran just barely loses an arm-wrestling match.  Afterwards, he overhears talk about a bounty being offered for the capture of Kulgar and Circh.  Kul is said to have been captured about a month ago in Greyhawk.
    Kul, meanwhile, wins at arm-wrestling (winning two sp).  He then overhears a commotion from the other side of the room.  Fran has been trying to gather information while watching a dice game, but he realizes that one young gambler is cheating!  Fran and the other men at the table try to grab the young man, but he quickly eludes them!  Kul realizes that the cheater is his old pal, Nollin!  Fran blocks the door while the arm-wrestler (a large, strong man) manages to grab Nollin in a bear-hug!  Kul suddenly strikes the arm-wrestler with the haft of his spear and Nollin wiggles free!  Nollin quickly escapes through an open window and Kul flees through the front door.  A bewildered Fran follows them out and soon they have left the tavern and all it's patrons behind.  Kul introduces Fran and Nollin to one another.
    Fran returns to the tavern and explains that the barbarian must have been after the thief for some unknown reason.  He further explains that the barbarian was jumped and caught by the thief's friends.  The folk in the tavern have no reason to disbelieve his explanation (they never actually saw Kul and Fran together).  Fran retrieves Nollin's staff and again leaves the tavern.
    Kul and Nollin, meanwhile, find Kul's old friend, Tharb.  But Tharb has no new information regarding Circh for them.  They then meet up with Fran again and the threesome find a small out-of-the-way inn at which to rest.  Nollin steals a horse that night.  Later, he and Kul trade stories.  Nollin explains that he heard news that Kul had been captured and came immediately to rescue his friend.

21 Jan 03: Kul buys supplies: a mule, 450' of rope (for Kul's crazy idea to swim beneath the ice of the lake in search of Gashintain!), a pick, 12 iron spikes, and provisions.  Fran, meanwhile, robs a wealthy man while Nollin cut-purses.
    Kul, Fran and Nollin leave Chendl, traveling northward towards the Whyestil Lake.  Soon, they leave the major road taking the short-cut trail that Kul learned about in Littleberg.

22 Jan 03: They continue traveling north-east.

23 Jan 03: They continue traveling north-east and then rejoin the main road.  Soon they come upon the old campsite that Kul, Thar and Circh made during their last visit on 22 Sep 03 [p141].

24 Jan 03: Kul, Fran and Nollin travel north off-road.  They eventually arrive at the Whyestil Lake and Kul finds the marked tree.  Tracks in the snow show that someone has already been here.
    The three companions leave their horses and extra equipment on the shore and journey about a mile out onto the frozen lake.  There they eventually find a recently frozen-over hole in the ice.  Kul discovers three sets of footprints heading away east over the snow covered lake.  It's obvious that someone (probably Circh with two companions) has already been here and probably retrieved Gashintain from the bottom of the lake by sorcerous means.  Kul and Fran estimate the lake to be at least 250' deep here (one mile out).
    They decide to separate: Kul follows the tracks to the shore while Fran and Nollin backtrack to gather the horses and equipment.  They soon meet up again and discover blood stains in the snow.  Only two sets of footprints depart from this area.  But it appears as if the third person dragged themselves north over a hill to a road.  The road runs north and south... North to the wicked land of Iuz and south to the town of Grabford.  Kul, Fran and Nollin ride southward on the road to Grabford continuing their search for Circh.

The Smokepowder Incident [Monday 20 August 1984] [p193-197]

24 Jan 03 cont: Kul, Fran and Nollin ride east on the main road and camp in the evening.

Evening: As Kul eats he detects whispering in the woods surrounding their campsite.  Pretending that he needs to relieve himself in the woods, he leaves the campsite and sneaks around in search of the strangers.  Suddenly, something strikes the fire creating a bright flash!  Fran manages to avoid the effects of the flash, but Nollin is stunned by the small explosion.  Then, men armed with bows and crossbows approach.  Their leader, a tall man, orders Fran and Nollin to drop their weapons and valuables and Fran and Nollin reluctantly comply.  As the bandits prepare to fire their weapons Fran and Nollin quickly duck into the nearby forest!  However, the bandits fire into the campfire instead and smoke-clouds begin to rise from the flames [(probably intended as a smokescreen to hide their escape)].  The bandits then retreat with the money and valuables.  However, Kul emerges onto the road and charges at the bandits as they prepare to mount their horses!
    Kul sees a large man wearing chainmail sitting atop a nice war-horse.  The mounted bandit charges Kul with a 9' spear, but Kul manages to evade the attack.  Kul engages the five bandits near the horses and quickly slaughters them.  [(They are 0 lvl, so Kul gets 5 attacks per turn at 5th lvl... since there were only 5 of them, Kul killed each in turn!)]
    Meanwhile, Fran has lost his sword, so he takes cover in the trees and slings bullets at the bandit archers.  He also does well in avoiding the archer's arrows.  Nollin seems to have disappeared, though.
    The large mounted bandit turns about to face Kul again.  The tall bandit leader is mounted behind him on the same horse!  Suddenly, Nollin (disguised as a bandit!) strikes the tall man with a crossbow bolt!  Kul moves forward... The horseman charges, but the injured tall man falls off.  Kul bounds to the right (away from the spear) and suddenly leaps upon the back of the horse!
    The large bandit drops his spear as they struggle.  Kul wounds the man near the throat with his knife and is then able to throw the large man off of the horse.  As Kul turns the horse around he sees that the bandit has used the last of his strength to struggle to his feet and raise his sword, but he then falls over defeated.  Kul takes his valuables and retrieves the spear.
    Meanwhile, Fran and Nollin fight off the rest of the bandits, but Fran takes a couple of nasty arrow wounds during the battle.  The last six bandits finally retreat.  However, Fran was able to take down the tall leader!  Nollin [still in disguise] follows with the other bandits as they flee the scene!  Kul returns to the campsite on the war-horse.  He and Fran gather up all of the treasures and equipment, including a mule, and six extra horses (left by the bandits).

Kul:
6 bandit horses
horseman's sack: fingerless leather gauntlets + flask of whiskey
horseman's pouch: 11 gp, 11 sp, and a gold broach
horseman's spear

Fran:
various emeralds and a diamond
7 pouches containing gauze and a sulfur-type powder [smokepowder]
4 short swords

    Kul and Fran wait for Nollin to return, but instead there is a lightning-like flash and a thunderous rumble!  They ride in the direction of the bandit's escape to investigate.  They soon find the bandit's camp, but discover that it is completely destroyed!  Nollin has survived the devastation, but cannot hear!  The three companions make a new camp nearby to rest in.  Nollin's hearing loss turns out to be only temporary.

25 Jan 03: Kul, Fran and Nollin search the charred remains of the bandit's camp.  A large lump of melted gold and silver is found.  Nollin explains that he was discovered in the camp in disguise and hurled a chest full of the sulfuric powder [smokepowder] into the camp fire during his escape.  The chest apparently exploded and destroyed the entire camp!  The three companions take the large lump of melted metal and leave to continue on their journey to Grabford.

Later: They arrive at Grabford.  The metal lump is melted down and the gold separated from the silver.  They end up with 20 gold ingots and 4 silver ingots each!  [There is no record as to how much these ingots were worth.]
    Kul sells the bandit horses and his mule to the city guards.  He explains to the guard's leader, commander Dithus, that he killed the bandits and the guards pay him a little extra as a reward!
    Kul leaves the guards and sells all of his extra equipment to the locals (his pick, rope, spikes, shovel, etc...).  He then visits a leech near the west gate [hoping to learn something about Circh.  If she was so seriously injured or wounded that she had to crawl, then it would make sense for her to visit a leech as soon as she came through the town gate.]  He even reveals his real name to the leech despite the fact that Kul and Circh are both wanted criminals in this area [(as a result of the Sir Farchard incident way back on 13 Jun 01)[p2]].  The leech explains that Circh was indeed here (about a week ago) and said she was looking for a man named Kulgar.  Kul buys a first-aid kit and generously gives the man a gold piece for his help.  He then locates a ship headed down the Veng River to Greyhawk.

26-27 Jan 03: Kul, Fran and Nollin sail south along the Veng River on the ship.

28 Jan 03 :The ship leaves the Veng River and sails along the coast of the Nyr Dyv.

29 Jan 03: The ship crosses Midbay and enters the Selintan River.

30 Jan 03: The ship arrives at Greyhawk.  Kul immediately recognizes the four masted Dragon's Clutch in port.  He soon learns from the sailors on board that Circh is currently staying at the Silver Unicorn Inn!  Kul hurries to the inn, but discovers that she is not in her room.  He waits in the adjoining tavern with a bottle of wine.
    Nollin needs a new staff, so he and Fran decide to go in search of one.  As they exit, a comely woman fitting Kul's description of Circh, enters the inn carrying a package.  They watch as she walks somewhat stiffly through the entry hall and past the tavern doorway, heading for the stairs.  Kul, diligently watching the door, also spots her and steps out from the tavern behind her.  "Where're ya headed, beautiful?"
    Circh halts immediately upon hearing the familiar voice and, dropping her package to the floor, turns speechlessly towards Kul.  She silently approaches the northman and hugs him, resting her head on his chest.  Kul, [a bit surprised by her reaction,] holds her close and they embrace for a while.  Fran & Nollin finally take their leave.
    Kul and Circh talk in the privacy of her room.  She explains that she traveled north to find Gashintain... not intending to sell it, but just to have possession of the diamond-bladed sword.  However, when she was caught in Littleberg a man named Haso helped her escape.  She felt compelled by his charm and charisma to tell him of the sword.  Haso recruited an associate, a sorcerer named Xaxamaia, to help them retrieve the weapon from the depths of the frozen lake.  Xaxamaia used his magic to melt the ice and then lowered himself into the waters of the lake.  He emerged with the diamond-bladed sword in his grasp.  Haso then betrayed Circh by stabbing her in the back with a knife as they hugged one another.  Xaxamaia and Haso then left her for dead, not even bothering to rob her of her valuables.
    For his part, Kul explains how he found her by following her trail all the way from Sulward.  They talk of getting even with Haso and decide that he is probably still in the Littleberg area.  They then walk around the city together for a bit and further exchange stories (Kul's missing fingers, which he lost in a battle against several tunicians on 16 Nov 03).  Circh states how much she's missed Kul and the barbarian agrees and suddenly kisses her.  Circh is surprised, but doesn't resist at all.  They find the crew of the Dragon's Clutch in a tavern and enjoy an evening with their old friends.  Kul is extremely happy!

Assault on Lord Drycburh's Manor [Sunday 26 August 1984] [p197-200]

30 Jan 03 cont:  Frances and Nollin cutpurse six people using a special tool of Nollin's design.  Nollin then buys a staff.  As they explore the city Fran spots a tunician and they follow him.  Nollin then spies a bearded man with a large, wide-brimmed hat following them.  Fran recognizes him!  It's Lord Drycburh's right-hand man, Lagrin, who was last spotted by Fran in Rol on 20 Nov 03 [p181]!  Fran and Nollin quickly devise a plan to shake off Lagrin.  They enter a nearby inn, rent a room, and then sneak out through the window, thus losing their trailer.

Night: The party meets back at the Silver Unicorn.  Kul introduces Circh to Frances and Nollin.  [Fran and Nollin inform Kul of Lagrin's presence and actions] and then leave to spy on the inn where they ditched Lagrin earlier.  After gaining access to a roof-top directly across the street from the inn, they spend the entire night watching for any assassins.  None are seen, though.

31 Jan 03: The party visits the Greyhawk mint.  Kul, Circh and Nollin wait outside while Fran enters to exchange [some of their gold and silver ingots for coins].  Kul gives Circh 3 gold ingots.  Kul, Fran and Nollin then ride south out of the city to bury their extra treasure.  Kul measures 30 paces west of an old well near the road and they bury the valuables in a two foot hole.
    The party plans to stage another assault on Lord Drycburh's manor with the goal of finding and stealing the other part to the half-map [C] that Kul still carries.

Night: Kul visits the harlot to whom he gave a gold necklace on 17 Oct 03 [p158].  After midnight the party meets in front of the Silver Unicorn and soon, after hiding some of their valuables in the hollow tree outside of Drycburh's manor (as Kul and Fran did before on 16 Oct 03 [p156]), they are gathered outside of the fence surrounding Drycburh's manor.
    Kul breaks a few bars of the fence and they gain access to the mansion grounds.  [As they move towards the house] a guard finds them out.  Kul incapacitates him while the others sneak in through a window.  [Fran removes his boots in order to sneak quietly through the house.]  He then leads the party upstairs to Drycburh's chambers.  Fran and Nollin enter alone, but Drycburh is awake and quickly signals for his guards.  Kul hears a distant servant's bell and hurries upstairs.  Circh is here, keeping watch outside the room.  Kul enters and talks with Drycburh, but the fat merchant hardly seems to remember dealing with Kul at all (28 Sep 03 [p143-144]).  Kul fears that the guards are on their way.  He thinks that Drycburh may be stalling and points his sword towards the merchant to intimidate him into talking.  Drycburh claims that the only maps he has are trade routes.  Fran grabs a bunch of papers from Drycburh's desk.  Finally, Drycburh claims to have a vault (located in the basement?).  Kul takes the keys to the vault, but Circh announces that there are men downstairs.  It seems that their time has run out!  Kul tells Nollin to open the windows.  Circh, meanwhile, blockades the door.  Fran lowers a rope and climbs down to the ground.  Circh and Nollin follow, while Kul desperately tries to squeeze more information out of Drycburh.  He cannot seem to talk any sense into this man, though.  Drycburh seems to not understand Kul's presence here at all and Kul wonders if perhaps Lagrin may be plotting behind his master's back.
    Men are banging on the doors now!  Kul, to Circh's surprise, swings the grappling hook up to the roof and climbs upwards!  Meanwhile, as Fran runs through the snow back towards their hole in the fence he realizes that he's forgotten his boots inside the manor!  He immediately runs back.  Kul moves along the snowy roof until he is over the second story window where he heard the harp music being played during his last visit.  [He still hopes to discover the truth about the mysterious woman named Rahneen... Was she actually working for Drycburh when she spent the night with Kul at the Silver Unicorn on 28 Sep 03?]  He lowers the rope and climbs down to the window.  Fran spots Kul and enters the house to retrieve his boots.  He sneaks down the hall undetected, but is seen as he grabs the boots.  He quickly flees outside.
    Kul kicks in the shutters to the window and enters the room.  He then sneaks down a short hallway, but is forced to stop as he sees Drycburh, Lagrin and several guards outside Drycburh's chambers.  Kul devises a plan and sneaks back into the room.  Fran, meanwhile, climbs up the rope that Kul has left dangling.  As he reaches the window, however, an archer hits him and he falls to the ground unconscious.  A handful of Drycburh's guards carry him around a corner.  Kul spots this and descends to help.  A battle ensues in which Kul kills a number of Drycburh's guards and then finally escapes through the hole in the fence with the unconscious Fran over his shoulder.  Nollin and Circh also manage to escape and Nollin retrieves their valuables from the hollow tree.
    The party rides back to Greyhawk.  Fran is unconscious, so Kul carries him on his horse while Circh leads Fran's horse next to her own.

Greyhawk: The party stops at the first inn that they come upon.  A leech is summoned for Fran, but Kul bandages his friend's wound.  The barbarian surmises that it is a bad wound, but that he'll survive.  Nollin looks at the stolen papers that Fran grabbed from Drycburh's desk.  They only show trade routes, though.  Kul stays up, watching over Fran and keeping an eye out for anyone that may have followed them.  [Frances achieves 2nd level.]

Xaxamaia (Part 1) [Monday 03 September 1984] [p200-203]

01-02 Feb 03: The party rests and recovers in Greyhawk.  Frances is still unconscious, recovering from a nasty arrow wound in his back received during the failed assault on Drycburh's manor.

03 Feb 03: Fran finally wakes.

04-05 Feb 03: The party continues to rest.

06 Feb 03: Fran is finally up and around.  The party discusses their next plan.  Kulgar and Circh want to find Haso and Gashintain.  Circh describes both Haso and his associate, Xaxamaia.  Haso has sharp, handsome features and black hair.  Xaxamaia, a bald man, usually wears the robe of a mage.  [They all decide to travel to Littleberg and start the search there, since that is where Circh originally met Haso after being captured.  The plan is obviously dangerous, as Kul and Circh are both wanted criminals in the Littleberg area (see the Sir Farchard incident on 13 Jun 01).]  The entire party leaves Greyhawk on horseback, traveling westward towards Dyvers.

07 Feb 03: The party arrives at Dyvers and rents rooms at the Riverside Inn in the northern section of the city.
    Kul sells his spear (acquired from the bandits near Grabford) and buys a small bow.  While returning to the inn, he is stopped by a young woman [Asdaia] who pleads for his help.  It seems that three roughians have been following her.  Kul confronts the three young men as they round a corner.  The barbarian warns them to go their own way and they hastily obey.  The young woman introduces herself and Kul escorts her safely home.

08 Feb 03: The party departs from Dyvers and rides northward.  They cross the Att River by ferry.  The ferryman tries to cheat two extra silver pieces from each of them, but Kul refuses and the man finally gives in.

09-11 Feb 03: The party rides northward towards Littleberg.

12 Feb 03: The party rides northward towards Littleberg.  They encounter an old man digging a hole.  He sounds somewhat insane as he explains that a wizard has taken over Littleberg.  The party continues on to the next river where the ferryman explains the situation more clearly.  A wizard has moved into the small town of Littleberg.  The locals fear this mage and all hide in their homes where it is safe.  Even the wild animals of the area are quiet.
    The party continues onward and finally arrives at Littleberg.  The streets are deserted and all is quiet.
    Kul leads the way to his old home (from almost three years ago on 09 May 01).  The landlord (who has never even liked Kulgar very much) hurriedly ushers everyone inside.  The man explains that no-one has actually seen the wizard, but they are all frightened of his supposed power (over demons?) and they believe that he can transform people into animals!  This wizard must be Xaxamaia!  Kul believes that without his book of spells Xaxamaia will be powerless.
    They soon find Xaxamaia sitting alone in the local tavern.  On the counter nearby is a bird in a cage.
    Kul approaches, faces the mage, and bluntly asks, "Where's Haso?"
    Xaxamaia stares straight at Kul and seems to read his soul.  Kul is very uneasy.  [He has a strong distaste for sorcery and those that harness the power.]  The mage then notices Circh and offers her the bird as a gift.  The party then realizes that the bird must be Haso!  Xaxamaia has polymorphed him into a bird!
    Kul sees no weapon or book upon Xaxamaia's person and asks, "Where's the sword?"
    Xaxamaia claims that that is his own business.  Kul repeats his demand, but Xaxamaia states that it is a closed subject and rises to leave.  Kul draws Falbrand and, repeating his question a third time, blocks Xaxamaia's path.  Xaxamaia seems furious at first, but then relaxes.  He simply says good-bye and suddenly disappears!  Kul immediately swings Falbrand, striking the invisible mage.  He hears the sound of cloth tearing as he follows through with his attack.  With Nollin guarding the now barred front door and Fran guarding the stairs, Kul wildly swings Falbrand all about the room, yet he hits nothing.
    Suddenly, the flames in the hearth grow wild, fiercely licking at the walls and ceiling.  Circh stands ready for a chance at the mage with her enchanted dagger.  Bottles begin to rattle on the shelves and some levitate up into the air!  A stool rises up in front of Kulgar.  Kul grabs his bow and fires arrows at the ceiling, thinking perhaps that the wizard is levitating himself.  But he apparently hits nothing.  Fran fires a few sling bullets, but only at a couple of selected target areas as he doesn't want to waste all of them.
    Nollin has moved away from the door (to avoid a couple of Kul's arrows) and the bar on the door begins to move.  Kul and Fran quickly open fire on the now unbarred the door, but no blood is drawn.  The door suddenly swings open!  Kul sprints over and slams it shut again.  He bars it and stands guard.  The fire has died down and nothing is moving within the room.  Fran's light pendant is the primary source of light in the room.  The party waits, watching for any sign of Xaxamaia's presence.  Kul is hoping that the wizard is bluffing and that he is still inside in the tavern.

Xaxamaia (Part 2) [Thursday 04 October 1984] [p203-206]

12 Feb 03 cont: Kul, Fran, Circh and Nollin wait and watch, but there is no sign of Xaxamaia within the inn's common room.  The mage is either  invisible or has escaped from the inn undetected.  Fran comes up with a brilliant idea!  He grabs a sack of flour and throws the contents in a wide arc around the room.  Sure enough, the invisible Xaxamaia is revealed and curses in anger.  As Fran and Kul move in with weapons drawn, the mage casts a Fire Shield spell, creating flames over his entire body.  Fran and Kul both strike him and both reel back in pain from the effects of the spell.  Fran retreats outside as he is badly injured.  Kul grabs some snow from the doorway and throws it at the approaching wizard, but it just melts into steam upon striking Xaxamaia's flames.
    Xaxamaia tells Kul that things are about to get worse.  The mage polymorphs the bird, Haso, into a lizard which grows impossibly large, taking up a good part of the common room.  Nollin and Circh flee down a hallway and Xaxamaia follows.  Kul tries to follow the mage, but the giant lizard strikes him in the back.  Kul and Fran team up to kill Haso and Kul follows Xaxamaia down the hallway to the inn's lobby area.  Fran, meanwhile, runs around to the back of the building.
    As Xaxamaia enters the lobby, Circh strikes him by surprise with her enchanted dagger, though she is injured badly by his Fire Shield.  Kul downs Xaxamaia with another blow and again demands to know the whereabouts of Gashintain.  [He even promises to let the mage leave unharmed if he discloses the sword's whereabouts.]  Xaxamaia is impressed by Kul's determination and finally tells Kul that a man named Dithus has the diamond-bladed sword.  Kul is satisfied and finally sheathes Falbrand.  He mistakenly assumes that they are parting on equal terms until he realizes that the mage has Circh's favorite enchanted dagger, which she apparently lost to the wizard after her last attack.  Though Circh complains about this, there is nothing Kul can do for he has sworn to let the mage leave peacefully.  Even Fran suggests that Kul should finish off the wizard because he is a troublemaker to the people of Littleberg.  Kul still refuses.  He has given his word and plans to honor it.  Besides, Kul believes that (prior to their arrival) Xaxamaia has done no actual harm here and that the superstitious townsfolk are just afraid of him.

Later: Kul finds out from a tavernkeeper (at a different tavern) that Dithus is a rogue from Verbobonc who only just recently left town.
    Kul still wants to retrieve Gashintain and announces that afterwards he intends to travel west to Baklune.  Circh is excited and would very much like to travel westward again.  Fran and Nollin would rather return to Greyhawk and ply their trade there.  Kul agrees to ride back to Greyhawk with them.  He wants to retrieve his portion of their buried treasure (buried on 31 Jan 03 [p198]).
 

13 Feb 03: Kul, Fran, Circh and Nollin ride southward from Littleberg back towards Dyvers.

14-16 Feb 03: The party continues to ride southwards.

17 Feb 03: The party rides onward and arrives at Dyvers.

18 Feb 03: ride eastwards

19 Feb 03: The party rides onward and arrives at the old well on the side of the road that marks the location of their buried treasure.  They dig up the treasure (buried on 31 Jan 03 [p198]) and then ride on to Greyhawk.
    Once in the city, they head back to the Silver Unicorn.  The four friends drink a toast to each other's good fortune and agree to meet back at the Silver Unicorn on the first spring day of the following year (year 5 [CY 580]).

29 May 01 Unpublished work © 1984-2001 fraz