The Danger Gang Learn More Of The State Of Dwarven States

The Danger Gang, beetle-borne, fly past dwarven farms and hovels. Still no signs of a dwarven citadel, though. Then, the grounds become barren and bone-littered.

"We don't want to there. That's Goblin country."

So they turn around and land. Karl and Gershom (who has cast Tongues) approach a dwarven farmer cautiously. He turns out to be an alright chap, and they start getting the lay of the land from him. Right now they are in Djistmigishtish, which is ruled by King Bornor Thunderheel. Djistmigishtish is trying to stay neutral in this whole war for the shadow, one dwarven nation rigmarole that's going on. They wish him good luck with that, then ask him for directions to Kachelmik. They thank him for his time and delicious moss beer, then rejoin their associates, who had been hiding in the bushes. Once more, they hop astride beetles.

As they fly over the mountains to avoid Shushmashush. Beneath them, they spot an old man dressed in tattered wolf-skins, bearing a crook of sorts. He asks them for some gold, and keeps repeating a story word for word about why he needs it. Karl tosses him a couple coins, but then everybody decides it is probably best to leave while everyone is still friends instead of sticking around to find out what is up with this dude (this is my real life policy with the homeless).

They soon find some burned out human farmhouses. Can sets up a Secure Shelter to rest for the night. The night looks like it's going to be a nice quiet evening, when they hear a loud stomping outside.

Cyclops!

Can sticks his head out the window and casts Fumble on the brute. He falls to the ground and flops around foolishly. Karl walks up and starts kicking dust in his eye and telling him to go away and not come back. He crawls away, weeping, blinded, and nude, but maybe a little wiser.