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There are, as it happens, places in the world where justice is perceived as black and white. Ebonlaw was such a place. There were rumored to be over 1,500 separate laws for this small community. Violation of any of these laws could result in fines, prison, death, or banishment. It came to pass, say the bards, that the population of Ebonlaw was to one . . . and then to none. For if you do not apply the law to yourself, you have no right to apply it at all.

A few bardic ramblings aside, no one knows what truly happened to the residents of Ebonlaw. After several years, parties were sent to investigate. Eleven groups to date have completely vanished never to return. But last week one member of the 12th group made it back to camp. Leaving a blood trail and bearing the marks of massive trauma, he relayed only one phrase before he died -- "lone rock".

The sheriff is outmatched on this one and no one will volunteer for a follow-up mission. He has called for the champions to investigate the murder of his people and to deal with whatever they may find. He will provide a wagon, a team of horses, and 1,000gp each for expenses.

Who will answer the challenge and solve the mystery of Ebonlaw?

The sheriff was quite serious when the champions assembled to accept their duty. This would be a dangerous mission. 12 groups had already disappeared and the one survivor to return was now dead. The champions had a few questions and the sheriff answered as best he could. The last word from Ebonlaw was about 10 years ago when the last shipment of ore was received at Sor-Tai. It is located in the Forbidden Zone on Tanucyras, Northwest of Sor-Tai. The reason so many teams kept being sent was that this mine produced one of the richest sources of Adamantium ore. Where money is involved, people are willing to take risk. They were given a wagon with four horses to pull it, a map to Ebonlaw, and a map of the layout of Ebonlaw. The champions took some time to outfit their expedition and set off on their seven day journey.

The trip to Ebonlaw was mainly uneventful. The only incident was the discovery of the remains of an extra-planar being. Apparently, the creature had come from the direction of Ebonlaw, and looked like it had been through a mixer with a few hundred blades, but this evidence was circumstantial.

On the 7th day, the group arrived at Ebonlaw. It was completely deserted, but just being there gave the impression of a "presence" of extreme order. The group searched each of the buildings. Most were in good order, but covered with 10 years of dust.

The teams found the common building. On the walls were listed all of the laws of Ebonlaw. While they had violated several already, none yet required a death sentence. Draken felt bad about that and decided to jump on top of the rock in the center of town; an action listed as requiring the death penalty. Almost immediately, a light breeze started up and covered the town. Those of non-lawful alignment immediately started feeling uncomfortable and some started taking damage in the form of tiny pricks from the breeze.

Next the champions investigated the mine. Their entry awakened the Guardian of Ebonlaw. This construction was designed to enforce the laws and carry out any sentences designated by the elders. It was bright gold and stood 12' tall. It struck with certainty at the heroes, but it never even had a chance to use it's magical gauntlets. The champions shattered its weapons, survived it's poison gas, and destroyed it. Like many of the laws of Ebonlaw, it was a shadow of what should be. The gold was merely a veneer over a thin layer of steel and a body of lead. On it's destruction, it exploded. The breeze in the village quickly disintegrated any pieces that fell outside the cave.

The champions explored the mines and found the remains of 20 villagers. They had hidden from the golem down here, but had finally fallen to hunger and it's poison attack. The champions buried the dead. Then they set about rewriting the laws and re-establishing Ebonlaw. The only problem left was the magical rock in the center of town. It took a couple days, but they were finally able to dissolve it.

Gdarin and Draken stayed behind to complete the task of rewriting the laws of the town while the others returned to Dragons Den to report. 21 days after they left, the champions re-emerged from the mists and once again showed their resolve to survive.

1. Darkstar (Novice)
   Player: Janet Kuhlmann
   

   Phemis (Elf Rogue 5 / Sorcerer 6 / Arcane Trickster 5) lent his creative mind to the adventure at the outset. Contributing ideas on how to outfit the caravan, the group was well prepared for the journey. His shattering magic took out the gauntlets of the creature. And his acid attacks removed the last remnant of the enchanted rock in the center of Ebonlaw.

   Dark Star survives to adventure again.

2. Swarm (Novice)
   Player: Mark Jerard
   

   With great speed, Kristoliana (Aranean Master of Flies 9 ECL 16) explored Ebonlaw, at least while no one else was looking. Her ability to transform worked well against the golem. She also helped dissolve the rock by pouring additional acid on it (Flask of Acid courtesy of Phemis).

   Swarm survives to adventure again.

3. Steel Order (Master)
   Player: Wayne Edie
   

   Gdarin (Human Paladin 19) and Deloth (Human Fighter 1 / Cleric 7) showed up in their usual flare. Showing the proper respect for protocol, he requested permission before entering the town and the caves. Unfortunately, no one was alive anymore to give such permission. The golem had only one standing order: Kill anyone entering the cave without the elder's permission. The golem, a unique construction, would not survive his own directive. When all was said and done, Deloth returned to Dragon's Den to close out the business with the Sheriff. Gdarin stayed behind to see to the re-establishment of better laws for Ebonlaw. A right granted, however thinly, by his election to office as elder of the village by the champions. Draken stayed behind as well to assist him.

   Steel Order survives to adventure again.

4. Windrush (Novice)
   Player: Vanessa Wilcox-Suarez
   

   Jael (Female Elf Druid 15) showed up with animals in tow. While new to the champions, her style was somehow familiar as the group had become used to traveling with Lisonamit. She quickly decided to investigate the village. An attempt to commune with the wildlife failed early on. Her finding of the laws of Ebonlaw on the walls of the common house proved very valuable to the party. She took to writing them down. Given the unpredictability of the storm brewing outside, she took a few days for this task. She then wrote a note to the sheriff and sent it along with the laws via owl and hawk. The note warned of the laws and of preparations that should be made in the future. After this, she reviewed the laws with the champions and helped plan a course of action. At some point after this, she left the village and the task to the others and departed for Dragons Den. [GM Note: Player departed early.]

   Windrush survives to adventure again.

5. Weird (Novice)
   Player: Alain Ackerman
   

   Draken (Male Drow Fighter 3 / Forsaker 10) made a definite impression on his first mission with the champions. Both the reputation of his race and his dislike of magic items produce tensions in the group early on. Luckily, everyone could deal with it. The destruction of the golem and the enchanted rock in the center of town apparently made him happier than most. He stayed behind in the end to assist Gdarin with the recovery of Ebonlaw.

   Weird survives to adventure again.