[Masquerade]

It has been a long, strange journey so far.

After initially arriving in Port Hempstead myself and Acanthus - whom knowing on a more informal basis I now opt for this name instead of Miss Lanassori - went about the gradual process of orientating ourselves. Never have I seen such bustle and toil before within such a dense area, although such is the way of city-life I suppose.

While standing in the city square, we conversed lightly on our plans for today as I admired the raised statue in the centre of the area. In suggesting that we leave to learn the local lay of the land I agreed that a pleasent stroll to stretch the legs after so much caravan travel would do me good. Of course, this also provided more then an amply suitable opportunity to learn more of this Ilsare and get more of a sense about where Acanthus' head is at.

We were soon stumbled upon by the friendly locals though. A man named Farros presently came to introduce himself. I was taken aback by his sombre and rather eccentric clothing, but once I learned the man himself seemed rather theatrical then I could understand full-well his apparel. Allow me to elaborate: he had a certain way of speaking that seemed quite fascinating, and in unavoidably hearing somewhat of his conversation with another individual nearby (who I will later know as Idoran) I also learned that he had a great wealth of information to share. At one point he even queried as to whether or not I had considered stage-acting in my career whilst exchanging greetings and names, perish the thought of me being on stage infront of so many critics!

He was soon called away back to his business with the other person there at the time. In bidding farewells, Acanthus and I then decided to take our leave. Or rather, I should say that Acanthus rather pointedly made her impending exit known and then moved to enact it. I briefly inquired as to her abruptness but could receive no satisfying answer. I could only imagine that the confines of a human city had stifled her.

Regardless, we made our stroll out of the town and stuck to the roads. Passing through rural scenes by way of the lane we chatted off-handedly and eventually came to a rather delightful crossroads that seemed to be a waypost for travellers. Having been travelling for at least the good part of an hour, we decided to settle ourselves down whereupon our conversation turned moreover on the nature of Ilsare and what Acanthus could convey to me of it.

Sitting there with Acanthus she informed me that Ilsare's teachings bestowed a knowledge that all which could be trusted in and used to progress through the course of one's life could be found by simply delving into the heart. Upon hearing this I wished to provoke more of an understanding for myself, and so I challenged her on this and argued that the heart was fallible and sometimes untrustworthy - we have all felt things we were ashamed about, and stories of seduction and betrayal, of jealousy and inequitable violence could not happen without such flaws.

I instead tried to push for the place of the mind in the equation. She did, as I expected, try to devalue this point by saying that the mind is just as potentially fallible as the heart. She used the example of a man that 'thought' everyone was evil, and without the compassion of the heart and conscience it offers resolved to kill them remorselessly.

I accepted this, and then went on to suggest that the two working in conjunction were better then a singular after reestablishing the fact that the heart itself has flaws. Of course, where one excelled it could make up for the flaws of the other.

Making to explain Toran's own perspective I posed her a question subsequently. This fabricated man of malevolence I took and delivered to a different context. She was walking in the night, and stumbling across the murderer asleep, found him defenseless. In knowing the full ramifications of his killing sprees and that they might continue should he escape I asked her what she would have done.

At first she could not answer, but this was understandable. A few figures had passed through, including Idoran who briefly stopped by as well as Farros, a large creature I believed to be a Half-Orc, and others. I believe they mentioned something about assailing fire-steep, wherever that is, and in hindsight I think I also saw a halfling. Such a grand fellowship assailing what sounded like a volcano? Must have been an adventure indeed.

Back to the theoretical situation though. On further prodding and prying I eventually managed to get Acanthus to answer, in which she consented to the expected result of killing the man there. I was not disappointed as I think a majority of people would choose such a route - but I subsequently went and began to explain the fallacy of this option.

In killing this man so readily how better are we? We kill him because we 'think' he is evil, just as he does to our kind. This is not right. At the very least should we attempt to challenge and apprehend him without bloodshed initially. We do this because then he can be tried at law and court, to be proved of his crimes by those of more enlightened minds. After all, who are we to decide this man's fate if we have so very many options that need not end in further suffering? Furthermore the man could have been someone else that she had mistaken for the murderer in the dimness of the night, mayhaps it was that his mind was clouded in illness or curse and that prolonged examination in the grasp of the law would reveal this and allow us to redeem the person. There are a countless number of different scenarios in which we would be needlessly killing a man - or worse - an innocent. Sometimes things come to the worst and we as righteous men and women need to dole out justice there and then but the alternative should always be explored as an example to others and in support of The Great Leader's teachings.

I seemed to bewilder Acanthus at this point with all that I was ready to argue against her decision, but I think she conceeded rather gracefully. She did however note that I should not take her own personal decision into account when considering the teachings of Ilsare after that particular episode. I felt sorry for so decisively making my case in the debate but still hope I can eventually understand the goddess of my travelling companion. Evidently not this time, but perhaps another.

We decided upon returning to Port Hempstead and the following day we were out and about again. Into some sort of city authority we ran, I believe his name was Trent or something along those lines, but he asked for help in a retrieval of something he had lost. Offering to help he explained that the task might be a little dangerous and so advised us to stock up on suitable armaments and supplies.

Doing just that, I and Acanthus went shopping. This might sound like a humorous account but it was just that - I had never seen so many small people - I mean, halflings - in one place before. What's more is that they had a plethora of goods to sell us. I made the mistake of purchasing a few things that I hadn't tried on at the time that I later found was to be to my detriment as they were unreasonably small and tended to ride up a bit.

Venturing out we followed the man's directions and came across a clearing near some farms, across which was a small enclosure of hills. Such was the cloister that I first thought that it had once been a quarry where a side of the grassy knolls had been cut away in order for minerals therein to be found and processed. I quickly found out though that it looked more of a natural formation, and before its entrance a crude pallisade of sharpened sticks only raised at waist-height. I was somewhat amused at this at first, in knowing Trent had mentioned the potential of a kobold. I suppose Acanthus was in retrospect as well the way I waltzed up confidently and moved to investigate.

Perhaps it was a failing in pride, but in my defense I had truly thought there would only be a single one and that it could be coersed into giving up what we needed to retrieve by reasoning or cowing it down by beating on my shield with my sword and making a racket. Alas, if only it had been that simple.

The vicious little beasts, that of course being very pointedly a plural, had set an ambush and walking into view we were of course assailed. They struck with much greater ferocity and skill then I had imagined possible from such diminuative creatures. In seeing them beginning to overwhelm us I yelled for Acanthus to run, whilst I diverted my attention and remanoevuered over the hill in order to draw them away. I moved as best I could within my armour and sped to lead them away from my companion.

The run was rather exhilirating if a bit trying on the nerves to have so many foes at my heels. I managed to evade them however, and made my way back to the main road quickly to try and assess whether or not Acanthus was okay. Finding her promptly, she stood by a man that was looking over the carcass of a kobold he had freshly slew. This is where I met Felix, a local man of the greatest generosity so far and that I hope I can later meet again.

We made our introductions, exchanged names, and being a friendly sort he invited us back to the tavern in order to converse other news local and from where ourselves hailed. I must confess at this point I was rather glad to get a meal that was more fufilling then rations on the road (as was Acanthus I think) and so we agreed upon this. Chatting all the way back, we arrived at a tavern that I didn't catch the name of but was the most boistrous and rowdy establishment I have ever seen. I mentioned that I would have to become accustomed to the city life and he assured it wasn't so difficult. I heard many a dark fortelling from this man who potentially was more enlightened of events then Farros from the way he spoke, and a good time was had all around I'd like to think. Unfortunately I had to depart earlier then preferable but I assured him I'd return the favour at some point. Indeed, he seemed a solidly dependable and good soul.

Toran's will has taken me a long way from home. I am both excited and exhausted at all I still have yet to experience and see here, but I understand that I will have to make good on my pact with The Great Leader and begin my work soon. I will make contact with my local clergy soon and ascertain my place whilst earning my keep on the side. Whilst a little homesick for my own homeland, I think this is a defining point in my life and I cannot thank the All Watchful One enough for it.

I will strive to enact his judgement and empower the people here.

~Threas 19, Seplar of the Year 1440