Gustave found several in Karsov willing to travel the Lonely Road to Brackenstead to visit Sir Lombardis, hoping for an audience with the River Knight to learn more about what troubles the region. Those who joined him were his close friend Zaleria, the bard Nisa, the ineffable Grell Gneissman, and the noble pairing of Skaljik and Thicket.

The roads were empty and quiet, so the group took in the scenery and talked along the way. They arrived at Brackenstead at dusk. Skaljik and Thicket led the way to the tower serving as the keep for Sir Lombardis. They successfully gained an audience with the knight, joining his family for dinner. Grell rejoined the group after a detour to the Slackwater Pub.

Several topics of discussion filled the time during the evening meal until the drinking contest organized by Grell and Reginaldis, Sir Lombardis’ son.

The savage orcs of the Dintrelumi Mountains had been a threat for a long time, but now, for some unknown reason they were banding together, unifying. The reason for this change was unknown. Sir Lombardis knew of the orc stronghold to the northeast.

When Sir Lombardis was asked about dreamstone, he talked of its legendary origins in one of the myths about Illus the Lantern. A being called the Blind Dreamer battled Illus in this region long ago. The Blind Dreamer was slain, and according to the stories Sir Lombardis recalled from childhood, the dreamstone was the remains of the Blind Dreamer.

The ruins site the knight told Gustave about was the one Skaljik knew about, lying north of Brackenstead inhabited by minotaurs. Sir Lombardis also told Zaleria that some strange, mythical creatures may be found in the forest, mountains, or the Blight Wastes. Some talked of a sphinx, but anyone who claimed to have seen one was lying. Something of more concern to the knight was a flying creature in the hills to the south. It had lion-like characteristics and could speak. He believed it had a den there in the hills.

Sir Lombardis warned Gustave of the dangers of the Blight Wastes. He told the tale of the Baron’s son who sought to serve as a Hound. He traveled into the Blight Wastes, which contain ruins, giants, monstrosities, and strange, foul, flying beasts. He never returned. Despite the dangers, the Baron, Sir Lombardis, and others searched for him, but no signs were found. Many others suffered the same fate, attempting to explore the Blight Wastes or the old dwarven kingdom deep inside the wastes.

In the drinking contest, Reginaldis was the first to pass out. Thicket was next. Grell out drank Nisa to win bragging rights.

In the morning, the group decided to investigate the flying, lion-like creature in the hills. Before setting out, Grell had the foresight to purchase four nets. Zaleria led the group south to the edge of the hills. In the plains, the group found an old, rotting, abandoned house. Gustave did not find any signs of who may have owned this land. When Grell and Thicket looked inside the building, they found bunks with skeletal remains and a lone skeleton with an enchanted dagger. It was unclear what happened.

As the group marched into the hills, they started to look around for the monstrosity when it found them. It swooped out of the sky, spraying spines at Gustave. Skaljik snagged the creature with a grappling hook and rope. Thicket and Grell rushed to help with the rope. Gustave advanced on the creature, positioning himself close by and below it where he could throw a net on it when it was pulled to the ground. It was at that point Zaleria realized it was a manticore, and they liked nothing better than eating humans.

Skaljik, Thicket, and Grell pulled the manticore to the ground, Gustave entangled it with a net, and the group closed in. With the old manticore surrounded, the group attacked it with weapons and spells until Gustave struck the deathblow. After claiming some trophies, the group discussed what to do next.

Skaljik suggested that the group travel to the old goblin fort to see if it was still ruled by an ettin. The group agreed. Travel through the hills was uneventful at first. Then, the group encountered a hill giant. Somehow Skaljik talked the giant into letting the group leave its territory.

When the group reached the old goblin fort, they found it guarded by the goblins who were now serving the ettin. While Skaljik talked his way inside, Grell slipped over the wall in an attempt to poison the fort’s water supply. Grell was captured, and Skaljik narrowly convinced the ettin to let all of the group go. They traveled back to Karsov to warn folk about the hill giant and the ettin fort.