The party once more gathered to discuss conclusions and plans. Apoqulis was very hesitant to keep our end of the bargain with Hezeroth, now that he knew what hid behind that harmless exterior. Darion argued in favour of the cat, claiming that “evil” might just mean “from an evil dimension”. The consensus was that we would still help the cat, but not bring it to the castle directly – only close to it. That way we would keep our promise but avoid meeting its “master”.

That settled we went looking for the cat again and now it deigned show up to complain that we were preparing to go in the wrong direction. We explained our thinking and the cat found it acceptable. Darion asked it to stay here and maybe check on Harold and find out in which direction and how far away the possessing creature was.

Hezeroth did more: he explained some details about that possessor. It was an “infernal shadow”, a once mortal soul banished after falling in disgrace, unable to secure a physical shape. It was also working under an alias. It was not really Jezgotha but a fraud, the real Jezgotha would incinerate the whole planet. This poser-shadow now possessed living beings and fed on their nightmares, thereby damaging and corrupting the possessed soul. It was a creature of darkness, almost invisible in shadows, so it liked to stay in such places – old ruins, underground structures, abandoned caves.

He also said he had a job to do at that castle, and his master was not a summoner from this plane, but a creature from another.

Boat Trip

We took a boat down to Morgansfort, wich took us a day without incident. About the cave of the Old River Woman, the boat boys knew the story but didn’t believe it despite all the creepy vistas and the rotten stench. More power to them – Darion believes.

In Morgansfort we spoke with Father Thelbain. He described Infernal Shadows quite the same way as Hezeroth had done, and declared himself prepared to come with us to help Harold.

In addition, he provided us with three cleric scrolls of “Light”, because Light was most probably hurting a Shadow.

Recruiting Muscle

Darion also looked for the adventurers we had met on the road, and found two of them: Lalu the spearman barbarian and Lakaion the Thief. The thief was prepared to help us if we were to pay him for the trouble, which Darion neither could nor wanted. But painting a word picture of glory and fame for doing heroic things convinced Lalu. He signed up as Heidel’s henchman right on the spot because he liked dwarves.

The next day we boarded the ship and went back to Morgansfort.

During the trip Lalu told us a bit about himself: He is a Barbarian Hunter and belongs to the Greywulf clan. His homeland lies deep in the vast woodlands south of Morgansfort. His family is of low social status, and he is the third-born of five siblings. Unusually for a barbarian, he hasn’t started his own family yet. Nevertheless, he has always strived to become an acclaimed warrior in the service of his clan leaders. To achieve this status and earn his elders’ respect, he was sent on a quest. His mission is to find the Shield of Doom, a magical item crafted by Barbarians long ago, magically bound to the souls of his ancestors and used against hordes of the undead in the past. Where it is, that is unknown, but Lalu knows some hints.

Vaeva got into a stare-contest with a huge direwolf or warg on the way, a leader of a strong pack of normal wolves. It simply stood there, gazing at us intently, but nothing else came of it; at least yet. With a stare like that I’d wager this guy will show up again.

Saving Private Harold

We reached Loneforge after nightfall and went straight to Elder Piper’s house. Father Thelbain spoke to Skelf Piper and then wanted to see his son immediately. We all came to watch, including Hezeroth the cat.

Father Thelbain did not waste any time: He cast protection against evil, then prayed and actually broke the curse, freeing Harold. Darion and Apoqulis watched the outside for immediate reactions, but saw nothing. Then Hezeroth explained to Darion that he had located the Shadow Devil: it was hiding in an underground structure close to the lake.

Father Thelbain stayed to care for Harold, the party went out to confront the Shadow Devil. Rovan, absent, lent his magical +2 dagger to Darion so he could do something about an incorporeal foe; Lalu already came with a magical short sword. The clerics had their spells, Vaeva the senses of an Elf and the skills of a Ranger… and Hezeroth came as audience for shits and giggles.

Apoqulis and Darion lit torches, Heidel and Vaeva used their night-eyes farther in front.

We found the main hall looted, with a bloody dagger, a creepy wind chime, glass marbles (40 of which Darion and Apoqulis picked up to keep) and four empty chests.

To the west we discovered a sleeping bear, huge — even gigantic — snoring amidst a mess of broken bones.
To the north we found doors, narrowly avoided a swarm of stirges (Darion hates stirges) and a rolling-boulder-trap.

This long forgotten underground complex is rather bigger than expected – and finding this Shadow will not be easier than actually fighting it.

We have two magical weapons and some light spells, so we can throw something at the creature. If our weapons prove ineffective and the spells fail, we must run — run like hell.