This journal is a collection of my exploits in this world of ours and my journey to discover the truth of the sword. Here I shall attempt to keep track of my adventures and the tales that me and my companions experience as we attempt to survive the chaos of our world and move closer to what destiny we lay out before ourselves.
To note I will use the names my compainions received from the captain himself so should any one read his they will know of whom I write about.
My journey begins in the city of Gorna, the city of Adventure. In this city I have met several unique individuals after speaking with a merchant who was looking for aid in a matter that gravely concerned him and a few missing transport wagons. After gathering with this group which featured a drow named Sneaky who appeared to be from a rather prestigious family of magic users. A tiger man named Kitty dressed like a monk. A young woman named Magic Girl who appeared to be a healer of some sort. Then there was a knight named Tin Man.
We set off immediately in search for this small caravan but soon ran into our first problem, we didn’t know were they were or exactly how to find them. The merchant had pointed out to us on a map that they were last heading toward the mountain goblin fort located in the foot hills west of Gorna but they never made it.
Sneaky was the first to come up with an idea. The wagons were transporting some fine silk sheets that were just recently made, and the dye used in coloring them would actually give off a strong unique scent since the sheets weren’t more than a few days old. Using Kitty’s sense of smell we managed to track down the carts to where they left the road just half a day outside of Gorna. The trail led to a open yet hilly bit of terrain just outside a small patch of woods west of Gorna. Moving closer I and a few others spotted what looked like a sentry’s head that was sitting just above the top of a hill directly in front of us but nearly 200 feet out.
Sneaky, Kitty and I elected to move in quietly to sneak up and gather some information on what we suspected to be a look out for the bandit party responsible for taking the merchants caravan. Our other companions had other ideas. In true knight fashion Tin Man charged forth on horse back before attempting to strike the sentry down as quickly as possible with Magic Girl right behind him. That is when things got bad in very short order. After Tin Mans assault from where I was at the time looked as though he was taken out of the fight by some force that prevented him from following up on his assault.
Sticking to the brush and tall grass Sneaky and I kept going around the hill that the others including Kitty took to attack what ever was up there. When I finally made it around I found that the situation was worse than originally thought. We were engaged in mortal combat with a band of orcs led by a shaman and a chieftain. Luckily Kitty managed to attract the attention of the chieftain and a few of his warriors leaving me and Sneaky to assault the shaman. Sneaky went in first taking on the shamans guards while I remained hidden (in broad daylight mind you) getting closer and closer to the shaman while the unbelievably poorly strategized battle raged around me. Some times I think back to that fight and wonder how we survived.
After an arrow sunk into sneaky taking him out of the fight at least for a short while I managed to get off a surprise attack on the shaman dumbfounding him and his guards as they tried to figure out how I managed to slip past them so quickly with out them noticing out here in the open. The fight after that did not last long as Sneaky and I kept the pressure on the shaman while Kitty kept the berserking chieftain busy and slaying all of his warriors. Only the archers that we forgot about managed to escape. After cleaning up our wounds and securing the camp did we find the wagon and crew along with a female passenger who did not look too well, every time one of the men approached her she would scream and claw at them. It was apparent the orcs had had their way with her when they captured the caravan. Magic Girl took the woman into her care while we camped there for the night. That night after looting the camp Sneaky found a small clay disk with some etching on it of a tree we originally thought nothing of it and moved on. The next day we would escort the wagons to the mountain troll stronghold.
On the road to the keep Sneaky and Kitty spotted what looked like a pair of travlers coming down the road towards us and along with Tin Man went to investigate. A few minutes later they returned with the strangers who introduced themselves as Wiz a human wizard and Droodad a female human druid. They were convinced by Sneaky to join and came with us on the road to the goblin stronghold.
As we traveled to the stronghold Kitty and I spotted what appeared to be an ambush laid out by another group of orcs. Not wanting to spoil the surprise they had set up Sneaky, Kitty and myself decided to make an ambush of our own while the rest of the group kept down the road appearing as normal as a small caravan could so as not to draw suspicion. Our sneak attack proved devastating as we disorganized our would be ambushers hacking them to pieces in short order. However this ambush would have made and even greater contribution if we had realized that their simple tactic was not entirely disrupted for on the other side of the road more orc marauders came from the bushes and pounced upon the wagons. Even our newly found companions found the battle to be a struggle with the assault intensifying with every second.
Tin Man held well due to being so heavily armored but not so much with his sword skills. The one known as Droodad put a good fight along side her horse which had some surprising combat prowess of its own. Wiz disrupted the enemies spell casting with his own while Sneaky and Kitty began to reinforce our lines.
In the mean time being left to deal with what was left of the archers that I quickly dispatched and even managed to capture one. The battle was won shortly after that. The bodies were relieved of any items and valuables and we continued on our way. We later were met by a patrol of goblins atop mounts of large wolves who escorted us to their stronghold in the hills.
When we arrived we were met with the sight of a great wall stretching for what seemed like miles and in the center of this great wall was a large iron gate which seemed very well fortified even from first glance. Inside the gate we were taken underground to a trough a tunnel into what could easily be thought of as the inn where they allow visitors to stay.
We were invited to stay awhile with free room and board and we did not turn down the offer. For the next two days I spent my time training my martial skills with Kitty and Sneaky or whenever I got the chance speaking with the goblin commander in charge of the warriors stationed at this stronghold. Sadly I did not learn much but every practice and every word we shared helped me further my goals. At the dawn of the second day I was awoken by a terrible shaking and rumbling. It seemed as if the earth itself was angry at something, but that was until I noticed a pattern in the rumbling. Following a commotion from the goblins scrambling up to the great wall I peered out over and scanned the horizon. There coming down the road was a host of giants marching in phalanx formation wearing armor and carrying great weapons and shields.
A sight like this would fill even the brave with doubt and fear but looking at the faces of our goblin host I soon realized these giants marching in military formation were not enemies but allies coming to conduct trade business of their own with the goblins. Sneaky managed to negotiate some arrangement with them to travel to Gorna under their protection. Not even a fool would attempt to attack such a force. We returned to the city and met with the merchant who asked for our help earlier and received our reward and before we could rest there was an invitation from the Gorna City council waiting for anyone interested. I opted to rest and stay out of matters that did not concern me or were not of interest to me.
After resting and selling the loot the party had gathered from our encounters with the orcs Sneaky, Tin Man, Wiz and Droodad met with the city council. I do not know the details of what they spoke but I believe it had something to do with the clay tablet we had found. I on the other hand decided to partake of the cities library hopping to further expand my knowledge of the martial world from what little I already knew. Unfortunately I did not find a great deal but I did discover some very interesting bits of information. The city of Gorna did indeed host several schools of combat here but none were as prestigious or as note worthy as King Oscars flying school of martial arts. That’s right a martial school that can fly most certainly something worth looking into.
After everyone had finished running their errands we met up at an inn where we were given free room and board by the city's council. Afterwards Sneaky presented us with a few options of "quests" we could undertake in order to gain experience and "funding". Once a little debate on the choice of missions was over we decided to head to the castle of King Oscar Feykill king of the Feykill lands. Apparently there were some interesting happenings going on in his territory that he requested heroes and adventures to look into for him. We departed the very next day on this near week long trip hoping to take a route that could get us there quickly yet safely as well. We were wrong.
While travelling down the forest road myself and few other of the party spotted a strange formation in the trees. upon investigating we found that a few trees had taken up strange slightly unnatural growths as discovered by Droodad. What’s more is that the trees looked to be growing at of old decayed buildings that looked to have belonged to a city or colony that was established here almost 600 years ago. I who was up in trees moving around spotted what appeared to be the remains of a keep at the edge of a clearing underneath the shadow of great tree that towered over the rest.
If anyone has any suggestions or questions feel free to post them thank you.
It has been some time since I have written anything in these pages, however there has been little to write about in the past months until recently during my trip to the aisle's of the beast where I have encountered the first martial master I was sent to search for.
For three months I trained under him studying the ways of the Tigers Claw discipline. After completing my training a few of my travelling companions seemed eager to leave the aisles because of some happenings going on in the north that according to them were suppose to be important. Of course I have no details as to what might be going on nor do I particularly have any interest in these events.
On the other hand this trip may prove usefull in any event so I can begin the search for the next master. Seeing as I have been "draged" along, literally by one of my fellow travelers little golems it appears I really have no other course of action available to me at the moment.
Our journey back to the north was brief and un-eventful. We chartered a ship which was originally fabeled to get us to our next destination in two days. Well that fabel proved to be true but I am not sure why some of the group was so surprised by the mode of travel the "ship" undertook. Not my concern.
Arriving at our next destination from which we disembarked from the ship to take the cities Gate to Ian's Demiplane the "religious" portion of our group found that someone was awaiting our arrival here at Ian's keep. There we were met by a woman dressed in a dark veil like apperance. this was so dark that the shadows seemed to bow and prostrate themselves with her presence. Not my concern.
This "shadow" lady explained that something to those cared to listen was occuring and her benifactors would like an investigation to take place. Not my concern.
The only thing in her dialogue that mattered to me was that what ever it was that concerned her was taking place in the desert far west of Gorna past the mountain ranges. That means that there would be a chance to search the master of the Desert Wind as a desert would be a likely place to find such an individual. My only concern.
We have left for the our next destination, the desert.
Those who believed in this journey or investigation took some time to plane for the trip. The plan was to investigate under the ruse of adventures seeking treasure so as not to draw suspicion to ourselves.
Not my concern.
We traveled at night during the cooler hours to avoid most the deserts predatores as best we could.
Our best proved to be not so great in the end.
While scouting ahead someone spotted a strange circular rock formation. upon futher investigation even after sufficient warning from that "shadow" lady about the deserts many guises. our scout got to close and was emidiatly attacked by some kind of creature.
This creature as it turns out was some kind of insect desguised with a rocky shell to trick its prey. Did not matter in the end.
The battle was quick and reckless but over without to much to worry about.
Only concern as one might expect was that this was only the beginning of the third day of this journey. More pressing matters and serious danger would soon follow.
During the treck some sand giants stoped us to force into paying for water and passage rights. Of course when asked to show us proof that the desert was there land they gave us only words. Who is to know them to be true or false. Not my concern.
After securring passage we continued for several more hours until our next encounter.
My wounds are deep and numerous and as I write this I find it hard to concentrate. The beast ambushed us from beneath the sands. I was careless, reckless even when I charged the beast. My attack proved fruitless although I am sure I drew blood. It's counter attack was ferocious. More than just blood was drawn by its claws when they sunk into my flesh.
I feel as though a great piece of my spirit has been ripped away. I am very weak now and must rest.
The beast has been slain though it took much of us with it to its grave. But alas non of us shall share that grave this night.
We have taken shelter in what we believe to have been the beasts lair. Here we shall rest for a while, safe at least we think. Surely not for long. These wounds are deep and numerous. Some show no signs of healing under treatment, this is familiar as I have been struck by such before that caused similar damage. But this feeling that more than flesh is missing is a greivous thought indeed.
Must rest now, never no what might come next, get as much when I can......
Woke to find the group inside the beasts cave, most of my wounds healed.
We have decided to press on and complete the nights travel.
A number of obstacles have slowed us down, most magical in nature. Lost most of a day in total travel almost. Will be wary of people disappearing in the sunlight at dawn.
Have reached the Burning Salt Flats. Detoured around and came upon a long since ruined city, ancient in architect. Not my concern.
Group has decided to Explore. Nothing important or useful. Apparently there was a battle in my absence possible ambush. Spent time before hand studying some engraving on roof of what was once a possible mansion.
Ancient magic symbol found. The mages have studied it. Not my concern.
Rested, centaur wary of some danger, possible relation to earlier unexplained injuries suffered by the mages, monk and knight. Unseen foe, will have to keep up my guard.
Still weak, injuries have not fully healed. Still feel as though I am missing much of my spirit. Hard to focus ki, bad sign.
Several more nights of travel, mostly uneventful.
Found strange rock formation, smooth, organized, tranquil. Feelings of a little renewed strength however still feel weak. Wounds that wouldn’t heal have recovered fully no scaring.
Centaur reports very disturbing news. Massive scorpion found under what was thought to be ordinary sand dune. Size would surely mean it is unnatural at least to this plane perhaps. The druid calls it a Devastation Scorpion. Found in some sort of prolonged sleep, fortunate.
Existence of this creature is disturbing but at present not my concern.
We continue to our destination…
We have reached our destination, expecting to gather information for the task we were sent for. We did not expect this; the city lay in ruin besieged by the desert itself along with those capable of slaughtering women, children and the elderly.
Troubling. We have searched throughout the city to find clues to the ones responsible for this massacre. Instead we find only the bodies of those who lived and died here with blood everywhere, blood including those of the assailants, Orcs.
These orcs made sure not to leave any of their own behind. No bodies no weapons only the blood and the little of that there was. These actions are not typical for orcs.
Evidence shows this city was home to several arcane mages. Now their homes and towers have been destroyed. Magic items found with arcane bases where found destroyed instead of stolen. All of this must have happened one and a half days ago while we lost time at the burning salt flats.
Kitty the monk has picked up the trail of the orc raiding party leading east, we follow. Finding and learning of their identity is our goal.
We are behind by one day and night so we push ourselves to catch up. Catch up we did. We found a recent camp sight with disturbing features. The camp must have housed nearly one thousand orcs and with them the mages powerful enough to move waves of sand that can blanket a city.
Odd features were found at the center of camp. Sand completely flat and packed as if a building once stood there. To small to be bigger than a captains tent but yet the sands show different. Just like the city no evidence was left at the scene.
This orc force has split into smaller groups heading any many different directions. One group in particular continued east. This group had a uniqueness to it that got the monks attention. Perhaps this group features the leader of this army. He is now our target.
His trail is a day old but that does not hinder us we move as quickly as we can to catch up. When we finally get with in a few hours of his position we discover some more information about our target.
We come upon the scene of a recent battle. This battle showed sure signs that our target was involved due to the unmarked graves that concealed orc bodies certainly members of his small contingent travelling with him guards perhaps. Their fight with a large scorpion has evidently halved their number that is fortunate for us.
The only concerning part here is the wounds on this giant monster. True evidence of orcs at arms is in great number but the huge chunks of flesh carapace missing from the monsters hide is the most troubling. What could these orcs possibly have with them that could due that to such a powerful creature and worse why was there neither sign nor tracks of it before this point. Caution is advised.
We continue on despite this troubling new evidence and we finally find the targets camp at the top of the twilight hours. Plans are made for a stealthy approach to their camps with myself and the monk flanking two opposite sides of the camp. The frozen mage and magic girl along with the knight providing cover fire from afar since his armor prevents him from moving stealthily and the others not very keen on front line combat. The flamboyant cleric and his griffin striking from above and lastly the druid moving to the rear of the camp as her rascal of a pet fly’s straight forward into the camp. My suggestion for using the griffin as a means to quickly bring the knight to the front lines when the fight begins up are dismissed.
The monk and I are second to arrive, luckily the sentry on duty whom we did not see until the last moment did not happen to notice the small mass of rocks and twigs flying above his head. Unfortunately the monk was not as the sentry was far more attuned to his surrounding than we believed.
The sentry rolled a stone into a tent possibly his leaders and stomped his foot twice on the ground. His second action was quite puzzling at first but proved to be the reasons behind our fears from earlier in the day.
The sand upon which we stood began to rise with nary a sound or rumble till alas we found our selves on the back of a creature similar to a turtle as our companions on the ground further back would attest. Here the fight begun and not soon after ended with the druid and I graciously forging a quick and bloodless end to the battle. The great sand beast agreed and soon departed leaving behind the orcs bodies and belongings returning to the sands from which it first came.
We gathered what facts we could and decided it should be sufficient for our task and we should begin our trip back to the city of Gorna. I however had a few more goals to accomplish in this desert particularly the direction in where this orc was headed.
Recently two more names became legible to me on the scroll that I carry. Delilah and Sand Tiger, two master found in the same area. I must head to this location to further my training of the eight fold path.
On our way towards the mountains we cross paths with a travelling merchant band that was heading towards the destroyed city. After some disheartening news delivered by the druid and frozen mage. The caravan agreed to lead us to the town they had just left.
Once we arrived the rest of the party went their separate ways to begin prepping for our journey through the mountains separating us from the Stormwoods and Rechinda’s Isle.
I left in search of the martial masters hidden near by. After about two days of travel I happen upon a camp where I find a swordsman practicing his art. This man was covered in scars from his head to his arms which ended in hands missing the pinky finger a sign that this swordsman must have been punished for something. After we greet each other I found myself in the presence of Sand Tiger the master of the Desert Wind School. There with his partner Delilah the master of the Shadow Hand School.
After a brief introduction in which I did not reveal my true name the conversation led to the topic of my training. It seems before I can begin with them I must first forge a sword with my own hands. I must find and mine the ore myself then through a ritual I must bond with it using every fiber of my being and part of my body. lastly after crafting the sword from this metal I must slay a powerful beast that does not have the true sentience of mortals.
This will be a unique and long process which I am willing to under take.
When I have finished this quest I will return and begin my learning. Until then I will have to continue my travels with this party until the opportunity arrives.
With my return to the town and the group together again we set out for the mountains.
This trip will prove quite dangerous yet nostalgic. It has been some time since I been on a mountain path. Long since I lived in the hidden temple with my uncles and fellow students. Even though I wear this enhanced ring of sustenance I find myself craving for the dire mountain goat stew that uncle Zorr used to make every week. I am probably just a bit home sick.
I’ll make a note to visit there sometime in the near future.
That stew sounds so good right now especially with this flamboyant elf who now claims himself a Champion of Freedom constantly ranting about them since that we are passing through these mountains.
Most of our trip is uneventful until we began attempting to bypass several avalanche points. Naturally plans and arguments of how to cross them soon erupt for nearly an hour each time. Of course after bypassing several we happen to camp at a relatively safe distance from the next point deciding to cross with a little more daylight.
That night we awoke to a rockslide during the mid hours of our camp time. Barely did we manage to keep ourselves from tumbling down the mountain to certain doom. When we finally gathered ourselves our counter attack was fierce ending in the slaughter of one and the retreat of the other as far as I am witness.
That morning we crossed the avalanche point as carefully as we could without further incident.
The paths we followed led us further and further up the mountain till most of what we could see was snow. However had not our guide been the druid we were certain to have been lost on these paths or buried by rockslides long ago.
Now we are unsure if the path we follow maybe the correct one, visibility has become poor due to the higher ground and clouds but we continue further anyway.
Most of our more mobile travelers have restricted their flying due to the delicate nature of our surroundings, any excess motion and noise such as flapping wings could prove fatal to those walking the paths. The snow here could collapse into an avalanche at any time if we are not careful.
The path ahead seems to be proof of that, snow covering a great deal of the path and some of the cliff face.
The frozen wizard felt otherwise however, he started “testing” this roadblock only to find it awaken and swallow all but him that were with reach of it save for myself the monk and the flamboyant elf on his mount.
The short violent exchange was ended rather peacefully with the snowflake ooze leaving with out its meal due to the frozen wizard threatening it time and time again. Sadly I had resorted to using one of my newest techniques that I had not intended to reveal so early.
We moved on.
Further on we found a cave in the cliff face and a possible shortcut out of these mountains.
Again an argument of how to proceed resurfaces about taking the path or the cave. In the end it is decided to follow the cave to wherever it may lead. Travel is slow and quite hoping not to disturb what ever may live inside. There was nothing living there at the moment.
The cave led to a dead end of sorts which again led to a short spat of what should be done next. And again we relied on our guide the druid to find us a path out. With her ability to shift into a earth elemental and the portable hole that I carried we formed a sort of transport system carrying two or three at a time through to the ground above.
When all were out we found we surfaced inside of the Storm Woods. The dark and the constant rain even through the thick trees made it difficult for us to navigate. However even more troubling would be if we ran into any of the native creatures that lived there.
Truthfully we did. Before we could ready ourselves for what came next we were set upon by some small carnivorous monsters that attacked from all sides including the trees. This fight began out of our favor until our resident druid decided to change that.
She conjured forth a mighty whirlwind of a storm that quickly left her control as soon as she conjured it as was evident with all of the nearby foliage and trees being ripped from their bases and shot through the air. I could not see what became of the rest of the group. Their safety is at present is not my concern.
They should be able to handle themselves well enough until we are all gathered again.
I however was witness to another situation. I had happened to be attached to one of the trees due to my Boots of the Spider. The tree I was “standing” on was ripped from its trunk and flew through the air with me still on it. The sights were amazing from what little I could see.
This was the first time I ever felt truly excited. The realization of the situation being out of my control as other trees and bushes and bodies shot past me was exhilarating.
A very unique experience to learn from. Thoughts for a new technique to employ have come to mind should I find time to develop it.
The creature did not survive as evident of their many body parts littered the landscape. Near as I could tell they were some kind of aberration with spider like legs and cat like bodies with very long arms and sharp teeth and talons.
After regrouping with the rest of the travelers which I was correct in assuming their survival we could clearly make out the area of devastation. Some one to two hundred yards in diameter of forest were ripped apart and sent flying even further. A feat that cannot be taken lightly given the immense size of the trees in consideration.
We readily agreed that leaving here as quickly as possible would be the most prudent course of action and we followed up on that action precisely.
Our travel through the Storm Forest was short and we exited into what we where sure was Rechinda’s territory.
As if awaiting our arrival we where quickly met by a patrol of Rechinda’s guards who readily agreed to escort us to the port that would take us to the isle where the lady her self was waiting for our meeting.
Travel was peaceful till we reached the city limits. There we met the ferrymen who agreed to transport us down river to the Isle of Rechinda. Upon reaching the Isle we were met by several unique sights that really are of no concern.
We were met by a rather unique individual who you would liken to a “pretty playboy” supposedly the husband of lady Rechinda who showed us to the castle proper. The interactions between him and the rest of the group were “lively” but of no concern.
In the meeting with Rechinda the druid and frozen wizard relayed all of the information that was gathered during our time in the desert and that we were to meet a contact in a far off city we know nothing about. She has informed us that the contact is waiting for us in one of two Drow citys that have recently enjoyed a great deal of growth and prosperity. The frost bitten wizard was not too pleased with this and verbally communicated that
We were shown a gate system that had been privately set up for use by “important” individuals who want to move around freely with out the chance of being spied on. Interesting but the secrets of so called “gods” aren’t any of my concern.
The gate system destination was exactly that of what we were told. Upon our arrival however we were met by a apparently young elvin woman with rogue like qualities and a very unique sword at her side, a rapier forged from stone is what it appeared to be, interesting but not of any concern at the moment. Perhaps I could later learn of the origin of such a crafted blade from her if she would care to share such.
This woman was apparently Ivy one of the great heroes of the undead war from over one hundred years ago. But that mattered little at the moment for the task at hand had to be completed so I could move on to more important and present tasks of my own.
While we were guests with in the city’s limits we were judiciously warned that weapons and violence were strictly forbidden so any weapon bigger than a dagger was “peace bonded” to their sheaths to ensure that they were not to be drawn for any reason. Finally we were taken to our predetermined destination for the meeting to present all the evidence that was collected. And as such each individual was rewarded with either gold or information.
I was given two scrolls. One of which was a map detailing certain areas in and around Perren Land where prime selections of ore could be found and mined. The second scroll was a message, this message revealed the location of the master of the Iron Heart School to be located in the land of Suundi.
Though I am grateful for this I am also suspicious now of these individuals I have worked for. How did they know of my mission what do they know of it. I do not like being watched nor do I like strangers knowing things about me that I have not shared with anyone else not even the members of this group that I travel with.
It’s not their concern about why I travel or my goals since they have not made it known their own intentions nor do I have reason to trust them save for King Oscar he has proven otherwise even if our meeting was only brief. This situation has only proven my distrust of such individuals that cling to the delusions of “god hood” be they heroes in the pages of history or not.
I must be careful from this point on with whom I deal in business with. As it was written if you know thy self then you must make sure to know thy enemy or you shall know defeat and victory in equal measure. I must make certain whom my “allies” are and whom my “enemies” may be.
But perhaps it is I that I should come to know first. Some members of the group believe I should speak with them and relax my defenses more so they would get to know me. I personally don’t share their sentiment. It shouldn’t be their concern but for some reason some attempt to make it theirs. Maybe this is why they continue to call me Silent Man.
With the information delivered and our mission over the group decided on a three month break to catch up on personal business and the pawning of “loot” we acquired during our stint in the desert. It was a time long over due as our party treasure horde was beginning to overflow.
With the Champion of Freedom “Blingy” taking care of the selling and dividing of the loot I took to completing a personal quest of my own.
Remembering the generous proposition that Lady Feykill presented us as a reward for returning to her a long thought lost family heirloom, I decided upon an attempt to ask her aid in the forging of a sword. She accepted my request with interest after I presented her with my drawings of the design for the sword. There were however several obstacles to hurdle first.
First I had to find a suitable ore to begin the forging process with. Along side with the Lady I set out to one of the location on the map I was given. The ore I had chosen to search for was to be found in a rather dangerous region due to volcanic activity that must have taken place some time ago. The Magma Adamantine as it was known to be due to being subjected to the extreme heat and nature of the surrounding areas and actually taken on the properties of its surroundings. The unique nature of the magma being composed of both earth and fire elements only added more to the uniqueness of the adamantine.
With the ore finally mined and firmly in hand I begun the process of merging my physical form and the ore. This process was intended to harmonize myself with the ore a way of making sword and swordsman one in the same once the forging would be completed. For three days and nights the ore was never separated form by body, held close to every inch. The experience was painful very painful but I willed myself to complete this task. If I could not complete the trial then I didn’t deserve to follow the Eight Fold Path.
The Lady offered protection from the heat but I kindly refused. This was something that only my own will power was to overcome. In the end it was my will power that triumphed during this trial but I was not without some damage. I know have no body hair to speak of and the hair one my head has been greatly reduced from its original three foot length. That will take some time to regrow but the rest I’m not sure if that will ever regrow not that there are complaints.
Apparently however as a reward for surviving this ordeal my body has grown accustom slightly too great levels of heat as of right now the metal that once singed and burned and scorched my flesh now feels only warm to my touch.
After a short time healing from the burns, the Lady and I set to work forging the sword that will aid me in my quest to mastering the Eight Fold Path and uncovering the secrets of combat. With the Lady Feykill as my teacher I learned much of the art of metal working and weapon forging. The process was long and arduous but I was studious in my lessons and determined to complete my task I would let no setbacks hinder my completion of this sword.
With my new sword forged entirely of the Magma Adamantine from blade to pummel I thanked the Lady for her aid and took my leave. From there I made my way to Gorna in hopes to attend lessons at King Oscars flying school of martial arts. There for two months I learned two wield in combat two swords with proficiency. Intermittently when I had the chance I focused on my blade meditations to further hone my skills and understanding of my mind and sword. With my time with the school was over for now although I hope to one day return there again and further my training in the martial arts I returned to the Drow City to seek my traveling companions.
Upon My return the Elvin Paladin of Freedom greeted me with a request almost at the exact same time as the Tiger Monk. The Champion wanted to venture into Perren Land to retrieve some item he was commissioned to find for someone. The Tiger Monk wished to investigate an area in the desert from which we one ventured too. He believes a clue to the origin of his monastery may exist there.
After discussing this with the rest of the group it was decided to first attempt to accomplish the Champions goals and once that is done to venture back to the Burning Sands to help the Tiger Monk with his mission.
All this activity shouldn’t take to much time and perhaps afterward I resume my search for the Martial Master of the Stone Dragon School who was once thought to reside in the Wolf Nomads territory directly north of Perren Land. Or even I could use the most recent Information I received to search for the Master of the Iron Heart School in the land of Suundi if enough time presents itself.
Before Heading out I recommended to those who could obtain it to find information about the land we where about to head out to. Of course most of us remembered what happened to the land as a result of the devastation from the Undead War. But that was then and this was now and things change.
The Druid took it upon herself to contact her deity to provide aid with this situation and he did. He directed us to a friend of his. This “friend” happened to be another hero of the undead war. After being presented with our situation she was more than “willing” to help for a “fee”. She requested payment from the party in the form of an “entiment” moment. Although she showed great interest in the monk he flatly refused to be “sold into” this sort of thing, also both and I and the Druid refused. The Knight and Champion however had no qualms about it nor if I remember correctly at the time of writing this neither did the wizard.
After she received her “payment” several times she agreed to cast some protective spell on us as well as some that would hasten trip we headed for our destination, a small keep that belong to a long forgotten lord. As soon as we arrived the overwhelming wave of sickness and death struck our senses, still we steeled ourselves and prepared for what might come.
When we were ready he headed for the keeps main door. The door was quickly removed by the Champion in his usual straight forward haste. Right after the tiny golem of the Druids quickly flew in and disappeared in the shadowy foyer.
His quick entrance drew out what were likely the previous occupants of the place. Long since dead these reanimated skeletal remnants quickly fell on anyone who happened to be inside the door. Kitchen ware, swords, pans anything that could be swung or jabbed was in there hands and not any less deadly than a sword in any live persons grasp. The first ones in including “Frosty” as he is sometimes referred too and the Druid were surrounded nearly as soon as they stepped in.
If we are going to travel together let alone fight together then we are certain to fall apart rather quickly. There is a very small sense teamwork between us. This needs to be rectified.
Future plans to get our front lines to work as a coherent group needs to be drawn up or this group will not last long. But first as noted earlier I must learn to work with myself before I can work well enough with the rest and perhaps the same could be said for them.
The fight did not start off in the deceased favor but that soon changed. Two more creatures certainly from this undead realm joined the fray and quickly rebalanced the scales. If not for them the battle would have ended much sooner.
An air of death was prevalent around the two and there eyes had announced there intentions. Every time they were with in eye sight those eyes would seemingly attempt to grab hold of my soul and rip it out. Many times I found myself struggling to keep my mind and body focused. The fight was no longer a simple encounter to defeat a simple enemy it would be a struggle for survival.
Survive we did though no worse for wear. No one was seriously injured although some came perilously close to death. The stare of those creatures brings up thoughts to develop a technique at a later date. That may prove a worth while endeavor.
Decisions’ to press on regardless of the now apparent danger were made. First objective was to sweep the ground floors of the keep. The kitchen and dinning halls were first. The dining hall was a trap. Again “Frosty” took the lead along with the Champion. I headed the rear to prevent possible sneak attacks.
The next event came from the tortured screams of one of the two up front. An infestation of spectral vermin was assaulting the front and was quickly making for the rear of the party. Disorganization again ran rampant but there was no time for tactics just pure and simple reaction. Mine was to summon forth a combination of my training and mastery over my ki and release a flame in the shape of a giant cobra that quickly moved to burn the spectral pests.
It worked well enough to damage our assailants while leaving the group some room to breath. It was “Frosty” however that ended the scare with a show of some arcane might.
At this point things were taken more seriously. Some of the unfortunate targets of the pests swarm were looking very weak and pale let alone the numerous injuries they had suffered. We returned to our “guide” to receive healing and restoration at the Champions request. In return she asked for another night or two with him when we return to the Grand Marshes.
With the main floor cleared and nothing of interest found the group moved up to the second floor. Some tried a stealthy approach others not so much. I was last up behind the Champions pet griffon.
There was some commotion about a young girl’s body found nearly perfectly preserved and undisturbed for nearly 100 years. A quarrel between the Champion, “Frosty” and the Druid whose was in the form of a bear arose about whether or not to take the body and study it or to leave it be.
I was brought into this when carrying her body in our bag of holding which I carried came to the front. I simply chose to leave as it was not my concern.
The entire top floor was searched with nothing found of any interest or of what the Champion was looking for until we got to the final room. This chamber seemed to be for the owner of the keep. Inside the room where several figures standing in full armor and weapons next to a large bed facing directly towards us. Their master kneeling at the edge of a bed with the remains of a hand held in his that surely belonged to his loved one.
Of course our noisy clambering through the second floor of the keep did not go unnoticed. When the frost bitten wizard attempted to move forward and disarm one of the standing figures despite the Monks obvious objections. The kneeling figure that we where sure at this point was the undead master of the keep spoke of his anger at the Champions and the Wizards intentions.
A fierce battle then followed. Though obviously dead the lord of the keep was not to be taken lightly neither were his guards. They quickly rendered our superior numbers useless as they used our disorganization against us effortlessly. The Wizard and the Monk quickly found themselves outflanked and on the opposite end of the room nearly cut off from support. The Druid and Champion found themselves at the forefront of the lord of the keeps assault while I and the Knight were kept in check by the remaining guards.
If that weren’t the end, we found ourselves victim to the attacks of our own. The Champion Druid and Knight where thoroughly thrashed by the Wizards area attacking magic more than once. That doing more damage than the enemies attacks which in the end nearly ended the Champion.
Thankfully the Griffon and I managed to even the odds with some fierce attacks of our own. Two of the undead guards were dropped by my blade almost as quickly as the fight started. With that the tide changed to our favor. With fewer guards to hinder us the lord of the Keep was quickly set upon by the griffon and Champion who was now back on his feet and saddled on his pet. The attacks from those two alone gave us a much needed chance to end this without a casualty. In the end with their master gone the remaining guards were effortlessly dispatched.
Everyone who suffered grievous injuries from friend and foe alike save for myself thought it best to retreat back to the Grand Marshes to recover and regroup ourselves. That plan was sound enough. Back at the grand marshes the treasure that was taken from the fallen was divided up and given to those who would benefit from it the most.
Since were taken some time to relax and prepare for our next delve in the keep I retired to my room in the castle of the King of this land that he graciously gave each of use when we helped save a town of his from a servant of some dark design. There standing on the wall outside the window of my room I was in the middle of training when I heard someone enter my room.
A servant was sent to my room to request my presence at the Champions room for some important news.
Thinking it had better be important if to interrupt my training so abruptly I walked from my window to his and entered. Sitting next to a slightly embarrassed Champion and the Lady he promised a night too was a mysterious man dressed in all black. Maybe he entered without his knowledge or was there the whole time!
This man covered his features with a strange mask depicting some twisted face with stitches across where the mouth should be and the left eye. Apparently this man named Vic had been hired by the Champion as a mercenary for our return back to the keep.
He thinks himself competent and confident in his abilities as his lust for “fun” as he calls it and money drove him to seek the Champion out.
His reasons our not my concern only his actions.
However something about him seems strange to me, I do not trust him, but now that I think of it I don’t trust much of the party that well yet especially after that recent revelation. I would expect no less from the others either, of me or this man.
After preparations were finished we headed back out with our mercenary in tow.
With our return to the keep we began scouring the basement levels of the keep. The Mercenary’s skill in searching for traps on doors and in the walls seemed useful. The first door checked according to the mercenary was apparently used rather recently which would have obviously meant that there was a possibility that something or someone was on the other side.
There indeed was something on the other side. The Champion who appears to not know the meaning of the discretion decided to break down the door without checking if it was already unlocked.
As soon as he broke through a pair of grizzly dead hands snatched him up instantly and then the chaos ensued from there. Being the relatively narrow space of the hallway we were in and such a small portal to move through more than enough time was spent crowding the way with little chance to use my mobility, not favorable conditions. Not to mention the fact of there being no information on our opponent or opponents until they set upon us in the panic of trying to hastily rescue the Champion.
Somehow this time we managed to avoid overtly killing ourselves, the mages spells seemed contained and weaker especially after the demon which in a rather common fashion it seems descended from the ceiling and proceed to tear into him and his hound.
The mercenary suffice to say proved to be able to handle his own in the fight. Decisive strikes to the creatures’ backs and skulls quickly removed any thought of attempting to take down anymore victims this day.
When the fight was finally organized and everyone was able to target a foe the fight ended with the retreat of the demon which first attempted to rend the Wizard in twain.
Backtracking for some emergency healing from our guide we returned to the dungeon. Ignoring the prison cells we moved to the room directly opposite of our encounter site.
The discovery of a large hole leading to a tunnel underground was of no surprise. The fact that the hole seemed to be formed by a massive amount of acid that left a good size cloud behind along with a drip.
The daring yet foolish members of the party decided to make a run to reach the tunnel on the other side. Only the wizard’s hound and I seemed to think first and take the safe teleportation technique route to cross without damage. Of course I took the mercenary and the knight in the portable hole I carry just out of common sense.
On the other side the tunnel branched out into two directions, one to the left appearing to lead out to open ground the other going deeper and darker the further in we went. It ended in an opening to lair belonging to whoever it was. Unsurprisingly he or it knew we were already there.
Entering we saw a decrepit old man who looked as though he should be dead with two chained slaves sitting next to the stone chair he was residing on. The Champion obviously was not pleased with what he saw and along with the Knight charged right in and again without thinking first.
This is another example of the lesson of know thy enemy that was completely ignored. The dead old man was clearly prepared for an assault as a giant monstrous spider was summoned at his command as soon as the wizards hound teleported close to the knight in an attempt to stop him from advancing any further and obviously springing that trap.
Another battle broke out but this one was not without complication. The chained slaves quickly ran from the dead man and attempted to make their way into the more chivalrous defenders of our group appearing to look for sanctuary. The Mercenary started to do what he did best until he was stopped by another enemy we did not expect.
A monstrous undead creature with fingers that seemed to extend nearly twenty feet just appeared out of the air and began ripping into the Mercenary and Champion with relative ease. The fight was chaotic to the say the least but was handled in the end. The slaves were an entirely different situation all together. Their actions seemed very strange to me from the outset as I had my suspicions from when I first laid eyes on them. My suspicions though voiced but ignored by the others proved correct however by then it was too late.
Their ploy was in full swing. These slaves were actually succubae who managed to entrap the Wizard and due to my folly the Knight as well. Both disappeared at the end of the fight with their captives. I share no concern or guilt over my actions as we are not "friends" just travelers happening walking along the same side of the road at the time. I am quite certain he and the others see it the same way.
The Wizard somehow survived and returned on his own the Knight however was not so fortunate. Upon our return to the Grand Marshes after gathering every thing from the layer that the Champion needed we were met with news of the Knights lifeless corpse.
Arguments over bringing the fallen Knight back to life and what methods to use were argued over by the Wizard and Champion for hours. I kept out of as it was none of my concern, life and death are but a common means to an end and will happen regardless of who you are. Just live your life till the end of your will that is all.
Eventually the method was decided on and he was brought back. In the meanwhile the Mercenary decided to take a leave from us stating that “killing” things that should already be dead was not very fun let alone profitable.
Last I heard he was chasing some beautiful “Red head bombshell” with an unbelievable figure he had dreamed about all his life. Not my concern.
Next destination was decided on by the monk who had business back in the desert we adventured through four months earlier. We will go there and help him search for what he is looking for.
Afterwards I have plans of my own in the land of Suundi that does not concern the others. This should not disturb their own planned activities and should take a whole two months to complete. But maybe things could happen other wise. Destiny have its plan for us all but I walk a path of my own choice and "soley" my own and no others.
It has been some time since I have written in my journal however not much of any thing has happened in the last few months.
During my trip to the land of Suundi to search for the master of the Iron Heart discipline I along with several of the traverlers in my group headed through an elvin supremacist controlled city. There we met a mercenary who went by the name of Lu Bu. Apparently we had happened to be going in the same direction as he since he was on the same ship with us.
His reasons where not my concern but his skills with a blade did come in useful when the ship was attacked by some magic wielding pirates.
After that brief encounter when we landed ashore I headed directly for my destination. Along the path however was a huge displaced land mass that appeared to have been up heaved from its natural state. After investigating and slaying some minotaur I left the group to continue to my destination and apparently so did Lu Bu.
From then for the next two months I trained with the master of the Iron Heart discipline. Apparently she shared the same philosophy as I as she would not tell me her name. her reasons where not my concern.
With my training complete I journeyed back to the grand marshes just to meet my old travelling group on the road to somewhere. I do not know the details nor do I personally care but they have asked me to join them once again on the road.
It also seems that while I was away they picked up a few compatriots while others have left. The Druid has left to take some time for her self. In her place was a half-elvin cleric of some god I do not care about and a half-ling rogue I am led to believe who self appoints himself to be a “doctor” of sorts. Other than these new additions not much has changed since I last saw them.
The Champion is still veering towards Ego-Mania along with the Wizard both of which seem to be dragging the other along straight down with them. The Knight is still the Knight, following some else’s lead, primarily the Champions as it seems that in my absence the Champion has attempted to firmly establish himself as the reigning “leader” of them.
I follow no one.
I only follow the path I have set upon.
We travel now through the mountains where I rejoined the party north to some land for some reason that I have not been made aware of. Through these mountains we have little trouble or encounters making the trip that much quicker.
In writing this however I feel that I have forgotten something. Something that I think happened yet I cannot recall it at the moment. I suppose it does not matter since the path I walk lies ahead of me not behind me.
All through this trip the Champion and our two newcomers along with the Wizard are constantly attempting to one up the other in all maters. Only the Knight, the Monk and I are unscathed by these shows of ego