The road to Grisal is well crafted with solid dwarven workmanship. The weather is cold and damp but at least it isn't raining. The first day goes without event and the second day looks like it will be the same but as fate would have it we make a horrific find. The day was coming to a close and we were looking for a place to stop for the night when we noticed some activity on the road ahead. Lea and Cirdan stayed with the horses while Nickolai moved up for a closer look. What I assumed were travellers was actually a group of ghouls. We moved slightly closer to take advantage of our surprise then fired off a few warning shots. The undead group scattered to the edges of the road finding shelter behind rocks. One group moved down a rocky bank to try and flank us. Someone of the enemy group called out from the back 'Let us parlay! No need to fight here! I'm sure we can come to an agreement!' These undead are more than mindless thugs; probably a patrol from Doresh. 'I don't think so. We don't negotiate with creatures of the underworld.' The fight is vicious. Wrendell fought bravely at the front with assistance from Eldon and Lea. Nickolai and I take the other flank supported by Samba. Cirdan revealed himself to be an animal shapechanger. He changed into the form of a giant spider, creeping about in the trees and ambushing the enemy. We slowly cut their numbers down and it soon became clear we would be victorious. Then, like an angel, Samba flew up into the air and glowed brilliantly giving everyone the motivation to strike down the foul adversary for good. Unfortunately the leader of the enemy patrol, a Darakhul, managed to escape during the confusion of battle. Nearby Wrendell found a collapsed mining tunnel. "That bastard must have gone in here." While some of the party inspected the mine I checked on the fallen victims of the ghouls. Two dwarves lie in tatters, their limbs partially eaten; it is a grisly sight even to one of my kind. I dragged the bodies off the road and covered them in a small pile of stones. One had a small gold nugget on a chain. I decided to take it with me as it may be able to be returned to a family member. I then regroup with the party near the mine. The darakhul was evidently not inside, only savage critters. It was getting dark now so we decided to set up camp here. We would need to keep vigilant in case the darakhul decided to return. Sure enough an incident occured. A sneak thief was heard breaking into the wagon. I activated my headlamp, shining onto a humanoid clutching a small piece of paper in its hand. The thief screeched in the light and dashed under the cover bounding over the occupants and out the front. ' Bedamt! It's not him.' Nickolai and I both fired at the thief as it bounded out of the wagon. 'Come back here thief!' Cirdhan felt something step on him and jumped up trying to follow but got caught in the entrance, stuck fast. 'Arrrgghhh!!!' One of Nickolai's crossbow bolts caught the thief in the leg and he stumbled to the road. As we got closer we could see it was the same darakhul, a wig was lying next to him as part of a disguise. 'No, stop, don't hurt me. Please, I'm just looking for someone. It isn't you, it isn't you.' he waves the paper. On the paper is a rough sketch of a noble looking human. 'My master Vuhka Shroudson sent me out on the job.I'm supposed to find this man.' CRakkkssshhhh. Suddenly Cirdhan burst out from the wagon falling in a heap outside. While our attention was drawn away the darkhul stood up weakly on his injured leg. Samba, caught unaware, stepped too close. 'Ecchhhee' The darakhul cannot control his hunger and bit Samba on the arm, paralysing him. 'Foolish underworlder.' I say with scorn. 'Your man-hunting days are over I'm afraid.' as I smash him to the ground with my auto-mace.
