Here are worse things in this world than orcs, liches and gazers. Let me tell a tale of the most fearsome foe it has ever been my misfortune to encounter:

Rabbit stew, rabbit pie, rabbit soup - I thought it was all some beautiful dream. As I stood and passed the time of day with friends in Deepwater, rabbits seemed to roam everywhere, and naturally I got out my crossbow and shot them down. My pot would be full tonight, and for many days to come.

Many people gleefully joined in the rabbit cull, cutting the creatures down as they frolicked around the fountain. Even young Tara forgave me for killing one she had taken as a pet, when I cooked it on a campfire and allowed her to share the beautiful meat.

As quickly as it had begun, it was over. While my old friend Dardan the stuffy mage insisted on puzzling over the appearance of the rabbits, the rest of us discussed Trinsic, ale and other important matters.

It was then a gentleman dressed in white appeared. His name, I learned, was Mesoran. And he appeared to be looking for something. Curious, I asked what it might be.

This strange fellow replied that he was seeking a rabbit. A rare rabbit. A white rabbit. Curiouser still, I inquired - did it, perchance, belong to him?

When he replied that it was so, I feared I may have eaten his pet and naturally denied all knowledge of any rabbits, or small mammals of any description. No rabbits in Deepwater, I insisted. But this minor conceit was ruined by my friends, who insisted on revealing the truth.

Well the gentleman Mesoran gave a most disturbing account. It seems he is some sort of alchemist - though young Tara called him a "necrothingy" - working on a scheme to benefit mankind by taking the parts of dead creatures, sewing them together and restoring the spark of life.

He told us: "You know the "Summon Creature" spell - that spell allows for the creation of living matter for a limited amount of time. I have altered the spell a little and came up with a technique for animating existing tissue which can be adapted to form custom creatures."

Rats, for example, he has made stronger and smarter than normal ones. But the latest experiment, which he blamed on an assistant, had gone horribly wrong. The creature, which I suppose must be called Mesoran's Rabbit, did what rabbits do naturally - only much more often. Hence the unusually large number of the beasts.

Well he left, to continue his search. But in his absence we noticed . . . the white rabbit itself, skipping out of the woods. Did I mention it was ten times stronger than the average rabbit, and known to bite? Naturally, I stood well back.

With help from a passing tamer, who may have been called Gnidlog, we lured the beast into the top of the Owls Eye tavern and locked it inside. But the town was set upon by harpies, dire wolves and orcs! There was much clomping, and Tara, Muriell and Dardan Brook bravely sent the white creature to bunny heaven, suspecting it may be somehow responsible.

Mesoran returned, and was greeted by the wrath of Deepwater. Krag the ogre wanted to clomp him, but he explained that harpies and dire wolves preyed on rabbits and had probably come seeking food. He admitted, however, the orcs were something of a mystery.

The townspeople attempted to dissuade him from any further experiments. Yet he would not listen, declaring: "The animation process promises to have many applications after it is made more reliable. Just think of having a pet made after your wishes and needs." He even took a sample from a giant spider.

Well this man has plainly read far too many books, which drives any person mad, and it came as no surprise to me that old man Dardan, also a scholar, wished to discuss his methods further. Mesoran had even talked at one stage of publicly demonstrating his methods, which I sincerely hope someone will prevent.

He left, and I for one was glad. But at least I had some rabbit steaks in my backpack to take home to my wife . . .