"OOHHHH" Jeremy grimaced as he loped to his meeting with the master. "He's not going to like this at all!" Jeremy stumbled a bit as he recalled the events. "If only he hadn't have DIED!"

Meekly, Jeremy stepped into the circle of stones, and stepped before the wooden man standing in the center. He reverently bowed his head, and awaited his punishment. He had failed. He deserved punishment. His charges had failed.

"Chrmeorl." The Green Man said in the native language of the grimalkins. "What report do you have?"

"Master," It was almost a whisper. "A member has died. He had a valiant death, very honorable." A proud smile hinted at the corner of his lips. Jeremy had gotten to like the little goblinoid. He is very much a comic relief in the party. So serious is the rest... yet this one never gave up. He stayed the course.

"Chrmeorl, tell me what my champions have done?" Simple request, no anger, just interest. However, it still created a stab of fear in his heart as well.

"Well, ummmm... sir....

Dakanon was scouting, as his normal course. Being a goblin had given him the ability to see in the dark. It was still rather new to him. Sneaking was becoming more and more natural. His evolved form was particularly adapted to this action. His ability to notice things had become very much more enhanced, even in the dark. Extending all his senses as far out as possible, he cought the hint that something was up ahead.

In the center of the cavern was a large spider like creature. Four legs, small head and a bulbuous body, it was made of metal. It stood about 3 foot high and perhaps four foot around. With a large saw sticking out from under the head. Seeing this creature, he stole back to the party.

Meatwhal, trying to move quietly came upon the short Dakanon leaning against the wall. Dakanon calmly points down the corridor "Spider" he says simply. "There's a spider down there." With a sigh, the large furry creature pulled out an axe, and trod down the corridor with an everburning rock in the other hand. Selené trundling along behind, soon she would have to work the magic upon the horse an cart that would allow them to travel through the caverns. For now, riding is rather relaxing.

Soon, much sooner than anticipated a metallic scratching was to be heard, coming toward the party. Readying, his axes, Meatwhals large furry body became ready for combat.

His evolved form was much larger than it had been. His fur coat that he had grown provided protection, especially from the cold. His muscles had been enhanced with more strength, and his nails and teeth had been strengthened so that he could attack with them. He was much more feral than he had been. Being the Champion of the Green Man had changed him, evolved him, as it had the rest of the party. He was still not sure what caused it... probably the little woodsy girl. The shaman. She always seemed to be around when the changes occurred. And never seemed to be perterbed by it. She always told him it was a gift.

A squat silverish metallic creature scrambled into view of the party, charging at the large furry man. As it passed the goblinoid monk he hit it four times rapidly, without even scratching the surface. It was made of a hard substance. Selené stayed back to calm the animals. She normally held back and helped the fighters.

A fierce overhand chop from a gleaming axe landed squarely on the back of the creature, barely scratching the surface. The creature smacked the axe with its saw, as if it intended to. It could move the saw with great agility.

Dakanon took another few swipes at it. Jeremy had heard them teasing him about his fighting. He misses often, so they call it "Wish fighting" in honor of his fast fists missing the target making a WHISH sound. He hit it this time, just to no effect. Selené chose this moment to enter the fight, in her own style. She disappeared. Meatwhal grew tired of hitting the creature, and jumped on its back, using his hairy claws to hang onto it. Dakanons agility was an immense help in avoiding the attacks from this creature.

The battle was about to change tides. Dakanon seems to have fallen into a trance of some sort. Selené, though no one else could see her, i could, thank you master for that ability, ran near the creature, and touched it. The metal darkened with magic, and then regained its normal color. She backed away, confused. The magic had no effect. Whatever the spell was, it did not work. This bothered her. Meatwhal tossed his axe and cast a spell of his own. He placed his hand near the head joint, and a flash of light was seen, as well as an acrid odor. His spell had worked, it seemed to produce acid. I don't know what he has been learning, but it seems to be effective. Right about then, the creature started to vibrate and hum. A light began emanating from its "head" area. Something was about to happen, and it didnt look like fun.

Meatwhal chose this moment to run. He lept from the monstrosity, and bound down the cavern, just as it turned and let loose a lightening bolt. Waves of electrical energy coursed over and through him, blasting him to the ground, he got up, and kept running. Selené was unsure what to do. Daikanon, his hands glowing now, he must have been gathering his energies for a frightfull punch, hit the creature. Still no effect.

Another charge up from the metal bug, while the goblin smacked it again. Still no sign of the furry humanoid. This time the Dakanon took the brunt of the lightening blast. His small body jerked uncontrollably as it spasmed under the onslaught of electric energy. He took the blast at point blank range. Selené could only stare, as the metal creature began to attack the horses.

It got close to then they spooked. They reared, and pawed at the air. I cought the faintest shimmer of someone standing before them waving its arms, yet the hoofs went through it. I am reminded of the ghosts at the village, master. The baby ghost that wanted to play with the oxen. It was just as then, only this ghost seemed much older.

The horses bolted. As they passed the spirit shaman, she grabbed the cart and swung up on it. I cought sight of the metal beast dragging off the dead body before I ran after the surviving party.

When I cought up with the party, the furry human, and the shamaness were brooding about thier loss. The loss of a comrade, and the loss of thier weapon (for the furred one) were of much anxiety to them. This is where they camped. This is where I left them.

Master, do you think that the Goblin has alowed himself to be a ghost?"

A deep chuckle resonated from the Green Man. "My dear boy, he has not passed to the next world. I would have known. He is still there. His horizons broadened for his own pleasure, and to the irritation of the party, if I know him. His own brand of fun is not always enjoyed by all. Go now, pretty kitty, and watch. Report back when I call." With this, he walked into a vine and was gone, leaving the grimalkin to grin in the darkness.

"The master is right" he thought. "Dakanon does have his own brand of humour. If he is a ghost, then woe betide all around him." He turned and loped back to the party.