[ycleption]

A few adventuring notes.

I had the most interesting adventure the other day. The Mayor of Fort Wayfare hired myself and a handful of others, including Clarissa, Nyeaeana, Zergon, and Talia. Apparently travelers had been disappearing around the caverns where the beholders dwell. We asked a a local, who said that there were bodies all over, undead crawling around the place, and some sort of taint. When we arrived, we saw all of this, but none-the-less waded into the dark tunnels. After cautiously making our way through, we came across some sort of dark undead being (one person mentioned that it was a "shade"), who claimed responsibility for the atrocities, saying that he needed a particular kind of heart. He said even if we slew him (which we did of course), there was one other. We went on, and destroyed the beholders lair, but unless one of them was what the dark thing referred to, we found no trace of this "other" nor any more undead. However, the dark taint that we experienced seemed to have gone away. We fought our way out, and returned to tell the mayor what happened and receive our reward. As well, a cleric came to revive the two members of our party who fell.

Yesterday, I encountered Peanut in the crafthall, and we decided to go adventuring somewhere. Shiff, who happened to be there at the time, came along with us. We decided, on my recommendation, to investigate the mercenary and criminal activity outside of Mariner's Hold. The mercenaries that I had encountered the previous day were no longer there, however, we went into the stronghold, and slew a number of thugs. It became quickly clear that it would be unwise to press further, so we retreated to discuss our options. I sent a falcon to Mylindra, who brought Storold and Tyrian with her... It was a good thing that she did so, because the gang, apparently provoked by our initial incursion, brought significant reinforcements. Even for the five of us (Peanut, unfortunately, left), it was no easy battle. Indeed, Shiff died... Although he is often reckless, charging without thinking, I cannot fault the way he engaged the enemy, as I almost fell as well; I got trapped by the door and was unable to retreat. Unfortunately, Shiff did not have a soul stone with him, and Mylindra raised him, which took a considerable toll on her. To his credit, he clearly felt bad about the incident, and understood how his folly cost others, but still. . . I can't figure out that man: he can be callous, shallow, reckless, and foolish, but I have also seen him act with thoughtfulness and even gallantry. It was not the best ending to a journey, but I had not fought alongside Peanut, (or Mylindra and company for that matter) for awhile, and it was enjoyable to do so.

Banking note:

I have decided to abandon my proposed plan to save true. Although it was a good exercise in monetary discipline (since I had never owned a single true before), I feel now it was a bit naive of me. In the first place, it is wasteful to have resources sitting in the bank, doing nothing for me. Secondly, if I invest my true in equipment that I intend to buy, it will probably pay for itself in the long run, since I can make far more true with better equipment. Thirdly, I can sell them if I outgrow them anyway. Especially after my meditation on the nature of true, I have realized that my long term goals are not helped by idle resources, even with the best intentions to use it at some point.