BOOK 3 | CHAPTER 2: BEYOND THE CRATER

Fig. 1

 The ears of Metis, the Halfling Wanderer, had shrunk and folded back. He sat up on The Stone Glyph at the bottom of The Giant Crater. He could "hear" psychic voices emanate from the jagged, metallic crystal next to him. The voices were arguing. Metis addressed The Crystal and "heard" the voice of Horgelon Thunderegg, the Wizard. Horgelon was confused. Metis recognized few words. 

Fig. 2

Metis took his short sword and attempted to cut the unconscious Despairer next to him. The blade could not find an opening in the exoskeleton of The Despairer. The Mount of The Despairer was a Giant Maggot and Metis cut it open. The Giant Maggot Mount screeched. Its insides spilled out onto The Stone Glyph.

Metis took the jagged crystal with him and climbed out of the giant crater. Metis caressed The Crystal. Thunderegg, within The Crystal, recognized Metis. Thunderegg said, I am trapped and there is constant psychic battle with Dufnarl and Selloc Dur.

Metis looked at his surroundings. There was The Wasteland around The Giant Crater. In one direction were rolling hills covered with grass. In the other direction was The Large Stone Structure. In another direction were The Five Mountains.

Metis walked toward The Five Mountains with The Crystal. It was near evening when Metis arrived at the Five Mountains. Four smaller mountains circled one larger mountain. Each mountain had eight sides and was identical to the others, but the largest mountain had a staircase. The staircase wound up the mountainside to the top.

Fig. 3

Metis heard a snarl. A Wingless Scalewolf approached. The head of The Scalewolf had a snout and was covered with fur. It's eyes were red. It had a long body covered with scales. There was a ball covered with spikes at the end of its tail. The Scalewolf told Metis to leave for he would disturb The Ritual. Metis asked about The Ritual. The Animal said The Order would resurrect The Conqueror, Chamast Marghast. Metis said he would join The Order. The Scalewolf presented Metis with a token and said to go to the top of the mountain. Metis walked up the staircase.

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

On top of the mountain were Four Warriors kneeling around a hole. Metis presented the token and the warriors welcomed him into their order. The Ritual required The Four Warriors, and Metis, to give up their flesh so Chamast Marghast could use it on this plane. The four warriors, and Metis, would take the place of Chamast Marghast in the Ne'errealm. Metis told the four warriors he did not want to be in The Ritual. The Four Warriors armed themselves. Metis fled down the staircase.

The Scalewolf bit Metis at the bottom of the staircase. Metis struck at the The Scalewolf with his short sword. The Scalewolf bit Metis again and Metis fled across the wasteland.

Fig.6

Metis walked toward The Rolling Hills as the night descended. Then he was in darkness. Metis saw many strings of lights. The lights bounced in the darkness. Metis walked toward the lights and saw The Caravan. The Caravan was a series of buildings on wheels pulled by Medium Walkers. The buildings could be connected by gang planks.

Metis told A Caravan Guardsman he was a boy separated from his parents who were on The Caravan. The Caravan Guardsman brought Metis to The Healers of The Caravan who cared for Metis's wounds and they would find his parents in the morning.

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

A Woman came for Metis in the morning. She hugged him and said he was his Mother. Metis didn't know The Woman. The Woman took Metis by the hand and crossed The Caravan to a decrepit, four-story building. The Woman took Metis to a room on the second floor and locked the door. In the room was A Man in patched, brown clothes. The Woman was Esther and The Man was Edger. Esther and Edger told Metis, You will help us steal the gold from The Caravan Company. Metis threatened, I'll stab you and laser you with my crystal. Esther ignored him, We will sell you to the slavers. She told him they would steal the gold that night.

Metis sat on a stool by the window. Esther and Edger played cards at the table. Metis took the chamberpot, sat over it and made noises with his mouth as if he were evacuating his bowels. Then Metis opened the window. He threw The Crystal out the window and followed. Esther and Edger drew their weapons and came after Metis. Metis ran to the front of the building and got the attention of A Caravan Guard. The Caravan Guard took Metis to Daron Vega, the Caravan Leader.

Fig. 1 "Metis, The Halfling," Benjamin Marra 

Fig. 2 "The Consciousness of Horgelon Thunderegg Trapped In The Psyche-scape Of The Crystal," Benjamin Marra

Fig. 3 "A Wingless Scalewolf," Benjamin Marra
Fig. 4 "Chamast Marghast, The Hated, Wielding The Bone Sword of Ep'curthulon, with Followers," Benjamin Marra
Fig. 5 "The Four Warriors from The Order of Marghast," Benjamin Marra
Fig. 6 "A Caravan Building Pulled By Medium Walkers," Benjamin Marra
Fig. 7 "Esther," Benjamin Marra
Fig. 8 "Edger," Benjamin Marra