Jasper McCarrin

UP: Britannia

    After my meeting with Lord Blackthorn, I went of in search of whatever other information I could find. I had, through various sources, been told the possible locations of two FOA hideouts - one in the area of Buccaneer's Den; the other east of Vesper. I decided to head to Buccaneer's Den and then head to Vesper.

    I did indeed find what had to have been a hideout of the Followers of Armageddon. It was being watched by many brave warriors who wished to catch one or all of the FOA members and turn them in at the Court of Truth in Yew. They had seen no activity for some time at this hideout, but were not giving up their posts. It was obvious that the FOA had abandoned this hideout.

    After an uneventful trip to Vesper, I headed off into the woods to the east - following the directions I had been given. I approached the house from the south. It looked deserted. I peered into one of the windows, but saw no one within. Circling the house to the north, I then saw what might have been the reason for this hideout being also deserted. GThunk, the fierce troll chieftain, was standing in a clearing only a few yards away. I quickly slunk back into the shadows of the house. Even though he was watching me, he made no move toward me and even seemed to be paying me no more attention. I rapidly made my exit and returned to Vesper.

    While having a drink at the Marsh Hall, I remembered Thraal Veese. Perhaps he would know more about the FOA. Maybe at least where they might be hiding. I hurried to Skara Brae.

    After arriving in Skara Brae, I rushed into the tavern, but there was no sign of Thraal. Disappointed, I began to wander the town, hoping to maybe find him somewhere else. And the virtues smiled on me, because he was sitting at the docks, dangling his feet in the water.

    It only took a few questions to discover that Thraal would not be forthcoming with and more FOA information. He mumbled something about an attempt on his life a few weeks ago by one of them, but gave no details. Naturally, I was a bit frustrated. Just when I was about to demand he reveal what he knew, Thraal stopped me with just a word.

"Blackthorn," he said.
"Lord Blackthorn, what dost thou know of him?" I asked
"I know that he is seeking to meet with an element that is more akin to me than to someone like thee," was his  reply. "I ' ave heard that Lord Blackthorn has set up a meeting with those who are skilled at making people disappear... permanently."
I pondered this for a moment and then asked, "Who is he meeting exactly? When? Where?"
"I know little more than what I've already told ye. And I'll not be talkin' any more. Leave me unless ye have somethin' of use to tell me... or gold to hand over..."

    His eyes glittered at the thought of gold, and I noticed he was actually quite drunk. Interesting that I had missed that, but I had been intent on dragging some information from him. Perhaps he'll be more cooperative if I came back later... when he'd had time to sleep and sober. Yes, I'll go look for him again later. It's unlikely he will leave Skara Brae. With that thought in mind, I headed to the tavern to find a meal and perhaps an ale or two myself...

From the Town Cryer - The Journal of Ultima Online, Wednesday, October 7th 1998