The Biscuits	Dollin - Druid 7th Level (PC) Gimar - Fighter 8th Level (PC) Jaron - Paladin 6th Level (PC) Little John - Fighter 6th Level (NPC) Nicola - Cleric 6th Level (PC) Wed - Mage 6th Level (NPC) Yodavan - Mage/Cleric 1st/4th (PC)
Locale	Irongate
Date	11th day of Goodmonth, 585 CY (Common Year)
Time	Afternoon

Cobb Darg sat in his specially customized office, awaiting the arrival of the Biscuits. His broad wooden desk was set up a few barely noticeable steps, so all who sat before him would be at eye level. The serving girl left abruptly now that her delivery of tea and cakes was ready.

Reaching into a drawer, the Lord Mayor pulled out a small gem. He peered through it at the food for a few moments, then he smiled with a satisfaction that all was, for now, safe.

The page arrived through the broad entryway and announced the party.

Page	May I present Gimar Axewielder, descended from the royalty of the Lortmils. Following him is Sir Jaron Yhanovar, former squire of Lord Baron Garrus Ullricht of Keoland. Priestess Nicola Machiavelli in service to Pelor of the Holy Light.
Cobb Darg	Welcome, come in, have a seat.
Page	Enolis Dollindoleribinish, a travelling druid. John McClane, a knight warrior of the Gnarley Forest. Wed Booth, mage of Greyhawk. Yodavan Taeryohanlarslojan, a studying mage and priest.
Cobb	Ah, welcome to you all. Take that high stool if you like, honorable Yodavan.
Page	Not represented today is one rogue, a Rheaphlyndar.
Cobb	He has not entered the city yet, correct?
Gimar	Yes, that's right. I'm surprised we made it in, as a matter of fact. If you don't mind my asking, what's with the search process?
Cobb	Had the grey one not vouched for your presence here, the process would have taken you much longer. I like to be . . . cautious.

The party sipped their tea and the Lord Mayor told them of the difficulties of the war. Before too much time had passed, there was a gentle tap at the door and the page returned.

Page	May I present Patriarch Lemuel, honorable assistant of the revered Canon Hazon of Mitrik.

The relatively youthful cleric was fairly thin, and his bow reminded Gimar of a reed bending in the wind. When he arose, Gimar saw that the blissful serenity of Rao was evident on his face.

Jaron	Holy priest, how may we assist you?
Lemuel	I understand your company is not yet ready to leave?
Gimar	That's right, we've got some stuff to do first.
Cobb	I understand you expect to be underway in a few weeks. With good time you should make Rel Astra before Sunsebb.
Gimar	(thinking "First goddamn week of winter", he instead answered) That's right, Lord Mayor.
Cobb	I'll inform my contact in Mitrik, unless Patriarch Lemuel has beaten me to it.

The tall priest merely nodded, his face a mask of no emotions. The plan laid out was that he would accompany the party to Rel Astra, where he would take possession of the Crook of Rao. It would be his duty to then safeguard it back to Mitrik, with the party's assistance, of course.

Cobb	Your company may avail themselves of my extensive training facilities until you are ready. I am certain that an equitable price can be arranged. In return, I should like to ask a favor of you . . .

The Lord Mayor explained that he was seeking up-to-date information about the Great Kingdom and various other factions to the east. For any useful information returned by the party, they were promised great rewards.

When the tea and pastries were exhausted, the party made to go. The Lord Mayor motioned for Gimar to remain behind, and the warrior turned and made a quick request of Wed, who nodded his assent.

Cobb	Thank you for staying behind, Gimar Axewielder. I understand your party is exploring the resurgent Temple of Elemental Evil. What can you tell me of this quest?
Gimar	I thought you might ask a question like that. I wasn't with this from the beginning, but I've gathered a lot of information from my colleagues. Wed, here, has several of the relevant maps.
Cobb	Excellent. Please, continue.
Gimar	The original story, as I understand it, is that the party was checking out stories of bandits in the area around Hommlett. These were tracked back to a ruined moathouse near the Temple.
Wed	As I understand it, that moathouse was ignored during the main portion of the battle at Emridy Meadows, and was hit after the Temple was fully sealed.
Gimar	Anyhow, whoever was in charge of the bandits got away from the party. He was a priest of some sort is what I heard, and working for somebody within the Temple proper. So that party went into the Temple next, through a side entrance. They cleared out much of the first and second dungeon levels, and made some fairly accurate maps.
Wed	These are the originals, but I can have copies made if you like.
Cobb	I have some experts on my staff, if you are willing.
Wed	(nods)
Gimar	At this point, they ran up against a very tough monster, and abandoned their quest to slay all the evil within the Temple. I met most of their party shortly after that, when they decided to explore the ruins of Greyhawk Castle.
Cobb	(slightly startled) You were involved in that venture as well? Perhaps you can tell me that story another time.
Gimar	(nodding) I can certainly do that.
Cobb	Please pardon my interruption. Do go on.
Gimar	Well during the war I got to talking with one of my former adventuring buddies, and she pointed out that the Temple probably still contained many items of magic. There were times during that war that a few magical swords in the right hands would have turned the tide for sure.
Cobb	(emphatically) Agreed!
Gimar	So I led a new party in a return to the Temple of Elemental Evil. We found most of the first dungeon level cleared out, except for the proper Earth Temple. The second level of the dungeon contained the Water and Air Temples. We were only able to adventure a little on the third dungeon level, but we surmise that it contains the Fire Temple.
Cobb	I have only heard rumours, but none conflict with that information. So what is your plan, then?
Gimar	Assuming we finish this quest in good time, we plan to return to the Temple again and continue battling the evil humanoids contained within. If there is a controlling evil in the depths, we plan to hunt it down as well.
Cobb	The Temple, that's in fairly civilized lands, right?
Gimar	(pondering) I suppose so, although the Gnarley Forest isn't exactly settled.
Cobb	Point taken. Still, there are more uncivilized creatures than one would expect.
Gimar	You think the lower dungeons have some sort of portal or gateway?
Cobb	I wouldn't be surprised. Also, keep stealth in mind. With the time they've had to prepare, a frontal assault would be suicide. I've got one more bit of information for you.
Wed	Yes?
Cobb	I found this little bit of verse in my research, and connected it with the Temple.
Gimar	(reading it over) Hmmm, this is very interesting. I'll have to get back to you.

The Biscuits	Dollin - Druid 7th Level (PC) Gimar - Fighter 8th Level (PC) Jaron - Paladin 6th Level (PC) Little John - Fighter 6th Level (NPC) Nicola - Cleric 6th Level (PC) Wed - Mage 6th Level (NPC) Yodavan - Mage/Cleric 1st/4th (PC)
Locale	Irongate's Training Grounds
Date	12th day of Goodmonth, 585 CY (Common Year)
Time	Morning

For those who chose to train, there were more than enough competent drill instructors to give the Biscuits a good workout.

Little John sparred with an expert staff-wielder.

Sergeant Dar	I've never seen a . . . pilgrim . . . who could use a staff the way you did.
Little John	(smiling) Who are you calling pilgrim?

Nicola found the time to train with Khan, an expert in unarmed combat.

Nicola

To the last I will grapple with thee.

Gimar found time to work on his weaponless skills as well.

Sergeant Howard	Is that the hardest you can hit, soldier?
Gimar	I'll hit you so hard, I'll kill your whole family.

Even Dollin found an elderly druid to discuss matters with.

Bellflower

There is no immortality but a tree's love.

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