What could the party possibly be wary about? Could it be the evil grin on Joe's face? Surely not.

Armed and dangerous. (Except for Erica, who's hiding at the back.)

The party face off against Maximillian the Mad Mage and his Splinter-Men bodyguards.

Combat! Kisu and Toramil prepare to shatter the monsters.

Roland's threats to smash the glass map recovered from the mad cartographer are all but drowned out by the objections of his companions and the giggling encouragement of the OOC monsters.

Unfortunately, Matt thought to ask the GM whether this was really a good idea. Chaos did not ensue.

Lucia stalks through the undergrowth.

Monsters trotting off into the distance to prepare more doom for the party.

The woods were crawling with bluebells. (2+6 / 5F / 5P / Doubles / Hard to Kill, Swarm)

Why, it's a mad old hermit.

"FISH!"

"He might be friendly. Unlike everything else on this island..."

"What? Friendly? Certainly I'm friendly."

"BUGGRIT! FISH!"

"There's one of him and six of us. This doesn't necessarily mean we'd win if it came to a fight."

"Follow me, and watch out for the owls. FISH!"

"We don't have much choice, really..."

And the GM brings up the rear. Doesn't he look innocent? Doesn't he look trustworthy?

After all, how much harm can one mad old man do?

Mmmm, scalemail.

James' hermit keeps the party entertained with ranting about owls as they prepare to settle down in his cave for the night.

Toramil and Roland seem ill-at-ease. What? Don't you trust the GM?

Would you buy a used pony from this man?

The party wake up, having been attacked (and some possessed) by Spirits of Slander during the night...

...an altercation begins...