[Shrowd Umbra]

My hunting goes well in Silkwood. I even found a route to Haven much faster than the roadways, or at least more appealing to the senses. The overlook in Haven was well worth the climb. Were the town not so devoid of any trade or artisans, I may have been tempted to stay nearby. As it is, I will remain in Silkwood between Hlint and Vehl. The best tools are in Vehl and Silkwood gives me all I need. Beetles for weapons, spider silk for thread. The fields near Hempstead offer cotton. I have been gathering it regularly for a new hood, my present is too heavy to be practical. Perhaps a dress as well. While my armor gives the image of a proud ranger, something to simply enjoy a stroll in the safe glens of the woods feels necessary. I fully intend to have it imbued with whatever powers of defense I can muster but that is for much later.

I have no idea who the goddess Lucinda is however I found her priestess infuriating. The woman spoke of Storan's Crypt, a crypt I recently investigated as a potential harvest for skeleton bones. I offered to accompany her to which she replied I would only slow the cleric's progress. I may not be a hero of legend and I may have met an early end in the Ogre caves of Gloomwood, but I feel that was a bit misstated on her part. Especially after I had already spoken of treading there myself. She can keep her charity potions and to the hells with her goddess. I've more important things to do than offer aid, be it small or not, to ungrateful wenches.

Were I anything but a Tiefling I would never accomplish half what I set out to do. I was harried in the forest by a pair of leopards. They started out wary as I tried to coax them, must have smelled my pack ox or somesuch because they chased me all the way to Mariner's Hold. Never one to be dissauded, I blinded them briefly with my power of darkness and ran into the forest. I have not seen them since and next time I may look into leopard skin boots. No, that is a bit harsh of me. A few names come to mind of those that would say my fiend blood is burning. Sometimes I do not wonder if that is why I seek out such dangers. I disagree but there is enough truth to make me sometimes wonder.

I feel inspired and perhaps a bit too currious for my own good. I met a Paladin of Toran today on my way through Fort Llast. He freely gave me holy water, even tried to make a few others unsuccessfully. We spoke at length about Toran's chosen selected to combat the undead. I must confess, I wanted that. To be chosen by a god for a great task, to know that someone valued me that much would be grand. Aeridin certainly can't look too favorably on me given I ignore his founding principle of do no harm. It is a fleeting dream though. My face may look human but I still wear a hood to hide my fiendish blood. The little halfling paladin was pleasant enough to me but to the Dark Elf serving in the temple he had nothing but contempt. I imagine I would have received his holy water differantly had he known the real truth of me. There must be some god who thinks as I do.