The more Bornos has become a memory, I find I am feeling more of myself again.
The team encountered another member of the Fiftygnomes, named Douglas. He is an off-worlder, gathering intelligence in this realm. He was being hunted by a tiger man with backwards hands. We slew the tiger man.
As we made our way closer to the Domelands, a few occurrences and encounters of note:
We were followed by members of the Topaz Syndicate. They attempted to harass us, but we showed them what's what. They were out of their element now, and we were into ours.
The Yallathune cultist wagon was attacked, and its inhabitants were killed. We inherited the wagon. The style isn't to my taste, but at least the wagon is covered.
A troll stopped the wagon train to demand a toll. A bit cliche, sure, but from the meeting, we learned that some of the Domelands natives are growing hostile to the increasing number of explorers, settlers, and soldiers brought over to these lands by the Condor. I must admit I sympathize with their plight somewhat.
I learned about two different packs of direwolves that call these lands home. One of these packs has an unnatural aspect to them, and my worldview calls me to see them destroyed. Hopefully this will lift the stigma on direwolves in general, as they are noble, natural creatures and have rights to these lands.
Here in the Domelands, ruins and remains suggest that in earlier times, many of the inhabitants of this area were followers of Frumious the Shepherd (so named by me based on my reading of the Knights of Mist Valley texts).
The Condor did not send for his children. This means that we accompanied them kind of for nothing - other than the thickening of the plot and my growing distrust of Jericho. My compatriots' treatment of him in a favorable to neutral manner continues to be a source of concern to me. Continued association with him strikes me as unwise.
We have started to get to know the city a bit. There's a section with tight military control, and a bigger section that is not as under control. The Condor's policy is to tame it through the entrepreneurial spirit of the settlers and adventurers. So far, this policy hasn't ended in catastrophe. I should list the shopkeeps we are getting to know, but my memory for names is less than stellar. A weapon smith and his gnomish friend make magical weapons and armor - Holm, I think his name is? A kind halfling woman sells potions. A tiresome human man sells scrolls and wands. There's a tailor who makes wearables. There's a dealer in items of wonder and power. I will rely on my friends who recall these things better than I do.
I remember Nimnock, though - he's another member of the Fiftygnomes, and he works for the Condor in the Office of the Liason. A good source of information. I'll expand upon him in another entry.
Lito is dead. We went out on a mission for Jericho, which yielded valuable information in spite of the questionable motivations for going out in the first place, and the pitiable result. This mission is where we discovered a cemetery for followers of Frumious, and where we received elixirs that improved our acuity. For me, the elixir boosted my capacity for and desire to learn, and increased my curiosity. I am eager, and a little nervous (which is something I don't recall being in some time) to discover how this augmentation will impact my personality.
Lito's death came upon his discovery that Vas Ra, his primary motivation for adventuring, was within the laboratory we were exploring for Jericho. Unfortunately, this Vas Ra is not a creature of good. He is at least a vampire, and according to some we have spoken to, a figure of great legend and dread. His full name was revealed to us when we found his tomb - Harvas Raeth.
Finally, a couple of thoughts about the city - I am distressed at the rapid deforestation that is occurring at the city wall. The soldiers claim it is for defense. I can see the wisdom in that, but I do not think the defense of the city justifies the level of wanton habitat destruction I have seen. I plan to do something about this.
The "wild" sections of the city's ruins are infested with creatures such as dragons and beholders. I have no particular enmity for dragons, but the concentration I'm seeing suggests that thinning out their numbers, particularly the hostile ones, might not be a bad thing. Beholders are not creatures I deem to be of value, so we should endeavor to eradicate them. I look forward to the challenge.
Entry concluded.
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