11 Borrum 64/1

We arrived back at the Justice uneventfully, to witness the end of the Battle of Prajjor’s field, a disasterous loss for the Throalic army. Only the unity of the orcish calvary behind the flag of Cara Fahd kept it from becoming a slaughter, and Moshtug, as their leader, became a hero of the battle. It should have been Rokk Krynn at the head of those troops, in which case Throal would have won, but such are the twists of fate. Neden sounded the retreat, and used the airships to keep his troops from being slaughtered.

The captive we had was Ovad Wucculcian, a name I rememver from our "interview" aboard the Triumph, and he was rather tightlipped until Challaden/Lachadeln entered the room and threatened to resume torturing him. His tongue thus loosened, he told us he was a senior member of the Iopan Holders of the Trust Cells in Bartertown. Drazon Elcomi approached him in some grudge against Throal and offered his services. Drazon was responsible for introducing Denjada, who’s fame in Travar was due to Iopan rumormongers, to Wishten, who subsequently gave her access to the king, who was ill, a fact known only to his closest advisors. Drazon was responsible for stealing the king’s signet ring, and it was easy for Jada, in the guise of the healer "famous throughout Travar" (ha) to finish the dissection ritual. All they had to do was frame Thera.

The arrival of the Triumph played into their hands, obviously a hostile act to take advantage of the recent loss of their king. Neden was of course forced into a war of vengence, little did he know it was against the wrong group. Iopos was free to do as it wished, namely attacking Kaer Eidolon. WE know Thera had a completely different agenda, but I digress....

Once again, Neden’s sword was faster than his thinking, and he silenced the best lead we had, Ovad. Drazon was kept since he WAS nobility, regardless of how unnoble were his actions. But he wasn’t talking much. It is 3 days travel to Bartertown, and I will spend the time healing and training.

64/4 Borum 14

We arrived in Throal to find our "royal" chambers packed. Apparently APPEARANCES are more important than the truth to Neden. I’ll stay at Blue’s place tonight, and decide what to do in the morning.

64/5 Borum 15

I awoke this morning to a messenger in my room. My friends and I have been summoned to the headquarters of the Eye of Throal. I wonder what they want from us THIS time. I spent the day training, and my messenger was always just out of sight. It is now close to the time for the meeting, so I may as well see what they want.

Raleem, Jaril, and Sonorious were also at the meeting, which was run by J’role the thief, along with Wishten, Lachadeln, General Follerian, and Adjmar. They have located Jada, she is in Kaer Eidolon and is planning to sail to Iopos in 3 days. We are to go there, infiltrate the ship, kill Jada, and Drazon if we see him since he somehow escaped, and retrieve Neden’s sword, which was stolen and may be a pattern item for him. They will offer no outside help.

Now, considering that in return for saving Throal, stopping a war, and exposing a framing, we get kicked out of our apartments and threatened with exile, I wasn’t all that inclined to do this for them, I would just as soon LET Neden get remotely dissected again. But Sanjuro pointed out that it would be best for Barsaive if we completed this mission, and it would be great fun to return triumphant and present Neden with his sword.

The General then told us that 2 days ago, a blood elf army marched west, along with many animals and reportedly a blood dragon. Also, a second assault by House Syrtis on Kaer Eidolon failed, and their capitol Axalesko was burned to the ground. Sanjuro was much disturbed by this development. The attacks were not limited to Syrtis, though, as the Citadel of Ishkarat was badly damaged. Thousands of t’skrang are believed to have perished.

At the same time as these attacks, a letter from Mountainshadow to the people of Barsaive was brought to Throal, saying something about the dragons almost finishing with helping Barsaive against its greatest enemy, and will be done within a week, and after that they will no longer associate with the lesser races for 17 decades. I have no idea what he was talking about.

65/1 Borum 16

Early this morning we were led deep into the mines, in the heart of Throal. A riverboat was waiting for us, to carry us along subterranean rivers to an outpost near Eidolon. We should get there by early morning tomorrow.

65/2 Borum 17

A nine hour hike from the outpost brought us to a cliff face overlooking the Serpent River, half a day from the Kaer. Jaril is to lead us, with Sanjuro, Blue, and me taken as "captives", to get onto the boat "theRiver Pearl". I have to hide my journal in my pouch now, which Miranda will carry for me, so I won’t be making an entry for a few days.

65/5 Borum 20

Everything went terribly wrong. I bearly have the heart to put pen to paper, but I must record the events before they are forgotten. Our party is divided now, or what is left of our party at least. Miranda, Raleem and I travel for Throal to report, while Sanjuro and Briana bear Sonorious’s body back to the Triumph. I will start when we approached Kaer Eidolon....

Even from afar we could see the damage to the kaer. Entire sections of wall were torn down, testament to the battle in which she fell for the first time. The River Pearl could be seen at dock, in fact it was hard to miss. It was a huge ship, 200’ long with 3 decks visible above the water, all gilded in gold.

With minor fuss at the front gates, involving Blue causing pain to a guard and Briana establishing her authority over him by knocking him down, we were led through the barracks filled with t’skrang, into a basement and a cell. I was locked in a small box inside the cell, with Sanjuro, Blue, and a blood elf that was already in residence. After recognizing Blue and me from the Blood wood, he untied us.

Briana arrived and after some banter to convince the guards of our relationship, she told us we are leaving tomorrow night, and then wanders off. Our cellmate tells us he is Mirkaltin, former commander of the east wall. While we were talking, a green eyed human looked in at us and said we were worth a lot, and then left to discuss with our "capturers". We would later find out that she was Jada Denarastis.

The next morning we were awakened by 2 trolls, who came in and took Sanjuro. They returned shortly later for Blue and me, and we are gagged and blindfolded. I could hear Briana’s voice at one point, and we were brought aboard the "River Pearl" and thrown into cells in the engine room. WHile there we managed to remove our bonds.

The boat began to move, and after a time Jaril came in and starts shovelling coal with the other t’skrang in the room. Using her shovel, she clubs a guard and throws his keys to Sanjuro. After a quick melee, we took over the room and Jaril led us out to a storage area, where clothes were stored for us in barrels.

Heading upstairs, we could hear the party in the main dining hall. We went up to the living quarters, and found one with a ward. Presuming this was Jada’s, I went outside to go in a vent. 2 guards were there, and I said I was just getting some fresh air. I went back inside and told the others, so Blue immobilized them with visions of their own deaths, while I snuck in the vent.

The room was indeed Jada’s, and Neden’s sword lay on the bed in a case. The room wasn’t as empty as it seemed, as I was attacked by a spirit set here to guard. Knowing it was more than a match for me, I grabbed the sword and a book and flew out the vent. Returning to the hallway, I gave the sword to Blue and we made a plan to get Jada.

Knowing there were 2 escort ships, we decided to send elemental air down the smokestacks, hopefully disabling them, while Sanjuro made our presence known, hopefully drawing Jada upstairs. I flew to one ship with 2 pieces of air, while Miranda shot another 2 down the other with a bolt, and Sanjuro did his thing. By the time i got back, the battle was raging in the hall, but not with whom I expected--Sanjuro was toe to toe wtih a Mad Passion, or at least it looked like one.

Jada and her henchmen at that point came up the central stairway, and i went over to meet them. The way of the scout is not to meet opponents head-on however, and i was quickly knocked unconscious. The rest is what I learned from my companions.

Briana and Sonorious were harassing Jada from the bottom of the stairs, which probably saved the rest of us but cost Sonorious his life, as Jada concentrated most of her spells on them. From what we can guess, she was casting raw magic, by the fact that it attracted the attention of a horror that took the form of a giant leech, which began crushing the ship.

Her lackeys either driven off, dead, or fleeing for their lives, Jada tried to get to her room and use her bone circle to leave. Blue went after her, through the ward and everything, in a desperate attempt to prevent her escape, as she was sorely hurt to begin with and he felt confident he could finish her off. With the leech crushing the ship, and all of us hurt, Miranda picked me up and others grabbed the others, and we fled, hoping that Blue would find his own way out and being unable to help him anyway. While swimming, everyone besides me was horror marked, but the horror ignored us while it feasted on other passengers. We still would have been lost, had not Raleem appeared with a boat and 2 t’skrang to bring us ashore.

Later on, Miranda used a direction arrow to find Blue, and it pointed to the bottom of the serpent river. Hours later she tried again, and he was gone. Perhaps the horror got him. Perhaps the current took him. He was the last to have Neden’s sword, so unless Jada got it from him and escaped, then the sword is surely lost. And so is Blue. Jada’s fate is unknown, there is a chance she could have gated out of her quarters, into corrupted space, in her injured state, and survive. But I doubt it. It is also possible that Blue found some way to survive, and that wasn’t really him at the bottom of the river, but I doubt that also.

So now, Miranda, Raleem and I are headed for Throal, healing along the way, while Sanjuro and Briana bring Sonorious to the Triumph for his final rest.When we’ll meet them again I know not. What we will do next , I don’t know. First we must get to Throal, through hostile territory. For tonight at least we will rest.

66/1 Borum 21

Realizing it would be a 6 day walk through hostile territory to get to Throal, we decided to walk back to the outpost near Eidolon and take the underground rivers again. It should be about a day’s walk to the kaer, and then half a day to the outpost, and another day to get to Throal, that is if there is a riverboat waiting there for us.

66/3 Borum 23

We arrived at the outpost in the afternoon, thankfully without any encounters. The captain was still there, awaiting further orders, so I gave him one to take us back to Throal. Once we get there, we’ll have to go talk to Jerol and tell him what happened. I’m just going to enjoy the boatride for now, and relax, for this is the first safe place we have been in over a week. I can sleep without jumping at every little sound.

67/2 Borrum 27

We made it to Throal uneventfully, late in the afternoon. Reaching the Eye of Throal, we met with Jerol and some others, and related the events of the past few days, and the loss of Blue, Jaril, and Sonorious, and the unknown fate of Jada and Neden’s sword. They have given me back the key to my old quarters, which are "being renovated", and not in use. Small compensation for what we have been through for them, but I will take it nontheless, at least until I am healed. It may be useful at some point after that as well.

67/4 Borrum 29

I am finally whole again, at least in body. It has been hard to get Blue, Jaril, and Sonorious from my thoughts. Perhaps, now that I have no injuries to distract me, I can train and thus distract myself from my thoughts.

68/4 Doddul 4

I went outside of Throal today for the first time in weeks. It was good to be in the open air again, although I did keep looking over my shoulder to make sure no one threatened. I have been close to death twice now, I fear the next time may be the last..... I communed with the winds, building my reserves of strength for the battles to come. I still need to train in a few areas, and then I will be ready to find a mentor.

69/2 Doddul 7

Nights are much worse than the day. During the day, I am able to train and keep busy. It is at night that I awaken, with aching limbs, from dreams of the shattered fragments of my bones grating together, the screams of my companions in my ears. I feel I am ready for the next circle, and will seek a mentor tomorrow.

69/3 Doddul 8

I mentioned my desire to find a mentor to Raleem, who has been about sporadically lately. She introduced me to her friend Mistwing, who agreed to train me in gratitude for keeping Raleem safe. It has been more HER keeping ME safe, but he still was willing. I am going to work hard developing my new talents, so that I may be able to increase another circle before he sets out for home with Raleem.

70/3 Doddul 13

I met with Mistwing again, and he showed me the secrets of the next circle of ability for a windscout. These talents are more difficult, and I will have to spend more time training in them. I have enough new things to think about now, and the dreams are gradually subsiding. Raleem and Mistwing are leaving soon, and then it will be just Miranda and me in Throal. I am getting restless, but feel I should give Briana and Sanjuro more time to get back here from Triumph, so that we are not chasing each other all over Barsaive.

70/5 Doddul 15

I went to find Miranda today, and she was gone. Speaking to her mother, I found out that she has left in search of her brother, who was taken by Theran slavers in a raid on her village. I wish she would have allowed me to help her find him, but respect her need for privacy, and her need to do this alone. I hope Briana and Sanjuro return soon, it is getting lonely here.

71/1 Doddul 16

Raleem left today. She took with her the crystal windling sword that I traded to her for the Charm of the Ages, I hope it serves her well. She is going home to the Striptrees with Mistwing. I have decided to further my studies in elementalism to pass the time. Perhaps I can learn a new spell to use! We shall see....

72/1 Doddul 21

My studies have progressed rapidly over the past few weeks, now that I had the time to attend to them. Thankfully though, I may return to action soon, for Sanjuro and Briana returned today! They want to spend a few more days (2 weeks??) in Throal before setting out, since they have been travelling constantly during the time I was resting. I think that tomorrow I shall set out for home and return Rigban’s belongings to his family. Hopefully his landlord kept them safe.

72/2 Doddul 22

I was able to retrieve Rigban’s belongings, the landlord was more than happy to be rid of them. I am saving him the cost of a courier. It should be a day to get to my village, I will set out immediately.

I arrived at dusk, but something seemed amiss. There were no campfires burning, no dinners being prepared, no noise of any sort, except for the beating of wings behind me.... Turning around I was startled by and startled Raleem. She got here last night, but did not enter. Together we took a look around. The village consists of about 20 huts, but they were all silent. Windows were shattered, things overturned. Arriving at Rigban’s house, I was devastated to find his parents, torn, twisted, and mutilated, hanging on the wall like artwork. With my heart in my throat, I rushed to my parent’s house, but before being able to look inside, Raleem and I were set upon by 4 windlings, but twisted and mutated so that they resembled wasps. One of them pulled up short and cast a spell on me, causing my upper arm to twist and distort, but I still managed to hit him with a flame strike, and he fell from the sky. Raleem faced one while the other two came at me. Raleem disbatched her adversary, while one of the others engaged me in melee. The fourth cast the same contorting magic on Raleem while I finished my opponent, and she began to fall. Luckily I was below her, and had time to flame strike the last one and still dive to catch Raleem before she hit the ground. She remained unconscious in spite of my best efforts to revive her, the back of her skull having been twisted inwards by the spell. Laying her in a sheltered area, I searched our opponents for some clue. They all used bone weapons, and had a strange symbol on their chest. A scan of astral space showed it to be tainted, and there were patterns in some of the buildings, not of people but of preserved objects. My home, thankfully, was empty, and had been for at least a week.

I decided to leave Rigban’s belongings in his parents home, even though they were both murdered. There was nothing of value to anyone who would happen by, on ly personal things his parents might have wanted. Checking on Raleem, I noticed a pouch that one of the changed-lings has around his neck, and found inside a picture of ME with voracious and wearing my hide armor. It seemed to be drawn rather recently, perhaps from sighting on the River Pearl, which would indicate the Denairastas again. I have no way of knowing for sure though.

With a heavy heart, I gathered all of the bodies I could find in the village, after a few I could not make the effort to figure out who they were. About 30 in all, out of 55 or so villagers. I made a large funeral pyre, and then moved Raleem away to rest the night away from the distinctive blaze that might draw unwanted attention. There is a troll moot about half a day away, I will bring Raleem there in the morning and see if they can help.

72/3 Doddul 23

It took longer than I had expected to reach the troll moot, having to carry Raleem. They welcomed me, offered me a place to rest, but unfortunately could not help Raleem. They told me of a storm about 7 days ago that marked the last time they had seen the windlings of my village. I have no idea what that might indicate, and am too tired to think about it now. A shipment of crystal is bound for Throal tomorrow, I will bring Raleem in the cart and hope that the followers of Garlen can help her. Then I will return to ask at the other windling villages in the area and try to find my family. Raleem is my first concern right now.

73/1 Doddul 26

We arrived in Throal in the afternoon, and I brought Raleem to the followers of Garlen. They said that no one there at the time could help her, but that someone would be sent for. I then went to the library to find out what I could about the changed-lings. I found out that they are called "Black Changelings", and are from a kaer on the edge of the Blood Wood. Coincidentally, the blood wood is rather near Iopos.

There were a few hours left before dark, so I decided to go see Briana. When I got to her house, it was a charred ruin. There was no corpse that I could see in the ruins, thankfully, and five sets of tracks left the site. Then to my relief, I heard Briana’s voice lamenting, no, cursing the loss of her house and possessions. Apparently specific items were also stolen. They left a symbol behind as well, but it is different fromthe changelings’ symbol. We were then joined by Sanjuro and Alarian. Alarian had a message from Jaril, informing us of a reward for our efforts being held at the trading house of an obsidiman named Omasu. The three of us decided to camp at Briana’s wreckage, while Alarian went back to town.

73/2 Doddul 27

We were planning on going to see Omasu, and then going to the library to do research, when we heard rumors of an army of namegivers led by a nethermancer entering Throal, recent refugees from Kaer Labenal on the Serpent River. Deciding to investigate, we were thrilled to find that the nethermancer was none other than Midnight Blue!!! I was overjoyed to see my companion alive and well, except for a slight hunchback. The hunch then extended a tentacle! and revealed itself to be the spirit of an octopus that helped him escape. I went to get Briana from the library and share the good news.

She had learned that the symbol belonged to the Followers of Elost, the same name as Sanjuro’s helm and gauntlets. Upon reuniting with the others, I was surprised to find that Sanjuro already had knowledge of this cult, which was based in Kratas. It turns out that he has been investigating them for some time, in connection with the items he already has. We now know our next destination.

But we first had to go see Omasu, a merchant associated with Jaril. Sanjuro, Briana, and I went into Bartertown where his home is. After a long wait, I put on a puppet show for the others, but of course I wasn’t finished when a dwarf interrupted me and asked us to follow him. Having more courtesy than our host would seem to, I put away my puppets not wanting to keep him waiting, for I know firsthand how annoying that can be. We were led into the middle of the complex, where we found Omasu, an obsidiman, lounging in mud in the bright sunlight. I dont see the point in taking a bath in the very thing you take baths to get rid of, but then again I don't understand much about obsidimen. He had two chests for us from Jaril, a reward for our efforts. There was 30000 silver, 5000 for each of us, including Sonorious. I don't know what will be done with his share, but in my mind at least, it is Briana’s to do with as she pleases. She is reluctant to take it for herself, but I am sure she will find something to do with it.

Omasu also wanted to hire us, knowing that we had been to the Triumph. He is interested in plans for the city, so that he and his associates can make plans for its removal. We drew maps for him as best as we could based on memory, and told him all we knew about it including the shields protecting it and its radius of control. He also wants us to try to talk to the liferock if we ever go back. Some obsidimen are trapped inside by the Triumph. In a week he can have something for us that will allow us to talk to them. In the meantime, the others have agreed to accompany me to my village in case there are any more Black Changelings, and find the inhabitants that escaped.

73/3 Doddul 28

What a joyous day! After a quick stop at the library, we set out with heavy heart (at least mine was) from Throal for the ruins of my village, hoping to find my family, fearing to find them dead, and we arrived in late afternoon. A normal-looking windling was there, but he fled at the sight of us. I managed to catch him, and it was my old friend Canol, from my village! My joy at seeing a living villager was increased tenfold when he told me that many others were at the village over the mountain, including my parents and sister! Canol described the night of the attack that drove them away. A dozen of the black Changelings had attacked. Six of those that escaped were injured, twisted by the evil magic like my arm and poor Raleem’s skull were. We set out immediately, and even though we arrived late, there was a celebration at our arrival. We decided to bring my villagers back to Throal in the morning. The original plan was to bring the injured ones there for aid, but everyone decided to come along. I have to rest up for the big journey tomorrow.

73/4 Doddul 29

We all set out today, deciding to stop in my old village first and collect any last belongings that had been left behind. It took longer to get here than I expected, for the old and the very young cannot keep the pace my companions and I normally keep. It took us most of the day to get here, so we’ll spend the night and set out in the morning. It feels strange staying in my parent’s house again, and the village is too quiet.

73/5 Doddul 30

Uneventful day of travel today. Many of the villagers are excited at the prospect of seeing Throal for the first time. We should get there tomorrow.

1/1 Strassa 1 1509

We are back in Throal. I went to see Raleem at the first opportunity, bringing along the injured members of my village. She is still unconscious, but keeps muttering something about a silver diamond, or something like that. I donated 4000 of my silver from Omasu to the Questors of Garlen, to help pay for the aid they are providing. The healer they sent for should arrive soon. I gave my parents the key to my apartment, and showed them where it was. It may be a little small for 20 windlings, but it is only temporary.

The party and I went back to Omasu’s to see if he had the item ready for us. He gave it to Briana, but I didn’t get a good look at it. After that, we went to look into renting an airship, or booking passage on one. Deciding it was too expensive, we signed on with one of Omasu’s caravans traveling that way. Sanjuro has invested heavily in it, so I guess he wants to protect it himself. It leaves in 2 days, and should take 3 weeks or so to reach Kratas. I think I will spend the next two days training and staying with the villagers.

1/3 Strassa 3 1509

The caravan set out today. It was a good two days, catching up with all of my old friends and family that I haven’t seen in a while. The weather is good, and while the wagon is kind of jarring, it should be a good trip.

2/3 Strassa 8

I knew it couldn’t last. After the first week passed uneventfully, it has begun to rain. I stay huddled in the wagon, trying to keep my wings dry. I hope it stops soon.

2/5 Strassa 10

Well, the caravan has become mired in the mud. It is STILL raining, and the caravan master, an obsidiman named H’jen, says it’ll be two days before we are moving again. I hate rain.

3/3 Strassa 13

We’re moving again. We’re about a week and a half from Kratas, if we dont get stuck again. I don’t feel like writing.

4/5 Strassa 20

We are about a day from Kratas. There was a campsite ahead, so H’jen asked for some of us to scout ahead and check it out. It was the sight of an ambush, a little over a day ago. The 4 wagons were ransacked, and no horses were to be found. There were two camps, one within the ring of wagons, one outside. Approaching carefully, we saw a dozen or so namegivers of mixed race lying where they had fallen. Judging from food scraps and various signs, it seems that they were camped here for about three days. The inner camp was eerie, as the people there looked like my party! There was a windling that looked like me, two elves, and two t’skrang that looked like Blue, Briana, Alarian, and Sanjuro. They were all killed in their beds, except for "Sanjuro." He made it outside before he was killed. The killing wounds were nine-inch claw marks, and other smaller ones. Astral space was open, ruling out a horror, but what else could cause such destruction? "My" tent was flattened, with "me" inside. Blue decided to experience the death of the Sanjuro look-alike and try to determine what happened.

I think Blue experienced it a bit too closely though, as he stopped breathing, and we had to administer a last chance salve on him. I might add that this is the first time we have used on on a party member, although we have often used them on people travelling with us. He began breathing shallowly soon after, but it was obvious that he would not awaken anytime soon. So I decided to go track whatever attacked if I could.

I was able to pick up a residue of a very dry smell, and followed the trail of glowing pollen that shows me the way. About two miles out, it ended at a large oak tree, 8 feet around and blasted by lightning. Using my new ability in my bracer, I zapped the area with lightning that makes patterns glow. The tree had a pattern, and I also recognized what appeared to be a bone circle around it. Apparently it served as a gate for whatever attacked, as I have heard Blue speak of such things before. I decided to head back, and was met halfway by Sanjuro and Briana, who had seen my lightning display and came to investigate. I reported what I had found, and they told me some other interesting things. The dead obsidiman at the camp was from very far away according to H’jen, and the t’skrang were of house V’strimin.

With Blue stabilized, and nothing else to be learned here, we set out again. Hopefully the creature will not attack again this night.

5/1 Strassa 21

Today we reached a small town on the banks of the river, opposite Kratas. To our surprise, its leader is Garlthik One-Eye, who last we heard was dead. Apparently those reports were wrong. Blue awakened and told us that in his experiencing death he saw a pool of blackness, like the one from Kaer Fouriam, attack the camp. There were at least three of them, maybe more. We did see one flee from the Kaer when we were there, apparently there are more. Upon meeting Garlthik, we gave false names to try to hide our identity, and he invites us to dinner. As we were leaving the dinner, Sanjuro called out to an ork with his back to us, "Follower of Elost! Stop!" Apparently he had a scar or brand on his hand in the symbol of Elost. All the orks in the area turned to look at us. Of the ones we could see, none had a similar mark. The ones we could not see the palm of were gripping their weapons. After a short discussion about the cult, I can’t remember what was said really, the ork we stopped walked into the woods, followed by one other.

Briana and I decided to follow and see what they did, but after a short conversation they noticed me. Briana aimed at one, demanding to know about the cult, and when he was difficult she shot him through the head. Not in the head, but clean through. Sonorious must have shown her some tricks, cause I have never seen anyone make a shot like that. Getting over my initial shock that she actually SHOT him like that, I took off after the second ork, who fled the scene. I shot him in the leg to stop him, but my little bow doesn’t do much. Briana ran IN FRONT of him, and pulled her screamer sword, and hit him, but he kept going. By this point, the entire camp has heard us and was in pursuit. I gave up the chase and circled back to watch.

A short time later Briana was brought back to camp by the guards, where Sanjuro and Garlthik were talking. Garlthik drops a letter to the ground, apparently written by Sanjuro the last time we were here, demanding the items of Elost. He had intended it to be posted around town, but apparently it was not. When Briana arrived, Garlthik questioned her about killing one of his men, and bearing the sword of an old compatriot--he recognized her sword. He drew his own sword, which cast a green glow, and demanded she defend herself. Blue, even in his weakened state, intervened, saying that the dead ork was loyal to Elost and not to Garlthik. The conversation never was finished, as fire cannons began bombarding us from the river.

I flew up for a better look, making out the banner to be a sword in thorny vines. There was one riverboat, about 20 rafts coming ashore, and I could make out a blood elf on board, which had to be Vistrosh. Birdcalls resounded through the wood, but it was a bird not native to this area--obviously a signal. I knew I had one piece of true air left, so I decided to try to take out the riverboat while my companions tried to get the caravan out of there. I should have pulled away when I realized that the others on the ship were the same group of Therans we saw the first time in Kratas, that almost killed all of us. They are apparently working for Vistrosh now. I attempted my divebombing anyway, and the pouch went right in the smokestack. As I flew away, however, I got hit by an arrow, a dagger, and then wrapped in vines.

Luckily I was near the shore, so I landed on dry ground. Someone picked me up a few minutes later, speaking a language I don’t know. In desperation I scanned the area for any elementals, hoping to enlist their aid. I ended up contacting a great tree spirit, and used a spell to talk to it. I asked it to help us, and then someone knocked me unconscious.

(10/15)--uncertain of the date.

I awoke to see Blue and Briana with me in a 20 by 20 room, of cut stone walls slick with moisture. The door and walls were astrally enhanced to prevent viewing. Still aching and having nothing better to do, I went to sleep.

While I slept I dreamed of the great tree. Ultross came out and asked if I needed help, and what I would offer in return. I promised to do whatever was within my powers that was asked of me, if the Tree could help us escape. I was then told that Ultross was outside of the city, and that we were in a secure cell 30 feet underground. At this point, I awoke with a start, in Sanjuro’s arms. I had been muttering in my sleep. Scratching an itch on the back of my neck, I was startled to find it feel like treebark. Looking back where I had been sleeping, we noticed a small root there, growing from the wall. Blue cast a spell on the door that allowed us to see through it like a window, and we could see a blood elf and two orcs standing guard. I decided to try to talk to the tree through its root, and after a few tries it answered. It will open the door for us so we can get out.

Blue at this point causes the arm of one of the orcs to wither, and the tree touches the wooden door, which begins to dissolve. We all rushed into the room after I flamestrike one of them, but the elf reached the trapdoor anyway and got out despite Briana’s desperate leap to catch him. A chest in the corner held all of our belongings, which we quickly reclaimed. Blue’s spells immobilized the other orcs and then I was knocked unconscious by an explosion in the cell.

Thanks to Briana’s administering of a cup of tea and a booster potion, I was able to get up. Daylight came through the doorway to the cell, and upon investigation I found that it was a tunnel in the wall, made by treeroots, leading to the forest just outside the walls of Kratas. I got back to the guard room just in time to see some orcs and trolls try to get in through the trapdoor. Blue cast a spell that caused the door to grow clawed arms, and it pulled itself shut. A troll managed to get it open, and jumped down to fight, and another followed him down before the door managed to close itself again. Briana scared one with her sword’s scream, and the second one hurt himself badly in the fall, so he posed no real threat.

Knowing it was time to get out, I urged everyone to the tunnel. Briana stayed behind to watch our backs, and Blue created a fog that was supposed to cause fear in our enemies. I cast icy surface to slow them down, and we left, expecting Briana to follow close behind. Sounds of combat followed soon after, and Briana quickly caught up to us, knowing better than to fight against the odds she faced below. Apparently Blue’s spell didn’t work so well, and he sheepishly admitted that he had to be looking at the people in it to scare them away.

When we got out of the tunnel, the Great Tree was there in a clearing, and the roots holding the tunnel quickly withdrew, blocking the tunnel. I thanked him for his help, and then under Briana’s advice we went half an hour into the woods to rest, for we are all sorely hurt. Some sleep before approaching Daiche is definitely in order.

5/4 Strassa 24

After several hours sleep, we set out in darkness for Daiche. By the time we got there, it was morning. Walking along the streets, Briana spotted Sanjuro, and managed to get his attention with her archery talent of stopping aim. He quickly made some excuse to the group he was travelling with, and rejoined us. After quickly catching up, we decided to go form our group pattern finally. We are now officially the Bearers of Akasha, and we actually managed to keep Sanjuro from making too much ceremony out of the event. Our symbol is the dragonhead that formed the top of coolstaff, and my personal symbol is a wooden carving of Akasha that I made. Thus united, we returned to Daiche and got separate rooms at different inns so that no one would connect us with each other and realize who we were.

I stayed in Sanjuro’s room, feeling it was foolish for me to get an entire room for myself. He told me that he left notes with the Tylon River Trading Company for his mentor, Omasu’s people, for Garlthik, and for the Head of the Cult of Elost, a challenge of some sort. Leave it to a swordmaster to broadcast a challenge to everyone in the area, when we are trying to remain inconspicuous!

He then related to me his concern over Briana, and her bloodthirsty tendencies of late. She seems to be living just to kill more people, those that have wronged her or question her abilities. I remember her killing that elf the last time we were in Kratas, and the head-shot ork, and her willingness to stay behind and fight when it was unnecessary during our escape. Certainly, the passions have been unkind to her, taking Sonorious, and then her home and belongings, from her. I only hope she can find something better to live for than to kill. We should keep an eye on her.

Becoming restless, I went out into the town to see if I could spot any members of the cult of Elost, or any other groups that might be looking for us, when I noticed a group of men offering money for information on Briana. Gold, no less! Discreetly following them, they ended up at the inn she was staying at. Knowing the innkeeper would talk for gold(most people would!), I quickly flew up to Bri’s window to tell her of the danger. She wasn’t there, but I was able to find a track to follow. Just as I left the window, her door was broken in by the questioners. I flew full speed following the trail, and found her down by the docks. I told her what I saw, and she says that she just saw a follower of Elost, but if I could go watch for the pursuers, she would follow him and see where he went.

Heading back to the inn, I spotted one of them heading towards Briana. Quickly finding her again, I told her, and she went down an alley to lose him while I took up the chase of the Elost person. I followed him to an inn at the far end of our street, and went back to Briana to tell her, but she was not there. Her tracks led back to the inn. She was gone before I got there, but Blue was there, and said she spoke with him and the people following her were Therans and she had to go meet with them across the river. Knowing we had little time to catch up with her, I flew out again in search of Sanjuro, and encountered him on his return to town. Quickly filling him in, we went and bought horses, got Blue, and went after her.

She was supposed to meet them at the Shattered Towers, so after crossing the river we headed there in haste. When we got there, we were startled to see one of the towers rising into the air. In fact it was not a tower, but a THERAN KILO rising out of the wreckage. Its name was "the Ascendency", property and personal transport of one Overgovernor Kibros of Barsaive. Two vedettes rose soon after that in escort.

10/22

Knowing Briana to be on the Kilo, and having no way to catch up, we decided to explore the towers. My better vantage point allowed me to see where the vedettes had landed, but no other clues were revealed. I stayed above to keep watch, while the others went into a tower. They were not gone long when I spotted a vedette returning to the site. Rushing down the stairs of the tower, I quickly found them and told them of our visitors. We all went back aboveground, and stood about while it approached, not sure if we should run or stand. It soon became too late as the people onboard spotted us and headed in our direction. It was the adepts that had captured us for Vistrosh! What were they doing with the Therans? Waiting expectantly, we tensed when a rope was lowered, but only a single orc slid down. He approached warily, and asked if we were the Bearers. Seeing no point in lying, I said yes and he then gave us a message and hastily left. It was from Briana, saying she had some business in Thera to take care of but that she would meet us in Viln when she was able. We decided to set out as soon as possible, after restocking our supplies in Daiche. By horse it should be 15 days to Viln, we shall set out in the morning.

7/3 Veltom 3

It has been an easy journey thus far, and we could see the Twilight peaks off in the distance as we stopped to make camp. I only hope the rest of the trip passes as uneventfully.

7/5 Veltom 5

It was just past sunset today that we came in view of the Delaris River. Stopping to admire the dazzling display of the sun behind the Twilight Peaks, we noticed a formation of calvary approaching. Riding forward in confidence to meet them, we soon made them out to be 20 orcs riding thunderbeasts and heavy horses, bearing the standards of Cara Fahd and of Moshtug, recognizable from the Battle of Prajor’s Field. They pulled up 100 feet away, and we could see that Moshtug was not with them.

In reply to our greeting, the leader replied in what must have become a standard warning for tresspassers, the edict first given by Rokk Krynn on that fateful day of his demise. We humbly asked for permission to enter Cara Fahd, and were told in reply that permission was not granted to just anyone. Drawing Voracious, I innocently (if that is possible for a windling) asked if that included the Protector of Viln. The change was both stunning and amusing, as for perhaps the first time in Barsavian history, an entire command of orcs bowed to a windling and their leader kneeled at his feet. Sgt. Glarg Passionblest was that leader, of Glarg’s Guardians. He apologized profusely for not recognizing me, and perhaps paled slightly as Blue suggested I command him to kill himself for such an affront. Not thinking that to be the best way to accept my new title, I instead commanded him to act as our honor guard to Viln. He agreed, and suggested that we rest the night at their main camp, 3 hours away.

This gave us ample time to get filled in on the state of things. Krathas has reestablished Viln as a main base. Various troops of orcs guard the borders, with the most problems arising in the south. The larger territory there houses numerous renegade groups that question the new leadership. We reached the base, set in the foothills of the Twilight Peaks, to be greeted by 300 orcs. It is apparent that this will become a permanent outpost eventually, but for now it is mostly wood and cloth. They set out a feast for us, especially when compared to the trail rations we have been eating. Sanjuro then told them the story of the battle on the River Pearl, and they honored us with a telling of Krathas Gron’s adventuring and her great vision of the passions. We will set out in the morning for the last 3-day leg of our journey, so I must get some rest until then.

8/1 Veltom 6

We set out late afternoon today, with our escort of hung-over orcs and bearing a coat of arms. Sanjuro agreed to carry it for me, an ancient banner with the coat of arms of the Lord Protector of Viln, with Voracious prominently displayed in the crest. The banner itself has a pattern, which seems to be re-weaving itself. We were disappointed to learn that Moshtug had been in the camp early this morning, but quickly set out again upon learning of our presence. We’ll have to track him down at a later date. Two more days should see us to the gates of Viln, and the end of our journey but the beginning of our task.

8/3 Veltom 8

Late today we arrived at Viln. It looks more or less the same, with a few minor changes. The lake seems to be less inhabited, the large water snakes not to be seen. There is a makeshift bridge made of wooden planks crossing to the canal, and smoke can be seen rising over the foundries. Small buildings pepper the plains outside the walls, and the valley is being cultivated. We could see the stone buildings are for the most part inhabited, while the wooden ones have been torn down to make room. As we crossed the bridge, orcs on it moved aside to allow us to pass, while a fanfare of trumpets announced our arrival.

The wreckages in the lakebed have been removed, and a large tent had been erected there, the center of a large marketplace. We were led in the direction of the castle where the wyverns had been caged, and getting my bearings I glanced in the direciton of the blood bee hive, only to see a blackened scorchmark on the wall. Rumors abounded in the marketplace, but we were pleased to hear mention of a two-tailed t’skrang living somewhere in the city. Some asked us if we had heard the tales, I felt tempted to tell them we had SEEN the TAILS, but held my tongue. We saw only orcs today, no other namegivers in the city.

Entering the courtyard of the castle, we could see a wyvern skeleton suspended above us. I asked Glarg, who was still leading us around, if there was a story behind it, and he said that publicly, Krathas singlehandedly killed 2 wyverns when she first entered the city, but knowing the condition they must have been in by that time considering their confinement, I doubt that was very difficult. I wondered briefly what happened to the second one.

We were led into the throne room, where Krathas reclined on a throne made of the bones of the second wyvern, thus answering my question. She appears to be about 20, but legend has it she adventured for over 40 years at least. As we approached, a wave of energy passed over us, and then ebbed away, no elementalist ability that I know of, but it seemed to have no ill effect. She expressed her pleasure at finally meeting the Lord Protector, and called Sanjuro and Blue by name. At our prompting, she told us of Rokk’s last day, and that he was in fact dead. She is unwilling to investigate, however, since it would cause her to lose support. Moshtug is away protecting the northern border. In typical orc fashion, she spoke of the orc destiny to form an orcish nation, and our arguing for support for an investigation proved futile.

Krathas offered us quarters within the castle, which we readily accepted, and requested the honor of having us take our oaths of office. Being part of the reason we came here, we of course agreed. We will have a residence of our own in short time, a 50 foot tower, one entrance on the ground floor, and a basement for Blue to set up a laboratory. She informed us that the Corinthian’s cave had been reopened, revealing the cavern full of bones and a doorway that you can see into but cannot enter. As an afterthought, I asked Krathas if she knew the namegiver that forged Voracious and Vitriol, as this knowledge is needed to weave a higher thread to them. Fortunately, she did know the name, it was *******.

We took our leave after making preliminary preparations for the next few days. We will have the ceremony in 3 days time, and in the meantime we plan to explore the cave, and the crystal castle, and get a feel for the local sentiment. Sanjuro has gone off to the guild hall, to make sure that he is the chosen Lord of Viln. The guild hall is serving as the center of government right now. That can all wait till tomorrow though. A soft bed calls my name.

10/29

Alas, it was not a call that could be answered! We were back in our tower for a short time when a knock at the door announced the arrival of our first visitor. It was a short old orc, who said his name is Vezzig. He is the personal advisor to Krathas and has been acting Lord of Viln in our absence. Which reminds me, Sanjuro returned from the Guild Hall proudly bearing Vitriol, with his name the last listed on the blade. Amazingly, Rokk’s appeared above his, but so did his year of death, finally confirming his fate if we had any doubts to the orks’ reporting of it. So back to Vezzig- he offered his services to us, and although he probably meant in the morning, we decided to tour the crystal castle if we could. He claimed there was no way in, but we knew we could go over the wall with my sky lattice or up the tunnel from the canal, so we persisted. He finally agreed.

Sure enough, the canal was still there, but now it was filled with two feet of sludge, which didn’t bother me at all but the others had no desire to wade through sewage. So I flew up to take a look before creating the sky lattice, while the others moved around to the front door of the castle. There was a tent set up in the courtyard, and some investigation revealed Grammy Black! I rushed back to the others, and created the lattice. We announced ourselves to Grammy, and were startled to find him with the Corinthian’s crystal visor, which Maxwell was supposed to be wearing back in Throal. Grammy insisted that the Corinthian left it for him AFTER we had left the last time, which would mean either Grammy is delusional and confused, or the Corinthian is still alive, or both.

After the usual confusing pleasantries, we got around to the topic of entry to thecastle. Black said he came in through the sewers, that a key was needed for the front door, which he doesn’t have. He then excused himself to get more "tea", and after he left we decided to leave as well, but didn’t want to just run off. I tried tracking to see where he went, and his trail led INTO THE WALL! A quick investigation revealed that we could also pass through, slowly. Vezzig stayed behind.

We found ourselves in a 10x15 foot "room", suspended in midair! We could see outside the castle all around, but i’m certain no one could see us, even Vezzig. Grammy used this place to store his "food". The floor appeared as hazy, as did the oval "doors" on either end of the room. The door we came in was open, but a key was needed for the other. According to Grammy, it looks like a black orb that I could probably just reach my arms around. We took our leave, thinking of what other wonders this place could hold. We told Vezzig to keep both eyes open for the "key", after seeing if it had been found already. No such luck. Creating two more sky lattices, we left. If we don’t find that key soon, I may want to consider making permanent bridges....

We went on to the cave, not daunted by the late hour. Another sky lattice got us across, to the entryway which was strewn with digging tools. I used the Nimbus Bracer to improve the lighting, and we ventured in past the remains of the Therans’ wall. Blue was eager to get components for bone circles, and to animate the manticore, while the others of us wanted to check the gate. A strong smell of death told of this place’s past, and a dim light ahead told of the recent intrusion. In the cavern were light crystals, to show the workers their way during the massive clean up that had been held. Blue was heartbroken--not a single bone was to be seen. All had been buried, including the manticore, which had also been burned. So much for my hopes of getting a lock of hair from my greatest vanquished foe....

The most disturbing sight was the OPEN gate at the top of the ramp. Rushing forward, I was stopped short at the doorway by an unseen force (>23 willpower). Sanjuro tried to pass as well, to no result other than a bruised snout. We then noticed in alarm that the Corinthian’s bones were also gone. I half-hoped that they had been cleaned out with the others, for the alternative was disturbing. The cleanout, according to Vezzig, was done by the "Viln Exploratory Force", who we have to speak to and get to the bottom of this. There were also splotches of blood on the wall, but they were old as far as I could tell. We went back to our tower, and Sanjuro went to the Guild Hall to ask about the VEF. I will wait till tomorrow to see what he learned. It is late and tomorrow is sure to be another busy day.

8/4 Veltom 9

A knock at the door this morning awoke us, much earlier than I would have wanted. At least it was good news though, reporting that Briana was crossing the bridge into Viln. A short time later, she arrived at the tower, none the worse for wear as far as I could tell. She told us of her adventures apart from us, where she spoke with first Governor Powluss, and went to Skypoint. From her description, it sounds like there is a Theran occupation force camped there.

We have decided to have the swearing in ceremony tomorrow, and went to inform Krathas. She stumbled in after a short wait, slightly hung over. We told her about the occupation of Skypoint, which had been nearly abandoned a few months ago. There are occupying forces in other regions as well.

Meeting adjourned, we went back to our tower, only to find a note on the door that a member of the VEF had been here, but left. He said he’d go to the Guild Hall, so that’s where we went. Inquiring at the main table, we learned that oddly enough, and yet in a way not unexpected, there is only one surviving member of the group: Roward Redfist, Miner 3rd class. We found him on the lower level by the bar. Buying him a drink, we learned that when they were first there, the doorway was a stone wall within the archway, and there was no skeleton there at the top of the ramp. His companions have all died, mostly in accidents in the mines. Wishing him well, but fearing his future will be short, we returned to our tower to prepare for tomorrow. Briana and Blue set out to speak with the Fists of Fahd, a group of scorchers in the area.

8/5 Veltom 10

Well, today wasn’t as uneventful as we had hoped. Bri and Blue returned in the morning, reporting that bards were about telling tales as Sanjuro had requested. At the appointed time, we made our way to the Guild Hall. I wore my crystal ringlet, which seemed more appropriate for the occasion. Banners old and new were hanging throughout a filled guildhall. The crowd responded energetically to Krathas’s speech, talking of a new Cara Fahd, with new relations with all of Barsaive, as laid out by the choice of non orcs by the passions as the lord and protector of viln. I got the feeling that her introduction of us was cheered more for her than for us, but they truly honored us with gifts marking the occasion.

First was a large shallow chest presented by representatives of the weaponsmiths. Within were matched scabbards of steel, orichalcum, and silver, one for each of us, to replace the original scabbards that have been lost in antiquity. They are beautiful, and the weaponsmiths should be as proud of their creations as I am to wear it. Next was the Merchant’s guild. Their gift to me was 2 bodyguards, Cruzag Tallfoot and Harg the Boneless. This was followed by a child, to remind us of who we now serve, carrying a small box. She had a pendant for me, very similar to the Charm of the Ages that Miranda carries. Krathas said it was to remind us that you can’t have a glorious empire without a wise ruler, and that TRUE glory doesn’t come from war.

Sir Blackface of the Miner’s guild gave me the services of craftsmen, and the supplies needed, to rebuild Highfang, the watchtower on the cliffs. The next gift was a dozen calvarymen to serve as host while I am in the city. At this point Questors came forward to bestow the blessings of the passions in battles to come, and they gave a scroll to Sanjuro.

In what we thought would be the final act of the ceremony before the oath, Krathas herself presented her gifts. She surrendered the militia of 350 orcs to me, and to Sanjuro she promised the loyalty of the city. At this point, things got a bit strange, as another group of Questors arrived to give their blessing. The robes of the first group collapsed to the floor, empty. At this point, Sanjuro opened the scroll they had given him, to find it a challenge from the Cult of Elost!

The REAL Questors stepped forward, and said that they would give us a blessing, but it has already been done. Instead they said "May all who copy your spirits and souls be as successful as those that copied your bodies", which seemed to refer to the dopplegangers we encountered, or rather found, outside of Kratas, but we never got a chance to ask them about it further. They then showed the pattern of Cara Fahd, which was visibly stronger than it had been.

Using Vitriol and Voracious, we then swore the blood oaths to protect Viln and the people of Cara Fahd. Our blood flowed down the blade to fill our enscribed names, and turned to orichalcum. Scanning the crowd, I spotten Grammy on the second level. He was juggling 2 apples and a black orb, possibly the key he spoke of! Not able to go up by myself, I signalled to Briana, who jumped up next to him and had a conversation with him.

The new Lord and Protector of Viln led the procession out, and the festivities began. Bri later managed to tell us that Grammy does have a key, and wants us to meet him for a tour of the crystal palace. I solidified my connection to Voracious, and it is now late so I will go to bed.

9/1 Veltom 11

10/31

9/2 Veltom 12

Yesterday we set out for the Crystal Palace to meet with Grammy. The reason I am writing this a day later will soon be apparent.

We arrived without incident, my 12 mounted calvary clearing a path for us, and my 2 bodyguards staying close. I’m just grateful the masons didn’t also tag along. When we got there, Black climed out of the sewer to meet us. He told us to meet him inside, and then went back in. Not wanting to make the others crawl through muck, I created sky lattices like last time, and had to order the calvary not to follow us up. My bodyguards did come with us, and probably would have disobeyed if I had told them not to.

We met Black in the secret area that we went to last time. Black touched the orb to the other cloudy area that passed for a door, and it "opened", or at least allowed us to pass. With a flourish, Grammy pronounced "Welcome to the High Tower, where the conquest of *** and the defense of Viln were planned, and succeeded." He led us into a vast chamber, similar to the Guildhall. We were on the fourth floor of a 9 story opening, and you could see the top of the tower. The central chamber was occupied by a giant crystal. Black explained that this was the Grand Auditorium, where the orcs would meet before battle to gain blessings and courage.

Black then led us to a closed door, which he opened with the orb, and then another, and led us into a small room, the Grand Strategy Room of Viln. On the far wall were 2 maps, one of Cara Fahd, showing in great detail the terrain and location of various cities and kaers. The other, less detailed but no less impressive, was all of Barsaive. They were apparently current as well, if the date in the corner could be believed.

Off to one side was a series of crystals, labeled in orcish but I didn’t get a chance to study them closely. Black showed us some sockets for them on a control board, and pointed out bars on the map that indicated the level of magic in that area. Manipulating the controls, Black showed us that it was possible to alter the time shown on the map, and then showed us a comparison between last year and today. To our surprise, several places showed an INCREASE in magic levels, including Viln, Parlanth, Cliff City, and the Blood Wood, when magic in general should be declining.

With a malicious grin, he then revealed that the charm I had been given could be used to free the Horror that controlled the Corinthian, and then Black removed his visor to reveal mouths where his eyes should be! With a cry, Sanjuro accused this reborn Corinthian of killing the real Black, but he just grinned and said Black had been dead for a long, long time. He played us for fools the entire time we had been here!

What follows is a blur. Even the 6 of us were hard pressed, for the Corinthian used the 2 tails of his current form to devastating effect. He also had the aid of the black orb that he had used as a key, which he released. It levitated on its own, andthen began to draw the charm, and my pouch which it was in, towards it! While the Corinthian summoned a black poisonous fog into the room, I yelled for Cruzag to help me hold the pouch and not let it touch the orb, for I feared that the orb would somehow take the charm and free the horror. Even his strength was hard pressed, and not enough to withstand its dark pull. Working together, we managed to bring down the Corinthian once again, and he collapsed into a pile of ash and bat wings. But not before the rest of us were sorely injured, and not before the orb flew out the door, pulling my pouch and dragging Cruzag behind it. Despite my weakened condition, I flew in pursuit, through the Grand Auditorium. I watched in horror as Cruzag exploded into a red mist, but flew straight through in my desperation to stop the orb. Allowing all of my rage and strentgh to flow out into one final desperate blow, I struck at the orb.....

11/11

I was startled to awaken in the arms of an orc, but soon my blurry eyes recognized Harg the Boneless. Looking around, I could see pieces of the orb scattered about. I soon spotted my pouch, with poor Cruzag’s hand still grasping it. The rest of him coated the walls and floor. Blue picked up the hand, and gave me the pouch. The calvary had arrived at this point, literally. Erdon Egag and "Garnel’s Gallopers" had arrived, visible through the front gate of the castle, which had opened at the orb’s approach. I remember Sanjuro at some point mentioning that Voracious and Vitriol also worked as keys to the castle, a fact he discovered in escaping from the mist in the room, where he got trapped when the orb left. While we caught our breath, Sanjuro tried to send someone to get Krathas, but she was not around. We decided to leave a guard at the castle since the door was open, and go to the tower. Leaving 6 calvarymen behind, we set out and quickly picked up an escort of about 50. At the tower, 3 dozen orcs stayed to stand guard, while the others went elsewhere with other duties.

After a little while, 2 orc questors with an escort of 4 arrived. They did an amazing job of healing me, and I felt better immediately. It must have been my connection to Cara Fahd because they were not as successful in helping Briana. Sanjuro went to gather up Cruzag’s remains, but I had to stay in the tower to rest.

9/3 Veltom 13

I had the most unusual dreams last night. I was charging into battle against humans, wielding Voracious in one hand, surrounded by orcs. There must have been several sequences, though, for the styles of armor and clothing kept changing. The last dream was most disturbing. I don’t know how it would be possible, but I was carrying the combined weapon, overseeing a ritual that molded little children of the city into a ward to protect the city from horrors... I also somehow know that my amulet is called the Pendant of Independence, but how I know is a mystery. Perhaps the same bond to Cara Fahd that helped me heal is giving me knowledge.

On top of that, Briana approached me this morning with concern about my reasons for pledging myself to Viln so soon after pledging to the Bearers. She didn’t see that I owed anything to Rokk’s memory, and didn’t think a "neat sword" was worth the commitment. She feels that I am trying to serve 2 sets of goals without thinking of everyone else. She doesn’t want to stay here, and I cannot leave. We as Bearers have sworn to protect Barsaive, but Cara Fahd is no longer a part of Barsaive. I tried to explain that I accepted the title because the passions CHOSE me for this position, not out of some sense of debt to departed friends or the persuasion of a t’skrang. I sent the sword back, but my name appeared on it when they brought it to the Guild Hall. Perhaps there is something I have to do here, maybe to reunite Cara Fahd with Barsaive (which would not happen if the Lord and Protectors were both orcs), or perhaps finish what we started with the Corinthian, which we may have done. Maybe some other task has been set for me to do. Once it is complete, then I can pass the title on. The last thing I want is to have the lives of hundreds of namegivers on my shoulders, I already have one on my conscience. But until I feel that my duty has been performed, and I can find a suitable replacement, I will execute this position of honor to the best of my ability.

Then Blue used some spell to help me heal, for even though the Questors did a great job yesterday, I was still in bad shape. Upon going to the lower level of the tower, I noticed a female orc in the shadows. Confronting her, I found out she is Humjn the Wanderer, daughter of Cruzag Tallfoot, and my new bodyguard. I’m not so comfortable having these people around ready to die in my defense, I feel *I* should be protecting *them*, size notwithstanding. There is nothing I can do about it, except slip away when they are not watching. Which I did shortly before Cruzag’s funeral. I had this strange urge to go to the marketplace alone, and as I wandered through, a merchant gave his new Protector a gift- an astral eye blood charm, which had a small gem with it. As he explained it, I can leave the gem in another location, and see through it as an eye. I hesitate to attach it, as I already regret the targeting eye that I implanted and never use. This would be a similar thing, and would consume my other eye. The desire to try it is still strong though, for it would be a useful thing to have.

Sanjuro announced at the funeral that we would be implementing an award for sacrifice to the city in memory of Cruzag. We presented it to his widow Ledarg, and his children Humja, Freidal, Raggmin, and Greft. Afterwards, I went into the city to acquire a sword for a backup to Voracious for when I loan it to Sanjuro in combat. The 2 are more powerful as one. I then sought out an elementalist to train me. It was the wierdest thing, travelling through the city, I KNEW all of the streets, even when they were unmarked, along with shortcuts, twists and turns, and other details that could not possibly be my own, like former residents of homes. This one house, I was certain belonged to my good friend Alarc Greenfang, and yet I’m fairly certain I’ve never met him in my life! And to top it all off, I had a strong desire for a mug of Hurlg!

We went to see Krathas in the evening, but Vezzig said she had left for Madriban, the original capital of Cara Fahd. He told us that we are responsible for the northern border, which was currently guarded by Moshtug’s group. We thought we’d spend at least 2 weeks in Viln, taking care of business. To get things rolling, I saw about getting construction of the tower started, and as I thought about it I remembered a secret passage to it through the mines....

9/4 Veltom 14

We went to speak to the "real" Questors today, to see what they could tell us about the fakes that were at our oath ceremony. We had no trouble finding them, as Sanjuro and I seem to gain more and more knowledge of the city every day, far more than if we just lived here. It turns out the Questors had been delayed by a terrible rainstorm, but oddly enough the ground was dry in the morning. They hurried back, and arrived when we saw them. After the ceremony, they examined the robes of the vanished Questors, and found some bones and an odd, shiny poultice on the floor. Blue determined that the bones constituted a complete troll hand, and I was able to tell that the poultice was made up of 5 components, 3 that were common but two that I have never encountered. We will probably have to go to the Cult of Elost to find out, for they are the ones behind this.

Later this afternoon, Blue told us he got a message from Hithloday, and that he wishes to speak with him. Blue has to go to Madriban to meet him, so Sanjuro and I decided to go with him and see Krathas. We should get there in one day, so we’ll leave tomorrow.

9/5 Veltom 15

My calvary insisted on coming with us. Even so, we managed to get to Madriban in good time. According to Blue, we had to find a fountain. It was in the middle of the city, and in the center of the fountain was a statue of an orc strangling a human, only the orc’s head had been broken off. While we watched, the human statue removed the arms of the orc statue. At this point, my men got nervous so I led them away, allowing Blue to do what he had to do.

Sanjuro came to us a short time later, to tell us Blue went through a portal. We went to see Krathas, and after a brief talk an orc rushed in, nervously claiming a STATUE wanted to talk to us. I went to see what it wanted, more to SEE it than anything else, and it was a messenger from Blue that he would be back in about a week. Sanjuro and I decided to stay in Madriban until he comes back.

10/1 Veltom 16

I awoke today crying blood, and a throbbing pain in my eye. I can’t imagine what could be wrong. I decided to go out and find a mentor, as my studies in elementalism are progressing rapidly. I found one easliy enough, Dravah by name, and he agreed to train me. He would accept no payment, due to my status as Protector, and for the services that I have and will render to the nation in that position. The training will take up most of my time in Madriban.

10/5 Veltom 20

Blue returned today. Apparently Etinos had been used to bring Hithloday back. You will remember that someone else had to be sacrificed so the switch could be made? I doubt Etinos did it willingly.... Sanjuro had not been idle during the time in Madriban, formulating a Civic Ordinance Plan for Viln, which he hopes will include militia posts throughout the city that would serve as police or as a defensive force in times of war. He wanted me to decide where and how many we should place, along with plans for and training towards implementing an evacuation plan toward bomb shelters (to be built), a defense plan in the event of an invasion (street to street, building to building!), and that we have a large number of adepts as part of the Viln Guard. I don't know where he plans to get the money for all of this, or why he is expecting Viln to get invaded by anything that could be fought in such a manner, frankly I was hoping to be done with this position before any long term planning was required. We’ll see what happens.

We have decided to head for Kaer Labinou and confront the Cult of Elost, who are going there to retrieve one of the items of Elost. Sanjuro claims it is in answer to their challenge to us in the message delivered by the false Questors, but I think he may have another motive in mind. Granted, it would be a good idea to keep the Cult from collecting too many of the items, but I don’t know if Sanjuro having all of them is a good idea either. The "official" reason for the trip is to free the orcs that are in the Kaer, which we proposed to Krathas. She thinks it would be a good show of strength and purpose for the new Lord and Protector of Viln to undertake such a quest.

11/1 Veltom 21

We arrived at Kaer Labinou in our airship, to find a tent in front of the cavern that Blue came out of when he left the Kaer last time. The clerk told us that there was an expeditionary force below, led by the Damris Trading Corporation, and that we couldn’t go down. Blue scared him out of the way, and we headed down.

1/21/98

With the guard gone, we decided to make some last minute preparations before descending. After the others did their karma rituals or otherwise readied themselves, we proceeded into the caves, 2 miles from the Serpent river. The dozen soldiers we brought with us turned out to be my Gallopers, the soldiers given into my direct command on the day of the oath, led by Captain Izban. Adding in Humja, Harg, and the Bearers, our group was 15 strong. Entering the caves, we found ourselves in a long fissure in the rock, 20 feet high and about 3 feet wide. Proceeding single file, we passed through about a quarter of a mile, spreading out a bit when the passage widened and the largest of us just squeezing through where it narrowed. At this point, the floor dropped into a rock chimney leading down, with a rope hanging into the darkness. I flew ahead to investigate, while my bodyguards followed close behind on the rope.

I found myself entering through the ceiling in the center of a large round room, about 5 feet above the floor. The chimney had been short, maybe five more feet above that. A campsite about 7 days old was off to one side, and various holes in the floor led into darkness, with ropes hanging into the larger ones. While the room itself was dry, the colorful rock formations decorating the room gave evidence of the moisture that once musthave been here at one time to form the stalagmites and stalactites. From their new appearance, we guessed the ropes to be from Jaril’s group. The many tracks in the room showed their search, so we ignored the 3 holes with single prints going to and from them, assuming that meant a single scout returned, probably from a dead end. That left four to investigate.

Briana claimed to hear running water in the first shaft, and the two of us proceeded cautiously down. About 40 feet down, I discovered that elven ears may be keener than a windling’s, for the 10 foot wide corridor below was indeed filled with a swift current of water fillling it almost to the roof. Deciding this was not an attractive way to go, we returned to the chamber.

The second tunnel led down a short distance before twisting, so that we could not see the bottom, but could hear dripping water. We went in, and were able to walk on the ground where the tunnel curved to near-level. It opened into a large spherical room, the bottom 5 feet or so covered in water, and a rope leading down. Seeing no obvious exits from it, we decided to try our luck in the next one.

This one was no better, for after a short climb down a damp rope, we discovered the end was hanging in a pool of stagnant water of indeterminant depth. So much for the third time being the charm.

The fourth was considerable deeper than these others, and had two ropes leading into it. 80 feet down, it began to level out, until it was enough to walk on without rope. About 100 feet down the corridor, it opened into a chamber, where the remains of a campsite could be found. It was still 7-8 days old, and after the rest of the group arrived, one of the Gallopers said it would make a good place to rest, and by the weary expressions on their faces, I decided to agree with him. They set up camp while Briana and I moved down the tunnel leading from the chamber to determine what direction the other group had taken, and to make sure it was safe.

A short way from the chamber, the passage broke off into 3 branches. Two of them the group returned from, but from the signs we could pick up, a party of at least 5 went down the corridor all the way on the right. We decided that we would go that way in the "morning", or at least after we had rested. Dividing everyone, we have four watches of two hours, with one pair watching the rope we came down, and one pair watching down the corridor leading deeper into the kaer.

11/2 Veltom 22

This morning, during Sanjuro and my watch, I could hear the sound of many metal shod feet running through the corridors to the left. I went to investigate, telling Sanjuro that I would light my bracer if I needed help. The sound persisted, so we got the others. Briana’s sword began to hum, and the sound passed over us. Blue detected another pasageway about 5 feet through the ceiling of rock through astral space, so we decided that is where it came from, and went back to finish our rest.

After finally setting out, we followed the tracks into the right passage. There were many passages to the sides, but the tracks doubled back so we just continued forward. Noises kept coming to us in the darkness, but they would stop after a time. Then Briana’s sword began to hum. There were side passages every 30 feet or so. Then the sound of feet came again, coming towards us, and we stopped to listen. Suddenly the orc at the back of the party was snatched into a side passage. No one saw what happened, but I flew in to investigate, and all I found was a smear on the floor, and then the orc splatched against the wall. Returning to the others, Briana advised us to continue on as fast as we could rather than moving cautiously and in fear.

20 minutes further on, the tracks came to an end at a cave in. Deciding to try and dig our way through, we set up a rotation, and I cast blizzard sphere at the back of the party to prevent any attack from that direction. Suddenly, one of the orcs digging was grabbed, and a leg falls from the hole in the ceiling that we had exposed.

We went up into the hole, and found a tunnel perpendicular to our tunnel, but at a slope. The body of the orc could be seen down the corridor. Briana pointed out the pockmarks all along the walls, all along the tunnel. Sanjuro then remembered a story he heard once of a creature that could have made these marks, a barrel shaped thing with spikes all around it, with a giant neck with a fang-filled mouth, and a long tail. Hard as stone, fast as the wind. I tried to contact an earth elemental to see if they would help us, but there were none to be found. Is is possible they were all scared away?

Sanjuro formed ViVo, and we decide to try to follow it, hunting it rather than being hunted. The tracks spiral down the corridor, up onto the ceiling and back down again. With 3 feet between each mark, this thing must be moving FAST! Calling the orcs up to us, we began traveling through the tunnel. The rumbling began again, from behind us, while Blue and Briana hear it above and below us. As the ground starts to tremble, we realize that it is somehow causing a cave in! The ground around Blue begins to liquify, and he jumps out of the way as the tunnel collapses, separating him from us.

Through the hole in the ceiling came 3 tentacled mouths. I dodged through them to stand by Blue, and the large barrel-shaped body came through the hole. Whipping its tail at me, I lopped it off. I could hear the screams of my orcs as the horrid thing cut them down. I landed another strike on the thing, and in its death throes it exploded, lacerating me with bits of spikes and shell. Even in death the thing causes harm!

As the pieces settle, we could look up the hallway and see another one coming through another hole further along the tunnel. Flying over to it, I joined Briana and Humja in fighting it, and after a series of blows from us, this one explodes as well. I noted with surprise that Humja was fighting with just her hands, although they were claws when she hit- I hope her stay with the party is better than the last beastmaster’s... As the battle fury slowly left us, we noticed that the whole tunnel now seemed to be collapsing. Ordering Humja to get Harg, I flew for safety. I turned just in time to see Humja toss Harg to safety as the tunnel collapsed around her. As the dust settled, a quick head count showed Sanjuro with the orc captain, Blue, Briana, and one other orc soldier. All the others were lost!

A quick astral scan revealed a few of them buried within grasp. In hopes of getting to Humja and any others I could save, I began to dig in the rubble. After a few mocking comments from Briana and Blue as to the value of the orcs I was trying to save, my increased efforts finally got Sanjuro, and then a relenting Briana, to help. We ended up uncovering 5 orcs, none of them Humja. Using my last chance salves and booster potions, two of them survived, but sorely hurt. With Harg hurt, the captain dazed, two crippled soldiers, and one soldier injured by the horror construct, for that is what it must have been, we decided to rest here for a short time.

As we rested, Blue told me that he saw Humja escape into the lower tunnels during the cavein. At first I accused him of patronizing me, mocking me, but I see that he has no reason to do that and can only hope that he was right. He also made it known that he thinks we should have let the orcs die, a comment that will not be soon forgotten. I only hope that in the next few days, his life is in danger and that his survival depends on the orcs I saved, then maybe he will see the value of life. But he is a nethermancer, who would probably embrace death when it came for him, so this hope is in vain...

11/3 Veltom 23 2/4/98

After an extended period of rest, we were all capable of travel, some with help. We occasionally heard the spikey barrels rolling around, but were not attacked again. I can only guess at the actual date, for it is easy to lose track of time here, without the sun to keep time for us.

We set out again, heading downwards, and after a while heard noises in a side corridor. Our tension became elation as Humja stumbled out of the tunnel! Since she had not had the luxury of resting, we stopped again. After a few hours, the injured spearman could walk on his own with the help of a cane made from a broken spear from the battle, and Humja was much improved.

After a few more hours of travel, we could detect a change in the tunnels. They were now damp, and there was a lingering odor of decay. The tunnel opened up into an immense cavern, the only side visible being the ceiling high above us, and the floor below us, which had a strange bumpy texture to it, not what you’d expect in a cave as far as I know. But I am far from being an expert spelunker, so I figured I’d investigate. Flying down, I found that it wasn’t a floor at all, but the canopy of a huge mushroom forest, and the true floor was 30 feet below that. The others used ropes or talents to descend to the canopy, and someone reported seeing huge bats with humanoid riders. We decided to travel along the floor beneath the canopy to hide from their sight, and to avoid walking the entire cavern on fungus.

Blue remembered this cavern, and it took him 2 days to cross it. Once on the floor, Briana managed to find tracks of several different animals, and some humanoid ones too, elven by the look of them. We both tried to follow them and see where they led, but had little luck doing so. They must have been pretty old. The walls of the cavern are dotted with tunnels, I don’t know how we’ll ever find the right one for leaving.

After a time, we came across signs of a skeorx. While Briana and I took closer looks, Sanjuro brought our attention to the presence of company. I flew up for a better look, and could see the bats above the canopy. The rest of the party confronted a yellow skinned elf, but before they could question him he was jumped by Alarian! Three more elves moved in to help their companion, and Maxwell came flying in! One of the elves got torn apart by unseen forces, a spell from either Maxwell or Blue (my guess is the latter), and the others vanished into the forest, leaving us with a captive and our old companions.

Not wanting to sit there, we blindfolded the captive and set out for the exit, trading stories with our friends. They are the group we have been following, and had been attacked by the elves when they got here. The rest of their exploration group had been captured, including the mapmaker and guides. Blue interrogated the prisoner, and convinced him to lead us, after we took him above the canopy to get his bearings since he couldn’t see where we had gone. We have to hurry, because the captives are going to be sold to the pale ones for fish.

Well, things didn’t go quite as planned. En route, we found out from Maxwell that Limac is the group’s leader! Not being able to do anything about it except comment on how maybe we should leave them to their fate, an idea that Alarian didn’t agree with, we continued on to the "Great One", a huge mushroom hundreds of feet tall, peppered with lights shining through the skin, like windows. Our plan was to keep watch on the place, until they moved the prisoners out, and then go in and get our equipment while most of the elves were gone. Then we would go save the prisoners from the less-defensible prison of the pale ones.

I took the job of keeping watch, and made myself comfortable in a small hollow I made in the top of a mushroom stem. The others went about 1/2 mile away to stay hidden. After a while, Briana came to check on me, and then stayed. Shortly after we were spotted by a patrol. Hoping they would think I was alone, I flew out to lead them away from Briana. They followed, and then ran onto an icy surface, so I quickly outdistanced them. Unfortunately, I heard horns sounding, so I knew the place would be alerted. I headed for the Great One, to see what the elves would do, and I saw them leading the prisoners back into the base. I cast blizzard sphere on the biggest group of elves, and then flew in after the captives to see if I could free them.

The inside of the mushroom was one huge room, filled with elves. The prisoners were nowhere to be seen. Seeing several elves aiming at me with bows, I used the Nimbus Bracer to shoot lightning at them, hoping to scare them. It worked, but one of them must have released his arrow in surprise and gotten lucky. Unluckily for me, it knocked be out of the air. I landed heavily on the floor, where nearby elves took the opportunity to step on and kick me. I somehow managed to get out, and flew up out of their reach. Seeing that I could not get in that way, I decided to try the other end, the top of the mushroom where I could see the bats roosting. There were tunnels there, filled with elves. I used another blizzard sphere to clear the room, and then went in to look for my friends.

I found Briana, Maxwell, and Alarian in a room up a ramp from where I entered. Hearing elves coming up behind me, I Icy Surfaced the ramp to keep them off our backs at least for a few minutes. Rejoining my companions, I found that they were in a stalemate with the leaders of the mushroom elves. The leaders finally offered the prisoners and our supplies in exchange for us leaving- they wanted no more bloodshed. We readily agreed, and they even supplied us with a guide to lead us to the tunnel of the pale ones. Realizing that these elves were basically good people, and it was probably Maxwell and Alarian’s group that caused the hostilities, I left the elves a wooden carving of Icewing I had made, as a peace offering. They were impressed, but I think it may have been the wood itself rather than my skill that impressed them, for there is no wood down here, at least that I saw, just the big mushrooms. If Sanjuro ever wanted to take up his ideas of being a merchant again, he could surely trade wood for the elves’ unusual mushroom armor, or maybe exotic foods or something like that. Maybe those paralyzing spores that the elves used... Maybe I will make the suggestion to Jaril Damris, although I doubt I would get a cut of the profits. But I don’t need money that much anyway. Maybe I could offer it, and work out a trade route to Viln, too. I’ll have to keep it in mind.

Anyway, we left the Great One, and found Sanjuro, Blue, and my orcs talking to a human. He turned out to be Limac, but I was pretty tired form the battle, so I just rested while he and Sanjuro talked. I think they decided to settle their differences once we got back to the surface, supported by the fact that they are both still alive...

The elves, anxious to get rid of us, escorted us to a tunnel and sent us on our way. We travelled a short distance, and set up camp. I awoke at one point to see Limac giving food to my orcs. Maybe he’s not as bad as Sanjuro has led us to believe. Alarian seems to trust him...

11/5 Veltom 25

Well, from here on in it was pretty hairy. Not troll hairy, but hairy enought that I didn’t get a chance to write in my journal until we got out. Gee, sorry to ruin the suspense for you, but seeing as how you are reading this journal, and there is still quite a ways to go till the end (hopefully a few volumes at least--I am hoping to have a long, adventure-filled life), I’m hoping you would have figured out that at least I got out alive. I suppose the "we" part gives away that more than one of us gets out, but, well, I’ll just get on with the story.

We rested a full day before setting out again. After a while, we reached a large underground lake. Three boats were conveniently waiting on shore, the still surface of the water hiding who knew what horrible creatures. Each boat would only carry 4, so not all of us would fit, since we numbered 17- me, Sanjuro, Blue, Briana, Alarian, Maxwell, Limac the Boisterous, four orcish soldiers (one is a captain), three t’skrang, two bodyguards and a map-maker from the land of dwarves. Maxwell went flying off to scout ahead, since his range is greater than mine. He found an island 300 yards out, and scanning astrally he detected several forms lurking in the water.

We decided thesafest thing would be for me to cast sky lattices to the islands, and we would tow the boats with us. Two of the t’skrang we had with us refused to come further. They stayed behind and set up a base camp. We made it to the first island, and could see forms in the water below for most of the time. Halfway to the second island, the creatures started jumping for the lattice. They appeared to be some kind of construct, part human or t’skrang and part leech. One of them made it onto the lattice, and Humja got knocked over the side! Then the captain got knocked off, but he managed to grab onto Sanjuro’s tail and hung in midair, until one of the creatures jumped up and grabbed onto him, pulling him in.

Maxwell and Sanjuro quickly dove in after the disappearing captain, while Limac dove in to help Humja, who was caught in the middle of a frenzy of Ubirites. I cast a lattice down to the water level, then used flame strike on the creatures. Alarian went down the sky lattice to get Humja, and Limac finished off the creatures in the water. It was suddenly very quiet, and we all looked around for Sanjuro and Maxwell. Suddenly they surfaced, with the captain in tow! He was hurt, but alive.

2/25/98

We got to shore as quickly as possible. The pale ones’ outpost appeared to have been abandoned for about 2 weeks, and they left in a hurry. Not wanting to stay around for too long and find out what drove them away, we decided that the best course of action would be for Maxwell and me to escort the captain and the three soldier orcs back to the shore to join the two t’skrang we left behind, with orders to return to the surface with or without us in 3 days time. By the time we got back, Humja had taken some tea from Briana, and the others had rested a bit. Then we set out again.

We managed to reach the far shore with no more encounters, and found the pale ones’ village. It contained about 30 huts, that like the outpost were hastily vacated at least a month before. Buildings were crushed in in some places. According to Blue, Ubyr was between us and the kaer. To prepare ourselves, Maxwell cast a spell on me to protect my wings from the water, and we moved on. The water level was higher than the last time Blue was here, and I cast gills on everyone. We soon found the first non-natural formation in the tunnel- a shattered brick wall, the breached outer wall of the kaer. Cautiously we went in.

Following Blue, we passed many doorways, all underwater. Scraps of wood could be seen floating in the hallways, up near the ceiling. Maybe I can get some on the return trip to trade with the elves? Blue continued on, apparently counting doors. He reached one, and opened it. The room shimmered with light, the wall opposite us was cracked and crumbling, and peering through we could see the kaer.

Kaer Labinou was a ring of buildings, connected together with a courtyard in the middle. An air dome covered the structures, keeping the water of the Serpent River at bay. The buildings were all covered with water, and the courtyard was a lake, except for a section that projected above the rest of the structure, about four floors. Shattered towers projected down from the middle of the dome, apparently the source of the flooding. Blue told us that the buildings above the waterline were the dwelling area, and that last time the tops of the structure were dry. The water level was rising, how high it would go could not be determined, but the residents of this kaer were in danger.

We exited the building we were in, and walked around the top of the building. I sat on Humja’s shoulder, for the water would have been over my head. It didn’t take long for the residents to notice us, and several t’skrang came swimming towards us from large doors in the building. They spoke in T’skrang, so I don’t know what was said, but it was pretty clear that we were not welcome. Our conversation was interrupted by a ruckus in a room across the way. I cast a sky lattice to allow the others to go and see what it was, and I flew across. Going in through the window, I could see t’skrang fighting each other.

I tried to battle bellow and get them to stop, but that didn’t work. Then I tried the ring like I did to the elves, and even that didn’t work. The others came in and joined me, and we could make out two factions at work now. Several on each side were struck down, and four were making a fighting retreat, backing towards us. I told Sanjuro to ask if they wanted to leave the kaer, and one of them nodded his head. The sides being defined now, Blue boneshattered the opponents. It was one of the most horrible things I have ever seen, but which would shortly be surpassed. More t’skrang were charging up the stairs that could now be seen in the middle of the room, and Sanjuro, with Vociferous, stepped forward to confront them and keep them in the stairwell.

At this time, Blue walked up to one of the t’skrang he had just killed, and touched it. It began to get up! I couldn’t believe that he would, or could, heal the dead, and from its shambling gait I could tell that is not what he did at all. He had somehow gained the power to animate the dead, without casting a spell! A door in the opposite wall began to open, but Blue was too busy with the dead, and Sanjuro was busy with the living, so I called out a warning. The door opened, and in walked the oldest t’skrang **I** have ever seen, at least. Maybe Sanjuro has seen older, but I doubt it. She walked in with a dozen guards, and I realized this must be the shivalahala shivom that Blue told us about, the leader here. Sounds of battle outside were dying out, and a few splashes could be heard. Blue sent his corpses outside to investigate, reveling like a kid with a new toy. It was rather disgusting, and if he makes a habit of it I will have to leave the party.

3/11/98

Well, the ensuing conversation was mostly in t’skrang, so I had trouble following it. From what was translated for me, "shivom" is the t’skrang word for the river, but also for the dragon that used to live here, a river dragon! Hence "Serpent River", and here all along I thought it was because it was twisty like a serpent. Well, apparently Shivom has returned, which they say fortells the end of the world. She used the walking dead to support her claim, but that’s not right since it was Blue’s doing, not some portent.

Anyway, hearing a commotion outside, I glanced out the window to see Briana running along the bridge. She’s gesturing and incoherent, pointing into the river, and on a wild guess, I asked "Ubir?" and she nodded and climbed into the room. Not really believing, I flew outside for a better look, and saw Alarian climbing the sheer face of the building, above the doorway a ways away from the window. One of the central towers is shuddering, there’s yelling from the room, t’skrang running in all directions in there.

Seeing Alarian would need some help getting to the room before Ubir got there, I flew over and cast a sky lattice. At least, I started to cast a sky lattice. Then the tower exploded, and the water level shot up, soaking me. Something large slimy and black was in the pool in the courtyard. The air supply was rapidly running out, Alarian managed to grab a hold of me, I manage to finish the lattice, although we could now swim to the window, and then the big leech bumps against us, smashing us into the wall. Amazingly, Alarian managed to hold onto me, and we made it into the room.

Sanjuro was there, holding onto a male t’skrang, and the Shivalahala was there, with a bunch of soldiers, and then Briana was at the window screaming and flinging her sword, and Ubir crashes through the wall. I was sure we were all gonners, but then time seemed to freeze, and the room got all foggy. Not the people in it, just the walls. I could see the party (including Blue and Maxwell slumped on the ground), and Limac, and the shiv and other t’skrang, and Ubir. Then those last 3 started to crumble away, replaced by what we later found out were the 3 mad passions, Raggok (Ubir), Vestrial (other t’skrang) in a cloak and hood, and Dis (Shiv), who appeared to each of us as someone different. He/she was an emaciated windling to me. I almost offered him some food, but couldn’t move so decided not to.

We were all together in a white void, and slowly we are able to move, even Maxwell and Blue get up. We all took a look at each other, and then the passions started speaking, in turn. In short, they have been waiting a long time for this opportunity, we have been selected for an arduous task- to save Barsaive. They showed us a map of Barsaive, and as you focused on a place on the map, it got shown in greater detail. We could see many airships and troops in Cara Fahd, Iopos, and fighting along the Serpent River, and scattered combats all over the place.

Vestrial waved his hand, and the combat and people disappeared from the map. He told us that that was of our creation (I am guessing he meant all namegivers, and not just the Bearers. Even we couldn’t have caused all the trouble he showed us!) That was not what threatened Barsaive, and he showed us what DID. The pattern of Barsaive was displayed on themap, and it was writhing on the edges, with patches blackened and dead. The rising magic levels that we saw in the crystal palace in Viln matched places that were blackest- Parlainth among them. The blood wood was whole, but twisted. No part of the pattern came near the kaer we were in, and some sections were missing, corresponding to the Great Dragons, who had left the pattern. Now, I thought greatness was a measure of what you did for the world, and since they were gone from it, I don’t think they are so great anymore.

He explained that the blackness was the influence of Horrors, and that it was eating at the pattern, causing problems. The fighting was caused by the Passions. They then explained that Kaer Labinou had been chosen when it was created, to be protected by the 12 Passions. The pattern of Barsaive doesn’t reach it, so during the Scourge and even now, it is protected from the events above. The people that lived here worshipped spirits like Ultros, and believed in what they called the Old Spirits, what we know as the Passions. They also created a way to travel between distant places, and that is where we are now, this white void. The three passions are trapped in here, and we need to free them. Shis Ritar is the lock, and we are the ones to turn the keys.

There are 6 keys, and they said that we had two of them. The pendant of independance is one, and Alarian has one, the locket of passage. Miranda has the Talisman of the Ages and she is in Travar, the Sigil of Strife is in the Tower of Nine Diamonds, and the Amulet of Growth is in the Blood Wood, kept by the elves in the capital. The sixth is the Trade Brooch, and they proceeded to give it to Sanjuro! They formed a way to communicate between the kaers during the scourge, and offered a means of travel that was in neither the physical nor the astral planes, but the plane of Shis'r'tal. Only from this plane can the Passions be freed. Each key opens two gates, and you need to be able to open all 12 gates to reach the 13th, for which there is no key. You can travel between the gates of each amulet you possess. My gates are between Travar and Viln. Each gate is protected by the blessing of a passion. Viln is protected by Lochost, and Travar by Mynbruje.

The magic cycle has been broken, the magic levels are again rising. We need all 12 Passions to set things right again. The 12 gates are located in the 12 places where magic is rising, the 12 blackest places as well. Many gates were lost and cannot be controlled. But the gates need to be opened if we are to let the Passions out of their entrapment. They then told us that the kaer is no more, everyone in it is dead and Ubyr is there. The map faded away, and we were enveloped in a green mist. As the mist faded, we could see we were trapped in a sphere of kelp. All of us fell to the "floor" as if ascending rapidly, and after a short time we stopped. We bobbed in the water for a while, and this too stopped. After bumping into something and coming to rest, I flew up to the top of the sphere and cut my way out. Seeing that we were resting against the shore of the Serpent River, I told the others to cut their way out.

We determined that we were about 12 miles down the river from the kaer, and to the east we could see Kaer Eidolon in flames again. Another sphere then appeared in the reeds, and cutting it open we found 4 t’skrang that we didn’t know, the young female t’skrang that came with us, my bodyguards, and the shivalahala, all unconscious. After a quick inspection, we found that only my bodyguards, the shivalahala, and one of the unknown t’skrang were still alive. Alarian was grieved at the loss of her traveling companion. I was overjoyed to see Harg and Humja again. Blue then started moving for the dead bodies, and I told him in no uncertain terms that he was NOT to animate them. I’m glad he listened to me, for if he had proceeded, he would have had to find another way to travel, because he wouldn’t be going with me, and I’m the one with the airship.

We were a few hundred yards form a treeline, which we determined was the Blood Wood. The Shiv was staring around dazed and confused, shocked by the loss of her world, and at finding another one beyond it. She is powerless now, and lost. We decided to heal up before moving on.

12/3 Veltom 28

We left the kaer 2 days ago, and everyone is feeling better to be in the sun again. Except the two t’skrang who never saw it before. Now that they were both healed, Limac approached Sanjuro to finish their conflict. In great style, Sanjuro (no doubt daunted to learn how powerful Limac was) said that since they couldn’t take the oath to settle the issue, then some greater power must not want it to happen, and that they should travel to Elost’s kaer and let him decide in whatever way it can be decided.

Maxwell and I decided to use his fly spell to go get the airship, since it was on the other side of the river, and while I couldn’t fly that far on my own, he would never convince the captain to come get us.

3/18/98

We got back with no problem, and the airship set down near the party. We decided that it would be better to wait till night to fly over Kaer Eidolon in case there was anyone there that would be hostile to us. While we are waiting for nightfall, we could see that airships no longer circled the kaer, but we figured we’d wait anyway just to be safe.

Sanjuro just told me that The Dragon is known as Shivoam, and it is the Shivalahala Shivoaram,I don’t know what the differencemeans in T’skrang, but I just thought I’d make a note of it, even if I don’t feel like going back and fixing it in the rest of my journal.

12/4 Veltom 29

Well, we are in the Cliff City. Last night we actually stopped at Kaer Eidolon, it had been abandoned. Several walls had been knocked down, corpses were scattered about the courtyard. The majority of the corpses were in great piles, mass funeral pyres that were the actual source of the flames we saw. Mostly human, t’skrang, and blood elves, there were some horses and Blood Wood creatures mixed in as well. The walls appeared to have been blasted down with fire cannons. Not much fighting took place on the walls, it seemed to be more room to room fighting. Our best guess is that the fight took place 5 or 6 days ago, and from the numbers of dead, and the fact that the kaer is abandoned, it seems that the Blood Elves won, and that the humans and t’skrang were defenders. Maybe they are Iopans and their t’skrang allies (not Syrtis)? There were no riverboats left, and the tracks we could find of survivors led to the dock, and appeared to board one or several boats. After asking the airship captain if he had seen any boats pass upriver, we figured out that they must have headed downriver towards the Cliff City. We decided to press on. While exploring, I happened to notice Blue go outside the city followed by 2 cadavermen draging a horse carcass. I don’t really want to know what he was doing....

When we arrived at the Cliff City, we circled first, and everything seemed to be in order. We landed on the top of the cliff, and could see the sun rising, framed in an archway perched on the edge of the cliff. We are all startled by the realization that it is one of THE gates! According to Sanjuro, it is over 2000 years old, Mythagi door is carved with images of a war between t’skrang and elves, and the work is still crisp and unweathered. It is right up against the edge of the cliff, it would take extreme faith, or a set of wings, for someone to pass through it. I can’t remember where its other half is. I think it is Sanjuro’s key that opens it, but that may be wrong.

Anyway, 200 yards away is a small, squat building guarded by t’skrang. This is the entrance to Cliff City. The others in the party head down with the former Shivilahala, or "Betty Shivalahala" as Briana has referred to her. I decided to stay with my men on the airship, as I have had enough of underground for a while. Briana headed off to a grove of trees nearby, and I set myself down to meditate and record these events before I train. Some of my men have headed into the city to get supplies.

Well, after even my men got annoyed with me following them around, and no one else wanted to spar, I decided to call it a day. The airship will be sent back to the entrance to Kaer Labinou tomorrow, to wait for the 4 orcs and 2 t’skrang to come out. They will then bring the t’skrang here to the Cliff City, and then head back to Viln. I will wait for the rest of the party to finish their business, and then we will decide where to go from here.

12/5 Veltom 30

Well, the airship set out today, and I took the opportunity to spend some time in the woods and train some more. Hopefully the others will be out soon, so that we may move on. We have much to do!

13/1 Charassa 1

We set out at noon today on a riverboat, headed for the City of Reeds on Lake Ban. I wonder it Metis will be there, or his windscout friends, for I will be ready to advance soon. We have a few days travel ahead, and I will take advantage of it to hone my skills.

13/3 Charassa 3

We are about a day from Lake Ban, and the trip has been uneventful till now. We just passed an oddly out-of-place section of ruined tower that rests in the river, and are perhaps the first to know where it came from! It is from Kaer Labinou, one of the 3 towers that extended up from the kaer! It is amazing that it has washed so far downriver, intact. Too bad Rokk is no longer around, or he could carve the story of the kaer on the tower, for passerby to know what a wonder they look upon. Maybe I will come back someday, or hire someone to do it.

What an eventful day! After passing the tower, we were floating along, when the boat was shaken by a violent tremor. Looking over the side, a huge 50 foot long form could be seen swimming beneath the boat! It headed downstream, just like we are. We’re pretty sure its not Ubyr, since it didn’t stop to eat us, but I wonder what it could have been....

13/4 Charassa 4

We arrived at the City of Reeds today, the headquarters of aropagoi V’strimon. Maxwell has taken advantage of the time to give us a bit of t’skrang terminology, so I thought I’d use it. Anyway, there were many riverboats going here and there, and airships fill the sky. We are very close to the Triumph, perhaps a 2 hour ferry, and an hour walk. We decided to wait till night to go ashore.

13/5 Charassa 5 3/25

We started out early in the morning, practically last night, by boarding a ferry to the shore. As we were about to leave, a dwarf came running up the dock, with a package for Maxwell. Oddly enough, he said a skinny human gave it to him, to deliver to Maxwell Highcliff, who he said was on his way to the Triumph. Now, since we were the only ones who knew where we were going, this was mildly disconcerting. But Maxwell accepted the package, and the dwarf went on his way. Opening it, he pulled out a lump of metal that was once a scabbard for a calvary sabre before it was caught between a rock and a hard place. It was wrapped in seaweed, and from the looks of it, and the pattern it has, it could very well be Neden’s! This is bad news indeed, because it means whoever sent it to us probably has the sabre, and so has a link to Neden, which caused us so much trouble in the past. But with a mission in action, we could do nothing about it now.

We decided the best course would be to use an old letter Briana has that says she could come to the Triumph to talk to the Overgovernor, and say we have an important message for him. We would then most likely be taken to rooms, since it was so late, to await him seeing us in the morning, when they could tell him about Kaer Labinou, an important enough bit of information, but nothing that he could use against us. I will have hidden in Maxwell’s cloak, so that they would not know I was there, and sneak out with the bottle in order to find the liferock and touch the bottle to it. Hopefully I would be able to then figure out what was required of me. We didn’t really make a plan for after this, since frankly I’d be surprised to get that far.

Well, we got to shore in the wee hours of morning, and were boarded by Theran soldiers. Now, from here I don’t know much that happened, since I was tucked into Maxwell’s cloak, trying very hard not to move. They question us for a bit, and then we start moving to the shore, and walking for a while. I could hear more and more commotion, as if a gathering of forces, and then we were escorted into the Triumph and taken to a room. Once we were alone, I got out and they told me that we were in the Triumph, and that more soldiers have arrived since the last time we were here. Now there are 4 of the 8 Legions here, instead of the one that was here before. We have decided that I will try to reach the liferock alone, so off I go! Wish me luck....

Garnel's Introduction

Garnel's Adventuring Journal Part I

Garnel's Adventuring Journal Part II

Garnel's Adventuring Journal Part IV