10/20/03 (Real world)

<<Note: All text, except the heading, is written in a coded form of Draconic>

IF THIS JOURNAL IS FOUND, THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL REWARD FOR ITS RETURN TO NEFENR, THE MEMORY ARTIST, IN THE CITY OF GAHANIS

To: Hanrel Tannison
Order of the Erdaenos Collectors
Library of Erdaenos
City of Erdaenos

From: Dain Lonair
Old Battlehome Fortress
Four Hours South of City of Gahanis

Re: Mission Report 4

Date: 13 Fifthmonth 1757

After a brief respite from the rapid pace of our adventure, we proceeded on towards the scorched door before us. With a massive shove of his well-muscled shoulder, Gür threw open the door.

What happened was totally unexpected. An ungodly stench of death poured fourth from within, briefly overcoming our senses. Snicktari, Roksha, and I found ourselves completely nauseated from the horror of the retched reek. Fortunately, Gür and Iyri were able to march on despite the putrid odor, and were able to prepare an attack against whatever foulness lay behind the scorched door.

Within, Gür discovered a 50' hallway that curved to the west. At the end of the hallway was a 30' by 30' room, containing a pile of rubbish in one corner. Gür momentarily spotted an ugly, beaked, long-necked creature within the confines of the room, but could not position himself to attack the thing before it disappeared.

It took the rest of us a moment to regain our senses, and we began to move down the corridor, intent on providing assistance to Gür. However, before we could reach our destination, we were attacked from behind!

Roksha cried out first. I quickly glanced to the rear, and briefly spotted a white, monkey-like creature climbing very rapidly along the walls, and moving in our direction. Delving into the akashic memory, I withdrew identifying information on the nasty critter - a Seether. The things were old and unnatural, bred by the Dramojh as servants, now considered pests. They generally attacked people with their sharp teeth and claws, and did indeed prefer to climb along walls and surprise their prey from an unexpected direction.

Roshka did not waste time waiting for confirmation that the thing was a friend or foe, and let loose with a volley of arrows. Not wanting to be outdone, Sniktari returned back down the corridor, and tumbled into perfect position to strike back at the creature, killing it with his now-bloodied claws.

Meanwhile, Gür has his own troubles, as a woeful cry could be heard from within the room, in the direction of the pile of rubbish. But, before Gür could confirm the source of the sound, Iyri and I were attacked!

A seemingly flying sword appeared out of nowhere, and struck at Iyri. In response, Iyri instinctively reacted by launching a magical flaming hawk in its direction. Later, she would explain that she had not intended to summon the creature, but had only thought "flame" and "flight" simultaneously in reacting to the surprise attack, with that unusual result.

Perhaps misdirected by the confusion of Iyri, the hawk was unable to strike at the flying sword. I quickly jumped to her aid, smiting the flying steel with all my might. Alas, even my finely honed blade was no match for the magical blade, and my strike clanged useless against it.

Gür, confused by the woeful cry from within the room while also facing the flying sword and the calls from behind about the Seether, decided to try and strike out at the sword first. However, something very strange happened. Gür appeared to draw for his sword... however I do not think his hand ever actually made it to his weapon. Instead, a sword appeared in his hand, identical to the one on his waist. I do not think even Gür noticed it at the time, though he appeared confused later as to the source of this new identical weapon. Alas, even this new magic was no match for the sword, as it too clanged harmlessly against the side of the attacking blade.

The wicked flying weapon then turned in my direction, and struck with uncanny accuracy. I felt the tip sink deep into my shoulder, and before I could react my legs gave out and I crumpled helplessly to the ground, unconscious.

I do not know precisely what happened in the intervening time. I do know that I awoke with Iyri standing over me, looking a bit tired, and the battle continued to rage in a mass of confusion and darkness. Soon a gust of wind struck us, and everyone's torches and lanterns were extinguished. On relighting them, further darkness struck, and I could sense magic in the air. Someone cried out, as if struck. Finally, I wandered out of the magically dark region, and silence reigned. I do not think the thing with the beak and long neck was killed. Likely it fled, and will stalk us again in the future. Remaining behind, however, was the now unmoving sword that had struck me down earlier.

At least, for now, we could rest and gather again. I searched the pile of rubbish and accompanying alcove, and discovered a carved bone statue, a necklace, and a pendant with a family seal and a message "To my son Jedreth, heir to our future, our hopes go with you". Jedreth, a name I recalled from the earlier message between the human and Verrick lovers discovered earlier. Their bones had been pecked at by some carrion bird-like creature, and now we knew where that creature lived, and what had befallen their remaining valuables. We should seek out this father of Jedreth, if we can, and return this pendant to its rightful owner.

In addition, I retrieved the now-lifeless sword. I sensed that it was a fine blade, unusually able to cut, and quite possibly magical in origin. For now, I would keep this weapon, and hopefully learn more about its powers and owner in the future.

Moving on, we came on a jewelry or potters room, 50' by 30' in dimensions, with a connecting 60' passage leading away. The room contained ovens with shards of glass and pottery within.

To the west, we could now hear, off in the distance, some more ghostly Giantish chanting. The passage led to a cave, about 40' by 40', which was now empty, with an exit to the northwest. Eventually, the passage led back to the main room, with no ghostly Giants to be found.

To the southwest we found some graffiti on the walls, and further in a barred door with a sign, written in common, stating "If thy wish is to live no longer, then by the bitter suns, please proceed."

We did proceed, to find a labyrinth of caverns beyond. I will not describe the path we took, for even my own keen sense of depth and direction were confused by the many twists and turns we took. I will, however, provide a brief overview of what we found.

I determined that these endless caverns were the very passages used by the escaped slaves and refugees of the Dramojh wars. Deep crevices were common, and I myself fell into one with a misstep on a wooden plank-bridge, causing great injury which Gür thankfully was able to heal. Indeed, this man does appear to wield both magic and weapons with equal skill.

Traveling for a great long time, we came upon passages cleared as recently as 15 years ago. The caverns appeared empty, with only bits of leather and old useless relics of a bygone age. I retrieved an ancient flatted spoon from beneath a rock, which I kept for possible legend loring at some future date, should the Order seek further information concerning the residents of these caves.

We eventually decided to rest, and holed up in a cavern overnight (if it was, indeed, night outside).

Unexpectedly, we were assaulted during our rest. Several bat-like creatures attacked during Sniktari's watch. Showing amazing skill and strength, Snik was able to slay two of the creatures in a single movement. I was stunned at such a display of prowess, and momentarily delayed in reacting to the continuing threat. Apparently others felt the same, as some continued to sleep while the rest of us waited. The bat-like creatures attacked Snik, causing him great wounds, and only then did the rest of us react to the threat by preparing our own counter-attacks. Eventually, we were able to repel the things, slaying them to a last, and Iyri healed the wounds of Sniktari, who seemed none to pleased at the lack of assistance we all exhibited earlier, despite our obvious awe at his abilities.

The remainder of our stay in the cave was uneventful, and we were able to heal our wounds and refresh our minds in preparation for the next days advanture,

After further exploration, we concluded nothing of immediate value was to be found in these endless caverns, and we eventually found our way back out.

Studying my mental map of the complex, I concluded that little remained unexplored in this region of the fortress. We therefore decided to proceed to the caverns below the fortress, the ones beneath the well that we had originally entered.

Returning to near the southwest passage (with the dry riverbed), we peered within a corridor and saw a faint lantern light in the distance. Moving towards the light slowly and with great stealth, we paused to consider the situation. Obviously, someone else was nearby...someone that needed light to see, unlike the prior goblins we had encountered. It was agreed that Sniktari, who possessed considerable stealth, would scout ahead and report back what lay ahead.

Soon, Snik reported back that he had captured someone. We charged into the room, to find a tear-drop shaped chamber about 30' by 40', with a lantern on a table about 20' into the room. Snik had indeed captured a confused and grubby-looking human who lay on a bedroll. Snik called me in to interrogate our visitor.

The mans name was Den, which of course matched the name of one of our bandits. He appeared very confused, and I concluded he had been drinking the fungal liquid that had impacted the goblins we encountered earlier, to his detriment. He said his fellow bandit, Yothis, lay further down the southwest-leading dry riverbed which we had originally used on entering these caverns to begin with.

The room also contained a locked chest. On examining the chest, I discovered it was trapped. Angered that Den had not told us about the trap, I intimidated him into opening it for us, and then proceeded to bind him around the mouth, hands, and feet. Gür decided to carry him on his shoulder thereafter, and we would deal with him in the ancient Giant interrogation room later.

The chest contained the following: 285 gold pieces; a silver dice cup; a fine bottle of wine; quills; ink; stamps; a map of Ghanis and the lads to the north and east; a strange map featuring the "Lake of Lost Voices" which lay 2 days travel overland, off the beaten track, which also bore the symbols of the bandits; some notes, documents, licenses, and permits; an official town permit for entering the fortress in the name of "Starreth Blackweather"; and some correspondence to one Odthow, Bandit Leader, which said as follows:

N: 50 gold pieces, 1 ruby, 1 saphire;
Rudinger and Yannis, 350 gold pieces;
Back to lair: pure opal, silks, 2 barrels of (?). 12 kegs of ale, old tome from Xavel."

Old tome! That must be it! Finally, we were closing in on both our targets, the bandits, and the tome.

I write this now before we proceed back to the southwest dry riverbed passage, where Yannis likely hides. Perhaps we will have our answers very soon...and perhaps our adventure will lead us to this "Lake of Lost Voices" later.

In the name, the word, and the symbol of the Order of the Erdaenos Collectors,

Dain Lonair, apprentice.

<440 experience points each party member>
<100 experience to Dain for RP Vote>
<100 experience to Dain for the log >