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The 25th of Felsite, 1064
Not long after our victory over the cyclops, we were joined by Kel Scarglazed, a stout axedwarf, and Shikogan "The Pidge" Goldbuds, a human halberdier with an apparently bloodthirsty quest for vengeance against a cult. Despite their unusual outlooks, it seemed like they would be our only additional companions and I had resolved to leave before the 25th of Felsite.
We travelled west to the town of Authormet, where we discovered the leader of the Fellowship of Fortifcations (a group the late cyclops had much to say about), and were surprised to discover he knew of us.
Akul Inkcombats, a seasoned warrior, wanted an enemy's head returned to him. Unlike my previous worries with the Tigermen, this presented no moral qualms. It was a lizardman he wanted, and although they, like the Tigermen, build homes, the Lizardmen are known to be vicious and foul creatures, often attacking dwarves seeking out new locations for mountain homes. Indeed, their homes resemble our own, at least in layout.
The target was a masterful thief, and I shuddered to think how many had suffered at its greed.
We ventured into the murk of cages forthwith.
The Pidge was particularly well pleased with the target, advising us that lizardfolk were well known as collaborators to the dark god he loathed so much.
What we found when we arrived surprised us. We hadn't expected a warm welcome, insofar as lizardmen are capable of such. But we weren't attacked on sight, and were allowed to roam the halls freely. an allowance my group made a great deal of profit off as we in turn stole the stolen treasures of the lizardmen.
Our activities, however, were uncovered by their leader, and our target, Dukxong Nationtrashes, who sounded the alarm on our illicit gathering, and fled the scene as the entire lair converged on our position.
We made heroes of ourselves that day. Though I must say that although Bonepicker fought admirably, he was overpowered by too many skilled foes, losing limb after limb to their savage claws.
I picked up his blade, and stood guard over him as the Pidge and Kel tended his greivous wounds.
I recall them saying that we had to get him out of there, if he was going to survive, but I could not help but wonder if maybe he would be better off being put out of his misery, whilst still unconscious.
He awoke for a moment though, babbling about his victories senselessly before passing out once more.
Not having the heart to kill him, we resolved to pull him free from the lair, to return him to Authormet.
The battle to escape was fierce, however, and required all our concentration. In the battle, Dukxong himself, paired with another of his lizards, descended upon Bonepicker, one of them plunging his silver dagger into my poor companion's head and twisting it sickeningly.
Then he turned on me, grinning in the face of his defeat, proclaiming his inevitable victory. I now believe he may have been insane.
Kel emerged from the shadows, hacking into the lizardman's shoulder before cutting off a leg.
Smashing the lizardman in the chest he left a gaping wound in the lizardman as the foul creature tumbled backwards towards the Pidge and myself.
Viciously we finished the job. I myself sliced the monster's head off in a blind rage before marching upon the cowering comrade of the dead leader, gutting it in a single stroke.
With the lair now empty or in retreat, we returned to Authormet as rich men, though I held Bonepicker's loss deep within my heart, and no riches could ever make that feeling go away.
We more or less emptied the entire town's coffers with that swag, and I stowed my portion in the ruined town of Dreamsbin.
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Kodor stopped the story a moment as Burnedtoast entered with a carafe of wine.
Waiting for it to be poured, he took a sip and gazed levelly at his brother.
"That, dear brother, was my first run in with this cult."
"Why are you certain they were cultists?" inquired Captain Ironblood, casually dipping a crumpet in his wine before taking a bite.
"The imagery was present. It was definitely a group worshipping the Soulsmith."
"So clearly this was well before you decided to come back here." observed the Captain.
"Quite right. I had no reason to suspect, at the time, that my quarry may lay in your vicinity. Instead, I was consumed with a lust for vengeance and blood. Teamed with Kel and the Pidge, I set about trying to avenge Bonepicker by taking apart the entire cult."
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Topic: Nist Akath - The Complete Story (Read 609127 times)