(ooc) This is a retelling of a GM event that took place on Monday night, but I wasn't around yesterday to post the story. The quotes are not verbatim, just an approximation of what was said. Just an FYI on the event and enjoy the reading!

I was enjoying a good run through the Karanas with the rain pelting my fur when I heard a distress call from a young member of the Companions, Mithes. Apparently some large minotaurs were invading Steamfont and threatening to eat any and all young Gnomes they could find. Being a bit skeptical and deciding to see exactly what was occuring in Steamfont, I began to cast a portal to transport myself to that part of the world.

Arriving in Steamfont, I began tracking outward from the druid ring while keeping my nose to the wind for scent of the minotaurs. Not finding anything unusual yet, I traveled to the gates of Ak'anon and waited for any sign of danger. I didn't have to wait long...

Mat da Bash says "Gnomes have invaded our lands. Me eat tasty Gnomes!"

Cryth shouts "You will NOT eat the Gnomes or else ye will answer to Tunare and her servants!"

At this point I began to hear cries of distress from young Gnomes who were being attacked by the mintoaurs. Thinking swiftly to organize the defenders of Ak'anon, I shouted for all to come to the city gates either for safety or to rally in defense. The first to be recruited into my party was Iandidar (sp?), a ranger but a few seasons younger than myself. We also included Mithes, a Dwarf that was nearby (Aak-something), and two Gnomes. Zabnik was one of the Gnomes we added and he incurred several serious wounds from the minotaurs before making it to the safety of the city. I healed him up and we began planning the defense of the city while sending Iandidar out as an advance scout.

It wasn't long when Iandidar returned with news of four large minotaurs at the windmills and heading our way. The minotaurs were chasing young Gnomes about and otherwise causing mayhem. We vowed to defend Ak'anon and her citizens with our lives and I reassured the younger ones among us that we would watch each other's backs throughout the fight.

Our first target was Mat da Bash, a minotaur with casting powers to heal his comrades and to smite his foes. He was as ugly as any other minotaur I'd seen and stinked even worse. I promptly joined the fray bringing my magics to bear and calling lightning from the skies. (ooc: Each of the four minotaurs conned blue to Cryth, a druidess of 25 seasons.) With the help of my comrades, we swiftly brought Mat da Bash down.

One down and three more to go. The other three had been busy chasing down what Gnomes they could find so we quickly went to work on them next. I cast a quick heal on Mithes who ha been harrassed by another minotaur during our fight with Mat da Bash, then continued to call down lightning until my mana was drained. Exhausting myself that way, I began to fight tooth and claw until each minotaur had fallen. After the battle, the weary defenders took a moment to catch their breaths and to realize our victory. We congratulated each other on a job well done and took stock of what we had earned as spoils of the battle.

My party looted two of the fallen minotaurs while others nearby took care of the other two. We ended up with three combine weapons (warhammer, long sword, and scimitar) and a platinum ruby veil. I took the veil to replace a leather mask I'd been wearing and the wisdom stats would benefit myself the most. The Dwarven cleric was awarded the warhammer since he didn't have a magical weapon yet. Mithes had no use for the long sword or scimitar, so I accepted the scimitar as I could use it for a magical slashing weapon and would prefer something different from my Screaming Mace. The combine sword I can't recall if Mithes kept it to sell or if the ranger accepted it for his help. Guide Delanus also awarded me with a Dragoon Dirk for slaying one of the minotaurs, but I asked that he award
the weapon to the young Gnome, Zabnik, for his bravery in defending his homeland and as he could use the weapon better than I.

Ak'anon is once more protected from those that would do her and her citizens harm. It was a day of victory for the Gnomes and their friends. The minotaurs were beaten soundly and retreated deep into their caves to hide from those that would hunt them down. Health and long lives to the Defenders of Ak'anon!

All in all it was a very enjoyable event and geared towards the younger crowd. I was the highest level there at 25 seasons that I could see. Every one of the other defenders were less than 20 seasons, and many were in the early teens. Everyone fought bravely and well together and at least in my party, everyone was happy with the event and the rewards. We even had a bit of fun roleplaying the defense of the city before whacking those minos to itty bitty pieces!

Cryth
25th Season Druidess
Wolf Defender of Ak'anon