View source for 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.