Journal of Crunch, Day 289a

-day289-A:
We have travelled a fair distance by wind, and have located the island fortress of the telepath aboleth. The main entrance is fortified beyond our ability to penetrate, and so we have opted for access to the facility through alternative means. A kraken was driven off from the waters surrounding the island; it is unlikely to be of concern during our departure. The native pirates have proven to be fierce and merciless warriors, even going as far as to kill Azan. (He is currently in fine health thanks to Ragnarr.)

Attempts to proceed further into the facility were met with devious locking systems that render a person subsistent on the presence of the key, of one Arkadesh took upon himself to bear. Concerned for his well-being, an attempt was made to employ high levels of Manipulative Deceit in a maneuver to relieve him of the device with a minimum of mutual harm. (This was implemented before learning of the crippling nature of the device, and under the deduction that Arkadesh was now an information inlet for the aboleth; acting in earnest or explaining a plan beforehand may have rendered the act futile.) The maneuver, however, brought about the dreaded "Headache of Deceit" (cf. Eberron Day 413, Sigil Day 6) and so caused enough pain for the attempt to be rendered effective. Arkadesh has been disarmed, but still bears the dire key; he has recently employed it to activate a pressure lock leading to the rest of the facility.

Conclusions: Krakens are wily and surprisingly agile for their size. Manipulative Deceit employed for noble or helpful purposes will still invoke serious internal pain. Ragnarr continues to be a paragon of Friendship. Arkadesh is notable in his bravery.

Please excuse me, a door must be opened.