I think I'm beginning to see what Ragnarr saw in this bunch. There's something strangely endearing about them.
It's like the puppy my parent's foolishly bought me when I was small.
I think they thought it would protect me from the predators they thought haunted the shoreline. And he might have done a good job of that that. He was a big dog, strong, with a killer grip and sharp teeth.
My father learned this well. We never did see any predators, but Bucky had a great love for my father's boots. And for pissing in my parents bed, and eating anything that was left on a counter, or on a plate, or in a poorly-closed container on the kitchen counter.
It wasn't that he was particularly good at getting into things. He just couldn't seem to figure out that he wasn't supposed to be on the kitchen counter, and he was too clumsy not to knock everything off once he was there.
He never figured out how doors worked, either. If the door was closed, he would just run at it, full speed, over and over, and smash his face into it until either someone let him out or he broke the door again.
By the gods, did he break a lot of doors.
Bucky never did learn his own name, either. Or to come when I called.
If he had, he might not have stayed on that sandbar. If he was smart enough to swim, he might have made it back to shore, even with the tide coming in.
Umberlee has little respect for loyal, strong, and stupid. But she does like sacrifices, and likes flattery and worship from those who would otherwise shun her.
I'm sure my father thought he had hidden his makeshift shrine well. He was never good at keeping things from me.
And now I find myself with an entire group of poorly house-trained Buckies.
I can only hope that Umberlee hasn't noticed them enough to care, and that she doesn't have it out for them.
If she does, they might as well give up now.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Journal of Crunch, Day 309a (if you squint)
-day307 + Sigil day2-A:
We have arrived at Bedlam. It has been somewhat disconcerting; I have not witnessed a single wholly flat table so far. There are prophets and preachers on many street corners, and a wide variety of unknown objects for sale. The architects of this city require an overhaul. We have encountered enemy forces of unknown origin, with the potential capability of generating hostile but mentally unstable organics for use against us. They attempted to waylay us with an organic insect placed inside a non-local box, with no casualties. When politely confronted, they responded with destructive magic and the summoning of demons. We defeated all but one of them, who retreated after receiving serious injuries. Ramona has located him, and the command staff is working out the proper course of action.
We have arrived at Bedlam. It has been somewhat disconcerting; I have not witnessed a single wholly flat table so far. There are prophets and preachers on many street corners, and a wide variety of unknown objects for sale. The architects of this city require an overhaul. We have encountered enemy forces of unknown origin, with the potential capability of generating hostile but mentally unstable organics for use against us. They attempted to waylay us with an organic insect placed inside a non-local box, with no casualties. When politely confronted, they responded with destructive magic and the summoning of demons. We defeated all but one of them, who retreated after receiving serious injuries. Ramona has located him, and the command staff is working out the proper course of action.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Can't you just say hi anymore...
One day I look forward to being home. All of these crazy places I have been in the last year have made me appreciate home. In the latest location we Crunch tried to talk to a group of people to ask them questions and they tried to kill him with a magical spell. I think it was a disintegrate. I believe that is what the casters referred to it as when it was cast on me before. It is not a good feeling. Feel like it rips you from the inside out. The good thing from our encounter is we got to see some of Ramona ability. She is not a standard healer, well not like Ragnar. I believe we need to be less recklessness. She does not seem to be able to heal as powerfully as Ragnar did. Not that many could. He had a gift and before i die I will find a way to save him. For now i do not have time to reflect longer we are headed to were one of the wizards teleported to during the fight. Pelor protect us, we will need it in the coming minutes.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Ramona: In Bedlam
It seems we're in Bedlam.
I'm not entirely certain it's a good idea. On the one hand, this group of Paladins does seem to be rather under-equipped, if any of the glimpses I've managed to get of their enemies are accurate.
On the other hand, if they've truly demolished the seer, it's possible that the aboleth are shutting the gates, manning the walls, and bracing for a massive assault. The time they spend out here may be all the more time their enemies have to gather their forces, and they may find themselves fighting the three remaining aboleth altogether, rather than the one at a time that has given them so much success.
Which, for me, raises the simple question: how far am I going to take this? For that matter, how far with Umberlee allow me to take this?
She is none too happy about the aboleth, certainly. But if they were to pull in, abandon the vast majority of her seas and stop trying to take away her control, she may very well consider them defeated. In that case, she may not look too keenly on my risking my life (her life, really. It's not mine anymore) for a defeated enemy. I've managed to keep her appeased this long, it would be a shame to die now. And to die because I wanted to get myself killed doesn't make any sense at all.
Though she does like vengeance. So I suppose it depends on her mood at the moment.
A single aboleth, though, she would almost certainly approve. Easy targets are her favorite.
Either way, I suppose it's in her hands. I'll help the paladins as long as I'm able, and when I'm not, well, I hope they'll do well enough on their own.
This is their fight, after all. I'm sure the gods that chose them, strange though their sense of humor may be, chose them for a reason.
I hope that will be enough.
I'm not entirely certain it's a good idea. On the one hand, this group of Paladins does seem to be rather under-equipped, if any of the glimpses I've managed to get of their enemies are accurate.
On the other hand, if they've truly demolished the seer, it's possible that the aboleth are shutting the gates, manning the walls, and bracing for a massive assault. The time they spend out here may be all the more time their enemies have to gather their forces, and they may find themselves fighting the three remaining aboleth altogether, rather than the one at a time that has given them so much success.
Which, for me, raises the simple question: how far am I going to take this? For that matter, how far with Umberlee allow me to take this?
She is none too happy about the aboleth, certainly. But if they were to pull in, abandon the vast majority of her seas and stop trying to take away her control, she may very well consider them defeated. In that case, she may not look too keenly on my risking my life (her life, really. It's not mine anymore) for a defeated enemy. I've managed to keep her appeased this long, it would be a shame to die now. And to die because I wanted to get myself killed doesn't make any sense at all.
Though she does like vengeance. So I suppose it depends on her mood at the moment.
A single aboleth, though, she would almost certainly approve. Easy targets are her favorite.
Either way, I suppose it's in her hands. I'll help the paladins as long as I'm able, and when I'm not, well, I hope they'll do well enough on their own.
This is their fight, after all. I'm sure the gods that chose them, strange though their sense of humor may be, chose them for a reason.
I hope that will be enough.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Journal of Arcadius
Sigil Yet Again
Upon our return from the Aboleth's plane, we'd found ourselves in the hometown of Ragnarr, may peace be upon him, at the temple of Pelor. It was fitting, worthy, and no surprise that he would send us there. We resurrected Crunch, Keniroh, and Bael'thas, and are now still deeper in debt.
Keniroh's curse of brain spiders, or whatever they are, seemed to have followed him even from death, so we decided to return to Sigil to visit the psychic surgeon. However first we had Ragnarr's letters to deliver.
His ex-wife, Ramona, was in Stonekeep. This was a cause for some apprehension, but upon arrival there found it to be no longer under the rule of the Aboleth's minions. It seems that Nigori, whom I'd never met, though heard much of, was in part responsible for this excellent turn of events. Ramona herself was not at all the ogress of Ragnarr's memory, and she, in most noble and worthy manner, gave us a toast to him. Whatever Ragnarr said to her in his letter, she gave little sign. She is a priestess of Umberlee, however, which baffles me, but at least that cruel and chaotic goddess is not in league with the Aboleth!
Ramona agreed to join our cause in Ragnarr's stead. It was well done, and her manner has been grave and praiseworthy throughout all of this.
In sigil, we delivered further letters: to Chris, who was sad at Ragnarr's passing, to a bartender who was pleased that we paid Ragnarr's immense bar tab. This cost most of what remained of our meager funds. The final letter was to the psychic surgeon, Anna, and its contents seemed to make her uncomfortable. I will not speculate further. She was able to cure Keniroh of his malady, but we are now in debt to her as well, at least for now. For, she has a task for us - a potentially moneymaking task.
We are to visit a place in the Outlands sitting astride a gate to the foul chaotic plane of Pandemonium, and there recover a gem.
Lord Pelor, you know my soul, and I swear upon it and my devotion to you that I did not set forth upon the path of a Paladin in search of riches, but assuredly we will need funds to continue our struggle. Please forgive me for the mercenary task I must take on!
*A*
Upon our return from the Aboleth's plane, we'd found ourselves in the hometown of Ragnarr, may peace be upon him, at the temple of Pelor. It was fitting, worthy, and no surprise that he would send us there. We resurrected Crunch, Keniroh, and Bael'thas, and are now still deeper in debt.
Keniroh's curse of brain spiders, or whatever they are, seemed to have followed him even from death, so we decided to return to Sigil to visit the psychic surgeon. However first we had Ragnarr's letters to deliver.
His ex-wife, Ramona, was in Stonekeep. This was a cause for some apprehension, but upon arrival there found it to be no longer under the rule of the Aboleth's minions. It seems that Nigori, whom I'd never met, though heard much of, was in part responsible for this excellent turn of events. Ramona herself was not at all the ogress of Ragnarr's memory, and she, in most noble and worthy manner, gave us a toast to him. Whatever Ragnarr said to her in his letter, she gave little sign. She is a priestess of Umberlee, however, which baffles me, but at least that cruel and chaotic goddess is not in league with the Aboleth!
Ramona agreed to join our cause in Ragnarr's stead. It was well done, and her manner has been grave and praiseworthy throughout all of this.
In sigil, we delivered further letters: to Chris, who was sad at Ragnarr's passing, to a bartender who was pleased that we paid Ragnarr's immense bar tab. This cost most of what remained of our meager funds. The final letter was to the psychic surgeon, Anna, and its contents seemed to make her uncomfortable. I will not speculate further. She was able to cure Keniroh of his malady, but we are now in debt to her as well, at least for now. For, she has a task for us - a potentially moneymaking task.
We are to visit a place in the Outlands sitting astride a gate to the foul chaotic plane of Pandemonium, and there recover a gem.
Lord Pelor, you know my soul, and I swear upon it and my devotion to you that I did not set forth upon the path of a Paladin in search of riches, but assuredly we will need funds to continue our struggle. Please forgive me for the mercenary task I must take on!
*A*
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Ramona: Waiting for the Paladins
Ragnarr's dead.
I'll be meeting his friends, soon. They'll probably think their delivering the news, but the bones have never been clearer.
I do mean never. The sea is rarely this forthcoming, which means I must be dealing with Umberlee. I'm sure she'd be only too happy to give me any gory detail I would like, to rub my face in it and watch me suffer.
I don't think I'll ask her. At least a Paladin might try to soften the blow. Though from what I've seen, subtlety has never been Arcadius's strong suit. It might be better to hear it from the bitch queen.
This is her price, I suppose. Thanks to her, any number of the Aboleth's fleeing minions will never make it to another fight. They thought the sea would protect them, but they didn't get that their masters were too far away to protect them from the wrath of Umberlee.
And she's been denied her wrath for too long. I suppose I should have been more active, but I thought that, sooner or later, Ragnarr was going to ask for my help. He should have known I would be able to, whatever he thought of me.
But, then, he's a stubborn ass. Or was a stubborn ass.
I wish I could blame Umberlee for what happened between us. I know he did. But I don't have that comfort.
What happened to us had begun long ago. The jellyfish only sped things up, and the child put the final nail in that coffin.
But we had drifted apart long before, and I belonged to the sea long before I belonged to Umberlee.
But it was what it was, and it was what it had to be.
And if Umberlee's vengeance can be made in Ragnarr's name, so much the better.
May she have mercy on my allies, and vengeance on my enemies, now and forever.
Journal of Crunch, Day 303d-308ish
-day304:
I remember when I first met Ragnarr. It was in a tavern. I sought him out because the locals told me he was a fine source of a wide variety of culturally-centric emotions, which proved to be true. He was very interesting to observe and proved to be a good friend, even if his Humor was misaligned. He was the first to show me the true depth of the emotion of Cursing.
As of Day 303 local time, Ragnarr is dead. Casing unrecoverable, soul location unknown. This unit was inactive at the time of his last observed act, which was severing the final junction between Subplane 3 and the Plane of the Seer Aboleth. He left a series of letters for us after his death. In the end, he hoped that I could experience drunkenness. I believe that this would be a good forgehumping trait to have at this time.
Conclusions:
-day305:
Construction of new furniture did not go well. Weapon practice gained the ire of local authorities. Gave up and retired to isolated location, only to have a fishing hook snag in an ocular. Have since engaged in general Moping at the inn for the rest of the day.
Conclusions: Do not attempt to build then assault chairs. Do not sulk in rivers. Do not die again.
-day306:
All units are fully rested. It is to be noted that Bael'thas and Keniroh were deactivated at the same time as I, and that they have also been restored to full working order. Adjustments to armor complete. Rusty has expressed concern over my recent actions, but I do not foresee issues.
While the forces of the rogue aboleth still abound in this plane, we have decided to honor Ragnarr and his sacrifice by implementing his final desires. His letters were not only addressed to us, but a variety of individuals. It is only proper to deliver them all.
Conclusions: The work of Justice is never complete.
-day307-A:
We have located Ragnarr's ex-wifeRam-mor Ramona using a lock of hair provided by Ragnarr. She is in Stonekeep, and we have travelled accordingly. The number of crystal-wearing people in the city was lower than expected. Ramona was stationed in the keep, and greeted the bad news with alcohol. According to her, the local aboleth forces were somehow distracted by a sea-based elf female in leather, allowing friendly forces to overtake and control the city. As for her, she has agreed to honor Ragnarr's request and will aid us in our missions against the aboleth.
-day307-B + Sigil day0.5:
We have returned to Sigil for further letter delivery. Ragnarr's bar tab has been paid in full. Chris and Lief are doing fine. The psionicengi ist from before, Anna, was also due a letter, which was fortunate as we also needed to run diagnostics on Keniroh. Keniroh's condition, if left untreated, would have destroyed his brain in less than a standard year. Due to our current financial status, we have opted to run a mission for Anna as payment for his treatment.
Conclusions: Ramona is not infernal as was expected, nor is she particularly dog-like. We may have a new ally in the fight against the aboleth.
-day307 + Sigil day1:
Preparations. Anna has explained her mission in full: she desires a special crystal in the city of Bedlam, on edge of the Plane of Pandemonium. We are to travel there tomorrow and acquire it.
Nathanial, the leader of the Mangy privateer division, has contacted us. He claims that he has the final piece of the artifact. Whether or not he does, and whether or not we are to actually receive it is unknown at this time. The odds of this being a ruse to locate the other pieces is very high.
Conclusions: Pending.
I remember when I first met Ragnarr. It was in a tavern. I sought him out because the locals told me he was a fine source of a wide variety of culturally-centric emotions, which proved to be true. He was very interesting to observe and proved to be a good friend, even if his Humor was misaligned. He was the first to show me the true depth of the emotion of Cursing.
As of Day 303 local time, Ragnarr is dead. Casing unrecoverable, soul location unknown. This unit was inactive at the time of his last observed act, which was severing the final junction between Subplane 3 and the Plane of the Seer Aboleth. He left a series of letters for us after his death. In the end, he hoped that I could experience drunkenness. I believe that this would be a good forgehumping trait to have at this time.
Conclusions:
-day305:
Construction of new furniture did not go well. Weapon practice gained the ire of local authorities. Gave up and retired to isolated location, only to have a fishing hook snag in an ocular. Have since engaged in general Moping at the inn for the rest of the day.
Conclusions: Do not attempt to build then assault chairs. Do not sulk in rivers. Do not die again.
-day306:
All units are fully rested. It is to be noted that Bael'thas and Keniroh were deactivated at the same time as I, and that they have also been restored to full working order. Adjustments to armor complete. Rusty has expressed concern over my recent actions, but I do not foresee issues.
While the forces of the rogue aboleth still abound in this plane, we have decided to honor Ragnarr and his sacrifice by implementing his final desires. His letters were not only addressed to us, but a variety of individuals. It is only proper to deliver them all.
Conclusions: The work of Justice is never complete.
-day307-A:
We have located Ragnarr's ex-wife
-day307-B + Sigil day0.5:
We have returned to Sigil for further letter delivery. Ragnarr's bar tab has been paid in full. Chris and Lief are doing fine. The psionic
Conclusions: Ramona is not infernal as was expected, nor is she particularly dog-like. We may have a new ally in the fight against the aboleth.
-day307 + Sigil day1:
Preparations. Anna has explained her mission in full: she desires a special crystal in the city of Bedlam, on edge of the Plane of Pandemonium. We are to travel there tomorrow and acquire it.
Nathanial, the leader of the Mangy privateer division, has contacted us. He claims that he has the final piece of the artifact. Whether or not he does, and whether or not we are to actually receive it is unknown at this time. The odds of this being a ruse to locate the other pieces is very high.
Conclusions: Pending.
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