Triba Gues' Log of Dire Adventure

[Pankoki]

*written in a small compact and practical handwritting*

It is important for everyone to know the occurrences of all around them. For us haflings these occurrences are told by the spoken word. Nevertheless, being raised by humans have changed my traditions to those of men. Therefore I write the wonders I see in this interesting world.

My name is Triba Gues, my friends call me Trib, my good friends call me friend. I arrived in Hlint on a time I like to call sometimes before now and little bit after I left were I was before. The exact time doesn't matter, I'm still a halfling. I come from Spellgard originally, raised close to the blood desert I learned many things not known to people here up north. Many do not understand the magic under the sand and move away from it, I embrace its roguish powers and carry it with me everywhere I roam.
My trade varies on the place I travel. Before I got to Hlint I fixed armors and weapons for my father's and mother's clients. Then I fixed arms and equipment for a group of clerics that paid me in many strange lessons. On my way here I learned a lot of other things that some consider useless and I consider vital. Things like these are the ones that make me, therefore it is vital to my existence.
But enough about me. Lets talk about what I will write on this log.
I will try to keep track of all the strange things I see around and then put them on paper. I've seen a lot of strange things already, so it will be extremely hard to do, but I will try my best.
For now I leave, I hear Frin calling me for something he wants to show me...

- Triba Gues Adventurer Extraordinaire

[Pankoki]

From the things I remember, which are many and tend to come up in the strangest of places. The first thing I did once I got to Hlint was follow a lot of people around. Many adventurers did I meet in Hlint and the feelings were extremely overwhelming. I remember that the first one I met was a nice man named Wilson, haven't seen him in the longest time, but he introduced me to a lot of people.
That very first day a lot of people were heading up some mountains to meet this giant they called the Titan. It seemed interesting enough so I tagged along and watch as they showed me the surrounding regions. It was funny seeing all those adventurers run up and down hills, they seemed to enjoy it. I never made it to the Titan though, got a little bit distracted looking at some weird flowers and by the time I realized I was alone it was too late. It was fun though and I enjoyed it a lot. After that I met A LOT of people. There were people from all places and races and each had an interesting story to tell. I try to remember them all but my head can only hold so much. I was particularly interested in a rather strong and interesting halfling called Frin. So I tagged along to wherever he went and I got to know him.
I remember the first time we camped outside of Hlint. It was on the Island in Lake Halon under a beautiful starlit night.
It was love at first sight. Frin and I talked until the morning came and we didn't even realize the passing of time.
The following weeks I was always with him. We were inseparable. We still are. After only a few months of knowing each other he took a very risky chance and asked me to marry him. I was left speechless, and believe me that is hard to do. I told him I had to think about it, but I couldn't escape his charms and not too later that day I accepted his proposal. It was a risky move I know! But I know that it felt right... Fortunately I was right.

So we got married at the first place that we met. The beautiful ceremony took place with all of our good friends and it was a lot of fun until a rude ugly guy decided to interrupt the party... Everybody was able to defeat him but it was rude nonetheless...

[Pankoki]

I tire of this painful feeling. Why is the reward only given to those of ill intent?
So many times I try to help, only to get backslapped. It has happened so many times. First it was Llu. She was feeling really sick and I tried to help her, but she refused my assistance. She got worse though, and I felt that she needed someone to at least pick her from the floor, yet she wanted no help. It all came down to the point were we had to follow her to some dangerous mountains and all through this passage I received nothing but insults... Why? Why is the good not rewarded? It came to the point were I almost lost my beautiful husband to raiders in the region.
Then it was the druid. She was trapped in an unstable form and we tried to help liberate her. We went through pain and suffering to bring her to the forest, and we manage to restore her to her human form. Only to find out that she was really a powerful demon lord that was ready to kill everyone in sight. My good friend Thoral fell to that thing. WHY?
And then its the witch. A large group goes to her help. We try to assist as much as we can. We do our best. But to add to our bad luck we interrupt something that leads to her apparent death. Dire indeed. And then comes her wrathful sister, and she sends us all biting dust! Why??! We only tried to help! Is there no justice in this world?

But then again there are all the good things that I got from this. When Frin fell on that mountain range I prayed so hard that an avatar of Deliar came to grant him life. Such an experience is one that I will never forget. Also, I know a little bit more of Llu's position in this place and I understand that her responsibility is great indeed, I can see her pain. Thoral gained a new friend in Legodia, and I believe that he received a boon for being a child of nature. And through the witches death I now know that our duty in this world is one that is vital for the existence of life itself, a great path indeed.

So maybe everything is not so sour, perhaps everything does happen for a reason. I am glad.

[Pankoki]

Phew... Its been a while since I wrote in this thing. Well I've been adventuring left and right, so I had no time to gather my thoughts on paper. But I guess now I have all the time in the world. Why? Cause I'm in prison, that's why!
I guess the adventuring caught up to me. Too stressed out to make the right decisions, or something like that. Well who wouldn't? Between finding helmets for greedy academy fellows, killing vampires left and right, trying to rescue a friend from eternal damnation, and killing golems with wings and killer penguins.. well.. anyone would have gone crazy already!!

So what happened? A bad mistake, that's the best way to put it. The shortest way would be that a guard following orders from a corrupt individual was acting without thinking and a warning shot went real bad and fell the poor fellow. I've never felt so bad before... And It's not like it was the guard's fault either, he was only doing his job. But he was putting lots of people in danger by delaying our passage and in the heat of the moment a really really bad mistake was made. I guess I need more practice with my bow, need to learn to aim where I need to, not where the wind feels like.

So I'm paying for my crimes. The court saw that I was sorry for my deeds and that I wanted to help this man's poor wife. So they kindly reduced the sentence and let me pay tribute to the wife. I will pay 10,000 gp before the end of this year and every year thereafter up to 20 years I will pay 1,000 gp. A fair sum I think, it should be enough to keep her well fed and clothed. I would have really liked to pay for the ressurrection, but I guess the courts up here don't do that type of thing.

And now I'm in the slammer. They brought me here to mine, but they saw that I ruined more ore than actually extracted so they gladly put me to other tasks. Something about me talking too much in the mines.. Weird tall people. So they put me to tailor some leather armors. That I can do! If only Frin could see the work I'm making. He would be so proud. They make me work with gems every once in a while too, seeing that I'm pretty good with them. And when they are running low on personnel I work in the alchemy labs making polishing oil. They say that way I can provide for my gems and don't have to bug them with question. Again, strange.

Frin has visited me a couple of times, he seems to be holding strong but I can tell he is sad. He can't come here that often, the journey is quite hard and well the guards won't let me see him that much anyway. But I sure enjoy the time when he is around. Serenity and Kreder came the other day too! They brought me lots of chicken! I put it in my little hiding place, I don't think I can eat more orc stew. Their visit was kinda interrupted when Enzo and Mochibungo decided to show up. Rather rude of them not to say hello, but I guess they have been following Serenity for quite a while, I hope she doesn't end up fangy too.

Well they are screaming again cause I'm talking too much. But I will come back to this journal when I have more ink and time. Until then, lets hope I don't get in anymore trouble.

- Triba Gues

[Pankoki]

Alright, it's me again, this time I've kept track of the things I've been up to. I try to keep some scrolls and ink around me all the time. I'm sure the wizards around town won't miss a few missing blank scrolls... I'm sure of that.

Well I guess I'll start from the time were I got pack from Ft. Valensk. According the people around town nothing much happened while I was gone, except for one big thing. Enzo is back. Mochibungo slipped and everyone gathered together to chop him down. They couldn't kill him but Enzo did. Now he has returned to us, not fully healed from vampirism, but with greater hope to return to his true old self.

After a couple more days, I was curious to hear how Fate was doing under the ministry of magic protection. Fate is a nice chap we've been helping for a while and after much persecution he was taken under the ministry's custody. So I went to the temple with a bunch of friends only to hear the minsty HQ was under attack. As usual we fought more winged golems, but no penguins this time... We got to the HQ to find it empty. After much searching we finally discovered lots of people hidden in a small room, they didn't have much info so we kept looking. After a long while we found a room where Fate was. He was acting all funny and mean. After much talking we ended up in this alternate reality. Fate called it something of a dream world. More like a nightmare I think. Scary place... We fought our worst nightmares until Maddi got real mad and killed Fate, then we ended back in the HQ. It turned out that Fate was being dominated by someone else. So now we gotta find that person and make him pay.

After that, well, It was adventure non-stop. Started with a merchant that ended being a lich... got that guy. Then we went to an assasin that was being chased by other assasins.... we finished the other assasins and the one guy that was being chased ended up with a nice boat and less tailgate. Then it was a tiger invasion in Hlint... we put them down but wished there was a better option to finish that up. Oh yeah, and Milara showed up and made a big mess as usual, more on that later....

[Pankoki]

Alrighty, this time I've been hit by the muses calling, perhaps some poetry is in order. So here goes it.


The Monkey Poem

True and through, across the land,
A beast so kind lays its hand,
It picks up bits of this and that,
And eats it to gain some fat.

Funny looking and quite curious,
The lesser beings of a race,
They have no sense of honor or glory,
So they fling dudu at your face.

But yet they are so lightly mood,
That one can never be so mad,
Just make sure you don't take its food,
Cause they'll rid you in a tad.

Monkeys monkeys monkeys monkeys...
The only true door that has no key,
Take them lightly and be not stricken,
Perhaps its time we get some chicken...


monkeys...

[Pankoki]

Hello again book... haven't seen you in a while. Well here we go again. Gonna be reflective on this one, so if you get bored let me know.

Many, many, many adventures lead all to one eventual conclusion. At some point in one's life you get to sit down to consider your actions. Throughout the last three years many things have happened. It would take quite a big book to write it all down.

As many things in Mistone, I too now reach a crossroads. For years I've known and mastered the arts of the many and the few, and through much struggle I've become skilled in that world. But that same world has lead me to many many paths. I've learned how to use magic, I've learned lost knowledge unknown, I've skilled myself in the ways of the fighter and I've developed a strange like with nature.

This link to nature comes to me as a riddle, a riddle I now seek an answer to.

I grew up in a desert, in a city where nature was twisted and changed by mages. Nature was almost non-existant where I came from, that is, if you can call cacti, scorpions, and snakes, "Nature".
Is it my friends? Is this riddle given to me because of me being around those that worship the wild? Has something been passed on? I guess anything is possible. Perhaps all those bears were just testing me, and all those times they tried to eat me was simply a test to see if I came back... Well, all they really had to do was ask, not eat me...

Is that time then? Is it the time to focus? Maybe there is a reason I've been given this choice of path. Maybe n the times to come I'll be needed as one more adaptable, on more in touch with what makes this place spin.

This is all very strange to me. I wish that someone would show me a path, but something tells me that this a decision I must make on my own. But perhaps that path is not to be travelled alone.. great, I'm sounding like Enzo again....

I need to go eat some chicken.

[Pankoki]

I've been writing this for a while now... better pass it on to my journal. Here goes it.
Cynyna Meean, which translates to Lucky Root, was a name given to this young halfling when she reached her 15th summer. The name was given by the Clouded One in his way to solve the problems of his past and future. Cynyna past intertwines with another's. And to tell Cynyna's story is to tell the story of the other. "It was a long summer night in the desert, as any other night in it. Halflings playing around the palm trees added a slight ambience of joy and innocence. This is were the strange man approached them, he offered them fun and riches in lands far away, them being halflings accepted the deal. The man moved his hands and the arcane spark went through the halflings standing in front of him as they fell asleep."
Cynyna was raised in Wolfswood, at least as far as she remembers, she never knew she was born in Pranzis, and her first memories are of chasing badgers around Lake Rillon. She came to love the forests for the forests gave everything she needed. She learned how to speak the languages she was taught, she learn elven from her keeper, she learn the language of nature, from nature itself.
"Waking up in the city of wonders always brought a smile to her face, she had been in there for a month now and everyday she found something better and more interesting. "Triba!!!" She heard from the room next door as her good friend Illean called her for the morning breakfast. They had become very close in the past few days and although he was Ghostwise and she was Lightfoot they shared many feelings. But they were not here for their enjoyment, only being haflings kept them happy. Their time spent in Pranzis was of hard labor. And for that they seeked exit, so they planned and whispered as they labored, and a plan indeed they had"
As she grew amongst the woodland creatures they began showing her their way of life, they began showing her the way of the hunt, and most importantly they showed her the love of the land. At the same time, Raven, the druid that took her when she was a child taught her how to channel the forces of nature, she taught her how to focus all the energy that surrounded them into herself. And then she made Cynyna forget it, for she was too young to hold that much power and only with time she would regain them.
"The desert was home for her, but he was rather uncomfortable in a place with so little vegetation, but he loved her too much to tell her of his feelings. And so they spent their nights together in North Fort, they talked forÂwhat seemed endless hours, and the nights usually became days without it seeming that long for them. It was one of those long nights that they proved their love to each other and from that union of ghostwise and lightfoot a very peculiar creature would be born."
Cynyna was told of her parents at a later age, she became interested of them and began searching for them. Raven knew of the two and did what she could to contact them. And one came, the father, Illean was glad to have seen her at last and many were the offers he made to Raven to let him have the child but all the offersÂwere refused. Raven knew better that the future of this child laid in the decisions the child made. And so he left, happy but dismayed. And she waited for the mother...
"She arrived in Rilara at the high noon. The smell of fishes and spices from the merchants brought back memories of her past travels. But this time she wasn't here to explore, she had an objective. She received a letter a few months ago that spoke to her of events that happened too long ago. She had kept them in the past and had moved forward. She was married now. She was known across the lands by many and had many things in her mind. But that didn't matter now, she was ready to fix the problems ofÂher past, soÂsheÂpicked her adventuring gear and sailed. And she was ready to meet her at last. And so she did."
Cynyna and Triba met, she didn't have a name at that point of course, but they talked to each other. Cynyna could barely speak the common language and Triba took it upon herself to teach her. She taught her other things of the land and of the many cities she had been to. She talked to her of her friends and the many adventures they had been to. Most importantly they had started becoming what they hadn't been. A family.
Cynyna, now named, comes to Mistone after having a strange dream. She comes to help in any way she can and grow as she was told to, unto the true ways of nature.

[Pankoki]

It has been a very long time since I've written in this old journal. What began as an account of my travels, quickly became a personal diary, then a story book and finally a map to my journeys.
I guess that it has accomplished what it was supposed to be, just in a way I did not expect. Most of it now is just a raw guide to the world, most passages recorded, most paths marked. Only the land underneath us, the underdark, remains uncharted and the idea of plotting an everchanging place seems somewhat ridiculous.
Ulambree Forest. More specifically, Ulambree Forest Wood Elf Treetop Village. This place is simply breathtaking. Yes, I'm in Voltrex, the beauty of this land escapes description so I will not attempt to taint it by words. This is simply a place to experience with one's own eyes. We arrived in Saida after an elf appointed us with the task of delivering an important letter to a healer in a grove deep within the island. The contents of the letter and the reason for its urgency was not told. At least not in the common tongue, but the idea of assisting the Voltrexian seemed a smart thing to do and so we took upon the task.
As we arrived in our ship, one with the Lorindar Trading flags and the Dregarian banners, we were greeted by elven flagships a few miles away from the island. Their vessels seemed to fly in the wind, their design quite different to that of men, truly a marvel of navigation. They did not seem fitted for battle as the ships in Roldem, but their maneuverability more than made up for this lack of fire power.
In a complicated exchange by the captain we were told to present our passes. A cleric of Aeridin checked us for diseases and poisons, Ozy became invisible at that instant of course, I'm pretty sure otherwise he would have remained in the boat. After this inspection, and being told by a cute cleric that I was quite healthy, we exchanged boat and it what seemed seconds the boat flew through the water and we arrived at the beautiful city of Saida.
The place is gorgeous beyond belief. However the people that live there leave much to be desired. They were rude and obnoxious. Uptight elves that still can't see two feet in front of their face. Of course they wouldn't give us the time of day. I was very close to just heading back to the boat. The outer shell of beauty can be quickly crumbled.
However, I remembered where I was, this was probably one of the few chances in my lifetime to see this paradise. So I sucked up my pride and headed out of the city once Rev found out where to find this grove.
If Saida was beautiful, the outskirts of the city were simply breath-taking. Immediately outside the city, to the north, was a huge Tower that reached far into the sky. The breeze from it was pleasent and many swirling vortices of air could be seen flying to and fro. From the known history of the four towers of magic in Voltrex, it was easy to assume that that was the Tower of Air. Its gates however, close to all of us. I'm quite sure that its probably by invitation only.
We kept going east down this beautiful road full of innocent wildlife and gorgeous landscapes. We travelled for days, we saw some cities, all of them seemed to blend into the environment. None corrupted the forests, none needed to change the environment. They simply blended in. How this knowledge was lost to men I do not know, perhaps they never had it, perhaps they were never told, but it is sad that no city of men can achieve such balance in the chaos. The feeling of not being welcomed was still present, so we kept moving deeper within the island. We passed the other towers, each a sight to behold, each closed to us. Until eventually after a few days march we arrived at the outskirts of the Ulambree forest.
I have been to every forest in the world. They all have things that are unique in their own manner. The Great Forest, known to be the most wonderful creation of nature. Yet this forest had a strange appeal to me. I saw the treetop villages the elves hid amongst the trees, many of my friends thought I was crazy for they couldn't see them. But they were there. The elven scouts hanging from the trees observed as we passed, their bows aimed and ready. Yet when they saw my sight recognize them a faint smile of welcome was given. I spoke nothing, knowing the secrecy of the ranger, but it started feeling like home.
The patrol of full plate wielding clerics and warriors managed to make enough noise to grab the attention of some of the elves guarding the several entrances to the villages and Rev asked for directions. We were told to find the Lilanthier forest, to the north of where we stood.
We set a camp in the outskirts of the Ulambree, the wood elves, although a bit friendlier, showed no intention of letting us stay in their village. As comfortable as the camp was, I couldn't close my eyes. After all I had seen, the last thing that crossed my mind was sleeping. So I sneaked past Elixir as he tried to stay awake guarding the camp, the long restless trip obviously taking a tow on everyone but the curious.
Slowly I moved back into the elven village. Much to my surprise a group of them was gathered around a campfire, beautiful yew and mahogany bows set to their sides, golden and silver strings marking their frames in beautiful elven runes. The sight alone was enough to catch my attention, then I saw as the dancing began. The moon was full, so I imagine it was some sort of celebration of an elven day or somesuch. I watched for hours, many things they did in this celebration, I must have fallen asleep in the tree I hid. All I know is that I woke up in my sleeping bag, back at the camp, a necklace with the claw of a wolf on my neck.
I woke up refreshed. My usual lazy self was gone and a strange feeling of euphoria filled my body. I quickly packed my things got ready for the treck ahead of us. We planned our trip and according to our plans we would make it to the Alpansian Grove within a day.
Lilanthier forest, beautiful but dangerous. Many of its inhabitants are very defensive and an outcast tribe of elves roam the forest as mercenaries. Needless to say our treck into the grove was met with a lot of resistance. But we managed. After a long days march we made it to the grove. There the healer waited for us already. Rev, who was the one gifted with the letter and the news of the dead, approached and explain to her the reason for us being in the island.
They talked for a while, all in elven, we got some translations from Ozy, but as things normally go, its better to understand the words coming out of the speaker's mouth and not by a third party. In summary, she read the letter and thanked us for delivering it, we delivered the news of the dead and she told us to inform the family of the diseased, who lived in the Ulambree Wood Elves Treetop Village.
My heart raced, the manner of our visit was no matter for excitement, but the feeling was inevitable. We were going to visit the wood elves and this time we had a reason to be in there. My mind flew with all the things I wanted to learn from them, I wanted to understand their secret, the reasons for what they acted the way they did, the legends of their forests, all the things that they had and knew, and the idea kept a silly smile in my face, one that I did my best to hide since the moment wasn't the happiest for those involved.
When the conversation ended, they asked us if we wished something from them as a reward. It was too early in to ask for that bow I always seeked. One of their legendary Greatbows, fitted for a halfling. I couldn't bring myself to do it, so instead I just asked for the meaning of the grove in which we were. She said that the Alpansian Grove protects Voltrex just as each tower protects other places in Layonara. It was an interesting answer, and to know how such a link could be establish from here was special.
Off we went to the village to inform the family of the deceased. As true followers of The Prince of Wolves, they understood that the path of their relative had come to the end of this journey and it was time hunt greener pastures. With much gratitude they thanked us and asked of us to give them time to mourn their dead.
With that said everyone began to pack their bags ready for the journey home, a few were heading to Saida, some others were planning to stay just a few more days to gather some resources off the Island. However, I could not bring myself to pack anything, even less to consider leaving the village, so as everyone prepared to leave I asked the healer at the shrine of Folian, who also happened to act as spiritual advisor for the tribe, and who I was able to communicate in the language of the wilds, to let me stay for a while. I didn't need to explain myself or give excuses. The healer saw the intention in my eyes and she simply said, "Stay until the harmony of the Prince allows you to see the paths ahead of you."
So I stayed. I said goodbye to everyone, wrote a letter to Ser so that she knew where I was and that I would not be returning for a time. I sent her some sketches of the towers since I knew she would be interested in at least knowing how they looked like. As much as I tried to actually contact anyone inside. No one answered.
The life of the Wood Elves is fairly simple. All wake up a few minutes before sunset and gather around the open temple to witness the first rays of the sun in a silent prayer. Everyone seems to attend, for they know that the sun nourishes the forests and without it they would be homeless and empty. Much to my surprise, half of the prayer was in Sylvan, so I understood bits and pieces of what the priestess said. And so I joined, an oddball in this land of pointy ears. The Priestess' keen eyes saw me join and with a smile she added a small line to her prayer:
"Let those who come from beyond the waters embrace the harmony of your woods."
When she said that a few dozen eyes landed on me and my attempts to stay unnoticed went down proberbial dillo hole. I noticed a few frowns from the older elves, and looks of curiosity from the younger ones. This was to be expected, as they are set in their ways. My first day it seems and the longest of them all. The attention I had attracted towards me brought many curious young elves to ask me a million things about the world beyond the islands. Of course I couldn't understand a single tweet they said, they were going so fast I dont think themselves knew what they talked about.
After a while it calmed down a bit a ranger approached me as I ate some midday chicken. He was one of the elves who was celebrating in the forest during the moon ritual. He spoke common but he hid it, so whenever someone passed by he went back to elven. It was quite funny. After a while however I asked him to simply stick to elven, if I was going to learn the language it would be the only way.
His name was Miriel, which in a local dialect translated to Gladerunner. He was thin and slim like most elves around, his skin slightly brownish indicating he was a wood elf, black hair and penetrating green eyes. His rough mannerisms and the dirt in his face and hands indicated that he wasn't too concerned for etiquette. We talked for hours asking me first of the world beyond Voltrex and then him in return telling me of the things around the island. It was great, so great that by the end of the day him and all his ranger companions gathered with me around the fire to simply talk until the wee hours of the morning.

[Pankoki]

*Within a chaotic mess of papers, Triba writes on her diary an entry that is full of anger and pain*
This is the last time I will be writing on you, right now I'm tired, frustrated, angry and a bit cranky at everything around me so feel lucky I'm not shredding you apart.
Really really I am not going to retell the events that have taken me to this decision. Too much did we suffer to have to get the oversized lizards to agree with us for nothing! Nothing! He took back his words on a signed agreement and was too much of a rat to fulfill his word. Well he and all those who follow him around can go play "I'm the biggest Jerk" with another halfling. I'm done. Finished. This world is going to end and I'm going to make sure I enjoy every last bit of it while it lasts.
So I'm taking my free pass to Voltrex and leaving this stinking place. I am sure at some point Blood will get to the island, but that seems unavoidable now.
Sorry Lue, I love you too much to ask you to come with me when I know you don't want to. Maybe one day we will meet again.
Sparkles, I will see you around Voltrex when you swing by, I'll be staying with the woodelves.
*frustrated she lets the diary open in the last page for Eldárwen to see when she gets home and darts off with her packs*

[Pankoki]

*In an entire new journal, this one being a gift from the Wood Elves in Voltrex when she left the island, her name inscribed in elven on its cover, Triba sits down in the Rolling Hills admiring the wonderful view*
I have looked at these pages for sometime now, months and months since I got this diary from the elves, I have been waiting for the right opportunity to pen my thoughts into it or at least tell an interesting story, yet everytime I open it I stare at these blank pages and nothing comes out.
For the longest time I thought it was simply a matter of things not happening. Everything just drowning in the neverending constant of life. Routine taking a firm grasp on me and not letting go. With time however I've come to realize that it is more than that. It isn't just the fact that I am caught in monotony, it is the fact that there is something missing within me to properly keep living.
It happened at the oddest of times. I had ran out of potions, actually... I haven't used a potion in so long they had simply dried out or gone bad. So I felt it was time to make some replacement ones just in case. When I was almost done with the task I was walking out of the old Red Light caves near Hlint when I saw Acacea being trampled by a spider twice her size. She looked really bad and so I ran to her help. Quickly I crippled the thing and soon it was just another splatter on the ground. I tended to the poison in Acacea's blood and made sure she was fine, when all of a sudden it hit me like a cold bucket of stale water...
What if I hadn't shown up at the exact moment in time to help her? She surely was nearing her death and the spider was in near perfect condition. A few seconds later and she would have died. What if the Soul Mother had come to visit her and taken her forever? Would she be remembered? Would someone care? Would any family cry for the loss? Then I suddenly realized I wasn't really thinking about Acacea. I was thinking about myself...
Clearly I was just dwelling over not having seen Sparkles for so long. She has been busy with the temple, its understandable. But it made me wonder. About where I came from. About my roots. My last name is not a halfling name. I carry the name of humans. But what is in a name really? Is it just a way for people to be able to tell the difference from some other halfling? Or is there to be more pride in your roots?
The tribes in the desert have always welcomed me. Any halfling is. Yet the bond of family they share with each other is much much closer than that to those they call friends.
I never knew my real mother, I never knew my real father. I do not know why they left me in that doorstep. I do not know what was their reasons for doing so. I don't place blame on them. I can't. I know not their reasons. Yet I wonder what became of their lives.
I wonder where is home for me...

[Pankoki]

*Triba sits besides Plen in front of the campfire as he examines Remiel's and Reventage's bodies for the arduous process of bringing them back from the dead. Most of the party is quiet or asleep as she writes in her small journal*
It's dark... Really dark.
It all started as we gathered in the city of demons for the call that had been made by one of the sisters. This time it was the Striker of Fear. I really hate addressing people by their titles but I dont know her name so Striker will just have to do for now.
She said that Xora and the sisters have been investigating some strange events during the times when the world was covered in darkness. Apparently while this happened there were major earthquakes focused around Milara's throne and the Temple of the Viper in Xantril. They, as busy as they normally are of course, asked us to look on the temple. Obviously any attack on Milara's Throne would have us staring at a small army of things better not mentioned.
And so with our giddy selves we went towards the Temple. We managed fine. Rem acting as the war leader he should act. Glad he finally took the reins to be honest. I was getting really tired of having him in the useless pile. Rev and Pleni making sure we all had our fighting sticks ready and keeping us all alive. The rest of the mob, well I can't say I really care much for anyone but Connor. They're all good people though so I'm glad of that. No Kashas or Quints, no Ozys, no stupid people. The only drow are Alantha which is a good friend and has proven to be handy in many ways and Syn who is just odd but reliable. The rest have all proved their worth one way or another. So for that I'm happy.
Anyway, we ended up in the horrible snake temple. I wonder how many people those snakes eat really, those things are huge!! Get bigger everytime I come here too! But we managed, we were organized, we knew our roles and nobody was doing stupid things. Its kinda nice when you get this coordinated.
Worse luck of course the floor falls down and drags us along into a pit of some cave. But I suppose thats what we were there for anyway, we needed to find out why these earthquakes were happening and so we followed their wake.
For a while it was just climbing and avoiding getting squashed in the head, but of course the lower we went, the more dangerous it got until eventually we hit the underdark. Figures really, but I have to be honest, besides Sparkles, this would be the perfect group of people to get stuck in such a place. So we went ahead in our merry ways following the cracks the earthquakes made. It wasn't an easy job of course, we had to deal with the dark monkeys trying to stop our way. You'd figure they would know better and like help us out. They're going to get the bad part of the war one way or another. Silly people...
Eventually after a lot of drow stomping and a lot of climbing we found this rope that was conveniently placed for us on one of the chasms we followed. Of course us being the gullible sort went down the chasm. Not like we really had any other choice since the way was blocked as far as we could see. Funny thing of course is that once we started climbing down this chasm the oddest thing happened.
Right just before we were going to reach the ground of the lower floor I was kinda sucked into this other place and ended up in a cave. The way up had been totally closed by the cave ceiling and I could see none in our party. Soon enough though they all came down as well and we all systematically got stuck in this cavern system.
On the good side we were seemingly getting somewhere in our objective, on the bad side of course we had no idea how to get back. Not having any other way to go but forward into the cave system we made our merry way ahead.
This is when things got really weird. The drow were gone but now we were fighting all sorts of strange earth creatures and fungi. Stuff that you see in places that rarely see the light of day, those beasts that just snore away until the adventuring group toddles along. It was weird but not too unexpected.
That went on for a while. Not sure how much time passed really, could be days, could be weeks. With no sun to see its kinda hard to keep track of it all. Regardless of that we kept on going until eventually we found the odd prize winner of the day.
We found this odd bridge that was taken down by something and from a distance we saw this nasty looking altar that simply was screaming.. LOOK AT ME!! POKE ME WITH YOUR SPELLS!!
And well we kinda did... Thats when Rev kinda went dead on us, so did Rem. Yeah I know. Not the best of our moments but such is life. Now their bodies are next to us in this handy campfire we made and Plen is looking