The Biscuits	Dollin - Druid 6th Level (PC) Gimar - Fighter 8th Level (PC) Jaron - Paladin 6th Level (PC) Little John - Fighter 6th Level (NPC) Nicola - Cleric 6th Level (PC) Rheaphlyndar - Thief 8th Level (PC) Wed - Mage 5th Level (NPC) Yodavan - Mage/Cleric 1st/1st (PC)
Locale	Diamond Lake
Date	3nd day of Richfest, 585 CY (Common Year)
Time	late afternoon

Diamond Lake was a small town about sixty miles road travel from the Free City of Greyhawk. It was located deep in the Cairn Hills, so known because the rugged hills are dotted with hundreds of tombs and burial grounds, remnants of a bygone era.

The town was somewhat smaller than the nearby mining towns of Blackstone and Steaming Springs. It stretched along the shore of a lake whose clarity once must have inspired the communities name. Recently, however, the water was stained and muddy, soiled with vast heaps of mine tailings and oft-churned by the busy commerce along it's shore. Diamond Lake didn't have the usual one or two major mines, but instead several smaller and less productive ones.

The town was ruled by a Governor-Mayor, appointed by a director in Greyhawk. He controled a small militia; additional protection was provided by a nearby Greyhawk Watch garrison.

Gimar and Nicola arrived, with Yodavan in tow, and after a little asking around met up with their companions at the the Newton, one of only two hotels in town.

Yodavan	But where are all the trees?
Dollin	Hmmm . . .
Gimar	Say, old timer, I've heard rumours of cairns in the hills.
Elderly Dwarf	Ho-ho, sonny, sit down here and buy me a drink. Me name's Kern Orcsplitter.
Gimar	I am Gimar Axewielder, son of Morthrim Orcslayer.
Kern	You look like one of the Lortmil Dwur to me, youngster. What brings you out this way?
Gimar	I am on a quest for the King of Chendl -- I am currently on my way to Irongate. You are correct about the Lortmil Dwur. What is the story of this mining town?
Kern	Ah, I've not been to Irongate meself. Old Kralgar has though -- you might want to talk to him later. I meself am from Greysmere, on the other side of the swamp from here. There's some good ore here, but a wee bit too much paperwork, if you get my drift. Have you battled any of them reptiles in the Marsh?
Gimar	No I haven't even heard about the reptiles in the marsh. How are they to battle?
Kern	Eh, no match for a good axe, if you take my meaning.
Gimar	I do know what you mean. Is the axe also your weapon of choice?
Kern	You need one to split an Orc, sonny. I was also pretty good with the short blade in my time. You were asking about Cairns, eh?
Gimar	I collect stories, or rumors so to speak, and I was wondering if you knew any good stories about the hills?
Kern	How about the Silvermetal Cairn?
Gimar	(interested) Hmmm, tell me more.
Kern	At the Silvermetal Cairn, bizarre tools of an unknown origin and use were found. Also, a strange silver metal that's stronger than mithril. Of course, I've never been there, but that's the rumour...
Gimar	How far is the silvermetal cairn?
Kern	I don't know exactly, but there are always people about willing to sell you a map. Not worth the paper they're printed on, if you ask me. Unless you like pipeweed...

The two dwarves were interrupted when somebody ran into the bar, shouting something about the Mayor being about to make a speech. Most of the party responded by heading outside, to find a group gathering about the main administration building. The mayor, obviously the man on the steps, was making some speech or other. It was hard to here specifics, but it seemed to be about some lady named Mere, and the Mayor seemed to be giving some sort of public apology.

Just as he was finishing his speech, a piece of fruit sailed out of the crowd, striking one of the mayor's lieutenants, who glowered back in response.

Rheaphlyndar	Hmmm, I wonder if that smug-looking woman over there is Mere?
Nicola	Hmmm.
Jaron	People, let's not get sidetracked again. We really need to get to Irongate soon.
Gimar	Drat, I should have asked Kern about somewhere to eat dinner.
Wed	Hah! Beat you to the punch. Based on Kern's girth, I figured he would know a good place to eat. It's called Holly's and, believe it or not, it's in the same building as our inn.
Dollin	(taking notes) Hmmm . . .
Rheaphlyndar	If you don't mind, I'm going to go out for a run instead. You might say I'll be "hanging with the wolves."
Gimar	All the more for us, then.

The Biscuits settled in for a large dinner, which was served by a young female dwarf. Mounds of steaming mushrooms were heaped on large platters, and nearby was a large tureen of the house special, rabbit stew. The stew was thick and creamy and filled with delicious morsels of tender coney and chunks of potatoes, parsnips, and other vegetables.

Dollin	Perfectly seasoned, my compliments to the chef.
Waitress	(giving a slight curtsey) I'll pass that on. Is there anything else I can get for anyone?
Gimar	Another two rounds of this lovely dark ale.
Waitress	Coming right up.

After the highly satisfying repast, the table talk turned to the upcoming journey.

Gimar	I'm thinking we should leave the horses behind at some point. The only ways I've found to get into Irongate are via the underground.
Jaron	It's a tough decision, but I agree with you.
Wed	(consulting his scrawled map) The last major city I can see to sell them at is Leukish.
Dollin	Whoah there, I don't think we need to sell them. I am fairly certain my family can look after them for us, and that way we can pick them up on the way back.
Gimar	(smiling) Well I think that's a great idea. Now, Wed, can you make some copies of that map for us?
Wed	I'll do better than that. (considering) Hmmm, if I line up these mushroom platters. There, that will do. These platters represent the granite hills of the Abbor Alz. These veggie trays can be the Celadon, with this fork represending the Nesser. The Salt Cellar is Seltaren, the Pepper can be Nellix, and this sauce bottle can be Leukish.
Gimar	(munching) Hmmm, looks good.
Wed	The swamp is south of the forest, here. Now I propose that once we get out of the cairn hills we skip Leukish and go more or less straight to the Celadon.
Dollin	No problem with me.
Gimar	(still munching) I'd like to swing through Leukish, though. It might be our last chance to try and pick up recent Irongate maps.
Nicola	Dollin, do your folks have any sort of insect remedies? The Gnatmarsh is going to be nasty.
Yodavan	Maybe the gnats won't like small people, hmmm?
Jaron	(indicating) It looks like we could go more or less this way instead. We'd miss the forest but we'd skip the swamp completely.
Wed	That's funny, that's not on my map. Hey, Gimar, which mushrooms are you eating?
Gimar	(smiling) Mmmmm, good mountains, delicious peaks!

The group had a good laugh at the antics of the dwarf, who by now was nearly stuffed with mushrooms. The discussion carried on well into the evening, and one by one the Biscuits headed to their rooms. Last to go was Gimar, who had been chatting with the young waitress.

Waitress	(still clearing the tables) . . . so mostly I do little errands for my mother. Say, are you going to be in town for long?
Gimar	I'd better be going now.
Waitress	Well, uh, I'll see you in the morning. I'll bring you some breakfast, all right? What time?
Gimar	Very early -- dawn.

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