A couple of days passed, with the group resting in comfort while eating the house's remaining provisions. They were now fully healed, and began considering how they should back to Terynio.

"How do we get back home?" asked Alexander.

"Back the way we came?" said Rick, sarcastically.

"No," replied Alexander, "I mean - well, we've wandered pretty far back into the woods, would it be quicker or safer to go on around the lake?"

"I see," replied Rick, "I have no idea what's over that way. This is the first time I've ever been to the lake."

"Oh, OK," said Alexander. "I guess the way we came is the way to go, then."

"Well, it just stopped raining!" piped up Bob, "We should head back now before it gets to hot!"

"Where the heck have you been the last few days?" asked Rick pointedly.

"Whaddaya mean?" replied Bob.

"Stirges are like mosquitoes. Big ones," stated Rick, "they like cool weather. I've not seen them out once during the rain - I'd rather head back in a big storm!"

"..." replied Bob, before being interrupted by 'Cyn.

"Or in the blazing hot!" added 'Cyn.

"..." said Bob.

"Or even at night, when it's gotten cold," agreed ALexander.

"OK, then," said Bob, "are we headed back tonigh, then?"

"I dunno," replied Rick, "I'm thinking this little place has the makings of a great base of operations."

"Besides the stirges, you mean!" Alexander prodded

"I dunno," Rick replied, "they help keep critters and people out..."

"And us, too!" replied 'Cyn.

"Well," replied Rick, "Maybe we could slowly work out some magically protected paths or some such?"

"Like that's not a lot of work," interjected ALexander.

"True," replied Rick, "but this little place is pretty sturdy - upkeep should be a lot less than the hotels back in town."

"Not worth it to me," replied Alexander, "Crap, I'd just as soon pay a few gold for a hotel room and not have to worry about the upkeep. Let it be someone else's problem!"

"Yeah!" agreed Bob.

"Maybe so," said Rick, "but eventually, we're gonna wish we had a place to keep some things, instead of just carrying them around on our horses... Especially if another one gets killed again."

"Well," rpelied Alexander, "there is that... I just don't think this is the place."

"I dunno," replied Rick, "nice peaceful lake, secluded spot... I'm kinda liking the idea."

"Meh!" replied Alexander, "That's up to you. But it's certainly not big enough for all of us - just one or two."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right," agreed Rick, reluctantly. "Maybe I'll talk to the sheriff about staking a claim. Be a nice place to hang out when nothing's going on..."

"You do that," said Alexander, "In the mean time, we've eaten all the food that was here - let's head on out this evening."

That evening, after the temperature dropped, the party ventured forth. The journey back to the road was uneventful. As nitefall settled upon the landscape, they decided to move toward town until they found an area to camp. They would make the rest of the journey tomorrow.

"Hold up!" called Rick.

"What's going on?" asked Bob.

"There's a fire up ahead," replied Rick, squinting into the night.

"So?" asked Bob.

"Well," replied Rick, "I see some people standing around the fire... Seems out of place.

"Yeah," replied Alexander, "but we were planning on doing the same thing.."

"You're right," said Rick, "but we're less than a full day's walk from Terynio, so why would they set up camp there?"

After some discussion, it was decided that Rick and 'Cyn would leave the road and quietly scout ahead to see what was going on. The rest of the group would follow about thirty minutes later, such that they would arrive after Rick and 'Cyn had time to scout out the campsite.

Rick and 'Cyn moved off the road and carefully made their way Northward, until they were about thirty yards from the fire. The pair used signals to indicate that Rick would move ahead and circle around. There was something strange going on, as three robed figure were standing unmoving about the fire. After some time watching, the three figures didn't move at all for a full five minutes.

Rick cast a "Detect Evil" spell, and got no readings from the figures. He nodded to 'Cyn, and they stepped forward to hail the travellers. The three figures gave no response. The pair checked the area and waited for the rest of the party to arrive.

"They're statues," stated Rick.

"Statues?" asked Alexander, "Where did they come from?"

Rick studied Alexander for a moment. His "Detect Evil" spell was still in effect, and something near Alexander and his raven showed up as evil. For the moment, Rick ignored it - perhaps he was carrying a magical device that was evil-aligned.

"Dunno," replied Rick, "they've never been here before - and we just passed through a couple days ago.."

"Maybe they're real people turned to stone?" asked 'Cyn.

"Maybe," Rick replied, "... I've never heard of basilisks or anything like that around here. They couldn't've been this way long - their fire is still burning pretty well. Alexander?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you still have a 'Stone to Flesh' scroll? Maybe we can bring one to life."

Alexander rummaged in his pack for a moment. "Yeah," he replied, "I've still got one. I'd hate to waste it now, though, in case there is somethng nasty like that around."

Rick thought this over for a moment and agreed. "You're right. I found some fresh drag marks off into the woods on the West side of the road. Looks like more than one humanoid dragged another back into the woods. Maybe you could send your raven in to check it out?"

"Can do," replied Alexander as he sent the raven off into the woods. Alexander apparently had a telepathic link with the raven, as he quickly began reporting some of what the raven was seeing. "The full moon is really helping... The trail goes back maybe one hundred yrds before it enters a clearing. There's a couple of armed men in the clearing going through a chest. The chest is full of gold - the two men are looking at some gems."

After some discussion, the party agreed to do the same thing as before - Rck and 'Cyn would scout ahead, and the rest would wait thirty minutes to follow down the path. The pair headed off into the woods.

The pair circled the clearing, watching the two armed men intently. They settled down to wait until the rest of the party showed up. After a few minutes, they each heard the noise of their friends' approach. 'Cyn looked to her right and saw a half-elf with bow drawn. The half-elf was watching the clearing intently. Their friends were walking into an ambush!

Rick also saw the half-elf, and quietly drew his bow. He carefully stuck his sword in the ground in front of him at the ready - he would fire two arrows and then wade into battle. He looked to his left, however, and saw a dark figure also sitting in ambush! Rick turned to that figure, instead, and readied himself to fire.

The figure saw him turn! The figure stood up, as if to rush, and Rick fired a shot, hitting the figure in the left shoulder. The swordsman ran into the clearing yelling! Rick dropped his bow and picked up his sword - he ran into the clearing and battle!

'Cyn managed to sneak up behind the half-elf. Before the woman could fire a shot, 'Cyn sank here ceremonial dagger to its hilt in the archer's back. The archer died right there, making not a sound. Rick ran towards the swordsman, only to be nearly surrounded by the three adversaries in the clearing. Rick deftly avoided their attacks and watched as three magic missiles sailed into the clearing, hitting one of his assailants. Rick let out a long, low whistle, calling his war horse to battle.

As Alexander's magic missiles were flying towards their target, Bob ran ahead. He inteneded to run into melee, but instead fell into a pit trap - he fell nearly twenty feet, bouncing off the pit walls and landing on his back. Groaining, he stood up and attempted to climb out - the soft earth crumbling and impeding his progress. Alexander jumped back in horror as hundreds of small spiders suddenly began swarming around him! He stepped back and cast a "Flaming sphere" to begin burning them. Another set of magic missiles flew from the nearby woods and struck Rick, causing him to yelp!

'Cyn moved to Rick's aid, stabbing a flanked opponent. Rick hit the swordsman hard, drawing blood through his armor. Alexander continued scorching swarms of spiders while Bob tried again to climb from the pit - this time using his pitons as ladder rungs.

Rick dodged the blows of the swordsman, but took a short sword across the shoulder blade as one of the armed men got in a lucky blow. Rick squinted in pain as he watched two more magic missiles fly from the woods and hit him in the chest.

The raven gave Alexander the aproximate location of the hidden adversary - the one flinging magic missiles at Rick. Alexander Let the flaming sphere die and fired a fireball off into the woods. The explosion was large enough to scorch one of the armed thugs, the swordsman, and a fairly large stand of trees! 'Cyn finished off the the thug that had laid the lucky shot across Rick's back, and began to circle around to flank the swordsman. Rick whiffed a swipe at the swordsman, and let out a long, low whistle to call his war horse to battle.

Suddenly, a bunch of very sitcky webs appeared, covering the path and the pit containing Bob. From the woods galloped a Drider! The half-elf/half-spider charged into battle, his sword clanging from Rick's shield! The swordsman and reaining thug kept Rick busy as the drider circled around, flanking Rick.

'Cyn Cartwheeled through the group, stopping right behind the swordsman. Before he could react, se stuck her sacrificial dagger deep into his gizzard, felling him immediately. Rick turned to face the drider. Remembering his lore, he began calling out to the half drow/half-spider "Loser! You failed the test!" He continued taunting his adversary like a six year old child. The drider was incensed at the teasing, and whiffed a shot toward Rick's throat. The drider yelped as Alexander nailed it cleanly with three magic missiles. Bob finally managed to extract himself from the pit, only to get tangled up in spider webs. Rick's horse galloped into the area and prepared to leap over Alexander, only to get stuck in the rope-like webs.

With a flurry of blows, the drider broke through Rick's defense, stabbing him with a dark blade. Rick once again showed his resistance to poison, noticing the taste of cherries in his mouth. The remaining thug atempted to skewer 'Cyn, giving her only a small scratch and pushing her back.

Rick returned the drider's attack, still chanting "failure" at him. Rick chopped off one of its eight legs, leaving a stump dripping red-green ichor. 'Cyn whiffed a shot at the thug while three more magic missiles from Alexander impacted the drider.

The drider laid into Rick, dealing some ragged cuts into his leg and forearm. The thug turned and stuck Rick in the back, hurting him badly.

Alexander stepped out of the last of the burning webs, and to the side of the path, allowing Ricks horse to leap into the fray. The horse galloped into the clearing and reared, planting a well placed hoof into the thugs arm, breaking it neatly. 'Cyn tumbled past Rick to help engage the drider - She managed a paltry cut on one of its legs, but did no real damage. Bob finally extricated himself from the webs and ran into the clearing, ready to enter battle. Rick landed a solid blow into the driders chest, all the while chanting "loser!"

The drider realized its peril, and jumped over Rick, running towards the woods. 'Cyn and Rick each managed an opportunistic swipe at the drider, hurting its bulbous lower body. Alexander, seeing that the drider was clear of the rest of the group, unleashed a fireball, killing the drider and burning several more trees. The remaining thug dropped to his knees and began begging for mercy.

As the party began checking out the clearing, a huge eagle landed, transforming into a robed man. The druid walked up to Alexander and gave him a dirty look. He then turned and looked at the burning trees. Suddenly, a big wind stirred up and extinguished the fires. The druid turned back to Alexander and said one word, "Why?"

Alexander pointed to the fallen enemy and said one word in reply - "Them."

The druid glanced at the bodies, and looked back to Alexander. "This will be your only warning." he said, "don't hurt my trees." With that, the druid lept into the sky and turned back into an eagle. He disappeared into the sky.

"Wow!" exclaimed Rick, "You sure do make a lot of friends!"

Alexander shrugged. "What the hells does he expect? Screw 'im anyway."

"What was up with you calling the elf-spider a loser?" asked 'Cyn.

Alexander began choking on his laughter as Rick explained. "First off," he began, "that is a 'drider.' The Drow, or Dark Elves, worship Lolth, the Spider God. Rumor has it that every so often, she summons some of the 'best' of them off for a test. Lore says that those who fail the test are turned into these driders. Know one knows what the test is, or what hapens to those who pass, but the driders are shunned by everyone, including other Drow."

"Man," pondered 'Cyn, "that's pretty rough..."

"You called him 'loser?'" laughed Alexander, "That's priceless!"

"And you!" said Rick, pointing to the thug, "Why should we let you live?"

The thug explained that while he might not be the best example of an upstanding citizen, he and the other thug had been coerced into setting ambushes by the drider. He further explined that they had found the statues back in the woods, and had planned on using them to lure unwary travellers back to the ambush site.

Rick listened to the explanation and thought a bit. "You can carry some of this stuff back to town as a pennance for the trouble you've caused us. The sheriff will deal with you there."

The thug nodded - hard labor was certainly better than death.

The group trudged back to town and went straight to the sheriff's office. Sheriff Johnson listened to the story and took the thug back to a holding cell. "Don't like the sound of this at all," he said. "Those statues match the description of a small pilgrimage of St Cuthbert's that headed down that way yesterday." The sheriff thought some more, "Here's a hundred-fifty gold for the bndits, and I'd appreciate it if you'd be willing to go poke around a bit and let me know what's going on."

"Tell you what," Rick volunteered, "We'll go recover one of the statues and have it brought back to life. We should be able to gather a fair amount of information that way... We'll at least figure out if they're the pilgrims or not - shoot, for all we know, they've been that way for a long time."

Sheriff Johnson mulled this over for a bit. "Sounds like a plan," he replied. "Talk to the Burke's at the magic store - they can help you with bringing them back."

The companions stayed the night in The Copper Dragon, and heade back down the road early the next morning. They reached the campsight by late morning, and found two of the three statues remaining.

"What the?" asked Bob, incredulously, "Why would anyone make off with a four-hundred pound statue?"

"Art collectors?" Answered Alexander sarcastically.

"Strong art collectors," laughed 'Cyn.

"Well, shoot," posited Rick, "If we take only one back, someone might steal the other."

"Yeah," agreed Bob, "but it's gonna be a chore just getting one of them back to town!"

After some thought, Rick had an idea. "Let's build a couple of sledges and just haul them back behind the horses - it'll be a bit of a pain, but it'll be a lot smoother going."

The party agreed that this seemed reasonable, and spent the midday building the sleds. That afternoon they dragged their loads back to town. After spending another night at The Copper Dragon, they hauled the statues to the magic store.

"We can try to restore them to life," answered Mot, "but it'll cost about six-thousand gold to pay for the materials. We'll not charge any fee, since you're working for Sheriff Johnson."

"Well," replied Rick, "There's about that much in this chest they had with them, so go ahead."

"Yeah," agreed Alexander, "No skin off our backs."

The mage cast his spell on the statue. It slowly faded back to flesh and cloth. The pilgrim looked about, blinking. "Who are you? Where am I?" he asked.

"You're back in Terynio," Rick replied, "Do you know what happened to you?"

"No," the cleric replied, "we pulled back into the woods to camp for a night, and that's the last thing I remember! Where are my friends?"

"We left them back by the road for now," said ALexander, "too much dead weight to lug around."

'Cyn snickered under her breath at the irony of that statement.

"We had a chest full of tithes to bring back to the temple in Ibalea," the cleric began, "Do you know what happened to it?"

"Yeah," relied Rick, "it brought you back to life."

"Oh..." replied the cleric, "... I suppose this is for the good of St. Cuthbert and his church, too. Can we recover my friends? There were four of us."

"Four?" replied Rick, "We only found three, and one of those was stolen just last night, it would seem."

"Perhaps the thief is the same who turned us into stone?" asked the cleric.

"Maybe," agreed Rick, "we promised the sheriff we'd head back down that way, and check it all out. You should probably come along."

"Ummm... OK," the cleric agreed.

The group finished reprovisioning, and set out South towards their fate early the next morning. Upon reaching the campsite, Rick began trying to track who- or whatever had made off with the third statue.

"The statue was dragged off here," he said, pointing towards a small break in the weeds to the side of the road. "It looks like our culprit is humanoid - wearing boots. The statue was carried off the side of the road." Rick walked over and inspected the grassy ditch.

"They set it down and started dragging it on its heels over here..."

"It's a person, you know," said the cleric, "not an it..."

"would you like to track it?" asked Rick.

"I can't," replied the cleric.

"OK, then," replied Rick, "I'll follow a ways, and see what's up."

Rick broke through the scrub and followed the trail into the woods. Abot fifty yards in, the trail turned South and followed the road. Soon, the drag marks disappeared to be replaced ith bootprints. The spoor disappered into a stream, but Rick soon picked the trail back up as it turned back West towards the road. A short distance later, the drag marks reappeared until the trail returned to the edge of the road. Again, the drag marks disapeared and reappeared on the West side of the road. Rick could see his friends about one-hundred yards to the North. He waved them over.

"What'd you find?" asked Alexander.

"Whoever took our friend's friend is prety darned strong," stated Rick in reply. "Looks to be only one set of tracks - bootprints, to be clear. Whoever it is picked the sttue up to crry it across the road - apparently to avoid leaving drag marks. Also carried it about forty yards through a stream to throw off trails."

"Did you manage to keep their trail?" asked the cleric.

"Yeah," said Rick, pointing to the West side of the road, "it picks back up right there. I think this is the point where we need to travel together some more."

"OK," said 'Cyn, trusting Rick's instincts, "lead on, we'll be right behind you."

Rick lead the party through the woods. The trail mostly stayed what appeared to be animal runs of different sizes. Occasionally Rick found interesting stones, some that looked like scales, others that looked like claws. At one point he found one that looked like a hand. "Hold!," he called. "Do the rings on this hand look familiar to you?"

"No," replied the cleric with more than just a little disgust.

"That's good," Rick replied, "it means your friend is probably still intact."

The small group continued on until the trail came to a small clearing. A small hill arose in the center of the clearing, with a small cave leading West, into the hill. Rick eyed it for a bit.

"The trail leads into there," he said, pointing.

"Will you go in and retrive my friend?" asked the cleric.

Rick eyed the hole. The entrance was barely waist-high.

"Nope." replied Rick matter-of-factly, "Ain't doin' it."

The group looked at Rick with raised eyebrows.

"What?" exclaimed the cleric, "why not?"

"Whoever dragged your friend in there's a hellsuva lot stronger than me," Rick began. "He can carry near six-hundred pounds," he continued. "He's comfortable dragging a six-hundred pound object a half-mile, crawling through a hole barely big enough to accomodate it, and I'd have to crawl in on my hands and knees with no good way of defending myself... Not gonna do it."

"But.." began the cleric, "it's your job!"

The laughter, while not audible, began to show in the party members' eyes.

"Not my job," Rick replied, "nobody's payin' us." He looked at the hole again and said, "Nope. Not gonna do it. I ain't goin' in there."

"But..." pleaded the cleric.

"He's your friend," said Rick, "why don't you lead the way?"

"Well," the cleric backpedalled, "he's more of an acquaintance, really..."

"Uh huh," muttered Rick, loud enough for the cleric to hear, "So much for the bravery of the clerics of S. Cuthbert..."

"That's not fair!" shouted the cleric, "I'm low in the order - I've had hardly any training!"

"I don't mind going..." Bob volunteered.

"Huh? replied nearly everyone in unison, "what'd you say?"

"I can go in there just fine," Bob emphasized, "I don't have the sae problem as you tallies. It'll be like a stroll through some of the shorter tunnels back home!"

"Yeah," explained Rick, "Until you come upon somebody's pet basilisk, or something..." And you won't have any backup, 'cause we can't fit worth a hoot."

"We could tie a rope to his waist," volunteered 'Cyn.

"Yeah, but no rope I've got will be able ot haul him out if he gets turned to stone," replied Rick, "he'll be stuck there..."

"You have a point," agreed Bob, "what should we do?"

Rick quickly outlined a plan wherein the party would stake out the paths to the entrance. Rick would set multiple snare traps to catch their stron prey. Rick would then sit above the cave entrance where he could watch, and wait for someone to emerge.

"I figure they'll want to come out, eventually," Rick explained, "We've got a couple weeks' worth of rations, I'm willing to hang out about five days or so, if necessary.

"But what if they never come out?" pleaded the cleric.

"I'm sure they'll come out eventually," explained Rick, "everybody's gotta eat eventually."

"What if there's another way out?" asked the cleric.

"What if there is?" asked Rick in reply. "This seems to be the main entrance - I'm don't feel like scowring the countryside for another entrance that may or may not be there."

The cleric seemed to accept the argument, and volunteered to stay with the horses while the rest of the group staked out the entrance. Rick camoflaged himself above the entrance and started watch. A short time later, a figure emerged from the small entrance. Seeing the figure, Rick decided to proceed with some tact. He coughed out loud. The figure jerked in surprise, and disappeared back into the hole.

'Cyn woke from her light slumber and listened intently. Just as she was about to drift back off, she heard Rick cough again.

Another figure had appeared. Maybe it was the same figure, but it was dressed a bit differently. Rick coughed out loud, and moved closer to the entrance, looking down with bow drawn. "Excuse me," he began, "I mean you no harm."

"What do you want?" the creature replied.

"All I want is to retrieve the statue you carried off earlier today. And perhaps another that is nearly identical," Rick replied.

"Is tha so?" replied the creature, turning slowly around, "and what would you do with it?"

"I've been asked to see if I could return it to its friends," Rick replied. The creature continued turning. Rick noticed she had a comely body, as her cloak was parted by her movements.

"I've never heard of statue with friends," she replied, "besides, I prefer to add to my collection!" She threw back her hood to reveal a displeasing countenance, framed by snakes.

"Medusa!" Rick cried, as he was turned to stone.

"Shit!" 'Cyn cried to Alexander, "A medusa!"

Bob also heard Rick's cry. He closed his eyes and ran into battle. his blind-fighting skills would serve him well this evening! 'Cyn averted her gaze as best she could, and ran into battle. She and Bob both hewed into the medusa's thick hide while Alexander launched a volley of magic missiles

The medusa struck Bob hard, causing him to reel backwards as a frozen Rick steadfastly refused to come to his aid. 'Cyn answered the insult with a vicious stab to the medusa's side as Alexander sent another volley of magic missiles into the hideous creature.

The medusa hammered Bob again, but this time he returned the favor with a vicious slice through her quadraceps. 'Cyn's dagger glanced ineffectively off the medusa's scales as Alexander unleashed a scorching ray into her flank.

The medusa screamed in pain as she turned towards the magic's source. The medusa struck 'Cyn as her gaze met Alexanders - Alexander began turning to stone! The medusa screamed in pain as Bob's sword cut through the back of her leg, hamstringing her. As the medusa fell forward, 'Cyn's ceremonial dagger came up and impaled the medusa's head. The medusa fell to he ground, dead.

The group examined Rick for a moment - his bow was drawn, with an arrow ready to loose. His skin and clothes were all of a dark, grey stone now. His mouth was still open from his warning yell. Alexander, back in the brambles, looked similar - both hands up and mouth open, ready to cast a spell. The party began the arduous task of loading the two statues onto the horses.

The party hiked back into town, straight to the magic-users' shop. After some quick negotiations, Alexander was turned back to flesh. One arcane sylable left his mouth as sudden realization crossed his face. He worked his jaw once or twice before asking "What the hells?"

"She got you," answered 'Cyn.

"Got me?" asked Alexander, slightly befuddled.

"Yeah," replied 'Cyn, as she pointed at Rick, "Like him."

Alexander looked at Rick. He shook his head and rummaged through his pack for his "Stone to Flesh" scroll.

"You might want to stand aside," Alexander said to the cleric.

"Why?" he asked.

"Well," said Alexander as he retrieved a scroll, "When I read this, he's gonna turn back to flesh, and he might accidentally let go of that arrow. And you're in front of it."

"Oh!" exclaimed the cleric as sudden realization swept across his face. He scurried out of the way.

Alexander read the scroll and touched Rick. The grey stone was pushed away - it looked much like ripples in a pond after a stone is thrown in. Soon, Rick was awake and blinking. "Bitch!" he muttered, and then looked around, momentarily confused.

"What was it like?" asked 'Cyn.

"What?" Rick replied.

"Being turned to stone!"

"Was I? I don't remember anything. The medusa was there, and then next thing I kew, you were."

"Huh," pondered Alexander, "interesting. Well, you're back now, how are you doing?"

"I'm fine," replied Rick, "what happened?"

'Cyn and Bob described the short, but violent battle. Alexander explaind that Rick had been turned to stone, and that he had just burnt his scroll bringing him back.

"Well, crap," answered Rick. "Let's spend the night and then head over to the Sheriff's Office - let him know what's going on."

The next morning the group talked with Sheriff Johnson. "So that's the story so far," finished Rick.

"Not good news," the Sheriff replied, "I can't make you go, but I'd reckon I'd be mighty glad if you could go check it out - make sure there's no more - for me. I've got my hands tied up with another matter right now."

"Trust me," replied Alexander, "Bes I can tell, that wasn't any fun!"

Shiriff Johnson smiled at the crude humor. "Tell you what," he said, "I can afford to pay you five hundred gold to check the place out - make sure it' clear.

After some discussion, the party agreed to check it out, and headed out the door. Late that afternoon, the group arrived back at the entrance to the cave.

"Do you suppose there's any more? asked the cleric.

Rick eyed the cleric and asked, "Where were you for all the excitement last time, skippy?"

"Uhhh," the cleric replied while giving Rick a dirty look, "protecting the animals."

"I dunno if there's any more," replied Rick with some disdain, "There's lotsa tracks out here, but they mostly look the same. It might be safe to go check it out."

"I'll lead!" Bob volunteered.

"All right," agreed Rick, "Go ahead. Scout down a bit and see what you find. We'll come in after you." Rick began tying on a blindfold.

"Why are you doing that?" asked the cleric.

Rick shrugged and replied "That wasn't the way I like a woman to turn me to stone. I don't want it happen again."

Bob closed his eyes and started down the tunnel, eyes closed and head lowered. He felt carefully along. The rest of the party followed a short distance behind him. The cleric cast a "light" spell so he could see. The tunnel went about thirty yards into the earth and took a sharp dogleg to the North. The party continued on a bit until Bob screamed.

"Argh! Shit!" Bob yelled.

"Crap! What happened?" asked Rick.

"A frikkin' snake just bit me!" Replied Bob, as he severed the snake's head from its body.

"How big?" asked Rick.

"Whaddaya mean how big?" screamed Bob, "it's a damned rattlesnake! Crap, it hurts!"

"I meant," snickered Rick, "did you need help. I was curious if maybe it was a giant snake of some sort."

"Oh," grumbled Bob. "Naah, it's dead already. Hey, look - the tunnel is changing!"

"We can't see, we're blindfolded," Rick relied, "describe it to us."

Ahead, the tunnel forked. Straight ahead, it rapidly shrank to the size that even Bob would have to craw. Almost due North, on the right, the tunnel suddenly opened up to about ten feet across by nine or so feet tall.

"Well, I guess we're not going forward," said Rick, "I guess we'll head North. Lead on, Bob!"

The group traveled about thirty yards, and the hallway widened out to become a small cave. In the cave were four badly damaged statues.

"Huh," posited Bob, "One of these guys your friend?"

The party removed their blindfolds and saw the four statues. Each was humanoid in form and were in poor condition. The cleric turned a bit green as he pointed out the one missing half it's head.

"He was the leader of our cloister," the cleric gulped.

"One more to go, I suppose." said Rick, "Maybe he'll be in better shape."

"One can hope," the cleric replied.

The group continued down the tunnel - it wasn't long before a largish cave opened up before them. Mushrooms grew in all sizes, large and small - the biggest was nearly three feet tall. The cleric's light allowed the group to see most of the way across the chamber. A well-worn path went further North into another large tunnel. A barely discernible path went to the left, out of the party's sight.

"Hold up!" called Bob. He described what he saw, and everyone removed their blindfolds.

"I don't like it," posited Rick.

"No?" asked the cleric, "why not?"

"Gives me the heebie-jeebies," Rick replied.

"Heebie Jeebies," the cleric muttered, "Sounds pretty psycho to me..."

"Alexander," asked Rick, "you still got that wand of fireballs?"

"Sure," Alexander replied.

"You mid laying down a few overlapping fireballs to cover what we can see?"

"Sure!" replied Alexander, pulling the wand from inside his robes.

Alexander laid down three large fireballs amidst the mushrooms, when two bipedal creatures came tearing around the corner! The reptilian-looking creatures stood about five feet tall, and were about seven feet long, nose-to-tail. As they approached the party, the eache expelled a cone of acid, horribly injuring Alexander, Rick, and Bob!

Alexander answered the attack with another fireball while 'Cyn's crossbow began to sing. Rick laid into the digester closer to him, while Bob whiffed a blow to his. Rick's digester attempted to bite his throat, but Rick's shield pushed its snout away. Bob danced backwards, narrowly avoiding a savage bit, himself.

Again, Alexander unleashed three magic missiles into the creature attacking Rick, causing it to yelp in pain. 'Cyn found a tender spot in the same digester's flank with her crossbow. Rick hewed into the creature with all his might, but the unfazed creature bit hard into his leg. Bob stabbed upwards, peeling back layers of his opponent's flesh, causing its snapping jaws to narrowly miss his face.

Alexander unleashed three more magic missiles, felling the beast that was attached to Rick's leg. Rick pulled away from its death throes and laid into the beast that was snapping at Bob. 'Cyn loosed another bolt, but it ricoched harmlessly off the beasts hindquarters.

The last digester turned to run away, exposing it's flanks to Rick and Bob. Both fighters laid into the beast, hamstringing it on both sides. One last trio of Alexander's magic missiles put the beast down.

"Damn," panted Rick, "That acid hurt something awful!"

"No doubt," agreed Alexander, as Rick began casting healing on him.

The cleric walked forward to aid the wounded party members.

"Why don't you earn your keep as a part of this whole mess?" asked Alexander.

"I am," replied the cleric as he cast a "cure light" on Rick, "right now. This is all I can do."

The mostly-healed group checked out the remainder of the cave, and found the digester's nest. It would appear they were a mating pair, as there was a single egg in the nest. The egg appeared to have been broken by one of Alexander's fireballs, and there was nothing else of value to be found.

"Well," sighed Rick, "I'm beat. I've got no healing magic left. I'm all for holing up here for a while, until we're all a bit better.

The rest of the party agreed, so Alexander cast a "Leomund's Hut." A stone building suddenly appeared, blocking the tunnel from which they came. The building had a heavy oak door leading inwards. Alexander explained that the small shelter was fully lockable, and would alert them of intruders up to fifty feet away. The group racked out for a good afternoon's rest - undisturbed.

Fully recouperated, the group set out beyond the digesters' cave.

The group travelled onward, making their way carefully through the remainder of the mushrooms. It wasn't long before the cave necked back down into a narrow hallway. Within, they could follow the faint tracks of a bioedal creature, and occasional, deep gouge-marks in the stone floor. The passage turned southward as the party carefully moved forward.

The passage soon opened up into another kidney-shaped cave, approximately twenty by ten feet in size. Within were eight statues in various states of disrepair. On the floor were the broken pieces of more statues, and what appeared to be the the occasional bone fragment. Towards the southern end of the chamber lay what appeared to be a large water basin.

A thorough search of the room revelaed nohing of interest, except for one of the statues. This statue was broken in half, and large pieces were missing. The cleric looked a bit green as he inspected wht he knew were once living humans. Through his cherning viscera, however, he was able ot readily identify the statue as one of his three travelling companions.

"Cuthburt protect his soul," murmered the cleric, "Is there anything we can do to bring him back?"

"I could mend him back together, maybe," replied Alexander, "but there are so many pieces missing..."

"I think you should go ahead and say some final words," replied Rick.

As the cleric began his intonations, Bob walked back towards the basin. "Hey," he called, "There's something glowing down there!"

After the cleric was finished with his departing words, Rick walked over to check out the well. As he looked in, a large water elemental formed, and pummeled him hard! Rick tried to jump back, but was engulfed in the elemental's grip! Bob cut into the elemental, his sword blowing a spray of water across the wall. Alexander fired off a series of magic missiles that made sizzling sounds as they struck the creature. 'Cyn stepped back and drew her crossbow as she maneuvered for a clear shot.

Rick grapnelled with the elemental as the cleric looked on in renewed horror - never had he seen water act this way before! Bob sliced into the elemental one more time, as Alexander's magic caused it apparent pain. 'Cyn's intrument of death played its deadly song as a crossbow bolt skewered the elemental and bounced off the wall.

The elemental realized its peril, and dove below the water's surface, dragging Rick along. Bob managed a parting blow as Alexander's magic once again found its target. 'Cyn's shot missed it's mark, however, narrowly missinng Bob's ear.

Below the water's surface, Rick found himself being dragged through an underground stream. He managed to break free of the elemental, but maintained his grip on it as he struck out with his sword. The elemental recoiled in pain as Rick cut into it again and again. The elemental pounded Rick fiercely, knocking out some of his breath, but not managing to escape.

The elemental finally broke free of Rick's grasp and began moving down the underwater tunnel. Rick jumped from the bottom of the tunnel, reaching out with a violent thrust of his sword. The elemental expired as the sword found its home, leaving Rick alone in the underwater darkness.

Rick kept his wits about himself as he looked around. He soon perceived a faint glow. Hoping that was the way from which he came, Rick began half swimming, half walking back towards the light. He passed, maybe fifty feet, and before him was the shining object, a glowing longsword. Rick grabbed it up and leapt towards the surface.

The remainder of the party were discussing what to do when Rick exploded violently from the water, gasping for breath.

"You're alive!" yelled the cleric.

"Obviously," answered Rick between wracking coughs.

"Are you okay?" asked the cleric.

"Fine time to begin caring," managed Rick, as he regained his feet. "Here's the glowing thing," he sad as he tossed the sword to the floor. He then exended some healing magic on himself, and said "Let's go."

The group gathered up and moved off through the cave, into the next narrow tunnel. The tunnel turned rapidly Northward. As they carefully inched along, Rick called a halt.

"What's up?" asked Alexander.

"There's a hidden door, here," answered Rick.

"Where?" Alexander replied.

"Right there," answered Bob, "can't you see it?"

A quick discussion ensued, wherein the party agreed to take the hidden passage. They passed uneventfully through the passage, only to come to another doorway. They carefully pushed it open, only to find themselves in what appeared to be the tunnel they had just left.

"I don't like the idea of maybe leaving someone behind us," said Rcik, "wait here while I scout back a bit."

"Okay," agreed Bob, as he set up as a forward watch.

Time passed uneventfully for about fifteen minutes, until Rick returned.

"Find anything?" asked Alexander.

"This is the same tunnel," Rick replied, "we just bypassed a pit trap back there, that's all. Rady to move forward?"

"Yep," replied Bob, "ready!"

As the group continued on, the air slowly became musty and humid, smelling much like dirt. Soon, the passage opened back up into another cave, roundish with a diameter of about fifteen feet. The cave's floor was covered in largish mushrooms, many standing near six feet tall.

"Alexander?" asked Rick.

"Fireballs?" replied Alexander.

"Please," replied Rick.

Alexander released a large fireball, desroying nearly everything in the room. In the fading light, the party moved along the North wall, feeling their way through the darkness, their vision obscured by the lingering smoke. As they approached the exit, the lone remaining mushroom began screaming!"

The cleric grabbed his ears and winced in pain as Bob and Rick both quickly hacked the screamer to the ground. The screamd died away slowly, as if the air were being released from a baloon.

"Guess they know just where we are for sure, now," posited Bob.

"I figure they already knew," replied Rick, "it's not like fireballs are quiet, ya know..."

Bob shrugged and took the lead, Rick following closely behind. The passage wound Southward, and then back towards the North. It then opened up to a well-used cave, about fifteen feet wide by twety feet long. Looking about, a small passage was easily identifiable to the Southwest. To the North was a large exit, and to the West lay a large, straw nest. A quick search revealed nothing but the leftovers from various bloody meals.

"I'm betting that's the small tunnel back out to the main entrance," said Rick, pointing to the small tunnel.

"Yeah," replied Bob, "the direction's pretty colse to correct."

"You game to check it out real quick," asked Rcik, "Make sure there's nothing behind us?"

"Let's check what's beyond that other exit, first," replied Bob, "I think I see some light coming from that way."

Everyone nodded, at this idea, so they trecked out through the Northern exit. The tunnel made a sharp turn Eastward, and opened into a room with another straw nest. In the center of the room were the dying flames of a fire. A quick searc of the room revealed nothing of interest.

"Looks like it got away," posited Rick.

"Yeah," agreed Alexander, "I wonder how, though?"

"I'm betting it went out that small tunnel," replied Ric, "Bob, you still willing to rat it out?"

"Sure," said Bob, "I'll wait up at the entrance. I'll meet you there."

With that, Bob dropped down to his hands and knees, and began crawling through the tunnel. The rest of the party hurried back through the caverns to the main entrance. Bob beat them to the entrance, and was waiting when they arrived.

"We're not far behind the other," he said.

"You see it?" asked Rick.

"No," replied Bob, "But there's been something moving outside. I didn't want to try it alone."

Rick cautiously exited the cave, looking carefully for tracks. After some searching, he found one of his traps had been sprung. "Look here!" he called.

The rest of the party hurried up to his location. "What's up?" asked 'Cyn.

"Look here," replied Rick, pointing. "Someone's sprung this trap. Boot prints look like the ones we've been following... And here's a broken egg!"

Alexander picked up the rubbery egg and looked it over. "Looks kinda like a snake egg," he said.

"Yeah," replied Rick, "I'm thinking there were baby medusas about to be..."

"Holy crap!" posited 'Cyn.

"What about my other friend?" asked the cleric, "We still need to go find him!"

Rick thought about it a moment. "No," he replied.

"But!" exclamed the cleric, "you promised you'd help me find them all!"

"Listen," Rick explained, "right now, we have a bigger danger. Your friend likely isn't gonna get hurt if he's turned to stone somewhere. Right now, though, there's a medusa roaming around the countryside, and it'll kill more people if we don't track it down quickly!"

"I don't like this," whined the cleric, "You're not doing what you promised!"

"Listen," replied Rick, sternly, "you need to get your priorities straight, and stop whining! Your friend may already be dead, for all we know. However, it's more imporant to me that we track down this medusa before it can hurt anyone else. I'll be happy to come back and help you look for your friend afterwards. So, you have a choice - you can stay here and look for him, or you can come with us. Decide. Now!"

"I'll... I'll follow," replied the cleric.

"Good," replied Rick, " let's go."

Rick began tracking. Their quarry left a distinct trail for a short bit, but then another set of tracks became apparent just outside the clearing. "Hold," said Rick.

"What's going on?" asked Alexander.

"Looks like our medusa friend stopped to talk with a kobold," replied Rick.

"Kobolds?!" exclaimed Bob, "What the hells?"

"Yeah," replied Rick, "Looks like there might be one about. I'm gonna find him before we go after our medusa friend."

With that, Rick began searching for the kobold's spoor. IT wasn't long before he picked up faint signs of a kobold's passage. He followed the track to a rock. As he rounded the rock, a kobold jumped up to run away. Rick tackled the kobold and pinned him down. The kobold spat and scratched until Rick hissed through gritted teeth, "Be still and you might live!"

The kobold stopped fighting, and eyed Rick warily.

"Listen, pumpkinhead," began Rick, "and listen closely. You cooperate with me, and I'll let you live. Anything else, and I'm gonna string out your guts on a banjo."

"I help!" yipped the kobold, excitedly.

"What are you doing here?"

"Looking for new home!"

"Why?"

"Old home destroyed! Gnolls kicked us out! Chief told me to scout for new place to live!"

"OK. You're going to go back to your chief and tell him there's no place to live out this way, capice?"

"Yes! Yes! I tell! Can I go now?"

"No."

"But... You said.."

"Shut up. Did you see a medusa?"

"What medusa?"

"... A big creature. My size, maybe bigger. Scaly. Maybe in a trap?"

"Yes! Yes! Saw him! Hanging from snare some amateur set!"

"Where is he now?"

"Let him go!"

"Why?"

"He said he pay me!"

"Did he?"

"No! Gave me his egg clutch. Asked me to take care!"

"He gave you his eggs!?" asked Rick in astonishment.

"Gave me eggs. Said keep them safe! Promised we would be taken care of after they hatch!"

Alexander, 'Cyn, and Bob all began to laugh. Rick smirked.

"What funny?" asked the kobold

"Your whole clan would be medusa food," replied Rick

The kobolds eyes opened wide. "What you mean?" he asked.

"Medusas turn others to stone..."

The kobolds eyes got big.

"Yeah," continued Rick, "then they eat them."

The kobold was almost frantic. "Must get eggses!" he cried.

"One more thing," continued Rick, "which way did he go?"

The kobold pointed to the West. "Him go dat way!"

"Thanks," said Rick, "you can go."

"Really?" asked Bob and the kobold, in unison.

"Really," replied Rick. "But if I ever see you or your kind around here again, so help me gods, I will wipe you out. And it won't be the first time. Understand?"

The little creature was nearly shaking in its boots. "Understand," it agreed.

"Go. Now. Before I change my mind." WIth that, Rick began looking for the medusa's spoor. Bob, 'Cyn, and the cleric followed Rick. Alexander, however, pulled the kobold over to he side.

"You're gonna break those eggs, right?" asked Alexander

"Yes!" replied the kobold.

"Shh... You can live in the caves"

"Really?" replied the kobold, eyeing Rick.

"Yes, on a couple of conditions."

"conditions."

"Yes."

"What condition?"

"First, you stay away from town and all humans and elves."

"Oh. OK, but deir babies taste so good..."

"Stay away," Alexander replied, grimacing.

"Yes. We stay away."

"If you don't, he'll come back and kill every one of you," said Alexander, nodding towards Rick.

"Pshh." replied the kobold.

"No, really," replied Alexander, "He's already killed over a hundred kobolds. He hates your kind."

The kobold shuddered. "OK. We stay away."

"Good. One more condition."

"What that?"

"You. And your whole clan. You owe me a favor."

"What favor?"

"I don't know, yet. But I'll let you know when it's time."

"OK. We owe you favor."

"And if you cross me..." Alexander made a pointed look towards Rick.

"Understand!" replied the kobold.

"OK, get out of here. And tell your chief everything."

The kobold scampered off.

Rick had been searching towards the West, in widening arcs, until he picked up the medusa's trail. "Let's go bag us another medusa."

The party began to follow Rick's lead. "How far ahead is he?" asked Bob.

"Looks like at least a full day's lead," Rick replied. "If we keep at it, we might just catch him."

"What's to the West?" asked the priest"

"Some farmland a skosh to the North, woods and mountains due West, and mostly unmapped woods towards the South." replied Rick."

"Then why are we chasing him? He likely can't get over the mountains, and if he does, he's not our problem."

Rick stopped and looked at the preist. "Are you sure you worship St. Cuthbert? You'd rather let this monster, that uses people for food, loose on the countryside? You don't mind if some farmer and his family get eaten? I think you need to do some real soul searching about what you believe, sparky. If you're not up to it, you can just head back to town now!"

The priest was taken aback. "No, I'll stick with you. For now."

The group pushed off, into the woods. The medusa had been making an effort to conceal his tracks, making the going a little tougher. Rick managed to keep on the creature's trail, however, and the party followed it nearly due West. After some time, it became apparent that the medusa was confident that it had obscured its travel long enough.

"It's getting cocky," said Rick.

"How so?" asked 'Cyn.

"It's stopped covering it's tracks," replied Rick, "it'll be making better time, now."

"How far ahead is it?" asked Bob.

"I'm guessing about a half a day, yet," replied Rick, "It's awfully quick. Looks like it's moving at nearly our speed. We'll have to pick up our pace to catch up."

The group followed after the medusa until noon, when they found its camp from the previous night. They took a break from their forced march to eat. The chase continued for another two full days and short nights' rest. About noon time Rick called them to a halt. "There's a small fire up ahead - spread out - I'll scout ahead. I'll head out through the woods to the right. You guys spread out - some to the left, and some on the trail. We don't want all of us to get turned to stone at once..."

The group split up - Rick to the right, Bob to the left, 'Cyn, Alexander, and the cleric went down the road. Rick worked himself into a position where he could see the medusa. It didn't look normal, however - this was a male. Rick carefully set his sword at the ready on the ground, and knocked a "stirge's bite" arrow. He watched carfully as Bob and the rest tried to move silently into place.

The medusa jumped up as 'Cyn stepped on a branch, signaling her proximity. Rick let his arrow loose, and it punctured the medusa's shoulder. The medusa pulled out a falchion, and ran towards 'Cyn as Alexander unloosed a series of magic missiles into the medusa's thick hide. Bob ran into the fray, a blur of fury lacing out at the medusa's knees.

The medusa roared in pain as it beat down against Bob's armor - a painful blow that nearly took off Bob's arm. Rick ran into battle, flanking the medusa and slipped his sword between its ribs. 'Cyn moved into position and used her favorite poking utensile to carve a large gouge in the medusa's side while Alexander caused a volley of magic missiles to rain down about its head and shoulders.

The medusa whirled about and brought his strength to bear, driving the falchion deep into Rick's armor, drawing a copious mount of half-elven blood. Rick returned the favor, skewering the medusa's kidney. Bob whipped his sword about, letting the medusa's patella have access to much more air than it was used to. 'Cyn whiffed an otherwise wicked slice while Alexander fired another volley of magic missiles into the fray.

The medusa drove its falchion again into Rick's side, knocking him to the ground. Bob nearly drew blood, but the medusa stepped deftly away from his attacks. 'Cyn's attacks hurt the beast, adding more blood to the growing gory mess. Alexander unleashed a scorching ray into the medusa's stomach, causing it to again scream out in pain.

The medusa's falchion rent Bob's armor, staggering the gnome backwards several steps. Rick shook his head, clearing out the cobwebs, and cast a cure moderate wounds on himdelf. Bob staggered back into battle, neatly hamstringing the medusa. The medusa mmanaged to keep himself upright as he pasted 'Cyn with the flat of his weapon. Alexander unleashed another scorching ray into the medusa's hide, causing it to fall to its knees.

Bob leapt to finish the beast, but Rick sprung into his way and struck the creature with the flat of his sword, knocking him unconcious.

"The hells!?" cried Bob, "Why'd you do that?"

"We need information," replied Rick, binding the medusa's hands behind its back. Rick then cast a light healing magic on the medusa, just bringing it back to conciousness.

"Well..." posited Alexander, eyeballing the medusa, "What's your favorite torture?"

"Torture?" asked Bob, with a gleam in his eye.

"Torture?" asked Rick, with a look of disgust.

"Well, yeah," replied Alexander, "How else are we gonna get iinformation out of him?"

"We don't need to torture him," replied Rick.

"Yeah," replied Bob, "you didn't need to torture that kobold, either."

"What kobold?" asked an interested Cleric of Cuthbert.

"The blind one," replied 'Cyn."

"But.." interjected Rick.

"You tortured a blind kobold?!" scowled the cleric, "I knew you hated them, but that's evil!"

"It was an accident!" insisted Rick.

"How do you accidentally torture someone?" asked a skeptical cleric.

"You tie it to a tree so the crows can pluck it's eyes out," replied Bob.

"I didn't know the crows would come and do that!" protested Rick.

"Damn, that's cruel!" answered the cleric, turning a bit green around the edges, "Did you at least put him out of his misery?"

"Naaah," interjected Bob, "He got away."

"What!?" exclaimed the cleric, in disbelief, "A blind kobold got away from a Ranger?"

"Screw you guys," replied Rick. He looked at the medusa a minute before continuing. "I know how to do this - hang on." Rick began intoning an incantation. Shortly, a light shone from the sky, and a slight tingling settled on the party.

"What the hells was that?" asked Bob.

"Zone of truth, and an enchantment," Replied Rick. "Now he thinks I'm his best friend in the whole world, and he also cannot tell a lie."

"Does that work?" asked 'Cyn.

"Dunno," replied Rick, "never tried it before." After a moment's reflection, he began talking with the medusa.

"So, mister medusa, what's going on?"

"Maedar."

"Maedar? What's that?"

"Me. We're not male medusas. We call ourselves maedar."

"Aaahh. I see. I apologize. We didn't know. Here's the deal - you give us what we ask for, and I'll let you live."

"I've just heard how well you treat your prisoners."

"It really was an unforseen occurence. My word to you is that if you cooporate, I will not harm you. So, where were you headed?"

"I was going to find a new place to live, since you killed my wife."

"Any place in particular?"

"No, so long as it has plenty of food." The maedar gave the cleric a look - "That one looks nice and plump..."

"Well," answered Rick, "speaking of food, those kobolds won't be serving dinner for your kids."

"What?" asked startled maedar.

"Yep, we told them all about it. They said they'd deal with the eggs in an appropriate manner."

"Now what," asked the maedar, somewhat dejectedly.

"Well," replied Rick, "Were there any more of you? More medusas, maedar, or children, I mean."

"No, just us."

"So, tell us about yourselves - do males turn living creatures to stone as well?"

"No, we're immune to it."

"Really? I guess that makes sense - are the females immune to it, too?"

"No, they're not - They need a male around to help raise the kids."

"I don't understand."

"See, sometimes the kids start turning each other to stone. Or sometimes even the mother. My gaze can turn the stone back to flesh. It's how we eat - turning things to stone also acts as long-term storage."

"Really? How 'bout that! So there's always a male around when there's kids, then?"

"Usually, but not always. Sometimes the female might kill the male and keep his head around. That works, too."

"Really? That's interesting. Alexander? 'Cyn? Bob? Do we hav any more questions?"

"What're we gonna do with him?" asked Bob.

"I promised him I wouldn't hurt him," replied Rick, "I plan on bringing him back to town to un-stone some of the previous victims. I figure we'll let Sheriff Johnson take care of him from there."

As Rick began leading the maedar back down the trail towards Terynio, Alexander took Bob's sword and beheaded the maedar.

"The hells!?" exclaimed Rick, "What'd you do that for?"

"Look," replied Alexander, "I'm sorry I broke your promise. But we can't take the chance that he'll escape - we'd have the equivalent of a psychopathic axe murderer running around loose. He told us his head alone will turn people back, so let's just take that back to town."

Rick looked around to see the entire group nodding with Alexander's reasoning. Rick sighed, put the maedar's head in a bag, and began walking back towards town.

This ends Hotel Campaign