Date: Calistril 18, 4711. (Status report letter from Elsa)

 

"After some travel we arrived at Oleg's trading post, where we were told of immanent trouble from bandits who had been harassing the post for some time. With limited time for preparation, our group set an ambush for the miscreants. The ambush was successful and all but one of the raiders who came were taken out - the remaining bandit was taken into custody, where he was interrogated. Upon applied verbal encouragement, he revealed the general location of the bandit camp from whence he came, and the approximate numbers and composition of said group. At the present time we are discussing our next options.

 

Elsa Silvertongue Goldwhistle Orlovsky.

(Signed with a slight flourish and a brief sketch of the Orlovsky crest)

 

 

Date: Calistril 18, 4711: Personal Journal of Elsa Orlovsky

 

There are things about these 'river freedoms' that bother me on a personal level. Specifically, the last two; 'Slavery is an Abomination' a noble enough point when viewed in isolation - but bothersome when connected with the next 'freedom' - 'You have what you hold'. The existence of the latter obliterates any nobility of the former, and renders the code's follower a hypocrite. I find the fact that our hosts had their hard work and sweat of a month taken from them at the point of a sword without their leave - and have had this arrangement going for some time, is at least analogous to a form of slavery in and of itself. If you are not free to keep what you earn through hard work and perseverance then in what way are you truly free? The existence of that one 'freedom' unravels the good of the others - for in what real way can a civil society be formed where there is no communal protection from the predations of your fellow man? I realize the fact is that these are, indeed, outlaws. . but I cannot accept the moral code as valid in true faith - although convenience and necessity may dictate acquiescing to many aspects of it as it relates to our current surroundings in the short term. In the long term. . There are things here that need correcting. In the long term, they will be corrected.”

 

 

Date: Calistril 18, 4711: Captain's log, entry #1.. (Recap)   We set off from the small town of restov, tasked to map the icy frontiers to the south, to try and firm up our kingdom's grip on power..we set out for a tiny trading post, run by a man named oleg, and his wife svetlana, where we learned the kindly merchant was beset by a gang of bandits, hitting him monthly for his earnings.. we ambushed and dispatched their raiding party with ease, capturing their horses, and one of the bandits, who we pumped for information...with a direction in mind, we prepared to set off for their hideout, to purge them from the area for good..

 

Date: Calistril 18, 4711: Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

It has begun. Today, we defended the outpost against some of the local bandits, ambushing them within the old fort. We captured one for questioning, the rest were slain. None by my hand, but some by my will: Sk'zzk's incantations let me bamboozle their leader and set him to sleep, letting the orcish 'Princess' kill him with ease. I will never be the swordsman my grandfather was, nor my father nor even my sister, but here, it feels like I don't have to be. I hope it is not my imagination, but I think there was gratitude when I spake the eldritch words that brought healing, and a sense of shared triumph when my hexes make life easier for my fellows. They still know me as a sham of a warrior, unworthy of my blade and my blood, but the look in the eyes of the storekeep and his wife was free of contempt. I claimed a bow from one of the bandits: Maybe I will be less lacking with it.

 

Date: Calistril 20, 4711: Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

A rude awakening: The wolves swarmed our camp in the pre-dawn hours. Sk'zzk saved us: Its eyes make a mockery of the dark, and it alerted me to their presence. We woke the others, the pirate stumbling beside me unarmed just as they hove into view.. My sword tasted their blood, but only in his hands: The pragmatic, logical solution, as he slaughtered them with a precision even Grandfather would have been proud of. We drove them off, and I brought my steed back to health and wholeness. Being on watch with the halfling, Elsa, is pleasant: She can talk the hours away as the night's chill draws in, but still keeps a sharp eye out. She's deadly with that bow, too. If our directions from our captive are correct, we should hit the camp later today. We had best be ready.

 

Date: Calistril 20, 4711: Personal Journal of Elsa Orlovsky

 

"Wolves - Wolves in the dark. Hungry and thin, and a tinge desperate; perhaps a fitting metaphor for what I understand of the River kingdoms. I had the rather rude shock of one attempting to gnaw my leg like a well worried bone - it hurt. Badly. Luckily, when one travels with competent companions, such things can be taken care of - and those friends showed their true expertise in eliminating the threat and saving our newly acquired mounts. I feel a certain...energy . . . about this fellowship that gives me hope for success - a feeling that our diverse and varied pasts can meld into a well coordinated force for good in an area that perhaps desperately needs one- lying as it does among bandits and robber barons who think themselves moral because they are able to threaten the meek into submission. I hope they view me more as Elsa than as some high stepping noble - while I owe much to the Orlovsky, and I would work to honor their name, in my heart I remain Elsa Silvertongue Goldwhistle, simple and unassuming Halfling from the High Mountains. That is my tree, and 'Elsa Orlovsky, noble', is the long shadow cast by it. Sometimes, one wishes one was only the tree and not the shadow that it casts. I somehow get the feeling that in a different sort of way, the Aldori who sat guard with me might understand. Be that as it may, his secrets are his own unless he should chance to share them with me."

 

Date: Calistril 20, 4711: Personal Journal of Kalinka

 

 

>Oleg's place is much friendlier, much more like home than the crowded, hellish city of Restov. He has been an excellent host to us, and it will be an honor to return his wife's ring. We set out in the afternoon, after slaying those who had invaded his outpost. Their tracks were clear in the snow. It took us two days. As we made camp, wolves attacked in the middle of the night, heading for our horses. We fought them off, without losing any horses. In time, we made it to the bandits' camp - and the fight was on!

 

Date: Calistril 23, 4711: Personal Journal of Elsa

 

"The stain of the bandits who had been tormenting our host has finally been removed. Their camp has been cleared - we found them where our first captive told us it would be. When we approached they challenged us - and apparently were unable to hold to even their morally suspect 'freedoms' - they have no honor and care for nothing save themselves. Of course, one could say to that. . .'bandit'. When they decided, apparently, that talk would not be in the story, we took matters into our own hands. The battle was difficult - Angus, Kalinka and Drogza went down - although they were healed short of death. Angus was magnificent in his righteous anger - I still think that he can become so much more than he is, and I have hope that his current association will provide the catalyst that will begin such a transformation. Between Angus and some timely intervention from Solamus, however, we were able to prevail. The group seemed to respond well to my encouragements - Master Perian's lessons seem to be serving me well, and I am glad that in my own small way I can contribute to the group's success - I may officially be their leader by fiat of our charter, but I would like to feel that if I hold such position that I have earned it by merit - and moreover, I would prefer that they feel so as well.

 

Following we used the bandit camp to rest and recuperate and then proceeded to explore the immediate environs for a time - whereupon we encountered the remainder fo the bandits from the camp out on patrol. An attempt was made to verbally indicate to them the folly of their course of action, but it was ignored to their detriment. Angus again was. . . impressive. He lives and lives up to his own story. His headlong charge broke any resolve that the remaining bandits may have once had and scattered them like leaves in a gale. They. . perished. . when they refused surrender - which was offered - all save one, whom Solamus sent into slumber that we could. . question him. Our inquiries to our unwilling guest yielded much useful information about local dangers and local power structure of the banditry. At this time, we have decided that it would be prudent to return to Oleg's and unload the ill gotten gains of the bandits and convert them to good and gainful use - and then to discuss our future endeavors."

 

 

Date: Calistril 23, 4711. (Status report letter from Elsa)

 

The bandit camp which had been the torment and bane of Oleg's trading post has been eliminated. Immediately following our successful defense of the post we set out to find their camp, following the tracks of their horses and x days later, we had found it - and eliminated the inhabitants thereof when surrender became obviously a non - option. Upon further exploring the environs, we encountered and eliminated the remainder of their camp which had been on, it seems, patrol. Again, offers of surrender were rejected and all were taken down - save one, who, under interrogation revealed much worth noting about the local environs, but especially worth noting was one thing - we now know what the top of the local bandit hierarchy is. An individual called 'The Stag Lord' - a self styled bandit lord that demands a tribute from all in the area. He resides in a fort on the banks of the Tuskwater, to the south of the camp. He demands tribute in blood or coin from all who prey upon the locals. At the present we have decided to remove ourself back to Oleg's to assure his continued safety, inform him of the elimination of the bandit camp, and refresh our supplies. After discussion of our next objective, we will strike out again.

 

Elsa Silvertongue Goldwhistle Orlovsky.

(Signed with a slight flourish and a brief sketch of the Orlovsky crest)

 

 

Date: Calistril 23, 4711: Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori (Recap 12th March)

 

I have used my grandfather's blade in anger. The bandit leader, Kressel, was asleep at my feet, courtesy of my eldritch powers, and even then, I did not take her life. It was a tough battle: Angus, Kalinka and Drogza all fell by the hands of our foes, and twice I was struck with arrows. Thanks to Seradin's ministrations, Angus was awoken, his true anger roused within him. It was he who slew the leader, completing the work Drogza had started and I contributed. Again, most of what I did was set these folk to sleep, but they feared me for it. Elsa's rousing words are empowering: She makes you feel as if you can take on the world, and we did. Angus was like a monstrous creature, hunting the stragglers. We were exhausted by the battle, and climed the encampment to rest up. We have what we hold, indeed.

 

I write this today because previously I have been busy repairing the old cart that had been abandoned outside the camp: I am no carpenter, being better with metalcraft, but I saw what was structurally wrong with it, and, together with Elsa and Seradin, brought it back to running order. This took a few days, but we needed the time to rest and restore our power after the battle, since it was not until the following dawn that Sk'zzk was able to share with me the knowing of their healing. Seradin brought us the rest of the way to health, and the remaining day we worked on the wagon to restore our powers on the morrow.

 

We have committed ourselves to clearing this area first and foremost as this camp makes an excellent forward base of operations. In our latest sweep we came across a group of Kressle's associates, who recognized us by our actions in clearing the camp. A tense standoff was broken by Angus tearing into them, butchering with his anchor left, right and centre. He permitted no survivors except those who surrendered, and by the bountiful beer keg of the lord of liquor, one finally did. Kalinka laid the groundwork, masterfully ripping the bow from his hands even more impressively taking his sword from its very scabbard. I promised him that he would awaken with my sword at his throat, and made good on my word. I drew no blood this battle, but a far more precious spillage, namely information, from his lips. He also dishonoured himself, but an Aldori sword at the throat can be convincing.

 

He told us a great many things: Svetlana's ring was stolen from the bandits by mites of the Old Sycamore Tree, in the Kamelands to the southeast of the camp, the mites which plague the Kobolds with whom we are to kill or ally. The bandits themselves serve the Stag Lord, who claims tribute from all in his fortress to the south of the camp, on the banks of the Tuskwater, in coin or lives. Deadly with a bow and immensely strong, with a horned helm he never removes..Once the bandit had told us everything, we let him go. He gave his word he would renounce banditry, and as they say in these parts, Oathbreakers Die. Still, he will not forget meeting our group in a hurry. Kalinka suggested we make a name for ourselves...

 

Personal Journal of Elsa Silvertongue Goldwhistle Orlovsky., Date Pharast 1, 4711

 

"We continued to head back towards Oleg's outpost, and the weather was, of course, still fierce. On one day we were awoken while camping by a pair of Fae Pranksters. After a bit of a runaround, we finally engaged them with gifts and earned their. . camraderie, so to speak. At the least, they were friendly enough to show us the way to the patch of Moon Radishes that we were looking for. Unfortunately, those radishes were the property of a number of reptilian humanoids - Kobolds, I am told, of the 'Sootscale clan. they were unwilling to barter for any of their crop - however, the possibility was opened, through negotiation, of helping them to deal with the problem of the Mites - who we believe have Svetlana's Ring - in return for access to the radishes.

 

We departed back for Oleg's with a long range plan in mind. The trip back was. . unpleasant. A blizzard and very strong winds. We made a shelter and waited out the night. In the morning there was enough snow to cover me to the top of my head. I find myself disliking winter and longing for spring.

 

Upon return to Oleg's stockade, we found that reinforcements from Restov had arrived - Oleg was, perhaps, slightly annoyed that we were not who he thought we were, but after all; we had genuinely helped him and things seemed to have worked out. Also having arrived at the stockade was a priest - a bit stuffy perhaps, but good natured enough - who was looking for a ruined temple in the area. Perhaps we can look into this after our current goal is completed. On the next morn, we headed out again to meet with the Kobolds and confront the mites, in some order or another. And then, after exploring a while, we have run into something odd. . .skeletons of many animals embedded into the snow banks, some from beasts as large as bears. Something unpleasant may await. . .

 

Date: Pharast 1, 4711. (Status report letter from Elsa)

 

"We have continued to explore the area specified in the charter, and in our explorations have come across evidence as to the location of the local group of Kobolds, the Sootscale Clan, in addition to an apparently troublesome nest of 'Mites' - we set out on the morrow to deal with this problem, and to continue to seek intelligence on this 'Stag Lord'."

 

Elsa Silvertongue Goldwhistle Orlovsky.

(Signed with a slight flourish and a brief sketch of the Orlovsky crest)

 

 

Date: Pharast 1, 4711, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

We found ourselves beset by pests: for days, they irritated us, rying to pilfer my grandfather's blade, faking the sounds of an owlbear, otherwise making themselves a nuisance. Eventually, we came to terms with them: A Grig and a Fairy Dragon, Tig-Titter-Tut and Perlivash respectively. We traded a pair of earrings for the location of the moon-radishes we sought, only to find the patch infested by Kobolds, of the Sootscale clan. We dealt with them peaceably: they were willing to defend the patch with their lives, and it would be far more useful in the long run to win them as allies by purging the Mite problem. Leaving that for now, we headed back to Oleg's, to find the mercenaries who would have arrived too late to aid Oleg and Svetlana, and a priest of Erathis seeking a temple. We collected on the bounty for bandits, and headed south to resume our mission.

 

Date: Pharast 14, 4711, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori (Recap April)

 

A busy couple of weeks exploring the wilderness. We came across a giant spider that buried itself in the earth: It reared up to strike Angus as we investigated. We eventually subdued it, finding the body of a poor unfortunate with the local garb and a map. We buried him where we found him according to the Cailean rite, with one last drink to set him on his way in libation. The map led us to a tree as we explored the area, and beneath it was buried an old cloak wrapped around a wand of burning hands and a spellbook. Kalinka took the wand and I taught the spells I could to Sk'zzk during a blizzard rest. Not long after, as we camped, a party of the Stag Lord's men with torches passed through, looking for the ones we had slain. They shared our fire and some information, and we let them encamp where we left. Another nocturnal visitor was Perlivash: She tried to set us to sleep as a prank. We placated her with Cayden's blessing and parted ways at dawn. We foraged for food to extend our trek and in doing so came across what Elsa believed to be gold-bearing rock. When we are better established, that will prove quite the resource at our disposal. A few days further on and we found a bridge over the Thorn: It will take a lt of work to restore, and is only suitable for men in single file if at all. We will need to restore it at some point. And now we - what's that infernal hooting?

 

Date: Pharast 16, 4711, A Letter to Drogza's Mother (Translated from the original Orcish)

 

Dear Mom,

I never got any reply back from last month's letter. Were you busy, or have the messengers been getting too scared to head into the camp again? How are all the wolves doing? Around here nobody seems to know how to keep them tame. They all just stick with horses and a few tiny dogs, and even those they usually don't train to handle themselves on the battlefield. I'm still struggling to get this one here to do what I want.

 

Anyway, we're out exploring the wilderness now. You did get the letter where I told you I finally got called on to go raiding a new territory, right? Well, everyone else calls it "reclaiming" but you'd be proud. We're getting to kill people and take their stuff and take over their camps. Food's been pretty short though. That thing where humans bury people when they die? That even applies to enemies. Only when they're humanoid though! The other night an owlbear came trudging through the snow. It took forever for us to bring it down, but there is really a lot of meat on one of those things. Then today we brought down some elk, so we should be good through the rest of the winter now.

 

Everyone's getting ready to pack up and get back to charting things out now, so I should go. Say hi to Gurk and Morg and Little Warghy for me!

- Drogza

 

Date: Pharast 24, 4711, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

Our explorations continue. A minor disturbance, a distant light in the night, but its owner was uncommunicative and did not approach us. I skiied after them briefly, but made no reciprocated contact. The following night, a pack of wild boars approached our encampment. We now have enough bacon to keep us searching until the snows are gone. We located an easily fordable part of the Thorn River, and denoted it accordingly. Following this, our searches revealed a truly gigantic tree, the old sycamore we have been told about. Once these blizzards clear up, we'll be heading in and dealing with the mites reported to be there.Let's see if a little extermination will help us resolve this Kobold alliance...

 

Date: Pharast 30, 4711, Personal Journal of Kalinka

 

We finally discovered the Old Sycamore, home of the verminous Mites, and, tying our horses up outside we descended into the perilous tunnels beneath the mighty tree. She is a magnificent tree, old and gnarled and gigantic, the only tree for miles in any direction, and once she has been cleared of her infestation, she will be a welcome rather than feared landmark, and will probably be grateful for our aid. It cannot be pleasant to have mites constantly scrabbling about in your roots. The tunnels beneath were tight, as one would expect of a home built by and for creatures as small as mites - more of a warren than a fortress. They themselves are exceedingly weak and easily killed, though their companion insects provide some challenge to us: thus far, a giant centipede, and a tick as big as a man. In our fight, we rescued a kobold, who told us some of the politics of his people - a shaman turning kobolds yellow, a fearful chief. We will see how to address the matter once we have cleared the Old Sycamore's roots of pests.

 

Date: Gozren 2nd, 4711, Personal Journal of Seredin

 

 

After having swiftly routed the mites and searched their layer were dismayed to discover that the ring we sought was not present. After speaking to our new Kobold friend we discovered that the ring was taken as a spoil of war by the soot scale tribe. Following several days of travel we arrived at the Sootscale tribes cavern and met with Chief Sootscale. After a bit of a fumbled negotiation we became embroiled in a conflict between the chief and Turtuk, the tribe's shaman. I am unsure of how this conflict may turn out but it seems that appealing to the rest of the tribe about the evils of Turtuk may be having an effect.

 

Captain's Log, Adventure Date Gozren 11. Our venture into the sootscale caverns Paid off, the charlatan tartuk lay defeated, his spells of fear not enough to keep the kobolds in line, our charisma (and my intimidation) enough to sway the chieftan into rallying his men against the gnome-turned-kobold, falling to a flurry of our blows. Peace was secured between the sootscales and the surrounding natives, the threat of the mites quashed handily beforehand, we were able to recover svetlana's precious ring, and to retrieve a few moon radishes for her stew. With Mikmek the kobold as our liason between the sootscales and the swordlords, we returned to oleg's trading post to rest and re-supply before we headed out on the trail of our next adventure.

 

Date: Gozren 20, 4711, Another letter home from Drogza

 

This snow's finally all melting, so I guess the whole family's getting back to marching drills, right? Sorry I haven't written in a while, these little fairy things keep swiping my pens to draw on people's faces. I'm still not much of a fan of these horses but I've finally got a couple of them rushing into combat instead of away now. For some reason bears have been out in force lately, but these horses will run circles around them. Literally. There was this one huge one that was actually some old guy under a curse or something I managed to slice to bits without it ever getting a chance to touch me. Really didn't feel sporting. Anyway, I think this week we're all going to go behead a local warlord so I should get some sleep. I'd offer to send you back a trophy, but I don't think couriers enjoy carrying skulls around.

 

Date: Gozren 25, 4711, Another letter home from Drogza

 

Hi again, still not hearing back on any of these letters. Today we found a big field of magically handy berries, unfortunately on bushes covered in thorns. And as they are wont to do, there were of course teaming hordes of poisonous spiders crawling around through them. We managed to deal with it without much trouble though. Should I see about having some jam made and sending you a bottle?

 

 

Date: Gozren 30, 4711, From the Journal of Seradin

Having traveled a significant distance over the past few days I feel the need to review and cover much of what we have done. Several days ago we chanced upon a wounded animal trapped in a steep pit. We made out best effort to attempt to tame the beast but alas our efforts were wasted. Several days later we chanced upon another smaller curious looking creature. After a concerted effort to talk with the creature and gain its trust we only managed to scare it and turn it away from us. We healed it and went upon our way.

 

 

 

 

Date: Desnus 9, 4711, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

Desnus is upon us, bringing thunder and hail. We returned to Oleg's and gave up the head of Tuskgutter to the one who set out the bounty: We received an excellent bow and animalbane arrows in return, with the promise of processed meat to come. We spent our store credit on various knick-knackery, and split what little funds we have amongst ourselves. We continued our explorations to complete the eastern fringe of our section, coming across a potion-selling hermit, for whom we traded fangberries for a shop discount. A little further and we came across a ruined bridge, and its ruined steward: A revenant soul slain by the Stag Lord's men. Since we intend to take on the Stag Lord, laying the soul to rest will be straightforward once we do. We came across a bear and slew it for meat: As I write this, we are just smoking the last of it. A sound to the south: I need to investigate.

 

 

 

Date: Desnus 13, 4711, Personal Journal of Kalinka

 

We killed a slurk, which tried to steal the roasting bear, in the midst of the night. It was hard to blame it - after all, it only wanted to eat. But it was our food, and we need to eat as well. Then we continued on our way. A few days later, we were attacked by wolves in the night. Drogza pacified some of them with offerings of food, but others attacked the horses and needed to be put down. Later, we finally found the Tatzylwyrm den, and slew three of them, taking their heads for Oleg. We found, in the midst of their den, a corpse with a map of the area, which will help greatly with exploration.

Date: Desnus 14, 4711, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

Kalinka suggested we make a bee-line for the fortress, and there was general assent. We rode south of our remitted area, found the stronghold of the Stag Lord, and began our assault on the fortress. After a brief attempt to get in through our words, we came to blows: Our initial sortie took out two of the bandits, and three of the zombies guarding the hill. There is an Owlbear amok in their courtyard, and we will press home our assault after a brief fall-back to heal ourselves fully.

Date: Desnus 15, 4711 From the journal of Seradin

Following a failed attack on the lair of the stag lord, the rest of the group and I made do with an expeditious retreat, nearly costing the lives of Angus and several other of our number. Once we found ourselves again in safe company we began debate on the proper stratagem in order to continue our fight against the stag lord. Solamus, believed that an immediate counterattack would be the best option, giving them no time to regroup and redouble their fortifications. I, on the other hand, Believed that while such a strategy may certainly keep the enemy off guard, we to were of such dire straits that an immediate counter attack would certainly result in another sound defeat of our number. Eventually it was put to a vote and the group decided in favor of resting before charging back to the fray.

After Having seen to our own wounds, we then redoubled our efforts against the stag lord. Now aware of the zombie threat along the hills surrounding the fort we developed a means of entry thjat would lower their number and ensure we reached the fort unbothered. During the charge however, Kalinka's faithful steed Inna took an arrow to its torso and fell to the ground. While the horse's current state is unknown to me, I fear for Kalinka's stability in the coming battle ahead.

 

 

Personal Journal of Elsa Silvertongue Goldwhistle Orlovsky., Date Desnus 15th, 4711

 

"We have confronted the stag lord, and he is vanquished. Our attempt at first was disjointed and worked badly, at best, and we fled to lick our wounds. We nearly lost Angus. But we came back with a vengeance - when we decide to work as a team we are formidable, as these bandits found out to their peril. My regrets are that I will never find out what the story behind Akiros is - there was a man with perhaps more to him than suspected. On a sad note, today Inna, Kalinka's horse, died. It was quite obviously a kindred spirit and family to her, and the more sad as the perpetrators were mindless zombies, so it is the harder to attach blame and punishment.

 

 

Date: Desnus 15th, 4711. (Status report letter from Elsa)

 

"We have vanquished the Stag Lord and his influence over the region is no more. His band is scattered or captured, and his fortress is in our hands."

 

Elsa Silvertongue Goldwhistle Orlovsky.

(Signed with a slight flourish and a brief sketch of the Orlovsky crest)

 

 

 

Date: Desnus 15th, 4711. (A note posted on the front of the Stag Lord's fort, accompanied by crude cartoonish sketches)

 

The Stag Lord has been killed, and his fort claimed by agents of law and order. All those present within are slain. If you are reading this, you are a fugitive of justice and should either await proper authorities and surrender, or seek refuge far away from here. Leniency may be offered to any bearing information on who has ordered the dead to kill anyone in the area, as such actions have lead to the unjust death of a brave hero.

 

Date: Desnus 15, 4711, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

It is finished. I am utterly exhausted, but we have made a full and total accounting of this fortress and all its contents, and made a pyre of its former occupants. We made an exception for the turncoat, the one who switched sides: A former Taldan paladin who took two lives he should not have under great duress, a woman he had been sleeping with who accused him falsely of rape, and her husband, who accused him truly of cuckoldry. This led to him coming here, and our assault was the catalyst for his final hour attempt at redemption. The bulk of the ill-gotten gains of the fort were in the basement, along with a mad druid with whom Kalinka could converse with in a language with which I am not yet familiar, and a couple of his verminous pets. He claimed to be the Stag Lord's father, and began casting spells of battle. We slew him, sparing him the pain of a parent outliving their offspring.

 

Date: Desnus 19, 4711, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

We are back at Oleg's, and we have sent word of our victory over the Stag Lord back to Restov. Our reward for doing so, and the charter to colonise these lands, should be forthcoming with the next shipment. We did not reveal his final resting place, in the arms of Davik Nettles as that undead revenant was laid to rest. Falgrim Sneed has been handed over alive to Kesten Garess, and we have made our requests as to the six masterwork weapons he promised us as a reward. The head of a Tatzylwyrm will soon be prominent in Oleg's, further enriching us. We have stowed the majority of our heavier trade goods here for the time being: We shall probably monetise them once we are in rightful possession of this realm. My ordered scroll arrived: In communion with Sk'zzk, I have learnt the Art of turning even mundane items into mastercrafted marvels at the expense of a little gold and an hour's time. I have enhanced the Captain's anchor in such a manner, and my grandfather's sword is now finer than it ever was in his lifetime, raised to an ideal and vision of what it should have been, rather than a cast-off given to a disfavoured son. I will prove myself worthy of it in time, and I will shape it to be worthy of me.

 

Date: Desnus 27, 4711, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

As I write this, I sit watch over the grave of what Elsa tells me is was a unicorn. It is the strangest thing: In this fetid grove beside a mouldering, stagnant pond, no trace of decay had dared corrupt the body of this being. Kalinka is quite beside herself in annoyance and loss: She still feels the ache of the first Inna's death in battle strongly, and to see a being such as this dead has quite affected her. Still, there was a trace of necromancy on the body, untouched by corruption as it was, but not an active spell such as gentle repose. I am puzzled by this: Even as we have buried the creature, I cannot help but feel it will remain as incorruptible as it was when we found it. I shall keep an eye out for anything resembling the horn of such a beast: I cannot shake the feeling that, even as we hold vigil and conduct its burial, this will not be the last we see of what was once a truly wondrous creature. This is not the first grave during our exploration of this western verge of our lands: An untouched cairn of the Tiger Lords within a bramble thicket. So rarely are they found unpillaged! We re-concealed it as best we could: Whatever treasures lie beneath, only that dead warrior has right to them: May they remain his as long as the world persists.

 

Date: Sarenith 9, 4711. (Yet another of Drogza's letters home)

 

It turns out the cultural divide between orcs and humans isn't as vast as I thought! After we finished laying siege to the local bandits and pillaging everything they had of value, we carried their leader's head back to Restov and someone from Solamus' clan (the one with the fancy little sword) granted me permission to claim the fort and all the available land in sight! Just like it works back home! We even named it something with the human word for "tusk" in it. No "blood" though.

 

Of course, originally she was going to give it to Elsa... I've mentioned her, right? The tiny girl who talks a lot? Something about having "the most noble background" or something, so of course I had to step up and correct her. Poor little thing would have been challenged for her seat by every young warrior we met, and I'm not sure she even knows how to fight hand-to-hand. People still seem to think I'm lying about who my father is, but apparently I can climb to the top anyway if I keep proving myself in raids like this.

 

Date: Erastus 9, 4711. (A proclamation to the people of Tuskwood)

 

While we have not yet fully tamed our local environs, efforts to remove all large and dangerous beasts from the region have been highly successful so far. We have had only one report of monsters attacking settlers, and as anyone passing through Tor Inna can see, the beast responsible was slain as soon as word reached us. Advanced scouting of the region south of the city has turned up a number of other potential hazards, most of which have already been dealt with, but just to be safe, those feeling the urge to explore should, for their own safety, restrict their excursions to the northern expanse, being mindful to respect our friends the Sootscale kobolds. Of course, while things are reasonably safe, those of you immigrating from the cities should keep in mind that the local wilderness is home to wolves, bears, and various other dangerous animals, so anyone with business taking them beyond the boundaries of the barony should try to travel in groups, with at least two experts in wilderness survival.

 

On a similar note, while we are still making our best effort to locate the missing Tannersen child, his disappearance serves as a serious reminder that no one's children should be freely roaming the countryside unattended. If anyone should see an unattended child wandering away from the borders of the barony, please make the effort to scream some sense into them.

 

Jouranl: Date XXXXXX, Elsa

 

"We have found the missing child, and liberated him. We were opposed by a goup of..lizard - men. THeir king was a most unpleasant sort, and uninterested in negotiation, instead relying on his ancestors. When his unreason reached the point of declaring it a fine thing to torture a child and also to attacking us, we ended up swelling the ranks of his anscestors with his army. It is never a good thing to resort to killing, but in this case I feel that I shall not losse too much sleep over it. Yet again, we have shown that when we work as a coordinated unit, we can best most obstacles. Kalinka denied them the freedom to go else than where we wanted to go, while Drogza and ANgus introduced them to justice in the most primal fashion. And Solamus - who yet again will no doubt undervalue his contributions - remopved the King of the Lizard Folk with nary a whimper."

 

Date: Erastus 15, 4711, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

Whilst returning Tig Tannersen from his ordeal, our populace came to us in a clamour. A creature had taken the lives of some of our number, as well as some livestock. After investigation, it seemed we had identified a werewolf, and had their approximate size due to their tracks. With the majority of villagers in our fortress, we took those meeting the description out with us, and spake with them to ascertain which was the beast. My share of the duty came to a paranoid guardsman, a cowardly chandler, and a lickspittle toady, none of whom were the guilty party. It emerged a barbarian from the north was the culprit:  I put him to sleep the moment he changed, and baroness Drogza put him to the sleep eternal permanently.

 

Date: Erastus 29, 4711, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

I have spent the past fortnight in adherence to my duties, providing a practical education both to the young and those who wish their skills and talents to be more applicable. I have spoken at length with Anders Bronzespear the blacksmith about setting up a forge to weave the art into weapons, but it isn't practical without a genuine commitment of our resources to that end. We held an inquest on the Werewolf incident, to see what could be better done next time. It is nearly time for our monthly planning meeting, and we shall have to see what path we set our realm down next.

 

Date: Arodus 10, 4711, Personal Journal of Kalinka

 

I am not pleased.  Not pleased one bit.  We have been killing Plants.  Not ordinary plants, but the moving kind.  My distant cousins.  A Tendriculous and a shambling mound.  Yes, we had been hired to get shambling mound sap - and we were attacked by the Tendriculous - but I do not have to be pleased.  Or maybe... we killed the shambling mound.  But the tendriculous killed itself the moment it swallowed Angus.  Suicide by Pirate? I suppose so.

 

Other than that, all we did was talk.  Talk, talk, talk.  Plan city building.  Trained a few wilderness runners.  And more talking.  For two weeks straight.

 

Date: Arodus 16, 4711, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

Having supplied shamblesap to the hermit near the frontier (taking out some spiders on the way), we headed south to negotiate with our Sootscale allies for a more complete integration into Tuskwood. Discussions continued apace, and provided we are mindful of the 'Mite exception', should any of that violent ilk return, they are content to abide in general by our laws. As part of our new covenant, Chief Sootscale will coordinate our intelligence efforts henceforth. The silver from the Kobold mines will benefit us greatly in our continued expansion. We travelled south from the Sootscales and have discovered a cavern complex to the southeast of our allies' location. We cleansed out the bat swarms with lightning, wind and fire, but Seradin stumbled into a trap, and was beset by skeletons. Drogza's wolf Fasa was severely injured in the subsequent struggle...

 

Date: Arodus 27, 4711, Drogza's public bulletin on recent events.

 

Our latest expedition has been a huge success.  First and foremost, a local settlement of substantial size and wealth has agreed to incorporation within our Barony, granting us access to substantial mineral wealth along with many new citizens, which should enrich our economy substantially. All citizens are advised to be respectful of the cultural differences of your new neighbors, and avoid judgements based on skin or scales.

 

We have also dispatched a number of dangerous creatures in the area, including what we believe to be the original source of last month's werewolf problem, and a fair number of dangerous predatory beasts ranging through the hills to the southeast of the castle. Those traveling through the area are advised however that it still remains for the most part untamed wilderness, and travelers should always try to carry a fair quality of alcohol to share with any natives they may encounter as a gesture of good will.

 

Travel to the southwest should be avoided if possible for the next month due to reports of unruly trolls in the region.

 

Personal Journal of Elsa Silvertongue Goldwhistle Orlovsky, Lamashshan 11th 4711

 

We continued, today, our assault on the Troll lair - although this place was obviously not of troll build.  The quality standards are way too high and the amenities are way too small.  Our growth as an effective force continues.   When we work together, all becomes possible.  Kalinka. . . .

 

Kalinka can be scary.  Those trolls did not have a chance.  Before they could get their admittedly limited wits about them, they found themselves trapped, in pits, holes, with Noxious fumes and fire, and the burning of acid.  Add in Solamus's particular brand of lullaby and  ability to change a foes perspective and narrow the field of vision of the narrow minded, and also add in the strong arms of Drogza and Angus -- and then healing and any number of contributions of Serradin. . .and that battle was over before it began.

 

"Then there is the matter. . of the shot.  I still do not fully understand what it was I did.  One arrow, pulled back and admittedly carefully aimed - I did wish to cause the beastie more than mere annoyance, but the results - well, the results were outsized.  The shot lodged deep into the thick hide of the roll and. . well. . it sent him staggering. . . quite a distance, actually.  Right off the edge of a cliff.  While quite gratifying in its own way, I doubt I will ever replicate it no matter how long the hours of practice I may put in.

 

Now, on to explore the rest of this place, and perhaps find out more about its original inhabitants."

 

Drogza's ruminations on heavily fortified trolls.

 

On the one hand, providing living space for a drunken giant and blood for a strange old woman are not the greatest of reasons to assault a stronghold. On the other hand, these trolls are clearly hostile, and not the original builders of this place. Still, the caverns which seem to house the bulk of them don't seem to fit with the rest of the structure, and their leader seemed inordinately intelligent and defensive. Beyond the obvious risks, I'm not entirely sure we have a strong enough reason to simply wipe out this entire population. Assuming that is they don't come looking for us and force the matter.

 

 

Date: Lamashshan 11th, 4711, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

The thrice-bedamned trolls followed us! I was awoken from my much-needed rest by Seradin, who had heard movement to the south. Seeing a hint of the movement of which he spake, I took to the skies to scout out the disturbance. Upon setting eyes on them, I was rather rudely fireballed, twice. I began putting them to sleep as Kalinka ensnared them, with Drogza and Angus heading towards them for the kill, although the Baroness was unarmoured. I envy her bravery. Seradin and Elsa patched her back up after the first troll was dispatched, Kalinka sealing the deal with acid. I did my best to warp the skeins of fate to show the trolls nothing but disfavour, but some of these beasts are apparently quite strong-willed. Our efforts to kill them continued...

 

Date: Lamashshan 17th, 4711, An Early Draft of a Public Address by Drogza

 

While dealing with a number of threats in the forest southwest of Tor Inna, we suffered a major loss- a significant casualty, when General Angus McDougal fell in battle. We will be holding a memorial service- We are currently awaiting word as to his condition, and ask that all citizens take extra caution to avoid traveling alone in the wilderness, particularly to the west of the city, until we've completely annihilated the trolls respons- confirmed the relative safety of the region.

 

Date: Neth 13th, 4711 Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

We are returning to town with the heads of the two beasts slain in our travels. The Drake's attempt to intimidate me into unblinding it should be noted for posterity: It threatened to destroy me should I not remove the means of preventing it from destroying me. I gave it a blast of lightning, and Drogza shattered it with a single arrow at its weakest point.

 

Date: Neth 16th, 4711 A brief report from Drogza on their last expedition.

 
Having apparently secured an uneasy truce with a local den of trolls, and easily subduing the latest dangerous beasts to threaten the area, along with a manticore and another pack of wargs which most likely would have stirred up some trouble in the future, we came across a clearly deranged old man living in a log with a rather large lion. After several attempts to both stab me through solid plate and offer us tea he did not seem to possess, we took him into protective custody. A locket in his possession seems to indicate he may have some connection to a sister or daughter of one of the other local hermits, which seems worthy of further investigation.

 

Date: Kuthona 22, 4711 Seradin Reacts to the Execution of the Crazy Old Man

 

     Seradin skulked silently into his quarters and latched the door behind him, breaking the quiet with a loud 'thunk' echoing across  the halls. He felt ill. The dismal end to the matter of the old hermit only moments ago had seen to that but yet he had some difficulty divining exactly why that was. The arguments the others had used to rationalize the execution swirled about in his head, all soundly rooted in firm logic.  The old man had been a murderer, a danger to anyone who would have approached him, and in the long run his continued existence would have been a threat to the continued sanctity of Tuskwood. However, despite the powerful reasoning of these statements, Seradin could not help but dread the old man's impending doom, taking whatever opportunity he could to forestall its bloody conclusion.

     If Serah had been watching she would tease him, call him a sentimental fool, a small man incapable of making the hard decisions necessary for running a kingdom, a dreamer drowning in a sea of his own wakefulness. Practicality and simple solutions had always held a high station in her decision making process and she had no qualms with sharing those views with others. He had made his choice, however, said his goodbyes. He had set about on this quest to distance himself from her ideals only to find himself thrust right back upon them, the same circumstances that so pressed him to set out on his own in the first place.  Seradin slumped down against the door as the acknowledgement of this circle began to wash over him.

     It wasn't long before the shakes began to set in as they always did when he felt this way. Fumbling for a cigarette, Seradin could not shake the events from earlier out of his mind. Had it just been his imagination or had the old man deliberately caught his eye before the axe fell upon his neck. That sly grin, and those bemused and silently determined eyes. It was as if he wanted to spend his last act on earth spiting the one man who had fought so hard for his survival. While the old man's last words, "it's all still the same", served as nothing but nonsense to the others they had a particular effect on Seradin, pulling him down to depths he had not visited in a long time, to a place he would prefer never to return. Hadn't Serah said something like that the night he decided to leave her behind?

     As Seradin inched the cigarette into his mouth the shaking subsided. He could begin to think clearly once again.

"Enough with this sentimental thinking," He thought,

"I've got a job to do".

     He sat down at his desk and began draw out a scrap of paper. It was his job, as always, to explain all these recent events to the people, after all. As he wrote, however id did not take him long to realize the rich irony of his situation. Even though he had left his job as a journalist over this, even though he had become a man of political significance, however slight, he still did not truly have any  agency over the content of his published works. In order to preserve the stability of the kingdom, these events had to be portrayed in as positive a light as possible. Literacy, he was taught, was supposed to set him free, give him wings with which to soar above the hands that sought to oppress him. Instead it had made him a vessel of that hand, giving him only the opportunity to  espouse not his own ideals but the ideals of those stronger and with more power than he could ever hope to achieve. For a moment he mused on Grigori and the rambling complaints he barked out at the townspeople every day. However misplaced Grigori's anger may be, Seradin admired his freedom, his tenacity. It took a certain kind of boldness to speak out against power in the river kingdoms, a kind that Seradin admired greatly. From now on, perhaps, he would try to defend Grigroi more in the coming months. Not for his ideas, but for his right to share them.

 

"You are dreaming again, come back to bed" Serah called to him.

 

"No, I won't go back to sleep"

 

She was silent for a moment.

 

"You know you can't win. You will always fail."

 

"I know," he said, "but that doesn't mean I shouldn't try."

 

 

The snow fell quietly outside. 

 

Date:  Farast 1, 4712 A letter from Elsa Orlovsky to her parents

 

Since I last wrote, we have handled a few things - Mainly we handled many things within our kingdom, expanding our borders and adding infrastructure and establishing the city if Leveton to act as a hub for trade routes from the north and east.   However, in the midst of all of the business, there was an. . interesting happenstance.  Once the waters had frozen over, we decided to make use of the thick ice to finally cross the lake and investigate the ruins on the island at the center.  The place was. . to say the least . . . disturbing.   There was a definite feeling of. . wrongness in the air.  Kalinka and Solamus especially noticed it, but to a degree it effected us all.   While inspecting the ruins we fought off - by the gods I hate them - Will o' the Wisps, the same abominations as that thing from the Lizard man's camp.  After some successful aggressive negotiations from Drogza and Angus, the question of their right to unprovoked aggression against our persons was equitably settled.  We won, they lost.    Inspecting the place afterwards. . . Serradin filled us in on the meaning of the runes on the walls - the place is ancient.  Beyond ancient.  And. . . is dedicated to eldritch and ancient abominations that, if I understand aren't immoral, or even amoral, but beyond our comprehension of moral - completely alien to our experiences and goals, beings and powers which best remain buried and unworshipped - that there were, at one times, those who worshiped such is disturbing.  Gods of hat, anger, revenge, greed - all of those are normal emotions of sentient beings that can be understood.  This?  Is not.  We have decided, for the moment, to leave the place be.  Perhaps at a later date, we will decide what else to do with it - for my own part, I am glad to leave it behind for the nonce.

 

Back to Tor Inna.  There were a few Notable events in Tor Inna - Serradin has opened up talks with a Smithing business which, if it pans out, coudl enrich greatly the prospects of Tuskwood - for any arguments I might have with Serradin at times, he is very effective at his job, and a good man that I would willingly risk my life for.  As are they all.  And speaking of the others, Kalinka knows joy, I understand not the hows or whys of it, but apparently. . Inna is back, her true and beloved companion has returned, and as it brings joy to her, it brings joy to me.   Her true companion has returned.

 

Back to Leviton;  When we named the town - built around Oleg's old trading post, the start of our adventures some year ago - Svetlana was pleased and Oleg, I think, was gruffly embarrassed.   But I think pleased as well, even if it did not show.  he is a good man, and deserves recognition for such.  With the establishment of Leviton and the connection of reliable roads connecting us to both Restov and Varnhold, I was, at the request of Drogza - sorry - Baroness Drogza - even after this time it is hard to think of her in such terms, as it is hard to think of myself as a "Grand diplomat"  - I have concluded negotiations with Restov and Varnhold to open up trading agreements with both nations.  I think, while it might be possible in the long run to have better terms on the agreement with Restov, the agreement with Varnhold was equitable, and the conclusion of both agreements should enable our kingdom to grow at an increased rate.   Our Kingdom. . . mother, father. . how we have grown.  Please, give everyone a hug for me.  Despite anything else you have heard I am still, always. . .

 

Your Elsa.

 

Date: Gozren 22nd, 4712 Personal Journal of Kalinka

 

It is difficult at times when my personal beliefs and preferences are challenged by beings on my own side. Such was the case with Melianse, the Nixie. I know what it is to be friends with the trees, to value their company and to resent the intrusion of men into my domain. And that foul-mouthed lout was no charmer, making horrid comments about all of us trees looking alike, and fucking fairies. Yet she was so inflexible. It nearly came to blows, but we managed to sort it out, despite both sides being stubborn and frustrating and stupid. This is a conflict that should not have happened. She should have said "Stop cutting down my trees" and he should have said "Didn't realize it was your copse of trees, I'll leave you alone." and then he wouldn't have threatened her, and she wouldn't have charmed his men, and we wouldn't have had to waste a week waiting for Solamus to successfully conjure up some trees. Like I said, it's hard when people who are on my side are irritating.

 

Date: Gozren 22nd, 4712, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

Our explorations of the ruined keep were rather hectic: After Drogza was nearly bisected by the portcullis, we were assaulted by what Kalinka called a Quickling, an Aklo-speaking reprobate of phenomenal speed. After it stabbed Drogza I was able to blind it, then Kalinka made it glitter and dumped it down a spiked pit. Its allies, a lightning-proof motile vine and a poison-clawed elf-like creature, were dealt with in short order, but even crippled the Quickling put up a stout resistance. And then Drogza booted open a portal to the elemental plane of rat...

 

 

Gozren 26th, expansion on Drogza's notes from a crude map:

A set of elven ruins we discovered along our western border proved itself to be filled with irriating, violent, and generally annoying creatures of a fey variety. Most notably, there was a tiny little freak who kept stabbing me with a pin, and a woman I had to fight by myself as apparently Solamus found the sight rather distracting. Still, the now empty ruined keep is a far more suitable site for an additional fortification than the tower to the south.

 

Date: Desnus 1st, 4712, Kalinka's letter home (translated from Druidic):

 

Dear Mother and Father,

 

I am pleased to report that my mission in these lands has met with success.  I have located my Great Great Grandmother, and can confirm that the old stories are true.  Seems that we are descended from the Dryad's oak, not her herself.  Anyway, her name is Tiressia and she has a Satyr for a lover.  We were able to help her out against a Scythe Tree that was bothering her. You should come visit sometime.  She's really friendly.

 

I think I will stay a little longer.  I know that I've done everything I came to do - but I've made friends with my party.  They would probably starve without me.  And if I wasn't there who would speak for nature?

 

I hope you are all in good health.

 

Much love,

Kalinka.

 

 

Neth, 11, 3712, Elsa

 

 

We finally bearded the trolls in their lair after they went one step too far, taking the LIzardfolk tribe - This time, it was all business. THey attempted to distract us by placing our threatened allies first in the line of fire, but their hearts were not in it and we passed them easily. After some initial difficulty, KThe troll minions were taken out, and it was on to Kargad and HArgulka....hargulka attempted foul murder...but due to the timely intervention of SOlamus...this was forestalled....and HArgulka met a richly deserved fate. "

 

Date: Neth 17, 4712 ,Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

Once we had ended Hargulka's threat once and for all and seen the Lizardfolk safely home, we returned to see Tor Inna  badly damaged,with our mill and some housing badly damaged, apparently by a thirty-foot high Owlbear. Such things cannot be allowed to stand in our realm: Kalinka tracked it down to its lair, and we proceeded inside, past purple fungal nuisances and a handful of spiders...

 

 

Date: Neth 17, 4712, Personal Journal of Kalinka   The owl-bear was dealt with very quickly and easily, or at least so it looked from where I was dealing with the shambling mound. Speaking of the mound, I was able to speak with it and offer it the body of the owlbear in exchange for leaving us alone. I offered it the opportunity to come back to Tor Inna, but it declined. As we searched the cave, we found a starving baby owlbear. I fed it some jerky. Maybe it will follow me home, and I will be able to keep it!

 

Date: Gozren 14, 4713, a public declaration from Drogza before departing for Vanhold

 

Having fully recovered from Neth's owlbear incident, construction has begun in earnest on several new structures which should lead to a much larger and more prosperous Tor Inna. We have also begun laying the groundwork for two new cities in the forest to the west, further civilizing our domain, and bringing in more of the comforts some recent migrants may be missing from up north. As several months have now passed without incident, it is quite possible that all large and dangerous creatures in the region have been slain or driven off, and therefore, we are embarking on a diplomatic mission to our friends and neighbors in Varnhold, where both the locals and several of our own citizens have been reported as missing. We should be returning in several weeks with an understanding of the situation, if not the missing persons themselves. In the meantime, please direct any problems that may arise in our absense to Tor Inna's newly constructed town hall.

 

Further notes during the investigaton

Arriving at Varnhold, we were met first by a rather unpleasant river beast which nearly managed to devour my wolf Fasa. Having dealt with that, we began investigating the city, which as reported did indeed appear to have been completely abandoned. Some spriggans of a rather unpleasant disposition had since arrived, ransacking the town for valuables, and taking up residence in the main stockade, but nothing points at them being responsible for the lack of citizens. A stray cat proved a more valuable lead, suggesting a bird of some kind (possibly the one circling overhead) has lured the citizenry away by means of some sort of enchanting song.

 

 

Captain's log; (Date): When we'd set out for varnhold, i really hadn't known what to expect..and i suppose that with all the things that have happened to us so far in our adventures, nothing really surprises me any more..Giant crabs, Giant boars..Soon enough, we'll be fighting giant halflings to free some below-average giants from tyranny. Ach..Well, we set about searching the town for clues, and found a few leads..the townsfolk packed up without so much of a fight, and a band of spriggans moved in...Spriggans..I hate those guys.. Will have to do something about them, when the time comes..even if the rest of my band doesn't agree..They want to claim that they have what they hold? We'll see how long they can keep it away from me. It will have to wait until my companions have recovered..a run in with some crows has left them a bit lacking in the sight department..thankfully not permanent..hopefully they'll be stronger for it in the end..

 

Date: Gozren 17, 4713, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

It was horrible. Shattering the window like something out of nightmare, but so much worse because I knew what it was. It headed straight for me relentlessly, its talons ripping through physical and metaphysical substance that I didn't even know existed, tearing my balance, my drive, my very sanity to tattered shreds. It looked at me with so many eyes that were not eyes, all of them focused on me, none of them visible. Twice it shrugged off my attempts to blind it, and even after Angus and Drogza arrived to end its existence, it looked for me, only for me. It plunged me into a terrifying vision of madness and agony, multiplying itself a thousandfold against a swirling backdrop of burning wild hogs and barrels of beer, spiralling towards utter madness and sweet oblivion... and then I find myself looking up at Seradin, whole of mind once more, the creature slain before our titans of battle. Another few seconds, and I might not have been retrievable, or worse, might not have come back as myself...

 

Date: Gozren 25, 4713, Another letter to Drogza's mother

I'm having some misgivings about these Varnhold people we're looking for too. At first they seemed quite nice and friendly, but they've barely made a mark on the land around them, did a terrible job clearing dangers from their surrounding area, and getting collectively captured is just rather sad. Much more importantly, they've apparently been at war with this local group of centaurs, but touring their camp the other day, I thought they were some of the most pleasant and understandable people in this entire region. It actually made me miss the good old days of constantly being on the move while you looked for new targets. Granted, I still take the occasional trip like this out through the wilderness, meeting interesting people and sometimes killing them, but it just isn't quite the same. you know? Speaking of which, local customs say I'm not supposed to publicly brag about things like this, but just between us? I charged a bullette about the size of a watchtower today, and managed to cleave it in half with a single swing! Apparently Elsa's working on something about it, but I don't think the human language really has enough words for bisection to do it justice. Anyway, I hope this letter reaches you. Time to go deal with some bothersome spriggans.

 

Date: Gozren 25, 4713, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

A group of Gargoyles were blinded by their greed, and then by Kalinka and myself. We dispatched them in short order, and continued back to Varnhold to ask the Spriggans nicely to relinquish the Centaur's bow. They refused. We insisted. They were happy to do battle. We made them... less than happy. I ensnared their wolves in a mest of black tentacles, then silenced their agonised yelps with lightning. Kalinka began dissolving two of them: They eventually stopped screaming, so either they died or their throats began to dissolve. Spriggan arrows rained down all around us, but aside from one or two, none actually caused us any harm. We continued to assault their stronghold directly...

 

Date: Gozen 26, 4713, Drogza's Musings on the natives of Varnhold

As I have mentioned before, seeing Varnhold itself was quite a disappointment. It is a very small settlement still, and rather poorly defended, with only a simple wooden fence on a hill, and a somewhat defensible wooden structure within, although they did at least have the sense to pack the structure full of arrow slits and murder holes. The Nomen centaurs meanwhile, with whom the humans of Varnhold have an ongoing conflict struck me as perfectly pleasant people with whom it would be nice to foster a stronger relationship. Doing so required us to reclaim a bow which had been stolen by a group of spriggans, formerly living in a nearby cave, but relocated to the abandoned fort in Varnhold. These spriggans were quite possibly the least reasonable group we have ever encountered, rudely refusing favors and gestures of good will, and ultimately outright seeking a fight which proved remarkably one-sided. Some of the local wildlife here however is quite interesting, particularly some of the gargantuan beasts roaming the plains and foothills.

 

Date: Gozren 29, 4713, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

Our path from Varnhold to the Nomen encampment was briefly crossed by a Mastodon, which was briefly killed by Drogza. The Nomen leader was much more forthcoming with the weapon named Skybolt returned: They directed us to the place from whence they took their name, and beyond it to where Vordakai was said to be, a name from ancient times. A place taboo to the centaurs, something was glimpsed within recently, and Samantha (Xamanthe? the pronunciation was a little off), the daughter of the Chieftess, broke with tradition to investigate. Her return, or her body's return, would be looked upon with favour. We headed to the place indicated, and faced two undead cyclopes, through which Vordakai spake. I suspect he's been keeping close tabs on us through the bird which has been our constant shadow: The creatures knew enough of our usual strategies to last at least six seconds longer than they would have otherwise.

 

And so, we advance upon the Little Sellen river, and spy some distant birdlike forms rising up from the far bank towards us. I write this as we wait for them to approach: they seem fairly fast, but the river is very broad and we will be ready. I'm not certain, but I think they may be wyverns. There seem to be tracks corresponding to a group of people, some zombies and one centaur here, we shall see where they lead in due course.

 

Date: Gozren 30, 4713, Personal Journal of Kalinka

 

Wyverns are irritating creatures.  By far the worst aspect is the poison.  It almost killed Seradin, but a heroic effort from all of us kept him alive, more or less, until the poison was flushed from his system.  Sucking out the poison, casting Bear's Endurance, drinking potions of Lesser Restoration, making him fortunate.  It was just barely enough to keep him alive.  When he was stable and had healed himself, we were able to continue on our quest.  After some dithering we found a cave to rest in.  Another of the blasted Soul Eaters attacked in the night.  Fortunately, it went after Drogza- who was easily able to deal with it at the time.  When the night passed, we continued up the hallway - and were ambushed by zombie cyclops.  They dissolve in acid as well as anything else.  Good to know...

 

Date: Gozren 30, 4713, shoddily scrawled journal entry of Angus.

 

We pushed deeper into vordekai's tomb, easily dispatching the cyclopean zombies guarding the upper levels..they've yet to prove a real challenge, despite their apparent grasp of tactical knowledge.. the tomb's various traps haven't been much of a challenge for our band either, our brute force and magical prowess easily defeating their challenges.. Water? No problem. Giant Eels..Too slow for us.. Doors? We don't need keys where we go.. and trapped rooms? Nothing more than a pile of adventuring gear couldn't handle.. As we pack our gear back up to continue deeper into the duneon, i write this, wondering just how much more our wits and resources will be put to the test before we meet the master of this accursed place.

 

Date: Desnus 1, 4713. Drogza's thoughts on unspeakable horrors.

 

The cyclopean zombies roaming the area haven't posed much of a threat thus far, and we have been learning a fair amount about their ancient culture. Meanwhile, these soul eaters are proving to be a terrible nuisance. Particularly in rooms with high ceilings. We still need to work some on our tactics for fending off flying creatures it seems. In any case, we have just one more door to check from this chamber after Solamus finishes copying down the images from these frescos, which should hopefully lead the way to this lich we're apparently being forced to deal with. 

 

Date: Desnus 1, 4713. Personal Journal of Kalinka.

 

After some time, and the discovery of our Varnhold allies - now deceased - we were called by Vordekai to come up and face him.  On the way, we encountered water elementals and other tricks and traps to wear us down.  The fight has been going in our favor, however.  Solamus was able to stop the lich from casting spells, and I put his friend down a pit.  But now Vordekai has gone invisible and is hiding. It's unfair.  It is hard to kill someone who we cannot see. 

 

Date: Desnus 1, 4713. Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

Victory! We paid a hefty price: Drogza was briefly dominated, Kalinka ran out of magic, Angus was temporarily paralysed, Elsa lost her life for a few seconds and I had my sight taken from me, but we triumphed over the ancient lich Vordekai and his Grave Knight guardian. We are now rich beyond the dreams of avarice, laden with powerful magics of great potency, and equipped with the collected knowledge of ancient Casmaron. More importantly, we have at least forty survivors from Varnhold: I wish there could be more, but even this many is a great boon from Cayden Cailean, in whose name we will set them free. Kalinka's magics kept the Grave Kight from overwhelming us, and Drogza slew it to enable us to save Elsa. My strategy was to disrupt the Lich's spellcasting at every turn: It fled from my concentrated blasts of time and hid to heal up from Drogza's mighty blows. When it showed its face again, Kalinka entrapped it with the last of her magic, setting up Drogza to end its unlife. It crumbled to dust, Elsa informing us it was 'Atrophied', reduced in power and unable to regenerate. We found many potent magical treasures on and around it, which we shall divide up with a clear head. We must also destroy the Grave Knight armour to keep it from returning...

 

Date: Desnus 3, 4713, An Invitation to the wedding of Drogza Rogarvia-Bloodtusk and Anton Varn

 

In commemoration of the liberation of the people of Varnhold from an ancient evil force, now slain, and the establishment of peaceful relations between the Nomen centaurs and their various two-legged neighbors, the Baroness Drogza Rogarvia-Bloodtusk is to marry the Baron Anton Varn in a multicultural ceremony, to be held at the hot springs in western Tuskwood on the 16th of Erastus of this current year. Hopefully in attendance shall be representatives from various noble houses of the humans of the region, an envoy from the Bloodtusk orcs, Chief Sootscale, of the Sootscale kobolds, Aecora Silverfire of the Nomen centaurs, a representative from the nearby lizardfolk village, and some of the longterm residents of the region, fae or otherwise. As this ceremony is to be held largely in celebration of the forging of peaceful alliances, and in particular light of the number of guests invited from formerly isolated cultures, we must very strongly stress that all invitations are sent on the condition that those in attendance will respect the laws of Tuskwood (enclosed) along with any lands they must travel through, and are in particular implored to refrain from killing, maiming, raping, pillaging, or otherwise bringing misery to any of the locals or other guests, without first getting their explicit consent. We realize these conditions may be seen as either unreasonable or an ill portent for many, and will take no offense should any decide not to attend on those grounds.

 

Date: Desnus 7, 4713. Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

Once we freed the Varnholders and returned their possessions to them, we began working our way back towards our established territories, through the Watchtower pass. This gave us a good view of the surrounding territories, and we should be able to make good use of it. We spied another tower on an adjacent peak, but found it to be the nest of a rather hungry roc. On the upside, we now have several Roc eggs. On the minus side, it ate Seradin's horse.

 

Date: Sarenrith 15, 4713. Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

My masterpiece is almost complete! Briefly slowed by the Baroness' scouting mission for the road to her betrothed's territory, complete with a warg roast, I have been working hard upon my literal crowning glory. I believe I can treble the effectiveness of the headgear, and by extension my own prowess. Seeing me hard at work has led to requests from my colleagues, in some cases lengthy ones, as to their own expenditures from their share of the Lich's treasure. I shall endeavour to fulfil these all in good time, although I imagine with the recent matrilineal union of Tuskwood and Varnhold, exploring the bounds of our demesne and expanding our area of control will be high on the agenda. Our agricultural focus has paid dividends of late: Leveton Brewery has opened with the blessings of Cayden Cailean, and Tor Inna Library has opened its doors, with translations of the histories of Casmaron a major attraction. Soon, Stagwood will be established, meaning Tuskwood advances from strength to strength.

 

Date:Erastus 26th 4713, Jounal of Seradin Darkwood

 

Building a kingdom is hard work. When the dregs of evil aren't crawling out of the hills and forests and threatening our very lives just for the shear thrill of it, internal drama and chaos at home always seems to take its place. Despite showing him up at every turn with our trophies of battle and conquests, Grigori continues to unjustly denigrate our every action. Surely, if we elected to capitulate to any of his claims or perhaps even bestow upon him great honors and privileges he would surely follow suit with woven rhetoric about how it signals the downfall of Tuskwood (which, given the above example, may actually place him in the right).

 

Regardless, These past few months have certainly seen a fair share of growth for our fair kingdom, which aside from completing the foundations for its third city, Stagwood, has now secured and merged its borders with the claimed territories of Varnhold, nearly doubling Tuskwood's current size. Rampant expansion however has its price and the disapproval that some of our citizenry share has grown into a somewhat omnipresent feeling in the air. I can only hope that the events at coming wedding festivities do not push us over the teetering edge, wherever that may be. I know I am not the only member of the court who holds certain concerns over inviting an Orcish tribe into our lands.

 

Date: Arodus 4, 4713. Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

Damnable Ettercaps. Murdering some innocent dwarf as bait, constructing a blatant trap in the form of a silken bridge. Blasting them into walls, brutalising them with anchors and falchions, , eating them with pits and turning one into a pig was too good for them, if you ask me. We gave the Dwarf appropriate Caydenite last rites, and made sure his possessions would be used for good in future. We have nearly finished mapping the northern border between the two baronies of the duchy, but this was the most noteworthy thing since the unification wedding...

 

Date: Erastus 16, 4713. Drogza's private musings.

 

What should really have been a most festive day has brought with it entirely too much bad news. While I have been polite, and indeed, not even particularly concerned with the governance of Brevoy since my father's disappearance, the reverse is clearly not the case. What I had hoped was just a... rather profane response from the acting king seems to have had some actual weight behind it. Even after sending a reply I felt was unnecessarily humble in light of his slanderous death threats, trade routes truly have been cut, and various lords have been forbidden to journey down this way. Elsa's father made an exception, claiming the right to visit with his daughter.

 

However, with the obvious exceptions, each invitation sent did indeed reach their destinations, with everyone capable of doing show arriving, even the local hermits I truly did not expect. My mother however was not among them. It would seem my sister found it necessary to end her life and assume leadership of the clan, in order to surrender it to some other warchief, who decided to personally attend in her stead. My brother Morg it seems was also killed, although, I would hope, in a more respectful fashion. I was quite conflicted over how best to respond to this. While emotion and instinct urged me to slay them both on the spot, I realized this new chief acted as I would in his position, accepting surrender when offered, and essentially offering me his life for the offense. Gurk on the other hand took actions that anyone would find worthy of contempt, regardless of their upbringing, presenting much more of a problem.

 

And oh yes, there was also a bit of a commotion with Perlivash and Tyg-Titter-Tut showing up during the recital of vows for one of their pranks. Something about their "queen" objecting to the wedding or some such nonsense. Usually I try to humor them, but I was simply in no mood. The nixie Melianse seemed rather offended by their outburst as well.

 

Date: Arodus 17, 4713. Letter from Solamus Aldori to Lily Teskertin

 

My dearest Lily,

Once again we are out exploring the bounds of our eastern Barony within the Duchy. It is just past a month since Drogza's nuptials, but the memory of them is still vivid: That Orc Chieftain challenging Seradin to an arm-wrestle over his report-writing prowess, my sister Brimalix duelling with the Mivon delegate and losing to her impatience, and Drogza battling her way past a dozen Orcs, our Centaur guests and even the old Beldame herself to claim her beloved's honour!

 

But it is other matters from that day which have been preying on my mind. The reaction of the fae to Perlivash's strange pronouncement may have lasting ripples, although our Satyr friend was most informative. Our discussions with Elsa's father and with our western neighbour Drelev were greatly concerning: Brevoy is a cracked flask of Alchemist's fire, and our beloved and wise Duchess' heritage is yet another hammer poised to swing at it. I cannot go into too much detail there,although the Drelev Demesne would be amenable to trade once we improve the Tor Inna waterfront.

 

We paused in Varnhold to commission the monument to those who had fallen: Elsa's lament upon her lyre of building was masterful and heartwrenching. With the commissions for our new farmland being handed out to the latest settlers, our Duchy is looking better than ever, and Anton Varn certainly seems to be getting a good start on extending the Rogarvia-Bloodtusk lineage. You wouldn't have thought the lad had it in him, but Drogza is certainly looking chipper in the mornings in town! I miss you greatly, and cannot wait until we are in Tor Inna once more.

 

All my love,

S.

 

Date: Arodus 24, 4713, A journal entry, written on the back of a fancy monogrammed wedding napkin by Angus

 

Arrr, what a party! The wedding came and went like a blur, it was such a party, i can barely remember it...Seems i drank a little too much, which is sure saying something. That poor varn boy..I hope that cask of whiskey i sent him comes in handy..he'll probably need it, once the duchess gets done with him.. The time went by, and we were able to bear witness to some..rather unusual weather.. a storm, on which the voices of the dead could be heard, and even conversed with! One last chance to speak with my grandfather...one day, i'll be a good pirate like him.. (At this point, the writing started getting smaller and crunched into the corner, before being completely obscured by mud..)

 

Date: Rova 5, 4713. Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori, encrypted and written each word in a different language.

 

So, it is war. Miwon and Pitax fighting over a forsaken corner of land as they have done for centuries. We have sided with those who had the foresight to attend the Duchess' wedding, promising them monthly resources until the cessation of hostilities. In truth, there are a fair few similarities, given that Swordlords and their families are present quite strongly in our high offices, given the Duke Consort, myself and my sister. I hope we know what we're getting into: I'd hate to see someone do to us what we did to those Cyclopes...

 

Date: Rova 22, 4713. Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

On our way to investigate a strange monolith, we were accosted by one Zzamass, a phase spider who spoke Aklo and asked for our help against a quintet of Xill that had driven her from it. Once they were crushed, anchored, eaten, frogged and sliced, we were able to identify the monolith as an old portal base of elven make which shone like a beacon in the ethereal. We recognised the spider's claim to it and parted amicably, rewarded with a beautiful locked chest. We continued our sweep and encountered a mastodon by the massive crag linnorm skeleton. We put it to sleep, and took a gift of food to our Centaur allies, celebrating with them the Day of the Inheritor and my birthday. All in all, I... Manticore! above and to the north!

 

Date: Lamashshan 12, 4713. Drogza's report from the furthest borders.

 

While the mountains around Varnhold are home to deadlier creatures than elsewhere in Tuskwood, they are for the most part refreshingly civil, and willing to turn away from a conflict they can't win. Of course, this just makes the few who do attack that much more pitiable, particularly that odd beast Kalinka cast down a pit as it snuck up on our camp late last month. Evidence does however suggest a large black dragon to be in the area, which we will most likely have to deal with in the near future. Meanwhile, on the homefront, it seems the season for political debates in the town square is finally over and done with. It's nice being able to walk the streets without hearing such ravings.

 

Date: Gozren 22, 4714. A general address on the status of the dutchy.

 

We had a somewhat difficult winter, resulting from numerous unfortunate coincidences, but have managed to pull through into a prosperous spring. Having enough farmland to more than provide for all our people, and no longer sending aid to our neighbors, we are finally building upward rather than outward, with a new mansion being constructed in Tor Inna while the Temple of the Elk in Stagwood has finally been restored in full. Today we also celebrate the birth of Zova Dura Rogarvia-Bloodtusk, who will hopefully inherit the rulership of these lands some day, should she prove worthy of the position.

 

Date: Sarenrae 20, 4714, Personal Journal of Solamus Aldori

 

With little Zova in her father's care, the Duchess decreed that we should survey the uncharted portion of the territory belonging to our centaur allies. With Erastil smiling upon Tuskwood, it was an auspicious time to do so, and I had just put the finishing touches to my latest accoutrements, as well as Drogza's blade and Kalinka's footwear. There is something pleasing in the honest toil of crafting, and I have certainly been kept busy. With the roads of Tuskwood stretching further than ever before, plans are afoot for some impressive new developments in the capital. As to our forays, we caught sight of a huge draconic creature in a thunderstorm, but all too briefly. The cyclopes, Wyverns and other such things generally keep their distance: The exceptions being a recent ambush by trapdoor spiders, and horror of horrors, the sacred burial grounds of our Centaur allies had been profaned by a dark cabal of evil manticores, great and small.

 

Before we could even act, they had the Duchess impaled with dozens of their horrid, javelin-like barbs, but we were able to react swiftly and dispatch the aggressive and cruel beasts - worse than beasts, for manticores have a degree of intelligence, these things knew full well what they were doing - to the best of our ability, by sword and by magic. One of the smaller ones seemed to be going for reinforcements, but the Duchess bade us let it go, and so we were merciful. We've seen what those evil things are capable of - had they done to any of our common citizens or even one of our centaur allies come to tend the graves of their fallen what they had done to the Duchess, we would be digging a fresh grave even now - so I have to hope in Cayden's name that she has made the right call.

 

Date: Erastus 10, 4714, Personal Journal of Kalinka

 

 

We received notification that the town of Tatzlford was under attack by raiders from the nearby Drevel Domain  Drelev Demesne. Luckily we had time to set up defenses - placing archers in the towers, moving civilians to safety, setting traps, and so forth. We were able to slow down the invaders with some well-placed tentacles, entangling weeds, and so forth whilst healing up our allies. Then we went to fend off the trolls. Acid pit works so well against them. Pushing them into the pits is amazing fun. With any luck this battle will be settled in no time.

 

Date: Erastus 17 4714, Drogza's Post-Battle Council Report

 

While the general leading the invading army proved himself roughly as useful an informant as a commander, our other captive proved to be the long astranged brother of our own general, and was quite cooperative in helping us learn the motivations of this attack. Contrary to earlier reports, the barbarians which conquered our western neighbors seem to have largely moved on to future conquests, and have no immediate plans to cause us any further trouble. although we will have to negotiate a hostage release from them in the near future. Drelev's sudden aggression seems instead to be prompted by an unknown agent, bolstering their forces with mercenaries and planting ideas of war in their baron's head. As my personal dealings with Baron Drelev found him to be an agreeable and friendly sort, there is strong cause to believe he is being coerced in some fashion. We set out now to sort this situation out, hopefully in a mostly peaceful fashion, although I suspect the Demense will have to be brought under our official protection to prevent any further troubles of this nature. By similar token, while Tatzelford came through the battle unscathed, its mayor seems to have been making some rather questionable investments in the local economy, and it seems prudent to officially incorporate the town before things get further out of hand in that regard. 

 

Date: Erastus 19 4714, Private musings after an accidental conquest

Unfortunately, it would seem Baron Drelev is the latest addition to a long list of local rulers who have proven exceptionally unwilling to listen to reason. Attempts to talk things out with him lead in to a chaotic melee which I was kept out of through magical intervention. In the end, the Baron was slain, Kalinka in need of a new physical form, and my suspicions that the Baron's wizardly brother-in-law was behind this mess were proven completely false. It seems our true grievance is now with Pitax, once we finish dealing with the remnants of these mercenaries and our accidental acquisition of a new city.

 

Date: Erastus 19 4714, Kalinka's thoughts upon being brought back to life

 

Death gives you a new perspective. Maybe it goes without saying. But it showed me that I've compromised my principles. I've helped my friends, helped my kingdom, conquer more and more of the wilderness - open fields and meadows being entraped in hedgerows and fences of stone and wood, all the flowers and grasses to feed all the creatures of a meadowland replaced by food to feed human mouths, planted by human hands. And we have annoyed some very powerful Fey. It is time I moved on, went back home. I found what I came for, and I need to leave before I completely forget who I am and what is most important.  I said my goodbyes in haste, and left the same day. I can but hope the others will understand some day. But for now, the only companion I need is Inna, and she can carry me home.

 

Thoughts of Yeva Medvyed in day ? of captivity in the dungeon of Fort Drelev

 

I have lost track of the days, even lost track of time down here in the dark. Sometimes, Uncle Terrion - such a good man - will speak to me to keep me company. I cannot respond. Rather wisely, they gagged me after my first attempt at escape. Apparently summoning a hoarde of monkeys to steal the jailer's keys is frowned upon in most prisons. I think the only reason they've let me live at all is the hopes of extracting a nice ransom out of my family - or out of Restov. But I'm so far down the ladder in both places that they'd be lucky to get enough out of them to justify the food costs. Still, it's a good thing they don't know it. For now, I just sit here and await rescue, like some hapless damsel in distress.

 

I don't think anyone's coming, though. Except... wait, what do I hear? Is that the sound of fighting? Uncle Terrion's trying to say something, but I can't make out the words over it... Just have to wait. Nothing I can do from here - and I don't know if the invaders will be any better.

 

Who is that?  A tusky woman wearing gleaming armor? Could that be the Half-Orc Pretender that King Surtova has publicly decried? I don't care if she has delusions above her station, she's got the keys to the cell. And she's just let Uncle Terrion go. So even if she's crazy, she's just fine with me.

 

Date: Erastus 25 4714, a journal entry marked with a bloodstained tigerskin

Following the invasion of fort drelev, we set off in search of the tigerlord barbarians, to try and put a stop to the source of the attacks. It wasn't long before we found them, though peaceful negotiation was turned down in short order. Barbarian or not, we had to send the fools to Gorum, who was most likely pleased with this turn of events, and the encampment was quickly turned into a bloodbath. It couldn't have been helped, I know as well as any that reason is not the strong suit of those who follow this path, and only the truly mighty survive in our style of combat..And none are mightier than me..I can't wait to meet this..So called second coming of (That barbarian king guy, i forget the name, sorry!), I'll show him who is truly the king of barbarians!

 

Date: Erastus 25 4714, Drogza's musings on a defiled temple

After freeing the Drelevian captives from a decidedly unreasonable group of barbarians in a decidedly lopsided battle, there was a small matter of debate on whether it was best to leave in relative peace, or interrupt the ascention ceremony of this alleged reincarnation of Armag. While I was personally opposed to showing such disrespect to a strong devotee of my family's religion, and don't especially share the same concerns about a divinely empowered warrior being loosed upon the world, ultimately we decided it would be irresponsible not to verify that there would be no further conflict between us. Rather than devotees of Gorum within however, we found several members of a cult which once attained the briefest of toeholds in Tor Inna, and nothing less than daemons further within. Obviously problematic, but I can't say I wasn't relieved to see things unfold in a fashion that dispelled all ambiguity as to whether we had the right to press farther in.

 

Date: Erastus 25 4714, Margin notes around the transcribed inscriptions of Armag's Tomb by Solamus
I wonder why there were Derghodaemons here? Sent the spider monsters to sleep, Angus finished them, torched their pets. Gorum doesn't seem the kind of deity to have truck with the soultakers. Strange. The Iron Golem in his image, that makes more sense, and the alacrity with which Drogza and Angus dealt with it can only help Mke whole, though: Divine intervention? Scrying mage? Either way, we're watched and the watcher seems partisan. The bleeding skeleton warriors, hmm. Archery put paid to Yeva's pets, I'll just see about getting our own battlers up there to stop them shooting...

 

Date: Erastus 25 4714, Elsa's Journal

We continued our descent into the tomb of Armag - after finishing a battle with the ever unloving guardians of Gorrum, the bleeding bones left behind by his faithful servants - with the aid of more summoned helpers from our ever more useful new companion, we pressed on further into the tomb. Our explorations soon led us to face an empowered divine guardian of Gorrum - a for,ind able man who was nonetheless caught off guard - as many are - by the enthusiastic rush and clamor of our ... faithful ... Warlord. After a surprisingly brief battle, he had been grout down - whereupon we arranged for him to be brought back to his feet, and upon our further explanations of our reasons of action, he stepped aside. I feel our next room will be that which we seek.

 

Date: Erastus 25 4714, Captain's log

  We've done it, we found armag's throne room, and soon enough, the battle was on! My companions thought for a moment, that reason could be had with a barbarian..Pah! Not likely, if this armag is any bit as ruthless as the legends say, then we are in for one hell of a fight. Not foolish enough to rush in, we tested the waters, slinging spells and trying to draw out his forces, though he seems more cunning of a foe than we'd thought. After the first few blows were exchanged, and the doors opened, closed, and were re-opened with force, we started to push in..it's time to end this, and send this blighter back where he came from. Twice born? He'll soon be Armag the twice dead!

 

Date: Erastus 25 4714, Drogza's post-battle thoughts

It must be said that this odd Yeva person takes an approach to combat eerily similar to Kalinka's. After throwing this pile of skeletons into pits and allowing nature to take its course between this "Armagg" person and our own headstrong warrior, we seem to have come into possession of a rather impressive, but somewhat free-willed axe. Angus has claimed it as a trophy, and with it, control of an army of the dead. I'm not entirely sure how comfortable I am with either of these developments. The dead soldiers did apparently volunteer themselves to eternal service, but undead all the same. Meanwhile the axe seems to be at least partially responsible for both the delusions its previous wielder suffered, and my inability to free him from them.

 

Date: Erastus 25 4714, Solamus' map annotations

Two additional paths between first statue room and golem room. West of golem room, a wall of ice spell and a heavy wheel controlling the door mechanisms. North of the ice/wheel room, set of boulders and depressions which open the door/prevent a trap. East of first statue room, unstable floor and spiked pits. Items retrieved from the spiked pits listed in party accounts scroll beneath the ancient artefacts claimed from side-rooms. South of the unstable floor room, pillars above army ants. Watch out for gust of wind effect, or utilise against ants. Ants tend to burn easily.

 

Date: Erastus 25 4714, Seradin's personal thoughts

 

Having finally cleared out the ruinous depths of Armag's Tomb We return to Fort Drelev with victory in tow. Although the challenges were rife with peril we stood tall against the foes that stood in our way, whether they be skeletons or demigods, Iron golems or... ants?

ANTS!  OH GOD ANTS! MILLIONS OF THEM! GETTHEMOFFAMENOW WUAAGHH.

...

As I was saying. Having sown victory over the tomb we return to Fort Drelev with victory in tow.  Now we seek to tie up loose matters. Political housekeeping and exploration and whatnot. We have moved now from a position of high strife and action into one of observance and maintenance. We can only hope that this period lasts longer than others have in the past.

 

Date: Kuthona 27 4714, The Morning After

Cayden alive, how much did I drink last night? Think, man, think, what's the last thing I remember? Slaving over my workbench, ensorcelling blades, armour, magic hats, belts, that mask, shirts, the ring... The ring! Lily! She said yes! and then... let's see. Economy booming, we renamed Fort Drelev to Fort Numesti, Elsa using her lyre to improve all the housing, vast new tracts of farmland, new link roads, clearing the space for the Torinna docklands... Oh. Oh my. The wedding! Man, what a day that was! Seradin there beside me with the rings, arguing with the priest over the very concept of marriage. Brimalix as the representative of my family, Angus beheading the ice sculpture for a laugh... Did I turn that guy into a frog? I don't think so. Man. That thing with Chief Sootscale, Ambassador Tenn and Xamanthe... I wouldn't have thought it physically possible! Where did Yeva find so many goats at such short notice? Oh, Cayden, is that a Brevoy guardsman's helmet? Where the hell did we get that from?

 

Date: Desnus 23 4715, Drogza's musings over a dull year

Having dealt with all of our immediate problems and finding ourselves with a frankly ridiculous pool of available funds, the suggestion was made that we delay the exploration of our new western frontier to give Solamus the time to convert our gold to various handy new baubles. I myself passed the time with Anton, resulting in a second child, we named Maegar Arkus. I was somewhat alarmed to yet again see only the one, but apparently that's considered normal for humans, and I'll simply have to arrange for other children in the area to provide them sparring partners once they're old enough to grip weapons. In any case, we also oversaw quite the fair bit of construction in Tor Inna, finally making it into the sort of city my family would be proud to plunder, no doubt to Kalinka's horror. We also received word from both that fae queen and a local tribe of boggards that some amount of conflict seems inevitable, bringing the total count of factions clamoring for our heads to at least four by my count. Time to work on bringing that down a few notches I suppose.

 

Date: Desnus 27 4715, A page from the journal of Angus, proud champion of G... Mcdougal.

It was difficult to write today, my thoughts have been wandering a little lately. It was hard enough to put down the whetstone and pick up the pen to write today, always so much blood to clean up, and so many nicks and gouges to polish out..But it's hard not to repeat the process again the next day. We sloughed through the marshes, thankfully not having to deal much with the muck and slime, and left it a little less slimy, clearing out some of the filthy boggards and tossing their dead into the bog. Not even a challenge, not even a shot to the eye could damage me. we continued to search, exploring the farther reaches of our domain, all the best to continue extending our borders, and broadening my...Our reach. strange creatures were afoot, including a strange creature whose name was told to me after i had slain it..barely a memory now, just more blood to be cleaned up..always more blood.

 

Date: Desnus 29 4715, From the journal of Elsa.

I find myself a little ... disturbed ... by the excuses made at the beginning. I have little doubts the Boggards were not nice people. THey were ... unpleasent, they were preying on the people in the area, and yet ... a warning croak is not an attack, damnit! Even those who have proven ill deserve a chance to go peacefully. I think ... that I might need to have an intellectual one on one chat with Solamus about the intricacies of proper diplomacy, I think I could also invite Serradin to participate. Angus ..." Angus might not get much mileage out of the lesson. I think probably ... in the end the fight was going to happen anyway ... but what happens when we are WRONG?

 

Date: Desnus 29 4715,  A page of Angus' journal, written on frog leather (ewww!)

The filthy boggard leader has been deposed, through a combination of my might and my companions magic, we cleft a path through their ranks and took his head, ending the boggards raiding and pillaging days. However, when confronted with the option to recant their demon-worshipping ways, in favor of a more sensible alternative, like a god of war..or a drunk..Everyone loves a drunk, but they stood fast, wanting to continue with their pagan sacrifices and demonic nonsense. There's just no talking sense into some creatures, the only thing they will understand..is force. It may have to be shown to them behind my compatriots backs, but it is the only way to be sure. A good leader doesn't harbor an enemy on his doorstep, they need to be purged..once and for all. 

 

Date: Desnus 30 4715, an amusing anecdote from Drogza.

While trying to decide what to do about these boggards, a pair of dragons swept down on our tent in the middle of the night. After a bit of circling around to feel us out, they dropped down to begin breathing acid on us, lowering them into the range of my charge. If you look here, a single strike was more than enough.

 

Date: Sarenith 1 4715, A page of Angus' journal etched on dragonskin.

Gahahah, dragons. Even dragons tremble before my might. The wretched black dragon cowards thought they could ambush us in the night, but those fools didn't count on my axe giving me near complete immunity to their tricks. a little nick of the blade was all it took to track one of the cowardly blighters all the way back to it's lair, to partake of the sweet, sweet plundering. we cooled our heels atop a massive hoard of art and coin, counting out the spoils of our victory over our ambushers. one less threat to the kingdom down, and our pockets lined with gold, we continued on.

 

Date: Sarenith 12 4715, from the journal of Yeva Medved.

As we were resting at a nearby farm, Solamus called down to us that we were under attack. Giants - who were hoping for a quick snack of cow! We fought them off easily. Once the night had passed, we continued exploring, eventually coming to a cave. A lion's roar was heard from inside. Then as we proceeded, firey breath struck us from above - we were under attack from Chimeras!

 

Date: Erastus 17th, 4715, From the journals of Solamus Aldori.

We returned from our successful forays through what is now the highway of caverns ending at our latest mine, having slain a few giants on the way, to find a one-armed, one-legged Iomedaean veteran of the Crusades willing to give up his sight to destroy the accursed artifact we claimed from the cyclops lich. I personally forged the weapon with which to do the deed, and his noble sacrifice will forever be honoured as long as Tuskwood prevails.

 

Date: Erastus 29th, 4715, Drogza's scattered notes for updating diplomatic statuses.

Heading into the swamp to scout out what we can, we first stopped by the boggard settlement where initial efforts at peaceful negotiations were somewhat less productive than hoped, we found that our outreach effort, attempting to convert the locals to a somewhat more tollerable religion seem to be having some degree of an actual effect. We were also informed that a prison camp we had overlooked contained a hostage from the nearby bogstrider village so, once again, sending more people in proved the correct course of action. We depart now, headed to visit these bog strider neighbors, deep within the, well, bog.

 

 

Date: Arodus 5th, 4715, Elsa's Journal

 

"Well.  We had an interesting few days ... We returned the kidnapped child to the bogstriders, who being duly grateful, greatly filled in our map of the marshes.  Also being grateful, they ... fed .. us.  It was an interesting experience, as I got to taste every morsel on they way down, and on the way up.  I think I shall maintain my current diet.  Using the information given to us by the Bogstriders, we hunted down several things we had been looking for.  We hunted down several giant slugs - I think the gods were mocking me, reminding me so vilely of that which I had just eaten and regurgitated so soon.  We also removed another of those strange Chuul creatures, again reminding me cruely of my recent cullinary adventures.  At least our third event did not continue this trend.  The bog mummies, while disgusting, did not in the slightest remind me otf anythign I ate.  A large relief, that.  I find it fascinating how we are now handling with ease things that once would have given us significant pause ...

 

Date: Arodus 24th, 4715, From the journals of Solamus Aldori
First the Naga cave, and now this. Pixies? controlling a Girallon, a pack of Wargs and a dinosaur? I'm deeply concerned that philosophically reasonable species seem to be acting against us.

 

Date: Arodus 30th, 4715, Angus' sloppily written, stained journal 

Enemies! Enemies on all sides! TINY LITTLE MEN. They thought we couldnt see them, but THERE THEY WERE! shooting us with their LITTLE BOWS! But they burned, yes they did, burned and fell to spell and steel, like all the others. their ape-monsters, their lizards, their flying rainbows..they will all DIE before my axe! And the flowers! Why are the FLOWERS attacking us?! why do they make me CRUSH the pretty flowers?! When i find the one making the flowers..the fae queen! Yes, that's it. The fae queen shall pay, she shall...so..Hungry..Why am i so hungry all of a sudden.. 

 

Date: Rova 8th, 4715, From the Journals of Seradin

Following somewhat of a flash encounter with a few Naga that seemed to have taken up in the area (a creature we seem to be running into quite often in this area, the notion of which is quite unsettling) continued our exploration into uncharted territory. After a few days trek we were quite surprised to come across a fearsome hydra, however despite its imposing nature we were able to quickly dispatch the beast without incident. To our surprise, the next few days revealed a second party of immigrants from Pitax who had recently been decimated by the very same hydra that we had just brought down. Following a few formalities we made our alliances and swiftly altered our plans to bring them to nearby Fort Numesti.

 

Date: Rova 22nd, 4715, From the journals of Yeva Medvyed.

It does not come easily to me to disagree with my Duchess. I think perhaps the others, having traveled with her for longer, feel more on an even level with her. But being raised as I was, with knowledge of my place relative to the other nobility, it is difficult for me to disagree. Yet, I could not let her jeopardize the stability and safety of our kingdom by allowing Nuckelavee to kill our citizens at their discretion. I was clearly not the only one who disagreed with her view, as I saw Elsa and Solamus give Angus their silent assent to bring our discussions to a rather terminal termination. My Orca friends were well able to fight the fey, and the battle ended without serious injury to any of our own. I hope this sends a message to other hostile fey that, although we will not tolerate our people attacking them, we likewise are unable to tolerate them attacking our people. And we'll just keep Drogza's willingness to sacrifice our citizens quiet - it would do no good for the people to know...

 

Date: Erastus 4716, from the journals of Seradin Darkwood

At long last I have time to devote to the lighter things in life. In what has felt like ages of combat there are no more creatures to destroy and no unclaimed acres to explore within our kingdom. Surely the is certainly trouble brewing between Pitax and ourselves, and the continued wailings of the fairy queen deep in our forests does not bode well but for the time being these threats have found themselves, for the moment, quenched, and we are left without civilians to safe or wrongs to right. Perhaps now I might find the opportunity to begin my memoirs or redecorate my abode. Surely before long this small pocket of peace and growth for our kingdom will subside, but for now I am content to simply sit back and help conspire a path of plenteous growth for our fair kingdom with the others.

 

Date: Gozreh 10, 4717, from the journals of Solamus

This morning I looked out over the balustrade of the parapet of my tower and beheld my own face carved from the finest stone, shaped by Elsa's mastery of her lyre. A great honour and a fitting tribute, a legacy that shall stand as long as Tor Inna does. This year has gone by so quickly, with the absorption and gradual uplifting of barbarous M'botuu, the growth and development of Lyllindrifel into a thriving trade hub, Tenntown developing into a more martial town, and the establishment of the two knightly orders, the Order of the Shattered Eye in Tor Inna to commenorate the destruction of the evil artifact and be the first to strike a blow against any force of darkness that threatens our capital, and the Aegis of Numesti, the shield of our western frontier with Pitax, led by the man for whom their base fort is named.Speaking of Pitax, we have been invited to send a delegation to their capital to attend the Rushlight Tournament this summer. We will likely send ourselves, the Founders, with the possibility to laying claim to a Rod of Lordly Might before us. For now, however, we have reports of spectral intruders in the Tors of Levenies Pass Watchtower, and so Elsa has relocated us thereto deal with the problem. Our party is airbourne and hasted, let us see what dares intrude upon our realm...

 

 

Date: Erastus 9, 4717, A page from Angus' journal, bookmarked with an invitation

At last, some action is in our future. After what felt like an eternity cooped up in our castle, we recieved an invitation to the yearly Rushlight tournament, held in Pitax. After being snubbed for last year's tournament, this year we were given a shot at entering, and winning a truly kingly prize, a rod of lordly might! we made our way to the tournament grounds, and introduced ourselves to lord Irovetti, who explained the rules, and gave an outline of the week's events. I quite look forward to the trial by combat, though dissapointed that it will not be against a live opponent..ah well, let the games begin!

 

Date: Erastus 10, 4717, from the journals of Elsa Goodwhistle Orlovsky

Today we had the start of the Rushlight festival and, well, I am somewhat disappointed in my performace. I hit the shots I should hit. But, well. Second - and I know I am a better archer than him. But such is life. On another note, we confirmed the suspicions of a disgruntled former participant and I landed a nice haul of enchanted arrows for the trouble. Irovetti ... from our conversation with him, I don't trust him even a little bit. The man sets me on edge. And some of our fellow participants sent us a warning confirming my suspicions. I have some uneasy feelings ...

 

Date: Erastus 12, 4717, from the journals of Yeva Medvyed

The battle of Life and Death was won rather handily. Would that I could say I won due to superior tactics or through some clever stratagem. No, I won by sheer force of numbers. The angelic sorcerer could only summon a single Bralani at a time, yet I could call forth as many as six at a time. Plus unicorns, which I can call upon faster. The priest was a good sport and shook my hand after. The mad monk, when she saw the battle could not be won, set upon a path of destruction. What a thoroughly unpleasant individual. Still, the audience seemed to find her antics amusing. The next day, Angus fought in the contest of single combat, and quickly dispatched his opponent - a strange bee-woman.

 

Date: Erastus 16, 4717, Drogza's words of comfort to those spectators who had not yet fled.

In most decidedly bad faith, it would seem our Pitaxian host invited us to this tournament only to keep the leadership of our nation distracted while launching an ill-advised sneak attack on the city closest to our shared border. While this does not come as a particular surprise, as he made a similar, and might I add equally unprovoked strike using mercenary forces two years ago, it is extremely disappointing to see that he lacked both the decency not to interrupt his own ceremony with the order, nor the courage to stand up to a proper fight in a stadium full of his own loyal guards, on his home soil. We had wished to stay, ensure honors were properly distributed, particularly to the Pitaxian delegates whose admirable performance should not be overlooked due to the contemptible actions and attitude of their monarch, but in his haste to flee, he failed to relinquish that particular prize. We had hoped to stay on and discuss matters of trade along the rivers, but first it seems there's a war for us to carry back over to Irovetti's doorstep.

 

I would hope next year you are all able to attend this event again. Most likely these festival grounds will have been annexed by the kingdom of Tuskwood, in which case we will do our best to provide a much safer and more satisfying finale to the event. On that note, while last night's joust was an enjoyable change of pace I'm looking forward to training for next year,  I am also particularly sorry that this coward's retreat prevented you all from seeing a proper display of what a mounted charge looks like when one isn't taking such pains not to hurt one's opponent.

 

Date: Erastus 30, 4717, Solamus at the fall of Lillindrifel

Into the teeth of my gale, they came. Over the battlements, they swarmed. A hundred wyverns, so thick they turned the sky black, against the Order of the Shattered Eye, Jhod Kavken in command. Fortune was not with us that day: I yearned to blast them from the sky with lightning, cast them down into eternal slumber, rip the breath from their lungs. I am but one man, however, and even I would find fending off that many of them next to impossible. And so I took a potion of invisibility and observed, watched their command structure, noted their casualties, their modus operandi.

 

Watched as they took Jhod into Castle Lillindrifel itself. I was there when we rebuilt the place. In addition to my other talents, I remain one of the finest architects and engineers in Tuskwood, and I know what's in there better than most, far better than any reptilian invader. I need to get my information back to Queen Drogza, but with Cayden Cailean as my witness, I'm not leaving this city without Jhod. It's jailbreak time.

 

 

 

 

"It has been a busy time - the war with Pitax continues.  Much of the tide has turned from our early disappointment however.  First, Solamus staged a daring rescue of Jhod Kaffkin - and though he lost a leg - we soon corrected that.  In the end, Solamus's act of loyalty towards one of our own defused a potentially volatile situation at home, as a disagreement over the perhaps rougher aspects of Solamus’s personality were outweighed by his selfless act of rescue.

 

Soon after, we found our efforts will now continue with help – at the behest of Drogza, I have managed to complete a deal with Mivon for aid against the Pitaxian aggression - an elite army of duelists.  In addition we called for aid from our centaur friends - and they responded, providing troops as well.  These Centaur outriders soon proved their worth, removing the scourge of trolls that was headed our way.

 

Meanwhile, we ourselves have been undergoing a massive arming.  We were caught with our pants around our ankles by Pitax, and it cost us Lyllindrifel: never again.  The Avengers of the Shattered eye and the Decimators.  We defended Tenntown successfully from a sortie by the Wyverns that took Lyllindrifel - then proceeded to march on our fallen city ourselves, liberating the city and avenging the shattered eye.  Now we amass our troops to relieve the siege of Fort Numesti.  But as we gather our forces, we hear disturbing news from our spies - the Pitaxians are working on a dire weapon, one which would greatly harm our defense of the city - and worse yet, they are working on this heinous instrument in a place called the White Cloud Abbey - a former haven of those who follow Cayden - the scourge must be cleansed from this site and it must be reckons rated to its original purpose.  We now make preparations for a surgical strike to effect his eventuality ...

 

 

Date: Rova 1, 4717, from the journals of Solamus Aldori,

We began our assault on the White Rose Monastery, a site sacred to our Deity, profaned by the actions of those within, I flew over the site in the form of a bird, pinpointing our enemies and locating a cave entrance by the northern buildings. Through invisibility and teleportation, we arrived to scout out the cave, only to double back to wipe out the Pitaxians in the buildings. They seem to be making good use of enlargement, which makes them all easier to hit. The slaughter commenced...

 

Date: Rova 2, 4717, A bloodstained page of Angus' journal.

 

I woke up today in a haze. I remember entering the main hall of the church, but the thoughts are distant and hazy. Men died yesterday, many of them, the axe is getting harder to polish, always blood, so much blood. Did they beg for mercy? Did even a single one of them stand up and offer a real fight? Of this, i cannot say. I felt no pain, come the morning, only weariness. We seem to have a new prisoner, hopefully he proves to be useful in turning this war around, so we can bright the fight to the pitaxian dogs. I'm so tired. But the fight continues. It always does, it always will. 

 

 

Date: **********, the pages of Elsa's journal

 

"He DARES!! The so-called King of Brevoy, the Usurper Lord of Brevoy, the name Surtova is as offal on my tongue, and I spit it out.  Father is thrice the noble he will ever be, and if there was one truly worthy of that throne, it would be he - and if not him, Drogza herself.  He dares to attack Father with a base assassin.  He is a mere bully sitting atop an army he did not earn and enjoying power that should not be his.  May the throne on which he sits give him the piles. I swear, that by my father's hand or mine, he will pay for his actions.  I am not normally one for vendetta, but there are things that will not be stood. His fate is sealed, however long that fate may take to come about.  The name Noeleski Surtova has sealed his end.  

 

Business proceeds apace in Tuskwood.  We completed the exploration of Whiterose - removing some pesty Wisps and Shambling mounds in the process - this place will have to be reconsecrated at some point - it should not be allowed to remain fallow.  Through his meditations Serradin discovered many interesting things - among them that the weapon we have been seeking was taken into the possession of our enemy King Irovetti.  With that completed, we headed home to really our forces and prepare to lift the siege of Fort Numesti.  The day arrived, and we marched in force to relieve the besieged city.  The battle went well - as close as could be to a route with the aid of our erstwhile allies from Mivon.  Unfortunately, our Centaur allies bore the brunt of the damage - their force was routed in brave combat.  We brought back Aecora Silverfire from our own funds.  THe spoils of war we divided between the Mivonese and the centaurs, to equip their outriders when again they rise.  

 

Meanwhile, we prepare for another expedition;   our network of spies has provided us with information on where Irovetti has been acquiring his Wyverns:  he has made a disgusting pact with a being called Minignos-Ushad - the mother of, it seems, almost all of the Wyverns in the region.   He agreed to feed her the entirety of a village - he wiped out that many of his subjects and fed them to a beast for his personal advancement.  It is more certain than ever that this gross and brutal kinglet must be deposed.  But first, we move to remove this 'Eater of Kings" before she can raise yet another unit of Wyverns ...

 

 

 

Date: **********, from the journals of Yeva Medvyed

 

The Eater of Kings is no more, and we have killed many of her brood. This should be an important victory in our war against Pitax, as their fearsome Wyvern unit can now no longer be renewed.  In her lair, we found eggs and some fascinating objects - a Rod of Wonder, which Seradin has now taken. Potentially risky, as its effects are chaotic...

 

Date: Lamashan 15, 4717, From the journal of Angus McDougal, scrawled on a page speckled with blood.

"Battle, Glorious battle. We are finally starting to push into the pitaxian border in earnest, destroying their legions one by one. My soldiers clamor for their blood, even as they chop and hack their way through the enemy ranks. This bloodshed will continue until the enemy is crushed under our heels. Pitax will fall, i'm sure of it. As sure as i'll be putting Irovetti to the axe. after a rest, we will push deeper, and surely, we will take their city.

 

Date: Neth 1, 4717, From the journals of Yeva Medvyed

Whilst we deal with the Pitaxian problem, what is left is to explore their territory. Thus far we have met with little resistance - a few wargs, and little else. There is still much to explore, so with luck there will be some more places of interest to map and to claim as our own. 

 

Date: Neth 13, 4717,  A hastily written journal entry by Angus Macdougal

We have continued on our overland journey, scouting out the lands of Pitax. it is clear to me that their aggressions to our kingdom, and those surrounding them, stems from their own being..dull. nothing but wide open plains, and empty forests.. but finally, a break from terrorizing the wildlife, and destroying the dregs of their armies.. finally a true challenge, amid all the rabble, a dragon, and a large one at that! When next i write, i will be doing so, sitting atop it's hoard.

 

 

Date: Neth 13, 4717, From the Journals of Elsa

"A dragon is a fearsome beast - and seeing one flying at you is a bit of an unnerving experience.  And this dragon was large.  This dragon was strong - and obviously an old one.  Apparently she was seeeking us out over the ending of the lives of her progeny, and while one is incclined to feel pity for a mother who has lost her children - those children chose their fate and I find my consicence clear.  So to with the slaying of the mother.  A great scourge has been removed from the land.  The fight was as fearsome as one would expect when fighting a beast of legend and song.  As it approached us it turned invisible, and began enhancing itself magically.  Then, it made its first mistake.  It came into view.  Slowly, and bit by bit, we managed to whittle away at the beast - until finally it ran, and apppeared to be escaping.  First, I made one shot with the aid of the bracers which SOlamus kindly made for me.  I will have to remember to thank him again.  Then, as it was trying to flee, I decided to try an unaided shot from more than 400 feet away - a long shot by any stretch.  I think that (Half orc whose name I forget) can eat his heart out.  Like to see him make THAT shot.  Not quite enough to take her out ... but Skybolt finished the job.  In all, a good measure of how far we have come since nervously approaching bandit camps.

 

Date: Neth 30, 4717, From the journals of Solamus

What in Cayden's name was that thing? Stealthy, fast, acidic, hideous to look upon, it came out of nowhere, lightning-fast, spat acid at Elsa and charged right at me. I dissolved it with green slime, fried it with lightning and turned it into a pig for good measure, but that was not an experience I ever with to repeat. Elsa got a decent look as it attacked us, and tells me it was an Irlgaunt, an abominable monstrosity of unknown provenance. I'm just glad it died faster than that Linnorm which we killed at the Mammoth's graveyard for that sentient mastodon, although that didn't get a chance to unleash its magma breath upon us. Still, I need to pull myself together: Tomorrow, we will return to our armies, and lead them to the gates of Pitax, at which point we will sneak around the back and take out that rat Irovetti. This is their last redoubt in what will soon be our newest province, those who have died in the war which they started shall have their justice.

 

Date: Neth 30, 4717, Drogza's musings on the battle

I would very much appreciate a return to straightforward, honorable battle tactics. Is it really too much to ask that I be able to formally issue a challenge to the king of an enemy nation and his assembled generals, and begin hacking away at each other until one side lies defeated? Evidently so. After retreating from the vast public arena with exactly the sort of crowd ideal for witnessing such matters being settled to hole up in his stronghold like a sniveling child, this cowardly king further encircled himself with trolls and spellcasters, and still insists on hiding under the cover of invisibility to flee the scene! This 'ogre mage' of his is just as bad if not worse, using the same craven tactics, and still managing to impede my path when I attempted to ignore the various distractions and properly slay his ruler. Our side has been almost as bad. While Angus is finally learning a measure of restraint and not slaughtering the relatively innocent forces in our way, the rest of the council have decided to test out new forms of magic which... frankly I'm glad I am not able to fully comprehend. I am however not particularly filled with joy to hear the sounds they are forcing these trolls to make. 

 

Date: Neth 30, 4717, From the journals of Solamus

It's always trolls. Irovetti's swarm of them are better equipped than Hargulka's, but we have come a long way since first battling with that vile beast. Still, transposing one into midair above an acid pit was cathartic to say the least. Drogza has been shouting annoyed challenges from the southern passage, we'll head that way when we mop up here.

 

Date: Neth 30, 4717, From the journals of Elsa 

 

"We continue our storming of Irovetti's palace, his minions fall before us, although their do their dihonorable liege honor by fighting to the last. As we mop up the last of the resistance, we continue our search for the Coward King.

 

Date: Neth 30, 4717, From the journals of Solamus

We have them. We tracked Irovetti's scent through a secret passage leading to his bedchamber beneath the palace. As seems to be standard operating procedure for the Coward King, the place was packed with minions and lackeys, together with a strange creature which tried to drop Angus into an acid pit. I'm not sure what it is, but I do know it breathes. Or breathed, rather. The Queen and Angus have already begun the process of purging the last of the lackeys, then we will see where the coward is running or hiding.

 

Date: Neth 30, 4717, The thoughts of Armag the uppity knife 

Fools! Why have i allowed myself to be held back by this witless barbarian and his foolish companions? Can't they see that this world is just THERE for the taking. I, Armag, will DESTROY all who oppose me, down to the last man. This so called, "Cultured" king, his feeble guards, this...Bird..that suddenly showed up..EVERYONE will die, down to the last man, until the name of the mighty Armag is only able to be spoken in hushed whispers! More BLOOD! more DEATH! I will cut them ALL down! If my companions try and stop me, i will destroy them all too!

 

Date: Neth 30, 4717, From the journals of Yeva Medvyed

We defeated the warhounds and their gargoyle handler, who we knocked unconscious so we could interrogate him. He turned out to have killed and tortured prisoners, so he was executed with extreme prejudice by Angus. We freed some prisoners, and continued to explore - finding some dire tigers which we elected to keep alive and add to our menagerie. From there, we continued to clear Irovetti's Palace. 

 

Date: Kuthona 18 4717, From the Journals of Solamus Aldori

It was all going so well. We finally secured Pitax, accepted the surrender of her armies, and secured every room in the Palace of a Thousand Doors. (Most of which lead to closets or servant quarters) Cayden Cailean showed his favour with several bottles of White Rose Chardonnay in the wine cellar, and Yeva tells us the objects of art will fetch a pretty penny.  We confirmed the border with Miwon in perpetuity following our mutual annexations. We returned the shawl to the Naiad who had guarded Thorn, and quizzed her on what the Queen was likely to do. It seems that Armag defeated her last time she tried to intrude, that intrusion taking the form of a 'bloom', a massive planar displacement which, if unchecked, would pull the region into the first world. I finally had some time to work on Yeva's new robe for a few days, and then it happened. Reports of wasting sickness and blindness amongst our peasantry near the Rushlight, of the waters turning black, consumed by a huge maelstrom. We consulted with Armag, who advocated direct action against those responsible, and so we flew in at speed, ready for anything. Elder elementals, a whole slew of them, water in the shape of great swans. We tore into them, Yeva summoning their kin, Angus and Queen Drogza moving in head on, Elsa decimating them with her arrows, plus my own lightning and transmogrifying powers. The battle rages on...

 

Date: Kuthona 20 4717, Drogza's notes from the field.

Having quickly established a road to Pitax and a trade route to the rather interesting lands of Numeria, we are now in the process of exploring the more remote corners of our newly expanded borders, looking for any anomalies like what occurred in the Rushlight. For the most part, it's been nothing but open wilderness, although a rather nasty plant made things rather exciting for a brief period. Most likely, the next of these invasions from the first world will happen much closer to home, if this strange children's book proves as prophetic as it appears. 

 

Date: Kuthona 30 4717, From the Journals of Solamus Aldori

After we cleared the Frost Giants from atop their lofty peak, shattered the curious gargantuan tombstone bearing the names of loved ones for whomsoever gazed upon it, we had some time to kill, and since I had ended my labours on crafting Yeva's robe for the day, thatmeant I had time to go over the architectural plans for the upgrades in Pitax. I will not stand for the people of our realm suffering in squalor, and so we will be replacing their tenements with superior, more comfortable housing at the earliest convenience. It is the least we can do. I must talk to Drogza about providing some support for the widows and orphans of the war: We bear them a responsibility of care, and we must do what is right and good for them. Oh, and it seems we need to head out and kill some Athachs which are causing fields to be overgrown. For the sake of our farmers, we shall serve.

 

Date: Abadius 5, 4718, A Quick Recap for the Rest of the Council

We are continuing to deal with these attempts at invasion as they arise, and quite frankly not one thus far has really seemed enough of a threat for anyone to need really worry. Having put down a set of three armed giants, and worms of a size anyone would take as exaggeration, this sword metaphysically plucked from the heart of the enemy has begun to speak, and seems quite determined and confident that all this fae business should be finished and done with quite shortly. While I wouldn't necessarily begin planning the celebrations yet, the current situation is definitely promising.

 

Date: Abadius 11, 4718, Drogza's casual dinner conversation

To be perfectly honest, it's reaching the point now where I feel these poor fae are in need of some sort of handicap. While they are still technically a threat in their own fashion, just yesterday they amassed what they clearly considered to be an entire army, and managed to teleport them directly to the gates of Tor Inna. Our own armed forces had been disbanded some months ago, and the citizens were in quite a panic, shouting about the need to assemble a militia to try and fight them off. Honestly though, they're all such tiny little things. All it really took was a few lightning bolts, some of those rather large lizards Yeva's been fond of lately, and a bit of a swath cut by Angus to scatter the whole horde. Now granted, they did bring along a black dragon, which can be something of a hassle, but a quick glance at the trophy grounds will show you the head of one at least that size we dropped quite easily while out exploring a few months ago.

 

Speaking of, just today while out and about we ran into what I'm told is called a Jabberwock out in the woods by Littleton. Everyone was talking it up as the most fearsome creature in all the first world, but I honestly don't see why. True, it roasted me a bit and took a chunk out of my arm with those silly rodent teeth, but I've had far worse, and honestly, I barely had to touch that floppy noodle of a neck the poor creature head and its head came right off. I wasn't even sure if it was worth mounting with the others, but I suppose that would be needlessly disrespectful towards those who sent it. Hopefully they'll soon realize how hopelessly overmatched they are and call this whole silly thing off.

 

Date: Abadius 17, 4718, From the journals of Solamus Aldori

It's been an interesting week. We had those blinded Nymphs too terified to be helped by us for fear of reprisals, there was a smugger who hated Irovetti whom REDACTED, we found the tallest mountain in the Stolen Lands, we started using eagles as scouting mounts, and we found the Castle of Knives, and with it the gate to Thousandbreaths. We opted not to go through just yet as we continue to secure our nation. Finally, we found the lair of a great Wyrm black dragon, sadly absent else we would bring it to justice. What we found instead was the skull of a Silver dragon: On the morrow, I will converse with it to see if it will accept resurrection, and if so, carry it out.

 

Date: Calistril 8th, 4718, From the journals of Elsa Orlovsky

The annoying electrical treeants were finished off without too much drama. They could not move as fast as arrows, Tyrannosaurs and Angus and Drogza, so they barely got a chance to strike before Angus tried to reprise his performance at the Rushlight festival. After time on the road, we came across a giant in a mausoleum, atop a tall tower. He talks too much. He needs to be quiet. We will have to do something about that ...." 

 

Date: Calistril 8th, 4718, Drogza's grumblings

Is it so much to ask that these giant monsters from the first world stand properly on the battlefield to meet a charge? It just seems rude to be honing this sword to take out the queen of these fae and keep having to pull a bow out. It's such a flimsy weapon, I'm always worried I'm going to snap it in half. Still, it is nice to know we have officially put down that bird who was troubling everyone's dreams. Perhaps there's something to be said for a picnic?

 

Date: Calistril 10th, 4718, From the journals of Solamus Aldori

 

Fascinating. After we purged the Mandragora before they formed a combined giant, and swatted down the wingéd owlbears (Watching Drogza use the armour I had crafted to hoist them by main force, both at the same time, was quite a memorable event, and the taxidermist was somewhat taken aback, too) the entirety of Thousandbreaths was effectively pulled through a reverse-bloom into the Prime Material, and into our territory. We had effectively reversed what the fae queen was trying to accomplish, forcing her realm to be a subsidiary of our. Quite possibly the most novel and intriguing act of annexation we have ever performed.

 

Date: Calistril 11th, 4718, the Elemental Plane of Earth

"Pyroclastic summoners!" Gray-Tar rumbled as he slammed the stone door of his dugout behind him.

 

"Rough day at work?" his wife asked, concern hewn on her brow.

 

"Yeah. When I was a pebble, I got the easy jobs. Dig here, scout there. Not anymore. It's fight, fight, fight." he responded, falling into an easy-chair with the easy grace of a rockslide, "Great big worm decided it wanted to make schist out of me. Step up to fight it, and no sooner can I attack I'm down its gully. Hate summoners. They can berm in hill for all I care."

 

"Aww, well... It's no fault of your own. Just keep rolling. Sounds like you need a gneiss crater of lahar.

 

"Sounds like exactly what I need. I lava you."

 

"I lava you too."

 

-------

Date: Calistril 11th, 4718, From the journals of Yeva Medvyed

 

After defeating the mire worms, we proceeded to a giant crooked house, which was inhabited by an affable if not precisely trustworthy Annis Hag. She offered us a cup of blood-tea with maggots, and then we began to talk - exchanging answers to questions, each promising to speak truly and without excessive delay. I cannot help think this is a bad idea... Still, although her 'tea' did not appeal to any of us apart from our lady Queen, it is nice to have an encounter with a resident of Thousandbreaths that doesn't lead immediately to them trying to kill us.

 

Date: Calistril 11th, 4718, From the journals of Solamus Aldori

 

It is strange, yet refreshing, to meet with a courteous adversary, a fellow professional. One who, although our paths must end in conflict, accepts this as a necessity and doesn't hold it against us. We exchanged true answers for fair questions: She sought to identify our weaknesses, we sought the remaining defenses in the realm and her intentions towards us. With confrontation inevitable, we offered to respect the guest-right and take our dispute outside, but she was willing to commence immediately. So we killed her. She and I exchanged Baleful polymorphs, but in each case, neither was able to breach the other's magical defences. Her end came swiftly, and her stone golem lost in a fist fight with Yeva's Earth Elemental. Following this, we proceeded north to be faced with a Smilodon-filled cage. The poor things were sickly,probably fro the plane-change, and so we aim to put them out of their misery.

 

Date: Calistril 11th, 4718, Drogza's glib recounting of recent events

 

This was a fairly good day overall, although I do have a few misgivings. We had a very lovely bit of tea with a properly mannered woman before tearing her to shreds. Dealt with some large cats in an unfortunate state of health in... a mostly humane fashion, and thoroughly humiliated the largest black dragon ever to dwell in these lands. It had a hide tough enough to actually withstand a blow or two, but just when I really got a solid hit in, she teleported off crying. I suppose we'll have to track it back down in the morning and finish the job. The wretched things tend not to be the sort to bargain for mercy after all.

 

Date: Calistril 13th, 4718, Drogza's thoughts on teleportation

 

Why is it so few people and terrible creatures are ever willing to have a nice, straightforward battle to the death, or at least give a proper surrender? I'm still quite a bit aggravated by what a massive pain that pathetic little Irovetti fellow made of himself, and now we have this dragon. She flies around, spewing forth acid, but she takes one near mortal blow and off she goes, blinking out of existence and reappearing way over at this pesky fae queen's castle. And naturally when we all teleport over to finish it off it's surrounded by all these annoying ghosts that no one really has a means of dealing with effectively when all you have to do is call down Iomedae's righteous fury at them, and while I'm busy with all that Angus and some of those birds Yeva's always calling in are hogging all the fun of dealing with... some kind of strange plant dragon thing, and some two headed linnorm. That thing looks like quite the satisfying challenge with all that nastiness it's coughing up... and speaking of which, is Seradin still on his feet over there?

 

Date: Calistril 13th, 4718, From the Journals of Solamus Aldori

 

If you had told me half a decade ago, before we ever set out on this venture, that we would face down the oldest black dragon in the realm, a linnorm, a strange plant dragon and a dozen ghostly rogues - and best them all in under a minute - I'm not sure what I would have said. The dragon barely got a chance to react before we sent it to join its family. The ghost touch arrows I'd made for Elsa proved their worth. The Linnorm finished off Seradin with its acid breath, but did not last much longer. So, we picked up our dead and theirs, collected a plethora of ghost touch equipment, and returned home to revive Seradin and make ready our final assault. My Patron has confided some new, even more powerful spells to Sk'zzk: We shall see what they do to the forces arrayed against us.

 

Date: Calistril 13th, 4718, Drogza's bedtime stories

 

... So after catching the dragon's severed head, blasting away the ghost, hacking through the neck's of both linnorms and wading through the hall of so very many bodies, an angel appeared before the champions of the kingdom. It said they were all very naughty for beheading all the guardians and that Iomedae would not approve. But you remember last night's story don't you? Iomedae is a righteous holy warrior just like your mother, who always smiles when we hack apart ghosts and dragons now isn't she? So everyone knew the angel was being made to lie, and great big fluffy Fasa sniffed out the wormy little wizard making him do so. And THIS wormy little wizard really was a wizard made of squirmy little worms, not just a sneaky one like Magister Solamus. It cast all sorts of annoying and tricky spells, even one to blink away someplace when all its squirmy little heads started getting lopped off with the magical woods-y sword! This is why you should never trust anyone who doesn't fight in their best shiny armor, or anyone who carries books everywhere they go!

 

Date: Calistril 13th, 4718, Solamus musing on death and resurrection.

 

I never enjoy dying, and do not recommend it. The details between that wormy magician ending my life with a word and Jhod Kavken restoring it with one are always hazy, but most troubling was having to have Seradin raised as well after he donned a cursed cloak, a cloak I could have identified as a threat with the greatest of ease. In dying, I had caused the death of my friend through my absence at a moment proved crucial with hindsight. Now, the angel in thrall to the wurmcaster was percussively unsummoned, but the wurm thing itself was not there when I teleported us back. Wedid find a room of air elementals, which we proceeded to fill with more air elementals, and a library with a water clock maintained by a diligent, talkative and helpful mephit. A nice break from things ready, willing and sadly able to kill us. Let us move on, I heard Elsa mention a dancing bear in a cage... 

 

Date: Calistril 13th, 4718, Drogza muttering to herself.

 

Honestly! Is it really so much to ask to have a nice clean fight now and then? I mean I can accept this Nyrissa woman not having the courage to come out and face her enemies directly, as I assume she's some sort of tiny winged child-bodied fae of some sort, but why can't she at least have the decency to surround herself with proper upstanding warriors? I know she has those nuckelavee things under her command at the very least. But no, no it's all just ghosts, and teleporting cowardly wizards, and now a horde of wounded nymphs? They weren't even putting up a proper fight, just shrieking and pawing at everyone and convorting about in that fashion they always do which... honestly I don't know how it's so affecting on everyone else. Really now Nyrissa! Any time you'd like to show your face so I can lodge this heart of yours back into your chest for you would be just fine! You're just delaying the inevitable hiding behind the swarm of quickling chefs I'm sure we'll find behind the next door!