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.

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.

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.

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.