Extracted from Azriel's oral journal stone:
Having arrived at Roderick's cove a few month ago, I couldn't imagine to despise this place even more - but I do now! There are so many people! Like dozens of them, sometimes even more! When I'm not actively spying on my father and this kid that's living with him, I can only bear this town being in the tavern. The food is typically crap (why do they have to burn everything?), with the exception of the crab cake. But the cider here is quite ok. So is the company.
The cleric, Szarlej, talks a bit much, but he won't ask me things that are not his business. Also, he mostly pays for the drinks. The monk, Akkumsah, seems to be a proud warrior of the Shoanti - I could swear I saw her around that forgotten monastery in the Wyvern Mountains when I passed through. She doesn't act like she enjoys this town any more than me, so I wonder what keeps her here. The scholar, Dr. Variel, has definitely spend too much time around books. Sometimes I fear he could trip over his own feet when something strange catches his attention. And then there is the mermaid, Ice, and I still have not figured out why she is here. She is very curious about 'land'-things, so I assume she simply needed a change.
It is quite ironic that the only people I am interacting with are themselves a rather strange sight in this town. As if Ashava had guided me to these poor lost souls. Well, probably she has, as all of them were introduced to me by Audrahni, herself a follower of Ashava. At least, Wind is with me. I don't know yet, how it all fits together, but I have the feeling that those people will be the key to uncovering what has happened to Viv. And it has begun...
We were drinking in town (as you do), when some 'civilized' thugs wanted to pick a fight. While Variel almost got himself hurt asking them about some glyphs, Ice tried to calm everything down. I was just getting up to resolve the situation as warranted (I am sure Wind would have enjoyed a little variety in her diet), when the poor lost soul of the city's founder rose from the ground. He seemed very lost and unhappy of what had become of his town (it's just too full of people). It was clearly Ashava's wish that we help him find peace. Audrahni felt the same and suggested to investigate Sir Roderick's old house outside of town.
How a few minutes walking out of this town make everything nice again! Finally fresh air again. We first had to clear off some stings and some bugs as nature took the house back. Wind had a great feast, but Szarlej probably had too much ale and impaled himself with his own lance. Also, we forgot to bring fire - turns out you need fire to get rid of spider swarms. At least nature provides and we were able to kill the spiders with self-made torches.
Poor Ice seems to miss the sea... This can be the only reason why she decided to take a swim in the river next to Sir Roderick's house. Of course the fish didn't like this intrusion. Luckily Wind loves fish! I'm still not a good swimmer. Tried to sneak up from behind, fell into the river, but got out again. The others got rid of the fish, but then it was too late to go on, and we walked back to the town. My suggestion to camp in the beautiful nature were ignored... argh...
Dr. Variel seems to be a bit week on his feet this evening. I wonder why...?
