Erastus 20th 4712

Holy crap! I can’t even begin to describe the visions the group received from the seal hidden away within the warding box. If not for 9 others having the same visions I might have considered myself crazier than Qatana. I don’t even really want to write down the visions in some part because of the fear of someone finding and reading this journal and partly because it kind of makes it too real. This seal for some unknown reason has decided to link those that retrieved the warding box from the castle to Ameiko.  I was ready to go see the world but I had no idea that it would become something this big. This trip is going to be very exciting.

Yesterday as we finally made our way through the castle. Etayne seemed to be obsessed with the egg  shell that appears to be where the ten handed one spawned. I think she gathered up a sample of the gooey stuff. We of course collected up the money and valuables discovering the second seal in the process. Qatana also found a statue to Pazuzu that she picked up and hit against a rock. Turns out that this is a cursed item that bound itself to her. From what we could tell she was not able to get rid of it and it weighed her down to the point where she was moving about half as fast as before. Olmas and Sparna seemed to be a little overly pleased with the situation. Once we fully investigated all of the paths we went back up to some stairs that Qatana says goes down to a place we have not been. Oddly enough Qatana was at the back of the party.

As normal Kali quickly figured out how to use the seals to open the portcullis. Once open the ghost of ameiko’s grandfather appeared. It was then that Kali spoke his name and apparently he pointed to where to find the warding box and disappeared. I was up the stairs so I only got this information second hand. Raddella got to work finding the door and then working on the three chests inside.  In one of the chests we found gold coins from Tien and the third one had interesting magic items including a bag of holding.  The second chest held the item that we searched for. The others talked about opening it but I insisted that we should take it back to Ameiko before even trying to open it.  We placed the items from the chests and the chests into the bag of holding and then headed back up to gather the other stuff that we had found here at the castle. We arrived back at the cemetery late. Kali sent her friend up to the caravan to see if Ameiko’s condition had changed. The reply was no and inquiry about remove curse from Koya revealed that she is not able to cast that spell. It looked as if we would have to travel somewhere to get this removed.

We place Ameiko’s hand on the warding box and nothing happened. After several minutes of looking over the box it was decided that this was like a puzzle box. Several of the party had turns and I am not exactly sure who opened the box as we all blacked out. I wouldn’t have considered this real expect that all 10 of us had the same exact visions. The royal seal is indeed a high level magic item. We also discovered that it has several other capabilities that will likely help us on our trip. For today remove curse was a welcome sight to Qatana. Once the statue was unbound to Qatana we place it inside a bag and then its own box. Once in the box we place it in a safe place on one of the wagons.  Qatana wanted to continue to carry it but we all insisted that it remain on the wagon. Oh and when we awoke from the shared vision Ameiko also awoke and was actually one of the ten that had this shared vision. The others such as Koya, Sandru, and Shalelu did not share in this vision but Kelda was included. I am not exactly sure why or how this royal seal has the power to make the rest of us in line for the throne.  If this thing is that powerful it should have known that I would have gone along for the adventure. We really need to make sure Ameiko claims the throne and then starts creating heirs.

Erastus 22th 4712

Our plan was to help Ameiko with her situation and head back to the castle and clean it up, repairing the Desna shrines with mending and make whole. Once we realized that we have just set off a beacon that all changed. We quickly removed the curse from Qatana and then closed the box.

We are on our way back to Riddleport (or Riddlesport as Olamas calls it) to supply up and so that Ameiko can go back to Sandpoint to make arrangements.  It is likely that Ameiko and Kali can pay someone to teleport them back to Sandpoint for a few days. Otherwise it will take many weeks round trip for the caravan.  The rest of us will have a few days to look for new gear or rest. I am still a little freaked out about the whole situation and I have decided to not risk these demons or devils tracking me back to my family. Besides my family is well aware that it will likely be years before I return to visit.

Before the magic seal imparted us with the knowledge about Ameiko’s birthright I was planning to part ways with the group upon the return to Riddleport. I am excited about the adventure but the whole thing about demons and devils perusing Ameiko and now all of us is a little bit disturbing. I am still just not sure what to think about the entire situation yet.

Erastus 24th 4712

We arrived in Riddleport today. Eytane ask me to help her make a protection from evil potion for Raddella so I spent part of the day helping. I learned that simple potions of first level can be created in 2 hours. Higher level potions take a lot longer and a portion of lessor restoration is a whole day event.  It’s very interesting because I think Kali told me that she can make a standard caster level scroll up to and including 2nd level spells in two hours. I found the whole process very interesting, but I have no interest in learning how to create scrolls, potions, or wands. Kali has agreed to create some scrolls for me with the help of Qatana; Qatana has agreed that she will provide the spells for the scrolls. My plan is to get a couple of spells that either I do not plan to learn or may not learn in the near future. Qatana has stated that she is going to learn to create wands and Kali is going to create those wondrous items. My first thoughts are creating magic weapons or wondrous items. I was leaning towards wondrous items for things like efficient quiver, belt of dexterity, headband of charisma, and other cool magic items. These all get a lot harder to do if you don’t have spells; with my limited spells I would either need help or scrolls to make some of these items. It doesn’t make since so I have decided to learn how to create magic weapons.

I spent the rest of the day following along as Sparna search for a weapon. I am pretty sure I was walking around in a daze as I did not realize until later that he bought materials to make a weapon and not actually a weapon. The whole gravity of this situation is still a little much to comprehend.

Erastus 25th  and 26th 4712

From advice form Raddella I shopped at some places that would sell efficient quiver but the cost is just a little more money than I have. I already knew this but I figured checking doesn’t hurt; at least as long as you stay out of the bad parts of the city. Walking through the city I was hopeful to find a cinnamon bread bakery like the one they have in Magnimar. Maybe I just didn’t go to the right area but I never found cinnamon bread. During my wandering I found a shop that has leather scroll holder with a caps to keep the scrolls dry when it is raining. I settled on the three scroll holder.  It is a simply three leather tubes each holding a scroll and it also has a slot for a wand. I tried scroll tubes and other ways to hold scrolls but they just didn’t work for me. This will allow me the ability to use up to three scroll and a wand during combat.  This is much better than the dagger sheath that I have the cure moderate wounds spell in today. Although it could be very interesting to try to find the wand after I drop it.  The fact that I can use scrolls and wands still seems a little wild.

I actually found an Oracle enchanter to give me the basic training on creating magic weapon. I spent two of the days as Margo’s assistant. She actually has the same Oracle issue that I have so the mess was everywhere. Her work area was a mess and as part of the deal is that I had to clean it up and build some new shelves to organize all of the stuff she has. I am pretty sure that some of this stuff went bad before I was born. I can’t tell from looking at her if she is or is not older than Koya.  The two days spent with Margo were very enlightening. Although she is an Oracle of waves her advice was very sound.

“Don’t try to be a healer. If the gods wanted you to be a healer then they would have given you the life mystery.”

“The spells that are multi-taskers are great to learn.”

“Make sure to have spells that can be used outside of combat.”

After spending an entire day working to clean up her messy work space and building shelves we finally started working on the magic. She was hired by one of the shopkeepers to make a masterwork sword into a magic weapon. I watched as she worked on this sword infusing magic into the very metal. At the lunch break she explained the process she was using to create the magic. By the end of the day she had completed the project.

Ivan speaks “I thought that is took two days to create a +1 magic weapon”

Margo speaks “If you are skilled enough in spellcraft you can reduce the amount of time that it takes. This was a simple weapon so it was easy for me to create it in one day. Weapons with higher magic are a lot harder. As agreed I will drop off the weapon this evening. If they wanted a rush job that would have cost more. Make sure you don’t let people take advantage of your abilities and always celebrate when you can.”

I waited for Margo as she delivered the now magic sword to the shop keeper. Once she returned we celebrated into the late hours of the night with food, drink and discussion. She recounted story after story of her pirating days in the inner sea. In her day Margo must have been one piece of work. For the first time since I have been learning from her I realized that she would likely not think twice about killing me if she thought that I had something she needed or wanted. Her stories relished in the slaughter seemingly of anyone that stood in her way or if is fancied her. She claims that years ago there was a bounty on her head and she call Riddleport her home port to be with other like herself. Margo asked where I planned on going next and I simply told her that the caravan I am traveling with is heading out in the next few days, I will find out the details likely just before we leave.

Erastus 27th 4712

I returned to the caravan before Ameiko and Kali returned from Sandpoint. Once they returned we will head north. I picked up some cold weather gear but efficient quiver will have to wait. Sparna offered to lend me some money but maybe I just wasn’t ready.  Over the last several weeks that I have been traveling with this group of people thinking that we would part ways after Brinewall. Deep down I was still thinking that we all would be parting ways so borrowing money didn’t seem right. Since the reveal I have been focused on excitement about the trip across the world and the danger from my now association with Ameiko. I hadn’t thought about the fact I will now be traveling with these people for a long time and we have to rely on each other to survive.

 

Erastus 31 4712 Brinewall revisited

It was a little reckless but I pushed far ahead of the caravan to reach the Brinewall turnoff.   For some reason I needed some time near where everything started to think about what has happened and think about the visions.

The vision of the terrible fiend army with burning skin emerging from a vast forest during a storm is very odd. I instinctively wanted to ask Kali what these are and if bane outside subtype evil weapons would work against these things. But at the time I am not sure if I really wanted to ask the question and looking over at Kali it was obviously not the right moment to ask. Is this a vision of the future? Or something that has happened in the past. My first thought was that Ameiko taking the throne is the way to stop this army but you only need to send in an army like this if you have someone opposing you. It looks to me that Tien is going to war.

The image of the friend turning into some type of demonic warrior in a suite of jade armor striking down his royal friend is a powerful vision. If the Tien royalty can’t tell these things from their personal friends how will we ever know when one is in our presence? Either Spivey or Kelda could be one of these things. I guess technically anyone could be one of them but how would they even know who to pretend to be. Clearly I am jumping to conclusions as if they knew where find us I think they would just come after us. What kind of creature can pretend to be someone else?

We have determined that the grandfather sold the sword for gold to the richly dressed Ulfen man. I have to wonder; If they have been waiting this long at Brinewall wouldn’t they also seek out the sword. A sword that powerful shouldn’t be hard to find with the right magic; that is unless you have it hidden in the warding box. I am worried that the sword has already fallen in the hands of more of these demons or devils. Why would devils or demons be involved with something like this and why do they care so much about the last of a royal bloodline. If they have the power to take the land how is the last of the royal bloodline going to stop them.

The vision of Ameiko waking from a deep sleep within the arms of the jade throne seems clear. The revelation that everyone at the crypt is now in line for the throne is kind of scary. If something happens to Ameiko I am not sure which of the others I would support to take the throne.  We need to make sure she takes the throne and then starts making heirs. It is important that she has someone to take over the throne once she grows old. While she is an attractive women it is going to take a special type of person to live that type of life. I can’t really imagine not having the freedom to just wander off.

 

Arodus 3 4712

Early in the day we spotted a strange raven that seemed to be following us. I went back to the caravan to tell the others but Kali had also spotted the raven as well. She however hadn’t seen the red feathers on the wings. The raven was less than 200 feet away so I suggested that we shoot it down but Kali insisted that we wait. I was going to explain that the max range on composite longbows was 1100 feet but she did was not interested so I kept it to myself. Koya told the group that raven with red feathers is a bad luck. I knew I should have just shot down the raven.

Koya offered to do a reading and Kali agreed. This still makes me uncomfortable. When I asked Koya about knowing the future she responded with something about at least being prepared for what is to come. I guess if it is going to happen anyway it would be better to be prepared for it.

We arrived in Jol somewhat late and of course Kali knew about this city as well. We were only going to be here until morning so a few ales at one of the local taverns provided some distraction. I entered the tavern and sat in the corner facing the room. I order a tanker of ale and some stew from the attractive barmaid Angela. Angela brought me the drink and commented on not seeing me here before. After discovering that I could from the south near Sandpoint she shared that her mother was from Magnimar. She has always wanted to visit Magnimar but she is not sure if she can get her husband and daughter to make this trip. I sat there for a little while drinking the ale and listening. The table to the left was boisterously giving a detailed story about a recent hunting trip. The table off in front of me was telling what seemed like legendary tales about monsters that roam at night. The story centered on vampires that live in the local area that are the reason why people go missing from time to time. The story teller suggested that this vampire lives in the Thassilonian ruins that Jol was built on top of. The same story teller then proceeded to tell stories about how giants are still known to live in the ruins as well. It was about this time that I realized that the story teller was just entertaining the people of the tavern and was expecting a hand out.  I have to admit that it was entertaining. I signaled Angela to bring me another ale and continued to listen to the bard continue to tell very entertaining stories. After I finished the ale I called Angela over and tipped her a few silver to help with the family or to save for a trip to Magnimar.  I have always felt as if the barmaids and tavern owners of the world are ambassadors to some great religion.  I know that it is crazy talk and if I ever speak it out loud the other my think that I am crazier than Qatana.

I headed back down the street towards the caravan thinking about my traveling companions. I feel like that I can truly trust them but I am not really sure that I know them very well.

Arodus 6 4712

Yesterday we traveled through the Grungir forest. These are fey controlled woods that are dangerous.  I think someone said something about a ritual where potential kings seek out powerful Fey in the forest in order to prove their claim. I can understand how the Fey would be less than happy to have strangers enter their forest. We stayed on the path and just got through the forest without any issues. As we exited the forest the raven was spotted but flew off before anything could be done.

We arrived at Losthome this morning.  I remained with the caravan as the others did the trading. After the trading was completed we were back on the road.

Arodus 7 4712

We arrived at Skalsbridge this evening and setup camp just like normal. In fact this was a normal uneventful day until a little while ago. During first watch while a lot of us were sleeping they spotted the raven. The alert went out and we all came to alert about the time we heard a large number of what we now know as Ulfen warriors. I had the bow out but in the dark I could not see well enough to properly shoot. So I pulled off the first bead of fireball and tossed it to what sounded like the center of the incoming force.  The momentary light from the fireball showed that I had good aim so I put the second one in the same spot. The rest of the party was moving forward so I did not throw the last bead. Instead I moved forward with the bow in one hand and the starknife in the other. When I got close enough to at least see a little bit it was pretty clear that the others were taking care of the rest so I checked on the ones already down to make sure they would not recover.

This starknife really doesn’t do much damage. The returning ability is really cool in concept but it only has an effective range of 20 feet and frankly the bow does more damage. I am really thinking that the money from selling this weapon would be more helpful to the group than the weapon.

I have noticed that there are cases where shooting with the longbow does not always work. In the dark and in the enclosed spaces hand to hand is a much better option. After I get an efficient quiver I think it will be time to find better armor and maybe even a shield. While the longbow in my hands is effective it lacks that punch them in the mouth factor.

Kelda said something about seeing the Raven. It really sounds like the raven was tracking us for an ambush but was there anything that we missed that would have provided more clues. Other than the raven following us I don’t recall any evidence of this pending attack. Now I wonder if the raven is someone’s familiar or is this some type of creature that can shapeshift.