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Development Journals and Discussion / Journal

« on: July 19, 2005, 06:06:00 pm »

These last few weeks have been hectic in the extreme. I have not had the time to put pen to paper, so this is long overdue.
 I arrived in this place called Hlint about a month ago..and what a place it is!  Although Hlint is not the largest town I have seen, it is for certain the most varied. All manner of races walk the streets of this bustling village and although I, at times have gaped in amazement, most just go on with their business without a second glance. Human, Dwarven, Halfling, Elven of all varities, giants, and, I swear even a goblin.
 Although I have attempted to continue my searching, I have not been able to put this town behind me; all roads seem to bring me back here. Travelling in these parts has has proven to be fraught with danger. Ask anyone and they will tell you : Don't travel alone. And yet I do. Foolish bard.
 I've managed to pick up the various  odd job to make ends meet. Some are  mindless and boring but other's have been nothing short of  incredible.... more of those in a bit.  Though goods are priced reasonably, reasonable is dear when coin is shot, therefor I've tried my hand at crafting (mostly arrows) with very limited success..(more like continuous failure with a random success.)
 I have, in my travels sharpened my other skills, and aquired new ones. I have learned to fish, this has made me self sufficient for food. My skill with a bow has become respectable,and I have learned, out of necessity, how to reload and fire quickly, with little loss of accuracy.  My skill with a sword is not so certain and I use sword and shield only if I must, but that has been all too often. I have begun practicing with a crossbow.. It is difficult to work the reload mechanism quickly, but I believe I will master it in time. As for spellcasting, my knowledge continues to grow. I can reliably cast some simple healing spells..I've had need to use them all too often. I have learned how to creep very quietly ...This has served me well and i will continue to use this technique. The few times I have forgotten this principle have led to personal disaster.

As to adventures.. firstly Hlint has some serious issues with undead. The undertaker has an insatiable search for some essence that is in a crypt.. I went, with much trepdation into those dark caverns to find him some. Although my quest was successsful, it was accomplished in fact by the powerful, willing warriors who, at a moment's notice, will brave these eerie abodes. These adventurers are a curious bunch, eager to help at a moments notice. In a crazy way they and I are all alike ..we all have some personal motivation that brought us here. I  also was able to deliver some high priority mail for tthe postmaster. He has more but that will have to wait a bit I think.

I took a solo trip to Ft. Llast., Krandor, and thence on to Port Hampshire. Although I moved as quietly as I could, it was a trip that I most probably only completed due to luck. I managed to kill a lone ogre along the way. It was a very near thing..had to spend 2 days in Krador recovering. When I left Krandor, I should have had the good sense to head 'home' to Hlint. Instead I stumbled across a party of 6 headed to Port Hampshire. in a rash decision, I went with them (the thrill of it all) . They had some initial success in the Broken Forest,  but disaster awaited me in a place I believe was called the  Battle Fens. Before I knew what hit me, (a barrage of arrows I think) I was in total darkness... the  Void.  It was not at all what I had bargained for. My soul was returned but I was a apparently now an apparition wandering Hlint. A kindly mage cast invisibility on me and told me to seek my grave. I hastened back there and became 'whole' again..at least I think I did..
 The trip back to Hlint was much slower. I crept slowly home  through the Broken Forest  but  it was without incident .

The last few days have been equally perilous. I enlisted the aid of a some trusty dwarves to go to the Goblin caves near Hlint. These caves are a prime source of raw materials that are essential to the local economy.  The Goblins consider these same caverns sacred ground and endless expeditions have not suceeded in permanently  eliminating them. I was after copper.  I did not get any. I was cut down by the furious goblins in the deepest part of these caverns. Another soul wrenching  journey to the Void...
after resting a bit, I was then was able to struggle my way back to the caverns ..my companions were frantic.. but on to my grave I went. Foolish bard. I was cut down yet again. The void threatened to consume . I don't know for certain that I  didn't lose something that time..But..I was consumed with rage and delirious ..so the foolish bard tries yet again. this 3rd attempt was only successful due to the intervention of a powerful healer who unselfishly aided me.  I think this bard will leave the mining to others..

But yet I'm better now. The wanderlust consumes me again. When i passed through Ft. Llast a while back,a resident wanted some sort of essence of a Wisp. I've heard there are swamps to the west..maybe I can find a Wisp there...

Wait before I go ..had best prepare..I think It might be wise to make a Will ..after all the next trip to the Void may be 1 way..