Khalo's Journal: Royal Blood

Once, in my early days, I was traveling with Ashanto and Blinet, and we came to a fork in the road. There was some quibbling over which direction to go - Ashanto wished to go to the right, where the terrain seemed well-traveled, and there were signs and trail markers. I desired to explore the more rugged path. Blinet, in what passed for wisdom on his part, expressed no particular preference, summarizing each option as "a choice between stories." He finally conceded that while going my way would make for a more exciting tale, Ashanto's way was the more comfortable option.

As we have embarked under the mountain on our way out west, I find myself unsure as to which of the choices we've made would have been the more interesting story. Certainly, the way we chose was fraught with challenges, and it is probably the most sensible direction for us to have taken. I am not sure that the talents of our retinue are well-suited to making friends with wyvern-riding lizard men. And, to be sure, had we not chosen the path we are on now, we would not have made the discovery that I, Khalo Kavorath, am a dwarf of noble blood.

Whatever that means - I am not sure that "noble" is the right word to describe the family who abandoned me - the distant, unknowable Clan Foambeard - but by virtue of their genetic makeup, I was able to pass through to the guarded room behind the lair of the demon our group heroically slew. And therefore, I was able to collect a treasure which I see as a reward for our efforts. I am not sure how much of it I can actually enjoy, but I have resigned myself to the fact that my path restricts me from utilizing such earthly goods, particularly the metals my people are so fond of drawing from the rock and manipulating. 

I am taking to rest now, because the combination of the battle, the pit trap, and the efforts of withdrawing the treasures have left me quite weary, and I need to rise fresh so that I may invite Tamlin back to the mortal realm. He was slain fighting the demon. If he feels he has earned his rest, so be it, but I think he may have unfinished business in the land of the living. For my part, I confess to being excited to perform the ritual of reincarnation. I saw Ozgander perform it once, and I paid close attention. I have finally matured to the point where I know I am ready to undertake it on my own. In this way, I know the blood and matter I am made of is special moreso than what any steel guardians may surmise. 

Entry concluded.