Tales of a Guardian: Kalin

Here is a list of reference stories written by a famed Guardian: Kalin.

Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 1
Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 2
Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 3
Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 4
Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 5
Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 6
Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 7
Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 8
Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 9
Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 10
Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 11
Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 12

[Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 1]

Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 1

Hail Dark Friends!

Many days have passed since last I began a story with those words, and it warms my heart to speak them again.

Though long have I slept, the spirit of a Guardian is ever vigilant, and of late I have heard the voices of our Lords calling to me. The numbers of the Guardians have dwindled, and once again the citizens of Britannia have grown brazen and over-confident, seeking to slay the Great Ones in the base pursuits of wealth and fame. The time has come to remind the heathens that our Lords are not without their protectors, and that there shall be no quarter given to those who would disobey our laws.

My patrol this evening began in the woods near Yew. I had heard that the savage orcs had begun hunting the Great Ones for sport, but though I watched and waited for some time, the Lords rested well and undisturbed this night. I decided then to head to the hallowed halls of Wind, the very seat of the Council's power. It would not be long before I came upon a sight that set the very blood in my veins aflame...



There upon the cold stone floor of Wind's halls lay the broken bodies of both Lich and Council mage alike. The "Glorious" Manastone, Grandmaster Tamer and Bard, and his pet Dragon, Oleg, standing over them, guilty of breaking the most sacred of the Guardian's laws - the murder of a Great One.

Ahh, but a man and his dragon are not a pair to be taken lightly, and wait, what's this?



It appears Manastone's pockets were too heavy to hold all the wealth his abhorrent acts had garnered him. Waiting just around the corner his partner in crime, Waldo, sat hidden in the shadows, waiting while his master went about his vile trade, then collecting the spoils.

This trio would pay dearly for their crimes, and I would take all three of their lives if I could. I observed Manastone for a short time and noted that he would run off to bait the Great Ones into attacking him, then flee back to his dragon companion who would do the remainder of the dirty work. An effective tactic, however my Lords are not without their own defenses and would often do great damage to Manastone even while he fled back to the relative safety of his reptilian companion. Believing he had only their magics to fear, Manastone wore only a flimsy cloth robe, never suspecting that the blade of a Guardian might be looking for his backside.

Suddenly it became clear that Manastone had bitten off more than he could chew as a Lich Lord and two Council mages came down the hall after him. Though he used a spell of invisibility to conceal himself and escape their notice, they turned their attention immediately towards his pet and Manastone was forced to focus his attention on keeping his mighty lizard alive. It was at this moment that the trap was sprung and I leapt from the shadows, the point of my deadly poisoned kryss driving itself into his back. He only managed to flee a few steps before collapsing to the floor...

With the first intruder slain I quickly prepared a spell of reveal and charged around the corner to where his accomplice, Waldo had been hidden...



Like his master, Waldo wore only a flimsy cloth robe and so again I armed my deadly poisoned kryss and set upon him. Waldo was quick to react and sought to escape, but the weight of his ill-gotten gains prevented him from making good his flight...



My blade struck swift and sure, and it's poison sunk deeply into his veins. Waldo's escape route was poorly chosen, for even as he charged into the city of Wind proper, Lord Kwan Li sat waiting for him and immediately set upon him with a vengenace.

Attempting a hasty retreat back into the caves, Waldo made it only a few steps before my blade and its venom struck him down...



After checking on Oleg (who it seems had been slain by the Great Ones even while I chased down the others), I quickly set about removing the intruders weapons, reagents and gold before providing Waldo with a resurrection. Unfortunately, it would seem Lord Kwan Li was not as willing to let this groups transgressions pass, and a second corpse of Waldo quickly joined the first upon the floor...



After moving slighty further down the hall I was able to successfully and uninterruptedly return Waldo to the land of the living, where I provided him with a death pack and encouraged him to read the Book of the Guardian contained therein, that he might understand our laws and not repeat his mistakes in the future...



I gathered up the belongings I had looted from these intruders, and after several trips to the bank, finally managed to secure their goods in the vaults of Wind. It would appear that in my absence, the citizens of Britannia have still yet to grow familiar with the wonderful banking system their kingdom provides. No matter, these reagents and gold will serve the Guardians well and aid in their defense of our Lords...



Let this act as the first of many reminders to those who would ignore the laws the Guardians have put forth.

We will always be waiting, always be watching, and will never forget out sacred duty.

To protect our Lords.

[Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 2]

Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 2

Hail Dark Friends,

The new year is now well underway, and while many may be forgetting the resolutions they've made, the Guardians resolve remains as strong as ever. Our tale tonight begins in the forests of Yew, and while the woods here have been quiet of late, the silence is never long left unbroken.

As I neared the clearing where our Lords make their home I came upon one, Eimaj Dnob (whose name struck me as oddly familiar), assaulting the Great Ones with a summoned Demon. Such cowardice, to use a slave to fight ones battles. This intruder would send the great beast in to slay the lich, and sit back among the trees while the carnage unfolded.



Unfortunately for Eimaj, the magics which bind demons to this plane do not last long, and when the creature vanished he was forced to flee and hide himself from sight, lest the nightmare which also frequents the Great Ones home carry out my duties for me. I used the opportunity to slip closer to the corpse of one of our recently fallen Lords, knowing full well that Eimaj would be returning to pilfer the remains.

I did not have to wait long and indeed Eimaj stumbled right ontop of me. To his credit, Eimaj had his wits about him and almost immediately began casting a spell to break my concealment, but this was exactly the distraction I had been waiting for. Before his spell could even complete, I had armed by spear and sunk it deep into his flesh. He was unarmored, so my attack did him great damage, and thus the chase was on.



As I chased the intruder through the forest his hands sought to disarm me of my weapon, but unfortunately for him that was not to be. Seeing his health flagging dangerously low he stopped in an attempt to cast spells of healing upon himself (and apparently express his curiosity at the situation he found himself in), but before he could release them I struck him with a paralyzing blow which would be his last before falling to the ground at my feet.



I removed Eimaj's reagents and the gold he had looted from our fallen Lords, replacing them instead with a deathpack, and provided him with a resurrection. Given his attempts to disarm me earlier I was fairly certain that Eimaj had some skills in the thieving arts and I remained only long enough to encourage his departure before slipping back into the shadows.



Eimaj collected his remaining belongings and with a tip of his hat was gone, back towards Yew. I remained a while longer to ensure he had no desire to return that evening and made my way to deposit his goods into the Guardians coffers. Eimaj carried a small amount of gold (which I took as a positive sign that I had come upon him before he could launch many attacks against the Great Ones) and a good many reagents upon him which will serve me well in the future.



An honorable opponent, one which I hope has learned his lesson well.

After a brief rest and resupply I decided to head to the sacred home of our Lords in the halls of Wind. The sanctity of this place is often defiled by those who seek fortune and fame at the Great Ones expense, and tonight would be no different. Moments after my arrival I came upon one, PawnShop, a bard of sorts who would somehow lull the lich into a trance with his lute and then attack with his blade! Such a vulgar dececption could not be allowed to continue.



Seeing that my opponent was both armed and armored I chose to don my own leathers before beginning my attack. It would be easier to fell this foe were he to drop that pretty shield of his and so I began with a strike from my kryss which is always coated in the most deadly of posions.



Although the blade struck true and poison coursed through his veins for a moment, the healing power of his bandage couteracted its effects almost instantly and so began his flight. Turning the power of his lute upon me, I found myself distracted by its haunting song, but I have met many a siren far more fair than thee friend PawnShop, and I chased after him with a renewed venegeance.



Though he was fleet of foot, PawnShop was unfamiliar with his surroundings and soon found himself trapped at the entrance to Wind and not its exit. I prepared spells of explosion and energy, which combined with a few further strikes from my poisoned kryss brought PawnShop to his end.



Although I offered to return PawnShop to life, it appeared that he had already run off in search of a healer. He was likely to be disappointed in that attempt. I removed from him his gold, weapons and reagents, leaving a deathpack in their place. I hope he was able to return to find them and that his body would serve as warning to those who arrived in Wind with ill intent in their hearts.



With Wind quiet for the time being I made my way to the vaults and deposited PawnShops goods. The gold would serve to defray the costs of the evenings work and without his blade, this intruder had best hope his lute will be enough to make good his escape from Wind, for I am not the only thing in these halls to be wary of.



Until next time,

~Kalin~

[Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 3]

Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 3

Hail Dark Friends,

The world is indeed a strange place. I can go for weeks at a time seeing neither hide nor hair of those who would disturb the rest of the Great Ones. Then, suddenly, it is as if all the heathens in Britannia have forgotten the laws of these lands and return en masse in search of fortune and fame at the expense of our Lords.

Our tale today, takes place in the woods near the city of Yew. I patrol the ruins in this area often, and while they are normally quiet, tonight the woods sang with the sounds of battle. Almost immediately I came upon the cause of the commotion, a woman by the name of Jackin Jill, who stood triumphant over the corpse of a recently fallen lich.



A warrior by trade, Jill weilded a hefty mace, and was adept at the art of camoflague, often disappearing into the trees while her bandages took effect. I followed her deeper into the woods and the moment she raised her mighty weapon to begin her assault on the next of our Lords, I began my attack. Leading with spells of explosion and energy Jill quickly found her health flagging and sought to escape.



To her credit, Jill was lightning quick and knew the woods well. I donned my armor while giving chase and armed a spear in hopes of rendering her motionless while I pressed my attack. However, I found myself hard pressed to close the distance between us, and could only watch while Jill's bandages took effect.



I couldn't allow this warrior to mount a counter assault and so I quickly changed my tactics. Seeing that Jill was covered in only the most revealing of leather armor, and needing a way to interrupt her healing abilities, I drew forth my deadly poisoned kryss, and renewed my attack with a vengeance.



Almost immediately the posion took effect, and Jill's health began to deteriorate rapidly. Seeing her peril, Jill again tried to elude me, but in her confusion stumbled through the very heart of the ruins the lich inhabit here. Quick to recognize an enemy, the Lords and the nightmare which call this place home immediately launched a fiery assualt of their own, which, combined with my poison, lay Jill to rest.



I removed from the lady her weapons, and a tidy sum of gold, leaving a deathpack explaining the laws of these lands in their stead.



I waited hidden in the shadows while Jill recovered her remaining belongings and departed. I hope the lady has learned her lesson, and that I will no longer find her attempting to bring harm to the Great Ones.

Not all intruders learn their lesson however, and such would be the case this night.

Having taken a brief respite from my duties to refresh myself and my supplies, I returned to the woods only to find that where one heathen had been dispatched, two more had risen to take its place!



This Huckleberry was new to me, but Eimaj, you well know the laws of this place. Such insolence is unforgivable, and while you may be treated with some kindness when first a Guardian shows you the error of your ways, not so will you find such mercy a second time.

As I watched their conversation and plotted a means to seperate them, the two mages found themselves short on reagents, and using their remaining magics, returned to the cities to resupply. I sat patiently in the woods, knowing full well that these interlopers were likely to return. To my great pleasure, Eimaj was the first to return and with the aid of his summoned demon, began his attack on the Great Ones.



Ahh, but you have grown overly ambitious Eimaj, for two of our Lords are not so easily dispatched. Arming my deadly poisoned kryss, I approached the target and prepared his end. Even as the first lich succumbed to the might of the demon, Eimaj's fate was sealed as my blade found his backside, and its poison found his veins.



Eimaj was quick to respond, and apparently learned something from our first enounter as he quickly quaffed a curative potion to counteract my poison. My blade was swift however, and Eimaj made it only a few steps before falling to the ground at my feet.



I removed Eimaj's belongings, leaving behind only his hat (which he seems to have a curious affectation for), and awaited his return. I reminded him that he well knew the laws of the Guardian, and despite his plea of forgetfullness, suggested that he find his way home to Yew before I help him on his way.

Eimaj seems to have improved his preparedness for battle as he was carrying both curative and restorative potions as well as a good many reagents. They will no doubt serve me well in my duties.



I quickly returned home to deposit these items and then made my way back to the woods. Eimaj was gone, and there was no sign of Huckleberry, and so it seemed my work might be done for the evening.

However, it appears the sons of Yew have grown both forgetful and arrogant, and the sounds of combat once more filled the air...

(to be continued)

[Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 4]

Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 4

Hail Dark Friends,

Though it has taken me some time to put this tale to parchment, the events contained herein immediately follow my last encounter with one of Yew\'s militant members, Eimaj Dnob . It seems the sons of Yew have grown bold of late, and choose to blatantly ignore the Guardian's laws. As I hope this lengthy story will show, though such fools may seek their fortune at the expense of the Great Ones, the Guardians are ever vigilant, and none who would seek to bring harm to our Lords is safe.


Our story continues...

The woods seemed quiet once more. Having dispatched Eimaj, and with no sign of his accomplice Huckleberry, the lich were content as they strolled about the forest, for the moment unharried by the greed of men. Such respites do not come often, nor do they last for but a moment, for even as I drank deeply of the cool night air, the sounds of battle could be heard in the distance.

Moving silently through the trees I soon found the source of the disturbance, a well-armed and armored warrior by the name of Strum who was assaulting one of our Lords with mighty blows from his halberd.



As I moved closer and was able to see the warrior's uniform more clearly I was stunned to see that he bore the insignia of the Yew militia! Have I not sent enough of these pups to the afterlife for their crimes against our Lords? Do they not speak to one another and warn their comrades of the dangers of disobeying the Guardian's laws? Perhaps I need to use smaller words in the Book of the Guardian I leave as warning to these country-soldiers, or perhaps another form of reminder will suffice. Donning my armor and arming my deadly-poisoned warfork I began my assault upon Strum.

The warrior seemed ill-prepared for the sight of a Guardian suddenly appearing from the shadows and though he tried to escape, made it only a few short steps before falling to my steel.



Shaking my head in disbelief I could only assume that this was a new member of the militia and was perhaps ignorant of the dangers inherent in bringing attacks upon our Lords. Removing his weapons and ill-gotten gains, and replacing them with a deathpack, I waited for him to return to his corpse, hoping that I might explain things clearly to him, so that he could avoid such an unfortunate end in the future.

I was forced to raise a curious eyebrown on his return then, when he greeted me with a smile...



Hail Guardian? If this warrior can recognize me for what I am at a glance, then ignorance can be no excuse for his actions this night.



I had a brief conversation with Strum and suggested in no uncertain terms that he collect his belongings and be off. He seemed a good enough man, though clearly blinded in his quest for riches. I am constantly puzzled at how so-called 'honorable' men can feel justified in assaulting the Great Ones in the name of such base desires as wealth and fame.

As I watched Strum head off back to Yew, I pondered this question before heading back into the woods. The hour had grown late and it seemed as though no further intruders would disrupt the lich this night. Bidding my Lords farewell I returned home and took stock of Strum's posessions.



A tattered map and a few coins were all that he carried. To a common vagabond this would seem a disappointment, but to a Guardian it brings a sparkle to the eyes, for I know that this intruder had done little harm before falling to my blade.

With any luck, he will take my words to heart, and find other outlets for his needful pursuits.

Just once I'd like to be right...

I awoke early the next morning, refreshed and ready to begin my patrols. Having had a busy night the prior evening I decided to begin by returning to the home of our Lords in the woods near Yew. Gathering my belongings and locating the proper rune I spoke the magical incantation and was off.

It can't be.



There are no words to describe the dumbfounded look that must have appeared upon my face following my arrival in Yew. Is death not punishment enough for these insolent militia? Once again Strum ran carefree about the woods, merrily attacking the Great Ones, completely ignoring the lesson he had learned only hours ago.

The Guardians are not unwilling to provide a reminder.



My spear struck true, paralyzing Strum temporarily and interrupting his attempts to heal. Seeing his health dwindling Strum elected to flee and dashed into the woods. Pulling on my armor as we ran I stayed close on his heels, constantly raining blows upon him with my spear, preventing his attempts to regroup. As we ran, I sought to bring the battle to an end by switching out my spear in favor of a deadly-poisoned warfork. Strum had fallen to this tactic easily the night before and I hoped it would serve me well again.



Suddenly, an orc appeared from the trees to the North. Knowing full well the hatred that runs deep between the Orcs and Yew militia, I hoped that this one would not interfere in our battle. It would seem however, that the supposed animosity between Yew and the Orcs may be exaggerated, for upon seeing the Yewman's plight, the orc turned his bow upon me! Quaffing potions of curing and healing I was able to ignore his attacks long enough to finish dealing with Strum.



Disappearing into the shadows I waited to see how these curious events would unfold. Having lost track of me the orc returned to the corpse of the fallen Strum and waited while the warrior found a wandering healer to returned him to life. Upon his return, the orc called out to him, directing him to his body and standing guard while Strum collected his belongings.



Interesting. It would seem that 'war' makes strange bedfellows these days. I will have to remain wary of the relationship between Yew and the Orcs, for it is not as clear as an outsider might perceive.

I continued tracking Strum for a time, and when it became clear he was no further threat to the lich (having left to prepare for what was apparently an impromptu raid upon the nearby orc fort...?) I took my own leave.

Curiouser and curiouser.

With the woods of Yew quiet for the moment I instead travelled to the depths of the dungeon Covetous. Many of our Lords dwell here and are often harassed by bards, tamers, and the like.

Making my way through the dungeon passageways, I peered through a crack in the doorway which led to the chamber the lich lords call home. As though I had not been confused enough by the days events, the sight which greeted me only added to my bewilderment. Inside, a brigand leader by the name of Wilma, was attacking the Great Ones with a venegance, seemingly at the command of the mage Johnathan, who wore the uniform of the magicians of the Yew militia!



This frequent and intentional targetting of our Lords by members of the militia would have to be brought to the attention of the Enforcers when next I spoke with Captain Frost, but for now I began to prepare my attack.

Inside the room, Johnathan had resurrected a woman by the name of Disa, and as I watched him, he appeared to be having some problems in keeping his balance. Odd behaviour to be certain, but it soon became clear as to the cause of his difficulties - his coin purse had become so laden with gold that it was preventing his ability to walk! Struggling to the doors, Johnathan and his compatriot (with the brigand leader in tow), slowly made their way to the exit. Ahh, but you have stepped into a trap young mage, for even as Johnathan opened the outer doors of the hallway, the two lichs beyond immediately attacked the brigand, leaving Johnathan open to an attack from my blade.



Johnathan was quick to realize his predicament and tried to escape, but was unwilling to part with the coins that so impaired his movement. Wobbling back and forth as he sought to make it to the doorway exiting the dungeon, he tried desperately to quaff curative potions and cast spells of healing upon himself, but ultimately his efforts were in vain.



As Johnathan fell, his compatriot Disa ran past, and while I considered giving chase,I allowed her to flee, given that I had not witnessed her commit any crimes against our Lords. I removed from Johnathan his reagents and weapons as well as that coinpurse that had been his downfall, placing a deathpack on his corpse in their stead. Perhaps one of these Yew militants will take the time to read the contents of the Book contained therein and learn something for their troubles.



I found Johnathan outside and offered to return him to life. Upon his resurrection I informed the young mage that if he wished to return inside, I would cast a spell of concealment upon him while he gathered his remaining goods. Even as I did so however, I could hear the sounds of footsteps following us into the caverns. I quickly stepped back outside and invoked the magics that would return me home, no doubt startling the Yew ranger who had arrived far too late to aide his friend.

I was in no condition for a second battle for it was taking a potion of great strength coursing through my veins to even keep me on my feet. The gold that had so weighed down the mage now rested in my pack, and it's mass was of no small measure.



A fine purse indeed Johnathan! This gold and these many reagents will serve the Guardians well in the defense of our Lords.

I hope that this time the Book of the Guardian has found its way into the hands of an educated member of the militia. One who will take something from its passages, and maybe, just maybe, bring the word to his comrades...

It had been another full day, and I am not afraid to say that I had now seen more than my fill of Yew militants commiting such heinous crimes against the Great Ones. It is because of this that I hope you can appreciate why the sight which greeted me upon my return to the home of the lich in the forests of Yew finally pushed me to my limits.



Incensed at the continued presence of this interloper, my hands literally flew to my warfork and I engaged Strum immediately.



I would have thought by now Strum would be prepared for the sight of a Guardian, and perhaps he thought his fine new golden armor could protect him, but he took only a step before falling dead at my feet.



This time there will be no mercy, nor tolerance for your actions Strum. I removed the entirety of Strum's posessions and made my way over to the healer who had returned the warrior to life.



Slow learner is one thing friend, but you have single-handedly taken the term to an entirely new eschalon of meaning. Throwing his boots and a recall scroll at his feet I sent this heretic on his way.

I returned home shortly thereafter, and hurled Strums belonging's into a chest in disgust. Perhaps I could find some fledgling warrior in Jhelom who could make better use of these items than he.



Heed well the warning you have been given Strum. Indeed, let it be taken to heart by all of your militia comrades as well. I have extended no end of courtesy and patience to you and offered you every means to choose a new path. You have ignored this kindness. In the future, you, and any others who would ignore the repeated warnings you have been given will be killed without a thought, and you will find my future hospitality much less to your liking.

As the Book says, "Be well, and forget not the lesson you have learned this day."

Until next time friends.

[Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 5]

Duty of a Guardian, Chapter 5

Hail Dark Friends,

It has indeed been some time since I have had the opportunity to sit down and set quill to parchment, and for this I apologize. Not to have you think I have been sitting idle however, I will today provide you with not one, not two, but three tales of those who have yet to learn the laws of these lands, and the sacred duty of the Guardians.

Our story begins in the mystic City of Wind. Most evenings the halls here remain silent, the Lords resting quietly, quite capable of seeing to their own defense. There are times however, when the need for a Guardian arises, and we are always quick to respond. This night I came across one, Dark Lord "a wild turkey" (a name I can only assume explains the reason for the heavy helm he wears), assailing the Great Ones with all manner of skill - weapons, magic, summoned demons and the bardic arts.



While I moved closer to assess this intruder he seemed to detect my presence and moved back through the caves. I quickly followed, but rounded the corner just in time to see him preparing a spell of reveal. Knowing the danger such a foe presented, particularly with his demon still at his side, I decided the two would need to be seperated, and even as his spell was cast I was moving towards the transporter which exited the city.

Oh, but we are not done friend Wild. Waiting just long enough for him to follow and see me in the mountains above Wind I turned instead and ran to the transporter to return me to the caverns within. This tactic is one employed often and serves to seperate foes quite effectively. Wild was no coward however, and now bereft of demon, came charging into the halls after me. Here now a fierce battle ensued, as I had indeed found a skilled opponent.



Wild made excellent use of his skills, combining magery and bladework with his bardic talents to lull my attacks. The poison from our blades sank deeply into each others veins and repeatedly we were each forced to move off to allow our healing abilities to take effect.

This is not the first of such foes I have fought however, and often it is their mastery of so many skills that causes them to be weak in others. Ultimately, my continued and relentless attack set Wild on his heels, and even as he sought to retreat, my blade finally cut him down.



Wild was an honorable and skilled opponent. Where many would flee, he instead chose to attack, and is to be respected. Removing his weapons and gold, I placed a deathpack in their place, though I was certain it was unnecessary. This intruder was quick to recognize a Guardian, and no doubt was already familiar with our laws.



Wild proved my suspicions correct, by throwing down the deathpack I had left for him in disgust, vowing that we would meet again in the future. I've no doubt friend, and I look forward to it. Returning to him his instrument that he might have some small means of defence I saw him safely to the teleporter and out of Wind.

Wild was well prepared for combat and carried with him a number of weapons and potions, as well as magical items of invisbility and spell reflection. I will have to keep this in mind for our future encounters. The gold he had obtained from our Lords will serve the Guardians well in the future.



If only all the heathens would provide such a vigorous battle...

Battle however, is often the last thing on the minds of the heathens when they have been discovered by a Guardian. Such is the case with, the illustrious Huckleberry.



Although this was not the first I had seen of the young mage ( it seems I have found your accomplice Eimaj ), I had no idea at the time what a nuisance he was to become. In truth, Huckleberry has taken over the reigns of the most persistent heathen I have yet to meet, surpassing even the confounding resilience of the Yewish warrior, Strum. But I digress, for I am getting ahead of myself.

Huckleberry was a very straightforward opponent, attacking the Great Ones with his magical arts, then hiding and/or healing before beginning the cycle again. As he prepared for his next assault I drew forth my deadly poisoned kryss and began an assault of my own. Instantly Huckleberry was dashing through the woods in an attempt to escape. Once out in the open he began frantically trying to cast a spell of recall while my blade and poison sunk into his flesh. Escape seemed impossible and then...



...gone?

Impossible I thought, surely my eyes must deceive me, but somehow the heathen had escaped. Taking some solace in the fact that at least our Lords were safe for the moment, I returned back to the woods to lie in wait lest Huckleberry return.

I would not be disappointed.

Once again Huckleberry began his attacks on the ancient Lich, and once again my blade found his backside. Poisoned, bleeding, and with but a fraction of his life remaining Huckleberry sought to escape.



...

Scratching my head in disbelief I looked down at my poisoned blade. It seemed to be working correctly. The heathen seemed to be dying properly. What then was the problem here? Moving back into the woods I returned to my patrol and waited to see if this intruder would return.

Sure enough, I had only a few minutes to wait before Huckleberry was back and at it again. Nothing if not persistent, he would find the Guardians equal to the task and I once more set upon him.



Nothing makes a Guardian feel quite as old as this.

Dejected, I returned to confer with the Great Ones on this recent and continuing development. We spoke well into the night, but it seemed Huckleberry had finally given up, and he was not to return this eve.

The next morning however, was a different story, for it appears Huckleberry has awoken with a renewed interest in slaying our Lords. I'm sure he thought he would be safe at so early an hour, but I am nothing if not a stubborn Guardian, and this time you will not escape.

I launched my attack with a renewed vigor, striking quickly and dropping Huckleberry's health at an alarming rate. Fearing that he could not escape in time, the young mage instead decided to cast spells of healing upon himself, but such an attempt was in vain. I would not be denied and even as he sought to flee with but the barest sliver of health, he was FINALLY lain to rest.



Removing his reagents and gold, I placed a deathpack upon his body and awaited his return. For some time I stood guard over his corpse but Huckleberry would not be back and so I took my leave and added his posessions to the Guardian's coffers. These items would well serve our cause in the future.



The ruins near Yew are far too accessible to those seeking fame and fortune at the expense of our Lords. Even after their admonishment by the Guardians, the heathens often seek to return to their avaricious ways.


Never were truer words spoken than in the case of these two...



It seems "Number 1" and "Number 2" (as I now lovingly refer to them) have come to the conclusion that if they work together then perhaps not only can they enhance their money-making efforts, but perhaps find safety in numbers.

I assure you this will not be the case my friends.

The two had a relatively simple approach. Strum would attack with an enchanted blade while Huckleberry would provide healing as well as magical attacks when warranted. Seeing that Strum was being forced to rely quite heavily on Huckleberry I made my approach and set my plan in motion.



Setting upon Huckleberry, he was forced to flee, leaving Strum struggling to deal with the Lich he had attacked. Rather than try to recall to safety however, Huckleberry made an attempt to avoid me long enough for his compatriot to come to his aid. Quaffing curative and restorative potions he was able to elude me for a time but my pursuit was relentless.

Even as Strum was finally able to disengage himself from the Great One he had assaulted, Huckleberry was quickly falling to my attack. Making one final attempt to heal himself caused him to pause long enough for my blade to lay him low.



With Number 1 dispatched, it was time to deal with Number 2.

Strum sought to engage me rather than seek his own escape and this would be his undoing. Invigorated from my battle with Huckleberry, my poisoned warfork bit deeply into Sturm's skin and soon he found himself running for his life. As usual, he had not thought to pack curative potions, and as my blade struck swift and sure, it was only a matter of time before he too collapsed at my feet.



Removing their worldly posessions and providing resurrections, I pointed out to the duo that future intrusions would be met with in a similar fashion.



I watched silently as the two headed off their seperate ways and calm returned to the woods once more. I'm glad noone else happened along the road that eve as I had become so overburdened with their goods that I could hardly move. Casting a spell of strength upon myself I returned home to unload their wares.



The two carried a goodly sum of gold and reagents that will fund our patrols in the future, as well as weapons and armor which will no doubt find better use in the hands of some young Sosarian warrior in training.

I continued my patrols for a time, but found that for once, all was at rest. Let us hope it lasts, if only for a while.