Goth decided to stay back in Silverhaven, and continue with his church. The remainder of the party, Rick, Bob, 'Cyn, and Alexander prepared to return to Terynio.
"What are you doing?" asked Rick of Alexander, who was studying more ferverently than was usual.
"I'm preparing to cast a spell," Alexander replied.
"Oh, yeah?" asked Rick, "wha-fer?"
"I'm preparing to summon a famliar"
"Oh, yeah? Be careful, I know of someone who managed to get a worm for a familiar one time."
Alexander looked at Rick as if he was wearing a pink boa. "I don't think I have to worry about that," he laughed, "I've been studying the spell for quite some time. I believe I'm about ready. What about you? Don't you have an animal companion of some sort?"
"I've not looked for one," Rick replied, "I've just not felt worthy, yet."
"Well, you should talk it over with your god, snd see whst he thinks."
"Yeah, Maybe..." pondered Rick, "I'll think about it."
That evening Alexander finalized his preparations and cast his "Find Familiar' spell. When it ws all done, the rest of the goup looked at him quizzically.
"I don't see nothin'" quipped Bob.
Alexander looked around. "It could take as much as a week or so for it to find me, depending on where it is, and where it's from."
"Huh," said Rick, "Do we have to wait here, or will it find us no matter where we go?"
"Well" answered Alexander, "Anywhere within reason, I suppose."
That evening, as part of his evening prayers, Rick expressed his doubts to Corellon Larethian. "I know you are our god of warfare, but I despair in the thought that summoning an animal companion might bring an innocent into harm's way. I understand that a knowing ally could be a force multiplier, and help put evil at bay, but I just don't know. An intelligent creature that would decide for itself I can understand, but an animal? Just as I don't believe in sport hunting, neither do I believe in hiding behind an animal. I am not asking for favors, Father, but would dearly love any words you might have of wisdom."
Corellon gave no direct answer, but that evening Rick had dreams of a large, black panther walking by his side. In the morning, when he woke, he remembered the dream vividly. While he was unsure if it was guidance from his God, he decided that it was at least his subconcious telling him the right thing to do.
Rick sequestered himself for a full twenty-four hours, praying and asking for his animal companion. At the end of this time, he felt as though he had just met a new friend. Looking around, he saw nothing. "If it is not to be, then it is not to be," he said. With that, he packed up his things and went to get the rest of the party.
"What?" asked Rick, incredulously.
"Goth's not coming with us," repeated 'Cyn.
"Why not?"
"He's decided to stay with his Church. Seems that since he knew Cuthbert personally, he's gained quite the status. Especially once they figured out he's not a phony. He may be on his way to becoming a major saint, himself, what with his help in vanquishing Tsothsar Rho..."
"Figures," answered Rick, "I guess I didn't sign up for the fame, and we've already gotten more thanks than we should expect."
The group continued out of the inn to the stables. Alexander, 'Cyn, and Bob took their horses out of livery while Rick looked at potentially saleable steeds.
"pbhbhbh!" said a horse, nudging Rick from behind.
"What the hells?" said Rick in surprise, "where'd you come from?"
The horse had walked up from apparently nowhere. The horse was a large war-horse, and had about him an air of celestial goodness. It seemed to Rick as if he knew this horse from elsewhere. The horse nudged him again with its nose.
"I think it likes you!" laughed 'Cyn
"Yeah," agreed Alexander, "I get where centaurs come from and all, but I never thought we'd see it firsthand!"
The horse and Rick both gave Alexander dirty looks. "At least now I know you're looking to get a familiar," answered Rick, "will you be making harpies?"
Alexander had no retort to that, while Bob snickered to himself. "He'd better not!" 'Cyn interjected, "or he's gonna be wishing his bed was a bit warmer!"
Looking more closely, Rick noticed the symbol of Corellon on the horse's forehead. "Are you here for me?" he asked.
The horse nodded and stomped its foot.
"I guess we'll need to get you geared up, then," replied Rick, "I have tack and harness already - nothing special, do you mind?"
The large clestial warhorse allowed Rick to gear him up. Rick mounted his new steed, and the group began the ride back towards Terynio.
As the companioins left Silverhaven, a large raven flew up and landed on Alexander's shoulder. The large, black bird had fiery red eyes that seemed to contain a malice for those around him. Alexander looked the bird in the eyes for a few seconds and then announced, "Hey guys! This is my new familiar!"
The party greeted the bird and welcomed it to the group - all except for Rick's comapnion, the war horse. The horse was obviously displeased by this turn of events. The two animals shared dirty looks for some time before continuing down the road.
When the group was about half-way to Terynio, Rick noticed a strange shimmering on the desert road in front of them. "Hold up!" he called.
"Whaddaya see?" Asked Alexander, sending his familiar skyward.
"Not sure," replied Rick, dismounting. "Looks like shimmering heat, only not - about a hundred feet ahead."
"I see it too," said Alexander, dismounting.
Suddenly, three Xill appeared, two with pairs of swords, and a third wearing cloaks behind them. The cloaked one pointed towards the party and yelled "There they are!" in demonic.
The two warriors lept forward into battle with Rick and Bob, as Rick's horse simultaneously ran to battle with the cloaked one. Alexander unleashed a fireball that narrowly missed the horse, yet enveloped all three Xill in its blast.
One of the Xill warriors laid into Rick, causing little damage. The other attacked Bob's horse, sending it into a blind panic as it ran away from the battle, back towards Silverhaven. 'Cyn began firing crossbow bolts into the cloaked one, as Rick's horse reared and pummelled it mightily with its large hooves.
The cloaked Xill hit the horse twice, causing it no small harm as it again pummeled its hooves about the Xill's head and shoulders. The Xill fighters laid into Rick, causing him to bleed more than he cared. Another fireball erupted, scorching the two Xill fighters as Rick struck back, cutting into one of his adversaries' carapice. A crossbow bolt arced over his head and struck the cloaked leader of his enemy. Bob held on for dear life as he tried to regain control of his mount.
The cloaked Xill cast a spell upon himself, healing some of his hurts. Again the two Xill fighters attempted to turn Rick into a pincushion. Rick blocked three of their attacks, however, and managed to make the fourth a glancing blow that did little harm. In return, he scewered one of them neatly through one of its four arms. 'Cyn managed to stick a crossbow bolt through one of the the Xill cleric's arms. Alexander took a small step, lining up one of the fighters with the cleric, and fired off a massive lightning bolt. Bob's horse began to slow as Bob pleaded with it to "please stop."
The cloaked Xill hit Rick's horse, causing it to scream in pain. The horse stompped the XIll squarely between the eyes, momentarily stunning it. Rick dodged two blows, but absorbed two more, recieving a nasty gash on the arm and anther cut on his leg. Rick retaliated, mortally wounding one of his adversaries. Alexander let fly another fireball, again scorching the three Xill. 'Cyn tumbled past the two fighters, flanking one of them, and sank her magic daggers squarely in its back. Bob finally got control of his horse and turned it back around to help his friends.
The cloaked Xill recovered its senses just in time to be soundly stomped one more time, as Rick's horse hurried back to relative safety behind Rick. The remaining Xill fighter nearly skewered Rick, missing him just between his arm and ribs. 'Cyn stabbed the Xill in the back one more time, giving her daggers a cruel twist as they sank through his exoskeleton. Alexander pumped a sound burst into the Xill Cleric, stunning it yet again. Bob rapidly approached the party, and began slowing his steed so he could dismount.
The Xill cleric shook off his ringin ears and took a shaky step towards his companion. He watched aghast as Rick swung his sword through the Xill fighter's throat, quickly bringing to an end its ability to breathe. 'Cyn gave her daggers a final twist as the lifeless corpse slid to the ground. Alexander unleashed three magic missiles into the cleric. Bob rode up behind and dismounted.
Rick and 'Cyn rushed to the Xill cleric and began meting out their own brands of pain. The Xill cast another healing spell on itself and fought with great savagery, cutting 'Cyn badly. Alexander unleashed three more magic missiles into the cleric, causing it to hiss in pain. Bob ran headlong into battle, and caught the business end of a sword in the arm as repayment for his efforts.
The Xill managed to cut 'Cyn once again - She staggered back as Bob pushed her away and entered the battle. Rick cut off one of the Xll's hands as Bob hewed mightily against its leg. Alexander cast a scorching ray into the Xill's chest, creating a smell that turned up Rick's nose.
The Xill got in one last lick against Rick as he was skewered from both sides - Rick's sword through his ribs, and Bob's through his flank. He hissed a curse at the party as he fell to the ground.
"They musta not liked what we did to their friend," supposed Rick, as he cast healing on himself and 'Cyn.
"I suppose maybe you're right," agreed Bob, as he tended to his own wounds.
The party searched the bodies for items of interest, re-mounted their steeds, and headed on towards Terynio.
This ends Foxtrot Campaign