The Journal of Drake Evermont

[Ne'er]

This is the Journal of Drake Evermont
(these first 5 entries here take place before Drake arrives in Hlint)


19 Novlar, 1383

So it has begun. I shall use this journal to keep track of my adventuring career. With the deaths of my father and uncle, I have no family remaining. I have waited three weeks now for either to appear in town, but no luck. It seems that I am the sole survivor of the Storm at sea. I shall mourn my family no more. They died at sea, where they would have wanted it. I shall instead use this as an oppurtunity to leave tis wretched hamlet and set off on my own. I have heard that there is a bounty on the head of a local bandit lord. I have bought a sword and I intend to confront him. He won't know what hit him...

Well, 5 hours later and I am lucky to be alive. The bandits took me down with one arrow. Fortunately I was rescued by a more expierienced group of adventurers. They revived me and offered to show me the tricks of the trade.


3 Decilar, 1383

This group has certainly proven to be quite the adventurers. Their are four members of this group: Efter Irondeep, Tandra, Tymus Greenbottle, and Cal Neander. Efter is a dwarven cleric of Vorax. He serves as the main healer of the group. He has taught me a few things about applying bandages, and I have even started to learn some minor healing spells. Tandra is an incredibly skilled thief. There seems to be no trap that can touch her, and no lock that can keep her out. She often keeps to herself. The third member of the group is Tymus Greenbottle, a halfling sorceror whose power is far greater than his stature (which doesn't take much, but still, he's good). He has been training me with arcane magic, although I am learning very slow.  The leader of the group is Cal Neander. Cal is a half-elven bard of no small renown. He seems to have taken a liking to me. He has taught me how to sing better, as well as serve as an effective leader. He has taught me how to fight with a sword and shield effectively (which apparently I have a knack for. Who knew?). Cal is a brave and valiant leader.


27 Junar, 1386

I have not written very recently. We have been very busy gathering loot and going on
adventures. We are taking a break now, as Cal seems to be preparing a great expedition back north to the High Forest. He has not released to many details about it, except that they are ancient ruins. I have not traveled this far north in a while. It shall be nice to see the lands I once called home again.


5 Jular,  1386

The expedition was a disaster. Cal and the others are dead, killed by some large fiend, wreathed in flames. I barely escaped with mmy own life. I am leaving the forest as I write, for it is a dangerous place to be alone. The demon was odd. For some reason it had a scar on one of its eyes. Perhaps it was made by powerful magic? I will likely never know. I shall find a place to rest once I am out of this forsaken forest.


6 Jular, 1386

The reality of yesterday's events has set in. Dead... all of them are dead... My mentors, my saviors, my friends... No, I must not mourn on their passing. It is as Cal had always said, "Do not mourn a fallen comrade. Instead, honor them with future deeds. Tell the tales of their ive. Make them live beyond death through these tales." I will set off on my own then. I'm not sure where I'll head. Perhaps I shall wander the countryside a bit, and think a bit more on what I will do next. I am on;y certain of one thing at this point. I will make my fallen comrades proud.

[Ne'er]

Novlar 17, 1386

I arrived in a small town named Hlint a few days ago. I have have been working out of this town for a little bit. The locals have the occasional odd-jobs for me to perform, and the pay is not great, but everyone has to start somewhere, right? Even though delivering letters is not so glamorous, I puts some coin in my pocket. I haven't had many chances to tell me stories, but I am also not quite sure who will appreciate them.

The people that travel frequently through the town are a motley collection. I have seen many of the common races, especially dwarfs. But I have also seen numerous half-giants and drow! It is amazing that the guards don't attack some of these travelers on sight, or run in fear. Perhaps the people of the town are just very accepting.

I have tried to craft many items using materials I have gathered. It has proven to be very difficult and I am afraid that local druids will be angry at me for chopping down half of the Hlint wood. I think I will put some of the crafting behind me for a while, andinstead focus on my combat and healing skills.

One thing that has proven to be an increasing problem for me is my armor. It restricts my movements and hinders my spell-casting abilities. The shield doesn't help much either. I have to undress and then get dressed again if I plan to cast healing spells on people. I believe Cal told me of people known as Spellswords, famous for their ability to cast spells while in armor. Perhaps I should seek out the advice of a "Spellsword". Who knows, they may even be able to teach me how to become one...

[Ne'er]

23 Novlar, 1386

I have been in Hlint for over a week now. It seems that many travelers use Hlint as a base of operations. And why shouldn’t they? It has a branch of the Layonara World Bank (which I have opened an account at), as well as numerous shops and an inn. It is also in between Haven Castle and Fort Llast, giving me easy access to many places.

I have also met many great people here in Hlint. I met Agnis Starmantle, a young wizard, in the Red Light Goblin Caves. I was there to do some mining, and she was planning to kill some goblins. She seemed young and new to the adventuring business, well, newer than me. However, we were ambushed on the lower levels by a group of goblins and were badly hurt. Back at town we met up with some new people, including a large half-giant named Fragsnot. He had helped me a few days ago in the crypts of the town. While when I first came here I had my doubts about whether or not it was a good idea to allow the giants in town, if they are all like Fragsnot, they are fine by me. I have also met a women named Mary Bloodaxe. She was a fine warrior, but her behavior was a little odd. She also appeared to be pregnant. Anyhow, I look forward to seeing any of these people again in the future.

[Ne'er]

25 Novlar, 1386

This has been a very interesting day. I was returning to Hlint from the Sielwood (I was gathering spider silk) and I stopped at the camp just outside of Hlint. There was a group of drow sitting around the fire, talking about the underdark. A dwarf was standing guard. I was chatting with the dwarf when all of a sudden it went black, as if the light stolen from us. I heard something walk by soon after. I drew my weapons. When the light returned, the drow were enthralled in a battle against a new group of drow. I joined in and helped fight the new drow. I was incredibly confused. Only a few minutes after we had dispatched the drow, some ran outr of the town saying that the drow had attacked it. We all grouped up and tried to figure out what was happening, when the darkness returned once again. This time spiders were attacking. We fought hard, and the spiders were killed. However we stilled needed to know what was happening.

We gathered up in the town square. One of the drow began telling us that the drow were after him. Turor Sunderstone, however, seemed to blame him for the attack. There ws much arguing after this. No one knew quite what was to be done. Eventually, a large group rallied up and went off to defend the drow they were after (I can't remember his name. It must have been in elvish). We went to the Greypeak Mountains and planned to set up a base there. However, even more arguing began from there. We were not really sure the best way to defend the area. Eventually it was agreed that we would leave and defend somewhere else.

Unfortunately I was forced to part company with the small army that we had assembled. I had to return to Hlint. I fear I may never know the fate that befell that group.

[Ne'er]

26 Janra, 1387

These past few days have been quite the adventure. In Hlint I met a brownie by the name Talisen Gamble. This is the first brownie I have ever seen. They are very interesting creatures. They are filled with energy, yet also seem quite skiddish. Talisen said that he was searching for his family, which had apparently been kidnapped. I offered to help him should he find any leads. We then decided to go on a hunt for cougars and bears. Talisen led me to Port Hampshire. However, we were ambushed on the way by a pair of griffins. i managed to kill the griffins, but not before Talisen fell. I remained in the city in order to recover my strength.

Thankfully, Talisen was alright. I traveled to Fort Hope, and there I encountered a friend named Suliss Dobluth. She is a drow warrior who is incredibly skilled. She had brought Talisen (or at least the ghost of Talisen) with her. We managed to get to Port Hampshire safely with the help of Suliss and her friends.

From Port Hampshire I learned that we would be traveling to Rilara. Talisen did not have enough money to pay for a ticket, so I offered to buy his. The passage was expensive, but I had enough gold to cover each of us. This would be my first ime ever setting foot off of the continent of Mistone.

We arrived in Point Harbor without any difficulty. We set off in search of the animals that we had come to hunt. We came across a pair of cougars first. We killed and skinned them (I think that Johan will be happy with these!), and then we set off to find the bears.

Disaster quickly struck, as we were attacked by the largest griffin I have ever seen. I was mortally wounded by the Griffin. My last sight was the fleeing Talisen, and my last thought was that Talisen managed to escape safely. I was happy for him...

The gods must favor me! I managed to survive. I was simply a shadow of my former glory, though. I had to remain in Hlint for many hours before I would be able to return and help Talisen. I was offered help by many friends, including Glokk Battlecry, a half-giant warrior, Millana, a human mage, and Suliss Dobluth. I did not want any of them to have to go to Rilara with me, so I refused their offers. I met a friend of Talisen's named Amra. She seemed distraught to know that Talisen was in Rilara. Soon after I recovered from my recent passing, and we set off to rescue Talisen. When we arrived in Port Hampshire, I paid to go and get Talisen. We came back and I watched the reunion of Amra and Talisen. Talisen had the bear pelts that we set out ot get, making the adventure a success. I had to leave the two brownies then, but I shall certainly look forward to meeting them.

Of course, I do not plan to return to Rilara for awhile. I guess I shall return to Hlint and give Johan his pelts. This has been quite the adventure.

[Ne'er]

2 Mar, 1387

Today was not a very good day. I am lucky to be able to continue to write in this journal after the incidents that have occured today. Allow me to start from the beginning. While wandering through town, I recognized a women from the massive raid on the ogres the other night. Her name was Mei, and she had a very unusual style of dress. We decided to travel to the swamps together, in hopes of bettering our skills. She fought very well. When I questioned her about her skills she stated that her katana was all she had.

Things didn't start to go bad until we got very far into the swamps. We underestimated the strength of a particular group of lizardmen. Even her great skill could not save us. We were easily defeated. We were aided in an attempt to return to ourgraves by a drow wizard. I didn't catch his name, although I would like to thank him sometime. The spell he cast on us turned us invisible. Unfortunatley the spell wore off too soon. We had to try again to reach our graves. This time Mei attempted to lead the lizards away. I managed to restore myself, but Mei was killed in the process. She is a brave woman who told me she did not fear death. This time, I would be the one to lead the lizards away so Mei could restore herself. Unfortunatley, not all the lizards fell for it this time and Mei failed to restore herself.

Then we caught our only bit of luck the entire time spent in the swamps. The lizards had abandoned the spot where Mei had fallen. She successfully restored herself. Then, as we were leaving, a swarm of mosquitos attacked us. There did not seem to be a way for us to kill them with our swords, so we fled the swamps. The swarm followed us to town, where a group of people assisted us in finding a way to kill the mosquitos. We tried nearly everything. Swatting, swinging, hacking, slashing, and even bombarded by Alchemist's Fire. In the end, it was a simple pack ox that saved the day and defeated the swarm.

Mei was dissappointed in herself. She said that her skill had suffered, and she had lost all her gold. I know what she means. I can't concentrate quite a well in combat. Perhaps this will heal with time. In any case, we have both learned a valuable lesson. Our rashness was our downfall. From now on I, and I am pretty sure Mei, will think through things more before we act. I a very high price has been paid to learn a simple lesson.

Meeting Mei also made this experience not quite as bad. She seems to be an honorable woman and devoted woman. I hope to travel alongside her again, hopeful to much more success. No matter what, I need a few drinks to put this behind me. My body aches, and my head is killing me. I'll have a few drinks, and then get some sleep. This has been a really rough day. It will be a long time before I return to the swamps.

[Ne'er]

12 Jular, 1287

The past few weeks have been interesting. I shall try to sum them up:

Myself, Glokk, Cathy Rolands a mage named A'arna, a drow named Calorfin, Mender, and an elven sailor named Raestra attempted to clear the Haven Mines of the ogre problem. We had little trouble until after we killed the chieftain. Rienforcements arrived and made short work of the group. When I saw Glokk fall,  I knew there was little anyone could do. I fled along with Cathy and Raestra, but Raestra was cut down before she could escape. We waited around for a while and then went in looking for survivors. Glokk and Calorfin survived and worked their way out with us.We soon learned that Raestra and Mender also survived, and turned in the head of the chieftain (who, might I add, was the ugliest ogre I have ever seen!). The Lord of Haven seemed grateful to us.

Raestra, the elven sailor, is quite the person. She seems desperate to get back on the water. I can't blame her. I miss the salty sea air... She offered me a posisition in her crew. Whenshe gets the boat I would be glad to assist her. Adventure on the might certainly be more entertaining than these land adventures. Still, who knows how long it will take her to get a ship...

One day, while gathering silk in the Sielwood I saw the biggest beetle ever! I large group of people were fighting it, and I joined in. As it turns out, these people were traveling with Ayreon, the drow that was being hunted by the other drow a while back. I joined the group. We were off to the High Forest to find a ranger. While there we learned that all the drow with us had contracted a curse, that would turn them into driders, if I am correct. While in the High Forest, we encountered a massive purple worm! The worm was maginificent in its own way. We were forced to fight it, although we did not manage to kill it. It fled back to the tunnels that it had made. We set off to Spellgard and met with a gnome transmuter. While he offered to cure the drow, he had more sinister plans. Instead he turned into a massive beast, like a Hydra of some sort. It was very powerful, but we managed to kill it. When it died, it turned into slime and emptied into the sewers. We learned that there was a cure, and the drow would pursue attaining it. Still, many things were left unfinished. We will likely meet again to continue Ayreon's journey.

As for more recent things...

I have begun learning elvish from a kind young elf named Spinda. She began teaching me some of the basics of the elven langauge. I have learned my name, as well as 'hello', 'goodbye', 'how are you', and 'thank you'. Already I have commited these words to memory. It is such an amazing langauge, and it seems to flow very easily off of the tongue. I cannot wait until I may speak it as fluently as Spinda does.

[Ne'er]

28 Seplar, 1387

It has been over a year since the disaster with Cal and the others. While I act casual and try to stay in a good mood, the choice I made to flee weighs heavily on my mind. Some consider me lucky for escaping the fate of the others, but there are times when I feel that I should have stayed and fallen with the others.

But the choice has been made and I cannot look back now. As I have said, I should honor the fallen with future deeds, and what better deed than to return to the site of my fallen comrades? I know that I do not have near enough skill to survive there should I go now, but it ia a goal. When the time comes I shall travel to those ruins again with some companions and find whatever Cal was there for. To this, I swear.

In lighter news, I may move into a house soon. A good friend of mine named A'arna (who seems to be having a good deal oftrouble from Tyrin, I trust her though) is gathering some people to move into a house in Lar with her. I believe that I might do it. After all, I may never be able to afford a house on my own.

I have also done my first performance at the Leilon Arms Inn. I was the opening act, and many people missed it, but I played my best nonetheless. Quin is a good man for giving me that oppurtunity. Maybe I shall perform there in the future?

As for now, I believe I may take a trip to the Great Library. I have learned that a portal to it exists in Blackford Castle. While there, I believe I shall study my elven, as well as do research for this new quest I have undertaken. Without Cal's map, I cannot find the ruins, so I shall make a new map by doing research at the Library. I may be gone for weeks, or even months. Either way, it may be a while before I write in this journal again.