Despite warnings about the curse on this area, our expidition settled down on the shore of the Lake of Dreams. We had hoped that by picking the least horrible of the three lakes, and avoiding the deeper part of Forisaad, we could make some money and stay out of trouble.
We saw some water sprites at the water's edge a ways off, giggling and dancing. We kept our distance, and they kept theirs.
After building a rough palisade around out little plot of land, we erected a three-story lodge in the center and a smaller workshop off to one side. Things are a bit of a mess while we get settled in, but we're marginally safe. Over in the quarry, the miners have already found gold. I won't lie, I'm a little excited.
Deep down, the quarry opened up to a natural cave system. It was a good find, as there's water down there we can use during the deeper part of winter. But scuttling in the darkness are the hated enemy. Silverfish.
Silverfish are not very big. They are also stupid, and will go after the first moving thing they see. If that thing is a gor'tog, a kaldar, a human, a dwarf--whatever, most people can take care of themselves when it comes to silverfish. But the olvi and gnome population has been absolutely decimated by these monsters.
They keep eating my bookkeepers! I like to hire gnomes for this job, as they are usually good with numbers, but the appointment has become a death sentence. I'm thinking I should hire a 'tog, give him an axe, and have him wait around in the quarry.
But work continues apace. We pulled apart the horrible little monsters, made armor and masks out of their chitin, and cooked up their meat. Ugh. I told the boys we'd shipped in some Giant Salt Crab. Nobody bought it, but the lie helps that gooey gray meat go down easier.