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Our rest was pleasantly untroubled by the denizens of the Dreadlands... I, however, had more nightmare visions from on high... sent by the wraiths of Innoruuk himself.

I saw a deep chasm which was filled with etheric light. A distant chinking of metal on stone assaulted my ears with a power I could not resist. I cried out and flew upward through the solid stone of the rough-hewn ceiling into a snow-covered fortress. I hovered over the central keep, surrounded by smoke and swirling winds, and saw vast white plains in every direction, dotted with withered trees and peopled with wild beasts of many dangerous kinds. The voice of my Master crashed through my mind - "Bring Fear to these worms."

I awoke, sweating and whimpering my devotion to do this deed as Daggerclaw eyed me strangely. Luckily we had rid the region of aggressive creatures... I must have shouted in the midst of my dreaming (which is what had probably woken my bodyguard). When I had regained my composure, I mustered my will and explained our new destination.

When he nodded sagely and told me we were heading to Crystal Caverns, I was taken aback. I played it off as if I knew exactly what he was talking about. After a few moments I experienced a flash of inspiration... perhaps Daggerclaw, a follower of Cazic-Thule, was the Fear which I would bring to the worms... and that would also make him my objective here in Kunark. Innoruuk is wise and far-seeing and I bowed my head to thank him once again for his guiding hand.

While I was quietly basking in the glow of Innoruuk's inspiration, Daggerclaw gathered our camp and was already planning out our journey. He did not question why or even his continued presence... taking it all in stride that he would accompany me on my mission - even beyond the continent of Kunark.

Our travel route would be as follows: Back to the druid ring in the sheltered valley of the Combine Spires to pick up a mystical transport to the Iceclad Ocean. From there we would sneak through the defenses of the keep which I had seen in my dream (he described it as the "Ry`Gorr Fort") into their mines where he had allies among the "Coldain" who lived in a place called "Frostone". From there we would figure out what to do. (To be honest, I had no idea what to do aside from take my agent of Fear into the place).

The druid we found was a mercenary little halfling called (and I chuckle) Ciwin Masterbaker. He was another old friend of Daggerclaw who seemed to think wisecracking was a substitute for intelligence. Every time I see one of these little nature worshippers I get sick to my stomach... but I can't argue with their utility.

I'm starting to ramble. The trip itself was uneventful. Ciwin teleported us to a stone ring on a large island in the Iceclad Ocean. He then covered us in magical camoflage (which itched terribly) and led us along the icy waters faster than I ever imagined two-legged beings could run. We crossed a massive bridge made entirely of ice and dragon bones after slipping past two gigantic armored giants.

Needless to say, I was FREEZING but before long we were crossing some vaguely familiar snowscapes. In the distance I saw a plume of smoke and realized that this was, indeed, the very place from my vision. I knelt in the snow and gave loud praise to Innoruuk (which alarmed my companions who had insisted on quiet as we neared the dangerous lands of the Ry`Gorr) which prompted Daggerclaw to clap a scaley hand over my mouth and carry me past the vigilant orcish sentries guarding the only gate into the fortress.

Mighty warrior and servant of Fear, indeed. I had half a mind to toss a curse on his scaly hide before I saw just how many orcs and giants were wandering the yard of the keep. We three slipped quietly into a gated stone shack and touched a crystal prism which teleported us into the dark mines of my dream.

It was here that Ciwin bid us farewell. His task was merely to get us to our destination and, that done, he handed Daggerclaw a hollow reed to blow should we need transport out (some sort of primative magical summoning device, I assume) and opened a mystical portal out of there.

I, for one, was quite glad he was gone. The stink of his little person was almost more than I could bear... and the itchy camoflage spell was dispelled in his absence. I said as much but got little reply from Daggerclaw. I got the feeling that the old lizard had some affection for him. Such weakness in a scion of Cazic-Thule did not bode well for our adventure.

I write this from a safe chamber in Frostone. Of our journey through the mines I will not write much but suffice it to say, through countless dank tunnels and numberless packs of orcish miners and watchmen, Daggerclaw scythed like some engine of death. Not even a concerted effort by some eight orcs led by a beastly lieutenant (of some kind) named Rixact could succeed against him. Of course, my prayers were with him all along and the power of Innoruuk fortified us as we crept through warrens we carpeted with the blood of the dead.

Of note are the Coldain. They are Dwarves! White-skinned but grim as their dim-witted cousins on Antonica, they refused to sell to me but had no idea about the history our peoples share (a history rife with conflict and hatred, I'm proud to say). I was not going to share any information with them (as they are safe enough shelter from the orcs) which would jeopardize my stay but would hopefully plant the seeds of hatred among them before I leave... perhaps they could learn to distrust their pink-skinned cousins - now that would be poetic!

While in Frostone, a novice of the human monks offered me a handsome sum of platinum to revive his fallen master who had been hunting some rock men called "Geonids". The way would be perilous but Daggerclaw assured me that he could lead me safely there. Soon we will embark on this minor adventure and perhaps I would find insight into my purpose here... and gain glory for Innoruuk (plus some cash for me) at the same time.

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