The Bloodstone Hunters Meet The Mongrel Men
The party rises early to head into the dreaded Taramul Kalalalt, lead by their trustworthy guide, Mihy. The mists roll over the rough terrain, and those that remember it long for Marty's Ring of Weather Control. As they trek through a thin valley, a hideous freak leaps out from behind a bush. It has the head of a giant bat, the torso of a monkey, and lion legs. Mihy identifies it as a Mongrelman as he scuttles up a tree. Four more come running up behind them, each made from their own unique amalgamation of animals. They take down a few then the others scatter. They bind the wounds of the injured and ask them what they're on about; they speak a broken German. They can only mumble something about taking them to a doctor of some sort. They give them a little food and water, then leave them bound.
They don't get too far when they're jumped in a similar fashion by a crew of thirty plus Mongrelmen and a pair of Owlbears. Can dispatches with the Owlbears with a pair of Color Sprays; their known weakness. Ido sets up a circular Wall Of Fire to limit the number of these guys they have to deal with at once. Arben Summons some Monsters. Surprisingly, Cyril starts shooting flames out of his hands; no one thought he could do that. Unfortunately, brave Can is knocked unconscious by the little brutes, losing all the spells he had memorized. Still, with their combined efforts, they're able to scare off this larger group of Mongrelmen. Ido offers up the Owlbear corpses to Pura Wanaka. They try to scare one of the simple Mongrelmen, telling him they will release him, but he should tell his friends they don't wish to be bothered. They ask him if he knows of any nearby shelters, but he only knows the doctor's house. Mihy knows a place nearby they can crash, though.
They trudge over to an old abandoned farm house. Inside they find a crew of three guys; Harlam, Doru and Costicu. Harlam is covered in bandages, Doru wears chain and a sword and Costicu seems unarmed. Doru seems pleasant enough, but the other too seem a little more grim. They claim to be adventurers for hire and they pass Arben's half-assed monsterm tests. They do mention that they're in the territory of the reviled Dr. Stupiferous, the man responsible for the Mongrelmen. They don't approve of his activities, and so they seem like they might be alright. They decide to risk camping out with these jerks in the house.
They split up the watches. Harlam drinks a mysterious liquid from an earthen jar and everyone eyes him. During the second watch, a Ghost Of A Hanged Man flies through the wall. Xenon and Harlam, who were on watch, freak out and run out of the house. The Crimson Cutlass, being the only brave member of the watch, quickly rouses his companions as the Ghost makes a bee line for Doru. "Not yet!" he cries. The Ghost throttles him. Wirshin tries to turn it, but to no avail. Arben has put up a Hypnotic Pattern to try to stop the retreat of his afeared friends, but only catches Harlam. Before long, Doru is dead. The Ghost eyes the rest of the party warily, then leaves. The ghost of Doru rises from his corpse and gives every one the stink eye, then wanders off. Xenon's fear wears off and he finds his way back to the farm house. He picks up the still ensorceled Harlam and brings him inside, feeling a squirming feeling beneath his skin. Arben has had enough of the mystery so he removes his bandages. What he sees is so horrific, he is thrown into a murderous rage. He starts beating him in the face, but Costicu stabs him in the be back and Ido Hold Persons everyone. When they get out of it, Arben has calmed down and apologizes. He lets Harlam get a free punch to call it even. They try to get some more sleep.
