As Written by Kavros Weaponsmith:

13 Borrum, 1506 TH

Swinging Vines and other Hazards of the City

The fastest path from A to B used to be a straight line. But in Axalacail, flying through the air with hanging vines adds a new and exciting element.

You may think that this as activity best suited for the young and agile (and in many ways you would be right).

As an enjoyable twist, listed are three exceptions experienced by our group on this day. Agile Elias was the first to fall, as he was stranded on the vine until Windy went to his rescue. Gorian, who tries never to miss, connected as he managed to narrowly hook a rail. Kavros (yours truly) scarcely swift of body, did receive applause upon his grand (though lucky) landing.

With several days to relax as ship repairs continued, we each searched the city of Axalacail for stories and other forms of entertainment.

Tales of scorchers at nearby villages were on the minds and tongues of most citizens.

Many of the more recent tales mentioned someone who could only be Rian Fireleaf, Archer and Explorer with revenge weighing heavily on his mind.

We set out on the 15th, seeking to make sure that the scorchers have been driven off (and Windy wants more stories to discover and write).

"Squirrels with purple stripes?" was what Windy asked before the small stampede occurred, and this is all I will write about this incident.

We were received by one village in the usual manner (I whittled). The villagers reported that the savage attacks had ceased, but Rian Fireleaf has not been seen for several days.

Early the next morning we ventured out to find Fireleaf with the help of two guides. We came upon a small town; all of the buildings were destroyed by fire. Village people’s bodies could be found in the buildings, while orks killed by an onslaught of arrows were found on one end of town. We found where Fireleaf had let loose his volleys from the side of a hill. Neither Fireleaf nor the large group of ork scorchers were concerned by covering their trails, so we set out to follow them. We came across the site of a small ambush later in the day.

The next day we cam across a terrible smell and the appearance of vultures. At the top of the hill we found nearly twelve ork scorchers killed by a vicious and bloody standoff.

A short distance away we came to the bottom of a cliff. Nearby was part of a bloody Espagra cloak. At the top of the cliff, in addition to Fireleaf’s tracks, signs of continued ork scorcher pursuit were clearly seen.

With the cloak to guide him, Gorien let loose with an arrow, blazing a path that might point to the lost hero. A short series of those pointers brought us closer to our goal.

I must admit that I did not see the crack in the ground, but in my defense I have to point out that it was well concealed (Gorien just jumped in after me. soon. thereafter.).

It was in that small cave that we found Fireleaf, Archer Warden. It was there that we healed him and talked of the situation. It was there that we offered to aid him in defeating the Crimson Bloodfists.

Fireleaf confirmed that the ork bandits have been seeking revenge for the past by enslaving the children of the surrounding villages, These terrible deeds, and the need for revenge, drives Fireleaf to stop this band of orcs.

Our plan was simple. Fireleaf would attract their attention and then their forces. (That poor horse never even saw that strike coming). He then led them away while reducing their numbers.

We then moved towards the door covering the cave entrance. The first guards inside were easily dispatched. We made our way to the children, only to be ambushed by four orcs upon arrival.

Among the orcs was Karan Manslayer (rumored to be a questor who takes delight in magically manipulating the minds of others). Despite our best efforts we still managed to defeat the bloodfists band. (Note to others - do not tell John to sit as this will offend his honor.) (Note from John in Margin: I did smite him for his insolence.)

The children hurt and scared, were unable to travel. During our second break while escaping the Bloodfist forces, Fireleaf staggered into our midst. Short of arrows and in poor health, Fireleaf declared that he must hold the remaining forces back that the children may survive.