June 29, 1989

Planning their attack on the guard, the party moves to strike, only to be thwarted as the guard changes Waiting for a brief time to ensure the changeover is complete, I-na’Queh and Melrose attacked the guard outpost.

This would have been a good thing, except that in doing so, we also managed to attract the attention of the forces down in the pit, and so alerted them of our presence. After a brief debate as to whether or not we would fight it out outside or go in the mound ended with the realization that if we waited outside, we could be cut down from horseback. Charging the guard at the gate, we overpowered and took him captive. Attempting to force details of the encampment from him, we decided to let him go free (outside), despite his worries that Gregory would kill him if he told us anything. When it was pointed out we would kill him if he did not, he told us how to get to the next guard chamber, and we let him go.

Following his directions, we came to a fork in the path that he had not mentioned. Using her tracking skills, I-na’Queh determined which path we should follow, and we quickly made our way through the labyrinth to the next chamber, which held several of Gregory’s minions, one of whom was Gwen, lying in wait for us. Using caution, we surprised them, only to be seriously wounded in battle. Nonetheless, we managed to kill them all but one, whom we kept alive for questioning, in a very bloody battle.

Sarmad, upon coming to, discovered that his companions had headed north. He paid a healer for a potion, which cured the remnants of his hepatitis, transformed himself into a red eagle, and then flew north. With no sign of his companions, and having flown a great deal further than the others could have gone on foot, Sarmad landed on the edge of a farm. Inquiring of the workers, he was able to find lodging for the evening. When dusk came on, he lit a large fire in hopes of attracting Melrose’s attention. Instead, the spirit of Angelica’s grandfather appeared to him, and led him south. He caught up with the rest of the party at the Barrow mounds.

From the battle Sarmad got a power stone, some alchemical vials, magic shoes, and a “Lucifer” staff I-na’Queh got a power stone and a flying belt.