Mission Log - Entry Six
Thirteen days have passed since I have seen my home in Heaven's Reach.
Though our journey is far from over, our mission is a success. Zoraisis is defeated, Castle Denmok is rid of its wicked infestation, and Locklear is recovering.
Our day began with Valor magically interrogating Tree Gazer and Sehl as we prepared to continue our search of the castle. A divine aura shrouded us all, and I recall feeling compelled to speak only truth. Though is it not in my nature to be deceptive, this was an odd sensation that, strangely enough, Valor did not leverage. He instead focused on Tree Gazer and Sehl, and only yielded Tree Gazer's regret at fleeing and hiding when demons and kua'toa came and took her friends. She also shared that her people are sensitive to iron, which nullifies their inherent magical abilities.
Lady Almareth sent her familiar, the tiny dragon named Pip, outside to scout the castle from above. She reported that the host of kua'toa and other creatures which inhabited the castle were fleeing, heading to the northwest mountains where distant smoke was seen on the horizon.
Sehl explained the teleportation effects he blundered into during our battle with Zorasis via the floor mosaic in an adjacent room. After some experimentation by throwing rocks and other debri into the room, Sehl felt confident that he could utilize its properties, leaping into the area where he briefly grew in size and then turned gaseous, much like Zorasis did during out fight. He then flew out a window and down into the floor below.
Rather than make this same attempt, the others and I instead lowered ourselves out a window onto a balcony below us and began our search, reuniting with a corporeal Sehl.
A dungeon of sorts was the next room to discover, lined with cells containing various creatures each in a comatose or fugue state of sorts. Dangerous beasts and creatures of wicked design say motionless or paced their confinement. A dwarf stood out among these prisoners. Wild-eyed and seemingly delirious, he acted as if he could not see us beyond the bars. Thinking myself his liberator, I shattered the lock to his cell while the others deliberated on what to do with the captives in this room.
This may have been an unwise decision, for the dwarf rushed out, swinging a broom stick as if it were an axe. Valor momentarily distracted him with a holy word of command which the dwarf thought came from Moradin. As his delirium returned, so did his anger, and Sehl attempted to pacify the dwarf with a punch to the face, which went as well as could be expected. It wasn't until I offered some brandy that he calmed and told us his name was Varrick before falling asleep. He has more bravery than wit and he seems content to follow us out of the castle, expressing no further hostility.
A scared young woman, calling herself Shelaria, paced another cell, so Jessicat saw that she was also freed. We asked questions of her which she evaded, and seemed very eager to leave us. Finally, after continued scrutiny and pleas to stay with us for her safety, her patience was exhausted and she attacked, her features twisting and morphing into a demonic countenance after failing to charm Sehl with seductive words. I understand she was a creature born of evil, but I am deeply unsettled by freeing someone only to strike them down. We left the rest of the captive creatures in their cells, which also caused me discomfort. The danger of their release was too great, but I fear we have condemned some of them to a slow and painful demise.
Pressing on, we worked together to overcome an illusory snake pit which lied in our path along a hallway leading to a lounge or den, decorated with morbid taxidermy mounts of demonic creatures and what appeared to be the head of a guard captain by the insignia on the hat atop the head. Several vials were discovered; one of L'larna blood, as Tree Gazer informed us; one of water, which refills itself after it is depleted; and one of a mist-like substance. Meanwhile, Valor was aided by Sehl in escaping a room with a creature disguising itself as a pile of gold.
Another gold-imitating creature lodged itself in Lady Almareth's arm as she inspected the corpses of several castle guards. In desperation, she allowed Pip to use its stinger to attack the creatures making their way up the inside of her arm. Valor came to the rescue with a quick incision and extraction of the creatures whilst his healing magic sealed her wound.
In another dungeon, a man hung shackled by his arms from the ceiling of a barred cell, a blackened sword running through his midsection. Our suspicion was that this was Zoraisis's patron, Olman One-Eye, because he had an eyepatch. As I entered the cell to investigate the scene, a voice called out to remove the sword. I took this opportunity to ask the voice, telepathically, of a cure for Locklear's poison, but its responses were elusive and I suspected it lied.
The others set upon the corpse. Jessicat first removed a green gem hidden in the corpse's socket behind the eye patch. Valor then burned the body with a divine fire before attempting to retrieve the sword, but neither he nor Sehl could stand to be its bearer, for they felt an evil force within. I elected to keep the sword in my care. I suspect, when the time comes, I will be able to destroy it if it contains the essence of Olman One-Eye, which I believe it does. The voice returned as I took the sword into my possession, telling me the poison was blended with l'larna blood, which makes it resistant to magical cures. While apparently true, the sword cannot be trusted and all are safer with it in my care.
We backtracked in our search to a room with many bats resting in the ceiling, but our focus was on a door with demonic images carves upon it. Beyond the door was a chamber containing an altar where we found a strange staff which had one end carved to look like a withered hand. The staff possessed a curse to which Sehl fell victim when he touched it. The young elf claims to have been aged nearly two decades by the weapon, but it was not evident to we who are not as long-lived. It was offered to me, but it wasn't until later in the day that I mustered the courage to attempt combating the cursed implement. 10-20 years is nothing to an elf. It may mean death for those with my affliction. However, when the time came, I resisted the magic and now I will wield it in combat.
The most important discovery of the day laid in an arboretum we located within the tower. It was here we found 7 other l'larna, among them Silver Fire and Golden Eagle. After Tree Gazer's reunion and our introductions, we discussed the urgent matter at hand. Silver Fire informed us that, since iron disrupts their race's innate magic, a toxic dose of iron would allow for magical healing to cure the poison.
Another of the creatures, called Night Breeze, told us she was able to travel great distances in a short time through a magical network of the forest, so we gave to her one of the sending stones and asked her to travel to Carse and give the stone to Sagrath. After detailed directions were given, the creature disappeared into the trunk of a nearby tree.
We hurried to the poisoned elven woman upstairs to begin administering the cure, which Valor prepared from some iron detritus laying about the tower. Lady Almareth was able to make contact with Sagrath and relayed the instructions for curing Locklear as well. Both of the victims showed immediate improvement, with our patient regaining consciousness. It appears that this was not Zoraisis's wife, but Estria Denmok, half-sister to Alyana, ruler of the Denmok kingdom! Before falling into a restful sleep, we learned that she had been in this suspended state since the fall of Castle Denmok many years ago and knows nothing of our current time.
Hearing the tales of our experience so far, Silver Fire offered to thank us by performing a resurrection on Sehl's Scoffer friend, Rosalie. Amazingly, partly due to the preservative magic of the cabinet in which her body was stored, Silver Fire returned Rosalie's soul to her body much to Sehl and Bastillion's mirth.
With that, our mission has completed. We have accomplished much in these few days. An assassination attempt was foiled. Locklear and Estria were saved. Lady Almareth is unharmed. Zoraisis is defeated and his castle liberated. The mysterious l'larna, who have agreed to take their remaining people and hide within the mountain forests near Heaven's Reach, have been rescued. While we mourn our losses, we celebrate the friends we have made and will begin our long travel to Northwarden tomorrow. Perhaps now we are safe, the killing can end, and we can return home.
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Five - Costly Progress
Mission Log - Entry Five
It has been twelve days since I have laid eyes upon my home. I accept now that these records of my travels may find themselves in the hands of enemies or future travelers rather than the archives of Heaven's Reach, so burdened with peril my journey has become. It is with this possibility that I will write with more candor. That said, my resolve has not wavered and I will faithfully execute my charge of protecting Lady Almareth.
Though not all remain, the names of the brave soldiers and companions who accompanied Lady Almareth and Sehl should be remembered: The scoffers - Rosalie and Bastillion - and the four royal soldiers - Rufus, Yemen, Vale, and Düblphart. While we must say farewell to Rosalie, Rufus, Yemen, and Vale, we remember their noble sacrifice and I pray their bravery caught the attention of the Seldarine and they are reborn with their favor. For all our loss, we have also gained allies whose names are to follow.
We broke camp in the morning, fortune seeing us unmolested during the night. Though his intentions were pure, Sehl's attempt at foraging for food left several of our party with looseness of the bowels that bothered them most of the morning.
With pitons and rope, we fashioned a crude means of scaling the castle walls, finding ourselves upon battlements connecting the five towers. Upon these paths were littered the bones of varied creatures, both human and beast, long picked clean and bleached by the sun.
Without hesitation, we cautiously began our search. Nearing the first of the towers, Madam Oliphant was overcome with curiosity at peculiar sounds and entered quietly. Within the first room we encountered strange, three-legged creatures whose bodies were each but an enormous eye. The beings emitted a terrible, shrieking sound that was sure to have alerted every soul in the castle. Stranger, still, was the cloud of noxious gas expelled as they were felled. Madam Oliphant and two of the guards were rendered unconscious by the gas for some time.
A slamming door lured me into an adjacent hallway, intentionally concealed. As the others gathered themselves, I stood at the ready before the door which I was sure the sound originated. When the others joined me, we stormed in, ready for battle, but found on one at first. Searching the room, I found an official Denmok seal, which I stowed away, much to the chagrin of Bastillion who eyed the mark with covetous attention.
Hiding within the room, nursing injuries, we discovered a pair of whom we may count among our first allies of the day. A halfling named My-Fingers and his companion, a cleric of Avandra known as Shalaa - the first Dragonborn I have met - had traveled to Castle Denmok on behalf of Northwarden to discover the source of demonic incursion upon their home. They warned us of more kua'toa - the fishmen we encountered from the bowels of Carse - and orcs which have made the castle their home and appear to be in mental communion with Zoraisis. With their injuries and fatigue, they desired to return to Northwarden, so we helped them descend our rigging and escape. As our orders from Sagrath were to travel to Northwarden upon finding Locklear's antidote, I sincerely hope we will meet these two again.
Continuing our search led us to our first foes, a group of pale, muscular humanoid figures with slithery tongues too long for their mouths and hollow, soulless eyes. Vicious and mocking as they were, my newfound powers of rebuke and the others' swift action were too much for the undead creatures.
Sehl heard a crash from upstairs which we joined him in investigating. It was there that we were set upon by a dangerous, unseen force that attacked with devastating, invisible energies. Room to room and floor to floor we chased the being, leading us into our first skirmish with monstrous rats, which proved difficult to dispatch. They dealt Sehl a terrible wound that left him unconscious and barely clinging to life.
As we dispatched the rats and ran out upon the battlements, the unseen force attacked again, killing Rufus with an invisible gale of malicious power before it ascended into an upstairs window. Lady Almareth sent forth her familiar to see what lie in wait above. Several fish creatures waited for our arrival, poised for attack. We met them head on, including other elderly kua'toa with cruel and dangerous magic in the tower's kitchen, and soon all were dealt with and the invisible, harassing creature was either dead or had fled.
We took time to catch our breath and tend to Sehl. Madam Oliphant administered a potion which woke him from his troubled, feverish sleep, but it was apparent the sickness was still plaguing him. We also built a pyre to tend to Rufus, for it was our wish to both honor him and prevent any malicious force from raising him to oppose us. In our search we found other medicinal potions, some alcohol and tobacco, as well as a cabinet which held strange preserving magics within. Jewels and coin were quickly snatched up.
Taking a moment to venture out and investigate the black tower, we found it covered in a thick, oily substance that Sehl found painful to touch. No obvious entrance presented itself, though windows and balconies above were clear of the black ooze.
In a small, putrid storeroom adjacent to the previous tower's kitchen, we found a shackled creature suffering from delirium. She resembled a gnome, in a way, but her hair seemed to be leaf-like in appearance. It was clear she was some sort of forest creature. She briefly spoke, though it strained her to do so, so we allowed her to rest. She told us her name was Tree-Gazer and her people were known as Llar-na. I, nor the others, had ever heard of this people. I hope to learn more of them and return this knowledge to my family.
Leaving her to recover, we searched further, disposing of a lone kua'toa hiding within a lavish bedchamber. An orc, holding a crossbow stood within another room where magic behaved strangely. A small pixie manifested from Lady Almareth as she tried to attack the creature. The orc did not seem to react in a natural way to our presence, and Sehl found that a tiny, shadow-figure was casting illusions and magical disruption within the room. With his lead, we defeated the trickster and normalcy was restored.
Ascending the tower, we found ourselves met with a large gelatinous creature and three large snakes. While the creatures were vanquished, the serpents took their toll upon Lady Almareth's soldiers.
We came upon an astrolabe, whose star-gazing equipment sat out upon a balcony covered with a false roof which appeared to be decorated with a mural of stars. However, these stars turned out to be hidden malignant wisps that took Rosalie's life and drained myself and Madam Oliphant of much life energy. Sehl convinced us to place her body in the preserving cabinet we discovered earlier. A vain gesture, I am sure, but his grief was great and, frankly, unexpected given what I have been taught of elves.
Soon after, we met the next of our allies, and a wonder of science and magic. Words escape me in my attempt to describe our newest companion, Valor, who appears to be a sentient golem of sorts, bound only in faith to Erathis, but apparently in none other's control.
Sharing our mutual goals, we set off to further search the tower, wandering into a room covered in fetid droppings of its inhabitants, a collection of harpies. The fight was a tough one in which we lost Vale and Yemen, leaving Düblphart the only remaining soldier of Lady Almareth's retinue. Much to my humiliation at the time, I did briefly succumb to a harpy's hypnotic call, but was able to free my mind after a moment.
It was apparent that we had reached the top of the tower, and still had no cure or means in which to enter the ominous black tower. Reaching the end of a hallway, we came to an open window facing the central black spire. Across a gap was another window. After discussing options of crossing the gap, I held a rope and lept across, breaking the glass and landing within a sort of laboratory. Within the room were several skeletal models including those of a human, troll, and orc. As the others crossed the rope, a skeleton animated and, surprisingly, its only task was to clean the glass which I had spread about the floor. Also within the laboratory was a caged monkey, which I freed. He travels with me now and I have given him the name Ho'aloha [good friend].
Venturing further into the black tower, we came to an opulent bedroom decorated with erotic imagery. A pale, nude human woman laid upon a bed, introducing herself as Zorasis's mistress Merkwind. She calmly led us to Zoraisis, who appeared to be asleep. He rose and after looking over our group, vanished as Merkwind attacked, exposing herself to be a vampire. As we fought her, a scream, then a roar came from a nearby room, taking a more bestial nature until a figure, part man but mostly bear, entered the fray. Madam Oliphant finished off the vampire with her stolen spear, its holy energy dealing a killing blow from which no undead has been seen to rise. The bear-man, however, was a grueling ordeal, but also fell to our assault. Unfortunately. my prayers and rebukes had no effect on the pair.
Continuing in search for Zoraisis, we discovered an unconscious elven woman laid upon a bed with a dagger through her heart. It was found that approaching her caused one to slow in time. Some magic kept her in a suspended state of time.
Bats began to swarm the room, one of which took the form of Zoraisis. Calling forth the spectral forms of divine warriors, Valor swept aside the bats and his attacks along with Madam Oliphant's spear caused Zoraisis to take a gaseous form and attempt to flee. Chasing him from room to room, we finally finished him in the laboratory, confirming Valor's suspicion that Zoraisis, too, was a vampire, for the battered gaseous image of our nemesis futilely crawled upon the floor in an attempt to escape, before going limp and later turning to ash.
With our enemy defeated and those killed in Carse avenged, we turned our search to Locklear's cure. Searching Zoraisis's library, we discovered that the lady frozen in time was his wife, who had fallen so ill that desperation forced him to make a pact with Orcus and was turned to vampirism by one named Olman One-Eye. The corruption of this pact distracted him from his task of healing his wife as he turned to dark service. It was Zoraisis that caused the downfall of Denmok many years ago, conjuring a portal through which demons entered our realm and cast the kingdom into ruination. An avalanche covered the region, and only Castle Denmok was spared, through Zoraises's magic.
The frozen woman gasped and gurgled after Zoraisis fell, his magic no longer keeping her alive. Valor cast healing magic upon her as I removed the dagger but it was clear that she, like Locklear, suffered from a sickness brought on by poison. It seems that Zoraisis may have one more victim, even in death. I sat with her and offered my prayers, although she was unconscious. I fear it is unlikely that she will survive, but I will do all I can to help her.
Whatever malady befell Tree-Gazer also lifted upon our victory, as she told us she now remembers searching for her companion, Golden Eagle, and also spoke of a magic user among her people called Silver Fire, who may hold the secrets to Locklear's cure.
The top of this tower has become a safe haven of sorts, for no entrance or exit can be found. We are in desperate need of rest and must tend to our injuries. I also have much meditating to do, for I am troubled by my quickness to kill the kua'toa while I have recently spared lethal action toward those I battled in Carse. Do I look upon them as others might look upon me - a monster? Or perhaps it is an unconscious realization that these desperate times call for a stronger hand. Regardless, I have not given my enemies the opportunity to repent, and for this I am ashamed.
It has been twelve days since I have laid eyes upon my home. I accept now that these records of my travels may find themselves in the hands of enemies or future travelers rather than the archives of Heaven's Reach, so burdened with peril my journey has become. It is with this possibility that I will write with more candor. That said, my resolve has not wavered and I will faithfully execute my charge of protecting Lady Almareth.
Though not all remain, the names of the brave soldiers and companions who accompanied Lady Almareth and Sehl should be remembered: The scoffers - Rosalie and Bastillion - and the four royal soldiers - Rufus, Yemen, Vale, and Düblphart. While we must say farewell to Rosalie, Rufus, Yemen, and Vale, we remember their noble sacrifice and I pray their bravery caught the attention of the Seldarine and they are reborn with their favor. For all our loss, we have also gained allies whose names are to follow.
We broke camp in the morning, fortune seeing us unmolested during the night. Though his intentions were pure, Sehl's attempt at foraging for food left several of our party with looseness of the bowels that bothered them most of the morning.
With pitons and rope, we fashioned a crude means of scaling the castle walls, finding ourselves upon battlements connecting the five towers. Upon these paths were littered the bones of varied creatures, both human and beast, long picked clean and bleached by the sun.
Without hesitation, we cautiously began our search. Nearing the first of the towers, Madam Oliphant was overcome with curiosity at peculiar sounds and entered quietly. Within the first room we encountered strange, three-legged creatures whose bodies were each but an enormous eye. The beings emitted a terrible, shrieking sound that was sure to have alerted every soul in the castle. Stranger, still, was the cloud of noxious gas expelled as they were felled. Madam Oliphant and two of the guards were rendered unconscious by the gas for some time.
A slamming door lured me into an adjacent hallway, intentionally concealed. As the others gathered themselves, I stood at the ready before the door which I was sure the sound originated. When the others joined me, we stormed in, ready for battle, but found on one at first. Searching the room, I found an official Denmok seal, which I stowed away, much to the chagrin of Bastillion who eyed the mark with covetous attention.
Hiding within the room, nursing injuries, we discovered a pair of whom we may count among our first allies of the day. A halfling named My-Fingers and his companion, a cleric of Avandra known as Shalaa - the first Dragonborn I have met - had traveled to Castle Denmok on behalf of Northwarden to discover the source of demonic incursion upon their home. They warned us of more kua'toa - the fishmen we encountered from the bowels of Carse - and orcs which have made the castle their home and appear to be in mental communion with Zoraisis. With their injuries and fatigue, they desired to return to Northwarden, so we helped them descend our rigging and escape. As our orders from Sagrath were to travel to Northwarden upon finding Locklear's antidote, I sincerely hope we will meet these two again.
Continuing our search led us to our first foes, a group of pale, muscular humanoid figures with slithery tongues too long for their mouths and hollow, soulless eyes. Vicious and mocking as they were, my newfound powers of rebuke and the others' swift action were too much for the undead creatures.
Sehl heard a crash from upstairs which we joined him in investigating. It was there that we were set upon by a dangerous, unseen force that attacked with devastating, invisible energies. Room to room and floor to floor we chased the being, leading us into our first skirmish with monstrous rats, which proved difficult to dispatch. They dealt Sehl a terrible wound that left him unconscious and barely clinging to life.
As we dispatched the rats and ran out upon the battlements, the unseen force attacked again, killing Rufus with an invisible gale of malicious power before it ascended into an upstairs window. Lady Almareth sent forth her familiar to see what lie in wait above. Several fish creatures waited for our arrival, poised for attack. We met them head on, including other elderly kua'toa with cruel and dangerous magic in the tower's kitchen, and soon all were dealt with and the invisible, harassing creature was either dead or had fled.
We took time to catch our breath and tend to Sehl. Madam Oliphant administered a potion which woke him from his troubled, feverish sleep, but it was apparent the sickness was still plaguing him. We also built a pyre to tend to Rufus, for it was our wish to both honor him and prevent any malicious force from raising him to oppose us. In our search we found other medicinal potions, some alcohol and tobacco, as well as a cabinet which held strange preserving magics within. Jewels and coin were quickly snatched up.
Taking a moment to venture out and investigate the black tower, we found it covered in a thick, oily substance that Sehl found painful to touch. No obvious entrance presented itself, though windows and balconies above were clear of the black ooze.
In a small, putrid storeroom adjacent to the previous tower's kitchen, we found a shackled creature suffering from delirium. She resembled a gnome, in a way, but her hair seemed to be leaf-like in appearance. It was clear she was some sort of forest creature. She briefly spoke, though it strained her to do so, so we allowed her to rest. She told us her name was Tree-Gazer and her people were known as Llar-na. I, nor the others, had ever heard of this people. I hope to learn more of them and return this knowledge to my family.
Leaving her to recover, we searched further, disposing of a lone kua'toa hiding within a lavish bedchamber. An orc, holding a crossbow stood within another room where magic behaved strangely. A small pixie manifested from Lady Almareth as she tried to attack the creature. The orc did not seem to react in a natural way to our presence, and Sehl found that a tiny, shadow-figure was casting illusions and magical disruption within the room. With his lead, we defeated the trickster and normalcy was restored.
Ascending the tower, we found ourselves met with a large gelatinous creature and three large snakes. While the creatures were vanquished, the serpents took their toll upon Lady Almareth's soldiers.
We came upon an astrolabe, whose star-gazing equipment sat out upon a balcony covered with a false roof which appeared to be decorated with a mural of stars. However, these stars turned out to be hidden malignant wisps that took Rosalie's life and drained myself and Madam Oliphant of much life energy. Sehl convinced us to place her body in the preserving cabinet we discovered earlier. A vain gesture, I am sure, but his grief was great and, frankly, unexpected given what I have been taught of elves.
Soon after, we met the next of our allies, and a wonder of science and magic. Words escape me in my attempt to describe our newest companion, Valor, who appears to be a sentient golem of sorts, bound only in faith to Erathis, but apparently in none other's control.
Sharing our mutual goals, we set off to further search the tower, wandering into a room covered in fetid droppings of its inhabitants, a collection of harpies. The fight was a tough one in which we lost Vale and Yemen, leaving Düblphart the only remaining soldier of Lady Almareth's retinue. Much to my humiliation at the time, I did briefly succumb to a harpy's hypnotic call, but was able to free my mind after a moment.
It was apparent that we had reached the top of the tower, and still had no cure or means in which to enter the ominous black tower. Reaching the end of a hallway, we came to an open window facing the central black spire. Across a gap was another window. After discussing options of crossing the gap, I held a rope and lept across, breaking the glass and landing within a sort of laboratory. Within the room were several skeletal models including those of a human, troll, and orc. As the others crossed the rope, a skeleton animated and, surprisingly, its only task was to clean the glass which I had spread about the floor. Also within the laboratory was a caged monkey, which I freed. He travels with me now and I have given him the name Ho'aloha [good friend].
Venturing further into the black tower, we came to an opulent bedroom decorated with erotic imagery. A pale, nude human woman laid upon a bed, introducing herself as Zorasis's mistress Merkwind. She calmly led us to Zoraisis, who appeared to be asleep. He rose and after looking over our group, vanished as Merkwind attacked, exposing herself to be a vampire. As we fought her, a scream, then a roar came from a nearby room, taking a more bestial nature until a figure, part man but mostly bear, entered the fray. Madam Oliphant finished off the vampire with her stolen spear, its holy energy dealing a killing blow from which no undead has been seen to rise. The bear-man, however, was a grueling ordeal, but also fell to our assault. Unfortunately. my prayers and rebukes had no effect on the pair.
Continuing in search for Zoraisis, we discovered an unconscious elven woman laid upon a bed with a dagger through her heart. It was found that approaching her caused one to slow in time. Some magic kept her in a suspended state of time.
Bats began to swarm the room, one of which took the form of Zoraisis. Calling forth the spectral forms of divine warriors, Valor swept aside the bats and his attacks along with Madam Oliphant's spear caused Zoraisis to take a gaseous form and attempt to flee. Chasing him from room to room, we finally finished him in the laboratory, confirming Valor's suspicion that Zoraisis, too, was a vampire, for the battered gaseous image of our nemesis futilely crawled upon the floor in an attempt to escape, before going limp and later turning to ash.
With our enemy defeated and those killed in Carse avenged, we turned our search to Locklear's cure. Searching Zoraisis's library, we discovered that the lady frozen in time was his wife, who had fallen so ill that desperation forced him to make a pact with Orcus and was turned to vampirism by one named Olman One-Eye. The corruption of this pact distracted him from his task of healing his wife as he turned to dark service. It was Zoraisis that caused the downfall of Denmok many years ago, conjuring a portal through which demons entered our realm and cast the kingdom into ruination. An avalanche covered the region, and only Castle Denmok was spared, through Zoraises's magic.
The frozen woman gasped and gurgled after Zoraisis fell, his magic no longer keeping her alive. Valor cast healing magic upon her as I removed the dagger but it was clear that she, like Locklear, suffered from a sickness brought on by poison. It seems that Zoraisis may have one more victim, even in death. I sat with her and offered my prayers, although she was unconscious. I fear it is unlikely that she will survive, but I will do all I can to help her.
Whatever malady befell Tree-Gazer also lifted upon our victory, as she told us she now remembers searching for her companion, Golden Eagle, and also spoke of a magic user among her people called Silver Fire, who may hold the secrets to Locklear's cure.
The top of this tower has become a safe haven of sorts, for no entrance or exit can be found. We are in desperate need of rest and must tend to our injuries. I also have much meditating to do, for I am troubled by my quickness to kill the kua'toa while I have recently spared lethal action toward those I battled in Carse. Do I look upon them as others might look upon me - a monster? Or perhaps it is an unconscious realization that these desperate times call for a stronger hand. Regardless, I have not given my enemies the opportunity to repent, and for this I am ashamed.
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Four - Half a World Away
Mission Log: Entry Four
It has been eleven days since I have seen my home. I find myself wondering if anyone else of the order has traveled as far as I have. Much excitement, fear, and danger has occurred in such a short time.
We met with Argamir, Gran Dorwellan, Baron Bogardus, and Sagrath and devise a plan to infiltrate the Temple of Bahamut. I volunteer to allow Sagrath to render me invisible for several hours as I sneak about the temple after a disguised Lady Almareth leaves a false assassin summons in the offering as described in our prisoner's interrogation. The name on this order was her personal guard Amigo Ogima.
Later, we venture to the temple as Lady Almareth, in the guise of an ordinary townsman, deposits the order. I follow a priest a short time later who collects the various offerings left during prayers. Through many doors and hallways within the complex, I follow the priest. Finally he comes to a small room concealing a hidden door which revealed a staircase leading downward. A guard stood watch beyond the stair's landing, nodding as the priest passed.
In a plain apartment, beyond yet another hidden door a human man, ornately adorned in the trappings of Bahamut clergy sat at a desk studying some paperwork. Barely acknowledging the priest, the man took from him two scrolls, one of them our order, but did not open them.
Still magically concealed, I pocketed the other scroll as the man stood to leave the room. Surveying the room, I notice an interesting book entitled "Kua'toa" which I also take just before following the man out into a common area where clergy sat about reading and lounging.
I followed by quarry here where he began reading from a book entitled "On the Nature of Morality Disorders", specifically a section titled "Regarding Symptons Appearing at Times of Day." Curious of this topic, I took this book as well when it was unsupervised.
A lady entered and spoke to the man, referring to him as Malik. They briefly discuss how Baron Bogardus assured that Shigga's spear, taken by Madam Oliphant, will be returned but is needed for an important mission.
I followed the man a bit further before seeing a priest leaving the area with our scroll. I turned my attention to him and follow him out to the street, where I sneaked over to Lady Almareth and the others and drop off the items taken from the temple.
Onward I stalked the priest, into a wealthier district and a lavishly furnished brothel whose sign displayed an ornate "M". I followed him down a set of stairs into the basement where I stood amongst a throng of nearly sixty well-armed warriors dressed like our would-be assassin in the street. No doubt the den of the Guild of Death.
The basement had tunnels on each wall which appeared to be part of the city's sewer network. Perhaps this was how they moved about the city.
The priest delivered the scroll to a man, who I walked from person to person displaying the scroll, with each of the guildsmen shaking their heads. The assassin was obviously asking if anyone knew the name, to which it appeared none did.
The man left the basement in a hurry, down the street to a nearby tavern where he sat with a man Sehl would later tell me is named Margala, sliding him a gold piece and asking to find the name on the scroll before quickly leaving. This routine appeared so rehearsed that I wonder how many orders came through these men.
As Margala left, I nearly lost him. Though I do not think I was noticed or suspected, I feel he was a professional in his ability to go disappear into his surroundings, but a moment of investigation and perhaps blind luck led me to find him at a local bathhouse. Here he set aside his clothing and satchel as he questioned another man in a bath.
I took this chance to rifle through the satchel, taking care not to prick myself on the needles within that seemed to be a trap for pickpockets. At first, I draw a scroll of signatures, finding many familiar names, such as Lady Almareth, Baron Bogardus, and Baroness Winona. Unfortunately, as I drew a book from the bag, Margala heard the noise and I was forced to flee. Though he followed me into the street, I easily evaded his pursuit and met back with my companions, with whom I returned to the castle as my enchantment began to fade.
The Baron and Sagrath met us and looked over the documents I retrieved. The signature sheet appeared to be forgeries for an unknown purpose. The book was a list of names and gossip about various people which meant, no doubt, to be used to blackmail those whose names were written.
Shocked and angered by these revelations and, satisfied that we had found the guild's hideout, the baron ordered an assault upon the brothel to be organized, pledging again many of his soldiers to aid in the attack.
Noting their possible use of the sewers, I ask Sehl if we would be able to prevent their escape from below as the city guards moved into the brothel. His recommendation was to speak with the Scoffers, his familial network of thieves.
Following Sehl through the city, we meet a few of his contacts in a darkened alleyway where he relays his intent. They agree to take us to see "The Elusive Man" and proceed to blindfold us and move us erratically throughout the city, through several teams of Scoffers.
Finally, our blindfolds were removed, revealing a rooms whose size and contents were intentionally obscured with mirrors and bright lights where silhouettes flitted around between pockets of darkness. A figure, obscured by the tricks of light, prompted Sehl to explain out presence. After a brief explanation of our predicament and Sehl's perceived insubordination, the figure agreed to offer assistance in preventing the Guild of Death's escape through the sewers when we attack in exchange for a large sum of money from the Baron to which Prince Locklear agrees.
They then take Sehl away, claiming he is to be executed for his disobedience and treasonous actions towards the Scoffers. Appalled at this barbarism, we protest his treatment and insist that his actions have exposed a great evil in the city and has potentially saved them all.
Relenting, they agree to release him for another bounty of coin and ask that Sehl be accepted by the city as a new noble house. The prince agrees once again and, prompted to pick a name, Sehl declares himself of House Nilo. The Scoffers then disown Sehl, causing the elf to quietly sob as we discuss our plans further.
The pain of rejection from one's family must be painful. Still, Sehl is better off without these criminals abusing the idea of family. I will pray he finds peace. Though it is petty, part of me wishes that the Scoffers get their comeuppance.
Blindfolded again, we are led away from the Scoffers and released back into the city to rendezvous with Sagrath and the others to finalize out plan. He cast another incantation, linking himself, Lady Almareth, two guardsmen, two Scoffers, and myself in a telepathic union so that we may coordinate our offensive.
Heading for the sewers, we decided to solicit the help of the Emerald Serpents. While our relationship is quite strained, it is evident that we share a common enemy. However, they were unable to offer services beyond the use of a few buildings in the area of the brothel that we could use as a staging area for the assault.
As we descended into the sewers and began to travel the tunnels to the brothel, we notice some etchings in the stonework which we cannot decipher. I decide to copy some of the writing onto some paper, but it is soon made clear that it was a ward of some sort, as Prince Locklear became impaled upon a bent and twisted steel grate which magically reforms as he passes into the tunnel.
We called out to Sagrath for help, but it would take some time for him to respond to the prince's plight, so we were forced to march onward, comforting a distraught Lady Almareth as best we could.
Further down the tunnel, as Sehl and I stealthily flank the river of filth, I stumbled headlong into a fish creature from Malik's hidden apartment. As the Kua'toa spoke to me in an unknown tongue, I asked Sagrath to translate. Hearing that he creatures beckon me to name the god of death, I deny them in the name of the Seldarine, witnessing again the strange and unexpected force which I am somehow able to summon. The creatures, reeling from my invocation, were no match for us, but a monstrous creature from beneath the sewage proved to be more of a challenge. Reaching up from the muck with its tentacles and horrible mouth, it lashed out at Sehl and Madam Oliphant before Lady Almareth blasted it with her magic.
Fearing for the prince, Sehl returns to see that he is unconscious, but breathing.
As we press further, a great sound is heard emanating from deeper in the sewers. We fear it may be an alarm, but continue onward. We finally came to a door to the brothel and, after a cursory inspection, decide to open it and proceed inward. As the door opened, however, Sehl is assailed with crossbow bolts, fired from a waiting group of our enemies.
Though we tried, we were unable to progress further into the brothel's basement, as our enemies kept us pinned down within the tunnel. Seeing a great force beyond the door, we called to our allied to begin the assault.
The assault did not go well, as the bodies of our enemies rose in undeath after their fall. Fire and Jessicat's spear were all that subdued the dead. Even with the forces we gathered pressing in from all sides, the losses were heavy.
We noticed a gaunt and wicked figure amid the enemies as Sagrath appeared behind us. He called out to the figure with familiarity, referring to him as Zorasis just as the apparent leader began to conjure a portal through which to escape. Sagrath urged us to follow Zorasis as he cast a spell to slow the portal's closing.
Fighting through our remaining enemies, we lept through the portal along with two of Sehl's scoffer friends and four of Lady Almareth's guards. It is hard to say how long the transportation lasted, but it felt like ages. It was like diving in to a great void with distant points of light and no reference to gauge their distance or size. Finally, though, we arrived in mountainous terrain where we noted hoof tracks in the snow. Our enemy had escaped.
In the distance was a village, apparently abandoned, with many of the structures destroyed. Boulders and tree trunks lay strewn about, as if some great calamity befell the people living here. Beyond the villages, and in which Sehl claims to have seen someone moving about, sat a large castle with five tall spires. The tallest of which stood in the center of the castle and was coated in an unnatural shade of black.
Our link to Sagrath persisted briefly after our transportation. He told us Prince Locklear was poisoned and to search for the cure here in what he told us was Castle Dreknar in the nation of Denmok. He will keep the prince in suspension until we return, but we do not have more than a month, he warned. After finding the antidote, we are to travel south to Northwarden and seek out the Baron Stovokor.
Sagrath also explains that Zorasis was the resident wizard of Denmok, which was destroyed in an avalance 25 years ago. I had never heard of this, rather being taught that it was the legendary 42nd from Merkemia which liberated Denmok from the evil forces of Dreknar. I was taught that the nation was overseen by its steward, Corath, while Alyana Denmok was missing.
Talking with the others, we do recall the tale of how demons appeared on the northern border of Merkemia and the forces of Northwarden have been holding them back over the years. I wonder if these things are related.
Night is upon us, and we have taken refuge in the deserted town, awaiting morning when we plan to enter the castle and search for the cure for what is killing the prince.
I still do not understand the forces which work through me or much of what has transpired in the day, but pressing matters do not afford me the luxury of ruminating on questions to which I know not the answers. I am still dedicated to the safety of Lady Almareth and will aid her in saving her betrothed.
It has been eleven days since I have seen my home. I find myself wondering if anyone else of the order has traveled as far as I have. Much excitement, fear, and danger has occurred in such a short time.
We met with Argamir, Gran Dorwellan, Baron Bogardus, and Sagrath and devise a plan to infiltrate the Temple of Bahamut. I volunteer to allow Sagrath to render me invisible for several hours as I sneak about the temple after a disguised Lady Almareth leaves a false assassin summons in the offering as described in our prisoner's interrogation. The name on this order was her personal guard Amigo Ogima.
Later, we venture to the temple as Lady Almareth, in the guise of an ordinary townsman, deposits the order. I follow a priest a short time later who collects the various offerings left during prayers. Through many doors and hallways within the complex, I follow the priest. Finally he comes to a small room concealing a hidden door which revealed a staircase leading downward. A guard stood watch beyond the stair's landing, nodding as the priest passed.
In a plain apartment, beyond yet another hidden door a human man, ornately adorned in the trappings of Bahamut clergy sat at a desk studying some paperwork. Barely acknowledging the priest, the man took from him two scrolls, one of them our order, but did not open them.
Still magically concealed, I pocketed the other scroll as the man stood to leave the room. Surveying the room, I notice an interesting book entitled "Kua'toa" which I also take just before following the man out into a common area where clergy sat about reading and lounging.
I followed by quarry here where he began reading from a book entitled "On the Nature of Morality Disorders", specifically a section titled "Regarding Symptons Appearing at Times of Day." Curious of this topic, I took this book as well when it was unsupervised.
A lady entered and spoke to the man, referring to him as Malik. They briefly discuss how Baron Bogardus assured that Shigga's spear, taken by Madam Oliphant, will be returned but is needed for an important mission.
I followed the man a bit further before seeing a priest leaving the area with our scroll. I turned my attention to him and follow him out to the street, where I sneaked over to Lady Almareth and the others and drop off the items taken from the temple.
Onward I stalked the priest, into a wealthier district and a lavishly furnished brothel whose sign displayed an ornate "M". I followed him down a set of stairs into the basement where I stood amongst a throng of nearly sixty well-armed warriors dressed like our would-be assassin in the street. No doubt the den of the Guild of Death.
The basement had tunnels on each wall which appeared to be part of the city's sewer network. Perhaps this was how they moved about the city.
The priest delivered the scroll to a man, who I walked from person to person displaying the scroll, with each of the guildsmen shaking their heads. The assassin was obviously asking if anyone knew the name, to which it appeared none did.
The man left the basement in a hurry, down the street to a nearby tavern where he sat with a man Sehl would later tell me is named Margala, sliding him a gold piece and asking to find the name on the scroll before quickly leaving. This routine appeared so rehearsed that I wonder how many orders came through these men.
As Margala left, I nearly lost him. Though I do not think I was noticed or suspected, I feel he was a professional in his ability to go disappear into his surroundings, but a moment of investigation and perhaps blind luck led me to find him at a local bathhouse. Here he set aside his clothing and satchel as he questioned another man in a bath.
I took this chance to rifle through the satchel, taking care not to prick myself on the needles within that seemed to be a trap for pickpockets. At first, I draw a scroll of signatures, finding many familiar names, such as Lady Almareth, Baron Bogardus, and Baroness Winona. Unfortunately, as I drew a book from the bag, Margala heard the noise and I was forced to flee. Though he followed me into the street, I easily evaded his pursuit and met back with my companions, with whom I returned to the castle as my enchantment began to fade.
The Baron and Sagrath met us and looked over the documents I retrieved. The signature sheet appeared to be forgeries for an unknown purpose. The book was a list of names and gossip about various people which meant, no doubt, to be used to blackmail those whose names were written.
Shocked and angered by these revelations and, satisfied that we had found the guild's hideout, the baron ordered an assault upon the brothel to be organized, pledging again many of his soldiers to aid in the attack.
Noting their possible use of the sewers, I ask Sehl if we would be able to prevent their escape from below as the city guards moved into the brothel. His recommendation was to speak with the Scoffers, his familial network of thieves.
Following Sehl through the city, we meet a few of his contacts in a darkened alleyway where he relays his intent. They agree to take us to see "The Elusive Man" and proceed to blindfold us and move us erratically throughout the city, through several teams of Scoffers.
Finally, our blindfolds were removed, revealing a rooms whose size and contents were intentionally obscured with mirrors and bright lights where silhouettes flitted around between pockets of darkness. A figure, obscured by the tricks of light, prompted Sehl to explain out presence. After a brief explanation of our predicament and Sehl's perceived insubordination, the figure agreed to offer assistance in preventing the Guild of Death's escape through the sewers when we attack in exchange for a large sum of money from the Baron to which Prince Locklear agrees.
They then take Sehl away, claiming he is to be executed for his disobedience and treasonous actions towards the Scoffers. Appalled at this barbarism, we protest his treatment and insist that his actions have exposed a great evil in the city and has potentially saved them all.
Relenting, they agree to release him for another bounty of coin and ask that Sehl be accepted by the city as a new noble house. The prince agrees once again and, prompted to pick a name, Sehl declares himself of House Nilo. The Scoffers then disown Sehl, causing the elf to quietly sob as we discuss our plans further.
The pain of rejection from one's family must be painful. Still, Sehl is better off without these criminals abusing the idea of family. I will pray he finds peace. Though it is petty, part of me wishes that the Scoffers get their comeuppance.
Blindfolded again, we are led away from the Scoffers and released back into the city to rendezvous with Sagrath and the others to finalize out plan. He cast another incantation, linking himself, Lady Almareth, two guardsmen, two Scoffers, and myself in a telepathic union so that we may coordinate our offensive.
Heading for the sewers, we decided to solicit the help of the Emerald Serpents. While our relationship is quite strained, it is evident that we share a common enemy. However, they were unable to offer services beyond the use of a few buildings in the area of the brothel that we could use as a staging area for the assault.
As we descended into the sewers and began to travel the tunnels to the brothel, we notice some etchings in the stonework which we cannot decipher. I decide to copy some of the writing onto some paper, but it is soon made clear that it was a ward of some sort, as Prince Locklear became impaled upon a bent and twisted steel grate which magically reforms as he passes into the tunnel.
We called out to Sagrath for help, but it would take some time for him to respond to the prince's plight, so we were forced to march onward, comforting a distraught Lady Almareth as best we could.
Further down the tunnel, as Sehl and I stealthily flank the river of filth, I stumbled headlong into a fish creature from Malik's hidden apartment. As the Kua'toa spoke to me in an unknown tongue, I asked Sagrath to translate. Hearing that he creatures beckon me to name the god of death, I deny them in the name of the Seldarine, witnessing again the strange and unexpected force which I am somehow able to summon. The creatures, reeling from my invocation, were no match for us, but a monstrous creature from beneath the sewage proved to be more of a challenge. Reaching up from the muck with its tentacles and horrible mouth, it lashed out at Sehl and Madam Oliphant before Lady Almareth blasted it with her magic.
Fearing for the prince, Sehl returns to see that he is unconscious, but breathing.
As we press further, a great sound is heard emanating from deeper in the sewers. We fear it may be an alarm, but continue onward. We finally came to a door to the brothel and, after a cursory inspection, decide to open it and proceed inward. As the door opened, however, Sehl is assailed with crossbow bolts, fired from a waiting group of our enemies.
Though we tried, we were unable to progress further into the brothel's basement, as our enemies kept us pinned down within the tunnel. Seeing a great force beyond the door, we called to our allied to begin the assault.
The assault did not go well, as the bodies of our enemies rose in undeath after their fall. Fire and Jessicat's spear were all that subdued the dead. Even with the forces we gathered pressing in from all sides, the losses were heavy.
We noticed a gaunt and wicked figure amid the enemies as Sagrath appeared behind us. He called out to the figure with familiarity, referring to him as Zorasis just as the apparent leader began to conjure a portal through which to escape. Sagrath urged us to follow Zorasis as he cast a spell to slow the portal's closing.
Fighting through our remaining enemies, we lept through the portal along with two of Sehl's scoffer friends and four of Lady Almareth's guards. It is hard to say how long the transportation lasted, but it felt like ages. It was like diving in to a great void with distant points of light and no reference to gauge their distance or size. Finally, though, we arrived in mountainous terrain where we noted hoof tracks in the snow. Our enemy had escaped.
In the distance was a village, apparently abandoned, with many of the structures destroyed. Boulders and tree trunks lay strewn about, as if some great calamity befell the people living here. Beyond the villages, and in which Sehl claims to have seen someone moving about, sat a large castle with five tall spires. The tallest of which stood in the center of the castle and was coated in an unnatural shade of black.
Our link to Sagrath persisted briefly after our transportation. He told us Prince Locklear was poisoned and to search for the cure here in what he told us was Castle Dreknar in the nation of Denmok. He will keep the prince in suspension until we return, but we do not have more than a month, he warned. After finding the antidote, we are to travel south to Northwarden and seek out the Baron Stovokor.
Sagrath also explains that Zorasis was the resident wizard of Denmok, which was destroyed in an avalance 25 years ago. I had never heard of this, rather being taught that it was the legendary 42nd from Merkemia which liberated Denmok from the evil forces of Dreknar. I was taught that the nation was overseen by its steward, Corath, while Alyana Denmok was missing.
Talking with the others, we do recall the tale of how demons appeared on the northern border of Merkemia and the forces of Northwarden have been holding them back over the years. I wonder if these things are related.
Night is upon us, and we have taken refuge in the deserted town, awaiting morning when we plan to enter the castle and search for the cure for what is killing the prince.
I still do not understand the forces which work through me or much of what has transpired in the day, but pressing matters do not afford me the luxury of ruminating on questions to which I know not the answers. I am still dedicated to the safety of Lady Almareth and will aid her in saving her betrothed.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Three - Pulling the Threads
Mission Log: Entry Three
It has been ten days since I have seen my home.
The warning of those missionaries who returned to Heaven's Reach of a turbulent world full of danger and lies has been proven true.
Myself, Lady Almareth, Prince Argamir, Madam Oliphant, and Mr. Knife (whose name we have come to learn is Sehl A'dorr) gathered in the manor's courtyard to plan our next move. We again encountered the Baroness who urged us on with our investigation and asked me personally to look after her daughter.
We ventured into the city to investigate the area which Sehl claimed to encounter the assassin he mentioned last evening. He led us down an alleyway to a courtyard of crops, surrounded by buildings. No sign of a fight was to be seen. Inquiring with the locals, they told us a body was carted off after a great commotion.
This led us to search the local administrative complex to try to locate the corpse. It was here we encountered some officials which clearly had something to hide. I overheard one of the workers tell the other to send a warning down into the facility, which I relayed to Price Argamir. He insisted we escort both workers down into the morgue as a precaution.
We walked down through the public jail into the morgue. This yielded the first of many of today's surprises.
Atop a preparatory slab lay a shackled, twitching corpse. A heavily armored man introduced himself as Staltis Camrordrin and demanded to know our business. Accompanying him in the morgue were two soldiers. As the others began questioning Staltis, I noticed one of the soldiers reaching for his weapon. I attempted to persuade him not to resort to violence, but he and the others attacked.
I am grateful for my training. The group of young thugs I met upon the road were the only combatants beyond sparring partners which I ever faced. I suffered a wicked cut from Staltis in today's skirmish, but I was able to subdue him and a third attacker who appeared from a back room. Unfortunately, while Sehl defeated another, the prince was forced to kill one of the soldiers. When the fight was over, I administered the prayer for the dying.
It was revealed during this fight that Lady Almareth possesses impressive magical abilities. We came to learn that this has been a secret kept from her family. It would seem her family had secrets of their own as our prisoners decried the Baroness, accusing her and the lady of operating a cult of Dagon and poisoning Carse with heresy. Lady Almareth's display of arcane power only fueled their ire. It also did not help that to coax this bit of information from Staltis, Sehl cut off his ear.
I must admit that I was surprised at the Baroness' adherence to Dagon which she openly admitted at dinner. I knew little of this entity, but have come to learn that Dagon is a demon. I am still trying to make sense of this. There may be some truth to these accusations.
Not knowing who to trust, I ran to fetch Lady Almareth's most trusted guards, Mel and Amigo. When we returned, they were shocked to discover that we had captured supposed members of a Carsian secret police, known as the Emerald Serpents. Mel and Amigo were very hesitant to take any hostile action against them and were very uncomfortable when Lady Almareth ordered them to stand guard as she locked the badly beaten prisoners in the jail.
The lady then decided we would confront her parents with this information. As we crossed the bridge through the manor, Sehl was attacked by two hooded figures which dragged with him as he lept from the bridge. It was during this encounter that one of the assailants called out to Sehl by name. We wounded one enough that he fled, but another was left unconscious on the water's edge. Thinking them common cut-purses, Lady Almareth urged us to leave the scene and continue to her parents. Madam Oliphant took this opportunity to head into the city and Sehl stayed behind with the prisoner.
I followed Lady Almareth as we met her mother. Hearing the details of our encounter with the Emerald Serpent, she seemed anxious and offered no meaningful explanation. Frustrated, Lady Almareth decided to meet with Sagrath who was most interested in our encounter with the shackled corpse. He seems to think that there are followers of Orcus, the demon prince of the undead, at work in the city. He urges us back out into the city to learn as much as we can and report back to him.
I took this opportunity to warn Lady Almareth of Sehl's possible deception and to keep an eye on him. We then gathered Prince Locklear and, after a brief and fruitless search of the palace for Sehl, ventured to the courtyard to devise a plan to continue investigating the alleged assassination plot as well as the activity of any Orcus worshippers.
As we talked, Lady Almareth spied a suspicious figure running past the palace gates, so we gave chase. It took several blocks for us to catch up to who turned out to be the assailant we left unconscious at the bridge. He fought like a cornered animal, swallowing poison as it was clear I had bested him. He wore a ring like the one Sehl had shown us last night. Foolishly, I had left Lady Almareth's side and she and Prince Argamir were attacked by a second attacker. The prince suffered a vicious wound, but we were able to subdue him just as Sehl arrived, smelling as if he had been lurking in the sewers.
It was here that Sehl confessed to knowing the dead assailant, admitting they were part of an organization of thieves known as the Scoffers, but that he had no dealings with assassinations and did not know man. In fact, he told us, he had just been attacked by these foes earlier in the day as we were in the palace. I understand his need to hide his unsavory associations, but I am still apprehensive about Sehl. Mother had warned me not to revere every elf I met, for they differed in virtue as any other folk. Will I never cease to be humbled by her wisdom?
With our remaining attacker neutralized, and his poison ring and ingredient pouch confiscated, I tended to the one who swallowed the toxin. It is unclear to me how or why it occurred, but as I prayed for his soul, the body burst into flames and quickly disintegrated into ash.
Lady Almareth requested that we take our prisoner to the palace's private dungeon within the barracks. Soon, local guards appeared to assess the disturbance we caused since, as they said, the envoy from Merkemia was on its way. Following shortly behind them was Madam Oliphant. Lady Almareth noted that she now carried a spear with draconic markings of the Order of Talos. I recall from my studies that this was the paladin order started in Dreknar by Talos of the fabled 42nd Adventuring Company of Merkemia. It will be made clear later in the evening that she has stolen this spear from a local establishment founded by one of that same order.
During all of this, Sehl had been talking with a nearby boy, sending him off with a message to his network of thieves in hopes they may have some knowledge of the so-called Guild of Death and, most importantly, to alert them of the apparent infiltration they've suffered.
Once at the barracks, and our prisoner secured, Prince Argamir began his interrogation which intensified so quickly that I was sure he would kill the assassin. However, as I recited my prayer for the dying, our attacker roiled and screamed in pain as his flesh began to burn. In our subsequent battle of wills, he provided only taunts and threats of Orcus' wrath. This confirmed Sagrath's suspicions that Orcus had a foothold in Carse.
Soon after, Sagrath appeared. Lady Almareth and the others told him what we had encountered today and offered to probe the prisoner's spirit for answers, but he would have to be killed first. Instinctively, I prayed again, with the expected results. This seemed to please the prisoner, but I was asked to cease as Sehl deceived him by threatening magical immortality and therefore the inability to meet his patron. The ruse worked and our prisoner reluctantly mentioned the Temple of Bahamut.
With no one else to turn to, the Emerald Serpents seemed like our safest, though certainly uncomfortable, option. Returning to the jail, we found Mel and Amigo sitting in the cell, dispirited, instead of Staltis. Freeing them, we were led to a different chamber, housing an impressive library where a number of scholars carried on about their business.
But Staltis and an attachment of his guards also dwelt here. As we approached a table where say Staltis, he ordered that we be surrounded, searched, and taken into custody. Lady Almareth explained to him that we returned for his aid, and recounted our story as I presented the poison instruments taken from our attackers. It was here that Staltis noted that Madam Oliphant carried a stolen spear.
Most interestingly, it was discovered in our search that Lady Almareth hid upon her person a small reptile familiar which I believe is classified as a pseudodragon. The matters at hand were too grave for me to succumb to curiosity, but I would like to learn as much about this creature as I can.
Intrigued by our story, Staltis provided some intelligence gathered by his organization, notably how to order an assassination via the Guild of Death, through some agent within the Temple of Bahamut. He then allowed us to retrieve both Sagrath and our prisoner in the hopes of using the wizard's magic to glean more information from the corpse.
Though briefly distracted by the arrival of the Merkemian envoy and King Argamir himself, we return to the Emerald Serpents and begin Sagrath's ritual. They chained the prisoner down and sliced his throat, a sight I am most disappointed to have seen. Through Sagrath's magic, the spirit within the body animated. They asked of it who the assassin's target was, and it told us that it was Argamir and the family.
A struggle within the corpse ensued as more questions were asked, with a horrible voice within it ordering us to relinquish our hold on its servant. As the corpse began to break free from its restraints, it was hacked apart by Staltis' guards. With the ritual a failure, I spake again my prayer for the dying and, as the body burned away, it called "You can stop the wedding, but it won't matter."
Clearly, elements within Carse were compromised from within by agents of Orcus, so we left Staltis to warn the Almareths and King Argamir. Luckily, they heeded our warnings. Noting the reaction of those under Orcus' control, I suggested we gather Carse's soldiers and Argamir's guards and recite to them my prayer. Though it was quite a late hour, the families agreed and soon we were in the courtyard, presented with rows and rows of soldiers.
At first, my prayers did nothing, but as I urged the others to join in, seven men reacted violently and were taken into custody.
Afterwards, the soldiers were dismissed and in our tired state, we were urged to retire to quarters which were arranged for us.
Breifly, we discussed with Sagrath the beginnings of a plan to catch the agent within the Temple of Bahamut by arranging a false assassination order. The details of this plan will be clarified in the morning.
The many questions resulting from today's events, as well as the many revelations about my current companions will test my discipline tonight as I attempt to rest.
Most curious to me is the power of my prayer? Am I wielding an unrealized power? Is a greater force working through me? There is much reflection and prayer needed in the coming days.
It has been ten days since I have seen my home.
The warning of those missionaries who returned to Heaven's Reach of a turbulent world full of danger and lies has been proven true.
Myself, Lady Almareth, Prince Argamir, Madam Oliphant, and Mr. Knife (whose name we have come to learn is Sehl A'dorr) gathered in the manor's courtyard to plan our next move. We again encountered the Baroness who urged us on with our investigation and asked me personally to look after her daughter.
We ventured into the city to investigate the area which Sehl claimed to encounter the assassin he mentioned last evening. He led us down an alleyway to a courtyard of crops, surrounded by buildings. No sign of a fight was to be seen. Inquiring with the locals, they told us a body was carted off after a great commotion.
This led us to search the local administrative complex to try to locate the corpse. It was here we encountered some officials which clearly had something to hide. I overheard one of the workers tell the other to send a warning down into the facility, which I relayed to Price Argamir. He insisted we escort both workers down into the morgue as a precaution.
We walked down through the public jail into the morgue. This yielded the first of many of today's surprises.
Atop a preparatory slab lay a shackled, twitching corpse. A heavily armored man introduced himself as Staltis Camrordrin and demanded to know our business. Accompanying him in the morgue were two soldiers. As the others began questioning Staltis, I noticed one of the soldiers reaching for his weapon. I attempted to persuade him not to resort to violence, but he and the others attacked.
I am grateful for my training. The group of young thugs I met upon the road were the only combatants beyond sparring partners which I ever faced. I suffered a wicked cut from Staltis in today's skirmish, but I was able to subdue him and a third attacker who appeared from a back room. Unfortunately, while Sehl defeated another, the prince was forced to kill one of the soldiers. When the fight was over, I administered the prayer for the dying.
It was revealed during this fight that Lady Almareth possesses impressive magical abilities. We came to learn that this has been a secret kept from her family. It would seem her family had secrets of their own as our prisoners decried the Baroness, accusing her and the lady of operating a cult of Dagon and poisoning Carse with heresy. Lady Almareth's display of arcane power only fueled their ire. It also did not help that to coax this bit of information from Staltis, Sehl cut off his ear.
I must admit that I was surprised at the Baroness' adherence to Dagon which she openly admitted at dinner. I knew little of this entity, but have come to learn that Dagon is a demon. I am still trying to make sense of this. There may be some truth to these accusations.
Not knowing who to trust, I ran to fetch Lady Almareth's most trusted guards, Mel and Amigo. When we returned, they were shocked to discover that we had captured supposed members of a Carsian secret police, known as the Emerald Serpents. Mel and Amigo were very hesitant to take any hostile action against them and were very uncomfortable when Lady Almareth ordered them to stand guard as she locked the badly beaten prisoners in the jail.
The lady then decided we would confront her parents with this information. As we crossed the bridge through the manor, Sehl was attacked by two hooded figures which dragged with him as he lept from the bridge. It was during this encounter that one of the assailants called out to Sehl by name. We wounded one enough that he fled, but another was left unconscious on the water's edge. Thinking them common cut-purses, Lady Almareth urged us to leave the scene and continue to her parents. Madam Oliphant took this opportunity to head into the city and Sehl stayed behind with the prisoner.
I followed Lady Almareth as we met her mother. Hearing the details of our encounter with the Emerald Serpent, she seemed anxious and offered no meaningful explanation. Frustrated, Lady Almareth decided to meet with Sagrath who was most interested in our encounter with the shackled corpse. He seems to think that there are followers of Orcus, the demon prince of the undead, at work in the city. He urges us back out into the city to learn as much as we can and report back to him.
I took this opportunity to warn Lady Almareth of Sehl's possible deception and to keep an eye on him. We then gathered Prince Locklear and, after a brief and fruitless search of the palace for Sehl, ventured to the courtyard to devise a plan to continue investigating the alleged assassination plot as well as the activity of any Orcus worshippers.
As we talked, Lady Almareth spied a suspicious figure running past the palace gates, so we gave chase. It took several blocks for us to catch up to who turned out to be the assailant we left unconscious at the bridge. He fought like a cornered animal, swallowing poison as it was clear I had bested him. He wore a ring like the one Sehl had shown us last night. Foolishly, I had left Lady Almareth's side and she and Prince Argamir were attacked by a second attacker. The prince suffered a vicious wound, but we were able to subdue him just as Sehl arrived, smelling as if he had been lurking in the sewers.
It was here that Sehl confessed to knowing the dead assailant, admitting they were part of an organization of thieves known as the Scoffers, but that he had no dealings with assassinations and did not know man. In fact, he told us, he had just been attacked by these foes earlier in the day as we were in the palace. I understand his need to hide his unsavory associations, but I am still apprehensive about Sehl. Mother had warned me not to revere every elf I met, for they differed in virtue as any other folk. Will I never cease to be humbled by her wisdom?
With our remaining attacker neutralized, and his poison ring and ingredient pouch confiscated, I tended to the one who swallowed the toxin. It is unclear to me how or why it occurred, but as I prayed for his soul, the body burst into flames and quickly disintegrated into ash.
Lady Almareth requested that we take our prisoner to the palace's private dungeon within the barracks. Soon, local guards appeared to assess the disturbance we caused since, as they said, the envoy from Merkemia was on its way. Following shortly behind them was Madam Oliphant. Lady Almareth noted that she now carried a spear with draconic markings of the Order of Talos. I recall from my studies that this was the paladin order started in Dreknar by Talos of the fabled 42nd Adventuring Company of Merkemia. It will be made clear later in the evening that she has stolen this spear from a local establishment founded by one of that same order.
During all of this, Sehl had been talking with a nearby boy, sending him off with a message to his network of thieves in hopes they may have some knowledge of the so-called Guild of Death and, most importantly, to alert them of the apparent infiltration they've suffered.
Once at the barracks, and our prisoner secured, Prince Argamir began his interrogation which intensified so quickly that I was sure he would kill the assassin. However, as I recited my prayer for the dying, our attacker roiled and screamed in pain as his flesh began to burn. In our subsequent battle of wills, he provided only taunts and threats of Orcus' wrath. This confirmed Sagrath's suspicions that Orcus had a foothold in Carse.
Soon after, Sagrath appeared. Lady Almareth and the others told him what we had encountered today and offered to probe the prisoner's spirit for answers, but he would have to be killed first. Instinctively, I prayed again, with the expected results. This seemed to please the prisoner, but I was asked to cease as Sehl deceived him by threatening magical immortality and therefore the inability to meet his patron. The ruse worked and our prisoner reluctantly mentioned the Temple of Bahamut.
With no one else to turn to, the Emerald Serpents seemed like our safest, though certainly uncomfortable, option. Returning to the jail, we found Mel and Amigo sitting in the cell, dispirited, instead of Staltis. Freeing them, we were led to a different chamber, housing an impressive library where a number of scholars carried on about their business.
But Staltis and an attachment of his guards also dwelt here. As we approached a table where say Staltis, he ordered that we be surrounded, searched, and taken into custody. Lady Almareth explained to him that we returned for his aid, and recounted our story as I presented the poison instruments taken from our attackers. It was here that Staltis noted that Madam Oliphant carried a stolen spear.
Most interestingly, it was discovered in our search that Lady Almareth hid upon her person a small reptile familiar which I believe is classified as a pseudodragon. The matters at hand were too grave for me to succumb to curiosity, but I would like to learn as much about this creature as I can.
Intrigued by our story, Staltis provided some intelligence gathered by his organization, notably how to order an assassination via the Guild of Death, through some agent within the Temple of Bahamut. He then allowed us to retrieve both Sagrath and our prisoner in the hopes of using the wizard's magic to glean more information from the corpse.
Though briefly distracted by the arrival of the Merkemian envoy and King Argamir himself, we return to the Emerald Serpents and begin Sagrath's ritual. They chained the prisoner down and sliced his throat, a sight I am most disappointed to have seen. Through Sagrath's magic, the spirit within the body animated. They asked of it who the assassin's target was, and it told us that it was Argamir and the family.
A struggle within the corpse ensued as more questions were asked, with a horrible voice within it ordering us to relinquish our hold on its servant. As the corpse began to break free from its restraints, it was hacked apart by Staltis' guards. With the ritual a failure, I spake again my prayer for the dying and, as the body burned away, it called "You can stop the wedding, but it won't matter."
Clearly, elements within Carse were compromised from within by agents of Orcus, so we left Staltis to warn the Almareths and King Argamir. Luckily, they heeded our warnings. Noting the reaction of those under Orcus' control, I suggested we gather Carse's soldiers and Argamir's guards and recite to them my prayer. Though it was quite a late hour, the families agreed and soon we were in the courtyard, presented with rows and rows of soldiers.
At first, my prayers did nothing, but as I urged the others to join in, seven men reacted violently and were taken into custody.
Afterwards, the soldiers were dismissed and in our tired state, we were urged to retire to quarters which were arranged for us.
Breifly, we discussed with Sagrath the beginnings of a plan to catch the agent within the Temple of Bahamut by arranging a false assassination order. The details of this plan will be clarified in the morning.
The many questions resulting from today's events, as well as the many revelations about my current companions will test my discipline tonight as I attempt to rest.
Most curious to me is the power of my prayer? Am I wielding an unrealized power? Is a greater force working through me? There is much reflection and prayer needed in the coming days.
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Two - Dinner with the Almareths
Misson Log: Entry Two
It has been nine days since I have seen my home at Heaven's Reach.
Upon the road, as I came upon the walls of Carse at midday, I was intercepted by a pair of guards who attempted to interrogate me at the end of their swords until they were dismissed by a superior who came upon the scene. Apparently he had been notified of my arrival and, at the behest of the Baroness and to my continued fortune, escorted me to the palace.
The city of Carse is unlike anything I have ever seen. If every building in Shadow Cove and the outlying farmlands were built adjoined to each other and doubled in height, they may fit in a city block of Carse. There are so many people here. It is almost overwhelming, but I was warned to never put my trepidation on display, lest it attract those who prey on the weak. All the same, I am glad to have had the escort for, though I sensed no malice in the faces of the many I passed on the streets, I have never had so many eyes upon me.
I was met by a footman at the palace who showed me to my quarters. It was a simple room, but the decor was more opulent than I am accustomed. It was here I remained until summoned for dinner, taking the time to exercise and meditate, for I have done little of this on my journey. It was good to rest.
Finally, I was summoned to the dining hall where others had gathered ahead of time. I suspect that they were either asked not to gawk and assault me with questions or the discipline required not to do so is inherent to those of their station. I was welcomed and sat by Chamberlain Gran Dorwellan.
The initial party consisted of the Baron Bogardus Almareth and his wife, the Baroness Winona Almareth; their daughter, lady Pyria and her betrothed, Locklear Argamir, Prince of Merkemia; a scribe referred to only as Alvin; Sagrath, the house wizard; and a tabaxi whaler and friend of the baron, Jessicat Oliphant.
Dinner was exquisite and the company pleasant. As out meal drew to an end, I listened to idle political chatter and spoke a while with the baroness, who flattered me by speaking as though to a scholar rather than as a curiosity. I knew the baroness was of the elvin race, but I was stunned to discover she was eladrin. This makes the young Lady Almareth half eladrin, a lineage I have never considered possible. Perhaps this is why I was so welcomed.
This discussion was cut short by the arrival of an eccentric elf who barged in the chamber unannounced. This caused a brief scene as the palace guards held their pole-arms at the ready. I feel a bit embarrassed to admit I moved to stand between the Almareths and this intruder, but he bade a greeting to the prince. The newcomer, who introduced himself as Sewer Knife - a name which lends itself to his mannerisms, I assure you - is an apparent cohort of the prince.
His jarring arrival, he said, was to deliver a warning of assassination. He produced a ring which he claims to have pilfered from a would-be assassin. It was during this ordeal that Sagrath took his leave of the chamber, followed shortly and suspiciously by Jessicat. After further discussion of this alleged plot, Jessicat returned with news of visions granted to Sagrath of a castle, surrounded by snow, from which spewed images of terror and evil. Furthermore were vague references to Northwarden and Baron Stovokor, names I have only heard in lessons of geography and regional politics. Also mentioned was the possibility this assassin was of an organization known as the Doom Cult.
The combination of these omens were enough to convince the Almareths and Prince Argamir to investigate Mr. Knife's story, but I believe I convinced them not to do so with the haste Mr. Knife insisted upon, so we have retired for the evening. I now sit outside the prince's chambers, where I will take my rest beside Mr. Knife, now in his elven reverie, who also insisted on guarding the prince's door in the chance there is an attempt on his life within the castle. In my encounters with the vagabond, he seems to speak and carry himself with the intensity and excitement of a child. I know not yet what to think, for if he is trusted by the prince, there must be a reason.
In the morning, I will lend my services to this family as they see fit. I cannot say I will be a useful sleuth in such an alien environment, so at the very least this will be an informative experience.
It has been nine days since I have seen my home at Heaven's Reach.
Upon the road, as I came upon the walls of Carse at midday, I was intercepted by a pair of guards who attempted to interrogate me at the end of their swords until they were dismissed by a superior who came upon the scene. Apparently he had been notified of my arrival and, at the behest of the Baroness and to my continued fortune, escorted me to the palace.
The city of Carse is unlike anything I have ever seen. If every building in Shadow Cove and the outlying farmlands were built adjoined to each other and doubled in height, they may fit in a city block of Carse. There are so many people here. It is almost overwhelming, but I was warned to never put my trepidation on display, lest it attract those who prey on the weak. All the same, I am glad to have had the escort for, though I sensed no malice in the faces of the many I passed on the streets, I have never had so many eyes upon me.
I was met by a footman at the palace who showed me to my quarters. It was a simple room, but the decor was more opulent than I am accustomed. It was here I remained until summoned for dinner, taking the time to exercise and meditate, for I have done little of this on my journey. It was good to rest.
Finally, I was summoned to the dining hall where others had gathered ahead of time. I suspect that they were either asked not to gawk and assault me with questions or the discipline required not to do so is inherent to those of their station. I was welcomed and sat by Chamberlain Gran Dorwellan.
The initial party consisted of the Baron Bogardus Almareth and his wife, the Baroness Winona Almareth; their daughter, lady Pyria and her betrothed, Locklear Argamir, Prince of Merkemia; a scribe referred to only as Alvin; Sagrath, the house wizard; and a tabaxi whaler and friend of the baron, Jessicat Oliphant.
Dinner was exquisite and the company pleasant. As out meal drew to an end, I listened to idle political chatter and spoke a while with the baroness, who flattered me by speaking as though to a scholar rather than as a curiosity. I knew the baroness was of the elvin race, but I was stunned to discover she was eladrin. This makes the young Lady Almareth half eladrin, a lineage I have never considered possible. Perhaps this is why I was so welcomed.
This discussion was cut short by the arrival of an eccentric elf who barged in the chamber unannounced. This caused a brief scene as the palace guards held their pole-arms at the ready. I feel a bit embarrassed to admit I moved to stand between the Almareths and this intruder, but he bade a greeting to the prince. The newcomer, who introduced himself as Sewer Knife - a name which lends itself to his mannerisms, I assure you - is an apparent cohort of the prince.
His jarring arrival, he said, was to deliver a warning of assassination. He produced a ring which he claims to have pilfered from a would-be assassin. It was during this ordeal that Sagrath took his leave of the chamber, followed shortly and suspiciously by Jessicat. After further discussion of this alleged plot, Jessicat returned with news of visions granted to Sagrath of a castle, surrounded by snow, from which spewed images of terror and evil. Furthermore were vague references to Northwarden and Baron Stovokor, names I have only heard in lessons of geography and regional politics. Also mentioned was the possibility this assassin was of an organization known as the Doom Cult.
The combination of these omens were enough to convince the Almareths and Prince Argamir to investigate Mr. Knife's story, but I believe I convinced them not to do so with the haste Mr. Knife insisted upon, so we have retired for the evening. I now sit outside the prince's chambers, where I will take my rest beside Mr. Knife, now in his elven reverie, who also insisted on guarding the prince's door in the chance there is an attempt on his life within the castle. In my encounters with the vagabond, he seems to speak and carry himself with the intensity and excitement of a child. I know not yet what to think, for if he is trusted by the prince, there must be a reason.
In the morning, I will lend my services to this family as they see fit. I cannot say I will be a useful sleuth in such an alien environment, so at the very least this will be an informative experience.
Saturday, May 11, 2019
One - Road to Carse
Mission Log: Entry One
My name is Ohana. I am eight days from my home in Heaven's Reach. Let this be a chronicle of my travels.
I walk the roads openly and proudly, as Mother and the others have instructed. In such a short time, this has exposed the ways in which my heritage is perceived. My first stop was through the hamlet known as Thistlefen. It was here I was accosted by several human youths wielding cooking knives. While they were nearly twice my age, human children mature much later, so they were spurred by the need to impress one another and thought me an easy target.
Luckily, there were witnesses to this harassment. I was forced to defend myself, but made certain to injure their pride more than their bodies. In a way, I am thankful for the opportunity to aid in their growth.
Their neighbors were apologetic and attempted to make restitution. I humbly accepted their food and drink as well as this lovely tome in which I intend to record my journey.
I travel quickly, but word of my arrival appears to precede me. Along the road, I noticed folk had assembled to witness the curiosity of a civilized goblin.
Two days ago, I was approached by a messenger with an invitation to the palace at Carse where I am to share the wisdom of my order with Baroness Winona and her scribes. I will arrive tomorrow and have been asked to join the Baroness, her husband, and their inner circle for dinner. It appears their daughter will be marrying in the coming days, so I have the honor of witnessing the ceremony.
I am please that such prestigious honors have been bestowed upon me in such short time, yet I hope that the message of my order will be heard as the novelty of my presence dwindles.
My name is Ohana. I am eight days from my home in Heaven's Reach. Let this be a chronicle of my travels.
I walk the roads openly and proudly, as Mother and the others have instructed. In such a short time, this has exposed the ways in which my heritage is perceived. My first stop was through the hamlet known as Thistlefen. It was here I was accosted by several human youths wielding cooking knives. While they were nearly twice my age, human children mature much later, so they were spurred by the need to impress one another and thought me an easy target.
Luckily, there were witnesses to this harassment. I was forced to defend myself, but made certain to injure their pride more than their bodies. In a way, I am thankful for the opportunity to aid in their growth.
Their neighbors were apologetic and attempted to make restitution. I humbly accepted their food and drink as well as this lovely tome in which I intend to record my journey.
I travel quickly, but word of my arrival appears to precede me. Along the road, I noticed folk had assembled to witness the curiosity of a civilized goblin.
Two days ago, I was approached by a messenger with an invitation to the palace at Carse where I am to share the wisdom of my order with Baroness Winona and her scribes. I will arrive tomorrow and have been asked to join the Baroness, her husband, and their inner circle for dinner. It appears their daughter will be marrying in the coming days, so I have the honor of witnessing the ceremony.
I am please that such prestigious honors have been bestowed upon me in such short time, yet I hope that the message of my order will be heard as the novelty of my presence dwindles.
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