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Kiptera’s Journal of Prosperity: Looking back and planning ahead
Day -007: (one week prior to mission assignment) Been in Tanner’s Crossing a little more than a year. I’ve established myself locally and perhaps while still considered a newcomer by some, I am welcome amongst its people. It does help that I found a hunter/trapper lost and wedged within a deadfall of debris and trees. Since then, I have visibly patrolled the area locally as well as supported further hunting expeditions deeper into the wilderness for bigger game. Gets my name out there, establishing a decent reputation and I get to know more locals. I even provide delivery and messenger services to nearby towns for a small fee. Keeps me moving, my forays with less common routes such as game trails are greeted with less suspicion and more making the primary routes safer. Keeps honest people honest and less likely to head into banditry.
Looks like Caelin McHern is back from his caravan guard job. The merchants have offered both of us permanent job as such but he keeps coming back to Tanner’s Crossing. I suspect Mercy may have something to do with that. I know he wants fame and glory but if he’s not careful he’ll end up wanting what she wants. I also took the caravan job heading out but something caught my eye and I broke contract two weeks out. I ended up following a game trail that had more than just deer and wolves. Prints were too old but definitely humanoid, no traps laid so unlikely trapper, possibly a hunter but unlikely human, too sloppy for a wild elf. There is rumor of goblinoid warbands but this far from their normal haunt? Achh! Now I am getting caught up with the rumor mill. I’ll have to catch up with Caelin and see what the other towns’ gossip mongers were saying. I wonder if he was kind enough to check on my new compound shortbow with the bowyer three towns away or got too busy carousing. Harumph! Why do I even bother to speculate?
Still no word or sign of my clanmembers. I know they got my message and samples as per my original mission. Their subsequent, and unfunded I might add, task to hold and protect until team can be assembled to start the outpost with minimal support from locals is wearing a bit thin. I enjoy the area and all but miss the Clan Hold. I’ve taken to seeding the site with undesirable flora like briars and blocking game trails so they detour around with a wider berth. Other than that I avoid the immediate vicinity outside of passing through looking for interlopers or clanmembers.
Still, Tanner’s Crossing is growing on me. I might establish a longterm holding here as opposed to renting a room with Widow Erin every time I come into town, although it does us both good. Clean household, easy company, she needs the money and I need a safe dry space as opposed to the inn located above and behind the tavern Everful Mug.
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Day 001 So we met Mayor “Hoss” today. Not to spout conspiracy theories but I could not help but notice gathered were the outsiders, expendables and rabble rousers of the town. Hoss begged, pleaded, bribed and cajoled to put rest to the rumors of a kobold warband. As a personal observation, it would get us out of town during some upcoming city elder meetings. Not sure I should be concerned, yet. Still if there is truth to this, we are the likeliest to survive.
On a different note, when it rains it pours. A group of Dwarves arrives in town, Clan Goldpick, just in time for me depart. Oi! I warned them of the kobolds and offered the group’s escort if they want to reduce any encounter risks. You know, keep friends close and enemies closer. It ain’t personal, just business. If they take me up on offer, I can find out more about them and direct them away from the site I have identified. Depending on decisions and events, I’ll even break from the party to help push them in “Right direction.” Who knows, perhaps they’ll find something of interest which doesn’t conflict with my clan.
It does appear that we are a large and eclectic warparty in our own right. The bantering is good for teambuilding, yet the group broke for the night without planning and prepping. Better let Widow Erin know I’ll be heading right out shortly myself. Packing for war as well as an leading an expedition of non-rangers. Speed and Stealth will NOT be our motto, I’ll advise caution and hope any brew packed is gone by the second night. Hungover partymembers tend to not talk. This is good.
Day 1:
The first day upon meeting this group I admit I didn't know what to expect. I thought I would see grown ups just like those in this village but they were very different and even attempting to be friendly, but like a wounded animal I bared my teeth which when I look back is a stupid thing to do.
I'll need to improve myself, how else am I going to meet someone to be with? Writing these musings down does help me keep my mind straight from the dark and achiac thoughts that surge through my mind and speak in the language I have learnt is called Abyssal, languages of the demons from the Abyss.
There were two beautiful women here who appeared to take interest in me. One was Mercy, a curious young woman who looks beautiful, but also has misty eyes when she looked closely at me and smiled. I feared that she may have actually see my face and the features that scared children when I was younger but as I said, she simply smiled and acted as if there was nothing wrong which I found strange and yet interesting as if there is hope for me yet to settle down in a normal life, but I do not know her well enough to make these predictions.
Another person I met was a young girl from child-hood. I've known her as long as she's lived here. Her name was Claire and she didn't seem to recognise my name when it was announced out loud, but it had been a long time since I dissappeared into shadows on a daily basis to avoid those that hated me.
All these people interest me and by joining them on this adventure to kill or simply talk with these Kobolds. Whatever we do, if we effectively save the town and return as heroes then they will see I am not some freak, but that I can be a hero for this land and be accepted by them, but first things first, we will need to sort out these kobolds.
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Day 002 Kiptera’s Journal of Prosperity: Looking back and planning ahead
Said goodbye to Widow Erin, I do so worry about her. She’ll likely outlive me. Broke fast with my own kind, despite not my clan, it did bring back memories. Looks like we lost Ragnor. Draftees are sometimes no-shows. If happens. Shoot, I’d probably be enthused if shiny coins were upfront and plenty, but without it motivation comes not so frequently. On the plus side, Isis Hex joined up. I’d say she was an unknown factor, except we pretty much all are. We better come together as a team in short order before any real adversary shuts us down. I’ll emphasize that this is a scouting mission not an assault team. If there are kobolds, we’ll need to either fortify the town or evacuate it. Can’t do that if we are dead… Hitting the trail now with group in tow. Note to self: Mayor will provide horses for everyone prior to departing on another of his “Mandatory” missions for the “Good of the town”.
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Day 003 Kiptera's Journal
Nothing of note to speak of. Looks like we got a pair of songbirds in the group. The sparing was fun to watch. The group is slowly becoming a team.
Day 004 Kiptera's Journal
Same as before, no one is bored but a routine has been established.
Day 005 Mid-Morning Kiptera's Journal
Whoa!, I just found indication of Kobolds and fresh ones. Why are they moving during the day? Looks like only about 10, max 12 of them. While I am sure if all of us go toe to toe we can take'em, I'd like to make sure any advantage is with us. Plus Denis speaks Draconic so we may be able to collect actual info. Simon is good. I can see him wearing the "Wise Leader" mantle. Achhhhh! McHern will be the death of me yet, still its good to have him as a proverbial shield with a big bulleyes on it.
We'll see how this goes.
Day 2:
As a start with the day I stayed at the inn since I didn't want to return to my mother, not yet. I did have a interesting day meeting the entire group. First I sparred with the large human. His swings had a lot of power and strength behind them whilst mine were more dexterous to slide under and past his defences, only lightly pressing the blade against the vital areas of his body. I had to admit it was the first time I ever had a bladed weapon and raised it against a person out of fun rarther than fear or anger.
Then came the embaressing part. Isis Hex, daughter of a witch had joined the group. I never really ran into her nor did she show any interest in trying to get to know me so I don't hate her, but I'm not friends with her either.
The real embaressment came when the female dwarf suggested we all introduce ourselves in the circle and I went second, knowing that all the pressure would mount if I was the last to introduce myself to the group and this was a good way for us all to learn about each other. I learnt a great deal today about the people I began riding with. the Gnome seems a generally friendly person, though he attempted to cheer me up by reaching into his bag of bugs and pulling out a fat dead spider speaking about how looking at it reminded him of his father. I have not run into many Gnomes so are all Gnomes like this? I've heard general fables from people able Gnomes, Elves, Dwarfs and so on, but I hope to learn the truth for myself. After all, I'm only travelling to prove to those in the town that I am not evil and that I am capable of doing good.
Day 3: Spent a lot of time tracking and even practicing my sword play as well as the fun feeling of being in the outside world where I wasn't being stared at by crowds of people. I could tell a few people in the group stared upon me but still it feels much better than all the crowds stareing at me and grasping their coin purses out of fear that I would steal from them.
Day 4: been away from home for two days now and I don't feel homesick at all. I do miss the feeling of many eyes leering at me, but I'm glad I don't have that here and due to the manner of many people in the group I've been taking my hood down a bit more. Perhaps my calling in life will be to become a hermit?
Day 1:
I got a job doing something other than waiting and pouring beers. Finally! One step closer to my goal!
Tonight I listened to a lot of new people. They're my adventuring buddies. I'm still getting used to some of the people's voices I met. The hooded guy is way too quiet! I wonder who he is?
Caelin is all over me like usual. That'd be fine if he was tipping, but I got to sit down with these people for a bit. It was bearable. I met Vanedictos the priest and Brevlradr a gnome. Brevlardrr has blue hair! I'm amused to see that he's almost the exact opposite of me. He even loves bugs (which I detest)
Kipterra said we'd head out tomorrow morning so I should be sleeping. It should be fun! I need to start getting used to adventuring so I can get out of here. Hopefully my blindness doesn't ruin it all.
If I die Claire you can have everything I own. You know how to treat my brothers so I trust them to you. If anyone reads this then you give everything to Claire. Thanks!
Day 2:
Issis is coming too. More girls! She seems kind of out there and weird but I think me and her have more in common than I thought. I like her and I think we'll get along.
The hooded stranger took off his hood! His name is Dennis and he seems really nice. I want to help him with his appearance but I don't think he's one for fashion. He's really stoick and kind of smoothe but he doesn't say much. I think he's nice.
I had to tell everyone to watch my back today. I felt bad because they shouldn't have to shoulder my burden for me. I hope everyone understands. If I get someone hurt I will be very mad at myself.
Caelin is still bugging me. I might as well buy a stamp with those words on them. Ha ha! Goodnight.
Day 3:
Denis!
Caelin!
Isis!
I can't draw BrevaDDelAr because he's hard to talk to and not laugh. He taught me how to spell his and VEnedictoses names but I'm not good for spelling. Nothing still but it's fun to be out in the woods. I need to take it more seriously, but it's hard to when all you hear are friends.
I'm not sure if I'm friends with Simon yet but I think it's worth trying. I see Isis google-eyeing him all the time like she's just been surprised with a bright light and I don't want her to think anything that might make us not friends.
Sometimes when I sit in front of the fire I get this bad feeling. I hate foredboding. I hope I can keep everyone safe if something bad happens.
Day 4:
Still having fun. I'm getting along with everyone pretty well. I think Denis with his hood down is charming but he seems to think he's an abomnination or something. I want to be friends! Say something when I talk to you! Grrr!
Me and Isis are friends (???) I don't know if we are or not because I'm not good at telling. I hope we are because Isis is nice.
Hopefully we find something soon! I want to get home and sleep on a bed and tell people about kobolds. Being a hero will be nice!
That's all for tonight, goodnight.
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Day 005 Revised Kiptera’s Journal
This is quite the mucked up forge that today has turned out. On our third day out from Tanner’s Crossing, I discovered Kobolds. We tracked them to a clearing where they had captured a dwarven miner, Asorva. Again, not of my clan but neither of the Goldpick Clan. Fortunately for her, Venedictos negotiated her release; on the other hand, we (or rather Tanners’ Crossing) may have Kobolds for neighbors. Asorva lost everything. She’ll want to mourn and possibly seek some kind of compensation (be it revenge or solace) What galls me and Asorva is the focus of mine ownership that the dwarves built and it looks like the Kobolds will keep under mgmt of the Tanners Crossing. I’ll find out more about this third clan in as many days showing interest in the hills here. I may have to surrender my Clans claim for a Dwarves only business venture to keep the peace as well as establish a solid foothold here. I’ll talk with Asorva and the Goldpick Clan to make sure Dwarven interest is not ignored. Ahh, Vindictos and Simon surely are good intentioned, I hope they can remain objective. Mercy has a bit of blood thirst in her, quite the opposite of her name, didn’t expect that. Still think Brev is a distracted wildcard, Isis influenced by whomever is dominant at the moment, and Caelin McHern, he’ll be the death of me yet but only after he saves everyone else. I know what I am going to get him for his birthday… Denis, I’ll withhold my opinion on which way this dual-edge sword swings.
Ahh first things first, to Tanners Crossing.
Day 5-7:
We found tracks leading to a group of Kobolds. I got down low to hide in the shadows whilst the Cleric walked up to them with no weapons and called out in a diplomatic way to get along with them and funnily enough it worked, though I have yet to understand how it worked. He managed to get along with them and I could hear the Kobolds and understand their language. It wasn't long before I heard one of them say "Keep her quiet" when refering to a mass so I put my weapons away and stood beside the cleric, pointing out the female they mentioned.
For a moment I was hopeful that it was going to be some maid that I would've been responsable for saving as no one else seemed to notice her, but it wasn't. It was a dwarf who was very angry at the group. I tried to hold my own, but she was so intimidating that I put my sword down and could not argue any further.
Mercy seemed to want revenge on these things from what she said, but I have no idea why and I personally would've enjoyed trying out my blades, but I didn't get a chance today, but maybe my blades will have another use?
Our travel back was interesting where the gnome tried to catch some fish and a butterfly. It was quite a sight and very interesting to watch and see what beautiful butterfly he had gotten. There were high tensions in the group and I sided with Mercy though Isis appeared to have forced a gap as if she doesn't wish to be anywhere near me. I can't force her and if she isn't interested in becoming friends then so be it.
Day 8:
We arrived back home and we were discussing as to what to do with the Gold and who to tell when we got back. Denis found that most people wanted to do their own thing and I noticed Claire waved towards me. The feelings I got from seeing this are...hard to explain. She seemed shy about it and I too was shy towards this, but headed inside the Everfull Mug hoping to perhaps get to know her a bit better and I DID!
It was hard for me to believe, but we got on pretty well. Mercy was around and I sensed a friendship between the two so I don't wish to hurt Mercy's feelings, not like I have a vendetta against her. In fact, no one in the group has hurt my feelings or indeed tried to attack me for no reason. I have gotten along well with the group, mostly the large human Caelen. I don't understand why, but I see him less as an aquantance and more as a father. If he has any kids, they will be lucky to have him. Far luckier than I was. In fact I have been acting a bit more differently and social thanks to him. I guess this will help me get closer to Claire and not remain at a stand-still by not talking to her and being evasive.
Our conversation was not too interesting and nothing else happened, but just being able to talk to her at such a length and get along with her was something I could only have dreampt about, but her father had leered towards me a few times as if he suspected I would start forcing myself on her or touch her innappropriately. He scares me, but at the same time I am try not to be afraid and remember that I am not looking for a cheap thrill. I feel very warm when I look about her or think about her. These are feelings that are alien to me and I would like to speak to her more, but of course I have promised to aid this group and I wish to gain respect in this town. So far dealing with the Kobolds has helped but I feel the people would've perfered it if we did kill the Kobolds and made an Alliance with the Kobolds. This warm feeling I will keep with me when he leave town to whatever adventure awaits us.