Re: Mes's Journal

[ehren]

Post fight journal entry.

Journal Entry 23rd Day of Mawag, 1399 TH

The day was late before anything of significance happened. Father requested that we meet him at our earliest convenience. Which for Father; usually means as fast as our feet can carry us. When we were close to his office, he met us and sent us on what should have been a simple errand. I’m sure even the most dimwitted page would have been able to do it. It turned out that Father simply wanted us to pick up a shield and a document. Both these items he had had commissioned from some of the best in all of Daiche. While we were getting our orders, ‘War said he saw a blue windling. Neither Mal or myself saw anything, but ‘War was sure… It doesn’t matter, we have an enemy to slay – or, really some packages to pick up – but, that sounds neither warrior worthy or scholarly. But, if Father requires it, who am I to judge?

We retrieved a beautiful shield from the Blacksmith. It was truly exquisite craftsmanship. Whomever wields the shield will be the envy of many. Again ‘War saw the ‘Blue Windling’ outside the establishment. We decided to push on and retrieve the document from the Scribe before she closed. A task that was simply accomplished.

However, on our way to return these objects to Father, we were ambushed. It wasn’t a very clever attack, and this time I did see this Blue Windling that ‘War had been prattling on about. He must have been tailing us, and organizing the ambush. Really, I have no idea what the attackers could have hoped to gain against 3 adepts. But, attack us they did. They were quickly dispatched. One was accidentally killed, another we took to question as to the reasons for the ambush. The third we left alive, as a symbol of our mercy. (Also, that we hadn’t intended on killing his compatriot – they were no really enemies of ours). Upon hearing a commotion, and knowing we had precious little time until we had to report to Father, we took the miscreant that we had apprehend to the constabulary. Upon closing on that fine institution, members of the Blood Guard sought to intercept us. They truly don’t understand us, and for some reason as yet unknown to me, have a grudge against us.

We handed over our prisoner to the police. As we were leaving, the Blood Guard accused us of having killed his contemporaries in the alley. An accusation that was easily dismissed as pure fallacy.
We headed to Father to give him the shield and scroll. We also reported on the strange occurrences. He let us know that the Council has banned him from looking into this kind of criminal activity. Luckily, the Council didn’t think to ban his children from looking into such lawlessness.
We went back to the Jail House to inquire after the man we brought in. He provided much insight into what was going on. I’m glad that he has at least an honorable enough heart to be grateful that we saved him from whomever murdered his friend – also, that we didn’t just slit his throat for the convenience of not having to carry his passed out body to jail. This man, said that we were looking for a blue windling named Little Boy Blue, and a blue T’Skrang who styles himself the name “The Dagger.” Both these individuals can be found at the Fishbarrle Inn in the Downs.

We headed for the Fishbarrel Inn, and inquired about “The Dagger” and “Little Boy Blue.” The owner suggested we wait, and drink some wine. As we didn’t have any other leads, we sat and sipped the swill that passed for wine in the establishment. REMINDER – must pay Mal for my share. We had just decided that we would try another night and were leaving… we stepped out into the street to be accosted by a Troll, and Elf, and a Dwarf (who looks like the owner of the Fishbarrel).
As I write this, we’ve just gotten back from another ambush. Those are becoming much too common for my tastes. ‘War was knocked unconscious during the scuffle with Lud, Aelthar, and Bor – The men who attacked us. While their attacks’ were sloppy and equipment poor, our luck wasn’t with us, and that is why I’ll probably be spending the next few days tending ‘War. Their aggressive attacks paid off. As ‘War was engaging in the Qeul’ofor Manuever, he was intercepted by an amazingly timed Yangdok strike. There was simply no way he would have been able to parry. We took their things to humiliate them, and headed home.

I’m sure that we’ve shaken the underworld’s proverbial tree. Now, we can rest, heal, and wait to see what has come loose.

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[ehren]

story from earlier... before the beginning of the campaign.

24th Day of Raquas 1399TH

Journal there was little to note today. Things progressed through the day as they usually do. Practice, study, practice, study… I realize I should have more patience, but I yearn for adventure. Until the elemental clock tells us we can leave the Kaer, I don’t know that we’ll be able to find it. I’m not like Father or ‘War, I’m not charismatic. Nor, do I enjoy the political intrigue.
Really the only thing of note today was a weird rash on one of the children in the Downs. I put on the usual Qaunti’s Poultice, but something about it seemed strange. I think I’ll go back tomorrow, after my normal routine and check on the boy.

25th Day of Raquas 1399TH

After my normal daily excursions I went to visit the boy I had put the poultice on yesterday. I’d asked for adventure, well, now I’ve got it after a fashion. His whole are is now covered in the rash, and the spot where the rash was originally is covered in blisters. I didn’t know what kind of desease this is, so I quickly ran to get Master Rakas. Journal you remember Master Rakas, he is the head Physician here… I even paid his extravagant fee, and promised I’d provide protection for him while he is in the Downs. I don’t know what he’s worried about, the people in the Downs might be poor, but they aren’t crazy enough to attack someone brought in to help them.
Master Rakas looked at the boy and dismissed the whole adventure. He said that I had probably just mixed up the Qaunti Poultice with a Zazar’s Poultice, and that I shouldn’t worry. He bound the arm and we returned to his office. I know that I didn’t use Zazar’s though. I used my last one just over a month ago, and I’m still waiting for the garwig root to grow to make another batch.

26th Day of Raquas 1399TH

Another strange day. I’ve seen the same rash in a quarter 180 degrees away from the Downs. I checked other areas, and all the local hospitals are reporting sightings of this strange rash. I looked in on the boy today as well. He isn’t doing well. The rash has spread across his chest, and his brother now is showing symptoms. There also appear to be about 20 more people in the Downs affected. This rash is spreading to quickly… more quickly than I’ve ever seen disease spread. I’m going to recommend to Father to have the Council set up a quarantine of all the people showing signs of the rash.

27th Day of Raquas 1399TH

Emergency Council meeting was held today. Even though Master Rakas and I have confirmed that the rash is in each quarter, the majority of councilors think it is a small sanitary issue in the Downs. I’m hoping that Master Rakas and I can find something to slow the rash down, until we can find a cure.
In the hope, I used a little Wizardry to try to get more information about what is going on with this rash. I went to check on the boy I first saw the rash on. I used my Astral Sight, and cast Astral Sense to see if I could learn more about the rash’s pattern and how to fight it. What I saw will haunt my nightmares for a long time. The rash appears as oily black tendilly threads with barbs writhing around the boy’s pattern. I could see the barbs digging in. The Rash’s pattern is weaving itself closer and closer into the boy’s. He must be in extreme agony to have his pattern subjected to this. I wish this was an enemy that could be brought to fight… not just infect children!

28th Day of Raquas 1399TH

I skipped my karma ritual today, there just isn’t enough time. I went to the library and started to research what kind of thing this could be. I spent all day in the library. There are very vague references that discuss legends about something like this. I only got a bowl of soup from a vendor after leaving the library to check on the local hospitals. Cases of the Rash are rising. Now every district has at least a dozen cases. Father is saying that they are all blaming the people in the Downs for brining on the Rash. I’m trying hard not to say “I told you so!” I’m sure if there had been a quarantine, the Rash wouldn’t be able to spread like this. Councilor Verdant is openly discussing using the Blood Guard to destroy the Rash. I don’t know how he we be able to accomplish that – beyond killing everyone in the Downs. It also wouldn’t help the people who have already got the Rash.

29th Day of Raquas 1399TH

The 6th day of this accursed Rash. The boy from the Downs died today. I was able to weave the legends into a coherent tail. I know what I’m looking for now to solve this puzzle. Hopefully someone has a copy of Verstraight’s Travel Journal. He was part of group of adventures during the Age of Dragons that came across something similar. I’ll spend the rest of the day and night trying to find a copy.

30th Day of Raquas 1399TH

An all night search and ‘War was able to find a copy of the Journal in a script’s house. The scribe had kept it for the lovely illustrations. Mal was able to Haggle him down to a couple of silver… I’m going to need to work overtime to make enough potions to pay him back.
I spent the rest of the night reading the Journal till I found the section where they entered Ystrathe Village and saw a similar Rash. They used Nethermancy to weave a binding over the Rash’s pattern. That kept the Rash from entangling and shredding a Namegiver’s pattern. Meanwhile the Qaunti’s Poultice is more than sufficient to heal the rash remove it. Cdhartuese the Ork was their Nethermancer. Hopefully, there is enough detail about how to weave the nessarary threads contained in this Journal.

1st Day of Veltom 1399TH

I found Jareth the Nethermancer after his morning karma ritual. He had conveniently been warned of my coming and haste by his Tea companion. We spent the first hours of the day trying to decipher how weave the necessary threads from the Journal. I’m sure Jareth thought I was a bit overbearing in the whole exercise. Nethermancy is certainly different that Wizardry… fascinatingly different. We weren’t able to learn the threads to bind the Rash, but Jareth believes that he can use the Journal to call to Cdhartuese and have him explain it.
Cdhartuese was none to pleased to be “summoned as a common Task Spirit” as he put it, but we were able to convince him to explain how to bind the Rash. Once explained, Jareth said it was SO simple, and that he should have seen how to do it at once… I was there for the explanation, I’m pretty sure they were using dwarven as the language, but I couldn’t comprehend any of it.

2nd Day of Veltom 1399TH

Jareth and I went to all the effected people today. He bound the Rash, and I treated the results. I watched what he did on the Astral, I could see him tieing threads to the ends of the barbs, and wrapping the patient’s pattern with what I can only describe as a gauze type weave. The poultice looked like it has taken. I’ll check on everyone tomorrow.

6th Day of Veltom 1399TH

The Rash is finally gone from all the people whom it infected. I searched the Journal and had Jareth ask Cdhartuese, but couldn’t find any mention of what started it or really how it spreads. I’ll keep my eye out for things like this in the future.in

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[ehren]

Dagger Fight ... Journal.

Journal Entry 28th Day of Mawag, 1399 TH

We’ve spent the last few days recovering from our wounds. 5 days to recover from that ambush. We’re going to have to keep our wits about us, because a few more fights like that and we’re not going to survive to become Journeymen, let alone Wardens. We got word that last night that the strange kills have recommenced… We’ve got to act now before any more innocents are put in danger!

We head back to the Fishbarrel Inn, this time we’re keeping our eyes open. We see the same drunk as before and figure he might have seen something of interest. He wasn’t able to give much information, but he did let us know that the Bartender was interested in keeping his brother out of trouble. We decided to use that information when we went into the bar. The Bartender, Scragy, was really ahppy that we didn’t kill his brother. I’ll remember to remind Mal and ‘War that we don’t need to kill in order to win, and sometimes it helps to leave our opponents alive. They might be well connected. Scragy gives us the location of what he says is the Dagger’s house.

As the Dagger’s residence is our only lead, we head there. Lucky for me, my brothers are smart! ‘War worked his illusions to such a great effect. The Dagger was being protected by a bunch of street kids with Skull and Bones tattoos. ‘War was able to use his spells to trick the kids into leaving their posts. We just walked right in. ‘War was disguised as Aelthor… thank goodness for Best Face. We were in the building and tried to talk our way past the remaining two guards. Unfortunately they were quick enough to realize that we were here to get the Dagger so we had to dispatch them.

I focused on the Elementalist, and let Mal and ‘War hold the Beastmaster off. The strategy seemed to work fairly well. My Air Dance and quick feet work kept the Elementalist from bringing her spells to bear. The Beastmaster was hard work in the end. I’m not well versed in their Discipline and he used a lot of tricks that I didn’t know how to counter them. ‘War was his usual flamboyant self – his Taunts and acrobatics really carried the day. We were finally able to knock the Beastmaster out. Of course, we know he was able to get a warning off. We had to charge up the stairs to see if the Dagger had had time to escape.

Luckily we were able to get to find the Dagger as he was about to leave the upper room. He was in the middle of the window about to cross some planks. He started to throw knives at us and taunt us… He must be a Swordmaster. You could tell from his quick and accurate movements that he was certainly a Journeyman, close to Warden status. Having thought about it before, I knew that getting into melee combat with him would probably not end well. Luckily I had prepared Mind Dagger in a matrix. So, I continued to hurl Mind Daggers at him the whole fight… and kept as much distance from him and me. ‘War wasn’t very lucky, he closed the distance and executed what should have been a perfect attack – only to have it turned aside! The Dagger’s counter attack was brutal. He knocked ‘War out with the blow. ‘War almost fell off the plank as he was falling. I guess all those games of fencing on a log that Alfred had us go through weren’t a waste. I kept the Dagger’s attention while Mal went to use our Bond to wake ‘War up. Fighting 2:1 or 1:1 with the Dagger would not turn out well for us. I was able to keep him from drinking the healing potions that he had on him until Mal got ‘War back into operation. Knowing that my brother would be safe inspired me to a great attack. I can hardly believe that I went into an aggressive all out attack against a swordmaster. Luckily I got the drop on him. I guess he wasn’t excepting the stupidity either. My blow sent him to he knees and he fell from the plank to the alley below. Unfortunately the fall killed him. I was hoping to interrogate him, and find out why he was instigating these stupid attacks. Who ever was funding him had a deep purse. He had a lot of gold and expensive equipment on him. Unfortunately his potions all broke when he fell on them.

Where do we go from here? Will the attacks stop? Why was the Dagger being paid to do this? We’ll look into what we can. Maybe his body guards will be able to tell us something. Its getting late, and all I have is speculation. The coming days will hopefully let us find some useful information out of the wreckage of my botched attack on the Dagger.

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[ehren]

Wizard Advancement journal.

Journal Entry, 1399 TH
Today was truly one of the most exciting yet! I am no longer an initiate! I spent the morning meditating on all the lessons that Warden Vance had been teaching me. I visualized the threads I’d weave for the spell – attuning the matrix, how the astral energy would be gathered, and how the Pattern that would be constructed. I tried not to focus on all the Wizards that would be watching and judging my casting of a Novice spell. I did not want to stare into their eyes as they would be looking at me with Astral Sight.

The pressure of living up to the Family name was like a physical weight on my shoulders. After the Tournament, word had gotten around that Father was an enchanter of an amazing degree. As a Councilor’s son, as a Co-Champion of the Black Company’s Tournament… what if I failed? What if I simply could not visualize the spell? What if it just fizzled? What if some enemy of Father’s came in and surreptitiously worked to Dispel the spell, even while I was working on casting it? There were too many questions… I needed peace before the ceremony this evening.
Nothing works quite as well at calming the mind as giving the body something to do. So, instead of mediating and focusing on the test this evening, I went about my usual routine. I worked the garden, I cleaned the Alchemy shop, I visited the hospital to see my patients.

Before heading to Warden Vance’s apartments for the test, I did two things. The first, I visited the elemental clock. The ball of True Fire seems stationary above the pool of True Water. I don’t know that what means, but it is really peaceful to see two things that should be opposed working together to keep the Kaer safe. The second thing that I did was to unite my mind and body once again. I first performed the Warrior’s Karma ritual – I know that might seem odd before a Wizard’s test, but the Warrior is as much a part of my Pattern as the Wizard. The Warrior gives me the bodily strength, the discipline to see to the philosophical and honorable work of the Wizard. I broke with my peculiar tradition and did not immediately follow that up with the Wizard’s Karma Ritual. That I was going to save to refocus my thoughts before the examination.
I arrived at Warden Vance’s house slightly early. Wizards were still arriving. He served a light snack of unleavened bread, cheese, sausages, and some warm spiced wine. It took my mind off the trial ahead and let me socialize with my peers and betters. There were quite a few Wizards there to watch and socialize. There was light banter between various groups on differing views of magic theory. Novice Riale, who is a couple years senior to me, was trying to flock a paper he had written around. He seems to have worked quite hard on it, but I think it was in poor taste to use my Ritual of Advancement to get attention for his work. I hope that isn’t pride speaking, but some of the more senior Wizards did give him sidelong glances.

To prepare, I went into an empty adjoining room, and there started to draw the first circle to start my Karma Ritual, in his wooden floor (or should I say finish it?). By the time I looked up, the room was packed with all the Wizards. With a nod from the Senior Wizard and Warden Vance, I began to gather the astral energy. I pulled it into threads that I wove and began constructing the pattern of the spell. Before I had time to even dwell on my thoughts from earlier in the day, I had cast the spell and the Senior Wizard began clapping his hands. Everyone joined in, and when they were finished, he said “Congratulations Mes'llayah of the House Madeara, for you are now a Novice of the Wizard’s Discipline. Know now, that from this time until the end of times you carry a grave responsibility. For with Power comes Responsibility. I, and the rest of the community, expect you to use your growing power for the good of all. Well done.” For a second, I thought I saw a familiar pair of eyes looking through the window. My heart lept as I realized that were Father’s. Then as quick as I had seen them, they were gone.
The night finished with some light sweet cakes, some Aluvian Brandy, and further debates beside the fire.

Attachments:

[ehren]

Tournament Journal entry.

Journal Entry, 1399 TH
Yesterday was a harrowing day; going into the tent for the Black Company’s Tournament, and being tested. But, today might be worse – we find out who was selected to compete. My brothers and I went about the day trying to act as nonchalant as possible. But, we knew, as did the rest of the Kaer, that tonight an Officer of the Black Company would post the List in the fairgrounds. We were all jittery with excitement as we finished up our usual daily tasks. ‘War appeared as disinterested as possible, he’s good at that… but, both Mal and I knew that he really wanted to be on the List. With only 16 slots, and so many skilled and talented supplicants, I really don’t envy the Black Company having to make the cuts. We were all dreading making the List, and one of us not… We’ve always gone through life together, hopefully, we will do the same here.

Finally shortly before dusk, an Orc officer marched into the center of the fairgrounds and shoved a spear into the ground. He then unfurled the pennant attached to the spear. This was the awaited list. Everyone crowded around. Mal, ‘War and I waited patiently to see. When it was finally our turn, we saw the names burned into stajian hide with what must have been a stick that was warmed in a fire. We hugged each other as we saw we had all made the List. I was 2nd, ‘War had barely missed 4th, and ‘Mal had almost made the top half. Whether you believe the people who favor the List over real battle or not, we had all made the List. As had a few surprises. Half the List was full of Councilor’s sons or daughters.

We won’t find out until tomorrow whom our matches will be against. But, we each look forward to displaying our skills and winning fame for the House of Madaera! Also, we spend the next few hours researching our possible opponents. This will be fun.

Journal Entry, 1399 TH
We brothers meet in the morning to break our fast and discuss our strategies for the upcoming matches. I hope that the brackets are made such that we won’t have to fight each other. Although, facing ‘Mal or ‘War in the final would be a thrill.

We gather at the appointed time in the fairgrounds. All 16 competitors wait to see who the first match will be. You can already see clicks forming. The Verdants are leading their click, and try to pull the unaligned into it. Well, the unaligned that come from a “good” family or that have connections. Some of the worthies have neither, and the Verdants are making every appearance of snubbing them, although, truth be told it looks more to be vice versa.

The first match is announced, and none of us brothers are surprised that it is Orek Vael (who was 1st on the List) vs Arlon. We all predict (accurately it turns out) that Orek will win. If they took the 1st off the List for the 1st match, my bet with ‘War, is that they will work their way down the list and I’ll be called 2nd. Just before 1100, we find the “Truth of it” as ‘War would say… and I’ll enjoy the wine he owes me.
I am to fight the son of Councilor Verdant, Elias Verdant. He’s a Beastmaster that won’t have access to his companion during the fight; I’ll have to keep my wits about me in the stadium.

Journal, as you will recall from my telling of the Tournaments that I have watched, round 1 is the Earth round. We combatants will face each other across a field of boulders and shifting earth.

Charging across the field, I notice that he is out of sorts. I believe that I’ll be able to hold the initiative. I jump onto a bolder for the obvious height advantage, and connect with a blow to his shoulder. He was obviously put out by my quickly grabbing the 1st point and he decided that he wanted to embarrass me by pushing me from the boulder where I was standing. As he came in, I was able to turn into him with Querick’s wheeling defense. I scored a second point as he was pushed past me. I managed to whisper in his ear something about not making this about pride, or winning or losing. He just sneered and said “only a loser would say something like that.” As graciously as I could, I used Yalaneth’s attack to score the 3rd and winning point. I was rather surprised he wasn’t ready for such a basic attack, but I think the Verdants focus more on political battles than contests of arms. Elias stormed off, in a huff. My guess is we did not bridge the gaps between our families during this contest.

Journal Entry, 1399 TH
There is a chill in the air as we final eight gather for the 1st match of the day. It will be the ominous bout at dawn. I know these series of matches will be fought in water. It amazes me how they can transform the stadium so quickly from a boulder strewn wilderness to a torrential river. While I appreciate the symmetry of the bouts, one for each element; I would have thought the Black Company would have chosen terrain more suited to cavalry tactics. That’s what I get for thinking like a Wizard, when the solution is obvious to a Warrior. The Black Company cannot always choose the terrain that they will fight in, so in the tests to gain admittance into the Company, the terrain should be as varied and difficult as what the Company will eventually fight in.

Just as I wonder who will get the dubious honor of the fight at dawn it is announced. I will be facing the Skyraider known as Kam Stormpeak (also son of Councilor Stormpeak). The stadium has been transformed into a rushing river. It’s hard to maneuver, and every step seems to be precarious. The water is waist high and slows you down, and the footing is terrible. I can only imagine what Kam is going through. He must spend his nights dreaming of raiding Theran supply ships, not struggling to cross a raging river. I can tell he’s distracted, and has to really think about where he will place his next step. Luckily for me, he makes the first misstep. He seems harried and time seems to slow as he loses his footing. How often will this happen? I say a quick prayer of thanks to Garlen, and step in to make Pierot’s lunge and manage to score a point.
Kam takes to this match better than E. Verdant did his with me. We start up a friendly banter. Maybe I shouldn’t have distracted him with our philosophical musings, because I was able to score the 2nd point while we were discussing the similarities of a pitching airship’s deck to fighting in a stream. Either with the blow, or with the analogy of air to water, he was so angered he was able to summon the strength to gain his footing and strike. I tried Salvatini’s defense to no avail and he connected for a point.

Knowing that I could win in the next few moments, I decided it was worth risking my defense for the Yantei offense. Luckily I hadn’t done this earlier, because my aggressive attack left me open for a quick counter from him, which tied the score. However, his strike took his shield out of position and allowed that aggressive attack through. It was a near thing, but I won the match 3-2.

Now it was time to dry off and see how ‘War will fair in his upcoming match. ‘War handily defeats R. Hightower and we all gather once more to see who will have the next bout.

The next match the distraction will be Air. As I ender the stadium and look across the field to my opponent Mi’ven. I work on suppressing the need for revenge. She did beat ‘Mal fairly in the water round. There is no need for vengeance… he’s not hurt, and taking a step back, to look at the battle dispassionately, fighting a T’skrang Swordmaster in a raging river – I’d probably have bet on Mi’ven.

As I work to suppress those feelings, she works to get the crowd on her side. She is obviously the more likeable character in this fight. Either that or she used some of the family’s money to stuff the seats of the stadium with her supporters. I’m fairly sure it’s the former more than the latter. I’ll just have to not let the crowd’s cheer’s distract me; which shouldn’t be too hard, as I’m having trouble hearing myself think over the wind blowing.

Having talked her general strategies out with ‘Mal and ‘War, I decide that I will let her wear herself down with extraneous movements, taunts, and using multiple weapons. Hopefully, she’ll pass out from the strain, or, we’ll be so boring that the crowd loses interest and I at least won’t have to worry about that as well.

Her constant nagging and taunting is impossibly distracting. All the barbs and small digs are just too difficult to ignore. It takes so much of my concentration I have to use simple attacks and defenses. I can see why Swordmasters love to use this tactic – No one can think of effective counters when they are thinking about the constant stream of virtual that is being spewed at them.

I went really simple for awhile. I scored my first point with the Fire attack. Yes, the first attack that we Warrior are taught. I think I just caught her off guard with such a simple and straightforward attack. But, it doesn’t matter about the elegance of the attack, just the effect it produces. No matter how much ‘War hates to admit that. So, the score was 1-0.

Seeing that I was already too in my head to put up an effective defense, or maybe I was just too surprised about taking the lead against a Swordmaster one on one, he blow easily bypassed my shield and the match was once again tied.

For the next few minutes we trade feints and lunges, with neither of us getting the upper hand until I reached down into the core of my being and pulled on that magic that connects me to the pattern of the true Warrior, and with that flash of insight I was able to score a second point.
About this time I noticed that my strategy had worked. She was tired, and if the bout kept up much longer, she might fall unconscious. I did not want to win by default, so I decided that I would put my faith in Garlen and Warrior, and let them guide my strike. Again reaching through the threads that tie my pattern to that of Warrior, and using the inspiration of Garlen, I aggressively stabbed out, almost blindly… and just at the tip of the sword was Mi’ven’s undefended shoulder. I had won, but it had taken a toll on both me and my opponent. I bowed, and told the crowd to congratulate her.

As we made our way off the field, I asked if she would care to share some drinks with my brothers and I. To show that none of us had any hard feels, we all shared a few rounds and recounted the stories and events from the Tourny thus far. Seeing her and ‘War act out their bouts was great for the tavern’s patrons. Some even bought us a few rounds to hear and see the fights acted out again. I left the bar, what I felt was early. I knew that tomorrow I would face either my brother or Orek Vael.

Journal Entry, 1399 TH
Today was the end of the Tournament. The last contest is the challenge of fire. While the other contests had been simple touch point matches, this is a real fight. We might not die in it, but it certainly left some nasty cuts up my arms and torso.

The stadium was filled with magical smoke, and I could barely see a few yards in front of my face. This match would be a thinking man’s match. Where in the others skill or raw ability would win out, this match would require careful thought before a move was made.

Knowing that I might not see Orek sneaking up on me, I put my back to the wall and waited. After a few minutes, I saw him charging through the smoke. I was luckily able to shift out the way of the blade in time. It was a very close call – the hair on my right arm is shorter I think.
For the next few minutes we trade blows; some connecting, most not. He was a very smart opponent. He was going to try to get lost back in the smoke and then attempt an ambush. I was able to stay with him however. Minute after minute we swung against each other, a glancing blow here, a small strike there. This was certainly the longest match of the tournament – it’s too bad that crowd couldn’t see us. Finally, we both decide to go all out, to leave nothing behind on the field. No regrets. No worries. No guilt. Our attacks landed at the same time. I saw him go down, and then unconsciousness wrapped my head.

We woke up in a warm bath; bruised and beaten, but awake. Standing over us were the three Officers of the Black Company that had interviewed us days before (it felt like weeks). They had searched the histories, and there was precedence to making us both Co-Champions. They offered us both a shield and the winner’s purse. I attempted to turn them both down. Orek, and the Officers thought it only right that I take the purse. So, I did. I split it and the rest of my winnings with my brothers. Because, without them, I would not have gotten as far as I had. ‘War was able to give me the pointers I needed to match Orek blow for blow, and ‘Mal was able to heal me so I wasn’t fighting at a disadvantage. Thank Garlen for Family!

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[ehren]

Journal Entry, 1399 TH
After what seems like an eternity of waiting, we finally have something more than rumors with which to find the villain Cinder. Captain Rockshield sent two guards to pick us up. It seems that Father has been able to remove the ward from the message stone. The Captain wanted to make sure of the chain of custody of the stone before he would show us the contents.
When the message played, I was flabbergasted… as were ‘Mal and ‘War. The message was from an elf in the employ of C. Verdant (Treas) to The Dagger telling him that the Verdant’s would not cover his further expenses, but Cinder would. Based off of this evidence we went to the Verdant compound to grab Treas and question him. E. Verdant has Treas handed over to us. As we are walking back to the constabulary, ‘War begins to flip the dagger he recovered from The Dagger, making Treas obviously nervous. Sgt. Stoutarm begins to let him know that Cinder appears to be involved with a Horror and he is obviously implicated. When be begins to answer and perhaps point the finger at the Verdants, blood spills from every orifice. He falls to the ground withering and shrieking before our eyes. I was using Astral Sight at the time, and could tell that it was no spell that did him in, but a broken blood oath. How cruel could the Verdants be to force that on their servants?
Just when we thought we had a break in the case, the trail gets cold again. Will the frustrations of this never end? When we got home, there was a note from Uld. Yet more hope that we might find the villain Cinder and have her tell us the depth of the conspiracy. Uld’s message gives us a general location, and we set off. As we’re closing in to where he indicated, we see Cinder and five mercenaries heading in the other direction.
We give chase and unfortunately must engage them in the street. ‘War and I yell for the bystanders to go get help. Sgt Stoutarm would love to bring this collar in, I’m sure. We engage, and while we’re trying to wade through the bodyguards, Cinder slips away. The fight is intense. We are outnumbered 5 to 3 and these mercs are obviously adepts. We close ranks, but not before I end up flanked. Stupid tactical error on my part, I should have used Malpheous’s defensive slide, instead I over committed and was trapped between two of the bodyguards.
By the time we had forced one to run away and knocked another unconscious to even the odds, B’Laay joined the fight on our side. How quickly the tides of battle can change! Now that we had the upper hand we quickly ended the engagement. When the dust settled, there were 2 unconscious mercenaries. They did not believe my warning that they were working with a Horror tainted individual. How could they be so callus? How is money that important to them? Do they have no other skills that they can make a living off of?
As those thoughts run through my head, ‘Mal luckily spots Cinder heading down the streets. We tell B’Layy to tie up the men we’ve knocked out and we take off to follow Cinder.
As we’re sneaking around, wondering where Cinder will lead us, or if she’ll see us following, I ensure my brothers are being looked after. I ensure that Astral Shield is placed on us to stop any magical tom foolery and Dodge Boost to give us extra physical protection. ‘Mal doubles up on the protection and gives us all Air Armor.
We follow Cinder through the twisting streets. We’re in an area that the planners never envisioned when fashioning the Kaer. These are the dilapidated wooden buildings of the poorest of the poor. A shanty town within easy travel of some opulent mansions; maybe when we can finally leave the Kaer, we can get these people more.
After traveling on Cinder’s tail for a few minutes, we’re noticed. She pulls a bottle of blue liquid from her cloak and lights the stopper on fire. She then tossed that against a wall. Ha! We Madaera brothers are made of sterner stuff than to be scared away by some Molotov cocktails.
My first suspicions were wrong… she wasn’t using fire to cover her escape, well, not normal fire. Out of the flames of that worn down wooden building a 12 foot fire elemental was called. We noticed her quickly slash her palm and focus on the elemental. As we closed the distance, we could see odd shadows in the Elemental – she must have corrupted the pour thing with her tainted magic.
We close the distance, but not nearly fast enough to stop her from giving a final command: “DESTROY!” and she is lost in the smoke the Elemental is creating carrying out her dastardly orders.
We crash through the wall of smoke that was put up to distract us and ensure Cinder made good her escape to see the Elemental burning down houses. While we are all torn between bringing Cinder to justice and ensuring the fire started here doesn’t consume us all – we know where our duty lies.
We close and engage the cursed Elemental. We break through the smoke wall and are instantly assaulted by waves of heat. Luckily we are sweating after our previous fight and sprinting to catch Cinder. That sweat steams off our bodies as we strike at the Elemental. Our weapons seem to have no effect on it. But, there may be a hint that we are causing some anxiety on its part as it flame strikes at us and summons little sprites to aid it. The more sprites it brings into this plane the hotter it gets fighting the Elemental. The hair on my arms and my eyebrows are being singed as we continue to swing at the Elemental. Finally, with no signs that any of our blows had landed, the Elemental is slain and departs to its native plane – leaving behind the sprites it had been summoning. Knowing that we could actually damage these fire spirits, we made quick work of them.
When the fighting was over, the smoke wouldn’t clear. The buildings around us were still on fire, there was plenty of work for us to do. ‘Mal and I went to a nearby well and started a bucket line to douse and control the flames. ‘War attempted to reattune his matrix to be able to cast Bellow of the Thundra, but was too distracted by the smoke and burns on his arms. In the end we just continued to scream for help. I think it was probably the billowing smoke more than our yells, but help came and we were able to contain the blaze.
Not only has Cinder conspired with the Horrors to corrupt the Kaer, she has attempted to burn us all alive while still sealed away from the Scourge. We must stop her.

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Journal Entry, 1399 TH
Another message from Uld… He has been able to locate Cinder once again. This time she is holed up in a house near the Kaer wall in the Ork District. This may finally be our chance to ambush instead of being ambushed. Thanks to ‘War’s illusions and a bit of Wizardry we disguise ourselves and blend into the surroundings.
I know that the most effective way to set an ambush is to have good information on your adversary. So, we set up to look through some windows in the house, hoping to see which room Cinder is hiding in.
Much to our surprise, although, looking back on it, we shouldn’t have been surprised about this at all… Cinder had some corpse monstrosities hanging around in the house. (We latter found out these were called Cadaver Men.)
They must have had some innate sense, or have seen through our rouse. These monstrous things start to break though the house. Not wanting to be surrounded, we backed into an alley where we could protect our backs; while at the same time keep an eye on the house. This way we’ll notice when Cinder tries to leave.
We stand and fight, although we notice that some of the Cadaver Men attempt to outflank us. While normally an intelligent tactic, it only works if you’re holding force can stay long enough for the flanking force to reach its objective. (And Father thought that I hadn’t read C’laus’tz’s treatise well enough…) So, knowing that we only had a few minutes to spare, we attacked with all our might and teamed up on the Cadaver Men. While one on one, these beasts might be a fight, when we all attack the same one, they don’t stand a chance.
By the time the flanking force arrived, we had already dispatched their compatriots. We made quick work of the two who tried to sneak up on us.
However, this fight had severely drained us. The strain of going all out and anticipating blow after blow – not to mention the damage these undead were able to do… We set up a little camp and watched the house till we could have a little rest. I figured, if we are resting and vigilant, I’d have enough time to jot down these thoughts. Hopefully, Cinder is trapped inside the house and we will quickly find and defeat her. Her growing menace must be stopped.

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Journal Entry, 1399 TH
After our little respite, we searched the house, expecting to find Cinder at every turn. Astral sight didn’t show her, neither did mundane investigation. After a while of searched we find that there is a hidden access to a tunnel. As this is the only way that Cinder could be, we cautiously head down.
We arrive at a gate that my Wizard senses tell me is trapped though magical means. Luckily ‘War is able to use some of his spells to trick the door into opening. When the door opens there is a large cavern with 6 spots of the bleakest darkness I’ve ever seen. Before we know what is happening skeletons start walking out of the blackness and Cinder taunts us from the back of the Cavern. We can’t see her, and her skeletons keep us busy.
Finally we are able to slay her hoard of skeletons. But, how will we ever be able to attack Cinder in the darkness. She seems to be able to see out just fine, but we won’t be able to see in. Wizard then speaks through me and I cast Dispel Magic and suppress one of the dark spheres. Of course, our time dealing with her skeletons and figuring out a plan to deal with the darkness has allowed Cinder to summon forth more undead minions.
While I suppress the Darkness I notice Cinder. We can’t allow her to get away again. Faced with the terrible choice of charging Cinder or staying and protecting my brothers, I choose to fulfill the mission and secure the safety of the Kaer. Besides, Mal and War can hold against some skeletons until I can destroy Cinder. I push through her minions and charge into melee combat with a true monster for the first time. She uses her foul powers to summon forth some sort of desiccated death’s head to replace her own face. (Or maybe I was just seeing her true soul.) While truly frightening, I was able to stand my ground against her. While I’m attempting to end her, I notice that Cinder has red veins traveling across what I can see of her body. War has warned me about these. We’ll have a much harder fight that we first thought.
With a few quick flail strikes Cinders chest cavity collapses under the repeated body blows. Then she starts convulsing and her body seems to melt. I invoked Garlen’s protection to help us in this new fight. My brothers are still stuck fighting her skeletal army. Now that she is truly undead, she fights with a murderous furry. I fight to hold my ground, and as I’m slowly giving ground Mal and War finish off the last of her skeletons and charge into the fight. War’s quick intervention and a wonderful slash take off Cinder’s head.
After months of waiting and planning and fighting her proxies, we have finally defeated Cinder.

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M'org and the Elf... the details aren't in the forum, so I figured I'd try to jot them down before they competely skipped my head.

Journal Entry, 1399 TH
We finally get within sight of the Door of the Kaer. How long has it been since a Namegiver has seen the outside of this Door? Too long have we been subjected to the darkness of the Scourge. Now, it is time to strike back. We exit the tunnels to see the skeleton of Sohor splayed in front of the door, still standing guard after all these centuries. His family will be pleased if we can get them something to remember his sacrifice for the rest of us; and Father will be pleased if we can return the letter to him.
When we get to the edge of the tunnel and are about to step out – a hideous monster stumbles upon us. This thing has writhing veins all over what is left of its skeletal body. It is armed with what appears to be its own femur. In a raspy voice, is screams “You to shall join the Host” and charges us.
I ready our defenses casting spells to protect us for this unholy thing. Mal begins by casting Flame Weapon on my flail. As we are making our preparations, War charges to keep the beast busy. He asks if it knows anything about William Panache and gets little in the way of response. Even though the beast throws parts of itself at us and Mal is kept quite busy sucking the damage from us and then using fireblood to purge the damage from his system.
With the Firey Flail and War’s two weapons, mainly War’s aggressive use of his two weapons, whole pieces of flesh come off within seconds. As we hack through it, the veins start withering up and soon M’org is no more.
We conduct a quick search of the area and retrieve the letter for Father and some of Sokor’s equipment for his family and then we head out in search of Cadavermen.
Apparently we choose the wrong side of the Kaer to look, because we spend most of our time hiding from mobs of skeletons. It’s not that we’re cowards, but fighting 100 skeletons isn’t going to change much for the eventual battle to defend the Kaer. What we need now is information – information that can only be retrieved by scouting and not being found out.
Heading through the tunnels leads us to a small side cave, which light is showing through. We take a look, and try to be subtle about it, but in our typical fashion we’re as subtle as a ton of bricks. When we clear the corner we see an elf with what looks like needles sticking out of all of his skin. The pain he must be in… maybe that is what drove him insane. We try to talk with him, but his ramblings are fairly incoherent. How could the Wood and Rose Throne have fallen?
Failing to talk sense into the lunatic, and seeing the ritual his was performing to destroy the Kaer, we attack. He dodges blow after blow while weaving threads to a massive spell. With me holding his attention, he falls for a trick that War has been saving for just this opportunity and is able to knock him down – thankfully disrupting the spell. Then, he just vanishes. We search, but he is gone.
Our return to the safety of the Kaer is uneventful, but we were constantly on guard against more skeleton patrols. When we get back, we give the letter to Father, and Sokor’s equipment to his family. It turns out that Sokor had magical equipment with him outside the Kaer, I only hope that there is no taint upon it… I would hate if we were responsible for the corruption of the family of so great a hero. NOTE: We did look to verify that there were no curses or other corruption, but it had been outside with the Horrors for a long time, so who knows.

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[ehren]

Fight with the Rock Worm and skeletons.

Journal Entry, 1399 TH
After a few days’ respite, we decide to try to our luck again, and exit the Kaer. We’ve chosen a different breach to exit from, but we still intend to retrieve relicts from the Dwarven Hero who help protect the Kaer while the door was being sealed.
Fairly quickly after leaving the Kaer, in the twists and turns of the horror tunnels, we get ambushed by a group of skeletons.
I stand side by side with 'War. Shield rock steady to blow after blow. Finally the skeletons offer an opportunity... a crucial mistake in their inelegant unthoughtout plan. In an overhead arc, I swing my flail into the skeleton. The empty skull appears to explode from the force of the flail. The visual is all the more complete for the fire sprouting from the spine of the now decapitated skeleton.
"Mal, I really like your Fire Weapon spell. Even if these keratins’ can't enjoy it, it makes a great show."
Quickly after the fight began, it’s over. The Medaera brothers have learned a thing or three since we last had to slug out a fight with skeletons.
Further into the tunnels we delve, always on the lookout for more skeletons or other Horror constructs. Eventually we start to notice that the walls aren’t as random as we would have expected for skeletons digging with pick-axes. Something else might be constructing, or in this case destructing the path.
While wandering through one tunnel when a dozen or so earth q’ril erupt from the tunnel floor. Fearing an attack, I kill a few – only to realize a bit too late that they are fleeing from something more menacing.
Maw is able to calm a q’ril just long enough to see that they mean us no harm. But, even that assured q’ril flees through the ceiling. As it does, a huge rock worm erupts from the tunnel’s floor.
The Worm opens it giant maw and I get a close look at its foot long teeth as it tries to eat me. No matter how many blows are landed on this snout, it keeps coming. Eventually, it manages to get me into its mouth. While I’m preoccupied trying to not be the Worm’s next meal, War is able to slice off some veins. The same veins that were reanimating previous villains. So, if I survive, maybe we won’t have to kill this thing twice.
With the viens no longer attached, it appears as if the Horror can’t control the Worm, and I make such a poor meal, it spits me out. Once out, I don’t want to go back in, and join Mal and Maw in attacking the Worm. Able to focus our attention on the worm we beat the poor creature senseless.
After the combat, it appears as if the tunnels are about the size of the Worm’s mouth. The Horrors must have been controlling rock worms to dig these tunnels. That would be much quicker than using skeletons and cadavermen. Examining the body of the Worm, we also find some pockets of Elemental Earth. Hopefully, it will be worth enough to clean these soiled clothes.
Well, we’re just a few kilometers from the door to the Kaer. Hopefully nothing more dangerous happens…

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Alley fight with E. Verdant and Captain.

Journal Entry, 1399 TH
We still have a Council mission to perform, so after a few days of training and healing in the safety of the Kaer, we once more set off to capture a threaded skeleton.
We are almost to the breach, when as we turn a corner, two guards are lying bleeding to death and another guard is waving a great sword around like a madman. Looking into Astral space, only one of the guards is alive. I use some cunning logic to convince the wild guard to stand aside and let me treat his comrade. He continues to mumble nonsense about appeasing horrors with blood until Maw is able to calm him down.
The wounds are grievous, but luckily not fatal. If we had been a few moments later, that probably wouldn’t be the case. He was losing a lot of blood, and had quite a few wounds. It was a fairly gruesome sight. But, lucky for us Garlen was watching over us, and guided my hands as I worked on the guard.
When we finally have a grip on the situation; the frenzied guard is calm (well, calmer), the guard on the ground is unconscious but will survive. The Blood Guard show up, with E. Verdant as their lead.
Not wanting facts to stand in his way, Verdant orders his men to attack us. No matter how much we plead for him to look at the facts, or not jump to conclusions… he just can’t fathom a world where his pea sized mind isn’t the greatest and biggest.
With Elias exciting the situation, the finally calm guard charges. I spring into action to tackle him, probably saving the life of a Blood Warder… which of course the Verdant’s will never thank me for… While I’m holding the crazy guard back, Mal & War take of the Blood Guard, Verdant casts spells at my back. Not very gentlemanly of him, if I have to say so myself.
Through some cunning use of tactics, I knock out the crazed guard & War unarms the Captain. The battle finally seems to be going in our favor. With Mal and Maw keeping the Captain busy, I close with Elias and let him have it. His defenses are easy to read and not well thought out, so I am able to deliver some quick blows. He even fell for Q’wren’s feint. Without much work, Elias is unconscious at my feet & the Captain is being confused by Mal and War.

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[ehren]

Cadavermen, Troll, & Gnasher fight.

Journal Entry, 1399 TH
With Elias defeated again, I take a measure of my surroundings. The door sealing this breach appears to be melting and we only have a few minutes before what I can only assume is a Horror Army pours through.
I try to convince the Captain to take the unconscious guards to safety and then return with help. He decides to take a guard and Elias. I guess some battles aren’t worth fighting when the safety of the entire Kaer is moments from crumbling at your feet.
Four dozen cadavermen charge through the breach into the shield wall that my brothers and I had quickly made. We attempt to hold them. We’ll have a tough go at it if help doesn’t arrive shortly.
In the back a Troll in Obsidian armor appears to be leading the cadarvermen. But, there isn’t time to get more detail on their leader as we have to hold the line to keep the cadavermen from swarming the Kaer. I hold the line with War's phantom image, using it to distract the waves of Cadavermen. Swinging my flail like a scythe, and instead of trying to deal killing blows - lands stunning blows that knock down oncoming Cadavermen or knock them into the ones behind them. Cadavermen trip as they mindlessly surge forward into my flail or War’s phantasm.
Using Air Speaking Mal valiantly raises the alarm and at the same time warns the nearby people to flee to safety. War is able to use Bellow of the Tundras to aid in this.
Spinning and turning, a whurl wind of motion... Blood lust overcomes him & Mes pivots off War's excellent defense and pushes into the Horde. Surround on each side, he notices that the huge guy in the back pulls some of the Cadavermen off the line to protect himself. Unfortunately, as I step back to plug the whole he left a Cadaverman gets in a lucky sweep to the head that puts a gash across my face.
We struggle, minute after minute hoping that reinforcements will arrive, and fearing we will lose containment. That the sheer numbers of undead will push us back to the mouth of the alley and then the horde will louse itself on the undefended streets.
Our morale is lifted as the Captain comes back and lets us know that help is on the way. With a veteran Warrior standing with us, we are able to more easily hold the line. War is able to drink some potions to keep his health on line, and I am able to keep the horde off balance by throwing a few distraction spells at the Troll leader in the back.
The guard arrives to let us grab a few breaths and collect ourselves. As we are debriefing the Guard Sergeant, and letting him know where to best use his men, a huge Gnasher jumps over the Horde and attacks us directly.
Unfortunately, the Gnasher attacks right when I’m downing my potions. So, Mal and War hold it until I’m back into the fight. With my attention on not spilling the potions everywhere, I’m not able to help as the Gnasher rips through Maw’s defenses and knocks him to the ground.
Joining the fight, and ignoring subtlty, I land a quick blow with my flail on its snout. Just to get its attention away from Mal and Maw. I continue to try to keep its attention as Mal and War back up. Finally Garlen show’s me an opportunity, and I take out its tendon with my fail and then using the boot Mal made me, kick its ugly face in.
With the flanking attack failing, the Troll pulled his recon in force back through the breach. There is no rest for the weary, and I pull out my physician kit and start tending to wounds. If the Horror’s Army realizes how weak we really are, they’ll be back shortly, and we’ll need everybody to fight to save Daiche.

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[ehren]

Through the fight with Gheron Ironcrystal.

Journal Entry, 1399 TH
Again we have delays from our Council Mission. Time is a key factor that we don’t have a lot of. But, we would surely fail in our mission if we left the Kaer unprepared. So, prepare we do – and heal.
Once more we venture out of the protective dome of the Kaer in search of a threaded cadaverman. This time, we take our preparations much more seriously. Mal provides some extra armor, and I ensure our patterns are open to each other – so that I can more easily provide magical support, even if we are separated by events.
Once more we travel through the horror dug tunnels that silently surround our home. Tunnels we must not talk about to the general population lest they get too worried and the Horrors simply feed off that. While, I describe this now as hum drum and boring, at the time it was anything but. The sneaking around & constant strain to find an ambush or horror patrol, frays your nerves. But, the hours of tedious searching for a needle in a haystack are punctuated by bouts of intense activity.
We were sneaking to avoid much of said intense activity. We narrowly avoided a series of patrols. Patrols that didn’t contain the threaded cadaverman we were looking for. Luckily for us, Maw is a pretty fast thinker; and through a combination of Illusion and plain old distraction, we sneak by these inept creatures without issue.
Coming to a fork in the road, we hear screaming and moaning. Taking a quick look around the corner, we notice prisoners being tortured by cadavermen. Ducking back into the tunnel we quickly come up with a plan and then charge into the fray. Luckily, Garlen was with us and we caught the cadavermen flat footed. Although, the Troll from the breach is here leading these cadavermen… this will be an interesting battle.
In the cavern there was a huge gorge that a rickety bridge was the only way across. While I did think about destroying the bridge and then deal with the cadavermen from a safe distance; we decided to use the bridge as a coke point. We could then maneuver to help the prisoners, and wouldn’t have to try to jump the gorge.
The gorge helped our tactics quite a bit. We were able to push or knock cadavermen into the abyss – which saved us a lot of damage. The Troll got around the choke point in a similar way, by throwing cadavermen at us. Have you ever tried to catch a cadaverman? No, I didn’t think so – they are heavy, and not easy to throw back.
Distracted by the raining cadavermen, we bearly noticed at Thom’ril emerged from the cavern wall, walked up to a prisoner, placed his hand on its head & gasped that the poor wretch had been Marked.
The Troll, who obviously knew Thom’ril the Hunter, was enraged by his presence & left the fight to attack the elf. While these two titans battle each other, we are left facing the Troll’s horde. Through the discourse and taunts we learn that the Troll is really Ghaeron Ironcrystal, a Skyraider, who sacrificed half his crew to a Horror.
After getting all the information he needed Thom’ril left, leaving Ironcrystal exceedingly angry. He charged across the bridge and engaged us, along with all this cadaver horde. To even the fight out, I decide to follow Tanrek the Sage’s advice – Use the terrain to your advantage. So, I start to shove the cadavermen into the gorge; much easier than killing them. Too bad the Ironcrystal is smart enough to warn his ‘men’ and keep that strategy from winning the day.
I look into myself and attempt to discern what Warrior would do, having a burst of understanding; I see what Warrior is attempting to teach me. I throw a shackle on a threaded cadaverman, then using the momentum, pivot around his back to secure the other. The cadaverman falls stock still at my feet. This evens out the numbers finally, but does still leave one pissed off troll.
Angered that his crew is once again dieing around him, Gheron shoots so loud part of the stone from the ceiling of the cavern starts to come loose. For minutes we trade blows. The three of us against a single Skyraider… we can’t seem to get a killing blow, just knicks and cuts. Eventually Ironcrystal attacks with such furry that his blow smashes through my shield and knocks me out.
I find out later, that he was so distracted by beating the crap out of my, that he didn’t see Mal’s Ice Mace & Chain smash into his helmet. The spell hit with such force, and Ironcrystal wasn’t heading his own advice, that he too fell into the gorge.

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Rescuing the prisoners.

Journal Entry, 1399 TH
Finally regaining consciousness, I awake to see that the prisoners are still safe. Now, that we can afford to take some time to examine them more closely, there are three prisoners left, a human, a dwarf, and an elf. The three remaining appear to not be horror marked, but do have an enchanted necklace with a light quartz. Studying the pattern of the necklaces, we figure out that they are used to track the prisoners, and can be used by the Horror who made them to cast spells though.
To save the prisoners we’ll have to remove the necklaces. The prisoners are also bound with chains. They say that the chains will inflict sever pain on anyone attempting escape or taking them off. To rescue these men, we’ll have to get these things off of them. They are too frail to take the pain or damage of moving them with the chains attached.
While we are coming up with a plan on how to rescue these prisoners without killing them in the process, we get them to tell their stories. They were taken from Kratas. The walls of the Capital were breached. The skeletons didn’t initially take the whole Kaer. They forced the rich to sell out their kinsmen for ‘safety’ pledges. They estimate that the Governor might have enough supplies to hold out in his inner sanctum for another six months.
They described their forced march from Kratas to the tunnels. The world above and outside the Kaer is a wasteland. Blighted plants and beasts driven wild by the scourge abound.
Eventually, after much consultation, we devise a plan. I had looked at the pattern of the manacles enough to show and explain to Maw what he was looking at. Then, with his superior grasp of illusion, he was able to trick the Horror into thinking that the chains were no longer attached & then Mal broke the chains, freeing the prisoners.
Like most good ideas, this sounds much simpler in the retelling, than it was in execution. Have you ever tried to trick a Horror, while simultaneously stealing its food, while dancing, patting your head, rubbing your stomach and whistling the first hymn to Garlen in Obsidimen? That was about the equivalency of the first part of what we were attempting.
With the prisoners finally free, we gather up what little they have to carry, and the manacled threaded cadaverman, then head back to Daiche. The trip was slow going. First, the former prisoners couldn’t move quickly. Second, we had to drag a cadaverman with us. Finally, we also had to deal with those dratted patrols of skeletons. It wouldn’t do to help these three escape to just be captured ourselves.
We manage to trick a few patrols, and fantastically outrun a few more before we safely arrive back at the Kaer. With the threaded cadaverman & these three people, we should have a decent amount of information available to us to help defend the Kaer until the scourge is over. The only tricky part was getting the three ‘gentlemen’ past the Blood Guard guarding the breach.
I use logic against the mentally challenged Blood Guard, and demand that they let us pass, as we are on a Council Mission. While, they don’t just let us pass, they do escort us to the council chambers for the council to decide the fate of the three. We do make a slight detour to get the men some food, refreshment, and a bath. We use this time to drop off the cadaverman in Father’s workshop.
When we appeared to testify before the Council, we were able to plead these three’s case, and grant them asylum. Maw made a particularly impassioned speech, and we might have been able to swing an increase in the Guard’s budget.

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[ehren]

Celebration Days (1-4).

Journal Entry, 1399 TH
Its that time of the year again. A little time to relax and hopefully get our minds off the constant threat of death and destruction constantly mere yards from us. As, I describe ever year, the days are a celebration of art, science, and magic. The first day is dedicated to Arms, the second to Craftsmanship, the third to Magic, the forth to Knowledge, and the fifth to Theatre.
This year, we finally have something to really show off! On the first day, Mal, Maw, and I get Skull & Bone’s people and attempt to put on a show of some of our famous battles. The show will end with us holding back the Horde of Cadavermen with the Guard, and showing the Blood Guard to be as incompetent as they truly are. Unfortunately for us, E. Verdant and his crew found out about our plans, and he and a few others slipped in and attempted to make the Blood Guard the heros… well, not on our watch are the facts going to be twisted into such a lie. I’m sure if we let them get away with it, Maw might have had a Talent Crisis.
Using Maw’s training in the theatre we were able to keep the crowd entertained in the show, while still hampering Verdant’s efforts. Using a touch of magic, both Wizardry and Illusion, we spoil their plan. I ad hoc’d a bit of new script to highlight E. Verdant’s obvious cowardice and how his stupidity led to a situation where a horde of cadavermen was able to swarm through a breach. I finish up by revealing that the E. Verdant and his friends were fighting in our show, and for the wrong side.
On the second day, I was able to please a mild crowd with some interesting uses of Alchemy. I had a series of vials change colors, set off fireworks, and change tastes. I mild amusement to be sure, but still seeing children’s faces light up, was well worth it for me.
Day 3, we had a blast. War would disguise himself and us, and then ask a crowd to tell who the real person was. We’d then disappear into the crowd and attempt it again. The crowd was kept constantly laughing as Maw changed form Orek Vael to Sgt Strongarm to Alfred. Mr Vinteck got the most correct answers & War awarded him with a purse of 25 silver. That made the crowd really happy. I think a few people would have tried a bit harder had they realized so much money was on the line.
On Day 4, I watch the Illusionist panel. This year War was participating. The questions from the audience were pretty tough this year. How this works, is the audience asks a question to two panel members, one tells the truth, the other lies. The audience votes for the answer, and the ‘looser’ feigns death at having lost. Its rather comedic. War did do fairly well, but once he was removed from the competition, I went to find some lectures on Horrors, their magic, and possible implications to thread patterns.
A good week. I look forward to the Theatre presentations tomorrow.

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[ehren]

Blood Magic fight.

The final day of the Celebration days, and my brothers and I decided it’d be nice to see some of the street theatre. We had wandered through a couple of shows, most were pretty good, although, Maw always had a few quibbles on the performance. He didn’t heckle anyone… I suppose to keep William Panache’s specter on his side in his own performances. I suppose it just won’t have been right to heckle while wearing Panache’s hat – it did look quite dashing on War. In fact, we were cutting quite the fashionable trio today. We’d each finally gotten our Espagra cloaks, matching of course.
We get to a stage set up like a mountain to see a man dressed as a Dragon raise his arms, blood flowing in sheets from them and say “You will all die in blood and suffering.” Sensing the blood magic, I attempt to quell the situation, while War keeps the crowd calm and Dead Falls – ie, dying in blood and suffering.
Acting as if this were cinimea instead of real. We leap into action. We climb the blood soaked and slippery mountain to engage this Blood Mage.
I sense a tear in the pattern of this reality – blood begins to bubble up from the ground and a Blood Spirit appears. All while the Blood Mage has encased his features in a Death’s head. Luckily, Maw has laughed to assuage any fears I would have.
Knowing that we will have to end this fight quickly to save the crowd, I sprint up the hill & aggressively attack the Mage. Even against my most savage blows he’s able to remain standing, but he has taken a few choice wounds. I hope it is enough to slow him down.
Meanwhile Maw and Mal engage the Blood Spirit to keep it pinned down. If I can end the Mage, maybe the spirit will depart this plane.
Seeing the Mage teetering on the verge of collapse, I slide in a sweep his legs out from underneath him with the chain of my flail & and then a simple overhead strike down smashes in his chest. At this moment his hand reaches up and touches my sword (flail) arm, and he finishes his dastardly spell. My arm withers and sloughes flesh. Pain so excruciating I scream out… there is no way for me to hold onto my flail. The flail falls uselessly to the ground.
War and Mal hold the Blood spirit while I retrieve my flail & I notice a gnat sized thing leave the Mage and start to buzz around. With Astral Sight, I am able to confirm that it is indeed a Horror. Just as I make that realization, it lands on Maw’s shoulder.
I continue to menace the Blood Spirit, while Mind Daggering the Horror. Neither seem to notice. Perhaps, I’d be more fierce some with both arms functional? Although, by waiving my flail around, I did attract the Spirit’s attention. With its back turned to Mal, it never saw its ending blow coming – and just faded from this existence as if it had never been here.
The Horror though is now attached to Maw, and appears to be sucking him like a tick or mosquito. As we move off the stage, which is still covered in blood, none of us are able to remove the Horror, and any of the spells or attacks we are able to land just seem to injure War more. Finally, on the brink of unconsciousness, Maw Dead Falls and tricks the Horror into leaving him alone.
Mal and I menace the gnat, but with it so small, its hard to land a decisive blow. Thrusting a cleaving into the air, Mal corners the Horror and forces it to land on a wall. As quick as I possibly can, I swing my flail into it. Screaming “Garlen will never let you take us! You will get no sacrifice here!” As the Horror pops under the pressure of my flail, the blood on the mountain disappears.
We quickly grab the body of the Mage, and check to ensure that no one in the crowd is injured before leaving to find Alfred and Father. They need to know a Horror was here, ensure that it hasn’t tainted the Astral Space of the Kaer, and hopefully find someone to heal my now useless right arm.

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[ehren]

Post Celebration Days - iniatiation into Nethermancy. Updated to the beginning of the planning to exit the Kaer with the other 'kids'

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[ehren]

After the battle with the overseer - before scouting.

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[GM / Malinous]

If we teleported to Throal right now, we would earn:
2,000 Silver as a group
and
1,000 LP each
For sharing Mes's journal . . . ;-).

[ehren]

just think about in the next couple of years - when Throal opens up. We'll have money AND LP to spend... it'll be great.

[ehren]

although, i figured our LP was already given via Hash marks.

[GM / Malinous]

Jun 4, 2012 20:37:58 GMT -5 ehren said:

although, i figured our LP was already given via Hash marks.

Nah, the Throal thing is special. It is somewhat self-inflating, but meh!

[GM / Malinous]

Jun 4, 2012 20:37:58 GMT -5 ehren said:

although, i figured our LP was already given via Hash marks.

The hash marks are also different in that if Maw started a journal or just made up stories to tell to passing troubadours, that would also be worth separate LP, but you could only turn in "group story" once.

[ehren]

Jun 4, 2012 21:46:27 GMT -5 GM / Malinous said:

Jun 4, 2012 20:37:58 GMT -5 ehren said:

although, i figured our LP was already given via Hash marks.

The hash marks are also different in that if Maw started a journal or just made up stories to tell to passing troubadours, that would also be worth separate LP, but you could only turn in "group story" once.

Yay! Us!

[ehren]

Post overseer. Scouting trip with skeletons and retreat till The Block.

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[ehren]

The Unstable Bar portion of the Block.

The next entry should have the Avatar duels and wrap up of the Block.

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[ehren]

Avatar duels until we leave to deal with the Spider

Journal Entry, 1400 TH
When my eyes finally clear, I’m in a dimly lit bar. A dwarven woman is polishing the aged wooden surface and staring emptily at the near vacant establishment. Smelling the waffs of stew coming from a caldron over the fire, I realize how hungry I am. Looking around, I fail to see either of my brothers.
Three hard fighting orks shove their way into the bar behind me. Their armor and weapons look well used, but cared for – Warrior would be proud of their condition, but disdainful of their attitudes.
I look around, checking the surrounds for obvious magic, or the lingering traces of it at least. I get a dull diffuse pattern, but nothing that sticks out. I order a drink and some stew with the heel of a crusty bread to mop it all up with and take a seat with the Orks.
Neither the barkeep, nor these ‘soldiers’ have seen or heard of Mal and Maw. I don’t detect any illusions or other falsehoods… I attempt to keep my unease from my face as I talk to these… gentlemen (I use the term very loosely here) about the local happenings.
While these Orks deliver some very interesting stories and tales of their experiences, I suruptitiously cast Detect Undead, on the off chance that I’d be able to get some forewarning of the Horde before it charges into the bar. As my unease about this situation grows, and the stories get longer and longer, I can’t help but keep checking out the bar for my brothers. Something seems missing when they aren’t around, and I guess I can’t help myself from looking.
During one of these look abouts, an old man by the fire starts to convulse. I drop to pick up my physician’s kit to see if there is anything I can do to help him. When I look up there is a 10 foot tall bipedal, chitin-covered insect monster. The kind that were mentioned as the precursor to the Scurge.
I start to weave threads to Aura Strike to take this beast out before it can kill or corrupt the area. It takes a swipe at me with its claws as I furrow my brow to cast the spell. The claw slips behind my shield into the space where my helmet and shoulder guards rest and slices an artery, which spews blood all around. This gives me enough room to complete the spell, which intersects the mind/soul juncture of his Pattern to shatter a key thread. It falls to its knees and shrinks into a middle aged elf with purple eyes.
Father has taught us to be polite, and Warrior would have it that a non hostile should not be mistreated – So, I offer this strange elf with a constantly shifting Pattern a hand up. I press him for information about the situation, both the location of my brothers and information about what the Orks were telling me.
He leads me through a corridor, past vast sums of treasure. Enough treasure for a Thief to gain legendary status for just looking at & certainly enough treasure to sustain our ambitions for decades to come. But, there is no honor in theft, no matter the temptation or good that we could do with it.
The Elf leads me through the maze of treasure and artfully dodges my questions about my brothers. When we emerge, it’s to an Avatar fighting arena.

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[ehren]

Jehuthra fight.

Now, all I have left to write about is the fight with the Skeletons outside the Kaer door.

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[ehren]

A story about helping out Uld and Lud. Might lead somewhere, might not...

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[GM / Malinous]

Nice! Finally got around to reading all of 'em. I especially liked the last one and appreciate the effort!