JOURNAL FOR 'THE RESTORATION OF GUNDAHAB'

## 1
   When you first decided to form a band of adventurers you were surprised at 
how easily you talked friends and even acquaintances into joining up.  After 
a few months as caravan guards and other odd jobs you began to wish for 
something with more purpose.  That is when you ran across the old cleric 
Namor.
   He said he was a follower of the god Dalthus, not much worshiped in these 
parts but popular at one time on the other side of the Cloudfang mountains.  
He had been the second in charge of a temple in the city of Gundahab.  Even 
across the mountains you had heard of that city.  It had been part of the 
Merchant League, but the other member cities of that league had banded 
together about fifteen years ago and sacked it.
   Namor stated he had never heard a satisfactory explanation of why the other 
cities had attacked his home.  However he felt it was time to reclaim the 
city.  It was now inhabitated by orcs and other foul creatures, and he wished 
you to cleanse it.
   Bearing in mind your obvious inexperience, you questioned how your band 
could accomplish this task, but Namor assured you that he would not let you go 
into a hopeless situation.  He admonished you to be more confidant in 
yourself.  Besides, he pointed out there would be no point in cleansing the 
city if there was no-one to live in it.  He felt you would receive help along 
the way.
   He said the city of Gundahab is roughly square, with the great citadel on 
a hill of rock in the north-east corner.  The west side is bounded by a river.  
After crossing the mountains, you will approach the great eastern gate.
  Near that gate is his old temple to Dalthus.  He said it would be a safe 
spot in which to rest.  When you asked him how he could know, since he hasn't 
been in Gundahab since the sack, he merely smiled and said he had his sources.
  Namor was staying behind for a short while to gather some of his fellow 
clerics and a few others.  He assured you he would see you again soon.


## 2
   'I am Kinth Sureshot.  Balinus warned me to expect you, and show you the 
path to our village.  I was born in the city of Gundahab, but fled at such an 
early age that I scarcely remember it.  However, I love the deep woods and 
never had a thought of returning.
   'Your presence has made me consider different thoughts.  There are many 
people in the village who dislike the insects and dankness of living deep in 
the forest.  The attack on Gundahab unfairly deprived them of their right to 
live in their own city, freely trading with other cities and nations.  I think 
it is time they returned home.
   With that, Kinth turns away, perhaps embarrassed by the pompousness of his 
own words.


## 3
   'I am Balinus, the leader of those who survived the sack of Gundahab 
fifteen years ago.  While we were afraid to rebuild the city, many of us could 
not bear to leave the area.  We settled nearby in the woods, and have perforce 
learned wilderness skills.'
   'I don't know why, but after watching you a desire has come upon me to see 
the city as it once was.  The area you are standing in was the poor part of 
town, but even here the children were happy and well fed.'
   'I resent the evil creatures who now squat on the corpse of the city, as 
well as those bands who come here seeking treasure.  I am sorry I put you in 
the latter group.  I invite you to our village in the heart of the woods.  
After leaving the city, take the first north turn of the path.  I have already 
informed the guards to expect your arrival.'


## 4
     As you look around at the dwarves filling the cavern, you realize with a 
sinking feeling in your stomach that you have been fooled almost from the 
start.  The exit from which you entered is too far away to reach, and you 
prepare to sell your life as expensively as possible.
     However, as the dwarves close in your eyes are drawn to an opening 
halfway up the opposite wall.  A figure is beckoning to you from the shadowed 
mouth of what must be a cave.  You realize if those immediately in front of 
you can be defeated, you have a chance to reach that wall and climb it.

## 5
   The figure in green speaks.
   'The northern part of the city is controlled by an organized clan of orcs.  
Stay away from there or they will cut you to pieces.  The south-western corner 
of the city is dominated by hobgoblins.  The remaining section that no one 
wants, the southeast, is inhabitated by a band of kobolds.'


## 6
   'My name is Linia.  I and my father have long kept the valuables of 
Gundahab in trust.  When the city fell, the attackers were prevented from 
raiding the vault, not least because they did not have the keys to this door.  
Much later, when the hobgoblins moved into this section of town, they found 
the three keys in the ruins of my father's house.'
   'But such creatures find it hard to cooperate for any length of time.  They 
soon fell out among themselves, dividing into three bands, each led by a 
creature holding one of the keys.'
   'If you can recover the keys and return with them here, I can offer you the 
items on the lowest shelf inside.  They were placed here by adventurers who, I 
fear, have no further use for them.  Everything else in the vault is held in 
trust for the citizens of this city.'
   'The three keys were cast in the forms of a griffon, a wyvern and a 
pegasus.'


## 7
   Disinor-
   The Necromancer wishes me to inform you that your lack of progress in 
negotiations with the orcs is not acceptable.  Ignore their threats of 
intervention from the withered heath.
   Their charges for provisions for stopping ships are increasing without 
relent.  They are proving difficult in other areas as well.  You will 
determine if these ideas are coming from their backers, the dwarves.  Also 
point out the results if they do not modify their position.
   You will succeed, or prepare to join your charges.


## 8
   'I have talked to some members of the old merchant families who once lived 
in the city.  I have gotten them interested in returning if the city is freed 
of its present unclean inhabitants.  I also pointed out that the dwarves under 
Bluerock mountain chafe at the cost of transporting goods across the Cloudfang 
range, and might welcome a chance to once again ship baggage via Gundahab and 
the river.'
   'These same dwarves did nothing when Gundahab was besieged, but after all 
we had no formal treaty with them, and the city will need all the trade it can 
get if it is to be repopulated.'
   'I came here with a mage, Holkus by name.  He sought me out; seemed to know 
about my trip here.  His presence is obviously to fulfill his own purposes, 
but I sense no malice or evil in him.  He is in the adjacent building.'
   'I am glad to hear my old temple to Dalthus is in good shape.'
   With that he blesses you and asks how he can help.


## 9
   'I am Holkus.  This area has definite possibilities for my researches.  
Most interesting.'
   'I am sure I can be of help to you.  And perhaps you can help me.  
Do you know the name of the axe of the dwarf lord Valn?'
   'No?  Haven't even heard of the dwarf?  Well, that may change.'
   'Watch out there!  The materials in that alembic you almost knocked over 
took me ten years to gather.  Maybe you should leave me to finish my 
unpacking.'


##10
   Balinus speaks.
   'We have killed or scattered many of the orcs, but there are still enough 
to hold the citadel.
   'When the city was attacked years ago we escaped through the citadel via 
an underground tunnel.  However, we collapsed the tunnel behind us because we 
were afraid to be followed.  There is no other hidden entry into that 
fortress.'
   'I thank you for your help up to now, but the rest of the work is ours.  
If necessary, we will starve them out.'

##11
   Namor speaks.
   'I wish you to go to the dwarves of Bluerock Mountain.  They originally 
designed and built the citadel for the leaders of Gundahab, covering over an 
existing network of caves and tunnels from who knows what.  They may know of a 
way of entering the fortress.'
   'If Balinus knew of this he would never approve, because the dwarves failed 
to come to the aid of the city when it was attacked.  But I feel it is time to 
heal old wounds.'
   'I also have another request.  Although the city is along a river, it 
received its drinking water from springs in Bluerock Mountain.  This water was 
carried to the city by an aqueduct.  Perhaps you have noticed it?'
   'The aqueduct is now dry, but I am sure the dwarves can get it flowing 
again.  The source of the water is sacred to the god Dalthus.  The people will 
see it as a good sign if these waters are set flowing again.'
   'It is easy to get to the mountain - just follow the course of the aqueduct.  
You can get to the aqueduct when leaving the village or through the north gate 
of the city.'

##12
   'I well remember the construction of Gundabad's citadel, for I often 
visited the site and conferred with our supervisor on the progress of the 
work.'
   'The tunnel where the water from the aqueduct enters the hill on which the 
citadel sits is blocked by an iron grate. However, I am sure that the passage 
of years has weakened it. If we build a raft and place it in the aqueduct, the 
force of water when we allow it back into this channel will lift up the raft 
and hurl it through the grating. The ride will be rough, but no real trouble 
for heros such as yourselves.'
   'I also know of a hidden path up the cliff that can reach the citadel.  We 
designed it so that a small band could slip into or out of this point.  I am 
afraid that its main purpose was in case we were not paid for our work, so 
that we would have a means of attacking the fortress.  Being cautious folk, 
we never did tell the inhabitants of the city about its existence.'
   'In either case, it may not be possible to leave the same way.  You may 
need to leave by the main western gate to the citadel.'


##13
   'I am Valnli, son of lord Valn.  A few days ago a man, a mage I think, 
stopped by here.  He said I should watch for your coming, and that I could 
trust you.'
   'Well before Gundahab was attacked the leader of the lowland dwarves who 
live near the river became a trusted advisor of my father.  When Gundahab was 
assaulted, he advised that the city not be aided, because he had certain 
knowledge that they had cheated on trade agreements with other members of the 
merchant league and were engaged in arms deals with their enemies.'
   'Soon enough did we have reason to regret that decision.  The lowlander 
left, stealing the axe Skullcleaver.  This axe was wielded by our founder.  
Besides its magical powers, it is our symbol.  It is always raised when going 
into combat, bringing comfort to our ranks and dismay to our foes.'
   'Information came that the orcs of the withered heath had joined in the 
siege of Gundahab, with promise of the city afterwards for part of their 
number.  The lowlander had also sown dissent against my father's rule, which 
nearly led to open fighting, a thing not seen since we have lived here.'
   'Only a few here know the axe was stolen.  My father decided to sever 
almost all contact with the outside world, for fear it would become known that 
we no longer have the axe and our enemies feel free to assault us.  He lives 
in constant fear that despite these efforts the lowlanders could reveal its 
absence at any time they choose.'
   'The lowlanders' village is easy to get to.  Do not follow the river north 
from the city, for that road is well traveled and guarded.  Instead, follow 
the aqueduct back to where it crosses a ravine.  Go down the ravine and you 
will reach the village.'
   'If you can, I beg you to recover the axe.  However, several dwarves from 
here have gone to that village to do just that.  Either they could not 
penetrate the powerful enchantments the lowlanders cloak themselves in, or 
they did not return at all.  If you know of the mage who visited here you 
might ask him for help.'

##14
   'The orcs occupy the northwest corner of the city, which used to be known 
as the fine quarter, and the northeast corner, the citadel.'
   'My plan is as follows.  For many years, we have only attacked the orcs if 
they entered the deep woods.  This has allowed them to grow complacent.  They 
have established several warehouses outside the city walls north of the city 
to hold goods they trade to passing river vessels.'
   'I want to burn those warehouses at night.  Your group has proved itself 
resourceful, so I want you to lead this attack.  Kinth will show you the way.'
   'Once the warehouses are burning, circle back around to the southern entry 
to the fine quarter.  You should find it lightly guarded.  Rush through this 
opening and move as quickly as possible towards the entry to the citadel to 
the east.  With luck, we can capture it before the orcs can close it.'
   'While you are doing this, I will be threatening an attack from the north 
with my men.  The orcs will be enraged by the firing of the warehouses, and 
doubtless will attack north from the city.  But the orcs surely do not 
suspect just how many men I have.  When you enter the fine quarter threatening 
their escape  from the rear, while I shower them with arrows from in front, I 
am sure they will break.  They will not stop to consider how many you are, but 
will run for the safety of the citadel.'

