"Master!!! She has followed them here!!!" screamed the cat creature as he stepped into the ring of stones. "The Drow Priestess followed them!"

"Yes yes" was the rumbling reply. There was no fear at the knowledge. This rather irritated the grimalkin. Nothing seemed to ruffle the leafy skin of the Green Man. "She has recieved a diving edict to eradicate the party. Lloth is like that you see. Tell me what happened."

The grimalkin hung his head. He was afraid of that. Lloth was not a nice goddess. She was rather vengefull. "She found the party, Big and Hairy sliced her a bit..she dropped a map (quite by accident) and ran away."

Again, the slow rumbling chuckle, "See, nothing to worry about."

"The ghost, the monk, has been having fun with the party. He has been playing practical jokes on the hairy one. The hairy one seems to be intent to NOT believe that the monk is a ghost. He WANTS to believe that he is truly and irrevocably dead. Such a shame. But that is what he wants."

"Some do not want to move on."

"They fought some naga too. It was a rather quick fight." Jeremy just sat there then. This was all that he had to report. The fight was rather quick, and nothing extraordinary happened about it. He began to walk away. When he reached the outer ring of stones he glanced back. He saw the Green Man talking to the shamaness. He handed her something, and began speaking intently.

"I wonder what is going on there" thought Jeremy to himself, then bound down the cavern.

Jeremy landed lightly and looked around the room. He saw nothing. The room was bare, with the exception of the door on the other side. Though he could smell the slight smell of blood in the room.

He began to walk to the exit, searching for the blood as he went, it smelled of the hairy beast. The faint whiff of ozone also told of magic. Probably the "Magic Missile" spell. An easy spell that doesnt seem to miss. Wonder who shot that one off, friend or foe.

"Now, who might you be?" came an amused chuckle from behind the grimalkin.

Slowly, the Jeremy turned, preparing to shift. There was a drow standing about 20 feet from him, just under the hatchway that gives access to these catacombs. His two swords were drawn, but not offensively. The drow was very relaxed, as if he was not worried about a fight. "Two in one day, how fortunate. Tell me, are you trying to catch up to the previous party?"

Jeremy prided himself on his judgement of character. He was never wrong. Well, there was that cat in the city of Kermish, but that was a cat, not a humanoid. However, this was a drow. A DROW. A male drow at that. They weren't so bad. Its the females that are worrisome. They are all religiously compelled to create chaos. Those are the chaotic ones. Jeremy decided to somewhat trust this one.

"My master," Proud of that touch, he smiled. The drow should feel a kinship through that concept. "wants them watched. They are his champions. uhhh.... you are speaking of the hairy one and the wizardly one, right?"

A loud laugh erupted from the drow. It was a very happy sound, one that you might not expect from one of the cunningly vicious race. "Yes, yes" he chortled "I speak of them. I had my amusement with them."

Alarms went off in the grimalkins mind and an icy grip seized his heart. What had this drow done to them in his absence. Why didn't he just send the shaman to the master instead of taking her. It HAD been a good conversation along the way, which is why he had taken so long. Now the party was in danger because of it.

"Did you harm them?" It was a meek small question, full of fear.

"Not much." was the honest reply. "They provided me amusement. At their expense of course. Their pet ghost wanted to see it." This startled Jeremy. They had a pet ghost? He must be replying to the monk. This drow could sense the ghost? Another rumbling laughter from the drow jolted him from his thoughts. "They came through that hatch, the ghost first. He saw me cooking fish in the corner. Something I enjoyed doing in life. I asked if I could have fun with them as the party proceeded down. He told me it was ok. All he did was watch, but it was a fine fight."

At the statement of life, Jeremy took a closer look. This drow was a ghost. His ability to manifest was great. Unless he was looking hard, Jeremy was not able to tell. "Forgive me, I did not realize you were a ghost." He said grandly. Ghost were not to be taken lightly. This one obviously was in great control of himself. This one was not to be taken lightly. He was to be as honored as Surrin was. Well, at least as honored as Surrin to his face.

"It is well, I have honed my ability to manifest. They suffered minimal damage, and moved on. I followed, they got into a fight in the next room. Almost got killed. The ghost who follows them is a creative one. He kept tripping the Criosphinxes there. This area is dangerous. When you see them next, warn them to be more careful. I entervened a couple of times on that fight, because I like them. I shall not do so again."

"My job is to watch, not intervene. They are not to know I am here. Such is the masters orders." The few times he had intervened, the Master was angry.

The village was the first time. The first mission of the Champions of the Green Man. They were assemled, only one of the origional group remains, the Shaman. At that time the party consisted of a sorceress, and thief (both gypsy) and the shamaness. None had come into their power yet. They were to take Bob to the place of power, so that he could recieve his evolution. Unlike the Champions, he could only evolve at a place of power. The champions could do it anywhere, without warning. It was the gift of the Green Man.

Along the way, the Champions picked up the hairy one. He was incarcerated with the Gypsy man and the ghost. They were bound to another who joined the party, who is no longer actively involved, as punishment. After a night of "Toothless Joe and the One Eyed Whore" (Sung intentionally poorly by the Hairy One) outside the city of Fel-Wan. They went to the place of power.

Inside, they were assaulted by many things. One such assault was zombies. The party dispatched them with ease, except one. Who Bob protected. It seems that this particular zombie was, in life, Bobs son, Turett. Bob demanded that the party take him to the healing spring, so that the life magic can be worked, and Turett be brought back to life. Turett had taken a voyage to the place of power five years earlier, and never returned. Bob had thought that he was making his way in the world, not that the creatures had killed him, and the power turned him.

The party put Turett in a box, similar to a coffin, for the trip. While resting for the night, a member wandered off, and was caught by some goblins. A rescue was attempted. It was that rescue that Jeremy, intervened. The group was losing heart. The shamaness was depressed, how could she hope to battle a village of goblins. Two party members were captured (the Gypsies), one was not present (the hairy one, hairless at this time), and Bob was not there. It was only up to her. Jeremy had spoken briefly to her, she seemed to understand that she was not alone. And then moved to set the rest free. In the end, Jeremy had to fight to give them time to escape. He did not believe that they had the fortitude to withstand the onslaught of the village.

The master had been furious. He locked Jeremy in his form for three days. The shame of that punishment. Not able to change forms, what a horror that had been. He learned his lesson. NEVER tell the master you have intervened. Two other times he had, to a very minor extent, and the master had not been told.

"Your Master is very like the drow matrons then." the ghost stated. "Not trusting his charges. No matter, they are safe at the moment. They provided me with entertainment, and moved on." his face suddenly changed from passive, to intent. "I feel the approach of an evil priestess. Run to your party, protect them if you must. A priestess of Lloth is nearer than I like. I must run." With this he sprinted through the wall farthest from the door.

Jeremy sprinted towards the door. He should not miss this. Could it be the same priestess they met before?

Jeremy loped fast down the cavern. He was angry at the summons. Of all the times, now was the most unoportune. Just when the party was either shoulder deep in some grimy muck with someone who help enormous power, or the party was about to make a grand friend. Either way, it was to be VERY interesting.

There was the circle. Anger seething through him, Jeremy stopped barely inside the edge. "Party doing fine, won a few battles, in talks now with a gnome." and he started to bound away.

"Jeremy" the gentle bass voice resonated from behind him. The cat cringed. This was not what he wanted. "You know that will not do. Endulge me, excite me. I want to know what my champions are up to. "

Jeremy heaved a great sigh, and turned back. Again stopping just inside the circle. "Master, there is very little time. Now is a crucial time." The face of the Green Man was impassive, even slightly curious, but not offering a different decision. "Master, they got past the snake. You knew that. The cavern beyond is owned by a gnome who makes these machines.

The Shaman and the Hairy One explored the cave, with all its workers. Most of the workers appear to be machines. Though some are not. I would guess that they are forced to work. During the exploration, one worker was punished. He just started screaming and writhing upon the ground. Another worker stepped to help him.

Evidently, the hairy one did not like this situation, he wanted to "Take out" the creatures who were forcing the others to work. He started a fight in a tower, the worker who helped the origional was punished as well. It seems that he is one of your chosen as well. The Mage from the village of Kermish! He has a vengance now for the work leaders! He was using his tool, a pick axe, I believer, to kill them.

Anyway, back to the hairy one. When he sprung into the tower, the little work leaders began JUMPING out of the windows! After clearing out one tower, the hairy one began to work on another tower, the mage not far behind. Though, here is where it gets odd." the perplexity of the events taking precedence in Jeremys mind causing him to forget his urgency to return to watching the party. "He started to chop down the tower, then suddenly stopped. A few seconds later, it burst into fire, with another jumping out the window? What do you make of that Master?"

The green man just looked mildly interested in the tale, not offering any answer to the question.

"Anyway, on the way to the third tower, (there are quite a few) they are stopped by a herd of machines. All led by a gnome. None are happy with the other people. The gnome is particularly angry witht he forced labor, as if he did not know it was happening. He wanted them to come in to talk to him, and then I got your summons. " The grimalkin stood up quickly, remembering his urgency. "Master, may I return?" he whined, using his most utter dejected pitiful feline voice, "PLEASE?"

The laughter was infectious, "Of course Chrmeorl, only in due time. I need you to bring me the Shaman. I have a need for her somewhere else. She will return in due time. Then you may resume your duties as observer." Jeremy winced at his name being used. He kinda liked Jeremy now, though it was not always such. He bowed his head quickly, and bound off.

"It seems as if my champions are growing up, and learning a few new tricks" The Green Man mused as he settled to wait for his Shaman.

Eagerly, Jeremy bound to the meeting. He had great news. The monk was NOT dead. He was a ghost. Oh JOY!!!

Without any reverence for station, nor sense of humility, Jeremy pranced around the Green Man. "Master!!! Master!!! You were RIGHT!!!" he chittered. His energy seemed boundless at this moment.

"Of course, kitten" The Green Man said affectionately. "I told you he had not left the world. Now tell me. What has happened?" The Green Man pulled up a log and began to wait patiently for the tale. He had come to enjoy these meetings. His long life has given him so little to enjoy, having seen it all before. This unlikely party has piqued his interest. They were apt to do anything, which is precisely the draw for the old man.

"Master " Jeremy visibly calmed. "I was watching the large hairy one and the small shamaness in their cart. They seemed morose, and depressed. Muttering to themselves. When suddenly, the big one got up and asked for something good. The Shamaness handed him Frostmourne, he grinned, and said that he wanted a healing, but the sword would help too, then walked off with a purpose, while the shamaness fell into a trance like state. I figure that she was in communication with her spirit guide.

I followed the hairy one. He tracked the monster that killed his friend. With a mighty swing, he knocked the monster senseless. At least it seemed that way. The battle was quick, and vicious. I have not seen him move so angrily since he killed the four priests at the village of Keresh, because they sacrificed babies. You remember that master?? The village that Surrin is from??"

"Yes yes" the master said "The village that I sent them to, without their knowledge. That Surrin is from. The one that sacrificed a baby every seven years. Now go on, tell me the rest that happened."

"Well, after the battle, the hairy one drug his friends body and the monster back to the camp. Did you know the monster was a machine? Anyway. He brought both back to camp. The Shamaness was still in her trance.

HEHEHEHE. Master, she has a smart humour about her. When the fighter asked where the wagon was. She said it was in the box. She had not told him about the scroll Surrin gave her. The one that shrinks the wagon and horses. He almost danced a jig in irritation. She turned it back like she was angry.

While he was working on the machine, I saw his axe move away from him. No one was near him. He did not notice, so intent was his attention upon his prize. Then the fighter went to sleep. All night long, rocks were moving around the camp. At first, it was just a little, like I do when playing with a mouse. The Shamaness was keeping watch. At one point she started to dance. There was a magic in her dance. I could feel it. After the dance, rocks started FLYING. One thing that I found odd though, she always seemed to know where the rocks were going to move next.

After she went to sleep, and the hairy one took watch. Things calmed down a bit. The rocks were being thrown at the fire only. The rest of the night passed without incident.

Now master, here is where it gets REALLY interesting. The two decided to keep moving in the morning. They traveled together. At one point they came to a picture being drawn. It was of a snake. The stylus was a rock, being held by no one. At least none that any could see. It reacted to their questions and voices. From the pictures they ascertained that there was a snake in front of them. A big one.

Sure enough, there was one. It would not let them pass. to start off a horrendous battle, the MONK appeared in front of it. I won't bore you with the details, so I'll recap for you.

Monk appears and walks through the snake.
Fighter tries to sprint past it.
Snake chomps fighter.
Shamaness disappears (we could see that one coming)
Monk appears riding the snake.
Fighter attacks the eyes of the snake as it winds around him (kinda like a python)
Fighter slices the snake in half, IT IS A MACHINE!!!
Shamaness appears with a flaming rod of some sort, and attacks the snake.
Snakes eye implodes.
Fighter points at snake, and acid hits the snake.
Snake dies.

MASTER!!!! the MONK took part in the battle!!!!!"

"Yes" The deep rumbling smile showed on his plant-like face. "Yes, he did. We will see more of him, I am sure."