and then there were Pirates

Ulka, K and Josephine were exploring the surface. The council had directed them to find out more about what has been happening on the outside over the past number of years.

While travelling north east along the river, they spied a band of Pirates - though more like a large troop, about 50 of them. They edged close enough to check out what they were doing. Set up camp in the dense jungle, hiding as best they could, and looking for any clues as to what this group of Pirates was up to. After abou 3 days they concluded they were bringing in some sort of cargo. There were ships that were coming and going in a regular pattern. The final day of the stake out, the group notice dwarves departing from the ship, "slaves, they are bringing in slaves from Throll." Now only to figure out what the slaves were for.

The group devised a plan to wander by the river looking helpless and lost, in hopes that a ship would stop, take them captive (or something), so they could find out what was up. Ulka waited by the river, K blended in with his surroundings (thanks to Josephine) and Josephine hid up in the trees. As the boat passed by they saw Ulka, and offered her a ride, however only if the proper toll was paid - her backpack, her entire backpack - including Ulka's carving tools. She was prepared to hand over her backpack, however when the Pirates demanded her carving tools, she knew something was not right. By this time Josephine was already down from the trees accompanying Ulka across the plank onto the ship (she obviously wasn't hiding well, as the Pirates had spotted her relatively quickly). Ulka held onto her backpack and shouted for K. K revealed himself and made his way up the plank, onto the ship. The Pirates were gonna feel the wrath of K now.

The long battle began - 6 pirates against the 3 adventurers. K almost went down, Josephine was unharmed and Ulka managed to be resilent enough to take down a number of pirates. When all was said and done, the pirates were bound and the questioning begun.

"Where are you going, what are you doing with those slaves." One of the pirate responds, "we need them for helping us dig in the mine. The mayor is looking for treasure." The pirate suddenly began to itch and convulse. Shards began to protrude out of his skin. "He has been touched - marked by a horror. This mayor, he must be it. He must know somehow that we are speaking of him." With that, Ulka killed the pirate to end his suffering. However the torture continued after the slaying - his body rose and was ripped apart. Ulka then spoke to the next pirate,"you must tell us everything you know, and quickly. I will kill you as soon as I see the pain begin." The second pirate devulges that the mayor is in fact digging (looking) for a Kaer. He begins to show the same itchiness the first priate exhibited, and Ulka ends it before it can begin. The rest of the pirates are slaughtered. They have been marked and must be destroyed.

The group safely returns home to tell of their findings. They speak with the head Orc, and the council. It is decided that the mayor and his pirates must be stopped -but how, no one knows for sure. K is given a magical spear to aid in the battle against this horror and his minions. The group contemplates how and when this can be done, and done right!