Starday, Arodus 17

I must commit myself greater to the task of noting my travels. While I will admit that naught of great import has happened so far, one can never tell what will be significant and what will not without some sort of clairvoyance.

I have come from Korvosa, following the coast north to Palin’s Cove before going overland to skirt the Fenwall Mountains. I anticipate reaching Melfesh within a day or two. Already I miss the amenities I had grown accustomed to in Korvosa, but as Father pointed out more than once, adventures don’t come and sit in your lap.

Well, actually, that DID almost happen today at a pub, and while she WAS quite attractive, the jealous boyfriend that attacked me made her less so. It is unfortunate that he required healing, but everyone there agreed I was provoked and was simply defending myself. Incidents like that aside, it’s been rather uneventful. I am able to earn the odd coin here or there assisting with a hunt or even being a bit of a mercenary, helping to extend a city guard for a few days. In general, people do seem won over by my demeanor and folks here seem to be generous and trusting. I’ve gotten favorable rates of trade with merchants and favorable prices with storekeeps. Father says our general good nature and demeanor runs in the family, and he found it much the same when he was adventuring.

It sounds so noble and exciting — adventuring! — but really, all it is is trying to make a living by getting paid for what you do best. Apparently it’s something of a rite of passage in our family, but I must admit I find the idea enticing of its own. My magicks are pretty weak yet so I’ve become adept with some more ordinary weapons, but Father said that getting out in the world and exercising his mind seems to have made it stronger. The more experiences he had, the better he was able to control the magic and the more powerful it became.

The magic still being weak in me, I’ve decided I will use it sparingly. There’s no telling how helpful it might be, and seeing me wield it might frighten people badly. Not everone is comfortable around magic (although I don’t see how that differs from priests and their magic but everybody thinks that’s perfectly normal.)

Today I am in Palin’s Cove. I decided it might make for more adventure (and save money) to take it on foot rather than take passage on one of the many ships available. I gained some travelling companions on two or three nights, but we shared bread and little else. I got the sense that I was definitely taking the road less travelled.

But now that I’m here, I must say the history is palpable. Behind the city walls huge weapons like catapults and ballistae bristle, and the successful battles against the marauding Shoanti offer testimony to their workmanship. Of course, that was quite a while ago, but this former military outpost is proud of its history and the shops, inns, and pubs all play on the theme. (“Soldier’s Surplus”, “Barracks-on-the-Rise”, and “The General’s Brew” are examples of same.) But these days, Palin’s Cove is a bustling industrial area. Is it any surprise that their chief export is weapons?

Anyway, tomorrow I strike out for Melfesh, after which I’ll go west and follow the shores of Lake Syrantula. There are legends of strange animals living in the Mushfens, and perhaps I can get paid handsomely for the pelt of one. If all else fails, I could make my way full west to Magnimar (if I stay to the river) or Sandpoint (were I to leave the river and go overland.)

Oathday, Arodus 22

Hmm, yes, Melfesh. It seems I’d overestimated its charm. While the companions I met on foot to Palin’s Cove were sullen and anti-social, those I’ve met on the way to Melfesh varied from mad to dangerous. I only had to wield my quarterstaff threateningly once, and apparently one solid strike was sufficient to discourage further attack. I wonder if I chanced upon my journey during a bad time, or if this is typical?

One man seemed harmless enough, but babbled on about gold and monsters and his brother who was still in the mine, but he was going to bring help, and did I have any gold to spare for his brother, who was injured and needed healing? It’s possible, I suppose, that he really did have a brother, and they might even have a claim to a mine, but the ‘monsters’ he described clearly came out of some alcohol enhanced nightmare. He traveled with me for several hours, and then, while I was intent upon scouting the coming path, he vanished. (Maybe one of his monsters ate him.)

Oathday (more)

Well, okay, perhaps I was a little harsh. Chatting up some new friends in Melfesh, I learned that the Fenwall Mountains, now solidly to my west and south, does have its fair share of prospectors, claim jumpers, and, yes, unusual creatures. I’m now not so sure I’m ready to go after a pelt of anything living in Fenwall … at least, not yet. However, I also learned of a big town party in Sandpoint coming soon. It’s a little over a full month out, but Sandpoint, according to my father, had some happenings several years ago that sound .. mysterious. Apparently some local went insane and started killing people, many people, and either he or the townspeople (the stories vary) burned down the local church/ the shipyards/half the town (the stories vary) during their attempt to capture/rehabilitate/kill him (the stories vary). The Sandpoint businessman’s guild euphemistically refers to it as “the late unpleasantness”, I’m told. It certainly sounds like it was.

I’m told the celebration is to honor the consecration of the new church. But perhaps more pertinent to my situation right now is that there will be free food at the celebration, and with the expected influx of visitors, there might be a little mercenary work to be had helping out the town guard. While I’m in no danger right now of running out of money (I’ve been pretty frugal) I wouldn’t mind feeling a little more comfortable on that side of things and free food and a few coins might well be just what the shaman ordered.

I admit, this isn’t exactly what I had planned when I left home, but I guess that father didn’t tell us all the boring parts of the stories. Or I didn’t hear them. “And then after earning four coppers per day for four moons, son, and paying for my room and board, I had almost 5 gold pieces to my name.” “What happened then, dad?” “Why, then I killed a black dragon of course, son.”

Yeah, don’t remember that so well.

Tomorrow I start west towards Sandpoint, via Biston, Ilsurian, Whistledown, and Wartle. I think it prudent to take the northern shore if I’m to walk (which would surely save some money.)

[7] Starday, Arodus 24

Made it to Biston. I can see the Fenwalls quite clearly now across the lake and I’m increasingly sure I made the right decision. I do wish I could have afforded passage on the boats that run regularly along the length of the lake, but I must budget my money frugally as I don’t know how long it will be before I can earn more than a few coppers a day. On the other hand, I’m learning more of the land and the area through the people I meet than I would on a 2-day boat trip.

I’m allowing myself the luxury of indoor sleeping quarters at each city I reach, but in between I am exposed to the elements. The two nights out of Melfesh have been as different as night and … uh, well, bad analogy. They’ve been different. One was warm and comfortable, needing a fire only for companionship. The second … well, I’m glad the second was after reaching Biston, for tonight as I write by flickering light in the pub I can hear the wind blowing and the rain pelting the roof. Although my accomodations are frugal, they are still dry and I give thanks for that. I must be doing something right to time my outdoor adventures so.

Moonday, Arodus 26

Ilsurian achieved! And I find my fortitude is increasing! I used to tire after 13 or 14 miles but I find now that my body is capable of nearly 20 miles per day if I push it. Thus it is that even though I think Ilsurian is a bit farther from Biston than Biston is from Melfesh, it took no more time.

It does not, however, leave me any less tired. And this time, I did get to sleep under a tree on a rainy night, much to my discomfort. I’m very much looking forward to a chance to dry out and sleep well tonight.

Moonday (more)

Alas, being indoors does not make one any more safe against thieves. One tried to cut my purse tonight while I slept.

It is unfortunate for him that I sleep with my dagger nearby. It is fortunate for him, however, that I sleep lightly and thus was not surprised or my uncontrolled reaction may have caused him more harm than he actually received. As it is, I suspect he will have a scar for life.

In his purse, I found the equivalent of 23 gold pieces mostly in gold and silver, likely stolen from other unfortunate victims. I located the proprietor and we decided there was no need to involve the authorities.

After a discussion, he admitted there had been a problem at both his and his main competitor’s inn and pub of late, but that this was the first time sleeping quarters had been violated. He thought there might be other victims from tonight’s play, but he wouldn’t know until morning. So I entrusted the 23 gp to him and told him to reimburse any victims that came to him in the next day or two. In return, he would give me any unclaimed gold. This he agreed to.

The thief was thrown bleeding to the street. No doubt he will have stories to tell.

In addition, to help root out the problem further, the innkeeper and his competitor (actually, brother-in-law, as it turned out) will speak in the morning.

Toilday, Arodus 27

I will be staying in Ilsurian a bit longer. The two innkeepers would like me to help “discourage” the thieves that have been plaguing their inns and pubs. They think about a week or so should do it. I’ll be paid a gold piece a day, plus free room and board, for the duration. There will be no bonus based on the number of thieves I catch since they want to discourage false accusations and incidents. But my behavior during my incident convinced them I could be trusted with this limited responsibility.

Oathday, Arodus 29

Today Beltan (the innkeeper) today gave me 15 gold pieces that he says was unclaimed. Whether he is telling the truth or not and kept some for himself is really of little matter. I stand to regain 22 pieces of gold after this is said and done.

Toilday, Rova 3

Today ends my service in Ilsurian. I captured 4 different thieves, and one slow learner twice. When I recognized him, his eyes got big as he saw the recognition and they stayed that way until he died. Then I got the innkeeper. I told him he appeared weakened from his previous encounter and died before I could get help. Beltan looked at me suspiciously, but I shrugged my shoulders and said, “He should have waited to heal from his first encounter with me.” Beltan peered at him closely and also recognized him then. That one we had to get the authorities for. A dead body is hard to hide. Or at least, hide blamelessly.

Beltan gave me an additional 5 gp as I left today, and wished me well. I told him our agreement was there would be no additional bonuses, and he quickly added it was not a bonus. It was an expression of gratitude above and beyond the agreement.

Father gave me 90gp. I spent more than 10gp on equipment before even leaving town, and had spent 15gp more in just 10 days’ travel. At that rate, I feared I would arrive in Sandpoint broke, but this brought me back to a respectable 92gp. I’m beginning to like this life of the free. It’s off to Whistledown now .. probably 4 days journey. Although, you know what? I just got paid. And it only costs 2gp to go by coach cab. I’m going to splurge.

Toilday (more)

And so, another lesson learned. Nobody likes to lose. It appears the thieves in Ilsurian had marked me. Thank the fates that I had chosen a carriage, as they would have had a better jump on me were I travelling on foot. As it was, when three of them beset us, the driver certainly did his part to dodge them, but the horse broke loose and ran off. I decided that conventional weaponry was no longer useful. I caused one to pause when a magic missile struck him in his chest. That did not kill him, but his surprised pause and the driver’s thrown dagger did. I flashed a look of appreciation at the same time that he was giving me an eye that suggested I was more than I seemed. The remaining two circled warily, trying to approach from opposite directions but two on two is a much fairer fight. Without surprise on their side, thieves are much less dangerous and my quarterstaff was able to beat him before his short sword was able to slice me.

A second magic missile helped dispatch the third fellow who’d marked the driver a bit. I applied some first aid, again surprising the driver. “For a man of little means,” he commented, “you seem to command many skills.”

“I choose to keep a low profile,” I said. “But I will pay you for your unexpected service.” And as I reached for my belt I discovered that their attack had not been entirely unsuccessful. One of them had managed to cut my purse. Fortunately, I’d put the bulk of my wealth in my backpack, so they only got 20gp. Only!

We located the horse a half mile away, led him back and resumed our journey.

Wealday, Rova 4

We’ve reached Whistledown and I paid the driver an extra 2gp and a night’s lodging to rest well before he took his coach back. Add in my own night’s costs, and I’m down to … bah! 64gp. In the future, I shall keep even less in my purse. I’ll pat myself on the back for not putting all my gold in one basket, as it were, but a hard lesson learned.

This town is named for the distinctive wooden charms that hang from house eaves to turn the evening wind off the lake into haunting melodies. Here, Lake Syrantula becomes the Yondabakari once more. Although the town is home to almost as many humans as gnomes, Whistledown is generally regarded as the primary gnome settlement in Varisia, and most of the quaint white-walled cottages are sized accordingly. Fortunately, the inns have a better variation on room and bed size and I was able to locate suitable accomodations.

Oathday, Rova 5

It seems in talking to the locals that the only city of interest between here and the coast is Wartle, and even that city is built on stilts, because the Mushfens lies on the south side of the river and its influence extends a little ways into the north side. In other words, travel by foot is very difficult and not advised.

Passage on a boat, for a journey this long, however, will run me about 32gp. I’m hoping there’s some work I can do at the other end.

Starday, Rova 7

We put in at Wartle, and it’s all the folks in Whistledown told me it was. And more. Or less, depending on your viewpoint. It’s little more than a ramshackle trading post full of swampers and fur traders. Wartle perches on stilts above the muck of the Mushfens, and but for dredging that must have been necessary for the shipping the muck is only about two and a half feet below the surface of the water.

The Mushfens, I’m told, are rich in magical reagents to those who know what to look for. I myself have never needed components for my spells, but apparently wizards from Magnimar and Galduria do maintain a presence here, training ordinary men and women to recover herbs from the swamp. While the arcanists pay extraordinarily well, the many monsters of the Mushfens make this one of the most dangerous professions in Varisia. I saw at least one mangled body return which bore this fact most graphically.

I’m very glad I took the boat. Very glad. I wouldn’t want to be on foot out there. If I find myself in desperate need of money I may return here for there is money to be had, but hopefully that will not be necessary. The stench and the bugs and, well, the danger would probably wear on me quickly.

Wealday, Rova 11

Ah, we’ve reached Magnimar. I’d heard many stories that its grandeur was overrated. I must say I agree. They’ve done well with the place, but these former Korvosans had so little to work with you can’t hold it against them.

They decided to form a democratic metropolis, and call themselves the City of Monuments. It is true I see a great deal of art around, but how many statues does one city need?

But it is sizable. And that means I may be able to hire on for a bit of gold with the local constabulary.

Toilday, Rova 17

“Pub security” might be the best title I could think of for my current career. “Bouncer” is a less civilized term. The constabulary here really doesn’t have a need for any extra hands. Bah! I should have known better than to try to make a living in Magnimar! In a little over two weeks I’ve managed to earn back just 8gp in wages, once you deduct food and a place to stay. I’m up to 40gp.

I’m heading north tomorrow. I’ve used up all the time I can here if I’m to make the celebration in Sandpoint. But I’ll have to walk it; I can’t afford a boat.

Wealday, Rova 18

Sleeping on the coast is so much nicer than inland, I must say. One problem I’d not encounted inland, though, is it’s much more likely to be foggy out here. That doesn’t bother me all that much, as fog at night is warming, and during the day, well, no trouble to me.

But the fates have smiled upon me again. It seems a rich businessman is shipping goods from Magnimar to Sandpoint, and is fearful that the fog may hide bandits or hooligans waiting to attack him. He is pleased to have the extra help along and will pay handsomely. Especially when I mentioned I could create light as needed, which will allow him to travel at night (although, afford me little sleep, I suspect.)

Oathday, Rova 19

I’m not sure if it’s really Oathday or not. I guess it is very early on Toilday. We traveled all night and arrived at Sandpoint while it was still dark. The businessman paid me 20gp, which helps greatly; plus, I think the celebration is in three days so I might still be able to get some guard work.

Oathday (more)

I’m very tired but I hate to waste a day. I checked with the guard and they’re convinced they’re full up. Curses. Likely no money to be made here. I’d be worse off without that caravan job though. Maybe that’s the way to go. I’ll look into that more after the celebration.

Fireday, Rova 20

Staying at the Rusty Dragon. It’s good, which means expensive, but I really really need the rest. I might move to a less expensive room, or inn, if feel the need but right now this seems to be just what the healer ordered. The dedication is tomorrow. I’ll check out the rest of the town later this afternoon.

Fireday (more)

A very pleasant server at the Dragon caught my eye and I’ve offered to accompany her to the Sandpoint Theatre.

There was a bard there tonight who seemed friendly .. Sedgwick, I believe. I may chat him up beyond a casual ‘hi’ — bards often know things others fear to tell.

There’s a sign at the bar, that says “discount room for anyone who tells an exciting adventure story.” Perhaps I’ll snag that discount tomorrow night.

Starday, Rova 21

First day of autumn today. Air is a bit brisk in crisp, like it knows.

As the ceremony began, the mayor talked about “putting our history behind us.” I remembered that this place of worship had been burned down in the “late unpleasantness” and got the reference. She was an interesting enough speaker, I suppose, but said little I didn’t already know about the town and its history.

Then the sheriff spoke about the need to keep the peace, and there’d be a bonfire in the evening, please be safe, etc. There was a moment of silence to honor those who had perished earlier. A very uninspiring speaker.

Then Cyrdakk Drokkus, who apparently was the lead actor at the theatre that Nyla and I were going to go to this evening got up and spent an eloquent amount of time saying nothing, except to advertise his play.

Finally Father Zantus thanked everyone, and announced that now we’d be releasing the swallowtails. Enjoy the food! See you in a half hour!

I circulated among the crowd, trying to pick up bits of conversation. The mayor, in a brief conversation with me, revealed that the fire may have actually been set by one of the children that Father Tobyn had taken in, Noalyn. But it’s only a rumor, not to be repeated.

I saw Sedgwick, and struck up a conversation with him. He seemed happy to see me, and mentioned a hunting party was getting together on the theory that the town would be devoid of food after the celebration. I figured I’d join on the theory that some cash is better than no cash.

And the celebration was indeed going strong. And the food was good. And the drink was flowing.

But at sunset, things changed.

As the Consecration began, a woman screamed. And another. And then a wagon burst into flames. And goblins — dozens, it seemed — started spreading over the area. They went for pets and children, mostly, although they were surely capable of ganging up on a full size adult too.

Cursing, I leapt into action. Around me, others did the same. I later learned these would-be members of the hunting party were named Avia (a paladin), Olithar (a priest), Kyras (a hunter), Sabien (a half orc, poor fellow), Nolin (a fighter), Rigel (an archer), and Sedgwick, of course.

The guards were doing their part but there was just too many. Our party killed at least 9 before I fell unconscious. When I awoke, it seems the priest had just healed me. At that moment we heard another scream from the north, and ran there to discover some sort of goblin dog being ridden by a goblin than the rest of the goblins.

We killed him, his dog, and his six minions feeding on a dead dog. The human standing there, one Aldron Foxglove, seemed quite pleased at the rescue and promised to reward us but we urged him to move inside.

We returned to find a fair amount of the town on fire, but Olithar, it turns out, could produce water at will and singlehanded helped put out several fires. The bucket lines that the townspeople formed up took care of the rest, and damage was kept to a minimum.

Despite our being at the north end of the town, it seems we didn’t get the worst of it. It appeared that the main force of goblins started attacking in the southern part of the town. Oddly, there were no indications that they had used any of the bridges to gain access to Sandpoint.

We discovered evidence that goblins had entered the northern gate and made their way to the cemetery. There they had broken open a tomb and plundered it. It was the tomb of Father Tobyn, the original priest of the church that had burned down.

We checked with the sheriff about why the northern gate was unlocked and unguarded, and he expressed surprised. It was not supposed to be open or unguarded. He checked the work sheet for the day and found that nobody was listed for gate duty — a strange circumstance indeed.

We concluded that the attack was probably intended as a distraction so that the tomb could be plundered.

But why was still a mystery.

But I may have found my adventure.