Antiochs Journal

Written on (Date to be established) 

Current focus: setting up In Fairstead

As I mentioned on the previous page we were engaged with Brigands on the road.

Deciding to take the fight to the devilish dobadders we charged forthright into the enemy's camp. We were met with a formidable Tyrthlien Zethraxis and his minions. Yet, in the heat of battle, he chose to flee. abandoning his vile cohorts and prisoners. We swiftly moved to liberate the enslaved captives and deal with the remaining baddies. Their bonds broken and spirits rekindled they decided to join us in our travels to Fairstead. 

We had also Discovered the Fabled Astrea friend of Zen Nox and Maeve Faemoss who was going to meet us in town but had been apprehended by the raiding party before her journey was to be complete. I wish we had known before hand she was a Half Drow. Not that there is anything wrong with half drow but you know ... 

Cedric and I engaged in a discourse about the enigmatic Half-drow, a being shrouded in mysteries and rumours. I later conversed with her about the art of metal fabrication, seeking to learn of her tribe's expertise in metalwork. As a druid, she possessed no metal herself, but she spoke of her missing brother, who might hold the key to weapons crafted within their camp. Thus, our quest now includes the search for him. She actually seems rather congnitive and insightful for a creature that is supposed to eat babies and control spiders with her mind powers.

The two other settlers we had rescued, one a skilled smith and the other an adept alchemist, accompanied us the rest of the way. This was how I came to learn the name Tauren Ironhammer, a Dwarven smith of great renown in the town who our new friend wished to Apprentice under. I will have to make sure I introduce myself to this Smith when I arrive in Fairstead. 

Trustin Honesty brought up the fact we should bring the body of Velara the Viper with us. To not only show the town we mean business but also to announce the potential dangers that lurk on the roads. Hopefully this is a good call and does not cause us any trouble or misunderstandings

After a long and mildy perilous time on the road we could finally view our new home. I also saw the western ocean breaking on the white sanded shores of this wonderful land. Just as beautiful as promised by the merchant sailors of the Ebonstone coast. I will have to sample some soon, not only for taste but for potentially convection of magical energies when it comes to a boil point. If it does posess a higher salt content then perhaps I may be able to push the limits of my current skills and really fine tune the potential invocations I can provide to my allies. I do hope that Cedric allows me to experiment on his weapons. He seems very capable in combat and is much more confident with himself after bolstering our ranks with other fighters and no longer being so reliant on me. 

As we approached the town, realising how far the tents and "Shanty town" area had progressed we paused to gather wood and stones for fortifing our camps and for firewood. I began the search for easily stackable stones so I can perhaps station up a small outdoor forge. 

Upon entering the town, we were directed to a wooden construction bearing the name Brightshield. Alas, our intended meeting was not yet to be. An elderly dwarf advised us to bide our time at the local tavern while they attended to urgent matters.

We made our way to the Rising Dawn Tavern, a marvel of craftsmanship, its construction a testament to the skill of Elara Swiftwind, a Silvayn. I am sure that the establishment of favorable kin has set the mind of Maeve Faemoss at ease. The Drow seemed uneasy but I am unsure the connotations of travelling with her so I will not bring any attention to the matter yet. 

I am most excited to meet the Dwarves and any other smiths this town possess. But first I must sample the current local Brew. Nothing is as good as StoneSow™️ mead back home but I will sample both taverns and pass my judgement.

We found ourselves in the bustling tavern, the air thick with the smell of ale and the hum of conversations. It was there we met Mira Fleetfoot , an elven messenger swift and sure. She brought word from Overseer Kara Brightshield , asking us to meet her at the northern river. we also mentioned our recent triumph over Velara the Viper, a notorious bandit. Though her death was a relief, there was concern in the village that some might want to use her remains for dark magic. or claim parts of her corpse for revenge purposes.

We eventually made our way to the river, where Kara awaited us with swift greeting and a grim sight—a slightly desiccated, dead horse, clealr y not from this region. after examination it appeared to be from the North eastern desert region, where my good friend Cedric Tarian hails. We examined it closely, noting that the tide was unusally high but found no physical marks of weapon or magic that could explain its death. After conversing with Kara Brightshield about the horse and the coming plan for it we soon were given a location in Fairstead to set up our camp and make a home for ourselves. 

In the southern area of town in the newest estate area, affectionately named Camp Two by the locals. Our plot sits among the many other tents and makeshift structures of the newest arrivals. not too far off the main road. We began setting up as a late afternoon storm began to roll in, it had been slowly moving across the land most of the afternoon. 
Thankfully our new non baby eating Drow friend Astrea showed her Druidic skills and mustered up the very plantlife out of the ground to solidify and fortify our wagon. Just in time for the storm proper to hit us. as we had the safety and security of our new home we had the oppurtunity to assist our new neighbours dealing with the storm. Astrea Maeve Faemoss and Cedric Tarian went off to assist a traveling farmhand Ella Wainwright with a large horse. Using a similar manner of druidic magic to protect the horse. Trustin Honesty and myself assisted a lumberjack in securing his stack of lumber. The storm intensifying and forcing most of us to bed down in others camps as guests for the night.   

As the storm calmed and the sun rose we all met up back at our new home. Regrouped and recouperated yet still not set up our camp we decided on heading back to the The Rising Dawn tavern for breakfast and a beer or two. On the way myself and Truston met the trade merchant Thorne Greycloak. the man who had collected the dead horse from the river banks a day prior. his cart was in terrible shape and he looked as if he had seen Lady Zariel herself. He told us the tale of transporting the horse when it began to rain. Suddenly he felt a great disturbance and upon looking back he seen the once dead horse now seemingly alive and thrashing about in the back of his wagon. Terrified out of his mind he fleed the wagon, hiding out in a nearby wood shed until morning when the storm had passed. 

Thorne and Truston in their classic Spesian ways quickly began forming a plan of what they would to do try and profit off this situation. Im glad i have Truston with me as i am not a man for cunning plans or deep plots. Just tell me what to do it and when and ill be there. Once again in classic Spesian fashion Truston simply had to try and strike a bargin with the lolvey lady Elara Swiftwind for a price on his newest concoction. admitedly his drink is rather nice but i did not really hear much of the barganing or spesian trade talk. but Trust seemed to walk away happy. 

While this was going on Cedric Tarian and Astrea caught they eye of a Dromari Merchant named Malik Darian. Cedric eager to speak to a native of his homeland he went over and sat down, taking Astrea and Zen Nox over with him. I did not catch any of the conversation but i did see him flash some rather expensive looking moonstones towards Zen and Cedric. Sparking some sort of religious debate im sure. Astrea came back to the table with a rather sour desposition, mentioning that Malik was rather rude to her. Maeve Faemoss and myself attempted to distract her with some goofy hijinks with the metal cutlery from the tavern. 

After breakfast we decided to inspect the river bed where the horse was first located before going to try and track the now undead/alive? crature. 
Before even leaving town we spotted our travelling companions from the days prior. Toren Bronzand and Amira Linthel were engaged in a conversation about the Tyrthlien bandits and the location they had been held in. I introduced myself and the party to the High Elf They were conversing with to add any extra details or any other perspectives. The one asking all the questions announced herslef to be Aeliana Salerae Miralar, a Scholar with a sharp tongue. She shared a small amount of info with us but was far more interested in gaining info that giving it  

Heading back to the river we discovered as strange peice of leathger that could potentially be part of a horses bridal. Seemed to make sense since we had found a dead horse not but yesterday. It beared no similarance to any commonly know fabrication methods and there were no other peicesa found in the river or around it. unless they had been taken in the night already but the location seemed rather unspoiled. Mystery deepening even further we discussed some theories and ideaas about said horse, was it a magic elemental, was it a horse made of sponge, was it an undead horse.

we head now towards the last reported sighting of the creature to see if we can find any clues or perhaps Maeve Faemoss can use her skills to track the now live beast. 
I am unsure what we will find. I do hope it is not at all related to the body we found in the river last week or the Thugs we encountered on the road. 
I wonder what happens to a creature when a Manticore decides to claim it, perhaps the one spotted on our travels south is involved. 

We went down to the beach for a swim and met Odd Kev. 
We had a conversation with him about the "Booty of the ocean". He is at least a century old and is well travelled. 
We decided to Investigate the flags in town. Trustin Honesty explained to us what the flags meant. 
We learnt that there was an incident somewhere to do with the water. I went and spoke to a man at the docks to try and secure some fish skin. He told me the whalers will more than likley have some sort skin to be able to do deals with.

we heard about there was a dead body at one of the rivers to the south. We walked a few hours down there and in investigated. 
We took the body back to the river and sat him in the river to see if he would come back alive. in the mean time team gay went and investigated his farm. 
We discovered his name was Peterson. 
A shadow horse came and spoke to the horses in the farms. it seems to be really really after water. 

myself Trustin Honesty and Cedric Tarian are tracking through the forest. we hear a horrid screach from the woods. we slighty divert to head to this. coming along a tiny clearing we find a dog slumped over. The horse creature attacked us. I was violently attacked. The creature was attacked by Cedric and Truston and then ran off. We chased it down. Discovered two blokes releaving themselvs on the side of the road. one of them was killed by the creature without us seeing it. we belive it travelled up stream. following the directions of Maeve Faemoss we end up at a small bog or lake thing in the forrest. Cedric Tarian begins wrestling with something in the reads. He gets pulled underwater by the creature. The creature is lit up by a moon beam from Astrea and forced back into his original form. Two human forms come out of the bog and attempt to attack us. One attempts to attack me, it misses. i begin to burn the bog. this unholy creature and its minions will soon feel the fire of the forge. Blessed be. the gang fight the minions. I jump into the bog to attempt to save Cedric and preserve his armours integrity. 
Cedric escaped the bog but the area was coverd in a thick horiffic fog. Truston tries to steal a pendant from one of the minions. The pendant has stars on it. 

Fighting the creature in its home territory. Cedric was taken by the creature. Astrea heroically leaped into the bog while I was knocked unconscious. she turned into a Giant Crab and valliently attacked the creature. We killed the creature. 

After defeating it we met Aeliana Salerae Miralar. We had a discussion about the Horse creature. She is investigating it. Claims that they only act like it did because it is threatened. She asks us to meet her later and compare notes. 

I spent a large portion of the day repairing Maeve Faemoss armour that was damaged in the Fight.

After spending a day In camp cleaning up, fixing things and others Doing some light shopping. 
Zen Nox came back to camp around midday. I filled him in with the events of The previous night while mending his armour. I told him about the Necklace that Cedric Tarian and Trustin Honesty have. 

As we passed through town we overheard a heated conversation between the guards and the camp overseeer about a missing scout and potential bandits and defences needed for the outercamp. Cedric Tarian and Zen Nox approach Kara Brightshield to add to the conversation. 
Truston speaks to Kara and offers our services to find these Missing scouts. Possible bandits are out there. 

We went to see Aeliana Salerae Miralar. She initially takes offenced to my books. She reveals to us that she is a Historian here for the study of creatures, Supernatural creatures. This location was refrenced to have Zalzaroth. A thing that has apparently tried to be hidden. 
The Cult of @Xal'zorath Is older than the town. The Flag tower is Suspect as the symbol on there is an older worn symbol that has been carved over. 

She seems to be a bit strange, superstitous or perhaps Austistic. 

She wants us to aquire a herb, a herb that Is gathered near the ruins. It may be used for rituals. 
A Rat is caught by a her and she acuses it of being a shapechanger. I get up to leave and Zen Nox casts moon beam on the Rat. The Rat shapechanges into its OG form, a large muscular miniture humanoid rat thing with a 3rd eye.  

We are going to grab our travel supplies. Then spend some days outside town travelling to the ruins and searching for any bandits. 

We are travelling South along the road to Nymbressa. Myself and Cedric Tarian are off to look out for bandits and check the Ruins. We are also finding some herbs for Aeliana Salerae Miralar. 
Trustin Honesty Has spoken to Mira Fleetfoot about Animals being sus. She has given us a location to check out that lines up with missing scouts for Zen Nox. 

We have grabbed our required supplies from camp and are traveling south. 
Traveling south along the main road we travel merrily, talking and singing. We noticed tracks going the same direction but we see no travelers. 
After a time travelling we noticed the tracks stopped. The path was completly clear. Backtracking we found the tracks go off the road by a tree with a suspicious cultish mark ( Circle sun mark). Following the small trail we noticed it had massive hoof marks and the trees had large scratch marks high up. We found a dead crushed rabbit and then came upon a tower. Same sort of tower we had discovered previously. 
There was a strage dream catcher with blood on it. 

Investigating the tower Trustin Honesty discovered a trap door and opened it with the Amulet. Heading down into the dark corridor we discover a trap. It is a glyph in the floor. we discover A small gem imbedded in the engraving. looking back on my learnings i know that this gem is a bypasss for this trap. This has been disabled directionally so someone is down here in this corridor with us. 
Debating what to do. Truston pulls the gem with me in the centre. It shoots the power of hundreds of bolts of lighting into me knocking me down. Also hitting Zen as he attempted to rescue me. Putting the Gem back in and healing me up we travel further down the corridor we notice a second trap that would magically hold something. Further down the Corridor there are pressure plates with noticeable holes in the walls. 

Further down the coridor we hear rythmic chanting and see lights. 
Extingusing our lights we approach the Scene.

Lanterns on the ground.  There are 4 figures wearing robes standing on a large round area similar to the trap door. There are multiple pathways out of this place. 
They are Doing some sort of ritual 

We had a fight with the cultists in their underground area. There was 4. One escaped. The boss looking man. He was missing a finger on his right hand. There were rats of unusual size that ran out of the tunnels and ran into the portal in the middle. We killed 3 of them and then escaped. 

We argued about Zen Nox not being able to fly. We looked up the tower and found an area with chains and a little slot area on the top of the tower like a protection spell. 

We found the required herbs around the base. We found 6 of the herbs. We continued down the path south to Nymbressa

We arrive at night time and go to the long house to see if we can acquire a hot meal and somewhere to sleep. We meet Lady ANVARA. She is introduced to her. Nymbressa has also missing people. Perhaps they are related? A large rowboat has gone missing. 

Starting in Nymbressa we noticed how different the elves look, with big thick scarves that cover their neck. Massive legs and longer than normal hands. Good for swimming and probably fishing. We witness Trustin Honesty frolic and swim in the cold water before we stop for the night. 
Maeve Faemoss and Antioch "Hammer" Malletor attempted to go fishing but was extremely unsuccessful. 
Speaking to Lady Anvara we learn that There was a missing trade group that left from Nymbressa North east to Bramblesong taking clothing and such. 
marchants have reported some bandits but the town has not had any issues. 

As we travelled along we talked shit about racism and such. Travelling along the river track north east to Bramblesong. 

Arriving just before night we are greeted by what seems like the entire town, we are ushered into the town centre and speak to the elders as they are the only ones who speak common. They have no missing people and know nothing of the missing goods caravan.   
They loaded us up with Goodies, Food and pastries. 
As we are walking through the bush we are ambushed by Tyrthliens. They look battered and bruised. hungry and annoyed. We mention Velara the Viper and they seemed to be concerned. No negotiation, Trustin Honesty lets a bolt off to hit a guy threating Cedric Tarian. A coordinated attack  by the group gets the party stated. 
The leader of the Bandits RAVYN DUSKTHORNE. 
Antioch "Hammer" Malletor KIlls one bandit. Maeve Faemoss and Trustin Honesty fight the bandit leader.
Cedric Tarian grabs one to attempt to capture one for questioning. 
Ravyn attempts to grab one of the bags and tries to escape. 

We fight. I kill one with the daggers. I get shot with a magical burning arrow that reduces my Max health 

We spoke to the captured Tirfling. He wants weapons and food and we learn about the arrow. 
He swore to his god. He wants to make a blood pact with Cedric Tarian. 
He took a thick nail and carved a line in his arm. Cedric does the same thing. They make a blood pact to learn how to save Antioch "Hammer" Malletor and he takes his weapons, armour and food. 

The arrows are called HELLSHARDS. something to be used in dire siuations or for certainties, Curse is dormant in the sheath. once you remove arrow the curse is primed. Upon firing it can bond you to the shot and pull from your own life energy. you really dont want to miss.
When it hits the fragments will sap strength. Slowly draning away untill you die, the one who shoots the shot must be the one to undo it. You put the hollow arrow in and transfer blood. It'll reforge the arrowhead to be removed. You can also pass the curse along to someone else,  
The lil fella seems to honor the blood pact. Not taking anything else thats not in the blood pact. 
They use these to kill big creatures and animals. 

Cedric Tarian and Zen Nox Take me unconcous. They then do the thing. they heal me up and remove the curse. I am now safe from death from the curse. I am still injured but not dying. 

We gather supplies from the dead Tirfling bandits Before setting up camp. After the fall of night we headed back to the Halfing village due to the note Cedric found on his person. We learn that they leave offerings to ward off Tirflings and travvelers. 
Zen Nox noticed a nervous looking woman at the mention of killimng terflings.

The bakers are the Brackenberries. 
The mayors name is Finnegan Thistlewhip. 
His daughts name is Ivy Thistlewhip. She is the nervous one, 
The Mayor and the bakers are both trying to be the big hosts and trying to but over each other. 
We are taken to the big feast hall, we are given food and such.

I have Attempting to keep them as busy as possible while Cedric did some investigating. We eventually got to our personal little room. 
Cedric told us about the daughts idea to escape. We debated it but ultimatley decided on cedrics kidnapping plan. 

Getting out of bed we put this plan into action. 
I retrive the boy and Cedric aquires the girl. 
we make up some bullshit about the children being stolen then begin to make our way out back to Fairstead


  

Catchiing back up in town. We hand off the halflings to the old baker lady in town. 
Cedric Tarian Has promised to get them married. 
We spend some time in town applying for space for our buisnesses. 
I offered my services to the Blacksmiths in town to get some money and favour. 
I made some gold with the work i did, i then met Thorne Greycloak. Hes an euntrtepuner/ dropshipper. 
We spoke about the economy and communisum. He introduced me to a few others in the scheme. 
I made nails and showed them to the carpenter. She was happy with them. 
They tried to convert me to communisum again. 
we spoke to Mira Fleetfoot About the missing scouts and the massive creature in the woods. 
When we are at one of the weddings we witness a strange childs game with steepling and the steeple opening up and children running around. They then do a strage dance and such.
They are singing the sleepers song. See below 
The birds are talking about a strange bird man in the forrest to the south 

Eryndor Vell is missing a finger. Apparently he is a shitty bloke. 

And hasn't been coming to work. 

We headed over to the stonemason yard to look for our man. We were discussing diging a hole in the ground and we were moved along. We decided to head to the new lighthouse being constructed. A long long walk

Hanging out by the stone masons we are given the man's address by a dissatisfied Co worker. We head over there to inspect. The house seems a few days unused. We speak to his neighbour. KYT, we end up busting into his house. None has been here in days. Inspecting his tools and little stone works I see all the little rocks are uniform shape and look like they fit into the towers. There are more symbols around his house. We are maybe going to steal his house. I fabricated a locking mechanism for the back door we can open using a small wedge. Trustin Honesty forges up a deed to the house. We are going to go back to his house later to watch for sneakers in the night. 

At the tavern it is bustling. The ships are in the negotiators are in. We get in a cheeky little bar fight. I hit some cunt with a stool to help Cedric. There was an apprentice who injured himself who I helped. 

We go stake out the house. Truston sleeps in the bed. Cedric waits outside. 3 figures approach. We become invisible thanks to trustin. One of the little rocks is glowing in the beam

One is female the other two are males. The female voice is rough. One man is forigen the other is very fancy sounding. They seem to know there are people here because of the little stones.

One of the bald cultists is Kreg.

We begin the fight. I cast Thurmaturgy and extinguish the lantern whilst opening the door for Cedric. I leap onto one of the cultists and we begin the fight. Cedric runs in and punches me in the darkness and confusion. Trustin kills one of the cultists with a single crossbow bolt. I get attacked by Kreg the cultists while he kills the other on in anger. He drops me. Grabs the bag of rocks and runs away. Cedric gives chase.

After a small chase Cedric çatches him and chokes him out. He is approached by the police. He misleads one of them but the other is in the cult. He takes kreg somewhere. 

Myself and truston set up the crime scene to be looking like an accident. And burnt down the house. Meeting up and catching each other up. 

I got a cool new jacket. Got it all fixed up. 

The town Guard in investigate the fire. The man died in a fire. 

Kreg needs to be killerised

After our adventure with the fire and house and the stabbing. we layed low and did some fun activity. 
In the town there has been other fires the baker tobias i love little pigs named billy. He thinks its the other Bakers.
A man that goes swimming and missing in Doggers cove. 
The mercs have raised their prices. 
More people have arived and aid the journey was difficult and deadly
They are developing land near the Barge docks and region 2. 

A group of hunters arive in town, they are from the camps who have begun journeying out furter and further, 3 out of the 6 have died. 2 are injured. 
I spend some time learning about local sylvian leather facbric tactis 
We go back to the crazy elf ladys house. She tells us there is a 3rd tower to the north east. 
We need to get there tonight as there is a ritual taking place. 
Leaving town and making journey to the tower light snow begns to fall. 

We approach the tower and discuss whatching the ritual or perhaps talking to the cultists to find out what theyre doing. we kinda fuck up our stealth.
The vegitation and trees dont grow near the tower. 
There are 8! cult members doing the ritual in the tower. 
Dane turns invsible and goes into the tower. There are 11! CULT MEMBERS!
it seems like they are practicing the chants. 
There is an old lady there leading stuff. 
they mention the sleepers. The elk and the injured people. 
They failed last time apparently. They are scared of the sleepers. 
@Eldara is the cult leader. She is an old lady. 

We enter the tower. Cedric is pulled in. And recognised. 
Someone recognises me and claims i should be siezed. 
Trustin assassinated the old lady in a mercyless fashion
I am grabbed by the two idleons. They begin to take me down to the basement. 

After a fight and a kerfuffle two of the cultists run away. One of them is a smith. I chase him down after he is hit with an arrow. i finish him off in a peaceful manner. 
I take his makers mark and some items from his body. I leave him with a hammer on his body and give him a smiths send off. 
We ruin the ritual. we steal one of their golden lanterns. 

After a meeting with the Mayor we are told to organise a speech and a party and a fun event for the Mayor. Trustin to organise things.

Trustin then goes to see Lysander the Syndacitlist. They are plotting something against the Mayor. 

We get nice tailored suits with armoured protection

I craft 900 nails out of a sword

We get a wagon to bait the bandits into

We head out of town to bait the bandits to speak to them. We camp out in the first tower we visited. We inspect the area and find an eye on the beam and we notice the floor area would open