I had an uncomfortable experience last night that I must relate here.
I was sitting in the Trappers Hold composing some revisions to my latest work entitled: "Ramunas, Foehammer's Fury", when a woman walked up to stand in front of me. She moved in a way that invited I should be attracted to her, and it was indeed some time before my gaze had made itself up her attractive body so well wrapped in tight leather, and finally into her eyes. The eyes were curiously devoid of outward expression, and I was momentarily reminded of a sleek black snake I had once seen.
I introduced myself, and she eventually revealed herself to be known as Scisha, previously named by Mistress Pathra to be 'the Murdering Girl', as the alleged Banites had so humorlessly called her. I tried to speak cleverly to her, for we were in a public tavern and I have learned that loose talk spreads rapidly, telling her in so many words that they sought vengeance for her role in some sort of caravan incident.
Kallun soon arrived, and demanded that we follow him up into a private room. Scisha agreed, and I followed out of some vague but unspoken obligation. He told her the Banites had threatened all of our lives, especially hers, and that Kallun and I had scouted out the mines where the Banites had been discovered, and what we had found there.
We then spoke briefly of a plan, and Kallun and Scisha related their opinions of the mistress Pathra, her methods and her employees. Now, I did not wish to offer my own particular view, knowing Pathra so little as I do; but Kallun described her as somewhat vague in her desires, and ultimately as unstable and erratic. I would say rather that she seems capricious, led by whim, almost as if dependant on a number of common narcotics or liquors. Judging her power, however, and apparent connections within the city, perhaps this behavior is an elaborate ruse, to throw off her foes from her true intentions.
Scisha then casually revealed she had, in fact, killed a woman voluntarily because of the actions of others, presumably Pathra's other employees. I am not privy to the details of this killing, but Scisha's cool manner in revealing it chilled me to the bone. I do not think I like this woman very much, but I shall attempt to be open to her actions rather than her words, and not be quick to judge.
It seemed clear in the way that the two spoke, they had no particular like of each other, despite their obvious history together. But the air was thick with ominous feeling, and I confess I was not comfortable there, wishing to retreat back to the Tavern and my writing for Ramunas. Scisha, however, chose this moment to retreat, after a particularly bitter comment by Kallun. She did leave us with a final barbed question, one that I have often considered regarding the inscrutable man.
Since Kallun is the second of a Banite knight, what would his master Barid think of his contracting to drive Banites from the Isles? I return again to the questions of, to whom does Kallun call master? What is his true motivation, how can he be predicted to behave? How far and under what conditions can I trust him?
Kallun then offered me a job within the Merchant House, which I was quick to decline. He spoke at length regarding its noble founding, the honesty and honorable nature of the man whom paid Barid to work, and so forth, in an attempt to persuade me. He seemed very reluctant to admit that I would be under the direct command of Barid, and spoke of how the Company was no more Barid's than a field belongs to the farmer that tends it.
I realized then that I have no apparent reverence for honesty or honor. Both are useful when they facilitate the common good, reducing the tension between people as they must relate on this world, together. But law is only a framework for the essential goodness that is so important to this Faerun, and to me, holds no innate value in its own. Many like Barid seem to hide behind the respectability of honesty and honor, shielding them from public scrutiny that might reveal their dark intent. It is this behavior that can decieve men, and detract from those truly worthy of the respect and prominence an honorable reputation should bring.
It is here that we came upon a difference of opinion, and I soon tired of speaking with him. For it is my position that a farmer reaps what he sows, and that I had no desire to grow under Barid's black boot. He raised some valid questions regarding certain other unsavory characters to whom I have become acquainted in this horrible place, but ultimately was unable to convince me of the worth of Barid's employ. He then dangled the prospect of rich pay, or challenge before me, and thus offered me his understanding of what might motivate a man to work, but for me not enough to overcome my resistance to working under Barid. And Kallun then spoke another metaphor, saying that the field outlasts the farmer.
This is the conversation that led me to a staggering memory. For I told him correctly that the actions of a careless or malicious farmer could last on the land for years, and that he would know this if he had ever been a farmer. I realized then why my hands were so rough, why they bore the sign of recent toil, cracked and weathered, but strong enough to hold a scythe. I... had been a farmer.
And I remembered how I got my farm. Jonas. Jonas Therin. Louen. Dawn. Garlus. The children, and their untimely death.
While I was still reeling in the waves of memory, as of a huge rock dropped from great height into the sea, Kallun chose to castigate me regarding my reluctance to reveal myself to him. Though I barely heard him at first, I became angry, for as mentioned before Kallun is excruciatingly private in his affairs and thoughts, save those he so carefully seems to reveal to the world. I no longer wished to be with him, and chose to leave him abruptly, as he so do often does to me. I must admit... it felt good.
Madeline was down below, and offered to share a bottle with me, as we enjoyed Dederick's nightly performance. Somehow I ended up telling her the story of my acquiring the farm. She managed to coax the words from me to describe as painlessly as I could the words that said so little of how it had actually been. And I realized, that part of the reason I had forgotten so many things, was that I didn't want to remember them. With the memories, came the pain, the burden of what I had left behind when I came to these islands. I said this to Madeline, and to my amazement, she seemed to understand. Perhaps it was the rum talking, but she showed herself to be as human, as caring, as tender as I can ever remember her being, and I was touched by her kindness to me. I shall choose to believe her, for this feeling of friendship is very important to me.
I had finished most of the bottle of rum myself by this point, and I was very drunk, and Madeline was starting to look more attractive than she generally presents herself to be, so I departed her company and fell into bed.
I feel physically terrible today, but my spirits are somewhat improved. I can see why alcohol can be so consuming to some folk, for it is a powerful purgative. I must be careful lest I invite abuse.
Fugue state of mind
Re: Fugue state of mind
I have just returned from a most disconcerting adventure. Mistress Pathra had summoned me and Kallun to finish the task of rescuing Jameson, and driving the Banites into the sea. Within her Dance Hall we came across Kager Foehammer (no relation to the god Tempus, he did in fact insult the human race when I mentioned it was a common monicker of the lord of battle) and Hrut Red Tiger, and we soon descended to make our final plans. Curiously, the Red Tiger did call Kallun Commander... I do not know if this was a slip, or intentional, but I know that Hrut has begun to work as part of the Steel Talon mercenary group with Kallun, so perhaps there has been a restructuring?
As we were lounging on soft velvet cushions with Pathra, Kallun made a most strange suggestion. He said that under my leadership, we could see the mining stopped, and that I should be appointed the leader. This was quite surprising to me, and I did not know at the time what he intended.
I have noticed an annoying habit of Kallun, that he seems to enjoy giving things away, only later to claim them for himself. He had previously offered to me a fine mortar and pestle as a gift, then said that I should sell it and he would distribute shares to the men, and finally when I told him it was worth nearly 1000 gold, he took it back for himself, later telling me he had sold it and given the shares to others, but not to me the original recipient of the gift.
Well, I voiced a couple of plans but these were quickly discarded by Kallun, who soon assumed leadership for himself, if not explicitly, by exclusively composing and ratifying the plan. The others seemed ready enough to follow him, and since Kallun obviously knows Pathra and her ways better than I, and I had no true interest in leading our small group to the mines and back again, I gladly defered to his judgement and released myself of the responsibility.
Ramunas joined us soon after, and it was then that I knew all plans were now void, for Ramunas has but one plan, and that is violence, and I was certain he could not be contained. On the whole, I was not sad to have his might, for while he is not a particularly disciplined fighter, he is a wonderful distraction for the enemy, and occasionally shows himself to be quite fearsome.
We ascended the mountains and reached the summit as planned, just as darkness fell. Initial scouting revealed there were roving bands of sentries, intent upon defending the mining camp. We decided to proceed to the nearest patrol, and destroy it quickly and quietly, then move on to rush the camp. I was to control the approach as well as the entrance to the mine. Things went more or less as expected; I was able to block the approach of the mountain path and rain spells down on the enemy, while our martial members fired arrows into the fray, directly engaging those that made their way past my arcanic obstructions. I returned to the top of the ridge to guard for returning patrols, and thus to catch them on advantageous terrain, when I heard a scream, and turned to find Kallum in mortal combat with a tremendously large Sahuagin shaman. I reached his side shortly after she tore into his throat and left him lying for dead on the cobbles in front of the mine. Luckily I had a healing potion at the ready, and forced it down his throat just as Ramunas cleaved her down, with the help of Hrut Red Tiger. I don't think Kallun noticed that I had saved his life, or as usual he simply chose to ignore it, but by now I expect this of him.
I have not yet spoken of my true reason for coming, but it became relevant now. While Jameson apparently had some worth to the queen, Pathra naming him one of the queen's most valuable spies, and valuing life as I do, a rescue seemed plausible, though I yet question Pathra's sincerity and connections. I have no particular desire to see Banites driven away on principle, except to say that I do not appreciate their philosophy. There are too many fights to pick in the world, so one must be selective, and this was not my fight.
What was important to me, you see, was the adamantine. Adamantine is exceedingly rare, and a ship full of ore could be made into several dozen sets of weapons and armor. We had learned the ore was intended for export and subsequent smelting, and that a ship waited at the nearby dock, heavy in the water with mined ore and bound for a foreign port. In addition to the fabulous profits a ship of this ore would bring to the purse of an evil clergy, the resulting weapons and armor were sure to find their way to the hands of tyrants and murderers on the black market, or directly from the Banites themselves. I shudder to think what an army clad and bearing swords of adamantine would be able to do against more conventional weaponry. This ore and its profits belong to the people of the Isle, and I would see it returned there and used for the good of the people who so desperately need it, not against them or others like them.
Having no better option, we directed the slaves to take the boat several rods into the water, until we could finish clearing out the caves beneath the hut, for Jameson was nowhere to be found.
We made the acquaintance of a halfling miner within, whom led us to the center of the complex. And it was there we found Madeline, smugly waiting, having mentally dominated the Banite knight in charge of the camp. I have not yet had the chance to ask her how she appeared there, but she was a welcome sight, for I was nearly deprived of my daily spells. We also found a man matching the description of Jameson, wearing a strange primitive mask covered in coral and pearls. I examined him to detect any lingering auras, and soon discovered his mind was shattered, having been completely broken by the power of the mask, and repeated domination. The mask was clearly an ancient relic of Umberlee, and its aura nearly blinded me with its power.
I asked Kallun to gather Jameson, for he was not in possession of his senses, but as usual Kallun ignored me, and Jameson soon ran off, in a direction other than that we had arrived. Here I first noticed Ramunas' look of tremendous avarice, wanting the mask for himself, and I knew that he would soon be a problem. The others allowed Jameson to lead, and I sighed and followed, for though I thought them foolish, I could not leave them alone to their fate to save myself.
We found another man within, watching us, named Vincent, whom claimed that Pathra had sent him along to watch and ensure the job was done. This irritated me greatly, for he had done nothing to aid us in the battle, and later even claimed a full share of treasure, to which I felt he was not entitled. Why does Pathra feel the need to send a spy to watch the agents she has hired? His skills could have been more directly useful, and this obvious waste of potential talent abhors me.
Kallun almost got himself killed again, when he nearly wandered into a cloud of death Madeline had summoned to take control of the far side of a bridge. I wonder if something is distracting him? He does not normally appear so careless. Perhaps his relationship with Scisha, or something within the Steel Talon?
We were surprised by a great sea monster guarding the exit, to which the mad Jameson had directly led us. I think this no accident. A combination of powerful spells, arrows, and a few judicious axe blows laid it low. I collected several items for later study, including its eyes, its teeth, and its tongue, as well as some scales. Madeline helped herself to a few as well, though I suspect our purposes in claiming these specimens were quite different.
Just beyond, we found a blowhole leading to the surface, and managed to climb out. It was here the greed of Ramunas nearly saw him dead. For as the Banite turned to use the power of his mistress to seal the blowhole and prevent reentry, Ramunas siezed him from behind and attempted to take the mask by force. I had to try something, so I covered both of them with a large web, freezing them in place. Sheer greed drove Ramunas to even greater strength than usual, and he pushed through the web to take the mask as his own, and quickly put it on.
Madeline had threatened his life should he take the mask, and she now moved to make good on hear word. I tried to stop her, for Ramunas had made his choice, and I knew soon he would feel the consequences of his actions. And he did. The mask took him, enveloping his face like an octopus, and taking control of his mind and body. Madeline, her thrall, and I conspired to aid Ramunas in the thing's removal, and working together, with great difficulty separated it from his face. It had invaded his body with long and thick tentacles covered in mucous, forcing them deep down his throat, and even into his nose and ears. Removing it was the most disgusting thing I can remember, before or after my accident, by far. I pray that Ramunas remembers this, and I will remind him, for his greed nearly ended him today.
We eventually hired passage back to the dance hall, and Pathra paid us for the job. She did repeatedly refuse to answer my questions regarding the ship, and whether or not it had made it safely back to port. So I left them, not caring to hear her empty words, and strode out alone to find the ship safely home. I cannot say that I will choose to work with her again, for I do not believe her when she claims that somehow my arrival here affected the weave, and think only she keeps me here because of it.
The rest of the tale will have to wait, for I am very tired of writing, and I still have work to do before I can sleep.
As we were lounging on soft velvet cushions with Pathra, Kallun made a most strange suggestion. He said that under my leadership, we could see the mining stopped, and that I should be appointed the leader. This was quite surprising to me, and I did not know at the time what he intended.
I have noticed an annoying habit of Kallun, that he seems to enjoy giving things away, only later to claim them for himself. He had previously offered to me a fine mortar and pestle as a gift, then said that I should sell it and he would distribute shares to the men, and finally when I told him it was worth nearly 1000 gold, he took it back for himself, later telling me he had sold it and given the shares to others, but not to me the original recipient of the gift.
Well, I voiced a couple of plans but these were quickly discarded by Kallun, who soon assumed leadership for himself, if not explicitly, by exclusively composing and ratifying the plan. The others seemed ready enough to follow him, and since Kallun obviously knows Pathra and her ways better than I, and I had no true interest in leading our small group to the mines and back again, I gladly defered to his judgement and released myself of the responsibility.
Ramunas joined us soon after, and it was then that I knew all plans were now void, for Ramunas has but one plan, and that is violence, and I was certain he could not be contained. On the whole, I was not sad to have his might, for while he is not a particularly disciplined fighter, he is a wonderful distraction for the enemy, and occasionally shows himself to be quite fearsome.
We ascended the mountains and reached the summit as planned, just as darkness fell. Initial scouting revealed there were roving bands of sentries, intent upon defending the mining camp. We decided to proceed to the nearest patrol, and destroy it quickly and quietly, then move on to rush the camp. I was to control the approach as well as the entrance to the mine. Things went more or less as expected; I was able to block the approach of the mountain path and rain spells down on the enemy, while our martial members fired arrows into the fray, directly engaging those that made their way past my arcanic obstructions. I returned to the top of the ridge to guard for returning patrols, and thus to catch them on advantageous terrain, when I heard a scream, and turned to find Kallum in mortal combat with a tremendously large Sahuagin shaman. I reached his side shortly after she tore into his throat and left him lying for dead on the cobbles in front of the mine. Luckily I had a healing potion at the ready, and forced it down his throat just as Ramunas cleaved her down, with the help of Hrut Red Tiger. I don't think Kallun noticed that I had saved his life, or as usual he simply chose to ignore it, but by now I expect this of him.
I have not yet spoken of my true reason for coming, but it became relevant now. While Jameson apparently had some worth to the queen, Pathra naming him one of the queen's most valuable spies, and valuing life as I do, a rescue seemed plausible, though I yet question Pathra's sincerity and connections. I have no particular desire to see Banites driven away on principle, except to say that I do not appreciate their philosophy. There are too many fights to pick in the world, so one must be selective, and this was not my fight.
What was important to me, you see, was the adamantine. Adamantine is exceedingly rare, and a ship full of ore could be made into several dozen sets of weapons and armor. We had learned the ore was intended for export and subsequent smelting, and that a ship waited at the nearby dock, heavy in the water with mined ore and bound for a foreign port. In addition to the fabulous profits a ship of this ore would bring to the purse of an evil clergy, the resulting weapons and armor were sure to find their way to the hands of tyrants and murderers on the black market, or directly from the Banites themselves. I shudder to think what an army clad and bearing swords of adamantine would be able to do against more conventional weaponry. This ore and its profits belong to the people of the Isle, and I would see it returned there and used for the good of the people who so desperately need it, not against them or others like them.
Having no better option, we directed the slaves to take the boat several rods into the water, until we could finish clearing out the caves beneath the hut, for Jameson was nowhere to be found.
We made the acquaintance of a halfling miner within, whom led us to the center of the complex. And it was there we found Madeline, smugly waiting, having mentally dominated the Banite knight in charge of the camp. I have not yet had the chance to ask her how she appeared there, but she was a welcome sight, for I was nearly deprived of my daily spells. We also found a man matching the description of Jameson, wearing a strange primitive mask covered in coral and pearls. I examined him to detect any lingering auras, and soon discovered his mind was shattered, having been completely broken by the power of the mask, and repeated domination. The mask was clearly an ancient relic of Umberlee, and its aura nearly blinded me with its power.
I asked Kallun to gather Jameson, for he was not in possession of his senses, but as usual Kallun ignored me, and Jameson soon ran off, in a direction other than that we had arrived. Here I first noticed Ramunas' look of tremendous avarice, wanting the mask for himself, and I knew that he would soon be a problem. The others allowed Jameson to lead, and I sighed and followed, for though I thought them foolish, I could not leave them alone to their fate to save myself.
We found another man within, watching us, named Vincent, whom claimed that Pathra had sent him along to watch and ensure the job was done. This irritated me greatly, for he had done nothing to aid us in the battle, and later even claimed a full share of treasure, to which I felt he was not entitled. Why does Pathra feel the need to send a spy to watch the agents she has hired? His skills could have been more directly useful, and this obvious waste of potential talent abhors me.
Kallun almost got himself killed again, when he nearly wandered into a cloud of death Madeline had summoned to take control of the far side of a bridge. I wonder if something is distracting him? He does not normally appear so careless. Perhaps his relationship with Scisha, or something within the Steel Talon?
We were surprised by a great sea monster guarding the exit, to which the mad Jameson had directly led us. I think this no accident. A combination of powerful spells, arrows, and a few judicious axe blows laid it low. I collected several items for later study, including its eyes, its teeth, and its tongue, as well as some scales. Madeline helped herself to a few as well, though I suspect our purposes in claiming these specimens were quite different.
Just beyond, we found a blowhole leading to the surface, and managed to climb out. It was here the greed of Ramunas nearly saw him dead. For as the Banite turned to use the power of his mistress to seal the blowhole and prevent reentry, Ramunas siezed him from behind and attempted to take the mask by force. I had to try something, so I covered both of them with a large web, freezing them in place. Sheer greed drove Ramunas to even greater strength than usual, and he pushed through the web to take the mask as his own, and quickly put it on.
Madeline had threatened his life should he take the mask, and she now moved to make good on hear word. I tried to stop her, for Ramunas had made his choice, and I knew soon he would feel the consequences of his actions. And he did. The mask took him, enveloping his face like an octopus, and taking control of his mind and body. Madeline, her thrall, and I conspired to aid Ramunas in the thing's removal, and working together, with great difficulty separated it from his face. It had invaded his body with long and thick tentacles covered in mucous, forcing them deep down his throat, and even into his nose and ears. Removing it was the most disgusting thing I can remember, before or after my accident, by far. I pray that Ramunas remembers this, and I will remind him, for his greed nearly ended him today.
We eventually hired passage back to the dance hall, and Pathra paid us for the job. She did repeatedly refuse to answer my questions regarding the ship, and whether or not it had made it safely back to port. So I left them, not caring to hear her empty words, and strode out alone to find the ship safely home. I cannot say that I will choose to work with her again, for I do not believe her when she claims that somehow my arrival here affected the weave, and think only she keeps me here because of it.
The rest of the tale will have to wait, for I am very tired of writing, and I still have work to do before I can sleep.
Re: Fugue state of mind
I led men to their deaths today.
We received word the queen had a few clockwork eggs stolen. Knowing the islands as little as I do, I sought out the most knowledgeable adventurer I had met: Hully. He soon told me he had scouted out one possible location deep in a swamp, and I returned with him and two others to claim the first clockwork treasure. Bu joined us, or I should rather say he chose to travel with us for a time.
The second egg was ours for the taking as well, for we searched several places and found mostly harmless creatures. Atop a peak near Oman isle we found an egg, bringing our count to two, but we visited several villages along the way, whose names I never learned, so I cannot say specifically where.
The first three clues all pertained to the mountains, so we decided to search the most likely peaks.
Rags dropped out on the final ascent, complaining of a bad ankle. Me and Hully, along with Hrut Red Tiger and Ramunas, continued the trek.
We saw some northmen inside a walled encampment, near some tents. It did not appear to be like the other two eggs that we found, but Hrut wanted to search the tents, and Ramunas agreed.
Hully suggested a parlay, and loathe to battle I said yea, but stupidly picked Ramunas to show himself first, thinking him the best armored and best warrior we had, that they might speak with us. Ramunas challenged them, which is the only parlay he knows. Instead, they charged.
Ramunas tried to ensorcel one of their minds, but failed, either because their rage prevented it or his power was weak. The three barbarians cut him him in a thrice, and then turned to the rest of us. Hrut was closest, and tried to run, but was not fast enough and was axed down from behind. Hully bravely tried to heal Ramunas with a spell, which was enough for one of the barbarians to lay him a nasty blow across the back. He too, then ran.
My spells were not enough. I used everything I had. It was not enough, injuring them all but felling none. The barbarians turned to me.
I managed to fry one of them with my last acid arrow. Another ran after Hully and followed him into a cave. The third came for me, but I managed to hide in a snowbank, with the use of my spells (praised be the name of the Lady of the Weave).
He searched for me for some time, and I was about to make a run for it, with a scroll of speed to hasten my retreat, when Kallun arrived... I do not know how he knew we were there, but the timing could not have been more perfect. Kallun said he finished off both of the injured northmen, and I believe him.
We retrieved the bodies and left the peaks. Ramunas and Hrut we left at the shrine of Tempus, knowing their gods would welcome them to the Warriors Rest. Hully we saw to a shrine of temple, using the gold he had along with a great deal of mine and Kalluns, to see him brought back.
Hully remembers nothing of the afterlife.
I think it's time to go home.
We received word the queen had a few clockwork eggs stolen. Knowing the islands as little as I do, I sought out the most knowledgeable adventurer I had met: Hully. He soon told me he had scouted out one possible location deep in a swamp, and I returned with him and two others to claim the first clockwork treasure. Bu joined us, or I should rather say he chose to travel with us for a time.
The second egg was ours for the taking as well, for we searched several places and found mostly harmless creatures. Atop a peak near Oman isle we found an egg, bringing our count to two, but we visited several villages along the way, whose names I never learned, so I cannot say specifically where.
The first three clues all pertained to the mountains, so we decided to search the most likely peaks.
Rags dropped out on the final ascent, complaining of a bad ankle. Me and Hully, along with Hrut Red Tiger and Ramunas, continued the trek.
We saw some northmen inside a walled encampment, near some tents. It did not appear to be like the other two eggs that we found, but Hrut wanted to search the tents, and Ramunas agreed.
Hully suggested a parlay, and loathe to battle I said yea, but stupidly picked Ramunas to show himself first, thinking him the best armored and best warrior we had, that they might speak with us. Ramunas challenged them, which is the only parlay he knows. Instead, they charged.
Ramunas tried to ensorcel one of their minds, but failed, either because their rage prevented it or his power was weak. The three barbarians cut him him in a thrice, and then turned to the rest of us. Hrut was closest, and tried to run, but was not fast enough and was axed down from behind. Hully bravely tried to heal Ramunas with a spell, which was enough for one of the barbarians to lay him a nasty blow across the back. He too, then ran.
My spells were not enough. I used everything I had. It was not enough, injuring them all but felling none. The barbarians turned to me.
I managed to fry one of them with my last acid arrow. Another ran after Hully and followed him into a cave. The third came for me, but I managed to hide in a snowbank, with the use of my spells (praised be the name of the Lady of the Weave).
He searched for me for some time, and I was about to make a run for it, with a scroll of speed to hasten my retreat, when Kallun arrived... I do not know how he knew we were there, but the timing could not have been more perfect. Kallun said he finished off both of the injured northmen, and I believe him.
We retrieved the bodies and left the peaks. Ramunas and Hrut we left at the shrine of Tempus, knowing their gods would welcome them to the Warriors Rest. Hully we saw to a shrine of temple, using the gold he had along with a great deal of mine and Kalluns, to see him brought back.
Hully remembers nothing of the afterlife.
I think it's time to go home.