Chronicles of Astar

[Astargras]

You push open the rusted and well weathered door of a ramshackle simple farmer’s cottage. The old wench in the tavern boasted so convincingly that the farmer’s wealth wasn’t what he grown, but in the gem vain found in the fields.
So, you took the job not letting the Wench finish the tale. You did not hear the rest of the tale of vengeance, betrayal and death. Years after the farmer found the gems, as one would expect, he grew very wealthy. With the wealth the farmer obtained he was able to amass a grand collection of riches and at the same time the Farmer ran into troubles.

Day after day and year after year as the farmer’s wealth grew the envy and hatred from the surrounding people also grew. At first the threats were nameless and faceless, but soon the threats grew more into the open and out right calls for the farmer the share or else. The farmer had by this time become quite jaded and selfish and he refused to share the wealth that he had amassed. The Farmer soon became paranoid and soon took to have walls built and hiring thugs to protect his person.

Much was fear and he soon looked to the arts of a necromancer to protect himself from the pre-sieved danger. A wizard was of the most cunning nature that farmer was unable to protect himself form the greed of the wizard. The Wizard did what was asked of him but at the same point was gathering support from the hired cut throats which the farmer trusted to guard his boarders. Soon the farmer came to the realization that all his wealth now belonged to the wizard and his hired men were now in league with the necromancer.

After a time, the necromancer ran low on spell components and the Farmer was the answer to the wizards need. That is to say, the farmer’s parts were needed in the Wizards cruel concoctions. In the Wizards greed and vanity, the magic that he was working on, failed. The lab spewed forth a fog that moved quickly covered the lands of the farmer. The men and all creatures caught in the mists we doomed to a fate held only in your nightmares. The flesh of all, once in the mist, instantly putrefied and rotten, life became death and the dead rose to walk endlessly.
That was many years ago and to this day. Many adventures quested for the farmer’s cottage, in which is said to be stored the gems of a thousand lives, a fortune of a massive massiveness. However, the path to the cottage is through a land that is dead in all ways, and the dead keep it.
But all of this was missed by you, your greed defend you to the tale that was meant as warning. You got the directions form the Wench and speed on your way. The path was all what the story said it would be. The dead kept the roads and the fight to the cottage was intense and at many points the life was in the balance and there was a question if it would continue.
The Cottage you found and to the doorway you walked. Pushing the ancient door open you step through and the sight that assaults your mind is unbelievable.

Gems!!! Gems of all types, big ones, small ones, some with a fire blasting within dancing light throughout the small cottage. You run to the far side of the room, drunk with greed your hands fumble with the gems. With your hysterical laughter echoing in the rafters, the door, seemingly by itself swings shut, and with a laud slam and bang the bot in the door is shot. You spin to face the door and through the light which bleeds through the door and that are reflected into the room your eyes see a shape near the door. A shape, maybe it’s a troll? Your nostrils as assaulted and filled with the taint of old sweat, blood, ale, wet leather, and death…. It moves…. And in the pale light you can spot a face….and a horrible scream ….. “Spooooooooooooooooooooon!!!!!!!!!!!!!” The Shape charges you and the last thing you are able to feel though the pain of the axe wound to your chest, is two hands on your hips and a whole new feeling coming from behind.


Cronicles of Astar

[Astargras]

Part 2

To the West lies the village of Centovis, there isn’t any real distinguishing about the village. It has huts built in the usual ways. There is an unremarkable pub, an unremarkable market and simple temple, very uninspiring to look at but very quiet.
What is remarkable is that this village is set on the shore of Lake Centovis. The lake, as everyone knows, was named after the great western explorer Toridos Centovis. The beauty of this mountain side lake vista has been sung about in countless rimes and rills. With nick names like: The Gateway to the Heavens, Double Sky Lake, and the Mirror to the Soul it is easy to see why people choose to set down roots and make a go out of the area. So you decide travel to this place in search of rest and relaxation. Or so you think.
The road is easy and full of common folk just marking their way and pleasant towards you. You make good time in fair weather and the open mountain air feels great in your lunges. As you reach the out skirts of Village Centovis you come to a guard post. A pleasant man in full plate greets you in the common tongue, “Greetings stranger. What business do you have in our fair lands?” “Rest and a little time to re-coupe” is your retort. “Well, as long as you pay and mind yourself, we shouldn’t have any issues.” The guard replies. At this, you suddenly and without reason become inquisitive. You don’t know why, but you sense something in the guard’s tone that just doesn’t sit right with you. You ask the guard, “You folks get a lot of trouble up here?” The Guard replies cautiously “Why no, it’s just… Well…” the guard fumbles out. The guard finally blurts out “Just enjoy your time with us and please see the Inn Keeper right away.” And with a nimble step the guard clears your path and motions you to the village. With a passing remark “Thanks for the help…” you leave the Guard and make your way to the village.
You enter the town and you see the normal things. A Blacksmith shop, cook house (with the smell of fresh breads and roasted meat) a stable (with fresh and strong looking beautiful beast of burden) and at last you come to the backside of a two story structure. The smell of old ale, stale bed pans and pipe smoke fill your nostrils and are the most definite sign that you have made it to the Inn.
Remembering the words of the Guard, and not wanting to ruin your stay and any shot at relaxation, you start looking for the main entrance to the inn. You turn at the corner of the building and see the Inn’s signage. Above your head a gilded sign with the likeness of a mountain flanked by two goblets squeaks and sways in the breeze.
The Doors to the Inn stand open and in the afternoon sun just barely invades the threshold. It’s rather sleepy in the inn, thou judging from the fresh axe marks in the tables and chairs, the broken crocks in the corners, there was a mighty go of it last night.
You stride to the bar and find the bar keep behind the bar working on the bung of a fresh keg of ale. The barman didn’t notice your stealthy entrance, which you have honed over years of earning a living as an adventure. You clear your throat. “WOOW” the barman bellows and bung plug slides out of his hands. “You gave me such a start” he follows. Re-composed the Barman starts into he’s well developed and well used speech “Well traveler, Welcome to the Mountain Dew Tavern and inn, we have all you need in the form of food and libations. You’re new to this village? Do you have a place to stay or do you need a room? ” “A room and if you have it, I would like meat and a loaf of that wonderful bread I smelled from the bake house? As well I would like a small cask of your finest ale.” The innkeeper spoke quickly “Have a seat noble adventurer, and not to be rude, but may I see your coin. You see I give no credit in this house.” With a slight of hand that would make the pick pockets of the Lower Road Rebels (the thieves guild of Cruncharia) would be amazed at, you throw your purse to the table. With a burst, the purse’s containment fails. Gems, Copper, gold, platinum coins all cover the quarter of the table. The Barman eyes fly open wide! “Yes, yes, yes of-course” the Barman stammers “right away”
The food and Ale arrive at the table. The roasted meat was delectable and the ale was strong and fresh. You fill yourself and with a satisfying “BURRRRRRRRRRP” you slump back into your chair.
The afternoon turns into night and the tavern starts filling up. You keep to yourself and people are friendly. But all at once the peace of the night is blasted apart by a scream of a young woman from outside. The revelers all move outside and you fallow. The mob encircles a women holding…what looks to be… you recoil in horror. “A Goat?” you gasp. “And why is it bleeding from….O by the gods…!” your words are choked off by the vomit rising in your mouth.
The Towns aghast in horror began to call aloud “where is the brute!!! He was here last night…He’s the one the barman had removed….” You hear from one man “I saw him behind the blacksmiths shop!” Yet another villager calls out “his on the water front!!!” You think to yourself “not my fight” You return to the tavern and getting back to your table, you cast of ale is gone. “Dam” you sigh and you go to your room and have a troubled night sleeping. All night your ears a assailed with calls of “check under…” and “have you looked over…” all night long.
In the morning you awaken to an odor that almost makes your insides turn and you choke back the feeling of retching. (Stale Blood, moldy leather, with the tang of sweaty wet horse) “ahhhashahhh, wow that smells” your spit “what in the world could make that smell?” you question.
In the early morning light you scan the room, looking for the animal which as invaded you sleeping chambers. Your eyes fall to the floor where you see…footprints…not big enough to be human? An Elf? An Elf wouldn’t leave prints, unless they wanted to, but an elf wouldn’t smell so bad…even a Drow. You draw a dirk from under your pillow and start the hunt for the invader.
The prints start at your window, which surprises you see how your room in on the 2nd floor and there is no banister or balcony for to which an invader could use. The hunt is on and you follow the prints to the foot of your bed. You shudder “The beast stood over me…”

[Astargras]

Chapter 3
You whirl about and see the tracks to the door. You dress quickly and quietly not wanting to alert anyone, or anything to your presents. As you get to the door and reach for the bolt but you since something in the room with. As if your mind realizing a bad move you draw your hand from the door. It's behind you...
"Don't move." a voice a kin to gravel in a wash bucket grinds out. " what do you want?" you say. "I'm not going to hurt you, but if you move or raise you voice, I will plant my axe into your skull" the beast said in low tones. Realizing that it had all the opportunity to.. "If I wanted you dead I could have done it while you slept." the beast sighed. " Now, turn and face me." it said "I am Astargras the dwarf, and who are you?" I You glare at him and say "I am no one that you want to cross blades with." With a chuckle Astargras says "lesson you whelp, I have traveled from where the sun is birthed to where it goes to die each day. I've suffered the unending thirst of the southern plans and froze in the ever wintery north. I've been hunted by dragons and giants alike. I've seen the world from here to the very gates of hell and I have survived. Am I to fear your blade? I think not. Now, if your done trying to bluff me...What is your name?"
"your name" you say with a sneer. "Well, (your name), by the looks of your gear and the scars on your knuckles I can tell you have done some adventuring. Where abuts are you from?" the dwarf enquired. "Why should I tell you? It's obvious that you're the one all the villagers are looking for, why don't you turn yourself in? Or, just leave the way you got in here, but at any rate, just go!" you tell this foul thing who is resting against the shadowy part of the room. "The Villagers? HA, sod pushers and livestock breeders, I could dispatch them all with a turn of my head." Astargras boasted " besides i'm having too much fun with them at the moment." he finished. "Why are you missing with them anyways?" you question "They're descent enough people , why must you terrorize them?" "Because!" he bellowed, and stepping into the light of the window he shoved his hand out the window towards the mountains "you see those mountains, 50 years ago I woke up on those slopes. Not a stitch of clothing on my back. No weapon, and no memory of how or why I was there nor who I was. I made my way down to the shore of Centovis. Eating what I could find and slowly making my way here to these, descent folk as you say. At the first sight of me the children screamed and ran from me. The women and men all mocked me. Feeding out of what the pigs left behind I lived a horrid life and was the most god offal wretch. For 3 years I lived like that. Neked dirty and hungry. Till one day an Halfing man of the village stopped me in a back alley and told me that he would cloth me and feed me real food. I trusted that man, Tookish Gras was his name and his wife was Chapstick Gras. Yes, they took me in. They fed me and put rags on my back which to me at the time where just as good as the kings finest ropes. Well, a few weeks go by and the true reason for their kindness was brought into the light. One morning I found that my hand and legs were in bonds. My hands around my back and my legs in a way that didn't let me bring my legs together. For months after, that bastard son of a kobold and he's wife sold tries at kicking me in the balls for ten gold pieces a shot. Well, let's just say the whole village lined up and Tookish started dressing better." "Excuse me.." you blurt out "sorry to interrupt your life story but what in the name of Flame are you talking about and why and how does this involve me?" you say with your hand moving slowing closer to the grip of you sword.
"I saw you last night" Astargras said "you saw what I did to that Bitch's prize winning goat and yet, you did not join the hunt. Why I asked myself. Why would that person not want to join in the mob? Then it struck me, that is a person that knows greatness when it is seen. Right then I said to myself, I must met this person. So I swiped a Cast of ale from a table down stairs and found a dark corner to hide in and await the morning." "What about the villagers?" you ask "didn't you think they would come in here to look for you?" A strange look came into the devils eyes and he said "They would be too busy with getting Chapstick's...naaa... i won't bore you with that. Let's just say they had plenty to do and I do believe that some of them are still down at the shore trying to get that smell off." Astargras said with a chuckle. "And as for you. I want to make you an offer, on the other side of the lake there is a cave in which there live a few Swahagan. Those fishy things have something of mine and I want it back. What do you say, care to group up?"
You put you off hand to your chin and make as to be thinking and with the speed of a pouncing panther you make for your weapon. The steal of your blade flashes full of the morning light and cutting though the air it slices the vapors and with the agility of a spider monkey, you make the blade do a full arch around you and you strike... nothing. Suddenly you come to the realization that there is something very sharp and cold under your chin. You look down and resting at your throat is an great axe. Green in the sun your eyes trace down the handle to the hands of Astargras. Which in some way, have the same look of burnished steal. "Well, that was foolish of you." Astargras said with a grunt "you know something, that was a mighty try you just made but you lack the discipline needed to make that blow count." You're mind grips for a way to get out of this spot you have found yourself in. "Ok, Astargras I will go with you."

[Astargras]

Chapter 4

Thus it was so, Astargras and you joined up. For a few days you went to task acquiring the stores you would need for your adventure. The reason for this is was clear enough. Astargras, he couldn't be seen in the village, which seemed to be his plan and he was happy to just lay in your bed taken the food you brought him. "What a son of a motherless rat" you thought to yourself after handing Astargras another cask of 100 gold per cask of ale, which he made you pay for. "He's just going to sit there and live of me till we get clear of this town" You ponder the bed as you look at the filthy mass of naked flesh rolling around in it. "I bet they burn those bed cloths after we get out of here." you chuckle in disgust.
Three day's you and Astargras coexisted in the room, with you sleeping on the floor. Not that Astargras didn't offer the use of the bed to you but everything that healers of Taranis told you to stay away from was on or crawling through the bed cloths of your once welcoming bed. On the third night the villagers were having a celebration of some kind. "Astar" you said, by this time Astargras allowed you to "what is going on tonight?" "It is the day of Gras. The day where the villager remember Tookishgras" Astar answered. "Why is that?" you pressed. "You see my fine friend" Astarsaid "Tookish was famed by driving out a great evil from this land. HA!! I was only gone 20 years. When I came back I hid myself and watched and waited for the right time to fulfill my vengeance on Tookishgras. They all think that Tookish and his bitch of a wife were killed by Trolls at the foot of the mountains, I left a few Trollish marking just for that purpose but those simpletons out there, celebrating that bastard, still have no idea it was me." Astar boasted. "Good news friend" Astar continued "this is the time we have been waiting for. Gather your things. We go!!!
In a flash of pink flesh Astar leaped for the bed and had dawned his gear and by the time you have got yourself together Astar was at the door waving to you indicating the way was clear. Down the stair you and the Gras go. "He makes no sound!" you think to yourself. Astargras and you keep to the shadows and out the back door you both exit. The night is full of bond fires and the sounds of much rejoicing. "yay!!!" With a lurch Astar halted, spun and said "Get down and wait for me here." and like a shot he was back in the Inn. "what has that mad dwarf forgot now?" you whispered. You hear the grunting that you we sure was Astar. "They got him!!!" you blurt out as you run back to the door.
Your Feet Absolutely freeze when you reach to open door of the inn. Your eye grow wide and you insides are sickened at what you see before you. There is Astar atop the bar and just pulling up his lower garments. Astar see you and laughing aloud "That's just what I think of the piss water they call ale here!!" At that, the door of the Tavern swung open and reveled the Barman entering. With a leap which you only thought possible by a lion or some large cat, Astar covered the distance and hard barried his axe deep into the skull of the Barman. Astar's face plastered with the blood of the barman turns to you and says "I think it's time to go". Out the back door you and Astar go and just as you and Astargras cover the distance to the lake shore and hear the towns folk bring up the alarm. You and Astargras take a one of the many fishing boats from the slip and row at breakneck speed out onto the lake. " we must get to the other side before morning!" Astar hissed in-between ore strokes. "Why, didn't you boast that you could take the whole village?" you say panting "To be sure" Astar laughed and in no way seeming out of breath "but what fun is that, I want to come back here and play some more games with these people."
As the first of the morning light came into being you and Astar with just beaching the boat on the far shore of lake Centovis. The mountain that were just a spectacular vista the afternoon before are now gothic towers at your feet. Thousands of feet these snow capped Gods ascend before you and their majesty pulls the air from your lungs. "Wake up!" Astar barks at you "Be on your guard, these shores a beautiful but they hold many things that will gladly suck your eyes from your skull and wear your skin for a rain coat. Stay close, they'll be able to smell you for miles around" Astar warns. "I have to watch out cause they can smell me?" You whisper under your breath "coming from a thing that the mere trace of odor can knock an man unconscious at 100 paces" you finish with. At that Astar stops and turns to look at you "I don't smell, I just don't like baths. You and that stupid soap ever get near me and I'll have your head for an settle" he grunted.
You and Astar follow the lake shore for what seems to be all day. Soon the heat of the day drives a question from your lips "What are we looking for Astar?" you ask. "Well, my impudent swine of a travel mate, I will tell you. A stream that will lead up to the cave." answers the gras. As the sun sets and the light fades you and Astar find the stream that Astar said you lead to the cave. In the dying light you and the gras make camp and as Astar sleeps you take your first watch. In the dark of the night thoughts assail you mind. "What is this thing I have allied myself to? Astargras has the charm that even a devil would kind repugnant. I could kill him right here and return to the village and clam that Astargras kidnapped me. " You hear Astargras rise and come toward you to take his turn at the watch. "I am surprised at you.." Astar says "...if I was in your shoes I would have lopped my skull from my body while I was sleeping and taken it back to the villagers as a prize. Just remember something..." Astargras picked up a small piece of drift wood at his feet and throws it not more than 20 feet from where your bedding is. When the wood lands on the lake sand shore a blast comes from that spot and in the weak light of the low campfire, you can barely make out the shape of a great set of teeth returning under the sand. You turn to Astar with your sword in hand and with a smile Astar says "You kill me, you might meet one of those." You return to the fire and grab up your bedding and move it to the other side of the fire and as your eyes close and you're on the sleep, you hear Astar, humming a simple tune, and that is the last thing you hear the rest of the night.

[Astargras]

Chapter 5
The sun light leaked through the morning mists which blocked the lake from your eyes. The fire was low, barely warm coals in the morning mist. Which only gave off enough heat to warm your hands. You gaze about and you see that your traveling partner was nowhere to be seen. Minutes pass and you can feel that the sun light was starting to burn off the mists. Which by this time was losing its lock on this shore. You remember Astar's warning's and the place where on the shore where the animal was last night. You decide to keep close to the fire and with a thud, you throw another hunk of wood onto the spent coals of the fire. You return to the comfort of your beddings.
You wait and ponder what has become of Astargras. The day burned on and your thoughts turn back to the path which you and Astargras used to get to this point and thought to yourself "If I hurry I could follow my footprints back to the boat..." You begin to gather up your gear. In the corners of your eyes and with glances to the lands and water around you, you watch for your revolting companion. As you get your pack settled on your back your spine locks at the sound "Ahhhhhh, I thought you were going to sleep the whole day away?" Astar growled out. "Where were you? Why did you leave me here? Why didn't you wake me?" you drilled Astar. "Please, stop being so dramatic. You were in no more danger than when you were when you started that fire.." Astar replied "no one told you to do that. We are lucky that the shore guard didn't see the fire and make our lives more...interesting." Your stare confronts Astargras's eyes and does not go amiss on him. "Alright, I will answer questions. I was scouting ahead, you make too much noise to keep our way stealthy. Have you ever thought about walking with softer foot falls?" Astar said. You sigh at this insult. Your vanity understands that this ruffian is just trying to goat you into a flash of emotion. You take a breath and finish seating your pack in its place. With an exhaling sigh you say "let's just get going Astar..." .
With Astar leading the way, you make your way up the creek shore. Over the debris of countless floods, you journey farther and farther to your fate. All the while Astar pointing out things to you. Some of which you were glad to hear. Such as how to spot the Orgaths (sand devils, like one back on the lake shore) and Blood Feeder worms. Worms that grow to eight feet long and are as thick as a sword hilt. Which lie in ambush and which can only be spotted by their purple trails they leave in their passing. The other part of the time, Astar's comments involved the foulest things and of the more debaucherous nature. Of which you would not share with the world.
The Creek continued to cut a way through the forest deeper and darker the traveling went. The forest itself grew closer to the creek and as the creek turned this way and that, the waters gained speed. Which cut the shores deep and more vertical making the footing more and more dangerous. As the traveling becomes more a more difficult, Astar leads the way at a pace that would leave hunting hounds panting and exhausted. Astargras pushes the lengths of your stamina. Yet, Astar mades no sound. Not even his breaths, which you can see. His lunges work hard, yet you are unable to hear the air leaving his body. His foot falls were, as a panthers and the foot prints where trackless. In contrast, your feet crunched though the underbrush and left a trail that took little skill to follow. As for your breathing, it is comparable to that of a sighing birthing cow, coming in fast turns. In, "HAAAAAA" and out "WHAAAAAAAAA"
The day drags on and was spent traveling in this way. Astargras leading a stealthy approach and you doing your best just not to lose him in the forest. Traveling at a speed that you hoped was top speed for your dwarvish friend , the miles began to number and blurred into each other. By afternoon, your legs have gone numb, which is a good thing since the last few miles the pain in them was about to make you physically ill. Now, however, the going was much easier. You just can't feel them.
Suddenly and without warning, Astargras burst his speed to an unbelievable rate and he was gone from view. Try as you might, even with your legs twice as long as his squatty nubs, you cannot gain on him. You run for what seemed like a mile. When suddenly your struck in the gut by something which hit you as if you where punched in the belly by a Hill Giant. All your forward momentum is suddenly reversed in direction. You fall back onto the forest floor trying to get your wind back when you see Astargras standing over you. "You know something, your middle is soft like fish's belly. I only gave you a little slap and you went flying." Astargras laughed out. "We will stop here tonight..." Astar finally choked out "...and do us a favor, don't light any fires. I don't want your fishy relatives knowing we're here."

[Astargras]

Chapter 6
The night was spent in a state of constant twilight, half awake and half asleep. With every winded rustled leaf fall, causes your skin to recoil and freeze. You expect with your next move you would find ice crystals for skin. At the times you are able to get to a state of rest. Your dreams, filled with the stories of these "Swagain " Astargras spoke of, bringing foreboding thoughts and uneasy restlessness.
In one of the wakeful moments, your eyes are open to dark world that holds dreams and nightmares which not even a Kalshtar can speculate on. You sit up and gaze about you, nothing seeing out of place. "There's Astar" you think to yourself "snoring away as typical..." all seems the same uneasiness as before. You lower your body back to the ground but you stop half way to the mark. Out the corner of your eye you spot a glinting... too close to be a star... To low in the trees to be anything that lives in the canopy...AND TOO BIG!!!! As you are about to turn to face the glinting, you hear Astargras whispering to you "if you look at that beast we will die.." You redirect you eyes to the ground and your body locks in to a state of fear and heightened battle readiness. "What is it?" you hissed out. "Ethirindal...a crazy half-elf...don't move" Astargras said in a tone that came to your ears as the sound of a mouse makes scureing accross the floor "he's the most dangerous thing within 5 miles of the fishy belly and even that five miles would not be enough of a distance to clear his longbow. Now, Lay down and don't move." Astar finished. Thus you and Astargras stayed till sun up. "Astar..." you forcibly exhaled " Astar.....?" you asked again and still no response. Fearing the worst, you chance the movement and rush to Astar's sleeping pad. As your hand touches Astargras's shoulder a sound assails your ears. "purrrrrrrrrrrrphhhhhh"
When the sound stops you notice something you thought impossible. The air turning into a nocuous fume your noise finds something in these lands that smells worse than Astar's body odor. You recoil and shaking your head in a vain attempt to get the viscous odor out of your head. Wiping the tears from your eyes you hear Astargras laughing intensely through his noise. "I was waiting hours to do that..."Astar blasts out. "Damit Astargras! What in the hell did you eat that would make your gas so deadly?" you coughed out. "Bwahahaahahahahah!" was Astargras's retort. After a few moments the air cleared, or, your ablity to smell was forever destroyed you couldn't tell. At last you turn to Astargras and ask "Who was that Half-elf again". "Ethirindal, a most dangrous creature. You know he has gone completely mad don't you?" Astargras answered and continued " For the most part the Half-elf's are a noble race, dreadful as an enemy, but a powerful ally if you were able to befriend one." You burst in with "why don't we talk to him and get him in league with us and.." "Don't talk of what you have no idea of" Astargras blasted back. "If any one of us were even to look at that bastard of a Elfish harlot, Ethirindal would take your eyes from your skull and just to spite us, he would put a curse on them to ever see and put their gaze into your mind." Astargras warned "Now that he has seen me, I mean, seen us, he will not be that far away." he finished gazing out into the surround.
Something in Astargras's gaze intrigued your curiosity "Why do you call him crazy?" You asked. Astargras turns to you "That tale I was told once.."Astargras replied "...but the wholeness of it, fails me at this time. However, I do remember some. Ethirindal was born to a beautiful Elf mother and a strong but vain Human father. Unfortunately, the birth of a bastard half breed was not what the Father wanted. So, 300 years ago Ethirindal's father killed his elf-mother right in front of Ethirindal eyes. Now, Ethirindal was a newly hatchling and still was untrained in the mental training which his mother would have given him and upon seeing his disemboweled mother, Ethirindal snapped. Grabbing the nearest weapon, Ethirindal fell upon his father with a stew pot and made one hell of a soup of the fathers skull. After that, Ethirindal wasn't quite right in the head. He was found later that day still standing over his dead father, stew pot still dripping with the blood and bones of what was once his father's skull, by the Elf-mothers kin. Ethirindal spent the rest of his youth learning and growing under the protection of his elf-grandfather. Till one day Ethirindal left his grandfather's house. It is said, his half blood nature made him an outcast in the Elf peoples world and one day the grandfather cast Ethirindal from his house. Most say it was due to the pressures from the other Elfish folk. So remember, Ethirindal the Half-Elf has some issues with people. Now Fish belly what are you cooking for breakfast?"
Thus, after feeding yourself and your dwarvish companion you set out onto the trail (or what Astargras Called a trail.) Your bath from the previous day was a highway compared going of today's traveling. The trees seemed to move and bare your way with every step. When you are about to get to a path of open ground you note that Astargras, with almost an aversion to the ease of how the movement was, would duck back into the thickest of the wood. With sweat pouring out from under your armor, you once again trail your dwarvish pace setter.
Astargras moves like nothing you have ever seen. His short legs at first glance were un-inspiring and looked like two hind hog legs. Having said that, Astar's movements were panther like, strong, fast, and with a stamina that would run a Monk from the Wind temples to the ground. Astargras was clad in a medium armor and carried a great axe and a tremendous mal strapped to his back. Yet, the Dwarf's speed and nimbleness was not diminished. When in motion, Astargras looked clumsy and brutish but yet for all that there was a gracefulness to him. You slowly realize something through stinging of the sweat in your eyes "The monks of the city of Quivarious!" you thought.
The Quivarious Monks live in a way that is revolting to most civilized peoples. They feed and drink to the excess. They train just as hard as they play and thus they are powerful fighters and just get more and more dangerous as they drink pots of ale. They hardly wash, and their temples have been mistaken for the city's public latrine more than once. Astargras must be one of these monks and in your day dreaming you miss the sight of Astargras ducking a tree branch and with a crunch, you fall to the ground. The light flickers in your eyes and then darkness takes hold of your mind. Blackness fills your mind and you go unconscious.

[Astargras]

Chapter 7
Light, that is your next thought, and how that light hurts your eyes. You attempt to sit up and you find you can’t. A heavy weight feels to be on your chest which is hindering your progress. Your force your eyes to focus and look to the issue at hand. You find that it’s not a tree or ogre resting on your chest as you half thought, but as your eyes begin to make out the shape of the entity camped out on your chest. Arms clade in methrile full plate, “That’s a pretty nice cut you got there” the shape said. You feel this creatures hand on your head and, PAIN, the pain on your forehead rides down your face in resonates in your toes. Your nose smells blood and your tongue confirms that and you are hurt badly.
“Stop crying and hold still you big baby! How do you expect me to heal you when your squirming and bellowing like that.” It said. Moments later this person uttered a sentence in gibberish and you feel the magic course through your body which seemed to push the pain from your body. You can feel your wound on your head close and stop buring. When the magical effect dissipates you feel the weight leave your chest. Your rise to your knees and your eyes lock on another Dwarf. “What… did you do to me?” You say getting to your feet. “Don’t be too impressed. That was just a light healing, which isn’t that too difficult for me.” The dwarf says. “Who are you?” you ask. “I am Belaim, The Cleric and adventurer.” He gloated “Right, Right well, I’m off but I do have a question for you. How and where is that silly sod, Astargras?” Belaim said. “I don’t know, he and I were traveling to this cave, which he says, has something of great wealth in It.” you answer “Hahahah, your traveling with Astar! I’m surprised that it was just your face that needed healing.” Belaim says with a giggle.
“What are you doing here Bel?” the voice of Astar hisses in from the underbrush. Both you and this cleric spin on the spot and your eyes catch Astargras pushing through the last of the underbrush. “Thanks for waiting for me and THANKS AGAIN for the branch to the grape!” You yell out. “HA..”Astargras puked out “… you’re not that damaged” he dismissed. “I was but thanks to this kind and helpful cleric, I was healed” you fire back. Your distain for Astargras is dam near palatable just like his odor.
“What brings you to this end of the lake Bel?” Astar inquires. “I’m here looking for you?” Belaim retorts. “I heard of a dastardly beast making life horrible for the Centavis Villagers so I thought. Who could do such a thing to a community that holds no treasure, no great wealth, and no great power? One name came to mind…Astargras… So, I made my way to the Village of two skies and found that I had missed you by a few hours. Remembering our time in the Pirate lands of three barrel cove and the our three week adventures in Cult of the Six. So, I hired a boat and came across the lake. Lucky for me you still have that limp Astar..” Your eyes slam onto Astar, “A limp? I never have ever seen a Limp hindering Astargras” Slips out of your mouth “…HAHAHA” Belaim bursts out “…My friend I fear that your skill at tracking needs some schooling.” Insulted, you turn your head and snap a stick in your hands. “Now, Astar, who and what kind of adventurer have you brought along with you this time” Belaim questioned. “Just someone that I showed me some promise back in the village...” Astargras gazes at you and looks you up and down. Yet, something in his eyes makes your skin crawl. “…we shall just have to see what the Fish folk make of his soft belly. Fish Belly is what I call my companion and it is my suggestion you do the same.” Astargras proclaims to Belaim. “I think not Astargras” Belaim proclaimed back. “Will, you be traveling with us Bel ?” Astargras asked. “Aye I will be..” Belaim replies “…having said that Astar, you will still sleep on the other side of the fire and yes we will have a fire. I won’t be caught in the dark with you all night.”
The group gathered up what gear there was an with a grunt Astargras says “Enough of this farting around, let’s go.” With that you see Astargras pull a small vile from his hip pack pull the cork and chug down the greenish colored fluid. With a turn Belaim says to you “Haste and go!” and just like Astar, Belaim pulled a small vile from his hip pouch, uncorked it, chugged the fluid down and with a “sup ninjas” Belaim was gone.
Belaim’s trail was easier to follow than Astar’s was and in some ways the cleric was moving slower. Belaim traveled with the same stumpyh way as Astargras but his movement lacked the gracefulness of the forest beasts which seemed to seep out of Astargras’s skin. Belaim full plate was a marvel to see when light stuck it. In comparison, Astargras’s armor looked as if he just pulled it straight out of a slick trench and dawned it without one care to neither its cleanliness nor to its looks. To say the most with the least words, Belaim was not Astargras.
The troop passed the day with Astargras leading the way and Belaim not far behind and you, just trying not to vomit up your lungs. At sunset you come to a camp with Astargras and Belaim sitting around a fire looking at you with the most domineering look and with a very condescending tone they both inquire into the nature of what is for supper. Gasping, you reply “lesson your motherless bags of rotten kobold meat, you guys just zurrged off and I just found you! Now, you’re telling me to cook you food? Damit, what wrong with you two, can’t you two cook?” Astargras stood up at this little tissy of yours and says “you know something Bel, you just can’t please everyone.” At that he turned and walked into the wood and almost at once returned with a wild pig across his back. As Astargras is throwing it to the ground Belaim chirps in “now you got something to cook, whats the hold up? Or, would you like me to withhold my skills the next time I come onto your dying hide? ” You draw your knife and with much anger you take one step closer to the par of dwarfish antagonists, you see Astar grip his great axe a little tighter. You go to one knee and begin to field dress the pig. “And don’t forget I like the brains cook med. Rare” Astargras tells you..” Under your breath you say “your brains are med rare.”

[Astargras]

Chapter 8
As you rise to the next sun the next day, the odor of the nights super still lingers heavy in the air. Roasted pig, has a way to hang in the air. You roll on your sleepy roll to try to get a few more minutes of sleep out of the night. When your face comes to rest in something that is not only repugnant but also wet. As you recoil from this new horror you say “Astargras?!? Did you defecate on my sleeping roll?” As you rise to your feet, you turn to face the place where Astargras had been last night. You find that only matted down grass was left and the cleric Belaim’s sleeping blankets were empty. The odor that was Astar leaped into your noise and the sound of heavy breathing assaulted your ears.
From behind you a form moves or at least you feel something move behind you. With a flash of steel you spin with sword drawn and ready to take on anything. As you stand in a squatted position your eye lock onto the creatures’ crotch. As you scan up you soon realize what is standing before you. A troll, but this wasn’t the brutish green skinned freaks that you have faced all those times running thru cave in the service of House Jurasco. This animal was a troll, but something was different about it. Its skin was red and in addition it had the slight smell of sulfur.
At this hesitation the fendish troll attacked and with a mite that you thought only came in the size and shape of a Dragon. Hit after hit the beast lunged and scratched at your life force itself. You are now in the fight of your life but the beast is too strong for you and with a sudden triple attack to your skull you fall to the ground. Slowly, your blood leaks from your body and all turns black. The next thing you see is a flash and a great white light. You step into a hazy world of shadow and gray. You can still hear the world you just left and the beast is still standing over your body. Which in itself is very strange, to say the least, however, no time to think on that now. From behind you, you hear “SPOOOOONNNNN” you spin your ghostly self around and you see Astargras burst through the brush. His great axe swinging from left to the right. Before you can make a position change Astar runs right through you. With all this going on a strange thought comes into you mind. “I feel so dirty and I hope that Astar didn’t give me anything” You hear something new “IT’s ON LIKE A CHICKEN BONE!!!” calls out from behind the troll and Belaim the cleric slams into the camp.
The Fight didn’t last long but what is lacked in length it made up in verbosity and ferocity. Astargras’s axe honed and sliced the troll and Belaims hands called forth such magical power and when turned on the Troll, it seemed to draw all power from the beast. When it was all over, Astargras is covered in the black ooze that flows through the Trolls veins and Belaim’s fingers dripped sparking blue droplets of magic. The body of the troll fell with the resemblance of a great sack of used cow meat. Astargras slowly moves to your corpse and says “BELAIM!!!!! Is it too late?” Belaim looks about himself and suddenly turns and locks eyes with your eyes. “OOO I don’t think our little fish belly friend has gone that far away.” Bel said. “…come to me my friend.” You step a little closer to the cleric and Belaim begins to whisper something in a language which you have never heard. You begin to…feel again and the white flash happens again. “I live!!!!” you bellow. “Now aren’t you glad you cooked for me last night?” Belaim says. “Thank you so much, thanks to the both of you.” You cry out.
Astargras turns to Belaim and starts laughing out loud “He did a great job, didn’t he belaim” and Belaim laughingly replied “Yea, did a great job up till the part where he died. I thought you said he could handle the agro Astar?” Astargras laughed again “Yea, but what would you do if I hadn’t lied to you?” Bel retorted “you know something Astargras, you’re a dick.” “yea, I know” Astar chuckled. “What the Hell, you guys knew about this beast and you let me die!!!” you screamed. “Yea, he caught sent of us with you cooked that most wonderful pig last night. I love me some pork, you know I do.” Belaim said. “So why didn’t we handle the troll last night, instead of using me to draw the beast out.” You said fumingly. “Well, Astargras said you could handle just one Fendigh troll.” Bel replied. “Astar!!!!!!!!” you spit out. Throwing up his hands, Astar, barely holding back his laughter says “What? You look so strong and ready…” but the laughter was too great and he was unable to finish his sentence.
After a while it slowly dawns on you, you just died, and Belaim brought you back to life. When you died you saw what Astargras can do. Mighty is his axe and the power he is able to focus in every blow was so powerful it could felt from 50 paces away. You come to the realization that your soul was never in real danger. A few hours later while Astargras , Belaim and yourself work on repairing the gear you venture a question to Belaim “Bel, you and Astargras have quested together right?” “Aye” Belaim answered “how many times have you brought him back?” You continued. With a grin Belaim turns to Astargras and says “Well let me see here, there was that time in the Shroud and someone forgot his posion protection, and that other time in the Bank of Kendarik job where he tried to run through lighting traps and then there was the time where he was running around dead in the Market of Zindrak.” Belaim rambled on. “HEY….you can’t count that one…” Astar burst in “…I was young and I was drunk and the Elf maiden said it wouldn’t hurt, that lying harlot. I should have known she was Drow but she was so beautiful.” Astar said sheepishly. Belaim and you had a good laugh at Astargtas with that comment.

Later you asked “What was that thing back there?” “Fendish Troll…” Belaim answered. “And they are coming from different world known as Aramith.” he finished up. “Some say that the Trolls are in league with Pit Fend Hairytricos. What I know is that, ever since the marketplace in Zindrik was attacked, these beasts have been showing up all over the place.” Astargras says to you.

A few more hours pass and getting all the repair work complete, you and your party gather up the gear and start out on your way. Not more than 5 steps into the next leg of your journey the ground soil at Astargras’s, Belaim’s and your feet explodes with arrows. Belaim and Astargras pull out some of the arrows and taking a turns saying and showing each other , “Jaxel” “Lenala”. You pull an arrow from the ground and show it to the rest of your group and at the same time Astar and Bel both say “Rhorik”. “Don’t you still owe him money Astar?” Belaim asked mockingly.

[Astargras]

Chapter 9
Shaking his head Astargras says “Rangers, they rather shoot ya from a mile away than get up close and feel the life seep out of the enemy. No wonder why they stay so clean, humph.” At that Astar throws the arrow in his hand to the ground. As soon as the shaft of the arrow hits the ground a sound from the tree tops comes out strong and defiant. The voice carried by the wind drifts down to your ears “Astargras!!!! It’s been a while…” the voice says “… sense we’ve seen you in these parts. Speaking of that, I still owe you for that nonsense in SorrowDusk Isle .” A look comes over Astargras’s face “Jaxel, my friend! What are you talking about? That wasn’t me I swear.” “O sure Astar, you know how embarrassing it is to go to local healer with what you gave me!” Jaxel said. A group of snickering comes from both flanks of your party and you realize in how much danger you are really in. To your front, a very annoyed Ranger and to you left and right are two more and if they wanted to, they would put an arrow through your skull. In one side and out the other, to say the least you’re nervous.
“Jaxel what do you say to come down and we can discuss our differences?” Astar yells out. “Piss off!” and three more arrows at his feet was all he got in reply. “I take that as a no…” Astar says to himself. “Jaxel?” Belaim offers up. “Is that you Belaim? What are you doing with that beast of an adventurer? I would have thought you would have learned you lesson by now.” Jaxel said. “Yes, well, I have to say that if you come down I can promise that Astargras WILL NOT get out of hand. I give you my word.” Belaim said assuredly A voice comes from the left “We know your treachery Belaim!” Bel spun to face the voice and retorts “You don’t belive me? Well then..” Belaim looks over his shoulder at Astargras. Astar and Bel’s eyes lock and Astargras spits out “Belaim don’t you do it…” A grin comes over Belaims face and in a fluid movement and some strange words, Astargras the mighty starts to dance.“There, now come down.” Belaim says “Damit Belaim!!!” Astargras yells out but at the same time Astar is truly helpless.
What is with this Astargras? You ponder. Why does everyone distrust this dwarf? From what you’ve seen he is a mighty fighter. Truly skilled and powerful, one would think that everyone would want Astargras in their list of friends. Sure Astargras is rude and at times ungrateful. He smells and doesn’t like water, even in his goblet. What are these folk talking about? These questions run through your mind as three truly Elegant Creatures softly and without sound, land in the camp. Two males and one female which appeared to be rangers. They stood near your party with arrows knocked and fingers at the ready.
“Belaim you should know that we would have not perforated you if we could have helped it.” Jaxel said to Belaim. “And who is this that travels with the unclean one?” the other male askes you. Defiantly you spit forth your name right into the face of your questioner. In a flash you stop looking at the face of the second male ranger and find yourself staring right at the tip of an arrow. “They call me Rhoik and this is what my arrows look like, I hope this lesson is clear enough for you? I'm ready to repeat the lesson as many times as necessary? ” Rhoik whispers to you.
With a sweet and kind voice “ok, let’s not get out of hand here guys.” the female ranger says soolthingly. “lenala…” Belaim said “… Why are you three so hostile?” The Lady with faintly elfish qualities unknocked her arrow and said to the cleric “Belaim you of all people should know what dangers with whom you travel. My companions do not like that beast dancing over there” she points at Astargras “Astar is a good fighter, but his uses are very limited. Come to think of it, I would wager to say that aside from letting him lead the way into battle and take the agro (and damage) there isn’t much I would think he can do, but I would think he could find traps well, don’t you think Jaxel?” Jaxel laughs and puts he’s arrow back in his quiver and says “Aye that be true.”
With the heaviness of the air subsiding everyone’s eyes fall to Rhoiks hand. His bow stilled armed and ready to fire. Rhoik questions the group “and for Astargras?” Belaim turns to look at Astargras dancing and notices that the magic is starting to wear off. With a quick motion and a few words Astargras regained the dancing “Belaim!!! A great Fonging is coming your way after this magic wears off!!” Astargras bellows out. “Just try it you dirty thing.” Belaim dismisses.
“Where are you two bound for this time?” lenala asked. “Astargras says there is a cave with loots inside.” Belaim slipped up. “Bel you fool…” Astargras yelled out “…Now they know!!!” The three rangers looked at each other. Jaxel turns to Lenala and then to Rhoik and says “don’t kill them” and then with a flash of motion the last thing you hear is the sound “thwak, thwak, thwak” and you think to yourself “not again”. As the world around you grows dim, you hear Jaxel say to Rhoik “wait, wait, wait I got an idea to get Astargras back” and then nothing. Blackness settles over you and your sences.

[Astargras]

Chapter 10

"Arrrrrrhhhggggrrrr !" You wake to a splitting headache and the sound of Astargras bellowing not far from your position. You feel your eyes open, but not one beam of light makes its way into your eyes. "Blind! I'm Blind, those Rangers blinded me!" you yell out. "Calm down will yea." Belaim fires at you. "Calm down, Bel, you're not the one blind" you volleyed. " Just don't panic, but I need you to do something. Those rangers tied myself and Astar and I need you to get us on tied." Belaim says calmly "And you better do it quick or I'll use your skull to hold my ale!" Astar screams out at you. You take a deep breath and your best to relax. Belaim starts to talk to you "ok, now walk to the sound of my voice..." and through the directions of the Belaim you and he managed to get the group rejoined. "Belaim, i have a question sir, why are you and Astargras tied with your belly to Astargras back?" You ask. "Just be glad your blind!" Astargras bellows. "Just work fast to untie us." Belaim says through his teeth "...I don't like being this close to Astargras!" Belaim hissed.
You get the bonds undone without too much trouble. The moment you feel the last bond give way a burst of movement happens all around you. Astar starts screaming "Belaim, if you ever tell anyone about this I will..." Belaim interrupts Astar and says "Not too Much fun when you're on the receiving side now isn't Astar? Now, we better get moving if we want to try to beat those three to the cave. Astar, can you hand me back my trousers please?" The two Dwarfs then went about gathering up their gear. They found Astar axe hanging from a tree and Belaims cod piece placed around it. All your parties boots were there, just that each boot was filled with sand. This when on and on and you still were resting at the place where Bel and Astar were tied. Being a patient person, you didn't want to annoy the people what were going to help you get un-blinded, or so you thought. Minutes go by and Belaim and Astargras dust themselves off and gather their gear. They chat and joke and not one look to your welfare. At last you've had enough and you yell out "HEAL ME!" Belaim says "Right Right." and with a clap of his hands your vision returns.
As your vision returns you notice something very strange. All of your cloths are gone! "your gear is over there..." Belaim tell you "...and you might want to wash that off your chest." You glance down and you are filled with such anger that your hands start to shake. You storm off to wash. "You know Bel if I had charcoal arrow with (Jaxel was here) written on my chest I wouldn't be so pissed." Astar says.
You get back to camp just as Belaim and Astargras finishing packing up. "Ok, let's get to that cave!" you yell. "Settle down, we got plenty of time." Astargras says. "What do you mean Astar?" Belaim asks. "AAAAAhhhh yes, but I didn't say how we were going to enter the didn't now did I." Astargras says.
You and the dwarfs traveled all the rest of the day reaching higher and higher up stream. At times you thought you could hear the rangers ahead of you but somehow, they were out of range. The Land itself started to change and not in a good way. The forest took on a somewhat darker feel. The Greens turned into browns and the grass became stone but your leaders lead on. When all of the sudden Astargras and Belaim stop in their tracks. "What's up guys?" you ask. "Shut your pie hole fish belly!" Astargras whispers at you. "If you value your skin you will hush up." Belaim followed up with. Astargras leans over to you and asks you "How good are you with that bow on your back?" "Pretty fair." You answer. "Very good..." Astargras says "...we are going to need you in a few more steps." Astar turns to Belaim and says loud enough to make sure you can hear him " It's time to earn your keep around here anyways" You direct a hand gesture in response to Astargras' comments. "You just keep swinging you axe you bum and I'll perforate anything else" you boast.
Your parties movement slow from a paced traveling to a slow stock. Astargras in front moving as a great cat would. Silent but steady and very close to untraceable foot falls. Belaim right behind Astargras. His sparkling full plate would dazzle the eyes of a beholder, All 20 of them. Before you a mountain climbs higher into the sky. Dark is this area, for your group finds itself in a land that is barren and at first glance, is lifeless.
A storm is building high in mountains and the sound of thunder rolls down from distant lightning bolts. Cold breezes wash down from the mountain side placing a chill on your skin. "What is with this place? Why do I feel something is wrong with it?" you whisper to Belaim. "This land is a battle field but not the kind you are thinking of my fishy friend." Belaim whispers back to you. "When did this battle happen?" you press. "It's on going.."Belaim retorts "...powerful wizards are engaged here. Dreadful battles are going on and if they know we are here. We, would..." "shhhhhhh" Astargras spins about and locks eyes with you and Belaim. "You two are going to get our souls destroyed and what would happen Belaim if you die? You ever think on that Belaim? Now, shut it and let's get through this land." No word pass in your party the rest of the day. Night falls and yet Astar keeps moving and pushing you all through the night. In the morning light the group takes a rest in a small concealed rocky out cropping in the foothills of the mountain.
You wake to a sound and the rumbling of rock moving. You keep yourself concealed but you move to a position to see what is making the sounds. On a ridge that you moved over last night you spot creatures moving. A group of massive shapes ramble across the trail not far from your hid. "Rock elementals..." Astargras says. You didn't hear him but Astar moved up right beside you and was watching the group as you are. "Rock elementals? What power can hold sway over the Rock?" you think out loud. "these lands are dangerous and much of them are under dispute..." Astar whispers to you "...these lands where once green and full of life but this is what happens to a land when great powers collide. This is just a part of what you need to know if you are to become more than what you are." Astars' words ring home to you and the look in his eyes makes you soul warm. "Is that why you have brought me on this quest? you ask Astar. Astars' look changes and he says "well, you wouldn't grow if you still were back with those fracking dimwits at the village. Now, get some rest. I will watch these creatures and wake you if they come any closer." You return to your bed roll and the last you see before sleep takes you is Astargras sharpening his axe and watching the surround.

[Astargras]

Chapter 11
The next time you opened your eyes you gaze at a sky full of stars and moons of the nearby space bodies. With a start, you jump to your feet thinking that those two bloody dwarfs left you again. As you got to your feet, your left side was crushed by, what you recon to be, tree. You and the mass that was now clinging to you, fell to the ground and as you started to squirm your way free you hear Belaim hissing at you "hold still fish belly or our minds will be jelly on toast and our bodies will be used as spare parts!" You stop your movements and you stay as quite as possible. You think to yourself "say what you want about these two dwarves, they know when to duck. I wonder what's is going on." With that, you hear a soft hissing very close. You chance a glance a look though some up ended tree roots.


Your eyes clap onto a set of eye's, then more eyes, but all connected to one great eye...and it was floating!!!!!. You've heard tail of these beasts but nothing that you can call facts. The things you have heard were not to be believed at the time but now staring down at a beast that was not to be believed now forces you to take those stories a little more serious. "Beholders..." leaks out of your face. With a jab to your guts Belaim whispers "Shut it fool !! Don't you spoil this fun for Astar and I. " You think to yourself "Fun? You can't be for real, everything I heard about these things are not to scoff at." You chance another look.
At that creatures side, four hooded beings walked beside the Giant floating eye. Something was very odd about these hooded creatures. What appeared to be beards a first glance, soon out not to be. The beards moved and with a intelligence of a octopus and in the black of the hoods glowed two eyes. The Robes themselves covered everything from the ground to the top of their heads. "Belaim, what are those things?" you exhaled out. "well, let's just say the things with robes, want your brains. The big eye, with eyeballs for hair, that thing wants the rest of you." Bel answered. "Now, if you value all of what you're made of you'll let Astargras and I "handle" these guys." Belaim continued.
As you are about to protest to Belaim to let you get into this fight the sound of battle erupts from where the weird group was. "Damit Astar..." Belaim says "can't you wait for me!" With that Belaim leaped to his feet. With an baffled moan Belaim says "what the Duce?" You draw your sword and get to your feet with the grace of a palsied elephant. You eyes are met with a scene of slaughter. The ones in robes were as if they had fell from a great height. Their insides are now on the outsides. Bones of their ribs were pushed through their robes. Their tentacled faces were contorted into a gaze of what one would imagine the definition of pain would be. The Beholder didn't fare much better. It's center eye which was once alive with anger and life, is now a void. What was once the iris of the eye, is now a open gap in to the inside of the beast. You think to yourself that you would fit very nicely into the hole.
"Damit Astargras! You could have waited for me!" Bel screamed out. "Wasn't me man." Astar replayed. "So, what did this then Astargras?" You fire out. Astargras looked down at the ground and studied the tracks of the battled. He moved this way and the back to other way. Astar stopped and raised his head. "I think I have an Idea who did this and Bel you're not going to believe me." Astar said with a laugh. In the distance you spin to hear a very distant voice. You can just make out the phrase "AH SO !!!!"

[Astargras]

Chapter 12

A look came over Bel’s and Astar’s faces, and with a slight grin Belaim and Astargras say in unison “Suncho.” Your eyes drop to the ground where Astargras had been looking. Now, you’ve had many years of tracking experience but in all your days you’ve near seen so many tracks made in so few minutes. You see the tracks of the party of beasts coming into the area and you find the track of this person Suncho. The foot size was so small but what is so strange is that distance covered in each stride. “This Suncho must be really tall, but the feet are so small.” You think out load. Astar and Belaim start into a boisterous laughter. “AHAHA, I think not fish belly…” Astargras says mocking “…sensei Suncho is a Monk and he’s a Halfling.” Belaim pipes in with “The fool is so quick that he could run in to the Lords Mark Bank, bugger the bank manager and be out before the Manager even knew what happened.” Off in the distance your group hears the voice again but very soft now, you can’t make out all of it but what you do makes no sense to you. You strain your ears and you discern from the wind and worldly noises, something like “…and tell those Warfordged …they are…get a clue!!” And then it was gone.
“You two have been around a lot, haven’t you? You two must know everyone and everything in Xentric.” you question the Dwarfs. Astargras answers “aye, we have. I think it was almost two years now. I was in the Everfull Flagon and was talking to another adventurer about ways that one can insure no anal leakage with the proper underclothes and I guess the ale was going strong with Belaim but he and I got into a heavy conversation on this topic and soon after we were adventuring together.” Belaim chines in with “..right, right hears what happened. What I remember is talking to the salty wench out in three barrel cove, we had a few drinks. OK, we had a lot of drinks. The next thing I remember is I was pulling my head of the bar in the Everfull flagon and my purse was gone. I was in need of coin and the best way I can think of is to go out and adventuring. Now, I’m no Kobold,I can deal some death, however, having said that it’s better to let someone else take the plows and get the damage. So I found the toughest looking creature and get it to stand in front of me while I get the loot. It also helped that the one I picked wasn’t too smart.” “Who was that? Astar asked. Belaim answered “OO there’re some others than you Astar.” Belaim waits for Astargras to turn away; Bel turns to you and shoots a sly wink in your direction.
Your attention comes back to the magical beast dead at your feet. The squid face creatures are strange but the Beholder is even more so. “Mind your distance.” Belaim advises you. You turn to Bel and say “what’s there to fear Bel, it’s dead right?” You turn back to the muti-eyed creature and your eyes lock on the biggest eye of the Beholder. The dead glazed eye seems to come alive with magic and locks on you. Deep in your soul a strange pulling starts tugging at your mind. You gaze long into the huge eye and without warning your body is propelled into high into the sky. “WAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH”
You land flat on your back with a thud and a slide many, many yards from where you just were. Astargras and Bel come running up to your side and kneel there laughing at you the help you to your feet. Behind giggling and snickering’s Belaim ask you “what did I tell you?” Astargras chimes in with “telekinesis…fun an’t it!” You fight through the pain and disorientation of your very ungraceful landing. Shaking the dust and rocks from you person you say through your coughing “I thought it was dead” “HAAHAHAHAHA,” burst out of Astargras “beholders aren’t only dangerous when alive. You might remember that for the next time. Come on Fish Belly; let’s get moving it’s still a long way to the cave.” Astargras and Belaim the cleric gather up the gear and with a shove painfully into your guts Astar hands you your gear “If it’s your gear, you carry it, I’m not your porter…” Astargras says “…now lets get moving.” You and your troupe finish the day with a hard march and not much else.
You wake that night tired and sweaty, back aching from the day before antics. As you are rubbing your neck muscles your ask Astargras “how many more days to we have till we get to the cave?” “Fish belly don’t like traveling?” Astargras replays in the mocking baby voice that you’ve come to loath. “Astargras, you are an ass.” You respond. “hahahahahahaa…” was heard coming from Belaim “…Fish Belly your starting to see the light and yes Astar is an ass. However, would you want anyone else’s axe in a fight? I think not!” Astragras walks up to you and looks into your eyes. Burning into your skull Astargras eyes spew forth power, rage and fury. After many heart beats he thumps you in the chest with a rock crushing fist and says to you “soon” and walks away from you. “Now that that all the hugging and kisses are over can we go now?” Belaim asked.

[Astargras]

Chapter13
The group battled many more times on their way, Bugbears and trolls, ROUS’s and with every fight you can feel your abilities grow. Astargras lead your group to a bounty of reaches and adventures and over the next few weeks your purse was filled and your experience was heightened. Around the campfire one night Astar turns to you and says “Soon Fish belly, soon you will be ready for the Cave and what it holds.” You fire back “Well, I have worked hard and have slit many throats for you and Belaim. We have become very rich and set lose a torrent of blood upon the stones of this land and you say soon Astar! What is your problem?” Astar sets down by the fire and starts sharpening his axe “you were not ready at the start and it took all this time to get YOU ready for the cave. Yes, you have a purse of riches and you have developed as a very good adventurer and it is time…Tomorrow we make for the cave, so take some rest and ready yourself for a long ordeal.”


In the morning the sun was masked by an unholy mist and flog and the group turned due south. Soon the party started to notice that the rocks and boulders started to take shape. “A grave yard…” Belaim whispered “Take much care in these Crips. The undead keep these lands and they do not suffer the living to pass.” “Silence! You two keep squawking your faces and our skulls will join these dead.” Astar hissed out. After that Astar’s traveling changed to a slow and cat like stock, his head turned to the right and to the left. With every step a feeling of dread washes over you and your mind becomes more and more paranoid. Every odd sound, every call of the raven, every shadow makes you jump in your skin.


Throughout the day the group traveled through the mists and went deeper and deeper into the grave yard. What sun there was barely punched through and kept the land in a permanent twilight. Shadowed seemed to chase after the party and move from dark places to other dark places. At which Astargras halted suddenly “I’ve had enough of these bastard.” And pulled a small axe from his belt and threw it at your head. Wooshing past your head you draw your weapons and turn to Astargras and charge him. With ease Astargras Blocked and entrapped your attacks. “Stop you fool and look” Astargras hissed in your ear. Keeping your struggling active you look to where Astargras’s axe ended up. Not the far from where you had been standing, the axe seemed to levitating 4 foot off the ground. The axe was hanging there in a greenish mist but the mist had a most definite shape now but at the same time the greenish Man shaped mist began to fade. Seconds later the hand axe that had been hanging in mid-air fell to the ground with a thud.


You relax your struggle with Astargras and say “I’ve very sorry Astar; I thought you had turned on me and wanted my life.” With a grunt of annoyance Astar spits out “Hear me Fish Belly, if I would ever want you dead, you would be. Now, relax Fish Belly you’ll soon be very busy.” Astar walked over to get his hand axe. You glance over to Belaim and Bel speaks to you “Disruption weapons, if we make it back to the world you might want to look at getting a few yourselves.” With a wink, Belaim pushes a little way father down the trail. Astargras walks up beside you and with his eyes locked on Belaim; Astar says to you “You know what the worst thing about questing with that cleric is? He’s always right about things like that.” As Astar walks past you, you can feel him wipe off his axe on your sleeve. You look down at the mess on your shirt green and ooze-like viscous nature. You shake your head at this cause lately Astar has used your clothes for his post battle cleaning rags.


The Group continued in and through the mists all day or what you think to be day. What you do know, is that hours went by and the dark began to gain in strength and seemed to win out over the light. As the darkness pushes it way from the shadows the group comes to a place where not only do you think strange thoughts but your party seems to get smaller in comparison to the location of the darkness. In the fading light a hole seemed to reveal itself and the mists looked to be being belched out of the hole. With the emergence of the hole a smell that even Astar says was repugnant, emanated from the blueish mists “We are here…” Astargras says “…Belaim here’s your price…” Astargras throws Belaim a sack of coin and jewels. “…Now, off you go, Bel, we are to go on alone.” “Good bye fish belly, it’s been a slice and Astar till the next time and one more thing, Astar take it easy on the new meat fish belly has been pretty good.” With that Belaim the Cleric gathered his gear and started back down the trail.


With a Grunt Astar tells you it’s time to get moving. Astargras leading the way what’s left of the party enters the, deep, hole. With the occasional run in with a Kolbold the journey went uneventful. For a day or two the two of you explored the cave, deeper and deeper your party goes into the cave and after what seemed to be hours. Your party comes to the deepest hole and a door greets you. “Watch it…” Astargras hissed. “…the beast behind this door is the most hennas and ravenous sort.” You reach for the handle and with a squeaking and metallic grinding the door swings open. You enter the room slowly and make your deeper in to the poorly light living hole. The Beast which lives here must not clean all that much. Bones and half decomposing meals littered the place. The odor of the place had a scent of moldy beer and spoiled sweat. In fact, it smells the same as “there’s that tool set I was looking for.” Astargras says as he lights a torch. “Now, where were we fish belly?”
As the door to Astargras home slowly closes in the draft of the cave. The shadowy figures run back and forth in the flicker of torch light. As the door takes its finial motions to close the wild screams are heard and the finial noises which are able to get free from the area beyond the door is a rhythmic grunting and the soft sobbing of a fish belly. With a squeak and a thud the door makes it home.


(note from author: "All things in Astargras's world get humped in the end. Here endith the leason, so says the shepard." )

[Astargras]

Stay tuned for the next great installment of
Chronicles of Astargras

[Astargras]

The Thief

Chapter 1

The heavy iron strapped cell door slammed from behind Tavius, The Thief. Tavius eyes looked about his new home. An arched roof, twenty feet above his head spanned ten feet across. The stonework of the cell was made to hold a war-forged titan. Solid blocks of stone, thousands of pounds per stone where laid in an interlocking way which suggests the craft of a master mason. "These stones will not fail easily." Tavius thinks to himself. The only light came from a hole in the high vaulted ceiling, and from that hole, a cylinder of light poured onto the floor but the corners still held to darkness.

The cell was sparse except for a bucket in one corner and a clump of rags in the other. Tavius spun to the cell door for he knows locks, and how to pick them with great ease. His hands grope and search the cell door for a lock, all that was found was the iron strapping and the solid oak of the door, and no lock was found. In frustration, Tavius curses and kicked the massive cell door. "No jeweled broach is worth this." he mumbled out. Recognizing the fact that he is locked in this cell for the duration of his life, Tavius backs away from the door and slumps down onto the pile of rags.

From the pile of rags comes "Would you mind getting the frack of me now!". With a start Tavius springs to his feet ready for a fight. The pile of rags shifts and rises. Tavius says "what devilry is this? What are you, a man? Beast? Or are you some devil locked in here to safe the masses from evil intents?" It speaks "what if I was to tell you that it was a mixture of all of them." Tavius yells out "Step into the light so that I might now what it is I'm imprisoned with!" The rag pile moves slowly into the Colum of light and with a sigh Tavius says "A dwarf, I thought I was in danger. Come dwarf, I would know your name." "A am the Astargras, fighter for hire, experienced adventurer. Defiler of virgins and the bravest of the brave ones that assaulted the Pit fend Arraetrikos." With a laugh Tavius replies "I haven't heard of you in the tails of Arraetrikos, but I guess I would that boast that if I was scared and locked up for the first time." "Dog!!! I am the Astargras and I will have your head for a chamber pot before this day is done!" Astar bellowed out, and with the grace and speed of a panther he grabbed Tavius by the neck and slammed him against the cell door. The two hit with such power and ferocity that the hinges broke their hold in the jam. Though, the door didn't out right fail, it did however move just enough that Astar noticed it. Astar's beast like focus on Tavius wavered and as if tossing a ragdoll to the ground, Astar flung Tavius to the opposite side of the cell.

In a daze Tavius sits up and as his vision clears he sees Astar inspecting the cell door. Astar slowly moved back and kneels before the door as if the door itself were a king. "What is your name rogue? Or would you like me to find a name for you?" Astar hissed out. With hand to his neck Tavius forces the words out "I am known as Tavius, the thief" Without a movement Astar says "A thief? Well, I guess you're not all that great if you're in here with me." Struggling to his feet Tavius sputters out "I suppose, but I guess you're not all that great of an adventurer if you got plopped in this pit of filth wit me." With a flash Astar spun on his knee "if you value your flesh you won't push me anymore... " Astar hissed through his locked teeth. Tavius, feeling the throbbing of his bruised neck replied "OK, ok, ok.." Tavius back his way to the back wall and sat down "...so, I guess we have some time now. What are you in for Astargras?"

Astar lowered his face so that he looks through his eyebrows and with a humph Astar says "I was having some fun at a tavern last night, and the last thing I remember is seeing a pretty young thing in gossamer robes and on her head, a crown of fiery red jewels. Her eyes were of the nature that reminded me of deep magical pools of sea green and hair of raven feather. Then I remember the tower guard kicking the piss out of my kidneys. I would have broken the bastards but...I lost my feet and my head was swimming in Dirty Kolbolds. Then you sat on me. " Tavius with a gasp "Her ladyship Quavonis? What was she doing in a simple pub? The Tower guard wouldn't beat anyone and jail them without proper cause. What did you do?" "Well, before you sat on me I heard the guard making their rounds and as they passed this cell they were talking about me and the main gate and me grabbing her ladyship and trying to have a dance with her." Shocked Tavius sighs "yea, that would warrant a beating from the tower guard." Astar turns the table with "And you Tavius, what are you doing here?" "Well, nothing that exciting but you might say I was caught swiping a broach that belonged to a Captain of the Guard. He didn't like that." Tavius said. With a laugh Astar turns back to the door and says "Well, Tavius, if I can get us out of this place, what do you say to us two grouping up and set forth to gather our fortune from the good people that are holding it for us and the killing of evil things of the world and take glory for our names?" Shaking his head in mockery and disbelief , Tavius says "Sure Astargras. If you can get us out of this and we manage to get free I will quest with you."

Astargras lowers his voice and says "call me Astar." With that, Astar sprang to the cell door and collided his stout power shoulder into it. With knotted muscular legs, Astar drove he's tree stump like body into the door again and again. With every mighty and awesome blast, Astar's drove his body into the door and rattled the roots of the world. With the third attempt, the hinges blew out of its jam. In the dim light and cloud of stone dust Astar turned to Tavius and says "Let's go Tavius, glory and gold await us!"

[Astargras]

Chapter 2
In a blood rage Astar finds a door and with a tremendous exertion of body and soul, splintered the real exit. Beyond the door laid an open courtyard, the dark of night, and freedom.

Astar and Tavius crept along the walls of the courtyard; using the shadows the par completed their escape. “Where are to go Astar? Tavius asked. “We need to get geared out, put we have nothing to trade with. Let me think…” Astar plopped down into a dusty corner of a darkened side street. “…Quidgy!!!” Astar bellowed. “Shhhhh, Astar your block head, you want us to get thrown back in that jail...” Tavius hissed “… and who is the Quidgy anyways?” Astar sprung to his feet “He’s not so much a man, as such; he’s more of a market of one.” Astar says while making his way to another shadow across the street. “A market of one, that makes no sense Astar.” Tavius ponders out. Tavius crosses into the shadow fallowing close behind the stinky dwarf Astargras. “Just trust me Tavius; The Quidgy Mart is always open.” Astar says softly from the shadows.

The pair traveled from one shadowy street to the next all night, taking their time, and checking every street for sign of the tower guards and other danger. As the western sky changed, from coal black night, to a pinkish meaty hue, Astar and Tavius reached the out lining cottage of the Quidgy-mart. The Cottage itself was small in comparison to others. “You say that this Quidgy is a marketer Astar?” Tavius asked “One of the best, just remember that he can be a little, off.” Astargras replies.

The two jail breakers reach the back door of the cottage and Astar knocked on the door in a very strange way. After a sequence two handed of taps and rhythmic knocks the pair stood before the door, waiting. Minutes later Tavius whispers “Not Home? Or are you just stupid Astargras?” Grunting Astargras says “Tavius, you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.” The two stood there for a few move seconds staring at the door. Suddenly, and at the same time, Astar and Tavius saw an arm slowly reaching out to the door. The arm was a hideous combination of metal plates and flesh, and it was in-between the two’s heads! With a start, Tavius jumped back and clear the beast behind himself. Screeching out Tavius says “What the frack is that thing?” “Calm yourself Tavius, this is Quidgy-mart” Astargras said. “Ok, that’s Quidgy, but what in the hell fire is it?” “Your new meat is a bit jumpy and in addition is not very versed in the creatures of the world. O-and bye the bye Aster you forgot the order, it’s there taps, two counts…” “Quidgy!!! We don’t have time for this analytical dissection of the code you taught me 15 years ago.” Astargras shouted. “Of course Astargras, Fighter Monk, why are you here?” Quidgy clicked and whizzed out. “We are in need of gear Quidgy, but we cannot pay.” Astar said with his head proudly thrown bad and his chest trusted out. “Gerrrrrrr whizzzzzzzzzz pop gerrrrrrrrrrr. Astargras, Fighter Monk, Your Credit is still valid...” Quidgy uttered back “…gggggggggrrrrrrrrr pop, shall we go inside?” “Yes.” Astargras said. With Quidgy leading the way, the door to his home slid open and a chime went off as the door finished opening.

Inside the hut, as if by magic the inside space was cavernous and vast. Shelf upon shelf, rack upon rack stretched out on all directions and from behind a long stone counter top. “Grrrrrrr pop Grrrrrrr, What are your needs? Grrrrr pop whizzzz” Quidgy shuddered out. Astargras rattled off his list of gear and weapons and at the conclusion the sounds in Quidgy’ s head ramped up to an unnerving hummmm and grindings and there, in the far distends, were sounds of mechanical metallic things working. A moment later a small wagon full of the gear rolled up to the side of Quidgy. “Grrrr pop Grrrrr, your order has been acquired and have been delivered, ggrrrrrrrrrr, pop geerrrrrr, please make your mark Astargras.” Quidgy thrust out a board with a scroll on it, on which Tavius can see the whole peace of parchment was covered in lists of gear and weapons, and under each one was a mark that looked just like the one Astargras just made. “ GGGggggggg pop grrrrrrrrrrrrr And for you? Heeeeeeeeeoooop grrrrrrrrrrr” Quidgy asked Tavius. “I have no way to pay you, could I have credit?” Tavius asked.

Quidgy’s head wound up the a new level of sound and it’s whole body began to shake to the point that Quidgy began to vibrate across the floor. Suddenly the Quidgy Said “ · 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months, then the Regular APR · 0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 months, then the Regular APR · 5% Cashback Bonus in categories that change like travel, gas, groceries, restaurants, home improvement stores and more · Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on all other purchases · No Annual Fee…”

Tavius leans to Astargras and says “Is that a spell? If so, it’s unlike one I’ve ever heard.” Astar whispers back and says “nope that’s just Quidgy’s way of saying yes. Just tell Quidgy what you want and you’ll get it” “Won’t I need to pay for the gear?” Tavius says. Tavius, taking Astargras’s advice tells the Quidgy his needs and as before, the small cart came forth with Tavius’s gear. “gggggggrrrrrrrrrr, pop, ggggrrrrrrrrrr, make your mark.” Quidgy clicks out.

[Astargras]

Chapter 3
Making their way from Quidgy’ s market Astargras and Tavius talked about their options “What about the Lords Mark Bank?” Tavius asked. “You gotta have a Kobolds wit if you think that just to two of us can walk into the bank of Stormreach and make an unauthorized withdrawal. Wait, Kobolds? Tavius, your good with traps right?” Astar presses.

Squinting his eyes Tavius says “Aye, what are you planning Astar?” Astar faced Tavius and with a Cheshire cat grin said “O, I got an idea.” Tavius stopped in his tracks with the glint of understanding in his eyes told Astar “NO! Not there Astar the last time I went into those sewers I couldn’t get the smell out of my gear for weeks.” Laughing Astar chuckled out mockingly “What is the widdle worgue afraid to get wet?” Continuing his mocking Astargras turns and begins the long march to the destination. “Gawwww, I hate the Water Works of Stormreach!” Shaking his head Tavius blurted out.
Astar and Tavius made their way to the coast by night fall and under the swirling light of Stormreach’s light house the two made it into the harbor. By this time the night was young and the harbor was still full of revelers, adventurers, and the other forms of beings that only come out after the sun goes down. “Astargras don’t you think it’s a little busy to be thieving?” Tavius asked. “Your right Tavius, by the flame your right…” Astar retorts and fallows up with “…TO THE DINGY” With one finger in the air and a swift march Astargras plodded a course to the pub known as the Leaky Dingy.
Up and up the Dingy’s stairs the pair of short legged would be thief’s trudged along. With a hop and a skip Astargras cleared the last two steps and from behind Tavius says “Astargras, you’re not planning on getting all aled up and then go after the Works are you?” and in reply Astar gave a smile and slammed opened the door to the Dingy.

With a flash Astargras was at the bar and seconds later he had his second tanker of ale down his throat. “What in the name of guild is that stupid dwarf doing? Doesn’t he know that we’re working tonight?” Tavius thinks to himself. “Tavius get your narrow pork shanks over here and get yourself ale.” Astargras yelled out. Over the next few hours Astargras put tanker after tanker down and Tavius kept to him and played the dice game in the back of the Dingy.

“Last orders please!!!” the bar keep yells out over the crowd. Tavius, kicked back with his head resting against the wood paneling woke up and stood up. “Master Halfling, it’s about time that you take your dwarf companion home…” The Dingy’s owner yelled out “…he also said you would stand for his marker.” Shaking his head Tavius handed over the last of his coin which just so happened to be just enough to cover the tab Astar left.
“Where is the dwarf located?” Tavius asked “Over by the door, please hurry and get the disgusting thing out of my place.” The owner said Looking at the main door, Tavius saw Astar resting by the door and with a sigh and a little disgusted; Tavius went up to Astargras helped him out the pub. “Better slow down Tavius…” Astar gurgled out “…put me down, must puke!!!! With that Tavius dropped Astargras next to the Leaky Dingy’ s stair. “Boy we are really high up herrrrrraaaaaaaaaallllllph!!!!!!” Astar said. For a good ten minutes Astargras regurgitated a toxic mixture of Dirty Kobolds and clam chowder. “I told you not to order that chowder, it just doesn’t go well with for DK’s.” Tavius said with a barely hidden smile. “…raaaaaaalllllph ahhhhh Tavius I will beat youuuuu ahhhhhhh rallllphyboy…”

[Astargras]

Chapter 4

After a few more minutes Astargras pulled himself to his feet and with a tremendous belch pronounced to Tavius “Why must I always be waiting for you Tavius” With Tavius’ s mouthing his insults at Astargras the pair made their way down the steps and found their way through the docks. They turned a corner and saw a small figure in the dark. “Who is it, is it the guard, who could be out at this time on night?” Tavius whispered. “I don’t know but whoever it is they’re going to get one hell-of-a head ach here in a minute.” Astar answered softly.
Keeping to the shadows the two creped along as quietly and as stealthily as they possibly could. The old water logged wood of the docks bent and wiggled beneath every step which the two thieves’ made. At times Astargras felt his footing slipping from beneath his boot. “…dam sea weed…” Astar muttered. Slowly and surely the pair came up to the shadowy figure, who by this time, had settled on to a coil of hemp cable. Tavius moved close to Astargras’ head, Astars’ stench was making Tavius’ eyes water, “do we kill him?” Tavius asked. “No, a corps is hard to explain but a passed out drunk happens all the time.” With that Astar pulled out a hip flask and Tavius nodded in approvable.
There was a lamp hanging high on one of the docks moorings which cast a little light but really just made the shadows deeper. Astar and Tavius crept up right behind the figure and the light from the lamp shown into Astargras’ eyes which seemed to glow red with the reflected fire light. Slowly Astar raised his closed fist and at the top of his reach just before he would bring it down the figure said softly “Astar how many times do we have to go through this?” Shocked, Astargras with-drew a few steps and moved around to the front of this person. “Loke!!!” Astargras said “…what are you doing here Loke?” “I was sitting over in the market and I over-heard some folks talking about this very rude and heavy drinking dwarf that smelled of rotten fish, stale sweat, and six year old stale eggs. Well, I said to myself, who do I know that smells that bad, and any one name came to mind. Guess who that was?” Loke laughed out.

“Ok, Loke, what are you doing here?” Astargras re-asked. “O, I’m just waiting for you two. You see, I want to see how it all turns out in the end.” Loke answered in a way that wasn’t quite a complimentary. “Don’t worry about that, I got myself a great rogue with me and he’s got one hell-of-a fighter to watch his back.” Astar said confidently. Loke bust out laughing, “Sorry, I tried to hold it in, but you got me at the Watch his back reference. I mean really Astar? You’re going to watch this rogues back side?” Loke fell to the dock in yet another fit of laughter. Astar walked up to Loke and kicked him which had no effect on Loke but did bring about another round of laughter. “Come on Tavius the entrance is over here.” Astar said as he turned his back on Loke and walked away. “Tavius, is that your name? A little advice, don’t let Astar watch your back side too closely.” Loke managed to yell out through the fits of laughter.

[Astargras]

Chapter 5
Astar and Tavius made their way to the pressure hatch which leads to the Water Works. Under the gas lamps the pair stood before the hatch, from the side of the hatch a low voice become audible. “The path you are tracking towards is full of evil and beasts of unspeakable nature” The voice said. Astar peers into the darkness and finial comes to and answer “Harbor Master, is that you? Stop trying to scar the rogue. ” Astar yelled out. Setting into the light a shape of a Halfling emerged and in the next breath the Harbor Master said “Astargras?! Nice to see you again, what brings you down to the Waterworks again?” With a flip of his axe Astar answered “We heard that you were still having a problem with those bastards of Dragons, the Kobolds.” “Tis true, I am, just when I seem to get them out of there (pointing to the hatch) they seem to spawn a new batch and then here we go again. They’re like cockroaches; you know what I mean Astar?” The Harbor Master said. “Aye, I do Zin. Harbor Master, meet my new traveling companion, Tavius.” Astar pronounced in a loud and confident voice. With a bow, the Harbor Master responded “Please to meet you, I’m sure that your talents will complement Astargras’ s fortitude; or at least met his level of his stench.” With that last jab, the Harbor Master opened the hatch to the Waterworks and the vapors rush out in a hiss and a whoosh. “The two brothers are deep within the structure, bring me their heads.” The Harbor Master pronounced as the pair of would-be thieves entered the going.

The hatch closes with a bang and the Harbor Master spins the locking mechanism and with a hollow thud, it finds its’ home. “HA, what fools, even if the two don’t get back they should have killed a few of those nasty Kobolds. At least I don’t have to thin the herd; and if they should make it out alive. I could always call the tower guard on them.” The Harbor Master though out loud. So, the Harbor Master took a seat on the docks edge and with a flick the baited line falls into the cool water of the harbor.
Time passed and the first light of daybreak began to make its’ presents known. The air in the harbor started to freshen with the morning turn of the tide. The blackness of the night sky moved from its’ grip and the pinks and yellows which preceded the awesome spectacle of over-whelming beauty and power of the Sun Rise. The warm rays of the sun slowly worked its’ way from the roof tops down into the harbor and soon the rays shown into the closed eyes of the harbor master. Even now the fishing line was still in the water but the bait was long sense gone from the hook. The sound of Gulls starting their morning calls woke the Harbor Master, rubbing his eyes and standing up, the Harbor Master slowly came to the realization that there was a sound coming from the hatch. “What in the name of the flame?” the Harbor Master said softly.
He moved to the hatch way and placed his ear to the steel. From behind the hatch he could hear the yark yarking of the Kobolds which was very close to the hatch. Intermixed with the yark yarks was the bellowing of Astargras and the sound of slushy crunching of his axe which the Harbor Master could assume was the sound of Astar’s axe cleaving through a vast numbers of Kobold skulls. Soon Astargras’ voice was calling out to the Harbor Master “Open the Hatch, dam you, open the door!” Astar screamed out through the hatchway. “Frack, they made it! What to do, what to do?” The Harbor Master hissed out. As the Harbor Master looked about him he saw the Harbor Guard on their morning patrol and in a lurch the words “ESCAPE PRISONERS, ESCAPE PRISONERS IN THE WATERWORKS” bellowed out of the Harbor Master’s mouth.
With great speed the Harbor Guard was at the hatch. The Captain of the guard spun the valve and opened the hatch. A vision of absolute butchery greeted the eyes of the Captain. There Astar stood, blood running down his face. His great axe showed the nicks and the burrs of long prolonged battle. His wounds where many, but none were close to his vitals.
Astar saw the Guards and without hesitation leaped at them and two feel dead, however on the back swing of his mighty stroke Astar was tackled and because of his over powering fatigue, Astar was taken into custody. “Where is the other one?” The Harbor Master asked. Astar just glared at him with blood shot eyes. Astar eyes burned for the Harbor Master even when the guards beat him back into passivity for the third time. “Where IS HE?” the Harbor Master asked again. The sound of raw meat hitting the floor came forth as the Guards ask Astar the same question over and over again. With a spit of blood Astargras finally answered them “Muck found Tavius very tasty”.
With a shock the Harbor Master inquired further “Muck takes his time when he dines, what were you doing when your friend was dying, Astragras?” Astargras turned his head in rebuke of the question. Once again, the guards asked Astargras some questions. After the second guard broke his hand, Astar answered. “Zin, have you ever watch Ooze feed? It is quite a sight to see. The first to go is the skin; then the muscles are next. Then as the flesh is absorbed, something weird happens. When Muck is done feeding all that’s left is the eyes. Very strange, wouldn’t you say? The leather, armor, and bones are the last to be consumed but I don’t think Muck likes the bones or the leather, because he pushed out the bones and armor…” Astargras said coldly “…I was on my way back to get a healer. The last time I checked all a healer really needs to heal someone is all their bones, but I guess that’s not going to happen, eh Zin?” “There is no way by all that is in Stormreach, will you ever see the sun again Astargras, Take him away and put him in the darkest deepest cell you can find.” The Harbor Master said to the guards. With a motion of Zins’ hand, the Harbor guard took Astar to the Harbor dungeons. Astargras’ eyes never looked away from Zin and the last thing Zin heard from Astargras was “soon”.
Weeks went by and soon the Harbor Master forgot the pair of thieves. Till one day news came to Zin concerning a break-in at the Waterworks which left the Main hatchway broken. Many of the Kobold scum where able to get free from the sewers. By the time the Harbor Master was able to get the hatch fix the sun was low in the sky and the first shadows of night were staking the claim to their nighty home. Zin finally made it to his home atop the main hill in the Harbor, washed and in his night cloths Zin laded down to get some well needed sleep. The house was quiet for most of the night till around mid-night one of the windows in Zins’ home exploded and a shadow entered the home. With the blast Zin popped awake and grabbing his sword the Harbor Master started to search his home for the intruders.
Room by room the Harbor Master traveled and apart from the window nothing else was out of place. Recognizing that an open window was too much of an invitation for thieves, Zin thought that he would board up the broken window. With much labor Zin finished his labors and the window was sealed. As the last of the nights chills nipped at Zins’ flesh, he pulled back that his bed curtains. From behind him came a flying bottle and just missed his feet. From the contents of the bottle spewed forth a unholy mist which filled the room from rafters to floor boards. Scared out of his mind Zin swung his sword till he exhausted himself and with his last swing Zin dropped to the floor into a pool of his own sweat. After a moment of panting Zin stood and he noticed that the mist was defusing into the ether and his vision was clearing. As Zin walked the room, it seemed that the shadows were moving and jumping from their usual homes. Faster and faster Zin spun in reaction to the jumping shadows. Right to left, left to right Zin followed the shadows till right in his face was the skull of a Halfling. Its eyes were still in the eye sockets. Zins’ soul jumped ten feet from his skin and he turned to run after it. Zin got about two steps and he felt the pain of something long and sharp working its way through his guts. Zin spun to clap eyes on the devil that had killed him.
The Magical fog slowly faded to nothingness and the skull slowly showed it’s true self. First the skull was floating, and then it was attached to an arm then a body. Zin’s attention was lost to the thing which was still hanging out of him. It was a leg bone from a Halfling, Zin then heard a familiar voice and it said “you should have let me get the healer…” the voice said. “Astargras!!!!” Zin spewed out with a mist of blood. The Skull moved out the fog and as the life force drained from the soul of Zin, Astargras stepped into the light and said “ Now that’s what a call getting boned the hard way.”

[Astargras]

The Doctor Is In…
Chapter 1

Rachel, as maid in the Coin Lords service, ran screaming across the market, her speed only matched by the delirium in her voice. Rachel ran through the back alleys as well as the main pathways in the market, all the while yelling “MY BROTHER! THEY HAVE HIM! WHY, WHY MUST IT BE HIM!?!”. Blinded with sadness and tears she ran aimlessly. In her state mind, she wasn’t looking to where her foot falls were landing, soon she found her legs entangled. With a gasp, her forward progress was changed into a fast descent right onto her face. The pain of the faceplant, shocked her out of her hysterics and she come to the realization of where she was. “The Market, how did I get here?” Rachel said as she pushed herself on to her knees. “I don’t know, but you really should really watch your step.” A voice called out from the shadow under a fruit cart. Rachel got to her feet with a start and backed away from whatever is was under the fruit cart. “Who, what are you? Are you human or are your beast kind?” Rachel asked the voice. “There are some who would agree with the latter, but if you ask me…” a form started to move from under the fruit cart “…I was brought into this world as a dwarf. They call me Astargras and you are ruining my beautiful hangover with your blubbering’s and the striking of my feet.” As the shape moved from the shadows, Rachel began to see Astargras for all his glory.
Astar stood tall be for Rachel, his armor was loose and rusted and as he moved and was able to air out himself, Rachel took notice of an over powering odor coming from this dwarf. With a hand to her face Rachel said “Don’t you think it’s time for a bath?” “The smell is beautiful isn’t it?” Astar retorted. “No, it’s so foul that I think I might gag!” Rachel said between gasps.
At the end of that banter, Astargras’ eyes rolled back in his skull and burped, at which the dwarf fell backwards right on flat on his back. For the moment Rachel gazed down at the smelly thing at her feet. As she looked she started to notice the knotted cords of flesh pushing their way through from under the dwarf’s skin. Though his armor was in denary, it looked solid and strong. This Astargras was armed to the teeth. At his belt hung throwing axes and in his hand was a greenish colored steel great axe. Something was strange about this great axe, even though the dwarf did not swing the axe it still stuck into the stone of the street. Rachel took all this in and came to the conclusion that this Astargras was an adventurer and judging from his current state, he would jump at the opportunity to make some gold.
Rachel spun around to a rain barrel and in a flash she grasped a bucket of water. She then stocked over to the snoring Astargras and astride his legs, brought the bucket back and as the bucket came forward the bucket exploded in a shower of splinters and water. “If you value your skin you wouldn’t try to do that again!” Rachel looked down where the bucket used to be and half buried into the street was an arrow.
“Who did that!” Rachel yelled out. “I did and you would not be angry with me if you know what I know if you get that particular dwarf wet.” The voice seemed to coming from every direction in the alley but in a way it seemed to be a whisper. “SHOW YOUR SELF…” Rachel screamed “…WHO ARE YOU?”. From a roof top behind Rachel, a form fell to the street. Light as a feather the shape of a human female touched down behind the frightened girl. Rachel did not notice her till the silent rogue spoke again. “They call me Kat.” Kat whispered. Rachel spun with a start and once again got tripped up in Astargras feet and legs. Rachel fell back on the dwarf and Rachel’s suspicions were well founded. Astargras Flesh was like stone, Rachel could feel the mighty strength of the dwarf, but the dwarf stunk, badly and Rachel smelled her hands and she feared that the smell would never come off.
Kat reached over to Rachel’s tunic caller and with a mighty pull, wrenched Rachel off Astargras’s lap. “That is one place on this planet I would not wish any of my enemies to find there rest, and I petty you from falling there.” Kat said with a gasp. “What is that thing on the ground and why did you shoot the bucket?” Rachel asked. “It is true, I shot the bucket. However, if I hadn’t stopped you and you had splashed one drop on Astargras, you would more than likely still be getting a beating.” Kat said “Why where you watching me?” Rachel said. “It’s not hard to notice a screaming, crying girl running around the market now isn’t it?” Kat fired back. Kat went on to say as she grasped ahold of Rachel’s arm “Now, let’s get away from Astargras. Make haste, If we leave now, Astar might think that you were just a bad dream.” “No! I need him to get my little brother back!” Rachel yelled back and with a jerk, got her arm free. “Lesson to me, it is true Astargras is a great fighter and is a mighty warrior, but take it from me, if you spend any time with him, you will end up getting it in the end.” Kat warned. “Thank you for your concern, but this…” Rachel pointed at Astargras “…is the fighter I need.” “You mean that Astargras is the only one you can afford.” Kat said. Rachel hung her head in shame. “No need for that…” Kat said Kat then looked Rachel up and down. Kat to note of Rachel common yet very beautiful features “…ok, here’s the deal. You’re not a bad looking girl and Astar is a sap when it comes to pretty young things like yourself. I will stay with you to help you with the waking of Astargras and make sure he doesn’t go on the rampage right out the gate, but after that, I’m out of here, agreed?” Kat said. Thinking to herself Rachel asked herself “This Astargras must be a harsh customer.” Rachel righted her head and agreed to Kat proposal.
“Ok, what is your name?” Kat asked. Rachel gave her name. “Ok, Rachel, I need you to stand behind me and do not speak till I give you the word.” Kat whispered and contenued with “…here we go.” Taking up her position behind Kat, Rachel looked on as Kat walked over to the still passed out Astargras. Kat kept creeping right up to Astargras’s face. For a long moment Kat looked into Astargras’s face, with a snort from Astar, Kat pulled back one arm and punched the dwarf right in the face. “WAKE UP!!!!” Kat yelled out. With a grumble Astar rolled over and with much struggle, got to his knees. “Who the hell punched me in the face? I’m going to rip off your face and use it for a purse.” Astar bellowed out. “Who that be? Kat is that you?” Astar asked. “Yes Astar, it is me. Now, mind your maners you foul thing. I want you to meet someone. This is Rachel and she has a job for you.” Kat fired off in a flash.
“I know you, weren’t you the girl that kicked my feet?” Astar ask the girl. “Yes, but know that I did not mean to” Rachel said sheepishly. “I meant to punch your face Astargras.” Kat said with her hands on her hips. “don’t you remember what you did to me last time we were out and about.” A smile came over Astar’s face. “o-yes, what? Don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy it at the time?” Astar said. As soon as Astar’s face was in reach Kat punched him again. “Ahhhh, that’s my girl.” Astar said rubbing his jaw.
“I need your help Astargras.” Rachel offered up. Astar’s eyes met the girls and he said “Do you now?” Astar belched and leaned on the great axe. Astar tried to look dashing but all he could manage was creepy. “Yes, I do. I need you to help me get my brother back from the hands of the Witch Doctors and show that Drunken Durk what for.” Rachel said with such venom that Kat could feel. “Durk is it…” Astar said “…well, he and I have thrown a few pints but there is no love lost between us. I hear that he does deal with those dirty little Kobolds these days.” “Is that going to be an issue?” Rachel asked. “Nope not at all” Astar said. With all the charms that the gods had graced her Rachel stared into Astar’s eyes “great, I will reward you greatly when you bring my brother safely to me.” Kat rolled her eyes at the sight of Rachel’s eye lash fluttering. “WELL OK,” Astar yelled out and throwing a fist into the air he proclaimed “…now let’s go see Durk about a Doc.” With that Astargras’s eyes rolled back into his skull and he passed out and fell onto his back again. Kat looked at Rachel and said “his all yours” and made her way out of the Alley. Rachel looked down at Astar and with a sigh Rachel said “Wonderful”.