Neil: From Lichgate to Churney-on-the-Green

Lichgate turned out to be a very nice place, despite the name. There were many halflings there. Apple Merrywind, the local sheriff, is an interesting lady. Not only is she attractive and single, but she's also apparently skilled in combat and well respected (She's the sheriff). I hope to see her again some day.

"Heakun, does Apple like to travel? Will I ever see her again? Would you watch over her . . . as a favor to me?"

The trip to Lower Scumsgrove was fraught with peril. Undead assaulted us in the middle of the night. Tilk was almost a goner. I think he needs better armor. They carved him up pretty good. Heakun smiled on us though, and we managed to destroy the foul creatures. While we didn't deal massive damage, the Halflings proved very useful in this fight. More weirdness though . . . immediately after the fight, the bodies rapidly decomposed.

"Thanks for your support big guy! Evaporating goblins and decomposing ghouls are bugging me. What's up with that?"

Lower Scumsgrove has a fitting name. It's down by the river, in a swamp, smelly and full of low-lifes. There was nothing nice about this place. If it weren't for the few innocents, who must exist in a town this size, I'd like the Duergar to level the place.

Politics and corruption control the town. Brute force and fear are their tools. There was no lack of bullies. The leaders schemed against each other and killed people, even their own people, for knowing too much.

Even the town guard was a farce. Most of them were unhelpful bullies, who served the merchants and plotted against the mayor. They awoke innocents in the middle of the night, and arrested people for no good reason. Of course we opposed such obvious vileness, but were hopelessly outnumbered. They took the bard and threatened to kill anyone that interfered.

Apparently the puppeteer wanted more information on the Duergar. This mysterious man spoke to nearly half the party that night, then released them (thankfully). Being imprisoned in a town that's about to be wiped out would really suck. Though, I guess the imprisonment thing wouldn't last long.

"Heakun's blessing again . . . keeping his faithful (and companions) out of jail. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!"

Less than a day after arriving, we were ready to leave. Still concerned about the few innocents here (?), we chose to visit the local clergy and make a public announcement before departing (that day). Rygorh took a small group to the Temple of Firinna and arranged a meeting. The rest of us stayed at the inn to rest and recover spells.

The meeting took place at the Temple of Firinna that afternoon. Were it not for Rygorh, I would not have been comfortable with this. Despite his brutish ways, he seems to be an honest and upstanding guy. From what I know of Firinna, not all of her followers are so upstanding.

Several of us stood watch at the front door, while the more diplomatic people went inside. They were in there a long time. I peeked in several times, but they had apparently moved to a private room. Just when I was becoming truly concerned, they came striding out of the Temple, and with cash. Tilk passed us some money, but wouldn't talk about it. Apparently we were given 300gp apiece as some sort of bribe (perhaps to leave town?). No one will talk about it. I guess cash is a better reason to leave than a dagger in the back, or false arrest/imprisonment.

We quickly gathered our things and departed, traveling late into the night in an attempt to get far from Scumsgrove. Luckily, there's another town five or six hours south of Scumsgrove . . . Churney-on-the-Green.

Churney is opposite Scumsgrove in every way. The town blends in with nature, smells fresh and clean, and the people are polite and helpful. There's no inn, but some guy let us stay at his house. He even fed us, and asked for nothing in return. Now that's hospitality!

"I know these people worship Blediwesse, but extra blessings from you can't hurt. They will soon need it."

The people here are truly a community. Everyone sees to everyone's needs. They live in harmony with each other and with nature. There's not really a government or group of leaders here. The elderly Druid-Elf is the only leader type I could discern. She was cool! She could change into a tree, speak telepathically with her people and she knew about the millennium equinox. She must be very old, and powerful.

We spent a couple of days here. Apparently one of Tilk's wounds got infected. The local Druids are healing him and gave us all potions. This place is magical, yet natural. The homes are "grown" into the trees. The water is clean & refreshing, yet something more. The food is all natural and tasty, but more filling and nourishing than any fruits and vegetables I've ever had.

Life in Churney-on-the-Green is very relaxing and routine, like home. It's getting dull quickly. It was a nice place to visit, but boring. Still, I hope the war doesn't come here. These are good people. We depart today, as soon as the druids are finished with Tilk.

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