Fomorians, Druids, and Fishy Deals
First, a quick teleport to C-Town to witness the Book of Moons debacle--second Arben's insistence on contacting young Henry (heir to the duchy of Bavaria, and a Masonic hanger-on) to get a price quote for the delivery of his letter to Santa. Marcella also talks Tulpe into coming back west with them, since they're in need of a few more hit points. Old business concluded, it's time to ask the DG's new friend Ali what he knows about the Fomorians hangin' around Tara. Their king, apparently, has an eye that can turn one to stone (after being driven through his head by a Tuatha de Dannan spear. The king also has a name, which seems not to have been written down by this intrepid chronicler). A local sparrow provides potential details of the hierophant Druid they're hoping they can talk into un-whomping their golem-whomped fighters: a while back said Fomorians found a weird sleeping guy in the Cave of the Hostages, who curtly informed them he was going back to sleep and Not to Bother Him Anymore. Maybe he's in a better mood now, though.
They head into the forest, Marcella tracking surreptitiously with the aid of Jack IV's elfy shoes. Following a trail of huge and misshapen footprints to the north (though there are slightly smaller, shod prints heading northwest), they approach a hill guarded by standing stones. Magic-Jarred Zombres senses nine nearby lifeforces, one very weak, one stronger than the others--he tries to take one of the middle range over, but fails. Then some big ugly giants show up, and it's time for a fight! **BAM POW ZAP**
Gradually the DG gets the better of some of their foes. So it's no help when a wizened but stocky old man wanders onto the field and cures light wounds on a flamestruck giant. The strength of this guy's life force makes it clear that he's the Druid they seek, previously hibernating. Two more Fomorians draw near--one has three visible eyes, a worrying eyepatch, and a sword chattering merrily to itself about all the people it's ever killed. Luckily, this obvious monarch's threat is neutralized by Zombres's possessing his body--calms everything down right quick, in fact! Somehow placating his people despite not speaking their language anymore, the "king" arranges a parley between the adventurers and the Druid (name of Cathbad), who's made himself some salmon stew. He'll gladly trade cures for the head of Olaf Tingersen. Who's the DG's new friend Ali. *tugs on collar* Ali's apparently the biggest threat to Brian Boruma, future High King of Ireland, as he possesses the singing sword of Conor Moore--the weapon of the High Kings. While they try to negotiate maybe the sword instead of the head, Kolya helps himself to some stew and chokes on a fishbone. This rather ramps up the timeframe for a deal, and so they agree to kill Ali, whereupon Cathbad heals Marcella and Kolya, but leaves the latter a soupcon of curse in case they feel like reneging. Which, uh, of course they do. Zombres, in an impressive sleight-of-hand, cuts off the head of the Fomorian king while it's still his own, hoping to use the petrifying eye as a bargaining chip somehow. And so, as May Day dawns, the Danger Gang returns to Dublin, then contacts Ali (partying in Wales with Dylan ap Mabon and crew), and agree to join together to kill a very powerful fearbold Druid.
