It was a cold windy evening when five budding adventurers met at the base of the mystical Blue Tower. There was Night Wolf a dwarven paladin standing proud with his beard whipping in the wind, Quincey MajorDamage a human warrior huge in stature and mighty of arm, Data Soong the mysterious gnome mystic standing quietly reflecting, Stargazer Eventide a gnomish ranger warily keeping an eye out for trouble, and myself, Chance Furlong, a nekojin bard.

We set forth with little haste for we all knew that perhaps one of us would not return from this campaign. We were moving deep into the Darkwood Forest to find the bandit keep and maybe kill their leader for they had been becoming far too organised and were harassing the good folk and merchants alike. This had to stop.

As we approached the keep, Stargazer came running back reporting a large party of bandits heading our way. Quincey and Night wanted to fight but after some persuasion we managed to convince them that we would need full strength once inside the keep. We ducked into Aldreth's treehouse, a grand mage who has retired to the forest. I have heard that sometimes he helps adventurers and teaches them. Stargazer returned reporting that the way was fairly clear so we set off with a wave. As we neared the keep we found that it was harder and harder to avoid the regular patrols, so despatching them as quickly and as quietly as possible, we made our way around to the back of the keep. Here we found a large tree, the branches of which had grown close to the wall. Nimbly climbing the tree Data went first, followed by us all, with a bit of grumbling from Night about trees and heights - mayhap it is just in his heritage.

Making our way quickly along the wall we searched for an entry point. I noticed two tiles which were slightly out of position. Calling the others to me we peered through the gap into an empty storage room. Luck was with us. Dropping through the gap we all checked equipment a final time. Night prayed for a small blessing from his God and I sang a small song to bolster our spirits. Picking the lock on the door took only a matter of minutes and soon we were quickly passing along the hallways.

We rounded a corner and came face to face with three bandits. With a cry, both Night and Quincey leapt to the fore. Data and Stargazer crept behind them to strike. Combat was furious but brief. We decided to push on quickly before the bodies were discovered. Coming to a door I opened it to find seven bandits waiting for us - with a yell they rushed. I found myself facing one opponent and fighting for my life. I backed up defending as Night and Quincey leapt into the fray, laying about mightily with axe and sword. Data, who was hiding in the shadows struck quickly and quite deadly from behind, as did Stargazer. We won that battle but it was close, we all bore injuries. Night and Stargazer passed among us praying quietly and applying bandages.

After a while we moved on further into the keep. Night was impatient to get to this bandit leader. As I was picking a lock he shouldered me aside and with brute force bashed the door open. I'm sure the two bandits were as surprised to see us as we were to see them. Jumping up and grabbing weapons, they clumsily defended as we rushed at them. I will admit that I was feeling quite good and sang as I harried one of them - it seemed to raise my companions' spirits.

We then came to a door marked "Captain's Quarters" and with a smile I set to the lock. We rushed into the room, not just to find the man called Leo the Quick, but also two lieutenants. Jumping to battle they met us just inside the door. With a cry both Night and Quincey pushed them back so we could enter. It was a long and dangerous battle. Leo the Quick is aptly named, as he easily kept three of us at bay, scoring strike after strike and rarely getting hit himself. His rapier flashed and struck time after time. First Stargazer dropped to the ground with a gasp, holding her side as life fluid seeped through her fingers. I jumped to her aid, Quincey taking my place. Kneeling I helped Stargazer as best as I could. Night said a small prayer and some of her wounds healed. With a brave smile she told me to get back in there. As I turned, Night dropped to the ground. I leapt, and singing loudly entered the combat. It seemed to disorientate him a little, but lifted our spirits.

We all took a great many wounds before Leo the Quick dropped to the ground dead. We had done it. Or had we? For we still had to get out of the keep. Reaching down I picked his weapon from the ground, a beautifully carved ornate rapier with emeralds set in the hilt. We all tried the weapon, but none of us know the rapier - perhaps some day, who knows.

Night sorely taxed his powers as he healed us from the wounds we had taken as did Stargazer, for between the two of them, they saved all our lives, for even after the combat we could have died of blood loss. Data is a strange man, for every time I looked at him he seemed to be getting better - cuts were closing and healing on their own as he stood quietly, leaning on his staff.

We went back the way we came in, looking at the bodies, grateful they weren't ours. We returned to Silvermere very late that night and parted with weary smiles and waves. I know I slept soundly that morning and was sore and stiff when I awoke - I wonder how the others fare. Perhaps we will adventure together again some day, and that will be another bard's tale.