Journal of Crunch, Day 329-343

-day329:
We have arrived at the city of Phonkeii, in Tir'Nir'Nea. The city is large, with colorful buildings and neat architecture. Keniroh fits in well here with his attire, and there is much magic about. It is also very cold; fortunately, I still have the thick coat and leggings from Ragnarr's hometown.

We have been very active in the markets; while their selection is sparse compared to Sigil, it is still overwhelming. Keniroh introduced us to his family, they were very happy to see him again. In the evening, a hound archon teleported into our inn searching for us. His name is Shullat. He was imprisoned in a crystal during the First Aboleth War, 10,000 years ago. We encountered him in this prison during our first foray into the Island Keep of the Pirates, wherein Sztuczka shot it with a cannon. He has since been fully liberated and sent by Pelor to aid us, and is welcome on this mission.

It has been very a busy day. Tomorrow will be busier. We have decided to find and enlist the aid of a battle priest. To that end, we will split up and search familiar territories by means of teleportation gems. Arkadesh and Shullat will travel to The Land of 5 Rivers, Azan will return to the Empire, Sztuczka will [derp], Bael'thas will meet with Hrefna and go to Jokelmere, and Keniroh and I will remain in Phonkeii. We will have two weeks to locate and enlist the aid of a suitable person for the role.

Conclusions: The allies of Justice are varied, but ultimately united.


-day330:
The others have left for their respective destinations. Keniroh and I have been summoned by the local authorities to answer for the breach of security by Shullat. We have officially vouched for him, and are responsible for his behavior when he returns to the city.

Given that I now co-represent The Defenders of Subplane 3 in Phonkeii, it is therefore prudent to appear without Deceit, and with respectable clothing. Towards this goal, I have forgone the use of my hat, and have been measured and fitted for new clothes. Keniroh has written up a list of candidates, as well as places to investigate for more.

Conclusions: The people of Phonkeii are diligent against invasion.


-day331:
The first candidate was Rev. Esbjorn Côté, a minister of Boccob. He was very polite, however, he did not wish to involve himself in our operations. It was not that he is opposed to our objectives, but that he is merely waiting for a state of stability before acting. I am certain we will have better luck tomorrow.

Conclusions: Boccob may not be as dire an enemy of Emotion than anticipated.


-day332:
We ate dinner with Rev. Eleonora Chan, of St. Cuthbert. The food here is very tangy, and chunky. Unfortunately, she had personal objections to the presence of a citizen of the Empire in the unit. Keniroh was agitated that I told her this; however, I believe that if anyone is to work with us, they must know who we all are. I am certain we will have better luck tomorrow.

Conclusions: Honesty is the best battle standard. Poutinkött is neat.


-day333:
When visiting the resident of Mr. Halvard White, we learned that he died some time ago due to complications from a fight with a werewolf. We gave our condolences to the widow, and treated her to a late breakfast at the inn. The next candidate, Mr. Jonam Peineu, was very polite but unwilling to join us due to the presence of a citizen of the Empire in the unit. I am certain we will have better luck tomorrow.

Conclusions: The local populace has strong opinions on citizens of the Empire.


-day334:
Mr. Magnild Gagnon is a strange person. He insisted on conducting the interview while traveling onboard a cart driven by a dozen small dragons. His two conditions to membership were that we rename our unit to "Gagnon's Gallopin' Gheroes" and that he be permitted to construct several more of me, in tribute to his god. The fact that my reproduction is prohibited by treaty did not phase him. I am certain we will have better luck tomorrow.

Conclusions: The sound of a swoop of young dragons being whipped is not pleasant.


-day335:
Today has not been fruitful. The first candidate of the day, Mr. Kfister Johnson, moved to Stonekeep a month ago. The second candidate, Ms. Karin McLuskey, is currently MIA, presumed dead. The final candidate, Rev. Vega Harrington, was unavailable today due to the lateness of the hour. When I returned at night to the inn, Magnild Gagnon was waiting outside of my room with flowers and a wrench. He said nothing, but giggled until I closed the door behind me. I believe he is still out there. I am certain we will have better luck tomorrow.

Conclusions: A quality lock on your door is always important.


-day336:
Vega Harrington is unable to join us, due to military commitments. Mrs. Tekla Tremblay is currently pregnant, and wishes us luck on our mission. I am certain we will have better luck tomorrow. Keniroh's family has offered me the use of their guest room while I am in town. I have offered to help with home repairs during the night as repayment, which his sister has repeatedly stated is unnecessary. His grandchildren play with toys that move about on their own, though they are not intelligent. It is very neat.

Conclusions: Families are unusual units.


-day337:
Mr. Valbotg Jones has expressed interest in joining our unit, however, he seems unprepared for the duty. He is easily our best candidate so far, and so we have promised to keep in touch. The interviews have not gone well. Many are unwilling to associate with Azan, even without having met him. Some are willing, but incapable of combat or dead. However, many of them have had military experience, which bodes well for eventually finding someone suitable and willing. Starting tomorrow, we will expand our parameters for candidacy. I am certain we will have better luck then.

Conclusions: Duty is not always glorious.


-day338:
We have called upon Mr. Yngve Archambault, only to find he is currently serving time for his assault on Halvard White. While Mr. Archambault appears genuinely penitent for his crime, we were unable to secure his release. Mrs. Agaton Lam is also unable to join us, due to the requirements of her religious duties. I am certain we will have better luck tomorrow.

Conclusions: A moment of uncontrolled Emotion can bring about much suffering and regret.


-day339:
Though outside sources assure us that Mr. Tait Rodgers is of sound mind, we have ultimately been denied the chance to talk to him on the grounds of his claims that we are not protectors of the plane, but leather jacket salesmen. It appears that Mr. Rodgers will engage in silly behavior when he desires to be left alone, or perhaps he has had bad experiences with peddlers. I am certain we will have better luck tomorrow.

Conclusions: The wealthy have unusual viewpoints.


-day340:
Mrs. Quinby Spink is unwilling to assist us, due to the presence of a citizen of the Empire in the unit. She has lost a son to Imperial forces. She did not take well to our association with Azan, and threatened to report it to the local authorities. Keniroh had a personal talk with her, and has assured me that little will come of it. I am certain we will have better luck tomorrow.

Conclusions: War without a greater purpose is the worst of war.


-day341:
As best as we can gather, Mr. Rurik Harlow vanished from existence four months ago at the intersection of two major roads. Current whereabouts unknown. Those that witnessed the event have warned us against investigating further, lest we incur the wrath of the "Eldritch Brothelhood"; that is not a spelling mistake. I am certain we will have better luck tomorrow.

Conclusions: This is a very strange city.


-day 342:
We agreed to take a break from our mission today. I have taken the time to reflect on life. Hatchet once said that the purpose of life is living. I have held that Emotions are what make life possible, what make everything possible. It is very difficult to explain the importance of Emotion to organics, who have known it in full force since their creation.

Emotions are like a rainstorm. Some people walk through it with careful protections and a mindful pace. Some walk through it without coats and seek to jump in the puddles. Some are miserable because of it. And some are sheltered from it, remaining dry and clean. But it cannot be denied that it provides life, and that the walkers in the rain are far more fortunate than anyone else.

Conclusions:


-day 343:
Tomorrow is the scheduled date of return for the others. I have acquired long-range communication tools for use by Shullat and the new battle priest. I regret that we have not located a suitable candidate for our operations, and hope that they have been more successful.

Conclusions: When failure is hard to bear, know that Friendship evens the load.