Van Richten's Guide to Created

Someone once asked me why do I risk my life in service to others. The question struck me as odd, which in itself perhaps best serves as the answer to the question.

- The musings of Astonby of the Oaks
as recorded by Taynesbert in The Open Palms

Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And when you look into an abuss, the abuss also looks into you.

- Friedrich Willhelm Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil

The latter part of my life has been devoted to the hunting of evil. At first, my mission was simple; I wished only to destroy Baron Metus, the vampire who had murdered my ear wife and son. But once my eyes had been opened to the horrors lurking in the shadows of this land, my resolve to combat the forces of evil grew stronger. Occasionally, I find myself questioning the vocation which fate has thrust upon me - especially when I am alone in the wild, wrapped in little more than the damp night air, huddled beside my horse for warmth. But such moments, however filled with doubt or self-pity, have never swayed my course. For myself, I can only agree with the sentiments of Astonby of the Oaks and echo his words: "How could I do otherwise, having been given the knowledge, abilities, and commitment to do good?"

I do not mean to imply that such doubt-filled musings are of no consequence. When a person commits to a course of action involving the death of another being - no matter how foul and evil that creature may seem - then he or she must strongly question the motives. If, upon introspection, this individual discovers expectations of glory, wealth, or similar gains, then he or she would do well to put aside all notions of becoming a hunter, in the first place, such personal rewards are seldom found. It is far more likely that loneliness, struggle, and anonymity will be the wages of this work. Secondly, and most importantly, when our motives turn toward personal gain and away from the welfare of others, we risk becoming the very beast we seek to destroy.

So, good reader, think carefully on your motivations for taking up your sword and stepping into the fray. And if - after such introspection - you truly believe that you take on such dangers to aid our land and its people, then gladly do I welcome your aid!

This chapter is designed as a tool for those who would hunt golems. To successfully face and defeat such a powerful foe, you must proceed carefully and make full use of all your faculties. I shall detail the basic steps in the hunt below. Do not take these steps to heart as unalterable law; each situation differs, and therefore may require improvisation. Still, I would suggest following my method whenever possible, for I've found it reduces casualties among golem hunters, and offers at least some chance at succeeding in this heroic task.

Throughout this chapter, I shall illustrate key points by examining a particular expedition I conducted recently. This hunt for the gibbering golem, as the creature was called, was extremely dangerous. It should adequately depict the horrors one faces while stalking one of the Created.

In order for the reader to better grasp the nature of the situation, I will begin by relating the story of the gibbering golem's creation and the onset of its reign of terror.

Fressen Woodhall was born into one of the oldest families of Il Aluk, the principal city of Darkon. Once, the Woodhalls enjoyed a considerable fortune. But Fressen's grandfather had lost much of the family's resources in some speculative business ventures, in a manner fraught with scandal and shame.

Fressen's father, Edward, found it difficult to support his family. Too proud to accept any handouts, Edward was away from his family for months at a time as he struggled determinedly to rebuild the lost fortune. Fressen was a lonely child. He idolized his much absent father, and desperately strove for Edward's praise and affection. The boy often became jealous of the attention Edward paid to Fressen's own mother, Danalie. Upon returning home, Edward brought her small trinkets and talked with her for hours at a time. Edward and Danalie were much in love, and they found their time together all too brief.

As the years passed, Fressen's jealousy grew. Finally, he resented even the smallest amount of time that Edward would devote to Danalie at home. Fressen's parents strove to make him understand that Edward could love and pay attention to both mother and son, just as Danalie could love them both. Unfortunately, this did no good. Fressen soon stopped speaking to his mother altogether whenever Edward was home.

By the time Fressen was ten, his parents feared he had a serious problem - one which he might never outgrow. Nothing they did seemed to ease his jealousy, and Fressen's behavior became violent. Finally, on the night before Edward set out on yet another trip, Edward gave his young son an ultimatum: Be kind to his mother or be sent away.

When Edward returned from his trip, he found the life he had known destroyed. Danalie had died from injuries suffered when she fell down a staircase. Although the death was officially ruled an accident, Edward feared a darker truth. When Edward confronted his son, the boy confirmed his fears: Fressen had pushed Danalie to her death. Horrified and anguished, Edward sent the boy to an asylum for the insane, where he hoped some help might be found.

Although he had read reports of his son's condition at first, Edward lost interest in time. His continued to travel in the pursuit of his business, and eventually all his years of hard work brought financial reward. He took a new wife. Choosing to leave the terrible memories of his past behind him, Edward finally abandoned his son completely. He sent a letter to the asylum, stating that his son was to be told that Edward was dead.

Despite all the doctors' efforts, Fressen never recovered. He grew up in the asylum, alternating between short fits of violence and long periods of delusion in which he spoke of his father as if the man were omnipotent and perfect in every way.

The only positive interaction the doctors were able to have with Fressen involved his fascination with anatomy, physiology, and psychology. When poring over books on these subjects, Fressen would become quite agreeable and even lively. His intellect was sharp, and as long as he was given new reading material, he behaved civilly.

Eventually, Fressen was even allowed to work as an aide to the doctors. He cleaned the medical facilities, including the room in which the bodies of recently deceased patients were stored. One night, while working within that chamber, a particular cadaver commanded his attention. Fressen stared at the face of a corpse on the table before him. The profile was uncanny; the man was the spitting image of his father- Upon examining the corpse, however, Fressen realized that only the shape of the face was satisfactory. The rest was all wrong - even the eyes, which were green instead of blue. Fressen feverishly examined the cadavers around him. He was struck with a brilliant idea: If he took parts from different bodies and placed them together, he could recreate his father's form! Once the body was prepared, surely his father's "spirit" would return to it, and they would be reunited as father and son.

Working frenetically, the deranged young man began to cobble together a body, using surgical tools and the knowledge he had gained from his studies. The hands of the creation posed the greatest challenge; in his effort to recreate exactly a peculiarity in his father's left index finger, Fressen inadvertently exaggerated the size difference between the two hands. When he was finished, the self-taught surgeon gazed adoringly at his work. His father had indeed returned to him, to live again in the body he had prepared. But something was wrong - the figure on the table lay too still. Fressen pondered the problem. He imagined that the shock of the transfer into the new body must have placed his father in a catatonic state. Fressen chose a treatment which he had seen the asylum's doctors use upon other catatonic patients: shock therapy. This, he reasoned, would bring his father back to awareness.

Fressen placed the metal restraints and electrodes on the golem's body. Then he turned the wheel of the apparatus again and again, faster and faster, lending every fiber of his being to the task of generating the required electricity. Finally, a jolt of energy surged into the cadaver. Fressen stood over it, anxiously awaiting a sign. Alas, his "father" refused to stir.

The mad surgeon tried one final, desperate measure. He gave his father an infusion of his own blood. This, he reasoned, would seal the bond of kinship between them, and welcome his father's spirit fully into its new home. As the blood seeped from Fressen into the corpse, the surgeon could feel himself growing dizzy. But his need for his father to be with him once more drove Fressen on, and he called out to his father over and over, urging him to wake.

When the doctors found Fressen, he was barely alive, lying beside the horrible corpse he had sewn together that night. The chief physician locked Fressen in a private cell, and then ordered the hideous creation destroyed. But when the doctors returned to the morgue, the thing was gone.

Confused and alarmed, the doctors instituted a search for the body. Unfortunately for them, they found it. Or rather, it found them. The new "Edward" proceeded to kill each and every doctor at the asylum that night. Skittering through the bleak halls by torchlight, hooting and gibbering, the golem returned from its first bloody night of existence to free his "son" and creator, Fressen.

For some few months, Fressen and his golem controlled the asylum. Located perhaps ten miles from the nearest village, the isolated asylum rarely received visitors, and thus no one discovered the doctors' tragic fates.

As the months passed, Fressen's "father" began to challenge and mock the young man. Finally, the golem ignored him. Instead of playing with Fressen, the golem became interested in finding a perfect mate for itself. Once again, as long ago, Fressen felt a rage burning within.

When he confronted the golem and demanded its full attention, Fressen was horrified to discover he no longer had any control over his creation. As Fressen stood before the golem, "Father" began to laugh - creating a gurgling, gibbering sound in which Fressen heard only mockery and hate. Turning to flee from the terrible rejection and that hideous laugh, Fressen found himself unable to escape the sound. Wherever he ran, he heard the terrible laughter and the words of Father's scorn.

Overwhelmed with pain and exhaustion, with his creation's weird, gibbering laughter still echoing within his mind, Fressen collapsed. Slowly, surely, the echoing footsteps and maniacal laughter of his father approached. When his father stood beside him, the laughter quieted. Fressen felt his father pick him up and cradle him in his arms - finally, as his creation was meant to do. Fressen felt he had won his father's unswerving affection at last. Moments later, the boy was hurled down a tower staircase to his death.

The gibbering golem lived on in the asylum, but could find no appropriate mate there. Exploring outside its home, it discovered the nearby village. It was there the golem found his first new "bride". Staring at the woman, the gibbering golem discovered he could feel her feelings, taste her thoughts, exactly as he could Fressen's.

Delighted at the thought of being with his chosen mate, the golem presented himself to the woman, declaring his love for her. But his initial happiness changed to fury as he felt his mate's horrified rejection stabbing into his mind. Enraged, the golem seized the woman as she turned to flee. He shook her furiously for minutes on end, gibbering hideously all the while. Finally, his rage abated, and the creature brought the now quiescent body of his bride back to the asylum.

So begins the tale of the gibbering golem, as I have come to know it. Much of the story, of course, is surmised rather than known. However, one thing is clear: The tale did not end with the golem and his dead bride living happily ever after. Unfortunately, the gibbering golem claimed many a new wife before I and my comrades were able to hunt him down. In the pages to come, I shall share with you a letter I penned to a fellow comrade in the war against evil, describing my encounter with this dreadful creature. This letter illustrates perfectly the many stages of the hunt.

Before it is possible to begin your quest to destroy a golem, you must obviously first learn of its existence. However, unlike with many other creatures such as lycanthropes or ghosts, tales of possible golems terrorizing a region tend not to describe the terrifying creature as a golem. It is rare indeed to hear a story using the term golem at all, as the vast majority of the populace are not aware such creatures exist, even in myths and legends.

Admittedly, this lessens the number of completely unfounded tales that must be sorted through when determining the veracity and accuracy of a given story. However, it also makes it entirely possible to hear a report involving the Created and not even realize that you have done so.

Due to these problems of reporting, the devoted golem hunter must ever concern himself with analyzing and evaluating reports and stories to determine if one of the Created might be responsible. Nine times out of ten, there will be nothing but gossip or entirely human atrocities behind a report, but occasionally such a story will lead you to one of the fell creatures you seek.

Just a few short days ago, I attended a party hosted by the noted philanthropist, Simon TolUuer. i expected an evening of idle entertainment, as per chance ! was not in pursuit of any foul creature. Before the eoening was out, that had changed.

One of the guests, a young man by the name of Jeffrey, had just arrived from the town of Covering. He told of the recent unexplained wane of disappearances among the young women of the town. Apparently, the investigators were at a total loss until two nights ago, when the body of a young woman was found lying on the road, underneath the shattered window of her bedchamber. It seemed that euery bone in her body was broken, and there were multiple bruises around her neck.

At first, of course, one might assume the girl had simply jumped or fallen, and that her death, while tragic, was in no way linked to the disappearances of the other young women. However, upon inquiring further, I discovered the door to the dead. Girl's home had been literally ripped off its hinges. As a final piece of information, Jeffrey noted that some residents were claiming a hideous man-thing was traveling the streets at night, making weird gibbering sounds. Rumors abounded. The most popular? That a giant ape was somehow the culprit.

In the search for evidence that a gotem is active in an area, clues generally adhere to several different patterns or themes. For ease of discussion, I have grouped these themes as follows: sightings, grave robberies, unexplained murders, and other physical evidence.

This is clearly the most straightforward pattern of report. In such a story, at least one person actually sees the golem. However, as noted, the witness almost never calls the creature by that name. Instead, look for reports of "deformed" or "hideous" creatures with tremendous strength or powers. In particular, pay attention if a story mentions strange limbs and body parts, a horrifying visage, strange scars all over the body, or a creature made of metal, glass, and so forth. Such reports are quite likely to describe golems, particularly when they include information about a creature's amazing powers and strength. Graye Kobberies If ever you hear a series of reports regarding disturbed graves, missing or mutilated bodies, or peculiar disappearances, you must pay especial attention. Immediately attempt to determine whether these occurrences are still going on, or whether they appear to have ceased.

If the strange events are still occurring, you must move as rapidly as possible, for there is a reasonable chance someone is attempting to create a flesh golem and may not have yet succeeded. It is always preferable to stop the creator rather than confront his vastly more powerful creation. When hearing of such a report, it is often wise to immediately begin your investigation, even though it will probably prove to be a false alarm. The time before a golem is animated is often brief, and moving too slowly at this point may result in great tragedy for all concerned.

On the other hand, if the reports of such strange disturbances seem to have ceased, it is better to take a more cautious approach to your investigation. In all likelihood, either no golem is present, or the creature is already animate and thus extremely dangerous.

Reports of unexplained murders, especially those of a particularly brutal nature, may also be evidence that a golem is on the rampage. When hearing such stories, try to determine whether the murderer used a weapon of some sort, or whether the attack was completed without resorting to such a device. If the attacker used a weapon of any kind, it is quite likely the killer is not a golem. The Created almost invariably prefer to kill using only their hands and brute physicality.

On the other hand, if the murders involve broken necks, heatings of amazing brutality, or other such extreme physical violence, one of the Created may well be the killer. In such cases, if at all possible, examine the bodies firsthand, Barring that, study the crime scenes, as you can often pick up valuable clues as to whether the deaths were caused by a golem.

There is, of course, other physical evidence pointing to the activities or mere existence of a golem. First and foremost is the testimony of a golem's creator. At times the work notes, diary, or other record of a golem's creator are discovered. Such records are invaluable for both their information on the specific golem and its powers, and on the creation of golems in general. Unfortunately, it is extremely rare to have the creator's notes to assist you. I have seen just four such records myself - and only once did the information involve the golem I was then attempting to destroy.

As noted above, evidence of great physical destruction may also indicate golem activity. Sometimes such destruction involves multiple deaths, as with the church destroyed by the glass golem mentioned in Chapter Four. Be on the alert for patterns in the place or type of place where the damage occurs (churches, farms, or hospices). In addition to identifying the creature, such information may later prove valuable in your hunt, as it reflects the golem's (and quite probably the creator's) particular hatreds and targets.

Once you have decided that there is a reasonable chance that the story or report you have heard involves a golem, you must go about discovering whether or not this is actually true. Now, I want to make it clear that I am not advocating rushing off to investigate every strange tale of a lurking figure or a disappearance. But you will seldom find conclusive evidence that a golem is behind the stories without investigating personally. Therefore, you must decide whether the particular situation bears investigating.

Once you have committed to the investigation, you must proceed to interview all witnesses. In addition, you must carefully observe any physical damage or evidence. If possible, examine the area's official records. Look for the same indications illustrated under "Discernment," above. Be diplomatic with the local officials; they are often suspicious of outsiders and disinclined to cooperate. This will be especially true if you have no credentials of your own to present. Do not be offended by such an attitude, however, for the officers are merely trying to do their work efficiently. Your best chance at attaining their aid is to appear as professional and responsible as you can.

If your investigation does not reveal that the perpetrator has extraordinary strength, or if you fail to locate any reliable witnesses, your trail may prove false. After all, the majority of cases are in actuality the work of mere mortals, however deranged or evil.

... I thought Jeffrey's tale was definitely worth investigating, so I asked the bright young lad if he would mind my accompanying him back to Devering. He readily agreed. In fact, he even said he'd read some of my books and had often considered becoming an investigator like myself!

When we arrived at the town two days later, I immediately set to work. Jeffrey proved to be an invaluable aide, introducing me to the local investigators, as well as to several witnesses who claimed to have seen a strange figure skittering through the dark streets at night while making strange gibbering sounds.

I was able to examine the body of the unfortunate young woman who had plunged from a window. As always, the sight of a young person who had been brought to such a terrible end filled me with both sorrow and anger.

ft was her body that convinced me there was a golem at work here for not only was her neck crushed, but the attacker's left hand print was significantly smaller than the right print. This is one of the more certain indicators that a golem is at work, as such a large size differential (nearly four Inches in this case) is almost never seen in nature.

By the time I turned away from the body, I had resolved to stop the malevolent monster that had stolen this woman's life so callously. Looking up, f saw my own conviction mirrored in young Jeffrey's pale face and set lips. I knew I could count on his aid as well.

Once you have established that it is likely your enemy is indeed a golem, you must immediately gather all your resources, both mental and physical. Every preparation must be made as swiftly as possible, but not at such speed that you sacrifice quality.

If you do not already have a team of skilled and brave individuals with you, now is the time to send for them! It would be the greatest of follies to attack a golem without as trustworthy and powerful a group as you can manage assisting you.

When sending for reinforcements, be certain to include magical talent. If possible, ask at least two priests and two mages to join your group. You must always assume a high casualty rate (unfortunately perhaps as high as fifty percent or more), and a party with no magical support is almost certain to meet with a grizzly end.

... Once I had established the culprit to be some sort of flesh golem, I immediately had Jeffrey bring me pen and paper so I might send for allies to support us in our mission. Fortunately, I knew that a certain adventuring party known as the Hand was currently working in my home city of Rivalis. I had worked with the Hand before and found them to be highly skilled. Most importantly, four of the group's five members were magic wielders.

Within hours of confirming the golem's existence, a hired messenger was speeding toward Corvia with my urgent missive. If all went well, the Hand would be here within the week...

It is imperative at this point in your mission that you learn as much as possible about the golem and, if possible, its creator. Question and requestion witnesses, read and reread documents pertaining to golems, such as the one you now hold. Go to every site the golem was said to have attacked and search the area for clues as to the monster's abilities or weaknesses.

Once you have gathered as much information as you can regarding golems in general and your foe in particular, you must take some time to hypothesize. If possible, discuss the situation with one or more of your associates; people analyze information differently, and you will surely cover more possibilities if you have assistance.

Go over the information you have and determine what type of golem you face. Any information you are certain of should be used as a springboard for your hypotheses. Additionally, it is wise to make estimations as to the possible upper extent of the golem's powers. Never assume that your foe is anything but the most powerful of creatures, for to do otherwise only places yourself and your companions at even greater risk than necessary.

... the next few days and nights passed in a blur as Jeffrey and I pored over our extensive notes and discussed what little we knew of our foe, including where and when the thing might make its next attack. Although we knew we were at a disadvantage, we decided it was highly likely the golem would return to this town within the month. For the disappearances happened approximately once every four weeks, and there seemed to be no particular reason why the "gibbering golem," as we had come to call our enemy, should change its established pattern.

Jeffrey's intimate knowledge of the town was particularly useful; he pointed out that alt the women targeted by the golem had lived or worked near the town's southeastern edge. Thus we decided that the golem probably made its lair somewhere to the southeast. I asked Jeffrey whether any buildings lay in that direction, as many flesh golems prefer to inhabit the dwellings of mankind. Jeffrey immediately told me of the asylum. A smile came over his face as he realized what a critical turning point we had reached. Now we had a place to investigate...

For any mission in which you plan to face one of the Created, it is imperative that you have the proper equipment. First and foremost, you must gather as many enchanted weapons as possible. It is inadvisable to invite anyone to accompany you in the hunt if they cannot wield such a weapon. Else, they have little chance of causing the. golem any harm, much less of surviving, themselves.

It is also of vital importance to decide on a method of destroying the golem once you have felled the creature. The means must be swift and sure. If possible, you should form at least one contingency plan for the golem's destruction. Acid and magical fire are two good possibilities, as they both act swiftly and are harmful to the flesh golem. If you do not believe you will be able to utterly destroy the creature, then you can attempt to hack the golem's body into numerous pieces and scatter them widely. While it is true that such a dismembered golem might live to rise again later, you will at the least have removed its threat for the immediate future.

In addition to magical weapons, be certain that you have adequate first aid available to your group. Assume that some members of your hunting party will be seriously injured during the confrontation - for despite your best efforts, this is likely to occur. As noted earlier, at least one priest should accompany your hunting party. Two is an even better number. In addition, you should obtain bandages, antiseptics, and other medical paraphernalia. Finally, if at all possible, carry some magical, fast-acting medicines that anyone can administer, such as healing potions.

Unless you are already absolutely certain where the golem has established a lair, you must perform a reconnaissance mission prior to your actual attack. Two or three individuals at most best perform such a task - more can hardly proceed with the necessary stealth or secrecy. The risks are great at this stage. If the golem should discover those who would seek it out, blood will surety flow. (I speak, of course, of the hunters' lifeblood ebbing away, for the golem itself cannot truly bleed.)

Usually, such a reconnaissance mission is best performed at night. Be certain to remind all involved that there is to be absolutely no contact with the golem! For this reason, it is never wise to include an inexperienced or arrogant person on this particular team.

During the mission itself, attempt to position yourselves as far as possible from the suspected lair, while still maintaining a good view. You must then be patient and observe. If you have indeed found the creature's home, the golem will almost certainly show itself at some point over the course of the evening - and if not, then over the course of the next.

It is my experience that most golems are restless, however. They tend to move around their chosen abode quite a bit, rarely staying still for long. Additionally, most reside alone, for golems are generally solitary creatures by both force and habit. Thus, if a steady stream of revelers flow from a house, it is not likely to be a golem's abode. If you do not spot your quarry the first night, I would advise watching the suspected abode for up to three or even four nights before checking closer or moving on. Once you confirm where the golem resides, you can complete your plan of attack.

... With the Hand not due to arrive in town. for another two days, Jeffrey and I decided to investigate the asylum. At first I had objected to Jeffrey's accompanying me on this delicate task, but he argued so persuasively and calmly that I relented. Besides, I had no desire to spend the night alone, and two pairs of eyes are much more efficient than one.

Our vigil lasted well through the night. Just before dawn, we spotted our foe. He came skittering out of the forest, hooting and gibbering eerily, not two hundred yards from our position. I noted the thing's blinding speed and agility as it darted toward the asylum. In the predawn light, it was difficult to discern specifics, but even my weary eyes could make out the golem's misshapen, bulging form. I could feel poor Jeffrey shuddering beside me, and I am certain it was not from the cold. Despite his obvious horror, he was completely silent and did not flee. With the golem's lair confirmed, we returned to the town and awaited our fellows of the Hand.

As your final preparation before attempting to face your enemy, you should devise a plan and be certain that every member of your party knows his or her appointed tasks. This plan should be as detailed as possible, but should by no means be rigid. The expedition's members should also attempt to talk through the various things that might go wrong during your mission so that you will be as prepared as possible, should your plan start to go awry. In addition to providing contingency plans, this sort of discussion allows the expedition members to express their concerns and renew their commitment to the mission.

In addition to the general contingency plans made, you should always have an escape plan. It is no sign of virtue to remain fighting if your current battle is a lost cause. If you do not live through the battle, you will not be able to return to complete your task. If at all possible, such an escape plan should not be contingent on any one member of the group, in case that member should fall, inadvertently trapping your entire party.

When all is in readiness, your party armed and prepared, your plan set and reviewed, and you have gathered your resolve, it is time to face your foe. Despite your desire for a surprise attack, it is wise to make your assault during daylight hours, as you will almost assuredly be more hampered by the darkness and shadows than your foe.

Once you have set forth on your mission, move swiftly! This point is absolutely essential when fighting a golem. Throw all your power and resources into the assault immediately. If you hold back, you are surely doomed. Every second that you face the golem brings you closer to death, for the golem is capable of doing such extreme amounts of damage that few men can withstand more than a few of its mighty blows.

You must also realize that, despite all your attempts at speed, there is a very high likelihood that your opponent will rise again before you can destroy the golem utterly.

... It was a brutally cold morning, especially so for Darkon in October, but the sky was clear and the sun Just slipping over the horizon as we set out on our mission. The five members of the Hand. were as follows: the two priestly twins, Jamiilica and Serena; the elven warrior and mage Damien Lochwood; the Hand's indomitable warrior, Torus the Red; and the ever-quiet wizard, Corum of G'Henna. Counting myself and young Jeffrey, we were seven strong. As I looked over our group, I noticed the new blade gleaming by Jeffrey's waist, purchased just yesterday from Torus.

We proceeded to the asylum at an even pace. Entering the building was simple, for the door stood open to the elements. Proceeding cautiously, we stepped into the dank Interior. My first thought was of the ruined hospices I had visited in Stangengrad. The shattered remains of bottles and jars littered the hall, and the smell of antiseptic mixed jarringly with the odor of decay. Steeling myself for the coming battle, we proceeded.

As we turning the corner of that gloomy hail, I had to grab Torus's arm; a man suddenly stood before us, and Torus was prepared to swing. But the man was no golem-though he looked to be near death. Gaunt and staring, his arms poised before him, the man stood as still as a statue. Even as we took in the sight of the catatonic fellow before us, I noticed other men, who were shuffling aimlessly about in the shadows. Obviously the golem ignored many of the asylum's now freed inmates. So far, none appeared dangerous. But I feared an encounter with a murderous madman could weaken our party before we even met the golem, and I hoped our luck would hold.

By the time we actually encountered the golem, we were all feeling the strain of constant readiness. It did not help that we had been wandering through a maze of lunatics, dead bodies, and general filth. Before we could get our bearings, the golem came tumbling down upon us, landing on top of poor Damien's back. With a brief laugh, the thing snapped the elf's neck and dropped to the floor. Then, screaming and hooting, it attacked again.

Immediately Serena began to chant, her spell of regeneration twisting and tearing at the golem's form while it battled on. As Serena's powerful prayer took effect, the intensity of the golem's hooting increased, and I could feel the terror pulling at my heart. Shaking, I saw Torus turn to flee - only to be struck down by the golem before he could run!

Moments dragged by as we struggled with all our might to deflect the golem's mighty blows. Although I knew the creature must soon fall to the power of Serena's spell, every passing second seemed an eternity, and my arms were growing leaden with fatigue...

It is essential that all is in readiness for the attempted destruction of the golem. Once the golem falls, you will have an extremely brief window of opportunity to accomplish this goal.

If, for whatever reason, you do not believe you will be able to destroy the golem utterly within a few minutes of its fall, then you must flee immediately.

If you do not, be prepared to face a fresh and unharmed foe, while your party is almost assuredly possessed of serious injuries. Fighting a golem under such conditions will inevitably result in failure, and in failing there is certain death for you and your companions.

... As Jeffrey blocked a final, swiping blow by the golem, the creature slumped forward - its awful, terrorizing laughter echoing in our ears.

Three of my companions lay on the ground, wounded but miraculously still alive. Damien. of course, was dead. Only Serena, Jeffrey, and I had any fight left when the golem fell. Immediately, we withdrew our phials of acid. We carefully poured the contents over the creature, then stepped away from the fumes, dragging our companions to their feet. We would not know for a few minutes whether we had acted quickly enough. I bade Serena to help the others outside - and to flee, if necessary. The three of us remaining waited. I cannot tell you how deeply it shook me to see the golem's hand rise, but it seems we were just in time, as it moved no more after that.

When we were certain of its death, we burned what tittle remained of the gibbering golem so that there would be no chance of its being reanimated once more.

As a final note, I am happy to report that Jeffrey has joined the Hand and is currently studying to be a mage. We need such young people to take up the fight against evil, for none of us will live forever.

When the madness and terror of the fight is concluded, you must tend to the wounded and bury the dead. If you have been so fortunate and skilled to have utterly destroyed your foe, you should be very proud of your great accomplishment.

Unfortunately, this sort of total victory is a rarity when fighting the Created. So do not be chagrined if you have but temporarily driven off the creature. This too is a worthy accomplishment when faced with such a deadly foe as the golem.

As a final word to you, my readers, I wish to salute you for your dedication and sacrifice in the service of others. It is no small thing to strive to be a force of light in the face of such fiendish, burning evil as is embodied in the Created!