The party, consisting of Krodmich the Dwarf, Porodo the Ranger and Eilenos the Half-Dunnar are traveling through the Midlands from the Spine Mountains. Upon reaching the south area along the river they come to the River Rat.

In a booth toward the rear they see a Meriiki and a Kithsara. Porodo sees that they carry Kili’s Storm and robes similar to Thatsaru’s. They approach the party.

The bartender motions for Krodmich to come forward. He gives Krodmich a letter from Josephus. There is a map and the letter tells us to go to Old Durnick (for Nadia) on our way to the Port of Gredaine and then the Island of Nyambe-Tanda. He says that Grom’s Bane, the enchanted warhammer of Antinius the Lightheart, resides here in the possession of the “Jungle Protector.”

The lizard introduces himself as Sarthisis and says that he also got a letter from Josephus. The others ask if he will be accompanying them on their mission. He says that he is not sure; the person who delivered the message saved his life and he felt bound to respond to it. Eilenos says that they do not have to answer now as the party means not to leave until morning.

The party speaks with Brom Amerton, a riverboat captain, to book passage to Salgran. The man says that the trip takes about 4 days. Sarthisis listens around and hears that one of the barges were attacked by thieves recently.

The group is able to procure two free merchant suites at the River Rat. Before they retire, Eilenos plays dice and wins a whole 2 silver after several rounds. Krodmich arm wrestles and wins twice against patrons from the bar.

The next morning the party comes to breakfast and asks the two newcomers if they will be coming along on the journey. They agree and all leave presently on the barge. The trip is very boring. Porodo asks the lizard and the bird how they came to be here. Sarthisis (the lizard) says that they were kidnapped.

The bird says that he was jumped by Necros’ assassins and he awoke in a dungeon. A week later there was a battle and another Meriiki appeared and saved him. He was given the swords and the other Meriiki died. The rest of the group realizes that it was Dan’Tok. We explain that he was our friend.

We continue, on the second day we encounter a tradesman on a raft. He is selling pelts and we buy none. We move into the area of the Blood Marshes. The next day another barge passes with 15 soldiers, the River Patrol. They stop us and demand to know why we are traveling in this area. Eilenos says that the party is making a delivery to the River Patrol in the amount of 50 silver. They accept the bribe and continue on.

The next days we come across another ship with many people on it. They are drowning someone and we ready to attack them, but realize it is just “pirate justice” and move on.

On the fourth day we come to the Trader’s Post. There is a stable, a smoke house and some other building. We stop and purchase repair pieces for our armor and some other supplies. We buy two horses and a modest cart. Krodmich purchases a keg of ale.

We leave and Nadia leads us around the forst to Old Durnick. It takes us three days to get to the town. On the second day we are attacked by brigands, but they are greatly outmatched and we kill all of them. The lizard mounts their heads on pikes as a warning for other brigands.