[geloooo]

Journal Entry Number Seven

After filling my quota of skeleton knuckles, I made my way towards Hlint to search for companions that I may offer my services to. Along the way, I saw a large group of people congregating near the farms in Port Hempstead. I saw some familiar faces like Fleur, Fehriel, Grovel, Maran, and Tabris. The only person that I was not acquainted with called herself “goggles”; I presumed she wanted to keep a certain amount of anonymity and I left it at that. To my discontent, the Toranite cleric named Brandon was there also.

While conversing, a farmer named Pratt appeared from the southern part of the fields, seeing that he might require assistance, “goggles” immediately called out to the farmer. Farmer Pratt was on his way to Port Hempstead to contact a healer to tend to his ailing chickens. In addition to this, his cows were disappearing, and it has led him to presume that Orcs have been stealing them. He requested our aid in watching over his livestock as well as find out the cause of the lingering disease.

We arrived at the farm and the only thing that we found suspicious at the time was the movements of the horses which indicated fright. We searched the whole area and eventually found the sick chickens, as well as a few odd statues. The druids immediately went to work and investigated the livestock, “goggles,” Tabris, and I set up a perimeter around the fence to guard the horses. Two groups were formed; one was to investigate the two statues while the other was to examine the chickens and horses.

Taking into consideration that there are well capable people within the vicinity, the possibility of an attack on the livestock would be minimal, so we decided to go about and observe the others. I observed the Toranite cleric, Fleur, and Fehriel study the statue of a child; my conclusion was that the people were petrified by magic, and that a malevolent wielder of the Al’Noth was the culprit. As Fleur and I were observing the statue and feeling it for any magical signatures left behind, Fehriel and Brandon were going at each other like children. I found it convenient and enjoying at the time, and I sought to use the moment to gain another ally against the Toranite should he go to drastic lengths.

On my way towards the other group, I summoned Faer and ordered him to stand guard on the fence, that way I am made aware of any suspicious activity. I observed the Grovel and Maran as they went from animal to animal, often examining feces and cultivation, like the red mushrooms. Apparently, the mushrooms were of intrigue to them, and they collected many samples. Going back to the chickens, they concluded that it was indeed the mushrooms that were causing such illness. Afterwards, I made my way towards the other group to check for any progress, and to my shock, the statue of the child was shattered to pieces. The Toranite cleric attempted to restore the statue back to life with a Restoration spell, and instead of the desired result, the statue crumbled. I was in awe of such a tragedy, but still, I could not help but blame the Toranite; this gave me an advantage, and finally I had leverage on the situation. I watched as Fehriel, “goggles,” and Brandon argue about the child’s death or rather, the statue’s demise.

Eventually, the other group arrived in hopes of lending a hand with the petrified people. I left them and went to check on my familiar, and as I called him, I noticed that the fences no longer contained any animals. Rather, from the haze, emerged monstrous creatures. I fled, and ran to my companions, beckoning them to stop their blabber and focus their attention to the creatures. Maran walked too close, and the creatures spewed forth a noxious gas that turned him to stone; the creatures were Gorgons. Luckily, their breath only petrifies the victim for a short duration, and eventually, my companions felled them. We celebrated all too soon when we beheld more monstrous creatures, this time, in the form of Giant flaming horses and rabid chickens– Nightmares and Cockatrices they were called. The behemoths wreaked havoc to the fences and chased us all around the farm, injuring most of us. Seeing that my spells deal no substantial damage to the creatures, I ran around casting Invisibility spells on those that were being chased after, giving them enough time to regain their strength. After much effort, the two creatures were dispatched.

We entered the fence and saw another Nightmare at a distance, apparently we missed one. This time, they made short work of the vile creature by rendering it immobile and knocking it down on its legs. Grovel concluded that it was indeed the mushrooms that warped the once docile creatures into monstrosities, and that we should proceed to burn any mushroom we see. For once, my fireballs were or more use, and we proceeded to set ablaze every mushroom we saw. The mushrooms were incinerated but they set off a poisonous fume that afflicted a few of my comrades. We camped near the farm for a while to tend to our wounds and afflicted companions.

Earlier while investigating the surrounding area, “goggles” mentioned something about a cave, and that we should investigate the insides. Grovel insisted that we should, for there might be more mushrooms inside. Preparing ourselves for whatever it is that may be inside, we entered the cave. The entrance to the cave was very narrow and had two halls opposite the entrance. Once we entered, Orcs swarmed and outflanked us from both sides; we were stuck and forced to fight at such a congested playing field. I killed as many potential threats as I can with my Magic Missiles; I was hoping that we would be able to finish off our attackers so I could fling a few fireballs on the remaining shamans. Everyone was in a tight spot, and Grovel did a tremendous job of unleashing his magic. Our efforts proved useless when eventually most of my companions fell to the ground and that only Fleur and I were left. Out of spells and outnumbered, we managed to escape merely because of our Invisibility spells.

While applying bandages, we organized our battle plan – while under the Invisibility spell, we were to save as much as we can by mending their wounds and casting Invisibility on them. All stitched up and ready to go, we descended into the cave, and witnessed an eerie montage of death. We attempted to heal as much as we can, but our efforts were in vain for we were not healers. Instead, we resorted to drag the bodies outside and call for a healer to raise them. One by one, we dragged the bodies and piled them, and luckily, the farmer arrived with a healer. We urged him to raise our fallen companions regardless of the fact that he was an animal cleric in servitude to Prunilla. He managed to raise them with the help of his deity, and one by one they all rose on their feet.

After everyone was pulled back from the void, there was much talk, and as it turns out, the two statues were already petrified before we even arrived. Frankly, I was displeased at this unfortunate information; but still, I will find a loophole within the system, there always is. If the farmer had not said it, I would still have leverage over the Toranite. It wasn’t a total loss though, now I know that there are more potential allies to be found; I’ve already found one, and he proved to be quite useful.