DAY 1 (scrawled note in Common)
I trust this will be easier to understand, since I still have that accent in Common.
I look forward to applying myself, and hope I’m worthy. Who knows what lies ahead of us? We are a very mixed group, and that should prove interesting - problems can arise when not everyone sees eye to eye – on the other hand unexpected insights and strengths can be found that way. I’ve certainly come to see advantages to the variety of backgrounds we have in Point of Origin. So different from my homeland, where we are so uniform in our ways and habits of thought.
I don’t know most the people I’ll be setting forth with very well. There is Kenneth Bailey of course, from our order – he has a humble quiet way about him that I think masks a lot of courage. I can’t verify the strange rumors about him of having or at one time having had a magical box that made horrible annoying screeching sounds at inappropriate times. Where would one get such a thing?
There is also my friend Shaft, from the lands to the far south. I’ve never been able to pronounce his name in his native language. He always keeps me entertained with jokes and stories, appreciates wine and song, and is a good one to have around when chatting with women. How glad I am that Pelor doesn’t require abstinence like the god of that fellow who wears the lion skin… I believe his name is Alcander. By the way, he is joining us. Despite differences in our paths, he is by all accounts very brave.
Hrogar will be with our group. Though I don’t know him exceptionally well, he is one of the most persuasive people I’ve met. I think someday he will be a great leader and commander – though I know there are some who jibe he should become a courtier or merchant. I disagree – achieving worthy goals often requires persuading others – what can one do in isolation versus with many friends?
Among the others, there are several more Paladins – Marcus, Prudence, Sigrun, and there is a Dwarf Paladin named Fflam – we have very few of his folk in my
homeland and they are principally miners and traders who have a colony in the desert hills on our border. There is also a cleric named Marcus who I understand comes from a family of Paladins, and another cleric, Marion, whom I have briefly met and who seems very thoughtful and good-hearted.
Though other duties require that I, and a handful of others, will not be joining the main group for a few days, I look forward to doing so, and once we catch up will do my all to help us succeed. Most of them I may not have known, but we are called together and they are now my friends and companions. We have a saying in my country: “Rightly we have done, rightly we do, and rightly may we do in the times to come.” It is something people repeat often to themselves, and include in certain types of formal writing. I think it is simple, but true. May that expression always apply to us.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Arcadius - Letter Written in Point of Origin - DAY 1
(written in foreign script and language, with colored inks on heavy vellum – helpfully translated by Liam the scribe)
I write this in the old and correct form, for those who may come after, so that should I perish they may know, and reflect.
O' Reader, know that those from whom I am born are Guardians of the Land of the Five Rivers, of the rightly-guided lineage of Dehret. I am the son of Ar-Mahdin, Landholder and Guardian of the District of Ideb and speaker with a right voice in the assembly of the Province of Zakhemet.
Know that he in turn is the son of Ar-Ahrum, son of Ar-Dehret, son of Ar-Mirihaal, daughter of Ar-Khadesh, son of Ar-Kinas, daughter of Ar-Mahdin, son of Ar-Ahrum, son of Ar-Dehret - who was born Dehret, a simple farmer, who rose from the rank of common soldier to command of the 24th Regiment of Spearmen during the first great war against the Hayyashi’im, may they be forever accursed, and for his courage and wisdom was rewarded with the vacant Guardianship of Ideb.
Know that my mother is Ar-Iriyya, of the rightly-guided lineage of Seneshar, and she is learned and patient. May her advice remain ever fresh in my mind.
Honor be to those who have gone before, may we of today prove worthy.
Know that my elder brother Ar-Ahrum walks in the right path, and even now trains to someday take up the guardianship of Ideb, so that its people shall not be left adrift in the winds – for we of Dehret know our duties and keep to the proper ways.
Know that I answered the call of the gods and duty to be trained as a Paladin of Lord Pelor, may he be honored by all, in the foreign yet right-thinking and pious city of Point of Origin. I have applied myself with diligence and completed my training. I shall serve as duty requires, and shall someday return to serve the Land of the Five Rivers against its foes, whether they be fell creatures of the Southern mountains, or the vile and aggressive barbarians realms of the interior - may the gods make their arms as straw and their blood as water.
Know that my younger sister Ar-Mirihaal learns well the correct and required lore, masters the arts both mundane and arcane, has passed the first tests and has become a magistrate-initiate of the central hierarchy, may it forever bond our land in strength.
Know that my younger brother Ar-Tahim, may he grow strong and wise, trains to take custody of our family businesses, for as it is said, gold does not feed, yet by it one may feed many.
Know that my youngest sister, Ar-Sinaia, may she grow strong and wise, is a good and dutiful child, though I have not yet had honor of meeting her, having left for my training prior to her birth.
Rightly we have done, rightly we do, and rightly may we do in the times to come.
O’ reader, now that you know who I am, know what I must do.
My training is complete, the time has come to set forth into the world, applying what I have been taught to help alleviate its troubles. I have been commanded by my masters, may they be blessed, to set forth with other new-trained Paladins, from many lands and of many orders. We are honored as well to be joined by Clerics of the gods. We are to work together as one. It is my duty to behave rightly and to shirk nothing. I shall answer that call and obey that duty. I shall hold the line, defending my allies and aiding them no matter the risk to myself, even if it cost me my life. As I would do at home, so I shall do in this land.
Honor to the great ones of the past, honor to those who share our burdens of today, and honor above all other to the gods.
O’ reader, do no less when your time comes and you are called. For that is the way.
I write this in the old and correct form, for those who may come after, so that should I perish they may know, and reflect.
O' Reader, know that those from whom I am born are Guardians of the Land of the Five Rivers, of the rightly-guided lineage of Dehret. I am the son of Ar-Mahdin, Landholder and Guardian of the District of Ideb and speaker with a right voice in the assembly of the Province of Zakhemet.
Know that he in turn is the son of Ar-Ahrum, son of Ar-Dehret, son of Ar-Mirihaal, daughter of Ar-Khadesh, son of Ar-Kinas, daughter of Ar-Mahdin, son of Ar-Ahrum, son of Ar-Dehret - who was born Dehret, a simple farmer, who rose from the rank of common soldier to command of the 24th Regiment of Spearmen during the first great war against the Hayyashi’im, may they be forever accursed, and for his courage and wisdom was rewarded with the vacant Guardianship of Ideb.
Know that my mother is Ar-Iriyya, of the rightly-guided lineage of Seneshar, and she is learned and patient. May her advice remain ever fresh in my mind.
Honor be to those who have gone before, may we of today prove worthy.
Know that my elder brother Ar-Ahrum walks in the right path, and even now trains to someday take up the guardianship of Ideb, so that its people shall not be left adrift in the winds – for we of Dehret know our duties and keep to the proper ways.
Know that I answered the call of the gods and duty to be trained as a Paladin of Lord Pelor, may he be honored by all, in the foreign yet right-thinking and pious city of Point of Origin. I have applied myself with diligence and completed my training. I shall serve as duty requires, and shall someday return to serve the Land of the Five Rivers against its foes, whether they be fell creatures of the Southern mountains, or the vile and aggressive barbarians realms of the interior - may the gods make their arms as straw and their blood as water.
Know that my younger sister Ar-Mirihaal learns well the correct and required lore, masters the arts both mundane and arcane, has passed the first tests and has become a magistrate-initiate of the central hierarchy, may it forever bond our land in strength.
Know that my younger brother Ar-Tahim, may he grow strong and wise, trains to take custody of our family businesses, for as it is said, gold does not feed, yet by it one may feed many.
Know that my youngest sister, Ar-Sinaia, may she grow strong and wise, is a good and dutiful child, though I have not yet had honor of meeting her, having left for my training prior to her birth.
Rightly we have done, rightly we do, and rightly may we do in the times to come.
O’ reader, now that you know who I am, know what I must do.
My training is complete, the time has come to set forth into the world, applying what I have been taught to help alleviate its troubles. I have been commanded by my masters, may they be blessed, to set forth with other new-trained Paladins, from many lands and of many orders. We are honored as well to be joined by Clerics of the gods. We are to work together as one. It is my duty to behave rightly and to shirk nothing. I shall answer that call and obey that duty. I shall hold the line, defending my allies and aiding them no matter the risk to myself, even if it cost me my life. As I would do at home, so I shall do in this land.
Honor to the great ones of the past, honor to those who share our burdens of today, and honor above all other to the gods.
O’ reader, do no less when your time comes and you are called. For that is the way.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Hrogar Journal: Days 14-17
Day 14
We were woken in the night by a large group of wolves that circled our camp. While they did not attack, it was a disturbing experience. Did they have something to do with the orc shaman and his group? Or were they unrelated? Were they trying to scare us, or were these simply wild wolves that were kept at bay by our fire? For now, I’m simply happy with the fact that no one was injured. But we shall have to remain vigilant.
In the morning, we found the goblins that had been healed were no longer where we left them. I do not know whether they were eaten by the wolves in the night, or if they were found and taken away by their allies. I hope for the latter. Curiously, the dead bodies of their brethren seem to still be around. I would have expected the wolves to at least take those. More evidence, I suppose, that these wolves are not merely wild animals. Either the shaman and his group, or possibly some other, unrelated group of foes.
We continued on into the mine, Fflam drawing a map as we went and keeping track of where we were, and Sigrun doing admirably in getting through many of the doors. One of the doors was too large to lift, but making use of some wooden logs we found earlier, we were able to use them as a lever to lift the door, and then wedge it open. Moving through the place, we wondered how the bard managed to get so far in, but we continued, not finding the horn in any of the easier places to get to.
Within the mine, we’ve had to deal with no small number of traps. While this mine appears to have been abandoned for some time, it is clear someone had some purpose in mind for it at some point. We’ve fought a number of foes, from those as minor as a pack of dire rats, to a group of goblins, but the greatest foe we dealt with was an undead, evil, floating presence of darkness, which the clerics were eventually able to drive back.
We’ve also found some mysteries that for now, we plan to leave as mysteries. We found a grate covering a set of stairs that led down deeper into the mine. It was locked, from our side of the grate, as if to keep something down there. I feel it best we not delve down there until we are sure we can deal with whatever may be lurking in the darkness.
We’ve also found an exit from the mine, which leads to a very troubling sight. We were able to see in the distance, a city, decayed and abandoned, with a great, green, evil tree rising from the center, and black vines encircling the town. Is this the dark future that awaits Ismere if we fail in stopping it?
In less grim tidings, I have been collecting and cataloging a large quantity of items we can eventually remove from this mine. As it is abandoned, I do not have any problem putting these items to the service of the greater good, especially considering the evidence that the former owners appeared to have much darker intentions. Some of these items appear to be quite useful indeed, from powerful weapons, to a magical ring that I have put on. I will try to figure out what it does in time.
While my comrade, Alcander, seems to feel that everyone should follow his vow of poverty, I believe in “waste not, want not”. If it can be put to good use, and does no evil by doing so, then it should be done.
Day 15
After continuing our searching, we eventually found a Duergar inside a partially bricked up room. It that appeared that the Duergar had been bricking himself up in the room! He was spouting nonsensical ramblings, about something that he did not want to be found by. We were unable to find out what exactly it was, but it was obvious that whatever this threat may be, it had driven the poor fool mad. In addition to this surprise, we found that he held the Bards horn that we had been seeking!
Unfortunately, before I could make a serious attempt to calm the dwarf down and find out what happened, Alcander did what he thought was best, and put the Duergar out of his misery. While I see what he was trying to do, I wish he had waited until we had tried everything else we could. If Alcander is teaching me anything, it is that I must be quicker in my reactions to situations as they occur.
Day 16
We finished off searching through the mine today. While we had found the horn, there was only a small section of this level of the mine yet unexplored, and I felt that with all the doors we had opened, it was important to insure that we did not leave anything in here that would now be able to easily escape and wreck damage upon the countryside.
Unfortunately, we had to do this without the assistance of a large portion of our group. The clerics were called upon through holy missive to aid in another matter, so we drew straws to see who would stay and who would go with the clerics. Fflam, Prudence, and Sigrun left with them, and I hope they are able to carry out their mission. We will simply have to make due without their assistance, but they will be missed, until we meet them next.
In our final searches, we discovered a grik, a large, worm like creature with tentacles. While the battle was close, we eventually defeated it, and with it, the last of the threats we could find in the mine without going through the grate we found some days before.
We then collected those items that seemed to be potentially valuable in the future, Alcander protesting all the way.
We eventually returned to town, and returned the horn to the Bard. We asked him about the doomed city, and he had not heard of it, however he was interested in exploring it at some point, and we suggested that if he should go, we would be interested in joining him for such a quest.
We then went to the wizard we’d dealt with earlier, and through him, found out about a magic sword we’d found, and also, to my dismay, found that the ring I’d put on my finger two days ago, now will not come off, and furthermore, is a cursed ring of sustenance. While I do not need to eat or drink while wearing it, my ability to defend myself is hampered by it, and it shall be quite expensive to remove. In time, I’m sure, I’ll be able to acquire the money required for this, but I’d much have preferred not to have to deal with this trouble. But this is a valuable lesson, indeed, to be far more careful in the future with any and all magical items that we find. Truly, a hard learned lesson, but an important one.
Day 17
Today, we learned that no one seems to know of the city we saw from the mine entrance. This is strange, indeed, considering the proximity is not all that far away. We shall have to do more asking around in the future, perhaps find a historian who may know legends of such a city.
We also learned that a local caravan train has been late in coming through the mountains, but no one knows why. We decide we will investigate this.
However, much of the day has been spent selling the various items we brought up from the mine. As one’s trash can be another’s treasure, we did not leave a single item that I thought someone might have use for. From simple cleaning supplies to a stuffed displacer beast, all was put to better use.
Alcander continues to rant about our greed, but I believe the greater good is served by us our being as capable as possible. Wasting what resources we come across could mean the difference between victory and defeat in the future. I would rather be as prepared as possible in future battles, than follow the path of poverty Alcander has chosen. While I respect his chosen path, as I did Markus’s path of pacifism, they are not the paths I choose to walk.
We were woken in the night by a large group of wolves that circled our camp. While they did not attack, it was a disturbing experience. Did they have something to do with the orc shaman and his group? Or were they unrelated? Were they trying to scare us, or were these simply wild wolves that were kept at bay by our fire? For now, I’m simply happy with the fact that no one was injured. But we shall have to remain vigilant.
In the morning, we found the goblins that had been healed were no longer where we left them. I do not know whether they were eaten by the wolves in the night, or if they were found and taken away by their allies. I hope for the latter. Curiously, the dead bodies of their brethren seem to still be around. I would have expected the wolves to at least take those. More evidence, I suppose, that these wolves are not merely wild animals. Either the shaman and his group, or possibly some other, unrelated group of foes.
We continued on into the mine, Fflam drawing a map as we went and keeping track of where we were, and Sigrun doing admirably in getting through many of the doors. One of the doors was too large to lift, but making use of some wooden logs we found earlier, we were able to use them as a lever to lift the door, and then wedge it open. Moving through the place, we wondered how the bard managed to get so far in, but we continued, not finding the horn in any of the easier places to get to.
Within the mine, we’ve had to deal with no small number of traps. While this mine appears to have been abandoned for some time, it is clear someone had some purpose in mind for it at some point. We’ve fought a number of foes, from those as minor as a pack of dire rats, to a group of goblins, but the greatest foe we dealt with was an undead, evil, floating presence of darkness, which the clerics were eventually able to drive back.
We’ve also found some mysteries that for now, we plan to leave as mysteries. We found a grate covering a set of stairs that led down deeper into the mine. It was locked, from our side of the grate, as if to keep something down there. I feel it best we not delve down there until we are sure we can deal with whatever may be lurking in the darkness.
We’ve also found an exit from the mine, which leads to a very troubling sight. We were able to see in the distance, a city, decayed and abandoned, with a great, green, evil tree rising from the center, and black vines encircling the town. Is this the dark future that awaits Ismere if we fail in stopping it?
In less grim tidings, I have been collecting and cataloging a large quantity of items we can eventually remove from this mine. As it is abandoned, I do not have any problem putting these items to the service of the greater good, especially considering the evidence that the former owners appeared to have much darker intentions. Some of these items appear to be quite useful indeed, from powerful weapons, to a magical ring that I have put on. I will try to figure out what it does in time.
While my comrade, Alcander, seems to feel that everyone should follow his vow of poverty, I believe in “waste not, want not”. If it can be put to good use, and does no evil by doing so, then it should be done.
Day 15
After continuing our searching, we eventually found a Duergar inside a partially bricked up room. It that appeared that the Duergar had been bricking himself up in the room! He was spouting nonsensical ramblings, about something that he did not want to be found by. We were unable to find out what exactly it was, but it was obvious that whatever this threat may be, it had driven the poor fool mad. In addition to this surprise, we found that he held the Bards horn that we had been seeking!
Unfortunately, before I could make a serious attempt to calm the dwarf down and find out what happened, Alcander did what he thought was best, and put the Duergar out of his misery. While I see what he was trying to do, I wish he had waited until we had tried everything else we could. If Alcander is teaching me anything, it is that I must be quicker in my reactions to situations as they occur.
Day 16
We finished off searching through the mine today. While we had found the horn, there was only a small section of this level of the mine yet unexplored, and I felt that with all the doors we had opened, it was important to insure that we did not leave anything in here that would now be able to easily escape and wreck damage upon the countryside.
Unfortunately, we had to do this without the assistance of a large portion of our group. The clerics were called upon through holy missive to aid in another matter, so we drew straws to see who would stay and who would go with the clerics. Fflam, Prudence, and Sigrun left with them, and I hope they are able to carry out their mission. We will simply have to make due without their assistance, but they will be missed, until we meet them next.
In our final searches, we discovered a grik, a large, worm like creature with tentacles. While the battle was close, we eventually defeated it, and with it, the last of the threats we could find in the mine without going through the grate we found some days before.
We then collected those items that seemed to be potentially valuable in the future, Alcander protesting all the way.
We eventually returned to town, and returned the horn to the Bard. We asked him about the doomed city, and he had not heard of it, however he was interested in exploring it at some point, and we suggested that if he should go, we would be interested in joining him for such a quest.
We then went to the wizard we’d dealt with earlier, and through him, found out about a magic sword we’d found, and also, to my dismay, found that the ring I’d put on my finger two days ago, now will not come off, and furthermore, is a cursed ring of sustenance. While I do not need to eat or drink while wearing it, my ability to defend myself is hampered by it, and it shall be quite expensive to remove. In time, I’m sure, I’ll be able to acquire the money required for this, but I’d much have preferred not to have to deal with this trouble. But this is a valuable lesson, indeed, to be far more careful in the future with any and all magical items that we find. Truly, a hard learned lesson, but an important one.
Day 17
Today, we learned that no one seems to know of the city we saw from the mine entrance. This is strange, indeed, considering the proximity is not all that far away. We shall have to do more asking around in the future, perhaps find a historian who may know legends of such a city.
We also learned that a local caravan train has been late in coming through the mountains, but no one knows why. We decide we will investigate this.
However, much of the day has been spent selling the various items we brought up from the mine. As one’s trash can be another’s treasure, we did not leave a single item that I thought someone might have use for. From simple cleaning supplies to a stuffed displacer beast, all was put to better use.
Alcander continues to rant about our greed, but I believe the greater good is served by us our being as capable as possible. Wasting what resources we come across could mean the difference between victory and defeat in the future. I would rather be as prepared as possible in future battles, than follow the path of poverty Alcander has chosen. While I respect his chosen path, as I did Markus’s path of pacifism, they are not the paths I choose to walk.
Alcander, Day 16+
I wonder at some of those who call themselves Paladins.
I accept that not all orders are like my own. For my order, wealth is foolishness. As Heracles himself needed only a stout club and the skin of a lion, so do we try to emulate this manliness.
For a warrior to demand superior gear is for his focus to deteriorate. Rather than focusing on becomming a superior warrior, a man focuses on the accumulation of newer and shinier armor, on a more powerful or more ornate blade, on a fine mount, instead of on the crucial business of becomming more worthy of one's god, of becomming a better warrior rather than simply a better equipped one.
Yet, whatever their reasons, the gods have seen fit to put me with a group of warriors who do not see this reason. They fret about the quality of their equipment, and seek enchanted blades that will do their fighting for them.
This would be hard enough to take by itself, but the lengths to which they take it! The mine which we explored, the place of evil that tempts the mind into horrible visions, where dwarves have gone mad and men have bricked themselves in, was not destroyed and was not left alone. It was sorted catalogued, systematically looted, and sold at the market.
It is unfathomable. We, mighty paladins, whose calling in life is to right wrongs, battle evil, and behave in all ways in a manly fashion, sitting at a stall in market, bargaining.
Of course, my companions claim that it is all logical, rational, that they need the best tools to fight evil. But they forget that the most powerful tool to fight evil is not a sword or armor. It is a paladin. That is why we are here.
Yet they continue, attempting to set a fair price for good works. It is pathetic, and I fear it may erode their training, their warriorly mindset, their willingness to do battle.
I fear that soon we will stop seeking enemies to fight at all. We shall go the way of Athens, and attempt to stop evil through investments and trade rather than by the rightful might of our just arms.
I pray to Heracles that their infection does not strike me. For there is evil afoot.
I accept that not all orders are like my own. For my order, wealth is foolishness. As Heracles himself needed only a stout club and the skin of a lion, so do we try to emulate this manliness.
For a warrior to demand superior gear is for his focus to deteriorate. Rather than focusing on becomming a superior warrior, a man focuses on the accumulation of newer and shinier armor, on a more powerful or more ornate blade, on a fine mount, instead of on the crucial business of becomming more worthy of one's god, of becomming a better warrior rather than simply a better equipped one.
Yet, whatever their reasons, the gods have seen fit to put me with a group of warriors who do not see this reason. They fret about the quality of their equipment, and seek enchanted blades that will do their fighting for them.
This would be hard enough to take by itself, but the lengths to which they take it! The mine which we explored, the place of evil that tempts the mind into horrible visions, where dwarves have gone mad and men have bricked themselves in, was not destroyed and was not left alone. It was sorted catalogued, systematically looted, and sold at the market.
It is unfathomable. We, mighty paladins, whose calling in life is to right wrongs, battle evil, and behave in all ways in a manly fashion, sitting at a stall in market, bargaining.
Of course, my companions claim that it is all logical, rational, that they need the best tools to fight evil. But they forget that the most powerful tool to fight evil is not a sword or armor. It is a paladin. That is why we are here.
Yet they continue, attempting to set a fair price for good works. It is pathetic, and I fear it may erode their training, their warriorly mindset, their willingness to do battle.
I fear that soon we will stop seeking enemies to fight at all. We shall go the way of Athens, and attempt to stop evil through investments and trade rather than by the rightful might of our just arms.
I pray to Heracles that their infection does not strike me. For there is evil afoot.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Hrogar Journal: Days 9-13
Day 9
A chance-encounter this morning allowed Alcander to try to interrogate the orc shaman again. He didn’t get much out of the fellow, however, as the shaman was none to talkative. Alcander then decided to start following the shaman, in broad daylight, doing nothing to hide himself. Sometimes I wonder about Alcander. His heart is in the right place, but at times he acts very naïve. I suspect this is due to being from a foreign land and culture. Some day I would like to visit his homeland and see if all his countrymen are as honest and straightforward as Alcander.
As some of us tried to dissuade Alcander from his chosen path, the shaman transformed into a falcon and flew away. This led us to consider that instead of werewolves, we might be looking for druids. We went to the cleric of Thor who had helped us before, and asked him about the druids of the city. Apparently they started leaving the city about ten years ago, about the same time that the twisted black trees started to show up. The last of the druids left about five years ago. We ask about rangers, and are told of two we might speak with. We plan to speak with them later.
Before that, there is a grove in the city where the druids used to congregate. We decide to investigate it, and find it empty and overrun with growth. Entering into a labyrinth of vegetation, we eventually discover a fountain. While searching the fountain closely, we discover a secret passage under it, with a ladder leading down into the shadows. We descend, and find a tunnel that appears to have been dug within the last five years or so, the floor covered in water. Following the tunnel, we find a large, round room. In the center of the room is the great, black trunk of a giant twisted tree, rising from the floor and up into the ceiling! The tree gives off a great, evil aura, even though it does not glow. Also in the room, we find alchemical equipment, with strange plants and animals. We also find a strange book; written in a language none of us can read. We also find a secret door, but are unable to open it, and one of our number is injured in the attempt. Also, Fflam tests what happens when he pours some holy-water on the tree, and it causes a small explosion and blows him back. Fflam seems not to have the best of luck with these evil trees. Above, Alcander and Arcadias tell us of an evil presence, and we decide it’s time to depart.
The Evil follows us, but we manage to escape the labyrinth, the evil staying just within the grove boundary. As we emerge from the grove, we notice that more time has passed outside of the grove than seemed to pass within the grove. Though The Evil is obscured by fog and floating in the air, Alcander manages to strike the evil with an arrow, thus proving it is an enemy made of flesh, and that it can be hurt. Desiring to press our advantage, and deciding that if we are to do so, we cannot hesitate, I charge in after the enemy, Arcadias and Alcander following me. A foolish action, I know now, and one born of excessive zeal and a lack of forethought. Still, I wish those who were not injured had not decided to simply abandon us to our fate. While I understand their reasons for not wanting to follow such a foolhardy example, they could have stayed outside the grove and offered more calculated help, or at least waited to see if we emerged. At least I know that I can depend on Alcander and Arcadias when the going gets tough.
The evil quickly escapes us, but we are lucky enough to find our way back out without excessive trouble, finding out then that the others are no-where in sight, and eventually finding them back at the inn. We show the book we found to the clerics, but it is trapped, and injures Markus. We take care of the wounded, and decide to find someone else to try to aid in the opening and discerning of the book.
Day 12
We have discovered more of what is contained in the book. After going to one wizard whom we discovered to be evil and untrustworthy, we found a second wizard who is at least a reasonable and non-evil businessman, and is able to unlock the book for a price. With the clerics taking turns reading the book, we find is that it is a description of a blight similar to that affecting the local trees, with seeming info on how to go about creating such a disaster! I am hopeful that sufficient interrogation of the book may lead to a description of how to stop the blight, but only time will tell.
In addition to working on decoding the book, we spoke to one of the rangers. He does not know what or who has been causing the blight. He also confirms that the last of the druids left about five years ago. However, upon some further investigation, I find that no one actually saw her leave. She just stopped being seen, and most people assumed she had left. This troubles me. I wonder if she was in fact murdered, and that the locals failed to investigate and just assumed incorrectly. If so, could similar have happened to the missing paladins? Perhaps all the druids even?
Logically, it’s quite possible that the paladins were following a line of reasoning similar to us, investigating the blight and the murders. If so, they may have attracted dangerous attention, and in doing so, sealed their own fate. We must be cautious and vigilant; for if we are not, I have no doubt that we shall share their fate. I shall have to speak to my comrades about trying to be more discreet in our investigations, and share my concerns and hypotheses.
In the meantime, Alcander has spoken to a bard, and learned a tail of a similar blight affecting a distant land, with disastrous results. Truly this highlights the importance of finding the cause of this problem and finding a solution to it. Indeed, we will want to go back into the grove and see what’s within the secret passage we found, and see if the being who was working down there can be found.
Before that, however, Alcander agrees to help the bard he spoke to in returning to him a horn he lost in some nearby mines. This seems like a reasonable task to perform, and good training for the group. We will head out tomorrow.
Day 13
We head out to the mine, and it is uneventful for the first portion of our journey. However, as we get close, we notice a group of goblins walking up the path. While most of us hide, Alcander, may the gods bless him, loudly hails them. The goblins immediately charge us. Battle ensues, and in the end, we are victorious, the last of the goblins running off. Prudence and Markus then get into an argument over what to do with the injured goblins. Prudence argues that it is more merciful to put them out of their misery and end their lives quickly. Markus argues it is better to heal their wounds and leave them for their comrades to collect later.
Markus seems to frequently get into arguments like these with the other members of the group. He comes from a family of paladins, but has sworn to follow his own path, much to the chagrin of his family, I would guess. While unorthodox, I respect his decision to follow the path of pacifism. It is not an easy path to follow, but he has shown great integrity in sticking to his beliefs as he has.
Of the goblins, Prudence quickly finishes off two of them, while Markus heals two. It is on the fifth and final one that they come to their argument. My vote is with Markus on this matter, for if he desires to heal them, I believe he should be left to do so. While an argument can be made that it is good to put enemies out of their misery, and not force them to suffer, if there is one in the area willing to heal them, I feel we should allow it.
To kill in the heat of battle is one thing, but to do so cold-bloodedly is another matter. And to finish them off, when healing is but moments away, seems more like murder than mercy. Although this leads me to consider, would I heal my enemies as readily? Should I? Doing so may be more likely to create future allies, such that future battles might not be as likely in the future. On the other hand, our enemies are not necessarily going to be as reasonable as I’d prefer, and may use such regained allies to attempt another, future attack on us. This is something I shall have to consider in future meditations.
A chance-encounter this morning allowed Alcander to try to interrogate the orc shaman again. He didn’t get much out of the fellow, however, as the shaman was none to talkative. Alcander then decided to start following the shaman, in broad daylight, doing nothing to hide himself. Sometimes I wonder about Alcander. His heart is in the right place, but at times he acts very naïve. I suspect this is due to being from a foreign land and culture. Some day I would like to visit his homeland and see if all his countrymen are as honest and straightforward as Alcander.
As some of us tried to dissuade Alcander from his chosen path, the shaman transformed into a falcon and flew away. This led us to consider that instead of werewolves, we might be looking for druids. We went to the cleric of Thor who had helped us before, and asked him about the druids of the city. Apparently they started leaving the city about ten years ago, about the same time that the twisted black trees started to show up. The last of the druids left about five years ago. We ask about rangers, and are told of two we might speak with. We plan to speak with them later.
Before that, there is a grove in the city where the druids used to congregate. We decide to investigate it, and find it empty and overrun with growth. Entering into a labyrinth of vegetation, we eventually discover a fountain. While searching the fountain closely, we discover a secret passage under it, with a ladder leading down into the shadows. We descend, and find a tunnel that appears to have been dug within the last five years or so, the floor covered in water. Following the tunnel, we find a large, round room. In the center of the room is the great, black trunk of a giant twisted tree, rising from the floor and up into the ceiling! The tree gives off a great, evil aura, even though it does not glow. Also in the room, we find alchemical equipment, with strange plants and animals. We also find a strange book; written in a language none of us can read. We also find a secret door, but are unable to open it, and one of our number is injured in the attempt. Also, Fflam tests what happens when he pours some holy-water on the tree, and it causes a small explosion and blows him back. Fflam seems not to have the best of luck with these evil trees. Above, Alcander and Arcadias tell us of an evil presence, and we decide it’s time to depart.
The Evil follows us, but we manage to escape the labyrinth, the evil staying just within the grove boundary. As we emerge from the grove, we notice that more time has passed outside of the grove than seemed to pass within the grove. Though The Evil is obscured by fog and floating in the air, Alcander manages to strike the evil with an arrow, thus proving it is an enemy made of flesh, and that it can be hurt. Desiring to press our advantage, and deciding that if we are to do so, we cannot hesitate, I charge in after the enemy, Arcadias and Alcander following me. A foolish action, I know now, and one born of excessive zeal and a lack of forethought. Still, I wish those who were not injured had not decided to simply abandon us to our fate. While I understand their reasons for not wanting to follow such a foolhardy example, they could have stayed outside the grove and offered more calculated help, or at least waited to see if we emerged. At least I know that I can depend on Alcander and Arcadias when the going gets tough.
The evil quickly escapes us, but we are lucky enough to find our way back out without excessive trouble, finding out then that the others are no-where in sight, and eventually finding them back at the inn. We show the book we found to the clerics, but it is trapped, and injures Markus. We take care of the wounded, and decide to find someone else to try to aid in the opening and discerning of the book.
Day 12
We have discovered more of what is contained in the book. After going to one wizard whom we discovered to be evil and untrustworthy, we found a second wizard who is at least a reasonable and non-evil businessman, and is able to unlock the book for a price. With the clerics taking turns reading the book, we find is that it is a description of a blight similar to that affecting the local trees, with seeming info on how to go about creating such a disaster! I am hopeful that sufficient interrogation of the book may lead to a description of how to stop the blight, but only time will tell.
In addition to working on decoding the book, we spoke to one of the rangers. He does not know what or who has been causing the blight. He also confirms that the last of the druids left about five years ago. However, upon some further investigation, I find that no one actually saw her leave. She just stopped being seen, and most people assumed she had left. This troubles me. I wonder if she was in fact murdered, and that the locals failed to investigate and just assumed incorrectly. If so, could similar have happened to the missing paladins? Perhaps all the druids even?
Logically, it’s quite possible that the paladins were following a line of reasoning similar to us, investigating the blight and the murders. If so, they may have attracted dangerous attention, and in doing so, sealed their own fate. We must be cautious and vigilant; for if we are not, I have no doubt that we shall share their fate. I shall have to speak to my comrades about trying to be more discreet in our investigations, and share my concerns and hypotheses.
In the meantime, Alcander has spoken to a bard, and learned a tail of a similar blight affecting a distant land, with disastrous results. Truly this highlights the importance of finding the cause of this problem and finding a solution to it. Indeed, we will want to go back into the grove and see what’s within the secret passage we found, and see if the being who was working down there can be found.
Before that, however, Alcander agrees to help the bard he spoke to in returning to him a horn he lost in some nearby mines. This seems like a reasonable task to perform, and good training for the group. We will head out tomorrow.
Day 13
We head out to the mine, and it is uneventful for the first portion of our journey. However, as we get close, we notice a group of goblins walking up the path. While most of us hide, Alcander, may the gods bless him, loudly hails them. The goblins immediately charge us. Battle ensues, and in the end, we are victorious, the last of the goblins running off. Prudence and Markus then get into an argument over what to do with the injured goblins. Prudence argues that it is more merciful to put them out of their misery and end their lives quickly. Markus argues it is better to heal their wounds and leave them for their comrades to collect later.
Markus seems to frequently get into arguments like these with the other members of the group. He comes from a family of paladins, but has sworn to follow his own path, much to the chagrin of his family, I would guess. While unorthodox, I respect his decision to follow the path of pacifism. It is not an easy path to follow, but he has shown great integrity in sticking to his beliefs as he has.
Of the goblins, Prudence quickly finishes off two of them, while Markus heals two. It is on the fifth and final one that they come to their argument. My vote is with Markus on this matter, for if he desires to heal them, I believe he should be left to do so. While an argument can be made that it is good to put enemies out of their misery, and not force them to suffer, if there is one in the area willing to heal them, I feel we should allow it.
To kill in the heat of battle is one thing, but to do so cold-bloodedly is another matter. And to finish them off, when healing is but moments away, seems more like murder than mercy. Although this leads me to consider, would I heal my enemies as readily? Should I? Doing so may be more likely to create future allies, such that future battles might not be as likely in the future. On the other hand, our enemies are not necessarily going to be as reasonable as I’d prefer, and may use such regained allies to attempt another, future attack on us. This is something I shall have to consider in future meditations.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Alcander; Days 14 and 15
Day 14
Until this moment, the life of a Paladin has been a simple one. The path of Heracles seemed clear.
Now I am not so sure.
It began with those damn goblins. We defeated them, and that was undoubtedly good. They fought well, but we fought better. A glorious battle, and a simple one.
The wounded were the problem.
The goblins fled, leaving their dying behind. I left the wounded out for the goblins to retrieve, if they so desired. They might live, they might die. It was to be the will of the gods.
The will of Prudence was that they die. Markus believed we should bandage them, heal them, and send them on their way. Prudence said that the dead goblins would return from the grave, and that we should burn them before they did.
We burned their dead. I did not like it. I would have preferred to let the goblins bury their own dead, but none agreed with me.
As for the wounded, Prudence swore that wolves would eat them slowly, prolonging their suffering. This I can accept. Heracles himself begged for release at the end of his days, and found it in the arms of Philoctetes, our founder.
But by the same token, beasts are often the agents of the gods. Romulus and Remus were spared by a she-wolf, and nursed back to health.
We should have let the wolves decide. Perhaps this time we might not end up with a vast empire of damned monotheists from the deal.
The wolves expressed their displeasure. They ate the wounded Markus had saved, thereby passing their judgement, and then came to torment us. What does this sign mean? I can only think that the wolves would rather we have killed them, and that if they are to pass judgement, they will pass it on us. Or perhaps they are angry that we passed judgement in their stead. I cannot say.
Still, I cannot help but feel that we should have left the fallen for their kin.
Day 15
Heracles give me strength.
This mine is a cursed place. There is no doubt in my mind. Dread creatures lurk about, things leap from the shadows and vanish again, men wall themselves up and wait to die.
This place drives men mad.
Of all the flaws of Heracles, this is the one we must avoid most strongly. Madness must never take us, lest we use his powers badly. Madness was ever Heracles's foe, and must ever be ours.
But the dwarf, the dwarf had that curse.
I knew, as soon as I saw him. His soul was gone. His mind was gone. What was left was only a shell, a feeble, grasping attempt to hang on to this world.
In this, at least, I knew where mercy lay.
I struck him dead. It had to be done. He had gone to where no cleric could find him, no magic could heal him.
Gone to where I lost my mother.
May Zeus have mercy on his soul, and may his soul find rest at last.
This place is cursed, and I don't know whether to flee it or stay until I see it destroyed.
It must be destroyed, but at what risk?
Hrogar Journal: Days 1-7
Day 1
Today a new chapter of my life began. After saying final farewells to and getting some last words of advice from my parents, siblings, uncle, and the Knights who helped train me, I went to stand before The King with my new comrades. The King spoke of the journey ahead of us, and of the good we will do. After offering us his wisdom, The King graciously offered us some final supplies, and sent us out to prove ourselves in the world. I shall do everything I can to not disappoint my family or teachers.
Of my new companions, I recognize seeing some of them during my years of training, others I have never seen before. They seem like a diverse lot, and I look forward to getting to know them. We are a good-sized group, consisting of nine paladins and two clerics. I’m sure we’ll all be needed for the tests and trials we are to face.
Already it seems like our services are needed. Along the road from City of Origin, we’ve heard tales that a group of Paladins, likely the group similar to ours that left our city a year ago, disappeared without a trace some months ago. No sign of conflict has been found, but they’ve not been seen or heard from since. And we’ve seen numerous gnarled, black trees that seem to have been warped by evil. No one knows why or how.
It seems we have our work cut out for us.
Day 2
We’ve made more troubling discoveries today. We found the corpse of an orc, in a place far from where we know of orcs to live. It is possible he may have been murdered, but by whom and why, I cannot say. And just a little while ago tonight, one of the black, warped trees glowed red. It gave off a definite aura of evil, and when cut, it bled. When I approached the tree while holding fire, the glow dissipated, and it returned to it’s normal, albeit black and gnarled, state. A disturbing turn of events, indeed.
Day 4
We have been doing some investigating of late, and have discovered the following:
Of the black trees, they’ve been a problem for some time, roughly 10 years. They are resistant to burning and cutting, but can be uprooted, and eventually the ground they were in recovers. No one knows anything about glowing or bleeding trees, and no one knows why or how this is happening.
Of the missing Paladins, we only know that they disappeared one night. All their equipment was left in the domicile they had been staying in at the time, and the proprietor has since sold said equipment.
Of the orc we found, we’ve learned quite a bit more. He was apparently married, and came from a town far to the south. We learned of a group of orcs from that same area, and spoke to their leader: an aged, blind, but obviously powerful shaman. He seemed to know of the dead orc, but claimed to not know what had happened. However, I got the feeling he was blatantly lying to us, this in addition to his aura of evil, and I suspect foul play. We didn’t press the issue, but we may want to go to the southern town the orc was from, at some point in the future.
In addition to all this, we have yet another mystery! Earlier this morning, we heard the sound of fighting in the street, and followed it into an alley. But we did not see any fight, even though the sound surrounded us. We found a rune nearby, and also found no-one but us could hear it, or even see or go into the alley! With the aid of a Cleric of Thor, the group was able to dispel the rune, but also discovered down a different alley, a recently murdered body! It would seem the sounds we heard were merely a distraction from the true crime. He seemed to be a traveler from a northern port-city, and like the dead orc, had many of his possessions still on him, thus implying cold-blooded murder, not mere thievery. Upon informing the local guards, we learned that such things had been happening occasionally for some time to seemingly random travelers. Could this be related to the dead orc, or the missing Paladins? Only time and investigation will tell.
Day 7
We left a few days ago to find the orc body, which we had buried, but later were told that orcs burn their dead to keep them turning undead. Whether a real threat or not, we wanted to insure this did not happen. One morning when we woke up, we found the camp surrounded by wolf and humanoid tracks. The orc shaman we had met earlier had been wearing wolf pelts and had been particularly surprised that the dead orc had some silver on him that we buried him with. This has lead us to wonder about the possibility of werewolves. Either way, they had been right outside of our camp without our knowledge!
We eventually found where we thought we’d buried the orc, but found the spot dug up, with some old bones and a skull covered with some dirt in the grave that we had not noticed there when burying him. While I suspect the orc shaman and his group, both with respect to the murder of the orc and the digging up of his corpse, I have no idea why they would do such a thing, nor do I have any proof.
We also found a gnarled tree in the area, and cut it down to see what we could discover. It appeared to be normal, beyond being twisted by evil, but nothing further seemed to be learned.
That night, another glowing-red tree was discovered. This time, the torch did nothing, but we found holy water caused the tree to sizzle. Fflam tried cutting off a small branch, and upon pulling it away, was paralyzed! After unsuccessfully trying to pull it from his death-like grip, we poured holy water on his hand, and were able to remove the branch. The next morning he came to, but with memories of screaming in his mind while he was out. Whereas the trees were merely nuisances before, we now know them to be truly dangerous.
Today a new chapter of my life began. After saying final farewells to and getting some last words of advice from my parents, siblings, uncle, and the Knights who helped train me, I went to stand before The King with my new comrades. The King spoke of the journey ahead of us, and of the good we will do. After offering us his wisdom, The King graciously offered us some final supplies, and sent us out to prove ourselves in the world. I shall do everything I can to not disappoint my family or teachers.
Of my new companions, I recognize seeing some of them during my years of training, others I have never seen before. They seem like a diverse lot, and I look forward to getting to know them. We are a good-sized group, consisting of nine paladins and two clerics. I’m sure we’ll all be needed for the tests and trials we are to face.
Already it seems like our services are needed. Along the road from City of Origin, we’ve heard tales that a group of Paladins, likely the group similar to ours that left our city a year ago, disappeared without a trace some months ago. No sign of conflict has been found, but they’ve not been seen or heard from since. And we’ve seen numerous gnarled, black trees that seem to have been warped by evil. No one knows why or how.
It seems we have our work cut out for us.
Day 2
We’ve made more troubling discoveries today. We found the corpse of an orc, in a place far from where we know of orcs to live. It is possible he may have been murdered, but by whom and why, I cannot say. And just a little while ago tonight, one of the black, warped trees glowed red. It gave off a definite aura of evil, and when cut, it bled. When I approached the tree while holding fire, the glow dissipated, and it returned to it’s normal, albeit black and gnarled, state. A disturbing turn of events, indeed.
Day 4
We have been doing some investigating of late, and have discovered the following:
Of the black trees, they’ve been a problem for some time, roughly 10 years. They are resistant to burning and cutting, but can be uprooted, and eventually the ground they were in recovers. No one knows anything about glowing or bleeding trees, and no one knows why or how this is happening.
Of the missing Paladins, we only know that they disappeared one night. All their equipment was left in the domicile they had been staying in at the time, and the proprietor has since sold said equipment.
Of the orc we found, we’ve learned quite a bit more. He was apparently married, and came from a town far to the south. We learned of a group of orcs from that same area, and spoke to their leader: an aged, blind, but obviously powerful shaman. He seemed to know of the dead orc, but claimed to not know what had happened. However, I got the feeling he was blatantly lying to us, this in addition to his aura of evil, and I suspect foul play. We didn’t press the issue, but we may want to go to the southern town the orc was from, at some point in the future.
In addition to all this, we have yet another mystery! Earlier this morning, we heard the sound of fighting in the street, and followed it into an alley. But we did not see any fight, even though the sound surrounded us. We found a rune nearby, and also found no-one but us could hear it, or even see or go into the alley! With the aid of a Cleric of Thor, the group was able to dispel the rune, but also discovered down a different alley, a recently murdered body! It would seem the sounds we heard were merely a distraction from the true crime. He seemed to be a traveler from a northern port-city, and like the dead orc, had many of his possessions still on him, thus implying cold-blooded murder, not mere thievery. Upon informing the local guards, we learned that such things had been happening occasionally for some time to seemingly random travelers. Could this be related to the dead orc, or the missing Paladins? Only time and investigation will tell.
Day 7
We left a few days ago to find the orc body, which we had buried, but later were told that orcs burn their dead to keep them turning undead. Whether a real threat or not, we wanted to insure this did not happen. One morning when we woke up, we found the camp surrounded by wolf and humanoid tracks. The orc shaman we had met earlier had been wearing wolf pelts and had been particularly surprised that the dead orc had some silver on him that we buried him with. This has lead us to wonder about the possibility of werewolves. Either way, they had been right outside of our camp without our knowledge!
We eventually found where we thought we’d buried the orc, but found the spot dug up, with some old bones and a skull covered with some dirt in the grave that we had not noticed there when burying him. While I suspect the orc shaman and his group, both with respect to the murder of the orc and the digging up of his corpse, I have no idea why they would do such a thing, nor do I have any proof.
We also found a gnarled tree in the area, and cut it down to see what we could discover. It appeared to be normal, beyond being twisted by evil, but nothing further seemed to be learned.
That night, another glowing-red tree was discovered. This time, the torch did nothing, but we found holy water caused the tree to sizzle. Fflam tried cutting off a small branch, and upon pulling it away, was paralyzed! After unsuccessfully trying to pull it from his death-like grip, we poured holy water on his hand, and were able to remove the branch. The next morning he came to, but with memories of screaming in his mind while he was out. Whereas the trees were merely nuisances before, we now know them to be truly dangerous.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Marion - Days 14 and 15
-- Day 14 --
Sleep was hard to come by last night. All I could see in my dreams were the dead and the wounded goblins on the battlefield. I wasn't sure what to do with them - whether I should stay Prudence's hand and bandage up the groaning casualties, or reluctantly draw my sword and run the point through their throats. I remember Marcus' suggestion of burning the dead, but I've no idea on the customs of the weak. My motions felt heavy as I would kneel down and pack a wound, only to have my sword at the ready at another fallen. I weep as I push the sword into its throat with all of my strength. I can hear it screaming... louder... higher...
Ryan shakes me awake, the screaming still there. One hand's over my mouth and greeting my eyes with his own. I nod in understanding, then look off to the side of the encampment. The silhouette of wolves surrounds us, only lit by the gleam of torches in the new moon night. High pitched sounds continue, the screams from my dream - the wolves are communicating. I slowly put on my armor and wait for the attack that never comes. Alone once more, I tremble to think what more my dreams could store.
---
Daylight comes, and the dreams do not return. Rising seems as a chore today, what with the restless sleep of indecision weighing upon me. I look over the hill, expecting to see the funeral pyre and the dead still there, but they've disappeared in the night. Perhaps the wolves cleaned up last night.
I dread going into the mines. When I feel the bright shining sun upon my face, I'm reminded of the simpler things in life. Summer wheat, children playing, wildflowers. The mines are not my idea of a great time, but I prepare myself for its depths regardless. We've a duty to perform, and I'll not back out upon my group's word.
The mines are what I expected - dark, dreary, and miserable. It was made even worse by the shallow water that greeted us at the bottom of the shaft. I waded through the water in the middle of the group, watching the dwarf lead the way. I can't fathom how he can tell which direction is which in these mines, but he seems to know the way. I watch my way through the water, using my companion's torchlight as a guide - My shield and long sword are always in my hands at the ready.
By the end of the first room, I was ready to get out of there. I was running my hands under the surface of the water, feeling around for a horn when I stepped close to a large stone door. I felt a brush of air and a sharp piercing pain in my shoulder. I cried and staggered back, grasping my shoulder. My hands circled around an arrow shaft. The paladins seemed a little concerned about my injury, but then were soon consumed about somehow protecting themselves while getting past the door. I say a curse underneath my breath, immediately regret it, and make my apologies to the gods while I check the wound. The arrow went all the way through, so I used the wall to break off the arrowhead and pulled the arrow out of my shoulder.
I grew more uncomfortable after that point. The paladins are busting down door after door, regardless of its previous state of use. I'm not even convinced that anything has even gone this way lately. How would the bard have gone through some of these doors? I keep these thoughts to myself, however, as we continue through smashed door after smashed door.
Most of the rooms we entered had very little of use. I'm not too certain as to the paladin fascination over observing soiled rags. They don't look particularly healthy to be messed around with, and with each room I wonder how long until we see a diseased body.
There was one room that'll stay with me forever - upon entering it, I immediately felt something was off, and reached for my Seal of Kaladis. A large, hulking beast of an undead was lumbering above us, and was bound and determined to make short work of us. I turned to Marcus and shouted out "Turn!" to him, since he was closer to the beast than I. Marcus had his Seal in hand, and cried to Vesta. The undead merely ignored him, and in one sweeping motion, swung towards Alcander. The blow hit him square in the head, throwing him across the room and flat on his back. I saw a trickle of blood coving from his forehead, which brought immediate tears to my eyes.
Full of fury, I brandished the Seal of Kaladis towards the undead, crying out to my god:
"In the name of Kaladis, I command you to turn away!"
I imagined all the power of my god, of all the wonderful things of which he presides over. I saw white flowers and the church, the rows of smiling people, the bride and groom and the wondrous vows in which they were swearing to abide by.
The sound of steel sinking into rotting undead flesh waked me from these thoughts, as I see the undead still standing, still attacking, not turned in the slightest. I sigh at my feeble attempt as I hear another sharp cry go out of Vesta. This one is heard, as the undead suddenly shrieks and runs haphazardly from the group. I can only look blankly at the Seal in my hands, suddenly feeling much heavier, as the paladins get to work on dismembering the enemy.
The feeling stays with me through the rest of the maze - corridors blend together, paladins continue scavenging loot, and the Seal feels heavier in my hands. Have I done something to disrupt the gods? Have I done something to earn Kaladis' disfavor? I've remained truthful to my beloved, to my betrothed, for all of these years. I know he's still out there somewhere, he'll be back and then we'll spend the rest of our lives together.
What if he's no longer alive?
The doubt stayed with me until I see Alcander shooting an arrow into a narrow crevice in the ceiling. After doing so, a dark shadow descends upon the group. I see a couple of the paladins swinging furiously at it, their swords swinging through it as air, yet the fog remains.
"It's your time," I heard something whisper in my mind. The Seal felt lighter, warmer, once the words faded. The Seal felt comfortable in my hands, like it always belonged there. I hold the Seal up to the shadow, and the words flow naturally out of my mouth, but something else is with them as well - the words of Kaladis.
"IN THE NAME OF KALADIS, I TURN YOU AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!"
The shadow immediately retreats, flying through the hole in which it came. I breathed a sigh of relief, smiling to myself and whispering a small thanks to the gods.
This is further cemented by a unique sight in one of the rooms. Upon the wall, I see a long sword displayed. The design is clearly intricate, and it reminds me of the long sword that Xavier uses. I sensed that it was magical, and carefully take it down from the wall.
"Give it to one of the paladins," the whisper comes back into my head. Nodding in understanding, I approach Arcadius and donate the sword to his cause. He seemed perplexed but thankful for the gift, and it's the least that I can give to Kaladis for protecting me and mine with the shadow. I can remember Arcadius' smile still as he held the sword in his hands, it almost reminded me of Xavier's smile.
-- Day 15 --
It happened before I knew it.
I had no idea what the creature actually was, it almost looked like the dwarf in our group. It was mumbling to itself, repeating warnings about not going forward and no escape. I was looking around the room when I heard a sharp cry and a long gurgle. It was then that I saw Alcander above the now-deceased body, blood dripping from its wound. Alcander pried the bard's horn from its fingers, pocketing it for its safe return. As the rest of the paladins went on, I couldn't help but stand at the chair of the slain, looking down and wondering if this was truly necessary. I can understand us being on the path of righteousness, but could there have been a way of peace?
Sleep was hard to come by last night. All I could see in my dreams were the dead and the wounded goblins on the battlefield. I wasn't sure what to do with them - whether I should stay Prudence's hand and bandage up the groaning casualties, or reluctantly draw my sword and run the point through their throats. I remember Marcus' suggestion of burning the dead, but I've no idea on the customs of the weak. My motions felt heavy as I would kneel down and pack a wound, only to have my sword at the ready at another fallen. I weep as I push the sword into its throat with all of my strength. I can hear it screaming... louder... higher...
Ryan shakes me awake, the screaming still there. One hand's over my mouth and greeting my eyes with his own. I nod in understanding, then look off to the side of the encampment. The silhouette of wolves surrounds us, only lit by the gleam of torches in the new moon night. High pitched sounds continue, the screams from my dream - the wolves are communicating. I slowly put on my armor and wait for the attack that never comes. Alone once more, I tremble to think what more my dreams could store.
---
Daylight comes, and the dreams do not return. Rising seems as a chore today, what with the restless sleep of indecision weighing upon me. I look over the hill, expecting to see the funeral pyre and the dead still there, but they've disappeared in the night. Perhaps the wolves cleaned up last night.
I dread going into the mines. When I feel the bright shining sun upon my face, I'm reminded of the simpler things in life. Summer wheat, children playing, wildflowers. The mines are not my idea of a great time, but I prepare myself for its depths regardless. We've a duty to perform, and I'll not back out upon my group's word.
The mines are what I expected - dark, dreary, and miserable. It was made even worse by the shallow water that greeted us at the bottom of the shaft. I waded through the water in the middle of the group, watching the dwarf lead the way. I can't fathom how he can tell which direction is which in these mines, but he seems to know the way. I watch my way through the water, using my companion's torchlight as a guide - My shield and long sword are always in my hands at the ready.
By the end of the first room, I was ready to get out of there. I was running my hands under the surface of the water, feeling around for a horn when I stepped close to a large stone door. I felt a brush of air and a sharp piercing pain in my shoulder. I cried and staggered back, grasping my shoulder. My hands circled around an arrow shaft. The paladins seemed a little concerned about my injury, but then were soon consumed about somehow protecting themselves while getting past the door. I say a curse underneath my breath, immediately regret it, and make my apologies to the gods while I check the wound. The arrow went all the way through, so I used the wall to break off the arrowhead and pulled the arrow out of my shoulder.
I grew more uncomfortable after that point. The paladins are busting down door after door, regardless of its previous state of use. I'm not even convinced that anything has even gone this way lately. How would the bard have gone through some of these doors? I keep these thoughts to myself, however, as we continue through smashed door after smashed door.
Most of the rooms we entered had very little of use. I'm not too certain as to the paladin fascination over observing soiled rags. They don't look particularly healthy to be messed around with, and with each room I wonder how long until we see a diseased body.
There was one room that'll stay with me forever - upon entering it, I immediately felt something was off, and reached for my Seal of Kaladis. A large, hulking beast of an undead was lumbering above us, and was bound and determined to make short work of us. I turned to Marcus and shouted out "Turn!" to him, since he was closer to the beast than I. Marcus had his Seal in hand, and cried to Vesta. The undead merely ignored him, and in one sweeping motion, swung towards Alcander. The blow hit him square in the head, throwing him across the room and flat on his back. I saw a trickle of blood coving from his forehead, which brought immediate tears to my eyes.
Full of fury, I brandished the Seal of Kaladis towards the undead, crying out to my god:
"In the name of Kaladis, I command you to turn away!"
I imagined all the power of my god, of all the wonderful things of which he presides over. I saw white flowers and the church, the rows of smiling people, the bride and groom and the wondrous vows in which they were swearing to abide by.
The sound of steel sinking into rotting undead flesh waked me from these thoughts, as I see the undead still standing, still attacking, not turned in the slightest. I sigh at my feeble attempt as I hear another sharp cry go out of Vesta. This one is heard, as the undead suddenly shrieks and runs haphazardly from the group. I can only look blankly at the Seal in my hands, suddenly feeling much heavier, as the paladins get to work on dismembering the enemy.
The feeling stays with me through the rest of the maze - corridors blend together, paladins continue scavenging loot, and the Seal feels heavier in my hands. Have I done something to disrupt the gods? Have I done something to earn Kaladis' disfavor? I've remained truthful to my beloved, to my betrothed, for all of these years. I know he's still out there somewhere, he'll be back and then we'll spend the rest of our lives together.
What if he's no longer alive?
The doubt stayed with me until I see Alcander shooting an arrow into a narrow crevice in the ceiling. After doing so, a dark shadow descends upon the group. I see a couple of the paladins swinging furiously at it, their swords swinging through it as air, yet the fog remains.
"It's your time," I heard something whisper in my mind. The Seal felt lighter, warmer, once the words faded. The Seal felt comfortable in my hands, like it always belonged there. I hold the Seal up to the shadow, and the words flow naturally out of my mouth, but something else is with them as well - the words of Kaladis.
"IN THE NAME OF KALADIS, I TURN YOU AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!"
The shadow immediately retreats, flying through the hole in which it came. I breathed a sigh of relief, smiling to myself and whispering a small thanks to the gods.
This is further cemented by a unique sight in one of the rooms. Upon the wall, I see a long sword displayed. The design is clearly intricate, and it reminds me of the long sword that Xavier uses. I sensed that it was magical, and carefully take it down from the wall.
"Give it to one of the paladins," the whisper comes back into my head. Nodding in understanding, I approach Arcadius and donate the sword to his cause. He seemed perplexed but thankful for the gift, and it's the least that I can give to Kaladis for protecting me and mine with the shadow. I can remember Arcadius' smile still as he held the sword in his hands, it almost reminded me of Xavier's smile.
-- Day 15 --
It happened before I knew it.
I had no idea what the creature actually was, it almost looked like the dwarf in our group. It was mumbling to itself, repeating warnings about not going forward and no escape. I was looking around the room when I heard a sharp cry and a long gurgle. It was then that I saw Alcander above the now-deceased body, blood dripping from its wound. Alcander pried the bard's horn from its fingers, pocketing it for its safe return. As the rest of the paladins went on, I couldn't help but stand at the chair of the slain, looking down and wondering if this was truly necessary. I can understand us being on the path of righteousness, but could there have been a way of peace?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Shaft Journal Post - Day 14 & 15
This one's for the ladies...
Getcho Heironeous on!
Last night after a short battle with goblins, third watch encountered a lot of keening with wolves, and woke up the rest of the party. The wolves got bored and filtered away around dawn.
When we were rummaging through the dungeon, we found a chest in an alcove. Unsuccessfully, Crowbar had a go at the chest first.
Cracking open the chest in room 14 after half and hour of hacking away at it, we found:
100 GP
high quality masterwork chain shirt, wooden shield
bullseye lantern
That chest was made of dolomite or somefin'.
In room eau d'urine, we found a magical ring and a melted silver necklace after Lion Boy burnt all the pee rags. Later we found a shadow. The shadow was a pussy. It flew away when someone turned it. There were also a bunch of portcullises of backspraining +10. Poor Crowbar sprained her back opening those.
I gots me some silver - whatever 1/11th of 2,800 sp is.
Then we killed us some rats. I broke my sword, but luckily Arkadius gave me one of his spares. That dude is like an arsenal. One of them damn rats bit me. The wound feels all tingly.
Then we found that crazy dwarf guy. He was talkin' all kinds of jive about runnin' away like a whiny little peasant. Damn. I pity da foo'. At least he had that horn we was lookin' for.
Can you dig it?
Getcho Heironeous on!
Last night after a short battle with goblins, third watch encountered a lot of keening with wolves, and woke up the rest of the party. The wolves got bored and filtered away around dawn.
When we were rummaging through the dungeon, we found a chest in an alcove. Unsuccessfully, Crowbar had a go at the chest first.
Cracking open the chest in room 14 after half and hour of hacking away at it, we found:
100 GP
high quality masterwork chain shirt, wooden shield
bullseye lantern
That chest was made of dolomite or somefin'.
In room eau d'urine, we found a magical ring and a melted silver necklace after Lion Boy burnt all the pee rags. Later we found a shadow. The shadow was a pussy. It flew away when someone turned it. There were also a bunch of portcullises of backspraining +10. Poor Crowbar sprained her back opening those.
I gots me some silver - whatever 1/11th of 2,800 sp is.
Then we killed us some rats. I broke my sword, but luckily Arkadius gave me one of his spares. That dude is like an arsenal. One of them damn rats bit me. The wound feels all tingly.
Then we found that crazy dwarf guy. He was talkin' all kinds of jive about runnin' away like a whiny little peasant. Damn. I pity da foo'. At least he had that horn we was lookin' for.
Can you dig it?
Monday, January 5, 2009
Alcander: Days 10-12
It appears that I have failed in my promise to keep a journal of my travels. I am certain that there are worse sins, and that Heracles will forgive me for spending my time taking action rather than reflecting upon it. Still, I gave my word that I would write in this book, and Alcander keeps his word.
Day 10
It seems that the book we took from the grove is cursed in some way. It exploded upon the cleric who tried to read it. I wonder if that is simply the Gods giving him punishment for his wicked belief that evil is not truly evil, but only misunderstood.
We took the book to two wizards, to see who could fix it. One was evil, but inexpensive. The other was not good, but at least seemed an honest businessmen. While it is sometimes necessary to deal with those who are evil, I am simply relieved to have not left the book in the hands of one who would likely use the knowledge for ill ends.
Day 11
It is a good thing we did not leave the book in the hands of the evil wizard. It seems that the book is about a plague of some sort. Who knows what sort of villainous ends he might have used the knowledge for.
It appears that many of the cityfolk believe the grove to be haunted. I would think this mere barbarian supersition had I not seen it for myself. It is a cursed place. But Heracles guided my arrow true to smite the evil once, and I must believe that he shall guide me true again. We will yet find a way to defeat this evil.
Day 12
Of all those touched by the muse, surely the bard is the most blessed. I have learned much this day, though much of it troubling. The grove has been haunted since the druids disappeared, and the druids may be dead. We shall have to seek the help of other druids, I believe, if we are to cleanse this evil.
The bard I spoke to seems a noble fellow, and I shall repay the favor of his knowledge. It is my hope that, someday, men such as him will sing of my mighty deeds as well, and propel my soul to the heavens.
Day 10
It seems that the book we took from the grove is cursed in some way. It exploded upon the cleric who tried to read it. I wonder if that is simply the Gods giving him punishment for his wicked belief that evil is not truly evil, but only misunderstood.
We took the book to two wizards, to see who could fix it. One was evil, but inexpensive. The other was not good, but at least seemed an honest businessmen. While it is sometimes necessary to deal with those who are evil, I am simply relieved to have not left the book in the hands of one who would likely use the knowledge for ill ends.
Day 11
It is a good thing we did not leave the book in the hands of the evil wizard. It seems that the book is about a plague of some sort. Who knows what sort of villainous ends he might have used the knowledge for.
It appears that many of the cityfolk believe the grove to be haunted. I would think this mere barbarian supersition had I not seen it for myself. It is a cursed place. But Heracles guided my arrow true to smite the evil once, and I must believe that he shall guide me true again. We will yet find a way to defeat this evil.
Day 12
Of all those touched by the muse, surely the bard is the most blessed. I have learned much this day, though much of it troubling. The grove has been haunted since the druids disappeared, and the druids may be dead. We shall have to seek the help of other druids, I believe, if we are to cleanse this evil.
The bard I spoke to seems a noble fellow, and I shall repay the favor of his knowledge. It is my hope that, someday, men such as him will sing of my mighty deeds as well, and propel my soul to the heavens.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Day 13
The last day for the party was day 13, leaving off in the evening after fighting the goblins right outside of the mine.
It is the first night of the new moon. The weather is clear, windy, and cool. The high was around 46ºF, the low at night comes down to around 33º. There is a moderate wind coming out of the north, which is enough to cause problems for unprotected torches but not enough to cause major havoc.
It is the first night of the new moon. The weather is clear, windy, and cool. The high was around 46ºF, the low at night comes down to around 33º. There is a moderate wind coming out of the north, which is enough to cause problems for unprotected torches but not enough to cause major havoc.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)