Savage Demon Spawn

Fleeing the raising of Harrah, three friends who rallied with Thane Walrich the Shield to allow the residents time to flee, were finally free of pursuit. The rugged Aro leading his companions east into the Vekken Wilds on the way to Dammara, the nearest walled city. Little Gnomer out of her element in the woods, adapted well, taking the roll of scout sneaking ahead to ensure the safety of her companions and search for opportunity. Singing hymns while leading her mule Harris along after Aro.

A day after entering the Vekken Wilds, the woods became silent. As evening approached, the refugees approached an Onokagan village devoid of defenders. Aside from a handful of venerable men including Shamanlord Dern. An elderly elf met the travelers on the outskirts of the village and led them to Dern and the women. The Shamanlord begged the travelers assistance, as his great spirits had promised. War, abductions, and despair were the tales he passed on. War between peaceful tribes of elves, abductions of women, even his niece, and the loss of the Chief and most of the tribe's braves.

The quest put to the travelers was to find and rescue the Shamanlord's niece, the future leader of the tribe. Off on the quest the traveling companions set off on an adventure in the silent woods; foot steps and the wind were the only sounds. The only animal seen the entire day was a fleeing dire badger mad with fear. The badger's mad flight was nearly a deadly encounter.

That evening the adventurers found the field where the Chief and his small band died in search for the Shamanlord's niece. The land was stained with blood, but lacked any remains of the fight aside from blood and a cracked boulder. From the crack in the boulder, a spectre emerged. The shade of Shaman Dolphus of the Onokaga, son of Shamanlord Dern. His tale was tragic. The Chief's band was ambushed by warriors of a neighboring tribe, but before the battle commenced, an unnatural darkness spread and a small black figure emerged and began killing the Onokagan warriors. The ambushers fled before the little black terror. Once all present were dead the little black figure stalked off. Others, demonic cloaked creatures that appeared as walking plants soon arrived and absconded with all the bodies and weapons present in the scene. Shaman Dolphus sent the adventurer's off to rescue the body of the chief to preserve his soul, to allow his soul to join the great spirits.

Following the trail of blood in the eerie silent and still woods to a cave that seemed to emanate evil. Bravely or foolishly, Aro led his companions down into the depths of the cave. An unidentified demon of some great strength welcomed Aro into his lair. Whether it was a random good mood, intrigue in the boldness of Aro, or fate, we may never know, but the demon allowed Aro and his companions to enter his morgue and retrieve the Chief's body. The adventures soon found themselves locked in the morgue being attacked by violent undead creatures. Sangria burnished her holy hammer and rebuked the vile creatures, while Aro smote them with his war hammer. Gnomer picked the lock, Aro and Sangria each grabbed a fresh body that matched the description of the elven Chief. The demon stayed true to his word and allowed the adventurers to leave with their corpses.

After returning to the shade of Shaman Dolphus and leaving the Chiefs in his care they went north to the Kayugan lands, finding only a war ravaged village with a destroyed longhall. Next they traveled to the Vlesden seat of power. The town was wholly demolished, even the longhall mostly dilapidated. A young girl seemed the only soul in the whole town. She begged assistance for her hurt mother in the longhall. Aro feeling heroic charged blindly after her. She led the way down to a cavernous sub chamber and vanished. The chamber was well lit and filled with pregnant elven women lying on stretchers in a horrible trance. Finally the little dark beast howled with glee and attacked, as did the crying girl. Sangria cast a spell enlarging the diminutive black beast, making a larger target, for Aro and Gnomer to hit. Aro began to fight in earnest with the enlarged demon spawn, and Sangria and Gnomer began to duel with the girlish sorceress. After besting sorceress, Sangria and Gnomer turned to assist Aro as he fell to the flying enlarged demon spawn. The black beast struck down Aro and Sangria. Finally, Gnomer alone with the pregnant women in their trances with remarkable accuracy shot the beast out of the sky as it swooped down on her. Her bolt dealing the killing blow.

Gnomer was able to resuscitate Aro, but their companion Sangria died in that horrible chamber. They found and woke the woman they were searching for and returned her to the Onokagan village with the Chief's body for burial. The other Chief's body was recognised as the leader of the Synenca people. Aro decided to return his body before resuming the trek to Dammara. The Synencan people rewarded the hero's for the rescue of their Chief's body.