Khalo's Journal: You've Got to Pay That Troll Toll

On this journey upriver, we have faced and defeated trolls and ogres. I found the experience very gratifying.

Elmo the Loon used to tell a story about trolls, but that story had many digressions, unsubstantiated claims, and often, an ulterior motive - usually to convince someone to share their food. But one bit of critical information did stick with me: if you want a troll to stay dead, you've got to kill it with fire. And so I did. I tried out a new spell wherein a blade of flame sprang forth from my hand. 

The troll fight took a heavy toll on my friends, and so it was decided that we would rest nearby. That night, Orenthal observed a redcap spying on us. The next morning, I did a little investigation, and concluded that the beast was getting around by leaping from tree to tree. It was a distressing discovery. Among us, there was some speculation as to why the redcaps were observing us, but not attacking. Our encounter with the senior redcap, Blackbriar, no doubt factors into this somehow. 

We set out again and made it to a bridge, where we found a group of goblins, ogres, and a man. I had the opportunity to try out many spells - some summoning, an entangling trick, but it was the tried and true shillelagh that provided the most showy demonstration of might. Unlike trolls, I have had some first-hand experience with an ogre. Though he was not a member of our enclave, Kroger the Ogre was well-known to the community in which I grew up. He had a weakness for eating sheep, and the only way to keep him away from the nearby shepherds' flocks was to wait up for him, when he would approach the grazing lands, and as group pummel the ever-loving shit out of him. Such a beating would typically keep him away for several months. Some in our community debated about whether or not to simply kill Kroger, but other than his fondness for livestock, he was mostly harmless, and the idea of slaying him never got much traction. Kroger is lucky, then, that he never took a blow such as the one I laid upon an ogre during this last fight. Even I was taken aback as his brains splattered across the bridge's wooden beams.

Entry concluded.

In Oxford and Merriam-Webster I Trust

• I finally shook the infection that had kept me sidelined the last three weeks. The downtime was very beneficial to me so I could upgrade my Spellbook. I was quite surprised to find that Ostar did not possess the same level of spells that I have acquired. I can only conclude that again, I am limited by those around myself from their deprivation of education. If our group is a microcosm of the general public, then they ought not to complain when the Powerful determines their fate rather than Reason. Pretty soon only lechers will rule us, and they will only have themselves to blame. But I digress.
• I did not reach the trolls heart in time to see its regenerative powers. A mistake I wont make twice.
• The Redcaps are tracking us. They have evil intentions, and I surmise the contaminated water is their doing, probably some by-product of their inventions. I doubt poisoning water is their final end. They possess more craft in their endevours. But they do not attack us on sight. Maybe we have equipollent (even spellcheck is below my linguistic prowess!) purposes.
• I need to find a way to be able to absorb more than a single blow. I am not ready to give my Spirit up. Hmmm, maybe that would be the only way to find the Secret? If it is, I will have to utilize my Death as a last resort to the conundrum.

Holy Shit! It worked! (Stream of Conscience)

I finally connected with my Curse. And it made an impact from what I can tell. I can't wait to see how this ability progresses as I progress.

We have reached the bridge. After this combat from, at least from what I can tell, we have cleared the bridge. Between the group at the bridge and the troll and goblins we encountered on the road, its no wonder that none of the previous groups sent from Riverwood have returned. We have been in heavy combat the last couple of days with some heavy hitters but we held our own. Norris has again shown himself to be completely invaluable, if easily shaken. Khalo has proven himself to be a capable caster and fighter; Orenthal is getting really proficient at casting too. Orrenthal cast something on the "Manager" and it really affected his combat ability. I have no doubt that the 'Manager' would have been a lot more formiddable but for Orrenthal's casting and my curse.

Tactically, I am conflicted between teaming with Osbert (also incredibly effective in combat) and my urge to protect both Norris and Ostar. That being said, Norris has some wits about him so he has been able to stay out of the immediate melee danger of combat. I don't know what will happen if we come across a foe that recognizes Norris' ability though and targets him.

As an aside concerning Norris and Ostar: Norris is a halfling and Ostar is a gnome. I would expect the opposite reactions regarding the Redcaps. The Redcaps are gnomes that have been brutalized, literally had their heads turned inside out and yet Ostar the Gnome is less concerned about them than Norris. Norris is genuinely freaked the fuck out by these guys. I take Ostar's opinion on this matter though. If the Redcaps were hunting us, the time to strike would have been in the night during the snow storm.

The troll we encountered was wearing a crude medallion dedicated to the "God King of the Giants". Ostar is particularly interested in this.

I hope Ostar is taking note of my developing prowess in combat and will inform his contacts accordingly.

Khalo's Journal: Full Sensual Release

After rescuing the valuable fabric cargo, we were at last on route once again to Lemia. Of course, as fate would have it, we were blown off course again by a storm. This time, though, the ship held fast, and we came through the event unscathed. However, this led to the need to re-provision, and sailed into the nearest port available to us, somewhere along the coast of Jethu - meaning that Lemia was to the south now instead of the east.

We joined the company of sailors in search of food and water, as our party was eager to get off a ship and set foot again on a continental land mass. Although I had enjoyed my time spent in the isles, at least when we were marooned, it did fill my heart with something akin to gladness to be back amidst semi-familiar topography, with flora and fauna that was not so foreign to my experience.

Our dreams of a pure respite were short-lived. We found the river water to be brackish, and the townsfolk confirmed that some foulness up river was ruining their primary water source. This development impacted our ship's ability to secure large quantities of fresh water at market rate, so our company resolved to march up the river and discover the cause of the problem.

But we did not set out until morning, which gave Jace and Soromir ample opportunity to attempt fornication with the sister-women who ran the tavern. Long ago, I extinguished the desire for carnal release, and I have been proactively informed by women and many men o'er these last few seasons that I am not a prime candidate for recreational mating. As I mature, I find myself seeing the value more and more in the lifestyle choices of Elmo the Loon, even though I have an established policy against taking on more of his traits.

I do not believe either gentleman were successful in their pursuit. Fortunately, they are capable of relieving themselves without my assistance, and I hope they will do so discretely.

Entry concluded.

Journal of Soromir Thoroughgash - Entry 7

1. The Pine Bough is my new home away from home. I think I could be presuaded to settle here at the end of this journey by the right woman.

2. Moving on. I revealed to the group why I have this proclivity for taking souvenirs from the people I slay in battle. I don't think that Bajol requires this but I'm sure Bajol doesn't mind.

3. Also, there is now a price on my head. Jemma must have more gold than she lets on. After she's dead but before I burn her shop down, I'll be sure to search the shop. I should have just finished the job then and there but didn't want anything to slow our departure from Sebastian's Cove.

4. I am curious to see where this prize fighting venture leads with Jace. It seems like an fun hobby and easy money.

5. Tomorrow morning we are heading out to investigate the source of the river contamination.

6. This gossamer rag is a poor substitute.

Khalo's Journal: Pirate Town

Jerek has not perished. He escaped the island on the dinghy, accompanied by the Hellcat. At first, I drew the conclusion that Hellcats had a talent for seafaring, but later realized my reasoning was specious. Jerek visited this same despicable cove as we now find ourselves in, but after making quite an impression on the locals, he has since departed on board another ship with a captain who sounds dangerous.

The town here probably wouldn't pass for civilization in the minds of many, but for me, it's plenty. You can procure food without hunting, and a spot to rest without building a shelter. I'm eager to be on our way. 

First, though, there was the business of selling the ship we took to get off the island, which we were able to do without much fuss. Then, to the matter of proceeding to Lemia, which required us to book passage on yet another boat. This proved difficult, as the price for passenger transport was at a premium for those who did not want to sully their souls. Fortunately, a man named Clovis sensed our desperation, and offered work. We took the job, which consisted of escorting him to the hideaway of his former captain, and clearing out the ghostly inhabitants so that he might claim the treasure inside. It was no easy task, especially as many of our group proved to be swimmers without skill or confidence. I was able to prove my worth by seeing well in the dark, but could take no pride in this as it resulted from my dwarfish nature. 

Once the job was completed, we attempted to make our way back to town quickly, as Ostar had been poisoned, and my magical abilities could only delay his death lest he have access to an antidote. The specter of his demise, however, did not prevent him from murdering Clovis, which he did in the interests of hastening our fundraising efforts to get to Lemia. Osbert was not pleased, but settled for a re-negotiated term of group dynamics. 

Meanwhile, we made our way back to the town, saved Ostar, and were quickly presented with another job, one which could save us money. A ship captain needed to reclaim his cargo from a pirate who had stolen it. This pirate was named Shark Neck, but in a disappointing development, the name derived from a tattoo on his neck and an ornamental necklace he wore.

The mission to retrieve the cargo presented me with an opportunity to unleash a new combat tactic - summoning animals to fight for our cause. I used a snake to create a distraction which allowed us to charge the boat, and a hippogriff to delay the pirates at the stern from reaching us. Closer to the end of the fight, I brought a wolf into the mix to aid Osbert. The hippogriff died, which I did not like, and do not take lightly. I am comfortable with death and know that many animals die by violent means, but will still endeavor not to be cavalier with the lives of creatures who I bring in by magical means to assist me, for they assume great risk for very little reward. 

Entry concluded.

Reminder to flog

I have to be careful. Jumping on to that boat before the entire party was aboard and then immediately attacking the two most powerful people on board was really beneath my intelligence. I may flog myself later to remind myself that even the most educated can be undone by passion.

Regarding the black one, I really want to dissect that one. I am sure that there must be some clues as to the location of LifeForce. Arcane Powers have been placed upon objects using symbols but I had not thought of imbuing them on the skin. To get a sample! That would be glorious.

I also really want to know what Transmutation is capable of changing this rock, and who on board knows anything about it. We have a deal with the Captain, but now with "sharkneck" (really? pirates are so unimaginative) dead, if we could get this boat out, why not? I don't have any desire for seafaring knowledge, but we could procure more funds with the sale of this vessel.

I think the group may be on to me about the belt. I had to use it in front of them or I was going to get chopped in half. I am very grateful to Norris for saving me. I'll repay him by being very careful with his corpse upon dissection. On second thought, maybe he will let me dissect him while alive if he is able to heal himself afterwards. I will have to be careful about broaching that subject.

Most importantly, adventuring has been getting in the way of my studies. I have not transcribed once in the last two weeks. I demand a respite soon.

The Journal of ST - Entry 6

We just dismantled Sharkneck (me, literally) and his crew. Afrikka Bambaataa is still out there somewhere but he's hurt pretty bad. We've successfully retrieved the desired cargo, fulfilling our part of the deal.

That being said, we have a boat. And not just any boat, but a dreadnaught. A floating fortress. I really think we should consider taking this boat for our own. At the minimum, we should consider selling the boat. If we don't take it, we should search it pretty well. I'm sure there is plenty we can use. 

This cove is interesting. There is some magic concealling the boat but it's just an illusion. There is also this staircase in the face of the cliffs that we should check out. I'm willing to bet Afrikka Bambaataa is up there. 

The combat was pretty good. Finally got some licks in and tried my hand at cursing someone. That failed but at least I know I can do that now with no impact on my combat mechanics.