It all started a couple of hours before Anti-peak. This bar was located behind the Foundry on Smith Street. It was a big square buildin' with four stacks on top. Valas commented it was of Dwarvish build - he'd know bein' from the underground. I had imagined right too - big hammer and anvil hangin' outside the door. There was even a little sign that proclaimed "Use of weapons in bar brawl or instillin' a riot will cause offenders to battlerage." Nice. I wasn't expectin' to have to use my crossbow though - I've been in bar brawls and know the basic rules.

Inside it was one hug drafty hall, fully open 2 1/2 stories up. The walls were all painted with small bearded humanoids diligently workin'. Though dimly lit, brass lanterns hung at regular intervals from the ceilin'. One full story up, a metal catwalk spiralled throughout the room - includin' several chairs/tables and even some strange bangin' sounds (later turned out to be bowlin'...an interestin' sport). The four metal vats were covered with wood and metal valves (turned out to be for brewin' beer).

The people had to have been the most straight laced I had seen for some time. At last, somethin' I had expected. I immediately recognized half a dozen as Doomgaurds, another dozen as Godsmen and a few other random types mixed in. Instead of a vast selection of races, this place tailored to mostly dwarves, gnomes and humans though there were a few intermixed tiflings, elves and halfings. Thankfully though, no bugs.

Cha-kan, Hugh, Valas and myself routed around on the main floor. We had a small conversation with the other pack of Doom guards and one of 'em followed us over to find Elith under the impression we were goin' to start a barfight. After we found Elith, the other Doomgaurd and myself walked over to the mainbar, leavin' Cha-kan, Valas and Hugh to try and convince Elith to leave. From my impression he seemed to be wantin' to stay with his new bum buddies, the Godsmen. Elith that is - not Cha-kan, Valas or Hugh.

And of course, as Elith had mutinied to the other faction I figured a good fight was in order. I turned to the local Doomgaurd I was with and stated in a nice loud voice; "Yeah, you're right, these Godsmen are nothin' but a bunch of rotten pussies." The local table of three got up quite quickly and approached us. Luckily for me I had just bought a few bottles of local brew. When this huge tiflin' guy confronted me, the Doomgaurd (I'll have to kick HIS ass later too) shoved me forward into the demonic mutant, startin' a brawl.

I tried my best to get everyone into it. There just isn't the right semblance of order in a bar fight here though. Some rampant seaweed suckin' urchin was even castin' spells. As soon as I smelled the mage I went for him but it wasn't in the cards for me to snag him down. He fired off a few other spells before I even got to him. I did leave a few marks on him though includin' a nice bite on his nose.

About this point I was thinkin' escape was a good idea when the mage nailed me with a spell that sapped my strength. I felt as if even pickin' up a chair was too difficult. I figured the rules were broken so I unslung my crossbow and pinned his shirt to his flesh but good. Behind me though, the bartender got real upset about the whole thin'. Apparently, magic spells don't qualify as weapons but crossbow bolts do. Heh heh. Bad luck on my part. I tried to flee knowin' he was after me like a cat on a mouse. I just about made it to the door too when the mage bonged me with another fleabitten fungussuckin' spell that froze my limbs solid. I could only see in front of me and breath. The mage and his bum buddies disarmed me and were goin' through my equipment when one of 'em snatched at my beard and it came right off. They soon were tryin' to figure me out when one of in' saw too much. The mage got a good look and let drop the spell holdin' me - they screamed, I bolted. Valas saw most of it and tossed me a nice cloak, coverin' me up. Extra drink for him - er... maybe a lead candlestick or somethin'.

Outside, I hightailed it back to the Black Sails. Good thin' I didn't loose my head though - pack of Red Guards were on their way to plug up the mess. Mental Note: Akkad busted - Don't use unless away from Sigel.

61) Just finished my latest disguise and had dinner with the gang downstairs. I'm right - they are insane. I'd be better off hangin' with the bugs. At least by the sounds of it, they don't bugger eachother on purpose. I'm dressed as a Zao-Tech except for I'm lackin' a symbol.

Lilah was playin' cards with a man from Ysgard named Farnok. He had angular features and was very soft spoken. He wears dark colors (Black pants, brown boots, grey shirt and white vest with a belt and long knives) and has long black hair tied in a ponytail. We insulted eachother a bit back and forth though I haven't learned why he was here - he seems to be lookin' for someone. Hopefully not me. Didn't matter as he was so secretive and no new name appeared under my door.

Cha-kan and Hugh came back from questionin' Elith and had several tidbits of information. The first bein' that they needed a card to access some other plane. This key happened to be one of the 78 that Rogan was lookin' for - its the 6 of swords. They believe Elith was struck on the head - knocked unconscious and had feign death cast upon him. Someone then carved an X behind his right ear and that would allow him (or tells the Dustmen) to cast him into a different portal instead of the Elemental Plane of Fire. Anyway, the fantasy goes that there is some fortress with a god named Lathander and Elith gave him the key. Cha-kan, Hugh (and I suspect Rogan) all want the key so we are goin' to get the key. There will be a big fight over the key. The masses will praise the key which has some special powers. Its a whole big key thin'. I couldn't care worth the beans from a ferret's ass.

The plan is to get the key though there is one big flaw. They want me to be the trojan corpse. Yeah, like I am goin' to volunteer to have myself chucked into the Elemental Plane of Fire on a hunch they're right. There'll be this sizzlin' sound and the smell of cooked fish will rise up from the portal and that will be the end of o'l Nim. I don't think so - if this key is so important, let Rogan or one of the others do it. I will politely tag along - maybe.

62) Just finished my Merchant disguise - its fairly good and hides most of my features. I'll be runnin' out to Hangman's Court to visit Antonian. If I am lucky, I can make it before he dies and find out about this list. Not that he will die, just that the first two names were dead before I could get to 'em to find out their significance.

63) Nope. No luck. Actually, there is luck but its all been bad. I ALMOST got to see Antonian. Technically, I saw him. It was just that he was dead.

As a merchant, I slunk up like a rat in a cathouse through the Lower Ward and into the Lady's Ward. Once there, I cut loose in the center of the path and strode past Harmonium patrols as if I belonged there. My disguise was sound - they didn't bother me.

Upon entry to the Hangman's Court, order was the word that came to mind. Serious, downright ORDER. The tables were aligned perfectly, the chairs were placed just right - even the graffiti was regulated. It was disgustin' though very clean. I was always warned about places like this. The more orderly and clean it is - is an attempt to cover up for bad service and poor food and really high prices.

The "hovel" was nearly full and cleaner than my room at the Black Sails. I felt out of place in expensive merchant cloths - and I was underdressed. All of the inhabitants were garbed in silks, vests and satins. Their hair was trimmed, cut and kept in perfect alignment. They even crossed their legs and uncrossed 'em in unison - unnervin'! I felt like burstin' out into laughter but I knew if I did, they would have all jumped me. It would have, however, been at the same time and done very orderly.

I calmly stalked my way to the bartender and ordered a drink. The bottles were even kept in alphabetical order and by type of alcohol. There was nothin' chaotic about this domain and it nearly hurt but I remained calm. Somehow the words "Its not Natural!" kept sproutin' into my mind but I chained 'em on a leash, diligently tethered scant inches from my vocal cords. The bartender seemed nice and social and I politely inquired after Antonian. He informed me that Antonian was workin' on some repairs on the 3rd floor. I could either go up and see him or have a messenger sent to find him.

My brain sometimes stalks thoughts down and pummels 'em into meaningful words. I knew if I went up by myself and he was alive I could question him freely yet if he had recently died (as I suspected) I could be set up for the blame. If a messenger was sent and he came down, then our conversation would be hampered. I requested an escort to lead me to him. The bartender's young son Huward, volunteered for the task.

We got up to the 3rd floor without incident - well, exceptin' my havin' to gag several times from the orderliness of the rooms/hallways/stairs. Huward didn't notice. We got to the top when a load crash occurred with several screams and the tinklin' of broken glass. Sprintin' into the room, we found a pair of dazed workmen and a large set of rafters fallen into one of the walls. One of the workmen cursed "By the Gears!" and fled with a large bloody scalp wound. The other was pinned and of minimal consciousness. I gazed out the broken window behind the fallen rafter and saw a pair of bodies on the ground three stories below. I told Huward to get help for 'em and I would take care of things up here. He left.

Gettin' to work, I inspected the rafters and found that the hinges had been moved ninety degrees turnin' an otherwise sturdy roof into a pivotin' deathtrap. Impressive. So - it was murder for sure. This place had too much order for somethin' like that to go unnoticed for long. I helped the pinned man and quickly ran downstairs to check the bodies. Antonian was dead. He didn't die from the fall though but from a long rope that had tangled around his neck when he was thrown from the window.

I quickly went inside before the real Harmonia arrived and approached the bartender again. I shuffled him aside and spoke in a straightforward serious voice and told him I was investigatin' some strange occurrences and was undercover. I mentioned there was a death threat on Antonian's life and had hoped to get to him before hand. He called me a "sir" and a Harmonium. Heh heh - fooled him but good. Anyway, he told me a Mercy Killer had visited him a few days ago. The M.K. was wearin' all copper but their conversation was private. I asked if there was any reason that he could think of why someone would want Antonian dead, ie loans, trials, etc. This is the weird part. The bartender told me two key bits on information I am sure are important; "The payment is proceedin' on schedule." and "No reason for fated to do anythin'." He also advised me to go the Hall of Records and find out about his case load if I wanted to know more.

I thanked the 'citizen' and promptly left - offerin' no explanation or instructions. Heh heh - seems to be the Harmonium way. At least I HOPE so.

64) After Bath.

Pattern to Killings? Maybe. Three different names. Three different Factions. All three died differently but perhaps pattern of death method. Later two died in own place. Second could have been accident but doubtful. Third was no accident. First looks now like a murder. Connection? Name, Faction and place of death. Killer has sense of humor to make killin' resemble place of death somehow (Hangman's court, death by hangin', Cheese Press Shop, died by cheese press.)

a) Darel Silvatong, Heartless, Crystal Dew lane. He was tax collector that died when Rats chewed through ropes of barrels at a tavern he was collectin' money at.

b) Neevie Sheevis, Free League, Black Boot Walk. She was a cheese shop worker and died by bein' crushed in her own

cheese press.

c) Antonian Dylerriz, Guvner, Hangman's Court. He was a governor and died by hangin' after hours in his own establishment while workin' on repairs.

Action: Return to Hangman's Court. Find Bartender (as Merchant) and ask if Antonian knew Darel Silvatong or Neevie Sheevis. Find out who rented room over last few days. If none, who had access to room. Are they still around?

Action: Find Crystal Dew Lane and find out where Darel Silvatong died - its been short few days but maybe somethin' is left. Harmonia disguise intact, for now but be careful.

Action: Find out if young Harmonia 'trainee' disguise. Information could be easy to gather - either that or send in Cha-kan dressed up. Merchant disquise looks like Harmonia. Carry Harmonia symbol from armor with disquise.

Mental Note: Add questions to this page as I think of 'em... but go quickly before too much arises ground is covered in questions.