18 Erastus, Wealday Continued

Olmas and Qatana did recover and the search through the castle continued. I took the rear guard and soon after I heard fighting commence. I went to investigate and it was over before I arrived. Apparently there was a priest in the chapel that seemed to have been a chapel to a God that several of our companions revered. The statue was defaced and converted to the god of the Corbies. This was quickly taken down. We searched a room attached and found a few items we figured may be useful including some scrolls.

From there we continued to explore this level. At some point we ended up on a balcony overlooking a ballroom. We also found an area where the walls ran with blood  and ghostly visages, or so I was told (unfortunately I was not in the room to witness it). This apparently frightened Sparna and Ivan. I was sent to retrieve them: however, they made it clear that they were not going back. It took a little time to calm them down. After they did calm down we found another room that seemed like a study with papers that Kali said were a bad attempt at a play. We then went outside and opened a building that we found housed a mobat. The mobat was dispatched and while others rested, I gathered some of the bat droppings. These are usually useful in many concoctions.

We then found a set of stairs leading up (the only set going up). This lead to the library which was home to a Harpy by the name of Zaiobe. Zaiobe is Mute at least in the sense that she does not speak through her mouth. Apparently she could speak telepathically, at least to Qatana. She informed us of the demon lord who was her lover that she was tired of. She asked us to help her get rid of him. Since one of the riddles suggested she would help, we figured we would work with her.

We set the stage in an abandoned inn, where I was to wait in the Kitchen and move to block his exit. This did not exactly work for he had brought with some extra friends (perhaps to act out a play he had been writing. Well some of the Corbies decided to come in through my door so I greeted them with a smile and the pointy end of my Spear. It was not long before they and there master were dead. I enjoyed this play immensely.

The next part did not please me at all, though not that unexpected. The harpy chose to turn on us relying on the safety of flight. She made some strong hit on my allies and I ran between them to heal them, then got into the cover of the building. Though she had a good strong start, the finish was not to her benefit as she came crashing down. It really was to bad as she could have had a longer happier life. We then sought the sanctuary of the Cemetery to rest up.

I have begun to notice that I am expected to be a healer for our group. Ivan especially calls me the Healer. I do not mind helping and healing, it is one way that I feel I can pay back my sisters kindness. I have told my companions though that there are times where I am lead to be less prepared for the healer role.

19 Erastus, Oathday

I had another dream last night. This time I was fight endless swarms of beetles. As I tired, it look as though the were defeated, but then an unnerving laugh filled my ears. It was him. He was behind me. I felt something sharp stab me in the back. I woke to find Ling watching over me with a sense of concern for me. He really is a great friend. Ling and I sat together meditating. Today it feels as though I could choose my spells that I desired. I took some healing spells and some spells to harm my foes.

Since Zaiobe was not returning to the library we figured we ought to. We found some interesting books and blueprints. After discovering that we had explored everything in the upper levels of the Keep we would explore the ground floor.

On our way down the stairs we noticed a Most unpleasant smell. It made some in the group feel a bit sick. We discovered the source of that smell was troglodytes. Before they were all killed one called into a room for assistance. We spiked the door so that none would come. In the 2 other adjoining rooms were a lizard and sleeping trogs. Both died quickly. The final door opened up into the great hall.

As we continued to explore I stayed near the back to keep an eye on the hallway (feeling a bit weary from last nights dream). Apparently the landlord was found and dispatched. It was a female ogre-kin. I call her the landlord because she had a bag marked rent.

We then enter the ballroom which we discovered was not a perfect circle. This caused much speculation. This was not that important to me so I did not pay much attention.

We ventured forth exploring 2 doors of the sides of the hallway which seemed to be full of rubble and some nice arrows which we dispersed to our archers.

Now it was time to see what was behind the double doors. We opened them to find several disfigured and preserved creatures. This was all thanks to a very small individual that took great pride in their pieces of art. I have to admit that I was intrigued by the art as well. It reminded me of how I felt as a child. But when I heard the creature say that the art was alive till they were done, I knew that would not bode well for it. We moved in to stop the creature but man was it fast. With a few arrows we put an end to is mutilations I grabbed some spider poison that we found. I am sure this will be useful. After examining the body I discovered it was a quickling. Hmm.

Well after this I have to admit, my curiosity got the better of me. Qatana and I wanted to check a pond we saw from when we were dealing with the mobat, so we ventured out to it. I was curious if there was anything in the murky water and how deep it was so I put my spear in to find out. Well, I was not expecting what came out. A giant beetle emerged and so did memories of last nights dream. I encouraged us to fall back to the group. As we came in I could hardly spit out the words to what I saw. Well the party as normal acted quickly and the archers dispatched it from above.

From there we explored the northern chambers where we fought 2 wights. They seemed to be what remained of the guards. After we put them to rest we discovered some papers that added to the history of Brinewall.

Before heading down we chose to explore the outer building which turned out be a stable. Sparna yelled out, “Spiders!” and something else I did not catch as I was so focused on the spiders. I felt I knew what to do. I rushed in and shared my knowledge of fire with them. Well I found out to listen to everything Sparna says, because I was bit a couple times by some spiders. I wasn’t to worried since I know the venom will wear off, but my companions handed me a potion of lesser restoration just in case, Which I ended up using later so I could assist my companions better.

We decided it was time to venture into the lower levels. We chose the door that we blocked off and some proceeded down. We soon discovered there where actually more trogs down there and we pulled back to play some games with them. It is funny what happens when you grease the stairs. well several trogs went crashing down them. They retreated back into a room with more of there kind. A plan was hatched and mists and noises and color were everywhere. Then a Giant Dwarf (I tell the truth) goes running into the room and soon trog guts everywhere.

A close by room seemed to be an armory, wherein I got a set of bone dice and a couple flasks of alchemist fire. We soon entered what looked like a kitchen with several doors. We first checked the less traveled rooms finding cave. In one of the narrower caves was a secret door. This took Radella a bit of time to open, but she did it. It is good to have a lock specialist around. Well that door let to another cave which opened up to the water. I assume this was a smugglers secret.

We went back into the kitchen and discovered another locked door which Radella convinced to open. This also led to a cave that seemed to descend further. We concluded to finish exploring this level before going down. We went into a room where there was a pool in the center. I was curious to discover it actual depth and much to everyone relief nothing came out of it and attacked. The next room was a prison and it had 2 Ogre guard that were asleep at least until we opened the door.

Qatana had convinced the creature that we were there to offer it some food. Kali and I were getting ready to fetch something for it to eat (laced with Alchemist fire) when we hear an arrow fly over head. Well pooh! With a little misfortune the first ogre was held and dropped. The smaller ogre took a little longer but soon fell to our warriors.

Shortly after dispatching the ogres we discovered a women in one of the sells. I began to ask her some very important questions and I got some sour looks from the group. Sparna pulled me aside and let me know that though they were important questions the delivery was not the best. I get it, it is just sometimes they take so long asking their questions and getting to the point. Apparently this person’s name is Kelda and I was surprised at the insults she laid on us, trying to make herself look better. They think I was rude, ha!

We continued on, and I kept an eye on Kelda. We came to a crypt with an image of some god on the door. We entered and was greeted by someone who claimed to be Pharasma. I could tell that something wasn’t right so I began to head down a ramp with my weapon to see what was up. Several others agreed with my assessment and followed. We soon discovered a flying tentacled creature. This thing gave me reason try one of my new favorite spells, “Burning Gaze” It took a while for it to work but eventually I caught it on fire. It didn’t seem to effect it much, but it still gave me pleasure. We eventually defeated it and that is where I am right now, as we figure out what to do next.