Rheaphlyndar thinks back to something that happened earlier in the week.

The Biscuits	Rheaphlyndar - Thief 3rd Level (PC)
Locale	The grounds of the open market, Northbank
Date	14th of Sunsebb, 584 CY (Common Year)
Time	Afternoon (Freeday Market)

In the Freeday market there was a particular merchant, Harry Frazee, who was charging way to much for his wares, which were of shoddy quality. Why the people of Northbank were buying them was another question for another time. For now, this Frazee was the target of Rheaphlyndar's attention.

Frazee had parked his wagon near the western edge of the open market, and Rheaphlyndar waited until the area was clear of passers by. He sidled up to the wagon, and lifting the flap he found a strongbox bolted to the frame, double locked. With a slight curse he began to back away from the wagon, when he heard a voice approaching! He quickly slung himself under the flap and up onto the wagon.

Rheaphlyndar

(to himself) Well, that worked out alright. Now, to work!

He pulled out his tools and first began checking for traps. Occasionally he would pause as somebody walked by, but he made fairly good progress.

Just as he was easing open the second lock, he heard the voice of Frazee outside. He was talking with someone else who had a low voice that didn't carry into the wagon. Worse yet, Rheaphlyndar heard keys a jingling of keys headed his way!

Unknown	W wwwww w wwwwww wwwww wwww wwwwwwwwwww wwww Wwwwwwwww.
Frazee	(jingling stops) Really, do go on.
Unknown	Wwww wwww wwwwwwww Wwwwwwww wwwwwwww www www ww w wwwwwwww.
Frazee	Just a barfight? That's no big deal.
Unknown	Www, www wwww wwwwww wwwwwwww wwwwwwwww www www wwwwww www www www. Wwww wwww wwww wwwwww www wwwwwwwwwww wwwww wwwwww.
Frazee	Well, I'd heard a few bad things about Northbank, but that takes the cake. Adventurers can certainly be a pretty callous lot.
Unknown	Wwww'w www www. Wwww w wwwww www W'ww wwww www wwwwww wwww wwwwwww.
Frazee	Ok, sounds good with me. I'll buy, with my prices I can afford to entertain.

The voices retreated from the wagon, and Rheaphlyndar took this opportunity to steal away with a small bag of gems and coins.

Rheaphlyndar

With Frazee's cash, he can afford to entertain me tonight as well. Callous adventurer's indeed!

The Biscuits	Gimar - Fighter 8th Level (PC) G'Leina - Fighter/Cleric 2nd/2nd Level (PC) Jaron - Paladin 3rd Level (PC) Rheaphlyndar - Thief 3rd Level (PC) Hannah - Mage 2nd Level (NPC) Wed - Mage 2nd Level (NPC)
Locale	Blue Dragon Inn, Free City of Greyhawk
Date	20th of Sunsebb, 584 CY (Common Year)
Time	Evening

By setting out before dawn from Northbank, the Biscuits had made Greyhawk just before nightfall. The snow of the previous week had mostly melted into a slush, accompanied by a cold rain. So inclement were the conditions that there were no encounters on the road, and very few people at the gate. Gimar sprang for a private dining room that night, and after dinner the he spread out the maps to discuss their plans.

Gimar	These are the maps I purchased from Prudence in Northbank. I understand they are copies of original maps created by a Soronrandier. However, all he was able to provide is the second floor and the third floor of the dungeons, plus this fragment.
G'Leina	That mean's we get to handle the first floor by ourselves.
Gimar	Yes, and it's been abandoned for over three years, so their are probably various monsters moved into there. Despite our friend Tanner's assurances, there are still evil creatures in the Gnarley forest.
Jaron	What was it that Prudence said about undead, Gimar?
Gimar	She said the whole place was crawling with beastly things. More specifically, when her party was there the place was filled with evil priests of various elemental religions, like earth, wind, and fire.
Wed	Hmmm, with differing religions, it seems we may be able to use disguise to our advantage.
G'Leina	Excellent idea, Wed. Let's all purchase plain brown robes to start with, we can say we are acolytes or something.
Jaron	It doesn't sound very sporting, but if it fools the undead for a round all the better.
Hannah	Do you think there are any magic items left?
Gimar	Prudence said that they had not extensively explored the third level, although this map sure looks like they had. So presumably they looted the first and second levels of all the magic, but the lower levels will probably contain some.
G'Leina	Score!
Gimar	After we do some training, our first travel destination is Dyvers, then we can either take a boat upriver to Verbobonc or take the old road through the Gnarley forest to Nulb.
Wed	Didn't you and Jaron find out that that route had been closed and Nulb hadn't been heard from since the start of the war?
Jaron	Aye, more evil creatures to slay for the glory of Pelor then.

Ordinary training took about a week. G'Leina took an extra day at her temple to train for additional experience to increase her proficiency as a cleric. In weapons, Jaron worked on his long sword skills while Rheaphlyndar studied the short sword. In other skills, G'Leina studied Religion, Jaron studied small group Tactics, Hannah worked on improving her Gem Cutting skill, and Wed further improved his Spellcraft skill.

G'Leina, Hannah, and Wed gained the use of more powerful spells. Hannah stuck with the offensive, picking up Web, Flaming Sphere, and Ice Knife. Wed stuck with his variety, picking up Continual Light, Clairaudience and Improved Phantasmal Force.

Gimar and Jaron attempted to gather more information about Nulb and the area, but were largely unsuccessful. Gimar attended a service to Pelor on Sunday the 23rd with Jaron and G'Leina. As they were exiting the temple, they noted an unusual occurance -- a parade of white contumed people following another guy wearing a horse's skull.

G'Leina	I believe this holiday is called Marihwyd.
Gimar	It takes all kinds I guess.

Gimar was pleasantly surprised when on the 26th, Waterday, he bumped into a cousin from the Lortmills with great news.

Balin	You remember Budlin, right? His family gave birth to a baby girl back on the 8th.
Gimar	That's great news!

The Biscuits	Gimar - Fighter 8th Level (PC) G'Leina - Fighter/Cleric 2nd/3rd Level (PC) Jaron - Paladin 3rd Level (PC) Rheaphlyndar - Thief 4th Level (PC) Hannah - Mage 3rd Level (NPC) Wed - Mage 3rd Level (NPC)
Locale	Blue Dragon Inn, Free City of Greyhawk
Date	28th of Sunsebb, 584 CY (Common Year)
Time	Evening

Dinner was again a fine meal, if a little hard on the coin purse. After this, the party would likely be eating hard-tack for the next few weeks, so all enjoyed the scrumptious repast.

Hannah and Wed had a proposal to make to the party, and after supper they stood together to confront the party with a well-practiced speech.

Hannah	We would like to join your party on a permanent basis.
Wed	If not as equals at this time, we propose that we receive one share of magical treasure between us to your shares of magic.
Hannah	If after a time you find our service working out, perhaps we could receive a full share of magical treasure each.

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