A Fog lay over the city of Shanizar the Wicked as two new recruits to House Kobra took their Oath of Allegiance.

They were escorted to the roof to begin careers as Rievers upon the "Despair". Whereupon they were tested for dexterity, and, the taller one with the gang tattoos, covered himself in glory by besting the long time gunner of the despair and taking his position. A fine start, if you measure success by the power of your new enemies.

The talk among the crew was of the attempted murder of none other than Gul, that handsome drow Enchanter, and self-styled leader of warriors. It seems a female drow slave, newly brought to the House, attempted to impale him by a poison dart. She paid with her folly with her life, her corpse being thrown from the balcony of the laboratory.

Female Drow so often make poor slaves, especially to "mere males".

After some debate between the captain and her experienced crew, the despair set off with the intention of contacting Csar Krawn with a ransom demand for his daughter, the Princess Teh.

However, as often happens in the Valley of the Great Sword, another opportunity presented itself. A castle in the clouds was spotted of the larboard bow, where upon our intrepid adventurers, filled with glee. Set upon the unsuspecting fortress.

The crew lustily jumped overboard and advanced on the front gate, knee deep in mist, none faltered.
Coming to the giant doors, they found them barred. But of no hindrance as their spells swept open the door and out rushed three large Hell Hounds. A melee ensued during which two of the beasts were felled by the ships new gunner and the other by a hefty stroke of an axe by the ships other new crewmate.

Some more spells opened an interior door, to find three slaves .Two of which being Ogress serving wenches and the third an old Crow-man. He professed to be a librarian/ historian/alchemist of some experience.

At this, the Giant returned.....to be continued.