Excerpt from the memoirs of Burhy ibn Qat'ma Al-Ma, Chapter 116 "The Perils of Winnipeg":
...and so we returned to the town of Winnipeg, having made a good showing in battle against the vile Insect-Men, whom I have already described in an earlier tale which I would caution ladies, children, and the more sensitive of clerics against reading, for such is the terror contained therein! (Available from any purveyor of fine literature.) Our humble party decided to sup with the Wight Lady, a most cunning woman who had proven a good guide to us in our adventures. However, our way was blocked by a scuffle between the local militia and a mob of commoners. Seeing an opportunity to spread the enlightenment of our fair city, I negotiated a peaceful resolution to the dispute, and swore to bring the grievance to light with their queen. It seemed that an innocent man had died in the custody of the militia, an esteemed eastern metal smith of great repute.
While I at first believed this to be a heavy-handed act to keep the commons in line (something utterly unnecessary in Bagdehara), on further investigation we discovered it to be the work of Malingra, the foul demoness who had dogged our steps since the Adventure of the Pagan Temple. Malingra had already slain an innocent worker repairing our ship as well, and then horror of horrors, captured several of our companions and bound them up Gods-Know Where! Surely this could not stand!
So it was that we hatched a cunning plan to drive off the beast once and for all. Though Master Cole, a rough swordsman who's description I have already related, was offered a tempting deal by the demoness, we resolved to seek the aid of Bishop Gregory of Ebon Rock, a holy man in charge of a remote monastery. Journeying to this island off the coast of Winnipeg, we found the Bishop welcoming but strange. Like the Priests of Nooma the Sea Goddess, his healing powers seemed tied to the land. It was as if he drained himself to heal his supplicants, and was often in an addled and confused state. Despite his demands we convert to the misguided faith of Arkhen, we were able to convince him to aid us in the destruction of Malingra. Cole would be the bait, while Ama the serving girl would lure the demon in, then the affectionately named "Aunt Bunny" and myself would rush in upon the creature and hold it in play until the Bishop's power could be invoked to banish the beast forever with the aid of a rock called an 'Elder Sign'.
Our plan seemed solid, but to our dismay the Demon arrived with scores of winged servants in tow. Still, we held true to our cunning scheme. The temple's magic statues and animated suits of armor came to life, and we marshaled all our forces against the vile Malingra. Thanks to the great power of the Gods, who's one representative on earth is the God-King, I was able to rush in upon the beast. I hacked apart its winged minions, striking them away like a great reaping wind before at last coming upon Malingra herself. Allies at my side, we smote her heartily, and my most excellent spinning blade did carve upon the creature's flesh with a fury like lightning! (Spinning Blade available soon at any good arms stall from the House of Qatma.)
The demon did strike back upon me, crashing it's claws into my breastplate, and wounding me most sore. However, I shed my blood most gladly, for together my companions and I were able to keep Malingra within a magically ensorceled chamber long enough for the Bishop's magic to be used. Truly the Gods did work through that humble primitive, for before Malingra could rip my head from my shoulders, she stopped and let out a piteous howl that shook my very soul! Then the demon slowly faded into the air, leaving behind no trace that she had ever stalked our fair land.
So it was that we hatched a cunning plan to drive off the beast once and for all. Though Master Cole, a rough swordsman who's description I have already related, was offered a tempting deal by the demoness, we resolved to seek the aid of Bishop Gregory of Ebon Rock, a holy man in charge of a remote monastery. Journeying to this island off the coast of Winnipeg, we found the Bishop welcoming but strange. Like the Priests of Nooma the Sea Goddess, his healing powers seemed tied to the land. It was as if he drained himself to heal his supplicants, and was often in an addled and confused state. Despite his demands we convert to the misguided faith of Arkhen, we were able to convince him to aid us in the destruction of Malingra. Cole would be the bait, while Ama the serving girl would lure the demon in, then the affectionately named "Aunt Bunny" and myself would rush in upon the creature and hold it in play until the Bishop's power could be invoked to banish the beast forever with the aid of a rock called an 'Elder Sign'.
Our plan seemed solid, but to our dismay the Demon arrived with scores of winged servants in tow. Still, we held true to our cunning scheme. The temple's magic statues and animated suits of armor came to life, and we marshaled all our forces against the vile Malingra. Thanks to the great power of the Gods, who's one representative on earth is the God-King, I was able to rush in upon the beast. I hacked apart its winged minions, striking them away like a great reaping wind before at last coming upon Malingra herself. Allies at my side, we smote her heartily, and my most excellent spinning blade did carve upon the creature's flesh with a fury like lightning! (Spinning Blade available soon at any good arms stall from the House of Qatma.)
The demon did strike back upon me, crashing it's claws into my breastplate, and wounding me most sore. However, I shed my blood most gladly, for together my companions and I were able to keep Malingra within a magically ensorceled chamber long enough for the Bishop's magic to be used. Truly the Gods did work through that humble primitive, for before Malingra could rip my head from my shoulders, she stopped and let out a piteous howl that shook my very soul! Then the demon slowly faded into the air, leaving behind no trace that she had ever stalked our fair land.
We celebrated victory and vengeance for those slain, and thanks to my hearty companions and my manservant Rin I was soon in good health again. Having favorably inspired the folk of Winnipeg with the civilized ways of Bagdehara, we set sail once more in our newly repaired ship. And so it was that we headed out to the sea, and on the way to fair Lydia...
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