THE HISTORY OF THE COUATL

ADVENTURE SEVEN

“Journey through southern Drychtnoth”

Characters:

Dovinyae : Druid from the Unknown Lands with wild psionic talents.

Wants his enemies where he can see them.

Ragnar : Runcaster from Indor, seeking for more runes. Gambled with

Fate with no fear.

Amren : Ophyrish ranger. Protector of the innocent; defender of

the weak; and all-around good guy. Was dealt a good hand by

Fate. Seeking answers from the Silver Tree.

Alrek : Indorian who feels constant prayer and reliance on the gods

induces weakness; doesn’t like to play around with Fate.

Toki: Indorian who thought Fate killed Ragnar.

The Time : 8th Age, 5th Year, 21st of Odan through 20th of Faellinar (autumn)

The Places: Drychtnoth (Kargan Mountains); Drychtnoth (Kynesat); Drychtnoth (Althak Desert); Drychtnoth (Asborinat); Drychtnoth (Quithix Xordithattox Mntns); Drychtnoth (Mount Krethum); Drychtnoth (Ek[xh]ith)

Notes on the Kargan Mountains: While certainly not the largest mountain chain in Inzeladun, the Kargan mountains are nonetheless impressive. The range is 120 miles wide at the widest point, and home to several clans of Stone Giants, Mountain Giants, Cloud Giants, and Elves. The stronghold of Neria the Blade-Singer, a High Elf, is high in these rocky mounts. While technically within the borders of the Drychtnothian Empire, the mountain range is actually not under any real Drychtnothian control. The Xorkechokat River is the largest river that passes through the mountains and is wide enough to allow the passage of large warships and cargo ships. There is an abandoned Dwarven cave settlement somewhere in the mountain range which is rumored to hold great treasure, but it has yet to be found.

Alrek and Toki, having concluded their business elsewhere, entered the pass into the Kargan Mountains and, led by the Couatl, found the giant castle where their group, also called the couatl, was staying. The group rested for five days to heal their wounds.

Dovinyae, having divined that they were being followed, talked the other members of the couatl into turning the tables and attacking their pursuers, the assassins sent by Iss’ul and Imagawa Kokuji. (Xavier, in response to his visitation by the Silver Tree was in seclusion on a lonely mountain top, meditating, and thus was not able to participate in this endeavor.) Ragnar and Dovinyae, in the forms of birds, scouted around and found the campsite of the Kara-Turian assassins. That night the group left the castle to sneak down to the campsite.

The assassins knew they had been found and regrouped at their campsite, waiting for the couatl group to arrive. They presumed they would be attacked violently, but did not know for sure, so they opted to let the couatl make the first move.

Amren began the attack with arrows. Dovinyae began the casting of Call Lightning. After the arrows, but before the spell, the three assassins disappeared and then reappeared behind Amren, Toki, and Alrek. In a single round, all three warriors were dropped, knocked unconscious by the assassins. The assassins demanded the surrender of Dovinyae, Xavier, and Ragnar. The druid informed them that the paladin was not with them at the moment, and a dialogue was begun. The lead assassin introduced himself as the Master of Winter, the second assassin said he was the Master of the South Wind, and the third remained silent.

The masters of winter and the southwind opted to travel with the couatl, but the silent one followed out of sight. They traveled out of the Kargan Mountains, taking only seven days to do it. They reached Kynesat. After showing their passes, they were allowed entry into the city. At Amren’s request, they stopped at a temple to the Silver Tree. Amren spoke to K’kad the High Priest. Amren gave K’kad the sword Krey because he did not feel comfortable with the weapon. K’kad gave Amren a copy of The Book of the Silver Tree to help the ranger with his understanding of the religion. As Amren talked with K’kad, Dovinyae and Alrek went out of the town to speak with the guard at the gate. The druid warned the guard to keep an eye on the two oriental assassins, because they may be psionic.After a brief conversation Dovinyae decided this town did not have the means to capture psionic people. The guard told Dovinyae that the great gladiator Gra’in was in town.

K’kad recommended The Golden Wine as an excellent tavern to stay at, so the couatl went there. Alrek was a big hit with the girls with his sweet-talkin’ ways.

They left the town, but the assassins had left and were nowhere to be seen (but they still followed). They headed toward the Althak Desert. Slightly into the scrubland that surrounds the dry lands of Althak they encountered a destroyed caravan. Amongst the eighty or so dead persons, they found one badly wounded survivor, Is(xh)in the guard. The guard told them that six sphinxes attacked them and robbed the caravan of their most precious cargo, the Box of Fate. They began to go to the small range of mountains where the sphinxes came from.

As they approached the mountains, they saw the sphinxes fly out of a cavern. Dovinyae cast Summon Insect and a swarm of wasps attacked one of the sphinxes. Amren hit one with his arrows, and then the monsters were amongst them. The battle was long and hard, but the couatl won, killing five of the six creatures. The other, chased and harried by wasps, fled back to his cavern. They followed and attacked the sphinx in his lair, killing him until he was dead.

Inside the cavern, they found a gynosphinx shackled to the wall. She introduced herself as Eresa and thanked them for rescuing her. She gave them their pick of the treasure the other sphinxes gathered for her.

They found 927 silver pieces; a statuette in solid gold of a maiden riding a rearing unicorn (worth 100 gold pieces); a copper chamber pot chased and embossed in relief with a rampant, stylized dragon (worth 130 gp); a bundle of 30 silver wolf furs (50 gp each); ancient plate barding of fine blue steel of a quality unmatched by current standards (worth 1700 to a collector, 600 to a person in need of good barding); a peg-leg of gilded wood set with three amber ovals (500 gp); a tapestry depicting dragons (worth 5000 gp); a hematite stone (worth 10 gp); two jade stones (100 gp each); an onyx stone (50 gp); two pearls (500 gp each); a spinal stone (500 gp); a Tourmaline with a sword-blemish (80 gp); a potion of Heroism; an unidentified potion; the Box of Fate; and a magic sword.

Ragnar claimed the hematite, the statuette, and the sword. Amren took the chamber pot, and part of the wolf furs. Toki took the peg leg and the tapestry.

They opened the Box of Fate and found the Tarot of Many Things. Amren drew forth The World and the Four of Pentacles Reversed. Toki drew The Lovers and The Heirophant Reversed. Ragnar drew the Five of Pentacles, the Knight of Pentacles, the Five of Wands Reversed, and the Ten of Wands Reversed. The others opted not to draw from the Tarot of Many Things. Ragnar disappeared. Toki, believing the Tarot killed him, tried to convince the others to divide up his belongings as additional loot.

They left the mountain, with Eresa as a guide across the desert. In three days they found Ragnar, suffering from heat and thirst. In two more days they reached Asborinat, the capital of king Xunsin. Amren entered the destitute town but could not find a temple to the Silver Tree. He went into a temple of Olanigan and looked around, but left after meeting Uthquirat the priest.

Three days later they encountered the troops of King Synkal, who offered them water, but the couatl declined the offer. Eresa left them and the group traveled for five days until they reached the Quithix Xordithattox mountain range. They found Mount Krethum and made camp outside the massive door with the sixteen indentions. Also on the door were the words “The Swords in the Stones shall move me with moans and groans / Inside, the guardians you must defeat, but the sword you may keep.”

Not feeling well, Dovinyae went alone into the mountains to commune with nature. Toki went exploring the mountains. Amren traveled to the town of Ek[xh]ith to visit the temple of the Silver Tree. He spoke to Vynsen the High Priest. Amren wanted to feel like he was an important part in the Silver Tree religion, that he would have something to offer. Vynsen suggested that he visit Tho’ef, the last known Guardian of the Silver Tree. Then the priest suggested that Amren accept a quest. Amren said that a quest was exactly what he needed. Vynsen told him to seek the Ring of the Silver Tree. Amren accepted the quest and left Ek(xh)ith.

While Amren, Dovinyae, Toki, and Xavier were away, Ragnar and Alrek were attacked by three hill giants, which they slew after a brief, but fierce, combat.

When Amren rejoined Ragnar and Alrek the next day, they heard cries for help. They came to a farm nestled in the mountains and saw a family being attacked by 18 werewolves. The werewolf leader killed the man and ordered the others to round up the women and children. The three couatl members rushed to the attack. Alrek retrieved the fallen battle-axe of the farmer. After a long, arduous combat, they destroyed the werewolves. The battle-axe turned out to be a Dragon-Slayer.

Each Player was awarded 6000 exp. for succeeding in the adventure.

Ragnar and Alrek received a 4000 exp. bonus for killing the giants.

Amren received a 4000 exp. bonus for accepting the quest.

Ragnar, Alrek, and Amren received 3000 exp. for defeating the werewolves.

Alrek received a 500 exp. bonus for retrieving the Dragon-slayer sword.

Ragnar received a 250 exp. bonus for the magic warsword.

Amren received a 1000 exp. bonus for surrendering Krey to K’kad the High Priest.

Ragnar, Alrek, and Amren received 4 character points.

Current Events : Alisander is still under siege.

Raloth, Garnoth, and Gesh passed through the City That Waits and found the True Tomb of Acererak, the source of the Dark Intrusion.

Errata from last week: During his visitation by the Silver Tree, Xavier received the blemished stone that was in Ta’akrinat in Lamapacher.

The Assassins: Three assassins were assigned to follow the couatl group by Imagawa Kokuji, a lieutenant of Iss’ul. The leader of this trio is Kidera Jirozu, a 14th level Monk/Ninja. He has a movement rating of 28, has 5 attacks per round doing 3d10+1 points of damage per attack. With 60 hitpoints he is classified by Iss’ul as a master of winter (although he has enough exp. to be a master of autumn, he hasn’t taken the test necessary to attain this rank yet). The second ninja is Funada Getsu, an 11th level monk/ninja with 40 hit points. With nine attacks every two rounds, he can do 2d10+2 points of damage per attack. He is called a master of the south wind by Iss’ul. The third assassin, a tenth level monk/assassin, is named Nagoya Toyoo. A master of the west wind is he, and he has 38 hit points. With 4 attacks per round he can do 2d10+1 points of damage per attack. Often Nagoya is silent. He wears a ring of telepathy which allows him to report to Imagawa Kokuji on the movements of the couatl. The assassins were ordered to follow and report on this group... not to help or to hinder them in any way at this time.

Notes on Kynesat: This Drychtnothian city is situated on the pass into the Kargan Mountains. Kynesat means “Unsurpassed Majesty”. This city’s population is mostly transient, comprised of gypsies, merchants, bounty hunters, thieves, pilgrims, and wanderers. It is governed by Baron Axotdar, a former merchant. The Baron had petitioned the Council to grant him a kingdom and give him a warlord, but with the destruction of Sprakxorclerat, that seems unlikely to happen. He tries to patrol the surrounding country-side (his “kingdom”) but isn’t too effectual at it.

Notes on Gra’in: Gra’in is a popular gladiator who travels throughout the Drychtnothian Empire to display his prowess. A former slave, he won his freedom seven years ago. Muscular with long black hair, he sports battle scars from head to toe. He is a seventeenth level gladiator. Gra’in is very anti-slavery, and insists that any slave brave enough to face him and strong enough to live be freed. Gruff at first, he is a very friendly barbarian. Gra’in means “barbaric swordsman”.

Notes on K’kad: A high priest of the Silver Tree. A long, tall fellow he is. He operates an illegal library underneath the temple and teaches the poor how to read. He also helps slaves and gladiators to escape into Lamapacher. He is a local expert on the legends of Kuthelex Vralmenex and other dragons. His name means “powerful poisoner”. He spends a lot of time in inns and taverns.

Temples of the Silver Tree: Temples to the Silver Tree are usually simple in design. Often a tapestry depicting the Silver Tree hangs on the back wall behind the altar where offerings are made. Statues of King Grimhelm and the Guardians of the Silver Tree usually adorn the sides of the temples. Most also include a statue of Aeroth, a hero from the First Age, as well as an ancestor of King Grimhelm. Usually a priest or two maintain the temple, but there are no regulated “services”. Ceremonies are usually private affairs conducted between the priest and the petitioner(s) requesting them.

The Book of the Silver Tree: A book supposedly written by Talaskovbany the Sage in the early First Age. Although none of the copies made through the First Age survived past the following Ages, the original, an artifact of unsurpassed power, survived even the Cataclysm that brought the Fourth Age to a close. After King Grimhelm resurrected the ancient religion, a quest was begun for this impressive tome. It was found by Nef bint Yam (the daughter of Yam ibn Saud) in the early years of the Seventh Age in the lands of Ara’bya. She took the Book to the West, using its power to pass the Sea of Storms. Once there she converted the God Men of the Mountain and they copied the text of the book and permitted it to be distributed. The original is still on the Mountain of the God Men, protected by them. The copies describe the tenants of goodness.

The Althak Desert: The name means “Death Battle” (Alth-ak) or “Ravaged Dragon”(Al-thak). This desert isn’t a natural phenomenon. It was created by early magic use by the early militant branch of the Red Robed order. It is the site of their battle with Grindill when he tried to destroy the Red Robe order of magic for abandoning the Tower and accepting defiling as their manner of spell casting. The spells they cast ruined the land and nothing will ever grow there. The desert has been slowly expanding for unknown reasons. There are three known kingdoms in this desert, the kingdoms of the kings Uxson, Xunsin, and Synkal. King Uxson and King Synkal are along the sea coast and derive much of their resources from the sea. King Xunsin, in the center of the desert, must import nearly everything needed to live in his kingdom.

Very few caravans bother to cross this dead land. Many bandits and people running from the laws live here. Also of note, Lord Komaaks, the founder of Lamapacher, buried a treasure somewhere in this desert.

Notes on the Carnival (or Caravan) of Fate: This group of gypsies found the Tarot of Many Things several years ago and they wander around Drychtnoth allowing individuals who pay their fee to draw from the ancient artifact. They put on an incredible circus of acts and tricks. They worshipped Fate, whom they called Annachiel. They met their final fate at the claws of the deadly heiracosphinxes of the Althak Desert.

Notes on Is(xh)in: A guard for the Caravan of Fate. His name means “Pure Swordsman”. (the [xh] represents a character in the Drychtnothian alphabet that has no English equivalent. It is pronounced as a prolonged ‘k’ sound, and sounds like one is about to spit phlegm). Is(xh)in is a bit of a coward and hires himself out as a guard on large caravans, presuming no one would attack a large body of warriors.

The Erolth Xordithat: The short mountain range where the heiracosphinxes laired. Composed of five small unimpressive mountains, this range is 17 miles long, 5 miles wide. The name means “Greatest Dominator Mountains”. The name comes from a dragon named Erolth who used to lair in this small range (the dragon is now dead). This range lies along the border of the Althak Desert.

Notes on Heiracosphinxes: These sphinxes are the only evil members of their breed. They have the bodies of lions, but the wings and heads of hawks. They are always male. They spend a lot of time searching for gynosphinxes to mate with. They have low intelligences. This particular group has haunted the Erolth Xordithat for the past sixteen years. The leader was named Kynliat (this one Amren eventually slew). The others were named Jothkadat (the one Dovinyae harrassed with wasps), Jorm (killed by Toki), Okmy (killed by Ragnar), Ke(xh)os (killed by Alrek), and Gruik (killed by Ragnar, Alrek, and Toki). They had recently captured a gynosphinx and were attacking caravans for treasure to give to her to gain her favors.

Notes on Gynosphinxes: The gynosphinx is the female counterpart to the androsphinx. They have a winged lion’s body and human-like facial features. They are clever, knowledgeable, and wise. They accept payment for services rendered. They love songs, poetry, lore, and riddles. The gynosphinx is a spellcaster. Gynosphinxes are the only female sphinxes. This gynosphinx, named Eresa (“Great Feminine Majesty”), was overpowered by the six heiracosphinxes led by Kynliat. She managed to bargain with them and agreed to mate with the one who brought her the best and most treasures. She was hoping to create time in which to make her escape. She is very knowledgeable about the Althak Desert.

The Tarot of Many Things: This is a most potent and hazardous relic of Fate. It is the only one of its kind on this world. It is the creation and property of Fate. It certainly exposes a user of the deck to more than the usual amount of scrutiny from this enigmatic being. It is currently kept in an elaborate box worth 5000 gold pieces alone. Anyone who even looks upon the backs of these cards must draw from them, no saving throw for anything less than a lesser god. This is a relic of Fate, not the tool of Chaos, and should be handled with respect and gravity.

Notes on the Magic Sword: This Drychtnothian warsword was created in 1480 V. It is a +1 weapon and is named Isney (“Noble Vanquisher”). It was forged in Drychtnoth.

Notes on Asborinat: The capital city of King Xunsin’s kingdom. The name of the city means “Swordlord of the Dry Lands”. King Xunsin, a nobleman who was exiled from Sprakxorclerat for speaking out against Emperor Grimhelm and the Council of Warlords a few years ago, rules here with Anexeht the warlord, a fourth level Invoker. This kingdom, due to its situation in the middle of the Althak Desert, is always on the verge of extinction and is populated by the worst sorts of rogues. Asborinat is sparsly populated and is a very quiet town where few questions are asked of anybody. Outside of the town is Arkirfa Asborinat, the ruined castle of King Irtik Kan’gi. This castle is unihabited, but is rumored to hold three powerful spirits.

Temples of Olanigan: Almost all of Drychtnoth’s resources are geared toward war. The same is true of their religions. Early in the Fifth Age, Olanigan appeared to the great prophet Khasmanen. He spread the Philosophies of Olanigan throughout the region, and now, during the Eighth Age, the god of war is the most prominant deity worshipped in Drychtnoth. Olanigan’s temples can be found within any large Drychtnothian city, an all villages at least have a shrine dedicated to this deadly deity. They often have large ceremonies for the entire town or city. The temples are of a uniform design. In them you will find the Hall of the Five Holy Factors of Warfare, the Tower of the Five Dangerous Characteristics of a General, the Shrine to the Art of Weapons, the Shrine to the Art of Using Troops, the Five Pillars (virtues, factors, strategy, deceptions, grounds), the wall illustrating the Nine Types of Ground, a central Altar of War flanked by the Altar of Deception and the Altar of Strategy. Behind the Altar of War are five statues illustrating the Five Holy Virtues. Behind the statues is a curtain (sometimes of cloth, sometimes of magic) that seperates the Holy of Holies. It is unknown to any but a priest of Olanigan what is contained therein.

Notes on Uthquirat: A priest of the temple of Olanigan in Asborinat. Exiled from the Temple at Sprakxorclerat the day before its destruction. He believes that is evidence that his opinion was correct and the High Priest’s was wrong. His name means “Destroyer of Black Magic”. He has dark hair, is very portly, and has a deep scar across his nose. He is very anti-defiling and anti-warlord. He is researching methods of Undeath so that he may further the cause of Olanigan and lead the Drychtnothians in a Holy War across the continent.

Notes on the Quithix Xordithattox Mountains: The “Fearsome and unyeilding mountains of dark powers”. These mountains are tall and rocky. They are home to many ancient castles. Xaquikachakrinat is a library tower rumored to be the home of a lich. The crumbling star-castle of King Garmund, now owned by Lord Xathurst, is an ancient capital of a Corinthian King (1038-1068 V) prior to Corinthia’s fall to Drychtnoth. (as a side note, it is illegal to approach Castle Garmund). The Red Tower is also hidden in the mountains of this forbodding range. It is in this range that Mount Krethum lies.

Notes on Hill Giants: Selfish, cunning brutes who survive through hunting and by terrorizing and raiding nearby communities. Despite their low intelligence, they are capable fighters. They are simian and barbaric in appearance, with overly long arms, stooped shoulders, and low forheads. Even though they are the smallest of the giants, their limbs are more muscular and massive than those of the other giant races. The average hill giant is about 16 feet tall. Females have about the same build as males. This hunting party from the tribe of Jlim consisted of Hathlim, Githlim, and Ithlim, three sons of Anthlim the Gross, who serve Klim the Giant King. They were hunting for a baby green dragon that was seen by Brylim the Eye in this area.

Notes on the Werewolves: Werewolves are the most feared of the lycanthropes. They are men who can transform themselves into wolves and/or wolf-man hybrids. They are harmed only by silver or magic. True werewolves, as opposed to infected werewolves, tend to be nomadic, seeking new human settlements to feast upon. Caves and burrows are the dens most commonly used in the wild, although they can and do take over the existing dwellings of humans they kill. Many werewolf families roam the countryside in wagons, much like gypsies. They are savage killers, yet are devoted to their close-knit families. They are, without exception, evil. This band comes from the Osdrepry gypsy band. They chose to attack this farm because the farmer attacked and killed three of the band’s members the week before as he defended a neighbor’s farm.

Notes on “the Farmer”: Kechthak (“proud dragon”) was a former dragon-slayer in years past. He is reported to have killed five dragons, three of which were red dragons. He was a grand master with the two-handed battle-axe. Over fifty years old now, he had gotten married and retired to a farm in these mountains. He had heard that a young adult green had settled in these mountains, and while seeking the truth of these rumors had stumbled onto three werewolves attacking a neighboring farm. He slew the three lycanthropes and resumed his search. He died when Garthor Osdrepry, a werewolf relative of one of the three he killed, tore his throat out.

Notes on Kechthak’s Dragon Slayer battle-axe: A double handed battle-axe used by Kechthak for his entire career. It is named Uthakat (“destroyer of dragons”). It is a +2 weapon generally, but is +4 when used against true dragons. It does triple damage against red dragons. It has additional powers as well. Once per day it can heal wounds. The axe has a 13 intelligence, but cannot speak. It can communicate empathically though. It was created in 1326 V in Drychtnoth by an Egamite craftsman. It gained its powers when it was steeped in the heartsblood of a dying dragon. It was first used by Hithul III in his campaigns against Yartpol the Red Dragon in Amn. Hithul III was killed by the dragon and the weapon remained in Yartpol’s hoard for over a century before a young Kechthak recovered it and used it to kill Yartpol.

Notes on Vynsen: Vynsen is a priest of the Silver Tree. His name means “Belligerent Sage”. He is a round man and is a sage insofar as old relics are concerned. He is very skilled at identifying magic items and ancient weapons. He is a quiet man who is rarely incited to violence. He is bald, but has a short beard and moustache. He lives in Ek[xh]ith, about 7 miles away from Mount Krethum.

Notes on Ek(xh)ith: A town visited by Amren where he received his quest. It means “devout as a god.” It is a moderate sized town that is ruled by King Liakad as it is on the outskirts of his tiny kingdom. This town is best known for its wine production and its vineyards.

The Ring of the Silver Tree: An ancient relic once worn by the hero Aeroth. It was passed down from generation to generation in his family. The Aeroth family gave the ring to champions of good to wear on special quests and missions. It was lost however during a campaign during the early Third Age over 7000 years ago. This is supposedly one of the most powerful of the relics the Silver Tree created for his heroes. By legend it allows its wearers to learn wizard and/or priest spells (the legends are a little unclear on this point). It seems to allow the hero an impressive sense of danger and an incredible ability to avoid that danger, protecting him even without armor. It may have other powers that have been lost through the ages. It is even a possibility that it no longer exists, destroyed during the Cataclysm.

Notes on Tho’ef: One of the seven Guardians of the Silver Tree. A grandmaster archer, he is also a High Elf. He has been temporarily exiled from Elfland because of his stance against Yam ibn Saud and his generals. He has declared a personal war against General Morgul and against Iss’ul. He is followed by 100 high elves. His domain is in the north western portion of Silvergate where he is growing his castle. General Morgul tried to invade that domain, but was unable to penetrate the dense woodlands without being slaughtered by unseen elves with deadly longbows. Tho’ef still maintains a strong tie with the Silver Tree. Indeed he used to spend his days resting in the limbs of the Silver Tree’s Avatar. Tho’ef hates Evil and the abuse of power. Indeed, he is a very chaotic and good being. He believes fully in the power of the Individual instead of the tyranny of the masses. He does not believe in laws. The elves only have one law... an elf does not kill another elf. He feels that more laws than that simple one is simply so that others can have power over the less fortunate. He has always stood up for the downtrodden and the oppressed.

Notes on the Kuthelex Vralmenex tapestry: Kuthelex Vralmenex is an incredibly powerful red dragon that lairs in the Kargon Mountains. A Drychtnothian paladin, unable to kill the dragon, managed to entomb him within his lair in 952 V with a curse. Kuthelex must sleep until his lair is opened. The paladin marked the entrance to the tomb with a warning, pleading that the plug never be removed, the door never to be opened. The paladin ordered a tapestry made, encoded with map to this lair with some details of the layout and the strengths and weaknesses of the dragon. The tapestry is 6’ X 12’ in size and features a magnificent, if stylized, representation of this great wyrm. The clues contained within can be read by several Drychtnothian sages.

The Cards drawn by the players: Amren -- the world- completion, success, triumph in all things, the path of liberation and enlightenment. He gains 1 point to each of his ability scores which are two or more below his racial maximum. Four of Pentacles reversed -- material setbacks, chance of material losses. Amren will lose 4-16% of his wealth in the next four days due to theft or loss.

Toki -- the Lovers - attraction, love, difficulties overcome, tests and trials passed. Toki’s charasma was increased by three points. Heirophant reversed - overkindness, weakness, unconventionality, openness to novelty, unorthodoxy - Toki gets a permanent -2 on saving throws against charm, suggestion, and similar mental attack forms.

Ragnar -- Five of Pentacles - loss of home, destitution. Ragnar will be, for five weeks, doubly susceptible to illness and parasitic infestation. He will also lose any homes, savings, and valuables not on his person. Knight of pentacles -- he can summon a fourth level fighter/thief once at any time to help him. Six of wands -- victory, triumph, good tidings- drawer will be double effective against his next foe (which turned out to be giants). ten of wands reversed - signifies seperation - Ragnar teleported away, Toki believed him dead.