Julia,

Fate once again brought me face 2 face with Viralane on opposite sides but at the last minute she surrendered to the group and was knocked out before I could even hit her once. Apparently the others felt that she was more valuable alive then dead and I admit that even though I wanted to hurt her it would have been wrong to kill her once she had surrendered. I was a bit too rough when searching her unconscious body and that was wrong of me. Somehow I thought that it would make me feel better but it had the opposite effect and that is not a feeling that I ever wish to experience again.

We were able to learn more about the group chasing us so some good has come from keeping Viralane alive. I have learned that Viralane is not very bright, she is cursed and instead of trying to get it removed she falls for the cult that convinces her this is a very hard curse to get rid of but if she helps them then they will find a way to get the curse removed. She is such a putz.

I have also learned a lot about her ability and it is clear that she has enjoyed a life full of manipulating people with her magic to get what she wants. Apparently being selfish and self-centered doesn’t make one evil.

With her being close to death I felt obligated to watch over her, even when some of the others suggested that we leave her tied up while we continue to search. It’s not that I really wanted to protect and guard her from danger but there is no way I could just leave her helpless.

Maybe just maybe she will turn her life around, that is if going back to performing and being intimate with married men can be considered turning her life around.

I am a little confused about the intent of Shasa in regards to helping Viralane with her curse. I am not sure if she plans to work to remove the curse or find another way that will allow her to perform on stage. I admit my sense of anger towards her brought to my mind a cruel way to allow her to go back to performing on stage without removing the curse.

This is one of those times when I really want to go surfing through her memories to determine if a second chance is justified. Regardless Viralane is getting her second chance and I just hope she doesn’t ruin it.

Captain Sursha was very happy to see the return of Viralane so that she can finally pay for her crimes. I now realize that the situation with Viralane is outside of my control and my part at least for the moment is done. As long as she follows the commands of Sursha and the crew I have to accept that there is nothing further for me to do. Hearing the determination in Sursha’s voice put me at ease and I can’t in good conscience do anything further to Viralane, although it would have been nice to be able to stab her at least once before she surrendered.

After dinner and some more time with Captain Sursha I can finally let go and I no longer have the urge to punch Viralane in the face. I accept that Desna led me to the closure that I needed rather than the one I was searching for.

I still don’t know about helping Viralane with her curse. In time Desna will provide me guidance if it is her will for me to help Viralane. For me I feel that it is too early to tell which version of Viralane we will see in the future. With her magic abilities to manipulate people’s minds I suspect that she might be able to get out of her current legal situation. She is also attractive so I don’t put it past her to use sexual favors along with mind affecting abilities to earn her freedom.

My new at least temporary roommate is Shimsa and she is enjoyable to be around. She seems a little self-conscious about not being human, I never even thought about it until I spent some time with her.  I have to assume there have been some very cruel people in her past but hopefully it has been very obvious that to me we should relish and celebrate our differences along with all of the ways we are the same. I will have to say that she is a lot neater than you are, I haven’t tripped over her clothes even once.

For now it is clear that the will of Desna is for me to travel with this group of people. It looks as if all of us have been chosen by the gods to follow this path. Something big is happening and we must do our part to make sure evil does not corrupt the world.

Even though part of me wishes you were here I feel that you are already following the right path for you.

Knock, Knock, Knock. The door opens to a screech from Julia as she embraces Remi and pulls her inside. This once mighty warrior checks her sleeping baby and then turns her attention back to Remi.

“So tell me everything” says Julia

Remi proceeds to tell Julia the story of her trip leaving out the specific details that need to remain secret. Julia intently listens to the entire story before speaking

“So it sounds like you finally have found a good group of people to adventure with. You have always jumped to conclusions so the fact that they took the items the group was delivering to Magnimar while you were out from the poison may have a reasonable explanation. While it is possible that they have lost trust in you I suspect that it was more about making it harder for your enemies to find it. At least you didn’t die from the poison like Henric. “ says Julia

“On the way here I stopped by his grave. The helpless feeling of watching him die of the poison is hard to forget. I know that at the time there was nothing that we could have done to save him but that doesn’t make it any less painful.” Replies Remi

Julia picks up the baby and carefully front wraps her to Remi. “I think you should take me out and buy me a gift. Since I am going to try on clothes you can watch after her. I promise not to tell your mother” Julia says with a gin

“Ah” replies Remi

“We are like sisters right? Well you should get to know your niece” says Julia

After searching several shops Julia finds an outfit to her liking. “Ok this one is comfortable to wear”

“Yeah I remember when your outfits were very revealing” comments Remi

“Oh I still have those” replies Julia

The two of them head over to one of their favorite places to eat. After enjoying a good meal and conversation Julia looks at Remi intensely and says “So you do have to go see your mother. “

“I was hoping you would go with me. That way maybe she will gush over the baby.” Says Remi in a concerned voice.

After a while Remi and Julia make their way over to the family butcher shop where Remi and Julia are warmly greeted by hugs from Remi’s father. Remi spins the happy version of her adventures for her father, brother, and Joe. After answering all of their question about the trip on the ship and Roderic’s Cove Julia grabs her arm and starts leading her to the stairs saying “There is no sense in putting it off”

“Well boys I think we are better off staying down here and besides we have to get that big order ready” replies Remi’s father

As Julia and Remi reach the top of the stairs the gaze of her mother feels deathly. For a moment they all just stand there looking at each other until suddenly the silence is broken by her mother “Oh let me see that precious girl. You haven’t been over to see us in a while.”

Remi’s mother takes the baby gushing over the little one “Oh isn’t she just the sweetest little baby girl. If your auntie over there would just settle down like a normal woman you would have someone to play with. I bet if she had a darling little girl like you she would quickly forget that nonsense about being an adventurer. ”

Remi’s mother hands the baby back to Julia and then turns her attention to Remi “So are you finally done with that crazy idea that you can be an adventurer. Clearly everyone sees that you are not an adventure, why else would you be back so soon. Or maybe you are pregnant. Oh my dear you don’t have to worry if you are pregnant because there are several men willing to marry you even if you are pregnant. “

Remi blurts out “I am not pregnant”

“Remi it’s time for you to grow up, get married, and start having kids. I don’t know why you have to be so much like your grandmother. “Exclaims her mother

Remi looks intently at her mother “I am not your only child. I am not about to start having kids because you think it is time. “

“Your brother and Joe work long hours in the butcher shop. Right now is not a good time for them to adopt a child” replies her mother

At that moment a familiar set of arms wraps around Remi as her grandmother says “Your daughter is going to make up her own mind whether you like it or not.”

Remi and her mother spend the next 45 minutes glaring at each other as Julia and grandmother attempt to keep the conversation light.

“Well I have to go meet up with my companions. We will be heading out on a new adventure soon and there are a lot of arrangements to be made before we leave” says Remi as she walks over and embraces her mother in a warm hug.

“I love you mom, but you drive me crazy.” Says Remi while still hugging her mother

“Well you drive me crazy too but I love you too daughter” replies her mother

Remi hugs her grandmother and then Remi escorts Julia back home before rejoining her companions.

Julia,

I have finally made it to Roderics cove. I know that you are not surprised to hear that the trip here was fantastic. The open air on the water was wonderfully refreshing. The ship’s captain is an amazing woman and even a fool would be able to tell that her crew has great respect for her.  While the trip is was fun the open sea doesn’t seem to be my calling. I have found a group of adventures to team up with. Sadly they have recently lost one of their companions. After what happened to Ricardo I understand their pain.

I of course will not be in Magnamar for the Ritual of Stardust so your will just have to get along without you favorite follower of Desna. I know that you always look forward our traditional day of new experiences but with a new child it is best if you don’t do anything dangerous.  Besides your child is your great new experience this year. I will do my best to keep out of trouble this year, how could I possibly get into as much trouble when you are not around.

I have only been with the group a short while but it is very encouraging that the 3 follower of Serenrae are all women. It is refreshing to once again to be able to fight alongside capable women.  The men in the group seem reasonable but the Halfling wizard Jigu seems to have forsaken the gods and I worry for his soul. It is not may place to judge or even try to convert him so I just let him follow his own path as long as he is not disrespectful of Desna. One of the Serenrae followers Sasha has been bless with the gift of both arcane and divine magic. Her sister and the other follower of Serenrae seem to be more of the path of the sword. The two warriors of Serenrae both seem to have the ability to detect evil like a Paladin or inquisitor. The man called Droste favors the bow and seems to have rogue skills as well. Droste is one of those major Thassilionian geeks and I haven’t figure out the lengths he would go to gain Thassilionian knowledge. The last guy is Vlad. Vlad seems to be a cross between warrior and magic user so he might also have an interesting story to tell.

I have fallen into something major with these people. Obviously I can’t write about it so you will just have to wait until I come to visit. Without going into details I am a little bit worried and a lot curious about the very dangerous situation here.  The task is huge and I now see why they allowed me assist them in this task. They really haven’t said what they plan after the current issue is resolved but at least for now I am getting an equal share to assist with this situation.

I want you to know that I just couldn’t stand being cooped up any longer and this has nothing to do with last year’s Ritual of Stardust. Beside with a new baby girl you should focus on the new baby Jessica and your husband William so you don’t have time to try to top what you did to me last year. I promise that someday in the future to return to Magnamar for the Ritual of Stardust and as always I will without question accept whatever you have in store for me for the Ritual of Stardust.

Your best friend forever

Remi