Van Richten's Monster Hunter's.pdf - Askadesign.com

~ . .
the golem brings you closer to death,
for the golem is capable of doing such
extreme amounts of damage that few
men can withstand more than a few of
its mighty blows.
You must also realize that, despite
all your attempts at speed, there is a
very high likehhood that your
opponent will rise again before you can
~
’ destroy the golem utterly.
. c
. , , It was a brutally cold morning,
especially so for Darkon in October,
but the sky was clear and the sun
just slipping over the horizon as we
set out on our mission. The fiue
members of the Hand were as
follows: the two priestly twins,
Jamillica and Serena; the eluen
warrior/mage Damien Lochwood;
the Hand’s indomitable warrior,
Torus the Red; and the ever-quiet
wizard, Corum of G’Henna.
Counting myself and young Jeffrey,
we were seven strong. As l looked
over ourgroup, I noticed the new
blade gleaming by Jeffrey’s waist,
purchased just yesterday from
Torus.
We proceeded to the asylum at
an even pace. Entering the building
u~as simple, for the door stood open
to the elements. Proceeding
cautiously, we stepped into the
dank interior. My first thought was
of the ruined hospices l had uisited
in Stangengrad. The shattered
remains of bottles andjars littered
the hall, and the smell ofantiseptic
mixed jarringly with the odor of
decay. Steeling myself for the
coming battle. we proceeded.
As we turning the corner of that
gloomy hail, I had to grab Torus’s
arm; a man suddenly stood before
us, and Torus mas prepared to
sluing. But the man was no
golem-though he looked to be
near death. Gaunt and staring, his
arms poised before him, the man
stood as still as a statue. Even as
we took in the sight of the catatonic
fellow before us, I noticed other
men, who were shuffling aimlessly
about in the shadows. Obuiously
the golem ignored many of the
asylum’s now freed inmates. So far,
none appeared dangerous. But I
feared an encounter uiith a
murderous madman could weaken
our party before we even met the
golem, and I hoped our luck would
hold.
By the time we actually
encountered the golem, we were all
feeling the strain of constant
readiness. It did not help that we
had been iuandering through a
maze of lunatics, dead bodies, and
general filth. Before we could get
our bearings, the golem came
tumbling down upon us, landing on
top of poor Daniien’s back. With a
brief laugh, the thing snapped the
elf’s neck and dropped to the floor.
Then, screaming and hooting, it
attacked again.
immediately Serena began to
chant, her spell of regeneration
twisting and tearing at the golem’s
form while it battled on. As Serena’s
powerful prayer took effect, the
intensity of the golem’s hooting
increased, and l could feel the terror
pulling at my heart. Shaking, I saw
Torus turn to ,&--only to be struck
douin by the golem before he could
run!
Moments dragged by as we
struggled with ail our might to
deflect the golem’s mighty blows.
Although I knew the creature must
soon fali to the power ofserena’s
spell, euery passing second seemed
an eternity, and my arms were
growing leaden with fatigue. . . .