A New Hope

A New Hope? Well, not really.Although things are going well for the gang now that the Halfling invasion has been repelled. Thanks to the now (probably) reformed Halfling Colossus being reunited with his long lost love, the Gnomess Cheri, Grimbledung's very extended, very diverse family seems to be settling down for some much-needed rest. And, thanks to Grimbledung's suggestion, Colossus is even working as a deputy for Constable Akita!To add to the mix, the wayward Magician's Guild Enforcers have made amends and are now living peacefully in town as well. Everything is nice and peaceful. To celebrate,the citizens of Julesville decide to hold a Victory over Halflings celebration. Hoping to avert an Aution-eque disaster, Grimbledung is ordered NOT to have any part in the planning or execution of H-V Day.With things calming down- love is in the air! Akita and the mysterious owner of 'Herbs and More. Much More' become the most talked about secret in Julesville. The only ones not in on the secret? Well, Akita and Maca of course- they think they have the whole town fooled!Less secretively, Colossus and Cheri work on building a home someplace in town. Preferably that isn't too close to Second-Hand Sorcery. Will the town accept a Halfling and a Gnome marrying? Probably once Grimbledung gets involved! Wanting the Gnomes to find respectable gals, Nulu sets them up with a couple of knockouts. Even though they should be completely out of their league, the females take a keen interest in them. And their shoppe. Is it love or something else? Are you kidding? Did you even READ the other books?? Of course it's something else!Meanwhile, at the School of Magic, Big Julie has a theft problem and and even Akita can't seem to find the culprit. At wit's end, Big Julie hires Grimbledung to go undercover as a new transfer student to solve the mystery. Little does she know she has hired Grim Noir- private detective! Can Big Julie's school survive Grimbledung's antics? Will the culprit be found? With Grim Noir on the case, the odds are about even that things will work out.The V-H Day celebration begins after Julie's mystery is solved. (See?) It goes off without a hitch. Until. Until Castor the Gargoyle inadvertently mentions visiting the Lost Picman's mine- a fabled mine filled with gold, gems, and an untold number of wands to Grimbledung. Grimbledung develops avarice with a capital AHHH! After haranguing Drimblerod unmercifully, the pair head off in search of assured fortune, leaving their beloved wand shoppe in the capable hands of two Magician's Guild Enforcers.What could go wrong?Find out in this 122,600 word adventure!