Jerimiah,
Hail my friend, I write you with greetings and hopefully good tidings. My "quest" for more purposefull existance has taken an odd turn these past few days. As you know I was on my way to seek service with this Darius fellow. He has been making claims to be bettering Grubville and I wanted to check on him for myself. I quizzed some of the folks in town, and they mostly seemed to have a positive view of him, so that allowed me to feel that their may be some promise to him.
I travelled out with a group of workers, warriors, and merchants that were seeking work with Darius and his cronies. What an undisciplined lot they were! I orginized them for protection and sent scouts ahead and a rearguard behind. Darius has setup several towers to protect the trade road between his keep and Grubville, but the ride still proved to be quite dangerous. On our 4th day in my advanced scout came back and reported one of the towers was under attack by I large creature made of earth and stone. I gathered a small group of men, as well as a female gnome named Ellywick and a formidable looking man wielding a many spiked chain that seemed to move of it's own accord at times. As we approached the tower I saw it was indeed being attacked by a very large creature, it looked like an unfinished statue to me. The fowl thing had laid waste to several good men-at-arms and was proceeding to tear down the tower. I set up a line of archers and the chain warrior and myself engaged the foe. I immediately used my Grease spell, but to no avail. The creature mearely melded into the earth as if it had roots. My foolhary companion charged in and attacked with that wicked chain of his, which seemed to get its attention. It quickly pummeled him, nearly bringing him low. Just then Ellywick proved her worth when she cast a spell that caused the creature to be engulfed in strange humming chains. I healed my cohort and we quickly dispatched the creature. I then set about healing the men-at-arms that had been wounded. But sadly, my wand could do nothing for the three that had already passed on. A rider was sent to summon Darius so I staid and waited to seek council with him. I also found quite a handfull of gems amongst the rubble of the dead creature.
A day later Darius and his friends arrived. He seems an alright fellow, if a bit of a dreamer. His "advisors" are almost useless. Zyphemia, a shifty halfling, seems to be his intel man. I trust him nearly as much as I trusted Cpl. Littleton, that old card shark! And the elf, Kelviner, seems to know of things arcane but appears to be almost insane. He did identify the creature we fought as a sort of elemental force. I gave my gems to Darius to give to the fallen soldiers families. I will have to setup a widows fund for these stout fellows.
Well, I must get on with my "soldiering". I hope this venture is worth my while. Please keep an eye on Sasha, let me know if she ever wants or needs for anything.
Your continued friendship honors me.
Andark