Balit Glenhobber's Sacred Notebook

[FraterAudcal]

Decilar 27, 1384
The gods truly have blessed me. My prayers have been answered, by an emmissary of the benevolent, and wise lord Aragen, to whom my praise eternally goes out to! The beautiful maiden of the heavens nearly rendered me unconscious with her beatitude, and the divine aura that permeated from her. She detailed to me that the omniscient lord, and his divine court smile upon me with much happiness in my enduring faith. I feel a great blessing at the time of this writing. My forehead still tinges with a fiery sting where the beautiful maiden kissed my sweating head.

The earth shook with much violence as the maiden appeared in a ray of blinding light from the heavens. This is one day I will never forget. The words she spoke still ring clear, and with much resonance, in my mind, as they came from that beautiful messenger's mouth. "Your god looks upon thee little one".

Janra 27, 1385
Meditated early in the morning. Recieved blessing from the Omniscient Lord. My empirical knowledge shows me that he is truly residing over my soul.

Febra 8, 1385
Went North of Hlint to get some cotton. Some...woman took most of it. Will have to search around for some more later. Got salt from Red Light Caverns. Snuck into Sielwood to get some spider silk. My stealth abilities must be improving, as the 4 spiders and the ettercap that call the area home didn't spot me, or didn't attack at least.

Mar 19, 1385
Prayed to Aragen later in the morning. A strange entity emerged from my body as I prayed to the wise lord. This phenomenon aroused other townspeople in the vicinity. As I emerged from my meditation, about half a dozen people or so were surrounding me, inquiring me of me health, and what the, "Hell that was?". A flying tome then appeared, as of out of nowhere. I bowed and waved to it, and it sprinkled a strange luminescient dust upon me, remnants of which are still glowing upon my vestements.
Also, an elf, Talan Va'lash, noted a comet or some other sort of celestial object streaking across the sky shortly after the aforesaid events, flying across the constellations of the serpent, and the scorpion. I know not what these mean. Perhaps some meditation is in order.

Apreal 2, 1385
I have taken up temporary residency in Blackford Castle. I thank the kind devout of Lucinda that have attended me and allowed me boarding.
I have delved into the library here in Blackford for many days, although the lore that comprises this place is fairly mundane, and common place.

[FraterAudcal]

Apreal 3, 1385
I have begun transporting to the Great Library in Saida, via the portal in Blackford Castle's study. The knowledge to be gained here is vastly more archaic and esoteric than could ever be found in the former place.

Apreal 5, 1385
I have returned to Hlint after my stay in Blackford Castle. Prayed to the wise Lord in the morning. Blessings have been strangely absent as of late. Will look into this.
Met a fellow Aragenite here in Hlint, by the name of Scherzo Prestissimo. Nice to see another devout of Aragen, especially in such a place as Hlint, and especially a devout with such a similar mindset as my own!

Apreal 14, 1385
Had a very close encounter last night in Sielwood. I thank the wise Lord for instilling within me, when death was near at hand, the wisdom to remember I had a potion that had a priestly blessing bestowed upon it, and a magical scroll embued with the ability to make one endure physical danger. Without those, I would have certainly perished to the venomous claws of the spiders assailing me, not to mention the bloody ettercap!
Returned safely to Hlint, although (damn it all!), I ruined the spool of thread I was trying to make from the spider silk I obtained in the forest. Oh well, guess I'll have to try it all over again later.

Junar 5, 1385
I made the trip to Port Hampshire, so as to sail to Fort Velensk, as I've heard rumors of nasty things on the road to that town.
On the boat to Velensk. The ship captain's a quiet guy. Not much else of note.

[FraterAudcal]

Junar 6, 1385
Made it to Velensk in one piece. Delivered to package Freya of Krandor requested I deliver. Strangely though, my ship captain (whom I found out was named Rofilandis or something similar) can't give me passage back to Hampshire from here. Some sailors association conventions or something. Will set sail for the Dragon Isles tomorrow though. I know of the peril that awaits me there, but damn my wanderlust!

Junar 7, 1385
En route back to Velensk from the Dragon Isles. The trip was quick. I stepped foot on the island, got about 50 yards into the forest, and noticed a tree, a gigantic tree- MOVING. I decided I didn't want to stick around long enough to see how this treeant would like to slaughter me, so I ran back to the ship captain, and immediately set sail back to Fort Velensk.

Junar 8, 1385
Back in Port Hampshire. After I returned to Velensk, I decided I'd check out Point Harbor, on Rilara. Set sail for there, and spent about a day in that city. One item of note: a monument there created by certain members of my own kin, who inscribed on this destitute monument that they, the builders of this city, under the tyrannical rule of the bigger races, were not allowed boarding in the town, but very held at the mercy of the wilderness lying outside of Point. Damnable despicable humans! I have befriended many of them, but I cannot believe this. My trust has been taken aback, although I'll let the past fade away I guess.

Junar 11, 1385
Returned to Hampshire. Made the short voyage to Krandor, and recieved my next delivery, to a certain Mo of Port Hampshire. I write this from the Scampy Mug. Will rest up and deliver the package tomorrow.

Junar 20, 1385
Sitting in Krandor, with a group of nine others, awaiting the quest at hand.
We are being sent up the Swordrust mountains to search for the son of a certain Krandorian woman.
We have made it up to a certain summit in the Swordrust Mountains. We have not located this Lothar person, although have been invited into his lodge. The attendants seem very strange. Keeping my guard.
We have searched the castle, and led down into a dungeon of sorts underneath, through a magical barrel.
We have ventured through the dungeon, repeatdely becoming prey to legions of damnable undead. We reached the inner adytum of the place, where we found an amulet of certain import. We were then ambushed by more undead, wherein I myself succumbed to mortality, although by the mercy of Rolf Havblod Bjoernsen, and his devotion to the chaotic mistress of the seas, I recovered.
We have learned the truth of what came to pass.

[FraterAudcal]

Jular 25, 1385
I finally got to catch up with my wonderful friend Remy Zephyr. He informs me of some troubling news regarding certain former members of the Circle. Must be vigilant!
Prayed to the wise lord for a prolonged period of time. I feel his blessing course within me!

Jular 27, 1385
Obtained a wonderfully crafted hickory pipe from the master sneak and carpenter Jacchri Abianca. This flatbottom has a wonderful flavor to it. It reminds me so much of home, and dad. The memorys have been difficult lately, as they've been recurring with more frequency.
I'm writing this from the wasteland outside of Fort Llast, around a makeshift fire. I'm planning on staying at Blackford Castle for a few days again. Better catch some sleep....

Jular 28, 1385
Made it to Blackford Castle in one piece. I must remember to be cautious here. It's very likely a certain Lucindite already informed the temple of Lucinda here of my affiliation with the Circle, and the Lucindites may not welcome me here if they know my identity. That would be very ill, as it would cut me off from the library here, and the portal to the Great Library, inhibiting my researches and studies.

[FraterAudcal]

Augra 2, 1385
Finished my stay at Blackford Castle, and evaded any suspicions. I'm writing this from the Caring Hope Inn, in Fort Hope, en route to Port Hampshire.

Augra 5, 1385
Returned to Hlint safely. My encounters lately have been strange. Outside of Krandor, I was ambushed by an ogre, who looked as if he was waiting for me on the road. He chased me all the way into Krandor. When I got into the latter town, I ran around in a frantic panic for awhile, knowing that an ogre could easily mash me into oblivion. I turned around though, and he was gone. Not a trace. I asked the packagemaster, Freya, if she had seen an ogre chasing me. She looked alarmed at the inquiry, but denied seeing the ogre.
I returned to the road to Fort Llast. As I was about to cross the bridge spanning the Zaine River, I saw an elven mage besieged by what looked like a mass of crawling vines. I ran to aid him, getting tangled and slightly injured in the process. Eventually though, the vines just vanished, similarly to the ogre.
Finally returned to Hlint, and decided to gather some cotton from the forest north of town. I was ambushed twice by orcs, the first time probably just for eats, the second time probably to kill me out of vengeance for the three orcs I slayed with bolts and my blade, and probably for a meal as well. Obviously, I survived that ordeal, but that is the first time orcs have had one up on me.

Oclar 11, 1385
Not much has happened in the past few weeks. There was a meeting, to discuss certain pressing issues. Although I protect this tome though with my life, I cannot speak of the details of that meeting, as I fear my journal may fall into the hands of those who oppose our wishes.
I write this from Port Hampshire, in the Temple of Deliar were I was permitted a room for the night. It seems as if my kinsmen here may have learned, somehow, of my devotion to the human God Aragen (praise be to his hallowed name!), and greatly frown upon it, as my kin god Deliar and my patron deity are not on the best of terms. I want them to know though that I bear no grudge against my own people, nor their deity.
I believe, once I return to Hlint, I'm going to head Northeast for a few days, and observe a certain strange race I discovered up there, to see if within them lay clues to my fathers disappearance.

Oclar 13, 1385
Ventured up past Lake Iboune, into the Rolling Plains, and observed these strange rogues for about an hour.
They appear to have beak-like appendages protruding from their faces. They all dress in dark clothing, hooded. I believe one spotted me, as he immediately recited some sort of incantion and disappeared. Completely disappeared. It is my deduction that these entities, which stand about the same height as me (a little over three feet), know how to render themselves completely or partially invisible, or have mastered the art of stealth so adeptly that they can make themselves undectable, at least to the unaided eye.
Night fell though, and I decided I would head back to Lake Iboune, and set up camp.
Upon returning to Hlint, weed lust over came me and I started to approach a flatbottom plant, only to be caught by one of these rogues. He casted that spell upon him, making me unable to see him. I grabbed some leaves and ran. He pursued me, and fighting insued. They are quite fierce in combat, but after several minutes, I was successful in slaying the creature.
I made up a quick sketch of the combat
[ http://onfinite.com/libraries/505255/b90.jpg ]
They're very strange looking, with rough skin, and definitely a beak-like appendage sticking out from the face. They use mid-length curved blades as weapons. They appear to live at least in relative harmony with the other humanoid clan that resides up here: kobolds, namely, as well as I can discern from the strange symbol adorning their ragged clothing, kobolds of the broken helm clan.
I will return to Hlint, and inquire the people there of these strange rogue creatures.

[FraterAudcal]

Oclar 15, 1385
Wanderlust and severe boredom has led me to exploring the southern reaches of Mistone. I'm writing this just outside of Fort Velensk, on the outskirts of the Ajari Swamp I believe.
Three harpies perched upon a hill overlooking the road caught sight of me and attacked me. Suffice to say, I survived, but not without wasting a trap, some caltrops, and getting pretty scrathed up. Damnable wretched creatures. This venture has proven fruitless, as I've discovered nothing but swamps, and forest haunted by spiders and worse things. I'm going to return to Hlint.
I cut short my venture back to Hlint to aid a dark elven mistress in an undertaking to slay some gnolls.

Novlar 1, 1385
Very eventful week! A fortnight hence I ventured up into the Swordrust Mountains, with a dark skinned elven woman, to complete a contract she signed for slaying gnolls. All was going well, until we were surrounded by a group of 6 or so of the humanoids. My elven companion fell, and was sent to the death void. I had to flee of course. The group pursued me all the way to the gnoll watchtower, where, by sheer luck, I managed to evade them, and slip into the shadows. For a day or more I waited there, atop that hill. A storm raged on throughout that day. I couldn't leave though. Every time I came close to fleeing the hill, I spotted the gnolls, waiting for me, waiting to capture me and cook me, or something worse.
Finally, around mid-day, 3 days hence, my path became clear. The gnolls had disappeared. Slowly, vigilantly, and stealthly, I made my way down the hill, and out of those damnable mountains.

I returned to Hlint yesterday. Much has happened! I became acquainted with three members of the race of Brownie. They're very small creatures, standing a little higher than my knees. Two of them, Amra and Talisen, came to trust me, and as such I gave them a tour of Hlint, and the surrounding areas. They speak the same halfling tongue as I, although they speak it less articularly, and even less so of common tongue! They look similar to myself, all except the height of course. They're very timid, being extremely wary of the taller races, often times having to hide behind me, as I explain to very adventurers what they are, then explaining to the Brownies that the adventurer means them no harm. All except a half-giant I ran into today, who seemed very liable to grab my friends, and cook them alive. I warned him to not frighten my Brownie friends.
I'm very wary of Celgar. He's very kind, as he healed some visible wounds upon my arms and such, and even shared some wonderous weed with me! But I must be cautious.

[FraterAudcal]

Janra 8, 1386
I have set up another temporary residency in Blackford Castle, so as a means to traverse back and forth from here to the Great Library in Saida. My goal is to learn all I can about the area of the HIgh Forest, and of the Kenku Rogues.

Janra 15, 1386
Thus far, I have learned very little of my subject, although the elven library is massive.

What I have learned though is only hearsay. It seems that there's a vampire of considerable power residing in the High Forest. All accounts seem unreliable on this, as no one seems to have gotten even near the dangerous lair of this undead fiend.

Janra 25, 1386
A fortnight ago, I discovered a dusty, mildew stained tome of considerable age in a dimly light corner of the Great Library. It was entitled "On the History of Western Layonara's Undead". An author of the tome is nowhere to be found. Many of the pages are illegible, due to the damage to the book. It is indeed a massive book though, spanning at least 1,800 pages. Will scour it more in search of information on the undead in the High Forest.

Febra 2, 1386
I have discovered little from the aforementioned book. Many of the passages that are legible, are in a different tongue than the two I am capable of speaking, or reading (common and universal halfling). I will inquire the administrator of the library tomorrow if I can borrow the tome, and have it expected by a linguist or a wiser Aragenite.

Febra 3, 1386
The administrator has allowed me to borrow the book for a period of time. Now the search for someone knowledgable in this foreign tongue begins.

Febra 11, 1386
Still searching the study at Blackford Castle, and the Great Library for relevant information. Haven't learned much. Running low on pipeweed. Damnation!

Mar 1, 1386
I have learned, from a little known book, mistakenly placed in the "Of Mages" section in the Great Library, a little bit on the Kenku. It has come to my knowledge that these strange creatures are of a sort of bird-like race, and that their main goal in life is to annoy all the races around them. From this data, and the observations I made in the Rolling Plains, I may be able to deduce that the Kenku's methods and aims are not sinister enough as to make them a good candidate for whatever kidnapped, or killed (if it's the case) my father. I still haven't learned enough as of yet to conclude this though.

Mar 27, 1386
I have left Blackford Castle, and returned back to Hlint.

[FraterAudcal]

Apreal 11, 1386
I have ventured down into a nameless, unholy cavern on the outskirts of Haven, with a party of a dozen strong men. The caverns are littered with umberhulks, nasty wretches that cast their gaze, which renders the mind bewildered. Our party members attack each other, unable to control themselves. Already two members of the party, one a brother Aragenite and halfling by the name of Bido, and the other a devout of Mist, have fallen, although the former we were able to pull back from the dark lull of the Death Void.
The party is disheartened. I can see it in their eyes. Their tears do not lie. Murder, uncontrolled. Those damnable umberhulks!
We are preparing to head into the undead lair. I'm very nervous about this. I can see the fear in the party's eyes.
We have been repeatedly ambushed by undead at every corner of this damnable dungeon. Many a time I have come close to mortality. Their death magic, it drains my strength from me.
We have found a room with a large, crimson pentagram on the floor, surrounded by candlabras. My party has destroyed the candlabras, rendering the pentagram...gone. It's gone....
We have ventured deep into this abyss, this Hell. Many an undead foe has fallen to our might, but many a comrade has also been sent to the void beyond life. We have escaped with our lives, but the experience will leave a scar on me forever. Aragen has blessed me with the installlation of knowledge, and strength though. Praise be to his hallowed name!

I made some sketches after the whole ordeal:

Bido, a fellow Aragenite

// http://onfinite.com/libraries/522153/2eb.jpg //

One of the wretched umberhulks, slain

// http://onfinite.com/libraries/522154/343.jpg //

A vampire master, after my party drained it of the evil necromantic force

// http://onfinite.com/libraries/522155/ecb.jpg //

[FraterAudcal]

Apreal 16, 1386
I have left Hlint, to venture to Port Hampshire, to collect rations, and provisions. Definitely not to be ambushed by living, autocosmic vines that rendered me paralyzed in the woods outside of Krandor while I was resting below a massive tree to escape the rain. I fled into Krandor, and was pursued by the vines. The menacing animal-like plants succeeded in slaying a whole gaggle of chickens in that town, before the Pawn Shop owner, who happened to be outside removing his display of wares for the night, Packagemaster, and I could subdue and slay the beasts. I'm currently resting for the night at Kelin's Inn in Krandor.

Apreal 17, 1386
I made it through the Broken Forest, but a lack of ease settled across me, as I hastily but stealthy made my way through the thick mass of trees, as from the corner of my eye I could occasionally see a roughly anthropoid shadow, lurking behind a tree.  
 
Restocked in Hampshire, now I'm on my way back to Hlint, where I believe maybe a short expedition North to harvest some pipeweed is in order.

[FraterAudcal]

Mai 20, 1386

I have decided to venture to Port Hampshire, and from there maybe to Point Harbor, or else where, purely for wander-lust. Once again though, I was ambushed by those damnable assasin plants on the road between Fort Llast and Krandor. Resting in Kelin's Inn.

I have ventured beyond Fort Velensk, into the bleak swamp country. I set up camp at nightfall behind a crag, so as to not be seen by the harpy haunt jsut beyond. The sounds of the swamp behind me resound. The flitting of unseen creatures, the counstant croaking of insects rising to a harmonic climax, the occasional grunt of a troll.

Junar 15, 1386
After performing my daily prayer to Aragen, I found a book that someone must have lost, on this wooden structure right across from the Wild Surge Inn. The title had something to do with Dregar. I decided though that it wasn't any of my business. I located a Great Library seal on it, and decided it'd be best if I returned to book there, as it is, after all, lore, and it is my duty to protect lore.
I made it to Blackford Castle, when an elven woman stopped me, questioned me about the book, scolded me for "stealing it". I explained to her that I found it, and that I'd never steal books. I'm an Aragenite. I showed her all of my books in my bag. She offered to take the book back herself, but for some reason, after her scolding me, I didn't trust me, so decided I'd just take it back myself.

[FraterAudcal]

Jular 16, 1386
I have ventured to Rilara with a group of half a dozen or so strong adventurers. The boat ride wasn't so horrible, although the weather acted up a bit in the form of intense rain.

We have traveled into a small gnomish town known as stone. The architechture is strange, being of stone engravings.

Damnable wretchedness! We ventured into a woodland meadow, with a strange altar in it

and a strange nymph there. The nymph came upon me, and lured me beside her. It was strange, as if I had no control over myself. She led me deeper into the glade, but eventually, just disappeared into thin air.

We have made it to a part of the forest encompassing a deep ravine. The bridge spanning it is out. We were forced to jump.

On the other side though, a worse fate awaited us. We were attacked by a large group of giants. A noble giant appeared, brandishing a flaming sword. Two of our party fell to their might. The rest were forced to jump back across the ravine.

Our party sat, nervous, across from the giants, plotting. All of a sudden, after about 20 minutes, our fallen party members reappeared. They detailed to us that a woman appeared, and slayed the giants with a flick of her wrist, and resurrected our fallen. After some inquiry, I learned that the lady was one of the "Seven Sisters", the "Lady of the Land". What means this? I must look into it....

We're in Fort Himlad. The sky looks....eerie, like there's a shadow upon it. Some sort of evil is afoot here.

Jular 17, 1386

It has come to my attention just how dire our situation the night before was. By word of mouth, I have learned that Milara, one of the generals of the great enemy to all of the free people of Layonara, Bloodstone, was sighted on Mistone.

Augra 2, 1386

I have left Hlint, to return to the Great Library, in search of perhaps hints around this archaic language and tongue this tome is composed of.

Augra 5, 1386

Thus far, unfortunately, I've learned very little.

Augra 9, 1386

So tired. Haven't eaten in days. Must find clues in book. Tongue is so strange, old.

Augra 15, 1386

I have left the Great Library, as I've discovered no clues therein of anything pointing the the origins of this book. I shall take the teleport back to Blackford Castle, and decide where to go from there.

Augra 17, 1386

I have made my decision. I came to the conclusion that devotees of my own faith, fellow Aragenites, would most likely know something in regards to this. I plan to travel to Dregar, and inquire in a local tavern haunt there about the rumored temple of Aragen on that continent.

Augra 20, 1386

I have secured passage from Leilon all the way to Dregar. Unfortunately, as has been the case plenty of times in the past, the marine weather has turned quite tumultous, and the shipcaptain has delayed the journey til the weather clears.

Augra 21, 1386

The weather cleared about an hour ago, for only an hour, and it was back to chaotic weather, littered with blanketing rain and hail, lightning, and I even swear I spotted a seaborn tornado at siege upon the waters. I have been cooped up inside a local Inn here in Leilon since. It seems almost as if there as force working here which is trying to inhibit my discovery.

Augra 22, 1386

Finally, the weather has cleared up enough to permit sea-travel. We, meaning only the slightly eccentric, eye-patch brandishing ship-captain, his shoddy crew consisting of a young, fair elven deckhand, and a half-orc navigator, who's even stranger than the ship-captain. Will purchase some rations and prepare for the journey.

The ship-captain has just announced that we are leaving port.

After an inquiry to the lovely deckhand (who I found out goes by the even lovlier name of Araleigh), I have learned that we are just rounding the northeastern coast of Mistone. I bid her inquiry also if maybe she could ask the ship-captain if we could take a short break in the wonderful halfling village of Liken, as it is my hometown after all. She seemed very sympathetic, as she detailed to me she misses her home of Karthy very much, but the captain is hard-nosed, And plus, clouds are gathering again at our rear. A break would be risky at the least.

The sea certainly is beautiful at night, with the reflection of the ivory moon upon the black waters. A lot of the stars are becoming obscured by the growing cloud cover from the west though. It seems they caught up with us.

Rain is coming down in sheets again. We've taken shelter in the galley, as the back window of the sleeping quarters shattered from a rogue hail stone.

The lightning and tumult of the waves is becoming so intense. It's as if the chaotic mistress of the seas herself, Mist, is trying to kill us! I just hope we make it to Dregar in one piec-

Apreal 2, 1387

The past 8 monthes have been filled with great strife. I try to recollect what happened after my latest entry in my journal on the night of my supposed departure for Dregar, to the best of my memory.

As I was writing that final sentence in my journal, and just beginning the final "e" on piece, lightning struck upon the ship, right in the middle of the group, It tore through the deck, right down into the galley below, narrowly missing us all as it crashed down in a blaze of heat and shock in the middle of the group huddled down below. The ship was wrent in two pieces. All I can recall is a great chaos of rushing water, and then blackness. Ineffable blackness. The very bosom of unconsciousness.

I awoke on a piece of flotsam from the ship. The ship-captains bed actually, which he was so protective of on that ill-fated journey. It seemed so familar to me that for a time, I actually bethought the whole of the past 12 years had been a dream that I dreamt upon that also ill-fated fishing vessel my trusted teacher and friend Elodin and I had sailed upon so long ago. Remebrance of the truth slowly and painfully dawned upon me, as I drifted upon that bed, uncertain of where I was headed. I eventually climbed upon the bed, tearing off the posts and attempting to use them as make-shift oars, to little avail. After what seemed like a few hours of difficult, fruitless rowing, a troubled, fatigue-aroused sleep came across me.

I awoke at sundown, a seagull staring me down as if I was a piece of garbage worthy of his feasting. A great mass of birds were above the make-shift boat. Of course, where there's gulls there's land! I spotted a small village ahead some leagues.

Eventually, I floated into the docks of this mysterious village, to realize it was none other than Fort Velensk, the same city I had arrived in after my first ship-wreck encounter. This of course baffled me. My last orientation of location was North of Liken. How I had managed to float all the way to Southern Mistone was most certainly bewildering.

Luckily my belongings were all still intact. That didn't seem to deter one of them, the most important of all of them, from coming up missing. This very book that I write within some how came up missing! It was on my person, completely unharmed, drier than sundried Plains leaf on a hot Jular Liken day, inside my pack, when I wandered ashore. When I sat down at a table at the Inn in Fort Velensk to record what ordeal had just come upon me, I discovered, much to my sadness and peril, that the text had gone missing! Everything else was in place!

I stayed in Fort Velensk for quite a time, about 3 monthes, gloating over my loss, the burden of which made me sick with worry night and day. I looked for it endlessly, to no avail. Grief-stricken, I set out for Port Hampshire. The beautiful short-kin women of that fair port city could comfort me, I bethought.

And so there I stayed, for the next 5 monthes, praying to Aragen to forgive me for this great blasphemy I hath commited. I had decided that life was no longer worth living. I had dishonered myself, by losing the one record of my researches, deeds, triumphs, defeats, endeavors. My whole life has been put into this journal! I stood omniously upon a lone dock, a small blade within my hand, poised at my neck, ready to end this mortal coil, when the strangest thing happened. A gull, probably a distant cousin to the one that accompanied me south of Fort Valensk, or perhaps that very same bird, flew right into my face. It encircled me for a time, as I laid upon the dock, dumbstruck by the chance occurence. I saw, in the fading evening light, a book within it's grimy, scaly orange claws. My jaw dropped. It's my journal! The bird dropped it square upon my face, then busily flew away. I couldn't believe it!

I give praise and thanks to the benevolent and wise lord everyday for this, which I believe is truly a sign of my worth in the omniscient lords eyes, and my fate to dwell upon the earth until my lore-lust has been satisfied, my knowledge faculty filled to the brim with ecstasmal wisdom.

I decided to return to Hlint, where I began this whole 8 month long ordeal, and pick up the pieces from there, returning to my hunt for clues pointing to this book (which also survived completely unharmed through the rage of water and sea-beast) and it's secrets.

[FraterAudcal]

Junar 5, 1387

Note: Be on guard for Necromancers. Two new ones have been spotted by the circle. One, a dwarf by the name of Desil. Fellow circle member claims he summoned a zombie to aid his group in the Haven mines. Zombie quickly destroyed there after by group. The other, a gnome, by the name of Jehannum the Great. Has a liking for summoning of shades. Must keep eyes open for those who toy with this black magickal art.

[FraterAudcal]

Seplar 19, 1387

The past few months have been generally fruitless as well. Nothing new has arisen in terms of the shady text. Long hours have I gazed upon it, attempting to divine it's occult secrets, but nothing has come of it.

I feel awfully strange today thouggh, as in something new is starting. Perhaps some prayer shall aid me. I feel a birth of something within my mind.

Encountered a strange elven man today by the name of Roy. He stood about five and a half feet tall, with green hair and blue skin. He inquired as to where I bought my journal, looking bewildered at the sight of such a thing, claiming that he and his fellow sea elves write upon rocks, with chisels. He detailed to me the unfortunate tale of his necessity to escape to land, as Bloodstone killed a great many of his people. Unfortunate, but not rare it seems. And that is even more unfortunate. This vengeful instigator shall not win.

I have ventured into the infamous Storan's Crypt with my trsuted friend Aralin and two other companions. Thus far, the assault upon the undead here has been very...painful, to say the least. I have already felt the ice grip of death, as a Bodak casted a hideous, deathly spell upon me. We rest outside of the adytum of the crypt, where the ill-rumored mummy Storan himself slumbers. I must pray.

We have defeated that fell abomination Storan, but at a great price. The only people left standing at the end of the battle were Aralin and myself. Our comrades Iradril and Tha'Azail both fell to the hordes of shadow creatures and mummies. Fortunately, Aralin was able to weild his divine clerical magics to resurrect both of our comrades, and we made a hasty retreat out of that damnable crypt.

I have returned to Blackford Castle, where I shall rest after such a taxing ordeal, and continue with my study and meditation upon this text. Hopefully it shall prove fruitful!

[FraterAudcal]

Novlar 8, 1387

Latest search into the dusty realm of the Great Library and Blackford Castle study proveless in vain, as before. This task I have undertaken is proving much more difficult than I have previously thought. I pray to the wisest lord, Aragen, that in his omniscience I may gain insight into the secret vernacular of this tome!

Messed up another pair of badger leather gloves. Argh, how many badgers have I killed for this "just" cause in the last year? I think I'll resort strictly to cotton tailoring from now on...

Note: just read a "wanted" poster for a certain Ketzia person. Must remember to keep watch out for her, supposedly a murder suspect, and possibly dangerous.

Mar 18, 1388

I have decided to take a trip to Dregar, to visit Pranzis.

Junar 28, 1388

My recent venture to Dregar has proved most disappointing and fruitless. I deemed the journey from Hurm to Pranzis of the utmost danger. Dwarven mercenaries, pirates. Every sort of lawlessness is abound in the countryside. The road from the coast to the capital was far to dangerous to risk, and there was no option for stealth, as the spies of those aforementioned are everywhere.

Thus, I have returned to Mistone. I now sit upon a dock in Leilon, resting after the long, and sleepless sea journey from Hurm to here. A grey, intimidating sky stretches above head til it meets it's watery demise at the horizon. I now have a new plan: travel to Rilara, a safer continent, and search for answers there. From there, I can take a boat (once I am acquainted to the roads there) from Karthy to Lorindar, and try the road from the latter to Pranzis. I shall, for now though, return to Hlint, and rest for a bit.

May Aragen, the wisest of all lords, keep his eye upon me, and his wisdom and light within me, even if into the shadows I must tread.

I have restocked on necessary supplies, and will head back onto the road here shortly. I leave under the cover of nightfall.

I have made it to Port Hampshire, in one piece, but not without some scratches and bruises, and being shaken up. No matter now much I hide, the eyes of the undead abominations in the Broken Forest still see me. If it weren't for the intervention of a kind human soul, my travels would have been cut abruptly short. Also, I naroowly escaped the air-born eyes of a griffon outside of Fort Hope.

I rest til the morning here at the Temple of Deliar in Port Hampshire. At the morrow, I shall set sail for Point Harbor.

May Aragen cast his divine rays of wisdom upon his eternal servant.

Junar 29, 1388

I have made it to Point Harbor. I have set up camp outside the city, in the forest of Dinen. After resting up, I shall return to my travels.

Jular 1, 1388

I have traveled through the Dinen Forest, across the Thalos River, where I delivered a much belated document to a certain Farmer Part in that area. I then traveled to Casterly Castle, where I am now resting. I prayed to the wise lord earlier, and did some searching in the small study in the Temple, to no avail. The most benevolent Priests here cannot reveal anything either. I shall continue my travels in the morrow, for now I must rest.

About 4 hours east of Casterly Castle, in what my map says is the Taur'en Hills, I was ambushed by what appeared to be a Kenku rogue, this one of a different clan than the ones near my home town. I retreated back to town, and shall rest here again for awhile, before making my way back north, and taking an alternate route perhaps east.

Note: Southern Dinen Forest- den of leopards. Could be useful if needed for leather tanning

Jular 2, 1388

Traveled through rocky Stone, restocked rations and tinder there, then set up camp outside of Sunspear Castle. Will continue travels on the morrow.

[FraterAudcal]

Jular 3, 1388

Note: Cougars in the Northeastern Belgaer Hills

An absolutely horrfying experience has ended my travels on Rilara. I have exceeded my boundaries, and have prayed a dear price. I ventured south of the town of Bloody Gate, to a strange, surreal area littered with bones. It was like a ghastly scene from a horrific nightmare. Skeletons and decaying corpses hung from trees. I think it was that way at least. It all seesm so hazy now. I kept venturing north, almost as if lulled by some other force. Out of thin air it seems, these demonic creatures, great winged monstrocities, fifeteen feet tall, and animated skeletal undead, brandishing flaming swords, appeared out of nowhere. I felt a great surge of pain, as if all of the crimson aqua vitae in my body burst from my body, and all of my bones snapped like tinder. And then all was black, and that ominous feeling of terrible cold over came me, and I reincarnated by the stone my soul is bound to, in Hlint, miles and miles away from Rilara.

It is obvious I am being punished for sort some of disobedience. I only pray Aragen shall watch over me.

Jular 5, 1388

A few items raised by fellow members of the Circle: keep eyes open for any followers of Corath in Hlint. They're up to something. And two, be wary of any Balors the latter may have released, as reported by a certain Mephit taken captive outside of Hlint.

Novlar 28, 1388

Prayed, then set up a camp fire. Will dry out some Wolfswood Leaf for smoking, rest a bit, then head southward, to hunt boar for hides. Really tired. Must sleep.

Novlar 29, 1388

Made it to the marsh lands south of Fort Velensk, but not without some considerable danger. I was attacked by a griffon outside of Port Hampshire. Luckily, I hid from it inside that city, and continued my travels in peace.

The hunt has been a success. I found two prime dire boars outside of the dire woods, that I lured into a trap, and slayed, not without getting pretty injured myself. I am resting up again in the marsh.

Novlar 30, 1388

Upon my return from Fort Velensk, I met a very fair lass outside of Port Hampshire, by the name of Shiani Maere. We talked for a while, and I agreed to accompany here on some travels. We made our way out to the Swordrust Mountains, a walk of about 4 hours. There, we fought some tough battles with a dozen or so gnolls, and stood strong and triumphant. We came across a cave, and ventured down into it.

The cavern was immense. The top floor was littered with eyeball creatures, which we slayed one by one with ease. We ventured down a floor, where we came across a beholder, and several mind flayers, all of which we slayed with ease as well. Even deeper into the cavern we ventured, down into a subterrenean cavern, red litten as the walls were glowing with heat and lava. It was a maze, filled with more beholders, which we killed with little difficulty. We engaged a strange creature, about the size of a normal halfling. It's body was covered in bones, and crawled on all fours, hunched over like a rabbit. It was resilient to all of our attacks except Shiani's mighty Fist of the Gods magick. We emptied the caverns of nearly all of it's strange foes, and proceeded to exit the cave.

We said our farewells, and I retired to the Caring Hope Inn. I look forward very much to seeing her aga

[FraterAudcal]

Decilar 3, 1388

The path to Karthy is now clear to me. Some map studying has revealed than all of the previous times, I beared to much to the south east. I'm just outside of Karthy now.

Note: Blackberries grow in the northern Delwin River Basin area. Inhabitants: only falcons and I caught sight of a few owls in some trees. Pretty peaceful.

I have made it to Karthy. It is a glorious city, although the seafarers speak of a foul swamp land due west of town. I do not think I'll investigate it. I leave for Lorindar in the morn.

Decilar 5, 1388

The trip across the sea was dreadful, as usual. Although, I suppose I'm biased now. I shall explore Lorindar now though

Mar 24, 1389

Within a fortnight, my chance to give my services to the good of fighting that bane of our existence, Blood, shall manifest itself. I shall firstly though venture north, to Leilon.

Prayed for a prolonged period of time. May the rays of Aragen's wisdom pervade me to a fortuitous end!

Mar 25, 1389

The presence of Blood's generals must be made known to us. Talan has informed us that they may be searching for a Bloodpool on Mistone, or the Dragon Isles. The symptoms of a Bloodpool are as follows: torrential, incessant rain, abundant undead, and a general dark, gloomy, offensive atmosphere.

Such places were listed as follows: Berhagen Mountains, Storan's Crypt, the Ajari Swamp, the Greypeak mountains, and the Dragon Isles. All must be explored, with the utmost of detail.

We are exploring the Greypeak mountains for any secrets. Thus far, our group of 7 strong men and women have found nothing unusual.

We have ventured into Storan's crypt. No sign of anything out of the ordinary as of yet.

By the blood of the sacred! Eon appeared in Storan's crypt! The carnage was unbelievable. Four of my companions, including myself, fell to his awesome might. Luckily we were raised by the benevolence of Aralin Harenya. Blood's general is beyond our combined strength it seems.

I have recovered, albeit mentally, from my recent passing. Eon is still there, in the mountains. For now, we rest in the Ranger's Vale in the Sielwood Forest, analyzing the situation.

Master Rhizome informed us that the "Hierophant" told him that a Bloodpool already exists here on Mistone, and Eon was sent to restore it. As Lalaith pointed out, the theory that the Bloodpool is in Storan's Crypt may be true, although none of our fallen suffered a soul energy depletion, which is typically from one who falls near a Bloodpool. It may be much deeper into the crypt then.

Talan said that he has seen a Bloodpool fall before, and that we should speak to a certain "Xora", a powerful mage, friend of the sisters.

[FraterAudcal]

Novlar 26, 1389

On the morrow, I shall journey West, where I shall perhaps explore those caves littered with beholders once again, lest it prove too perilous.

My original plan would have, most likely, proved to have been a much better one. I ended up exploring the swamps east of Hlint. About an hour in to it, a massive swarm of mosquitos begin attacking me. Obviously, it's very difficult fighting off a swarm of tiny insects. I survived though, and they eventaully left me alone.

About three and a half hours into it, sneaking past various bands of patrolling Lizardmen that I saw through the corner of my eye, I came across a cave hidden most surreptitiously behind a waterfall. Wanderlust did, of course, get the best of me, and I ventured in. It appears as if it was a dungeon, crafted with shoddy stone that was worked most unskillfully and carelessly. Utilizing stealth, I spotted a few more lizard men in there, thus proving that savages did indeed construct this temple, as it appeared to be some sort of place of worship, evident by the raised platforms and such.

I exited there, not wanting to be caught, as Lizardfolk are quite ferocious if provoked. Upon my return out of that festering swamp, a small pack of three Worgs saw me, and pursued me for about 5 minutes. I realized I was outmatched, and thus fled hastily, firing off arrows as I was running, to no avail. The beasts kept on their track, not to be detterred. A few times did one or two of them gain up on me, and get several bites into me.

I eventually fled to the camp of the old swamp Hag that dwells there, as I recalled from a while back. She, realizing my peril, did help me defeat and slay the beasts, which I proceeded to skin, clean their hides, and transport back here to Hlint, where I made it to safely after all.