Previously on Syndicate Trek....

Thor leads the party down the hole into the tunnel. Fr. Phil follows with Simon next. The wizard looks to his left and then his right and then climbs down the hole.

Jillian T, Jillian H, and Finally, Krezi take their turns climbing down.

Thor moves down the tunnel 20 feet and sees that there is an opening (chamber?) another 30 feet further down the tunnel.

Fr. Phil watches Simon, who seems nervous now. His hands are folded across his chest and then he quickly tucks them under his arms as if he is impatient. He continues to scan about the hole and then suddenly moves past the good father into the tunnel and stands next to Thor.

Krezi's last look at the army had them about 50 feet from the now blocked hole in the wall. He couldn't be sure, but it seemed as if they were searching the area.

Jillian T and Jillian H reach the bottom of the hole and look at Fr. Phil as he, in turn, watches Simon. Krezi climbs down but waits on the crude ladder for the Jillians' and Phil to move down the tunnel.

Thor looks back at Simon and moves closer to the opening. Peering into the chamber, Thor sees a 40' x 40' lair. There are numerous rags and bits of trash thrown about in a haphazard way. Sitting in a corner, hunched over a large bowl is another goblinoid looking creature. it seems to be talking to itself and fishing something out of the bowl.

Thor looks back to the others and presses a finger to his lips. Stepping away from the opening, he points toward the chamber again and holds up 1 finger. He then motions to his axe, then his lips as if trying to ask the group if it wants to attack or try to talk to the goblinoid.

Phil looks quizzically at the dwarf for a moment until he suddenly understands the meaning of his gesture.

In reply, the halfling priest points to Thor's axe and shakes his head in the "no" motion. With his left hand, Phil points to his right hand while he makes a motion similar to a hand puppet talking. A gesture most often used by men as silent comment for talking, yacking, or nagging woman. He nodded his head up and down in a yes motion telling the dwarf to parley if possible.

Phil then moves forward, remembering to keep a watch on Simon looking for any more odd behavior.

Simon sticks close to Phil returning the watchful gaze of the cleric.

Nodding her consent as well of Phil's advice, Jillian T. tries to move silently and begin to flank the goblinoid, just in case it tries to run or summon assistance.

Krezi and Jillian H. pull up the rearguard. The gnome is impatient and whispers to those in front. "What is going on up there?"

Thor, seeing that he should parlay, moves slowly into the the room. In the dim lighting, the goblinoid notices the dwarf's shadow move. it stops talking to itself and clutches the bowl closer to its chest

"Whoooz goza 'dere" wheezes the vile looking creature.

Thor holds up his hand in friendship and says, "We mean you no harm. We are searching for the apothecary. Can you tell us where we might find it?"

The goblin chortles and coughs. "Noooz!" it wheezes, "No such places ezistsss any mooore!" The goblin heavy lidded eyes watch as the shadows of the party rustle in the dim light. "Go bacxses tuz whar youse came frum." the goblin mutters. "Onlease "DEATH" iz 'ere."

It is at this time, Phil notices that Simon has begun to move back thru the tunnel and pushes past a surprised Krezi and Jillian H. to begin moving back up to the ruins above. Phil makes an attempt to stop him, but Simon is too quick. With quick reflexes and nimble agility, the small wizard scampers up and then disappears. Krezi, scurries up after him followed by Phil and then Jillian H.

Thor looks back at the others and then asks the goblin again. "Who or what are you?"

The goblinoid cackles slightly. "Isa amz whut iz left..." it hissies slowly and menacingly.

Thor holds up his axe and begins to move backwards, keeping both eyes trained on the creature. Jillian T. follows.

Thor and Jillian T. move back up and out of he hole. Thor looka at The others. "Where is Simon?" the dwarf asks. The others are huddled nearby, peering out into the streets. Phil silently motions with his right index finger back out onto the street.

The group gazes out. The see Simon conversing with a skeleton in armor as the army of hundreds continues to pass by, the sky still streaked by the flashes of lightning above. After several minutes pass by, the skeleton moves on with the army and Simon is left standing in the middle of the street. When the group feels it is safe, they venture forth to retrieve Simon. Smon turns around to face the group and the party is horrified to see the pupiless eyes of the young halfling stare out at them. "Lords of the Underdark!" exclaims Krezi as the group stares in disbelief at the visage of their companion.

A grim voice calls out to the party from Simon's lips. "You must leave this place now." the voice states authoritatively. "I am no longer one of you. I have been tainted with the blood of this accursed place and now must seek out my master. As a favor to the one you knew as Simon, i give you this chance, but beware, if you stay any longer, the blood of the cursed shall find you and ensnare your soul."

Phil and Thor step forward, holy symbols drawn. Simon holds aloft his left hand and begins to wail. Krezi notices the rearguard of the militia that had past come hurdling over debris from around the far corner. "Let's book!" the gnome exclaims and leads Jillian H. and Jillian T. back down the street toward the way they came into this god-forsaken city.
Thor, resignation in his eyes, tugs on Phil's sleeve and follows.

Phil stares at Simon for a brief moment, his heart intent on not giving up so easily, but the grin from the young wizard pierces that hope and, the halfling cleric quickly hurries to rejoin the others in flight.

The group heads out of the city. There are a few minor skirmishes along the way, bu they all manage to make it safely back to Atirr. Once in the city, Jillian is cured of the poison and the party meets one last time to divide what stuff they managed to find along the way.

As the group readies themselves to depart, Phil pats them each on the back and tells them he is staying. "I cannot leave Simon in the hands of that horrid ruin of a city." Despite the party's pleas, Phil holds up his hand. "I am not going to do anything foolish, but i have met some very clever and strong individuals in my travels. I am going to see if I can locate them and see if they can be help Simon."

With a wave and a nod, the members of the Syndicate Trek go their separate ways, thinking, one day, they could meet again......

The End(?)

OOC: I have added final xp, gold, and treasure. If any character has gone onto other lands, good luck, if any character wants to travel to Greyhawk or needs a travel thread someplace else, please post in the OOC in Greyhawk as I most likely will not be able to keep an eye out here.

Thanks for your patence!











"Look to your past to discover your future!" To email me click: heironymous_2000@yahoo.com