Axel's Journal

26th Tarsakh 1494 DR, near the town of Saltmarsh

It feels odd traveling alone.

I've stayed in some inns, trying to entertain the people around me, but not all people are interested in that kind of entertainment. Some even suggest I would be of more use in the field than in a ring.

I don't think they are wrong, but people need entertainment as well.

Even though they warned me about it, I've slept under the clear skies at times, when I couldn't reach a village or town fast enough.

It was calming, looking at the stars without having to worry about time or a schedule.

Maybe that's why Lorafina stays away from places with a lot of people.

Wish we could do something like this more often when we tour.

I'll mention it to the others when I see them again, whenever that may be, maybe they'll like it as well... 

I never thought I would have to do this myself, but some things cannot be left not finished.

etched into the end of the page with great force

The Fool has to pay.

29th Tarsakh 1494 DR, in Saltmarsh

My first proper match since Noxidome and the first one I’ve booked for myself really, and I have to say, should’ve remembered Maddox’s words: “Bookers are dickheads. Never trust them, never take their word for anything.”

For some reason, the booker decided to put spikes into the pool in the middle of the ring. Don’t know if the other guy knew, but I’ll try to remember to ask about stuff like this beforehand…

I was able to do something I’ve been thinking about for a while though. 

Using animals is not something often seen in the Noxidome because Maddox strongly dislikes it, so I can imagine him burying his head in his hands when he hears about it.
Odetta and Lorafina might appreciate it though. 

It made the crowd pop, so I might try to do it more often.

The loss to Kybel Soteg wasn’t the only thing that happened…

It appeared. The Fool. I think I saw it after the match, running out of the cavern under the Empty Net. I started going after it, but I couldn’t push through the mob of people around me… But also, I was beat quite badly, so it might have been for the better…

Things get even more interesting after the match.

I was at the bar chatting with Rossi (a follower of Tyr I met before the match) when we heard a voice screaming for help. As Rossi and I exited the bar we saw a mob fighting with security. Not knowing if it was a work or a shoot, we rushed into the fight. I don’t know if Lliira would approve of breaking up a fight by entering the fight, but it seemed like the right thing to do.

During the brawl, a couple of things happened one after another.
A red skinned, horned figure appeared, dressed in black, aiming a crossbow at me. Maybe it was Lliira’s sway, or something else, but she shot at someone in the crowd.
A few moments later a pair of bright orange wings appeared from my back. And I felt a bit different. I could feel Lliira’s guidance, as if she’s telling me it’s okay.
I don’t know, I could be imagining things. 

Shortly after the crowd, um, fell asleep? An armoured clad Goliath called Laraella said it was saying it was her handiwork, but I needed an answer from the crossbow lady for pointing her weapon at me. She tried denying it first, but wasn’t very convincing. She seems like a tricky one. Couldn’t even get a straight answer about her name. She just introduced herself as Truth… I think that’s what Odetta might call “ironic”...

I don’t know what would’ve happened if Rossi and Laraella didn’t step in and suggested we discuss this later. I don’t like the idea of sipping tea with someone who wanted to put a bolt through my chest earlier, but Rossi assured me she’d have my back if something happens. She followed me from the bar into the brawl, so that counts for something.

We went to see the guard commander. I think. Only a part of me was listening to what he was saying. Something about an abandoned house nearby. I agreed to go since everyone else said yes.

Most of us flicked a coin to the spiky creature under the bridge on our way to the Inn. We booked a couple of rooms. The guy who worked security, Havi (I think), got a single room. Laraella and Truth are bunking together, as are Rossi and I.

We met up in the room Rossi and I got, and it seems I'm not the only one curious about Truth and what she's doing here. She said she's an assassin from a group called Jade (fill in the other bit), sent here to kill me, but decided not to. She says she doesn't know who hires the hits, only that the orders come from the Grand Master. She also claims she is now hunted as well, because she couldn't kill her friend (Gia I think the name was), who was also an assassin, and says we're all in danger now because of her. Says that her "former" bosses have spies that leave scratch marks everywhere… Not sure how much of it is true, and how much is her trying to talk her way out of being caught aiming at someone's heart…

I'll keep a close eye on her on our adventure, since I agreed to go to this haunted mansion. 

Now that I think of it, maybe I should have paid more attention during the meeting with the commander… 

Maybe the inn owner, Hanna, will have some info on it. We also agreed, as a group to keep the house after we clear it. Might be a good way to lure the Fool to come to me.

I'm pulling 3rd watch (Truth is afraid someone is going to come after her, and possibly me), so I should get some rest before that.

*continuation of the same day*

I got woken up by the sound of Laraella's shield clanking in the hallway and Rossi storming out. I didn't know what was happening, so I got up from the sofa and stormed out as well.

I was the last one there, and saw Truth slicing at a dark robed Dragonborn with her sword. Not sure who the attacking party is I threw my chair at them, but was still drowsy and sore from the match earlier, so the chair hit the ceiling and fell just in front of me. Not quite Sabu yet I'm afraid…

Laraella did her magic again, putting the Dragonborn to sleep. Havi quickly tied it up, and we brought it back to our room. It woke after a minute or so, so it was time for questions.

It admitted it was here to kill me and Truth, saying that they will never stop chasing her after she betrayed them. It also claimed that Truth's organization wasn't in charge, but his, the Crimson Storm or whatever was. 

Sounds like the politics of the Federation to me, but whatever. 

Havi wanted to slice it's throat there and then, but Laraella stopped him. For a giant in chainmail she moved pretty quickly. Especially since Havi already had a dagger to the assassin's throat. Truth was in favour of slitting its throat as well. Rossi was against it, as was Laraella. It kinda came down to me.

As much as I wanted to break its neck and be done with it, I kept remembering the night in the ring and how I felt after Lorafina told me about Lliira. I just couldn't do it… Havi was visibly pretty disappointed at that, and Truth was pretty hard to read. The dragonborn (I didn't catch its name) kept talking, so I smashed it with the chair, not killing him, but quieting the room down a bit.

I put the Dragonborn over my shoulder and started heading towards the prison, asking Hanna for directions. Havi joined me a few moments later. We had a brief chat about people trying to kill us, I admitted about some of the things that happened outside Silverymoon, and he admitted that his brother tried to kill him at some point. The conversation pretty much died at that point. 

We brought the Dragonborn to the prison after a bit of walking. I was still thinking about all that happened, so Havi took point in talking to the guards. I believe he slipped them some coin to make sure he finds out if anyone talks to the caught assassin other than the commander (there is the confirmation that the guy was the commander).

Heading back, I saw that Truth was taking the watch, so I took on the last one. I can see Hanna coming by with a bucket to clean up the blood from the earlier encounter. I should give her a hand, feel a bit bad that her inn is getting messy because of me being here…

30th Tarsakh 1494 DR, in Saltmarsh

Morning came ‘bout without any problems, so that’s a relief. I was still thinking about everything that happened yesterday during breakfast, only now realizing some of the things that happened while I was focused on getting answers from Truth.

Laraella had some tea Hanna sold her, and it made her act, differently. I wonder what would happen if I drank it, would I also behave like that. I got two small tea bags from Hanna, just in case.

Not knowing what will happen in the mansion, I asked Hanna if she knew anything about it. She didn’t know much, but Asu, our Tabaxi neighbor in the Inn, who, according to Hanna, started to drink after visiting the mansion. So, I decided to do pay a visit to Asu, and, knowing that people are more willing to talk to you when you have something for them, I got a small cup of ale.

After waking Asu, he told me his story about the mansion. He seemed pretty spooked. Said that he saw a ghost going through a wall. Dogs howling as well I think.

He did say he got in through the back of the house on the left and found the kitchen there. And broke a window to get into the house. Might be worth going in the same way…
During the ride, I decided to ready myself for the things to come, and, remembering Asu mentioned some dogs, prepared to use Lliira's gift of animal speak to maybe not have them attack us.
To my shock,  they were talking to a wraith-like figure. Well, talking is a bit of an over-statement. They were gesturing back and forth. I also noticed that the figure was surrounded by two large dogs (probably the sources of the howling).
As soon as we entered, Rossi and Laraella started to act weird. Laraella kept talking about tea and Rossi started to look for booze. The figure was still pointing upstairs, so Truth and I tried our best to convince them to go upstairs.
At the same time my head started feeling strange. I saw visions of myself as the master of all things, and realized that I already am that. I am the greatest wrestler alive. I am the best athlete and intelectual Faerun has ever seen.

I’ll wonder if there are any birds or rabbits nearby. Might be worth looking in from their eyes first.

After hearing Asu’s tales, I’ve caught up with the rest of the group and we went to the City Hall. Got a bit more information about the house and its location, but not as much as I got from Asu. 

We made our way there with Commander Fireborn, and soon after parting ways with him we walked into an ambush set by some bandits who wanted to rob a cart. 

They didn’t stand a chance really, as Havi and Rossi rushed them, I tried to get the driver, Gertrude, to safety by shielding them from incoming fire, Laraella created a weird silvery dome around us and Truth shot at them with her bow.

I didn’t do a really good job of protecting Gertrude as the horses made us crash into the rock wall in front, but the others had more luck. As I was coming to from being thrown off the cart I saw a thunderclap come out of the clear sky, Truth getting hit with a bolt causing her to scream in a weird, guttural language that made a tree catch fire. When I came up to the small hill where the bandits were I saw that most of them were already dead, so it didn’t take too long to finish them off.

Gertrude took us to the house on their carriage and showed us her wares. There were some really interesting items there. Shame we don't have the money for it...

When we approached the house, we heard howling. However, I couldn't understand what the dogs were saying. It was very strange. I went around the house to see if I can see through a crack. As I was around the back I heard the party talking to someone, so I doubled back.

The figure allowed us in, allthewhile pointing up and gesturing with its hands. I kept my distance from the figure, and I've noticed that Truth is keeping her distance from the dogs.

On the first floor Laraella opened a door to a room where a figure was tied up. She ignored it, so Truth and I rushed inside to untie the person. What we didn't notice was that the flooring was very bad, and we both fell to the ground floor. 

When we've gotten back to the first floor, we opened a few more rooms when we found the entrance to the attic. In the attic we quickly cleaned up some dust creatures and found another tied up creature. She intruduced herself as Exansa, and explained to us that she put up a curse on the house, but was taken hostage by some unknown person. 
We took off some of the chains that were holding her, but realized that even with my might we could not remove the rest.
After a short rest we went downstairs to ask a few questions to the person on the 1st floor.

He said his name is Ned, and he was tasked by Primewater to "clear" out the house. We also took the necklace that Ned was wearing (that was very similar to the one Exansa was wearing) and tried it on. It didn't seem to do anything while I was wearing it. Probably because I'm already perfect. But the one that Truth was wearing made everyone feel very bad. We quickly took it off of her and I gave her the one I was wearing. Putting the one Truth wore in my backpack I took Ned and started bringing him upstairs to Exansa to keep her company. The group didn't like that one bit, so I put him in one of the bedrooms.

We went again downstairs to look for the key to Exansa's bindings. The group started fighting some small spiders or something in the study while we were looking for the kitchen (which was of course my idea since I remembered Asu telling me he saw something going through a wall there). I went to help briefly, but seeing that it isn't really something worth my time, I left them to deal with it.

With the help of Rossi, we found the entrance to the cellar. Truth went in first, and as she did some very scary sounds came from it. When she came back she said there is a dead body there, but she didn't touch it.
Knowing that dead bodies can't hurt anyone we went downstairs and checked it. As they touched the body a bunch of small, leech like creatures started jumping up at us and getting underneath our skin.

Laraella told me I needed to burn it off of me, but I just coulnd't bring myself to do it. I couldn't force myself to burn my smooth white-gold skin. She had to remove them with her medicine kit as my wings sprouted out again. They were magnificent (and as I've learned after the battle functional as well).

Once the maggots were finished we entered the next room where a bunch of bandits attacked us.
One of them recognized me, and said he was a fan. Before we could shoot the shit about some of the matches he saw Truth killed him with an arrow to his throat. I didn't appreciate that. Killing people isn't the ideal way to deal with them, but she doesn't seem to care about it. She apologized later, saying it was an accident, and that she wants to be a friend. I believe her, at least at the moment. 

We knocked on of them out, and after tying him up, we found a berry on him that woke him up. He said he and the others work for some witch or something called Sambalet. He also said there were some treasure and a secret passage in the room. While Laraella and Rossi went to the secret passage, Truth and I went to this Sambalet's room. We found a sea journal with some maps. One of the islands on the map seems to be highlighted, so maybe it's important. We also found some very nice dresses, some erotic poetry (that Laraella picked up when she came to the room) and truth found some weird cloak that made her feel funny. She can't take it off, so we'll see what that does.

We also went into the room the bandit told us not to go in, and I regret suggesting that we open that door. It was full of nightmareish skelletons, their dry bones clinking against each other as they were closing in on us. Using my inhuman athleticism I pulled Rossi out of the room and slammed the door shut. We are not going into that room again.

Laralella needed a break, so she stayed back reading the poetry while Rossi, Truth and I went into the secret passage. Havi went upstairs to play with the weird leeches and to keep an eye on Ned.
The passage was very dark, but Lliira's blessing allows me to look inside without an issue. We saw another weird creature that was taller than I am inside one of the passages.
We tried going the other way, but a gray slimy cube attacked Rossi, so we decided it would be best to talk to Laraella. As if called, she came to us and we decided to approach the tall monster. It turned out to be an illusion by Sambalet to scare people away (luckily I wasn't scared).
Sambalet was surrounded by her goons and taunting us to come closer. As she did, Rossi had an amazing idea which I was just thinking of. We improvised a bomb and put it at the mouth of the cave part she was in while Laraella distracted her.
With Rossi at the entrance with a torch, I came to Laraella's aid and started taunting Sambal and her lover boys to come to us. She was so full of herself, thinking she was the most amazing and beautiful creature around (which she obviously isn't, wasn't and will never be), I couldn't resist telling her we burned her dresses.
This did the trick as she commanded her goons to fire at us. Of course, I was too skilled to be hit by something as slow as an arrow, and we made short work of them. Laraella finished off Sambal with her magic and we captured two of her boys, while one swam away.

As we were heading back, an owl landed on Laraella and started pecking at her and pulling her upstairs. She gave the owl to me, knowing I can speak to it, so we rushed upstairs. By the time we got there, I started to understand the owl. It was telling us that the people in the room Ned is in are in danger. Laraella got Ned out of the room while I rushed to the attic to try and help Exansa if she needed it. Something from the sky hit the house and everything shook. Luckily noone was hurt, so the owl flew away without much of an answer. Laraella took the sky rock and we went to unchain Exansa. The wraith was there as were the dogs, so Truth and I stayed back.

Once Exansa was unchained, she gave some of her blood to Laraella, saying it'll help break the curse that's on everyone. I'm not sure what she means, as I feel amazing. After all, I am perfect.
Havi and I gave high fives to the wrait and Exansa (respectfully, I'm not going to touch the wraith), and I helped Exansa by healing her wounds up a little bit (she was looking awful, and I guess it never hurts to have a friend if things to wrong).

After this, we are taking a rest, Have and I on the beds in the cellar, while the ladies took Sambalet's room. I'll wash up a bit during my watch. My perfect face shouldn't be marred by the filth and grime that we've been fighting all day long.

1st Mirtul 1494 DR, in Saltmarsh abandoned house

Havi woke me for my watch, saying that the door with the damned skeletons probably won't hold much longer. Seeing the wraith and them violently flashed me back to Angelwing and I remembered the rainy night when we read the horror stories while the Jűrgens weren't there. I shuddered at the memories and decided to barricade the door some more.

After admiring my handywork a bit, I knew it'll hold for a while, so I decided to wash up. Going to the beach was tempting, but then I heard Laraella murmer my name while she slept, and thought better of it, so I just washed up using my water flask, replacing the water I spent with the water from the barrel in the room.

After my watch ended, I went in to wake up Truth, helping her out of the room as you can't secure a door without some extra weight around it.

Once everyone rested well, we talked about what next. Everyone wanted to open the door as the banging was becoming louder, fearing the skeletons will bust through the door. I assured everyone that the door is fine, but they didn't want to hear it.
We agreed to a plan where I will create an illusion of Sambalet while Truth uses her skills to sound like her. We would lure the skeletons out and away from the room and they wouldn't be a problem anymore.

We started the plan, I took a bit of wool from the blanket and listening into the music I can hear from Lliira's halls in my mind, I created an illusion of an alive Sambalet. But as soon as the door opened and I saw the skeleton's glossy bones I couldn't hold my thoughts together anymore and the illusion dropped. I couldn't come closer to them, the fear striking into me similar to the day I was introduced to Maddox.

All I could do is yell at the skeletons, which seems to have hurt them (my skills are getting more and more amazing by the day).
The party killed off the skeletons, and as they entered the room a little bit more,  another person started talking. This seems to be Sambalet's former husband and "father" of the skeletons. The party killed him quickly as well, and we started looking into the room.
I asked Rossi and Laraella (to test them of course) if the skeletons could come back, and they said no.

Also, something I forgot to note in my previous entry, the cloak Truth is wearing lets her turn into a small dragon. Not as cool as angel wings, but neat anyway.

Havi told us a bit about his past and told us he'll need to hang back a bit, reflect a bit on the past, as he's afraid it might bring us in danger. 

We started to check out the house room by room in search for any loot. 

And loot did we find! From silks to magical items, the house was filled with stuff. 
After finding all the things we could find, we decided to round up the prisoners and make our way to town.

As we were exiting a messenger arrived for us. I've gotten a letter from Maddox (I was quite surprised it came so quickly). His handwriting was very shaky, and it didn't seem very truthy. It said "Everything is fine. Must be wild animals.". I worry about the gang... Maybe we'll have to drop by soon. 

On our way to town, the party noticed a small boat, and boarding it, the escaped ginger dwarf with Truth's friend. We rushed there, Truth leading the way and me rushing behind her.
I don't know what happened on the boat, but the next thing I saw was the figure erupting in flames and the sea claiming it.

The two of them caught up, while the rest of us totally didn't listen in. Once they were done we decided it would be best to disguise the both of them, as they were still wanted. I have to admit I did a pretty good job, as noone on our way was able to figure it out.

With a new companion to our procession, we made a pitstop at the Temple, Laraella was sure Father Brinehanded could fix whatever the mansion did to us. And fix us he did. It was messy (for some) but we were able to get cured of our madnesses. Unfortunately, my madness was too strong to get the messy fix, so we ended up in debt to the Father for 200 gold instead of just 100... He was also able to identify some of the magic items we found in the mansion.
Because both Jia and Truth were disguised, we told the good Father that they're monks in training. Because Jia was pretty bruised up, we left her at the Temple as we continued on to City Hall.

We rolled into City Hall with all our prisoners tied up and presented them to the Commander. I explained what we found in the mansion, who we had to deal with the hard way, and who came without much of a fight (Ned). His teamup with Primewater didn't sit well with Primewater, so he stormed at us calling both us and Ned liars for mentioning him. While that was going on Rossi was able to smell foulness in the air from the Town mage - Kalodek and a raven that was in the room.

We returned the things that we found in the mansion that were stolen from the town to the Commander (after a bit or arguing from Rossi and Laraella).

With that it was time to relax a little (or at least how much we could given everything going on), and we went on to the festival. Truth and I entered a dance competition, which she very handily won. Who could guess that the sneaky monk had it in her to pull off the Warforged, but she did, and she did it well. Laraella and I entered separate fighting competitions, and won our fights.
While watching Laraella's match, Truth had an hands down great idea. Using the cloak we found in the mansion, we gave out rides to children. I mean, who wouldn't want to ride a small red dragon? I know I would! And we made a pretty coin too. If the ladies' math is right, we have most of the money for the rent.

Together with some "hard" earned money in our purses we went to grab some food and drinks and chat a bit. We shared our stories, hoping noone listened in, and agreed to help each other with the problems that follow us around.

While we were lunching, Tholon Kalakavone (the festival wrestler that I beat), whispered that a lethal match will happen tomorrow, on the 2nd day of the festival. I didn't say anything to him, but I don't have any real interests in lethal matches. I've been fighting people and *things* ever since I came to Saltmarsh...

Bellies full, and stories shared, we made our way to the merry-go-round, and it was quite magical. The rides changed based on your favourite animal. 

After that (I think, it's been a long day), Laraella did some magic to help out the festival organizers because they didn't have the fireworks for some reason. The colours in the sky were very pretty, and something I don't think I'll forget that soon.

We made our way to the Grove, where we brought the orbs that were given to us on the activities at the festival. Father Brinehanded said a few words, Flopsy and the bard sang a song, and all hell broke loose. From the great tree three small dragons appeared, with a bigger one trying to get out. The party pointed out that the ginger dwarf seems to be talking to it and trying to help it. The battle was hard fought - together with Truth, Rossi, Laraella and even some of the townsfolk we killed off the small dragons (I even held one in a headlock while Rossi lobbed its head off). Seeing the tide turning against them, the big dragon fled, while the dwarf was making a run for it as well.

I tried to fool the dwarf by making the dragon appear behind us, looking as if it was about to eat us, hoping it would stall the dwarf so they can't escape before they get bumrushed. It didn't quite work as I expected (the dwarf didn't get fooled, but Rossi did). However, we still managed to catch, grapple, surround and hogtie the dwarf. As we were removing things from them, their form changed to the dragonborn! 
Which raised a question - if the dragonborn assassin is here, who is locked up?

Rossi (who looked as if she didn't sleep for a few days), I and the remaining townsfolk went to the jailhouse to bring back the escaped jailbird to the Commander. Truth and Laraella stayed with a figure Truth talked briefly at the festival.

On our way to the Jailhouse I spoke to Flopsy, who shared with me that she's pretty nomadic, and not in fact a local. She's came for the festival to earn a pretty coin, and she's been to Luskan and Neverwinter. I suggested she could try making her way to the Noxidome, Maddox can always use a bard around for both the big and smaller events. I just hope there isn't something actually going on there that would put her in danger...

We also learned that the fish in the area seems to be poisoned, and it's hurting to town business. Not to mention the food storage. According to the people that went along with us (can't remember who shared the info with Rossi), the town has 3 days worth of food in storage if things get dire.
At the Jailhouse, we presented our little jail bird to the Jailer, and shared what we encountered at the Grove.

We found out the dragonborn at the jail has been behaving weirdly, so we brought both the dragonborns to a room. As we did, Rossi noticed one of the rings the jailed dragonborn was wearing matched the one the dragonborn wore.

Around that time Truth and Laraella came to the Jail as well. As we removed all the rings from the dragonborn's hand, they turned back into the ginger dwarf. Well, now at least we have most of our prisoners in order.
The party was pretty tired, so we didn't interrogate the prisoners just yet. However, I had a burning question in my mind ever since I dragged the dragonborn the first time to the Jailhouse. They mentioned that if we killed them, I'll never find out about the Jester in the area.
So, and Lliira forgive me because I don't know if I was bluffing or not, I threatened them with the necklace that was around Exansa's neck at the manor.

That got them talking alright. Turns out there are two remaining Jesters... Gods damn them, I thought, hoped only one remained... One is poisoning the fish in the area (whether or not that's the one that got burned alive on the boat is anyone's guess, tho Truth did describe their costume as one of the shapes the dying figure took). While the other. The other is with my friends... I believe I managed to hide my concern and fear after hearing those words, but I'm not so sure... I don't know how much the party heard of that, but we need to figure out where they are (if the one here is still alive), and what to do next. Maybe we can find the body of the burned one and ask the dragonborn if that's the Jester that's here. Maybe we'll find them in the Crab Cove (that Father Brinehanded later told us is near the Leaping Cliff). I also must want Flopsy to not go to Noxidome just yet next time I see her. I can't risk having another person fall into their hands. If they've made themselves known at the Noxidome. But I doubt it. I hope they get caught by Giovanni, or Odetta, or the Mortician, or anyone... At least what I can hope for is that they haven't struck yet. At least while I'm away, dealing with the mystery of the one that's here.

As Laraella and Rossi made their way to the Temple after exiting the Jailhouse, Truth and I went to the owner of the cloak. She was kind enough to remove the curse from Truth, as well as lending her the cloak under the condition that she tells her her adventures with it (or at least writes it to her).

At the temple, Father Brinehanded and Laraella performed a ceremony for the dead. While it was very moving, I felt completely out of place. I haven't been around a lot of ceremonies, and the only person of proper faith that I met before Laraella was Lorafina. I guess it'll come naturally as I try to learn more about the divine.
We made a schedule for our watches, and decided to (finally) get some sleep.

I visited Truth and Jia after writing most of the events from the last few days in the mouldy notebook that I cleaned up a bit to re-do their disguises. It was then I noticed one of Truth's horns was removed. She said it'll help her not be looked for, so I hope it will be worth it.

I hope the watches go uneventful. We had a lot to deal with as it is...

The watches did not go uneventful. At least mine didn't. I'll have to check with Laraella and Rossi when I wake, but during my watch (and Truth's for that matter), we found Asu sleeping at the cliffs (even tho I asked him NOT to sleep next to a damned cliff), stalked by a ghost who accused him of killing her.
The ghost did something to me, I don't know what or how, but I felt, older. My skin, my hair, my body. It just felt older. I hope it won't be permanent.

While the ghost was invisible, Truth shrouded myself and her in darkness and we slipped away, back to the temple with Asu.

When we got back, the place was swarming with spiders. They weren't attacking us or anything, they were just there. 
One humming dance and 10-ish minutes later I was able to talk to the biggest spider. It introduced itself and King Spyra from the Land of Stones (which turns out to be the small island next to Saltmarsh), and said their homeland has been overrun by undead (of course...) that were brought by a bald man with funny facial hair (which might be Ned who is currently missing from the Jailhouse...). The food went stinky and poisoned. As well as the fish. So that might be where the Jester is hiding as well. The spiders only saw Ned, but for all I know at the moment, Ned might be a Jester. He lied to us already...
Not wanting the newly met royalty to be annoyed at us (or eat us in our sleeps), I brought them one of the dragon corpses to munch on while we rest. Rossi might be a bit annoyed at that, but we still have one more to try for ourselves.

It's getting late, and hopefully I'll have enough rest to make it through another day here in Saltmarsh...

2nd Mirtul 1494 DR

As I was afraid, my dreams were not comforting... The music and songs I usually hear my dreams were not there. And her song, it was distant, as if ashamed of what I did... Hells, I'm ashamed of what I did. Maybe there was another approach, but what's done is done, not way of turning it back now. I know that my friends at the Noxidome have a snake between them. Hopefully the snake doesn't strike before we arrive there.

After having some very nice dragon breakfast, we went on to the council meeting, where we found out that Ned is actually Primewater's nephew (explaining why we didn't see him behind bars last night), and that Gonzo is going to be hung for being with Sambalet. Even after spilling all the beans on the smuggling ring and how they work, they're still going to hang him. Rossi will try to put a good word in with someone from her order, but if it doesn't work, something might have to be done.
The council is still at each other's throats about all the issues that are going on at the village (mine sabotage, poisoned fish, elven uprising, lizardfolk killing people, smuggling), so it falls to us to fix some of those before this place falls into chaos. I miss Noxidome sometimes. Things were clearer there. If you have a problem, you either fight the person, or complain about it to the Mortician or Maddox... 

After agreeing to help out with some of those things, we left some of the books we found with Fireborn, since he seems to be a collector, and made our way to the prison with Asu. Father Brinehanded didn't want him around the Temple, since he might have killed Nana with a poisoned fish a year ago. We're hoping to keep him safe from the ghost in one of the cages that has silvered bars, at least for a few days. We haven't told Kraddock that Asu caused the death of Nana, just that he's haunted by her ghost. So hopefully Asu won't have a meeting with the noose because of it.

Truth asked some questions to the ginger dwarf. Boy oh boy, is she scary when she gets mad (also, note to self to keep doors well locked around her). Apparently, he killed his wife because she wanted to leave him to join the elven uprising, and he didn't really like that. He also used to work at the mine, and said that they have an undead problem there as well. However, he never noticed a bald human with weird facial hair there, so not sure what caused those undead to show up. Not that I really want to find out, but Laraella told me she has a way of helping me out with my fear. We'll see how good it is soon enough on Walking Bones Island, but before we went there, we talked a bit with our would-be-assassin that is chained up. 
They and the Jester that is here are responsible for some of the things the council is fighting about (we know they poisoned the fish), and they're pretty sure they're getting out soon. Truth managed to convince them she wants to join them (still in disguise, so the dragonborn didn't know who they were talking with), but they want proof before they talk more. They want to publicly humble Primewater with something that is in the basement of the Snapping Line Inn. We don't know what yet, but they want that to be done in the next 24 hours to give more info to Truth. So we know that in the next 24 hours the bastard isn't going anywhere.

Which is good, because as soon as we made our way to the island King Spyda came from we were attacked by a bunch of undead.

And these were not your common, runna-the-mill undead either... Some were giant, some had multiple arms, and some even put images in our minds that were horrible. 
Most of the spiders that were holding out on the island died during the fight, and the one that did survive told me later on that they decided to stay to cover the retreat of King Spyda and his group. 

While we were battling the horrible undead, their master appeared with thrice-damned Ned. Niacro, the necromancer, blasted at first, like the coward he was. I was KO'd at one point by an arrow shot by one of the bandits that were with him.
I don't know for how long I was our (not having a ref to count your fall makes things a bit weird), but next thing I knew Niacro and Ned were on the island with us. I shot up, Mortician style, grabbed Niacro by the throat and shot up into the sky, hoping Truth would be able to finish him while he is stuggling out of my choke-hold.

He managed to wraggle his way out once we were 20 or so feet up, but he didn't get far. Truth, Rossi and I surrounded him and finished him off quickly.
Meanwhile Laraella took care of the glowing rocks that was causing the undead to rise.
The other two bandits we took care of quickly afterwards, and Ned was KO'd by Rossi while I was struggling with Niacro.

While Laraella and Truth were questioning Ned, Rossi and I went to the cart that brought Ned and the others to the Island.
The horse told me they were coming from the Master's tower in a rush, and tried pointing towards the big wizard's tower.
I'm not sure if the Master knows their cart was taken, I guess we'll have to find out.
In the cart Rossi found a bunch of stuff that smelled like undead while I was talking to the horse.

When we checked back in with Laraella and Truth, we found out what Ned's deal is. His mother (Primewater's sister) died recently, and they weren't on good terms with the Chancellor. 
Ned wanted to get in Primewater's face about it, but when he passed by the Saltmarsh house he was approached by some weird person wearing a hood that told him that they can help Ned get Primewater in trouble. 
Ned, of course (because he thinks Primewater is a huge heel), accepted, which is why we found him in the Saltmarsh house, pretending to run an errand for Primewater.
After seeing what Niacro was about, he started having second thoughts, so that's why he did such a bad job pretending he is on Niacro's side.

We decided to take the cart for a bit, while we run errands around Saltmarsh, since we got pretty beat up, and didn't want to walk. Hope no new challengers show up later today if we decide to check what Jerney was talking about...

Scribbled in what seems to be a bit of a hurry

We dropped by Primewater's mansion, to return Ned (who we told not to admit that he was with Niacro, but saw us and decided to help), and to show off that we managed to fix the town's rotting fish problem while he was fighting with the rest of the council after we dropped off Truth at Kiorna's to get a new horn.

Tho I don't really like Primewater, he did treat us to a very nice dinner and drinks, when we started hearing some weird noises. Laraella went to get Truth, but it sounds like crying... I'm still aching from the fight earlier, so I hope it's not as lethal as that...

Written on a page that seems to have been handled by a wet, bloodied hand, the pen seems to be almost poking through to the next page

He was here. The damned Jester was here. In a dungeon that goes from under Primewater's house all the way to under the Empty Net Tavern.
He was here, and he slipped through my fingers again. He seems to be teaming up with Havi's brother, Nogar, who is the (written mockingly) The Champion of whateverthehell they are doing here.
His jingling in still in my mind. I don't think it's the costume that we found here that Primewater had to put on so we figure out what is going on here.
He took a child during the festival and put them in a cage, keeping a ghost that only Laraella saw sicced on them to keep an eye out. And to kill if Primewater doesn't do as they're told.
He mocked us as he started running away, getting the horse that almost was the death of me, Rossi and Truth.
We chased him, Nogar and some third person out in the streets, and when we caught up, they knocked all of us down. 
We are still breathing only because Laraella felt something was wrong and came out of the dungeon, wounded and tired from the fights.
I was worried earlier about Maddox and the Noxidome when I found out there is another Jester around, but if these are the partners the Jester that is here keeps, I'm afraid.
I'm afraid for Giovanni, I'm afraid for Leana, I'm afraid for Maddox, and I'm deathly afraid for Odetta.

The damned Jester, Havi's dragonborn brother and some hooded person were too much for
Rossi - who I saw behead a small dragon, made an undead giant afraid of her and made a bandit turn to dust with a lightning bolt,
Truth - who made a person that was threatening her friend go up in flames, who sacrificed a part of her to keep people safe, and is the most level headed of us,
Laraella - who killed Sambalet with a magic book, who always keeps us all alive and who has an amazing connection to her Goddess, Selune,
and me, an Aasimar orphan who is losing his connection with Lliira, who let the Jester who hurt his friend slip away from his grip twice now, the one whose lust for revenge almost got his newfound friends killed...

Yesterday night was awful. I fear this night will be worse.

3rd Mirtul 1494 DR

I saw her. In my dream. We were on a meadow. It was beautiful.
But, she was pained. When Lorafina told me stories about her, she said she was always cheerful and wearing colourful dresses. Not now tho.
She was covered in shadows, her voice sounded distant, like something was holding her back.
I need to find a way to help her. To restore her. To hear her.

We quickly gathered the treasure that was put in the dungeon by Nogar and the half-witted bastard of a Jester, and made our way to the village.
We were able to turn off two of bombs the heels put around town, but we were too late to get the third...
Luckily, noone got injured because Laraella sent a mind message to Fireborn to warn them and to get people out. Little luck it did to the seagulls I sent to the port to annoy people away.
We were helping people out of the area when we saw a figure skulking in the distance.
We chased them quickly, grappled them and took off their precious hood. It was the butler of one of the council members, Skerrin. He pleaded that he was just walking around, but none of us believe him.
We took him to jail, where we were met with a weird looking guy. He introduced himself as Leopold Bloom, a high ranking member of the Order of the Gauntlet (Rossi's gang). But something was off about him.
Every time he spoke, I could feel Lliira scream in pain. 
And his eyes. The same piercing blue as that shit-heel-coward Nogar.
We were ready to get him, but we were in a jailhouse, surrounded by guards under "Bloom's" command.
But we'll get him, we'll find him again.
He is in charge of Jernay's transport tomorrow, and we have another member of the Order of the Gauntlet here in the house. That'll be interesting.

After leaving the jailhouse, we went on a little detour back to Primewater. Laraella briefly mind messaged him earlier in the day, and we found out he was tied and gagged by his servant (and not in a good way).
So, while Rossi was providing a distraction, Truth and I snuk in, got the ratty bastard out, and left a decoy for his servant to find in the room.
What we didn't know was that Rossi is pretty convincing when she puts her mind to it. She managed to disarm the servant, got her to tie herself up to pretend that Rossi overpowered her, and managed to find out why she tied Primewater.
Turns out some of her family went to Noxidome for tryouts, and are now being threatened by the Jester there. 
Knowing that there is a Jester there, so close to Maddox, so close to Odetta, and the rest of the Royal Wings, it pains me, but I know that I can't let it get to me. I have to stay here. I have to help Thornleaf stop the plans of the Scarlet Storm here.

I slapped on a quick disguise on Primewater and we headed back to the Saltmarsh House.
We caught up Havi on what happened in the last few days, and he was pissed. Can't really blame him either. Nogar cut down his family tree quite a bit from what I understand, so no wonder he wants to break his brother's neck...

During dinner, Rossi got a promotion from the Vindicator, so now she doesn't need permission to get magic running for questionings.
We also found out what Nylef, the person that Rossi is looking for looks like. I have a suspicion I know where they are. Tomorrow, when we go to the council meeting to return the stolen loot, I'll try to get some help from the wildlife.

Ned was at the house as well, just as we told him to last night.
That one didn't sit well with Primewater, and those two had an argument during dinner.
I tried to help them come to terms by borrowing some knives off of Truth, try to let them talk it out, and if they couldn't beat some sense into them.
Usually, when a wrestler tells someone to talk it out or get their ass handed to them, they at least try to talk it out...
Not those two. They started slashing at each other before the minute I gave them was over.
Ned, frustrated with how Primewater treated his mother, only tried to hurt Primewater a little bit, but Primewater had other plans. They tried to slash Ned's throat with their sword... Luckily, Ned wasn't too badly hurt, and before I could do anything else Truth jumped through a window and knocked both of them out.
Her ability to just show up places really reminds me of the Mortician, but smaller, which I don't know if it's more or less scary.

I hope we manage to stop "Bloom" from getting Jernay out of town, because always looking behind your back can be pretty tiring.
We have an early rise for the council meeting, and to stop some of the hangings ordered by "Bloom".

4th Mirtul 1494 DR

We woke pretty early to make it in time for the council meeting.
After a brief chat with Ned, checking in on him after yesterday's botched therapy session, we took the cart and started heading out to the town hall.
I didn't bother putting on a disguise onto Primewater. If they were confident enough in trying to cut down family, they can take care of themselves.

I managed to enroll the help of a little hummingbird to help me look for Nylef in crabber's cove. And sure enough, looking through the little bird's eyes, I saw that after a sea of crabs, there are two small huts, and one of them has Nylef's things.
We'll need to go there after we stop the hangings. There didn't seem to be any guards there or anything, so it should be an easy enough thing for the 4 of us to do.

On our way there we attracted some unwelcome heat from some sea monsters looking for a snack. Unfortunately for them, we were snacks that bit back, and while we left them for the tide we got some more unwelcome attention.
This time around from Captain Lersk, a pirate captain who seems to have been hired by the Scarlet Storm to ambush the couriers delivering Primewater's stuff so they can frame them more easily. The same stuff we found on our way to the Saltmarsh House.
And now, she wants that stuff back. I was able to use my boyish charms on her to not cut us down, and instead give us some wiggle room to negotiate.
She wanted most of the stuff we found buried at the bandit campsite in exchange for some blueprints for flying ships.
I wasn't very keen on giving the things to her, since pirates probably aren't the most dependable people (especially since she wants to double cross the Scarlet Storm once she gives them the items).
I tried convincing her to let us pass claiming that we don't have the items on us at the moment, and that even if we did, the items were useless, since we already spoiled their plans of framing the bastard.
She didn't buy the lie, but botches turned into miracles, because Rossi (to be checked if it was Rossi's idea) had a great idea.
I managed to convince the good Captain that the goods are on the cart, and that we need to unload them. While Rossi was getting the cart, Truth and Laraella were preparing to blind and calm the rest of the pirates.
I continued to sweet talk the Captain, even gaining an invite to help her with some "scrubbing". Now, I know it's because I may have applied a small little charm on her, so she might want to stab me repeatedly now, but who knows, it wouldn't be the strangest thing to happen here in Saltmarsh...
As the cart came closer, we got Primewater on first, then one by one we went in to "help" with the loot. Once we were all on Truth and Laraella used their magic, and we were on our way over to the meeting.

The jitters I had during the festival at being near water happened a little bit again earlier as well, maybe I'll drop by the little beach we have underneath the house later tonight and see how I fare there.