The World of Layonara
Character Development => Development Journals and Discussion => Topic started by: Meizter on March 09, 2005, 01:36:00 AM
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*a small compact book in dark leather binding, with words written in a slender elegant handwriting adorning many pages, it is obvious that this book is used often and the ink is relatively fresh* The Journal of Geir Sigurdson Travelling Poet and Minstrel Well perhaps a bit late to start my journal, but better late than never. I am sitting here in my room at the Wild Surge Inn in Hlint after a bit of adventure. We did not fare very well at all, but perhaps this tale should begin at the beginning, as most tales do in fact, although some seem to start at other points, but that must be bad storytelling. I arrived here in Hlint some time ago in the month of Snow Deep, along with my brother Skarp-Heiden. I got here before him and looked a bit around town and shopped a bit for supplies while waiting for Skarp. While waiting I met up with a paladin of Vorax I believe it was, named Sir Rolf Ridderwall, a very friendly fellow I might add. We spoke a bit and then he told me of the undead plague that is in the crypts below Hlint graveyard. He himself was on a most noble quest to rid the world of the undead, and we decided to venture into the crypts. Him to end the plague, and well to be honest, me to get fame and fortune. I also anticipated that this would make a grand tale once we emerged victorious from the crypts, but alas I was perhaps enjoying the spoils of war in my mind a little too early. In the crypt we fought many undead beasts, but they swiftly fell before Sir Ridderwalls blade. I did the part of stripping the now really dead of their belongings, well I don’t know if it is right to call it belongings when they are creatures born of darkness. But at least Sir Ridderwall said that it was right to take their things, and I must agree, that money lies much better in my purse than in some ragged purse on a walking skeleton, and no I don’t mean a very thin man, but a REAL walking skeleton. So I had a bit of gold and really felt like we could not be defeated, until we met this creature that looked like shadow, I have later heard it to be called a darksoul. It touched me and I felt myself slip away into nothingness. This is where I think I may have been a little too careless, weighed down by my newfound gold, and the possibilities it opened I did not think much of this danger, but I was wrong. This is perhaps something I should remember for later, one should know ones limitations and focus at the task at hand. Well in any way I woke up in Hlint near the great glowing ankh, which I have been told is called a bindstone. It is a place that brings us back when we die, but at a cost. This is however most fascinating, does that mean that we are immortal, not literally, but in some way since we get returned here. This yields endless possibilities. *scribbled in the margin* “I must think further of this!” My companion however soon returned victorious from the crypts, and brought with him the essence of the foul darksoul. We parted ways and that night I wrote a poem about this ordeal called “The Paladin and the Minstrel”. In a town so serene, a plague was growing unseen. Undead roamed the crypts of town, and most men did upon that frown. Two strangers met and thought, To end the plague they sought. one a paladin strong and bold, the other a minstrel who a story told. Into the crypts they went, With light from heavens sent. Sir Rolf held forth his sword, and forward strode the courageous lord. In the darkest crypt they found, a creature there was bound. a creature dark as night, with eyes that were glowing bright. undead servants it had, but it mattered not a tad. into the fray they went, so the creature to darkness could be sent. But alas the minstrel fared not well, the creature took him to hell. As the minstrel was torn from this place, Sir Rolf smashed the creatures face. As dust settled the plague was no more, the essence of the creature the paladin bore. A hero, fair and strong he is, the minstrel we sure will miss. Their names will sound in every hall, the minstrel and Sir Ridderwall. I am sure it will be a good tale to tell near the fireplace with a mug of ale in the hand, well Skarp probably won’t like it he would more like something like Oh great axe you are my friend, My strength to you I lend. And foes we shall sunder, With a roar like thunder. Hmm, I think he might actually like that one, I should tell it to him later. I met up with Skarp later, and we went to a cave where goblins dwell. I have once heard tales that they can sneak up on you during the night, and kill you in your sleep, so it is a just cause to go there to claim the head of their leader. Skarp and I joined up with some others, two of which claimed to have been saved by a goblin. This is strange, but I also saw that goblin, and it spoke in the common tongue, although not very articulate it did speak. I thought all such creatures were evil, but if a goblin will save a human then perhaps they are not all like that. However there is also a possibility that it was a trick, but in any case I will be careful of such creatures. Well to make a long story short, well just shorter, we went into the caves. They were lit by a strange eerie red light and we fought many goblins on our way to the bottom of the cave, where we took the head of their leader and claimed victory. However on our way out we were assaulted by goblins who seemed to have been waiting for us, and well, I fell once more. The others fared better in the battle, and could when I reached the caves again meet me at the entrance. But again I believe I have learnt a lesson, I fell because I did not stay close to the others, and that must be my mistake, as well as I once again was almost drunken with joy because we had prevailed over the creatures in the lair. I HAVE TO REMEMBER THIS; otherwise I fear that I will not be here for long.
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Nothing much has happened the last days, I have confined myself to Hlint at the moment as I fear for my life when I travel in the surrounding areas. Skarp says there is nothing to be afraid of, but I do not have his strength, sometimes I envy that, his strength and his skill with weapons. I have made some instruments from some lumber that Skarp brought me from one of his trips to the surrounding area. That was interesting, I feel that perhaps this is a trade for me, although I am not quite sure where to sell my goods, but that will come with time I guess.
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Today I once again forgot what I had told myself to remember. Skarp and I went with a band of people to kill some lizard folks that roam the high moors east of Hlint. We were quite a few of us, Brant, whom I have seen often in town and consider my friend as well as a seasoned adventurer called Brualot, a mage I believe of great power. We also had a paladin and a scout with us. In the beginning we fared well, killing lizardmen wherever we saw them. These foul creatures eats human flesh I have heard, so I was a little scared I must admit, but it would not be good for morale to admit that I think. We actually got to the bottom of their cave, which in some ways resembled a temple more but here we were assaulted by many warriors and wizards and as so often before I fell. Our scout did say that only a few were ahead, but why did he not see the others, it troubles me that a scout missed that many foes, but perhaps they were hiding themselves, I do not know, and I guess I never will. It gave a lot of debate though on whose fault it was, but I will not delve into that since it is only hard words and accusations.
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This has been a most exciting day for me. I have perhaps made some unlikely friends. I was hunting a bit in the Sielwood when I was suddenly attacked. I was greatly outnumbered by huge spiders, which caught me in their web. But I was saved by the most unlikely creature of all. A drow! He saved me from what would have been certain death, and did not even request some reward for this. I know Skarp says that I must be suspicious of these dark elves, but I walked with him back to Hlint while we spoke of this and that. His name is Arwinath, and he seems genuinely friendly. Later we were standing in the crafting house in Hlint speaking with poor Johan the fur trader, whose wife is ill he says. I have agreed to help him gather some pelts, but he has asked for the pelt of a cougar, and neither I nor Arwinath knew where these big cats live. We were now approached by a goblin, yes a goblin who called himself Bil. Although I somewhat trusted Arwinath I had no trust whatsoever for this creature. He said he was a great wizard and would take us to the cougars, and we agreed, but also let him know that if he tricked us we would kill him where he stood. We travelled far from Hlint until we found the cougars and got the much needed pelts. And not once did Bil seem to be dishonest, he led us away from dangerous places and took care of us. I must surely rethink my opinion of others. Finally on our way back we spotted ogres near Kranton, and as we tried to sneak by them, we got attacked, and Arwinath and I fell. I will not blame neither Arwinath nor Bil for my death, it was my own fault and we all fought to the best of our ability I believe, we were just in over our head. There is that thing with limitations again, some day I must learn what my limitations are…and hopefully soon. But alas I began walking back to kranton so I could ease my troubled soul where I died. In Fort Llast I met Bil and Arwinath and together we travelled to the place of our demise. Bil made us invisible so we could get safely there, and I believe that without him we could not have done it. The invisibility was most exciting, I hope I can learn that one day, would sure be a good trick to pull on Skarp. I have promised to compose a grand poem of this adventure in the honour of this strange and unlikely company. I think I will call it “strange company”…well perhaps I will find a better title. But it was fascinating, neither the goblin nor the drow was as evil as I have been told that they should be. Most say that these are inherently evil races, but I do not believe so. I have seen elven mercenaries attack travellers, but does that mean that all elves are evil, I do not think so. Then why should it be any different with drows or goblins, I know one should be wary of these creatures, but at least these two I will trust. They have fought for me and with me and I for and with them, and no evil has there been. I will call them my friends.
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A most strange thing happened today. We were a small group consisting of my friend Brant, Awrinath and then we got company from a man named Ulver and a cleric by the name of Reana. We went to the high forest to gather bear pelts, and the trip was good without incident. Then as we entered the forest I believe Ulver said that he had seen a man amongst us while we were fighting a brown bear. I did not see this man, but I trust in Ulvers keen eyes. This disturbed me somewhat as I believe it must have been a spirit of the wood, perhaps it would not take lightly on us killing the bear. But no matter we continued as we needed more pelts. Soon we found another bear and again the fight went well for us. However moments later another bear appeared and ripped Reana to shreds with its great paws. I myself barely escaped the claws of the beast before it was felled by the others. Then this is where my story is strange. Suddenly a man was kneeling over the body of Reana, and she was engulfed in a soft golden glow. And then she was alive again. I thought the man was Arwinath as he had the same dark clothes and stature, but then I saw Arwinath come from further away. When I looked again the man was gone, I did not speak much of it since I did not want to sound dumb, but I do not know what this creature was. I hope it was just a benign spirit of the wood, but I have a fear that perhaps it is more. I have not dared venture into the forest since, and I have also not seen Reana since, which in some way frightens me even more. What if this was not a good natured spirit, but what if it in some way has done something to her. I have not spoken to others of this as I will not cause any fear amongst others, and I hope I am wrong…please let me be wrong.
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Brant has asked me to compose a song for his beloved. I am very honoured by this and hope I can do them both just. I have started on the song as well as on making a fine instrument to accompany it.
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Today I told Angru some of the story of the Gem Tree. Angru is my newfound dwarven friend. Although he is a cleric Angru has not shown much skill yet, well perhaps it is because he wears such light armour, I would recommend him something better, I must remember that when I see him next time. But no matter he is great company, always in search of adventure as I am myself, and he seems to know no fear, perhaps he has not yet met his limitation. I think I am getting a little better at finding my own limitations, I have fared very well on my last adventures into the countryside. I guess I am learning.
But I was telling him this old tale of a tree that grows high in the mountains where no man has ever been. It is like an apple tree except that it has gems instead of apples. He did not believe it, but I do not doubt this story the least, but I know I will never see this tree…since I am no warrior and only a teller of tales.
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Today I was hunting giants with a quite large group. Well we hunted Giants in the Berhagen Mountains and what a trip that was. We were beset by them on all sides and still did we prevail. It was most fantastic.
*a passage of text is crossed out*
How can I say this, it weighs quite heavily on my mind. Earlier in day I was with Skarp and Angru and others and we met this girl. She was killing a great cat and was really not being friendly to our druid, who had helped us in the broken forest. Well the matter is that this girl was so pretty, that I did not really care for what she had done. There was a mystery around her, and her words were filled with double meanings. I have seen her around Hlint before but not given her much thought until tonight. Skarp was a bit hard on me for keeping on speaking to her, but she had done me no harm, and I was captivated by her. I even risked my neck to heal her while we were travelling through the Broken Forest, and Skarp did certainly not approve of that. I’d better forget about her. I should forget about her, my heart belongs to Kolfinna at home, but sometimes that is so far away, and it is like it is another time and place. I have not clung to the values of where Skarp and I come from. That is in some way dishonouring my fathers memory, I am sad to admit this, I have not been a good son. Never do I speak of my past, it is like somehow I am afraid to talk about it, and it is so much easier to speak of the present. That does not bring painful memories of that night, now long ago. But it is not right I should not forget my heritage, but here I am so much more accepted for who I am, and not regarded as less because I have no skills with weapons. Perhaps I should compose a poem of this, of my past, my love and my thoughts, that could perhaps lift the weight of this. But I must not let others see this frailty in me; a minstrel should be fun, merry and good company, and not some gloomy poet.
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I am a WARRIOR. I chased an ogre away today. It attacked me just outside Krandor and I had no armour, only my bow. I fired at the foul beast and soon it ran away fearing my arrows. I know my father would be most impressed with me, now I am no longer his running poet boy, but a warrior poet worthy of being his son. I told Skarp but I am not sure he believed me; in fact I am not sure many believe my story, but it is true. I am now a real man and warrior, and to prove it I have bought myself a new sword. It is as tall as me and I have a hard time swinging it, but I manage. I am so happy; I can’t sit here and write I have to find more people to tell this…
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I have composed a poem in honour of my travels with Bil and Arwinath some time ago. I decided to stay on the title of Strange Company.
Three strangers once did meet,
Few were their words of greet.
For an unlikely company they were,
But it did them not deter.
One was a drow black as night,
For most he did cause much fright.
He had hair as white as snow,
And great skill with his bow.
The other a goblin wizard was,
And never did he pause.
He seemed a merry companion,
And did offer many an explanation.
Last was a human of the north,
He went with the others forth.
He would their unlikely story tell,
His words was like water from a well.
Far from home they went,
For on a mission they were sent.
A pelt for a man they sought,
To the helpless man it had to be brought.
South they travelled fast,
First goblin, drow and human last.
For a safe way the goblin did know,
And with every step their ease did grow.
For no traps had yet been sprung,
And weapons still on shoulders flung.
They started to talk a bit,
As among them a campfire was lit.
Many a word did they speak,
The silence had sprung a leak.
They started to one another trust,
For their mistrust had not been just.
In the morning they carried on,
Spirits high in the early dawn.
Soon they an animal found,
It was a cougar of the ground.
All their might they did use,
And they could thus not lose.
Soon the animal was dead,
Its lifeblood from it fled.
On a often travelled road,
Carrying their precious load.
An ambush was on them sprung,
The smell of ogres heavy hung.
Their weapons were quickly drawn,
To contest the ogres brawn.
For their lives the company did fight,
This threat could not be taken light.
But they did not fare well,
For the ogres did sling a spell.
Soon the human lay dead on the ground,
And no comfort could there be found.
Arwinath the drow fought with skill,
And also did the goblin Bil.
But alas the drow did die,
On the leaves did his body lie.
The fallen had to pray,
For their souls to rest they must lay.
And here the goblin did them help,
For he was indeed not a whelp.
He made them as the wind,
So they their graves could find.
Invisible for the ogres eyes,
They found the place of their demise.
This was a tale of company strange,
For them it a lot did change.
Unlikely friends were made that day,
For from each other they did not sway.
There it is and quite good I think. I hope I see them soon so I can recite it for them.
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Today I recited my poem for Bil and Arwinath as well as a few others, and they liked it. That makes me happy; it is so nice to bring a smile to a persons face. Skarp didn’t like it though, but I would have known, always he complains about my poetry, sometimes I just want to scream at him and his axe. It’s all kill, kill, kill and then we get the gold, why is that the only real way of life, it seems to me that he thinks it is. I fear we have grown apart since we came here, I have dug deeper into my poetry and he still just fights. For just causes he does fight, but still the fight is not really what drives me. I don’t know why this is so hard for me, I am a warrior now, but I spoke with a man called Pax today and he said that one should not be ashamed of being an artist. I do see truth in his words, but it is also nagging me that I then would turn my back on what I come from, and I would indeed be a poor son for my father, watching me from above. I do not know what to do, but I will not tell of this, this will be my secret, mine and mine alone, for who would like to hear a sad poet, no one I am sure. So I will remain the happy carefree Geir, it is for the *the rest of the page is torn away*
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Today a most disturbing thing happened. Brant, Arwinath and myself were talking about our last adventure near the east gate of Hlint when we met this goblin. I think he called himself Skree or Squee or something similar, I am not sure as he was quite hard to understand. Now this in itself was not disturbing, but suddenly Arwinath saw a shadow moving near us. Quickly weapons were drawn and we searched the area. Quickly we found a shadow near the gate, it resembled those I have seen in the Broken Forest, but it did not appear as aggressive. It said that it had been set free from the goblin, and that it was the shadow of the goblin. Then it disappeared. We spoke of this mystery when it appeared again, this time we questioned it and it spoke of a Shadow Master, who had set it free. We agreed that we would need to investigate this further and soon met up with Tharloss and others. Much was debated on the shadow and this Shadow Master, some spoke of a great necromancer, and others of an ancient artefact called the Shades Eye I believe. We saw this shade one more time before it was gone, but it had an ill prediction. It said that soon everyone’s shadow will be free. This is indeed most disturbing, as the shadow in some way is a dark reflection of us, our dark counterpart. This must be investigated further; also perhaps it has ties to the mummy that has been seen. I will stay vigilant.
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I have finished the poem of my past, I hope this will help me in some way, although I am not sure how. But it has been a relief to write it. I do not feel as ashamed of myself as previously, but although an accurate account I do not think it does honour to anyone. It will need to be rewritten perhaps, but for now it is good, and I hope telling this tale will be healing for my spirit which has been torn between the way of the warrior and the way of the poet lately.
This my friends is a tale of woe,
On a night not so long ago.
I saw betrayal and murder cold,
Listen here how the story did unfold.
A feast was there to be held,
Ale and meat on trays swelled.
To feast one man was not inclined,
He was with a woman entwined.
His brother did him find,
He would the man remind.
While he was lying with a thrall,
That this would not do at all.
From the hall screams did sound,
And on doors fist were pound.
For flames did lick on every wall,
And our kin from the hall did crawl.
Our guests with weapons in their hand,
In a flood of blood did they stand.
Anyone who the fire did elude,
Fell victim to this feud.
Men and women alike did die,
Smouldering and bleeding did they lie.
The brothers to the fight did run,
Without weapons and clothes undone.
A single foe did they kill,
But many others were there still.
To escape they had in time,
Their faces covered with grime.
And escape they did that night,
Words of vengeance they did recite.
While their kin lay in the burning hall,
These false men indeed would fall.
To avenge this deed they sought,
With weapons from lovers brought.
They fled their burning home for now,
But to return with vengeance they did wow.
I hope Skarp will approve of this, otherwise I do not know how I can ever do anything that he will approve. I cannot kill like him, I can sing and tell tales, and how can that ever be as lethal as his axe. Here I go again complaining, why am I so troubled by all this, is it really that I am ashamed of who I am. And who am I, a warrior, a poet, a warrior poet, all or none? I do not know but I shall find out, I must find out.
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I have neglected my journal for some time now but finally a calm moment to write something more. It has been exciting days, with new friends and interesting happenings.
I have met a girl called Pandora who is strange. She has small horns on her head and legs which I have never seen the like of, they look like insect legs, surely that must be a curse. I met her when travelling with Rahzon, a new friend of mine who also has a sad history of his own. I did however not ask her about her legs and horns since I would not make her feel awkward, but I have been thinking much of it, and I hope I see her again some time so that we may talk.
I have told both Rahzon and Path of where Skarp and I come from and what happened back home. Actually that turned into quite the discussion on what is right and wrong and honour and tradition and so on. I think Skarp got a little carried away, but I am not sure as I was feeling a bit light-headed from the ale. However it was good to tell the story, it is in some way like sharing the burden, and I think perhaps that will make it easier for me to find myself in some way.
Oh, another thing I must remember. Just a little while back a bunch of us went to see the beholders in the Sword Rust Mountains. Unfortunately there are also enormous earth elementals there and we fought with all our might, but both Noss and I fell in the dungeon, while others fell outside while on the run. We travelled back to the dungeon and met with the survivors in Fort Hope and wanted to rest a bit at the inn. However the inn was deserted and large pools of blood was on the floor. We suspected foul play and investigated but found nothing. This was most strange, perhaps it is the undead from the Broken Forest that has done something or perhaps the shadows, I am not sure, but I hope I will find out. Well Noss and I entered the dungeon and made it safely to our graves because of my invisibility spell, which I have had increasing luck in using. I am indeed getting better at my magic, and I hope this will keep developing. I know I am no mage, but I think I have a knack for it still. Well we went back and searched the inn once more but with no result. Later we met a mage called Xenos I believe who had been attacked by a healer at Port Hampshire, but when we came there we found nothing out of the ordinary and no one had seen anything. We agreed that perhaps it had been a possession, perhaps by some undead creature, but we could not tell for sure. We then hunted in the Broken Forest and the ruins near there, and for once I think I actually made a difference, I even gave the death blow to a werewolf we encountered. I am still a warrior it seems, makes me glad that I can honour my father in that way.
Who am I trying to fool, I am a miserable warrior, and I cannot even pass through the Broken Forest without the need to resort to invisibility. I know I say to people that I am a warrior poet, but I am only a poet I guess. Still I made a difference there in the Forest that day and that is at least some comfort.
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Today I met Pandora again. We were both in Krandor looking for work, and I asked her if we could have a few words. I then asked her about her legs, and if it was a curse, and luckily she was not offended by my questions. It seems someone in her family has struck a deal with a fiend meaning the blood that runs in her veins are partly that of the fiend, if I understood her right. Her legs is something that happened to her after being the sole survivor of a spider attack in the Sielwood, and both she and the Sielwood Witch is looking for a way to restore them. I must admit I feel sad for her; it must be difficult being like that since few would trust one with such looks. I have promised to help her if she needs it; it is the decent thing to do.
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I got a new sword, and not just any sword, but the sword of a giant! I bought it from an elf called Talan, who said he had taken it from a giant near Arabel who had used it as a short sword. It is a most fine iron blade and I am sure it will serve me well. During our bargaining we came to speak of our trades, and I told him that I was a teller of tales. He then asked me to tell a tale he had to others. This was most exciting; I felt that this could be my path to fame. We sat and he told me of dragons and heroes dealing with them. It was an incredible tale, but also a great tragedy for many dwarves had given their life fighting the dragon, a great red called Fisterion. They had been part of a master bluff made by Thordan Ironheart, but unfortunately the dragon had called the bluff, and by that almost vanquishing the entire Stonesmasher Clan. Talan told me that only two survivors were found and that their names were Honor and Faith. I don’t know if that is true, but still it makes the tale even grander. I have promised him to compose an epic poem of this; perhaps I will even make it a ballad. For this he offered me an item of choice from his chests, I was lost for words, never has anyone offered me such great gifts for my tales. I took a beautiful oaken longbow, which already has served me well. I have received little earlier for my stories, but only a few coins, but this magnificent bow is beyond any payment I could have dreamt of.
Later I received word form Rahzon that I was needed in the Grey Peaks, so quickly I began my travel there. I give thanks for my invisibility spell, without that I would not have made it to the others deep inside the mountains. But I made it and found them all waiting for me on top of a cliff. It was good to see so many friendly faces there, Rahzon, Noss, Damien, Daggs that big lump and Marion or Maz as she is called. We ventured deeper into the mountains, but in a valley we met a lot of ogres, and even though we fought with great skill many fell. I myself felt the touch of an ogre on my back and then suddenly everything was black. I woke up in Hlint besides Noss who had also fallen. What happened to me must have been the death magic that Brant has spoken of the ogres in the Peaks possessing. It was a most disturbing experience, and I feel my soul will never quite recover from that. Still the others needed my help out there I was sure so I began my travel back to the peaks, while Noss stayed behind. Again without my magic it would have been impossible, I can fight an ogre or two when I am fresh and prepared but in that condition I could not fight even a single ogre I am sure, lest the legions of them that are holed up in the Peaks. I met up with the others soon as they had retreated to a nearby cliff to recover. We then tried to get through the valley again, and this time we succeeded and found an ogre chieftain nearby. It was a tough battle but in the end we proved victorious and claimed our prize, the Oil of Vulkas. The return trip was somehow not as difficult, but we had to make sure that everyone came and no one was left behind. Almost at the edge of the peaks we met Noss, and I offered to take him to his grave so he could pray, but he could not climb up there he said. But at least we all made it out. I feel that I really made a difference there, and it was a most wonderful feeling. I healed people, fought with great fury and sang my lungs out, it was refreshing and wonderful, and I felt so alive.
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*what looks to be several verses has been crossed out*
I am having a hard time with this poem. I want to do justice to all involved in the story Talan told me, but I fear that I have not yet found the way to do it so it will have the epic proportions I want it to have.
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I have been thinking a lot about my singing after my trip to the Grey peaks with Rahzon, when I sing in combat my foes quiver before me and my friends fight with great strength and skill. It has made me think of the Skalds that I remember tales of from home. They were truly masters with their voices, and could cause much havoc in combat where they were as fierce as any warrior. I even heard of a true master who could sing with a voice so strong that people hearing it would fall lifeless to the ground. I recall the tale of his death with much clarity for it is indeed a most unlucky tale.
Once Olaf Vígaskáld, as he was called, was attacked by brigands in the woods. Normally he would have slain them but as he was just returning from a great battle he was wounded, and although his wounds had been tended he was still hurting. Olaf took a deep breath and let his voice out with a force and might that would have slain lesser men. The brigands looked puzzled at him but then attacked as if nothing had happened. Olaf stood there for a moment as he saw a bird fall from the sky. Then he felt the pain of a sword being run through him. As he fell to his knees he saw the brigands had no ears, and where ears used to be they had only skin. He reached for his axe, but as his fingers closed around it he felt another sword enter his body from behind. These men were cowards and low men but he could do nothing. Lying there on the ground bleeding and feeling swords piercing his body he realized that these men had been deafened long ago for some foul deed. With his last breath he uttered curse on these men, but they could not hear it as they could not hear the wolves that attacked them that night. Thus ended the life of Olaf Vígaskáld.
It is a sad tale, but I will take heed to it as it shows that although my song is strong it cannot always save me. But then again I am not as strong as Olaf was, nor do I know if I will ever be. Still I hope that perhaps one day I may learn to use my voice like that. I will need to find someone to teach me and that will be difficult since I have never seen a real skald neither at home, here on Mistone or on Rilara. But I will try to find one, someone must know something.
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It has been a day with many happenings today. When I was travelling through Fort Hope I was suddenly engulfed in darkness more thick and dense than any I have ever seen. I met a some who said it was caused by undead in the Silent Watch Mountains, one of them, Hrath had died up there while travelling with a group of adventurers who went to investigate. I offered my assistance, so he could get to his grave to give his soul rest, and we quickly went, in cover of my again useful invisibility spell. People, probably taken from Hope were crucified, impaled and so on in the mountains. It was a most horrible sight and I am not sure I will ever forget that. I have seen much battle, but this is beyond any cruelty I have ever seen. Whatever atrocity did this, I hope it will be destroyed. Anyways when we were at the grave I said that I would go forward deeper into the mountains to investigate, and Hrath agreed to follow me. Soon we met up with a large group of adventurers, but they were indeed not friendly to us, and told us to go back as this was not for us. I was a bit set of by that, why would people refuse help, strange, but I guess they have enough in themselves. I saw the dwarf there who had been harsh on Arwinath some time ago in Fort Llast, although I cannot recall his name. At that time he wanted him to leave and called Arwinath foul and so on, and I stepped up for my friend there, no one should call a friend of mine such things no matter what. Come to think of it I have not seen Arwinath in a long time, I hope he is well. Well anyways we turned back although I was tempted to press on invisibly to them and see for myself what was happening, but I deemed it better to get Hrath safely back to Hope.
We decided to go together all the way back to Hlint, where I met Brant and his beloved Eylianna, who really is very pretty. Unfortunately there was no time to sing my song from him to her for them. They were going topaz mining near the Dire Wood, and I agreed to go with them. Also Rahzon joined us as well as Dyness the bear lady and we were a most enjoyable party I would say. As we passed near Krandor we saw a great light on the heavens over the Silent Watch, and I told the others of my experiences there earlier and we went to investigate. As we entered the mountains we met the adventurers I had encountered and they spoke of dragons of shadow and that they had overcome the treat in the mountains. The dragon must be the one called the Deepening Dark which Talan spoke of. We went back with the others and they were indeed most pleased with themselves, as Brant said they are oh so righteous, and I must agree with him. Anyways we went on to the Topaz mine and along the way we met Brants brother Bor, who also I a friendly fellow. We got a little topaz easily, and then agreed to go mining adventurine near the lost ruins. It seemed I was one of the only one that had been there before so I got the chance to lead the way. All went well there also and we parted later with high spirits. Before we parted Bor told that he had met a lady called Melissa who was, well as he put it, a bit loose, almost like the women at the docks in Point Harbor.
Later I myself met this Melissa, while resting near Hlint. She is beautiful beyond anything I have ever seen. Her hair is red as fire and her voice like a sparkling spring in the mountains. I was so taken by her, and she also seemed to take interest in me. She seems to dislike working for a living, and gets by accepting presents from others. When I met her she was seeking pelts to bring to Johan in Hlint, and had I had the pelts she sought I would have given them to her without hesitation, so greatly was I taken by her. Since I didn’t have the pelts, a cougar and a few bear pelts, I offered my assistance in obtaining them. As we went through the Broken Forest we met Rahzon, Damien and a few others who were hunting undead. Amongst them were a friendly little gnome called Felissimo, who also is a bard like me, although his skill is perhaps not yet as mine. Still he was good, and we have even spoken of making a show together. That would indeed be most grand I am sure. Anyhow, we joined the others and hunted for the pelts, as well as took another trip to the lost ruins. During our travels I noticed how Melissa also flirted with Rahzon and Damien, although Damien was not taken by her, and I am not sure Rahzon was either. However a ranger we met near the High Forest was very keen on helping her, and I think she took a fancy to him. I hate to admit this, but I was a bit jealous at that time. I am normally never jealous of anyone, but this girl somehow hits something within me. I must take my time and think this over. When we finally parted she kissed me, I was so stunned I could not even speak. But perhaps it meant nothing as she also kissed Rahzon in parting. Still I am so stricken with her, this is most troubling as I should only think of Kolfinna at home.
-
I have finally finished my poem of Fisterion and the Stonesmasher clan. I think it has turned out very well.
This is a tale of dragons old
Which has been by a hero told
An ancient red to the north does sleep
Fisterion the dragon of Firesteep
Heroes for the dragon sought
Hopes of a bargain they brought
Near Xoras tower they did meet
Each other they did surely greet
One did of a master bluff impart
The Master dwarf Thordan Ironheart
Of this bluff he the others told
As dwarves marched forward bold
Soon the plains were filled
A great camp did they build
Dwarves of every age came to fight
In armours that were shining bright
The dwarves were by Thordan called
The brave Stonesmasher clan of auld
For battle they did themselves prepare
Of the danger they were indeed aware
But if all did go well as hoped
If Fisterion with the story coped
No battle would there be for them
Bad luck would them to battle condemn
As the heroes to the dragon went
Their mind on the task was bent
From the boat they did clearly see
Vorax' banner above the camp so free
One however did have a nagging fear
But still to the plan he did adhere
For dragons have a pride so strong
And Fisterion could see this wrong
To the dwarf Grelian Troff they did go
The smith of legend shelter would bestow
For the dragon would him not fight
For indeed so great is his might
The companions in Troffs house stayed
Except Thordan who to Vorax prayed
His banner he did unroll with care
For the dragon he did himself prepare
The dragons name he called out loud
And soon it came as a moving could
The sky darkened from its shade
But Thordan was not a tad afraid
As Fisterion landed the earth shook
But Thordan calmly at him did look
They spoke things that are to be unsaid
Before Fisterion his wings did spread
The companions left the house
Their guard they did not douse
Then Fisterion returned with a roar
With claws covered in bloody gore
A deal was made there on Firesteep
Where the dragon Fisterion sleep
Tasks must be for him performed
So the heroes bold were informed
Back to safety our heroes went
On a task for the dragon sent
As they sailed back as the raven flies
Smoke dark and foul from the camp did rise
At the camp death they found
Charred bodies strewn around
The grass ashen grey and black
And trees bore marks of an attack
Amongst the dead they sought
Aid to survivors had to be brought
Two they found in dire need of aid
Who told the tale of the price they paid
The dragon had come across the sea
But the brave dwarves did not flee
In ranks they quickly formed for battle
With no idle chat nor needless prattle
They charged the dragon bold
And a great battle did unfold
Two ranks were burnt by the beast
But others charged over the deceased
Axes were swung with great skill
The dragon’s blood they would spill
But as axes hit without a flaw
So did great Fisterions claw
Soon the third rank lay dead
But still none had from battle fled
Blood and gore covered the field
The fate of the dwarves were sealed
Even women and youngster fought
To avenge their husbands they sought
But alas the bravery was all in vain
For they also found in death much pain
This is the story the survivors told
And much of honour and bravery it hold
The survivors we remember must
Faith and Honour their names are just
But still the dwarves were brave
And still today above their grave
The banner of Vorax flies high and bold
And the field their stories still hold
For the dragon called the bluff
And even dwarven might was not enough
The Stonesmasher clan will always be
Heroes who in the face of death did not flee
I can’t wait to hear what Talan thinks of it.
-
My travels have taken me far lately. Just yesterday I was in a large party that was supposed to get an old man safely to North Point. That is indeed far away, on Dregar to be precise. We met in Port Hampshire, and travelled from there as a group. It was a splendid trip, and it was wonderful to see all these new places, wrought with danger. Especially dangerous are the pixies that live in the forest near North Point, they killed several of us when we came travelling through the forest. The old man, Joshua, even showed us the houses of the legendary Oz and also the home of Thordan Ironheart. I was tempted to go there and knock on his door, so that if he were home I could have met him, but then again why would he want to spend time with a lowly poet such as I?
I have performed my song of the Stonesmashers at the Wild Surge, and I do think people liked it, that makes me happy. I am sure my father would be proud of me; I am like a storyteller of old times.
-
I don’t know if I have ever been this happy. My skill and work is really appreciated. Today I met Varka, whom I have not seen for a long time. I still recall when he showed me the way to Fort Llast not long after I arrived in Hlint, but that is another tale for another time.
Anyways, it seemed that him and his friend had a bit of trouble getting past a door in a crypt and asked for my assistance in the matter. I joined them and in the Grey Peaks we went down into the crypt, but no luck in opening the door, I am simply not skilled enough as a locksmith.
We went back to Hlint and soon met up with Brant, Dyness and more of those I know well. For a long time we discussed our course of action. Varka would like to have mined silver on Dregar, but we were recommended not to by a wizardess. I have seen her around Hlint before and belive her name is Dashiva, she seems quite capable and powerful, although she spends much time watching others it seems. Anyways we decided to go kill the lizardfolks to the east, and it was a quite simple task with a party as powerful as us. We did well and handed in the leaders head to the captain of the Hlint guard. Then after more discussion we decided to go to the Battle Fens and see what was there. It was a long and dangerous journey, but company was good I must say. We joined up with a dwarf named Fenrir, who is a most agreeable fellow, and a able fighter. Passing through the battle fens we killed lizardfolks and trolls before we came to what some said was a mine, a platinum mine in fact. We decided to go for a look, and we actually got a little platinum with us out of there. But it is a dangerous place, and the trip back to Hlint was indeed not an easy one either.
On the way we spoke of many things, and I agreed to tell Varka and Fenrir the poem of the Stonesmasher Clan. Varka had heard of my recital at the inn he said, and he told me that even stout warriors such as Kobal had felled a tear, probably not something I should bring up though. Well back at Velensk I told them the tale and they indeed did like it. Varka even said that if there was ever to be a dwarven feast in Bloody Gate then I should be their bard for the evening even though I am not a dwarf. I take great honour in this, and it means much to me indeed. All the way back to Hlint Fenrir hummed the tune of the poem, and we spoke a lot of music and life. He and Varka did sing in the mines, and it sounded impressive I must say, although some did not like it. Still as we spoke we got to speak of the dwarven language and Fenrir agreed to teach me some dwarven words when we have the time. I look forward to this; it can add a new layer to my works indeed. But still what is so wonderful is that my work is now really acknowledged by others, it makes me want to become like the skalds of home even more. In that way I can do what I am good at and love doing, as well as making my father proud. Thank the gods for this day.
-
Met Ulver today, it has really been a long time, but it was good to see him again. He is an uncle now he told me, must be nice with a family like that. However we agreed to go mining in the Sielwood mines as he needed copper for his arrows and I gems to hone my skill in cutting those. On the way we were joined by Reav, a human who has been raised by dwarves, and Melissa. I was so happy to see her, and I think she was glad to see me too.
Oh another thing, I told Ulver and Reav what Fenrir and Varka had said of my work and that Fenrir would teach me dwarven words, and they both said that it was a great honour, as dwarves do not take friends easily. I indeed do feel honoured by their acceptance of me and I hope I can do their trust just.
Anyways Melissa joined us and it was most enjoyable. She is so good company, although she flirts with everyone she meets, but I think, no I hope that she sees me as something more. I think about her every day, she is always there before my eyes when I close them. I wish to tell her how I feel, but I am afraid she will laugh at me, and perhaps find me strange or just dumb. Still she said to me in the mine that she was my muse, and I agreed, she does indeed give me inspiration in my works, and she is always good company. Before we parted later on in the evening I gave her some money she needed for some dyes…..for her underwear! Couldn’t help thinking about that, and we jokingly spoke of it too, although she probably meant nothing with it. I promised her to compose a poem for her, as a sign of the inspiration she gives me. I hope she will like it.
-
My mind is torn. I have to make a hard choice indeed. Today when I was walking around Hlint I saw a sign being put up outside the Wild Surge. An audition for the Ineffable Chord was to be held there. I have heard of the Chord before, and it is a most impressive group of the fines musicians, singers and actors. To be a part of them would indeed be a great honour for anyone. As I went inside I was told that the Dorian would be there later that evening for the auditions, so I went to the bar and got myself the cooks special and a good mug of ale. Then while looking for a seat I heard song from the back of the inn, apparently the auditions had already begun. Although I did not have intentions of performing I still went to see, perhaps the Dorian could tell me of the skalds of the world.
At the back of the inn, Rag was performing before a lady who watched her closely. After her performance she told Rag that she would never be good enough for the Chord, and in my opinion she was quite rude about saying that. Still as they were done I approached the lady and asked her if she indeed was the Dorian of the Chord. I didn’t even get my sentence done before she commanded me to sing. As I had no intention of that I continued to speak but was only met by the same command again. So I sang for her, the story of the paladin and the minstrel, my oldest work. It seemed she listened closely, but when I was done she said it was not very good, and that the rhymes were indeed poor. It is an old poem of mine, but still I did not think it as poor as she apparently did. None the less she asked me to sit, and introduced herself as Kimmanii Nall’sivaee or Kim for short. I gave my name and took a chair and then we began what became a lengthy discussion. She said I had talent, but needed training, and that I should seek out the House of Song in Rodez, the home of the Chord. I even got a card from her saying that I was to be admitted into the first exams. For a time we spoke of the Chord and the beauty of music, before I posed the question I had wanted to pose all this time. Did she know of a skald, and how I might learn their secrets? That led into a long and heated debate on whether or not one should seek combat and destruction when one could make beautiful things such as music and song. I said that even though you might be a skilled musician it would not save you from brigands on your travels, for that you would need a blade. And in my opinion the combination of combat and music can indeed be beauty. Think of the fluid graceful moves of the blade as it slices through the air and then flesh and bone. Can that not be compared to the dancer’s moves, and the flutes gentle whistle to the swish of the blade in motion? However perhaps I did not explain this well enough to her, for she would not see my point. I then explained further that I would also honour my father’s memory by becoming a skald, and she asked how that could be. I then proceeded to tell the tale of how my family was slaughtered and as I told it I felt anger build inside me. I felt how I wanted to make these people suffer, to kill them and the ones they love as they killed my loved ones. One day I will return to Krashin and kill them all, but I will not kill them like a thief in the night, I will meet them in with honour and do battle on an open field, and there I shall tell them my name so they will know who slew them. But I am getting from what I was trying to tell. After I told her this sad tale she did still not understand, and said that honouring my father was not even reason for this. I did not know what to do, and we agreed that I would have until the following night to return to her with my answer.
We parted there in the inn and as I left my mind was divided indeed. For what should I do, I can become a poet of great renown by joining the Chord, but by that I will not do any honour to my father. I know it may seem trivial to many, but it means much to me. I feel so torn between my dreams and what I know is the right thing to do. I have even thought about joining her, for she told me she did indeed know the secret of the skalds, and she had known several of them. Then I would train at the House of Song and there perhaps have the opportunity to find this knowledge one way or the other. Still that would not be right, for then I would betray my words that I would join for the sake of the music itself when I in fact was joining to gain access to knowledge. How would I then ever become a skald, such men cannot be dishonourable, for they are great men to whom many look. No I must tread the unknown and uncertain path and search out a teacher by myself. I will go to her tomorrow and give her my answer and then travel into the world in search of the skalds.
Later on I met Ulver and had a talk with him about the whole deal. His words did indeed comfort me, for he said that I was a man of honour and that I would always honour my family by my choices. It was nice with someone else who seemed to understand me, and I thank him for being there.
While we were speaking we met a man called Rolf, a cleric of Mist, the Lady of the Sea, as she is known. He was quite friendly and in fact he did indeed come from Krashin. What a strange coincidence, there I had been speaking of home earlier and then I meet a man from home. I don’t think he knew my family nor the Egilsons but I did not go into the matter. Ulver and I agreed to take him on a tour of Hlint, and later we met the wonderful Melissa and Rahzon. We all agreed to go mine in the Sielwood Cave and it all went well…for a time. We had fun and company was good. I was so pleased to see Melissa again, for when with her it is as if a burden was lifted of my shoulders for a moment and I could be happy and free. However as we emerged from the cave loaded with ore and rough gems we were beset by spiders. Only a few of them were there but then Rolf ran into the woods and was killed by other spiders. We went back to Hlint and on the way we met him again, on his way to pray at his grave. I offered to make him invisible so he could go there unseen, but after he turned invisible he came and said that he could not find his way to his grave. Melissa and I went with him, resulting in the death of Melissa and Rolf. I myself was struck down while trying to get to Melissa and save her, but alas I failed. I woke up later and the others had returned and killed the spiders, I feel lucky I didn’t become the supper of these spiders. We then finally walked back to Hlint to rest for the night. While walking I thought about Rolf and how he just had charged headlong into the spiders, perhaps he did not know their strength or perhaps he is just foolhardy, still he seemed sorry for getting people killed, and at least that shows that he cares. I don’t know if I like him, he prays an awful lot, always giving thanks and so on. Well I guess he is just a devoted priest, and I should not regard him as less for that, for that must take great strength of will. He may be a good man once I get to know him better, and I am sure that he for one will understand me, like Skarp would have if he had been around, I hope he returns soon.
-
I have given my answer to the Dorian. I came see her at the inn and just in the nick of time it seemed as she was packing. I told her that I would not join her in Rodez, for I had chosen that my future was to seek the knowledge of the skalds. She accepted my rejection of her offer, but that’s just my guess. We sat for a while and spoke of things and my decision which she still did not understand. Why would I seek to use my voice to make my enemies quiver in fear. She told me that perhaps I would find what I so desperately seek in the northern parts of Dregar, but she did not tell me more at the time. Still I held to my choice and was just about to leave, since she suddenly grew quiet, when she called me back and told me not to leave until she told me so.
She then told me a tale of the Storm Horn Tribe, who lived in the Storm Horn Mountains on Dregar long time ago. They were known for having incredible voices, and she had sought them out to see these people and perhaps recruit from them. The problem was that the tribe had vanished after giants had taken over the Storm Horns and no one had seen them since. She travelled into the mountains from Highpass Fort, which is located near the mountains. She had after a long time found a tribe in the mountains, but it was not the Storm Horn Tribe. Still she found amongst them a young man who had a great voice, and had him agree to travel with her so she could shape his talent. With a guide they travelled onwards into the Troll Mountains and here one day they heard a most terrible sound from a nearby cave. Out from the cave came four trolls fleeing in panic and behind them, three bald men swinging huge clubs. These men were indeed of the long lost Storm Horn Tribe, and she came with them to their village. Here she spent quite some time, but she was no matter what just an outsider. Still she noticed one man whose name was Herret, who was something of the tribe’s storyteller and shaman. His voice had been like thunder sometimes, but also gentle at times when he carried a newborn child in his arms. Kim tried to get him to leave with her, but he would hear nothing of it, and one day when she woke up the entire tribe was gone. Instead of pursuing them she decided to return to Rodez with the youngster she had following her.
This was indeed a grand tale, and I could not help giving the occational ohh and ahh for which she scolded me. She said it was most impolite to do this while someone was telling something. I gave her my apologies, and then she told me I was too quick to please and I should grow a spine if I wanted to be a warrior. I said nothing of it, and bid her my farewell and left the inn. Still I think she was rude, and I had honestly not thought so of an artist as her, but perhaps with such power come pride, I don’t know. Still when I tell a tale I take it as a sign that my audience likes the story and it makes me even more encouraged to tell it. Should anyone pose a question I try to remember it and then answer it after the tale is done, I do not see this as rude but as a sign that those who listen indeed does listen and thinks about what is being said. Of course there are limits, but I don’t feel like I crossed them. Well perhaps this is just something to justify myself, but no, I think I am right.
After my meeting I quickly rushed to Krandor where Drogi the merchant had put out a call for adventurers. Up there I met Rahzon, Fenrir and Varka as well as many others who also had come for the job. Drogi showed up and told us that the workers we had helped up to their building site in the Sword Rust mountains were being attacked by animals and walking trees. Our task was to see this to an end, and defend the workers. I was chosen as leader of our group and I started out by determining who were to be front liners in combat and who would hold other positions. Then we left for the mountains. On our previous trip there we had not gotten much information, but this time we managed to get Drogi convinced to tell us that a hunting lodge was being constructed for a wealthy man from down south.
In the mountains Na~hani suddenly became ill and weak after suddenly losing consciousness. He spoke of a warning from a druid he had received while passed out. Still we pressed on to the camp. We found many dire animals, and they were indeed quite aggressive, as were the treants that attacked us. The workers told us that they had been attacked often, but we had a feeling that perhaps they had angered a druid somehow, and it turned out they had indeed felled some trees and killed some animals. Still we set about finding the druid so we could speak with her. I divided us into two groups so one could protect the workers while the others found the druid. The druid came to us, and we found out that she could make the animals leave, but not until a gnome living near the camp had moved for his constructs attacked the animals. Of course we then went to the gnome and it seemed he was building an army of constructs to help protect Mistone, a most noble cause indeed. Now this was a sticky situation, as we needed to get the gnome to move, so the druid would move the animals so the workers could be safe. We suggested the gnome to move to the Grey Peaks but we would not move that far. While discussing, I overhead someone speaking of killing the gnome and that would be easier, but I said that such act would not happen while I was leading this group, for we needed a peaceful solution, as no one was doing anything wrong. Finally we made the gnome move to the workers camp and help and protect them with his constructs. With that we solved the situation and we could return to Drogi who met us outside the mountains near Hope. This was indeed fun, and I think I handled leading the group quite well. So I do have a spine, for one without a spine could not do such things, as others would not care for his opinion.
-
Was down at Velensk today, and as I was walking around the area I was suddenly approached by a man. He introduced himself as a ranger of the Steel Bears if I recall it correctly. Anyways he asked my business, and I told him I was just out seeing the sights, and looking for adventure. He then informed me that he was on the lookout for a vampire that had been seen in the area. I have never heard of vampires in that area so of course I was intrigued, and offered him my assistance in discovering this foul beast. As we moved eastwards we met a large band of adventurers, and Skarp was with them. It was good to see my brother again I must say, for although we are different I have missed his company. Melissa was there too, looking beautiful as ever. We spoke a little when suddenly the man I had met said his goodbyes. Strange that he did just leave like that, wonder if there was more to him than meets the eye. Anyways I told the others of the vampire and we decided to go to Velensk for a rest and then head out in search of it. At Velensk some left and the rest of us relaxed and spoke for quite some time. We spoke of the vampire and even though I know they are powerful undead I had not imagined that one would have gotten the upper hand of Kobal himself. I was told that he once had been bitten by one, but it had been most sneaky and bitten him from behind.
I told Skarp of my meeting with the Dorian and that I was about to seek out the Storm Horn Tribe to learn the secrets of the skalds. He was most impressed I think and he even said that it would have made our father proud. That really means a lot to me, and makes me happy for my decision. I told of what skalds are and that it was my dream. Still when I spoke of this as my biggest dream it seemed that Melissa was somehow, I don’t know how to explain this, like she somehow changed for a moment, but then she was her old self again. Skarp was quite rude to her though, as she was standing close to him he told her to move away for she gave him the creeps. I told him that he was rude, to which he said that he could not be rude for she was not a lady, but just a girl. This was discussed for a long time, until I finally settled it by saying that Melissa is Melissa, as I am me and Skarp is Skarp. However I did not know that she could use magic, but apparently she can as she during our discussion suddenly made everything dark, to prove a point. I thought she was, well I don’t really know what she is, but she once told me she wanted to be a shadow dancer. I have heard of these masters of being unseen. Some say they can move from shadow to shadow like the wind, and even disappear from sight suddenly. Still no matter what she is or isn’t I still like her, although I think Skarp disapproves.
Well after our debate we decided to investigate this vampire. We moved cautiously north-east from Velensk and soon entered the Dire Woods. It is a most dangerous place for powerful undead roam there. Still we met none, only spiders which we killed although with some difficulty. I noticed that Melissa seemed to harvest the glands from then, wonder what she uses them for since they are quite poisonous. From the forest we moved eastwards and came to the sea, where we were suddenly beset by giants. Skarp fought with great fury, and I myself drew my blade and closed in to aid him in the battle. It was a tough fight but we felled them all, and could enjoy a quiet time watching the ocean. As I was standing there on the cliffs next to Melissa Skarp made another of his small comments, and asked if we should not hold hands. I hate it when he does that, but still I would not have minded that at all, in fact if we had been alone I would have perhaps taken her hand in mine, but not in front of Skarp and Q. I instead gave Skarp and angry look while Melissa jokingly asked if he wanted to hold her hand.
After that we started our trip to Hlint as it seemed that there was no vampire in the area. We took the trail through Sielwood so we could get a pelt for Melissa and retrieve Rag’s necklace which she seemed to have lost once again. I am amazed how someone can lose a necklace that often. Well I guess I’ll never know though. It was a good trip and when we returned to Hlint I had a long talk with Melissa. I told her of my need to travel to Dregar, and she said that it would indeed be a most dangerous journey. She asked me if I would not ask someone to help me, as did Q and Ulver, who we met there, well only his voice since he had been turned invisible by a wizard he said. I told them that I was honoured by the fact that they would help me, but that I would not risk the life of those I hold dear for my own personal gain. For indeed this is personal gain, it is my dream, my hope, and my skill that will benefit from this journey. Perhaps I will not live to tell the tale of it, but then it is only me that is lost and not others and that will be a comfort. We spoke further and then parted for the night.
-
I have made a song for Melissa and I think she will like it. I will perform it for her when I get some time alone with her.
There is a lady around,
Whose like is nowhere found.
She treads so softly here,
Like a most gentle deer.
Her hair is red like fire,
Her face is one to admire.
Her voice a sparkling spring,
That joy indeed does bring.
She is a true beauty indeed,
For her attention many plead.
She is a wonderful playful lass,
Who none in beauty shall surpass.
-
It has been some long days. I went with Fenrir, Rolf and a few others down into the Haven mines, and we found a good vein of ore, as well as some nice gem deposits. Still Rolf wanted to go down to get the chieftains head, but we said no. It would have been near suicide to go down there just four of us. So instead we went back to Hlint where we had a long talk. Fenrir even taught me a few words in dwarven, let me see if I remember them correctly.
Well met – Th’ha zh’o rurk
I am Geir – A azl Geir (my name in dwarven is Kaah, but they apparently do not translate names.)
Farewell – Waazhazhann
Bard – Poazht
It is a difficult language, but Fenrir took his time to explain it to me. We agreed that we should go to the inn one day and have a hearty round of ale and speak further of this. I do look forward to that, I really like most the dwarves I have met. Well now I can greet them in their own language, looking forward to that.
I spent some time helping Fenrir with the iron ore, making him stronger with my magic and running errands for him, while he was working the metal. I didn’t bother, since he is good company and he paid all my expenses, and it is in my opinion important to help ones friends.
Well we later on met Ulver and just as I was running to the bank I ran into Arwinath. I was glad to see him again, and I think he was glad to see all of us too. We spoke for quite some time and then Rahzon, Ulver, Arw and I went to Rilara, since a farmer there seemed to have a bit of trouble with some scarecrows, but it was not a problem for us. We dispatched the creatures swiftly and then moved on to Fort Himlad. Here we parted ways as I was headed for the Karthy Docks and the others would return to Point Harbor.
In Karthy I got on a ship to Lorindar and made my way through the Forest of Mists all the way to the Serpent Mountains and then the Storm Horn Mountains. Now here in Highpass Fort I have gotten a room and a meal. Outside the wind howls like hungry wolves, and I fear it will be hard to press on into the Troll Mountains tomorrow. I hope the weather will clear; otherwise I will be forced to retreat to lower lands.
-
The weather did not clear up from last night, so this morning I decided to go back to Hlint, for no one know how long the weather will stay like that. The trip was easy and quite scenic really, and it was with high spirit that I returned to Hlint. Even found some of those angelica leaves that Fenrir needs, think he’ll be happy to get them.
I met a dwarf whom I have never seen before, and he seemed to have had an accident with some brigands on the road to Llast. I agreed to help him in teaching them a lesson, and when we got there we met up with Gulnyr and Ulver. For a long time we spoke of this and that and it was most enjoyable. Lar and Talan also joined us as well as a dwarf named Bruenor. I asked what Talan thought of my song of the Stonesmashers and the dragon and he seemed genuinely pleased with it. He even said that he perhaps had another tale for me to tell, and we should speak further of this later. I’m glad he likes it, for this gives me a possibility of telling tales of true heroes.
Anyways we parted ways and Ulver, Bruenor and a few more travelled with me to see if there was something about the rumour of a vampire between Llast and Hope. We did however not find any signs of such things, and we then decided to instead put some undead to rest in the crypts in Krandor. It was a though battle all the way and even with Q joining us we were soon out of healing. Still we pressed on and finally recovered the ashes that we were asked to bring to the little girl in Krandor. Still on the way out Q fell as did Rurik as he was run through by skeletons outside the crypts. We of course agreed to go down again to help them put their souls at ease, and it was a hard battle but we succeeded.
I also have gotten me a new pair of gloves, made of the finest lion skin. He gave me those for a lot of pelts I had collected. Actually I then bought a belt of tiger leather from him. It looks so good that I’m sure it will improve my performances as my outfit is even flashier now.
I think I have what it takes to become a skald. I was down in the goblin mines today to get some salt, when suddenly surrounded by goblins. I screamed my battle-cry and to my surprise the goblins all fell to the floor around me, dead! This is what I have sought, and with a teacher I should be able to make this even better. I can’t wait till the weather clears at the mountains and I can go there and search for the Storm Horn Tribe.
On another account, there is something about Melissa. I told her my poem today and she really liked it I think. She even made me a beautiful pair of bat skin gloves as a present for the poem, although I said that the fact that she liked it was payment enough for 10 poems. Still later in the evening we met Maz in the crafthouse in Hlint and Melissa started to say that she knew things about everyone that they wished were secrets. She said that someone has a crush on Maz and I think she actually tricked Maz into saying who she likes. It seems it is Brant, and they do really suit each other, for they are both good friends and fighters. I said that I had no secrets and that Melissa could not know of anything of me. But she said she knows something. Something Skarp has said while I’m not there, and that he had bought her silence with a ring. I saw him give her that ring the other day down at Velensk, but I did not think much of it, as I know he would not do anything as he is already married. Still now it seems he has told her something. I do not know what, but I fear it may be something to put me on the spot, and I don’t want that. I’ll have to talk to him as soon as possible and demand an answer. Melissa also said that Brant seems to dislike her; he won’t even sell her weapons. Neither I nor Maz have ever seen Brant like that to anyone, and it puzzles me I must admit. When Melissa left us, Maz told me that I should be careful of her, for she was playing with my heart. I know it is true, but I cannot help it, I am so taken by her. Still Maz said I was a good man and a good friend to many and that makes me glad. I try to be there for the ones I know and help them if I can. We spoke further of Melissa and I must admit it was good talking to Maz about that. Somehow it is easier to speak to a woman about these things.
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I made a good business deal today. I was out digging clay for some ring moulds when I ran into Kobal. He also needed clay and I told him he could just dig away as I was going in with a loaded ox. We got to speak a bit, and as I still need to practice my mould making skills, I offered to make moulds for him for his weapon casting. We in fact agreed that he would pay me with gems I need for my jewellery for every box of moulds I bring him, quite a good deal for me I think, and also for him I am sure. I have yet to meet a dwarf who does not make a fair trade, and Kobal did not change that. He is in fact very friendly, perhaps when I have seen him around before he has been preoccupied, for I indeed did like his company although it was brief.
*Written in a shaking hand unlike anything else in the journal*
I just met Brant. It has indeed been a long time since I have seen him, and it was good to see him again. We met just outside Hlint while preparing for a little hunt, and we had quite the group gathered. However Brant, Maz, Rahzon and I were more occupied by talking even though the others seemed quite impatient. Rahzon was going with Brant to get a new sword, and I tagged along, as I would not risk my neck with the plans the others made for hunting. They would hunt trolls and giants or even lizardmen, and both Brant and I agreed that it would surely get someone killed, perhaps even most of them. So instead we went to Leilon and there the talk fell on Melissa. Brant said that Tharloss had sold a couple of iron rapiers and that he knew to whom, to which I replied that it had to be Melissa. Brant did not like her he said, as he did not like her kin. This surprised me as to me she looks like an ordinary girl, beautiful beyond anything but still a girl. However Brant told me that she is demon breed. I had no idea. It was like my whole world shattered at that moment, how could she be a demon. He also told me that she is a liar and a thief, but she has never lied to me, not that I know of that is. Perhaps this has all been a lie, perhaps she does not like me, I do not know. I of course asked how he could know this, and he said he could feel it when around her, like he could with all her kin. Brant is a good friend and I have known him for long, which is why I did listen to him. Had anyone else said this to me I would have laughed at them and called them jealous, but not Brant. I don’t know what to do, but he said that I should be careful with her, for she is not as she seems. What shall I do, Melissa means so much to me, I like her and when I’m around her I feel as if I could take on the world. But what if she is demon-kin, will she then put a knife in my back when I least expect it. I have not told others of this, and I don’t think even Rahzon heard all of it, which probably is for the better. I must confront Melissa with this; it is the right thing to do. She will probably think ill of me and hate me for that but I need to know. I need to know if I mean nothing to her, if I am just her pawn she uses in her games. Though I loathe the thought I fear it is the truth. For does she not come on to everyone using her charms, does she not try to come between Skarp and I, for he could have told her no secrets as I do not tell him my secrets. Is she seeking my attention so much because she will lure me away from the flock, so she may do what she wishes when no one will longer come to my aid? Then why has she chosen me, is it because she sense that I am so taken with her, am I that simple, and am I a fool. I hope by all the gods that Brant is mistaking, and that she is nothing but a playful girl. Please let this be just a horrible mistake.
-
I am a fool. Today I met Melissa in Hlint, and said I had to speak with her. We stood on the platform across from the smithy, and when I was sure no one was around I asked her if indeed she was demon-kin. She said no, and asked if it mattered. I then asked her about the ring and Skarp, but she kept on about the demon-kin question. She asked me if she had done anything to me, if she had horns or cloven feet. As I time and again said no to these answers it occurred to me how wrong I was. What if she was a demon, she has done me no harm and been kind to me. I have friends amongst the drow and goblins and although they are considered evil by nature they are still my friends. Then why should I treat Melissa differently, it is not right, I would then hold double standards. As I realised this I gave her my apologies. We spoke further, and I told her that she mean much to me, when Skarp suddenly came and accused her of lying about him. It turned out that it was me who misunderstood things that day in the craft house. I felt so ashamed of myself, and excused myself. Quietly I left them and took a seat looking at the small lake in Hlint. Sitting there cursing my words, for indeed it is my words that has brought this upon us. I am a fool to speak so freely, I should think of what I say and what it will mean to others. I should not speak again for only sadness and mistrust comes of it.
Later Skarp come to check on me but I was not really in a mood for talking about this anymore, I asked him if we could leave it be, and then left him. I took a walk around the lake, kicking the occasional rock into the water. Finally I decided that I should go see Melissa and ask her forgiveness, although I feared that she would not give me that. I would not blame her if she did not, for it was indeed dire and harsh accusations I uttered up there on the platform.
I found her, Skarp and Rolf outside the inn. They did not say much as I came up to them, and I think perhaps they did not want my company at that time. I stood there for a while quietly, looking down, my heart filled with shame. The others spoke a little but I did not join the conversation for I have seen what my words do. Skarp asked why I was so quiet and I told him that only sadness and mistrust comes of my words, so I should keep them to myself. Then Melissa did something I would never have imagined. She came over to me and kissed my cheek, and at the same time whispered in my ear that I should let it go. I could however not let it go for I had indeed wronged her, and the burden of that was heavy on my mind and spirit. We spoke further while Rolf and Skarp went to the inn, and I understood that she did not hold my words against me. That is forgiveness unlike any I have ever seen. She indeed is someone special, and that she forgave me means the world to me.
-
Finally, I have met the great bard Ozymandias. I was sitting in Hlint speaking with Rahzon when he said that it was Ozymandias behind us. I asked if he was sure, and to be honest I did not know what to do if it indeed was. What should one as I say to one with such skill and talent. But the situation solved itself as apparently he overheard our talk and came over to us and said that now I had met him. I was stunned for a moment before I came to my senses and introduced myself, and he had heard of me. It’s amazing that he knows of me and thinks me talented; apparently Rag at the inn had spoken of me to him. As it was, Ozymandias was about to tell a tale to a dwarf named Bama, and we were allowed to sit in and listen to it.
It was a most fascinating tale of demons and devils or baatezu and tanar’ri as they are named, who live in the lowest and darkest of the planes. Apparently they fight for power of everything and this war is called the Blood War. He spoke much of the planes and their inhabitants and even said that he himself had thick tanar’ri blood in his veins. Who would have know, I for one would have never guessed until he showed me his cleaved tongue. And he can eat diamonds, how he can chew that is beyond my comprehension, but he must possess great power. But no matter he was a friendly fellow, and we had quite a talk about many things. We spoke for lengths about snow, and he told me that in his language they have 15 words for blizzard but only one for snow, which is kry’.
It was a great experience to meet him, and I hope I shall soon hear the continuation of his tale. And if he be demon, devil or something else I will not hold it against him, for I have learnt that lesson, and have seen what can come of it.
On another note he told me that, as he travels much, he thought I could avoid the worst storms of the Storm Horns if I went soon. I have decided to trust him and leave as soon as I can catch a boat to Lorindar.
-
It has been a long journey. I am again resting at a room at the Mithril Anvil in Highpass Fort and before me looms the Storm Horn and Troll Mountains. I have returned this time with determination that I will not turn back before I succeed.
It was hard saying goodbye back on Mistone. I had spent quite some time travelling with Melissa, Rolf, a fighter named Drayid and Brisbane the druid. It was merry company and we did venture deep into the Haven mines before we were forced to turn back. We then proceeded south from Haven and entered the desert near Spellgard. Brisbane had told us that she could tame a manticore and we were most interested in seeing that. However things did not go as planned, something happened when she tried to soothe the beast and as I heard the sound of battle I ran as fast as I could with a healing spell on my lips but alas I was not fast enough to save her. We did kill the manticores to avenge her death, but still it was little comfort. It was decided to quickly leave the desert and see if we could find her again so we could help her putting her soul at ease. We did indeed meet up with her again but as we entered the desert once more and fought some manticores Melissa was slain by their spikes. I screamed my rage and hit the beast with all my might, my blade slicing into its thick hide and lightening crackling along the blade and into its flesh. Yes I have gotten an enchantment for my blade; I bought it from Brant and it makes sparks fly along the blade of my sword. We returned to meet Melissa who I then helped enter the desert so she could pray at her grave. At that time we said out goodbyes to Drayid but soon after we met up with Q so we were once more four. Still I had to get to my boat that would soon leave from Hampshire to Point Habor. We spoke a little and I think Brisbane was a bit shocked that I would go on my own. But as I said, I had to, for I should not risk the life of others for this. She then gave me a small wand that would close my wounds if I needed it. I am humbled by the generosity, for it is indeed a valuable item, and to give that to someone she had only just met is a sign of compassion and caring. Melissa and I spoke and she seemed sad that I would not have her go with me, but I will not risk her being hurt up there in the mountains. I told her that she would be with me in spirit and that would be my comfort on the long journey. It seemed to help her mood a little, but she was not happy, and it hurt me but I had made my decision and would not stray from it. We then kissed goodbye and I left them there and went to the docks to see if my boat was ready.
The trip across Rilara and the sailing to Lorindar was peaceful. In fact it has been a quiet journey all the way here, but now I hear the winds howling again outside, as if they try to turn me back from my purpose, but I will not give in. Tomorrow I will go up into the mountains, and there I will meet my destiny whatever it may be.
-
*the text is clearly written by the same hand that has written the other pages, but it has lost some of the elegance that it had.*
I have stood on the threshold of death and looked it the eye. Not death from a foe but death from the world around me. It has been a long time since I left Highpass, and now I rest in a tent high in the Troll Mountains. I have indeed found what I have sought, but what I found was not what I had believed it to be. But this sounds like riddles; I should begin this tale from the start of it.
I left Highpass on the morning following my last entry in this journal. It was not hard to reach the foot of the Troll Mountains, and even at first it was not a hard climb. I made good progress on the first day, and although the cold was biting my face I did not turn back. As I was climbing I suddenly heard something move in the distance. I quickly hid myself and waited. There was a great white bear walking slowly by me. I held my hand on the hilt of my sword ready for it to turn on me, but it seemed it did not notice me. When it had disappeared I continued until nightfall. It was cold and barren there on the krell (the tribesmen’s word for mountain, which I have taken a liking to) but luckily I could find a little shelter between some rock formations. I gathered some firewood but it was wet and it took me a long time to get a fire going. I made sure that the wood I hadn’t used was put close to the flames so it could dry. I then went to sleep wrapped in my cloak alone with the wind howling its lullaby for me.
The next morning I ate a little of my rations and gathered what was left of firewood before I continued my climb. It was harder now as the slope increased in steepness, but still I made decent progress. Then I again heard something move not far from me. I quickly hid behind a rock and as I looked past it I saw a troll coming my way. As it came to where I had walked it saw my tracks and started to follow them. I dropped what food I had, hoping it would make it forget about me, and quickly moved to another location. It did indeed take the food but then continued to follow me. I drew my sword as silently as possible, and as it turned the corner of the rock I flung myself at it. My sword bit into its flesh but at the same time its claws bit into mine. I felt as if I had been torn in half from the blow and staggered backwards uttering the words of a spell to close my wounds. As my wounds closed the troll stopped and looked at me. I looked as calmly as possible at it, stowed my sword and showed it my empty hands. Hoping it perhaps would understand my intention of not killing it. I tried to speak to it in both the common tongue and dwarven, but it did not understand I think. Instead it prepared to attack me and I drew my sword once more. As it ran towards me I quickly uttered a few words and I was gone from view. The troll was puzzled but it just kept following my tracks. Then I saw an edge with a fall of about nine feet and with little hesitation I jumped. It was uneven ground and I hurt my ankle a bit in the fall, still as I was standing below the edge pressed to the wall the troll seemed to find it better to find some other prey.
I healed my ankle with a spell and climbed up the cliff. There I was, without food or shelter, so I had to continue. I was a fool that I did not bring more food, but alas that is too late now, but I will know this for times to come. As night was falling so was the snow. A heavy blanket of snow covered everything and even after a few steps my footprints were gone. The wind had also picked up and was blowing with a force as if it tried to push me off the krell. Indeed I did not feel welcome but my mind was set, I would not turn back once more. Still I needed shelter, so I first sought to a cliff face, but the wind swept along it, offering no quarter. As fast as I could on my frozen legs I went to a large boulder hoping for at least some shelter from the wind behind it. It was somewhat usable and I even found a small hole in the ground between some rocks that could be used as a fire pit. But the relentlessly falling snow would not let me rest and I had to find another shelter. I was exhausted beyond anything I have ever been, my feet and fingers were numb from the cold, and it felt as if my legs could give away below me at any moment. I could not see an arms length in front of me and with every step and every breath I felt my strength ebbing away. But I could not let myself rest, I would die, I knew that. Then I would never succeed, never make my father proud, and never again see Melissa’s beautiful face. But luck was with me, for I stumbled upon two rocks between which there was a shallow pit I could rest in. I closed the upper part of the pit with my cloak to keep the snow out and threw myself into the pit. It was like a shallow grave, and I feared that perhaps it was fitting for this could be my grave. Then darkness took me.
I have no idea of how much time passed but I awoke there in my pit. My limbs were cold and stiff and I felt like going back to sleep, but I knew that it would be certain death for me. I forced myself up and removed the cloak to see if the weather had improved. Snow filled the pit as I did this, but it did not matter for I could not stay here. Indeed the weather had cleared and I began to move again. I felt hunger roar within me, but alas I had no food. Even my canteens were frozen and I cursed myself for not keeping them close to my body to keep them safe from the cold. I resorted to eating snow, which offered some liquid at least. Slowly I made my way forward, but every step was painful but I kept on urging myself forward. I felt myself fall and then darkness took me again.
I woke to find myself in a warm tent, lying beneath a warm pelt. I did at first not see much before darkness took me once more, but I remember thinking to myself that I was safe.
When I woke again there was a woman in the tent with me. She was tall and looked strong, her face marked by exposure to the environment and her hair short and black. She offered a bowl of liquid to my lips and I drank till I could hold no more. I tried to speak to her but she only put her finger on her lips and tugged me in before she left me. I let myself drift away again thinking that I would live to see Melissa again.
I don’t know how long passed before I woke again, but this time I had the strength to get to my feet. I looked around and saw that indeed I was in a tent. My bed was a load of pelts but besides that there was not much here. I could not see my gear or my clothes anywhere, so I tried to wrap a pelt around me. As I was doing this a man entered the tent and threw some clothes in front of me. He was a tall man, taller than Skarp and he had broad shoulders. He was completely bald, and his face was also marked by exposure to the wind and cold. I introduced myself and he said he was Krasser, and then he said nothing more. I quickly tried to get into the clothes, which was a bit more difficult than I had imagined. It was more or less just some pelts that were tied to my body, but in the end I ended up dressed. All the while I was thanking him for saving me, and I said that I owed him my life. He watched me in silence the whole time, his face showing no expression. When I was finally dressed he said in a somewhat decent common that they would lead me down from the krell the next day. I asked him what krell meant and he explained that it was everything here and I gathered that it meant mountain. As he turned to leave I said I had a question, to which he merely replied “ask”. I told him that I sought Herret the ossmer and I had to speak with him. Also I asked if they indeed were the Storm Horn Tribe to which he nodded. I told him that I wished to learn to use my voice like Herret, and he then asked if I sought to become an ossmer. I did not think and said that if using my voice like that was being an ossmer then yes I would become an ossmer. That seemed to startle him a bit and he looked as if I had said something wrong. I quickly added that I did not mean to challenge anyone by what I had said, but I don’t know if it helped. I used many words and I noticed it seemed to make him feel uncomfortable, so I decided to hold my tongue for a while. He nodded and led me outside and to another tent.
Outside I saw the camp. There were women, children and a few men about but none even gave me a single glance except for the children, but they only gave me a quick glance before ignoring me.
We entered another tent; it was large and inside there were all sorts of items, pelts, bones and many strange things lying on the floor or hanging from the ceiling. I saw a pile of pelts that seemed to move up and down, and I noticed a head amongst them. It was the head of a man older than Krasser but still a relatively young man, who looked peaceful in his sleep. Krasser pointed to him and merely said “Herret” then he signalled for us to leave.
As we returned to the tent I had been resting in I told Krasser that I needed to speak with Herret. He did not say anything but merely handed me a flask with some liquid inside, as well as found one for him. We sat down in the tent and he just looked at me. I had no idea of what was expected but I thought that perhaps I should drink from the flask. So I opened it and took a good mouthful. It tasted somewhat like the mead back home, but it was far stronger in taste, not really a bad tast and I must admit I did take somewhat of a liking to it. Krasser then drank from his own flask and then told me that Herret was dying from a curse. The curse had been put on him after he had led an attack on a troll war-party. They had killed the trolls and Herret had taken the leaders head and burnt it. As the head was laying in the fires it put a curse on Herret, a course that Krasser said could not be broken. I was sad when I heard this, I had come this far and been on the brink of death only to fail at the last moment, because of a troll curse. I asked who would be the new ossmer and Krasser indicated that it was him.
We had had quite some mead and I felt like I perhaps could get the upper hand in this conversation, for Krasser had become quite talkative, well not talkative as I but still he said a lot. I asked how they could use their voices like that. And he told me it was not skill but spirit. I was baffled, how could this not be skill, but spirit. I continued to ask if he thought I had a strong spirit, to which he said that he did not know, but I had a strong protector spirit since I had survived on the krell. At first I misunderstood that thinking that the protector spirit and my spirit was one and the same, but I have learnt that my spirit is something within me, while the protector spirit is a spirit out in the world that keeps an eye out for me. With the talk of the spirits our talk ended and Krasser told me to rest, they would leave in four days and then someone would take me down the krell. After he left I felt a great urge to sneak to Herrets tent, but with the mead I had drunken I would not be able to sneak anywhere I soon realised. So I crept between the pelts and went to sleep, with my head spinning from the mead and the idea of these spirits.
The next morning I went outside and Krasser approached me and led me to a fireplace where a woman was handing out food. It was a good stew that filled my stomach and gave me renewed energy. As we were eating a woman came running to Krasser and told him something in their language, I did not understand it but I had a feeling something had happned. He then quickly followed her to Herrets tent, from where he soon emerged. I had withdrawn to my tent and when he got over to me he simply stated that Herret had died and the funeral was later today and everyone was welcome. I have never seen anyone handle death as the tribesmen do, they do not mourn like most people, but instead take it as a part of life, and inevitable part for we shall all die some time. In some way I envy them for that for death always feel hard for me and death of ones I know and love is something that is a hard thing to carry in my heart.
The funeral was the same day. Two men carried the body of Herret on a stretcher to a cliff not far from the camp. Here they had made a great pyre and the stretcher was placed upon it. Then Krasser lit a torch and set the pyre on fire. It was a flaming inferno within a few minutes and all stood in silence and watched. Then the men of the tribe moved forward forming a half circle around the pyre. I saw a little space between two men and thought it best to join them. It would be my show of respect for the now dead Herret, and although I have never met him I believe he was a good man, if the stories Kim told me are true. Then suddenly the rightmost man of the semi-circle started to shout. It was a deep and strong sound and soon the man next to him joined in. All joined in one after another, but when Krasser joined it was as if the strength of the sound was almost doubled. His shout was so strong and so powerful that I have never heard anything like it. More joined the shouting and when the man to my right had joined I also started to shout. I let the sound come from far down in my stomach and I felt it was a strong sound I made, though I know it was nothing in comparison to the others. We kept on shouting, one long shout for I don’t know how long. It was as if time stood still for me there, my eyes were fixed on the flames devouring the lifeless body that had been given to them, and as I shouted I saw in the flames also my past somehow. But the flames of the pyre were not the flames of death and destruction that I had seen when my family was murdered it was beautiful flames reaching for the sky. They almost caressed the body within them with gentle touches. I felt as if everything started to shake as the sound came back from the krell, resonating between the cliffs it was as if the krell itself was shouting. My breath would not have lasted me longer when all stopped shouting. I stood for a moment transfixed by the flames and the sound dying away around me, and then gave a quick glance to Krasser. He gave me a nod, to this day I am not quite sure if it was a nod but I believe it was. Anyways at that time I saw a nod and took it as a sign of approval. I was glad that I had done well.
Everyone then went back to the camp where a great fire was lit. Everyone stood there silently watching the flames as flasks of mead were passed around by a few women. There was no one who spoke, all seemed to be reflecting on their own thoughts, while sometimes sipping from the flasks. I just stood there as silent as the others, and to be honest I felt no need to speak at that time. It was as if a single word would end this mood and make it not something honourable, but just another gathering of people. Later pelts were brought by the women and everyone sat on a pelt and had a good but very salty stew served. It was good, but it made me very thirsty by being so salty, but whenever a flask was empty it was raised in the air and the holder got a new one. Later in the evening Krasser stood and said something in the tribesmen’s language. Then one after another began to tell a story. Every single man or woman spoke the name Herret and many said also ossmer. I gathered that they were telling stories of Herret’s life, but when was I to speak or was I even expected to speak? When a man finished his tale he yelled the words “Grassar hy krellig” and emptied his flask into the fire. I decided that probably Krasser would be the last to speak and hence I would let all other tribesmen speak before me, and I would be the last to speak before the ceremony was ended. When finally an old woman had told her tale and with a strong voice called out “grasser hy krellig” I rose to my feet. I said that I had come to them as a foreigner and although I had never seen the actions of Herret I was sure he was a good and strong man. I then yelled the words as the others and poured the last of my mead over the fire. It was then Krasser to speak and he sang a tale involving many different characters I am sure. From what he showed I think he told the story of Herret defeating the troll warparty and the troll shaman cursing him. Then he said something to the tribe and smiled at them. This is the only time I have ever seen a tribesman smile, so it must have been something very special that evening.
When it was all done a small wooden frame with four legs was brought forth. It had a skin placed in the frame almost like a drum. Krasser then produced a bag from which he withdrew two white items that he let fall on the skin. It made a small but distinct sound and somehow the items just kept bouncing up and down making a constant but off beat rhythm. For a while we sat there and listened to the sound and watched the fire but then people began to rise and retire to their tents. Krasser came to me and said that they would leave in the morning as trolls surely would have heard them. Then he said something I have yet to understand, but I will ask him this when he is feeling better. He said that they would leave when something had been taken care of. I then went to my tent and fell into a deep dreamless slumber.
Suddenly I heard the beating of wings and a snow white owl flew towards my face. It flew so close that I felt the wind beneath its wings. I awoke, and was quite sure I had heard an owl hooting somewhere near. I quickly grabbed my sword and my clothes and went outside the tent. It was still night and the sky was clear showing both Aunir and Orn. A fine blanket of snow covered the ground, but I did not recall that it had been snowing while we were sitting at the fire. I then heard the owl again not far away and started to run towards it. I was at that moment sure it was a sign of some sorts and besides that I was very curious to this whole situation. I soon saw the owl, a beautiful snow owl. As I approached it, it started to fly away. I had chased the owl for some time, when I suddenly heard a noise of someone moving behind me. While still running I looked over my shoulder and saw a great bear following me, it was immense, and I have never seen the likes of it. I ran to the best of my ability and even tried to make myself invisible, but it did not fool the bear. It steadily followed me as I followed the owl. I ran up a mountain side and suddenly came to a cliff edge which I climbed as fast as possible. I was at this point starting to feel out of breath and also my legs were beginning to ache, but if I slowed down I was sure the bear would rip me apart. The bear seemed not able to climb the cliff but instead looked for another way to come around the cliff. I ran again after the owl, and as I ran I again heard the bear behind me. Suddenly as I came towards a cliff the owl vanished from sight.
As I came to where I had seen it last I saw another bear in front of me. This one was even larger than the first one, which was closing on me fast. I was desperate at that moment, what could I do, I had to flee, anything to get away. I then heard hooting to my left and as I looked I noticed something at a cliff face that could be a cave entrance. I think that I actually heard two owls there from the cave, but I am not sure. I had no time to make sure so I took one last look at the bears that were both closing on me now and began to run. I ran as if the all the demons and devils of the lower planes were biting my heels, always fearing the feeling of a claw entering my flesh and tearing my spine to shreds. I ran headlong into what I hoped was an opening and indeed it was. I was in a narrow crevasse in the krell and it seemed to go deeper. I continued deeper into the cave, feeling my legs would soon give in and gasping for breath. Deeper inside I saw what looked like a man lying on the floor wrapped in pelts, covered in blood. I removed some of the pelts and saw to my surprise that it was Krasser, he was barely breathing and I cast a spell to close some of his wounds. It took its toll on me to cast the spell but I still had one problem, the bears. They could possibly fit into the cave and then they would tear us apart. As I was standing there I suddenly remembered what Kim had told me of Herret and how he had scared trolls away by using his voice. I did not know if I had the strength to do it, but I screamed at them. I screamed as I have never done before, my words cast around the small cave seemed to have a life of their own. While I stood there I felt something within me, like I sank into myself and there I found something I cannot describe. It was like a reservoir of sound and power, it felt as if my body would be torn apart by the sound it made, but words cannot give a true description of what I felt there in the cave. I believe that it was there I found my own spirit and my spirit perhaps for the first time ever showed itself to me. It was as if at that very moment I found what I had sought for so long, but it was not skill, it was within me I found it. There at the limits of my ability, at the brink of death I found power unlike any I have ever thought I might possess. As my voice rang in the cave the bears left and I let myself fall to the ground next to Krasser. I used the sleeve of my tunic to tie his wounds further before I rested next to him, both of us covered in his pelts.
The next morning I awoke and felt cold and stiff. I went outside to see if all was safe when suddenly the snow owl flew up in my face. I was so startled I fell, but the owl at that moment landed on my shoulder. With my frozen fingers I tried to gently stroke its feathers when suddenly it bit my ear and flew away before my fingers reached it. It had bitten my left earlobe right off and it hurt and stung. Then I heard someone yelling somewhere on the krell and I called out myself hoping aid was coming to us. If it wasn’t I would have to get Krasser back to safety, but that would be a very difficult task. Luckily I saw a group of men moving up towards me, they were still far away but the seemed to be heading to where I was. At that moment I realised that I had run far during the night, I had run for miles it must have been, and how I did it I do not know even today. Anyways I went to check on Krasser when I noticed that his right earlobe had been bitten of recently just like my left. This suggests to me a connection between Krasser and me, but I have not yet spoken with him as he was wounded badly and is still not ready to talk. Still we waited in the cave until the men came. They quickly took care of Krasser and motioned for me to follow. We made the long walk back to the camp where everyone was ready to leave. I thought that now my time here was over, but I was offered to travel with the tribesmen if I wanted, and I did accept their offer.
I have now been with them for some days and I feel the cold slowly leaving my fingers. I will stay here until Krasser is so well that he can talk, for I have many questions for him. They do not speak to me, and I think that perhaps only a few know the common tongue. I have tried to learn a few words but it is difficult when no one speaks. They are quiet people and it reminds me of Krassers words when I asked him if he would hear my song before the death of Herret. He said to me that song was something to be used only at special occasions. I see his point for if one just sings without reason then the words and the song itself loses meaning.
Well I should stop here I am tired and I need to rest my fingers a little. Still, one thing I will say. I have not learned something new, but at the same time I have learned more than many men will in a lifetime.
-
*the text has regained much of its elegance and looks more like it did in the beginning of the journal*
I have not spent much time writing during the last weeks, but now here on the eve before my return to the lowlands I will recount what has happened during my stay with the Ulinrann Hrill as the Storm Horn tribe is called in their own language. I have spoken some with Krasser about many things and most importantly the events that took place. He told me that the drumming on the eve of the funeral was an invitation to the Vhill Ossug, which means guardian spirits, like the one he told me had saved me on the krell. The Vhill Ossug is invited to guide the new ossmer down a path that he needs to walk before he can lead the tribe. What happened to me was that the Vhill Ossug came to me and led me down the same path as that of Krasser. He has never heard of this before that two people were led down the same path at the same time, but as he said it is and new world and it has brought forth changes before.
I must agree with him, the world seems to be ever changing around me, some times for good, some times for worse, but it never stops. For them it must be even worse. They were driven from their home in the Storm Horns and had to find a new place to live. This helped me understand why I thought I heard the hooting of two owls at the cave. It was not only the Vhill Ossug guiding me but also the one guiding Krasser. I think the bears were part of it as well, as the second bear was at the cave when I arrived there, which must mean that Krasser was also chased by one. That they didn’t enter the cave as soon as I ran in could be that the Vhill Ossugs kept them at bay until I showed my worth. I have to be honest never imagined that I did have a totem animal as it is called back on Mistone I think, but then again I have not given it much thought before.
We have also spoken of their language, and it seems to me that they have mostly short words. For instance is Ulinrann Hrill composed of three words which are ullin meaning Silence, rann meaning cry and hrill meaning son. This means that the Storm Horn tribe is in fact called the Sons of the Silent Cry. The deeper meaning of this still eludes me, but I believe that it has to do with perhaps their silence and yet strong voices, but it is only speculation. I also learned some other words, but unlike in the common tongue there are no words for well met and farewell since it is for them a trivial thing and can be said by only a nod. The same is with thank you with is also expressed by a nod, but Krasser told me that in some cases the word uss can be used, but it is a sign of deep gratitude, and hence should not be used lightly. A few common words are
Krell - Mountain
Ka - Yes
Ri – No
Ess - Drink
Koss - Food
Hi - Fire and hinn - campfire
He or she - hy
Krasser told me about the words Grassar hy krellig, and it means “freedom to his soul”. Again the word grassar is composed of more words which gives it additional meaning. In fact it is gra which means soul and ser which means stone, making it stone-soul. This could be understood as unbreakable soul or everlasting soul as the soul is like the stone of the krell, everlasting and unbreakable. That they have a word such as soul so closely tied to the krell or ser made me see the close connection between the tribesmen and the mountain. But is seems only natural since they spend their entire lives up here in the cold and harsh environment. Likewise is krellig a word meaning freedom but although Krasser did not explain it to me I see it closely linked to the word krell which also suggests this strong connection to the krell for these people. At first I thought the words merely meant something like “he rests with the mountain”, but now I understand that these men are a part of the mountain as the mountain is a part of them. Although it is not a complex language it is a language with many meanings of every word and to fully understand it one would need to fully grasp their beliefs and culture as it is woven together very tightly.
I have found a couple of feathers from a snow owl while walking around near the camp. They are large beautiful white feathers and I have fastened them to my cloak. They will serve to remind me of what has happened as well as be a sign of my appreciation of my Vhill Ossug.
I will return to Highpass tomorrow, with the aid of the tribesmen. It has been an interesting stay here with them for the last weeks, and I have learnt much from them, and I will never forget these people that live here in such a remote region. I do however also look forward to going back, especially to see Melissa again. I have thought of her often while I have been here. I hope she will be glad to see me, and I think she will. Well in any case I shall see her soon again.
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It is good to be back. I walked through the gates of Hlint last night and it was a welcome sight. I met a few friends on my way back and I must admit that I was happy to see them. Although they were all in a hurry I still felt glad to see them.
I met Rolf and Fenrir in Hlint and Fenrir indeed were happy for all the angelica I had brought for him. Rolf it seemed had died in Arabel fighting some giants; although I have no idea why he would go there, that place is dangerous. I also met a man called Burr Gjest, he says he comes from Krashin, and yet he could not even pronounce it right. He also said he knew me, and had heard me sing and seen me back there. And what matters more he knew of the murder of my family. I shall speak further with him about this and what he knows of the Egilsons, although I have thought of the option that he is perhaps one of them, seeking Skarp and I out to kill us. They would win the feud then by murdering us; probably murdering us in our sleep I have no doubt. I shall sleep with one eye open tonight, and if something happens I shall be ready. The Egilsons will receive the head of their assassin if it turns out that Burr is that. Still I will not let him know what I suspect, for he could also be just a man from Krashin, but it just seems a bit odd to me, like his name. Burr Gjest, it means young stranger, and it is not a name one would be given at birth. Perhaps he hides his real name, but I will find out what it is, or at least stay close to him so I might learn more of him.
I have not yet seen Melissa and I have sent messengers out for her but they have all returned telling me that they could not find her. I also asked a bit around and no one seems to have seen her for some time. Perhaps she has travelled somewhere, but that is not like her, she used to be around Hlint most of the time. I must admit I fear that something has happened to her. Tomorrow I shall continue my search for her; she cannot have disappeared without anyone knowing something.
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She left me! I spoke with Hali today out near the Dire Woods and she told me that Melissa had left her key on the doorstep of their house. It can only mean she has left to somewhere, without giving me a single notice. I feel betrayed and abandoned. It was as Maz said she toyed with my heart, for I know now I did love her. I have asked around for her for days, but no one knows where she has gone. Still in the end it matters not, for she did not leave me a single word or note, so I guess I meant nothing to her, I was just something she had a little fun with before moving on. When Hali told me I was saddened and I still feel hurt, more than any blade could do. But I will try not to let I show, I will try to keep up the appearance of being my old self.
Still I find comfort in that some seemed to care for me. This new girl that Skarp and Rolf introduced me to did indeed seem to care. I remember her laying a hand on my shoulder telling me it was all right after Hali told me the news of Melissa. Her name is Abigail, and she seems like good company. She is really pale and has raven black hair, but it looks good I must admit. She actually put a smile on my face for the first time since I returned from the Troll Mountains. I know all this perhaps sounds dumb, and perhaps I am just looking for anyone to fill the hole Melissa tore in my heart. I do not know, I honestly don’t, but she was one who took interest in me, and cared for my loss, not like Skarp who is happy she is gone. Damn it, where will this all lead, I do not know, but I will follow my heart, although I will be careful, for I do not wish to get hurt again like that.
On another account Skarp, Rolf and I have formed a trading alliance, where we help each other making items. I think it could turn out quite profitable. For instance Skarp brought me some copper and I made them into rings set with greenstone, and so far I sold 3 today, making me a net 900 coins.
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Once again I have met death, but this time from a friend. I was up in the Berhagens with Abi, Kaizer, Kil, Brue and a few more. We made it to Shoufal easily, my new armour showing its worth.
Abi made it for me actually, requesting nothing for it. It was really kind of her, and I must admit I have taken a liking to her, she is good company. We found some jaguar at Velensk, which she made into the armour. It is green as my old one, and it feels good to move in.
Well, in any case we proceeded past Shoufal and got to the cave far up in the mountains. During the final battle at the cave I suddenly felt a sword bite into my back, and I felt myself slip into darkness. I woke at the bindstone in Hlint, my soul toiling from the incident. I at that time thought it was a giant who had hit me, although I did not see anyone around me. Later I learned though that it was Kaizer who had hit me in an accident. Guess I need to watch out for my friends as well as foes in combat, how odd that may seem.
I met Q and a man called Charles back at the bindstone and while my spirit tried to cope with the incident I told them the tale of my travels to the Troll Mountains. It was a long tale, but I think they felt inspired by it, and that makes me happy. They were a good audience, posing interesting and relevant questions, and all in all we had a good time before we had to go our separate ways.
After a good night sleep I felt much better and meeting Abi did also lift my spirit. When she is around I do not think so much of Melissa and how she abandoned me. I am glad I have met her, and we have spent the day travelling together. Not that we have done much, we went to Hampshire to craft a bit. She is a skilled tailor and she was making some armour while I was polishing some gems.
Later on we went back to Hlint where we met Ulver. It was good to see him again and we had a bit of fun. He told he had just tamed a bear up in the High Forest, but he wished he could tame a griffon. Then he would use it to fly across the sea, wearing a cape covered in feathers. I said to him what would people think. They would wonder if it was a bird or a dragon, before realising it was Ulver, or Super-ulver as he said.
As we were speaking Q and a paladin of Toran, Slate I think he was called, approached us and the paladin told us to beware of a half-ogre who apparently had committed foul acts just recently. As we spoke Abi started to say that soon she would be blamed, to which I said that she could have done nothing for she had been with me. The paladin also backed her up, so no harm was done, but still as she ran out the door I felt as if something was wrong. I don’t know how anyone would think she would be a criminal, she is good hearted and I have never seen her do wrongs. In any case I shall back her up if any accusations arise.
I also spoke with Slate about revenge and his thoughts on it. I explained what had happened back on Krashin and he told me that we should leave it to the Toranites to deal with the Egilsons. Skarp would never agree to that, he for sure wants to kill them all. I do too, but I have an uneasy feeling about killing women and children. How can a child be held responsible for the acts of its father? It somehow does not seem right to slaughter an entire family, it is something vile people would do, and am I vile? I hope not, for then I have learnt nothing from all my travels; I would be nothing more than a common killer. We should settle the feud once and for all on the field of battle, man against man, not man against women and children. I know I have felt rage burn within me previously, wanting to kill them all, and make them suffer, but I have had much time to think about this while travelling with the Ulinrann Hrill. It is not honourable, and it will only bring more sorrow. Skarp will never understand I think, but time for that talk will come, it is not yet something we need to deal with.
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I spoke with Maz today. I met her in Hlint where she was speaking with Burr, and a little lad named Bido. On account of Burr I have tried to befriend him, so he will now know what I suspect. He has not shown any signs of betrayal yet, so I will trust him, but also watch him for now.
Anyways Maz wanted to speak to me, so we went over to the pond and took a seat. She said she knew what had happened and how Melissa had left, and she was sorry for me. I in turn told her that she had been right all along, for Melissa had played with my heart, and had not cared for me. But Maz said that perhaps in some way she had loved me, but she had never thought of past nor present but only the moment, so she did not think of hurting me. I guess Maz is right, and in any case it was good to speak with her about this, for she understood how I feel. She told me of her husband and how he had one day vanished only to return weeks later at the brink of death. She had seen him die, it must have been horrible. I truly feel for her, for one as she should not go through something like that. Still she said that it gets better with time, and I believe her, for had she not told me I would have never guessed such ill luck had befallen her.
I also told her about Abi, and how I feel better when she is around. Still I have a feeling that Skarp is trying to set me up with her, not that I would mind I think, but I don’t want Skarp to do it for me. Maz understood but again warned me that I should be careful. I will be, I have been hurt and do not wish for this to happen again. Sometimes at night I still feel as I did when Hali told me she had left. How for that moment it was as if the world around me collapsed or more like if a giant had punched me. I was sad, mad, furious, all and none at once. Damn if she had walked up to me at that point I don’t know if I would have kissed or killed her. But she has left me and I must deal with that, trying to put it behind me.
Maz and I spoke of many things, and to be honest it is a long time since I have had a talk that good. Just two friends sitting and talking about life, everything and nothing, it was nice. Still as Maz said someone seeing us could get the wrong idea, but I don’t care, we both know we’re just friends and that is enough, what others think of us or how we seem does not matter.
Well dawn is breaking soon, best be getting some sleep soon I guess.
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I had a long talk with Abi today. I met her while Maz, Nex and I were playing cards at the inn, and to be honest we were quite caught up in the game. It is really amazing, and although I am not skilled yet, I think I am fairly good at it. I even got myself an expansion pack and some other cards, so soon I’m ready to play for more than ante.
Well in any case Abi did not think much of the card game, and it seemed as if she was not in a good mood. Maz and Nex stayed at the inn, but I thought I’d better go see if Abi was ok. I found her outside, and she was indeed not happy. She thought I would waste my life away in there with the cards, and I see what she means, for I could spend days playing that. Then she told me that she was good for nothing. She didn’t mean anything nor could she do anything. I told her I thought she was a good tailor and great at moving about unseen. Still she did not feel well, for as she said she could not kill a single thing herself, but as I said what does it matter, I cannot do much by myself either, but still I make a difference, just as she does. For it is not for one man to change the world, it is something many has to do, and it requires the work of many, no matter how insignificant it may seem. We took a seat by the pond in Hlint so we could speak more out of the way. It saddened me to see Abi like this, she seemed so lost. She then told me that she had spoken to Forty-Two, strange name for a lass, and Hali today. They had told her about the shadowdancers, masters of the art of being unseen. It seemed Abi did wish to join them, but she could not find any nor had anyone come to her. As she explained, it would make her be part of something, something more than just being Abi, and I understand what she meant. It is not easy not knowing once place, always questioning your own actions, thinking about ones life, and I do wish I could help her. In fact I have decided to travel to Dregar soon and make some inquiries about the shadowdancers, or perhaps I can find something even closer. I do not dare hope to find them, but if only I could find some information it would at least be something. Abi told me how depressed she had been, and it had helped to talk to people about it. I suggested she kept a journal, like what I do, it is a way to let out all those feelings that build up inside, and you cannot let go. Perhaps it would be better to talk about it, but I don’t want to be a man who unloads his troubles on others, and lately I have felt better than I have in a long time. I don’t know why, or well actually I think I do. I spend much time with Abi, and we get along really well. I must admit I like her, I like her a lot, and she is nice and caring…who am I kidding, I have fallen for her. Sitting there on the bench I wish I had had the courage to take her hand and tell her it would all be all right.
We were interrupted by a man who came and asked us if we would audition for his show. We agreed, and met at the courthouse to do the audition. The man was Galerovel Revin, a bard who is making a show it seems. I thought well I’d give it a go, even though I was a bit bothered by how full of himself and his own skill he was. I sang the song of the paladin and the minstrel, and he thought it fairly decent, while the others who had gathered thought it good. It is good; it is still to this day one of my best works. In any case he said I could join the show but then he had to rush off. As he left he apparently slipped a note in my pocket saying that I should meet him at the inn, so I went to the inn. He wanted to discuss two things with me, first the possibilities of making a road show starting in Leilon, and then moving to Velensk so all of Mistone could see our work. It is a good idea and I would agree to do that. Then another matter was Abi, he had appearantly listened in on our talk, which is indeed not very polite, and he said he could “help” me make her love me. I’ll have none of that, even though he did not explain how, he did not need to. If Abi should fall for me it should be for whom I am and not what someone sets me up to be. It will be a lie and you cannot build anything based on lies and deceit. If he speaks more of this I shall tell him that I do not wish to be part of that.
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Oh how could I forget to write this, seems like my mind has been preoccupied. A few days back there were rumours of a large winged beast tearing folks up near the Grey Watchtower on Rilara. Quite a few turned up to investigate, including Abi, Hali, Skarp, Rolf and I. We were met by a ranger who told us of the creature and it seemed it could have been a flying manticore, most interesting. We decided to head east to the Tauren Hills to investigate, guided by a little halfling lass called Lucky. She knew the area well, but there was much discussion of who should be leader. Hali said I should lead, since I was the cutest, never been called that before. Well anyways Skarp then said that I was a kid and could not lead anyone, and then all hell broke out about who should lead. In the end I suggested Lucky guide us and as no one took charge on where to go I said we should head out.
We found lots of kenku in the hills and but no flying creature. Soon we stumbled on a wagon with people lying dead near it. It could have been the beasts doing, but alas we were too late to save them. We pressed on to Gellon River, where we met this elf. I think his name was Morningspear or something like that, and he told of drows advancing. He asked us to guard the river while he went for aid. We formed up in battle formation, fighters on flanks and front, and spellcasters in the middle. Soon the drow came, mages and assassins attacked us from several sides, but after a hard fight we prevailed.
Soon another elf approached us, telling that his party had been attacked by the drow south of Himlad. We decided we had to go help and see if there were any survivors so we moved on to Himlad and the forest south of there. We found death, many elves and drow lay dead on the ground. It had been a vicious fight it seemed, and some had a hard time coping with so much death. I guess I should not hold that against them, but somehow I cannot feel the sorrow so deep, for I did not know them, and they died valiantly defending Himlad from the drow. In any case we followed the tracks to the Delwin River where we found a few tracks leading over the bridge down there. We spoke for lengths of possible ambushes, but if survivours were there then we were obliged to help them. I took notice of how much Abi argued that we ignore danger and should go help them as fast as possible. That is most commendable and I really was impressed with her. So we went towards Bone Hill, it is a bad place, I have only been there once before, and that time I ended up at a bindstone back at Castle Raxswell. Still Abi was right we should go and help if we could. As we came to the strange area near the hill lucky flew up and saw movement north of us, so we quickly doubled back to the river. Here we fought drows and we were victorious, but alas we had a casualty. Ryn, a drow who travelled with us, fighting his own kin died on the bridge, hit by an assassin’s blade. It must be odd for him to fight his own kin, but then again I am human and I fight humans. I guess they are as different as we are although most consider them evil. At least Ryn has done me no harm as Arwinath never did me harm. As we moved back across the river the air around us suddenly exploded with fire, and again we were under attack. We waited for too long on that bridge, I know that now, but it cannot be changed now. We charged the drows who were prepared for us on the other side of the Delwin. I saw how people moved in before me, and as I was fighting with a great summoned beast I saw out of the corner of my eye one of our own fall. I tried to move out of the way to heal him and me, hoping to save his life, but at that moment it seems a mage cast his spell, and I felt a moment of pain and then nothingness.
As I awoke I saw elves and others around me. Appearantly the elf had raised me, and I am grateful for that. Skarp gave me a hug as soon as I got up...he has NEVER done that before and I have no idea of what got into him that day. I found out more had fallen, and Hali had raised poor Lucky who was amongst the fallen. I think my death scared Abi, for she seemed a bit disturbed by it, and made me promise not to do that again. I promised, knowing it would be hard to keep, but still I wished to make her feel better and I will do my utmost to keep my word.
The drows defeated we returned to Himlad where we parted ways. Abi, Skarp and I stayed for some time walking the countryside. Abi showed us a town called Stone north of the Belgaer Hills and besides it lays a huge castle. We hunted some panther for Abi to work with and some leopard. Still one thing that is most notable happened. As we came by Casterly Castle we saw two elves speaking. They spoke of something the drow had wanted but not gotten, and as we asked what it was they said they had never mentioned neither drow nor items. As they left us we tried to follow but they escaped us. The three of us agreed to investigate this further, and we did retrace our steps from the watchtower to the Delwin, but we found nothing. I think there is more to this than meets the eye, but so far it is something the three of us keep between us. We will investigate further soon, very soon, for I fear something is brewing down on Rilara, and with Bloods forces moving into Bloody Gate it can become a real mess.
Oh yes on a more merry account. Rolf is a strange fellow. We met Hali and she told that what she wears is an iron armour, made to look like a dress. Rolf got really excited and wanted to “examine” it, I had no idea priests of Mist were like that, sometimes he seems more like a Xeenite, guess I shouldn’t say that, he is a good man and a good friend, he is just odd sometimes. Like Abi and I call him, the crazy priest.
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I went to Dregar with Rolf today to show him a bit around. Was a good trip, and I even got some nice pelts for Abi. Actually I got quite a few, panthers and lions from Rilara and tigers from Dregar. Besides that the trip was more or less eventless, found some resources and made a little map of it, for future reference.
As we returned to Hampshire I sent a bird to Abi that I had something for her. Not long after she arrived and I showed her the pelts I had brought for her. I think she was happy for them, and that is what matters. To bring a smile to her face is a reward in itself. In any case we ran about quite a bit without any real purpose, just talking and having a good time. We then met with Brue and some others who were headed for Berhagen. A little lad came to join us but Forty-Two said he should not summon any undead. So he was a necromancer, I would never have thought that, but as he spoke and we began discussing it became clear that he loves the dead. He even thinks they have minds and wills, but I doubt that. Skeletons are mindless creatures bound to serve, and it is wrong to disturb the dead to make them do your bidding. I told him this and we got into quite the argument, ending in him reaching for his sword. It never came to more than that, and we agreed that if he did not summon any undead I should not speak of this while we were on the road. If I see him again I will tell him my mind though, but on a trip up there one has to be united to succeed.
Then later in the evening I met Kali and a man called Remiel back in Hlint. We spoke for some time of bards and out knack for running into trouble. It was an interesting talk, and I do believe that to tell the stories we do we have to seek out danger, for it is there the stories lie. Well at least the stories of heroes. Soon a little crowd gathered around us. Kali then sang a wonderful song about a thief and a dragon. A good tale indeed and how she used the music to pace the story is really amazing. Then after a while I told them the tale of the Stonesmasher Clan. I think they liked it, although the applause was not overwhelming, but with what happened next I do not care. The great Ozymandias, gestured for me to come over to him, and told me in a whisper that it was a good performance I did, and if I sought to enter the Chord he would be happy to give me a recommendation. I am honoured by this, a great bard as him liking my work and even recommending me. Furthermore if I did not wish to join the Chord then he perhaps would have a little something for me…bard to bard. Wonder what that could be, but I did not find out. Still I know I will never be of the Chord, I know that for they will not appreciate what I do and how I live my life. In any case Ozy then told us a tale, he gave us several options and some of us argued that he should tell a dark tale, and so he did. It was a fantastic tale of betrayal and plotting, and I shall not even try to recount it here for it will not do it just. I hope I one day will have stories like that to tell.
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Abi gave me a present today, it was a very beautiful set of panther leather armour, and I was for once lost for words. It is so kind of her to give such a valuable set of armour to me, and that she did means much to me. If Rolf had not been there I would have given her a big hug I think, but I didn’t want to do it in front of him. I really should tell her how I feel, but I am afraid she will scorn me. I don’t really know what to do.
Well in any case we got the idea that we would make a map, and on this map mark some of the valuable resources around. It was quite fun running around searching the countryside, and we found things I had never thought of could be where they are. Many asked to buy the maps we made, but so far it is ours, for we have risked life and limp for it, so for a while it should be ours to enjoy.
When I met up with Rolf today he showed me our new house. It is quite nice, and he has done a lot with the decorating. I got my room and I’ll have to make it look properly soon…and less like a shrine. Well downstairs is not so bad, but up on the 1st floor he has a shrine, which none may enter without his company. It is fair enough I guess, and I don’t have reason to go there anyway. In any case Rolf and I spoke of having a great feast soon, to celebrate our good fortune. I was charged with making a guest list, but I think I’ll just post a note at the inn, that way I will not forget anyone. We will need lots and lots of ale, and food. And I will compose a poem for the event. It must be a poem of great and epic scale, if I find a story worthy of it, well I hope I will.
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I don’t really know how to begin this. Today when I met Skarp in the craft house in Hlint he asked me if I had told Abi that I liked her. How can he know that I like her that much, but well I guess brothers can tell. In any case I said no I had not told her for I dared not, what if she did not like me like I liked her, and what if she would know nothing more of me then. He seemed to think that she feels as I do, but how can he know, he is not a ladies man as far as I know, and suddenly he has all the answers. Perhaps he is trying to make me forget Melissa, I don’t know and I don’t want to go into that discussion with him.
In any case, I ran to get some clay for some moulds for my rings, since there was not more to say about the topic for the time being. There on my way I met Hali, Abi’s roommate, and who would be better to know anything of how Abi feels than her. So after a small excursion we sat by the pond in Hlint and I asked her if she knew if Abi liked me, for I was very taken with her. Hali did not know, but she said I should tell Abi how I feel, for it would be better to know than go in uncertainty hoping for something that will never happen. I know she is right, and I know I should tell Abi, I am just so afraid. This scares me more than anything I have ever done, going to the Troll Mountains, fighting ogres, giants and undead, it is nothing compared to this. If I tell her I will have to let my guard fall, and if she so wishes she can tear my heart from me and break it with a single look or word. Is that worth it, I guess it is, but the thought of it scares me. If there was just some sign, anything.
*lots of lines and dots cover the papers as if someone has been doodling while thinking*
I know what to do! I will go the krell, up to Lar. Up there in the snow I will sit and think this through. If I am worthy perhaps my Vhill Ossug will visit me and guide me, but of course such trivial matters are below such a noble spirit. I will just find a quite place and gather my thoughts while the snow will gently fall around me and the wind whisper to me. I shall find my answer… or perhaps I shall find courage. My god, I am beginning to have fears and doubts again, and as they come I feel the connection to my spirit fade. It is hard to reach that place inside me where I find the power of my voice. I need to get this sorted out, or all has been in vain. I must go.
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Yesterday when I came down from the krell I met Abi, Hali and Brue in Hlint. My mind was set that I would tell Abi how I feel; it would be the decent thing to do. The four of us spoke for a while, and then Hali had some business to attend to. Abi and I spoke a bit, I told I had been up in Lar to do some thinking, and actually she goes there to think as well. Still, I said to her that I needed to speak with her about something, but that I would prefer we spoke somewhere a bit less public. As I had promised to cut some gems for her anyways, we agreed to go to her house and get the minerals at the same time. I have never been that nervous on a trip, and never has the road from Hlint to Hope felt that long. My heart was racing, my mind filled with fear of what she would say, increasing with every step towards Hope.
Finally we were there. We took a seat in her bedroom, the only non-storage room in the house oddly enough. And I then began to tell her how I felt. I told her I liked her company, I liked her, and in fact that I more than liked her, I had fallen for her. She listened quietly and when I had finished she told me that she liked me too, but. I thought I knew what she would say, she liked me, but only as a friend, and she did not see more than that between us. Even though she only made a slight pause before continuing I still felt everything crumble around me, it was as if time froze for a moment. She then continued. She had some things that needed her attention, but when they were complete I could call her my girlfriend. Never have I felt such change of mood so fast. I went from the deepest hell to the highest heaven within a heartbeat. I must have looked a bit stupid, my face split by the largest smile I think I have ever made. I of course said that I understood, and I would wait till the end of days if it had to be. She told me that if I still felt like that when that time had passed it would be us, but she did not want to be a rebound from Melissa, but I know now that she is not. Abi told me she had some secrets, and perhaps they would change how I felt about her, but as I said, I had secrets as well. I then told her of my past, of Krashin, of the murders and of my thoughts of revenge. These dark thoughts that sometimes haunt me, and I know I should not give in to them, but it is sometimes hard. Still she listened attentively, and when I had finished she said that when I was ready to go to Krashin she would come with me, and she would help me, help me get even, but not killing innocent people. I was relieved, and I think that with her at my side the dark thoughts of cold murder will be kept at bay.
Abi also told me some things of her that I did not know of. She has been a thief and even been to jail, still I will not hold it against her, as we all do bad things, and no one can be called innocent. Why should she not could redeem herself, I am sure she can, for there is so much good in her. Also she explained to me that her parents were dead and she grew up with her aunt and uncle. When her uncle died she was blamed for it by her aunt, who cast her out calling her a bloody tiefling. If Abi is a tiefling I do not know, she has not shown anything hinting she was demonbreed, and to be honest I don’t care, for I love her as she is. I think she was relieved to tell me all this and that I did not shun her because of it. Indeed I should thank her for having such confidence as to tell me these things, for many would look down upon her for those, but it will stay a secret with me, and not a single soul, dead or alive, shall ever know of it.
This has been such a wonderful day, I am so happy!
-
I have tried to be a bit friendlier to Burr. A little while back we were speaking and he was about to tell me a tale, when I saw Q who I urgently needed to see. I ran after Q and got a hold of him, but I know now that I should have stayed and listened to Burrs tale. In any case I have given him my apology, and a few greenstones I had no use for, so he may practice his gem cutting skills.
Perhaps I have been mistaking about him, he has only been friendly whenever I have met him. I will ease my guard and treat him as well as all my other friends, perhaps he could even become a good ally against the Egilson’s. And should it turn out that he is indeed an assassin I shall deal with that when time comes.
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The other day I went with a group of people to investigate some elves that was missing in Karthy. A man in Hampshire told us that the elves, the ones we had dealings with when we fought the drow on Rilara were at a thieves’ guild in Karthy. If they were guests or prisoners he could not tell, but the situation needed to be investigated. He had apparently gotten this information from a man named Ulver Underhand who knew the guild very well, and perhaps too well since they have put an assassin on his trail. I was told this the day before by Captain Garant in Hlint so I had an idea of what was going on. After we had agreed to help I told what I knew, of the drow attack, of the elves Abi, Skarp and I overheard at Casterly that day and what Garant had told me. Since I knew so much of the story they elected me leader, so there I was again in charge of a band of heroes. It is quite a feeling, having people whom I respect very much for their skill listen to what I say and what I think is the right course of action, and actually follow my instructions. It seemed from what the man had told us that the best course of action would be a stealth mission, sneaking into the warehouse where the thieves were hiding and examining the situation. He also told of a man in the swamps west of Karthy, named Freedy the Forger, who perhaps had some passes to get us into the warehouse. We then spilt into two groups, a group for stealth and one for fights. I made Sand leader of the fighter group, as I feared that Brue would lose his temper when or if the situation went out of control and just charge in, and that was not what we would need at that point. We then left for Karthy.
In Karthy we spilt up, the fighters went to find Freedy and we went to speak with the owner of the warehouse, a merchant named Doshalot. We found him in the temple of Xeen, and came under the excuse of wanting to do business, and that Kil was giving us a tour of the temple. I think it was a plausible excuse as he is a xeenite, and well we all deal with some business. In any case we found this Doshalot and had a talk about the warehouse. It seems he had previously rented it to a “shipping company”, which I think Rahsar said was an old expression for pirates, but it had proved a bit troublesome. Some allies of his had then helped “remove” the “shipping company” and had then leased the warehouse from him. I told him we wished to rent it ourselves, and if it was possible to get a tour. He told us we should seek out the house and ask his allies, and that security was quite slack since his rent collector could enter without a pass. With those words he left us, as he had an important meeting in the temple later. We were quite sure that the allies were in fact the thieves’ guild.
We met the others who had returned from the swamps soon after and help a quiet meeting in an alley at the docks. They had gotten three passes from Freedy, so now we had to enter the warehouse. It was decided that I, Rolf and Rashar should enter first and investigate the warehouse while the others were ready to create some diversion on the docks. So we went over to the warehouse and entered one by one.
Inside we were met by a little Halfling to whom we shoved our passes and said we had business. She told us we could mind the store while she ran an errand, but we were not allowed to go upstairs. It seemed she thought us part of the guild, so we were in luck; we had the place almost to ourselves. We quickly decided to go on alone as opportunity had arisen, and we should not let it go to waste. So quickly we went upstairs, since we were not allowed to go there it had to be where the elves were held. Unfortunately while Rolf and I went down a corridor Rashar was stopped by a guard and we were sent down with a stern warning. I know I should have knocked him out, but I think that in the end it proved better that I had restrained my weapons. Downstairs we made ourselves invisible and went up again. There were quite a few people but we managed to get by them, then at the end of a corridor someone stepped on a trap in the floor. This of course alerted the guards, but we stayed still and invisible and soon they had left. We opened the door and inside we found the bodies of three elves. All were undressed and stabbed to death. As the others examined the bodies I picked the lock of a chest in the room and found a map as well as an ale stein and five short swords in there. I took it all and then we left as fast as possible. On the way out I think Rolf stepped on a trap the guards probably had placed, but still we did not stop and quickly made it to safety.
Back outside we quickly grouped up with the others and left for Hampshire. I had Jacc made a copy of the map, which shoved the docks and spoke of some kind of hole. In any case we met the man back at Hampshire and told him what had happened. At some point we asked who he was and he showed us that he was a part of the Mistone Alliance; somehow I think Rolf still did not trust him, but the papers looked all right I think. In any case we gave him the map and told him of the swords and that there possibly were two more elves that we had not yet found. He paid us a nice reward for this work, and said that he would call upon us again later; I hope he does, I can use the money and I feel that this will make a grand tale. In my head I am already beginning to make the poem, but still I have a little trouble with it. I guess it’ll come in time.
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I have not seen Abi around for some time and it worries me. I know she probably is out searching for the shadowdancers or knowledge of them, but still I wish she would have told me she left. Of course she can take care of herself, and I know she’ll be back soon. Perhaps she has found what she sought, I truly hope so, for then I shall carry this secret of her and me no more.
I actually went to the great library through the portal in Blackford last night. It is an amazing place, so much knowledge gathered there, but alas I did not find anything of the shadowdancers, but I will return later with more time and then I’m sure I’ll find something. I think I could spend a lifetime in there, reading, thinking and then again reading these tales and stories. It is so fascinating, I should take Abi there when she returns if she has not found what she seeks, perhaps the two of us will have better luck.
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I saw a most entertaining play today. A gnome in Fort Hope approached what turned out to be quite a large group of people as he was in need of aid. Actually a few of us had been standing in the road talking and more and more had gathered around us, quite impressive actually.
In any case the gnome needed some resources for making new props, as some kids had broken the ones he had and taken some of his sugar canes. Luckily some had both berries and sugar for him, and we quickly went about getting some sand, clay and oak for him. It was a simple task and it was soon performed, and again my lucky shovel let me find quite a bit of clay.
We then saw the play; it was about a man called Mr. Smee and his lollipop. It was in fact a wand of cute summoning, and he gave it to a woman he loved called Maeve. She wanted to summon monsters of the sea, but she only could summon a panda and a racoon. It was most hilarious and they performed really well. Then suddenly a man appeared and stole the wand. I was not really sure of whether or not he was part of the play, but it turned out he wasn’t I think. He would summon demons with it, but it back lashed and turned him into a rat, a rather fitting end for such a personage. As the play ended the performers received much applause, and they really did deserve it. It was a most fascinating play; I wish I could make such an act one day.
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*The page has several stains from water making some words harder to read*
I feel saddened by what I have seen and heard. Today I met Rolf, Jacc, Nalue and Buppi up in Krandor. There we saw a man walk by crying and sobbing, he went to the waterfront and prayed to Mist. He asked Mist to return someone to him, a woman it seemed, and as we guessed his wife. Rolf tried to comfort him, and get him to tell what the matter was, and finally he told us that he was Claus of Krandor, and his wife Patricia had been missing for almost two weeks now. He was clearly besides himself by grief, never have I seen such grief as what held Claus there. It makes my own pain when Melissa had left looking like a mosquito bite compared to his pain. We of course offered to help find her, who could have refused. He described her to us, and she must have been beautiful from what he told us. She also wore a medallion which was an oval silver plate with a blue stone set in it. We then asked to see his house, for perhaps she kept a diary which could hold some information to where she could be. He told us she had kissed him goodbye and then went to pick mushrooms in the forest, and sometimes she used to go to Llast, so that were our clues.
In their house we found her diary which Buppi read, as she was the only woman amongst us. It told us nothing more unfortunately. As we left we decided we should look in Claus’ valuables for in that locked room he may hold some clue, so while Rolf and I distracted him Buppi and the others broke into the room, but found nothing. I know some may think this wrong, but if it could give us a clue to how to save Patricia I think it worth it. The end justifies the means sometimes.
We then left and searched all the way to Llast without any traces of her. As Nalue and Jacc went back to the forest Rolf, Buppi and I spoke with Lieutenant Jutsen but he had not seen her around for a long time. We met the others in the forest just outside Krandor where Nalue had found a mushroom patch and in that a necklace, and without doubt the necklace Patricia had worn. He also found tracks of hoofs, as if goats had walked on two legs there. As we discussed a spirit appeared amongst us. It craved the necklace and as Nalue handed it to Rolf he spoke to it. He asked if it was Patricia and who had killed her. But she could not say much, only she recalled hoofs and horns. It was as if her mortal life had slipped from her memory, and only her love for Claus kept her in this world. How strong such a love must be to keep a spirit here, it is humbling to stand before such. Still Rolf promised her that we would seek her body and raise her so she again could be with Claus, and then Jacc was sent to fetch Claus from Krandor.
When he came he could not see the spirit and thought we played tricks on him. I think it was because he did not believe her dead that he could not see it. Still as he saw the necklace he burst into tears and collapsed on the mushrooms. The others set after whoever had taken Patricia but I stayed behind to guard Claus, for had some found him there in the woods he would have been defenceless.
This is what I have been told happened to the others. They followed the tracks deep into the Sword Rust Mountains, and there they found a camp of beasts. These beasts had horns and hoofs and stood as tall as a small giant. They had battled the creatures and in the end found victory. But alas it was a short victory for soon they found a pile of dead bodies, most of them half eaten. They searched for Patricia and found her, parts of her body eaten and only her face was still beautiful and untouched. Rolf had tried to raise her, but his powers were not enough, so he had suggested that they left for the temple of Mist in Leilon for they could surely raise her. The other bodies were burned and their ashes the others took with them.
In Leilon they had spoken with the priests but they could not resurrect Patricia without an emerald, and Rolf had just sold the one he had found. Alas they had to travel back to Krandor with the body of Patricia.
Claus was sticken by grief as he saw her body, but suddenly he filled with rage and lust for vengeance. And as he donned his armor and readied his sword we were suddenly beset by brigands and another of those large beasts. It was a fierce battle but in the end we prevailed, but alas both Claus and Jacc had fallen. Rolf was able to raise Jacc, but we took the body of Claus to Krandor and buried him in the same grave as Patricia, his arms around her and her head on his chest. In death they found each other, and even though I know I should be happy that they are together again, I cannot help feeling sad. I could not hold my tears back there at the grave, for it is just not fair that such love must find death prematurely. If only I had had an emerald I would have given it without hesitation, I would have given my life could it have made her come back to life. For what matters a life like mine, my love, it seems so childish and petty compared to what they had. That was real love, stronger than death it was, I have never seen such and I doubt I ever will. But alas I cannot do anything, but I shall tell the tale of them for it is not one that should be forgotten. I wonder if the love I have for Abi is as strong, or will grow that strong. And what of her love for me? Can we find love as great? Can anyone? My head spins with questions and thoughts, but my heart is heavy for this has touched something within me.
Still I can’t help wondering if going to Mist was the right choice, should we not have found a temple for Ilsare, the Archer of Love, surely they would have understood better than those clerics of Mist. But I do not know much of gods and faith, I hold a faith for no god, and should I ever find one I know now it should not be Mist, for she does apparently not care for love.
Tomorrow I will go and put some flowers on their grave.
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Today I went on a fishing trip; well I think it was what some would call big game fishing. In any case I had been told about this by Jacc and Rolf, and I wanted to see what it was all about. We met in Leilon, and quite a few people had gathered for the trip. There was this man called Reef who apparently is a sailor himself, so he was of course put in charge of the expedition. I learned that we were about to hunt a giant shark, called Big L or Big Lasher. Odd thing to name a shark, but it must be very terrifying if it indeed has earned a name for itself.
After some bartering with the captain of one of the ships, we finally got passage to the islands where the shark dwelt. It was a more or less uneventful trip, although it seems Jacc does not handle being at sea well, I myself felt it refreshing to look out across the ocean and feel the wind on my face. Sailing from Leilon reminded me of when Skarp and I left Krashin. We had arrived in Leilon and I recall the sailing to there with absolute clarity.
In any case we arrived at the island, and indeed it was hostile terrain. The water kept on rushing over our feet, making it hard to move, and the rock surface below us was slippery. Still we moved on in good spirit, for now we would soon kill a legendary shark. Still when I think about it now I can’t happen to wonder, is it right to go and catch and kill legends. Still this Big L had apparently hurt a lot of sailors and to put an end to this could was a just cause.
After moving a while we found a cave and entered carefully. Inside we were wading in deep water, and as we slowly moved forward we were suddenly beset by sharks. They were small but very fierce, and even though we stayed on our guard we never saw them before they were upon us. Still we kept on moving but before long we were attacked again and Kira fell. In fact we took many casualties during our walk, and if these were just regular sharks I started to fear for what Big L would do to us. We were lucky we had Rolf with us for he raised the dead over and over again, and I am sure it must have taken its toll on him, and still he did not complain.
Deep in the cave we found a place where we saw light in the water, a dim light, but still a light. I went over to have a look, when suddenly I felt my feet hitting nothing but water where I thought the ground would have been. I fell down into the water and felt the weight of my sword drag me to the bottom, where I could see a dim light. It seemed a shaft I was falling down into, but alas I knew I could not hold my breath forever. I had to let my sword go if I wanted to make it to the surface. So I let it go. The others had thrown a pike on a rope to me and I grabbed that and they pulled me out of the water. I was glad to be saved, although I did mourn my sword a little. In any case they wanted to examine the shaft so Vin the od little lad dove into the water with a rope around him. He is a strange one, the way he speaks amazes me, it sounds so different that anyone I have ever met and I think that making sentences like that would make for a grand poem or play. After quite a while he emerged with my sword actually, and interesting news. He had found a tunnel down there leading deeper into the cave. We decided to investigate and emptied our canteens so they would hold air for us to breathe during the swim.
The swim went fairly ok, and we ended up in a chamber where we saw many carvings on the walls, I am sure they are of elven origin but I am not well versed in that language, and hence I could not make anything of them, just like everybody else. We proceeded onwards, often attacked by sharks, but we did not deter. Finally deep in the caves we found a chamber where a strange stone formation was as well as a statue or perhaps it was a person encased in the rock was standing. Rolf was sure it was a temple to Shindaleria, or the elven pond dweller as he calls her. It seems he dislikes that god to the brink of hate actually. Still as we looked around we were attacked by sharks, but luckily we survived. Then we saw a big shark circling us. It was as if it was waiting for us, watching us. Jacc spoke to it in the language of the animals and it told him that we should leave or die. We discussed and then the shark attacked. The battle was fierce but brief, and in the end we were badly wounded but the shark was dead. As life fled its body it turned into an elven woman. Was it a were-shark or a cursed being I do not know. At least she is at peace now, not guarding that place, that shrine to Shindaleria where no one comes.
We then left the place with haste and made our way back to Leilon. Rolf mentioned someone called Carocsa who was turned into a shark by Shindaleria. I have since come to learn the whole tale.
A sea-elf woman named Carocsa once lived at what we know as Carocsa Bay. She was a druid and built a temple to Shindaleria on the beach, as well as an underwater observatory so she could study the sharks that roamed the bay. Once the Shark-Lord came with many sharks and they caused much commotion in the bay. One shark came into Carocsa’s observatory and threw her in the midst of a group of frenzied sharks. She being a druid turned herself into a shark and fought many of them off, before the Shark-lord held the rest back and had Carocsa follow him to his home waters. What then became of Carocsa is not known, some say she has been eaten by the Shark-lord, while others say that she now lives with him in the waters.
I do not know what the truth is, but in any case it is a strange tale. Still the girl we killed in the shrine, could be a druid just like Carocsa, who could turn herself to a shark. It is most interesting and I hope I shall learn more of this soon.
-
I heard a grand tale today. A dwarf named Brac’ar told of how he had gotten a sliver of dragon bone in his leg. It was during his dealings with the green dragon, the Broken One I think it’s called. Still I only received the short version of it, but before he left he promised that he would allow me to read the whole tale in his journal one day. That will be grand, and I shall compose a poem of it as I did of the tale of the dealings with Fisterion. Perhaps I should make a poem telling the tale of the dealings with all the dragons; it would indeed be an epic work, a work worth remembering. Yes that’s what I should do, it’s is merely a matter of finding those that dealt with the dragons, but I am sure Talan can tell me of those.
I met Maz later on. She told me her sister had gotten married and I of course congratulated her. We spoke for a while and I told her the tale of Claus and Patricia. I think she found it as saddening as I do, and I have promised to taker her to see the grave when we meet again. We spoke of how sad it was when Skarp came. He did not understand why I would have given an emerald or my life to save Patricia. I could at first not believe that he could be so cold and I explain more of the tale to him, but still he found us dumb I think. I said that he too would give anything to save such love if he had seen it, but he merely said that if he didn’t know her why should he do anything for her. I cannot believe him to be so cold and cynical. I was on the verge of screaming at him to make him understand, but I constrained myself.
I noticed that Rolf has put a note up at the inn asking for Abi’s whereabouts. I have not worried for her, as I am sure she is capable of handling herself, still that note, and more the fact that no one has seen anything of her has started to worry me. Think if she is gone, if she has left. I don’t think I would be able to bear that; I would then truly be deserted. Perhaps love is not for me; perhaps I scare people away when they see my feelings. I shall ask Hali when I see her again, for she must surely know something about Abi, and where she has gone to. Even though I feel hope inside me, I also feel a nagging fear gripping my heart. I dare not think the thought to an end and yet I cannot help it.
-
I have composed a poem of Claus and Patricia and their love for I do not wish this forgotten. They had what so many seek but so few find, and it still saddens me that they are now dead. Still by this poem I shall honour their memory
Listen here of a love so strong,
Of two people eternal bound.
Their love will last forever long,
A love stronger than most have found.
In Krandor a man and woman lived,
Patricia and Claus they were called.
Claus was of happiness deprived,
In sorrow he to the water crawled.
To Mist he prayed with tear filled eyes,
His love he pleaded her to return.
For she had vanished without goodbyes,
And he did for his love so yearn.
A band of people came to his aid,
They would for the lost love look.
While Claus in Krandor stayed,
They left into the forest by the brook.
Near a mushroom patch they found,
The necklace of Patricia torn.
Hoofen marks covered the ground,
They had a feeling of forlorn.
A spirit to them suddenly came,
Sought the necklace it did as it spoke.
Patricia was the spirits name,
With a scream she the silence broke.
Only her love for Claus held her here,
For she could only him recall.
But alas Claus could not see her near,
For he was blind, to love a thrall.
They the hoofen marks tracked,
While one stayed the lovers guarding.
For to this they had to react,
Dangers or warnings disregarding.
Deep in the sword rusts they found
A camp of creatures dark and foul
A combat fierce soon unwound
And creatures fell with a chilling howl
In a pile of corpses half eaten by beasts
They Patricia did find dead and scarred
To save her was now up to the priests
Alas he was from the strongest magic barred
To Leilon they took her body cold
The priests of Mist they bade
But they were only a nay told
They should an emerald have paid
They brought Patricia to Claus
He was filled with sorrow and despair
Then he was as if he had a pause
To avenge her death he did swear
Then beset by beasts they were
And a great battle did unfold
Moving so fast it was a blur
But death of Claus took its hold
In Krandor together they were buried
By the sea they lie in a grave entwined
Their souls no more by sorrow harried
For in death they did each other find
-
Today down at Velensk I was talking to Skarp, Burr and Rolf as a small halfling lass came up to us. She was rehearsing for a performance, as she herself was a performer as me. She even recognized me and knew I had written the poem of the Paladin and the Minstrel. It is not often you meet strangers who know your work, but it warms the heart when it happens. She also knew Skarp, from where she had heard of him I’m not really sure though.
In any case she asked if it was true that I had been fighting drows at the Delwin, and I could only tell her yes. I recounted the whole tale and she seemed like she indeed did like it. Rolf and Skarp had some additions, although it was not many. In the end we spoke for a while and she spoke of a place called the Bolthole. That reminded me of what was written on the map we found in Karthy, into the bolthole it said. We had thought it something at the harbour at Karthy, but she told of an inn called The Bolthole down south of Casterly Castle, on the way to the Mander and White Harbor. I have travelled much of Rilara but never heard nor seen the place, and I guess her words of the need for guides to find it is true. I think that even though she did not know she helped us greatly in this search for the elves and the item they carry.
On another note I have been thinking about having a Storytellers Night at the Inn soon. I have sent a letter to Owen and he will help me make the arrangement. It could be grand with a large audience for our tales, and I hope I can get some skilled performers to come and tell a tale or sing a song. Still there is much to do but I think it is manageable.
-
That little hafling lass, Ellen, did help us. I met a bunch of people in Hamp and we spoke of what we had learned. I told what Ellen had told us, an I think it was Jacc who told us about drow lurking around Karthy but now gone. We feared they were gone after the elves so with great haste we travelled to Casterly Castle.
Here we searched the surroundings and finally stumbled upon a path that led south. Soon we came to a great plain where we encountered several bloodthirsty wolves, but we prevailed and continued our journey. We found a little hamlet where we found an inn called the Bolt Hole by the locals. At the inn we spoke at length to the innkeeper who told us of two elves who had a room here but had left for White Harbor not long ago. Also another man had come, one with a grim look on his face as the innkeeper put it. I suspected that he was looking for the elves as he also had travelled towards White Harbor not long ago. Several of us thought it a good idea to have a look in the room the elves had rented and with a bit of persuasion we talked the innkeeper into letting us open the door. However, the door had been warded by magic, but Rashar did remove the warding so we could enter. It cost the door, but I guess that’s the risk of warding things. Still in the room we found something interesting, a small keg without a tap. Some suggested we smash it, but a few of us recognized it as an elven keg with magical properties. These kegs sometimes are used to turn one thing into another, transmutation I think it is called. So instead of breaking it we took it with us as we left for White Harbor and the elves.
Just outside the little hamlet we encountered an imp yapping on about missing its master. Foolish of us we told it our business and then it left us before anyone could stop it, even though Rashar made a good try.
Soon we were in White Harbor, and just as we arrived the town was beset by werewolves. We fought them off, but one of the local guards fell in the battle. Odd thing about these wolves but I don’t know if it means anything. In any case we soon learned that the elves had been here but travelled north along with an elven merchant. Quickly we started to go north, Nalue following their trail. We had not travelled long before we saw drows up ahead. Boldly we charged them, but what a surprise they had for us. We were slaughtered, they summoned things I have never before seen, and soon I felt darkness wrap itself around me.
I awoke soon; it appeared it had been an illusion, placed merely to trick us. This meant we were on the right track, but also that our enemy knew we were coming. Cautiously we continued and soon we found the bodies of three elves. There were marks of battle around but alas we were too late to save them. I noticed that the sand under one of the bodies had been stirred greatly and started digging there as I had a feeling something may be hidden there. Deep in the sand I found the tap, the tap for the elven keg. With the elves dead it was our duty to ensure the keg did not fall into wrong hands so we quickly buried the bodies and returned to White Harbor where we chartered a ship to Hamp. It was an uneventful sail, and as we gathered in the back room of the Scramps Mug in Hamp we tried to insert the tap into the keg. Nothing happened. Neither of us had any idea why, and we tried it a few times but with no luck. We then handed the keg to the authorities for safekeeping.
It has been a strange story this, and I feel more is behind it, still the greater purpose eludes me.
-
I feel broken. I had written Hali a letter asking her if she knew about Abi and where she had gone, today I got her answer. She has not seen Abi for long, and is also getting worried. Is she gone? Has she left? Has something happened to her? I don’t know what to do. She left so soon after I told her how I felt for her…was it me who scared her away by telling her. Cursed be I, and cursed be my love. I shall never find it, I know that now, I shall travel the lands telling tales, tales of heroes, of love, but I shall not be one, nor shall I find what I tell of. Perhaps it is what I must forfeit to do what I do…
I have lied to Skarp, I do work I cannot tell him of, for his own safety, and he would not condone what I do, so I have chosen to not tell him. Just a while back I was doing some of this work, and I told him I had gone to the Great Library. A lie! to my own brother, what is it I am becoming? I feel ashamed of myself, but still I also feel as if I am helping doing the right thing. Does the end justify the means? I sometimes wonder that, it is hard to tell, and I do not hold the answers. I know it is dangerous to write this, if someone should see my journal, so I shall not go into details. Still I doubt anyone sense this within me, this questioning and sadness, for most I am good old Geir, as I should be…
On a more happy account the Storyteller’s nights is coming along fine. Several excellent performers will come like Reef, Owen, Kali and Ilwé. It will be a grand night and I hope many shall come to hear our tales and songs. Still I don’t know if I shall tell the tale of Patricia and Claus and their love or the tale of the gem tree. It would be wrong to end the show on a tale of sadness, so perhaps the gem tree tale will be better. And I am sure many a dwarf will have gleaming eyes at the tale of that tree. I should make some arrangements for lights and a stage, but I think I still have time to do that.
-
Quite a few things have happened lately. I met Ellen again not long ago on my way to Hlint from the High Forest. She told me she was working on a tale of a shadow master, one of the most powerful of the shadow dancers. He can make the shades come alive at his will, which is not a small accomplishment. It reminded me of the shadow we once saw in Hlint that had been set free by a master as it said. Could this person be the same? Also I came to think of a man I saw near the Broken Halls who had walked by a few of us, and then disappeared in the shadows. It was as if they had wrapped themselves around him. Still Ellen wanted to seek him out and learn more of this for her tale, but I warned her about the shadow dancers as I seem to have lost both Melissa and Abi to this pursuit. Oh how I miss Abi. It has been so long since I have seen her, and I truly fear she will never return to me. Cursed be it all, I don’t know what to do. Perhaps I should just leave as well. I could go to the krell again, seek out the Ulinrann Hrill and live with them in silence. Perhaps the krell will claim my life, but what life is this to claim…
I met Jacc later along with some others at the pond in Hlint. There was this lass called Key who seemed to know much of the planes and I believe she may even be not entirely human herself. As we spoke I told her I knew a word in the language of the demons, the word Ozy taught me. She however did not believe me until I had said it then I think she perhaps was a little impressed. Still we sat and talked for a long time and I told them the tale Ellen had told me and added the part about the shadows being set free. We debated much of what it would mean to have ones shadow free, and what that being then would be like, would it not be a dark reflection of one self. It is a disturbing thought and I hope this will never come to pass.
Later on Jacc told me to tell the tale to a girl named Raye, who apparently wanted to hear it. So I told her about it. She in some way reminded me of Abi with her dark hair and pale skin, but she is nothing like her though. I think she liked the tale and a while later she asked me to show her and Klugger where I had seen this man in the shadows. I took them to Broken Halls and as we entered it seemed all the rats were gone. Instead we faced an odd looking creature who could indeed hit very hard. After a few battles we decided to try to avoid them and soon we came upon a darkness in a corridor. Then the man I had seen before came up to us and started talking about shadows and the shadow dancers. It seems Raye wanted to become one of them as well, what is it that draws people to these masters of the shadows? From what I understood she had completed a trial he had set for her and passed it. I am glad for her, but I can’t help thinking about what now happens to her. Will she become lost as others? Just as we entered Hlint she disappeared in front of me and vanished, the irony is striking I guess.
-
I have been neglecting my dwarven for some time. But then again I have not seen Fenrir to teach me new words. Still I was told by Gulnyr some time ago that what I thought met “well met” indeed meant “sure why not”. It seems the proper word for well met is “Zann Lak”. It must have been some misunderstanding on my part when Fenrir taught me. Oh well Brue taught me how to say aye some time ago, it’s called “azoa”. Still I have not used it for some time, but today I decided I will speak my dwarven words whenever I can. In some way it is also polite to greet people in their own language I think.
-
I met Ulver some time ago. It was good to see him again indeed. I gave him the greetings I had promised Dorena to give him, and he was quite happy about it I think. Dorena is a nice lass, and I think she likes Ulver very much. I’m happy for them, I hope they will find happiness together for I think they are very well suited for one another. Ulver told me that he worried for her because she insisted on going to the goblin caves even when he was not around, and that place can be tricky and dangerous if you’re not prepared. I promised him that I would keep an eye out for her when he was not around, it was the least I could do to help a friend.
I don’t know how we got into speaking of it, but suddenly we were speaking of me and how I’d been left. Ulver had spoken with Maz and she had told him a little of what had happened. He also thought it a sad tale, but he told me I was a good friend and it was a shame to see me sad both he and Maz thought so. Still I could only say that I tried to be a friend but I am far from sure that I do it well. He said I did and that many even wished they had my popularity. I find that hard to believe, but it was kind words indeed. True, I know many people, but still I do not think it is as Ulver said, but none the less I thank him for his kind words of comfort, he indeed is a true friend. I am just Geir, a storyteller.
-
I am alone. When I woke up today I somehow felt it within myself. She will not return to me, no one has known anything, nothing at all. I have asked most I’ve met but in vain. I should go search for her, I know it to be the only thing to do, but I do not know where to start. I feel sad, lost and helpless.
Perhaps the gods have punished me for forgetting about Kolfinna back on Krashin, perhaps I am just destined for this. I have died so often recently also, perhaps also my Vhillih Ossug has abandoned me or deemed me unworthy. Still I feel as if all my feelings of despair and sorrow fill that reservoir of power I found within me. There I hide them so only I may know, but no longer will I wear my bright green clothes. I will dye them black as her hair and they shall remind me of her.
-
I have now heard of the Velensk Rasp, a deathly disease that apparently strikes Velensk from time to time. A large group of us was there when we heard of it, and that a child had fallen ill from it. Normally, the captain told us, a man came from the mountains and cured the disease, but this time a woman had offended him for not coming to save her husband when he had contracted the disease. So now he would not heal the child before that woman told him so.
People were outraged that a man made himself a god like that, but when I think about it now what different is he from us. Somehow we make ourselves gods when we pick up swords for we also deal out death as we see fit. Does that make us better; I think it was Rashar who said that because we come from civilization we are better. I doubt that, I honestly do. I just think of the Ulinrann Hrill they are not what people call civilized but still they are kind and good men. I don’t see them as anything less than me just because they live in tents on the krell while I live in a house of stone.
In any case much time was spent debating what to do, but in the end the old man came but did not save the girl for the woman did not apologize to him. No one stopped him, and really what could we have done, he holds the secret to the cure, and if he will not give it then it will be hard for us to take it from his mind.
Also a brownie named Karyth was thrown in jail for entering the house of the woman and scaring her half to death. That caused much commotion and debate but there was nothing to do to save him from the jail.
I have noticed something recently. Not something I have given much thought before, but really why do elves always have to speak their own tongue in the presence of others? I find it irritating at times, and it is impolite as many people do not understand them. Well nothing much I can do about it though.
-
Finally we have unlocked the secret of the elven keg. It had been stolen from the authorities in Hampshire, and a group of us went to investigate. I was again chosen to lead us, and well I tried to the best of my ability, but still I am not a real leader I think. I tend to hesitate a bit too much sometimes. In any case we asked around and learned that some thieves from Karthy had taken it, most likely the thieves guild we already had dealings with. Also we heard of the imp we met near White Harbor, and that it served a great master, a black dragon! If this is indeed true then we have a powerful adversary to out work, but we will not deter. Also we found out that the key to opening the keg would be a third item, something besides the keg and tap. Then as we spoke of this it hit me that I had found an empty ale mug in the elves chest in Karthy, perhaps that was the key. Also I had heard from a man, the same man we met in Broken Halls with Raye in fact, of a word game. A game of words that come to mind apparently played by the nobles around Mistone or so he said. We tried and it went like this: keg…tap…drink…mug. Don’t know why I came to think of that, but it just hit me as we spoke.
In any case we travelled to Karthy and some of the group entered the guild house. Dorena, Burr, Daeron and I waited outside watching for anything out of the ordinary. It took a while but then they finally emerged from the house with the keg and tap. We then quickly tried to charter a ship but the captain was indeed not in the mood for sailing us to Hamp, so we decided to walk to Point Harbor.
Near Bloody Gates we saw trolls up ahead as well as a beholder. We tried to sneak by as they attacked us. The battle was brief but fierce, and in the end a few did fall to the beholders lethal attacks. Then the imp appeared before us, demanding the keg and tap in exchange for raising Bid, but we did not give him anything. Instead he fled though a portal, probably to his master. We hurried on and soon we caught a ship to Hamp.
At the Scramps Mug we examined the keg and put it together. With the mug under the tap we turned the tap and the keg transformed into a golden ring. It was indeed not a ring of elven making but more likely human, and someone recalled something about it resembling a witches ring. We then decided to take it to the Sielwood Witch as soon as possible for perhaps she can tell us more.
-
Poor Brue. I met him today in Hlint, and he did not look well. His arm was bandaged and his beard had turned all grey. I offered him an ale as he was about to tell his tale. We found a quiet table at the inn and then he told me what had happened.
Brue, Kaizer, Rurik and some others had gone up into the Berhagens where they had faced countless undead. As they fought their way to Shoufall they met dwarves fighting these undead. They told them that the sons of the Healer of Vorax had been taken and of course the band quickly set out to rescue them. Deep in a cave in the Berhagens they found a wizard standing in a pentagram painted on the floor. The lads were also there, but before they could do anything an army of undead rose and the floor was bathed in blood. They fought valiantly but alas they did not save the lads in time. Brue went to where the wizard had been but found only his staff. As he picked it up it exploded in his had, crippling it. He showed me the hand and never have I seen such. The smell of rotting flesh and the sight of his hand rotting away was almost more than my stomach could handle. I asked if it could not be healed, but he told me a healer of Az’atta had told him it was not a normal wound. Why had he not sought out a healer of Vorax I asked, to which he replied that Vorax had turned his back on him. He had failed and was not worthy to be one of Vorax’ heroes. We spoke for lengths about this and I offered my help if he should ever need it to find a cure, for Brue has been a good friend to me as long as I recall. I hope we will be able to do something about it, I really do.
On another account, I met something called a wemic today. He was standing outside Hlint talking to Ketzia when I came by. Well talking is perhaps a bit strong as it seems he only knew a few words of common, but none the less he did not seem aggressive, and Ketzia didn’t seem to worry so I had a bit of a talk with them. He was called Tai’Shar and seemed friendly enough. He does not see well it seems, probably because of a huge scar across his eyes, still his ears work very well I noticed so he’ll probably be fine. I did not stay long as I had to get to Hamp, but it was interesting none the less.
-
I have finally made my poem for the storyteller’s night, and I am sure it will be something people will like.
This is a tale of brothers three,
Who sought for a very special tree.
Their fate is not by many known,
For upon it many years have grown.
From a land afar they did hail,
A cottage by a seldom travelled trail.
They lived in snow and bitter frost,
But alas the place have for long been lost.
Three brothers in the cottage were,
Ulf the rogue in shadows a blur.
Bjorn the fighter with sword so keen,
Urd the mage with spells not often seen.
Urd then once a legend did read,
He had lust for power and much greed.
But his brothers did this not know,
They thought his heart pure as falling snow.
Urd did them then a story tell,
As he spoke silence amongst them fell.
For he told of a special tree,
A tree with gems for fruit he said with glee.
For some time they did themselves prepare,
With luck and skill they to the tree would fare.
The mage the rogue and the fighter,
Together they would make the world brighter.
They set out from their home with hope,
They would with what was on their way cope.
The path would many dangers hold,
But still they did stride forward bold.
Across the mountains through the vales,
They went on and on sharing many tales.
As they went worries they had none,
Their spirit was high as noonday sun.
Then a cave they did find at last,
Urd said it would lead to dungeon vast.
It was the place of legend old,
The tree of gems it would for them hold.
Into the cave they bravely went,
In darkness slowly they did decent.
Urd a tiny light did then make,
So him and Bjorn no wrong steps did take.
Young Ulf ahead of them did sneak,
He could without aid in darkness peek.
Around him the shadows did wrap,
Then he heard on stones a gentle rap.
Ahead he did see monsters foul,
In a great pale cavern did they prowl.
With little sound he the others warned,
But his words were by Urd the mage scorned.
He let a spell the cavern rip,
From the beasts flesh it did quickly strip.
But there were more than they had thought,
And the spell victory had not bought.
Spell sword and shadow into the fray,
But a beast to a dark god did pray.
It cast a spell old and twisted on them all,
And lesser men would by it fall.
The battle raged on and on,
No one knows how much time was gone.
Swords through flesh did slice,
And spells filled the air with fire and ice.
A chilling scream filled the cave,
And silence filled it as if it was a grave.
For the last beast had fallen before their might,
But it had been a costly fight.
Wounded and battered they stood,
Gasping for air as best they could.
Never before had they met such foes,
But no more trouble would be from those.
They continued their decent,
Still weary from the combat recent.
Many Caves they passed though,
All were bathed in a pale lifeless hue.
Many monsters they on their way fought,
But still they did not find what they sought.
For the tree of gems did them elude,
But it dimmed not their mood.
For days they in the caverns did walk,
Only when resting did they little talk.
Each man had thoughts of his own,
Of what would lie in the corridors unknown.
As their strength from them ebbed,
Their bodies with scars and wounds webbed.
They came across a carven stair,
And Urd did this with them share.
The tree will grow in light so dim,
Surrounded by creatures old and grim.
By the bottom of the stairs you shall find,
A tree with gems as fruit in stone entwined.
Down many steps they quickly went,
Their minds on the tree of gems were bent.
At last they reached a cavern great,
In a pale blue light they stood to wait.
For there the tree of gems they saw,
Their minds and hearts did fill with awe.
A tree of metal pure and white,
On the branches gems did sparkle bright.
They all ran for the tree of dreams,
Ulf said the gems so alluring gleams.
As they plucked gems as it was pears,
They knew fame and fortune was theirs.
But Urd did the others not trust,
And he said you have taken far too much.
For this should be for me and only me,
I merely led you here my fortune to see.
His eyes gleamed as blazing fires,
hands clutching emeralds and sapphires.
None of this you shall have brothers,
For I will not share this with others.
The others did with him long plead,
Shocked by how he did them mislead.
Why should we not use this for good,
With this fortune do much good we could.
Why do good when you rich can be,
I won’t risk life for others to be free.
Now you give me what you carry,
Oh and dear brothers do not tarry.
Ulf and Bjorn did the gems not drop,
Towards the stairs they went without stop.
But Urd was in his greed long lost,
And he would stop them at any cost.
Brothers stop this moment I say,
Or a dear price you will have to pay.
You will not leave this place alive,
So others can from my fortune thrive.
But they did neither stop nor turn,
Before Urd had a fire around them burn.
The cave filled with roar of fire,
Echoing in the tree as angels choir.
Bjorn was burned so be his fate,
As he turned his eyes filled with hate.
He threw his mighty sword so great,
Trying to seal his vile brother’s fate.
Ulf did then from the shadows jump,
To strike Urd dead when he heard a thump.
He saw Bjorn to his knees did fall,
Then his heart filled with a dreadful pall.
He saw Bjorn’s sword in the air,
But could at it merely blankly stare.
As it pierced his heart he did cry,
Cursed be your greed that made us die.
Urd did gems from his brothers grab,
Their faces gazing lifeless and drab.
He took all that he could carry,
No thoughts of his brothers to bury.
Soon he was leaving the tree cave,
Mind filled with words of might he did crave.
He saw not the beast behind him lurk,
As he walked with a satisfied smirk.
His body torn in pieces twain,
So fast he did not feel a pinch of pain.
But he did then not leave this place,
For rest would his soul not embrace.
Today you can hear his voice,
Cursing eternally his choice.
In the wind his words still do float,
About greed and death in a place remote.
A grand tale if I shall say so myself, and I doubt many know the tale of the tree of gems.
-
The Storyteller’s Night was a grand success. We got a room below the wild surge, and with some decorations it was really nice. We had a grand audience, and many more than I had anticipated came. Unfortunately I had gotten word that Ilwé would not be able to make it and it seemed Owen was running late. I asked Reef to be the first performer, followed by Kali and myself in case Owen didn’t show.
I walked on stage and greeted the audience, and with a short introduction let Reef have the stage. He told a grand tale of shipwreck and mysterious happenings. I think everybody enjoyed the tale, for I heard many whispers amongst people as he spoke.
Kali was the next performer and she told a tale of the raid on Port Hampshire many years ago. I think the tale made many feel hostile to the drow. In some way it was fortunate for the rest that they could have been lynched I fear, still I know it would not have happened, or at least not while I was around. Those I know have done me no harm and I will not judge them on account of what others say.
Well in any case I then proceeded to tell my own tale, the tale of the three brothers and the gem tree. Never have I seen a crowd so silent, and at some point I feared that they did not like the tale, but as I finished and bowed there was a roar of applause. I was very happy that they indeed did like the tale. And with that we concluded the Storyteller’s Night.
A lady who had been seated in the front row came up to me after the show and handed me a bag of coins that she said I should share with the others, and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I thanked her but alas I did not get her name, I have seen her around town before but I don’t know who she is. I’ll have to find out. The bag she gave me had 2000 coins in it and I gave 700 to Kali and Reef each claiming the last 600 for myself.
Also a strange man was in the audience. A man clad in dark robes and with a skull lantern in his hand. He did not give his name when we spoke to him, but said he liked the performances and then made a very extravagant exit using magic.
We then went to have a drink, but Reef had to leave soon, but Kali, Acacea, a man I think is called Remiel and I had a few drinks. Then Ozy and Key came over and a drinking contest started. I did not join in the first round, but Kali sure got drunk and Remiel took her home. Then I started drinking with Ozy, he poured some liquor which I have never seen the likes of, said it was distilled on the planes. It tasted differently to say the least but I managed the first shot. Then as we went for the second I only recall drinking it and then later waking up on the floor. Acacea later told me that I had had smoke rising from my mouth when I had passed out, and that her and Key would have stolen my pants if I had not woken up when I did. I sat for a while, and then took my leave. It was a grand evening and even Ozy was impressed with the tales he said. I’m glad; I hope we shall do this soon again. Although I wish I could spare myself the experience of passing out in front of Ozy, I feel quite bad about that after boasting about my drinking skills.
-
There has been an attack on Hlint because of a drow that lives in town. They came as we were speaking with Reventage, the lady that kissed my cheek at the Storyteller’s Night. I think I made a fool of myself when talking to her, this is just my luck, a pretty lass as her, and then I just keep saying the wrong things and doing odd stuff.
Well in any case there was suddenly someone screaming of drows attacking and then darkness across town. We fought some spiders, and then gathered in town to discuss. It seemed they came for this drow, don’t recall his name, but they saw him as a traitor. There was much debate it was very heated. I did not join in for this was foolish, they wanted to chase the drow and kill them, an angry mob and prepared drows. It would not require a genius to figure out who would be the victors of such battle. Still a large group left town, while some of us stayed back. This was lunacy indeed.
-
Acacea Goblin Globber has taught me a few words in Halfling. Just well met and cheers, but still very useful words…especially around her for she drinks quite a lot…and talks a lot.
I spoke with Elrinia later on and told her where I come from. Suddenly there was quite a crowd gathered listening to the tale of my past and my words of revenge. Indeed there was much debate on what revenge is and what purpose it would serve. I argued that I would kill the men of the Egilson family, but I would spare the women and children. Some suggested ambushing them or tricking them, but I see no honour in that. Attacking a man who is not ready is not honourable that is slaughter and I will not come like a thief in the night and slay them for then I would be no better than them. The question was then are you better than them? I cannot say I try to be good and noble, but I am still just a man, still I think that what they did is below what a man of honour would do. The situation did not really solve itself, but just died out. I think we all understood that we had different opinions on how to handle revenge. I will meet those Egilsons on the field of battle and then give them my name so they know who they will be killed by and why. Both Ayla and Elrinia offered their help in my endeavour and for that I am grateful indeed. They are both kind and compassionate people and I am sure they will be a very welcome aid when we go to Krashin.
Later I met Suliss in the crafthall. She is the drow that speaks like a sailor, very odd, but still she seems nice enough. In any case we spoke for a while and she said that this was the safest place to be. I offered her a ring I had just made that would help her remain unseen and I think she was a bit surprised that I would deal with her. Why should I not, she has not done me any wrongs, and I see no reason to deny her my help. These are indeed strange times.
-
I have neglected my journal for a long time, but then again nothing much has happened, not until tonight at least. I have just returned from the home of the Sielwood Witch. We have given her the ring we got from the sun elves in White Harbor, but I should begin from the beginning of this.
We met in Hamp again and found a quiet place in the Scramps Mug to discuss the matter of what to do with the ring. Kobal and Harg joined us which was a big help and at least made me feel safer. In any case Kobal told about that the ring could be one of three items the black dragon seeks. As far as I understood these three items were a cauldron used to destroy two swords and then from that came two rings, and this was once of those rings. If the dragon had all three items, of which it now has two it would gain much power. That was something we could not allow.
We were then approached by a man who delivered a scroll to us. One of the party that had gathered acted like a fool and almost told him that we had the ring and everything, that caused quite a bit of comments and he then decided to leave us.
The scroll spoke of a grand treasure waiting for those with the ring in the Berhagens, but Kobal mentioned that the Drow has an exit from their caves there and we all agreed that it surely was a trap.
We thought it best to either give the ring to Queen Allurial or the Sielwood witch and we quickly left the Scramps Mug after having retrieved the ring from its hiding place and placed it in Hargs care. We took a boat to Leilon and then hurried to Blackford where we got to speak to a wizard. It was a long talk but in the end we decided to take the ring to the Sielwood witch, which we did with most hast.
She took the ring and told us that it indeed was the ring we thought, and she could take care of protecting it. So finally the ring has been placed with proper protection, and we can rest for a while.
Oh yes I’d better not forget. Rolf got a kiss from her, he asked that as a special favour and she granted it. He is a lucky man for right afterwards she had us throw dice about a present and Rolf won a beautiful ruby necklace. Well he did a lot of work so it’s ok, for me it is reward enough to know I have at least helped everything in some way.
-
I should write this down so I don’t forget again. I haven’t thought about this event in a long time but now suddenly it has awoken me from my sleep.
Some time ago we went into the Battle Fens to get platinum from the caves deep in the fens. It was Mei, Rolf, Skarp, Glokk, Fenrir and I as far as I recall, but perhaps there were more. In any case as we entered the fens suddenly we lost sight of Mei, and I went to get her. She is a nice lass and I really enjoy her company, and my how polite she is. In any case, I didn’t want to let her run around alone in the fens so I went to her. We then started to follow the others to the cave invisibly, but alas I made a mistake. I walked to close to a troll who had for some reason cast a spell of see invisibility. It saw me and charged and I knew it would see Mei too but she could not fight such beast so I scream that she should run and then flung myself at the troll. It was a brief fight for as soon as my spell dropped I was surrounded by trolls, the last thing I saw a huge club coming straight for my face, and then I awoke in Hamp at the bindstone.
I began to walk back into the Fens when I met Burr and he agreed to come along. We went invisibly but near the tower up there a troll shaman suddenly started to follow us. I hid behind the tower and then we attacked the troll. I think it said something as my blade cut into its flesh, and soon another troll screamed for reinforcements. I saw Burr fall out of the corner of my eye, but I could not do anything for I felt my body losing its strength as wounds continued to scar it. Suddenly felt myself falling and then I think I had a dream, or was it real, this bothers me to this day.
The trolls left us and then a shade appeared over my body. It said something like “Master, I can’t take his soul it belongs to the dragon” and then vanished. I woke up staring up into the sky near the tower, the voice of the shade still in my mind. Was it real? Why did it want my soul? What dragon? What master? So many questions and no answers
In any case I met up with Mei and soon we met the others as well and we left the fens. They told us that Glokk had fled the caves while invisible, what cowardice, leaving your friends to die in a forsaken cave. I shall not travel with him any time soon.
Stil it is the shade that troubles me, I think of the shadow dancers I have seen, the shadow master, the shadows that should be set free. Has he set himself bigger goals? Will he liberate souls now? I do not know, but I hope I shall find out.
-
Rolf should be more careful with his enchanting oils. Just recently I went through some chests looking for some minerals when suddenly I heard chests opening and something moving about. I drew my blade and called for anyone to show themselves…and got quite the surprise. A chest sprang out in front of me and screamed for food. Never have I seen that before, but I thought it best to just give it some food so I handed it some of the fish fillets I had with me. I had to find out more of this so I locked it in a room and went to the furniture merchant in Hlint. He did at first not believe my tale, and thought I tried to steal his business. It took some persuasion before I convinced him that I really just wanted to know who made it, and guess who…Johann the fur trader. I went to see Johan and he did of course not believe me either but told me the wood was oak from the Broken Forest. We then went to inspect the chest, but alas it thought Johann was food so it ate him in one bite. I had drawn my sword and was ready to smash the chest when he yelled from the inside that he was ok, and I should not break it for it could perhaps hurt him. I then went through our stores and found some old rotting meat in one of Skarps chests. Don’t know why he keeps stuff like that it was filled with maggots and smelled so very foul. Perhaps this has something to do with his bear fascination. He keeps going on about being a bear warrior, I guess he could be in time, but I would guess he would need to find someone to learn him of it.
Well anyways I fed this disgusting meat to the chest and soon it puked all over the floor, food, gems, glass shards and Johann. Then Johann told me that he has seen broken bottles of enchanting oils in the chest and we agreed that the oils must be what made the chest come alive.
I decided to take it home to its mommy as it called the forest, so we went to the Broken Forest. We met a man on the way who I think was quite surprised to see me coming with a chest following me, but then again who wouldn’t be. At least now the chest is with its mother, so I guess that is a happy end to an odd tale.
Perhaps I shall compose something of this when I get the time, recently there have been time for little else but work. Rolf keeps bringing gems that needs cutting and polishing and most of it is just tedious work as I have done them so often. Only the sapphires and fire opals are tricky but soon I shall know how to work them to perfection.
-
I have been to Dregar quite a bit recently but this last time it was a disheartening experience. Rolf, Noss and I went by Hurm and then near the Bay of Carocsa we were attacked by a bone dragon! It slew me almost before I saw it and Noss fell too while Rolf escaped the creatures wrath. We were locked in Hurm it seemed but I offered myself to scout to see if the beast had moved. I went invisibly but the foul creature saw right through my spell. I ran and suddenly was near Dalanthar, I ran the other way to lead the beast away from the populace of the city, and that cost me my life again. As I fell I felt as if a piece of me was torn from me, the Soul Mother seemed to want some payment for my actions.
Well at least the area was passable and soon we met up with Yashilla, Savin, Xiao, Bil and Fenrir. We hunted the giants of the Anuroch Desert for a while before we gathered in North Fort and decided we could not let the dragon roam near Dalanthar, it was our duty to try and stop it.
We prepared ourselves as best we could, but alas thrice we fought the creature and thrice it was a standoff. None of us but the clerics of Mist could hurt it, and only their most powerful spells could harm it. Soon we shall return to slay the beast. I hope it does not wreck havoc on the town, and I wonder what made it come away from the Rift where it dwells normally.
After deciding we could do nothing we spilt up and Bil, Yash and I went into the desert for silver. As we fought the giants I suddenly felt unable to move and once again I felt the cold darkness of death surround me as the Soul Mother again had her share of the giants’ victory. Yashilla raised me and for that I am grateful. Bil told me that the Soul Mother has a taste for bard souls, and she torments them worse than any other souls. I don’t know if it is true, but I don’t wish to find out for myself. She has already taken much of me and I feel only little is holding me to this world. I am saddened by this, for have I made a difference, I think not, I have told tales, I have delivered rings to witches, I have met many a man and woman, but is that something I would be remembered for, I doubt it. Should I fall never to stand again then I shall be forgotten as the sands of time erodes my name of my tombstone, and then in times to come people will wonder who lies in that overgrown grave.
-
I have met Thordan Ironheart. I met him in Hlint the other day along with Kobal and it was grand. He didn’t think himself a hero, but is that not what makes him the hero he is, besides his deeds of course. He told us of bloodwells, something I have never before heard of. He explained it as the source of the energy of the bloodpools. It was very interesting and I hope I shall meet him soon again, for he did indeed seem a friendly man.
-
Jacchri has sent me a letter about him needing my help and today was the day he needed it. We met in his home in Haven and it was a good group of people gathered. Dorena, Luna, Reef, Skarp, Rolf, Jacc and I, so I felt quite comfortable and safe in that company. Then an elf arrived with news from Jaccs mother and we hurried to Haven Castle where she apparently resides. Only Jacc entered her room but when he came out he told us that she had fallen ill and we had to get a cure for her. She needed a vine from where the Broken Mountains meet, and I recalled that the mountains were on Vanavar Island, just out of Saudiria. We left in hast and travelled to Leilon where we chartered a ship to take us to North Hampton on Vanavar Island. Then we proceeded south to the mountains. But alas we were set upon by vines that make those at Krandor seem friendly. Both Reef, Skarp and I fell to them, as they attacked us as we began to get near the mountains. Rolf raised us, as he always does, and we continued onwards. I am glad we had Rolf, but sometimes he preaches a bit much about Mist, but I shall not complain for she has saved my life many a time through Rolf, and Yashilla as well.
Anyways, as we entered the mountains we saw a vine bigger than any other we had seen, with blue flowers on it. We were sure this was what we needed. As we prepared ourselves I came to recognize it as a Death Vine, but even though its name implies death it does care for life. I told this to the others and we decided that Luna and Jacc should approach it. It was difficult to communicate with the vine it seemed, but it did indeed not attack, and when Luna let herself fall it tried to heal her. She got two flowers from it and we returned to Haven Castle with great haste. We got there in time and it seemed the flowers did cure Jaccs mother so all was good. But alas she told us that something sought to do her evil, and now we were on it’s list as well. A thing from the Forsaken Island, I fear the worst, but of course I promised to help if Jacc did need it. I will do my best to help, even though I cannot do much, I hope what little I can do will make a difference.
-
Seems Ayla has rented some storage space in our Hlint house. I was quite surprised when I saw her in there the other night before I knew she had rented the place. It is nice to have her around she is good company and I like talking to her. I had to work some gems for Rolf, but I didn’t really want to work so I asked her to join me on a mystery tour. I got us some ale and after some talk with Ozy about how old he is, and how he manages we left towards Llast. Then as the road spilt near Llast we had to decide where to go. After a bit of talk we discovered that we both enjoy fishing, and decided to leave for Rilara and the catfish there. But alas things were not meant to be like that and as the weather looked bad we decided to postpone the tour to tomorrow. I do look forward to that, we had a good time walking to Llast I think, well at least I did and I hope Ayla did too.
-
Ayla and I went fishing today; she is very skilled I must admit. We went to Lake Rillon on Rilara for the catfish and got a few of them as well as some pikes, before we ran into Nex, Daeron and Jacc. They were headed to Tibum as was Ayla and I so we decided to join forces for the passing of Rilara to Karthy. I had heard from Skarp about some orcs in High Forest and that a group of people were investigating what to do about them.
As we got near Bloody Gate one of Bloods mercs set upon us and both Ayla and I fell, luckily Rolf was in Karthy and soon came to our aid. We then disposed of the merc but it was a hard battle. If all his troops are like that I will not be able to contribute much to the fighting when the time comes.
Anyways, we sailed to Tibum and met in the temple of Aragen and it was quickly decided that we left for Rodez, the town of the Ineffable Chord, but also the town where we should deliver a package to a man called Malek. It seemed we should get a sword from him to a woman in Tibum called Jerika who would then give us a book to give to a wizard, and if we failed Xiaos life would be forfeit, so we had to do well.
In Rodez we had quite the discussion with the captain about Remiels horse which he had brought along but as it was solved we set out to find Maleks house. We found it but we were not allowed to enter. It appeared he feared some of our party, several approaches were tried, even Remiel demanded to be let in as he is a justicar but with no luck. We then set a plan that Triba would pick the locks to the back door and we would enter, while Eldarwen and Ayla distracted the guards and Jacc watched the front of the house. All went well but as soon as we entered we were set upon by scores of foes, and though ones even. It was a fierce battle but we managed. Then we heard movement upstairs but could not find a staircase, not until the mages saw the illusion that covered it and led us through. Upstairs we were in a kitchen that was very hot, and the room we entered then was covered with fire. Some people were in there, but as I kept back from the flames I did not hear the discussion with them. But I saw when battle ensued. It was hard, and poor Yar fell, but in the end we were victorious. We found a man dead in a cage, the flesh burned from his bones, that was probably Malek we decided, taken prisoner by these Pyrtechnites. We also found a sword that Xiao recognized as the one we sought and we took it and left with much haste as the building caught on fire.
Outside we regrouped but before long we were engaged in trying to put the fire out. Rolf sat on the ground praying to Mist and suddenly the sky darkened and a wind blew over Rodez. Mist had answered his prayer and the rain fell heavy on the city. Seldom have I seen Rolf like that; he was lost in the moment and the fury of the storm. I am impressed with his skill, and I think I begin to see why he worships Mist like he does. There is such fury in the power of the water, the winds. I think about it sometimes when I watch the ocean and think of home. How I used to sit on the cliffs near our village and dream of these far away lands. Now I am here and I sometimes dream of home but I am glad I have seen all this, these many wonders. But I should recount the tale and not let my thoughts stray. We saved the town with the water I think, but we were not allowed to leave until the next morning, but then we quickly set sails for Tibum.
In Tibum we delivered the sword to Jerika and got a book from her. So all was well I guess, but I look forward to seeing what will happen next.
-
This is the end of me. Today in the Berhagens the Soul Mother punished me for saying she was hungry for more bard soul before we entered the mountains. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to leave this world now, but my ties to it are so small. I feel as if I am standing on the brink of a great abyss and the brink is slowly but steadily collapsing under my feet.
Do I dare leave the safety of Hlint and travel as I have done before, or should I just stay and tell tales to the people that pass me in the street on their way to adventure. I don’t know I don’t want to die, yet I don’t want to be a coward. Perhaps it is better to live life to the fullest and try to make a difference, than to live long and be a face in the crowd. But I am a face in the crowd, I am no hero I am just a storyteller, and what can I do, nothing, I aid my friends but without them I am nothing at all, they make me who I am. Is that a bad thing then? I think not, and I guess I should think more of what I have accomplished than what I have not accomplished. I am far from the shores of Krashin where I sat as a young boy, watching the sea and dreaming of heroes and villains in lands far away. Now I am here, I have met these heroes that I did not even know of back then, I have seen things that only few people have seen. I have lived with a tribe of forgotten people; I have become a skald like the ones of old. I should indeed not complain, but still my heart is heavy. It is not death itself I fear, but not being able to see my friends.
One thing remains though, my revenge. I shall have it, even if it the last thing I do. For then I will have done what is expected of me and I am free to give myself to the struggle against Blood until my soul is taken. I will make arrangements to go to Krashin soon, Skarp is ready as well, he has learned the ways of the bear warriors, I am sure our father is proud of us.
-
I spoke with Rolf last night, about gods and dying. He said that if one does not worship a god then you will stay with the Soul Mother when you leave this place, and honestly I am not sure I like that thought. He kept on going about that one may be taken by a god even though you don’t worship that god, but follows it still in what you do. I doubt that, I can’t see how that should be possible, but I guess it is perhaps another way for him to try to convince me to pray to Mist. Still as I told him my thoughts and how I felt he kept on going on the same track, not even noticing how I felt, but merely calling me a fool, and saying that I was talking like a fool. That is not the way to convince people to join you. I think our talk made Bil feel uncomfortable, and I am sorry for that, but it weighs so heavily on my mind that I had to talk to someone about it, but perhaps Rolf was not the best choice… I don’t really know how to explain this. It is as if I am filled with emotions that I don’t know how to let out. And if I do unleash them I fear I will not be able to control them. I could cry when I think about what happens to me, I don’t want to die alone. I know Skarp will mourn my death as will some of my friends, but where will my thoughts go when I find death on the field of battle, for that is indeed where I will end my days. Rolf said I should be happy for I have loved and that is not for everyone, but what love has that been. I fled from one, and if I see her again I doubt we shall have that love again. I have been abandoned twice by others I have fallen in love with, and was it worth it. While it lasted, yes certainly, but now I sit with a feeling of emptiness. Some say it is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all, but I beg to differ. Sometimes I wish I had never met Melissa nor Abi, for they each took a great piece of my heart with them when they left me. Why is it I think of this now, I guess I need someone to confide in, someone to tell my fears, to tell of the horror that overwhelms me when I lie alone and my thoughts run to what is happening to me. I could scream, scream as I have never done before, as I do in combat, but it would be so much more if I let out all the feelings inside me. I am indeed at the top of my power, my screams makes my foes stumble on their legs to flee before me as I charge them with my blade. I still think of that night in the cave with Krasser up on the krell. I still feel the power within me, now even more than before, like my fears and emotions fuel it. I wish I could be burned like one of them when I die. I will just be ashes in the wind and a memory in their minds when they sit around the fire and tell tales of me. *scribbled in the margin in poorly done ornate letters* Grassar hy krellig I would be honoured if anyone would do so for me. In the autumn of a life you wonder Did I do what was right to do Was it all worth it you will ponder Did I say what was right to say I have tried so hard to live a good life To help others of their burden As many others always seeking to end a strife But what lies at the end? When my spirit to the soul mother goes And my last breath I draw I shall a memory only be… And with time forgotten
-
*This entry is written with slightly more crude letters than the rest of the journal*
Who would ever have thought this to happen! I am sitting here deep in the Red Light Caves hiding from people, and from orc assassins, for I am an orc. I feel the orc blood in my veins, I feel how it urges me to anger and kill, but I try to restrain myself. This journal will help me remember my old self, and perhaps writing this will help me even more.
We gathered in Karthy to deliver this book to a wizard in the Swamp of Lost Souls. The others said he was mad and he really is, Alargon the Mad he should be called for that is what he is. He had us enter his dungeon getting killed by traps and golems before he came to us not even knowing who we were. Then finally he decided he would help us become orcs so we could infiltrate the orc camp in High Forest, but we had not reckoned for this. He made us REAL orcs. Some like Remiel and Xiao did not change while Rolf, Ayla, Daeron, Skarp, Jacc, I and more did. When we travelled back through the swamps and saw the trolls I felt my blood rushing within me calling for me to slaughter them. Telling me they should not stand before my orcish might. And so we went on a killing spree, killing every troll we saw, charging it blindly lost in the madness of combat and to the voice of our orc blood calling us to the fight.
*The writing becomes cruder*
Writing this makes my blood roar when I see the fight before me. I will not give in to it, this is too important. I need to recall my old self.
*In a more elegant script*
I should perhaps not dwell on these events too much, as it seems to make my orc blood roar with rage and bloodlust when I see them in my mind. In any case we got into Hlint later on and gave Acacea a real scare I think, well I think we gave many a scare and it’s understandable I guess. Who would like to see a mob of orcs enter town. We had some ales at the inn, and then Daeron said that Ayla was not a lady, which made me more mad than I ever think I have been. It ended up with Daeron and me fighting and I even scared him off. What got into me, Daeron that kind man I had never imagined fighting against him, but then again he did not talk that nice to Ayla. She even hugged and kissed me, which I think made Reef feel a bit uncomfortable. Well I didn’t mind, I like her, with this form it is as my feelings are so close to the surface, and I know I really like Ayla, she is not like the other girls I have met, she is kind and caring, and well…charming. We have spent some time talking here in the caves after the assassin came after us, and we had to hide and burn marks in our flesh. Ayla got burnt too and I think she suffers much because of the scar it will leave. We spoke about that for length, I told her how I myself got scarred with my ear and that is why I always wear my hood, but as I said to her, we are still ourselves and a scar won’t change that, and if she wants I’ll help her find some way to remove it.
I hear people coming down the caves now so I’d better stop for a while.
-
*still in a somewhat crude writing*
We hid in our Hlint house today. I had a long talk with Ayla over a few ales, while Skarp was rummaging around downstairs. I have given her permission to cut the gems in my storage so she can practice, they don’t really improve my skill anymore so she might as well learn from it.
But in any case, we spoke for lengths about life and death, about leaving your mark on the world and so on before both Skarp and Burr came to disturb us. I think they thought we did more than talk but that is too late to remedy now, it will have to wait until we are in our normal shapes again. Anyways, I asked Ayla to tell me of Aeridin her god who apparently also is called the lover, for he loves all and everything. She told me much of him, how she defends life but that also death has its place in the world. I guess she is right, life must end in death but that also gives death a meaning. That sounds cryptic I know but in my mind it is clear I just have a hard time getting this on paper. Too often I see young people come into Hlint, heedlessly charging out the gates trying to make a name for themselves and too often they come running from the bindstone soon enough, only to go out and repeat the process. That is disrespectful to life I think, these youngsters may think me a coward, but I value my life, now more than ever. I know I will die, but I shall make my last days count, every single one of them. I somehow feel that what Ayla told me have made me understand something, it is not death that I should fear I guess for it comes to all, and no I should get up and do something. Even in this orcish form there must be something I can do. Perhaps I can watch the new arrivals in Hlint from afar and try to keep them alive from hiding.
I hope we shall enter the orc encampment soon, for even though this new shape is powerful, it is also one I need to hide, and that can be lonely at times. I miss talking to people and telling tales, but this sure will be the tale to beat them all…The Orcish Horde….a title as saying and as grim as this is. I should get to work on it right way.
-
The storytellers’ night was a success again, although I had to come as a servant of myself called Hoak which is Geir in orcish spelled backwards. I had conceived a plan with Acacea that I should hide behind a screen and Reef would then stand before it dressed as me and act as me while I recited my poem. But alas Reef had to leave early, but in any case it all worked out, even though there was a bit of commotion as Acacea told her tale.
I hope we shall do this soon again, I am composing a poem of our dealings with the drows regarding the ring we gave to the Sielwood Witch. I think it shall be quite good.
*a piece of paper is tucked into the journal here*
Let me tell of a dwarf of old
Who had given himself name so bold
He was Dougal son of Dorand
In his hand was a hammer grand
He had never know any fear at all
And enemies before him did fall
He would not for evil humbly bow
No he would death upon it bestow
He believed his father to be
Dorand the master of crafts you see
But Dougal was a crafter not
He was a warrior with temper hot
Here or there he would seek evil out
And it from its hiding place rout
It was the work that he believed
Dorand had for him alone conceived
Once Dougal and his closest friends
The crypt of a lich had to cleanse
They entered with courage so high
The lich once and for all would die
Undead beasts they fought for hours long
On Dougals lips a merry song
Undead with his hammer to hit
In his eyes a fire it had lit
They fought for many long hours on end
More and more to the abyss they sent
But even more undead came to be
Never did Dougal think they should flee
Then in a chamber cold huge and bare
A demon of hell did at them glare
Fire from its mouth and wings did flare
Dougal not the least did it scare
As the wizard Alconn of this brave group
Stepped in front of the little troupe
And spoke with the demon in its tongue
Dougal thought of tearing out its lung.
The demon would to no one listen
Its teeth with foam and spit did glisten
Fire it hurled from its fiery hands
So Dougal had no time for plans
He tossed himself at the beast
It should of his friends not make feast
His hammer struck the demons chest
A creature such he did detest
A great battle did then unfold
They fought like the heroes of old
But alas the demon set its eye
Dougals souls none should it deny
A claw tore through armor and shield
Even then Dougal did not inch yield
His flesh was even torn asunder
His heart the demon did plunder
Dougal fell to the cold stone floor
But he did not enter deaths open door
His spirit fought with all its might
To remain and end this here fight
The beast let an incantation fly
It hoped that it more time would buy
Dougals body dead rose from the floor
Covered from head to toe in bloody gore
But Dougal was not alive and well
He was the undead sent to hell
The foul demon had made him so
This curse upon him it did bestow
His friends looked with tearstained eyes
Did Dougal slay with saddened cries
But when he to the cold floor fell
He was raised with powers from hell
Then noble sir Althar Silverblade
His sword did the demons heart invade
It fell to the floor dead as stone
And Dougals form fell with a groan
The cleric of the group did him raise
To Dorand Dougal gave much praise
“Thank you father for saving my life”
“Now on the lich we shall wage strife”
Deeper into the dungeon they went
Time Dougal talking to his father spent
He must keep Dougal alive he said
“Heal me father” he bade as he strode ahead
The band of heroes forward strode
Soon they enter would the lich abode
Then suddenly in an flash of light
Alconn the wizard was gone from sight
They did long and hard for him search
More undead towards them did lurch
They once again did enter the fray
Dougal a prayer to Dorand did say
For long they fought their way onward
For the lich’s head was the reward
Then in a room of stone they stood
But alas things did not look good
The lich behind a chasm did stand
On a throne of onyx so grand
It did at them laugh so icy cold
And made with hand a gesture bold
On podium not far in light dim
A skeleton raised axe so grim
Before it Alconn still did lay
Looking lifeless and ashen grey
The Lich began to to them speak
But words were only for the weak
So Dougal thought as he it charged
While the lich fast a spell discharged
Dougal his hammer did then sling
And though the air it did fast spring
Skeleton did the hammer feel
As its head toppled to its heel
Dougal brave across the chasm leapt
But at jumping he was not adept
In the air he then down did look
And he his mind to Dorand took
For a wall of many lights there was
And Dougal knew this pain would cause
“Father! Father!” he loud did yell
As he though the wall of light fell
The pain was great and so very strong
Even though the fall was not that long
Dougal felt his body impaled
His armor to protect him failed
“My father Dorands might you shall feel”
He yelled as he stood on his heel
Through the light he would have to climb
The lich should answer for its crime
Dougal through the wall did then crawl
Greater pain he could not recall
But alas his friends he had to save
And to put the lich in its grave
He saw battle mighty unfold
Magic filled the air with cold
His friends did fight the lich hard pressed
But Dougal he knew he was blessed
He charged the lich with all his might
Grabbing a sword dropped in the fight
As the sword the undead thing struck
Dougal heard not someone yell duck
Sir Althars shield Dougal did hit
As Dougals sword the lich hard bit
He slumped to the stone floor cold
As the last of battle did unfold
The lich was beaten in a flash
Dougals hit did it almost mash
But alas he did that not see
His skull was almost spilt in three
They then raised Dougal once again
But it had put on him much strain
He was not as he was before
And the marks of pain he still bore
They quickly left the undeads lair
Dougal did blankly at them stare
He could not a thing remember
His mind was a dying ember
But then a flare lit in his eye
Father I am here he did cry
He ran so fast that he once slipped
And he was from sight of friends ripped
Others searched the chasm dark and deep
One did even for Dougal weep
But nothing did they find of him
As the light of day did grow dim
Some say in times of strife and war
You may see a dwarf covered in gore
His armour and helmet is cracked
Only his hammer seems intact
You will not hear him any words speak
No sound from under helmet antique
Except when he to battle rush
Then he will break his stoic hush
Behold,
I am Dougal son of Dorand
I am the hammer that crushes evil
on the anvil of good
Behold me,
And know thou have done wrong
and thy time has come
-
Skarp told me of a dream today, an odd dream. He dreamt he was a bear and he was in a cave with other bears back on Krashin near our home. The bears felt something outside the cave, something evil and powerful, and so they joined into one being and charged it. I think it is time we go to Krashin soon. Something must be stirring, just lately I heard a man talk of a dream like this and about a beast that once had been banished that was returning. Skarps dream is probably a premonition of this. Skarp of course wants to go and wage war on the Egilsons as well and he thinks the evil is them, but I am of a different opinion. I think the dream means we must unite and put our differences aside to save our island. Skarp will never agree to fight alongside an Egilson but I fear there will be little choice if we want to keep our home safe. Unless, of couse, that the evil is something brought by the Egilsons, perhaps to aid them in destroying us. I need to find out more of this creature and the banishment. That Skarp has the dream must mean we are connected to it in some way…good or bad I don’t know, but I intend to find out. We must gather a group of reliable people and make haste to Krashin.
-
I should get to work on the play of Leilon really. The one I promised Hermie and Ma in Leilon to make. I don’t think I ever have written this down, but some time ago Rolf asked me to meet him in Leilon. We were a bunch of us who gathered there and he told us that he was trying to find out who his parents were. He believed them to be clerics of Mist for he had been found after a shipwreck wrapped in the blue cloak of a priest of Mist 25 years ago in the month of Junar. Oh how he was mistaking, but I guess I should write things as they happened.
They had tried to get the dock records of ships bound for Krashin but had not been very successful at all. Burr had even hit the old man who kept the records in the head knocking him out cold. I am amazed I never thought he would do anything like that, but perhaps it is somewhere in all of us. Still we decided for a more gentle approach. Ayla and I would enter the archives and ask to see the records claiming to be making research for a play of Leilon and its past.
We got in easily enough and an old woman greeted us and was very helpful. She told how her husband had been mugged in the record hall not long ago by barbarians. Yes that must have been Burr and the others, damn them for that, mugging an old man. Still she was very kind and when we told of the play and that we would like her husband Hermie in it she offered us to stay for some tea and present this news to him ourselves. We could not decline but Hermie did not seem very keen on it, but luckily Ayla was there to convince him. Oh my how he could tell, he kept on and on about how he was mugged by fierce barbarians. I think it is the only story he knows, but I’ll see how I can get him in the play. I am sure he is more capable than he lets people think. He sure seemed smart enough when we had to discuss his salary for the play, potions for his aches, 1000 coins and my amulet of Eagle’s Splendor. A tall price for that, but he seemed happy and liked to tell his tale to Ayla, so after about an hour I went down to check on Ma and the records. She found what I needed after a bit of talking her into it. It seemed only 3 ships were bound for Krashin that month that I was interested in, and only one of them came here from Leilon, the Linnbird, a small ship with 19 crew and 3 passengers which I got the names of.
Rolf enquired about the names at the temple of Mist and got some information and after a bit of discussion at our Blackford residence he went back to the temple again to find out what some markings next to the name that had to be his mother meant. Skarp said she probably was a harlot which was out of line I think. Just because the numbers with her name seemed like birth dates it did not mean she was a harlot…but I guess he had some truth in his words.
But that is Skarp I guess. We also had quite the discussion of revenge while waiting for Rolf. I know we shall seek revenge but why does he want to kill everyone. I don’t see how that will solve anything; there is not honour in killing the defenceless. But I will not go into this again, it will soon enough surface when we travel to Krashin.
Rolf found out that a lady in the less fashionable part of town had known his mother Hillow, and she should still be alive. We found her indeed and when she opened the door I thought it was a brothel and Rolfs mother had worked for her so heavy was the smell of perfume from the inside. Well the thought was not far from the truth. Hillow had indeed lived in Leilon; she had had a hard life with only a little love and much bad luck. She had opened a home for sailors and had gotten a child with several of those who had spent time there. Rolf’s father had been a bit unlike the others, but still in the end he had left her as they all had. I think Rolf hated his father when he heard that, and I think perhaps he was even ashamed of his mother, she was no priestess of Mist but a girl housing sailors…and well...sleeping with them. He has 6 siblings in fact, quite a lot really, and they are all spread all over since their mother died. I wonder if he will ever try and find them, perhaps he will but I guess only time can tell. More likely he’ll go in search of his father to have a word with him, perhaps even revenge for leaving his mother like that.
But still this has given me a thought. It is saddening that such things happen to children and I have put much thought in it. I will find the money to build an orphanage for such unfortunate souls. I know it will take immense amounts of money, but I will try and raise them. It is a good cause and many will probably donate to such work. I think Skarp will help me with this, he may seem so hard at times but he still is a good man. Well I should not get carried away, I still need to find the money and the 8000 I have in the bank will not do much good.
-
It has been many weeks we have had to hide our orc forms now. It is lonely not being able to go out and talk to people, but at least I have had Ayla to speak to. She is such wonderful company, understanding and caring and always seems to have time. I really like her…no it is more than that…when she is around I feel calm and at ease. Skarp keeps bugging me about that I should go and tell her how I feel, but I dare not. What if I ruin what friendship we have? I am not good at these things really…I wish to tell her but I lack the courage. I don’t think Skarps efforts to help really do help, for honestly I don’t think Ayla likes him very much. He is too, how to put it, crude, I don’t know really. He just says stupid things sometimes, like when we were in the house and he said she was my fancy girl, as if she was just something I fancied for a while for then to throw away. I could never do such, never for she means much more to me, cursed if I only had the courage. But does she like me? It is also a question I need to ask myself, others whisper in my ear that it seems so, but is it true, or are they just saying so to make me feel better? I will go to the temple of Aeridin soon and do as Ayla told me. I will sit there and listen to the woods and see the world around me, see life in all its splendour. Perhaps then I shall know what to do, perhaps I will find the courage to really tell Ayla what I feel for her.
-
I went to the temple of Aeridin in the Vale today. For a while I just sat there with my eyes closed, listening to the world around me. Then suddenly it was as if words swelled up inside me and I for the first time in my life prayed. I prayed to the Lord of Life as I called him. I don’t know if it is right to call him such, but it was the word that came to me. When I close my eyes I can still hear my prayer within my head, as it echoes deep within me.
Blessed Lord Aeridin
I know I am perhaps not the best man
I have killed countless beings
I have hunted those that only was rumoured to do wrong
I come here now as I feel my life ebb
As my life fades like the evening sun I come to you with my prayer
And why do I come you wonder...
I come to seek refuge from deaths cold hands,
To find life....
I try to do what is right but sometimes I question my actions
Am I just a barbarian as the people of Leilon would call me?
Am I a brute and a killer.....?
I have been perhaps...
But hear me Lord of Life
I am sorry
I know what pain death causes
I am no cleric nor wise in the ways of gods,
But I come to you now, as in your teachings I have found something other than a life of combat
I will try to honour you in my actions,
But bear with me, for combat runs deep within me
I shall do my best Lord Aeridin,
So that one day you perhaps will look favourably upon my soul...
I only beg you one thing oh Great One...
Take care of those I love, of those that mean so much to me
And take special care of Ayla for she is someone so very special, and do you great honour...
There it is, I couldn’t help but write it, it is perhaps the most deep-felt words I have known in a long time. I know I can’t expect an answer from a god, but still in some way I got that, the calm that came to me was more of an answer than any words or manifestations could ever be. I felt within me that it was the right thing I have done, and I shall swear my allegiance to the Lord Aeridin, for the values he teaches are important, only I regret I first realized this when my life ebbs. Still I shall make good use of what time I have. How the clerics must have wondered about this orc who came, carrying a greatsword on his back, whispered his prayers and even shed a tear, for then to disappear into the dark of the night again. But as Aeridin loves all life they would be pleased, or so I understand from what Ayla has told me. Oh how much I owe Ayla for having the patience to talk to me of Aeridin and his teachings. I owe her more than I can ever repay, for she has taken me out of my gloom. But it is more than that, I have known it for a long time I guess, but even to myself I have not dared to speak it, I love her.
-
I am so happy that I cannot even describe it. I told Ayla how I feel for her today. We were up in Lar after I had helped her get the blueprints from Ulgrids Fortress for that chair for Dawson up there and she asked if there was anything else to see in town. I told her that the top of the krell is a wonderful place, a place where you can rest and let your gaze go to Lar and the temple of Dorand and into the peaks beyond.
We walked up and stood there for a while, and indeed it was beautiful. Even at night with Ausir lighting the snow covered landscape it was a magnificent sight. We spoke for a while, about the mountains, about the beauty there and how people so seldom come there since no riches are to be found. I could not help myself but said there was indeed riches there, her. In comparison the landscape seemed a pale reflection of beauty, as everything is when compared to her. Even in that orc shell she is a wonderful person and I knew at that moment that I had to tell her how I felt. My blue orc skin must have been red as iron out of the forge as I told her I had something I needed to tell her, and then I told her how I had fallen for her.
It was as if time stood still there on the krell, as if the snow flakes stopped their falling for a moment, and the world paused. I remember it with such clarity, the snow, the krell, the silvery light of Ausir bathing us in a gentle glow and Ayla before me, how she looked at me. When she spoke her words was like a soft song in the frosty air, and she said she had fallen for me as I had for her. I dared almost not believe it, this is what I have dreamed of, what I have wished so for but been so afraid of saying that I didn’t even dare write it in my journal. I hugged her for the first time ever and we kissed. Oh how sweet a kiss, her gentle lips upon mine, our arms around each other, I could not help whispering that I love her, and she said she loved me. I cannot even begin to hope to describe the things that went though my mind. Such feelings of happiness and joy, mere words would indeed not do them justice.
-
How wonderful it has been to have the courage to tell Ayla that I love her. We spend much time together and I enjoy every minute. Feeling her close to me when we embrace her soft lips upon mine, her soft voice in my ears, it is all so wonderful. I must truly be the luckiest man alive.
We often go and have an ale and a talk somewhere. It is always enjoyable, for few people actually come to such places, as the waterfall near Blackford or the pond high above Haven. It is our special places, places where we can let our hearts speak. When I am with her words seem to swell up inside me and I cannot help but to tell her how special she is and how much she means to me. For truly she means the world to me, I would lay down my life on the spot could it save hers, for she is an angel hidden in this orcish hide we wear now.
How wonderful it has been to have the courage to tell Ayla that I love her. We spend much time together and I enjoy every minute. Feeling her close to me when we embrace her soft lips upon mine, her soft voice in my ears, it is all so wonderful. I must truly be the luckiest man alive.
We often go and have an ale and a talk somewhere. It is always enjoyable, for few people actually come to such places, as the waterfall near Blackford or the pond high above Haven. It is our special places, places where we can let our hearts speak. When I am with her words seem to swell up inside me and I cannot help but to tell her how special she is and how much she means to me. For truly she means the world to me, I would lay down my life on the spot could it save hers, for she is an angel hidden in this orcish hide we wear now. But still such skin can not hide her beauty in any way.
-
We had a meeting about the orphanage today at Jaccs house. Many good ideas came up and I have a feeling we should be able to raise the money. Still it will require a lot of work for each of us, but we are determined to see it through. I think there will be both tournaments, lotteries, auctions and a grand ball for us all to enjoy. Skarp mentioned the Krashin Axe Dance, but luckily we didn’t have to show it, it is really a difficult dance and I have never been good at it, not like Skarp who really knows each and every step and swing of the axe. Perhaps we should practice and then perform it at the ball…could be fun I think.
-
Ayla and I went to the Leilon Arms tonight to celebrate. She had just made her first exceptional ring ever and I had just sold some jewelry for quite a sum. We decided to go an not hide ourselves but instead pose as Hah and Hoak. It worked out very well, I know Remiel recognized us but he understood enough to not mention our real names. We had a nice dinner, and how wonderful it was to sit at a nice table with a tablecloth and have a warm meal served. It was a wonderful time, and even though the Arms is expensive I didn’t care for only the best is good enough for Ayla. It was our first real dinner as a couple but not our last of that I am sure.
We met up with Daeron later but he was not in a good mood as he had just been hurt by the Soul Mother, poor Dearon I know how he feels, and it is hard to fill that hole she digs in you with her clutches. I am truly blessed that Ayla is there for me, I seldom think about death anymore, I think about how wonderful life is.
We sat at the bar and had a few ales when a fire erupted in the kitchen, but it was relatively quickly under control, but that was indeed not the end of the drama that night. Soon after Queen Allurial came to see the Arms, so us orcs made ourselves invisible so she did not have to see us like that. She spoke with Derrick, Quin and Kali and then I think it was spiders who came in from the corridor and attacked. It was not lucky to say the least and within a few minutes we were all being escorted outside while the queen was leaving and saying she’d be back another time and hopefully it would be a more controlled inn by then. A man then came and said that the Arms were being shut down. It was all chaos then and as people outside were talking and shouting we were suddenly attacked by mercs I think that even killed an elven girl before they were handled. That of course caused a major investigation and Daeron, Ayla and myself went with Brualot, he is an investigator after all so I thought it would be a wise choice to follow in his steps. It all turned out that the people behind this was someone who were to open an inn called The Golden Hero across town. They had ties to the mayor of Leilon, but when we spoke with him of the matter he was indeed most understanding. Alas the criminals were not caught but at least the Arms was reopened so that is at least some comfort.
-
I have decided to ask Ayla to marry me. I love her so much that I could not imagine, no I dare not imagine, life without her. She brightens my day and my life. I have had arranged a little picnic for her up above Haven, one of our special places, and I have an outstanding platinum ring as well ready for when I get on my knees and ask her. I hope she will accept, and somehow I think she will. It is as we are suited for one another in a way I cannot even hope to understand.
-
I am going to be married! Today I asked Ayla if she would marry me. High above Haven at the small pond I had arranged a little picnic as a little surprise to her. She was happy as she saw it, and after a little talk I told her I had made a new poem that I would like her opinion on. I got down on my knees and told it.
Ayla, my love
You are as radiant as the sun
Truly you my heart have won
You are bewitching as the moons
With you my heart sings so joyous tunes
I love you with all my heart and soul
With you I feel as I am whole
Will you with me forever be?
Ayla, will you marry me?
And she would. At that moment I was the happiest man alive, and it was a moment that never had to end. I gave her a ring I had made, one of my finest creations in platinum, but still it pales compared to her beauty. As we embraced we whispered of how much we love each other, and truly it is much. Never before have I felt like this, this is the love I have dreamt of, but never thought I would find. Here it was, right in front of my eyes. As Ayla said, it feels so right, and truly it does. I still remember when I first met her, I was speaking of revenge near the well in Hlint and she promised me that when time would come she would help me. I remember when I first saw her in our house; my heart skipped a beat then. I have seen her so often but have I ever dared to think she might love me, and yet she does; what more could I have asked for. So many words of love and devotion was spoken up there, and I did mean every single one of them.
We also spoke of how to do the wedding, and in the end we decided to wait until we are humans again. Not that we like to wait, but still it makes things so much easier. Then Aylas parents will not have to see us in this shape, and we can invite all we know, which is a lot of people actually. Also there was the issue of children. Were we to have children while in this shape would they not be orcs then; that is something we would not dare, for the life of an orc in this world is not an easy one. Hence we have decided to wait, although the waiting is long.
-
Abi is back. She has been in our house, for this morning I found a note pinned to my clothes.
*a small piece of paper is put into the journal*
How quickly a man forgets and how hollow his intentions.
His words as true as a poem, mostly made up and untrue.
Could have slit your throat.....
ABI
She wants revenge I am sure. Did I do wrong I ask myself, should I have waited? Perhaps it was heartless of me to find love, but this was not a love that I came looking for, it found Ayla and me, and how should we have been able to not heed such a strong force as love, drawing us together. It is her I love, what I felt for Abi pales in comparison to my feelings for Ayla, and to be honest she has brought this upon herself. She left me, without a word of farewell, without a single letter. I have posted notes at the inns everywhere I have gone, asked people I met about her and still no word or anything. Now over a year later she comes back as I have found happiness and she will do what she can to ruin it I fear… or worse…she will come after Ayla. I hope that she stays her weapons if she goes to see Ayla, for if she as much as damages a single hair on Ayla’s head I will make her pay. Much I can take, but no one shall threaten the one I love. I have told Ayla of all this, as I do not wish to keep any secrets from her. I said I could understand if she thought me wicked for doing as I have done, but she did not, she still loves me.
-
I should write this down so I don’t forget. Lucky, the halfling lass I once met at the Grey Watchtower before the incident with the drows and the ring, told something today. She said she once had turned into a badger, and that the Raven had turned her back into her real shape. This could perhaps be a way for us to become human again.
She is a funny lass that Lucky, we met her in Bloody Gate not long ago, when Rashar, Fenrir, Rolf and I was hunting the demons there. It was nice company and it is good to see Fenrir again. We have decided we should begin my dwarven lessons as soon as I am human again, and that is about time really, for I need to learn new words I think if I should ever be able to speak the dwarven language.
Later we met up in Pranzis again since I had been a tad late because I needed to go get Ayla and take her with me, as I had promised her to show her Dregar. It was nice to have her with me, and certainly made the trip less lonely. I also think the others thought it was nice that we had found each other, I think everyone thinks that really. And it is, it is the best that have ever happened to me. This love is as strong as the love that bound Patricia and Claus, I feel that within myself.
-
It is simply not fair! The Soul Mother has again taken a piece of my beloved Ayla. She told me today when I got back to Hlint. She had been killed by treants in the High Forest, cursed creatures, why should they come after her. We stood for a long time embracing each other. I could not live if she was not here with me and this did indeed frighten me, as it has frightened her. I should have been there, perhaps I could have stopped them, just long enough for her to get away, but alas I was not. But we have to move on, we still are alive and breathing and what is most important, we are together still. But what a scare, please Lord Aeridin, keep her safe.
-
Rolf thinks I have gone soft. It is just that I think about things before I kill, and he does not fully understand that. It all started with him meeting Abi and her making threats to me as she thinks I am false. He even asked me if he should kill her for me, but I would have none of that, should it ever come to killing it should be me who did wield the blade. But I do not wish for that, still if she comes for Ayla I will not hesitate to do what it takes to keep her safe. As I have told Ayla, I would lie down my life without a moments doubt if it could save her, and I stand by those words.
Still Rolf thought that I had lost my ferocity in battle, and we had a long discussion about that. In the end I don’t really know if we came to any conclusion, but I said that I would not hesitate to kill to keep a friend safe. I know this sounds harsh, but as I understand the Lord Aeridin teaches that it may be needed to take up weapons to defend those who cannot defend themselves, and your loved ones. But still killing should always be the last option, the one to be used when everything else have failed.
-
I met Abi today. She showed herself in Hlint as Rolf and I was speaking with Mender and Reef. I walked to her even though she had her blade drawn. We spoke for a long time, a really long time, but little did it accomplish. She is not as she once was, she is without feelings anymore, nothing means anything to her, and truly I feel sorry for her. Still I told her that things could not be as before, for I love Ayla more than I have ever loved anyone, but I could offer her my friendship. She knew this was how it had to be, her being the one that had to hurt. I told her how she had hurt me, but I do not think she understood that she hurt me when she left as I have hurt her now. But things are as they are, I cannot offer her more than friendship, and I will not. My heart belongs to Ayla and it always will for with her I have found something truly special. We walked to the Rangers Vale, as it for me was a place where I found peace when I offered my prayers to the Lord Aeridin. But it never came to prayers just talking. But still it became clear that she would hurt neither Ayla nor me, and as long as Ayla is safe it is all good.
-
Finally we are no longer orcs. A druid called Raven in Wolfswood transformed us back into our old shapes. Still let me begin from the start of this magnificent tale. We met near Blackford some time ago and decided that we orcs should infiltrate the orc camp in High Forest. So we decided that we would fake an attack on the non-orcs as we entered the forest so the real orcs would believe us to be orcs wanting to join the cause under the flag of Corash or Red Raven as he is called.
The plan did indeed work. We got past the queens guards who had made barricades around the forest. We then hid and as Xiao, Remiel and some others went into the woods and got attacked by an orc patrol. We then ran at them screaming and swinging our weapons and Rem’s group ran away. It seemed enough to convince the orcs that we were indeed real orcs and after a bit of food, prepared by Bil our goblin slave, we went on. Poor Bil really, he was to be treated so badly since he had to act as our slave that I truly felt sorry for him, but what could I do. It would blow our cover if we were nice to him, so we kept on calling him bad things and throwing stuff after him.
Well we made it to the orc camp, which was not in High Forest, but in the Grey Peaks. It was a massive camp, first we saw Duergars in a separate camp. Not prisoners but seemed to be working with the orcs to some still to us unknown purpose. Then we saw lots and lots of orcs, and demons! As we went through the camp we saw several kinds of demons, or devils as Daeron kept on reminding us when we had time alone. Orcs were everywhere, carrying stuff, working with their various tasks. It seemed an organized camp or well organized to what I would have expected from orcs. Indeed it did not bode well that the orcs really seemed to have a plan. But onwards we went, into the tunnels into the Peaks. Down there we saw many orcs working with carving out the stone making the place bigger. Deep into the tunnels we got to a huge cavern in which was a lake. This in itself was of course not frightening but what was, was the pit fiend there. It stood by a circle and an altar. The circle made of blood with symbols drawn in blood around. What have must been a priest and his acolytes were chanting there as we passed. I recall still how the shivers ran down my spine and I thought that we would not escape this place alive. Indeed we were walking to our doom I felt as we went on and on down into the krell. If only Ayla would be able to get out I didn’t really care if I would be able to, she mattered and our task mattered. We had to succeed in this, for the sake of Mistone, or as we later learned, for the sake of Lar.
We came to a big room where the orcs were excavating some old tunnel. We were put to work as well after some conflict between Harg and the work leader over Bil, the leader wanted Bil but Harg said he was ours. So they pushed each other a bit before knocked the leader over. We then went to work. As we worked we agreed that the tunnels we were excavating were old duergar tunnels, used by the duergar to attack Lar. Did the orcs want to attack Lar? And why?
We were to learn soon enough, but first we had a rest and witnessed a foul ritual. It seemed that they used magic to draw the power of the demon into orcs, making them stronger, demonbreed. It almost killed the demon it seemed but it rose again after the ritual and once more they began over, even though we did see it more up front the next time they performed it alas, but I shall keep to how things transpired down in those damned tunnels. We rested for a bit, discussing the ritual we had observed. What could be the reason for this and why were they digging out an old tunnel to Lar?
After a while we saw a group of orcs, those that had been transformed in the ritual, go to the room where Corash had his quarters. We followed silently, and soon we heard battle from the room. It appears the changed orcs had attacked Corash and so we attacked them to thereby win his confidence. It was a hard battle and many of us did fall, but were then raised after the battle. In the end we all stood before Corash and told him we sought to join his army, to be part of this thing that he Corash or Red Raven as he was called led. Still we had no opportunity to get to him in his sleep, and indeed it seemed as he never slept.
We worked though the next day until we were called for the ritual. It seemed we should bow to the Great Father as they called it. It must have been terrible for the priests and if they had had to bow and swear allegiance to Grand they would not have done it. But it was nothing like it. We were to stand in the circle, while Corash watched. I still recall how my heart did beat so fast. I was afraid, more afraid than I have ever been. What would happen to us, would we be made demonbreeds? The ritual commenced and I recall very little of it. I only remember I saw Skarp fall at some point and I looked to those outside the circle. I saw Ayla and I let her be on my mind as I felt heat rise around me. It felt as if my flesh got singed but I tried not to cry out in pain. I would have betrayed us all had I let them hear me in pain so I kept my lips shut, thinking of Ayla and how I had to be silent for her sake. Then it was all over, or at least that part was over. After we went to rest Skarp who then awoke told us he had taken a sip of the drink Komatz had given us and while he slept due to the drink he had had a dream. He had dreamt that he and I had been training and then suddenly I had stuck him down. ME! I HAD STRUCK MY BROTHER DOWN AND KILLED HIM! It was as if my world shattered at that moment, I was certain it was an omen and I retreated from them. How could I dare to be near anyone when I was a killer? The ritual had left us with a glow in our eyes, a demonic red glow and both Rolf and Harg were completely beside themselves. I remember not much of what happened but I have later been told that Daeron transformed himself into a zombie and dove into the lake to examine what was down there and if any exits were there. Alas zombies does not swim well, not even those who are not real zombies and it was a lot of work to get Daeron back up from the depths. I did not help and I am ashamed of that, but I at the time feared I would kill anyone who I came near, could I kill Skarp then I could as well kill anyone, or worst of all…Ayla. In the end we decided that I would give my weapons to Ael, and he would keep them so I could not hurt anyone. I know now that what Skarp saw was just a dream of his worst fear, but at that time it seemed so real and so terrifying.
In any case we went to see Corash later that evening and offered him a drink and a song to help him sleep. He did in fact not sleep but he did not decline our offer so we began to entertain. I told the tale of the warrior and the servant slightly changed to fit the orc situation but essentially the same tale. Then Ayla sang a beautiful song of a newborn orc chieftain and the life of war he would grow up to. Corash did drink the potion and soon he fell asleep. We all took some of it and then we entered his dream.
In his dream we saw him as a hunter in the forest. He killed a great cat but as he was about to skin it he was attacked by a band of humans and dwarves. Alas they killed him as he had only his skinning knife to defend himself with. He was no threat to them and I do think they acted wrong. Corash was not evil, he was just a hunter gathering food for his tribe. I feel sorry for him, in some way it is a tragic tale. We all see orcs as evil and foul beings, but seeing it from the orc perspective or at least the perspective of Corash shows that we also can be cruel and evil. What is right and what is wrong, it is a hard question to answer I guess but still I think Corash indeed do deserve our pity and compassion. In any case the dream continued. He suddenly stood before the greatest orc I have ever seen. The orc was Grand the god of orcs, and he gave Corash the name Red Raven. He would be Grands instrument to punish. He gave him the blade and had Corash drive it into his chest and drink his blood. And so they were one, the Red Raven, the blade and Grand.
It was the dream and as we awoke Corash did have new strength to carry on the fight and his mission. Before this he had had some reluctance but it had vanished like morning dew before the sun. Alas it was not good. We needed now to get back to Komatz and tell him of the dream we had seen. Also when we got out we had to warn Lar, we now understood that the target of the attack was most likely the citadel of Dorand in Lar. Harg explained this to us through an old tale of how Grand once had made a beautiful blade and presented it to Dorand as a gift. Dorand had taken the blade and cut of Grands fingers for he was outraged that an orc had crafted such a blade. From that time Grand hated Dorand, and now perhaps through Corash he could have some revenge. But we had to get out and we decided to try and tell Corash that Ael who should go as our seer had had a vision of a fiery tusk clan wanting to join the cause, and we should go get them. Corash seemed to believe us so we quickly left the tunnels and went to the back towards Hlint through the High Forest.
Only Garnet met us at the barricades, but he and the others convinced the guards of who we were and we were let through. We then hurried to Blackford to alert the queen’s men and sent Garnet to Lar with message of the impending attack. All the while we hurried to the Sword Rusts to see Komatz. At first Komatz didn’t believe we were indeed us, but finally he was convinced that we were not regular orcs sent by Corash. We told him the tale of the dream and he said he could break the blade and the spell, but he had to come with us. And so it was, Komatz and some of his men went back with us to the Grey Peaks and into the tunnels. We knew it was now it would end, either the blade and Corash would be broken or we would. My heart was up my throat as we walked through the tunnels. It was obvious the attack was soon to take place; so many orcs were gathered and ready to fight. Demons or devils all over the place were watching us as we went deeper and deeper into the tunnels. Then finally we were before the room where Corash waited. We decided that our best chance would be to take Komatz before him first and then we would sing him a new song Ayla had made. A beautiful song of how tragic a life it has been for Corash, while he did so Komatz would prepare his magic and at the final verse I would join in and sing as loud as I could, and that would be the signal for all to begin. We knew combat would be hard and some of us would fall, but alas we had to try.
It all went well really, we came before Corash and he and Komatz spoke for a while. Then Ayla began her song, which indeed did move Corash, and we slowly prepared. As the song drew to and end I felt as if my life itself was about to draw to an end. It’s hard to explain but I had this feeling within me, sitting there in the room of Red Raven and all the exits guarded by demons and orcs much stronger than those you normally see. Then as I shouted out the last word of the song it all began. I cannot remember much of it, as it was a blur of magic and weapons, blood everywhere and screams and shouts filling the caverns. I know I went into the work area and saw Ayla fall to the ground and then it all went black. Later the others told me that I was killed by a demon but we had succeeded. The blade was broken, we had won the day. We healed both Komatz and Corash and took them both with us as we left the tunnels. It was easier said than done, we fought our way through every foot of tunnel. Orcs and demons coming at us, but finally we saw light ahead. But alas as we left the tunnels we were hit by a barrage of arrows and demons. We all fell except Alantha, Daeron and Komatz. In time Komatz came back to heal us and after proper thanks he left for the Sword Rusts while we hurried to Lar. Harg had done an earthquake in the tunnels so all the orcs would be trapped in the tunnel leading to Lar.
Soon we arrived in Lar. Before we reached town we saw smoke rising and we feared we perhaps were too late. Into the fray we went, killing orcs and demons as we entered town. So many fell before us, and yet still more came. We pressed on towards the Citadel of Dorand and after some hard fights where Balors seemed to keep on coming without end we finally reached the safety of the Citadel. We learned then that the Baron of Lar and his men had gone down into the tunnels to clear them out, so our mission was to clear the surface. And so we did. Demons and orcs and I know not what attacked us but we prevailed in the end. There atop the mountain at Lar we took the day. We had succeeded.
Only one thing remained. For us to be our normal selves again, but alas as we came to the wizard in the swamp he would not turn us back. Or he would if we brought him one of the race we wanted to be. Most of us would never kill another for us to be ourselves again so we decided to try and find this Raven in Wolfswood. She indeed agreed to change us, and she did without any form of payment. We owe her a lot for that indeed. How grand it was to be human again, and to see the others as they really are, and not some hulking orc shape.
It has been a grand adventure, perhaps the greatest I have ever seen and I feel close with those people who I was there with. We shared the life of the orcs and that have indeed created a special bond between us I think. Today I sit here as my old self, but still I feel something of the orc within me. I am stronger now than before but also I feel my anger lie just beneath the surface, but I try very hard to keep it in check. Perhaps it is the demon blood in us, perhaps orc remains, I don’t know. But I do know that it is all over for now.
-
We are back from Krashin. Skarp and I decided it was time for us to go and have our revenge on the Egilsons. A good band of our friends came with us as we travelled to Krashin. How wonderful it was to see the snow covered lands again, to feel the cold air against my skin, and in my lungs. I felt truly alive there on our ancestral soil. I think most besides Skarp, Rolf, Burr and I didn’t really like the cold, but they are not from Krashin so they’re not used to it. Still we left Ravens’ Watch and went northwards towards the bear lands of the north, towards home.
After a while we came to the valley of our home and it was changed indeed. People were afraid of something that came in the night, and even worse, Halgrim was now lord of the area. What a travesty a murderer and arsonist as a lord, If I had been alone there with Skarp we would most likely have killed him when we laid our eyes upon him, but Aylas gentle presence indeed did calm me and made me think clearer.
We found Halgrim in the village, but alas he was not the man he once was, not a man worthy of revenge. He was broken and blinded but still he would have let us have our revenge but we or well I did not. Instead we asked him to tell what had happened there.
101 years ago a witch had come to this region and had asked the people to build her a castle within 100 years and she would keep the valley green and prosperous. This was a secret only known by the elders of the families and so now it was passed on to us. The castle was not built however, and now she had come and taken people. It is like the childrens game a Krashinite I met near Haven once told me of. Where a girl counts to 100 and the others must either build a stone pile as big as her before she reaches 100 or hide. If she catches them she takes them to her lair and they can only be set free if one comes into the lair and acts like a bear. The game was not a game, it was as much a story that told us what to do. Gro had been taken along with Erik, her and Skarps son, and Eigil had gone to get them back but no one had heard from him and his men.
We also found Sigrid who came to us after Halgrim had told the tale of the Witch of the Black Isles. She feared us at first, thinking we would kill her as she was now one of the Egilsons, but we assured her we were only happy to see her. She told us what she knew of Gro and Erik but it was not much new. We decided then to make haste to the Black Isles and seek out this witch. She would have taken her last person to her lair!
We entered the alexandrite mines as it was where the tracks from Eigils group led us. There we found a marking on the floor but how to enter. It brought an old Krashinite saying to mind that goes If you go courting an old woman, come with a gem in your hand or you might be left out in the cold. And so we did, we all took an alexandrite in our hand and then Skarp turned into a bear and roared like in the childrens game. It all so fits with the games, the sayings and the dream Skarp had that it is almost uncanny, and it worked.
We were suddenly in a place that reeked of evil, and as we went on we were beset by all sorts of demons and devils. Daeron said that we most likely were on one of the most evil planes, not really a comforting thought. Suddenly we saw great bears in the distance but Skarp ran up to them in his bear shape and they allowed him to pass and us as well. They were the bears of Skarps dream I am sure, and so if the dream was true we had to face evil now.
We entered another portal behind the bears and found ourselves in a great castle, the lair of the witch. As we went forward, weapons drawn we were suddenly attacked. It was Eigil and his men who came upon us with the fury of madmen. They died there in the cold halls of the witch’s castle, Reef felled Eigil with a good swing of his boat hook. I know Skarp wished it had been him who felled Eigil but alas it was not meant to be it seemed. As we continued we found golems like the ones that now inhabit Berhagen and in that fight I was struck down. I did what I could to avoid the blow but the stair I was standing on made me lose my balance. I should still count myself lucky that the Soul Mother did not come for me at that time. And I should thank Rolf and Mist for once again giving me life.
Finally we were there, a library of sorts and before us an old woman and a young lad. She was the witch but as we tried to get to her she stepped back into a portal with the lad and was gone. We heard her yell something about druids but alas what it means is still unknown. As we watched it Gro came out from behind a shelf hugging Skarp and thanking us all. The lad the witch had taken was Erik, their son, my nephew, and we wowed then that we would go and get him back soon.
It was a strange tale, childrens games, old sayings and dreams all turning out to be true in a way. I guess we sometimes forget that even legends that seem too odd to be true may still hold an ounce of truth. We will soon try to get Erik back, but we need to prepare properly. Gro has come to live with us in the house, and it is nice enough really, although I think she doesn’t really like that we fill the house with our work and not nice chairs and stuff.
-
We have set a date for the wedding, the fourth of Decilar to be precise. Oh how I look forward to this. Then we will be man and wife. Everything is prepared, or almost at least. I still need to get me a suit and find the perfect ring, but I have an idea for that, but not even here in my journal I will tell that yet. Ayla has made sure there is food for everyone and I have brewed so much beer that I think the smell of wort will never leave my clothes. I cannot even explain what this means to me, I am happy, truly happy and nothing can destroy this feeling of joy that runs within me. I will be married to the most wonderful woman in the world.
-
We have made an exploration group. It’s a grand success so far and we have done very well. It was Varka who came with the idea and it really works well, we even got a name, the Bloody Hands, the name we said our orc tribe had. The leaders are us who started this band and also were orcs, then our second in commands are those who were along in this from the start, like Fenrir and Burr. Who would ever have thought me part of the leadership of a band like this? Still it works very well, we have been to Dregar on several occasions and our tactics seem sound. We have bested vampires and trolls and laid waste to the ogres in the Iron Hills. My place is normally in the back with my bow, it is the safest for me as the Soul Mother always seems to be on the lookout for a chance to get me. I will put more work into using my bow, for there I can sing for the others and then fire quite a bit of arrows into the battle. I am sure in time we’ll make a name for ourselves… the Bloody Hands.
-
Today there was a great commotion as Bloods forces had been spotted on the way to Velensk. This came not long after another attack on Velensk and quickly a large force had gathered at Velensk. There was quite a number of people there I knew, and after some debate it was decided that we would all go on a ship and meet the enemy fleet at sea. Varka had a different plan but I fail to see the logic in dividing our forces between Velensk, Dragon Isles and the sea.
In any case we soon approached the ships and battle ensued. It was fierce and even the sea creatures attacked us. Most likely someone in league with the elven pond dweller that made that happen, and there were said prayers to many gods on the ship. Good thing Rolf wasn’t there, he’d have thrown people over the side for praying to the pond dweller for help and for people calling for Vorax here in Mists domain.
Anyways soon we boarded the largest of the enemy ships and battle was indeed hard. We fought constructs and undeads before it was all over. By then a small ship had escaped us heading for the Dragon Isles. We went in pursuit and made it to the isles. There we found sign of combat but no enemies. A treant came to us and explained that all had been killed, but the forest on the Isles did indeed need a caretaker. Some seemed to have an idea of who that should be, but I guess that will be another tale sometime. It was discovered that the forces that had made landfall here was indeed a scouting party, coming to chart the area, most likely before a larger invasion force. We must be happy the treants stopped them.
Alas I should stop this writing and get on with the wedding preparations as well as practice my dwarven.
-
War is indeed getting close now. The Mistone Alliance has begun to collect things for the war. I have donated all the rings I had in stock, about 80 I think, as well as 10,000 coins and my old sword and bow. It’s not much but still everything helps. Due to war being so close I have stopped the plans of making the orphanage in Leilon for the time being. It is more important to protect these lands, for if we fail at that there will be no need for the orphanage anyways. Perhaps when this is all over I’ll start the project again.
-
We had another Storyteller’s Night, this time in Fort Hope. It was ok, but alas we had a very small audience, but of course we did our show. As I once said I would do the show if only one single person came to watch, it is the obligation of a performer in my opinion. We had some new entertainers and they were really good, especially Kat did a marvellous performance, telling of how a group of people went deep down and found the shadows, but I cannot retell the tale as she did so I’ll just keep it here in my memory. Daemon sang a song of the wild elves while Ayla sang the song of Corash, the hunter. All good performances and then I had to close the show with the tale of the witches’ ring, the one we got from the elves and gave to the Sielwood witch.
Once heroes on Rilara did meet
A winged beast they would have to defeat
For they heard it had done much harm
And in the forest had caused great alarm
At the Grey Watchtower they did wait
While an elf of the beast did relate
They did listen for some time indeed
Then to the hills they went with great speed
They did not the beast find anywhere
But instead they found another affair
An elf did them at Gellon greet
In dire need of aid in his retreat
For the drows had beset his kin
Perhaps revenge for some unknown sin
The heroes to aid the elves ran
Not knowing adventure great they began
They found bodies lying dead and cold
Near the Lake Rillon it of battle told
Onwards to the Delwin they went
Very little time with talking had they spent
To bone hill they searched but in vain
Knowing that onwards did only lay much pain
Then back they went to search for more
Drow at Delwin waited prepared for war
Battle was fierce and many did there die
Battered, still and bloody did they lie
Drow and heroes lay amongst each other
And yet still they fell one after another
Then finally it was all calm again
To wounded elves came to ease their pain
And so most thought the story did end
But good people I ask your ear to lend
For some heroes to Casterly went
Making sure no threats there were present
At the castle they something overheard
Elves speaking of a secret with hushed word
Was the hidden item safe indeed?
Was it the item the drow did now seek?
Where should the thing be hidden now?
So it would not fall in hands of drow
They did then a rumour hear
That elves in Karthy disappear
They were there in a guild of thieves
Guests or prisoners, who it perceives
So our heroes to Karthy went
Seeking information their intent
They found the guild of thieves with ease
And did enter with skill and expertise
There they found elves three lying dead
In a pile on the floor near the bed
But also five swords did they there find
And a mug of the ale holding kind
A map found in the disarray
Through the Bolt Hole to go did it say
Or it did not really speak you see
It was only words written on lines three
Back to Hampshire they did travel
This mystery they had to unravel
What Bolt Hole were they meant to find
And how were elves, drow and thieves entwined
A Halfling to their aid did come
And did of a Bolt Hole tell them some
It was an inn of Casterly south
On way to White Harbor told her mouth
So onwards the heroes then went
But they were not the only ones there sent
Unseen they were watched from the skies
By cunning and wicked impish eyes
They did at the Bolt Hole arrive
And found the keeper of this little hive
He told that two elves did there live
But key to their room he could not give
Still heroes asked him to open door
But wards it had knocked him to the floor
With magic and skill they the door worked
And soon into the elves empty room they lurked
There they only found a small empty keg
Was someone pulling their heroic leg?
Though it did emanate magic strong
And they saw what it was before long
An elven transmutation keg
Only used by elves so swift of leg
It seemed to be broken I swear
For the tap for the keg was not there
Onwards to White Harbor they walked
When the little imp appeared and talked
Wanting the keg they with them had
So its master at it would not be mad
It nothing gained and was soon gone
With blink of an eye it had withdrawn
Finally before them they White Harbor saw
A feeling of hope grew in their maw
But alas the two elves had left
With an elf of town they had moved deft
The elves the heroes quickly tracked
But alas by drow they were attacked
Soon our heroes lay on the ground
Before they it an illusion found
They went on and soon elves did see
Dead and cold on barren earth all three
Under an elf they a tap did find
Yes a tap of the keg fitting kind
Still of drow they did stay wary
Whilst they the three dead elves did bury
They travelled with haste back to Hamp
With the keg and tap wanting to tamp
Could this the real solution be
They wanted the kegs content to see
But alas it did nothing do
They feared they had to start anew
They this riddle wanted to solve
And so the story does again evolve
They left the keg and tap in hamp
Safe they thought it to be in guards’ camp
Alas by thieves it was taken
From Karthy, they were not mistaken
Rumours had risen by this time
A dragon sought this item sublime
It was the black of the battle fens
The imp belonged to him and not friends
So our heroes to Karthy went
And through the thieves guild they quickly rent
They got the keg after a fight
Indeed thieves do not let things go light
And back to Hampshire once again
But one sought the keg to obtain
Beholders and trolls did at them run
By dragon sent as this had begun
Still they to Hampshire did it make
Setting tap in keg all would partake
But alas it did not work still
Suddenly a thought their minds did fill
Ale, that is what we now do seek
Keg, holds our ale safe but with no leak
Tap, from this we get our precious ale
Mug, stores our ale while we tell our tale
One took mug found with swords and map
And held it under the turning tap
Behold keg, tap and mug was gone
They held golden ring sparkling as dawn
But not a ring with elven gleam
It did like the ring of a witch seem
So what should our heroes do now?
To whom should did they dare turn and how?
The ring should to the queen be brought
For it was what drow and dragon sought
If either it had only doom would come
And none would to such evil succumb
At Blackford they with wizard spoke
To Sielwood then under hood and cloak
The witch of the wood should it keep
It would be safe in the forest deep
She did the ring from them accept
With her it is still to this day kept
She did our heroes give much thank
They had indeed done a task of rank
And so the story ends for now
The ring is yet again safe from drow
The dragon will it not either take
It in Sielwood lies in witches lake
I think most liked it. It was a good night and I do look forward to our next show.
-
Fenrir taught me some more dwarven today, and he seems quite impressed with my skills. I even managed to understand some words and use them to form new sentences. I keep a separate journal for these lessons and I do feel I improve. I use what I have learned at every chance I get, and to the surprise of many dwarves I think. Fenrir even told me how to say I love you, so I could surprise Ayla with that. Oh my will she be surprised when I come and say things in dwarven to her, but anyways more happened today. We met Vigg, who seemed genuinely impressed with my skill at dwarven. I am glad; I so hope, I one day will be able to speak it fluently. Still we decided to go to the Berhagens to see if the rumors of iron there were true. It was not a hard trip as we all fought well and soon we were past Shoufal. But no matter where we looked in the mountains we found nothing, no veins. It seems the rumors were false, but at least we now have checked it out for ourselves.
-
Ayla told me today that Abi seeks me for something. It seems she wants to become a shadowdancer as she has always wanted and furthermore wants me to come along. Ayla was scared at this, that I would have to go and deal with the shadows, but as I told her I have done so before and know one of the masters of the shadowdancers. Well know is perhaps much, but we have met on several occations at least. I took the time to tell Ayla of my past experiences with the shadows and I think it calmed her a bit that I have been down this road before.
I wonder why Abi wants me to come along, she is perfectly capable of this herself, but how could I refuse. I have promised her my friendship and I will not go back on my word to her, not again. I guess time will tell what will happen, but I don’t think it should be hard really, just a matter of finding that shadowdancer.
-
Perhaps I was a bit hasty when I said it would be easy for Abi to learn of the shadows. It became quite a trek through the planes and everything. First she met the shadow master as I call him in the bank in Hlint, but he said that she was not suited to learn the way of the shadows. So then we went outside town and there she was approached by a man who would teach her he said, but he spoke of balance, balance of good and evil. That of course gave a lot of debate about whether it was right to be taught by evil people. I said I thought it was wrong as no matter what the master apprentice relationship is a strong one and one will influence the other, and most likely the master will influence the apprentice. Still I doubt I got through to them with my point. In any case we went to see a druid as they know of balance of nature and perhaps they could tell more, and to be honest I would do almost anything so we didn’t have to go through the “bad” people to get Abi what she wanted. They spoke a lot with Abi before we then went on to Karthy as it seems she had to enter the plane of shadows and there find her heart. She sought more answers there in the temple of Xeen, it has truly been a long time since I last sat my feet there, not since we investigated the thieves guild in Karthy regarding the missing elves. But onwards the story goes for they told her to find Vlok the Necromancer to get us to that plane. A necromancer for crying out loud, why deal with such persons. Still I went along as I had promised, but as I said to her did that necromancer as much as look the wrong way I would slay him.
We did find him and he sent us to the planes. Not really a nice place, we fought shades without end it seemed and harder and harder they got as we got closer to Abis heart. Finally we found it, in a box locked by black tendrils. Only love could open it, so there we stood all of us and thought about what we loved most in this world and the box opened, and we were in Pranzis. The shadowdancer came to us and told Abi that she indeed had what it took to become a shadowdancer. As I put my hand in my pocket I felt a ring in it, a ring set with a soulstone…Aylas soulstone. How it got there I have no idea, perhaps it was the shadows perhaps something else, but I will cherish it forever.
This has all been a strange experience, but I stood by my word and did what I could to help Abi. I hope she understands that I truly meant that I would be her friend. I’m glad to see her so happy now that she has found Angela. They indeed match each other well.
-
*the ink is smeared by tear drops on this page, making it a bit hard to read*
My heart has been torn to pieces. Ayla has been taken by the Soul Mother, at first I thought it a cruel joke they were playing on me as I was in Leilon getting some dyes for my wedding suit. I returned to Hlint I heard Skarp calling me. I met him outside the gates and he looked as if he had seen a ghost. He then told me she had been slain in the Haven Mines. It is as if all that happened next is just a blur. I know others were there with her body in Hlint, I think it was Burr, Skarp, Varka and Abi but I am not even sure. I remember her beautiful face, pale and cold, all life drained from it, but even in death she was beautiful. I took her and laid her body in the bed that we should have shared…
-
Why was I not there! WHY?! I could perhaps have saved her, I could have died trying, but that would have been better than this. Why should this happen now, our wedding was less than a week away and now it will be a wake instead.
-
The heavens cry. The rain pours down still, and has done so since she died. I have walked the streets of Hlint, but I lack words to speak to anyone, and what I say is misunderstood. Abi now hates me as it is because of me that Angela is going to Haven to slay more ogres. But what does it all matter now, is this life worth living? I am again alone; no one will understand this, the pain that burns within me. Of course they say they understand but do they truly understand…
-
Does the gods care for us? I prayed to Aeridin as the rain mixed with my tears but did he hear me, did he do something to ease my pain. It would be so easy for him, a god, he could do as he wished, and so it seems he does not wish to help me. I screamed at the heavens for just a simple sign but nothing. Perhaps I should just realize that I am not worthy of the attention of the gods and perhaps they just think this a petty joke… I do not care anymore, I just feel the pain within me, and it will never end for it is rooted deep within me…
-
The wake was today. A lot of people came, so many I know and so many I did not know. All were kind and as we began people slowly began to tell tales of how they remember Ayla. It was hard, never have I been so devastated. I am glad Fenrir was there by my side all the time, he is indeed a true friend, but so are many others. I know they want to help, but they lack the words as Reef said, and I cannot blame them, I myself lack the words for this. I don’t know what to do, it is done now, she will be buried and then there will only be the memory of her left in our hearts. A priest of Aeridin came and spoke of the great circle of life and it did make sense that she has just moved on in the circle, but knowing that still does little to ease my pain. So many offered their help, but what can I ask for, I don’t even know what I need to do myself, I just feel a gaping hole inside me, and I don’t know how to fill it.
*written in blocky letters at the bottom of the page*
Fenrir azrt Varka ‘azga razlat Ayla azrt la ‘aznwa-tzhazhgath urwa Mistone. Ak ath az khaazk ‘urrur’h artaat. Azth k’ao thazat, rururra zhazth poakkah th’akat k’azr ‘th azrt urr k’ath tazo urwa thurhhurzh A kazga ziurlwaurhk ar k’azk th’a ‘azth poaar haziurkrajat azth thurlaurra thrhaziazn. Th’a th’ur’nt poa po’haat ar k’a ‘aznn urwa ‘ahurath ar Willows Weep.
-
What am I to do? I have worked all day, cleaned out the house and our storage to keep my mind occupied. Still I feel miserable and hollow, as if there is a gaping hole inside me. I have had a few ales and that have lessened the pain I feel. Makes me feel number, it is as if time just goes by and I stand still here. I don’t know what to do, I simply don’t… perhaps a few more ales would help, I have plenty left…
-
Today the Bloody Hands were to go to Firesteep, and I felt obliged to come along. It keeps my mind occupied to some extent so that is good I guess. And then Firesteep, where Thordan Ironheart stood before Fisterion a long time ago. Alas he is here no longer either; death comes fast these days…
We met at Xora’s Tower, and running past the obelisk near there I couldn’t help remembering Ayla and I going there once, when I showed her the mountains on Dregar. I stood there for a moment shedding a tear and then went on to meet the others. They were all waiting for me, ready to go.
Firesteep is a desolate place, only rock, molten rock and fumes are what we saw. Rolf went to pay his respects…to the temple of Pyrtechon it seems. What is he doing these days, going into such places?
The kobolds on Firesteep are indeed tough, but we got by them and to the adamantium veins, but alas not without loss. Angela was struck down and the Soul Mother came for her. Why does she seem to follow me and people around me so? I don’t know what to do, I simply don’t know…I work and travel but I find no joy in it. It is just being, it is not living, but I cannot find any reason to smile for this world is a cold and dark place, a place where only few are meant to find happiness and the rest doomed to die alone in dark corners of the land. I have tried happiness, but it seems it is not meant for me. I should have known! I should have known that I bring nothing good to love, that I should avoid it, for only pain comes of it. In a way it is my fault Ayla died, death and bad luck comes to those I care for, and only few can escape it.
I wonder if time will heal the wounds as Mith and I discussed over a bottle of wine Ayla had made long ago. He saw love as weakness, something that makes us tools for those who will use our will to defend those we love. It was an interesting talk…a talk about love and what it really is…but still I think he sees it different than me. But it did raise the question in my mind, will I ever love again, I think not…
-
I guess I am a bad man. I spoke with Abi and Angela today, they so want to help me, but I cannot make them understand that it’ll only bring bad luck to them, it is better to leave me alone, that way no one get’s hurt. They probably think me a fool, and perhaps I am a fool as Rolf once said. I don’t know I don’t know what to say or do, so I work. They call it hiding, but how can I hide from what lurks within me, it is just a way of getting by… I work all I can and then find a little rest on the floor where I once had my chests. Now it is just an empty room, empty as me. I don’t really feel much, just numb. Abi said it was not existing, but still I don’t care, I’d rather feel nothing that the pain that rips my soul and heart apart. I know now how she felt when she came back and I loathe myself for causing her such pain, but at least she is happy now with Angela. They took me to town today so I could meet people and talk to them…but no one was there, they probably sensed the bad things that happen around me. Later we did meet some people, but I felt so awkward with them. They all seemed so happy and carefree and I felt as if I said something it would do nothing good to anyone, so I sat and listened instead. Varka did seem concerned but I told him I would not go do anything stupid like killing myself, I’ll just be here, working and writing this damn journal. What good has this ever done me, I write and write and moan and complain…I tell others to write if they feel down, that it’ll help, it won’t help a bit. Writing this only brings back more painful memories that I’d rather be without.
-
It has been a long time since I’ve written in my journal, but I guess I should take it up again, if not for anything but to retell what I have seen so others may learn from it when I am no longer here. A lot has happened since last, so where do I begin?
I have taken it upon myself to help the newcomers in town whenever I see them, as Ayla did, so I in that way can honour her memory. At least here I can help, the undead in the crypts and the goblins outside town pose very little danger, but still I know should I be careless they could take my life as they have taken so many others. Still I like it when someone new arrives here and I take them on a small tour of town and the surrounding area. Some I only see once, while others I see several times over. Still what matters is that they perhaps have gotten a start here as I once did when someone was kind enough to show me around, for indeed it is hard if you’re not used to a life of battle and adventure. Still it is not like the old days, I sat with Abi a while back and we spent the night talking about how it was once, when we first came here. Things have changed, people run by caught up in their own business not like when we sometimes had huge gatherings by the well to discuss events or just tell tales of what we had seen. I guess it is just the times that change, but still it is saddening in some way. Some still like tales though, I have told Abi and Angela several of my tales, and I think they especially liked the one of the servant and the warrior, although it confused Abi a bit I think, how one could win without fight. Speaking of Abi and Angela, I have much to thank them for. It was Angela who took the time to talk to me when I hit rock bottom.
We had been in a cave filled with snakes and elementals and death had come for us numerous times. I got the feeling that it was because of me they died, that death stalked me and those I cared for. When we got out of the caves I told them so and left, telling them they’d be better off without me. They stopped me, and an argument ensued. I will not dwell on that and say nothing but that had it not been for Angela I would have locked myself away forever I fear.
-
Ayla has returned. I have no idea how this happened, people say that many of those who were dead have returned to the land of the living. I am happy of course, but I cannot help feeling a nagging fear deep inside me, a fear of her dying again. It will happen, I know it, and nothing lasts forever, sad but true. I will try to get the best out of our time together, but I know what it’ll be like when it ends.
-
What irony life seems to have. I was under Mount Norad on Dregar, where once the Cresent Moon and Shield clan lived. Kobal asked me to come, as he asked so many others, and we met at Xora’s Tower and then started for the mountain. Deep below it there was a bloodpool, but between us and it there were hordes of the undead. Such battles as we fought down there, and such traps we had to overcome I have never seen, it was a slaughter at times. I fell, and as I did I started to change. The others told me I had become on of them, the undead, I had become what I so loathe. Such irony. It happened twice, but both times they raised me to once again breathe air. Still I feel numb, my feet and hands are cold, and somehow I cannot get warmth into them. Not that I care much, I hardly feel anything after this, it is as if the cold of my limbs have entered my heart as well. Well it is easier, no pain, no joy, just being, now that I can look at things without my heart clouding my vision I see how this is an easy life, it is just life, and as I don’t feel much I don’t miss feeling anything. But I deviate from my story. I will not retell it all here for that could make a journal of its own, instead I will only state that we did destroy the bloodpool. I guess I am now a hero as I always wanted to be, destroyer of a bloodpool, well helper actually but that is a matter of definition.
-
I do wonder these days about the teachings of Aeridin. I don’t feel the truth in my heart anymore, it is simply not there, well nothing is there really, even seeing Ayla only brings a faint smile to my lips, I know I love her, but I don’t feel it like I recall I once did. Perhaps I shall some day feel again, but this has made me see something. If the dead are coming back to the living, and not the dead that are raised but those who are taken to the Soul Mother, then what about the circle that Aeridin teaches of. The circle breaks, is it even a circle if you can go back, at least it is not a circle that turns one way as I have been taught. It troubles my mind, for if such teaching fail, for here it has failed in my opinion, then what, are other teachings failing as well? I know Aeridin teaches us to help and thus we react to things, but what if reacting is not enough, what if you cannot stop things by reacting but you need to act before it even happens. That is not the teaching and it troubles me. We were beset by demons on Krashin when mining gemstones. At first they came at us and we reacted, more and more came, hoping to bring us down, then we went to them, seeking them, facing them in open battle, and thus we won. We won as we at some point chose to act rather than react. I guess I could go into a debate of whether reacting is not all you do, for if you act you must have some reason to act and then what you do is a reaction. But I shall not as this is merely a journal and not a grand work on the definition of these two words. I guess religion is not in the mind but in the heart. Or at least so I come to believe as I now question my faith. Faith is feeling, knowing in you heart, for often the heart is stronger than the mind. I don’t really know what to do, I am a betrayer if I say I pray to Aeridin, for even though I could pray my words would be hollow as I have doubts about the teachings. I shall seek out a priest, not Ayla for she is too close to me in this matter, but another priest with whom I can discuss this.
-
I have made up my mind. I cannot simply go on saying I am an Aeridinite, I am not. I have doubts about the teachings; I don’t see it as a truth anymore. A broken circle or perhaps a non-existent circle is what I see. I will give my banner back to the clerics, or perhaps let Ayla have it; I cannot carry it any more. I simply would be lying, and I don’t wish to be that. Perhaps love and feelings clouded my vision for a while, but it does no more. I chose to ignore how my blade defies the teachings, how I sing to kill, how I seek combat, I am so far from what I should be, and for that I should apologize, but I should also take the consequence of what I have come to realize.
-
Much have happened since I last wrote in my journal but I think it is time to get back to this. First of all I feel good, I have not felt this good in a long time actually. I’m not entirely sure why but it is that I feel better that matters. In any case there is much to write, or well something at least.
I have tried to help Gloin. It seems the Ulgrids were beset by drow and some foul disease and so a huge group went to help them fight the drow. We succeeded although it was a tough combat. There were so many who could not handle themselves well enough in the combats that ensued, and so many fell to the blades and magic of the drow. It’s a shame when such happens, but people should know their limits and not seek needless death.
Like Storold really…he amazes me. He says that it is cowardly to use a bow, but still I think it’s better than to run up and get killed whenever danger arises. He does however not share my views, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get him to realise how he would fare so much better. I’ll buy him a bow one day. Or a crossbow, that’s probably more his style I think.
I any case Gloin is still ill, so we gathered on Roldem recently to get a Star Gem for his cure. It was dangerous beyond most things I have ever been involved with, but we did prevail in the end against the golems of Eon and the demons that dwelt in that forsaken place. I will not tell more of this and the location should this fall into wrong hands. But still even with the knowledge few would be able to proceed to where it grows, and perhaps even fewer would know of how to harvest it.
-
The company is growing rapidly. We are now an official guild, sanctioned and all and even our house in Hlint has been rebuilt, it is more of a castle now. I do like it although there were some differences of opinion regarding an altar between Rolf and Skarp. I don’t really care for it, let Rolf have his altar if he wishes.
To be honest Mist has helped us a great deal, she provides the protections for us when we travel and she provides the enchantments for our blades and brings us back to life should we fall. I have sometimes gone into the room with the altar and just watched. I feel almost as if I can hear the wave’s crash against the rocks of Krashin. I know it’s not true, but I am reminded of home, of how it was before I left for Mistone. Sometimes I think that I am far from what anyone would have thought of me, but also that I have deserted what I am. I remember how I used to sit and look at the ocean and listen to it speaking to me. It drew me in some strange way, but I guess I have learned much since then. It was not the ocean that called it was the Lady Doom calling for me. I have not told Rolf about this, I haven’t told anyone really, it’s something I should find out for myself if it’s true. Somehow I see with Mist what I could not find with Aeridin. She is the storm and the tempest, but also she respects those that stand tall in it, not bending. That is important I think that we should not just bend because the odds say so. Sometimes we must stand in defiance and look the storm and death in the eyes, and we will prevail.
Like when we helped get the Star Gem. It truly seemed like an impossible task but we pressed on, we did not falter in our step and so in the end we prevailed and got the gem.
-
I have not seen much of Ayla recently. Well I have been travelling a lot, going here and there to seek adventure and help where it is needed. I think she is saddened by this, but what can I do, when so many places are in need of aid. I cannot just sit back and let others deal with it, it would not be right. I hope soon we shall have more time together but for now we must settle for meeting once in a while in the passing. I hope she understands but I am not sure. It’ll al be better soon I’m sure.
-
The lighthouse in Port Hampshire has grown dimmer. I saw it just a while back as I met with others who were investigating it. They told that the crystals beneath the lighthouse had to be changed, so we sought out the gnome who built it, but alas he was mad beyond any reasoning. Still we did get some clues as to where we might find suitable gems for the lighthouse. We need four pieces one of each element… fire, water, earth and air. It was a nice little poem written in Halfling that led us to this.
Four island cave all scattered around
Four elemental guardians to be bound
Four elemental crystal shards to be found
Four positions chosen for light abound
It was four caves on four islands it turned out. We decided it had to be earth gems on the Dragon Isles, Fire on Firesteep, air in Talimar and finally water on Krashin.
We have done them in order so far, earth, fire and air, so only Krashin remains. Until now we have been successful, even though the odds have been against us. Elementals and genasi we have fought without end seemingly. Some fell but still we stood victorious at the end and were able to convince them to give us a shard of an elemental gem. So with only one gem remaining we must make haste as the light is fading fast, but we will make it I’m sure.
-
What odd happenings we have witnessed. Some of us were travelling near Velensk when suddenly what must have been a werewolf attacked. It wounded Abi and then it’s howling led us through Dire Woods, to a place where an old fisherman lived. I still to this day wonder who he was, I don’t know, but he must have held great power. He spoke of the odd people of Blackmouth, and as we travelled there things did indeed seem odd. I cannot truly describe the feeling of dread that hit us as we discovered how the inhabitants in reality were fishlike creatures, who would feast on our flesh had they caught us. As we battled in town it was frantic, monsters showing up everywhere, almost overwhelming us at time, but we made an escape.
The next morning we heard a loud noise, but too late we saw that the sea had come to wash Blackmouth away, a mighty wave rose and cleansed the land. As I then recalled this event was perhaps 250 years old, how we could have seen it, I do not know. Perhaps the fog in the Dire Wood the werewolf led us through took us back in time, perhaps we did hallucinate. I guess I’ll never know the answer, but it was real, my hair is still white from when I danced and sang that pirate jig during our travel to Blackmouth. It was a ghostly song and as I started to sing my friends fell in fear and horror washed over them, as colour drained from my hair. I should never have sung that song I guess, some things are better left alone after all.
-
Today we hunted a Halfling. He is called Taislin Woolhands, and he has defiled the temple of Mist in Leilon. Rolf asked me to come along for the hunting and both Abi and Jacc were there as well even though they are not mistites. Poor lad never stood a chance in avoiding capture but he should have known better than to defile a temple. Punishment served him right; such things should be dealt with hard and swiftly.
It was nice to be at the temple, the sound of the water and the rain on my face. I spent quite some time talking with a priest there called Muireann. We spoke of respect and worship, and of the sea and the islands. She is an islander herself so she understood how I felt for Krashin. I feel how almost every day I am more and more drawn towards how I was as a child, sitting on the cliffs at home watching the sea, dreaming of these lands across the ocean. Today I have seen the lands, and I stand on them, have made a life here, and so I long for the shores of home. Or perhaps it is as Muireann said to me; it is not the lands across but the sea itself I seek. Here I go again speaking of the sea, I should write it as it is, I speak of Mist I must admit to myself. She is held in such respect on Krashin but I have shunned all that was home for far too long.
-
I’ll see Mith dead before my time comes. That cursed necromancer elf should be flayed and hung on the city wall to scare off any of his ilk. He was in the group I travelled with today when we sought the Witch of the Black Isles in her prison with the Druids of the Higher Path. It is a dimensional prison located on a secret island, where those that upset the balance are kept by the druids.
We did encounter many a strange puzzle before we were let into the prison to find those we sought. Mechidil the Demi-Lich was one of them, and as we defeated him I found a book of his. Mith took it but would not deliver it back. Such things should not be in the hands of one like him, his soul is as dark as a moonless night only evil can be in such place, and he should be punished appropriately. I’ll not travel with him again.
We did find the Witch though, and we decided to set her free, so we may battle her on our plane and thus condemn her to death once and for all. In that prison she would have risen again later on, it would not be revenge as it should be. She still had Erik, I do believe Skarp was happy to see his son again, well who can blame him really.
-
I have dined with the king of the Ulgrid dwarves. What honour bestowed on a human. A group of us brought the cure made by clan Stonebrow to the Ulgrids. It was a dangerous trek, hunted by golems as we approached the Ulgrid Fortress, but we were successful in the end. We even met and spoke with the general of the Voraxian Council, also a great honour.
-
We got the final gem for the lighthouse on Krashin and we made it work. To make the ancient machinery function was tricky but with a collected effort the lighthouse of Hampshire shone again its light ever so bright. I’m glad we made it, but it was at the latest time we could possibly have done it. But as long as we did it before any ships hit the reefs it is all good.
-
Now of all places to be dumped the Rift has to be the most out of the ordinary. Ayla gave me the ring I gave her back saying I cared not for her anymore. I do care, but even though she fell how could I weep over that, she’d be raised or returned to a bindstone, and life would go on. I feel we have grown much apart over the last time, and it is a shame, but I don’t know what to do really. Perhaps I am being cynical and cold, so be it, it is a way to get by in the world as it is now. I threw the ring in the sea at North Point. Why should I keep it, it would remind me of something that is no more and probably never will be, it was a fine ring though, and perhaps many would think me stupid for doing it, but alas done is done and I cannot change it. I’ll miss Ayla even though we were not together much at the end.
But what drama we had down there in the Rift. Suddenly a Halfling appeared amongst us, some seeing him as a demon of the hells. It reminded me of a story I once heard about a Halfling who lives of fear, he thrives on peoples fears. Odd thing really, and I do feel this will need some looking into. I heard from Ozy as we met up at North Point that apparently someone had messed at the gates of Pandemonium and set him free.
-
I have spoken at length with Rolf about how I feel about Mist and the sea and so on. For him it was quite obvious that it is not the sea that lures me but the Lady Doom herself. Even as a child I was drawn but I did not understand then, and only now do I really see what it all means. I have always felt drawn and so I have been wandering in darkness, for a time seeking refuge in the teachings of Aeridin, but finding them flawed. Mist preaches that we must stand up for ourselves, that is how the world is, no one does anything for you. You have to act and do, and not let people push you around, like standing and facing the storm. It is odd, but while writing this, I do feel a calm within me, as if I have come to terms with who I am, what I have always been. I have come full circle so to speak, I am a Krashinite, perhaps different than most up there but still one of them. I will travel back to Krashin I think, to see the snow and the sea again.
-
Hlint. It has been years since I was last here, sitting in the trade company writing this brings back a flood of memories. It has been ages since I last wrote in this book. So much has happened that I doubt all shall be told within these pages now; still I shall do my best to recount what has passed. Ayla is gone, she was taken by the Soul Mother once again years back, it was then I lost my final faith in Aeridin. I could no longer live what I could not see thruth in, so I turned to Mist, the Lady of the Sea or Lady Doom as she is called by many. I know Kobal did not find this a pleasant surprise, but we have agreed to not discuss the matter to keep our friendship. Sometimes we must go beyond the relations of the gods I think and look to what people are and how they act.
Rolf and Skarp are still back on Krashin though, we all left for our homeland a long time ago, leaving Raven Trade to the others to take care of. They have done well it seems, business is good and looking over the trading hall I see few others who can supply the amount of things we can.
Blood is gone; he was defeated while I was on Krashin. It is the battle that caused the winter we’re seeing now. Snow falls heavily at home lying deeper than anyone can recall it having ever lied. Even in Leilon the snow is falling now something I think I have never seen before, or at least not in such extent.
But with one threat gone a new emerges it seems. Dragons have ravaged Hurm and a plague holds the city in its grip. Angela was there, hunting the dragon but she seems to think Ael somehow ratted them out. I don’t know what to make of that and I think one should hear both sides of this before making any decisions.
It has been good to see my friends again, they did not forget me even though I have been gone so long, something that warms my heart. Still there are so many new faces in Hlint that I feel like a stranger, but perhaps in time that will change. But it is a new world, and perhaps a world for a new breed of adventurers. I don’t know, but the thought is one that comes to mind, the world ever changing. Like I told Storold when we were on Firesteep, the world is like the ocean in a way, it changes and never stays the same but it is still the same ocean. I don’t know if he thought it made sense.